Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 HKSAR gov't welcomes LME's inclusion of Hong Kong as approved delivery point Xinhua) 08:25, January 21, 2025 HONG KONG, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Monday welcomed the decision announced by the London Metal Exchange (LME) to include Hong Kong as an LME warehouse location, saying that the move will consolidate the city's position as an international financial, shipping and trade center. The LME, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, announced on Monday that it would include Hong Kong as an approved delivery point within the LME's global warehousing network and will accept applications from warehouse operators to become approved for the storage of LME-registered brands of metals. Christopher Hui, secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR government, said that the approval would bring efficient and comprehensive services to the global metal markets, leveraging Hong Kong's institutional and legal advantages, and demonstrating its role as a "super-connector" and "super value-adder" to connect mainland, the world's largest consumer of metals, and international opportunities. The establishment of LME-accredited warehouses in Hong Kong will provide more convenient, more cost-effective, and safer delivery channels for related metals trading in the region. It will also increase the demand for Hong Kong's trade, shipping, warehousing and transportation industries, strengthen Hong Kong's commodities ecosystem, and lay a foundation for future financial-related trading, he added. Hong Kong is striving to create a commodity trading ecosystem, with the latest policy address vowing to capitalize on this opportunity to establish relevant supporting facilities to attract mainland enterprises to engage in commodity trade, especially of non-ferrous metal, in Hong Kong, further expanding the demand for maritime and trade services. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A fifth community solar project has entered Harford County's development pipeline and is set to add nearly 40 acres to the roughly 61 acres already dedicated to community solar generating systems in Harford County. Per state law, these systems allow property owners to build solar power systems on their land as long as the property is simultaneously being used for farming activity recognized by the Department of Agriculture. The Bonneville Solar Project is the latest to be introduced to Harford County and aims to build a 5-megawatt system on 36.8 acres of a 206.41-acre parcel in Jarrettsville near Jarrettsville and Federal Hill roads. Plans were introduced this month and will go before the county's Development Advisory Committee on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Harford County Administration Building at 220 S. Main St. in Bel Air. The public is invited to attend to learn more about the project and ask developers questions. Harford County allowed community solar projects in 2021, when a bill passed the County Council unanimously. The legislation allowed community solar projects on land zoned for residences or businessnot agriculture. A workgroup was created by Harford County to assist in the implementation of solar projects on the county's agricultural land, but in 2023, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation turning a seven-year community solar pilot program that allows solar panels on farms into a permanent program. The 2015 community solar pilot program capped energy produced by the projects at about 418 megawatts statewide. The 2023 legislation removed the cap and allowed for unlimited statewide community solar energy generation. Once all five of Harford's community solar projects are complete, the county will be generating 13 megawatts of community solar energy. Per state law, community solar systems cannot exceed 5 megawatts each, and at least 40% of the energy output must serve low- to moderate-income subscribers. Harford's projects include: Aberdeen Solar: 18.63-acre project on a 213-acre property south of Interstate 95 and Hiob Lane. This project has received site plan approval. Churchville Solar: 11-acre project on a 54.55-acre property south of Churchville Road and east of Calvary Road. New site plans are pending. Magnolia Road Solar Panel Farm: 22.30-acre project on the east side of Magnolia Road and south of Trimble Road. This project has received site plan approval. Miller Chemical 2 MW AC Solar Project: 9-acre project on a 34-acre property on the northwest side of Whiteford Road and southeast side of Pylesville Road. New site plans are pending. Each system is connected to the state's electrical distribution grid. Electric companies then use the energy generated to offset purchases from wholesale electricity suppliersproviding income to the property owners and allowing energy providers to reduce consumer costs. Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. customers can participate in community solar by purchasing energy from the project owner. Once consumers subscribe, they will receive a credit on their BGE bills for the amount of solar energy they use. Maryland is one of 19 states along with Washington, D.C., to allow community solar projects. Currently, New York leads the country in community solar with 1,941 megawatts in operation. Solar projects in the state have been a topic of controversy, with projects in Carroll County receiving pushback from local leaders and residents. In 2023, Carroll County commissioners adopted an ordinance that prohibits solar generating facilities on farmland. The ordinance allows for the construction of solar facilities on land zoned for commercial and industrial use. To combat solar projects, Harford County preserved over 1,100 acres of agricultural land in November through the county's agricultural preservation program. Aiming to preserve 75,000 acres by 2040, the program allows the county to pay property owners for their land. All development rights of the property are then eliminated to ensure it can only be used for agricultural purposes. 2025 The Baltimore Sun. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: EU lawmakers have upped the pressure on Brussels to enforce the bloc's Digital Services Act, including against Elon Musk's X. For tech billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, the EU's digital rules are a tool of censorship. For the bloc, they are its most powerful weapon to stop the spread of illegal content. The rules, known as the Digital Services Act (DSA), will be debated in the European Parliament Tuesday, as dozens of lawmakers pile pressure on Brussels to enforce measures aimed at taming the worst excesses of social media. But the law's detractorsincluding hard-right members of the EU parliament itselfsupport Musk and Zuckerberg's argument, and accuse Brussels of censoring free speech. Is the law a tool of censorship? The DSA does not define what is legal or illegal online in the European Union. What it does is force digital companies, big and small, to ensure there is an effective system in place to report and remove content that breaches existing national or EU laws. In other words, it makes sure that if it is forbidden in the real world, it is banned on the world wide web too. For example, Nazi symbols are outlawed in Germany while several European countries including France and the Netherlands prohibit denying the Holocaust. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen categorically rejects the censorship charge. "Free speech is a fundamental value of the EU. The aim of the DSA is the protection of fundamental rights," she said on X Saturday. Is fact-checking obligatory? The DSA does not force platforms to use fact-checking to moderate online content. The EU does however support such initiatives, considering fact-checking to be a useful tool to combat misinformation and disinformation. At the heart of the law is a requirement for companies to subdue the risks their platforms pose, for example to children and vulnerable adults. When Zuckerberg announced the end of Meta's US fact-checking program, he said he would turn to "Community Notes", like those used by Musk's social media platform X. Rather than professional fact-checkers, this model hands over the duty of debunking falsehoods to ordinary users, who can add comments and links to posts. It is not yet known if the EU believes this system complies with the law as European regulators are currently probing its effectiveness as part of an investigation into X launched in December 2023. Does the DSA cover foreign interference? Since his outbursts against European leaders and an online chat this month with German far-right party leader Alice Weidel, Musk has attracted concerns from dozens of EU lawmakers about his "interference" in Germany's elections. Musk's actions are allowable under EU rules protecting freedom of speech. But the world's biggest platforms have a duty to analyze what risks their systems pose for public debate and elections, and to take steps to reduce the dangers. The EU last month opened an investigation into TikTok following allegations it was used by Russia to sway the result of Romania's later annulled presidential election. There are also suspicions X's algorithms are boosting far-right messages, but proving such potential biases and their impact on elections is "very difficult", said Alexandre de Streel, an expert at the Center on Regulation in Europe think tank. European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen has indicated she would propose new rules that would counter foreign information manipulation and interference. Do platforms have to consider political balance? Although Musk's discussion with Weidel sparked concern over the US billionaire's influence on Europe, EU officials stressed he could do as he wanted since platforms do not have to give equal airtime to different groups, unlike television. "Platforms are not seen as traditional media," said de Streel. "There is no neutrality rule." Musk's use of X to boost Donald Trump and European far-right figures, however, now has regulators and EU politicians asking whether to toughen the current law and force platforms to comply with similar rules on political balance. Can the DSA ban social media? The law gives the EU the right to temporarily suspend any platformas a last resortif a breach of its rules "persists and causes serious harm to users and entails criminal offenses involving threat to persons' life or safety". Before it gets that far, there are many steps the EU can take to force a platform into line, including heavy financial penalties for violations. EU regulators can slap fines of up to six percent of a service provider's annual global turnover, which would not always be limited to the platform itself. For example, Brussels is examining whether any fine it may decide to impose on X would include other parts of Musk's business empire such as SpaceX or Neuralink. 2025 AFP Patti LuPone is set to join the upcoming third season of "And Just Like That." While the announcement of her involvement has been made public, the specifics of her character remain shrouded in mystery. In a recent interview with EW, executive producer Michael Patrick King revealed that a significant storyline will unfold for the Broadway superstar's character in the upcoming season of the show. "It's a lot of 'new' within the familiar, but even the familiar characters are going through new things." LuPone will be joining forces with fresh faces such as Mehcad Brooks, Logan Marshall-Green, and Rosie O'Donnell. The highly anticipated return promises to bring new dynamics and storylines to the beloved "Sex and the City" series, following the adventures of Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), and Charlotte York (Kristin Davis). News of LuPone joining the HBO Max show comes after she finally revealed her opinions regarding the latest revival of "Sunset Boulevard" on Broadway. She reached out to theatre journalist Frank DiLella and expressed her admiration for the show, praising Nicole Scherzinger and Jamie Lloyd's direction. In a voice recording, the former Norma Desmond star said, "I was Sunset Boulevard last night." "Now I went in with trepidation because I have strong feelings about the show, not what happened to me in the show, but the show, period. I loved this production. I thought Nicole [Scherzinger] and Tom [Francis] were stunning. I thought Nicole was unbelievable she broke my heart. She is a force. I thought the cast was fantastic, the lighting." "The use of the filming was something that I questioned because I don't know where I am. Am I at a movie or at the theatre? This worked brilliantly. The whole thing. I was energized when I left the theatre. I loved it." In an interview with "The View," LuPone previously hinted at her excitement to see how Lloyd approached the musical, referring to it as "lumbering." Following her groundbreaking portrayal of Norma Desmond in London, LuPone's intricate relationship with the musical was shattered. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber's decision to dismiss her sparked a legal battle that ultimately resulted in a settlement referred to by LuPone as the "Andrew Lloyd Webber Memorial Pool." 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The two leaders announced to lift Vietnam-Czech relations to a strategic partnership on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1950-2025), and to soon build an action program for this new framework. To date, Vietnam has established comprehensive strategic partnerships with nine countries, including China, Russia, India, South Korea, the U.S., Japan, Australia, France and Malaysia. The country has strategic partnerships with Spain, England, Germany, Italy, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, New Zealand and Brazil. Czech has become the first Central Eastern European country in the EU to have a strategic partnership with Vietnam. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala. Photo courtesy of the Vietnamese government's news portal. At the meeting, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala affirmed that Vietnam is the most important and closest country of the Czech Republic in Asia. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation within the Strategic Partnership framework, including agreements signed between the two countries, promoting cooperation in traditional fields such as defense-security, trade-investment, science-technology, education-training, culture-tourism and people-to-people exchanges. The two countries also agreed to expand cooperation into areas that create new growth drivers such as renewable energy, innovation, digital transformation, green and circular economy, information technology, health care, mining, energy, and food security. Regarding trade and investment, the two sides agreed to continue implementing existing economic cooperation mechanisms; encourage Czech businesses to expand investment in Vietnam, especially in areas where the Czech Republic has strengths such as the automobile supporting industry, renewable energy, machine manufacturing, mineral processing and exploitation, chemicals, and food processing. PM Chinh asked the Czech Government to help push the remaining EU countries to soon ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and support the European Commission's (EC) early removal of the "yellow card" for Vietnamese seafood exports regarding illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The two sides agreed to support and serve as a gateway for each other's goods to enter the ASEAN and EU markets. PM Petr Fiala assessed Vietnam as one of Czech's most potential markets in Asia-Pacific, with more and more Czech businesses being interested in expanding investment and business in Vietnam. Fiala agreed that the two sides need to strengthen cooperation in the fields of food industry, manufacturing and processing industry, and mineral exploitation and processing. He agreed with PM Chinh's proposal to soon open direct flights between the two countries and via the Czech Republic to Central and Eastern Europe. Fiala highly appreciated Vietnam's decision to waive visas for Czech citizens in 2025. After the talks, the two prime ministers witnessed the handing over of a number of cooperation documents in the fields of education, and pilot training between Vietnam's Vietjet and Czech F Air. At the Vietnam-Czech business forum on Monday, Minister of Industry and Trade Lukase Vlcka stated that Vietnam is the Czech Republic's most important economic partner in Southeast Asia. Vlcka noted that Vietnamese products such as clothes, shoes and coffee are very popular in the Czech Republic, while Czech businesses have a great reputation in Vietnam in such fields as defense industry, automobile production, and energy. The minister added that Czech businesses can invest in areas that Vietnam is focusing on developing such as semiconductors, Big Data, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things, energy, and infrastructure. He highlighted that Skoda Group's presence in the Vietnamese market is a historic event. Skoda plans to produce 30,000 vehicles in Vietnam each year for export to ASEAN countries. The company's car factory which is a cooperation with Vietnam's Thanh Cong in Quang Ninh province is expected to operate in the first quarter of 2025. Vietnam's Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien noted that the Czech Republic is currently the 10th largest trading partner and the 13th largest investor of Vietnam in the EU. Bilateral trade expanded very quickly, on average doubling after five years. In 2023, bilateral trade turnover reached $2.9 billion. The figure surged to $3.8 billion last year, of which $3.3 billion was Vietnam's exports. Currently, Vietnamese products to Czech mainly include agricultural products such as coffee, pepper, rice, rubber; seafood; textiles; handicrafts; and computer components. Czech exports many products to Vietnam such as electronics, machinery and equipment, mechanical products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, milk and dairy products, and glass products. The areas this Central European country holding strong cooperation potential are energy, locomotives-railway carriages, buses, trams, and agricultural machinery. Czech has 41 FDI projects in Vietnam with total registered capital of $92 million, focusing mainly on the processing, manufacturing and mining industries. Frantisek Chaloupecky, vice president of the Czech Transport Industry Federation which has more than 10,000 members contributing 40% to the country's GDP, commented that there is no other country in the world as close to the Czech Republic in terms of government, cultural, and trade relations as Vietnam. Chaloupecky also assessed that the Vietnamese market has many good opportunities for Czech businesses in the fields of wastewater treatment, energy, automobiles, and healthcare. A sign in support of SpaceX stands against the backdrop of Starship at SpaceX Starbase in South Texas before last weeks seventh test flight. Supporters of a SpaceX plan to vastly expand launches and those opposed have made their voices heard at recent hearings. Christopher Lee/Staff Photographer Starships Super Heavy booster returns to the launch pad during a test flight last week. The return creates sonic booms that are among concerns raised by some at recent FAA hearings into a SpaceX proposal to increase launches. Eric Gay/Associated Press SpaceX conducts its first full-pressure test of the water-deluge system beneath its launch platform at Starbase on July 28, 2023. Industrial wastewater that runs off after each launch or test worries residents. SpaceX A SpaceX proposal to launch more of its giant rockets from South Texas may be in for a rough ride after last weeks spectacular disintegration of a Starship over the Caribbean. Opposition to the proposal, which calls for 25 Starship launches a year and landings in the Pacific Ocean around Hawaii is increasingly coming from outside Texas. Now, Hawaiians who dont like the idea of SpaceX dropping Starship rockets into the Pacific Ocean around the islands have jumped into the debate. On Jan. 13, three days before Starships seventh test flight ended with Starships fiery breakup, the Federal Aviation Administration conducted an online public hearing at which dozens of people spoke out against the proposal. Several supporters also chimed in. Among 40 participants were at least 19 islanders who spoke against the plans. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Their comments will join thousands of written statements submitted to the FAA since July. It could approve the proposal, ask for changes or require a full environmental impact statement a lengthy process that could cause significant delays for SpaceX. The meeting kicked off with nearly 250 written comments. After the meeting and Starship explosion, the FAA received thousands more. By the time the agency closed submissions, the total had ballooned to 7,130, nearly 7,000 of which came in the past week. More than 60 state and local elected officials signed letters of support for the increase, Kathy Lueders, Starbases general manager, said on X. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Most of those who spoke Jan. 13 called for the FAA to perform a full impact statement. They cited concerns about the cumulative impacts of Starship operations in South Texas, including noise, vibration, sonic booms, possible explosions, water and air pollution and increasing traffic.They also blasted the FAAs existing environmental reviews of SpaceXs rapidly evolving program at Starbase. Supporters of the increase cited the potential long-term benefits of space exploration and thanked those living near Starbase for tolerating the inconveniences of living near a busy space launch complex. Expansion plans SpaceX plans call for 25 annual Starship landings in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, back at the Starbase launch facility or on a floating ocean platform. Additionally, the 25 Super Heavy boosters that carry Starship to space would land either at Starbase, in the Gulf of Mexico or on a floating platform. SpaceX does not currently have such platforms for Starship, though they're regularly used for its smaller Falcon rocket. It bought two deepwater oil rigs for the purpose in 2020 but sold them in 2023. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While SpaceX intends to eventually land and recover both Starship stages for rapid reuse, its still refining the technology. So far, it has twice landed a Super Heavy booster at its Starbase launch tower. Other boosters have splashed down in the Gulf while the upper-stage Starships that have survived landed in the Indian Ocean. Now, the prospect of Starship or its debris landing near Hawaii is drawing increased attention from islanders. Hawaiians excluded Lynda Williams of Hilo, Hawaii, demanded the FAA provide a full environmental impact statement, saying residents havent been included in the discussion, and the plans have expanded the landing zones throughout the Pacific beyond whats already been approved. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hawaiians are completely excluded from this environmental review process because of the FAA claim that the proximity to Hawaii is insignificant, she said. All of the Pacific is significant to Hawaii and we must be included in the environmental review process. Several speakers asked for consultations with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and other state institutions about potential cultural and environmental impacts of Starships landing offshore. Dave Rainey, a Honolulu resident and senior advisor to the Sierra Clubs National Marine team, said landing Starships in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument would violate the sites proclamation. SpaceXs proposed landing zones are next to the monuments boundaries. The whole concept of landing, making any landings, especially disposal landings within that Marine National Monument should be not considered, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kapiolani Spencer, also from Hawaii, described potential Starship landings as an act of desecration and war crimes. The proposal to discard space debris in these sacred waters is a blatant disregard for the sanctity of Papahanaumokuakea, she said. This area holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for Native Hawaiians, embodying our connection to our ancestors, our deities and the natural world. Texas opposition Texas residents also voiced opposition, and said more research into launch impacts is necessary. At every turn, the FAA has allowed SpaceX to do whatever the hell it wanted to do without any regard for the residents and the wildlife in the area, period, full stop, said Sharon Almaguer, a lawyer who owns a home in Port Isabel. This project demands, and has demanded for quite some time, a new environmental impact statement. She said the agency has piecemealed its environmental reviews as SpaceX has repeatedly changed the scope of operations at Boca Chica Beach. Our houses shake. Its crazy. Ive never been through anything like this, Almaguier said. The fact that you are even considering increasing the cadence of this and then blaming homeowners and property owners in the area for any damage by stating that any damage that might occur is as a result of substandard building is just insulting. David Dixon and his wife own properties and a business on South Padre Island. He said theyre excited by SpaceX's presence and appreciates the added tourism, but ground-shaking launches and sonic booms worry him. This is the biggest earthquake every time they launch, he said. We have one property that has 20-foot windows, fourth floor, and to see those windows shake, I know its doing long-term damage. He said 12-foot windows at his retail store probably bow four to six inches during each launch and that it has nothing to do with the craftsmanship of the building. To think that SpaceX has no liability or theres no funds set aside to take care of the local community for damage just feels really irresponsible, Dixon said. Sarah Figueroa of Brownsville echoed those concerns. Honestly, these launches scare me to death, she said. They scare my neighbors because our windows rattle, so how are our foundations protected? Elliot Trahan, a Port Isabel school teacher who lives in Brownsville, said a launch knocked one of his students LEGO sets off a shelf, shattering it. The LEGOs are not a huge deal," he said. "But just the fact that it can have that kind of impact, I think it just outlines the fact that we are talking about 25 human-induced earthquakes a year." Supporters Gov. Greg Abbott was among state officials to voice support for FAA approving more launches. His letter cited last year's creation of the Texas Space Commission and called Starbase a one-of-a-kind facility that is maintaining American global leadership in space. Evan Loyal took a philosophical approach in his support, saying that Starship could expand the scope and scale of consciousness to the stars. He also thanked people living near Starbase, saying, I really think youre taking one for the team, and I appreciate you. Ryan McLeod, a family doctor, said SpaceX is providing less expensive access to space. Its going to allow all of humanity to benefit from using the resources of space to do many things including helping to heal our ecosystem here on Earth, he said. Certain technologies that are not affordable right now, but could be affordable, like space-based solar power, would be a game changer. Cormac McKay, of Dublin, Ireland, said Starship will help grow satellite communications around the globe, which will help underprivileged communities. He said the Starship program should expand further and explore simultaneous launches and larger rockets. He thanked locals for their sacrifice and accepting the inconvenience of the Starship project. Your tolerance and contribution to advancing for all mankind is appreciated, he said. Private credit has been the best-performing asset class for Mubadala Investment Company for three years in a row, according to the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth funds deputy group chief executive officer. Weve been able to manage that well and not take too much risk, Waleed Al Mokarrab said in a Bloomberg Television interview at Davos on Monday. At least over the past two or three years, weve been achieving some pretty good returns associated with that, he said, without disclosing specific details. Mubadala has six private credit partnerships across the US, Europe and Asia, he said. The $330 billion entity has been making inroads into the space and has established relationships with the likes of Apollo Global Management and Blue Owl Capital. Mubadala is one of the UAE emirates three main wealth funds, which together control $1.7 trillion in assets. It deployed $29.2 billion in 2024, according to research consultancy Global SWF, making it the worlds most active sovereign investor last year. As Donald Trump returns to the White House for a second term, Mubadala is bullish on the prospects of the market where 41% of its assets under management are located. The US is still the best risk-reward I see, globally speaking, he said. Apart from the US, Al Mokarrab sees opportunities in Asia, in markets like India, Japan and China. - TradeArabia News Service The United Arab Emirates has no plans to start income taxes, though the country has introduced corporate tax, Economy Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri has said. Theres a lot of speculation on that, he said in an interview with Bloomberg News at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Its not on the table. Its not in the rooms of discussions. Its not being discussed in the meetings. Its not coming anytime soon, Al Marri said. Meanwhile, he criticised the European Union for keeping the country on a black list of countries with strategic deficiencies in combating illicit money flows. The question of the EU black list, this is a question for them, he said. I do not understand how the UAE is still on the black list. The UAE is making diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation, he said, without giving any indication of whether the EUs stance is shifting. The EU regularly assesses third countries efforts against money laundering and the financing of international terrorism and has yet to drop the UAE from its black list. Thats despite the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force a global body removing the UAE from its gray list last year. The UAE managed to get out of the gray list in record time, based on assessment and based on people who come on site and scrutinize your systems for weeks and months, said Al Marri. The minister also expressed concerns about an EU directive that will potentially penalise imports from countries that dont allow for trade unions. You cant dictate what other countries do with their labour systems and management, he said. What works in the UAE works. It is really going to challenge the oil and natural gas industries, he said. The UAE, an Opec member, ships little of its crude to Europe, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. But it is planning to export more of its liquefied natural gas there. Qatar, one of the worlds biggest LNG producers, has voiced similar criticism about the EUs climate directives and said they may result in less fuel being sent to the bloc. The EU didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on both issues. -TradeArabia News Service Sobha Realty, a leading global luxury real estate developer, posted record 2024 sales of AED23 billion ($6.26 billion), underscoring the growing demand for its luxurious developments, the company said. Of the total sales, AED5 billion came from Sobha Siniya Island, a luxury community in the emirate of Umm Al Quwain, that was launched in Q3 2024. The company achieved an impressive ~50 per cent growth in sales year-on-year, driven by its diverse portfolio of properties in the UAE. Sobha Realty has surpassed its ambitious target for 2024 and has set its sights on reaching AED20 billion for Dubai Developments and AED10 billion for Sobha Siniya Island in 2025. This remarkable performance highlights Sobha Realtys dedication to excellence in design, craftsmanship, and timely delivery. The developer also successfully launched four new masterplans during the year. With these achievements, Sobha Realty continues with ~10 per cent of Dubais real estate market share in 2024 with 11 masterplans across the UAE, the developer said. Last year marked a significant chapter in Sobha Realtys journey to global prominence. The company amplified its international marketing efforts, expanding its footprint into key global markets. Projects such as Sobha Siniya Island, Sobha Elwood, Sobha Orbis, and Sobha Solis set industry benchmarks, driving robust consumer demand. The very first island project Sobha Siniya Island -- witnessed phenomenal sales of 2,140 units within five months in the year and offers great potential in 2025. With expansion plans in the US and Australia, Sobha Realty is poised for continued prosperity and growth, it said. Moreover, Sobha Realty was ranked as the second most recalled real estate brand in the UAE for the second consecutive year, according to a brand health study among property seekers. The developer has achieved an impressive rating of 4.7 on Google, further reiterating the love and trust consumers have for the brand, the company said. 2024 also witnessed a significant transition in Sobha Realtys leadership. PNC Menon passed the baton to his son, Ravi Menon, who assumed the role of Chairman of Sobha Group, while PNC Menon continues to serve as Founder of Sobha Group. PNC Menon commented: 2024 has been a landmark year for Sobha Realty, marked by record-breaking sales and transformative partnerships that pave the way for our future. This success underscores our dedication to crafting exceptional properties. As we step into 2025, we are committed to staying agile in a dynamic market, elevating customer experiences, and reinforcing our standing as a global leader in real estate. To further solidify its status as the foremost fully backward integrated real estate company, Sobha Group expanded its backward integration portfolio by establishing Sobha Modular and Facade Factory for pods and facade manufacturing, along with Sobha Energy Solutions, a new division revolutionising cooling service. - TradeArabia News Service Saudi Arabia's Baazeem Trading Company has announced the completion of the installation of a new production line for sponge items in its factory located in Asfan at Makkah region. This new line will enhance the company's ability to meet the demands of its consumers, the company said in a filing to Saudi Exchange. The company will start commissioning, qualification and validation process of the new line during the first quarter of this year 2025, it said. The actual production of the line is expected to start in the second quarter of 2025. The new line was fully financed from the company's cash flows without the need to obtain financing from any external parties, it added in the filing. -TradeArabia News Service Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC), one of the fastest-growing businesses in the MENA region, reported total revenues of QAR1.582 billion ($433.97 million) for 2024. The company posted operating profits of QAR306 million, and a net profit of QAR172 million ($47.18 million), while earnings per share stood at QAR0.293 for the year ended on December 31, 2024. The companys Board of Directors recommended a 10% cash dividend, at QAR 0.10 per share. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al Thani, GWC Chairman, said: These results highlight the strength of the companys business model and strategy which aims to deliver sustainable, long-term returns for shareholders while expanding across various sectors and regions. Notably, 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of GWCs journey which has grown into one of the Middle Easts leading logistics providers. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Fahad Bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, GWC Managing Director, said: The companys strategy is centered on driving operational efficiency, delivering world-class logistics services, expanding customer base, and strengthening GWCs position as a trusted partner. It also focuses on enhancing operational agility, increasing the companys presence in regional markets, and forging strategic partnerships with promising companies to ensure strong profitability. Additionally, it aims to expand into new sectors to diversify revenue streams, maintain stable cash flow, and mitigate potential risks. In 2024, GWC signed a Head of Terms with GFH Financial Group to develop 200,000 sq m of Grade A logistics facilities across key locations in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. GWC also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a strategic partnership between its wholly owned subsidiary, GWC Energy Services, and Saudi Offshore Fabrication Company (OFC) to develop 100,000 sq m of Grade A logistics facilities at Ras Al-Khair Industrial Port in Saudi Arabia. Matthew Kearns, GWCs Group Acting CEO, stated: "Expansion is a key pillar of the companys growth strategy. In early 2024, GWC launched its FLAG subsidiary (100% owned company) logistics Hub at Khazaen Economic City in Oman, further strengthening its footprint across the GCC. Kearns noted: "Supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) is a key pillar of GWCs strategy, as we offer comprehensive services tailored to this sector. The launch of Al Wukair Logistics Parks second phase marked a significant milestone in our mission to enable MSMEs, promote entrepreneurship in Qatar, and increase opportunities for local partnerships. The first two phases of Al Wukair Logistics Park have already attracted a significant number of MSMEs with more than 900 units optimized as warehousing and light industry units, solidifying Qatars position as a promising and attractive destination for such businesses. In 2024, GWC took significant strides in enhancing its position as a leader in the logistics sector by launching a variety of initiatives and earning numerous accolades that showcase its commitment to excellence. The company remains at the forefront as the premier provider of warehousing and distribution solutions across diverse sectors, offering services to entrepreneurs, MSMEs, as well as multinational companies, it said. -TradeArabia News Service Donald Trump, after taking over as the 47th President of the United States yesterday, issued a flurry of decisions and executive orders on everything from oil, WHO, immigration, climate to pardons for his supporters. He laid out a sweeping plan to maximise oil and gas production, including by declaring a national energy emergency to speed permitting, rolling back environmental protections, and withdrawing the US from an international pact to fight climate change. The moves signal a dramatic U-turn in Washingtons energy policy after former President Joe Biden sought for four years to encourage a transition away from fossil fuels in the world's largest economy. But it remains to be seen if Trump's measures will have any impact on US production, already at record levels as drillers chase high prices in the wake of sanctions on Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, said a Reuters report. President's executive orders carry the weight of law, but can be overturned by subsequent presidents or the courts. Many could face legal challenges. Some of the many policy changes that Trump enacted within hours of being sworn into office include: WHO exit: The US will exit the World Health Organization (WHO), Trump said, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises. Trump said the WHO had failed to act independently from the "inappropriate political influence of WHO member states" and required "unfairly onerous payments" from the US that are disproportionate to the sums provided by other, larger countries, such as China. Immigration: Trump has signed a directive to declare a national emergency at the southern border. "That's a big one," Trump said as he added his signature. He also targeted automatic citizenship for US-born children of immigrants in the country illegally. As part of this declaration, Trump directed agency chiefs to relaunch efforts to "construct additional physical barriers along the southern border". The directive is not an executive order and it's unclear how such an effort might be funded, a key hurdle for Trump during his first term. When Trump was first elected president in 2016, he signed an executive order to build a border wall. Although some parts of barrier were built, most was left uncompleted. Trump also signed an order that is set to suspend the US refugee resettlement programme for four months, though the details were unclear. Closing the border: Trump ordered the military to "seal the borders" and cited the flow of illicit drugs, human smuggling and crime relating to crossings. Gangs and cartels designated terrorists: The president signed a directive that designates drug cartels and international gangs as foreign terrorist organisations. Salvadoran migrant gang MS-13 and Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua will be added to a list that includes Al-Qaeda, the so-called Islamic State and Hamas. 'Remain in Mexico': Trump also re-implemented his "Remain in Mexico" policy in a day-one executive order. A measure from his first term, it returned about 70,000 non-Mexican asylum seekers across the border to await hearings. Halting flying migrants: In the same order, Trump also shut down a major Biden-era immigration pipeline: a sponsorship initiative that allowed up to 30,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to fly to the US. This policy, known as CHNV, was designed to lower illegal border crossings, the Biden administration had said. TikTok: Trump also signed a directive postponing the implementation of a law banning Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok for 75 days. TikTok welcomed Trump's promises on this and restored US services after briefly switching them off before his inauguration. Trump had said his order would give TikTok's parent company more time to find a US partner to buy a majority stake, but details on the directive he signed aren't clear. Asked what the action does after he signed it, Trump says it gives him the right to "sell it or close it". IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the promotion of Philipp Economou to the position of Regional General Manager for Oman, Luxury & Lifestyle - Qatar and Bahrain, effective January 2025. Economou, a seasoned hospitality professional, joined IHG in 1995 and has since built an illustrious career spanning multiple continents. His extensive experience includes leadership roles at IHG properties in Greece, Spain, France, Miami, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, and Bahrain. Based at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain, Economou has successfully overseen operations in Bahrain and the Eastern Province of KSA, transitioned to Area General Manager for Bahrain and Oman, and now takes on the responsibility for Luxury and Lifestyle properties in Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. Economou is known for his people-oriented leadership style, emphasising the importance of both guests and team members. He fosters a culture of excellence in service and innovation, empowering high-performing teams to create extraordinary and unforgettable experiences. His leadership has been instrumental in driving the success of the hotels under his management, said a statement. With over 27 years of experience in operations, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead and inspire. His commitment to talent development and diversity has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2022 IMEA Talent Impact Award, it said. Under Economou's guidance, InterContinental Bahrain has achieved significant milestones in diversity and inclusion. The hotel now represents almost 30 nationalities, an 8% increase compared to 2021. Additionally, InterContinental Bahrain has partnered with Evolvin' Women, an organization that supports unemployed women in African countries to secure jobs in the hospitality sector, making it one of the first IHG hotels to provide such opportunities. The hotel has also increased localization by actively collaborating with the Ministry of Labor to support local talents, resulting in a 68% increase in the headcount of Bahraini employees. - TradeArabia News Service Paul Stephen is a food writer for the Express-News. He can be reached at pstephen@express-news.net. He moved to San Antonio from North Carolina in 2017 to join the Express-News Taste team. In that time, hes cooked through about 1,000 recipes, noshed at more than 200 restaurants and seriously considered getting a map of the citys grocery stores tattooed on his arm for easy reference. He cannot be trusted around your cookbook collection. AN unused piece of equipment intended for NiQuan Energy Trinidad Ltds operations is among several assets now up for sale by the receiver, just after the seventh anniversary of the gas-to-liquid plants grand opening. The unused FT Max Catalyst-T 2811, weighing 231,000 pounds and used in gas-to-liquids (GTL) processes, is being sold by receiver manager Varune Mungal. FOR nearly two years, one of the chief financiers of the Seven gang based in the United King Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. FILE PHOTO - Gov. Greg Abbott wants to extend Texas DEI ban to K-12 schools. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images As Texas lawmakers wrapped up the first week of the 2025 legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott has signaled another public education priority he wants on their list: banning diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in K-12 public schools. No taxpayer dollars will be used to fund DEI in our schools, Abbott said in a post on the social media platform X on Thursday, using the acronym for diversity efforts. Schools must focus on fundamentals of education, not indoctrination. Barring DEI efforts at K-12 schools would expand a statewide ban for colleges and universities approved two years ago. The governors office did not immediately respond to questions from the Texas Tribune on Friday seeking more details on Abbotts remarks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad His comments came in response to a series of videos posted by Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow at the American Culture Project, allegedly showing a Richardson school district official answering questions from an individual who recorded the interaction and asked whether the district would allow a transgender girl to share a room with other students on a field trip. The school official, identified as the districts executive DEI director, said the district would respond to the situation on a case-by-case basis with parental input. Richardson school district officials said in a statement to the Tribune that only students of the same sex assigned at birth share rooms. The district also said its schools follow all anti-discrimination requirements, including a law stating that student-athletes must compete in events according to their sex assigned at birth. The district is not aware of any instance where this requirement was not followed, nor of any RISD-specific information suggesting the requirement should not be followed, said Tim Clark, the districts executive director of communications. During the 2023 legislative session, Texas passed Senate Bill 17, which banned DEI offices, programs and training at publicly-funded universities. Under the law, universities cannot create diversity offices, hire employees to carry out diversity-related initiatives or require any DEI training as a condition for employment or admission. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Since the law was passed, universities across the state have moved to shutter DEI offices and efforts. Those offices played a pivotal role in helping Black, Latino, LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented students adjust to life on college campuses and foster a sense of community among their peers. Educational institutions across the country made promises following the 2020 murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer to work harder at creating more inclusive environments for their students. But many of those efforts have taken significant steps back as state officials have passed legislation to shutter them, labeling those efforts as left-wing indoctrination. Abbotts desire to now extend the law to K-12 public schools represents the latest attempt by Texas state officials to exert greater control over how educational institutions go about ensuring students from all backgrounds feel included, while limiting how they can teach and talk about gender, sexual orientation and Americas history of racism. Abbotts promise to prevent taxpayer dollars from flowing toward DEI initiatives at schools comes as public education spending is set to play a central role during the 2025 legislative session, which began earlier this week. During the last session, House Democrats and rural Republicans efforts to block a school voucher program Abbotts top legislative priority for the last few years came at the cost of not securing a funding boost for public schools, which has left Texas school districts grappling with multimillion-dollar budget deficits and other serious financial difficulties like school closures. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Abbott now says he has the votes to get a voucher program, which would allow parents to use tax dollars to pay for their childrens private education, across the finish line. He has also indicated a willingness to increase public education funding this year. The governors comments immediately drew praise from Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, chair of the Senates Education Committee and author of the current DEI law. SB 17 has become a model for the entire nation, and I am ready to expand the law to protect the 6 million students in Texas schools from failed, divisive DEI programs, Creighton wrote on social media. Lets get to work. Mother Nature couldnt have delivered a finer January day on Monday for the 2025 Tucson Jazz Fiesta, the annual daylong event that brings thousands downtown to hear local jazz musicians on two outdoor stages. The temperature inched into the mid-40s as hundreds of folks were making their way to Corbetts at 340 N. Sixth Ave. just after 10 a.m. They were an hour early; the Fiesta, the most popular event of the annual HSL Properties Tucson Jazz Festival, wasnt set to start until 11. A couple dozen of those early birds staked out tables under a canopy of trees in the courtyard while Tucson Modern Jazz Quartets saxophonist Trey Bryant warmed up on the secondary stage with percussionist Zach White. The outdoor bar was doing brisk early business among the gathering crowd while four teams of older women, seemingly oblivious to the gathering crowd, played pickleball on two outdoor courts at the pickleball-themed restaurant. By the time Tucson Jazz Institutes celebrated Ellington Big Band took the main stage on East Seventh Street at 11:30, the crowd had swelled to a couple thousand, and the warm sun had prompted many people to unzip jackets or ditch them. Fans parked folding chairs on streetside real estate, close enough to see the stage and hear the music, but out of the way of foot traffic as people strolled between stages or grabbed a snack from the restaurant or food trucks doing a brisk business on the corner of Seventh and North Fifth Avenue. The Ellington Big Band is always one of the fiestas highlights so it was no surprise to see hundreds of people standing in the middle of Seventh Street. You had to strain to see the stage as Winston introduced a set of twins and another pair of siblings who will be part of the ensemble heading once again to the prestigious Essentially Ellington high school competition and festival in New York City in May. The group played nearly a dozen songs during their 45-minute set, including several they will play in New York. Mondays Downtown Jazz Fiesta, which ran until 7 p.m., was expected to attract 5,000 to 7,000 people. Other Tucson bands on Mondays lineup: Sarah Tolar, the UA Jazz Ambassadors, West by Northwest, Ada Redd Austin, Heather Hardy and Taste of Jazz and Zona Libre. New Orleans-based New Breed Brass Band was the headliner. The jazz festival continues Tuesday with a trio of sold-out shows at The Century Room at Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., and a homecoming show with jazz bassist and Tucson native Brian Bromberg at the Rialto, 318 E. Congress St. The festival runs through Saturday. For performance schedules, artists and tickets, visit tucsonjazzfestival.org. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Thanks to the national government's investment in infrastructure in the Mekong Delta, localities in the region have achieved outstanding results in economic development over the past few years, returning to the growth trajectory seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021-25, the economy of the Mekong Delta and the country as a whole were heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts. 2024 was considered a pivotal year for the provinces to complete their development targets for the period. Outstanding budget revenue In late 2023, the 23-kilometer My Thuan-Can Tho Expressway was opened to traffic, connecting to Ho Chi Minh City-Trung Luong and Trung Luong-My Thuan expressways. The 120 kilometers of expressways have shortened the travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta by two hours. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects the construction site of a section of Ho Chi Minh City Beltway No. 3 in Long An Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Son Lam / Tuoi Tre To achieve the goal of 600 kilometers of expressways in the Mekong Delta region, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has repeatedly surveyed and worked with local authorities to resolve difficulties, such as material and funding shortages. The governments care led to significant results in the economic and social development in the region last year, particularly improving budget revenue. In particular, Long An collected over VND25.8 trillion (US$1 billion) in budget revenue, increasing 27.5 percent year on year and exceeding estimates by 21.3 percent. Hau Giangs 2024 budget collection hit VND7.52 trillion ($298.1 million), an increase of 23.52 percent. Notably, Tra Vinh, once considered a remote province, made a breakthrough with budget revenue of over VND18.63 trillion ($737.4 million) in 2024, surpassing estimates by 36.38 percent. Tra Vinh also led the Mekong Delta in terms of the gross regional domestic product expansion with a 10.04 percent growth rate, followed by Hau Giang with 8.76 percent and Long An with 8.3 percent. Attractive destination for investors Long An was the only Mekong Delta province on the list of the 10 most attractive localities for large enterprises in 2024 announced by the Vietnam Report. With its strategic location next to Ho Chi Minh City, Long An has been a major investment destination in the Mekong Delta region for many years. Last year, the province attracted 104 new FDI projects with total registered capital of $507 million, while seeing 85 operational FDI projects revise up their capital by $153 million. The Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway connecting National Highway 1 and the Ho Chi Minh City-Trung Luong is ready for opening to traffic. Photo: An Long / Tuoi Tre Domestic investment also saw promising results, with 57 new projects approved with total registered capital of VND175.3 trillion ($6.9 billion) and 33 projects receiving an additional VND4.4 trillion ($174 million). To date, foreign investment in Long An has exceeded $14.2 billion, poured into 1,483 projects, accounting for over 71 percent of the projects and more than 38 percent of the foreign investment in the Mekong Delta region. Other provinces have also achieved encouraging results in attracting investment. Notable examples include Tien Giang with 20 new projects, Tra Vinh with 15, and Hau Giang with eight in 2024. These achievements were thanks to the investment in infrastructure connecting provinces, along with financial support from the central government and the active efforts of the government and ministries to remove bottlenecks. Fulfilling 2021-25 objectives The 3.4-kilometer road connecting the Ho Chi Minh City-Trung Luong Expressway and National Highway 1, part of the Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway project, is ready for the public, providing easier access to the region. Ho Chi Minh Citys Belt Road No. 3 through Long An is approaching completion, and is estimated to be open later this year, while a series of provincial road projects are launching. The Rach Mieu 2 Bridge connecting Ben Tre and Tra Vinh Provinces is expected for completion in 2025, creating a driving force for the two provinces development. Photo: Mau Truong / Tuoi Tre The improved accessibility of the gateway area has driven development across the region. Tran Ngoc Tam, chairman of the administration in Ben Tre Province, said trade and service activities were vibrant with stable goods prices last year. The provinces total retail sales of goods and services in 2024 were nearly VND70.9 trillion ($2.8 billion), an 11.68-percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Trade activities also thrived in the last months of 2024, with exports and imports estimated at $1.75 billion and $520 million, up 20.27 and 25.61 percent, respectively. In addition to expressway projects connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Mekong Delta provinces and waterway dredging projects, Ben Tre benefits from the expansion of National Highway 60 and the Rach Mieu 2 Bridge project in the coming time, Tam added. In 2025, the province will boost infrastructure development, specifically external connectivity infrastructure, creating new development spaces. Ben Tre will continue to collaborate on implementing important traffic projects, including Rach Mieu 2 Bridge and access roads to the bridge, Ba Lai 8 Bridge, coastal roads linking Ben Tre with Tien Giang and Tra Vinh Provinces, Cua Dai Bridge connecting Ben Tre with Tien Giang, along with Dinh Khao Bridge, Tam added. Meanwhile, Hau Giang will focus on investment attraction, said vice-chairman of the provincial administration Nguyen Van Hoa. He noted that the province would speed up the development of the Song Hau 2 and Dong Phu 2 industrial parks, continue to develop infrastructure for industrial clusters, strengthen budget revenue management, analyze and forecast revenue collection potential, and propose solutions to enhance revenue collection, especially from land use. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam and the U.S. have successfully reached a bilateral agreement to resolve the long-standing anti-dumping duty dispute concerning Vietnam's export of tra and basa fish to the U.S. market, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of industry and Trade. On January 17, the ministry, authorized by the Vietnamese government, signed a bilateral agreement with the Office of the United States Trade Representative, representing the U.S. government. The agreement addresses the anti-dumping duties imposed on Vietnamese tra and basa fillet fish exports. This case originated on January 8, 2018, when Vietnam officially filed a complaint against the U.S., alleging violations of World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations related to the anti-dumping duties imposed on Vietnamese tra and basa fish exports. In 2020, after the WTO Panel issued a draft ruling to the parties involved, the U.S. proposed postponing the release of the final report. This allowed both sides to engage in bilateral negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable solution. With the agreement now in place, Vinh Hoan Corporation becomes the sole Vietnamese company eligible for the removal of anti-dumping duties under U.S. regulations. Vinh Hoan, a leading exporter of tra and basa fish from Vietnam, can now export to the U.S. market without being subject to these tariffs. This settlement results from years of persistent and coordinated efforts by the Vietnamese government, legal advisors, and key industry players, particularly Vinh Hoan. The U.S. implementation of the WTO ruling also demonstrates its willingness to foster stronger bilateral relations with Vietnam, particularly as the two nations have recently elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The successful solution reflects the goodwill and negotiating efforts from both sides. Vietnam appreciates the constructive approach and cooperative spirit demonstrated by the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Commerce in settling the dispute. This agreement demonstrates Vietnams readiness to leverage appropriate forums, including WTO dispute settlement mechanisms, to safeguard Vietnamese businesses legitimate rights and interests as the country deepens its integration into the global economy. This marks the second bilateral agreement between Vietnam and the U.S. to resolve a WTO-related trade dispute. In 2016, the two countries reached a similar agreement concerning anti-dumping duties on warm-water shrimp exports, which led to the removal of duties on shrimp exports by Minh Phu Seafood Corporation, another prominent Vietnamese exporter. According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, the U.S. remains a key export market for Vietnam's tra fish. In 2024, the export value of Vietnamese tra fish to the U.S. reached US$345 million, representing a 27-percent increase compared to 2023. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! BOGOTA -- At least 20 Colombian fighters from rival rebel factions were killed in weekend clashes over control of a strategic jungle area for drug trafficking, military sources and the human rights ombudsman office reported on Monday. The clashes pitted opposing factions from what was once the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) against one another in the country's southeastern Guaviare jungle. The violence follows an offensive launched by another rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), in northeastern Catatumbo region that left at least 80 people dead and 11,000 displaced. Colombians displaced by attacks of rebels of the National Liberation Army (ELN), stand in line to be registered at the General Santander Stadium, in Cucuta, Colombia January 20, 2025. Photo: Reuters In a social-media post, President Gustavo Petro declared a state of "internal unrest and economic emergency" in the Catatumbo area and accused the warring factions of having "lost their heads." "A high number of people have been reported dead and injured," the ombudsman's office wrote on social media, referring to the weekend's clashes. The army and local authorities reported at least 20 dead rebels in the latest jungle violence. The rival FARC factions include one that is engaging in peace talks with Petro's administration, and another that has vowed to fight on after the government suspended a bilateral ceasefire. Colombians displaced by attacks of rebels of the National Liberation Army (ELN) wait for clothes and food and places to spend the night, at the General Santander Stadium, in Cucuta, Colombia January 20, 2025. Photo: Reuters The two factions split last April due to internal differences. Armed conflict in Colombia has lasted more than six decades and is funded mainly by drug trafficking and illegal mining. It has left over 450,000 dead and millions displaced. Vietnam's Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday (Hanoi time) extended congratulations to Donald Trump as he officially assumed office as the 47th president of the United States, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In their letters, the Vietnamese leaders expressed confidence that under President Trump's leadership and support, the Vietnam-U.S. relationship would continue to grow steadily. They reaffirmed Vietnam's view of the U.S. as a strategically significant partner. Building on the progress in bilateral cooperation in recent years, Party General Secretary Lam, President Cuong, and PM Chinh voiced their belief that the Vietnam-U.S. relationship would further strengthen. They emphasized that this development would be grounded in mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, and political systems, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development regionally and globally. The leaders also highlighted the significance of the upcoming 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1995-2025) and the second anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership. On the same day, Vice-State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan sent a congratulatory letter to new U.S. Vice-President James David Vance. At noon on January 20 (U.S. time), equivalent to midnight on January 21 in Vietnam, Donald Trump officially took the oath of office at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.. Following the ceremony, President Trump signed nearly 100 executive orders addressing various sectors, aiming to fulfill his campaign promises. On November 11, 2024, Party leader Lam held a phone call with President Trump after his victory in the U.S. presidential election on November 5, 2024. During the call, President Trump expressed his pleasure with the positive development of Vietnam-U.S. relations, affirmed his commitment to the bilateral partnership, and emphasized the importance of economic cooperation. He also shared his fond memories of the Vietnamese people and his two previous visits to the country, highlighting the lasting impression Vietnam and its people had left on him. Vietnam and the U.S. normalized their diplomatic relations in July 1995 and entered a comprehensive partnership in July 2013. A decade later, on September 10, 2023, the two countries lifted their ties directly to a comprehensive strategic partnership, skipping the strategic partnership level, during then-U.S. President Joe Bidens official visit to Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Catch up on the news in Vietnam today: Politics -- Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala declared the upgrading of the Vietnam-Czechia relations to a strategic partnership during their talks in Prague on Monday. -- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation arrived in Switzerland on Monday evening, beginning a business trip to the European country through Thursday, including attending the 55th Annual Meeting of the WEF in Davos and engaging in bilateral activities. Society -- Police in Dong Hoa Town, Phu Yen Province, located in south-central Vietnam, reported on Monday that they had raided and cracked down on an illegal weapon producing unit, confiscating one grenade, six firearms, 2,404 rounds, among others. -- The Peoples Court in District 4, Ho Chi Minh City on Monday sentenced a 41-year-old man to one year in prison for violently assaulting a young female motorcyclist following a minor traffic collision late last year. -- Authorities in Tra Vinh Province, southern Vietnam discovered 10 rectangular packages measuring some 400 grams each, suspected to be drugs, drifting to the coast in Duyen Hai Town. Business -- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment has guided Mercedes-Benz Vietnam Co. Ltd., a joint venture between world-renowned carmaker Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Vietnams Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation, to submit necessary documents so that the department can proceed with the land lease extension procedure for the company. A car assembly factory in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City of the company has had its land lease extended by five years, starting April 14 this year. Lifestyle -- Nearly 100 Polish tourists experienced Vietnams Tet celebrations at a restaurant in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City on Monday evening. They enjoyed traditional Tet dishes, learned about Tet culture, and received lucky money. World News -- An emboldened Donald Trump declared that 'America's decline is over' as he reclaimed the presidency on Monday, promising a crackdown on illegal immigration and portraying himself as a savior chosen by God to rescue a faltering nation, according to Reuters. -- Paleontologists in Peru on Monday unveiled the 9-million-year-old fossil of a relative of the great white shark that once inhabited the waters of the southern Pacific Ocean, where it liked to devour sardines, Reuters reported. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The recruit walked briskly up to Tech. Sgt. Bradley Middleton and pivoted to face him. To the untrained eye, nothing seemed out of place. But it was all wrong. The young airman-in-training was supposed to march, drill-style, into the dining hall at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, halt in front of Middleton, stand at attention, then turn to face the sergeant. "Is this your first report?" asked Middleton, speaking in what the Air Force euphemistically calls "command voice." RELATED: The Air Force is teaching recruits how to run without getting injured Advertisement Article continues below this ad "No, sir!" the recruit replied. "So you know how to do this, right?" Middleton said. "Do you ever just walk in and just slide up here or do you march up, halt, and then turn my way?" Welcome to the Chow Board, also known as the Snake Pit. During Air Force basic training at Lackland, mealtime is not a respite. It's part of a relentless process of discipline and indoctrination that spans a recruit's every waking moment. In the dining facility, or DFAC, recruits are scrutinized from the moment they enter until the moment they leave to make sure their attire, attitude, bearing and speech are up to snuff. Chow runners are at the heart of the ritual. DFAC is not just about meal time., it's an opportunity for superiors to correct bad habits of new recruits, their procedures, even uniform infractions. Christopher Lee / Staff photographer (2) RELATED: Building a smarter Air Force boot camp Advertisement Article continues below this ad The chow runner is a recruit whose job is to bring his or her group, or "flight," of trainees to the dining hall for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It might sound simple, but it's one of the most demanding and intimidating roles in Air Force basic training, a 7-week gantlet of calisthenics, weapons training and classroom instruction. Each flight consists of between 40 and 54 recruits. As a flight approaches the dining hall, its chow runner enters first and marches to a table where the military training instructor, or MTI, is waiting. In a scripted exchange, the runner informs the MTI that the flight "is prepared to enter the dining facility." The MTI orders the runner to bring the group in, and the latter repeats the order word for word, followed by, "Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!" Aiming his arms like arrows, the chow runner then directs each recruit to where they'll sit. United States Air Force trainees of the 323rd Training Squadron eat lunch in the Dining Facility or DFAC at JBSA-Lackland on Fri, Oct. 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas Christopher Lee / Staff photographer 'Get confidence!' If the runner gets it right, the exchange with the MTI will be brief. But if he or she slips up, things get gnarly. Perfect performances in this pressure cooker are rare. On a recent afternoon, several chow runners faltered and heard about it instantly. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One stood at attention for more than two minutes while Middleton dressed him down. "This is not your first day!" Middleton, 38, a 13-year Air Force veteran from Illinois, told the young man. "Turn and face that way! Both hands at your sides! You've done this how many chow times now? Wednesday, Thursday, Friday this is your eighth chow time, right? You know what you're supposed to do, and let's do it right!" RELATED: How Air Force kept basic training going during COVID The recruit, hands clenched at his side, shuffled backward four steps. "Much better," Middleton said. "Center yourself, center yourself, center yourself. Go!" Advertisement Article continues below this ad The recruit then gave his report, indicating that his flight was ready to eat. "Seat them loudly. Seat them loudly!" Middleton ordered. "Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!" the chow runner replied. "Get confidence! Get over there and do your job," Middleton said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Air Force recruits in basic training down lunch at the dining facility, or DFAC, at Lackland Air Force Base. Trainees are allowed 10 minutes for lunch. Talking is prohibited. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Trainees have just 10 minutes to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. Talking is prohibited. There's a right way to go through the chow hall line: body bent slightly forward, toward the servers. The recruits advance through the chow line in 12-inch steps a drill movement they'll be taught later in basic training. "It's not complicated," said Tech Sgt. Joseph Walters, 31, an MTI. "We tailor our procedures so that they can learn drill without even knowing it. They have that muscle memory down just by simply ordering food." Recruits must address their instructors as "Sir" and "Ma'am," and they're required to show the same courtesy to the chow servers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "They'll say, 'Sir, may I have?' and 'Ma'am, may I have?'" Walters said. Tech Sgt. Josefina Venneberg, 35, said mealtime is an opportunity for instructors to nip bad habits in the bud. "If there's corrections to be made dining facility procedures, uniform infractions, anything of that nature well correct it on the spot," she said. Thats most common during the first five days of basic training, called Zero Week, when "they're still trying to grasp where they're at and how to wear the uniform properly, how to stand at attention properly, how to report in properly, Venneberg said. Left, United States Air Force Tech Sgt. Josefina Venneberg, 35, a military training instructor, inspects trainees of the 323rd Training Squadron before they head in for chow to the dining facility or DFAC at JBSA-Lackland on Fri, Oct. 18, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Right, recruits funnel in past those already seated. Christopher Lee / Staff photographer (2) 'Just enough stress' Recruits going through basic training today might be surprised to hear that things are better than they used to be. Back in the day, MTIs hissed and snarled at chow runners who couldn't get their lines right, earning the dining hall the nickname "Snake Pit." But Air Force basic training has evolved. It's kinder and gentler, at least during Zero Week. Recruits still stand in line to get immunization shots, as they always have, and men still lose their hair to barbers in less than 60 seconds. But some of the rougher aspects are gone. There was a time when recruits fresh off the bus at Lackland endured high-decibel verbal abuse and occasional spittle from red-faced instructors, an ordeal known as a "shark attack." Like the Snake Pit, shark attacks are history. The idea nowadays is to dial down the pressure so trainees can get their bearings. If youre really, really relaxed, youre not going to learn a lot, youre not going to really care. And if youre too overstressed, you cant even begin to learn, said Lt. Col. Alvin Schultz Jr., deputy commander of Air Force basic military training. So the ideal spot is the sweet spot in the middle where theres just enough stress on individuals, where they are challenged but are also learning. Serving as a chow runner is one of many assignments a basic trainees might draw. The others include fire safety monitor, water monitor, expeditionary skill leader and latrine crew member. If recruits think they can lay low and not be noticed, "that is not going to happen," said Tech Sgt. Pedro Escobar, 34, of Houston. Col. Billy Wilson, commander of the 737th Training Group at Lackland, says Air Force basic training is about developing the "competitive" recruits needed to win the next war and prevail in "the great power competition." "Everything that were doing at basic military training is focused on the readiness of our trainees, whether it has to do with sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress management," he said. That includes the chow hall. Tan Ky Tan Quy Bridge across Tham Luong Canal in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City officially opened to traffic on Tuesday after over six years of construction, facilitating residents commutes. Residents eagerly gathered in the morning for the opening ceremony, celebrating the moment when the key bridge at the western gateway of the city would be put into use. The bridge is expected to alleviate long-standing traffic bottlenecks during rush hours. Kim Thoa, a 47-year-old resident of Binh Tan District, shared that locals had been looking forward to the Tan Ky Tan Quy Bridge since the project began in 2018. The prolonged traffic jams in the area had become a source of frustration. During the construction period, we had to use two temporary narrow iron bridges, which caused constant congestion, especially during rush hour in the afternoons," Thoa said. After the opening of the new bridge, we hope it will help reduce traffic jams and make travel easier. Trinh Linh Phuong, deputy head of the Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Authority of Ho Chi Minh City, the projects investor, noted that the bridge connects with the expanded Tan Ky Tan Quy Street (completed in late 2024) to form a vital transportation axis linking National Highway 1 to Tan Son Nhat International Airport and the city center. This link will ease traffic congestion and help complete the transport network in the city, contributing to its socio-economic development. The Tan Ky Tan Quy bridge project was approved in 2023 with a total capital of VND491 billion (US$19.4 million). Tan Ky Tan Quy Bridge in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City opens to traffic, January 21, 2025. Photo: Phuong Nhi / Tuoi Tre The bridge and its leading roads stretch 238 meters, with the bridge itself measuring 82.7 meters and featuring four lanes. It also includes sidewalks on both sides measuring 1.5 meters wide each, and stairs for pedestrian access. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Bui Xuan Cuong, deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, emphasized that 2025 would be a year of high development demand, requiring the completion of many ongoing projects. The city is facing increasing traffic pressures, so it is vital to complete infrastructure projects to fuel socio-economic growth, he said. The Tan Ky Tan Quy bridge project had initially been implemented as a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) project from 2016 to September 2022. Work on the project started in early 2018, and by the end of the year, the bridge was 70 percent complete. However, the project was halted due to obstacles over land clearance. In September 2022, the municipal administration decided to terminate the BOT contract and switch to public investment. After a six-year pause, construction resumed in June 2024, and the bridge was completed six months later. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta region will intensify over the next 10 days, with several rivers having salinity levels of four parts per thousand that will extend between 25 and 50 kilometers. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting on Monday warned of the expected saline intrusion in the southern region from January 21 to 31, coinciding with the Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet. Saltwater intrusion in the region is forecast to increase on weekends, with some stations in Kien Giang, Bac Lieu, and Ca Mau Provinces showing higher salinity levels versus last year. It is predicted that saltwater will intrude 40-50 kilometers deeper into the Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay Rivers, while the Cua Tieu, Cua Dai, Ham Luong, and Co Chien Rivers will experience intrusion reaching up to 40 kilometers. The salinity in the Hau River may encroach 30-37 kilometers, and the Cai Lon River will be impacted by saltwater extending 25-30 kilometers. The national weather center is advising residents to take advantage of low tides to store fresh water for agricultural and daily use. Forecasts also anticipate more waves of saltwater intrusion in the Cuu Long, Vam Co, and Cai Lon Rivers in February and March. The salinity situation in the delta is closely tied to the tides from the upper Mekong River. Cities and provinces in the delta are urged to stay vigilant on meteorological conditions and remain proactive in mitigating the impact of saline intrusion. The Department of Water Resources under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that saltwater intrusion had begun to affect water intake for irrigation systems located 30-40 kilometers away from the sea during tide periods. During the 2024-25 dry season, salinity is expected to be worse than the average level recorded in previous years, but will not be as severe as the dry seasons of 2023-24, 2015-16, or 2019-20, said the department. Localities should remain alert for sudden spikes in salinity during peak tide periods. Forecasts also indicated that tidal water levels at Vung Tau Station might rise during the period. The tide will peak between midnight and 3:00 am, and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm each day, measuring up to four meters. Meanwhile, tides at Rach Gia Station are expected to remain low, with a gradual increase. High tide will reach 0.5 and 0.55 meters between 5:00 am and 7:00 am daily. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment assessed that the water supply to the Mekong Delta during the 2024-25 dry season would meet the needs for daily use, social welfare, economic activities, and environmental protection. However, water shortages may occur in certain areas, especially in districts and towns in Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Kien Giang, and Ca Mau Provinces. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Space X and Tesla CEO Elon Musk denies making a Nazi salute during a speech celebrating President Donald Trump's inauguration, saying that online backlash to his gesture is nothing but "dirty tricks" from political opponents. Rolling Stone reported that neo-Nazi leaders have been celebrating Musk's gesture in posts on social media. The creator of a Nazi AI chatbot wrote that "incredible things are happening already." Advertisement Article continues below this ad After attending Trump's inauguration Monday at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, Musk took the stage at Capital One Arena to address thousands gathered to watch the ceremonies. While thanking voters for electing Trump for a second term in office, Musk made an animated gesture to the crowd. The tech mogul put his right hand to his chest then extended it outward with his flat palm facing downward. "I just want to say thank you for making it happen. Thank you," he said, before making the gesture two separate times. "My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured." Social media users, historians and Israeli newspaper Haaretz quickly compared Musk's hand motion to the "Roman salute" widely used by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Anti-Defamation League defines the hand signal as "raising an outstretched right arm with the palm down." It is the most common white supremacist hand symbol in the world, according to the organization's website. Adolf Hitler makes the Nazi salute, characterized by an outstretched right arm with the palm facing downward. Heinrich Hoffmann/Getty Images Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gestures as he speaks during the inaugural parade inside Capitol One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images But as controversy brewed after Musk's appearance at Capital One Arena, the Anti-Defamation League issued a statement on social media urging people to "take a breath." Advertisement Article continues below this ad "It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge," the organization wrote. ALSO READ: Nonprofit faces multiple lawsuits over bleacher collapse at Kendall County Fair Musk later responded to the controversy in a post on X that said a "dirty tricks campaign" by Democrats is responsible for the accusations. "Frankly, they need better dirty tricks," Musk wrote. "The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired." HA NOI Viet Nams efforts to establish a carbon credit market have borne initially positive results, with nearly US$52 million earned by the forestry sector, but the lack of trading mechanisms and policies for other sectors is leaving businesses confused. Statistics from the Gold Standard Foundation and Verra carbon credit registry show that Viet Nam has registered 116 projects for carbon credit certification, of which 40 have been certified, issuing 10.7 million credits annually. The forestry sector is generating the highest number of carbon credits each year, despite having completed only one project, which is the Emissions Reduction Payment Agreement in the north central region of Viet Nam (ERPA). Signed on October 22, 2020 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with the World Bank (WB), the agreement is the largest carbon credit project in the country to date. With 10.3 million forest carbon credits sold to the WB in 2023 at $5 each, Viet Nam earned $51.5 million through the project. However, apart from forestry, carbon credit trading mechanisms have not been established for other sectors, causing headaches for companies ready and willing to trade. One example is a project to produce free range eggs from 50,000 chickens at the Nguyen Gia Co-operative in Hung Yen Province. Last year, the co-operative signed an agreement to sell carbon credits to Global Food Partners, a Singapore-based consulting company currently providing carbon credits to over 50 businesses. The transition from caged to cage-free farming has received technical support and funding from the company. If successful, the value obtained from the project will be much higher than previously, since apart from the revenue from selling carbon credits, the eggs produced from this project can be sold at prices 20-30 times higher than those produced through conventional methods. The co-operatives director, Nguyen Huu Tue, said: "The company, who is our consulting unit and also partner, will come to assess whether the scale, techniques and farming standards such as the number of chickens, roost space, food and water sources and nesting boxes meet the requirements. Only then will they assess if the criteria for reducing greenhouse gases have been met and consider issuing carbon credit certification to us." However, he was unclear about the credit purchase price and the exact timeline for when credits could be sold. The director of UT Tea Investment and Development Co., Ltd., Le Thi Hong Phuong, which has an organic tea farm of over 23 hectares in Thanh Ba District, Phu Tho Province, is also interested in joining the carbon market. But unsure where to start and how to proceed, she hopes to receive more information and support from the more informed organisations. A complex task According to Nguyen inh Tho, director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, establishing carbon trading mechanisms for different sectors and projects will take a long time. "To sell forest carbon credits, the preparation took almost ten years, from 2014 to 2023," he said. "Currently, it takes 18 months to complete the basic setup for a carbon credit project, then an additional two to three years to generate the credits, and another six months to audit the project." While it normally takes three to five years for a project to mature and gain credits to sell in Asia, in Viet Nam it will take an average of five years due to the need for further improvements in mechanisms and policies, said Vu Tung Quan, director of the carbon credit training programme at the Center for Economic Development Studies, under the VNU University of Economics & Business. Quan also warned of the risks of failure when developing carbon credit-selling projects, since investing in them alone does not guarantee credits for sale. He suggested that third-party involvement be included from the start of the initial project creation, as well as during construction, contract signing, price negotiations and credit transfer. However, third-party participation in Viet Nam is currently very limited, even completely absent in some cases, leading to lower prices for carbon credits, Quan said. "We are only thinking about selling carbon credits through forests, agricultural products and electricity, but many countries are selling them in various sectors and forms, such as carbon storage projects, he said. This is something that businesses looking to enter the carbon credit market should pay attention to. According to the national plan for carbon market development from 2025 to 2027, Viet Nam will pilot a carbon credit trading platform. In 2028, the official carbon credit exchange will begin operation. Carbon credit trading will open up new opportunities for businesses as they will gain additional financial resources to cover expenses, according to Tho. Businesses need to prepare quickly to participate in this market as it will become very active in the next few years, according to Quan. The compliance carbon market will be vibrant at first, followed by a strong boost in the voluntary market, he said. VNS BOX: Carbon credits are recognised in the form of permits or certificates, which businesses obtain by applying methods to reduce carbon emissions in their production. Those that have carbon credits can trade them with those struggling to reduce emissions to offset the pollution that the latter create, with one credit equalling one tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2). In other words, one carbon credit allows environmentally unfriendly businesses to emit one tonne of CO2 or the equivalent in other greenhouse gases into the environment. A carbon credit market, or carbon market, is an exchange or platform where businesses can trade carbon credits, like stocks. HA NOI Vietnamese exporters have proactively diversified their markets from the start of the year to mitigate risks as they may soon face significant tax hikes globally, said industry insiders and experts. Chairman of the members council at Saigon Industry Corporation (CNS), Nguyen Phi Long, said CNS has made plans for a scenario in which it faces higher tariffs. CNSs export portfolio includes high-quality plastic products and moulds, primarily headed to Europe and the US. Trade defence investigation, however, has become a real concern, Long said. In 2024 alone, the US initiated 11 trade defence cases against Vietnamese exports, accounting for roughly one-third of the 32 cases across 12 other markets. Investigated goods included solar panels, shrimp, corrosion-resistant steel, moulded fibre trays and paper plates. Investigations into cross-border subsidies further complicate matters. Meanwhile, other products, including plywood, wooden cabinets, hot-rolled steel and truck tyres, have been flagged for potential trade defence actions. He said Vietnamese exporters must seek strategies to enhance product quality and diversify export markets as a countermeasure for global trade uncertainties. According to a Ministry of Industry and Trade report, Viet Nam has established trade relations with over 200 countries and territories. In 2024, the ten largest export markets for Viet Nam were led by the US, with an export turnover of US$119.6 billion, followed by China ($50.8 billion), the EU ($42.3 billion), South Korea ($21 billion), and Japan ($20.1 billion). To increase exports to the US, domestic businesses should collaborate with local importers and distributors to select products of clear origin, said o Ngoc Hung, Viet Nam's trade counsellor in the US. He advised exporters to import raw materials from the US to help balance trade. Strengthening understanding and compliance with trade defence regulations is a proven way to help businesses minimise risks and ensure smooth operations. General Director of ABC Bakery, Kao Sieu Luc, said that Vietnamese businesses should develop market share for premium products when they are capable. In 2024, ABC Bakerys export orders increased by 40 per cent compared to the previous year, thanks to investments in producing products for export to Japan. The company has secured orders to produce up to June 2025, with 60 containers per month heading for Japan. While exporting to nearby markets has significantly reduced logistics risks, businesses must align their production and materials with new market segments to stay competitive. Economists advised businesses to adapt to new trade flows by continuously improving product quality, seeking technological solutions to optimise costs, enhancing automation through high-tech applications and artificial intelligence (AI) and accelerating digital transformation and green initiatives to meet global sustainability standards. In addition, researching and using new raw materials to reduce dependence on imports and lower production costs is also essential. Strengthening direct and indirect export channels while securing positions in global supply chains will help mitigate risks in strict markets. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued decisions to impose anti-dumping measures on a number of products imported from Malaysia, Thailand and China, the ministry's Trade Remedies Authority announced on Monday. On January 14, the ministry issued Decision 143 to apply an official anti-dumping duty on pre-stressed steel wire originating from these three countries (case code AD17). The goods subject to the duty are classified under the Harmonisation System (HS) codes 7312.10.91 and 7312.10.99. On December 24, 2024, the ministry issued Decision 3453 to apply official anti-dumping measures on wind towers imported from China (case code AD18). These products have HS codes 7308.20.11 and 7308.20.19. Those imported as a part of a wind turbine generator set will be classified under HS codes 8502.31.10 and 8502.31.20. Businesses wanting to apply for anti-dumping duty exemptions for the two cases should submit their requests to the online public service portal at dichvucong.moit.gov.vn, or by post to the Trade Remedies Authority office in Ha Noi. The application must include the documents specified in Article 14 and Appendix III of Circular 37, issued by the trade ministry on November 29, 2019, regulating details on trade defence measures, according to the agency. VNS NANNING Viettel Post will establish a subsidiary in Guangxi Province, China, as part of its strategy to develop a cross-border logistics system for Viet Nam. The transport company under Viettel Group plans to spend US$1.37 million in cash to set up the enterprise, without using loans. The subsidiary will be named Viettel Post Logistics and Trading Co., Ltd. (Guangxi). In April 2024, Viettel Post signed a memorandum of understanding with a delegation from Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Province, to collaborate on background research for the investment. At the ceremony, Viettel Post general director Hoang Trung Thanh said that connecting with Guangxi is a key focus in the group's logistics development strategy. On December 11, 2024, Viettel Post also inaugurated a Logistics Park in Lang Son Province the first of its kind in Viet Nam which uses technology to reduce the customs clearance time between Viet Nam and China from around four days to under 24 hours. VNS HA NOI Czech automobile manufacturer Skoda is set to complete a US$500 million factory in Quang Ninh Province this quarter. The facility will initially produce internal combustion engine vehicles before transitioning to electric vehicles, with plans to export to Southeast Asian markets. Skoda has partnered with Thanh Cong, a distributor for Hyundai, one of the most popular car brands in Viet Nam. Currently under construction, the factory is located about an hour from a major VinFast electric vehicle production hub. As the first automotive factory in the province, it will span 36 hectares with an annual production capacity of 120,000 vehicles. Skoda, which began exporting cars to Viet Nam in 2023, sees significant potential in the market. We recognise that Skoda has growth opportunities in Viet Nam and Asia, Marketing Director of Skoda Viet Nam Vu Manh Cuong said. However, he added that it will take time to introduce products to customers, allowing them to experience and familiarise themselves with the brand. The factory, Skodas first in Southeast Asia, will fully assemble vehicles in its first phase, with components imported for local assembly. Viet Nam has offered incentives, including land rental support and worker housing construction, contingent on Skodas focus on high-tech and scientific innovation. Skoda plans to sell two gasoline-powered models, including the Slavia sedan and Kushaq compact SUV, before rolling out electric vehicles. The company will face competition from established brands from Japan, South Korea and China, as well as domestic player VinFast. Viet Nam's automotive sales reached 340,142 units in 2024, a 12.6 per cent increase from the previous year, according to the Viet Nam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA). VinFast is not included in VAMAs data. It sold 87,000 electric vehicles last year, 2.5 times more than the previous year. VNS QUANG NINH The northern province of Quang Ninh, home to UNESCO-recognised Ha Long Bay, is expected to welcome 11 luxury cruise ships with nearly 16,000 international visitors in the first month of 2025. The figures represent the growing role of cruise tourism in local economic development. According to the provincial Tourism Department, the inaugural ship, Silver Dawn, carrying around 600 passengers, will arrive on the first day of the Lunar New Year (January 29). Pham Van Hiep, Director of Ha Long International Cruise Port, said that not only during the Tet holiday, but also throughout the year, the port always works to improve its service quality, noting it has made detailed plans to enhance infrastructure and ensure safety for cruises and tourists. According to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism), cruise tourism generates 40 per cent more revenue than air or land travel. Ha Long is projected to see a steady annual growth of 15 to 20 per cent in cruise arrivals, with expectations to host 70 cruise ships and nearly 90,000 passengers this year, a 30 per cent increase from 2024. Recent arrivals include Seabourn Encore and Silver Whisper, bringing nearly 1,000 European and American tourists. VNA/VNS By Bao Long HA NOI - Bach Hoa Bo Hanh, or the 'Parade of a Hundred Flowers', is a cherished annual year-end event in Viet Nam. Typically, this event takes the form of a grand parade showcasing the exquisite beauty and diversity of traditional Vietnamese clothing. These elaborate garments, often meticulously handcrafted and rich in historical significance, are brought to life by participants who embody the elegance and grace of Viet Nam's cultural heritage. This year, however, the colourful parade took an unexpected turn, making a special appearance as part of the vibrant Tet Viet - Tet Pho (Vietnamese New Year - Street Festival) programme. Unusually, this year's event included a daytime procession, adding a unique dimension to the Tet festivities. The parade drew an impressive turnout of approximately 500 participants, who were organised into four distinct costume groups, each representing a specific style of Vietnamese attire. These styles included the elegant Ao Dai, Viet Nam's iconic flowing tunic; the dignified Ao Tac, known for its use as formal court attire; the regal Nhat Binh, garments worn by royalty and high-ranking officials; and the sophisticated Ao Giao Linh, characterised by its cross-collared robes. The diverse array of costumes provided a captivating visual spectacle, highlighting the rich tapestry of Vietnamese fashion throughout history. The parade began at the Old Quarter Exchange Centre, a historical landmark in Ha Noi, and proceeded along a carefully curated route that wound its way to the Kim Ngan communal house, a significant cultural site. The processions path took participants by some of the capital citys most iconic landmarks, including historical relics, the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake and the bustling streets of the Old Quarter. This route not only allowed participants to showcase their stunning attire, but also offered onlookers a chance to witness the vibrant display against the backdrop of Ha Noi's rich urban landscape. The events impact extended beyond mere spectacle, fostering a sense of intergenerational connection and international appreciation. Vu uc, the founder of Bach Hoa Bo Hanh, observed: A wider range of generations has become involved, with participation from older and younger people alike and enthusiastic support from international attendees. They unite in celebrating the ao dai and other traditional attire, while also upholding the traditional practice of ritual processions. This statement underscores the events role in bridging generational divides and promoting cultural exchange. The procession garnered significant attention from both residents of the Old Quarter and tourists. Their curiosity and positive responses highlighted the events success in engaging a diverse audience and promoting Vietnamese culture on a global scale. This enthusiastic reception further validated the importance of such initiatives in preserving and promoting cultural heritage. Mai Thi Oanh, an 81-year-old resident who watched the procession from beginning to end, shared her thoughts with Viet Nam News: We strongly support and encourage the expansion of such initiatives to foster a deeper understanding of Viet Nam's national heritage among young people." "This includes its varied attire, traditional ceremonies, folk practices, lion dance performances and spiritual practices, allowing young people to grasp the full extent of Viet Nam's cultural richness, she added. Her words emphasised the crucial role of cultural events in educating younger generations about their heritage. Trinh Ha Vi, a content creator, led the Bach Hoa Bo Hanh delegation. Arriving early, Vi meticulously prepared her outfit, paying particular attention to the intricate wrapping of her Hue scarf. This traditional headwear, crafted from 15 metres of fabric, showcased the dedication and attention to detail that went into each costume. Vi expressed immense pride in her participation, highlighting the personal significance of contributing to this cultural celebration. The Bach Hoa Bo Hanh procession during the Tet Viet - Tet Pho street festival proved to be a resounding success, captivating both locals and tourists alike. By showcasing the diverse beauty of traditional Vietnamese attire, the event celebrated the nation's rich cultural heritage and served as a vibrant testament to the enduring power of tradition and its ability to inspire and connect people. OVN HA NOI English education in Viet Nam is about to get a major upgrade, thanks to MM Publications delivering top-notch, internationally standardised materials to students and teachers nationwide. A world-leading publisher that offers innovative educational solutions to support the teaching and learning of English has signed a cooperation and distribution agreement with the Viet Nams InBook International Bookstore. As a result, InBook will be the exclusive distributor of MM Publications offers in Viet Nam. Under the four-year agreement, MM Publications will provide critical support in commerce, branding and academics to InBook. This partnership aims to bring advanced and tailored English teaching materials to educational institutions, teachers, and learners nationwide, contributing to the growth of modern and sustainable education in the country. Speaking at deal signing ceremony in Ha Noi on Monday, Director of InBook International Bookstore Co., Ltd. Nguyen Huong Lan said that she first met representatives from MM Publications at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2017. At that time, when our company was newly established, MM Publications was already providing high-quality English language teaching (ELT) materials in over 120 countries. Despite my inexperience in ELT, they were incredibly patient and supportive, nurturing our understanding of the field. Over the past seven years, MM Publications has been our steadfast partner, enabling us to bring their resources to numerous schools and teachers in Viet Nam. This signing ceremony marks a significant milestone and demonstrates our commitment to closely collaborate and affirm MM Publications' contributions to Viet Nam's education sector. I sincerely thank them for their excellent cooperation and look forward to more high-quality educational materials for students and teachers in the future, Lan said. According to CEO Giannis Malkogiannis, the company focuses on three main areas ELT, ICT with robotics and AI and mathematics and science education. MM Educational Group has been contributing to global education since 1994 and has had a presence in Asia since 1998, with books selected by the Chinese government for public education for over 20 years. They collaborate closely with Ministries of Education in countries like Qatar and Hungary and receive support from international organisations such as UNESCO and UNICEF. A key milestone in 2024 was their partnership with McGraw Hill, a major US distributor. In Viet Nam, we have had the privilege of working with InBook International Bookstore for many years. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to maintaining and growing this fruitful partnership. We are thrilled to continue strengthening our presence in Viet Nam and contributing to the development of high-quality educational resources for students and teachers here, he said. The signing ceremony is a significant milestone in elevating English education in Viet Nam and heralds a new chapter in the partnership between MM Publications and InBook International Bookstore. This event highlights their shared commitment to providing advanced learning materials and supporting teachers and learners to achieve exceptional success in language education. It also exemplifies the collaborative efforts of both international and local educational organisations to create a sustainable, inclusive and high-quality education system in Viet Nam. Attending the ceremony, the Head of the English department of the Vietschool Pandora Interleval Secondary Primary School Bui Huyen Trang who said that she believed that the books provided by MM Publications are not only of outstanding quality, but also perfectly suited to the diverse learning needs of students and teachers in Viet Nam. These books not only deliver knowledge but also inspire a passion for learning, creativity and global thinking in the younger generation. We also highly appreciate the role of InBook as a bridge in bringing the best books from around the world closer to Vietnamese students. I sincerely hope that, through this partnership, InBook and MM Publications will continue to grow, strengthen their position in the Vietnamese market and contribute to enhancing the quality of education for the younger generation, she said. VNS PRAGUE Viet Nam always highly values and wishes to strengthen relations with traditional friends in the Central and Eastern Europe, with the Czech Republic being one of its top priority partners, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. At a meeting with President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel in Prague on January 20 (local time), PM Chinh stressed that the Vietnamese people always deeply cherish and remember the selfless, sincere, and heartfelt support extended by the Czech people during Vietnam's past struggle for independence and national unification, as well as its ongoing socio-economic development. The Vietnamese PM informed the host about the outcomes of his talks with Czech PM Petr Fiala, saying that both sides had been delighted at the elevation of ties to a strategic partnership, a milestone they described as historic. Pavel, in turn, welcomed Chinhs official visit which was concurrent with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, describing it as a major milestone in developing bilateral ties. Speaking highly of Vietnams role and standing in Asia-Pacific, he affirmed that no Asian country has such as close relationship with the Czech Republic as Viet Nam, expressing a strong desire for stronger collaboration with the Southeast Asian nation across diverse areas. On orientations and measures to deepen and improve the effectiveness of bilateral ties, the two leaders agreed to continue facilitating the exchange of delegations at all levels, particularly those at the high level, to foster political trust and mutual understanding in line with the strategic partnership. Discussions between the leaders focused on leveraging the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to boost bilateral trade to US$5 billion in the near future. Emphasis was also placed on opening markets, encouraging Czech investments in Viet Nam, particularly in digital transformation, pharmaceuticals, food industry, manufacturing and processing, and mining. They pledged to step up cooperation in national defence-security, sci-tech, innovation, education-training, culture-sports, music, arts, and people-to-people exchange. The host President welcomed Viet Nams unilateral visa exemption for Czech citizens in 2025 and anticipated the early launch of a direct flight route between Ha Noi and Prague. He promised to push forward the swift ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the remaining European countries and the removal of the European Commissions yellow card warning on Viet Nams seafood exports. The two Governments should promptly develop an action plan to translate the newly established strategic partnership into concrete actions, he said. He also gave high praise to the 100,000-strong Vietnamese community, recognising their hard work, education, and proficiency in the Czech language. As the third-largest minority group in the country, they have been instrumental in its socio-economic development and friendship between the two nations. In response to President Pavels interest in learning about Viet Nams human rights policies, PM Chinh explained that human rights are clearly defined in Viet Nams Constitution and laws, emphasising the right to liberty, life, and the pursuit of happiness. Viet Nam always places a high priority on social welfare and has excelled in this area, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, he said. Pavel thanked Chinh's insights, which provided the Czech Republic with a clearer understanding of the Vietnamese Party and State's sound policies on these issues. On multilateral cooperation, host and guest agreed that the two countries would continue to work closely and support each other at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations and ASEAN-EU cooperation framework, contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. Turning to Russia-Ukraine conflict, the PM underscored Viet Nam's consistent stance that all disputes and conflicts should be resolved through peaceful means, without the use of force or threat of force, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law. Having endured much suffering and loss due to war, Viet Nam deeply understands the situation and stays ready to engage in efforts to find a sustainable peaceful solution to the conflict with the involvement of all relevant parties, he added. VNS PRAGUE As part of his official visit to the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil in Prague on January 20 afternoon (local time). At the meeting, PM Chinh affirmed that in her foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralism, and diversification of relations, Viet Nam treasures and hopes to strengthen ties with traditional partners in the Central and Eastern Europe, with the Czech Republic being a top priority. Between the two countries, there are only commonalities, no differences, he said, stating that these similarities form the foundation for them to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Senate President Vystrcil recognised Viet Nams special significance to the Czech Republic, describing the former as one of the latters most important partners in Southeast Asia. He expressed optimism that the strategic partnership would open up new avenues for collaboration, particularly in economy, security, defence, education, and science-technology. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the socio-economic achievements of their countries and the positive developments in bilateral relations, despite global uncertainties. They agreed to actualise the strategic partnership by fostering all-level delegation exchanges, promoting people-to-people exchanges, and enhancing cooperation in defence, education, and tourism. PM Chinh proposed that the Czech Senate support increasing labour quotas for Vietnamese workers and facilitating tourism by easing entry requirements for Vietnamese citizens. The leaders said they support strengthening delegation exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries to share experiences in policy- and law-making. On this occasion, PM Chinh conveyed an invitation from National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to the Czech Senate President to visit Vietnam. Chinh proposed that the two sides establish extensive cooperation mechanisms and prepare for the 8th session of their intergovernmental committee on economic cooperation. He expressed his hope that the Czech Senate will support bilateral cooperation agreements and economic frameworks, encouraging investment in the areas where both countries have strengths. Lauding the outcomes of the talks between Prime Minister Chinh and his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala, Vystrcil affirmed his support for the directions and measures outlined by the two governments to advance the bilateral friendship and cooperation to a new stage of development following its upgrade. Considering Viet Nam one of the Czech Republic's most promising markets in Southeast Asia, the Senate President noted the growing interest among Czech businesses in expanding their investment and operations in the market. He agreed with PM Chinhs proposal to encourage other European countries to expedite the ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Vystrcil also expressed gratitude for Viet Nams decision to grant visa exemption to Czech citizens in 2025, commending the positive impact of this decision on tourism and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and mutual support at multilateral and inter-parliamentary forums to contribute to peace, cooperation, and development in the regions and the world. Discussing international and regional issues, including the East Sea, PM Chinh called for the Czech Senates support for ASEANs centrality. He also affirmed the importance of peace, stability, cooperation, and development globally, as well as of peace, stability, safety, security, and freedom of navigation in the East Sea, while supporting international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Government leader also thanked Czech authorities for supporting the 100,000-strong Vietnamese community that serves as a bridge between the two nations. This meeting marked the conclusion of PM Chinhs official visit to the Czech Republic. Later that evening, he, together with his spouse and a delegation of Viet Nam, departed Prague to attend the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum and conduct bilateral activities in Switzerland. VNS A Texas Department of Public Safety official, right, looks on as migrants walk near a rail car covered in Concertina wire at the Texas-Mexico border, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is leading about 60 fellow Republicans in Congress on a visit to the Mexican border. Their trip comes as they are demanding hard-line immigration policies in exchange for backing President Joe Biden's emergency wartime funding request for Ukraine. Eric Gay/Associated Press A group of migrants wait to be processed between two border walls separating Mexico and the United States after crossing illegally before dawn Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Gregory Bull/Associated Press Migrants make their way to a Border Patrol van after crossing illegally and waiting to apply for asylum between two border walls separating Mexico and the United States, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Gregory Bull/Associated Press A bill requiring federal officials to detain immigrants who are in the country illegally and who are caught committing certain crimes appears on track to become law after it passed the U.S. Senate Monday night and headed back to the House for a vote. The House is scheduled to take up the legislation as early as Wednesday, and President Donald Trump said he expected it to arrive on his desk to sign "within a week or so." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The bill, named the Laken Riley Act for a Georgia woman who was murdered by a person living in the country illegally, passed in the Senate with a dozen Democrats in support, including swing state U.S. Sens. Ruben Gallego of Arizona and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. The House has already approved a different version of the bill requiring the detention of undocumented migrants arrested for burglary and theft. It now must consider the senate bill, which includes amendments by Republican U.S. Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Joni Ernst of Iowa that add to the list of eligible offenses assaulting law enforcement officers and other acts of violence. "Under the Biden-Harris administration, these people that are committing these kinds of crimes are routinely being released back into the streets," Cornyn said on the Senate floor last week. "These criminals should have been detained and removed before they could go on and commit other crimes against innocent victims." The legislation would also give state attorneys general like Ken Paxton the ability to challenge federal immigration officials. Critics have warned that could empower Texas and other states to sue over even routine decisions by immigration judges and other federal officials, holding up both illegal and legal immigration. "Many Democrats do not appreciate the concrete policy consequences of this legislation," Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the non-profit American Immigration Council, said earlier this month. The bill might have seemed unlikely to win bipartisan support just a few months ago, but Democrats in both chambers joined on in the aftermath of an election where Republicans won control of the White House and Congress on a campaign promising to halt the flow of migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border. Advertisement Article continues below this ad How readily immigration officials would be able to carry out the detentions remains unclear. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is budgeted for 41,000 beds for people living in the country illegally. Right now, most migrants are released when captured, with only enough space to house those migrants deemed a risk to public safety or unlikely to appear in court. KLOTEN Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Viet Nam landed at Zurich Airport on January 20 night (local time), beginning a working visit to Switzerland, during which the leader will attend the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and conduct bilateral activities. The trip, scheduled to run until January 23, is made at the invitation of WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab. With theme of Collaboration for the Intelligent Age, the forum gathers approximately 3,000 leaders from countries, international organisations, and leading corporations globally. It serves as a platform for discussions on development orientations and priorities, as well as opportunities Viet Nam can offer to its partners. While in Davos, PM Chinh is scheduled to preside over and attend many dialogues and discussions on various topics, including a plenary session on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a national strategic dialogue between Viet Nam and WEF, and a special dialogue between the WEF and the PM. He will also chair seminars on such themes as trade and global development in the era of intelligence, high-tech investment in Viet Nam, Viet Nam in the digital age, digital infrastructure, and green energy. The PM will hold meetings with leaders of various countries, international organisations, and multinational corporations, aiming to strengthen relations, attract investment, and promote trade. He will convey important messages about Viet Nams determination, aspirations, and vision for achieving strategic development goals over the next 20 years. His trip marks the first multilateral diplomatic activity of Viet Nams high-ranking leaders in 2025, reaffirming the country as a reliable partner and an active, responsible, and promising member of the international community. The leaders bilateral activities in Switzerland are expected to help enhance political trust and deepen Viet Nam-Switzerland relationship, elevating it to a new height. VNS HA NOI As Donald Trump officially assumed the position of the 47th President of the United States on January 21 (Ha Noi time), General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh have sent letters of congratulations. The three leaders underscored that Viet Nam considers the US a partner of strategic importance. Building on the progress in bilateral cooperation in recent times, General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and PM Pham Minh Chinh expressed confidence that under Donald Trumps leadership and support, Viet Nam - US relations will continue to grow robustly based on principles of mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, and political systems, for the sake of peace, stability, sustainable cooperation, and development in the region and the world, especially as the two counties are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1995-2025) and two years of the Viet Nam - US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025. On the same day, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan has also sent a congratulatory letter to Vice President James David Vance. VNS PRAGUE The Czech media has highlighted the visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, particularly the elevation of the bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, which is expected to open up opportunities for the two countries to strengthen cooperation in economy, trade, and other fields. Following the talks and the joint press conference between PM Chinh and his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala, the Czech News Agency CTK reported on the upgrade of the bilateral relations as well as the two countries' desire to strengthen cooperation in various fields. It quoted Fiala highlighting the prospects for Czech companies in the sectors of petrochemical industry, nuclear energy, medicine, and biotechnology in Viet Nam, as well as huge potential for business collaboration with the country, particularly in automobile manufacturing, defence industry, mining, and aerospace. Meanwhile, the news site iDnes.cz published an article discussing key areas of cooperation when the leaders announced the upgrade of the bilateral relations, such as establishing a direct flight route, culture, and education. It also quoted information from the Office of the Czech President, highlighting the meeting between President Pavel and PM Chinh, during which the leaders discussed the specific impacts of the elevation. The Czech Television quoted Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Lukas Vlcek at the Viet Nam-Czech Republic Business Forum, affirming that Viet Nam is a promising market, regarded by foreign investors as one of the most attractive destination in the region. The Czech ministry is planning to organise several events in 2025 to further strengthen cooperation with Vietnam, including a Czech business forum in Ha Noi. Earlier, the Novinky newspaper informed Czech readers about PM Chinh's visit from January 18-20, as well as his meetings with Czech leaders and businesspersons. The article said Viet Nam is not only a market full of potential but also a gateway for Czech companies and goods to enter the region. Among the 41 Czech-invested projects in Viet Nam, it highlighted those in the automotive and energy sectors. VNS HA NOI National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man received Caroline St-Hilaire, Administrator of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on Tuesday. Caroline St-Hilaire is in Viet Nam to attend the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF) Executive Committees meeting and a parliamentary forum on Francophonie cooperation in sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate change response. Emphasising that the visit reflects the OIF and its Administrator's respect for and attention to Viet Nam's role, Man expressed his belief that it will open new opportunities and foster cooperation between Viet Nam and the Francophone community in the coming period, aligning with the priorities of both sides. He appreciated the contributions of the Administrator and the OIF in general in recent years to promoting solidarity, cooperation, peace, democracy, and development globally and within the Francophone community. Highlighting the significant challenges faced by the world and the community, Man noted that addressing climate change, promoting sustainable agriculture, and ensuring food security are top priorities for developing countries. He stressed that parliaments and parliamentarians play a vital role in collective efforts to tackle these challenges by working alongside governments to discuss, draft, and approve relevant laws and national socio-economic development strategies, and implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As an active and responsible member of the Francophone community and one of the countries hard hit by climate change, Viet Nam consistently supports the community's efforts in responding to climate change, he stated, believing that the forum will serve as a good opportunity for delegates to discuss and propose innovative ideas and measures, as well as to share valuable lessons and best practices in drafting laws and policies for sustainable agricultural development and climate change response. Appreciating Viet Nam's important role and proactive participation in all mechanisms of the OIF, she affirmed that parliaments and parliamentarians, including those from Viet Nam, play a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by nations, such as climate change and sustainable agricultural development. As the International Organisation of La Francophonie will organise an economic and trade survey in Benin in June, the Administrator invited Vietnamese businesses, particularly those from Can Tho, to actively join the delegation to seek the signing of numerous cooperation agreements with key businesses and partners. The top Vietnamese legislator proposed the organisation continue to prioritise and promote collaboration between the Vietnamese NA and the APF so as to create opportunities for deputies to enhance cooperation, exchange experience, and learn from one another, especially in fostering sustainable development and sharing information on scientific collaboration. He showed his hope that the OIF and Caroline St-Hilaire personnally will continue to promote economic and trade cooperation, as well as trilateral and South-South collaboration, particularly in agriculture, to contribute to reducing poverty, and ensuring food security. Man also proposed the OIF maintain assistance for Viet Nam in teaching French language, promoting entrepreneurship, and enhancing the role of this language in sustainable tourism development; and work with the APF to implement specific cooperation projects with the Vietnamese legislature, such as capacity building for young and female parliamentarians. VNS CAN THO National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man received President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) and Senior Deputy Speaker of Cameroon's National Assembly Hilarion Etong in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on Tuesday. The meeting took place against the backdrop of the APF Executive Committees meeting and a parliamentary forum on Francophonie cooperation in sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate change response held in the Viet Namese locality. NA Chairman Man praised Etong's APF leadership, particularly highlighting the organisation's growing influence in promoting parliamentary diplomacy and implementing inter-parliamentary cooperation programmes under its 20202030 strategic framework. He expressed his hope that Etong will continue supporting activities of the APFs Vietnamese sub-committee, including the adoption of the Can Tho declaration on Francophone cooperation in sustainable agriculture, food security and climate change response. The document is expected to affirm the determination and aspirations of Francophone parliamentarians towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and handling global challenges. For his part, the APF leader spoke highly of Viet Nams meticulous preparation for the events, hoping that the Can Tho declaration will be adopted, marking a milestone in the APFs development. Regarding the Viet Nam Cameroon relations, Man said Viet Nam values the traditional friendship and cooperation with the African country, acknowledging the latters emergence as Central Africas largest economy and the locomotive of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa. The top legislator of Viet Nam outlined several ways to deepen the countries' multifaceted cooperation, particularly in the areas of economy, trade, investment, and agriculture, including increasing mutual visits and supporting each other at multilateral forums. Noting bilateral economic cooperation remains modest, he suggested promoting discussions, intensifying market information exchange, and exploring opportunities in the domains of their strengths, particularly agriculture. Viet Nam stands ready to collaborate with Cameroon in seeking third-party funding for trilateral agricultural development projects, he said, calling for the resumption of negotiations on important agreements regarding investment facilitation and protection, and double taxation avoidance to strengthen the legal framework for bilateral cooperation. As parliamentary cooperation is an important channel in the Viet Nam Cameroon relations both bilaterally and multilaterally, the two NAs should step up exchanges between their specialised agencies, young parliamentarians and female legislators, Man added. VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on Tuesday sent a letter of congratulations to Marco Rubio on his appointment as US Secretary State, which was confirmed by the US Senate the same day. In his letter, Son reaffirmed Viet Nams valuation of the US as one of the leading important partners. On the back of the foundation for increasingly close relations established over the past three decades, he expressed his confidence that the two countries will continue working closely together to realise the Viet Nam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a practical and effective manner, meeting the legitimate interests of their people and contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. On the occasion, Son extended an invitation to Secretary Rubio to visit Viet Nam in 2025 - the year marks the 30th anniversary of Viet Nam-US diplomatic ties (1995-2025). VNS HA NOI The agreement on visa exemption for Vietnamese and Belarusian holders of ordinary passports, signed by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and her Belarusian counterpart Evgeny Shestakov in Ha Noi on December 8, 2023, will come into effect on January 30, 2025. The agreement allows holders of ordinary passports from both countries to travel visa-free for up to 30 days per visit, with a total stay not exceeding 90 days within a year. It reflects the Vietnamese Government's desire to establish reciprocal entry and exit mechanisms and visa exemptions with suitable partner countries. By facilitating easier travel, it is to create mutual benefits for the citizens of both nations. The signing marks a new step forward in the bilateral traditional and friendly relations, opening up a world of opportunities for deeper cooperation across various fields. It is also part of the Vietnamese Government's broader efforts to facilitate international tourism in general, particularly encouraging Belarusian tourists to explore Viet Nam, contributing to boosting tourism, cultural exchange, market exploration, and overall bilateral ties. Viet Nam and Belarus signed the agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports back in 1993. Since 2015, Belarusian citizens, regardless of their passport type, have enjoyed unilateral visa exemption when entering Viet Nam. With the move, Belarus became the first European nation to waive visas for Vietnamese citizens. VNS CAN THO National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man hosted receptions in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on Tuesday for leaders of countries and organisations attending the Parliamentary Assembly of Francophone (APF) Executive Committee and the Francophone Parliamentary Forum on sustainable agriculture, food security and climate change adaptation Welcoming Speaker of the House of Representatives of Morocco Rachid Talbi El Alami, Man extended a warm welcome to the Moroccan delegation, acknowledging their attendance at the APF Executive Committees meeting and the Francophone Parliamentary Forum as a testament to the high regard Morocco holds for its relationship with Viet Nam, particularly its NA. Viet Nam, in its foreign policy, values its friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Morocco and its role in the region and the world, he said. He congratulated Morocco on its great achievements across socio-economy and culture, especially tourism, renewable energy, automobile manufacturing, and its preparations to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Talbi El Alami, in turn, affirmed that Morocco always values its relationship with Viet Nam in its foreign policy, considers Viet Nam a gateway to foster cooperation with Asian nations and those in ASEAN. He thanked Viet Nam for supporting Moroccos bid to become an observer of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). Lauding Viet Nam as an economic spotlight in the region and the world, he wished to continue developing increasingly effective and practical cooperatives with the Southeast Asian nation in various areas on the back of history and development similarities. To deepen all-around cooperation between the two countries, Man suggested that both sides facilitate the exchange of delegations at all levels, those at high level; working closely at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the International Organisation of La Francophonie. Viet Nam, he assured, is ready to serve as a bridge to boost relations between Morocco and ASEAN countries. To fortify legislative ties, Man suggested facilitating the exchange of high-ranking delegations and those from specialised agencies to share expertise, effectively following their 2017 cooperation agreement and offering mutual support at multilateral forums. Additionally, the establishment of a business council was suggested by the Moroccan leader to tackle specific trade and investment issues, alongside fostering connections between Vietnamese localities and Morocco's key port cities. In response, Man vowed to direct NA agencies to work with other concerned authorities to consider the proposals made by the Speaker. The same day, Chairman Man received Vice President of the Lao NA Sommad Pholsena. Sommad spoke highly of the theme of the forum in the context that countries are facing global challenges such as food security and climate change, especially the initiative in the important speech of the Vietnamese NA Chairman at the opening session of the forum on Tuesday morning. Man affirmed that Viet Nam always gives the highest priority to consolidating and strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos, always stand side by side and strongly support Laoss cause of national construction, protection and development. The top legislator proposed the two sides prioritise close coordination and jointly monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of agreements signed between the two countries; and continue to maintain regular high-level and all-level contacts and exchanges on all channels, including the NA channel. VNS DAVOS Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Permanent Vice Premier of the State Council of China Ding Xuexiang on the sidelines of the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Chinh conveyed warm greetings and New Year wishes from General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and himself to General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji, and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning. Both sides expressed their pleasure at the positive development of the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the building of a Viet Nam - China Community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, especially the recent successful phone talks between Lam and Xi, during which they announced the launch of the Viet Nam-China Year of Humanistic Exchange and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Affirming Viet Nam's consistent policy of treasuring and giving top priority to its relationship with China, Chinh affirmed Viet Nam's support for China's global initiatives on development, security and civilisation proposed by Xi, believing that they will bring shared benefits to all countries. Ding asserted that China places great importance on its relations with Viet Nam and believed that under the leadership of the CPV led by General Secretary to Lam, Viet Nam will successfully hold the 14th National Party Congress and usher into a new era of development. Looking ahead, Chinh suggested facilitating the exchange of all-level delegations, effectively realising cooperation agreements, deepening connectivity between the two economies, with a focus on major and symbolic projects, especially those on capital, technology and human resource training to develop standard-gauge rail routes connecting Lao Cai - Ha Noi - Hai Phong in 2025, Lang Son - Ha Noi, and Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong in the coming time. Along with traditional cooperation areas, he proposed both sides step up partnerships in science-technology, innovation, and those of Chinas strength like big data, cloud computing, quantum technology, and microbiology. He called for China's assistance to Viet Nam in realising the historic Resolution 57 on breakthroughs in sci-tech, innovation and national digital transformation. Lauding and agreeing with Chinhs directions, Ding stressed that China stays ready to step up exchanges and cooperation with Viet Nam in line with six major orientations agreed upon by the senior leaders. He suggested accelerating specific progress in key areas, especially projects symbolising the bilateral relationship, activities marking the Year of China - Viet Nam Humanistic Exchange and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, while firmly building the China - Viet Nam Community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. VNS NGHE AN For four consecutive years, unable to return to his hometown to reunite with his family during Lunar New Year (Tet), Vo Van Tu and his wife, migrant workers in Thu uc City of HCM City always felt pain in his heart every time spring came. The couple have two children, the elder one attending university and the younger in seventh grade. Previously, he worked as a labourer at the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, earning just enough to cover his family's living expenses. When the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, he lost his job and had to take on various odd jobs. The temporary and unstable work left his family in constant financial difficulty, with their main income relying on his wifes modest labourers salary. "I asked for a bus ticket to Nghe An Province during Tet to cost VN2.4 million (US$95) per person. The fare for four people to go and return is about VN19 million ($750), not including food and other expenses, Tu told baogiaothong.vn. We cannot afford it," he said. He thought his family would have to spend yet another year celebrating Tet far from home, but an unexpected joy came their way when the HCM City Centre for Supporting Young Workers gifted them four free bus tickets to Nghe An Province. Holding the four tickets in his hands, Tu was moved to tears: "No one in our family could sleep because we were so happy. Both sides of the extended family were overjoyed when they heard the news." Free bus tickets Each Tet, bus trips are rolling out, bringing struggling workers back home to reunite with their families. Among them are many who have not been able to return home for Tet in over a decade. These trips are not only material gifts but also a source of encouragement, helping workers face life with greater confidence. Pham Thi Mo, a 49-year-old garment worker at at Viet Company in Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, could not hide her emotions as she held her free ticket. "I have not been home for Tet in over ten years. My grandchild is now seven years old and has never met her grandparents. I am so happy. Finally, I get to reunite with them," she said, moved to tears. Similarly, Nguyen Thi Hoai, a worker from central Nghe An Province, employed at the Amata Industrial Park, said that she had not returned home for years. This year, she applied for support through her labour union but did not expect her family would receive tickets. "Honestly, I held the tickets in my hands but could not believe it was real," she said, her voice trembling. Another lucky recipient, Mai Thi Hoa, a worker from Long Binh Industrial Park and a native of central Ha Tinh Province, said: "For the past month, I have been so excited. I hope more tickets like these will reach people in difficult situations like mine." Last week, Nguyen Xuan Linh, a worker from Anh Son District, central Nghe An Province, joyfully called his parents to announce that he would be home for Tet this year. Linh, who works at TNG Company in Thai Nguyen Province, initially planned to stay in his rented room during Tet due to the high cost of travelling. However, earlier this January, TNG announced a support programme to bring workers back home for Tet, prompting Linh to sign up immediately. Like him, hundreds of workers from Nam inh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces registered for the programme. Tran Thi Luong from Huong Son District of Ha Tinh Province said that her company, Youngone Bac Giang, is providing transportation for her and her colleagues this year. "Travelling from Bac Giang Province to Ha Tinh Province is very far, not to mention that Tet buses are always overcrowded. With my meagre workers salary, I used to have to endure cramped buses that cost twice the regular fare," she said. Meanwhile, Nguyen Hoang Dung and several fellow workers from Thanh Hoa Province at Tenma Viet Nams Noi Bai branch often pooled their money to rent private vehicles to avoid the hassle of public buses. This year, learning about the transportation support programme for workers at Noi Bai Industrial Park, Dung immediately registered with the companys labour union. Door-to-door service The Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) has been promoting the organisation of transportation for workers to return home for Tet to local unions. This initiative has become a common practice in provinces and cities with numerous industrial parks. According to a representative from the Ha Noi Confederation of Labour, on January 25 (Lunar December 26), the organisation will launch the 'Union Tet Journey Spring 2025' programme, featuring 30 buses transporting 1,200 workers to Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh. They will also provide direct cash assistance for bus tickets to 5,000 struggling workers in northern and central provinces, with amounts ranging from VN300,000 to 500,000 ($12-20) per person. "This is the 17th consecutive year the citys labour unions have organised this activity. For Tet 2025, thousands of bus trips will be arranged in collaboration with local unions and businesses across the country to bring workers home and back to work after Tet," said Pham Quang Thanh, chairman of the Ha Noi Confederation of Labour. From January 24 to 26, the Viet Nam Coal and Minerals Labour Union, along with its affiliated units, will arrange 291 buses to transport 9,774 workers and their families to their ancestral homes. These buses will depart from Quang Ninh and head to northern and central provinces. On February 2 (the fifth day of the Lunar New Year), the buses will pick up workers from their homes and bring them back to the mines. Samsung Group also plans to provide more than 80 buses for around 4,000 workers from Thai Nguyen Province to return to their hometowns. Most recipients of this support are from Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh. Similarly, companies such as Masan Group, Thai Nguyen Steel, Sunny Opotech Viet Nam and TNG in Thai Nguyen are offering transportation support to their workers, starting on January 25. In Bac Giang Province, the Industrial Zone Confederation of Labour will launch 'Union Bus Journeys' for workers in challenging circumstances, particularly those from Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Ha Giang provinces. These buses will depart on the morning of January 25. Diverse Tet support activities According to Director of the HCM City Centre for Supporting Young Workers Le Hoang Minh, this years 'Spring Bus Journey' will bring around 2,000 struggling workers from the city to provinces ranging from ak Lak to Thanh Hoa. The buses will depart on January 25. In addition, the centre has organised various Tet-themed activities at worker accommodation areas, including motorbike maintenance and gifts for workers from the Mekong Delta to ensure they can return home safely. Chairwoman of the ong Nai Confederation of Labour Nguyen Thi Nhu Y said that this year, the union has introduced new Tet support initiatives, including 'Union Tet Markets', gift-giving and assistance for struggling workers. In HCM City, alongside the 'Spring Bus Journey', the 'Meaningful Tickets' programme will provide 3,225 bus tickets to workers, along with 1,000 Tet red envelopes for their children. The citys civil servant union will also distribute train tickets to outstanding workers, with total funding of approximately VN3.8 billion ($150,000). The citys universities and colleges, including HCM City National University, are also running free bus programmes for thousands of students to return home. Additionally, the city has enhanced other Tet support activities for 2025, such as the 'Warm Tet United Spring' programme, which will distribute 700 gifts (VN1.8 million - $90 per gift) to civil servants and workers, along with 5,000 gifts worth VN5 billion ($211,800) in total (VN1 million - $40 each). The HCM City Fatherland Front Committee plans to provide 1,800 gifts, valued at VN900,000 ($35) each, for workers suffering from severe illnesses or only having low incomes. Furthermore, city officials and the Labour Union will visit workers operating HCM City Metro Line 1 and other projects continuing through Tet. VNS Commentary: Collaboration is essential for global economic growth in Intelligent Age 09:00, January 21, 2025 By Shi Song ( Xinhua GENEVA, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- As the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting opens in Davos, Switzerland, the intelligent industry's role as a key engine of economic growth is under global gaze. In an ever-evolving world landscape, collaboration is broadly deemed indispensable for unleashing the sector's potential. As global leaders gather here this week, they are highly expected to send a clear message of global unity against rising protectionism, which threatens to undermine the very foundation for global progress. Technology holds enormous promise for the future, and the intelligent industry offers vast opportunities for innovation, productivity and growth. But discrete opportunities may come to naught amid integrating global trade networks and accelerating technological advances. Nations across the world must stick together. Protectionism, however, casts a long shadow. The WEF's latest report paints a sobering picture, forecasting a challenging global economic outlook for 2025. Over half of surveyed economists foresee a bleak future due to rising trade barriers, soaring public debt and an uneven economic recovery. As WEF President Borge Brende observed, the world is facing a moment of "unprecedented global uncertainty." In such turbulent times, cooperation is not merely a choice but an imperative to address the economic, environmental and technological crises confronting the world. As nations become more interconnected not least by technology and trade, there is compelling need for global cooperation. From data flows to innovation, globalization and digitalization demand openness and trust. Whether in protecting intellectual property or fighting misinformation, transparent, fair and reliable frameworks are instrumental and can only be built through collaboration. Unfortunately, some countries have chosen to act out of self-interest instead of seeking broader cooperation. In sectors from semiconductors to AI, trade barriers and technology restrictions have proliferated. These "small yard, high fence" approaches will definitely destabilize economies and stunt long-term progress. The global economic order is shifting toward multipolarity, a trend accelerated by intelligent technologies, which not only boast high efficiency but contribute to closing development gaps. Only by teaming up with each other, dismantling barriers to technology transfer, and fostering inclusive growth can these technologies be pushed to their limits. A paradigm of the kind is China's active participation in global economic governance and its commitment to openness. By prioritizing innovation and collaboration, China has enabled the transfer of critical technologies and expertise to developing nations, supporting their efforts to modernize industries and boost their competitiveness. Initiatives such as the Digital Silk Road, which focuses on building digital infrastructure and promoting cybersecurity, underscore China's focus on fostering a fair and open digital economy. As the world economy navigates profound changes unseen in a century, China's approach offers a blueprint for fostering shared growth. Hopefully, global leaders may draw strength from this spirit of cooperation and work together for a future where innovation and progress are truly inclusive. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Milagro Gonzalez, of Venezuela, cries Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, after receiving news that her CBP One appointment for Tuesday was cancelled as part of President Donald Trump's border crackdown. Gonzalez and many other migrants had been watching Trump's inaugural speech on television at the Juventud 2000 shelter in Tijuana before receiving the news. (Ana Ramirez/The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS) Ana Ramirez/TNS WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) looks on as President Donald Trump addresses guests and supporters in an overflow room in Emancipation Hall after his inauguration at the U.S Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th President of the United States. (Photo by Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images) Pool/Getty Images Texas Governor Greg Abbott and incoming Border Czar Tom Homan make remarks at a Thanksgiving lunch event at Forward Operating Base Eagle, a newly built military base serving Operation Lone Star near the Rio Grande River on Tues, Nov. 26, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Christopher Lee/Staff Photographer Migrants walk through Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico in an attempt to reach the U.S. border, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, the inauguration day of U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Edgar H. Clemente) Edgar H. Clemente/Associated Press U.S. President Donald Trump is applauded after delivering his inaugural address during inauguration ceremonies in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. Pool/Getty Images Texas Governor Greg Abbott and incoming Border Czar Tom Homan make remarks at a Thanksgiving lunch event at Forward Operating Base Eagle, a newly built military base serving Operation Lone Star near the Rio Grande River on Tues, Nov. 26, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Christopher Lee/Staff Photographer Entry gate at Forward Operating Base Eagle, a newly built military base serving Operation Lone Star near the Rio Grande River on Tues, Nov. 26, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Christopher Lee/Staff Photographer La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) Executive Director Tania A. Chavez Camacho, center, leads chants during a march in protest of President Donald Trumps inauguration in McAllen on Jan. 20, 2025. Trump supporters followed the marchers in their cars flying flags in support of President Donald Trump. Michael Gonzalez/Contributor Venezuelan migrants Daniela Medina, right, and Oldris Rodriguez hug in celebration after entering the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through the Paso del Norte bridge, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton) Andres Leighton/Associated Press Members and supporters of La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) march in protest of President Donald Trump during his inauguration in McAllen on Jan. 20, 2025. Trump supporters followed the marchers in their cars flying flags in support of President Donald Trump. Michael Gonzalez/Contributor Members and supporters of La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) march in protest of President Donald Trump during his inauguration in McAllen on Jan. 20, 2025. Trump supporters followed the marchers in their cars flying flags in support of President Donald Trump. Michael Gonzalez/Contributor Migrants seeking asylum leave an immigration office after their scheduled meetings were canceled and they were turned away soon after President Donald Trump canceled the CBP One app, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Matamoros, Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press Inside Forward Operating Base Eagle, a newly built military base serving Operation Lone Star near the Rio Grande River on Tues, Nov. 26, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Christopher Lee/Staff Photographer Just minutes after he was sworn back into office, President Donald Trump praised Gov. Greg Abbotts border security crackdown and vowed Texas would have reinforcements from Washington. Trump signed a flurry of executive orders Monday, including ending parole programs former President Joe Biden put in place to curb the record crossings during his administration. He resurrected his so-called remain in Mexico policy that requires asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their cases are decided by immigration judges in the U.S. And Trump moved to resume border wall construction that Biden had significantly slowed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In many ways, the new president appeared to be picking up where Abbott left off. The Texas governor has been relentless on the border over the last four years, pouring more than $11 billion of the states money into his security initiative, Operation Lone Star. He was the leader of the pack and did a great job, Trump said of Abbott in comments at the Capitol after his inauguration. Now you're going to have a partner that's going to work with you. Trump also promised to send troops to the southern border to repel an invasion even as crossings are the lowest they have been in years. Federal immigration officials logged 96,000 migrant encounters at the southern border last month, down from 302,000 in December 2023. He declared an emergency on the southern border, saying he would send in the National Guard and designate foreign gangs as terrorist organizations all steps Abbott has taken over the last four years that Trump said made him an unbeatable governor. You didn't do that for politics. You did it because you wanted to do the right thing, Trump said to Abbott. But Ill tell you, it sure as hell worked for politics too. It's self preservation. Because the people are demanding it. The people of Texas are demanding it. The people are demanding it all over. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The moves are widely expected to draw pushback, and lawsuits, from Democrats and civil rights groups. In Houston, a city that is believed to be home to nearly 600,000 who could be subject to deportation, immigration attorneys have said their phones have been ringing nonstop as people try to understand their rights. Outside the state Capitol on Monday afternoon, several dozen protestors held signs and shouted chants in support of welcoming refugees and immigrants. READ MORE: Top Trump aide joins Texas push to shutter a Catholic border nonprofit that helps migrants Trump was also expected to quickly direct the Department of Justice to seek the death penalty for migrants who maim or murder American citizens. And he was expected to begin designating gangs, including the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations, a step that his administration said would allow them to use the Alien Enemies Act to deport members of those gangs. Abbott declared the Venezuelan gang a terrorist organization last year and directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to go after its members. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But invoking the Alien Enemies Act would be a much bigger step that experts said would likely face legal challenges. The law has only been used three times, and not since World War II, when it was used to round up Japanese, German and Italian citizens living in the U.S. This is explicitly a war time authority thats explicitly only in cases where Congress has declared war, or theres an invasion or armed incursion, said Katherine Yon Ebright, a lawyer with the Brennan Center, a progressive legal group. But, she said, Abbotts declaration of an invasion on the border created the roadmap for possible use of the Alien Enemies Act, in part because of how the governor has argued that drug and human trafficking by cartels constitutes an invasion of the state. She said the Trump administration could make a similar argument. Trumps use of troops could also face legal challenges, especially to the extent that his administration seeks to use the military to aid its deportation efforts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Abbott has been using state troops along the border for years now. They have patrolled the Rio Grande with guns and military vehicles, strung miles of razor wire and took over a public park in Eagle Pass. The state opened a base for National Guard troops in Eagle Pass last year. Its unclear how many additional soldiers would be deployed by Trump, and where they would be sent. But troops could help build deportation camps in Texas, where Trumps border czar Tom Homan has said the administration will likely use land as staging grounds for the deportation effort. The military could assist in building infrastructure for the deportation effort, Homan has said. That would likely mean tents along the border, at least initially. In Texas, soldiers have worked side-by-side with state troopers, who have charged thousands of migrants with trespassing and other state crimes, said Kristin Etter, director of policy and legal services at the Texas Immigration Law Council. In many cases, she said, soldiers would detain migrants until troopers could make the arrests. Once those migrants were released from jails, they would be transferred to federal custody. Trump could easily use a similar approach in his deportation efforts, she said. Theres this model that has worked very efficiently in using state police officers, national guard and private contractors, she said. Its not like this will be a new thing. In Texas, its been happening for so long The model has been set. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trump has said he will focus on deporting criminals first. As of July 21, 2024, there were 662,566 noncitizens with criminal histories on ICEs national docket, which includes those detained by ICE at the time and those not in ICEs custody. Of those, 435,719 were convicted criminals and 226,847 had pending criminal charges. Immigration and Customs Enforcement currently has just 5,500 agents working nationwide and has struggled to fill vacancies, the Washington Post reported. Each of those officers would need to arrest and remove more than 45 immigrants in a single week to reach 250,000. HA NOI The total number of Vietnamese workers going abroad for employment last year reached more than 158,500, including over 52,800 women, which represents 126.9 per cent of the annual target. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan (China) continue to be the traditional markets that receive the most Vietnamese workers, while some European markets have also increasingly opened up to Vietnamese labour. The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs said that the overseas employment programme in 2024 saw a rapid recovery, with a steady rise in both the number and quality of workers sent abroad, generating significant foreign currency inflows. Statistics show that each year, Vietnamese workers abroad contribute between US$3.5 billion and $4 billion to the national economy. Vietnamese workers were highly regarded for their diligence and skills, the ministry said. Chairman of the Board of Directors of SONA International Manpower Supply and Trade Joint Stock Company Nguyen uc Nam, told the Nhan dan (People) online newspaper that recently, businesses had started focusing on high-income labour markets that demand advanced skills, such as Japan, South Korea and certain European countries like Lithuania and Romania. The workers specialised in professions like welding and working as mechanical engineers and electricians. In 2024, the company successfully sent nearly 500 workers to high-income markets with high skill requirements. Deputy Director of the Ha Nois Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Tay Nam said that after workers return to Viet Nam upon completing their contracts, they become a skilled workforce for the domestic labour market, particularly in companies with investments in Viet Nam from Japan and South Korea. Challenges However, the reality is that labour export companies are facing increasing difficulties in fulfilling contracts as the labour pool begins to shrink. Furthermore, traditional markets such as Japan and South Korea are also undergoing changes in policies regarding the attraction of foreign workers. Some illegal labour brokerage centres continue to charge excessive fees, creating significant burdens for workers. Although the number of workers overstaying their contracts and residing illegally in certain markets has decreased, that still presents challenges and adversely affects the reputation of Vietnamese workers. Plans Deputy Director General of the Department of Overseas Labour Management Pham Viet Huong said maintaining and stabilising traditional overseas labour markets, while expanding and developing high-income markets that match the skills and expertise of Vietnamese workers would continue to be the right direction in the coming years. In addition to traditional markets such as Japan, Taiwan (China) and South Korea, some European countries, such as Germany, Greece and Finland, had welcomed Vietnamese workers, while businesses had actively explored new markets like Denmark and Spain. Alongside governments' cooperation, businesses were keen to open up new opportunities. The department would strengthen supervision and guide businesses in preparing labour sources, ensuring that workers receive proper training in both vocational skills and foreign languages before going abroad. That would include educating workers on the customs, laws and regulations of the countries they would work in and ensuring that workers' rights were protected. Support would also be provided in job placement upon their return to Viet Nam. In recent years, Viet Nam has been sending an average of 150,000 workers abroad annually. From 2021 to 2024, nearly 500,000 Vietnamese workers have gone abroad under contracts. There are currently approximately 700,000 Vietnamese workers employed across 40 countries and territories, covering over 30 different industries. VNS BINH PHUOC The southern province of Binh Phuoc held a solemn memorial and re-burial ceremony for 66 sets of remains of fallen soldiers at the provincial martyrs' cemetery on Tuesday. The event coincided with the 95th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (February 3, 19302025) and the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. During the first phase of the 20242025 search campaign (Phase 24), the K72 team from the Binh Phuoc provincial Military Command located and repatriated 66 sets of remains. These included 33 recovered from Kratie and Kampong Thom provinces in Cambodia while the rest found in Loc Ninh District of Binh Phuoc. All the remains lacked identifiable information. Personal items retrieved include hammocks, weapons, and other belongings. At the ceremony, Tran Tuyet Minh, Vice Chairwoman of Binh Phuoc People's Committee, expressed the deep gratitude owed to the heroes who sacrificed their lives. She noted recent memorial and requiem ceremonies held by the provincial Party Committees Mass Mobilisation Board and the Binh Phuoc chapter of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha to honour the fallen, reflecting Viet Nams enduring values of respect and remembrance. Minh expressed heartfelt appreciation to local authorities, Military Region 7, its Steering Committee 515, and Cambodian provinces for their cooperation in searching for and safely repatriating the remains of Vietnamese soldiers. Since 2002, the K72 team has located and repatriated 3,857 sets of remains of Vietnamese soldiers who fell down during wartime in Cambodia. VNS HCM CITY The HCM City's People Committee held a ceremony to announce new street names for National Highways 1, 1K, 22, and 50. These routes are named after former leaders of the Party and State, and the Commander of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign. The campaign is known as the largest strategic offensive movement in Viet Nam, demonstrating the pinnacle of the Vietnamese army's art of coordination of operations. Accordingly, National Highway 1, the section from Thu uc intersection to An Suong intersection is named o Muoi Street, the section from An Suong intersection to An Lac roundabout is named Le uc Anh Street and the section from An Lac roundabout to the Long An Province border is named Le Kha Phieu Street. National Highway 22, the section from National Highway 1 to An Ha bridge is named Le Quang ao Street, the section from An Ha bridge to Tay Ninh Province border, is named Phan Van Khai Street. National Highway 50, the section from Nguyen Van Linh Street to Long An Province border, is named Van Tien Dung Street. National Highway 1K, the section from National Highway 1 to Binh Duong Province border, is named Hoang Cam Street. o Muoi (1917 - 2018) was General Secretary from June 1991 to December 1997. Le Kha Phieu (1931 - 2020) was General Secretary from 1997 to 2001. General Le uc Anh (1920 - 2019) was President from 1992 to 1997. Lieutenant General Le Quang ao (1921 - 1999) was Chairman of the National Assembly from 1987 to 1994. Phan Van Khai (1933 - 2018) was Prime Minister from 1997 to 2006. General Van Tien Dung (1917 - 2002) was Minister of National Defence from 1980 to 1986, and Commander of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign. Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Cam (1920 - 2013) was Commander of the 4th Corps from 1975 to 1977. Deputy Chairwoman of City People's Committee Tran Thi Dieu Thuy said that naming national highways after the comrades of the Party and State, and HCM Campaign leaders aims to honor their great contributions to the country. This also contributes to serving the work of urban management, creating favourable conditions for people to identify and search for street names and addresses. VNS WASHINGTON Donald Trump vowed a new "golden age" as he took the oath for a historic second US presidential term on Monday, painting a picture of an America in decline that only his hardline policies can restore to glory. In an often divisive address in the US Capitol, the 47th president promised a blitz of orders including the declaration of a national emergency on the Mexican border and a policy of only recognizing two genders. Trump also struck a nationalistic tone as he capped the most extraordinary comeback in US political history, pledging to impose trade tariffs, rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, and take "back" the Panama Canal, which has been controled by the Central American country since 1999. "The golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world," Trump said in the Capitol, where the inauguration was held indoors for the first time in decades, due to freezing weather. The Republican even appeared to suggest he was on a divine mission, saying "I was saved by God to make America great again" after escaping an assassin's bullet at an election rally in July. While promising renewal, Trump harshly denounced what he said had been a "betrayal" of Americans by a "radical and corrupt establishment" under outgoing President Joe Biden. "America's decline is over," said Trump, who at 78 is now the oldest president ever to take office. Biden, 82 -- who had earlier hosted Trump and his wife Melania at the White House for tea -- watched stony-faced as his political nemesis read the last rites over his single term in office. 'National emergency' Trump was surrounded by America's wealthy and powerful for the inauguration, in the same building that his supporters attacked in January 2021 as they tried to overturn certification of his election loss to Biden. Elon Musk, the world's richest man, plus Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon chief Jeff Bezos and Google CEO Sundar Pichai all had prime seats in the Capitol alongside Trump's family and cabinet members. Tesla and Space CEO Musk -- who will lead a cost-cutting drive in the new administration -- later told a rally that Trump's victory was a "fork in the road of human civilization." Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton all attended the ceremony with their spouses -- except for ex-first lady Michelle Obama who pointedly stayed away. Trump will now kickstart his new term with a host of executive orders. "I will declare a national emergency at our southern border" with Mexico and move troops to the border, Trump said to loud cheers inside the ornate Rotunda hall, while vowing to deport "millions and millions" of illegal immigrants. Trump said his government would recognize "only two genders, male and female," ending the current practice of providing a third gender option in some settings, and scrap government diversity programs. He will also pull Washington out of the Paris climate accord aimed at halting global warming, expand oil production and "drill, baby, drill", and scrap rules aimed at persuading motorists to buy electric vehicles. Finally he vowed to "plant the Stars and Stripes" on the planet Mars. "I feel on cloud 10," Gregg Donovan, a 65-year-old from Hollywood wearing a top hat with a photo of Trump tucked into the brim, said outside the Capitol after Trump was sworn in. Biden pardons After delivering his focused half-hour inaugural address Trump soon returned to form -- riffing on subjects ranging from immigration to his wife's hat and shoes in a rambling speech to supporters at the Capitol. He also repeated his lie that he had won the 2020 election -- a lingering and unprecedented effort to cast doubt on US democracy. In a split-screen moment as Trump spoke, an emotional Biden told staff that "we're leaving the office but we're not leaving the fight." He then boarded a final flight to California. Biden's extraordinary last acts in office showed his own disdain for Trump, whom he faced in the 2024 election before concerns about his age forced him to drop out. He preemptively pardoned former officials and his own siblings to shield them from "baseless and politically motivated investigations" under Trump. Yet Biden also tried to restore a sense of tradition to the inauguration after Trump skipped his in 2021, inviting Trump and Melania to the White House for tea. Trump is just the second president in US history to return to power after being voted out, after Grover Cleveland in 1893. He is also the first convicted felon to be president, related to paying a porn star hush money during his first presidential run. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump and said on Monday he was open to talks on the Ukraine conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also congratulated Trump -- whose team helped broker a Gaza ceasefire deal. AFP KUALA LUMPUR ASEAN tourism ministers have unanimously agreed to establish the ASEAN-Australia Tourism Ministers Meeting, a new initiative aimed at fostering deeper collaboration in the tourism sector. Secretary-General of Malaysias Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman said the initiative was thoroughly discussed during the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings and is currently in the pipeline. He went on to say that MOTAC has presented the reasons why it is timely for ASEAN and Australia to have this tourism collaboration and Malaysia has pushed for this. All the ASEAN ministers have agreed that we should have further cooperation between ASEAN and Australia, he noted. Roslan emphasised that although Australians frequently visit ASEAN countries, as the ASEAN Chair for 2025, Malaysia wants to further promote tourism collaboration between the two sides. He added that enhanced cooperation between member states and Australia in the tourism sector could address issues, including the difficulties faced by ASEAN tourists entering Australia. The ASEAN Tourism Ministers' Meeting was held in conjunction with the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2025 (ATF 2025), which took place in Johor, Malaysia from January 15 to 20. The ATF 2025 aimed to promote regional tourism products, facilitate knowledge sharing, build valuable networking and enhance cooperation with global tourism leaders to boost tourist arrivals in ASEAN. VNS WASHINGTON India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in the United States to attend President Donald Trumps swearing-in, met with his counterparts from Australia and Japan during which they discussed bilateral issues and those pertaining to QUAD. Delighted to meet FM @SenatorWong, a Quad colleague, in Washington DC today. As always, enjoyed our discussion on the state of the world, Jaishankar posted on X after meeting Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Reviewed the progress in our bilateral cooperation. Also discussed developments pertaining to Quad, he said in another post after his meeting with the Japanese foreign minister. Jaishankar is also expected to meet the Trump administrations secretary of state-elect Marco Rubio and the other two foreign ministers of QUAD countries. According to sources, Rubio and President-elect Trump have made it a priority to take the India-US relationship to the next level. Rubio is keen to have his first bilateral with Jaishankar once he is confirmed as Secretary of State. Jaishankar will also meet National Security Advisor (NSA)-elect Michael Waltz, who is co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. Waltz, once he takes over as NSA, would be co-chairingwith his Indian counterpart Ajit Dovalthe important US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies, a collaborative framework for cooperation in technology. This includes joint efforts in fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors and advanced telecommunications technologies, such as 6G. The Statesman/ANN WASHINGTON US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday (local time) that will let the United States withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the text of the executive order published by the White House, it was Trump's second attempt to exit the WHO, as his first try in 2020 did not materialise after he lost the 2020 presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump's decision is again based on his claims that the WHO failed "to adopt urgently needed reforms" and that it "continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries' assessed payments," as stated by the executive order. On the same day, Trump also signed an executive order to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. The move means the United States will pull out of the Paris climate accord for the second time. During his inauguration speech, Trump vowed to redouble the efforts to extract and utilise fossil fuels. "I will also declare a national energy emergency. We will drill, baby, drill," he said. "We have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have - the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth," Trump claimed. "And we are going to use it." Adopted in December 2015, the Paris Agreement is an international endeavour to tackle human-caused global warming and related crises, which the United States formally joined in September 2016. The first Trump administration officially let the US exit the Paris climate accord in November 2020, dealing a major blow to international efforts to combat the climate crisis. The latest executive order by Trump will mark another round of back-and-forth moves regarding the US commitment to dealing with climate change on the global stage. Joe Biden, who succeeded Trump to become the 46th US president, signed an executive order on January 20, 2021 - his first day in office - to bring the US back into the Paris climate accord. Trump also signed a few other executive orders in front of the crowd at Capital One Arena in Washington DC, just a few hours after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, including the revocation of nearly 80 executive orders from the Biden administration. "I'm revoking nearly 80 destructive radical executive actions of the previous administration," Trump told the crowd at the signing ceremony. XINHUA 404!: NOT FOUND The page is not found! Try our home page: https://vir.com.vn/ - Vietnam Investment Review - VIR During Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustins official visit to Vietnam last week when he met with the countrys leaders, both nations approved a comprehensive plan of cooperation towards 2030, boosting ties in sectors such as trade, investment, agriculture, industry, healthcare, and energy. Most notably, a deal was clinched between Russias State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) and Vietnam Electricity at a time when the Southeast Asian country is seeking to revive its nuclear energy plans to achieve energy self-sufficiency and meet its 2050 greenhouse gas emissions goals. Our two countries have great potential for collaboration in nuclear energy. We support the project to build a nuclear science and technology centre in Vietnam, PM Mishustin said. At a meeting with Rosatom director general Alexey Likhachev in Hanoi last week, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that he appreciates Russias cooperation with and support for Vietnam in training experts in nuclear energy, designing and operating the Dalat nuclear reactor, developing the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre, and supplying pharmaceuticals for cancer diagnosis and treatment. PM Chinh expects Russia and Rosatom to continue cooperation with Vietnam, not only in the development of nuclear power but also in nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes. Likhachev said Rosatom would continue strengthening cooperation with Vietnam and carrying out high-level agreements between the two countries. He underlined that Rosatom was ready to support Vietnam in constructing nuclear power plants, establishing a new nuclear centre, transferring technology, localising nuclear products, and developing nuclear science, with a long-term vision spanning hundreds of years. Photo: Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Culture and Sports In November 2024, Vietnams National Assembly adopted the revised Law on Electricity, which covers regulations on nuclear power development. The law states that nuclear power planning is an integral and synchronous part of national power development to ensure the goal of electricity supply security. A nuclear power project is an important one related to national security, which shall be funded, constructed, and operated by the state, the law read. Investment, construction, operation, and termination of operations, and safety assurance of nuclear power plants, must comply with the provisions of the Law on Atomic Energy and other relevant legal provisions. Vietnam delayed the construction of two nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan province in 2016 due to limited budget and safety concerns. The plants are located in Thuan Nam district, spanning over 440 hectares on land and a similar size in the sea. Each plant was to have two turbines with a total combined capacity of 2,000MW. While Ninh Thuan 1 was set to be built by Atomstroyexport, a subsidiary of Rosatom, Ninh Thuan 2 was aimed to be constructed by the International Nuclear Energy Development of Japan Company, a consortium of 13 Japanese firms. Expanding energy cooperation Last week Vietnam and Russia also declared that they would continue cooperating on the existing oil and gas projects and new ones, including the supply and processing of crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) for Vietnam. Energy cooperation between our countries has strategic importance. Vietsovpetro, a joint company, has been developing Vietnams oil and gas deposits for half a century now, while Rusvietpetro carries out projects in Russias Nenets Autonomous Area, PM Mishustin said. Favourable conditions and support are to be created for the expansion of operations of Vietnamese oil and gas companies in Russia and of Russian oil and gas companies in Vietnams continental shelf in line with the laws of Vietnam and Russia, and international laws as well. While Russias Gazprom is exploiting gas in Vietnam, another Russian giant, Novatek, is also planning to implement LNG in the country. Novatek has inked a memorandum on cooperation with PetroVietnam, while Zarubezhneft has obtained a licence to develop Block 11.2 on Vietnams continental shelf. Also, hydroelectric power generation company RusHydro intends to help expand the capacity of hydroelectric power stations on Vietnamese rivers. A joint Russian-Vietnamese scheme to construct a 1,000MW offshore wind power plant in the south-central province of Binh Thuan has been added to Vietnams current power development plan. Fostering agriculture and trade In addition to energy cooperation, Vietnam and Russia are also cementing ties in the agricultural sector. The issue of expanding agricultural investment flows and certifying agricultural producers from Russia with a view to boosting supplies of agricultural products to Vietnam was also highlighted at negotiations during Mishustins visit. Much has already been done, firstly, on the supply of agricultural products to the Vietnamese market. We now need to expand the certification of Russian agricultural producers, which is what we discussed today, Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said. Overall, the Vietnamese economy is growing, consumption is increasing, and the standard of peoples living is rising, so this creates demand for our goods. Vietnam committed to facilitate its businesses investing in Russia. TH Group is Vietnams biggest investor in Russia in this sector, with $2.7 billion high-tech centralised dairy farming and processing complex. At present, two farms have been put into operation, with the total number of dairy cows at over 6,000. Another farm is under construction in Moscow and a milk processing factory is being completed in Kaluga province. In May last year, TH Group also commenced construction of a $216.7 million high-tech centralised dairy farming and milk processing project in the Far Eastern region of Russia. This initiative includes a 6,000-cow farm, a 250-tonne-of-milk-per-day factory, and a material area of 13,000ha. We want to contribute to the flourishing Vietnam-Russia trade and investment ties, said Ngo Minh Hai, chairman of TH Groups Board of Members. We commit to speeding up the construction so that the undertaking can become operational by late 2027. Vietnamese investors are investing in Russian 25 projects registered at nearly $3 billion. Meanwhile, Russian businesses are pouring $994 million into just over 200 projects in Vietnam, focusing on oil and gas, restaurants and catering, and manufacturing and processing. Of course, Russia is also looking forward to expanding cooperation in the transport and logistics sector. There has been a steady rise in cargo shipments by sea between Russian and Vietnamese ports. We also suggest undertaking a series of joint projects in digital technology, focusing on AI, big data, cybersecurity, and software development, PM Mishustin said. We have made expanding trade and economic ties our priority. Mutual trade has been experiencing upward momentum, having increased by 24 per cent last year, which was attributable, among other things, to the effort to fulfil the free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam. The General Department of Vietnam Customs reported that total export-import turnover between Vietnam and Russia reached $3.63 billion in 2023, up 2.3 per cent on-year. In 2024, the figure hit $4.57 billion. Vietnams main exports to Russia include mobile phones, electronic products, footwear, garments and textiles, and assorted ago-forestry-aquatic products. Vietnams key imports from Russia consist of coal, wheat, steel and iron, fertiliser, vehicles, machinery, and equipment. Agreements inked during Russian PM Mikhail Mishustins visit to Vietnam 1. Announcement of a comprehensive Russia-Vietnam plan of cooperation towards 2030 2. MoU on electronic radio and digital technology 3. MoU between Russias Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media and Vietnams Ministry of Information and Communications 4. Agreement on cooperation between Russias Ministry of Culture and Vietnams Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism 5. MoU on nuclear power collaboration 6. Agreement on transfer of a scientific research vessel to the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Centre for joint marine research. Prices of soybean meal have climbed consistently in recent times due to epidemics and weather conditions, photo Le Toan A group of 15 animal feed businesses and the Dong Nai Livestock Association have submitted an urgent petition to the government, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to express concern regarding challenges tied to the classification codes. When Decree No.144/2024/ND-CP was issued in November, the preferential import tax rate for soybean meal classified under code 23040090 was reduced from 2 to 1 per cent. However, since the decree came into effect, businesses have been unable to access the new mechanism, said Nguyen Tri Cong, chairman of the Dong Nai Livestock Association. Since early December, customs offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau have been applying a different tariff classification code, 23040029, at the previous 2 per cent rate. The new rate was being processed through the General Department of Customs VNACC/VCIS system and the Plant Protection Departments specialised inspection registration system. The sudden change in classification has caused delays in customs clearance and additional costs for businesses. Dao Thu Huong, deputy director of the Import and Export Tax Department under the General Department of Customs, managed by the Ministry of Finance, told local media that soybean meal has many different forms. In Decree 144, the new code is for soybean oil meal used as animal feed in the form of fine powder, pellets, bars, and blocks, currently subject to a tax rate of 1 per cent. Meanwhile, the 23040029 code is just for raw powder, currently subject to a 2 per cent rate, Huong said. Enterprises importing raw powder are not yet entitled to the 1 per cent rate, which means that local customs agencies comply with the regulations. A representative of a Netherlands livestock company told VIR, The inconsistency in import tariff incentives for soybean meal is unreasonable. In addition, these materials prices have consistently climbed to high levels due to the effect of global epidemics, weather, and geopolitical issues. For example, global and domestic prices for soybean meal have surged by over 12 per cent within just two weeks due to supply demand fluctuations. Meanwhile, soybean meal is the primary source of vegetable protein in animal nutrition, and it is used to make aquatic bran and pig bran. Thus, the high costs not only cause a financial burden for manufacturers and farmers, but also have had a direct impact on cattle pricing, leading to affect the peoples consumption, the representative said. Currently, Vietnam is the third-largest importer of soybean meal and the ninth-largest importer of soybeans in the world. In the past 10 years, the country has consumed an average of nearly two million tonnes of these products each year. Vietnams soybean imports in January-November last year reached nearly 1.98 million tonnes, up 19.6 per cent in volume compared to the same period. Brazil was the largest market supplying soybeans to Vietnam in the period, accounting for 54.3 per cent of the total volume. The runner-up is the US with a total volume of 713,735 tonnes, followed by Canada with over 116,000 tonnes and Cambodia with nearly 16,000 tonnes. The tax rate discrepancy also creates competitive disadvantages for Vietnams businesses. Exporters from free trade agreement (FTA) countries like India and ASEAN enjoy a zero import tax rate, while imports from non-FTA countries such as the US, Argentina, and Brazil face higher tariffs. This limits Vietnamese businesses ability to source soybean meal from more stable and higher-quality suppliers outside FTA countries. To address these challenges, industry representatives have proposed reducing the import tax rate for all soybean meal to 1 per cent. Additionally, they urge the government to retroactively refund the overpaid import taxes for soybean meal shipments made since December 16, 2024, under Decree 144, the business group noted in the letter submitted to the government. New Hope ceases Binh Dinh pig-breeding project New Hope Binh Dinh Livestock Co., Ltd has decided to wind up its high-tech swine farm project in the south-central coastal province due to overly complicated procedures and protests from local people. Japfa Vietnam invests VND400 billion to expand animal feed mill Japfa Comfeed Vietnam Limited Company has opened recently expanded a factory project in Huong Canh town, Binh Xuyen district, Vinh Phuc province. A fragile ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war was holding Monday, following the dramatic exchange of three hostages for 90 Palestinian prisoners in an agreement aimed at ending more than 15 months of war in Gaza. The three hostages released Sunday, all women, were reunited with their families and taken to hospital in central Israel where a doctor said they were in stable condition. Hours later in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinian prisoners released by Israel left Ofer prison on buses, with jubilant crowds celebrating their arrival. As the ceasefire took effect, thousands of displaced, war-weary Palestinians set off across the devastated Gaza Strip to return home. The truce began on the eve of the inauguration for a second term as US president of Donald Trump, who has claimed credit for the agreement after months of fruitless negotiations. In the northern area of Jabalia, hundreds streamed down a sandy path, heading to an apocalyptic landscape piled with rubble and destroyed buildings. "We are finally in our home. There is no home left, just rubble, but it's our home," said Rana Mohsen, 43. The initial 42-day truce was brokered by mediators Qatar, the United States and Egypt. It should enable a surge of sorely needed humanitarian aid into Gaza, as more Israeli hostages are released in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli custody. Under the agreement, Israeli forces should leave some areas of Gaza as the parties begin negotiating the terms of a permanent ceasefire. The three hostages, Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher, were taken back to Israel by security forces after Hamas fighters handed them over to the Red Cross in a bustling square in Gaza City, surrounded by a sea of gunmen in fatigues and balaclavas. "After 471 days Emily is finally home," said her mother Mandy Damari, but "for too many other families the impossible wait continues". Steinbrecher's family said in a statement that "our heroic Dodo, who survived 471 days in Hamas captivity, begins her rehabilitation journey today". In Tel Aviv, there was elation among the crowd who had waited for hours for the news of their release. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group hailed their return as "a beacon of light", while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they had emerged "from darkness". During this initial truce, 33 Israeli hostages, 31 of whom were taken by militants during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, are due to be returned from Gaza in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinians. Of those, more than 230 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences for deadly attacks against Israelis will be deported, according to a list made public by Israeli authorities. Two Hamas officials said the prisoners would be deported mainly to Qatar or Turkey. The Israel Prison Service confirmed the release of 90 prisoners early Monday. In the town of Beitunia, near Ofer prison, Palestinians cheered and chanted as buses carrying them arrived, with some climbing atop and unfurling a Hamas flag. "All the prisoners being released today feel like family to us. They are part of us, even if they're not blood relatives," Amanda Abu Sharkh, 23, told AFP. The next hostage-prisoner swap would take place on Saturday, a senior Hamas official told AFP. "More families are waiting anxiously for their loved ones to come home," said International Committee of the Red Cross president Mirjana Spoljaric, calling on all sides to "adhere to their commitments to ensure the next operations can take place safely". Minutes after the truce began, the United Nations said the first trucks carrying desperately needed humanitarian aid had entered the Palestinian territory. UN relief chief Tom Fletcher said 630 trucks had entered into Gaza, with 300 of them headed to the north of the territory. The truce is intended to pave the way for a permanent end to the war, but a second phase has yet to be finalised. Thousands of Palestinians carrying tents, clothes and their personal belongings were seen going home on Sunday, after the war displaced the vast majority of Gaza's population of 2.4 million. In Deir el-Balah, in central Gaza, Umm Hasan al-Buzom, 70, said she would even "crawl my way back home" if needed. The World Food Programme said it was moving full throttle to get food to as many Gazans as possible. Netanyahu has called the first phase a "temporary ceasefire" and said Israel had US support to return to the war if necessary. Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said its adherence to the truce would be "contingent on the enemy's commitment". The war's only previous truce, for one week in November 2023, also saw the release of hostages held by militants in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas's October 7 attack, the deadliest in Israel's history, resulted in the deaths of 1,210 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Of the 251 people taken hostage, 91 are still in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Sunday that the death toll in the war between Israel and Hamas had reached 46,913. A 3D design of Can Gio International Transshipment Port Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed a prime ministerial decision approving an investment policy for the project on January 16, which will be implemented by a venture between Saigon Port JSC and Terminal Investment Limited Holding S.A. At least VND50 trillion (almost $2 billion) would be needed to develop the port across 571 hectares, including nearly 83 ha of repurposed forest land, at the mouth of the Cai Mep-Thi Vai River, in Go Con Cho Islet, Can Gio district. The projects operational duration is 50 years from the date of the investment policy decision being made. The port would provide services related to container port operations, seaports, and other associated activities. Ho Chi Minh City has been tasked with leading the coordination effort with relevant ministries and agencies to conduct tenders for a strategic investor for the project, in compliance with prevailing regulations. Investors will not be allowed to transfer the project within five years of the date of issuance of an investment registration certificate. Changes to investors after this period must comply with the provisions of Vietnamese law and must be approved in writing by Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. Such changes must also be allowed by the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, and other relevant agencies in cases of issues related to national defence and security. The volume of cargo through the port is forecast to reach 4.8 million TEU by 2030, and 16.9 million TEU by 2047. The project will create about 6,000-8,000 jobs and contribute about VND34-40 trillion ($1.4-1.6 billion) to the state budget per year. With the establishment of Vietnam's first international transshipment port and the participation of large global port operators, the project promises to turn the southeast region into the leading international trade gateway in Southeast Asia, boosting the economy of the entire region, contributing to national maritime strategy, and affirming Vietnam's position and role in the international arena. The project will position Vietnam on the maritime map as a giant international transit hub to entice the world's largest transport and logistics units. It will also create a driving force for the development of regional infrastructure and new advantages for domestic maritime transport businesses to develop and contribute to socioeconomic development, encouraging the establishment of an international financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City. HCM City approves 9 billion-USD Can Gio coastal urban development project The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee has approved the planning for the Can Gio coastal urban area, which covers an area of 2,870 hectares and is projected to attract nearly 9 billion USD in private investment. Cai Mep - Thi Vai Port affirms Vietnams maritime position The Cai Mep - Thi Vai International Port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province plays a crucial role as a gateway connecting maritime trade routes among southern provinces of Vietnam. It also serves as a major international transshipment port, significantly reducing the transportation time between Vietnam and other countries. There is still discrimination between natural residential land and commercial and service land, photo Le Toan According to preliminary statistics, currently about 25 localities across the country have issued adjusted land price lists for use until the end of this year. However, in many localities, the adjusted list has created a large public reaction when there is a sudden increase compared to the old land price list. For example, Ho Chi Minh Citys adjusted land price list took effect from November 2024, increasing prices in some spots by as much as 38 times, with the highest level at VND687 million ($28,600) per square metre. In Hanoi, the land price in the list increased by 2-6 times compared to the old one. Of which, the highest price is $28,900 per sq.m. Bac Giang provinces adjusted land price list also recorded the highest level of $5,000 per sq.m, an increase of about 2.4 times compared to the old price list. At a seminar on the situation held in Hanoi by the Vietnam Real Estate Association last week, Nguyen Quoc Hiep, chairman of the Vietnam Construction Contractors Association, said that although new laws put into force in August last year have created a clearer legal corridor for businesses in real estate, there are still some issues, one of which is land valuation. We have a project which was granted land handover decisions nine months ago. Up to now, however, the land price has not yet been determined. However, nine months is not that uncommon as there are projects from other businesses that have not evaluated the land price for two years. This is causing a lot of frustration, Hiep said. Real estate competitiveness will be loosened if land prices rise skyrocket, he added. In the current method of calculating land prices, we have not considered the benefits of businesses in general, businesses using land leases, or real estate businesses. All businesses are affected when land prices increase. So which business dares go forward with a project? Hiep asked. He then proposed that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment have more specific guidance for localities in determining land prices, especially how to calculate prices based on the surplus method. According to Vu Lan Anh, deputy general director of CEO Group, there is still great discrimination between natural residential land and commercial and service land, and regulations on land prices for commercial and service land still have many limitations and inadequacies that need to be improved. In fact, currently, localities often collect one-time land rental fees for commercial service land used for projects (70 per cent of the residential land use fee). The high price of commercial and service land will lead to high real estate prices, discouraging investors from investing in tourism and resort projects on commercial and service land, Anh said. Anh suggested that, when determining the price of commercial land and services in the land price list, localities need to determine and calculate scientifically according to market principles and harmonise the benefits among different sectors. Based on this, the price of commercial and service land should be 20-40 per cent compared to the price of residential land. From the state management side, Le Van Binh, deputy director of the Land Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said that the current price list was very different from previous lists. The Land Law 2024 stipulates that the Peoples Committee is responsible for submitting the land price list, while the Peoples Council is responsible for giving the final decision. This indicates that regulations are increasingly professionalised and responsible, Binh said. Binh added that in the past, local land prices were controlled by the governments land price framework. But now, the Land Law 2024 removes the land price framework and gives the initiative to localities to issue land price lists. So far, we do not have enough evidence to say that the 2024 Land Law is a failure. A legal policys impact on life cannot be measured in some months. The new law has only been in effect for six months. Many localities even are still training the new policies for grassroots levels, and we need more time, Binh added. Land price framework remains inefficient Adjusting a land price framework according to the market is necessary, but a number of points could be considered before approval and application, according to experts who contributed to the draft of the adjusted price for the new land law. Land hike shock deemed necessary An adjusted land price list in Ho Chi Minh City is set to bring higher compensation for around 80,000 households whose land will be recovered for various projects, but it is also expected to drive up real estate prices. What were the significant moments in Vietnams international economic integration last year? Director-general of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade Luong Hoang Thai Last year was a difficult one for international economic integration on a global scale. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund, global growth is not expected and is not considered a driving force as in previous periods. However, Vietnam is considered one of the bright spots in the world in taking advantage of the opportunity to participate in newly formed supply chains, thereby creating a new growth driver for the economy. Regarding integration, in 2024, we focused on two directions: finding new supply chains for development, and creating new room for future growth, which initial achievements. Specifically, Vietnam put the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement into effect and signed the Vietnam-UAE Free Trade Agreement, regions where Vietnam has not had such relations before. In terms of potential, markets in the Middle East, South America, and Africa still have a lot of room for development. In addition to finding new room, it is critical that Vietnam continues to maintain and make more effective use of markets that have been exploited in the past, which are traditional and account for 80 per cent of Vietnams exports. We will continue to build and maintain relationships, deepening economic and trade relations with traditional partners. For instance, the G7 countries invited Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien to present to the WTO how economies can take advantage of the trend of supply chain transformation, of which Vietnam is considered a bright spot. In addition, Vietnam continues to deepen relations and stabilise its markets with neighbouring countries and blocs, such as China and ASEAN. What opportunities will free trade deals create for Vietnam in the Middle East and African markets? Vietnam has exploited traditional markets relatively well, but there are also risks when those markets do not enter a high development stage, but we are too dependent on those markets, so an important task is to exploit and open new markets, especially in places with development potential. In 2024, there were two new free trade deals in the Middle East region. In which, UAE is the centre of the region and has potential sources of capital, logistics services and is a giant transit port, not only in the Middle East but also to North Africa, even connecting with India and many other places, so this is a gateway that we are determined to open to take advantage of the connection potential between the two economies. Meanwhile, Israel is considered one of the success stories in terms of startups and innovation, where there are many sources of technology and skills from which Vietnam can learn, so although this is a relatively small-scale export market, it is also a good market if it can be linked to this economy. In general, for the remaining 20 per cent of exports, the market is relatively fragmented, if small-scale enterprises themselves seek these markets, it will be very difficult, therefore, the general policy of the government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade is to open up the market and create connections, thereby creating more convenience and reducing costs for enterprises. What solutions are needed to improve the competitiveness of the economy alongside boosting new development drivers? Experts predict 2025 as a very difficult year for international economic integration, but there is also a great opportunity because after a lengthy time, the world is entering a period of qualitative change in the supply chain, so countries that integrate later like Vietnam will have the ability to tackle new stages. With those changes, we must be calm and identify new trends, but more importantly, find what can be positioned in that change to achieve better results. Global trade growth has been lower than global GDP growth in recent times, and there are considerable trends that can strongly change the way countries trade with each other. The first trend is that some major economies are more inward-looking, some even embracing trade protectionism, with trade wars happening in some regions. The second trend is that even though economies continue to open up, there are new measures to implement global changes, such as green transformation, accompanied by a series of stricter management measures on the supply chain to ensure that consumer demand is met, which is sometimes seen by businesses as a barrier creating new costs that businesses must comply with. Vietnam is one of the countries with the highest economic openness, being heavily dependent on international trade and investment. The world has been managing supply chains tightly, so the rules that we have been pursuing up to now through WTO rules seem to be no longer adequate, which is a huge challenge for Vietnam. However, Vietnam is also one of the countries benefitting the most from global integration, especially with the world supply chain changing of late. Accordingly, we want to seize such opportunities and to skip certain development stages, grasping trends such as digital transformation and green transformation, and to reach a higher level. MUFG was honoured by VCCI as a top 10 sustainable business in Vietnam in trade and services last November 2024 marked a transformative year for MUFG in Vietnam, characterised by dynamic innovation, a steadfast commitment to sustainability, and robust international engagements - all of which bolster economic resilience, contributing to the broader economic sustainability of cities. Recognising the crucial role foreign banks play in helping businesses in Vietnam navigate the fast-changing business landscape, MUFG has advanced trade finance and facilitated capital flows. These efforts have not only reinforced MUFGs position as one of the leading financial institutions in sustainable finance but also solidified its commitment to fostering the countrys long-term growth. MUFGs presence in Vietnam spans a century dating back to 1920, when its predecessor Yokohama Specie Bank established the first Japanese bank in Ho Chi Minh City. In appreciation of the support MUFG has received in Vietnam, the bank gathered 200 guests for an evening of gratitude, which celebrated banks century-long journey in Vietnam, acknowledging MUFGs rich history and its successes, while reaffirming ambitions to build a shared, sustainable future for both the bank and the country. ESG footprints with diverse products MUFG concluded 2024 on a high note, mirroring Vietnam's adept navigation through the cyclical storm of slower-than-expected global growth. MUFG in Vietnam was poised to meet the first target of its mid-term business plan and, as it approaches 2025, is poised to accelerate its progress to establish itself as the leading foreign bank in Vietnam by the end of FY2026. In alignment with the countrys transition to a low-carbon economy, MUFG has strategically embraced sustainability as a core business theme, launching numerous initiatives to showcase the banks expertise in sustainable finance. Recognising the market's need for blended and sustainable financing solutions and the increasing pressure on corporations to advance their sustainability journeys, MUFG has developed a comprehensive suite of innovative financial products that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, including deposits, loans, derivatives, and advisory services. As one of the pioneering foreign banks to introduce innovative solutions including sustainable deposits for social projects and green deposits, MUFG successfully attracted over $175 million in total transaction volume in 2024. The bank also witnessed a significant increase in successfully executed ESG-driven deals - such as social loans, green loans, and green trade finance - with corporate clients, from a spectrum of industries. In December, MUFG closed its first sustainability-linked loan with a well-established player in the logistics industry. To further support clients in their decarbonisation management, MUFG also partnered with Zeroboard to help companies calculate and visualise their greenhouse gas emissions across operations and supply chains. Sustainability advocacy and policy engagement Striving to be the banking partner of choice within the sustainability ecosystem, MUFG hosted its signature sustainability event, MUFG NOW in Hanoi in May 2024. More than 150 business leaders, industry experts, and policymakers assembled to discuss critical ESG issues and collective responses to the challenges and opportunities of sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. This relentless effort and proactive approach underscore MUFGs position as one of the leading sustainable finance banks in Vietnam and the region. Furthermore, MUFG has taken an active role in policy engagement by working closely with regulatory and industry stakeholders to establish policies that tackle sustainability issues. Its partnership with the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment further solidifies the banks stance. As set out in the partnership, the two entities will collaborate to advance sustainability development and promote a circular economy via knowledge sharing and render of technical assistance in order to achieve the national goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. In 2024, MUFG assumed the chairmanship of the Banking Working Group under the Vietnam Business Forum - a high-level policy dialogue platform between foreign credit institutions and government agencies in Vietnam - marking the first instance of a non-US/EU bank chairing the group. This achievement is further testament to the exceptional efforts MUFG has made in supporting the development of Vietnams banking sector over the years. Over the course of the chairmanship, MUFG has been working closely with various departments of the State Bank of Vietnam and government ministries on critical regulations. MUFG has also held the chairmanship of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Ho Chi Minh City, representing over 1,000 member companies, and serving as a vital voice for the Japanese business community in the city, since April 2024. The banks focus has been on enhancing the investment environment and creating a more favorable climate for investors. To that end, MUFG has fostered connections between Japanese and Vietnamese businesses and engaged in dialogue with Vietnamese authorities to address investor challenges while aligning the interests of Japanese companies with local communities. MUFG continues to support the strategic bilateral relations between the two countries, contributing to the socioeconomic development of Ho Chi Minh City. Serving the community With a firm belief that ESG is a crucial factor for achieving sustainable growth, MUFG has engaged in numerous projects that reflect its genuine commitment to these issues. In 2024, it partnered with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to organise MUFG Green Day, during which bank employees planted 500 trees in Hanoi and Long An province, aiding local reforestation and environmental preservation efforts. Embracing the national spirit of unity during Septembers Typhoon Yagi, MUFG donated VND1 billion ($41,600) to the Vietnam Fatherland Front to support relief activities and reconstruction efforts, reaffirming our dedication to empowering a brighter future for both the environment and society. Prestigious recognition for relentless efforts MUFG has collaborated with various Vietnamese government agencies to promote initiatives that foster a sustainable, vibrant, and resilient society. Complementing the banks community and business efforts are its dedication to information and knowledge sharing and technical assistance in support of Vietnams ambition to achieve decarbonisation by 2050. Notably, MUFG is the only foreign bank to have received the prestigious recognition as one of the Top 10 Sustainable Businesses in Vietnam in the field of Trade and Services, on the Corporate Sustainability Index 2024 published by The Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development, under the leadership of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. MUFG staff planted 300 trees in Long An province in October Moving forward in 2025 Great change and transformation awaits Vietnams banking industry in 2025, with further innovation evolutions in sustainable finance, new ways of facilitating foreign investment, and collaboration among local and foreign banks in store. The banking sector will also face stronger calls from stakeholders for greater compliance and risk management, while navigating intensifying competition that could reshape Vietnams business landscape. Looking ahead, as one of Vietnams leading foreign banks and trusted partner of choice for corporates, MUFG is determined to continuously innovate and invest in sustainability, enhance its relationship with the Vietnamese government, and seize the right opportunities to create long-lasting impact for its clients, partners and colleagues in Vietnam. MUFG Bank Vietnam and Zeroboard forge partnership in support of decarbonisation management On September 17, MUFG Bank Vietnam entered an MoU with Zeroboard Inc., a Japanese tech startup that helps companies calculate and visualise their greenhouse gas emissions across operations and supply chains. Mid- and high-end housing will see a large downward adjustment. Because this market was too high last year, and buyers are making large adjustments in demand, behaviour and prospects. Moreover, the industrial real estate market this year is forecast to grow, so more resources will be poured into this segment. Other housing and land areas will not have large fluctuations. Tran Kim Chung, Former vice president, Central Institute for Economic Management Resort real estate will be divided. Those owned by buyers will be vibrant, but shared ownership will be difficult because there is not a strong enough legal system to regulate shared ownership products. Tourism has recovered, so real estate owned by one owner transactions can be carried out easily. The financial real estate segment will not have major fluctuations. Products are still stocks and bonds of real estate enterprises. However, the pressure to mature real estate bonds will be loosened compared to 2024, especially compared to 2022-2023. The strong changes in the real estate market will be shared ownership products and real estate trust funds. Vietnams local real estate market prospects will see vibrant development in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but there will no longer be sudden increases like in 2024. Some small segments, such as mid-high-end apartments, will even have downward adjustments. However, the fluctuations in these two localities will be different. While Ho Chi Minh City will continue to see a small increase, several areas in Hanoi will remain flat or even have downward adjustments. There will be no increase in localities adjacent to the two big cities because the high prices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will not continue to spread. In some emerging localities, the real estate market will see some breakthroughs, as the legality of products in these localities continue to have advantages. Looking at cash flows into the real estate market this year, foreign direct investment will continue to grow steadily. Public investment continues to be strong. However, the level depends on disbursement capacity. Private enterprise investment is stable, not seeing a breakthrough but not stagnant. Investment by secondary entities sees no clear trend. Derivative financial instruments have not had huge successes. In 2025, there will be competition for capital with other product markets. The stock market will also operate in 2024 with no sudden changes, so the interaction with the real estate market will not have a major manifestation. However, the digital market will have many fluctuations, with the newly elected US administration taking office on January 20. If the situation is favourable for the digital market, the Vietnamese real estate market may be affected. The neutral scenario, in which prices rise slightly, is the most likely. This was the clearest scenario at the end of last year. The positive scenario is much desired but very unlikely. The difficult scenario, which no-one wants, is the least likely to happen. However, it could happen if certain factors outside the domestic economy appear. Some risks we can see right now come from unpredictable geopolitical conflicts globally, coupled with competition among big countries, especially with the new US administration. International socioeconomic risks are present, but very difficult to predict. In 2025, the macroeconomy will be stable, so the real estate market will see no considerable changes. According to the 10-year plan for real estate, the estate market may benefit from macroeconomic policies this year. Other risks related to policy, market conditions, and counterparties are not expected to be a concern. The challenges faced by enterprises, particularly regarding procedures and capital, have been fully revealed. As a result, counterparty risks in 2025 are anticipated to be minimal. There are also recommendations to ensure the positive development in the real estate market. We should accelerate the institutionalisation of issues related to the real estate market, especially tax instruments and derivative financial instruments. For example, the Law on Real Estate Tax will take effect shortly. It is necessary to study and realise derivative financial instruments, including timeshares, mutual savings funds, re-mortgage systems, and real estate investment trust funds. Several mechanisms should be implemented, such as reclaiming land adjacent to infrastructure works for auction, construction following the planning to build capital for infrastructure development, and using a local budget to invest in central infrastructure works and infrastructure works outside the province. Planning in provinces and cities should be synthesised, including for general, land use, sectoral, and urban planning. The most important thing is to synchronise such planning and place it on the land parcel map. It is also necessary to focus on reviewing and unifying urban development, infrastructure, and production plans, thereby having a provincial-level action programme on the issue. Contrast felt in key housing markets Vietnams residential housing market saw differing trends in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in 2024. Coworking spaces approach new trends The market for coworking spaces in Ho Chi Minh City witnessed impressive growth and vibrant development in 2024 after a long period of gloom. A central objective of Vietnams tax reform in 2024 was upgrading the tax system to improve efficiency and compliance. This included enhancing digital platforms for easier tax reporting and payment, which streamlined the process for businesses and individuals. Nguyen Hai Minh(left) and Nguyen Thi Hong Hoa of Tax Advisory Services at Forvis Mazars Vietnam As e-commerce and online businesses continue to expand in Vietnam, the government introduced measures to ensure these platforms contribute fairly to tax revenue. New regulations now require e-commerce platforms to facilitate tax collection on behalf of online individual sellers, ensuring that transactions are properly taxed. Last year also saw tightened controls on petroleum sales. The petroleum sector, vital to Vietnams economy, was another area where the government increased oversight. In 2024, tighter control over petroleum sales invoices aimed to prevent tax evasion and improve transparency. The real estate market, often prone to tax avoidance due to its complexity, was another target of reform. New rules were introduced to improve transparency and ensure proper taxation on real estate transactions. By enforcing stricter reporting standards and transaction tracking, the government aimed to close loopholes and capture tax revenue from the sector. New legislation introduced A major development in 2024 was the introduction of a new Law on VAT, alongside the amendment of nine other laws to better align with global standards. These changes sought to simplify VAT compliance and increase tax fairness across sectors. The Law on VAT, after several revisions to the draft, including three rounds of public consultation, was issued in November and will take effect from July 2025. Due to differing opinions and suggestions for further amendments, the official implementation date has been postponed by six months compared to the original schedule. We observed some appropriate changes in the law. Regarding the VAT rate of zero per cent, it has received significant correspondence from the business community. In the spirit of openness, the VAT Law retained the applicability of export services. Regarding VAT refund regulations, this law supplements the provisions for VAT refunds, including the 5 per cent tax rate group and investing expansions. This change is considered appropriate and also expanding the cases eligible for VAT refunds, helping the taxpayers cashflow. On handling input VAT errors, the regulations have clarified and allowed for supplementary declarations in the tax period when errors are detected, as long as the errors do not increase the payable tax or decrease the refundable tax. This helps reduce the administrative burden on taxpayers compared to having to amend in the original tax period. Another significant aspect of the 2024 reforms was the draft of a new corporate income tax law, which introduced numerous changes. A key highlight was the implementation of the global minimum tax (GMT), in line with international tax standards, where the National Assembly (NA) also introduced rules in late 2023 to make the requirement effective in fiscal year 2024. The draft law also considers potential changes to taxation on capital gains tax of foreign corporate investors. Additionally, Vietnams proposal to increase the special consumption tax (SCT) on alcohol from 2026 to 2030 is currently under discussion at the NA. The Ministry of Finance has outlined two options for gradual tax hikes, aimed at improving public health and increasing state revenue. The expected gains include reduced alcohol consumption, which could help address public health issues, as well as additional funds for healthcare and social programmes. However, the SCT proposal also raises concerns, including potential negative impacts on businesses in the alcohol industry, reduced profitability, job losses, and a possible rise in illicit alcohol consumption. As the proposal moves forward, it is hoped that the NA will consider both the benefits and challenges, providing positive feedback and taking balanced action to ensure the policys success. Business expectations With proposed tax system reforms starting in 2025 and a vision towards 2030, both domestic and foreign business communities have high expectations for tax policy changes that will establish a favourable business environment, lower costs, and ensure the sustainable development of enterprises. Tax authorities should apply and interpret the regulations flexibly, avoiding the idea of maximising the tax collection. For example, violations of other specialised regulations should not be used as the basis for tax authorities to assess a businesss tax compliance (for example, the classification of corporate income tax expenses, or delays in VAT refund processes). Businesses also expect a consultative approach to bring about positive changes in the regulatory system. For example, the application of penalties on each incorrect invoice has recently been deemed to have a significant impact on businesses, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises or those with a large volume of transactions. Moreover, the tax management system needs to reduce the burden on taxpayers and clearly separate the responsibilities of taxpayers and tax authorities. For instance, managing businesses that are engaged in fraudulent activities or not operating at their registered business locations, or allocating taxes to localities, should be carried out by the tax authorities themselves, rather than the current approach that imposes difficulties and burdens on taxpayers. The need for reforms Vietnams 2030 vision prioritises emerging sectors such as semiconductors, AI, big data, e-commerce, green energy, and sustainable economic models. To support long-term sustainable growth, the government advocates a balanced approach: harmonising benefits and sharing risks among the state, enterprises, and society. Insights from neighbouring ASEAN countries, many countries have implemented incentive policies for research and development (R&D) activities and training. For example, Singapore has the Enterprise Innovation Scheme provides tax deductions of up to 400 per cent or cash payouts for R&D and workforce training expenses; and Indonesia allows deductions of up to 300 per cent for qualifying R&D and education-related expenditures. Vietnam also clearly demonstrated its commitment to ensuring investment, particularly in response to the implications of the GMT mechanism, by adopting an investment support fund for enterprises involved in high-tech sectors or those with projects developing R&D centres. Malaysia offers a green investment tax allowance which covers all the eligible costs and exempts up to 70 per cent of income from solar panel rental. This is also an example that Vietnam can consider in order to encourage the development of green energy. The governments support for businesses must be demonstrated through the development and effective management of attractive, transparent investment incentive policies aligned with international practices and standards. These incentive policies should be reviewed, adjusted, or newly designed to align with key sectors and priority areas of development The business environment in Vietnam is increasingly improving, marking a shift into a new era. Businesses are confident that institutional reforms in general, and tax procedures in particular, will bring significant achievements for the country. Ministries to study US tax reform Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked ministries and relevant sectors to study the effects on Viet Nam of the tax reforms US President Donald Trump signed into law last month. Tax for development: Does Vietnam need tax reform? To remain on its successful path of inclusive development, Vietnam will need large public investments for years to come. Vietnams robust growth will be supported by the continued manufacturing capacity expansion and further recovery of consumption and the real estate sector, following ongoing structural reforms. However, in light of global trade dispute risks, the banks economic outlook assumes 2025 foreign direct investment (FDI) sees no year-on-year acceleration although the levels could remain relatively strong. Despite Vietnams vulnerability to trade disputes, Citi economists do not price-in major negative impacts to growth forecasts. Given the possibility of negotiations and deals being made later on, thereby easing tensions, the economists refrain from penciling in large negative shocks to the forecasts for the real economy. Vietnams domestic growth engine should further warm up in 2025 amid ongoing structural reforms. Citi experts expect the real estate sector and consumer confidence to further recover after slowly picking up from the downturn in 2023. This follows a series of structural reforms and regulatory revisions in 2024 including the implementation of laws concerning land matters, governance in the banking sector and financial markets. Amol Gupte, head of Citis Asia South business Citi sees real estate recovery gaining traction in 2025, thereby reducing systemic risks in the financial system and putting domestic consumption recovery on a more stable footing. Clearer sectoral regulations may also open-up room to tackle government capex bottlenecks. This should eventually endow Vietnam with needed fiscal policy options to support the economy via spending. Vietnam is a prominent market for Citi in Asia, said Amol Gupte, head of Citis Asia South business, at Citis Asia South Banking 2025 outlook. As there is a structural shift in supply chains towards ASEAN and India in recent years, Vietnam has emerged as one of the largest recipients of relocations and we continue to support our clients across this key market for Citi. Assessing growth drivers in 2025 through expert lenses Nguyen Dinh Cung, former director of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), talked with VIR's Khanh An about the factors driving economic growth in 2025. Vietnam see positive growth trend into 2025 Vietnams real GDP has extended its momentum well above the median consensus views of international organisations. Largest foreign investors continue drive in Vietnam Vietnam continues to strengthen its position as a top destination for foreign investment, attracting significant inflows from the likes of Singapore, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Japan. Pham Duc Toan, consulting manager at Vietnam Investment Consulting, spoke with VIRs Kim Oanh about the current situation involving these markets. Joe Biden has granted preemptive pardons to Anthony Fauci, the chief of the COVID-19 response, and members of the January 6 riot investigation, citing the need to prevent what he described as "unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions." "Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment," the outgoing U.S. president said. Biden has also issued a preemptive pardon to Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In his statement, Biden emphasized that the pardons should "not be mistaken as an acknowledgment" of any wrongdoing by those covered. The decision has drawn criticism from some Democrats, who warned against such measures. Senator Adam Schiff of California cautioned that Biden's actions could set a "precedent" for future presidents to issue broad pardons as they leave office. Fauci expressed gratitude for the pardon in an interview with the media, stating that the potential threat of prosecution had caused "immeasurable and intolerable distress" for his family. "Let me be perfectly clear, I have committed no crime and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me," he added. Fauci served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health for nearly 40 years, including throughout Trump's presidency. He later became Biden's chief medical adviser until his retirement in 2022. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Fauci played a key role in coordinating the national response and clashed with Trump over unproven public health suggestions, which angered the former president. As a result, Fauci has faced significant backlash and vitriol, particularly from right-wing critics who blame him for policies like mask mandates and other measures they view as violations of personal freedoms, even as the nation grappled with the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. Milley, 66, expressed his gratitude to Joe Biden in a statement, noting that he did not wish to spend the remainder of his life "fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights." "I do not want to put my family, my friends, and those with whom I served through the resulting distraction, expense, and anxiety," he said. Biden's pardons extend to all members of the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot, including their staff and the officers who testified during the inquiry. Donald Trump was sworn in for a historic second term as president on Monday, marking a triumphant return to the White House that promises a new "golden age" for America. Despite freezing weather forcing the event indoors, Trump's inauguration was filled with a blaze of activity, highlighting the most extraordinary comeback in American politics. The president, who once painted a dystopian picture of "American carnage" at his first inauguration, now offers a more optimistic vision, declaring a "brand new day" for the United States. "I will act with historic speed and strength and fix every single crisis facing our country," Trump vowed at an inauguration eve rally. Among the highlights was the significant attention drawn by a statement at the ceremony that echoed traditional values: "There are only men and women in terms of gender," which was met with applause from the audience, resonating deeply with those who support a return to conventional societal norms. Trump, who made history by becoming the second president to return to power after being voted out, also promised a swift and sweeping agenda. Among his early priorities will be the reversal of "woke" policies, including a crackdown on what he termed "transgender insanity" in schools. He also vowed to halt illegal immigration, emphasizing that his administration would "stop the invasion of our borders." As he was sworn in, Trump was joined by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and the ceremony was held inside the Capitol Rotunda due to the cold weather, reminiscent of Ronald Reagan's 1985 inauguration. The occasion was a sharp contrast to the divisiveness of the past, with Biden and Trump sharing coffee and tea before heading to the Capitol, signaling a moment of civility between the two political rivals. Trump's return to office also marks an ambitious agenda, including a flurry of executive orders, some aimed at dismantling the policies of the previous administration. "We will reverse woke policies and embrace traditional values," Trump said. His administration's first actions will include a national emergency declaration on the southern border and a potential pardon for January 6 rioters, both promises that will shape his second term. With tech tycoons Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos in attendance, the inauguration was as much a reflection of Trump's powerful political journey as it was a signal of the bold actions to come. His supporters, including international right-wing leaders like Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, will no doubt be watching closely as Trump sets out to reshape both the nation and global relations once again. Trump's Inauguration Highlights Faith, Tradition, and Unity In a powerful and emotional statement during his inaugural address, President Donald Trump reflected on the events that led him to this moment, reiterating his firm belief in the divine purpose behind his survival and the path ahead for the nation. "Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin's bullet ripped through my ear," Trump began, recalling the harrowing attempt on his life. "But I felt then and believe even more so now that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again." The significance of this statement cannot be overstated. It frames the entirety of his vision for the countrya nation he views as destined for greatness with God's guidance. Trump has often emphasized his belief in the importance of faith in guiding the nation forward, and in this speech, he underscored that belief. "National unity is now returning to America, and confidence and pride is soaring like never before," he said, acknowledging the progress made under his leadership and rallying his supporters with promises of further triumph. "In everything we do, my administration will be inspired by a strong pursuit of excellence and unrelenting success. We will not forget our country, we will not forget our Constitution, and we will not forget our God. Can't do that." With these words, Trump reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the ideals that he believes will propel the United States into a new era of prosperity. His administration, he made clear, would be one of restorationof national pride, confidence, and success, with faith and the Constitution at its core. Perhaps the most touching moment of his address came when Trump turned to the American people, focusing on unity and the dreams of future generations. "We are one people, one family, and one glorious nation under God," he declared, rallying Americans to come together in the pursuit of shared greatness. "So, to every parent who dreams for their child and every child who dreams for their future, I am with you, I will fight for you, and I will win for you. We're going to win like never before." These words were a promise to the people of the United Statesa pledge to lead the nation to unprecedented success, where every citizen can thrive. As he ended his speech, Trump's final words left a lasting impression on the crowd and the country. "Thank you. God bless America. Thank you all," Trump concluded, invoking a sense of unity and reverence that many of his supporters hold dear. Through this address, President Trump clearly set forth a vision for a united, prosperous America, driven by faith and a relentless commitment to excellence. It was a call to action and a reminder of the values that have shaped the nation's identityvalues Trump intends to carry forward throughout his presidency. Religious leaders played a prominent role in President Donald Trump's inauguration, offering prayers that emphasized unity, divine guidance, and traditional values. Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan prayed for America's unity and justice, invoking past leaders like George Washington. Rev. Franklin Graham expressed gratitude for Trump's journey and reliance on God, while also praying for Vice President J.D. Vance and First Lady Melania Trump. Rev. Lorenzo Sewell concluded with a prayer for healing and reconciliation, reflecting on Trump's survival of an assassination attempt and echoing the Declaration of Independence's call for equality. These prayers highlighted faith and hope for America's future. As President Trump begins his second term, his message of faith, unity, and commitment to American values resonates strongly. With prayers and promises of national healing and prosperity, the inauguration marked a fresh chapter in his leadership, emphasizing a vision of strength, faith, and a united future. As the country moves forward, Trump's dedication to these principles will shape the direction of his presidency and the nation in the years ahead. The full text and video of President Trump's speech, along with videos of the prayers delivered by religious leaders, including those from the Protestant representatives, is available online. Wrexham.com has invited local Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home you can find them all here. In his monthly column for Wrexham.com, Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr MP Steve Witherden writes: We saw particularly severe flash flooding in the Wrexham area at the end of last year. While Montgomeryshire, which we now share a constituency with, is used to regular flooding along the banks of the Severn, it is clear this will increasingly become a problem for Wrexham too. The crossroads at Plas Madoc are notorious for flooding, as is Plas Bennion Road, but Penycae, Rhos, the A539 near Ruabon, and Acrefair (where I live) were all affected too. The October deluge was so bad that water on Llangollen Road in Acrefair, where I live, ran like a river directly off the fields and completely blocked the road. My wife said she had never seen that in 45 years of living in the area. In November, slightly further afield in the Ceiriog Valley, heavy rain caused a landslide, and I travelled down to find stretches of road around Llanarmon badly damaged by debris. Then in December, Wrexham.com reported that the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service had received 200 calls over the weekend that Storm Darragh hit. There has, obviously, always been periodically bad storms and flooding. This is nothing new, but the science is beyond clear: climate change will lead to more frequent and more unpredictable extreme weather. It will make stronger storms, increased rainfall, and worse flooding more likely in the UK. This is the most immediate challenge our communities will face from a changing climate. Both the Welsh and UK governments are rising to meet this challenge. Labour is continuing to phase out fossil fuels, boosting energy grid capacity, investing in renewables through the newly created National Wealth Fund, and following in the footsteps of the Welsh Government by creating a publicly owned clean energy company for the UK. The Welsh Government has maintained its record 75m commitment to funding flood defences too. Next week, I will push current and future governments to go further by voting for the Climate and Nature Bill, a private members bill that will legislate to cut emissions faster, take responsibility for our overseas carbon footprint, and reverse the decline in nature by 2030. You can read more about that here. On the other side of the coin, we must fix the water industry after decades of underinvestment following privatisation. It is unconscionable that money is given away to private shareholders rather than being reinvested into infrastructure that means everybody, regardless of who or where you are, gets to enjoy cleaner, cheaper water, and protection from flooding. That is why the Welsh and UK governments announced a joint, total re-examination of the water industry the biggest in 35 years which will report this year on reforming regulators, boosting investment, and improving the health of our rivers. It is only common sense that the time to fix the roof is while the sun is shining. When it comes to protecting our homes, roads, and livelihoods from floods, Labour governments in Wales and in Westminster are working hard to do just that. Plaid Cymru accuses Welsh Government of utterly failing to address NHS waiting lists Plaid Cymru called for action to tackle the NHS backlog, accusing Labour of utterly failing and leaving more than 620,000 people languishing on long waiting lists. Mabon ap Gwynfor, the partys shadow health secretary, warned waiting lists have hit record highs in every month since March, including each month of the first ministers time in office. He said: And whats been the response of this [Welsh] Government? Firstly, to blame everybody else: blame the patients, blame health managers, blame royal colleges, blame everybody and deny responsibility. After 25 years of governing, they decided to go on a listening exercise and hear people telling them what they should have known years ago. Then, each month leading up to Christmas, a new strategy was put in place, and each month, the numbers on waiting lists were increasing. Frightening Leading a Plaid Cymru debate, Mr ap Gwynfor pointed to his partys five-point plan to tackle NHS waiting lists which was unveiled this week. His colleague Sioned Williams raised the alarming rise of the use of private health care, warning deep-rooted inequalities are becoming increasingly stark. Accusing Labour of eroding Aneurin Bevans vision for the NHS, she said statistics show a 77% rise in admissions to private hospitals in Wales over five years. Ms Williams added: 58% of Welsh people have either accessed private health care or know friends or family who have done so, which is higher than the UK average. Llyr Gruffydd, a fellow Plaid Cymru Senedd member, said: Now, the situation in north Wales, in my region, is frightening, if Im honest. There is a whole generation of children and young people with conditions such as ADHD and autism being let down. Chronic underfunding James Evans, the Conservatives shadow health secretary, warned the NHS is in crisis, with more than 23,000 people waiting at least two years for treatment. This isnt just inefficiency, he said. Its a symptom of a deeper problem and the chronic underfunding and neglect of our social care system. Mr Evans called for an independent review of NHS Wales to fix a system that has been broken by years of Labour mismanagement. Russell George, who chairs the Senedds health committee, raised concerns about Powys health boards ridiculous proposals to balance its books. The Tory said: In Shrewsbury or Telford hospital, a Welsh patient could be sitting talking to a consultant and the consultant tells them, Weve got capacity to see you. We would see you if you were an English patient but were not able to because Powys is not able to pay. Catastrophic Labours Buffy Williams said years of chronic underfunding from successive Conservative UK Governments has been catastrophic for the Welsh NHS. Jeremy Miles, who was appointed health secretary in September, pointed to signs of progress on the Welsh Governments priority of reducing the longest waiting times. He told the Senedd the number of people waiting more than two years has reduced by two thirds since 2022, with 3% waiting at least two years compared with 10% at the peak. Mr Miles said: The health service is making progress despite the increasing demands upon it but there is much more to be done in order to ensure that people are treated sooner. Following the debate on January 15, Senedd members voted 39-11 against the Plaid Cymru motion before the Welsh Governments amended version was agreed, 26-24. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter Project provides over 100 new nests for Swifts in Denbighshire A project that ran through 2024 will provide stronger support for an under-threat bird returning to Denbighshire this year. Last year Denbighshire County Councils Biodiversity Team launched a project to provide better protection for swifts nesting across the county. During the summer Swifts visit the UK, flying nearly 3,400 miles from spending the winter in Africa to breed in the UK. They pair for life returning to the same site each time. Swifts like to nest in homes and churches, using small gaps in the roofs. However, as older buildings are renovated, roof gaps closed and new builds designed differently, swifts have fast disappeared. Insects that the birds need to feed their young and refuel for their migrations are dwindling with the loss of habitat such as wildflower areas and freshwater. Denbighshire Council is working to restore this loss through the management of its Wildflower Meadows Project which has so far created nearly 70 acres of suitable habitat to support the regeneration of insect and bird populations. Despite local and wider work, the swift is currently on the highest conservation priority level in the UK To provide more support for the swifts visiting Denbighshire, 114 swift boxes were installed by the Biodiversity Team last year across the county. These are a mix of boxes from single occupancy, double, quadruple and a couple with an occupancy of six. Biodiversity Officer Evie Challinor explained: These boxes went on schools, Council owned properties including County Hall and a few private residences in the Ruthin, Corwen and Rhyl areas. We focused on these three areas because Cofnod records showed us that swifts were still been found in these locations. We want to bolster these populations before helping them to expand throughout the county again. A lot of our wildflower meadows are also found in these areas, and it ties in nicely giving the swifts habitats that supports the insects they feed on. We ran swift walks in these key areas to help record swifts and foraging swifts as well as screaming parties. These loudly calling groups of the birds gathering in the skies at dusk indicate to us that this is an area which can support the birds as we take action to strengthen their dwindling populations. The Biodiversity Team is continuing to work with Denbighshire Housing, Council home residents, private residences, schools, North Wales Wildlife Trust, Bionet partners, local businesses and local groups such as the Chirk Swifts group (winner of 2024 Bionet award) to be able to drive the project forward. Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Council Biodiversity Champion, said: We are grateful to our colleagues in Denbighshire Housing their residents and everyone who support this project last year, as this will help in 2025 stabilise local swift populations. Update as of 8 AM EST: A devastating fire swept through a hotel at a ski resort in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday, killing at least 66 lives and injuring 32 others, according to the interior minister. Witnesses reported that desperate guests attempted to escape using ropes, while video footage showed bedsheets dangling from windows. Media outlets indicated that some victims lost their lives while trying to jump to safety. "Our pain is great," Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters at the Kartalkaya resort. Original story: A fire erupted at a ski resort hotel in northwestern Turkey, leaving at least 10 people dead and 32 others injured, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The blaze occurred at a hotel in the Kartalkaya resort, located in Bolu province, and was reported around 3:27 a.m. local time, Yerlikaya announced on X. Kartalkaya is a well-known winter destination, particularly popular during school holidays, which span January through early February. Approximately 234 guests were staying at the hotel when the fire broke out, Governor Abdulaziz Aydin told the state-run Anadolu Agency. Tragically, two victims lost their lives after jumping from the building "in a panic," Aydin added. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that 267 emergency personnel were sent to respond to the blaze. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. This is a developing story. Welsh Government go it alone on LDP Supreme Court appeal attempt say council Welsh Government are going it alone in an attempt to get permission to appeal a recent Local Development Plan judgement, according to a new statement from Wrexham Council. Just before Christmas Wrexham councillor Marc Jones won a landmark Court of Appeal judgement against Wrexham County Borough Council as a corporate entity, the Welsh Ministers, and a range of housing developers over Wrexhams Local Development Plan (LDP). Cllr Jones was the named person on the court documents, but the action was effectively taken as part of a cross party trio of councillors, Cllrs Hugh Jones and Cllr Mark Pritchard supported by around 28 councillors. As readers will have been long following, the LDP has been a thorny issue with multiple fraught votes against the plan being adopted in the Guildhall chamber but it was finally adopted. The recent legal decision dismissed a judicial review and effectively said Wrexham councillors did not actually have to adopt the LDP (the vote saw a boycott from councillors), and the previous votes against it were not unlawful. Welsh Government told us they were taking up the option to attempt to appeal the latest decision, via the Supreme Court. Previously under a new Chief Executive Wrexham Council said they were not going to go down that route. Today Wrexham Council have said the developers (BDW Trading, Bloor Homes, Redrow Homes, Harworth Estates, Russell Homes (UK), Castle Green Homes and SG Estates) are also not attempting to ask for an appeal either. In an unprompted joint statement late this afternoon, Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, and Alwyn Jones, Interim Chief Executive, said: Further to our recent communication with all members [councillors] we are now aware that Welsh Government have sought permission to appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the outcome of the recent Court of Appeal. Our position remains as previously stated and we did not apply to do so and nor did developers. As a Council we were not involved in any of the discussions or decisions made by Welsh Government to appeal to the Supreme Court. Should we be required by the courts to attend any future hearing we will do so. As noted previously, Planning Committee on the 3rd of February will take place. A request to appeal is not always successful and this move does not mean the case will be guaranteed another re-run, with the Supreme Court explaining, Permission to appeal is only granted for applications that, in the opinion of the Justices, raise an arguable point of law of general public importance which ought to be considered by the Supreme Court at that time, bearing in mind that the matter will already have been the subject of judicial decision and may have already been reviewed on appeal. If the request is accepted, the Supreme Court explain, The listing officer of the Supreme Court will contact the parties and make arrangements for the appeal hearing to be fixed. Most appeals take two days and, wherever possible hearing dates are fixed having regard to the availability of the parties and their representatives. The family at the center of the Iranian-set film 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' Neon An Oscar hopeful for best foreign-language film, a throwback from the 70s and a black-and-white comedy thats clearly inspired by Jim Jarmusch are just a few of the films thatll be playing during this years Festival of Films from Iran, held as always at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and Rice Cinema. For its 32nd fest, the programmers didnt have to look far and wide for entries. Since hitting major markets last November, the political thriller The Seed of the Sacred Fig, from German-based Iranian independent filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, has become both a critical darling and a possible Oscar nominee for best international feature film. (Though it would be an official entry from Germany, not Iran.) 32nd Annual Festival of Films from Iran When: Friday-Feb. 8 Where: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet; Rice University, 6100 Main. Details: $10 ($8 MFAH members, seniors); 713-639-7515, mfah.org/films Before the film begins a theatrical run at local AMC theaters next weekend, the MFAH will show it this Saturday night. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I feel that was somewhat anticipated, that it would be shortlisted for the Oscar nomination, says MFAH film curator Marian Luntz. The fest will officially kick off on Friday with a screening of The Stranger and the Fog, a mystery from Iranian New Wave director Bahram Beyzaei. Originally released in 1974, the film was given a 4K restoration thanks to Janus Films and Martin Scorseses The Film Foundation. Beyzaei and the festival actually go way back; two of his films (1986s Bashu, The Little Stranger and 1992s Travelers, respectively) opened and closed the first festival (known then as the Iranian Film Festival) in 1993. He was a guest of one of the first Festivals of Films from Iran when [filmmaker and former festival programmer] Hamid Naficy was teaching at Rice," says Luntz. This weekend will close out with a Sunday-afternoon double feature of films that have one thing in common: Canada. First up, theres 6 A.M., a drama where a Canada-bound Iranian woman celebrates with friends the night before her early-morning flight. Thats followed by Universal Language, an absurdist dramedy that follows characters in a town thats somewhere between Tehran and Winnipeg. The MFAH section will wrap up next Friday with the documentary My Stolen Planet, where filmmaker Farahnaz Sharifi, through home movies and 8mm recordings, delves into how the Islamic Revolution changed the lives of Iranian wome.. Unfortunately, unlike in previous years, Luntz wasnt able to get any of the filmmakers for in-person appearances. Its hard to get guests these days, says Luntz. We were trying to bring Rasoulof, which Charles [Dove, Rice Cinema director] and I were talking about, because we could have, you know, shown more of his earlier films. But he didn't accept the invitation to come to Houston. I'm hoping we might get a Zoom Q&A or a recorded intro or something like that from him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rice Cinema only has two films lined up, which will be screened next month. While Luntz programmed films from such acclaimed, indie-film distributors as Neon and Oscilloscope Laboratories, Dove snagged a couple offbeat pictures from LA-based, cult-film distributor Deaf Crocodile. Ashkan, The Charmed Ring and Other Stories, Shahram Mokris episodic, 2008 black-and-white comedy where several characters work their way around fate, will screen on Feb. 7; and World War III, a satirical, black-comic thriller about a grieving day laborer gets picked to play Hitler in a film about the Holocaust, will close the fest on Feb. 8. Luntz always appreciates when Dove brings unusual, genre-related films to the fest. I want to say that I think that genre films are something, says Luntz. We, of course, have an audience of folks from the Iranian community multi-generations, because this is the 32nd year and they are happy to see a genre film and to see something that's not necessarily immersing us i n the moment. Considering how next month marks the 30th anniversary of the stateside release of Through the Olive Trees, the first film by celebrated Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami (and the final film in his Koker Trilogy) to get released around these parts, the programmers are glad to see that Iranian films have now become a part of world cinema that people from the filmmakers who create them to the audiences who view them are ready to fight over. I remember programming a specific film once, remembers Dove. I thought it was great and [the audience] hated it and they just sort of, like, yelled at me about it. But, in a way, that's good, right? They cared enough about the film to yell at me. They wanted to argue about it, and that's part of what's interesting about Iranian film culture. It's not congratulatory, right? It's about criticisms, in a quiet way, of culture and civilization in Iran. And I think that's what makes it powerful and long-lasting. Record Rare Earths Grades at Monte Alto Project Sydney, Jan 21, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Brazilian Rare Earths Limited ( ASX:BRE ) ( BRELY:OTCMKTS ) ( BRETF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to report a major set of assay results from diamond drilling at the Monte Alto Rare Earths Project (Monte Alto), located in Bahia, Brazil. - Record ultra-high-grade rare earths grades at Monte Alto of up to 45.7% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) - Exceptional rare earths NdPr grades up to 69,558 ppm (6.96%) and heavy rare earths DyTb grades of up to 11,696 ppm (1.17%) - High-grade assays of up to 17,029 ppm (1.7%) niobium oxide (Nb2O5), 382 ppm scandium oxide (Sc2O3), 962 ppm tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), and 5,781 ppm uranium oxide (U3O8) - New drilling results confirm the continuity and scale of the ultra-high-grade REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U mineralised envelope, that remains open along strike and at depth - High-grade rare earths monazite-sand results include 18m at 6.8% TREO, from surface Significant intercepts from the latest Monte Alto diamond drilling results include: - 37m at 16.1% TREO from 10m, with 23,476 ppm NdPr, 1,157 ppm DyTb, 4,637 ppm Nb2O5, 108 ppm Sc2O3, 316 ppm Ta2O5, and 1,965 ppm U3O8 (MADD0101), including: o 29m at 18.5% TREO from 10m, with 27,071 ppm NdPr, 1,293 ppm DyTb, 5,127 ppm Nb2O5, 122 ppm Sc2O3, 350 ppm Ta2O5, and 2,205 ppm U3O8 (MADD0101), including: o 7.1m at 35% TREO from 21.9m, with 56,681 ppm NdPr, 2,522 ppm DyTb, 8,628 ppm Nb2O5, 237 ppm Sc2O3, 582 ppm Ta2O5, and 4,063 ppm U3O8 (MADD0101) - 38.8m at 16% TREO from 121m, with 25,978 ppm NdPr, 1,319 ppm DyTb, 4,302 ppm Nb2O5, 150 ppm Sc2O3, 299 ppm Ta2O5, and 2,052 ppm U3O8 (MADD0115), including: o 19.2m at 27% TREO from 131.1m, with 44,120 ppm NdPr, 2,234 ppm DyTb, 7,224 ppm Nb2O5, 224 ppm Sc2O3, 494 ppm Ta2O5, and 3,279 ppm U3O8 (MADD0115) - 7.8m at 22.7% TREO from 86.2m, with 37,118 ppm NdPr, 1,943 ppm DyTb, 6,715 ppm Nb2O5, 212 ppm Sc2O3, 432 ppm Ta2O5, and 2,982 ppm U3O8 (MADD0110), including: o 3.8m at 31.2% TREO from 86.2m with 52,095 ppm NdPr, 2,713 ppm DyTb, 9,469 ppm Nb2O5, 222 ppm Sc2O3, 585 ppm Ta2O5, and 3,707 ppm U3O8 (MADD0110) - 14m at 21.3% TREO from 236m, with 36,381 ppm NdPr, 1,820 ppm DyTb, 5,921 ppm Nb2O5, 150 ppm Sc2O3, 370 ppm Ta2O5, and 2,643 ppm U3O8 (MADD0106), including: o 6.4m at 28.9% TREO from 243m, with 49,810 ppm NdPr, 2,487 ppm DyTb, 8,158 ppm Nb2O5, 179 ppm Sc2O3, 509 ppm Ta2O5, and 3,467 ppm U3O8 (MADD0106) - 20m at 15.8% TREO from 118m, with 25,777 ppm NdPr, 1,190 ppm DyTb, 4,054 ppm Nb2O5, 190 ppm Sc2O3, 261 ppm Ta2O5 and 2,297 ppm U3O8 (MADD0069) - 15m at 16.4% TREO from 60m, with 27,907 ppm NdPr, 1,458 ppm DyTb, 4,963 ppm Nb2O5, 152 ppm Sc2O3, 314 ppm Ta2O5, and 2,172 ppm U3O8 (MADD0040) - 15.7m at 15.8% TREO from 236.9m, with 26,481 ppm NdPr, 1,262 ppm DyTb, 4,431 ppm Nb2O5, 135 ppm Sc2O3, 271 ppm Ta2O5, and 1,938 ppm U3O8 (MADD0139) - 13m at 15.5% TREO from 10m, with 26,763 ppm NdPr, 1,325 ppm DyTb, 4,480 ppm Nb2O5, 117 ppm Sc2O3, 283 ppm Ta2O5, and 1,744 ppm U3O8 (MADD0138) - 10.4m at 16% TREO from 108.3m, with 26,850 ppm NdPr, 1,378 ppm DyTb, 4,542 ppm Nb2O5, 169 ppm Sc2O3, 285 ppm Ta2O5, and 2,201 ppm U3O8 (MADD0047) Brazilian Rare Earths' CEO and Managing Director, Bernardo da Veiga, commented: "Less than a year ago, we announced the first drill 'discovery' of ultra-high-grade REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U mineralisation at Monte Alto. Today, we are pleased to report new drilling results that include some of the highest grades ever reported globally, including exceptional rare earths grades of up to 45.7% TREO. These outstanding drilling results confirm Monte Alto's position as one of the highest grade rare earths and critical minerals projects in the world. Since the breakthrough discovery of Monte Alto, our exploration team has completed a total of 22,658 metres of diamond drilling. Notably, the Monte Alto deposit remains open along strike and at depth for high-grade rare earths, niobium, tantalum, scandium, and uranium mineralisation. The scale and continuity of the high-grade mineralisation provides a strong foundation for an updated JORC resource estimate, which is expected in the second quarter of 2025. Finally, the potential for district-scale exploration and development near Monte Alto is unrivalled. Our recent discoveries, within ~4 km of the main deposit, underpin a compelling exploration opportunity for new ultrahigh-grade REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U discoveries." The world-class Monte Alto project is hosted within the Volta do Rio Plutonic Suite (VRPS), a large-scale magmatic system that extends over 180 km in Bahia, Brazil. Brazilian Rare Earths (BRE) holds a dominant land position across the VRPS, which holds exceptional exploration potential for new discoveries of ultra-high-grade mineralisation, including rare earth elements (REE), niobium (Nb), scandium (Sc), tantalum (Ta), and uranium (U). BRE's key exploration projects within this province include the Monte Alto, Sulista and Pele projects. The latest diamond drilling results successfully expanded the Monte Alto deposit envelopes, confirming the three-dimensional continuity of high-grade REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U mineralisation and monazite-sand deposits (Figure 1). The new drilling results also delineated a series of stacked, continuous ultra-high-grade horizons of REE-NbSc-Ta-U mineralisation across a geological fold that connects the southern and northern domains of the Monte Alto deposit. Monte Alto's chevkinite and apatite-britholite REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U mineralisation is unrivalled, with no deposits of comparable scale and grade identified from publicly available information and reviewed research papers. Successful Drilling Results The new drilling assays are from 69 diamond core holes totalling 10,412 metres. Results from 32 drill holes totalling 5,093 metres have been previously reported. Assays are pending for a further 18 diamond core holes totalling 3,011 metres. Exceptional rare earths grades of up to 45.7% TREO1 were returned from the latest drilling, which is now the highest grade rare earths assay at Monte Alto so far. Ultra-high grades of neodymium and praseodymium of up to 69,558 ppm NdPr1 and exceptional heavy rare earths grades of dysprosium and terbium of up to 11,696 ppm DyTb1 were intersected in the drill results. In addition to these ultra-high rare earths grade assays, drilling results also set a new project record niobium grade of 1.7% Nb2O5, scandium grades of up to 382 ppm Sc2O3, tantalum grades of up to 962 ppm Ta2O5 and uranium grades of up to 5,781 ppm U3O8. Targeted in-fill diamond drilling successfully enhanced the geological interpretation of the deposit and improved confidence in the continuity of grade, which will underpin the upcoming mineral resource estimate in Q2 2025. At the boundary of the Monte Alto deposit, a limited number of drill holes were completed for geological and geotechnical assessment. These include 4 new drill holes in this announcement, plus 27 historical holes, totalling 4,141 metres. Shallow and stacked ultra-high-grade REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U mineralisation The latest drill holes intersected a series of stacked, thick intervals of high-grade (+10% TREO) and ultra-highgrade (+15% TREO) REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U mineralisation from shallow depths. The best exploration result was diamond drill hole MADD0101, a continuous 28.8 metres (true-width) ultra-highgrade 18.5% TREO intercept starting from just 10 metres of depth. This wide drill intercept was contained within a combined 36.7m intercept of 16.1% TREO, from 10 metres of depth (see Figure 3). This shallow ultra-high-grade REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U mineralisation occurs in stacked, closely spaced horizons of weathered, free-dig mineralisation. These stacked horizons are gently dipping, supporting potential low-strip ratio resources. Deeper hard rock intercepts include 4.7m at 14.9% TREO (MADD010) and 7.8m at 22% TREO (MADD010). These new results highlight that the combined true thickness of regolith and hard rock mineralisation exceeds 40 metres at the centre of Monte Alto. Increasing grade, continuity and scale at depth The latest drill results increase the confidence in geological and grade continuity across the Monte Alto deposit. Deeper drill holes significantly extended continuous horizons of thick and ultra-high-grade REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U mineralisation at the centre of the Monte Alto deposit. The new drill results also in-filled a previous exploration gap between the southern and central portions of the Monte Alto deposit (see Figure 4). Northwest of the centre of the Monte Alto deposit, a new intercept of 15m at 16.4% TREO from 60 metres (MADD0040) confirmed the down-dip continuation of ultra-high-grade near-surface mineralisation (13.2m at 34.7% TREO), intercepted in a previously reported drill hole MADD0043.5 The cumulate horizon continues at depth, with results including 20m at 15.8% TREO from 118 metres (MADD0069), that intersected an ultra-highgrade mineralized zone ~80 metres below the base of the overlying high-grade monazite-sand deposit. New drill hole assays across the northwest and southeast of the Monte Alto centre, increased the continuity of high-grade mineralisation at depth throughout the deposit. Highlights include 19m at 27% TREO (MADD0115), 15.3m at 12.3% TREO (MADD0114), and 10.5m at 14.3% TREO (MADD0120). These intercepts verified the continuity of a major, high-grade REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U cumulate horizon that extends along the length of the Monte Alto deposit. This REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U cumulate horizon extends to the south-west to the previously reported hole MADD0099, which returned an exceptional ultra-high-grade intercept of 47.1m downhole at 19.6% TREO. Further to the southwest, the REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U cumulate zone was successfully extended by an extra 200m down-plunge where the deposit remains open. Ultra-high-grades of rare earths were recorded in drill holes MADD0106 (14m at 21.3% TREO), MADD0116 (8m at 15.2% TREO), and MADD0139 (15.7m at 15.8% TREO). The results of these new drill holes also define near-continuous horizons of cumulate mineralisation that extend from outcropping mineralisation in the northwest of Monte Alto (where previously reported ultra-high-grade boulder samples averaged 32.7% TREO to ~550m down-plunge to the southeast. This cumulate mineralisation now extends ~250m below surface and remains open at depth. The southward projection of the cumulate horizon bridges an existing exploration gap between the southern and northern parts of the Monte Alto deposit. The combined drill-tested strike length of the cumulate zone at the Monte Alto deposit measures ~700m, extending from the recently discovered near-surface ultra-high-grade zone of 13m at 15.5% TREO (including 6.9m at 25.7%, MADD0138) at the northern end of the deposit, to a mineralised zone of 5.9m at 9.3% TREO (MADD0026) southwestward. Cumulate REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U mineralisation remains open to the north and south of these recent discoveries, highlighting significant potential for the Monte Alto deposit to increase in size along strike. Results from drill hole MADD0138, located at the northern edge of the deposit, underscores the potential for a continuous horizon of mineralisation that extends an additional ~350m northward towards drill hole MADD0039. Although a modest intercept compared to other stellar Monte Alto results, MADD0039 suggests that the broad REE-Nb-Sc-Ta-U cumulate zone may extend over at least ~1 km of strike within the Monte Alto project area. *To view the full release, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/23MGNQEY About Brazilian Rare Earths Limited Brazilian Rare Earths Limited (ASX:BRE) is an Australian company, rapidly advancing its Tier 1 rare earth project in Northeast Brazil. Company exploration to date has discovered and delineated a globally significant, district-scale mineral province containing large volumes of both heavy and light rare earths critical to advanced industries and applications that will deliver a green energy transition. The Company is led by a team of experienced mining executives and geologists with hundreds of years of cumulative experience in finding, developing, and operating mineral assets to generate value across a wide variety of jurisdictions, and commodities throughout the globe. Related Companies loading......... Malibu, CA, Jan 21, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - In this segment of The Ellis Martin Report and Money Talk Radio we speak with Terry Lynch, CEO of Power Nickel Inc. ( CVE:PNPN ) ( PNPNF:OTCMKTS ) ( IVV:FRA ). Power Nickel Inc. is pleased to announce the return of the first 2 holes of the fall campaign. Hole PN-24-076 reported no material results. Hole PN-24-078 results are outlined in Highlights Below. Highlights: PN-24-078 returned: 29.40 m of 0.53 g/t Au, 11.95 g/t Ag, 1.15 % Cu, 1.08 g/t Pd, 0.36 g/t Pt and 0.06% Ni Including: 11.55 m of 0.44 g/t Au, 11.55 g/t Ag, 0.59 % Cu, 1.25 g/t Pd, 0.76 g/t Pt and 0.02% Ni which includes: 2.00 m of 0.64 g/t Au, 14.85 g/t Ag, 0.49 % Cu, 2.71 g/t Pd, 2.32 g/t Pt and 0.02% Ni, and 4.65 m of 0.59 g/t Au, 15.83 g/t Ag, 0.97 % Cu, 1.25 g/t Pd, 0.50 g/t Pt and 0.04% Ni And Including : 13.35 m of 0.77 g/t Au, 15.86 g/t Ag, 1.98 % Cu, 1.29 g/t Pd, 0.14 g/t Pt and 0.12% Ni Which includes: 2.90 m of 3.16 g/t Au, 21.62 g/t Ag, 5.84 % Cu, 4.72 g/t Pd, 0.44 g/t Pt and 0.48% Ni, and 4.00 m of 0.23 g/t Au, 35.78 g/t Ag, 2.30 % Cu, 0.73 g/t Pd, 0.11 g/t Pt and 0.03% Ni To Listen to the Interview, please visit: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/0HUOU86Z About Power Nickel Inc. Power Nickel Inc. (CVE:PNPN) (OTCMKTS:PNPNF) (FRA:IVV) is a Canadian junior exploration company focusing on developing the High-Grade Nisk project into Canada's first Carbon Neutral Nickel mine. On February 1, 2021, Power Nickel (then called Chilean Metals) completed the acquisition of its option to acquire up to 80% of the Nisk project from Critical Elements Lithium Corp. (CVE:CRE). Subsequently, Power Nickel has exercised its option to acquire 50% of the Nisk Project and delivered notice to Critical Elements that it intends to exercise its second option to bring its ownership to 80%. The last remaining commitment to exercise the option was the delivery of a NI-43-101 Technical report which has now occurred. The Nisk property comprises a significant land position (20 kilometers of strike length) with numerous high-grade intercepts. Power Nickel is focused on expanding the historical high-grade nickel-copper PGE mineralization with a series of drill programs designed to test the initial Nisk discovery zone and to explore the land package for adjacent potential Nickel deposits. In addition to the Nisk project, Power Nickel owns significant land packages in British Colombia and Chile. Power Nickel is expected to reorganize these assets in a related vehicle through a plan of arrangement. Power Nickel announced on June 8, 2021, that an agreement had been made to complete the 100% acquisition of its Golden Ivan project in the heart of the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle has reported mineral resources (past production and current resources) in 130 million ounces of gold, 800 million ounces of silver, and 40 billion pounds of copper (Resource World). This property hosts two known mineral showings (gold ore and Magee) and a portion of the past-producing Silverado mine, reportedly exploited between 1921 and 1939. These mineral showings are Polymetallic veins containing quantities of silver, lead, zinc, plus/minus gold, and plus/minus copper. Power Nickel is also 100 percent owner of five properties comprising over 50,000 acres strategically located in the prolific iron-oxide-copper-gold belt of northern Chile. It also owns a 3-per-cent NSR royalty interest on any future production from the Copaquire copper-molybdenum deposit sold to a subsidiary of Teck Resources Inc. Under the terms of the sale agreement, Teck has the right to acquire one-third of the 3-per-cent NSR for $3 million at any time. The Copaquire property borders Teck's producing Quebrada Blanca copper mine in Chile's first region. About The Ellis Martin Report The Ellis Martin Report (TEMR) is an internet based radio program showcasing potentially undervalued companies to an audience of potential retail investors and fund managers that comprise our listening audience. TEMR is broadcasted on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel and The Opportunity Radio Network. CEO and company interviews are paid for by those represented on the program. loading......... Related Companies President Donald Trump holds up an executive orders after signing it at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke Matt Rourke/Associated Press More than a dozen Houston-area people were among the convicted Jan. 6 rioters pardoned by newly inaugurated president Donald Trump on Monday evening. Trump pardoned all but a handful of people whose sentences he instead commuted. The almost 1,600 pardons represent a nearly complete undoing of the Justice Department's work to find and prosecute people who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot. The order "grants a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021." Advertisement Article continues below this ad On that day, as Congress was officially certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election, a mob of thousands of people attending a "Stop the Steal" rally organized descended on the Capitol building and forced their way inside. The crowds fought with police as members of Congress and Vice President Mike Pence were evacuated, as people in the crowd called for him to be hanged. More than 140 police officers were injured in the attack. A woman was shot and killed by police during the riot, and four people, including a police officer, died from medical issues associated with the riot. Four other police officers who responded to the insurrection later died by suicide. During his campaign for a second term, Trump vowed to undo the convictions of the people who tried to help him overturn the election. ABC News on Monday afternoon reported that Trump was on "commuting the prison sentences of hundreds of his supporters who have been convicted of violent attacks against law enforcement." But the report, which cited unnamed officials, cautioned that Trump's language "change or be scaled back," leaving no clear picture of what the president planned to do. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Monday night, Trump made clear that he was pardoning almost every person charged or convicted of crimes related to Jan. 6. President Trump signs executive order pardoning approximately 1,500 January 6th defendants, with six commutations. pic.twitter.com/qaSK1vJlPE CSPAN (@cspan) January 21, 2025 Trump also said he was commuting the sentence of six people convicted of Jan. 6-related crimes, though a presidential action posted on the White House website lists 14 commutations. Trump said that he hoped the people affected by the pardons would be released from prison tonight. For the 19 Houston-area people charged for January 6- related crimes, the real-life effect of Trump's pardon will vary greatly. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Three local people are serving prison sentences meant to last between 37 and 84 months. The three men Andrew Taake, Brian Jackson and Shane Jenkins were all convicted of assaulting police officers during the insurrection. The men armed themselves with weapons, according to police reports. Taake attacked police with bear spray and a metal whip, according to prosecutors. Jackson threw a flag pole at police who were trying to stop the crowd from entering the Capital through the West Plaza. Jenkins brought a tomahawk to the riot, and used it to smash windows at the Capitols.He was also accused of attacking police at the west entrance to the building. Taake and Jackson both pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement officers. Jenkins was convicted of seven felonies and two misdemeanors and sentenced to seven years in federal prison, the longest sentence for any local Jan. 6 defendant. Eleven other local people were convicted and sentenced for their crimes are currently on supervised release or probation, which means they are still monitored by the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System and must abide by certain terms to remain free. Two other people -- Wilmar Alvarado and Nathan Mackie were convicted but haven't yet been sentenced for their crimes, according to court records. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Two people have already completed their sentences completely. One person, William Mellors, died after being charged and before any court proceedings were completed. The men were among at least 379 people charged with assaulting police officers or the media during the insurrection, according to the Washington Post. Overall, more 1,580 people were charged for their role in Jan. 6, and 1,270 have been convicted. Trump's pardons do away with more than 300 cases that have yet to go to trial. About 400 people are incarcerated, either because they were convicted or because they were denied bond ahead of their trial or sentencing. Danube Properties, a leading real estate developer in Dubai, has officially welcomed Bollywoods young superstar Kartik Aaryan as its brand ambassador for the next two years. This collaboration underscores Danube's values of innovation, trust, and quality, mirroring the actors inspiring journey in the film industry. At a grand event held in Mumbai, hosted by Maniesh Paul, Danube Properties unveiled its new tagline, "Danube Hai Na," symbolizing the brands unwavering commitment to offering comprehensive solutions to homeowners. With a legacy spanning over 30 years, Danube Properties has emerged as a trailblazer in Dubais real estate market. Known for its innovative 1% payment plan, fully furnished apartments, and projects featuring 40+ world-class amenities, the brand consistently sets new benchmarks in affordable luxury living. A key highlight of Danubes commitment to excellence is its track record of delivering projects ahead of schedule, as demonstrated by the recent completion of GEMZ by Danube, handed over five months earlier than promised. Danube also continues to lead with innovation, with its latest luxury project, Bayz102, featuring a flying taxi station, showcasing its vision for futuristic living. Adding to the appeal of investing in Danube properties is Dubais tax-free environment, along with the opportunity for property buyers to secure a golden visa for their familiesmaking it an unparalleled destination for global investors. Speaking at the event, Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, expressed his excitement saying,"Kartik Aaryan epitomizes determination and excellence, qualities that resonate deeply with Danube Properties. His widespread appeal and success story make him an ideal representative for our brand. Together, we aim to inspire dreams of homeownership while upholding our legacy of trust and value." Kartik Aaryan, sharing his enthusiasm, said, "I am delighted to be associated with Danube Properties, a brand that redefines affordable luxury and innovation. Their reputation for delivering world-class homes aligns with my belief in authenticity and excellence. Im thrilled to embark on this journey with them." Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) today launched the new OBD2B compliant Livo. Designed for young urban commuters, the new Livo offers a bold design along with cutting-edge technology to enhance the riding experience. The prices of the 2025 Honda Livo start at Rs. 83,080 ex-showroom Delhi. Introducing the updated Livo, Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, We are happy to announce the launch of the new 2025 Livo. At Honda, we are committed to setting new standards in the commuter motorcycle segment. The 2025 Livo reflects our dedication to delivering a premium experience for our customers in the 110cc category with its vibrant styling and new features. We are confident that the new Livo will strongly cater to the diverse needs of Indian riders. Commenting on the launch, Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, The Honda Livo has been a trusted choice for our customers and with the 2025 model, we aim to further strengthen its position in the market. The integration of OBD2B technology underscores Hondas commitment to sustainability and compliance with evolving regulations. By enhancing both technology and aesthetics, we aim to offer our customers a motorcycle that seamlessly combines innovation and practicality. We believe that it will be a trusted companion for riders across India to Live Life, Livo Style. New Livo: Vibrant Design and Advanced Technology Designed with a blend of sportiness and practicality, the updated Livo gets stand-out elements including a muscular fuel tank with chiseled tank shrouds, and striking graphics on the body panels. It will be available in two variants, Drum and Disc, with three colour options Pearl Igneous Black with Orange Stripes, Pearl Igneous Black with Blue Stripes and Pearl Siren Blue. The new Livo now features a Fully Digital instrument cluster, which provides a host of information including real-time mileage, distance to empty, service due indicator, gear position indicator and Eco indicator. Adding safety element, this commuter motorcycle continues to get a side stand engine cut off feature. Powering the Livo is a 109.51cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine that is now OBD2B compliant to meet the upcoming government regulations. This engine churns out 6.47 kW of power at 7500 RPM and 9.30 Nm of peak torque at 5500 RPM, paired with a 4-speed gearbox. New Livo: Price and Availability The prices of the new 2025 Honda Livo start at Rs. 83,080, ex-showroom Delhi. It will be soon available at all HMSI dealerships across India. Publicis Sapient, a digital business transformation company, today announced the appointment of Rajeev Singh as Industry Lead for Transportation and Mobility in EMEA and APAC. In his role, Singh, who will be based in Gurgaon, India, will be responsible for driving the strategic vision and growth of Publicis Sapients transportation and mobility business across EMEA and APAC. Singh will work closely with clients to identify their business challenges and opportunities. By leveraging Publicis Sapients SPEED Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering and Data and AI capabilities, he will help clients craft transformative strategies and navigate their digital business transformation journeys in the transportation and mobility sector. Were excited to welcome Rajeev to Publicis Sapient, said Nigel Vaz, CEO of Publicis Sapient. With over 27 years of experience across industry and consulting, including leading the automotive and consumer sector in Asia Pacific at Deloitte, Rajeev brings exceptional expertise to our team. His deep knowledge of the automotive and transportation industries, along with his record in driving large-scale digital business transformation, will be critical in helping our clients thrive in an AI-driven world. Rajeevs leadership will play a key role in advancing our mission of delivering impact and long-term value to our clients. "Joining Publicis Sapient is an incredible opportunity to be part of a company renowned for its innovative approach to digital business transformation and commitment to driving impactful change for its clients, said Rajeev Singh, Head of International for Transportation and Mobility at Publicis Sapient. I am eager to leverage my experience and expertise to drive meaningful outcomes for our clients in the transportation and mobility sector and collaborate with a team that is dedicated to transforming businesses for the AI-driven digital future. Publicis Sapient works with clients to reimagine the future of business through digital. By developing and implementing cutting-edge digital solutions, such as Renaults Plug Inn, an award-winning peer-to-peer platform that connects EV drivers across France to a network of home and business charging stations, Publicis Sapient helps clients adapt to changing consumer expectations and embrace digital disruption so they can deliver exceptional experiences and achieve long-term success. Singh joins from Deloitte, where he led the automotive and consumer industries across Asia Pacific. He brings over 27 years of experience at Deloitte, KPMG India, PwC, ECS Private Limited and Tata Motors with expertise spanning across business strategy and execution, managing revenue and market growth, manufacturing, supply chain and procurement. He has extensive experience in building and running profitable businesses and deep knowledge about global markets, specifically in the automotive and transportation sector. Chhattisgarh: Major Blow to Naxalism as 14 Maoists, Including Senior Leader, Killed in Gunfight 2 At least 14 Maoists, including a senior cadre, were killed in a fierce gunbattle with security forces along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border in Gariaband district, police confirmed on Tuesday. The operation, a joint effort between the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Special Operations Group (SoG) of Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police, dealt a significant blow to the Maoist insurgency, according to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This is another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces have achieved a major success towards making India Naxal-free. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralized 14 Naxalites in a joint operation, Shah said in a post on X, emphasizing that Naxalism is breathing its last in India. Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 21, 2025 The operation, which began on January 19 based on intelligence about Maoist activity in Chhattisgarhs Kularighat reserve forest, resulted in two women Naxalites being killed during an initial exchange of fire on Monday. A CoBRA jawan was also injured in the encounter. A fresh exchange of fire occurred late Monday night and into Tuesday morning, bringing the total number of casualties to 14. Gariaband Superintendent of Police Nikhil Rakhecha identified one of the deceased as Jairam alias Chalpati, a central committee member of the Maoists, who carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore. The identities of the remaining dead Naxalites are still being verified. The operation continues, with security forces still engaged in firefights in the area. Officials warned that the final toll may rise as the operation progresses. The combined security team from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), CRPF, CoBRA, and the SoG from Odisha was involved in the operation. The forces also recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the encounter site. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the efforts of the security forces, asserting that Chhattisgarh would be rid of the Naxal menace by March 2026, in line with the governments goals. This victory is a testament to the bravery of our soldiers, and I salute their courage, Sai said. This encounter marks the 40th Naxalite casualty in the state this year, following a similar operation on January 16 that resulted in 12 Naxalites being killed. In 2024, 219 Maoists were neutralized by security forces in separate encounters across Chhattisgarh. Trump Signs Executive Orders to Push 'America First' in Foreign Policy and Immigration 2 US President-elect Donald Trump has signed an executive order emphasizing that the nations foreign policy must prioritize core American interests and put the country and its citizens first. The order, signed on Monday shortly after the US Senate confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, marks a strong reiteration of Trumps America First agenda. From this day forward, the foreign policy of the United States shall champion core American interests and always put America and American citizens first, the executive order declared. Trump directed the Secretary of State to align the Department of States policies, programs, and operations with this vision as swiftly as possible. In a separate executive order, Trump introduced measures to enhance the screening of visa applicants, aiming to safeguard national security and the cultural integrity of the United States. The United States must identify [threats] before their admission or entry into the country, the order stated. The order outlined strict requirements to ensure that foreign nationals entering the US do not harbor hostile intentions toward American citizens, culture, or institutions and do not support foreign terrorist organizations or other threats. It called for restoring a baseline for screening standards that aligns with practices as of January 19, 2021. Under the new guidelines, countries with insufficient vetting procedures or security risks could face partial or full suspension of visa admissions. Trump also ordered a comprehensive evaluation of all visa programs to ensure they are not exploited by foreign states or hostile actors to harm US interests. Further, the order directed a review of immigrant assimilation programs to ensure they foster a unified American identity and adherence to the Constitution, laws, and founding principles of the United States. The executive orders underline Trumps consistent focus on national security and sovereignty while reiterating his administrations stance on tightening immigration policies and reinforcing the America First doctrine in diplomacy. These moves have sparked heated debate, with critics questioning the inclusivity of such measures and supporters praising the prioritization of US interests. A car makes it way down Memorial Drive on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Jill Karnicki/Staff photographer Officials on Wednesday said two more Houston-area deaths were possibly related to the winter storm that paralyzed the region from Monday night into Wednesday. A man was found dead on a Houston street Wednesday morning, Mayor John Whitmire announced during an afternoon news conference. Officials believe the man likely died of a pre-existing condition, though the cause of death has yet to be determined, he said. MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Houston Airport System resumes operations following winter storm Advertisement Article continues below this ad The man was found in front a church on Dixie Drive in southeast Houston, city officials said in a statement. Whitmire said the man may have been homeless, and that Houston needed help with dealing with the homeless community and mental health issues. The city announced later that a woman's body was found at 12:25 p.m. in a parking lot at 1805 Congress, just south of Daikin Park. Neither person's name was immediately released. While the deaths were announced at a news conference about the storm, and by the joint information center set up for storm-related news event, a police department spokesperson later said an official cause of death would be determined by medical examiners. They were the third and fourth deaths at least tentatively attributed to the winter storm. A woman died Monday night in a crash in northeast Harris County, which sheriff's office officials said might have been connected to the wintry mix that had begun falling. A man was also found dead in a Katy parking lot, according to the sheriff's office. The man might have been homeless, sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. Despite an uptick in crashes caused by icy roads, there were no other weather-related traffic fatalities reported Wednesday morning. There have been no deaths connected to carbon monoxide poisoning, Whitmire said during his news conference. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Most of Harris County hunkered down like city and county officials asked, Gonzalez said Tuesday, adding that authorities have responded to more than 160 vehicle wrecks but few have resulted in weather-related injuries or fatalities. He expressed thankfulness that this winter storm has impacted the power grid less than the devastating storm of February 2021 that claimed dozens of lives because of cold temperatures and carbon monoxide poisoning. "That put such a huge burden on everyone," Gonzalez said. "How could they stay home if the power was out?" Many people appeared to be enjoy the rare snow days. "People can get outside, play around and then get inside and get warm again," he continued. He warned against stopping along the side of a highway to snap photos of the wintry scenes, pointing to instances where at least two motorists did so to catch a view of downtown along Interstate 45. The sheriff later tweeted that a man broke his leg when a car, unable to stop in time, hit him. He had been helping to move a stranded vehicle off an Atascocita-area overpass. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Unlike the 2021 freeze, fire officials tallied fewer carbon monoxide cases. Doctors at Memorial Herman used their hyperbaric oxygen therapy tank once this week to treat a patient Tuesday morning, officials said. The Houston Fire Department responded to four calls about possible carbon monoxide on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, officials said. No deaths or hospitalizations were reported. While the snow in Houston subsided late Tuesday morning, temperatures remained dangerously cold through Wednesday morning. Officials urged people to stay inside and off roads, as travel conditions were expected to remain hazardous. Apart from deaths, first responders were called to some unusual circumstances related to the weather. An early-morning tractor-trailer crash in the Richmond area, southwest of Harris County, resulted in jalapeno peppers being spilled over the roadway. Houston police reportedly tracked down an ATM thief by following the tracks the machine left in the snow, Mayor John Whitmire told ABC 13. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Deputies arrested a woman on child endangerment charges after she was found lying on a cold sidewalk with her two children, a months-old baby and a 1-year-old. She was believed to be intoxicated, Gonzalez said. Neil Young announced he will release on Feb. 14 his lost album, Oceanside Countryside. This analog original was recorded in 1977 and unreleased, Young said in a statement. These songs are the original mixes done at the time of the recordings in the order I planned for the album. Billboard reported that the album was originally recorded in 1977. I sang the vocals and played the instruments on Oceanside in Florida at Triad Studios and Malibu at Indigo studio, Young wrote. I sang the vocals and recorded with my great band of friends, Ben Keith (steel guitar), Joe Osbon (bass), Karl T. Himmel (drums), and Rufus Thibodeaux (fiddle) at Crazy Mamas in Nashville on Countryside. I hope you enjoy this treasure of an Analog Original recording, recorded by Tim Mulligan, as much as I do. Listening to it now, I think I should have put it out back then. According to the report, the songs are performed solo by Young. A number of the songs on Oceanside originally appeared on Archives Vol. III, but it is noted the versions are not always the same. Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily. Opposing counsel in a Birmingham area sexual harassment case recently met at Saws BBQ in Hoover to settle their beef as ordered by a federal judge. In a filing issued two days before Thanksgiving, Northern Alabama District Court Judge David Proctor ordered legal teams representing Koch Foods of Alabama LLC and former Koch Foods employee Pamela McCullers to go to lunch together on or before Dec. 31. This order came after McCullers, who is suing Koch Foods on claims of sexual harassment, a hostile work environment, and discrimination on the basis of sex, among other things, said she would only agree to the defendants request for an extension on their pleading deadline if they did not file a motion to dismiss her complaint in the future. In his order, Proctor wrote that these conditions were wholly inappropriate, and ordered the teams to discuss how they can act professionally throughout the rest of this case over lunch. According to the joint report mandated by Proctor, the teams met at Saws on Dec. 16 for more than an hour. The discussion covered the practice of law, families, some big-ticket items for the 2024 holiday season, every ones small town bona fides, and the plan for communication going forward in this matter, the report reads. A healthy dialogue regarding professional norms ensued. As per Proctors order, McCullers counsel paid the bill, which was reported to be $74. And counsel for Koch Foods left the tip, which was also reported to be $74. The official Saws Instagram account posted a screenshot of the report today. Maggie Lynn Martin, a lawyer at Birminghams Wheeles & Garmon, LLP, who is representing McCullers, previously told AL.com the firm had no comment on Proctors order. Proctor and lawyers at Birminghams Littler Mendelson who are representing Koch Foods did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Its time to rummage through your old change jar you just might have millions of dollars stashed away in your cabinets. Wheat pennies The penny was one of the first coins made by the U.S. Mint after its establishment in 1792. According to a history from the U.S. Treasury, the first penny featured a woman with flowing hair symbolizing liberty. The Liberty image stayed on the coin until 1857 when it was changed to a flying eagle on one side and wreath on the back, pennies known as the Indian Head design. Indian Head designs lasted until 1909 when Abraham Lincoln became the first president featured on a coin in honor of the slain presidents 100th birthday. The pennys design showed an image of Lincoln the same one used today but, from 1905-1958, the reverse side showed two sheaves of wheat. Its those wheat pennies that have become highly collectible and in some cases, could be worth a mint. On the top of the list is the 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Wheat Penny. As Yahoo explains, the penny is so valuable due to a mistake. During World War II, pennies were made of zinc-coated steel to save copper for the war effort. However, a few of the copper pennies were struck by mistake and its that version thats extremely rare and valuable. A 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Wheat Penny sold for $1.7 million in 2010 but is valued at $2.3 million in uncirculated mint condition. There is only one of the coins known to be in existence struck at the Denver Mint on a bronze planchet - Yahoo said, but others could exist. Other versions of the 1943 coin could be worth $100,000 or more. READ MORE: This penny from 1983 could be worth $7,000 What should you look for? The value of coins depends on the year it was minted, how rare it is and its condition. Lower mintage numbers are more valuable, as are coins that have errors or mistakes. If you have a stash of change, you should check for pennies that were minted in 1943. If you find one, its worth taking to a coin dealer for an evaluation. Other valuable coins: GoBankingRates ranked other valuable pennies: Elon Musks salute at a Monday inauguration party for President Trump was interpreted by many observers online as a Heil Hitler gesture. Musk, 53, spoke to a crowd of Trump supporters at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., after Trump was sworn in at the U.S. Capitol. While thanking the supporters, Musk put his right hand over his heart, then extended his arm out with his palm down. He then turned around and repeated the gesture. My heart goes out to you, he said after making the gesture. Its day 1 and Elon Musk is already doing the Sieg Heil, one person wrote on X, the social media platform owned by Musk. Billionaire Elon Musk gave what appeared to be a fascist salute Monday while making a speech at the post-inauguration celebration for President Donald Trump at the Capital One Arena. Some elections are important, some are not. But this one, this one really mattered and I just pic.twitter.com/K8Fo0sdozL PBS News (@NewsHour) January 20, 2025 Many others had the same reaction, including a German journalist who observed: Elon Musk does what looks like a Hitler salute after talking of victory at Trump inauguration, thanking supporters for assuring the future of civilisation. Why isnt Elon Musk doing two Nazi salutes at Trumps inauguration a lead story today? another asked. But not everyone saw it that way. Frequent Musk critic Batya Ungar-Sargon said his motion looked more like a man with Aspergers exuberantly throwing his heart to the crowd. We dont need to invent outrage. Even some far-right message boards were confounded by Musks salute, as one asked What are the political implications of Elon Musk doing a Roman Nazi salute right after Trump gets inaugurated? I love to see it, even though its obvious that this is just an Aspergers guy trying to do an emotional salute and fking it up out of awkward clumsiness, one far-right poster on 4chan wrote. Another user described Musks gesture as the most spastic [Sieg Heil] in history. Trump and Musk became close allies during the 2024 presidential campaign, with Musk donating hundreds of millions of dollars to Trumps effort and campaigning for him across the country. In his own speech Monday, Trump thanked Musk for his work and included a curious remark about the billionaires work in Pennsylvania. He knows those computers better than anybody. All those computers, those vote counting computers, and we ended up winning Pennsylvania, like in a landslide so it was pretty good, Trump said. 2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. ABC 33/40s James Spann shared more of his thoughts Monday night on news that Allen Media Broadcasting laid off every single meteorologist in cities nationwide in favor of the Weather Channel. Spann said he feels so badly for those who lost their jobs . I know its traumatic when you lose a job. The company, which operates 27 broadcast television stations in 21 U.S. markets, has announced plans to begin using local weather coverage powered by The Weather Channel across local markets nationwide. That includes WAAY in Huntsville, where meteorologist Amber Kulick posted: I am still at the station but I am looking for my next career opportunity. On WeatherBrains, an online video gathering of meteorologists across the nation, Spann and others encouraged those laid off to reach out for support and guidance. Spann said the move is part of the ever-evolving nature of broadcast news and weather. Some people are just furious, Spann said. They feel like those local meteorologists are part of their family. Still, Spann said, he feels so positive for the future of the industry. Theres going to be a lot of short-term pain . But, there will be long-term gain in that the products and services we deliver will still be there on different platforms, but in a much more efficient way. Spann said hes seen many changes since he started in the industry in June 1978 at a station in Tuscaloosa. The days of linear television are over, Spann said. The audience (for traditional TV broadcasts) are just tiny and so that model has gone away. The audience for what he called the Ron Burgundy newscast is getting older, Spann said in reference to Anchorman, the 2004 Will Ferrell comedy. As that happens, the products of a bygone era are going away. And thats OK, Spann said. Its a wake-up call that we have to be cognizant of that, we have to be where people are and understand how they consume media and provide products and services in that world. Spann said a new generation emerging from college will help build a new model for the industry. I want to help build the new model. That model, he said, includes TikTok and being willing to build your own brand. Were not going away, Spann said. As horrible as this is, in the long-term Im excited. Can the Weather Channel adequately do live tornado warning coverage for Tupelo, Miss., Huntsville, Ala.? I guess I dont really know until it happens. However, Spann said the ability to provide live tornado coverage requires knowledge of an areas geography and microclimate and you cant really do that from a distance. I could do a tornado outbreak in Nebraska, but Id be horrible at it. I dont understand the people, the culture, the geography. Warnings, in particular, arent just technology, they are a social process, added meteorologist Kim Klockow-McClain. One of the first things you do is learn how to pronounce every town because its these things that really matter to people. The hubs envisioned by Allen, Spann said, wont be able to do that successfully. Its changing and weve all got to change, Spann said of the industry. I cannot leave a dumpster fire for this next generationMost of them now arent even interested in broadcast television. Theyre going to go and work for the weather service because of the dying business model, he said. Spann said his employer, Sinclair Broadcasting, allows him to do the job as he see fits and he doesnt plan to retire he wants to die in front of a green screen while doing a weather broadcast. I cant wait to come to work every day. Though it may be a step toward the future of news, the move has many concerned. A change.org petition with more than 32,000 signatures was started in Tupelo, Miss. to stop layoffs at WTVA. Removal of our local meteorological team means losing the trust and confidence built over the years, and replacing them with outsourced teams who may not fully understand the unique weather patterns in our locality. In times of severe weather, immediate and accurate information is not a luxuryits a necessity, the petition states. A 21-year-man already out on bond for multiple alleged crimes is now charged in the Birmingham shooting Friday that left one man dead, and two others wounded, including the suspect. Amonte Demond Jones is charged with murder in the killing of 24-year-old JeShaun Chambers, a father of two young children. West Precinct officers responded about 7:15 p.m. Friday to two separate Shot Spotter alerts that registered about 36 rounds of gunfire in the 600 block of 26th Street S.W. Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said officers arrived find Chambers unresponsive in the road. He was pronounced dead on the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service. A woman was also found injured. She was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Wade said officers were alerted to a third person now identified as Jones - who showed up at the hospital. His injures also were not life-threatening. After being treated, Jones was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Sunday. He remains held. Wade said a verbal altercation took place that led to gunshots being fired. Police believe Jones may have accidentally shot himself during the incident but have not yet confirmed that information. Birmingham police investigate a deadly shooting in the 600 block of 26th Street S.W.(BPD) Chambers mother, Chiqueta Chambers, said her son was loved. He always had a smile on his face and would brighten a room, Chiqueta Chambers said. He was loved by many people. I pray that justice is served. Jefferson County prosecutors on Sunday filed a motion to revoke Jones bond in his previous cases. He is currently on bond for unlawful possession of a controlled substance, third-degree domestic violence, attempting to elude and second-degree unlawful possession of a marijuana. In August, according to the bond revocation motion, Jones failed to show up for court and another warrant was issued for his arrest. He was taken into custody on the failure to appear charge and was granted bond with electronic monitoring. As a condition of that bond, he was to refrain from further criminal conduct. Birmingham police detectives on Sunday obtained new warrants against Jones for murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling and first-degree assault. That violates his bond conditions, wrote Deputy District Attorney Jessica Jackson. Court records show Jones was charged last with two counts of attempted murder separate incidents one that involved shooting at a woman and the other where a man was shot in the leg. Those cases were forwarded to a grand jury for indictment consideration. It was not clear if the grand jury had yet heard those cases. Chambers is Birminghams fifth homicide victim in 2025. In all of Jefferson County, there have been nine homicides, including the five in Birmingham. Anyone with additional information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. A 25-year-old man once accused in the high-profile 2016 shooting death of Hoover veteran Mike Gilotti is back in jail. Darrian Bryant was 16 when he and three others were charged in the slaying of Gilotti, who was killed outside his Lake Cyrus home. Gilotti was heading to the gym for a morning workout when police say he encountered the teens breaking into his car. The murder charge against Bryant was dismissed after two of his co-defendants - Charleston Wells and Ahmad Johnson - were acquitted. Wells was later sentenced to 20 years in prison for an unrelated rape. Bryant, however, did plead guilty to nine counts of unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle. Bryant was arrested in Calera on Friday after a rash of vehicle burglaries in the Waterford and Kensington subdivisions. Calera Police Chief David Hyche said detectives shared information with neighboring agencies and a Hoover police officer located the suspect vehicle and took Bryant into custody. He remains in the Shelby County Jail on charges of unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle and theft of property, jail records show. His bond is set at $20,000. Hyche, in a Facebook post, said the suspect will face charges related to vehicle burglaries in both Jefferson and Shelby counties. He said additional charges are also likely in Calera. Crime like this happens everywhere but we want to make it as unpleasant as possible for criminals when they victimize Calera citizens, Hyche said. Us sharing information with our citizens when crime occurs might give the impression that we have more crime but I believe that being transparent gives our citizens the confidence to come forward and provide information. Read full coverage of the Mike Gilotti case here Gilotti was shot to death about 4:55 a.m. Jan. 5, 2016, just outside his home in the 5500 block of Park Side Circle. His wife, Heather Gilotti, heard two gunshots and then heard a vehicle with a large engine pulling away from the scene. Gilotti collapsed on his doorstep. He was later pronounced dead on the scene. Gilottis slaying came after a string of car break-ins across St. Clair, Jefferson, Shelby, and Tuscaloosa counties, police said. According to prosecutors, the four teens were members of a Bessemer-area street gang called M-Tre, which stood for Money Making Mafia. Mike Gilotti, a father, husband and Iraq veteran, was shot to death outside his Hoover home in January 2016. At both trials, Bryant said the four teens were in Hoovers Lake Cyrus community breaking into cars in that morning. When the group got into their vehicle-- which was stolen from another neighborhood-- they saw Gilotti walking out of his home. Gilotti, a 33-year-old father of two and Army veteran, was headed to the YMCA for a workout. Bryant testified that once the group saw Gilotti, Wells and Johnson exited the car and approached the man to ask for directions. After Gilotti pointed the teens back to the main road, Bryant said Wells upped his gun and fatally shot Gilotti in the back while Johnson stood nearby with another firearm. Bryant claimed that he and another person charged were inside of a vehicle when Gilotti was shot in front of his Lake Cyrus home. Wells testified at his own trial and placed the blame on Johnson and Bryant. The fourth suspect was not prosecuted. Bessemer Cutoff Circuit Judge David Carpenter Under Bryants plea to the unlawful breaking and entering cases, he received a 46-month suspended sentence with three years of supervised probation and received a felony conviction. Carpenter later revoked that probation after Bryant was arrested on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. This is an opinion column. Presidential signings once meant something. Not all of them, of course, some were as thin and inert as the paper upon which they were signed. Yet many signings were momentous. Many enacted new laws that had been constructed and forged through Congress, laws that changed lives. At least one changed mine. I was eight years old when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 i nto law on Thursday, July 2, 1964, rendering segregation in public spaces illegal from henceforth on. The moment certainly wasnt televised live, but it was eventually broadcast to the nation its pen-strokes changed. Let us lay aside irrelevant differences, Johnson said ahead of the signing, in the East Room in the White House, and make our nation whole. Afterward, he handed historic pens used to numerous true influentials who gathered around LBJ as he signed, including Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey (the acts lead author) and Dr. Martin Luther King. I dont recall seeing the ceremony, but I do recall this: Three days later, following church on Sunday, my family ventured to the Piccadilly cafeteria in downtown Tulsa for dinner. It was nothing special, an ancestor of todays meat-and-threes. We went there, though, because on that prior Thursday my family would not have been allowed to eat there. No Black family could. I also remember two things: The food was awful, or a whole lot worse than what we normally got at Bettys Chat N Chew in North Tulsa the Black part of Tulsa on Greenwood Ave, across the street from my dads store . And my baby brother knocked over his water, making a scene that drew all eyes toward our table. I dont think we ever went back, but the point was made: We could go back. Many presidential signings, if not most, are executive orders pen strokes that wield the power of the office, denote the delusion of the signatory, or something in the murky middle. Some, too, have been monumental and life-changing. America-changing . Seventy-four years before the Federal Registrar began tracking executive orders, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring that enslaved people in Confederate states were and henceforward shall be free. It would be two years, though, before the 13th Constitutional Amendment was passed and ratified, officially ending slavery. Executive Order 9981 , signed by Harry Truman in 1948, ended legal segregation in the military. Executive Order 10730 , signed by Dwight Eisenhower in 1957, authorized the deployment of the National Guard and active-duty military to enforce federal and state court orders to desegregate Arkansas schools. Executive Order 10924 , signed by John F. Kennedy two months into his ill-fated presidency, created the Peace Corps . Alas, not all executive orders are for our good. On February 19, 1942, in the heated wake of the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 , authorizing the creation of military concentration camps . Ultimately more than 120,000 Japanese Americans, many of whom were U.S. citizens, were forced from their homes and held in one of 10 such camps, the final one of which did not close until 1946. On Monday, within hours of his no-hand-on-the-Bible swear-in (Evangelicals, yall cool with this?), Donald Trump, with cartoonish bluster, signed more than 100 EOs , far more Day One signings than any other president. He signed and signed and signed again before tossing pens into the crowd like manna to hungry minions. Im not sure any single signature made us better let alone great. He renamed a body of water and a mountain (snore); contradicted his own efficiency quest by ordering all federal workers into the office; poured white-out over all references to diversity, equity and inclusion in the federal government, resuscitated the government-sanctioned murder (the death penalty); did a Simone Biles-backflip with TikTok; yanked us from vital international organizations; tried to pour more white-out on the birthright constitutional amendment; and pen-swiped a lot of jargon-salad decrees declaring protection, America first, and various emergencies allowing him potentially to weaponize the U.S. military against, well, any of us. Oh, and yes, he pardoned or commuted the prison sentences of more than 1,500 charged or convicted of crimes committed during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, including those convicted of assaulting police officers. (Yall good with that, officers?) That includes avowed white supremacists, leaders and members of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys . Thats frightening. Alas, sigs might as well have been signed with invisible ink; no pen can rewrite the Constitution, no matter who wields it. Many of his EOs will likely be tied up in courts for years. Before signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, President Johnson looked into the nations eyes and said : I urge every American to join in this effort to bring justice and hope to all our people and to bring peace to our land. My fellow citizens, we have come now to a time of testing we must not fail. My fellow citizens, seventy-four years later, we must not fail this test, either. Watch Lyndon Johnson address the nation here . Watch Trump toss pens here . Lets be better tomorrow than we are today. My column appears on AL.com, and digital editions of The Birmingham News, Huntsville Times, and Mobile Press-Register. Tell me what you think at rjohnson@al.com, and follow me at twitter.com/roysj, Instagram @roysj and BlueSky. President Donald Trumps single reference to space in his second inaugural address Monday pointed in an unexpected direction. In his prepared remarks, Trump, a longtime backer of U.S.-led space exploration and exploitation, singled out Mars and left the moon hanging. We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars, Trump said. Trumps seeming omission fueled whats become a cottage industry in predicting the end of Artemis, NASAs $100 billion program that aims to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon. Such a move could have far-reaching consequences in Huntsville, where the Marshall Space Flight Center manages the Space Launch System rocket program and the lunar landing aspects of Artemis, as well as developing software and building adapters for various stages of the spacecraft. Here are five things to know about Mars, the moon and the new president. 1. Landing humans on Mars has not been in the immediate plan NASA has called landing on Mars a horizon goal -- Artemis intends to staff a permanent colony on the moon as a stepping stone to the Red Planet. The space agency believes the technology developed and refined as well as lessons learned through Artemis will make Mars missions more likely to succeed. NASA officials have said landing humans on Mars even by 2040 would be an aggressive and audacious goal, given the Artemis timetable. Trumps remarks Monday could imply a call to skip the moon, effectively pulling the plug on Artemis, and instead focusing all government and industry efforts and funding -- on Mars. But the new president didnt elaborate them. Nevertheless, putting people on Mars during his administration would represent a pedal-to-the-metal acceleration of U.S. space policy. 2. A major Mars fan has Trumps ear Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X and administrator of Trumps new Department of Government Efficiency, has a longstanding personal interest in colonizing Mars. As founder and CEO of SpaceX, he also has a significant financial interest. The company has laid out a vision for robotic and crewed Mars missions aboard its Starship and Super Heavy rockets. Musk has said SpaceXs craft could ferry a million colonists to the Red Planet by 2050, and the company announced in November it planned to launch the first uncrewed Starship Mars missions in late 2026, the next time the two planets are positioned to allow shorter trips. Mars was on Musks mind in the leadup to the inauguration, where he sat behind Trump and flashed a thumbs-up at the Mars line. In a Jan. 2 post on his X platform, he wrote, were going straight to Mars. The Moon is a distraction. 3. Musk has struggled with Mars delays Starship is not SpaceXs first pass at a Mars spacecraft. The company spent years and a reported $300 million -- developing its original vessel, called Red Dragon. That craft was initially planned to make its first Mars launch in 2018, but the company scrapped it in 2017 in favor of the larger Starship. SpaceXs plans for Mars hinge on its Starship mega-rocket. The company has tested-launched Starship seven times, with three of those ending in explosions, most recently last week. The FAA temporarily grounded Starship after that incident, pending an investigation by SpaceX. Musk has a history of optimistic predictions. In 2016, he suggested cargo flights to Mars aboard what would become Starship could happen in 2022, with crewed flights in 2024. None of that happened. 4. Trump probably isnt saying goodnight to the Moon Abandoning NASAs moon program would be a major pivot for Trump. During his first administration, he signed Space Policy Directive 1, which laid the groundwork for what became the moon-focused Artemis program. The directive I am signing today will refocus Americas space program on human exploration and discovery, Trump said Dec. 11, 2017. It marks a first step in returning American astronauts to the Moon for the first time since 1972, for long-term exploration and use. This time, we will not only plant our flag and leave our footprints we will establish a foundation for an eventual mission to Mars, and perhaps someday, to many worlds beyond. Trumps initial focus on the moon was a shift away from a Mars-first space policy advocated by former President Barack Obama and was part of a focus on space that occupied a large part of Trumps first administration. Since then, Artemis has been a boon to most states and congressional districts. A recent study estimated NASA was responsible for $75.6 billion in economic output and over 300,000 jobs nationwide. Nearly a third of that output could be tied to Artemis and related programs, with Alabama among the top states to benefit, according to The Huntsville Times. 5. SpaceX stands to gain from the Artemis program Despite Musks post, SpaceX and its CEO stand to benefit from any future Artemis successes. The company is a commercial partner of NASA, and its vehicles factor heavily into the space agencys lunar plans. Starship is scheduled to launch multiple missions to support the Human Landing System, which will ferry astronauts from the planned Lunar Gateway station to the Moons surface aboard a SpaceX craft. And the companys Falcon Heavy rocket is to lift two Lunar Gateway modules ahead of the Artemis IV mission. That is currently set for a September 2028 launch. Snow is seen falling in the light of street lamps on the feeder road of Gulf Freeway near I610 Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Two young children were treated by EMTs Tuesday morning after being found lying on a snowy north Harris County sidewalk with their mother, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. Deputies were called to the 12000 block of Veterans Memorial Parkway sometime Tuesday morning, Gonzalez said in post on X. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A 911 caller told dispatchers that a woman and two babies were lying on the sidewalk. When the deputies arrived they found the woman with a 2-month-old baby and 1-year-old child, Gonzalez said. The children were suffering from "cold-related injuries," he said. MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Lake Charles NWS office issues first ever blizzard warning for Southeast Texas and Louisiana Later in the day, the sheriff's department said deputies arrested the woman on child endangerment charges. She was believed to be intoxicated, Gonzalez said. Up to four inches of snow has fallen and temperatures have been below freezing across of Harris County since Monday night. On Tuesday at 5:08 p.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated winter storm warning in effect until Wednesday at 6 a.m. for Tallapoosa, Chambers, Lowndes, Elmore, Montgomery, Macon, Bullock, Lee, Russell, Pike and Barbour counties. The weather service says, "Additional snow accumulations of one to two inches." "Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening commute," says the weather service. "If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency." Drive safely in winter: Expert advice from the weather service for challenging conditions Winter weather can make driving treacherous, leading to over 6,000 weather-related vehicle fatalities and over 480,000 injuries each year. When traveling during snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down. In near-freezing temperatures, it's safest to assume that icy conditions exist on roadways and adjust your driving accordingly. Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards. If possible, avoid driving in such conditions. If you must venture out, opt for routes with fewer trees and power lines. Never touch a downed power line, and immediately dial 911 if you come across one. Here are additional winter weather driving tips: Share your travel plans: When venturing out of town in hazardous winter weather, be sure to inform family or friends of your destination, your intended route, and your estimated arrival time. Prepare your vehicle: Ensure your gas tank is full and equip your vehicle with essential winter supplies such as a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket, extra warm clothing, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food. Stay calm when stranded: If you become stranded, stay composed. Notify someone about your situation and location. Avoid attempting to walk to safety. Attach a cloth to your car's antenna or mirror to signal that you require assistance. Make your vehicle more visible by using the dome light and flashers. Be mindful of snow plows: Keep an eye out for snow plows and provide them with ample room to pass. Only overtake a plow when you have a clear view of the road ahead. Check road conditions: Before embarking on your journey, verify the current road conditions to make informed travel decisions. Stay safe on wintry roads with these valuable winter driving tips from the weather service, and reduce the risk of accidents during challenging weather conditions. Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service. January 21, 2025 By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $500,000 grant to Alabama State University's Cancer Research Center (CRC) to both design and develop an affordable point-of-care device for the diagnosis of non-invasive, early lung cancer. The grant is part of the NSF's Excellence in Research program and its usage includes developing a functionalized carbon-dot biosensor to aid in the detection of lung cancer, explained ASU's Dr. Manoj K. Mishra, the project's principal investigator, as well as the director of the CRC. "This grant offers a unique opportunity for Alabama State University's Cancer Research Center to lead groundbreaking research at the intersection of healthcare and advanced technology," Mishra said. "By focusing on designing and developing an affordable, non-invasive diagnostic tool for lung cancer, the project aligns with the pressing global health needs and supports innovation in early cancer detection." Dr. Mishra shared that in addition to providing cutting-edge research and the creation of a new device, the grant also offers valuable research experience for ASU students. "This grant presents a fantastic opportunity for ASU's students to provide them with hands-on experience at the forefront of innovative healthcare technology through a combination of knowledge from various fields, such as chemistry, engineering, and medicine," stated Mishra. "Our students can broaden their skill sets and work across disciplines, enhancing their academic and professional development." The CRC director believes the grant, the resulting research and the device at the core of the project have a much larger potential. "The broader impact of this project extends far beyond lung cancer detection," Mishra said. "It has the potential to revolutionize point-of-care diagnostics globally, making affordable, non-invasive testing accessible for a wide range of diseases, particularly in underserved and resource-limited regions." At this moment, with President Trump being inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, let us recall the words of Count Otto von Bismarck: God has a special providence for fools, drunkards, and the United States of America. I dont know just exactly what Bismarck meant by that but I think that experts agree that the story of America since the Day of the Escalator in 2015 almost begs the possibility of divine intervention. I think that there are two overwhelming facts that made it happen. First, the utter cluelessness of the Democrats in nominating first Hillary Clinton, then Joe Biden, then Kamala Harris for president. Talk about cluelessness cubed. Second, the staggering courage, perseverance, and strength of Donald Trump, that he never gave up, never surrendered, not even in the moments after being shot at Butler, PA. And then there is the courage of Elon Musk. At the very height of the withering censorship of social media that got cranked up to hurricane strength during the late COVID unpleasantness, this fearless man bought Twitter and told the intelligence community censors to go take a hike. How in the world did God arrange to have Trump and Musk on stage at the same moment? But he wasnt done yet. How about the recent demonstration in Pacific Palisades by Newsom, Bass & Co. of the utter incompetence and stupidity of our current educated ruling class? There we had, for all the world to see, the utter folly of the administrative and regulatory state, doubled down by the DEI mayor and fire department managers. Its almost as if God decided to stage a disaster to show all the world why the Democratic Party is a total disaster. Earth to liberals: back in the day, the Indians used to burn the brush every spring in the forests along the Hudson River in New York. Ya think, you land acknowledgment virtue-signalers? Y ou can say what you think: Im veering towards divine intervention. Usually, down the ages, when one dynasty gives way to another, a failing, corrupt ruling class gets kicked out and a new one comes in after much bloodshed and ruin. Or the existing failed corrupt regime refuses to give up: hello Cuba and Venezuela. But here in these glorious United States it looks like, maybe, we are going to get a semi-regime change without too much of the usual butchers bill, and a regime change that will, maybe, dial down the oppressive administrative state and its corrupt regulatory twin. And who knows: maybe well also see our lords and masters pretend that they were always for a colorblind society and that DEI was always a far-right insurrectionist conspiracy. Why else would the New York Times muddy the waters on the weekend before the inauguration of President Trump by interviewing pretty extreme Curtis Yarvin? As President Trump, real estate billionaire and TV personality, once more assumes the presidency, and the failed educated class starts to face the end of its regime of top-down administration of everything and the fake fight for the rights of the oppressed, what next? What will the next regime look like? Suppose President Biden told us in his farewell address. Why? You can trust a politician to know his enemy. Clearly, Joe Biden is worried about the tech lords: the dangerous concentration of power in the hands of very few ultra-wealthy people. Just as President Eisenhower warned of a military industrial complex, Biden is concerned about the p-p-potential rise of a tech-industrial complex. Then theres the social-media problem: Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation enabling the abuse of power. The free press is crumbling. Editors are disappearing. Social media is giving up on fact-checking. The truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit. You know what? I like it. The educated-class speechwriters at the White House are giving us a glimpse of the new ruling class. There will be tech lords that earned their way up with successful startups: hello Elon and Vivek. And there will be social media stars that will be scything through the lies of the mass-media industrial complex: hello Joe Rogan, Julie Kelly, Tucker Carlson, Bari Weiss & Co. Do you see the difference? The current ruling class believes in the conceit of progress designed and implemented by the best and brightest from the top down. The tech bros believe in funding twenty startups and then finding out the difference between a good idea and a good idea that works. The current ruling class believes in a mass media curated by the best and brightest -- and the not-so-best and brightest in the intelligence state. The new independent media believes that independent community notes are better at curating the truth than dark-money funded fact-checkers. Now its time to listen to Vera Lynn: When the lights go on again, all over the world. Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill blogs at The Commoner Manifesto and runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class. Image: AT via Magic Studio On his last full day in office before President Trumps second inaugural, the pretender Joseph Biden demonstrated how unqualified he had always been for the office, with one simple statement. Asked to comment on the first three Israeli hostages all young women in their 20s, kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023 who were finally freed by Hamas this weekend, Joe Biden said They appear to be in good health. This may sound like a harmless throwaway line, a cheerful effort to put a happy face on a difficult policy moment. But I doubt it. Joe Biden has displayed a shocking ability to expect the best from the mass murderers who run Gaza, to routinely give them the benefit of the doubt, and to rhetorically attack our friend Israel for its caution in dealing with them. In this peculiar ceasefire program, Hamas proposes to release just a few hostages per week, while Israel releases imprisoned terrorists at a rate of 100 convicted terrorists per hostage. Eventually, if this process continues unabated, Israel will get 33 hostages back, and Hamas will get over 3,000 of its soldiers back. It is likely that the eyes of the world will most closely watch the first one or two batches, then quickly lose interest in covering the story. The Gazan prisoners released by Israel have been held in decent conditions -- normal modern prisons with decent food and proper medical care. By contrast, the hostages whom Hamas is finally releasing have been held for 15 months in horrific conditions, often in underground tunnels, chained down, malnourished, and roughly handled, to say the least. Others have been literally enslaved in terrorist households. They wont want to speak of it, but we know that Islamofascist kidnappers typically use hostages especially female hostages as sexual playthings. No doubt as these young women are freed, they will smile with relief at the end of their torment, happy at being reunited at last with their parents and siblings who have kept up the fight for them for so long, never giving up. But to say they are in good health? No. Anyone who sees these pictures, anyone with the slightest understanding of what life must have been like for these hostages, knows that they will never be in good health again. You dont survive a year-plus of imprisonment by Islamofascist torturers without being permanently injured. The body is permanently weakened by a year of malnutrition; the mind is permanently assaulted by a year of fear, of threats, of abuse and assaults. These young women will never be the same. But Joe Biden doesnt understand that; he has never thought that deeply about the issues, or possibly, about any issues. He sees political moments in terms of how they will benefit or hurt his alliances, his poll numbers, his legacy, his bank account. He sees innocent hostages being released on his watch, under an awful bargain that his own team proposed and campaigned for, and he views it as a win, without the slightest interest in looking below the surface at the lives of the affected individuals. We onlookers know the truth. We see the things that the Biden-Harris regime doesnt see. We see how outrageously lopsided the exchange is 100 guilty prisoners for each innocent hostage. We see how incomparable the two sides are. The Gazan forces in Israeli jails are terrorists, properly convicted (and yet, still well cared for), people guilty of crimes against humanity that even the Geneva Convention doesnt protect. By contrast, the Israeli hostages held in Gazan tunnels are innocent civilians, farmers or clerks, dancing at a music festival or raising their children on a farm, most of whom witnessed their best friends and closest relatives raped, mutilated, and killed, just moments before being hauled off themselves to this 15-month imprisonment, with that horrific last memory being the final image of their life on the outside, to haunt them throughout their long captivity. We see how the Biden-Harris regime has supported the Gazan enemy, pouring money into their allegedly humanitarian aid (which has always been used by Hamas for war materiel against Israel). We see how the Biden-Harris regime has constantly tried to hold back Israel, to talk Israel into stopping their existential effort to rid the world of this demonic presence once and for all. The Biden-Harris regime either doesnt see this full truth, or they do, and they are just playing politics, claiming to support Israel for political purposes, while knowing full well that this administrations every effort assists the terrorists and jeopardizes Israels survival. It is well known that, every time you agree to a prisoner-for-hostages swap, you are laying the groundwork for future hostages to be taken. This ceasefire has only one message for Hamas: Taking hostages works; we should do it again. (And watching the Gazans dancing in the streets at the release of hundreds of their fellow killers this weekend confirms it). It is likely, however, knowing the challenges in Israeli public opinion, that a prisoner-for-hostages swap was inevitable, the only question was 'when.' Eventually, Israels government would be forced by its own people to agree to one, because Israel rightly places value on every single innocent life, and therefore desperately wants to somehow set each innocent hostage free, even at the expense of future security. It is therefore a victory that this swap was postponed as long as it was. Both Hamas and the Biden-Harris regime expected Israel to cave long ago, stopping the scouring of Gaza before they were done. By resisting so long, Israel has most likely managed to obliterate almost every illegal terrorist tunnel, every terrorist rocket launch pad and weaponry cache in the territory. When Hamas regroups as they will they will be starting from scratch. Hamas and its allies didnt expect that. Also, by resisting this long, Israel has revealed to the world several truths that had been long suspected but were previously unproven: The Western world and the anti-Israeli press had doubted Israels claims about the extent of Hamas military spending, how Hamas starved its own people to feed its desire for weapons, and how many highly-respected international charities were really just conduits to Hamas terrorist activities all along. Only by Israel completing its scouring of Gaza and sharing the video evidence with the world -- have these truths been revealed, with such clarity that none can deny them anymore. Western reporters have been found to be in the pay of the terrorists, participants in terrorism, and even holders of hostages themselves. Western charities and government-funded NGOs have been found to be funneling personnel, equipment and funds directly to Hamas. Countless billions in infrastructure resources have been directly proven to have gone into the building of that very tunnel network that was used in both the Oct. 7 attacks and in the imprisonment of all those innocent hostages. But still. They appear to be in good health says Joe Biden, as he closes the book on one more of the countless foreign policy disasters of his miserable term in office. Hes happy to be able to check off one more box, pretending to be oblivious to the reality behind it. Or maybe hes not pretending. With his diminished mental capacity, he may indeed be oblivious. But his staff isnt. His staff know exactly what theyre doing, and what side theyve been on since the beginning. Thank Divine Providence that that side, as of Jan. 20, is finally out of Americas executive branch, and the United States can return to its position of leadership on the side of right, at long last. John F. Di Leo is a Chicagoland-based international transportation manager, trade compliance trainer, and speaker. Read his book on the surprisingly numerous varieties of vote fraud (The Tales of Little Pavel), his political satires on the Biden-Harris years (Evening Soup with Basement Joe, Volumes I, II, and III), and his most recent collection of public policy essays, Current Events and the Issues of Our Age, all available in eBook or paperback, only on Amazon. Image: Screen shot from CBC video via YouTube A day after the January 6th protests at the Capitol, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham addressed a joint session of Congress on the Senate floor: "Trump and I, we've had a hell of a journey. I hate it to end this way. Oh my God, I hate it All I can say is a count me out." Why should Graham's speech matter? Simply because Graham, who is a human manifestation of a chameleon, assumed, like other D.C. swamp rats, that after the January 6th 'insurrection,' it was the end of Trump. Hence, he ceased all pretense of supporting Trump and explicitly declared his abandonment of the man whose endorsement made his reelection possible. It wasn't only the odious Graham and his swamp mates. Even Trump's well-meaning allies and ardent supporters, despite their hopes for miracles, assumed that Trump's political career was finished. This insurrection hoax was the latest attack on Trump. During his presidency, Trump was baselessly accused of colluding with Russia to rig the 2016 elections in his favor. The House baselessly impeached him by falsely claiming he was holding back aid to Ukraine in exchange for 'dirt' on his political opponent Joe Biden. While these were the overarching narratives, there were myriad tertiary lies peddled about Trump being traitorous, bigoted, ignorant, unstable, impulsive, crude, lewd, capricious, and so much more. After he left office, the attacks on Trump increased. The House impeached him again, this time based on the insurrection hoax. After that, the Biden administration began abusing its power to target Donald Trump. First, the January 6th committee was set up, which, like the Russian collusion hoax probe, consisted exclusively of Trump adversaries. This was followed by a Stalinist show trial for which TV producers were hired to spice up the proceedings. Trump's Mar-a-Lago home was raided, and his family's privacy was invaded on the false premises that he held classified documents. This occurred despite Trump's lawyers negotiating the return of documents. It was also revealed that deadly force was authorized during the raid. But there was more to come. Four criminal indictments were filed against Donald Trump, and the basis of all these trials was flimsy. In May 2024, Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts in a New York court of falsifying business records in the first degree related to payments made to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. The targeting was so obvious that even Trump haters such as Fareed Zakaria admitted that the Democrats were going too far. The media and politicized government agencies were flagbearers of these hoaxes. No other leader has been subjected to such relentless and vicious attacks. It has to be remembered that all these attacks during and after his presidency would have stopped if Trump had made a deal with the establishment and quit politics. He could have returned to a comfortable and easy life. But instead, he remained steadfast. It wasn't just the judicial overreach. When the GOP underperformed during the 2022 midterms, the mainstream media, and even the usually pro-Trump alternative media, blamed Trump and used it as a basis to claim that Trump was no longer an election winner. The Murdochs, who are supposed to have their pulse on GOP politics, appeared to abandon Trump in favor of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Trump faced even tougher challenges. He was the target of two assassination attempts in 2024. A bullet barely missed Trump during an address in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most humans would have fled in fear and even quit the race. But once again, Trump faced the storm fearlessly, displaying defiance and a fighting spirit. During such times when one is likely to pay the ultimate price, individuals reveal their true character. Trump proved that his bravado isn't just in utterances but actions as well. Such exemplary courage is impossible to fake. We must also remember the unfathomable stress faced not only by Trump but also by his family members during these attacks. When Trump ran for president again in November 2022, even his well-wishers wondered if a victory was possible. They had good reason to doubt. The mainstream media was totally against Trump, which meant narratives could be set without much challenge. There were myriad irregularities in the 2020 elections, and many wondered if this could ever be stopped. There were also concerns about voters who would either believe media lies about Trump or would be the kind who loved his policies but despised his 'baggage.' 'Pundits' claimed that 'minorities' would never vote for Trump. They began predicting violence from Trump supporters and Trump spending the rest of his life in jail following his ignominious defeat. To sum it up, the impediments seemed insurmountable. In most Presidential elections, the candidates take on their opponents. Trump, on the other hand, was taking on the D.C. Democrat establishment, the legacy media, Hollywood, the 'intellectual' class, pollsters, academia, corporate houses, etc. On November 5, 2024, most Trump supporters expected the worst, and then the results began to trickle in, and it was a total triumph. Trump won the Electoral College, the popular vote, and 2,552 out of 3144 counties. This was a total triumph. The voters have proved themselves to be fairminded and intelligent. They weren't deceived by media propaganda or celebrity endorsement. Trump and his campaign did magnificently on many fronts, and they used alternative media very effectively. Trump appeared on various podcasts that had no restrictions over questions or time limits. Musk's takeover of X (Twitter) meant that the platform reflected the truth, unlike before when the narratives were 'managed' following directions from the establishment. Musk added various tools, such as community notes, which exposed various Democrat lies. Trump had managed various unique campaign events, including the one where he served food at a Pennsylvania McDonald's. The campaign worked on the ground to curtail Democrat electoral fraud. Trump was his usual self, with his showmanship and his sense of humor, but he appeared more disciplined than he was in 2016 or 2020. To sum it up, the campaign was joyous, focused, and efficient, and there were no major mistakes. The main reason for this success was that the basis for this campaign was substance. Trump's first term pledged safety and prosperity in the U.S. and peace globally. What makes it remarkable is that it was achieved while the establishment was relentlessly hurling proverbial bombs at him. The results of the 2024 elections exceeded expectations, which made it seem surreal. This triumph was reminiscent of episodes in mythology, such as David vs. Goliath, where victories are achieved despite insurmountable challenges. During moments of jubilation to celebrate a triumph, people often forget the journey, the agony, and the obstacles. Trump is leading his country by example and inspiring all, especially those who have become cynical, that there is still hope if one perseveres, strives, and remains focused in the face of challenges. While we celebrate Trump's swearing-in and the dawn of a new era, we must also celebrate the journey where seemingly insurmountable obstacles were overcome. Image: AT via Magic Studio LA mayor Karen Bass knew one shocking image to keep under wraps during her tour of the fire-ravaged city. She wasnt about to address the scandalous scene of more than 100 emergency vehicles -- a crippling number of fire trucks -- lying idle in a massive parking lot in Los Angeles (located at North Avenue 19). Residents were later treated to the image on CNN as their communities were burning to the ground in the Southland. Mayor Bass, obviously, knew the vehicles were in need of repair and maintenance, and for that reason could not be dispatched at the citys most critical hour. Such an appalling scene of incompetence was merely a glimpse into the mayors runaway failures and commitment to DEI follies. Mayor Bass and her cronies controlled a whopping (wait for it) $12.8 billion budget for the 2024- 2025 fiscal year. So why couldnt they maintain 100 emergency vehicles? Mayor Bass, who spared no expense for personal travels, had made the now infamously tragic decision to defund $17 million from the LAFDs already inadequate budget. A few million taxpayers are asking themselves, where did all the money go? This question, in a city with the nations highest taxes, is now the focus of a proliferation of scandalous headlines surfacing in the media. One particularly sordid headline reads: LA Mayor Karen Bass Office Hit with Scandals Over Hush Money, Bribes and Accusations of Legalized Corruption. Mayor Bass, and her cronies, worked hard to suppress the 1,400 pages of documents (cited in the lawsuit) serving as the basis of the exposes of the mayors completely inept leadership. Ironically, Bass may have regarded the lawsuit as an UXB (unexploded bomb) until now. No one paid much attention when the lawsuit was filed by the public-minded non-profit group Consumer Watchdog and the Los Angeles Times, dating as far back as 2019. Its hard to cherry-pick the more scandalous assertions made in the lawsuit: But the media is focusing on the alleged unpardonable misconduct by city officials including: Janisse Quinones, a friend and fellow progressive of the mayor, awarded a $750,000 salary, almost double her predecessor, to become CEO of the Department of Water and Power; and Legalized shakedowns of businesses given the proper sounding name, Behested Payments, which were alleged donations to the mayors office. AT&T and Coca Cola were named among the corporations making donations. And, of course, the flagrant misuse of public funds and tragic failure to allocate necessary resources to maintain the citys firefighting infrastructure. We have a pay-to-pay culture in Los Angeles, said Susan Shelley, a member of the editorial board of the Southern California New Group and vice president of communications for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. Shelley has been an annoying voice of integrity attacking the mayors office and her like-minded progressives. As for the Behested Payments, Shelley asserts the policy is better known as extortion in government circles. There were other voices of integrity issuing warnings years in advance: Jenny Park, a former top-ranking attorney with the LAFD, must have taken some satisfaction in knowing her dire warnings -- about top officials blatant ethical lapses and violations of duty -- are now coming to the publics attention. Her 14-page complaint served as the basis for exposing the cesspool of misconduct in the LAFD, according to a Daily Mail article. Toxic Civil War Breaks Out at LA Fire Department as Ex-Top Official [Park] Comes Back to Haunt $654,000-a-year Fire Chief, read a recent headline. Park alleges that Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, a self-identified proud lesbian, failed to promote personnel on the basis of merit; her Deputy Chief Orin Saunders, a gay African-American, allegedly engaged in a conflict of interest when attempting to arrange a city contract: and Chief Crowley, and top administrators, failed to consistently enforce rules and regulations impartially and routinely engaged in violating city procedures and ethics rules. If that werent enough, Park alleges that Chief Crowley had conveniently ghosted her numerous requests for the fire chief to return a $37,000.00 overpayment: This was in addition to the chiefs $654,000.00 annual salary. Park, in a perverse twist of outcomes, was fired by Chief Crowley. She was told not to return to the office in December 2023. The $37,000.00 overpayment remains outstanding. It was one thing for Crowley to ignore Parks numerous fiscal requests, but it will be quite another to ignore a front-page story in an international newspaper. Perhaps the final word in this debacle belongs to firefighter Freddy Escobar, president of the LA United Firefighters and 35-year veteran. He broke down in tears, in a CNN interview, describing his attempts to warn city officials -- for years -- about the loss of life waiting to happen. If we cut one position, if we close one station, he had warned at a city council meeting, The residents of Los Angeles are going to pay the ultimate sacrifice and someone will die. Such a prophetic warning is eerie to watch in outtakes of firefighters pleading with council members, in recent months, to act responsibly on behalf of the publics welfare. Firefighter Escobar undoubtedly was among the LA residents watching as Mayor Karen Bass, who loved to travel, returned from a trip from Ghana on Jan. 8 as LA burned. She had enjoyed five international trips in the past year (including three to France). This must have left many firefighters and taxpayers wondering how many emergency vehicles could have been serviced had the mayor chosen to spare the taxpayers her expenses (i.e. airfare, hotel, meals, etc.), and used the funds instead for lifesaving services. And that would be a $12.8 billion tip of the administrative boondoggle. Recently, the incoming Trump administration has expressed a desire to expand the territory of the United States. One option for achieving this is the annexation of Marie Byrd Land, a region of Antarctica that is currently unclaimed by any nation and whose exploration was pioneered by the U.S. Annexing this land can be done in a realistically achievable manner and would deliver practical gains. Marie Byrd Land is a region in West Antarctica that currently comprises the largest unclaimed piece of land on the surface of Earth. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) describes it as stretching east of the Ross Ice Shelf and the Ross Sea and south of the Pacific Ocean, extending eastward approximately to a line between the head of the Ross Ice Shelf and Eights Coast. It has an area of about 620,000 square miles. It was named in 1929 by Richard E. Byrd in honor of his wife Marie. Richard E. Byrd was an American who led several exploration missions to Antarctica, with his first expedition in 1928 and his last expedition in 1956. On Dec. 1, 1959, the Antarctic Treaty was signed and in 1961 went into effect and set the basic criteria for how Antarctica has been governed since. Under Article IV of the treaty, most of the territorial claims at the time were frozen as it states, No new claim, or enlargement of an existing claim, to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica shall be asserted while the present Treaty is in force. However, this does not apply to the United States because the U.S. reserved the right to claim territory in Antarctica. The April 7, 1959 National Security Council Report NSC 5905/1 Statement of U.S. Policy On Antarctica, declares that the United States on numerous occasions in diplomatic notes and publicly has expressed its policy of reserving all its rights in the area and that one possible course of action for the United States to pursue in protecting its rights and interests in Antarctica would be to assert specific territorial claims of sovereignty in Antarctica. In the policy guidance section of the NSC report, it explicitly states if required at any time for the protection of U.S. interests, claim the unclaimed area of Antarctica and reserve U.S. rights in the areas claimed by other powers or make claims in such areas as deemed appropriate. The report also notes that "the United States has important potential claims based on discovery, and exploration, scientific and other activity, both within the other national claims and in the unclaimed sectors" and goes on to further discuss the details supporting the basis of those claims. This report detailing reserved claimant status enables the US to claim any unclaimed land in Antarctica if it wants. In 1980, the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources was passed, which regulated fisheries south of the 60th parallel south, and is enforced by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). The CCAMLR has established Marine Protected Areas in several areas around Antarctica, with the South Orkney Islands in 2009 and the Ross Sea in 2011, and several others have been proposed. However, Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) generally extend 200 nautical miles from shore. This means that for resources between the 60th parallel south and 200 nautical miles out, the US would have exclusive rights over them. This would give the U.S. control over fisheries in the EEZ. That area has large populations of commercially exploitable sea life. One of these is krill, which is used in nutritional supplements such as krill oil, as well as being used as feed for farmed fish. Another of these is Chilean Sea Bass, which is widely consumed as food. These resources are currently being harvested by fishing vessels from multiple countries. Annexation of Marie Byrd Land would enable the U.S. to establish a managed fishery in that section of ocean that would ensure that those sea life resources would be harvested in a more sustainable manner and that the U.S. would be the one benefitting from it. These sea life resources would be able to be harvested soon after annexation. Additionally, there is the theoretical potential for oil and gas deposits, large amounts of which have been found relatively close by in the waters of British Antarctic Territory in 2024. The Antarctic Treaty is set to expire in 2040. If it is not renewed, then the U.S. would have the opportunity to exploit natural resources on the mainland of Marie Byrd Land directly as well. A 1974 study conducted by the USGS titled "Mineral resources of Antarctica" conducted throughout the whole of Antarctica found that Marie Byrd Land has large coal deposits, as well as many sites that have the potential for geothermal energy production. Annexing Marie Byrd Land in Antarctica would advance the goal of the Trump administration to expand the territory of the United States. It would also deliver practical gains both during the Trump administration and in the future. Zachary Leshin is a former congressional staffer who has worked extensively in foreign policy. Image: Pixabay, via Picryl // Pixabay License If you ask people who William McKinley was, most of them will just shrug. McKinley was president at the turn of the 20th century. Though little remembered, he was one of the most consequential presidents ever. He was also the third president to be assassinated. He has a VIP admirer here in the early 21st century. Thats Donald Trump. Trump has a single four-year term in office to accomplish epic change. But so did McKinley. Well, actually, his presidency was a term and nine months. He was killed in September 1901. McKinleys election in 1896 reinvigorated the flagging Republican majority. That majority grew out of Lincolns 1860 election and the subsequent civil war. Trumps mission isnt to reinvigorate an existing majority. No, no... His mission is to break the gridlock that has bedeviled politics throughout the first decades of this century. He means to solidify a Republican majority grounded on America First principles. Breaking the gridlock began last November. Working-class and middle-income voters backed Trump. Hes embarking on a huge national course correction. His success or failure over the next four years will decide the nations fate. If Trump fails, the nation lapses back into the mire of the last quarter of a century -- or even worse. Twenty-five years of unremarkable presidents (including sly Barack Obama) and gridlock culminated in Joe Biden, a dementia patient who was a tool of cynical elites (raise your hand, Barack). Historically, Bidens administration bottom-dwells along with Jimmy Carters and James Buchanans presidencies. Just cleaning up the mess left behind by Puppet Joe is challenging enough. McKinleys term was remarkable in that he ushered the U.S. onto the world stage. The U.S. began flexing its muscles globally. McKinley annexed Hawaii. That has benefitted American vacationers ever since -- oh, and, yes, it proved to have strategic importance. Hawaii was critical to U.S. success in the war with Japan. It remains critical today in relationship to the PRC and Asia Pacific. McKinleys presidency hinged on his campaign theme during the 1896 election. He promised voters a full dinner pail. He delivered. He erected tariffs that protected domestic markets. He signed into law the gold standard, to the distress of William Jennings Bryan, who was a free silver champ. Gold proved a boon to finance and the economy. Trump has his own version of a full dinner pail. Yes, tariffs are part of it. Her doesnt intend to build unbreachable walls to trade and foreign investment. What he aims for is fair trade, along with -- wait for it -- common sense protections. For the better part of this century working- and middle-class Americans have seen wages and living standards deteriorate. In the nations history, no majority coalition has endured without the backing of the Great Middle. From farmers and tradesmen to industrial workers and middle managers to, today, information-age workers and blue-collar folk, a lasting GOP majority happens only with Americas broad middle as the base. What McKinley and his brain trust -- including the wily Mark Hanna, a master campaign and political operator -- grasped was that the burgeoning industrial age required new and better responses. Trump faces similar challenges. Hes harnessed ubersuccessful entrepreneur Elon Musk -- Vivek Ramaswamy is moving on, per reports -- to dramatically revamp the federal government. The rapid development of AI and a host of other society-altering changes require a helluva lot of better policies and governance. Uncle Sam needs to be leaner, meaner, and purged of as many corrupt and incompetent players as possible. Accomplishing that is no small feat. Musk is unfazed. DOGE -- the informal Department of Government Efficiency, which is the brainchild of Musk and Ramaswamy, is Trumps tool. Of course, D.C. lifers like things just the way they are, thank you. The Washington Examiner reports, January 13: According to a new survey shared with Secrets, they not only dislike President-elect Donald Trump, but they are planning to resist his efforts to reform and drain the swamp. The Examiner continues: Some 80% of government managers who voted for Harris told the survey for Scott Rasmussens Napolitan Institute and RMG Research that they would resist Trump when his team takes office on Jan. 20, a week from Monday. One word for that collection of D.C. backstabbers and passive-aggressive paper-pushers: Nuts, as General Anthony McAuliffe said to the Germans. Trump wants a big fight. He wants historic change. Some commentators have remarked that Trump being cheated out of reelection in 2020 was providential. That seems right. Four years of Bidens handlers mucking things up was a gift. It provided a stark contrast with Trumps tenure. You dont know what youve got until you lose it. President Trump even made gains in blue states. Be scared Democrats, very scared. Four needless years of high costs, a border ripped opened, and metastasizing crime -- all thanks to congressional, big city, and blue state Democrats -- put the hurt on millions of Americans, regardless race, creed, color, and party preference. A Trump-built GOP majority will reflect demographic changes among the Great Middle. So-called progressives have an unsurprisingly unfavorable view of McKinley. Chris Lehmann at The Nation thinks Trump admires McKinley for a lot of cliche bad reasons. Trump, claims Lehmann, regards the presidency as a helpmeet to private business interests. He slammed McKinley falsely for the same thing. Never mind that Democrats began crawling into bed with corporate and big tech poohbahs when Barack Obama occupied the White House. Whose presidential campaign raised a billion dollars -- yet still ended with a debt? Most of Kamala Harris cash wasnt raised from moms and pops. By contrast, Trumps campaign raised about $400 million. Trumps America First principles favor U.S. business, with an emphasis on entrepreneurs, small businesses, and independent contractors (a growing cohort). Tariffs, as mentioned, are a means of leveling the playing field. Why keep giving legs up to China, Mexico, and Germany? Unleashing the oil and gas sectors will lower energy costs. Thatll have a strong ripple effect throughout the economy, helping cut grocery, gas, and utility costs. Trump, claims Lehmann, is an imperialist in McKinleys mold. Yes, McKinley did usher in Americas role on the world stage. He annexed Hawaii. Hawaiis acquisition proved pivotal in defeating Japan in the Pacific war. The Spanish American War snagged Cuba and the Philippines. But Trump is no imperialist. Hes really calling for a revival of the Monroe Doctrine. Acquiring Greenland would greatly benefit national security. The Panama Canal is critical to U.S. commercial and naval transport. Trump will not allow the Canal to fall under PRC control. Canada as the 51st state was Trumps way of belittling odious Justin Trudeau out of office. Trade imbalances favoring Canada need to be redressed. Democrats are now the party of neocons, the military-industrial complex, forever wars, and military occupations that are fobbed off as democracy building. Democrats have morphed into the party of big government, big business, big labor, big education, big media, and big nonprofits. What does that add up to? How does big tyranny sound? McKinley delivered for the workingman and elevated the U.S. to global power status. His presidency was an outsized success. He won so much that GOP dominance was assured for a generation. Donald Trump plans to do the same thing today. J. Robert Smith can be found at X. His handle is @JRobertSmith1. At Gab, @JRobertSmith. He blogs occasionally at Flyover . Image: AT via Magic Studio It was disheartening news to many to read that Joe Biden, on his last day in office, decided to blow up the joint on the way out by issuing pardons to every freak who's mendaciously and malevolently targeted President Trump through politicized prosecutions, as well as his entire corrupt mafia of family members who've grown rich based on dirty business deals with enemy nations. And this is why the US is now the biggest banana republic of them all: criminal pardoned before they are even charged. pic.twitter.com/cWKwhsD7lq zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 20, 2025 While blanket pardons of undeclared crimes over an extended period seem legally dubious and well outside the scope of presidential pardoning authority, the reality remains that for now, they're getting away with it. They're skating. Zero consequences for lying, stealing, and selling America down the river, and that's an outrage that cries out for remedy. Rep. Chip Roy, a leading Republican from northern San Antonio, Texas, has some useful ideas for making lemonade out of these Biden lemons: Implication is that they needed the pardons So, lets call them all before Congress and demand the truth. If they refuse or lie - lets test the constitutional reach of these pardons with regard to their future actions. https://t.co/Cu12JRTFhg Chip Roy (@chiproytx) January 20, 2025 A truth commission wouldn't be a bad idea. Because, as pardonee and former Rep. Adam Kinzinger explained it: It would be pretty useful to hear him bawl for the cameras about why he accepted his from dirty Joe. By legal definition, pardons require crimes committed: You accepted a pardon. pic.twitter.com/eKHX3RjDhH Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) January 20, 2025 And accepting a pardon requires admitting one had commited those crimes: According to Grant Stinchfield, writing at GatewayPundit: A Presidential Pardon does not take effect unless the suspect accepts it. That according to a little known, 1915 ruling from the Supreme Court, once accepted, the pardon serves as an imputation of guilt, or whats more commonly known as an admission. Because accepting the pardon is essential to its validity, I am demanding the Biden family, Dr. Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, the members of the J6 Committee and everyone else Biden unsurprisingly pardoned declare their acceptance of the pardon publicly. Because, according to the Supreme Court, it would also serve as a declaration of guilt. So ... If Fauci, Liz Cheney, and the Biden crime family accept the pardons, they are admitting guilt. Furthermore, by accepting the pardons, they can be compelled to testify without the protection of the 5th Amendment. Just sayin. pic.twitter.com/cBK5OnmEga Lepanto Institute (@LepantoInst) January 20, 2025 And the definition of irony. pic.twitter.com/4hsy4Gx3U2 The Only James Magelk (@TheMagelk) January 20, 2025 Didnt you accept a pardon today? You clearly committed crimes per Biden DOJ. You can no longer play the, I am perfect card. Youre a felon, who was pardoned. pic.twitter.com/cgcuFBzA8e Karson (@spreadlove2024) January 20, 2025 Mark Levin even has a few questions for pardonee Liz Cheney: What did Liz Cheney know and when did she know it Dizzy Lizzy Cheney: she needed a pardon because she orchestrated a Stalinist-like investigation. Tell us, Dizzy, what role did you play in destroying massive amounts of committee evidence? If none, then say so. Since you and Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) January 21, 2025 If they've accepted the pesidential pardons, they have no right to 'take the fifth' to silence to avoid self-incrimination. If the congressional subpoenas are enforceable, they would have to testify as to why they got those pardons, which means they'll have to admit their wrongdoing, and that, in turn, could be exposed from the congressional bully pulpit. While all of these people do need to be held up to public scorn, there is a higher aim than mere revenge, as the leftists and deep staters will argue. Megan McArdle posts a tweet from someone who argues that a truth commission is key to finding out who was running the Biden White House given that it sure wasn't senile Joe, something that does need to be probed and exposed to prevent it from happening again: I have harbored similar suspicions: "I remember that Donald Trump had only one good line during his first (and only) debate against Joe Biden primarily because he needed do nothing else but remain functional while Biden melted like a wax candle beside him and it was his Megan McArdle (@asymmetricinfo) January 21, 2025 Roy has several things in mind with this truth commision approach: BREAKING: Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX) plans to have Liz Cheney, Anthony Fauci, and Mark Milley testify before Congress to challenge the scope of Biden's "Pre-Crime" Pardons. This move tests the Constitutional limits of presidential pardons versus congressional oversight. pic.twitter.com/BROKNkpGc7 Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) January 20, 2025 That could be exceptionally useful. The other thing is, the pardons now leave the real villain here, Joe Biden himself, exposed to testimony about his treasonous and dimwitted behavior, contrary to everything the voters wanted. Let Joe take the heat and fire now all by himself, he's pardoned his confederates and enablers. As for revenge, and all of Biden's claims, since deleted from his website, about fears of politicized prosecutions, all I can think is, well, who moved the Overton window over there? Who started it with lawfare, bringing charges in the most creative and never-tried ways possible? That's right, them. Now they're crying about 'revenge,' which is exactly what they need to prevent them from doing it again. Yet Biden is trying to escape all consequences of his acts which he unjustly benefited from, along with his selected cronies. Since it was so politicized, what's interesting now is the list of those who didn't get them. Not pardoned: Jack Smith and his team of thugs Merrick Garland Lisa Monaco George Toscas Matthew Graves Chris Wray Steven DAntuono Julie Kelly (@julie_kelly2) January 20, 2025 This one's downright funny: Liz, you're a useful idiot and should be grateful you didn't get thrown under the bus like this useful idiot did... pic.twitter.com/4BpmqY9Jgf Brian Kennedy (@Brian_Kennedy) January 20, 2025 Sounds like they asked and got told 'no,' or in the case of the Vindmans, they just weren't important enough. Now they realize they were suckers. Some, such as Garland can safely be said to be on Biden's sh-- list for not taking down Trump, hard as they plotted, schemed and tried. Biden is known to have been angry at Garland for allowing Hunter Biden to be investigated for tax fraud and other matters. Hunter, of course, got his pardon, but not Merrick, which means there might be a pretty good tell-all book coming his way ahead of potential testimony if the prosecutors don't get him first. Whatever it comes to, the ground is now hot under the feet of the pardonees. What indeed did they do over that long span of activities that got them their pardons? Image: Screen shot from YouTube video short Among the more interesting rhetorical questions raised by the most recent California wildfires is can Democrats/socialists/communists (D/s/cs) confronted with blazing reality they cant ignore or explain away, change? Its a rhetorical question because like all rhetorical questions, the answer is so obvioushell no!it need not be spoken aloud. Alternatively, it might be answered by another rhetorical question: are you kidding? HBO Real Time: host Bill Maher, long an apparent D/s/c, has in recent years, shown signs of having been whacked good and hard by the reality stick. He has breached one taboo after another and actually criticized D/s/cs, including former President Biden, long before it became more or less permissible for true believers. In a recent monologue, he went even further, perhaps farther than hes gone to date in breaking with D/s/c holy writ: Graphic: YouTube Screenshot A lot of Democrats in this one-party state this week went right to, dont blame politicians, you cant do anything about the wind, which is exactly half true, the wind part. Yes, fire is a tough fight out here, and yes, global warming absolutely makes it worse. But thats largely out of our control. What are we going to do? Pass a ballot measure to make sure [the] Chinese stop burning coal? He's pretty close to seeing global warmingdoesnt he remember its now climate change?as a hoax, but hes not quite there. Axios ran a story on how getting the water out of the hydrants in Pacific Palisades was more complicated than it seems. Im sure it is. Im sure its very complicated. Thats why I pay 13% of my income in this state every year to people who I assumed were working on things like this. When asked why so many of the hydrants in the Palisades ran out of water, Gov. Newsom (D) said, The local folks are trying to figure that out. Yeah, youve got to do that before the fire. At least in the Palisades, the hydrants were still there. 300 other ones around the city are just gone, stolen for parts. One of the three reservoirs for the Palisades was offline at the one time of year when it was most needed. This is better: L.A.s Mayor, Karen Bass, the Nero of American politics, was fiddling in Ghana while the city burned and later placed the blame on eight months of negligible rain and winds that have not been seen in L.A. in at least fourteen yearsMaybe look in the history books to see how our ancestors handled it back in 2011. The Mayor said about cuts to the fire departments budget, there were no reductions that were made that would have impacted the situation. The fire chief here had a slightly different take. She said, we are screaming to be properly funded, and yes, the budget was cut and it did impact our ability to provide service. And by the looks of all the fire engines in the boneyard out of service because we didnt fix them, shes right. Hes doing much better on taxes: He added, California is the place that spends money and gets nothing, which is why you may have noticed when the fires broke out, no one escaped by high-speed rail. We have the highest marginal tax rate in America, higher than almost all other states, and soon, Greenland. What is included for that? Breadsticks? Because it clearly doesnt cover fire. Thats governments job, protect us from crime, violence, theft, fire We just got our ass kicked by fire, something Neanderthals fought to a tie. He does have a way with words when he doesnt let political correctness get in the way. Even this is trending in the right direction: Graphic: YouTube Screenshot Maher further stated, The good news is, our fire chief is a lesbian. Am I against a lesbian being chief? Of course not. Do I think a lesbian can do the job? Of course, I do. And maybe shes the best person for the job or maybe they really wanted a lesbian in that job and shes just the best lesbian for the job, and with essential services, thats not good enough. He ended strong, and reasonably, with this: But its also not wrong to associate some of the unforced errors our government made with the things normies see as hallmarks of uber-progressive politics, questionable budget priorities, high taxes that get you nothing, making everything about identity politics, virtue-signaling overseas instead of tending to the nuts and bolts at home. Cali has no shortage of safety commissions and agencies and bureaucrats and regulators, and, of course, sign language interpreters who communicate with their face. But common sense? We better get some of that back soon, because wildfires in California are like boob jobs in a strip club, inevitable, and theyre only going to get bigger. Will some Californians fully recover? Maher demonstrates its possible, but its a long process. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. At left, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gestures as he speaks during the inaugural parade in Washington, D.C., on Monday. At right, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wears cowrie shells to an inaugural event. Photos by Angela Weiss / AFP, via Getty Images and Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images Politicians are known for making statements without ever uttering a word. Those attending President Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday were no exception. So it begs the question: Why did Elon Musk make a gesture that looks like the "Facist salute" at the event, a celebration of Trump's second term? The billionaire thanked Trump and then placed his hand to his heart before extending his arm above his head with his palm facing down. He turned around and repeated the gesture. Network journalists pointed out Musk's salute in real time, and many on social media were outraged by its resemblance to the salute popularized by Adolf Hitler. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Anti-Defamation League, a nonprofit formed to fight antisemitism and bigotry, instead defended Musk, referring to it as "an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge. In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath." Then there was Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who attended the inauguration wearing a judicial robe with a large cowrie shell necklace. Many online called out the fashion choice as reminiscent of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburgs famous dissent collars. That may be true. But the African cowrie shells had a deeper meaning. The small, light beige shells are used in African cultures as a symbol of prosperity and protection from evil. According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC, the shells were used like currency and traded for goods and services throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe. Historians speculate the shells may have been brought to America as a talisman to resist enslavement. Cowries are also often worn in braided hairstyles of Black women. Advertisement Article continues below this ad First Lady Melania Trump wore a Navy-inspired pencil skirt, high-neck blouse, and a double-breasted coat with a large brimmed Navy hat that nearly covered her eyes. She never removed the hat, not even inside the Capitol Rotunda. The hat's designer Eric Javits told ABC News that her outfit was political, too. "I think she was thinking of protocol and looking elegant and very simple in a way. Its a time of some restraint, and its really sort of a turning point to more conservative values," he said. Many Americans only heard of Karen Bass in connection with Californias recent and current wildfires. All they know is shes the mayor of Los Angeles, so they assume shes a leftist, likely a radical leftist. They have no idea. Graphic: X Screenshot Essential to understanding Democrats/socialists/communists (D/s/cs) doing so much damage to America is Discover The Networks, a project of the David Horowitz Freedom Center. The site provides up to date information on those people, groups and related topics, all solidly researched. One can be sure of that in that were the information not solid and accurate, leftists would have long ago sued DTN out of existence. DTNs entries on Bass are eye-opening. *Bass has spoken and written about her early communist influences, and in at least one book, she was identified as a former Black Panther. *Bass was long involved in the Venceremos Brigade, a communist front group founded by Fidel Castro and operated by Cuban Intelligence dedicated to the overthrow of America. During the Seventies, Bass personally made eight trips to Cuba as a brigandista. Shes made many more since. *In the 80s, Bass was affiliated with a Maoist organization: Line of March, whose leader and founder thought the Communist Party wasnt sufficiently radical. *In the 80s and 90s Bass was a frequent guest speaker for the Democrat Socialists of America and other far-left groups. *From 1990-2003, Bass was the executive director of The Community Coalition, an anti-police, anti-war on drugs group. *Responding to the Rodney King riots that destroyed large swaths of LA, Bass said: If people burned down those stores, they must have been unhappy with them, Bass told the Associated Press in a news report published on November 16, 1992. *Bass began in politics on the LA School Board, then the California State Assembly, and in 2010, to Congress where she was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. *Bass has long had ties to CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim Brotherhood front group dedicated to the slaughter of Jews and Americans. *She boycotted the 2015 speech before Congress by Benjamin Netanyahu because he was opposed to the Iran nuclear deal. *Praising Fidel Castro after his death she said his death was a great loss to the people of Cuba. *On the floor of the House in 2017, she also eulogized Oneil Cannon, a notorious American Communist Party official. *Her response to George Floyds death was predictable as she joined other radicals in Congress complaining about systemic racism that has plagued law enforcement agencies throughout our history. *She announced her 2022 run for LAs Mayor, saying: Our city is facing a public health, safety and economic crisis in homelessness that has evolved into a humanitarian emergency. Ive spent my entire life bringing groups of people together in coalitions to solve complex problems and produce concrete change especially in times of crisis. With my whole heart, Im ready. Lets do this together. Im running for mayor. Since then, homelessness has worsened, may have been a cause of some of the wildfires, and her statement was a foretaste of her priorities that led to those wildfires. *In 2023, she moved to dramatically lower hiring standards for the LAPD to fill the ranks with DEI hires. Given her background, her congressional voting record is also predictable. *She has consistently voted for abortion and against any restrictions. *She voted against a bill that would authorize the death penalty for the attempted murder or murder of a police officer or other first responder. *She voted against the Keystone Pipelineseveral times. *She voted against requiring federal regulators to approve or deny natural gas pipeline applications withing 12 months. *She voted against sanctions against Iranseveral times. *She voted against requiring Barack Obama to submit the Iran nuclear deal to Congress. *She has consistently voted to keep open borders and to dismantle immigration enforcement. *She voted against a bill that would have prevented hiring anyone delinquent in their taxes for federal employment. And the list goes on and on. Understanding her past, its easy to put her entitlement, and her support in the hierarchy of Californias D/s/c politics, into perspective. Karen Bass is a creature of the Communist/Islamist left. Shes a reliable supporter of their goals and an enemy of America. What else would one expect of an LA Mayor in a state that thought allocating $50 million to Trump proof California while wildfires were raging was an urgent priority? Perhaps spending that money for fireproofing a state going broke might have been a better choice? Graphic: X Screenshot While Californians might not have known the particulars of her background, they surely knew her leftist pedigree. They elected her to give it to them good and hard, and she helped give them the wildfires. Shell surely apply her communist principles to the aftermath. Good luck, comrades. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. At a hearing in the U.S. Congress on Tuesday to consider Fox News host Pete Hegseth's candidacy for defense secretary, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) asked him a provocative question: whether Hegseth would approve of the use of force to capture Greenland if Donald Trump gives him such an order. Hegseth responded confidently and professionally: "One of the things that President Trump is so good at is never strategically tipping his hand so I would never in this public forum give one way or another." Hegseth's response demonstrates that the possibility of the island coming under U.S. control still exists. The discussion that unfolded in the media on this issue led the Danish government, according to The Wall Street Journal, to open a feedback channel with President Trump to discuss the Greenland issue. Copenhagen is reportedly ready to hold negotiations with the U.S. government on military and economic deals related to the island but wants them to take place behind closed doors. At the same time, it is doubtful that President Trump is interested in dialogue. He most likely will not coordinate his foreign policy with Denmark as Denmark seems to be implying, but will begin to implement a set of measures to transfer the island to Washington's control. There is a window of opportunity for this that the new U.S. administration can (and should) take advantage of. It is known that Greenland, which is an autonomous entity within Denmark, may secede from the kingdom following a national referendum. Greenland's current prime minister, Mute Egede, has repeatedly said the island will seek its independence. Locals say they are discriminated against by the Danish government, which neither provides them with equal pay nor gives similar opportunities in education and health care. At the same time, it is obvious that Greenlanders, despite the desire to secede from Denmark, are unlikely to gain prosperity without foreign subsidies; half of Greenlands government budget is financed through a direct subsidy from Copenhagen, amounting to about $500 million a year. The following picture is emerging: Greenlanders, with their souls striving for independence, understand that their autonomy needs support from the outside. And at this point, President Trump appears on stage with an offer to join the United States. It is clear why the Republican needs it: Greenland's potential acquisition fits perfectly into the American First concept -- the interests of the country and its dominance in the world are becoming a national policy priority. The U.S. will have access to deposits of minerals, the development of which is at an initial stage due to the need for large investments and the labor intensity of extracting natural resources in a cold climate. In addition, Greenland's location will open new trade routes for the U.S. and strengthen Washington's influence in the Arctic, which President Trump especially needs to do, to put pressure on China and Russia. Another question arises -- do Greenlanders want this? A survey conducted by Patriot Polling, despite a small sample (416 residents), demonstrates that Greenland residents generally support a potential accession to the United States -- 57.3% of respondents are in favor of this scenario. And this is understandable -- the attractiveness of American investment in the Greenlandic economy is too high. President Trump, as an experienced businessman, understands that. However, he faces a more difficult task. The President's decision to acquire Greenland sets a precedent -- even the island's constitutional withdrawal from Denmark and its entry into the United States will create too loud a resonance due to the encroachment on European security. In this regard, President Trump should still take into account how Copenhagen will behave in this situation and what problems may arise if dialogue with the Danish government is avoided. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has already asked for a meeting with him, which indicates both the intention of the Danish authorities to discuss Greenland and its future, and that the words of the U.S. president were taken very seriously. However, if President Trump really decided to transfer Greenland to the American legal field, then it is necessary to act as soon as possible. There is no doubt that China is already planning a response. One thing is clear -- the acquisition/accession of the island to the U.S. could be the longest lasting political legacy of our president. For the first time in a long time, a country suffering from a controversial foreign policy full of failures and mistakes (Afghanistan, Ukraine, the Middle East) is able to feel strong and great again. This requires iron will and confidence. And President Trump no doubt has those qualities. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License All evening, my X feed updated me on the executive orders and pardons Trump has issued. We know that some will be contested, but on the whole, theyre solid and wonderful. Heres an overview of just some of what hes done so far. Trump began by rescinding dozens of Joe Bidens executive orders (EOs) because what one president can doeth, another president can undoeth. (This leaves me hopeful that Trump will rescind JFKs execrable EO unionizing the federal workforce.) Trump ended all DEI programs, blocked climate change, initiatives, pulled back COVID overreach, ended protections for transgender people (i.e., mentally ill people) serving in the military, erased every one of Bidens pro-illegal alien EOs, brought offshore drilling back, withdrew sanctions on Israeli settlements, and renamed Cuba as a terrorist sponsor, among other things. Image: YouTube screen grab. There was so much more, though. Trump took myriad steps to block illegal immigration and deport illegal aliens. He began by taking a page out of the Biden playbook and declared a national emergency at the border, unlocking enhanced federal powers. Next, he declared that foreign nationals illegally entering America is an invasion and blocked all illegal alien entry into America (counter to Bidens policy, which allowed them in, making it easy via an appan app that Trump immediately shut down). He backed this up with a second executive order to protect the American people from this invasion. Having established that illegal immigration is a serious problem, Trump reinstated the federal governments power to fight illegal immigration, listing all sorts of affirmative actions the government can take to block entry (build the wall, detain illegal aliens, start corralling illegal aliens at the border, adjust the meaningless parole policies, etc.). Trump also made good on his promise to use the American military at the border, which makes perfect sense. If this is an invasion (and it is), the military exists to repel invaders. The military will essentially become an ICE adjunct on the border itself. Trump also announced that birthright citizenship is over. As S. David Sultzer argued, based upon English common law (which is part of American law to the extent it existed at the time the Constitution was ratified) and Americas own law, Trump is right. Further steps were updating the refugee admissions program, which should limit admission to real refugees not just people escaping their governments mismanagement, and designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, which gives the government additional power to fight them. Trump acted to make the government more responsive and less insane. At the more responsive level, he reinstated the Schedule F policy, making it easier to fire people. But he didnt stop there. Trump also ended DEI in federal hiring, making it a merit-based system once more and, more broadly, ended all DEI programs in the federal government. Trump also officially established DOGE. Trump also focused on gender madness in the federal government and under federal law. In what I consider an end gender madness EO, hes made it official that there are only two sexes (male and female) and that they are not changeable but are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality. It would have been shocking to all Americans before 2012 that this needed to be said, but it did. Now, the fed must entirely rid itself of any language that doesnt comport with reality, including identification documents and any policies that advance false realities. Thrillingly, Trump says that 2020s Bostock v. Clayton Countywhich expanded Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by saying that sex means gender identityis wrong. This position is legally untenable and has harmed women. He essentially said that the governments must effectively ignore it. Of course, Trump is setting up a big legal claim. I believe that Bostock will be overturned now that the Supreme Court has seen that Americans oppose transgender madness. Theres a lot more to the end transgender madness EO, so I urge you to check it out. For our new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Trump made it plain that the State Departments first order of business is to put Americas interests first. Trump helped Rubio out by strengthening protections against foreign terrorism. Part of this America First approach is that Trump withdrew from the World Health Organization. COVID revealed that this organization isnt about health but is about power. Trump also gave himself a bit of time to consider how best to get China out of TikTok. Hed like to make a deal so its sold and continues to operate, rather than ended entirely. Trump ha unlocked Americas energy potential. He declared a national energy emergency, announced that he intends to unleash[] American energy, ordered that Alaska be reopened to explore and produce oil and other minerals, paused the madness of offshore wind projects (which produce minimal usable energy and destroy natural marine habitats), opened oil and other minerals exploration in Alaska, and stopped allowing the world community to have a say over our environmental concerns, including oil and gas. This shuts up the UN and sees us withdraw from the Paris Climate Accords. Trump ordered a pause on all foreign aid for review to ensure that aid aligns with Americas national interests. I assume this means aiding our allies and using money, not weapons, to protect against Chinese incursions into sensitive geographic areas. However, it should stop funding LGBTQ+ puppetry in Bhutan or whatever other crazy stuff our government has been doing. Trump restored the application of the federal death penalty, which Biden paused and then attempted to rewrite via unconstitutional pardons based upon his disliking the applicable death penalty laws. Trump ended the security clearance for those government officials who claimed that the Hunter laptop was Russian disinformation. This isnt just symbolic. Those security clearances have a market value in the defense industry, so he made many of these people unemployable. As part of Making America Great Again, Trump also restored Mt. McKinleys name and renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Those are just some of the EOs. I havent covered all of them, nor have I addressed the memoranda to heads of departments, ordering them to bring back efficiency and sanity. Those were awesome, too And then there were the pardons. Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of all the January 6 defendants, which was an appropriate use of his constitutional pardon power. This was justice that was long overdue. Thus, unlike Bidens pardons for death row inmates and drug criminals, Trump was not saying, I dont like the law so Im writing it out of existence. Nor was he saying, that the next president might engage in acts Trump didnt like, so he was preemptively sheltering those closest to him. Instead, Trump rightly declared that the federal government abused and corrupted the laws of the United States and that these wrongful acts needed to be remedied. I know that Trump has only just begun, but this is a great start. Oh, one more thing: For those who support Israel, Hillel Fuld has a rundown of what Trump has done to support the tiny Jewish state in its existential battle against radical Islam: So. Biden pardoned the treasonous Mark Milley, pretty much everyone involved with the corrupt J6 Committee, the Biden Crime Family and notably, Capitol Police Officers who testified before that committee. Why would pardons for police officers be necessary? Arent they supposed to always be honest, to write nothing but completely honest, factual reports? Arent they supposed to always, when testifying, tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Why yes, they are, so why did Biden pardon them? Graphic: Twitter Screenshot Biden took pains to tell us we should not think these pardons indications of guilt. He told us a lot of thingswhenever his lips were moving in factthat turned out not to be true. With that in mind, consider this from the invaluable Kurt Schlichter: The fact is we have a dual-track justice system, which is intolerable. That means we must not tolerate it. That means we must not accept it. That means we must not pretend that any verdict rendered by it is fair or valid. That means we must not allow the people who imposed it upon us in order to silence us, intimidate us, and exact vengeance upon us for the crime of defying them to succeed. All of the J6 prosecutions are illegitimate, not because the actions of the J6 defendants are all pristine the vast majority are guilty only of thinking that as part of the People, they had a right to walk through the Peoples House but because they were not treated exactly the same way as those politically aligned with the people persecuting them. And there is no way to undo the taint of the two-tier justice system. There are reports that President Trump will commute sentences to get people out of prison, then follow up with a pardon process to evaluate each conviction. No, no, no. Every conviction every single one, including those by people forced to plead guilty (and they were forced) is tainted by the actions of the DOJ, the actions of biased judges, and the fact that the venue in DC was manifestly unjust. No J6 conviction can stand. Every conviction was unfair and unjust. But pardoning them would make us just like Democrat/socialists/communists (D/s/cs)! It would be just like Joe Biden! It would be throwing away the rule of law just to get back at them! No. It wouldnt. Every day across the nation, violent, malevolent criminals walk. They get off on technicalities, that really arent. They walk because cops screwed up, because prosecutors screwed up, because corrupt or incompetent judges screwed up and sometimes purposely rigged proceedings, but mostly, because the system worked. Defendants rights were violated, inadvertently or purposely, and when that happens, they get the benefit of the doubtinnocent until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. One can reasonably argue about the exclusionary rule and similar legal principles, but when the potentially guilty go free because the system violated their rights or was rigged, thats not violating the rule of law, but upholding it. Graphic: X Screenshot But some of the J6 defendants attacked police officers! Perhaps, but Schlichter is right. The entire DC system of justice is a cesspool, rigged against every one of the J6 defendants from the DOJ prosecutors to the corrupt, political judges to the juries, and to the Capitol Police who were so rigorously honest and ethical, Joe Biden gave them preemptive pardons. D/s/c favored thugs like Antifa and BLM attack police officers every day, and theyre seldom, if ever, prosecuted, so spare the faux concern over police officers. What remains is its not possible for Normal Americans, Republicans among them, to get a fair trial in DC, and this is true in spades for J6 accused. The savage cruelty and maliciousness of the corrupt Department of Justice and FBI must be repudiated. President Donald Trump must pardon every single one of their victims. There is no other alternative. There is no compromise. Anything less than a total repudiation of this pogrom validates the unspeakable evil perpetrated upon these patriotic citizens. Many J6 defendants have already been in prison for years. Many suffered medieval conditions in solitary confinement in the DC jail. By any reasonable, just, moral standard, theyve suffered enough for what will almost certainly be proved to be a government-provoked riot. There was no insurrection. American government was never in the slightest danger of overthrow. Congress critters were never in danger. It's time for the lies and coverups to stop. The process of ending the two-tiered, D/s/c system of injustice begins with the inauguration of Donald Trump. Step two is unconditional pardons for everyone involved. Step three is complete, non-politicized investigations of the J6 Committee, the DOJ and everyone involved in weaponing justice against Americans. Step four is doing actual, non-political justice against all who actually broke the law, affording them full due process. Bring those pardoned before Congress, where they cant plead the fifth, and when they lie, prosecute them for that. Thats the rule of law. Weve missed it. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. 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. Now that Trump is president (again), his enemies on the left are forced to come up with a new set of complaints. Gone is the fear of a dictatorship that would have ignored constitutional limits. Its also hard to call someone a Nazi when he is so helpful to the Jewish state of Israel, let alone his small group of Jewish grandchildren. So now the buzzword is billionaire, used to describe various villains within the Trump circle. There are good billionaires and bad billionaires. It all depends on ones politics. Bad billionaires can be typified by the dynamic DOGE duo of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. George Soros is the only good billionaire I can think of, since many billionaires prefer to stay out of politics so they can be left alone while they amass incredible wealth. And Vivek just bowed out of DOGE. Such straw villains are typical of the lefts knee-jerk aversion to the beneficial nature of free-market capitalism. Trump is now being libeled with the false accusation that he is bestowing undeserved tax breaks on his billionaire cronies. When I tell them that a durable statistic is that the top 5% of income-earners contribute almost 65% of the money collected by the IRS, I am told, No. Billionaires have unfairly favorable tax rates. I tell them, Didnt you hear me? Its all about the amount of money being paid. The U.S. has one of the most lopsided income taxes on the planet. But its really, really hard arguing with people who dont know what they are talking about. And imposed ignorance is thus the key to dogmatic conformity. These folks on the left are prone to believe whatever they are told by the anointed influencers. They never ponder the veracity of obviously untrue statements such as that Trump will refuse to leave office once his term is over...so American democracy will die. But this is all they have. It's starting to reach print that what has just happened here is happening in many other places. Leftist politicians the world over can appeal to only envy and victimhood. They are demonstrably incapable of properly administrating a modern complex government. The Los Angeles area wildfires are just a reminder of this problem. Thirty-four years ago, the leadership of the Oakland, Calif. fire department was obsessed with affirmative action hiring practices, while they ignored established wildfire-fighting methods and available training offered by the state. The day before that catastrophe, there was a small fire at a construction site. Once that was extinguished, the crew left the area. CalFires established procedure for such an occurrence requires a crew to babysit the site to make sure that there were no tree roots still burning underground. Sure enough, the next day, the wind picked up, and the fire reignited. This was told to me by a firefighter with the Berkeley department, who knew of the fire from the day before. He saw the smoke and turned his car around so he could report for duty. Emphasizing politically correct agendas, rather than being truly competent at assigned core functions, can lead to horrible consequences. This vulnerability, however, can often be concealed for quite some time, which at first allows for the continuation of such malfeasance. And it can also lead eventually to even greater catastrophes, which is why DIE and other political fads are being discredited all around the world. Image via Pixabay. Pixabay License. The winter of 2025 has been brutal for Europe, exposing the severe flaws of its over-reliance on wind and solar energy. As temperatures plummeted, countries grappled with electricity shortages, soaring energy prices, and the grim specter of blackouts. In the United Kingdom and Germany, two countries that have positioned themselves as global leaders in the adoption of renewable energy, the dangerous gamble of prioritizing wind and solar power over reliable energy sources is leaving millions vulnerable in the dead of winter. When the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine, backup energy sources -- usually fossil fuels or nuclear power -- must fill the gap. This winter is bringing reality into sharp focus. Britains Brush with Blackouts The U.K. narrowly avoided catastrophic blackouts this January, coming "within a whisker" of widespread outages, according to the National Grid. On multiple occasions, Britains grid operators scrambled to stabilize the system as freezing temperatures coincided with a prolonged drop in wind power generation. Wind turbines, which typically supply nearly half of Britains electricity, failed to deliver as winds died down during critical periods. This left the country teetering on the edge of disaster, relying on last-minute imports and emergency measures to keep the lights on. Adding insult to injury, the U.K.s gas storage capacity proved woefully inadequate. Despite warnings about low reserves, the country remains ill-prepared to meet sudden spikes in heating demand. With gas prices spiking and domestic production insufficient, Britain has now turned to expensive imports, driving energy bills to astronomical levels. The U.K. now holds the dubious title of having the highest electricity prices in the world -- a burden that is crushing households and businesses alike. Millions are struggling to pay their energy bills, forcing many to choose between heating and other essentials. Germanys Dunkelflaute Reality Germany's situation is equally concerning. The country's Energiewende (energy transition) policy has made it heavily reliant on wind power and susceptible to "dunkelflaute" -- weather conditions characterized by low wind and solar output. As unreliable sources faltered, Germany was forced to ramp up oil-fired power generation, driving short-term electricity prices to record highs. In December, gas-fired generation surged to levels not seen in years, while output of wind turbines plunged to historic lows. Energy experts warned that the countrys reliance on intermittent solar and wind is unsustainable. Moreover, Germanys decision to phase out nuclear power has left a gaping hole in its energy mix. Once a cornerstone, nuclear power has been replaced by a patchwork of wind, solar, and fossil fuels. Germanys ambitious energy transition has become a cautionary tale for the world. High electricity prices have eroded the competitiveness of its industries, sending them toward oblivion. Flawed Assumptions The root of Europes energy woes lies in the flawed assumption that green technologies can reliably replace fossil fuels. One wonders if European planners also assumed milder winters because of their predictions of global warming. In any case, the continued need for reliable heating during cold snaps highlights the dangers of planning critical infrastructure around uncertain -- even bogus -- projections about the weather and capabilities of green energy. Particularly frustrating is that these difficulties were foreseeable and preventable. A resilient power grid must be prepared for a range of weather conditions, including extended periods of cold with minimal wind and little sunshine. Traditional power systems, built around controllable -- rather than weather-dependent -- generation sources like coal, nuclear, and natural gas, are relatively straightforward to operate. In contrast, green grids require sophisticated forecasting, complex backup arrangements, and extensive international interconnections to maintain stability. This complexity not only increases costs but also introduces additional opportunities for failure. By clinging to the fantasy of 100% renewables, Europe risks condemning itself to an era of energy insecurity and economic decline. Physical reality always asserts itself eventually, and the costs of ignoring it fall most heavily on those least able to bear them -- people forced to choose between paying for electricity, food, and shelter. The mistakes of the U.K. and Germany this winter serve as a wakeup call for policymakers worldwide as they consider their own energy policies. Vijay Jayaraj is a Science and Research Associate at the CO2 Coalition, Fairfax, Virginia, U.S. He has an M.S. in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia, UK, a postgraduate degree in Energy Management from Robert Gordon University, UK, and a bachelors degree in engineering from Anna University, India. Image: Pexels/Victoria Murga Truth, by definition: that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality. Gods truth. Jesus told the truth. He said, I am the way, the truth and the life. He was crucified. The American Founders told the truth, including that humans are born with inalienable rights granted by their Creator. They were harassed, hunted down, vilified, called traitors, had their homes burned down, etc. Abraham Lincoln told the truth, including that slavery is a great evil. He was/is, in fact, known as Honest Abe. He was assassinated. Ronald Reagan told the truth: that government is the problem in many instances, that free market systems work best, that the U.S. would prevail and the U.S.S.R. would be left on the ash-heap of history, and that we are no more than one generation away from losing our freedoms, among others. (Hell, its happened within the last 4 years.) He was less than an inch away from being assassinated. Martin Luther King, Jr., told the truth: a person should not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. He was assassinated. Today, even amidst a plethora of hyperbole, President Donald Trump is telling the big truths: those pertaining to China, the economy, so-called liberals, the media, etc. And numerous academics, entertainers, and assorted statists, anarchists and elite power brokers/takers openly and endlessly fantasize about his demise. Tucker Carlson often tells the truth, dares to speak truth to power in the preferred vernacular of 1960s liberals. He and his family have been repeatedly threatened. George Orwell once noted: The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it. It was always thus. Today we are told by the mainstream media that those who burned buildings and rioted in our streets on behalf of George Floyd are perfectly within their rights to do so, and that those that oppose this are white supremacists. We can all clearly see that this is not the case. Yet we are told by reporters standing in front of burning buildings and looted out areas rife with vile graffiti that the protesters have been mostly peaceful. Truth is not in vogue at the moment. It has been supplanted by tolerance, except for tolerance of the truth, ironically. Which is why the Biden administration was ruthless in punishing those who defied social distancing orders but was utterly unwilling to prosecute those summarily destroying American cities. Will we survive? Can a nation that values tolerance over truth long endure? (Remember, President Reagan said we are never more than one generation away from losing our freedoms.) Frankly, to tell the truth, it doesnt look good. An addendum: there is no your truth or my truth, his truth or her truth. There is no black peoples truth or Irish pangender people named Pattys truth. How do we know this? Because, though one can say that 2+2 doesnt equal 4, water isnt necessary for human survival, or the Earth is flat, each of those things are still true. Your truth might be that fire isnt hot. But stick your hand in it and it will still get burned. Etc., etc. We can pretend that evil doesnt exist. We can pretend that Marxism is the best political system. We can pretend we are certain that the Earth will warm by, say, 2.1 degrees Celsius by 2100. We can pretend that there is no difference between males and females. We can pretend that abortion is a human right, but defending oneself, ones family and ones property against violent trespassers is not. We can pretend that the marriage of one man to two penguins is just as natural, valid and valuable to society as that of one man to one woman. But that simply doesnt make it so. Fake news may be news, but it is fake, nonetheless. The truth is: the truth is. It is up to us to recognize it. Deal with it. Embrace it. And tell it. No matter what. Or watch the last best hope of Earth slowly, painfully expire. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License Michael Cargill is an Austin, TX gun store owner. Under the Harris/Biden ATF, he was one of many Federal Firearm License (FFL) holders targeted by the ATF for license revocation. What did Cargill do? Illegally traffic in guns? Give them to Mexican drug cartels? Oh wait. That was the Obama Administration. Oops. He made a few minor paperwork errors on form 4473s, the form required when anyone purchases a gun through a FFL dealer. In several instances, people mistook the county: blank for country and wrote USA. Cargill didnt catch that, but ATF inspectors, unable to find any real violations, resorted to line-by-line scrutiny of 4473s, which dealers are required to keep, and tried to revoke his license. This sort of thing is known in law enforcement as a chickenshit charge, a picky, small-minded action that while technically legal destroys public support for law enforcement, a stupid move beneath honest, ethical officers. Cargill noted: Graphic: X Screenshot It's impossible for anyone to do what we do and not make any mistakes at all. You get people that walk into the gun store to fill out a 4473, which is the firearms transaction record. There's a hundred ways a person can mess up this form, if not more than that. There are a hundred different inputs that you actually put on the form. Even customers make mistakes when it comes to their name, their middle name, or their first name, they reverse it. On that little box, it says county, they put country. That does not mean that that person is going to get handed a firearms, and they're not supposed to. They're not a prohibited person. And so their license should not get revoked just for that simple little minor mistake. Thats only common sense. There are more than enough actual crimes out there, particularly thanks to Democrat/socialist/communist (D/s/c) weakness on crime and embrace of criminals. Because D/s/cs are obsessed with guns, one would think the ATF would focus on actual criminals rather than the occasional, utterly harmless paperwork error. But D/s/cs only want to deprive the law-abiding of their liberties, not criminals, and it's much easier and safer to go after FFL dealers than criminals. The tactic was common during the Clinton and Obama Administrations. Fortunately, Cargill and the Texas Public Policy Foundationthey take the Second Amendment seriously in Texasfiled a lawsuit, and before the case could be decided, knowing they were going to lose, and even if they won, Donald Trump would overturn them, Bidenites gave up: The new enforcement guidance reinstates the decades-long understanding that an honest mistake like writing USA in the field for county on a background check form is not a willful violation of federal law. For purposes of the regulatory provisions of the GCA, the terms willful and willfulness mean a purposeful disregard of, a plain indifference to, or a reckless disregard of a known legal obligation. Willfulness requires fact specific application of law, says the new guidance. Crucially, it also adds that Not every repeat violation is per se willful. A single, or even a few, inadvertent errors in failing to complete forms may not amount to willful failures even where the legal requirement to complete the forms was known. In light of his victory, Cargill has filed an unopposed motion to voluntarily dismiss the case, without prejudice, with the trial court. In federal circles, the ATF has long been known as a corrupt and incompetent agency. Other federal law enforcement agencies didnt want ATF agents, thinking them the bottom of the barrel. Now, that distinction might lie with the FBI. Sentiment for abolishing the ATF, long strong, is now stronger: Representatives Eric Burlison (R-MO-07) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO-04) introduced the Abolish the ATF Act, to safeguard Americans Second Amendment rights and protect law-abiding gun owners from the relentless bureaucratic overreach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). The ATF is emblematic of the deep-state bureaucracy that believes it can infringe on constitutional liberties without consequence, said Rep. Burlison. If this agency cannot uphold its duty to serve the people within the framework of the Constitution, it has no place in our government. I cannot imagine under any circumstance or administration where the ATF serves as an ally to the Second Amendment and law-abiding firearm owners across America. As co-chair of the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus, Im eager to continue this effort with Rep. Burlison to defend our constitutional rights. The ATF should be abolished before they eventually abolish our Second Amendment, said Congresswoman Boebert. It will be interesting to see if DOGE agrees with Representatives Burlison and Boebert. It will be more interesting, and very good for individual liberty, should President Trump agree and abolish the ATF. Theyve earned it. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. 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. The AI field has evolved by leaps and bounds in recent years. However, most AI-powered developments tend to focus on a specific task or set of tasks. The next big evolutionary leap in AI looks to be AGI (artificial general intelligence) technology. OpenAI, parent company of ChatGPT, is among the leading candidates to launch a mass-market AGI agent. That said, OpenAIs CEO warns that you should cut your expectations. If youre not aware, AGI refers to AI agents capable of performing any intellectual task that a person could do. Unlike current AI-powered developments, AGI agents are more adaptable to any area and more proactive when making decisions autonomously. For OpenAI, an AGI is a highly autonomous system that performs humans at most economically valuable work. Sam Altman says OpenAIs AGI isnt coming anytime soon, so cut your expectations 100x In early 2025, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, revealed in a blog post that developing AGI is the ultimate goal that led to the founding of the company. The post also states that OpenAI already knows how to build AGI, and that these types of entities could integrate into the workforce at some point this year. This and another post shared recently on X/Twitter led many to speculate that the firm was already working on an AGI, and that it could even arrive as early as next month. However, Altman himself is putting a stop to the rumors. On Elon Musks social network, the executive claimed that OpenAI is not gonna deploy AGI next month, nor have we built it. He also said that the company has some very cool stuff for you but pls chill and cut your expectations 100x! AGI agents have the potential to completely change the tech industry. While the current ones developed have already been transformative, the next evolutionary step in the segment could go even further. However, developing them is not easy, as you can imagine. After all, we are talking about software with a type of intelligence similar to that of a human. So, youll have to be patient to see a mass implementation of the technology. Samsung will launch the Galaxy S25 series tomorrow (January 22) during the first Unpacked event of 2025. The leaks have revealed many key details about the tech specs and new features that the devices will bring. Now, the latest report shows that the Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup will boast a new and exclusive display technology called ProScaler. The Galaxy S25 series will debut the Samsung ProScaler display tech Samsung will offer improved displays on the Galaxy S25 series, both on the hardware and software level. Regarding the latter, evleaks shared a leaked promotional image that confirms the existence of ProScaler. The picture says that the technology allows what you see on your devices screen to feel lifelike. It enables sharper visuals and brighter colors, the marketing material adds. Basically, ProScaler is a real-time image quality enhancement technology. Well have to wait for tomorrows event to have more details on how it will work. It would not be strange if it is one of those new AI-powered technologies that Samsung is implementing. Ice Universe, another reliable leaker, highlighted ProScaler as a Samsung-unique technology, although he didnt offer any further details. The same tipster claimed in previous leaks that the Galaxy S25 Ultras display will have noticeable quality improvements. Samsungs ProScaler screen technology will only work if you set the phones screen to QHD+ resolution. That is, there will be no support for WQHD+ mode, at least at first. The evleaks screenshot shows a comparison between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S25 Ultras displayswithout and with ProScaler enabled, respectively. Its possible that the technology will be available on all of the brands next-gen mobile flagships. Samsung will not use its newest display technology According to reports, the Galaxy S25 series will use Dynamic AMOLED LTPO displays, with Samsung implementing M13 (Plus), an upgraded version of the M13 display material. However, for unknown reasons, the company has not gone with the more modern M14. Samsung has already supplied M14-based AMOLED displays to companies like Google and Apple for the Pixel 9 and iPhone 16 series. Leaks have revealed that the Galaxy S25 devices will be available for pre-order starting tomorrow, with shipments beginning in February. China welcomes Nigeria's inclusion as BRICS partner country Xinhua) 09:05, January 21, 2025 BEIJING, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes and congratulates Nigeria on joining BRICS as a partner country, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday. Mao made the remarks at a daily press briefing after Nigeria joined BRICS as the bloc's ninth partner country. Nigeria is a major developing country and a significant country of the Global South, noted Mao, while adding that the country's participation in BRICS cooperation will not only serve Nigeria's development, but also the common interests of the bloc's members and partners and those of the Global South, which will make contributions to the development of the BRICS mechanism. The inclusion of a new partner country in the BRICS family marks an expansion of the representativeness of BRICS -- widening its appeal and influence, Mao added. Based on the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, China is willing to work with other BRICS members and partner countries to promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields, improve high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and make increased contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind, said Mao. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Brazoria County deputies pay their respects during funeral services Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 for Brazoria County Deputy Jesus Vargas at South Park Cemetery in Pearland after he was shot and killed earlier this week. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Many Texans gathered Monday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Alvin to honor the life of Jesus "Jesse" Vargas, the Brazoria County Sheriff's deputy who was killed last week. Vargas was attempting to execute an arrest warrant Wednesday as part of the U.S. Marshal's Violent Offenders Task Force when he was shot in a strip mall in southwest Houston. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. Vargas was 41. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Smoke clears after officers fire a 21-gun salute during funeral services Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 for Brazoria County Deputy Jesus Vargas at South Park Cemetery in Pearland after he was shot and killed earlier this week. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jesus Vargas is seen in an undated photo provided by the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office. Vargas was shot and killed Wed. Jan. 15, 2025 in Houston during a law enforcement operation. Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Motorcycle mounted officers lead a procession carrying the body of slain Brazoria County Deputy Jesus Vargas Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 after he was shot and killed earlier this week. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Law enforcement vehicles follow in a procession carrying the body of slain Brazoria County Deputy Jesus Vargas Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 after he was shot and killed earlier this week. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer A flag flies outside Alvin Fire Station 1 as the procession carrying the body of slain Brazoria County Deputy Jesus Vargas passes Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 after he was shot and killed earlier this week. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Vargas worked in law enforcement with the sheriff's office for 17 years. He also spent roughly the past two years on the U.S. Marshal's Violent Offenders Task Force. He is survived by his wife and three daughters. "Please remember to pray today for the family of Brazoria County Sheriff's Deputy Jesus 'Jesse' Vargas," Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton posted Monday on X . "Our thoughts and prayers are for the entire Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force in which he served, and the Brazoria County Sheriff's office." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Monday's proceedings started with a two-hour public viewing at the Alvin church. There also was a public viewing Sunday night at Grace Church in Houston. The topic of AI regulation worldwide remains unclear. Efforts to create related legislation quickly become obsolete in the face of the ever-emerging artificial intelligence capabilities and possibilities. Now, the Trump administration has revoked a Biden executive order concerning the study of potential risks in AI implementation. Bidens AI security and risks-related law revoked by Donald Trump If you are not aware, former President Joe Biden signed a law that required developers of AI products to report the results of strict security tests. The bill mandated that US officials receive the test results prior to their public release. It was also necessary to come up with protocols or measures for situations in which using that AI system could cause chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or cybersecurity risks. The law, framed in the Defense Production Act, applied to AI systems that represent a potential risk to national security, the economy, or public health. That said, its critics considered the reporting requirements to be too onerous. They could ultimately lead to delays in the development of new AI platforms and services that, in the long run, could cause the United States to fall behind in the segment. One of the promises of the Republican platform for the 2024 elections was the repeal of that law. Now, Donald Trump, the new president of the United States, has revoked Bidens AI-related executive order of 2023. A response to requests from AI local companies In recent weeks, prominent names in the AI industry have been warning the US government about Chinas rapid advance. Beijing getting ahead of the US in the segment could represent a national security risk. Plus, American tech could also become less attractive and competitive in the market. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Brad Smith, Microsofts Vice Chairman and President, have expressed themselves in this vein. Both said that the US government should do everything it could to help the local AI industry. Support should come in the form of funding, attracting foreign investment, and less regulation, they believe. So, Donald Trumps move seems to be going in this direction. Other recent measures by the previous administration also sought to hinder Chinas access to AI-related hardware. The problem with the social media age is that it has given a lot of people anonymity. This anonymity has allowed people to post things online that they would have never dared to say to another person in real life. Hate speech is a huge problem, and companies like X, Facebook, and Instagram have pledged to the EU to do more to tackle it. Pledging support At the moment, the terms and conditions of all social media platforms forbid users from posting content deemed to be hateful. However, this hasnt stopped users from doing so. Its not difficult to create a new account when a previous one has been banned or suspended. According to EU tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen, In Europe there is no place for illegal hate, either offline or online. I welcome the stakeholders commitment to a strengthened Code of conduct under the Digital Services Act (DSA). To that end, companies like Facebook, Google, YouTube, and X have all signed pledges to do more about it. This pledge is called the Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online Plus, an update to a 2016 code. Companies that sign the pledge agree to allow non-profit organizations or entities to monitor how they review hate speech notices. It will also allow them to assess at least two-thirds of these notices received within 24 hours. Companies will also have to implement the use of automatic detection tools, provide data on the organic algorithmic reach of illegal content, and classify country-level data. Will it be enough? Despite this, we cant shake the feeling that the pledge serves as mere lip service. It remains to be seen whether it will actually impact the level of hate speech. At the end of the day, its up to these companies to tackle the problem and whether or not they want to invest more time and resources into it. A lot of companies also want to strike a balance between being a safe platform without being too strict. If too many users leave its platform because they are too strict, they lose money. Its really as simple as that. That being said, these companies could learn a thing or two from countries like South Korea and China. These countries share one thing in common: they require users to use their real names when registering for online services. A government-linked ID usually accompanies this. This means that its harder for these users to hide behind a fake name. It also makes it easy to trace comments or activities back to them. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra launch event has just been confirmed for February. This information comes from the President and General Manager of Xiaomis smartphone division, Lu Weibing. He confirmed the news via Weibo. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra flagship has been confirmed to launch in February Just to be clear, Weibing did not flat-out say that the phone is coming in February. However, he said that it will launch shortly after the Chinese Spring Festival which begins at the end of January. So February is a given. An earlier rumor suggested that the phone will launch in February too. In fact, the global variant of this phone could launch as part of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. The global Xiaomi 15 is expected to arrive alongside it. Xiaomis exec did not really share any other details about the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. However, quite a few information did surface thus far, so we do know what to expect at this point. The Snapdragon 8 Elite will fuel the phone, the best chip Qualcomm has to offer. This was to be expected, as both the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro, which launched in China, use that processor. Four cameras are expected on the back The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is expected to feature a circular camera module on the back, a rather large one. A quad micro-curved display will be placed on the front, so the display itself will be flat. An ultrasonic fingerprint scanner will be placed under the display. A 6,000mAh battery is rumored for the device, a silicon-carbon battery. The phone will likely support 90W wired and 50W wireless charging, along with reverse wireless charging. A 50-megapixel main camera is expected, possibly a 1-inch type sensor. A 50-megapixel telephoto camera (3x optical zoom) is also expected, and the same goes for a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera. The last camera on the back will be a 50-megapixel ultrawide unit. Were only one day away from seeing the long-awaited Galaxy S25 series of devices. Millions of people are eager to get their hands on their new Galaxy phones as soon as they can. Well, Samsung will let you reserve your Galaxy S25 model today, and this will get you some money off of your purchase. As we know, Samsung will host its latest Unpacked event on Wednesday, January 22nd at 1PM EST (10AM PST). We know that well hear about the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra. Along with that, we also expect to hear about the Samsung XR headset that will go on to challenge the Apple Vision Pro. There were also rumors that Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S25 Slim during the event. If the company announces all of these devices, then itll be quite an exciting event. So, be sure to mark your calendars! Reserve your Galaxy S25 today We dont know how much these phones will cost, but you cant argue with saving a bit of money. Go to the official Reserve Offers page and enter the appropriate information in the text fields. Reserving a device is not the same as pre-ordering it. After you reserve your device, you will need to then pre-order your device to receive any savings. Once you do, youll get $50 off of your order. Youll need to both reserve and pre-order your device to reap the benefits. The benefits dont end there! When you reserve and pre-order, youll be eligible to receive up to $1,250 in additional savings. To top it off, youll also be eligible to receive a $5,000 Samsung gift card. These are some amazing deals. A $5,000 gift card will buy you some serious Samsung gear. Samsung Galaxy Experience Spaces If you want to experience the latest AI enhancements that Samsung has to offer, then youll want to check out the Galaxy Experience Space. If youre in New York, then theres one coming near you. Starting on January 22nd and running through February 22nd, you can experience it. Its happening at 500 Broadway. A plow truck is driving south bound on Interstate-69/US Highway 59 Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The 59 freeway is closed at the intersection of FM 762 on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle A abandoned car is seen on the 59 feeder road and the intersection of FM 762 on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Snow covers the roadway as cars traverse I45 Pierce Elevated northbound Tuesday, Jan 21, 2025 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer A vehicle is driving southbound of Interstate-69/US Highway 59 while the HOV lane is covered In the snow Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Follow along here for updates on road closures in the Houston area on Wednesday. The snowstorm in Houston and the rest of southeast Texas has, as promised, brought road closures to the Houston area as ice accumulates, especially on freeway overpasses. Many public officials, including Houston Mayor John Whitmire, have urged people to stay off the roads. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Texas Department of Public Safety has advised that if drivers get stranded on the side of the road, they should stay inside their vehicle, turn on their hazard lights and call 911 or Roadside Assistance. Drivers can find the Texas Roadside Assistance number on the back of their Texas drivers license, or call the help line at 1-800-525-555. If drivers can avoid getting on the road at all during inclement weather, they should stay put, DPS said. As of Tuesday evening, nearly all Houston highways had areas that were covered in ice and snow. TEXAS SNOW TRACKER: Real-time updates on snow totals in Houston Advertisement Article continues below this ad 56 locations with ice on the roadway. Stay off the roads! https://t.co/yGcxe08AsX Houston OEM (@HoustonOEM) January 21, 2025 Harris County The following roads were closed due to snow and ice in Harris County as of Tuesday evening: US-290 northwest eastbound and westbound at Beltway 8-West I-69 Eastex southbound at Townsen I-610 North Loop and I-45 Gulf northbound at FM-1959/Dixie Farm Road to I-610 South Loop SH-146 northbound and southbound at Texas Ave to SH-3 Beltway 8-West northbound at Bellfort to US-290 Northwest SH-225 westbound and eastbound at SH-134 Independence to Center Street FM-1093 Westheimer westbound at 610 West Loop to Harris-Fort Bend County Line SH-146 southbound and northbound at Kemah Bridge/Harris-Galveston County Line IH-10 Katy eastbound and westbound at IH-610 West Loop/ US 290 Direct Connect to Katy Fort Bend Road NASA Road 1 eastbound at IH-45 Gulf to SH-146 SH-146 northbound and southbound at Fred Hartman Bridge/Ship Channel IH-69 Eastex northbound at IH-610 North Loop to San Jacinto River IH-69 northbound at FM-2218 to Harris-Fort Bend County Line In Baytown, the Fred Hartman Bridge remained open as of 7:30 a.m. Tuesday with crews treating other bridges and roadways in the area. Drivers were encouraged to check for updates on the bridge's condition before driving. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fred Hartman Bridge Open TxDOT is reporting that the Fred Hartman Bridge is still open at this time. Crews are treating other bridges and roadways as well. We will continue to monitor the situation and will have updates as needed. pic.twitter.com/OeWAvyhaM4 City of Baytown, TX (@CityofBaytown) January 21, 2025 Fort Bend County The inbound sides of the Fort Bend Parkway and main lanes of Westpark closed starting around 7 p.m. Monday, according to the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority. Once those lanes closed, the authority closed outbound lanes. Closures on state Highway 99 in Fort Bend County followed, according to the Fort Bend Precinct 1 Constable's Office. As of around 6:30 p.m Tuesday evening, the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority had not announced any road re-openings. "Multiple road closures are being reported across the county due to worsening weather conditions. Avoid bridges and elevated roadways and do not drive around barricades," wrote Fort Bend County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on X. LIVE UPDATES: Houston shuts down in the wake of snow and ice storm Advertisement Article continues below this ad Multiple road closures are being reported across the county due to worsening weather conditions. Avoid bridges and elevated roadways and do not drive around barricades. Please stay off the roads if at all possible - it will get worse before it gets better. #WinterStormEnzo pic.twitter.com/AMosfLgU7u Fort Bend County Office of HS&EM (@fbcoem) January 21, 2025 Brazoria County The following Pearland bridges were closed Tuesday due to ice: Bailey Road Bridge Magnolia Parkway Bridge McHard Road Bridge N. Pearland Parkway Bridge at Clear Creek As of Tuesday evening, the City of Pearland had made no announcements about re-opening the closed bridges. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Galveston County The Galveston County Office of Emergency Management said bridges and overpasses were iced over, but that crews were continuously treating where necessary. Drivers were encouraged to avoid the roads and stay home if possible. Weather Update from the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management: Overnight Galveston County has received mostly sleet and rain, with further expected snowfall still totaling 4-6 inches in some areas. pic.twitter.com/Y3VvyhrkFD Galveston County OEM (@galvcountyoem) January 21, 2025 Both north and southbound lanes of State Highway 146 were closed Tuesday due to icy conditions, according to the Kemah Police Department. The elevated bypass for Highway 146 and the Kemah Bridge were also closed Tuesday, police said. As of Tuesday evening, both north and southbound lanes of State Highway 146, the elevated bypass for Highway 146 and Kemah Bridge remained closed. Britain faces a new threat of terrorism from extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms following the Southport murders, the Prime Minister has said. Axel Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty on Monday to murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside, in July. Despite contact with state agencies such as Prevent, aimed at countering terrorism, authorities failed to stop the attack which claimed the lives of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced an inquiry into the case on Monday evening, telling MPs on Tuesday the Government will consider the wider challenge of rising youth violence and that requests will be made to tech companies to remove online material accessed by Rudakubana. Despite a previous conviction for violence, at the age of 17 he was able to order a kitchen knife from Amazon which he used to fatally stab the girls, and Ms Cooper said the Government will bring in stronger measures to tackle knife sales online in the Crime and Policing Bill this spring. She also said the Government has ordered a thorough review of the killers referrals to the Prevent anti-terror programme to identify what changes are needed to make sure serious cases are not missed. This comes two years after the previous government vowed to swiftly implement a major overhaul of Prevent recommended by Sir William Shawcross amid a litany of concerns which had seen referrals for a string of extremists before they carried out terror attacks. Last year he claimed the public were being put at risk because key recommendations he made in his 2023 report on Prevent had been ignored by ministers. Addressing the nation on Tuesday, Sir Keir Starmer said: The predominant threat was highly organised groups with clear political intent groups like al Qaida. That threat, of course, remains but now alongside that we also see acts of extreme violence perpetrated by loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom accessing all manner of material online desperate for notoriety, sometimes inspired by traditional terrorist groups, but fixated on that extreme violence, seemingly for its own sake. The PM continued: My concern in this case is we have clearly got an example of extreme violence, individualised violence, that we have to protect our children from and our citizens from. It is a new threat, its not what we would have usually thought of as terrorism when definitions were drawn up, when guidelines were put in place, when the framework was put in place and we have to recognise that here today. He said the law and framework for responding needed to be appropriate to the new threat and whatever changes were necessary in the law would be made. Sir Keir continued: I do think its new. Youve seen versions of it in America with some of the mass shootings in schools. It is not an isolated, ghastly example. It is, in my view, an example of a different kind of threat and that is why Im absolutely so determined that we will rise to that challenge and make sure that our law, our response, is capable, appropriate and can deal with that sort of threat. Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty on Monday (Merseyside Police/PA) But that is my concern, that is my thinking that this is a new threat individualised extreme violence, obsessive, often following online viewing of material from all sorts of different sources. It is not a one-off. It is something that we all need to understand and have a shared undertaking to deal with within our society. That is not just the laws on terrorism, the framework on terrorism, its also the laws on what we can access online. We still have rules in place in this country about what you can see at a cinema and yet online you can access no end of material. We have to ensure that we can rise to this new challenge and that is what Im determined to do. Addressing the inquiry which was announced on Monday, Sir Keir said failures of state institutions in Rudakubanas case frankly leap off the page. He said: As part of the inquiry launched by the Home Secretary yesterday, I will not let any institution of the state deflect from their failure failure which in this case, frankly, leaps off the page. For example, the perpetrator was referred to the Prevent programme on three separate occasions in 2019 once and in 2021 twice. Yet, on each of these occasions, a judgment was made that he did not meet the threshold for intervention a judgment that was clearly wrong and which failed those families. And I acknowledge that here today. Mr Justice Goose said Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, will be sentenced on Thursday. He is not expected to receive a whole life order because he was 17 at the time of the murders. The measures can normally only be imposed on criminals aged 21 or over, and are usually only considered for those aged 18 to 20 in exceptional circumstances. Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff, also admitted the attempted murders of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. He further pleaded guilty to possessing a knife on the date of the attack, production of a biological toxin, ricin, on or before July 29, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism. The terrorism offence relates to a PDF file entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual, which he is said to have possessed between August 29 2021 and July 30 2024. The ricin, a deadly poison, and the document were found during searches of the home in Old School Close which he shared with his parents, who are originally from Rwanda. Documents about Nazi Germany, the Rwandan genocide and car bombs were found on Rudakubanas devices during police searches of his home. Sources said the material showed an obsession with extreme violence but there was no evidence he subscribed to any political or religious ideology or was fighting for a cause. Unrest erupted across the country in the wake of the Southport attack, with mosques and hotels used for asylum seekers among the locations targeted. In the hours after the stabbing, information spread online which claimed the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK on a small boat. The day after the attack, thousands turned out for a peaceful vigil in Southport, but later a separate protest outside a mosque in the town became violent, with missiles thrown at police and vans set on fire. More than 1,000 arrests linked to disorder across the country have been made since the attack, and hundreds have been charged and jailed. Rachel Reeves has said she expects to reveal multi-year spending plans for government departments in June. The Chancellor told Treasury questions that the spending review will conclude on June 11 and she will then present departmental budgets to the House of Commons. Ms Reeves has previously said the review will require government departments to find efficiency savings amounting to 5% of spending, with the Treasury acknowledging this will mean difficult decisions. The Chancellor Rachel Reeves was speaking in the House of Commons (PA) Speaking in the Commons, Ms Reeves told MPs: In December, I launched the second phase of our spending review where, for the first time in 17 years, every single pound of taxpayers money will be investigated line-by-line to ensure it is being spent well. The spending review will set resource or day-to-day departmental budgets until 2028/29 and capital departmental budgets until 2029/30. On June 11, when we conclude the review, I will present departmental budgets to the House. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said Ms Reeves had stressed the importance of spending money wisely, adding: Could I ask her, in light of the Treasury Select Committees conclusion that her new Office for Value for Money is a waste of money, would she agree that one of its early actions should be to abolish itself in order to save money? Ms Reeves replied: I was pleased to appoint Tom Hayhoe to run the Office for Value for Money, somebody who has got a track record of delivering value for money for taxpayers. What this Government wants to scrap is giving contracts to friends and donors because that was a colossal waste of money instigated by the party opposite. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Mr Stride then switched his focus to the increase in national insurance contributions for employers. He said: A full two-thirds of the revenues raised through Labours jobs tax is simply going on servicing the additional debt being run up by this profligate Government. Given this, does the Chancellor really believe that the catastrophic effects of this tax on businesses right up and down this country is a price worth paying? Ms Reeves said Labour inherited a 22 billion black hole in the public finances from the Tories, adding: It was absolutely essential to close that gap to bring stability back to the public finances. That required difficult decisions, they were the right decisions to ensure that our country has the stability that it lacked for so many years under so many different prime ministers and chancellors under the party opposite. Conservative former minister Sir Oliver Dowden asked Ms Reeves about how the UK Government would fund the proposed deal to give up control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and then lease back the strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. He said: Does the Chancellor of the Exchequer propose to fund the reported 9 billion bill for the continued use of Diego Garcia to the Mauritians through higher taxes, through more borrowing or through spending cuts? Ms Reeves replied: Were in discussions with the new administration in the United States around the future of Diego Garcia and will set out details in the spending review, as youd expect. Elsewhere at Treasury questions, Ms Reeves was labelled a tin-eared Chancellor over her plans to bring some agricultural property into inheritance tax. Shadow Treasury minister James Wild said: Farmings vital role in growing our rural economy, growing our food and protecting the countryside is threatened by Labours family farm tax. The self-proclaimed iron Chancellor is proving herself to be the tin-eared Chancellor, ignoring the evidence from the NFU (National Farmers Union) and others showing that this tax is based on flawed assumptions. Ms Reeves replied: The problem with the party opposite is that they support increases in spending in vital areas, but they havent supported any of the tax increases that are necessary to pay for them which, frankly, is why we are in the situation we are in today, that we inherited a 22 billion black hole in the public finances. Now, in the budget, (Mr Wild) will know that we announced 5 billion for the farming budget over two years, including the largest funding directed at sustainable food production and nature recovery in our countrys history, and 60 million to support farmers because of flooding. Shadow Treasury minister Richard Fuller said high street confidence is sliding faster than the Chancellor will be down the ski slopes of Davos, in a nod to Ms Reeves forthcoming visit. Rachel Reeves has faced calls to use 600 million of UK Government support for an Ineos project in Belgium as leverage to save jobs in Scotland. Labour MP Brian Leishman said he had been informed that the Government does not plan to stop a commitment by the previous Conservative administration to provide a loan guarantee for a petrochemical plant in Antwerp. But he pressed the Chancellor to explain why money could not also be found to protect jobs at Grangemouth. Petroineos, which was established as a joint venture between PetroChina and Ineos, last year confirmed plans to shut its Grangemouth oil refinery in the second quarter of 2025, with the loss of around 400 jobs feared. Mr Leishman, the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, told Treasury questions in the Commons: The previous Conservative government decided to back an Ineos project in Antwerp with a 600 million loan guarantee. I have spoken with the current Secretary of State and Government minister about this and have been told that the Government has no plans to stop this money even though Ineos plans to close the Grangemouth refinery and thousands of jobs will be lost. Why is there 600 million for Antwerp and not Grangemouth? And why would the Government allow this to happen and not use the 600 million as leverage with Ineos in order to avoid Scottish job losses? Ms Reeves replied: This Government cant account for decisions made by the party opposite, but we have created an Office for Value for Money to make sure we always get value for money when we use taxpayers money. Mr Leishman could be seen shaking his head in response to the Chancellors answer. Petroineos has previously said it is too late to convert the loss-making site, which will transition to being an import terminal for finished fuels, to another type of product. Expanding Heathrow Airport would be catastrophic, environmental groups have claimed, amid reports that the Chancellor is preparing to back the project. Rachel Reeves is expected to use a speech on growth next week to support the proposed third runway at the west London airport and endorse expansion at Gatwick and Luton Airports, according to news agency Bloomberg News. Opponents of airport expansion claim boosting flights would be damaging for the environment. Alethea Warrington, head of aviation at climate charity Possible, said: Approving airport expansions would be a catastrophic misstep for a Government which claims to be a climate leader. This huge increase in emissions wont help our economy, and would just encourage the small group of frequent flyers who take most of the flights, further worsening the UKs huge tourism deficit. She added that the Government should focus on supporting affordable and low-carbon trains and buses. Jenny Bates, transport campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: A decision to green-light another runway at Heathrow would be hugely irresponsible in the midst of a climate emergency and given 2024 was the first year to surpass the all-important 1.5 degrees threshold. It would also fly in the face of the Prime Ministers promise to show international leadership on climate change. She added that airport expansions would bring worse air pollution and noise disturbance for local people. Heathrows third runway project secured parliamentary approval in June 2018 but has been delayed by legal challenges over the environmental impact, and the coronavirus pandemic. (PA Graphics) There is currently no Development Consent Order application for the scheme, and it is up to Heathrow if it submits one. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has a deadline of February 27 to make a decision on whether to allow Gatwick to bring its existing emergency northern runway into routine use. She has a deadline of April 3 to decide on Luton Airports bid to raise its cap on passenger numbers. Paul McGuinness, who chairs anti-Heathrow expansion group the No 3rd Runway Coalition, said Gatwick and Lutons expansion projects are oven ready whereas an application by Heathrow would take years to process. He added: Any signals from Government that Heathrows expansion will not be impeded are meaningless, when other expansions in the South East will have already rendered Heathrow expansion uneconomic. There will be no yield from investing in it and no carbon budget left for it. A Government spokesman said: We are determined to get our economy moving and secure the long-term future of the UKs aviation sector. All expansion proposals must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth, which is central to our Plan for Change, while remaining in line with existing environmental obligations. There is also speculation that Ms Reeves will support the Lower Thames Crossing a proposed new road crossing between Kent and Essex and a Universal Studios theme park in Bedford. The Home Secretary has ordered a thorough review of the Southport killers referrals to the Prevent anti-terror programme to identify what changes are needed to make sure serious cases are not missed. Yvette Cooper told MPs on Tuesday she had appointed Lord David Anderson KC as interim Prevent commissioner because independent oversight of the programme was needed. A litany of concerns have been raised over the years about how the deradicalisation programme works after several terror attacks were carried out by extremists who had been referred to Prevent. Ms Coopers comments come nearly two years after then-home secretary Suella Braverman said the scheme which aims to stop people turning to terrorism needed major reform and should focus on security and not political correctness. Axel Rudakubana was reported to Prevent three times between 2019 and 2021 but the Home Office established each referral should not have been closed, the Home Secretary said as she branded him responsible for one of the most barbaric crimes in our countrys history. Speaking in the Commons, Ms Cooper said Lord Anderson will start work immediately, adding: His first task will be to conduct a thorough review of the Prevent history in this case to identify what changes are needed to make sure serious cases are not missed, particularly when there is mixed and unclear ideology. Meanwhile, the Home Office will look at the thresholds used for Prevent referrals to see how violent behaviour can be urgently addressed. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told MPs it was unbearable to think more could have been done to prevent the Southport attack (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) It comes after officials in the department spent the summer investigating Rudakubanas Prevent referrals and found, given his age and complex needs, they should not have been closed. Ms Cooper said the referrals took place between three and four years before the Southport attack, including following evidence that he was expressing interest in school shootings, in the London Bridge attack, the IRA, MI5 and the Middle East, adding that on each occasion Rudakubanas case was assessed by counter-terror police but not then sent for specialist support. The findings are due to be published after he is sentenced. The review concludes that too much weight was placed on the absence of ideology without considering the vulnerabilities to radicalisation or taking account of whether he was obsessed with massacre or extreme violence, and the cumulative significance of those three repeat referrals was not properly considered, Ms Cooper told MPs. The Home Secretary also set out more detail on the public inquiry into the July atrocity which triggered riots around the country. Highlighting how several public bodies had contact with Rudakubana but completely failed to identify the terrible danger that he posed, she said it was just unbearable to think that something more could and should have been done as she asked how he fell through so many gaps. There are grave questions about how this network of agencies failed to identify and act on the risks. There were so many signs of how dangerous he had become, yet the action against him was far too weak. So, families need the truth about why the system failed to tackle his violence for so many years, Ms Cooper told the Commons. The public inquiry will begin work initially on a non-statutory basis, so that it can move quickly into action, she said, but stressed statutory powers which would mean witnesses could be ordered to attend and give evidence would be added later as required. Earlier, the Prime Minister said of the inquiry: I will not let any institution of the state deflect from their failure. Speaking from Downing Street, Sir Keir Starmer said he was under no illusions that until the wider state shows the country it can change not just what it delivers for people, but also its culture, then this atmosphere of mistrust will remain, adding: So I want to be crystal clear, in front of the British people today we will leave no stone unturned. Describing himself as the prosecutor who first spotted failures in grooming cases at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) 14 years ago and the prosecutor who first did something about it, by bringing the rape gangs in Rochdale to justice, he insisted his approach as Prime Minister will be no different. If any shortcomings are now holding back the ability of this country to keep its citizens and its children safe, I will find them and I will root them out, he said. In 2023, Ms Braverman said Prevent needs to better understand the threats we face and the ideology underpinning them after a long-awaited report which had been ordered by former home secretary Priti Patel in 2019 made 34 recommendations for an overhaul of Prevent. At the time Ms Braverman vowed to swiftly implement all of the reviews recommendations but in February last year nearly 12 months since she made this promise ex-Charity Commission chairman Sir William Shawcross, who led the assessment, claimed the public were being put at risk because his key recommendations had been ignored by ministers. Homegrown terrorist Ali Harbi Ali, who murdered veteran MP Sir David Amess in 2021; Reading terror attacker Khairi Saadallah, who killed three men in a park, and Sudesh Amman, responsible for stabbings in Streatham, south London, both in 2020; Usman Khan, who murdered two people in the Fishmongers Hall attack in November 2019; and the 2017 Parsons Green Tube train attacker Iraqi asylum seeker Ahmed Hassan were all referred to Prevent. Staying warm in the wintertime can be tricky, even for the most prepared people. Sometimes, jackets just don't do the trick! We often have to resort to backup measures, like blankets and heaters, to stay toasty. Even though many dogs also struggle to keep their body temperature up in the colder months, many of them don't have access to comforts like shelter and clothing to help them stay warm. Fortunately, there are many rescue groups and generous people who are aiming to change that. In Detroit, where temperatures regularly tip into single digits, a duo of women have teamed up to provide dogs in need with blankets, dog houses, and any other resources that can help them survive the winter. No two of these dogs's stories are the same, but The KARENS believe that they all deserve warmth and comfort. FOX2 Detroit recently tagged along on one of the ladies' rescue missions to see just how they help dogs thrive each winter. The term 'Karen' may normally be reserved to describe a person usually a womanwho is particularly demanding, rude, or entitled, but these Detroit dog rescuers are using it in a whole new light. In this case, 'KAREN' stands for K9 Animal Rescue Emergency Networking System, which transforms the negative acronym into something positive and life-changing. Related: Heated Dog Houses and Other Ways to Keep Your Dog Warm in Winter Every week, Chantal Rzewnicki and Melanie Thomas help around 30 dogs feel warmer, safer, and more comfortable in their front or back yards. They often respond to calls from concerned neighbors and good samaritans, but they will also stop and help stray dogs they come across. Whether it's giving them food and water or setting up a donated dog house, they are more than happy to help. "It just takes a doghouse, it takes a bale of straw to better that dog's life," Thomas told FOX2, "and then it gives that owner a new sense of being a pet owner. They don't have to struggle between choosing to feed themselves or their animal. It makes us feel good. It's just a passion that we have." Keeping Dogs Warm in Winter Some dog breeds with thicker layers of fat or double-layered coats may not struggle to stay warm in the wintertime like other dogs. Nordic breeds like Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes have a very high tolerance for the cold, for example, while a small and short-haired dog would not. Those who do need an extra helping paw to stay warm will appreciate something as simple as a sweater or blanket to bundle up in. Having a warm and safe shelter is the biggest difference-maker for dogs in need, which is also another reason to consider adopting or fostering a dog this winter. If someone you know needs help keeping their dog warm this winter, or if you'd like to donate to the cause, you can visit The KAREN's website to learn more. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. The nations papers have delivered a mixed response to the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. Mr Trump marked his first day in office by signing a flurry of executive orders, making sweeping changes to the economy, immigration and climate change policies. A leading article from The Times describes Mr Trumps inaugural address as an uncompromising agenda for power. The newspaper said the president had an emboldened and unshackled America-first agenda. President Donald Trump speaks as first lady Melania Trump listens at the Liberty Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration (AP/Evan Vucci) Sentiments were echoed by the Daily Telegraph, which writes Mr Trumps opening address had a distinctly messianic quality to it, referencing how God saved him from an assassination attempt last year. The newspaper said Mr Trump was delivering a revolution within hours, and banishing woke from public life. It also issued a cautionary word to British diplomats, warning: Mr Trumps exceptionalist America First approach will come at a cost to traditional allies like the UK. As a mercantilist nation, Britain must trumpet the benefits of free trade, which generates growth, reduces poverty and ultimately makes everyone better off. The Daily Mirror holds a less optimistic view of the incoming Trump administration. An editorial from the newspaper said the world was holding its breath amid a vengeful and vindictive return to the White House. Keir Starmer and the UK government need expert diplomacy, gushing flattery and good fortune to avert disasters from a trade war which would be damaging for both countries, the paper says. Not to mention climate vandalism and the abandonment of swathes of Ukraine to Trumps pal Vladimir Putin. President-elect Donald Trump, from left, takes the oath of office (Kevin Lamarque/AP) Similarly, The Guardian calls Mr Trumps opening address as president a facade and rightwing call to arms against his enemies. And The Independent, meanwhile, lauds Sir Keir Starmers pragmatic approach to handling the new president. He should resist pressure from those urging him to stand up to Mr Trump and ignore the unhelpful noises, the newspaper says. Sir Keir must live in the real world where compromises must be made and deals struck with a president who, as Germanys Angela Merkel recalled in her memoirs, judged everything from the perspective of the property entrepreneur he had been before politics. Paige Encarnacion, of Friendswood, builds a snowman on the beach during a winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Clara Sims enjoys the morning sliding down a snow covered hill Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 at Independence Park in Pearland. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Snow-covered plants are photographed as the Sun comes out Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Icicles hang from a rose bush during an icy winter storm, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Patricia OBrien looks at the Interstate Highway 69/US Highway 59, as the highway is covered in snow, from the Montrose Bridge Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. OBrien walked from her Montrose residence to Hermann Park with Lauren Cunningham, from left, Shane Hart and Derrick Rogers. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The the snow-covered road is starting to get slushy in the early afternoon Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Solange Nicole Ipomee says she slept outside last night in this spot along Airline Dr. near Tidwell Rd. and that her blankets were covered over in snow this morning Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Houston. She said she has been living out on the streets for four years. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Vehicles driving north bound on Interstate Highway 69/US Highway 59 in the snow Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Vehicles struggling a little bit as they turn onto State Highway Spur 527 northbound ramp from Interstate-69/US Highway 59 in the snow Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer An unhoused person taking shelter under a covered outside a business Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Katie Gaido, left, and her sisters, Kate and Madison play on the beach during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Kathy Sloan walks her dog, Kaycee, on the snow covered beach during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Icicles hand down from a Texas Beach Watch sign during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Madison Gaido, and her sisters, Ellie and Kate make snow angels on the beach during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Madison Gaido walks up the beach in the blowing snow after picking up shells and rocks to add to the snowman she and her sisters were building during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Snow accumulates on the large crab decoration on a restaurant along Seawal Blvd. during an winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Paige Encarnacion, of Friendswood, uses shells and rocks to make a face on a snowman she is building on the beach during a winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Snow covers the Henry Rosenberg Sculpture outside the Rosenberg Library during a winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer A city worker pushes ice and snow from the driveway outside Galveston Fire Station No. 1 during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer A city worker pushes ice and snow from the driveway outside Galveston Fire Station No. 1 during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Various types of sleds, from make-shift to pool toys to legit, are used by the hundreds of people gathered on the hills at Terramont Park to sled Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Ige Johnson, 47, poses for a photograph being taken by her friends in downtown Houston during a winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Rescue officials work a scene of 18-wheeler accident on 59 and the intersection of FM 762 on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Jose Sanchez scrapes snow off his car Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer People come out to enjoy the snow at Buffalo bayou Park just as Houston was hit with a winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Road crews spray a brine solution along I-45 north bound near Loretta Rd. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Spring. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Eric Synatschk and Matthew Synatschk, age two, head down the hill on a sled with a push by Dennis Synatschk at Terramont Park Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Various types of sleds, from make-shift to pool toys to legit, are used by the hundreds of people gathered on the hills at Terramont Park to sled Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Noah Trejo Garcia, 5, and his father Pedro Mauricio Trejo Arias, 25, enjoys sledding down a hill at Buffalo Bayou Park just after a winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Kids share a sled as they head down one of the hills at Terramont Park Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor From left, Zac Holtgrieve pushes Wyatt Williams and Fletcher Holtgrieve down one of the hills as they sled at Terramont Park Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Lena Petropulos, front, sits on her make-shift sled as she is pushed by Elizabeth Petropulos, right, and Malia Middaugh, top, as they sled on the hills at Terramont Park Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Several hundred people gather on the various hills to sled at Terramont Park Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor People come out to enjoy the snow at Buffalo bayou Park just as Houston was hit with a winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A tent is seen blanketed in snow as a winter storm hits Houston on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Winnie Clark, right, throws a snowball toward Layton Patterson during an icy winter storm, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer John Cole, age eight, sleds down one of the hills at Terramont Park, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Brian Kelsay scraps his windows as he prepares travel on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Micah Stalarow, 29, enjoys snowboarding down a hill at Buffalo Bayou Park just after a winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A pair of snowmen are seen in the Bayou Park subdivision on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Abram Guajardo and Frank Flores build a snowman on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Ray Guajardo makes a snow angel on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Metro Rail is seen in downtown Houston during a winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Snow is seen in downtown Houston during a winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A snow covered camellia bush is shown Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Spring. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Butch Byron, an employee at the Embassy Suites Hotel at Hughes Landing, sprinkles de-icing salt onto the lobby driveway outside the main entrance Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Eric Kelsay walks past a snowman that the neighborhood kids made on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Chris Quintana plays in the snow with his dogs Bella and Saydee at Hughes Landing Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Chris Quintana plays in the snow with his dogs Bella and Saydee at Hughes Landing Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor A dog tries to lick snowflakes on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Abram Guajardo and Frank Flores build a snowman on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Ray Guajardo, Frank Flores, and Abram Guajardo build a snowman on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Ashley Sims Emma enjoys the morning sliding down a snow covered hill Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 at Independence Park in Pearland. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Jose Sanchez scrapes snow off the roof of his car Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Ella McCorory enjoys grape-juice covered snowball during an icy winter storm, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Charlotte Gillum enjoys the morning sliding down a snow covered hill Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 at Independence Park in Pearland. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Georgia McCorory carries a carton of grape juice alongside her sister, Ella, as they meet friends to make flavored snow ball during an icy winter storm, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A hotel worker shovels the icy snow from the sidewalk Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Clara Sims enjoys the morning sliding down a snow covered hill Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 at Independence Park in Pearland. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Snow covered vehicles move along Cypresswood Dr. near Champion Forest Dr. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Spring. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Winnie Clark forms a snowball during an icy winter storm, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Plant is covered in snow on Montrose Boulevard during the snow Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer A tiny snowman is seen on the sidewalk along Montrose Blvd. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2004 in Houston, Jill Karnicki/Staff photographer People wall in Buffalo Bayou Park on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2004 in Houston. Jill Karnicki/Staff photographer Layton Patterson takes a bite of snow during an icy winter storm as she frolicked with her younger sister, Ella, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Faolan Benoit, 8, sleds with a push from his dad, Casey Benoit in a neighborhood park Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Spring. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A runner braves the snowy conditions on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle A person walk dogs along Yoakum Boulevard in the snow Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer A woman walks her dogs near the Tolerance statues in Buffalo Bayou Park on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2004 in Houston. Jill Karnicki/Staff photographer Aiden Escamilla and Kiana McCue walk with dog, Kenny, along Champion Forest Dr. near Cypresswood Dr. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Spring. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Ella Patterson rects after taking a bite of snow during an icy winter storm, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Marcelo Garrone and Theresa Ngo walk their two-year-old dog Rafa as the snow is falling Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. It's Rafa's first snow. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Ice is formed on the nose of the 1900 Storm memorial sculpture during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Mabel Patterson wipes off snow from a rock in her front yard during an icy winter storm, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Mabel Patterson gathers snow in her front yard during an icy winter storm, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Chris Quintana plays in the snow with his dogs Bella and Saydee at Hughes Landing Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor People walk down Middle Falls Drive during an icy winter storm, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer People walking their dog on Waugh Drive in Montrose Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Krysten Rodriguez, of Galveston, walks past the 1900 Storm memorial sculpture along Seawall Blvd. during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Ducks swim past a snowy bank in a pond at a neighborhood park Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Spring. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Kirstine Benoit and her son, Fallen Benoit, 8, play in the snow at a neighborhood park Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Spring. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Snow covers northbound Gulf Freeway South near I610 Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 south of downtown Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Ice covers a vehicle during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The Houston skyline is visible in the background as snow covers downtown streets Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer The Houston skyline is visible in the background as snow covers downtown streets Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Falling snow covers La Branch street in downtown Houston Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Snow covers northbound Gulf Freeway South near I610 Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 south of downtown Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Snow covers northbound Gulf Freeway South near I610 Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 south of downtown Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Snow is seen falling in the light of street lamps on the feeder road of Gulf Freeway near I610 Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Sydney Carroll, age 11, sleds down one of the hills at Terramont Park, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Follow along here for Day 3 of live updates from Houston Chronicle reporters and meteorologists covering the winter storm. Here's a recap of Monday's coverage. Southeast Texas was covered in snow and ice Tuesday, and some residents of Houston may be waking up Wednesday to frozen pipes or power outages, as many bundle up to go outside and experience the region's biggest snowfall in years. Roads and freeways are closed in some areas of Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Freezing temperatures will continue into Wednesday, and it's safest to stay at home and off the roads. Metro said in a post on X it will resume its core local bus routes by 1 p.m. Wednesday with additional routes to be brought back in phases as conditions allow. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Service update for Wed Jan 22nd Core local bus routes will resume by 1 p.m., with others returning as resources allow. * Phase 1: Routes 2, 52, 54, 63, 73, 82, 102 * Phase 2: Routes 8, 20, 26, 50, 56, 85 * Phase 3: Routes 28, 38, 40, 44, 65, 80, 89 (1/4) pic.twitter.com/fypYQYzYmL METRO Houston (@METROHouston) January 22, 2025 Metro officials said while bus and rail routes will resume throughout the day, the Park and Ride will not operate and its Metro Lift service will be available only for medical emergencies. Metro HOV lanes will also be shut down until at least 11 a.m. Wednesday, according to the post. Metro said its bus routes will resume operation in three phases. Phase 1: Routes 2, 52, 54, 63, 73, 82, 102 Phase 2: Routes 8, 20, 26, 50, 56, 85 Advertisement Article continues below this ad Phase 3: Routes 28, 38, 40, 44, 65, 80, 89 John Lomax V The Houston Office of Emergency Management warned residents to avoid driving and said there had been a spike in accidents since 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to an email alert sent around 8:45 p.m. The news came after officials took to social media to warn residents of black ice, a transparent form of ice that typically forms the night after snowfall, on roadways throughout Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Snow that melted during the day is refreezing, creating dangerous icy road conditions across the Houston area, the alert read. Since 6 p.m., there have been multiple major accidents, resulting in significant road closures and further increasing the risk to drivers. Winter weather update by @JeffLindner1 . Continue visiting our social media platforms for information and visit https://t.co/MvS5A2mJLz for weather related updates. Stay safe and stay off the roadways. pic.twitter.com/aGDMSmzDps Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (@ReadyHarris) January 22, 2025 Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Linder said in an update posted to X Tuesday evening that residents should avoid driving until late Wednesday morning at the earliest. Temperatures are expected to rise to around 40 degrees by Wednesday afternoon. The Texas Department of Transportation shared a map on X Tuesday evening that showed multiple accidents throughout Houston. TxDOT once again warned residents that under no circumstances should they attempt to drive. In no way, shape or form should you be on the roadway tonight! Conditions are not ideal as ice is now impacting numerous roads. Conditions will continue to deteriorate as temps drop. pic.twitter.com/8NnOO3D6AP TxDOT- HOU District (@TxDOTHouston) January 22, 2025 John Lomax V Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kroger announced that its Houston-area locations will open four hours later than usual Wednesday. The Cincinnati-based grocery chain said in the release that, due to the freeze, its stores will open at 10 a.m. Wednesday as opposed to 6 a.m. Pharmacy hours will vary by location, according to the release. John Lomax V Black ice is a thin, often transparent, layer of ice that can be particularly hazardous to drivers and pedestrians, according to the National Weather Service. Typically found in the early morning hours the day after a snowfall, black ice forms after snow melts during the day and refreezes as temperatures drop during the night. Although it's called black ice, its name is derived from the color of the asphalt beneath it and not the ice itself. Heres what you should do if you encounter black ice while walking or driving, according to previous reporting by San Antonio Express-News meteorologist Mary Wasson: For drivers Stay calm Keep the steering wheel straight Refrain from braking Gently lift your foot off the accelerator until the vehicle comes to a stop For pedestrians Wear shoes with good traction Take short, deliberate steps Keep your hands free Stay focused on the path ahead and avoid distractions John Lomax V Dozens of Houston-area Walmart locations have temporarily closed as the city braces for its second night of sub-freezing temperatures. According to a live map maintained by the retail giant, at least 30 locations scattered across Houston were closed Tuesday evening. While many locations remained open in east Harris County, including several around Baytown and Pasadena, around half of its stores in west Harris County were closed, according to the map. For more information regarding Walmart closures, check the companys live map. John Lomax V While Houston Mayor John Whitmire thanked Houstonians for listening to officials calls to stay home as Winter Storm Enzo swept through the region, he warned residents that conditions would worsen before they improved. The next 24 hours are set to be the most dangerous as temperatures drop and snow ices over, he said, and everyone should remain vigilant through Wednesday. Please Houstonians, hear me, Whitmire said. Were halfway there. Whitmire said there was no rise in calls to first responders, thanks to residents listening to warnings. Fire Chief Tom Munoz reminded residents to keep heaters three feet away from anything flammable, and to make sure generators are 20 feet from homes to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. A big focus of Whitmires Tuesday news conference was on the citys efforts to get residents to warming centers. Officials came under fire during the last round of winter weather for not opening centers, and at least one man died during the cold blast after refusing help. The city opened 10 warming centers. More than 1,000 people have visited them so far, officials said. And for the first time ever, firefighters helped escort people to warming centers, Whitmire said. The citys police department, too, has helped get 300 people to warming centers. Seventy of those people were helped Monday evening, Chief Noe Diaz said. City leaders also partnered with the food bank to deliver 100 meals to those using the warming center at Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, Whitmire said. It is such a reminder for me, the challenges we have in this with our homeless population, Whitmire said. When we get through this challenging storm, we must get back focused on the people that are so vulnerable living on our streets with so much mental health challenges. Residents who need a ride to a warming center can get a ride through Metro Lift or zTrip. City operations will remain closed Wednesday and expect to resume as normal Thursday. Abby Church A flamboyance of Chilean flamingos stand in their snowy habitat at the Houston Zoo on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, on the city's single snowiest day since 1973. Courtesy of the Houston Zoo At the heart of Houston's Hermann Park, Tuesday's rare wintery landscape saw elephants roughhousing in the fresh powder and a flamboyance of flamingos clustered in their now-snowy outdoor habitat though only Houston Zoo staff bore witness, since the enclosures are shut to visitors until Thursday. "It looked like a winter wonderland here, we don't ever see that in Houston," said Kevin Hodge, the zoo's vice president for animal programs. "Quite a few of the animals went out and were playing in the snow, which was pretty cool to see. And then others were like, no thanks." The purrfect snow day doesnt exi... Our lion pride cant get enough of the snow. : Carnivore Keeper Paul pic.twitter.com/u5il54CXWq Houston Zoo (@houstonzoo) January 21, 2025 Besides watching flamingos and elephants frolic in the snow, Hodge said staff saw animals including cougars, an Amur leopard, African painted dogs, North American river otters and sea lions leave their keeps. Others, like the gorillas and orangutans, kept warm inside instead. The Houston Zoo reported they had no animal casualties or weather-related emergencies Tuesday, after investing heavily in winterization following prolonged power outages during Winter Storm Uri. Rebekah F. Ward A plow truck is driving south bound on Interstate-69/US Highway 59 Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer As daylight dwindled, authorities warned Houstonians to continue staying home, raising concerns of dropping temperatures and black ice on the roads. Its very, very deceiving, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said of the potential road conditions at a Tuesday afternoon news conference. The hard-to-see ice can be caused when the snow melts and any remaining liquid freezes on a roadway, especially a bridge, or an overpass. Sheriffs deputies have since responded to more than 160 vehicle wrecks throughout the county, but very few of them have resulted in serious weather-related injuries or fatalities. A CenterPoint official said some of the wrecks involved cars that crashed into utility poles, which knocked out power for some residents. County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the regions most precarious conditions will likely continue through noon Wednesday. She anticipates more service calls to happen overnight for fires or carbon monoxide poisonings. County operations, which includes court proceedings and jury summons, will return to normal Thursday, Hidalgo said. Nicole Hensley A vehicle is driving southbound of Interstate-69/US Highway 59 while the HOV lane is covered In the snow Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The Texas Department of Public Safety said if drivers get stranded on the side of the road, they should stay inside their vehicle, turn on their hazard lights and call 911 or Roadside Assistance. Drivers can find the Texas Roadside Assistance number on the back of their Texas drivers license, or call the helpline at 1-800-525-555. If youre stranded on the side of the road, remember you can find the Texas Roadside Assistance number on the back of your Texas driver license card. If you need assistance, you can call the helpline at 1-800-525-5555. As a reminder, if you do find yourself stranded: Stay pic.twitter.com/jlG5LU2aOH Texas DPS (@TxDPS) January 21, 2025 If drivers can avoid getting on the road at all during inclement weather, they should, DPS officials said. As of early Tuesday evening, nearly all Houston highways were covered in ice or snow, according to drivetexas.org. Officials advised residents check DriveTexas for the latest information on roadway conditions. Tanya Babbar A snowman stands along Seawall Blvd. following an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Houston-area students woke up Tuesday morning to the single snowiest day since 1973, and with two days off school for most, the city's white-coated streets became a giant playground. From Pearland to the Heights, children, teens and college students flocked to Houston's outdoor spaces during Winter Storm Enzo, taking off in sleds made from household items and throwing snowballs for the first time. In Pearland, a Texas high schooler crossed the small, snow-covered hills of Southwyck Golf Course on his dirt bike, on his way to retrieve fireworks from his home and bring them to his buddies. They were going to build a snowman and then blow it up. This is the best snow, 17-year-old Seth Post said, waiting for his friend. Like nothing weve ever seen. Over in the Houston Heights neighborhood, Benjamin Guevara, 11, was working on a snowman with his dad that had waving arms to say hello to passersby. Despite the bite in the air, Benjamin was unfazed by the temperatures and planned to stay out all day. This is a historic day in Houston History. This is the HHH, he said. I just made that up! Elizabeth Sander The the snow-covered road is starting to get slushy as the Sun comes out in the early afternoon Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer After shutting down Monday ahead of significant snowfall in Houston, the Houston Airport System announced it planned to reopen Wednesday morning. The news came after travelers were stuck at the airport because of the winter storm that slammed southeast Texas with historic amounts of snow. Security checkpoints for both William P. Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental Airports will reopen at 9 a.m., according to a spokesperson with HAS. In an email to the Chronicle, officials said arriving flights would start at 10 a.m. with departing flights beginning at 11 a.m. Earlier in the day, officials hadn't determined a timeline for reopening but assured the public they continued to monitor conditions for updates. We are coordinating with our airline partners and closely monitoring the weather to determine when it is safe to reopen the airfield and resume flight operations, a spokesperson told the Chronicle. By Tuesday morning, crews had begun cleanup and snow removal at both IAH and HOU. Videos posted on X showed snow plows clearing roadways at Hobby and Bush Airports. Officials said they plan to treat nearby roadways and overpasses leading to the airports. Todays closure prompted more than 900 flight cancelations at Bush Airport and nearly 300 at Hobby Airport, per Flight Aware. Across the country, the storm had delayed at least 2,000 flights and contributed to thousands of more delays. "Houston Airports is committed to ensuring a safe return to operations as soon as weather permits," officials said. Shakari Briggs As temperatures drop Tuesday evening throughout Houston, the citys Public Works Department advised residents against leaving their faucets dripping, as it can lower pressure in the citys water system. Instead, Public Works advised residents use the following methods to prevent their pipes from bursting: Open cabinet doors for sinks that are up against outside walls Shut off water to washing machines in unheated garages Protect pipes that have had issues with freezing in the past For those who have left or plan to leave their homes, Public Works asked residents drain their outside water faucets and keep their heat settings low. Should a pipe burst, leak or become frozen, Houston Public Works said residents should turn off their water main connection. Residents with issues turning off their water main can call 311 and a representative will walk them through the process. Water leaks should also be reported to 311, a spokesperson for the department said. Abby Church Snow is seen in downtown Houston during a winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer While pet owners flooded social media with pictures of their pets in cute winter outfits frolicking in the snow Tuesday, animal welfare organizations took to social media to remind Houstonians to be vigilant for homeless pets abandoned in the biting cold temperatures. Houstons historic 2025 winter event, expected to last through Wednesday, is dangerous for the many stray cats and dogs stranded in the cold with little or no shelter, or for those being left out in the cold by irresponsible pet owners. "I really do wish Houston had a 24-hour shelter," said Courtney Mayes at the Veterinary Emergency Group, an emergency and urgent care facility with three locations in the Houston area. Intake has increased at its facilities in the last several days as the colder temperatures set in, Mayes said. "We have a lot of good Samaritans that help out with the cat colonies, and rescue groups that are taking in homeless pets while shelters are full at the moment, so we have our resources," she said. The Houston Humane Society and other groups, such as the Houston SPCA and Harris County Animal Cruelty Task Force have shared more information on how to help homeless pets on their social media platforms. Yvette Orozco CenterPoint experienced a brief outage impacting approximately 3,000 customers on the west end of Galveston Tuesday morning, according to company spokesperson Alyssia Oshodi. All customers in that area were restored by 9:30 a.m., she said. Earlier in the day, the City of Galveston posted on Facebook that CenterPoint notified city staff of load capacity issues impacting areas west of 61st Street. The citys post said CenterPoint asked Galveston residents to conserve electricity wherever possible through this event to aid in electricity distribution to the west end. CenterPoints Oshodi said, however, the company hasn't made a request for conservation to the City of Galveston nor to any of its customers in the Houston area during the ongoing winter storm. There have been no load capacity issues related to the historic snowfall, she said. Load capacity issues are problems that occur when theres not enough power supply to serve demand. Electrical lineman work on power lines during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The system is operating as designed, Oshodi said, noting CenterPoints earlier announcement that 99.9% of its Houston-area customers are receiving normal electric service. The City of Galveston has since edited its initial post to reflect CenterPoints clarifications. The city also issued a new update notifying residents that the related damage to the transmission lines has been repaired. CenterPoint has assured us that they are not having load capacity issues at the moment and that they feel confident in the system, city spokesperson Marissa Barnett said. The McGuire Dent warming center for the west end remains open as of 2 p.m., Barnett said. Claire Hao Houston City Councils consolidated meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been canceled due to the winter storm. Officials with the city secretarys office and the Mayors Assistance Office are working on alerting everyone who signed up to speak during the public comment period. All agenda items that were supposed to be heard Wednesday will appear on the agenda for the councils Jan. 29 meeting. Abby Church The U.S. Postal Service on Tuesday afternoon said local officials were reporting normal operations in Houston, despite snowfall in the region that had disrupted many services and businesses. People walk near the Tolerance statues in Buffalo Bayou Park on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2004 in Houston. Jill Karnicki/Staff photographer "Mail carriers will continue to make every attempt to deliver to all addresses, as long as it is safe to do so," said Kanickewa 'Nikki' Johnson, a USPS spokesperson based in Houston. "We ask homeowners and businesses to ensure sidewalks, walkways, and steps are clear of ice and snow to help facilitate safe delivery." Erica Grieder Flight operations remain suspended until further notice at @iah and @HobbyAirport We are coordinating with airlines and monitoring weather conditions to reopen as soon as weather permits. Stay in touch with your airline. Well provide updates as they become available. https://t.co/8Yu09ckfL9 Houston Airports (@AirportsHouston) January 21, 2025 By mid-afternoon, officials with the Houston Airport System hadnt announced a plan to reopen George Bush Intercontinental Airport or William P. Hobby Airport. Both airports shut down at midnight on Monday following significant snowfall in Houston thanks to the winter storm. There is no clear timeline for when flight operations will resume completely, a HAS spokesperson told the Chronicle via email. @houstonchronicle This family got creative with their snow activities in Houston with some skiing! : Aubrey Mansour, of the Mansour family original sound - Houston Chronicle By Tuesday morning, crews had begun cleanup and snow removal at both IAH and HOU. Videos posted on X, showed snow plows clearing roadways at Hobby and Bush Airports. Todays closure prompted more than 900 flight cancellations at Bush Airport and nearly 300 at Hobby Airport, per Flight Aware. Across the country, the storm had delayed at least 2,000 flights and contributed to thousands of more delays. We are coordinating with our airline partners and closely monitoring the weather to determine when it is safe to reopen the airfield and resume flight operations, a spokesperson told the Chronicle. Shakari Briggs Grady Tinker, a Galveston College baseball player from Alvin, uses a boogie board to slide down a hill on the beach during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Families around Houston were on the lookout for any slope they could find, including parking garages, for a chance to do some sledding Tuesday. Transmission lines with snow on the ground is shown along the North Sam Houston Parkway near SH249 Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer So far, this years winter blast hasnt affected CenterPoint customers nearly as much as past weather events. Since the snowfall started Monday night, the number of homes and businesses without power has ranged between several hundred to several thousand at any given time. More than 99.9% of CenterPoint's 2.8 million customers in the Houston area are receiving normal electric service, according to a noon statement from the company. Approximately 2,300 customers were without power as of Tuesday 1 p.m., with the majority of those customers living around Freeport and Bellaire, according to CenterPoints outage tracker. Things are looking stable. Theres also little risk of rolling outages ordered by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the states power grid operator. Even though ERCOT has a weather watch in effect through the end of day tomorrow, which means very cold temperatures could increase demand on the grid, it is forecasting plenty of power supply to meet that demand. Icicles hand from a sign pointing the way to Houston during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer You already know Houston is cold right now, but did you know Houston on Tuesday was just as cold as Anchorage, Alaska? Bitterly cold air that was dislodged from the Arctic invaded Texas and the eastern United States earlier this week. That's why Houston's temperatures on Tuesday started with a morning low of 28 degrees but has a forecast afternoon high of 35. But why is Anchorage so relatively warm? A low pressure system offshore of southern Alaska is keeping winter temperatures relatively mild in Anchorage right now. Anchorage's temperatures on Tuesday similarly started at a morning low of 28 degrees, but that city's afternoon high could be closer to 36. Justin Ballard Officials urge residents to keep phone lines clear for emergencies during this winter storm. In an effort to help Houstonians know the difference between emergency and non-emergency calls, the Greater Harris County 911 Emergency Network outlined some tips to follow. With precipitation and freezing temperatures expected, it's important to keep 9-1-1 lines clear for TRUE life-threatening emergencies. Contact 9-1-1 ONLY for TRUE life-threatening emergencies. For non-emergency resources, scan the QR code. #911Awareness #WinterSafety pic.twitter.com/OBzxRmrr82 GHC 9-1-1 Emergency (@GHC911) January 21, 2025 If its life-threatening: Call or text 911 if immediate help is needed to protect life, safety or property Call or text 911 if you need assistance from police, fire or medical responders If its not an emergency: Dont call or text 911 for issues that can be fixed without urgent intervention Dont call or text 911 if the situation requires attention from non-emergency services Shakari Briggs Amazon's warehouses in the Houston area were closed Tuesday after several inches of snowfall forced the closure of roads and freeways in the region and disrupted normal business operations. A biker walks through the snow on Mons Ave. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle That could mean delays for people awaiting deliveries. "Our sites in the area are temporarily closed today to keep our employees and delivery partners safe," a spokesperson for the company said in an email. "Customers living in areas impacted by the storm can check their Amazon accounts to track their orders and see the latest updates on expected delivery times." UPS said in an email to the Houston Chronicle that there would be no deliveries or pickups in most of Houston today. A full list of affected ZIP codes is available on the company's website, which customers can also use to track the status of individual shipments. Erica Grieder We know this snow is a beautiful sight, folks, but please DO NOT stop on roadways to take photos or "take in the sights." Residents are largely not traveling today, for which we're grateful, but there are still vehicles on the road. Be smart. Stay safe. #HoustonTranStar pic.twitter.com/GlmuO2nGw5 Houston TranStar (@houstontranstar) January 21, 2025 Road crews spray a brine solution along I-45 north bound near Loretta Rd. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Spring. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Snow is an unusual sight in Houston, and it might be causing people to act out some dangerous impulses. Houston Transtar on Tuesday afternoon put out a public plea asking people not to park and pose for pictures on highway overpasses. The post included a picture of a couple standing on the side of I-45 at Franklin, while their sedan is parked in the middle of the highway. We know this snow is a beautiful sight, folks, but please DO NOT stop on roadways to take photos or take in the sights, the post said. John Wayne Ferguson The deaths of at least two people were blamed on the winter storm that smothered Houston and wide swaths of southeast Texas with snow. A woman driving in snowy conditions in northeast Harris County died Monday night when her car left its lane and crashed head-on into an oncoming 18-wheeler, according to the Harris County's Sheriff's Office. Later Tuesday morning, the sheriff's office said a man was found dead in a parking lot in the Katy area. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the man might have been homeless. Neither person has been identified by authorities. John Wayne Ferguson, Nicole Hensley Natalie Chun and her husband Lee Ly woke up right around midnight Tuesday. Ella Patterson takes a bite of snow along with her older sister, Layton, during an icy winter storm, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer It's a typical start time for the two, who are the owners of Bonnie's Donuts in League City. Usually, their son Davin Ly wakes up when he hears his parents but will quickly go back to sleep. But Tuesday wasn't a usual day in Southeast Texas. Davin, who turned 5 years old in December, was about to get his birthday wish of getting to see snow. He wasn't the only one to have his first experience in the snow Tuesday. "I haven't seen him this excited over something like this in a very long time," Chun said over the phone Tuesday as Davin joyously giggled in the background. "You can still hear him, right? Davin, are you happy?" A abandoned car is seen on the 59 feeder road and the intersection of FM 762 on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle "Yes," Davin responded. - Peter Warren Winter storms, like the one Southeast Texas is experiencing this week, often bring the risk of ice accumulation, which can make travel and even walking especially dangerous. We are likely to encounter this hidden layer of ice at night on Tuesday and Wednesday: Its known as black ice. Black ice is a thin layer of ice on sidewalks and roads that cannot easily be seen but can be felt, sometimes when its too late and you are already slipping and sliding. Even small accumulations of ice can be extremely dangerous to motorists and pedestrians. Here's what to know about the black ice expected on Houston roadways, including how to navigate it. - Mary Wasson A pair of snowmen are seen on fourth street in Rosenberg on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle There might not be a snowman with a corncob pipe and button nose walking through the streets of downtown Houston. But there are plenty of snowmen and snowwomen returning for the first time in years to the Bayou City. A snowman dressed with a Texas flag and cowboy hat is seen during an icy winter storm, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer About 1 to 4 inches of snow have dropped already in Harris County, according to most reports. Tuesday might end up as one of the snowiest days ever in Houston's recorded history. That's great news for southeast Texas' best snowman builders. The more snow that falls, the bigger their creations can be. - Peter Warren Layton Patterson plays in snow in her front yard during an icy winter storm, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Tuesday saw the most snow in Houston since 1973 with as much as 4 inches of snowfall as of 10 a.m. Other spots across Southeast Texas have reported similar snowfall totals, with places like Liberty and Beaumont recording as much as 3 to 5 inches of snow. Tuesdays snowfall of at least 2 inches makes it the highest single-day total since 1973 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Snowball fight! This doesnt happen very ofen. Some of our @HoustonFire and @houstonpolice first responders are enjoying the snow between calls. Please continue to stay off the roads, and stay warm and safe at home. pic.twitter.com/t8ZuFGVrFK City of Houston (@HoustonTX) January 21, 2025 - Justin Ballard Some of Houstons finest were seen taking a break from calls and engaging in a snowball fight Tuesday morning. The city of Houston took to X to post a video of city firefighters and police officers laughing and enjoying the snow between calls. Someone could be heard in the video saying we had to have fun. Please continue to stay off the roads, and stay warm and stay safe, the post reads. - Michael Garcia This morning, @HCSOTexas received a 911 call located at 12062 Veterans Memorial Drive. The caller reported an adult female and two babies were laying on the sidewalk. Deputies responded and determined the babies were 2.months old and 1 year old. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/gelXR9Ekyh Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) January 21, 2025 Two young children were treated by EMTs Tuesday morning after being found lying on a snowy north Harris County sidewalk with their mother, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. Deputies were called to the 12000 block of Veterans Memorial Parkway sometime Tuesday morning, Gonzalez said in post on X. A 911 caller told dispatchers that a woman and two babies were lying on the sidewalk. When the deputies arrived they found the woman with a 2-month-old baby and 1-year-old child, Gonzalez said. The children were suffering from "cold-related injuries," he said. No charges were immediately announced. No other information was immediately available. Lauren Morton makes her own coffee to walk around her Montrose neighborhood during the snow Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Morton said shes lived in Houston most of her life and this is the prettiest snow shes seen. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer - John Wayne Ferguson Its still business as usual for many eating-and-drinking establishments across the city cooking up everything from steaming bowls of soup or to comforting barbecue. Notably, a few of our tried and true 24-hour diners (Katz's, Dot) are closed. - Bao Ong Snow is shown on delivery vehicles at FedEx Ground Distribution Center, 21200 Spring Plaza Dr., Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Spring. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer FedEx is experiencing a national service disruption after a winter storm hit one of its hubs in Tennessee. "FedEx has activated contingency plans to mitigate impacts from a weather disruption at the Memphis hub last night," the company said in an alert posted Tuesday. "Potential delays are possible for package deliveries with a commitment of Tuesday, January 21, 2025." As of Tuesday morning, FedEx was not reporting any particular operational impacts in Houston, despite the rare snowfall across the region. - Erica Grieder More than 1,000 Houstonians have made their way to warming centers as winter storm blankets the city. Tents with unhoused people inside are seen blanketed in snow as a winter storm hits Houston on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Two of those warming centers, Metropolitan Multi-Service Center and Fonde Community Center, have hit capacity at 200 and 225 visitors respectively, a spokesperson at the citys Office of Emergency Management said. Houston has the most stringent policy for opening warming centers of all of Texas metros. While most major cities open warming centers when the weather hits around freezing, Houstons policy is to open them when the weather is 24 degrees for two hours or more, or when the windchill is 15 degrees for two hours or more. City officials opened up 10 facilities Sunday evening after facing backlash for not opening any at all after the previous cold blast that left one man dead at a Metro bus stop. Mayor John Whitmire said the city worked around the policy to get people into shelter during the previous winter blast, and said it was created under the prior administration. Former Mayor and U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, though, said the policy was never stringently enforced when he was mayor. - Abby Church Angel Olvera shovels his driveway on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle ERCOT has a weather watch in effect through the end of the day Wednesday, which means very cold temperatures could increase demand on the power grid and lead to lower power reserves. Rolling outages, however, arent expected, as ERCOT is forecasting plenty of power supply to meet that increased demand. ERCOT only orders outages if Texans are about to use more electricity than power plants in the state can generate. The grid continues to have sufficient resources to meet demand. If you are currently experiencing an outage, it is local in nature, ERCOT wrote in an X update at 10:15 a.m. In the Houston area, the primary local power provider is CenterPoint Energy. Approximately 6,200 CenterPoint customers were without power as of 10:20 a.m., according to its outage tracker. - Claire Hao The Harris County Sheriffs Office is investigating whether the snowstorm contributed to a fatal crash near Huffman on Monday night. A car makes it way down Memorial Drive on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2004 in Houston, Jill Karnicki/Staff photographer The crash happened in the 27000 block of FM 2100, in northeast Harris County. A Jaguar X8 was driving north when it crossed into oncoming traffic and hit an 18-wheeler, said sheriffs office spokesman Deputy Thomas Gilliland. The woman driving the Jaguar died in the crash. The driver of the 18-wheeler was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Gilliland said. The truck driver didnt show signs of intoxication and was cooperating with investigators, Gilliland said. A wintry mix of rain and sleet began falling in areas north of I-10 around 5:45 p.m. Monday, prompting officials to urge people to get off the roads as soon as possible. - John Wayne Ferguson Despite wintry weather conditions, the MetroRail Green Line continued service Tuesday morning. According to a post on X, officials said the route would only run from Altic to Hobby due to weather. On Monday, Metro Houston announced it would suspend its micro-transit service because of the weather. Officials plan to reevaluate operations on Wednesday, depending on conditions. - Shakari Briggs Icicles hang down from a vehicle during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough is urging residents to stay home as the number of road closures mount. Road conditions across the county are not safe and if you don't have to get out on the roads please stay home, he posted to Facebook early Tuesday. The sheer number of road closures is too voluminous to name so consider every road unsafe and stay home please! Keough said while temperatures will warm slightly, a hard freeze tonight will make roads dangerous. We expect the snowfall to continue for a few more hours and then a slight warm-up today before a hard freeze tonight, he said. Road conditions will not improve today and will likely get worse overnight with temperatures in the low 20s. - Catherine Dominguez A historic winter storm blanketed much of southeast Texas and Houston in heavy snow and ice. Accumulating snow and dangerous road conditions will linger through the entire day Tuesday and a hard freeze is expected through Wednesday morning, according to Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard. Here's a look at the snow in Houston, captured by Chronicle photojournalists. - Houston Chronicle photographers/photojournalists The freezing weather has led Legacy Community Health clinics and pharmacies in Houston to close Tuesday and Wednesday. "Our highest concern is for the safety of our patients and staff. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause," Legacy officials said in a statement. School-based health locations will follow the schedules of YES Prep, KIPP and Galena Park ISD schools. - Octavia Johnson Snow covers the roadway as cars traverse I45 Pierce Elevated northbound Tuesday, Jan 21, 2025 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer A car struck a power pole since the snow began overnight, CenterPoint Energy officials said in an update on X at 8 a.m. Cars, trucks, vehicles and poles aren't a good mix. These impacts can cause wires down and power outages, CenterPoint said in its post urging Houston-area residents to stay home and not drive Tuesday. The utility also warned that downed power lines may not always be visible if theyre hidden in snow, ice or other debris. People should stay at least 35 feet away from all downed wires, which should be treated as if theyre energized, according to the X post. - Claire Hao Approximately 6,100 CenterPoint Energy customers across its 12-county service area were without power as of 8 a.m., according to the utility's outage tracker. Since midnight, approximately 6,600 customers have had their power restored, CenterPoint said in a 7:30 a.m. update on X. "More than 99.9% of CenterPoints 2.8 million electric customers are unaffected by the snow, sleet and ice thus far," CenterPoint said on X when approximately 2,300 customers were without power. CenterPoint has an expanded workforce of 3,000 workers at three staging sites ready to respond to any other outages that occur, according to its X post. - Claire Hao Snow covers the ground Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Space Center Houston will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, including tours, experiences, camps and events. Space Center Houston officials will provide updates on operations on spacecenter.org. "We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you soon!" an announcement on the Space Center Houston website said. - Octavia Johnson All county buildings, including the courthouses, will be closed from Jan. 21-22 due to the winter storm, the Harris County County District Clerk's office announced. The community does not need to appear or reschedule jury services, according to the clerk's office. - Ryan Nickerson People walk past the 1900 Storm memorial sculpture on Seawall Blvd. during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The Kemah Police Department announced Tuesday that both north and southbound lanes of State Highway 146 were closed due to icy conditions. The elevated bypass for Highway 146 and the Kemah Bridge were also closed Tuesday, police said. - Caroline Wilburn A woman walks in the snow during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Facing frigid wind chill values of 12 to 20 degrees across the region, Houston and much of southeast Texas are under a cold weather advisory until 6 p.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. Also given that the coldest temperatures of this Texas freeze are expected before dawn on Wednesday, the weather service put the Houston metro area under an extreme cold watch starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday through 9 a.m. Wednesday as well. Forecasters warned that prolonged exposure to low wind chill values can lead to hypothermia. - Roberto Villalpando An SUV drives along snow-covered Seawall Blvd. during an icy winter storm on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Saltwater-Recon cameras show snow accumulating along Seawall Boulevard, where a lot of restaurants and businesses reside, on Galveston Island. Road conditions may be hazardous so avoid traveling, according to the National Weather Service in Houston. - Octavia Johnson The Lake Charles National Weather Service office issued its first-ever blizzard warning at 4:36 a.m. Tuesday lasting at least until noon. The warning is issued for several cities along I-10 in Texas and Louisiana, including Beaumont, Orange, Jennings and Lafayette. A blizzard warning means there is the possibility of wind gusts to 35 mph wind and snow reducing visibility to a quarter of a mile or less. - Ryan Nickerson The 59 freeway is closed at the intersection of FM 762 on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Multiple Houston-area highways were closed late Monday due to dangerous conditions from ice. Here are the roads closed in Harris County. US-290 northwest eastbound and westbound at Beltway 8-West I-69 Eastex southbound at Townsen I-610 North Loop and I-45 Gulf northbound at FM-1959/Dixie Farm Road to I-610 South Loop SH-146 northbound and southbound at Texas Ave to SH-3 Beltway 8-West northbound at Bellfort to US-290 Northwest SH-225 westbound and eastbound at SH-134 Independence to Center Street FM-1093 Westheimer westbound at 610 West Loop to Harris-Fort Bend County Line SH-146 southbound and northbound at Kemah Bridge/Harris-Galveston County Line I-10 Katy eastbound and westbound at I-610 West Loop/ US 290 Direct Connect to Katy Fort Bend Road Fort Bend County's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management also reported several road closures early Tuesday. Brazoria County also announced closures as the snow continues to fall. The University of Texas Police at Houston posted on X about the ice on the bridges in Texas Medical Center, and heavy sleet and snow sticking on some of the roads. - Caroline Wilburn Several hundred people gather on the various hills to sled at Terramont Park Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in The Woodlands, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor For the first time in nearly four years, Houston residents woke up with their yards and cars covered in a shimmering blanket of snow, sending them outside to capture the rare winter weather. Although the brunt of the snow has yet to arrive, that hasn't stopped people from marveling at what already feels like a winter wonderland. Some are even beginning to build snowmen. "Ive never seen snow here in htown in my life!" one user posted on X as they uploaded a photo of them crafting a heart in the snow. - Ryan Nickerson Some Houston communities have opened warming centers during the winter storm. Acres Home Multi-Service Center at 6719 W. Montgomery Road Northeast Multi-Service Center at 9720 Spaulding St. Kashmere Multi-Service Center at 4802 Lockwood Dr. Moody Community Center at 3725 Fulton St. Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center at 6402 Market St. Fonde Community Center at 110 Sabine St. Metropolitan Multi-Service Center at 1475 W. Gray St. Southwest Multi-Service Center at 6400 High Star Dr. Magnolia Multi-Service Center at 7037 Capitol St. Sunnyside Multi-Service Center at 4410 Reed Road The warming centers will be open 24/7 until mid-day Thursday, though the schedule is subject to change. Those heading to a warming center are allowed to bring their belongings, and each center will be staffed with health and public safety personnel, according to a news release from the Office of Emergency Management. Waugh Drive is quiet and calm as snow is falling Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Several other Texas counties have also opened warming centers. Check out the full list. - Abby Church and John Lomax V The Texas Department of Public Safety driver license offices are closed Tuesday due to the winter storm. The department announced that all appointments, "will be honored at the customer's convenience." - Ryan Nickerson The Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center will be closed Monday and Tuesday due to severe winter weather, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The closure included the southern boat ramp at Pineland Road. - Caroline Wilburn Marleen Martinez, center, with an assist from Vincent Tran, tries to sled down a hill in Buffalo Bayou Park on Tues. Jan. 21, 2025 in Houston. Looking on is John Neal, left. Jill Karnicki/Staff photographer The Houston area is expected to get a record amount of snowfall Tuesday, with forecasts predicting as much as 4 inches in some parts of the region. Residents can see snowfall levels across the area with the Chronicles real-time snow tracker map. Snow tracking data is collected from reports by the National Weather Service and will be continually updated throughout this weeks historic snowstorm. - Caroline Wilburn The city of Galveston is temporarily suspending water service to irrigation meters during the winter storm. This doesn't include household water supply. "This is being implemented as a preemptive measure to preserve the city's water supply in the event of leaks in the system," the city said in a community news feed. Crews will prioritize addressing potential leaks in the distribution system, according to the city. The irrigation meters will begin operating again after the winter storm. If a service was mislabeled and terminated, Galveston residents should contact Public Works at 409-797-3630 and services will be restored. - Octavia Johnson The Houston skyline is visible in the background as snow covers downtown streets Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer The heaviest snow and sleet is likely to fall across Houston through 9 or 10 a.m. Tuesday. Road travel should be avoided Tuesday morning, if possible. If you must drive on likely icy or snowy roads, prepare for a 30-minute commute to possibly take twice or three times as long. Snow should taper off from west to east through early Tuesday afternoon. High temperatures likely wont climb much above freezing, if at all. It may not be until Wednesday afternoon or even Thursday before road conditions improve in Southeast Texas. - Justin Ballard Flights leaving Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental Airports were suspended around midnight Monday as severe winter weather moved across the Houston area. Both airports will remain closed Tuesday. Jim Szczesniak, aviation director for the Houston Airport System, said officials would monitor conditions Tuesday before announcing a plan for Wednesday. Ellington Airport also remained closed Tuesday. Former Asda boss Lord Stuart Rose has said that working remotely has impacted employee productivity. (Getty Images) (Dan Kitwood via Getty Images) According to Lord Stuart Rose, the former boss of Asda and Marks & Spencer, working from home has created a generation who are "not doing proper work." In a Panorama interview, the retail boss addressed the shift that companies such as Boots, Amazon and JP Morgan are making towards five days a week in the office, stating: "We have regressed in this country in terms of working practices, productivity and in terms of the country's wellbeing, I think, by 20 years in the last four." The comments come after Lord Rose stepped down as chairman of Asda, following a bad performance in the 12 weeks leading to Christmas the companys worst since 2015. Not only did profits see a 5.8% drop, its market share plummeted to 12.5% and the firm announced that job cuts were inevitable. What Lord Roses comments fail to acknowledge, however, is that not only is a vast portion of the country (41%) already back to the office five days a week, only 13% are fully remote, as per the latest ONS figures from December 2024. Moreover, those who are most likely to adopt a hybrid set-up are in more senior positions, over 30s and/or parents which not only dispels the broader belief that younger people are less inclined to work in an office, as has been the pedalled line for many years, but also illustrates the need for more affordable and flexible childcare in the UK, especially if there is an increased demand to return to the office. Long-lasting impact of the pandemic Although there is no doubt that the pandemic has had a long-lasting effect on employees and the way we all view work-life balance even for those who are now back in the office full-time to blame productivity levels or the state of the economy squarely on WFH seems lazy and reductive, to say the least. It also negates how local economies have been boosted and for some, remote working has greatly benefited their mental health and wellbeing. I know thats the case for me. Not only did I work in the office pretty much the entirety of the pandemic, I soon went back to five days a week once we were given the green light by the government. Rush hour on the Tube is never fun. (Getty Images) (petekarici via Getty Images) Returning to the office In some ways, it was beneficial. It made managing and communicating with my team easier and made me feel slightly less isolated (I lived alone during the pandemic). But there were so many downsides to being in the office that I had all but forgotten about or had previously glamourised. For example, I once relished the daily commute, as though I was part of some slick, well-oiled corporate machine. I enjoyed getting the Tube every day and the sense of accomplishment and success that I derived from it. But after the pandemic, I was reminded of how unpleasant a packed carriage really is how soul-destroying it is to have your face in someone's armpit for 40 minutes straight, as well as the slow trudge to the escalators as commuters sleepily make their way up to street level. Equally, as much as I enjoyed interacting with colleagues in person again, I forgot how tempting it is to pop over to someone's desk unannounced something I was guilty of too. When you're in the midst of a thought or you've got your head down and feel like you are making progress, there is nothing worse than someone disrupting your flow and eating into your time. At least when you are at home, you have scheduled calls and you can reply to Slack messages when you are ready to there's no such luxury when you are in the office. Similarly, despite the many Zoom calls we had during the pandemic, I found my days in the office to be a series of successive meetings sometimes we'd even have meetings about meetings. I actually found it far less productive to be in, as all my time was accounted for, which meant I either had to forgo lunch or breaks, or do my actual work in my own time increasing my sense of stress, anxiety and burnout. What really irked me, however, was when I was forced to turn away talent because they couldn't come into the office five days a week. I was incredibly short-staffed and overworked, and I was unable to employ staff who were otherwise perfect for the vacant roles out of some antiquated rule. For me, this meant the opposite of productivity and meant the company was squeezing more from staff for less. I have found that working in a cafe or social environment can also help me feel connected. (Getty Images) (Oscar Wong via Getty Images) Going remote I've been working remotely full-time for the past two years and honestly, I've never felt healthier and more at ease. I have to attribute some of that to going freelance as well, as it's a different setup to what I had previously, but having a flexible working model means everything to me. I eat much better when I am at home. I go for regular walks and actually see daylight. I have time to consider my responses on email and Slack, and avoid unnecessary workplace conflict as a result. I have time to do housework and errands on my break. And I reduce my contact with external stressors when I feel low or anxious. When I do feel lonely or in need of company, I can technically pop into the office or work in a social environment to take off the edge, but it's on my terms. Plus, unlike during the pandemic, I am now able to see friends and family once more, so it's not quite so alienating to be remote. I am no less productive than I was in the office in fact, I would say I am more so. When I'm not on shift I tend to pick up extra work when I feel able to do so. But what's better is, I can sustain healthier, more balanced relationships with colleagues and work. I've had to reframe many deep-rooted beliefs I held, but I know now that it is, in fact, possible to have a life beyond my career and still be successful and hard-working. One does not cancel the other out. In order for a complete return to the office, working environments have to be improved. There cannot be such a high investment in terms of time, energy and personal wellbeing from employees if employers are not committed to deliver the same. To get buy-in from staff, they need to see that things have changed and that companies cannot still push the same agenda they were five years ago. Read more about mental health: Migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel in misty conditions. A group of people wearing life jackets were brought ashore from a Border Force vessel in Dover on Tuesday. Pictures showed the boat arriving through the mist before passengers were met by officials at the port. A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, by a Border Force vessel in misty conditions (Gareth Fuller/PA) Conditions at sea are expected to be calm with rain and patches of fog later on Tuesday until midday on Wednesday, according to the Met Office. The arrivals come several days after the last recorded crossings of 183 people entering the UK on three boats on Friday, according to Home Office data. Provisional figures show 890 people have made the journey to the UK so far this year. This is 43% up from the same point last year when 621 people were recorded. More than 331,000 women in Scotland are estimated to have been impacted by changes to the state pension age for those born in the 1950s. Figures released by the House of Commons Library suggest there are 331,780 so-called Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality) women north of the border. The Scottish Liberal Democrats, which requested the data, described the figure as shocking. It pledged to fight for Waspi women following the UK Governments decision not to compensate them. The Waspi campaign wants women affected by the state pension age increase to be compensated (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Ahead of a debate at Holyrood on the issue, it called on UK ministers to change their minds. The Scottish Government will also call for Waspi women to be compensated during the debate on Tuesday. About 3.6 million women in the UK were affected by the change, first announced in the 1990s, to bring their retirement age in line with men. This was later accelerated under the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition government more than a decade ago. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the UK Government cannot afford to compensate Waspi women (Lucy North/PA) However, there was a 28-month delay in writing to inform them of the changes. Campaigners, led by the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group, have claimed women suffered financial hardship and had to rethink retirement plans. A report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) last year recommended the Government pay compensation to women as a result of the delay in them being informed of the changes. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has rejected that recommendation, saying the Government cannot afford the 10.5 billion it would cost to fund it. Beatrice Wishart said women have been betrayed by ministers. The Shetland MSP said: These shocking figures show that hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland have been betrayed by the UK Governments decision to not compensate Waspi women. The UK Government has turned its back on millions of women who were wronged through no fault of their own, ignoring the independent Ombudsmans recommendations, and that is, frankly, disgraceful. For years, Liberal Democrats have pushed the government to fairly compensate Waspi women in line with the Ombudsmans recommendations. The Conservatives left our economy in a shambles but pensioners shouldnt be asked to pay the price. The Liberal Democrats will fight for Waspi women. The UK Government must urgently change course and rethink this shameful decision. The Scottish Government urged the UK Government to listen to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsmans recommendations and compensate WASPI women. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: This issue has affected 336,000 women in Scotland who deserve to be fairly compensated for the mistakes of the UK Government. It is vital that the UK Government and DWP takes responsibility for these failings and this includes delivering a full compensation package at the earliest possible time. I call on the UK Government to listen to the Waspi womens call for comprehensive compensation, taking into account the financial hardship suffered, coupled with the UK having one of the worst gender pension gaps in the OECD. A Government spokesperson said: We accept the Ombudsmans finding of maladministration and have apologised for there being a 28-month delay in writing to 1950s-born women. However, evidence showed only one in four people remember reading and receiving letters that they werent expecting and that by 2006 90% of 1950s-born women knew that the State Pension age was changing. Earlier letters wouldnt have affected this. For these and other reasons the government cannot justify paying for a 10.5 billion compensation scheme at the expense of the taxpayer. The open letter Lord Hermer signed was organised by Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights and the Balfour Project The Attorney General has suggested Israels actions in the West Bank and Gaza could amount to apartheid. In 2023, Lord Hermer signed an open letter claiming Benjamin Netanyahus government is led by a far-Right coalition and that the international court in The Hague could rule its actions meet the legal definition of apartheid. The letter called on James Cleverly, the then foreign secretary, not to oppose proceedings in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) investigating Israels illegal policies in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. Organised by Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights and the Balfour Project, it said: The Israeli government is led by a coalition of far-Right parties whose common goal is the formal annexation of the West Bank and the extension of a one-state reality of unequal rights over more than five million Palestinians under occupation. It is perfectly possible that the Court will consider aspects of that situation to amount to apartheid. In July, the ICJ ruled Israels occupation of Palestinian Territories was unlawful and should end, but did not explicitly label it as apartheid. One of two Jewish Cabinet members, Lord Hermer has publicly reiterated his belief in Israels right to self-defence. But the emergence of his past endorsement of a controversial stance has raised doubts about his ability to provide the kind of unbiased advice Sir Keir Starmer apparently sought when he appointed him to the role. Lord Wolfson, the shadow attorney general, told The Telegraph that, on the issue of Israel and the Middle East, the Prime Minister is getting advice from someone the Attorney General who has a very particular position which he has strongly advocated for some time. One of two Jewish Cabinet members, Lord Hermer has publicly reiterated his belief in Israels right to self-defence - Aaron Chown/PA He suggested that the pathetic reason given by Sir Keirs government for dropping objections to the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants appeared to have originated with Lord Hermer. Lord Wolfson explained: There is a big legal question over whether the ICC has jurisdiction in this case. The Conservative government took the position that they did not. But when Labour came in, they dropped that challenge, saying they respect the ICC, and therefore wont be making any submissions to it about jurisdiction. This is a frankly pathetic reason to give, not least because the ICC had asked for submissions. Germany made submissions saying that the ICC did not have jurisdiction, and nobody would say that Germany is disrespecting the ICC. I have no doubt the decision to drop the jurisdiction objections was in large part due to Lord Hermers advice. It is a good example of a decision which appears to be shaped both by his views on the underlying issue and his general position that international law and international courts are the pinnacle of any legal and judicial system. Sir Keirs decision to appoint his former colleague as Attorney General over Emily Thornberry was seen by some as a move towards taking a stronger stance on Israel. Lord Hermer was involved in the decision last July to withdraw the UKs objections to arrest warrants being issued against Mr Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, Israels former defence minister, by the ICC. In August, he intervened in a Foreign Office review of arms sales to Israel, refusing to approve weapons until officials confirmed they would not violate international law. On Tuesday night, a spokesman for the Attorney Generals Office told The Telegraph: The Attorney Generals role in Government is to provide impartial legal advice. It is understood the office does not comment on statements made by ministers prior to their appointment. Last week Lord Hermer told the justice select committee that, by convention, law officers do not confirm whether they have advised ministers on any given issue. Sources close to the Attorney General said that, as has been the case under successive governments, decisions on policy are taken by the relevant Secretary of State and departments. Tulip Siddiq resigned as anti-corruption minister last week - Victoria Jones/PA Wire Bangladeshs opposition leader has said he would push for Tulip Siddiq to be extradited amid corruption allegations linked to her despot aunts regime. Bobby Hajjaj, the founder and chairman of the Nationalist Democratic Movement, said that he would urge Bangladeshs Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to ask the former city minister to come and face law enforcement. Ms Siddiq resigned as anti-corruption minister last week after Sir Keir Starmers ethics adviser found she had inadvertently misled the public. The MP is the niece of Sheikh Hasina, the longest-serving prime minister of Bangladesh who is now in India having been ousted last year after 15 years in power. During her tenure, opponents and critics were picked up, arrested and secretly imprisoned with some subject to extrajudicial killings. Speaking on Monday, Mr Hajjaj claimed to the Guido Fawkes website that there were cases with links with Tulip Siddiq herself, including a multi-billion pound embezzlement investigation into a nuclear power plant deal with Russia. Mr Hajjaj claims that Ms Siddiq has dual citizenship in Bangladesh and that he will push for her to be extradited - Delwar Hossain Court documents in Bangladesh claim Ms Siddiq was instrumental in managing the affairs and co-ordinating meetings with Russian government officials. Labour sources have said the claims, which first appeared unsourced on a US website, are spurious. Ms Siddiq said on Tuesday that no evidence had been presented on claims in Bangladesh, which she totally denies. Mr Hajjaj also claimed that the opposition had long had suspicions that Siddiq has been working as the front person of the Hasina regime in the UK. Before she was an MP, Ms Siddiq once described herself as a spokesman for the Awami League in the UK. Mr Hajjaj claimed that Ms Siddiq had dual citizenship in Bangladesh and that he would push for her to be extradited. Even though Bangladesh and the UK dont have an official extradition treaty I believe, but there are certain terms and understandings on those terms, he said. So from our end we will certainly push for the ACC and law enforcement here to ask for Tulip to come and face law enforcement, or face the courts. Mr Hajjaj said the UK Government was heavily supported by confidants of the dictatorial regime. The Telegraph has previously reported how supporters of Hasinas Awami League Party in the UK have campaigned for Sir Keir Starmer and have links to other senior Labour members. Mr Hajjaj added: Labour and the Awami League party have been almost like sister parties and knowing very well the human rights abuses. Ms Siddiq, who was replaced as economic secretary to the Treasury by Emma Reynolds, remains an MP after resigning from Government last week. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Ms Siddiq admitted she had become a distraction from the Governments agenda as she faced mounting corruption allegations. Her resignation followed weeks of controversy over her ties to the political party led by her aunt. She quit hours after Sir Laurie Magnus, No 10s ethics adviser, urged Sir Keir to consider her ongoing responsibilities in light of the perception of a conflict of interest. In her original letter to Sir Laurie, Ms Siddiq said she had done nothing wrong but the ethics adviser found she had inadvertently misled the public over a flat she received as a gift from a man with connections to the Awami League. Ms Siddiq initially claimed her parents bought her the apartment in Kings Cross, north London, which she took ownership of in 2004 when in her early 20s. However, earlier this month she admitted the two-bedroom home, now worth 700,000, had actually been given to her by Abdul Motalif, a Bangladeshi property developer. Sir Laurie said she had told him that she was unaware of the origins of her ownership of the flat despite signing a Land Registry form for it. He wrote in his report: Ms Siddiq remained under the impression that her parents had given the flat to her, having purchased it from the previous owner. Ms Siddiq recognises that, as a result of this, the public were inadvertently misled about the identity of the donor of this gift in her replies to queries in 2022. This was an unfortunate misunderstanding which led to Ms Siddiqs public correction of the origins of her ownership after she became a minister. Downing Street said it would not get into hypotheticals when asked about a possible extradition. A spokesman for Ms Siddiq said: No evidence has been presented for these allegations. Tulip Siddiq has not been contacted by anyone on the matter and totally denies the claims. The BBCs John Sudworth interviewed an undocumented migrant over Mr Trumps election - Chip Somodevilla/Pool/Reuters The BBC is embroiled in a fresh row over bias after it reported that Donald Trumps election was built on fear and a misconception over illegal migration. John Sudworth, the senior North America correspondent, told viewers it was fear that gave Mr Trump his mandate in a report that featured an interview with an illegal migrant but was not balanced by any pro-Trump voices. It came as an MP warned the BBC that its careless approach to impartiality over the past year could affect negotiations over the licence fee as ministers prepare to discuss the renewal of its royal charter, which runs out in 2027. BBC viewers took to social media to complain that its reporters could not disguise their dislike of the president, which they said was typified in Mr Sudworths report broadcast during Monday nights News at Ten on BBC1. John Sudworth told viewers it was fear that gave Mr Trump his mandate during Monday nights News at Ten on BBC1 - Justin Sullivan/Getty Mr Sudworth told viewers: On the campaign trail, Donald Trump drove his message of fear all the way to the White House but it was based on a misconception. Rather than an invasion, America has long been dependent on the work of these migrants in agriculture and manufacturing, making them both essential and dispensable For his opponents these feel like dizzying and dark times. It was fear that gave Mr Trump his mandate and in a country that once defined itself on openness, his first actions show that he intends to deliver. Mr Sudworth interviewed an undocumented migrant who had lived in the US for 20 years but he did not speak to anyone who backed Mr Trumps policy of deporting illegal migrants. During the report, Mr Sudworth interviewed an undocumented migrant but not a Trump supporter, although another report on the same news bulletin included interviews with Trump supporters - Thomas Hengge/Anadolu/Getty The issue of impartiality will loom large over the discussions between the Government and the BBC over the renewal of the 10-year royal charter which decides how the broadcaster is funded. The talks, which are expected to begin within weeks, will include discussions on a new mission statement that emphasises impartiality and distinctiveness and a bigger role for the National Audit Office in scrutinising the BBCs spending. Last year, the BBC faced repeated accusations of Left-wing bias. The BBC was forced to apologise after labelling Reform which received a higher vote share in Julys general election than the Liberal Democrats a far Right party, and revealed in its own internal staff review that not nice stories about immigration are less likely to be promoted. Leading Jewish organisations have accused the BBC of being institutionally hostile to Israel, and the BBC faced claims of inaccuracies and bias over its coverage last summer of the Southport riots. Stuart Andrew, the shadow culture secretary, said: The BBC has a privileged position as a national broadcaster funded by the public, that must not be taken for granted. Impartiality is central to continued success and viability. In what has been a very difficult year for the BBC, these examples of a careless approach to editorial standards must be a wake up call for the corporation as we approach the renewal of the BBC charter. The BBC must do better. Mr Andrew added that the BBCs coverage of Mr Trumps first day as president, should be a factual report of an important inauguration event not a view on the president who is democratically elected and the choice of the people. Thats democracy. An analysis of BBC output over the past year also shows that the broadcaster has wasted licence fee payers money on programmes with pitiful viewing figures which pushed messages about colonialism, instead of quality drama. In February last year, a BBC Three schedule coordinator who made Facebook posts branding Jews Nazi apartheid parasites. A BBC spokesman said she no longer works for the organisation. The report on Mr Trumps election is not the only complaint of bias which has faced the BBC is recent months - Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg In April, the corporation admitted that its reporting of civilian deaths in Gaza was inaccurate as the number included thousands of Hamas fighters. The BBCs editorial complaints unit upheld a complaint from a viewer, finding that the report on the deaths fell below the BBCs standards of accuracy. In June the BBC reported on the deaths of journalists in Gaza without disclosing that they were Hamas supporters who had praised or even worked for the terrorist group. Sir Keir Starmer has already said he is committed to retaining the licence fee, but the charter renewal process will discuss the level of the fee, how much public money should be spent on its website, its regulation and its impartiality. A BBC spokesman said: The BBC is the UKs most used and trusted news outlet, and the worlds most trusted international news provider. We hold ourselves to the highest editorial standards, and around 75 per cent of the UK population come to BBC News each week for accurate, impartial journalism that they trust. Of the complaint regarding the report on Mr Trump, a spokesman said: Our coverage of Donald Trump is duly impartial and we will continue to reflect a broad range of opinions, including the considerable support for his policies among many Americans. The spokesman added that another report on the same news bulletin included interviews with Trump supporters, including one who expressed a wish to close the border. The Home Office is accused of failing to conduct adequate risk assessments to ensure its asylum accommodation is safe. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA NGOs are calling for improvements in UK government safeguarding policies after multiple acts of violence and race hate incidents in Home Office accommodation. The incidents include 20 assaults of asylum seekers in one small area of Essex and a separate incident where another was attacked and threatened with a knife by a man recently released into shared asylum accommodation from prison on licence. Slices of bacon were also laid over food belonging to Muslim residents stored in a communal kitchen fridge. NGOs say the Home Office is failing to conduct adequate risk assessments to ensure its asylum accommodation is safe. In the recent incident where an asylum seeker was assaulted and threatened with a knife, the victim told the Guardian: I thought this man was going to kill me. [The] Home Office has finally agreed to move me but Im having problems sleeping because every time I close my eyes I see that knife. A second man in the same house who has also been threatened has launched an emergency legal action calling on the Home Office to move him to a safer place. I am very scared, he said. We never had a problem before. This man told us he is involved with drugs and had just come out of prison following a drugs conviction. He wanted me and the other asylum seekers in the house to deliver drugs for him but we have refused. I was so shocked when I woke up a few days ago and found our food covered with slices of bacon. This is a hate crime against Muslims. Maria Wilby, the director and operational lead at Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant Action in Essex, said she had repeatedly raised incidents of concerns about attacks at asylum accommodation with the Home Office. Nobody in any statutory Home Office accommodation should be placed there unless there are stringent regulations in place to protect them, she said. Bridget Young, the director at Naccom the No Accommodation Network, which supports immigrants with accommodation issues, said: Its vital that robust safeguarding processes are in place within any organisation involved in the provision of asylum accommodation. We know that people in the asylum system are often dealing with complex mental health issues, including trauma, and can have specific support needs as a result, so its essential that people are not only accommodated in decent, stable housing within communities, but that they feel safe, settled and supported too. Nathan Phillips, the head of campaigns at Asylum Matters, said of the accommodation where the man was attacked with a knife: This is another tragic case that demonstrates the real-life, harmful consequences of the Home Offices consistent failures to put in place effective safeguarding and risk assessment policies particularly when they hold background knowledge about individuals they are accommodating. Clearsprings Ready Homes, the Home Office contractor that manages the accommodation where the knife incident took place, said: This is a matter which should be referred to the Home Office for their input. A Home Office spokesperson said: It is longstanding government policy that we do not comment on individual cases. Where concerns are raised, we work with our providers to investigate them and ensure the safety of those in our support are protected. Barack and Michelle Obama on stage at the Democratic National Convention - the last time the pair made a public appearance together - CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE Follow todays inauguration live blog In August, Barack and Michelle Obama appeared together on stage at the Democratic National Convention, launching their biggest intervention against Donald Trump during the presidential race. The couple lapped up applause from delegates as they doled out personal attacks on the Republican nominee, who Mrs Obama accused of ugly, misogynistic, racist lies. Five months and one election loss later, the speech also marks the last time Mr and Mrs Obama have made a public appearance together. After skipping a state funeral for Jimmy Carter in Washington, Mrs Obama has confirmed that she will not attend Trumps presidential inauguration, leaving her husband to face the fanfare alone again. Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush will both joined their husbands on Monday. A spokesman gave no reason for her absence, after explaining that she was unable to appear for Carters funeral because of a scheduling conflict. It has since emerged that Mrs Obama was on holiday in Hawaii without her husband. Her withdrawal from political life has been interpreted by some as an attempt to avoid coming face-to-face with Mr Trump, who was pictured laughing and joking with her husband at Carters funeral. Some Democrats criticised Mr Obama for speaking so openly to Mr Trump after his election win noting that Kamala Harris ignored her political rival completely. The seating plan at the funeral, which was attended by every other former first lady, would likely have sat Mrs Obama next to Mr Trump putting her in an awkward position after her words on the campaign trail. Although that posed no issue for Mr Obama, who is well-used to engaging with political rivals in a social setting. Mrs Obama has previously complained about the requirements placed on her by her husbands political career. In Mr Obamas 2020 book, A Promised Land, he wrote that his wife had told him she was frustrated about his long hours as a Illinois senator, telling him: This isnt what I signed up for, Barack. I feel like Im doing it all by myself. Rediscovering their love He said the demands of eight years in the White House had placed a strain on their marriage, but that they had spent time rediscovering their love and replenishing their friendship after he stood down. She has not appeared in public with Mr Obama since the August speech, nor posted about politics on her social media accounts. In October, she posted on Instagram about the couples 32nd anniversary, thanking him for always having my back, being by my side, and finding ways to make me smile. Mrs Obamas convention speech, which saw her abandon the Obama mantra when they go low, we go high, was interpreted as a major victory for Ms Harriss presidential campaign. In the room, the reception from the crowd was even greater than for her husband. But she has firmly rejected calls from Democrats to run for president herself in 2028, despite polling that shows she would be the most popular primary contender on the ticket. A statement from the couple on the day after Mr Trumps election victory said the result was obviously not the outcome we had hoped for, given our profound disagreements with the Republican ticket on a whole host of issues. It did not name Mr Trump specifically. Michelle doesnt do anything because its protocol Mrs Obama has since released a book, Overcoming, which she describes as a workbook designed to help you get through the challenging periods life throws our way. Her absence from the inauguration comes after both Mr Trump and his wife, Melania, declined to attend Joe Bidens swearing-in ceremony in 2021, while denying the result of the election. A source close to Mrs Obama told People magazine that she had decided to skip the ceremony to avoid paying homage to Mr Trumps win. Shes not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocols sake, the source said. Michelle doesnt do anything because its expected or its protocol or its tradition. As new data gives an optimistic outlook for the UK property market in 2025, here are some of the stocks that could benefit from the sector's rebound. The latest closely-watched survey from the Royal Institution from the Chartered Surveyors (RICS), published on Thursday, showed that many estate agents and other professionals in the sector expect property sales and house prices to rise in 2025. A net balance of 37% of respondents to the December survey said they foresaw sales activity rising over the next 12 months, while a net balance of 53% envisaged prices climbing higher over the year ahead. Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at RICS, said that the survey "points to a further improvement in sentiment in the housing market despite concerns about the potential impact of rising bond yields on borrowing costs." A recent sell-off in UK government bonds, prompted the yields effectively the interest rates on these debt instruments to surge. Rubinsohn said: "Signals from the survey around expectations over the next twelve months also remain solidly positive for now." Read more: Average UK house price rises by almost 6,000 "However, the resilience of the uplift in market mood could be tested if the mortgage rates do begin to climb in a material way over the coming months," Rubinsohn said. "That, critically, would also be a concern for developers who will want to see a solid market as a backdrop for ramping up housebuilding to help meet the governments ambitious 1.5 million homes target for this parliament." Concerns have been brewing that "stagflation" where inflation persists but economic growth stagnates was taking hold in the UK. This led investors to question whether the Bank of England (BoE) would leave interest rates higher for longer, which could keep mortgage rates higher and weigh on property market activity. However, economic data released last week offered some hope for investors. Inflation fell unexpectedly in December to 2.5%, opening the door for a BoE rate cut next month. Separate data showed that the UK economy returned to growth in November, expanding 0.1%, though this was less than expected. At the same time, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday that it had upgraded its forecast for UK economic growth this year. And in further positive news for the property market, online platform Rightmove (RMV.L) said on Monday that the average UK house price rose by nearly 6,000 in January, with buyer activity also up this month. More confidence and activity in the property market could prove positive for a number of companies in the sector, particularly housebuilders. Here are the stocks in the sector highlighted by experts. New data gives an optimistic outlook for the UK housing sector in 2025. (Owen Humphreys - PA Images via Getty Images) UK housing stocks In a recent note, Barclays (BARC.L) equity research analyst Emily Biddulph said her team had a positive outlook for the UK housebuilding sector in 2025. "We see limited earnings risk and we think that, following a 25% sell-off of the sector through Q4, fundamental valuation screens as attractive, even if recovery in sector returns is slow," she said. Berkeley Group (BKG.L) One UK housebuilder that Biddulph said her team were upgrading to an "overweight" rating was Berkeley Group (BKG.L), according to the note published on 7 January. "We expect our upgrade to [overweight] on Berkeley Group to be viewed as a contrarian call," she said. "While we acknowledge that this could be early to turn positive on Berkeley, we disagree with the consensus view that H1 results were a negative catalyst and see a particularly compelling long-term value opportunity in the stock." Read more: Do you think Trump is likely to levy trade tariffs on the UK? Have your say In its interim results, released in December, Berkeley posted a nearly 8% fall in profit before tax year-on-year to 275.1m ($338m). However, Berkeley CEO Rob Perrins said that the firm remained on track to deliver pre-tax profit guidance of 525m for the full year and at least 450m for the 2026 fiscal year. Shares have continued to slump following these results and are down nearly 25% over the past year. The housebuilder also unveiled the launch of a new 10-year growth strategy in its results, which Biddulph said Barclays analysts viewed as a "material positive, given that in the past Berkeley group has called cycles well, by both investing in land and WIP before its peers, driving much stronger than average returns." Biddulph said Barclays maintained an "overweight" rating on Bellway, which is listed on the FTSE 250 (^FTMC). "While Bellway was the best-performing housebuilder we cover in 2024 ... we still view it as an undervalued relative safe haven, where we are most confident in both ability to deliver on consensus expectations ... and meaningful medium-term growth," she said. In its preliminary results, released in October, Bellway reported a 30% fall in revenue to nearly 2.4bn for the year ended 31 July 2024. The housebuilder also posted a nearly 58% drop in profits before tax to 226.1m. Read more: Stocks that are trending today However, Bellway CEO Jason Honeyman highlighted that "improving trading conditions and our strong outlet opening programme has generated a healthy increase in the year end order book." "As a result, we are well-placed to deliver a material increase in volume output in financial year 2025," he said. Despite those results, shares in Bellway are down just close to 8% over the past year. Barratt Redrow (BTRW.L) Barclays has kept an "overweight" rating on Barratt Redrow, whose merger was given the green light in early October. In an update later that month, Barratt Redrow said the integration of the two companies was underway to deliver at least 90m in "cost synergies". The merged company said also it was expected to deliver between 16,600 and 17,200 home completions in the 2025 fiscal year. Stocks: Create your watchlist and portfolio Despite the news around the merger, shares have lagged over the past couple of months and are down nearly 18% on a one-year basis. Biddulph said Barclays analysts kept an "overweight" rating on the stock "on the basis that we see higher-than-average valuation upside, and earnings estimates as being relatively well underpinned. "While an underlying decline in outlets in FY25 has been an overhang on the stock, as the focus moves on to FY26 through this year, we expect Barratt to rightly, in our view, start to be viewed as a growth name again," she said. In a Deutsche Bank note released last week, analyst Chris Millington changed his recommendation on the housebuilder Persimmon from "hold" to "buy". The upgrade came after Persimmon released a 2024 trading statement, in which it said new home completions were up 7% for the year to 10,664. Read more: Trump inauguration fuels bitcoin and memecoin rally The housebuilder said the average selling price had also risen 5% to around 268,500 this past year. Persimmon said it expected profit before tax for the year to come in at the upper end of market expectations of between 349m and 390m. Millington said: "Whilst we think other companies are better placed for a recovery in volume/profits, after the circa 40% decline in Persimmon's share price since mid-October, we think that valuation attractions are emerging, even with the prospect of future returns being much lower than pre-Covid levels." Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.L), said government policy was looking promising for certain housebuilders. "Plans to ease planning consent should be especially favourable for housebuilders with large landbanks awaiting detailed planning permission, like Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey (TW.L)," he said "The goal of building 1.5 million new homes over a five-year period looks a bit too stretching given where were at currently, but the ambition is commendable." "Given that the housebuilding sector has seen share prices fall sharply toward the back end of 2024, some valuations are now looking very attractive, as long as investors have the patience to ride out the inevitable ups and downs over the coming years," he added. Read more: Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Rachel Reeves has long supported a third runway at Heathrow airport. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA A plan for Rachel Reeves to back a third runway at Heathrow and an expansion of Gatwick and Luton airports has been labelled desperate, as the chancellor faces opposition from within Labour. The chancellor is expected to make a swathe of announcements intended to increase economic growth in a speech later this month, including giving a political green light to the airports expansion. Related: Boeing production in 2024 expected to be less than half of rival Airbus Reeves will give her firm backing to the long-mooted plan to build a third runway at Heathrow, which is Britains busiest airport, is , along with bringing a second strip at Gatwick into full-time use and increasing the capacity of Luton, according to Bloomberg, which first reported the move. Asked in the House of Commons on Tuesday to confirm if she was planning to announce her support for Heathrow expansion next week, Reeves said: Im not going to comment on leaks. What I would say is this government is absolutely committed to growing our economy and making this a great place for businesses to invest and trade in. The chancellor has been searching for policies that will turbocharge growth, predicted to be 1.6% this year, as she also searches for deep spending cuts to make up for a rise in borrowing costs and a dip in the pound earlier this month. The government trumpeted the expansion of Stansted airport at last Octobers investment summit, when the prime minister welcomed a 1bn commitment from its owner, Manchester Airports Group, as a sign of getting our economy moving through the shock and awe of investment. Reeves is expected to back Heathrows expansion despite opposition from the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, who is understood to be against the plans, which have long been opposed by green campaigners. Miliband is responsible for keeping the UK within its carbon budget the amount of carbon the country can afford to emit while still having a chance of meeting net zero emissions by 2050. The seventh such budget is coming out this spring, written by the Climate Change Committee (CCC), which has previously decreed that there should be no net airport expansion unless the carbon-intensity of aviation is outperforming the governments emissions reduction pathway and can accommodate the additional demand. Reeves will also face opposition to the decision from Londons Labour mayor, Sadiq Khan. A spokesperson for Khan told the Guardian: The mayor has a longstanding opposition to airport expansion around London linked to the negative impact on air quality, noise and Londons ability to reach net zero by 2030. The move will also be unpopular with many backbenchers, both those with constituencies near the airports and those who campaign on climate action. Clive Lewis, the MP for Norwich South, said: The CCC has called for no net airport expansion in the UK. Thats because its completely incompatible with the governments own net zero strategy. Doug Parr, the policy director at Greenpeace UK, said: Resurrecting the idea of a third runway at Heathrow in the hope that a strip of tarmac will nudge up the UKs GDP smacks of desperation. The economic benefits are dubious at best while the environmental costs in climate damage, noise and air pollution are certain. Expert analysis has shown that the uptick in air travel over the last few years has failed to boost UK productivity or GDP growth while business journeys by plane are in long-term decline. Reeves is expected to argue that the government is bringing in a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate that will require planes to use greener fuels, with 2% of total jet fuel to be SAF by the end of this year, and this will offset any expansion. Other mooted growth-boosting schemes include the Lower Thames Crossing road tunnel and a Universal Studios theme park near Bedford. The local MP for the town north of London, Mohammad Yasin, said on Tuesday that he had discussed the proposal with Reeves. The chancellor has long supported a third runway at Heathrow, voting for it in 2018 while the prime minister, Keir Starmer, voted against. Bosses at Heathrow are expected to reveal new runway plans later this year, which are likely to be less ambitious than a previous iteration that would have crossed adjacent motorway lanes. Under the previous government, parliament voted to approve a third runway in principle. The airport has yet to submit a full planning application. Gatwicks plans to bring its existing emergency runway into routine use as a second runway have been examined by planning inspectors and is due to be decided by the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, by 27 February. The similar development consent order for Lutons expansion plans is due to be ratified or rejected by Alexander in April. Gatwick and Luton submitted their plans in 2023 to the Planning Inspectorate, which typically spends at least a year examining any nationally significant projects. Inspectors then provide a detailed recommendation to ministers, who ultimately sign off on development consent orders. A government spokesperson said: We do not comment on speculation All expansion proposals must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth while remaining in line with existing environmental obligations. Laura Briggs checks out an abandoned well on her ranch in Pecos County. The ranch has been struggling with the lack of enforcement of oil and gas operations on her familys property. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Not our bill to pay The article about the skyrocketing cost to plug abandoned oil wells is alarming to say the least. I want to know why the States Railroad Commission is on the hook for a single dime of that expense when it should be obvious to even the most casual observer that the oil companies should be held responsible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Most concerning is your statement that it remains unclear to what extent taxpayers will need to pitch in to pay for the problem. Taxpayers pitch in? To that I dont just say no, but HELL no! David Kelly, Spring Shelter from the storm How cold to get a warm bed? When the government determines how cold you have to be to get shelter, it is at least consistent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Texas government has also decided whether workers deserve a water break in the unbearable heat and what kind of health care Texas women can receive. Just like the Roman Empire of old, it seems, Texas sanctions health decline and death because it is cheaper than life. Can the same fall be near? Patricia Garris, Spring Out of (City) Office Regarding Mayor John Whitmire rescinds Houston policy allowing employees to work hybrid schedules (Jan 15): Advertisement Article continues below this ad So the mayor wants to bring everyone back into the office. Instead of pay-for-performance, this will be pay for sitting in an office. I managed a team across seven time zones. I could not watch them work. But I certainly knew how well each person was performing. Some worked from home. That didnt matter. The return to the office movement is an indictment of upper management competence they dont trust their ability to evaluate performance, they dont trust the employees, and they show how insecure they are and their need to present a facade of control. If the mayor wants to help the budget, let people work from home and get rid of some office space. Alan Jackson, Houston When a record is a life sentence Regarding Join our private Zoom event with new Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare (Jan 8): Advertisement Article continues below this ad At Thursdays Chronicle town hall meeting with District Attorney Sean Teare, a question about streamlining the criminal record expungement and sealing process was posed but unfortunately not addressed due to time constraints. However, DA Teare alluded to a new day for Harris County, inspiring hope for transformative reforms in our justice system. Criminal records often serve as life sentences long after individuals have served their time, creating barriers to employment, housing and stability. These barriers perpetuate cycles of poverty and recidivism, leaving many individuals with limited options to survive. A streamlined expungement and sealing process could be a game changer, offering people the opportunity to move forward and contribute positively to society. Such reforms would not only reduce recidivism but also foster safer communities and a more equitable justice system. Harris County has the potential to set a precedent for others to follow by prioritizing second chances and empowering individuals to break free from the burdens of their past. I strongly urge DA Teare and county leadership to consider this vital step forward. Let Harris County lead the way in creating real pathways to redemption and rebuilding lives. Shawn Lacy, Houston Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fair pay for teachers I dont understand why Texas would try to block increased pay for teachers with seniority. Its going to end up with experienced teachers leaving and going elsewhere. I do understand about pay for excellence. Why not do both? Have a pay increase for seniority, but also an additional increase for excellence. In this day and age, we seem to have a my way or the highway attitude. Surely there is a way to compromise. David Lammy has issued terminology guidelines when talking about aid to poorer nations - Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg David Lammy has urged Foreign Office staff not to use the words help or assistance when talking about poorer nations because it can be seen as patronising. The Foreign Secretary said there was no place in British diplomacy for old-style paternalism towards less developed countries. Mr Lammy promised a reset of the UKs relations with so-called Global South nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean within days of Labour taking office last year. More recently, he defended the planned handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as an example of showing that we mean what we say on partnerships with such countries. Vladimir Putin meets Xi Jinping at a Belt and Road forum in Beijing in 2023 - Sergei Guneev/Reuters A profile of Mr Lammy by The New Yorker magazine said that since entering the Foreign Office, he had encouraged officials not to use words such as help or support or assistance in their dealings with the Global South. Its not the development of Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, Mr Lammy told the publication. This is a world in which Chinas Belt and Road has happened. This is a world in which we see Russia selling mercenaries to African countries. Its not just about sort of old-style paternalism. Thats just not going to cut it. This is a world in which we see Russia selling mercenaries to African countries, said David Lammy Established in 2013, Chinas Belt and Road Initiative is a $1 trillion (800 billion) programme aimed at boosting its influence around the world. Beijing has heralded the programme as a success but critics say it is a debt trap that fosters government corruption, particularly in African countries where it has ramped up investment. In the New Yorker profile, Mr Lammy also urged Britain to find common ground with the White House as Donald Trump began his second term as US president this week. The MP for Tottenham was a vocal critic of Mr Trump while on the backbenches and labelled him a woman-hating, neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath in 2018. But he has changed his tune on him in recent months, praising him after they met for an extended dinner with Sir Keir Starmer in New York City in September. A Chinese advertising billboard in Lusaka, Zambia, promoting its infrastructure projects as Beijing seeks to extend its influence - Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg Mr Lammy said it had been a very, very warm evening in many, many ways, adding: You dont get from where I started to where I am without finding the common ground. That is the number one thing I am often trying to do The history books are far from written. You know, were in the midst of it all. Let us reckon with that second Trump term. He went on to say his hero was Ernest Bevin, the post-war Labour foreign secretary who was the driving force behind the creation of Nato, because of his pragmatic approach. In remarks made to the magazine before the US presidential election, Mr Lammy said he would work with the White House under Mr Trump regardless of potential difficulties. As the chief diplomat, in the end, give me democracy any day, however challenging it is, he added. Following Mr Trumps inauguration on Monday, Mr Lammy declared that there were no greater allies than the UK and the US as he talked up the importance of the special relationship. The US airbase in the Chagos Islands. Donald Trump wants Britain to delay its decision to hand the archipelago to Mauritius - DoD/AFP via Getty Mr Lammy said in a statement: Our close economic, security, intelligence and cultural ties deliver growth and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic. A significant diplomatic rift erupted between Labour and the Trump campaign last October after it emerged almost 100 current and former Labour staff members had gone to the US to campaign for the Democrats in swing states. Mr Trumps team is also understood to have demanded that Britain delay its decision to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius until he was back in the White House. Marco Rubio, who is now the secretary of state, has said that giving away the strategic islands could help Chinas military ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. Antibiotics, antivirals, vaccinations and anti-inflammatory medication have been linked with reducing dementia symptoms - E+/AsiaVision Ibuprofen and antibiotics may reduce the risk of dementia, a study has found. Cambridge and Exeter Universities looked at data from more than 130 million people and were surprised to find those who took certain drugs appeared somewhat protected from neurodegeneration. Antibiotics, antivirals, vaccinations and anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen were all linked to a reduced risk in dementia. It comes after recent studies suggest that some forms of dementia may be caused by infections such as herpes that travel to the brain and trigger damage in brain cells. Scientists have speculated that drugs, which stop viral or bacterial infections, may also prevent dementia. Although the researchers say the study does not prove the drugs are working to stave off dementia, they have said it hints that drugs already available, and proven safe for other conditions, may also have added benefits. Dr Ben Underwood, from the Department of Psychiatry at Cambridge, said: We urgently need new treatments to slow the progress of dementia, if not to prevent it. If we can find drugs that are already licensed for other conditions, then we can get them into trials and crucially may be able to make them available to patients much, much faster than we could do for an entirely new drug. The fact they are already available is likely to reduce cost and therefore make them more likely to be approved for use in the NHS. Slow down progression There are estimated to be 944,000 people with dementia in Britain, but there are no drugs available that can prevent the condition. Lecanemab and donanemab were shown to slow down progression of the disease, but the benefits are marginal and neither have been recommended for use on the NHS. The study showed that vaccines for hepatitis A, typhoid and diphtheria were associated with risk reductions in dementia of between eight and 32 per cent. The anti-inflammatory ibuprofen, the antibiotic ceftriaxone (used to treat bacterial infections) vitamin b3, and the blood-fat-lowering medication gemfibrozil, were all found to reduce the chance of dementia by between 14 and 24 per cent. Professor Francesco Tamagnini, a neurophysiologist at the University of Reading, said: This research strengthens our understanding that inflammation is important in how dementia develops. One interesting possibility from this research is that common anti-inflammatory medications that older people take for heart health (like low-dose aspirin to prevent blood clots) might also help protect brain function and reduce dementia risk. There are estimated to be 944,000 people with dementia in Britain - iStockPhoto Researchers warn the association between drugs could be a red herring. For example, healthy people are more likely to take medication for blood pressure or get vaccinated but they are also less likely to smoke, which is a risk factor for dementia. Dr Ilianna Lourida, of the University of Exeter, said: Because a particular drug is associated with an altered risk of dementia, it doesnt necessarily mean that it causes or indeed helps in dementia. We know that diabetes increases your risk of dementia, for example, so anyone on medication to manage their glucose levels would naturally also be at a higher risk of dementia but that doesnt mean the drug increases your risk. However, the team is hopeful the research could give a hint as to which drugs should be tested for their impact on dementia. The Government is supporting the development of an Alzheimers trial platform to test drugs rapidly, including repurposed drugs currently used for other conditions. Pooling these massive health data sets provides one source of evidence which we can use to help us focus on which drugs we should try first, added Dr Underwood. Dr Richard Oakley, the associate director of Research and Innovation at the Alzheimers Society, said: If we can repurpose drugs that have already been shown to be safe and approved for use for other conditions, this could save millions of pounds and the decades it takes to develop a new dementia drug from scratch, and get us closer to beating dementia. This research provides some initial groundwork and indicates which drugs have potential for being repurposed for dementia and should be prioritised for further investigation. Dr Julia Dudley, the head of Research Strategy at Alzheimers Research UK, added: As these medications have already been shown to be safe for use in people, this could potentially speed up the process of testing in clinical trials, as well as being significantly cheaper. Future research would also need to address if factors such as education level, socioeconomic status, biomarker information, or having Alzheimers risk genes could be influencing these results. The research was published in the journal Alzheimers and Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions. Lt Gen Herzi Halevis announcement to resign came as no surprise despite no replacement found - Israeli Army/AFP via Getty Images Israels army chief has announced he will resign after taking responsibility for the major security failure that led to Hamass Oct 7 attacks. Lt Gen Herzi Halevi announcement on Tuesday that he would step down on March 6 came as Israeli forces raided the West Bank city of Jenin in what Benjamin Netanyahu called a large-scale and significant military operation. His resignation over the deadliest day in Israels history was widely expected, although it is not clear who would replace Lt Gen Halevi, a military veteran of over four decades. My responsibility for the terrible failure accompanies me every day, hour by hour, and will do so for the rest of my life, he said, adding he would complete the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) inquiries into Oct 7. At least eight Palestinians have been killed so far in the Iron Wall operation in Jenin which is expected to last several days and includes Israeli soldiers, police and intelligence services. The new offensive came one day after Donald Trump declared that he was lifting sanctions on violent settlers in the West Bank who attacked Palestinian villages. We are acting systematically and resolutely against the Iranian axis wherever it extends its arms in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Judea and Samaria, Mr Netanyahu said. Judea and Samaria are terms Israel uses for the occupied West Bank. This is another step in achieving the goal we set, strengthening security in the West Bank, the Israeli prime minister added. Another 35 were wounded in the attacks, according to the local health ministry, run by the Palestinian Authority. In response to attacks, Hamas released a statement calling for a general mobilisation and escalation of clashes against Israels military. Credit: X / Social Media Footage circulating on social media showed several IDF vehicles driving through Jenin on Tuesday, with local media reporting that the forces entered the al-Jabariyat neighbourhood. Kamal Abu al-Rub, Jenins governor, told AFP the operation was an invasion of the [refugee] camp. It came quickly, Apache helicopters in the sky and Israeli military vehicles everywhere, he added. Israel is yet to comment on the reported death toll and airstrikes. The move into Jenin, where the Israeli army has carried out multiple raids and large-scale incursions over recent years, comes only two days after the start of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. Jenin has been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades, as the Iran-backed terror groups of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad have taken control within the city. Israel has accused Iran of funding and arming Palestinian terror groups in the West Bank for years, smuggling weapons through the border crossing with Jordan. Some 35 were wounded in the attacks, according to the health ministry, run by the Palestinian Authority - Majdi Mohammed/AP On Monday, masked Israeli settlers set fire to cars and tried to break into Palestinian homes in the northern West Bank village of al-Funduq. Betzalel Smotrich, Israels hardline finance minister and member of the security cabinet, called the operation in Jenin part of Israels goal to eradicate terrorism in the region and protect settlements and settlers. Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem heavily disputed land Israel captured in 1967. The internationally recognised Palestinian Authority has limited self rule over some territory in the West Bank under Israeli military occupation. Tuesdays operation comes after weeks of clashes between the Palestinian Authority and the Jenin Brigade, a coalition of members of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al Aqsa Martyr Brigade, an armed Palestinian armed group. An Israeli military vehicle is photographed on the streets during the military raid in Jenin - Raneen Sawafta/Reuters The authority has tried to restore law and order in Jenin but its forces have not managed to break the Jenin Brigade. Meanwhile, Mr Netanyahu spoke with Sir Keir Starmer over the phone on Tuesday, discussing the release of hostages as well as the Downing Streets suspension of arms exports to Israel. Sir Keir thanked Mr Netanyahu for the release of British citizen Emily Damari, and congratulated him on the return of the other hostages, according to Mr Netanyahus office. The Prime Minister also said that an evaluation of the issue of the UKs freeze on some weapons sales to Israel is being carried out. The UKs decision last year, which caused fury among Israeli politicians, was made over concerns the arms may be used to violate international humanitarian law. A sculpture in the ashes of a burned home during the aftermath of the Palisades Fire. Photograph: Scott Strazzante/AP Fires are a seasonal recurrence in the dry chaparral region of Los Angeles. Often fanned by the Santa Anas, gales known as the devil winds, they spark easily in the long, hot months of summer and autumn. But on 7 January, when those winds blew at 85 mph through areas parched from winter drought, a hurricane of fire swept into lower-lying and densely populated areas that had never seen such blazes before. The flames incinerated thousands of homes and priceless cultural heritage, marking the worst natural disaster in LA history. The second largest city in the US and a global cultural capital home to the Hollywood film industry and a rich contemporary art scene may never be the same again. More than a week on, with the Eaton fire 81% contained and the massive Palisades fire only 52% contained, the LA arts community is still taking stock of the losses. Altadena, a middle-class residential neighbourhood that is home to many artists, was particularly devastated by the Eaton Fire. According to artist Andrea Bowers, 190 artists have lost or suffered significant damage to their homes, studios, and work. That figure comes from Grief and Hope, a survey and relief fund Bowers launched on 9 January with several other arts professionals, including fellow artist Kathryn Andrews, who lost her home to the Palisades fire. The tally continues to rise. Leafy, suburban landscapes now resemble bomb sites, with little more than chimneys still standing among the smouldering wreckage. Photographs from the Altadena home, studio, and archive of Paul McCarthy show two of the artists bronze sculptures scorched but otherwise intact, sentries for a house that is no longer there. McCarthy built the house in 1989 for his family, and in recent years, his daughter, gallerist Mara McCarthy, and son, artist Damon McCarthy, bought their own homes around the corner. All three are now gone. McCarthy has since postponed his upcoming show at Hauser & Wirth in London. Many other artists have reported the loss of work slated for exhibitions. Painter Alec Egan lost two years of work that was scheduled to debut at LAs Anat Ebgi Gallery in February. Kelly Akashi was busy preparing an exhibition for Lisson Gallery on 5 January when she received a notice from Southern California Edison that they would shut off the power in Altadena to prevent the spread of fires. She says she took her cat and a backpack crammed with family albums and a few personal items to the home of a friend, where the lights were still on, not knowing that it was the last time she would see her house and studio. On top of everything, I lost almost the whole show, she said. Last April, a fire damaged painter Christina Quarless Altadena home. Now that home, along with a second that she and her partner owned next door and the Airbnb they had been living in while restorations were completed, have all been destroyed. Our daughters preschool burned down, our entire neighbourhood, all our friends houses, our restaurants, our parks, she said. On the morning of 7 January, the vast personal library of writer Gary Indiana, who died last October, arrived in Altadena from New York. According to a report by novelist Colm Toibin in the LRB, Indianas rare art books and editions were to form the core collection of an artist residency. Hours later, they were reduced to ash. In the Pacific Palisades, a hilly, affluent neighbourhood that stretches between the world-famous enclaves of Malibu and Santa Monica, residents fleeing the inferno were forced to abandon their cars as traffic choked the Pacific Coast Highway. Gallerist Ron Rivlin reported that the fire consumed more than 200 works of high-value art in his Palisades home, including 30 by Andy Warhol. Hundreds of musical scores by modernist composer Arnold Schoenberg, stored at the Palisades home of his son Larry, went up in smoke. The area was also home to numerous architectural landmarks that are now destroyed, including modernist icons by Ray Kappe, Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler and the 359-acre estate that once belonged to Will Rogers, the highest paid Hollywood actor of the 1930s. Bequeathed to the State of California in 1944, the Rogers ranch had served as a much-loved house museum and park for generations of Angelenos. The scale of destruction has thrown a few surviving structures into stark relief. The early modernist home of novelist Thomas Mann so far remains unscathed, according to the German Ministry of Culture, who maintain it as an artist residency. At time of writing, the home of architects Charles and Ray Eames has also avoided significant damage. At the Getty Villa, one of the worlds largest collections of antiquities, an emergency team of staff have been battling blazes on the museums hilltop campus with hand-held fire extinguishers. On 11 January, the same fire reached the vicinity of the Getty Center 10 miles away, though according to the Getty Trust both institutions remain safe and stable. But it may be in Altadena where the road to recovery is most uncertain. The area has a rate of Black home ownership more than double the national average, and many homes have been owned by the same families for decades. Amir Nikravan grew up in the neighbourhood and describes it as a very open, very warm, incredibly diverse community. It was a relatively central neighbourhood that still had a laidback, rural feel. Our whole block is gone, and my parents block is gone, he said. My parents are wondering, do they even want to rebuild in their 70s? Nikravan teaches at ArtCenter College of Design, where he says half his department including artists Diana Thater and Kelly Akashi lost homes. According to Nikravan, the worst losses were from his personal art collection, which comprises the majority of his assets and is not covered by insurance. Most artists are collectors, and often have collections that are pretty fantastic, but unlike real collectors we cant necessarily afford $2,000 a month to insure the work, he says. Many households are also underinsured. Since 2019, the rate at which fire insurance policies were not renewed in California jumped by 30%, and in 2023, the states largest insurers, State Farm and Allstate, announced that they would stop writing new policies for California properties. To make matters worse, artists paying mortgages for destroyed homes have had their livelihoods jeopardised in the middle of an industry-wide sales slump, notes Ariel Pittman, senior director at Various Small Fires gallery. Several of us are workers in the art world and have been intimately aware of our colleagues quietly being let go, or in the case of freelancers, just not having enough work over the last year due to the market downturn, she says. In recent years, Frieze art fair has emerged as a critical moment for local galleries and artists to make sales. Its organisers announced that it will open as scheduled on 20 February at Santa Monica airport, less than four miles from the Palisades fire. Our hearts are with everyone affected by the devastating fires in Los Angeles, they said in a statement. Since the fairs founding six years ago, Frieze has been proud to support and be part of this vibrant community. The challenges the city is currently facing only strengthen our commitment to work alongside the community to rebuild and recover together. Donations have been pouring into GoFundMe pages and initiatives like Grief and Hope, which banked $544,955 as of 20 January. On 16 January, a coalition of cultural organisations including the J Paul Getty Trust, Lacma, and the Hammer Museum launched a $12m LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund. Those in need include young artists just out of school with no careers and massive student loan debt, artists young and old who lost all their archives and artwork; gallery and museum staff who make working-class wages and can hardly afford housing, says Bowers. They have lost everything and yet some are donating to each other. If they can do that, we can give more. Sandie Peggie (pictured) will not refer to her colleague, Beth Upton, as a man - Sandie Peggie The NHS is attempting to ban a nurse from referring to a transgender doctor as a man as part of a legal battle. A lawyer acting for NHS Fife said an order should be imposed to prevent Sandie Peggie from using male pronouns or terminology to refer to Beth Upton, a biologically male doctor who identifies as female, in employment tribunal hearings which begin next month. Jane Russell, who is also acting for Dr Upton, claimed that gratuitous misgendering from Ms Peggie and her lawyers had already caused pain and harm to her client. She accused her opponents of contributing to a climate of hostility and hatred towards trans people. She urged employment judge Sandy Kemp to impose an order which would require Ms Peggie and her legal team to refer to Dr Upton in neutral terms in future hearings, despite the court hearing that the nurses belief that the medic is a man was central to her case. The case centres around three occasions in 2023, in which Ms Peggie encountered Dr Upton in the female changing rooms at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. The nurse objected to this due to her belief that Dr Upton is male and therefore should not have been in female facilities. There was a confrontation between the pair on the third occasion, on Christmas Eve 2023, in which Dr Upton said [I have] as much right to be there as Ms Peggie, a hearing on Tuesday was told. The row led to Ms Peggie being suspended from work and investigated for bullying. Climate of hostility and hatred Ms Russell claimed that allowing Ms Peggie, her lawyers and witnesses to continue to misgender Dr Upton would amount to state-sanctioned harassment. Ms Russell said it was simply a matter of courtesy to use a persons preferred pronouns and claimed it was troubling to see the repeated and deliberate misgendering of Dr Upton in the case. I find that very concerning, and it caused the second respondent [Dr Upton], much pain and much distress after the last hearing, she said. Im afraid the way the claimant and her representatives are conducting this case is a form of activism, that in my submission, is contributing to a climate of hostility and hatred towards trans people, which is actively harmful and has actively harmed the second respondent. It shouldnt be allowed. It is simply not acceptable for a party to litigation and a witness to face harassment in the course of a tribunal hearing. Ms Russell cited non-binding guidelines which state that courts should not be a forum for abuse and that as a basic principle language to refer to LGBT people should be in line with their own wishes. She told Mr Kemp: Certainly, I would feel very uncomfortable being a party to state-sanctioned harassment, and I urge you not to go down that path. Ms Peggies lawyers said they were not seeking to police their opponents language by forcing them to use male pronouns, but urged the court to refer to Dr Upton in gender-neutral terms, as Dr Upton or the second respondent. They branded the attempt to restrict their own language as wholly unreasonable. Believed she was speaking to a man An attempt by the health board and Dr Upton to hold proceedings behind closed doors, and to prevent the medic from being named in any written judgement, has already been thrown out. Ms Peggie states that when she first met Dr Upton in August 2023 she believed she was speaking to a man and that patients at the hospital also thought the A&E medic looks like a man. One one of the occasions she encountered Dr Upton in the changing rooms, the nurse claims she was dressed in just a bra and trousers. Dr Upton denies that it is obvious they are transgender and has said not all staff at the hospital were aware that was the case. Naomi Cunningham, representing Ms Peggie, said: This question of whether Dr Upton is a woman, in any meaningful or salient sense, is right at the heart of the claimants case. The claimant says hes not a woman, hes a man, and thats why he shouldnt have been in the female changing rooms. The claimant cant put her case, clearly and forcefully, without using correct-sex pronouns, as opposed to preferred pronouns. We dont seek to police Ms Russells language, they are entitled if they wish to use preferred pronouns, even if they are counter-factual. Mr Kemp said he would issue a ruling on the issue of language in the coming days. The full 10-day tribunal is due to begin on February 3. domestic flights In April this year, you will be able to board an Eastern Airways flight from Southend-on-Sea to Newquay. It will cost 60 each way, it will last approximately one hour, and it will represent everything that is wrong with Britains approach towards public transport. This is disappointing on three fronts. The first is that it is environmentally unjustifiable to launch a new domestic flight route in 2025. The second is that demand for such a flight route exposes the weaknesses in Britains rail and road networks. And the third disappointment is that we know it is possible to operate an efficient, speedy, affordable domestic public transport system that doesnt rely on flights, because our friends across the Channel have been doing it for years. The damage of domestic aviation Boarding a domestic flight produces more emissions per kilometre than any other mode of transport. According to Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) data published in 2019, domestic flights emit 133g of CO2 per kilometre. Including the secondary effects of high-altitude, non-CO2 emissions (water vapour, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, for example), domestic flight passengers are accountable for the equivalent of 254g of emissions per km. By comparison, long-haul flying accounts for 195g of emissions per km per passenger, a car with one passenger is 171g, a bus 104g, a car with four passengers 43g. Near the bottom of the list is a domestic train, which accounts for 41g per kilometre per passenger, while Eurostar passengers emit just 6g. Whichever way you look at it, domestic aviation has a significantly higher carbon footprint than travelling by rail. In years to come road transport emissions are predicted to fall, but the progress will be slower in aviation due the shortfall and expense of sustainable aviation fuels. Indeed Joe Delafield, the deputy director for aviation decarbonisation at the deputy Department for Transport (DfT) said just this week: Aviation is set very soon to become the largest transport emitter of CO2, and by 2050 it will be the second largest across the economy after agriculture. Other countries have taken note. In 2023, France passed a law banning domestic flights on routes where the journey could be made by train in less than 2.5 hours, effectively ruling out air travel between Paris and Nantes, Lyon and Bordeaux. Some argued they could have been more ambitious by extending the train travel time to 4.5 hours. Last year, Spain drafted similar legislation which would rule out domestic flights between Madrid and Barcelona, and the Austrian government has introduced a special 30 (26.50) tax on domestic flights covering less than 217 miles (350 km), and all flight routes with a rail alternative of three hours or less have been banned. Belgium is also proposing a ban on short flights between domestic airports, known as flea hops. In Sweden, the situation is slightly more complex demand for domestic air travel is down 9 per cent between 2023 and 2024 and the countrys environmental activists famously spearheaded the flygskam (flight-shaming) movement. However, in September last year its right-wing government announced it would scrap the countrys flying tax in a bid to boost the economy, to come into effect in July 2025. Daniel Kihlberg, climate director at the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, told the newspaper Aftonbladet: Its completely upside down and the government is giving up completely on climate policy. The new Eastern Airways flight from Southend-on-Sea to Newquay will cost 60 each way - Stone RF Some have taken a similar view of Englands latest domestic flight route. Responding to the Southend to Newquay flight route, Michael Solomon Williams from Campaign for Better Transport said: On an island as small as ours, this exposes just how poor the UKs high-speed rail network is. The south west suffers from some of the worst access to the railway network, with little prospect of the high-speed trains which other countries enjoy anytime soon. Why Frances railways are far superior Part of the reason why France can justify a domestic flying ban is that it has a faster and wider-reaching public transport network than our own. It has the second largest railway network on the Continent (after Germany) and 1,740 miles of purpose-built high-speed tracks compared to the UKs 71 miles on HS1. France is also seeing a growing number of overnight trains in operation and there are a number of projects underway to grow the TGV network, including the 14 billion Bordeaux to Toulouse extension, due to open in 2032, which will cut travel times down to 1 hour 5 minutes. Our own attempts to expand our high-speed network have, of course, been thwarted by cost overruns, delays and an inevitable trimming down of the route in 2023 when the north-west section was scrapped. The final tally of the London to Birmingham HS2 project could exceed 66bn, according to a recent progress report. Anthony Peregrine, Telegraph Travels destination expert who lives in the south of France, says: The rail service in France is terrific. I love swishing up and down the country at 198 mph which, oddly, never blurs the countryside with pretty decent food from the buffet, quite often announcements in English and a good chance of arriving on time. The railroad line along the Mediterranean coast at Villefranche-sur-Mer in France, where our expert says the rail service is terrific - Getty Images At 17,400 miles (28,000 km), the TGV and non-TGV network is the second in Europe and it can still get you to some pretty titchy places. If it doesnt, an integrated bus service usually takes on the job. Plus, the stations may well be impressive, and impressively equipped. If youve never eaten at Le Train Bleu at the Gare du Nord in Paris, youve no idea how swish station catering might be. Plus, in recent years, the Ouigo trains taking their lead from cut-price airlines have brought in a budget, stripped back service which provides pretty much nothing except a seat, and so have made rail travel accessible to people otherwise travelling by ultra-cheap short-hop air links, car-share, or not travelling at all. Other European countries are finding ways to cut the cost of travelling by rail. Justin Francis, the CEO of Responsible Travel, suggests we should draw inspiration from Germany: We could make rail more affordable by copying Germanys unlimited domestic rail and bus travel for a monthly 58 (49) subscription which has significantly increased lower-carbon rail travel. This could be funded by a tax on aviation fuel which is currently untaxed. This would raise 3bn over and above Air Passenger Duty. Some of this could also be used to help decarbonise aviation. I frequently hear grumbles that aviation is scapegoated by environmentalists while other industries (fashion, agriculture) get less heat, which is probably true. I also hear the argument that domestic aviation is important for business. But these arguments distract from what should be a black-and-white issue. Domestic aviation is a grossly carbon-intensive mode of transport, and improving air links around the UK will only detract from longer-term ambitions to improve our slow, overpriced rail network. We need to do things differently, said Lord Timpson. Photograph: Andrew Fox/The Guardian A womens jail in England or Wales should be closed by diverting offenders to alternative forms of punishment and rehabilitation, the prisons minister, James Timpson has said. In an interview with the Guardian, the former head of the shoe repair chain said the government planned to reverse the rise in the number of women being sent to jail, around half of whom are mothers. Instead, hundreds of female offenders could be tagged and sent to addiction and rehabilitation centres, allowing ministers to close at least one of 12 womens prisons, Lord Timpson said. We would like to get to a stage where we can close a womens prison. There are a number of women that need to be there. Theyve done terrible things, they need to be punished, and thats the best place for them. But there are far too many women, in my view, who are very ill. There are far too many women who are victims themselves. There are far too many women who are very, very vulnerable. Half are mothers, and the impact on their kids is massive We need to do things differently, he said. Related: Fewer women may go to jail in England and Wales in sentencing review There are more than 3,600 female prisoners in England and Wales, and the Ministry of Justice projects the number of them will rise to 3,900 by November 2027. About two-thirds of women are imprisoned for non-violent offences and most (55%) are victims of domestic abuse. Timpson made his ambitions clear after meeting female offenders at Willowdene, a rehabilitation centre on a working farm nestled in the Shropshire countryside, where 500 women, usually offenders, are sent every year as an alternative to custody or court. As well as vocational training, the women are given therapy and offered help so they can break free from domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, addictions and homelessness. Many women offenders have suffered huge amounts of trauma. Often the way they mask that is through drugs, alcohol, bad relationships. Places like this can break the cycle, Timpson said. Reformers welcomed Timpsons appointment as the prisons minister in July, when he stepped aside as the chief executive of Timpson. He has spent decades campaigning for changes to the prisons system. One in 10 workers at his former firm were ex-offenders. Female offenders should be treated differently from men, Timpson said, referring to studies which showed that four out of five female prisoners have a history of significant head injury, with sustained domestic abuse being the most likely cause. One in three female prisoners had self-harmed over the last year, government statistics disclosed in October. Were dealing with a sort of different kind of cohort than we are with men. And the alternatives to custody can be very, very powerful, in helping them turn their lives around, he said. The timing of any prison closure would depend in part upon plans for alternatives to prison put forward by the Womens Justice Board, a new body of experts to be chaired by Timpson, which will meet for the first time on Tuesday. As well as looking at alternatives to prison, the board will seek to ensure that offenders children are no longer neglected by the criminal justice system. Over half (55%) of female prisoners are mothers. Timpson, whose mother cared for dozens of babies born to female prisoners, said the escalating costs of incarcerating female offenders would be taken into account. It costs around 50,000 a year for a woman in prison, but you have also got all the added-on costs of children in care and the associated costs around that. Having been brought up in a home with foster children, I know there are a lot of people who support those children that people dont often see, he said. The boards plans would have to show that they saved money in the long run and be within short-term spending targets, the minister said. There will be a shopping list, and I cant guarantee well be able to afford all the things that we want, because its down to future spending reviews. Willowdene claims to have a 20% reoffending rate for women on its course. Laura, 28, who was convicted for driving while drunk, was referred to Willowdene in 2023 by a probation officer and spent 12 weeks on a residential course at the farm. At that point, she was living a chaotic life because of her addiction to alcohol and had lost her job as a nurse, she said. After attending the course, she realised that her addiction was rooted in severe childhood traumas and undiagnosed ADHD. I had a couple of therapy sessions, and I was able to join the dots, put the pieces together. And thats what worked for me, she said. Laura was informed on Wednesday that she could return to nursing after keeping away from alcohol. I am so much happier. I am not having to think, Where will I get money for my next drink? or Where shall I hide it? As long as I keep behaving, I will get my licence back and can start in March. Little steps, but Im moving in the right direction, she said. Meanwhile, the prisons watchdog has called for an injection of cash into a failing mens prison. Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, found that serious assaults against staff at HMP Winchester were the highest, and serious assaults against prisoners the second highest, of all reception jails. Russian nuclear icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy (50 Years of Victory) visits the North Pole in 2021. The Soviet nuclear icebreaker Arktika was the first surface ship to reach the Pole in 1977 - Ekaterina Anisimova/AFP Bloodied by the war in Ukraine and weighed down by a shipbuilding industry that never really recovered from its post-Cold War collapse, the Russian navy isnt building many new warships. But the ships it is building say a lot about its priorities and capabilities. Those priorities lie to the north, in rapidly warming but still seasonally ice-clogged Arctic waters. Of the five new ships the Russian fleet commissioned in 2024, three a Project 23550 patrol ship, a Project 22220 icebreaker and a Yasen-class submarine were specifically designed for Arctic missions. For nearly a million years, the waters just north of what is now Russia were covered in ice year-round. That began to change with the industrial age and accumulating carbon emissions, which capture heat in the atmosphere and drive up temperatures. Today, parts of Russias Northern Sea Route, which like the Canadian Northwest Passage connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, are ice-free during warmer months. And the ice is younger and thinner everywhere, all the time. As the ice diminishes, these shorter maritime routes, their respective ports and natural resources are causing a renewal of interest in what was once considered an impassable region, the Arctic Institute in Washington DC explained. The Russian navy is preparing for the conflict that may inevitably follow from greater exploitation of the Arctic. The Russians already had the worlds biggest icebreaking fleet when, in 2024, they added a brand-new, nuclear-powered icebreaker: the Project 22220 RS Yakutiya. The fourth of seven planned Project 22220s, Yakutiya is huge, stretching 570 feet from bow to stern and displacing more than 33,000 tons. Shes powered by two nuclear reactors together generating a whopping 81,000 horsepower. Shes not particularly fast for all her power: top speed in open water is just 22 knots. But the Yakutiya isnt built for speed through open water: she is built to apply force to ice for long periods of time. Yakutiya and her sister Project 22220s are the biggest and most powerful icebreakers in the world, but theyre unarmed. To actually fight in the Arctic, the Russian navy would deploy its new Project 23550s the first of which, RS Nikolay Zubov, launched late last year. Just 374 feet long and displacing a comparatively modest 8,500 tons, the Project 23550s arent hulking behemoths like the Project 22220s are. Conventionally-powered, they sail no faster than 18 knots. But theyre by far the most heavily armed ice-class ships anywhere, with a 76-millimeter cannon plus various smaller guns, Igla or Verba shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles and space for eight container-launched Kalibr cruise missiles. Those are just the surface vessels Russia added to its Arctic flotilla last year. The Russian navys nuclear-powered submarines still shoulder the main burden of patrolling icy waters. In 2024, the navy commissioned RS Arkhangelsk, the fifth Yasen-class cruise-missile submarine. Some 457 feet long and displacing 13,700 tons while submerged, the Yasens can make 30 knots or faster with a payload of 32 Kalibrs or other missiles such as the vaunted hypersonic Zircon. The subs are hardened for under-ice operations, meaning they can punch through thinner ice to reach the surface. The three-ship addition to Russias Arctic force belies the overall terrible state of the Russian navy. The only other vessels the navy commissioned in 2024 were all missile corvettes small, short-range combatants that are fast becoming the dominant type in Russian service. Of the more than 350 warships officially in commission in Russia, fewer than 150 are large oceangoing vessels. More than 200 of them are corvettes and patrol boats that are suitable only for coastal operations. Russian shipyards struggle to source the big maritime engines theyd need to complete larger non-nuclear vessels. Until a few years ago, Ukrainian firms built most of Russias biggest maritime engines. It should go without saying Kyiv no longer allows such exports. The fact that Russian icebreakers use nuclear propulsion actually makes them easier for Russian industry to produce. To some degree the Russians arent just building ice-capable warships because theyre going to need them. Theyre building them because they can. Nonetheless, Russia is the only nation with nuclear icebreakers, and the only nation with armed ice-class warships. The US has just two icebreakers, both conventionally powered unarmed vessels belonging to the Coast Guard. One is 50 years old and the other recently caught fire. The Coast Guard is in the process of acquiring a commercial icebreaker to supplement these until its planned new fleet of three Polar Security Cutter icebreakers arrives in the 2030s. The Polar Security Cutters, like most other Coast Guard cutters, will carry some light gun armament. Theyll be seriously outgunned by Russias Project 23550s. Britains Royal Navy, for its part, has a single conventionally-powered, commercially built icebreaker, HMS Protector, armed only with a few machine guns. Protector does, however, carry a party of Royal Marine Commandos, including members of the elite Mountain Leader branch Britains experts in Arctic warfare. Then, both the US and Britain have nuclear powered attack submarines which are more than the equal of Russian ones. So Putins navy doesnt have things all its own way in the High North. Nonetheless, President Donald Trumps stated ambition to take over Greenland would not appear to be backed by a credible level of military superiority. Putin highlighted the close ties between the two countries in the call on Tuesday, calling Xi his dear friend. Photograph: Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/Kremlin pool/EPA The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, held a video call with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in a symbolic display of unity just hours after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the US. Speaking from his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Putin highlighted the close ties between the two countries, stating that their relations were based on shared interests, equality, and mutual benefit, calling Xi his dear friend. Moscow has grown increasingly reliant on China as a trade partner and a crucial diplomatic ally amid its escalating conflict with the west after launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. In turn, Beijing has capitalised on Russias isolation from the west to secure preferential access to its resources and markets. The two countries declared a no-limits partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing just days before he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine. The two leaders have since then frequently visited each others capitals and have become indispensable allies in their shared goal of reshaping the global order in opposition to the west. Although neither leader directly mentioned Trump in the televised segment of their call, the timing of their conversation may indicate that Putin and Xi are hoping to coordinate their approach to engaging with the new US administration. Related: From GDP to trade, how well equipped is Chinas economy for Trump 2.0? | Amy Hawkins Trump has threatened to impose tariffs and other measures against China in his second term, while he has also hinted at ways the two rival powers could cooperate on issues such as regional conflicts and curbing the export of substances used in the production of fentanyl. Trump has vowed to swiftly end the war in Ukraine, a move that will probably involve China, given Russias growing dependence on Beijing. There was no official readout from the Putin-Xi call, but the Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov stated that they discussed talks with Trump and the prospects for a potential peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. Ushakov added that Moscow was ready for serious dialogue with the Trump administration over Ukraine and was awaiting concrete proposals that could serve as the foundation for talks between the leaders. Ushakovs remarks were the latest in a series of comments from Russian officials indicating their willingness to discuss the war in Ukraine with Trump, although a clear path to peace remains elusive. Putin, who is yet to talk to Trump, congratulated him on taking office on Monday in televised remarks during a video call with officials and welcomed his intention to open a dialogue with Moscow. Asked about the war in Ukraine shortly after his inauguration, Trump said he would meet Putin very soon and that his Russian counterpart was destroying Russia by refusing to negotiate a ceasefire with Ukraine. Trump also told reporters that the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, had told him he wanted to make a peace deal and voiced hope that Putin would follow suit. I think Russia is in big trouble, Trump said, claiming that 1 million Russian soldiers had died in the war in Ukraine and saying the conflict was taking a severe toll on the Russian economy. Yvette Cooper is demanding Elon Musks X platform remove a violent terrorist video watched by triple killer Axel Rudakubana. The video which shows a live-streamed knife attack by a terrorist on a bishop in Australia last year can still be viewed on the billionaires X site. The video was watched by Rudakubana just before he set off from his home to murder three young girls at their Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29. Ms Cooper, the Home Secretary, revealed on Tuesday that she had contacted social media firms instructing them to remove dangerous material accessed by Rudakubana. The video filmed in Sydney and viewed by Rudakubana on X shows Mar Mari Emmanuel, an Assyrian church bishop, being attacked as he speaks at the altar - Facebook In a statement to MPs announcing a public inquiry, she accused the tech firms of profiting from hosting content that put childrens lives at risk and urged them to act before new online laws took effect this spring and summer. Ms Cooper said the public inquiry would not only investigate how the three young girls murdered by Rudakubana were failed by multiple agencies and what went wrong but also the wider challenge of rising youth violence and extremism. She said she was deeply disturbed by the number of teenagers drawn into extremism, serious violence and terrorism, largely by going online, with a three-fold increase in under-18s investigated for terror links in just three years. The video filmed in Sydney, and viewed by Rudakubana on X, shows Mar Mari Emmanuel, an Assyrian church bishop, being attacked as he speaks at the altar. He is stabbed in his face and eyes by his attacker, losing his right eye in the incident. A 16-year-old was charged with committing a terrorist act. Police and paramedics are photographed at the scene of the stabbing in Sydney, which was watched on X by Axel Rudakubana less than an hour before the attack - ABC Australia Rudakubana watched it less than an hour before he, armed with a knife, murdered Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine. Ms Cooper revealed that Rudakubana had easily been able to order a knife on Amazon as she pledged to bring in new laws to tackle online sales of such weapons. Rudakubana also admitted attempting to murder eight other children and two adults, Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes, possessing a kitchen knife and an academic study of an al-Qaeda manual, as well as to the production of the lethal toxin ricin. The Southport attack victims: Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar - Merseyside Police Ms Cooper said: The prosecution will provide more detail on Thursday about the material Rudakubana searched for online, but I can tell the House the Government is this week contacting technology companies to ask them to remove dangerous material that he accessed. Companies should not be profiting from hosting content that puts childrens lives at risk. Social media companies will from March be required to remove illegal content such as terrorist materials under codes of practice or face fines of up to 10 per cent of their turnover. Child safety codes designed to protect children from online harms, including violence, take effect this summer. So many of our children and teenagers are being exposed to ever more disturbing materials online, an online ecosystem that is radicalising our children while safety measures are whittled away, said Ms Cooper. The Home Secretary says Rudakubana had dealings with Prevent, Lancashire police, childrens social care facilities and mental health services She said Rudakubana admitted to having carried a knife more than 10 times, telling MPs: Yet the action against him was far too weak. And despite the fact hed been convicted for violence and was just 17, he was easily able to order a knife on Amazon. Thats a total disgrace and it must change. So, we will bring in stronger measures to tackle knife sales online in the Crime and Policing Bill this spring. Ms Cooper said a review, set up in the summer, found Rudakubanas three referrals to the Governments counter-terror scheme Prevent should not have been closed, allowing him to walk away from measures to tackle his problems. The referrals took place between three and four years before the Southport attack, after he had been reported for expressing interest in school shootings, in the London Bridge attack, the IRA, MI5 and the Middle East. She said too much weight had been put on the fact that he did not have a terrorist ideology without considering the vulnerabilities to radicalisation or taking account of whether he was obsessed with massacre or extreme violence. The Home Secretary said she had asked Jonathan Hall, the independent reviewer of terrorism, to decide whether there should be changes to terrorism laws to take account of perpetrators who seek to terrorise even without a clear ideology. Jonathan Hall is the independent reviewer of terrorism - JULIAN SIMMONDS for The Telegraph She has also appointed Lord Anderson KC as Prevent commissioner to review whether any previous similar cases had been missed and whether rules needed to be changed to take account of threats from violent individuals like Rudakubana. Ms Cooper also said contempt laws which restrict what can be published about defendants before they are brought to trial were being reviewed by the Law Commission in light of the strain they were being put under by partial and inaccurate information appearing online. Floral tributes and a photograph of Bebe King, six, are laid out in memory of the three children killed in the attack - Belinda Jiao/Reuters Rudakubana had dealings with Prevent, Lancashire Police, childrens social care facilities and mental health services, the Home Secretary said. He was convicted of a violent assault on a pupil in school, expelled from one school and had long periods of absence from another. Lancashire police were called five times to his home about his behaviour. All those agencies had contact with him yet between them they failed to identify the danger he posed, she said. There are grave questions about how this network of agencies failed to identify and act on the risk. There were so many signs of how dangerous he had become but the action against him was far too weak. X has been contacted for comment. 03:00 PM GMT That is all for today... Thank you for joining us for todays live blog. 02:38 PM GMT Government agencies and quangos have blood on their hands, claims Reform MP Rupert Lowe, the Reform UK MP, claimed government agencies and quangos have blood on their hands because of the failure to stop Axel Rudakubana. He told the Commons: In her statement the Home Secretary says let there be no doubt, responsibility for this outrage lies squarely with the perpetrator. That is indubitably true but I would argue there is blood on the hands of this myriad of very difficult to understand government agencies and quangos who charge around in ever decreasing circles and blame everybody else when something goes wrong. So on that basis will the Home Secretary commit to reviewing every single dropped or downgraded case where Prevent failed to act appropriately in order to avoid another heartbreaking catastrophe like this one? Yvette Cooper said the Southport inquiry needs to go to the heart of what went wrong in this case. She also said the new Independent Prevent Commissioner (see the post below at 13.30) will have the power to review cases. 02:22 PM GMT Cleverly: Terror designation should be based on risk and action, not motivation James Cleverly, the former home secretary, called on the Government to get rid of this entirely arbitrary distinction with motivation in the designation of terror offences. He told MPs: The fact is, much of the challenge over the summer is because there was an understandable lack of public understanding of the distinction between a terrorist incident and a non-terrorist incident. Had this person done exactly the same thing, but was driven by a desire to create a caliphate here in the UK, this would, of course, be defined as a terrorist attack. The fact it didnt is of no solace to those families who have lost loved ones. Is it now not the time I appreciate this could be part of the review, but I would urge her to make sure this is a particular emphasis of the review to get rid of this entirely arbitrary distinction with motivation and focus exclusively on the risk and the actions. Yvette Cooper said that different types of actions and motivations could prompt different responses from the authorities but she agreed with Mr Cleverly that the threats from the point of view of the community will feel the same. Thats why the law needs to be looked at again, she said. 02:15 PM GMT Sir David Davis rejects Starmers claim over new type of terrorism Sir David Davis rejected Sir Keir Starmers suggestion that single perpetrator terror attacks were a new occurrence (see the post below at 08.44). The senior Tory MP told the House of Commons: [Sir Keir Starmer] said on television that singleton terrorist attacks were a very new occurrence. Theyre not. Theyve been going on for nearly a decade, many in London, one in the yard of this House of Commons, and of course one killed Sir David Amess, our colleague. In that attack on Sir David Amess, the police declared it a terrorist incident the same day, without three Prevent references, without ricin, without an al Qaida manual, they declared it a terrorist event the same day. So, we all wonder why this is not the case here when there was such evidence, this is a clear mistake. Yvette Cooper replied: The decision about the application of the Terrorism Act 2000 is one for the police and ultimately the CPS, when they lay charges based on the operational information that they have. 02:04 PM GMT Southport MP criticises downright lies spread after Southport attack Patrick Hurley, the Labour MP for Southport, said downright lies were spread in the wake of the Southport attack as he said the inquiry should be allowed to do its work free of the ridiculous nonsense and lies. He said: I was clear back in the summer that I did not want people speculating online as to the motives or the background of the person that we can now say was the murderer of those three girls. We were risking the trial would be prejudiced, the trial could have collapsed because of that speculation, it wasnt just speculation but also in some respects downright lies and downright lies that were being circulated in the interests of political gain for themselves, with the interests of justice a distant second. So in the same vein will the Home Secretary agree with me that the next stage of achieving justice for my community and the families impacted so desperately by the crime back in July the public inquiry should also be allowed to undertake its work and make its recommendations free of the ridiculous nonsense and lies that we have seen from public figures who should know better circulating purely for their own interests? Yvette Cooper said: He is right that nothing should be done, it is part of our British justice traditions that information is produced at the trial but not in advance for fear of prejudicing a jury and then for undermining justice and potentially letting criminals walk free. He is right that we should never do that but he ius also right that his community... need now to get answers. 01:57 PM GMT Cooper and Philp clash over disclosure of Southport attack information Chris Philp asked Yvette Cooper: Will the Home Secretary accept... there should and could have been more openness and transparency without prejudicing the trial and that disclosing more of that truth, openly and transparently, would have helped combat the damaging misinformation that circulated and which arguably fuelled the riots. Will she confirm the inquiry will look at that aspect of events? Ms Cooper said that under the Contempt of Court Act 1981 social media users are not bound by the same rules that the police, the media, and the government follow. She said: It is not for the Government to ignore the law or the advice we are given when justice for families is at stake. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, addresses the House of Commons this afternoon - AFP 01:50 PM GMT Shadow home secretary questions Governments handling of Southport attack information Chris Philp questioned why Sir Keir Starmer and the Government had not disclosed Axel Rudakubanas terror link at an earlier stage. The shadow home secretary asked Yvette Cooper in the House of Commons: Why did the Prime Minister not make public some of this background information in August when he knew it? When later disclosure of that information in October demonstrated such disclosure could be made without prejudice. And why did the Deputy Prime Minister on July 31 dismiss as, and I quote fake news, those saying there may be further facts to come out. 01:42 PM GMT Philp seeks assurance from Cooper over scope of Southport inquiry Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, sought an assurance from Yvette Cooper that the Southport inquiry will also include covering the response to the attack and the way in which information was handled by authorities. He asked: Will the Home Secretary confirm that the inquiry will also cover the government, police and CPS response to the murders and especially the handling of public communications and the appalling riots that followed. It is a very important question. 01:33 PM GMT Social media putting contempt of court rules under strain Yvette Cooper said social media was putting long established rules about contempt of court under strain. The Home Secretary said: The Law Commission is reviewing the contempt of court rules in that light but let me be clear. Where the police, government and journalists are given clear advice from the CPS about contempt of court and about not publishing information in advance of a trial, if we did not respect that and a killer walked free we would never be forgiven. 01:30 PM GMT Lord David Anderson KC appointed interim Independent Prevent Commissioner Yvette Cooper announced that Lord David Anderson KC has been appointed as the interim Independent Prevent Commissioner. The commissioner will have the power to review cases and to ensure standards are being met. She said: His first task will be to conduct a thorough review of the Prevent history in this case to identify what changes are needed to make sure serious cases are not missed, particularly where there is mixed and unclear ideology. 01:27 PM GMT Prevent referrals looked at concerns Rudakubana expressed interest in school shootings Axel Rudakubanas three referrals to the Prevent programme looked at concerns including that he was expressing interest in school shootings, Yvette Cooper told MPs. She said: The three referrals took place between three and four years before the Southport attack, including following evidence that he was expressing interest in school shootings, in the London Bridge attack, the IRA, MI5 and the Middle East. On each occasion Rudakubanas case was assessed by counter terrorism policing but in each case there was no onward referral to specialist channel support. The learning review has concluded the referrals should not have been closed and that cases such as these given his age and complex needs should be referred to channel. Ms Cooper also said Rudakubana admitted to having carried a knife more than 10 times. She told MPs: Yet the action against him was far too weak. And despite the fact hed been convicted for violence and was just 17, he was easily able to order a knife on Amazon. Thats a total disgrace and it must change. So, we will bring in stronger measures to tackle knife sales online in the Crime and Policing Bill this spring. 01:22 PM GMT Ministers writing to tech firms to tell them to remove dangerous material, says Cooper The Home Secretary said the Government was writing to social media companies this week to tell them to remove dangerous material accessed by Axel Rudakubana. Yvette Cooper said that technology companies should not be profiting from hosting content that puts childrens lives at risk. She told MPs said: Five Eyes counter terror partners have warned about growing radicalisation of minors, happening as so many of our children and teenagers are being exposed to ever more disturbing materials online, an online ecosystem that is radicalising our children while safety measures are whittled away. The Online Safety Act illegal content codes of practice come into force in march and the child safety codes should be in place this summer. But companies should take responsibility before then. The prosecution will provide more detail on Thursday about material Rudakubana searched for online but I can tell the House the Government is this week contacting technology companies to ask them to remove dangerous material that he accessed. Companies should not be profiting from hosting content that puts childrens lives at risk. 01:15 PM GMT Cooper warns of threefold increase in under-18s investigated for terrorism Yvette Cooper said the Southport attack inquiry would examine the problem of rising youth violence and extremism. She said she was deeply disturbed by the number of cases she had seen of teenagers who had been drawn into extremism and violence. She said: There has been a threefold increase in under 18s investigated for involvement in terrorism in just three years. 01:13 PM GMT Cooper: Lancashire Police responded to five calls from Rudakubanas home about his behaviour Yvette Cooper told the House of Commons that Axel Rudakubana had previously been referred to the Prevent programme three times, with numerous different agencies having had some contact with him. She said: He was referred three times to Prevent, between December 2019 and April 2021 when aged 13 and 14. Between October 2019 and May 2022 Lancashire Police responded to five calls from his home address about his behaviour. The Home Secretary said that they had all completely failed to identify the terrible danger that he posed. She asked: How did he fall through so many gaps?. The failure to stop Rudakubana posed grave questions, she said. 01:07 PM GMT Cooper: Southport murders one of the most barbaric crimes in our history Yvette Cooper said that Southport killer Axel Rudakubana had committed one of the most barbaric crimes in our history. The Home Secretary said that people now need answers about how this horrendous attack could ever have happened. 01:05 PM GMT None of us will ever forget Southport attack, says Cooper Yvette Cooper is now on her feet in the House of Commons as she delivers a statement on the Southport attack and the Governments decision to launch a public inquiry. The Home Secretary said that none of us will ever forget the events of July 29 and a moment of joy turned into the darkest of nightmares. She told MPs that the victims and their families are in all our hearts and prayers. 12:17 PM GMT Tory MP: Starmer gave a masterclass in obfuscation Tory MP Nick Timothy accused Sir Keir Starmer of obfuscation after the Prime Ministers statement in Downing Street this morning. He tweeted: Todays statement from the PM on the Southport murders is a cynical masterclass in obfuscation. He knew last summer the murders were being treated as an act of terrorism, yet told the country otherwise. 11:45 AM GMT Coming up: Yvette Cooper to deliver statement on Southport inquiry The House of Commons has confirmed that Yvette Cooper will deliver a statement on the Southport inquiry this afternoon. There is an urgent question on a different subject scheduled to take place before Ms Coopers statement which means the Home Secretary is likely to be on her feet at some point shortly after 1pm. 11:33 AM GMT New-look Downing Street briefing room makes TV debut after 80,000 revamp Sir Keir Starmers press conference on the Southport attack was the first event to be held in the newly-refurbished Downing Street briefing room after its 80,000 overhaul. The money was spent on making the room appear more politically neutral as Sir Keir did away with the blue panels which had been there when the Tories were in power. The blue panels have been replaced by wooden panels with inlaid lighting. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, delivers a statement in Downing Street - Henry Nicholls /AFP The room, in 9 Downing Street, was redecorated during December. The Prime Ministers official spokesman has previously described the changes as a one-off refresh designed to restore the room to a politically neutral setting. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, delivers a statement in Downing Street - Henry Nicholls /AFP 11:19 AM GMT Telegraph readers react to Starmers Southport statement Telegraph readers have been responding to Sir Keir Starmers Downing Street press conference in the comments section of this live blog. Here is a selection: 11:11 AM GMT Analysis: Expanding terror definition raises questions of resources and responsibility Expanding the terrorism definition to include individualised extreme violence would raise a great many questions about resources and responsibility, argues Dominic Nicholls, The Telegraphs Associate Editor (Defence): The public inquiry into the Southport attack will have to address which parts of the system (including social services, NHS etc) would respond to the threat of individualised extreme violence and at what point they should flag concerns to law enforcement agencies. The current definition of terrorism in the UK requires an ideological underpinning. If that definition is going to be expanded to include school shooter scenarios or mass attacks such as at Southport (i.e. people with no ideology beyond violence), a lot of work will be needed to determine who would resource that and how, what the thresholds for reporting would be and how the impact on other ongoing counter terrorism operations would be managed. 11:05 AM GMT Police should have said Southport killer was not an immigrant, says Lord Carlile The police should have disclosed after the Southport attack that Axel Rudakubana was not an immigrant, a former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation has said. Lord Carlile suggested if that one fact had been released at the time then it may have reduced the risk of rioting. Rudakubana was born in Cardiff, Wales, to Rwandan parents in 2006. Asked if he believed the Southport attack was terrorism, Lord Carlile told Sky News: It was an act of terrorism in that it falls within the definition of terrorism in my view. I dont think the fact it was an act of terrorism made any difference at all to the inquiry, the inquiry was conducted very quickly, the perpetrator was known, he was found, he was arrested, he was interviewed and he was charged. There was then a search for evidence including material in his home and on his computer. The one piece of information which in my view the police should have issued, and this was a matter for the police operationally, was that he was not an immigrant. It was that point that fuelled the riots in Southport and elsewhere... and as a result it would have helped if we had known that fact. The other things that it has been suggested should have been released, the Prime Minister was absolutely correct about, they might have caused difficulty for a trial. 10:54 AM GMT Lord Carlile: Starmer absolutely right to say terrorism has changed Lord Carlile said Sir Keir Starmer was absolutely right in his assessment that the nature of domestic terrorism has changed. The former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation told Sky News: The Prime Minister was absolutely right to describe the nature of terrorism as having changed hugely since 2001 and it is time that we deal with new types of terrorism which are actually very difficult indeed to detect. 10:47 AM GMT Southport attack inquiry needs to be done reasonably quickly, says Lord Carlile The public inquiry into the Southport attack must be conducted reasonably quickly, a former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation said. Lord Carlile also said the inquiry should report in stages so that the most pressing issues can be dealt with swiftly. He told Sky News: I commend what he [Sir Keir Starmer] said. The institution of a public inquiry is very important and it is the right decision to make. I hope it will be done reasonably quickly. I hope whoever conducts the public inquiry will produce reports in stages so that the most important legislative issues can be dealt with within a very few months. 10:37 AM GMT Southport killers terrorist handbook advertised on Waterstones website The terrorist handbook owned by the Southport attacker was advertised on the websites of major booksellers, The Telegraph has found. Axel Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty to owning an online version of an al-Qaeda training manual at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, along with the murder of three young girls and the attempted murder of eight other children and two adults. The text, titled Military Studies in the Jihad against Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual, was published by a CIA psychiatrist in 2004 and serves as a tradecraft manual for terrorists. You can read the full story here. 10:13 AM GMT Farage: Cover up Keir convinces no one Nigel Farage labelled the Prime Minister cover up Keir as he responded to the premiers Downing Street press conference. The Reform UK leader rejected Sir Keirs claim (see the post below at 08.59) that he could not have said more about the Southport killer in the aftermath of the attack. The Prime Minister is once again hiding behind the contempt of court argument, Mr Farage said. This is simply untrue, the country needed to know the truth about this murderer and that he was known to the authorities. Even MPs were banned from asking questions about this mans background. Cover up Keir convinces no one. 10:08 AM GMT Inquiry should consider if lack of transparency contributed to riots, says Philp Chris Philp said the public inquiry into the Southport attack should examine whether a potential lack of transparency about the perpetrator contributed to the public disorder which followed. The shadow home secretary tweeted: I fully support a public inquiry into missed opportunities to prevent Rudakubana from committing the appalling murders of three innocent young girls. The inquiry should also cover what happened afterwards - what the Government knew when; were the Government, CPS and police as open and transparent with the public as they could have been; and did any lack of transparency contribute to the unacceptable riots that followed. Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation Jonathan Hall KC said last Oct that there is a lot that can be said without prejudicing a trial. A void in information risks being filled with damaging misinformation and undermining public trust and confidence in the justice system. 09:50 AM GMT Tice labels Starmer statement typical Establishment waffle PM statement typical Establishment waffle We have heard it all before British people are sick of state agency failures, covering up information Years gone by, in multiple individual attacks, police have declared terror incidents within hours incl background of then alleged Richard Tice MP (@TiceRichard) January 21, 2025 09:37 AM GMT Sir Ed Davey: Inquiry must not shy away from tough questions Sir Ed Davey said the inquiry into the Southport attack must not shy away from asking tough questions about what went wrong. The leader of the Liberal Democrats said: This was an utterly horrific tragedy. My thoughts go out to the bereaved families, who lost three young daughters to such brutal violence. We need to ensure that such a senseless attack cannot happen again. We must learn from these events, and the inquiry must urgently get us the answers we need to avoid future failures. 09:31 AM GMT Analysis: New term likely to be added to counter-terror system Dominic Nicholls, Associate Editor (Defence), argues the term individualised extreme violence is likely to now be added to the UKs formal counter-terror and extremism lexicon. He writes: The PM says Britain is facing a new threat from individualised extreme violence. I would expect to see that term capitalised in the near future and placed at the centre of the governments new domestic counter-terrorism strategy. Politicians and civil servants would view the term lone wolf as too inflammatory and juvenile; IEV describes a much more sober and commanding way to manage the threat. However, the problem is the size of this threat. MI5 currently has close to 3,000 persons of interest on their active watchlist (and around 20,000 closed cases) but the resources to place a fraction of that number under constant surveillance. MI5 chiefs have to make daily threat assessments about how to apportion these scant resources, based on patchy and often contradictory information. This Herculean task goes mostly unseen to the public, but terrible choices have to be made every day. A fact the new head of IEV - if such a post ever comes into existence - will have to live with. 09:20 AM GMT Withholding details was not a personal decision, says Starmer It was suggested to Sir Keir Starmer that the public had a right to know sooner about the Southport killers terror link. Sir Keir said: My concern in this case is that we have clearly got an example of extreme violence, individualised violence, that we have to protect our children from and our citizens from and it is a new threat, it is not what we would have usually thought of as terrorism when definitions were drawn up... and we have to recognise that here today because I think most people would say looking at the facts of this case it is clearly extreme violence., it is clearly intended to terrorise and I completely accept and understand that and that is my view. Therefore we have to make sure that the law and the framework for responding is appropriate to the new threat we face and there we will make whatever changes are necessary in the law to deal with it. He said that yes of course I was kept up to date with the facts as they were emerging. But just like you as a journalist I had to observe the law of the land, he said. It was not my personal decision to withhold this information any more than it was a journalists personal decision not to print or write about it. 09:14 AM GMT PM: Government will look at how information is shared online It was suggested to Sir Keir Starmer that more details about the Southport attack could have been revealed to the public before Axel Rudakubana was charged. The Prime Minister was asked if he believed in hindsight that it had been a mistake not to provide that detail then. Sir Keir said: It is true that we live in a different age in that information is now available online as well as offline. I understand the frustration of all, but including some journalists, who observe the rules and dont report what they know because they know that the law doesnt permit it and it runs the risk of collapsing a trial only to see information online that doesnt appear to be following the same rules. That is not acceptable. That has to be addressed and it will be part of what we will be looking at because that cant be right. 08:59 AM GMT Starmer: I knew the details as they were emerging Sir Keir Starmer was asked if he knew after the Southport attack that Axel Rudakubana had been referred to the Prevent programme three times and if he had withheld the information from the public at the time in an attempt to protect against further public outcry and disruption. The Prime Minister said: Let me be clear, responsibility for the disorder and the violence lies with those that perpetrated it. We need to be really clear about that. Let me address the facts as you put them to me. There has been a failure here and I dont intend to let any institution of the state deflect from their failures and I acknowledge that readily here. Yes, I knew the details as they were emerging. That is the usual practice in a case such as this. But you know and I know that it would not have been right to disclose those details. The only losers if the details had been disclosed would be the victims and the families because it ran the risk the trial would collapse. I am never going to do that. 08:55 AM GMT Inquiry will provide full picture, says PM Sir Keir Starmer is now taking questions from the press. Asked if a public inquiry was really necessary, the Prime Minister insisted it was. He repeated that the inquiry would leave no stone unturned but agreed that we shouldnt wait until the end of the inquiry to start the change. He said the inquiry would provide the full picture. 08:52 AM GMT Starmer rejects claim of cover-up Sir Keir Starmer rejected the suggestion there had been a cover-up in the wake of the Southport attack as he said an inquiry will leave no stone unturned. The Prime Minister said the inquiry will lead to change. He said: I know people will be watching right now and they will be saying we have heard all this before, the promises, the sorrow, the inquiry that comes and goes, an inability to change, that frankly has become the oxygen of wider conspiracy. We have seen that throughout this case. The suggestion that there has been a cover-up. I want to put on record that yesterdays guilty verdict only happened because hundreds, if not thousands of dedicated public servants worked towards it, many of whom endured absolutely harrowing circumstances, particularly in the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. That is their job, they are brilliant at it, but we should never forget their service to our country. Law and order depend on them. And yet I am under no illusions that until the wider state shows the country it can change, not just what it delivers for people but also its culture, then this atmosphere of mistrust will remain. So I want to be crystal clear in front of the British people today. We will leave no stone unturned. 08:46 AM GMT PM: Set of unwritten rules that hold a nation have been ripped apart Sir Keir Starmer said the Southport attack could not be blamed on immigration or funding cuts. The Prime Minister said that this goes deeper as he warned the set of unwritten rules that hold a nation have in recent years been ripped apart. Children who have stopped going to school since the pandemic, young people who have opted out of work or education, he said. 08:44 AM GMT Starmer: Britain now faces a new threat Sir Keir Starmer said the inquiry into the Southport killings needed to consider whether it was a terrorist attack. The Prime Minister said that the attack had demonstrated that Britain now faces a new threat and terrorism has changed. He said the Government will change the law if necessary to ensure the state can identify violent individuals who may be planning attacks on their own. He also said there will be a review of the whole counter-extremist system to ensure it is fit for purpose. 08:40 AM GMT Institutional failings leap off the page, says Starmer Sir Keir Starmer said institutional failings leap off the page in the case of the Southport killer. The Prime Minister told a press conference in Downing Street: As part of the inquiry launched by the Home Secretary yesterday I will not let any institution of the state deflect from their failure, failure which in this case, frankly, leaps off the page. Sir Keir defended the approach to the sharing of information about the killer after the attack as he said the the law of this country forbade me or anyone else from disclosing details sooner. Nonetheless, it is now time for those questions, he said. 08:36 AM GMT Starmer: Far reaching questions must bve answered Sir Keir Starmer said the questions that need to be answered are far reaching and will be addressed unburdened by cultural or institutional sensitivities and driven only by the pursuit of justice. That is what we owe the families, he said. 08:34 AM GMT Southport killings must be line in the sand for Britain, says Starmer Sir Keir Starmer said he recognised the unimaginable grief of the victims families. I know the whole country grieves for them, the Prime Minister said. Sir Keir said the Southport attack must be a line in the sand for Britain. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, holds a press conference in Downing Street - Henry Nicholls/AFP 08:33 AM GMT Starmer begins address to the nation Sir Keir Starmer has started his address to the nation. The Prime Minister said every parent in Britain would have had the same reaction to the Southport attack. He said: It could have been anywhere, it could have been our children. But it was Southport. 08:28 AM GMT Philp : Legitimate questions about what information was released Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said there is quite a lot you can put into the public domain without prejudicing legal proceedings as he suggested there should have been more transparency earlier on over the Southport attack. Asked whether it was right to criticise the authorities when the priority was to ensure justice could be served in a possible trial, Mr Philp told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: There is quite a lot you can put into the public domain without prejudicing the judicial proceedings. In previous incidents, weve seen more information being put out and Jonathan Hall drew attention to the risks of not putting out information, it undermines trust in justice, but it also creates a void. So, I think these are legitimate questions. I think its important the inquiry looks at those questions as well as what happened before this appalling incident. 08:21 AM GMT Government to name independent commissioner to review Prevent effectiveness The Government will today announce the name of a new independent commissioner for the Prevent counter-extremism programme, The Telegraph understands. The Home Office announced its intention in December last year to appoint a commissioner. They will be tasked with reviewing the programmes effectiveness in order to help identify gaps and problems before they emerge. 08:17 AM GMT Philp claims Government withheld information about Southport killer Chris Philp claimed it appeared the Government withheld information about the perpetrator, potentially, on CPS advice in the case of the Southport attack. The shadow home secretary said the inquiry into the attack should examine whether the Government should have put more information into the public domain. He told Times Radio: It appears they withheld information about the perpetrator, potentially, on CPS advice. He said that clearly in this case, the Government, it appears, didnt share information which they had in their possession. The Government has said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was clear that information about the perpetrators past could not be made public before to avoid jeopardising the trial that had been scheduled, which is in line with the normal rules of the justice system. 08:10 AM GMT Kemi Badenoch: Labour must not hide behind public inquiry Labour must not hide behind the public inquiry into the Southport attack, Kemi Badenoch said this morning. The leader of the Conservative Party said there were clearly multiple state failings and it must never happen again and there remain serious questions about the transparency of government information at the time of the unrest that followed these horrific killings. She claimed that when the Conservatives were trying to toughen the Prevent anti-extremism programme, Starmer and Cooper were running for office on manifestos worried about Prevent alienating communities. A public inquiry is important, but Labour must not use it to hide behind their own failings, she tweeted. So I'm pleased the govt has announced an inquiry into the Southport murderer, there were clearly multiple state failings and it must never happen again. But, when the Conservatives were trying to toughen the Prevent anti-extremism programme, Starmer and Cooper were running for Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) January 21, 2025 08:01 AM GMT Philp: Government has questions to answer about Southport attack aftermath Chris Philp said the Government must reveal what they knew and when about Southport killer Axel Rudakubana. The shadow home secretary was asked why the Prevent programme had failed to stop Rudakubana despite him being referred to it three times. Mr Philp told GB News: I think we need to look into that through the public inquiry that was announced yesterday, we support that inquiry, and that is the kind of question it needs to get to the bottom of. I think the inquiry also needs to look at the governments handling of the aftermath of these terrible murders when it appears to me they knew information for example about the Prevent referrals which they did not share with the public, apparently on CPS advice. So we need to look at whether that was the right thing to do and the Government has questions to answer about what they knew and when, why they didnt disclose that information. 07:52 AM GMT Jonathan Hall: Questions over who deals with violent but not ideological people Jonathan Hall KC said there were questions over which authorities should deal with people who are obsessed with violence but not driven by ideology. He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Prevent will look at individuals who come across their radar, and then counter-terrorism police will be asking themselves, is this the sort of person who we ought to help, given our terrorism remit? Youll sometimes get cases where counter-terrorism police will say, ultimately, we just dont think we can say this guys on the trajectory to becoming a terrorist, and so hes not for us. The question is, who do they then hand the risk over to? And its not as if youve got lots of other specialist police forces who are there to deal with ultra-violent obsessed people it doesnt seem to me a problem for neighbourhood policing, for example. 07:45 AM GMT Prevent must change because of the internet, says counter-extremism chief The Prevent counter-extremism programme must be updated because of the internet, the Governments independent reviewer of terrorism legislation has said. Asked what needed to come out of the Southport inquiry announced by the Government yesterday, Jonathan Hall KC told the BBC: I think a review of Prevent and the mechanisms that exist for dealing with people who are obsessed by violence but not necessarily obsessed by ideology. Mr Hall said that in the recent past the terror and extremism threat largely came from Islamist terrorism which was group based and often could be traced back to a leader. He said individuals who were obsessed by this sort of ideology could be identified and de-radicalised but were living in a different world now, which is the internet world, where people dont go to individuals and theyre not part of groups. They go to the computer, and they sometimes get a whole mix of stuff, and sometimes, Im afraid, they just become obsessed by violence, he said. A good example, I think, in America, are school massacre-fixated individuals really, really dangerous. Now, our Prevent system was not really designed for that, so what I would hope is that someone, whether its the inquiry or someone else, is going to look at how do you pick up these people (for whom) Prevent wasnt really designed? Asked whether Prevent was working in its current format, Mr Hall said: It needs to change because of the internet. Thats the key factor. 07:43 AM GMT Starmer to deliver statement on Southport attack at 8.30am Sir Keir Starmer will deliver a statement in Downing Street at 8.30am on the Southport attack. The Prime Minister will also take questions from the media after the Government announced an inquiry into how the state failed to stop Axel Rudakubana. The Prime Minister spoke of loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom as a new type of terrorist - Tolga Akmen/EPA-EFE Its poetic that while Trump is shaking up America, Britain is managing the fallout from the Southport attack. The president says it as he sees it (Bambis mother had it coming), but the Brits always sacrifice honesty for good manners hence we were initially told July 29 was not being treated as a terror attack and the accused was a Welsh choirboy with a cutie-wootie school photo. Some inferred this was done to avoid a riot. We got one anyway and might see another given how deceived people feel. Now we discover Axel Rudakubana was known to countless state bodies, while a more up-to-date photo presents the wild hair and soulless eyes of a man possessed by the devil. Never mind Prevent. He shouldve been referred to a priest. Ill handle this, said Rev Starmer, who addressed the nation from his new, wood-panelled No 10 briefing room. It looked like a broadcast from the Ideal Home Exhibition. The worst communicator since Gerald Ratner its like watching a third-rate actor go out and murder Hamlet every night he told us he knows the law (father was a rule-maker) and hadnt wanted to break it by leaking details pre-trial. Sir Keir Starmer spoke from the new briefing room at Downing Street - Henry Nicholls/AP The Rev revealed that he has since learnt of a new class of terrorist consisting of loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom who freely access extremist material online. Otherwise known as teenage boys. This argument never mind past whoopsies, lets focus on the future was defused expertly in the Commons. David Davis pointed out that lone-wolf attacks have been occurring for years, that weve often called them terrorism without undermining a trial. Andrew Murrison noted that if the authorities remain silent, then bad people will write the script. The mini-Keirs on the Labour benches all fat, Brylcreemed and wearing red ties implied that Right-wingers are whipping up hate. They were supported on this by several Lib Dems named Sue. What we need is interfaith dialogue and community engagement, not disruptive questions asked of our beloved police and courts. The state having failed, the consensus seems to be that we should give the state more power to police our brains especially those evil social media companies with their radicalising gifs. Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, and Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary - Tolga Akmen/EPA/Bloomberg While this was going on, I Googled the al-Qaeda manual owned by Rudakubana and found several copies online (did you know that the group denounces rotary clubs as colonialist fronts?!). Meanwhile, The Anarchist Cookbook, the 1970s how-to which includes lessons on making explosives, is available on eBay. No doubt, having looked this up, and because Im a conservative, Ill be in Belmarsh by Friday. Laugh or cry, it makes no difference. Yvette Cooper told the House that Rudakubana and remember, one of the few details we were allowed to know about his person was that he is a fan of Dr Who had been referred three times to Prevent, had five calls from his home address about his behaviour, was convicted of a violent assault and excluded from school. She sounded disgusted. Labour pledges to challenge the status quo. Alas, in the minds of millions of voters they are the status quo: the class of do-gooders, found in every institution, who wont call out evil and have allowed it to wander the world for the ruin of souls. Sir Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference about the Southport attack - HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP Sir Keir Starmer has admitted that he knew about the Southport killers terror links in the immediate aftermath of the attack in which three young girls were murdered. But the Prime Minister denied a cover-up, telling a Downing Street press conference that he could not make the information public at the time because it would have prejudiced Axel Rudakubanas trial, denying justice to the families of the three children. When asked if he knew about Rudakubanas referrals to Prevent, the counter-terror programme, and if he had withheld the information at the time in an attempt to protect against further public outcry, Sir Keir said: Let me be clear, responsibility for the disorder and the violence lies with those that perpetrated it. We need to be really clear about that. Yes, I knew the details as they were emerging. That is the usual practice in a case such as this. But you know and I know that it would not have been right to disclose those details. The only losers if the details had been disclosed would be the victims and the families because it ran the risk the trial would collapse. I am never going to do that. He added: The law of this country forbade me or anyone else from disclosing details sooner. Bebe King (left), Elsie Dot Stancombe (centre) and Alice Da Silva Aguiar were killed in the Southport attack His comments came after he was accused by senior Tory and Reform figures of being part of a cover-up where police knew of Rudakubanas possession of a military study of a terrorist manual and the deadly toxin ricin within days of the killings, but only revealed it when he was charged three months later. Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said: The Prime Minister is once again hiding behind the contempt of court argument. This is simply untrue, the country needed to know the truth about this murderer and that he was known to the authorities. Even MPs were banned from asking questions about this mans background. Cover-up Keir convinces no one. Jonathan Hall, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has said the riots last summer showed that the scope for saying little or nothing is squeezed out by social media. Loners and misfits Sir Keir said Britain faced a new threat of terrorism from extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, [and] young men in their bedrooms following the Southport murders. He said ministers would change the law if necessary to ensure that the state could identify violent individuals who may be planning attacks on their own. The Prime Minister said: My concern in this case is we have clearly got an example of extreme violence, individualised violence, that we have to protect our children from and our citizens from. It is a new threat, its not what we would have usually thought of as terrorism when definitions were drawn up, when guidelines were put in place, when the framework was put in place and we have to recognise that here today. He said there will be a review of the whole counter-extremist system to ensure that it is fit for purpose after it failed to act on three separate referrals of Rudakubana to the Prevent programme between December 2019 and April 2021, when he was aged 13 and 14. Axel Rudakubana had been referred to Prevent three times The review will be led by Lord Anderson, the independent Prevent commissioner, to shine a light into its darkest corners so that we people should have confidence that action will follow work. Sir Keir also warned that there were bigger questions about the tidal wave of violence freely available online, which was accessible on mainstream social media with just a few clicks. He said the Southport attack must be a line in the sand for Britain, pledging that the public inquiry would leave no stone unturned in getting to the truth of how the girls were failed by the state. He said: Nothing will be off the table. He added: As part of the inquiry launched by the Home Secretary yesterday I will not let any institution of the state deflect from their failure, failure which in this case, frankly, leaps off the page. Sir Keir said the questions that needed to be answered were far reaching and would be addressed unburdened by cultural or institutional sensitivities and driven only by the pursuit of justice. He said: That is what we owe the families. The Southport attack could not be blamed on immigration or funding cuts. This goes deeper, he said, warning that the set of unwritten rules that hold a nation have in recent years been ripped apart. He added: Children who have stopped going to school since the pandemic, young people who have opted out of work or education. Rudakubana appears in Liverpool Crown Court on the first day of his trial - Elizabeth Cook/PA On what was supposed to be the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Rudakubana pleaded guilty to murdering Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, in a knife attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29. He also admitted attempting to murder eight other children and two adults, Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes, possessing a kitchen knife and an academic study of an al-Qaeda manual, as well as to the production of the lethal toxin ricin. The manual, which he downloaded twice in 2021, contained instructions for making the poison, the ingredients for which he had ordered from Amazon in 2022. Those offences only became public at the end of October when he was charged. Rudakubana downloaded the manual twice in 2021 Mr Justice Goose, the trial judge, told Rudakubana that it was inevitable that he would impose a life term when he is sentenced on Thursday. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said that there is quite a lot you can put into the public domain without prejudicing legal proceedings as he suggested that there should have been more transparency earlier on over the Southport attack. Asked whether it was right to criticise the authorities when the priority was to ensure that justice could be served in a possible trial, Mr Philp told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: There is quite a lot you can put into the public domain without prejudicing the judicial proceedings. In previous incidents, weve seen more information being put out and Jonathan Hall drew attention to the risks of not putting out information, it undermines trust in justice, but it also creates a void. So, I think these are legitimate questions. I think its important the inquiry looks at those questions as well as what happened before this appalling incident. Sir Keir Starmer has announced an inquiry into how the British state failed to identify the risk posed by Axel Rudakubana - Shutterstock In the six months since he became Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer has proved again and again that he simply doesnt have what it takes to be a leader. On Tuesday morning, as damning revelations came to light about multiple official interactions with Axel Rudakubana before the Southport massacre, the PM gave an address from Number 10 in defence of something that really, really matters to him. His job. If Sir Keir intended to come across as a unifying Father of the Nation, he failed miserably. The effect was more weaselly solicitor arguing that he couldnt possibly have been expected to disclose details of the terrorists background because the trial could have collapsed (I would never do that and nobody would forgive me if I had). The PM didnt make sense. Anyone who angrily posted online about it being Islamist terror had to be arrested and go to jail because that was a conspiracy theory, even if the evil perpetrator spent a lot of time on jihadi websites with helpful tips on slaughtering the enemies of Islam which, on reflection, yes, maybe, OK, that was terrorism, but it was a NEW KIND of terrorism that Sir Keir had just made up. Weve never had any terrorist attacks by lone-wolf misfits before, have we? Let me be very clear, as the PM always says when reaching for the How to Obfuscate on Unfortunate Side-Effects of Multiculturalism handbook: Starmer is on the hook for failing to level with the British people following the heinous murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice da Silva Aguiar. Hence the urgent, defensive statement. His argument that the three little girls would have been denied justice had he shared more information about the attacker was morally disgusting. It also has the significant disadvantage of being untrue. The suffering of white working-class girls is a secondary consideration When Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered in June 2016, the public knew almost all the details of her killer within 48 hours. That didnt prevent Thomas Mair being given a whole life-term, did it? The difference is Mair was a white, far-Right terrorist and the Left is keen on publicising the few individuals who fit that description because they help to distract attention from the source of the real terrorist threat to this country. In his speech on Tuesday, the PM finally conceded, in a slightly shifty, crab-like way, what many of us deduced at the time. He knew that Axel Rudakubana had been reported to Prevent, the counter-terrorism organisation, three times. Starmer and the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, will have been informed within hours of the massacre at a Taylor Swift holiday club, that ricin, a lethal bio-weapon, and an academic study of an al-Qaeda training manual had been found at Rudakubanas home. (I am told the traumatised families were informed in August that a suspect substance had been discovered, but Merseyside Police didnt trust the public with that knowledge until October.) The Labour government wanted a tightly-controlled narrative about this highly combustible story. Pre-emptive attacks on the far-Right began even before any riots took place. As we know from the child-rape gangs scandal, the suffering of white working-class girls is a secondary consideration compared to avoiding the stirring up of racial hatred as well as wider discussion of the effect of mass immigration on female safety. Two-tier Keir On July 31, two days after the massacre, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, did her bit for Operation Denial, saying speculation that details were being kept from the public that the murders were an act of terrorism was fake news and conspiracy theories. Even three months later, at the end of October, when it emerged that senior Government figures had known for weeks that the Southport killer could face terror charges, the Home Secretary was still urging the public not to speculate on the case in order to ensure justice for the families. In order to spare you and the Government embarrassment, dont you mean, Yvette? How unfortunate for Sir Keir that, in September 2024, his own independent reviewer for terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall, warned that an information vacuum after the Southport attacks had led to riots across the country. The public was entitled to know the motive behind the mass murder of children, Mr Hall said. As for jeopardising the trial, Judges are very experienced in directing juries to put prejudicial information out of their minds. Just the sort of wise insight you might have expected from someone who has been ooh, I dont know, lets pick a job at random Director of Public Prosecutions? Its worth noting that Starmer had no hesitation in calling the Southport riots far-Right thuggery and promised to heavily punish all involved before anyone had been found guilty. Two-tier Keir. What else do you expect from this emotionally-inert man known to some relatives of the dead and injured children as Nineteen Seconds the amount of time he spent laying a wreath in Southport as a distraught crowd demanded answers and cried, How many more children, Prime Minister? Alice, Elsie and Bebe might be alive today. Not only if people had done their jobs, but if Sir Keir and the sanctimonious woke brigade had not fought every attempt to prioritise and root out Islamist terrorism. As Kemi Badenoch pointed out on X, while the Conservatives were trying to toughen up the Prevent anti-extremism programme, Starmer and Cooper were running for office on manifestos worried about Prevent alienating communities. So I'm pleased the govt has announced an inquiry into the Southport murderer, there were clearly multiple state failings and it must never happen again. But, when the Conservatives were trying to toughen the Prevent anti-extremism programme, Starmer and Cooper were running for Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) January 21, 2025 There, ladies and gentlemen, you have the problem in a nutshell. Official fear of alienating communities and, believe me, they dont mean white working-class communities with gorgeous little girls like Bebe, Alice and Elsie. The PM said the public inquiry will ask difficult questions, unburdened by cultural or institutional sensitivities. I wouldnt bet on it. Tiptoeing around cultural sensitivities is ingrained Labour behaviour. Cooper will be far happier banning harmful online content or sales of knives to minors than deporting Welsh choirboys who turn out to be Rwandan psychopaths. How many more children, Prime Minister? After the sentencing of Rudakubana on Thursday, details of the atrocities committed at that Taylor Swift dance club will start to become public. Nothing will prepare you for the horror of what he did to those little girls, the sheer blood-curdling savagery. Nothing. How were little British girls ever exposed to that kind of danger in a northern seaside town? Starmer says the Southport case marks a line in the sand for Britain. He promises a fundamental change in how Britain protects its citizens and children. Why should we believe him? I know I dont. All trust is gone. More than 36,000 people, the majority of them men, and many from cultures that despise Western women, who hate little girls who dance and sing along to Taylor Swift, entered our country by small boat in the past year. Starmer believes the human rights of those illegal migrants are equal to the rights of all the Elsies and Bebes and Alices. He should resign before the people force him out. The stench of cover-up is overwhelming. How many more children, Prime Minister? How many more? While Cree, Anishinaabemowin and Inuktitut still have a relatively large number of speakers, other tongues are on the brink of extinction. Photograph: Alex Takats Centuries ago, the music of the Hizaqv language echoed across a territory of deep fjords, rugged islands, windswept beaches and thick forests. And then, for more than a century, the lands now in the western reaches of Canada fell quiet. Wars with neighbouring nations, disease and violent assimilation by colonial governments brought the people and their language to the brink of extinction. The once-thriving population plunged from more than 40,000 to fewer than 200 people. Today, nearly 4,000 live in the region. But only seven fluent speakers remain. Hizaqv is a deeply relational and nuanced language. It teaches us so much about how to relate to each other. It teaches us to relate to the land. It speaks to an entire context [of] how to exist in our homelands, said Jess Hausti, a poet and member of the Heiltsuk Nation (Haizaqv). If that is lost, we no longer have our guiding signpost. The loss would be profound. The Heiltsuks experience of witnessing the collapse of their language has left them grappling with a profound and complex grief. And yet in the coastal community, nestled against the mountains, there is a buoyant sense of hope. Before the creation of what is now Canada on more than 3.8m sq miles of North America, 58 distinct Indigenous languages were spoken throughout the lands. Decades of hostile government policies, including the forcible removal of Indigenous children from their families, and a system of residential schools that attempted to kill off the culture of Indigenous peoples, stripped many of their language. Today, Cree, Anishinaabemowin and Inuktitut still have a relatively large number of speakers, but other tongues are on the brink of extinction: shashishalh (the Sechelt language) has just two native speakers. On the archipelago of Haida Gwaii, the youngest native speaker of Xaat Kil is in her 70s. Sol Mamakwa, a member of the legislative assembly of Ontario, attended residential school in his youth and was punished for speaking his mother tongue in school, a language that captured his peoples intimate relationship with the lands, the animals and seasons. Thats where you learn the language. Along the banks of the river, your parents teaching out the names [of] fish, or plants and the history of those names. You dont learn it in the four walls of a classroom. Related: An end to plunder and pillage: how a First Nations nature reserve became a model for the world Last year, he became the first provincial lawmaker to stand in the cavernous legislature in Toronto and give a speech in Anishininiimowin. More than 100 guests attended, many of them flown in from the scattering of geographically remote communities he represents. For community leaders who were there, it was very emotional for them. They had tears in their eyes not because of what I said but because they were hearing their language in a place where it was never supposed to be spoken, he said. The colonial apparatus that tore children from their families and sought to kill off culture and language has been gradually dismantled over the years. But Mamakwa, who has experienced the gradual erosion of his own fluency while living in Toronto, has focused his attention on the remaining systems that erode the ability to speak the first languages of the land. Of the 31 municipalities he represents, 24 are fly-in communities. Because not all of them have high schools, students are moved hundreds of kilometres away to larger cities to complete their studies. Theyre brought away from their families, away from their land, and away from hunting and fishing, said Mamakwa. And so the loss continues on. It takes different forms. But it continues. In Bella Bella, the largest community in the territory of the Heiltsuk, efforts to halt the attrition of fluent speakers have taken on a renewed intensity. The motivation comes both as fluent speakers die and the culture experiences a deep and transformative revival. For Hausti, Hizaqv was the soundtrack to every interaction on the land. It was the background to being out on the boat, harvesting, berries, picking seaweed, and processing that food, together, as a family, they said. Im still in really early stages of my own learning journey to reconnect with the language, but I can still hear the music, their words, I can hear the depth of feeling they had. Hausti is a member of the first generation in which no family was taken away to residential school. Culture is being normalized for kids in a much deeper way now than it ever was before, said Hausti, who remembers potlatch ceremonies held in school gyms. Now, kids dont know anything but to see the potlatch [in] our Big House. It gives me so much joy and hope that there are kids growing up who have no concept that it was ever different, that our culture was ever at the margins. Theyre growing up only with the knowledge that in this moment, its in the center. New resources have been poured into preservation and education, including compiling vast troves of information from the current fluent speakers. Social media is having a transformative effect, stemming losses and in some cases reversing declines. A recent feature in the Walrus magazine points to the success of the Squamish people to preserve Skwxwu7mesh snichim. In 2010, there were only 10 fluent speakers. But the effects of immersion programs for adults, infants and toddlers, as well as online lessons have led to more than 100 people being able to speak the language. You never want to lose the body of knowledge and language that you had as a people. But our language is also growing. There are words emerging and concepts emerging that are being captured in our language, that are new, to reflect the new reality we live in, and the new way that we live and work and be together, said Hausti. Language is not monolithic. Its something thats always evolving. That evolution, combined with efforts to catalogue and preserve the accrued knowledge of the regions remaining fluent speakers, has left the Heiltsuk with a set of tools and resources that might not have been available decades ago. Its hard and terrifying to lose fluent speakers. And yet I just have so much hope that there are so many new speakers who are taking up that work in a really deep, meaningful way. Theyre making it their lifes work. The language will change. Its changing now. But there will always be people carrying it, said Hausti. Because of the communitys efforts, there are babies today whose first words, the first sounds they experience, are Hizaqv. Thats something beautiful and worth fighting for. Palestinian children run behind an aid truck in the southern Gaza town of Rafah. Photograph: Hatem Khaled/Reuters On the first morning of the first day after the ceasefire, the market of Asdaa camp, a sprawling area of tents and makeshift shelters on the central Gaza coast, was busy. Some shoppers had come because prices of the small range of basic necessities available had dropped since the ceasefire was declared, making once prohibitively expensive items just about affordable. Others came simply because they could now stand and talk and buy what they needed without fearing sudden death or mutilation. Ahmad Al-Amarna, a 25-year-old stall holder, said he was happy because the ceasefire had brought stability, lower prices and the end of the killings. Related: Palestinians begin search for Gazas missing as they return to ruined homes I am very happy that prices have dropped, and now people can buy things they had wished for but couldnt afford before, he said. But if Sundays ceasefire has brought some relief, life for survivors of the war remains extremely hard. Health services have been decimated and swaths of the territory reduced to rubble. Water and fuel are scarce. Humanitarian officials have called for a surge of aid to stave off disease and potential famine. Amarna said he and his family were suffering in the wintry conditions. What we need now, especially with this cold and unpredictable weather, is blankets, clothes for the children and adults, and food, especially flour, at least at reasonable prices that we can afford, he said. Many in Asdaa camp, which occupies the site of a former funfair west of the central city of Deir al-Balah, celebrated the moment on Sunday when the ceasefire came into effect while standing in long queues at water points, food distributions or inadequate sanitation facilities. Ghalia Sobeh, 54, had come to the market looking for rice for her eight children. Until now, prices were very high, far beyond our means, she said. Many times we would go to bed without eating. Now the prices have come down a bit, but it is still very hard. We have no source of income. We live on charity and aid. My children do not work, one of them is blind and my husband is elderly. He sometimes works, but it is not enough to support the family, so we mostly rely on aid. More than 630 humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza on Sunday, the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, told the security council on Monday. At least 300 went to the north of the territory, where the humanitarian crisis is most acute. The number of trucks reaching Gaza through Israeli-controlled checkpoints slumped in November to around 80a day, a fraction of the 500 or more which entered daily before the conflict. A minimum of 600 aid trucks a day is specified in the ceasefire deal. Many blamed a cartel of big traders who exploited the limited supplies reaching Gaza to push prices higher in recent months. A 25kg bag of flour now costs the equivalent of $40 (33), a tenth of its highest price. The cost of instant noodles and cheese has dropped by a half. Fresh fruit and vegetables are also more widely available. Abu Khaled Al-Muzaini, 50, a former businessman, said that for most people even with lower prices the struggle remains immense. The prolonged war has drained all resources, he said. I have been displaced five times. Others have been displaced ten times or even more. We have lost everything. Hours before the ceasefire was signed, aid officials said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was as bad as its ever been. UN-run bakeries run in southern Gaza have not functioned for weeks because of a lack of fuel and flour, depriving the poor of a main source of food. If there wasnt a ceasefire, then we would be screaming, said one UN official. We are massively concerned about the law and order and governance situation, and then there is all this trauma and fear that people have kept bottled up. It will all start coming out now. Related: Slim Hamas parades show hollowness of either sides claims to victory in Gaza Pedestrians and drivers in central Gaza moved around freely on Monday on the main coastal road along the Mediterranean Sea, which is lined by rows of hundreds displaced families tents. Israeli troops turned anyone trying to head to northern Gaza back. A UN report last year said rebuilding Gazas shattered homes could take many decades. Merely clearing the rubble will demand huge resources, with unexploded ordnance and asbestos in the ruins slowing the process further. Even those whose homes are still standing are without water, power and other basic necessities. Noha Abed, 28, had returned with her husband and three children to the familys home in the southern city of Rafah, which now has only one liveable room. Our house was beautiful, a one-storey building with three rooms. We lost everything, she said. But after cleaning it and putting their belongings in what is left of the house, she said the family want to live in it until the rebuilding happens. For now, her focus is on securing food, water, electricity, beddings and blankets for the family, who had been sleeping in a tent further north for about 10 months, she said. Despite the difficult conditions, she said that this was the first night I sleep without being afraid for my children. Harriet Walter will star as Margaret Thatcher in a new Channel 4 miniseries - Matt Frost/Channel 4 Margaret Thatcher was so lacking in empathy that today she would be diagnosed with a disorder, according to Steve Coogan, the star of a new drama about the former prime minister. Coogan plays Brian Walden in Brian and Maggie, a Channel 4 series which dramatises their famous 1989 television interview. The actor said he had huge antipathy towards Thatcher and vetoed one scene in the drama because it was too kind to her. Dame Harriet Walter, who stars opposite him as Thatcher, is not a fan either. The ex-Prime Minister was a bad role model for women, said the actress, who described herself as Left-wing. She and Coogan met while attending Extinction Rebellion events. Interviewed by Emily Maitlis in this weeks Radio Times, Coogan said: Of course, I had huge antipathy towards Thatcher. I was very anti-Thatcher. And the one thing I was worried about in this drama was being too compassionate because of her legacy In fact, in the edit we cut something because I thought it was a bit too kind and we wanted to remind people that there was this damage. She had vision and zeal, but she lacked empathy. Now, shed probably be diagnosed with some sort of disorder. Coogan said he was interested in Thatchers outsider status as a member of the lower middle classes, and also argued that she was definitely a victim of sexism, whether she knew it or not. Steve Coogan plays Brian Walden in Brian and Maggie - Matt Frost/Channel 4 Dame Harriet said she was drawn to the project because of the team behind it: Coogan, writer James Graham and director Stephen Frears. But she had reservations: I just wish it was about somebody else. However, she thought the quality of Grahams writing was so good that she decided to swallow hard and go for it. The magazine article described her as musing gleefully on how awkward it would have been if the actress and Thatcher had ever met. I think she would have detested me. Im domestically impractical, politically Left-wing and thoroughly unreliable. In my youth, I went on demos and picket lines. Plus, my coming from a fairly privileged background. We would have had zero to talk about. Maybe clothes, I suppose, Dame Harriet said. I didnt warm to her. She remains unchallenged as a role model for female politicians in this country and thats regrettable, because I dont think its a very nice role model. Coogan admitted to feeling a huge antipathy towards the former prime minister - Alamy/PA The two-part drama, which launches on January 29, charts the relationship between Walden and Thatcher over the course of several encounters, culminating in the 1989 interview for LWT. Thatcher is said to have felt betrayed by Walden, the Labour MP-turned grand inquisitor, whom she considered to be a friend. The interview took place three days after the resignation of her chancellor, Nigel Lawson, and hastened Thatchers political demise. Walden accused her of coming across as authoritarian, domineering, refusing to listen to anybody else, to which Thatcher replied: Brian, if anyone is coming over as domineering in this interview, it is you. James Graham, whose television credits include Sherwood and Brexit: The Uncivil War, said Thatcher was an impressive interviewee in comparison to todays politicians. If you ran any of her interviews with Walden alongside anything Liz Truss did on screen, its embarrassing, he said. The drama is based on a chapter in Why Is This Lying Bd Lying To Me?, a book by Rob Burley, formerly editor of live political programmes at the BBC, and is made by Baby Cow Productions, a production company founded by Coogan and Henry Normal. US President Donald Trump signs numerous executive orders - JIM LO SCALZO/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Oooh, said Donald Trump, as he was passed another executive order during his post-inauguration blitz. Thats a big one! The President was not exaggerating. The document in his hand, which ordered his administration to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), could deliver a mortal blow to the cash-strapped UN agency, which the US co-founded in 1948. But the move also created a major opportunity for Americas biggest rival: China. If Beijing is willing to stump up and provide even a portion of the financial shortfall left by Americas exit, it could rewrite its complicated relationship with the WHO and claim a new position as an undisputed champion of global health. The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said after Mr Trumps executive order. China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities... and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity. Credit: C-Span/X The WHOs looming financial crisis Its hard to understate the financial crisis that Americas departure could trigger for the WHO, or the panic those inside the agency are probably feeling today. Mr Trumps move was not unexpected he tried to do the same thing near the end of his first term but The Telegraph understands that many inside the organisation were hoping the new president would instead try to cut a new deal. Maybe he still will; perhaps this is all bluster. They wanted us back so badly, so well see what happens, he remarked after signing the order, according to the BBC. But for now, the WHO is facing an enormous financial hole. The US is by far the agencys largest donor records show that America contributed a total of $958 million (roughly 716m) to the agency in 2024. Thats almost a fifth of the annual budget. Chinas contributions pale in comparison, a total of $203m. The country currently ranks eighth on the donor scale, behind organisations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank, as well as countries including Germany and the UK. Yet China has several ways it could boost its contributions. The WHO has several arms of funding: mandatory contributions, largely based on a countrys GDP; and voluntary contributions, for specific programmes or issues (a restrictive form of funding that the WHO is actually trying to move away from). On the first measure, America and Chinas contributions arent so wildly different $260m, versus $175m. The disparity is linked to that second mechanism: while the US provides close to $700m in voluntary funding, China offered less than $30m in 2024. Part of this is because China prefers bilateral agreements. Only a small chunk of WHO-channelled funds go to Africa, for instance, to fund programmes in Senegal and Namibia. Yet China has invested billions in the continent through agreements with the African Union and its controversial Belt and Road Initiative. US funding for the WHO, by contrast, is used in more than 45 African countries, and supports the UN agencys regional office. Yes, China is big in the health space but not always through WHO, they do a lot of stuff bilaterally, says Dr Clare Wenham, an associate professor in global health policy at the London School of Economics. Weve seen this with the pandemic treaty [negotiations]. Theyre just sitting and waiting and watching, theyre not big actors here. So yes, it might be a big opportunity for China but do they really care about the WHO? Or do they care more about maintaining broader influence bilaterally? She said that the country also has an incredibly complicated relationship with the WHO, especially since the pandemic, which could further curtail their desire to throw the UN agency a financial lifeline. Choosing to do so, however, might net Beijing an enormous political win at a bargain price, and it would potentially give it greater leverage over the organisation. Prof Rebecca Katz, a Professor and Director of the Centre for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University, added: It is unclear what other nations, including China, might step up to take a more active role at the WHO in the absence of the US. That more active role might come with more influence over the organisations activities. If not China, then who? But if China does not step up, who else will? In the current economic and political climate, candidates are few and far between. It might not be easy for China to stem the gap, but its not easy for anyone else, either, says Dr Wenham. Last time Mr Trump tried to leave the WHO, Germany signalled it would step up to stem some of the shortfall. Given the difficulties Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces, that now seems unlikely. It would also be a tough call for Keir Starmer in the UK, as his government seeks to cut costs across the board, or the Scandinavian nations which have previously plugged gaps in reproductive health triggered when the US applied the global gag rule. If the WHO is not able to find a critical injection of cash from philanthropists or other multilateral organisations, it could face an existential threat. If US funding for other global health efforts are reduced, including Global Fund and Gavi, in addition to possible cuts to the PEPFAR program, there could be an existential crisis. We may be heading towards a financial cliff if other donors do not step up, said Prof Katz. Theres an optimistic set, who say this could force the sometimes bureaucratic agency to cut dead weight, restructure, and refine its goals. But, as many more fear, Americas exit will simply leave the world with an even worse system to respond to critical health threats. And its not just the US who will suffer. A US withdrawal from WHO would make the world far less healthy and safe, says Lawrence Gostin, director of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Global Health Law at Georgetown University. It would make it more likely that we could see novel diseases spinning out of control, crossing borders, and potentially sparking a pandemic. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security The Citizenship Clause alongside a number of related statutes and regulations establishes the modern basis for birthright citizenship. Photograph: US Embassy Manila/AFP/Getty Images As part of a sweeping crackdown on both undocumented and legal immigrants, Donald Trump signed an executive order on 20 January following his swearing-in as president that tries to end the right to citizenship for some children born in the United States. In a country where birthright citizenship regardless of lineage is a deeply held value, the presidents attempt to cut off that right for future generations could create a permanent underclass, through policy change that would specifically target communities of color. His executive order inevitably faced court challenges from civil rights organizations, which have favorable constitutional language and over a century of legal precedent on their side. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) led a group of organizations in filing a lawsuit challenging Trumps order. The next day, a coalition of 22 Democratic-led states, the District of Columbia and San Francisco filed suit in federal court in Boston arguing thats Trumps effort is a flagrant violation of the US constitution. Washington state, Oregon, Illinois and Arizona together filed a separate lawsuit in federal court in Seattle and on Thursday, 23 January, US district judge John Coughenour temporarily blocked Trumps effort, calling it blatantly unconstitutional, in the first court ruling on the order. Heres more on the right to birthright citizenship and its future under the Trump administration. Related: What executive orders did Trump sign on day one? What is birthright citizenship? When Trump and his allies reference birthright citizenship, theyre usually alluding to the legal principle of jus soli which means right of the soil in Latin. Put simply, it allows nearly everyone born on US soil to become a US citizen. What is the legal basis for birthright citizenship in the US? As a concept, jus soli comes from English common law, which held centuries ago that people born in England were natural subjects. But unrestricted birthright citizenship in the US that includes people of color not just white Americans derives from the US constitution. In 1857, the supreme court ruled that Black descendants of enslaved people could not be US citizens. To right this injustice, just over a decade later, the US ratified the 14th amendment. The first line of the 14th amendment reads: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Known as the Citizenship Clause, this phrase alongside a number of related statutes and regulations establishes the modern basis for birthright citizenship. What have US courts said about birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants? Even as the 14th amendment was ratified, Americans were starting to turn against immigrants in the US, especially Chinese workers. Soon, Congress had enacted legislation to heavily restrict further Chinese migration and make life difficult for those already stateside. Wong Kim Ark, a young man born in San Francisco to immigrant parents, went to China to see his family. When he tried to return home to the US, he wasnt allowed into the country based on the allegation that he wasnt a US citizen. But the supreme court saw the situation differently. In an 1898 precedential decision that has withstood the test of time, the justices ruled in favor of Wong Kim Arks US citizenship claim even though his parents were Chinese immigrants unable to naturalize. Who is not a US citizen, even if they are born in the US? There are exceedingly rare exceptions to the principle of jus soli, where people born in the US are not automatically granted US citizenship. Until the enactment of a law in 1924, Indigenous peoples born in the US were excluded. In 2021, the supreme court decided that people born in American Samoas unincorporated territories are not automatically guaranteed birthright citizenship, unless Congress enacts legislation. And the children of foreign diplomats or, in a more violent scenario, the kids of enemy occupiers also lack a right to US citizenship by birth. Do other countries have birthright citizenship like in the US? In comments criticizing the USs version of birthright citizenship, Trump has said: We have to end it. Were the only country that has it. In fact, dozens of countries have a right to citizenship based on place of birth. Like the US, most of these countries are within the western hemisphere, including Canada and Mexico. That said, birthright citizenship is less common in other regions of the world. What does Trumps executive order do? The executive order signed on Monday tries to make it so that children born in the US, but without at least one parent who is a lawful permanent resident or US citizen, are no longer automatically extended US citizenship. It also disallows federal agencies from issuing or recognizing documentation proving US citizenship for such children. Notably, the executive order targets kids born to both unauthorized immigrants and people legally in the US on temporary visas. Could Trump actually end birthright citizenship? Maybe although probably not, and almost definitely not through executive order. The Citizenship Clause is part of the US constitution, the nations founding document. Generally, legal scholars strongly suggest that neither executive action nor legislation should be able to supersede the constitutions guarantee of birthright citizenship for those born on US soil. However, because the legal precedent set by Wong Kim Ark well over a century ago is so fundamental to how birthright citizenship relates to the children of immigrants, a court battle erupting from Trumps executive order could in the most extreme scenario jeopardize the USs understanding of birthright citizenship as we know it. Related: Trumps border policy tore apart many families. Nobody knows what happens to them now In fact, forcing the supreme court to reinterpret the 14th amendment is probably part of the long game that the Trump administration is playing with its executive order. Yet even with the White House raring for a fight, a complete overhaul of case law around birthright citizenship remains improbable. The other way to override an existing part of the constitution would be to ratify another amendment, which would require a level of political support that is unlikely for such a fringe, rightwing issue. How else could the Trump administration police birthright citizenship? Even if the administration is unable to completely undo birthright citizenship for the children of certain immigrants, officials have reportedly been exploring other ways to tackle the topic. For instance, they could try to restrict short-term visas for pregnant travelers, so those travelers couldnt give birth in the US. Read more of the Guardians Trump coverage Dame Kate Bingham told the Covid Inquiry that the Government ultimately did not purchase a drug that could have protected vulnerable people - UK Covid-19 Inquiry/PA Vulnerable people were forced to shield for longer during lockdown because it was cheaper than giving them drugs to protect against Covid, the UKs former vaccine tsar has said. Dame Kate Bingham, the venture capitalist who founded and was chairman of the vaccine task force (VTF) in 2020, led the nations project to develop and obtain Covid jabs as quickly as possible. Speaking on Tuesday at the Covid Inquiry, she revealed that the central element of her role was to find medicines which helped protect the entire UK population from the virus. However, she said that throughout the pandemic it became evident that the Government strayed from this edict, which was issued by Boris Johnson the prime minister at the time to whom Bingham reported directly. I felt very strongly that we were conducting a strategy that was not following the prime ministers goals, Dame Kate told the inquiry. The government was following a very clear two-tier strategy where the clinically vulnerable, immunocompromised patients were being de-prioritised in favour of those who were able to receive vaccines. And I felt that was manifestly wrong, both ethically and morally. Boris Johnson, the prime minister at the time, asked the Vaccine Taskforce to find medicines to protect the whole UK population from Covid - Adrian Dennis/AFP The remit of the VTF, which brought experts from the private sector into one organisation under the umbrella of the then-Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to expedite the process of vaccine acquisition, included both vaccines and prophylactics to give protection to people with a healthy immune system as well as those who were unable to mount their own immune response. The latter category are immunosuppressed individuals who were throughout the pandemic called clinically vulnerable and had to shield themselves from others with stricter social distancing than the rest of the public endured. One medicine called Evusheld manufactured by AstraZeneca was able to give six months of protection to the immunosuppressed in an injection akin to a vaccination. The project to obtain Evusheld for the most vulnerable was codenamed Project Astronaut. Dame Kate told the inquiry that the VTF agreed to a non-binding contract with AstraZeneca to acquire doses of Evusheld from AstraZeneca in 2020 to cover the most vulnerable people, with an order of 500,000 doses reduced to 50,000 because of severe stock restrictions. The purchase was recommended to ministers, Dame Kate said, but ultimately was not approved. She said that there was a catalogue of reasons of which none are sound, for why immunocompromised people were de-prioritised. Dame Kate starts her trial of Novavax, one of many therapeutics which were rolled out to protect against Covid-19 - Kirsty O'Connor/PA Archive The evidence is that it was cheaper to let these clinically vulnerable individuals who were already shielding to stay shielding at home, and then if they were to be infected, then they would be treated with drugs, Dame Kate said. There was no appetite, because of cost, to actually buy the therapeutics. There was zero appetite in the Department of Health to actually consider how these patients would be treated. Professor Sir Chris Whitty, speaking to the inquiry on Monday, said he agreed that Evusheld would be very useful in late 2020 and agreed with Dame Kate and the recommendation of the VTF. But he added that Evusheld was expensive, saying a vaccine cost in the low tens of pounds per person protected whereas Evusheld cost in the high hundreds. In February 2021, Sir Chris, the chief medical officer for England, advised against purchasing Evusheld. He told the inquiry on Monday that at the time, there was a reasonable chance that the drug would no longer be effective by the time of the eventual deployment of the medicine because the coronavirus would likely mutate to evade Evusheld. This was ultimately proven correct with the emergence of the omicron variant. Vaccines have multiple hits on goal, and therefore they can deal with evolution of the virus to a much greater extent than something thats only got two points on the virus spike that its dealing with which is what we were dealing with [in the case of Evusheld], Sir Chris said. Had Evusheld been available and licensed in early 2021, even with vaccination I think [it] would have had at least some niche use, and if there hadnt been vaccines it would have had widespread use. I think the reason we ended up where we did was a combination of how long it took to get to licensure, the fact that the virus evolved, the fact we had had the vaccine, a lack of clinical data and multiple other issues. I think its sometimes made to be a rather simpler issue than actually, in reality, it was. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump dance Since the alternative was so dangerously the wrong thing to do, what Trump is doing with his two genders announcement is very straightforwardly the right thing. If the World Health Organisation suddenly decided that cancer should be treated only by leeches, the person reversing that decision would be rightly applauded. The Democrats have handed Trumps victory to him on a plate. Aside from the obvious allowing Biden to run and then handing over to Harris, known for her pointless policies, poor communication and lukewarm record the insistence that children can be transgender, and trans women should be in womens prison, may have been popular within the septum-ringed, multi-coloured hair community but not far beyond it. As numerous courageous individuals bring legal cases against employers, local authorities, public institutions and governments on the gender ideology front, it is now clear that the world is slowly regaining some collective sense. Everybody including old-fashioned sexists and traditionalists like commentator Matt Walsh, and Trump himself knows that trans women are women is a blatant, barefaced lie. Which leads me to the obvious: the President still doesnt get it. He may well know how to play to his audience, and win round the electorate on key issues such as law and order, immigration and gender madness, but he still conflates sex and gender. Of course the British government should acknowledge that there are two sexes, male and female, because it is a fact. There should be no men in womens prisons, changing rooms, refuges, rape crisis centres, hospital wards or any other single-sex facility or organisation. The ruling from Australia on Monday, that it is illegal to advertise a public event as women-only, means that lesbians cant have any lesbian-only spaces any more, because some bloke could insist on being one himself, and take them to court. Swathes of single-issue campaigners those who focus all their attention on the transgender issue are expressing delight at Trumps presidency, claiming that his statement is a big win for the world. Several I told you sos have already been aimed at those who have rightly, in my view denounced Trump for his horrendous treatment of women, and dont trust him one inch to do the right thing for women. The two genders executive order may well mean that men will not end up in womens prisons, which I applaud. Unfortunately, under his presidency, it is likely that very few rapists will end up in any prison at all because Trump is no friend to women. Any woman who reckons hes done this because he cares about us needs to think again: the Presidents record on women is appalling. In 2016, Trump called for an abortion ban with some form of punishment for women which was too extreme even for many anti-abortion activists. He doesnt like gender ideology in exactly the same way as other misogynists dont like it because women should be in the kitchen, barefoot, preferably pregnant, and men are men and women are women, in the most traditional and regressive way. The fact that Trump will throw out the baby with the bathwater is entirely the fault of the Democrats, aided and abetted by extreme gender ideologues and Black Lives Matter grifters. And along with the lunacy, some of the measures in place to protect against actual discrimination (the kind thats based on material reality) will go too. Those of us on the Left have been railing against identity politics in Britain, warning the Labour government that voters will drift away in disgust unless it gets its house in order. Trumps election is a stark lesson and its one that neither the British nor (for what its worth) the American Left has learnt. Migrants make their way to a Border Patrol van after crossing illegally and waiting to apply for asylum between two border walls separating Mexico and the United States, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in San Diego. Gregory Bull/AP A Texas congressman is pushing legislation to end birthright citizenship an effort that comes as President Donald Trumps attempt to cut off the longstanding constitutional right through an executive order drew immediate legal challenges this week. U.S. Rep. Brian Babin, a Woodville Republican, filed a bill Tuesday that would limit automatic citizenship to those born in the U.S. with at least one parent who is a citizen, a lawful permanent resident or an immigrant serving in the military. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Americas citizenship laws should reflect fairness and respect for the rule of law, Babin said in a statement. This common-sense legislation corrects decades of misuse and closes the loophole that incentivizes illegal immigration and exploits U.S. citizenship through birth tourism. At least nine other Texas Republicans had signed on as cosponsors by Tuesday afternoon, according to Babins office. They included U.S. Reps. Dan Crenshaw of Houston, Troy Nehls of Richmond, Chip Roy of Austin, Brandon Gill of Flower Mound, Randy Weber of Friendswood, Morgan Luttrell of Magnolia, Nathaniel Moran of Whitehouse, Jodey Arrington of Lubbock, Ronny Jackson of Amarillo and Keith Self of McKinney. Trump on Monday signed an executive order directing federal agencies to stop recognizing the citizenship of future children born to undocumented immigrants. The order would cut off access to social security numbers, passports and more for those children. It was set to take effect in 30 days, but it drew immediate lawsuits from the American Civil Liberties Union and 18 Democratic-led states. Legal scholars have said the president likely does not have the authority to end citizenship granted to those born in the U.S. And its unclear if Babins bill would accomplish it either. Thats because the right has long been enshrined in the Constitution through the 14th Amendment, a view that has held since a Supreme Court ruling in 1898. Removing it from the Constitution would require a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate, as well as the support of three-fourths of the countrys state legislatures. Babins bill does not seek to overturn the amendment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Most legal scholars in the country believe that to end that will require a constitutional amendment, said Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute. The Trump administration, however, has argued the 14th Amendment extends citizenship only to those both born in and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Trump officials argue those born to undocumented parents are not subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. a distinction that historically has only applied to the children of diplomats living in the U.S. About 4.4 million U.S.-born children under 18 live with an unauthorized immigrant parent, according to estimates from the Pew Research Center. About 8% of Texas households include an unauthorized immigrant, according to Pew. Aside from the legal challenges, Chishti said ending birthright citizenship would present a logistical nightmare. Anyone applying for a birth certificate for their child or for a passport for themselves would have to prove they are a U.S. citizen. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ENERGY EMERGENCY: Trump ends electric vehicle mandate and LNG pause in boost for Texas oil and gas companies Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Volodymyr Zelensky asked whether Donald Trump would respect EU institutions - Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg Volodymyr Zelensky has warned European leaders Donald Trump will ignore them if the continent doesnt take better care of its own defences. The Ukrainian president insisted the continent had to become more independent of Washington because there was no guarantee his American counterpart was committed to Nato. Will president Trump even notice Europe? Does he see Nato as necessary? And will he respect EU institutions? Mr Zelensky asked in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The wartime leader presented his scathing address as a wake-up call for European leaders, including in Britain and France, following Mr Trumps inauguration on Monday. World Economic Forum delegates in Davos watch Donald Trumps inauguration speech on Monday - Markus Schreiber/AP Mr Zelensky argued that Europe had to do more to prove it could stand on its own feet and be a strong global player and indispensable on the world stage. Most of the world is now thinking: What is going to happen to our relationship with America, what will happen to alliances, to trade? How does President Trump want to end war?... But no one is asking these kind of questions about Europe, he said. When we in Europe look at the US as our ally, it is clear they are an indispensable ally. In times of war, everyone worries will the US stay with them But does anyone in the US worry that Europe might abandon them one day or might stop being their ally? The answer is no. The view was echoed by Alexander De Croo, Belgiums prime minister, who said Mr Trumps return to the White House should force the EU to stand on its own two feet. We will be in a world where we will sometimes have to show our muscles, he said. Alexander De Croo, the Belgian prime minister, says that Europe should sometimes be allowed to react a little harder to Mr Trumps plans - Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg A trade war with the US would be in no ones interest, he said, but added that Europe should sometimes be allowed to react a little harder to Mr Trumps plans, which have recently included suggestions that America could take over Greenland. Greenland is part of Denmark, end of story. This is a discussion that needs to be ended, Mr De Croo insisted. Its not something you can laugh off. It creates an atmosphere. We should have reacted much more firmly to it through the EU. He suggested Europe could buy more energy from the US and purchase weapons as governments increased defence spending. This could help address Mr Trumps concerns over trade deficits with European countries. Mr De Croo, a Flemish liberal, will leave office once a coalition government in Belgium is formed after elections held in June last year. Mr Trump has repeatedly criticised the cost of his countrys military support for Ukraine - Reuters A souvenir stall with a flag depicting Ukrainian and US co-operation in Kyiv on the day of Mr Trumps inauguration - SERGEY DOLZHENKO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Mr Trump has repeatedly criticised the cost of his countrys military support for Ukraine, while also criticising his European Nato allies for not spending enough on defence. His comments in the past, including encouraging Russia to do whatever the hell they want to member states not hitting spending targets, have raised constant concerns over his commitment to the alliance. European leaders have attempted to address his concerns by proving they are doing more to support Ukraine and defend the continent. But Mr Zelensky suggested that the current efforts alone risked Europe being left behind other global superpowers such as the US and China. Europe cannot afford to be the second or third in line for their allies. If that happens, the world will start moving without Europe and that is a world that would not be comfortable or beneficial to all Europeans, he told the crowd in Davos. Europe must establish itself as a strong, global player, as an indispensable player. Lets not forget there is no ocean separating European countries from Russia, and European leaders should remember these battles involving North Korean soldiers are now happening in places geographically closer to Davos than Pyongyang. Photos of US volunteer soldiers killed defending Ukraine at Independence Square in Kyiv - Efrem Lukatsky/AP The Ukrainian president warned it was unclear whether Europe would even be invited to participate in peace talks between the US, Russia and China to end the war in his country. He said: Right now, it is not clear whether Europe will even have a seat when the war against our country ends. And we see how much influence China has on Russia but will president Trump listen to Europe, or will he negotiate with Russia, China, without Europe? Europe needs to learn how to fully take care of itself, so the world cannot afford to ignore it. The Ukrainian president said his country was ready to work with its European allies to bolster the continents defences, including the creation of an Iron Dome that could repel Russian missiles. If it takes 5 per cent of GDP to cover defence, then so be it, he added, endorsing Mr Trumps demands on defence spending. Mr Trump on Tuesday indicated he may impose fresh sanctions on Russia if Putin refuses to negotiate a deal to end the war in Ukraine. Sounds like it, Trump told reporters at the White House, when asked if the United States would apply additional sanctions on Moscow if the Russian president did not come to the table. In unusually critical remarks of Putin, Trump said on Monday that the Russian president should make a deal. I think hes destroying Russia by not making a deal. Rishi Sunak is set to return to his former universities as he takes up two new jobs in the UK and America. The former prime minister announced on Tuesday he would be joining Oxford Universitys Blavatnik School of Government as a member of its World Leaders Circle. He will also take up a visiting fellowship at the Hoover Institution, a think thank based at Stanford University in California, where he first met his wife Akshata Murty. Mr Sunak, who studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford before earning a master of business administration degree at Stanford, said he was delighted to be joining the two institutions. He said: Both Blavatnik and Hoover do superb work on how we can rise to the economic and security challenges we face and seize the technological opportunities of our time. I have huge affection for both Oxford and Stanford. I was fortunate enough to study at both, they shaped my life and career, and I look forward to contributing to their world-leading research in the months and years ahead. The positions are Mr Sunaks first since returning to the backbenches last year, where he remains the MP for Richmond and Northallerton, in North Yorkshire. In accepting roles at major universities, he has followed two of his predecessors in Number 10. Sir Tony Blair taught a course at Yale University shortly after leaving Downing Street, while Gordon Brown became a distinguished leader in residence at New York University. Lord William Hague, chancellor of Oxford University and one of Mr Sunaks predecessors as Conservative leader, said the former prime ministers experience and deep understanding of the challenges facing governments today would be a huge asset. The former prime minister is set to return to Oxford University, where he studied as an undergraduate (Andrew Matthews/PA) Lord Hague added: Rishis connection to Oxford University runs deep, and its great to see him coming back to his alma mater to contribute in such a meaningful way. I have no doubt his insights will inspire the next generation of leaders who are starting their journey here at Oxford. Condoleezza Rice, the former US secretary of state and current director of the Hoover Institution, also welcomed his appointment, saying Mr Sunaks extensive policy and global experience will enrich our fellowship and help to define important policies moving forward. She said: The United States and the UK share a very special bond, and we look forward to the impact of his work on the many challenges facing democracies and the world in years to come. The Blavatnik School of Government teaches postgraduate courses in public policy, and counts former Colombian president Ivan Duque among its World Leaders Circle, while the Hoover Institution is a public policy think tank. Other distinguished visiting fellows at the Hoover Institution include former Conservative chancellor George Osborne, former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer and Mr Sunaks former foreign policy adviser John Bew. Southport killer: What was known when? Here is a timeline of what was known when about Southport killer Axel Rudakubana: 2019 Axel Rudakubana becomes known to a range of local agencies due to anxiety, social isolation and challenging behaviour. In October he takes a knife to school, and in December attacks another child with a hockey stick. He receives a youth justice referral order for the assault a measure where juveniles who plead guilty to their first offence are placed under supervision to try to stop them reoffending and completes this in 2021. Between December 2019 and April 2021 he is referred to the government counter-extremism scheme Prevent three times. He is aged between 13 and 14. October 2019 to May 2022 Lancashire Police have a series of interactions with the teenager, including being called to his house five times. He is assessed for an autism spectrum disorder, and given mental health and educational support. February 2023 Rudakubana has stopped engaging with mental health workers, is struggling to attend school and has anxiety that makes him unwilling to leave his house. Monday July 29 2024 The teenager, then aged 17, murders Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and injures eight other children and two adults in a knife rampage. Within hours, just after 5.15pm, Merseyside Police releases a statement confirming that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related, and this remains the case to date. (From left) Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar (Merseyside Police/PA) The force also says that the suspect they have arrested was born in Cardiff, amid false rumours online that the attack was carried out by an asylum seeker. Tuesday July 30 Rudakubanas home in Old School Close, Banks is searched by police, and an unknown substance is found in his bedroom. The search is halted and the substance is sent to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) in Porton Down near Salisbury for analysis. Police activity on Old School Close in the village of Banks, Lancashire (Danny Lawson/PA) Separately, that evening there is both a peaceful vigil for the girls in Southport, and unrest outside the towns mosque. Wednesday July 31 Rudakubana is charged with three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder, and one of possession of a knife in a public place. Demonstrators gather in Whitehall, London, for an Enough Is Enough protest. Firefighters tend to a burning police car as officers are deployed on the streets of Hartlepool following a violent protest (Owen Humphreys/PA) Flares and cans are thrown at police and more than 100 people are arrested. Disorder also breaks out in Hartlepool, County Durham, and Aldershot, Hampshire. Thursday August 1 Lab results suggest that the unknown substance is ricin. This is a biological toxin estimated to be 6,000 times more poisonous than cyanide. It can be fatal when inhaled, ingested, injected or swallowed. Friday August 2 The substance is confirmed by the Dstl to be ricin. Signage for The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down, near Salisbury, Wiltshire (Ben Birchall/PA) The form the poison was found in was deemed to be low to very low risk. Unconfirmed date in September Merseyside Police pass a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) concerning the ricin and an al Qaida training manual found in Rudakubanas possession. October 29 The additional charges against Rudakubana over the ricin and the al Qaida document are publicly announced. He is charged with possessing the document between August 29 2021 and July 30 2024. The Government insists that the timing of the decision to announce the charges was purely a decision for the CPS, amid calls for more information to be released by politicians including Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick and Nigel Farage. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Henry Nicholls/PA) The ricin charge required the authorisation of government officers the attorney general or solicitor general to proceed, and the BBC reports that senior government figures had been told about the new charges a few weeks before. In January 2025 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he had been updated about the case, but was unable to reveal any details publicly as it would have risked causing a future criminal trial to collapse. The Attorney Generals Office is yet to confirm when the CPS applied for approval for the additional charge under the Biological Weapons Act and when the governments law officers granted approval but it is understood this process took place within days. Monday January 20 2025 Rudakubana speaks for the first time at a court hearing and pleads guilty to all charges, paving the way for full details about the case to be revealed now that there will be no jury trial. Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Southport stabbings suspect Axel Rudakubana, 18, appearing on the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to murdering three young girls in a knife attack (Elizabeth Cook/PA) The referrals to Prevent are revealed publicly for the first time, along with details of his obsession with violence and attempt to travel to his school the week before the murders. The debate over whether information about his background should have been released earlier is reignited. Tuesday January 21 Home Secretary Yvette Cooper tells the Commons that Rudakubana had admitted carrying a knife 10 times, and that he had bought the murder weapon on Amazon despite having a previous conviction for violence over the hockey stick incident and being underage. A teenager has been arrested after Arsenal forward Kai Havertzs wife Sophia was sent social media abuse following the clubs third-round exit to Manchester United in the FA Cup. Havertz, 25, missed a penalty in Arsenals shootout defeat at the Emirates Stadium on January 12. His wife, Sophia, who is expecting her first child with the Germany international, said she received abusive messages on Instagram. Hertfordshire Constabulary on Tuesday said a 17-year-old boy from St Albans has been arrested on suspicion of sending malicious communications. The force said he has been bailed while inquiries continue. The definition of terrorism needs to change in the face of a new threat from attackers radicalised by extreme violence, the Prime Minister said. Speaking at Downing Street on Tuesday, Sir Keir Starmer said current laws are set up to deal with terrorism that is linked to organised groups or particular extremist ideologies, but a new threat has emerged posed by loners who obsessively view harrowing content online. He said the Government would urgently consider changes before the inquiry announced into the Southport attacks had concluded, taking into account failings exposed in the way the Prevent anti-terror programme operates. Asked if he personally considered the atrocity to be a terror attack, Sir Keir told journalists that while the Southport murders had not been classed as terrorism, they were extreme violence, clearly intended to terrorise. My concern is that because it is different to the sort of behaviour weve associated with terrorism al Qaida, there are plenty of other examples, which tended to be more organised in groups with a clear political ideology and motive because it is not that, it is a new and different threat, it doesnt fit as well as it should within our framework. That is what weve got to change. That is the urgent question that has to be addressed and its one that has to be addressed before the conclusion of the inquiry and its why weve already done the learning from the Prevent mistakes. Police and security services have been warning over the past few years about the emerging threat of attackers who have no fixed ideology. But Sir Keir compared what he described as a new threat to the mass school shootings seen in the United States, adding: It is not an isolated, ghastly example, it is a different kind of threat and that is why Im absolutely so determined that we will rise to that challenge and make sure that our law, our response, is capable, appropriate, and can deal with that sort of threat. But that is my concern, that is my thinking that this is a new threat individualised extreme violence, obsessive, often following online viewing of material from all sorts of different sources. On Monday Axel Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty to murdering three young girls, Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar, in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class (Merseyside Police/PA) Alongside the current terror threat from organised groups, the Prime Minister said the UK is seeing acts of extreme violence perpetrated by loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom accessing all manner of material online. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper laid bare the scale of the challenge, telling MPs she had been deeply disturbed at the number of cases involving teenagers drawn into extremism, serious violence and terrorism, including Islamist extremism, far-right extremism, mixed and confused ideology and obsession with violence and gore. She said there had been a three-fold increase in under-18s investigated for involvement in terrorism in just three years. Some 162 people had been rereferred to the Prevent programme last year alone for concerns relating to school massacres. Ms Cooper also pointed to warnings from Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley about young men fixated on violence grazing across extremist and terrorist content to feed their violent mindset, but never adopting a terrorist ideology. It has become increasingly difficult for law enforcement in Britain to define whether an act of extreme violence is terrorism because suspects have often accessed such a wide range of material online and dont appear to support one ideology. UK counter-terrorism police will assist in complex investigations either way, as they did with Southport, to boost resources and speed up processes such as analysing content found on phones, laptops and other digital devices. Last month senior national co-ordinator of UK counter-terrorism policing Vicki Evans said investigators are increasingly seeing suspects who have accessed a range of violent material but that a specific ideology which may have motivated an attack can be extremely difficult to pin down. She said officers are seeing suspects with search histories like a pick and mix of horror. This could include material linked to school shootings, mass violence, extreme pornography, pro-incel material, and misogynistic and racist content. Sometimes the harrowing material tips over into terrorism, and other times not. Axel Rudakubanas possession of an al Qaida manual was a crime by default regardless of his own ideology, as was possession of ricin. But police say motivation needs to be established for attacks to be classed as terrorism. Perpetrators holding mixed ideologies, which can sometimes be complicated to interpret, can be one of the reasons why it may take time to determine. Not all violent incidents, even some atrocities involving multiple victims, are declared terror attacks. Cases of extreme violence in which hatred is a factor more often than not do not meet the legal definition of terrorism. Terror watchdog Jonathan Hall said questions over why the incident was not treated as a terrorist attack and whether it could have been prevented were completely legitimate as he urged people to wait to hear the details of the case are set out at the sentencing on Thursday, and cautioned against misinformation online. Kate Morris, a mother-of-two and journalist from London, grew up with a strong sense that her younger sister was her mothers favourite. Now a new study sheds light on the taboo topic of favourite children Kate Morris says it affected her deeply, knowing her sister was her mother's favourite child. (Supplied) (Supplied) The 'favourite child' scenario has been officially proven. When I saw that a new study has found parents often do favour one child particularly daughters and offspring who are more 'conscientious' or 'agreeable' it backed up exactly what I already knew. In my family of two children, it was my younger sister, who seemed to be more adored by my mother than me. I have no absolute proof that my sister was the favourite, its not a subject that has ever been discussed or verified. It was a feeling that has haunted me, made me doubt myself and at times left me sad and bewildered. My sister is two and a half years younger than me. One of my earliest memories is arriving at a hospital where she was born and being given an enormous teddy bear by a nurse an attempt to make me feel special, a consolation prize for no longer being an only child, but as I grew up, my mother and sister formed an exclusive special bond. Im sure that my mother didn't set out to favour one of us or even if she was aware of it. My father was not present that often in our upbringing, staying long hours at work. A quiet, sensitive child As a young child, I was shy and sensitive. I didnt enjoy activities children are typically meant to clowns with their outlandish faces, loud fireworks, strange children, the zoo. I remember running away the first time a cow mooed at me. I have no absolute proof that my sister was the favourite but it was a feeling that has haunted me, made me doubt myself and at times left me sad and bewildered. My sister was probably less complex and easier to handle. I loved school and loved my mother, but on the first day I refused to go in, so she promised to hide behind the gate until it was time to collect me. Of course she didnt, but the thought that she was there was very comforting. Kate Morris says she was a 'shy, sensitive' child, desperate to please and impress her mother. (Supplied) (Supplied) Feeling second best However, the feeling of being second best became more prominent as I grew older. I was a very good child, won prizes for work and sport, and was head girl at my primary school, but however much I strived to succeed, it seemed impossible to gain the favour or praise I desperately wanted. My sister on the other hand was comically naughty. I was hugely tall, she was tiny, adorable and cute. She often ran away from home. Once, aged about eight, she took off with a friend and was found by police sheltering under a duvet cover (made into a tent) in a wood; but she did not get into trouble and in my eyes she was more lovable and could do no wrong. However much I strived to succeed, it seemed impossible to gain the favour or praise I desperately wanted. There were incidents that made me feel less favoured, like the time we went on a holiday to Spain. I travelled with my mothers best friend and her children, whereas my sister came a few days later with my mum. I longed to have exclusive time with her, but never seemed to. The arrangements could have been purely practical, but to my ever-vigilant observation, it was further proof that my sister was the special one. By the time I was about nine, I had become a tomboy and probably gave off the incorrect vibe that I was strong and independent. It seemed to be expected of me, but my sister seemed to receive more care and nurture. The report confirms the fact that parents usually favour younger children and give older children more autonomy. Mother and sister moved away My parents separated when I was 11 and at around the same time, my granny was diagnosed with terminal cancer, so my mother and sister left the UK and went to live near her in Canada. I had no idea that my beloved granny was dying, and was only told that she was unwell. I was sent to a boarding school in the UK, a pivotal moment, cementing the feeling of being expendable and excluded. My mother obviously felt she had to act fast and did what she thought best at the time. I wrote her sad letters pleading to be taken away, hoping that she would save me, unaware of what she was going through. I wrote my mother sad letters, pleading to be taken away from boarding school, hoping that she would save me. As I grew older, resentful that I was away at school, I became rebellious. By 14, I hardly saw either of my parents and in the holidays hung out with my ever-expanding group of friends. I remember being struck with pain when my mother took my sister to Paris for a celebratory trip after her O levels, but hadnt taken me after mine. However many years later, we did go together, which made up for it and was a treasured experience. Becoming a parent myself Kate Morris now has two grown-up children of her own and has always treated them equally. (Supplied) (Supplied) I have two children of my own now, a boy and a girl, aged 23 and 20. I can genuinely say that I really do love them both and admire different aspects of their personalities. Of course, there are periods when one is being unreasonable and times when I am frustrated and angry but I never step away from loving them both unconditionally. I darent even imagine the idea that one is favoured, because I am aware of how sensitive and vigilant children can be. I remember being struck with pain when my mother took my sister to Paris for a celebratory trip after her O levels, but hadnt taken me after mine. I have been in different types of therapy over the years and have come to understand that no parent is perfect including me. Children potentially trigger you in all sorts of ways on a deep and visceral level. You may find it easier to get on with one child over the other. One child may make you feel more protective as you view them as being more vulnerable in some way. Karl Pillemer, a professor of human development at Cornell University said the report is enlightening but noted different children may be favoured for different things. He said, "Parents do differentiate among their children, but it doesnt necessarily mean that they like or love one more than the other." I take great comfort from that. Read more on parenting: . Brutal, heinous, vicious, gruesome, monstrous and disturbing. Those are the opening words Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook used to describe the killing of a 13-year-old KaNiyah Baker, whose body was found on Jan. 15 in an abandoned South Carolina house. Police arrested and charged two girls, aged 15 and 16, with murder in the homicide case. Bakers body was found 20 miles away from where she was previously reported missing from foster care, according to comments Holbrook made in a Jan. 18 press conference. Baker suffered traumatic injuries and was severely burned to the point visual identification was not possible, according to Holbrook and Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford. Rutherford said the coroners office used clothing and dental records to extract DNA and confirm Bakers identity. The incident raises questions about a rise in teen homicides and the social determinants of health that impact youth violence. Both teen suspects were frequent runaways who had dropped out of high school. The 16-year-old has a history of disorderly conduct and was wanted by the Department of Juvenile Justice for cutting off her ankle monitor. Both girls were also charged with arson, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and desecration of human remains. All of the girls involved had some sort of affiliation with systems that were supposed to protect them, and I believe the system failed all three of these young women, Rutherford told USA Today, adding that shrinking allocation of mental health resources has contributed to the problem. The number of young people ages 12 to 17 killed by homicides nearly doubled between 2019 and 2022 from 717 deaths in 2018 to 1,409 in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. More: Surgeon general advisory: Parents need mental health support amid youth crisis Youth violence tied to children's environments, social determinants of health University of South Carolina Criminology and Criminal Justice Professor Hayden Smith said the case indicates there was presence of underlying trauma for all three girls involved. He said rising youth violence is tied to childrens environments and social determinants of health, such as access to stable housing and education. Even beyond a traumatic event like this, for the group of people who are exposed to these adverse childhood experiences, they tend to last a lifetime, unless you can counterbalance with resiliency, certain skills, stability and positive experiences, Smith said. Having adverse childhood experiences, or ACES, before the age of 18 can lead to lifelong physical and mental impacts, according to Smith. Three in four high school students reported experiencing one or more ACEs in the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey from the CDC. ACES include experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect, witnessing violence in the home or community or having a family member attempt or die by suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental factors, like growing up with substance use and mental health problems, instability due to a household member being incarcerated or growing up in a household with parental separation, can also impact childrens brain development and decision-making. More: How a 'horrible perfect storm' fueled a 65% increase in homicides committed by kids Experts say investing money in the welfare system, foster care system, and devoting attention and trained professionals to vulnerable youth can help mitigate youth violence. Smith said cognitive behavioral therapies have emerged as the best approach to ACES, but must be combined with environmental changes and the stable, positive influence of mentors and peers. In the wake of the incident, members of local government and law enforcement addressed the homicide in connection with system support for youth mental health. City Manager of Columbia Teresa Wilson said Baker's death shook her to her core and called on community members and parents to support the city's youth and young mothers. "I am reminded by this senseless act and other recent events in our city of the importance of being present in our childrens lives and creating a safe, nurturing environment for them to grow and thrive," Wilson shared in an Instagram post. "Our city is at its strongest when we engage with one another, invest in our communities, and work together to reduce youth violence." Hales role covering youth mental health at USA TODAY is funded by a grant from Pivotal Ventures. Pivotal Ventures does not provide editorial input. Reach her at rhale@usatoday.com and @rachelleighhale on X. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: KaNiyah Baker, 13, was brutally murdered. Parents need to read this. Vodka is a traditional Russian spirit that is meant to be on the neutral side and can be made from just about anything. Some popular bases are wheat, sugar beets, and potatoes, and can get as whacky as apples, quinoa, Honey, Rye, and even Whey. It is a distilled liquor and is made from water and ethanol from cereal grains traditionally. After fermenting and distilling the cereal grains or base ingredients, it go through a multi-filtration and multi-refining process until it achieves its colorless and crisp finish. Key Points The best vodkas in the world come from countries that have been making vodka for centuries. Interesting vodkas can contain a variety of flavors, not the usual burning taste of American alcohol. The right cash back credit card can earn you hundreds, or thousands of dollars a year for free. Click here now to see our top picks. (Sponsor) Being traditional, it has some cultural rules for consumption. You should always drink it with friends, drink it for the occasion, serve it from the freezer, consume it in small portions, and in the case of mixed drinks, allow the vodka to lead. Vodka is celebratory and should be consumed with food and among friends. Isreal Zakuski, owner of Kachka said, Vodka needs a friend. For it to be done right, it should include food and people around the table. Its a social activity, with lots of toasting. How it works is you all have shots of vodka and everyone makes a toast. You drink communally, then have a bite to eat. And it repeats itself. This is the cadence of Russian dining and drinking at the table. According to our research, these are the best vodkas from several categories. #1 Jewel of Russia Ultra Black A vodka drink. Price : $54 Good For: Everything Country: Russia ABV: 40% Tasting Notes: Cream, Pepper, Minerals, Wheat Jewel of Russia Ultra Black A vodka drink. The elegant texture matches the elegant bottle with the well-named Jewel of Russia Ultra Black. Something that makes this vodka unique and keeps it traditional is a certain amount of minerality on the finish. Most makers remove most of the minerality to make it more modern. With an echo from the past you can use it for anything you want vodka to do: over ice, sipped straight, mixed drinks, and shots. #2 Hanson of Sonoma A vodka drink. Price : $35 Good For: Sustainable Country : USA ABV : 40% Tasting Notes: Grape, Mineral, White Pepper Hanson of Sonoma A vodka drink. Hailing from California Wine Country, this vodka is grape-based, made in small-batch, and is sustainable in every stage of production. Besides their crisp original unflavored Vodka, they have a variety of infused vodkas available such as Habanero, Boysenberry, Espresso, Mandarin, Ginger, and Cucumber. All ingredients are certified local and organic. #3 Polugar Classic Rye Vodka A vodka drink. Price : $71.97 Good For: Traditional Country : Russia ABV : 38.5% Tasting Notes: Rye bread, Honey, Almonds, Black Pepper Polugar Classic Rye Vodka A bloody mary vodka drink. This Vodka recipe is what Eastern Europe was drinking in the 18th and 19th centuries. This Vodka would have been called bread wine, way back in that era and uses traditional copper alembic pots for distillation and is best enjoyed at room temperature for the full aromatic experience. #4 Reyka A Moscow mule. Price : $32 Good For: Bloody Mary Country : Iceland ABV : 40% Tasting Notes: Lemon Zest, Vanilla, White Pepper, Grain Reyka Pouring vodka drinks. Have you always dreamed of traveling to Iceland but it just isnt currently in the cards for you? Kick back with a glass of Reyka or add it to your favorite mixed drink and taste the difference of natural spring water, geothermally powered distillation, lava rock filters and a copperhead still can make. It combines all of Icelands best natural elements to bring you a vacation wherever you are. #5 Absolut Elyx Vodka Absolut Vodka. Price : $30 Good For: Anything Country : Sweden ABV: 42.3% Tasting Notes: White chocolate, light cereal, mellow spice, macadamia nuts. Absolut Elyx Vodka A vodka drink. Absolut brands its Elyx vodka as the luxury vodka made from the winter wheat grown in southern Sweden and distilled in vintage copper stills from 1921. From the first wheat sprout to the final bottle, everything in Absolut Elyx is produced entirely in a 15-mile radius in Sweden. Its bottle has changed over time, including designers by famous designers and companies, with the most recent version designed in London with a 40% recycled glass bottle. #6 Snow Queen A vodka screwdriver. Price : $30 Good For : Sweetness Country : Kazakhstan ABV: 40% Tasting Notes: Minerals, Aniseed, Honey, Black Pepper Snow Queen A vodka drink. Snow Queen is sweet enough to be paired with dessert, and velvety smooth enough to be enjoyed straight. Its been distilled five times, based from organic wheat and spring water straight from the Alatua Mountains. Let the Queen of Kazakhstan show you what vodka is supposed to taste like. #7 Belvedere Ginger Zest Vodka Poland | Old city center view in Krakow A photo of Krakow, Poland. Price : $29.99 Good For : Flavored drinks Country : Poland ABV: 40% Tasting Notes: Lemon, Grapefruit, Ginger Belvedere Ginger Zest Vodka Close up of pouring and splashing martini glass with olives Vodka drink. For flavored Vodka, your first stop should be Belvedere, and your first sip should be its Ginger Zest flavor. Like all Belvedere Vodkas, the Ginger Zest has a silky mouthfeel. Belvedere describes itself as the worlds first luxury vodka and guarantees its 100% natural, no sugar added, and non-GMO Polish Rye philosophy. Matt Pomeroy, the Global Director of Education at Belvedere Vodka says, In Polish history, there are roots in warming vodka with spices. Blending an exotic spice, like ginger, with the approachable flavors of grapefruit and lemon makes for a refreshing, beautifully balanced drinking experience. #8 Grey Goose Vodka Gimlet or Daiqiri cocktails in three glasses on bar counter. Some vodka drinks. Price : $36 Good For : Moscow Mule Country : France Tasting Notes: Toffee, Mineral, Floral Grey Goose Vodka Bartender serving alcohol shots in neon illuminated bar. Pouring vodka. Grey Goose is the most accessible, and readily available vodka for Americans. It is exactly what you would expect Vodka to taste like, making it a flexible option for mixed drinks. It is well-loved and well-tried, and you really cant go wrong. WASHINGTON The Senate Armed Services Committee has voted in favor of Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon. Hegseth, 44, is a combat veteran and former Fox News host. The committee voted along party lines, 14-13, to advance his nomination to the full Senate for approval. A vote in the full Senate is expected later in the week. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chair of the Armed Services Committee, said after the hearing that he hoped the Senate could expedite a vote on Hegseth on the Senate floor. Wicker said he wasn't concerned about Hegseth's relative inexperience compared with former Secretaries of Defense, most of whom had decades of experience in the military, Congress or the defense industry. "I think he's got a lot of knowledge and frankly, we need to shake things up in the Pentagon." "There's too much red tape, there are too many stumbling blocks, there are too many boxes to check and the bureaucracy has become creaky over time," Wicker said. "So this is part of the Trump Administration's mandate to shake things up and do things differently." Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and a member of the Armed Services Committee, contends Republicans failed to vet Hegseth sufficiently. Senate Republicans are rushing through the most unqualified nominee for U.S. secretary of Defense in modern history," Warren said in a statement. "This confirmation process has made a mockery of the Senates constitutional responsibility with profound national security consequences. Democrats on the committee assailed Hegseth during a hearing last week over allegations of sexual assault, public drunkenness and financial mismanagement of the nonprofit veterans' organizations he ran. Republicans accepted his statement that his religious beliefs had changed him and that he had been the victim of an anonymous smear campaign. Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth testifies to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Jan. 14, 2025. Not all of the allegations were anonymous. Hegseths mother, Penelope in an email to him in 2018 obtained by the New York Times called him an abuser of women, and said that she had no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego. After Trump picked Hegseth, his mother recanted, saying her son was a changed man. Some senators also criticized Hegseth's past statements opposing women in combat, which he more recently recanted. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a military veteran, had been considered a possible GOP holdout against Hegseth, but she said she would support him after his confirmation hearing. If confirmed, Hegseth would take command of the Pentagons 3 million troops and civilians, an $850 billion budget and forces arrayed around the globe confronting terrorist organizations, increasingly bold adversaries in China and Russia and emerging nuclear threats from North Korea and Iran. On Monday, Trump maned Robert Salesses as acting secretary of Defense. Salesses, a former Pentagon official, is a retired Marine Corps officer. Hegseth has described himself as a change agent who will rid the Pentagon of "woke" policies that he says have made U.S. forces less ready to fight. He acknowledged during his confirmation hearing that the largest organization he has overseen had a few hundred employees. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Senate committee votes in favor of Hegseth for defense secretary During a rare winter storm in the Houston area, local sheriff's deputies said Tuesday they found a seemingly drunk woman lying on a freezing sidewalk with her two small children. On Tuesday morning, the Harris County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call about the woman and her children lying on the sidewalk in northwest Houston, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The responding deputies determined that the children were two months old and one year old, according to the post. Emergency responders arrived and "quickly rendered aid to the two babies who were suffering from cold-related injuries," according to Gonzalez. The mother, who deputies found an open alcoholic beverage near, showed signs of intoxication, he said. The Harris County District Attorneys Office was contacted by the sheriff's office and accepted charges of endangering a child on the mother, a spokesperson for the department told USA TODAY. This morning, @HCSOTexas received a 911 call located at 12062 Veterans Memorial Drive. The caller reported an adult female and two babies were laying on the sidewalk. Deputies responded and determined the babies were 2.months old and 1 year old. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/gelXR9Ekyh Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) January 21, 2025 How bad is the snow in Houston? Snow is not common in Houston, but a "once in a generation" winter storm named "Enzo" lashing the Gulf Coast is the culprit behind this rare weather event, the National Weather Service said on Monday. "This will be the most significant winter storm the Greater Houston area has experienced since at least 1960," the weather service in Houston said. As of Tuesday morning, Houston accumulated about one to two inches of snow from the storm, which is far from the 20 inches the city saw during its biggest snowstorm in February 1895, The Weather Channel said. "Since 1921, the biggest snow total they've seen is 3 inches set in January 1940 and again in February 1960," according to The Weather Channel. "Unhoused" man found dead during winter storm in Houston In addition to the woman and her children being found during the storm, Gonzalez said in another X post that an "unhoused man" was discovered dead in a restaurant parking lot on Tuesday morning. The man's death was "likely weather-related," according to the sheriff. Houston remains under extreme cold watch until Tuesday night, officials said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Reportedly intoxicated mom found with babies on TX sidewalk amid Enzo Leonard Peltier, an indigenous activist, has been serving two life sentences for the 1975 murder of two FBI agents. (Cliff Schiappa/AP) In one of his last acts before leaving office, former President Joe Biden commuted the life sentence of Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier, convicted in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents. Peltier, 80, will serve the remainder of his sentence at home. Its finally over Im going home, Peltier said in a statement shared by NDN Collective, an Indigenous rights group in South Dakota. I want to show the world Im a good person with a good heart. I want to help the people, just like my grandmother taught me. Peltier was denied parole last year. He has spent almost 50 years more than half of his life in federal prison. A statement from Bidens office noted Peltiers severe health ailments as well as his close ties to and leadership in the Native American community. The commutation does not pardon him for his crimes, his office said. Peltier consistently maintained his innocence in the agents shooting deaths. Jack Coler and Ronald Williams, were killed in a shootout June 26, 1975, while searching for a robbery suspect on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The agents went to the reservation to serve arrest warrants, the AP reported, and were injured in the shootout and later shot in the head, the FBI has said. In 1977, Peltier was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive life terms. I didnt kill those agents, I didnt see who killed those agents, and if I did know, Im not telling. But I dont know. Thats the point, Peltier told former CNN correspondent Mark Potter in 1999. Peltier said he fired shots during the gun battle but I know I didnt hit them. I know I didnt. The FBI Agents Association said in a Monday statement they were outraged by the commutation of Peltiers sentence and described him as a convicted cop killer responsible for the brutal murders of Coler and Williams. The commutation is a cruel betrayal to the families and colleagues of these fallen Agents and is a slap in the face of law enforcement, the association said. Peltier is currently incarcerated at the United States Penitentiary Coleman I in Sumterville, Florida. Peltiers commutation to home confinement goes into effect on February 18. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians has a furnished home waiting for Peltiers arrival, Kevin Sharp, a retired federal judge and attorney who represented Peltier in his bids for clemency, told CNN. Leonard has always wanted to live out the rest of his life at home, at Turtle Mountain, Sharp said. He will now get to do that, spending that time with his kids and grandkids and fellow members of his tribe. He embodies systemic injustices faced by Indigenous people Human and Indigenous rights groups, many of which had supported Peltiers repeated bids for clemency, applauded Bidens actions. The National Congress of American Indians celebrated the commutation in a statement, saying the case has long symbolized the systemic injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples. Paul OBrien, the executive director of Amnesty International USA, said in a statement Biden was right to commute Peltiers sentence given the serious human rights concerns about the fairness of his trial. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, and Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, were among several lawmakers who asked Biden to commute Peltiers sentence in 2023. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention had called for his release in 2022. James Reynold, the US attorney whose office prosecuted Peltier, became an advocate for Peltier and called for clemency in a 2021 letter to Biden. He wrote that Peltiers conviction and incarceration were testament to a time and a system of justice that no longer has a place in our society. Advocates have also noted Peltier attended one of the hundreds of US boarding schools funded by the federal government to assimilate Indigenous children into White society in the 19th and 20th centuries. In a first-person account published by Native News Online, Peltier said he was forcibly taken from his grandmother to a North Dakota boarding school when he was 9 years old. He wrote the staff made it clear we were hated at the school. NDN Collective previously described Peltier as Americas longest serving Indigenous political prisoner. How the Pine Ridge shootout unfolded In the 1970s, Peltier was a leader of the American Indian Movement, which took over the village of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation, the Associated Press reported. The takeover led to a 71-day standoff with federal agents and lasting tensions between the movement and the government. During the occupation, a US Marshal was shot, resulting in paralysis, and two Indigenous activists were shot and killed, the AP reported. The FBIs account of the 1975 shootout says that Coler and Williams were at the Pine Ridge reservation searching for Jimmy Eagle, who had an outstanding federal warrant for robbery. The agents radio transmissions indicate they stopped a red and white vehicle and then reported the occupants of the vehicle were preparing to shoot at them. Other agents who arrived to respond also came under gunfire, the FBI said. Coler and Williams bodies showed they were both injured by gunshots Coler in the arm, Williams in the foot before being shot in the head. The agents vehicles contained a total of 125 bullet holes, according to the FBI. Joseph Stuntz, another member of the American Indian Movement, was also killed that day, according to Amnesty International. No one has been arrested or charged in his death. Peltier previously told CNN he was in bed at camp when he heard gunshots. All of a sudden, everybody said, Man, were being attacked. Were being attacked, he told CNN in 1999. So I grabbed an old rifle and started running up to the house. Peltier said he fired his gun after being fired upon. The FBI has said the agents were shot without provocation. The government built its case on ballistics evidence and witness accounts from people who were on the periphery of the shootout, including Native Americans, but no one actually saw the killings. Supporters of Peltier have said the evidence produced at trial was unreliable, while the FBI has categorically denied it fabricated evidence or coerced witnesses. CNNs Shawn Nottingham and Steve Almasy contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are seated at the inauguration ceremonies of President Donald Trump Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (The Center Square) A former Kentucky Democratic Party chairman convicted of illegal campaign contributions received one of the final pardons issued by former President Joe Biden, a measure slammed by Bluegrass State Republicans. Biden issued a pardon to Jerry Lundergan, just hours before President Donald Trump took the oath of office to become the countrys 47th president. In September 2019, Lundergan was convicted in a Kentucky federal court for making corporate contributions totaling more than $200,000 to the 2014 U.S. Senate campaign of Allison Lundergan Grimes, his daughter. The jury also found him guilty of conspiracy and falsifying documents. A judge sentenced Lundergan to 21 months in prison and two years of supervised release in July 2020. Thanks to Bidens pardon, Lundergan will have the civil rights he forfeited due to his conviction, such as the right to vote, restored. Pardons have been an issue discussed in Kentucky for years since former Gov. Matt Bevin received criticism for the ones he issued before leaving office in 2019. While state lawmakers cannot do anything to challenge federal pardons, some have proposed taking steps to keep future Kentucky governors in check. State Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, filed Senate Bill 126 earlier this month. It would allow voters to consider a constitutional amendment to prohibit governors from issuing pardons starting 30 days before a gubernatorial election and ending five weeks after the election when the winning candidate is inaugurated. This reform is necessary to uphold transparency, integrity and public confidence in our justice system, McDaniel said in a statement Tuesday. Lundergan Grimes served as Kentuckys secretary of state from 2012 to 2020. In 2014, she served as the Democratic candidate against U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell. According to the U.S. Justice Department, Jerry Lundergan used money from one of his holding companies to cover costs for consultants, robocalls and other campaign expenses. Lundergan did not share with his daughters campaign staff the true source of the contributions, leading campaign officials to file, unwittingly, incorrect financial reports. McConnell easily won re-election in 2014, beating Lundergan Grimes with 56.2% of the vote, or more than 222,000 out of the 1.4 million votes cast. The elder Lundergan served four terms as a state representative in the 1980s. During his latter time as a legislator, he also briefly served as the chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party, but he resigned as chairman after it was learned his catering company received a no-bid state contract valued at more than $150,000. A state court found him guilty of a felony charge in connection with the no-bid work in December 1989, which led to his resignation as a lawmaker. An appeals court eventually tossed the conviction, saying Lundergan should have faced misdemeanor charges. That case was dropped due to the statute of limitations. Lundergan also led the state party from 2005 to 2007. The Republican Party of Kentucky wasted little time in slamming the now-former president for adding to his legacy of championing corruption with his pardon of Lundergan. After all, (Biden) and his family have long benefitted from the same Good Old Boys Club that protects Democratic Party insiders from accountability, the Kentucky GOP said in a statement Tuesday. Jerry Lundergan, a longtime Democratic establishment loyalist, exemplifies this cronyism. A northern California father has been arrested after police say he got drunk and fell asleep on his 5-month-old baby. Officers in the town of Paradise, about 90 miles north of Sacramento, responded to reports of a child not breathing at around 11:50 p.m. on Sunday, Paradise police said in a news release. Officers and emergency responders tried to save the baby's life, but they were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the department. Police did not release the sex of the baby. An autopsy will be scheduled to assist in determining the baby's exact cause of death, police said. How did police say the baby died? Police say their investigation determined that the baby's father was intoxicated and fell asleep on his child. The father was arrested and booked into Butte County Jail on charges of manslaughter and child abuse resulting in death, police said. His bail was set at $80,000, according to the department. It is unclear if he has legal representation as his case has not been filed in Butte County court records. Prosecutors will ultimately decide whether to charge him and if so, with what. The Butte County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Police: California dad jailed after falling asleep on baby while drunk A climate researcher sacked by his German employer for sticking to his vow of never flying won compensation in an unfair dismissal lawsuit, 63,000 of which he donated to environmental activism. Dr Gianluca Grimalda, formerly employed by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), refused to take a plane back to Germany from fieldwork in Papua New Guinea, leading to the termination of his employment. On 10 January 2025, he reached an agreement with the institute following a contentious dispute over his decision to slow-travel to minimise greenhouse gas emissions. The settlement brings to a close a case that has become emblematic of the tension between climate-conscious practices and workplace obligations. While the exact severance amount is confidential, Dr Grimalda has pledged 75,000 (63,000) of the payout to climate protection and activism. Initially, IfW had approved his plan to travel back to Germany by slow, low-carbon methods such as sea and land routes. However, after logistical delays caused by visa issues, security threats, and even volcanic activity, the institute demanded he return by plane. When he refused, citing his commitment to climate principles, his contract was terminated. The legal dispute centred on whether Dr Grimaldas dismissal was valid. While the Kiel Regional Labour Court initially ruled in favour of IfW in February 2024, an appeals process led to the recent settlement. The court acknowledged incompatible ideological convictions between the two parties but repealed the immediate termination, exonerating Dr Grimalda of any breach of contract. I hope that my case will encourage more employees, institutions, and companies to actively support the transition from fossil fuel-based economies to decarbonised and people-centred societies. Dr Gianluca Grimalda This case highlights the growing intersection between labour law and climate-conscious practices, said Jorn A Broschat, Dr Grimaldas attorney. It represents a milestone in the emerging discussion about the rights of employees to stand up for their climate principles as part of their professional obligations. Dr Grimaldas journey to Papua New Guinea, spanning 28,000km (17,000miles approx) by cargo ship, train, and ferries, cut his emissions by a factor of 10 compared to flying. On the outbound journey, he travelled 15,000km overland through Iran, India, and Thailand. His resolve to slow-travel strengthened during his fieldwork, where he witnessed the impact of climate crisis on vulnerable communities in Papua New Guinea. The academic documented his slow travel journey from Germany to Papua New Guinea in a Twitter thread (Gianluca Grimalda) Im going to stick to this promise I made to all these people who are so exposed to climate change without having any responsibility, he told The Independent last year. Sea-level rise is not because of their emissions. People from the US and Europe, with the highest carbon footprints in the world, bear the greatest responsibility. He said that his slow travel plans emitted 400kg of carbon dioxide, compared to 4,000kg by flying, a figure equivalent to the average persons yearly emissions in Papua New Guinea. Reflecting on the outcome, Dr Grimalda expressed mixed emotions. I feel sad and happy at the same time, he said. Sad because I lost a job I loved. Happy because the judge implicitly recognised the impossibility of dismissing an employee because of his refusal to take a plane. I hope that my case will encourage more employees, institutions, and companies to actively support the transition from fossil fuel-based economies to decarbonised and people-centred societies, he said. Gianluca Grimalda with local residents in Papua New Guinea. He says his promise to locals during his awareness sessions is what motivates him (Twitter/@GGrimalda) While he says the job applications he made this year were unsuccessful, he is determined to carry on with his research. In 2025, I plan to slow-travel to Papua New Guinea again to further investigate the adaptation of the local population to climate change. Once I am back, my work as a climate activist will resume. As extreme weather events intensify worldwide, from Los Angeles to Papua New Guinea, Dr Grimaldas case has sparked broader discussions on how labour laws should account for the climate crisis. Its time for lawmakers and collective bargaining parties to enshrine climate-conscious practices as labour rights, said Mr Broschat. Academics have multiple channels to alert the world to the climate and biodiversity crisis, and modifying their personal greenhouse gas contributions is an important way to demonstrate credibility, said Wolfgang Cramer, Research Director at CNRS and a former contributor to the IPCC report. Jacopo Raule/Getty Jordan Bowen and Luca Marchetto. JordanLuca designers Jordan Bowen and Luca Marchetto surprised guests at their fall/winter 2025 Milan Fashion Week show by getting married on the runway. The couple met in London in 2011 and started their namesake label in 2018. Bowen told British Vogue that planning the wedding was "really all quite organic." JordanLuca designers Jordan Bowen and Luca Marchetto made sure their Milan Fashion Week runway show was unforgettable. The couple, who founded their namesake fashion label in 2018, closed out their fall/winter 2025 show on Saturday, Jan. 18 with their own wedding. Instead of the usual bow, Bowen and Marchetto strolled down the runway to a platform decorated with a pink curtain and flowers. An officiant, who introduced herself as Arabella, then appeared and announced the nuptials. "It's not every day that a show at Fashion Week ends with the designers producing a finale quite like this one," she shared in her speech. "In fact, I'm going to be presumptuous and assume that none of you will have ever experienced anything like it." Pietro D'Aprano/Getty Arabella continued, "We all know that Jordan and Luca like to challenge the normal and they've excelled themselves this time. You really are in for a treat, something completely unique and unusual, much like Jordan and Luca themselves. Is it real? Is it imagined? What is this? Well I'll tell you, the show is the wedding and the wedding is the show." The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Jordan Bowen and Luca Marchetto. The audience then erupted into cheers. Bowen and Marchetto went on to exchange heartfelt vows and, after being pronounced married, shared a kiss. The newlyweds then cut a massive tiered wedding cake (that featured 3D-printed versions of themselves as cake toppers) as the runway models gathered around. Of the decision to get married, Bowen told British Vogue, Part of us still doesnt really believe in marriage, because so much of the institution is about ownership. I mean, even when writing our vows, it was interesting because we dont feel the need to make these promises because we have already made them and we live them every day. But what we do believe is that love should be seen. Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Luca Marchetto and Jordan Bowen. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Per Vogue, the couple met in line for the bathroom at the since-closed gay dive bar The Joiners Arms in London in 2011. Bowen also told the outlet that planning the wedding was "really all quite organic," though they had gone back and forth about whether the ceremony should occur at the beginning or end of the show. But its still a runway show, so that defines which one comes first, Bowen explained, while Marchetto added: Fashion comes first! Read the original article on People The gesture from Musk is eerily similar to the salute made prominent during the height of Adolf Hitlers antisemitic and racist rule over Germany in the 1930s. Elon Musk, the billionaire friend and incoming White House advisor to President Donald Trump, drew immediate public outrage during a Trump inaugural celebration event. After delivering remarks at the inaugural parade Monday afternoon, Musk appeared to deliver the Nazi salute to at least 20,000 Trump supporters inside the Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C. The salute believed to be gestured by Musk, in which a person raises their right arm outstretched with their palm facing downwards, was prominent in Germany during the 1930s. Citizens used the salute to honor Nazi leader Adolf Hitler as they shouted Sieg Heil (Hail Victory) or Heil Hitler in German. Hitler led a political movement steeped in antisemitism and racism, resulting in the genocide and oppression of thousands of Jews and Black Germans. Though the salute was later banned in European countries, it has been embraced in recent years by antisemitic and racist extremist groups, according to the Holocaust Museum. This video of Elon Musk appearing to do whats being described as a Nazi salute is extremely disconcerting, said Jamarr Brown, executive director of Color of Change PAC. He told theGrio that while there are differing explanations as to what Musk meant to convey with the gesture, the salute reminds us that President Trump and those around him respect and seek to emulate dictators around the world. NEW: CNN suggests Elon Musk made a Nazi salute during Trump's event at Capitol One arena, purposely leaves out Musk's comments when he said his heart goes out to the crowd. CNN: "It's a salute. It was quick. I think our viewers are smart and they can take a look at that, but it pic.twitter.com/LDoWQODod4 Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 20, 2025 Brown noted that there were multiple occasions in which Trump has reminded us that he wants to build absolute and total power, threatening the very fabric of our democracy. During the 2024 presidential election cycle, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other political leaders warned American voters that Trump was seeking the office of the presidency to be a dictator and undermine democratic norms. They argued that he would use the office to assume unchecked power and enrich himself and his allies, much like historical fascists like Hitler and Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, as well as modern ones like Russian President Vladimir Putin. The seeming embrace of a Nazi symbol by Musk, the worlds wealthiest man and owner of Tesla and Space X, is significant as he is a close advisor to President Trump and has been appointed to run a new White House office focused on cutting federal spending that could have sweeping impacts on Black and other vulnerable communities. Trump, Musk, and others a part of his administration have previously been criticized for embracing white nationalist views, including the idea that white people are being replaced by Black and brown immigrants, also known as the Great Replacement Theory. FILE Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, left, and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump attend a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show, Oct. 5, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) During his farewell Oval Office address, President Biden warned against Trumps close ties to tech billionaires like Musk, saying, An oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead. Brown of Color of Change PAC told theGrio Biden was correct in warning us against America becoming an oligarchy, a form of government in which an elite few are in control of the federal government. We see Trump continuing to surround himself with billionaires and big tech CEOs, prioritizing their loyalty at the expense of Black communities and the American people, said Brown. He continued, Elon Musk has already played an outsized role in this election, from his efforts to get Trump in office, to his interference with Congress previous attempt to avoid a government shutdown, to now overseeing an unregulated government agency. Markus Batchelor, national political director at People For the American Way, said of Musks salute, At least they arent being subtle. He told theGrio, None of us should be surprised that a billionaire who benefited from and came of age under of racial caste system in South Africa would be at best careless or, at worst, downright inflammatory in this moment. Batchelor added, Donald Trump has benefited from maintaining a delicate dance with white supremacy to achieve his political goals. In Elon Musk, he found a willing dance partner Carlos Malcolm may not be a household name, but it should be. Without this now 90-year-old innovator of Jamaican musicthis composer, this trombonist, this conductor, this arranger, this directorwe may never have heard of Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, or other such stars. Carlos was one of the pioneering musicians and composers who forged ska from Jamaican jazz, American rhythm and blues, and Jamaican mento, and ska was the music that Marley and Cliff performed before becoming world-renowned for reggae. Seen the very first James Bond movie, Dr. No? Carlos Malcolm composed the music for the tropical scenes, which were filmed in Jamaica (as he writes about in Carlos Malcolm: A Personal History of Post-war Jamaican Music: New Orleans Jazz, Blues to Reggae). He was the first musical director for Jamaicas indigenously established television broadcasting corporation, wrote many advertising jingles, has toured and performed all over the world. He received the Prime Ministers Lifetime Achievement Award, the Jamaican Recording Artist Industry Award, and the Order of Distinction given to him by the Jamaican government, in recognition of musical excellence and for his contributions to Jamaican music. More from Spin: Carlos Malcolm blowing up a storm in 1965 with Delroy Wilson on vocals. (Courtesy of Carlos Malcolm) But perhaps most notable among Malcolms many achievements, is that he wrote the music down. This might sound simple or even insignificant if you dont realize that Jamaican music in the early days of performance and recording was rarely, if ever, notated. Much of the musicearly jazz, ska, rocksteady, and reggaewas improvised on the spot. Due to the developing process of churning out tunes quickly to play at nightly sound-system dances, music had to be instantly sensational, and that left no time for transcription. Plus, many early Jamaican musicians had little formal musical trainingsave for those from Alpha Boys School. But Carlos Malcolm was musically trained and professional. In short, Carlos Malcolm is the first arranger to write formal music scores of Jamaican ska music. This means the music can more easily be played by other musicians, who can then more readily innovate from it as have members of the Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra. I first saw Carlos Malcolm perform with his band at one of the main clubs on the Hollywood strip in 1999 and I was blown away, says Eitan Avineri, founder and leader of the Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra from Los Angeles. Avineri and Carlos Malcolm began communicating in 2017 about a possible collaboration through the facilitation of Carloss son Leighton Malcolm and daughter Michelle Malcolm-Williams. So we put this recording session together and got the music over to Eitan and they practiced it and they were very professional. This is what I want to do with the rest of my lifebring my dads music back and have him here to see it, Leighton says. In the studio: the Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra. (Credit: Bernadette Madden) The output of the day-long session at Steakhouse Studios in Los Angeles comprises an album called Anthology of Carlos Malcolm 60 years of Excellence, featuring Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra and other bands. Volume one contains ten songs that were written from 1958 through today. Leighton explains, These are some of his classic songs like Royal Ska, Skaramouche, and Skatology 101, but also newer songs. Three of them have already been released on all streaming platforms, but there will be seven more available at the end of January. These are songs that form the backbone of Jamaican music in terms of culture and development of the music that followed. For Carlos Malcolm, its a sample of his larger body of work. Im just a transcriber, he says from his home in Florida. The music just comes to me. Its spirituala spiritual language. Born into a musical household, Malcolm couldnt help but acquire a musical identity. He learned from his father, a Dixieland trombonist and accountant who had a vast collection of musical recordings. He cautioned me to use music as an avocation, and not as a vocation because he said you will never make any money running around town with a trombone under your arm. This is, perhaps, why Malcolm came to music in Jamaica via a different route than most of his musical counterparts. He has a bachelor of arts degree from Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio and steady employment as a musician which developed his knowledge of production and arranging, as well as his discipline for writing musical scores for large orchestras. Malcolm explains the difference between a performer and a conductor quite simply. Those notes are being played by 30 guys, but the one on the podium with the stick in his hand has interpreted them vertically. The guys on the bandstand are interpreting them horizontally, from left to right, one note at a time. The conductor has to read those same notes, 30 notes at a time, so they all come together. Its a serious undertaking. This is how Malcolm sees music, feels music, even dreams music at night. And he has never stopped writing music. Avineri notes that he too understands both the aesthetic and the professional sides of music. Even though we come from different generations and parts of the world, we both speak the common language of music. We immediately found that we saw eye to eye regarding the process of transforming this music from written form and composition to full performance. In the process, we honored the original written materials form and intent while expanding the instrumentation to a full big band. To maintain the authenticity of the music, we arranged the entire rhythm section (acoustic bass, live drums, acoustic piano and guitar) in one large room at the same time. We also used the same recording technique for the full twelve-piece horn section with a vintage RCA microphone placed in the middle. Eitan Avineri leading the Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra. (Credit: Bernadette Madden) Avineri has a long history with music, having first learned to play piano at age five, taught by his mother. After studying music and playing multiple instruments, Avineri performs professionally and teaches for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Avineri notes that Carlos Malcolm was involved in the studio as an interpreter of his score. He came into the recording room using technical musical language that we are all familiar with, specifically related to what he wanted from each instrument. Its impressive to watch because it was a complex score and its beautiful to see a person who has total command over his art. It was an incredible experience and a special recording session. There were many magical moments. Carlos agrees: They are people who have inculcated the music into themselves. Leighton Malcolm says he hopes this is just the beginning. Now, using a computer program, my dad writes music everyday, but as a youth I remember watching him write music unto wide 20-instrument conductor score sheets and throw it in a box. He has written piano etudes that incorporate Jamaican folk music into entire symphonic orchestral scores and boxes and boxes of music that has never been played. We just need a symphony orchestra to play it. He has a 130-song catalogue and were engaged in licensing our catalog for film, television commercials and video games. It boggles my mind, that Jamaican ska music could be discussed without mentioning the name and music of Carlos Malcolm. Carlos Malcolm with his children, Michelle Malcolm-Williams and Leighton Malcolm. (Credit: Bernadette Madden) Carloss daughter, Michelle Malcolm-Williams, says shes also driven by the mission to amplify her fathers contribution to music that is loved the world over. Daddy writes every day. Hes 90 years old and if he stops writing, we lose him. Its phenomenal what hes done. Hes put something into the earth, from back in the late 1950s, and paved the way for the young ones. Joe Higgs taught Bob Marley, right? But who taught Joe Higgs? Daddy. Joe Higgs performed as a member of Carlos Malcolm and his Afro Jamaican Rhythms for over a year. And without musical arrangements, pen-to-paper notation, it would be difficult for a large orchestra to play a musical composition as it was originally conceived, and daddy did that. We need to give reverence, she says. Because he was there, at the beginning of urbanized Jamaican music. Volume One of Anthology of Carlos Malcolm 60 years of Excellence has all songs released on January 31, 2025. To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here. A federal judge slammed special counsel Jack Smith on Tuesday and accused his office of seeking to deny two former co-defendants of President Trump a fair trial by releasing a final report on the a moribund classified documents case against the commander-in-chief. In a scathing 14-page order, South Florida US District Judge Aileen Cannon took Smith to task for seeking to disclose details of his lengthy probe to members of Congress before either defendant heads to trial. Never before has the Department of Justice, prior to the conclusion of criminal proceedings against a defendant and absent a litigation-specific reason as appropriate in the case itself sought to disclose outside the Department a report prepared by a Special Counsel containing substantive and voluminous case information. Until now, Cannon wrote. President Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office on January 20, 2025. Getty Images Meanwhile, on the other side of the balance, there are two individuals in this action, each with constitutional rights to a fair trial, who remain subject to a live criminal appeal of this Courts Order Dismissing the Superseding Indictment, she said, referring to Trump co-defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira. Smith, who resigned from the Justice Department on Jan. 10, had already transmitted to then-Attorney General Merrick Garland a copy of the first volume of his report, which dealt with alleged illegal interference by the 45th and 47th president in the 2020 election. Garland released that report to the public on Jan. 14, just six days before Trump returned to the White House. In it, the special counsel claimed that but for Mr. Trumps election and imminent return to the presidency, the office assessed that the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial. Smith had asked to share a copy of the reports second volume with the top Republican and Democrat on the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, saying it could be used for possible legislative reforms regarding the use of special counsels Lawyers for Nauta and De Oliveira objected to that move as well as any public release, claiming it could harm Trumps transition efforts, violate DOJ policy on releasing information during an ongoing criminal proceeding and deny their clients a right to a fair trial. Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to members of the media at the US Department of Justice building in Washington, DC, on August 1, 2023. AFP via Getty Images In her ruling, Cannon sided with the defense, pointing out that the report had not been subpoenaed by any congressional committee or talked about as the foundation of future legislation. There is no historical practice of providing Special Counsel reports to Congress, even on a limited basis, pending conclusion of criminal proceedings, she noted. In fact, there is not one instance of this happening until now. Cannon threw out the documents case against Trump in July 2024 after determining the special counsel had been unconstitutionally appointed by Garland. Smith voluntarily withdrew an appeal of that ruling to the Atlanta-based 11th Circuit Court of Appeals after Trump won re-election Nov. 5. The 11th Circuit is still weighing a request by Nauta and De Oliveira to dismiss Smiths indictment, which the DOJ has shown no sign of withdrawing The Trump valet and Mar-a-Lago employee were charged in a superseding indictment in July 2023 for allegedly conspiring with Trump to conceal sensitive intelligence files and other classified documents at the Palm Beach, Fla., resort. Cannons order prevents the report from being released or shared by any DOJ official until 30 days after the 11th Circuit rules on the defendants appeal. Istanbul, Turkey A fire engulfed a hotel at a ski resort in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday, killing at least 76 people and injuring at least 51 more, the interior minister said. Witnesses said desperate guests had tried to escape using ropes, and video showed bedsheets hanging from the windows. Officials suggested at least two people died after trying to jump from the building to safety, and the private broadcaster NTV reported three died this way. At least one of the individuals suffered serious injuries, said Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu, while 17 others received treatment for less severe injuries. Survivors who evacuated the building were rehoused in nearby hotels. "Our pain is great," Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters at the Kartalkaya resort, about 100 miles northwest of the capital Ankara. "Sixty-six citizens lost their lives and 51 others wounded." Other cabinet members also came to the scene of the disaster and said the blaze had been contained. The fire broke out at 3:27 am (7:27 p.m. Monday Eastern ) in the 12-story Grand Kartal hotel, which has wooden cladding, Yerlikaya said earlier on X. An aerial view of the area as fire brigades respond to a fire in a hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center, Jan. 21, 2025, in Bolu, Turkey. / Credit: Mehmet Emin Gurbuz/Anadolu/Getty Yerlikaya said 238 people were registered guests at the hotel when the fire broke out amid a tourism peak for the resort due to a two-week school holiday. Turkish authorities detained four people, including the owner of the hotel, "as part of an investigation led by six prosecutors," Turkey's Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said in a post on social media. The hotel's owner was among those detained for questioning, according to the justice minister. A panel of five people with expertise relevant to the case will also assist in the probe, he said. The fire is believed to have started in the restaurant and spread quickly, though it was not immediately clear what caused it. Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy told reporters the hotel had undergone inspections in 2021 and 2024, saying "no negative situation regarding fire competence" was recorded by the fire department, The Associated Press reported. Some witnesses and reports suggested the hotel's fire detection system failed to operate. Atakan Yelkovan, a guest staying on the third floor, told AP it took firefighters about an hour to arrive at the scene. Part of the hotel backs onto a cliff, which made it harder for firefighters to tackle the blaze. Video aired on Turkish television showed huge plumes of smoke rising into the sky with a snowcapped mountain behind the hotel. A view of the area as fire brigades responding to a fire that broke out in a hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center, on Jan. 21, 2025 in Bolu, Turkey. / Credit: Mehmet Emin Gurbuz/Anadolu/Getty "I heard screams around midnight, (hotel) residents were shouting for help," Baris Salgur, who works at a nearby hotel, told NTV television. "They asked for a blanket, saying they will jump... we did what we could, we brought rope, pillows, we brought a sofa. Some people threw themselves once the flames approached them." Officials said they feared the number of dead could still rise. Video showed the wrecked lobby of the hotel with shards of glass on the floor, the reception desk and the wooden furniture inside charred black. Authorities warned the building could collapse. An inside view of the area as fire brigades responding to a fire that broke out in a hotel at the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center, Jan. 21, 2025 in Bolu, Turkey. / Credit: Mehmet Emin Gurbuz/Anadolu/Getty A survivor who managed to escape the flames told local media that no alarms rang at the hotel when the fire started, complaining of a lack of any safety measures such as fire stairs or smoke detectors. "I pray to God for mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives in the fire," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on X. He said he wished a speedy recovery to the injured affected by "this tragic accident," adding that an investigation had been launched. Erdogan also declared Wednesday a day of national mourning in response to the fire, ordering all flags at government buildings and Turkish diplomatic missions abroad to be lowered to half-staff. President Trump and first lady Melania attend inaugural balls after busy first day Designer Eric Javits discusses Melania Trump's inauguration hat What to know about Trump's Day 1 executive actions LONDON In a freewheeling Inauguration Day of speeches, casual remarks and formal balls, President Donald Trump wasted no time trying to shape the world in his unmistakable image. Unlike four years ago, when his term began in a flurry of unpreparedness, this time Trump let fly with a series of actions and statements that seek to scrub many of former President Joe Bidens decisions and replace them with Trump's own stark imprimatur. From tariffs, TikTok and the Middle East to the climate crisis and world health, here are the headlines of Trumps foreign policy moves during the first 24 hours of a term set to last 1,461 days and how the world reacted. Russia The president previously claimed he would end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office. This is only half a day. I have another half a day left, he said Monday. That idea sparked alarm in Europe, which worries that Trump could force Ukraine into a negotiation that favors Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has more recently stretched this timeline to as long as six months, which some have taken as a signal of support for Ukraine. On Monday, Trump appeared to criticize Putin one of the authoritarian leaders he has spoken warmly about in the past, saying he is not doing so well. A gaping hole in a residential building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Monday. Its not making him look very good, Trump said of how the war is going for Putin, adding that he was destroying Russia by not making a deal. When asked Tuesday about Trumps comments, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that we respect the choice of the American people and that Trump has also repeatedly given reason to say that they also respect the choice of the Russian people. Middle East On the nascent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, something his team helped broker, the president said he was not confident that the truce would last, adding: Thats not our war. Its their war. U.S. officials credit Trump's Middle East peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, with helping get that deal over the line. On Gaza where Israeli airstrikes have displaced most of the population and killed more than 46,000 people, according to local authorities he hinted at his real estate background. Gaza is like a massive demolition site. That place has really got to be rebuilt in a different way, he said, adding that its a phenomenal location on the sea, best weather. ... Some beautiful things could be done with it. Trump also rescinded Bidens sanctions on Israel settlers in the occupied West Bank, who have been accused of violence against Palestinians. Mourners carry the body of Palestinian teenager Ahmad Rushdi, who was killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank village of Sebastia, during his funeral on Monday. The presidents first term was characterized by a succession of pro-Israel moves, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and ditching the Iran nuclear deal. The 2020 Abraham Accords, establishing relations between Israel and several Middle Eastern and North African countries, was perhaps the first Trump administrations biggest foreign policy achievement. North Korea In South Korea, there was palpable nervousness after Trump referred to North Korea as a nuclear power. U.S. officials have long refrained from using the phrase as it could signal recognition of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. South Korea said Tuesday that North Korea can never be recognized as such. Among the norm-busting sagas of the president's first term was his nuclear brinkmanship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. The two traded personal insults and nuclear threats, before Trump told the world that "we fell in love." China While campaigning in 2024, President Trump suggested he could slap a 60% tariff on all Chinese goods, risking a rerun of the Beijing trade war he fought during his first term. Now he suggests these tariffs could be used to force through a deal in which the U.S. acquires half of the social media platform TikTok. An executive order Trump signed Monday postponed for 75 days a Biden law that requires the Chinese tech giant ByteDance to sell its stake in TikTok or see the platform banned in the U.S. The U.S. should be entitled to get half of TikTok, Trump told reporters. Asked about ByteDances close ties with the Chinese government, he said he could see a deal in which the U.S. polices it a little maybe a lot. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, center, during President Trump's inauguration on Monday. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a news briefing Tuesday that Beijing was willing to work with the new U.S. administration, adhering to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence perhaps hinting at past clashes. Europe's far right While U.S. inaugurations have historically been largely domestic affairs, figures on the global political right including some on its extreme hard-right populist fringes were invited to Washington on Monday. Among them were lawmakers from Alternative for Germany, a far-right nationalist party under surveillance by Berlin for suspected extremism that Trump ally Elon Musk has recently championed. Italys staunch anti-immigration Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also attended. From left: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentinian President Javier Milei, and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng at the inauguration on Monday. Hungary's populist prime minister, Viktor Orban, a longtime Trump ally, said Trump's inauguration would aid the far-right's political assault on the European Union's mainstream. So the great attack can start," he said at an event in Budapest. "Hereby I launch the second phase of the offensive that aims to occupy Brussels. He is an arch antagonist of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who offered her own assessment. We have entered a new era of harsh geostrategic competition, she said in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Breaking the bonds in the global economy is in no ones interest. During his first term, Trump alarmed European leaders by suggesting he might not defend them against Russia unless they paid more toward defense. He reiterated his latest demand Monday for those countries to contribute 5% of their GDP toward defense, more than double NATO's recommendation. He has also unnerved Denmark by suggesting he may take its autonomous territory of Greenland by force. Those territorial ambitions have also been focused on Panama, with Trump claiming during his inaugural that the Panama Canal was being controlled by China, and that "we're taking it back." Climate change As expected, one of Trumps first executive orders was to leave the 2016 Paris climate change accord, in which countries agreed to limit post-industrial temperature rises to 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius (2.7 to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). This will put the United States alongside Yemen, Iran and Libya as nonsignatories to the deal, which Trump said was a rip-off but experts say is still humanitys best hope at limiting catastrophe. Earlier this month, the Biden administration announced a ban which would require an act of Congress to reverse on new offshore oil and gas drilling along most of the U.S. coastline. An offshore oil platform near Huntington Beach, Calif. Even so, the Paris agreement does not "reflect our countrys values, the White House said, with Trump instead promising to "drill, baby, drill. The WHO It was likewise anticipated that Trump would junk Washingtons role in the World Health Organization. He has alleged that the global health body aided Chinese government efforts to mislead the world over Covid something both the WHO and Beijing deny. The U.S. is by far the WHOs biggest financial backer, providing 18% of its $6.8 billion budget. Signing an executive order to leave the WHO, Trump said that Chinas lower contribution but higher population seems a little unfair to me. Experts say that leaving the organization could undermine worldwide programs to tackle diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. GoFundMe Ana Paula Ribeiro De Souza A Florida woman and her dog were killed after authorities say a man set fire to her home. Early on the morning of Jan. 17, police responded to a burning duplex in Deerfield Beach, Fla., the Broward County Sheriffs Office said in a press release. Inside the home, which had been engulfed in flames, they found the body of Ana Paula Ribeiro de Souza, 54, according to the sheriffs office. Police did not immediately reveal her cause of death. Her dog was also found dead as a result of the fire. Police alleged that Genivaldo Gomes Moreira, also of Deerfield Beach, killed de Souza and set her home on fire. He was the victim's boyfriend, reports WSVN. Gomes Moreira fled the area of the crime in a 2002 gold Saturn, police said. He was arrested two days later in Manatee County. Manatee County jail records indicate that Gomes Moreira has not yet been extradited to Broward County, where he will face charges of felony murder, arson and cruelty to animals. 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. De Souza had four children and three grandchildren, per a GoFundMe campaign started by her family. Paula was the kind of person who always had a smile to give, a comforting word to share, and a helping hand for anyone in need, reads the campaign. She left behind a legacy of love, faith, and dedication to her family and friends. Sadly, she left us unexpectedly, and now it is our mission to honor her memory in the best way possible. The GoFundMe had raised over $10,000 as of Jan. 21, the day of her funeral service. "She didnt deserve this," her daughter Kimberly Silva told NBC 6. "Her life was just going to church and coming home being with her children." Read the original article on People Florida shooting A Florida man was arrested nearly three weeks after a grandmother was fatally struck by a falling stray bullet he shot in the air in apparent celebratory gunfire to welcome in 2025, according to authorities. Carlos Manuel Tejada, 44, was charged with manslaughter by culpable negligence on Friday in the death of 56-year-old Carmen Rosa Neira Ochoa on Jan. 1. Ochoa was with her two adult daughters watching New Years fireworks on her backyard patio in the city of Kissimmee when all of a sudden she felt a sharp pain in her body and realized she had been shot, police said. The suspect was arrested on Friday, nearly three weeks after the grandmothers death. Kissimmee Police Department Ochoa, who reportedly had three children and two grandchildren, was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital despite life-saving measures taken by her daughters and first responders at the scene, said Kissimmee Police Chief Robert Anzueto during a press conference on Friday. Tejada, who does not have a criminal history, is accused of firing off a gunshot in his backyard across a lake from where Ochoa was taking in fireworks on her screened-in porch. The mother of three was remembered for her dedication to her family. Alex Marquez Investigators matched the round recovered from the victim with a gun taken from the suspects home, Anzueto said. Eleven firearms were recovered from the scene, he added. The dangers of firing a gun in the air is absolutely unnecessary, Anzueto said during the news conference streamed by Fox 35. What comes up, must come down and unfortunately an innocent life was lost that morning when a bullet came down and struck Ms. Ochoa. Carlos Manuel Tejada was hit with a manslaughter charge. Osceola County Sheriff's Office His stupid actions caused the death of one of our citizens, the chief said, stressing he does not believe Tejada meant to kill anyone. Ochoas family remembered their loved ones as a dedicated mother. The victim was struck while on her screened-in back porch. FOX 35 She was a hard-working mother, very caring, son-in-law Alex Marquez told WESH earlier this month. She went out of her way to help out anybody that was in need. She was all about her family. She would do anything to protect her family, even me. Editors note (February 5, 2025): Since this story was published, Jackie Johnson was acquitted of the misdemeanor count of obstructing police, and the judge dismissed the felony count of violating her oath of office, saying the indictment used to charge Johnson was flawed by technical errors. The one-time Georgia prosecutor accused of impeding the investigation into Ahmaud Arberys killers is set to stand trial more than four years after the Black 25-year-olds death, which fueled nationwide protests over racial injustice. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday in the trial of former Brunswick District Attorney Jackie Johnson, who faces charges of violating her oath of office and obstruction stemming from her alleged actions in the weeks after Arberys death in February 2020. Three White men were ultimately found guilty on state murder and federal hate crime charges. One of those men, Gregory McMichael, had previously worked as an investigator in Johnsons office, and prosecutors have said he asked for her help when his son shot Arbery after they chased him through their neighborhood. While Johnson recused herself from the case, the Georgia Attorney Generals Office has alleged she failed to handle the case fairly and interfered with investigators, preventing the arrest of McMichaels son, Travis. Attorneys for Johnson declined to comment, citing the demands of the trial. Johnson has in the past denied wrongdoing. At a pre-trial hearing in December, her attorney said Johnson was focused on securing an unrelated indictment and didnt know what was going on with Ahmaud Arberys case, the Associated Press reported. No one was arrested until two months after Arbery was killed, when a video of the shooting emerged. Arberys killing, along with those of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, was a focal point of protests that roiled the country in the summer of 2020. Opening statements in the trial will follow jury selection. Some 500 Glynn County residents received notice of jury duty a larger number than usual as the court worked to seat an impartial panel of 12 jurors plus alternates, according to the AP. Heres what we know about the case. Arberys killing Arbery was shot dead February 23, 2020, after he had gone out for a jog. When they saw Arbery in their neighborhood, the McMichaels who told police they suspected Arbery in a purported string of burglaries grabbed guns and pursued him in a pickup truck (Arbery was not accused of committing a crime). A third man, William Roddie Bryan, also joined the pursuit and recorded the shooting on his cellphone. When that footage surfaced May 5, 2020, it showed Travis McMichael fatally shooting Arbery after a physical confrontation in which they grappled over McMichaels shotgun. The McMichaels were arrested two days after the video surfaced. Bryans arrest came two weeks later. Ahmaud Arbery's mother said he was out for a run when he was fatally shot in February 2020. - Courtesy S. Lee Merritt A third district attorneys office from Cobb County, in the Atlanta suburbs was assigned to the case two months after the shooting. Travis McMichael was found guilty in November 2021 of state charges of malice murder and felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit a felony. His father was found not guilty of malice murder but guilty on the other eight counts. Bryan was found guilty of felony murder, one count of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit a felony. He was cleared on the charge of malice murder, felony murder involving aggravated assault with a firearm and the count of aggravated assault with a firearm. The three men were sentenced to life in prison on the state charges. They were later found guilty of federal hate crime charges; the McMichaels received life sentences and Bryan was sentenced to 35 years. 16 phone calls with suspect It was around this time the office of state Attorney General Chris Carr requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation open an inquiry into prosecutors response to Arberys killing. Johnson had recused herself from the case the day after the shooting due to her previous connection with Gregory McMichael. But it wasnt until February 27, 2020 four days after Arbery died that she requested the appointment of a new prosecutor, the AGs office said. The office appointed the DA of the neighboring Waycross judicial circuit at Johnsons recommendation, the indictment says. However, that prosecutor did not disclose the fact he had already told Glynn County Police he did not see grounds for the McMichaels arrests, according to the AGs office. He, too, would later recuse after revealing his son had once worked on a previous prosecution of Arbery with none other than Gregory McMichael. The Attorney Generals Office was not aware of the prior communications with Johnson when it appointed the Waycross prosecutor, it said. Prosecutors have alleged Johnson and Gregory McMichael participated in 16 phone calls in the weeks following Arberys death, according to court records, between the day of the shooting and when the video surfaced. In fact, McMichael called Johnson from the scene of the shooting, asking her advice, prosecutors revealed in a bond hearing for the McMichaels. Jackie, this is Greg, the elder McMichael said, according to a voicemail played in court. Could you call me as soon as you possibly can? My (inaudible) and I been involved in a shooting and I need some advice right away. Could you please call me, as soon as you possibly can? Thanks. Bye. Case exposed distrust of local justice system Carrs office announced a grand jury indicted Johnson on two counts in September 2021: violation of oath of a public officer punishable by between one to five years in prison and obstruction and hindering a law enforcement officer, a misdemeanor. In the first count, the indictment specifically references Johnsons recusal and recommendation of a new prosecutor without acknowledging she had previously asked for his assistance. The indictment alleges this amounted to a violation of her oath to fairly carry out her duties as district attorney. The second alleges Johnson did knowingly and willfully hinder two police officers, directing them not to arrest Travis McMichael. By the time she was indicted, Johnson had lost reelection, though she insisted during the campaign she had not acted inappropriately. We did what we were supposed to, she said at a 2020 debate. The lack of trust has been the result of people with an agenda who have exploited this case and divided our community for their own purposes. But as the McMichaels and Bryan stood trial in November 2021, some Black residents in Brunswick said they felt differently. The delay in the investigation and arrests had highlighted and fueled a distrust in the local justice system. Were trusting them to be enforcers of justice, a local pastor told CNN at the time. And this gross incident happens, and they turn a blind eye. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Georgia county fire chief was fatally shot in Alabama after attempting to assist individuals who had struck a deer while traveling, police said. The deceased was identified as James Bartholomew Cauthen, a 54-year-old battalion fire chief with Coweta County Fire, the Chambers County Alabama Sheriff's Office confirmed in a news release. The sheriff's office's early investigation determined that Cauthen was trying to help two people who had hit a deer while they were driving on County Road 267 in Lafayette, Alabama on Sunday. When deputies arrived at the scene around 5 p.m., they found Cauthen and the two individuals who had hit the deer with gunshot wounds, according to the release. A deer wreck...you pull up and three people are shot - it just dont make sense any way you look at it, Chambers County Chief Deputy Mike Parrish told WTVM. We just really didnt know what happened. It was just bizarre. Cauthen died from his injuries, while the other two individuals were taken by helicopter to LaGrange and Columbus trauma centers, the sheriff's office said. "Our hearts and prayers go out to Coweta County for his loss," the sheriff's office said. Shooting: US border patrol agent killed in shooting near Canadian border in Vermont, FBI says Pictured is deceased Coweta County Fire Chief James Bartholomew Cauthen. Alabama man charged with James Bartholomew Cauthen's murder Arrest warrants for murder were issued for William Randall Franklin, an Alabama man who resided in the area of the shooting and traffic incident, according to the sheriff's office. Franklin, who was also injured in the "shootout," will be arrested once he is released from the hospital, the sheriff's office said. WTVM reported that Franklin was released on Monday and subsequently arrested by the Muscogee County Sheriffs Office. He is awaiting extradition to Chambers County, according to the TV station. Investigators said Franklin was the one who opened fire on Cauthen and the two unidentified individuals who struck the deer, according to the sheriff's office. It is unclear if Franklin has legal representation as of Tuesday. 'We lost one of the best ones' In the comment section of the sheriff's office's release, Maddie Troyer, an advanced emergency medical technician with Coweta County Fire, said, "Horrible. CCFR is broken-hearted tonight." "We lost one of the best ones," she added. Coweta County Fire also commented on its chief's death in a news release on Monday, saying, "Coweta County Fire Rescue continues to be devastated by the tragic passing of Battalion Chief Bart Cauthen. Cauthen has been with our department for more than 24 years. He was an amazing, hard-working man with a gentle soul." "Just like many of you, we have many questions as we navigate through this horrible tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to Cauthens family, friends and our brothers and sisters in the Fire Rescue family who worked closely with him," the department continued. "We want to thank all of the agencies who have reached out to us to offer condolences, as well as our community. Coweta County is always there to support our agency, we will get through this together." No further details about the incident were released, but the department confirmed that funeral arrangements for Cauthen have not been made. In honor of Cauthen, the department shared a Facebook post on Monday saying the chief's "shift at the fire house" was today and "he is already missed." "Our team showing their respect! #COWETASTRONG," the department said. "We want to thank the community for the support and prayers and all the agencies that have reached out to lift us up." Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Georgia fire chief shot, killed after helping drivers who hit deer SPRINGFIELD, Ohio As President Donald Trump took the stage for his inaugural address on Monday, some Springfield residents at the center of the debate over immigration watched from inside a local Haitian restaurant. Haitians in Springfield are in the United States legally, many with a temporary protected status that Trump could eventually cancel. They been preparing for this day since September when they became the focus of a national spotlight after Vice President JD Vance posted claims without evidence that Haitian immigrants were eating pet dogs and cats. Trump repeated the claims during the presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. Right after Trump's comments, the central Ohio city of 60,000 was plagued by bomb threats and poor school attendance as the situation gained national media attention. Watching the inauguration felt weird, Springfield resident Dina Paul said, though she felt supported by the community after his comments. More: Ohio's JD Vance sworn in as vice president of the United States Springfield resident Dina Paul moves into the city during the tax season to help the residents. She lives in Florida during other times of the year. "Most of the local residents knew what was up and stood up for us," she said. Paul lives in Springfield during the tax season and also helps Haitian residents with job applications. She said the Haitian residents are most worried about their temporary protected status, a federal designation for immigrants from countries with dangerous conditions, such as a natural disaster or armed conflict. In June, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas extended the status for Haiti to February 2026. Paul said she continues to feel support from the Springfield community and their appreciation of Haitian culture, like when people frequent the Rose Goute Creole restaurant for Haitian food. Viles Dorsainvil, the executive director of Haitian Support Center, said the center has hosted trainings preparing Haitian residents for encounters with ICE officers. Trainings for encounters with ICE Viles Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center, said he's spoken to friends nervous about the inauguration and the return of Trump to power. "I think there is a kind of paradigm shift from the way the comments used to be to the way they are right now," Dorsainvil said. "Before it was more calling people names, all type of names. Now it's changing to like 'You guys have to start packing up because Trump is coming.'" Dorsainvil said he's spoken to Haitian residents who've been shouted at and told to "pack their bags" while walking down the street. The Haitian Support Center has hosted trainings so that residents know their rights and what to do if they encounter U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Dorsainvil said the training prepares people to ask to speak to a lawyer or to ask to see a warrant if an agent comes to their house. A small group of protestors from the Revcom Corps show support for Haitian immigrants in Springfield on President Donald Trump's inauguration day. The trainings also focus on the right to remain silent and how residents can designate a guardian for their children in the event they are detained. "We started way before today," Dorsainvil said on Monday. He said he feels supported by Springfield's city leaders and the Springfield Neighbors United group. "There are so many events that have been happening just to show some kind of solidarity. Those actions kind of lower the tension a little bit and give the immigrants that sense of hope," he said. Springfield resident Clara Copeland protests in favor of Haitian immigrants in Springfield on President Donald Trump's inauguration day. A protest in support of immigrants A few protestors came from Cleveland on Monday to hold signs in support of the Haitian immigrants in the freezing weather at a busy intersection in Springfield. One driver shouted "Suck it up, snowflakes" out his window as he drove by. Springfield resident Clara Copeland stopped by to see the protest. Copeland said she doesn't feel tension in the city but did notice the withdrawal of Haitian residents after the viral posts in September. "The thing that hurt through all that - I live on the south side and walking around you could see children out playing. After (the national attention), the Haitian people just went inside," she said. Erin Glynn is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, react to Donald Trump taking office A plow moves through the snow in this social media post from Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Asheville, N.C. Asheville City Government | Facebook (The Center Square) North Carolinians still needing hotel rooms paid for by FEMA as part of recovery from Hurricane Helene will get a 21-day notice rather than seven when they become no longer eligible for the program. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, pressured by U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., over the weekend, agreed extenuating circumstances exist in the western part of the state. Snow is on the ground in most of the upper elevations. We understand the great need survivors have at this time and this program will last as long as necessary, said Brett Howard, the federal coordinating officer with FEMA. That said, the length of eligibility for an individual survivor will be based on their individual circumstances. FEMA staff are working daily with survivors and on their cases to help them find permanent housing solutions. A release Monday said 740 of the 2,700 households checked in are no longer eligible to remain in the program. Nearly 13,000 survivor households have used the program since the storm hit and dissipated into the mountains on the last weekend of September. Before President Donald Trump called out the Biden administration in his inauguration speech on Monday about FEMA response to North Carolina, Edwards was maintaining his consistency for his constituency. He announced the change in policy on Friday. I demanded that FEMA provide more notice so that no one else is taken by surprise and asked to leave with nowhere to go, Edwards said in a release before the weekend. FEMAs agreement to provide 21 days notice is an overdue step to return humanity to the recovery process. He called the previous policy inhumane to expect these folks to leave the only safe and warm shelter available with only a few days or a weeks notice. The victims of Helene deserve better from the federal government, he said. Now in the 17th week of recovery, constituents of Edwards have gotten updates and he's visited his home area the southern-most boundary to Tennessee multiple times to engage and find out the needs. U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., representing the northern boundary to Tennessee extending to Virginia, has also been heavily engaged even as the home of she and her husband was cut off from regular access for days. On Monday in the Capitol Rotunda, Trump after taking the oath said in part, We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home while, at the same time, stumbling into a continuing catalogue of catastrophic events abroad. Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina who have been treated so badly and other states who are still suffering from a hurricane that took place many months ago or, more recently, Los Angeles, where we are watching fires still tragically burn from weeks ago without even a token of defense. Gov. Josh Stein requested of previous Administrator Deanne Criswell an extension of the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program for six months. His letter and a release indicated thought that it would end March 31. Howard responded on Sunday, saying the program was originally 180 days through a hotel check-out of March 27 and would be extended to May 26. Tempers boiled heading toward the Jan. 11-12 weekend with snow on the way and a Jan. 10 deadline for households no longer eligible being forced out of hotels. A series of requests from multiple politicians and answers by FEMA resulted in that check-out date moving three times to Jan. 11, 14 and 25. Helene killed 104 in North Carolina and 233 across seven states. The storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Dekle Beach, Fla., on Sept. 26. It dissipated over the mountains of the state and Tennessee, dropping more than 30 inches of rain in some places and over 24 consistently across more. The estimated damage is more than $53 billion, according to a report from former Gov. Roy Cooper. Federal government help so far has been about $9 billion from a $110 billion package signed in December by President Joe Biden, plus FEMA assistance. State government help has included more than $1.1 billion in appropriation from three legislative packages, with more expected. In its release, FEMA said, it "has provided more than $316 million in cash grants to Western North Carolina survivors, including more than $6.2 million in rental assistance. The U.S. Small Business Administration has also approved more than $213 million in low-interest loans to help survivors. Those loans are 0% interest for the first year." JERUSALEM/RAMALLAH - Israeli security forces backed by helicopters raided the volatile West Bank city of Jenin on Tuesday, killing at least eight Palestinians in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a "large-scale and significant military operation". The action, launched a day after President Donald Trump declared he was lifting sanctions on ultranationalist Israeli settlers who attacked Palestinian villages, was announced by Netanyahu as a new offensive against Iranian-backed militants. "We are acting systematically and resolutely against the Iranian axis wherever it extends its arms in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Judea and Samaria," Netanyahu said. Judea and Samaria are terms Israel uses for the occupied West Bank. The move into Jenin, where the Israeli army has carried out multiple raids and large-scale incursions over recent years, comes only two days after the start of a ceasefire in Gaza and underscores the threat of more violence in the West Bank. The military said soldiers, police and intelligence services had begun a counter-terrorism operation in Jenin. It follows a weeks-long operation by Palestinian security forces in self-rule areas of the West Bank to reassert control in the adjacent refugee camp, a major centre of armed militant groups including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, both of which get support from Iran. An Israeli military vehicle stands on the street during an Israeli raid, in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, January 21, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta Gaza-based Hamas, which has expanded its reach in the West Bank over recent years, called on Palestinians in the territory to escalate fighting against Israel. As the operation began, Palestinian security forces withdrew from the refugee camp and the sound of heavy gunfire could be heard in mobile phone footage shared on social media. Palestinian health services said at least eight Palestinians were killed and 35 wounded as the Israeli raid began, a week after an Israeli air strike in the Jenin refugee camp killed at least three Palestinians and wounded scores more. Since the October 2023 start of the war in Gaza, hundreds of Palestinians and dozens of Israelis have been killed in the West Bank and Israel and thousands of Palestinians have been detained in regular Israeli raids. Protecting settlers Hardline pro-settler Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has responsibility for large parts of Israeli policy in the West Bank, said the operation was the start of a "strong and ongoing campaign" against militant groups "for the protection of settlements and settlers". Smotrich earlier welcomed Trump's decision to lift sanctions on settlers accused of violence against Palestinians and said he looked forward to cooperating with the new administration in expanding settlements. Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, land Israel captured in 1967. Most countries consider Israel's settlements on territory seized in war to be illegal. Israel disputes this, citing historical and biblical ties to the land. The internationally recognised Palestinian Authority has limited self-rule over some territory in the West Bank under Israeli military occupation. In the days leading up to the Israeli military operation, Palestinians throughout the West Bank said multiple roadblocks had been set up throughout the territory, where violence has resurged since the start of the war in Gaza. Late on Monday, bands of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians, smashing cars and burning property, near the village of al-Funduq, an area where three Israelis were killed in a shooting earlier this month. The military said it had opened an investigation into the incident, which it said involved dozens of Israeli civilians, some in masks. The Palestinian Authority condemned the settler attack in al-Funduq as well as the sudden appearance of multiple new barriers and roadblocks, which it said were aimed at "dismembering the West Bank". "We call on the new American administration to intervene to stop these crimes and Israeli policies that will not bring peace and security to anyone," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' office said in a statement. (Reporting by James Mackenzie in Jerusalem and Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; editing by Peter Graff and Mark Heinrich) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel launches West Bank military operation, at least 8 dead Manual Aslim walks through the rubble of her destroyed home, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, days after the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas came into effect. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) JERUSALEM (AP) Israel's top general resigned Tuesday, taking responsibility for security failures tied to Hamas' surprise attack that triggered the war in Gaza and adding to pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has delayed any public inquiry that could potentially implicate his leadership. While a fragile new ceasefire in the Gaza Strip held, Israel launched a significant and broad military operation in the occupied West Bank, killing at least nine people and injuring 40, Palestinian officials said. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi is the most senior Israeli figure to resign over the security and intelligence breakdown on Oct. 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led militants carried out a land, sea and air assault into southern Israel, rampaging through army bases and nearby communities. The attack the single deadliest on Israel in its history killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the militants abducted another 250. More than 90 captives are still in Gaza, around a third believed to be dead. Halevi's resignation, effective March 6, came days into the ceasefire with Hamas that could lead to an end to the 15-month war and the return of remaining captives. Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, head of Israel's Southern Command, which oversees operations in Gaza, also resigned. Their resignations will likely add to calls for a public inquiry into the Oct. 7 failures, something Netanyahu has said must wait until the war is over. Halevis resignation letter noted that the militarys investigations into those failures were currently in their final stages. And Halevi made his most explicit call yet for a public inquiry in comments to journalists, saying it would be granted full transparency by the military. Halevi had appeared to be at odds with Israel's new defense minister, Israel Katz, over the direction of the war. He said Israel had accomplished most of its goals, while Katz echoed Netanyahu's vow to keep fighting until total victory over Hamas. Katz replaced the popular Yoav Gallant, who Netanyahu dismissed in a surprise announcement in November after growing disagreements over the war. Another major operation in the West Bank The ceasefire that started Sunday does not apply to the West Bank, where Israel announced new operation against Palestinian militants in Jenin. The city has seen repeated Israeli incursions and gunbattles with militants in recent years. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on security forces to use maximum restraint in the West Bank, a spokesman said. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek an independent state encompassing all three territories. The West Bank has seen a surge of violence during the war in Gaza. Israeli troops have carried out near-daily raids that often ignite gunbattles. There has also been a rise in attacks on Palestinians by Jewish extremists including a rampage in two Palestinian villages overnight Monday and Palestinian attacks on Israelis. Hamas condemned the Israeli operation in Jenin, calling on Palestinians in the West Bank to step up attacks. The smaller and more radical Islamic Jihad militant group called it a desperate attempt by Netanyahu to save his governing coalition. Netanyahu faces domestic criticism over ceasefire Netanyahu faces criticism from far-right allies over the ceasefire, which requires Israeli troops to pull back from populated areas in Gaza and envisions the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including militants convicted of involvement in deadly attacks on Israelis. Hamas has already returned to the streets, showing that it remains in control of the territory despite the war killing tens of thousands of Palestinians including some Hamas leaders and causing widespread devastation. The ceasefire's first phase is to last for six weeks, with 33 hostages gradually released. Three hostages and 90 prisoners were released Sunday, when it took effect. The next release is Saturday. Talks on the far more difficult second phase begin in two weeks. One of Netanyahu's erstwhile partners, Itamar Ben-Gvir, quit the government on Sunday, weakening the coalition but still leaving Netanyahu with a parliamentary majority. Another far-right leader, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, has threatened to leave if Israel does not resume the war after the ceasefire's first phase. Separately on Tuesday evening, Israels emergency rescue service said four people were stabbed and wounded in Tel Aviv in what police described as a terror attack. Police said the attacker, a 28-year old foreign national, was killed by security forces at the scene. New bodies found in Gaza With the calm of the ceasefire, emergency responders looked through rubble for bodies they had been unable to reach before. We retrieved 120 decomposed bodies over the past two days, civil defense worker Haitham Hams told The Associated Press in the southern city of Rafah, as colleagues unearthed a thigh bone and a pair of pants. Israels military campaign has killed over 47,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health authorities, who say women and children make up more than half of the fatalities but do not say how many of the dead were fighters. Halevi on Tuesday said close to 20,000 militants had been killed, without providing evidence. Gaza's Health Ministry said 72 bodies had been taken to hospitals in the past 24 hours, almost all of them recovered from attacks before the ceasefire. An unknown number of bodies remain unreachable because they are in northern Gaza, where access remains restricted, or in buffer zones where Israeli forces are. Nearly 900 trucks of aid entered Gaza on the third day of the ceasefire Tuesday, the United Nations said significantly higher than the 600 trucks called for in the deal in a rush to supply food, medicines and other needs it has described as staggering" for the population of over 2 million people. Most importantly, we want things that will warm us in winter, one of the many displaced Palestinians, Mounir Abu Seiam, said Tuesday as people gathered in the southern city of Khan Younis to receive food. ___ Tufaha reported from Jenin, West Bank. Associated Press writer Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel, contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Cat people are book people. And book people are cat people. It's a connection that runs deep. Which is why the Sycamore Public Library in Sycamore, Illinois is pairing their favorite book recommendations with rescue cats at TAILS Humane Society. And it's absolutely purrr-fect. A librarian with Sycamore Public Library shared sweet Cindy, a rescue cat who would look so cute curled up on someone's lap while they read a book. As the library explained in their post, Cindy is a "sweet and dignified girl who is ready to find her forever home!" Related: 'Old Lady Cat' Carrying Her Adopted Rescue Kitten Up the Cat Tower is Warming Hearts If you've wanted to adopt in the past, but weren't sure about the adoption fees, you're in luck! "Cindys adoption fee is fully sponsored, so shes all set to go to a loving family," they added. "She gets along well with other cats, making her the perfect addition to a multi-pet household." Of course, you're probably curious about which book pairs with adorable Cindy here. According to Kelsey, it's The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki. You can get it at the library of course. The comments section was hoping that someone would adopt Cindy soon. "Please help if you can ASAP please," begged one commenter. "Awww!!" another commenter praised. "Sweetie!" chimed in another person. "What a beauty!" exclaimed someone else. About TAILS Humane Society Based in Dekalb, Illinois, TAILS Humane Society is here to help the many animals in need. They do this through several different initiatives; including adoption, a clinic that provides spay/neutering services, and training classes so that your pup will be on their best behavior. You can also foster from TAILS Humane, which will help alleviate the pressure on their facilities and allow for a new animal to be taken in and receive care. They also have a HomeBuddies program which helps people who are elderly or home-bound take care of their pets. They really do help animals in so many ways. Which is why we should help TAILS Humane on their mission by donating to their cause. Donations can be small in value, but big in helping create change. Funds can provide medical care, supplies to make sure each and every animal is comfortable, and community-based services so that no animal in the region is left behind. You can make your donation on the TAILS Humane website. All it takes is one generous animal lover to make a difference! Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. At face value, grilled cheese is a pretty simple sandwich: Slap a piece of cheese between two slices of bread, pan fry or grill, and the classic dish is ready. But it turns out the type of cheese you use can make or break the final product. The two most important things to consider here are melt-ability and flavor, says Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin education manager Molly Browne, an American Cheese Society certified cheese professional and cheese sensory evaluator. Different cheeses melt very differently and as a result, behave very differently in grilled cheese. So while aged cheddars and blue cheeses tend to have deep, savory flavor profiles, they dont usually melt as welland melting quality is especially important if youre going for a signature cheese pull. On the other hand, Swiss-style cheeses like Gruyere, Raclette and Emmental as well as cheeses like mozzarella, Havarti, and butterkase are prime choices for that pull, according to Browne. So what are the best cheeses for grilled cheese sandwiches? We're breaking it down. 10 Best Cheeses for Grilled Cheese Sandwiches All of Brownes picks deliver on melt-ability and flavorand yes, the cheesemaker matters (unless otherwise noted). To take your grilled cheese sandwich game to the next level, look for the options listed below at your local grocer or cheese shop. Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve iStock This aged, alpine-style cheese has a complex, savory flavor profile that will remind you of French onion soup, says Browne, who keeps this award-winning Wisconsin cheese on hand at all times for both cheese boards and of course, grilled cheese. Related: How to Make Grilled Cheese For a Crowd On National Grilled Cheese Day Marieke Gouda iStock This Dutch-style gouda line comes in flavors that range from smoked cumin to fenugreek. Younger goudas are typically good melters so these are a great way to spice up your grilled cheese game with some fun flavors, Browne. Roelli Red Rock iStock A mild, rinded cheddar cheese, it has veins of blue that create an unexpected flavor Browne describes as extremely delicious. I love to pair this cheese with bacon jam on a grilled cheeseit's an umami bomb, she says. Fresh Mozzarella From BelGioioso or Crave Brothers Farmstead iStock You dont need to know much about cheese to know that mozzarella on pizza is *chefs kiss.* So it should come as no surprise that this melty goodness also works well between two pieces of bread. I recommend grating a ball of fresh mozz to help the heat penetrate and melt the cheese more easily, says Browne, who pairs hers with pesto or an olive tapenade for extra flavor. Related: Gorgeous Grilled Cheese Recipes Roth Grand Cru iStock A Swiss-style cheese made in Wisconsin, Browne describes this cheese as booming with flavor. It comes in three different age varieties, so take your pick, but keep in mind the flavor intensifies over time. Hennings Bacon Cheddar iStock [Its] another top pick for my grilled cheese, for obvious reasons, Browne says, referring to the much-loved grilled cheese addition. Saxon Creamery Snowfields Butterkase iStock Pronounced booter-keh-zuh, Butterkase is the German equivalent of mild cheddar in the states, which is to say its a regional household staple. This cheese is easy on the palate, robustly creamy, and melts like a dream, Browne says. For next-level grilled cheese, add sweet or savory jam to a sandwich made with this cheese. Burnett Dairy Wood River Creamery Cheddar Gruyere iStock While blending cheeses yourself can deliver the perfect mix of melt-ability and flavor, this award-winning cheese scores high on Brownes list because it comes pre-mixed: A cheddar cheese blended with cultures traditionally reserved for sweeter Swiss-style cheeses, this cheddar gruyere combo taste better than the sum of its parts, Browne says. Sartori Garlic and Herb BellaVitano iStock I love these cheeses because the flavor is applied to the rind rather than being mixed throughout the interior of the cheese meaning you really get to taste the cheese itself, with a subtle balance of flavor, Browne says of her recommendation. With garlic and herbs, whats not to love? Colby iStock Made Gouda-style in a cheddar factor, Colby is slightly sweeter, milkier, and Cartier than average cheddar, Browne says. This cheese is light on the palate and like the others in this list, tends to melt beautifully. Related: 21 Best Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Recipes Brownes Top Grilled Cheese Tips While choosing the right cheese will set you up for success, these tips will turn you into a bonafide grilled cheese pro. Shred it well. Compared to slices, cheese shreds make for more uniform melting, Browne says. Butter your bread. Go salted or go home, and use as much as you can (reasonably) slather on. Use steam to speed your melt. Once your sandwich is in the pan, the last thing you want is for your bread to brown faster than your cheese melts. Adding a drop or two of water to the pan can move things along. The liquid creates steam, which you can trap under a lid for a minute or two to help the cheese finish melting. Just make sure you give the bread a chance to crisp up again without the lid before serving, Browne says. Dont stop with cheese. Want to have some fun? Pair something melty with something really flavorful to achieve the ultimate grilled cheese, Browne says. So go crazy with the tapenade, spread or jam that sounds best to you. Up next: Related: 'I Tried Cottage Cheese Ice Cream and It's My New Favorite Go-To Healthy Dessert' Chip Somodevilla - Getty Images Yesterday, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, with his family members, former presidents, billionaire tech CEOs, and politicians in attendance. Keeping with tradition, royals from around the world congratulated the new president on the start of his term. Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles had sent a private message to Trump, but other royal houses shared the text of the messages that were sent, below. Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf: On the occasion of your assuming the high office of the President of the United States of America, I extend to you my sincere congratulations and my best wishes for your health and happiness and for the well-being and prosperity of the people of the United States. Denmark's King Frederik X: On the occasion of your inauguration on January 20th, 2025, as the 47th President of the United States of America, I wish to express my sincere congratulations and best wishes for yourself, your family and for the people of the United States of America. Norway's King Harald V: On the occasion of your inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America, I am sending you my warmest congratulations on behalf of myself and the people of Norway, and my hopes for the welfare and prosperity of the American people. Jordan's King Abdullah II: Wishing President Donald Trump every success as he commences his second term. Congratulations on your inauguration, Mr. President. We greatly value our partnership with the United States and are committed to working with you towards a more prosperous and peaceful world. Queen Rania Last week, Queen Rania met with incoming Lady Melania Trump in Palm Beach, Florida. According to a press release from the Jordanian Royal House, At the meeting, hosted by the incoming U.S. First Lady, Queen Rania and Mrs. Trump discussed various issues of mutual interest, including childrens welfare, as well as improving their education. It was the third time Queen Rania and Melania had met. Morocco's King Mohammed VI sent a longer message to Trump, per the Moroccan Embassy in the U.S. "As we address an array of increasingly complex regional and global challenges, the Kingdom of Morocco will be, more than ever, a true friend and loyal ally of the United States, King Mohammed wrote, emphasizing his determination to work closely with Trump to advance our shared interests and further enhance our unique alliance across all levels of cooperation. (Read their press release here.) Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa extended his heartfelt congratulations and warm wishes to President Trump, wishing him success in leading the US toward greater progress, prosperity, and advancement, according to Bahrain News Agency. His Majesty also expressed his deep pride in the longstanding and historic ties that unite Bahrain and the United States, underscoring the solid foundations and strong pillars upon which their partnership is built, as well as the mutual respect and enduring friendship shared between their peoples. Furthermore, His Majesty reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the strategic relationship between Bahrain and the United States. Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah: It is with great pleasure that I extend my warmest congratulations to you on your inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America. Brunei Darussalam and the United States of America have shared an enduring friendship which has strengthened to new heights over the years, deeply-rooted in much-valued cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security as well as people-to-people exchanges. As we elevate our two countries' 40 years of diplomatic relations to a Strategic Partnership, I look forward to working closely with you again to enhance our bilateral and regional cooperation, particularly through the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. He concluded with an invitation to Brunei: At this opportunity, I would like to invite you to make a State Visit to Brunei Darussalam at a mutually convenient date. With my best wishes to you and your family for your continued good health, and for much success in your second Presidential term. We'll update this story if more royals from around the world send messages to Trump. You Might Also Like Glenn Close has revealed she has left New York City behind in favor of small-town Montana. The Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe-winning actor, 77, is known for her iconic roles in films such as Fatal Attraction and 101 Dalmatians and can currently be seen in the new Netflix action-comedy Back in Action. In a new interview with The Wall Street Journal, Close said she moved to the town of 57,000 in 2019 to be closer to her family. Today, my home is in Bozeman, Montana, she said. All of my siblings live here. My modest, 1892 brick house has a porch where I can see the mountains and say hi to neighbors. Her 2,316 square-foot home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms and is close to the town center. However, Close did add that she plans to construct a bigger house nearby. Glenn Closes modest home in Bozeman, Montana (Google Maps) Im building a larger house about a half-hour outside of town, she said. Its going to be my Zen farmhouse and our family sanctuary. In the back will be a stone cottage, reminding me of the best years of my childhood. In a previous 2021 interview with Mountain Outlaw magazine, Close said she never used to get homesick before moving to Bozeman. Not only is Bozeman my home, but I couldnt wait to get back here. When I left to go to that job, [her sisters] Jessie and Tina were there to see me off at the airport. It was so great. Ive come to realize how much I dread going away, continued Close. When I was little, I got solace in nature, and that has never changed. I always tried to create that same potential for my family, especially now to come back here and be with my siblings and have a piece of land outside of town that will always be here for my daughter and her children. Thats my legacy. I just feel incredibly lucky. I do think these will be the best years of my life. Close in Netflixs Back in Action ( 2024 Netflix, Inc.) Earlier this month, Glenn Close hit out at JD Vance during an appearance on The View. She previously starred in a film based on his book about his life, Hillbilly Elegy. When co-host Joy Behar noted Vance had a whole different personality in those days than he has now, Close said: I dont know what happened, suggesting that political success might have altered his outlook. Power is probably the biggest aphrodisiac for a human being, she told Behar. FILE - M23 rebels stand with their weapons in Kibumba, in the eastern of Democratic Republic of Congo, Dec. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) GOMA, Congo (AP) M23 rebels seized the town of Minova in eastern Congo, a key supply route for the provincial capital Goma, authorities said Tuesday, leading to a mass exodus of people in the face of a new offensive by the rebel group, which has taken several strategic towns in recent weeks. The provincial governor of South Kivu, Jean-Jacques Purusi, confirmed the capture of Minova, adding that the rebels have also captured the mining towns of Lumbishi, Numbi and Shanje in the same province and the town of Bweremana in neighboring North Kivu province. Congo's military said in a statement Tuesday that the rebels made breakthroughs in Minova and Bweremana. It did not confirm if M23 captured the towns. M23, or the March 23 Movement, is a militant group composed of ethnic Tutsis who broke away from the Congolese army just over a decade ago. The group rose to prominence in 2012 when its fighters seized Goma, the capital of North Kivu province and eastern Congos largest city, on the border with Rwanda. M23 is one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo, in a decades-long conflict that has created one of the worlds largest humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced. Congo, the United States and U.N. experts accuse neighboring Rwanda of backing M23. Rwanda denies the claim. M23 has been making significant advances in eastern Congo in recent weeks. The rebels captured the key mining town of Masisi in North Kivu earlier this month, another key supply route for Goma. Minova is a strategically important port on the shores of Lake Kivu and a transit point for many agricultural goods heading to Goma, about 28 miles (45 kilometers) away. More than 237,000 people have been displaced by the fighting in eastern Congo since the beginning of this year, the United Nations refugee agency said in a report Monday. (This story has been updated to include new information) A man who spent three years on the run in Europe after he was accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 has been extradited to the U.S., according to media reports. The detainment of Ian Cleary, 31, comes after a three-year search. A ruling by the Court of Appeal in Metz, France on Monday allowed for his extradition to the U.S., the Associated Press reported. He wasnt able to be extradited until the French Justice Ministry submitted an extradition order, the AP reported. The French Justice Ministry did not immediately respond to USA TODAYs requests for comment but according to the New York Times, French authorities transferred Cleary to U.S. custody at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Cleary was transferred to Adams County in Pennsylvania later Thursday evening, an Adams County Magisterial District Court clerk confirmed to USA TODAY Tuesday afternoon. He was arraigned in front of a judge on Friday morning, the clerk said. The judge considers Cleary a flight risk, so his bail was denied, the clerk said. A hearing for Cleary has been set for Jan. 29. Cleary had been on the run from the charges for three years. He was taken into custody in April after living in France as a "homeless transient," Gettysburg Police Detective Chris Evans previously told USA TODAY. Suspect repeatedly messaged victim after alleged attack, warrant says Cleary, who is from Saratoga, California, is facing felony sexual assault charges. The victim, former Gettysburg College student Shannon Keeler, reported him to police after the attack. While sexual assault victims are typically not identified publicly, Keeler previously approved the release of her name. The case dates back to Dec. 15, 2013, according to an arrest warrant obtained by USA TODAY Tuesday afternoon. According to Keeler, she and a friend went to a party that night to celebrate the end of finals. While there, a person who turned out to be Cleary was "creeping her out," the warrant read. Keeler left the party with a friend and while walking, noticed Cleary was following her. As she and her friend were walking toward her dorm room, Cleary offered her friend $20 to leave. Her friend told Cleary to leave and he did, according to the warrant. At around 2:45 a.m., Keeler's friend dropped her off at her dorm room. About 10 minutes later, she heard a knock at her door. Expecting to open the door to her friend, she answered, only for Cleary to be there. Cleary walked into her room, according to the warrant. While he was in her room, Cleary began kissing Keeler. They then "laid down on her bed and then he removed her pants and proceeded to have intercourse with her," the warrant read. According to the warrant, Keeler did not consent to anything and asked him, "What are you doing?" He kept going despite her telling him to stop. Once he was finished, Cleary said to her "I'm sorry. Are you okay?" and then left, the warrant read. Keeler reported the incident to police and got a rape test kit completed the next day, according to the AP. Still, authorities would not file charges for eight years. It wasnt until Cleary began messaging the woman on Facebook that authorities filed charges against him. According to the arrest warrant, Keeler contacted the Adams County District Attorney's Office in May 2020 and said she received messages from Cleary via Facebook Messenger. The messages read as follows, per the warrant: Dec. 8, 2019 I need to hear your voice. I need to know if I did it or not. I wanted to but I couldnt. Dont worry. Dec. 8, 2019 Ill wait for you. Ill pray for you. I kissed you. I grabbed your breasts. Then I tried to but I couldnt because I was high. Then I had to catch a plane. Thats why I ran. It was like (a) 5 am plane. Dec. 9, 2019 I played with you but I didnt penetrate you. Dec. 9, 2019 So I raped you. Dec. 9, 2019 Ill never do it to anyone ever again. Im going to stay. But by the time police issued an arrest warrant in June 2021, Cleary had left the country, prompting the U.S. Marshals Service to get involved. Turkish resort fire: Fire at Turkish ski resort kills at least 66 people, injures 51 more: Officials Suspect was living as a homeless transient, detective said Evans, from the Gettysburg Police Department, said that months earlier, Cleary's mother informed police he was out of the country. "He comes from a wealthy family, so it seems kind of odd to me that he'd be living as a homeless transient if he wasn't trying to avoid these charges," Evans previously told USA TODAY. When asked previously if Cleary would face additional charges for fleeing to Europe, Evans said thats a decision for the district attorney's office to make. He said at the time that he had no intention of seeking additional charges. This arrest and extradition give me renewed faith that, after many years of waiting, the justice system can work when survivors persist with the help and support of family, friends, advocates, and attorneys, said Shannon Keeler in a press release issued by Attorney Andrea Levy, who represents her through the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respects Sexual Violence Legal Assistance Project. Levy, her lawyer, said in a statement that Cleary's extradition was "a very meaningful day" for Keeler. She noted that Keeler reported the sexual assault more than 11 years ago, so to see Cleary face criminal charges is a "great relief." It took an incredible amount of courage and unwavering resolve for Shannon to get this far, and she is deeply grateful to law enforcement at every level who worked to locate, capture and extradite Ian Cleary, Levy said. To all survivors of sexual assault, please know that help is available at local rape crisis centers throughout the Commonwealth and if you are a survivor in Pennsylvania who needs legal assistance we are here to help you. It was not immediately clear Tuesday if Cleary has court representation. Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: So I raped you': PA rape suspect extradited from France to US Courtesy Jenny Earhart (2) Horses saved from the L.A. wildfires (left) and a rescuer's view of the fires Austin Muhs, an astrologer and project manager living in Santa Monia, California, is always ready to help an animal in need. Before moving to California, he lived in Texas, where he learned about animal rescue and put his teachings to the test by assisting numerous animals as a civilian volunteer during Hurricane Harvey. This passion for protecting pets and wildlife grew into the 999 Rescue Team, an animal rescue group made up of hundreds of rescue teams across the country dedicated to helping animals caught in natural disasters. But Muhs' devotion to helping animals doesn't stop at large-scale rescue operations; the emergency rescue specialist also makes time to help individual struggling critters. On Nextdoor, a social network for neighborhoods, Muhs is one of the go-to guys his Santa Monica community recommends when a user needs animal rescue assistance. "When a post appears on Nextdoor asking for guidance to help care for injured birds, or how to protect vulnerable creatures like motherless possums and squirrels, neighbors often post a simple solution: Contact Austin," a Nextdoor spokesperson shared about Muhs' local celebrity status. Related: Man Drives Up Burning Mountain to Rescue Stranded Woman and Her 4 Dogs from Palisades Fire: 'Just Doing the Right Thing' It's common for Muhs to receive several calls or inquiries daily, especially about birds needing help, and he does his best to respond to them all. "There will just be people who need this or that animal rescued; maybe an injured bird or an abandoned baby squirrel so I will show up and help," Muhs says about how Nextdoor helps him with animal rescue. "I guess I just became well known for being 'Johnny on the spot' in these moments, if you will. People would call, and I would come within an hour in most instances." Courtesy Jenny Earhart A view of the Palisades Fire from a 999 Rescue Team animal rescuer When the Palisades Fire started on Jan. 7, Muhs didn't wait to be asked for help; he posted a message on Nextdoor, letting his neighbors know he was ready to help with animal rescue and evacuations in any way he could. With the assistance of the 999 Rescue Team's "amazing helpers and volunteers," Muhs started responding to requests from overwhelmed animal owners, especially people worried about their horses. "The first call I got was for a horse in the Palisades, so I kind of went into disaster prep mode and started looking for teams to trailer the horse out. Then I called my friend Jessica, who has hookups in the Palisades, just in case we needed to make a call to get past a roadblock. Thankfully, there was no roadblock, and we were just able to get in and be of assistance," Muhs tells PEOPLE about his first rescue in response to ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County. Courtesy Jenny Earhart Horses saved from the L.A. wildfires Since the first successful horse rescue on Jan. 7, Muhs and his team of rescuers have helped save a growing number of animals from the fires. Related: News Team Saves 3 Dogs from Burning L.A. Home. They're 'the Best Humanity Has to Offer,' Says Owner "It's not just me by any stretch of the imagination; it's the amazing team I run for the 999 Rescue Team group. I had over 25 haulers (with trucks and trailers), probably another 20-30 volunteers, and 3 key admins who helped me with this fire," Muhs says, adding that together, the group has saved about "100 horses, one pig, 20 sheep, and a bunch of dog and cats" so far. The number of people helping Muhs has also grown. Muhs created sign-up sheets for volunteer and donation opportunities for those inexperienced in animal rescue work and posted them on Nextdoor for community members "eager to help but unsure of how to contribute." Courtesy Brady Heisler Livestock rescued from the L.A. wildfires He hopes his actions and the courageous efforts of the rescuers he works with inspire others to support their community. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Try to be a leader in your community. I was just a punk 20-something when I started doing all of this," Muhs says, adding, "Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do. Do what you can to form your own local teams and organizations." Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires. Read the original article on People Collage of public figures Joe Biden, Tucker Carlson, and Eric Adams, with a man in a suit sitting in a chair Mayor Eric Adams said the Democratic Party has abandoned him and everyday New Yorkers. People often say, Well, you know, you dont sound like a Democrat and you seem to have left the party, Adams told host Tucker Carlson during an interview due to air Tuesday night. No. The party left me and left working-class people. Adams revealed Bidens flippant response in the sit down interview. X@TuckerCarlson Adams added that he believes the Biden administration punished him for being vocal about the migrant crisis plaguing the Big Apple claiming the White House response to his gripes about being a sanctuary city was: be a good Democrat, Eric. According to a preview of the interview, the mayor also said New York did not welcome the flood of migrants into the five boroughs, noting that, We have Venezuelan gang leaders that were coming to the city creating crimes. Adams, who has cooled on his backing of New Yorks sanctuary city status in recent months, told Carlson hes also at a loss on how to deal with the crisis. Adams thinks that the Biden administration punished him for being vocal about New York Citys migrant crisis. AP The mayor has stepped up calls for the sanctuary restrictions to be loosened so migrants suspected of serious crimes can be turned over to federal immigration agents standard practice before the migrant-friendly policies were implemented under ex-mayors Ed Koch and Michael Bloomberg. Under sanctuary city laws, local authorities are prohibited from holding misbehaving migrants until Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up to begin deportation proceedings. On Saturday, Adams said he would be unable to help President Donald Trump carry out his promised mass deportation of illegal immigrants because of the citys status. Adams called for sanctuary restrictions to be loosed in New York City. Christopher Sadowski The law is the law, he said over the weekend. I answered that over and over again. Im not going to keep doing the same question over and over again about the cooperation of city agencies. Trump has said he would consider pardoning Adams in the federal corruption case against the mayor and extended an inauguration invitation to Hizzoner, which Adams happily accepted. Adams has been openly courting Trump to issue a pardon in the federal corruption case against the mayor and was invited to attend the presidents inauguration on Monday. Adams has been openly courting Trump to issue a pardon in the federal corruption case against the mayor. POOL/AFP via Getty Images However, he faces a battle to win re-election and is still handcuffed on dealing with the migrant crisis, blaming the Big Apple lawmakers who control the status for not bending. Damn it, he complained to Carlson in the upcoming interview. Im at the end of the line here. The interview is slated to air on Carlsons network at 6 p.m. Tuesday. A spokesperson for the city defended the dem govs decision to sit down with the conservative commentator. Mayor Adams does not believe we should be living in silos and speaking into echo chambers, Kayla Mamelak said in a statement. At a time where our country is so divided, the mayor believes we must break out of our comfort zones and speak with everyone even those we may not always agree with. President Donald Trump said Monday he still intends to move forward with an across-the-board tariff of 25% on Mexican and Canadian goods, though he said those levies would come on February 1 rather than his previous day-one threat, Trump said in an Oval Office signing ceremony. The tariffs, if enacted, could strain Americans wallets, especially given Mexico and Canada are two of Americas top three trade partners. Collectively, they accounted for 30% of the value of all the goods the US imported last year, according to federal trade data. While Trump claims foreign exporters pay the tariffs, US consumers stand to foot a portion of the bill, too, as retailers are unlikely to fully absorb the added costs. Retailers have taken some preemptive steps to stave off increasing prices, including stockpiling goods and shifting production away from countries that could get hit by tariffs. But those measures may only protect consumers for so long. Additionally, many goods cant feasibly be stockpiled or be produced elsewhere. Heres where a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods could hit Americans hardest: Cars and car parts The US imported $87 billion worth of motor vehicles and $64 billion worth of vehicle parts from Mexico last year, not accounting for December, the top two goods imported from there that year, according to Commerce Department data. (December trade data is not yet available.) Motor vehicles were also the second-largest good the US imported from Canada last year through November, for a total of $34 billion. The auto sector is likely apoplectic about the new potential tariffs, said Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. US car companies have been able to keep production costs down by hiring lower-wage workers, particularly in Mexico, where much of their production has shifted to in recent years. Aerial view of an automobile body parts supplier in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon state, Mexico on May 1, 2024. - Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images But that cost saving will essentially be erased if theres a 25% tariff, she said. Car manufacturers are unlikely to move their production elsewhere, given theyve made sizable investments in existing plants in both countries and it is difficult to source all the raw materials to build cars and their parts from other places. Gas The US imported $97 billion worth of oil and gas from Canada last year, that countrys top export to the US. The US has become more reliant on Canadian oil since the expansion of Canadas Trans Mountain pipeline, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration. A view of an oil pump jack on the prairies near Claresholm, Alberta, Canada. - Todd Korol/Reuters That has helped deliver more oil to be refined to much of the West Coast in addition to the Midwest. When Trump initially floated the 25% tariffs in November, Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, estimated it would hike the cost of gas for Americans by between 25 cents and 75 cents per gallon. That would most directly impact Americans located around the Great Lakes, Midwest and Rockies, he predicted. Food and alcoholic beverages Last year, the US imported $46 billion of agricultural products from Mexico, according to US Department of Agriculture data. That includes $8.3 billion worth of fresh vegetables, $5.9 billion of beer and $5 billion of distilled spirits. Constellation Brands, which imports Modelo and Corona beer as well as Casa Noble tequila from Mexico, could see its costs leap 16% under Trumps proposed tariff and would likely have to raise prices by about 4.5%, Chris Carey, a Wells Fargo equity analyst, said in a November note. The US imported nearly $3 billion of avocados from Mexico last year. - Anthony Behar/Sipa/AP But the biggest category of agricultural imports from Mexico last year was fresh fruits, of which the US imported $9 billion worth, with avocados accounting for $3.1 billion of that total. These products now all stand to cost consumers more, especially since grocers and farmers tend to operate on very low profit margin compared to other industries, giving them little leeway to absorb higher tariffs costs, and instead will pass it down to consumers, said Lovely. CNNs Alicia Wallace contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Gram Slattery and Luc Cohen WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump faces an arduous task delivering on his Inauguration Day promise of a "Golden Age of America" in the face of a closely split Congress, inevitable lawsuits and recalcitrant world leaders. After taking the oath of office, Trump outlined a series of sweeping executive orders, the first steps in enacting a far-reaching agenda to expand America's territory, curb immigration, boost fossil fuel production and roll back environmental regulations. Trump's allies and advisers have been drafting executive orders and agency regulations for months. They argue privately and publicly they are better prepared to enact their vision than they were during Trump's 2017-2021 term, when Republican infighting and a lack of foresight led to setbacks in the courts and in Congress. Trump will benefit this time from a deeply conservative Supreme Court, which handed him some major legal victories on the campaign trail. A third of its nine members are his appointees. But having already served one term, he will leave office in four years, and many of his proposals are so norm-shattering they are certain to result in extensive litigation that tests the boundaries of constitutional law. Advocacy groups - from the environmental activist group the Sierra Club to the American Civil Liberties Union - are putting together plans to push back. Representatives for Trump did not respond to a request for comment. IMMIGRATION No policy area will be subject to more aggressive pushback from Democrats and civil rights organizations than immigration. Trump's team confirmed on Monday it plans to try to end birthright citizenship, a long-held constitutional principle that holds the vast majority of people born in the United States are automatically citizens. Individuals denied citizenship benefits will sue, legal experts say, leading to a protracted legal dispute. Most scholars believe birthright citizenship is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment, and they say the Constitution gives Congress the power to regulate citizenship. No president before Trump has attempted to redefine citizenship rules through executive action. Another element of Trump's promised immigration plan - invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 - would also face legal pushback. The seldom-used act generally allows for the deportation of certain foreigners during times of conflict. It has only been used three times. George Fishman, a former Homeland Security official under Trump, told Reuters last year that the Trump administration would need to prove the immigrants were sent by a foreign government. "I worry a little about overpromising," Fishman said. Trump also said in his inaugural address that his administration would deport "millions and millions of criminal aliens" but a deportation effort of that scale could cost tens of billions of dollars and would likely last years. TIKTOK ON THE CLOCK One of Trump's most tenuous promises could be keeping TikTok online in the United States. While Trump did not bring up the social media app during his inaugural address on Monday, he has recently signaled he would keep the app functioning. It was essentially banned starting on Sunday, but apart from a brief interruption for U.S. users, it remained online after Trump said he would try to save it. All the same, Trump's long-term options may be limited. Biden could have granted TikTok's owner, Bytedance, an additional 90 days to find a U.S. buyer if certain terms were met, said Colin Costello, an attorney with Freshfields and a former intelligence official. But Biden did not grant that extension and, now that the deadline has expired, the extension option may be off the table. Halting the ban on a longer-term basis, Costello said, could require Trump to direct the Justice Department to "deprioritize" or not enforce the law, probably for a specified period of time. That would result in legal uncertainty, however, that tech companies might not be willing to assume. Trump's legislative options may be limited, too. Some allies in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have publicly bucked Trump, saying TikTok needs to be sold to a U.S. company or cease operating immediately. UKRAINE, PANAMA, MARS Trump pledged frequently during the 2024 election campaign to solve the Ukraine war before even taking office. But he missed that deadline, and his advisers now concede it will take months to reach a peace deal. During his inaugural address, Trump also repeated his aspiration to take back the Panama Canal, though it is the sovereign territory of an ally, and it is unclear how he would do so. The president said he would rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America." While he can direct the U.S. Geological Survey to make such a change, it would be unlikely to be recognized internationally. He also vowed that the United States would send a man to Mars during his term, which will end in January 2029. He has his work cut out for him. The moon, for reference, is about 239,000 miles from Earth while Mars is, on average, about 140 million miles away. The U.S. space agency NASA in December announced new delays in sending U.S. astronauts back to the moon. 'DRILL, BABY, DRILL' Trump said on Monday he would declare a national energy emergency to unleash domestic fossil fuel production. While legal experts say presidents have broad authority to declare national emergencies, Biden has put up some roadblocks to specific measures that Trump may want to take. For instance, Biden earlier this month used the Outer Continental Shelf Land Act to ban oil and gas drilling in all federal waters off the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico and portions of the Bering Sea in Alaska. Trump has said he would revoke that ban, but legal experts say it is unclear that presidents have that authority. During Trump's first term, he tried to undo a federal ban on drilling near Alaska via an executive order, but a federal judge determined his order was unlawful. Federal law gives Trump the ability to declare an energy emergency, which may allow him to temporarily suspend emissions rules for power plants and skirt environmental review for energy projects. (Reporting by Gram Slattery in Washington and Luc Cohen in New York; Additional reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Ross Colvin and Howard Goller) In a world grappling with mounting electronic waste and finite resources, EasyCep, a pioneer in refurbished electronics, has emerged as a sustainability champion. We sat down with Mehmet Akif Ozdemir, CEO and co-founder of EasyCep, to discuss how the company addresses the global e-waste crisis and sets new standards for responsible consumption. Q: EasyCep was recently named Sustainability Service of the Year in Europe at the 2024 International Business Awards. How does this recognition reflect your mission? It's a significant milestone for us. The Golden Stevie Award acknowledges our commitment to reducing electronic waste and promoting sustainability through the circular economy. Our goal has always been to extend the lifespan of electronic devices and reduce their environmental impact. This recognition motivates us to further our efforts globally. Q: Electronic waste is a growing concern worldwide. What role does EasyCep play in addressing this issue? The numbers are staggering. According to the United Nations, the world generated 62 million tons of electronic waste in 2022, expected to reach 82 million tons by 2030. These discarded devices often contain harmful substances like mercury, which pose serious environmental and human health risks. At EasyCep, we refurbish devices, giving them a second life and reducing the need for new production. By increasing their lifespan, we're not only conserving resources but also helping to curb the ecological footprint of the tech industry. Q: Can you share some measurable impacts EasyCep has achieved? Certainly, since our inception, we've renewed over 400,000 devices and are targeting 340,000 more in 2024. Our operations have saved over 13,000 tons of CO2 emissions, and we're on track to recycle approximately 21,000 kilograms of waste batteries by year-end. Our Sell Your Device campaign encourages consumers to contribute to the circular economy by trading in their old devices. This initiative has been pivotal in fostering responsible consumption habits. Q: EasyCep has expanded beyond Turkiye and operates in Qatar and Azerbaijan. What's next for your global sustainability strategy? While electronic waste is a global challenge, our impact goes beyond just addressing e-waste. At EasyCep, we've taken significant steps to regulate and organize the second-hand smartphone market in key regions. This approach not only enhances the circular economy's effects but also creates a profile of responsible, sustainability-conscious consumers. By refining both the buyback and refurbished sales processes, we ensure that sustainability becomes an integral part of every step in the value chain. Our strategy for expansion focuses on replicating this comprehensive model in markets where we can drive both environmental and economic benefits. Q: Technology evolves rapidly. How is EasyCep preparing for future sustainability challenges? The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics is transforming industries, and we see an opportunity to integrate these advancements into our processes. For example, as robots become more prevalent, they will eventually face the same end-of-life challenges as current devices. With our experience and expertise, we're prepared to refurbish and extend the lifespan of such technology. Additionally, we're continuously evaluating how AI can enhance the efficiency of our operations, from quality checks to streamlining refurbishing processes. Our goal is to remain agile and adapt to the needs of future markets. Q: Sustainability often requires consumer buy-in. How does EasyCep engage and educate its customers? We believe sustainability should be accessible and practical. By transforming retail stores and establishing strategic partnerships, we've developed innovative software and business models that bring the buyback and sales approach to consumers wherever they are. Through our EasyCep Express model, we're expanding our presence to small vendors in the smartphone market, creating a wider network of impact. We also collaborate with some of the largest companies in the world and the regions we operate in, making sustainability a seamless part of the consumer journey. Q: What does sustainability mean to you personally? Sustainability is about balance, balancing growth with environmental stewardship and innovation with resource conservation. It's a responsibility we all share, not just as businesses but as individuals. At EasyCep, we're proud to be part of a movement making sustainability a norm rather than an exception. Q: As a leader in the circular economy, what's your vision for the future of electronics? The future of electronics lies in responsible production and consumption. It's not just about creating new devices but also maximizing the value of existing ones. Our vision is to expand the circular economy globally, ensuring every electronic device has a second life and contributes to a sustainable planet. Additionally, we're proud to have been recognized as Startup of the Year at the Global Sustainability & ESG Awards 2024 in London. This award highlights our efforts to lead the global conversation on refurbished electronics and sustainability. About EasyCep Founded in 2018 by Mehmet Akif Ozdemir and Ismail Dincer, EasyCep is Turkey's leading technology company specializing in refurbishing electronic devices. The company operates at the intersection of innovation and sustainability, offering consumers high-quality refurbished smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and laptops while promoting a circular economy. EasyCep has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the 2024 Golden Stevie Award for Sustainability Service of the Year in Europe and the 18th Sales & Customer Service Gold Stevie Award. It also secured a spot in the Deloitte 2023 EMEA Technology Fast 500, ranking among the top 100 fastest-growing companies in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and placed third on the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Turkey list. With $11 million raised in its Series A funding round, EasyCep has rapidly expanded its operations to Qatar and Azerbaijan, with plans to enter new markets in the coming years. Supported by 314 employees and a robust network of 200 physical locations, the company has renewed over 400,000 devices and aims to refurbish 340,000 more by the end of 2024. For more on EasyCep's initiatives and sustainable solutions, visit EasyCep.com. (Reuters) - Russia signed a strategic partnership treaty with Iran on Friday that follows similar pacts with China and North Korea. All three countries are adversaries of the United States, and Russia has used its ties with them to help blunt the impact of Western sanctions and boost its war effort in Ukraine. Here are some of the key points of the agreements. RUSSIA-CHINA "NO LIMITS" PARTNERSHIP, 2022 Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping met in Beijing on Feb. 4, 2022 and announced a strategic partnership that they said was aimed at countering the influence of the United States and would have "no 'forbidden' areas of cooperation". It was signed 20 days before Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow and Beijing said their relationship was superior to any Cold War era alliance and they would work together in fields including space, climate change, artificial intelligence and control of the internet. They did not declare a formal military alliance, but have held high-profile joint exercises in the past three years, and Putin has described China as an ally. Bilateral trade, in dollar terms, reached $244.8 billion in 2024, up from $146.9 billion in 2021, and China is a top buyer of Russian oil. The U.S. accuses China of helping to power Russia's war effort in Ukraine by providing it with components used in arms production, such as microelectronics, that it can no longer source in the West because of sanctions. RUSSIA-NORTH KOREA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP, 2024 Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" pact in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024, including a mutual defence clause in case of aggression against either country. Kim expressed "unconditional support" for "all of Russia's policies", including "a full support and firm alliance" for Russia's war in Ukraine. Putin has said Russia would help North Korea build satellites. The U.S. and South Korea say North Korea has shipped ballistic missiles, anti-tank rockets and millions of rounds of ammunition for Russia to use in the war. Moscow and Pyongyang have denied weapons transfers. Ukraine, South Korea and the U.S. say Kim has sent 11,000 troops to fight for Russia in its western Kursk region, part of which has been held by Ukraine since August. Ukraine says many North Korean soldiers have been killed and wounded, and last week said for the first time that it had captured two of them alive. Moscow has never confirmed or denied their presence. RUSSIA-IRAN AGREEMENT, JANUARY 2025 The deal was signed in Moscow on Friday by Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who said it would take their relations to a new level across a host of areas including trade, transport and energy. The treaty says the two sides will work together against military threats and take part in joint exercises. It does not contain a mutual defence clause - unlike Russia's treaties with North Korea and Belarus - but says if one country is attacked, the other must not provide any military or other assistance to the aggressor. There is no specific mention of arms transfers, a topic of particular concern to the U.S. and its allies, but the two sides say they will develop their "military-technical cooperation". Russia has made extensive use of Iranian drones in the Ukraine war. The U.S. accused Tehran in September of delivering close-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine, which Tehran denied. The Kremlin has declined to confirm it received Iranian missiles, but has acknowledged that its cooperation with Iran includes "the most sensitive areas". (Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Peter Graff) Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, meet with community members and workers of World Central Kitchen on Monday in Altadena. (Carlin Stiehl / For the Times) The first stop former Vice President Kamala Harris made after leaving office and returning to California on Monday was Altadena, where she met with volunteers and firefighters working on the Eaton fire. Hours after attending President Trump's inauguration, Harris and former second gentleman Doug Emhoff landed at Burbank Airport and headed to a former auto repair shop in Altadena. Harris and Emhoff met with volunteers working for World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit organization founded by chef Jose Andres that is distributing free meals in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Then they helped distribute meals at the start of the dinner rush. "The volunteers who were there, some of them who lost their own homes, are there doing the work of taking care of perfect strangers," Harris said. "These are folks who understand the strength and the value of community." Harris' visit came as Los Angeles County announced that all mandatory evacuation orders in Altadena had been lifted. The county also increased the estimated tally of buildings damaged in the blaze: 9,418 buildings destroyed and 1,069 damaged. One 72-year-old Pasadena resident named Ann, who said she didn't want her full name in the media, stopped by the World Central Kitchen site to pick up dinner before returning to her home near the Rose Bowl. To her surprise, the volunteer who handed the meal to her a beef and rice dish, an orange and a plastic packet of utensils was the former vice president. She set down the bag on the asphalt outside the garage and immediately called her sister, saying, "This is too fantastic." "Kamala Harris is serving the food!" she said in a voicemail message. "It's 5:15. Maybe if you hurry, you can get over here!" Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, meet with members of Fire Station 12 on Monday in Altadena. (Carlin Stiehl / For the Times) Then Harris and Emhoff visited Los Angeles County Fire Station 12 on Lincoln Avenue, where they met with firefighters who were working overnight on Jan. 7 when the Eaton fire erupted. "Moments of crisis really do reveal the heroes among us," Harris said. She said at least a dozen firefighters had lost their homes during the Eaton and Palisades fires. "California firefighters, time and time again, prove themselves to be the best at the kind of work that is about dealing with these moments of unprecedented crisis and doing it with extraordinary courage and sacrifice," Harris said. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, who was among the firefighters who met Harris, said he was "so appreciative" of the federal assistance President Biden approved before he left office. That agreement will cover 100% of the cost of California's fire management and debris removal for the next six months, an increase over the usual federal share of 75%. Gov. Gavin Newsom requested the funding after meeting with Biden in Los Angeles the day after the fires started. "It was really a touching moment for me, because the federal government is going to help this area rebuild," Marrone said. "I thank them for that." Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. CAIRO/TEL AVIV (Reuters) -Hamas said on Monday it would next release hostages held in Gaza on Saturday, after an official with the Palestinian militant group had said they would be released a day later than expected. Hamas is set to release the more than 90 hostages over the coming weeks as part of a complex ceasefire deal reached with Israel this month that could end the 15-month war in Gaza. The militant group said in a statement that the next group of hostages would next be released on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees who are held by Israel. Earlier, Nahed Al-Fakhouri, head of the Hamas prisoners' media office, had said the hostages would be released on Sunday. Hamas had been expected to release four Israeli hostages on Saturday, seven days after the ceasefire came into effect. A senior Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, reacted to Al-Fakhouri's statement by telling Reuters the deadline for the hostages to be released was Saturday. This month, Israel and Hamas agreed to a three-phase ceasefire that could bring an end to the 15-month war in Gaza. The ceasefire came into effect on Sunday with Hamas releasing three Israeli hostages. Israel also released Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The ceasefire accord outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and release of hostages taken by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. (Reporting by Nidal Al Al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Emily Rose in Tel Aviv; Editing by Daniel Wallis) By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -Harvard University will provide additional protections for Jewish students under a settlement announced on Tuesday that resolves two lawsuits accusing the Ivy League school of becoming a hotbed of rampant antisemitism. Harvard said it will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, including specific examples of discrimination and harassment, when evaluating whether conduct violates its non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies. The university will also address Frequently Asked Questions about its policies online, report annually for five years on its enforcement efforts, and provide training on combating antisemitism to staff who review discrimination complaints. Harvard's settlement resolves a lawsuit by Students Against Antisemitism, and a lawsuit by Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education and the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law. Both lawsuits were among many accusing major universities of encouraging antisemitism after war broke out between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, leading to several months of pro-Palestinian protests on American college campuses. Marc Kasowitz, a lawyer for Students Against Antisemitism, in an interview said he had "great confidence" that Harvard was committed to protecting its Jewish students, including those targeted simply for supporting Israel. "Statements about destroying the state of Israel, murdering Israelis, and that sort of thing are antisemitic statements," he said. "That gives us confidence that these measures are going to be very, very protective of the interests and rights of Jewish students on the Harvard campus." HARVARD PLEDGES A 'WELCOMING' CAMPUS Jewish students accused Harvard of selectively enforcing its anti-discrimination policies, including by tolerating their being maligned as "murderers" and subjected to a viral "die-in" where attendees accused Israel of war crimes. They also accused Harvard of hiring professors who promoted anti-Jewish violence and spread antisemitic propaganda. Last June, Harvard task forces on antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias each found a Cambridge, Massachusetts campus beset by discrimination and harassment, including toward people with pro-Palestinian as well as pro-Israel views. Both lawsuits accused Harvard of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars federal funds recipients from allowing discrimination based on race, religion and national origin. The FAQ includes a statement recognizing that many Jews consider Zionism part of their identity, and that discrimination or harassment targeting Jewish and Israeli people can also violate Harvard's policy if directed toward Zionists. "We are committed to ensuring our Jewish community is embraced, respected and can thrive at Harvard," a university spokesperson said in a statement. "We are resolute in our efforts to confront antisemitism and will continue to implement robust steps to maintain a welcoming, open, and safe campus environment where every student feels a sense of belonging," the spokesperson added. Both settlements include unspecified monetary terms. Harvard did not admit wrongdoing. TRUMP'S IMPACT Alexander Kestenbaum, a Harvard Divinity School student and plaintiff in the Students Against Antisemitism lawsuit, did not settle and will keep seeking compensatory damages. His new lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The settlement came after a federal judge in Boston refused to dismiss both lawsuits. Kasowitz said President Donald Trump's statements about how his administration would protecting Jewish students' rights was "certainly helpful" in reaching the settlement. Students Against Antisemitism settled similar litigation against New York University last July, and Kasowitz said the group was pleased that campus life for Jewish students there has "dramatically improved." The group is still pursuing Title VI cases against Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania. Those schools did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Harvard did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by David Gregorio) Rep. Matt Gergely, 45, represented the 35th House district in Allegheny County. (Rep. Matt Gergely | Facebook) (Grace David | The Center Square) (The Center Square) With flags at the capitol flying at half-mast, Pennsylvania legislators began to move forward to fill the vacancy left by House by Rep. Matt Gergely, D-McKeesport, who died this weekend at 45. Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia signed a writ of election scheduling a special election to determine his replacement March 25th. Until then, the House will remain evenly split with 101 representatives on each side of the aisle. McClinton joined a host of legislators sharing their grief in the wake of Gegelys death. Im heartbroken by Representative Gergelys untimely passing and am praying for his family and community. Before coming to the legislature, Gergely served his Allegheny County community as the chief revenue officer for McKeesport. He was elected in a special election in 2023 to fill the vacancy left by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. He was also a thoughtful, well-liked, and respected member of our legislature, who was deeply committed to serving his neighbors. He was a lifelong public servant in his beloved hometown of McKeesport before being elected to the state House, where he leaves a legacy as a champion for Pennsylvanias working families and children, said McClinton Republican leadership shared similar sentiment in a joint statement. While Matt was only in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives a short time, his commitment to his family and community were deeply felt among his peers and he quickly earned friends and respect on both sides of the aisle. On swearing-in day, Minority Leader Rep. Jesse Topper, R-Bedford, removed his name from the running for House Speaker in deference to Gergelys absence. The late representative's district has historically voted Democratic. A suburb of Pittsburgh, it includes Clairton, Duquesne, and McKeesport. By Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Newly sworn-in President Donald Trump vowed on Monday that the United States would take back the Panama Canal as he delivered an inauguration speech in which he invoked the 19th century expansionist doctrine of "Manifest Destiny" in laying out plans for space exploration. Doubling down on his pre-inauguration threat to reimpose U.S. control over the canal, Trump again accused Panama of breaking the promises it made for the final transfer of the strategic waterway in 1999 and of ceding its operation to China - claims that the Panamanian government has vehemently denied. "We didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we're taking it back," Trump said. He gave no further details on when or how he intended to do that but had previously refused to rule out possible use of military force, which drew criticism from Washington's Latin American friends and foes alike. Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino on Monday responded on X that his country has administered the canal responsibly for world trade, including for the U.S., and that it "is and will continue to be Panamanian." Trump's reiteration of his threat about the Panama Canal as he began his second term was his most blatant mention of an agenda for territorial expansion that he has laid out in recent weeks. In the run-up to his inauguration, he had also said he wanted to acquire Greenland, portraying the overseas Danish territory as crucial for U.S. national security interests, and mused about turning Canada into a U.S. state. POSSIBLE ENCOURAGEMENT FOR RUSSIA, CHINA AMBITIONS Critics have accused Trump of language that evokes modern-day imperialism, suggesting such rhetoric could encourage Russia on its war in Ukraine and give justification to China if it decides to invade self-ruled Taiwan. "You cant be a president of peace and take back the Panama Canal," Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia under the Obama administration, wrote on X. Some analysts have questioned whether Trump is serious about pursuing what critics say would be a land grab, speculating he may be laying down an extreme negotiating position to squeeze out concessions later on. Also, Trump, in first term from 2017-2021, was known for issuing some headline-grabbing threats and pronouncements that he failed to deliver on. While Trump made no mention of Greenland or Canada in his inaugural address, he offered hints of territorial aspirations during his second four-year term. "The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons," he said. "And we will pursue our Manifest Destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars," Trump added. Manifest Destiny, a phrase originally coined in the mid-1800s, was the belief in a God-ordained right of the U.S. to expand its control throughout North America, and was used to justify the seizure of lands from Mexico and from Native Americans. In Monday's speech, Trump also repeated his promise to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump said the U.S. had "foolishly" given the Panama Canal to Panama. The United States largely built the canal and administered territory surrounding the passage for decades. But the United States and Panama signed a pair of accords in 1977 that paved the way for the canal's return to full Panamanian control. The United States handed it over in 1999 after a period of joint administration. "We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made, and Panama's promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated," Trump said. He said U.S. ships are "being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form." Panama has insisted that it treats fairly all vessels that transit the canal, and has said China has no control over its administration. China does not control or administer the canal, but a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings 0001.HK has long managed two ports located near the canal's Caribbean and Pacific entrances. Shortly after Trump spoke on Monday, the Panama maritime authority said it had launched an audit of the Panama Ports Company, controlled by CK Hutchison. The canal is an 82-km (51-mile) artificial waterway that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans through Panama and is critical to U.S. imports of autos and commercial goods by container ships from Asia, and for U.S. exports of commodities, including liquefied natural gas. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick, Jeff Mason, Nandita Bose, Katharine Jackson in Washington, Elida Moreno in Panama City; writing by Matt Spetalnick; editing by Don Durfee and Alistair Bell) By Alessandra Galloni DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is seeking a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, said on Tuesday that at least 200,000 European peacekeepers would be needed to prevent a new Russian attack after any ceasefire deal. The Ukrainian leader, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland a day after Trump returned to power following months of promises to end the war in Ukraine quickly, also urged European leaders to do more to defend the continent. The prospect of a rapid settlement has focused minds in Kyiv and Europe on the urgent need for security guarantees to prevent any future Russian attack, with the idea of peacekeeping force circulating. "From all the Europeans? 200,000, it's a minimum. It's a minimum, otherwise it's nothing," Zelenskiy said when asked about the idea of a peacekeeping contingent on an interview panel after delivering his speech. That number is around the size of the entire French armed forces, estimated at just over 200,000 by France's defence ministry in 2020. Zelenskiy said at least that number would be needed as a security guarantee if Russia's armed forces totalled 1.5 million personnel and Ukraine had only half that number. Zelenskiy said such a force would only be part of the security guarantees that Ukraine needed. TRUMP MEETING The Ukrainian leader said Kyiv was working to set up a meeting between himself and Trump. "The teams have been working on a meeting, they are currently in the process," Zelenskiy said about those efforts. Trump, who returned to office on Monday, has said he would stop the war in Ukraine swiftly, without saying how. Zelenskiy said Ukraine would not agree to Russian demands that it drastically reduce the size of its military, predicting that Russian President Vladimir Putin would demand Ukraine cut its armed forces to a fifth of their size. "This is what he wants. We will not allow this to happen," Zelenskiy said. In his speech, Zelenskiy said Europe must make itself a strong global player, able to guarantee peace and security for itself and for others. He suggested Europe had less influence over Washington because the United States viewed its allies' contribution to security as lacking. "Does anyone in the United States worry that Europe might abandon them someday might stop being their ally? The answer is no," Zelenskiy said. He said that Europeans needed to devise a united security and defence policy and alluded to a pre-inauguration remark by Trump, who proposed a massive hike in defence spending for NATO members to 5% of GDP. "If it takes 5% of GDP to cover defence, then so be it, 5% it is. And there is no need to play with people's emotions that defence should be compensated at the expense of medicine or pensions that's not fair," Zelenskiy said. (Reporting by Alessandra Galloni and Yuliia Dysa; writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Peter Graff and Alex Richardson) Oil prices slid on Tuesday after President Donald Trump signed executive orders aimed at unleashing US production and hinted at tariffs against trading partners Canada and Mexico, sparking fears of a trade war. West Texas Intermediate (CL=F) dropped more than 2% to close at $76.89 per barrel while Brent (BZ=F) also fell more than 1% to settle at $79.29. On day one of his presidency, Trump declared a national energy emergency, paving the way for emergency approvals of leasing, production, transportation, refining, and generation of domestic oil and gas. He also signed an executive order aimed at unleashing Alaska's resources by expediting permitting and leasing projects in the state. Trump also mentioned his intent to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Feb. 1, sparking concerns of a trade war that could impact economic growth and, as a result, oil consumption. "If the White House does impose tariffs, US trading partners would likely retaliate," wrote Goldman Sachs analysts on Tuesday. President Donald Trump holds up an executive order commuting sentences for people convicted of Jan. 6 offenses in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) On Tuesday, Trump also withdrew the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, an international treaty that he pulled out of during his first presidency before Biden rejoined it. Trump also said he intends to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which was drawn down during the Biden administration after prices skyrocketed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Oil started the year on an upward trend amid cold temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere and recently announced widened US sanctions against Russian energy. Year to date, WTI is up more than 6%, while Brent crude has gained more than 5% during the same period. Ines Ferre is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @ines_ferre. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance WASHINGTON An affidavit by a former sister-in-law of Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of Defense, alleges that Hegseth regularly flew into alcohol-fueled rages, terrified his ex-wife and made sexist and racist comments. The allegations in the affidavit come days before Hegseths nomination is taken up by the Senate. On Monday, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved Hegseths nomination, 14-13, along party lines. In a signed affidavit, Pete Hegseth's former sister-in-law alleged he terrified his ex-wife. Hegseths lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, dismissed the allegations as false, noting that she has stated in court filings that there was no physical abuse in their marriage. Parlatore said the complainant was an opponent of Trump and that she had a vendetta against the Hegseth family after her divorce from Hegseths brother. The sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, made the allegations to the FBI and recounted them for the Armed Services Committee because she does not believe Hegseth should be Defense secretary, according to the affidavit. She wrote that she did not personally witness abuse and that the events took place about 10 years ago. A copy of the affidavit, obtained by USA TODAY, was first reported by NBC News. Among the allegations she made: Hegseth's second wife sought refuge in a closet after Hegseth threatened her. She was so concerned about her safety that she shared a code word with her sister-in-law to alert her when Hegseth threatened her. She texted the code word to the sister-in-law in 2015 or 2016. The complainant witnessed Hegseth drunk on several occasions, including one Christmas when he vomited and passed out. In another instance, at a bar in 2013 in Minneapolis, Hegseth danced with drinks in both hands, broke glasses and was dragged out. On the walk home he made comments that implied he condoned non-consensual sex. On another occasion in 2009, Hegseth was found drunk at a strip club in downtown Minneapolis in his military uniform, drunk and getting lap dances. He had to be dragged out of the club. He disparaged Hispanic people and said Christian people needed to have more babies than Muslims to avoid being overtaken. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee said the allegations about Hegseth demand a deeper dive into his background. As I have said for months, the reports of Mr. Hegseths history of alleged sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and public misconduct necessitate an exhaustive background investigation, Reed said in a statement. I have been concerned that the background check process has been inadequate, and this sworn affidavit confirms that fact. Hegseth, a former Fox News host and veteran with no experience in government, was an unconventional choice to head the military's more-than-2 million servicemembers. But his criticisms of the Pentagon for adopting so-called "woke" ideology and diversity initiatives were in line with talking points common to Trump and his allies. More: Why women combat vets are seething over Senators' support of Pete Hegseth Hegseth faced a barrage of criticism after reports emerged that a woman had filed a sexual assault report against him in 2017. According to a police report, the woman said she ended up alone in a room with Hegseth at a California hotel hosting a California Federation of Republican Women event where Hegseth spoke. She claimed Hegseth blocked her from leaving the room and knocked her phone away. The woman believed something may have been dropped in her drink, because her memories of what transpired were hazy. Also brought up in the hearing were reports that Hegseth was intoxicated or drank while at work at Fox News and Concerned Veterans of America, which he previously headed. Hegseth was dismissed from the veterans' organization over his drinking, according to a New Yorker report. Davis Winkie's role covering nuclear threats and national security at USA TODAY is funded by a grant from Outrider Foundation. Outrider Foundation does not provide editorial input. You can reach Davis via email at dwinkie@usatoday.com or via the Signal encrypted messaging app at 770-539-3257. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pete Hegseth threatened, terrified his ex-wife, sister-in-law alleges In his first public comments following President Donald Trump's inauguration, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated on Monday that he sees a second Trump presidency as an opportunity for a new era in U.S.-Russian relations. Putin spoke of the challenges Trump faced in the weeks running up to the November election, including the assassination attempts, and said Trump had "showed courage to win in a convincing manner." In a televised statement made from his official residence, the Russian leader said he recognized "the desire [of Trump's team] to restore direct contacts with Russia," blaming the rupture of U.S.-Russian relations on the Biden administration -- while neglecting to mention his decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which saw tensions spike between Washington and Moscow. After charm offensive, Ukraine braces for Trump's return PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a video conference meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Jan. 21, 2025. (Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik via Reuters) Putin also recognized Trump's stated desire to de-escalate the conflict, saying "we also hear [Trump's] statement about the need to do everything possible to prevent World War III. We certainly welcome this attitude and congratulate the president-elect of the United States of America on his assumption of office." Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Putin has been increasingly isolated on the world stage. In June 2024, fresh off the heels of his closely watched visit to North Korea, Putin met with Vietnamese President To Lam in Hanoi to reaffirm the Kremlin's ties to its long-time ally Vietnam in a bid to boost trade. Trump has already indicated he would meet with Putin, saying during an Oval Office spray on Monday that "I'll be meeting with President Putin." Trump didn't say when the meeting might occur. Later, when asked for his message to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump suggested the Ukrainian president is willing to come to the negotiating table, but said he's unsure if Putin would. "He told me he wants to make a deal. He wants to make -- Zelenskyy wants to make a deal. I don't know if Putin does," Trump said. During his latest January press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump had indicated he hoped to meet with Putin within six months into his second presidency. "I know that Putin would like to meet," Trump said at the time. "I don't think it's appropriate that I meet until after the 20th, which I hate because, you know, every day, people are being -- many, many young people are being killed." Drones attack Russian military industrial hub 600 miles from Ukraine This comes as Russia and Ukraine exchanged large drone attacks on Sunday night into Monday, with UAVs forcing flight restrictions at three Russian airports and prompting reports of an attack on a major military aviation hub. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is "ready to work together with Americans to achieve peace," referring to Trump as a "strong person." "The inauguration of the new president of the United States, Donald Trump. He is a strong person. I wish President Trump and all of America success. Ukrainians are ready to work together with Americans to achieve peace, true peace. This is an opportunity that must be seized," Zelenskyy said during his daily remarks on Monday. This moment "is a good opportunity" to establish security "for ourselves and for everyone in Europe," Zelenskyy added. ABC News' Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report. Putin eyes reset in US-Russian relations as Trump enters 2nd term originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A glimpse into AI-enabled archaeology 09:06, January 21, 2025 By Yang Qingyue ( People's Daily Archaeology and artificial intelligence (AI) may seem like two different worlds, but they are coming together in a fascinating way. Archaeologists dig through the dust to uncover the past, while AI has the computational power to process vast amounts of data. This powerful combination is revolutionizing archaeological research, as AI technologies, with deep learning at its core, are increasingly used to explore and understand human history. Photo shows the computer-assisted reconstruction of two pieces of oracle bone inscriptions from the collection of Peking University. (Photo from the Key Laboratory of China's Ministry of Education for Oracle Information Processing at Anyang Normal University.) Imagine having a "perspective eye" that can penetrate dense forests and unveil ancient ruins hidden underground - that's the wonder created by airborne laser scanning technology. Acting as the "X-ray" in archaeology, it can emit lasers from aircraft to scan the ground, even exposing ancient cities nestled deep within jungles with remarkable clarity. This technology can produce an extensive amount of data, just like capturing an entire city in high-definition imagery. Archaeologists and AI experts leverage deep learning methods like convolutional neural networks to train AI "assistants" so that they can automatically identify ancient ruins from the airborne laser scanning data, significantly boosting the efficiency of archaeological discovery. Take oracle bone fragments as an example. Chinese oracle bones are pieces of ox scapula or turtle plastron, which were used for divination during the late Shang Dynasty (1600 BC-1046 BC). They bear the earliest significant corpus of ancient Chinese writing and contain important historical information about the Shang. Over 100,000 pieces of oracle bone have been found so far. Recently, Chinese archaeologists and AI scientists have developed a novel "puzzle-solving tool" - a network model based on internal similarity, which can solve puzzles in three steps. Finding edges - The model adopts the "edge equidistant matching" algorithm to carefully search along the edges of oracle bone fragments and identify shape-similar parts that might interlock, which is much like finding edge pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. Piecing together - In the second step, the model will piece together two fragment images to see if they can align perfectly. A researcher shows how oracle bone inscriptions are pieced together with the help of AI technology. (Photo from the Key Laboratory of China's Ministry of Education for Oracle Information Processing at Anyang Normal University.) Verifying patterns - This is the most critical step, which involves analyzing the consistency of textures at the joints. When there are inscriptions at the joints, it is also important to examine whether these inscriptions are properly aligned. If the two fragments were originally a whole, the texture at the joint should naturally continue. The model employs a unique technique to accurately measure the similarity of these textures. Experimental results have shown that the model has an accuracy rate of over 90 percent. The magical "puzzle-solving tool" has already helped archaeologists identify 37 pairs of oracle bone fragments that can be correctly assembled. The Nasca lines in southern Peru, a UNESCO world heritage site, are enigmatic legacies left by ancient civilizations. These massive ground drawings, also known as geoglyphs stretching hundreds of meters, are difficult to discern from the ground and can only be fully appreciated from high above, posing a significant challenge to archaeologists. For years, researchers have relied on laborious manual searches and low-altitude flights for observation and photography, which was inefficient and may lead to missed details. Over the past century, archaeologists have discovered 430 geoglyphs. Today, the AI-enabled archaeological research has contributed to the discovery efforts, with an additional 303 geoglyphs identified in just six months. The algorithm functions like an experienced "detective," analyzing high-resolution aerial photographs to outline the shapes of candidate pictures, which are then confirmed by archaeologists. This has greatly enhanced the discovery and research efficiency. AI is rapidly transforming many fields of study at an unprecedented pace, driving scientific research into a new era. It is reshaping how we conduct scientific research, endowing us with greater insight and predictive power, and helping us better understand the past, navigate the present, and address future challenges. (Yang Qingyue is a researcher with the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.) (Web editor: Chang Sha, Du Mingming) A woman in Indiana is accused of putting her two-year-old child inside a suitcase to keep the kid "warm" while inside a bus. Ashley Gibson, 29, has been arrested by authorities with the Bloomington Police Department after she put her toddler inside a suitcase and boarded the bus. The incident happened on December 12 around 1:43 p.m. The bus driver hit the brakes and called law enforcement after Gibson stated that she placed her child inside the suitcase. It wasn't immediately clear if she voluntarily made the statement or if the driver overheard her, WAGM TV reported. Video footage from inside the bus showed Gibson later unzipping the luggage and removing the boy. The boy had been inside the suitcase for about 18 minutes, according to Fox 59. Why Did the Mother Keep the Child Inside the Suitcase? In an interview with the responding offer, Gibson said she put him in the suitcase to "keep him warm." It was noted that the child appeared to be appropriately dressed for the cold weather, including a winter jacket and pants. The officer questioned her further on why she placed the child in the suitcase, Gibson told authorities that she ran the idea by her family caseworker, who allegedly gave her approval, per Indiana Public Media. What Charges Will the Mother Face? Gibson was promptly arrested by the police and transported to the Monroe County Jail. She was preliminary charged with a level 6 felony for neglect of a dependent and criminal recklessness. The 29-year-old mother is currently out of jail under the condition that she complies with instructions from the Department of Child Services. She is scheduled for an appearance at the Monroe Circuit Court 9 for a pretrial conference on March 12. She will also be scheduled to appear for a jury trial on April 23. Gibson has pleaded not guilty to the charges. She was also released on her own recognizance, which means she was allowed to leave custody without having to post bail, based on her written promise to appear in court when required. Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang will announce the nominations for the 97th Academy Awards. The two actors will come together on Thursday for a live presentation from the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater to reveal the nominees in all 23 Academy Award categories. Sennott is an actor, writer and comedian known for her roles in the films "Saturday Night," "Shiva Baby," "Bodies Bodies Bodies" and "Bottoms," which she also executive produced and co-wrote. 2025 Oscars to stream live on Hulu for the 1st time She also starred in the television series "The Idol" and "Call Your Mother." PHOTO: Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott will host the 2025 Oscars. (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) Yang is an Emmy-nominated comedian, actor and writer known for "Saturday Night Live." He is also a co-host on the podcast, Las Culturistas. He most recently starred in "Wicked" alongside Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo and also starred in "Fire Island" and "Dicks: The Musical." This year, Yang will star in "The Wedding Banquet," a remake of the 1993 comedy of the same name, which also stars Lily Gladstone. The Oscar nominations ceremony was previously rescheduled from Jan. 17 to Jan. 19 due to the wildfires in Los Angeles. It was moved a second time to Jan. 23. In addition to the new date for the nominations announcement, the voting period for nominations was also extended to Jan. 17, and the Oscars nominees luncheon, which was previously scheduled for Feb. 10, was cancelled. The Scientific and Technical Awards was also rescheduled to a later date, which hasn't been announced yet. How can I watch Oscar nominations? The Oscar nominations for the 97th Academy Awards will be revealed live on "Good Morning America," "ABC News Live," Disney+ and Hulu. It will also be live streamed on Oscars.com, Oscars.org and the Academy's digital platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. What time are Oscar nominations? The live presentation will begin at 5:30 a.m. PT/8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 23. Who is hosting the Oscars? It was announced in November that Emmy Award-winning television host Conan O'Brien will host the 2025 Oscars. It is O'Brien's first time hosting the awards show. "America demanded it and now its happening: Taco Bells new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, Im hosting the Oscars, said OBrien in a press release. Conan OBrien to host the 2025 Oscars When are the 2025 Oscars? The 97th Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. It will be televised live on ABC. Who are the top 2025 Oscar contenders? Critics predict that the films that will receive best picture nominations include "Anora," "The Brutalist," "A Complete Unknown," "Conclave," "Dune: Part Two," "Emilia Perez," "I'm Still Here," "A Real Pain," "The Substance" and "Wicked." Some also predict that Adrien Brody in "The Brutalist," Timothee Chalamet in "A Complete Unknown," Colman Domingo in "Sing Sing," Ralph Fiennes in "Conclave" and Sebastian Stan in "The Apprentice," will receive nods for best actor. Adrien Brody has already received a Golden Globe for actor in a drama motion picture for his performance as Laszlo Toth in the Brady Corbet-directed film. Stan won the Golden Globe for best performance by a male actor in a motion picture (musical or comedy) for his performance in "A Different Man." Frontrunners predicted for best actress include Cynthia Erivo for "Wicked," Karla Sofia Gascon for "Emilia Perez," Mikey Madiso for "Anora," Demi Moore for "The Substance" and Fernanda Torres for "I'm Still Here." Both Moore and Torres have won Golden Globes for best performance by a female actor in a motion picture (musical or comedy) and best performance by a female actor in a motion picture (drama), respectively. Rachel Sennott, Bowen Yang to announce 2025 Oscar nominations originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com WASHINGTON Sen. Marco Rubio became the first member of President Donald Trumps Cabinet to be approved by the Senate, overwhelmingly winning confirmation hours after the executive branch changed hands. Senators confirmed Rubio by a vote of 99-0 on Monday evening. His confirmation clears the way for the administration to immediately set to work implementing a foreign policy agenda that Trump says will put Americas national interests first, relying on protectionist tools such as tariffs to get other countries to modify their behavior. Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, will be the first Latino secretary of State. He brings more than a decade of experience to the position, having served on the Foreign Relations and Intelligence committees for 14 years. He competed against Trump for the Republican nomination for president in the 2016 race. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be secretary of state, reacts on the day he testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Decrying what he described as a dangerous shift toward a liberal world order that had harmed U.S. national security, Rubio told senators at his confirmation hearing: Under President Trump, the top priority of the United States Department of State, will be the United States. Trump, he said, would place the interests of America and Americans above all else to make sure the country is positioned to protect its allies and itself. It's the commonsense understanding that while we remain the wealthiest and the most powerful nation on the Earth, our wealth has never been unlimited, and our power has never been infinite, and placing our core national interests above all that was said, is not isolationism, Rubio said. It is the common sense realization that a foreign policy centered on our national interest is not some outdated relic. As of early Monday evening, Rubio was the only Trump nominee whod won confirmation. None of the others had gone before the full Senate for a vote. Rubio was unanimously recommended for the role by the Foreign Relations Committee on Monday afternoon ahead of Monday's full Senate vote. "We are glad to have worked in a bipartisan way to ensure that one of our own, Senator Marco Rubio, could be positioned to quickly take the helm of the State Department," the committee's chair, Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and ranking member, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said in a joint statement. "The national security of the United States is this committees primary focus and it is to the benefit of our country to have steady leadership in place as soon as possible." Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio (L) and Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth (R) attend a wreath laying by President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Jan/ 19, 2025. Trumps team had sought to rush through national security hires but was slowed by missing paperwork and got a late start on submitting background check documents for its nominees to the FBI. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in remarks from the Senate floor that Democrats would not rubber stamp Trump's agenda or automatically oppose nominees they believe deserve serious consideration. "Sen. Rubio is an example of a qualified nominee we think should be confirmed quickly," he said. "While I certainly do not agree with many of Sen. Rubio's positions, in this instance, it is important for the new administration to have a Senate-confirmed secretary of State as soon as possible, so I'll vote yes." Rubio is expected to start work at the State Department on Tuesday. "I'll miss being here, I'll miss the relationships, but it's an important job at an important time, and I'm honored by it," Rubio told reporters after the Senate vote. His staff will be a mix of Trump political appointees, current and former longtime aides to his Senate office and career officials with specific areas of expertise who serve in government regardless of whos in power. Rubio becomes explainer-in-chief of Trumps foreign policy As the nations chief diplomat, it will fall on Rubio to implement Trumps executive actions and articulate the philosophy behind the former businessmans tactics to make Americas allies cough up cash. Rubio has signaled he plans to use his position to weaken China and Russia and unite Middle Eastern countries against Iran. He stated at his confirmation hearing that China is the most potent and dangerous near-peer adversary this nation has ever confronted. They have elements that the Soviet Union never possessed. What cannot be allowed under any circumstances, he said at another point, is an Iran and an Iranian regime that has the resources and the capability to restart and continue their sponsorship of terrorism. On thorny issues, Rubio stressed that Trump would dictate the policies while offering hints at the direction the Republicans would go. WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance greets nominee for Secretary of State, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) during the luncheon following inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) Rubio told lawmakers it should be the United States position that the Russia-Ukraine war ends, which he said would require concessions from both sides. Now what that masterplan looks like is going to be hard work, he said. My hope is that it can begin with some ceasefire. He also suggested the U.S. rethink its approach to NATO. Rubio said, There is a question to be asked about whether the U.S. should be in a primary defense posture in the security organization or act as a backstop for aggression against the coalition, while countries closer to Russia contribute the most to the military alliance. At the hearing, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat who worked with Rubio on legislation that made it impossible for Trump to pull out of NATO unilaterally, said he was pleased by the appointment. He has a very well-developed sense of the world and a passion and interest in all corners of it, Kaine said. He's not talking out of a briefing book. He's not having to thumb through a binder to decide how to answer a particular question. Appearing on conservative commentator Ben Shapiros podcast last month, Trump national security adviser Michael Waltz said that while other diplomats have been pulled into urgent crises in the Middle East, Asia and Europe, Rubio will also be focused on Latin America. Waltz described Rubio as a "a rare leader that's really invested in the relationships down there" throughout his career and "understands the complex dynamic, is going to spend the time on it." Contributing: Savannah Kuchar This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rubio becomes first Trump Cabinet nominee to win Senate confirmation A new SEC cryptocurrency task force announced on Donald Trump's second day in office helped stoke some new investor enthusiasm for digital assets as the crypto world waited for executive orders from the new president. The goal of the "crypto task force" from the Securities and Exchange Commission is to help the US regulator "draw clear regulatory lines, provide realistic paths to registration, craft sensible disclosure frameworks, and deploy enforcement resources judiciously," according to the SEC. The price of bitcoin (BTC-USD), the world's largest cryptocurrency, rose Tuesday back above $106,000 after sliding Monday following Trump's inauguration. The SEC clashed repeatedly with some of the biggest players in the crypto world during Joe Biden's time in office. Trump promised to replace Biden's SEC boss Gary Gensler with someone more favorable to the industry. His choice, Paul Atkins, is still seeking confirmation in the Senate, and SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda is running the agency as acting chair. Industry executives are testing Trump's new SEC with fresh applications this week for exchange-traded funds that, if approved, would give investors even more exposure to various crypto assets. On Tuesday, Rex Shares and Osprey Funds jointly filed seven different applications to launch crypto-related ETFs, including those holding shares of XRP, SOL, Dogecoin (DOGE), and the president's official memecoin (TRUMP). Last year, the SEC allowed BlackRock and other giant money managers to launch spot bitcoin ETFs. "We are most definitely anticipating a more welcoming approach from the SEC, and you will see more product filings from us," said Matthew Sigel, head of digital assets research for asset manager VanEck, one among the managers allowed to issue spot bitcoin ETFs in 2024. One slight disappointment for the industry so far this week is that Trump who in 2024 pledged to make the United States the "crypto capital of the planet" ended his first day in office without mentioning crypto or releasing any executive orders targeted at the industry. Many in the industry still expect those orders to happen. "The market is absolutely disappointed that there was no activity with regard to crypto yesterday," Dan Hughes, chief technology officer and founder for crypto startup Radix, said in emailed comments. "Any executive order targeted positively towards crypto, even if minor, would turn the tide pretty fast," Hughes added. One immediate action the new president could have taken is repealing Bidens own March 2022 executive order on crypto assets, which urged regulators to "take strong steps to reduce the risks that digital assets could pose." "I feel a little disappointed that was not repealed, along with the 80 executive orders that were," said Sigel of VanEck. "The longer that there's no executive order regarding this asset class, the more impatient the market is likely to get, but I do think that [the Trump administration] bought themselves some time with rhetoric," Sigel added. One crucial rule that many in the crypto and banking industry hope to see repealed is a piece of accounting guidance from the SEC that virtually stops banks from holding crypto in custody for clients. Donald Trump at the Bitcoin 2024 event in Nashville, Tenn., last July. REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/File Photo (Reuters / Reuters) Much of what Trump has promised the crypto world can be fulfilled with personnel changes. And the incoming administration has already named three pro-crypto regulators as acting heads of regulatory agencies. On Tuesday, FDIC acting chairman Travis Hill published a list of priorities for the bank regulatory agency under his watch. One included more transparency in how the agency approaches digital assets. The Commodities and Futures Trading Commission also named one of its crypto-friendlier commissioners, Caroline Pham, as its acting chair on Monday. Pham, a Biden nominee and former Citigroup banker, supported clearer regulation for digital assets as well as granting the CFTC more oversight in policing the market. Many in the crypto industry are willing to wait longer for more substantive changes. Leonard Lancia, CEO of crypto market maker Portofino Technologies, said, "for the crypto market, the potential for a significant and well-thought-out Executive Order (EO) remains an exciting opportunity." One regional bank boss, Fifth Third CEO Tim Spence, told Yahoo Finance that as overall regulatory rules for crypto become clearer, stablecoins are an area Fifth Third Bank "certainly would contemplate playing in." One of the biggest players in the crypto industry, Coinbase (COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong, told Yahoo Finance Tuesday that he is convinced Trump "really wants to be the first bitcoin president." Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (REUTERS / Reuters) Armstrong met with Trump prior to and after the election to advocate for the crypto industry. He said Trump is "excited" about the idea of a strategic bitcoin reserve. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) is leading the efforts in Congress to create such a reserve. "Any government that holds gold should also hold bitcoin as a reserve," he said, noting, "If the US gets a strategic bitcoin reserve, probably the rest of the G20 will follow, or many of them, and that's just going to drive the bitcoin prices way up." David Hollerith is a senior reporter for Yahoo Finance covering banking, crypto, and other areas in finance. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Correction: A previous version of this article misspelled Leonard Lancia's name. We regret the error. Smashburger / Allrecipes Fast food restaurants may increasingly focus on chicken sandwiches, but for many of us, the burgers are still equally (or more) important, so restaurants frequently entice fans with new burgers. Sonic recently released a new Bacon Deluxe Double Sonic Smasher, and Burger King has an all-new Whopper on a pretzel bun. Fans are used to running to their favorite burger joint to try the new item, but Smashburger has taken the new item idea to a whole new level. It has revamped its entire menu. Every item has a tinge of newness. Where is a burger lover to start? We cant decide that for you, but we can tell you what your options are on the new menu that boasts bold new flavors. Smashburgers New Menu At Smashburger, we had the opportunity to refocus our menu on burgers, burger-relevant sides and shakes, Thomas Prather, chief marketing officer of Smashburger told us. Over the years, our menu had gotten too broad and didnt reinforce our expertise in burgers. The menu wasnt serving us well from a growth perspective, nor was it helping our kitchen with such a wide variety of offerings. To streamline, we simplified the menu and became more intentional with each recipe and ingredient, focusing on what we do bestsmash burgers. New items on the menu include: All-American Smash: certified Angus beef topped with American cheese, red onions, pickles, mustard, and ketchup on a butter-toasted bun. Bacon Stack Smash: certified Angus beef topped with applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo on a butter-toasted bun. Chicken Smash Burger: ground chicken burger marinated in-house with a signature garlic olive oil seasoning, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo on a butter-toasted bun. Scorchin' Hot Crispy Chicken Sandwich: Nashville hot crispy chicken tenders, pickles, and mayo on a butter-toasted bun. Spicy Jalapeno Smash: certified Angus beef topped with grilled jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, aged Cheddar cheese, lettuce, and chipotle ranch on a butter-toasted spicy chipotle bun. Scorchin' Hot Fries: crispy french fries tossed in Nashville Hot seasoning, served with ranch for dipping. Scorchin' Hot Tots: crispy golden-brown tots tossed in Nashville Hot seasoning, served with ranch for dipping. Peanut Butter Cookie Shake: hand-spun peanut butter cookie milkshake made with Haagen Dazs ice cream and Nutter Butter cookie pieces. Salted Caramel Shake: hand-spun salted caramel milkshake with Haagen-Dazs ice cream. Menu items that got a makeover include the BBQ Bacon Smash, which now has a crunchy fried onion topping instead of an onion ring; Truffle Mushroom Smash with a new house-made truffle mayo sauce; Chicken Tenders, which are larger and juicier; Crispy Brussels Sprouts that a now cut in quarters and tossed in herb butter, and Sweet Potato Fries that are now waffle cut. Smashburger fans have been rolling out reviews on social media, and while some are more critical of the change, many are expressing excitement. "My mouth is WATERING," exclaimed one, while another added, "I'm DROOLING." This is quite the shake-up at Smashburger, but this new menu does sound pretty tasty. We cant wait to give it a try. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES A winter storm will drop snow from Houston, Texas to New Orleans, Louisiana as an arctic air mass extends a historically cold January. Snow, sleet and freezing rain are set to fall across parts of southern Texas, southern Georgia and northern Florida as the storm heads east Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. At least 4 to 6 inches of snow are possible from southeastern Texas into southern Louisiana, according to the weather service, while lighter portions of snow may fall along the Florida Panhandle to the beaches of the Carolinas. Wintery precipitation is expected to cause power outages, flight delays or cancelations and disrupt travel especially on area highways, the service warned. "If you must travel, be prepared for road closures and the possibility of being stranded (so stock your vehicle with water, food, and warm clothing)," the National Weather Service in Houston wrote on X. Heavy snow and icy conditions are expecting tonight into Tuesday with dangerous travel continuing through Wednesday morning. If you must travel, be prepared for road closures and the possibility of being stranded (so stock your vehicle with water, food, and warm clothing). #HOUwx pic.twitter.com/6mMNG42Ajl NWS Houston (@NWSHouston) January 20, 2025 Extreme cold is forecasted from the Midwest to the southern Plains to the East Coast Tuesday, with temperatures peaking at 20 to 30 degrees, according to the weather service. Temperature lows will drop below freezing anywhere east of the Rockies, with the exception of central and southern Florida. National Weather Prediction Center forecaster Bryan Putnam said the storm will move through the Southeast Tuesday and Wednesday bringing heavy snow along and north of the Interstate 10 corridor. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency ahead of Tuesday's anticipated storms as the state grapples with freezing temperatures and Central Mississippi could see up to 2 inches of snow. Further east, ice totals between a tenth and a quarter of an inch are forecasted in south-central Georgia and Florida's Big Bend area. National weather map National weather radar Contributing: John Bacon and Jorge L. Ortiz Anthony Robledo is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at arobledo@usatoday.com and follow him on X @anthonyarobledo. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Snow totals: How much snow is falling across the US? Southern winter wonderland: See pictures of snow blanketing Florida, Texas and more Tuesday As brutally cold temperatures continue to grip portions of the U.S., sizeable areas of the South are under ongoing blizzard warnings thanks to major winter storms battering the region. In a locale much more accustomed to hurricane alerts, Tuesdays snow warnings are an exceedingly rare sight. For a blizzard warning to be issued, anticipated conditions must include frequent wind gusts of 35 mph or greater and snow that reduces visibility to 1/4 mile or less for three hours or more, according to the National Weather Service. We are prepared for hurricanes, we have all the equipment we need, we know what we need, Lafayette, Louisiana Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boule previously told USA TODAY on Tuesday. This is going to be different. We don't necessarily have snow equipment to deal with what we have coming. An arctic mass sprawling across most of the United States is the main driver behind what is being called Winter Storm Enzo. Pictures from Texas, Florida, Mississippi, and more show snow blanketing normally coastal areas; see the pictures here. Texas A snowman in Zilker Park Tuesday January 21, 2025. Cheyenne Wright, 17, watches her dog, Sadie, roll in the snow at Zilker Park Tuesday January 21, 2025. Florida Visitors to Florida are greeted with a blanket of snow at the state welcome center on Interstate 10. Lark and Iris Reingruber rescue a flower from the family's yard as snow begins to fall in the Beulah area, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Louisiana Snow pictured in Alexandria, Louisiana. Alabama Snow falling in a neighborhood in Mobile, Alabama. Shih Tzu Nipsey enjoying the snow in Mobile, Alabama. Winter wonderland being showcased in Mobile, Alabama, an area that typically does not see snow. Mississippi Snow fell Tuesday in Hattiesburg as most of the city was shut down as a winter storm passed through the area. Snow fell Tuesday in Hattiesburg as most of the city was shut down as a winter storm passed through the area. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pictures: See as snow blankets regions of the South on Tuesday FILE PHOTO: The logo of Stellantis is seen on the company's building in Velizy-Villacoublay near Paris By Giulio Piovaccari MILAN (Reuters) -Stellantis Chairman John Elkann has spent four days in Washington meeting with incoming U.S. President Donald Trump and several top administration officials, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday. The talks underscore the efforts of business leaders, such as Elkann, to build ties with the new U.S. administration while Trump threatens to disrupt the status quo with major economic and trade policy changes. Elkann met Trump twice during his stay in Washington, one of the sources said. Trump did not immediately introduce tariffs as he took office on Monday, but said he was thinking about imposing a 25% duty on imports from Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1. Stellantis makes some of the models it sells in the U.S in those two countries. In his inauguration speech, Trump also took aim at electric vehicles, revoking a 2021 executive order signed by his predecessor Joe Biden that sought to ensure half of all new vehicles sold in the United States by 2030 were electric. Elkann, who is currently steering Chrysler and Jeep parent Stellantis while the automaker looks for a new CEO, was among global top executives who were invited to the inauguration ceremony. However, after the talks with Trump and his entourage, he flew back to Italy, missing the inauguration, to welcome seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton as the new Ferrari Formula One driver. Elkann, the scion of Italy's Agnelli family, also chairs Ferrari and is the CEO of Exor, his family's investment company. 'WELL POSITIONED' FOR TRUMP Stellantis, part of Detroit's so-called Big Three automakers through its ownership of Chrysler, operates several plants in the United States and on Tuesday said it considered itself well positioned to adapt to changes that may come under Trump. "Trump's clear focus on policies that support a robust and competitive manufacturing base in the United States is hugely positive," it said in a statement. "We look forward to working with him on the crucial objectives of strengthening our industry and the nation's economy." Stellantis operates two assembly plants in Mexico: Saltillo, which makes Ram pick-ups and vans, and Toluca, for the Jeep Compass mid-sized SUV. It also owns two assembly plants in Ontario, Canada: in Windsor, where it makes Chrysler models, and Brampton, currently under retooling and scheduled to resume production in 2025 with a new Jeep model. The company imports from Mexico and Canada around 40% of the vehicles it sells in the U.S., analysts at Banca Akros said in a note on Tuesday. (Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari, editing by Alvise Armellini, Bernadette Baum and Tomasz Janowski) The Supreme Court is allowing a death row inmate convicted of murdering her husband to pursue a claim that prosecutors inappropriately focused on her sex life at trial. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court issued a rare ruling Tuesday in favor of a death row inmate, finding that an Oklahoma woman convicted of murdering her estranged husband can pursue a claim that prosecutors inappropriately focused on her sex life at trial. Divided 7-2, the court opened the door to Brenda Andrews challenging her conviction and death sentence. She is the only woman on death row in Oklahoma. The court ruled an appeals court was wrong to conclude that Andrew's claim that her due process rights were violated by the focus on her personal life, including treatment of her children, could not move forward. The right to due process under the Constitution's 14th Amendment "forbids the introduction of evidence so unduly prejudicial as to render a criminal trial fundamentally unfair," the Supreme Court said in an unsigned opinion. The case will return to the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for further litigation on Andrew's habeas corpus claim. "We are pleased that the court looked closely at the State of Oklahomas manipulation of irrelevant and blatantly sexist evidence during Ms. Andrews trial," Jessica Sutton, one of Andrew's lawyers, said in a statement. Now, the appeals court will "determine whether such evidence was so prejudicial as to render Ms. Andrews trial fundamentally unfair," she added. Andrew was convicted in state court of the 2001 murder of her husband, Rob, who was shot twice with a shotgun in the garage of their former family home in Oklahoma City when he arrived to pick up their two children. Her alleged accomplice, boyfriend James Pavatt, was also prosecuted and is on death row. Andrew, now 61, was herself shot in the arm during the incident. Andrew's conviction was upheld in state court, prompting her to file a habeas corpus claim in federal court, which was also rejected. Andrews lawyers say prosecutors focused on her personal life because they lacked concrete evidence connecting her to the crime. Brenda Andrew. Among the issues raised at trial were that Andrew previously had affairs with other men, that she dressed provocatively and that she had made sexual advances toward two young men working in her yard. Toward the end of the trial, a prosecutor held up thong underwear owned by Andrew and asked the jury whether a "grieving widow" would wear such an item of clothing. The prosecutor also used the term "slut puppy" to refer to Andrew, her lawyers said, although the state says the comment was not a direct reference to her. The prosecutors' case "fixated on obtaining a conviction and death sentence by denigrating her character as a woman," her lawyers said in court papers. Two conservative justices, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, disagreed with Tuesday's ruling. Thomas wrote in a dissenting opinion that the court had not followed its own rules in determining whether a habeas corpus claim arising from a prosecution in state courts can move forward. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in court papers that there was "overwhelming evidence that Andrew and Pavatt plotted the murder" to access a life insurance payout. Andrew, he added, had a "visceral hatred" of her husband, and evidence of her "ability to get men ... to do her bidding" was relevant to the case. "We are disappointed but respect the court's decision," Drummond spokeswoman Leslie Berger said in an email. This family photo shows Ryan Corbett holding rabbits with his daughter Miriam and son Caleb in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2020. (Anna Corbett via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) A prisoner swap between the United States and Afghanistan's Taliban freed two Americans in exchange for a Taliban figure imprisoned for life in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges, officials said Tuesday. The deal to release two Americans, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, was brokered by Joe Biden 's administration before he left office Monday, according to a Trump administration official who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity. The Talibans Foreign Ministry in Kabul said the two U.S. citizens had been exchanged for Khan Mohammed, who was sentenced to two life terms in 2008. Biden, who oversaw the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, on Monday handed power to President Donald Trump. The Taliban praised the swap as a step toward the normalization of ties between the U.S. and Afghanistan. That is likely a tall order, as most countries still dont recognize the Taliban's rule and two other Americans are believed held. The Trump White House cheered the release and thanked Qatar for its assistance with the deal while pressing the Taliban to free other Americans. The Trump Administration will continue to demand the release of all Americans held by the Taliban, especially in light of the billions of dollars in U.S. aid theyve received in recent years," White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement. U.S., Taliban and Qatar involved in the swap Corbett, who had lived in Afghanistan with his family when the U.S.-backed government collapsed in 2021, was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 on a business trip. Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryans life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives, the family's statement said. They thanked both Trump and Biden. Corbett's family also praised Qatari officials for their vital role in facilitating Ryans release, and for their visits to Ryan as the United States Protecting Power in Afghanistan. Qatar has hosted negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban over the years. A Qatar Foreign Ministry statement said those who were traded passed through Doha and that it hopes the deal would pave the way for achieving further understandings to resolve disputes peacefully. It was unclear what McKenty was doing in Afghanistan. Biden administration's effort to get a deal Before Biden left office, his administration had been trying to work out a deal to free Corbett, McKenty as well as George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi, in exchange for Muhammad Rahim, one of the remaining detainees at the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Taliban had rejected multiple proposals that also would have included Glezmann and Habibi before accepting the deal to release Corbett and McKenty late last week following negotiations in Qatar, according to a former senior Biden administration official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The official added that Biden officials found in past negotiations for American detainees in Russia that one deal can make it easier to get future ones and that the Trump administration should continue to push the Taliban for Glezmann and Habibi. Russia had rejected proposals to include American Paul Whelan in separate prisoner swaps that freed Americans Trevor Reed and Britney Griner before ultimately including Whelan in a 24-person deal that included Wall Street Journalist Evan Gershkovich and others. Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, was taken by the Talibans intelligence services in December 2022 while traveling through the country. Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman who worked as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecommunications company, also went missing in 2022. The Taliban have denied they have Habibi. Habibis family welcomed the exchange and said they were confident the Trump administration would make a greater effort to free him, expressing their frustration with the Biden team. We know they have evidence my brother is alive and in Taliban hands and it could have been influential in encouraging the Taliban to admit they have him, Habibis brother Ahmed said in a statement shared by the nonprofit Global Reach. Biden officials refused to use the evidence, he claimed. We know Trump is about results and we have faith he will use every tool available to get Mahmood home. The trade for Corbett and McKenty was originally supposed to take place Sunday night but had to be delayed until Tuesday because of logistical delays, including bad weather, the former Biden administration official said. Taliban prisoner first convicted of narco-terrorism Mohammed, 55, was a prisoner in California after his 2008 conviction. The Bureau of Prisons early Tuesday listed Mohammed as not being in their custody. Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, a Taliban Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson, said Mohammed had arrived in Afghanistan and was with his family. Photos released by the Taliban showed him being welcomed back in his home province of Nangarhar, in the country's east, with multicolored garlands. Mohammed told Taliban-controlled media he had spent time behind bars in Bagram and in Washington. Its a joy seeing your family and coming to your homeland. The greatest joy is to come and join your Muslim brothers, he said. He was detained on the battlefield in Nangarhar and later taken to the U.S. A federal jury convicted him on charges of securing heroin and opium that he knew were bound for the United States and, in doing so, assisting terrorism activity. The Justice Department at the time referred to Mohammed as a violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker who sought to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan using rockets. He was the first person to be convicted on U.S. narco-terrorism laws. Ahmed Rashid, the author of several books about Afghanistan and the Taliban, described Mohammed as the biggest drugs smuggler the U.S. had to deal with and key funder of the Taliban. Taliban try to gain international recognition The Taliban called the exchange the result of long and fruitful negotiations with the U.S. and said it was a good example of solving problems through dialogue. The Islamic Emirate looks positively at the actions of the United States of America that help the normalization and development of relations between the two countries, it said. The Taliban have been trying to make inroads in being recognized, in part to escape the economic tailspin caused by their takeover. Billions in international funds were frozen, and tens of thousands of highly skilled Afghans fled the country and took their money with them. However, some nations have welcomed Taliban officials, like the United Arab Emirates, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. On Tuesday, Emirati leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan again welcomed Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who also heads the Haqqani network, a powerful force within the group blamed for some of the bloodiest attacks against Afghanistans former Western-backed government. Haqqani is still wanted by the U.S. on a bounty of up to $10 million over his involvement in an attack that killed an American citizen and other assaults. The meeting came even as the UAE maintains a close relationship with the U.S. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Najib Jobain in Doha, Qatar, and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report. Donald Trump returned to the White House on Monday, January 20, after being sworn in as the new president of the United States. His second stint at the presidency will once again put his family back in the spotlight. Trump has a complex family tree. Throughout his life, the president has been married three times, with each marriage bringing new members into his family. He is also now a grandfather to numerous grandchildren. With his inauguration done, here's a look at the Trump family. Donald Trump's Parents Donald Trump's parents were Fred Trump and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump. Fred Trump was born in New York City in 1905 to German immigrant parents. He became a successful real estate developer, starting his own construction company at the age of 15 and eventually building a fortune in affordable housing along the US East Coast. Fred was known for his business acumen but also faced investigations for profiteering and racial discrimination in his housing developments. Mary Anne MacLeod Trump was born in 1912 on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. She immigrated to the United States in 1930 at the age of 18, initially working as a maid in New York City. Mary Anne met Fred Trump in the 1930s, and they married in 1936, settling in Queens, New York. Donald Trump's Four Siblings The president has four siblings, though only one is still living today. His oldest sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, was a federal judge who passed away recently. Fred Trump Jr., the eldest brother, died in 1981 due to alcoholism. The youngest brother, Robert Trump, who worked in the family business and was close to Donald, died in 2020. Elizabeth Trump Grau, Donald's older sister, is the only surviving sibling and lives a private life in Florida after retiring from her banking career. Read Also: Head of Oklahoma Public Schools Orders Teachers to Show Students Video of Him Praying for Trump Donald Trump's Three Wives Trump has been married three times. His first wife was Ivana Trump, whom he married in 1977 and divorced in 1992. They had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. Trump's second marriage was to Marla Maples from 1993 to 1999, and they had one daughter, Tiffany. His current wife is Melania Trump, whom he married in 2005. Melania, born in Slovenia, became a U.S. citizen in 2006 and is the mother of Trump's youngest son, Barron. She served as First Lady during Trump's presidency from 2017 to 2021 and is now set to return to that role as Trump begins his second term as the 47th President of the United States. Donald Trump's Five Children He has five children from three marriages. His oldest three children - Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric - are from his first marriage to Ivana Trump. They have been involved in both the Trump Organization and their father's political career. Tiffany, Trump's daughter, and his second wife, Marla Maples, are lawyers who have maintained a lower profile. The youngest, Barron, is Trump's only child with current wife, Melania. At 18 years old, Barron is now a freshman at New York University, focusing on his studies. Donald Trump's 10 Grandchildren As of January, the president has 10 grandchildren, with an 11th on the way. The oldest is Kai Madison Trump, who's 17 and has started to step into the spotlight, even speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention. Trump's grandkids range in age from 5 to 17 and come from his three oldest children: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. Donald Jr. Don Jr. has five kids (Kai, Donald III, Tristan, Spencer, and Chloe), Ivanka has three (Arabella, Joseph, and Theodore), and Eric has two (Luke and Carolina). President Trump entered the Commander-in-Chief Ball with first lady Melania Trump to a thunderous ovation as the inaugural events continued late into the night on Monday. The 54-year-old first lady dazzled the crowd as she walked out in a striking black-and-white strapless gown, white high-heeled shoes and black choker with an elegant brooch resembling a floral bouquet affixed to it. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the Commander In Chief inaugural ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. AFP via Getty Images The dress was reportedly designed by Herve Pierre, the same couturier behind Melanias 2017 inaugural ball dress. Trump, wearing a black tuxedo and bow tie, promptly began dancing with his wife at the event aimed at military service members. The first couple was later joined on stage by Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance, as well as members of the nations armed forces, with whom they took time to waltz as well. Ive had no higher privilege in life than to serve as your commander-in-chief, not once but twice, Trump told the cheering crowd. The ball featured a video call with US service members stationed in South Korea. President Trump dances with wife Melania. Getty Images Hows Kim Jong Un doing, Trump immediately asked once the feed got on the screen. I developed a pretty good relationship with him, but hes a tough cookie, the president later added. Before leaving the stage, Trump was handed a sword to cut the balls massive cake, which featured his preferred design for Air Force One. Does anyone want some cake, Trump asked gleefully. The president then danced, sword in hand, when YMCA was played over the speakers. The event was the first of three inaugural balls that Trump and Melania will attend this evening. (From left) Vice President JD Vance and Usha Vance, Tiffany Trump and Michael Boulos, Melania Trump and President Trump, Lara Trump and Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner dance at the Liberty Ball on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, DC. Getty Images (From right) President Donald Trump dances with first lady Melania Trump while Usha Vance dances with Vice President JD Vance at the Commander in Chief Ball. AP The exclusive balls are a longtime inauguration night tradition in Washington that cap off a long day of ceremonies and first-day presidential actions. The nations first inaugural ball was held in 1809 for President James Madison and his wife, Dolley, according to the White House Historical Association. At the Liberty Ball Trumps second social event of the evening the president and first lady walked out to Hallelujah by Elvis Presley and briefly danced again. They were later joined by several of the presidents grown children and their spouses. At the Liberty Ball Trumps second social event of the evening the president and first lady walked out to Hallelujah by Elvis Presley and briefly danced again. Getty Images Trump vowed to turn this country around during his brief remarks at the Liberty Ball while touting the strength of his supporters. Were going to turn this country around and fast. We have, we have assets like nobody else, the president declared. We needed three because theres such support, he later remarked of the number of inaugural balls. The Village People performed YMCA after Trump finished up his speech. The Starlight Ball will be the final event the Trumps attend on their whirlwind first day back in the White House. NEW YORK President Donald Trump is pulling the U.S. out of the World Health Organization for a second time, the White House announced late Monday. The day-one executive order fulfills Trump's campaign promise to reject global institutions. Health experts worry it isolates the U.S. with consequences for pandemic and disease response and diplomatic relations worldwide. The U.S. is and has historically been the largest funder of the global health agency headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. WHO, part of the United Nations, is tasked with preparing for and fighting health emergencies. The U.S. has strongly influenced the agency since its founding after World War II. Trump criticized WHO for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, even as his administration faced scrutiny for being slow to respond to the crisis. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, he began the process of pulling out from WHO. Other executive actions: In sweeping orders, Trump aims to remake federal policy on border, gender, climate change Despite his promise, he failed to do so under U.S. law governing the timeline for withdrawal and funding obligations to the agency. Former President Joe Biden reversed Trumps decision after taking office and restored funding to WHO. Trumps executive order on the first day of his second term rather than the last year of his first presidency allows him to actually carry out his decision. The order said the U.S. was withdrawing "due to the organizations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states." It also cited the "unfairly onerous payments" the U.S. has made to support the organization. During the Biden administration the U.S. continued its role as the largest funder of the agency, which has a budget of $6.8 billion in the current fiscal year. Nearly a fifth of WHOs budget in 2023 came from the U.S. The U.S. has been a part of WHO since 1948, the same year the organization launched, and the departure would make the nation the only major power thats not a member of the 194-country body. A logo is pictured outside a building of the World Health Organization (WHO) during an executive board meeting on update on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Geneva, Switzerland, April 6, 2021. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said the agency will do everything to cooperate with the incoming Trump administration to continue to strengthen for global health security, Tarik Jasarevic, a WHO spokesperson, said in an email. The partnership between WHO and the U.S. has "as protected and saved millions of lives in America and around the world," Jasarevic said, citing the director-general. Grave strategic error, health experts say Trumps announcement had been expected by health experts. In public and private, officials and academics raised concerns about the decision, which they said endangers the health of the nation and the world. In December, Dr. Ashish Jha, the Biden White Houses former COVID-19 response coordinator, called it a catastrophic mistake for the global community and a terrible mistake for the U.S. This is going to be a grave strategic error that will make America less healthy and less safe, Lawrence Gostin, a global public health expert and the faculty director of Georgetown Universitys ONeill Institute for National and Global Health Law, told USA TODAY. The withdrawal itself is going to isolate the United States, Gostin said. Itll isolate us diplomatically, and itll isolate us in pandemic response. How will U.S. withdraw from WHO? Trumps order will require arduous disentangling of American and global health institutions woven together for 75 years. WHOs constitution, drafted in New York, doesnt have a clear exit method for member states. A joint resolution by Congress in 1948 outlined that the U.S. can withdraw with one year's notice. This is contingent, however, on ensuring that its financial obligations to WHO shall be met in full for the organizations current fiscal year. The U.S. is the only member state to have made such an exit strategy, Jasarevic, of WHO, said. The former Soviet Union withdrew from WHO in 1949 during Cold War tensions, though returned years later. Questions remain on how the U.S., and the rest of the world, will interact and respond to health emergencies in the future. The U.S. leaving WHO would grievously weaken the global health agency from responding to outbreaks, conduct surveillance and cooperate closely, Gostin said. Our public health agencies would be flying blind, he said. For example, the Pan-American Health Organization, WHOs regional office for the Americas, is based in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has staff at WHO and elsewhere globally. American response alongside WHO has been key in fighting diseases such as polio, which has been nearly eradicated, and HIV/AIDS, under a President George W. Bush-era program that has helped curb transmission in several countries. The Bush program is considered a success both in public health and diplomatic relations. Even more technically, information-sharing between the U.S. and WHO has been key not only to disease response, but also pharmaceutical developments to rapidly innovate and create life-saving vaccines and treatments, Gostin said. Gostin now worries of other emerging diseases and pandemic threats that could leave the U.S. weaker and more vulnerable. This includes a mpox, which has killed at least a thousand people in Africa in 2024, and bird flu circulating in the U.S. American officials assessed that bird flu has moderate risk of becoming a pandemic, and just one or two mutations in the avian influenza viruses that have been circulating could make it more contagious or severe in humans. Gostin cited Operation Warp Speed, the accelerated COVID-19 vaccine effort, which was led by the U.S. during Trump's first administration. Then, the U.S. provided vaccines to its entire population before offering them to vulnerable people elsewhere, which struck many around the world as unfair. In the next pandemic, Gostin said, we might find ourselves at the back of the line, on the outside looking in. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: President Trump orders US to exit World Health Organization Migrants seeking asylum in the United States gather near the border wall after crossing a razor wire fence deployed to inhibit their crossing into the United States, as a member of the Texas National Guard escorts them, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico December 19, 2024. (Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters) The US-Mexico border is effectively closed off to migrants seeking asylum in the United States within hours of President Donald Trump taking office, an extraordinary departure from previous protocols that has left many concerned migrants in limbo. Its a rare combination of two policies one from former President Joe Biden and other from Trump that have nearly sealed off the US southern border to asylum seekers. With refugee admissions also set to be suspended, there are few, if any, avenues available to people seeking refuge in the United States. Bidens executive action last summer restricting asylum for people crossing the border illegally was condemned by Democrats and immigrant advocates. Biden administration officials argued that migrants still had an option available to them through the border app known as CBP One to schedule an appointment at a legal port of entry. That option was shut down minutes after Trump was sworn in, leaving thousands of migrants in limbo and resulting in a border that is largely sealed off to asylum seekers. Migrants who had been waiting for their appointments along Mexicos northern border expressed shock and disappointment. Luis, a Venezuelan migrant who has lived in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez for the past nine months, told CNNs Valeria Leon he was trying to do things the right way, before learning that his appointment scheduled for Monday through the CBP One app had been abruptly canceled. Venezuelan Yenyile Diaz, who has also spent months living in Ciudad Juarez with her family, said they had all lost their appointments following the shutdown of CBP One. The Biden administration had managed to restrict asylum by opening up some other legal avenues and hope that would stand in the court. As of today, theres almost no way of getting protection at the US border or anywhere along a route to the United States, said Andrew Selee, president of the think tank Migration Policy Institute. Thats a huge shift. Republicans have argued that the US asylum system has been taken advantage of in recent years, saying that migrants are claiming asylum even though they dont meet the definition and may instead be coming to the US for economic reasons. When people request asylum, they are meant to be seeking protection from violence or persecution that keep them from feeling safe in their home country or keep them from returning safely to their home country. The process to be granted asylum can take years, and some claims are ultimately denied. In an executive order signed Monday, Trump effectively suspended US asylum law until what hes called an invasion at the southern border has ceased. He also directed federal agencies to repel, repatriate, or remove migrants coming across the border. The decision to eliminate all avenues to seek asylum, even for families with children fleeing for their lives, is a stunning development, one that makes a mockery of our post WWII commitment never to summarily send people back to danger, said Lee Gelernt, ACLU attorney who led many of the challenges to Trumps border policies in the first administration, in a statement. Covid-era restrictions along the border, known as Title 42, also barred asylum and allowed border authorities to turn migrants back. That policy was challenged in court. Trump is inheriting a relatively quiet border, as Bidens asylum restrictions sent migrant crossings plummeting. In the early days of Trumps first term, border crossings remained low as migrants waited to see and game out his actions. But eventually they increased. While its difficult to predict migration patterns, Homeland Security officials warn that might happen again. They may wait for a while and see whats going to happen. Whether they wait for a day or a few months, if theyre this far and committed, theyre eventually going to try anyway, the Homeland Security official said, referring to migrants. Johana Conde, from Cuba, told CNNE from the Mexican border city of Piedras Negras that she now plans to return home but is unsure of what her future holds. They say they do want immigrants in the United States, but legal ones. Obviously, we did all this legally. Right now we dont know whats going to happen, she said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Donald Trumps goodwill in the cryptocurrency industry has taken a hit after he and his wife launched meme coins a move critics say looks like an unseemly cash grab that undermines an effort to legitimize digital assets. The industry, which felt unfairly targeted by the Biden administration and spent heavily to help Trump win, is eager for the new presidents help to make crypto a bigger part of mainstream financial systems. Trump has promised a lighter regulatory touch and picked pro-crypto officials for key government positions. The price of bitcoin and other digital assets has soared since Trump won. A lavish Crypto Ball Friday ahead of Trump's inauguration sold tickets for thousands of dollars and featured a performance by the rapper Snoop Dogg. But as that party was ongoing, Trump announced on social media he was offering his very own cryptocurrency in the form of a meme coin. The move dampened the mood for many in the crypto community. "I really was kind of bummed out when I saw it, said Tom Schmidt, a partner at a crypto venture capital firm Dragonfly. It just felt very grifty and cheap. Some crypto fans even joked on social media they missed Gary Gensler, the recently departed chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission who was viewed as the Biden administrations chief crypto antagonist thanks to the SEC's aggressive enforcement actions against crypto companies. Meme coins are among the wilder and more unregulated corners of the crypto universe. They often start as a joke with no real value but can surge in price if enough people are willing to buy them. Popular meme coins include Dogecoin (DOGE-USD), whose mascot is a dog, and Fartcoin. Scammers have tried to pump up the price of certain meme coins before dumping them on unsavvy investors. Some crypto enthusiasts hailed the Trump meme coins release and eager buyers drove up the price of the coin to above $70 each. The price fell dramatically on Sunday after First Lady Melania Trump announced the launch of her own meme coin, which also saw an initial price spike followed by a large fall. As of Tuesday afternoon, Trumps meme coin was trading at about $45 while the Melania meme coin was at about $4. Trump named SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda as the agency's acting chief Tuesday and Uyeda quickly announced he was launching a new crypto task force to set the SEC on a sensible regulatory path. Trump has promised to create a U.S. bitcoin stockpile and enact industry-friendly rules that make it easier for crypto companies to access the broader financial market. But by associating himself so closely with meme coins, some crypto fans worry that Trump hurts his ability to enact reforms. Now, on the cusp of getting some liberalization of crypto regulations in this country, the main thing people are thinking about crypto is, Oh, its just a casino for these meme coins, said Nic Carter, a Trump supporter and partner at the crypto investment firm Castle Island Ventures. It does the opposite of validating us, it makes it look completely unserious. The sale of Trump meme coins was organized by CIC Digital, an affiliate of the Trump Organization. In promoting the meme coin, Trump told supporters to Have Fun! The website selling the tokens says they are meant as expressions of support and not an investment opportunity. The coins website said 200 million Trump meme coins are currently available, with plans to issue 1 billion over the next three years. The Trump family business recently released an ethics agreement that prohibits Trump from day-to-day decision making at the Trump Organization when hes president and limits financial information about the business shared with him. The president and first lady were not the only ones promoting new cryptocurrencies around the inauguration. Lorenzo Sewell, the Michigan pastor who gave a spirited inaugural invocation Monday, announced the launch of a new coin named after him, which he said would be used to benefit his church. I need you to do me a favor right now, I need to you to go buy the official Lorenzo Sewell coin, Sewell said in a video post on social media. A U.S. Border Patrol agent was shot and killed Monday afternoon in Vermont near the Canadian border, according to federal authorities. The agent has been identified as 44-year-old David Maland, according to a post on X from the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association. The agent was assigned to U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Swanton Sector, which covers parts of Vermont, New York and New Hampshire, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harms way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure," Benjamine Huffman, acting secretary of DHS, said in a statement. "My prayers and deepest condolences are with our department, the agents family, loved ones, and colleagues." One other person was also killed in the shooting, while a third was wounded, the FBI said in a statement. A spokesperson for the Border Patrol told USA TODAY on Tuesday that the agency will release more information "as soon as it becomes available." A drone views shows a U.S. Border patrol guard stationed along the the concrete blocks marking the international border between the U.S. state of Vermont and the Canadian province of Quebec. Shooting: 6 people injured after shooting at large scale 'unpermitted' bonfire in Louisiana: Police Border patrol agent killed near Canadian border The fatal encounter occurred around 3:15 p.m. EST Monday on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 13 miles south of the Canadian border, according to a news release from the Vermont State Police. A portion of the interstate was temporarily closed in both directions. In its statement, state police referred all other questions to the FBI, which is investigating the shooting. The FBI said in its statement that there was "no threat to the public." The agent's identity has not been released, and federal authorities did not immediately announce charges for the third individual taken into custody. Huffman added in his statement that the deaths are being investigated "swiftly." Start your day informed: Sign up for USA TODAY's Daily Briefing newsletter. Vermont lawmakers express condolences Vermont's lawmakers in Washington expressed condolences for the border agents family while urging more support for the agency on the northern border. In a joint statement, Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent, and Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint, both Democrats, said the agents "deserve our full support." "We look forward to working with the agency to make sure that they have all the resources they need to do the enormously important work that is their responsibility, according to the joint statement. "Together, we must do everything possible to prevent future tragedies like what happened today." This story has been updated to add new information. Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Border patrol agent shot, killed in Vermont near Canadian border: FBI Ooh, thats a big one, Donald Trump said Monday as he signed an executive order one of dozens during his first hours as president to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization. What lies behind the move, and what could the impact be? WHO, the United Nations health agency that helps protect the health and security of the worlds people, receives about a fifth of its budget from the US. Trump has blasted WHO as corrupt and accused it of ripping America off, and millions of Americans who voted for him are increasingly skeptical of the value of such international structures. But experts have warned that the withdrawal of WHOs most influential member could harm global health. In a statement Tuesday, the organization said it regretted the US decision, noting that it had, over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. The US withdrawal is the most momentous of all the executive orders signed Monday, said Lawrence Gostin, a public health law professor at Georgetown University, warning it could be sowing the seeds for the next pandemic. Heres how Trumps decision could affect WHO and global health more widely. What does WHO do? WHO is one of several global institutions that emerged from the wreckage of World War II. After the world was torn apart by nationalism and conflict, countries agreed to sacrifice some aspects of their sovereignty for the common good. The agency was founded in 1948 in an attempt to protect the worlds health. Its constitution, signed by all UN members at the time, warned that unequal development in the health systems of different countries was a common danger. The organizations objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Thomas Parran, then the US surgeon general, said WHO was more than a health agency, but a powerful instrument forged for peace that would contribute to the harmony of human relations. Today, the agency works in more than 150 locations around the world, leads efforts to expand universal health coverage and directs the international response to health emergencies, from yellow fever to cholera and Ebola. The agency has, however, been criticized for being inefficient, opaque, overly reliant on private donors and hamstrung by political concerns. What has it achieved? WHOs most notable achievement was the eradication of smallpox, which marked a rare instance of cooperation between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. In 1967, the organization set the ambitious target of wiping out the disease in a decade. The last known case was in Somalia in 1977. By 1980, WHO could declare smallpox eradicated the only infectious disease to achieve this distinction. Because the organization is so large, its effects are often diffuse, said Francois Balloux, director of the Genetics Institute at University College London (UCL). He pointed to the near-universal upward trend in life expectancy since WHOs founding as an achievement for which the agency also deserves credit. More recently, it has led responses to disease outbreaks like Ebola in West Africa, which killed at least 11,000 of the more than 28,000 people infected from 2014-2016. Working with local authorities, WHO conducted research on the safety of a newly developed vaccine which achieved near-perfect efficacy and helped stem the spread of the disease. Trump holds an executive order after signing it at an inauguration event in Washington, DC, on Monday. - Matt Rourke/AP Why does Trump want to withdraw? Trump first tried to exit WHO during his first term in 2020, accusing the organization of severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of Covid-19. Trump has long said he believes the coronavirus originated in a laboratory in Wuhan, China, which Beijing has sought to obscure. Notably, WHO has shared some of Trumps concerns and in December five years since the first case of Covid-19 was detected called for China to be more transparent to help the world understand how the pandemic began. During his latest election campaign, Trump was more brazen, calling the organization nothing more than a corrupt globalist scam which disgracefully covered the tracks of the Chinese Communist Party. By focusing on the origins of Covid-19, Trump has understated the role that WHO spearheaded by the US played in combating the virus once it began to spread, experts say. Alan Bernstein, director of the Global Health initiative at the University of Oxford, said WHO was crucial in convincing China to release the genetic sequence early in 2020, which was the basis of the vaccines developed in the US. You cant fight a pandemic effectively without some kind of global table where countries around the world can meet and discuss and twist arms to release data, Bernstein told CNN. There is also a financial aspect to Trumps animosity. The president has previously said that the US contributes around $500 million a year to WHO, compared to Chinas $40 million, despite its far larger population. As he signed Mondays executive order, Trump was asked whether, as president during Covid-19, he appreciated the importance of agencies like WHO. I do, but not when youre being ripped off like we are, he replied. This worldview misses the benefits of cooperation, said Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. The US would be weaker in its national security imperatives if it wasnt part of WHO, given it wouldnt have this cooperation with other countries to know whats happening in terms of outbreaks and in helping manage response, Sridhar told CNN. Tedros attends a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 10, 2024. - Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images/File What happens next? It takes a year to withdraw fully from the agency which is why Joe Biden was able to halt the US exit four years ago, in one of the first acts of his presidency. But there are signs that the departure could be swifter this time. Mondays executive order called on the secretary of state and director of the Office of Management and Budget to pause funding with all practicable speed. Perhaps anticipating Trumps exit, WHO launched a request earlier this month for $1.5 billion in funding to address 42 ongoing health emergencies. The organization declined to make that connection on a call with reporters on Friday, just days before Trump took office. Tedros said Tuesday that he regrets Trumps decision, stressing that the US also gains from the agency to which it contributes. For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO, Tedros said. Balloux, of UCL, said the decision could delay the eradication of polio and hamper efforts to combat tuberculosis and HIV. It could lead to delayed responses to major outbreaks of things we know about, like Ebola, and things we dont know about yet, he told CNN. CNNs Betsy Klein and Catherine Nicholls contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in the Oval Office of the White House, on Monday, January 27, 2020, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP) World leaders congratulated President Donald Trump on his inauguration Monday, with many urging stronger alliances or continued cooperation between their countries and the United States, in carefully crafted social media posts and statements. Trumps return to the White House portends a seismic shakeup in international relations, with the new president immediately ordering the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and World Health Organization, as world leaders brace for new tariffs on goods and the impact of Trumps America first agenda. Some populist leaders celebrated Trumps return, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called the US president a dear friend, and Hungarys Victor Orban who declared, now its our turn to shine. But not all the messages were congratulatory. Some leaders expressed their anger at remarks Trump made during his Inauguration Day speech, or with the controversial raft of executive actions he signed almost immediately after entering the Oval Office. Panamas President Jose Raul Mulino rejected Trumps promise that the US would be taking back the Panama Canal. The vital waterway in Central America was built by the US but is now controlled by Panama. The Canal is and will continue to be Panamas, Mulino reiterated in a statement. There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration, he added, apparently referring to Trumps claim that China is operating the canal. Other regional neighbors were also critical of Trump. Cuba condemned Trumps decision to put the Communist-run island back on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, with its president calling the move, an act of arrogance and disregard for the truth. This is not surprising. His goal is to continue strengthening the cruel economic war against Cuba for the purpose of domination, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on X. Cubas Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez also issued a scathing response to the decision, saying Trump was drunk with arrogance. But outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau struck a more conciliatory tone, despite Trumps recent jibes about making Canada the 51st US state and indication that he will impose a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico on February 1. Trudeau congratulated Trump and said Canada looks forward to working with the new administration, while protecting and defending the interests of Canadians. Wartime leaders Trump repeatedly signaled his wish to end the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine during his campaign and major players in both conflicts have adjusted their positions accordingly in the months since his November election victory. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement that the best days of our alliance are yet to come. He also thanked Trump for his assistance in brokering Israels ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas. Your first term as President was filled with groundbreaking moments, Netanyahu said. Im confident that we will complete the defeat of Irans terror axis and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for our region. An Israeli official told CNN plans are in place for Netanyahu to visit Washington and meet Trump in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed openness to rebuilding relations with the new US administration, saying he welcomed statements from Trump and his team expressing a desire to restore direct contact with Russia. Trump on Monday said he plans to meet Putin once talks are set up, a process he said was already underway. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been trying to win over Trump and convince him to continue US military assistance as Kyiv fends off Moscows invasion, said Trumps inauguration was a day of change and hope. He also praised Trumps peace through strength policy, saying it provides an opportunity to achieve a long-term and just peace. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said, With President Trump back in office we will turbo-charge defense spending and production. Trump previously said he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to any NATO member country that doesnt meet spending guidelines and would not offer such a country US protection. Allies hopes Several Asian leaders also took to social media to congratulate Trump, expressing hopes for continued alliances. US security and military assistance to countries in the Asia-Pacific has been a cornerstone of previous administrations foreign policy, which has centered around countering an increasingly assertive China. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in a post on X that he looks forward to collaborating with you to reinforce the enduring Japan-US partnership and jointly pursue our shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te offered his sincere congratulations to Trump and Vice President JD Vance, saying Taiwan looks forward to working with your administration to promote enduring freedom, peace and prosperity around the world. In Europe, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Trump on X, saying, For a long time, Germany and the US have been working together successfully promoting prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue to do so for the wellbeing of our citizens. United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, the special relationship between the UK and the US will continue to flourish for years to come. Starmer recently criticized those spreading lies and misinformation about child sex grooming gangs in the UK, responding to Elon Musk, the worlds richest man and Trump adviser, who had accused the prime minister of being complicit in the rape of Britain over historic child sex abuse in parts of England. European Union leaders also looked to strengthen the transatlantic partnership with the US. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, the EU looks forward to working closely with you to tackle global challenges, while European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said in an address to the legislature that the future will not be without its challenges. Middle Eastern endorsement Leaders and diplomats in the Middle East also expressed hope for closer relations with the US. Syrias de facto leader, the former rebel chief Ahmed al-Sharaa, said, We are confident that (Trump) is the leader to bring peace to the Middle East and restore stability to the region. Al-Sharaa, better known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, became the de facto head of Syrias interim government after his Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), toppled longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad in December. We look forward to improving the relations between our two countries based on dialogue and understanding, he said in a statement on behalf of the New Administration of Syria. Saudi Arabias Ambassador to the US Reema Bandar Al-Saud posted photos from the inauguration in Washington on her X account, including of her meeting Trump. As our two nations celebrate 80 years of friendship, it was my honor to convey our leaderships heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, she wrote. The relationship between our two countries is historic and we look forward to continuing our work together for the benefit of both our peoples, our region, and the world. CNNs Jay Ganglani, James Frater, Michael Rios, Manveena Suri, Eyad Kourdi, Patrick Oppmann, Kathleen Magramo, and CNNEEs Elizabeth Gonzalez contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Wisconsin teen who was accused of starting a fire at a local congressman's office has blamed the ban on TikTok for the crime. Around 1 a.m. on Sunday, officers with the City of Fond du Lac Police Department (FDLPD) responded to calls of a fire at a local strip mall, which was where the office of Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman was located. Upon arrival, police had to use extinguishers to keep the fire in check until firefighters arrived to put out the blaze. Authorities later located a 19-year-old teen nearby who admitted that he started the fire "in response to recent talks of a TikTok ban," according to the New York Post, citing statements from the FDLPD. Were There Any Injuries? Police said the building was unoccupied at the time the fire started. No one was injured in the blaze. Authorities are currently probing the incident, noting that the investigation is still in its "preliminary stages." "We are relieved that no one was injured and the office was unoccupied at the time of the fire," FDLPD Chief Aaron Goldstein said in a statement, per PEOPLE. "Acts of violence, in any form, are not tolerated, and we remain committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our community." The teen is currently being held at the Fond du Lac County jail and is facing a charge of arson. The local district attorney's office is expected to file additional charges against the teen, whose identity was not publicly released. Read Also: Florida Teacher In Shock After Getting Slapped with Massive Fine for Criticizing Active Shooter Protocols on TikTok TikTok Ban in the US Rep. Grothman was one of the politicians who voted in favor of a bill that mandated ByteDance---the Chinese company that owns TikTok---to sell the app or be banned in the United States this weekend. TikTok shut down for users in the US on Saturday, with users being greeted with a message stating that the app was unavailable. The app also stopped appearing on the Apple and Google Play app stores, which prevented people from downloading the app. It also effectively cut off the app from critical software updates, NPR reported. The app began restoring service to US users after President Donald Trump indicated he may intervene to keep the app operational in the country. He also suggested he might issue an executive order that would delay the ban's implementation, which would potentially grant a 90-day extension. Australian custom software development company, PhoenixDX, has been acquired by Alan Allman Associates, an international group of technology consulting firms listed on the European stock exchange, Euronext. Founded in 2016, PhoenixDX specialises in rapid application development using OutSystems low-code platform. As a partner in the A/NZ region, PhoenixDX holds over 210 OutSystems and AWS certifications and is home to six OutSystems most valuable profession, each with decades of experience. Over the last eight years, PhoenixDX has built a team of over 80 experts dedicated to helping IT leaders deliver complex digital solutions to improve business efficiency, drive continuous innovation, streamline operations and enable organisations to differentiate their products and services. PhoenixDXs clientele includes ASX-listed companies and government organisations, with solutions supporting critical services accessed by thousands of users daily. Pedro Carrilho, managing director and founder of PhoenixDX said the acquisition will consolidate its presence in Australia, accelerate its growth and expand its global reach, especially in the APAC region. by Steve Suwannarat To make cash, the Ministry of Economy is preparing a feasibility study. Paetongtarn Shinawatra talks about bringing out of the shadows an activity that would already involve between two and four million Thais. Criticism over moral aspects in a country where Buddhist faith condemns gaming and possible social consequences. Bangkok (AsiaNews) - The difficulties facing the Thai economy are prompting authorities to seek new sources of revenue for the public coffers, even the opening to online gambling, a possibility that is provoking a heated debate between moral question, legality and expediency. Hence the call from several quarters for the executive to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of legalizing and regulating this activity, which in any case would require coordination of multiple ministries and several legislative interventions. A feasibility study specially commissioned by the vice-premier and Minister of Economy and Digital Society will be ready within a couple of months, but also reinforcing the pro-legalization line is the position of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who recently, on a public occasion, spoke out on the need to bring out of the shadows and make profitable for the state coffers an activity that would already involve two to four million Thais. Thaksin's suggested rules are similar to that of the state lottery, starting with a minimum age of 20 and mandatory medical treatment for those who should develop addiction. In favor is another deputy prime minister, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul: At the heart of the discussions on this issue that have been going on within the government for months is the lack of objections regarding online gambling, whether the expected taxes can be collected, and whether measures to prevent money laundering will be implemented. His ministry and other government agencies are reportedly already working to amend the gaming law to allow the inclusion of online gambling. The doubts concern the moral aspect, highlighted in the attempt to curb the opening of gambling houses in the country, whose predominant Buddhist faith condemns both gambling as well as addiction. The second are the social problems these activities bring with them or radicalize, including criminal activities that thrive on them involving and exploiting even weaker segments of the population starting with the youth. The political opposition points the finger at the difficulty of security agencies to control even now criminal initiatives that take advantage of the possibilities of dissemination and untraceability of perpetrators offered by the network. Adequate training of security officers and efficient monitoring structures would therefore be needed. Also, however, as pointed out by Supisarn Bhakdinarinath, a member of the dissolved progressive and anti-establishment Move Forward party now among the promoters of the People's Party, that parliamentarians be held accountable and punished according to the law in the event of any negative consequences arising from the legalization of online gaming. Beijing reportedly reached an agreement with the two Southeast Asian countries to eliminate the compounds where thousands of Chinese nationals are detained. China recently also announced a ceasefire between Myanmars military junta and one of the ethnic resistance militias, but the two sides have not provided any details. Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) China, Myanmar and Thailand have reached an agreement to eradicate online scam centres in Myanmar, CCTV, China's largest state-owned TV broadcasters, reported. The agreement was reached at a meeting in the Chinese city of Kunming, in the presence of representatives from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, who agreed to "make every effort" to release people held in scam centres and arrest the leaders of the criminal syndicates that run them. Online scam centres are large compounds in Southeast Asia where people are lured with fake job offers and then forced to engage in online scams against their own compatriots. After a Chinese actor was recently lured to the Thai-Myanmar border with a fake job offer, China stepped up its rhetoric and action against online scam centres, which are located mostly in Myanmar and run by Chinese bosses. Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with diplomatic representatives from the regions countries, urging them to take strong measures against online gambling and fraud. Since 2023, 53,388 Chinese nationals have been freed and repatriated from Myanmar, Chinese authorities reported. It is also estimated that over a thousand online scam centres operate in the Southeast Asian country, torn by civil war for almost four years. Today the Global New Light of Myanmar, the mouthpiece of Myanmars ruling junta, publicly confirmed the figures, adding that the latter too had freed about 2,000 foreigners, mainly from Vietnam and Thailand. In their statement, Myanmar authorities said that online scams are run by foreigners from neighbouring countries, probably referring to Thailand. Yesterday, China also announced that one of the ethnic militias fighting against Myanmars military regime, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), agreed to sign a ceasefire. With Chinas mediation and effort to drive progress the two sides reached and signed a formal ceasefire agreement, and stopped fighting at 12 a.m. on January 18, 2025, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, referring to the MNDAA and the Myanmar military, who did not, however, release information about the truce. According to local sources speaking to Radio Free Asia, the agreement has made it possible to momentarily reopen some border crossings between China and Myanmar, re-establishing trade, Beijing's main interest in the region. The opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party slashed and froze by 7 per cent the 2025 budget proposed by President Lai Ching-tes administration. The president who was elected last year does not have a majority in parliament. Military spending and subsidies to the countrys state-owned power company were the main targets. For Prime Minister Cho Jung-tai, the cuts are only meant to obstruct the government. Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) Taiwans budget was approved with a drastic 7 per cent cut, especially in defence spending and energy subsidies for consumers. This followed a tug-of-war between the countrys cabinet and the opposition-dominated parliament (Legislative Yuan) in the long feud between the administration of President Lai Ching-te (who was elected last year) and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and parliament, which is dominated by the pro-Beijing Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP). After months of discussions, the Legislative Yuan approved a budget for fiscal year 2025 of 2,920 billion Taiwanese dollars (US 89.15 billion dollars), 207.5 billion less than what the government had proposed in August. At a press conference, Prime Minister Cho Jung-tai criticised the opposition KMT and TPP, calling the cuts "extremely absurd", designed only to interfere with government action. The cuts include freezing half of the planned NT billion funding for Taiwan's fleet of indigenous defence submarines (IDS). But the cuts with the greatest economic impact rare the reduction of NT0 billion in funding for state-owned Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower), which has sustained huge losses due to rising global oil prices and the government's reluctance to raise utility prices. Prime Minister Cho slammed the move for its "incalculable" impact since the funds subsidise energy costs for consumers. Kuomintang caucus whip Fu Kun defended this cut, arguing that the DPP government is pursuing the wrong energy policy, undermining the public interest. In a social media post this evening, President Lai Ching-te spoke out on the matter, criticising the budget cuts, which he said would "affect the fundamental functioning of the nation". Lai added that he will ask the cabinet to identify public services that may be disrupted due to the cuts and report them to the public as soon as possible. The people involved worked with the United States in Afghanistan and had already received approval for resettlement. The programme, which grants a Special Immigrant Visa, was established in 2009 and covers the family members of selected people. The day before Trump's inauguration, 200 Afghans made it in time to leave the Philippines, where they had been moved for final paperwork. Washington, D.C. (AsiaNews) The flights of about 1,660 Afghans who had already received approval for transfer to the United States were cancelled yesterday and today following President Donald Trump's decision to suspend refugee resettlement programmes for at least four months. The people involved include unaccompanied minors awaiting family reunification and Afghan nationals who fear Taliban retribution for working with the US military, said Shawn VanDiver, founder of a veterans' group dedicated to working with the US government to evacuate Afghans. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the change in policy, explaining that the names of those already authorised for resettlement were removed from the passenger lists of a series of flights scheduled until April, including 200 people who had obtained US citizenship after joining the US military. On the White House website, now under new management, the page dedicated to President Trump's America-first priorities reads: The President is suspending refugee resettlement, after communities were forced to house large and unsustainable populations of migrants, straining community safety and resources. Trump's decision leaves out in the cold thousands of more refugees who had received approval for resettlement, but had not been assigned flights, many stranded in Afghanistan and Pakistan, at risk of forced repatriation due to the latters expulsion policies. On Sunday, a day before Trump's inauguration, nearly 200 Afghans who had received regular visas from the US embassy in the Philippines managed to reach the United States, as part of an agreement signed in August 2024 between Washington and Manila to expedite the procedures for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV). This programme was established in 2009 "to resettle Afghans who had worked on behalf of the United States" for at least one year starting in 2001, which can also be made available to family members of the selected people. According to Kanishka Gangopadhyay, spokesman for the US embassy in the Philippines, 60 per cent of the Afghans who left Manila in recent days were underage. After US withdrawal from Kabul in 2021, the Biden administration welcomed almost 200,000 Afghans, but thousands of refugees remain stranded in countries in the region, including Pakistan. As of July 2024, Islamabad had extended the residence permits issued by UNHCR to 1.45 million registered Afghans by one year, although human rights groups estimate that the total number of refugees in the country exceeds two million. In addition, Pakistan launched a repatriation programme in October 2023 for undocumented Afghans, which also affected legal refugees. According to the International Organisation for Migration, at least 813,000 Afghans have returned from Pakistan despite the risks associated with the Taliban regime. Thousands of more Afghans found refuge in Iran, where they face discrimination and legal obstacles. Two days ago, the Norwegian Refugee Council reported the forced repatriation of 3,000 Afghans in a single day. In all of 2024, 750,000 were expelled, but Iran has announced that it wants to increase the figure up to 2 million by March 2025. Afghans also account for 95 per cent of prisoners held in Iran, according to aid organisations. The Taliban authorities recently announced an agreement with Tehran for the return of 1,500 detainees, but no further details were provided. International agencies estimate that nearly 23 million people in Afghanistan more than half of the population are in need of humanitarian assistance, including 15 million who suffer from acute food insecurity. Today's news: In China, the execution of the Zuhai bomber publicly announced two months after the massacre; In Thailand, hundreds of homosexual couples will marry on 23 January when the law legalising their marriage comes into force; Pakistan inaugurates country's largest airport, built thanks to Beijing; Patriarch and Custos of the Holy Land say truce means resuption of pilgrimages for Jubilee Year. ISRAEL - PALESTINE Among the first executive orders signed yesterday by new US President Donald Trump was the lifting of sanctions imposed by Joe Biden against Israeli settlers and extreme right-wing groups involved in violence against Palestinians or in the occupation of land in the West Bank. The February 2024 measure targeted individuals and entities that undermine peace, security and stability. The White House tenant also said he was not confident in the holding of the truce in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. HOLY LAND Church leaders in Jerusalem renew their appeal to Christians around the world to return to the Holy Land. Latin Patriarch and Custos, from the parvis of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, address pilgrims from all over the world asking them to come and visit the holy places in this Jubilee year 2025. Card. Pierbattista Pizzaballa urges to also bring hope back here, in many Christian families. Brother Francis Patton recalls the very concrete dimension of solidarity. JAPAN Tokyo intends to adopt a proactive approach to active cyber defence, allowing hackers working for the authorities to attack preventively to avert or stop sabotage attempts. Police and Self-Defence Forces (SDF) experts will be able to infiltrate servers to neutralise the source of cyber attacks. The Liberal Democratic Party (Ldp) of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will present the bills in Parliament on 24 January. CHINA China announced yesterday that it had carried out the death sentence on Fan Weiqiu, the man who killed 35 people in the deadliest mass attack in years on 11 November in Zuhai. Also yesterday, CCTV reported that another court in the eastern province of Jiangsu carried out the death sentence for Xu Jiajin, a 21-year-old former student who attacked a vocational school in the city of Wuxi in the same days. The speed with which the death penalty was carried out and the spread of its news is an indication of the social alarm aroused by the increasingly recurrent outbreaks of violence in China. THAILAND Hundreds of LGBTQ couples will get married on 23 January, coinciding with the entry into force of the law recognising equal status with heterosexual unions. Thailand thus becomes the largest nation in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, after Nepal and Taiwan. Thai society has long accepted fluid identities and relationships, but has lacked legislation to recognise them. AFGHANISTAN An Afghan prisoner in US custody for almost 20 years was freed in exchange for two US citizens. According to Kabul sources, Khan Mohammad had been arrested in the eastern province of Nangarhar and extradited, then sentenced to life imprisonment for narco-terrorism related offences. He was serving his sentence in the state of California. There is currently no official word on the released US citizens, but they could be Ryan Corbett and William McKenty. PAKISTAN - CHINA Pakistan's largest international airport, financed and built by China as part of the Belt and Road Initiative in the southwestern province of Balochistan, officially opened yesterday welcoming the first flight. The Gwadar slipway, along with the deepwater port of the same name, were built as part of the billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (Cpec) and is considered essential for increasing regional trade and connectivity. RUSSIA - UNITED STATES Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his congratulations to Donald Trump on the occasion of his inauguration. The Kremlin leader said he was open to dialogue about the conflict in Ukraine, and appreciated the new US administration's willingness to re-establish direct contacts, as well as the Tycoon's statements against World War III. KAZAKHSTAN Arrests continue in Kazakhstan of journalists expressing their support for their colleague Temirlan Ensenbek, author of the satirical platform QazNews24, who has been imprisoned for over a month. The latest to end up in a cell was the journalist Asem Zapiseva, an activist of the protest movement Oyan, Qazaqstan! who had demonstrated in front of the theatre in Almaty. 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The Iranian Foreign Ministry cited Araghchi as praising the very good relations and extensive cooperation between the two neighboring nations. Araghchi emphasized the current Iranian administrations determination to further develop and deepen bilateral ties with Armenia, considering them beneficial for both nations and essential for sustainable peace and stability in the South Caucasus, read a ministry statement on his meeting with Kostanian. He also declared the Islamic Republic of Iran's readiness to assist in achieving peace and maintaining stability and security in the region, it said. Kostanian held separate meetings with one of Araghchis deputies, Majid Takht Ravanchi, as well as senior aides to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Ravanchi tweeted afterwards that Tehran and Yerevan are determined to strengthen ties in numerous areas. Vahan Kostanian briefed his counterpart on the latest developments in the process of normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, stressing that Armenia is committed to the peace agenda and expects the same from Azerbaijan, reported the Armenian Foreign Ministry. In this context, the importance of steps aimed at increasing Armenia's resilience was highlighted. Kostanian flew to Tehran less than two weeks after Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, visited Yerevan for talks with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. Ahmadian arrived in the Armenian capital from Baku where he met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The meeting took place the day after Aliyev renewed his threats to forcibly open a land corridor to Azerbaijans Nakhichevan exclave through Syunik, the only Armenian province bordering Iran. Pashinian and Ahmadian discussed, among other things, Yerevans Crossroads of Peace project designed to serve as a blueprint for opening the Armenian-Azerbaijani border to travel and commerce. The project says that Armenia and Azerbaijan should have full control of transport infrastructure inside each others territory. Baku insists on an extraterritorial corridor that would exempt people and cargo transported to and from Nakhichevan from Armenian border checks. Tehran is strongly opposed to the so-called Zangezur corridor. It has repeatedly warned against attempts to strip it of transport links or the common border with Armenia. 21 January 2025 13:49 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. Pakistani textile companies are gearing up to explore investment opportunities in Azerbaijan, signaling a significant step forward in economic collaboration between the two nations. According to a local Azerbaijani media outlet, this initiative, spearheaded by Khurram Javaid Bhatti President of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Chamber of Economic Cooperation (PAKAZCHAM), aims to foster closer ties through a business event in Baku, where Pakistani and Azerbaijani entrepreneurs will convene. Why Azerbaijan is a strategic choice for Pakistan's textile industry? Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 21 January 2025 18:32 (UTC+04:00) By Raza Syed, Editor, London Post "Black January" refers to the tragic events that unfolded on January 19-20, 1990, in Baku, Azerbaijan. On these fateful days, Soviet troops violently cracked down on peaceful demonstrators demanding independence from Soviet rule. The brutal suppression resulted in the loss of over 170 innocent lives and left hundreds more injured. Despite the violence, Black January became a defining moment in Azerbaijan's struggle for independence. Black January stands as a powerful symbol of resistance and heroism in Azerbaijan's fight for freedom. The courage and sacrifice of those who stood up against the Soviet forces are remembered and honoured as a testament to their unwavering spirit and determination. Historical Context By the late 1980s, Azerbaijan, a republic within the Soviet Union, had become a hub of cultural and political turbulence. The broader wave of nationalism sweeping across Soviet republics, coupled with Mikhail Gorbachev's policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), emboldened Azerbaijanis to demand greater autonomy. Decades of political suppression, economic inequalities, and cultural erosion fuelled dissatisfaction with Soviet rule. Amid this growing unrest, the Azerbaijani Popular Front emerged as a key driver of the independence movement. Through mass protests and rallies, the movement united citizens in their demand for sovereignty. However, the rising nationalist fervour was met with resistance from the Soviet leadership, intent on retaining control over its republics. The tensions culminated in the tragic events of January 1990. The Fateful Night: Tragedy Unfolds On the eve of January 19, thousands of Azerbaijani citizens gathered in Baku to protest Soviet policies. The demonstrators, a diverse group of students, intellectuals, and activists, rallied for independence and political reform. Their peaceful assembly reflected a broader discontent with the central government and a collective yearning for freedom. Violent Suppression In response, Soviet troops launched a coordinated assault under the pretext of restoring order. Tanks rolled into Baku, and soldiers opened fire indiscriminately, targeting unarmed civilians. The carnage was devastating, with over 170 lives lost and countless others injured. The scale of violence not only shocked the Azerbaijani people but also drew widespread international condemnation, exposing the oppressive nature of the Soviet regime. Acts of Bravery Amid the chaos, stories of bravery and solidarity emerged. Protesters formed human shields to protect each other, while others risked their lives to provide medical aid to the wounded. These acts of defiance became enduring symbols of Azerbaijans resilience and deepened the resolve to achieve independence. The Aftermath: A Nation United The events of Black January, rather than quelling the independence movement, intensified it. The tragedy united various factions and galvanized public opinion, strengthening the resolve to break free from Soviet control. The Azerbaijani Popular Front and other pro-independence groups redoubled their efforts, with the memory of the fallen protesters serving as a rallying cry. Internationally, the crackdown drew attention to Azerbaijan's plight, increasing pressure on the Soviet leadership and exposing the fragility of its grip on its republics. Within months, the independence movement gained unstoppable momentum, culminating in Azerbaijans declaration of independence in 1991. A Turning Point in History Black January remains a pivotal moment in Azerbaijan's journey toward independence. The brutality of Soviet forces starkly symbolized the oppression of the regime, while the courage of the Azerbaijani people exemplified their commitment to self-determination. This event not only marked the beginning of the end of Soviet control but also reinforced the importance of unity in the face of adversity. Commemorating the Sacrifice Each year, January 20 is observed as a day of mourning in Azerbaijan. The nation honours the victims through solemn ceremonies, wreath-laying rituals, and moments of silence. These commemorations serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for the country's sovereignty and reinforce the collective memory of resistance and resilience. Shaping National Identity The legacy of Black January is deeply woven into Azerbaijan's national consciousness. It stands as a testament to the resilience and bravery of the Azerbaijani people, inspiring future generations to uphold the principles of freedom and independence. The spirit of Black January remains a cornerstone of Azerbaijans identity, influencing its political and cultural landscape. Conclusion: A Legacy of Courage and Resistance "Black January" is more than a historical eventit is a profound narrative of sacrifice, courage, and unyielding determination. The peaceful protests and the ensuing tragedy of January 19-20, 1990, became a defining moment in Azerbaijan's quest for independence. While the loss of over 170 lives underscored the brutality of Soviet oppression, it also illuminated the indomitable spirit of a nation determined to chart its destiny. Today, the memory of Black January continues to inspire and unite Azerbaijanis, serving as a powerful reminder of the price of freedom. Its legacy resonates as a symbol of resistance and a testament to the enduring pursuit of sovereignty, shaping Azerbaijan's identity as an independent and resilient nation. 21 January 2025 16:49 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The 55th annual Davos World Economic Forum has commenced in Switzerland under the theme Partnering for a Smarter Century. The forum, which began today, will run until January 24 and features the participation of heads of state, government officials, international organizations, business leaders, and representatives of civil society. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, who was specially invited by Klaus Schwab, the Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum in Davos, is also attending this prestigious event, joining other global leaders to discuss key challenges and opportunities for sustainable development and innovation. This years forum differs significantly from previous gatherings in terms of its main goals, adopting a more strategic and specific approach to key topics such as artificial intelligence, climate change, human capital, and technological innovations. For instance, while the development of technology was broadly discussed in previous years, this year the focus will shift to the profound effects of artificial intelligence on society and the economy. Similarly, while climate change has always been a priority, the 2025 forum will emphasize concrete solutions through innovative partnerships and green industry development. A notable shift is also expected in discussions about human capital. Unlike previous forums, which primarily addressed global economic issues, this year will prioritize targeted investments in human capital. Furthermore, new economic models are on the agenda, moving beyond traditional concepts of sustainability to explore non-traditional sources of growth. This years forum focuses on five critical areas: Redesigning development Identifying new growth sources for resilient economies. Identifying new growth sources for resilient economies. Industries in the knowledge age Balancing short-term goals with long-term strategies for industrial transformation. Balancing short-term goals with long-term strategies for industrial transformation. Investing in human capital Promoting public-private investments for modern and sustainable societies. Promoting public-private investments for modern and sustainable societies. Protecting the planet Advancing energy, climate, and nature goals through partnerships, financing, and technology. Advancing energy, climate, and nature goals through partnerships, financing, and technology. Rebuilding trust Addressing societal divisions, geopolitical complexities, and trade challenges by fostering collaboration. Over 1,600 business leaders, including over 900 of the worlds top CEOs and Chairs from the World Economic Forums Members and Partners, will also participate, over 120 of which are Global Innovators, Tech Pioneers and Unicorns who are transforming industries. "More than 170 leaders from civil society and the social sector from labour unions, non-governmental organisations, religious and indigenous communities, as well as experts and heads of the worlds leading universities, research institutions and think tanks will participate in the meeting," the WEF also noted in a press release. More than 160 members of the Forums communities, including the Unicorn and Technology Pioneers communities, the Community of Global Shapers, the Forum of Young Global Leaders and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship will also attend to showcase local innovations and solutions to global challenges. Key statistics highlight the forum's global reach, with over 230 sessions, nearly 3,000 participants from more than 130 countries, and attendance by 60 heads of state, 350 public figures, and over 900 business leaders. Historic background The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international advocacy non-governmental organization and think tank, based in Cologny, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. It was founded on 24 January 1971 by German engineer Klaus Schwab. The foundation's stated mission is "improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas". The foundation is mostly funded by its 1,000 member multi-national companies. The WEF is mostly known for its annual meeting at the end of January in Davos, a mountain resort in the canton of Graubunden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland. The meeting brings together some 3,000 paying members and selected participants among whom are investors, business leaders, political leaders, economists, celebrities and journalists for up to five days to discuss global issues across 500 sessions. Aside from Davos, the organization convenes regional conferences. It produces a series of reports, engages its members in sector-specific initiatives and provides a platform for leaders from selected stakeholder groups to collaborate on projects and initiatives. The World Economic Forum and its annual meeting in Davos have received criticism over the years, including allegations of the organization's corporate capture of global and democratic institutions, institutional whitewashing initiatives, the public cost of security, the organization's tax-exempt status, unclear decision processes and membership criteria, a lack of financial transparency, and the environmental footprint of its annual meetings. 21 January 2025 11:24 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more A panel meeting dedicated to COP29 was held in the British Parliament, Azernews reports. The meeting was attended by Fariz Ismayilzadeh, Chairman of the British-Azerbaijani Interparliamentary Friendship Group, Malini Mehra, CEO of the "GLOBE" organization, Barry Gardiner, a member of the British House of Commons, Baroness Helena Hayman, a member of the House of Lords, Azerbaijani students, and climate experts. In his speech, Fariz Ismayilzadeh emphasized that hosting COP29 in Azerbaijan highlights the countrys focus on climate issues and the transition to green energy. He discussed significant projects, including agreements with "Masdar" and "ACWA Power" for solar and wind energy production, as well as a planned cable project to export green energy to Europe beneath the Black Sea. He noted that COP29 in Azerbaijan had made important strides in advancing the global climate agenda and mentioned relevant legislative initiatives in Azerbaijan supporting climate change action. Barry Gardiner, a British MP, stated that COP29 furthered global climate goals. He also praised the events high-level organization and commented on Bakus remarkable transformation over the past decade. Gardiner emphasized the importance of accountability in climate action and inquired about Azerbaijan's mechanisms in this area. Malini Mehra, CEO of the "GLOBE" organization, shared her experience at COP29, commending Azerbaijans significant progress in advancing the global climate agenda in a short time. She highlighted the ambitious initiatives included in the COP29 presidency's agenda and praised Azerbaijans work on Bilateral Transparency Reports (BTR). Event participants concluded that COP29 has further boosted Azerbaijans green energy initiatives, with future projects expected to have a major global impact. 21 January 2025 12:56 (UTC+04:00) On January 21, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Edgars Rinkevics, President of the Republic of Latvia, at the latters request in Davos, Azernews reports. Edgars Rinkevics fondly recalled his previous meetings with the Azerbaijani President. The President of Latvia stated that today's meeting provided an excellent opportunity to discuss bilateral relations. Edgars Rinkevics expressed his condolences to President Ilham Aliyev for those who lost their lives in the plane crash. The President of Azerbaijan expressed his gratitude for the condolences. President Ilham Aliyev, in turn, emphasized the importance of today's meeting in terms of discussing the prospects for bilateral cooperation. 21 January 2025 16:31 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more An investigation is ongoing to determine if any Azerbaijani citizens were among the casualties and injured in a fire at a hotel located in the Kartalkaya ski resort in Turkiye's Bolu province. In response to Azernewss inquiry, Ayxan Haczad, the press secretary of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated, "The investigation is underway to determine if there were any Azerbaijani citizens among the casualties." Additionally, Azerbaijan's embassy in Turkiye informed that no Azerbaijani citizens have contacted the embassy regarding the fire. It is important to note that a massive fire occurred at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort. The fire started on the fourth floor of the 11-story building around 03:30 local time last night. Thirty fire trucks and 28 ambulances were mobilized to the scene. As a result of the fire, at least 10 people died, and 32 people were injured. Bolu's governor, Abdulaziz Aydn, mentioned that the cause of the fire is still unknown but suspects it started on the floor where the restaurant is located. At the time of the incident, there were 234 guests in the hotel. 21 January 2025 21:25 (UTC+04:00) By Mazahir Afandiyev The region's locomotive state, Azerbaijan, is currently forging connections with Georgia in a number of areas in the South Caucasus. Georgia's geopolitical significance in the region has grown, especially as a result of the situation around the nearly 30-year conflict with Armenia. The strong historical ties that have developed between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Georgia, who have lived peacefully in the South Caucasus for centuries, as well as relations in the fields of security, defense, economy, trade, energy, transport and logistics, tourism, culture, and other areas, are based on mutual respect and equal friendship. The wise peoples of Georgia and Azerbaijan have a long history of friendly relations. Our relationships' past experiences demonstrate how similar and intertwined our futures are. Due to this historical experience, cooperation is required in order to maintain regional independence, peace, and security as well as to integrate into the civilized world. Establishing close relations with neighboring countries and preserving South Caucasus security was one of Azerbaijan's primary objectives following its second independence in 1991. Thanks to his friendship with Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, which dates back to the Soviet era, Great Leader Heydar Aliyev was able to further strengthen good-neighbourly relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan when he announced the country's foreign policy priorities in 1993. He did this by drawing on his experience and making effective use of the opportunities that were available. Activities were so conducted as to avoid conflict hotspots in the South Caucasus and to further strengthen the historical linkages between our peoples. In addition to being friends and neighbors, Azerbaijan and Georgia are now significant strategic partners. The Republic of Azerbaijan and Georgia signed the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation, and Strengthening Mutual Security on March 8, 1996, which established the framework for our strategic partnership. More than 125 documents have been signed between our nations throughout the past time, and multiple high-level reciprocal visits have been conducted. Azerbaijan has consistently supported Georgia's development, prosperity, and stability. Taking good-neighbourly and cordial relations between our countries to the next level, perhaps an alliance, assures regional stability and security. Azerbaijan has made 3.6 billion dollars in economic investments in Georgia as a result of years of productive cooperation. Furthermore, the world's most notable example of active partnership is the carrying out of significant energy and transportation projects that benefit both nations greatly. The ever-evolving collaboration between Azerbaijan and Georgia which serves as a link between Europe and Asia, advances not only the political and economic climate in the region but also the worldwide economy. Notably, our nation presently exports natural gas to eleven other nations via Georgian transit, and productive work on the Middle Corridor project, which spans a large geographic area, continues. Over the past few years, the customary gatherings between Georgia and Azerbaijan have helped to strengthen our friendship and bring our two countries closer together. Following Georgia's parliamentary elections, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze made his first trip to Azerbaijan on January 17, 2025, which further demonstrated the strong bilateral ties between our two nations. "Georgia-Azerbaijan relations are progressing successfully in all areas. I believe that our political relations can serve as an example for all our neighbors, President Ilham Aliyev told the press following the meeting between the two leaders. This is an indicator that our political and economic ties will continue to develop in the future, and important joint energy, transit, and logistics projects in the South Caucasus will be successfully implemented, based on an approach based on modern challenges. In addition to the economic sphere, Azerbaijan and Georgia have developed cooperative ties within the framework of international organizations, and several significant projects that support regional security and peoples' well-being have been carried out. Among these initiatives was the South Caucasus Antidrug program (SCAD), which was carried out by the United Nations Development Program and supported by the European Union. It brought together the governments of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. In addition to covering topics like border integration, education, healthcare, security, and legislation, this project has made sure that a system for collaboration and the execution of coordinated joint operations has been established. Thus, the cordial interactions we witness and the traditional meetings we organize open up new vistas in the South Caucasus' sociopolitical life while also contributing to the effective continuance of excellent work for the benefit of the people. Azerbaijan liberated its territory after 30 years of occupation and now is on the verge of achieving regional security. We are confident that, like Azerbaijan, other South Caucasus nations will see the momentous chance to secure a shared future under a new political structure founded on contemporary issues and that a fully secure, tranquil, and affluent existence will be guaranteed throughout this region. Mazahir Afandiyev, the author is a member of the Azerbaijani Parliament 21 January 2025 15:44 (UTC+04:00) On January 21, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Jared Cohen, President of Global Affairs at the Goldman Sachs Group Inc., in Davos upon the company's request, Azernews reports. The meeting featured an extensive exchange of views on the current state and prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Goldman Sachs Group Inc. They praised the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the company since 2010. The importance of the successful partnership between the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Goldman Sachs Group Inc. was emphasized, particularly in terms of fostering the development of Azerbaijan's financial sector and expanding its international investment opportunities. Jared Cohen highlighted the companys global operations in finance and investment and expressed satisfaction with its partnership with Azerbaijan. He highlighted the company's strong interest in the region's economic developments and emphasized ongoing exploration of potential opportunities to foster partnerships in future projects. The Goldman Sachs Group Inc., founded in 1869 and headquartered in New York City, USA, is a leading global financial institution providing services in investment and consumer banking, securities, and asset management. The company currently operates in over 40 countries and manages assets worth $2.8 trillion across various categories. 21 January 2025 16:22 (UTC+04:00) On January 21, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, President of the Republic of Iraq, at the latters request in Davos, Azernews reports. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid fondly recalled his visit to Azerbaijan for COP29 and congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on the successful organization of this significant event. The President of Iraq also reiterated his condolences regarding the plane crash. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the condolences. The President of Azerbaijan warmly recalled his previous meetings with the Iraqi President and the discussions held during those encounters. The meeting focused on issues related to the development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Iraq, the launch of direct flights, and the activities of the intergovernmental commission. The Presidents also discussed the situation in the Middle East and emphasized the importance of establishing peace and stability in the region. During the conversation, the sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest. 21 January 2025 17:21 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more On January 21, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, chaired an operational meeting of the Land Forces in the city of Khankendi. The meeting brought together deputy ministers, troop commanders, and senior military officials, including heads of main departments, services, and unit commanders of the Land Forces, Azernews reports. The session began with a moment of silence to honor the memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and those who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan's independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. During the meeting, Colonel General Hasanov conveyed the directives of President Ilham Aliyev, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to the Azerbaijani Army. Discussions focused on the current operational situation along the conditional border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the combat readiness of military units, and maintaining military discipline. The Minister issued specific instructions to enhance the service and combat efficiency of military units, ensure heightened vigilance, and carry out tasks accurately and on time. Special emphasis was placed on supporting units operating in challenging mountainous terrains and improving the moral and psychological preparedness of personnel. The meeting concluded with a call for the higher-quality implementation of the outlined measures and ensuring the readiness of the Land Forces for any operational requirements. 21 January 2025 17:09 (UTC+04:00) On January 21, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, at the latters request in Davos, Azernews reports. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid fondly recalled his visit to Azerbaijan for COP29 and congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on the successful organization of this significant event. The President of Iraq also reiterated his condolences regarding the plane crash. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the condolences. The President of Azerbaijan warmly recalled his previous meetings with the Iraqi President and the discussions held during those encounters. The meeting focused on issues related to the development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Iraq, the launch of direct flights, and the activities of the intergovernmental commission. The Presidents also discussed the situation in the Middle East and emphasized the importance of establishing peace and stability in the region. During the conversation, the sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest. 21 January 2025 17:53 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolences to President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azernews reports. The letter reads: "Dear Mr. President, dear Brother, We are deeply shocked by the news of the fire at a hotel in the Kartalkaya resort in Bolu province, which resulted in the loss of many lives. In light of this tragedy, I share your sorrow and extend my deep condolences to you, the families and loved ones of the victims, and the brotherly people of Turkiye, on behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan. I also wish a swift recovery to the injured. May Allah rest their souls in peace!" 21 January 2025 18:42 (UTC+04:00) On January 21, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the latters request in Davos, Azernews reports. Chancellor Scholz inquired about the progress of investigations related to the plane crash. President Ilham Aliyev and Chancellor Scholz also reflected on their previous meetings, with both leaders expressing satisfaction with their past engagements. During the conversation, they exchanged views on the development of bilateral relations, as well as the prospects for enhancing Azerbaijans cooperation with the European Union. The sides also discussed other areas of mutual interest. The Chancellor reaffirmed Germany's support for efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. 22 January 2025 01:11 (UTC+04:00) According to Azernews , the post reads: "President Ilham Aliyevs working visit to the Swiss Confederation (20-21.01.2025)". A footage about President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Switzerland was posted on his official social media accounts. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 21 January 2025 19:50 (UTC+04:00) By Peter Tase Since the beginning of his presidency in August 15th, 2023, Santiago Pena has grossly failed to improve the public health administration in Paraguay and fire Jorge Britez and Benigno Lopez Benitez brother of former President Mario Abdo Benitez two flamboyant corrupt public servants of the Institute for Social Provision (IPS) that have abused with public finances and allegedly exerted traffic of influence in the conduct of public health policies, since Mario Abdo Benitezs administration (2018-2023). Both Britez and Benitez are the principal pillar of business cooperation between Pena and Abdos cronies that continue to administer Paraguays public health system for their personal benefit and sapped financial resources from public coffers that are destined to build new hospitals and health centers across the nation. Furthermore, up until August 12th, 2024, the then Paraguayan Civilian Cabinet Chief Lea Gimenez has provided shelter to corrupt autocrats within the countrys public health system including Britez and Benitez. In cooperation with Minister of Public Health Maria Teresa Baran, Former Minister Lea Gimenez, with a PhD in economics from Lehigh University has emerged as the main architect of further deteriorating Paraguays already poor public health standards. Apparently Gimenezs extended stint in the United States did not appropriately educate her with the tenets of effective leadership in public administration let alone implement sound economic policies in a third-world country such as Paraguay. Similar to Santiago Pena, Ministers Lea Gimenez, and Teresa Baran have demonstrated poor leadership skills and employed underhand techniques to favor their angels of mercy in the Regional Hospital of Encarnacion (Direccion de Docencia del Hospital Regional de Encarnacion), where a new wave of psychological torture against medical interns appears to be exacerbated over the last three years in Itapua. Moreover, medical doctors that have denounced white-collar crime, Raul Emilio Real Delor from the National University of Itapua (Universidad Nacional de Itapua) and Americo Ayala Saucedo (UNI), argue that from 348 interviews recently conducted with Medical interns working in 32 hospitals, 339 questionnaires have reflected significant degree of psychological torture and elevated discrimination during their pro bono services offered to public hospitals. Psychological distress and overworking of medical interns consist in pressuring these young professionals to work continuously for over 36 hours non-stop and being deprived from using the showering facilities when working for excessive periods of time and dealing with a plethora of viruses in poorly built, organized public hospitals. While President Pena is delivering fake speeches at the Western Hemisphere Security Forum speaking on human rights and defense of Democracy and Freedom, his country has become a money laundering paradise for International terrorist organizations and a regional financial hub for the traditional enemies of the State of Israel. Penas Paraguay has shown complete incompetence to secure its land borders with Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina. Santiago Pena has also officially requested in August 8th, 2024, to the Biden Harris Administration to immediately terminate the diplomatic tenure of U. S. Ambassador Marc Ostfield in Asuncion; an unprecedented move for a head of state who pretends to fight international terrorism and openly refuses to work with Washingtons staunchest crusader of the war against Hezbollah in South America. Instead of anxiously pursuing photo ops with the United States nominee for Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in Washington D. C. , President Pena should urgently focus on tackling the brutal violations of human rights in the Regional Hospital of Encarnacion, and suspend from practicing all arrogant medical doctors, including Dr. Nelly Avalos and her team of accomplices; whose grave actions continue to inflict irreparable psychological traumas to Paraguays youngest generation of medical doctors. As a nation, the Republic of Paraguay is in desperate need for medical doctors and an overwhelming poor training infrastructure paired with harsh psychological conditions adopted by incumbent medical doctors, are seriously corroding the healthcare landscape in Encarnacion. In March 2025, Teresa Baran will inaugurate the main Campus of the Southern Hospital (El Gran Hospital del Sur) in Encarnacion, meanwhile Penas administration has not been successful to hire physicians and other medical specialists, nor has it shaped strategies for innovative pipelines into the healthcare industry. Paraguayan public health sector is at a crossroads and it is the constitutional obligation of Santiago Pena to combat endemic corruption in Encarnacion and stop traveling internationally, on average twice a month, for leisure and tourism using public funds provided by Americas poorest nation. The views and opinions expressed by guest columnists in their op-eds may differ from and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff. 21 January 2025 22:40 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Kyrgyzstan plans to issue sovereign bonds worth $1.7 billion in Hong Kong for the first time, Azernews reports. In an interview with the Chinese newspaper China Daily, the Minister of Finance of Kyrgyzstan revealed that the estimated maturity for the bonds is about 10 years. "We view the international capital market as an important and promising source of financing for our country. This will be Kyrgyzstan's first entry into the international market. We are currently working on improving our sovereign ratings and collaborating closely with consultants and banks," said Minister Sydykov. He also highlighted that several informational events, including roadshows, were held, some of which took place in Hong Kong. "We consider Hong Kong not only as the traditional financial center of the Asian region but also as a significant global player," the minister stressed. Sovereign bonds are debt securities issued by governments to raise funds, and they can be denominated in either foreign currency or the national currency. Currently, Kyrgyzstan issues bonds that are mainly purchased by domestic investors. Bonds, along with loans, contribute to the national debt of any country. The decision to tap the Hong Kong market signifies Kyrgyzstan's growing ambitions to diversify its sources of financing and strengthen its position in the global financial arena. The move is expected to attract international investors, boosting the country's economic prospects. Second Oregon Coast Death This Winter: Happy Valley Man Swept Out Near Depoe Bay Published 01/20/25 at 8:25 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Depoe Bay, Oregon) A 45-year-old Happy Valley man died Wednesday after getting swept out to sea, hit by a large wave that crashed onto the rocky shelf he was fishing from. It is the second death on the Oregon coast in a month by oceanic conditions, with another man on the south coast disappearing while photographing king tides back in December. (Above: the rather dangerous section at the north end of Otter Crest Loop / Oregon Coast Beach Connection) On January 15, Oregon State Police (OSP) responded to the northern end of Otter Crest Loop (just south of Depoe Bay) at at 2:04 p.m., with emergency personnel already in the water trying to retrieve Hong B Su of Happy Valley. Su had been fishing with a friend on the rocks when he was pulled into the ocean by a big wave given further energy by high king tides. OSP said Su was in the water for 39 minutes before he was recovered by the US Coast Guard. He was then taken to the Depoe Bay Coast Guard station where it was pronounced deceased. This is an area with extremely active waters because they're right up against an abrupt rocky surface. Even in the calmest conditions this small segment of Oregon coastline is too dangerous for the average person to attempt a rescue. A trio runs from a large incoming wave - they were soaked a second later / Oregon Coast Beach Connection January 15 was the tail end of the king tides, the highest tides of the year. However, high tides don't necessarily translate to massive waves sweeping over rocky areas. It could well have been a kind of rogue wave that happens during these rougher conditions. On the south Oregon coast, back on December 15 a North Bend man was reported missing to Coos County Sheriff's after he had gone out near Coos Bay to take photographs of king tides. His belongings were found at a railroad bridge. Coos Bay / Jaimie Bird - King Tides Project 72-year-old Joseph C. Neill's body was discovered on January 5 by staff from Clausen Oyster Farms, over a mile from where his personal items had been found. Coos County Sheriffs had to use a boat to retrieve the body, later identified as Neill. Wednesday's incident comes on the heels of another rescue in Cannon Beach this week, after a group of youth went boogie boarding just before sunset during king tides. One did not make it back, and a rescue swimmer had to look for him in the dark, eventually finding him. The young man was close to hypothermia, Oregon coast officials said. Rescuer on N. Oregon Coast Finds Swimmer in the Dark, in 8-Foot Waves Off Cannon Beach Safety Tips video below Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted The Laken Riley Act has passed Congress as the House approved the Senate amendments that toughened it even more. It now goes to President Trump's desk for signing, the first bill to reach his desk in his second term. MAGA is showing WOKE how to govern. https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/01/22/congress-passes-laken-riley-act-sending-to-trumps-desk-to-sign-into-law/ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ORIGINAL POST: The US Senate has passed the Laken Riley Act to crack down on illegal alien criminals like the one who murdered nursing student Laken Riley. The bill passed by vote of 65 to 34 with 12 Democrats joining all Republicans. As already passed by the House, the bill requires ICE to detain for deportation any illegal alien who commits any type of theft including shoplifting. The Senate toughened the bill by adding the offenses of assault on a law enforcement officer and any offense that causes death or bodily harm, such as a DWI wreck. The bill will now go back to the House to agree to those changes. It is expected to be the first bill that Preisdent Trump will sign into law. https://redstate.com/streiff/2025/01/20/laken-riley-act-clears-the-senate-and-heads-back-to-the-house-n2184598 Crime is rampant among illegal aliens with some examples shown in this post: https://www.beaufortcountynow.com/post/78910/illegal-alien-migrants-behaving-badly-migrants-and-crime-newly-updated.html Danish environmentalist Bjorn Lomborg has authored an article in the New York Post calling out climate change fanatics for trying to wreck the economy of the world with their outlandish demands. Lomborg is the former director of the Danish government's Environmental Assessment Institute and is currently president of the environmental think tank Copenhagen Consensus Center. Dr. Lomborg pointed both to the heavy economic impact of the demands of the climate fanatics and to meta studies on the impacts of warming in the climate that showed impacts were not nearly as dire as projected by the climate fanatics. https://nypost.com/2025/01/19/opinion/climate-change-fanatics-want-to-bankrupt-the-entire-world-for-little-to-no-reward/ Fortunately, America has returned to common sense. President Trump has taken America out of the Paris Climate Accord and halted leases for offshore wind turbines that are both economically and environmentally destructive. He has also halted Biden's march toward electric cars. Things are also moving in the right direction in coalition talks in Austria between the populist nationalist anti-immigration right Freedom Party and the traditional conservative Peoples Party. Both have already agreed to focus budget cuts on reducing or eliminating environmental subsidies for things like solar panels and electric cars. Elsewhere in Europe, similar issues are gaining steam. The surging AfD in the upcoming German election has called for restarting nuclear and coal plants for cheaper electricity and stopping construction of expensive and unreliable wind turbines. In the UK, the Reform Party, which calls the Net Zero CO2 crusade "Net Stupid" has surged in the polls to where the party is tied for first place and its leader Nigel Farage tops the poll as the prefered prime minister. Co Antrim quarry and minerals processor Kilwaughter Holdings has reported a slight increase in turnover to 50.1m in its latest results. And profits before tax at the firm were up 9% from 8.8m to 9.6m over the year to April 30 2024, while turnover was up from 49.8m. Kilwaughter Minerals outside Larne, which employs around 200 people, was acquired last year by the multi-national Saint-Gobain Group. It said its accounts had now been filed at Companies House though they are not yet publicly available. The business operates in construction and agriculture, developing and manufacturing products like external wall insulation systems, soil health conditioning minerals and livestock bedding lime solutions. Parent company Saint-Gobain is a global player in products for the construction industry, and employs 160,000 people across 76 countries. Gary Wilmot, Kilwaughter Minerals managing director, said: Kilwaughter recorded a robust performance over the financial year, something which reflects our focus on sustainable growth, innovation, and operational excellence. Our ongoing dedication to innovation and understanding our customers needs has positioned Kilwaughter as a trusted partner across the construction and agriculture industries. As part of the Saint-Gobain group, we look forward to building on our success long into the future. Throughout the financial year, Kilwaughter invested 1.8m to increase capacity and enhance plant efficiency. A number of new products were also launched. Group brands include Kilwaughter Lime, K Systems and K Rend, which is the UK and Irelands market-leading silicone render manufacturer. During 2024, the company featured on the Belfast Telegraphs Top 100 Companies, and was named as one of Irelands Best Managed Companies by Deloitte for the third consecutive year. It said it had donated 180,000 over the year to community, educational and charitable projects. NI businessman on post-Brexit woes: Small firms like ours arent fully in UK internal market or EU single market Colin Edgar of CET CyroSpas tells James McNaney of his supply woes due to the mess left by Brexit and is calling for low level firms like his to be given some customs exemptions Colin Edgar. Picture by Mark McCormick James McNaney Tue 21 Jan 2025 at 08:40 The head of a local manufacturing firm says he has faced major difficulties getting goods from certain suppliers due to trading difficulties after Brexit. There was a slight drop in numbers of payrolled employees in Northern Ireland in December, a report has said. Photo: Getty The number of employees on company payrolls in Northern Ireland dropped slightly last month to 803,000, latest HMRC figures show. However, there was a monthly 0.1% increase in median employee pay to 2,291, which marked a 6.5% increase over the year. PAYE data from HMRC, including in a monthly round-up of employment figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (Nisra) showed there had been a decrease of 0.3% over the month in employees on company payrolls. However, the number had grown 0.6% over the year. And HMRCs earnings data showed a median monthly pay of 2,291 in December, up 2 over the month and by 139, or 6.5%, over the year. The latest unemployment rate for September to November was estimated at 1.7% from the separate Labour Force Survey. That was down 0.1 percentage points over the quarter and down 0.7 percentage points over the year. The employment rate rose by 0.5pps over the quarter to 72.6% and increase of 0.2pps over the year. There were 30.3 million hours worked in the quarter, up 5.3% on the quarter before and up 2.6% on the same period last year. Economic activity dropped over the quarter by 0.4pps to 26.1%, though it had climbed over the year at the same rate. And the claimant count in December stood at 40,000, or 4.1% of the workforce, which was down 1.4% from Novembers revised figure. However, the measure is still 33.9% higher than the pre-pandemic count of March 2020. But in positive news, the number of redundancies for 2024 was considerably lower than the year before, Nisra said. There were 240 redundancies confirmed in December, while over 2024 as a whole, there were 1,840 70% of the number confirmed in the year before. Proposed redundancies were also down by the same percentage, dropping from 4,300 to 2,980. According to the Department for the Economy, which provides redundancy figures to Nisra, the 12-month totals for redundancies are similar to the levels seen in the decade preceding the pandemic. Mark McAllister, chief executive of the Labour Relations Agency in NI Mark McAllister, chief executive of the Labour Relations Agency, said the fall in month-on-month PAYE employee figures could be interpreted as a sign of the labour market starting to cool. But he said that continued high economic inactivity was the uppermost concern. There is little doubt that this policy issue is recognised as being the most challenging and requires long-term solutions and a seismic shift in policy direction on everything from benefits to flexible working. A skincare clinic in Co Down has announced a 100,000 investment in an extension and new brand. Skin Future in Hillsborough, founded by facialist and nutritionist Aine Lavery, has added an extension to its premises on Lisburn Street in the village. And it is now the first clinic in Northern Ireland to offer exclusive French skincare brand Biologique Recherche to customers. The clinic aims to address skin health from the inside out, including address internal health through nutrition and supplements. Biologique Recherce facial treatments products will be available to customers from February 1. Aine Lavery, who opened Skin Future in 2018, said: We are so excited to finally announce our expansion, investment and being the first clinic in Northern Ireland to introduce the amazing Biologique Recherche brand. "We have been in talks with this brand for a very long time and are delighted that our launch date is only a few weeks away. "This major investment reflects our commitment to redefining skincare here, offering clients personalised, results-driven treatments for concerns ranging from anti-aging to acne, eczema, and more. Tonya Costello, managing director of Biologique Recherche, said: The launch of Biologique Recherche in Northern Ireland marks an exciting step in our mission to bring our high-performance, results-driven products to a wider audience. Glenavy man failed to comply with disqualification order A farmer who sobbed in court when he avoided going to jail for animal cruelty offences is due back in the dock this week accused of breaching a 25-year ban on owning livestock. James Steele, from Gobrana Road in Glenavy, Co Antrim, will appear before Lisburn Magistrates Court on Tuesday accused of failing to comply with a disqualification order on dates between May 21 and 24 last year. The First Minister and Deputy First Minister have said they will work with the newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump for the benefit of Northern Ireland, as Michelle ONeill says she will judge a potential invitation to the White House for St Patricks Day should it arrive. Tiernan Rooney (28) was attacked by two men outside his house in west Belfast at around 12.45pm on December 29 The family of a Belfast man who died three days after being stabbed in the head outside his home are appealing for a police investigation into his death. Tiernan Rooney (28) was attacked by two men outside his house in west Belfast at around 12.45pm on December 29. According to police, he was punched a number of times and stabbed in the head by a blade or pointed object before the suspects fled on foot. The dad-of-one received treatment in hospital but died in his sleep on New Years Day after complaining of headaches following his discharge. Speaking to Belfast Live, Tiernans cousin Lynsey Rooney called on the PSNI to launch a more thorough investigation into his death and the attack on his doorstep just days earlier. We cannot understand why the police have not carried out more of an investigation even though they have been provided with video footage of the attack taking place from a doorbell camera, she said. "There has been no appeal alerting people to the attack on him, which may have resulted in his death. "Sadly now our family is stuck in the terrible position of having to wait months before we truly know the cause of his death and we just want to see the police take action against the vermin who attacked him." Police say they are investigating the incident, with a spokesperson for the PSNI saying: "Police are investigating an assault in the Conway Place area of west Belfast on Sunday afternoon, 29th December 2024. "It was reported a man was assaulted by two other men on the doorstep of a property. "He was allegedly punched several times and also stabbed in the head by a blade or pointed object. The two suspects fled the scene on foot and the victim required hospital treatment for his injuries. "Enquiries are ongoing to determine who was involved and a motive behind the attack. "We would appeal to anyone with any information, CCTV or dash-cam footage, to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 627 29/12/24. "Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. "You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/." Tiernan Rooney Belfast phone box transformed into Ireland's smallest art exhibition President Donald Trump Hours after President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship in the United States, a coalition of civil rights and immigration groups filed a lawsuit challenging the move, setting the stage for a major legal battle. The executive order, signed Monday night, directs federal agencies to deny recognition of US citizenship for children born on American soil to parents who are in the country illegally or on temporary visas unless one parent is a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. It states that children born under these circumstances will not be eligible for US citizenship, including passports, starting 30 days from its signing. The order, which contradicts a long-standing legal consensus that the 14th Amendment of the Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship, has drawn immediate backlash. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), several of its state chapters, and other organisations have filed a 17-page lawsuit in federal court in New Hampshire on behalf of immigration rights groups, arguing the order is unconstitutional and illegal. "For plaintiffs -- organisations with members impacted by the order -- and for families across the country, this order seeks to strip from their children the 'priceless treasure' of citizenship, threatening them with a lifetime of exclusion and fear of deportation from the only country they have ever known," the lawsuit states. "But that is illegal. The Constitution and Congress -- not President Trump -- dictate who is entitled to full membership in American society." The lawsuit seeks to have the court declare the executive order unlawful and issue both temporary and permanent injunctions to block its enforcement. Trump's order argues that the federal government should not "issue documents recognising United States citizenship" to children born on US soil to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily in the country. It specifies that the policy will apply to children born 30 days after the order's signing. The ACLU's lawsuit warns that the order could render affected children stateless and create widespread fear and uncertainty. Attorneys for the coalition pointed out that some of the immigration groups' members are currently expecting children who could be impacted by the order. The move aligns with Trump's immigration agenda but faces significant legal hurdles, as the 14th Amendment explicitly states, "All persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." The battle over the order is expected to escalate to higher courts, potentially reaching the Supreme Court. Magee Taskforce gave assurances of all extra students and courses going to Derry Questions have been raised about Ulster University horse-trading between campuses after new courses were added in Coleraine alongside ambitions to open a regional vet school there at a cost of 5m per year. The Magee Taskforce, which developed an action plan to expand the Derry campus, had said recently that while numbers were to be maintained at the other campuses, extra students and courses would only going to Magee as expansion ramps up. A Freedom of Information response obtained by the Belfast Telegraph shows that Ulster University (UU) Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Bartholomew raised the prospect of a Northern Ireland Vet School in Coleraine at a meeting with the Minister for the Department of Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on 2 May 2024. The document shows they spoke of the costs associated with UU establishing a Vet School being prohibitively expensive and could not be funded exclusively by the university. Minutes from the meeting state: The projected costs of 37k per student would be considered to be conservative. It was noted that there is an increasing number of students studying across the water and these students are rarely returning to Northern Ireland to take up work. UU were said to be looking at how they can introduce veterinary related courses, including vet nursing, from 2025, and the potential for some post graduate courses out of Coleraine campus. At a meeting with Causeway Coast & Glens councillors, UU Vice Chancellor Paul Bartholomew said the Stormont Executive would have to decide on funding for a vet school. He said a vet school would have modest numbers of around 30 students, costing 5m per year. But speaking on BBC Radio Foyle following the publication of the Magee Taskforces action plan to expand the Derry campus, Chair Stephen Kelly was asked if there was concrete agreement from UU that additional numbers going forward would go to Magee, while they would be maintained at other campuses, namely Belfast and Coleraine. Mr Kelly responded: It is. And its in our report. Youll recall that we produced an interim report back in September. We reported a number of our assumptions and we asked parties to confirm whether those assumptions were correct or not. We made a request of the Minister to provide us with the policy clarity, about whether this was simply about just shifting people around Northern Ireland or whether this was the more positive thing which is about providing more students with the opportunity to go to universities here at home. Mr Kelly reiterated that those are essentially hypothecated to the development of Magee. It was put to him: So thats set in stone now? Mr Kelly replied: It's set in stone. He was asked: If theres extra courses, extra students to be deployed, they have to go to Magee? He responded: Yeah. Asked who will provide oversight to ensure it happens, Mr Kelly said: Well be monitoring it as a taskforce. The university will obviously have its own monitoring, not just with the department but with others. So thats the direction of travel here. However, UU has now announced new courses in Coleraine stating: Big news for Northern Irelands veterinary sector starting in 2025, Ulster University in Coleraine will offer two pioneering undergraduate degrees in Veterinary Nursing and Advancing Animal Healthcare. In response to the VCs plans for Coleraine, the Derry University Group who advocate for an independent cross-border institution said: UU clearly cannot manage so many competing priorities at the same time developing Magee, developing Coleraine and servicing its massive Belfast debt. The Royal Irish Academy has, wisely in our view, advocated an independent cross-border university, with Derry at its centre, coupled with full governmental oversight for the NI university sector. This would ensure that commitments made by governments would be honoured and that UU would be prevented from operating as an independent horse-trader, going from market to market promising its top services to every customer. On funding an NI Vet School, DAERA stated that as an employer it has an interest in the supply of veterinarians, but the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) retains ownership of issues such as workforce planning for the veterinary sector. The Department will, where requested, facilitate and support third level educational institutes should they seek to progress a business case for a veterinary school in NI, a spokesperson added. However any business case produced by the educational institutes will need to identify a viable funding stream to support a veterinary school in Northern Ireland. The Economy Department said the Minister is fully committed to delivering on the commitment for 10,000 students at Magee by 2032 and will prioritise undergraduate places at Magee accordingly. UU was contacted for a response. UU VC with with Minister Andrew Muir for vet course announcement. News Catch Up - Tuesday 21 January First Minister Michelle ONeill has said lessons can be learned by all following a probe into employment arrangements for now disgraced former Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle (Liam McBurney/PA) Lessons can be learned by all following a probe into employment arrangements for a now disgraced former Sinn Fein press officer, Michelle ONeill has said. A Northern Ireland Assembly report found that Michael McMonagle likely misrepresented details of his employment which may have resulted in a misuse of public money. McMonagle, from Limewood Street in Londonderry, was jailed last year after being found guilty of a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. The review found that he simultaneously held two full-time jobs working for Sinn Fein politicians while also working as a press officer for three months in 2020, including being employed by then deputy first minister Ms ONeill. Assembly chief executive Lesley Hogg told MLAs that the issue has now been referred to the PSNI. Police confirmed a report has been received and inquiries are ongoing. First Minister Michelle ONeill said lessons can be learned by all following a probe into employment arrangements for now disgraced former Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle (Liam McVurney/PA) Speaking in Belfast on Tuesday, Ms ONeill, now First Minister at Stormont, welcomed that the report, which she described as comprehensive, is now in the public domain. The Sinn Fein vice-president said there are lessons for everybody around the employment of workers by MLAs. Ms ONeill said Sinn Fein fully worked with the Assembly Commission in terms of the review. Its a very fulsome review, its very comprehensive over 40 pages long, she said. I dont really have anything more to add to what Ive said to the review itself. I am very acutely aware of the need to be fully accountable in terms of public money and will always be so, so I welcome the fact that the report is now in the public domain. People will make up their own minds. We were at a time of Covid, it was a very short time that he did work for me and there as an overlap, but I do believe there are lessons to be learned. She added: It has been a very useful piece of work. I think there are lessons to be learned for everybody in terms of how we employ people and how that is all fully accounted for. A missing persons appeal has been issued for a man who was last seen travelling from Belfast to Dublin. The PSNI said 20-year-old Anthony Dornan was last seen on Monday January 13. PSNI Inspector Doran said: Anthony, who was last seen arriving at Connolly Station in Dublin at around 9:20am on Monday 13 January having left from Grand Central Station in Belfast. Anthony Dornan He is described as being 58 in height, of slim build, with blue eyes and light brown hair. He was last seen wearing a thick grey coloured hooded jacket, a black woollen hat, navy blue coloured bottoms and black trainers. Anthony is also believed to have been carrying a woven type shopping bag with green handles. Police are appealing to anyone with information in respect of Anthonys whereabouts to contact us on 101 or via www.psni.police.uk/report , quoting reference number 1146 14/01/25. Anthony Dornan News Catch Up - Tuesday 21 January Police Service of Northern Ireland officers were involved in an operation on the Abercorn Rd in Derry. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph The PSNI and Garda have said they cooperated on a cross-border operation that involved forensic examination of a lorry in Derry. On Tuesday morning, armed officers could be seen standing at the junction of Abercorn Road and Maureen Avenue. A forensic team could also be seen searching a white lorry at the side of the road. A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesperson said: We are assisting An Garda Siochana with enquiries in relation to an ongoing investigation. The Garda said: The Police Service of Northern Ireland is assisting An Garda Siochana with enquiries in relation to an ongoing investigation. An Garda Siochana cannot comment on the specifics of any ongoing investigation. Police Service of Northern Ireland officers were involved in an operation on the Abercorn Rd in Derry. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph News Catch Up - Tuesday 21 January Professor Brian Cox attended a special event in Ballymena to inspire some of Northern Irelands future scientists at an event aimed at activating their curiosity in the fields of science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM). The event, led by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, aims to ignite the curiosity of up to 400 young people by showcasing the dynamic career pathways within STEAM fields attracting students from Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Dungannon, Larne and Omagh. The renowned physicist and television presenter took part in the pioneering schools initiative which is part-funded by the Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnership - at The Braid on Tuesday alongside distinguished educators and industry experts. Students were offered an exciting opportunity to engage with hands-on experiments, insightful discussions, and inspiring seminars. Professor Cox, a former member of the pop group D:Ream, met students to highlight the career pathways and opportunities available to the future workforce. Professor Brian Cox encourages Northern Ireland's future scientists to activate their curiosity at STEAM school initiative I was delighted to be able to attend this event for the second year running and help to encourage students in Northern Ireland to develop an interest in science and engineering, said Professor Cox. "These young people are our future and we hope todays event may lead them towards a fulfilling job in STEAM with exciting career prospects. The event offers the students a great mix of inspiration and innovation coupled with a practical 'learning by doing approach which should activate the curiosity of everyone attending. These students have the talent to make a positive difference through STEAM within our local communities, across our planet and beyond. Our mission today is to help unlock this fantastic human resource and Northern Ireland has a key role to play in making the UK the best place in the world to do science and engineering. The event featured keynote addresses from prominent figures, including Dr Gerry Gormley, General Practitioner and Professor of Simulation at Queen's University Belfast. Dr Andy Harris, Head of Research & Data Analytics at Wrightbus, and representatives from leading companies GES Group and Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, also took to the stage to share their insight with those present. Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough, Alderman Beth Adger, MBE, said the Council was delighted to be working with local businesses, schools, universities, and partner organisations to bring this initiative to the borough. The Activate Your Curiosity event lifts a lid on the myriad of opportunities that exist in science, she said. It is our hope that young people will be inspired to embark on an exciting future in this field and maybe even become leaders in science. The event was sponsored by a wide range of local and international companies, including Kilwaughter Minerals, Ryobi, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, Moore Concrete, Teva, EPUKI, Michelin Development, Caterpillar, GES Group, Wrightbus, and Phoenix Energy. Professor Brian Cox encourages Northern Ireland's future scientists to activate their curiosity at STEAM school initiative News Catch Up - Tuesday 21 January DUP MP Carla Lockhart shared the list of Twelfth of July 2025 venues on social media. Pic via Facebook. Members of the Orange Order take part in a Twelfth of July parade in Belfast. Photo: PA Preparations for this years Twelfth of July celebrations are already underway as the list of venues is confirmed. Some 20 locations across Northern Ireland are set to welcome large crowds who traditionally turn out to watch the annual spectacle. Other places around the UK, including Southport and Liverpool, will also host events to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne later this year. DUP MP Carla Lockhart has shared details on social media. "Saturday 12th July, she posted on Facebook. "What can I say you have to plan ahead. Orange Order demonstrations will take place in Belfast and Ballymena with parades in Coleraine and Lisburn. Keady, Glengormley, Kesh and Rasharkin are also among the 18 cities, towns and villages to host events in addition to Dundonald, Dundrum and Dromara. Maghera, Kilkeel, Coagh, Cullybackey and Carnlough will also welcome lodges and accompanying flute bands with Sixmilecross and Augher also on the list. DUP MP Carla Lockhart shared the list of Twelfth of July 2025 venues on social media. Pic via Facebook. There will also be an Independent Orange Order parade in Portglenone. Back in 2023, it was reported that the Orange Order was considering cutting the distance of the 2024 Belfast Twelfth parade and cancelling the gathering in the field at Barnett Demesne on the outskirts of the city. It came after recommendations that followed an internal report commissioned into the 2022 Twelfth which described it as probably the worst for decades. The plans, however, were subsequently axed following opposition from Orange Order members. Last summer saw tens of thousands of marchers and spectators take to the streets in all six counties as the annual Orangefest took place at Belfast City Hall. A line-up of international food market stalls, organised by Food NI and Taste of Ulster, attracted visitors into the grounds of the civic building where live cooking demonstrations got underway. Members of the Orange Order take part in a Twelfth of July parade in Belfast. Photo: PA Watch: Highlights from the Twelfth of July parade in Belfast Circus and street entertainers performed street theatre and hosted musical workshops The festival, established to foster a peaceful and harmonious society by celebrating the rich and diverse cultures of Northern Ireland has been running since 2017. The celebrations have been televised to GB News viewers across the UK since BBC Northern Ireland decided to axe live Twelfth coverage almost four years ago. Former First Minister and ex-DUP leader Dame Arlene Foster and former Coronation Street star Charlie Lawson have previously led the networks coverage. Figures showed that 73,000 people tuned into watch in 2022, however that figure dropped to 50,000 the following year. Full list of Twelfth of July 2025 locations: A High Court judge is to consider a submission that would allow the Attorney General to sequester the assets of Irish teacher Enoch Burke over fines imposed on him for contempt of court (PA) A High Court judge is to consider a submission that would allow the Attorney General to sequester the assets of Irish teacher Enoch Burke over fines imposed on him for contempt of court. Mr Justice David Nolan said that he estimates Mr Burke owes some 190,000 euros to date, following a 700 euros a day fine imposed by the court since January 2023. Barristers representing Rossa Fanning said he believes he can bring an application to sequester the teachers assets as he would have standing in the public interest. Irish teacher Enoch Burke (Niall Carson/PA) The court on Tuesday heard submissions from lawyers representing the state that could order Mr Burke to pay the fines. Mr Burke did not appear at the High Court in Dublin, and instead attended Wilsons Hospital School, the court heard. The board of management of the Co Westmeath school and Mr Burke have been in a legal dispute stemming from incidents over a request from the schools then-principal to address a student by a new name and the pronoun they. Mr Burke, an Evangelical Christian, argued that his suspension was unlawful and went against his right to express his religious beliefs. Mr Burke has been on suspended paid administrative leave from the school since August 2022 following the dispute. The school has been granted injunctive relief, restraining him from attending the school, however he continues to attend the school in breach of the order. Mr Burke was released from prison days before Christmas but he continues to attend the premises almost every day since it reopened following the end of the holidays. The court was told that Mr Burkes presence on school premises continues to disrupt the school day. The court also heard concerns about third parties who support Mr Burke who, occasionally, attend the school premises, which is also causing disruption to the school. Representatives of the Attorney Generals office and the Department of Finance attended court to discuss how the court can enforce payment of the fines. Enoch Burke arrives at Wilsons Hospital School in Co Westmeath in January 2022 (Niall Carson/PA) In an email from Mr Burke, he said that any attempt to strip him of his livelihood was deeply disturbing. Brian Kennedy, senior counsel for the AG, said that the court could also consider a garnishee order. The court was told that issuing a garnishee order against Mr Burke was less straightforward as the authority is not clear cut. Senior counsel Alex White said that the school has no connection with Mr Burkes bank account as the Minister for Education is the paymaster of teachers, and that the school has no role in the administration of paying or supervising his salary. Mr Kennedy said it was usual practice that enforcement orders in contempt cases are applied for by the party in whose favour the order is made, however he added that there are occasions when the Attorney General can make the application. He said this could be done in the public interest. Mr Kennedy said that one route is an order sequestering Mr Burkes assets, which would freeze his assets and monies could be withheld to discharge the fines. The judge said he was disappointed Mr Burke did not attend court, saying he would give him the opportunity to make submissions before he makes a decision. The court heard that a garnishee order would be in relation to Mr Burkes salary. This type of order has never been made in Ireland, but has been made in England and Wales. Mr Justice Nolan said that the court has the power to lock someone up for contempt but does not have similar powers to have contempt fines recovered. He also said that he is concerned to impose further costs on the school if it was to take enforcement action, adding that any fines recovered would be for the benefit of the state and not the school. Mr White said that that the case has been going on for years and all the school wants is to be a school. He said that it has been disruptive to the student community and parents. Justice Nolan said he would give Mr Burke the opportunity to make submissions on the issue. He said he would give him 14 days and then would make a ruling on the matter at a later date. Stefan Baldauf has been ordered to pay more than 1 million (National Crime Agency/PA) Two drug traffickers whose organised crime group were identified after one of the members sent a picture of his pet dog have been told to hand over more than 1 million, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said. Stefan Baldauf, 64, and Philip Lawson, 63, were part of an organised crime group that was brought to justice when the NCA led a takedown of encrypted messaging platform EncroChat in 2020. The NCA said the group planned to send 448kg of amphetamine worth 45 million to Australian accomplices hidden in the arm of an excavator, but the plot fell apart when group member Danny Brown sent Baldauf a picture of his French bulldog Bob, with his partners phone number on its tag. Investigators zoomed in on the number and used it, among other evidence, to prove Brown, 57, of Kings Hall Road, Bromley, south-east London, was part of the conspiracy. Baldauf, of Midhurst Road, Ealing, west London, also sent an image on EncroChat which showed his reflection in a brass door sign. On Monday at Kingston Crown Court, Baldauf, who was jailed for 28 years in December 2022, was ordered to pay 1,007,637, the national law enforcement agency said. He has three months to hand the money over or will receive an extra seven years in jail. Lawson, who designed the drugs hide in the digger and arranged a welder to cut it open and then seal the digger, was sentenced to 23 years, according to the NCA. He was ordered to pay 182,476. He also has three months to pay or will have three years added to his jail sentence. The money will go towards further crime fighting and the Treasury, the NCA said. Brown, who was jailed for 26 years, will face a confiscation hearing later in the year along with another of the group, William Sartin, 63, of Timberlog Lane, Basildon, Essex. The image of Bob the French bulldog which helped the NCA track down drug traffickers (NCA) The NCA said the excavator was hidden in Sartins industrial unit. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison. Chris Hill, who led the NCA investigation, said: These criminals did not care about the misery and exploitation that the supply of illegal drugs bring to UK and Australian communities. All they cared about was money. So these proceedings are immensely painful for them, hitting them in their pockets, and are a crucial way of showing other organised criminals that the consequences do not end when the prison door slams shut. The NCA continues to do everything possible, working at home and abroad, to protect the public from the threat of illegal drugs supply. Inquiry teams looking at the Southport attack should be free to complete their probe without nonsense online, the towns MP has said. Patrick Hurley warned that speculation by public figures who should know better could have caused a jury trial to collapse, if murderer Axel Rudakubana had not admitted to all charges. But Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp called for more openness and transparency from the Government, which he claimed could have helped combat disinformation which arguably fuelled the riots last summer. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Patrick Hurley, the Labour MP for Southport, leave flowers as a tribute to Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe (James Speakman/PA) Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty on Monday to murdering three girls Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside, last July. Mr Hurley told MPs on Tuesday: Its been another tough week for my Southport constituency, Im sure members across the House will appreciate. The Labour MP added: I was clear back in the summer that I did not want people speculating online as to the motives or the background of the person that we can now say was the murderer of those three girls. He warned that the trial could have collapsed because of that speculation, because it wasnt just speculation but also in some respect downright lies and downright lies that were being circulated in the interests of gaining political gain for themselves, with the interests of justice a distant second. A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana leaving Liverpool Crown Court (Peter Byrne/PA) Mr Hurley said the public inquiry should also be allowed to undertake its work and make its recommendations free of the ridiculous nonsense and lies that weve seen from public figures who should know better circulating purely for their own interests. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who has announced an inquiry, replied: It is part of our British justice traditions that information is produced at the trial but not in advance for fear of prejudicing a jury, and then for undermining justice and potentially letting criminals walk free. He is right that we should never do that but he is also right that his community and people across Southport particularly the families involved need now to get answers and the answers that they need about how on earth this shocking, shocking and disturbing, barbaric attack could have been able to happen. What went wrong? What could have been done to prevent it? But also, how we as a society face up to the rising youth violence and extremism that we have seen, this being just one example of some very disturbing cases. Ms Cooper later told the Commons: The scale of the growing obsession with violence should be a serious concern to us, because you do think what are we allowing to happen to our kids and to our teenagers if weve seen this kind of obsession grow? In addition to murder, Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff, admitted the attempted murders of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. He further pleaded guilty to possessing a knife on the date of the attack, production of a biological toxin, ricin, on or before July 29, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism. Mr Philp told the Commons that the police made public his charges related to ricin and a terrorist manual. So, if it can be made public in October, without risking prejudice of the murder trial, it follows that it could have been made public in August, without prejudicing that same trial, he said. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp called for more openness and transparency from the Government (Jonathan Brady/PA) The shadow home secretary said it is vital to get to the truth and added: Does she accept there should and could have been more openness and transparency, as I just set out, without prejudicing the trial and that disclosing more of that truth, openly and transparently, would have helped combat the damaging misinformation that circulated and which arguably fuelled the riots? Ms Cooper referred to the 2021 murder of Sir David Amess, the former MP for Southend West, and said: Let me point out to him that the previous Conservative government did not publish information before the trial about the Prevent referral for the perpetrator who killed Sir David Amess. None of us criticised them for that, because none of us wanted to put at risk justice for Sir Davids family. The Cabinet minister warned that if she had ignored advice about publishing Prevent referrals and if as a result a killer had walked free, no-one would ever have forgiven the Government or anyone else. Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle described the period before Rudakubanas trial as one of the most frustrating periods for MPs, who were previously subject to a sub judice resolution, which blocks MPs from referring to impending court cases. He waived the sub judice rule ahead of a sentencing on Thursday and added: I am now going to ensure that the House sub judice resolution is revised and reviewed to ensure that it is fit for purpose ongoing. Kamari Johnson was fatally stabbed in Hayes on May 24 2024 (Metropolitan Police/PA) A youth has been found guilty of fatally stabbing a 16-year-old boy with a 30cm machete in a row over a stolen moped. The victim, Kamari Johnson, was found injured after police were called to Bourne Avenue in Hayes, west London, at about 1.30pm on May 24 last year, and died at the scene. On Tuesday, a 17-year-old youth was found guilty at the Old Bailey of Kamaris murder and having an article with a blade or point. The court had previously heard how the boys had been in contact over Snapchat about the defendants desire to buy a moped from Kamari. Prosecutor Joel Smith KC had said the two haggled over a price with Kamari wanting 180 for it. When they met to complete the sale, Kamari reneged on their agreement, took the defendants cash and drove away, the court heard. Mr Smith said: It seems that when they met, having taken (the defendants) cash, Mr Johnson went back on his side of the deal and simply rode off. In short, he took the money and ran. The prosecutor said the defendant was left feeling pretty foolish, pretty embarrassed and, no doubt, pretty angry. He told jurors: But whatever Mr Johnson had done, you may feel, he didnt deserve what happened next. Minutes after the meeting, the 17-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, walked to Kamaris house to confront him, intent on getting the bike, the court heard. Mr Smith said: He knew where Mr Johnson lived and he went there looking for him, and when he found him, he stabbed him. He stabbed him once through his chest and into his heart, and although Mr Johnson managed to flee on the moped, he collapsed minutes later and died on the street. The jury was shown CCTV footage in which the defendant could be seen turning into the victims road. About 20 seconds later, the victim was shown driving out of the road on a black moped while the defendant followed on foot, carrying a large knife with a curved blade. A witness, who can be seen in the clip, described seeing the defendant carrying a blood-stained knife he estimated to be about 30cm long, the prosecutor said. Another video played in court showed Kamari crashing the moped in a nearby pub car park and then collapsing. In police interviews, the defendant declined to answer questions but claimed in a prepared statement that he acted in self-defence at all times. The youth made no reaction and Kamaris family members wept in court as the verdicts were given after a jury deliberated for 13 hours and 35 minutes. Judge Simon Mayo KC thanked jurors for their service and adjourned sentencing until 2pm on March 14. The judge also paid tribute to Kamaris family who remained composed and acted in a very dignified fashion throughout this trial. The defendant was remanded into custody. US President Donald Trump US President Donald Trump attended the Commander-in-Chief inaugural ball, the first of three events scheduled after his swearing-in ceremony, where he expressed gratitude to service members and highlighted plans for military strength and national security. Joined by First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Usha Vance, Trump danced on stage in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Addressing the attendees, he said, "Today, we celebrate the enduring strength and resilience of our glorious Republic. It is highly appropriate that we honour the men and women who keep us safe. Your bravery inspires us, your service unites us, and your sacrifice protects us all." Trump took the opportunity to praise Pete Hegseth, his nominee for Secretary of Defence. "Under the leadership of our next Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth -- who I just saw and is fantastic -- we will again build the most powerful military the world has ever seen," he stated. Referring to his previous term, Trump said, "We did that four years ago, and then it dissipated a little, but we're going to do it again -- much bigger and stronger than ever before." He assured the crowd that the military's sole focus would be on defending the nation. "You do not have to worry about political agendas. There is only one focus: defeating America's enemies. We are not going to be defeated or humiliated; we are only going to win." The President also emphasised economic strength and national security. "The economy is going to be strong; we are not going to let our friendly and unfriendly nations push us around from many standpoints, including the economy because we have something that we do not have. We have the power that they don't have. We will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars we end and, perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into; it's called peace through strength. We don't have to fight the wars if we can do it without fighting," Trump said. Trump predicted a renewed global reputation for the United States, saying, "Our friends will respect us, our enemies will fear us and the world will admire the unrivalled greatness of the US military." "This is going to be a golden age of America," he added. During the event, Trump spoke via video with troops stationed in South Korea, addressing the situation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "Hello everybody, how's Kim Jong Un doing?" Trump asked sarcastically before commenting, "He's a tough cookie, but I developed a pretty good relationship with him. How's it going over there?" The evening concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony featuring the Trumps and the Vances before they left to attend the Liberty Inaugural Ball. Former prime minister Rishi Sunak has announced he will take up two new roles at his former universities (Jack Taylor/The Times via PA) Rishi Sunak is set to return to his former universities as he takes up two new jobs in the UK and America. The former prime minister announced on Tuesday he would be joining Oxford Universitys Blavatnik School of Government as a member of its World Leaders Circle. He will also take up a visiting fellowship at the Hoover Institution, a think thank based at Stanford University in California, where he first met his wife Akshata Murty. Mr Sunak, who studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford before earning a master of business administration degree at Stanford, said he was delighted to be joining the two institutions. He said: Both Blavatnik and Hoover do superb work on how we can rise to the economic and security challenges we face and seize the technological opportunities of our time. I have huge affection for both Oxford and Stanford. I was fortunate enough to study at both, they shaped my life and career, and I look forward to contributing to their world-leading research in the months and years ahead. The positions are Mr Sunaks first since returning to the backbenches last year, where he remains the MP for Richmond and Northallerton, in North Yorkshire. In accepting roles at major universities, he has followed two of his predecessors in Number 10. Sir Tony Blair taught a course at Yale University shortly after leaving Downing Street, while Gordon Brown became a distinguished leader in residence at New York University. Lord William Hague, chancellor of Oxford University and one of Mr Sunaks predecessors as Conservative leader, said the former prime ministers experience and deep understanding of the challenges facing governments today would be a huge asset. The former prime minister is set to return to Oxford University, where he studied as an undergraduate (Andrew Matthews/PA) Lord Hague added: Rishis connection to Oxford University runs deep, and its great to see him coming back to his alma mater to contribute in such a meaningful way. I have no doubt his insights will inspire the next generation of leaders who are starting their journey here at Oxford. Condoleezza Rice, the former US secretary of state and current director of the Hoover Institution, also welcomed his appointment, saying Mr Sunaks extensive policy and global experience will enrich our fellowship and help to define important policies moving forward. She said: The United States and the UK share a very special bond, and we look forward to the impact of his work on the many challenges facing democracies and the world in years to come. The Blavatnik School of Government teaches postgraduate courses in public policy, and counts former Colombian president Ivan Duque among its World Leaders Circle, while the Hoover Institution is a public policy think tank. Other distinguished visiting fellows at the Hoover Institution include former Conservative chancellor George Osborne, former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer and Mr Sunaks former foreign policy adviser John Bew. Thousands of British troops are travelling across Europe as part of a major Nato training exercise ahead of the anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Around 2,500 British personnel, along with hundreds of vehicles, are moving across the continent by land, air and sea to join allies in Romania. The operation, called Steadfast Dart, aims to highlight Natos ability to mobilise at speed. It comes ahead of the third anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine on Friday, with much of the exercise taking place in Romania, which sits on the Ukrainian border. A major deployment of land, sea and air forces is taking place (Ben Birchall/PA) Steadfast Dart is the first major deployment of Natos Allied Reaction Force (ARF), which replaced the Nato Response Force last year, and is intended to test Natos ability to deploy under pressure. Speaking to the PA news agency at a Hungarian military base in Szentes, Second Lieutenant Alex Coleman described the exercise as a hefty undertaking. He said: Steadfast Dart 25 is the Nato Allied Reaction Forces first deployment exercise, it is definitely a significant undertaking, it is a very long road move across Europe. Steadfast Dart shows what the British Army and Nato are capable of that we can move large convoys over long distances to enable activity wherever we need to do that. There have been plenty of lessons learned by all involved but we have managed to pull it all together. Lt Coleman said the convoy has travelled from the UK, through the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and will cover a distance of more than 1,400 miles (2,300km). Hundreds of land personnel and around 70 vehicles arrived in Szentes, Hungary, early on Tuesday morning. British military vehicles travelled in convoy during Exercise Steadfast Dart (Ben Birchall/PA) They will leave for Romania on Tuesday evening, where they will conduct combat practice exercises. British troops set off from Marchwood in Hampshire last week, with around 730 vehicles, including Foxhound patrol and Jackal high mobility weapons platform vehicles, Mastiff armoured patrol vehicles as well as fuel tankers and forklift trucks, fitted on to three ferries at the Sea Mounting Centre. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland have been deployed for the exercise in Romania. The two regiments, part of 7 Light Mechanised Brigade known as The Desert Rats will form the main battlegroup supported by other UK forces and representatives from other Nato nations. Speaking earlier this month, armed forces minister Luke Pollard said: This Government wants the UK to be Natos leading European nation. Exercise Steadfast Dart demonstrates our unshakeable commitment to Nato and highlights the UKs key leadership role in the alliance. As we approach the three-year anniversary of Russias illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we must continue to strengthen our collective defences together to deter (Russian President Vladimir) Putin effectively. UK leaders have been urged to step up again as Donald Trump pulls the US out of the international Paris Agreement on climate change. In one of his first acts as president, Mr Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from the landmark agreement, secured in the French capital in 2015, which commits countries to limiting global warming to avoid the most dangerous impacts of rising temperatures. It is a repeat of the move by Mr Trump, in his first presidency to withdraw the US from the global agreement, which was reversed by Joe Biden as soon as he entered the White House in 2021. The president has also said he will boost fossil fuel production, cancel efforts to boost ownership of electric cars and end Mr Bidens climate policy to channel billions of dollars into clean tech such as renewables. Experts criticised the decision, while campaigners urged the British Government to step up and fill the void in climate action. But there were also suggestions the withdrawal would not have the impact it did last time, as other countries would continue to exploit the opportunities to boost economies through decarbonising. Downing Street refused to criticise the move by Mr Trump but stressed the UKs commitment to the Paris treaty. Shaun Spiers, executive director at think tank Green Alliance, said: The world didnt back away from the Paris Agreement on climate change when Trump did the last time he was in office. In fact, the UK took major steps forward, introducing a world leading next zero target. Net zero industries already contribute 74 bilion in added value to the UK economy, and the British public think the green economy offers the best opportunities for growth. Our leaders must step up again and grasp the opportunity this presents. Areeba Hamid, joint executive director at Greenpeace UK, said: Donald Trump has wasted no time paying back the Big Oil backers who helped bankroll his campaign, but shredding climate legislation and tearing the US out of the Paris Agreement will not make the climate crisis go away. Around the world, a global movement is rejecting Trumps apocalyptic vision and is already fighting back for the planet. She pointed to the LA fires and devastating floods in the UK as weather extremes that were a portent of things to come if the US president and Big Oil were allowed to dictate the future. Now is the time for leaders in the UK and beyond to fill the climate leadership void. We need our leaders to make the fossil fuel industry pay for the chaos theyre causing so we can build a safer, greener future for generations to come. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: You know the Prime Ministers position on the Paris Climate Agreement. Were a member of the climate agreement, we will continue to work with all countries to tackle the urgency of the climate crisis. The spokesman added: Im not going to provide a running commentary on decisions that are obviously for President Trump, who was elected on a mandate to deliver on these exact pledges he made to the American people. When it comes to the UKs position on these issues, they are well known. Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at LSE, described the withdrawal as extremely disappointing, if not unexpected. He said it meant the worlds second largest emitter would be turning its back on the deal in a year when all countries were due to come forward with more ambitious pledges for action ahead of the next UN climate summit in Brazil in November. In practice, President Trump is giving up an opportunity to safeguard Americans who are suffering growing damage from climate change, including wildfires that spread more quickly and hurricanes that intensify more quickly and produce heavier rain. These impacts are primarily due to greenhouse gas emissions from other countries, and President Trump is surrendering his best chance to persuade them not to create this harm to the United States, he said. Joe Biden has wrapped up a more than 50-year political career but promised that were not leaving the fight as he said farewell to the presidency and flew to California to unwind with his family. He spoke not long after watching his successor, Republican President Donald Trump, pledge during his inaugural address to completely and totally reverse everything his Democratic predecessor did. In the final hours before the transfer of executive power, Mr Biden extended courtesies to the man he turned out of the Oval Office four years ago. Mr Trump denied losing the 2020 election and refused to offer similar niceties to Mr Biden on his inauguration in 2021. A bitterly cold day opened with Mr Biden and his wife Jill receiving Mr Trump and his wife Melania for a traditional Inauguration Day meet-and-greet over tea at the White House. Welcome home, Mr Biden told the new president. Afterwards, the rivals who share a history of political animosity rode in a limousine to the Capitol where Mr Trump was sworn in as the 47th president. Our recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal, Mr Trump said about the work of the Biden administration. Mr Biden sat expressionless in the front row. As Mr Trump gave his address, residence staff at the White House started clearing out the remainder of Mr Bidens belongings so they could move Mr Trump and his family back in. The work included redecorating the Oval Office in time for Mr Trump to sign a series of executive orders. Walls in the press offices that were bare in the morning after most of the staff had ended their government service were decorated by mid-afternoon with fresh photographs of Mr Trump. Donald and Melania Trump with Joe and Jill Biden (Evan Vucci/AP) After his address, the new president and his wife walked the Bidens outside to a helicopter waiting on the Capitol grounds to fly them to Joint Base Andrews for a farewell event with his staff. We couldnt have done anything we did without you, Mr Biden told them. No president gets to choose the moment they enter history, but they get to choose the team they enter history with and we chose the best damn team in the world. Even though they may feel knocked down by events, he said what is important is how quickly they get back up. Were leaving office. Were not leaving the fight, he said, urging them to stay engaged. He appeared to joke about Trumps speech, chuckling as he said: We heard the inaugural address today. We got a lot more to do. Mr Biden then made the sign of the cross and everyone laughed. He and Mrs Biden then walked across the tarmac to the plane he flew on as president for the flight to Santa Ynez in California. Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seen during a cabinet retreat at Chateau Montebello in Quebec on Monday (The Canadian Press/AP) Canadian leaders expressed relief on Monday that broad tariffs were not applied to Canadian products on the first day of Donald Trumps presidency and that he did not mention Americas major trading partner during his inaugural speech. Mr Trump had threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and other trading partners. An incoming White House official who insisted on anonymity pointed reporters to a Wall Street Journal story saying Mr Trump will only sign a memorandum telling federal agencies to study trade issues. Still, Mr Trump pledged in his inaugural address that tariffs would be coming and said foreign countries would be paying the trade penalties, even though those taxes are currently paid by domestic importers and often passed along to consumers. Canadas Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly and Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc speak to reporters (The Canadian Press via AP) Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said reprieve is too strong of a word but said he felt good. If they decide to take a close look at the US-Canadian relationship when it comes to trade thats a very good thing, Mr LeBlanc said at a Cabinet retreat in Montebello, Quebec. Both countries are stronger and more secure when we respect and honour the comprehensive free trade agreement. Mr Trump said he would establish an external revenue service to collect all tariffs, duties and revenues and that it would lead to massive amounts of money pouring into our country coming from foreign sources. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said they are very cautious but they know they can make sure it is a win-win relationship. Danielle Smith, the premier of Canadas oil-rich province of Alberta, said she was pleased to see that today President Donald Trump has decided to refrain from imposing tariffs on Canadian goods at this time as they study the issue further. We appreciate the implied acknowledgement that this is a complex and delicate issue with serious implications for American and Canadian workers, Ms Smith said in a post on X. Ms Smith said avoiding tariffs will save hundreds of thousands of Canadian and American jobs across every sector. Despite the promising news today, the threat of US tariffs is still very real, she posted. President Donald Trump salutes while on stage in Emancipation Hall at the 60th Presidential Inauguration (Ron Sachs/Pool Photo via AP) Canadas ambassador to Washington, Kristen Hillman, also said she was pleased and cautiously optimistic. Nobody is giving us any assurances, Ms Hillman told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. We will feel better when I think we see the details of what hes asking for in terms of a study. Ms Hillman said she would return to Canada on Tuesday to brief the Cabinet. Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and 75% of Canadas exports, which include automobiles and parts, go to the US. Canada is the top export destination for 36 US states. Nearly US 2.7 billion dollars (2.2 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Despite Mr Trumps claim that the US does not need Canada, a quarter of the oil America consumes per day is from there. Mr Trump said he could impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting on February 1. Freed Palestinian prisoner Nidaa Zaghebi embraces her daughter, Cilla, after her release from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap. Photo: Raneen Sawafta/Reuters Released British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari poses for a photo with her mother, Mandy, after being held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack by Hamas, in thisEhandoutEimage obtained by Reuters on January 19, 2025. Courtesy of Israel Defense Forces/Handout via REUTERS British-Israeli national Emily Damari among the first three hostages freed from Gaza by Hamas as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel says she has returned to my beloved life in the moving first comments she has made since her release. Ms Damari was freed from 15 months in captivity on Sunday as the truce deal came into effect, with authorities reporting she had lost two fingers when she was taken from her home during Hamas attack inside Israel on 7 October, 2023, during which around 1,200 people were killed and another 250 were taken hostage. In emotional remarks made hours after her release on Monday morning, Emily, who is a dual British-Israeli citizen, thanked her family and the large protest movement that campaigned for the release of the hostages. "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm the happiest in the world," the 28-year-old said in the Instagram story shared by Israeli media, signing off her message with a "rock on" emoji, a possible reference to the two fingers she lost when she was shot in the hand as she was taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Her family previously said she was "blindfolded and forced into her own car with two other friends". adsfasdf Celebrations have been taking place across Israel, Gaza and the occupied West Bank over the ceasefire, with 90 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails also freed as part of the deal. Families in Gaza also started to return to their homes, with Israels retaliatory offensive to the Hamas attack having killed around 47,000 Palestinians and forced about 90% of the enclaves 2.3 million residents from their homes. In footage taken in Gaza on Sunday, Hamas were seen handing over Emily, alongside one of her friends who was captured with her, Doron Steinbrecher (31), as well as Romi Gonen (24), who was seized from the Nova music festival. At Sheba hospital, which is located in a suburb of Tel Aviv, there were emotional scenes of the three hostages being reunited with their family members. In a motorcade led by police cars, minivans holding the hostages and their mothers who were the first to greet them in the transitional first aid point, drew up to a specially closed off area. Crowds of patients in the hospital cheered as they caught a brief glimpse through a window inside complex of the moment the three women hugged their fathers, siblings and other extended family members, in floods of tears with Emily reunited with her mother Mandy Damari, who also survived Hamass attack on the border Kibbutz of Kfar Aza. On Hostage Square in central Tel Aviv, the rallying point for families and supporters of the hostages, crowds cheered, cried, and hugged each other as the footage of the reunions were released. Later thousands of people gathered there chanted Now! Now ! Now! a reference to bringing all the remaining hostages left in Gaza back, as well as the slogan bring them home now. Freed Palestinian prisoner Nidaa Zaghebi embraces her daughter, Cilla, after her release from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap. Photo: Raneen Sawafta/Reuters On Monday, Mandy Damari, who grew up in Beckenham, southeast London, released a statement in the wake of her daughters release, praising Emilys resilience and calling for the remaining 91 hostages to be freed. "From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank the many people who have played a role in bringing Emily home and given their support to me and my family," she said in a statement. "I am relieved to report that, after her release, Emily is doing much better than any of us could ever have anticipated. "I am also happy that during her release the world was given a glimpse of her feisty and charismatic personality. "In Emily's own words, she is the happiest girl in the world, she has her life back. "In this incredibly happy moment for our family, we must also remember that 94 other hostages still remain. The ceasefire must continue and every last hostage must be returned to their families. "As wonderful as it is to see Emily's resilience, these are still early days. As you will have seen yesterday, Emily lost two of the fingers on her left hand." Mandy, who campaigned fiercely for her daughter's freedom, said she will now need time with her loved ones and doctors to recover. All three former hostages were assessed at the Sheba Medical Centre in Tel Aviv, with doctors reporting that they are in a stable condition and will be monitored there for a few days. Romis mother also issued a moving statement on social media in the wake of her daughters release, as she too called for the remaining hostages to be freed. Meirav Leshem Gonen said in a post on Facebook on Monday morning: It will take me, for us, a moment to breathe it in and believe in the reality we achieved together. Displaced Palestinians return to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters Captives released in November described Emily as a leader who kept up the spirits of her fellow captives. Israeli media reported that she "started taking care of everyone", with one freed girl telling Mandy that her daughter would wake up and sing: "It's a great morning." Others have reported Emily acted as a go-between with the guards. Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the "wonderful and long-overdue news" of their release and called for all hostages to be freed, saying "we must not forget" those who remain in captivity. Foreign secretary David Lammy said he is "pleased and delighted" that Emily has been released. "Let me just first, obviously say how pleased and delighted I am that Emily Damari has emerged," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday. "And I say that because I grew very close to her family, and I think the whole of the country will be delighted that she is free, but recognising there are still hostages being held, and there are British nationals like Nadav Popplewell who lost their life." Mr Lammy said a social media post by Emily after her release made him "very emotional". "I have a yellow flower. It's a plastic flower that her mother gave me that's in my office that I said I would keep in my office until she was freed. I will move it from my office today and take it home. So that's... it's incredibly touching," he said. The Independent An international arrest warrant has today been issued by Spanish authorities for the man suspected of murdering Belfast resident John George. Police have so far held only one man a 32-year-old from the Czech Republic who was bailed by a judge on January 10 and told he was being investigated as an alleged accomplice over the grisly Costa Blanca homicide. Today, Spanish authorities confirmed three separate arrest warrants were now out for the individual suspected of carrying out the killing. The warrants were issued by a judge at the court probing the crime Torreviejas Court of Instruction Number Two on the request of prosecutors. An official at the Valencian Communitys High Court said this afternoon: The magistrate heading up Court of Instruction Number Two in Torrevieja, following receipt of a report from the public prosecution service, has today issued three orders against the alleged material author of the death of the British citizen whose body was discovered in Rojales near Torrevieja earlier this month. That suspects whereabouts is currently unknown. The three court orders are an international search and arrest warrant, a European arrest warrant and a national search and arrest warrant. Court officials said they could not offer any details about the wanted mans age or nationality at this stage. John vanished on December 14 and relatives reported him missing when he failed to catch a scheduled flight home four days later after what was meant to be a short holiday. By December 23 his family had launched a GoFundMe campaign to aid a search, voicing concerns he had been the victim of a crime. Johns brother Darren travelled to Alicante to help in the search with their parents, Billy and Sharon, and sister Courtney and Caitlin, along with up to 50 friends and wider family from Northern Ireland. Members of K9 Search And Rescue NI, a volunteer canine search team, also spent several days assisting with the wide-scale operation to find the missing man. His decomposing body was discovered on January 7, hidden under overgrown lemon trees around five miles from the town of Rojales near Torrevieja. A man arrested later the same day on suspicion of homicide was hauled to court on January 10 after nearly 72 hours in police custody. He told the judge he was being scapegoated because Johns family had named him on social media as one of the suspects. His Costa Blanca-based defence lawyer Manuel Ramon Rives also attributed the decision to detain him to his recent friendship with a man he said police were hunting as the alleged perpetrator. The lawyer told local media after his release on bail there wasnt a single incriminating piece of evidence against his client and insisted: He isnt involved in this. Torreviejas Court of Instruction Number Two confirmed afterwards: The judge is currently attributing to him a crime of homicide as an accomplice or by aiding and abetting the crime. Allison Morris: John Georges return flight from Alicante was booked after he was dead His bail conditions include the obligations to sign on at court every fortnight and hand in his passport and he is also banned from leaving Spain. The court will continue with investigations with the intention of fully solving this case. At the weekend Johns family said they believed he had been assassinated in a premeditated killing. His brother Darren told Sunday Life his sibling was shot dead after refusing to work for a crime gang after being effectively trafficked from Northern Ireland and having his passport taken off him on arrival. Hundreds of Johns family and friends attended a vigil in his memory at St Lukes Church in Twinbrook on the outskirts of west Belfast on Sunday where lanterns were released into the sky in his memory. A day earlier Mr Georges family announced his funeral, which had been due to take place last Friday, had been delayed. His sister Courtney posed on social media: All funeral arrangements cancelled until further notice due to circumstances beyond our control. Updated arrangements will follow in due course. John George News Catch Up - Tuesday 21 January Palestinians walk through the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya (Abed Hajjar/AP) Palestinians in Gaza are confronting an apocalyptic landscape of devastation, after a ceasefire paused more than 15 months of fighting between Israel and Hamas. Across the tiny coastal enclave, where built-up refugee camps are interspersed between cities, drone footage captured by The Associated Press shows mounds of rubble stretching as far as the eye can see, remnants of the longest and deadliest war between Israel and Hamas in their blood-ridden history. As you can see, it became a ghost town, said Hussein Barakat, 38, whose home in the southern city of Rafah was flattened. There is nothing, he said, as he sat drinking coffee on a brown armchair perched on the rubble of his three-storey home, in a surreal scene. An aerial photograph shows the destruction in Rafah (Mohammad Abu Samra/AP) Critics say Israel has waged a campaign of scorched earth to destroy the fabric of life in Gaza, accusations that are being considered in two global courts, including the crime of genocide. Israel denies those charges and says its military has been fighting a complex battle in dense urban areas and that it tries to avoid causing undue harm to civilians and their infrastructure. Military experts say the reality is complicated. For a campaign of this duration, which is a years worth of fighting in a heavily urban environment, where you have an adversary that is hiding in amongst that environment, then you would expect an extremely high level of damage, said Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, a British think-tank. Mr Savill said that it was difficult to draw a broad conclusion about the nature of Israels campaign. To do so, he said, would require each strike and operation to be assessed to determine whether they adhered to the laws of armed conflict and whether all were proportional, but he did not think the scorched earth description was accurate. International rights groups. including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, view the vast destruction as part of a broader pattern of extermination and genocide directed at Palestinians in Gaza, a charge Israel denies. The groups dispute Israels stance that the destruction was a result of military activity. Palestinians search for their belongings under the rubble of destroyed homes in Rafah (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Human Rights Watch, in a November report accusing Israel of crimes against humanity, said the destruction is so substantial that it indicates the intention to permanently displace many people. From a fierce air campaign during the first weeks of the war, to a ground invasion that sent thousands of troops in on tanks, the Israeli response to a Hamas-led attack on October 7 2023, has ground down much of the civilian infrastructure of the Gaza Strip, displacing 90% of its population. The brilliant colour of pre-war life has faded into a monotone cement grey that dominates the territory. It could take decades, if not more, to rebuild. A UN assessment from satellite imagery showed more than 60,000 structures across Gaza had been destroyed and more than 20,000 severely damaged in the war as of December 1 2024. The preliminary assessment of conflict-generated debris, including of buildings and roads, was more than 50 million tons. It said the analysis had not yet been validated in the field. Airstrikes throughout the war toppled buildings and other structures said to be housing militants. But the destruction intensified with the ground forces, who fought Hamas fighters in close combat in dense areas. If militants were seen firing from an apartment building near a troop manoeuvre, forces might take the entire building down to thwart the threat. Tank tracks chewed up paved roads, leaving dusty stretches of earth in their wake. The militarys engineering corps was tasked with using bulldozers to clear routes, downing buildings seen as threats, and blowing up Hamas underground tunnel network. Nour and her brother Mohamed Ballas try to salvage what they can of their belongings from the rubble of their home in Rafah (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Experts say the operations to neutralise tunnels were extremely destructive to surface infrastructure. For example, one-mile long tunnel was blown up by Israeli forces, it would not spare homes or buildings above, said Michael Milshtein, a former Israeli army intelligence officer. If (the tunnel) passes under an urban area, it all gets destroyed, he said. Theres no other way to destroy a tunnel. Cemeteries, schools, hospitals and more were targeted and destroyed, he said, because Hamas was using these for military purposes. Secondary blasts from Hamas explosives inside these buildings could worsen the damage. The way Israel has repeatedly returned to areas it said were under its control, only to have militants overrun it again, has exacerbated the destruction, Mr Savill said. That is evident especially in northern Gaza, where Israel launched a new campaign in early October that almost obliterated Jabaliya, a built-up, urban refugee camp. Jabaliya is home to the descendants of Palestinians who fled, or were forced to flee, during the war that led to Israels creation in 1948. Mr Milshtein said Israels dismantling of the tunnel network is also to blame for the destruction there. But the destruction was not only caused by strikes on targets. Israel also carved out a buffer zone about a mile inside Gaza from its border with Israel, as well as within the Netzarim corridor that bisects north Gaza from the south, and along the Philadelphi Corridor, a stretch of land along Gazas border with Egypt. Vast swathes in these areas were flattened. Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general, said the buffer zones were an operational necessity meant to carve out secure plots of land for Israeli forces. He denied Israel had cleared civilian areas indiscriminately. The destruction, like the civilian death toll in Gaza, has raised accusations that Israel committed war crimes, which it denies. The decisions the military made in choosing what to topple, and why, are an important factor in that debate. The second militants move into a building and start using it to fire on you, you start making a calculation about whether or not you can strike, Mr Savill said. Downing the building, he said, still needs to be necessary. In Jabaliya, Nizar Hussein hung a sheet over the shattered remains of his familys home, stepping gingerly around a large, leaning concrete slab. At the very least, we need years to get a house, he said. It is a feeling that I cannot describe. Thank God (for everything). Feature: Cross-cultural ties flourish as Kenyans join Chinese New Year celebration Xinhua) 09:11, January 21, 2025 Actors perform dragon dance during a Chinese New Year gala held in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Han Xu) NAIROBI, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Shielding himself from the sweltering heat that enveloped the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Sunday, Benjamin Buyeshe savored the aroma of fresh dumplings at an ongoing Chinese New Year gala at a vast courtyard of the upmarket Two Rivers Mall, located on the northern suburbs of Nairobi. A Kungfu enthusiast since 2018, Buyeshe has attended several Chinese New Year celebrations, drawn by their electrifying musical performances, dances, and displays of traditional attire and cuisine. "Attending this event to celebrate and honor the Chinese New Year is uplifting to me as a Kenyan and as someone keen to learn more about Chinese culture," he said. Buyeshe was among hundreds of local visitors who thronged the Nairobi Chinese New Year gala organized by Chinese companies in Kenya. Senior government officials, diplomats, business executives, scholars and others enjoyed Chinese folk and lion dances, Shaolin monk Kungfu performances and culinary delights. When students from local universities jumped to the stage and performed a dragon dance, Buyeshe could not resist the urge to sway with the synchronized drum beats. The 27-year-old Nairobi resident said he looked forward to participating in other events related to the Chinese Spring Festival. By opening its door to the public, this year's Chinese New Year Gala further promotes friendly ties between the Kenyan and Chinese people, Buyeshe said. Despite the hot weather, Kenyans from all walks of life joined Chinese citizens to attend the day-long celebration, keen to watch live performances and sample delicacies from the Asian country. Seated in the front row and holding his toddler, Geoffrey Kengele, a Nairobi-based medic, was thrilled to see a group of local university students performing a folk dance. Kengele said his wife nudged him to attend the gala for its cross-cultural interactions and the opportunity to build business and personal relationships. "My wife studied architecture in China. She encouraged me to come and experience Chinese culture. Our relationship with China is developing, and it is wise for us to engage in healthy interactions," Kengele said. The 2025 Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake. The snake is the sixth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac and represents wisdom, intuition and strategic growth. Ummi Bashir, principal Secretary of the State Department for Culture, the Arts and Heritage, underscored the significance of the Chinese New Year, noting that it brings a renewed sense of hope, prosperity and unity. In addition, Bashir said the auspicious occasion is a reminder of the huge milestones Sino-Kenyan cultural cooperation has achieved thanks to shared values and mutual respect. "Kenya and China will contribute to advancing the Global Civilization Initiative, which promotes respect for diversity of civilizations, common values of humanity, the importance of inheritance and innovation of civilizations, as well as robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation," said Bashir. James Mworia, chief executive officer of Centum Investment company, said the Chinese New Year gala epitomizes the vitality of Sino-Kenya economic and cultural ties. Joseph Onyango, a 27-year-old delivery man, attended the Chinese New Year celebration for the first time together with his friend. "I will also participate in next year's Chinese New Year celebration," Onyango said. "I am eager to learn more about Chinese culture, food and music." An artist interacts with a child during a dough figurine performance at a Chinese New Year gala held in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui) Ummi Bashir, principal Secretary of the State Department for Culture, the Arts and Heritage, attends an awakening ceremony, hoping to bring a dragon to life, at a Chinese New Year gala held in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui) Actors dance during a Chinese New Year gala held in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Han Xu) Acrobats perform diabolo stunt at a Chinese New Year gala held in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui) This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows a view during a Chinese New Year gala held in Nairobi, Kenya. (Xinhua/Han Xu) People experience rubbing culture at a Chinese New Year gala held in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui) This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows a view during a Chinese New Year gala held in Nairobi, Kenya. (Xinhua/Han Xu) Actors perform lion dance at a Chinese New Year gala held in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui) Kungfu performers from Shaolin Temple perform Qigong at a Chinese New Year gala held in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Authorities in Paradise (Butte County) said an infant died Sunday night after being accidentally smothered by their allegedly intoxicated father. Rafe Swan/Getty Image Authorities in Northern California said an infant died Sunday night after being accidentally smothered by their allegedly intoxicated father. Emergency crews in Paradise (Butte County) responded to a call just before midnight reporting that a 5-month-old baby was not breathing at a home on the 800 block of Violet Way. When paramedics and officers from the Paradise Police Department arrived at 11:53 p.m., they reportedly attempted lifesaving measures. Despite their efforts, the baby was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police later determined that the infants father, 25-year-old Daniel Eastman, was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the incident. Investigators say Eastman reportedly fell asleep while lying on top of the baby, which led to suffocation. Eastman was arrested and booked into Butte County Jail on charges of child abuse resulting in death and manslaughter. His bail was set at $80,000. The Paradise Police Department requested assistance from the California Department of Justice to process the scene and gather additional evidence. An autopsy was expected to be scheduled to confirm the exact cause of death. Paradise is located about 85 miles north of Sacramento. Police said the investigation into the incident is ongoing. I arrived home on Sunday just as the snow began to fall. Just 24 hours earlier, I was in New York City where it was in the mid-to-high 40s. I arrived Friday evening, via the Amtrak Empire Service from Hudson, N.Y., to spend the weekend with my friend and former arts and culture reporter Aaron Simon Gross, whom I hadn't seen in person since the beginning of December. The visit would be short, but we had planned on spending time visiting, taking in art and splurging on at least one decadent meal. ETHIOPIAN SAMPLER I was counting on Aaron, who has lived in New York City for many years, to introduce me to some wonderful food experiences. After arriving at his apartment, Aaron, his friend, Daniel, and I made our way to Harlem to eat at Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant, one of their go-to Ethiopian eateries. This was my first time experiencing Ethiopian food and it did not disappoint. Daniel suggested that I try the Lalibela sampler, a combination plate that includes tibs wot (diced lean beef seared on hot skillet and slow cooked in hot berbere stew), doro wot (chicken leg and boiled egg cooked in a dense stew of onions, berbere and kibe), cabbage (cabbage, potato and carrot cooked with onion and garlic with a touch of turmeric), kik alicha (split peas cooked in onion, garlic and olive oil), alicha siga (diced lean beef seared on a hot skillet and and slow cooked in a tumeric stew), gomen wot (collard greens cooked with mild seasonings and olive oils) served on a plate of injera. Injera, a spongy, sour flatbread, is used both as a plate and as a utensil to scoop up stews, meats and vegetables. Daniel and Aaron split a vegetable combo platter for two. Not having tried Ethiopian food before, I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of flavors and textures on the plate, as I tore injera and used it to scoop up the different offerings. Everything was tender and well spiced. The portions were generous and I felt guilty that my short stay and long travel time home would prevent me from taking home what was leftover. It's also inspired me to try a few Ethiopian recipes from Phaidon's gorgeously-illustrated "The Contemporary African Kitchen: Home Cooking Recipes from The Leading Chefs of Africa." OAXACAN MICROBAKERY On Saturday, Aaron suggested we try a new bakery he had recently discovered. It was out of way, as it was about 2 miles away from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, our morning destination, but it was totally worth the trek which took us through Central Park and into Spanish Harlem. Atla's Conchas, at 347 E 109th St., a contemporary Oaxacan microbakery opened in June 2024 by husband and wife team, Mauricio Lopez Martinez and Caroline Anders, that uses full-inclusion flour. Full-inclusion flour means that parts of the wheat kernel, including the bran and germ as well as the endosperm, are ground together and the flour has the complete nutritional profile of the wheat grain. The couple can ensure that their flour is full-inclusion because they mill the farm-to-table heirloom grains wheat, barley, rye, einkorn, spelt and more on site. Caroline and Mauricio, who were very generous with their time and didn't mind answering questions, said they had intended to only focus on making conchas a sweet Mexican bread roll with a crunchy topping that resembles a shell but soon learned of the neighborhood's need and desire for freshly-baked bread. With 30-years of bread-baking experience between the two of them, they decided to begin offering bread focaccia Thursday through Sunday, challah on Fridays and multigrain loaves on Saturdays. A new bread CSA is starting as well. This is in addition to the conchas, granola, cookies and seasonal cakes they make every day. Everything looked so delicious that morning, that I had a hard time choosing, but I finally landed on a cinnamon concha and a slice of still-warm-from-the oven chocolate chile cake. The concha was made with Appalachian white wheat from grains from Grapewood Farm, in Virginia, and a sonora white wheat mad from grains from Ramona Farms in Arizona. The chocolate chile cake was made with danko rye and Frederick wheat sourced from Wild Hive Farm, a community grain project in Dutchess County. I will say, you can tell the difference between a baked good made with full-inclusion flour versus one that's made with enriched flour. There's a nutty, malty, sweet goodness that comes through, especially in the concha which is made with just a few ingredients. I liked them so much, I bought two more conchas and another slice of cake, which had a slight kick to it from the chile, with every intention of bringing them back to the Berkshires the next morning the conchas made it, but the cake was eaten later that night while reading. Wanting to find and bake with full-inclusion flour is the perfect excuse for me to make Bryan Ford's delicious conchas recipes from "Pan Y Dulce: The Latin American Baking Book." SUPPER CLUB IN CHELSEA Our afternoon travels would take us to Tribeca, for a stop at the newly-renovated and opened (new) flagship location of Jack Shainman Gallery for a viewing of Nick Cave's new work, "Amalgams and Graphts." (Gallerist Jack Shainman, a native of Williamstown, owns The School in Kinderhook, and another gallery in Chelsea). After taking in Cave's beautiful new body of work, we took the subway to Chelsea, to visit his other gallery, to view "Barkley L. Hendricks: Space is the Place," before heading to our final destination of the night, Bangkok Supper Club. This West Village restaurant is a destination experience, with hard-to-come-by reservations, where you are sure to spend $100 or more per person. This was definitely the splurge we'd been talking about and Aaron happened to snag the reservations by chance. He believes he happened to be on Resy at just the right time. Opened in September 2023, Bangkok Supper Club is owned by Jennifer Saesue and Chat Suansilphong and chef Max Wittawat. Chef Wittawat, some might know, was a pastry chef at Spot Dessert Bar for 13 years, and also competed as an assistant chef on "Iron Chef" in the USA, Japan and Thailand iterations. He draws his menu inspiration from his native Bangkok's late night food scene with an emphasis on Thai charcoal grill techniques. Bangkok Supper Club is designed to be intimate, just 60 seats in the dining room and 11 at the counter around the open kitchen. The lighting is soft, dim, to "help transport guests to Bangkok after hours." The menu is purposely small, elevated. It's small bites include an Uni and Crab Tartlet, topped with Ossetra caviar, and a Foie Gras Duck Breast Wrap. We passed on the small bites, instead opting to start with a Grilled Mushroom Salad charred gem lettuce topped with king oyster and oyster mushrooms, chrysanthemum shoots, Thai basil, sprinkled with coconut chips and served with a coconut cilantro dressing from the small plates portion of the menu. The salad was divine, the meatiness of the mushrooms complimenting the charred, crunch of the lettuce and coconut chips perfectly. We each ordered our own large plate and side dish for the next course. Aaron chose the grilled eggplant with a soy bean glaze, grilled mushrooms, crispy shallot and fried basil, a side of charcoal-grilled green beans and peas with a crispy garlic chili oil, tofu cream and crispy shallots. I ordered the Ba Jang Lobster, a beautifully-plated dish that's as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. Lobster, poached in brown butter, is served over a chewy patty of black-pepper sticky rice topped with oyster mushrooms, Nasturtium leaves and garlic chips. I ordered a side of charcoal-grilled bok choy drizzled with a tangy anchovy oyster sauce and fried anchovies crumbs. If I have one regret, it's that we did not order and share both of the desserts offered by Bangkok Supper Club. We decided to share a single dessert a golden cake, made from sticky rice, adorned with scoops of house-made sweet potato and coconut ice cream topped with two toasted coconut chips. It was simply amazing, but I wish we also had opted to have the Coconut Pandan. We watched in awe as guests at the tables around us dug into a coconut shell layered with pandan chiffon cake and pandan pudding, served with salted coconut whipped cream and coconut crumbs. It looked delicious, but I also highly doubt we could have finished both. Since returning home, I've added "Kalaya's Southern Thai Kitchen" to my stack of "make dishes from these cookbooks." Satiated, we headed uptown on the subway. It was a glorious day and the end of my over-too-soon visit with Aaron. Fortuitously, I was aboard Amtrak's Adirondack train early Sunday morning, ahead of the coming storm, with my head swirling with images of all the art we had seen and with teeming with fresh inspiration for new dishes to make in my kitchen. January is, by far, my least favorite month. The holidays with all their glitz and glitter are over. Sunrise is at 7:15 a.m., and sunset is around 4:45 p.m., roughly 9 1/2 hours of daylight. Weve been in a deep freeze for a couple of weeks, although as I write this, its a balmy 40 F. I almost want to sit on my deck in the sun, but of course, there is no sun. Im in hibernation mode. I leave the house only when I have to for work, doctors appointments, going to the gym and groceries. My living room couch has become my refuge. I curl up on it the first thing in the morning with a large mug of caramel swirl cappuccino and a book, under a heated throw I got for Christmas. And there I stay for hours, sometimes never getting out of my pajamas. Instead of observing a dry January (I slipped and had a glass of wine the other night), I have dedicated the month to very little television and a lot more reading. So far, Ive read seven books since ushering in the new year. I recently became aware of Ruth Reichl, world-renowned food critic for the Los Angeles Times and New York Times, and former editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine. I started with Save Me the Plums, her memoir about her tenure as the editor of Gourmet. Im now in the middle of Garlic and Sapphires, her account of being a food critic for the New York Times sometimes in disguise. The book also includes recipes and some of her restaurant reviews. Waiting in the wings is The Paris Novel, her first work of fiction. And so many more of her books are waiting for me. Soup has become another refuge for me. There is nothing like a hot bowl of soup or two on a dark, dreary, freezing-cold January day. My most recent soup-making foray was French onion soup, inspired when I was cleaning out a kitchen cabinet and rediscovered my set of onion soup crocks. The recipe I swear by is one that came with a set of soup crocks we received as a wedding gift in 1981. Since, then, its become one of my go-to recipes the original crocks were lost in a house fire 16 years ago, but the recipe lives on ONION SOUP Makes four very generous servings INGREDIENTS 6 large onions, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon olive oil 4 tablespoons butter, divided 6 cups regular-strength beef broth or rich meat broth Salt and pepper 1/3 cup port 1/2 cup diced Gruyere or Swiss cheese Dry-toasted French bread (directions follow) 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese DIRECTIONS In a 3- or 4-quart pan on medium-low heat, cook onions slowly and uncovered in olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter until limp and caramel-colored, but not browned. (It usually takes about 40 minutes.) Add the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and stir in the port. (If made ahead, cover and chill until the next day. Reheat to continue.) Pour into four individual ovenproof soup bowls. Sprinkle an equal amount of diced Gruyere cheese into each bowl and set a piece of toast on top. Sprinkle equally with shredded Gruyere and Parmesan. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter and drizzle evenly over the toast. Place soup in a 425 F oven for 10 minutes; then broil about 4 inches from the heat just until the cheese browns lightly on the top. Serve Dry-toasted French bread: Cut four slices of French bread, each 1/2-inch thick. Place on a baking sheet in a 325 F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Spread each piece with butter or margarine. The project outside Town Hall organized by former state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli will honor Berkshire County members of the military who died in service to the U.S. from World War I to the present. PITTSFIELD An ice fisherman and several emergency first responders are safe after plunging into the icy waters of Onota Lake on Tuesday morning. The Pittsfield Fire Department called the rescue operation "a manpower intensive operation taking place on an unstable and unpredictable ice surface." First responders were called to the boat ramp at Burbank Park at 7:45 a.m. for a report of an ice fisherman through the lake, according to a statement by the Fire Department. The department mobilized with four units and the Berkshire County Dive Team was activated on standby. Pittsfield Police and County Ambulance also responded. As firefighters rushed to the scene they were told the fisherman, whom they had been told had escaped the water, had fallen back through the ice and was in distress. When they arrived at the shore, they spotted two anglers about 100 yards out from the boat launch, with one on the ice and the other in the water. Firefighters donned their cold water rescue suits and waded in. But as rescuers neared the fisherman, a section of ice shelf broke off and they entered the water as well. Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Garner told The Eagle the ice near the boat ramp was unstable. It appeared the men had just started fishing when the incident took place, he said. "It was noticeably weak," Garner said of the ice. "I'm not a aquatic expert on under-shelf currents but I'm guessing they caught a warm patch ... the ice is very unpredictable." The fisherman was secured to the department's ice sled and he was removed from the water. He was alert and oriented when he was transported to Berkshire Medical Center with hypothermia, and is expected to recover fully. His identity was not immediately available. Rescuers apparently got there just in time; Garner said the man was so hypothermic he was unable to move when they reached him. Quote As soon as we had him out of the water about 10 of us were pulling him to shore. Pittsfield Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Garner "County Ambulance parked right at the edge of the boat ramp," Garner said. "As soon as we had him out of the water about 10 of us were pulling him to shore. We pulled him right up to the back of the ambulance and they started rendering aid." Among rescue personnel, one firefighter was transported to BMC with hypothermia due to cold-water suit failure. He is also expected to recover fully. Air temperatures at the lake were about 5 degrees, Garner said. As for rescuers going into the cold water? "It's anticipated. We all take turns training during the winter. We train to the point where it becomes second nature," Garner said. About 15-20 firefighters responded, Garner said, noting that ice rescues are manpower-intensive because the rescuer must be tethered to someone on the shore, and must have a back-up on the ice. "I'd call this a low-probability, high-risk event for us," he said. "It's thankfully few and far between but very high risk for the victim, and high risk for rescuers." The men went onto the lake on foot, Garner said. Late last month, a pickup truck driven onto the ice of Pontoosuc Lake went into the water; in that case, only the truck had to be rescued. Firefighters sought to remind the public that fluctuating temperatures and flowing waters can degrade ice conditions. They also noted that newly frozen ice is stronger than old ice. For example, 4 inches of clear, newly formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially thawed ice may not. 7 tips for staying safe on ice this winter Here's what you need to know to stay safe when you're out on the ice this winter. According to the Massachusetts Environmental Police, on state-owned properties a minimum ice thickness of 5 inches is required for recreation vehicle operation upon authorized frozen waterways. Safety officials say you should never go onto the ice alone or without telling someone where you're going. You are the owner of this article. If it's the obvious win-win that MCLA's president suggests, then open it up to the trustees and let them see it that way, too, rather than denying them their due discretion. MONTEREY The hand-sewn navy and white creation worn by first lady Melania Trump to her husbands inauguration ceremony on Monday was designed by Monterey resident Adam Lippes. Lippes is an independent American fashion designer who also dressed former first ladies Michelle Obama and Jill Biden. His fashion house is based in New York City. The ensemble worn by Melania Trump includes a tailored navy silk wool coat, a navy silk wool pencil skirt, and an ivory silk crepe blouse, all of it designed by Lippes and hand-sewn in New York City, according to a release by PR Newswire. The tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy, Lippes said in the statement, and today we had the honor to dress our first lady, Mrs. Melania Trump. Mrs. Trumps outfit was created by some of Americas finest craftsmen and I take great pride in showing such work to the world. Lippes could not be reached for additional comment. The Buffalo, N.Y., native began working for Oscar de la Renta in 1996 after beginning his career at Ralph Lauren, according to the news release. Lippes started his own label, ADAM, in 2004 then rebranded to Adam Lippes, Newswire said, "distinguished by exquisite tailoring, fine fabrics, artisanal detail, and an understated glamour. Lippes now has four standalone stores and a global retail presence in leading boutiques and department stores. In a story about Lippes and his design for Trump, Vogue magazine said that while not a household name, Lippes has been a go-to designer for the new First Lady. The choice of Lippes suggests, according to Vogue, that Trump will continue to engage the fashion community in her own way, particularly as she reaffirms her positions power to uplift independent and budding American businesses like some of her predecessors. But the magazine also noted that there is a precedent of reticence from the New York fashion establishment to engage with Trump as First Lady. Designers," the article continued, "have shown themselves dubious to show any alignment with the Trump administration to not muddle their more progressive values and political ideals." In 2018 Lippes told The Eagle that he finds inspiration in my friends, women on the street, as well as interiors, seeing patterns, prints layering, from the wallpaper to the carpets. When asked what every woman should have in her closet, Lippes said, a great statement coat, a perfectly fitted pair of black jeans and great shoes, invest in those shoes. We all know we should read the Bible. Pastors, books, and resources like this one on the internet tell us constantly how we need to engage the written Word of God. And yet we also know how difficult it can be. With sincere motivation and intent, we get started (usually at the beginning of the year). Then we reach Leviticus with its details and long chapters about how to remove mold from a house. This often coincides with the psychological and emotional point where we find it hard to stay disciplined. So, we fade out. Therefore, we rarely read a few books of the Bible. Church services or Bible studies might cover the main passages and stories, the really dramatic and central characters. Others prove more obscure, short, and easily passed over. The whole Bible is inspired and God-breathed. So even the least read books of the Bible have value to teach and point us back to Jesus. Well start with listing the top (or bottom) ten. What Are the Least Read Books of the Bible? The Bible contains 66 books, each with a unique mix of message, genre, and purpose. Here are the top ten least read books of the Bible and why. Obadiahs single chapter focuses on Edoms judgment and Israels restoration. It seems independent from the broader Old Testament story and lacks a clear or direct personal lesson for modern readers. Philemon, another single-chapter document, addresses a very personal story about a runaway slave, Onesimus, and Paul writes to his former master Philemon to discuss the situation. As perhaps the most intimate letter from Paul, it lacks any real theological or doctrinal declaration, at least compared to other epistles. Nahum prophesies Ninevehs destruction, a type of continuation of Jonahs story. The descriptions of judgment are vivid, less from a loving God, and focused on a city and people group far removed from us today. Haggai calls the Jews to rebuild the temple, but the short book concentrates on the historical situation without any real resolution or narrative to keep people interested. Like Obadiah, Zephaniah speaks of coming judgment. The heavy focus on destruction and repentance from sin reads negative to modern audiences, even though it does promise hope of future restoration for those who turn back to God. 2 John only has 13 verses and is located towards the back end of the New Testament. It contains important warnings against false teachers, and like many of Johns writings, the letter calls Christians to love. So do others, so Bible studies and teachings generally dont reference it. 3 John is also brief and lacks even the teaching of 2 John, making it easy to skip. Another short letter, Jude (a brother of Jesus) strongly warns against false teaching with harsh language, and it references a non-biblical text, like Enoch. The letter reads judgmental and mystical to more Evangelical readers. The Song of Solomon poetically shares a love story between a man and woman. Its sexual innuendo through older symbols creates a distance with readers today, and it makes it more difficult for some to understand and pull relative lessons from. As weve already mentioned, Leviticus detailed laws about rituals and traditions feels repetitive, and since modern Evangelicals dont believe theyre bound to the Law, they get quickly frustrated and move on from this book. Despite the reasons for many people to skip or dismiss any of these books, each one still contains valuable lessons and revelation for Christians. As examples, Ill focus on two, one from each of the testaments. What Is Obadiah About? Obadiah writes this prophecy around 506 BC, at some point after Babylons destruction of Jerusalem. A neighboring nation, Edom, took advantage of the Jewish crisis. The Edomites have an ancient and important connection with Israel they are descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (renamed Israel). Esau should have received the older brother blessing from Isaac, including the Abrahamic covenant, but he gave away the birthright for a bowl of stew. Even though Jacob further deceived and got the blessing, Esau still became a great man and produced a nation after him, Edom. While Gods judgment against Judah and Jerusalem was just and right after centuries of warnings, Edom acted selfishly and violently during the great struggle. They plundered the Jews and helped Babylon in capturing Jews trying to escape. In the prophecy, God considers them prideful and hostile, betraying a brother in need. Scholars dont know much about Obadiah himself. The book doesnt give any details or a biography. His name means servant of Yahweh, a great name for a prophet. While a judgment against Edom, he writes to Judah to tell them his plans for Edom. Obadiah finds similarity with other Minor Prophets regarding a declaration on Gods justice, addressing sin and oppression and promise for consequences. The themes of judgment connect with books like Amos and Joel, also addressing the Lords justice and promising a future restoration. The singular focus on Edom sets Obadiah apart but seems logical considering the covenant background between Edom and Jacob. Why Should We Read Obadiah? Obadiah teaches how God holds nations accountable for what they do. Just as he warned and gave Israel and Judah consequences regarding their actions, he does the same for other countries and kingdoms. When he allows the fall of a nation, that doesnt mean other countries should use that as an opportunity to be oppressive or violent. Gods justice prevails, and he will ultimately right all wrong. We can apply this to our day and age. Like Israel, Judah, and Edom, God will hold our nation (wherever we might live) accountable. Leaders and governments hold power over people, individuals and groups God loves, and they should use that power for good, not evil. We should then pray for our leaders and government, that God would lead and guide them to foster a safe and prosperous environment. As individuals, we should realize God holds us accountable, as well. Whatever power and influence we may have, we must leverage such for his glory and to bless others. In Obadiah, God points out Edoms pride. The nation trusted in its wealth and alliances, not realizing any success came from God. The pride of your heart has deceived you (Obadiah 1:3). Their arrogance led to believing they could rest in their own ability and wouldnt be held accountable for violence against others. For us, we are reminded that nations can be guilty of pride, like individuals. Whether a group or a person, God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). And pride leads to a fall (Proverbs 16:18). First, we pray for our nation to keep them from pride, for our leaders and governments to be humble and recognize all they have comes from God, not their own power. Second, we must learn humility in our own lives, living by these principles to gain Gods grace and blessing instead of destruction. For Edom, their betrayal of Judah led to consequences, teaching us how our nations have relationships, as well. Personally and between countries, God desires us to be good neighbors and live for the good of all, instead of selfishly. Like many of the Old Testament prophets, Obadiah gives hope to Gods people. Despite Edoms betrayal during Judahs traumatic crisis of exile to Babylon, God will restore. He loves his people and continues to be faithful to his covenant with Israel. Those current struggles werent the end of the story. Obadiah promises a future day when the kingdom shall be the Lords (Obadiah 1:21). Gods goal with judgment and accountability is redemptive. He will set everything right. The hardships of today, even if they are our own fault, arent the end of the story. God always offers the opportunity to repent, get back on the right path, and enjoy full restoration and blessing again. God still specializes in restoring the broken and hurting, whether personally or our nation. With Christ, hope exists. What Is Philemon About? Paul wrote Philemon during his first imprisonment in Rome around AD 60. He sends this letter to Philemon, a disciple of Jesus who hosted a church in his home in Colossae. Paul planted the Colossian church, including Philemon, so the apostle feels a certain amount of responsibility and authority in Philemons life. The letter tells a compelling story. Philemon had a slave, Onesimus, who ran away and perhaps further wronged Philemon in other ways. The runaway slave made it to Rome and encountered Paul while the apostle was under house arrest. Onesimus heard the Gospel and decided to follow Jesus. Many slaves existed in the Roman Empire, and since the economy unfortunately relied upon the practice, Roman law gave runaway slaves harsh punishments, including death, in order to deter others. Therefore, Philemon had the legal right to bring consequences against Onesimus. Paul decides to send Onesimus back to face the man he wronged, and the apostle appeals to Philemon to treat the former slave like a brother instead of a slave. This would have gone against Roman social and legal culture, but it reflected Gospel principles. Paul affirms Philemons faith, counting him a faithful and compassionate Christian who obviously uses his resources to bless the community. At the same time, Paul recounts how Onesimus has done the same for Paul in Rome. Paul closes with the appeal, believing Philemon would do the right and godly thing when Onesimus arrived. Philemon is unique among Pauls epistles. The apostle wrote to whole church groups, generally in cities where he planted churches, and other leaders like Timothy regarding truth, doctrine, and Christian life. With Philemon, Paul addresses a very personal and important situation, and yet the short letter aligns with the doctrine and principles from other apostolic letters. Why Should We Read Philemon? Philemon teaches the power of love on several levels, pointing to the Gospel with how we live. First, we see how even in a culture where slavery was common and legal, Paul showed how the institution wasnt consistent with the Good News of Christ. Christ sets people free to live in freedom, and slavery is the opposite of that. Here Paul connects the spiritual with the practical and social. Paul appeals to Philemon as a brother in Christ, even though he was an apostle. He exemplifies how leaders should influence through request, encouragement, and inspiration with the truth rather than organizational command. I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do (Philemon 1:8). Instead, he pleads with Philemon to act with faith and love. In addition, Paul clearly had a deep relationship with Philemon and Onesimus. He knows details about their faith and character. He even calls Onesimus my son and a beloved brother in Christ, not a slave. This teaches us the importance of relationship, how we should care about those we lead on a personal level. All Gods people are part of the Fathers family and equal in Gods eyes. Philemon teaches us how obedience should be from a willing heart, not coercion. If anyone could force us to follow God, its God. He has all power. But he doesnt. He invites and appeals. God reasons and loves. Paul emulates this in his interaction with Philemon. For Paul to force him to do what is right, he would ruin it. Coercion wouldnt foster brotherhood between Philemon and Onesimus. Paul dignifies Philemons freedom of choice. True transformation comes from the heart. We can encourage and invite others to change and do whats right, but we must dignify the image of God in each person to respond willingly. Hopefully, we can learn how even though these two books are among the least read in the Bible, they have powerful lessons for us today. Peace. Photo credit: Getty Images/kevron 2001 Britt Mooney lives and tells great stories. As an author of fiction and non-fiction, he is passionate about teaching ministries and nonprofits the power of storytelling to inspire and spread truth. Mooney has a podcast called Kingdom Over Coffee and is a published author of We Were Reborn for This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth as well as Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight. Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke out against President Donald Trumps first-day executive orders. Eric Thayer/Associated Press; Greg Nash/Getty Gov. Gavin Newsom shot a concise rebuttal to President Donald Trumps early executive actions to reverse federal policies focused on combating climate change, which Trump has previously called a hoax. If you dont believe in science, believe your own damn eyes, Newsom said. That was the entirety of Newsoms statement, which was accompanied by photographs of firefighters valiantly battling wildfires. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On his first day in office, Trump signed a flurry of executive orders directing the federal government to dramatically shift its stance toward climate change. These include pulling the United States out of the landmark Paris Agreement, an international climate accord among countries committed to slowing global warming. Trump pulled the country out of the agreement during his first term. President Joe Biden reinstated the United States involvement. Trumps executive orders on the environment also included policies to encourage more oil and gas drilling and extraction, halt offshore wind development and repeal regulations promoting electric vehicles. Trump also signed an executive order to repeal birthright citizenship, which automatically confers citizenship upon children born in the United States or who have one U.S. citizen parent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Newsom not normally known for his brevity also had a concise statement on Trump's intent to repeal these rights: This is unconstitutional. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. United States intends to withdraw from World Health Organisation January 21, 2025 | Tuesday | News Recall and reassign United States Government personnel or contractors working in any capacity with the WHO The United States has announced its intention to withdraw from World Health Organisation (WHO). US had raised a withdrawal notification from the WHO in 2020 due to the organisations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states. In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries assessed payments. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO. While withdrawal is in progress, the Secretary of State will cease negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the amendments to the International Health Regulations, and actions taken to effectuate such agreement and amendments will have no binding force on the United States, as stated by the US government. The United States was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has participated in shaping and governing WHOs work ever since, alongside 193 other Member States, including through its active participation in the World Health Assembly and Executive Board. Sartorius opens new bioprocessing automation lab in Ontario January 21, 2025 | Tuesday | News State-of-the-art bioprocessing automation lab equipped with Sartorius instruments and solutions The life science group Sartorius and Canada's McMaster University have opened a new bioprocessing automation lab at the universitys Faculty of Engineering in Hamilton, Ontario. The state-of-the-art, 1,600-square-foot research facility was created complementing a substantial contribution of advanced biomanufacturing equipment from Sartorius, a long-standing partner of the university. The lab will serve as a training and development hub, where McMaster students and Sartorius employees work with other industry partners to accelerate developments in bioprocess modelling, simulation and advanced control. The funding for the new facility comes via stage two of the Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund (BRIF) competition, the centerpiece of a $2.2 billion CAD national program developed to build a strong and resilient domestic biomanufacturing and life sciences sector. This makes it the first BRIF-funded facility to open in Canada. In the crucial biomanufacturing field, the opening of this lab will help Canadian researchers secure the competitive advantage they need to maintain the prosperity, health and security of our country, said Dr Sylvain Charbonneau, President and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation. With public and private sector support, this cutting-edge facility will help prepare the new generation of innovators. Building on these contributions, a team of McMaster researchers has secured additional Alliance Grant funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to launch an extensive four-year collaboration with Sartorius. The partnership started in 2019, when Sartorius joined the McMaster Advanced Control Consortium (MACC). In 2021, both partners teamed up to improve manufacturing processes of antibody and virus-based treatments for diseases such as COVID-19, cancers, and genetic disorders. Since then, the company has continuously provided valuable training opportunities for students at its research and development facilities in North America and Europe. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. The Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland. The Alameda County Board of Supervisors plans to interview seven candidates, one of whom theyll select to be the next district attorney following the recall of Pamela Price last year. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle The Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday interviewed the seven finalists vying to become the next district attorney. The board plans to select a candidate for the job next week to replace former District Attorney Pamela Price, whom county voters removed from office in a historic recall that won 63% of the vote. The finalists include a Superior Court judge, a city attorney and leaders in the district attorneys offices in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During a special meeting in which supervisors asked a range of questions, several of the candidates said they would review the offices budget as the first order of business. Some said they would welcome back former prosecutors who left after Price took office. Some, including Contra Costa County Assistant District Attorney Annie Esposito, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Ursula Dickson and Alameda County District Attorney Chief of Prosecutions Jimmie Wilson, said they would rescind a policy Price implemented that generally banned special-circumstance allegations and sentencing enhancements that seek to add additional time to possible sentences. The boards pick will serve until 2026, when voters will elect a district attorney for the rest of the term, which ends in 2028. All of the finalists said they plan to run in 2026 and 2028. Heres an overview of the candidates based on their applications, which the county posted to its website. Annie Esposito, Contra Costa County assistant district attorney Esposito worked as an Alameda County prosecutor from 1999 to 2023 before she moved to the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office. Co-founder and president of the Asian American Prosecutors Association, Esposito said a district attorney must enforce the law justly, equitably and without bias or political ideology. The pursuit of justice must be paramount and balanced with compassion that does not compromise public safety, she said. Many prosecutors in the office encouraged her to throw her hat in the ring, she said during the interview. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Venus Johnson, California chief deputy attorney general Johnson worked as a prosecutor in Alameda County before holding various positions in the California Attorney Generals Office and the Contra Costa District Attorneys Office. Johnson said her lifes work centers on justice for crime victims and defendants disproportionately impacted by the legal system. Her application included endorsement letters from her boss, Attorney General Rob Bonta, colleagues and community leaders. During the interview with the Board of Supervisors, she highlighted endorsements from San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton. Ursula Jones Dickson, Alameda County Superior Court judge Jones Dickson worked as a prosecutor in Alameda County for 15 years before she was appointed to the bench in 2013. As district attorney, she would prioritize public safety and victims rights, she said. I am committed to rebuilding trust within the office and with the community, fostering a positive and collaborative relationship with law enforcement and the courts, and delivering effective and equitable justice for all, she added. A divide exists between the old and new guards in the office, shes said during the interview. I think I can lead us out of that, she said, so thats why Im here. LaTricia Louis, Alameda County deputy counsel Louis worked as a prosecutor in Alameda County from 2000 to 2023 before she was hired as deputy county counsel. She said her priorities would be improving the offices operations, reducing crime and improving victim services, all with a balanced approach to criminal justice. We cannot punish our way to a safer community, she added during the interview. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Elgin Lowe, Alameda County senior deputy district attorney Lowe joined the Alameda County District Attorneys Office as a prosecutor in 1996. He said he would work to rebuild public trust and relationships with law enforcement agencies; hire, train and retain a diverse pool of prosecutors, and restore prosecutions based on evidence, not political or personal beliefs. She in the interview that said she would collaborate with a group of advisors to review policies in the office. Yibin Shen, Alameda city attorney As Alameda city attorney since 2019, Shens office prosecutes various crimes under a unique setup Shen created. As district attorney, Shen said he would prioritize collaboration with community groups and law enforcement to prevent crime, implement restorative justice and other diversion programs and support victims, all to boost accountability and reduce recidivism. I will lead with unity, accountability, transparency, fairness and competence to heal the divisions within the Office and the community, Shen said. Jimmie Wilson, Alameda County chief of prosecutions Wilson started his career as a prosecutor in Alameda County in 2004. As district attorney, he would seek to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to crack down on organized crime, gang violence and human trafficking and bolster victim services. My desire is to strengthen this office, he said. I want to rebuild it to be the best district attorney office in the country. He ran for district attorney in 2022 and lost to Price. He highlighted that experience as a strength that positions him to run for the position in 2026 and beyond. Musician Garth Hudson in Toronto in 2010. Nathan Denette/Associated Press Garth Hudson, the celebrated keyboardist and last surviving member of The Band, has died, marking the end of an era for one of rock musics most enduring and influential groups. Hudson, who had been living in a nursing home near Woodstock, N.Y., died in his sleep, his close friend Jan Haust confirmed on Tuesday, Jan. 21. He was 87. Today, we sadly say goodbye to Garth Honey Boy Hudson, the last living original member of The Band, the groups management said on its official Instagram page. A musical genius and cornerstone of the groups timeless sound, Garth once said, I found some true enjoyment in helping people get to the bottom of their feelings. Through his music, he did just that helping us all feel more deeply and connect to something greater. Rest easy, Garth. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The classically trained Hudson was renowned for his virtuosity on a range of instruments from the Lowrey organ to the piano and synthesizer and for his ability to weave subtle, evocative textures into the groups influential sound. Born in Windsor, Ontario, in 1937, Hudson was the son of musicians and received formal music training from an early age. He began performing on stage and composing music before reaching his teens. However, by his early 20s, he had grown disillusioned with classical music and shifted his focus to playing in a rock band called the Capers. He then joined Ronnie Hawkins rhythm and blues band, which later evolved into The Band. Alongside his fellow members Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Richard Manuel Hudson played a pivotal role in shaping the distinctive sound that redefined Americana in the late 1960s and 70s. The groups blend of rock, folk, country and blues made an indelible mark on the music world, and Hudsons contributions were foundational. Whether adding the languid piano lines to Rag Mama Rag or the distinctive organ solo in Chest Fever, his touch was always transformative. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But it was The Bands legendary 1976 farewell concert in San Francisco, immortalized in Martin Scorseses 1978 documentary The Last Waltz, that cemented Hudsons place in rock history. The show at the Winterland Ballroom, at the corner of Post and Steiner streets, was a star-studded celebration of the Bands remarkable career. In a spectacular setting designed by Bill Graham, with chandeliers and a fountain borrowed from the San Francisco Opera, the concert took on a ceremonial atmosphere. The evening, framed by a Thanksgiving dinner for the audience, featured appearances from a dazzling array of artists, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton and Joni Mitchell. Hudsons contribution that night was a key element of the evenings intimate yet expansive sound, creating the rich textures that would later define The Last Waltz film. For Hudson, the event was bittersweet. The Bands farewell was not just the end of an era, but also a time of growing tension within the group. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While showcasing the collective brilliance of the musicians, the documentary also highlighted the underlying fractures, particularly between Robertson and Helm, which led to The Bands eventual breakup. It was a job, Hudson said of The Band in a 2002 interview with Macleans magazine. Play a stadium, play a theater. My job was to provide arrangements with pads underneath, pads and fills behind good poets. Same poems every night. After the split, Hudson remained a beloved figure in the rock world, contributing to solo projects by members of The Band and collaborating with an impressive array of artists, including Van Morrison, Leonard Cohen and Emmylou Harris. For a time, Hudson lived in California and contributed to several movie soundtracks, including Martin Scorseses Raging Bull (1980) and The King of Comedy (1982) as well as Philip Kaufmans The Right Stuff (1983). In 1980, he composed Music for Our Lady Queen of the Angels, a multimedia celebration created for Los Angeles 200th anniversary. Hudson performed with various incarnations of The Band frequently through the 80s and 90s. He also contributed to solo albums by Robertson and Danko, and he joined them in a performance of Pink Floyds The Wall at the Berlin Wall on July 21, 1990. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Meanwhile, Hudson organized his own projects. His debut solo album, The Sea to the North, was released on Sept. 11, 2001, the same day as the terrorist attacks. In 2005, he formed a 12-piece band called The Best!, featuring his wife Maud Hudson as the lead vocalist. In 2010, he curated Garth Hudson Presents: A Canadian Celebration of The Band, a tribute that included performances by Neil Young, Bruce Cockburn and other Canadian musicians. The influence of The Bands music, much of which Hudson helped to shape, is hard to overstate. Albums like 1968s Music From Big Pink and 1969s The Band (also known as The Brown Album) are cornerstones of rocks roots movement, blending traditional American sounds with modern rock sensibilities. Their work with Dylan, particularly The Basement Tapes sessions released in 1975, is considered a foundational moment in the evolution of Americana. Robertson, The Bands guitarist and primary songwriter, died in 2023 after a lengthy illness. Keyboardist and drummer Richard Manuel died by suicide in 1986, while bassist Rick Danko died in his sleep in 1999 and drummer Levon Helm succumbed to cancer in 2012. In 1994, The Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hudsons later years were marked by financial struggles and personal loss. He sold his share of The Bands royalties to Robertson and filed for bankruptcy multiple times. In 2013, he lost one home to foreclosure, and many of his belongings were auctioned off after he fell behind on storage payments. Fried chicken with all the fixings and smoked trout roe at Sirene, in Oakland. The new restaurant will specialize in seafood, but also serves fried chicken, which chef Schmidt said he has perfected over the years. Andria Lo/Special to the Chronicle A dumpling with beef and uni at Sirene, from the team behind San Francisco restaurant the Morris. Andria Lo/Special to the Chronicle The outdoor dining area at Sirene in Oakland. The restaurant on Grand Avenue was previously home to Sister. Andria Lo/Special to the Chronicle The wine station is a cozy nook at Sirene. The operators San Francisco restaurant has been celebrated for its wine selection. Andria Lo/Special to the Chronicle The dining area of Sirene. There are a total of 100 seats in the restaurant, across the interior dining room and a back patio space. Andria Lo/Special to the Chronicle Gavin Schmidt and Paul Einbund, the owners of Sirene, in Oakland. The restaurant is a personal one for Schmidt, who lives nearby. Andria Lo/Special to the Chronicle A platter of pastries at Sirene, including a ham and cheese croissant, an egg tart with mushroom and sauce mornay, a croissant cinnamon roll with brown butter cream cheese, a butter croissant and a kabocha squash tart. Andria Lo/Special to the Chronicle Oakland is getting a new seafood restaurant from the team behind the critically acclaimed San Francisco bistro the Morris. Owners Paul Einbund and chef Gavin Schmidt will open Sirene (which translates to mermaid in French) on Wednesday, Jan. 29 in the former Sister restaurant space in the Grand Lake neighborhood. The location is a personal one for Schmidt, who has lived around the corner for the last 13 years. Ive always loved the space and have had many great memories and made many very dear friends within those walls, said Schmidt. We had been talking about doing something with a seafood focus, and so when this space was coming on the market it seemed the stars were aligning. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A seafood focus also makes personal sense for Schmidt. The chef was raised on Bainbridge Island in the Pacific Northwest, just a ferrys ride away from Seattle, and spent much of his youth sailing around Washingtons waterways with his family. His father was a sea captain, his mother an avid fisher and his brother a professional sailboat racer. The open kitchen at Sirene in Oakland. Andria Lo/Special to the Chronicle The sea has always had a great draw to me, said Schmidt, who has accordingly crafted a menu around all its delicious treasures. The menu is divided into three sections. The first, intended for sharing, includes raw items (think oysters and crudos and shellfish platters ranging from $15-$30) as well as a unique selection of seafood charcuterie, with things like leek and shellfish terrines, smoky shrimp chorizo and mortadella made from duck and lobster. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The other menu sections of appetizers ($7-$21) and entrees ($28-$35), will make use of the wood-fired pizza oven inherited from the previous restaurant. Ive been wanting to do something with live fire for a while now, said Schmidt, who will scratch that itch with items like grilled abalone with garlic butter, roasted and charred cabbage dressed with an oceanic XO-vinaigrette and whole roasted spiny lobsters with charred bearnaise sauce. Savoy cabbage with XO vinaigrette at Sirene in Oakland. Andria Lo/Special to the Chronicle Not everything will come from the sea, however. Expect Parisian gnocchi with kabocha squash and mushroom porridge with nettles and Comte cheese for the vegetarians, while carnivores can delight in steak frites and crispy fried chicken, which Schmidt said hes been perfecting over many years. He serves it with sides like scallion biscuits and mashed potatoes and sauces like andouille gravy and mushroom Madeira jus. Diners can expect to drink well at Sirene: The Morris was a finalist for a James Beard Award last year, and Einbund, a sommelier, has worked together with wine director Alec Cummings to create a list of over 400 wines, many from the Morriss cellar, with an emphasis on local and domestic offerings. We really wanted to represent California and we are really excited about those sections, said Einbund. California wines are better than theyve ever been and weve got some super exciting bottles listed here. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Alec Cummings, the wine director of Sirene, tasting a glass at the restaurant. Andria Lo/Special to the Chronicle There will also be cocktails from bar manager Benjamin Middlemiss, and fans of the Morris can rejoice in the knowledge that Chartreuse slushies will make an appearance, along with a riff on a Pimms Cup using local brandy served on tap. The 100-seat restaurant will have bar seating and patio seating and did not undergo a complete redesign; however, the space was refreshed with white-and-gray paint as well as a green hombre wall that complements the green Heath tiles in the kitchen that came from the previous restaurant. There are also new light fixtures, art installations, and plenty of plants throughout the space that contrast with the exposed brick and raw wood. Sirene will initially open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, and operate as a daytime coffee bar offering Flower Child Coffee and pastries made by pastry chef Elaine Lau. Eventual plans are to be open seven days a week. Oakland is an incredible city and incredible community, said Einbund. Theres so much soul and so much love and so much community and it makes me so happy to be there. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A woman on trial accused of murdering a pensioner who was "put over" Ireland's highest sea cliffs told a friend that she had "battered" a man with a rock "until his face was out the back of his head" and that she liked it, the Central Criminal Court heard on Tuesday. The trial also heard a recording of a separate phone call in which the accused woman, Nikita Burns, said that after a fight with the deceased Robert 'Robin' Wilkin, she and her co-accused Alan Vial drove until 3am and "pushed him [Mr Wilkin] off Sliabh Liag". Advertisement She said, "they won't find him," but added that there was blood on the roof of the car in which the alleged assault took place. She added: "There is a slim chance we'll get caught for it but if I go down, I go down." Ms Burns (23) of Carrick, Co Donegal and Alan Vial (39) of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, Co Donegal have pleaded not guilty to the murder of 66-year-old Robert 'Robin' Wilkin on June 25th 2023 in Donegal. Mr Wilkin's body was found one week later in the water below the Sliabh Liag cliffs. Ms Burns pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of another person for an arrestable offence but the prosecution did not accept her plea. Advertisement Chris Quinn on Tuesday told prosecution counsel Bernard Condon SC that Ms Burns had been homeless before he allowed her to move into his apartment in 2023. She later brought another man to stay in the one-bed apartment and that man's brother and son ended up living there. About two weeks before the alleged murder, Ms Burns had moved out to live somewhere in Killybegs. She seemed to be doing well and told Mr Quinn by text message that she "felt like a new woman". However, the witness said that when Ms Burns knocked on his door at around midnight on the night after the alleged murder, she seemed "panicky and deranged" and he thought she was "off her head" from drugs or alcohol. She initially spoke to the other people in the house before coming to Mr Quinn's room where she told him repeatedly that she was a "murderer". Advertisement She changed her clothes before going back to the living room where, with the two other men present, Mr Quinn said Ms Burns said out loud that she was "after murdering someone". Mr Quinn recalled her saying that she was out with Mr Vial and another man in a car and that there was an argument when the other man "was trying to touch her [Ms Burns] up". They started fighting, he said, before the car pulled up and either she or Mr Vial got a rock from somewhere along the road. She said she she hit the man with the rock in his face. Mr Quinn recalled her saying that she "battered him in the face with the rock and she liked it". He added that she "didn't seem to care that much" and after telling her story, asked for some of Mr Quinn's antidepressant or antipsychotic medication before eating a chicken curry. Advertisement Mr Quinn said he went to bed and could hear laughter from the room where Ms Burns and the two other men were sitting. Under cross-examination, Mr Quinn confirmed to Alan Vial's defence counsel Shane Costelloe SC that Ms Burns said she "battered the fella until his face was out the back of his head. Then she said she liked it." Sharon O'Dowd told Mr Condon that she spoke on the phone that night with one of the men who was in Ms Burns's company in Mr Quinn's apartment. Ms Burns took the phone and told Ms O'Dowd that she "beat some man's head in, her and Alan". The witness decided she needed a recording of what Ms Burns was saying so she called her son to record the conversation on his mobile phone. Advertisement The recording was played to the court today in which Ms Burns said that Mr Wilkin had been "fighting with us" and that he was "touching up my legs and doing whatever to me and that's why Alan got pissed and dragged him out the back and started caving his head in." Ms Burns said this happened "a wee bit outside Killybegs" and afterwards she and Mr Vial drove until 3am "and we pushed him off Sliabh Liag." She later said: "They won't find him, he was thrown off Sliabh Liag, they won't find him." As the phone conversation continued, Ms Burns said Mr Vial had been arrested later that evening for drink driving after crashing the car. She said: "His [Mr Wilkin's] blood is on the roof. There's a slim chance we'll get caught for it but if I go down for it, I go down." Ms O'Dowd told Ms Burns's defence counsel Eoin Lawlor SC that she recorded the conversation because Ms Burns is a vulnerable person and she thought she "was in a situation". Ireland Storm Eowyn could bring snow and damaging winds to... Read More She recalled Ms Burns telling her that Mr Wilkin had been driving with Mr Vial in the back seat. She said that Mr Vial began throwing punches at Mr Wilkin from behind before Mr Vial got out of the car and got a rock. She agreed with Mr Lawlor that Ms Burns appeared to say that after Mr Vial retrieved the rock, Ms Burns got another rock and came round to the driver's side of the car. She recalled Ms Burns saying that Mr Vial then dragged Mr Wilkin to the back seat and that there was "more fighting". Ms O'Dowd agreed that she did not hear Ms Burns crying. "She was just on a high, she was very loud and high," the witness said. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of five men and seven women. A killer who carried out a "vicious" and "cowardly" attack on a 55-year-old man who died 13 days later has failed in an appeal against the severity of his eight-year sentence. Ian Connaghan had gone on trial in July 2023 alongside his brother Daniel Connaghan (44) accused of the murder of Michael Mick Mulvey. Advertisement A Central Criminal Court jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty of murder for both men but convicted Ian Connaghan, from Ashington Rise, Navan Road, Cabra, Dublin 7, of manslaughter. In dismissing Ian Connaghans appeal on Tuesday, Mr Justice John Edwards said given the sheer viciousness and intensity of the attacks perpetrated on Mr Mulvey, and the multiple aggravating factors in the case, the Court of Appeal was satisfied that the sentencing judge, Mr Paul Burns was correct to place it within the high culpability bracket when setting a headline sentence for the 35-year-old. Mr Mulvey, a welder, died on November 27th, 2019, almost two weeks after he suffered injuries during two beatings on November 14th, 2019. The court heard that on November 14th, 2019, Ian Connaghan was incensed following an encounter at a pedestrian crossing when Mr Mulvey and his partner, Pauline Matthews, were driving home from Tesco on the Navan Road and the defendant walked out in front of the deceaseds car. Advertisement Words were exchanged, during which Ian Connaghan said he would kill Mr Mulvey and burn his house down. After the incident, Ian Connaghan then accosted Mr Mulvey near his home and proceeded to punch and kick the deceased a number of times before leaving him on the ground in Dublins Darling Estate. Prior to this initial beating, Ian Connaghan phoned his older brother, Daniel, who made his way by car to meet his sibling and within minutes of the first assault, the two brothers again attacked Mr Mulvey on a traffic island hear the Halfway House pub in the middle of the busy Navan Road, punching and kicking him in the head and stomach. A number of eyewitnesses in the case gave evidence that Mr Mulvey, who was very slight in stature, stood less than 5'3" tall and weighed less than ten stone, did not fight back against his taller attackers. Advertisement Mr Mulvey suffered fractures around his eye, bruising to his torso and two fractured ribs on his right side that punctured a lung. After being discharged from hospital, Mr Mulvey outwardly, appeared to be recovering but around the time of his death appeared to be struggling with his breathing and had a cold. On the morning of November 27th, Ms Matthews woke up to find Mr Mulvey deceased next to her. Blunt force trauma State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers found that Mr Mulvey's cause of death was blunt force trauma to the chest, with ischemic heart disease as a contributory factor. Advertisement However, the defence obtained a report from Professor Jack Crane, who found that the cause of death was ischemic heart disease. The Director of Public Prosecutions had also sought an opinion from UK pathologist Dr Stuart Hamilton, who said that, in his view, Mr Mulvey had ischemic heart disease but that he would not have died but for the rib fractures. Daniel Connaghan, also from Ashington Rise, was convicted of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Mr Mulvey in November 2019 on the Navan Road, close to the Phoenix Park. In December 2023, Mr Justice Burns sentenced Ian Connaghan to nine years imprisonment with the final year suspended, while Daniel Connaghan received five years with the final year suspended. Advertisement Appealing against the severity of the sentence imposed, Garnet Orange SC, representing Ian Connaghan, on Tuesday argued the sentencing judge had erred in placing the offence in the high culpability band attracting a headline sentence of between 10 and 15 years. Counsel said the appropriate bracket was the middle range of between four and 10 years. Mr Orange argued that the assaults on the deceased were effectively unpremeditated and happened very shortly after an angry verbal confrontation between two individuals who were already on bad terms with each other. He said there was very little evidence, if any, to suggest Ian Connaghan had injured Mr Mulvey to the extent that medical professionals would have considered that his life was in danger in the days following the attack. Counsel outlined a number of comparator cases and said when considered in this light, the evidence in this case brought it more in line with the medium culpability range. Mr Orange also referred to the sentence imposed on Ian Connaghans brother Daniel. He said notwithstanding the fact that Daniel Connaghan had been convicted of a different offence, there was a significant difference in the sentences imposed. Seamus Clarke SC, representing the State, said the attacks were way beyond the type of case which would come within the middle range. Counsel said there were two violent incidents within a short space of time, while the victim was of slight frame and did nothing to defend himself. He said the second attack was a completely one sided offence in which Mr Mulvey was attacked in a public area by Ian Connaghan and his brother Daniel, receiving kicks to the side and punches to the head while he was lying on the ground. Delivering judgement at the three-judge court today, Mr Justice Edwards said the court could not agree that Connaghans case was more akin to those indicative examples in the medium rather than the high category. We are satisfied that, certainly in relation to the second incident, there was significant premeditation. He noted there was callousness shown towards the victim, that Ian Connaghan had enlisted the help of his brother and the pair had then lain in wait for Mr Mulvey. The sheer viciousness of the attacks, particularly the second assault, was also an aggravating factor, he said. Mr Justice Edwards said that given the manner in which the victim was set up, the viciousness of the attack and its intensity the court was completely satisfied that the existence of these multiple aggravating factors brought it into the higher range of sentences available to the judge. In the circumstances we are completely satisfied it was within the judges discrepancy to locate this on the lower end of the high range and we find no error in principle, he said. Mr Justice Edwards noted there had also been reference to the sentence given to Ian Connaghans brother, which had been lower. The principle of parity does not apply as their cases were not the same, he said. Joe Biden has wrapped up a more than 50-year political career but promised that were not leaving the fight as he said farewell to the presidency and flew to California to unwind with his family. He spoke not long after watching his successor, Republican President Donald Trump, pledge during his inaugural address to completely and totally reverse everything his Democratic predecessor did. Advertisement In the final hours before the transfer of executive power, Mr Biden extended courtesies to the man he turned out of the Oval Office four years ago. Mr Trump denied losing the 2020 election and refused to offer similar niceties to Mr Biden on his inauguration in 2021. A bitterly cold day opened with Mr Biden and his wife Jill receiving Mr Trump and his wife Melania for a traditional Inauguration Day meet-and-greet over tea at the White House. Welcome home, Mr Biden told the new president. Advertisement Afterwards, the rivals who share a history of political animosity rode in a limousine to the Capitol where Mr Trump was sworn in as the 47th president. Our recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal, Mr Trump said about the work of the Biden administration. Mr Biden sat expressionless in the front row. As Mr Trump gave his address, residence staff at the White House started clearing out the remainder of Mr Bidens belongings so they could move Mr Trump and his family back in. The work included redecorating the Oval Office in time for Mr Trump to sign a series of executive orders. Walls in the press offices that were bare in the morning after most of the staff had ended their government service were decorated by mid-afternoon with fresh photographs of Mr Trump. Advertisement Donald and Melania Trump with Joe and Jill Biden (Evan Vucci/AP) After his address, the new president and his wife walked the Bidens outside to a helicopter waiting on the Capitol grounds to fly them to Joint Base Andrews for a farewell event with his staff. We couldnt have done anything we did without you, Mr Biden told them. No president gets to choose the moment they enter history, but they get to choose the team they enter history with and we chose the best damn team in the world. Even though they may feel knocked down by events, he said what is important is how quickly they get back up. Were leaving office. Were not leaving the fight, he said, urging them to stay engaged. Advertisement He appeared to joke about Trumps speech, chuckling as he said: We heard the inaugural address today. We got a lot more to do. Mr Biden then made the sign of the cross and everyone laughed. He and Mrs Biden then walked across the tarmac to the plane he flew on as president for the flight to Santa Ynez in California. Canadian leaders expressed relief on Monday that broad tariffs were not applied to Canadian products on the first day of Donald Trumps presidency and that he did not mention Americas major trading partner during his inaugural speech. Mr Trump had threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and other trading partners. Advertisement An incoming White House official who insisted on anonymity pointed reporters to a Wall Street Journal story saying Mr Trump will only sign a memorandum telling federal agencies to study trade issues. Still, Mr Trump pledged in his inaugural address that tariffs would be coming and said foreign countries would be paying the trade penalties, even though those taxes are currently paid by domestic importers and often passed along to consumers. Canadas Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly and Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc speak to reporters (The Canadian Press via AP) Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said reprieve is too strong of a word but said he felt good. If they decide to take a close look at the US-Canadian relationship when it comes to trade thats a very good thing, Mr LeBlanc said at a Cabinet retreat in Montebello, Quebec. Both countries are stronger and more secure when we respect and honour the comprehensive free trade agreement. Advertisement Mr Trump said he would establish an external revenue service to collect all tariffs, duties and revenues and that it would lead to massive amounts of money pouring into our country coming from foreign sources. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said they are very cautious but they know they can make sure it is a win-win relationship. Danielle Smith, the premier of Canadas oil-rich province of Alberta, said she was pleased to see that today President Donald Trump has decided to refrain from imposing tariffs on Canadian goods at this time as they study the issue further. We appreciate the implied acknowledgement that this is a complex and delicate issue with serious implications for American and Canadian workers, Ms Smith said in a post on X. Advertisement Ms Smith said avoiding tariffs will save hundreds of thousands of Canadian and American jobs across every sector. Despite the promising news today, the threat of US tariffs is still very real, she posted. President Donald Trump salutes while on stage in Emancipation Hall at the 60th Presidential Inauguration (Ron Sachs/Pool Photo via AP) Canadas ambassador to Washington, Kristen Hillman, also said she was pleased and cautiously optimistic. Nobody is giving us any assurances, Ms Hillman told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. We will feel better when I think we see the details of what hes asking for in terms of a study. Advertisement Ms Hillman said she would return to Canada on Tuesday to brief the Cabinet. Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and 75% of Canadas exports, which include automobiles and parts, go to the US. Canada is the top export destination for 36 US states. Nearly US 2.7 billion dollars (2.2 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Advertisement Despite Mr Trumps claim that the US does not need Canada, a quarter of the oil America consumes per day is from there. Mr Trump said he could impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting on February 1. Colombian president Gustavo Petro said he will declare a state of emergency, following a spate of guerrilla attacks in the countrys northeast that has killed dozens of people and forced thousands to flee their homes. In a message posted to X on Monday, Mr Petro said he would declare a state of internal commotion, a measure that enables the executive branch to pass certain kinds of legislation without congressional approval for three months. Advertisement The measure will go into effect after a decree is signed by the President and his Cabinet, but it can also be invalidated by Colombias constitutional court. Internal commotion decrees were used in the early 2000s by the administration of then-President Alvaro Uribe to increase financing for the military through a special war tax. FILE Colombias President Gustavo Petro delivers a speech in 2024. (Fernando Vergara, File/AP) According to Colombias constitution, this emergency measure cannot be used to suspend Congress or eliminate civil rights. I hope the judicial system supports us, Mr Petro wrote on X. Advertisement Earlier on Monday Mr Petro had warned that his nations military will take offensive actions against the National Liberation Army after the rebels, known as the ELN, unleashed a wave of attacks in Colombias Catatumbo region, in which at least 80 people have been killed. The ELN has chosen the path of war, and thats what they will get, Mr Petro wrote in a message on X, in which he accused the rebels of turning into a drug trafficking group and compared their methods to those of Pablo Escobar, the infamous cartel leader who bombed government buildings and murdered his enemies by hiring hundreds of hitmen. Mr Petro, who was a member of a guerrilla group during his youth, initiated peace talks with the ELN in 2022, after promising in his presidential campaign that he could get the rebels to demobilise within three months of taking office. However, talks have stalled over multiple disagreements about how the rebels would disarm and the kinds of economic reforms that the government would implement in exchange for their disarmament. Advertisement The ELN has also criticised the government for staging separate negotiations with a breakout group in the countrys southwest and angered officials by continuing to kidnap civilians and extort businesses. On Friday, Mr Petro suspended negotiations with the rebels after violence escalated in Catatumbo, a mountainous region that produces around 15% of Colombias coca crop and is located along the border with Venezuela. The ELN, which has an estimated 6,000 fighters, reportedly attacked civilians it accused of being collaborators of a rival group, the FARC-EMC, taking people from their homes and shooting them in the streets, while in rural areas firefights broke out between members of both groups. In a statement issued on Monday ELN leader Antonio Garcia said that his organisation does not intend to target civilians, but has been going after former rebel fighters who are now collaborating with the FARC-EMC. Advertisement People displaced by violence in northern Colombia, where rebels of the National Liberation Army, or ELN, have been clashing with former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fernando Vergara/AP) Over the weekend, however, thousands of people fled towns in the Catatumbo region, fearing for their lives, including community leaders who had been threatened by the ELN. Among those fleeing were former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, who demobilised in a 2016 peace deal with the government, and have now been targeted by the ELN. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Colombia said on Monday that the new wave of violence in Catatumbo has displaced 18,300 people, who are staying in shelters and hotels in the cities of Tibu, Ocana and Cucuta, where officials have warned of a looming humanitarian crisis. Sandra Tijaro, a farmer in northeastern Colombia, said in an interview she fled her village on Friday after armed men showed up and told everyone to evacuate. She is now staying with her children at a shelter in Tibu. Advertisement We want the armed groups to think about the welfare of rural folks, she said. We are hard-working people who end up carrying the burden of this conflict. The 2016 peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia led to the demobilisation of 11,000 fighters. However, it left a power vacuum in some rural areas that smaller rebel groups have tried to fill, with the government struggling to reduce violence against civilians. Former Proud Boys extremist group leader Enrique Tarrio and Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes have been released from prison. Their lengthy sentences for seditious conspiracy over the January 6 2021 attack on the US Capitol were wiped away by a sweeping order by President Donald Trump which benefited more than 1,500 defendants. Advertisement Rhodes and Tarrio were two of the highest-profile January 6 defendants and received some of the harshest punishments in what became the largest investigation in US Justice Department history. Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, speaks during a rally outside the White House in Washington in 2017 (Susan Walsh/AP) Their lawyers confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that they had been released hours after Mr Trump pardoned, commuted the sentences of, or ordered the dismissal of cases against all the 1,500-plus people who were charged with federal crimes over the riot. Mr Trumps action paved the way for the release from prison of extremist group leaders convicted in major conspiracy cases, as well people convicted of violent attacks on law enforcement. Rhodes, of Granbury, Texas, was serving an 18-year prison sentence and Tarrio, of Miami, was serving a 22-year sentence. Advertisement They were convicted of orchestrating plots to stop the peaceful transfer of power after Mr Trump, a Republican, lost the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden. Mr Trump also ordered the attorney general to seek the dismissal of roughly 450 cases that were still pending before judges. Mr Trump made rewriting the history of the January 6 attack a centrepiece of his bid to return to the White House, and the pardon of the rioters fulfils a campaign pledge to free defendants he contends were politically persecuted by the Justice Department. He said the pardons will end a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begin a process of national reconciliation. Advertisement He had suggested in the weeks leading up to his return to the White House that instead of blanket pardons, he would look at the January 6 defendants on a case-by-case basis. Vice president JD Vance said just days ago that people responsible for the violence during the Capitol riot obviously should not be pardoned. More than 1,200 people across the US were convicted of January 6 crimes over the last four years, including roughly 200 people who pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement. More than a dozen defendants were convicted of seditious conspiracy, a rare Civil War-era charge and the most serious one brought over the January 6 attack. Advertisement Tarrio, who led the neofacist Proud Boys group as it became a force in mainstream Republican circles, was convicted in 2023 of seditious conspiracy and other crimes after a months-long trial on allegations that he orchestrated violence to overturn Mr Bidens 2020 victory over Mr Trump. Tarrio was not in Washington on January 6, because he had been arrested two days earlier in a separate case and ordered out of the capital city. But prosecutors said he organised and directed the attack by Proud Boys who stormed the Capitol that day. Rhodes was convicted in a separate trial alongside members of his far-right militia group who prosecutors alleged were intent on keeping Mr Trump in power at all costs. Advertisement Over seven weeks of evidence, jurors heard how Rhodes rallied his followers to fight to defend Mr Trump, discussed the prospect of a bloody civil war and warned that the Oath Keepers may have to rise up in insurrection to defeat Mr Biden if Mr Trump did not act. US president Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday temporarily suspending all US foreign assistance programmes for 90 days pending reviews to determine whether they are aligned with his policy goals. It was not immediately clear how much assistance would initially be affected by the order as funding for many programmes has already been appropriated by US Congress and is obligated to be spent if not already spent. Advertisement The order was among many Mr Trump signed on his first day back in the office, said the foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values and serve to destabilise world peace by promoting ideas in foreign countries that are directly inverse to harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries. US president Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office (AP/Evan Vucci) Consequently, Mr Trump declared that no further United States foreign assistance shall be disbursed in a manner that is not fully aligned with the foreign policy of the President of the United States. US secretary of state Marco Rubio told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing last week that every dollar we spend, every program we fund, and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous? he said. Advertisement The order signed by Mr Trump leaves it up to Mr Rubio or his designee to make such determinations, in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. The State Department and the US Agency for International Development are the main agencies that oversee foreign assistance. Mr Trump has long railed against foreign aid even though such assistance typically amounts to roughly 1 per cent of the federal budget, except under unusual circumstances such as the billions in weaponry provided to Ukraine. Mr Trump has been critical of the amount shipped to Ukraine to help bolster its defences against Russias invasion. The last official accounting of foreign aid in the Biden administration dates from mid-December and budget year 2023. It shows that $68 billion had been obligated for programmes abroad that range from disaster relief to health and pro-democracy initiatives in 204 countries and regions. Advertisement Some of the biggest recipients of US assistance are Israel ($3.3 billion per year), Egypt ($1.5 billion dollars per year) and Jordan ($1.7 billion per year) are unlikely to see dramatic reductions, as those amounts are included in long-term packages that date back decades and are in some cases governed by treaty obligations. World Musk's hand gesture during inauguration rally labe... Read More Funding for UN agencies, including peacekeeping, human rights and refugee agencies, have been traditional targets for Republican administrations to slash or otherwise cut. The first Trump administration moved to reduce foreign aid spending, suspending payments to various UN agencies, including the UN Population Fund, and funding to the Palestinian Authority. However, the US previously under Mr Trump had already pulled out of the UN Human Rights Council, with its financial obligations, and has been barred from funding the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, by a bill signed by former president Joe Biden last March. A US Border Patrol agent was fatally shot on Monday in northern Vermont south of the Canadian border, authorities said. The death was confirmed by the FBI and Benjamine Huffman, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in Washington. Advertisement In a statement, the FBI said that in addition to the agent, a subject was killed and a third person was injured and taken into custody. Mr Huffman said the death occurred in the line of duty. The identity of the agent, who was assigned to the US Border Patrols Swanton Sector, was not immediately released. The sector encompasses Vermont and parts of New York and New Hampshire. Traffic at the US-Canada border in Stanstead, Quebec after the shooting in Vermont, US (Chloe Jones/AP) Neither Mr Huffman nor Homeland Securitys US Customs and Border Protection provided additional details. Advertisement Vermont State Police said the shooting happened on Monday afternoon on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 20 miles from the Canadian border. State police officers were assisting federal authorities including the FBI and Homeland Security. The FBI said there was no ongoing threat to the public. A portion of the highway was closed in both directions for about two hours afterwards. The northbound lane reopened just after 5pm. Mr Huffman said the death would be swiftly investigated. Advertisement Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harms way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure, Mr Huffman said in a statement. Coventry is close to the US Customs and Border Protections Newport Station, part of the Swanton Sector. The area includes 295 miles of international boundary with Canada. Strickland Metals has kicked off 2025 with a bang after the latest diamond drilling results picked up strong depth extensions to the mineralisation at its Shanac gold-copper skarn deposit within the companys Rogozna gold-base metal project in Serbia. The newly reported results came from a single hole to target the underexplored southern extent of the central structural domain within the deposit. They included a 30.1m intercept grading 1.6g/t gold equivalent from 438.9m and an 11.7m section grading 4.3g/t gold equivalent from 570.4m, within an 80.2m hit running at 1.9g/t gold equivalent from 501.9m. A core sample from 503.7m to 503.9m showing gold-copper mineralisation at Strickland Metals Shanac deposit within the companys Rogozna gold-base metal project in Serbia. The findings confirm the Shanac mineralisation - which starts at a depth of 250 metres now extends down to at least 625m and remains open, and prove up a width of 180m. Armed with the new data, the company says it is firmly on track for a resource upgrade on the deposit by late March. In the weeks before Christmas, Tammie Farrugia was on the hunt. Anyone got any plastic Jerry cans plz let me know thanks in advance, she allegedly posted on the Facebook pages of multiple community groups on December 10. Tammie Farrugia briefly appeared in Liverpool Local Court on Tuesday. Credit: Facebook Farrugia is alleged to have obtained five jerry cans in the lead-up to an antisemitic attack in Woollahra on December 11. Death 2 Israiel and Kill Israiel were scrawled across the garden walls of homes on Magney Street about 1am, and messages were also sprayed on the footpath. A car at the scene which police believe was stolen was also set alight. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Exploring the big and bold ideas of Gen Z leaders to address Sydneys housing crisis - before its too late. See all 12 stories . When Zachary Moore decided to study urban planning, he knew he had to move from Newcastle to Sydney to seek opportunity. Then he felt the bite of the housing crisis. With his degree coming to its end, and the reality dawning of finding work and accommodation outside student housing at Western Sydney University, Moore is beginning to look further afield. For the same price that you can buy a fairly crap apartment in Parramatta you can buy a pretty nice CBD apartment in Melbourne, and youre being paid the same wage ... in fact, depending on the industry you might get paid more in Melbourne, the 23-year-old said. Im in planning, and planning pays pretty well. But if I want to buy a home, I cant afford Sydney. I cant even afford most areas surrounding Sydney. Moore is one of many young people in Sydney who think the city is becoming a temporary home, a place to study or live for a few years, and then leave when the realities of the housing crisis become too much. James Ardouin, Genevieve Heggarty, Zachary Moore, Sakshyam Pandey, Amanda Eessa and Matthew Thrum comprised The Sydney Morning Heralds Gen Z housing panel. Credit: Nick Moir For each young person who moves to Sydney, two leave, a 2024 NSW Productivity Commission report found. Two-thirds of people leaving the city are of working age. Advertisement Members of The Sydney Morning Heralds youth housing panel, who have put forward bold ideas to address the housing crisis, have also recounted their experiences of living in the city. They highlight crippling HECS debts, an inaccessible housing market and the proximity of more affordable cities as reasons that young people are fleeing Sydney. The HECS barrier James Ardouin, a 25-year-old Woollahra councillor, said one of the main barriers to home ownership for young people was their HECS debts and repayments, which limit borrowing power and the ability to secure a home loan. We want to be productive members of society; we want to pay back society for giving us a really good platform to have an education, he said. But at the same time, its just become a system where its a punitive measure that shuts us out from having the same economic opportunities as prior generations. Before the Hawke government introduced HECS in 1989, higher education was free for 15 years which means Gen Z are unable to reap the benefits previous generations experienced, said Ardouin. Were really one of the first generations who have felt the full impact of the HECS system. A lot of the politicians now are beneficiaries of a time when they didnt have to pay for their HECS. Advertisement The temporary city Graduate urban ecologist Genevieve Heggarty, whose family lives in the Blue Mountains, has rented in Sydney for the past six years and spent tens of thousands of dollars on rent which she says has quashed any hope of settling in Sydney. We move to Sydney as a temporary situation when were studying, we start our careers, and then were leaving. Its not a long-term plan to move to the city and to stay in Sydney. The 25-year-old said that for young people coming to Sydney for study, being forced into the competitive and expensive rental market sets them back and creates a disadvantage that isnt experienced by those who can live at home while studying. I definitely think we need to talk about the disadvantages of that and this kind of intergenerational wealth of people that start off in Sydney are more likely to remain in Sydney because of that fact. Advertisement However, even for those who can live at home, housing is not an easy ride. Matthew Thrum, a planner at private firm Ethos Urban, was able to purchase a small apartment in the inner west after saving for a deposit while living at home. He said his mortgage repayments would mean he was living under housing stress, a familiar experience for most young people. Show me someone who isnt spending 30 per cent of their income on housing thats the threshold for housing stress. Everyones doing that except Boomers. Loading As young people continue to struggle to find a foothold in the rental or housing market, the realities of Sydneys generational distribution of wealth through property may be affecting social cohesion. Says economist Sakshyam Pandey, 22: When the generation before us were buying houses, Im sure none of them were thinking, Oh, in 40 years, my house is going to be 20 times the value, and the new generation, theyre not going to buy anything. You cant blame the people that own houses. You can blame the politicians and the political system, but you shouldnt be blaming the people its not really their fault they just bought a house, they just did the rational thing, and they have huge [financial] gains from that, sure. However, according to Thrum, those who have seen their housing values skyrocket in recent decades have a responsibility to act in a way that is supportive of future generations. Advertisement One rational actors behaviour cant really be criticised in the broader system, but I do think you can criticise them on their current voting and attitude, said Thrum, who believes older generations are starting to better understand the housing crisis. I genuinely feel that there is greater recognition that there is a housing crisis among [Baby Boomers] ... I used to find almost outright housing crisis denial I feel like that has faded a little bit. I dont think were quite over the line of their recognising the increased difficulty, and I think part of that is their conflating an overall rise in living standards and new technology like, Oh, youve got an iPad now, how could you possibly be worse off than I was? Asked how young people could increasingly see Sydney as a temporary city, NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson said she saw the housing crisis as the biggest issue facing the state and believes it is the governments top priority. We risk being a city with no future. We risk being a city where young people dont put down their roots here, they dont start their families here, they dont start their businesses here, they dont make their careers here because of housing. Advertisement Australias ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, has been asked to convey to Canberra Jewish concerns about the impact of the weekly pro-Palestinian demonstrations in central Melbourne. At a meeting in Washington last week with Rabbi Abraham Cooper, an expert on online hate and terrorism with the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, the former prime minister agreed to make representations to the Australian government on whether the protests could be shifted away from the CBD streets. Australian ambassador to the US and former prime minister Kevin Rudd. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The high-level diplomacy, held amid a series of firebomb attacks targeting Jewish communities in Melbourne and Sydney, was in response to the Simon Wiesenthal Centres decision last month to issue an extreme caution travel advisory to Jews planning to visit Australia. It came as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a national cabinet meeting with state and territory leaders, at which Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said his officers were investigating whether young people had been radicalised online and paid by malicious overseas actors to commit antisemitic crimes in Australia. Wealthy families are dominating enrolments at Melbournes select-entry government schools, as expensive private tuition gives children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds a leg-up over their less-well-off peers. More than 60 per cent of all students enrolled at Melbournes four select-entry schools are from top socio-educational-advantage backgrounds, way above the Australian distribution of 25 per cent. Melbourne High School in South Yarra. Credit: Daniel Pockett All-boys school Melbourne High and Mac.Robertson Girls High School, the two best-performing public schools for VCE in 2024, had the highest percentage of advantaged students among select-entry schools last year. All four schools enrolled fewer disadvantaged students in 2024 than they did 10 years ago. A long-awaited toilet and change room block at a premier southern suburbs beach marred by years of setbacks has hit another snag, with revelations its concrete foundation must be torn up and rebuilt. On Monday, the City of Fremantle notified beachgoers that the under-construction South Beach change room facilitys concrete slab would need to be removed and replaced due to a problem. Credit: City of Fremantle/Facebook As with all major projects, issues can arise that require attention and rectification, the city announced. In this case, the building contractor will be working to fix a problem with the concrete slab. Federal police are investigating whether malicious foreign actors are paying local criminals to carry out violent antisemitic acts in the streets of Sydney and Melbourne, forcing an urgent meeting of police chiefs after a wave of hatred that federal police chief Reece Kershaw said was causing Jews to hide at home. As the prime minister and state leaders agreed to a new national antisemitism database during a late afternoon national cabinet meeting, Kershaw issued a striking statement floating the possibility that Australians were being paid in cryptocurrency to target synagogues and houses in Jewish suburbs. AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos We are looking into whether overseas actors or individuals have paid local criminals in Australia to carry out some of these crimes in our suburbs, he said in a written statement, adding that he was talking to law enforcement agencies in Five Eyes nations of US, UK, Canada and New Zealand. We are looking at if or how - they have been paid, for example in cryptocurrency, which can take longer to identify. NSW Premier Chris Minns has accused the Royal College of Psychiatrists of contributing to the states mental health crisis by restricting the supply of trained professionals as he flags a greater reliance on counsellors and psychologists as part of the solution to a mass resignation of specialists. But the college, which wrote to the premier after his remarks on Monday, said the comments suggested the government was unfamiliar with how accreditation in psychiatry functions, and said not having enough specialists would have disastrous consequences for the public health system. Resigning public psychiatrist Prachi Brahmbhatt says she could earn $200,000 more working in the public health system interstate. Credit: Wolter Peeters With about two-thirds of the states 295 public psychiatrists on the brink of leaving the health system this week, Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said the government was urgently seeking a hearing at the Industrial Relations Commission to arbitrate a pay deal. The government has refused to meet the psychiatrists demand of a 25 per cent, one-year pay increase. The government offered 10.5 per cent over three years. Premier Chris Minns has flagged he will look to further reinforce hate speech laws as he seeks to address Sydneys worsening antisemitic crisis, defying legal advice to his government against reforming the controversial racial vilification measures. Despite a nine-month-long review headed by Law Reform Commission President Tom Bathurst concluding reform to 93Z may not be the most effective means, Minns suggested he would push on regardless, once again reiterating his belief that antisemitism begins with language. Section 93Z of the Crimes Act makes it an offence to publicly threaten or incite violence against a person on the grounds of race or religious belief or affiliation. The firebombing of a daycare centre in Maroubra in the early hours of Tuesday morning was the ninth antisemitic attack since late November. The brazen destruction of a private business owned by a Jewish family until 2023 and a stones throw from a synagogue has only heightened fears across Sydney. It takes 11 hours to ride the train from Sydney to Melbourne and vice versa. Eleven hours from Central Station to Southern Cross, or the other way around. Take into account the commute to the city and out again which, if youre relying on strike-prone Sydney trains could take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours and youre looking at 12 to 13 hours of travel all up. If you were to fly that same route, you would spend 1.5 hours in a plane, maybe an hour each side to get to and from the airport, and an hour at the airport before your flight 4.5 hours, assuming no delays. The XPT takes 11 hours to get from Sydney to Melbourne. Credit: iStock Its a big difference. New York: Aid is beginning to enter the Gaza Strip, bringing with it hopes a famine will be averted in the Palestinian territory. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said 915 aid trucks entered the strip on the second day of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas after 15 months of war. OCHA cited information from Israel and the ceasefire guarantors, the US, Qatar and Egypt. The UN said some 630 aid trucks had entered the Palestinian enclave on Sunday, with at least 300 going to the north, where experts have warned a famine looms. Humanitarian aid trucks enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing from Egypt into the Gaza Strip on Monday. Credit: AP The ceasefire deal requires 600 truckloads of aid to be allowed into Gaza every day of the initial six-week ceasefire, including 50 carrying fuel. Half of the 600 aid trucks would be delivered to Gazas north. While other family members, like Ivanka Trump, have seemingly enjoyed spending years smiling widely for the cameras and posting their travels (and high-status friends) on social media, Melania Trump and her son remained closed off. But on Monday, the returning first lady and the son she had once shielded from the public eye used Mondays inauguration to reintroduce themselves. Throughout her husbands first term, Melania Trump would go on to keep her physical and emotional distance from the capital, choosing to focus on raising her son, Barron, and retreat from the public eye. Washington: During her husbands first presidential inauguration in January 2017, Melania Trump was a newcomer to Washington, a first lady who draped herself in baby-blue cashmere to evoke memories of Jacqueline Kennedy and whose tight smile, at moments, seemed to dissolve into a scowl. One of the biggest changes occurred before they set foot in the capital. Along with the rest of the family, Melania Trump has signalled that she will be more unapologetic about the ethical concerns that followed her family through Donald Trumps first term. The woman who once abandoned jewellery and skin care lines unveiled her own cryptocurrency, $Melania, hours before his swearing-in. So far, both Trumps have shrugged off complaints. Barron Trump is now treated as an adviser by his father and as something of a next-generation MAGA mascot by his fathers supporters: He pushed his father to join podcasts during the campaign and urged the sort of crypto projects that his parents are participating in. During the launch of Trumps crypto venture, World Liberty Financial, in September, Barron Trump was listed as the projects DeFi visionary, a reference to the branch of crypto known as decentralised finance. Barron Trump and first lady Melania Trump listen as President Donald Trump gives his inaugural address. Credit: AP Eight years ago, Barron Trump was an 11-year-old who was seen smiling with his sister, Tiffany, as his father was sworn in at the Capitol. On Tuesday AEDT, Barron Trump remained largely by his mothers side, but the change in him was obvious. During the ceremony, Barron Trump took prime position, smiling and clapping alongside Elon Musk, the billionaire who has landed near the centre of Trumps circle of advisers. He shook former president Joe Bidens hand as he departed the dais in the Rotunda. He was also photographed hobnobbing at a congressional luncheon, speaking with Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Pete Hegseth, his fathers nominee for defence secretary. He also animatedly talked with billionaire Jeff Bezos, the chair of Amazon and owner of The Washington Post. Senators vetting the nomination of Pete Hegseth for defence secretary have received an affidavit from his former sister-in-law alleging that the onetime Fox News host was abusive to his second wife, to the point where she feared for her safety. Hegseth denies the allegations. The sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, was formerly married to the nominees brother, and in an affidavit, she said she believes that Pete Hegseth is unfit to run the Defence Department based on what she witnessed and heard. She said she first relayed her allegations to the FBI in December but was concerned that the information was not shared with Congress as senators consider Hegseths nomination to lead the Pentagon. The affidavit describes Hegseths treatment of his second wife, Samantha, and alleges repeat drunkenness and a domestic situation where Samantha Hegseth had a safe word to indicate if she was in danger at home. Danielle Hegseth said Samantha texted that safe word to her sometime in 2015 or 2016, which prompted her to call a third party for help. Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trumps choice to be defence secretary, at his confirmation hearing. Credit: AP I have chosen to come forward publicly, at significant personal sacrifice, because I am deeply concerned by what Hegseths confirmation would mean for our military and our country, she said. An attorney for Pete Hegseth vehemently denied the allegations. Tim Parlatore said the affidavit was filled with belated claims by an ex-relative with an axe to grind against the entire Hegseth family. In a statement to US broadcaster NBC News, which first reported on the affidavit, Samantha Hegseth said there was no physical abuse in my marriage. This is the only further statement I will make to you, I have let you know that I am not speaking and will not speak on my marriage to Pete. Please respect this decision. Samantha Hegseth and Pete Hegseth both signed a Minnesota court document in 2021 during their divorce saying neither claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse. Republican leaders said they doubted the new allegations would change the votes of support they are lining up for Hegseth. They marched ahead with the nomination on Wednesday (AEDT), taking a key procedural step needed to confirm him by weeks end. Hegseth was grilled by senators during a hearing last week about his behaviour, including excessive drinking, extramarital affairs and allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied. Hegseth has promised not to drink on the job and has denied a 2017 sex assault allegation but acknowledged paying the woman a settlement. He was going through a divorce at the time after having a child with a Fox News producer who became his current wife, according to court records and his social media posts. AP The better-performing suburbs are the more affordable ones because of the lack of affordable housing across Australia, Powell said, highlighting a trend towards seeking value for money, either within or outside of capital cities. Participation in this annual list enables businesses to build their profiles as leading tech trailblazers in the industry. Winners will be featured on the Australian Broker website and gain exclusive promotional opportunities to amplify their achievements. NIH awards UB $28.4 million to build on strong foundation improving health outcomes, addressing disparities through translational science Timothy F. Murphy, SUNY Distinguished Professor, principal investigator and director of UBs Clinical and Translational Science Institute, speaks at a news conference announcing UB has received a $28.4 million Clinical and Translational Science Award, its third since 2015. Photo: Sandra Kicman This landmark award reaffirms UBs stature as a premier public research university that is committed to contributing meaningfully to the health and well-being of the communities we serve. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded UB $28.4 million over seven years to build on its extensive record of success using the power of research to improve health outcomes and address health disparities throughout Western New York. The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) to UBs Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), announced Jan. 17, is the third CTSA that UB has received under the NIHs National Center for Advancing Translational Science program. The first was awarded in 2015; the second in 2020. The award brings UBs total CTSA funding since 2015 to just over $65 million. The purpose of the CTSAs, awarded to only 63 institutions nationwide, is to speed the translation of research discoveries into improved care for all while prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable members of the community. This landmark award reaffirms UBs stature as a premier public research university that is committed to contributing meaningfully to the health and well-being of the communities we serve, said President Satish K. Tripathi. It recognizes both the dramatic progress our UB faculty researchers have made in accelerating critical breakthroughs into enhanced patient care and our enormous potential to continue developing cutting-edge innovations and interventions in the interest of a healthier, more equitable society. The work of the CTSA is accomplished through close collaborations among researchers throughout UB including its six health sciences schools and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center as well as 15 collaborating institutions and influential community partners, which comprise the Buffalo Translational Consortium. This renewal ensures that the health of our community will continue to benefit from these critical collaborations, said Allison Brashear, vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB. The CTSA renewal grant is a testament to UBs commitment to advancing medical research and improving lives. By empowering our researchers to investigate the most vexing health challenges, were making a tangible difference in Western New York, across the state and around the world. This grant illustrates the opportunities created by partnerships between the federal government and our public research institutions like the University at Buffalo, said Rep. Tim Kennedy. By delivering research that better reflects our populations as a whole, especially at-risk demographics, UB is on the cutting edge of improving health care outcomes here in Western New York and across the nation. This is exactly the type of investment we need to see more of as we continue to strengthen the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and our regions health care systems. Ten years ago, I was proud to announce the University at Buffalos very first award from the NIHs prestigious Clinical and Translational Science Program to bolster their groundbreaking work in medical research with substantial federal investment. Now, Im even prouder to announce an additional $28.4 million in federal funding to drive forward UBs lifesaving research to address health disparities in communities across Western New York, said Sen. Chuck Schumer. This federal investment from the NIH will bolster UBs leadership and support its commitment to improving health outcomes for Buffalo and beyond. This will help UBs world-class doctors and scientists to turn research into real-world solutions for better medical treatments and cures, and Im glad the feds are continuing to invest in making UB stand out as an internationally renowned medical research institution. Disadvantaged and minority communities continue to face significant health disparities, and it is critical that we invest in bridging those gaps, said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. A cornerstone of a healthy society is the ability to live, work and learn free from illness. The University at Buffalos continued research is a step in the right direction to improve health outcomes locally and beyond. Im proud to announce this NIH funding and will continue to fight for those who need it most. Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification services, announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Contec AQS and its two owned subsidiaries Exenet and PMPI. The planned acquisition is aligned with Bureau Veritas LEAP | 28 strategy to expand its leadership in the Buildings and Infrastructure market. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250120728164/en/ Hinda Gharbi, CEO Bureau Veritas (Photo: Business Wire) Bureau Veritas contributes to safer, sustainable, and resilient buildings and infrastructure, delivering comprehensive solutions covering the full life cycle of assets. This acquisition will expand Bureau Veritas Buildings and Infrastructure footprint in Italy. Contec AQS, Exenet and PMPI are established Italian brands delivering comprehensive services and technical expertise in the Buildings and Infrastructure sector. They cover construction, infrastructure and Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) domains for public authorities, infrastructure operators, and private manufacturing companies. The company employs c.190 highly skilled experts and is expected to deliver c. 30 million in revenue in 2024. "This acquisition is in line with our objective of expanding our leadership in the infrastructure space in Europe, as planned in our LEAP | 28 strategy. Said Hinda Gharbi, Chief Executive Officer of Bureau Veritas, Within Italy, the addition of these three companies will augment our capabilities and bring additional benefits to our clients. Alberto Palombarini CEO, Contec AQS, added: Our historic collaboration with Bureau Veritas has confirmed the strong fit between their technical capabilities and ours. This strategic union will not only enhance our service delivery offering to our clients, it will also consolidate our position as a partner of choice by reaching a critical mass in our Italian home market. The transaction is expected to be closed by the end of March 2025, once customary closing conditions have been met, including regulatory clearance. *** About Bureau Veritas Bureau Veritas is a world leader in inspection, certification, and laboratory testing services with a powerful purpose: to shape a world of trust by ensuring responsible progress. With a vision to be the preferred partner for customers excellence and sustainability, the company innovates to help them navigate change. Created in 1828, Bureau Veritas 83,000 employees deliver services in 140 countries. The companys technical experts support customers to address challenges in quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and sustainability. Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, SBF 120 indices and is part of the CAC SBT 1.5 index. Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI. For more information, visit www.bureauveritas.com, and follow us on LinkedIn. Our information is certified with blockchain technology. Check that this press release is genuine at www.wiztrust.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250120728164/en/ Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Sen. Alex Padilla and Gov. Gavin Newsom tour fire damage in Pacific Palisades on Jan. 8. Eric Thayer/Getty Images Please, enough already with the fiction that climate change caused the Los Angeles fires. Rainfall in Los Angeles has been remarkably consistent for over 150 years. There have been plentiful years recently, but 2024 was dry. The Santa Ana winds come every year, and they have been stronger than usual in January. By assigning blame for climate change to the oil industry, we're letting the elected officials who failed off the hook. Our governor and Los Angeles officials were not prepared for this risk. We need them to pay the political price and be replaced with competent leaders. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lets end our states predilection for showboating, career-aggrandizing politicians once and for all. Tim Dilley, San Francisco Blame U.S. consumerism Regarding Blaming Big Oil for climate change feels good but wont solve the problem (Letters to the Editor, SFChronicle.com, Jan. 16): I agree that Big Oil is essentially a scapegoat, but the letter writer then goes on to blame other countries such as China and Brazil, where much of their emissions are a result of U.S. consumer culture. A huge portion of Chinas emissions go toward manufacturing enormous amount of consumer goods for the U.S. market. American consumers who regularly need a new iPhone or television are contributing to Chinas climate emissions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Likewise, the rainforests in Brazil are victims of Big Agriculture. The Amazon is being cut down for cattle ranching and crops for animal feed, to satiate the worlds need for fast-food hamburgers another part of the culture the U.S. has been exporting around the world. No, Big Oil is not solely to blame all of us who buy its products are as well. American consumer culture is a primary driver of the climate crisis. In this case, the old schoolyard saying is true: When you point a finger at someone else, there are three pointing back at you. Avilee Goodwin, Richmond Wear a life jacket A recent incident at Lake Merced in San Francisco highlights the importance of wearing a life jacket. Two people were stranded after their boat capsized in the water. Both were unable to swim but were wearing life jackets and were luckily rescued and brought to shore. Unfortunately, that isnt always the case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to U.S. Coast Guard boating statistics, 3 in 4 people who died in a boating accident drowned, and 87% of them were not wearing a life jacket. Many of these people considered themselves long-term boaters who could swim but, if knocked unconscious, it can be impossible to swim. You wouldnt try to put a seatbelt on in the middle of a car crash. Likewise, it is not possible to try to put on a life jacket when you are in the middle of a boating emergency. Life jackets are essential on the water and the Sea Tow Foundations 2025 Life Jacket Loaner Program grant offers organizations the chance to promote boating safety in their community. Applicants can request life jackets, a life jacket loaner stand kit or both to establish a station where boaters can borrow life jackets for free. Gail R. Kulp, executive director, Sea Tow Foundation Plea deal isnt justice Connor Bundock died defending his friends. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to court testimony, on April 2, 2022, Manuel Rivera and another person approached Connor and his two friends in a park in Northwest Santa Rosa and asked them if they banged. Conor and his friends answered no. Rivera pulled out a gun and attempted to rob the group. Connor began fighting Rivera. Connor was shot in the chest and died at the scene. Rivera was initially charged with murder, but in a plea deal, that charge was reduced to voluntary manslaughter with two counts of attempted robbery. Rivera could be sentenced to just 12 years and four months in prison for killing Connor and ruining innumerable lives. About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies Connor was only 19. Rivera could be out in 10 years. Please sign the petition at https://chng.it/8yVJ7qcY2G to ask the judge to reevaluate the plea deal. Connor died a hero. We strive for a justice system that truly upholds justice. 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Both requests aim to build on the facilities strong momentum driven by industry, state leaders, faculty and others, UI College of Agricultural and Life Sciences dean Michael Parrella said. Parma-area agriculture stakeholders meeting in 2017 to discuss the future of the R&E center eyed for closure during the late 2000s recession identified a need to serve the states growing wine industry, he said. The lab-centered Idaho Center for Plant and Soil Health opened just over a year ago at Parma, and were equipped to follow through on that request, Parrella said. Idaho lacks a university researcher focused on viticulture. UI seeks an ongoing $157,900 from the state general fund for the viticulture and small fruit specialist, according to a budget request which also said the state wine commission, growers and winemakers have all expressed a need for further applied research to support industry needs. The researcher and educator, who would share space in the pomology lab, would help established and incoming producers in areas such as variety and site selection, vineyard best practices, and managing pests and diseases, Parrella said. For example, a California group wants to come in. Where should they go? What grapes can they grow, he said. The need to bring in experts from other states would be greatly reduced, Parrella said. And further growing the states wine industry offers potential environmental as well as economic benefits, as grapes are a relatively low water user. Small fruits are increasingly important, Parrella said. Berries are growing as an industry, and more homeowners are growing vines and fruit trees. As urban areas develop, with that comes the need for a greater college focus on urban agriculture, he said. CAFE, on 640 acres, is slated to be completed next year. It will include a milking parlor, specialized barns, corrals and shade structures, a manure and nutrient management facility, research lagoons, and classroom and office space. The $45 million project includes industry, state and federal funding. The general fund budget request is for half of phase-one building maintenance costs $250,100 including a part-time position. The first phase comprises the milking parlor, computer hardware and software, and site work, Parrella said. For various projects, we are limited as to what we can ask for each year, he said. Operation of sizable new projects typically is funded from year to year as needs develop. Enhancements are limited to 3% of ARES proposed $39.1 million budget for the July 1 fiscal year, or just over $1.1 million. About $500,000 is left after personnel and other costs. The Hyundai Tucson has made its mark in being the upgrade of choice for people who want to transition from a sedan to a higher vehicle. Not ... CARLOW has created its own viral phenomenon in tribute to Cherry Tomato Bridge, thanks to an unlikely internet star who has the online community buzzing! For one night only, Graiguecullen Bridge was transformed into Pizza Slice Bridge by Greg, manager of Apache Pizza in Carlow, who has become something of a viral sensation in recent weeks. The charming Greg has amassed thousands of views and followers online with his quirky challenges and posts and in turn has become something of a star of TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Gregs latest challenge offers a twist on the now-departed Cherry Tomato Bridge in Drumcondra, which for a few days bizarrely became the citys must-see attraction. Greg turned Graiguecullen Bridge into Pizza Slice Bridge, lining up pizza slices across the well-known landmark, which were all quickly devoured! Graiguecullen Bridge was transformed into Pizza Slice Bridge To be honest, the recognition is incredible, a modest Greg, told The Nationalist. I did a post on TikTok two weeks ago during the snow and I simply dont know why, but it got half a million views. Weve gained 4,000 followers in two weeks and our Instagram has doubled, he added incredulously. The day we did the pizza slices was the day the Cherry Tomato Bridge was gone and I felt bad for people, because everyone really seemed to like it. I did it from the bottom of my heart. I know some people were worried about the waste, but all of the pizza was eaten, he added. Originally from Poland, Greg Kurtz has been living in Ireland for 18 years and working in Carlow for most of that time. Carlow is my second home, he smiles. Since his rapid rise to fame, the affable Greg has become an antidote to the January blues, with lots of people calling into Apache Carlow to meet and get selfies with the legend that is Greg particularly young people. Greg is taking his newfound fame in his stride, while a number of Apache staff have also come on board to appear in the videos. Some people are shy and dont want to, especially with all the attention recently. The young people love them and we put our heart and soul into the challenge and coming up with ideas its great to see peoples reactions, he added. Attendees hold signs saying Mass deportation now during the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 17, 2024. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/TNS President Donald Trumps order to end birthright citizenship the right of U.S.-born children of immigrants to be U.S. citizens, work, vote and avoid deportation was immediately challenged Tuesday by California, 17 other states and the city of San Francisco, saying it has been guaranteed in the Constitution since 1868. Trump has overstepped his authority by a mile and well hold him accountable, state Attorney General Rob Bonta said at a news conference announcing the lawsuit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts. Trumps executive order, issued Monday after his inauguration, is contrary to our American values and a ruthless attack on our newborns and future generations, said San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They noted that the Constitutions 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, declares that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. It overturned the Supreme Courts 1857 ruling in Dred Scott v. Sandford, which said African Americans, whether enslaved or freed, could not be U.S. citizens. The high court affirmed birthright citizenship in a San Francisco case in 1898. Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrant parents, had traveled to China and then was held on a steamship outside the city because federal officials claimed he was not a U.S. citizen. The Supreme Court disagreed and ruled that all children born in the U.S. were citizens with a few narrow exceptions, such as the children of foreign diplomats. That ruling would make Trumps order illegal unless the court with a 6-3 conservative majority, including three Trump appointees decided to overturn it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Birthright citizenship is foundational to our nations history, said Bonta, who was born in the Philippines and was brought to the U.S. two months later when his parents immigrated to the United States. In California, he said, more than 20,000 children are born to immigrant parents each year. If they are stripped of citizenship, Bonta said, as adults they will lose the right to work, vote, serve on juries and receive federal financial aid, and California would be deprived of federal funding for their care under Medi-Cal. It would create a permanent underclass of American-born individuals who would be stateless, born here, but citizens nowhere, said attorney Harold Solis of Make the Road New York, a nonprofit taking part in a separate suit against Trumps order. He said some of the nations in which the migrants were born would not recognize their children as citizens. Even if Trump could enforce his order, he could have difficulty determining who is covered by it, said John Trasvina, former dean of the University of San Francisco School of Law. Since childrens birth certificates are issued by medical practitioners and not the government, Trasvina said, courts would have to decide whether their issuance was under government authority, or whether birth certificates might no longer be considered proof of citizenship. Nationwide, according to the Migration Policy Institute, ending birthright citizenship for children of immigrant parents would increase the number of unauthorized U.S. residents by 4.7 million in 2050. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bonta said California and other states will ask the court for an injunction to block Trumps executive order, which is scheduled to take effect in 30 days. Challengers of birthright citizenship argue that the children of some U.S.-born immigrants particularly, undocumented immigrants are not under the jurisdiction of the United States and therefore are not protected by the 14th Amendments guarantee of citizenship. The question is whether he has authority to adopt a narrower interpretation namely that the language and under the jurisdiction thereof applies only to aliens lawfully present here not to aliens who came here illegally, said Michael McConnell, a Stanford University law professor and former federal appeals court judge. The Supreme Court has not decided that question, but the broader interpretation has long been accepted. The argument that the U.S. lacks jurisdiction over those children is nonsense, said Thomas Wolf, an attorney and director of democracy initiatives at New York Universitys Brennan Center for Justice. Undocumented immigrants and their children are required to follow the same laws as everyone else on U.S. soil, including paying taxes, Wolf said. Although its reasonable to wonder whether the current Supreme Court will defy Trump on an issue about which he has campaigned so aggressively, he said, the ruling in favor of Wong Kim Ark was issued by the same court that had ruled two years earlier, in Plessy v. Ferguson, that racial segregation did not violate the 14th Amendments mandate of equality. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The U.S. Congressional Research Service also cited the Supreme Courts 1982 ruling in Plyler v. Doe, which said children who were themselves undocumented immigrants were nevertheless entitled to free public education while living in the United States. Children who live in the state and subject to the laws of the state are covered by the 14th Amendments guarantee of equal protection of the laws, the Research Service said in a legal overview in 2018, after Trump first discussed plans to limit or end birthright citizenship. On the other hand, said Bill Ong Hing, an immigration law professor at the University of San Francisco, while Trump cannot repeal birthright citizenship by executive order, he can influence a state like Texas to refuse to issue a birth certificate to a newborn with undocumented parents. That would set up a court battle and a path to the Supreme Court to revisit Wong Kim Ark. The lawsuit came a day after the American Civil Liberties Union and the Asian Law Caucus filed suit in a New Hampshire federal court on behalf of children of immigrant parents. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a frequent Trump adversary, issued a three-word statement on Trumps executive order Monday night: This is unconstitutional. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A MANS life was saved after he collapsed in the centre of Tullow on Thursday, thanks to a quick response by members of the public. The man, who is believed to be in his 60s, took ill at lunchtime on Thursday and collapsed outside the local credit union on Bridge Street. A lorry driver and a woman who was passing in her car saw it happening and went to help. Then, a staff member from Carlow County Council, who is trained in delivering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), reacted immediately to the emergency and began carrying out the procedure. A doctor and a nurse who happened to be passing by helped, while two volunteers with Tullow Community First Responders (CFR) also assisted after they were alerted. A local shopkeeper ran and got a defibrillator from the credit union and that was used in conjunction with the CPR. An ambulance was called just before 1pm and the patient was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Dublin. The quick and calm response to the emergency and the expertise of the others who helped to save the mans life was raised on Thursday evening at a meeting of Tullow Municipal District. Pat Harrington, senior executive engineer of Tullow MD, praised them for their intervention, saying it was a difficult job, but thanks to them using CPR and knowing how to use a defibrillator, the mans life was saved. Cllr William Paton, whos an instructor in CPR and the use of defibrillators, is a member of Tullow CFR. This was a real community response that saved a mans life, said cllr Paton. He said that several members of Carlow County Council and the public have expressed an interest since the incident in learning the life-saving procedure. Tullow CFR hosts training courses called Heart Saver by the Irish Heart Foundation. Anyone whos interested in completing a Heart Saver course should contact cllr Paton on 087 6787115. A woman in her 80s has received an apology in the High Court for the perforation of her throat during a gastroscopic procedure. Sligo University Hospital apologised and acknowledged the perforation has had a life-changing effect on Kathleen Healy. Ms Healy, from Rathedmond in Sligo, on Tuesday settled her personal injuries claim against the Health Service Executive (HSE). She alleged she had been fit, healthy and living very independently at home before being referred for the diagnostic procedure in July 2022 due to pain and heartburn. The perforation has caused her to require tube feeding and has forced her to move into a nursing home far from her late husbands grave, she claimed. She was sedated for the procedure, which was to be performed by a surgical registrar. However, it was alleged the registrar noted blood oozing from Ms Healys mouth and nose on attempting intubation and the procedure was abandoned. Ms Healy was transferred to intensive care before being moved to Galway University Hospital for care under its specialised cardio-thoracic team. It was alleged that the team in Galway noted an infection and a perforation of her oropharynx, which is part of the throat. She spent almost a month in the hospitals intensive care unit. She claimed she was later advised the perforation could not be fully repaired and that she would require ongoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding. In February 2023 she was transferred from hospital to a nursing home. Ms Healy (82) alleged she suffered severe personal injury as a result of negligence and breach of duty by the HSE. A letter on behalf of Sligo University Hospital and the HSE offered a sincere apology for the perforation suffered during the procedure in July 2022. Ms Healys senior counsel, Liam Reidy, told the court she accepted the apology and forgives the registrar who caused the perforation. Mr Reidy, instructed by Karen Kearney of Cantillons Solicitors, said Ms Healy remains somewhat distressed that the hospital wanted to discharge her after the procedure and she is grateful for the care she received in Galway. The settlements terms are confidential. Outside court, Ms Healys daughter, Siobhan Brosnan, said the settlement will help with additional therapies and care. They are grateful for the apology, but it was a long time coming and the last two years have been horrific for Ms Healy, Ms Brosnan said. My mum is 82, but she has loads of ambitions and loads of plans. She is not the type of lady to just sit in a room My mum wants to live, said Ms Brosnan. By Rebecca Black, PA Lessons can be learned by all following a probe into employment arrangements for a now disgraced former Sinn Fein press officer, Michelle ONeill has said. A Northern Ireland Assembly report found that Michael McMonagle likely misrepresented details of his employment which may have resulted in a misuse of public money. McMonagle, from Limewood Street in Derry, was jailed last year after being found guilty of a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. The review found that he simultaneously held two full-time jobs working for Sinn Fein politicians while also working as a press officer for three months in 2020, including being employed by then deputy first minister Ms ONeill. Assembly chief executive Lesley Hogg told MLAs that the issue has now been referred to the PSNI. Police confirmed a report has been received and inquiries are ongoing. First Minister Michelle ONeill said lessons can be learned by all following a probe into employment arrangements for now disgraced former Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle. Photo: Liam McVurney/PA. Speaking in Belfast on Tuesday, Ms ONeill, now First Minister at Stormont, welcomed that the report, which she described as comprehensive, is now in the public domain. The Sinn Fein vice-president said there are lessons for everybody around the employment of workers by MLAs. Ms ONeill said Sinn Fein fully worked with the Assembly Commission in terms of the review. Its a very fulsome review, its very comprehensive over 40 pages long, she said. I dont really have anything more to add to what Ive said to the review itself. I am very acutely aware of the need to be fully accountable in terms of public money and will always be so, so I welcome the fact that the report is now in the public domain. People will make up their own minds. We were at a time of Covid, it was a very short time that he did work for me and there as an overlap, but I do believe there are lessons to be learned. She added: It has been a very useful piece of work. I think there are lessons to be learned for everybody in terms of how we employ people and how that is all fully accounted for. By Rebecca Black, PA Lessons can be learned by all following a probe into employment arrangements for a now disgraced former Sinn Fein press officer, Michelle ONeill has said. A Northern Ireland Assembly report found that Michael McMonagle likely misrepresented details of his employment which may have resulted in a misuse of public money. McMonagle, from Limewood Street in Derry, was jailed last year after being found guilty of a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. The review found that he simultaneously held two full-time jobs working for Sinn Fein politicians while also working as a press officer for three months in 2020, including being employed by then deputy first minister Ms ONeill. Assembly chief executive Lesley Hogg told MLAs that the issue has now been referred to the PSNI. Police confirmed a report has been received and inquiries are ongoing. Speaking in Belfast on Tuesday, Ms ONeill, now First Minister at Stormont, welcomed that the report, which she described as comprehensive, is now in the public domain. The Sinn Fein vice-president said there are lessons for everybody around the employment of workers by MLAs. Ms ONeill said Sinn Fein fully worked with the Assembly Commission in terms of the review. Its a very fulsome review, its very comprehensive over 40 pages long, she said. I dont really have anything more to add to what Ive said to the review itself. I am very acutely aware of the need to be fully accountable in terms of public money and will always be so, so I welcome the fact that the report is now in the public domain. People will make up their own minds. We were at a time of Covid, it was a very short time that he did work for me and there as an overlap, but I do believe there are lessons to be learned. She said: It has been a very useful piece of work. I think there are lessons to be learned for everybody in terms of how we employ people and how that is all fully accounted for. Donald Trump's second inauguration dominates Tuesday's front pages. The Irish Times, Irish Examiner and Irish Independent all lead with Mr Trump's inauguration, in which he set out his vision for the United States. The Echo leads with a story on tests on drugs in circulation in Cork after two deaths in Cork city on Friday. Mr Trump's inauguration also dominates the Irish Daily Star, Irish Sun, Irish Daily Mail and The Herald. Tuesdays front page pic.twitter.com/xWYiQp1iBF Irish Daily Star (@isfearranstar) January 21, 2025 Today's front page of The Irish Sun pic.twitter.com/Stnl7db28B The Irish Sun (@IrishSunOnline) January 21, 2025 Interesting times ahead... pic.twitter.com/wKPL5u9Ej3 The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) January 21, 2025 In the North, Mr Trump also features on the front pages of the Belfast Telegraph and The Irish News. Today's #frontpage Colombia Three's McCauley: Britain wants to send me back pic.twitter.com/Z4WltKDNxs The Irish News (@irish_news) January 21, 2025 Donald Trumps presidential inauguration dominates Tuesdays UK headlines. The Financial Times, Metro and the i all splash on president Trumps official swearing-in and pledges for a policy overhaul. Meanwhile, The Times and The Guardian focus on the 47th presidents pledge for a new golden age in the United States. The Daily Star splashes on the inauguration with the headline so help us God. Back on British soil, the Daily Express and the Daily Mail lead on Southport killer Axel Rudakubana admitting to murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. The Daily Mirror and The Sun report Rudakubana was flagged as a terror risk on three separate occasions before the fatal stabbings. Lastly, the Daily Telegraph leads on claims from Nigel Farage, who has accused Sir Keir Starmer of covering up the truth about the Southport killer. The New York Times leads with Mr Trump's pledge to reverse a 'US decline'. MARTIN Heydon is heavily tipped for promotion in the new Government, and is widely expected to move up one office - from Minister for State in the department to actually being the next Minister for Agriculture. Attempts were made to seek a confirmation, or comment on the situation, but unsurprisingly the Kilcullen man is keeping his card close to his chest prior to cabinet announcements on Wednesday. Speaking with Agriland before the weekend Heydon only said: First of all, nobody will know who has been appointed to those positions ; theres loads of speculation but its a matter for the party leaders. They will make that decision on Wednesday (22 January) and announce it at that stage. Whatever role Im asked to serve in, at any stage in the next Dail, by Simon Harris Ill be happy to take that on, and do my very best for the country. However, a man that formerly held that very job Wexford farmer and former Fine Gael TD Ivan Yeates said: I am reliably told that Martin Heydon will be the next Minister for Agriculture, and you can quote me on that. Backing this up, one major bookmaker has quoted Heydon as odd-on favourite for the job. He is to the manor born, in this respect, as he lives on the family farm, and attended agricultural college in Kilkenny. He has served a solid apprenticeship in the Department, having been Minister for State in Agriculture and Marine for the entirety of the last Government, and previously Chair of Fine Gaels Internal Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs between 2011 and 2016. Following this, Heydon was chair of his partys Parliamentary Party from 2016 to 2020. He was first elected as a a 33-year-old in 2011 when he topped the poll and was elected on first count, 3,000 votes over quota. Heydon is married to pharmacist and two-time All-Star Brianna, who captained Kildare to All-Ireland glory in 2004, and last year came out of retirement at 42 years of ace to help her club win a fifth county title. Facts about glaucoma Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye's optic nerve and can result in vision loss and even blindness. About 3 million Americans have glaucoma, and it's the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Open-angle glaucoma, the most common form, results in increased eye pressure. There are often no early symptoms, which is why 50% of people with glaucoma don't know they have it. There is no cure (yet) for glaucoma, but if it's caught early, you can preserve your vision and prevent vision loss. Taking action to preserve your vision health is key. Risk factors Anyone can get glaucoma, but certain groups of people have a higher risk, including: Black people over age 40. All people over age 60. People with a family history of glaucoma. People who have diabetes. Black people are 6 to 8 times more likely to get glaucoma than White people. People with diabetes are 2 times more likely to get glaucoma than people without diabetes. Prevent vision loss There are many steps you can take to help protect your eyes and lower your risk of vision loss from glaucoma. If you have a high risk, get a comprehensive dilated eye exam to catch glaucoma early and start treatment. Your eye doctor will recommend how often to return for follow-up exams. Medicare covers a glaucoma test once a year for people in high-risk groups. Even if you don't have a high risk, comprehensive dilated eye exams can help catch glaucoma and other eye diseases early. Open-angle glaucoma does not have symptoms and runs in families. Talk to your family about their vision health to help protect your eyesand theirs. Create healthy habits like maintaining a healthy weight, controlling your blood pressure, being physically active, and avoiding smoking. These actions will help you avoid vision loss from glaucoma. They'll also help prevent type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions. Healthy habits can help you avoid vision loss from glaucoma. Shandong drives green energy forward 09:57, January 21, 2025 By Zhao Ruixue ( China Daily Residents of a community in Weihai, Shandong province, are experiencing a warmer, more comfortable winter this year thanks to the introduction of nuclear-powered heating, a key step in the province's efforts to promote green energy transformation. For the first time, the system is providing steady and reliable heat. "The heating is working smoothly, creating a cozy environment for us," said Yu Haiyan, a resident of the Ruichikangcheng community in Rushan, a county-level city in Weihai. She said the indoor temperature remains at a comfortable 23 C. The innovative system replaces traditional coal-based heating with energy sourced exclusively from the Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant, located more than 35 kilometers away in Haiyang, a county-level city of Yantai. By using steam from the plant's nuclear reactors after power generation and employing advanced heat exchange technology, the heat is transported to Rushan through China's longest and most advanced nuclear heating pipeline. The switch to nuclear-powered heating has brought stable temperatures and significant environmental benefits. According to Rushan county government, the initiative saves 110,000 metric tons of coal annually and has reduced emissions of sulfur dioxide by 465 tons and nitrogen oxide by 130 tons. The nuclear heating project has been recognized as part of China's inaugural batch of green and low-carbon demonstration projects, underscoring its potential as a sustainable energy solution. "2024 was a pivotal year for Shandong's green transformation," said Zhou Naixiang, the province's governor, while presenting the government work report at the opening of the annual session of the 14th Shandong Provincial People's Congress on Monday. Shandong has made significant strides in renewable energy, with its total installed capacity of new and renewable energy reaching 115 million kilowatts. Last year, the cumulative installed capacity of new and renewable energy power generation exceeded that of coal-fired power generation for the first time, making it the primary source of electricity in the province, according to the Shandong energy administration. Shandong ranks second nationwide in nuclear power development, with approved and underconstruction nuclear power units totaling 10.03 million kilowatts. The province also leads in installed photovoltaic capacity. In Heze, a city in Shandong, authorities invested 30.61 billion yuan ($4.18 billion) in 91 key green and low-carbon projects last year, according to municipal government statistics. "The competitive advantages of the new energy industry in Heze continue to grow," said Mayor Li Chunying. With a strategic focus on increasing new and renewable energy capacities by an additional 20 million kilowatts this year, Shandong is poised to advance its sustainability efforts further, Zhou said. While aiming for mandatory targets in energy conservation, emission reduction and environmental quality improvement, Shandong plans to achieve GDP growth of more than 5 percent this year. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) A Criminal Court jury deliberated less than an hour on Monday afternoon before finding Jason Chen guilty of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse in the savage killing of 22-year-old Jasmine Pace at his North Chattanooga apartment. The jury will return to court on Tuesday at 10 a.m. to determine whether Chen should get a life sentence or life without the possibility of parole. A person convicted of first-degree murder in Tennessee must serve 51 years before parole eligibility. The defense had sought a verdict of either voluntary manslaughter or second-degree murder, saying the UTC computer science student acted out of "passion" and not pre-meditation. District Attorney Coty Wamp told jurors, "I ask that years later you not remember this as the Jason Chen trial, but as the trial for Jasmine Pace. She is not just a name in an autopsy record." She said the defense had completely backed away from its opening statement that alleged Ms. Pace became angry over finding that Chen had called other young women and that he had not shackled her until just before he wrapped her lifeless body in garbage bags. She said there was no evidence found on the allegation that Ms. Pace went after Chen with a broken wine bottle. DA Wamp said Chen's calls to other young women via the Tinder app came after the murder, along with his joining in a group Call of Duty video game. She said, "After he engaged in actual physical violence, he got on to get some more." The district attorney said the defense's first witness, Courtney Brewer, who lived just below Chen "was a great witness. I wish I had called her." She said Ms. Brewer's testimony that she was awakened by a female's scream at 2:11 a.m. was seven minutes before Ms. Pace left a "pin drop" (telling her location) on her mother's phone. "She knew then she was in danger of some kind," DA Wamp said. The witness said she later heard footsteps going toward the front of the apartment. DA Wamp said, "That was Jasmine trying to get out the door, but Chen stopped her. She said he then bound her in a fetal position with handcuffs on one side and shackles on the other side before proceeding to stab her 60 times with a butcher knife. The prosecutor said the evidence showed that the attack on Ms. Pace started in the bathroom, then Chen dragged her body to the bedroom, where she was placed on one side and "bled out." She said the fact that the shackle was broken showed that Ms. Pace tried to fight back. She was much smaller in size than Chen at 5'2" and 98 pounds. DA Wamp said evidence from the medical examiner also showed that the victim was still alive during all the blows from the knife. It was testified she may have lived some five minutes after the attack began. She said Chen went to great lengths trying to conceal the crime, including sending text messages from his phone to Ms. Pace's phone after she was dead. In one he asked, "Hey, are we still on for dinner tonight?" Attorney Amanda Morrison said the actions of Chen were "disgusting and unacceptable," but he said there was no proof of pre-meditation. Earlier Monday, Chen announced in open court that he would not testify. The defense told Judge Boyd Patterson that it had no more proof after calling three witnesses. The victim's body was found stuffed in a suitcase along Suck Creek Road just over a week after her disappearance. Her right arm was handcuffed to her right ankle, and the other arm was shackled at the elbow to the other ankle. The jury was chosen in Nashville and brought to Chattanooga. Testimony started last Monday and continued through Saturday before resuming Monday morning. Paul Moyle also prosecuted the case. A man whose shot killed an innocent bystander at a party in 2022 has plead guilty to a lesser charge of reckless homicide and been sentenced to 12 years. Maurice Dewitt Thompson Jr. was initially charged with second-degree murder. Thompson appeared before Judge Barry Steelman. He was arrested on Sept. 8, 2022, in connection to a deadly shooting that claimed the life of a 22-year-old woman. That day, Chattanooga Police officers responded to a party celebrating the 98 Main Street Crips, their "Hood Day," in the 1800 block of Rubio Street. Dozens of adults and children were present at the party. During the party, two people got into a fight, which ended with Devin Austin being shot two times. Police said the suspect who shot Austin was Earl Hines III, or "E". It was reported that two other people opened fire as well in the direction of "E", and one of those shots killed Shayonna Walker. Investigators said Ms. Walker was not the intended targeted, but was caught in the crossfire. Police said a gun found under a vehicle was traced to someone named "M Bangin." CPD was able to identify "M Bangin" as Thompson. Thompson admitted to being at the party during the shooting, placing the gun under the car and knowingly possessing the gun, even though he was a convicted felon. Thompson also admitted to being heavily intoxicated during the incident. Thompson was one of three inmates who, at the Hamilton County Jail on Thanksgiving Day of 2023, allegedly stabbed another inmate. Jail officials said Thompson, 25 at the time, joined two other inmates in chasing the victim after he was stabbed in the chest by one of the other inmates. The report said the three inmates continued to stab the victim in the chest, torso and head with shanks. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is apparently totally determined to enact legislation to benefit the education of students going to private schools at the expense of public school students. Governor Lee has called for a special legislative session on Jan. 27 to approve his plan paying for a portion of a private schools tuition. We should all be letting our representatives know where we stand of the issue that could cost taxpayers about $400 million. I am the product of a private school education, having attended Castle Heights Military Academy in the 60s. My opinion is that private school vouchers are completely wrong and unnecessary. The entire idea of a private school is that parents want their child to get what they think is a better educational experience. They should pay for that experience, not take resources away from other students. You might be wondering whats the problem with vouchers? Vouchers impact public accountability In dramatic contrast to the strong requirements faced by public school, private voucher schools do not have to meet important standards and they are not required to accept all students, opening the door wide for discrimination of all kinds. Vouchers leave behind many students, including the most vulnerable Vouchers leave behind many disadvantaged students because private schools may not accept them or do not offer the special services they need. Students with disabilities and English language learners are underserved in voucher schools. Vouchers often are not able to accommodate special education students Students with disabilities attending a private school with a voucher would not receive all the Individualized Education Plan services they would otherwise receive in a public school. A number of parents are reconsidering the placement of their children in private settings and are returning them to public schools. Vouchers do not raise student achievement for all Research and evaluations have found little or no difference in voucher and public school students performance. So I ask dear reader, does this program which will cost taxpayers of Tennessee an estimated $400 million make sense to you? It sure doesnt make sense to me. Let your elected officials know what you think. Fred Gault Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report. (If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com) BLACKMON, ZHENYA 1804 NEWELL AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37404 Age at Arrest: 25 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD AGGRAVATED ASSAULT BRISTER, JERMAINE 4619 WOODMORE CIRCLE CHATNOOGA, 37421 Age at Arrest: 49 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD FAILURE TO APPEAR CAL, NAJEE SADE 1960 ACER CIR CHATTANOOGA, 374061569 Age at Arrest: 35 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE CASTANEDA, LEONARDO DANIEL 157 SHUT IN GAP ROAD SPRING CITY, 37381 Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE DAVIS, BRIAN LAWARREN 8229 BAY BERRY DR CHATTANOOGA, 37421 Age at Arrest: 57 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIADAVIS, CHARLES DEVON1912 E 25TH ST PLC CHATTANOOGA, 37407Age at Arrest: 34 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDASSAULT ON FIRST RESPONDERCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGRESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESSDIXON, CAYLIN JEWELL1834 HOLLY OAK LN CHATTANOOGA, 374213498Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffTHEFT OF PROPERTYCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGFIELDS, JOHNNY RAY3504 MISSIONAIRE AVE Chattanooga, 374121450Age at Arrest: 22 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGHALL, JOSEPH KENT2227 GREEN POND ROAD SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 44 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffPUBLIC INTOXICATIONOPEN CONTAINER LAWHELTON, MICHAEL SEAN1309 DARLENE CIRCLE EAST RIDGE, 37412Age at Arrest: 42 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffFUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE)HEULETT, GEORGE R2411 KIRBY AVE Chattanooga, 374043806Age at Arrest: 62 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDVIOLATION OF PROBATION (AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (DOMESTHICKS, BRIAN LEE727 E 11TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 37403Age at Arrest: 45 years oldArresting Agency: UTCASSAULTHOOD, WALTER JAMES727 E 11TH ST Chattanooga, 374033104Age at Arrest: 54 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDISORDERLY CONDUCTPUBLIC INTOXICATIONHORTON, BRANDON QUINTINHOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 31 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDASSAULTCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGJERONIMO, CHAMAN MAX314 MCBRYAR EAST RIDGE, 37412Age at Arrest: 24 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEDRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSEFAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANEKILGORE, HALEY BROOKEHOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 37405Age at Arrest: 33 years oldArresting Agency: Red BankBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)KOSTIUK, MICHAEL CASHMERE1425 ARAPAHO DR SODDY DAISYT, 37379Age at Arrest: 39 years oldArresting Agency: HC Sheriff(VOP) POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURTHEFT OF PROPERTYEVADING ARRESTRECKLESS DRIVINGDRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALEPOSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIATHEFT OF PROPERTYMOORE, CLARISSA LATONYA4711 BRENTWOOD DR CHATTANOOGA, 37416Age at Arrest: 37 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDTHEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)MULLINS, DESIREE CHEYENNE2601 E 44TH STREET CHATTANOOGA, 374073434Age at Arrest: 30 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGMURPHY, TODD GHOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 37404Age at Arrest: 50 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGPARSON, NIKKI HEATHER NICOLE3414 CLAYTON AVENUE EXT CHATTANOOGA, 37412Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffFUGITIVE (FORT OGLETHORPE GA)PEREZ GARCIA, YUNIOR ANTONIO123 CAMBRIAGE CIRCLE CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 38 years oldArresting Agency:DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEDRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CAREDRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATIONDRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSEOPEN CONTAINER LAWREGISTRATION, SUSPENDEDFINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITYPHILLIPS, TIMOTHY CHRISTOPHER25 TIMOTHY DRIVE RINGGOLD, 30736Age at Arrest: 22 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)RAY, APRIL LBENTON, 373073846Age at Arrest: 23 years oldArresting Agency: Tenn Hwy PatrolFUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE)RIVERS, TRAVIS TITWELL2490 LAURA ST CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDVANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEFSMITH, CHRISTOPHER DALEY2901 CAROUSEL RD CHATTANOOGA, 374111012Age at Arrest: 40 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDOMESTIC ASSAULTUTTERBACK, RYAN PAULHOMELESS MANCHESTER, 373552279Age at Arrest: 38 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE Here are the mug shots: BRISTER, JERMAINE Age at Arrest: 49 Date of Birth: 08/04/1975 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): FAILURE TO APPEAR CAL, NAJEE SADE Age at Arrest: 35 Date of Birth: 05/09/1989 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE CASTANEDA, LEONARDO DANIEL Age at Arrest: 31 Date of Birth: 06/05/1993 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE DAVIS, BRIAN LAWARREN Age at Arrest: 57 Date of Birth: 10/31/1967 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING) POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA FIELDS, JOHNNY RAY Age at Arrest: 22 Date of Birth: 06/23/1999 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): CRIMINAL TRESPASSING HALL, JOSEPH KENT Age at Arrest: 44 Date of Birth: 07/21/1962 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): PUBLIC INTOXICATION OPEN CONTAINER LAW HELTON, MICHAEL SEAN Age at Arrest: 42 Date of Birth: 03/22/1982 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE) HEULETT, GEORGE R Age at Arrest: 62 Date of Birth: 07/08/1960 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION (AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (DOMEST HICKS, BRIAN LEE Age at Arrest: 45 Date of Birth: 08/09/1979 Arresting Agency: UTC Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): ASSAULT HOOD, WALTER JAMES Age at Arrest: 54 Date of Birth: 11/01/1968 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): DISORDERLY CONDUCT PUBLIC INTOXICATION HORTON, BRANDON QUINTIN Age at Arrest: 31 Date of Birth: 09/14/1993 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): ASSAULT CRIMINAL TRESPASSING CRIMINAL TRESPASSING KILGORE, HALEY BROOKE Age at Arrest: 33 Date of Birth: 06/01/1991 Arresting Agency: Red Bank Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) KOSTIUK, MICHAEL CASHMERE Age at Arrest: 39 Date of Birth: 02/23/1985 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE FAILURE TO APPEAR (VOP) POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE MOORE, CLARISSA LATONYA Age at Arrest: 37 Date of Birth: 03/19/1987 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) MULLINS, DESIREE CHEYENNE Age at Arrest: 30 Date of Birth: 10/04/1994 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): CRIMINAL TRESPASSING MURPHY, TODD G Age at Arrest: 50 Date of Birth: 05/29/1974 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): CRIMINAL TRESPASSING PARSON, NIKKI HEATHER NICOLE Age at Arrest: 32 Date of Birth: 08/18/1992 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): FUGITIVE (FORT OGLETHORPE GA) PHILLIPS, TIMOTHY CHRISTOPHER Age at Arrest: 22 Date of Birth: 02/20/2002 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) RIVERS, TRAVIS TITWELL Age at Arrest: 32 Date of Birth: 08/09/1992 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF UTTERBACK, RYAN PAUL Age at Arrest: 38 Date of Birth: 08/18/1986 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 01/20/2025 Charge(s): CRIMINAL TRESPASSING POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE Everyone supports some form of school choice. There is little dispute on that issue, but public opinion on politics and policy issues is all over the map. Polling gathers our opinions and experiences on issues, including our knowledge, the impact on us, its importance, and potential actions to be taken. School choice lets families choose schools beyond their neighborhoods, but lack of transportation can hinder the choice. Our data from 2024 told us that 42 percent of rural districts in Tennessee have no private schools, and 84 percent have three or fewer, making it difficult for students to participate. A 2025 Tennessean analysis found that 51 of the state's 95 counties would have no private school options. Additionally, it revealed that more than 90 percent of counties would have five or fewer private schools that could choose to accept vouchers. The article added, Private school options would be largely concentrated in the state's more urban, densely populated counties. So, while we agree that parents should make informed decisions to ensure their child is educated to their full potential, public schools will remain the choice of most parents and are critical to the state and local economies. Here are the types of school choices available in Tennessee. Open enrollment. Families can choose public schools outside their area code through open enrollment, inter-district, and intra-district choice programs. However, public schools prioritize students within district lines. Magnet. Magnet schools or programs offer specialized programs for students with shared interests in public schools. Application and acceptance are required for enrollment. Career Academies. A career academy is the ultimate choice for a specialized high school education. It offers a rigorous college-prep curriculum with a career-oriented focus, comprising diverse academic subjects. Small learning communities integrate technical skills and academics for graduation and college admission. The curriculum aligns with private sector advancements, providing work-based learning opportunities to maximize student potential. International Baccalaureate Program. The International Baccalaureate Program is a rigorous college prep curriculum emphasizing liberal arts and sciences. Initially created in the '60s for a group of international schools, it's now offered in over 5,400 schools worldwide. Hybrid Model. Hybrid homeschooling combines the benefits of both homeschooling and traditional classroom learning. School Vouchers. Voucher programs provide families with partial or complete tuition vouchers to enroll their children in private schools, including religious and non-religious options. Traditional voucher programs. States require private schools to meet voucher criteria and reimburse education funds for tuition. Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Publicly funded savings accounts for parents offer multiple uses, including paying for school-related expenses and college savings. However, they are only available to eligible students. Tax credit scholarships. States offer tax credits to businesses or individuals who donate to scholarship organizations. Eligible students can use funds for tuition at private schools. Universal vouchers. These universal school vouchers are available to all students in the state, including those who already attend private schools and those that had not previously attended public schools. This has the effect of adding new costs to the state education budget. Online Learning. Online learning is education conducted over the Internet, allowing students to work with their curriculum and teachers online. Online schools can be used in a public, private, or homeschool setting. Microschooling. It is a personalized education system tailored to individual student's needs. It has become a popular option since the outbreak of COVID-19 and can be a part of public, private, or charter schools or operate independently. Understanding the various forms of school choice and reading polling questions precisely is crucial. By knowing parents' perspectives and priorities, stakeholders, advocates, and policymakers can better address needs and concerns and ensure all students are fully educated. Now that we are off and running in the 114th Tennessee General Assembly lets communicate using the same language. JC Bowman Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee Twenty-three artists from the greater Chattanooga area, Berlin, London, Israel and the United States in all media are exhibiting in the gallery at the Jewish Cultural Center until Feb. 27. There is no cost to attend.Officials said, "Almost two years ago, Robin Atlas and Nancy Current from the Vector Artist Initiative contacted the Jewish Federation about hosting an exhibit. Founded in 2013, Vector Artist Initiative (VAI) facilitates partnerships between exhibiting Jewish artists and arts organizations interested in using artwork as an educational opportunity for community engagement.VAI had already produced two Radical Kindness exhibits. Previous VAI Radical Kindness exhibits were based around the concept that misery and hatred are the products of a toxic mix of intolerance, supremacism and an unwillingness to listen to what others have to say."The Federation agreed to a joint exhibit with several conditions, including both Jewish and non-Jewish artists, an open call to Chattanooga area artists, and that work would be selected by Ann Treadwell, chief impact officer and gallery curator."Located at 5461 North Terrace, the Center and its programs are open to everyone regardless of religious affiliation. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., or by appointment. For more information visit www.jewishchattanooga.com or call 423-493-0270. A Criminal Court jury on Tuesday sentenced Jason Chen to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Life in prison in Tennessee requires serving 51 full calendar years before there can be parole eligibility. The option the jury chose means no parole consideration. The jury, that was selected in Nashville, earlier found the UTC computer science student guilty of first-degree murder in the savage attack on 22-year-old Jasmine Pace. Authorities said Chen stabbed her 60 times while she was shackled at his apartment in North Chattanooga, then stuffed her body in a suitcase and dumped it along Suck Creek Road. At a sentencing hearing, Chen's mother spoke in a dialect of Mandarin Chinese in a sobbing voice, pleading for the jury to "give him a chance so he can go home and restart his life." She said he was "a very obedient child, diligent in his studies, and who would help with the housework." She said he never got in trouble in school. "We are all a law-abiding family," said Ms. Chen, who has one other child. She said Jason Chen had just a half year left in college and he had plans to study for a masters and get a good-paying job. She said he told her he wanted to help so she would not have to work so hard at their Chinese restaurant. Ms. Chen said "because of a sudden passion he made a mistake." A Chinese interpreter at a remote location was initially used. Afterward, an aunt of Jason Chen got on the line to interpret because the family felt the initial interpreter was missing some of her testimony that was in a separate Mandarin dialect. Ms. Chen was asked several times her family's feelings about the Pace family's loss, and she always returned to talking about her son. The defense then called her husband, who was also asked about the Paces and said, "We understand your hurt. We are so sorry for your loss." Gabrielle Pace, older sister of the victim, told of Jasmine losing their 14-year-old brother, Austin, to an ATV accident and of Jasmine being first at the scene. She said the family had other losses, including a cousin to COVID and their beloved grandmother on the night that Jasmine Pace went over to Chen's apartment, Nov. 22, 2022. She said Chen had never shown any remorse while the family continues to relive Jasmine's tragic final minutes. Jacqueline White, a cousin, went to the witness stand and methodically dropped 60 stones into a jar - illustrating the 60 stab wounds. She said Jasmine was the glue that held the family together, contrasting her with Chen, whom she termed a "sub human and a predatory sociopath." She noted he had also torn up his own family, recalling seeing the Chen mother in the hallway "hyperventilating." Ms. White said Chen "has never shown a shred of remorse in this empty-eyed head. He is beyond saving." Travis Pace, her father, said she was a beautiful, intelligent child who ran the family's very successful business and might have inherited it. He said the family keeps thinking about her final terrifying minutes. District Attorney Coty Wamp said, "All we are asking is that he never get out of prison. Jasmine Pace never got out of that suitcase until she was in a coffin." She also said, "I feel terrible for the Chen family. It's terrible to see his mother up on that witness stand sobbing. Shame on him." He said of Chen that "he took everything that the family gave him and he squandered it." Defense attorney Josh Weiss asked jurors, "Are you willing to grant him the hope of redemption?" He said if Chen got out of prison at age 73 "he would be an old man and no threat to society." The attorney said, "It would still be a life sentence. It's not leniency." A man has been charged in the death of a Rnggold woman whose body was found Monday on the embankment of Emberson Drive in Ringgold. The woman was identified as Jamie Lauren Wiley, 37. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said, "The preliminary results indicate that Jamie Wiley was a victim of a homicide. Fingerprints taken from the autopsy were run through the FBI AFIS system which led to the identification. "On Monday at about 6:30 p.m., the GBI arrested and charged Joseph Shannon Mays, 34, of Locust Grove, Ga., with one count of malice murder. Mays was booked into the Catoosa County Jail. No bond has been set. "The GBI and the Ringgold Police Department would like to thank the Catoosa County Sheriffs Office, the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, and FBI Dalton for their help in this investigation. Thank you also to the Catoosa County Coroners Office and the Catoosa County Fire Department for keeping everyone safe during the crime scene processing and for the dignified recovery of Ms. Wileys body." The body was initially found near South Chickamauga Creek by a person who was walking in the area. Cherokee Nation leaders announced an $80 million settlement with the federal government over the mismanagement of the tribes trust resources during the period of the 20th century. Evangelist Franklin Graham delivered a prayer during President Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025, at the United States Capitol Rotunda. | Screenshot: Fox News via YouTube/ Franklin Graham Facebook Evangelist Franklin Graham delivered a prayer during President Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday, emphasizing God's faithfulness and invoking divine guidance and protection as Trump began his second, non-consecutive term. Addressing the crowd at the U.S. Capitol, Graham acknowledged the challenges Trump faced during former President Joe Bidens term, stating, Mr. President, the last four years, there are times Im sure you thought it was pretty dark, but look what God has done. We praise Him and give Him glory. Graham's prayer drew on verses from Psalms, Daniel, and Samuel to underscore Gods sovereignty over nations and leaders, calling for God to grant Trump wisdom and strength. He likened Trumps leadership to that of the biblical figure Moses, praying, You and you alone saved his life and raised him up with strength and power by your mighty hand. Graham extended his prayers to Vice President J.D. Vance, expressing hope that Vance would be a supportive partner in leadership, comparing him to Aaron holding up Moses arms during battle. The prayer also expressed gratitude for First Lady Melania Trump, praising her beauty, warmth, and grace as an inspiration to the nation and the world. Graham called on Americans to remember their blessings, including freedoms and prosperity, while urging them to remain steadfast in their faith. The prophet Samuel reminded the people it was you that brought them up from the land of Egypt. And he said, Now stand still that I may reason with you before the Lord. He added, We take this moment to stand still, to remember the great things that you have done for this nation. Thank you for the protection, the bounty, the freedoms that we so enjoy; we remember to keep our eyes fixed on you, and may our hearts be inclined to your voice. We know that America can never be great again if we turn our backs on you. We ask for your help. Graham concluded his prayer by invoking Jesus Christ as the King of kings, the Lord of lords. Religious leaders from different faiths, including Rabbi Ari Berman, Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, and Rev. Frank Mann, offered closing prayers during the ceremony. Sewell, pastor of 180 Church in Detroit, Michigan, shared his gratitude for what he called a millimeter miracle that saved Trumps life after an attempted assassination in 2023. He prayed, Heavenly Father, were so grateful that you gave our 45th and now our 47th president a millimeter miracle. We are grateful that you are the one that has called him for such a time as this, that America would begin to dream again. Sewell expressed a desire for all Americansregardless of race or religionto unite, praying, When we let freedom ring, we will be able to speed up that day when all of Your children black men and white men, Protestant and Catholic, Jew and Gentile will be able to sing in the meaning of that old Negro spiritual. Home News Americans crave honesty the most from pastors in the pulpit: study Though some churchgoers might prefer their pastor to be kind, confident, humble, bold or motivating when preaching from the pulpit, the one trait they crave most is honesty, according to a new study from Barna. The study, conducted from Dec. 13-22, 2024, with 2,005 adults and teenagers, asked respondents to imagine listening to the sermon of a Christian pastor or priest and then select from a list of 15 traits, or none of them at all, by importance when preaching, and honesty topped the list. With 11% more support than the next best trait knowledge honesty was selected as the top trait by 48% of respondents. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The other traits selected by order of importance were: knowledge, 37%; compassion, 36%; kindness, 33%; trustworthiness, 32%; humility, 25%; motivating, 23%; confidence, 21%; relevance, 17%; powerful, 16%; generosity, 15%; objectivity, 12%; directness, 10%; involved, 9%; and boldness, 7%; and none of the above, 10%. Above all, our research suggests that people want pastors to be real, Barna researchers noted. Our research finds that people think its more important for a pastor to be honest about their doubts than certain about their beliefs. This also holds true across age demographics, regardless of belief. Its fair to assume that most people are aware pastors dont have all the answers and dont even necessarily want them to, researchers added. Theyd rather have someone who can relate to them as they process their own questions and uncertainties. The study comes as many pastors have been shown to struggle with their jobs, data from an earlier Barna survey show. In 2022, just 35% of pastors said they were more confident in their calling than they had been when they started in ministry. As the world was still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing lockdowns in 2022, some Christian denominations, such as the progressive, LGBT-affirming Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, reported that they were already in the throes of a succession crisis with a national shortage of "at least 600" pastors. Those struggles abated somewhat in 2023, when the share of pastors who said they are more confident in their calling than when they started ministry increased to 51%. Another 39% said they are just as confident. The share of pastors who said they were less confident in their calling also fell from 14% in 2022 to 9% in 2023. More than half of male pastors, 51%, and female pastors, 53%, as well as pastors over age 45, 52%, reported being confident in their role. Some 50% of pastors younger than 45 felt the same. The share of pastors who said they're very satisfied also jumped 7 percentage points between 2022 and 2023, from 52% to 59%. Still, only a minority of younger pastors, 38%, and female pastors, 32%, had this change of heart about being a pastor. Age and gender discrepancies have long lingered within job satisfaction among pastors, and it seems the recent rebound has done little to narrow these gaps, researchers said. The latest insight about the value people place on honesty from the pulpit could be a game changer in ministry, according to Barna researchers. There is a personal, powerful way forward for pastors in this country to lead their churches and their communities. Perhaps it is helpful to see that pastors collective obstacles in cultural leadership may be solved not by focusing on the culture at large but by attending carefully to a pastors own immediate sphere of influence, researchers noted. The opportunities are as real as the challenges for those churches that are willing to change course as needed, empower their pastors to do good for their communities, and reach the people around them with compassion and authenticity. Home News Belief in miracles rising for Evangelicals, black Protestants; Catholics, mainline less likely to believe: survey If you're praying for a miracle in 2025, chances are you're not alone. Belief in miracles has seen a significant increase over the past few decades, specifically among Evangelicals and those with graduate degrees in the United States, according to a recent survey. The findings, which were summarized in a report last September from statistician and pastor Ryan Burge and drawn from the U.S. government's General Social Survey, suggest significant shifts in how Americans view the supernatural, with notable increases in belief among Evangelical Protestants, black Protestants and individuals with higher education. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In 1991, Evangelical Protestants and black Protestants were the most likely groups to report strong belief in miracles, with around three in five (60%) expressing definite belief, while Catholics and mainline Protestants were less inclined to believe. In fact, only 43% of Catholics and 35% of mainline Protestants reported that they "definitely believe" in miracles, the survey found. However, between 1991 and 1998, the period marked a noticeable increase in belief in miracles across all Christian groups. Evangelicals experienced an 11 percentage point jump from 60% to 71%, while Catholics and mainline Protestants reported increases as well. Mainline Protestants, for example, saw a significant rise from 35% to 48%. For Evangelicals, the belief in miracles continued to grow throughout the following decades, the analysis shows. By 2008, 79% of Evangelicals reported a strong belief in miracles, and that number climbed to 81% by 2018, marking a sharp 20-point increase from 1991 to 2018 among Evangelicals. Similarly, belief among black Protestants also grew substantially, jumping 18 percentage points from 60% in 1991 to 78% in 2018. The trend for Catholics and mainline Protestants, however, was slightly different. Both groups saw their peak belief in miracles in 2008, but belief receded somewhat by 2018. Catholics, for instance, dropped from 53% in 2008 to 51% in 2018, while mainline Protestants experienced a decline from 60% in 2008 to 55% in 2018. Despite this, the data still indicates that both groups reported higher levels of belief in miracles in 2018 compared to the early 1990s. Burge's analysis highlights the generational aspect of belief, showing that older generations report increased belief in miracles as they age. For example, individuals born in the 1930s had a 56% belief in miracles in 1991. By 2018, that number had grown to 66%. This data, Burge wrote, indicates that belief in miracles can strengthen over time, especially for older generations. "The data points to a pretty nuanced picture regarding how belief in miracles changes across the life course," wrote Burge, an associate professor at Eastern Illinois University. "It does look like the older generations did report an increase in belief as they aged." Perhaps even more surprising is the rise in belief in miracles among highly educated Americans, who are traditionally seen as more skeptical of supernatural beliefs. According to the report, in 1991, only 45% of Americans with a bachelor's degree said they "definitely believe" in miracles. However, by 2018, that number had risen to 63%. The increase was even more dramatic among those with graduate degrees: in 1991, just 30% of individuals with at least a master's degree reported belief in miracles, but by 2018, that number had surged to 61%. "In the early 1990s, folks with college degrees were significantly less likely to believe in religious miracles than those with a high school diploma," Burge wrote in a tweet. "That's not true anymore. There is no statistical difference between definitely believing in miracles across levels of education." In a Jan. 8 report, The Colson Center's Breakpoint noted that while a rise in secular beliefs in miracles can often pave the way for an openness to the supernatural a belief that, if exploited, could result in massive deception. "Secular spirituality is far from revival," wrote Breakpoint's John Stonestreet and Shane Morris. "Christians know of these other forces capable of counterfeit 'miracles' but that lead away from the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This should cause us to cry out for mercy for those who are being deceived." Home News Bishop rebukes Trump at service, asks him to have mercy on LGBT people, illegal immigrants Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde says for some who pray 'it's not just the loss of an election, but a loss of equality' An Episcopal Church bishop directly addressed President Donald Trump at a worship service held at Washington National Cathedral Tuesday, where she pleaded with him to have mercy on LGBT individuals and illegal immigrants. The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, delivered the sermon at the Service of Prayer for the Nation at the cathedral. Near the end of her sermon, Budde directly addressed Trump, who was seated in the front row alongside his wife, first lady Melania Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, second lady Usha Vance. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In the Name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now, Budde stated. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families. Some who fear for their lives. The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde takes a swipe @realDonaldTrump at the @WNCathedral service, says trans kids and families now "fear for their lives." pic.twitter.com/yd9FRy8VSP Melissa Barnhart (@MelBarnhart) January 21, 2025 The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meat-packing plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals. They may not be citizens, or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. Budde asked Trump to have mercy on people in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away and that you help those who are fleeing warzones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land, she continued. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love, and walk humbly with each other and our God. Earlier in her message, Budde stressed the importance of unity, of respectfully disagreeing with one another, but also expressed concern over what she called the culture of contempt and feared the loss of equality for some who lose in political debates. Budde had been critical of Trump in 2020, when the president held a photo-op just outside of St. Johns Episcopal Church near the White House the day after protesters set fire to part of the church. The President just used a Bible and one of the churches of my diocese as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that our church stands for, stated Budde at the time. Buddes sermon on Tuesday, in which she spoke of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, was part of a large worship service held at the National Cathedral that served as a time for prayer for the country, its newly elected leaders, and the world at large. In addition to the Christian music and liturgy, the service also featured music from a Jewish cantor, a Muslim call to prayer, and readings by representatives of other religions. Prayers were given by various clergy for the president and vice president, as well as other elected officials, the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, those in the armed forces and first responders, and others. The National Cathedral has held an interfaith prayer service the day after the Inauguration since 1933, in which the newly sworn-in president and vice president traditionally attend. In 2021, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, the cathedral held a mostly virtual service, with diverse speakers giving remarks from different locations. Last November, the National Cathedral hosted an Election Day prayer vigil as part of an effort to promote unity and hope amid the divisive partisanship of the election season. We have a breach in our public life, a brokenness that requires us to take on the work of reconciliation, said the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of the National Cathedral, in a statement last year. Jesus command is very clear: 'love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.' That is a tall order, and it requires us to pray for Gods grace, to pray for healing." Home News Christian girl abducted in Pakistan, captors refuse to disclose her whereabouts Five Muslims abducted a 14-year-old Christian girl from outside her home in Pakistan, her father said. Sharif Masih of the Korpur area of Sialkot, Punjab Province, said he fears the kidnappers might try to forcibly convert his daughter, Saneha Sharif, to Islam and force her to marry one of the Muslim suspects. Saneha was lured out of the house (on Jan. 9) by a Muslim girl whose family had recently moved to our neighborhood, Masih told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. A neighbor, Rehan Razaque, saw her being bundled into a van by the accused, which included two women, one of whom was the mother of the girl who had brought Saneha out of her home. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe A sweeper at a wedding marquee who is a member of the Brethren Church, Masih said the suspects included Muhammad Dildar, who had been making unwelcome advances toward his daughter that she always discouraged. He said he informed police as soon as he learned of her abduction. The police registered a case but arrested only two accused, including Samina Usman and Shabbir Ahmed, Masih said. Samina has been sent into judicial custody, while Ahmed is still in police custody, but both of the accused have not yet provided any lead that could help recover Saneha. The Christian father said that police have been lax since making the two arrests and have done nothing to recover his daughter. Despite repeated pleas to the police, they are not making any effort to recover Saneha or arrest the other accused, Masih said. We even gave them some cell phone numbers to trace the whereabouts of Dildar, but nothing has been done to find him. Masih said his poverty and Christian faith were the reasons the police were not responding to his requests. The investigating officer of the case, Assistant Sub-Inspector Ihsan Ullah, is making no effort to track the accused, he said. Its been nearly two weeks Saneha has been missing, and we fear that the accused will force her to convert to Islam and marry Dildar to give a legal cover to their crime. His wife has fallen ill since their daughters disappearance, requiring her to be taken to the hospital twice for treatment, he said. Appealing to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the inspector general of police for intervention, Masih said such brazen criminal acts should be dealt with sternly to protect the vulnerable minority communities. We are very weak and can only plead for the higher authorities to save our daughter from these criminals, he said. The incident drew widespread condemnation from rights advocates. They demanded the government pass a bill pending in the Punjab Assembly since April that would increase the legal age for marriage for both boys and girls to 18 years. The provincial government should pass the new anti-child marriage bill at the earliest to protect minor girls, especially those from the Christian and Hindu minority communities, from forced conversions in guise of marriages, said Christian attorney Lazar Allah Rakha. Until the government passes and strictly implements the new law, minority girls and women will continue to be victimized by predators for sexual exploitation, Rakha said. Pending approval of the bill, the minimum age for girls to marry is still 16. Nationally, the Christian Marriage (Amendment) Act 2024 set the marriageable age at 18 only for Christians; if they convert to Islam, girls considered Muslims come under Sharia (Islamic law), which allows them to marry younger. Typically, kidnapped girls in Pakistan, some as young as 10, are abducted, forced to convert to Islam and raped under cover of Islamic marriages and are then pressured to record false statements in favor of the kidnappers, rights advocates say. Judges routinely ignore documentary evidence related to the childrens ages, handing them back to kidnappers as their legal wives. The U.N.s Human Rights Committee on Nov. 7, 2024, expressed concern about persistent reports of abduction and forced marriages of girls from minority religions in Pakistan, regardless of their age and prevailing law. Forced to convert to Islam under threat of violence, they suffer rape, trafficking and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence. The U.N. body expressed concern about reports of the widespread impunity surrounding these cases. Victims are usually not returned to their families during investigations but forced to stay with their abductors, including members of organized criminal groups, or placed in unnecessary and inappropriate alternative care facilities, with no or limited regard for child protection standards, exposing victims to further risk of exploitation, abuse and harmful practices, the committee stated in its concluding observations on Pakistans second periodic review of its human rights situation. It urged Pakistan to intensify efforts to eradicate forced conversions and marriages, including strengthening its legal framework and enforcement mechanisms. The state party should also ensure that all allegations of forced conversions and forced marriages of girls are promptly, impartially and effectively investigated, that those responsible are brought to justice, and that all victims have access to effective remedies and support services such as adequate shelters, legal aid, psychological counselling and rehabilitation programs, it stated. Pakistan ranked eighth on Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian. This article was originally published at Christian Daily International-Morning Star News Home News IDF launches major new counterterror operation in Jenin as Netanyahu vows to fight Iranian axis everywhere The Israeli army and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of a large-scale counterterrorism operation in the city of Jenin located in Samaria on Tuesday. On the directive of the Security Cabinet, the IDF, the ISA and the Israel Police have today begun an extensive and significant military operation to defeat terrorism in Jenin 'Iron Wall,' Netanyahu stated. This is an additional step in achieving the objective that we have set bolstering security in Judea and Samaria, the premier added. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe We are acting methodically and with determination against the Iranian axis wherever it reaches in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Judea and Samaria and we are still active. The first Palestinian reports said large numbers of military vehicles had entered Jenin, and Israeli aircraft opened fire from the sky. According to the latest updates from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, two people were killed and some 25 were wounded in clashes so far. Israeli media said the operation is expected to last for at least several days and is carried out by IDF troops including special forces, as well as Border Police and Shin Bet forces. Despite statistics showing a decrease in terror attacks in Judea and Samaria, Channel 12 News recently cited Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar warning the political echelon that the quiet could be treacherous. The significant decrease in the scope of attacks in Judea and Samaria is deceptive and does not reflect the scope of terrorism on the ground, Bar told the cabinet some two weeks ago. We recognize a consistent trend of weapon upgrades since Guardian of the Wall, a transition from Molotov cocktails to shooting and from shooting to bomb attacks Bar warned. Israel should learn from Oct. 7 not to allow the strengthening of terrorist elements, and therefore a broad move that changes the situation must be made to collapse and eliminate the phenomenon of the battalions in Judea and Samaria and allow us freedom of action. Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday also warned that The threat to the settlements, the towns and the settlers in Judea and Samaria and the border areas is getting worse. Speaking in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday, Katz noted that Our enemies here and now recognize the possibility that this is the only arena that is open today the only place where there are confrontations, shootings and terrorism against the State of Israel, and therefore the Iranian axis which has operated continues to operate to produce terrorism through financing, targeting and arming. Therefore, the defense minister said he ordered the IDF to act strongly to protect all settlements and residents. According to Channel 12, the operation has been planned for months and was started today due to the failure of the operation of the Palestinian Authoritys security forces to root out the terror in Jenin and the ceasefires that were implemented in Gaza and Lebanon. In their view, the operation has already achieved its goal: they showed the Palestinian public and the entire world that they will no longer accept armed presence on such a scale, an IDF official told Ynet News. This is also their way of signaling to the U.S. and the European Union that they have armed force to control the Gaza Strip instead of Hamas, at least in the parts where Hamas has been beaten the most by the IDF. Despite reported agreements by leaders in the Jenin refugee camp and the P.A., members of the Islamic Jihad-affiliated Jenin Brigade detonated two explosive devices on a vehicle belonging to the P.A. forces on Monday. According to Israeli security sources, the P.A. killed 10 terrorists, including a senior officer, and arrested some 340 terrorist operatives in around a month and a half of fighting. They also found 290 explosive devices, no less than 23 car bombs and many drones. The P.A. reportedly lost six of its fighters in the clashes. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News Meteorologist who went viral for prayer during tornado laid off in corporate restructuring move A Mississippi TV weatherman who became a viral sensation for his heartfelt prayer during a deadly tornado in 2023 is among a number of staffers who have been laid off as a part of a corporate restructuring effort. Matt Laubhan, former chief meteorologist at local ABC affiliate WTVA in northeast Mississippi, became a social media phenom in March 2023 after he prayed on-air for those in the path of a dangerous EF-3 tornado in Amory, Mississippi, a town of about 6,000 residents. "So, Amory, we need to be in our tornado-safe place. We've got new scan coming in here as we speak," he said during an on-air report Friday night as the storm drew closer to the city. "Oh man, like, north side of Amory, this is coming in. Oh man." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Laubhan paused his live broadcast, looked down, and quietly prayed: "Dear Jesus, please help them. Amen." Laubhan then continued his report, pausing briefly to ask staff to check on a colleague's family in the area. WTVA's parent company, Allen Media Group (AMG), announced a restructuring move last May that impacted about 2,500 employees. In October, AMG laid off several WTVA employees. Laubhan, along with his weather team, is set to be replaced by a regional weather service operated by The Weather Channel, AMG's parent company. The restructuring announced by AMG, which affects over 100 meteorologists across 20 stations nationwide, will soon replace local weather forecasting with pre-recorded segments from The Weather Channel. CP reached out to Laubhan on Monday for comment. This story will be updated if a response is received. Laubhan has yet to publicly comment on his layoff but is remembered by many as a beacon of hope and guidance during some of the region's most trying weather events. Laubhan's supporters are voicing their outrage at the decision. One viewer called Laubhan an invaluable local presence whose connection to the region went beyond weather reporting. "Matt is more than a meteorologist to us. He is a neighbor, a friend, and a face we could rely on," north Mississippi resident Helen Thorson said in a Jan. 17 post on Facebook. Another resident, Matt Chisholm, shared an image of a large tree that crashed into a room of his home where Chisholm's then-6-month-old child regularly slept during a storm. "The sobering truth is this had my family and I not heeded the warning of the approaching storm, my baby girl would have been crushed in that pile of rubble and would not be with us today. By the grace of God, between an amateur knowledge of weather, I have been blessed with and affirmation from Matt Laubhan on WTVA, my family and I were safe in a nearby friend's storm shelter as our home was destroyed." Home News Disappointed but not deterred: Trump supporters brave cold temps despite inauguration changes WASHINGTON Supporters of President Donald Trump descended on the nation's capital to celebrate his inauguration on Monday, standing in the cold for several hours to demonstrate their passion for the new commander-in-chief as he took the oath of office inside and out of view, kicking off a second term that his admirers have high expectations for. People traveled from all across the United States and beyond to witness his inauguration as the 47th president, even as dangerously cold temperatures pushed the swearing-in ceremony indoors. While a watch party was held at Capital One Arena a few blocks away, hundreds still gathered on the National Mall, where the ceremony would have taken place, even though there was no way for them to view Trump taking the oath of office. Devin Purcell, an 18-year-old high school senior from Chester County, Pennsylvania, came to D.C. for his first inauguration and said he understands the concern for why the ceremony was moved indoors to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. "It's definitely cold out here," he noted. "It's a little bit disappointing. I wish they would at least have some kind of screens to watch the inauguration, but they don't." Despite the setbacks, he said he was "still out here to support President Trump" and expressed optimism that Trump will usher in "a secure border, lower taxes [and] a better economy." Connie, Jessica and Chach traveled north from Tampa, Florida, to attend the inauguration. While Connie attended President Ronald Reagan's first inauguration in 1981, Jessica and Chach attended an inauguration for the first time this year. The women bluntly expressed disappointment with the fact that the inauguration had moved indoors. "We hate it," she said. "We're mad that they didn't put the screens up." The friends listed "getting our country back" and "making America great again" as developments they hoped to see unfold during the second Trump presidency. Tarek and his wife, Mary, traveled from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to witness Trump's swearing-in. Despite their status as Canadian citizens, what happens in the U.S. has a direct impact on life north of the border. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "It's a historic day. We've been waiting for that moment for the past four years," Tarek said. "His policies have an impact around the world." This year's inauguration, the couple noted, marked the first time they attended such an event, describing their presence in Washington as "a dream come true." Weighing in on Trump's recent comments that Canada should become part of the U.S., Tarek said he sees it "as a way of negotiating and putting pressure on our governor." The couple indicated that they had no plans to move to the U.S., although they expressed excitement about the possibility of Canada becoming part of the U.S. "We see it as a way of negotiating and putting pressure on our 'governor,'" Tarek said, referring to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "Many people want him out of our lives, and we want a change. We want elections, and Trump is helping us through his jokes to put that pressure and have a change in government." While Tarek characterized the inauguration ceremony's move indoors as "disappointing," he and his wife "are glad to be here anyway." Robert Manley traveled from Thomaston, Georgia, to attend his first-ever inauguration. He elaborated on his hometown to CP, highlighting how it had 9,000 people and only "five red lights." "I love my president. I would go anywhere to see him," he said. "I wish he was outside, but I'm just glad I'm here." Manley expressed support for the "America First" movement, adding, "I want to see our economy get better" and see a "secure border." Manley also discussed his desire to see the government "get rid of a lot of the top-down nonsense that the Democrats have shoved down America's throat like the DEI." Nono and Eki, Nigerian-born missionaries currently residing in Houston, Texas, attended an inauguration for the first time this year. Eki expressed hope that the next four years would bring a "better economy, defense of our Christian values defending Israel, being able to free the hostages and better life." Eki brought up "security reasons" and cold weather he described as "very gruesome," indicating that he viewed moving the inauguration indoors as "a good decision" while acknowledging that "we would have loved for it to be out here." "We've been praying for President Trump ever since the treatment that he's been receiving," Eki said. "We wish him well, we pray to God to protect him, help him to make better decisions that will positively affect the masses." Dave Merritt from Flintstone, Georgia, attended an inauguration for the first time this year. "Getting him into office is more important," he replied when asked for his thoughts about the inaugural ceremony moving indoors. "It's a little bit disappointing, but it is what it is." Merritt was optimistic that Trump would "stop a lot of the ongoing wars all over the world" after taking office. He characterized the president as "seasoned," suggesting, "I think he changed a little bit once somebody took a shot at him and tried to another time." "I hope our country can come together and we can stop the war in Ukraine, we can stop what's going on. We can start taking care of our own people," he concluded. A group of Vietnamese immigrants living in Colorado, led by Tuan Truong, attended the inauguration for the first time. Truong hoped that Trump would spend his presidency working to "make America great again" and bring the "economy up." He considered the inauguration moving indoors a "little disappointment" while calling the development "good for [Trump]." Jacob Paul from Broward County, Florida, another inauguration rookie, shared his vision for the next four years with CP. Im hoping for less immigration. Im hoping for less taxes, but also, more importantly, Im hoping for a return to God in this country. Im hoping that in the next four years that we can return back to a Christian civilization, a Christian America. I remember it better when I was a kid, how more religious Americans were, and now its drastically changed, he recalled. The 28-year-old said he did not really mind that the inauguration was taking place indoors, bringing up security concerns and the fact that Trump has faced attempts on his life. While most people who spoke with CP traveled from outside the beltway to attend the inauguration, Luke and Anna already lived in the Washington, D.C., area and wanted to be a part of the ceremony. Luke suggested that even though the inauguration had been moved indoors, Were all here enjoying the energy. The couple agreed that they wanted to see Trump Make America great again during his presidency, referring to his signature campaign slogan. Logan from Ohio also attended a presidential inauguration for the first time. When asked for his thoughts about the ceremony moving indoors, he responded, It sucks but were still here. He hopes that upon taking office, Trump will secure the border," fix whats going on in this country, and that his presidency would result in a more peaceful country. Home News Atheist group sues WV agency over $5M grant for Catholic college to help boost economic development A Washington-based secular atheist legal organization is suing a state agency in West Virginia over $5 million in public funds that it has approved for a Catholic college in Ohio. With members in the state, the American Humanist Association filed the lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County last week over the West Virginia Water Development Authority's October approval of a $5 million grant to the College of St. Joseph the Worker. The Catholic institution of higher education based in nearby Steubenville, Ohio, offers a bachelor's degree in Catholic studies along with construction trades training. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The school applied for a $2.15 million grant to help "create a mission-driven, non-profit construction and real estate development company in West Virginia." The company would employ students in northern West Virginia and provide educational opportunities. The school also asked for $1.65 million to help "increase enrollment and scholarships for West Virginian students," $200,000 to establish a branch of the college in West Virginia and $1 million for "advocacy projects." The secular organization characterized the West Virginia Water Development Authority's action as a violation of "the Guarantee of Freedom of Religion codified in the West Virginia Constitution." A copy of meeting minutes from the West Virginia Water Development Authority's Oct. 10 board meeting shows that the College of St. Joseph the Worker submitted an application for $5 million in Economic Enhancement Grant Funding from the agency on Oct. 4. A copy of the application obtained by The Parkersburg News and Sentinel shows that the money will go toward the construction of a "real estate development and construction company" in Weirton, West Virginia, that will employ its students in "good work" for the purpose of "revitalizing the Ohio Valley." Additional ways the college would use the money include working to establish a "self-sufficient continuing-education operation working out of Weirton" focused on providing students with a "bioethics certificate for continuing education in the medical and psychotherapy fields" as well as the construction of a research center that would "support broadly life-affirming policy in West Virginia." The AHA is seeking a declaration that West Virginia's grant approval violated Article III, Section 15 of the West Virginia Constitution and an order granting the atheist group all "costs and reasonable attorneys fees included in this action." The group argues that the College of St. Joseph the Worker has identified its "curriculum, formation, and even our business model" as "radically Catholic from top to bottom." The West Virginia Constitution states, "No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place or ministry whatsoever." In a statement announcing the lawsuit, AHA Executive Director Fish Stark asserted, "Humanists believe deeply in the freedom of conscience, and this attempt to force West Virginia taxpayers to fund religious activity is an offense against the Constitution and common sense." "As a former West Virginia resident, I believe 'Mountaineers Are Always Free' means your faith is your business no one else, and certainly not the government, has the right to push it on you," he added. The college's founder, Jacob Imam, pushed back on the complaints against its grant application when speaking with WTOV. "We heard that there was an eager opportunity to see real economic development in West Virginia," Imam said. "We thought, 'This is our neighborhood.' We feel that we are part of the Ohio Valley and that is this beautiful area that we're in." Responding to AHA's criticism of its Catholic ideology, Imam asked if the school's "ideology" played any role in the "building, the choosing of buildings, any of the operations included in the final accepted application?" "I really don't think that plumbing, masonry, and carpentry are ideological," he said. "That is what we're trying to do. We're trying to build beautiful buildings. That is something that doesn't matter where you are on the political spectrum, that we all appreciate seeing beautiful and well-built structures around us." The ACLU of West Virginia, which is representing the AHA in its lawsuit against the state agency, contends that West Virginia taxpayers shouldn't be forced to "fund its mission." "Tens of thousands of West Virginians wonder every day where they will get clean drinking water," ACLU-WV Legal Director Aubrey Sparks said. "The College of Saint Joseph the Worker has every right to exist and to educate its students in line with its religious worldview, but to force the taxpayers of West Virginia to fund its mission is wholly inappropriate and unconstitutional." Home News Christians gather in downtown DC to invoke God's blessing on nation A group of Christians gathered at a church in downtown Washington, D.C., earlier this week to entreat God for His blessing on the nation amid a new presidential administration. The Inauguration Praise and Prayer Convocation, which was put on by the Family Research Council at Greater New Hope Baptist Church on Sunday, featured speakers including FRC President Tony Perkins, evangelist Alveda King, jailed Canadian Pastor Artur Pawlowski, Father Frank Pavone and others. The event was held just blocks from Capital One Arena, where President Donald Trump would deliver an address to supporters hours later. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe King, the niece of Martin Luther King Jr., sang and appealed to her uncle's legacy on the eve of his birthday, praying for unity amid a divided nation. "We repent of the sin of racism in our hearts and our nation and in this world where we have misunderstood or intentionally overlooked Acts 17:26, when you say, 'Of one blood, you created all people to live together on this earth that is only one human race in need of our Savior and the blood of Jesus Christ." Let us truly learn to live together as brothers and sisters and not perish together as fools, she continued. "You said in John 17, Lord Jesus, praying, that we all would be one. Lord, teach us to unify and come together and truly obey your word. Let righteousness roll down as waters and justice as a mighty stream." Also in attendance was Pawlowski, the Polish-Canadian pastor who made international headlines for being repeatedly arrested after continuing to hold in-person church services in Calgary, Alberta, during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. I guess we are in good company with your rightful president, Donald J. Trump, said Pawlowski, whose comments prompted applause. We are just good felons in good company of the lions. Pawlowski, who spent 51 days in prison for delivering a sermon to truckers blocking the U.S.-Canada border in 2022, said he believes God had given him a message for "the remnant church" and urged them to be courageous and avoid shirking from the enemy. Instead of running away from the fire, the Lord says we are to run toward the fire, he said. "In the fire, God will deal with our enemies. In the fire, we have a testimony. And in the fire, God is setting us free. In the fire is also our promotion." "So this is the message for the remnant church: Do not, do not, do not run away from difficulties, because God is using what the enemy meant for evil, He's using for good." Pawlowski entreated the Lord that His "perfect will be manifested in your church in the mighty name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth." "God is raising up Joshuas and Calebs and Davids, His champions. It's time for His people to rise up, stand up and push this great evil away. Be blessed in the mighty name of Jesus." The event, which can be watched on YouTube, also featured guests from Armenia, Ukraine and Israel speaking about the troubles afflicting those countries. The two-hour event was replete with many other guests who spoke about the various spiritual issues facing the country, and attendees were encouraged to pray into them. In his closing remarks, Perkins emphasized the need for the church not to seek the approval of those in power, but to serve as the conscience in government. Noting how Inauguration Day fell on Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, Perkins read a quote from the late civil rights leader. "The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority, Perkins read. We cannot speak prophetically to those to whom we're seeking approval, Perkins said. "We do not need the approval of government. We are called as a prophetic voice of God." Perkins added that "the church must understand its authority and its purpose rooted in the power and the calling of God if it is to rediscover its prophetic voice in our time. Church, stand firm in Christ, pray for our leaders and boldly speak the truth of God." Home News ACLU, immigrant advocacy groups, sue Trump over birthright citizenship restrictions A group of progressive organizations have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump over his executive order to end birthright citizenship for children born to parents who are in the United States illegally. The American Civil Liberties Union announced Monday that it and other advocacy groups have filed a complaint against the executive order in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire. In addition to the ACLU and a few state chapters of the progressive legal group, other organizations involved in the litigation include the Asian Law Caucus, the State Democracy Defenders Fund, and the Legal Defense Fund. The groups are acting on behalf of the organizations New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support, League of United Latin American Citizens, and Make the Road New York. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Denying citizenship to U.S.-born children is not only unconstitutional its also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values, said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero, as quoted in the announcement. Birthright citizenship is part of what makes the United States the strong and dynamic nation that it is. We will not let this attack on newborns and future generations of Americans go unchallenged. The Trump administration's overreach is so egregious that we are confident we will ultimately prevail. Shortly after being sworn-in as president, Trump issued a series of executive orders, including one that sought to remove the provision granting automatic citizenship to those born in the U.S. to illegal immigrants. The order will go into effect 30 days after it was signed. Trumps executive order states that while the 14th Amendment says, All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside, it was never meant to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States. The Fourteenth Amendment has always excluded from birthright citizenship persons who were born in the United States but not subject to the jurisdiction thereof, reasoned the order. Further exemptions, according to the order, included when that persons mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth and when that persons mothers presence in the United States at the time of said persons birth was lawful but temporary. As such, the order prohibits the government from issuing documents recognizing United States citizenship for newborns whose mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the persons father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth, or (2) when that persons mothers presence in the United States was lawful but temporary, and the persons father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth. World Relief, a Christian humanitarian organization that receives federal funding to assist with immigrant and refugee resettlement in the U.S., took issue with Trump's executive order, arguing that the measure was unconstitutional and shortsighted. There is a process to amend the U.S. Constitution, of course, but this is not it, stated Matthew Soerens, vice president of advocacy and policy at World Relief. In any case, such a change would be shortsighted. Birthright citizenship has served the United States well. Our government estimates that about 11 million immigrants are currently residing in the United States unlawfully; had their children also been born without legal status, wed have far more individuals residing unlawfully in our country, denied both the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and prohibited from fully contributing to what thanks to the 14th amendment is their country as much as it is any other Americans. In 1898, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-2 in the case of United States v. Wong Kim Ark that an individual born in California was indeed a citizen of the United States, even though his parents were Chinese nationals. Home News Trump moves to withdraw US from WHO over agency's handling of pandemic, failure to reform President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day back in office to begin withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), a move that some scientists and faith leaders warn could reverse decades of progress in combating infectious diseases such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The order halts future U.S. funding to the WHO, recalls federal personnel and contractors working with the agency and directs officials to identify alternative partners to handle activities previously managed by the WHO. The decision, which still requires congressional approval, marks Trumps second attempt to sever ties with the United Nations specialized health agency in less than five years. Experts caution that withdrawing from the WHO could weaken global defenses against emerging health threats and pandemics. The U.S. has historically been the WHOs largest donor, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars annually and supplying personnel with specialized expertise. The WHOs annual budget ranges from $2 billion to $3 billion, and the U.S. has provided between $160 million and $815 million each year over the past decade. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Trump first sought to withdraw from the WHO in July 2020, citing its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Joe Biden reversed that decision on his first day in office in January 2021, but Trump has now revived the withdrawal plan, citing concerns over WHO governance, financial contributions and alleged political influence. The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 due to the organizations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states, the executive order states. The order also criticized WHOs funding structure, noting that China, with a population three times that of the U.S., contributes nearly 90% less to the organization. In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries assessed payments, it adds. Concerns over the impact on global health collaboration The U.S. withdrawal could disrupt WHO-coordinated initiatives, such as the yearly determination of flu vaccine compositions and access to critical genetic databases used to develop medicines and immunizations. Agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may also face challenges in collaborating with WHO. During Trump's previous effort to withdraw from WHO, some Christian leaders also expressed concerns about the decision. Like all organizations, the WHO has made mistakes, but it remains a vital network for strengthening collaboration and strategic response, said Elijah M. Brown, general secretary and CEO of the Baptist World Alliance at the time, as quoted by Good Faith Media. He expressed his disappointment that the United States would choose to withdraw support and further erode institutions and relationships that foster health and well-being at a global level, and cautioned that the decision imperils a range of ongoing coordinated WHO responses to Ebola, leprosy and malaria that will further jeopardize lives. As faith leaders, we hold onto the biblical convictions both to pray for our governments and to work to honor the inherent dignity in all people by nurturing the seeds of compassion and just peace, Brown concluded. WHO expresses regret over Trump's decision WHO has faced criticism for its early pandemic response, including advising against mask usage and failing to recognize airborne transmission of COVID-19 until late in the pandemic. The agency has also been embroiled in a sexual abuse scandal, with reports of health workers assaulting women during the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a statement Tuesday, WHO expressed regret over Trumps decision. We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, the organization said, according to The Associated Press. For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication, the statement added. WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic noted at a news briefing in Geneva that the U.S. accounted for 18% of WHOs 2023 budget, making it the single largest contributor. He declined to comment on the potential impact of the U.S. withdrawal on the organizations operations. This article was originally published by Christian Daily International. President Trumps Inauguration, Biden Pardons Fauci And Others, SF Halts Trans Income Program link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:17 07:17 Top headlines for Tuesday, January 21, 2025 In this episode, we start with former President Donald Trump's unconventional second oath of office and his divine perspective after surviving an assassination attempt. Then, we shift focus to the final days of President Joe Biden's administration, where he made the bold choice to grant pardons to notable figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci and retired General Mark Milley, along with members of his family, sparking conversations across the nation. Finally, we explore the controversial decision by San Francisco officials to shut down a guaranteed-income program for trans-identified individuals, highlighting the ongoing debates around inclusive economic support. ?Follow Us on Social Media ?Get the Edifi App ?Subscribe to Our Newsletter ?Links to the News Home Opinion Where on earth did we get this idea that men dont cry? Earlier this week, late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel struggled to get through his segment when the topic turned to the horrific fires that have been ravaging much of southern California. It has been terrible, he said candidly, his voice breaking at the mention of how many of his friends and co-workers had already lost their homes. And it HAS been terrible. To date, at least 27 people have died in the fires, and 31 more are missing. Its hard to conceptualize just how many peoples lives will be dramatically altered by the loss of more than 12,000 buildings including schools, restaurants, businesses, and homes. Its a truly awful situation, one where tears and grief are an entirely appropriate response. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Kimmel finished his segment with a (probably unnecessary) potshot at Donald Trump, but political jabs aside, I felt for the guy on a very human level. These are difficult days for a lot of people, including celebrities. Having millions of dollars does not exempt anyone from their humanity or from grief when bad things happen. So I was horrified to log into Twitter to see The Babylon Bees Joel Berry eviscerating Kimmel for his segment: Good God, Berry fumed, Youre not being paid to cry like a little girl on stage. Your role is to give people a little laugh in a difficult time. If you cant hack it, get off the stage, you low-T narcissist. Disgusting and pathetic. Now to be fair, it seemed obvious to me that Berry was mostly lashing out because of Kimmels comments about Trump, but be that as it may, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, and his vitriol revealed a pervasive pattern in many of todays Christian attitudes toward manhood, and its one I think we really need to address. Crying like a little girl. Low-T narcissist. Disgusting and pathetic. This is how much of conservative Christian culture has conditioned men to respond to any hint of emotion other than rage. This is the prescription for manliness: Lock it up, bury it, and throw away the key. We actively train men that its shameful to cry. Think Im overstating my case? Hardly. Consider the following statements from prominent male leaders in the manosphere: It's okay for a man to cry, but it's preferable if nobody else sees it or hears it. You can't afford to lose respect, or have those who depend on you freak out. She may encourage you to share your tears as a way of bonding. This is risky and unwise. Don't be seduced. Tell son. @TellYourSonThis A man should not cry in public. If you cry, no one will sympathize with you. In fact, you will be punished severally for crying. If you want to cry, go and punch your bedroom wall or go lift wights in the gym. @amerix When we say that men shouldnt cry, it is not just a joke. Theres an important truth here. The world needs men to pick up their burdens, shoulder them quietly, and get on with business. The more that men become emotional and soft, the more that society ceases to function as it should. We need emotion and softness. Thats why we have women. We also need toughness and hardness. Thats why were supposed to have men. The men who fulfill this duty are accused of being unfeeling, of lacking depth, but the truth is that they have a depth that people like James cant even begin to comprehend. And she probably never will. She has accessed only the surface level of the male experience, and shes already fleeing for the hills. If she ever got the entire thing I mean if she was actually able to fully inhabit the mind, the inner life, of a man it would be torture for her. As it would be for any woman. Thats because women are not meant to carry the burden of manhood, any more than men are meant to carry the burden of womanhood. We are where we belong. Which is the identity we were born with. We cannot comprehend what its really like to have any other identity. Matt Walsh I could find dozens and dozens of these receipts. The consensus seems to be that emotion is for the womenfolk. Men need to be soldiers. Men should not cry. Its a severe overcorrection of a widespread societal resilience deficiency. It belongs to a school of thought that fantasizes, If we could just go back to the good old days of 1950s America, everything would be okay again without any sense whatsoever of just how NOT okay things actually were back then. Ive blogged about this before, about how during WW2, more than half a million service members suffered some sort of psychiatric collapse due to combat. And when they returned from war and bottled their emotions, their families suffered. Seriously, how many people have stories about grandpas temper? Stories that are really just about his undiagnosed PTSD and the way the family orbited around it while pretending everything was okay? And why do we suppose the male suicide rate is so astronomically high? Between 2015-2020, fully 122,178 American men died by suicide, compared to the 19,297 women who took their own lives. Is this what they mean when they insist that women are the emotional ones? Really? While the manosphere might suggest that these numbers indicate an inability to bottle emotions, I would argue that its more likely men do not know how to process their emotions. It turns out its pretty consequential when we teach boys that its a shame to cry. And its not anything close to a biblical model at all. 1 Samuel 30 comes to mind where David and his men find that their enemies have burned down Ziklag and taken their wives and children captive. David is an alpha male. Hes literally killed bears and lions with his bare hands. Hes conquered giants. Hes a man of war. And what does the Bible say he does? He weeps until he can weep no more. Thats a lot of crying. It doesnt say that he hid in his tent and quietly brushed away a few rogue tears to save face. Hes not sitting there worried about preserving his man card. No. He openly, passionately weeps, and he doesnt care who knows about it. Then he pulls himself up by his bootstraps and annihilates the Amalekites. Crying isnt weakness. Its an entirely appropriate response to grief in embodied people who recognize that emotions are a design feature, not a flaw, in thriving, healthy humans. How on earth can we expect men to worship God with their whole heart, mind, and strength, if weve conditioned them to wage war on their wholeheartedness by bottling all their emotions and pretending they dont exist, or worse, that they are the enemy? Where on earth did we get this idea that men dont cry? How have we gotten to the point where we actually convinced ourselves that performative stoicism is Gods design for men? Its just wild to me. In the Old Testament, they would actually pay people to be professional wailers to help lead others in drawn-out public displays of grief. And again, it wasnt just the women who participated here. They wore sackcloth and ashes. They paraded their grief through the city streets. Sometimes people would be in official mourning for fully 70 days. No one accused the men who participated of having low testosterone. No one called them pathetic or disgusting for crying out loud. In 2 Corinthians 2:7, Paul (another alpha male) expresses that hes written this letter through many tears. Peter wept bitterly when he denied Christ (Luke 22:62). Joseph cried so loudly when he was reunited with his brothers that the Egyptians heard him from the other room (Genesis 45:2). Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. Even Jesus wept. Theres a way to teach fortitude, resilience, and mental toughness that does not wage war on Gods design for human emotion. Its rooted in deep security and health, not fear of man or an egotistical need to save face or bully others with the courage to risk vulnerability. God says He saves our tears in a bottle. Theres no footnote anywhere that I can find explaining that this service is only provided to women. He cares about our hearts. If theres a war on men, is it possible that some of it is coming from inside the house? If men are in crisis, maybe its because they were designed to be emotional creatures and we keep telling them that their emotions are pathetic. They have nowhere to put them no socially sanctioned outlet but rage. Let men cry. And then let them pull themselves up by their bootstraps and soldier on. Both parts are necessary and healthy. There is already a massive anticipation for the upcoming Galaxy S25 series which will be unveiled by Samsung later this week via the Unpacked event, but new rumors are already bringing down hopes for US users. In a new report, it was revealed that Samsung will not bring the Galaxy S25's "Slim" variant to the country when it drops later this year, and American users are only getting the three standard versions of the device. Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim Is Not Coming To The US A new report from PhoneArena unveiled that the upcoming Galaxy S25 Slim is not coming to the United States despite the company unveiling it later this week via the Unpacked event that will be held in San Jose. This was based on a recently acquired list of territories which listed the countries that will be receiving the thinner variant of the smartphonewhich would be available later this year. There are massive expectations and fame for the Galaxy S25 Slim variant as it would feature the thinnest from this series, and it is set to only measuring 6.4 millimeters in thickness which is 1.8mm thinner compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Like its upcoming siblings, the Galaxy S25 Slim would also feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm's latest flagship chipset that is more capable of running AI systems and experiences, paired with 12GB of RAM, and more. Only 39 Countries Are Getting the Galaxy S25 Slim The US is known to be one of the major markets for Samsung's smartphone lineup, especially the Galaxy S series flagship. However, it will also be a limited release that will only be available to 39 countries worldwide and is not exactly a wide release. According to the report, it will be available on these territories only: Afghanistan. Australia, Austria, Brazil, Caucasus, Croatia, Egypt, France, India, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia/Montenegro, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. Samsung's Galaxy S25 Series Is Coming Soon There is massive excitement that was built up behind the South Korean tech giant's Galaxy S25 series as it is set to deliver another significant release for the flagship lineup, following its success with the S24 series. However, while there are not many changes coming to the next-gen smartphone, it will feature a Galaxy S25 Slim variant that would go toe-to-toe against Apple's iPhone 17 Air later this year. Right at the start of the year, the rumors behind the Galaxy S25 series have been coming from many sources as its unveiling date is nearing, with the first Unpacked event of the year set to share the latest developments from Samsung. That being said, it was rumored that Samsung will feature four colors for the S25 base models including Silver, Navy, Icy Blue, and Mint, while the S25 Ultra will offer Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium Black, and Titanium Gray. After initially being rumored that the Galaxy S25 series would feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, later leaks claimed that it will instead equip the new flagship chipset from the company, its Snapdragon 8 Elite. Despite the nearing showcase of the Galaxy S25 series, more rumors are coming in to share more intricate details behind the device, including its Galaxy S25 Slim variant that would be avoiding US availability. (Photo: Unsplash) "When it comes to children and sexuality, we're in World War 3." James Parker brought this warning to a hybrid (in person and online) conference based in a London church on Monday January 6. Gay conversion therapy bans Himself a former gay activist, James warned that the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act passed in Victoria State in Australia in 2021 would be used as a foundation for introducing similar laws around the world. In a crackdown more akin to a Marxist approach of silencing any dissenting view, the legislation makes it a criminal offence to help anyone move towards heterosexuality or suggest it is 'normal' or affirm their biological sex; to suggest embracing chastity or offer Biblical insight on sexual mores. James noted that many institutions around the world have been influenced by a very few people with very loud voices arguing that it is a human right to express and practice same-sex orientation and behaviour, and a crime to suppress it. Loving the lost into the Kingdom Our self-perceived sexuality is formed through our emotional responses to our environment. To those who have embraced a gay identity, James stresses that the question to pose is 'Do you want/need more loving?', and to lead them thus to Jesus, the Great Lover, and his mercy, grace and forgiveness. For James, people who have felt unloved need to feel loved. Christians are called to cooperate with God's Spirit here, and realise they cannot walk alongside such individuals unless they realise they too have missed the mark - i.e. sinned - and are broken. Don't we all need a Saviour and on a daily basis? Local church leaders were encouraged to welcome and care for the LGBTQ while not approving their behaviour. In this context, the excellent work of Living Waters, which equips and resources the church, was promoted. Bridge-building is key. James presently speaks to (and prays with) lesbian activists, for instance, and partners with Gays Against Groomers to protect children. James appreciates process, sees the person first and appreciates how many are victims of all sorts, including of child sexual abuse (as was he). Those 'committed SS relationships' James goes where few will go, and says the unsayable about 'committed SS relationships'. While with his perfect boyfriend, Steve, he had 200 or so other sexual partners. Steve is now dead, as are almost all his other gay mates from his past. Though there are perhaps many happy exceptions, 'faithfulness' is not automatically exclusive (i.e. monogamous), yet most heterosexuals have little idea such is the case. War on children James showed the alarming clip from the San Francisco Gay Men's Choir: 'We'll Convert Your Children': think Blitzkrieg. The track goes on to say, 'We'll convert your children, happens bit by bit, quietly and subtly, and you will barely notice it ... We'll make them tolerant and fair'. Many Christian entities appear blissfully ignorant, apathetic or complacent about the pan sexual revolution impacting youngsters marinated in all things LGBTQ. Sometimes it is a case of DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell). Sadly, the church is often loathe to engage in these minefields, and prefers to invest in 'safe', politically-correct topics when not 'preaching the Gospel'. However, in this case, silence is not golden but culpable. Aslan on the move James gave encouraging example after example of ex-LGBTQ groups and networks around the globe. They are comprised of individuals who have changed and are continuing to change for the better. Some are able to marry and have their own children, such as James. Perhaps the most encouraging thing James said was how God is speaking directly to gay individuals and working in their lives, quite apart from any human involvement. HE is seeking and saving the lost, moving them out of often tragic, dark lifestyles and into far happier, holier, healthier ones. Aslan is on the move! Wake up call Parents were urged to examine school sex education programmes, which frequently groom youngsters to engage in high risk sex 'when they feel ready'. Those promoting the gay agenda seek to influence children to believe that all forms of sexual behaviour are equal in value. This is part of an attack on the basic identity of humanity, the image of God in two genders brought together in marriage, in preparation for the marriage supper of the Lamb. Questions from participants were raised and addressed throughout the four-hour conference which has been recorded. Participants were urged to encourage Christian leaders to recognise the fundamental clash with a biblical view of life posed by the gay activists, but that they also had, in the love and mercy of God in the gospel and the community of the local church, the means to bring healing from the effects of unhealthy factors during people's childhood and adolescence. Dangerous place Albert Einstein's insight comes to mind in terms of both the GCT bans and children's welfare: 'The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.' Dr Lisa Nolland is CEO of the Marriage, Sex and Culture Group, London. More by Dr Lisa Nolland: Going, Going, Gone? LGBTQ and young people Why I could not attend a same-sex wedding The Church of England and LGBTQ part 2: how can we really help? Franklin Graham delivering the invocation prayer at President Donald Trump's inauguration. (Photo: Fox News) American evangelist Franklin Graham used his invocation prayer during Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday to pray for God's blessing on the US President and his next four years in office. In his prayer, Graham touched on the assassination attempt that nearly took Trump's life last July and said that God alone had saved him. "Father, when Donald Trump's enemies thought he was down and out, You and You alone saved his life and raised him up with strength and power by Your mighty hand," he said. "We pray for President Trump, that You'll watch over, protect, guide, direct him. Give him Your wisdom from Your throne on high. We ask that You would bless him and that our nation would be blessed through him." Graham then thanked God for First Lady Melania Trump whom he praised for her "beauty, warmth, and grace", and prayed for Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance. Before concluding, he prayed for Americans to be faithful to God. "We remember to keep our eyes fixed on You, and may our hearts be inclined to Your voice," he said. "We know that America can never be great again if we turn our backs on You. We ask for Your help." Graham, the son of late evangelist Billy Graham, was a strong supporter of Trump's policies during his last administration. In 2019, he said that his father had voted for Trump and "believed that Donald J Trump was the man for this hour in history for our nation". Writing on social media after the inauguration, Graham asked his 10 million followers to pray for President Trump. During Monday's inauguration prayers were also offered by Rabbi Ari Berman, Pastor Lorenzo Sewell and Rev Frank Mann. Sewell prayed, "Heavenly Father, we're so grateful that you gave our 45th and now our 47th president, a millimeter miracle. We are grateful that you are the one that has called him for such a time as this, that America would begin to dream again." Trump did not waste any time getting started on his campaign promises, signing off a succession of presidential orders on a range of issues. On day one, he removed the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, started the process to withdraw from the World Health Organization, and declared a "national emergency" at the southern border. He also moved to end birthright citizenship and pardoned over 1,500 January 6 Capitol rioters. Hyacinth McIntosh (Photo: Christian Concern) The family of a Christian woman who was removed from life support despite their objections is condemning the decision as a violation of her wishes. Her children say her religious convictions and right to life were disregarded by a court order. Hyacinth McIntosh, 54, was removed from life support and denied hydration against her wishes and beliefs, her family has said, according to Christian Concern. A Court of Protection ruling last November authorised McIntosh's ventilator, feeding and hydration to be withdrawn, leading to her death on December 25, 2024. Legal documents state that McIntosh had been in a coma since May, when she experienced a heart attack followed by severe brain damage. McIntosh's family repeatedly voiced objections to the withdrawal of artificial hydration, pointing to her Christian faith and her stated view on "the sanctity of life," according to The Telegraph. Her daughter, Shanika Davis, said the entire experience, including a refusal by clinicians to provide fluids, compounded their grief. "How my mother died was beyond cruelty. There was no dignity or respect, and we refuse to believe that it was in her 'best interests' to die." She added, "Our wishes as a family and my mother's right to life have been trampled on by the hospital and the courts." McIntosh was kept alive by artificial ventilation and nasogastric feeding until December 14, when these life-saving methods were removed pursuant to the court order, according to court documents. Despite a last-minute legal challenge, these devices were removed. McIntosh continued to breathe on her own until she died on Christmas Day. McIntosh's Christian convictions meant she would have wanted to remain on life support, leaving the final outcome in what they said would be "God's hands," said the family. Doctors and judges "condemned her to a cruel death from dehydration" rather than revisiting their earlier conclusions, Davis was quoted as saying. She said the family was unable to seek alternatives, including potential transfer to a different medical facility, because the Court of Protection had placed reporting restrictions on the case. King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust carried out the withdrawal of artificial ventilation, feeding, and hydration immediately following the court decision. A spokesman for the trust was quoted as saying that continuing treatment was not in her best interests. McIntosh's daughter obtained the support of professor Sam Ahmedzai, a retired palliative care physician who had contributed to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on end-of-life care. In his evidence to the Court of Protection, Ahmedzai called the denial of fluids "cruel, inhuman and degrading." He further noted, as quoted by the Telegraph: "There is no justification for withdrawing existing nasogastric hydration and feeding in such a case, even after withdrawal of assisted ventilation. Even if, after extubation, [McIntosh] lives for only a matter of days, then removal of the NG tube would be an unnecessary and unusually cruel, degrading and inhuman thing to do." Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is Christian Concern's legal arm, said: "This story raises the spectre of how vulnerable patients and families will be treated under any 'assisted dying' legislation. It's highly concerning. Good law protects life, does not blur boundaries and should never promote death." McIntosh's relatives are pressing to have "dehydration" listed as her immediate cause of death, but they have been informed it will not appear on her death certificate. The Christian Post (Photo: Getty/iStock) Christians recently gathered in London to find out how they can better support people struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction. They heard from James Parker, an ex-gay Christian from Australia who regularly speaks to churches and faith groups about how they can engage with these issues as a church and in wider society. Parker told stories of hope about people who have been helped by therapy for unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria, including people who were formerly drug dependent and caught up in prostitution, and people who have become happily heterosexual or are experiencing greatly diminished same-sex attraction. Despite these positive experiences of change, several Australian states have introduced draconian conversion therapy bans that threaten to impose huge fines and imprisonment for breaches, which potentially include suggesting chastity or offering prayer. Some supporters of a conversion therapy ban in the UK see the Australian states as a model for what could be introduced here. "Even if you want therapy and even if it's proven to be beneficial and even if you've got people supporting you and you're saying 'please, please, please', nope, that's criminal," said Parker of the situation in Australia. He called the bans "totalitarian" and said he feared a "slippery slope". "Will this bring about ultimately ... the eradication of the Lord's Prayer from the state of Victoria? Highly likely, yes," he said. Meeting church and faith leaders around the world, Parker said that many of them are "scared" to speak up on the issue and that it is up to the grassroots to work for change. "We are in World War Three, it's just that it's an invisible war and it is literally [trying] to decimate an entire generation in our land," he said. Despite the challenges across many countries, especially in the West, he said that people continue to be set free. "The hunger is out there (for help) and the work is happening," he said. "There are literally hundreds of thousands of stories out there that we need people to start sharing on social media ... We need others to know that change is possible and it's not about even being gay or straight. "It's about the fact that we all need to move towards a place of holiness and we all need to move away from those layers of maturing sin towards maturing dignity and righteousness as well." He urged churches to be places of welcome for LGBT people and to speak the truth in love, recognising that it is about a person's soul and that "souls need to understand mercy". Seen in this light, he said it was important not to be "preachy" or "imposing" but to do it in such a way as to open up discussions. "God is calling people to Himself, God's doing it but we the church for the most part aren't ready to receive them or to understand them or to walk with them," he said. "I hope there is respect, compassion and sensitivity in the way I speak. There comes a point in all our lives when ultimately the truth needs to be spoken but it's a great injustice to pour truth upon somebody when they have no understanding of mercy and forgiveness." He continued, "When you give people an environment in which to be able to discuss these things and they feel that they're not going to be judged, then what happens is people are often really quite quick to tell you what some of the hurdles are that they've never got over and need to get over." He added, "If we're not careful, we still see it as a 'them' and an 'us' ... The more that we see this as a collective of all of us and not an 'us' and 'them', the sooner we will also see an advancement of the Kingdom and the healing power of the Lord able to be at work." We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form The Council of Europe is launching the international call for tenders for the development of an IT tool (software) for the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova For detailed information, follow the link. Deadline for submission of tenders is February 16, 2025. Alte articole de la acest autor: Moldova pentru Educatie: Liceul Teoretic O. Ghibu din Orhei va avea unul dintre cele mai moderne blocuri alimentare din tara By Olivier Le Moal, Adobe The Civil Society Group (CSG) has called on the government to prioritise long-term financial support for charities and their local commissioners as part of its ongoing spending review. CSG, which represents over 80 infrastructure and membership organisations, has issued a letter to the government outlining the sectors priorities for the review, the outcome of which is likely to be published in June. The letter signed by 22 charity leaders including the chief executives of NAVCA, ACEVO and NCVO urges the government to move to a multi-year local government funding settlement and the removal of competitive funding pots. It says it would bring greater stability to local councils and their partnerships with the voluntary and community sector, particularly regarding charities delivery of public services. The letter asks the government to make a clear commitment to multi-year funding and provide clarity on how funding will be distributed, which would end the current uncertainty. It also urges the chancellor and the respective authorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland to fund and support their respective charity regulators so that they can better support and regulate the sector. For a strong voluntary and community sector, high-quality public services, and resilient communities across the UK, fair and sustainable funding multi-year settlements are essential, it states. To make this a reality, the UK government and devolved administrations must commit to working collaboratively as part of the budgetary process. CSG also set out near-term actions, which are low-cost and impactful, that the government could take. These short-term recommendations include allocating match-funding for places or causes crucial to the governments mission delivery, appointing a dedicated philanthropy champion in government and reinstating mandatory reporting of corporate charitable giving to encourage companies to increase their contributions to the voluntary sector. The sector continues to face increasing demand Richard Sagar, head of policy of Charity Finance Group, which is also part of the CSG, said: This spending review submission is an opportunity to highlight the contribution civil society makes to communities across the country, and to the governments missions. Whilst the chancellor has been clear that the government wants to maintain its fiscal rules, our recommendations could be implemented for little cost, yet could allow charities to maximise their impact. The sector continues to face increasing demand for services, whilst managing lower incomes and increased costs forcing charities to do more with less. By offering support for the sector, which delivers around 17bn worth of public services, the government can maximise the positive impact charities can have on the people and causes they serve. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. The return of Donald Trump to the White House has prompted predictable worries among many DC-based reporters about how his administration might seek to control and intimidate the press. But for a surprising number of people on the daily White House beat, that concern is mixed with another, more privately expressed emotion: relief at finally being rid of the Joe Biden press operation. I think its important for people to understand the context, that were coming out of four years of Biden and things havent been great, one White House print reporter told CJR. Thereve been fewer eyeballs on the press briefings and less attention than under Trump, so people just dont understand some of the very frustrating things that weve dealt with and that we hope are going to be rolled back. Among those frustrations: the Biden press office largely kept reporters at a remove from the president, whoas Cameron Joseph noted here last yearhad agreed to far fewer formal interviews than any president before him. Instead, White House reporters say, the Biden team preferred to offer background quotes from in-house experts whose job it was to speak to the press; when the president did meet with a large number of outlets, like during his pre-election rounds of interviews on Black radio stations, it was through highly orchestrated conversations, sometimes including preapproved lists of questions. Inside the briefing room, reporters who didnt hold coveted front-row seats felt they got much less opportunity to ask questions. For a lot of people, what was the point in even going? said a veteran White House reporter. Trump, on the other hand, adores the attention of the media, even as he frequently maligns the reporters themselves. During his first term, he regularly chatted with White House reporters during strolls to Marine One, and held a number of high-profile, if occasionally ill-conceived, televised sit-downs, with everyone from Axioss Jonathan Swan to Barstool Sports Dave Portnoy. (On his first night back, Trump spent forty-five minutes casually answering media questions in the Oval Office, while he signed executive orders.) Despite his sometimes strident and sometimes even violent rhetoric about the press, he loves talking to us, the print reporter said. And his teamthey like talking to us, and they know that theyre going to have a huge audience. I actually think the team thats coming in is not going to be as horrific as people might imagine, the veteran White House reporter said. Its not going to be like the first Trump term, where nobody had any idea what they were doing. Sign up for CJRs daily email Long gone are the days of Sean Spicer and his widely derided early press conferences, where he insisted that Trumps inauguration saw the largest audience to ever witness an inaugurationperiodboth in person and around the globe. (He later said he regretted saying this.) Or Stephanie Grisham, Trumps third press secretary, and the first in history not to hold a single press briefingover an entire nine-month tenure. Incoming press secretary Karoline Leavitt and communications director Steven Cheung are seen by White House reporters as full MAGA, but theyre also professionals, as the veteran reporter put it. Were a no-bullshit operation and were focused on the mission, Cheung told CJR last week. The press who have worked with us in the last two years understand that, and so they are better prepared to work with us. Those who dont understand that are just undercutting themselves. Thats not to say there arent significant unknowns and reasons for concern. The White House Correspondents Associationthe independent organization of reporters that traditionally controls, among other things, the seating chart inside the White House briefing roomis facing the possibility that Trumps team will insist on major changes. In December, The Hill reported that the incoming administration was considering dramatically expanding who had access to the briefing, possibly including fringe right-wing outlets or some of the podcasters Trump turned to during the campaign. It would be a total mess, The Hill quoted a White House reporter as saying. I would expect people would probably boycott the briefings, though that would put certain outlets in a tough spot, deciding if they want to go along with what the Trump people are trying to pull. There are also tensions brewing around the Correspondents Association itself. The current leader of the organization, Politicos Eugene Daniels, is widely respected and liked among White House reportersbut not by many inside Trumpworld, who see him as overly sympathetic to former vice president Kamala Harris. (He bet on the wrong horse, a Trump transition official told CJR.) According to multiple sources among the White House press corps and Trump transition team, Daniels recently made a trip to Mar-a-Lago to meet with the transition team in an attempt to smooth over any lingering tensions. (Last summer, Daniels spoke to CJRs podcast The Kicker about Harriss rise. He and the Correspondents Association did not return a request for comment for this article.) Meanwhile, for some younger members of the White House press corps, who didnt experience Trump the first time around, this is their chance to be close to something thats all but guaranteed to be historic and unpredictable. There are some reporters who covered Trump in his first term and were like, That was a mess, I cant do that again, and are kinda phasing out, a millennial reporter on the Trump beat said. But its a huge story and could be a really consequential presidency. U.S. automaker General Motors and its subsidiary OnStar agreed not to disclose sensitive vehicle geolocation and driver behavior data to consumer reporting agencies for five years, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said last week. The agency alleged the largest U.S. automaker collected, used, and sold drivers precise geolocation data and driving behavior information from millions of vehicles, which can be used to set insurance rates, without notifying consumers and obtaining consent. Related: Texas Lawsuit Alleges Allstate Illegally Collects Driver Data The vehicles automatically collected data on hard braking, late night driving, and speeding and sold that data to consumer reporting agencies without permission from drivers. The agencies used the data to compile reports that insurance companies then sometimes used to deny insurance and in some cases raise rates. GM said in a statement that it had ended its Smart Driver program last year. It had designed the program hoping to promote safe driving by analyzing and giving drivers feedback on their driving habits. Related: Suit Says OnStar, LexisNexis Shared Driving Data with Insurers, Spiking Rates Were more committed than ever to making our policies and controls clear and accessible as we continue to evolve the driving experience for our customers, GM said. The company must also obtain driver consent to collect data, and allow them to delete or limit data as part of the settlement. The case is one of several the Democratic-led FTC was releasing ahead of President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration on Monday. The FTCs two Republican commissioners did not vote. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat, praised the settlement to protect Americans privacy against automakers who sold detailed location data to insurance companies. (Reporting by Singh in Washington and Godoy in California and Shepardson; Editing by David Gregorio) The largest U.S. auto trade group wants a federal court to block a Biden administration rule requiring carmakers to install automatic emergency braking systems on new vehicles that the industry argues is impractical. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation on Friday said it petitioned an appeals court in Washington to review a rule finalized by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last April. The rule mandates that carmakers equip their vehicles with automatic braking systems capable of avoiding contact with vehicles in front of them at speeds up to 62 miles per hour. The Alliance, whose members include Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co., Stellantis NV, Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp., argues the braking rule is not feasible with current technology. The group notes that automakers have voluntarily agreed to lower automatic braking standards. The legal action could also set the rule up to be reexamined and potentially revised by the incoming Trump administration. The mandate requires automatic braking systems to be capable of detecting pedestrians in driving conditions that include both daylight and darkness. The regulation is set to take effect on Jan. 27, and automakers would have until September 2029 to fully comply. Top photo: Cars make their way down the aging 110 freeway toward downtown L.A. during the morning commute on April 22, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. says its investigating a potential cyber incident from a hacking gang thats also breached other technology giants. The company became aware last week of claims being made by a group called IntelBroker that it was in possession of information belonging to HPE, a spokesperson said Tuesday. HPE immediately activated our cyber response protocols, disabled related credentials, and launched an investigation to evaluate the validity of the claims. IntelBroker is an attacker thats claimed to have breached technology companies such as Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc. within the past year. There is no operational impact to our business at this time, nor evidence that customer information is involved, the HPE spokesperson said. Texas-based HPE makes technology equipment such as servers and networking equipment. Demand for computing to run AI workloads has led to a boom for makers of high-powered servers like HPE. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. The world has yet to fully recognize the extent of change artificial intelligence will bring to every aspect of human life, the CEO of Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala told CNBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos. "In terms of the risks ... this is a technology that no one today really appreciates, truly the level of disruption that it's going to create, affecting everything from our lives, our businesses, human capital, employment, every sector is going to be disrupted," Khaldoon Al Mubarak, managing director of the $330 billion fund, told CNBC's Dan Murphy. "And I think that while there's a lot of opportunity, it also presents significant amount of risk, which is today unclear, because the technology is moving so fast and we're all trying to catch up as much as possible." Al Mubarak outlined the push Mubadala has been making into AI and the infrastructure that supports the burgeoning technology, including data centers and chip manufacturing. Mubadala is a founding investor in MGX, Abu Dhabi's AI-focused investment vehicle. The fund took part in OpenAI's latest fundraising round in October, which raised $6.6 billion. That same month, the wealth fund's dedicated AI company G42 announced a partnership with OpenAI to develop AI in the UAE and regional markets. Last year, Microsoft invested $1.5 billion in G42, in a deal that will see G42 use Microsoft's cloud services to run its AI applications. And in December, Washington approved the export of advanced AI chips to a facility in the UAE that is run by Microsoft as part of that G42 deal, which was highly scrutinized by U.S. lawmakers over security concerns. Al Mubarak expressed optimism about the future of AI and the UAE's ability to leverage its investment strategy to take advantage of it. "The demand is going to be profoundly high in terms of the enablement of that technology," he said. That means "the technology, the AI enablement, which is the infrastructure side of it be it energy, be it transmission, but also all forms of technology, of energy technology that's going to help fuel this huge demand, I would also add to that data center build-out, chip build-out." "When you look at a 10-year horizon, which is how we look at these investments we don't look at a one-year or two-year, we'll look at the next 5, 10, 20 years. And I think the growth in that demand is so strong, even if you take a conservative view, there's an overwhelming growth coming in that space," Al Mubarak stressed. "That's what gives me a lot of confidence. And I think that's where I see, and we see, the opportunity." Snoop Dogg was the lead act at the first-ever Crypto Inaugural Ball held in Washington on Friday evening. MacKenzie Sigalos As the crypto industry celebrates the arrival of a new administration in Washington, D.C., nobody is taking quicker advantage of the coming changes than the person leading the charge: President Donald J. Trump. On Friday night, crypto A-listers rubbed elbows with political elites and members of Trump's inner circle at the Crypto Ball, held at the opulent Mellon Auditorium, just down the street from the White House. Meanwhile, Trump's net worth was about to explode from an asset that, up to that point, didn't exist. The same night of the party, the incoming president launched $TRUMP, a meme coin built on the Solana platform. Its market cap over the weekend climbed past $14 billion. Like with other meme coins, there's no underlying product. Trump told his followers in a social media post, "It's time to celebrate everything we stand for: WINNING!" The website for $TRUMP says 80% of the coins are held by the Trump Organization and affiliates. Inside the Crypto Ball were some of the leaders of the platforms allowing ordinary investors to buy into Trump's newest project. They included Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Kraken co-founder Jesse Powell. Trump wasn't done after one token. On Sunday came the introduction of $MELANIA, named after the first lady. The coin quickly spiked more than 40%, surpassing $2 billion in value. Both the Trump and Melania coins have dropped significantly from their highs. Then there's World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance project endorsed by the Trump family, which hiked its token price from 1.5 cents to 5 cents and released an additional 5 billion tokens for sale. The project, initially launched in September, has raised more than $300 million in total sales so far, according to blockchain firm Arkham Intelligence. The Trump family gets 75% of World Liberty's crypto coin revenue, according to the project's founding document. On-chain data shows millions of dollars worth of token transfers to Coinbases institutional custody provider. Were making routine movements of our crypto holdings as part of regular treasury management, payment of fees and expenses, and to address working capital requirements, World Liberty said in a statement. CNBC reached out to Donald and Melania Trump earlier Monday and didn't receive a response. 'Reign of terror' In the period of 48 hours, the Trump familys net worth surged by billions of dollars, based on holdings of its just-launched digital assets, underscoring the unregulated nature of cryptocurrencies and the president's ability to use his fame, power and newfound partnership with the nascent industry to enrich himself, his family and his allies at the flip of a switch. Broader market enthusiasm has been expressed in the price of bitcoin , which surged to an all-time high hours before the inauguration to nearly $110,000. Crypto industry leaders and investors emerged as some of Trump's biggest supporters in the campaign in an effort to influence future policies and to ease the restrictive regulations imposed during the Biden administration. In July, Trump delivered the keynote at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Digital asset entrepreneurs, politicians, and members of Trump's inner circle hit the red carpet at the first-ever Crypto Inaugural Ball in Washington on Friday. MacKenzie Sigalos "The reign of terror against crypto is over," David Sacks, a prominent Silicon Valley investor and the new White House AI and crypto czar, told the packed D.C. ballroom on Friday night. His comments were met with applause that echoed beneath the Mellon Auditorium's soaring columns. Sacks, an earlier Trump critic who said the events of Jan. 6, 2021, had "disqualified" him from being a candidate at the national level, threw his weight behind Trump last year. He hosted a high-profile fundraiser at his San Francisco mansion in June and regularly promoted the Republican candidate on the popular "All-In" podcast. "The beginning of innovation in America for crypto has just begun," Sacks added on Friday. On X, formerly Twitter, conversations were lighting up about the new $TRUMP coin. There was plenty of skepticism from those in and around the industry. "Trump needs to fire his crypto advisors, from top to bottom and replace with people who know what they are doing," wrote Gabor Gurbacs, founder of digital asset firm Pointsville, in a post on X. "The memecoins cost the US, the presidency and his family a lot of credibility and the consequences haven't even started." Mark Cuban, the billionaire former tech entrepreneur and part owner of the Dallas Mavericks, commented on the apparent lawlessness of it all. Cuban, a longtime independent who became a vocal supporter of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, said the coins are particularly harmful to the crypto industry in its effort to prove its legitimacy. "Hello every scam targeted at everyone and anyone who has no clue about crypto," he wrote. But at the pre-inauguration party, Trump's new coin wasn't much of a topic. Rather, the chatter centered on the broader implications of Trump's policies, which promised to dismantle years of regulatory gridlock in the Biden administration. "Two years ago, everyone thought crypto was dead," said one attendee who asked not to be named in order to speak candidly on the topic. "A year ago, we were begging for help, and this weekend, we're on top of the world." Crypto firms made substantial contributions to Trump's inaugural fund, signaling their enthusiasm. Ripple donated $5 million in digital tokens, while Coinbase, Kraken, and Circle each gave $1 million. Online brokerage Robinhood contributed $2 million. Inside the first-ever Crypto Ball at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington ahead of the Donald Trump Inauguration. MacKenzie Sigalos Coinbase and Kraken have both been battling the SEC in court. Robinhood received a Wells Notice in May related to its U.S. crypto business, which is typically one of the final steps before the SEC issues formal charges. Ripple has been in a years-long legal fight with SEC and outgoing Chairman Gary Gensler. "The question now is, what do we do with this momentum?" said Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty, who attended the Friday night festivities. "How do we take that momentum and move forward to really create the promise that I think this new administration has of making the U.S. the crypto capital of the world?" Alderoty wants to see a coalition formed to discuss unified policy priorities. "Ultimately, Congress will own the policy, and we can't dictate to Congress what the policy should be," Alderoty said. "It would be great if, ahead of that, in the face of the most crypto-friendly Congress we've ever had, there could be some alignment on what the priorities are," Alderoty said, noting that the industry has splintered in the past when proposals have been introduced. Inside the Crypto Ball There was a hefty dose of lawmaker support at the party, all from the Republican side of the aisle. House Speaker Mike Johnson was there, along with Senators Marsha Blackburn, Ted Cruz and Cynthia Lummis. Congressman French Hill attended as well, and Patrick McHenry, a former House member, was there to show his support. Cleanspark CEO Zach Bradford, who has been meeting with Trump in private roundtables to discuss bitcoin mining, said he spoke with Howard Lutnick, Trump's pick to be Secretary of Commerce, at the event. "We talked about bitcoin mining and how bitcoin, but also bitcoin mining, can be a central point of commerce," Bradford told CNBC. Bradford said he emphasized to Lutnick the potential for bitcoin mining to be a significant economic driver. "It's a positive revenue generator from a net production perspective," Bradford said. "But we're also contributing significant tax revenues for the states where we operate." Bradford said Lutnick is "excited about it," describing him as "somebody that gets bitcoin." Scott Bessent, likely to be the next Treasury secretary, made his way through the main floor of the ballroom and took photos with attendees. Koh Harada, who was recently promoted from operating chief to CEO of Aleo, a privacy-focused blockchain, said Bessent was "pretty coy about things, but the fact that he was even there was very interesting." Aleo, which has raised over $200 million from investors including SoftBank and Andreessen Horowitz, chose to establish in the U.S. while many rivals opted to launch from offshore jurisdictions like the Cayman Islands as a shield from various regulations. "We didn't set up shop in the U.S. on a whim," Harada said. In talking to a mix of legal and compliance experts, the company realized that "America is the best fertilizer for tech period," he said. Aleo, which combines privacy-focused functionality with smart contract capabilities, has become a go-to resource for other startups looking to return to the U.S., Harada added. The company picked Wyoming, a state known for its crypto-friendly policies. "Wyoming stood out as the most welcoming state for crypto," Harada said. "They've created forward-thinking policies and are even establishing blockchain research centers at the University of Wyoming." Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards It was the side conversations in the MAGA Inc. VIP Reception greenroom where the most significant exchanges of the evening unfolded. MacKenzie Sigalos Also in attendance on Friday was MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor, wearing his trademark orange bow tie, a nod to bitcoin's iconic color. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and top execs at Coinbase, including global policy head Faryar Shirzad, mingled with guests. The Winklevoss twins chatted in a group that included Chris Dixon of Andreessen Horowitz and his colleague, Sriram Krishnan, who recently left his role as a general partner at the firm to join Sacks' task force. Bo Hines, Trump's choice to lead the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets, was also present. He'll report directly to Sacks. While Snoop Dogg performed in the main ballroom, venture capitalist Katie Haun was engrossed in conversation with Galaxy Digital's Mike Novogratz. Other musical guests Rick Ross and Soulja Boy, who was charged by the SEC in 2023 for illegally promoting a crypto token without disclosing he was paid, kept the larger crowd entertained. Guests were issued wristbands based on status. Black wristbands signified general admission and gold allowed entry to a VIP balcony. White bands granted the most exclusive perks. General admission cost $2,500, and some sponsors paid $1 million for access to the greenroom on the ground floor tucked behind the stage in the main ballroom. Tightly guarded by security, Donald Trump Jr. donned custom MAGA buttons on his shirt as he swiftly made his way into the innermost chamber of the VIP section, a room barricaded by a rotating bouncer and only allowing in certain guests. Along with Sacks, and Speaker Johnson, he could be seen conversing with Fred Thiel, CEO of mining company MARA Holdings . Thiel shared details of a blockchain initiative his company had launched earlier that day with Johnson, an effort designed to symbolize the intersection of crypto and politics. "We minted a block on the blockchain with a portrait of President Trump, created entirely from transactions," Thiel said. Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, with Mara CEO Fred Thiel. Johnson seen texting President Donald Trump a photo of the Trump47 bitcoin block minted by Mara earlier that day. Fred Thiel The so-called Trump47 block embedded Trumps headshot into the Bitcoin blockchain, creating a lasting digital tribute to the president. "We released it Friday morning, and it went viral," Thiel said. He added that Johnson "was so impressed" that he texted Trump a picture of it. Tracy Hoyos-Lopez, a former California prosecutor and one of the people credited with turning Trump pro-bitcoin, was also at the event. "Don't mess with crypto," Hoyos-Lopez, who helped to plan the evening's celebration, told CNBC while Snoop Dogg was performing his live set. "Our event is a symbol of who we are in the world." Correction: A prior version of this story had an incorrect title for Congressman French Hill. WATCH: Bitcoin surges past $100,000 MBABANE - In a shocking case of greed, a 33-year-old man attempted to defraud an insurance company by declaring his mother dead, despite her still being alive. Velaphi Sipho Nxumalo of Maphiveni under Chief Mbandzamane presented false information to an officer working under the birth, marriages and deaths (BMDs) in the Ministry of Home Affairs, falsely claiming his mother, Zodwa Nhlambiso, had passed away. Nxumalo, who had taken out a funeral cover policy on behalf of his mother with Dups Insurance, intended to claim the benefits fraudulently. He appeared before the Mbabane Magistrates Court, charged with contravening Section 31 of the Birth, Marriage and Death Act of 1983, and pleaded guilty. When questioned about his actions, Nxumalo admitted to declaring his mother dead due to desperation after losing his job. He revealed that his mother only became aware of his deception after his arrest. Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati, while acknowledging the seriousness of the offence, was bound by the existing legislation, which prescribes a maximum penalty of a fine of E50 or imprisonment not exceeding three months. This is an outdated statute that requires urgent amendment by the relevant authorities, Vilakati stated before sentencing Nxumalo to the maximum penalty of three months imprisonment with the option to pay a fine of E50. This incident highlights a growing concern, with similar fraudulent activities being reported in neighbouring South Africa. Recently, a Limpopo police sergeant was arrested for allegedly benefitting financially from fraudulent claims on various insurance policies, including funeral, accident and life insurance. South Africa has witnessed a disturbing trend of individuals resorting to extreme measures to profit from life insurance policies. Recent cases have brought to light chilling instances, where individuals have allegedly orchestrated the deaths of family members to fraudulently claim their life insurance policies. The crypto market will see a new all-time high in 2025 on the back of positive regulatory movements in the U.S. under newly inaugurated President Donald Trump, the CEO of Binance told CNBC Tuesday. Richard Teng, who took the reins from former Binance boss Changpeng Zhao last year, told CNBC's Arjun Kharpal that he sees "much clearer regulation" happening in the U.S. this year under the new Trump administration, adding this will be supportive for crypto markets. "If you look at past cycles, this year will be a year that we see a new all-time high for the crypto industry," Teng said in a fireside chat at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Bitcoin passed the $100,000 price milestone for the first time last year, as traders grew optimistic about the crypto industry's prospects under a Trump administration. As of Tuesday, the token was trading near $104,000, according to CoinGecko, down 3% in the last 24 hours amid a broad slump in crypto markets. European business chiefs on Tuesday warned that the region risks falling behind its U.S. and Asian counterparts, if it fails to innovate and adapt to a fast-changing world that is expected to see an acceleration of global policy changes during President Donald Trump's second term in office. Europe was "always lagging behind" its counterparts in Asia and the U.S. when it comes to innovation, Mario Greco, the chief executive of Zurich Insurance, told CNBC from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "In a world which is going very fast forward, with lots of innovation, it's a wake up call, again, for Europe. And I hope that Europe takes it seriously," Greco said. "Take all the developments in AI [artificial intelligence] and digital. Europe has not invested in that, as America and China have done. It is also the integration of financial markets in Europe. It is still [an issue of] how complicated it is to do business in Europe ... And this is why I'm saying it again, Europe needs to wake up," Greco added. watch now Greco added that Europe had become too preoccupied with regulation and that it was stifling progress, particularly in new technologies needed to drive growth and as we enter the Trump 2.0 era of "America First" policies that mean the region will need to further defend its economic interests. President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders on his first day in office Monday, including withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement and revoking a 50% electric vehicle target, as well as moves to crack down on immigration. On the global front, along with stating that tariffs of 25% could be levied against Mexico and Canada as soon as early as February, Trump also sent a warning signal that the European Union needed to buy more American goods, as well as oil and gas, or it would be a target for tariffs. An employee stands at a blast furnace in North Rhine-Westphalia, Duisburg, Germany. Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan told CNBC that the Trump 2.0 era was "a big moment for Europe," during which the region needs to deregulate and boost competitiveness. "Europe has to decide now, in a world where the U.S. is so heavily deregulating and trying to increase competitiveness, is Europe going to continue to sit on its hands, continue to increase regulation in the [European] Commission, increase regulation in the various individual countries, or are we finally going to get a more pro-competitive, pro-innovation environment in Europe?," he asked. "We'll have to see. History suggests that while there's a lot of talk, not a lot of action comes out of the [European] Commission. And right now, this is the moment. Because, if not, I think Europe will be even further left behind versus the U.S.," he said. Boost competitiveness European policymakers appear to be aware of the urgent need to innovate and deregulate in the face of burgeoning economic competition and rivalry from the U.S. and China. "The new Trump administration should be a wake-up call for Europe," according to Belgian Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem, Reuters reported Monday. "Rather than focusing on retaliation [against U.S. tariffs], we should focus on the challenges of Europe the decreasing competitiveness and the increasing productivity gap that we face," he said. ING CEO Steven van Rijswijk said that Europe needs more simplified and harmonized regulation across the bloc in order to boost competitiveness and labor productivity, a growing bugbear for the continent. He noted that more investment was also needed. watch now LONDON European stocks ended the day higher on Tuesday as traders digested the first executive orders signed by newly inaugurated President Donald Trump. The pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally closed around 0.4% higher, with sectors and major bourses in mixed territory. Germany's DAX flipped around the flatline a day after hitting a record high, ending up 0.24%. Shares of offshore wind developer Orsted sank around 10.7% after the company unveiled a fourth-quarter 12.1 billion Danish Krone ($1.7 billion) hit linked to its U.S. offshore wind turbine projects. At the other end of the index, Swedish online bank Avanza shares gained 13% after the firm announced a full-year operating profit of 2.6 billion Swedish krona ($240 million) a 14% year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, European automakers Stellantis and BMW each fell more than 1.5% as investors assessed the threat of potential U.S. tariffs. Trump whose second term in office began Monday following his inauguration as the 47th president of the U.S. has threatened to impose fresh tariffs on U.S. imports and promised to "put America first." After the inauguration ceremony, Trump signed some of his first executive orders before an audience of 20,000 supporters at the Capital One Arena in Washington. However, U.S. stocks rose on Tuesday as Wall Street digested Trump's comments on tariffs and judged them to be a little softer than initially thought. Back in Europe, private sector wages in the U.K. rose 6% in the three months to November, compared to the previous year, the Office for National Statistics said Tuesday. The agency also revealed that November payroll figures fell by 0.1% compared to October, pointing to a weakening labor market. The two data indicators together give the Bank of England's rate-setters a mixed picture of the state of the economy. Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here's a recap of Tuesday's key moments. 1. Stocks are higher to start the shortened trading week after President Donald Trump's inauguration Monday. While it appears that investors are bullish on the new administration's plans, with all major indices in the green, they're also trying to gauge the impact of Trump tariffs proposal. Trump pledged tariffs of as much as 25% on Mexico and Canada as early as Feb. 1. Trump has so far held off on tariffs for Chinese goods. Higher tariffs are Trump's solution to raise income for the U.S. government. Jim Cramer suggested Mexico, a key U.S. trading partner "wants to make a deal that's levelheaded and meaningful for everybody" given its mass migration. We care about tariffs as they could directly impact some of our consumer-focused stocks. 2. We made a few trades Tuesday. First, we trimmed our position in Coterra Energy as shares of the oil-and-gas producer are off to a great start to 2025, rallying 15.4% thanks to strength in commodities. We also cut some Honeywell over concerns about a weak 2025 guide and the stock being in spin-off purgatory. The company is expected to announce a breakup on Feb. 6. Lastly, we added to our position in Eli Lilly after the stock got hit last week on a soft fourth-quarter pre-announcement. Jim said investors are "underestimating the earnings power" of its GLP-1 and diabetes franchise; the company makes the popular weight-loss treatment Zepbound and type-2 diabetes drug Mounjaro. More broadly, Jim added, the drug companies "are trading at incredibly low levels." 3. Jim said medical device company Abbott Labs is a buy even after the stock's 2.5% gain this year to $115. Abbott is the "most undervalued medical device company there is" Jim said, highlight i ng the stock's valuation, which is trading at a discount to the iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF. The stock is "finally getting the multiple that [CEO] Robert Ford said it would get," Jim added. Abbott is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter earnings Wednesday before the bell. 4. Stocks covered in Tuesday's rapid fire at the end of the video were: 3M , D.R. Horton , General Motors , Warner Bros Discovery , Wingstop and Texas Roadhouse . (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long CTRA, HON, LLY, ATB. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. The head of one of Europe's buzziest artificial intelligence startups said he expects artificial intelligence technology will move beyond large language models this year. Arthur Mensch, CEO of French AI firm Mistral, told CNBC he sees product focus in AI broadly moving away from models in 2025 and more toward "systems" that integrate models and contextual business data. "I think the focus should shift to systems," Mensch told CNBC's Arjun Kharpal in an interview Tuesday. "Models are a part of systems, but systems are connected to data, connected to tools, able to actually do things on your behalf, able to act in an agentic way." Founded only two years ago, Mistral has quickly become one of Europe's most hyped AI companies, achieving a $6 billion valuation and backing from U.S. tech giant Microsoft last year. Considered a competitor to OpenAI, the startup is behind the development of several open-source large language models. US President Donald Trump speaks to journalists as he signs an executive order regarding Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Jan. 20, 2025. Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images Richard Edelman, Edelman "I think Trump gives America a really good chance to revive its animal spirit. There will be less regulation, there will be more energy supply, there will be more of a sense of markets functioning and [less] regulation, and I think Trump is a shot in the arm for business. But I think business has to work its way through how it balances other stakeholders, employees and others on issues like DEI, sustainability [and so on]," he said. Steven van Rijswijk, ING On Trump's inauguration: "I think it's also a wake-up call for Europe. I think that also Europe needs to really focus on the economy and on growth." "We need to become more competitive. We need to have more labor productivity. We need to invest more in AI, we need to invest in the Capital Markets Union to, let's say, improve the flow of the capital in Europe. So I think many things that he [Trump] says, to some extent, also apply to Europe, and the focus of Europe should be on the competitiveness of this region, and that will help the entire society here as well," he added. Oliver Baete, Allianz "We're still digesting. That's the fair assessment. I think it will take us a while to understand, but we are carefully listening. But as always with Mr. Trump, there's some things that are being said and others that are being done, and we need to separate between the two," he said. On the risk of Europe falling further behind: "Yeah, that risk is absolutely there ... but we should not point to Mr. Trump. We should look in front of our own house, take the sweeper and start working on what, through regulation, is ... the starting point, tons of stuff to be done." Sander van't Noordende, Randstad Asked if the "merit-based system" touted by Trump, and his mission to roll-back DEI initiatives, were a welcome change, van't Noordende replied: "No, not at all." "Some businesses are pulling back some parts of their DEI programs ... Most businesses I talk to are navigating and staying the course. Why? Because it's good for business. The workplace in the United States is a very high-trust environment. [Our research shows] 85% of people in the U.S. trust their employer. Employers don't want to put that trust at risk," he added. Jose Vinals, Chairman, Standard Chartered "I think that the return of President Trump to the White House implies more uncertainty in terms of policy. It implies also more volatility for markets, and this is something that we're going to see in the coming weeks and months, so we need to be ready for that also, I think that the market is trying to understand what may be the actual reach of the tariffs that the United States imposes on other countries," he said. "Yesterday, I think there was a mention about Canada and Mexico, but there are other very important countries that may be subject to tariffs or not, depending on how things go. So I think that that policy uncertainty is going to be there, and I think that's going to be an important driver for markets in the short term." Nicolai Tangen, Norges Bank Investment Management "Purely financially for a lot of American companies it's going to be very positive... as a financial investor it's generally very exciting... when we talk to CEOs, and we speak to a lot of them, we really see this animal spirit coming back." Mario Greco, Zurich Insurance "We have to admit that the Paris Agreement has not delivered any of the plans, ambitions, targets that were expected. It's also true that we're looking for other means to achieve the reduction in the temperature that is badly needed. I mean that technology needs to help. So no, [I] don't think this is the big event," he said. Charlie Nunn, Lloyds Banking Group "It's very early days to absorb everything. The first thing I'd say, like Trump version 1.0, he does what he says he's going to do, and so I don't think there's huge uncertainty about the priorities he's laid out. As always, it's going to be how these things are implemented and how they have an impact on the world. Look, our base case for this year is quite simple. It'll be good for U.S. growth we think, it's likely to slow international growth," he said. Vas Narasimhan, Novartis Re Trump's health secretary pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Narasimhan said: "We have a challenge right now because, on the one hand, we have a leader of the department of HHS [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] who has outwardly said some pretty anti-scientific statements. And yet we have to work constructively with this administration to get policy changes that are important for our industry and yet still stand for vaccines, stand for science." "Our conversations with the administration have actually been very positive. There are obviously areas of disagreement, but I think overall this is actually going to be a better environment for us than the past four years," he added. CNBC reached out to RFK Jr's campaign group for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Kirill Dmitriev, Russian Direct Investment Fund Apple stock sank Tuesday on two analyst downgrades, including a rare sell call. CNBC's Jim Cramer says his approach to Apple over two decades has made lots of money, and he's not changing now. Shares of Apple dropped more than 4% to $220 each on bearish research ahead of next week's release of the iPhone maker's holiday quarter earnings report its fiscal 2025 first quarter that ended in December. Apple is one of 30-some positions in Jim's Charitable Trust, the portfolio used for the CNBC Investing Club . In a Tuesday note, Loop Capital downgraded Apple stock to a hold from a buy and lowered its price target to $230 per share from $275. Analysts said their supply chain checks indicated a "material iPhone demand reduction," starting in the March quarter, or the company's fiscal 2025 second quarter, and then amplifying in the quarters that follow. The Loop call came after Jefferies downgraded Apple to a sell-equivalent underperform from hold Monday when the markets were closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Jefferies analysts predict a miss on earnings and revenue growth for the December quarter and a weaker-than-expected March quarter guide. Jefferies also called Apple's generative artificial intelligence outlook "subdued." "We lower forecasts driven by weak iPhone sales and the general [consumer electronics] market and our reduced outlook for iPhone 17/18 due to slower AI uptake and commercialization," said the analysts who also lowered their Apple price target to $200.75 from $211.84. "AI outlook is subdued and our industry checks suggesting its advanced packaging roadmap for iPhone may face a delay is another [negative] sign." AAPL .SPX 5Y mountain Apple vs. S & P 500 over 5 years Jim said concerns around Apple's upcoming earnings release are valid. "I'm adamant that this quarter is not going to be a good quarter. I'm adamant that the next quarter is going to be guided down." Offloading shares at this time, however, isn't the right answer. That's because time and time again Apple stock has rebounded following periods of underperformance. Shares have surged more than 176% in the past five years despite their doldrum periods. That's compared to the S & P 500's roughly 83% gain. "I'm adamant that if you bought it or held it through many of these cycles that you made a lot of money. I don't want people at home to get out, and get back into this. That fails for Apple as a strategy," Jim added. "The way you make big money in Apple is to weather one of these storms." And, the final trading days of last year and so far in 2025 have been stormy, with shares down more than 15% from their all-time high reached in late December. The bullish proof, however, is in the pudding. Just look at how Apple stock has performed around bearish calls in years past. Back in October, the Club outlined how shares traded following Wall Street downgrades, arguing that jumping in and out of the stock is a dangerous game. That's because if an investor is exiting Apple entirely, knowing that they want to get back in the stock down the line, they have to be right twice on both the timing of the sale and repurchase. Moving forward, Jim said Apple stock could tumble into the $190s. He made a similar prediction in 2024 when shares dipped into the $160s before roaring back to a record close of $259 on Dec. 26. While designating Apple as an "own it, don't trade it" stock, Jim has said that does not mean never trim the position. The Club sold some shares on the day of the record high to reduce Apple's then-weighting in the portfolio, which exceeded 6%, and to lock in profits. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long AAPL. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. People lined up outside of the Apple store on University Avenue in Palo Alto, California, as Apple's iPhone 16 sales officially begin on Sept. 20, 2024 Tayfun Coskun | Anadolu | Getty Images Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket streaks into orbit after launching from the Kennedy Space Center on its maiden flight, at Cape Canaveral, Florida on January 16, 2025. Pure-play space stocks flew higher on Tuesday, a rally that a Wall Street analyst pinned to exuberance around the sector after President Donald Trump's inauguration. "Post the election, there seems to be this very deep and broad excitement about opening up private space opportunities," Deutsche analyst Edison Yu told CNBC. "It's not just the headlines. When you talk to any [venture capital] investor, any institutional investor, any family office ... it just seems like everybody has kind of gotten much more interested and excited [about] space," said Yu, whose coverage includes six space companies: BlackSky , Iridium , Planet , Rocket Lab , Telesat and Viasat . Several of the sector's stocks climbed nearly 20% or more without clear individual catalysts, including Mynaric , Rocket Lab, Momentus , Intuitive Machines , Planet and Sidus . Redwire, up 51.4%, was the day's top performer after it announced its planned acquisition of defense technology company Edge Autonomy for nearly $1 billion and, as a result, forecast full-year 2025 revenue may reach as much as $605 million, about double from last year. Investors also boosted Viasat, up 32.9%, as it reiterated that NASA selected itas one of four companies for a five-year communications contract worth as much as $4.8 billion, to provide satellite connectivity services as part of the "Near Space Network." Trump briefly addressed space in his inauguration speech, but did not mention NASA or the space agency's Artemis program, its current top priority that aims to return astronauts to the moon. "We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars," Trump said, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk cheering in the audience behind him. Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading. Apple Shares tumbled around 3.2% after Jefferies downgraded the iPhone maker to underperform from hold. The firm said Apple's AI outlook is "subdued" and believes it may miss on revenue when it reports fiscal first quarter results later this month. Loop Capital also lowered its rating on the stock to hold. Charles Schwab -- The brokerage firm rose 5.9% after a stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter report. Schwab generated $1.01 in adjusted earnings per share, while analysts polled by FactSet were expecting 91 cents per share. Revenue rose 20% year over year to $5.33 billion as total client assets surpassed $10 trillion. 3M The industrial stock popped about 4.2% after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings that beat expectations. 3M reported an adjusted profit of $1.68 per share, above an LSEG consensus of $1.66 per share. Adjusted revenue of $5.81 billion came in above estimates of $5.78 billion. The results were boosted by higher sales of industrial adhesives, tapes and electronics during the holiday quarter. Walgreens Boots Alliance The pharmacy stock declined more than 9% after the U.S. Justice Department filed a nationwide lawsuit against the company, alleging that Walgreens knowingly filled unlawful prescriptions for opioids and other highly addictive painkillers. Moderna Shares jumped 5.4% after the company received $590 million in funding from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department to fast-track the development of its bird flu vaccine. China electric vehicle stocks Shares of China electric vehicle companies rose after President Donald Trump fell short of immediately signing off on tariffs right after his inauguration. Shares of XPeng and Li Auto gained 6.2% and 5.3%, respectively. Vistra The electricity generation stock rose 8.5% after evacuation orders stemming from a fire at the company's Moss Landing battery storage facility were lifted. Ulta Shares rose 4.2% after Morgan Stanley upgraded the beauty retailer to overweight. The investment bank believes Ulta can continue to grow and gain market share in an expanding beauty industry. Trump Media & Technology Group Truth Social's parent company fell 11.1% a day after Donald Trump was officially inaugurated as the 47th president of the U.S. The stock is headed toward its worst day since Nov. 7, when it fell 23%. Qorvo Shares gained 4% following an upgrade at Morgan Stanley to overweight from equal weight. Analyst Joseph Moore said now that activist investor Starboard Value has a stake in the company, the chipmaker could see "a renewed earnings recovery path." Urban Outfitters The clothing retailer surged 9.9% following an upgrade to overweight from equal-weight at Morgan Stanley. The bank's price target of $63, raised from $41, implies that shares of Urban Outfitters could rise nearly 15% from their current levels. General Motors The automaker surged more than 5% after an upgrade to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank. The firm said the downside potential for GM under a second Trump administration is factored into the stock, leaving room for "positive surprises." Deutsche also cited GM's share buyback plans. Roku Shares gained 5.1% after JMP initiated coverage with an outperform rating. The firm believes Roku's position as a "top streaming platform in the U.S." is sustainable, and that Roku stands to benefit from a surge in advertising spending in the connected TV market. Curtiss-Wright The aviation and defense stock rose 4.2% after Citi initiated coverage of the company with a buy rating, saying Curtiss-Wright can benefit from expected spending growth in the aerospace and defense industry with its "nuclear optionality." CNBC's Yun Li, Jesse Pound, Michelle Fox, Lisa Han and Pia Singh contributed reporting Elizabeth Gore, co-founder of Hello Alice, following an interview in New York, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. Since co-founding Hello Alice, a platform that helps entrepreneurs gain access to funding and education, more than seven years ago, Elizabeth Gore has had occasion to hire and interview hundreds of people, she says. The platform has helped 1.5 million entrepreneurs and contributed $52 million in grants, says Gore, who was also the entrepreneur in residence at both the United Nations and Dell. She's long been helping entrepreneurs in the U.S. and worldwide build their businesses and find success. When it comes to hiring, Gore has one question she likes to ask: "What do you think we're doing wrong at our company?" she says. Here's why. 'How are you going to push our company goals?' For Gore, it's important to find people who are thinking big picture about Hello Alice's success down the line. "How are you going to push our company goals?" She says as an example of what she considers. "What innovation are they bringing to the table?" Asking what Hello Alice is doing "wrong" is a way to see if a candidate has actively thought about problem solving and how to move the company forward. It's also a way to see how prepared they are and what kind of work ethic they have. "It'll show they've done their homework" in learning about the company they theoretically want to work for, she says. Finally, startups sometimes have to pivot quickly to meet the needs of their new clients. The question helps to show that candidates "can think on their feet," she says. 'How you deliver that answer is as important as what you deliver' China donates 1st batch of 1,000 bikes to Nepali students Xinhua) 10:16, January 21, 2025 Students pose for a photo with bicycles donated under an international bicycle project initiated by the China Foundation for Rural Development in collaboration with Hello Inc. in Birgunj, Madhesh Province, Nepal, Jan. 20, 2025. (Nepal Office of the China Foundation for Rural Development/Handout via Xinhua) KATHMANDU, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The first batch of 1,000 bicycles from China was donated to Nepal on Monday, benefiting students from nine community schools in two districts of Madhesh Province. Initially covered under the project are 504 students from five schools in Bara district and 496 students from four schools in Parsa district. Nepal becomes the third country after Cambodia and Laos to receive the bikes provided by bike-sharing service provider Hello Inc., with the China Foundation for Rural Development bearing the transport costs, according to Zou Zhiqiang, director of the foundation's Nepal Office. "We hope that this donation becomes the first step in helping solve the problem of going to school for children living in remote areas of Nepal," Zou said at the inauguration ceremony held at a school in the city of Birgunj in southern Nepal. "I'm looking forward to the expansion of the support in the future," said Imtiaz Alam, deputy mayor of Birgunj. Since the international bicycle project was initiated in 2021 by the foundation in collaboration with Hello Inc., 6,024 bikes had been donated to Cambodia and Laos by the end of 2024. The Chinese side has launched a series of poverty-reduction demonstration projects in Nepal, including "Vibrant Village," "Happy Community," "Safe Drinking Water" and "Lighting the Future," noted Wang Xin, a counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Nepal. The Chinese embassy will continue to promote projects in Nepal and bring more benefits to the Nepali people, Wang said at the inauguration ceremony. This photo taken on Jan. 20, 2025 shows bicycles donated under an international bicycle project initiated by the China Foundation for Rural Development in collaboration with Hello Inc. in Birgunj, Madhesh Province, Nepal. (Nepal Office of the China Foundation for Rural Development/Handout via Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) BEIJING Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang warned there are "no winners" in a trade war, as the world's second-largest economy faces the possibility of tariffs under the freshly-inaugurated administration of Donald Trump. "Protectionism leads no where. [A] trade war has no winners," Ding said Tuesday, according to an official English translation. He was speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The vice premier began his address largely by referencing Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at Davos in 2017, which took place just days before Trump headed to the White House to begin his first term. At the time, Xi had said that "pursuing protectionism is just like locking one's self in a dark room. Wind and rain might be kept outside but so are light and air." After his second inauguration on Monday, Trump said the U.S. could levy tariffs on Mexico and Canada as soon as February. As for China, the returning U.S. president indicated tariffs could be a way to pressure the country into forcing Beijing-based ByteDance to sell TikTok, whose future availability in the U.S. is now in question. "If we wanted to make a deal with TikTok, and it was a good deal, and China wouldn't approve it, then I think ultimately they'd approve it, because we'd put tariffs on China," Trump said. "I'm not saying I would, but you certainly could do that." Trump said he and Xi discussed TikTok and trade during a call on Friday. The Chinese readout of the exchange did not mention the social media app. Neither leader attended Davos this year. Ding, who said he was attending Davos for the second time, is one of China's four vice premiers. China economy has struggled with lackluster consumption and a real estate slump. Despite this, the country's GDP officially grew by 5% last year after a flurry of stimulus announcements starting in late September. In his speech on Tuesday, Ding attributed China's economic challenges to the external environment and to "temporary pains brought [about] by our own economic restructuring." He referenced that the country is trying to move away from real estate as a pillar of growth and toward new drivers such as high-end technology. China's technological achievements are the result of "open cooperation," Ding added in a subsequent discussion with World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab. The Chinese official emphasized that Beijing is developing artificial intelligence for the "intelligent transformation" of its economy, and has institutions capable of controlling the emerging technology. Under the administration of former President Joe Biden, the U.S. had said it was in competition with China and imposed sweeping restrictions that prevent Chinese companies from buying high-end semiconductors used for training artificial intelligence systems." "On the global governance of AI, this is a tough issue," Ding said. "If we allow this reckless competition among countries to continue then we will see a grey rhino, what to do about it?" He called for global coordination on AI governance through the United Nations, similar to nuclear or biological risks. Ding broadly warned of "unimaginable consequences" if the world were to split into different systems, including a worst-case-scenario of a "relapse into confrontation." "That would be a situation [in which] no country can stay unafflicted," Ding said. CNBC's Jeff Cox contributed to this report. U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on AI infrastructure, next to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at the Roosevelt room at White House in Washington, U.S., January 21, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria The executives committed to invest an initial $100 billion and up to $500 billion over the next four years in the project, which will be set up as a separate company. The project, dubbed Stargate, was unveiled at the White House by Trump, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison . President Donald Trump announced a joint venture Tuesday with OpenAI , Oracle and Softbank to invest billions of dollars in artificial intelligence infrastructure in the United States. "What we want to do is we want to keep it in this country," Trump said of AI, noting that China is a major competitor in the nascent industry. Stargate's first joint venture will be to construct data centers in Texas an effort that is already underway, Ellison said in the Roosevelt Room. OpenAI later said in an X post that the project "will not only support the re-industrialization of the United States but also provide a strategic capability to protect the national security of America and its allies." Softbank's Son will be the chairman of Stargate, while semiconductor company Arm, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Oracle, and OpenAI will be "the key initial technology partners," OpenAI said in the post. Son already announced a four-year, $100-billion AI investment in the United States in December, when he visited then-President-elect Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. At the time, Trump joked that he had pressed Son to bump up his commitment to $200 billion. "Now I came back with $500 [billion]," Son quipped at the White House Tuesday. In his remarks, Trump suggested that the $500 billion figure would be separate from Son's previous pledge. "The $500 billion Stargate Project comes in addition to a separate pledge, between $100 and $200 billion, from, as we know, from Masa," Trump said. NBC News' Peter Alexander contributed to this report US President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Jan. 20, 2025. Donald Trump's return to the White House is expected to usher in further hostilities between the U.S. and China. Yet, could his love of a transactional deal pave the way for a surprise deal with Xi Jinping? Call it soybeans on steroids. If history is any guide, many are bracing themselves for a worsening of U.S.-China relations once Trump returns to office for a second time. After all, his first term was widely regarded as the point when relations with China took an adversarial turn, and his cabinet is expected to include some of Washington's most prominent China hawks. Add to that, the Biden administration's sweeping export controls and a web of alliances echoing Cold War containment strategies, and relations between the U.S. and China are near a low point. Renowned investor Ray Dalio summed up the mood, predicting an "'America First' foreign policy and preparations for external war with China, perceived as America's greatest threat." Yet, while a further decline in relations is possible, the conventional wisdom may overlook a competing, perhaps even more likely scenario: A U.S.-China grand bargain, driven by Trump's ambition to be remembered as one of America's great statesmen. In fact, Trump has reportedly already held a call ahead of his inauguration, discussing "balancing trade, fentanyl, TikTok and many other subjects." Trump, guided by a transactional mindset, sees diplomacy as a series of high stakes deals. His 2018 tariffs were less about systemic economic strategy and more about gaining leverage ultimately securing a $200 billion trade deal centered on agricultural products like soybeans. However, Trump prizes his popularity above all else, and a winning strategy for him could involve imposing early punitive tariffs on Chinese imports and even on imports from Chinese firms operating in neighboring countries such as Mexico. This would create a pressure cooker, paving the way for negotiations with Beijing before American consumers feel the impact. The result? A grand bargain where China offers a mix of substantive and symbolic concessions, earning Trump the admiration of his base and bolstering his self-image as a master dealmaker. Call it "soybeans on steroids." However, such a deal wouldn't come without risks. While a Trump-Xi agreement might bring short-term economic relief, it could alienate U.S. allies in Asia. Trump's admiration for strongman leaders such as Xi Jinping, whom he has called "brilliant, fierce, and smart," contrasts sharply with his disdain for democratic leaders in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, whom he has accused of seeking protection without paying their fair share. A purely transactional approach risks emboldening Beijing's regional ambitions while undermining long-term strategic objectives. Still, Trump's unpredictability and love for dramatic posturing make a reset in U.S.-China relations plausible. As the world watches, one thing is clear: Trump's return promises surprises. "Soybeans on steroids" might just be the opening act in an unexpected geopolitical shake-up that few could have anticipated. David Bach is the president of IMD, a position he has held since September 2024, and Nestle professor of strategy and political economy. Before joining IMD in 2020, he was deputy dean at Yale School of Management. Mark Uyeda, commissioner at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), speaks during the 2024 Financial Markets Quality Conference at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. The Trump administration took its first steps Tuesday toward an expected lowering of regulatory barriers for cryptocurrency. In a long-awaited move from the digital assets industry, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that acting Chair Mark Uyeda has launched a "crypto task force" aimed at "developing a comprehensive and clear regulatory framework for crypto assets." During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised a crypto-friendly administration for the $3.7 trillion industry. Though Uyeda announced the initiative, it will be led by SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce. Uyeda is holding the chair set until Paul Atkins gets through the confirmation process and providing enforcement resources. According to the SEC announcement, the panel's task will be to develop a clear set of rules while also addressing issues regarding registration of coins. "We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the public to foster a regulatory environment that protects investors, facilitates capital formation, fosters market integrity, and supports innovation," Peirce said. Bitcoin rallied on the announcement, up some 2.4% to more than $106,000. Just before his inauguration, Trump underlined his support for digital currencies by releasing his own meme coin, called $TRUMP, while first lady Melania Trump released a meme coin called $Melania. Both tokens saw quick surges in price before turning sharply lower. The White House's view on crypto differs sharply from when Joe Biden was president. Then-SEC Chair Gary Gensler was viewed as an enemy of the industry. During Gensler's time at the commission, he resisted efforts to establish crypto exchange-traded funds, endorsed tough accounting policies and filed enforcement cases against industry leaders. "Clarity regarding who must register, and practical solutions for those seeking to register, have been elusive. The result has been confusion about what is legal, which creates an environment hostile to innovation and conducive to fraud," the commission's announcement said. "The SEC can do better." The task force intends to hold public hearings and solicit input from the industry. It will work with federal departments and agencies, including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. "This undertaking will take time, patience, and much hard work. It will succeed only if the Task Force has input from a wide range of investors, industry participants, academics, and other interested parties," Peirce said. Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. Market update: Stocks are rallying to start the week, extending last week's gains after digesting early policy priorities of the Trump administration. Tariffs continue to be one of the big uncertainties, but the 10-year Treasury yield dipped on trade policy that appears less hawkish than expected. Concerns about day-one tariffs proved to be overblown with the administration adopting a slower rollout. The President indicated late Monday that tariffs up to 25% on Canada and Mexico could come as soon as Feb. 1. Tariffs on goods imported from China are still likely, but there has been no update yet. Broad rally : The market gains were broad based with every sector except energy in positive territory. The top-performing sectors were industrials, utilities and real estate, while consumer staples and technology lagged. Although many software and AI stocks rallied, the technology sector was weighed down by the 4% decline in Apple after two more analysts sounded the alarm about disappointing iPhone sales and an incoming bad quarter and guide. We acknowledge the stock could continue to drift lower from here before rallying again, but after taking action into strength last year we continue stay the course on this long-term position. AI stocks pop: The AI infrastructure stocks got a late day boost after it was reported that President Trump will announce billions of dollars in private sector investment to build out infrastructure. Open AI, Oracle , and Softbank (which pledged last month to invest $100 billion in the United States) are forming a joint venture to lead this initiative. We can debate whether this truly is a new figure because we know companies like OpenAI and Oracle already had ambitious investment plans. But the positive impact news of this announcement had on Nvidia's share price was clear. Other AI infrastructure related names in the portfolio are chipmakers like Broadcom , Eaton for electrification, Dover for liquid cooling connectors, and Amazon , Microsoft , and Alphabet for cloud computing. Up next: After the closing bell Tuesday we'll see the quarterly reports from Netflix , United Airlines , Seagate , and Capital One . Abbott Labs will report before the opening bell on Wednesday and we expect another good quarter from this diversified healthcare company. Abbott "beat and raised' all through 2024 but never got credit for it due to ongoing litigation risk. This should be the year Abbott moves past this headwind and grows its earnings per share by at least 10%. Other companies reporting Wednesday morning include Procter & Gamble , Halliburton , Johnson & Johnson , and GE Vernova . (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watch bands perform during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. Jim Watson | Afp | Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called into question the U.S.' commitment to its transatlantic allies, saying President Donald Trump's decision to focus on domestic issues as his first act in office suggested he would not be concerned with the future of Europe. "Right now, all eyes are on Washington, but who's actually watching Europe at the moment?" Zelenskyy asked the audience of business leaders and heads of state gathered in Davos, Switzerland, during his address on Tuesday. Zelenskyy looked to appeal to European officials and business, warning that the region's security was at risk, as Trump had shown where his priorities lie through his first executive orders, signed after his inauguration Monday. Pausing the TikTok ban instituted in the last days of the administration of his predecessor Joe Biden, declaring a national border emergency and a retreat from climate goals were among the orders that Trump inked in his first act as the 47th president of the United States. "Will President Trump even notice Europe? Does he see NATO as necessary, and will he respect EU institutions?" Zelenskyy asked, noting that global relationships are shifting, with Europe now concerned that the U.S. could and would abandon it at a time of need. Washington does not share this worry, Zelenskyy claimed. "Does anyone in the United States worry that Europe might abandon them some day, might stop being their ally? The answer is 'no'," he told delegates. "Europe can't afford to be second or third in line of [U.S.] allies. If that happens, the world will start moving forward without Europe ... Europe needs to compete for the top spot in priorities, alliances and technological development." The region must establish itself as a "strong, global player," the Ukrainian leader said. Global sentiment is currently dominated by excitement around the U.S. economy and a gloomier outlook on Europe, David Schwimmer, head of London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), told CNBC's Dan Murphy on Tuesday. "If you go around the world, you can see very different situations and in different economies, a lot of excitement about the U.S. We'll see how long that lasts. There are some lurking challenges there, I think," Schwimmer said at the World Economic Forum in Davos. "A little bit more of a gloomy perspective on parts of Europe. Some of that is geopolitical, some of that is economic. [On] China, some challenges. India, a little bit more positive." Schwimmer also told CNBC he expected to gain regulatory approval for LSEG's new Pisces system, which will allow private companies to be publicly traded in London for limited periods as short as a single day in the "coming months." The program ties into a larger revamp of London Stock Exchange rules aimed at addressing a slowdown in listings. Schwimmer said Pisces would be "less onerous" than drawing up a full listing prospectus and would come with no obligations for disclosure after the fundraising. "It's actually a very attractive solution for private companies that want to... provide liquidity to employees, but they don't actually want to be a public company, and there are a number of features that we're building into it that really allow it to replicate, but in a much more efficient way, a typical private placement process," he said. Jenni Reid Think about the apps you use on your phone every day. Studies have shown Americans use an average of 46 mobile apps each month to complete a variety of everyday tasks. Now imagine if you could combine all of those programs into a single, standalone app. A one-stop shop to socialize with friends, order food, pay rent, or even consult with a doctor colloquially known as the "super app." "We're all sick of the dozens of apps on our phones," said Arjun Kharpal, CNBC's senior technology reporter. "And the appeal of the super app is that all of the functions of those apps are in one place, in the super app itself. It's convenient, it's frictionless." Perhaps the most prominent example of the super app is Tencent's WeChat, which began in 2011 as a simple messaging app in China and today boasts more than 1.3 billion monthly active users. The popularity of such apps can be attributed to several factors, including convenience, seamless user experience, and user behavior. While super apps have flourished in Asia, their adoption in Western markets, including the U.S., has been slower due to a variety of reasons. "The regulatory environment in the U.S. today is certainly not as conducive to allowing a super app to develop," said Dan Prud'homme, assistant professor at Florida International University's College of Business. "There are still very strong protections on things like peer-to-peer lending, data privacy, antitrust and so on that don't allow the apps in the U.S. to quite thrive in the same way that WeChat could." But things may be starting to change. In recent years, more and more tech companies have set their sights on bringing the super app model to the U.S. Watch the video to find out what's behind the appeal of super apps in Asia, why the U.S. has been slower to adopt the "everything app" model, and whether we can expect a super app in the U.S. anytime soon. Paris/New Delhi, Jan 21 (UNI) India and France held Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on Monday in Paris, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Anne-Marie Descotes. Foreign Secretary also called-on Jean-Noel Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France and Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of French Republic, a statement said. During the meeting, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the progress made in various facets of bilateral cooperation, as outlined in the India-France Horizon 2047 Roadmap. The discussions encompassed key areas of bilateral cooperation including defence, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital, AI, institutional dialogue mechanisms, and initiatives fostering people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties. Both sides agreed to expand bilateral partnership in the areas of high-end technology sectors. In addition, the dialogue extended to global and regional issues such as cooperation in environment, climate change and health, cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, trilateral dialogues, joint development projects in third countries and ongoing international issues and crises such as those concerning the situation in the Middle East and Russia-Ukraine conflict. Foreign Secretary and Secretary General also co-chaired the meeting of India-France Special Task Force on Civil Nuclear Energy. The MEA spokesperson posted on X: Foreign Secy @VikramMisri called-on FM Jean-Noel Barrot @jnbarrot of France in Paris. Discussions included key areas of bilateral cooperation and the ongoing global challenges. They also held discussions on the upcoming AI Action Summit. India-France Foreign Office Consultations co-chaired by Foreign Secy @VikramMisri & Secretary General Anne-Marie Descotes @amdescotes were held in Paris. Wide ranging discussions on entire gamut of bilateral relations took place focussing on areas like defence, civil nuclear energy, AI, S&T, people-to-people exchanges, & high-level exchanges between the two countries. UNI RN New Delhi, Jan 21 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred the hearing on the interim bail plea of AIMIM candidate and Delhi riots accused Tahir Hussain. Tahir Hussain, an accused in the 2020 Delhi riots, is contesting as an AIMIM candidate from the Mustafabad constituency. A bench comprising Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah had yesterday while hearing his interim bail plea passed the remarks that "Such persons should be barred from contesting." All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidate and Delhi Riots case accused Mohd Tahir Hussain moved the Supreme Court seeking interim bail to campaign for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. Hussain's plea was listed today but the court deferred it to tomorrow, Senior Advocate Siddharth Aggarwal, representing Hussain, said that when he has been granted bail in 9 cases related to the Delhi riots why can he not get bail in this case? The bench directed that the case be listed for tomorrow. Aggarwal informed the Court that the Delhi High Court had granted Hussain custody parole on January 14 to file his nomination papers, which have since been accepted. He urged the Court to grant interim bail to Hussain so that he could actively campaign ahead of the election date on February 5./ Hussain, a former Aam Aadmi Party councillor, is facing charges in connection with the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. In March 2024, the trial court framed charges against Hussain and others Earlier, Hussain had approached the Delhi High Court seeking interim bail. The Delhi Police opposed his plea but agreed to facilitate his filing of nomination papers by granting him custody parole. On January 14, the High Court denied him interim bail as there are severe allegations of being the main perpetrator in the riots that claimed the lives of 59 individuals. thereafter he approached the Supreme Court seeking time to campaign for the upcoming elections in Delhi. The Supreme Court has now listed his matter for Wednesday. UNI SNG KK Usha Vance becomes first Indian-American and Hindu to serve as second lady Washington, Jan 20 (UNI) While all eyes were on Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance as they took oath as President and Vice President of the USA respectively, standing beside them was someone making history in her own way: Usha Vance. On Monday, Usha Vance, 39, became the first Indian American and Hindu to serve as second lady. As a lawyer who is the daughter of Indian immigrants, Usha Vance is also one of the youngest second ladies to assume the position. She is the youngest second lady since 38-year-old Jane Hadley Barkley, the wife of former President Harry Truman's Vice President Alben Barkley, according to ABC News. As 2025 dawns, CISOs face the grim reality that the battle against cyberattackers never ends. Strong and carefully planned cybersecurity projects are the best way to stay a step ahead of attackers and prevent them gaining the upper hand. Urgency is the mantra for 2025, says Greg Sullivan, founding partner of cybersecurity services firm CIOSO Global. Its not a matter of if you will be breached; its the reality of when you will be breached. Because of this, Sullivan believes risk mitigation is crucial. This can only be accomplished by goal setting and continuous security posture improvement. Heres a rundown of cybersecurity projects every CISO should consider launching in 2025. The European Commission is presenting an action plan to strengthen cybersecurity in healthcare as one of its key priorities in the first 100 days of the commissions new mandate. The healthcare sector has been under increasing pressure from cyberattacks in the past few years, with 309 cybersecurity incidents reported by member states in 2023. Ransomware tops the list of cyber threats for healthcare organizations, as cybercriminals recognize healthcare operations are critical and healthcare data is highly sensitive. The EUs Action Plan for hospitals and healthcare providers is the first sector-specific plan to use all EU cybersecurity measures. Attackers believed to be affiliated with ransomware groups have recently been observed using a technique in which they bombard employees with spam emails and then call them on Microsoft Teams posing as technical support representatives from their organizations. The goal of this formerly uncovered social engineering tactic is to create a sense of urgency and trick employees into granting them remote access to their work computers. Incident responders from security vendor Sophos said in a report that they had detected two different groups engaging in such attack campaigns since November, following more or less the same playbook. Sophos is tracking these threats as STAC5143 and STAC5777, the company said. Both threat actors operated their own Microsoft Office 365 service tenants as part of their attacks and took advantage of a default Microsoft Teams configuration that permits users on external domains to initiate chats or meetings with internal users. STORY LINK US Dollar Slides vs Pound, Euro as Trump Delays Tariffs Action Advertisement Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The US Dollar (USD) edged lower in European trading and then posted sharp losses against the Euro (EUR) and Pound Sterling (GBP) following reports that the Trump Administration will not move to impose immediate tariffs on key trade partners.From lows close to 1.2160, the Pound to Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate surged to 10-day highs around 1.2320.According to Scotiabank, A positive week for the GBP this week will lift prospects for a push back towards 1.23/1.24.MUFG noted that the latest COT data released by the CFTC reported that speculative long-dollar positions had increased further to the highest level since September 2018.According to the bank, It clearly highlights that long USD positions have become a very crowded trade, leaving it vulnerable to a correction lower if market expectations for initial policy implementation under Trump disappoint.The Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate also rallied slightly to 1.1815 from 4-month lows close to 1.1800.Domestically, the next significant data point will be the UK labour-market data on Tuesday.The most important element is likely to be wages, with expectations that headline average earnings will increase 5.6% in the year to November from 5.2% previously, with underlying growth at 5.5%.Stronger-than-expected data would cast some doubt on the potential for a February Bank of England rate cut, while weak data would trigger expectations of back-to-back rate cuts during the first quarter, which would hurt the Pound.Immediate market attention was paid to the inauguration of Trump.According to the Wall Street Journal, the Trump Administration will call for evaluating trade relationships with China, Canada and Mexico.The paper also expects that Trump will lay out a vision on trade but, crucially, wont impose new tariffs yet.There is no doubt that Trump will issue a raft of executive orders on the first day of his Administration, but there is likely to be a focus on immigration and the Mexican border.Reduced fears over an immediate imposition of tariffs boosted risk appetite and triggered a dollar sell-off.Scotiabank commented; The positive price action in the USD since the outcome of the US presidential election suggests to me that markets have already factored in avery roughly10-15% tariff regime being imposed on the US major trading partners, so somewhere in the middle of those two extremes which may mean profit-taking if its tariffs lite to start.MUFG is doubtful that there will be sustained dollar losses, especially given the underlying fundamental divergence in the global economies.According to the bank; In this context, we still doubt how sustainable any setback for the USD be with growth outside of the US set to remain weak and even more gradual and/or less broad-based tariffs should still ultimately be supportive for the USD. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Dollar Pound Forecasts Euro Dollar Forecasts by Tim Sommers In Bowers v Hardwick (1986), the Supreme Court Case that affirmed the governments right to criminalize sodomy, Justice Antonin Scalia famously insisted there that there was no right to homosexual sodomy. This was disingenuous in more than one way. First, the statue in question criminalized sodomy in general and not homosexual sodomy in particular. But, more fundamentally, no one was arguing for sodomy as a basic right. They were arguing for a basic right to be free to make their own decisions about their own bodies, consensual intimate relations, and families including intimate relations and the families shared by people of the same sex. Such a right, if it exists, is unenumerated. That is, its not specifically mentioned in the Bill of Rights. On the other hand, the Ninth Amendment says, The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. The tricky bit, of course, is how to know which other rights might be retained by the people though unenumerated. In Roe v. Wade, Justice Douglas cited a line of decisions that established a penumbra of privacy. He was much lampooned for his language, penumbra in particular, but theres a relatively straight forward line of reasoning available here. One way to derive an unenumerated right is to show that it is implied by, or follows from, an enumerated right. The enumerated right of citizens to be secure in their persons, houses, and papers and effects (the 4th), for example, makes no sense without the underlying assumption that you have a right to be in control of your person in the first place. Further, the liberty and property that the 14th Amendment says shall not be denied without due process of law surely includes the right to some degree of control over your own body. One of the few things that Justice Alito gets right in the Dobbs (2022) decision (allowing States to criminalize any kind of abortion and, to some extent, birth control) is that he doesnt describe the issue primarily as privacy but rather as an appeal to a broader right to autonomy. The relevant string of cases that develop and extend this right to autonomy and, yes, privacy, too, includes (at a minimum) Loving v The State of Virginia (the most aptly named SCOTUS case in history since it decriminalized interracial marriage), Griswold v Connecticut (access to birth control for married people), Roe v Wade (abortion decisions are left to pregnant people), Lawerence v Texas (reversing Hardwick, it decriminalized same-sex intimacy), and Obergefell v Hodges (legalized same-sex marriage). Defenders of this tradition argue that it, like the Bill of Rights itself, this is not part of a haphazard list of freedoms, but what follows from a cohesive conception of liberty. The only freedom which deserves the name, John Stuart Mill wrote, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way. In overturning Roe and reproductive freedom, the courts majority called this whole line of cases into question while simultaneously denying they intended to overturn them. Clarence Thomas was more honest in his concurrence writing that in future cases, we should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell. Because [they are] demonstrably erroneous. If these are to be reconsider on the basis of their being demonstrably erroneous, its not hard to predict the outcome of such consideration. While abortion was a natural place to start, it seems likely that, what we might call the great rewind, will naturally go in reverse chronological order replaying the twentieth century backwards from Obergefell to Loving. A conservative is someone who stands athwart history, yelling Stop! William Buckley famously quipped. This reactionary court is actually yelling Go Back! Go back! Since I suspect that it wont take longer than the next four years, and Obergefell is next, in the brief meantime, I thought it might be worth saying something about marriage itself to see if it sheds any light on the fate of marriage equality in America. A wide-variety of social practices have been seen as constituting marriage. Sexual fidelity has been treated as central or virtually meaningless. Polygamous marriage has been widely practiced, though almost exclusively in the form of multiple wives and one husband. Currently, same-sex marriages are legal in 36 countries. Sometimes marriages are officiated by civil authorities, sometimes religious authorities, or nowadays by just about anyone. Term-limited (wedlease) or child-rearing contract-based marriages may be on the way. As you probably know, its an historically recent development that marriage involves, in any essential way, a relationship of love, friendship, or companionship. Marriage historically functioned primarily as an economic and political institution used to create bonds, raise money, control inheritance, share resources and more. The dangers and temptations of excessive love were considered more worrisome, in that context, than lovelessness. Of course, marriage has also historically played a central role in womens oppression. Until very recently, when a man and a woman married, they legally became one person the man. Married women lost the right to own property, make a will, earn money, make contracts, leave her husband, and any recourse against physical abuse and rape. The Head and Master laws, a set of American property laws that permitted a husband to have final say regarding all household decisions and jointly owned property without his wifes knowledge or consent, lasted until the state of Louisiana lost Kirchberg v. Feenstra in 1980. In any case, marriage can be a social status, a civil status, a legal status or all three. It can be a religious ceremony or rite. It can be a social institution or a legal contract or almost nothing at all. The institutional philosophy of marriage is based on the idea that marriage is first and foremost a social institution, meaning that it is defined primarily by its larger social role and the expectations of society. Often the value of marriage, on such a view, is in the limitations it sets on choice in the name of the greater good. This view aspires to enforce a static conception of marriage and typically rules out same-sex marriage. But what is there specifically about the institutional approach that rules out marriage equality? An appeal to tradition, given how various and changeable marriage has been seems weak. An appeal to social stability seems weak when 70% of people live together before marriage and roughly half of all marriages end in divorce. What most opponents argue is that the social, institutional point of marriage is procreation. Of course, same sex partners can have and raise children, adopt and so on. People who are biologically incapable of procreating get married, and people who are unable, because of age or other reasons, to procreate stay married. Unless you introduce some sleight-of-hand about marriage only being for people who in some theological or metaphysical sense (see Natural Law Theory) would be able to, at least under other circumstances, procreate with each other. Theres even the so-called New Natural Law argument that says the marital good can only be achieved through heterosexual intercourse. This is what philosophers call begging the question. Perhaps, its a mistake to think of marriage as an institution at all. As Marx said, Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution? (Thats Groucho, not Karl.) The contractual philosophy of marriage emphasizes that marriage is something freely entered into for the good of the parties themselves, more so than for others except, maybe, children. Whatever else it is, or was, marriage for most people now is about love, friendship, and/or companionship. So, why cant people fashion any kind of marriage for themselves, including as many people of the same or different genders as they want? Why not term-limits or a simply an openly financial arrangement? Why not sever child-rearing, companionship, and sexual intimacy from each other and from a requirement that they be bundled into one relationship? And, of course, why cant same-sex partners get married? Its a minor point, perhaps, but obviously if there are no limits on the permutations, what makes it marriage? More to the point, what makes it a relationship that should be state sanction is some way? Ordinary legal contracts do not allow parties to contract to do just anything. You cant sell yourself or your children into slavery, you cant sell your organs, you cant contract with a group of employees to pay them subminimum wages, etc. It turns out, therefore, that the difference between contractualism and institutionalism about marriage is a matter of degree. The minimal philosophy of marriage is a fairly recent development. It says we ought to disentangle the bundle of rights and responsibilities that currently fall under marriage (medical decisions, inheriting pensions, taxes, and on and on), not be contracting into different kinds of marriages, but by getting the government out of the marriage business. You could even argue that if marriage is a religious institution, it violates the establishment clause (Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion) for the state to recognize it. To me it feels a bit unfair to tell same-sex couples, now that you have the right to marry, we are going to minimize what being married means. On the other hand, when Obergefell goes, perhaps theres a work-around here. Still, it reminds me of the time my brother said to me, I dont believe in marriage. I said, Well, youre wrong, it definitely exists. So, I leave you with the conclusion of Justice Anthony Kennedys opinion, writing for the majority, in Obergefell: No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilizations oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right. (Note on sources: I dont link to every mention of a SCOTUS case here (including this one), but I promise that a brief search will bring up the full text of any case mentioned.) As an ex-nurse, as well as the former minister responsible for patient safety, I was truly shocked last week when the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) released a damning report on the spread of corridor care in the NHS. The harrowing statements from more than 5,000 nursing staff spoke for themselves. One nurse in the south of England said a patient had lain dead in a corridor for hours. Another in London admitted: It feels like were living in a Third World country or worse. The 460-page report made British hospitals sound like something from a war zone in which sub-optimal care and a lack of basic equipment such as dressings, oxygen, cardiac monitors and drugs have become the norm. Where patients are undressed and made to use their bedpans without the privacy of curtains and are given diagnoses and even treatment in full sight of others on crowded wards. A hospital corridor, with its glaring bright lights, white walls and vinyl floor, is the most impersonal place I can think of. Imagine being left to die somewhere like that: abandoned and alone, surrounded by the sounds of a health system in chaos. The clattering of trolley wheels, the chattering of busy nurses and doctors, as strangers walk past talking into their mobile phones without the decency to look away. It must feel like you are already in hell. We have become so used to stories of decline in our country and especially in the failing NHS, funded by taxpayers to the tune of 182 billion a year that stories like this have a habit of being forgotten. Since the RCN report, Israeli hostages have been released, Donald Trump has been sworn in as US President and Axel Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to murdering those little girls in Southport. The airwaves and column inches are filled with other news which means this vital need for intervention risks being overlooked. But we must not allow it to be swept aside. The NHS might prefer to press a finger to its lips and tiptoe back to business as usual. But as the Mail recently reported, at least one hospital the Whittington in north London is now actually recruiting nurses dedicated to corridor care in its overwhelmed A&E department. Nadine Dorries when she was training to be a nurse. She said she was truly shocked by a Royal College of Nursing report on the spread of 'corridor care' in the NHS This fact alone reveals that hospital managers have thrown up their hands and accepted this unforgivable state of affairs. Let me tell you, when I was a nurse we would never have stood for such a thing. Back in the late 1970s, we were conscientious and caring and utterly devoted to our profession. We entered nursing as a vocation, always put our patients first and lived for the days when someone who had arrived in hospital desperately poorly was at last sent home to their family fully recovered, thanks in large part to our efforts. So invested was I in the care of my patients, I can still remember many of them today. And I will also remember the tears my peers and I shed when we lost someone we had been fighting to save. It was far from unusual for us to work past the end of our shifts if a patient needed our help or if there was an emergency. In fact, we worked so closely together, we became more than mere colleagues. I remember one evening in 1976 when I was just 18 and working at a hospital near Liverpool. I was living with my fellow trainees in a nurses home rather like a students hall of residence. I was busy looking after a patient long after our shift had ended. But, instead of rushing back to rest after the long day, the other trainees were patiently waiting for me at the end of the corridor so that we could all walk back together. I remember trotting towards them (we were allowed to run only in the case of haemorrhage or cardiac arrest) and waving to them, grateful that they had waited for me. Their white starched hats bobbed as they smiled, jokingly waving their fob watches as they urged me to get a move on. As we walked home, clutching our hats and with our scarlet-lined black cloaks wrapped tightly around us for warmth, we talked about the days events, eager to learn from one anothers experiences. Each of us was strongly motivated to improve our skills and the care we gave to patients. We discussed the frightening and funny moments of the day there were usually plenty of both and the things we would do differently next time. If any of us had imagined that we would be forced to provide any kind of care to our patients in a crowded corridor, it would have drained every drop of pride in our chosen career. If we knew that some of us would one day have to work in an environment where we had been forced to let our patients down, unable to deliver the care they deserved, Im really not sure how many of us would have continued as nurses. So what has happened to the NHS, and to nursing, since my days in the profession all those years ago? These days, many NHS nurses still work desperately hard, but the vocational approach that drove me and others into our uniforms is now all but gone. Since 2009 and thanks in large part to the RCN, which pushed hard for the idea nurses have had to have a degree-level qualification in the profession. They may be better educated, but Im not sure this has made for better care on the whole, or improved their bedside manner. But there are far wider problems, too. A 2021 report from The Kings Fund a charity that works to improve healthcare found that the number of hospital beds in Britain had more than halved in 30 years, from 299,000 in 1987/88 to 141,000 in 2019/20. This is partly because medical advances mean that patients often dont have to spend so long in hospital, and partly because there has been a shift in policy towards providing treatment and care outside hospitals. But at the same time, the UK population has increased from 55 million people in 1987 to 68 million today, largely thanks to legal and illegal migration. A report from The Kings Fund found the number of hospital beds in Britain had more than halved in 30 years, from 299,000 in 1987/88 to 141,000 in 2019/20 So is it any wonder that we now find our health service in such a state? We cannot expect the population to grow at this rate and for public services to function as they once did. Like so many Britons, Ive been involved with the NHS my whole life from being born in an NHS hospital to my years as a trainee nurse, and even to being a health minister during Covid. So I know that the problems facing the service are complex and wide-reaching. But Im not convinced that giving more money to the NHS is the answer. Instead, we need a fundamental rethink in how we approach care in the NHS, joining up different departments not just Health and Social Care, but Work and Pensions, too to tackling difficult problems such as obesity. We need to rediscover, too, the vocational nature of nursing, which has gone badly awry in recent years. If we dont, we can guarantee that next winter, we will be here again only the problems will be even worse. And the RCN, and others, will be warning all over again that patients are dying in squalid conditions that shame our country. The questions are now rapidly piling up. Why didnt someone raise a red flag when Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was referred not once but three times to the counter-terror programme, Prevent? When did Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper learn that the then 17-year-old had downloaded a study of an Al Qaeda training manual and had manufactured the deadly poison ricin? What exactly did Starmer and the people in power know when they were deriding millions of British people as far-Right thugs? Most crucially of all, how much more are we not being told? The horrific murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport shocked the country. Ugly riots in its aftermath overshadowed the deep concerns felt by millions of ordinary Britons who simply could not understand how anything so senseless could happen here. But our voices were shouted down by authorities determined to control the narrative by policing what people could say, ask and even think about the killings. That level of intense control continues now, with a frightening lack of information about what happened and why. Yesterday at Liverpool Crown Court, Rudakubana pleaded guilty to possessing a PDF document entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual. He also admitted producing ricin, a toxin used in previous terror attacks. He has said nothing else about his motives or his beliefs. Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was referred not once but three times to the counter-terror programme Prevent A court sketch of Rudakubana who, at Liverpool Crown Court, pleaded guilty to possessing a PDF document of the Al Qaeda Training Manual Summer of violence: A police vehicle burns after protests in Southport in July last year The Southport Dance School is the latest case to be covered by the No.1 True Crime podcast, The Trial. Listen to The Trial on Apple, Spotify and anywhere you get your podcasts now Cooper has now announced there will be a public inquiry into the tragedy. All well and good, but this must not become another delaying tactic, still less an expensive talking shop for lawyers. It is imperative the full facts emerge at once. Before Rudakubana was named, we were repeatedly told the killer was Welsh and born in Cardiff. That was true but not the whole truth. His parents are immigrants from Rwanda, and yesterday we belatedly learned his father Alphonse allegedly fought with the Rwandan Patriotic Army against the Hutu regime during the countrys genocide in 1994, when at least one million people were slaughtered, often in brutal ways. If there had been complete transparency from the start, we would not be so suspicious about his motives. But for many, all trust in Starmer and his hapless ministers has been shattered. Every aspect of the official response to the Southport killings and the social unrest triggered is now open to question. I have never experienced such a concerted effort by Government and Left-leaning sections of the media to stifle dissenting voices. The law-abiding British public, and especially the families of the murdered girls and those who suffered life-changing injuries, have a right to know the full facts. Without facts, conspiracy theories breed and distrust in the entire system grows. Last summers riots were fuelled by rumours and half-truths spread on social media. The solution to that sort of poison is not to impose silence. And its not just about Southport. On many more urgent issues, the Government is withholding information and suppressing legitimate questions because Starmer and his frontbench think it expedient not to tell us. Instead, they just blather on as they did after Southport, about misinformation the elites code word for shutting down debate about things they do not want to discuss openly. If theres one lesson to be learned from the horror, it is that transparency is crucial. Professor Matt Goodwin is the author of a regular politics Substack newsletter at mattgoodwin.org For more on this case, search for 'The Trial: The Southport Dance class' wherever you get your podcasts now. As every GCSE physics student should know, nature abhors a vacuum. Where there is emptiness, natural forces will act to fill it. We know from experience that the same is true of social media. In the absence of genuine information, cranks and conspiracy theorists rapidly fill the void. On most topics their lies and half-truths dont have much impact on our lives. Sometimes, however, the effect can be seismic, as it was in the aftermath of the appalling Southport murders. For days police refused to release more than the most basic information about the identity and background of Axel Rudakubana, who stabbed three young girls to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. As a result, the online rumour mill went into overdrive. The killer was a Muslim asylum seeker, they said. He had only recently arrived here, and this was how he repaid our hospitality. This was a flat lie, of course, but it gathered such currency that anger grew and anti-immigrant protests sprang up around the country, some involving attacks on mosques and migrant hostels. It was an inexcusable orgy of violence, but it could have been nipped in the bud had the police seized the narrative by countering the lies with salient facts. For days police refused to release more than the most basic information about the identity and background of Axel Rudakubana (pictured) who stabbed three young girls to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class Instead, they hid behind contempt of court rules to justify virtual silence. This was spurious and seriously unwise. Those laws are meant to prevent a substantial risk of serious prejudice to a fair trial. They should not be used as a blanket excuse for keeping the public in the dark on a matter of huge importance. Yesterday, Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty to three murders, ten attempted murders, producing the deadly poison ricin and possessing an Al Qaeda training manual. He is clearly a severely unbalanced young man, obsessed with murder and genocide. He had been excluded from school following a knife threat and was known to the authorities through Prevent, the Governments anti-extremism programme. However, he was not an asylum seeker, and he is not a Muslim. He was born in Wales to Christian parents originally from Rwanda. If this information had been disclosed at the time, the riots would almost certainly not have happened. As it was, while the families of the dead and wounded were in the throes of shock and grief, a malign circus was playing out around them. Yesterday, Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty to three murders, ten attempted murders, producing the deadly poison ricin and possessing an Al Qaeda training manual. Pictured: victims of Axel Rudakubana (L-R) Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe Axel Rudakubana was not an asylum seeker, and he is not a Muslim. He was born in Wales to Christian parents originally from Rwanda. If this information had been disclosed at the time, the riots would almost certainly not have happened. Pictured: Riot police hold back protesters in Southport Extraordinarily harsh penalties were eventually handed down to rioters and those who spread false rumours that fuelled them, but the damage was already done. The police and Home Office no doubt believed they were doing the right thing in suppressing the truth. They may have thought that even mentioning asylum seekers or Muslims was inflammatory. But they must understand in the age of social media they cannot control the flow of false information. They can only refute it with facts. Silence is no longer an option. Other troubling questions arise out of this heart-rending case. Why, for example, was Rudakubana not monitored despite being referred three times to Prevent? He may not have been aligned to any group, but he was known to police and social services. How could they have failed to notice how dangerously disturbed he really was? It is always said after traumatic incidents like this that lessons must be learned. For the sake of those poor girls and their bereft families, lets hope this time its true. A-Z of TV Thrillers (part one) Anti-corruption Unit: Always corrupt. Send for the Anti-Anti-Corruption Unit! Anti-Anti-Corruption Unit: Sadly, also corrupt. Send for the... Armed Response Unit: On every flight of stairs in the Netflix headquarters theres a group of ten actors, in black clothes and black visors, brandishing toy sub-machine guns and trained at RADA to pirouette 360 degrees on every corner, so as to look vigilant and butch. Balaclava: Any actor hoping to play an assailant is expected to come with their own balaclava. Bathroom: Whatever happens, dont go into the bathroom. Every bath contains a starey-eyed corpse, and theres blood everywhere. Beard, Man with a: But is that the same man with a beard as the man with a beard we saw in the last scene? Now, Im getting muddled. Behind you: Youre having a quiet night in, relaxing with a glass of wine and some easy listening on the hi-fi. Phew! No sign of a masked intruder hell-bent on revenge. Whoops! I spoke too soon. Hes behind you. Binoculars: Well worth taking along if youre a detective whos planning to stand in the street outside a building on the off-chance youll catch a glimpse of a man attempting to murder an attractive young woman who has just stepped out of the shower. Balaclava: Any actor hoping to play an assailant is expected to come with their own balaclava Cat, Its only the: The lead actress hears a frightening noise, but on closer investigation its only the cat Boats, Messing Around on: Former detectives who were drummed out of the force for disobeying orders from their slippery boss always spend their long, empty retirements messing around on boats. Breakfast: Theres no time for breakfast when theres a serial-killer on the loose. Cat, Its only the: The lead actress hears a frightening noise, but on closer investigation its only the cat. Cat, Actually, its not the: Two minutes later, who should put his head round the curtain but the crazy ex-lover, knife in hand. Charles Dance: Always sitting there in his swanky office, suavely ordering terrified sidekicks to assassinate foreign leaders. Close-knit community: See: Dark underbelly. Cough: Any character with a slight cough in episode 1 is sure to be lying in the morgue by the end of episode 3. Dark underbelly: See: Close-knit community. Deadly combat, Locked in: Any woman locked in deadly combat with a serial killer will be saved at the last minute by her former husband. Demons, Battling Inner: The best detectives spend most of their working day battling inner demons. Doors: No need to bother turning a handle when youve got the Armed Response Unit to hand, ready to kick the door in. Driving along a deserted road in the dead of night: Watch out! A deer is bound to leap out and smash your windscreen. Or, if not a deer, a madman with a knife, or the naked woman he is hell-bent on pursuing. Charles Dance (pictured): Always sitting there in his swanky office, suavely ordering terrified sidekicks to assassinate foreign leaders Breakfast: Theres no time for breakfast when theres a serial-killer on the loose Dying words: Murder victims always make the mistake of leaving the name of their killer to the end of their last sentence, which, sadly, they are never quite able to finish. Final Episode: Or you thought it was, but when it comes to an end the hero is suspended over a ravine, with ten men in balaclavas coming after him. So you will have to sign up to series 2 in 18 months to find out what happens. 18 months later, series 2 ends with the same hero suspended over another ravine, with yet more men in balaclavas coming after him. Flaw: Every detective has a flaw: a missing eye, an alcohol problem, insomnia, morbid obesity, bad breath, a dark past, a miserable childhood. See: Demons, Battling Inner. Funeral: The person who arrives at the funeral unexpectedly, in a sleek black car, is always the man responsible for the death of the dear departed. Groceries: Housewives bearing bags of groceries invariably find them spilling all over the floor when they are startled by a masked assailant. Happening to me, I cant believe this is: Exclaims the hero while the boat is filling up with water, the axe is plunging through the back door, or the parachute is failing to open. Snap! Nor can the poor viewer. Honey, is that you? Of course not: its a man in a balaclava! Indigenous folk: Full of ancient wisdom. Anyone can see that Sir Keir Starmer is a hopeless politician. Its hardly surprising, given that until he became PM he hadnt served a single day as a minister of any sort. But at least he has been a Labour MP since 2015. In the course of chopping and changing his views he has presumably picked up a thing or two. The same cant be said of the Attorney General, Lord Hermer KC, who is landing the Government and, more importantly, the country in hot water over two issues: one concerning compensation to suspected former terrorists; the other to do with the Chagos Islands. His Lordship is the first Attorney General since 1922 to have had no parliamentary experience. Why, then, was he appointed to this important position as the Governments chief law officer, attending Cabinet meetings? The answer is that Richard Hermer is an old legal chum of Sir Keirs, probably even further to the Left, and even more deeply involved in human rights law. When he took silk in 2009 i.e. became a senior lawyer Sir Keir gave the speech at his drinks reception. Hermers woke political views may be judged by a recent outburst on a podcast: One cant begin to understand the British colonial project without appreciation for how racism impacted almost every element of it. Sir Keir Starmer during a reception for the Hindu Harvest Festival Sir Keir's Attorney General Lord Hermer KC The Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean Disastrous In 2020 Hermer returned the favour by giving Sir Keir 5,000 to boost his campaign funds when he stood for the Labour leadership. Dont anyone dare ever say our political system isnt whiter than white! Ensconced in No 10, the Prime Minister summoned his pal Hermer, gave him a peerage and made him Attorney General even though, as I say, he had no political experience. One person who was greatly miffed was Labour MP Emily Thornberry, who had been Shadow Attorney General since 2021. She once made herself notorious by sneering about white van men, though she didnt use those words. She is also known as Lady Nugee as she is married to a senior judge. Socialism no longer courses through her veins as powerfully as once it did. So Sir Keir had his old friend by his side where he wanted him two peas in a legal pod. We shouldnt be surprised that this has turned out to be yet another of the PMs disastrous decisions. Not being a politician, Lord Hermer thinks and acts like the Left-wing lawyer that he is, regardless of political considerations. When he is asked to give an account of himself, he declines, giving legal reasons that many think bogus. Last week it emerged that the Government had amended the so-called Legacy Act with the upshot that Gerry Adams and up to 1,500 former suspected terrorists may receive compensation from the British taxpayer. Adams himself is widely alleged to have been a leading member of the IRA. Starmer hurriedly protested that he would look at every conceivable way to prevent compensation being paid to Adams, but this is wholly unconvincing as the Government has deliberately altered the Legacy Act. Labour's shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry who was not given the ministerial role after the party's landslide victory in last July's election Former President of Sinn Fein Gerry Adams Who might be mainly responsible for that? Could it be Lord Hermer? In 2023 he acted for Gerry Adams, who was being sued by IRA victims. He was reportedly paid 30,000, though he refused to divulge any figure when questioned by the Commons justice committee last week. Hermer protested that representing Adams implied no approval of him. This is strictly true since, under the so-called cab rank principle, lawyers are obliged to act for all sorts. Nonetheless, it is likely that Lord Hermer could have dodged what would seem to many an unsavoury task had he so wished. Whether as Attorney General he was involved in the decision to amend the Legacy Act and therefore potentially benefit his former client, Adams is a perfectly legitimate question. It is nonetheless one that Lord Hermer has refused to answer. Smokescreen He wont say whether he has recused himself, just as he declined to say how much he was paid by Adams. He has taken refuge in the Law Officers Convention a rule that Attorney Generals cant reveal what legal advice they have given the Government. According to several distinguished lawyers in a paper published by Policy Exchange, this is a smokescreen. They say that Lord Hermer shouldnt escape questions as to whether he had a conflict of interest concerning the decision to pay compensation to Gerry Adams and others. Former Justice Minister Lord Faulks KC writes that Lord Hermer should make clear whether he recused himself (or was recused) from involvement on matters concerning the Legacy Act. Former Advocate General for Scotland Lord Keen opines that law officers, like other ministers, [should] provide accurate and truthful information to Parliament. As a citizen and taxpayer, I want to know whether Lord Hermer influenced a decision that may lead to millions being paid to hundreds of suspected terrorists. Dont you? Former Justice Minister Lord Faulks KC (pictured) writes that Lord Hermer should make clear whether he recused himself (or was recused) from involvement on matters concerning the Legacy Act Yet he appears to believe he can float above the matter as though he has no connection with the world the rest of us inhabit. Although born in quite humble circumstances, this Leftie lord has acquired the lofty and pompous manner of a legal grandee. Believe it or not, he is doing exactly the same over the Chagos Islands. It is certain that as the Governments politically clueless chief law officer he has been involved in the decision to pay Mauritius 9billion for a lease on the main island, Diego Garcia, where there is an Anglo-American military base. Most people thought that Britain owned the Chagos Islands, having paid Mauritius (which is over 1,300 miles away) for them in 1965. The International Court of Justice took a different view, issuing a non-binding judgment that they belong to Mauritius. The Government, advised by the British Empire-hating Lord Hermer, has supinely gone along with this. Youd have thought that Sir Keirs legal chum had done enough damage but theres more. Hermer is facing another conflict of interest row after it emerged that, in 2023, he represented five migrants who had pitched up in the Chagos Islands and sought asylum in Britain. Their case was dismissed by the High Court. Pompous Sir Keir during a recent visit to Kyiv earlier this month Yet months after Hermer was appointed Attorney General, the five migrants plus 56 others in the same situation were mysteriously allowed to come to Britain in a one-off agreement. Was his Lordship involved in the decision to help his former clients? Might it have been in any way connected with the disastrous deal with Mauritius? The Tories are understandably up in arms about Lord Hermers apparent conflicts of interest. They have sought a debate in the Commons, which the furtive Attorney General has so far forestalled. I never thought Id say this, but I long for Emily Thornberry, who was cruelly displaced by Hermer. She is a bumbling, genial sort, without too many airs and graces. Above all, she doesnt want to pursue a secret agenda by legal means behind the scenes. Shes a politician. Keirs mate is a supercilious lawyer involved in great decisions who refuses to give an account of himself. Its time he did before he ruins the Government and wrecks the country. His friends have spoken out about his weird behavior in a new ID documentary Haskell is accused of killing his wife Mei Li Haskell and her parents Sam Haskell IV, the Hollywood super agent's son accused of killing and dismembering his wife and murdering her parents, kept his spouse a secret from his friends and propositioned other women, a new docuseries has revealed. Haskell, 36, is currently detained at LA's notorious Twin Towers jail. He has been charged with his wife Mei Li Haskell's murder, as well as the murders of her mom Yanxiang Wang, 64, and dad Gaoshan Li, 72, whose bodies have still not been found. Investigation Discovery has put Haskell's case under the spotlight in the latest episode of its show Death by Fame. In the new episode, entitled In the Shadow, an anonymous contributor revealed that she met Haskell on a film set in 2012 and he asked her out on a date shortly after but hid the fact that he was married and a father. She said: 'Sam was in the camera department, and I was in the makeup department. 'I'm Asian and any Asian descent woman that would come to the studios, he would have interest for sure. '[He would have] the googly eyes, you know, stuff that I kind of got when I first met him. 'He would do this to the Asian talents. Like [he] definitely [has] a type.' Sam Haskell IV (seen in February 2024) kept the wife he's accused of killing a secret and propositioned other women for dates, a new docuseries has claimed Haskell has been charged with his wife Mei Li Haskell's murder as well as the murders of her parents. His late wife is pictured The woman claimed that Haskell was 'very quiet' when she first met him, but she said she quickly got the impression that he liked her. 'When we would be on set, he would always like look at me from across the room,' she recalled. After a couple of months of working together, she claimed that Haskell asked her on a date. 'Never did I ever know that he was married,' she insisted. 'I'm getting goosebumps thinking about it and talking about it right now. 'Like he came off as he was a single man looking for a relationship. That's how he would speak to me now. 'I found out this man had a wife and children. He had a family.' The contributor said she was heartbroken after learning the truth about Haskell and his family. 'Two years of knowing somebody and having them come in and have lunch with you,' she said. 'Not a word. Not a mention that I have a wife, I have a family.' An anonymous contributor said in ID's latest episode of Death by Fame that she met Haskell on a film set in 2012 and he asked her out on a date shortly after She said Haskell, who shared three sons with his late wife Mei Lee (seen), hid the fact that he was married and a father Haskell is accused of killing Mei Lee's mom Yanxiang Wang, 64, and dad Gaoshan Li, 72, whose bodies have still not been found Haskell married Mei Lei in 2010 and together they had three sons. Tremain Hayhoe, a friend of Haskell's, also revealed that he was unaware of the accused's marital status. 'I didn't know for the longest time that he had a wife and kid,' he said in the documentary. 'One time after a shoot, we went back to Sam's place. We would go upstairs and Mei would be there with their newborn son and she'd be holding him. 'He would just wave at them and go and do work. That's something that I thought was a little bit odd.' Friend Bella Snow also admitted in the show that she was surprised when she finally found out Haskell had a wife and three sons. 'Everybody was all so shocked, like, wait, you [had] a family all these years?' she said. She also said that they had a 'flirty' relationship and that they had spoken about going on a date together, but he would repeatedly flake on their plans. On January 12, 2024, Haskell plead not guilty to the murders of his wife and in-laws Two of Haskell's friends revealed in the new docuseries how he kept his marital status hidden On November 7 2023, Haskell allegedly hired four day-laborers to take away several heavy black plastic trash bags from his home in Tarzana. One of the laborers opened one of the bags and allegedly observed human body parts. They called 911 and reported the incident. That same day, Haskell is said to have been observed and photographed a short distance from his home disposing a large trash bag into a dumpster. On November 8, an individual who was looking through the same dumpster found a torso in a trash bag and called 911. Haskell was arrested that same day. On January 12, 2024 he plead not guilty to the murders of his wife and in-laws; at the time of writing, a trial has not yet been set. A survivor of the Egyptian tourist boat tragedy have revealed how she had to wait 35 hours for help and how she was 'ready to die' after the yacht capsized in the Red Sea. In November 2025, the yacht 'Sea Story', which was carrying 31 tourists and 13 crew members, was hit by a large wave near Marsa Alam in southeastern Egypt. The disaster claimed four lives and seven people remain missing, including two British divers. Lucianna Galetta, from Belgium, who was one of the survivors, was trapped in the sinking boat for 35 hours. Speaking to BBC News through tears, she said: 'I was ready to die to be honest. 'It's very weird to be alive compared to the others. I was more ready to die than to be alive and living like this now.' She had been on the boat with her partner Christophe Lemmens and the couple survived after finding an air pocket in the engine room at the rear of the vessel, which was still sticking out of the water. Lucianna and Christophe ended up sitting in the area while they waited to be rescued and were later joined by dive instructor Youssef al-Faramawy. Survivors of the Egyptian tourist boat tragedy have described their horror as the boat capsized and filled with water, including Lucianna Galetta, from Belgium, who was trapped in the sinking boat for 35 hours and revealed she was 'ready to die' Although she was 'very happy' to hear a rescue helicopter about eight hours after the boat capsized, Lucianna says they had to wait a further 27 before receiving help. She added: 'We had no communication with the outside, nothing. No one tried to see if there was someone alive in there.' The trio ended up being rescued by al-Faramawy's uncle Khattab al-Faramawi, a local Egyptian diving instructor. Lucianna added: 'We waited 35 hours. I don't understand how there are no divers on the Egyptian military boats.' The incident occurred during rough weather conditions, with the Egyptian Red Sea Ports Authority reporting wave heights of 10-13 feet and wind speeds of 34 knots in the area, leading to the closure of maritime traffic. The boat departed on a diving trip from the port of Ghalib in Marsa Alam on November 24 and was scheduled to arrive at Hurghada Marina on November 29. However, the boat never made the journey and tilted to its side around 3am when most passengers were sleeping in their cabins. Fellow survivor Hissora Gonzalez, from Spain, told the BBC how the ship's rocking stopped her from sleeping that night. Medics and people waited for possible survivors after the boat sank at a harbour in Marsa Alam, in Egypt, 25 November 2024 Another survivor, Dr Sarah Martin, from the UK, said that she remembered 'looking out at the waves,' before the disaster When the engine died and the yacht tilted to the side, Hissora recalled how all the lights went out - and she couldn't tell if she was walking on the ship's 'floor or ceiling'. Another survivor, Dr Sarah Martin, from the UK, said that she remembered feeling concerned about the size of the waves before the disaster. When they asked the crew if this was 'normal' weather, Dr Martin said they responded with 'shrugs'. She added: 'We didn't realise the danger that we were in.' After the ship tilted, Sarah and Hissora headed for the emergency exit at the front of the boat. Lucianna had been on the boat with her partner Christophe Lemmens, and they survived after they found an air pocket in the engine room at the rear of the vessel, which was still sticking out of the water To make their escape, the pair had to climb over door frames and beams, which they found 'quite disorienting'. The pair jumped into the freezing cold water without any life jackets because they worried the boat would completely sink. Sarah added: 'I thought if the boat was going down we needed to get away from it so that it didn't pull us down with it.' Recalling the terror, Hissora described how the current was 'very strong' and her friend Chris 'got swept away'. One of the instructors Natalia swam back to the boat to look for anyone else and she could hear screaming from a cabin. She swam to the cabin window and tried to break it with debris but was unsuccessful. Despite local authorities suggesting that waves had been to blame, 11 people who survived the disaster told the BBC that they think 'crew error' and 'safety failings' by the tour operator, Dive Pro Liveaboard, could have contributed to the sinking. Medics wait for possible survivors after a boat sank at a harbour in Marsa Alam, November 25 Rescuers and medics are seen on a pontoon after the boat capsized early in the morning Medics wait for possible survivors after a boat sank at a harbour in Marsa Alam, Red Sea Governorate, in Egypt, 25 November 2024 Ship tracking website Marine Traffic showed the last location shared by the boat as somewhere off Hurghada Although the water felt 'very rough' when they were still on board the boat, Dr Martin said it didn't feel 'extremely stormy' or unable to swim in it. Dr Simon Boxall, Oceanographer from the University of Southampton, said: 'I've had a look at the available data for that region for wind conditions and there's no way that a large wave would have cause the vessel to capsize. 'That really then boils down to two options either pilot error or in this case a navigator error or an error in the design of the vessel, the chances are it could be a combination of both.' The BBC reached out to the firm that operates the yacht, Dive Pro liveaboard, multiple times to get their response to the survivors claims but they never got back to them. Red Sea governor Amr Hanafi said it capsized 'suddenly and quickly within 5-7 minutes' of the impact with the wave, leaving some passengers unable to set out of their cabins in time. Rescuers from the military and a passing tourist boat pulled 28 people from the water. Hanafi said the boat had passed its last safety inspection in March 2024, with no technical issues reported. The boat, owned by an Egyptian national, was 34 meters long and had received a one-year safety certificate from the Maritime Safety Authority. Ship tracking website Marine Traffic showed the last location shared by the boat as somewhere off Hurghada. The Sea Story is a 144ft, four-deck pleasure craft built in 2022, which can carry up to 36 passengers. The boat has a total of 18 twin cabins with en-suite bathrooms on board, which are used for tourists on diving trips hoping to explore the Red Sea reefs. A 15-year-old boy is celebrating his progress online, posting two remarkably similar X-ray images of his legs, taken eight months apart. He claims a drug called Aromasin has kept his growth plates the areas of cartilage at the end of his bones, which close as puberty stops open. This, he believes, will allow him to grow taller, despite already being 6ft. Aromasin, which reduces oestrogen levels, is used to treat women with breast cancer. It is unlicensed for teenagers; there is no evidence it will help him. In fact one GP I talk to, Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp, suggests it is putting the boy at risk of 'weak, brittle bones, long-term osteoporosis, delayed sexual maturation, infertility or other hormonal dysfunctions'. Plus, she adds: 'Unsupervised use of medication can worsen mental health issues.' Which, in this case, it appears to have done. 'My mind is very f****d,' admits the teenager, who says he blagged the drugs from a pharmacy despite already being tall because 'my height is all I have, and I don't know if I'll be tall enough to make up for the rest'. Heartbreaking claims, but he is far from the only boy agonising over his height, weight, skin or bone structure on the forum. Welcome to the increasingly popular trend of 'looksmaxxing', where looking good is all that matters whatever the risks. If you've wondered why your own teen has started asking for expensive skincare, increasing his protein intake, buying gadgets such as Gua Sha tools for 'sculpting the face', or pontificating over the right cologne, looksmaxxing is probably the reason. For the uninitiated, the term means making yourself as attractive as possible and comes from an online world that tells teenage boys it is impossible to succeed in life or love without good looks. Kareem Shami decided to overhaul his appearance after being bullied about his acne. He is pictured right after his transformation Although girls, of course, have long been pressurised by beauty ideals, this trend is specific to adolescent boys and young men. The aesthetic they seek is largely homogenous the classic chiselled jaw, high cheekbones, almond-shaped 'hunter eyes', rippling muscles and, crucially, height. Their pin-ups are men such as Brazilian male supermodel Francisco Lachowski and Jordan Barrett, an Australian catwalk star who Vogue has dubbed the 'Model It Boy of the new Era', and their language is peppered with insider slang and acronyms for prescription drugs and grooming rituals to improve their 'SMV' (Sexual Market Value). Looksmaxxing involves a spectrum of 'self-improvement' measures. There's 'softmaxxing', which urges boys to undertake expensive 12-step skincare regimes. 'Starvemaxxing', which is about cutting food consumption, losing fat and thereby accentuating musculature or facial bone structure. 'Mewing' is a technique said to reshape the jawline by repositioning the tongue against the roof of the mouth (but which remains entirely unproven), and at the extreme end you find forums discussing full-on surgery, especially to maximise the chin or alter your jaw structure. Astonishingly, even dangerous DIY methods such as 'bone-smashing' breaking bones in the belief this will improve facial structure are advocated online. Most frightening of all are the looksmaxxing forums where boys post selfies only to be told by other users they will never be able to 'ascend' make themselves attractive to women and should consider their lives over. The term looksmaxxing was coined on obscure websites in 2014 and started with incel culture a group of 'involuntarily celibate' men who blame women for denying them relationships. They see it as a solution, says Mike Nicholson, a former English teacher now at the forefront of the fightback against boys' newfound obsession with their looks. Since 2022, he has run a workshop in schools and youth clubs called Progressive Masculinity, which aims to give boys confidence and warn them about the pitfalls of patriarchal gender roles. 23-year-old Shami promotes softmaxxing highlights, haircare, soy bean serum to his 1.8million followers and charges 15 a month on his website to help men 'ascend' He has noticed a preoccupation with looks coming up repeatedly, with boys as young as 12 discussing their worries. Now, thanks to TikTok where looksmaxxing has more than two billion views and influencers get rich telling impressionable young followers how to improve every aspect of their appearance, the trend has reached the mainstream. Recent research from skincare company Dove found 59 per cent of boys aged between ten and 17 felt pressure to be physically attractive. Many UK parents have no idea their sons are being lured into the looksmaxxing world. An obsession with the gym or 30 moisturiser might be just the start. A new Channel 4 documentary, The Toxic World Of Perfect Looks: UNTOLD, uncovers the dark side of looksmaxxing, most poignantly when presenter Ben Zand speaks to a young man who spent 65,000 on leg-lengthening surgery. He describes it as feeling like 'someone trying to rip your skin apart'. At the forefront of the TikTok looksmaxxing trend is 23-year-old Kareem Shami, known by the username @syrianpsycho a reference to Patrick Bateman from the 2000 film American Psycho, 'often hailed as the apex of incel beauty standards,' says Nicholson. Shami promotes softmaxxing highlights, haircare, soy bean serum to his 1.8million followers, and charges 15 a month for access to 'step-by-step actionable video lessons' on his website to help men 'ascend'. 'While some of his messages on hygiene, self-care and exercise can be considered healthy advice, there is a danger of being pulled into some of the darker subcultures associated with looksmaxxing,' Nicholson adds. Shami speaks to me over Zoom from his Los Angeles home. With his flawless skin showcasing facial symmetry and gleaming teeth inches from his screen, he is charming but emphatic. 'If you don't care for how you look, which is very unlikely because then you're not even human, I envy you. We're built in a society where people care about these shallow things,' he says. Shami insists the encouragement of male grooming is a 'net positive' because 'we've had many years where men were quiet about their insecurities. A lot of men don't keep up with their hygiene. Girls don't struggle with this because they've been taught at such an early age. Looksmaxxing opens the door.' Yet he acknowledges the dark side. Indeed, Shami, whose family fled war in Syria for Lebanon when he was 12, fell victim to it himself. A scrawny teen with acne, eye bags and bad hair, he was bullied to such an extent he lacked the confidence even to go out. 'I had kids call me 'pizza face', girls pointing and laughing because I had flare-ups, people saying I had a horrible haircut like a mushroom.' After being called a 'zombie' aged 17, he radically overhauled his appearance by sleeping properly and going to the gym, getting 'appropriate sun', whitening his teeth, visiting a dermatologist and growing his hair. Three years later by which time he'd left home to study for a pre-law degree in California he was barely recognisable in confidence or looks. When he posted his 'glow-up' a progressive sequence of before and after pictures two years ago, it went viral (the clip now has 36 million views on TikTok), inciting envy from obsessives on looksmaxxing forums. 'I was getting death threats. It was scary,' Shami tells me. 'This community is full of people that have nothing to lose and they're dangerous.' Shami admits that some influencers promote surgery they haven't had for attention and post 'idiotic' advice. 'Some is satirical, and some isn't. They're posting it to get views.' But how is an impressionable teenage boy to know the difference? One British TikToker I come across with what seems a serious account tells his 146,000 followers to 'stop falling for scams' before suggesting they wash their hair with egg yolk. Others, Shami says, are 'doing what I would have done if I had no morals' and starting businesses to sell methods such as 'rubbing your eyes in a certain direction to make your eyes look better'. 'The kids are curious, they watch their videos and then they pay to join their academy to learn how to do it, and it's bulls**t. There are people making ten times the money I do because they don't care for their viewers.' I put it to him, however, that he has espoused the benefits of oil pulling swilling coconut oil around your mouth to improve oral hygiene and mewing, neither of which are scientifically proven. He looks slightly flummoxed. On looksmaxxing forums, damaging disinformation and despair abounds. One member deliberates injecting filler into his heels as a 'pretty easy way to gain a couple of centimetres' 'Oil pulling was a bit of a trend. I don't advocate too much of that. Mewing I did advocate for a while. A lot of people think of it as an exercise that's going to change their appearance, but that's not how it works. It's just posture.' The problem is, says Harley Street non-surgical aesthetics doctor Ed Robinson, 'it's become commercialised. You can buy mewing devices and jaw-trainers. That's when you're taking advantage of people.' His clinic's patients are now 20 per cent male, and over the past two years he's seen an increase in men claiming that looking more 'masculine can get you further in life'. Dating prospects are 'something people bring up quite a lot'. A looksmaxxing profile, he says, requires 'a wide-set chin, jawline, and more defined cheekbones, which is achievable with filler'. At 32, he has had filler to change the shape of his own 'recessed' chin and has been having Botox for five years. Yet the motivation for this kind of work is key, he says. 'I work 36 hours a week for the NHS as an anaesthetist and that makes me feel tired. It's nice to have procedures that mean I don't look on the outside how I feel on the inside. I turn people away if they show signs of body dysmorphia if they're pointing out a flaw I can't see, or if I feel what they want is unnatural.' The lure of looksmaxxing starts long before surgery is an option. 'Most 12-year-olds in our workshops say it is really important to have a cool haircut, to smell nice. They want to go to the gym,' says Nicholson. When he asks boys if they would take steroids to look bigger, it's not unusual for half of the group to put their hands up. Some influencer posts seem presented in a way that will encourage self-loathing of the body. Take US TikToker Dillon Latham, 19, (followers: 1.7 million), who repeatedly says unshaved armpits make you smell 'disgusting'. On looksmaxxing forums, damaging disinformation and despair abounds. One member deliberates injecting filler into his heels as a 'pretty easy way to gain a couple of centimetres', while a baby-faced boy posts a picture of himself begging for advice on how to look better. 'I'll do anything but surgery,' he writes not because of his age or safety concerns, but because 'I don't have the money right now'. (He's told by other members to lose weight and get fillers for his cleft chin.) Despite or, indeed, because of ever more obsessive grooming rituals, older boys are showing unhealthy attitudes towards girls, says Nicholson, to the extent they won't converse with them lest they are humiliated. 'There's a huge climate of fear.' The desire to attract women is the driving force behind looksmaxxing influencer Austin Wayne's 102,000 YouTube subscribers. 'If you look at studies, women only choose guys on dating apps that look better than everyone else. I think it comes down to a place where they just want to get more girls,' says Wayne, who acknowledges some of his subscribers 'don't feel they're good enough' because 'they're comparing themselves to models'. As a successful model himself a strapping 6ft 6in, he has posed for Polo Ralph Lauren he is perhaps a case in point. 'Height does make a difference, whether or not we want to believe it,' he tells me. He claims most boys aren't growing as tall as they could because 'they're not sleeping enough'. 'They're eating all this junk food. That's going to make you a bit shorter. My thing is optimising your health as much as possible so you can grow taller naturally.' To that end, he has made videos entitled 'the best stretches to grow taller' and 'seven ways to grow taller at any age' which include taking Vitamin D supplements, strength training and getting plenty of sleep. He has his own supplement company and charges followers upwards of 400 for tailor-made exercise, meal planning and looksmaxxing courses run by male models. 'I pretty much oversee their entire life,' he says, adamant that confidence and charisma are as important as appearance. 'I believe you should look more attractive and invest in your appearance. But it's not everything. Obviously, [looksmaxxing] has such a powerful, cult-like following, it can be hard to change their mind.' Harley Street doctor Ed Robinson says his clinic's patients are now 20 per cent male, and he's seen an increase in men claiming that looking more 'masculine can get you further in life' Arresting angular jaw and aquamarine eyes aside (we speak on Zoom he, too, is in California), he says he was an under-confident teen: 'I was scared to talk to girls.' Now in his mid-20s, by 17 he was manipulating his chin with his hands to try to change the shape of his jaw. 'Nothing crazy. I've never used a hammer,' says Wayne. Around the same time, he went on a health and exercise frenzy, crediting the 8in he grew in a year in part to drinking a gallon of raw, unpasteurised cow's milk (which can carry harmful bacteria) every day. As he built muscle, his confidence soared. 'If you can change your appearance, it's going to leak into other aspects of your life,' says Wayne, who urges his followers to 'do the basics getting a good haircut...good facial hair for your face, working on the jaw line, working on your skincare'. Wayne eats ten eggs and a pound of beef a day to fuel his four times a week, one to two-hour-long gym sessions, which help keep his body fat at eight to ten per cent. 'Body fat is a huge aspect of showing how good you can look,' says Wayne, who says the ideal is 'ten to 13 per cent...above 15 per cent actually isn't very healthy for men'. When I check on Nuffield Health's website, it says a body fat level of 19 per cent is normal in men. Although there is clearly a difference between social media stars promoting self-improvement and the dark underbelly of incel-fuelled obsession, I can see how easy it would be for impressionable young men to spiral from one to the other. Back on the looksmaxxing forum (seemingly unsupervised by older, calmer heads), members are responding to the 15-year-old trying to alter his height with Aromasin. 'Nice results, man,' writes one; 'good s**t bro', says another. No matter the cost and for this poor lad, it could be high the pursuit of physical perfection is prized above all others. It left many people stunned over the immense riches of Donald's inner circle A photo emerged that showed some of the world's top moguls all sitting together A new photo of Donald Trump's elite billionaire friends hanging out at his inauguration has left people across the web in awe. Donald, 78, was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday afternoon, and a slew of political figures, celebrities, and entrepreneurs were there to cheer him on. But when a photo emerged that showed some of the world's top moguls all sitting together at the event, many social media users were stunned over the immense riches of the new President's inner circle. Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, were seated alongside Amazon creator Jeff Bezos and his fiancee, Lauren Sanchez, as well as Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and businessman Elon Musk. The image of all of the businessmen watching the event together went viral on X, formerly Twitter, after someone pointed out that their net worths totaled a whopping $850 billion. Mark is worth around $211 billion, while Jeff's net worth is estimated at $239 billion. As for Sundar, he is said to have $1.3 billion accumulated, while Elon has an estimated net worth of $433 billion, which actually adds up to $884 billion. People were certainly amazed that so many well-off people came together to support Trump, and that they all managed to end up in one photo. A new photo of Donald Trump's elite billionaire friends hanging out at his inauguration has left people across the web in awe Donald, 78, was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday afternoon, and a slew of political figures, celebrities, and entrepreneurs were there to cheer him on When a photo emerged that showed some of the world's top moguls all sitting together at the event, many people were left stunned over the immense riches of Donald's inner circle '$850 billion in this pic,' a woman named Aubrey Strobel wrote on X, alongside a photo of the tech moguls standing at their seats. In the replies, some people called it 'crazy' and 'obscene,' while others described it as 'legendary' and 'bada**.' 'If anyone wanted an idea about the wealth in US, this pic should be framed and hung in a museum,' one person wrote. 'Even crazier is that Elon Musk is single handedly half of this combined net worth,' someone else pointed out. 'Not even half the deficit spending for one year. It's pretty impressive,' added another user. 'Notable that these billionaires had better seats than Trump's incoming cabinet - and were given seats while Governor Ron DeSantis and others were seated in the overflow room,' a fourth tweet read. 'And they are all self-made. Pretty bada**,' a fifth said. 'Telling my kids this is the cast of Succession,' joked someone else. Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, were seated alongside Jeff Bezos and his fiancee, Lauren Sanchez, as well as Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and businessman Elon Musk The image of all of the businessmen watching the event together went viral on X, formerly Twitter, after someone pointed out that their net worths totaled a whopping $850 billion People were certainly amazed that so many well-off people came together to support Trump, and that they all managed to end up in one photo Others, however, were more focused on the fact that Mark, 40, was seemingly looking at Lauren's chest 'Get Trump and Melania in the pic and it's almost a trillion,' another user wrote. 'Those people are worth more than the entire German stock market,' a different person tweeted. Others, however, were more focused on the fact that Mark, 40, was seemingly looking at Lauren's chest. In the image, the 40-year-old appeared to be glancing down at Lauren's cleavage, which was on full display thanks to her daring ensemble. 'Mark having a hard time focusing,' wrote one person. 'Mark Zuck keeps looking at Jeff Bezos' [fiancee],' said someone else. 'Zuck is enjoying the view from above,' a third user added. Lauren opted for a white pants suit for the event, but she left her jacket unbuttoned on top, leaving her white lace bra in full view The bold wardrobe choice sent social media into a frenzy, with many people take to X to share their thoughts on the risque ensemble 'Mark, eyes up,' another person simply penned, while a different user theorized, 'After this, Mark could have problems at home.' Lauren opted for a white pants suit for the event, but she left her jacket unbuttoned on top, leaving her white lace bra in full view. The bold wardrobe choice sent social media into a frenzy, with many people take to X to share their thoughts on the risque ensemble. 'Good grief, Lauren Sanchez. Put them away for one day,' one disgusted user urged. 'Lauren Sanchez is wearing a bra,' wrote another shocked user. 'Just when I was luxuriating in the beauty and class of @FLOTUS45, in walks Lauren Sanchez wearing only a bra,' slammed someone else. 'Lauren Sanchez complete inappropriate dress today,' another agreed. 'Really, a bra plainly visible? Today is NOT a night club event. Show some class and dignity.' Other users failed to find humor in Jack's upload and were left feeling sickened JFK's grandson, 32, took to social media during Donald Trump's inauguration Jack Schlossberg has shocked his social media following after posting a 'weird' question about his grandmother, with some accusing him of 'disrespecting her for Twitter likes.' The 32-year-old political correspondent, who is the grandson of former president John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy, ignited controversy as he took to X during Donald Trump's inauguration. Addressing his 142,000 followers, Jack wrote: 'True or false: Usha Vance is way hotter than Jackie O.' But users failed to find humor in Jack's upload, with many instead wondering why he was including his own grandmother in such a ranking. One commented: 'Gonna be honest man, I think most people don't do hotness rankers involving their grandmas.' Another wrote: 'Weird thing to post about your grandmother.' Jack Schlossberg has shocked his social media following after posting a 'weird' question about his grandmother The 32-year-old political correspondent is the grandson of former president John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy 'Literally your grandmother,' said a third. Echoing a similar sentiment, another added: 'Don't talk about granny that way.' 'Jack NOOO this may be taking the trolling too far!' a fifth continued. A sixth penned: 'Honey, they'll crucify you for this.' 'Disrespecting my grandmother for Twitter likes,' posted another. Jack, real name John, is the youngest of three children of designer and artist Edwin Schlossberg and author and diplomat Caroline Kennedy. He is named after his maternal grandfather, the 35th U.S. president John F. Kennedy, and matrilineal great-grandfather, the Wall Street stockbroker John Vernou Bouvier III. JFK was assassinated while riding in a presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. Taking to X on the day of Trump's inauguration, Jack wrote: 'True or false: Usha Vance is way hotter than Jackie O' But users failed to find humor in Jack's upload, with many instead wondering why he was including his own grandmother in the hotness ranking Jackie Kennedy died in her sleep at her Fifth Avenue apartment on May 19, 1994 aged 64. Usha Vance, who is the wife of Vice President JD Vance, officially became the second lady of the United States on Monday morning. She is the first Indian American and Hindu American in the role. Jack is known for his bizarre social media presence. In November, he set the internet on fire with a bizarre video of himself lip-syncing to Fleetwood Mac in Dunkin' Donuts, in front of a confused employee. He posted a clip of himself bopping to 'Everywhere' in an almost-deserted New York City branch of the popular chain. Jack panned the camera toward a server at the end of his performance - adding another comedy element to the clip as she stared at him in bemusement. President Kennedy and his wife with their two children, Caroline and John in 1962 JFK and Jackie's daughter Caroline is Jack's mother He's also taken many public shots at his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is the nominee for United States Secretary of Health and Human Services in President Donald Trump's second cabinet. In November, Jack joked that his grandfather's nephew and other Trump appointees 'be required to submit a stool sample' before assuming power. 'If they don't give a s**t about bodily autonomy, why not ask for one,' he wrote, before tagging Trump's newly tapped health secretary specifically. 'Lots to spare, much to be revealed,' he joked - further enflaming political tensions seen in his blue-blooded family. Ivanka Trump stunned in a custom recreation of an iconic 1954 couture gown worn by Audrey Hepburn at her father, Donald Trump's inauguration ball. The First Daughter, 43, took to the stage with her husband, Jared Kushner, 44, to share in a romantic dance during the Liberty Ball in Washington, D.C., on Monday evening. The mother-of-three opted for an elegant, strapless white gown that contained a long flowing skirt and intricate black floral detailing. The dress was a recreation of a Hubert de Givenchys 1954 Haute Couture black-and-white gown that was originally designed for Audrey in the film Sabrina. Ivanka's rep said that she was 'honored' to wear the gown and 'incredibly grateful for Arnault family and the Givenchy atelier for creating this masterpiece, capturing the original artistry and elegance with remarkable precision and craftsmanship.' 'Audrey Hepburn has long been a personal inspiration to Ivanka,' they added. 'She views it as a great privilege to honor her legacy in this way, and is incredibly grateful to the team at Givenchy for bringing this moment to life.' She kept her long blonde locks in a tight bun and accessorized with black gloves and a dazzling diamond necklace. Ivanka Trump stunned in a custom recreation of an iconic 1954 couture gown worn by Audrey Hepburn at her father, Donald Trump 's inauguration ball The First Daughter, 43, took to the stage with her husband, Jared Kushner , 44, to share in a romantic dance during the Liberty Ball in Washington, D.C., on Monday evening Ivanka Trump wears a spectacular Givenchy gown and LEVIEV Diamonds for the Liberty Inaugural Ball The mother-of-three opted for an elegant, strapless white gown that contained a long flowing skirt and intricate black floral detailing The dress was a recreation of a Hubert de Givenchys 1954 Haute Couture black-and-white gown that was originally designed for Audrey in the film Sabrina Ivanka and Jared danced on stage alongside Donald and his wife, Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and his spouse, Usha Vance, Tiffany Trump and her husband, Michael Boulos, and Eric Trump and his wife, Lara Trump As for Jared, he looked handsome in a simple black tuxedo. Audrey is seen wearing the original gown in Sabrina The couple looked as happy as could be as they slow danced together, with one photo showing them romantically starring into each other's eyes. The mother-of-three could barely contain her smile as she looked up at her husband. The couple danced alongside Donald and his wife, Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance and his spouse, Usha Vance, as well as her siblings Tiffany Trump and her husband, Michael Boulos, and Eric Trump and his wife, Lara Trump. Tiffany, who is expecting her first child with Michael, showcased her growing baby bump in a sparkling gray gown. As for Lara, she opted for a fiery red gown with ruffles along the side. Hours earlier, Ivanka looked effortlessly chic as she attended her father's inauguration in an all-green outfit. The new President's daughter stunned in a simple yet eye-catching forest-green outfit, which included a woolen pencil skirt with matching blazer. US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump (R) and her husband Jared Kushner attend the Liberty inaugural ball in Washington Jared looked classy in a simple black tuxedo Ivanka's rep said that she was 'honored' to wear the gown and 'incredibly grateful for Arnault family and the Givenchy atelier for creating this masterpiece' The couple looked as happy as could be as they slow danced together, with one photo showing them romantically starring into each other's eyes Ivanka Trump dances with her husband Jared Kushner at the Liberty Ball Ivanka Trump turned heads with a spectacular Givenchy gown and LEVIEV Diamonds for the Liberty Inaugural Ball Ivanka kept her long blonde locks in a tight bun and accessorized with black gloves and a dazzling diamond necklace Tiffany, who is expecting her first child with Michael, showcased her growing baby bump in a sparkling gray gown As for Lara, she opted for a fiery red gown with ruffles along the side The gorgeous jacket was structured around her body, cinched at the waist with a thin black leather belt. It also featured a chic asymmetrical element, with the right-side lapel sweeping down in a waterfall style. She accessorized with a beret-style hat in the same shade, black high heels, sheer black tights, and leather gloves. Ivanka wore her hair in a stylish French twist and kept her make-up simple, adding pearl earrings. The 43-year-old held a stunning Dior bag on her arm, which appeared to be the Lady Dior Bag in Black Cannage Grained Calfskin with gold finishes, which retails for $5,900. While it may have been Donald's big day, Ivanka's sons Joseph, 10, and Theodore, eight, stole the show. The youngsters went viral on social media after they were snapped dozing off at a church service at St. John's Church before the swearing in ceremony. Ivanka was sitting in between her sons - whom she shares with husband Jared Kushner, 44 - but the two boys struggled to keep their eyes open during the service. In one snap, Ivanka's eldest son was leaning against her, appearing to be fast sleep, while his brother was also on the brink of slumber. It was a family affair at Donald Trumps 2025 inauguration on Monday, as the 47th presidents children and grandchildren shared updates throughout the event on social media. In a post shared to Instagram, Donald's sons Eric Trump and Barron Trump posed for a selfie inside the U.S. Capitol Building - where the inauguration ceremony was moved to due to frigid outdoor temperatures. Eric, 41, appeared to snap the photo with his front-facing phone camera while six-foot-nine Barron, 18, towered behind his older brother. The second eldest Trump brother then posted the selfie to his 2.8 million Instagram followers. Meanwhile, the Presidents 17-year-old granddaughter, Kai Trump, took to Instagram to share her dazzling look for the inaugural ball on Monday evening. In photos and videos posted to her account, Trumps eldest grandchild sparkled in an off-white beaded gown with a corset bodice and thigh-high slit designed by Sherri Hill. Inaugural ball dance ready @sherrihill, she captioned a video of herself showing off the dress. Earlier in the day, the teen vlogger gave her YouTube subscribers an exciting behind-the-scenes glimpse of events leading up to Trump's inauguration. Barron Trump, 18, and Eric Trump, 41, pose for selfie inside the U.S. Capitol Building during father's inauguration In the vlog, Kai revealed that she had been given a number of Sherri Hill dresses for the busy weekend. 'This is Sherri Hill,' she said, showing off the gowns, which came in red, navy, and gold. 'She sent me some dresses and they're amazing. All my ball gowns are Sherri Hill.' Kai explained that although she has never worn Sherri Hill before, she felt like the dresses 'looked really good on her.' 'She's a really good designer,' she added. 'I've heard of her before. Thank you so much for sending these Sherri, I appreciate it. They look so amazing.' While attending a Trump rally at the Capital One Arena as well as his candlelit dinner at the Building Museum on Sunday, Kai posed for pictures with her dad, Donald Trump Jr., as well as with the rest of her family. However, she didn't stick around to actually eat at the dinner as she later revealed that she had ordered a steak to her hotel room instead. 'I'm so hungry, I didn't get to eat dinner,' she exclaimed to her friend, who added that she had accidentally sent her meal back to the kitchen. Meanwhile, Donald Trump's granddaughter Kai Trump, 17, shared her dazzling look for the inaugural ball on Monday evening Trumps eldest grandchild sparkled in an off-white beaded gown with a corset bodice and thigh-high slit designed by Sherri Hill In the comments, many viewers praised Kai for documenting the experience and for giving her followers an inside look at the exclusive event. 'Really appreciate you and your friends giving the youth reaction to these events, one fan said. Another wrote: 'You must be so proud and to have your close friends sharing the experience it will be a memory you'll tell your children someday.' A third added: 'You looked perfect today. I'm glad you got to see everyone come through the doorway. Congratulations on being our greatest president's granddaughter.' 'I love how she is so down to earth and not rude and posh and like a show -off and is just not afraid of being herself,' said someone else. Kai born on May 12, 2007 is the eldest child of Don Jr. and his ex-wife Vanessa Trump, who divorced in 2018. She is also the eldest of Trump's 10 grandchildren. Following Trump's inauguration ceremony, the 47th president promised a 'new golden age of America' at a signing-ceremony-turned-rally at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington on Monday. Kai also donned a navy blue Sherri Hill gown on Sunday evening leading up to her grandfather's inauguration 'You are now witnessing the dawn of the golden age of America,' he declared to great applause. 'We're not going to put up with that crap anymore.' In the first hours of his second term, Trump immediately delivered on his promise by signing an executive order to undo 78 of Biden's presidential actions. He announced a regulatory freeze preventing bureaucrats from issuing regulations until the Trump administration has full control of the government and a freeze on all federal hiring except for military and a few other essential areas. Trump ordered a requirement that federal workers return to full-time in-person work, a directive to every department and agency to address the cost of living crisis, and announced withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty. He also signed a government order restoring freedom of speech and preventing censorship of free speech and one ending the 'weaponization of government against the political adversaries of the previous administration.' Savile Row's tailors are working overtime to alter bespoke 7,000 suits that no longer fit their Ozempic-taking clientele, a new report has revealed. The 'miracle' weight loss drug that was once Hollywood's best-kept secret is now easily available to anyone looking to drop a couple of sizes - and not just diabetes patients that jabs like Ozempic and Mounjaro were intended to help. It appears an unintended side effect of the drug has now struck some of Britain's known suitmakers, who are fed up with requests for repeat alterations from customers who have lost weight after taking these injections. Terry Haste, of Kent and Haste, told The Times: 'It's been a nightmare.' The son of John Hitchcock, a Savile Row legend who counted King Charles among his clients, Steven Hitchcock explained that his newly lanky clients don't know what to do with their now-baggy and ill-fitting - but expensive - suits. One customer, the master tailor continues, has 100 suits that are 'around 7,000 a piece' and 'understandably doesn't want [them] to go waste'. The problem is these custom creations aren't easy to trim and tweak and alterations mostly require overhauling the garment entirely. These requests often eat away from time that business owners on the famed London street could spend on new commissions; altering a suit costs around 1,600, clients would typically fork out between 5,000 and 7,000 on a replacement. (Stock photo) Savile Row's tailors are working overtime to alter bespoke 7,000 suits that no longer fit their Ozempic-taking clientele, a new report has revealed (Stock photo) It appears an unintended side effect of the drug has now struck some of Britain's known suitmakers, who are fed up with requests for repeat alterations from customers who have lost weight after taking these injections The other problem they're facing is having to work long hours to complete these additional alterations for clients gripped by the Ozempic craze. Haste told the newspaper he has had to employ extra tailors who are 'working flat out trying to keep up' with the influx of suits that no longer fit their owners. There are, however, a limited number of 'outworkers' that bespoke tailoring firms can recruit to help them tide over busier periods. The tailors added that the 'big worry' was that their workshops would be overrun by too-tight suits once customers went off Ozempic and gained back the weight they had once lost - a phenomenon known as 'Ozempic rebound'. Prescription medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, known as GLP-1's, were originally designed to treat people with type 2 diabetes by stimulating insulin secretion and delaying gastric emptying. However, after it was discovered that the drug makes people feel fuller for longer, it became possible to acquire an 'off-label' prescription as a weight loss treatment. While Ozempic users can lose between 15 and 20 per cent, research also shows that roughly half of patients who eventually stop using the medicines known collectively as GLP-1 drugs will put some weight back on. Nearly one in five who come off them will regain all or even more of the weight they lost. The tailors added that the 'big worry' was that their workshops would be overrun by too-tight suits once customers went off Ozempic and gained back the weight they had once lost - a phenomenon known as 'Ozempic rebound' Despite the growing list of their reported side-effects, the popularity of these weight loss jabs continues to surge in 2025 - as the word 'Ozempic' becomes more ingrained in pop culture everday. MailOnline recently revealed that a boom in miracle weight loss drugs could see holiday resorts introduce 'Ozempic menus' and smaller portions for tourists. Speaking to the MailOnline, Seda Yilmaz - director at Timeless PR and Turkey Tourism Expert - said resorts could start to offer 'Ozempic friendly' menus or wellness-centred packages in the near future. Meanwhile, the restaurant industry - like London's tailors - has been feeling the weight of Ozempic, with some of the most in-demand establishments in the US and UK reporting a worrying dip in profits as customers taking the 'skinny jab' refuse to order more than small plates while eating out. Earlier this year, a survey by Morgan Stanley found 63 per cent of people on Ozempic are ordering considerably less while dining out than they were before they being prescribed the drug. Nima Safaei - the founder of 40 Dean Street and 64 Old Compton Street in London - said that his restaurants are currently grappling with the rise of Ozempic, which has been used by celebrities including Sharon Osbourne, Rebel Wilson and Tracy Morgan. He told FEMAIL: 'We've definitely noticed a shift in how people are dining with us. More customers are coming in just for drinks or ordering a couple of starters to share, and were seeing fewer three-course meals. 'Sometimes we do wonder why people come in if theyre not particularly hungry, but we understand that its about the social experience and enjoying an evening with friends.' As a result, Nima is now considering offering smaller sizes to avoid losing any potential customers who are on the weight loss drug. What's more, Andrew Gray - who is the founder of Fables & Company - said that there 'simply isn't demand for larger dishes' in their three wine bars, Plume, Finch and Quill. The expert said: 'Our guests increasingly prefer smaller portions. 'Large dishes can be a bit antisocial and leave people feeling too full, which isnt ideal for a night out.' However, the phenomenon isn't strictly confined to the UK - with US-based establishments also revealing that they've had to adapt their approach to keep up with changing customer preferences as a result of Ozempic. King Frederik of Denmark has been praised by royal fans for sending a 'classy' letter congratulating President Trump on his inauguration - amid the politician's attempt to buy Greenland. The European monarch, 56, lead the royals from around the globe sending their good wishes to the new President. In his message, the King expressed his 'sincere congratulations and best wishes' to Trump, his family and the US population in a short note that was published on the Danish royals' official Instagram account. The Danish royal's note read: 'The Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America. 'On the occasion of your inauguration on January 20th, 2025, as the 47th President of the United States of America, I wish to express my sincere congratulations and best wishes for yourself, your family and for the people of the United States of America.' Frederik's congratulatory note did not go unnoticed by Instagram users - and was generally viewed in the context of the threat that Trump poses to Greenland. The post, which was praised for being 'classy' by followers, received almost 21,000 likes and attracted more than 550 comments. One Instagram user joked: 'P.S. We will keep Greenland.' King Frederik of Denmark (pictured) expressed his 'sincere congratulations' to Donald Trump after he was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States of America yesterday President Donald Trump takes oath on the day of his Presidential Inauguration at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Meanwhile, another suggested Frederik should have signed off the message with: 'King of Denmark AND Greenland AND The Faroese Islands!!!' A third added: 'Being polite is a requirement!' A fourth replied: 'To everyone who questions this congratulatory letter from our gracious King Frederik. This is formal, normal - and necessary - royalty etiquette. 'Not sending such a letter would be a disaster with respect to the tense situation about Greenland. 'Our King did what he is supposed to do. But he kept it short and formal as even remotely possible - without being impolite. As with everything King Frederik does, he did it very well'. It comes after the US President sparked turmoil in Copenhagen and Nuuk, Greenland's capital, last week when he signalled that the US wanted to acquire the huge arctic island. A referendum on independence is thought to be on the cards and Denmark has said it would respect any result. The territory, which lies between Canada and Scandanavia, has been under Denmark's effective control since the 14th Century. Earlier this month, King Frederik unveiled his new coat of arms that reaffirms his kingdom's longtime claim the territory. The following day, Donald Trump Jr made a surprise visit to the island in a 'personal' capacity. What's more, Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf, 78, issued a similarly laudatory note to the president. King Harald V of Norway (pictured with his wife Queen Sonja) sent his 'warmest congratulations' to Trump King Abdullah II of Jordan (pictured with his wife Queen Rania) took to X (formerly Twitter ) to wish Trump 'every success' for his second term as president King Frederik's congratulatory note was posted to Instagram where it attracted more than 500 comments Frederik's congratulatory note did not go unnoticed by Instagram users - and was generally viewed in the context of the threat that Trump poses to Greenland The letter, which was posted on the official Instagram account of the Swedish royals, was addressed to 'His Excellency Mr Donald Trump, President of the United States of America'. Carl Gustaf wrote: 'On the occasion of your assuming the high office of the President of the United Sates of America, I extend to you my sincere congratulations and my best wishes for your health and happiness and for the well-being and prosperity of the people of the United States.' The caption to the post looked back to historic relations between the two nations, acknowledging that Sweden 'was one of the first countries to recognise the United Sates of America as an independent nation.' It continued: 'Already in 1783, during the reign of King Gustav III, a Swedish-American friendship and trade treaty was signed between the two countries.' King Harald V of Norway, 76, also sent a congratulatory message to the president. The English translation read: 'Your Excellency, On the occasion of your inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America, I am sending you my warmest congratulations on behalf of myself and the people of Norway, and my hopes for the welfare and prosperity of the American people.' King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden (pictured with his wife Queen Silvia) also sent his congratulations to President Trump King Carl Gustaf's letter to Trump was posted on the official Instagram account of the Swedish royals King Abdullah II of Jordan, 62, wished Trump 'every success' for his second term as president on X. The post read: 'President Donald Trump every success as he commences his second term. 'Congratulations on your inauguration, Mr. President. We greatly value our partnership with the United States and are committed to working with you towards a more prosperous and peaceful world.' On Thursday, King Abdullah's wife, Queen Rania, posted a picture of herself and First Lady Melania Trump on her official Instagram account. The image, which shows the first lady and Rania sat opposite each other in an opulent room, came after the pair met in Palm Beach, Florida and was captioned: 'It was a pleasure reconnecting with incoming U.S. First Lady Melania Trump in Florida yesterday #Jordan #USA #Florida.' Hola!, the sister site of the UK's Hello!, reported that Rania and Melania 'discussed various issues of mutual interest, including childrens welfare, as well as improving their education.' Earlier this month, Queen Rania of Jordan (left) met First Lady Melania Trump in Palm Beach, Florida Pictured: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave after dancing at the Liberty Ball Yesterday, King Charles sent a personal congratulations message to President Trump on his inauguration, 'reflecting on the enduring special relationship between the UK and US'. It is understood all options remain possible for an incoming state visit by Mr Trump to the UK and a visit by Charles to the US, but no plans are currently in the diary. Foreign monarchs, presidents or prime ministers are invited to visit the King on the advice and request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with the decision down to the Government. With the Republican politician making the most dramatic comeback in US political history, Charles and Mr Trump will be expected to encounter one another face to face once again during Trump 2.0, as his second term in office is being dubbed. Charles' message comes as sources say the Royal Family will be considered a 'priceless and powerful' weapon of soft diplomacy in the future as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and diplomats look to build bridges with the incoming US leader. Sources say the King and senior royals will likely be deployed even ahead of government ministers to smooth over Anglo-US relations. King Charles wrote to Trump to congratulate him on being sworn into office as US president for a second time President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump host a dinner at Winfield House for King Charles and Queen consort Camilla during their state visit on June 4, 2019 Mr Trump is well known for his love of the monarchy and the royal family plays a central role in the UK's bond with the US. The US leader boasted he had 'automatic chemistry' with the late Queen, and has hailed the King as a 'really wonderful guy'. The two men have previously met twice and got on surprisingly well given their differing views on a number of world issues, including climate change. In 2019, Charles and Camilla even had tea with President and his wife, Melania, at Clarence House and struck up what has been described as a 'warm' bond. 'In fact the President left saying what a pleasure it had been to meet the king and they stayed in touch for quite a while afterwards actually,' said a source with knowledge of the meeting told the Mail. The First Lady later revealed that she and the King also regularly wrote to one another too. Prince William also met with Mr Trump in Paris last month, with the president describing the royal as a 'good man' doing a 'fantastic job'. Afterwards he said their half-hour chat at the residence of the British ambassador in Paris had been 'great'. President Trump has never made a secret of his admiration for the Royal Family, particularly Queen Elizabeth, whom he called a 'great, great woman'. His late mother, Mary, was born in Scotland and instilled in him huge affection and respect for the late monarch. The president's son, Eric Trump, also told the Mail last year: 'I can tell you that our father and our entire family has tremendous respect for the monarchy. I do think one of the greatest, one of the most beautiful things in the UK, is actually the monarchy and what it stands for and what it symbolises.' On stage at the Commander-in-Chief ball in Washington DC last night, all eyes were on the incoming President and his wife Melania as they slow danced to The Battle Hymn of the Republic. However, as the President invited his Vice President JD Vance and his wife to join them, attention quickly turned to Usha Chilukuri Vance, who earlier in the day had become the first Indian-American and Hindu Second Lady in US history. Mrs Vance, 39, cut an elegant figure at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, wearing a glittering blue beaded lace illusion gown by Lebanese fashion house Reem Acra and her hair elegantly pinned back. Just hours earlier, the new Second Lady had looked on adoringly, holding her youngest daughter - who was sporting Bluey plasters on her fingers - in her arms as her husband was officially sworn in as Vice President. The intimate slow dance marked a glamourous end to a day where the Ivy-league educated lawyer had been officially introduced on the global stage, with the new President himself even making time to mention the incoming Second Lady as he addressed crowds. Mr Trump told those gathered at the White House, and the millions watching worldwide online, of his admiration for his running mate's spouse, gushing: 'I watch JD over a period of time. I endorsed him in Ohio. He was a great senator and a very, very smart one.' The county's 47th president paused, then added: 'The only one smarter is his wife.' Usha Vance, America's new Second Lady, looks adoringly at her husband as he's sworn in in Washington on Monday, as the lawyer and mother-of-three holds the couple's youngest daughter, Mirabel and President Trump looks on America's latest Vice President officially introduced Usha to the global stage; the mother-of-three, a lawyer, wore a blue beaded illusion gown by Beirut designer Reem Acra at the Commander-in-Chief Ball on Monday evening All eyes were on the couple as they joined the Trumps on stage for a slow dance at the ceremonial ball following Mr Trump being sworn in as the country's 47th president Earlier in the day, dressed in an Oscar de la Renta ensemble in blush pink, Mrs Vance looked entirely at ease as she guided her two sons, Vivek and Ewan Blaine, alongside her husband, carrying their daughter Mirabel, to their seats President Trump paid tribute to JD Vance's wife during the inauguration, saying Usha Vance was smarter than her husband. Pictured: Mrs Vance is seen guiding her children while outgoing President Joe Biden looks on, and Mr Trump offers a supportive touch Mr Trump is pictured placing a hand on Second Lady Usha Vance's back as she chats to one of her sons While First Lady Melania Trump at times looked unmoved by the ceremony of the day, Usha Vance won a new audience of fans with her ease in the high profile setting At the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Monday night, JD Vance and his wife, who became the first Indian-American and Hindu Second Lady in US history, joined the Trumps on stage for a slow dance At Mr Trump's inauguration ceremony, Mrs Vance has also aced the style stakes. The lawyer wore a stylish but snug Oscar de la Renta blush-pink coat and taupe suede knee-high boots as she made her way to the ceremony with her husband and their three young children, Ewan Blaine, Vivek and Mirabel. One fan of Mrs Vance's style wrote on Instagram account @celebstyletalk: 'Wow! That dress is a showstopper! Ive been loving Ushas style. I cant wait to see what she wears next!' Another added: 'All of her outfits that last few days have been beautiful & classic.' With Melania Trump having been in the public eye - often apparently reluctantly - for decades, it seems the Republicans can't get enough of the latest Lady to make an entrance at the White House. As Usha Vance embarks upon a new career trajectory, FEMAIL looks at her story so far... SECOND LADY - BUT MOTHERHOOD COMES FIRST Back on November 6th 2024, Usha Chilukuri Vance found herself standing on a presidential election victory stage and looked delighted to be there. The moment marked a culmination, but also in many ways just the beginning, of a new career trajectory for the mom-of-three lawyer after being thrust into the national spotlight this summer when Donald Trump tapped her husband, J.D. Vance, to be his 2024 running mate. But the Republican vice president-elect's glamorous spouse is no stranger to a high-profile public life, even if, standing alongside her husband as Trump declared victory, it appeared the gravity of her new role was just sinking in. The mother-of-three pictured holding her daughter Mirabel at the inauguration ceremony; with a high flying legal career, the 39-year-old lawyer is used to pressure From Cincinnati to the White House; JD and Usha Vance pictured with two of their three children, Ewan and Vivek The couple, pictured watching President Trump with a ceremonial sword, first met as students at Yale The couple pictured at a dinner event at the National Gallery of Art the night before the inauguration JD Vance pictured kissing his wife Usha on the floor during day one of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee after he was officially nominated in July 2024 The Ivy League-educated litigator has worked at a top DC law firm and clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts in addition to being married to the Ohio senator and bestselling author. The pair first met while they were both students at Yale Law School in 2013. In his book Hillbilly Elegy, which was also made into a Ron Howard-directed film, Vance describes Usha as his 'Yale spirit guide.' They married one year out of law school in 2014 and had their first child, Ewan Blaine, in 2017. The power couple also have a second son, Vivek, and welcomed a daughter, Mirabel, in December 2021. Before moving to DC, they were raising their family in Cincinnati. When Usha Vance was asked before Trump made his pick known if she was prepared to have the eyes of the country on her, she responded frankly. 'I don't know if anyone is ever ready for that kind of scrutiny,' Vance told Fox & Friends in June. Family of five: The Vances pictured arriving at the Capitol One Arena in Washington with their sons, Vivek and Ewan Blaine and daughter Mirabel 'I think we found the first campaign he embarked on to be a shock. It was so different from anything we had ever done before, but it was an adventure.' She told Fox she's not raring to change anything in their lives right now but she believes in her husband and loves him, so they will see what happens. JD Vance has frequently made public mention of his young children, including apologising for missing key moments. When his middle son turned 4, he told reporters: 'I have a little guy named Vivek who was 3 years old yesterday but turned 4 today. And Im sorry that I cant be with you for your birthday dinner.' 'But I want you to know that Daddy loves you very much. And Im going to read this into the record because maybe you can watch it at home.' He then recited the 1990 Dr. Seuss classic 'Oh, The Places Youll Go!' When the couple welcomed daughter Mirabel, in December 2021, JD Vance praised his wife and called their third child 'an early Christmas present'. A HINDU UPBRINGING - AND A BIBLE IN HAND IN WASHINGTON Supportive: JD Vance pictured being sworn in as Vice President as his wife holds the Bible in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington Villagers watch the 2024 US presidential election poll results inside a house in Vadluru, the ancestral village of Usha Vance's parents J.D. and Usha Vance at Donald Trump victory party on Nov. 6, 2024 Usha Chilukuri Vance was raised in the suburbs of San Diego by a mechanical engineer and biologist, both Indian immigrants. She has said she was raised in a religious Hindu family. Talking to the New York Times about his own return to Christianity and being baptized in 2019, J.D. Vance said: 'Usha was raised in a Hindu household, but not an especially religious household. 'And I just felt kind of bad. Like, "Oh, you didnt sign up to marry a weekly churchgoer. Are you OK with this?" And she was more than OK with it, and that was a big part of the confirmation that this was the right thing for me.' In a sit-down with Fox News, she elaborated: I did grow up in a religious household. My parents are Hindu, and that was one of the things that made them such good parents, that make them really very good people.' When the election results rolled in, villagers from her parents' hometown min Vadluru, India watched intently and later celebrated her husband's win. 'We just celebrated Ushas husbands victory. We burst [party] crackers and preceded this celebration with prayers for J.D. Vances victory yesterday at the local Sai Baba temple,' P. Srinivasa Raju, 53, a former village president, told media outlet PTI at the time. FROM SAN DIEGO STUDENT TO HOT-SHOT LAWYER From California she moved across the country for college and went to Yale University where she majored in history. After that, she continued her studies at the University of Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. At Yale Law School, she was an editor of the Yale Law Journal and managing editor of the Yale Journal of Law & Technology. Vance was most recently an attorney at the San Francisco and Washington, DC law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson where she focused on complex civil litigation and appeals. With her husband's nomination she has left the firm. Usha and JD Vance with their three children. They welcomed their first child in 2017. Their daughter Mirabel was born in December 2021 Usha Chilukuri Vance standing with her husband JD Vance as he arrives for his 2022 election night party after being declared the winner of the Ohio Senate race on November 8, 2022 The couple celebrating on election night in 2022 after Vance won the Senate race. She described his first campaign in Ohio as an 'adventure' JD Vance kissed by his wife Usha on the night of the Ohio Senate primary on May 3, 2022 When her husband jumped into the 2022 Ohio Senate race, Vance could be spotted throughout the state at campaign events. She also appeared in his first campaign ads where she talked about Vance's upbringing and having him by her side as a husband and parent to their children. She's described him as an incredible father and her best friend. THE COUPLE'S TIGER MOM - AND BEING NICKNAMED BILL AND HILLARY J.D. and Usha Vance listen to Trump claim victory on election night at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, in the wee hours of on Nov. 6, 2024 Amy Chua, a law professor, and author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, a hugely popular parenting memoir had a role to play JD and Usha Vance's early romance, according to The Cut. Relating a recollection from legal writer David Lat, the outlet says the couple was at a poker night in 2011 at the home of Chua and her husband, fellow Yale law professor Jed Rubenfeld. Describing her as a 'kind of den mother to certain student proteges, known on campus as Chua pets,' J.D. was among her favorites - but she was not a fan of Usha. 'Probably because she didnt engage in her bulls**t,' a former friend told New York mag. 'You have to gossip and drink. J.D. loved that s**t.' Lat was at the poker game that night and, the mag reports, 'told his husband later that night that theyd reminded him of another famous Yale Law couple, Bill and Hillary Clinton.' 'They had a kind of energy to them,' Lat told the outlet. 'They seemed very confident and successful. One thing that struck me as Hillary-esque was that Usha seemed to have more polish than J.D.' In Hillbilly Elegy, Vance wrote that Chua told him he should focus on his relationship rather than chasing clerkships - and the rest is history. Two years later, J.D. and Usha moved to San Francisco where she went to work for Munger Tolles & Olsen. Interview: UNESCO recognition highlights global influence of Chinese culture: Croatian expert Xinhua) 10:26, January 21, 2025 ZAGREB, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s recent inscription of the Chinese Spring Festival on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list is a testament to the global influence of Chinese culture, a Chinese expert in Croatia has said recently. "It acknowledges not only China's cultural roots but also a celebration that connects the world," Branko Balon, president of the Croatian-Chinese Friendship Society for Cultural, Scientific and Economic Cooperation, told Xinhua in an interview. He noted that about one-fifth of the global population celebrates the Spring Festival, and nearly 20 countries have designated it as a public holiday. On Dec. 4, UNESCO inscribed the Spring Festival -- social practices of the Chinese people celebrating the traditional new year -- on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision recognizes the festival's rich array of rituals and cultural elements that engage all levels of Chinese society. China now has 44 intangible cultural heritage elements recognized by UNESCO, "the highest number of any country," Balon said. In Croatia, the Spring Festival has become increasingly popular. Members of the Croatian-Chinese Friendship Society celebrate the festival annually with Chinese friends and the local Chinese community. Balon recalled the largest celebration in 2018, when 500 people gathered in Zagreb to welcome the Year of the Dog. "We are privileged to experience the spirit of the Spring Festival with our Chinese friends," Balon said. "It offers us an opportunity to learn about their traditions and culture, and it acts as a bridge between our two countries." Balon said he eagerly anticipates his upcoming trip to China later this month to experience the Spring Festival firsthand, which falls on Jan. 29. "I've visited China four times, but I've never been there during the Spring Festival. This year, I'll finally have the chance," he said. Adding to his excitement is China's recent announcement of a visa-free policy for Croatia and several other countries. "Thanks to this policy, many people from Croatia have already visited China, and I'm looking forward to joining them," Balon added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) A British man put away for life over the killing of his wife's lover claims he didn't do it and wants to be freed after 30 years behind bars. Paul Denham was convicted of the chilling murder-shooting of Edward Weinmann while the pair were both allegedly driving on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles, California in 1995. Paul, who moved to LA from Eltham, South London in the 1990s, has continuously pleaded his innocence, even claiming he was 350 miles away in another state during the murder. However detectives have countered his alibi with what they've deemed 'damning evidence' and say Paul committed the murder in a jealous rage after his wife Dolores Legaspi failed to stop seeing her lover, Edward Weinmann. Channel 5's The Wrong Man? 20 Years Behind Bars uncovers the chilling tale of a twisted love triangle that culminated in the March 1995 death of the 25-year-old postal worker and student.' It also examines new evidence, which could vindicate Paul if proven to be true. Edward's body was found shot to death - including a bullet wound to the head - on the San Diego highway where his bullet-ridden Honda had come to rest after crashing into metal barriers. Speaking from a maximum-security prison in southern California after 30 years, Paul breaks down what he believes to be the false narrative that put him there. Paul Denham (pictured) was accused of murdering his wife's lover 30 years ago - but claims he's innocent 'Their [the police] motive is that because I was married to Dolores and they're claiming Dolores was having a relationship with the victim then I would have a motive for doing away with the victim', he told the documentary. He said he had no idea the purported events would mark the end of his freedom. 'A guy came at me, he put a gun in my face and then I realized I was being arrested,' he recalled. 'I thought I'd be out in a week. Now I'm still in custody'. Though first detectives at the scene Bryan McMahon and Estella Martinez have long pointed the finger at Paul as the perpetrator of the crime, friends of the Londoner have painted a picture of a studious, 'intelligent man' who was 'anti-confrontational'. Friends Ian Puddefoot and Nick Watts described their childhood friend as a 'kind kid' who moved to the US in 1994 to pursue car vinyl sticker business after its success back home in the UK. 'I met Paul when were both 11,' recalled Ian. 'We started secondary school. We both come from council estates. Nice kid. Really kind kid'. 'Paul was a really intelligent lad. A few of us were quite sort of rough and ready - scallywags. But Paul, he was really switched on. He was really good at making things,' added Nick. But shortly after arriving in the 'city of angels', Paul, then in his 20s, stumbled off course after meeting a striking 20-year-old Dolores while she was working at a youth hostel in San Pedro, California. Paul was convicted of the chilling murder-shooting of Edward Weinmann (pictured) while the pair were both allegedly driving on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles , California in 1995 Detectives said Paul committed the murder in a jealous rage after his wife Dolores Legaspi failed to stop seeing her lover, Edward Weinmann. Paul and Delores are pictured together His pals recalled how he was instantly 'besotted' with Dolores and that he wrote love letters to her before she joined him on his travels around Europe. Things were seemingly going well for the couple until a shocking confession would alter their lives and that of Edward forever. Shortly after they began seeing each other, Dolores admitted to seeing another man who she had met at school, and that she was still romantically involved with him. His name was Edward. Viewers would later find out the pair had been seeing each other on and off for a staggering 10 years. Despite the startling news, and perhaps testament to Paul's love for Dolores, the two continued their relationship and officially became husband and wife at a ceremony in Las Vegas a year later. But Paul illustrated a different picture, and claimed to have only married her to obtain a green card so he could stay in the country and run his business. Backing this theory is Darren Kavinoky, a criminal lawyer and journalist who became interested in the case after it hit headlines. According to Darren, investigations revealed that Paul was 'romantically in love' with Dolores and that their pairing was more than just a business arrangement. Paul, who moved to LA from Eltham, South London in the 1990s, has continuously pleaded his innocence Paul and Dolores sealed their love by moving in together - it was a small rented apartment in Reseda, in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. But trouble would find them again in the form of a burglary, after which Paul said he purchased a 380-calibre Lawson handgun - easily purchased over the counter - to protect himself. Eventually Paul moved them to a quieter neighborhood in Palmdale in north LA, where they settled until that fateful night. Somehow the move would spark a string of stranger-than-fiction events that affected both Paul and Edward. According to detectives, this was around the same time Edward became a victim of a targeted and concerning stalking campaign - one which lasted up until his murder just a month later. At this point the student's family home was reportedly graffitied with the Ku Klux Klan letters 'KKK', causing enraged neighbours to force the Weinmanns out of town. Their home was also the victim of several Molotov cocktails and at one point arson, as their living room had once caught fire almost burning down the entire property. All the while Dolores failed to break it off with Edward - in fact things were so serious that her mother told Paul that Edward was her daughter's boyfriend. Up until now Paul and Edward had remained far way from each other until one strange evening while at dinner with his wife and her sister, the group bumped into Edward. Darren Kavinoky, a criminal lawyer and journalist, became interested in the case after it hit headlines The pair met face to face for the first time and according to witnesses it almost resulted in a fight. But that's not how Paul remembers it. 'He was like a nutcase arguing with Dolores,' he said. He added that 'kids were playing' nearby and so he did his best to protect everyone by warning Edward to stay clear. Darren counteracted this memory and instead accused both men of 'mutual jealousy' who each wanted the other out of the picture. Paul has also been accused of incessantly stalking Edward and his wife. He allegedly caught the pair driving towards his home and when Dolores noticed her husband following behind, she stopped the car and confronted Paul, who denied following them. Retired Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Cheryl Dorsey said Edward was the victim of seven crimes - including a threatening phone call warning him to 'leave Dolores alone' - within a month before his death. The final and most telling before the murder occurred when Edward was leaving a class at Los Angeles Harbor college. After saying goodbye to a female friend, he entered his car and what happened next would shock him to his core. As he prepared to take the steering wheel, a man jumped out from the back seat and pointed a gun at Edward, resulting in a struggle and a gunshot that pierced his shirt, only narrowly missing his body. His friend, Lorna, who had witnessed the crime told officers the assailant was either a 'Caucasian' or 'Latino' male. Detectives later discovered the gun used contained a homemade silencer made of a t-shirt, yellow tape and black spray-paint. Friends Ian Puddefoot and Nick Watts (pictured) described their childhood friend as a 'kind kid' who moved to the US in 1994 The next crime against Edward would result in his death. On the fateful night of March 12, 1995 at around 7pm, Edward was driving along the 405 freeway in his Honda when a second car pulled up to his driver's side. Aiming downward, the unknown person let out two shots into Edward's car, shattering the driver's side window. Bullet fragments mostly fell to the floor, except one which penetrated Edward's left temple, killing him instantly. Retired homicide detective Mark McGuire said the shooting took 'considerable marksmanship' and was unlikely done by an amateur. It would be the details of Paul, Dolores and Edward's love triangle that made him a person of interest in the crime, as within five days of the murder Paul was questioned by police. Paul flat out denied knowing anything about it and later accused LA officers of physically harming and 'screaming' at him during an interrogation. Cops began to build their case against Paul through a series of interrogations, questions and searches at his home. Cops said they were able to nail him to the crime by two pieces of evidence as well as a 'lie' they had caught Paul telling. When asked if he had ever owned a gun, Paul allegedly denied it, though he had once purchased a firearm after a home invasion. 'I met Paul when were both 11,' recalled Ian (pictured). 'We started secondary school. We both come from council estates' Damning evidence found at his home included yellow tape and black spray paint, which matched the contents of the homemade silencer used to attack Edward before his death. The next set of evidence would directly contradict his alibi of being '350 miles away'. Detectives McMahon and Martinez also claimed to discover hand written notes detailing South West and Delta flight numbers, both outbound and return journeys from Los Angeles to San Francisco. If the notes belonged to Paul it would suggest he was able to fly into LA and commit the murders before returning to San Francisco. Though Paul claimed to have receipts from a store in San Francisco that would prove he was indeed in there, the receipts showed timestamps eleven hours apart. Detectives say he used this time to fly from San Francisco to LA to commit the murder and then return. To prove this, they ran the number plates of cars entering San Franciso airport around the date of the murder - and sure enough a car belonging to Paul turned up. In January 1998, Paul was convicted of the first-degree murder of Edward Weinmann and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Neither himself or Dolores were ever called to the stand to testify. The new Channel 5 documentary The Wrong Man? 20 Years Behind Bars showed a dramatic reconstruction of Edward's murder But according to Paul, all the evidence was 'manufactured' by Los Angeles police. Set against a backdrop of 90s LAPD corruption and a time when OJ Simpson was on trial, and homeless Rodney King was the victim of police brutality, retired detective McGuire said police interference could not be totally ruled out. Though he strongly believed this was not the case with Paul Denham. Still, Paul explained why they had the wrong man: 'At the time of the shooting, I wasn't even in the Los Angeles area. 'I was more than 350 miles away in San Francisco. My medical records show that I have a fractured hand. I needed a big mitt to cover it. It was augmented with a splint and would've taken about four to maybe six weeks to heal. I could not have shot anyone with my hand in a cast like that'. Paul said he was shot by 'two black guys' who tried to rob him while out in San Francisco and sustained the injury while trying to defend himself. But McGuire wasn't falling for it. 'It looked like he accidently shot himself or it was done on purpose,' he said. However another piece of evidence could vindicate Paul if proven to be true. Retired homicide detective Mark McGuire said the shooting took 'considerable marksmanship' and was unlikely done by an amateur According to Darren, a revision of police evidence indicating Paul's car was parked at a San Francisco airport around the time of the murder shows the date was actually marked for 1985 - a full decade before the murder occurred. He explained that in 1995 evidence would've been filed manually and was susceptible to human error. Additionally, a handwriting expert who looked into the flight numbers found at Paul's residence says the writing style bore a string resemblance to the that of detective Bryan McMahon. But the question remains, why would McMahon - who has since won an award for his work on the case, along with his partner Estella - jeopardize his career to frame Paul for murder? According to detectives, Paul filed complaints against McMahon alleging physical harm and duress which could've sparked a retaliation and a mission to put him behind bars. But this hasn't been found to be true. Back in the UK, Paul's friends haven't given up the fight and have so far raised over 10,000 to fund an appeal to overturn Paul's conviction. The odds are however stacked against him as on average only 13 per cent of appeals are successful in US. As at the time the programme aired, Paul, now in his 50s, maintained his innocence and said he was officially appealing his conviction. Dolores Legaspi and detectives Bryan McMahon and Estella Martinez have declined to comment. Meanwhile, Long Beach Police Department released this statement: 'We launched an administrative investigation in 2014 following a complaint submitted by Mr Denham. 'The allegations in the complaint were determined to be unfounded'. Watch The Wrong Man? 20 Years Behind Bars, now available on Channel 5. Marks & Spencer is testing out new smart checkouts in an effort to provide a faster and more seamless in-store shopping experience for customers. In what will be a major change for shoppers, checkouts will allow them to simply place their baskets on a till and receive their bill without the need to scan products. The trial is currently underway in the clothing and home departments of an M&S branch in Woking, Surrey. If successful, smart scanners will be installed in other branches across the UK. These new tills automatically identify items by reading chips embedded in price tags, meaning shoppers will not be required to physically scan each product the way they have been used to in the past. Prices are then totalled up and customers will be prompted to pay after receiving their bill. A select number of retailers across the UK are currently using smart tills, including fashion retailer Uniqlo, to free members of staff up so they can focus on helping customers. M&S has reported significant changes in speed and efficiency since the trial began, noting a 40 per cent reduction in transaction times compared to regular self-checkout tills. Marks & Spencer is testing out new smart checkouts in an effort to provide a quicker and hassle-free transaction process for customers (stock image) Speaking to The Sun, a spokesperson for M&S said: 'We help customers to shop when, where and how they want by providing a choice of manned checkouts and self-service tills and we always offer customers the option to shop and pay with a colleague's help.' In the coming months, shoppers are likely to experience an increase in technology in stores - but it is understood there will still be staff on hand to help ease the transition. The move comes as the hike in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and minimum wage will have retailers searching for solutions to offer employees more for less..' As reported by The Sun, chief executive of M&S, Stuart Machin, stressed the retailer wanted to pass on 'as little as possible' costs to the customers but had been forced to make alternative decisions for the coming years. Machin said: 'It's not easy, but I really want us to hold our prices as much as we can.' Joining M&S in its quest for efficiency by implementing the use of smart tills is fashion and homeware giant Next, with chief executive Lord Simon Wolfson vowing to begin trialling the checkouts in February and March. These developments come after Sainsbury's recently announced it is trialling bigger self-checkouts with conveyor belts to replace human cashiers. The new hybrid self-checkouts feature a moving belt for shoppers to load their groceries as well as a bigger bagging area. In a major change for shoppers, checkouts will allow customers to simply place their baskets on a till and receive their bill without the need to scan (stock image) They are similar in size to those of the manned checkouts in a bid to get people with trollies to use them. They are being trialled in two stores: in the leafy Surrey town of Cobham and in Witney, west Oxfordshire. Britain's second largest supermarket is also trialling new digital touchscreens that allows shoppers to find the location of items in stores - meaning they wouldn't have to ask a member of staff. The Grocer reported the move is part of Sainsbury's 'mission-based' plan. A spokesman for Sainsbury's told The Telegraph: 'We are always exploring new ways to offer our customers the best possible choice and convenience. 'Our trial in Cobham and Witney is the latest example of that and we are listening to colleague and customer feedback.' It comes on the back of several stores implementing unpopular barrier systems which require self checkout shoppers to scan their receipts before leaving the store. Sainsbury's chief executive Simon Roberts told The Grocer earlier this year: 'As an industry, we can't say we can't become more efficient. In a three per cent margin business, with the cost pressures we face, we have to find efficiencies.' Queen Letizia was almost caught out in the rain today while attending a meeting with the Spanish board of rare diseases. The stunning royal, 52, opted for a blacked-out ensemble, including a stylish belted coat, straight-cut trousers and patent leather shoes. The meeting took place at the Spanish Federation for Rare Diseases (FEDER) headquarters in the country's capital, Madrid. Though it was a visibly drizzly day, the down-to-earth Queen came prepared with a hefty black umbrella, which she used to shield herself and Maria Dolores Ocana Madrid, her head of secretariat. The mother-of-two was as chic as ever in a belted black coat that cinched her waist and revealed her toned and svelte physique. Her accessories were pared back, consisting of only a black leather handbag, a pair of crystallised small hoops and a gold ring worn on her index finger. Adding a touch of glam to her look, she opted for rose-pink eyeliner, sculpted eyebrows, black mascara, nude lipgloss and just a hint of eyeliner. Her brunette locks were typically sleek and styled with a side part, allowing her hair to fall neatly around her shoulders. Queen Letizia was almost caught out in the rain today while attending a meeting with the Spanish board of rare diseases (Pictured: Queen Letizia and her head of secretariat Maria Dolores Ocana Madrid today) The royal appeared in high spirits and though rain continued to fall around her, she soldiered on and stayed focused on the day's events. Photos captured Letizia smiling under the grand umbrella with her head of secretariat, Maria Dolores Ocana Madrid, and the president of the Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases (FEDER), Juan Carrion Tudela. The trio were snapped in various photographs while her husband, King Felipe VI of Spain, 56, was notably absent. Each year, Letizia visits FEDER to learn about the challenges and opportunities the charity anticipates for the year ahead. The former journalist, who is the Honorary President, was beaming as she arrived to chair the meeting at the organisation's headquarters in the Spanish capital. The Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases was established in 1999 and aims to promote 'the need to work with everyone involved to promote the access to a diagnosis for those people suffering from rare diseases'. They help people who have contracted a disease that less than five people per 10,000 have. There are more than three million people that fit the bill in Spain alone. It comes as Queen Letizia chaired an event in Madrid to promote sustainability. Adding a touch of glam to her look, the royal opted for rose-pink eyeliner, sculpted eyebrows, and nude lipgloss Though it was a visibly drizzly day, the down-to-earth Queen came prepared with a hefty black umbrella Photos captured Letizia smiling under the grand umbrella with her head of secretariat, Maria Dolores Ocana Madrid, and the president of the Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases (FEDER), Juan Carrion Tudela (far right) Organised by the BBVA Microfinance Foundation BBVA Microfinance Foundation (FMBBVA), according to the Spanish Royals' website, the 'Seeds for a sustainable future' event was set to 'highlight the transformative role of cocoa and that of small and medium-sized enterprises in combating poverty, creating employment and facilitating opportunities and progress for people'. Last week, the royal looked immaculate, donning a black and white houndstooth fabric frock, which was both chic and businesslike. She paired the dress with a full-length black coat which she wore as a cape, simply slung over her shoulders, and black kitten-heeled pointed pumps. Letizia opted for a classic make-up look, pairing a fresh, dewy base with a light smokey eye shadow look in brown, and a pink lip. Her glossy chestnut locks were worn loose, styled into a side parting, and falling past her shoulders. During the engagement, the royal was snapped giving a speech, looking confident as she took her place at the lectern. The royal - who is the Honorary President of FEDER - appeared in high spirits and though rain continued to fall around her, she soldiered on and stayed focused on the day's events Spanish Queen Letizia and Maria Jesus Ocana with Juan Carrion Tudela during a working meeting She told the audience: 'This entity has brought us together once again to make us aware that there are currently 3 million people, 3 million small entrepreneurs, who live in the five Latin American countries where this Foundation operates and who get ahead every day because someone believed in them and supported them in their idea of starting a micro-enterprise. 'Three million people in vulnerable situations who are progressing and who manage to get an education and whose daughters and sons also have the opportunity to study thanks to the microcredits from the BBVA Microfinance Foundation.' According to the Palace, entrepreneurs Marlon Ferreira, Ana Rodriguez and Constantino Blandford also attended, in order to 'share how cocoa drives economic, social and cultural development in their countries'. It noted: 'In Colombia, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Panama, countries where FMBBVA is present, this crop is a source of income for more than 300,000 people, promotes female empowerment and opens opportunities for family education. Her brunette locks were typically sleek and styled with a side part, allowing her hair to fall neatly around her shoulders The Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases was established in 1999 and aims to promote 'the need to work with everyone involved to promote the access to a diagnosis for those people suffering from rare diseases' 'In addition, it has played a key role in the transition to peace in Colombian regions affected by the conflict, where coca cultivation has been replaced by cocoa, known as the fruit of peace'. The appearancecomes several days after King Felipe and Queen Letizia were snapped bidding farewell to their daughter Princess Leonor as she embarked on a six-month sailing trip that will take her across the United States. The royal couple watched proudly as their 19-year-old daughter took part in a departure ceremony before setting sail from Cadiz onboard the Juan Sebastian Elcano for a navy training cruise. The future queen looked solemn as she joined her fellow students, all aspiring officers of the Spanish Navy, for the procession before the three-masted sailing ship left the port in Cadiz. Meanwhile, her parents smiled and waved goodbye, while King Felipe documented the milestone by taking photographs of Leonor. The young royal is undertaking a navy training cruise, sailing through two oceans, and visiting 10 ports and eight countries in America, according to La Vanguardia. It's no surprise that The Duchess of Edinburgh has worked her way up in the Firm, becoming one of family's trusted senior royals and often referred to as a 'secret weapon'. Sophie, 60, has become a household name over the years, evolving from a behind-the-scenes royal to appearances front and centre stage, stepping up to the job after Harry and Meghan left England for sunny Montecito. So it's no wonder that the Prince of Wales, who is the future King of the country, appears to be full of praise for his aunt. Palace insiders told the Times that William, 42, and Sophie 'get on very well,' before predicting that under his reign, the heir to the throne will be 'eager' to give the mother-of-two and her husband a more prominent role in public life. This hint has been met with much happiness from royal experts, who have praised her likeable personality and prudent work ethic. Former BBC royal correspondent, Jennie Bond, told Ok magazine: 'She is dignified and elegant, and yet still the same Sophie she was when she met Edward: unpretentious, generous and with a natural charm. 'She has worked below the radar for many years, neither expecting nor receiving the publicity she deserves. 'At just sixty, she is a relatively young member of the senior royals so I am sure there will be a major role for her in the future, and King William will be leaning heavily on both Sophie and Edward to support the monarchy in all it does in the future.' Prince William and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh are snapped smiling and chatting as they leave following the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle in June 2024 Her importance to the institution was highlighted when she was stood next to Queen Camilla during the annual appearance on Buckingham Palace's balcony for Trooping the Colour last spring. This came at a time when only a few select royals made their way on the balcony compared to years where it was so full, not everyone could fit onto it, echoing a new area of a 'slimmed down' monarchy. It also showed that Sophie shares a strong bond with many senior royals such as King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales. Her support for the Prince and Princess of Wales was further seen when she showed she was there the pair twice last year. At Trooping the Colour, she was seen putting her hand on Prince William's back as a sign of support. The Prince of Wales, who is 17 years younger than Sophie, had spent the past few months covering some of his father's duties, while King Charles received treatment for cancer. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh is pictured with Prince William at a private screening in June 2023 Pictured L-R: James, Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Lady Louise Windsor She also did the same to Kate on Remembrance Sunday, when Kate was easing herself back into royal duties after announcing that she was focusing on remaining cancer-free in September. The warmth of her palm displayed not just the comfort of a family member, but also a friend and a mother. And last week, the Duchess of Edinburgh revealed that she was determined 'not to tread on toes' when she first joined the Royal Family. On Wednesday, Sophie visited L'Arche, a south London community of people with learning disabilities and their supporters and Community Shop Lambeth, a 'social supermarket' tackling food poverty. It marked her last day of royal engagements as a 59-year-old, as Sophie celebrated her 60th birthday on Monday. She spoke to the charity about why she was drawn to organisations that focus on disability and was quoted in the Telegraph saying: 'It goes back to when I first started to get involved with taking on patronages and engagements. I was trying to find, not a unique thing for myself, but a direction of travel I suppose. 'And, of course, inevitably every time I went down a route, I found a member of the family working very hard doing something and I retreated a bit and thought, "No not there, treading on toes."' The Duchess said because she had a background of working in public relations before marrying Prince Edward and entering The Firm, she soon thought she would be best placed engaging with people directly. The Duchess of Edinburgh (pictured in 2023) has revealed that she was determined 'not to tread on toes' when she first joined the Royal Family Sophie said that the concept of how people engage with each other differently and the issues surrounding how to raise awareness of this led her to championing this cause. She said that just because individuals are 'different' doesn't mean they don't have something to 'bring to the party'. After speaking about how the world can adapt to help those with disabilities, the royal was asked about the moment she saw her children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, alongside their cousins, Princes William and Harry standing vigil in Westminster Hall around the late Queen's coffin. Sophie said she was 'so proud' of 'all of the cousins' for following protocol and the instructions well, adding: 'It was incredibly moving, and lovely to see her surrounded by them.' She also said she wondered whether it would be 'appropriate' for James to do it, given that he was the youngest, and around 14 years old when Queen Elizabeth passed away. However, Sophie said he was 'really keen' to get involved in his grandmother's send-off, along with Lady Louise. But the Duchess could only recount what happened to a certain point before she appeared emotional and said she couldn't speak about it further. Sophie is regularly hailed as the late Queen's 'favourite daughter-in-law' due to her 'down to earth' personality. It was a change from her racy pantsuit worn to Trump's swearing in ceremony The 55-year-old journalist wore an ethereal dress to the Inauguration Ball After making waves with her racy outfit on Monday at Donald Trump's inauguration, Lauren Sanchez opted for a more modest ensemble at the Inauguration Ball in the evening. The 55-year-old former journalist wore a stunning golden peach colored gown to the star-studded affair before sharing some pictures on Instagram, tagging Dolce and Gabbana. The ethereal gown boasted draped soft tulle sleeves with an elegant bodice that cinched in at the waist. The whimsical frock had a slit in the skirt to give fans a glimpse of Sanchez's trim pins as well as featuring a modest neckline - a far cry from the controversial lingerie-inspired pantsuit she wore to Trump's swearing in ceremony earlier in the day. Sanchez accessorized with large gold earrings and statement rings with her long dark tresses styled in loose waves and draped down her back. The author's comments section was filled with comments from celebrity pals gushing over her delicate look. 'STUNNING!!!!!!' Kris Jenner wrote, along with a series of red love heart emojis. 'Belle of the ball,' Brooks Nader agreed, along with a heart emoji. The 55-year-old former journalist wore a golden peach colored gown to the star-studded affair, sharing some pictures on Instagram Sanchez caused an uproar with her risque outfit on Monday morning after arriving with fiance Jeff Bezos, 61, at the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. The journalist wore a long white mohair coat, buttoned up in the middle with her long, dark brown hair wavy and tied up in a low pony tail, with some loose tendrils around her face. However, she shocked the public after taking off her jacket, revealing a white Alexander McQueen pantsuit with a white lace bra on display and only one button of her blazer done up. It appears to be the same outfit the soon-to-be Mrs Bezos wore during a chat with Forbes executive vice president Moira Forbes at the 2024 Forbes Power Women's Summit in September. The bold wardrobe choice sent social media into a frenzy, with many people take to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts on the risque ensemble. 'Good grief, Lauren Sanchez. Put them away for one day,' a disgusted user urged. 'Lauren Sanchez is wearing a bra,' wrote another shocked user. 'Just when I was luxuriating in the beauty and class of @FLOTUS45, in walks Lauren Sanchez wearing only a bra,' slammed someone else. The ethereal gown was draped on the sleeves made with soft tulle, cinching in at the waist in an elegant bodice, with Sanchez tagging Dolce and Gabbana Sanchez accessorized with large gold earrings and wore her long dark hair out over her shoulders, with some chunky rings on her fingers Lauren Sanchez was slammed for her choice of outfit at Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday Dolce and Gabbana also dressed Sanchez in a stunning black dress for Donald Trump 's candlelight inauguration dinner 'Lauren Sanchez complete inappropriate dress today,' another agreed. 'Really, a bra plainly visible. Today is NOT a night club event. Show some class & dignity.' On Sunday night, Sanchez and her billionaire lover attended a star-studded pre-inauguration candlelight dinner at the National Building Museum. The former TV host called the night a 'magical evening' on Instagram, showing off her stunning black dress that featured a glittery strapless top and a silk draped skirt by Dolce and Gabbana. At the same event, Ivanka Trump, 43, was seen sparkling in a hand-beaded crystal and pearl gown made by American brand Oscar de la Renta. The same designer also dressed Second Lady Usha Vance, 39, for the event in a dress cut similar to Sanchez's. Welcome to MAGALAND: White House insiders reveal whats really going on behind the scenes in the new Trump administration. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. The Dutch royal, 53, was visiting an childcare exhibition in the medieval city Queen Maxima of the Netherlands cut a bright figure as she stepped out in a green monochrome look in Utrecht. The Dutch royal, 53, beamed as she headed in to the National Education Exhibition in the Jaarbeurs venue in the medieval city on Tuesday. The mother-of-three looked sensational in a knee-length, green, A-line leather skirt that she paired with a matching boxy green top. Maxima added a nude, woven leather clutch bag and matching knee-high boots to balance her otherwise bold outfit. The queen accessorised with a statement snake brooch from the British brand Sardi, which was founded in 1974 and is known for its colourful jewellery, as well as a pair of simple silver earrings and a chunky ring. While she kept her base makeup fresh and dewy, she added a sweep of dark eyeliner for a dramatic finish. The skirt is one of the Queen's favourite pieces that she has worn on a number of occasions since 2021, with the stylish royal re-inventing it over the years by making small alterations. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, 53, cut a bright figure as she stepped out in a green monochrome look in Utrecht to open the National Education Exhibition in the Jaarbeurs venue During her visit on Tuesday, Maxima officially opened National Education Exhibition which is the largest trade event for professionals in childcare, out-of-school care, primary and secondary education. She beamed as she entered the venue space before sitting down among the audience to listen to a speech. She also addressed the gathering before meeting stallholders and professionals and posing for photographs. Her latest outing comes after she visited an award-winning business in her country's south earlier this month. The royal chose a formal red outfit for her visit to Royal Cosun, an agricultural co-operative in the village of Dinteloord and the winner of the King Willem I award - the most prestigious business accolade in the Netherlands. Underneath a cherry-coloured coat, Maxima wore a crimson silk skirt and a long-sleeved blouse in the same shade. The royal accessorised her tailored top with a diamond-encrusted brooch in the shape of a flower. While Maxima wore red patent high heels and carried a snake-skin clutch bag, the most striking part of her outfit was undoubtedly her dramatically tilted headwear. The mother-of-three looked nothing short of sensational in a knee length bright green leather A-line skirt and a boxy matching green top to which she added a statement snake brooch Maxima added a pair of simple silver earrings to her look and a green and gold chunky ring alongside her blue watch and elegant silver bangle The royal gave a speech to the audience and looked elegant with her blonde hair swept back off her face and her dark eyeliner and pink lip stick She also listened to a speaker, sat with the rest of the audience Later on, the queen posed alongside organisers of the event which is the largest trade event for professionals in childcare, out-of-school care, primary and secondary education Beneath her hat, the Dutch queen's shoulder-length, blond hair was swept back to reveal a pair of diamond earrings. Radiant Maxima kept her make-up simple for the occasion, adding brown eyeshadow to her kohl-lined lids and a slick of lipstick. The King Willem I awards honour businesses that have shown 'courageous, resilient and sustainable leadership'. The second week of January has been a particularly busy - and varied - one for Queen Maxima. Earlier this month, she took part in a community embroidery project in The Hague. Maxima was typically stylish in a purple ensemble as she participated in the At Home in The Hague art project run by the organisation Haags Verhaal. Focused on finding the common thread that makes different people feel at home in the Dutch city, participants illustrate their sense of being at home by sewing a symbol or a phrase on a piece of fabric using a red thread. Maxima, who looked striking in a purple outfit and tan high heels, threw herself into the project, embroidering a piece of fabric with her initial, 'M'. Maxima made sure to tour the event space and meet with stallholders The royal threw herself in to her day, meeting and browsing stalls and business leaders Dressed for the cool weather in a beige double-breasted coat with a waist belt, the royal soon removed her outerwear to reveal a pair of purple satin trousers and a matching top with statement sleeves. She completed her look with a pair of towering tan suede heels and a matching clutch bag. The beaming queen wore her blond, shoulder-length hair down in a classic blow dry and looked typically radiant despite wearing minimal make-up. She added a pair of statement green and blue earrings and sported a slim watch on her left wrist along with a gold charm bracelet. Maxima joined participants at the embroidery session, chatting and laughing with the other men and women as she embarked on her own sewing project - which she proudly held up for photographers. She was later pictured pinning her work to a hut structure covered in participants' creations. The Duchess of Edinburgh, 60, visited Dogs for Autism in Alton on Tuesday Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, seemed in her element as she cuddled a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy during a visit to a charity in Hampshire this morning. On Tuesday, the royal, 60, arrived at the headquarters of Dogs for Autism in Alton, Hampshire, where she was welcomed by a contingent of excitable puppies and their partners, who shared the positive impact these assistance dogs have on their lives. Founded in 2016, Dogs for Autism is the first charity in the UK to exclusively provide autism assistance dogs at no cost to their new owner. The Duchess looked elegant in a navy blue suit from Alexander McQueen (estimated at 1,900) that she paired with a crisp white shirt, dainty gold necklace, and statement leaf earrings - which the pup she was holding seemed drawn to. She fashioned her blonde tresses into an elegant updo and kept her makeup looking natural and dewy, having only lightly filled in her eyebrows and applied mascara to accentuate her pale blue eyes. Sophie was a good sport as she posed for pictures with the nine-week old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy and giggled as he licked her fingers and face before going for her earrings. As she listened to staff, trustees and volunteers at Dogs for Autism, Sophie let the puppy snuggle in her lap with a toy and a dog bed for good measure. Coincidentally, the puppy who won Sophie's affection had a royal connection himself; it was later revealed that his name is Lord Louis of Spudringham. Sophie paired her Ralph Lauren suit with a crisp white shirt, a dainty gold necklace and statement leaf earrings - which the pup she was holding seemed to take a liking to While delighting in puppy cuddles from Louis, Sophie was informed that he was bred by a specialist cardiac vet, dedicated to eradicating the specific health challenges that can affect Cavaliers. While Louis is the newest member of the Dogs for Autism team, his older sibling, Lexi, is already training there and the charity are delighted with her work. In one sweet moment, Sophie planted a kiss on the pooch's tiny nose before saying goodbye to her new furry friend. Her Royal Highness then visited the charitys Training Centre, where trainee assistance dogs Buddy, Jack, and Finn demonstrated their training. At the end of her visit, Buddy surprised the Duchess with a woven basket containing a Cocker Spaniel plush. The visit marks her first public appearance since celebrating her 60th birthday on January 20. Sophie celebrated her birthday surrounded by family at her home in Bagshot Park, with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh and their children Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex, along with their own cocker spaniel, Mole, black Labradors, Teal and Teasel, and tortoise named Marmite. Senior members of the Royal Family took the opportunity to wish Sophie in heartfelt messages on social media, with the Prince and Princess of Wales' sharing their wish for her on X. The Duchess of Edinburgh plants a kiss on the dog's tiny nose With all the puppy love, Sophie was lucky she had chosen to keep her makeup to a minimum, having only lightly filled in her eyebrows and applied mascara to accentuate her pale blue eyes As she listened to staff at Dogs for Autism, Sophie let Lord Louis of Spudringham snuggle in her lap with a toy and a dog bed for good measure The Duchess meets an assistance dog at the training centre in Alton The Duchess of Edinburgh and CEO of Dogs for Autism Hilary Armour watch a a display by assistance dog Finn Assistance dog Buddy presents a gift basket to the Duchess of Edinburgh during a visit to Dogs for Autism in Alton The Duchess holds the gift basket after visiting Dogs with Autism 'Wishing the Duchess of Edinburgh a very happy 60th birthday today!' the couple wrote. Moments later, the Royal Family's X account also shared a birthday message for Sophie that read: 'Wishing the Duchess of Edinburgh a very happy 60th birthday today!' To complete the tweet, there was also a sweet slideshow of images of the royal mother-of-two at various engagements. The Royal Family also released a new portrait of Sophie to mark her milestone birthday. The picture was taken this month in Bagshot, England with the mother-of-two putting on an elegant display in a monochrome ensemble. Sophie sported a pleated cream maxi skirt with a black knitted jumper as she sat laughing while perched by a window. She styled her glossy blonde tresses straight for the new portrait and opted for a casual makeup look. It comes after the Duchess of Edinburgh has revealed that she was determined 'not to tread on toes' when she first joined the Royal Family. The Prince and Princess of Wales shared a special birthday message for the Duchess of Edinburgh, who turns 60 today, alongside a new portrait of the royal (pictured) Taking to X, Kate and William wrote: 'Wishing The Duchess of Edinburgh a very happy 60th birthday today!' The birthday message on X from @RoyalFamily included a link to Sophie's page on the royal website Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, receives a cake ahead of her 60th birthday during a visit to The Company Shop on Wednesday On Wednesday, Sophie visited L'Arche, a south London community of people with learning disabilities and their supporters and Community Shop Lambeth, a 'social supermarket' tackling food poverty. It marked her last day of royal engagements as a 59-year-old, as Sophie celebrated her 60th birthday on Monday. Sophie spoke to the Telegraph about why she was drawn to organisations that focus on disability and said: 'It goes back to when I first started to get involved with taking on patronages and engagements. I was trying to find, not a unique thing for myself, but a direction of travel I suppose. 'And, of course, inevitably every time I went down a route, I found a member of the family working very hard doing something and I retreated a bit and thought, "No not there, treading on toes."' The Duchess said because she had a background of working in public relations before marrying Prince Edward and entering The Firm, she soon thought she would be best placed engaging with people directly. Sophie said that the concept of how people engage with each other differently and the issues surrounding how to raise awareness of this led her to championing this cause. She said that just because individuals are 'different' doesn't mean they don't have something to 'bring to the party'. After speaking about how the world can adapt to help those with disabilities, the royal was asked about the moment she saw her children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, alongside their cousins, Princes William and Harry standing vigil in Westminster Hall around the late Queen's coffin. The Duchess has a few dogs of her own including Cocker Spaniel, Mole, black Labradors, Teal and Teasel While Louis is the newest member of the Dogs for Autism team, his older sibling, Lexi (pictured), is already training there and the charity are delighted with her work The Duchess of Edinburgh (2nd left) walks assistance dog Clover, alongside CEO of Dogs for Autism Hilary Armour (left) and Holly Butler (2nd right) Founded in 2016, Dogs for Autism is the first charity in the UK to exclusively provide autism assistance dogs at no cost to their new owner After peeling herself away from her new furry friend, Sophie is due to visit a school for children with physical disabilities Sophie said she was 'so proud' of 'all of the cousins' for following protocol and the instructions well, adding: 'It was incredibly moving, and lovely to see her surrounded by them.' She also said she wondered whether it would be 'appropriate' for James to do it, given that he was the youngest, and around 14 years old when Queen Elizabeth passed away. However, Sophie said he was 'really keen' to get involved in his grandmother's send-off, along with Lady Louise. But the Duchess could only recount what happened to a certain point before she appeared emotional and said she couldn't speak about it further. Sophie is regularly hailed as the late Queen's 'favourite daughter-in-law', along with the monarchy's 'secret weapon' due to her 'down to earth' personality. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward previously told Ok! magazine: 'With the exception of her daughter Anne, the Queen was closer to Sophie than any of the other royal women,' says biographer Ingrid Seward. 'It really was a genuine closeness, and Elizabeth was always Sophie's biggest confidante. 'The Queen found her very down to earth, because she refused to have expensive security and things like that, and she loved her lack of airs and graces. I think she saw Sophie as a bit of a surrogate daughter, too.' A surprising star emerged at Donald Trump's inauguration: Vice President JD Vance's mom, Beverly 'Bev' Aikins. Bev watched on among some of the biggest political figures, celebrities and business moguls as her son was sworn in as the new Vice President of the United States in Washington, D.C., on Monday. While Bev was raising JD in a Ohio and battling severe substance abuse issues, it may have been hard to have imagined that she'd one day be mingling with the president and attending dazzling balls. Bev's transformation from a drug addict single mother to a dedicated nurse and mother of the vice president is certainly an impressive one. She was forced to raise her two young children on her own after JD's father abandoned them. According to her son, while working tirelessly as a healthcare professional to make ends meet, she tragically became addicted to pain killers and heroin. In his memoir, JD spoke in detail about how his mother's drug use continuously marred his childhood and left him wondering if he even had a future. He said he figured that by the time he was 30, he'd either 'be in jail or fathering his fourth illegitimate child.' His relationship with Bev was complicated, to say the least; in the tome, JD recalled how his mother would spend all night partying and go through men with such revolving-door regularity that he collected no fewer than 15 'stepdads' during his childhood. A surprising star emerged at Donald Trump 's inauguration: Vice President JD Vance 's mom, Beverly 'Bev' Aikins, who is seen here in red at the inauguration Many were impressed with Bev's inspiring transformation from a drug addict single mother to a dedicated nurse and mother of the Vice President There were multiple suicide attempts; she was in and out of rehab; and she even stole drugs from patients at the hospital where she worked before she was ultimately fired, her son recalled. By his own diligence, dedication and hard work, JD managed to shrug off his background, joined the Marines, put himself through the elite Yale University, became a lawyer and struck gold as an investor in Silicon Valley. He then turned to politics and was elected a senator for Ohio just three years ago, before Donald Trump chose him as his running-mate last year. As for Bev, she continued on a downward spiral until she hit 'rock bottom' in 2015, which saw her homeless and living in her car with no contact with her kids. But she realized she needed to turn things around when JD approached her and told her he had written his now famous 2016 memoir, entitled Hillbilly Elegy, which laid bare the harrowing difficulties of his childhood. It was an eye-opener for Bev, and the push she needed; she entered a sober living home that year, and hasn't touched drugs since. In the latest chapter of Bev's inspiring story, she has now become an unexpected social media star following her appearance at the inauguration on Monday. Soon after she stepped out at the event, thousands of people across the globe took to X, formerly Twitter, to gush over how far she has come. One person described has the 'best part of the inauguration,' while another said they were 'extremely moved' seeing her on stage next to JD. Someone else called her being by his side 'one of the most touching moments' of the day. Amid Bev's newfound internet fame, FEMAIL has recapped her impressive journey from start to finish. From why she began using drugs and how it affected JD to the moment she decided to quit and her terrifying health scare just weeks before the inauguration, here's everything you need to know about the vice president's mom. Her harrowing substance abuse: JD's childhood was continuously marred by Bev's violent temper and drug addiction JD was born in Middletown, Ohio, but his father, Donald, left when he was just a toddler, leaving his mother, Bev, who worked as a nurse, to raise him and his older sister, Lindsay, alone JD was born in Middletown, Ohio, but his father, Donald, left when he was just a toddler, leaving his mother, Bev, who worked as a nurse, to raise him and his older sister, Lindsay, alone. In his fiercely honest 2016 memoir, JD described himself as 'the abandoned son of a man I hardly knew and a woman I wish I didnt.' His childhood was continuously marred by Bev's violent temper and harrowing drug addiction. In his tome, JD said his mother was always angry about something; he recalled her beating up other parents in the playground over some imagined slight and said she once floored the accelerator and threatened to crash the car with him in it so they would both die. It was certainly not easy for JD, as he wrote, 'When I watched her succumb again and again to addiction, I hated her and wished sometimes that she would take enough narcotics to rid me and my sister of her for good. 'When she lay sobbing in bed after another failed relationship, I felt a rage that could have driven me to kill. 'Kids like me become hard-wired for conflict. By almost any measure, American working-class families experience a level of instability unseen elsewhere in the world.' JD recalled in his 2016 memoir how his childhood was continuously marred by his mom, Bev's violent temper and harrowing drug addiction. He's seen with his mom and sister While speaking to the New York Times in September 2024, Bev explained her addiction began after she was started suffering from a 'bad headache' at work one day and took 'a Vicodin pill.' She 'loved the way it made her feel,' and soon 'began to purloin stronger pharmaceuticals' and eventually, she started 'snorting heroin.' Thanks to his erratic upbringing, he admitted that was starting to get in trouble and skip school as a teen, but eventually, he went to live with his grandmother (seen), who set strict rules in order to get him back on track JD said in his book that he constantly moved around as a kid, living in four different homes in just two years. Thanks to his erratic upbringing, he admitted that was starting to get in trouble and skip school as a teen, but eventually, he went to live with his grandmother, who set strict rules in order to get him back on track. He entered the marines after high school, and went on to get his law degree from Yale Law School. Despite his mother's problems, JD described her as a 'wonderful person' who was plagued by 'demons' while speaking to NPR in 2016. 'My mom, was, in a lot of ways, this really wonderful person who tried very hard but also carried around the demons of her youth a little too much,' he said. Turning her life around: Bev got sober in 2015 after hitting 'rock bottom,' which saw her living out of car and having no contact with her children In July 2024, JD proudly announced at the Republican National Convention that his mother was almost 10 years sober. He's seen at the convention During her interview with the New York Times in September 2024, Bev revealed that it was JD's book that made her want to turn her life around. She's seen with JD and her daughter In July 2024, JD proudly announced at the Republican National Convention that his mother was almost 10 years sober. 'Our movement is about single moms like mine, who struggled with money and addiction, but never gave up,' he told the crowd. 'I'm proud to say that tonight my mom is here, 10 years clean and sober.' She now dedicates her life to helping others who struggle with addiction, as she reportedly works in substance use recovery. She also regained her nursing license. She's seen last year During her interview with the New York Times in September 2024, Bev revealed that it was JD's book that made her want to turn her life around. '[JD] said, "Mom, I wrote a book, and theres probably some things in it that arent very favorable,' she recalled. 'I just said, "Will it help you heal?" He said, "I think it will." It was heartbreaking in some parts. 'But it helped us grow as a family, and it opened up a line of communication that we never really had. 'Addiction in our house was like the elephant in the room. Nobody ever said anything about it. We do now.' She recalled hitting 'rock bottom' in 2015 while living out of her car and having no contact with her kids. She eventually checked into a sober living facility, and in 2020, as JD's career began to flourish, he bought her her own house in Southwest Ohio, where she currently resides. She now dedicates her life to helping others who struggle with addiction, as she reportedly works in substance use recovery. She also regained her nursing license. On Facebook last year, Bev explained that when she got 'clean and sober,' she wanted only two things: 'One, to be in my childrens lives and be the best version of myself I could be for them. Two, peace of mind.' 'Today, I have both of these things,' she added. Staying away from the world of politics: Bev doesn't want to get involved in her son's career and had no idea who anyone was at the Republican Convention Bev has been open about how she does not want to get involved in the world of politics, despite her son's new role as Vice President. She's seen with Donald Trump last July Bev has been open about how she does not want to get involved in the world of politics, despite her son's new role as vice president. After she attended the Republican National Convention last year, she hilariously admitted to The Times that she had no idea who most of the people were sitting in the VIP box with her. 'I said, "Hi, whats your name?"' she recounted of one of her conversations with her seat neighbor. 'He goes, "Mike Johnson." I went, "What do you do here?" He goes, "Im the speaker of the House." 'I went, "That sounds very impressive, but Im not sure exactly what you do."' While her parents were Democrats, Bev said she is a registered Republican, but described herself as 'bipartisan,' adding, 'Is that the right word? I dont vote the party. I vote the person.' On her Facebook account, Bev announced last year in a scathing post to her friends and family that she did not want to 'talk politics with anyone.' After she attended the Republican National Convention last year, she hilariously admitted to the Times that she had no idea who most of the people were sitting in the VIP box with her Plus, on her Facebook account, Bev announced last year in a scathing post to her friends and family that she did not want to 'talk politics with anyone' 'I refuse to talk politics with anyone. I have Republican friends and I have Democrat friends,' she wrote. 'My son is very verbal in his opinion. I love him with everything in me. Please, do not text me, call me, or message me with anything political. 'Do not verbally attack my child in any of the above mentioned manners. I will not engage in a debate or conversation. Have a nice day. Thank you.' When asked by the New York Times if she had anything to say about the negative response to some of JD's controversial comments - most notable was his infamous 'childless cat lady' remark - Bev was quick to brush it off. 'I just choose to ignore that, and ignoring the bad, I also have to ignore the good,' she said. 'I can live in my own little bubble and be comfortable.' Overcoming health woes to attend the inauguration: She suffered from a terrifying scare just weeks before the event and had to undergo emergency surgery Bev announced on Facebook earlier this month that she had suffered from a terrifying health scare just a few weeks before the inauguration. She's seen at the inauguration Bev announced on Facebook earlier this month that she had suffered from a terrifying health scare just a few weeks before the inauguration. She explained that she woke up on December 29 to 'violent vomiting and terrible back pain.' She was rushed to the hospital and discovered that she was 'actively having a heart attack.' She said she 'immediately underwent a cardiac catheterization,' and learned that she was actually suffering from takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which is 'a temporary condition that causes the heart muscle to weaken and change shape.' 'What was causing this? A CT scan revealed a hiatal hernia that was so large my entire stomach had penetrated my diaphragm and was pressing on my heart and lungs,' she wrote. On January 6, she underwent surgery to repair her hernia but unfortunately, her problems didn't end there as she endured a terrifying complication afterwards. 'I was discharged Thursday, January 9 ... that evening my feet and legs became extremely swollen and painful,' she continued. But Bev made it there, despite only going through the emergency surgery weeks prior 'I called the surgeon on call and was instructed to go immediately to the ER.' Thankfully, she was told it was just an acute congestive heart failure flare up and that everything was 'OK.' 'I must also mention my boy, JD, who investigated and interviewed my surgeon, visited me despite his busy life and insisting I get the VIP treatment while in the hospital,' added Bev in the Facebook post. 'My recovery is slow, but I have an inauguration to attend on January 20. Nothing will stop me from being there.' Indeed Bev made it there, despite only going through the emergency surgery weeks prior, and she even took to the stage to speak about her son at one of the pre-inauguration parties on Sunday, Cincinnati.com reported. It was certainly a big weekend for her, as she revealed during her speech that on top of her son being sworn in as vice president, it was also the official 10-year anniversary of her sobriety on Sunday, and her 64th birthday on Monday. Ivanka Trump's 13-year-old daughter Arabella Kushner had an adorable moment during her grandpa Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony on Monday after she was sent into a fit of giggles. Kushner joined her entire family for the grand occasion at the United States Capitol Rotunda, where her grandfather was being sworn in as the 47th President of The United States. However, the teen seemed to catch the giggles during her grandpa's inauguration address after being sworn in, when he vowed to rename The Gulf of Mexico to The Gulf of America. The President spoke about changing the name during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago last month, and signed an executive order calling for the change on Monday evening. But Arabella, who was seated towards the back during the inauguration ceremony, appeared to get a case of the giggles when Trump made the announcement. FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, who was seated next to her, also seemed to laugh at the notion. Right after, Arabella can also be seen standing up stood up in support of her grandfather. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 13-year-old daughter of Ivanka became the star of the show this weekend, as fashion fans declared her the best dressed of them all. The teen seemed to catch the giggles during her grandfather's inauguration address after being sworn in, when he vowed to rename The Gulf of Mexico to The Gulf of America Kushner joined her entire family for the grand occasion at the United States Capitol Rotunda, where her grandfather was being sworn in as the 47th President of The United States For the day of festivities, she wore a beige-colored cape with a dramatic cinched-waist belt. To top off the monochromatic look, Arabella wore tapered beige trousers and a pair of dark brown, chunky boots. Arabella, who let her long dark hair flow loosely over her shoulders, was quickly praised for the chic looks by viewers on social media who credited stylish mother Ivanka for passing down the fashion gene. 'Are we not going to talk about a 13-year-old was the best dressed at the inauguration?' a fashion fan wrote in a post to TikTok. 'Bravo. Classy all the way. Stunning,' agreed one user. 'This is how you dress a child more maturely. Not in bikinis or crop tops and boots shorts. This is classy,' declared another. Arabella also joined her family on Sunday, when they attended the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The President's granddaughter looked elegant in a black-and-white checked coat dress, black leather boots and matching gloves. Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in Washington on Monday For the day of festivities, she wore a beige-colored cape with a dramatic cinched-waist belt 'Are we not going to talk about a 13-year-old was the best dressed at the inauguration?' a fashion fan wrote in a post to TikTok of Arabella President Trump has 10 grandchildren in total, and will soon be welcoming another, with daughter Tiffany Trump announcing her pregnancy last year According to Hello!, the coat, made by designer Suzannah London, belonged to Ivanka According to Hello!, the coat, made by designer Suzannah London, belonged to Ivanka. However, Arabella wasn't the only Kushner kid who stole viewers' hearts this week. Her and Jared Kushner's sons, Joseph, 10, and Theodore, eight, were crowd favorites after being snapped dozing off at a church service at St. John's Church before the swearing in ceremony. In one photo, Ivanka's eldest son was leaning against her, appearing to be fast sleep, while his brother was also on the brink of slumber. In another, the boys looked cheekily up at their mom, who then proudly glanced toward her father. President Trump has 10 grandchildren in total, and will soon be welcoming another, with daughter Tiffany Trump announcing her pregnancy last year. As the First Lady glided onto the stage at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, one of three inaugural celebrations she attended Monday evening, Melania Trump did more than delight her admirers. She silenced her critics and they are, regrettably, many. Melania, yet again, relied on her longtime stylist Herve Pierre, who on this occasion dressed her to stunning effect in a custom strapless white silk crepe gown with thick bands of black silk gazar trim. The black and white made for a striking combination. Pierre said it was Melania's choice and demonstrated her being 'true to her own style and vision'. Unlike stepdaughter Ivanka Trump's flowery overreach settling upon an exact copy of Audrey Hepburn's 1954 Givenchy gown from the film Sabrina Melania's choice was a subtle homage to mid-20th century fashion. Melania, too, echoed Hepburn, however, in a more iconic cinematic role. Pierre, an admirer of British photographer and costume designer Cecil Beaton, surely must have recognized the sartorial possibilities that Hepburn's appearance in 'My Fair Lady' offered. That film tells of an ingenue who becomes a star while wearing white and black couture (an outfit famously designed by Beaton). Melania's Golden Age of Hollywood-look was rounded out perfectly with a borrowed 1955 diamond flower brooch by American jewelry legend Harry Winston and worn on a black ribbon choker. The jewelry's styling, Pierre said, was also reflected by the gown: a ribbon encircling flowers. (Melania, one assumes, was the bouquet). As the First Lady glided onto the stage at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, one of three inaugural celebrations she attended Monday evening, Melania Trump did more than delight her admirers. She silenced her critics. Melania relied on her longtime stylist Herve Pierre, though on this occasion he advised as well as dressed her to stunning effect in a custom strapless white silk crepe gown with thick bands of black silk gazar trim. The black and white made for a striking combination. Pierre said it was Melania's choice and demonstrated her being 'true to her own style and vision'. Melania's Golden Age of Hollywood-look was rounded out perfectly with a borrowed 1955 diamond flower brooch by American jewelry legend Harry Winston and worn on a black ribbon choker. Unlike stepdaughter Ivanka Trump's flowery overreach - settling upon an exact copy of Audrey Hepburn's 1954 Givenchy gown from the film Sabrina (right) - Melania's choice was a subtle homage to mid-20th century fashion. More to the point, the First Lady's sense of legacy was also embodied by the famed jeweler who was immortalized by Marilyn Monroe when she sang in the song Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend, 'Talk to me, Harry Winston, tell me all about it.' Winston famously donated the 'Hope Diamond' a 45-carat blue dazzler to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC in 1958. His gift helped the museum build its National Gem collection, but Winston dreamed even bigger. His ultimately unrealized goal was to create a permanent collection of gems to be worn by successive first ladies, 'American Queens'. Winston's third and final attempt to establish this new tradition was rejected by government officials in 1982. They deemed the concept 'inconsistent with our democratic traditions' and, they believed, Americans would be offended by something suggestive of royal crown jewels. In this way, Melania and Pierre's tribute to Winston speaks volumes. Melania sees herself as a legacy builder with or without the help of the fashion world. The role of couturier-in-chief to the first lady has long been a prized position and, in times gone by, American designers would have been lining up around the block to design an inaugural gown. Not so with Melania. Almost a decade into life as a presidential consort, she remains a shunned specimen by the American fashion elites. In 2017, the legendary Ralph Lauren designed Melania's powder blue dress worn at her husband's first inauguration. No such help was forthcoming this time round. Melania had to accept that Lauren, who only days earlier became the first fashion designer ever awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, this time opted to dress outgoing First Lady Jill Biden in a purple monochromatic ensemble. Frankly, it's startling treatment of a woman who despite a physique that is a haute-couture dream come true is now forced to shop off the rack. Indeed, by Peirre's admission, Melania's money has even been turned away from Madison Avenue shops that refuse to be associated with the Trump brand. It is also striking that Melania does not appear to have the support of Vogue impresario and Democratic darling Anna Wintour. Melania, however, seems impervious to such insular snobbery. Rather, she is charting her own course in a way that feels remarkably similar to another first lady with whom she most empathizes and admires and who also reveled in the subtle art of the sartorial rebuke to her detractors. In 2017, the legendary Ralph Lauren designed Melania's powder blue dress worn at her husband's first inauguration. No such help was forthcoming this time round. Melania had to accept that Lauren this time opted to dress outgoing First Lady Jill Biden (pictured). Melania does not appear to have the support of Vogue impresario and Democratic darling Anna Wintour either. The First Lady, however, seems impervious to such insular snobbery. Herve Pierre's first presidential creation for Melania in 2017 (left) echoed Oleg Cassini's for Jackie Kennedy in 1961: a sleeveless pillar dress in white (right). Like Jackie Kennedy, Melania has found herself barred from the showrooms of the international haute couture. Jackie's ban was ordered by her husband's political operatives, who preferred she wear American labels over European competitors, while Melania's exclusion is the result of a near-universal disapproval of her husband. In Jackie's case, she came to rely on stylist Oleg Cassini. Melania has Herve Pierre. Both men were trained as couturiers and imbued with a sense of style and history. Their visions I believe are transformative. Pierre's first presidential creation for Melania in 2017 echoed Cassini's for Jackie in 1961: a sleeveless pillar dress in white. Eventually, Pierre's Monday night design will end up in the collection of the Smithsonian alongside those two iconic gowns. Winston would be proud. Fans were left furious after Target's website allegedly crashed due to the massive demand over Rebecca Yarros' latest book, leaving many unable to get their hands on it. Book lovers have long been awaiting the arrival of Rebecca's new tome, Onyx Storm, which is the third instalment to her wildly popular five-part Empyrean series. The raunchy fantasy novel dropped at midnight on Tuesday, and the release caused quite the uproar. While some people lined up at stores for hours in the middle of the night just to get a copy of the book, others took to Target's website to try to buy it. But many were not pleased when the site suffered from outages, which resulted in them failing to scoop up a copy before it sold out. The website Down Detector said that reports started coming in that Target's website had gone offline at 2.42am, and lasted until around 4am. People took to the site to share their outrage, with one person writing, 'I had the damn thing in my cart for half an hour and they wouldn't even let me check out. Target is such BS man.' '[Now it's] out of stock. It sat in my cart for 30 minutes and I spammed the buy button and they wouldn't even let me buy it,' they added. Fans were left furious after Target's website crashed due to the massive demand over Rebecca Yarros' (seen) latest book Onyx Storm, leaving many unable to get their hands on it The book came out on Tuesday, and some people lined up at stores for hours in the middle of the night just to get a copy of the book, while others took to Target's website to try to buy it 'Same,' someone else replied, while a third person stated, 'It says sold out on my end now after nearly 40 minutes of trying.' But many were not pleased when the site suffered from outages, which resulted in them failing to scoop up a copy before it sold out 'Did a book seriously take down Target? Heck yeah, it did! LMAO,' a different user mused. 'I have never seen this before.' 'Absolute garbage site crashed while the book was in my cart then every store was sold out,' scathed someone else. Another person angrily commented, 'I would really like to pay for the book and go to bed now, have to be up for work in six hours.' 'Keep trying mine finally went through, I was stuck at payment and it kept saying error,' a different user urged. 'Mine finally just went through. Was just spamming checkout, good luck,' shared someone else. At the time of publish, the book is back in stock on Target's website, but the deluxe limited edition version, which is only available through Target, is sold out. Some have dubbed the romance fairy novel as 'the most exciting book since Harry Potter.' The website Down Detector said that reports started coming in that Target's website had gone offline at 2:42am, and lasted until around 4am People took to the site to share their outrage, with one person writing, 'I had the damn thing in my cart for half an hour and they wouldn't even let me check out. Target is such BS man' Videos shared to social media on the night it came out showed hundreds of fans lining up outside of book stores dressed up in costumes waiting for the highly-anticipated release Onyx Storm received the biggest pre-order numbers for a book in the UK since Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Fans are seen lining up at stores to get the book Videos shared to social media on the night it came out showed hundreds of fans lining up outside of book stores dressed up in costumes waiting for the highly-anticipated release. It has been so popular that the novel was listed on bestseller charts as early as August last year as a result of the pre-orders The book series features an array of mystical creatures but, most importantly, very detailed sex scenes. Onyx Storm received the biggest pre-order numbers for a book in the UK since Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It has been so popular that the novel was listed on bestseller charts as early as August last year as a result of the pre-orders. The latest tale chronicles the continuation of protagonist Violet Sorrengail's story as a dragon rider in a fictional war college and her romance with fellow rider Xaden Riorson. Rebecca's first novel Fourth Wing, described as 'The Hunger Games meets 50 Shades Of Grey', became a viral sensation thanks to BookTok - the corner of TikTok where users share their love of books and literature. Goodreads revealed that Fourth Wing was the most read book of 2024, attracting more than a million readers. Its success has led to the story now being developed into a series for television by Amazon MGM Studios alongside Michael B. Jordan's production company. McDonald's Australia has stunned foodies by serving up unbeatable value with the launch of its new McSmart Meal. Available nationwide starting today, January 22, Australians can indulge in a meal packed with fan favourites - and a customisable twist that's set to be a game-changer for fast-food lovers. What's in the McSmart Meal? The $6.95 meal includes a cheeseburger, small fries, a small soft drink, and a fourth item of your choice. Perfect for all cravings, you can pick from a regular sundae, a chicken n cheese, three-piece chicken mcnuggets, or another cheeseburger. Fans are already obsessing over the customisable McSmart Meal, with its ability to cater to both savoury and sweet cravings. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch break solution, a post-workout treat, or a late-night bite, the budget meal packs big taste into a small price. McDonald's Australia also has several other deals up for grabs that has foodies buzzing. McDonald's Australia has stunned foodies by serving up unbeatable value with the launch of its new McSmart Meal The Loose Change menu starts at just 50c and you can grab a soft serve cone, $1 small frozen drink, or a $2 hamburger. With eight items priced at $4 or less, the loose change menu is the ultimate in pocket-friendly snacking. If you're in the mood for something more, the Big Breakfast Deal includes two McMuffins, two hash browns, and a medium McCafe hot coffee for $13.95. Friends and families can also indulge in share bundles for two, four, or six people - starting at just $24.95. Tobi Fukushima, Marketing Manager for McDonald's Australia, explains why the McSmart Meal is already a hit. 'We're committed to offering great value, and we know our customers loved our McSmart meal we launched last year. 'Now, McSmart combines everything you loved about the original - including the incredible price - and offers our customers even more value by giving them the choice to add one of their favourite sides,' he said. The McSmart Meal is available at Macca's restaurants nationwide through the kiosk, front counter, drive-thru, and the MyMacca's app, from 10:30AM to midnight daily. Wes Streeting came under fire yesterday as he delayed the Conservatives new NHS hospital programme by at least a decade. The health secretary was accused of using Donald Trumps presidential inauguration to bury bad news and break yet another Labour election promise. It means patients will face years more misery in dilapidated old hospitals - some with leaking roofs and crumbling walls and ceilings. Former Tory Prime Minister Boris Johnson committed in 2019 to build 40 new NHS hospitals across England by 2030. But the dire state of the countrys finances means some will now not begin construction until 2039, Mr Streeting told MPs. He accused the Conservatives of failing to fund their plan, saying it had been built on the shaky foundation of false hope. Setting out a new timetable, Mr Streeting said construction of the new hospitals would proceed in four waves, with the final part not beginning until between 2035 and 2039. The first wave is already under construction, and set to be completed in the next three years. Wes Streeting came under fire yesterday as he delayed the Conservatives new NHS hospital programme by at least a decade Former Tory Prime Minister Boris Johnson committed in 2019 to build 40 new NHS hospitals across England by 2030 These include four hospitals in Dorset, the Cedar Programme in the North East, the Oriel Eye Hospital in London and the National Rehabilitation Centre near Loughborough. Mr Streeting said the new timetable was honest, funded and can actually be delivered. Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrat health and social care spokesperson, said the Conservatives had shamelessly made promises on the plans that they did not intend to keep. She added: Now this government uses the day of Trumps inauguration in a shoddy attempt to bury bad news, showing an outrageous disregard for patients. This is the full list of egg brands urgently recalled due to concern over salmonella. Six different suppliers in Canada were affected by the possibility of the bacteria contaminating their products. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recalled Golden Valley, Compliments, Foremost, IGA, No Name, and Western Family eggs on Saturday January 18. The recall applies to different packages and sizes of eggs. Only certain lot numbers of the eggs have been affected and a full list of these lot numbers is available on the CFIA website. The agency warned that people should not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute affected products. It advised eggs that are potentially contaminated with salmonella should either be discarded or returned to the store they were bought from even if they look normal. The UK does import eggs from Canada. The CFIA website reads: 'Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick.' The full list of egg brands urgently recalled due to concern over salmonella has been revealed. Six different brands were affected due to the possibility of salmonella contamination in Canada (stock image) It advised eggs that are potentially contaminated with salmonella should either be discarded or returned to the store they were bought from even if they look normal. The CFIA website reads: 'Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick' (stock image) Salmonella is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestines of animals and humans and can cause food poisoning. Full list of egg brands recalled Golden Valley Compliments Foremost IGA No Name Western Family eggs Advertisement Animal products, such as raw meat, unpasteurized milk, undercooked poultry, and eggs are the most likely foods to carry the bacteria. Fruit and vegetables can also be contaminated through fertilizer used on crops. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, vomiting, nausea, chills, headache, and bloody stool. Most people shake off the illness on their own within a few days but if symptoms are prolonged or become associated with dehydration or a high fever they are advised to see a medical professional. In the U.S. last month, the FDA upgraded a Costco egg recall to its highest risk level over salmonella fears. On November 27, Handsome Brook Farms issued a recall notice of 10,800 units of Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs sold under the Kirkland Signature brand name. The eggs were sold at 25 Costco stores across Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee beginning on November 22. New York-based manufacturer Handsome Brook Farms said the eggs were not intended for sale but somehow they were packaged and distributed 'by mistake.' The FDA updated the recall to a 'Class I' as the eggs 'have the potential to be contaminated with the bacteria salmonella, which hospitalizes 26,000 Americans every year. A 'Class I' recall is a 'situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death'. The 24-count cartons with the Kirkland Signature branding were recalled by Handsome Brook Farms in New York because they had 'the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.' The cartons included in Handsome Brook Farms's recall were sold at 25 Costco stores located in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee beginning on November 22, 2024. Units with Julian code 327 and a 'use by' date of January 5, 2025, are included under the recall. The FDA said in the press statement that the recall was launched after officials at Handsome Brook determined that eggs not meant for delivery to markets had been packaged and distributed to retailers by mistake. No known illnesses have been connected to the affected products. A routine eye check could soon reveal your risk of developing the memory robbing condition Alzheimer's disease. Scottish scientists are analysing a million scans taken from high street opticians and tracking the changes in the eye tissue of 100,000 older patients. They aim to track tiny changes in the retina of the eye that occur over time that could spot earliest signs of Alzheimer's years before symptoms develop. Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia, and while not curable, early diagnosis is considered critical for better outcomes as treatments can combat symptoms and slow down progression. Professor Baljean Dhillon, an expert in clinical ophthalmology at the University of Edinburgh, said blood vessels deep within the eyes have a direct connection to the brain. 'We know there are signals in the eye some subtle, some not so subtle that are informative of a whole range of brain changes, from Alzheimer's to vascular dementia to Parkinson's to stroke, he told The Times. 'The eyes are the bit of the brain that sticks out of your face. 'But, unlike the brain, we can see the retina with the simple, inexpensive equipment found in every high street in the UK and beyond.' A routine eye check could soon tell you your risk of getting the memory robbing condition Alzheimer's disease While previous studies have suggested eye scans could be used to track cognitive decline, which can be a precursor to dementia, trials have been small involving hundreds of patients at most. But the new project, called NeurEye, includes 100,000 patients, and tracks their scans to any eventual dementia diagnosis resulting in more robust data. David Thomas from the charity Alzheimer's Research UK cautioned that the test would only tell a patient their potential risk of getting the disorder, not a definitive diagnosis. But he added even this was an exciting possibility that addressed a 'historic challenge' in assessing people's Alzheimer's risk. 'The idea of something as non-invasive and scalable as an eye scan is exciting. You can see the potential someone goes in for a routine scan, is detected as being at risk and referred directly to a memory clinic,' he said. Dr Dave Powell, chief scientific officer at LifeArc, a collaborator on the NeurEye project, said the UK's ability to join data like eye scans to diagnosis data in the NHS gave Britain an edge in this kind of research. 'The UK, with its single healthcare provider, is well placed to become a global leader in the development of new tests that use health data,' he said. Recent analysis by the Alzheimer's Society estimated the overall annual cost of the dementia to the UK is 42billion a year, with families bearing the brunt. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. The disease can cause anxiety, confusion and short-term memory loss Around 900,000 Britons are currently thought to have the memory-robbing disorder. But University College London scientists estimate this will rise to 1.7million within two decades as people live longer. It marks a 40 per cent uptick on the previous forecast in 2017 An ageing population means these costs which include lost earnings of unpaid carers are set to soar to 90billion in the next 15 years. Around 944,000 in the UK are thought to be living with dementia, while the figure is thought to be around 7million in the US. Memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties and language problems are common early symptoms of the condition, which then worsen over time. A separate Alzheimer's Research UK analysis found 74,261 people died from dementia in 2022 compared with 69,178 a year earlier, making it the country's biggest killer. The UK's medical regulator has been accused by MPs of concealing the potentially harmful side effects of some of the nation's most commonly taken drugs. The MHRA, which overseas the safety of medicines and vaccines, was said to be guilty of failing to be honest about complications and failing to act quickly when drugs were found to be harmful. During a debate in the House of Commons, MPs warned that the regulator received 75 per cent of its funding from pharmaceutical companies, meaning the body is not truly independent. 'The MHRA and the whole of the health industry are swimming in a sea of pharmaceutical sharks,' Labour MP Graham Stringer said. 'Pharmaceutical companies produce some extraordinarily wonderful products that keep us safe, but they also produce huge profits, and sometimes they get their products onto the markets by telling lies, or certainly by sins of omission,' he added. The debate was brought by Esther McVey, the former work and pensions secretary, who warned the MHRA had been too slow at detecting signs that the covid vaccine caused harm in some, the Telegraph reported. She highlighted that there was a 'serious problem' with the AstraZeneca vaccine causing an autoimmune condition called induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia. It comes after a landmark study involving more than two million patients revealed that miracle weight loss jabs, such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, double the risk of pancreatitis a potentially life-threating swelling of the pancreas gland. Weight loss jabs, such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, have been found to double the risk of pancreatitis Your browser does not support iframes. Symptoms can include sudden and severe pain in the centre of the tummy, feeling or being sick and a high temperature of 38C or more. Most people with the condition start to feel better within a week, but some go on to develop serious complications such as infection, sepsis, organ failure and internal bleeding. A third also suffer nausea or vomiting and there is an 11 per cent higher risk of developing arthritis, the experts from Washington University also discovered. The researchers said they have seen 'skyrocketing' use of the jabs in the past few years but this is the first comprehensive analysis which looked at 175 possible health-related effects. And while they have a 'wide array' of beneficial effects, they are 'not without risks', they said. The debate in the House of Commons also saw MPs call for the MHRA to be given the power to demand all safety and trial data from pharmaceutical companies. MPs also heard British pharmaceutical company GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) had held back test results that linked the antidepressant paroxetine to an increased risk of child suicide. Similarly, in 2010 it was revealed that Pfizer did not publish data that showed the antidepressant reboxetine was no more effective than placebo. MPs were also told the Yellow Card reporting system, which asks doctors and pateients to report side effects of drugs, was not fit for purpose. Sharon Hodgson, the Labour MP for Washington and Gateshead South called the system 'broken'. An MHRA spokesperson said: 'We listened closely to the debate. We will now reflect carefully on the opportunities to improve our performance in several areas, including our efforts to fully embed the patient voice throughout all our regulatory activities as we strive to be a more inclusive and transparent regulator. 'The minister's full response can be read on Hansard.' A plastic surgeon in Taiwan has shared a shocking viral video showing himself carrying out his own vasectomy. Dr Chen Weinong, a father of three, described his decision to get the snip as 'gift for his wife' to ensure they didn't have any more children. A vasectomy is a permanent method of male contraception that prevents pregnancy by surgically cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles. While a vasectomy isn't that unusual, with more than 10,000 performed in England each year, doing it yourself is and Dr Chen's video came with a strict 'do not try this at home' warning. The video, published on Facebook and Instagram for 'educational purposes', shows Dr Chen laying back in a surgical chair while he uses a scalpel and surgical clamp to carry out the operation. He is fully conscious after using a local anaesthetic to numb his genitals. At one point he leans back seemingly in a moment of pain during the hour-long operation before carrying on. As the procedure concludes, he stitches himself up with 'catgut' a type of surgical suture made from the intestines of animals like cows and sheep. 'It was a strange feeling to touch and suture my own urethra,' he wrote on social media. Dr Chen Weinong, a father of three, described his decision to get the snip as 'gift for his wife' to ensure they didn't have any more children Vasectomies typically take about 30 minutes according to the NHS, but Dr Chen's DIY version took twice this time due to the effort of carrying it out on his own anatomy. He added that while he did experience some pain and discomfort the night following the surgery, he felt fine by the next morning. The NHS says it is common to feel some pain for one or two weeks following the operation. Dr Chen's video went viral gaining 4million views across various social media. While some commentators hailed his bravery others questioned the legality of the procedure. However, local media reported that following what was described as a 'preliminary investigation' by health officials, there were no legal issues involved. Dr Chen also highlighted that his self-surgery was performed under the supervision of a qualified urologist who could have taken over if needed. Self-surgery is rare, and most documented cases involve extreme examples of life-or-death situations. One famous example is that of Leonid Rogozov, a Russian physician who was forced to surgically remove his own appendix after suffering appendicitis during an isolated Soviet Antarctic expedition in the 60s. The operation proved to be a success. A TV doctor has warned against taking cough medicine when suffering flu symptoms as the remedy is, at best, useless and at worst, could do more harm than good. Dr Ranj Singh, who regularly appears on daytime shows like This Morning and BBC's Morning Live, said the medicine is a waste of money and doctors no-longer recommend it. 'We dont really recommend anymore', the NHS pediatrician told viewers of Morning Live on Tuesday, adding that children need to cough to clear mucus from the lungs, and syrups can temporarily stop this. It comes months after experts urged health chiefs to pull cold remedies with the decongestant phenylephrine from British shelves because they are 'not effective'. They argued that UK customers are being hoodwinked by the drug firms behind the 'useless' medicines which include Sudafed, Lemsip and Beechams. Winter bugs have surged over the past few weeks leaving millions battling sniffles, coughs, temperatures and chills. NHS England figures show nearly 5,000 people are being admitted to hospital with the influenza virus every day 3.5 times the number recorded at this time last year. A high body temperature, aches, exhaustion, a cough, sore throat, loss of appetite, feeling sick and a headache are all tell-tale signs of flu. Regular BBC Morning Live guest, Dr Ranj Singh, (pictured) said cough medicine is a waste of money and doctor's no-longer recommend it But Dr Singh explained that instead of rushing to the shop to buy cough medicine, those with flu should instead sip on a hot drink to soothe their sore throat. 'Warm liquids will help soothe your throat if youre coughing,' he said. 'It will keep your mucus nice and thin because that will hydrate you. Honey and lemon is really good, most people will reach for cough mixture but you dont actually need it.' Dr Oliver Bevington, a senior registrar in paediatrics at Southampton Childrens Hospital, previously warned cough medicine often contained ingredients which could have 'adverse effects or be toxic' if consumed in large doses. The NHS doctor explained that the medicine may also contain paracetamol which could lead to parents 'unintentionally overdosing' their children. He added that there was no evidence that over-the-counter cough medicine actually worked to relieve symptoms. Cough medicine is not the only cold and flu remedy that experts have warned doesn't actually work. A hot sweet drink, such as a cup of honey with lemon or blackcurrant, is a simple way of relieving the symptoms of a cough and sore throat Manufacturers claim the decongestant phenylephrine eases stuffy noses by reducing swelling of the tiny blood vessels that sit inside the nostrils, making more space for air to pass through. But NHS watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, states orally-administered decongestants 'may relieve nasal congestion in the short term'. This effect 'does not extend past a few days, and the benefit is relatively small'. Dr Singh said that those who are over the age of 65 or under five, pregnant or have an underlying health condition, have an increased risk of developing severe symptoms from the flu. Speaking on the BBC he explained that there are four main strains of flu, but only one causes the majority of illness. He said: 'A and B are the ones that cause the main problems in humans. A is the one that circulates annually and causes the majority of illness. 'B does it as well, but usually less of it. C tends to be milder and affect kids and D mainly affects cattle so its not really relevant.' There are a few theories why flu is worse in the cold winter months in the UK, one is the virus can survive for longer. Your browser does not support iframes. Dr Singh said: 'The virus is coated in a lipid layer, which hardens in the cold, it can survive outside the body, in the air and on surfaces for longer therefore that makes it more transmittable.' 'Also during the cold months we tend to spend more time indoors and we tend to be in closer quarters with each other. That is a perfect situation for a spread of a virus, particularly if it spreads through droplets like flu does,' he added. But many also feel worse during the winter months, which could be due to a slightly dampened immune system. 'The cold also has an effect in our immune system. If youre cold for a very long time it actually dampens your immune system down,' Dr Singh said. 'During these darker months, youre less likely to get vitamin D and that has an impact on our immune system function,' he added. He also explained that breathing in the cold air can cause the blood vessels in the nose to constrict, and as a result, less blood flows to the areas the virus is hitting. This means the immune cells, which should be protecting against the virus, may not be getting there quickly enough to fight it off. To help prevent getting the virus Dr Singh recommend getting the flu jab. He explains that although the vaccine won't make it impossible to get ill, it can make it less severe. 'It is possible to get the flu if you're vaccinated, but the hope is because your immune system has been primed, you are less likely to get it and its going to be less severe,' he said. 'But the other thing to remember is that vaccines do not give you full-blown flu in people have got a normal immune system, which is the majority of people in this country, and around the world.' A major new analysis involving more than 130million people has revealed that five types of commonly taken medications could raise the risk of dementia. Antipsychotics, some medications for high blood pressure, diabetes medications, vitamins and supplements and antidepressants were linked to an increased chance of developing the disease. Some types of antidepressants and antipsychotics, including SSRIs, were associated with up to 125 per cent increased risk of dementia diagnosis. But the team behind the study, from the universities of Cambridge and Exeter, also found some drugs seemed to have the opposite effect. Some vaccines, anti-inflammatory medicines and antibiotics were linked to a reduced risk of around 44 per cent. Researchers said this was a promising finding and more must be done to see if these existing drugs could help tackle the condition, which is the biggest killer in Britain. Dementia is a progressive disease that affects an estimated one million people in the UK and robs patients of their memory and independence. While new breakthrough drugs to combat the condition are in development, scientists are also exploring if existing drugs could also help. Medics identified antipsychotics, some medications for blood pressure, diabetes medications, vitamins and supplements plus antidepressants as potentially increasing the risk of dementia In the analysis, published in Alzheimers and Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, experts looked at data from 14 studies that tracked dementia diagnosis in more than 130 million people, as well as medications they had taken. Researchers said that they discovered some 'candidates' that could warrant further studies as potential dementia treatments. Having certain vaccines and taking antimicrobial treatments and anti-inflammatory drugs were linked to a decreased risk of developing dementia. The vaccines that seemed to have this affect were those for hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis A and typhoid combined, and diphtheria. Previous work has suggested that the BCG vaccine, which protects against tuberculosis, could also have a protective effect against Alzheimers disease. Meanwhile, some antipsychotics, drugs for high blood pressure and diabetes and some antidepressants including sertraline and escitalopram were associated with a heightened risk. But the authors stressed that this may not be due to the medications themselves, but a coincidence as people with dementia may be more likely to suffer conditions like depression and, therefore, need treatment. Certain vaccines, antimicrobial treatments, anti-inflammatories and drugs to treat high blood pressure appeared to reduce a persons risk of dementia They described this as 'reverse causation' where dementia itself, which can lead to sufferers experiencing mood changes, is leading to higher prescriptions for antidepressants among this group. Dr Ilianna Lourida from the University of Exeter, explained: 'Because a particular drug is associated with an altered risk of dementia, it doesnt necessarily mean that it causes or indeed helps in dementia. 'We know that diabetes increases your risk of dementia, for example, so anyone on medication to manage their glucose levels would naturally also be at a higher risk of dementia but that doesnt mean the drug increases your risk. 'You should never change your medicine without discussing this first with your doctor, and you should speak to them if you have any concerns.' Dr Ben Underwood, from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, said the results suggesting some drugs helped ward off dementia was promising. 'We urgently need new treatments to slow the progress of dementia, if not to prevent it,' he said. 'If we can find drugs that are already licensed for other conditions, then we can get them into trials and crucially may be able to make them available to patients much, much faster than we could do for an entirely new drug. 'The fact they are already available is likely to reduce cost and, therefore, make them more likely to be approved for use in the NHS.' Around 900,000 Britons are currently thought to have the memory-robbing disorder. But University College London scientists estimate this will rise to 1.7 million within two decades as people live longer. It marks a 40 per cent uptick on the previous forecast in 2017 Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimers Society, said: 'If we can repurpose drugs that have already been shown to be safe and approved for use for other conditions, this could save millions of pounds and decades it takes to develop a new dementia drug from scratch, and get us closer to beating dementia. 'This research provides some initial groundwork and indicates which drugs have potential for being repurposed for dementia and should be prioritised for further investigation. 'But we cant draw definite conclusions from this study alone. This was an observational study so more work is needed to understand the careful balance between how the drugs work, their specific doses, interactions with other drugs and the individuals own health, and how that can impact a persons risk of developing dementia. 'Clinical trials will help to answer some of these questions in the context of dementia.' Dr Julia Dudley, head of research strategy at Alzheimers Research UK, added: 'As these medications have already been shown to be safe for use in people, this could potentially speed up the process of testing in clinical trials, as well as being significantly cheaper. 'Although these findings are interesting, it is too early to say if these medications can reduce the risk of dementia. Researchers will need to confirm these findings in clinical trials and investigate how these medications could potentially protect the brain against dementia.' Recent analysis by the Alzheimer's Society estimated the overall annual cost of the dementia to the UK is 42billion a year, with families bearing the brunt. But they can also be a sign of dementia the memory-robbing condition plaguing nearly 1million Brits and 7million Americans An ageing population means these costs which include lost earnings of unpaid carers are set to soar to 90billion in the next 15 years. Around 944,000 in the UK are thought to be living with dementia while the figure is thought to be around 7million in the US. Memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties and language problems are common early symptoms of the condition, which then worsen over time. A separate Alzheimer's Research UK analysis found 74,261 people died from dementia in 2022 compared with 69,178 a year earlier, making it the country's biggest killer. Drug chiefs have urged the public to be vigilant after four brands of cough syrup sold by supermarkets including Tesco and Asda were recalled due to 'contamination'. The warning came as part of an alert sent out by the British drug safety watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). It stated brands of cough syrup made by Bells Healthcare were being recalled due to 'foreign material' being detected in some bottles. No further detail on what the contamination is or if it poses any danger to people was included in the alert. Affected products include over-the-counter medications sold by supermarkets Tesco Health Dry Cough Relief and Asda Strong Dry Tickly Cough. The two others are Almus Dry Cough Relief and Bells Dual Action Dry Cough. All the products are sold as 200ml bottles. Batches of the products were distributed between September 2022 and November last year meaning these could have been purchased by the public. The MHRA said the recall was on a precautionary basis and was based on a single customer complaint and 'investigation and analysis remains ongoing'. Affected products include a medication sold by Tesco called Tesco Health Dry Cough Relief 200ml Asda Strong Dry Tickly Cough is another product impacted by the recall It went to instruct pharmacists, health professionals and retailers to 'immediately' stop supplying the product to the public. The regulator also warned the public that they should be 'vigilant' for any visible contamination and contact a health professional if they had any concerns. All the affected products contain the active ingredient dextromethorphan hydrobromide a drug designed to suppresses the cough that comes with illnesses like a cold or the flu. While it doesn't treat the cause of the cough directly suppressing the cough can help people get to sleep and recover. Full list of products and their expiry dates: Tesco Health Dry Cough Relief 200ml Batch number/expiry date: 235B1 01/09/2025 240C3 01/03/2026 All the cough syrups contain the active ingredient dextromethorphan hydrobromide a drug designed to suppresses the cough that comes with illnesses like a cold or the flu. Stock image 242C1 01/07/2026 245C3 01/09/2026 Asda Strong Dry Tickly Cough 200ml Batch number/expiry date: 236B1 01/12/2025 240C2 01/03/2026 243C1 01/08/2026 245C2 01/09/2026 246C1 01/11/2027 247D1 01/02/2027 248D1 01/04/2027 250D1 01/07/2027 Two other products included in the recall are Almus Dry Cough Relief (right) and Bells Dual Action Dry Cough (left) Almus Dry Cough Relief Batch number/expiry date: 249D1 01/06/2027 Bells Dual Action Dry Cough Batch number/expiry date: 237C1 01/01/2026 238C1 01/01/2026 239C1 01/01/2026 242C2 01/07/2026 243C2 01/08/2026 MSNBC's Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes both took offense to Donald Trump's inauguration Monday - albeit for different reasons. Maddow, the crown jewel of the struggling news station, took issue with the tech billionaires in attendance, whereas Hayes found fault with the newly minted president's mostly impromptu speech. Both responses came during the network's inauguration coverage, after figures such as Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Apple's Tim Cook were invited. Enraged after seeing Cook next to Trump's pick for head of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, Maddow launched a blistering attack - one that began with a question posed to the American public. 'How is this happening in America?' she asked aloud, exasperated. Shortly after, after Trump took his oath and gave his speech, Hayes likened him to a 'cult leader' because of his fervent fanbase and rhetoric. Days before, Saturday Night Live panned the pair for their aesthetic similarities, in a skit that lampooned the station and its opinionated coverage in anticipation of the well-attended event. The day prior, an outgoing Joe Biden offered his final TV sit-down to MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell, in what many slammed as a softball interview. As it stands, the network is struggling with waning ratings, especially post-election. MSNBC's Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes both took offense to Donald Trump's inauguration Monday during the station's coverage of the ceremony Maddow reacted in real-time to moguls like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos's being present at the ceremony - as was the case with outspoken X CEO Elon Musk. Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Bezos, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Musk are seen here inside the rotunda 'Kristi Noem, the nominee for homeland security, next to Apple CEO Tim Cook,' Maddow, fresh off a pay-cut that will see her paid $5million less each year for the next half-decade, began. 'How is this happening? Why are people with tons of money up on the dais with Cabinet nominees and family members?' Fellow hosts Alex Wagner and Joy Reid - the latter of which was also lampooned by NBC's not-ready-for-primetime players - at this point weighed in. 'It is a message,' said Wagner, whose paltry viewership in the 9pm timeslot just saw her replaced by a returning Maddow who since 2022 has only aired once a week on the network. 'It is a message,' fellow primetime host Reid reiterated, weeks after being floated a pay cut, insiders told The Ankler last month. 'And I think it and I think they are up there for the very reason that you probably think they're up there,' she continued, paving the way for Maddow to frame the assembly as 'a pivotal moment.' She then honed in on Bezos, whom she billed as 'the billionaire owner of The Washington Post and Amazon and that space company [Blue Origin].' '[He's] standing in front of RFK Junior, the wildly controversial nominee to be Health and Human Services secretary. One who, interestingly, has not yet had his confirmation hearing scheduled.' Enraged after seeing Apple's Tim Cook next to Trump's pick for head of the Department of Homeland Security, Maddow launched a blistering attack Her co-stars all appeared to agree, as did a commentator reporting on the ceremony at rival CNN in Jake Tapper, who also painted the coalition as a cause for concern Shortly after, Trump took his oath and gave a speech after being sworn in for a second time Her co-stars all appeared to agree, as did a commentator reporting on the ceremony at rival CNN in Jake Tapper, who also painted the coalition as a cause for concern. 'Those five people... control so much of the information we receive,' the journalist said, days after CNN lost a defamation lawsuit stemming from one of his segments. 'So much is in their hands when it comes to ascertaining, monitoring, or refusing to monitor what is real, what is not real,' he went on, before offering a dystopic prediction about the future. He told viewers how 'we're about to enter an era of deep-fakes and all sorts of misinformation' - and that 'the degree to which those five gentleman play a role or do not play a role, will be pivotal in terms of where the American people are four years from now.' The comments quickly spawned a firestorm on social media, with many accusing The State of the Union host for pedaling fear and misinformation. Back on MSNBC, Hayes, in horn-rimmed glasses that Maddow too had made part of her wardrobe, compared the conservative who already served one term in the Oval Office as a manipulative, overbearing cult boss. 'The obsession of Trump's rhetoric is always a theme of national decline and national humiliation. 'And there's something strange about hearing it the second time,' he said, in a purposely poetic undressing. Back on MSNBC, Hayes, in horn-rimmed glasses that Maddow too had made part of her wardrobe, compared the conservative who already served one term in the Oval Office as a manipulative, overbearing cult boss Days before, Saturday Night Live panned the pair for their aesthetic similarities, in a skit that lampooned the station and its opinionated coverage in anticipation The day prior, an outgoing Joe Biden offered his final TV sit-down to MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell , in what many slammed as a softball interview. As it stands, the network is struggling with waning ratings. It aired Thursday night 'Of course, the first one was the American Carnage,' he continued, referring to the conservatives first term, after which he was narrowly voted out of office. 'It's a little like a cult leader who keeps predicting different days for the end of the world because it's kind of like, okay, the first time you did this, we've had all these corrupt, terrible elites and they've taken I'm here is your retribution. 'I'm going to make America great again. 'And then it's like, well, you didn't try that once. I mean, the degree to which the first term has been just completely taken away from everyone's memory, how he kind of ran as a person who never actually held office before in this campaign. 'And to hear a very similar thematic speech that promises just around the corner on the other side, that's when the next end of the world comes,' Hayes continued. 'That's when the next time we are bathed in holy light, that's the next time when everything turns around permanently for the United States. And we heard exactly that in January 2017. And he had a run at it.' As for a conclusion, the commentator cryptically stated: 'There is something very strange about hearing that kind of vision and prediction a second time, like like the cult leader taking a mulligan and telling you Paradise is around the corner again.' Also in attendance was Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and the CEO of now-banned TikTok Shou Zi Chew. The View's Sunny Hostin has lashed out at black performers who appeared at Donald Trump's inauguration. The TV host tore into rappers Snoop Dogg and Nelly and aired a clip of former Bill Clinton aide Keith Boykin saying the pair should be ashamed of themselves. 'Yeah, I just wanted to put a quick button on it,' he told the host, before honing in some of Trump's older scandals. 'Look at Donald Trump, the man,' he went on, after Hostin introduced him as 'a friend.' '[He] refused to rent to black people in the 1970s. [He] tried to lead a lynch mob against five black and brown kids in the 1980s in the Central Park case. [He] refused to [let] black casino workers have a prominent politician in his casinos. '[He] spent five and a half years lying about his birth certificate in the 2000s [and] attacked [Georgia election worker] Ruby Freeman for doing their jobs and Fulton County election workers,' he went on, before addressing the two performers directly. 'You dishonor these people when you go and perform for this man who did nothing but dishonor black people,' he raged - leading Hostin and host Whoopi Goldberg to reveal they refused to tune in. Instead, the outspoken Democrat indulged in some 'Buffalo Wild Wings', she said - while telling the panel she couldn't look past 'the hypocrisy of having a man be inaugurated to be president on this same day as we commemorate MLK.' The View's Sunny Hostin had some strong words for black performers who appeared at Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday - while playing a clip that chided them publicly on her program She mentioned rappers Snoop Dogg and Nelly (not pictured), seemingly suggesting they should not have performed. Snoop is seen performing at a separate event a few days before 'That same man,' she claimed, 'was going to get rid of diversity, equity and inclusion'. She used the CNN footage to hit her point home. Earlier on, she said: 'Even though I didn't watch... I think what Keith said is so important for us to remember - that this is who Donald Trump is.' Joy Behar, at this point, began to pose a question - seemingly to ask whether Hostin shared Boykin's view on the subject. Hostin, however, never got to answer, interrupted by Ana Navarro. Allyssa Farrah Griffin at this point weighed in, saying she found no fault with the artists' decision. The same went for Carrie Underwood, she said - after the former American Idol contestant too faced criticism for performing at the event. Despite not tuning in, Goldberg also stood by Underwood's decison, pointing back to Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski meeting with Trump following his win in the process. 'People do what they do for whatever reason,' Goldberg said toward the show's start, where Behar jokingly kicked off the day by feigning confusion as to whether something had occurred the day before. 'Did something happen yesterday?' Behar joked - leading Navarro to snap back 'It was Martin Luther King [Jr.] Day.' Hostin told her fellow panelists how instead of watching, she indulged in some 'Buffalo Wild Wings' - adding how she couldn't look past 'the hypocrisy of having a man be inaugurated to be president on this same day as we commemorate MLK' TRUMP OUTLINES HIS VISION FOR 'GOLDEN AGE': #TheView co-hosts share their takeaways from Pres. Trump's second inauguration after he was sworn in as the 47th U.S. president. pic.twitter.com/WG5hPvoP99 The View (@TheView) January 21, 2025 Hostin and other panelists emphatically nodded in reply, as the studio audience engaged in raucous applause. Behar than set out on tackling the previous day's events, which included Trump's rapid series of presidential pardons. First, though, Hostin told her co-hosts that she 'decided to protect my peace and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day' instead of watching Trump's inauguration. She said it was ironic both events fell on the same day, 'because Martin Luther King [Jr.] not only wanted racial equality, he wanted economic equality.' The latter appeared to reference a then outgoing President Biden's claims of an 'oligarchy' in the US, as figures in tech and other industries continue to cozy up to Trump. Several such figures - including Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk - were present at the Capitol Monday, though none were mentioned by the panelists. Instead, talks turned to the January 6 pardons, which all the panelists appeared to take issue with. 'If he's sending all the criminals away, where is he going?' Behar asked in jest. At a point, in a discussion surrounding presidential pardons, Hostin said Americans should treat former President Biden 'with grace' Sunny Hostin on Joe Biden pardoning members of his family: I think we need to show Biden some grace. pic.twitter.com/QOsTHaveEe Trending Politics (@tpbreaking) January 21, 2025 'His own vice president said if you committed vice on that day, January 6th obviously you shouldn't be pardoned,' Sara Haines added, referring to recent comments from JD Vance. 'This was the biggest middle finger he could give the entire country,' she concluded, before being met with applause. Hostin added: 'He ran on this - 'I'm going to be a law and order president' - which a lot of the Republican party runs on ... I think it's disgraceful. She also took issue with Trump's comments about ensuring the American political system was one of merit, framing him as a hypocrite. 'He didn't become President of the United States because of merit,' she said in response. 'He hasn't really he had no political experience whatsoever, he had no business experience. He was given everything he has. He is a legacy hire.' Hostin - who accused a black author for being 'a pawn for the right' on the show a few months ago - also said she was 'not offended by Biden pardoning his family.' As for an explanation, she offered a paraphrased quote from Maya Angelou. Nelly, seen here after his performance, told NewsNation's 'CUOMO' that he was never concerned about the backlash he's now receiving. Snoop, meanwhile, has not responded. 'When someone tells you or shows you who they are, believe them the first time,' she said. 'We already had a Trump presidency and know it is a vengeful one,' she continued, before calling Trump 'a vengeful man.' 'If I can protect me and mine, I would do that - so I think we need to show Joe Biden some grace.' In months before, Hostin, like the other panelists had been an outspoken supporter of Biden and then Kamala Harris. In November, she admitted to giving the latter a 'softball' question during her high-profile spot the month before. Asking Harris how she'd 'be different' from Joe Biden, the former vice president replied: 'There is not a thing that comes to mind.' 'That was a layup, really,' Hostin said in response. As for the performers Nelly told NewsNation's 'CUOMO' after his performance that he was never concerned about the backlash he's receiving. Snoop, meanwhile, has yet to speak on the subject. Santander's boss yesterday declared we love the UK as she firmly denied the group was quitting Britain and blamed fee-hungry investment bankers for stirring the rumours. The Spanish group was reported to be looking at leaving the UK after two decades, with excessive red tape said to be partly to blame. Speculation had even begun to swirl over who would buy the business. But Ana Botin, who is executive chairman of the lender, dismissed the suggestion at the World Economic Forum in Davos. She instead even highlighted Britains post-Brexit advantages which leave it free from sluggish Brussels decision making as she reaffirmed the banks commitment to the UK. Botin said: We love the UK. Its a core market and will remain a core market for Santander. Punto [Spanish for full stop]. 'The UK has a huge opportunity. Why? Because it can move faster. The UK does not have to agree with 27 countries now. We're staying: Ana Botin (pictured), who is Santander's executive chairman, dismissed the suggestion that the Spanish group was looking at leaving the UK Asked where the reports of Santanders departure had come from, she said: You know the army of investment bankers that wants to get fees? 'So if they start, these kind of people start looking at M&A, they start looking around. Its definitely not coming from us. Reports suggested that several factors had persuaded the group to review its position in the UK, including high costs. It has also, like other lenders, been grappling with the cost of a car finance scandal. It has set aside 295million to cover the cost of providing compensation after a recent court ruling. Botin did not deny frustration over regulation but not only in the UK. She said: Lets take a pause on regulation because that is constraining growth, big time. Australians can save over $13,000 in 2025 by adopting a few straightforward strategies, even as the cost of living continues to rise. CHOICE Editorial Director Mark Serrels has outlined eight practical and effective ways to achieve these savings, explaining that many require minimal effort or sacrifice. 'Saving money doesn't always have to be a grind. Sometimes it doesn't even require huge amounts of sacrifice!' Mr Serrels said. 'Something as simple as switching your health insurance or being more selective about your energy provider can save you hundreds sometimes thousands of dollars.' 1. Turn off appliances at the power points Energy costs was one the biggest concerns for Australian households in 2024, with 79 per cent of Aussies worried about their ever-increasing electricity bills. Choosing energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights you're not using and making sure your home is well-insulated to reduce heating and cooling costs are well-known ways to manage your spending on electricity, Mr Serrals explained. Wireless routers, printers, microwaves and televisions constantly use passive power and if switched off from the outlet can save a household up to $240 a year However, several electronic appliances contribute massive amounts to a household's electricity bill when they're technically not in use. Wireless routers, printers, microwaves and televisions constantly use passive power and if switched off from the outlet can save a household up to $240 a year. 'Turning them off at the power point when they're not in use will ensure you're not wasting money,' explained Serrels. 2. Switch your health insurance provider CHOICE has advised Australians to consider switching health insurance providers. Although the two largest health funds, Medibank and Bupa, control over 50 per cent of the market, its often the smaller health funds where Australians can find greater savings. 'The same cover with a different insurer can be hundreds of dollars cheaper,' says CHOICE insurance expert Jodi Bird. 'Whether you have a gold, silver or bronze policy, it's likely that you'll be able to find a cheaper deal that will give you exactly the same amount of cover.' CHOICE found Aussies with gold policies could save up to $1,870 a year when moving to a cheaper policy, those with silver could save up to $1,170 a year and bronze policy holders could save up to $860 a year. 3. Shop for a new car insurer A Consumer Pulse survey in March 2024 found 79 per cent of Aussies were concerned about the cost of car insurance - the highest percentage since the survey was introduced in 2015. In every state and territory, the average premiums for the most expensive car insurance policies were more than double the cost of the cheapest options. CHOICE experts found the average premium of the cheapest polices that scored high enough to be recommended was still cheaper than the average of all other policies. In the Australian Capital Territory, drivers could save $330 by switching to a more affordable policy. In the Northern Territory, the saving was $275, while in New South Wales it was also $275. Motorists in South Australia could save $259, Victorians could save $244, residents of Western Australia could save $136, and Tasmanians could save $93 by changing their car insurer. Aussies could save nearly $450 a year just by switching to line drying and $77 a year by cutting out unnecessary fabric softener 4. Review your home insurance Another expensive household cost for Australians was their home insurance, with three-quarters of Aussies concerned with their bill, according to the September Consumer Pulse Survey. CHOICE advised shopping around for a cheaper alternative could save a household thousands. For houses insured between $600,000 and $700,000, residents in NSW could save a whopping $4,665, while those in the Northern Territory could save $3,250. Victorians could see a savings of $2,575, while those in the Australian Capital Territory could save $2,265. Meanwhile, households in Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia could save $1,870, $1,540, $1,230 and $1,010 respectively. 'Generally speaking, your premium goes down around 10 per cent for every $500 increase to your excess,' CHOICE Insurance Expert Daniel Graham said. 'Having an excess of between $1,000 and $1,500 seems to be where you can get the best savings. We've found there are diminishing benefits to increasing your excess much above that.' 5. Change your laundry habits 'There are lots of opportunities to make savings in the way you do your laundry,' CHOICE Head of Reviews and Testing Matthew Steen. 'Washing full loads in cold water rather than small loads in warm, and switching to a top performing but cheaper detergent and using less of it will save you about $660 over the course of a year.' Mr Steen said Aussies could save nearly $450 a year just by reducing their reliance on a dryer and switching to line drying. Aussies can also save about $77 a year by cutting out the use of unnecessary fabric softener. Aussies could save a whopping savings of $2,200 just by making coffee at home 6. Make your coffee, tea or fizzy drinks at home While the morning coffee, tea or lunchtime fizzy drink only costs a few dollars, the cost to quenching thirst can easily add up over the week. CHOICE compared the cost of making coffee at home, which included buying a machine, parts, maintenance and ingredients, it found it would be cheaper to make it at home than buying out. Two cups of coffee a day made at home would cost about $1,284 for an entire year, less than half -$3,504 - it would cost to buy the same amount at a cafe. That equals a savings of $2,200 just by making coffee at home. Similarly, you can save at least $420 by making sparkling water at home using a soda maker. 7. Change your energy provider A mistake most Australians make is signing up for an energy company's cheap initial offer, but then staying on for the more expensive plan once the offer expires. CHOICE experts explained energy retailers love to lure Australians in with a cheap rate knowing that the customer will likely stick with them as the price increases. The exact amount of savings depends on a number of factors, however the average Aussie can save up to $350 when switching to a better energy plan. CHOICE found that Aussies saved between 20 and 40 per cent when splitting their shopping between different retailers instead of buying all their items from just one supermarket 8. Spread your weekly grocery shop While, buying all your items at the same shop saves time and is convenient it ends up costing more at the checkout. CHOICE revealed that Aussies saved between 20 and 40 per cent when splitting their shops between retailers including Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and The Reject Shop. 'It certainly takes more time and effort, but we recommend spreading your weekly shop across different supermarkets,' Mr Serrels said. 'We found we could save around $40 on a selected list of 19 items by choosing the best value product from one of four stores. 'We've found you can save up to 20 per cent on your groceries if you do a little more planning, and take advantage of the specials on offer. 'If you're lucky enough to have a Woolies, Coles and Aldi in a nearby shopping centre, it's worth being strategic in order to save a few dollars.' The average Australian household would save up to $1,861 on groceries a year, just by shopping around for the cheapest option. EXCLUSIVE A grandmother has opened up about the 'relentless' grief of losing her husband unexpectedly, just months after her twin granddaughters died in a horror crash. The seven-year-old twin sisters Riley and Macey died when the car they were travelling in ploughed into a tree on a West Australian highway on February 18 2024. The girls' mother Rachel van Oyen, 31, had been at the wheel at the time and was the sole survivor. The girls' grandmother, Lisa Lorna Blair, had been grieving the girls' loss for 10-and-a-half months when her husband Kevin Blair, 56, passed away unexpectedly on January 5. Mr Blair had suffered a series of heart attacks over a decade ago, and had a stroke in August last year. The 56-year-old took ill two weeks ago and became 'very weak and depleted' before paramedics rushed him to hospital where medical staff attempted to re-stabalise his blood sugar levels. 'We thought that would do the trick and then he could come home the next day,' Ms Blair told Daily Mail Australia. 'However, right there in the emergency department he suddenly and shockingly went into cardiac arrest.' Lisa Blair has lost her husband Kevin after her two grandchildren were tragically killed in a car accident last year The girls' grandmother, Lisa Lorna Blair, had been grieving the girls' loss for 10-and-a-half months when her husband Kevin Blair passed away unexpectedly at 56-years-old Ms Blair explained the tragic heart attack came as a result of Mr Blair's previous heart issues and the effects of his diabetes. She said it has since been confirmed Mr Blair had been living with an enlarged heart. 'And whilst that makes me cry and smile all at once, I can honestly say that describes him perfectly, he truly had the biggest heart. The person who would do anything for anyone. 'The way I can wrap my head around this information is that Kevin got ten more years of life than was probably ever expected and he packed a lot into those ten years and gave me the happiest decade of my life.' Ms Blair married Scottish-born Mr Blair in Bali in 2015, and said he spent every day trying to 'cram as much joy' as he could into the couple's days. 'He was sometimes accused of being a big kid, and he loved that. He looked much younger than 56, had a playful nature and found creativity and fun in all things.' Mr Blair spent years serving the community, initially starting his career in the Australian Army reserve, followed by service with the police in Fremantle, Mullewa and Kalgoorlie. Mr Blair later became a respected computing and sales leader. Ms Blair lost her husband following a series of heart issues over the years, and has endured a 'tsunami' of grief The 56-year-old had also carved time out to volunteer in the Kalgoorie SES and founded a community theatre in the region with Ms Blair. The couple then moved to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland where he continued to volunteer at the SES and in teaching English to Ukrainians amidst the ongoing conflict. 'Kevin loved learning extra things beyond his work life and did everything at 110 percent and above,' Ms Blair said. Ms Blair said their home in the Sunshine Coast hinterland - affectionately dubbed 'Blair Manor' - felt empty without him there. 'Kevin made me laugh and smile every day, even through tears. He told me every single day that he loved me, sometimes many times a day! He held my hand wherever we went, loved me, believed in me, praised me in ways no one ever has,' Ms Blair said. 'I was truly blessed, and the ache of not having him here to walk in the room and wrap me in one of his hugs is tearing through me right now.' A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Ms Blair, after a separate page was made to help Ms van Oyen less than a year ago. 'Lisa has had quite possibly the hardest of years just gone - and now, she is expecting at least another several more very difficult ones to come,' wrote friend Willow Shanks. The seven-year-old twin sisters Riley and Macey died when the car they were travelling in ploughed into a tree on a West Australian highway on February 18 2024 'In February 2024, all of our communities, friends and families were rocked beyond belief by the tragic passing of Lisas grandchildren Macey and Riley. 'Now, in a flash - Lisa experiences tragedy and newfound grief again on top of her existing sadness for her grandchildren, as she now lost the love of her life, her partner in shine - husband Kevin Blair on Sunday the 5th (January) unexpectedly. 'Experiencing 3 tragic losses inside the space of just 10 months, all of which were so sudden and unexpected, it can be easy for those of us "looking on" to see that she is going to need some grace - emotionally, physically, and financially whilst she works through this.' The page has raised more than $1,500 so far, with a goal of $24,000. The twins, who were both wearing seatbelts, were pronounced dead at the scene of the February 2024 crash, while their mother was taken to Merredin Hospital and discharged a few hours later. Ms Blair told Daily Mail Australia the tragedy was 'heart wrenching'. 'I have two of their soft toys on my bed, which my daughter took from their beds and gave me after they passed,' she said. She recalled the last conversation she had with her beloved granddaughters. Ms Blair had a picture her daughter had drawn tattooed over her heart 'I had a trip planned to see them in late February last year and our last conversation was excitement about that, "Nanny is coming on the plane". 'Sadly, they passed before I got there. 'Losing our beloved only grandchildren at age 7 so tragically was heart wrenching. I struggled terribly for many months as you can imagine. Still do.' Ms Blair said her healthy lifestyle and excercise regime, as well as mindful practices have helped her through the 'tsunami' of grief. 'I am grateful for the people around me checking on me and supporting my health and wellbeing. 'The grief journey is wild and can be relentless. A tsunami. I learnt last year that there is no wrong or right when it comes to grief. No one can judge and no one can decide what you "should" or should not do. 'Sometimes you want to be with people, other times you want to be left completely alone. 'I walk in a fog some days and on other days I can sit and get things done in rapid fire, and then I fall apart later.' The family will farewell Mr Blair on Wednesday on the Sunshine Coast, and he will be sent off in his Blair tartan in a traditional Scottish manner. With their axes, giant lorries and industrial saws, they were more than able to tackle the biggest of trees. And the 'lumberjills' of the Women's Timber Corps faced down sexism along the way as they helped keep Britain in the fight against Nazi Germany. Now, a trove of unseen images gives a fresh view of some of the 15,000 women who helped provide the timber the country needed during the Second World War. The lumberjills are seen posing with all their tools of the trade and the fruits of their efforts. One shows a pair of workers beaming as they move a fallen tree; whilst in another a group sit with well-earned mugs of cider. The images have been published in a new photo book by historian Joanna Foat, who previously penned the 2019 work Lumberjills: Britain's Forgotten Army. Ms Foat has spent the last decade tracking down the previously unseen images, many of where hidden away in attics. The author said: 'Finding a large stash of photos felt like Christmas. A trove of unseen images shows the workers of the Women's Timber Corps - known as the Lumberjills - at work. Above: Lumberjills beam as they use a hefty stick to move a felled tree at Bardon Hill Woods, Leicestershire, in June 1944 Lumberjill Doris Youde lays in to a tree with her axe at Bardon Hill Woods, Leicestershire, in June 1944 'Many show women having such fun working out in the forests doing exactly the same jobs as the men. They became physically very strong.' The Women's Timber Corps was established in April 1942 to replace the lumberjacks who had downed tools to go and fight for Britain. More than 15,000 'lumberjills' cut down tens of thousands of trees to provide timber that was vital for the war effort - even as some men resented women for taking what they considered to be male jobs. The Government had even initially refused to employ women to fell trees, but because there were thousands of members of the Women's Land Army insisting on doing their bit, the official position became untenable The wood that they felled was used in an array of industries, including aircraft and gun manufacture, ship building and mining. The lumberjills proved they were capable of wielding 14lb axes, carrying logs, working in dangerous sawmills, driving timber trucks and calculating the reliable production figures that the Government depended on. But, after the war was won, the lumberjills received scant recognition for their efforts and were not even allowed to keep their uniforms or feature in Remembrance Day parades. The Women's Timber Corps was established in April 1942 to replace the lumberjacks who had downed tools to go and fight for Britain. Above: Lumberjills drinking cider Lumberjill Heather Harries and her friend measure the trunk of a fallen tree Lumberjill Doris Youde and a colleague maeasure fallen timber at Bardon Hill Woods in Leicestershire, June 1944 Ms Foat added: 'The Lumberjills photo collection helps us to imagine a world where there is equality in career choice, where women are regarded as equal to men in all jobs and skilled trades. 'We can look to the Lumberjills as a shining example of what women could achieve in male dominated industries and sectors if given more freedom of choice, opportunity and greater representation.' On the outbreak of war in 1939, Britain imported 96 per cent of its wood. It meant that there needed to be a rapid ramping up in domestic production if the country was to keep up the fight against Adolf Hitler's forces. Britain needed to produce millions of tonnes of wood for railway sleepers, telegraph poles, gun butts, ships and aircraft. The material was also needed to make packaging boxes for bombs and other supplies. The term 'Lumberjills' was coined on April 18, 1942, when the Northern Daily Mail reported that 25 Lancashire girls, who had been clerical workers, typists and hairdressers, left Manchester for a timber training camp in the South-East of England. Other Women's Timber Corps training camps were then set up in England: at Culford near Bury St Edmonds in Suffolk and at the Royal Ordinance Factory hostel near Wetherby in Yorkshire. In Scotland, camps were stablished at Shandford Lodge near Brechin in Angus, and Park House, Drumoak in Aberdeenshire. Lumberjill Doris Youde using a tractor to haul a tree to the nearby mill, June 1944, Bardon Hill Woods, Leicestershire Lumberjills load sawn timber onto a trolley at Beaumanor Hall Sawmill in Leicestershire, June 1944 A lumberjill and a male colleague pass a portion of tree trunk through the industrial saw at Beaumanor Hall Sawmill, Leicestershire Lumberjills sit with some of the fruits of their labour. The women were a crucial part of the war effort Lumberjill Heather Harries poses with an axe in front of a fallen trunk A lumberjill stands in front of an enormous felled tree in Surrey Heather Harries and friends on a haulage tractor in Surrey A lumberjill measures an enormous fallen tree ahead of it being processed at the sawmill, Surrey At each camp, women were trained in four lines of work: felling, haulage, sawmilling and measuring timber. While toppling trees they would often sing songs to keep up morale. One ditty went: 'We're the girls who fell for victory / We're the girls who chop the trees/ Every time we swing our axes/ It's a stroke for victory.' Despite the high morale of the workforce, tree felling was also a very dangerous job and many lumberjills were injured, including some who lost fingers and others who suffered broken legs and and arms after being hit by toppling timber. Some also rejected the women's involvement in the felling of trees. One newspaper, The Western Morning News, even greeted the news with the headline, 'Forestry Handicap in the South West'. And the men in charge of forestry camps often angered the female workforce with their condescending attitudes. Ms Foat's 2019 book quoted former lumberjills who spoke of the challenges they faced. Lumberjill Heather Harries on a timber haulage truck that is carrying a heavy load Heather Harries sits on a felled tree at a logging site somewhere in Surrey, 1943 Lumberjill Kathleen Houghton perches on a fence during an impromptu photo op Lumberjill Kathleen Houghton at the wheel of a timber haulage truck Lumberjill Kathleen Houghton drives a timber haulage truck Heather Harries and friends on a haulage tractor in Surrey Office staff at Lanhydrock sawmill, 1945 One, Olive Edgley, said: 'Captain Blunt's job was to annoy us. 'We worked so hard and never took lunch breaks, but he would always turn up just the moment we sat down. 'It was weird we'd been working our butts off and in all sorts of weather and he'd say 'what are you doing girls?' 'I remember one day saying have you any quarrel with the figures we send in and the amount of work we do?' 'No. Right then, just leave us alone.' After the Women's Timber Corps was disbanded in August 1946, each girl handed back her uniform and received a letter from Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who was its patron. However, it was not until 61 years later, in October 2007, that the women received their first formal recognition for their efforts, when the Forestry Commission unveiled a life-sized bronze statue of a lumberjill in Aberfoyle, Scotland. Labour prime minister Gordon Brown also presented the women with a badge, but many survivors were disappointed because it bore a wheatsheaf - the general emblem of the Women's Land Army - rather than a pine tree or pair of crossed axes. The Lumberjills photo book is published by Merrow Downs Press. Lazada has joined forces with Alibaba's Taobao to launch a new fashion channel for shoppers in Singapore and Malaysia. This initiative opens access to over six million products from top Taobao sellers, marking a transformative step for cross-border e-commerce. Baden Bower, a respected PR agency for startups, shares thoughts on the strategies that helped make this launch successful. Connecting Shoppers Across Markets This partnership links Southeast Asian consumers with a massive selection of products from Chinese merchants. Lazada expands its offerings while Taobao taps into new customer bases. Together, they create a shopping experience that blends convenience with variety. Baden Bower focuses on helping client stories get published in publications including Forbes The public relations effort emphasized the channel's benefits, including a broader range of choices, appealing prices, and access to high-quality items. This messaging sparked curiosity and engagement from shoppers. AJ Ignacio, CEO of Baden Bower, comments, 'This project demonstrates how a well-planned PR strategy can reshape e-commerce. Lazada and Taobao effectively shared a story of convenience and variety, resonating with their audience.' Effective Publicity Tactics Baden Bower pointed out several strategies that stood out during the launch. One standout was offering deals such as 'Buy 3, Get 20% Off,' which quickly drew attention and motivated repeat purchases. Another smart move was to address common concerns, such as delivery times and return policies. Highlighting free shipping and hassle-free returns helped build trust and reassured shoppers that the platforms value their satisfaction. A weekly event, TaoFashion Day, added even more buzz. Held on Saturdays, it introduced over 35,000 discounted listings each time, giving shoppers reasons to return regularly. Baden Bower's Publicity Techniques Baden Bower identified parallels between its strategies and those used in the launch of the Taobao Fashion channel. The agency focuses on helping client stories get published in Forbes, Vogue, Cosmopolitan Magazine, and other high-profile media outlets to build visibility and trust. AJ Ignacio explains, 'Success in e-commerce depends on being visible and earning trust. Writing compelling stories and securing strong media coverage allow us to help brands connect with their audiencesjust like Lazada and Taobao have done.' The agency also relies on audience data to refine its campaigns. This data-driven strategy, also evident in the Taobao channel launch, tailors messages to effectively attract and engage the right audience. What It Means for Shoppers and the Industry For customers, the Taobao Fashion channel offers a wide selection of products at attractive prices, making online shopping more appealing and practical. This new feature is expected to influence buying preferences in Singapore and Malaysia. On a larger scale, the launch provides a fresh example for other platforms to follow. Its success could encourage companies to explore similar ideas, driving competition and sparking fresh ideas within the industry. Baden Bower predicts that initiatives like this will lead to more consumer-friendly e-commerce platforms. 'This launch paves the way for more exciting developments. We're likely to see more brands working together to bring global shopping closer to consumers everywhere,' says Ignacio. The longtime senator and former presidential candidate was confirmed Monday Marco Rubio has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate to become the next secretary of state. The Florida senator, 53, and former presidential candidate was confirmed with a resounding bipartisan vote from his colleagues and himself. His nomination to become the head of the State Department moved through the Senate earlier in the evening among a rash of other Trump Cabinet picks who also advanced key hurdles. The Senate then moved to immediately consider Rubio's confirmation before the 100 members, even the Florida Republican himself got to vote on his own fate. Rubio's confirmation keeps in line with a tradition among the Senate to confirm at least one presidential Cabinet member on Inauguration Day dating back to Bill Clinton's first day on the job. Usually the nominees have importance to national security, and as incoming head of the State Department, Rubio will have a lot to handle in that vein. Trump wants to take back the Panama Canal, rename the Gulf of Mexico, end the Russia-Ukraine war, and address the Middle East, which he mentioned Monday. 'I want to be a peacemaker and a unifier,' Trump said minutes after being inaugurated. 'I'm pleased to say that as of yesterday, one day before I assumed office, the hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families.' Senator Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of State, arrives ahead of trump's inauguration as the 47th president of the United States in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. He was confirmed by the Senate Monday evening to become Secretary of State Secretary of Treasury nominee Scott Bessent, Secretary for Veterans Affairs nominee Doug Collins, Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, Secretary of Energy nominee Chris Wright, Secretary of Transportation nominee Sean Duffy, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development nominee Scott Turner and Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attend the inauguration ceremony before Donald Trump is sworn in Marco Rubio at his Senate Nomination Hearing 'America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world,' he added, previewing his ambitions of the U.S. on the world's stage. Rubio is now tasked as the top diplomat of the U.S. to negotiate the complicated global affairs landscape on the president's behalf and achieve the lofty goals he has set forth. Speaking with Canadian counterparts about the America's northern neighbor joining the U.S. and negotiating with Denmark's officials to acquire Greenland are serious potential tasks Rubio might be handed. Rubio even recently led credence to the claims that the Panama Canal is being influenced by China, a main point Trump has made for its reacquisition. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee earlier this month Rubio said the canal must be reevaluated. He also suggested the agreement under which the U.S. turned it over to Panama may have been violated. Im compelled to suspect that an argument could be made that the terms under which that canal were turned over have been violated,' Rubio said in response to a question by Utah Senator John Curtis. Rubio said Panama has not turned over sovereignty of the canal, but he raised concerns over the Chinese ports operating on either side of it. 'In reality, a foreign power today possesses through their companies, which we know are not independent, the ability to turn the canal into a choke point in a moment of conflict, Rubio said. Trump and Rubio during a campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, on November 4, 2024 Republican U.S. presidential candidate Marco Rubio and rival candidate Donald Trump (R) speak simultaneously at the U.S. Republican presidential candidates debate in Detroit, Michigan, America Rubio shakes hands with VP JD Vance Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense a luncheon following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Rubio warned it is a direct threat to the national interest and security of the U.S. In addition to Rubio a cast of Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees also just inched closer to officially joining his administration on Monday evening. Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News host whose nomination to become secretary of defense has garnered some controversy, passed out of committee 14 - 13 and will soon be considered for a full confirmation vote. Residents in a string of villages have been left hunting for parcels after they were left in random spots by a rogue delivery driver. Around a dozen communities in north Norfolk have been affected by the parcel drop-offs, with packages found in undergrowth, on bins, in hedges and even in the street. Some locals have formed search parties to look for items they were expecting, while others have turned to community Facebook pages to post photos of parcels they've found or to ask people to look out for goods they were told had been delivered to their homes in mobile phone notifications. A lone driver was blamed for the chaos over the past few weeks and has been dubbed the 'Cavalier Courier' by locals. Among those affected are Simon and Louise Leonard, of Blakeney, who found a parcel 200 yards down the road in a planter outside someone else's house. 'In our case, the arrow on the map that you get, which is supposed to show where your parcel is, was not anywhere near the house. It was right at the end of the road,' Mr Leonard said. Many Evri customers have complained of parcels being strewn in streets 'like litter', with 20 found in one road in Holt. One person said: 'I left for work one morning at around 5am and counted seven or eight parcels littering the street about 50 yards apart. It is ridiculous.' Residents in a string of villages have been left hunting for parcels after they were left in random spots by a rogue delivery driver. One delivery photo, used for proof of delivery, instead showed the inside of a car A lone driver was blamed for the chaos over the past few weeks and has been dubbed the 'Cavalier Courier' by locals. One image appeared to show a person leg inside a car Another added: 'There was parcels all over the road, chucked in people's driveways.' A regular complaint is notifications that packages have been left in homeowners' 'outside porches'. One victim said simply: 'We don't have an enclosed porch.' Another made the same point and said the delivery driver had sent them a photo of the box in someone else's porch as proof of delivery. One local wrote online: 'They delivered my parcel at 3am by someone else's property a little odd. 'The delivery proof was so dark you couldn't make our where it would have been. Thankfully, they were delivered by the person whose front drive it was.' Villages affected include Holkham, Stiffkey, Morston, Kelling, Weybourne, Langham, Cley next the Sea, Field Dalling, Holt and Blakeney. Many people awaiting packages said the post-delivery photos they received were plain black images with no further information. There have also been complaints from people who say they were at home when the driver claimed to have turned up but there had been no knock at the door before having to go looking for the item when it wasn't outside their home anyway. In October, a survey by Ofcom found Evri had the worst customer service record for courier firms, with just 32 per cent of people saying they were satisfied with the service although this was an improvement on the 26 per cent they scored the previous year. Yodel came second last with 38 per cent satisfaction. Blakeney in Norfolk where residents Simon and Louise Leonard found a parcel 200 yards down the road in a planter outside someone else's house. An Evri van (stock image). Evri apologised about the standard of service and said the driver had been removed from the route Best performers were Amazon with 56 per cent, followed by DHL on 55 per cent and FedEx on 52 per cent. Evri apologised about the standard of service and said the driver had been removed from the route. A spokesman said: 'Our ambition is that every customer's experience is a positive one and we apologise to anyone in the area who has experienced an issue with their delivery. 'These deliveries fall below the high standards we expect and the driver will no longer be delivering on behalf of Evri.' The company added it handled 730 million parcels every year, with '99 per cent delivered successfully on time and our couriers have an average star rating of 4.7 out of 5 given to them by people in the communities they deliver to'. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has spent the morning dodging awkward questions about Donald Trump's declaration that the US government will now only recognise 'two genders'. Ms Wong, along with Australia's US Ambassador Kevin Rudd, attended Trump's inauguration in Washington DC in the early hours of Tuesday, when the new US President said only 'male and female' would be officially recognised under his administration. Facing the Seven's Sunrise program on Tuesday, Ms Wong was asked by host Natalie Barr about what she had learned of Mr Trump's announcement on gender. 'One of the interesting things he also said, "That from this day forth there will be two genders in America, male and female" - what did you make of that,' Barr asked Ms Wong. 'There will be a lot of things - domestic politics - which as foreign minister I'm not going to be commenting on,' Ms Wong said. 'There's going to be a lot of change in this administration, I'm certainly not going to be providing rolling commentary. 'What I would say is that my job, on your behalf, and the government's job is to advocate for Australia's interests, our economic interests, our national security interests, and we'll be doing that.' Ms Wong was asked an almost identical question and gave a similar answer on Tuesday morning on ABC Radio National's breakfast program. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong (pictured) refused to comment on US President Donald Trump's move to recognise two genders However, ABC interviewer Sally Sara pressed Ms Wong further. 'If President Trump is talking about rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion programs and only recognising two sexes, male and female, what will that mean for members and representatives of the Australian government and public servants that will be working directly with the administration? Will you be seeking guarantees about their treatment?' 'You are working very hard to ask me to comment on a domestic policy announcement the President made just a few hours ago,' Ms Wong replied. 'And as I said to you I dont intend to do that. I have a job to do here in Washington and that is to advocate for Australias interests: our security interests and our economic interests, and that is what I intend to do.' Ms Wong was also cagey when asked about Mr Rudd's relations with Trump following a history of acrimony between the pair. Ms Wong faced Sunrise shortly after Mr Trump's inauguration (pictured, hosts Matt Shirvington and Natalie Barr) Sunrise host Matt Shirvington asked Ms Wong if she thought the two men have repaired their relationship, as well as whether she would meet with the administration this week. Ms Wong only answered the second question, listing a number of officials she would be talking to including the Secretary of the Treasury and the incoming Secretary of State. 'This has been a really good opportunity on behalf of the country to engage with key people in the new administration with whom we want to have a very strong and open relationship,' she said. Dr Rudd previously called Trump a 'traitor to the West', a 'village idiot' and the 'most destructive president in history'. In response, Trump said Rudd was 'nasty' and he would not last long in the role once he returned to the White House. Earlier Ms Wong revealed Rudd had been talking to Trump before the inauguration. Mr Trump (pictured) was sworn into office for his second term as US president on Monday, local time 'I understand Mr Rudd, Ambassador Rudd, did have an opportunity to chat to the then President-Elect and he was honoured to attend the inauguration with me today and also to attend the various events associated with the inauguration,' Ms Wong said. 'It's really quite an extraordinary event and I again want to say, my congratulations to President Trump and his team. 'This is a big day for them but it's also a big day for the country and for the world. The changing of an American president is obviously a moment of real significance here and throughout the world.' Ms Wong was also cagey on Trump's proposed taxes and tariffs on imports into the US and how that would impact Australia. 'President Trump has made clear his agenda would be about putting America first, so this is not a new position, it's not a surprising position,' she said. 'When it comes to Australia-US economic relations, in terms of trade, the US has had a surplus with Australia since President Truman (mid 1900s). 'Even of those exports from Australia that go to the US, about half of them go into US supply chains. 'In terms of adding value to the American economy, Australia certainly does and that will be my message on behalf of Australia to the Secretary of State and we will continue to put this view that the economic relationship is in America's favour.' During Trump's speech, he said his administration would put an end to trying 'to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life'. 'We will forge a society that is colour blind and merit-based,' he said. 'As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female.' Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn announced the passing of his 'socialist' pet cat 'El Gato' on social media on Monday. The feline, whose name translates as 'the cat' in Spanish, died on Sunday January 19, Mr Corbyn said. The MP for Islington North and his wife Laura Alvarez, a human rights activist, had previously joked that they were concerned El Gato was 'a bit of a Tory' because of his 'disappointing individualism'. In an interview in 2017 with the Independent, Mr Corbyn said: 'El Gato is, like all cats, fairly individual.' However, Mr Corbyn also said that El Gato had at least some 'socialist tendencies' after spotting him sharing his food with a less fortunate, ownerless cat. The MP explained: 'He's also formed a great friendship with a stray cat so there are socialist tendencies in Gato's character. He's allowing a stray cat to share his food.' Mr Corbyn's post on X on January 20 read: 'It is with great sadness that I have to announce that El Gato died on Sunday. 'He gave joy to many throughout his life. He was happy, gentle and full of personality. The former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn sadly announced that his beloved 'socialist feline' El Gato had died on Sunday Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn pictured reading to his cat 'El Gato' on International Cat Day in 2019 Social platform X was flooded with condolences and messages of support for Mr Corbyn and his wife Laura following El Gato's passing 'Life with not be the same without El Gato's company and friendship. We will miss him dearly.' After Mr Corbyn and Ms Alvarez both made posts about El Gato's passing on X, condolences and tributes flooded in for the feline, who was mostly white with a splash of black on the top of his head and front right paw. One sympathetic user said: 'Sad to hear this Jeremy. My last cat decided that staying awake was a bit of a chore last November. Their miaows say more sense than a lot of people we come across.' Another revealed that Mr Corbyn had inspired them to name their own cat El Gato, adding: 'I'm sure he knew how much you loved him and how lucky he was to have you!' Cats have long been a part of Mr Corbyn's life. In an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday in 2015, Corbyn's first wife Professor Jane Chapman said his idea of a good night was staying in with their tabby cat Harold Wilson - named after the former British Prime Minister - and eating cold baked beans. During his time as Labour leader, Mr Corbyn was asked more than once if El Gato would be able to coexist with Number 10's very own feline star Larry - but never got a chance to find out after his election losses in 2017 and 2019. There has been a resident cat in the British government employed as a mouser and pet since the 16th century, although the first one to be given the official title of chief mouser by the British government was Larry in 2011. Amazingly Larry, now 18, is still going strong and even has his own account on X where his nearly 874,000 followers can follow his comings and goings. Mr Corbyn's wife, human rights activist Laura Alvarez, also posted about El Gato's unfortunate demise Mr Corbyn jokingly said that El Gato had 'socialist tendencies' after spotting him sharing his food with a stray A younger Mr Corbyn with his black and white moggy named El Gato - Spanish for 'the cat' Mr Corbyn joked that he and his wife Laura worried that El Gato was 'a bit of a Tory' due to his 'disappointing individualism' Larry, an expert mouser known with his own gigantic social media following, is seen sitting on the steps of No 10 Downing Street Number 10 cat Larry turns shy while being stroked by former US President Barack Obama in 2011, as then-PM David Cameron watches on Larry takes up his spot in front of the iconic door of Number 10, on the lookout for any mice to chase Having been recruited from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in February 2011 on the basis of his skill in mouse-catching, Larry is now on his sixth prime minister in Keir Starmer. He has outlasted prime ministers David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. Larry is known not only for his mousing abilities but also for his endearing antics, tense stand-offs with other four-legged rivals and occasional brushes with international stardom. They including being stroked by President Obama and accidentally photobombing a live Sky News broadcast in November 2018. However, not all politicians were such big fans of Larry, with Labour's Scottish Secretary Ian Murray branding him a 'little s***', telling a dinner in Glasgow that he is 'the most miserable animal you'll ever meet in your life'. Regardless, the ancient moggy now faces the challenges of old age, including a battle with arthritis, and Downing Street officials have begun quietly preparing for his eventual passing. The foreign office did have their own cat, Palmerston, an occasional nemesis of Larry, but he was allowed to retire to the countryside in 2020. There are currently three felines residents of Number 10. Larry has been joined by the Starmer family cat Jojo, who moved with them from their North London home, and a Siberian kitten named Prince. President Donald Trump declared 'now, the work begins' at his inaugural parade in Washington and immediately delivered on his promise by signing an executive order to undo 78 of former President Biden's presidential actions. 'You are now witnessing the dawn of the golden age of America,' he declared to great applause. 'We're not going to put up with that crap anymore.' Trump turned his rally at a downtown Washington arena into a signing ceremony as he grabbed his pen and issued multiple executive actions to institute major policy changes. He then went back to the Oval Office - his first appearance of his second term - to sign several more. The president said he would sign pardons back at the White House and indicated those convicted in the riot on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. would be released Monday. Trump officially halted 78 Biden-era executive orders, announced a regulatory freeze preventing bureaucrats from issuing regulations until the Trump administration has full control of the government and a freeze on all federal hiring except for military and a few other essential areas. He also ordered a requirement that federal workers return to full-time in-person work, a directive to every department and agency to address the cost of living crisis, and announced withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty. Donald Trump made good on his word that 'now the work begins' as he immediately started signing executive orders when took the stage at his inaugural parade in Washington Trump turned his rally at a downtown Washington arena into a signing ceremony for executive actions that his new administration is taking to institute major policy changes Trump also signed a government order restoring freedom of speech and preventing censorship of free speech and one ending the 'weaponization of government against the political adversaries of the previous administration' Some of the orders he signed first including a Biden border bill, a regulatory freeze and a freeze on federal hiring. The setup included a small desk, chair and microphone, where Trump was sitting to attach his signature to official actions. He showed off his signature as he signs an initial round of executive orders before tossing the pens into the crowd. Trump declared at his indoor parade that he will sign pardons for a lot of people who were convicted for the attack on the U.S. Capitol as the crowd cheered enthusiastically. We won, we won, but now the work begins, Trump said to start his remarks at the end of the parade in the packed Capitol One Arena in Washington, DC. The president during his wide-ranging remarks also attacked special counsel Jack Smith and complained about being investigated. The president mentioned that Biden pardoned his family members on Monday, one of his final acts as president. The crowd booed as the president said it happened while Trump was making his speech at the U.S. Capitol. Has anyone ever heard of Kamala? Trump also said as he relived his 2024 election victory before the crowd of supporters. Trump was introduced at event by special envoy Steve Witkoff after a touching moment where he shook hands with the families of hostages taken from Israel during the attack on October 7, 2023. During his address, Trump went into graphic detail about the carnage of the attack on Israel and repeated it shouldnt ever have happened multiple times as he rambled. The president went on to thank the crowd who came to witness the parade and praised those participating. Youre witnessing the dawn of the golden age of America, Trump said to the still packed room. He also specifically thanked members of his family including the first lady, his children and grandchildren. Son Barron Trump received perhaps the loudest applause of the group as his dad mentioned how tall he is. Eric Trump raised his fist as the crowd chanted his name, and Ivanka Trump blew kisses. Kai Trump, the president's eldest grandchild and daughter of Donald Jr., also waved to the crowd. Trump and the first lady along with Vice President Vance and his family all entered the arena through the crowd. At times the military band played and during another moment people tried to get the wave going and snacked on concession stand foods. The announcer acknowledged that the format was different for a parade from what people are used to. Trump's family members filed into the room and stood in the first row of a three-row viewing box behind the stage as people clapped. Donald Trump announced that 'now the work begins' as he took the stage at his inaugural parade in Washington Families of hostages from Israel attended the inauguration parade, including several with family members still in captivity and others whose loved ones have died Ivanka Trump gestures when she arrives at Capital One Arena after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in Melania Trump arrives and greets the crowd at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade Kai Madison Trump, the president's eldest grandchild, waves to the crowd The family members took the stage, lining up to shake hands with Trump. A few individuals along the aisle got to greet the president directly as he entered the room. The president announced intentions to immediately sign pardons for those imprisoned from January 6, work on bringing back Israeli hostages and several other policy priorities. Families of hostages from Israel attended the inauguration parade, including several with family members still in captivity and others whose loved ones have died. Steve Witkoff, Trump's appointee for special envoy for peace in the Middle East, kicked off the speaking portion following the parade by celebrating the return of three Israeli hostages Sunday. 'For the former hostages here today, welcome home,' Trump said after being introduced by Witkoff. By the time Trump arrived in the building, the crowd was growing antsy. People who waited hours could be heard shouting 'we want Trump' after waiting most of the afternoon while he wrapped up at the U.S. Capitol. The police and first responders from Butler County, PA started out the parade as they paid homage to Corey Comperatore who was killed in the assassination attempt on Trump in July. Comperatore's fireman jacket was carried during the parade and a moment of silence was held in his memory. Others participating it the parade were the New York Military Academy, Palm Beach Police and Fire Rescue, the New York City Police Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, the Florida Firefighters Pipes and Drums and the Middletown, Ohio high school marching band, which all marched in a loop around the arena floor. JD Vance received a warm welcome as he arrived with his wife Usha and young children The president's youngest son was greeted to cheers of 'Barron, Barron, Barron' by the adoring crowd inside the Capital One Arena Melania Trump greets audience members at the Presidential Parade Barron Trump gestures to the crowd as he received a raucous welcome The newly inaugurated president and vice-president greet well-wishers, while JD Vance's son looks less than impressed Vance graduated from Middletown High School in 2003. The community raised more than $140,000 through private donations and grants to send students from Vance's hometown to Washington. After the inauguration was moved inside, supporters who traveled to Washington, D.C., from all over the country waited in line starting the night before to get into the Capital One Arena. The arena hosted a viewing party for Trump's swearing in ceremony before he made his way to the event to kick off the official Inaugural parade Monday afternoon. Inside the arena, Trump fans were decked out in a sea of red MAGA hats and other Trump branded apparel. A number of people wore star-spangle suits and American flag adorned outfits, waving Trump signs and American flags despite the cold air pumping through the room. During the ceremony, people in the largely packed arena were able to watch the event on the big screens in the center of the room as large red and gold electronic banners displayed the words '60th Presidential Inauguration' overhead. As Trump, the first lady, his family and other MAGA favorites like Pete Hegseth, Elon Musk and Tulsi Gabbard showed up on the screen, the crowd in the just over 20,000 seat arena cheered. When President Biden, former Secretary Hillary Clinton, other Democrats and former Vice President Mike Pence appeared on the screens, Trump's supporters booed. For Pence, a man could be heard shouting 'traitor' while there were a few chants of 'lock her up' for Clinton. During Trump's inaugural address, lines about declaring an emergency at the border, only having two genders, the U.S. entering a 'golden age' and god saving his life received wild applause. Eric Trump and Lara Trump attend a rally on the inauguration day for U.S. President Donald Trump's second Presidential term Trump fans were decked out in a lot of red MAGA hats and other Trump branded apparel A number of people wore star-spangle suits and American flag adorned outfits. They waved Trump signs and American flags despite the cold air pumping through the room As the president walked Biden out to depart Washington outside the capitol, people could be heard singing 'na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye.' Trump promised a 'new golden age of America' after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday. 'The decline is over,' he told about 600 allies, dignitaries and family members inside the U.S. Capitol building. He used his inaugural address to balance the idea of an optimistic new dawn with tough talk, mixing his long-standing accusations that he was the target of a weaponized justice system with a promise a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration. 'As we gather today, our government confronts a crisis of trust,' he said. 'For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens, while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair.' As Arctic temperatures blasted Washington, D.C., outside, Trump was surrounded by the Washington political establishment, tech titans, and MAGA allies for his inauguration inside the Capitol building. It offered a visual illustration of how the one-time political outsider has conquered Washington in an extraordinary political comeback, becoming only the second president in history to win non-consecutive terms. Where in 2017, his 'American carnage' speech conjured a bleak image of a nation in an abyss of rampant crime, abandoned factories, and a failed education system, this time he said he was 'confident and optimistic' that a 'tide of change is sweeping the country.' Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States President-elect Donald Trump talks to his vice presidential pick J.D. Vance in the Capitol Rotunda before they are both sworn into office on Monday Melania Trump cut a stylish figure in a hat by American fashion designer Eric Javits But he also hit some of his favorite targets, railing against illegal immigrants arriving from foreign prisons and 'mental institutions.' 'We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad,' he said. 'It fails to protect our magnificent law abiding American citizens, but provide sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals.' And he reflected on how he had survived an assassination attempt and criminal prosecutions to return to power in one of the greatest political comebacks in history. 'Those who wish to stop our cause have tried to take my freedom and indeed, to take my life just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin's bullet ripped through my ear, but I felt then and believe, even more so now that my life was saved for a reason,' he said. 'I was saved by God to make America great again.' At more than 2800 words the speech was twice as long as his 2017 effort, giving the impression of a man in a hurry to get on with the business of government. He used it to reflect his convincing November victory, winning the popular vote and all seven of the pivotal battleground states, and his plan for action with dozens and dozens of executive actions. When Trump spoke of January 6 during his informal remarks after the ceremony, people at the arena remained in their seats to watch. They laughed at his jokes, booed his critics when their names were mentioned and remained enraptured for the speech that had some of his more popular rally lines. Peter Navarro, Kellyanne Conway, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and other Trump allies were in the arena to warm up the crowd ahead of Trump's remarks. Elon Musk also made an appearance saying 'his is what victory feels like,' as he dancing onto the stage. He called it a 'fork in the road of human civilization' 'This one really mattered,' he said of the election and thanked Trump's supporters for 'making it happen' 'It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured,' Musk said. He also vowed to 'take DOGE to Mars.' Trump's swearing in was broadcast to the Capital One Arena MAGA fans gathered More MAGA fans gathered to cheer on Trump and Vance During his remarks, the crowd started chanting 'Elon, Elon.' He said he is super fired up for the future and would work his a** off for them. 'Man I cannot wait,' Musk said of the future. Navarro praised supporters for waiting in line in the cold Monday morning. He also spoke about going to prison but claimed the people he met in prison never did anything as bad as Dr. Anthony Fauci or Alvin Bragg. Conway said the Trump sequel is going to be a 'kicka** better than the original.' For the event she was wearing the same red, white and blue coat she wore for Trump's first inauguration. Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) spoke about it being the best day ever and vowed Trump is 'taking it all back.' Huckabee Sanders said it was surreal to be back in Washington. She said GOP governors have been holding the line until Trump was back in the White House. Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) called Trump's inauguration speech the best inauguration speech ever. 'We did it everybody,' said conservative activist Charlie Kirk taking the stage to rancorous cheers. Where The Polar Bears Wait (BBC2) Rating: What do vegetarian polar bears eat? Iceberg lettuce, of course. Except, as presenter Victoria Gill discovered, that's nearly true, but not quite. Where The Polar Bears Wait, a half-hour passion project that Gill wrote and produced herself, introduced us to Star - a bear who was rescued 10 years ago as a cub and lives at a zoo in Winnipeg, Canada. Star has learnt to stick out an obedient paw when it's time for the vet to give her a vaccine jab. To catch her attention, the keepers offer her slabs of lard as a treat. But the real reward comes after the needle - a tasty lettuce. Her favourite is cos, sometimes called romaine . . . the ones that look like giant green tulips. Star was rescued as an orphan near Churchill, Hudson Bay, on Canada's icy north coast. Where The Polar Bears Wait is a half-hour passion project which introduces us to Star - a bear who was rescued 10 years ago as a cub and lives at a zoo in Winnipeg, Canada. Star has learnt to stick out an obedient paw when it's time for the vet to give her a vaccine jab. To catch her attention, the keepers offer her slabs of lard as a treat. But the real reward comes after the needle - a tasty lettuce The town is so remote that no roads go there, only a 100-year-old railway. But it has a burgeoning tourist trade, thanks to the bears. With the sea ice melting, seals polar bears' staple food, if you don't count lettuce - are in short supply. These massive animals, which can weigh over 70 stone, have started hanging around human settlements, looking for snacks. A human being in a puffer jacket can look very like a seal. And a hungry bear can move faster than Usain Bolt over a short distance. You'd imagine that even Usain himself isn't all that quick in a puffer jacket, or snow boots. Churchill looks like an eerily beautiful place. It's currently minus 50C and blowing a blizzard, according to my weather app, but on a clear day it must be like Narnia. You wouldn't want to go hiking, though. Gill was on constant alert, scanning from side to side even when she was talking to camera. Star was rescued as an orphan near Churchill, Hudson Bay, on Canada's icy north coast. The town is so remote that no roads go there, only a 100-year-old railway. Pictured: a still image from Where the Polar Bears Wait Churchill has a burgeoning tourist trade, thanks to the bears. Churchill looks like an eerily beautiful place. It's currently minus 50C and blowing a blizzard, according to my weather app, but on a clear day it must be like Narnia When pops like gunfire went off in the distance, she and the film crew scrambled for the safety of a car all the vehicles in Churchill are left unlocked for just that reason. Moments later, a bear galloped away from town, with a patrol unit in pursuit, lobbing firecrackers to scare it off. The Canadians call this 'hazing'. Apart from this, though, Gill saw few bears, except from the security of a tourist bus during a snow safari. If you tuned in hoping for plenty of dramatic footage of cubs at play or adults hunting, you would be disappointed. Much of the half hour was padded with visits to a sled dog breeder, chats to local artists and so on. About 10 years ago, Channel 4 made a similar documentary called Polar Bear Dinner, filmed 1,500 miles to the west in the village of Kaktovik in northern Alaska. They had the opposite problem so many polar bears that no one dared go outside. Those bears, about 80 of them, were attracted by the remains of a bowhead whale, slaughtered by indigenous hunters. Gill should have taken some whale blubber with her. Or a bag of lettuces. This video is no longer available This video is no longer available Locals are outraged over a proposed wind turbine installation in the Blue Mountains arguing that the 300-metre towers flood the area with bright lights. If approved by the NSW government, the Pines Wind Farm will install 250 wind turbines, each 300 metres tall, approximately 15 kilometres south of the town of Obero, at the base of the Blue Mountains. Despite locals being offered up to $80,000 a year to have the wind towers built near them, which will be tallest ever built in Australia, opposition remains strong and deep-seated. Local activist group Oberon Against Wind Towers NSW have started a petition to stop the development they claim would ruin 'the ambiance' of the town and surrounding area. 'Oberon is one of the last rural areas closest to Sydney it just doesn't make sense to come here and carpet bomb the community with 250, 300 metre wind towers on the edge of the Blue Mountains UNESCO area,' spokesperson Chris Muldoon told Nine news. 'This is about protecting the ambience of the Blue Mountains.' With the wind turbines roughly the same as central Sydney's Centrepoint Tower, Mr Muldoon was also concerned about the blinking red aviation safety lights the structures would need with a new airport being built nearby. 'It's going to light up the Blue Mountains like Luna Park every night,' he said Locals in the Blue Mountains are fighting a proposal to build one of Australia's biggest wind farms in their region A petition opposing the wind farm and labelling it a 'disaster' had on Tuesday morning gathered over 8000 signatures towards its goal of 10,000. 'The Blue Mountains are one of the most sacred natural destinations in the world, and a beloved tourism destination for millions of local and international visitors,' the petition states. 'But this is not just about noise and visual pollution, the Blue Mountains provide significant representation of Australia's biodiversity and are also home to a considerable number of rare or threatened species. 'Of equal concern is the extreme bushfire danger that comes with putting highly flammable wind towers inside highly combustible pine forests, and the frightening and far-reaching consequences of even a single wind tower catching fire. 'This is a project that doesn't make sense.' Stromlo Energy, who are developing the project for European owners TagEngery, insist the site won't be disruptive. 'The project isn't in the Blue Mountains ... it's in a pine plantation 15km south of Oberon,' Stromlo Energy Director Matthew Parton told Nine. Oberon local Chris Muldoon says the proposed wind towers will ruin 'the ambience' of the Blue Mountains The proposed Pines Wind Farm will see 250 of the 300 metre towers erected at the foot of the iconic Blue Mountains in NSW 'The location is ideal, we've got very good wind speeds, we've got an introduced pine forest that's got very little native flora and fauna in it. 'There's an existing transmission line that runs through the site, which means we don't need to build an extensive overhead transmission line.' Mr Parton says the wind farm will reduce the risk of bushfire because the towers neutralise lightning strikes. When fully operating the wind farm would provide enough electricity to power a million homes. Britain's spending on health-related benefits could reach 100billion by 2030 - approaching double the nations current outgoings on defence. Spending on incapacity and disability benefits has risen by 40 per cent in real terms since 2013 to 64.7billion - a fifth more than the 53.9billion spent on defence last year. In a scathing House of Lords report, peers warned that this figure is set to rise to 100.7billion by 2030 - equivalent to three per cent of GDP. Defence spending currently sits at 2.29 per cent of GDP, 64.4 billion, with the Prime Minister resisting calls to increase the proportion to 2.5. Ministers were told they must ensure radical reforms to the financially unsustainable welfare system are the governments top priority. Today Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones will lay out new laws to crack down on benefit fraud and recover money from the bank accounts of benefits cheats refusing to pay up. He will also admit that the UK is long overdue a reckoning with government spending, and a realistic appraisal of how we are using taxpayers money.. This Labour government, he will say, will focus on driving efficiency and value for money extends to our approach to welfare'. Around 3.7 million working-age people receive health-related benefits, 1.2 million more than before the pandemic. Spending on incapacity and disability benefits has risen by 40 per cent in real terms since 2013 to 64.7billion - a fifth more than the 53.9billion spent on defence last year (file image) Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones (pictured) will lay out new laws to crack down on benefit fraud and recover money from the bank accounts of benefits cheats refusing to pay up Lord Bridges of Headley, Chair of the Economic Affairs Committee, said in the Lords report: The health benefits system is financially unsustainable, wastes human potential and - in the words of the Employment Minister - does not work for anybody. Urgent action is needed to reform both the unemployment and health-related benefits system, and how they interact. Without a clear plan of action, growing welfare spending will remain a significant challenge for the forthcoming Spending Review. Ministers have pledged to crack down on Britains welfare bill to deliver savings and ensure money can be spent in other areas. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to submit a Green Paper on her reforms in March, which will then be consulted on before concrete proposals are made. Ministers have pledged to crack down on Britains welfare bill to deliver savings and ensure money can be spent in other areas Last week Sir Keir Starmer vowed to be ruthless with cuts if needed, though some Labour MPs are concerned that ministers may go too far. The report came amid suggestions that Labours Strategic Defence Review could now be delayed until autumn, despite initial plans for it to be ready by the first half of 2025. The Prime Minister has pledged to eventually increase the UKs defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP amid threats from Russia and China, but will not put an arbitrary date on when that will be achieved. He is likely to face renewed calls to speed up the process as US President Donald Trump, who has called for NATO member nations to spend five per cent of GDP on defence, enters the White House. The 45th and now 47th president took the oath of office Monday promising a 'revolution of common sense.' Predictably, the mainstream media punditry couldn't contain their disgust. There's nothing they hate more than sound judgment. 'How is this happening in America?' lamented MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, before Trump's swearing-in. 'It is very hard for me to look at this spectacle of the takeover of the United States by a base mentality of greed and corruption,' ranted her colleague, Joy Reid. The subtext of their commentary: How could the American people be so dumb? That tells you everything you need to know about why the Left is in utter shambles nothing more than a dejected bunch of backward-looking, narrow-minded scolds, perennially revolted by their fellow Americans. And obsessed with creating narratives that simply don't exist. 'Elon Musk appears to make back-to-back fascist salutes at inauguration rally,' blared a headline on The Guardian on Monday. 'Elon Musk Ignites Online Speculation Over the Meaning of a Hand Gesture,' squeaked the New York Times. The 45th and now 47th president took the oath of office Monday promising a 'revolution of common sense.' Predictably, the mainstream media punditry couldn't contain their disgust. 'How is this happening in America?' lamented MSNBC's Rachel Maddow (pictured), before Trump's swearing-in. 'It is very hard for me to look at this spectacle of the takeover of the United States by a base mentality of greed and corruption,' ranted her colleague, Joy Reid (pictured). For the record, none other than the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the self-described 'leading anti-hate organization in the world' released a statment, reading: [Elon Musk] 'made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute.' But even that wasn't enough for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who tweeted at the ADL accusing them of 'defending a Heil Hitler salute.' Let that sink in. The unhinged effort to brand Musk a Nazi for expressing his gratitude to the crowd at Trump's afternoon rally is evidence that these liberal loons haven't learned a damn thing always primed to condemn, censor, even smear. Meanwhile, the Republican Party, at Trump's direction, has constructed a big tent one large enough for RFK Jr and Elon Musk and the average shift worker. For the frat bros and the married women. For the young and old. For both genders and all races. Trump's GOP represents the broad middle of America - and his hysterical enemies are the people you slowly inch away from at a cocktail party. The entire ethos of the modern Democratic Party is veiny red faces, bulging eyes and blood-pressure cuffs, obsessed with maligning Trump's character while never bothering to examine the flaws in their own leadership. For years they've called Trump a corrupt grifter. They were delighted when a Manhattan kangaroo court convicted him of 34 felony counts in a case that should have (and would have) never been charged had the defendant's name not been Trump. Well, they should at long last take a good hard look in the mirror. For just minutes before Trump's inauguration as Biden slinked out of The White House for the last time, he of 'no one is above the law' and 'restore the soul of the nation' rhetoric dropped a bombshell for the ages by pre-emptively pardoning nearly his entire family. Up until the very end, Biden reminds us that everything he has said about Trump that he's a corrupt, self-interested liar who is only interested in the presidency to profit from it was more of a confession than anything else. As a disgraced Biden jetted off one last time in Air Force One, Trump got to work in a nearby arena, firing off executive orders. The flurry of executive activity on Day One is unprecedented. It is also a reminder that Trump is at the apex of his political power. Beyond his gangster-like behavior, Biden's legacy will largely be defined as the president who ushered in a new Trump era of brash ambition. His inaugural address was scathing. Only he would have the guts to indict Biden and the defeated Harris to their faces in the close confines of the Capitol Rotunda. Joe and Kamala had to sit there stone-faced and just take it. Sorry, Rachel, that's what America voted for. The Republican Party, at Trump's direction, has constructed a big tent one large enough for RFK Jr and Elon Musk (pictured) and the average shift worker. Up until the very end, Biden reminds us that everything he has said about Trump - that he's a corrupt, self-interested liar who is only interested in the presidency to profit from it - was more of a confession than anything else. Trump's speech wasn't flowery or sweeping in language; it was gritty, resilient, determined and audacious perfectly reflective of what it means to be Donald Trump. Indeed, the promise of this new administration is enormous. A presidency is defined by how the chief executive reacts to events, and whether the president correctly interprets his mandate. Biden failed on both fronts, governing from the far left after he promised to be a moderate, and nearly always reacting with ineptitude to world events. But with today's executive action, it seems Trump already understands his mandate. Economic relief to the working class, order on the US/Mexico border, rejection of the far-left cultural fever swamps and restoration of American prestige on the world stage. And for at least two years his Republican Party controls the US Congress, too a chance, beyond today's orders, to cement his electoral agenda into law. Extending the tax cuts, reforming the immigration system, and unleashing American energy production will all be on the menu for Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Now, Trumpafter the most incredible comeback in American political historyis back to pick up where he left off. A camping area has been slammed for making the 'unfair' decision to ban boats and jet skis from Australia Day celebrations. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will prevent people releasing their boats and jet skis from the Bonnie Vale launch in Bundeena over the long weekend despite it being the most popular time of the year to use the facility. Andrew Petty paid more than $300 for a camping holiday with his family and all he wanted to do was take his kids fishing. 'We have one of the most beautiful waterways for all to use,' Mr Petty said. 'We pay our boating licence, registration, fishing licence, national park entry fee, camping fee, and are denied access to the only ramp on that side of the Port Hacking.' Mr Petty said he would have to drive more than an hour to find the nearest ramp to launch his boat and believed he was paying the price for irresponsible jet ski users, who cause a nuisance and danger by tearing up and down the waterway. 'Maritime don't have the resources to prevent jet ski hooning so their alternative is to just force close the ramp and hire in traffic cops to police ramp access,' he said. Mr Petty said the ban was 'unfair' because much of the traffic comes from jet ski riders cruising over from the other side of Port Hacking. The boat and jet ski launch at Bonnie Vale will be closed for the Australia Day long weekend, sparking outrage among locals and visitors One local resident branded the move as 'another example of a government agency creating a problem instead of looking for more practical solutions'. Locals, who were not consulted on the decision, also argued the boat ramp offered a safe access point for leaving the isolated Bundeena area in an emergency. The Port Hacking River is one of the most notorious spots for jet ski infringements in NSW and authorities claim they cause significant traffic congestion on nearby roads when the Royal National Park is full. The National Parks and Wildlife Service said the closure would also improve safety in the area by separating swimmers from watercraft users. 'Public safety is always our number one priority and this temporary closure ensures Bonnie Vale remains a safer and more enjoyable space for all visitors over the long weekend,' NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Royal area manager Brendon Neilly said. Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart also backed the safety-first move. The popularity of jet skis is booming in NSW, with more than 92,000 riders licensed in the state; a 43 per cent increase from five years ago. NSW Maritime officer Jay Ruming said NSW had recorded 1,700 jet-ski infringements in the past 12 months. 'Our data tells us that jet skis are heavily over-represented in serious injury incidents. People involved in an accident on a jet ski have a 50 per cent likelihood they'll suffer a serious injury,' Mr Ruming said. The access point at Bonnie Vale will be shut from 9pm on Friday, January 24 to 7am on Tuesday, January 28. Ilhan Omar took a potshot Monday at Democrats who made hysterical claims about Donald Trump as a threat to Democracy while still attending his inauguration. Democrats in attendance included Bill and Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Fetterman, as well as several other members of the opposition party. Omar was responding to backlash against entertainers who performed as part of the inauguration and suggested politicians should be held to higher standards. 'People are more upset at performers/artists attending Trump's inaugural events but not upset at all the politicians who told them he was a 'threat to democracy' going to these events are not serious,' she wrote on social media. 'Performers at least know they are there to perform and get paid, but these politicians who ran their mouth for 4 yrs and are now willing to be there and clap for him, that's who they should be mad at,' Omar added. The left-wing Minnesota representative then said that those politicians have been dishonest. 'They lied to you and your criticism/anger should be rightfully directed at them. Also, no one should ask people who are performers/artists to be loyal to a party because that's what dictatorships do. In a free country like ours, people should be able to support any party they want without having their livelihood compromised,' she said. Omar has often been subject to Trump's criticism, with the president once having made a habit of publicly taunting her at rallies. Ilhan Omar took a potshot Monday at Democrats who made hysterical claims about Donald Trump as a threat to Democracy while still attending his inauguration Democrats in attendance included Bill and Hillary Clinton , Barack Obama and John Fetterman , as well as several other members of the opposition party Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States inside the Capitol Rotunda on Monday morning surrounded by a crowd of tech titans and media moguls. Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, appeared to chuckle as Donald Trump delivered his inauguration address. During his inaugural address, the president vowed to sign approximately 200 executive orders in a massive crackdown on Day One of his second term. One of his more interesting proposals is to rename or restore previous titles to landmarks and bodies of water bordering the U.S., including the new 'Gulf of America.' 'Today, I will sign a series of historic executive orders,' Trump said. 'With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense it's all about common sense. 'America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world. 'A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.' His remarks prompted laughter from his one-time political rival, Hillary Clinton, and a grin from her former president husband. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th President of the United States in the Rotunda at the U.S. Capitol in Washington Meanwhile, Barack Obama continued his bromance with George W. Bush at the inaugural. As the two former presidents prepared to walk into the Capitol Rotunda for the swearing-in ceremony an aide can be heard asking W.: 'Are you going to behave?' Obama, walking up behind George and Laura Bush, volunteered an answer. 'Nope,' the Democrat said. The playful exchange happened after Bush gave Obama's tummy a playful tap when he arrived at President Jimmy Carter's funeral earlier this month. Bush ignored the Trumps to greet Obama. He later was seen shaking Donald Trump's hand. Obama won the White House in 2008 after running against the two-term Bush's policies, including his decision to invade Iraq. Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump holds the Bible during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 Former President George W. Bush (left), former first lady Laura Bush (center) and former President Barack Obama (right) Trump pulled no punches as he delivered his plan to America - to restore it to a 'golden age' and do away with the DEI red tape that tangled the previous administration up in knots. Trump has already taken drastic action in his first few hours in office - he has renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, made Mount Denali in Alaska Mount McKinley again, and he has scrapped a border app that over 1million migrants used to gain entry to the US. His bold inauguration was unlike any other, with tech billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg getting pride of place with him on stage. Trump's return to the Oval Office caps off the most astounding political comeback in modern history following his landslide victory over Kamala Harris in the presidential election last November. Late Monday afternoon, the newly inaugurated president arrived to a hero's welcome at the Capital One Arena for his Presidential Parade. Within hours of taking office President Donald Trump has once again signaled his intention to reshape international trade, declaring his plan to impose tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico within the next 11 days. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office during a free-flowing press conference, Trump reiterated how he is considering a 25 percent tariff, targeting the United States' closest neighbors and trading partners. The announcement has sparked widespread attention as the administration contemplates a dramatic shift in North American trade relations. Initially promised as a priority for his first day in office, the tariffs now appear slated to take effect on February 1. 'It's something I've been thinking about for a long time,' Trump remarked during the Oval Office press briefing. The slight delay has been described as a 'brief reprieve' by analysts, offering businesses and trading partners a short window to brace for the potential economic impacts. The proposed 25 percent tariff would represent a significant escalation in trade tensions and could impact a wide range of industries, from agriculture to automotive manufacturing. 'We need to put America first,' Trump stated, emphasizing his administration's commitment to protecting domestic jobs and industries, but Canadian ministers said on Monday that Canada will be ready to retaliate in response. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump reiterated how he is considering a 25 tariff, targeting the Canada and Mexico, the U.S. closest neighbors and trading partners. Last month, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned that Canada should take Trump's tariff threat seriously. Trudeau resigned earlier this month. He is pictured with Trump in November Mexico will also be subject to 25 percent tariffs goods imported into the U.S. Pictured Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said they 'will continue to work on preventing tariffs' but said they are also 'working on retaliation.' Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Trump can be unpredictable. 'None of this should be surprising,' he said. 'Our country is absolutely ready to respond to any one of these scenarios. 'It would be a mistake for the American government to proceed with imposing tariffs, in terms of the cost living in the United States, in terms of jobs in the United States and the security of supply chains,' LeBlanc added. Canadian leaders earlier expressed relief the tariffs were not imposed on the first day of Trump taking office. Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and 75 percent of Canada's exports, which include automobiles and parts, go to the U.S. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $2.7 billion worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Canada and Mexico, as part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), have long enjoyed relatively open trade with the U.S. On Monday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Canada 'will continue to work on preventing tariffs' but said they are also 'working on retaliation' Trump's proposal marks a stark departure from this collaborative framework, raising questions about the future of North American trade. When asked about tariffs on China, Trump pointed out the duties he imposed as president the first time around were still in place. Unsurprisingly, Trump's proposal has drawn both sharp criticism and fervent support. Opponents argue that imposing such tariffs could backfire, increasing costs for American consumers and businesses while straining diplomatic relationships. Supporters, however, praise the move as a bold step to protect U.S. interests and assert economic sovereignty. As the February 1 deadline approaches, businesses across North America are bracing for the potential fallout. Industry leaders are urging the administration to clarify its intentions and provide guidance on how the tariffs will be implemented. Canada's Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc spoke to reporters during a cabinet retreat at Chateau Montebello in Montebello, Quebec on Monday Meanwhile, trade negotiations are only expected to intensify as Canada and Mexico seek to avert a potential trade conflict. The proposed tariffs threaten to spark a trade war with severe consequences for both economies. Last month Trudeau earnestly warned that Canada should take Trump's tariff threat seriously. 'One of the things that is really important to understand is that Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out,' Trudeau said, according to the Globe and Mail. 'There's no question about it.' 'Our responsibility is to point out that, in this way, he would be actually not just be harming Canadians, who work so well with the United States, he'd actually be raising prices for American citizens as well and hurting American industry and businesses,' Trudeau added. Trump recently argued 'Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State'. When Trump made the same comment to Trudeau at a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in late November, howls of laughter reportedly erupted. Trudeau had dinner with Trump on last November, and although both said it was 'very productive', sources said that Trump couldn't resist taking a jab at his counterpart, who he has referred to as 'governor' of the 'Great State of Canada.' Earlier this month Trudeau announced his resignation after nearly a decade in power. Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seen during a cabinet retreat at Chateau Montebello, Quebec on Monday When the pair met at Trump's club in the fall they discussed his threats to impose a punishing 25% tariff on all Canadian goods if Canada does not stem what he calls a flow of migrants and drugs into the United States - even though far fewer of each cross into the U.S. from Canada than from Mexico. His suggestion raised eyebrows in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, where critics have described the remarks as humiliating and a not-so-subtle threat. Trump has repeatedly referred to Trudeau in social media posts as the governor of Canada - a title used by leaders of the 50 US states. 'Canada is not going to become part of the United States, but Trump's comments are more about leveraging what he says to get concessions from Canada by putting Canada off balance, particularly given the precarious current political environment in Canada,' Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, said at the time. An Atlanta father-of-three died in his wife's arms of a heart attack just moments after confronting two young men who were trying to steal his pickup truck. Javon Brown, 48, had just woken up for work at 4.30 am on Friday, when he and his wife, Tasha, heard a commotion outside. 'My side of the bed is closest to the window,' Tasha explained to Fox 5 Atlanta. 'I heard noises, scraping. I looked out the window and saw someone breaking into his truck,' she recounted. At that point, Javon grabbed his gun and tried to scare off the would-be thieves. 'He came out the front door, and stood here, just yelling down the driveway' to get off their property, get out of his truck and leave, Tasha said. But the assailants instead decided to start shooting. 'I have three small children at home... So I was trying to just hustle them to safety,' the now widow said. Meanwhile, she said, she was left worrying about her husband, hoping he did not get shot as neighbors described hearing a barrage of bullets. Javon Brown, 48, died in his wife's arms after confronting would-be thieves who had broken into his pickup truck early Friday morning His wife, Tasha, recounted how she tried to resuscitate Javon to no avail Fortunately, Javon was not struck during the shoot-out, and the suspects fled the scene. But when he walked back into the house, he collapsed. 'He was able to speak,' Tasha recounted. 'He was not hit. But then he went into cardiac arrest over the shock. 'He dropped down. I did CPR. I called 911 until I couldn't feel my arms and hands, but it wasn't enough.' By the time police arrived at the scene, Javon was already dead inside the doorway, the Atlanta Police Department reported. Homicide detectives are now working with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office to investigate the incident, as the suspects remain at large. In the meantime, Tasha is reeling from the tragedy. 'You work so hard. You do the right thing. You take care of your home and take care of your family and someone just feels entitled to come and try to take it from you,' she said. We all know that Donald Trump's return to the US Presidency comes with some challenges for Australia. Whatever you think of Trump the man, or his role as a political disrupter, there are enormous potential downsides for Australia and the Labor government in particular. What the returning President might do with tariffs is the biggest fear factor in the eyes of most economists. For an export oriented economy like Australia, we need to hope that our close ally status can reduce some of the planned tariff increases - but there is absolutely no guarantee that will happen. In fact if anything shortly before his inauguration, Trump made it clear on social media that reports from unnamed sources within his camp that the tariffs might be watered down were untrue. But what about the other challenges Trump's return to the White House poses for Australia and Anthony Albanese as PM? Assuming Albo remains PM in the aftermath of our own election, due before the end of May. For starters, Trump has declared a war on woke, and the sort of issues it spurs. These include not only large chunks of Labor's agenda, such as ideological climate change action, but the agenda the teals and Greens also argue for. US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania celebrate his second inauguration on Tuesday morning Australian time. Trump's sudden return poses challenges for Australia and Anthony Albanese as PM Australian authorities have irritated X owner billionaire Elon Musk - who is now reportedly set to have an office in the West Wing of the White House. He's unlikely to do Australia any favours Whoever wins the next federal election, the odds are that the crossbench not only controls the senate, but the balance of power in the lower house too. That will increase pressure on the Australian government to lean left, which would put it at odds with Trump's agenda for the coming four years. In a practical sense the US will now pull out of the Paris climate deal, which Albo has long been keen to promote as important. He's also regularly used Labor's commitment to it as an important contrast to what he claims is the Coalition's stance. But with the US pulling out, the value of that political wedge is reduced, as indeed is the value of the Paris agreement itself. To be meaningful it needs US support, which is now a thing of the past. Trump also says he'll ban offshore wind farms, which Labor and the Greens say are an important piece in the renewables puzzle. Then there is the Elon issue. Unless Trump and Elon Musk have a falling out, the tech billionaire is no friend of Australia nor the Labor government, after Albo's world first social media ban for children. Musk's advice to Trump is unlikely to do Australia any favours right at a time when preferred status in Washington will be important. And it isn't as if our Ambassador in Washington will be able to push past all these barriers. Kevin Rudd was a major Trump critic who has been humbling himself ever since in a desperate bid to weasel his way into the returning President's good books. Penny Wong is a powerful foreign minister, as far as these things go, in the Albanese government. She will be tested by Trump's return - because a year ago it was expected to be unlikely to happen, and here we are... It is hard to see Rudd's willingness to bend the knee now being convincing. If anything, Trump may well see it as a sign of weakness and up the pressure on Australia. Which includes when negotiations start over the tariff adjustments, for example. Albo all but cedes all responsibility for foreign affairs to his minister and senate leader Penny Wong, who attended Trump's inauguration as the Australian government's top representative. Some PMs choose to inject themselves into foreign affairs, others are more stand-offish. Albo is the later, but Wong doesn't have the relationships in Washington to help overcome the toxicity of Rudd's relationship with Team Trump. She has spent most of her time focused on Asia instead, not anticipating the challenges a Trump return might create - because the expectation was that it was unlikely to happen. Yet here we are. Throw in Wong's strong advocacy on the international stage for a two state solution for Palestine - a course of action Trump is moving America away from not towards - and the differences between Australia and the US on the foreign stage are obvious. So the lack of firepower, and influence, of Australia's foreign affairs team in Washington is cause for concerns now that Trump is back. A further risk this creates is that the AUKUS deal gets revisited, although so far at least that's all but been ruled out by Team Trump. The bottom line is Labor is pushing Australia in a direction that cuts against the grain of the Trump administration, egged on by the Greens and teals. If the government secures a second term and doubles down on the approach it took during its first three years in office, Australia's differences with the US will only grow larger. The owners of a struggling vegan restaurant have been blasted after asking for more than $500,000 in donations to save their business, and revealing the odd ways the money would be spent. Husband and wife team Andras and Clies became the new owners of Elixiba - a vegan bar and restaurant in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast - in July last year. The pair, who had no prior experience running a restaurant, took a 'leap of faith' and bought the business from the previous owners who also failed to make the it flourish since opening in 2016. Just six months after taking over the business, Andras and Clies announced Elixiba would be shutting its doors on January 26; unable to cover the running costs. The owners launched a GoFundMe and asked for $520,000 to save their business, even at a time when many were struggling to make ends meet. Andras and Clies revealed the money would be used to renovate the restaurant and to expand the business with a $100,000 food truck. Far from saving the existing eatery, the owners also plan to set up a holistic space that will provide morning yoga sessions, cooking classes, a play area for children and sound healing workshops. 'From day one, my family and I poured our hearts, souls, and savings into Elixiba,' Andras said. Husband and wife team Andras and Clies announced their restaurant Elixiba was closing its doors on January 26 'We gave it everything we had, not just because we believed in the vision of a vegan and gluten-free restaurant but because we saw how much it meant to the community. 'Despite all our efforts - trying different hours, hosting special events, and listening to customer feedback - it has been a constant struggle to make ends meet.' Andras explained he and his wife were humbled by the love and support of customers and staff, but were unable to cover the restaurant's costs. Adding to their financial strain was an old kitchen, which Andras said was in urgent need of repair and renovation. He said essential equipment including the gas system, oven and dishwasher needed replacing and had impacted the restaurant's daily service. 'Weve reached a crossroads: weve used all our savings and are now facing the difficult reality of going into debt if we continue,' Andras wrote. 'With all my heart, I dont want Elixiba to close. I have dreams of what this space could become, ideas for the future that would make it a hub for connection, nourishment, and sustainability. 'At the request of staff and customers, Ive decided to set up a GoFundMe campaign in a last-ditch effort to keep Elixiba alive.' The pair bought the business in July 2024 and after six months landed in financial strife (pictured, Andras and Clies with one of Elixiba's previous owners) The GoFundMe has received a barrage of backlash, with many claiming it was 'insulting' and presumptuous to ask for such a large sum of money while so many struggled through the cost-of-living crisis. 'Asking the public to bankroll the renovation and expansion of a privately owned business is a little bit insulting in this economy,' one person commented. 'This is high way robbery at its finest. If you can't fund your business now how will you in the future? Just ask for more hand outs no doubt...This is an absolute insult to anyone REALLY struggling,' a second person wrote. A third chimed: 'It amazes me you actually think people are going to donate to TWO NEW food businesses you want to start up when youve sent this one bust in half a year? 'Its not like all that old equipment just suddenly broke in those past 6 months. Your audacity is beyond the pale.' A fourth added: 'Asking for a small amount of money to keep the door open is one thing, asking for huge cash injections to fund capital purchases and expand your business is another.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Elixiba for comment. A GoFundMe was created with the target of raising $520,000 for a three-tier goal which includes renovating the restaurant, buying a food truck to serve meals offsite and to open a 'holistic' new space Andras and Clies responded to the negative backlash in comments on social media, defending the high target and also wrote an update on the fundraising page. They explained the target of $520,000 was not needed to 'keep the doors open', but to 'establish a sustainable and profitable business in the long run'. At the time of writing, the GoFundMe had received 26 donations totalling $997 and has a goal of raising $520,000. In a comment shared on Facebook, Andras and Clies explained money raised would be refunded or donated to those in need - dependent on the donor's wishes - if Elixiba was to shut. Other social media users were saddened by the possibility of the business closing, with many saying Elixiba was a beautiful restaurant that helped the community. 'You guys put in such a big effort! It is a beautiful place, sorry that our community couldn't make it work... Thanks for your hard work,' one person wrote. 'Ever since Clies and Andrea took over Elixiba we have loved going there even more,' another commented. Two teenage girls, aged 15 and 16, were arrested in connection with the murder of a 13-year-old South Carolina girl who was found bludgeoned and stabbed to death in an abandoned house. On January 15, Columbia firefighters were called to a vacant property that had smoke billowing out of it according to witnesses. Ka'Niyah Baker, who had been reported missing two days earlier, was found dead inside the home. Baker's body was 20 miles away from where she was last seen alive, according to Columbia police. During a Saturday news conference, Columbia Police Chief W. H. 'Skip' Holbrook announced the arrests of the teenage suspects and expanded on the state Baker was found in. 'Brutal. Heinous. Vicious. Gruesome. Monstrous and disturbing. These are the words I use to describe this murder investigation,' Holbrook began his remarks. The girls in custody for Baker's murder had dropped out of a high school in Columbia and were frequent runaways, according to Holbrook. It's not yet clear if the three girls knew one another. Holbrook explained that once officers arrived at the fiery house, they saw that Baker 'had suffered traumatic injuries to her face and body and had been severely burned.' The young girl didn't have any identification on her, so police didn't figure out who she was until the next day when the Richland County Sheriff's Department said she could be Baker. The teen girls, aged 15 and 16, who allegedly killed Ka'Niyah Baker (pictured) were arrested this weekend in connection to a crime described as 'heinous' by Columbia Police Chief W. H. 'Skip' Holbrook Pictured: The abandoned home where Baker was initially found by firefighters responding to a blaze on January 15 Holbrook said police 'worked with the Richland County Sheriff's Department, DNA lab and the coroner's office to ultimately determine that our victim was their missing juvenile.' Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford said a missing person's bulletin went out for Baker because the description of the girl who died in the house 'matched a few other women who were reported as runaways or missing.' 'So, the reason that the flyer went out for a missing teen, even though this person already deceased, was in the hopes that she was still alive and this was not her,' told reporters at the press conference. Rutherford said that Baker's cause of death was blunt force trauma and that the teen was 'bludgeoned, stabbed and burned.' 'The manner of death was not an accident, and this was not a suicide,' Rutherford added. 'This is a horrible homicide.' Holbrook said one of the teen suspects was wanted by the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice after cutting off her ankle monitor. That girl's mother reported her missing on January 12. The local solicitor's office plans to ask the family court to allow them to charge the two juvenile suspects as adults, said Fifth Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson. Authorities circulated this missing person's poster for Baker in hopes she would be found alive Columbia Police Chief W. H. 'Skip' Holbrook, who has led the force for 16 years, said the teenage suspects had 'no reaction' when confronted by law enforcement Holbrook, who has been the police chief for 16 years, decried the 'senseless violence' occurring in Columbia and in this case, he attributed it to the teens not having strong parental presence in their lives. He also appeared to suggest that the teens who allegedly murdered Baker had 'no reaction' when confronted about it by law enforcement. 'When you talk to people that have been involved in committing heinous crimes like this, you're looking to seek answers and read their reactions. But sometimes it's when there is no reaction, that's what's most troubling. This shocks the conscious to me,' Holbrook said. 'We've got some work to do with our system,' Holbrook added. 'We've got some work to do with our young people. There's too much despair. And we've got to change that.' EXCLUSIVE P&O Cruise passengers were horrified when ship crew dressed up in costumes very similar to those of the Ku Klux Klan during a Christmas-themed event. According to the cruise liner, the disturbing incident on the Pacific Explorer during a Christmas voyage was a staff fun day gone wrong. Video and photos show crew members dressed in what one female passenger described as 'offensive KKK costumes'. The crew were believed to be part of the ship's housekeeping staff, with one member pictured holding up a housekeeping sign. Dressed in white cloaks and white masks with pointed tops and eye-holes cut out - the same as those worn by the KKK - the crew members competed in a Christmas-themed 'sports battle day'. Passenger Terri, who did not wish to reveal her surname, told Daily Mail Australia there was a lot of 'excitement' about the event, which was advertised widely on-board in the preceding days. But everything went 'quiet' when the housekeeping team arrived on the outdoor area of the ship known as the Lido deck. Terri, who was on the eight-day trip with her husband, was urged by her spouse to 'get the camera' to take photos. P&O Cruise passengers were left horrified after ship crew appeared to dress up as white supremacist Ku Klux Klan members during a Christmas-themed event (pictured) Ku Klux Klan is a racist organisation established in the aftermath of the Civil War by remnants of Confederate forces and other disaffected zealots, which was infamous for its white-hooded lynchmobs (members are seen standing beside a plane with a swastika on the tail) 'I (requested) a please explain and have received no response,' Terri said. 'This is not tolerated in this current environment and education is desperately needed.' The incident occurred as the ship made its way back to Melbourne at the tail-end of an eight-day voyage to Hobart and Bass Strait islands. Terri has since shown the video to others and shared it on a Facebook group. 'There was a lot excitement then it all went quiet the lack of judgement was astounding,' she said. 'Everyone was there, everyone gathered, it was advertised, there was a lot of noise and it went dead quiet, just silent. 'A lady sitting in front of me, her jaw dropped she was like "what the hell", everyone was like OMG - they were calling it the "KKK cruise". A man dressed as Santa Claus is seen walking beside other staff members dressed as 'upside-down snow cones' according to a P&O spokesperson The Pacific Explorer is a popular experience for families and other holiday-makers (pictured) 'Theyd gone the whole way through this ship dressed as the KKK and paraded through the Lido deck in front of basically every passenger but it was only then when senior crew saw them and they took their hats off. 'I spoke ... to one of the (housekeeping) staff - they were all male - and he told me "we didn't think we didnt anything wrong". 'They didn't say they weren't dressed as the Ku Klux Klan when I asked them but I truly believe it was an innocent mistake. 'To think it was done in malice would be horrifying but I dont think it was, the staff all seemed lovely.' Terri said she expected senior ship crew to offer an apology or explanation but none was given. A P&O Cruises Australia spokesperson claimed the crew were dressed as 'upside-down snow cones' and not as the Ku Klux Klan. 'We regret if a recent incident on a Pacific Explorer cruise offended any guests,' the spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. 'Several crew members dressed up as snow cones for a Christmas family event, not understanding how their costumes could be misconstrued. 'They were only in public view for a short time before management acted quickly and had them remove the costumes. 'The crew members were horrified and extremely apologetic when they learned of the distress their outfits could cause.' Ku Klux Klan is a racist organisation first established in the aftermath of the Civil War by remnants of Confederate forces and other disaffected zealots, which was infamous for its white-hooded lynchmobs. Gangs of Klan members terrorized black communities to suppress the African-American vote and civil rights, using lynchings and other vigilante measures, and intimidated enemies with burning crosses. It had other upsurges in membership during the Depression and again in the Civil Rights era. A California Halloween party ended with the killing of a 19-year-old woman that shocked even seasoned investigators. The murder of Leilani Marie Beauchamp, carried out by a jealous brother and sister duo, culminated in a chilling statement between the siblings that sends shivers down the spine: 'We killed someone.' It was October 30, 2021, when Beauchamp's disappearance from a Halloween party in Sacramento set off a chain of events that revealed a gruesome tale of jealousy, betrayal, and murder. The young woman's life was cut short in a manner as senseless as it was brutal, with Beauchamp's final moments spent in the bed of Jessica Quintanilla's ex-boyfriend - a fact that became central to the crime's unraveling. Leilani was said to have been bright and beloved, had just left the Halloween party, unaware that it would lead her into a fatal encounter with Jessica Quintanilla. The victim accompanied two active-duty Air Force airmen to their home in nearby Fairfield, not knowing that she would never return. In a fit of rage, 24-year-old Jessica Quintanilla confronted Beauchamp and her ex-boyfriend seeking answer. But it was during the confrontation, a gun was fired. Quintanilla would later claim on the witness stand that the shooting was an accident, explaining how she was hungover and upset, and that the gun went off during the altercation. Jessica Quintanilla, 24, was jailed for 25 years to life for the killing whilst her brother Marco Quintanilla, 30, became an unwitting accomplice and was jailed for four years Leilani Marie Beauchamp, 19, was murdered by a jealous brother and sister duo, culminated in a chilling statement between the siblings: 'We killed someone' Police said Beauchamp was murdered inside this home in Fairfield, California before her body was dumped 130 miles away in Salinas, California But prosecutors painted a much darker picture, calling the act a deliberate murder driven by a jealous rage. Following the fatal shooting, Quintanilla's brother, Marco Quintanilla, 30, became an unwitting accomplice. The two siblings, along with one of the airmen who lived at the house, disposed of Leilani's body in Salinas, more than 130 miles away. At some point during their attempt to cover up the crime, Jessica reportedly turned to her brother and uttered the chilling words, 'We killed someone.' Her words came back to haunt her as they echoed in the courtroom with Marco later testifying in court how he initially thought his sister's words were a macabre joke. They were anything but. The case unraveled swiftly with authorities discovering the murder scene in Fairfield after Leilani was reported missing. The airman who helped dispose of the body led investigators to its location, later receiving immunity in exchange for his testimony. His account provided damning details, including the chilling threats Jessica allegedly made to silence him. 'She told me she would kill me if I said anything,' he testified. Leilani Marie Beauchamp, 19, was said to have been bright and beloved, had just left the Halloween party, unaware that it would lead her into a fatal encounter with Jessica Quintanilla 'Leilani was truly a blessing to us and her beloved friends. We will miss her smile, her laugh, her caring demeanor, her strong will, her passion for life, and the love she brought to our family. We love you, Leilani,' the family's said Jessica Quintanilla's defense attorney, William Alan Welch, described the shooting as a tragic accident, claiming it was 'the quintessential heat of passion action.' But the jury was not swayed. Chief Deputy District Attorney Paul Sequeira suggested the motive may have stemmed from a complex love triangle. In November, Jessica was convicted of murder, and she has now been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Marco Quintanilla, meanwhile, was sentenced to four years as an accessory to the crime. The victim's family was left shattered. In a heartfelt statement, they described Beauchamp as 'a blessing' whose light had been extinguished far too soon. 'Leilani was truly a blessing to us and her beloved friends,' the family's said. 'We will miss her smile, her laugh, her caring demeanor, her strong will, her passion for life, and the love she brought to our family. We love you, Leilani.' An eight-year-old girl who became sick with Covid has received a devastating diagnosis after she was rushed to hospital when her condition quickly deteriorated. Monique had been sick with the virus for three weeks when her symptoms suddenly became worse in November. Her mother Chantelle Quinn told Daily Mail Australia her daughter appeared to become paler in the face and she complained she couldn't see anything. Monique's vision had become full of black spots. Panic set in. She was rushed to Mt Druitt Hospital in western Sydney where a series of tests were conducted on her. Monique was quickly transferred to Westmead Children's Hospital where a shocking diagnosis was revealed. The eight-year-old, who had never been sick, had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). 'I wish I could take it from her. She's my baby,' Ms Quinn said. Little Monique thought she just had Covid but it turned out to be much worse 'I felt horrible. I lost it and broke down. I couldn't accept it and I still have trouble accepting it.' ALL is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow and is characterised by an overproduction of immature white blood cells called leukaemic blasts. The blast cells can spill out of the bone marrow into the bloodstream and accumulate in various organs including the lymph nodes, spleen, liver and central nervous system. More than 300 adults and children are diagnosed with ALL each year in Australia. Ms Quinn said the initial rounds of chemotherapy turned Monique into a 'different person' and, unfortunately, they're about to get longer. 'It's just horrible seeing how she is now compared to before,' she said. 'She was happy and bubbly and now she's having breakdowns every day while trying to understand why this happened to her. 'We've now hit the intense bit where we have to come to the hospital for five days at a time and this chemo is going to make her very sick. Monique, 8, had never been sick before she told her mum Chantelle something horrifying 'She's basically going to be doing two chemo session's a day for a month and I'm worried to see how she's going to take it. 'She could get sores in her mouth and lose her body muscle.' Before the terrible news, Ms Quinn lost her job and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family in the toughest of times. Monique's fragile state means she can't travel on public transport because her immune system is compromised. Ms Quinn doesn't drive and the family home is 30 minutes from Westmead Children's Hospital so the donated money will cover transport costs. The family is holding onto hope with the cancer having a 90 per cent five-year survival rate. 'I'm trying to hold onto that,' Ms Quinn said. 'They said it's a two-year thing then it will be gone and then we have to come back every five years to make sure it hasn't come back.' Australian online retailer Catch will shut down and axe almost 200 jobs amid increased competition from Amazon and Temu. Catch is expected to report an operating loss of up to $40million for the first half of the 2024-25 financial year. Retail giant Wesfarmers, which bought the 'Australia's favourite superstore' for $230million in 2019, announced the closure in a statement on Tuesday. 'While Catch's financial performance has been challenging, we have gained valuable insights and capabilities that have accelerated the group's digital transformation and supported the development of the OnePass membership program,' Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott said. Abut 100 of the current jobs will be retained and deployed in other companies owned by Wesfarmers such as Kmart, but 190 roles will be cut. Wesfarmers said Catch faced fierce competition from online discount retail giants like Temu, Shein, and Amazon. 'The recent increase in competitive intensity in the Australian e-commerce sector has affected Catch's financial performance and growth prospects,' a statement read. The website's e-commerce fulfilment centres will be transferred to Kmart, in the final quarter of the 2024-25 financial year. Popular online retailer Catch (pictured) will stop trading, with almost 200 jobs to be cut The collapse of Catch follows a warning from Harvey Norman founder Gerry Harvey about the growing threat posed by international competitors (pictured Catch store) Kmart Group Managing Director Ian Bailey said the move will benefit it customers due to access to the Catch goods warehouse in Moorebank, in Sydney's south-west. 'Kmart Group can better utilise Catchs fulfilment centres, which are currently less than 50 per cent utilised. The transition will result in faster deliveries to customers at a lower unit cost, while relieving pressure on our busy stores,' he said. Catch's collapse follows a warning from Harvey Norman founder Gerry Harvey about the growing threat posed by international competitors like Temu and Shein. '(Shein and Temu) are a pariah, it's a very difficult situation for Australian retailers to combat,' he told The West Australian. 'They never pay any tax here, they don't employ anyone. Stand-alone, broad-based marketplaces require significant scale and traffic to achieve profitability. 'International players are better able to leverage their global scale, networks and technologies compared to Australian-owned broad-based marketplaces.' Catch Group was founded by Gabby and Hezi Leibovich as Catch of the Day in 2006 and it quickly became popular among discount shoppers across Australia but ultimately was overwhelmed by the taxes and labour costs its competitors do not face. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman shot down rumors that he planned to switch his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican shortly after Donald Trump's inauguration. Fetterman told Semafor the suggestion, which circulated around social media Monday, was 'amateur hour s***.' 'If they think, "oh, its going to be like a Manchin or a Sinema play," thats just not true, and thats not going to happen,' Fetterman said. Fetterman was citing West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, respectively, who left the Democratic Party and became important swing votes. 'It's not going to happen,' he continued. 'And even if I wanted to do that, that is a rocket sled to Palookaville to try to switch. I would make a pretty bad Republican.' His remarks came after he invited backlash by wearing his signature hoodie and shorts outfit to Trump's swearing-in ceremony, with some branding him a 'disgrace' for his dressed down look. The rumors of Fetterman switching to the Republican caucus were fueled by a string of recent stances the senator has taken to place himself as a political moderate. This included his outspoken support for the Laken Riley Act, a hardline immigration order backed by Republicans, his support for the Israeli government, and a recent trip to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman shot down rumors that he planned to switch his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, branding it 'amateur hour s***' Rumors of Fetterman's switch circulated across social media in the hours after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President Fetterman's remarks came after he invited backlash by wearing his signature hoodie and shorts outfit to Trump's swearing-in ceremony Although Fetterman shot down the rumors over his future quickly, he has notably called for his party to change its approach to dealing with Trump following his landslide election victory. He called for Democrats to be open-minded to Trump's cabinet nominees, and has repeatedly singled out culture wars debates as reasons why his party lost the election so decisively. Shortly before his remarks to Semafor, Trump took the stage at the Capital One Arena to mark his Presidential Parade. On stage, declared 'now, the work begins' and immediately delivered on his promise by signing an executive order to undo former President Biden's presidential actions. 'You are now witnessing the dawn of the golden age of America,' he declared to great applause. 'We're not going to put up with that crap anymore.' Trump turned his rally at a downtown Washington arena into a signing ceremony as he grabbed his pen and issued multiple executive actions to institute major policy changes. The president said he would sign pardons back at the White House and indicated those convicted in the riot on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. would be released Monday. Donald Trump made good on his word that 'now the work begins' as he immediately started signing executive orders when took the stage at his inaugural parade in Washington Trump turned his rally at a downtown Washington arena into a signing ceremony for executive actions that his new administration is taking to institute major policy changes Trump officially halted 78 Biden-era executive orders, announced a regulatory freeze preventing bureaucrats from issuing regulations until the Trump administration has full control of the government and a freeze on all federal hiring except for military and a few other essential areas. He also ordered a requirement that federal workers return to full-time in-person work, a directive to every department and agency to address the cost of living crisis, and announced withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty. Trump also signed a government order restoring freedom of speech and preventing censorship of free speech and one ending the 'weaponization of government against the political adversaries of the previous administration' Some of the orders he signed first including a Biden border bill, a regulatory freeze and a freeze on federal hiring. The setup included a small desk, chair and microphone, where Trump was sitting to attach his signature to official actions. JD Vance received a warm welcome as he arrived with his wife Usha and young children Ivanka Trump gestures when she arrives at Capital One Arena after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in He showed off his signature as he signs an initial round of executive orders before tossing the pens into the crowd. Trump declared at his indoor parade that he will sign pardons for a lot of people who were convicted for the attack on the U.S. Capitol as the crowd cheered enthusiastically. We won, we won, but now the work begins, Trump said to start his remarks at the end of the parade in the packed Capitol One Arena in Washington, DC. The president during his wide-ranging remarks also attacked special counsel Jack Smith and complained about being investigated. The president mentioned that Biden pardoned his family members on Monday, one of his final acts as president. The crowd booed as the president said it happened while Trump was making his speech at the U.S. Capitol. Welcome to MAGALAND: White House insiders reveal whats really going on behind the scenes in the new Trump administration. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Donald Trump bragged about saving the United States $1 trillion by signing an executive order withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord - then celebrated by tossing his used pens into a crowd of adoring fans. The 47th President began signing executive orders in front of cheering crowds at the Inaugural Parade on Monday afternoon, noting: 'Imagine Biden doing this... I don't think so.' After riling the crowd up with an emphatic speech, Trump took a seat and began working his way through a stack of executive orders as they were announced one at a time. When the time came to sign an order withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord, Trump whispered off camera: 'It'll save them a trillion dollars.' Moments later he repeated those words. 'A trillion,' he said. 'It'll save a trillion.' Trump was directing one of his staff to pass on his message to the fawning crowd. 'Yes sir,' he said. 'We're going to save over a trillion dollars by withdrawing from that treaty,' he told the crowd as President Trump handed him the signed document. The crowd erupted in cheers at the revelation, prompting Trump to later throw his pens into the packed stands after he'd finished signing his documents. The crowd erupted in cheers at the revelation, prompting Trump to later throw his pens into the packed stands after he'd finished signing his documents Donald Trump has signalled he's saved the United States $1trillion with one single signature withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord The 47th President began signing executive orders in front of cheering crowds on Monday afternoon, noting: 'Imagine Biden doing this... I don't think so' One by one, the President tossed pens into the crowd, walking across the stage to ensure everyone had a fair chance to score one. The 2015 Paris Agreement is voluntary and allows nations to provide targets to cut their own emissions of greenhouse gases from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas. President Trump has repeatedly said he does not want the United States, a top carbon-polluting nation, to remain in the landmark treaty. His decision is a blow to worldwide efforts to combat global warming and puts the US at odds with some of its closest allies. The announcement echoed Trump's actions in 2017 when he announced that the U.S. would abandon the Paris accord, which is aimed at limiting long-term global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. About half of Americans oppose withdrawing from the international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, AP reported, based on a poll conducted in January. Only about 2 in 10 US adults are 'somewhat' or 'strongly' in favor of withdrawing from the Paris agreement, while about one-quarter are neutral. Much of the opposition comes from Democrats - about three-quarters are opposed - but Republicans display some ambivalence as well. Slightly less than half of Republicans are in favor of the move, while about 2 in 10 are opposed. One by one, the President tossed pens into the crowd, walking across the stage to ensure everyone had a fair chance to score one When the time came to sign an order withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord, Trump whispered off camera: 'It'll save them a trillion dollars.' JD Vance watched on and clapped as Trump tossed pens into the crowd President Trump has repeatedly said he does not want the United States, a top carbon-polluting nation, to remain in the landmark treaty Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a key architect of the Paris accord, called the planned U.S. withdrawal unfortunate but said action to slow climate change 'is stronger than any single country's politics and policies.' 'The impacts of the climate crisis are also worsening. The terrible wildfires in Los Angeles are the latest reminder that Americans, like everyone else, are affected by worsening climate change,' Tubiana said. The withdrawal process from the Paris accord takes one year. Trump's previous withdrawal took effect the day after the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Biden. Biden instantly reversed the decision upon entering the White House. Jack Nicholsons first job in Hollywood was as an office assistant in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayers cartoon studio in 1955. Tom And Jerry creators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera were heads of the studio. Nicholson did little more than bring refreshments. As Barbera said: He used to bring us Cokes. Hed wheel in the cart, go in the offices and ask, What do you want today? They offered Nicholson a job as a junior animator but he turned it down; hed caught the acting bug, having joined the Players Ring Theatre group in LA. In 1957 MGM shut down their cartoon department. As Nicholson put it, I tried to keep my day job during this period but they closed the MGM cartoon department on me. Along with George Bannon, I was its last employee. Jack Nicholson s first job in Hollywood was as an office assistant in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayers cartoon studio in 1955 Tom And Jerry creators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera were heads of the studio at the time Hanna and Barbera subsequently co-founded Hanna-Barbera, giving the world The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo and Yogi Bear. Nicholson soon got his big break when Roger Corman cast him in The Cry Baby Killer (1958). Liz Scott, London SE6 QUESTION Was the Naumann Circle plot an attempt to restart the Nazi party? The Naumann Circle was a plot by a group of former Nazis to infiltrate the politics of post-Second World War West Germany. Werner Naumann (1909-1982) joined the Nazi party in 1928 and became a skilled propagandist. He worked directly with Joseph Goebbels, the Reichsminister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, becoming the State Secretary in April 1944. Hitler named Naumann as Goebbelss successor in his will. Naumann was captured by the Soviets at the end of the war but escaped. He went underground, working as a farm worker and a mason. He re-emerged in the early 1950s following Chancellor Konrad Adenauers first amnesty. Naumann wished to re-establish the new Germany under Nazi principles. In 1952 he stated: Whether we can succeed ultimately in transforming a liberal party into a Nazi combat group or in operating in a pan-German way with a federalist community remains to be seen; in any case, we need to give it a try. Werner Naumann (pictured) joined the Nazi party in 1928 and became a skilled propagandist German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer who led West Germany when Naumann reemerged in the 1950s Tomorrow's questions: Q: Why do some cars in Second World War dramas have white edging around their wheel arches and sills? Peter Bolton, Wolverhampton Q: Did any British actors make a name for themselves in the Golden Age of Westerns? Mark Biggs, Shrewsbury, Shropshire Q: Whats the highest-value cheque ever cashed? Tom Wallis, Enfield, Middx Advertisement The Circle was broken by British intelligence in January 1953 when key members were arrested including Naumann, Karl Kaufmann and Gustav Adolf Scheel. Naumann had drawn hundreds of former Nazis into his plot, including some nasty characters such as Franz Six, a former Einsatzkommando (death squad) commander; and Edmund Veesenmayer, SS Reich Plenipotentiary in Hungary, where he was involved in the Holocaust, both of whom had been granted amnesty. Incredibly, when MI6 handed Naumann over to the German authorities, the Federal Court of Justice dismissed the proceedings. Naumann then ran as a candidate for the extreme right-wing Deutsche Reichspartei in the 1953 Bundestag parliamentary elections but was eventually barred from the process. He became a director at the Busch-Jaeger metal firm in Ludenscheid which was owned by Goebbelss stepson Harald Quandt, a German industrialist. Naumann died in Ludenscheid in 1982 aged 73. Giles Mason, Lutterworth, Leics QUESTION As a renowned playwright of his day, did Shakespeare die a wealthy man? William Shakespeare (1564 -1616) probably died a relatively wealthy man by the standards of his time. Shakespeare was a shareholder in acting company the Lord Chamberlains Men. He was further a part-owner of the Globe Theatre and later the Blackfriars Theatre. Some estimates suggest he earned around 200 (about 52,000 today) a year from these ventures. We do know that in 1597 he bought New Place, the second-largest property in Stratford, and that in 1601 when his father John died, he probably inherited two houses. William Shakespeare (1564 -1616) probably died a relatively wealthy man by the standards of his time In 1602 Shakespeare paid 320 (about 85,000) to William Combe and his nephew John for roughly 107 acres of land in Old Stratford. And, in 1605, Shakespeare bought a half-interest in a lease of many tithes for 440, which brought him an annual interest of 60. At the time of his death in 1616, his will showed he owned substantial property and left generous bequests to his family, including his daughters Judith and Susanna. So, while Shakespeare was not among the aristocracy or exceedingly rich, his financial status was solid and reflected his success. Susan Smart, Fairford, Gloucs A Cuban immigrant and couturier who dresses members of the first family is blasting calls to boycott Oscar de la Renta for designing pre-inaugural gowns for Ivanka Trump and Usha Vance as a major fashion don't. Oscar Lopez - a Miami-based designer and favorite of Lara Trump, Kimberly Guilfoyle and other comely conservatives - called the liberal meltdown over the fashion house dressing the GOP powerhouses as 'hypocritical' and 'ridiculous.' 'This is nonsense to call for a boycott you don't mix politics and art,' said the 52-year-old designer who escaped communist Cuba in 2004. 'They're all hypocrites and have their own agenda,' raged the feisty fashionista. 'I don't think they would want to boycott' if it were Ella Emhoff wearing the icon designer's dress had her step-mother Kamala Harris won the election instead of Trump. Those protesting likely don't even appreciate their freedoms here in the US, added Lopez, who stressed how grateful he is to live the American dream, dressing members of the first family at a presidential inauguration. 'I came from a communist regime,' he said. 'When people have everything, it's easy to take things for granted,' he added about the baseless boycotts. 'It's such a double standard.' Lopez was 'discovered' at Mar-a-Lago more than a decade ago, getting the attention of Lara, who took notice of a design of one of Lopez's clients. The rest is fashion history. He's been designing iconic pieces for Lara Trump during historic moments including an election night red, white and blue stunner and Monday's inaugural balls. Oscar Lopez (pictured with Lara Trump) is the favorite dress designer for Lara, Kimberly Guilfoyle and other comely conservatives Lopez slammed liberals who called for a boycott of Oscar de la Renta, the fashion house that custom-made dresses for Ivanka Trump and incoming Second Lady Usha Vance for the pre-inauguration festivities on Sunday Elon Musk talks with Ivanka Trump and Shivon Zillis, right, before Donald Trump spoke at a dinner on Sunday at the Building Museum in Washington D.C. Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, arrive to the dinner event in his honor at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. on Saturday And it's made him a target of self-righteous liberal activists, who try to shame him for being a gay man working with the Trump family. 'They say, "How can you be gay and dress the Trump family?"' Lopez said, fighting back against the insinuation of homophobia. 'I have always felt supported by the family for who I am.' Lopez said he hasn't come up for air in the weeks leading to the inaugural festivities, tasked with dressing about a dozen women, including members of congress, for the events. He works with all populations, of course and is also a favorite of everyone from the avant garde Miami crowd to religious Orthodox m women who seek a modestly chic look, and is often flown out by clients to society hotspots like NYC. One of his favorite pieces was a dress for a client's anniversary party studded with LED lights, embroidered on back, 'I don't give a shit' and had four layers of tiffany blue tulle and seven layers of white tulle. 'I am living the American dream,' he said after Trump's swearing in. 'The best is yet to come.' Donald Trump was so busy getting down to work - signing a slew of executive orders including ones to pardon all January 6 defendants and declare dangerous Mexican drug cartels as 'terrorists' - upon his return to the Oval Office that he almost forgot about the letter written to him by Joe Biden and left in the Resolute desk. Speaking to a media gaggle packed into his White House office Monday night, Trump said he was pardoning about 1,500 defendants and issuing six commutations. He also directed the attorney general to seek dismissal of about 450 pending criminal cases against Jan. 6 defendants. The pardons fulfill Trump's promise to release supporters who tried to help him overturn his election defeat four years ago. 'These are the hostages,' he said while signing the paperwork in the Oval Office. After hours spent celebrating his new administration, Trump invited the press to his first Oval Office appearance. Trump found a letter from Biden in the Resolute desk, but only after a journalist reminded him to look for it. While signing a series of executive orders, a reporter asked Trump if he'd received a letter. Trump said he didn't know and checked the desk drawers, holding up the letter for the cameras. 'Maybe we should all read it together,' Trump said before setting it aside. He said he'll read it himself before sharing it publicly. Donald Trump has issued pardons for people charged with participating in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol President Donald Trump signs documents as he issues executive orders and pardons for January 6 defendants in the Oval Office President Donald Trump signs an executive order to create the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Trump signs numerous executive orders, including pardons for defendants from the January 6th riots and a delay on the TikTok ban, on the first day of his presidency in the Oval Office of the White House Trump, who defeated Kamala Harris to become the 47th president of the United States, was sworn in yesterday Trump signs numerous executive orders on the first day of his presidency Trump said he was pardoning about 1,500 defendants and issuing six commutations The letter's envelope had '47' underlined, handwritten in what looked like pencil. He signed an initial flurry of executive orders at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, where thousands of his supporters gathered to celebrate an inaugural parade that was moved indoors due to the cold. The president signed several other orders, including one overhauling the refugee admission program to better align with American principles and interests and another declaring a 'national emergency' at the U.S.-Mexico border, while designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Trump said he favored legal immigration as he signed orders declaring a national emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border, suspending refugee resettlement and ending automatic citizenship for anyone born in the U.S. He acknowledged an imminent legal challenge to overturning birthright citizenship, which has been enshrined in the U.S. Constitution since 1868. Trump said automatic citizenship was 'just ridiculous' and that he believes he was on 'good (legal) ground' to change it. 'That's a big one,' he bantered with reporters while signing an order declaring the border emergency. Trump said immigrant labor was needed for investment that he anticipates will accompany higher tariffs. Trump found a letter from Biden in the Oval Office's Resolute desk, but only after a journalist reminded him to look for it The president signed several other orders, including one overhauling the refugee admission program to better align with American principles and interests and another declaring a 'national emergency' at the U.S.-Mexico border, while designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations 'I'm fine with legal immigration. I like it. We need people,' he said. Trump has also signed an executive order beginning the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization. It was the second time in less than five years that he's ordered the country to withdraw from the organization, despite it being a move many scientists fear could roll back decades-long gains made in fighting infectious diseases like AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Experts also warn it could weaken the world's defenses against dangerous new outbreaks capable of triggering pandemics. He then revoked protections for transgender troops set by Biden. 'The previous administration has embedded deeply unpopular, inflationary, illegal, and radical practices within every agency and office of the Federal Government,' Trump said in a statement accompanying his order, which revoked dozens of previous Biden orders, including the transgender protections. The number of transgender troops known to be serving is possibly from around 9,000 to potentially as many as 14,000. The Department of Defense has referred queries on the number of transgender troops to the individual services, and because of the different ways transgender troops can identify and whether or not they have received medical procedures, there is no one database that tracks them. Trump continued to riff and answer questions from reporters in the Oval Office as he signed another round of executive action. The president said he could place 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Feb. 1. He declined to give a date on China tariffs. Trump has talked extensively about his tariff plans and his affection for the levies on imported goods during his multiple public remarks today. As he sat down to sign executive orders, Trump was asked which former president he would call for advice. He responded that Bill Clinton was a 'very interesting politician' and said he had a 'great political sense.' Trump said Clinton was 'disrespected' and 'not used properly.' The president was also asked about his friendly chat with former President Barack Obama during former President Jimmy Carter's state funeral. 'We were having some crazy conversations,' he said. As he sat down to sign executive orders, Trump was asked which former president he would call for advice. He responded that Bill Clinton was a 'very interesting politician' and said he had a 'great political sense.' Trump was also asked about his friendly chat with former President Barack Obama during former President Jimmy Carter's state funeral Trump also said that Elon Musk won't get a desk in the West Wing Trump discussed the war between Russia and Ukraine and says he'll talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin soon. 'I think Russia is going to be in real trouble,' Trump said. 'I think he's destroying Russia.' 'Most people thought that war would have been over in one week,' Trump said of Russia's nearly three-year war against Ukraine. 'I think he'd be very well off to end that war.' Trump said he thinks Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to make a deal to end the conflict. He also said that Elon Musk won't get a desk in the West Wing. Trump has named Musk, the Tesla and X CEO, as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. He predicted that Greenland would become a United States territory, fulfilling Trump's long held wish. 'Greenland is a wonderful place. We need it for international security, and I'm sure Denmark will come along,' Trump said. Trump discussed the war between Russia and Ukraine and says he'll talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin soon Trump said he thinks Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to make a deal to end the conflict 'I think it's costing them a lot of money to maintain it,' Trump said. 'The people of Greenland are not happy with Denmark. I think they're happy with us. They can't maintain it.' Earlier, Trump turned his rally at a downtown Washington arena into a signing ceremony as he grabbed his pen and issued multiple executive actions to institute major policy changes. Trump officially halted over 78 Biden-era executive orders, announced a regulatory freeze preventing bureaucrats from issuing regulations until the Trump administration has full control of the government and a freeze on all federal hiring except for military and a few other essential areas. He also ordered a requirement that federal workers return to full-time in-person work, a directive to every department and agency to address the cost of living crisis, and announced withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty. Trump also signed a government order restoring freedom of speech and preventing censorship of free speech and one ending the 'weaponization of government against the political adversaries of the previous administration' Some of the orders he signed first including a Biden border bill, a regulatory freeze and a freeze on federal hiring. The setup included a small desk, chair and microphone, where Trump was sitting to attach his signature to official actions. He showed off his signature as he signs an initial round of executive orders before tossing the pens into the crowd. Trump said he favored legal immigration as he signed orders declaring a national emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border, suspending refugee resettlement and ending automatic citizenship for anyone born in the U.S. A volunteer with a pro-migrant organization shows the updated message of the CBP One app advising the cancellations of existing appointments for migrants that were scheduled to enter the United States Trump declared at his indoor parade that he will sign pardons for 'a lot of people' who were convicted for the attack on the U.S. Capitol as the crowd cheered enthusiastically. 'We won, we won, but now the work begins,' Trump said to start his remarks at the end of the parade in the packed Capitol One Arena in Washington, DC. The orders are signed statements about how the president wants the federal government to be managed. They can be instructions to federal agencies or requests for reports. Many orders can be unobjectionable, such as giving federal employees the day after Christmas off. They can also lay out major policies. For example, President Joe Biden signed an order to create a structure for establishing regulations on artificial intelligence. But executive orders and their policy sausage-making siblings, the proclamation and political memorandum also are used by presidents to pursue agendas they can't get through Congress. New presidents can and often do issue orders to cancel the orders of their predecessors. On his first day, Trump rescinded 78 orders and actions signed by Biden. Among Trump's rescissions was a Biden order that canceled some of the orders signed by Trump during his first term. As the American Bar Association notes, the orders do not require congressional approval and can't be directly overturned by lawmakers. Still, Congress could block an order from being fulfilled by removing funding or creating other hurdles. Watching the inauguration of Donald Trump, Alan Sugar now regrets not meeting Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida four weeks ago. Attending a victory dinner, Sugar recalls: I was 20 yards away from Donald and my wife said, Why dont you go and say hello? Now, Im not normally shy but I thought, I cant go up, he has about 50 security guys around him, theyll grab me and drag me away. What would he have said to Donald? Id have pointed the finger at him and said, Youre fired! I mean, he started The Apprentice so it would have been an appropriate joke. Then again, these days you cant be a stranger going up to Trump pointing a finger at him. Unless you want to leave the room in handcuffs. Trump with Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago on New Year's Eve Watching the inauguration of Donald Trump, Alan Sugar now regrets not meeting Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida four weeks ago Celebrating her 60th birthday, the Duchess of Edinburgh indiscreetly let slip details of her early struggle to find a useful role in the Royal Family. I was trying to find, not a unique thing for myself, but a direction of travel I suppose, she says. And, of course, inevitably every time I went down a route, I found a member of the family working very hard doing something and I retreated a bit and thought, No, not there. Treading on toes? Sophie clearly found a route. She is now patron of more than 70 charities and organisations, including Childline and Shooting Star. Celebrating her 60th birthday, the Duchess of Edinburgh indiscreetly let slip details of her early struggle to find a useful role in the Royal Family More than 30 years after Sting triggered global sniggers boasting of his seven-hour tantric sex sessions with wife Trudie Styler, pictured, he has finally cleared the air: The seven hours included dinner a movie and five hours of begging. Laurence Oliviers widow Joan Plowright, who has died aged 95, incurred his wrath by accepting the invitation of Peter Hall, Oliviers successor at the National Theatre, to star as Martha in Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? At breakfast in 1981, Larry served her with divorce papers saying: No wife of mine will appear in Peter Halls National Theatre. Distressed, Joan withdrew citing a throat infection. Laurence Oliviers widow Joan Plowright (pictured with Olivier), who has died aged 95, incurred his wrath by accepting the invitation of Peter Hall, Oliviers successor at the National Theatre, to star as Martha in Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Diana Mitford, sister of Hitlers chum Unity, was also an admirer of the Nazi tyrant and recalls in her memoir, A Life of Contrasts, bringing her English maid to one of his rallies. She was given a place where she was very near Hitler. What did you think of him? we asked. Well, he was quite different from what I thought he would be. In what way? Hes got such beautiful hair, was the unexpected answer. Diana Mitford (right) with her sister Unity. Diana recalls in her memoir, A Life of Contrasts, bringing her English maid to one of Hitler's rallies Lord Redesdale, father of Unity and Diana, prided himself on never reading a book after his wife Sydney read aloud to him Hardys Tess of the dUrbervilles. He began to cry at the books ending. Lady Redesdale comforted him, saying: Oh darling, its only a story. What? he stormed. Do you mean the damned sewer invented it? Elon Musk has revealed the Department of Government Efficiency's first task since Donald Trump made the new agency official upon his return to the Oval Office. 'It begins,' the Tesla tech billionaire wrote alongside a post from the department's official account on the social media platform he owns, X, the former Twitter. The Musk-headed DOGE has set to work removing the Chief Diversity Officers Executive Council website from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. President Trump has been highly vocal about his intention to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion offices across federal government, describing them as 'Marxist.' 'I will end all of the Marxist diversity, equity and inclusion policies across the entire federal government immediately,' Trump said in December. Now, Musk is ensuring that Trump's vision is carried out at the highest level, with the removal of the executive council website. Just yesterday the website described its services as the 'principal interagency forum to implement and sustain a national strategy for DEIA across Federal government.' But Musk's call to wipe the website from the personnel platform indicates the entire department will be - or has already been - shuttered. Elon Musk has revealed the Department of Government Efficiency's first task since Donald Trump returned to Oval Office Just yesterday the website described its services as the 'principal interagency forum to implement and sustain a national strategy for DEIA across Federal government' The website now shows a 404 server error with the message: 'Page Not Found.' The website now shows a 404 server error with the message: 'Page Not Found.' 'Deleted,' the SpaceX founder wrote. The DOGE X account described the development as 'progress.' Musk's DOGE has been tasked with reducing government expenditure and improving productivity within the public service. He claims it can save $1trillion - but that number has already been worked down from the initial $2trillion he promised recently. Trump and Musk's supporters immediately began celebrating the fast action, describing January 20 as 'the day DEI died.' Others are pleading with Musk to declare 'how much money is saved with each action.' 'This day can't get any better. So much progress in 12 hours. We are so back,' one supporter wrote. 'It begins,' the tech billionaire wrote alongside a post from the department's official X account Trump signed a swathe of executive orders upon returning to the Oval Office on Monday evening The announcement comes just hours after a coalition of veterans, public health professionals, teachers, consumer advocates and watchdog groups filed a legal challenge in federal court against DOGE. The lawsuit was filed just after Trump's swearing-in in Monday afternoon. It seeks an injunction against DOGE under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, alleging that Trump is operating the group without complying with federal transparency laws. The suit demands that the activities of private commissions must be made public. Musk was appointed head of DOGE alongside one-time presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, but on Monday it was revealed Ramaswamy will no longer serve in the nongovernmental agency. Ramaswamy has signaled plans to run for governor of Ohio. 'Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE,' spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. 'He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE, based on the structure that we announced today. The announcement comes just hours after a coalition of veterans, public health professionals, teachers, consumer advocates and watchdog groups filed a legal challenge in federal court against DOGE Musk was appointed head of DOGE alongside one-time presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, but on Monday it was revealed Ramaswamy will no longer serve in the nongovernmental agency 'We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last 2 months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again.' Last week, the FBI revealed it had shuttered its own internal diversity, equity and inclusion office in anticipation of Trump's return to the top job. Trump launched a scathing attack of the department on Truth Social on Thursday night, demanding the FBI 'preserve and retain all records, documents and information on the now closing DEI office.' An FBI spokesperson told DailyMail.com earlier on Thursday that steps to close the office began weeks ago. The closing of the DEI office just ahead of the swearing in signals that the FBI is anticipating reforms from the incoming administration when MAGA diehard Kash Patel is expected to take over. But Trump said the office 'never should have been opened and, if it was, should have closed long ago.' 'Why is it that theyre closing one day before the Inauguration of a new Administration? The reason is, CORRUPTION!' The DEI has been the target of multiple complaints and concerns, particularly among Republicans who fear the prioritization of inclusion and diversity over merit and ability has been detrimental. Child was bitten on the back of the leg A young child has been attacked by a dingo on K'gari island off the Queensland coast. The three-year-old was bitten on the back of the leg while walking along the beach near Kingfisher Bay on the west of the island at 5pm on Saturday. The dingo reportedly kept following the child and family even after the parents tried to scare it away. Two people on yachts who witnessed the child get bitten also attempted to move the dingo on but it remained on the beach. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service are now trying to track down the tagged dingo responsible for the incident. Visitors to the island have been urged to adhere by 'dingo-safe' practices which include carrying a stick, walking in groups and avoiding running. Last August, a four-year-old girl was bitten on the chest and scratched by the wild animal on nearby Orchid Beach. K'gari - formerly known as Fraser Island - was also marred by a series of dingo attacks in 2023. The young child was bitten on the back of the leg while walking along the beach by a tagged dingo (stock) Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service are now trying to track down the tagged dingo responsible for the incident (stock) An eight-year-old boy was attacked in early July and a 10-year-old boy was dragged underwater by a dingo in June. A 24-year-old woman was also hospitalised in July after she was attacked by a pack of dingoes while out jogging on the beach. A six-year-old girl was left with puncture wounds to her head and hand after a dingo attack in April. Jubilant crowds waving Hamas and Islamic Jihad flags defied a ban on celebrations to welcome 90 Palestinian prisoners home to the West Bank yesterday. The Israeli government had warned that public displays of joy could lead to the detainees being re-arrested. But thousands lined the streets, shouting and whistling, as three Red Cross buses delivered the 69 women and 21 boys - some as young as 12 - to the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah. Later releases will include militant leaders serving life sentences for murder, though none the first batch were convicted of major crimes. Some had been held in administrative detention, a form of prison without trial. Among them was Palestinian journalist Bushra al-Tawil, who was jailed in Israel in March 2024. She said her wait for release was extremely hard, and that her father is still being held. I was worried about him, she said. He is still a prisoner, but I just received good news that he will be released as part of this deal. Freed Palestinian prisoner Nidaa Zaghebi embraces her daughter, Cilla, after her release from an Israeli jail A crowd gathers around a bus carrying released Palestinian prisoners as it arrives in the West Bank city of Beitunia on Monday People react as a bus carrying released Palestinian prisoners from the Ofer Israeli military prison arrives in Ramallah on Monday After eight months in Israeli jails, Nidaa Zaghebi, a freed Palestinian prisoner was able to embrace her three children who she had left behind after her arrest by Israeli forces. According to the Israeli ministry of Justice, she was arrested for Incitement and support of terrorism but was never sentenced. Amanda Abu Sharkh, 23, from Ramallah, was among the crowd who gathered to greet the freed prisoners. She said: We came here to witness it and feel the emotions, just like the families of the prisoners who are being released today. All the prisoners being released today feel like family to us. They are part of us, even if theyre not blood relatives. Meanwhile, Gazans spoke of their shock as they returned home for the first time in months to scenes of total destruction on the first full day of ceasefire since October 7, 2023. A vehicle of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) arrives outside Ofer military prison, located between Ramallah and Beitunia in the occupied West Bank on Sunday Palestinians wait for their relatives to be released within the hostage swap between Israel and Hamas, outside Ofer Prison in Beitunia on Sunday Red Cross vehicles arrive outside Ofer military prison on Sunday Palestinian officials said 10,000 bodies have yet to be recovered from bombed-out streets and buildings after the devastating 15-month war. The remains of a further 2,840 people are believed to have been vaporised by super-hot Israeli bombs. Rami Nofal, from Gaza City, said his son was killed in an airstrike. This ceasefire brings joy mixed with pain, he said. Displaced Mohamed Gomaa lost his brother and nephew. He said the level of destruction in Gaza was a big shock. The amount [of people] feeling shocked is countless because of what happened to their homes, he said. Its destruction, total destruction. Its not like an earthquake or a flood, what happened is a war of extermination. A Canadian expat who earns up to $120,000 a year as a heavy machine operator in Australia has said there is 'no shortage of work' in his industry. The tradie said there were no qualifications to operate heavy machinery in Canada during an interview with job-matching app Getahead. 'Here [in Australia] you need a bunch of tickets to be able to operate everything. When I got to Australia it took me about a month to get all my certifications and then I was good to go,' he said. The tradie ran his own construction business in Canada but sold it so that he could move to Australia and enjoy a warmer climate. He plans to obtain his permanent residency and start his own business in Australia. The tradie said construction is a great industry for Aussies 'if you like to work with your hands' and be challenged on the job. He added there was no shortage of work and that tradies 'will always be employed'. More than 1.3million Aussies are employed in the construction industry and earn a median weekly wage of $1,598, according to figures by Jobs and Skills Australia. A Canadian expat (pictured) who earns up to $120,000 a year operating heavy machinery has said there is 'no shortage of work' in his industry The tradie said construction is a great industry for Aussies 'if you like to work with your hands' and be challenged on the job (stock image) Australia needs around 130,000 workers over five years to join the industry to meet current infrastructure demand according to Master Builders Australia. The nation's peak building and construction association said productivity has declined 18 per cent across the industry over the last decade. Master Builder's CEO Denita Wawn said the issue is putting more pressure on workers and employers and urged the government to increase skilled migration and provide better support for apprentices. 'It will require a holistic approach across federal government portfolios from migration, skills and training through to industrial relations,' she said. Australia needs 90,000 workers to meet the government's ambitious housing target. In 2023, Labor announced intentions to build 1.2million homes over a five-year period as part of the National Housing Accord. Around 60,000 new homes will need to be built every quarter to achieve the goal. Donald Trump issued two executive orders in his first hours back in office - that will launch investigations into Joe Biden's White House - over institutional censorship and weaponization of law enforcement. The president signed at least 78 bills on Monday overturning various declarations and orders enacted by his predecessor. Hours after he was sworn back in, Trump ordered that no federal officer, employee or agent may unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen, an early step toward his campaign promise to dismantle what he called government 'censorship' of U.S. citizens. The presidents executive order comes after Trump and his supporters have accused the federal government of pressuring social media companies to take down lawful posts over concerns around misinformation. The order also instructs the attorney general, in consultation with other executive agency heads, to investigate how federal government actions over the four years of the Biden administration could have infringed on free speech and propose 'remedial actions' based on the findings. Trumps order, which he signed onstage at Capital One Arena along with a slate of other executive actions, shows how motivated he is to crack down on what he calls the 'censorship cartel' on his first day in office. 'The American people have witnessed the previous administration engage in a systematic campaign against its perceived political opponents, weaponizing the legal force of numerous Federal law enforcement agencies and the Intelligence Community against those perceived political opponents in the form of investigations, prosecutions, civil enforcement actions, and other related actions,' one of the orders read. Its a winning stance among his supporters, many of whom feel that the federal government under Biden has unfairly targeted lawful speech from right-wing voices. Donald Trump issued two executive orders launching investigations into Joe Biden 's White House over institutional censorship and weaponization of law enforcement Its a winning stance among his supporters, many of whom feel that the federal government under Biden has unfairly targeted lawful speech from right-wing voices Facebook-founding Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has recently echoed that accusation, saying senior Biden administration officials pressured his employees to inappropriately 'censor' content during the COVID-19 pandemic. Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform that used to be known as Twitter, X, has accused the FBI of illegally coercing Twitter before his tenure to suppress a story about Hunter Biden. While former Twitter executives conceded they made a mistake by blocking that story just before the 2020 presidential election, they have adamantly denied that they acted in response to government pressure. The Supreme Court last year sided with former President Joe Bidens administration in a dispute with Republican-led states over how far the federal government can go to combat controversial social media posts on topics including COVID-19 and election security. Trump's executive order does not acknowledge the gravity of harmful online falsehoods, which have increasingly snowballed into real-world threats, harassment and targeted violence. Four years ago, Trumps own torrent of lies about the 2020 election prompted threats against election officials and culminated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol . Its not yet clear how the order could affect the work that several U.S. agencies do to track false claims that pose threats to election security, including the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, known as CISA. The agency, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has faced criticism from Republicans for its efforts to counter misinformation. Trumps order, which he signed onstage at Capital One Arena along with a slate of other executive actions, shows how motivated he is to crack down on what he calls the 'censorship cartel' on his first day in office Elon Musk, the owner of the social platform X, has accused the FBI of illegally coercing Twitter before his tenure to suppress a story about Hunter Biden Trumps pick to head DHS, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, said during a Senate confirmation hearing last week that she was willing to rein in CISA's work if thats what federal lawmakers want. Outgoing CISA Director Jen Easterly has defended the agencys work , saying it 'does not censor, has never censored.' Nina Jankowicz, the CEO of the American Sunlight Project, said that with the order Trump 'seeks vengeance for a slight that never happened.' Jankowicz, who ran a federal government Disinformation Governance Board under Biden's Department of Homeland Security that was disbanded after it was attacked by conservatives, said the order emboldens foreign actors and others 'who use disinformation as a tool to destabilize our country and profit from lies.' Trumps order focuses on Americans speech. It's too soon to tell how that will influence the way federal agencies communicate with social media companies about false claims that originate abroad. Many disinformation campaigns from U.S. adversaries, which have targeted voters , are promoted online by American citizens. Trump has styled himself as a champion of free expression since his first presidency, when he lashed out at the social platform then known as Twitter for posting fact-check labels on his tweets about mail-in ballots. At the same time, he frequently targets the press, calling journalists the 'enemy of the people,' and has threatened to seek retribution against the news media in his second administration, including suggesting that the broadcast licenses of certain television news networks should be pulled. President Donald Trump signs executive orders on stage at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event in Washington After having a rocky relationship with social media companies in the past, Trump has recently cozied up to the tech billionaires who run the platforms where Americans communicate with each other. He gave prime seats at his inauguration to Elon Musk, the owner of X, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, and Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, which owns YouTube. Trump also has taken credit for the return of TikTok in the U.S., and welcomed TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at the Capitol for his swearing-in ceremony. The president spent his first session back in the Oval Office signing executive orders to pardon all January 6 defendants and declare dangerous Mexican drug cartels as 'terrorists' while finding a letter written to him by Joe Biden. Trump said he was pardoning about 1,500 defendants and issuing six commutations. He also directed the attorney general to seek dismissal of about 450 pending criminal cases against Jan. 6 defendants. After hours spent celebrating his new administration, Trump invited the press to his first Oval Office appearance. Earlier, Trump turned his rally at a downtown Washington arena into a signing ceremony as he grabbed his pen and issued multiple executive actions to institute major policy changes. Shocking photos of a Sydney beach buried under mounds of plastic bottles has sparked grim comparisons to the trashed shores of Bali. The small stretch of sand located next to Sydney's Mascot Airport in the city's south-east - known by locals as Planespotting or Tower Beach - is now strewn with hundreds of plastic bottles and other rubbish. 'Saw this in a local group and figured I had to share so that people know what they're swimming in,' the Mascot resident wrote on Reddit this week. 'I've seen kids and dogs swim here. Anyone know of any others like it?' Some said the rubbish heaps were caused by a week of wild storms in Sydney. 'The storms mean that rubbish is sweeping up and being concentrated in particular spots. Cooks River is looking worse than usual as well,' one wrote. 'But regardless of that - yes absolutely a good reminder that disposable plastic bottles are a bad idea!' Photos show a Sydney beach located next to the city's main airport covered in plastic rubbish Some Aussies said the pollution had been caused by a week of wild weather in Sydney Some said the photos gave the wrong impression, as usually that stretch of sand is clean. 'While it sucks to see so much rubbish anywhere in nature, the reason for images like this of huge piles is because of the storms recently,' another person said. 'The rubbish still has to be there to be collected like this, but it's always going to look much worse when you get little bits across a large area coming together.' 'It's storm runoff,' another comment said. 'Littering of any type is bad, but this isn't exactly people throwing bottles on the beach a much as it's thousands of bottles caught from all over the place being concentrated in one spot as the end of a giant funnel. Another commented that the beach is the mouth of Cook's River, the 'sickest urban river in Australia'. 'Recent storm activity would have flushed that debris out, where it washed up on the beach. Still not great though.' Another user claimed the beach was covered in 'condoms' and 'syringes'. Other locals said that although the congregation of plastic (pictured) was unusual the beach often had plenty of syringes and other trash Others expressed concerns over people swimming at the beach (pictured) despite authorities warned fish caught there may have been contaminated with 'forever chemicals' 'Just go for a walk wearing shoes and you'll see the amount of syringes and needles in the bushes and sand,' they claimed. 'You could stock a hospital. half of them and the garbage comes from the stormwater pipe there but the rest is accumulated from the dodgy people there at night. At one point there was a heavily stained and awful smelling mattress in the bushes with used condoms scattered everywhere.' Others expressed concerns over people swimming or fishing at the beach as authorities warned fish caught there may have been contaminated with 'forever chemicals'. The cancer-linked chemicals, known as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), were detected at the beach in 2018 and were caused by the use of firefighting foams at the Botany Industrial Park and Sydney Airport nearby. An investigation into the incident is ongoing A five-year-old boy who was crushed by a disused parking meter in a museum courtyard has died in hospital. Paramedics were called to the Bunbury Museum, south of Perth, at 10.30am on Wednesday after the boy was hit by the meter being stored in the courtyard. The five-year-old was rushed to Bunbury Regional Hospital in a critical condition before he was airlifted to Perth Children's Hospital. He sadly died the following day. An investigation into what caused the parking meter to fall on the boy is ongoing. The Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre was closed on Thursday and Friday and is expected to remain closed this week. 'We are deeply saddened to learn about an incident involving a young child at Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre yesterday,' City of Bunbury chief executive Alan Ferris said. Paramedics were called to the Bunbury Museum (pictured), south of Perth, at 10.30am on Wednesday after the boy was hit by the parking meter in the courtyard An investigation into what caused the parking meter to fall is ongoing 'We thank police and paramedics who not only helped the child, but museum staff and community members who witnessed the incident and provided immediate assistance. 'Our thoughts are with the child, their family, and all involved and everyone impacted.' WorkSafe is investigating the incident. MAGA celebrities Kid Rock and Jon Voight were just some of the celebs letting loose at Donald Trump's inaugural ball after he was sworn in as the nation's 47th president. A-listers and political heavyweights attended multiple galas in Washington DC to celebrate after Trump's historic inauguration earlier in the day. Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, enemies in the ring just months ago, were among those clearly ready to party and In a video posted to Paul's Instagram, Tyson was seen getting on his former rival's shoulders as onlookers chanted words of encouragement. Paul, 27, lifted the 58-year-old Tyson relatively easily as Iron Mike shouted in excitement. Both men were dressed in slick tuxedos for the black-tie event. Paul, the influencer-turned-boxer who endorsed Trump days before the election, captioned the post 'best friends' and tagged Tyson. Tyson didn't formally endorse the president this time around, but the former heavyweight champion has said complimentary things about Trump over the last three decades. Their relationship dates back to the 1980s, when Trump hosted some of Tyson's fights in the gambling town of Atlantic City, New Jersey. 'I always remember him from being a good guy, paying me a lot of money,' Tyson said with a chuckle in 2022 during an appearance on the New York Post Sports podcast. Before the 2016 election, Tyson told Huffington Post, 'He should be president of the United States. Hell yeah, big time!' Jake Paul is seen lifting Mike Tyson on his shoulders at a Trump inaugural ball on Monday Paul and Tyson fought in a highly-anticipated bout on November 15 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Paul won the fight with a unanimous decision President Donald Trump speaks on stage at the Commander in Chief Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration Paul and Tyson fought in a highly-anticipated bout on November 15 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event, which generated more than $18 million in gate revenue, was exclusively broadcast on Netflix. It's estimated that 65 million households watched the fight, making it the most-streamed sporting event in US history. Paul unanimously defeated Tyson after eight two-minute rounds, which was largely down to the 31-year age difference between the fighters. Elsewhere in Washington D.C., other MAGA celebrities were seen celebrating at the three official inaugural parties, including the Commander in Chief Ball, the Liberty Ball, and the Starlight Ball. Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Defense, was seen laughing at the Commander in Chief Ball. Kid Rock, who performed Sunday night at Trump's pre-inauguration rally, was photographed taking selfies with fans, throwing back a drink or two and smoking a cigar. The country music star, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, recently said more celebrities than ever are comfortable publicly showing support for Trump now that there's been a 'change in the air.' Hulk Hogan appeared with Jesse Watters during the Fox News anchor's coverage of the Liberty Ball. The former WWE wrestler was giddy over Trump's win and proceeded to rip his shirt off before pretending to wrestle Watters live on air. And Vince Vaughn, a self-described libertarian who once got criticism for shaking Trump's hand at a college football game, was spotted at the Starlight Ball taking photos with fans. Other famous faces seen throughout Inauguration Day included podcaster Theo Von, Logan Paul, and Conor McGregor. Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary, was seen mingling at the Commander in Chief Ball Kid Rock, who performed Sunday night at Trump's pre-inauguration rally, is pictured at the Commander in Chief ball taking selfies with fans The country music star, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, was also seen smoking a cigar and drinking a beer Actor Jon Voight, a longtime supporter of Trump, was also seen at the Commander in Chief ball Hulk Hogan is seen ripping his shirt off during Fox News' live coverage of the Liberty Ball The former WWE performer then pretended to put Jesse Watters in a chokehold Vince Vaughn was seen taking photos with fans at the Starlight Ball ahead of Trump's arrival Podcaster and comedian Theo Von is pictured arriving at the Starlight Ball The Paul brothers are pictured with Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the Commander in Chief ball Monday night Trump first arrived to the Commander in Chief Ball arm in arm with First Lady Melania Trump, who was wearing a white and black leggy dress custom made by Herve Pierre. In the following hours, he showed up at the other two balls and gave remarks recapping his election win and the dozens of executive orders he has signed so far. Among those decrees, Trump broadly pardoned all the January 6 defendants and declared Mexican drug cartels as 'terrorists.' About 1,500 people involved in the January 6 Capitol riot received pardons and six more received commutations of their sentences. He also directed the attorney general to seek dismissal of about 450 pending criminal cases against January 6 defendants. He also signed an initial flurry of executive orders at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, where thousands of his supporters gathered to celebrate an inaugural parade that was moved indoors due to the cold. Trump signed executive orders that overhauled the refugee admission program, withdrew the US from the World Health Organization, and halted all DEI programs in the federal government. Vivek Ramaswamy is bolting from the Department of Government Efficiency before it even begins, as rumors of a feud with Elon Musk have some calling for him to be dropped from the MAGA movement. Ramaswamy, 39, a biotech entrepreneur who ran against Donald Trump in the Republican Primary before dropping out and endorsing him, has reportedly set his sights on running for governor of Ohio in 2026. In fact, an operative familiar with Ramaswamy's thinking told DailyMail.com Friday that he planned to deliver results at DOGE and announce a bid for governor shortly after. However, the past few weeks have suggested that Ramaswamy and Musk - named co-chairs of DOGE - were unlikely to be a good mix, after a social media post Ramaswamy made in support of Musk's position on migrant visas ignited a massive conservative backlash. Despite Ramaswamy posting a photo to X Monday shaking hands with Musk and calling it 'a new dawn,' it appears Musk was part of the push to get him out of DOGE. A Republican strategist told Politico that Ramaswamy's rant about the H-1B visa program burned his bridges with Musk. 'He just burned through the bridges and he finally burned Elon. Everyone wants him out of Mar-a-Lago, out of D.C.' While Ramaswamy was already unpopular in MAGA-world before, the tweet - where he voiced strong support for bringing 'highly skilled' foreign workers to the U.S. - was the last straw. Vivek Ramaswamy (pictured at the inauguration with President Donald Trump's chief of staff Susie Wiles) is bolting from the Department of Government Efficiency before it even begins Rumors of a feud with Elon Musk have some calling for him to be dropped from the MAGA movement (Pictured: Musk claps as Trump delivers his inaugural address) 'They wanted him out before the tweet but kicked him to the curb when that came out,' one insider claimed. Another DOGE ally said that Musk also thought Ramaswamy would be unable to work for DOGE and run for governor. One person familiar with the new agency claimed that Ramaswamy had done no work for them since mid-December, though he would insist to close allies that he was still a big part of the operation. A Ramaswamy source agreed and claimed that the two billionaires are on good terms, however, many felt that the move had been coming. 'Vivek has worn out his welcome,' another Trump ally told CBS News last week. Ramaswamy had even become a running joke among Hill staffers, with employees of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson reportedly sharing a crude meme of the former presidential candidate. It reportedly showed Musk as Josef Stalin and Ramaswamy as the eventually executed Soviet secret police chief. The DOGE team confirmed Ramaswamy's departure in a statement released Monday. Donald Trump had put both Ramaswamy and Musk in charge of DOGE Despite Ramaswamy posting a photo to X Monday shaking hands with Musk and calling it 'a new dawn,' it appears Musk was part of the push to get him out of DOGE 'Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE,' spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. 'He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE, based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last two months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again.' Ramaswamy's downfall appears to have been hastened by the overzealous defense of Musk's position last month. The Tesla CEO threatened to 'go to war' with MAGA republicans after he defended visas for skilled foreigners over American-born employees in late December. The billionaire has expressed his support for the H-1B visa, which allows highly educated immigrants to work in the US for up to six years. At the heart of the storm was Ramaswamy, whose outspoken defense of the program triggered backlash from MAGA loyalists and high-profile Republicans alike. 'A key part of it comes down to the c-word: culture. Tough questions demand tough answers & if we're really serious about fixing the problem, we have to confront the TRUTH: Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long.' He further criticized the nation's cultural priorities, stating that a society celebrating 'the prom queen over the math olympiad champ' and 'the jock over the valedictorian' would inevitably fail to produce the world's best engineers. Ramaswamy's downfall appears to have been hastened by the overzealous defense of Musk's position on the H-1B visa last month Ramaswamy's outspoken defense of the program triggered backlash from MAGA loyalists and high-profile Republicans alike Ramaswamy bizarrely blamed a series of 1990s TV sitcoms for what he saw as a decline in America's lead in the fields of science and tech. 'A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian - a culture that venerates Cory from Boy Meets World or Zach & Slater over Screech in Saved by the Bell, or 'Stefan' over Steve Urkel in Family Matters will not produce the best engineers,' he noted. 'If you grow up aspiring to normalcy, normalcy is what you will achieve.' Ramaswamy went on to say he hopes 'our culture fully wakes up. A culture that once again prioritizes achievement over normalcy; excellence over mediocrity; nerdiness over conformity; hard work over laziness.' Ramaswamy's remarks did not go unnoticed by Trump or his ardent base. His call for a cultural renaissance - one that prioritizes 'excellence over mediocrity' - set off a firestorm, with everyone from Nikki Haley to Laura Loomer slamming Ramaswamy. Trump eventually sided with Musk and praised the use of visas to bring skilled foreign workers to the U.S. The topic has become a flashpoint within his conservative base. 'Ive always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. Thats why we have them,' Trump told the New York Post. Ramaswamy bizarrely blamed a series of 1990s TV sitcoms for what he saw as a decline in America's lead in the fields of science and tech Ramaswamy ignited the controversy with a lengthy and provocative post on X In fact, Trump has in the past criticized the H-1B visas, calling them 'very bad' and 'unfair' for U.S. workers. During his first term as president, Trump unveiled a 'Hire American' policy that directed changes to the program to try to ensure the visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants. Despite his criticism of them and attempts to curb their use, he has also used the visas at his businesses in the past, something he acknowledged in his interview Saturday. 'I have many H-1B visas on my properties. Ive been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. Its a great program,' Trump told the newspaper. He did not appear to address questions about whether he would pursue any changes to the number or use of the visas once he takes office. Critics warn that rolling back the program could harm U.S. competitiveness, particularly in sectors like technology and healthcare. However, MAGA supporters argue that limiting foreign labor would force companies to invest in training American workers. Meanwhile, Ramaswamy has all but confirmed he will be running for governor via social media Friday. He initially quote tweeted Congresswoman Nancy Mace and Senator Marsha Blackburn endorsing the hypothetical bid to thank them for their support. He then quote-tweeted a parody account of himself announcing the run, clarifying that while it was a parody, him running for governor was 'not a bad idea.' Ramaswamy was named by Trump to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency to help cut government waste in Washington after running against Trump in the 2024 Republican Primary. Governor Mike DeWine is term limited so the race will be wide open in 2026. The current governor announced earlier Friday that he is appointing Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted to fill Vance's vacant seat. DeWine made the announcement in Ohio with Husted by his side after months of speculation over who he would pick to send to Washington to serve the rest of Vance's term. In his search for Vance's replacement, DeWine also met with Ramaswamy despite him having ruled himself out of the running to fill the vacancy last year. A young girl has died just days after the horror house fire that killed her one-year-old sister. The blaze erupted at a home on Benboyd Circle at Rokeby, in Hobart, on Sunday. One-year-old Harlyn died at the scene while three children and one adult were rushed to hospital. Five-year-old Jordan was among the children left fighting for life with police confirming on Tuesday she had died in hospital 'overnight'. Tasmania Fire Service deputy chief of operations Matt Lowe described the blaze as 'traumatic'. 'I'd like to thank the local community for their assistance, especially the neighbours who came to the aid of those affected,' he said. 'The scene and investigation have been traumatic, and it's had a significant impact on first responders who have done an incredible job under extreme circumstances. 'They are commended for their actions and will be supported by our Wellbeing Support team.' Five-year-old Jordan was among the children left fighting for life with police revealing on Tuesday she had died in hospital 'overnight' One-year-old Harlyn died at the scene while three children and one adult were rushed to hospital A 16-month-old, 10-year-old and 14-year-old who were also injured in the fire, but have been released from hospital. A 30-year-old is in a stable condition at Royal Hobart Hospital. Family friend Tenille Siely said the family of the children had 'nothing left'. 'At 5.25am Jordan grew her wings and went to heaven to be with her little sister, she will always be remembered as our brave little hero,' she wrote online, after the girl spent her fifth birthday fighting for life. 'The house has been absolutely destroyed and the Aunty of the two beautiful girls, whom is also in hospital from sustaining major lacerations trying to save the lives of six children inside, has lost all her house contents.' 'The house and all contents where the Aunty and her two boys lived is completely gone and they have nothing left,' she later wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to support the family. 'We are asking for donations no matter how big or small to help this broken and grieving family.' Emergency services rushed to the home on Benboyd Circle in Rokeby, eastern Hobart, following reports of a house fire at about 9am on Sunday. The occupants of the home were rushed to hospital on Sunday evening, with witnesses reporting there had been 'flames everywhere,' in the blaze 'The house was fully alight when police and Tasmania Fire Service crews arrived,' Tasmania Police said in a statement. 'Sadly, an infant was found deceased inside the residence, and another young child and an adult were taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital with serious injuries.' Three other children were also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 'Our thoughts and condolences are with everyone affected,' police said. The woman who called emergency services claimed there were 'flames everywhere, out all the windows, lots of smoke'. 'All the neighbours were coming to help there was one man that had [taken] a fire extinguisher over and he smashed windows and got kids out,' she told the ABC. Witnesses reportedly heard windows exploding and people screaming. Detective Senior Sergeant Darren Latham said the blaze had been 'distressing'. 'When I arrived there, I had police and paramedics doing CPR on children, on an adult, and at the same time I'm looking at that, to the right I've got firefighters doing everything they can to try and save whoever is in the house,' he told reporters shortly after the fire. 'I think that does highlight the good work they do. With any investigation into the death of a child, or any person, we take it very seriously.' He said police had found no evidence to suggest foul play in the fire. The scandal engulfing Channel Nine star Alex Cullen over a $50,000 gift Adrian Portelli has taken yet another dramatic twist with the billionaire claiming the money was always meant for charity. In a bid to ditch his nickname 'Lambo Guy', Portelli offered the $50,000 cash prize to the first member of the TV media to use his new preferred nickname, 'McLaren Man'. When Cullen, 44, used the name live on the Today show, Portelli posted what appeared to be a bank transfer of $50,000 to the sport presenter. Nine promptly suspended Cullen - who has not appeared on air since - and announced an investigation into the payment which it said was being returned. But Portelli claimed on Tuesday that Cullen intended the money to be paid to charity all along and posted details of payments of $25,000 each made on his behalf to the Salvation Army and the RSPCA. 'Alex Cullen on behalf of you, mate, $25,000 to the Salvation Army and $25,000 to the RSPCA,' Portelli wrote on Instagram. 'I've kept pretty quiet about what unfolded with Alex, but even before he'd heard from Ch9, we had a conversation where he expressed his desire to donate the money. 'That speaks volumes about his character. Alex, you're an absolute gentleman. Adria Portelli claimed on Tuesday that Nine's Alex Cullen (above) intended the money to be paid to charity all along and posted details of payments of $25,000 each made on his behalf to the Salvation Army and the RSPCA Adrian Portelli (above) Adrian Portelli posted an image of a bank transfer (pictured) to his Instagram account 'If Ch9 let you go (though I really hope they don't!), I'd be more than happy to collaborate with you on something. True class, mate!' Max Markson, who has been a leading PR agent for 50 years, said although it was 'not normal' behaviour for a presenter to accept cash to say something that was not part of their declared sponsorships, he believed Cullen had clearly been joking. Mr Markson pointed out Today host Karl Stefanovic was in on the gag, smirking that Cullen got it correct by saying 'McClaren Guy' and that he might split the $50,000 with him. 'I am sure they didn't think they were going to get the $50,000 but then they got it and unfortunately Alex has been stood down for the moment, which is crazy,' Mr Markson told Daily Mail Australia on Monday. 'He shouldn't have taken the $50,000 obviously, but he's given it back. I don't think that's the reason they did it, they did it as a joke, obviously.' Mr Markson suggested Cullen might have been a victim of unfortunate timing. 'It happened on Friday and he (Cullen) probably got the money late on Friday night,' he said. 'If he knew it was going to come he probably would have given it away to charity. I would not have thought he would have pocketed the money.' Legendary publicist Max Markson (pictured left with US actor Charlie Sheen) said Cullen was clearly joking and did expect to receive the payment Nine insiders told Daily Mail Australia that the stunt could have been beneficial for the network and Portelli, if Cullen had advised the promoter that, as a journalist, he was unable to accept any payment for making the comment on-air. 'What Alex should have done is refuse to accept any money and told Portelli to donate it directly to a charity instead - that's if he was going to get involved in the stunt at all,' one network insider told Daily Mail Australia. However, Mr Markson did not think it would do Cullen's TV career any lasting damage. 'Alex will get back on air within a week's time, within days I would have thought,' he said. 'It's not a major issue, it was a joke. It wasn't just him, it was Stefanovic as well obviously just having a joke.' Mr Markson said Portelli, who was called 'Mr Lambo' in 2022 after turning up in a yellow Lamborghini to bid for houses renovated on Nine show The Block, got great coverage for this latest stunt including the front page of a Sydney newspaper. 'I think he's got a great publicist, it's not me, but he has a great publicist,' Mr Markson said. 'I know him.' Although Mr Markson thought Portelli was genuinely fed up with his Lambo nickname he had found a great angle to get more publicity from it. Cullen's last post on Instagram is a selfie of him giving a thumb's up outside the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne 'When you are on a roll when you've got the coverage you just keep marketing it, keep pushing it,' he said. Meanwhile, Cullen is receiving plenty of fan support on social media. His last post on Instagram is a selfie of him giving a thumb's up outside the Melbourne Rod Laver Arena where the Australian Open is being held with the simple caption 'let's go'. 'You're the best presenter, and that show will be nothing without you,' reads the first comment. 'Such a humble, lovely personality for morning TV. So sorry, mate, hope you're ok x.' 'I feel so sorry for you,' another person wrote. 'Just for record, I won't be watching Chanel 9 anymore. I hope something better comes of this for you, you're amazing, what a load BS by Channel 9.' A lesbian group has lost its battle to ban transgender and bisexual women from its public events following a two-year legal battle. Lesbian Action Group wanted a five-year exemption under the Sex Discrimination Act and made an application to the Australian Human Rights Commission in 2023. The Victorian-based group lost its bid and attempted to appeal the decision at the Administrative Review Tribunal before it was shot down again on Monday. Spokeswoman Carole Ann told Daily Mail Australia the ruling was 'devastating'. 'The lesbian community in Australia has been decimated over the past few decades,' she said. 'Were a huge country so it is really difficult to find each other unless we can advertise publicly and the numbers of women who have been able to find each other has dwindled. 'On dating apps there are men on there, anything else has to include the whole rainbow family plus whoever wants to go. 'Without an exemption we are back in the closet basically.' Lesbian Action Group wanted a five-year exemption under the Sex Discrimination Act and made an application to the Australian Human Rights Commission in 2023 Ms Ann said that LAG had formed to challenge the Sex Discrimination Act and other laws that stopped lesbians from excluding non-biological women from their publicly advertised events. 'The cohort I came up with, we had lots of events in the 80s,' she said. 'We were able to do that and we werent being infiltrated and we werent being taken to court 'Since we have had to go underground weve all grown older - those who come after us have no idea there is a lesbian community. 'The younger ones in particular are very, very isolated.' Ms Ann said there should be an allowance for lesbian-only meetings and events. 'Everything is under the LGBTIQ-plus umbrella that has include everyone,' she said. 'They have nothing in common with trans or queer or even gay men. We need our own spaces to be able to make connections and just feel that we are not alone.' Spokeswoman Carole Ann told Daily Mail Australia the ruling was 'devastating' In his judgement, Tribunal senior member Stewart Fenwick said the LAG sought 'to actively discriminate against another group identifiable by their gender identity, a characteristic also protected under the SDA'. Ms Ann claimed it was lesbians who were being discriminated against, 'but they are twisting it to say we are discriminating'. 'Any sensible thinking person would realise that's the ridiculous thing,' she said. The LAG is considering whether it will appeal again, which could involve going back to the tribunal or taking the case higher to the Federal Court. Ms Ann said the legal battle had been 'draining' and forced her to put life on hold for two years when she should be enjoying retirement, but insisted the fight was not over. 'We didnt think we could beat the law and get an exemption, so our main aim was to raise awareness to put it out there as widely and as loudly as possible the insanity of it,' she said. 'A lot of people sit on the fence about men being women but when you say they are lesbians people go, "What? That doesnt make sense. 'We are disappointed but not despondent. One way or another we are going to keep fighting.' References to men and women, male and female were removed from the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 via amendments in 2013 under the Gillard Labor government in 2013 that removed biological definitions. A fire has broken out at a ski resort hotel in northwestern Turkey killing ten people and hospitalising another 32 with injuries, officials said. The blaze broke out overnight at the restaurant of a hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. 'Two-hundred and sixty-seven personnel from various public institutions and organisations responded to the fire and the response is ongoing,' he wrote on X. Private NTV broadcaster said three people died after jumping from the hotel's windows. Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin told Turkish news outlet TRT the started on the fourth floor of the 11-storey hotel at around 3.30am. Television images showed the roof and top floors of the hotel on fire, with some guests trying to climb down from their rooms using sheets to escape the blaze. Other footage showed huge plumes of smoke rising into the sky with a snow-capped mountain behind the hotel. The resort is located on top of a mountain range about 170 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of the capital Ankara. An aerial view of the area as fire brigades responding to a fire that broke out in a hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center, on January 21, in Turkey The fire broke out overnight at the restaurant of a hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Six people were killed and 32 were injured as a result The fire, which is believed to have started in the restaurant at around midnight, spread quickly. It was not immediately clear what caused it. Part of the hotel backs onto a cliff, making it harder for firefighters to tackle the blaze. At the time of the inferno breaking out, there were 237 were staying at the hotel where its occupancy rate was between 80 and 90 percent due to the school holidays, according to local reports. 30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances rushed to the site, as other hotels at the resort were evacuated as a precaution. 30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances rushed to the site after the fire broke out this morning The cause of the blaze is now being investigated, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Private NTV broadcaster said three people died after jumping from the hotel's windows The resort is located on top of a mountain range about 170 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of the capital Ankara Guests staying at the hotel who were evacuated have been rehoused The health, interior and culture ministers are expected to visit the site later in the day Those evacuated were rehoused in nearby hotels. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said six prosecutors had been allocated to investigate the blaze. The health, interior and culture ministers are expected to visit the site later in the day. A man with a history of abducting birds has been sternly warned by a magistrate to stay away from all animals as he faces further cruelty allegations. Tom Quach previously admitted capturing a white ibis and taking it back to his home in Sydney's eastern suburbs with the intention of eating it. The 61-year-old was again arrested on Saturday after allegedly using fishing wire and bread to abduct two white corellas, another native species. He was charged with one count of animal cruelty and another of attempting to harm a protected animal. Police allege the distressed animals were found in an animal carrier at Quach's home, but he claimed he only intended to help them after finding the birds already entangled with wire. When he appeared at Waverley Local Court on Monday, Quach was granted bail on conditions including that he not interact with any animals. Magistrate Stephen Barlow warned Quach if he was found with any animals in his possession he could be sent back to jail. 'Stay away from animals,' the magistrate said. Tom Quach (pictured) previously admitted capturing a white ibis and taking it back to his home in Sydney's eastern suburbs with the intention of eating it The 61-year-old was again arrested on Saturday after allegedly using fishing wire and bread to abduct two white corellas, another native species 'Don't go anywhere near the animals, especially birds.' Quach's Legal Aid lawyer Kris O'Brien entered pleas of not guilty on the 61-year-old's behalf, saying his client maintained he was attempting to help and not harm the birds. 'It is Mr Quach's position when he came across these birds ... two of them were already intertwined with fishing wire,' he said. 'He's tried to calm them and was initially unable to do so. 'It was his decision that it was better for him to take the birds back to his house to remove the fishing wire.' A distressed bystander spotted Quach and began filming him, but only after the birds were already entangled, the court heard. Prosecutors opposed bail being granted, arguing he was at considerable risk of reoffending if he was released. Mr Barlow described the allegations against Quach as 'highly unusual'. Quach previously pleaded guilty to charges of animal cruelty in relation to the ibis, as well as shoplifting and drug possession. Court documents relating to that matter said he told police he enjoyed hunting ibises when he was high on methamphetamine, before cooking and eating the native birds. He claimed to be confused about whether the species, commonly known as bin chickens, could legally be caught and eaten in NSW. For those offences, Quach was jailed for six months and fined a total of $800 for three animal cruelty charges and one count of drug possession. The latest matter is due to return to court on February 17. Sir Keir Starmer said the Southport killings must act as a 'line in the sand' for Britain with 'fundamental change' needed to protect children from future attacks. The Prime Minister said he wouldn't let 'any institution' of the state deflect from failures which he said 'leap off the page' in Southport where Axel Rudakubana murdered three young girls. Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the killings, had been referred to the Prevent programme three times and only admitted murder yesterday at Liverpool Crown Court where he was due to stand trial. Mr Starmer also dismissed claims of a Southport 'cover-up' insisting information released earlier may have seen Rudakubana walk away a 'free man' as a result of his trial collapsing. Our live coverage has ended The world woke up on Tuesday to headlines dominated by Donald Trump's return to office, underscoring global concern over tariffs, conflicts and the future of America's foreign alliances. Italian daily La Repubblica ran with 'Trump 2: The revenge', expanding that 'the Emperor of the Future is back' with the promise of a new golden age for America. German tabloid Bild went with 'the signature that changes the world', honing in on the string of executive orders issued as the 47th President 'before the eyes of the world'. Seventy-eight orders from the previous administration were revoked overnight, and Trump wasted no time in withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Paris Climate Agreement. Spain's La Vanguardia quoted Trump in saying 'the golden age of America begins right now' after swearing his oath and delivering his second inaugural address. Outlets in Ukraine and Greenland, aware of the weight a Trump presidency carries for the future of their own territories, noted their lack of mention while Russian media hinted at the prospect of 'dialogue' with Putin over the war. Bild led its coverage of the Trump inauguration with 'the signature that changes the world' 'The Golden Age arrives,' La Vanguardia paraphrased Trump as having said last night 'Trump's new world' was in focus for Spanish outlet ABC 'In a speech announcing extreme violence, the American president promised a new golden age to a nation according to him in decline. The nightmare begins again' In Madrid, Spanish national ABC described Trump's 'new world', signing a 'battery' of decrees for the 'rebirth' of the United States. The President was quick to pardon about 1,500 supporters charged over the Jan 6 storming of the Capitol in 2021. He also repealed Biden-era policies banning drilling in the Arctic, and pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, aiming to curb global temperature rises. El Pais, also in Spain but with a large readership in Latin America, led its coverage with 'Trump Unchained'. 'The President of the U.S. takes control and adopts [his] first measures.' Portuguese media took a sharper line. Jornal de Noticias included a picture of a triumphant Trump overlaid with the caption 'America against the world'. In Denmark - at the centre of a spat over Trump's comments about the U.S. taking control of Greenland - Ekstra Bladet described Trump's 'thunder speech', with comment on how the autonomous territory was not yet 'off the hook'. The Kyiv Independent was more neutral in its coverage, writing that Trump had been sworn in before adding: 'Doesn't mention Ukraine.' The Kyiv Independent was more neutral in its coverage, writing that Trump had been sworn in before adding: 'Doesn't mention Ukraine.' Le Figaro echoed coverage by La Vanguardia: 'Trump announces a "Golden Age" of America' Polish tabloid Fakt focused on outrage over Trump's decision to pardon Capitol rioters Russian outlet Meduza, critical of Putin's war in Ukraine, focused in on global issues overshadowing Trump's domestic challenges: growing nuclear tensions, competition in the Arctic and energy. RT was less direct, acknowledging Putin's congratulations and that Trump had decided to suspend foreign aid - amid a lack of clarity over the future of American support for Ukraine. The Times of Israel noted in its coverage this would 'likely' impact Palestinians hoping to rebuild their lives in the wake of a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The outlet's coverage of the inauguration focused on Trump's decision to roll back sanctions targeting violent Israeli settlers. French daily Liberation, founded by the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, made a more scathing assessment of Trump's inauguration, writing 'the nightmare begins again'. 'In a speech announcing extreme violence, the American president promised a new golden age to a nation according to him in decline. The nightmare begins again.' Corriere della Serra, in Italy, was pithy, writing: 'Trump attacks: all changes.' Meduza, critical of the war in Ukraine, focused on the global issues overshadowing the presidency 'America against the world' was the assessment in Portugal Denmark's Ekstra Bladet described Trump's 'thunder speech', with comment on how the autonomous territory was not yet 'off the hook' In Poland, daily newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza highlighted the far-ranging executive orders 'from pardoning Capitol stormtroopers to Border Emergency'. An interview with former president Aleksander Kwasniewski judged that Trump 'feels he is endowed with special power by God. It arouses fear'. 'Although Trump did not talk much about international politics, these statements already show that he wants to demonstrate his strength,' said Kwasniewski of Trump's inaugural speech. Polish tabloid Fakt went in on the 'outrage' over Trump's decision to pardon the Capitol rioters, quoting him as calling them 'hostages'. They quoted former speaker Nancy Pelosi in calling the decision 'shameful'. Le Temps, in Switzerland, focused on Elon Musk's bizarre gesture on stage: '"Fascist" salute or clumsy gesture: Elon Musk sows confusion following Donald Trump's inauguration' Trump unchained, wrote El Pais on Tuesday morning Le Soir, in France, went with 'Everything is going to change' The Jerusalem Post likewise asked the question: 'Did Elon Musk Sieg Heil at Trump's inauguration?' The outlet went on to focus on outrage from viewers in Israel. Coverage focused on Trump's early impact on the Middle East, noting his decision to cancel a Biden-era order reversing sanctions on the International Criminal Court. Die Welt, a German national, judged that Trump was 'turning the ceremonial act of inauguration into a reality show'. Americans are fleeing the US for Britain because of concerns for their country's future in the so-called 'Donald Dash' after Donald Trump became president Democrat voters particularly on the liberal east or west coasts are leaving for more liberal countries during Mr Trump's second term after his inauguration yesterday. The Trump 'refugees' include celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi who moved from Montecito in California to the Cotswolds in autumn, with a source reportedly close to the couple claiming this was linked to the election result. Ugly Betty star America Ferrera is thought to be considering moving to South West London with her husband Ryan Piers Williams and young children after feeling 'sick' that Mr Trump was re-elected, and has been looking at schools in leafy Barnes. And British actress Minnie Driver said last July that she had returned to the UK after 27 years of living in Los Angeles, and would not return to a Republican state if Mr Trump was re-elected although she would be 'somewhat insulated' in California. Many Americans are particularly fearful about Mr Trump's immigration policies, with one couple revealing they abandoned plans to leave London and return to the US changing their minds after the election and buying a house in Camden instead. Erin Lytwyn, 36, from Connecticut, who works in cloud sales for Google, lives in London with her husband Daniel, 34, and their 10-month-old daughter Charlotte. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi pose for a photo in the Cotswolds, where they now live America Ferrera, pictured with her husband Ryan Piers Williams at the Barbie premiere in Los Angeles in July 2023, is said to have been looking at schools in South West London US President Donald Trump waves on his inauguration day in Washington DC yesterday She told The Standard: 'We were approved in the US to buy a house and get a mortgage. Trump started making several scary moves, like the people he's appointed, and it made us think about what was important for us. 'Trump is saying he's going to deport millions of people on his first day in office it's hard living in a country where people have lived for 30 years and might be removed.' Mrs Lytwyn accepted that while immigration is still a major issue in the UK, 'there's not the same level of racism' as in the US. She added: 'All the Americans I know here feel grateful we're here already; we feel like we don't have to get up and move.' Ellie and Michael Coverdale are hoping to move to London this spring from their current home in Seattle, and are looking at Richmond, Hampstead or Greenwich. Mrs Coverdale, 42, told The Standard: 'Trump's presidency only made me more wary of where the US is going and whether it's my way or not. Political language feels so divided and radical that it is increasingly difficult to imagine a future there.' British actress Minnie Driver said last July that she had returned to the UK after 27 years of living in Los Angeles. She is pictured in May 27, 2024 at Picturehouse Central in London A survey of 1,000 US citizens from the UK-based Immigration Advice Service after the election last November found 25 per cent were considering relocating internationally. Google searches for 'moving abroad' and 'how to emigrate' hit record highs in 2024, with interest particularly strong in cities on the east and west coasts. Some 47 per cent of Los Angeles residents and 35 per cent of New Yorkers are considering over a move overseas, with young Americans aged between 16 and 24 being the most inclined to leave. The most popular destination is Canada, with 29 per cent of prospective emigrants listing it as their top choice ahead of the UK at 19 per cent. Other choices include Australia and Ireland, each at 8 per cent. Meanwhile 40 per cent of British citizens now feel less inclined to consider moving to America, according to the same study. The UK-based Immigration Advice Service said the most popular destination for Americans looking to leave the US is Canada, ahead of the UK. Other choices include Australia and Ireland Separate data from estate agent Knight Frank revealed searches from the US for UK property soared in November 2024, with traffic five times higher than the same month in 2023. The election day of November 5 was the site's busiest day of the year with traffic 20 per cent higher than any other single day in 2024. Data from the Office for National Statistics suggests about 71,000 Americans are currently living in London, out of a total population of 8.8 million. John Kiely, head of immigration at UK law firm Howard Kennedy, told the Financial Times: 'We've onboarded more US clients in the past few weeks than the previous few months. 'One day I spoke with three same-sex couples who were visibly distressed by the prospect of a Trump administration.' Kathryn Bradbury, head of citizenship and immigration at UK law firm Payne Hicks Beach, also revealed 'a noticeable increase' in inquiries about Americans moving to Britain. At Prime Minister's Questions last Wednesday (pictured), Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged Sir Keir Starmer to create a new visa route in response to the trend She told the FT that all were 'Democrats and concerned about Trump 2.0', with the level of interest even higher than when he was first elected in 2016. At Prime Minister's Questions last week, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged Sir Keir Starmer to create a new visa route in response to the trend. He said he wanted highly-skilled Americans trying to flee the US to 'bring their money and their skills' to the UK, 'so we can grow our economy and pay for our public services'. It comes as Mr Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the US yesterday, returning to power with a promise to end America's decline and to 'completely and totally reverse' the actions of Joe Biden. Mr Trump overcame impeachments, criminal indictments and two assassination attempts to win another term in the White House, and he planned to act swiftly after the ceremony. Dozens of executive orders have already been prepared for his signature to clamp down on border crossings, increase fossil fuel development and end diversity and inclusion programmes across the federal government. Keir Starmer is facing a grilling on Southport today as he orders an inquiry into how the state failed to stop the killer going on the rampage. The PM will hold a press conference in Downing Street after he condemned 'failings' over the case of Axel Rudakubana and acknowledged people were right to 'demand answers'. But he is expected to reject allegations of a 'cover up' of terrorist links in the immediate aftermath of the atrocity - which was followed by a wave of rioting across the country. The authorities are adamant that they could not risk the case collapsing. Rudakubana pleaded guilty yesterday to murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July. It has emerged he was referred three times to anti-extremism programme Prevent amid concerns over his fixation with violence. But despite this and contact with other state agencies, the authorities failed to stop the attack which claimed the lives of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. will hold a press conference in Downing Street after he condemned 'failings' over the case of Axel Rudakubana and acknowledged people were right to 'demand answers' Merseyside Police today issued this mugshot of Axel Rudakubana, 18, of Banks, Lancashire, after he pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to all 16 counts he was charged with Announcing an inquiry last night, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the country needed 'independent answers' on Prevent and other agencies' contact with the 'extremely violent' Rudakubana and 'how he came to be so dangerous'. Following Rudakubana's guilty pleas, Sir Keir described the 18-year-old as 'vile and sick', and said there were 'grave questions to answer' on how the state 'failed' to protect the three girls. The PM added: 'Britain will rightly demand answers, and we will leave no stone unturned in that pursuit.' As well as the three murders, Rudakubana admitted 10 counts of attempted murder, possession of a knife, production of a biological toxin, ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit acts of terrorism. The terrorism offence relates to a PDF file entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual. He is also understood to have possessed numerous other documents on violent subjects, including A Concise History Of Nazi Germany, The Myth Of The Remote Controlled Car Bomb and Amerindian Torture And Cultural Violence. Sources said the material discovered showed an 'obsession with extreme violence' but there was no evidence he ascribed to any political or religious ideology or was 'fighting for a cause'. With some opposition figures alleging a 'cover-up' of Rudakubana's contact with the authorities, Sir Keir is likely to face questions about why this information had not been published earlier. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage insisted he was 'right all along' when he claimed in the summer that information had been withheld from the public. But Ms Cooper said the information about Rudakubana's background could not be made public earlier 'to avoid jeopardising the legal proceedings or prejudicing the possible jury trial, in line with the normal rules of the British justice system'. There are also likely to be questions about why the charges relating to the possession of ricin and the al Qaida training manual were not made public for three months after the teenager's arrest. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said there were many questions that 'remain unanswered about what went wrong'. Welcoming the announcement of a public inquiry, he said: 'We also need to know who in Government knew what and when, as well as why the authorities may have withheld some information from the public.' Mr Philp told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'There is quite a lot you can put into the public domain without prejudicing the judicial proceedings. 'In previous incidents, we've seen more information being put out and Jonathan Hall drew attention to the risks of not putting out information, it undermines trust in justice, but it also creates a void. 'So, I think these are legitimate questions. I think it's important the inquiry looks at those questions as well as what happened before this appalling incident.' Asked whether he was confident in the Prevent counter-terrorism programme, he told Times Radio: 'The Prevent programme is a long-running programme. It deals with about 7,000 referrals per year. 'There was quite a comprehensive review of Prevent by William Shawcross that was published in February of last year So, one question I'll be asking the Government is whether they plan to implement the recommendations in the Shawcross report. A car burns after being overturned during a protest in Middlesbrough on August 4, 2024 Police officers at Rudakubana's home on Old School Close in Banks, Lancashire, last October At 11 years old, Rudakubana appeared dressed as Doctor Who in a television advert for BBC Children In Need, after being recruited through a casting agency, it is understood. 'I think it's just important the inquiry looks at all of this, gets to the truth both about what happened beforehand, but critically also the Government's response afterwards, and what they knew when and whether they should have put more information into the public domain. 'It appears they withheld information about the perpetrator, potentially, on CPS advice. 'William Shawcross has raised questions over that, saying that if you leave a void, then speculation fills it, and William Shawcross is obviously an expert lawyer, and also says there's quite a lot you can say about these incidents afterwards. 'But clearly in this case, the Government, it appears, didn't share information which they had in their possession.' Nurses felt 'intimidated' by a trans colleague after they raised a HR complaint about having to share a changing room with her, an employment tribunal has heard. Nurses at Darlington Memorial Hospital raised concerns about sharing a changing room with a trans woman named Rose, who was born male but identifies as a woman. After raising their concerns to HR, they were told they need to be 're-educated' and 'more inclusive'. Eight of the nurses at the hospital then launched legal action against County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. They are suing the trust for sexual discrimination and sexual harassment after they were forced to share their changing room with Rose. At an employment tribunal nurses said Rose's behaviour changed after the HR complaint. Bethany Hutchinson said they 'started to feel quite intimidated'. After the claim was launched a sign appeared on the door of the female changing room saying 'INCLUSIVE CHANGING ROOM'. The nurses who complained have now been forced to change in 'temporary changing rooms' which are offices, while Rose continues to use the female changing room. Darlington nurses with 'Safe Spaces for Women' banner at Parliament Square After the HR complaint, a sign appeared on the female changing room saying 'inclusive changing space' The 'temporary changing rooms' which the nurses were forced to use after the complaint Darlington nurses with 'Safe Spaces for Women' banner outside the Department for Health Mrs Hutchinson said that other nurses reported Rose's behaviour as 'intimidating and completely inappropriate'. One said that as they passed Rose in the corridor, she 'intentionally eyeballed them and walked towards them aggressively swinging keys. Mrs Hutchinson added that Rose had been unnecessarily 'asserting herself and creating a presence in the nurse's unit'. Rose claimed she had experienced distress and anxiety following the complaint. However, Mrs Hutchinson questioned this claim, asking why she then continued to use the changing rooms. Nurses have reported seeing Rose frequently visiting the day surgery ward where the claimants worked, having rarely been seen outside of theatres prior to concerns being raised. Simon Cheetham KC, representing the NHS Trust applied for an order to be made to prevent Rose's surname being reported. Mr Quintaville representing the complainants opposed the application. Employment Judge Sharon Langridge said she would reserve judgment on whether to grant Rose further anonymity. The tribunal is scheduled to begin on June 16 and will conclude on July 4. Police are questioning a man in relation to the death A man found dead in a children's playground has been identified as a beloved father-of-two - as a police murder probe continues. Anmol Bajwa, 36, was found dead in a park near Elementary Road, Mambourin in west Melbourne about 7.30pm on Tuesday. Mr Bajwa is believed to have met with an associate, whom he had helped out financially, at the park on Monday evening. Mr Bajwa's wife alerted authorities to the 36-year-old's disappearance when he failed to return home. Police arrived to the park on Tuesday morning where detectives found Mr Bajwa's body underneath a picnic table. A police spokeswoman confirmed their investigations remained ongoing on Tuesday. 'The exact circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be determined,' she said. 'A man, who is believed to be known to the victim, is currently in custody assisting police with enquiries. The body of 36-year-old Anmol Bajwa was found in a park in Melbourne's west on Tuesday morning Friends said the father-of-two was a loved family man and respected member of the community Detectives discovered Mr Bajwa deceased underneath a picnic table at a park in Mambourin 'The investigation remains ongoing and police are keen to speak to anyone from the area who may have CCTV or dash-cam footage.' Mr Bajwa was an Indian migrant and father of two young children, aged six and three. His friends described him as a respected member of the local community. 'Anmol was a source of love, light, and inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,' one mate said on social media. 'His kindness, wisdom, and unwavering support will forever remain in our hearts ... may his legacy live on in the lives he touched.' Another friend said the young father had fought to forge a life for his family since moving to Australia. 'Anmol was a community and family orientated person who worked hard to build a better life in Australia. 36-year-old only, a life too short taken away,' he wrote. Police have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online. Keir Starmer dismissed claims of a Southport 'cover-up' today as he insisted there will be a full inquiry into how the state failed to stop the killer going on the rampage. The PM told a press conference in Downing Street that people were right to 'demand answers' over 'failings' in the case of Axel Rudakubana. Sir Keir said it was a 'devastating moment in our history' and must be a 'line in the sand' for Britain, warning that 'terrorism has changed' with the threat of 'acts of extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms'. He stressed that the probe should be 'unburdened by cultural sensitivities' and institutions will not be allowed to 'deflect' responsibility. 'I'm angry about it... Nothing will be off the table in this inquiry,' he said. However, he flatly rejected allegations of a 'cover-up' of terrorist links in the immediate aftermath of the atrocity in July - which was followed by a wave of rioting across the country. He confirmed he knew about the details 'as they were emerging' - rather than in October when extra charges were brought - but could not risk the case collapsing and the 'vile' perpetrator walking away free. 'That is why the law of this country forbade me or anybody else from disclosing details sooner,' he said. 'I wouldn't be forgiven if I had.' He added: 'It was not my personal decision to withhold this information, any more than it was a journalist's personal decision not to print or write about it.' Sir Keir said he was under 'no illusions' that the lack of 'trust' will continue until the state is 'honest' about problems and 'roots them out'. But he insisted he had been inspired by the response of the Southport community, who rebuilt despite the tragedy being compounded by violence on the streets. 'Responsibility for the disorder and violence lies with those who perpetrated it,' he said. The Tories and Reform said there were still 'serious questions' about the transparency of government information in the wake of the killings. Laying out details of the public inquiry in the Commons this afternoon, Yvette Cooper said it was 'unbearable' that action might have prevented the attack. Challenged over the timing of information being released, Ms Cooper said: 'It is not for the government to ignore the rules or the advice that we are given when justice for the families is at stake.' The PM told a press conference in Downing Street that people were right to 'demand answers' over 'failings' in the case of Axel Rudakubana Sir Keir said it was a 'devastating moment in our history' and must be a 'line in the sand' for Britain, with 'fundamental change' in the way citizens are protected Merseyside Police today issued this mugshot of Axel Rudakubana, 18, of Banks, Lancashire, after he pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to all 16 counts he was charged with Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood (left) and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (right) were in No9 to watch the PM's statement PM warns UK faces threat of US-style school attacks by 'young men' radicalised by online violence Keir Starmer today warned that Britain faces the threat of US-style school attacks by 'young men' radicalised by online violence. The PM said the 'new' danger from 'loners and misfits' might require a change in the law. He told a Downing Street press conference that previously the 'predominant threat was highly organised groups with clear political intent groups like al Qaida'. 'That threat, of course, remains but now alongside that we also see acts of extreme violence perpetrated by loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom accessing all manner of material online desperate for notoriety, sometimes inspired by traditional terrorist groups, but fixated on that extreme violence, seemingly for its own sake,' Sir Keir said. The PM continued: 'My concern in this case is we have clearly got an example of extreme violence, individualised violence, that we have to protect our children from and our citizens from. 'It is a new threat, it's not what we would have usually thought of as terrorism when definitions were drawn up, when guidelines were put in place, when the framework was put in place and we have to recognise that here today.' He said the law and framework for responding needed to be appropriate to the 'new threat' and whatever changes were necessary in the law would be made. Sir Keir continued: 'I do think it's new. You've seen versions of it in America with some of the mass shootings in schools. 'It is not an isolated, ghastly example. It is, in my view, an example of a different kind of threat and that is why I'm absolutely so determined that we will rise to that challenge and make sure that our law, our response, is capable, appropriate and can deal with that sort of threat. 'But that is my concern, that is my thinking that this is a new threat individualised extreme violence, obsessive, often following online viewing of material from all sorts of different sources. 'It is not a one-off. It is something that we all need to understand and have a shared undertaking to deal with within our society. 'That is not just the laws on terrorism, the framework on terrorism, it's also the laws on what we can access online. 'We still have rules in place in this country about what you can see at a cinema and yet online you can access no end of material. We have to ensure that we can rise to this new challenge and that is what I'm determined to do.' Advertisement Rudakubana pleaded guilty yesterday to murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July. It has emerged he was referred three times to anti-extremism programme Prevent amid concerns over his fixation with violence. But despite this and contact with other state agencies, the authorities failed to stop the attack which claimed the lives of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. As well as the three murders, Rudakubana admitted 10 counts of attempted murder, possession of a knife, production of a biological toxin, ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit acts of terrorism. The charges relating to the possession of ricin and the al Qaida training manual were not made public for three months after the teenager's arrest. Sir Keir said: 'No words come anywhere close to expressing the brutality and horror in this case. 'Every parent in Britain will have had the same thought. It could have been anywhere, it could have been our children, but it was Southport. It was Bebe, six years old. Elsie, seven. Alice, nine. 'Back in August, I said there will be a time for questions, but that first, justice had to be done, and that, above all, we must not interfere with the work of the police, the prosecutors and the delivery of that justice. 'Well, yesterday, thankfully, a measure of justice was done, but it won't bring those girls back to their families, and it won't remove the trauma from the lives of those who were injured, their lives will never be the same. 'So before I turn to the questions that must now be answered for the families and the nation, I first want to recognise their unimaginable grief, because I know the whole country grieves for them. 'The tragedy of the Southport killings must be a line in the sand for Britain.' Laying out the new danger the country faces, Sir Keir said: 'In the past, the predominant threat was highly organised groups with clear political intent. Groups like Al-Qaeda. 'That threat of course remains. But now, alongside that we also see acts of extreme violence perpetrated by loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom, accessing all manner of material online, desperate for notoriety. 'Sometimes inspired by traditional terrorist groups. But fixated on that extreme violence, seemingly for its own sake. 'Now, it may well be that people like this are harder to spot. But we can't shrug our shoulders and accept that.' Sir Keir said the threat was similar to some of the mass shootings in schools in the US. 'This is extreme violence, clearly intended to terrorise, and my concern is that because it is different to the sort of behaviour we've associated with terrorism - al Qaida, there are plenty of other examples, which tended to be more organised in groups with a clear political ideology and motive - because it is not that, it is a new and different threat, it doesn't fit as well as it should within our framework,' he said. 'That is what we've got to change. That is the urgent question that has to be addressed and it's one that has to be addressed before the conclusion of the inquiry and it's why we've already done the learning from the Prevent mistakes. 'I do think it's new. You've seen versions of it in America with some of the mass shootings in schools. It is not an isolated, ghastly example, it is, in my view, an example of a different kind of threat and that is why I'm absolutely so determined that we will rise to that challenge and make sure that our law, our response, is capable, appropriate and can deal with that sort of threat. 'But that is my concern, that is my thinking that this is a new threat - individualised extreme violence, obsessive, often following online viewing of material from all sorts of different sources. 'It is not a one-off. It is something that we all need to understand and have a shared undertaking to deal with within our society. The Southport Dance School is the latest case to be covered by the No.1 True Crime podcast, The Trial. Listen to The Trial on Apple, Spotify and anywhere you get your podcasts now 'That is not just the laws on terrorism, the framework on terrorism, it's also the laws on what we can access online. 'We still have rules in place in this country about what you can see at a cinema and yet online you can access no end of material. We have to ensure that we can rise to this new challenge and that is what I'm determined to do.' Directly addressing the cover-up claims, the PM said: 'Yes I knew the details as they were emerging He said: 'Yes of course I was kept up to date with the facts as they emerged. But just like you as a journalist I had to obey the law of the land.' Asked if he viewed the killings as an act of terrorism - a label the police have not used - he insisted it was an act of 'extreme violence clearly intended to terrorise'. Announcing an inquiry last night, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the country needed 'independent answers' on Prevent and other agencies' contact with the 'extremely violent' Rudakubana and 'how he came to be so dangerous'. Following Rudakubana's guilty pleas, Sir Keir described the 18-year-old as 'vile and sick', and said there were 'grave questions to answer' on how the state 'failed' to protect the three girls. The PM added: 'Britain will rightly demand answers, and we will leave no stone unturned in that pursuit.' As well as the three murders, Rudakubana admitted 10 counts of attempted murder, possession of a knife, production of a biological toxin, ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit acts of terrorism. The terrorism offence relates to a PDF file entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual. He is also understood to have possessed numerous other documents on violent subjects, including A Concise History Of Nazi Germany, The Myth Of The Remote Controlled Car Bomb and Amerindian Torture And Cultural Violence. Sources said the material discovered showed an 'obsession with extreme violence' but there was no evidence he ascribed to any political or religious ideology or was 'fighting for a cause'. A car burns after being overturned during a protest in Middlesbrough on August 4, 2024 Reform UK leader Nigel Farage insisted he was 'right all along' when he claimed in the summer that information had been withheld from the public. But Ms Cooper said the information about Rudakubana's background could not be made public earlier 'to avoid jeopardising the legal proceedings or prejudicing the possible jury trial, in line with the normal rules of the British justice system'. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said there were many questions that 'remain unanswered about what went wrong'. Welcoming the announcement of a public inquiry, he said: 'We also need to know who in Government knew what and when, as well as why the authorities may have withheld some information from the public.' Mr Philp told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'There is quite a lot you can put into the public domain without prejudicing the judicial proceedings. 'In previous incidents, we've seen more information being put out and Jonathan Hall drew attention to the risks of not putting out information, it undermines trust in justice, but it also creates a void. 'So, I think these are legitimate questions. I think it's important the inquiry looks at those questions as well as what happened before this appalling incident.' Asked whether he was confident in the Prevent counter-terrorism programme, he told Times Radio: 'The Prevent programme is a long-running programme. It deals with about 7,000 referrals per year. 'There was quite a comprehensive review of Prevent by William Shawcross that was published in February of last year So, one question I'll be asking the Government is whether they plan to implement the recommendations in the Shawcross report. Police officers at Rudakubana's home on Old School Close in Banks, Lancashire, last October At 11 years old, Rudakubana appeared dressed as Doctor Who in a television advert for BBC Children In Need, after being recruited through a casting agency, it is understood. 'I think it's just important the inquiry looks at all of this, gets to the truth both about what happened beforehand, but critically also the Government's response afterwards, and what they knew when and whether they should have put more information into the public domain. 'It appears they withheld information about the perpetrator, potentially, on CPS advice. 'William Shawcross has raised questions over that, saying that if you leave a void, then speculation fills it, and William Shawcross is obviously an expert lawyer, and also says there's quite a lot you can say about these incidents afterwards. 'But clearly in this case, the Government, it appears, didn't share information which they had in their possession.' Three Israeli hostages who were brought home after 471 days in Gaza have shared harrowing testimony of the horrors they faced in Hamas captivity - an ordeal they feared they might never escape. Emily Damari, 28, Romi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were handed over to the Red Cross on Sunday in front of crowds of Hamas fighters and Palestinians. 'We were scared to death of the combination of the armed men and the Gazan crowd,' the women are quoted as saying in a report by Israeli broadcaster N12. They were reunited with their families soon after, and on Monday shared chilling testimonies about their experience. The three young women said they were originally held together in Gaza before being separated and were regularly moved between hiding places. They spent most of their 15 months in captivity concealed underground in the terrorists' network of tunnels, and rarely saw any daylight, according to the testimony shared with the news outlet. When they were together, the women cooked and cared for each other, with Romi, a trained paramedic, said to have treated Emily's injuries. British-Israeli national Emily lost two fingers after being shot in the hand, according to the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, and also suffered shrapnel wounds to the leg during the October 7 massacre. She was then kidnapped and dragged into Gaza, where she and Romi said they were moved dozens of times as Hamas tried to avoid them being rescued by Israeli forces. Hamas fighters hand over Doron Steinbrecher, a hostage who had been held in Gaza since the October 7 2023 attack, to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) British-Israeli former hostage Emily Damari is seen after being reunited with her mother Emily Damari, and Romi Gonen, who were abducted by Palestinian militants during the October 7, 2023 attacks, disembark from a Hamas vehicle during the handover process on Sunday While some of the abductees were given medications they needed, according to the testimony, one of the women says she was forced to undergo a medical procedure without anaesthesia. During their torturous experience they were also able to follow TV and radio broadcasts, meaning they could see their families' fight for their release on the news and learnt more about the October 7 atrocities. "We saw your struggle, we heard our families fighting," they said, adding: "We realised that our families had survived, but we discovered that we had lost a great many friends.' One of the women also shared that she did not think she would ever return home, despite her family's efforts. 'I didn't think I would come back, I was sure I would die in Gaza,' she said. They also told how they were only informed on the morning of the handover that they were being released. 'We couldn't believe it when they told us we would be home in a moment,' the women are quoted as saying. When they arrived to be handed over to the Red Cross on Sunday, the women's vehicle was surrounded by hundreds of militants and civilians who shouted and pounded on the van's doors and windows. Some even clambered up on the roof. When the door to the van opened, the three former hostages looked terrified, and they were ushered quickly through the crowd to safety. The women's release forms part of the first phase of the ceasefire and hostages agreement between Israel and Hamas. When the door to the van opened, the three former hostages looked terrified, clutching horrific 'gift bags' from Hamas and sprinted through the overwhelming crowd to safety Emily broke her silence on Monday to say she is the 'happiest person in the world' since being freed from Hamas captivity in Gaza. 'Love, love, love. Thank God. Thank you to my family, to Orali, to the best friends I have in this world,' she said in a post on Instagram. 'I returned to my beloved life.' 'I only managed to see a glimpse of everything and you broke my heart with excitement. Thank you thank you the happiest person in the world just to be.' At the end of her post she added a 'rock on' emoji, symbolising the two fingers she lost during Hamas' assault. Speaking to the Mail, Rotem Koren, a friend of Emily's said: After October 7 is was very difficult to rebuild these feelings, so yesterday was a very emotional moment. I think that most of the world saw the power of Emily. Even in the most difficult moments, near all these terrorists to keep smiling she is so powerful. Palestinian Hamas members gather around a vehicle as they hand over Emily Damari British hostage Emily Damari, among the last hostages to be released from Gaza To see that was a very emotional moment for us. When she got out of the terrorists car, or when she whistled to us at the hospital, you could see there that nothing can stop her. You saw how even in her situation she looked at the positive side. Even after she lost two fingers she turned it into a positive the first thing she does is shares this sticker of her hand. Now everyone takes strength from that. I hope that everyone can take these skills that she has, to keep yourself and look for the positive no matter what happens'. Pal Guy Yakobi, 29, added: It was great to see her and hear her voice again. It was a quick meeting, we didnt have a lot of time to speak. It was just a hug and a kiss and told her that I love her.' On becoming symbol of resistance: 'If someone can survive and come back smiling its Emily. We werent surprised to see how she was acting. University students could be told how to 'disagree well' after a shunned Oxford student killed himself just days after he was 'isolated' from his social group following an an allegation made against him relating to a sexual encounter. Alexander Rogers, 20, jumped into the River Thames in January last year after a woman expressed being 'uncomfortable' about a sexual encounter they had. The third-year materials science student at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, was subjected to a form of 'cancel culture' by his fellow students who called him names and excluded him in the days leading up to his death, although the inquest did not find it contributed to the death However, after coroner Nicholas Graham raised concerns over how students are 'self-policing their community', the government is forming a working group - based on work by Oxford - to discuss how students might learn to 'disagree better'. Jacqui Smith, the minister of state for Skills, said: 'We will work with experts and leading university student welfare officials and students to convene a roundtable in early 2025 exploring the issues around social ostracism and lack of trust in formal processes in more depth. 'This will build on work being led by the University of Oxford to establish a working group on social ostracism and open discussions around how students can 'disagree well' and engage with "constructive dialogue". 'The intention of the roundtable is to build shared knowledge on the issue, understand what gaps there may be currently in action in the higher education sector and appropriate responses. Insights and outputs which emerge following the roundtable will be publicised.' Alexander Rogers, 20, took his own life after a woman expressed being 'uncomfortable' about a sexual encounter they had The third-year materials science student was subjected to a form of 'cancel culture' by his fellow students Ms Smith also said higher education providers will need to be 'clear' about the appropriate support offered to students who 'who are reporting experiencing incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct, and actual or alleged perpetrators'. An inquest into Mr Rogers' death heard he was a student on the Corpus Christi College campus at the university. Mr Graham, Assistant Coroner for Oxfordshire, said the student, from Salisbury, Wiltshere, took his own life when he jumped into the River Thames from Donnington Bridge in the city on January 15 last year. Reaching a verdict of suicide, the coroner said: 'In the preceding days, he had been ostracised, which included what was described as "name calling", "targeted behaviour" and exclusion and rejection following allegations made against him about his conduct.' It has been reported that Rogers had been confronted by friends after a sexual encounter with a woman, an inquest at Oxford coroner's court heard. The woman had expressed 'discomfort' about the encounter, after which Mr Rogers had a conversation with friends to discuss the 'allegations'. The friends claimed they believed he had 'messed up', that they needed space from him and that they would check in on him a few weeks later, the coroner's court heard. Mr Graham heard an Independent Serious Incident Review which was carried out at the University. The review identified evidence of a 'concerning practice of social ostracism among students' which is often referred to as 'cancel culture', the coroner said. Referring to the findings, he said this arises from behaviours where individuals are isolated and excluded from social groups, based on 'allegations or perceptions of wrongdoing'. Students at Oxford University will participate in workshops to teach them how to 'disagree well'. Pictured: Corpus Christi College The report said that this 'practice' was likely to be taking place at other higher education institutions. 'It was acknowledged this was complex and highly-sensitive issue in student life,' the coroner said. 'I did not find on the balance of probabilities that this culture specifically caused or contributed to Alexander's death, but it did give rise to a concern that circumstances creating a risk of future deaths could occur.' In a Prevention of Future Deaths report, the coroner outlined concerns relating to the 'prevalence of social ostracism'. 'Evidence suggests that social ostracism is a recognised practice within student communities, with multiple cases observed and acknowledged by both students and staff,' he said. 'The evidence was that this may be an issue more broadly for Universities in the UK.' He said students now employ 'social ostracism as a means of self-policing their community' - which is often done in response to 'allegations of serious misconduct'. 'This occurs in the absence of formal processes and without proper investigation or evidence,' he added. The coroner referred to evidence of how social ostracism can have a 'negative' and 'severe' impact on mental health. 'It can lead to feelings of isolation, shame, guilt, and worthlessness, all of which are recognised risk factors for suicide,' he said. The coroner said the 'prevalence of social ostracism' could be linked to a 'lack of trust in formal channels of reporting serious concerns'. He said much of the student population may perceive these processes as 'ineffective', 'unfair', 'biased', and may result in them seeking an alternative means of addressing perceived wrongdoing. Mr Graham said this type of 'exclusionary behaviour' is normalised now within student communities, which 'hinders the development of healthy and supportive social environments'. For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support Were YOU involved in the Sainsbury's meat aisle clash? Email aidan.radnedge.mol@mailonline.co.uk Angry shoppers have taken out their frustration on animal rights activists blocking their way in a supermarket - by trying to barge through with their trolleys. Customers have been praised online for their defiant response to Animal Rising campaigners staging a sit-in protest in the meat aisle of a busy Sainsbury's store. Calls of 'Who do you think you are?' and 'You move - well, I'll just knock you out of the way' are heard in TikTok videos of the confrontation which been shared online. A 65-second clip shows members of the animal rights group staging the demo in a Sainsbury's branch in the Southampton district of Portswood last Saturday afternoon. That was just one of various Animal Rising protests across the country that day, also targeting Marks and Spencer outlets. The group wanted to draw attention to complaints it has made about the RSPCA Assured farm scheme which approves meat products sold by supermarket chains. BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham quit as RSPCA president last month over concerns about alleged 'animal cruelty' were raised. Yet there has been praise for the shoppers seen attempting to make their way through the sit-ins - while police were called but decided not to take further action. Were YOU involved in the Sainsbury's meat aisle clash? Email aidan.radnedge.mol@mailonline.co.uk Shoppers were seen blocked from pushing their trolleys through a sit-in protest by campaign group Animal Rising at a branch of Sainsbury's in the Southampton district of Portswood One man was seen in footage shared on TikTok trying to push through with his trolley A group of seven Animal Rising campaigners sat cross-legged on the floor of the Portswood Sainsbury's meat aisle for more than an hour around 1.30pm on Saturday. They brandished banners showing messages targeting the RSPCA Assured scheme - and refused to budge when shoppers tried to make their way through. One man pushing a trolley, and eventually attempting to push through the blockade, told the protesters: 'I've asked you several times - I've asked you nicely.' He added: 'Who do you think you are? I want to get past here.' A female shopper is seen in the online footage telling the demonstrators who barred her way: 'No, I'm not going round - you move. 'Well, I'll just knock you out of the way with my trolley, then.' One of the Animal Rising members responds by saying: 'We're here to make a protest, to make a point.' The clip shows a member of Sainsbury's staff approaching the group - and online viewers have asked why the store did not appear to do more to resolve the situation. The male shopper is heard telling demonstrators, 'I've asked you several times, I've asked you nicely' - before asking: 'Who do you think you are?' Comments below the TikTok video which was shared by a poster using the name @vegan.fairy.x included 'Well done that man' and 'Let people shop in peace'. One poster said of the Animal Rising demonstrators: 'Bunch of absolute morons, you aren't protesting. 'You are choosing to make people's life difficult because you don't agree with something.' Another wrote: 'Honestly I CRAVE meeting people like this - my anger issues would get such a relief.' There were further replies such as 'The old gent is spot on - get out of the way', 'Why are they not removed by the supermarket?' and 'Move out of the way, have some respect for your elderly'. But the video's original poster stuck up for the Animal Rising demo, insisting 'Peaceful protests are legal here' and 'They won't make us stop caring about animals.' Their caption attached to the TikTok upload stated: 'The protest was held by animal rights group animal rising to highlight the cruelty that the RSPCA is assuring. 'Well done to these amazing activists for standing their ground.' TikTok commenters have criticised the demonstrators and praised shoppers who were facing them - but the original poster of the footage has responded by defending the sit-in protest The campaign group today told MailOnline that similar sit-ins were held between 1pm and 4pm last Saturday in other locations including Birmingham, Chelmsford, Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Nottingham, Eastbourne and Gloucester. Rose Patterson, lead investigator for Animal Rising, said: 'We would encourage all stockists of RSPCA Assured products to reconsider their connections to this scheme. 'Our investigations have shown that whether on the farm or at the slaughterhouse, cruelty is endemic within the Assured scheme. Its time for the RSPCA to drop the Assured label for good, and instead lead the way to a kinder future for all animals. 'The scheme is not worth the paper its labels are printed on. Shoppers who want to buy ethically dont expect the RSPCA to endorse factory farms, and supermarkets bear some of the responsibility when so much evidence has been brought to light about the truth behind the RSPCA Assured. 'The Assured scheme has not only failed in its objective to protect farmed animals, but through its endorsement and advertising of a false idyllic farm setting, is actively causing more harm by persuading consumers that farming and slaughter can be humane.' Hampshire Constabulary said they were aware of the protest at Sainsbury's in Portswood, adding: 'Local officers did attend the area in the early afternoon. However, there were no issues that will require further police intervention.' A Sainsburys spokesperson said: 'Last week police were called to an incident which took place at our Southampton Portswood store. Were sorry for the temporary disruption this may have caused some customers.' Wildlife campaigner Packham last month resigned as president of the RSPCA after an investigation unearthed allegations of animal abuse at charity approved abattoirs - while former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas quit as the charity's vice-president. Wildlife campaigner Chris Packham last month resigned as president of the RSPCA after an investigation unearthed allegations of animal abuse at charity -approved abattoirs RSPCA Vice-President Caroline Lucas, who was also the former leader of the Green Party, also resigned from her post amid the claims Both took to X, formerly Twitter, to speak of their 'sadness' at their departure, with Lucas saying the charity's 'assured' scheme 'risk[ed] misleading the public' and 'legitimising cruelty'. Their departure came after an investigation by Animal Rising made claims of cruelty at 'assured' slaughterhouses in England and Scotland, with the campaign group sharing footage of alleged mistreatment. 'RSPCA Assured' is a scheme whereby approved farms must comply with the organisation's 'stringent higher welfare standards', according to its website. The RSPCA last June commissioned an independent review of 200 farms on its assurance scheme which concluded the programme was 'operating effectively' to ensure animal welfare on member farms. In the fallout of footage released by Animal Rising in December, the RSPCA said it was 'appalled' by what was shown, and has launched an immediate investigation alongside suspending three slaughterhouses from the scheme. Packham had previously threatened to resign after footage emerged of salmon swimming without tails and chunks missing from their bodies at an RSPCA Assured facility in Scotland. At the time - last July - he signalled that unless changes were made in the way welfare was enforced, he would possibly quit his role as President of the organisation. Later in August footage alleged staff were hitting pigs with paddles in their 'terror-filled final moments' in an RSPCA approved abattoir in Suffolk. A video filmed secretly at an RSPCA-certified abattoir in Suffolk called C&K Meats showed staff hitting pigs with paddles in 'terror-filled final moments' before they are slaughtered for meat The footage was recorded by campaigners from the Animal Justice Project (AJP) inside C&K Meats in 2023. Other allegations laid against the slaughterhouse included poor hygiene practices and evidence of severe stress indicators amongst the animals, such as frothing at the mouth and heavy panting. The slaughterhouse, which has the capacity to kill between 1,200 to 1,400 pigs a day, insisted that it was 'committed to ensuring high levels of animal welfare and take the subject matter very seriously'. In the wake of last month's resignations, an RSPCA spokesperson said it was 'simply not true' that the organisation had failed to take urgent action. The RSPCA commissioned an independent review which last October ruled the Assured scheme was 'operating effectively' to assure animal welfare on member farms, the charity today said. A spokesperson added: 'We have now commissioned two independent reviews of the scheme in the space of four years, both of which show that RSPCA Assured is making a real difference to millions of farmed animals lives right now. 'This reflects our own data from visiting nearly 4,000 farms in the last year. 'This review provides us, our supporters and the public further confidence that RSPCA Assured is actively improving the lives of millions of farmed animals. Chris Packham took to X to express his 'sadness' following his resignation from the RSPCA RSPCA Vice-President Caroline Lucas also made a social media statement on her departure 'We want a world where RSPCA Assured isnt needed any more but right now it is the last line of defence for far too many of the most vulnerable and exploited animals. 'No one else is doing this work - we are the only organisation setting and regularly monitoring animal welfare standards on farms. 'Improving farmed animals welfare is hard, but RSPCA Assured has given us the experience and insight to influence government and the food and farming industry to drive critical changes to legislation and practice, as well as raising the bar for the whole farming industry. 'We will continue to campaign together with our colleagues in the sector for better legal protection for farmed animals, better enforcement of those protections, and a significant reduction in the number of animals farmed and animal products eaten.' A shocking new theory has emerged about who is financing the spate of anti-Semitic attacks plaguing Australia. The authorities are investigating if locals have been paid to carry out acts of anti-Semitic violence by people overseas, as national leaders agree to establish a database of attacks. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the force was probing 15 serious attacks since December and was considering whether overseas actors or individuals paid local criminals to carry out some of the crimes. 'We are looking at if - or how - they have been paid, for example in cryptocurrency, which can take longer to identify,' he said. The Only About Children centre in Maroubra, in Sydney's east, was set on fire soon after midnight on Tuesday and the words 'F*** the Jews' were sprayed in black paint on a wall. The blaze was put out but the building was extensively damaged. There were no reports of injuries and the property was empty at the time. Police believe the attack may have targeted the wrong property as there is a synagogue 150 metres further down Anzac Parade, and the damaged child care centre had no connection to it. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as an 'evil hate crime'. A Sydney childcare centre was set ablaze in a suspected anti-Semitic attack (pictured) It is the latest in a string of anti-Semitic arson and graffiti incidents in the city's east, home to a large Jewish community. 'We are looking into whether any young people are involved in carrying out some of these crimes, and if they have been radicalised online and encouraged to commit anti-Semitic acts,' Commissioner Kershaw said. 'Regardless, it all points to the same motivation: demonising and intimidating the Jewish community.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese bowed to pressure for stronger action and convened a national cabinet meeting on Tuesday afternoon, with leaders agreeing to establish a national database of anti-Semitic incidents. About 200 people descended on NSW Parliament House hours after the latest attack, calling for the state government to step in and do more. Mr Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns, who both attended the burnt site earlier in the day, pledged to throw all necessary resources at tracking down those responsible. 'This is a place for children and families and it should never have been denigrated by this despicable and horrifying crime,' Mr Albanese told reporters. The federal government will subsidise fees and worker costs at the childcare centre and along with the NSW government will cover any repair costs not covered by insurance. A police officer is pictured checking under a car at the scene of a fire at a childcare centre in Maroubra, Sydney on Tuesday Rabbi Zalman Goldstein from the Maroubra Synagogue said his community would hold a special service on Tuesday evening to greet the dark events with 'light, peace and love'. 'I'm saddened this can happen in Maroubra, a very peaceful, very beautiful place where people move to with their young families,' he told AAP. 'But Jewish people are not scared, we are very resilient ... we've been through things like this in much worse ways and we hope we can be a message for other minority groups to stay strong.' Mr Minns decried the attack, saying 'these bastards will be rounded up by NSW Police'. But the Premier was forced to defend his state's handling of the crisis and his rhetoric, given his stronger language has been matched with an increase to the rate of attacks. He said a police strike force targeting anti-Semitic crimes had made more than 180 arrests and charged at least 10 people since October 2023. An additional 20 investigators have been tasked to the strike force, NSW Police Force Commissioner Karen Webb said on Tuesday. The latest incident comes as the nation's Jewish community reels from a vandalism and arson attack on the former home of Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin early on Friday. Members of the Jewish community and supporters gather for a protest rally against rising anti-Semitism, at Martin Place in Sydney on Tuesday The house was defaced with slurs and red paint, and cars were set alight outside. 'There is an evil at work in this country and we have to recognise that,' Mr Ryvchin told reporters on Friday. 'There are people who are so consumed by hatred that they would seek to burn people because they disagree with their words. 'How we respond to things like this will determine the future of our country.' Mr Ryvchin said the attack 'meets a modern standard of terrorism'. 'To my fellow Australians I want to say, don't be silent, find your voice, speak up. We are not a nation of bystanders. 'What defines our national ethos is that we stand up for each other, we speak up for each other: we are upstanders, not bystanders. 'And in this critical time we need each of you to stand up and condemn this wickedness.' Dr Max Kaiser, executive officer of the the Jewish Council of Australia, also condemned the wave of attacks in recent weeks. 'It is clear that anti-Semitic attacks are escalating in Australia, combined with Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism,' he said. 'Now, more than ever, we remain committed to advocating for a society where diversity is celebrated, and all individuals and communities can live without fear of discrimination or violence.' Thousands of British troops are travelling to Romania to take part in massive mobilisation drills ahead of the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Around 2,500 British personnel, along with hundreds of vehicles, are moving across the continent by land, air and sea to join allies in the Balkans. The operation, called Steadfast Dart, aims to highlight the bloc's ability to mobilise at speed, amid a slew of World War 3 threats from Putin allies in recent months. Steadfast Dart, the first major deployment of NATO's Allied Reaction Force (ARF), is intended to test the ability to deploy under pressure. Second Lieutenant Alex Coleman told PA the move across Europe was a 'hefty undertaking' that 'shows what the British Army and NATO are capable of'. Lt Coleman said the convoy has travelled from the UK, through the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and will cover some 1,400 miles. Hundreds reached Hungary early today, pausing before heading on to Romania this evening, where they will carry out combat drills. British vehicles arrive at a Hungarian military base at Szentes during Steadfast Dart, today British military vehicles are marshalled as they arrive at a Hungarian military base on Tuesday NATO's Allied Reaction Force replaced the NATO Response Force last year. Steadfast Dart is the first operation to test the group's reactions as such. British troops set off from Marchwood in Hampshire last week, with around 730 vehicles. The convoy includes Foxhound patrol and Jackal high mobility weapons platform vehicles, Mastiff armoured patrol vehicles as well as fuel tankers and forklift trucks, fitted on to three ferries at the Sea Mounting Centre. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland have been deployed for the exercise in Romania. The two regiments, part of 7 Light Mechanised Brigade - known as The Desert Rats - will form the main battlegroup supported by other UK forces and representatives from other NATO nations. The exercise marks the first deployment under the bloc's new Allied Reaction Force (ARF) British military vehicles in convoy as they arrive in Szentes early this morning Speaking earlier this month, armed forces minister Luke Pollard said: 'This Government wants the UK to be NATO's leading European nation. 'Exercise Steadfast Dart demonstrates our unshakeable commitment to Nato and highlights the UK's key leadership role in the alliance. 'As we approach the three-year anniversary of Russia's illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we must continue to strengthen our collective defences together to deter (Russian President Vladimir) Putin effectively.' Despite lofty ambitions, the UK staffs 'around 148,230' personnel, as of April 2024, covering the army, air force and navy/marines. Between 2023 and 2024, there was a fall in the number of overall personnel, with 4,430 more leaving than joining - next to a net decrease of 5,420 the previous year. The UK had 5,700 personnel stationed overseas at the time data was collected, with around two thirds in Europe. Under a new '100 year' deal with Kyiv, Britain and Ukraine will look to 'deepen defence cooperation'. A Mastiff vehicle is loaded onto the MV Hurst Point near Southampton, on January 16 A member of the military checks the tyres on a Foxhound vehicle in Southampton, January 16 The document opens the possibility that the UK may deploy permanent military bases in Ukrainian territory. 'The Participants will explore options for deploying and maintaining defence infrastructure in Ukraine, including military bases, logistics depots, reserve military equipment storage facilities and war reserve stockpiles,' the document reads. 'These facilities could be utilised to bolster their own defence capabilities in the event of a significant military threat.' Sir Keir Starmer also pledged 40mn for an economic recovery programme to provide support on grain verification and trade, as well as 3bn a year in military aid 'for as long as it takes'. Spain's socialist prime minister has vowed to completely ban non-resident Brits from buying homes in the country. Speaking at a Socialist Party event in the Extremadura region in western Spain on Sunday, Pedro Sanchez said: 'We are going to propose that these non-EU foreigners, who neither they nor their families reside here and who are therefore only speculating with these homes and houses, be prohibited from buying them in our country'. Sanchez's remarks follow on from his announcement last week of a 12-point programme to tackle a mounting housing crisis which has left locals furious with the lack of available homes. The measures included raising property tax for non-EU foreigners buying a home in Spain to a staggering 100% of the value of the property. House-buyers in the country are currently expected to pay costs and taxes worth between 10 and 12 per cent of the price of the house, depending on where it is. Sanchez said that the new tariff would help 'prioritise the availability of housing for residents'. He noted that in 2023 alone, non-residents from outside of the EU bought 27,000 houses and flats in Spain, 'not to live in them, but mainly to speculate'. He said this was 'something that, in the context of the shortages we are experiencing, we cannot afford'. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has vowed to ban non-resident Brits from buying homes in Spain as he desperately tries to tackle the country's housing crisis Tenerife locals hold placards raising concerns about the impact of mass tourism, October 2024 Demonstrators march shouting slogans against the Formula 1 Barcelona Fan Festival in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 19 Sanchez's proposals would need to debated and approved by Parliament. Spain has seen massive demonstrations grow year-on-year, with aggrieved locals decrying the housing shortage while opportunists buy up homes and rent them out to holidaymakers, or leave them vacant for most of the year. Residency in Spain is open to UK nationals and other non-EU citizens planning to stay longer than 90 days, subject to fees and proof of financial stability. Sanchez's radical plan to address the housing crisis which was presented last week also outlined measures focused on reforming the construction industry, ensuring affordable rentals and offering incentives to those who follow renting guidelines. This includes transferring land to a new Public Housing Company that the government says it will use to build thousands of new affordable rental houses. Sanchez said in the first half of this year the company will begin to incorporate more than 30,000 Sareb homes, some 13,000 with immediate effect. The government also hopes to 'rehabilitate' vacant homes for additional 'affordable rental', offering incentives to those who renovate flats and make it available for an extended period of time. A protester holds a sign reading "Canary Islands have a limit" as thousands march on Las Americas beach during a demonstration against mass tourism, in Arona on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife, on October 20, 2024 Protestors in Alicante rally against overtourism in the Spanish city, in July 2024 It hopes an income tax exemption for owners letting out their homes according to the 'Reference Price Index' will encourage a healthier rental ecosystem. In a bid to ensure Spaniards can access homes before wealthy non-EU citizens, the proposals also include a measure to 'limit' the purchase of homes by people who 'do not reside in our country'. This is to be tightened with regulations on fraud for seasonal rentals, disincentivising those who illicitly look to make the most of Spain's lucrative tourist season. Sir Sadiq Khan was today accused of allowing a 'crusade' against London's Green Belt as plans emerged for 10,000 new homes on land used by the Kings and Queens of England. Transport for London, which is run by the Mayor of London, has written to Enfield Council urging them to allow developers to put up thousands of extra new properties across Trent Park. Trent Park in north London contains ancient woodland and an 18th century country house built by George III on land that was loved by Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and James I. Charlie Chaplin and Sir Winston Churchill were also visitors to the stately home, which was also used in the Second World War as a camp to hold German officers. TFL has suggested that around 570 acres of Green Belt land there could be suitable for housing - much larger than the 412 acres put forward by Enfield Council. This is despite its chairman, Mayor Khan, insisting that Green Field land in London must only be used for houses in 'exceptional circumstances'. Trent Park in Enfield is at the heart of a plan for up to 10,000 new homes on Green Belt land Enfield has suggested around 410 hectares of land could be suitable for development. TFL suggests it could be over 500 Enfield Tory councillor Alessandro Georgiou had urged Sir Sadiq Khan to step in over Trent Park. The Mayor insists he didn't know anything about it, a claim questioned by Mr Georgiou. 'If TfL is going rogue and putting forward suggestions that go against your wishes, which I think are very reasonable when it comes to the Green Belt, then it doesn't reflect well on you', Mr Georgiou said. 'The Mayor's inability to commit to protecting historic parkland, let alone other green belt space, deeply worries me and I will not let this go until TfL's crusade against our parks is stopped.' Speaking at Mayor's Question Time last week, Sir Sadiq said he was 'unaware' of TFL's response to Enfield. The Labour Mayor has said repeatedly that he would not allow building of new homes on the capital's Green Belt unless there are 'exceptional circumstances'. TFL does not own the land at Trent Park. The plans for homes there will be discussed at a public meeting on Wednesday. A Local Plan is a planning documents that would allow the council to designate Green Belt for several thousand homes to be built by developers - but only if approved. Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has insisted that his priority is development of brownfield sites TFL has put in a written submission saying that Green Belt suitable for the borough, including Trent Park, has been underestimated. 'We would like to work positively [with the council] with a view to a significant development focussed on Chase Park to deliver between 10,000 and 12,000 homes and necessary infrastructure,' TfL said. 'Release of Green Belt sites as set out in the draft Local Plan would represent a significant opportunity loss and under-optimisation.' Sir Sadiq Khan, who is chairman of TFL, has said that his priority remains brownfield land over Green Belt. He has asked his Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, to look at the Enfield row. A spokesman said: 'The Mayor has always made clear his preference for developing on brownfield sites first when identifying land for development. Sadiq is determined to help deliver the homes Londoners desperately need as he continues to build a fairer London for everyone.' A TfL spokesperson said: We are committed to helping London fulfil its housing targets in a sustainable manner. As part of the local plan process, TfL and the GLA have responded to proposals put forward by Enfield for release of Green Belt. 'We are concerned that these proposals may not deliver the sustainable development necessary, as they are in locations that are not well served by public transport. 'In this context, TfL has commissioned some high-level exploratory work to consider opportunities to make the best use of any Green Belt release here in locations closer to existing transport infrastructure. TfL does not have any proposals for development here'. Elon Musk has blasted his critics for needing 'better dirty tricks' as he defended an 'awkward hand gesture' that some have likened to a Nazi salute. Musk has come under fire over a gesture he made Monday while addressing a crowd of MAGA fans during a celebration of President Donald Trump's inauguration. Biting his bottom lip, the Tesla billionaire thumped his right hand over his heart, fingers spread wide, then extended his right arm out, emphatically, at an upward angle, palm down and fingers together. Then he turned and made the same hand gesture to the crowd behind him. The gestures were quickly scrutinized online, prompting critics to allege the gesture was an overt reference to Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. Musk took to his social media platform X to defend himself, stating that his opponents needed 'better dirty tricks' and that 'the 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired'. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization founded to combat anti-Semitism and has criticized Musk in the past, also rushed to his defense, saying it appears that 'made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute'. The ADL also noted that Trump's inauguration was a 'delicate moment' and that 'politics are inflamed' but urged 'all sides' to offer each other 'bit of grace' and 'perhaps even the benefit of the doubt'. Musk's questionable gesture comes after he made several statements in recent weeks in support of Germany's far-right AfD party. Elon Musk thumped his right hand over his heart, fingers spread wide, then extended his right arm out, emphatically, at an upward angle, palm down and fingers together during a MAGA rally on Monday Musk then turned and made the same hand gesture to the crowd behind him Musk appeared on stage Monday at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC, where supporters of the newly inaugurated president had gathered for a rally. He took to the stage to huge cheers, pumping his arms and shouting, 'Yesssss.' 'This was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road of human civilization,' he said. 'This one really mattered. Thank you for making it happen! Thank you,' he said. Musk then tapped the left side of his chest with his right hand and then extended his arm with his palm open, repeating the gesture for the crowd seated behind him. Claire Aubin, a historian who specializes in Nazism within the United States, said Musk's gesture was a 'sieg heil,' or Nazi salute. 'My professional opinion is that you're all right, you should believe your eyes,' Aubin posted on X, aligning with those who found the gesture was an overt reference to Nazis. But Musk, who dismissed the remarks online, was defended by the ADL. The gestures were quickly scrutinized online, prompting critics to allege the gesture was an overt reference to Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. But Musk took to his social media platform X to defend himself, stating that his opponents needed 'better dirty tricks' and that 'the 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired' The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization founded to combat anti-Semitism and has criticized Musk in the past, also rushed to his defense, saying it appears that 'made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute' 'This is a delicate moment. It's a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety,' the organization said in a statement posted on X. 'It seems that Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge. 'In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Let's hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead.' Another historian, Aaron Astor, also rebuffed accusations of Musk's Nazi emulation. 'I have criticized Elon Musk many times for letting neo-Nazis pollute this platform,' he wrote on X, adding: 'But this gesture is not a Nazi salute.' 'This is a socially awkward autistic man's wave to the crowd where he says 'my heart goes out to you.'' Elon Musk excitedly gestures during a rally at Capitol One Arena in Washington DC on Trump's second inauguration day Elon Musk listens as President Donald Trump speaks after taking the oath of office at the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington DC on Monday Musk announced in 2021 he had been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. One rally attendee said he thought Musk was making the gesture as a joke. 'He's very humorous, and he uses a lot of sarcasm. So when he did that on the stage, I don't think he meant it,' said Brandon Galambos, a 29-year-old pastor and tech worker. Still, reports by Wired and Rolling Stone magazines said far-right personalities in the United States were celebrating the move, such as the writer Evan Kilgore, who called the salute 'incredible.' Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a historian of fascism, found the gesture 'was a Nazi salute - and a very belligerent one too,' she said on X. Democratic Party members also quickly responded with alarm. Congressman Jimmy Gomez reacted to the moment by posting on X: 'Well, that didn't take long.' US President Donald Trump is in the process of firing thousands of White House staff who are not aligned with his vision to Make America Great Again. Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, the freshly inaugurated 47th president publicly fired several senior employees in an unprecedented shakeup. The post read: 'Our first day in the White House is not over yet! My Presidential Personnel Office is actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration, who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again. 'Let this serve as Official Notice of Dismissal for these 4 individuals, with many more, coming soon. 'Jose Andres from the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, Brian Hook from the Wilson Center for Scholars, and Keisha Lance Bottoms from the President's Export Council - YOU'RE FIRED!' General Milley's firing comes after Joe Biden, 82, used his final moments in the Oval Office to give blanket protection to the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who Trump said deserved to be executed. And Jose Andres, the chef behind World Central Kitchen, which supplies meals in the wake of natural disasters, was seen working alongside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle earlier this month during the LA wildfires. Sources have revealed that amid the sweeping move to reshape the US diplomatic corps, Trump's transition team has reportedly demanded the resignations of over a dozen senior career diplomats. Donald Trump has publicly fired several senior workers in an unprecedented shake-up Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump fired four members of White House staff Chef Jose Andres from the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition (left) and Gen. Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (right) were publicly fired on Truth Social by Trump Brian Hook from the Wilson Center for Scholars was fired on Truth Social by Trump, as well as former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms from the President's Export Council These dismissals align with Trump's repeated vows to 'clean out the deep state' by removing bureaucrats he perceives as obstacles to his vision The bold action underscores Trump's determination to enforce his 'America First' agenda and tighten control over foreign policy. Among those asked to step aside is John Bass, the agency's acting undersecretary for political affairs, whose influence spanned critical regions from Asia to Europe and the Middle East. Bass's exit, first reported by The Washington Post, marks just one of several high-profile departures as the Trump administration redefines the State Department's leadership. According to insiders, the purge includes nearly all officials at the undersecretary and assistant secretary levels - effectively gutting the department's top two layers of career staff. These dismissals align with Trump's repeated vows to 'clean out the deep state' by removing bureaucrats he perceives as obstacles to his vision. It comes as after royal commentators have claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan will be 'fearing' Trumps presidency after the leader previously said he would not protect him after the couple moved to the states in 2020. Details of the Duke of Sussexs visa application was kept secret by the Biden administration but Trump is under pressure to perform a U-turn. Harry and Meghan have faced a string of bombshell claims made against them in an excoriating Vanity Fair piece named 'American Hustle', which criticises behaviour in the five years they have lived in the US. They are said to be distressed by it. But royal expert and investigative journalist Tom Bower told MailOnline that Donald Trump will be at the front of their minds, especially as he has promised not to give Harry 'special treatment' and said he is 'no fan' of his wife'. This unprecedented shake-up, which has left the future of many veteran diplomats uncertain, reflects Trump's desire to install a diplomatic workforce that fully aligns with his policies. While career diplomats traditionally stay on through transitions between administrations, Trump's team is making no effort to maintain the status quo. In a statement released shortly after Trump's inauguration, the White House declared that the president's immediate priorities include overhauling government accountability. 'Under the President's direction, the State Department will have an America-First foreign policy,' it said. Trump has already signaled his intent to adopt a more aggressive global stance, vowing to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia, support Israel more robustly, and even pursue unconventional goals like acquiring Greenland. The president's approach demands a State Department that carries out his directives without resistance, experts say. Senator Marco Rubio, Trump's pick for secretary of state, acknowledged the department's diminished role during his confirmation hearing, pledging to give career staff a greater voice in shaping policy. Yet, the forced resignations suggest the administration is prioritizing loyalty over experience. Among those asked to step aside is John Bass, the agency's acting undersecretary for political affairs, whose influence spanned critical regions from Asia to Europe and the Middle East Trump gestures on the day he signs pardons for January 6 defendants in the Oval Office at the White House on Inauguration Day in Washington A flag reading 'Make America Great Again' flies in front of the governor's mansion Trump, who defeated Kamala Harris to become the 47th president of the United States, was sworn in yesterday President Donald Trump signs an executive order to create the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the Oval Office of the White House Ambassador of the USA to Greece Geoffrey R. Pyatt is also stepping down The departing diplomats include Geoffrey Pyatt, a seasoned official with more than three decades of experience, and Daniel Kritenbrink, the department's top Asia expert. Both are stepping down after decades of service under both Republican and Democratic administrations. Notably, Lisa Kenna, a trusted figure from Trump's first term and former executive secretary under Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, has been tapped to replace Bass. Kenna's appointment, along with several other key moves, highlights Trump's reliance on a loyal inner circle to implement his vision. Tim Lenderking, the Special Envoy for Yemen, is expected to take over as interim head of the Near East Affairs bureau, while Joel Rayburn, a Trump administration veteran, is tipped to lead as assistant secretary for the same region. The mass resignations have sparked outrage among Democrats and some foreign policy experts, who warn of a potential brain drain in the State Department. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed concern over the loss of institutional knowledge. 'These non-partisan public servants have decades of experience under both Republican and Democratic administrations. They are critical to U.S. national security,' Shaheen said in a recent statement. Yet, Trump's team appears undeterred, with sources confirming that dozens of 'senior bureau officials' are being installed to ensure alignment with the administration's priorities. As the State Department undergoes one of the most significant leadership upheavals in recent history, Trump's critics argue that this is a dangerous experiment in consolidating power. However, supporters contend that it's a necessary step to ensure the government's foreign policy apparatus is truly working in the nation's best interest. With a loyal cadre of appointees now at the helm, the stage is set for Trump to reshape US foreign policy - whether the world is ready for it or not. Welcome to MAGALAND: White House insiders reveal whats really going on behind the scenes in the new Trump administration. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. A prisoner can be seen snorting a substance from his cell table in footage filmed inside Britain's largest prison that was shared on Instagram. The video, filmed inside HMP Oakwood in Staffordshire, shows the inmate leaning over and sniffing the substance as a man next to him stands up and starts laughing. The short clip was captioned 'Had a sh** day' alongside two laughing emojis, and first appeared on Instagram late last year. Bosses at the Category C prison, which is privately run by G4S, have now placed both men on report - meaning they will face a hearing to decide if they are guilty of an offence. A spokesman for the prison said illicit contraband is 'not tolerated' at the site, which can house up to 1,605 prisoners. The video, filmed inside HMP Oakwood in Staffordshire, shows the inmate leaning over and sniffing the substance as a man next to him stands up and starts laughing The short clip was captioned 'Had a sh** day' alongside two laughing emojis, and first appeared on Instagram late last year Drug use is rife in many British prisons, with an inspection of HMP Winchester published today finding 41 per cent of inmates had tested positive in random drug testing. However, Oakwood has generally been bucking the trend, with Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, describing it as the best in the country. In particular, he praised the jails drug recovery wing, and the incentive scheme it uses to encourage good behaviour. In other prisons he has inspected, Mr Taylor has described how drugs were fuelling violence, with dealers attacking users in debt to them. Many of these drugs enter prisons via drones, with Mr Taylor warning in earlier inspections of HMP Manchester and HMP Garth that prison bosses had 'ceded the airspace above two high-security prisons to organised crime gangs'. Electronic forcefields that can block drones are now being evaluated by Home Office experts after being used at a prison in Guernsey, according to reports. The technology works by detecting drones within a 50 metre radius of the outer walls and activates a 'sky fence' which blocks signals between the drone and the operator. Drug use is rife in many British prisons. However, Oakwood has generally been bucking the trend At HMP Garth in Lancashire more than a dozen cells had holes in their windows, which had been burnt by inmates using the element from their kettles. They then use mops and brooms to haul in illicit substances hanging down from drones hovering outside. HMP Garth houses 816 prisoners mostly serving long or indeterminate sentences and is intended to be a training prison that provides education for inmates. However, it was unable to fulfill this role due to many prisoners being locked in their cells for much of the day in an attempt to reduce rampant violence. HMP Manchester, formerly known as Strangeways, is getting extra staff and 'bolstered security measures', including netting to stop drugs being flown into the jail by drone. Prisons minister Lord Timpson said Manchester the scene of a major riot in 1990 will have new CCTV and anti-drone netting installed. A spokesperson for HMP Oakwood said: 'Illicit contraband is not tolerated in prison and those found with them may face extra time in custody.' The former president of New York's Columbia University who resigned following outrage over her handling of anti-Israel protests on campus last summer has been appointed chair of the Victoria and Albert Museum in Britain. Minouche Shafik's controversial appointment in one of Britain's most prized culture posts comes less than six months after she was forced to step down from Columbia University as protests against Israel brought the Ivy League college to a standstill. Her resignation came just a week after three of her deans quit over a leaked text message exchange which mocked concerns about anti-Semitism. Baroness Shafik, who was appointed to the House of Lords in 2020, will become the next chair of the V&A until at least December 2029. Her new role, handed to her by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, could prove to be controversial among Jewish donors to the V&A, according to several culture sector figures who spoke to Sky News. In April 2024, Baroness Shafik authorised New York Police Department (NYPD) officers to swarm the Columbia University campus, a controversial move that led to around 100 students being arrested. The chaotic scenes marked the first time that mass arrests had been made on the campus since Vietnam War protests more than five decades ago. It also led to the breakout of protests across dozens of other colleges across the US and Canada. Four months after the Gaza protests, Baroness Shafik stepped down, saying she had overseen a 'period of turmoil where it has been difficult to overcome divergent views across our community'. Minouche Shafik has been appointed chair of the Victoria and Albert Museum in Britain It comes less than six months after she resigned following outrage over her handling of Gaza protests on campus. Here, students lock arms and chant as they braced for NYPD officers 'This period has taken a considerable toll on my family, as it has for others in our community,' she added. Columbia was rocked in April and May last year as protesters occupied parts of the New York City campus in opposition to Palestinian civilian deaths in Gaza, resulting in hundreds of arrests. The demonstrators denounced Baroness Shafik for calling police onto campus to halt the demonstrations, while pro-Israel supporters castigated her for failing to crack down sufficiently. Baroness Shafik, an Egyptian-born economist who holds British and U.S. nationality, was previously deputy governor of the Bank of England, president of the London School of Economics and deputy managing director at the International Monetary Fund. After leading Columbia for little more than a year, Shafik said she would return to the British House of Lords and chair a review of the government's approach to international development. Her position at Columbia was undermined when pro-Palestinian protesters set up dozens of tents on the main lawn. On April 18 2024, she took the unusual step of asking New York police to enter campus, angering rights groups, students and faculty, after encampments were not cleared voluntarily. More than 100 people were arrested and the tents removed, but within days the encampment was back in place. Pro-Palestine students launched a series of protests on campus last year amid the war in Gaza Members of the NYPD detain protesters from the pro-Palestinian protest encampment Members of the NYPD arrest protesters blocking the entrance to Columbia University The university called police back in on April 30, when they arrested 300 people at and near Columbia and the City College of New York. Some protesters were injured. Donations began to dry up as wealthy benefactors reacted with disgust to the protests, and Shafik herself was widely criticized after appearing before Congress where she refused to say whether the phrase 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free', should be considered anti-Semitic. Her resignation came following leaked text messages from three deans which mocked concerns about anti-Semitism. The texting occurred during a meeting in May last year at the Ivy League school in which Jewish students described the anti-Semitism that they were experiencing on campus in the wake of Hamas' brutal assault on Israel on October 7. The trio were put on leave, according to a letter from Shafik and University Provost Angela Olinto that was sent to members of the school community after the texts emerged in June. The three in question were former Associate Dean for Student and Family Support Matthew Patashnick, Vice Dean and Chief Administrative Officers Susan Chang-Kim and former Dean of Undergraduate Student Life Cristen Kromm. The meeting was titled Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present and Future. It took place on May 31. The text messages that were publicly released include Chang-Kim's words: 'Comes from such a place of privilege hard to hear the woe is me, we need to huddle at the Kraft center. Huh??' Kromm responded: 'Amazing what $ can do,' while talking about an op-ed that was published in the school's Columbia Spectator newspaper. The messages were later published as part of an investigation by the House Committee on Education and Workforce. Dean of Columbia College Josef Sorett was also on the text thread but did not participate as much. 'This incident revealed behavior and sentiments that were not only unprofessional, but also, disturbingly touched on ancient anti-Semitic tropes,' Shafik told the school's community at the time. 'Whether intended as such or not, these sentiments are unacceptable and deeply upsetting, conveying a lack of seriousness about the concerns and the experiences of members of our Jewish community that is antithetical to our University's values and the standards we must uphold in our community.' The controversial handling of the protests came as pro-Gaza encampments were set up across universities in the US and UK too following Israel's incursion in response to the Hamas October 7 attacks. On her latest appointment, Baroness Shafik said: 'I am thrilled to be taking on the chair of a family of museums that put creativity at the centre of everything. The V&A brings the fruits of human ingenuity to the public and inspires everyone to appreciate and create the things that express our humanity. 'I look forward to working with the Director, fellow trustees and all the staff of the museums to do even more to bring beauty, challenge and innovation into all of our lives.' She will replace the museum's interim chair Nigel Webb, who had held the role since November 2023. The government's flagship counter-terror scheme is facing an overhaul after failing to stop at least five killers in recent years - including Southport murderer Axel Rudakubana. Sir Keir Starmer has said work to review the Prevent scheme will start now rather than waiting for the end of the public inquiry into the Southport stabbings, which saw three children knifed to death at a dance class in July. Rudakubana was referred to the Prevent scheme three times - a fact Sir Keir said he knew in the wake of the attack but chose not to share with the public because of the fear that it could prejudice a potential trial. The 18-year-old's decision to plead guilty on the first day of his trial yesterday has prompted a fresh wave of criticism of Prevent after a series of killings by perpetrators who had previously been referred to the scheme. They include Plymouth gunman Jake Davison, who murdered five people during a 12-minute rampage through the city in August 2021. The 22-year-old, who was obsessed with guns and online 'intel' culture, was referred to his Prevent scheme by his mother Maxine in November 2016. He went on to fatally shoot her before going on to kill Sophie Martyn, three, her father, Lee, 43, Stephen Washington, 59, and Kate Shepherd, 66. ISIS fanatic Ali Harbi Ali, who fatally stabbed Tory MP Sir David Amess outside a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in 2021, was referred to Prevent in 2014 before his case was closed a year later due to the belief he did not pose a serious threat. Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was referred to the Prevent scheme three times Others referred to the programme include Plymouth gunman Jake Davison , who murdered five people during a 12-minute rampage through the city in August 2021 Afterwards, Sir David's daughter, Katie, condemned the fact that her father's killer was known to the authorities before his case was closed due to an 'admin error' and insisted Prevent 'isn't fit for purpose'. 'We know the guy did it,' she told The Sunday Times. 'I just want to know how and why he was allowed to What has been changed to ensure that this never happens again and that another family doesn't have to go through the absolute heartbreak and trauma that has just shattered our world? 'My father gave 40 years of his life, day in, day out, to his people and his country. He is owed the decency and the respect to find out where he was failed.' Libyan terrorist Khairi Saadallah, 27, who murdered friends James Furlong, 36, Dr David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, in a Reading Park had earlier been referred to Prevent over fears he could carry out a 'London Bridge-style attack'. He was found by officials to lack a 'fixed ideology', according to reports. Another terrorist referred to Prevent was Usman Khan, 28, who fatally knifed Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, during a prisoner rehabilitation event next to London Bridge. An inquest heard his Prevent officers had 'no specific training' in handling terrorists. The Prevent Strategy was launched in 2006 under the New Labour government. The home secretary of the time, John Reid, warned Britain was facing 'probably the most sustained period of severe threat since the end of the second world war' due to a new breed of 'unconstrained international terrorists'. A year before, on July 7, 2005, four suicide bombers struck London's transport network, killing 52 people and injuring over 770 others. Prevent, which has been reformed several times since its initial launch, has the aim of stopping people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It is intended to to tackle the ideological causes of terrorism and intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation. ISIS fanatic Ali Harbi Ali, who fatally stabbed Tory MP Sir David Amess outside a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in 2021, was referred to Prevent in 2014 Reading knifeman Khairi Saadallah, 27, was referred to Prevent over fears he could carry out a 'London Bridge-style attack' Another terrorist referred to Prevent was Usman Khan, 28, who fatally knifed Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, during a prisoner rehabilitation event next to London Bridge Under the programme, local authority staff and other professionals such as doctors, teachers and social workers have a duty to flag concerns about an individual being radicalised or drawn into a terrorism. Less serious reports may be sent to council services, which could include parenting support for families whose children have been watching inappropriate videos online. Serious reports are forwarded on to Prevent's Channel stage, at which a panel of local police, healthcare specialists and social workers meeting monthly will consider the case. Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was referred three times to Prevent before murderered Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. One of the referrals is thought to follow concerns about Rudakubana's potential interest in the killing of children in a school massacre, but it was deemed that there was no counter terrorism risk. His behaviour, including his apparent interest in violence, was assessed by Prevent as potentially concerning. But he was deemed not to be motivated by a terrorist ideology or pose a terrorist danger and was therefore not considered suitable for the counter-radicalisation scheme. Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the Southport attack this summer, was first referred to Prevent in 2019 when he was 13. Two more referrals were made in 2021, all when was a school child living in Lancashire. Each time he was assessed as not being a counter terrorism risk and therefore not suitable for further investigation by the counter-radicalisation programme Channel, which handles Prevent referrals where there is a significant risk of that person being drawn into terrorism. Sir Keir Starmer has said work to review the Prevent will start now rather than waiting for the end of the public inquiry into the Southport stabbings Prevent was launched by the New Labour government following the 7/7 bombings in London The home secretary of the time, John Reid, warned Britain was facing 'probably the most sustained period of severe threat since the end of the second world war' due to a new breed of 'unconstrained international terrorists' The Mail has learnt that experts dismissed the case as they were reassured that he was already getting help from other services, including mental health services. It has been increasingly common for teenagers to be involved with Prevent, with more under-18s being referred per year than at any point since recent records began - although the number who are then judged as needing help has fallen. A total of 3,918 people under the age of 18 in England and Wales were referred to Prevent in 2023/24, according to Home Office figures. This is up from 3,773 in 2022/23 and is the highest number for this age group since current data began in 2016/17. While the number of under-18s referred to Prevent has risen in recent years, the numbers discussed at a Channel panel and adopted as a Channel case have both fallen. There were 526 under-18s discussed at a Channel panel in 2023/24, down from 655 the previous year and the lowest number since current data began in 2016/17 (609). Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced an inquiry into Rudakubana's case yesterday evening, saying the country needed 'independent answers' on Prevent and other agencies' contact with the 'extremely violent' Rudakubana and 'how he came to be so dangerous'. And addressing the nation today, Sir Keir suggested a new approach to tackling terrorism was necessary due to a new threat from 'extreme violence carried out by loners [and] misfits' after being radicalised in their bedrooms. 'The predominant threat was highly organised groups with clear political intent - groups like al Qaida,' he said. 'That threat, of course, remains but now alongside that we also see acts of extreme violence perpetrated by loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom accessing all manner of material online - desperate for notoriety, sometimes inspired by traditional terrorist groups, but fixated on that extreme violence, seemingly for its own sake.' The PM continued: 'My concern in this case is we have clearly got an example of extreme violence, individualised violence, that we have to protect our children from and our citizens from. 'It is a new threat, it's not what we would have usually thought of as terrorism when definitions were drawn up, when guidelines were put in place, when the framework was put in place and we have to recognise that here today.' Your browser does not support iframes. He said the law and framework for responding needed to be appropriate to the 'new threat' and whatever changes were necessary in the law would be made. Sir Keir continued: 'I do think it's new. You've seen versions of it in America with some of the mass shootings in schools. 'It is not an isolated, ghastly example. It is, in my view, an example of a different kind of threat and that is why I'm absolutely so determined that we will rise to that challenge and make sure that our law, our response, is capable, appropriate and can deal with that sort of threat. 'But that is my concern, that is my thinking that this is a new threat - individualised extreme violence, obsessive, often following online viewing of material from all sorts of different sources. 'It is not a one-off. It is something that we all need to understand and have a shared undertaking to deal with within our society. 'That is not just the laws on terrorism, the framework on terrorism, it's also the laws on what we can access online. 'We still have rules in place in this country about what you can see at a cinema and yet online you can access no end of material. 'We have to ensure that we can rise to this new challenge and that is what I'm determined to do.' Addressing the inquiry which was announced yesterday, Sir Keir said failures of state institutions in Rudakubana's case 'frankly leap off the page'. He said: 'As part of the inquiry launched by the Home Secretary yesterday, I will not let any institution of the state deflect from their failure - failure which in this case, frankly, leaps off the page. Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, was one of the three children killed in the knife attack in Southport Bebe King, six, was also killed in the knife attack at The Hart Space in Southport 'For example, the perpetrator was referred to the Prevent programme on three separate occasions - in 2019 once and in 2021 twice. 'Yet, on each of these occasions, a judgment was made that he did not meet the threshold for intervention - a judgment that was clearly wrong and which failed those families. And I acknowledge that here today.' Speaking today, the Government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall KC, agreed that Prevent needed to change 'because of the Internet'. 'I think a review of Prevent and the mechanisms that exist for dealing with people who are obsessed by violence but not necessarily obsessed by ideology,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'I mean, you've got to go back to the 2000s, so there were the terrible 7/7 attacks on the London transport system, and the real threat there was Islamist terrorism coming from al Qaeda, which was group based. There was an emir, a leader. 'There were preachers, and there was this radicalising ideology, and the idea was you'd scoop up people who were obsessed by this sort of ideology, de-radicalise them, and that would help the public. 'But we're living in a different world now, which is the internet world, where people don't go to individuals. They're not part of groups. They go to the computer, and they sometimes get a whole mix of stuff, and sometimes, I'm afraid, they just become obsessed by violence.' Shadow home secretary Chris Philp called for all the recommendations of the Shawcross review to be enacted. Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was among the three little girls killed in the attack in Southport He told Times Radio: 'There was quite a comprehensive review of Prevent by William Shawcross that was published in February of last year... So, one question I'll be asking the Government is whether they plan to implement the recommendations in the Shawcross report. 'I think it's just important the inquiry looks at all of this, gets to the truth both about what happened beforehand, but critically also the Government's response afterwards, and what they knew when and whether they should have put more information into the public domain. Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, will be sentenced on Thursday. He is not expected to receive a whole life order because he was 17 at the time of the murders. The measures can normally only be imposed on criminals aged 21 or over, and are usually only considered for those aged 18 to 20 in exceptional circumstances. Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff, also admitted the attempted murders of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. He further pleaded guilty to possessing a knife on the date of the attack, production of a biological toxin, ricin, on or before July 29, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism. The terrorism offence relates to a PDF file entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual, which he is said to have possessed between August 29 2021 and July 30 2024. The ricin, a deadly poison, and the document were found during searches of the home in Old School Close which he shared with his parents, who are originally from Rwanda. Unrest erupted across the country in the wake of the Southport attack, with mosques and hotels used for asylum seekers among the locations targeted. In the hours after the stabbing, information spread online which claimed the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK on a small boat. The day after the attack, thousands turned out for a peaceful vigil in Southport, but later a separate protest outside a mosque in the town became violent, with missiles thrown at police and vans set on fire. More than 1,000 arrests linked to disorder across the country have been made since the attack, and hundreds have been charged and jailed. Nursery school pupils are being searched for food at the start of the day as part of new hardline rules to prevent severe allergic reactions taking place in the classroom. Staff at Randolph Beresford Nursery School are acting as unofficial 'food wardens' to make sure no snacks from home are brought onto the site. Michele Barrett, the executive head teacher at the school in White City, west London, says these patrols are necessary to prevent students from coming into contact with food that could trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction. After witnessing several children experience an anaphylactic shock during her 17 year career, Ms Barrett decided to implement the draconian measures to negate the risk. In the modern age, it is not uncommon for a classroom to have three or four children who have an allergy to foods including wheat, nuts or dairy. But few have taken measures quite as drastic as this early years centre - which caters for children aged one to five. Ms Barrett told The Times that the school had struggled to deal with the growing number of parents 'turning up with croissants and brioches' at the school gates each morning. The head described this trend as the 'parental need to provide a snack for their children the minute they leave for school'. Michele Barrett, the executive head teacher at the school in White City, west London , says these patrols are necessary to prevent students from coming into contact with food that could trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction In the modern age, it is not uncommon for a classroom to have three or four children who have an allergy to foods including wheat, nuts or dairy (file image) 'The children have breakfast, snacks in the morning, lunch, snacks in the afternoon, they eat all day long... so keeping that outside the building requires constant vigilance,' Ms Barrett said. The school has contributed to a new education programme called Allergy School, which aims to ensure that all children with food allergies are safe whilst in the classroom. Ms Barrett says she is 'constantly talking to parents and reminding them of the risks' of food within a learning environment. And nursery schools must be extra vigilant because children arrive with no allergies and develop or discover them during their time there, she added. In one example, a little boy with a gluten allergy was hospitalised after he breathed in some flour that was being sprinkled on to play dough by staff on the other side of the classroom. Ms Barrett said: 'He had a huge reaction. He was struggling to breathe immediately and was gasping and had slightly blue lips. 'We used two EpiPens and called an ambulance. He was hospitalised for five days and they discovered he had a wheat allergy and a couple of others.' Following that shocking incident, the school stopped making dough on the days the child was in and switched to gluten-free flour when they did. Staff at Randolph Beresford Nursery School (pictured) are acting as unofficial 'food wardens' to make sure no snacks from home are brought onto the site According to research by Imperial College London, hospital admissions for reactions to food tripled in Britain in the two decades between 1998 and 2018. This rise is driven mainly by children, with the average age of a person admitted to hospital for an adverse food reaction having fallen in the past ten years from 19 to 13. Many suggest this spike is due to a better awareness of allergies, but other theories include babies getting less contact with nature and being delayed in getting solid foods. In March last year, the mother of a boy who died of a food allergy said schools are putting children 'at risk' by not doing enough to manage the dangers. Benedict Blythe, five, who was allergic to dairy, eggs, peanuts, sesame and chickpeas, tragically collapsed at school in Stamford, Lincolnshire, just hours after 'opening his advert calendar' and going off to classes 'happy and healthy'. His mother Helen, who set up the Benedict Blythe Foundation in her son's memory, demanded stronger legislation, claiming that current measures to protect children with allergies are 'not good enough'. Schools have a statutory duty to support pupils with medical conditions, the Department for Education states. Their guidance says children with medical conditions such as allergies must not be prevented from 'staying for normal school activities, including lunch'. This means that the needs of the pupils need to be met at all times, even if the school have to adapt their menus at short notice. Jan Parnell, director of education at Narf, said: 'We want to end the challenges faced by children with food allergies so that they can be fully involved in all activities in and out of school. We would urge all schools to use our resources when they are launched.' Horrific footage shows a mouse running around a 'disgusting' hospital ward after patients complained the building is infested with rodents. Daniel Hendron, 32, filmed a large adult mouse scurrying under his bed at Walsall Manor Hospital in the early hours of Monday. The father-of-three says patients are kept awake by the mice 'screeching' at each other at night while some nurses are too scared to step foot on the ward. When the builder complained to hospital staff, he claims nurses told him they reported a mice infestation as far back as November last year. Mr Hendron, who has been in the hospital with a leg infection since January 13, said: 'The mice are everywhere. I've got an open wound, how can this be a safe or hygienic place for me? 'There are at least five to six mice at any one time. They come through the radiators and through holes in the walls. It's hell. 'It's normally anytime from 10pm onwards. I can't even walk to he toilet, I have to wee in a pot because I don't want a mouse running up my leg. Daniel Hendron, 32, filmed a large adult mouse scurrying under his bed at Walsall Manor Hospital in the early hours of Monday Mr Hendron described how mice come out at night on the ward and can be heard 'screeching' at each other Mr Hendron added that there have been reports of mice on at least one other ward, with staff telling him they have been complaining about the issue since November 'I asked the staff to spray and mop the floor, but it hasn't made any difference. The mice keep coming back.' Mr Hendron added that there have been reports of mice on at least one other ward, with staff telling him they have been complaining about the issue since November. He reported the mice often run under his bed, continuing: 'I'm exhausted because it's impossible to get any sleep. I'm worried I'll wake up and find a mouse chewing my leg. 'I can't believe a UK hospital in the 21st century is infested with mice and patients have to live it with. 'I don't sleep next to mice and when I've a leg infected, I expect a clean ward.' Mr Hendron said he has repeatedly told staff about the mice and has posted regular videos on Facebook showing them running around patients' beds and under medical equipment. 'At night the mice come out to play. We're not talking one, two or three mice, they are running round everywhere,' he said. Mr Hendron added: 'Staff are that scared they don't come to you to bring you medication. Mr Hendron has been in hospital with an infected leg since January 13 Mr Hendron reported that some staff were so scared of the mice they would not set foot in the ward Mr Hendron said he and other patients are unable to sleep due to the noise Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust apologised for any distress caused and said it had taken action against the rodents 'Some of the nurses stand in the foyer of the ward and we have to move to them to get the medicine ourselves. 'The nurses are so scared of being in the ward for too long they don't shut the curtains around your bay when you want the toilet. 'Instead they grab people's crutches or walking frames to try and pull the curtain shut because they're too scared to be in there.' Daniel said he had begged the nurses to move him to a different ward but they 'say there's nothing they can do'. Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust apologised for any distress caused. A spokesperson said: 'Pest control measures in place, alongside rigorous infection prevention and control processes. 'Our teams have dealt with this issue and, in addition, we have increased cleaning in the affected areas as well as checked for any potential access holes.' JK Rowling has spoken out in support of Donald Trump's crackdown on transgender and gender identity rights following his return to the White House. The Harry Potter author claimed 'the Left' had overseen a 'calamity' with their 'embrace of gender identity ideology' as she backed the US President's action. Following his inauguration yesterday, Mr Trump signed a flurry of executive orders including the pardoning of US Capitol rioters and exiting the Paris climate agreement. He also ruled that the US will only recognise two sexes - male and female - which are 'not changeable', and demanded officials use the term 'sex' rather than 'gender'. His order mandates ID documents - such as passports and visas - be based on 'an individual's immutable biological classification as either male or female'. And federal agencies were urged to end funding to promote 'gender ideology'. LGBTQ+ rights groups vowed to fight back against Mr Trump's actions, but he found a supporter in Rowling. Following his inauguration yesterday, US President Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders LGBTQ+ rights groups vowed to fight back against Mr Trump's actions, but he found a supporter in JK Rowling The Harry Potter author now dedicates much of her time to clashing with people online about gender issues The writer, who now dedicates much of her time to clashing with people online about gender issues, posted on X about the US President's order. She wrote: 'A noisy part of the Left still refuses to step outside their sex-is-a-social-construct bubble and acknowledge that their embrace of gender identity ideology has been a calamity. 'They were warned the right was capitalising on their betrayal of women and girls. They didn't listen.' In response to Mr Trump's action on his first day back in the White House, Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said: 'We refuse to back down or be intimidated. 'We are not going anywhere, and we will fight back against these harmful provisions with everything we've got.' A major Queensland probe will investigate whether the previous state government failed to prevent Australia's worst paedophile offending. In November last year, Ashley Paul Griffith, 46, pleaded guilty to more than 300 heinous sex crimes committed over two decades at daycares in Brisbane. The Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) will investigate the Palaszcuk government's failure to implement dozens of recommendations from a 2017 review. Principal Commissioner Luke Twyford will receive special powers to access confidential police reports to investigate gaps in Queensland's child protection system. The review will investigate the timeline of Griffith's offending to 'understand what laws, policies, procedures and practices could or should have enabled earlier identification, investigation and prosecution'. It will scour his employment history, residences, and any reports pertaining to his conduct at the 11 daycare centres he worked for in Brisbane. 'As a first step, I will be seeking information from the Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police Service and our Department of Education, and that will enable us to produce a chronology of the offending that has occurred, including the places and the employers where the failures may need to be looked into,' Mr Twyford said at a press conference on Tuesday. 'I am particularly concerned about how we prevent child sexual exploitation in Australia, as well as how we identify, detect and respond to it, ensuring that our blue card system is part of a broader safeguarding system that includes reportable conduct and a child safety standard system, as recommended by the Royal Commission in 2017.' Queensland Family and Child Commission principal commissioner Luke Twyford said he has been granted special powers to investigate the government's handling of child safety The disturbed predator filed an appeal to his life sentence in December, with lawyers arguing the paedophile's punishment was manifestly excessive Ashley Paul Griffith, 46, pleaded guilty to more than 300 disturbing sex crimes in November Victims and their families are due to be invited to submit to the review and describe occasions where policy, procedure, legislation and government responses were inadequate or sluggish. Griffiths pleaded guilty to 307 offences last year. The offences included 28 counts of rape, 190 counts of indecently treating a child in his care, and 15 counts of maintaining a sexual relationship with a child. They also included 67 counts of making child-exploitation material and several various other offences dated to 2003. In 2017, the Queensland government launched a Blue Card review after the killing of foster child Tiahleigh Palmer. However, the government acted upon merely 56 of the report's 81 recommendations. The QFCC will determine whether the remaining recommendations would have impacted Mr Griffith's ability to offend. Queensland Premier David Crisfulli said the inquiry would identify system failings and deliver recommendations required to improve Queensland's child protection system framework. State Premier David Crisafulli said the final report would deliver recommendations to improve Queensland's child protection framework Victims' parents said their first reports of Griffith's offending fell on deaf ears 'This Inquiry is what is needed to bring child protection weaknesses into the light and protect children from the danger lurking in the shadows,' Premier Crisafulli said. 'When parents drop their children off at childcare or school, they want to know that everything is being done to protect their kids. 'We must leave no stone unturned in identifying weaknesses across government that are failing keeping children safe and implement the reform thats urgently needed.' Mr Twyford said the details of the eventual report will be made available to the public. 'Our findings will be released publicly, and we will release public progress reports throughout the review period to ensure transparency and to provide the public with confidence in the process,' he said. Griffith abused 69 girls while working at Queensland daycares. He was taken into custody in August 2022 after police were able to identify a Brisbane childcare centre from bedsheets seen in videos he had uploaded to the dark web in 2014. Parents of kids at one childcare centre where he worked were furious and said they had raised concerns about him but were accused of sexism. One mother said she complained about Griffith the first week he started at the centre. 'He wasn't wearing a uniform, didn't introduce himself to parents and was just staring at the kids. I thought he must be one of the dads,' she said. But her complaint fell on deaf ears, with the owner allegedly accusing her of gender bias and asking if the centre was 'the right place for you and your family'. Griffith also boasted about his childcare experience and discussed how he helped children 'develop their identities' in a now-deleted online profile. 'I love engaging children in meaningful experiences that inspire their play and learning,' the paedophile wrote. 'I am particularly fascinated by how children use creative languages such as drawing, building, painting and music to express themselves and develop their identity.' At his sentencing in November last year, Judge Paul Smith imposed a life sentence with a non-parole period of 27 years and said Griffith was 'depraved and has a high risk of reoffending'. Griffith filed an appeal for the sentence on December 20 last year, as his lawyers argued his sentence was manifestly excessive. He is also facing fresh charges in NSW, involving 23 alleged victims in Sydney. Keir Starmer finally used the Downing Street briefing room today after boycotting it until 80,000 was spent removing 'Tory blue' paint. More than six months after becoming PM, Sir Keir held a press conference in the venue to talk about the Southport case. The room, in No9, was redecorated during December to replace blue panels that had formed the backdrop to the stage with wood. The blue carpet on the stage has also been swapped for one in grey. The PM's official spokesman has previously described the changes as a 'one-off refresh' 'to restore the room to a politically neutral setting'. It has routinely hosted the daily Lobby briefings but Downing Street has refused to allow any images to be published up until now. The cost of the revamp is understood to have been around 80,000. More than six months after becoming PM, Keir Starmer held a press conference in the venue to talk about the Southport case The PM's official spokesman has previously described the changes as a 'one-off refresh' 'to restore the room to a politically neutral setting' (pictured, the room pre-revamp) The room, in No9, was redecorated during December to replace blue panels that had formed the backdrop to the stage with wood The blue carpet on the stage has also been swapped for one in grey 'The panelling restores the room back to its original state,' the PM's spokesman said previously. 'The cost is obviously a fraction of what the previous administration spent on the room.' Under Boris Johnson, the previous government spent 2.6million converting the space into a TV briefing room that opened in 2021. At the time Labour branded it a 'vanity project'. The Tories initially planned to hold White House-style on-camera daily press briefings in the room - but dropped the idea. The venue previously served as the courtroom for the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council before it moved to the Supreme Court building in 2009. Barack Obama made a cutting comment to George W. Bush as they arrived for Donald Trump's inauguration last night. The former presidents took their spots on Monday, surrounded by a host of famous political faces in Washington. Obama could be seen introducing himself, saying, 'good to see you' and 'thank you' to members of the crowd before making his way to his predecessor. Jeremy Freeman, a forensic lip reader, told DailyMail.com that it looked as though Obama appeared to ask Bush: 'How can we stop what's happening?' The 43rd president turned and chuckled to himself as the two men stood on either side of Laura Bush during the applause. The lip reader said Obama's body language made it hard to tell exactly what was said - but that from the lip patterns and context it was a plausible conclusion. Former president Barack Obama watches before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Obama leans in to speak with Bush at the event in Washington last night Bush appears to laugh as Obama delivers what appeared to be a joke Obama had arrived at the Capitol Rotunda in a jovial mood. Hours earlier, a staffer had asked Bush: 'Are you going to behave?' Obama chimed in: 'Nope.' Later, Emily Davies, a reporter for the Washington Post, asked Obama if he behaved. 'Just barely,' came the reply. Trump snubbed both when asked later in the evening which former president he would call for advice. He responded that Bill Clinton was a 'very interesting politician' and said he had a 'great political sense.' Trump said Clinton was 'disrespected' and 'not used properly.' Trump was also asked about his friendly chat with former President Barack Obama during former President Jimmy Carter's state funeral. 'We were having some crazy conversations,' he said. (L-R) George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and Obama speak after the inauguration of President Donald Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on January 20 The Clintons sit with George and Laura Bush, and Barack Obama, at the ceremony Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, appeared to chuckle as Donald Trump delivered his inauguration address, however. During his inaugural address, the president vowed to sign approximately 200 executive orders in a massive crackdown on Day One of his second term. One of his more interesting proposals is to rename or restore previous titles to landmarks and bodies of water bordering the US, including the new 'Gulf of America.' His remarks prompted laughter from his one-time political rival, Hillary Clinton, and a grin from her former president husband. Former president Bill Clinton and his wife, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, appeared to chuckle as Donald Trump delivered his inauguration address Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Trump also found a letter from Biden in the Oval Office's Resolute desk, but only after a journalist reminded him to look for it. While signing a series of executive orders, a journalist asked Trump if he'd received a letter. Trump said he didn't know and checked the desk drawers, holding up the letter for the cameras. 'Maybe we should all read it together,' Trump said before setting it aside. He said he'll read it himself before sharing it publicly. The letter's envelope has '47' handwritten in what looks like pencil and underlined. Trump's swearing-in ceremony moved indoors due to intense cold. After being inaugurated, he attended a parade in his honor at Capital One Arena and signed a number of executive orders and pardons for his supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The former presidents depart after the inauguration The blossoming relationship between Trump and Elon Musk was also on full display throughout Monday's inauguration ceremonies. Musk sat near Trump during the ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, and he pumped his fists when the president promoted the goal of putting American astronauts on Mars. The moment sharply illustrated the unusual partnership the billionaire tech titan, who has lucrative contracts with the federal government, has established with the incoming president. Musk was accused of giving a Nazi salute while addressing a crowd at a MAGA rally. Musk later took to his social media platform X to defend himself, stating that his opponents needed 'better dirty tricks' and that 'the 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired'. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, also in attendance, was blasted meanwhile for seemingly staring down Lauren Sanchez's revealing top. Eagle-eyed viewers took to social media to accuse the Meta CEO of repeatedly staring at the 55-year-old's chest, as they sat in the Capitol Rotunda ahead of the swearing-in ceremony. In a widely shared video on social media, Zuckerberg can be seen glancing down at Sanchez, who wore a bold outfit which consisted of white lace lingerie, to the service. 'Eyes up Zuck,' one post on X, formerly Twitter, cheekily read. Welcome to MAGALAND: White House insiders reveal whats really going on behind the scenes in the new Trump administration. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. A detective who worked on Scotland's most high-profile unsolved murder has had his house raided by police amid a major probe into a suspected data leak. The Mail on Sunday told last year how the family of Nairn banker Alistair Wilson had made an official complaint that they had been lied to by police over a planned arrest date in the 20-year unsolved doorstep killing. It can now be disclosed that, during the probe into that complaint, an audio recording - of a top-level meeting of detectives discussing the Wilson case - was posted anonymously to police. In a development which has stunned his former colleagues, a former detective has been questioned this month by officers trying to trace the recording's source. Officers from the professional standards department raided his house on January 7 as part of an ongoing investigation into the clip. Peter Bleksley, a former Met detective who has investigated and written a book on Mr Wilson's murder, said: 'I am very surprised to hear of this development as one would hope that, instead of investigating each other, all of Police Scotland's focus would be on looking for Alistair's killer. 'That they can find the time to search the house of a former officer when they have yet to search that of any suspect is a lamentable situation.' Police are investigating the source of the 'leaked' audio file, which it is alleged was obtained covertly and without the knowledge of the senior officers involved, including Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Livingstone, who was the subject of the complaint by Mr Wilson's family. Alistair Wilson with his wife Veronica and their two young sons Their complaint, that Mr Livingstone, had lied to them by denying that a date, in May 2023, had been set for an arrest of a suspect, was upheld last year. It is understood the audio recording was used as key evidence to support the family's complaint against Mr Livingstone. Father-of-two Mr Wilson was shot dead on his doorstep in November 2004 in a crime which shocked Scotland. Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain, KC, announced a cold case reinvestigation last year into Mr Wilson's unsolved murder. That, in turn, led to a statement from his family in which they stated they had no confidence in police. They also hit out after Chief Constable Jo Farrell refused to meet them to discuss the case. The family met First Minister John Swinney this month, who told them he hoped the new investigation would prove successful in their search for justice. For years, police failed to make any significant progress or even establish a motive. More recent inquiries saw detectives travel to Canada to interview a witness. Police also declared that the motive was believed to be linked to a row over decking being constructed at the Havelock Hotel, across from Mr Wilson's house. A Police Scotland spokesman said: Officers from the professional standards department searched a property in the Aberdeenshire area as part of an ongoing investigation. Inquiries continue. A landscape architect has won more than 60,000 after her boss said she was 'silly' for complaining about being discriminated against. Council project manager Mary Karooma-Brooker was found to have been the victim of 'tokenistic treatment' when her employees asked her to be on an interview panel. She had been invited by the Royal Borough of Greenwich's parks department so they could show off how diverse they were without allowing her to give 'substantive' input. The experienced local authorities worker, from Uganda, had raised concerns about her treatment after an equality and diversity training session but they were brushed off, an employment tribunal heard. Mrs Karooma-Brooker also claimed she was given work she was overqualified for and said she was the victim of 'microagressions' including a colleague 'failing to acknowledge her presence'. The project manager has now successfully sued the Royal Borough of Greenwich in south east London for racial discrimination and victimisation. The tribunal found there was 'widespread use of racially stereotypical language' towards Mrs Karooma-Brooker and that her boss had 'minimised' her race concerns. She has now been awarded 20,000 in compensation for injury to feelings and 43,773.15 for loss of earnings. Council project manager Mary Karooma-Brooker was found to have been the victim of 'tokenistic treatment' when her employees asked her to be on an interview panel. The project manager has now successfully sued the Royal Borough of Greenwich (pictured) in south east London for racial discrimination and victimisation The tribunal, held in Croydon, London, heard that Mrs Karooma-Brooker worked for the Royal Borough of Greenwich as a junior project manager in the parks department. In August 2018 she first raised concerns about racism with her manager, Lisa Lawrence, following equality and diversity training but Ms Lawrence denied that there was any discrimination and called Mrs Karooma-Brooker 'silly'. This came after a landscape project managed by Mrs Karooma-Brooker where colleagues did not co-operate with her and failed to attend meetings she organised until she was eventually asked to hand the project back to Ms Lawrence and another co-worker. In June 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Mrs Karooma-Brooker contacted her team via WhatsApp and email to discuss racial issues at work and sent around reading materials on Black Lives Matter. When she returned to work after the pandemic she experienced microaggressions with co-workers ignoring her and not directing anything to her, the tribunal heard. Later that year Mrs Karooma-Brooker was on a site visit to work out where to put a water fountain when she discovered that another colleague had been asked to redesign the playground in the same park. The tribunal found she been given an element that required 'less expertise' despite having the qualifications and experience to design a kids' park. The next day she emailed senior management at the council to ask for 'immediate intervention' to address 'long-standing inequalities' in the parks department. The tribunal, held in Croydon (pictured), London, heard that Mrs Karooma-Brooker worked for the Royal Borough of Greenwich as a junior project manager in the parks department She then exchanged emails with one of the bosses, Rob Goring, who denied her experience of the incident. Throughout this period Mrs Karooma-Brooker was told that her role was being re-evaluated and she could be moved to a higher pay grade, in the three years she waited for this her white colleagues' roles were evaluated and they were given pay rises. The tribunal heard that before moving to the UK Mrs Karooma-Brooker had held a very senior role in local government managing several services. She said she took the 'very junior role' in Greenwich because she needed a job and was told there were opportunities to progress. At one point Mrs Karooma-Brooker was also asked to sit on an interview panel but was given no information aside from the date and was not allowed to 'substantively participate' in the recruitment process. The tribunal found that this was 'tokenistic treatment' contrary to the Royal Borough of Greenwich's recruitment process and that council 'wished to promote' the architect's skin colour to the interviewees. Employment Judge Ashley Fredericks-Bowyer also concluded that Mrs Karooma-Brooker had been referred to in stereotypical terms several times. As well as the 'silly' incident the project manager was referred to as a 'qualified nuisance' for raising issues; in a grievance report she was described as 'authoritarian', issues with her 'professionalism' were raised and Mrs Karooma-Brooker was described as having a 'strong personality'. Mrs Karooma-Brooker also brought a successful victimisation claim to the tribunal for the way she was treated during her grievance process including that she had to wait nine months for an outcome. EJ Fredericks-Bowyer found that Mrs Karooma-Brooker racially discriminated against and said that Ms Lawrence had minimised her experience. He said: 'Noting the pervasive elements of... the tokenistic treatment, the minimising of race by [Ms Karooma-Brooker's] line manager, and the widespread use of potentially racially stereotypical language in respect of the claimant, we consider that it is possible to conclude that the less favourable treatment was done to the claimant because of her race.' A council spokesperson said: 'The Royal Borough of Greenwich is proud to have a diverse workforce and is committed to equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We value each and every one of our staff, and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. 'We take our responsibilities extremely seriously and this is underpinned by our clear, zero tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, and victimisation of all kinds. 'Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is embedded within our corporate plan. We have a programme of mandatory staff training, and we are currently working with staff to develop an Anti-Racism Strategy. 'We are disappointed, but we are committed to taking all learning from this case to ensure everyone that works for us is treated fairly and supported to achieve their full potential in an organisation as diverse as the communities we serve.' Hamas has announced that it will release four female hostages in the next swap with Israel under the terms of a fragile truce intended to bring to an end to 15 months of war in Gaza. Desperately needed humanitarian aid has begun to flow into Gaza as Palestinians displaced by the war headed back to devastated areas of the territory, hopeful the agreement would hold. The ceasefire took effect on Sunday, and saw Israel and Hamas conduct their first exchange of hostages for prisoners. Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said that four Israeli women hostages will be freed on Saturday in exchange for a second group of Palestinian prisoners. In Washington, newly-inaugurated President Donald Trump cast doubt on whether the truce would hold. 'That's not our war; it's their war. But I'm not confident,' he said as he returned to office for a second term. Trump had claimed credit for the three-phase ceasefire agreement announced ahead of his return to the White House by Qatar and the United States, following months of fruitless negotiations under his predecessor Joe Biden. Qatar was confident in the ceasefire deal it helped mediate 'when it comes to the language of the deal, when it comes to the fact that we hashed out all the major issues on the table', its foreign minister spokesman said on Tuesday. The new US president has made clear he would support Israel, and in one of his first acts as president, he revoked sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank imposed by the Biden administration over attacks against Palestinians. Family members welcome freed Israeli hostage Doron Steinbracher after her release from Hamas captivity on Sunday Hamas fighters hand over Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher, hostages kidnapped during the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) US President Donald Trump , who claimed credit for the hard-won ceasefire agreement, said he doubted the deal would hold as he took office for a historic second term Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on his return, while far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich thanked him for lifting the sanctions. 'I look forward to working with you to return the remaining hostages, to destroy Hamas's military capabilities and end its political rule in Gaza, and to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel,' Netanyahu said. 'Mr. President, your unwavering and uncompromising support for the State of Israel is a testament to your deep connection to the Jewish people and our historical right to our land,' Smotrich wrote on X. Displaced Gazan Ghadeer Abdul Rabbo, 30, said she hopes that 'with or without Trump', the ceasefire will hold and world governments will help 'maintain this calm, because we are afraid'. If all goes to plan, during the initial, 42-day phase of the truce that began Sunday, a total of 33 hostages are to be returned from Gaza in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinians. Over those six weeks, the parties are meant to negotiate a permanent ceasefire. In Rafah, in southern Gaza, Ismail Madi said that 'we have endured immense hardships, but we will stay here. We will rebuild this place.' Three Israeli hostages, all women, were reunited with their families on Sunday after more than 15 months in captivity. Hours later, 90 Palestinian prisoners were released from an Israeli jail. Freed Palestinian prisoner Nidaa Zaghebi embraces her mother-in-law and son after her release from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap Freed Palestinian prisoner Nidaa Zaghebi embraces her daughter, Cilla, after her release from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap on Sunday In Israel, there was elation as Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher returned home and appeared to be in good health. 'In Emily's own words, she is the happiest girl in the world; she has her life back,' Damari's mother Mandy said on Monday, adding that her daughter was 'doing much better than any of us could have expected' even after losing two fingers. The first group of Palestinians released under the deal left Ofer prison in the West Bank early Monday, with jubilant crowds celebrating their arrival in the nearby town of Beitunia. One freed detainee, Abdul Aziz Muhammad Atawneh, described prison as 'hell, hell, hell'. Another, Khalida Jarrar of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - proscribed as a 'terrorist' group by Israel and some Western governments - said she had been kept 'in solitary confinement for six months'. The relatives of the three Israeli ex-hostages called for the release of the remaining 91 captives seized during Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war, including 34 the military says are dead. Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of Romi Gonen, said: 'We got our Romi back, but all families deserve the same outcome, both the living and the dead.' There was anxiety in Israel over the next phases of the truce, with columnist Sima Kadmon warning in the Yedioth Ahronoth daily that the coming hostage releases may be more painful than the first. 'Some of them will arrive on gurneys and wheelchairs. Others will arrive in coffins. Some will arrive wounded and injured, in dire emotional condition,' she wrote. In southern Gaza, Ammar Barbakh, 35, spent the truce's first night in a tent on the rubble of his home. People walk past the rubble of collapsed buildings along Saftawi street in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on January 20, 2025 'This is the first time I sleep comfortably and I'm not afraid,' he said. 'It's a beautiful feeling, and I hope the ceasefire continues.' The war has devastated much of the Gaza Strip and displaced the vast majority of its population of 2.4 million. More than 900 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered Gaza on Monday, the United Nations said. The day the deal came into force, 630 trucks entered Gaza. Qatar, which played a key role in negotiating the truce, said that 12.5 million litres of fuel would enter Gaza over the first 10 days. Hamas's October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,210 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Sunday that the death toll in the war had reached 46,913, a majority civilians, figures the United Nations has said are reliable. A group of eight men who abused a girl after plying her with alcohol and drugs have been jailed for nearly 58 years. The grooming gang targeted the young girl in the Keighley area of West Yorkshire over the course of three years in a campaign of 'wicked, vile and sordid' attacks. The men moved on the 'isolated' and 'vulnerable' girl, causing her to become dependent on addictive substances before subjecting her to a campaign of rape and sexual assault between 1996 and 1999. Police launched an investigation into the gang after the girl came forward as an adult to report the abuse. During the probe a second victim came forward to report one of the men had raped her as well. Last week three men were jailed for their part in the rape of the girls, both of whom were between 13 and 16 at the time the offences were committed. Ibrar Hussain, 47, and Imtiaz Ahmed, 62, both from Keighley, along with Fayaz Ahmed, 45, from Bingley, West Yorkshire, were sentenced for rape. They had been convicted following a month-long trial, although Imtiaz and Fayaz Ahmed were found guilty in their absence, having fled the country part way through previous court proceedings. Five other men were also jailed last year for their involvement in the appalling abuse, details of which can only be revealed now the most recent trial is over. Ibrar Hussain, 47, pictured, of Keighley was jailed for 6 and a half years Mohammed Din, 47,pictured, of Keighley was jailed for 14 years Fayaz Ahmed, 45, pictured, was given seven-and-a-half years in jail Amreaz Asghar, 47; Mohammed Din, 47; Sajid Mahmood Khan, 45; and Zehroon Razak, 47; all of Keighley, while Perwaz Asghar, 50, of Nottingham, were all jailed after a trial ended on October 20. West Yorkshire Police said all five had been convicted of offences against the first victim with the exception of Din who was convicted of raping both girls. Their crimes, in the Keighley area between 1996 and 1999, were described as 'wicked, vile and sordid' by the Crown Prosecution Service. Bradford Crown Court heard how one of the girls was 'extremely vulnerable' and 'isolated' when she was targeted, the BBC reports. When she first came forward to report the offences, an investigation was launched which later saw another victim come forward. The woman, who is now in her 40s, said had she had been listened to sooner, then 'maybe, just maybe, my life could have been different'. It was heard how the victim's mother reported her missing to police multiple times but nothing was done. She said in an impact statement the abuse she went through as a child, means now as an adult, she is still 'trying to fix the trauma that other people have inflicted on me'. Their crimes were described as 'wicked, vile and sordid' by the Crown Prosecution Service Judge Ahmed Nadim slammed the police and social services, saying they were 'either ill-equipped to properly understand what was happening' and 'uninterested in addressing their needs'. The victim described how she was 'plied with drugs and alcohol to numb the abuse' and explained how in one instance there were men 'queuing up' in the corridor of a flat to have sex with her. She said she was 'groomed' and then 'passed on to other men' and became addicted to alcohol and drugs, using them as a 'coping mechanism'. The court heard: 'Nothing in this world can ever fix the damage I have been through - because of them I lost my identity.' Hussain, who gave the girl heroin and had sex with her two times, was jailed for six and half years for two counts of rapes - which will be served concurrently. Offering mitigation for the now married father, Jayne Beckett said Hussain, who was 18 and 19 at the time of the offences, was now a 'very, very, very different man'. Meanwhile, brothers Imtiaz and Fayaz Ahmed are believe to have fled the country during a retrial last year, the court heard. They were sentenced in their absence, with Fayaz being given seven-and-a-half years while Imtaz was given nine years in his absence for one count of rape. They were jailed as part of their involvement, along with the rest, in this case The brothers were introduced to the victim through a couple who 'exercised control' over her and who 'put her out as a sex worker', Judge Nadim said. It was heard how Ahmed, thought to be 35 at the time, was a married father when he raped the girl at a vacant flat above his shop owned by his family. The Judge said his pretence of being a family and a community man was 'nothing more than just a mere pretence'. He travelled with the girl, aged either 17 or 18 and another man to either a 'school ground or some woods', where they raped her in turn. Fayaz Ahmed was sentenced to seven and a half years two counts of rape in his absence while Imtiaz Ahmed was jailed nine years after being found guilty of rape also in his absence. A bench warrant has been issued for the two by police who believe them to be abroad. Amreaz Asghar, 47, of Keighley was jailed for four and a half years for rape. Perwaz Asghar, 50, of Nottingham was jailed for six and a half years for two indecent assaults. Mohammed Din, 47, of Keighley was jailed for 14 years for 11 counts of rape. Sajid Mahmood Khan, 45, of Keighley was jailed for three years for rape. Zehroon Razak, 47, of Keighley, was jailed for six and a half years for rape. Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Greenbank, of Bradford District Police said: 'We welcome the sentences that have been handed down to these men. 'Cases such as these are incredibly sensitive and complex and it has taken years of painstaking investigation to bring them before the courts. 'I would like to take this opportunity to praise both victims for coming forward and reporting these offences to the police. Sajid Mahmood Khan, 45, pictured, of Keighley was jailed for three years 'They have both shown immense patience whilst the criminal investigation has been ongoing and courage throughout the court process. 'The abuse both girls endured robbed them of their childhood and I hope seeing these men sentenced for these horrendous offences, will give them justice and some closure. 'If anyone has suffered abuse or has concerns about someone who may be suffering abuse, I would urge them to come forward and speak to the police. We will listen to you and investigate all offences and also ensure you have access to any help or support you need. 'I hope this sends a clear message that regardless of how long ago these offences may have happened we will pursue every avenue to get justice.' Michael Quinn from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: 'The CPS is committed to pursuing justice for victims and we will prosecute those who sexually exploit children whenever our legal test is met. 'These men deliberately targeted a highly vulnerable young girl. Ibrar Hussein and another man supplied her with Class A drugs and alcohol, and she became heavily dependent. Hussein exploited the victim for his own sexual gratification. 'Fayaz Ahmed and Imtiaz Ahmed sexually exploited the victim when she was made even more vulnerable through use of drugs and alcohol. 'Their actions were wicked, vile and sordid, and the trust the victim placed in these men was violated in the most horrific of ways. 'The victim's courage throughout has been truly remarkable, and we are indebted to her for coming forward. Her evidence has led to the successful prosecution of these men. 'These convictions send a very clear message that the CPS, working alongside law enforcement colleagues, will relentlessly pursue justice for victims and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse took place. 'I encourage any victims of child sexual abuse and sexual violence to report the crimes committed against them. It is never too late to seek justice - you are not alone and there is help available' This is the horrifying moment a horse thrashed around while being blasted with hot water at a car wash, with the Polish owner now facing three years behind bars. Bizarre CCTV footage of the shocking incident shows the 43-year-old arriving at the car wash in the town of Makow Mazowiecki, Poland, in a horse-drawn carriage. He is then seen taking a high-pressure hose and cruelly dousing the distressed animal with hot water as a companion holds on to its reins. As the horse thrashes around, at one point the horse falls to the ground before rearing up on its hind legs and kicking in a partition wall. Police have since launched an investigation, tracking the man down to the nearby village of Malech. He is now facing three years in jail over potential animal abuse, after attempting to clean the animal with the vehicle washing machine. A petrol station manager near the carwash later told local media: 'I see many people come and go but this is the first time something like this has happened here. 'I am shocked by what I saw.' CCTV footage of the shocking incident shows the 43-year-old arriving at the carwash in the town of Makow Mazowiecki, Poland, in a horse-drawn carriage Then man then takes a high-pressure hose and cruelly douses the distressed animal with hot water The horse can be seen leaping up as it is sprayed with the hot pressure water He is now facing three years in jail over potential animal abuse, after attempting to clean the animal with the vehicle washing machine Social media has since been flooded by outraged viewers after images of the incident were posted online. One viewer said: 'This behavior is absolutely unacceptable! 'It is not only a manifestation of absolute ignorance, but also a clear example of cruelty.' Another said: 'This bestiality will soon be making waves and the perpetrators will receive the punishment they deserve. 'I hope that the people taking the photo report took the trouble to notify the Police.' Yet another fumed: 'This is why idiots shouldn't have animals of any kind, tighten the law, draw consequences for stupidity.' Police spokeswoman Monika Winnik said: 'The police received a report about the destruction of property at a car wash by a scared horse, whose driver washed it with a pressure washer and drove away. 'The horse destroyed hooks that secured the partition walls at the car wash.' She added: 'This behavior was highly irresponsible. A car wash is not a place to clean a horse. 'It also posed a danger to others using the facility. 'We are gathering evidence and working together with the district veterinarian.' 'Further investigations are underway.' Viagra-laced 'erectile honey' is being sold in French corner shops and online for 'recreational purposes' - despite authorities warning it could have deadly effects. There has been a huge surge in the sale of banned 'love honey', with customs officials saying they had seized tonnes of the illegally imported nectar last year. The products, which can be bought for as little as 5, are untested and could potentially contain lethal doses of prescription drugs, according to experts. Despite claiming to be an all-natural aphrodisiac, the substances contain active elements of Viagra and Cialis, which are used to treat erectile dysfunction. 'There is a risk of very serious or even fatal accidents if taken simultaneously with other medication,' Dr Alain Ducardonnet, a cardiologist, told French broadcaster BFMTV, adding that overdosing is also a risk. 'If you take too much, you risk epileptic seizures, haemorrhages or kidney problems,' he said. Pictures show seized black and yellow boxes containing the packets of honey and gels, sold as 'shots' or 'sticks' with names like Black Horse or Bio Max. The products are often sold surreptitiously in clubs and other nightlife spots, as well as widely online, with the honey reportedly becoming increasingly popular among young men. French customs officials say they had seized tonnes of the illegally imported nectar last year Pictures show seized black and yellow boxes containing the packets of honey and gels, sold as 'shots' or 'sticks' with names like Black Horse or Bio Max 'Following a trend, a younger public are going for this in a big way, thinking they can match the performances to be found on porn sites,' a police officer told Le Figaro newspaper. In France, men suffering with erectile dysfunction can easily get medication if they attend a medical consultation, with warnings that people should seek out prescriptions from registered professionals rather than self-medicating. 'As the amount of adulteration is unknown, and the doses consumed are neither recommended nor quantified, consumers are taking considerable risks by taking this type of adulterated honey, especially as there is no mention of dosage, contra-indications or adverse effects on the sachets,' France's customs agency said in a statement. Largely coming from Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia and Thailand, the illicit products 'arrive by sea, in containers in large quantities, or by express freight, in smaller volumes, following purchases on the internet,' the statement said. French customs said they had seized vast amounts of the products after checks on 31,000 tonnes of honey consignments mainly entering by ship from these countries. In November, officials at the port of Marseille seized a record 13.9 tons of aphrodisiac honey from Malaysia - enough of the product to sell around 860,000 doses. French customs said they had seized vast amounts of the products after checks on 31,000 tonnes of honey consignments Police have also seized consignments in the Paris region and elsewhere, with officers in Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand uncovering more than 238kg - nearly 25,000 doses - from a storage box. The product began to flood the French market around 2019, according to Le Figaro. Prices range from 30 (25) per pot to 50 (42) for 10 sachets of 15-30g each, The Telegraph reports, and they are often sold in shops that also sell illicit cigarettes and drugs. Already in 2021, health authorities had warned of several cases where the honey had caused convulsions, cerebral oedemas or acute kidney injuries. The chair of a major inquiry into grooming gangs lashed out at the political 'weaponisation of child sexual abuse today. Professor Alexis Jay said she was 'concerned' by the rhetoric around historic attacks on teenage girls, many of them by groups of British Asian men, in recent weeks. She spoke as she faced MPs today about her work examining the crimes carried out by gangs in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, between 1997 and 2013. Prof Jay led the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation (IICSA) which made a 'conservative estimate' that around 1,400 children were sexually exploited in those 16 years. It came after weeks in which Elon Musk, the X owner and adviser to president Trump, has accused Sir Keir Starmer and other ministers of turning a blind eye to abuse. His attacks were taken up by UK politicians including Reform leader Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch, the new Tory leader. Asked about calls for a new national inquiry into grooming gangs at the Home Affairs Committee today, Prof Jay said attacked the previous Tory government for failing to implement the recommendations of her 2022 report. 'The over-riding concern is ''just get it done'' at this point. I have had a huge number of requests for media interviews and I really felt very concerned at the weaponisation, if you like, of child sexual abuse that has gone on,' she said. Professor Alexis Jay said she was 'concerned' by the rhetoric around historic attacks on teenage girls, many of them by groups of British Asian men, in recent weeks. It came after weeks in which Elon Musk, the X owner and adviser to president Trump, has accused Sir Keir Starmer and other ministers of turning a blind eye to abuse. His attacks were taken up by UK politicians including Reform leader Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch, the new Tory leader. 'I won't make any comment on the various actors involved in that I won't give them the oxygen of publicity. 'But just, it was such a relief (the news of a plan to implement recommendations), by whatever means we wouldn't have chosen it necessarily to have come about in this way but we just need to get on with it.' The response from the then-Conservative government to the recommendations of her (IICSA) was 'awful', the inquiry chairwoman told MPs. Prof Jay said the written response to the 20 recommendations which followed a seven-year inquiry had been 'inconsequential, insubstantial, committed to nothing'. Prof Jay told MPs that while the initial response from home secretary Grant Shapps to the report when first published in October 2022 left her feeling 'much encouraged', that had been 'the high point' of the experience with the Conservative government on the issue. Musk alleged that Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips was refusing to investigate the gangs because it would lead back to the PM's time as director of public prosecutions between 2008 and 2013. The Government's written response in May 2023 to the report under the next home secretary Suella Braverman was 'awful', Prof Jay said. She told MPs: 'It was awful. I cannot tell you how it felt to constantly read the response, when we got the final printed version of the government's response. 'It was inconsequential, insubstantial, committed to nothing. And the wording that was used very often amongst the 20 recommendations was 'we accept the need for' whatever it was, but made no specific commitment to delivering it or any timescale whatsoever at that stage. 'The reaction of all of us, but mostly victims and survivors, was such huge disappointment and anger at what they had pinned a great deal of hope and anticipation on, that the recommendations we made would be delivered.' Prof Jay said there was 'quite a long silence' from the Home Office after she wrote to The Times in 2023 criticising the Government's response to her inquiry. Prof Jay said she had been contacted by a Home Office special adviser after The Times published a letter from her in May 2023 that described the Government's response to her inquiry as 'weak' and 'apparently disingenuous'. Describing the tone of the conversation as 'adversarial', she said it 'led to quite a long silence' from the Home Office until James Cleverly took over as Home Secretary in November 2023. Four convicted killers housed in a womens wing of a Scots prison have become embroiled in a transphobic hate row, a court has heard. Alexandria Stewart, a transgender prisoner in HMP Greenock, claims fellow inmate Jane Sutherley carried out a four-year campaign of verbal abuse that left her feeling suicidal. The 36-year-old who is serving a life sentence with 19 years in jail for murder told Greenock Sheriff Court that Sutherley, 51, would insist on using he and him pronouns to refer to her. Sutherley is serving a sentence for culpable homicide. She was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison in 2020 after admitting to the killing of Alistair MacFadyen, 40, at a flat in Glenburn, Paisley. He was stabbed through the heart with scissors and later died in hospital. The court heard that she would refer to Stewart who killed a man as Alan Baker - and her partner, child murderer Nyomi Fee, as the tranny and the beast or the tranny and the dyke. Fee is also serving a life sentence, and the court heard the couple have been together since around 2018. She was 29 when she was locked up for 24 years after she and civil partner Rachel Trelfa, 34, were convicted for the murder and ill-treatment Trelfas son Liam Fee in 2014 following a horrific campaign of abuse in Fife. Alan Baker who stabbed a man to death now identifies as Alexandria Stewart and is embroiled in a transphobic hate row involving three other killers serving time at HMP Greenock A court heard child killer Nyomi Fee is in a relationship with trans prisoner Alexandria Stewart Stewart detailed several occasions where she alleges Sutherley insisted on using male pronouns to describe her fellow prisoner or would call her thingmy. The court heard that during a karaoke evening for prisoners, Sutherley told Stewart she might sing Shania Twains hit Man I Feel Like a Woman. Sutherleys defence solicitor, Paul Lynch, asked: What was this in reference to? Stewart replied: My transgender status. The pair, along with Fee, took part in art classes. During a session attended by the Scottish painter Gerard Burns, Sutherley is alleged to have referred to Stewarts work a The tranny show, causing her embarrassment and distress. And over a visiting hour at the prison, Sutherley is also accused of referring to her fellow inmate as a man. Stewart said: I was highly mortified that she had outed me as trans to those who didnt know I was trans. Asked how the situation had made her feel, Stewart said: My first thought was, Do I just commit suicide. She added: I have disassociated myself from people. I dont trust people anymore. My anxiety has went (sic) through the roof and I am on various medications to keep myself going. Mr Lynch suggested to Stewart that the allegations were formed as a ploy to ensure she was not moved to the male estate. In 2023, the Scottish Government issued a Rule 95 order that decreed all transgender prisoners should be subject to enhanced safeguarding checks. Baker was on trial at the High Court in Dumbarton in 2013 for the murder of John Weir after the pair hooked up on a gay dating site This followed the row over transgender rapist Isla Bryson, formerly known as Adam Graham, who was housed in the female estate. Mr Lynch suggested Stewart would have been aware of the case and that she, Fee and fellow prisoner Lynette Greenop, 46, made false allegations of transphobia to keep Stewart in HMP Greenock. Stewart, who was still a man when he stabbed father-of-two John Weir to death in Bonhill, Dunbartonshire, after meeting him on a dating site, denied this was the case. He then asked the prisoner if she had undergone any surgery as part of her transition to identifying as a woman. She said she had undergone a trachioshave in 2019 to reduce the prominence of her Adams apple but had otherwise had no operations as part of her transgender status. Mr Lynch asked: So if a person held a legitimate belief that you were biologically male, that would be correct? Stewart replied: I am not here to debate transgender identity. The solicitor said: Im simply asking you to confirm a biological fact. Mr Lynch also asked about a situation whereby Stewart and Fee would use a top flat in their unit to spend alone time together while sending other prisoners away to give them privacy. She denied this was the case. Liam Fee was only two when he died at his home near Glenrothes, in Fife, after a campaign of abuse by his mother Rachel Trelfa and her partner Nyomi Fee who were convicted of murdering him In 2023, Stewart graduated from university and a celebration event was held in the prison. Mr Lynch put it to her that she would have wished to look her best for the event and the court heard Stewart had requested Sutherley to style her hair as the most skilled hairdresser in the prison. The court also heard from Greenop who is serving a sentence for murder. She was asked about her close friendship with Stewart and Fee and told the hearing shed heard Sutherley refuse to use Alexs prefixes as a lady before adding that tranny is a word that I despise. Greenop, who is in prison for killing her sister Sharon in the Ayrshire town of Troon in 2016, denied having made false allegations to protect Stewarts place in HMP Greenock. It is alleged that between January 1, 2019, and March 23, 2023, in Darroch Hall at the Inverclyde prison, Jane Sutherley behaved in a threatening and abusive manner. It is said she uttered offensive remarks and transphobic and homophobic remarks with the offence aggravated by transgender prejudice. The trial, before Sheriff Millar, continues. Interview: China's visa-free policy fosters deeper understanding and ties with Malta, says tourism official Xinhua) 10:34, January 21, 2025 Malta Tourism Authority Chief Executive Officer Carlo Micallef speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Kalkara, Malta, on Jan. 7, 2025. China's visa-free policy offers the rest of the world a good chance for "much better understanding of the real China," Carlo Micallef, chief executive officer of the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), said in a recent interview with Xinhua. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) VALLETTA, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's visa-free policy offers the rest of the world a good chance for "much better understanding of the real China," Carlo Micallef, chief executive officer of the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), said in a recent interview with Xinhua. Micallef lauded the policy as a testament to China's commitment to opening up further to the world and welcoming global tourists. Announced on Nov. 22 last year, the policy allows ordinary passport holders from nine more countries, including Malta, to enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. The one-year trial, starting Nov. 30, covers visitors for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, exchanges and transit. "It is a welcome development for the Maltese to visit China, both on holiday and for business," because it makes the planning of a trip become "much easier and more attractive," he said. He emphasized that the initiative enables visitors to see China's beauty and advancements firsthand, fostering deeper understanding and connections. According to Micallef, such firsthand experiences help counter potential misunderstandings influenced by Western media. "When you see it with your own eyes, you get the real China, not as something which is adapted for foreign countries," Micallef said, expecting the policy to lead to more cultural and economic exchanges. Describing tourism as the best way for people to connect, Micallef said, "When people come together, a lot of barriers, misunderstandings or misconceptions are thrown away. That is the beauty of travel." Reflecting on Malta-China relations, Micallef shared his father's visit to China in the 1970s as one of the first Maltese politicians to travel there. He also recounted his own visits to an array of Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong, beginning in 2006, during which he witnessed China's remarkable social and economic transformation. "I am confident that more Maltese will travel to China, and we will welcome more Chinese tourists to Malta," Micallef said, attributing this optimism to the strong friendship between the two nations and the new visa-free policy. Hailing the policy as a "very positive development" for bilateral relations, Micallef expects it to enhance cooperation between the two nations in sectors of tourism, culture, business and people-to-people exchanges. The initiative, he believes, will strengthen ties between the two nations and open new opportunities for mutual exploration and understanding. Malta Tourism Authority Chief Executive Officer Carlo Micallef speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Kalkara, Malta, on Jan. 7, 2025. China's visa-free policy offers the rest of the world a good chance for "much better understanding of the real China," Carlo Micallef, chief executive officer of the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), said in a recent interview with Xinhua. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) A council has enraged ratepayers for using their money to fund a 'Survival Day' event on Australia Day. Survival Day and 'Invasion Day' are names used for Australia Day by some Indigenous Australians and their supporters. In a social media post, Mount Barker Council in the Adelaide Hills asked locals to 'respectfully mark' Survival Day on January 26 at an event organised by the Ruby Hunter Foundation and backed by the council with a $5,000 grant. The post led councillor Rebecca Hewett to set up a Facebook poll asking the community if they supported council funding the event. With 645 voters, 85 per cent of those having their say did not agree with the council funding the event. But Ms Hewett deleted the post after she claimed Mayor David Leach emailed her to say 'Your actions in the attached Facebook post are not acceptable and a breach of the behavioural standards for council members.' Ms Hewett told the Advertiser she started the poll after ratepayers contacted her to say they didn't want their money spent that way. 'I had a lot of phone calls from residents and they were extremely upset about this,' she said. Councillor Rebecca Hewett (pictured) set up a Facebook poll asking the community if they supported council funding the event But the councillor, who plans to run for One Nation in the seat of Mayo in the coming federal election, previously voted in support of funding the Survival Day event. 'I fully supported them being able to run a Survival Day,' she said. 'At the time, I did not know that it was going to be run on January 26, so that information wasn't provided to me when I voted for it.' Ms Hewett tried to raise ratepayers' concerns at a council meeting on Monday night, but claimed her statement was cut short by the Mr Leach. In a recording of the meeting heard by the Advertiser, the mayor repeatedly interrupted a speech by Ms Hewett. Last year's Survival Day event was attended by more than 1,000 people, the council said. Ruby Hunter Foundation chairman Eric Richards said the event is 'for reconciliation, for healing, for our first people nation, and educating our younger generation'. He said he was 'upset' by Ms Hewett's poll, saying 'it shows Aboriginal people that we do not recognise an Aboriginal nation in this country'. A council is being called 'woke' and slammed by ratepayers for using their money to fund a 'Survival Day' event on Australia Day. Stock image of Indigenous smoke ceremony Most responses to the council's Facebook post on Survival Day were very clear that they disagreed. 'January 26th is Australia Day. Why is the Mount Barker District Council supporting an event that is derogatory of Australia Day,' wrote one. 'No thanks, I will be celebrating Australia day with my family,' wrote another. But not everyone agreed, with one person writing 'Thank you for promoting this event. 'It sounds like an important avenue for people wanting to further educate themselves and respectfully acknowledge this day in a way of their choosing, I hope the event is a success.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Hewett, Mr Leach and Mr Richards for comment. This video is no longer available This video is no longer available President Donald Trump has fired the female leader of the US Coast Guard over concerns about the border and her obsession with DEI policies. Adm. Linda Fagan, commandant of the Coast Guard, was relieved of her duties by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman, Fox News reported. The 61-year was terminated from her post after officials in the new administration raised concerns over the border and her recruitment, a source told the outlet. Fox later reported that Admiral Kevin Lundy is now serving as the acting US Coast Guard Commandant. The source said these concerns also included a failure to address key threats, and an excessive focus on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Fagan's diversity, equity and inclusion recruitment had worsened issues relating to operational readiness, according to the source. They said that due to her making DEI policies a priority, which included at the Coast Guard Academy, focus was diverted away from resources and operational essentials. Fagan was also relieved over the mishandling of Operation Fouled Anchor, an investigation into the Coast Guard's review of sexual assault cases at their academy. The report uncovered years of sexual assaults and misconduct at the academy from the late 1980s through until 2006. Adm. Linda Fagan, commandment of the Coast Guard, was relieved of her duties by the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman The 61-year was terminated from her post after officials in the new administration raised concerns over the border and her recruitment Dozens of allegations of sexual assault at the academy in Connecticut were swept under the rug without being reported to police or Coast Guard investigators. The report was completed in January 2020, but was not disclosed to Congress or made public until June 2023, infuriating congressional members. She was grilled by senators when she testified at a hearing on Capitol Hill where she was questioned for not holding anyone accountable for the cover-up. Senators also quizzed her over the withholding of documents that they had requested about the mishandling of the problem. A memorandum released by Fagan she said that had ordered plans to be developed by 2025 around sexual assault prevention and response. She also ordered improved physical security throughout the cadet dormitory at the academy. After her firing was made known, clips emerged of her on social media discussing her recruitment policies. In one, she says: 'We currently have nearly 40 percent women enrolled at the Coast Guard Academy. 'I'm really excited about the talent and diversity I see coming through the academy, I am really excited about the future as we look ahead.' Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan was just terminated for prioritizing DEI ahead of border security. Goodbye! pic.twitter.com/v2sSOBq7ja End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 21, 2025 Dozens of allegations of sexual assault at the Academy in Connecticut were swept under the rug without being reported to police or Coast Guard investigators Fagan was nominated for her position by President Biden in 2022, after having served as vice commandment since 2021. In her former post she was named the first female four-star admiral in Coast Guard history. Both Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Commerce Committee had backed her appointment at the time. Fagan graduated from the Coast Guard Academy and received a masters at the University of Washington in marine affairs as well as in national security strategy from the National Defense University. She had served aboard the USCGC Polar Star and as deputy director of operations at US Northern Command. She was the first recipient of the Coast Guard's Gold Ancient Trident, an award created in 2016 for the service member with the longest record in Marine Safety. A Pride of Britain nominee died in a motorbike crash while he was trying to break a 204mph speed record on an airfield and overshot the runway, an inquest has heard. Martin McConnell, 58, reached 186mph on a half mile straight but came off his turbo-charged Suzuki Hayabusa as he tore through the long grass and scrub at the end of the tarmac. Paramedics were with him within moments but the father-of-three died at the scene in front of onlookers at the event, called Terminal Velocity. Norfolk Coroner's Court heard how the Army veteran, who had previously achieved 241mph at another airfield, had told friends it was to be his last year of racing after ten years in the sport. One pal, Stephen Chambers, told the inquest: 'He believed the record was in his reach but was also aware that the breaking distance [on the runway] was less than he was used to.' Mr McConnell was taking part in the high-octane event at Tibenham Airfield near Diss in Norfolk on July 23, 2023, when he was seen to 'fly off' his 1,300cc bike. Another friend, Darren Rose, told the inquest in Norwich: 'Martin was experienced in racing and getting up to speed. Martin McConnell, 58, reached 186mph on a half mile straight but came off his turbo-charged Suzuki Hayabusa as he tore through the long grass and scrub at the end of the tarmac Norfolk Coroner's Court heard how the Army veteran, who had previously achieved 241mph at another airfield, had told friends it was to be his last year of racing after ten years in the sport Paramedics were with him within moments but the father-of-three died at the scene in front of onlookers at the event, called Terminal Velocity 'On the morning of the 23rd he mentioned that he wanted to try and achieve a speed record with two people riding, so was making plans for future events.' Mr McConnell, who had served in the Royal Corps of Transport, had been left with post-traumatic stress disorder after a tour of Iraq. He set up a fundraising group called ExForces PTSD and took part in regular challenges to raise money. In 2018, he was nominated as fundraiser of the year at the Pride of Britain Awards after helping to raise 33,000 for Holidays for Heroes Jersey. He had met a new partner, Sharon Woodward-Baker, a few months before his death, and had recently moved from London to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. She said: 'He loved racing and was excited about the event. It has been a very difficult time since losing him but I am so grateful for the time we spent together.' Mr McConnell's son, James, said that his father was the happiest he had been in some time following his move. In a Facebook tribute at the time of his death, James added: 'None of this seems real, but we all know the risks taken when competing in motorcycle racing. Mr McConnell, who had served in the Royal Corps of Transport, had been left with post-traumatic stress disorder after a tour of Iraq 'Unfortunately, today is a day I never saw coming. We have lost my dad Martin McConnell in a high-speed crash at Tibenham Airfield. 'I am lost for words at the minute. I know for a fact he died smiling and doing what he loved. RIP dad, I will never forget you. The memories we have will live on forever in our hearts.' Kryssie Chittenden of Suzuki Turbo Racing, which provided team support for Mr McConnell, described him as 'the kindest-hearted person you'll ever meet'. She added in a Facebook post after his death: 'You'll never meet another man like him. Just moments before his crash he was smiling and (in) the most delightful moods as the picture will show. 'I'm still in shock and disbelieve he is gone. I was expecting to get to him at the end of the runway laughing but in a bit of pain sitting on the grass but unfortunately it was far from that.' Mr Rose, who was Mr McConnell's crew chief for the event, added at the time: 'We are both lost for words at the moment, that someone so larger than life and who worked so hard and gave so much to others has been so cruelly taken away from us all. 'It's especially devasting knowing how much Martin had turned his life around in the last year and how happy he was with the way things were going in all the areas of his life. 'Martin's racing was one of his ways of dealing with his PTSD whilst also raising money and awareness for other veterans suffering from the same condition. Mr McConnell's son, James, said that his father was the happiest he had been in some time after moving to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire 'His loss is immeasurable and we are totally devasted and heartbroken to have lost one of our racing family and a man we were so proud to call our friend. 'Our heartfelt condolences go out to Martin's partner Sharon, his family and all his friends for his loss. 'We all know the risks involved with riding bikes and going fast but it doesn't make it any easier when someone is so cruelly snatched away from you. 'Rest in peace Martin knowing you made a huge difference to so many lives and were so loved by so many.' The website for Terminal Velocity Events said it ran runway days to give people 'the opportunity to drive your car as fast as you can within a safe, secure and most importantly, legal environment'. The inquest continues. A glamorous conservative influencer expressed gratitude after she was among the January 6 rioters pardoned by president Donald Trump. Isabella Maria DeLuca was charged with storming the Capitol and passing a stolen table out of a broken window, allowing other rioters to use it as a weapon against police, according to court records She was among about 1,500 rioters who received a pardon from the Republican during the first hours of his second term on Monday. 'Last March, I was arrested by seven armed FBI agents, my apartment was raided, and my phone was seized. Tonight, I am honored to have received a pardon from President Trump,' she said on X. 'I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for the overwhelming love, prayers, and unwavering support youve shown me throughout this ordeal. Your kind messages, encouragement, and belief in me made all the difference, giving me the strength to face the emotional and mental challenges of this nightmare. I will never forget the outpouring of compassion and solidarity from so many of you. Thank you for standing by me during one of the darkest times of my life.' Miami native Gabriel Garcia, 44, was also among those pardoned on Tuesday by the 47th president. 'Four years of this on me, four years, and I'm just happy to be able to get out of the way and get back to a normal life,' the former Army captain said, as reported by NBC Miami. 'I just walked in the Capitol to peacefully protest,' Garcia said. 'Im not charged with violence, I didnt hurt anybody, I didnt destroy property so, therefore, yes, its very accurate what he did today in giving us that full pardon.' Conservative influencer Isabella Maria DeLuca was also among the pardoned rioters FBI papers say that DeLuca was caught on camera 'removing, and aiding and abetting other rioters in removing, a table' from a Capitol office known as ST-2M before 'passing it to rioters outside through another broken window' Former Proud Boy Gabriel Garcia, 44, cut off his ankle monitor as soon as president Donald Trump announced the pardons of the January 6 riots on Monday Garcia, a former Proud Boy, was sentenced to a year in prison after he filmed himself inside the Capitol as he taunted then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to 'come out and play.' Also pardoned was Ethan Nordean, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison after being convicted of seditious conspiracy over his role in the Capitol riot. Nordean is a known member of the Proud Boys in Washington state, where he was filmed knocking out an Antifa protester armed with a baton in 2018. Peter Schwartz, A Kentucky resident sentenced to 14 years in prison for felony assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers, celebrated his pardon by going to In N Out Burger. Schwartz has a long criminal record and was on probation when he attacked Capitol police officers with pepper spray and a chair as he stormed the Capitol with his wife. He was armed with a wooden tire knocker when he and his then-wife, Shelly Stallings, joined other rioters in overwhelming a line of police officers on the Capitols Lower West Terrace, where he threw a folding chair at officers. Trump has pardoned, commuted the prison sentences or vowed to dismiss the cases of all of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, including people convicted of assaulting police officers, using his clemency powers on his first day back in office to undo the massive prosecution of the unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy. Conservative influencer Isabella Maria DeLuca was also among the pardoned rioters Ethan Nordean was also pardoned for his role in the Capitol riot. Nordean is a member of the Proud Boys in Washington, where he was filmed knocking out an Antifa protester in 2018 Peter Schwartz, A Kentucky resident sentenced to 14 years in prison for felony assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers, celebrated his pardon by going to Eat N Out Garcia, a former Proud Boy, was sentenced to a year in prison after he filmed himself inside the Capitol as he taunted then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to 'come out and play' Trumps action, just hours after his return to the White House on Monday, paves the way for the release from prison of people found guilty of violent attacks on police, as well as leaders of far-right extremist groups convicted of failed plots to keep the Republican in power after he lost the 2020 presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden. The Capitol riot left more than 100 police officers injured as the angry mob of Trump supporters some armed with poles, bats and bear spray overwhelmed law enforcement, shattered windows and sent lawmakers and aides running into hiding. While pardons were expected, the speed and the scope of the clemency amounted to a stunning dismantling of the Justice Departments effort to hold participants accountable over what has been described as one of the darkest days in the countrys history. Casting the rioters as 'patriots' and 'hostages,' Trump has claimed they were unfairly treated by the Justice Department, which also charged him with federal crimes in two cases he contends were politically motivated. Casting the rioters as 'patriots' and 'hostages,' Trump has claimed the January 6 rioters were unfairly treated by the Justice Department Ethan Nordean, the self-described 'sergeant-at-arms' for the group's Seattle chapter, was charged with obstructing Congress, aiding and abetting and entering restricted grounds as part the mob that breached the Capitol building Trump said the pardons will end 'a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years' and begin 'a process of national reconciliation.' The pardons were met with elation from Trump supporters and lawyers for the Jan. 6 defendants. Trump supporters gathered late Monday in the cold outside the Washington jail, where more than a dozen defendants were being held before the pardons. Its unclear how quickly the defendants may be released from prison. An attorney for Enrique Tarrio, the former Proud Boys national chairman who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, said he expected his client to be released from prison Monday night. Democrats slammed the move to extend the pardons to violent rioters, many of whose crimes were captured on camera and broadcast on live TV. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called it 'an outrageous insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and emotional trauma as they protected the Capitol, the Congress and the Constitution.' A female lawyer has accused a married father-of-four of raping her in front of 1,000 livestream viewers after meeting him on a dating app. The woman, 31, said she met the 46-year-old, named in German reports as Tim B due to local privacy laws, in May 2022. According to Bild, the defendant often travelled for work. He matched with the woman on a dating app and planned a meet-up at a hotel in Mitte. But on May 12, the alleged victim claims she was raped by the armed forces worker in the hotel, between 9pm to 11:55pm. According to the Berlin-based lawyer, Tim had at first stuck to an agreement they had made to have sex using a condom. She said at the start, everything was consensual until he soon started complaining that he 'couldn't do it' like that and 'thought it was "s***".' Nina said Tim's wife was aware he was cheating, but that he promised her he would never have sex with another woman without protection. But the lawyer claims her wishes of using a condom were ignored, with Tim quickly ripping it off before taking out his mobile phone and turning on a livestream. A married father-of-four has been accused by a female lawyer of raping her in front of 1,000 livestream watchers According to the Berlin-based lawyer, Tim had at first stuck to an agreement they had made to have sex using a condom. Pictured: District Court Tiergarten, Berlin Then, he is alleged to have raped Nina while some 1,000 online spectators watched on. Tim denied the rape allegations, saying: 'I have had a couple profile with my wife on the sex site for seven years. 'Everyone can do their own thing with us. But never without a condom!' He claimed the woman from Berlin 'undressed very quickly' and was asked about her feelings towards the possibility of having sex live on the internet. Tim said: 'She agreed, but held a pillow in front of her face. After 45 minutes she didn't want to do it any more.' The officer protested his innocence, claiming at peak times during the livestream there were 100 men in there, and that he 'never raped her'. 'When she wanted to go home, I even gave her my intercity ticket. My name was on it. I wouldn't have been so stupid if I had actually raped her beforehand!' he said. But prosecutors were not left convinced. They said around 1,000 people had access to the video recordings, and 'the images were capable of causing significant damage to her reputation'. Tim is due back in court on February 10 for a verdict hearing. Waitrose shoppers are being offered free coffees again without having to buy anything else as the retailer bids to battle back against rival Marks and Spencer. The company, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, has emailed loyalty scheme members to let them know they no longer need a minimum purchase before claiming a free cup when visiting a branch - yet conditions still apply. The move is being seen as part of attempts to turn around Waitrose fortunes after recent years of struggles - and being overtaken by M&S as a middle class favourite. Jason Tarry, a former Tesco chief executive, took charge as new Waitrose chairman last autumn and has overseen a leadership shake-up which includes CEO Nish Kankiwala stepping down and taking on a board advisory role. The retailer's MyWaitrose loyalty scheme, launched in 2011 and which has 9million members, previously offered free coffees without needing to buy anything first. Yet in 2017, terms were altered so that the beverages could only be claimed having already purchased something - and the offer was scrapped entirely in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Free coffees were brought back in 2022, as part of a tie-up with providers Caffe Nero promising better coffee beans, though customers were told they should bring their own reusable coffee cups if they wanted to cash in. The terms back then still insisted consumers must make a purchase, but the new message sent to subscribers states: 'Youll be able to get your free hot drink without buying anything in store first. Dont forget your reusable cup!' Waitrose customers who belong to the retailer's loyalty scheme have been told they will now be able to claim free coffees without buying anything from one of its stores first The update comes months after former Tesco chief executive Jason Tarry (pictured) took over as chairman of Waitrose's parent company, the John Lewis Partnership The supermarket chain introduced its MyWaitrose scheme in 2011 but the free coffee element was amended in 2017 so that consumers must buy another product first To claim from a self-service machine in one of the firm's branches, you must bring your own cup while being a MyWaitrose member - with online sign-up free. Waitrose told MailOnline: 'Some of our members like to have their free coffee before or during their shop, rather than afterwards, so we are just offering a bit of flexibility in response to customer feedback. 'In practice, lots of customers do this already, so this is just a formality as part of updated T&Cs.' Mr Tarry's arrival as new chairman, taking up his duties last September, was announced the previous April - when he vowed to bring a 'sharp focus on being brilliant retailers for customers and investing in growth'. John Lewis, which is owned by its 70,000-strong workforce, has been tipped to cut 11,000 jobs over the next five years in a bid to save 900million, having already made cuts of 88million over the previous financial year. The company did return to a pre-tax profit of 56million in 2023, bouncing back from a 234million loss in 2022 amid three consecutive years of losses. Just a month into his new role, Mr Tarry announced the abolition last October of the company's chief executive role. The group saying they would not replace Mr Kankiwala, due to work to the end of his two-year contract this March, with Mr Tarry assuming all executive responsibilities. Waitrose customers have been offering different responses online to the latest coffee news Market share for Waitrose recently fell to 3.91 per cent - down from 4.02 per cent a year earlier It was revealed in November that M&S had overtaken Waitrose in market share for the first time outside the Christmas period. M&S held a 4.03 per cent share of grocery market for the four weeks to November 3 - up from 3.76 per cent a year earlier - while market share for Waitrose fell to 3.91 per cent, down from 4.02 per cent a year earlier. Waitrose has been pushing ahead with advancement plans amid the recent setbacks - announcing last August it would open up to 100 convenience shops over the next five years as part of a 1billion investment. The new shops across England, Wales and Scotland are set to be the first openings in six years for the upmarket grocery group. The company said the money would be spent on launching the new stores, building on the Little Waitrose convenience model, and improving 150 existing ones, almost half the 329-strong chain. It is also transforming a shop in London's Finchley Road, north-west London, to trial new services, products and concepts over the next year. Yet Richard Hammond, chief executive and co-founder of analytics firm Uncrowd, recently told MailOnline that Waitrose was 'doing some good things, but M&S is doing more of them, better and faster'. He expressed the view that Waitrose spent too long having 'fretted about lowering prices and proving they could do value, but nobody wants cheap tins of beans from Waitrose or M&S' with its customers instead looking for 'treats' and 'special' items. KANTAR DATA FOR SUPERMARKETS ON TOTAL TILL ROLL - CONSUMER SPEND Supermarket 12 wks to 5/11/23 (m) Share 12 wks to 3/11/24 (m) Share Annual change Total Grocers 33,248 100% 34,010 100% 2.3% Total Multiples 32,755 98.5% 33,524 98.6% 2.3% Tesco 9,070 27.3% 9,487 27.9% 4.6% Sainsbury's 5,046 15.2% 5,266 15.5% 4.4% Asda 4,490 13.5% 4,242 12.5% -5.5% Aldi 3,464 10.4% 3,520 10.4% 1.6% Morrisons 2,851 8.6% 2,918 8.6% 2.4% Lidl 2,447 7.4% 2,628 7.7% 7.4% Co-op 1,966 5.9% 1,925 5.7% -2.1% Waitrose 1,509 4.5% 1,552 4.6% 2.9% Iceland 724 2.2% 743 2.2% 2.7% Ocado 558 1.7% 611 1.8% 9.5% Other Multiples 631 1.9% 630 1.9% -0.1% Symbols & Independents 493 1.5% 486 1.4% -1.3% M&S is not currently included in Kantar's publicly available data for grocery market share Mr Hammond suggested Waitrose has achieved a 'better value message, but have done so at the expense of having damaged their posher experience'. He added: 'While Waitrose are investing 1billion in store improvements, the new Waitrose refurb formats are lacklustre. 'By contrast, have you walked an M&S lately? They're like wonder palaces that us ordinary plebs are allowed - no, welcomed - into. They're world class special.' Mr Tarry said when his new Waitrose role was announced last year: 'The partnership is unique and I've long been an admirer of the employee-ownership model, its values and partner-led customer service. 'This starts with a sharp focus on being brilliant retailers for customers and investing in growth.' Zoe Mills, a retail analyst at GlobalData, told MailOnline that Mr Tarry 'certainly has the experience and knowhow to rejuvenate the John Lewis Partnership'. She added that he was 'at the helm of Tesco during the crucial development of its Clubcard loyalty scheme, taking the discounters head-on and creating a retail model that its competitors have emulated since'. She said: 'Within Waitrose & Partners, Tarry must not lose sight of its more premium proposition. 'While remaining price-competitive will be crucial, as within general merchandise, the focus must be on quality and justifying higher price points to entice shoppers to trade up. A Utah man has been shot dead by police after they raided a home to find him murdering his parents. Cops were called to the West Valley City address on January 1. They quickly realized something was wrong and burst inside to find a frenzied Erik Bertelsen, 35, fatally stabbing his parents Terrie, 63, and Kerry Bertselsen, 67. His arms were covered in blood. Harrowing bodycam footage captured the moment that officers stormed the property and shot Bertelsen dead. A 911 operator said they were unable to hear the call when it came in but could hear a commotion. The clip begins with the moment officers arrive and begin sprinting down to the basement of the property. They burst into the room shouting: 'Show me your hands!' and are greeted with a grisly scene. Bertelsen is seen kneeling on the floor, repeatedly slashing at something on the ground while bloodied. A Utah man has been shot dead by police after they raided a home to find him murdering his parents Erik Bertelsen was found fatally stabbing his parents at their West Valley City home on January 1 'Show me your hands! Drop it! Drop it!' the officers scream, but Bertelsen keeps stabbing. Suddenly one of the cops fires two shots and Bertelsen crumples forward to the ground. 'Shots fired, shots fired,' another officers shouts as the cop who fired the rounds keeps his weapon trained on Bertelsen. 'Not yet, we're not clear,' the officer shouts, his breathing ragged and shaky. As the other officers sweep the rest of the home, the officer yells at Bertelsen to drop his knife. However he refuses and the tense stand-off continues, with the officer warning his colleagues not to approach. 'He's moving, drop the knife now!' the officer shouts as the other cops assess the situation. 'If you do not drop that knife you will get shot again. I don't want to shoot you again bud,' the officer adds. 'It's hidden under his left hand, don't go any closer,' the officer warns. Erik Bertelsen was shot after he ignored commands to drop his knife Terrie, 63, (left) and Kerry Bertelsen, 67, (right) were identified as the victims in the horrific incident Another cop then shouts out if anyone else is in there to make themselves known. 'Take a deep breath,' he says to the officer who shot the suspect. 'Breathe, breathe.' They then discuss where the knife could be hidden and keep shouting at Bertelsen to drop the knife before realizing that he is no longer breathing. The officer's colleagues tell him to holster his weapon and instruct him to step outside to take a breather as the clip ends. 'I see a tragedy,' West Valley City Police Chief Colleen Jacobs said to ABC4 of the footage. 'A very tragic incident that happened with the parties involved, and for the officers involved as well.' She confirmed that officers had visited the property before the shocking events. 'I kinda felt like something was going to happen, I sent the cops over here for a welfare check four days ago because I knew he would keep taking their phones, and it wasn't them that was answering me,' the Bertelsens' step-daughter Chasity Ulibarri told KMYU. Erik (bottom right) is seen in a picture with his late parents Terrie and Kerry Bertelsen West Valley City Police's deputy communications director Roxeanne Vainuku told ABC4 that they department was compelled to release the footage under Utah's freedom of information laws. 'The suspect, who can be seen kneeling down, repeatedly stabbing one of the victims, ignored officers' commands to show his hands and drop his weapon,' Deputy Chief Mike Fossmo said. 'He continued stabbing the victim.' Fossmo confirmed the officer involved in the shooting has since been placed on leave per protocol. MPs private bar in the House of Commons could have CCTV fitted for the first time, after a woman reported having her drink spiked. A committee led by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is said to be examining putting cameras in Strangers, the drinking den in the Palace of Westminster. The bar, which has a much-admired riverside terrace, was closed last week after a complaint was made to the Metropolitan Police by a researcher. She suggested the perpetrator was wearing a security pass with a lanyard showing they were an MP, and the Mail on Sunday revealed a politician is under investigation. The issue of CCTV is a difficult one for the home of politics. They are already in place in public areas and private areas 'considered vulnerable to intrusion'. But their use is regulated so they do not 'become intrusive and a limitation on the freedom or legitimate activities of those visiting or working within Parliament'. The Times reported that the cross-party House of Commons Commission has discussed reopening the bar, but with tighter security. The options include CCTV, with an MP telling the paper it was 'more likely to happen than not'. A committee led by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is said to be examining putting cameras in Strangers, the drinking den in the Palace of Westminster. The bar, which has a much-admired riverside terrace, was closed last week after a complaint was made to the Metropolitan Police by a researcher. The Times reported that the cross-party House of Commons Commission has discussed reopening the bar, but with tighter security. A House of Commons spokesperson said: 'Strangers' Bar is closed while security and safety arrangements are reviewed. 'The review process is underway, with more information to be provided once it has concluded. No decisions have been made. The safety of everyone on the estate remains a key priority of both Houses.' The Parliamentary researcher who said she had been spiked recognised the alleged perpetrator's lanyard as that of an MP but did not see his name or party affiliation. She alerted bar staff and security to the incident on January 7, the second day of Parliament after the festive break. It is the latest in a series of incidents in the bar, which has been at the centre of a debate over the sale of alcohol in the Palace of Westminster. Parliament's official complaints authority, the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, said the drinking culture in Westminster was a 'frequent factor' fuelling inappropriate behaviour such as sexual harassment. Sir Keir Starmer's former chief of staff, Sue Gray, had asked Sir Lindsay to shut the bars because she feared the disciplinary implications of hordes of new-entry Labour MPs becoming sucked into Westminster's drinking culture. Downing Street said Sir Keir found the reported spiking 'incredibly concerning'. A Parliament spokesman said: 'We are aware of an incident which took place on the parliamentary estate in early January, which was reported to parliamentary security and is now being investigated by the Metropolitan Police.' Of the closure of Strangers' Bar they added: 'The safety of everyone on the estate remains a key priority of both Houses.' Scotland Yard said it had 'received reports of an alleged spiking at an establishment in the House of Commons. The investigation is ongoing and the victim is being supported by officers. There have been no arrests at this time.' The FDA union, which represents civil servants and public sector professionals, has urged parliamentary authorities to 'assess the risks and take immediate action to prevent this happening again'. A fire that broke out at a ski resort hotel in northwestern Turkey has claimed the lives of 66 people and left victims launching themselves out of windows in a bid to save themselves. The blaze broke out overnight at the restaurant of a hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin told Turkish news outlet TRT the fire started on the fourth floor of the 11-storey hotel at around 3.30am. Harrowing footage showed the top floors and roof of the hotel engulfed in flames, as some guests attempted to climb down from their rooms using sheets to escape the blaze. In an interview following the devastation, a witness claimed that when the flames appeared, people suddenly started jumping from the 11th floor in panic. He also recalled seeing a man fall on his head after using torn bedsheets to climb down the side of the flaming building. 'One father was yelling about his one-year-old child: "I will thrown my child or he will burn"', the witness added. Since the fire broke out, the death toll has tragically climbed to 66, the interior minister said. So far, 66 people have been killed and 51 were injured as a result An aerial view of the area as fire brigades responding to a fire that broke out in a hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center, on January 21, in Turkey The death toll rose to 66 in a fire that broke out in a hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center on January 21, 2025 in Bolu Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 51 people were injured, fire cooling work continues 'Our pain is great,' Yerlikaya told reporters at the Kartalkaya resort, around 100 miles northwest of the capital Ankara. '66 citizens lost their lives and 51 others wounded.' Turkish authorities on Tuesday detained four suspects including the owner of the hotel. 'As part of an investigation led by six prosecutors, four people including the hotel owner were detained,' Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said on X./Twitter. Health minister Kemal Memisoglu said at least one of the injured was in a serious condition. Footage showed huge plumes of smoke rising into the sky with a snow-capped mountain behind the hotel. The resort is located on top of a mountain range about 170 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of the capital Ankara. The fire, which is believed to have started in the restaurant at around midnight, spread quickly. It was not immediately clear what caused it. 'Two-hundred and sixty-seven personnel from various public institutions and organisations responded to the fire and the response is ongoing,' Yerlikaya wrote on X/Twitter. Part of the hotel backs onto a cliff, which made it harder for firefighters to tackle the blaze. At the time of the inferno breaking out, there were 237 were staying at the hotel where its occupancy rate was between 80 and 90 percent due to the school holidays, according to local reports. Some 30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances rushed to the site, as other hotels at the resort were evacuated as a precaution. Those evacuated were rehoused in nearby hotels. 30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances rushed to the site after the fire broke out this morning The fire broke out overnight at the restaurant of a hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said The cause of the blaze is now being investigated, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Private NTV broadcaster said three people died after jumping from the hotel's windows The resort is located on top of a mountain range about 170 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of the capital Ankara Justice Minister Tunc said six prosecutors had been allocated to investigate the blaze. The health, interior and culture ministers are expected to visit the site later in the day. In an address in Ankara, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said: 'Unfortunately, we received very sad news this morning from Bolu, Kartalkaya. 'Our brothers and sisters were killed and injured in a fire that broke out in a hotel. 'All necessary steps will be taken to shed light on all aspects of the incident and to hold those responsible accountable,' he added. Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor at the hotel, said he was asleep when the fire erupted and he rushed out of the building. He told NTV television that he then helped some 20 guests out of the hotel. He said the hotel was engulfed in smoke, making it difficult for guests to find the fire escape. 'I cannot reach some of my students. I hope they are OK,' the ski instructor told the station. Guests staying at the hotel who were evacuated have been rehoused The crowd at Donald Trump's historic second inauguration had four of the worlds five wealthiest men, five former presidents, tech titans and business moguls, and two foreign leaders front and center with prime seats. Trump welcomed a mix traditional, unprecedented and unorthodox guests - from Supreme Court justices to the vice president of China, and the head of TikTok. The President's family stood proudly by his side as he took the oath of office for the second time, reminding America that they are the pillars who will carry on the MAGA legacy once his term is finished. Trump's youngest son Barron stood directly behind his father and mother, First Lady Melania Trump, during the swearing-in ceremony. Scattered throughout the star-spangled line-up were familiar faces in Trump's orbit including Tesla billionaire Elon Musk and UFC president Dana White, both close allies of president. Politicians, Supreme Court justices and other lawmakers mostly sat in front of Trump, watching as the new president was sworn in and ushered a new MAGA era. Your browser does not support iframes. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at the Liberty Ball Vice President JD Vance, Usha Vance, Tiffany Trump, Michael Boulos, Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, Lara Trump, Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner dance at the Liberty Ball AMERICA'S FIRST FAMILY Donald Trump was flanked by every member of his family as he took the oath of office for the second time. Barron Trump, the youngest of Trump's five children, entered the rotunda alongside his mother First Lady Melania Trump and stood directly behind his father as he was sworn in. Barron, 18, demonstrated dignity and respectfully shook the hands of outgoing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as power shifted from one administration to the next. Trump's youngest son, a favorite among the MAGA community, was an influential pillar in his father's re-election campaign. He has been credited by the president for his campaign's online outreach, saying he introduced him to internet personalities he had never heard of before. Barron Trump, the youngest of Trump's five children, stood directly behind his father and mother Melania as President Donald Trump was sworn in President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump dance at the Commander in Chief Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, in Washington DC on Monday Donald Trump Jr. escorts his MAGA sweetheart daughter Kai Trump, 17, to the Liberty inaugural ball in Washington DC. Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump are seen walking behind them Ivanka Trump dances with her husband Jared Kushner during the Liberty Inaugural Ball Barron is a freshman New York University business student, but will have a bedroom in the White House. His children Tiffany, Eric, Ivanka and Donald Jr, attended the ceremony and sat together in the Rotunda, as did their spouses and several of his grandchildren. MAGA sweetheart Kai Trump, one of Trump's granddaughters, is only 17 but has become popular over the past year after stepping up on stage at the Republican National Convention and briefly speaking at a rally over the weekend. Kai is the daughter of Donald Trump Jr., who has helped his father with some of his picks and is seen as an enforcer of loyalty in his orbit. Eric's influential wife Lara, who was promoted to a top position in the Republican National Committee earlier this year, also proudly stood by the president's side. BILLIONAIRES, TECH BROS AND MEDIA MOGULS A cadre of billionaires and tech titans were standing front and center at Donald Trump's historic second inauguration. Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, were seated alongside Amazon creator Jeff Bezos and his fiancee, Lauren Sanchez, as well as Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and businessman Elon Musk. The businessmen - whose net worths totaled a whopping $850 billion - were seated behind President Trump's wife and children, but ahead of several of his Cabinet nominees. Musk, who has grown closer to Trump since the election, was the one sitting closest to Trump. The group of tech titans were then seen sitting together alongside Bezos' fiancee Lauren Sanchez and Zuckerberg's wife Priscilla Chan for the inauguration ceremony. Other guests seen inside the Church of the Presidents and the rotunda included the likes of podcaster Joe Rogan and former Fox News' media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Rogan, who is among the world's most popular podcasters, sat down for a three-hour interview with Trump in the last stretch of the campaign and ultimately endorsed him a day before Election Day. Trump has expressed gratitude to him. Priscilla Chan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk attend the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the US Capitol Rotunda on Monday Other guests seen inside the Church of the Presidents and the rotunda included the likes of podcaster Joe Rogan, pictured during the inauguration Elon Musk gestures on stage as he prepares to speak inside the Capital One arena on the inauguration day of Donald Trump's second Presidential term The President of FIFA Gianni Infantino was among the congregation as well as Evan Spiegel, the CEO of Snapchat. UFC president Dana White, a close Trump ally, also had a prime seat at the event. Bernard Arnault, CEO of French magnate LVMH, the biggest seller of luxury goods in the world whose brands include Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior, was on the opposite side of the dais. Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok was seated next to Tulsi Gabbard, whom Trump has nominated to be the director of national intelligence. Trump intervened this weekend in an attempt to halt a ban on TikTok, which is seen as a potential national security threat. The president has credited the social network with helping him win last years election, but the platform faces a ban if the China-based parent company does not find a Washington-approved buyer. FORMER PRESIDENTS AND POLITICIANS Seated behind America's tech brows were members of Trump's Cabinet including his nominees for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and secretary of health and human services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Former Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, outgoing President Joe Biden were also given prime seats at the ceremony. All their wives, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton - Trump's 2016 opponent - were also seated there, except for former First Lady Michelle Obama. Michelle notably skipped Trump's inauguration because she refuses to 'be fake' about her loyalties. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance dance at the Liberty Ball President Joe Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris arrive prior to the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump at the United States Capitol on January 20, 2025 Susie Wiles greets former Vice President Mike Pence before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday Former Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as her husband Doug Emhoff, attended the event. Harris unsuccessfully ran against Trump in the 2024 race after Biden dropped his bid for re-election last summer. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who survived during Trump's first Oval Office term, was also among those standing nearby. All nine Supreme Court justices attended the ceremony, including Chief Justice John Roberts, who administered the oath of office to Trump. Justice Brett Kavanaugh administered the oath for Vice President JD Vance. Retired justice Stephen Breyer also joined the nine current SCOTUS members. FOREIGN LEADERS In an unprecedented move, Trump invited foreign leaders to the inauguration, and they also got coveted seats for the ceremony. Argentina President Javier Milei was seated next to Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. They were also next to China's Vice President Han Zheng, whom President Xi Jinping sent to represent him. The Chinese ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, was also nearby. Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson also attended the ceremony. He was seated near Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez for the morning church service. Argentinian President Javier Milei appeared late in the evening at the Starlight Ball China's Vice President Han Zheng, second from left, stands with Tulsi Gabbard, third from right, the nominee to be the next director of national intelligence Elon Musk has cozy chat with glamorous Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at Trump inauguration MAJOR MAGA DONORS Miriam Adelson and John Paulson were among the largest donors to the Trump campaign and got prime seating for the ceremony next to incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Paulson, a billionaire investor, was the host of a Palm Beach, Florida, fundraiser that set a single-event record, adding $50.5million to the campaign last April. Adelson is the co-owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and widow of billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. She is a major supporter of Trump and, with Zuckerberg, was hosting another inaugural event on Monday. Frequent fliers are beginning to turn their backs on their go-to airlines due to constant changes in loyalty program perks. Wealthy travelers who fly Delta Airlines are considering switching loyalty programs despite their high statuses. Benjamin Carter, a veterinary chief medical officer, is one of those fliers and is considering using a Big Front Seat option with Spirit Airlines. The Florida-based flier has a Diamond Medallion Status - the highest level for members of Delta's SkyMiles loyalty program. Carter has held the Diamond Medallion Status for six years, and owns a Delta SkyMiles Reserve credit card. Despite the perks, Carter revealed he plans to give it all up following price hikes and frustration with customer service. 'If I'm able to find an airline that gives me more point-to-point service with less connections, that will be a huge factor in determining who I choose going forward,' Carter told the Wall Street Journal. Carter will also track his flights with other airlines and compare prices and on-time trip frequencies. Multiple fliers have considered flying other airlines despite their high statuses on the Delta SkyMiles rewards program Delta SkyMiles has around 120 million members and is one of the world's largest airline loyalty programs, according to The Points Guy. Carter and other members of the loyalty program receive free Wi-Fi and use miles for travel benefits like seat upgrades or free checked bags, according to Delta's website. Travelers earn miles through flights, making purchases on Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards, and partnerships with companies like Hertz and Starbucks. The members' status depends on the amount of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) they spend. MQDs are metrics used by Delta to determine how much a flier spends on flights, vacation packages, and qualified credit cards. Carter was required to spend at least $28,000 MQDs in 2024 to maintain his status this year. Event manager and Platinum Medallion status holder Chad Bordes was required to spend $15,000 in MQDs. He explained that despite his membership and his father's previous employment with Delta, he too has decided to explore other airlines. 'It's a breath of fresh air,' the Oregon resident told the Wall Street Journal. Frequent flier Benjamin Carter revealed he is considering using the Big Front Seat option with Spirit Airlines instead of flying Delta Delta faced backlash in 2023 after the airline made unfavorable loyalty program changes. According to the new rules, Delta SkyMiles members will only be allowed to visit a Sky Club lounge between six and 10 times a year depending on which credit card they use unless they agree to pay $75,000 a year. The new policy will be implemented on February 1. Another new rule required fliers with basic economy tickets not to gain access to lounges starting on January 1, 2024. The airline also eliminated Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), and members were required to convert them to MQDs or Skymiles by December 31, 2024. The new loyalty program guidelines were enough to make around 100,000 wealthy Delta fliers consider switching airlines. 'While not all of those people would have actually flown on another carrier, the Delta changes were material enough that members felt they needed a backup option,' CEO of Loyalty Status Co. Mark Ross-Smith told the Wall Street Journal. A Delta spokesperson wrote in an email to the Wall Street Journal that travelers were active in the program at record levels despite the changes. Besides these new policies, Delta announced the airline would end its eight-year partnership with Lyft on January 19. Delta fliers will be able to earn miles with Uber starting this spring but can still do so with Lyft until April 7. Delta faced backlash for changing its SkyMiles rewards program policies in 2023 Millennial and Gen Z fliers who are SkyMiles members have also explored other airlines due to reward program changes. Raina Szura, a frequent flier, is one millennial who has decided to weigh out options. Unlike Carter and Bordes, Szura is a frequent United Airlines flier and uses a United-branded credit card. She is allowed a free checked bag and earlier boarding and admitted the United MileagePlus program perks were hard to leave behind. 'That's something I'm probably going to have to pay for if it is a long flight,' Szyra told the Wall Street Journal. 'Airlines need to remember that their members are emotionally attached to their airline status,' Ross-Smith said. 'Messing with that emotional relationship comes at a cost to the airline. That cost may not be felt immediately, but it does down the road.' If Carter selects Big Front Seat with Spirit, he will be given a wider seat near the front of the plane. However, the seat option is not always included in the airline's Free Spirit loyalty program. Bordes and Szura have not revealed which airlines are at the top of their lists of loyalty program selections. A retired Wisconsin attorney was found dead on a sidewalk in a hospital gown after surveillance cameras captured him crumpled on the ground in bitter cold temperatures. John N. Siebold, 80, was seen on grainy footage walking alone on Sunday morning before he appeared in later footage on the pavement around 2am in Milwaukee. Siebold was discovered by a passing fire department crew around 7am, according to WISN. He was found wearing a hospital gown, pants, a suit jacket, and a winter coat, according to the medical examiner. Firefighters determined Siebold had been dead for hours and he was surrounded by blood. He died from suspected exposure to cold weather, according to WISN. The city experienced negative overnight temperatures during the weekend and it was only 3 degrees when firefighters found him. Milwaukee Police do not believe the death is suspicious as the bleeding at the scene was consistent with a fall. 'The cause of death is under investigation, however, is not suspicious,' police told DailyMail.com. John N. Siebold, 80, was caught on grainy surveillance footage walking alone early Sunday morning before he appeared on the pavement around 2am in Milwaukee The retired attorney was found by a passing fire crew around 7am. He was wearing a hospital gown, pants, a suit jacket, and a winter coat, according to the medical examiner DailyMail.com contacted the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office for comment. 'When we woke up, the police were here. We didn't see anything. I felt bad because it was so cold,' said Raul Jose Diaz, who was left to clean the blood off the sidewalk in front of his home. 'It doesn't look good, and we called the city, and they said cleaning it up was the responsibility of the property owner,' he told the local outlet. More than 3,500 Americans died from cold exposure in 2022, Michael Liu, a fourth-year Harvard Medical School student, found in a study, published by JAMA. 'We were really shocked,' Liu told The Washington Post. 'Cold-related deaths are still a public health risk.' Liu's study found that those living in the Midwest have the highest chance of cold-related mortality, especially among those who are 75 and older. Cold-related deaths have doubled between 1999 and 2022 and could be due to climate change. Winter temperatures have risen four degrees on average across the US compared to half a century ago, but the country is experiencing bursts of extremely cold weather. 'We are less accustomed to experiencing those cold temperatures, so that when they do occur, it is much more of a shock to the system,' Northern Illinois University Professor Victor Gensini told The New York Times. Raul Jose Diaz (pictured) was left to clean up the blood left on the sidewalk outside his home. Police do not believe the attorney's death is suspicious as the blood found at the scene was consistent with a fall There are also more people who are vulnerable to the cold than before as homelessness continues to increase across the US. Deaths due to cold exposure increased between 2017 and 2022, when more people were experiencing homelessness . The highest rates were among American Indians, Alaska Natives, and African Americans, the study found. Experts advise people to bundle up during cold weather and to try to find insulated places to sleep, especially for those who are homeless. This is the first picture of a Citibank boss found dead in her flat, as police launch an urgent manhunt to catch the killer who they believe was 'known to her'. Marianne Kilonzi, 43, who was VP of Trade and Working Capital Sales at the financial giant, was discovered with a fatal head injury at her home in Woolwich, southeast London, on Friday afternoon. Officers attended the home on Argyll Road - a charming street just a stone's throw away from the River Thames where house prices are 442,000 on average - at 5.25pm, after receiving calls from people concerned for her welfare. The Metropolitan Police launched a murder probe and no arrests have yet been made, but officers said they are hunting a suspect 'known' to Ms Kilonzi. The force added in a statement that Ms Kilonzi has been formally identified. Neighbours are said to have raised concerns with investigating police officers after hearing a loud disturbance coming from her apartment. Residents of the exclusive Royal Arsenal Riverside development were questioned about the 'noisy disturbance' in the early hours of Monday morning at her first floor apartment. Ms Kilonzi's lifeless body was found on Friday afternoon after police officers entered her property following concerns for her well-being. Marianne Kilonzi, 43, who worked as a banker, was found dead on Friday afternoon Officers were called to the 43-year-old's home on Argyll Road her home in Woolwich, southeast London Neighbour Michael Buckingham, 82, told MailOnline: 'The police came around and asked me some questions. 'An officer asked me if I had heard anything coming from her flat between 3am and 4am on Monday morning. It appears that had been a noisy disturbance at that time. 'Sadly I couldn't help them because I didn't hear anything.' Police forensic officers scoured the flat, which had a view of an internal lagoon with fountains, throughout the weekend. A cleaner said: 'The police have been all through the flat. They have also searched the rubbish bins.' Mr Buckingham added that he believed detectives had already identified a suspect to the murder. The retired company director said: 'The police know who they're after. They're not looking for anyone else. It's just a case of finding him.' Detective Chief Inspector Suzanne Soren said: 'This is a tragic crime and our thoughts at this incredibly difficult time are with Marianne's loved ones and colleagues. Ms Kilonzi has been revealed as working for Citi bank. Pictured: the offices of Citigroup Inc in Canary Wharf 'We are in contact with her family, who are being supported by specialist colleagues. 'I know this is a concerning time for the wider community and want to reassure the public that whilst we are in the early stages of this investigation, we believe the suspect was known to Marianne and there is no wider risk to the public. 'This is a fast-paced investigation and I would urge anyone with any information to come forward.' A post mortem on Saturday indicated Ms Kilonzi's cause of death was blunt force trauma and a head injury. Ms Kilonzi had worked at Citi for more than 18 years, according to her LinkedIn profile, and previously ran a company fundraiser for Cancer Research. A spokesperson for Citi told MailOnline: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague. Our thoughts are with Marianne's family and friends during this difficult time.' Ms Kilonzi's death comes just days after a fatal stabbing in the same area in which a 14-year-old boy was killed. Two teenagers aged 15 and 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in court last week charged with the murder of Kelyan Bokassa. Kelyan was attacked with two machetes and stabbed 27 times during the horror incident on a 472 bus on Woolwich Church Street on January 7. The two incidents are not thought to be linked. Breastfeeding mothers in Alabama will receive better legal protections after a contentious courtroom incident led to a dramatic ruling. Kandace Brown, 40, a nursing mother-of-five, arrived in Jefferson County Courthouse on January 13 to serve her jury duty summons with her three-month-old daughter, Parker, in tow. Brown said she was met with hostility from judges and other courtroom employees after she told them her newborn had to stay with her to be breastfed. 'I went today with Parker in tow (in the middle of sick season) and it was a horrible experience,' Brown wrote in a Facebook post. 'There were two other mothers there and the judges said that those with children there need to make accommodations for their children to be picked up. [The judge said] they would hate for DHR to be involved!' The nursing mother told AL.com that she had called and turned-in forms to be excused prior to reporting for jury duty but was refused. 'The judge would not excuse me and said I need to make accommodations for her,' she said. 'I said I could not or my baby could not eat. She made me sit back down to wait another almost hour for all the excuses to be heard.' Kandace Brown, 40, a nursing mother-of-five, arrived in Jefferson County Courthouse on January 13 to serve her jury duty summons with her three-month-old daughter, Parker, in tow The displeased mother said she was met with hostility from judges and other courtroom employees after she told them her newborn had to stay with her to be breastfed. Pictured: Kandace Brown's five children 'I went today with Parker in tow (in the middle of sick season) and it was a horrible experience,' Brown wrote in a Facebook post (pictured) Brown said that after waiting for more than an hour she was released from jury duty and sent to the front office to speak with the court clerk. 'The clerk sat me down at her computer, got my name and date of birth, how old my baby was, when she would turn one year old and said, "You are released for the day, but you will be called back very soon, and you cannot bring your baby with you," Brown told AL.com. 'If I'm still breastfeeding I'm going to have to [bring the baby]. I don't have a choice. Like she would literally starve for the day or the week if I was chosen, if I come back. And [the clerk] said, "All I'm telling you is you can't bring your baby with you... She said, "Well, you should pump." 'How could the courts dictate how my child eats? She's a tiny three-month-old. We're not talking about a 2-year-old here,' she added. Brown said her experience was 'awful' and that she was surprised there were not greater protections in place for mothers. 'Im honestly just appalled at our judicial system concerning women and childrens health,' she wrote in her January 13 Facebook entry. 'I will absolutely report for jury duty and serve. I just cannot when my infant daughter depends on me for her basic need in life. The treatment we experienced today was awful.' Brown's Facebook post has caused a widespread public outcry. Not long after, the Alabama Supreme Court got involved, and only four days later it issued an administrative order excusing breastfeeding mothers from jury duty. Alabama State Auditor, Andrew Sorell (pictured) sponsored a bill in 2022 that would have excused nursing mothers from serving as a juror - the bill, however, was rejected Brown says she could not believe it happened so fast. Before the surprise administrative order, under Alabama law, there were no protections exempting nursing mothers from jury duty. However, in years prior to Brown's contentious courtroom incident, others have lobbied for such protections. Andrew Sorell, an Alabama State Auditor, sponsored a bill in 2022 that would have excused nursing mothers from serving as a juror. The former State Representative, turned Auditor, said his wife was pregnant at the time and they were pondering hypothetical situations. 'She said "Theoretically, what would happen if I got called to jury duty and I have a nursing infant?" I said, "Well, obviously you would be excused under Alabama law." And then I checked it. Not true at all,' Sorell said. Andrew Sorrell, a former State Representative turned Auditor, said his wife (pictured) was pregnant when they began worrying what would happen if she was called into jury duty with a nursing infant While talks are still happening, Sorrell, Brown and state Representative Susan Dubose say they expect some kind of bill to be introduced during the upcoming legislative session. Pictured: Kandace Brown with her husband, Keith, and four of their children. Feeling inspired, the soon-to-be father then drafted the bill offering the necessary protections for breastfeeding women, and introduced it, however, the court had several objections. 'When I got that bill before committee and presented it, the objections from legislators were, "Do you have any stories of anyone this has actually happened to?" 'I said, "Well, I mean, not off the top of my head, but that does not mean it is not happening,' Sorrell recalled. 'The [court's] other objection was that .... any reasonable judge would exempt a nursing mother from jury duty,' he said. 'Well, as we found out two days ago, not all judges are reasonable.' Now, years later, Sorell cannot believe how 'quickly' the government responded to the public's outcry. 'I have never seen government respond so quickly to constituent concern as I did here,' he said. Brown claims Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Shanta Owens is the one who threatened to call the Department of Human Resources. She added that judges Elisabeth French and Marshell Jackson Hatcher also addressed the group. Owens said Brown was excused and called the situation a 'misunderstanding' in a statement to AL.com on Wednesday. Brown claims Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Shanta Owens (pictured) is the one who threatened to call the Department of Human Resources. She added that judges Elisabeth French and Marshell Jackson Hatcher also addressed the group 'The juror was indeed excused a short time after arriving for jury service, as was any other similarly situated individual called for jury service,' the statement said. 'I, too, am a mother and have been a breastfeeding mother previously and therefore, would excuse jury service for a period of time for any individual under the circumstances.' Owens added that under state law 'there are well-established mechanisms in place to excuse individuals from jury duty prior to service.' 'I take these procedures seriously to ensure that the jury selection process runs lawfully, smoothly, and efficiently. If any additional laws are enacted regarding jury service or any other matter, I would be delighted to follow those laws as well,' Owens said. Campaigners hope new legislation help to usher in even broader protections. Pictured: Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama 'I have been serving as a judge for over 16 years and, throughout this time, I have seen firsthand how vital it is for our justice system to function without disruptions, the most important of these being jury service. 'The integrity of the judicial process is paramount, and I will continue to work toward ensuring that our trials proceed fairly and efficiently for all parties involved,' the statement concluded. While talks are still happening, Sorrell, Brown and state Representative Susan Dubose say they expect some kind of bill to be introduced during the upcoming legislative session. In the new bill, the mother-of-five is hoping to include the primary caretakers of children under five years old as well as for nursing mothers, Fox8 reported. Sorrell mentioned including caregivers of those with disabilities as well. The legislative session begins on February 4th. A Swedish jihadist who is suspected of carrying out one of Islamic State's most infamous executions may finally face justice more than ten years on. Prosecutors have asked for convicted terrorist Osama Krayem to be remanded in detention on suspicion of war and terrorism crimes over the 2014 killing of a Jordanian air force pilot in Syria. Mouath al-Kasaesbeh was locked in a cage and burned alive by depraved militants after being captured when his plane was shot down on December 24, 2014, with footage of the horrific execution being broadcast to the world by the terror group. No individuals have so far stood trial for the killing of the 26-year-old, Swedish prosecutors said. Now Krayem, who has previously been convicted for involvement in attacks in Paris in 2015 and in Brussels in 2016, could be the first person to be convicted in connection with the heinous act. The authority said the killing was considered "one of the most brutal murders committed by IS during the war in Syria,' with the pilot 'incapacitated and subjected to an extremely cruel act'. Prosecutors said they will request that 32-year-old Krayem, who is currently held in France, be extradited if the case goes to trial in Sweden. Prosecutors said Krayem, alongside other IS members, forced the pilot into the cage. The killing of the pilot violates the laws of war, and the killing and video constitute terrorist activities, the Swedish Prosecution Authority said in a statement. Prosecutors have asked for convicted terrorist Osama Krayem (pictured) to be remanded in detention on suspicion of war and terrorism crimes Mouath al-Kasaesbeh was locked in a cage and burned alive by depraved militants No individuals have so far stood trial for the killing of the 26-year-old (pictured), Swedish prosecutors said Under Swedish legislation, courts can try people for crimes against international law committed abroad. The IS militant group once imposed a reign of terror over millions of people in Syria and Iraq, controlling swathes of the countries between 2014 and 2017 before it was defeated in its last bastions in 2019. It is responsible for some of Europe's worst terror atrocities in recent years. Krayem, who is from Malmo in southern Sweden, joined IS in Syria in 2014 before returning to Europe. In June 2022, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison in France for assisting in the planning of the 2015 Paris attacks, in which 130 people died. The following year, he was given a life sentence in Belgium for participating in the bombings on March 22, 2016, at Brussels' main airport and on the metro system, which killed 32 people. Prior to his arrest on April 8, 2016, he was one of Europe's most wanted fugitives, and considered to be a hardened ISIS operative. The Swedish Prosecution Authority said in it would not comment further on the latest case until it had reached a decision on whether to charge Krayem. Mouath al-Kasaesbeh, who was captured by ISIS when his plane was shot down in 2014 The pilot's wife Anwar Tarawneh, holds a photo of him before his grotesque execution was confirmed A hearing to decide whether he will be remanded in detention in his absence was scheduled for Tuesday, the Stockholm district court said. He is not the first suspect to have been connected to the execution of al-Kasaesbeh, with ISIS commander Saddam al-Jamal previously named as a mastermind behind the brutal killing. Al-Jamal is said to have ordered the execution of children, sometimes in front of their parents. In 2014, Iraqi officials claimed that al-Jamal had murdered an entire family after the parents prevented the daughter from marrying him. Gruesome images released on social media show him gleefully posing with a collection of charred severed heads. He was one of four leaders of ISIS captured by Iraqi security forces after they were lured from Syria to Iraq with fake Telegram messages. Fox News aired an unfortunate chyron typo while covering the TikTok ban. During Fox News Sunday, host Shannon Bream held a substantive discussion with Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) about TikTok's future amid its temporary shutdown. However, as they discussed steps former President Donald Trump could take to ensure the platforms safety and accessibility, a chyron mistakenly displayed, 'TITKOK SHUTS DOWN IN THE U.S.' The error, which aired for 14 seconds, was quickly corrected. In the interview, McCormick voiced confidence in Trumps ability to negotiate a solution to keep TikTok available in the U.S. 'I can't think of anybody better than President Trump to be able to find some sort of negotiated solution,' McCormick said. 'But what that will be, I don't know.' Later on Sunday, the popular video-sharing platform was revived after a brief shutdown as newly sworn in President Trump announced plans to reverse the governments ban on the app. TikTok confirmed it was 'in the process of restoring service,' with some users reporting limited functionality before full access was restored. Fox News aired a crude chyron typo reading 'TITKOK SHUTS DOWN IN THE U.S.' during Fox News Sunday where host Shannon Bream (right) and Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) (left) discussed TikTok's future The popular video-sharing platform came back to life after just a few hours on Sunday as President Donald Trump stated his intention to reverse the government's ban of the app The company credited Trump for providing 'necessary clarity and assurance' to service providers, ensuring they wouldn't face penalties for keeping TikTok available to its American user base. Last year, Congress passed legislation mandating TikTok's ban unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sold its stakes by January 19, 2025. ByteDance, which had nine months to sell TikTok's U.S. operations to an approved buyer, consistently refused to divest. While American officials cited potential national security risks, TikTok, along with some users and creators, filed lawsuits to block the ban. In the lead-up to the ban taking effect, the Supreme Court upheld a previous appeals court ruling, determining that the ban did 'not violate petitioners First Amendment rights.' This decision cleared the way for the app to go dark for 170 million Americans. As the ban took hold, TikTok influencers across the U.S. shared emotional videos, expressing heartbreak over the loss of their platform and livelihoods. For many, the nationwide blackout marked the end of an era. Alix Earle, who is known as TikTok's 'it girl' thanks to the popularity of her 'Get Ready With Me' confessional videos, was among the first to post a video when TikTok was restored on Sunday Trump responded to the ban by saying he would sign an executive order on Monday to delay it But content creators rejoiced after TikTok went back online following the short-lived blackout across America. 'OMG IS THIS REAL GUYS??? I'm so happy,' lifestyle creator Danielle Pheloung wrote. She followed up with a dancing video saying 'I guess I can cancel that interview tomorrow' as her source of income was restored. Alix Earle, who is known as TikTok's 'it girl' thanks to the popularity of her 'Get Ready With Me' confessional videos, was among the first to post a video. 'You're telling me that I just spend the last two days crying on here, and now the app is back?' the 24-year-old told her 7.2 million followers after the ban was lifted. 'All I'm going to say is, thank god I didn't post the last thing I had in the drafts.' Earle previously filmed herself breaking down in tears over the possibility of the app which propelled her to fame being shut down. Another influencer, Emily Senn, posted a sheepish video of her admitting she had 'completely crashed out' about TikTok 'going away' only to return 16 hours later. Some filmed themselves having an existential crisis over the quick U-turn on the ban. TikTok influencers across the US have filmed themselves breaking down in hysteria as the Supreme Court-backed ban took effect early Sunday, with many mourning the loss of their platform and livelihood TikTokers celebrated as the app came back to life and their source of income was restored 'Did we all freak out for nothing?' TikTok creator Madilynn Cameron said. 'Was this, like, a prank? What is happening? Can you see this? Can you see me? Am I real?' Others posted triumphant videos of themselves beaming with friends while doing celebratory dances. 'Testing, one, two three. My app just started working. Will this video post?' influencer Sasha Mixon told her 1.4 million followers in her first video back. Content creator Halley Kate also filmed herself screaming and jumping around as she celebrated not having to find a job. TikTok confirmed it's working to restore the app. TikTok is in the process of restoring service, the company's statement read on Sunday. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over seven million small businesses to thrive. Its a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States. Ministers today came under fire for pushing Labour's 'growth' mission at every opportunity - even when outlining plans to digitise the registration of deaths. The Government was blasted for a suggestion that bereaved Brits having to queue at local councils to register the death of a loved one was 'getting in the way of growth'. Critics hit out at the 'insensitive' and 'crass' language used in an official Government press release, with ministers urged to stop 'crowbarring' their growth mission into everthing they publish. The row was sparked after the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) issued a 1,700-word missive over a 'shake up' of tech usage in public services. Among efforts to target 45billion in 'productivity savings' every year, DSIT said it would 'do away with insensitive and antiquated processes that have been holding this country back for too long'. 'That means scrapping the need for people to queue at the local council to register the death of a loved one getting in the way of growth,' the press release added. Tory MP Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, accused the Government of a 'spectacularly ignorant' approach. 'You don't get growth by crassly crowbarring the word into every press release - even when it's about registering the death of a loved one,' he told MailOnline. 'You get growth by supporting the private sector and, for example, by not imposing a 'death tax' on family businesses, or trade union-inspired red tape on employers.' PM Sir Keir Starmer has made economic growth his Labour Government's 'number one mission' Critics hit out at the 'insensitive' and 'crass' language used in an official Government press release DSIT, which is headed by Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, blamed a 'version control issue' for the initial wording of the press release A Liberal Democrat source said: 'It appears there are three certainties in life. Death, taxes, and the Government crowbarring growth into every press release.' Nick Hargrave, who worked in Downing Street under former PM Theresa May, highlighted the pitfalls of pushing political slogans in Whitehall communications. He posted on X: 'Used to be my job to make sure what the government announced was 'for hardworking people' or 'for those just about managing'. 'But it sometimes worthwhile to do a sense check nonetheless...' Another X user, Judith Lee, wrote: 'Whoever wrote this is clueless. Registering a death isn't an 'insensitive process'. 'Implying that a bereaved person doing this is wasting valuable time away from work is definitely insensitive.' And John Ranson posted: 'More time to work ergo more growth. Simples!' The DSIT press release was later edited online to read: 'That means scrapping the need for people to queue at the local council to register the death of a loved one, and doing away with the need to post an advert in your local paper if you want to buy a lorry getting in the way of growth.' DSIT, which is headed by Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, blamed a 'version control issue' for the initial wording of the press release. Romantasy novel lovers were seen queuing for hours in the middle of the night to get their hands on the latest raunchy fairy story - dubbed the 'most exciting book since Harry Potter'. Hundreds of fans of the 'fairy porn' genre were spotted waiting outside bookshops across the UK to be the first to get their hands on a copy of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros. It is the third instalment of the five-part Empyrean series by the best-selling author and supporters signed up in droves to attend midnight release parties. Videos posted onto social media saw book worms show up in fancy dress, take part in dragon-themed quizzes and buy a coveted copy of the viral hit. The 'fairy porn' or 'Romantasy' genre has taken the world by storm, with its fans being mainly young middle-class women. The books feature an array of mystical creatures but, most importantly, very detailed sex scenes. Ms Yarross UK publisher Rebekah West told The Telegraph that Onyx Storm is 'set to smash UK publisher records', giving her company Little Brown the biggest pre-order numbers for a book since Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It has been so popular, that the novel was listed on bestseller charts as early as August last year as a result of pre-orders. Romantasy novel lovers were seen queuing for hours in the middle of the night to get their hands on the 'most exciting book since Harry Potter' Videos posted onto social media saw book worms attend these events in fancy dress, take part in dragon-themed quizzes and buy a coveted copy of the viral hit Fans across the UK waited to be the first to get a copy of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros The latest tale chronicles the continuation of protagonist Violet Sorrengails story as a dragon rider in a fictional war college and her romance with fellow rider Xaden Riorson. Ms Yarros's first novel Fourth Wing, described as 'The Hunger Games meets 50 Shades Of Grey', became a viral sensation thanks to BookTok - the corner of TikTok where users share their love of books and literature. Goodreads revealed that Fourth Wing was the most read book of 2024, attracting more than a million readers. Its success has led to the story now being developed into a series for television by Amazon MGM Studios alongside Michael B. Jordans production company. The sequel, Iron Flame, took second place with 999,000 readers, telling the story of the second year at Basgiath War College. The romantasy genre - which sees writers blend romance and elements of high fantasy - is mostly popular with young women and has turned Sarah J Mass into a bestselling author with her A Court Of Thorns And Roses (ACOTAR) series. Romantasy was first posted on Urban Dictionary in 2008, but it's thanks to TikTok, and Maas - whose books have sold 37 million copies - that it's really taken off. The hashtag on the social media platform for ACOTAR alone has been viewed over 14 billion times, with the appeal put down to the high levels of 'spice' and 'smut'. Rebecca Yarross UK publisher said Onyx Storm is set to give her Little Brown the biggest pre-order numbers for a book since Harry Potter and the Cursed Child The latest tale chronicles the continuation of protagonist Violet Sorrengails story as a dragon rider in a fictional war college and her romance with fellow rider Xaden Riorson. Pictured: Delighted fans at the book launch Fans joined long queues to be in with a chance of laying their hands on the new release The latest book was listed on bestseller charts as early as August last year as a result of pre-orders. Pictured: Fans enjoy arts and crafts at a launch The romantasy genre sees writers blend romance and elements of high fantasy. Pictured: A fan gets a temporary tattoo at a book launch One tamer sentence from A Court Of Mist And Fury reads: 'His mouth found mine, the kiss open and deep, a clash of tongues and teeth. He lay me down on the pillows, and I locked my legs around his back, careful of the wings. And later: 'With one long claw, he shredded through silk and lace, and my undergarment fell away in pieces.' The books repeatedly rehash Welsh language and lore, critics say, with the American authors characters named Rhysand, Gwyneth, Alis and Morrigan. This decision has upset some within the literary community, who say tapping into this culture 'creates an image of the country which isn't realistic'. Fantasy authors have repeatedly used the country's mythology, which has strong links to the legend of King Arthur, to make novels more appealing to world audiences. Legendary writer JRR Tolkien was said to 'open the floodgates' to the trend, when using the Welsh language as the basis for Elvish in his The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Professor Dimitra Fimi, a lecturer in fantasy literature at the University of Glasgow, told The Telegraph: 'Wales in particular has a very rich tradition and there is a chain of key fantasy authors that have played around with that material. 'It's a positive thing in terms of discovering a very rich new culture or opening up to other perspectives. 'What worries me is a particular perception of Wales developing within fantasy, which is that it's this magical, rural, romantic place. 'It can be pretty patronising. It creates an image of the country which isn't realistic. That's not all that Wales is.' Its estimated that UK sales of Romantasy totalled 27million last year, up from 15 million in 2022. The books are a big hit with young women and feature an array of mystical creatures but, most importantly, very detailed sex scenes Yvette Cooper insisted she was 'keen' to reveal terror links of the Southport killer today amid more claims of a 'cover-up'. The Home Secretary was grilled on why the government was not more transparent over the Axel Rudakubana case as she faced the Commons. Her Tory shadow Chris Philp warned that stonewalling on the basis there was an investigation going on would no longer 'cut it' in an era of social media. But Ms Cooper said there was no way ministers could ignore the advice they were receiving about contempt of court. 'We have been keen to publish the information on Prevent referrals from the start, but throughout the advice to us has been clear,' she said. 'If we had ignored the advice that we were given about the case that (was) put towards us and about the information that the police and the CPS were working through in order to get justice, and if as a result a killer had walked free, no-one would ever have forgiven the Government or anyone else.' The clashes in the House came after Keir Starmer told a press conference in Downing Street that people were right to 'demand answers' over 'failings'. However, he flatly rejected allegations of a 'cover-up' of terrorist links in the immediate aftermath of the atrocity in July - which was followed by a wave of rioting across the country. He confirmed he knew about the details 'as they were emerging' - rather than in October when extra terror-related charges were brought - but could not risk the case collapsing and the 'vile' perpetrator walking away free. 'That is why the law of this country forbade me or anybody else from disclosing details sooner,' he said. 'I wouldn't be forgiven if I had.' He added: 'It was not my personal decision to withhold this information, any more than it was a journalist's personal decision not to print or write about it.' Sir Keir said it was a 'devastating moment in our history' and must be a 'line in the sand' for Britain, warning that 'terrorism has changed' with the threat of 'acts of extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms'. Yvette Cooper was grilled on why the government was not more transparent over the Axel Rudakubana case as she faced the Commons Merseyside Police today issued this mugshot of Axel Rudakubana, 18, of Banks, Lancashire, after he pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to all 16 counts he was charged with He stressed that the probe should be 'unburdened by cultural sensitivities' and institutions will not be allowed to 'deflect' responsibility. 'I'm angry about it... Nothing will be off the table in this inquiry,' he said. Sir Keir said he was under 'no illusions' that the lack of 'trust' will continue until the state is 'honest' about problems and 'roots them out'. But he insisted he had been inspired by the response of the Southport community, who rebuilt despite the tragedy being compounded by violence on the streets. 'Responsibility for the disorder and violence lies with those who perpetrated it,' he said. The Tories and Reform said there were still 'serious questions' about the transparency of government information in the wake of the killings. Laying out details of the public inquiry in the Commons this afternoon, Yvette Cooper said it was 'unbearable' that action might have prevented the attack. Challenged over the timing of information being released, Ms Cooper said: 'It is not for the government to ignore the rules or the advice that we are given when justice for the families is at stake.' Ms Cooper revealed that Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was 'easily able to order a knife on Amazon', when he was still aged 17 and had been convicted over violence. She told MPs: 'That's a total disgrace and it must change. So, we will bring in stronger measures to tackle knife sales online in the Crime and Policing Bill this spring.' Gregor Poynton, Labour MP for Livingston, asked what social media and search engine companies could do to stop young people accessing violent content. The Home Secretary said: 'The thing about social media companies is they have incredibly sophisticated technology and resources. These are the social media companies that know how to target every single one of us on things that we might be interested in, online, and to use their algorithms in all kinds of sophisticated ways. 'They have the capability to do far more to identify this dangerous content and to take action on it. And I do believe that they should use those responsibilities rather than rowing back from content moderation, rather than reducing the responsible action they need to take.' The PM told a press conference in Downing Street that people were right to 'demand answers' over 'failings' in the case of Axel Rudakubana Sir Keir said it was a 'devastating moment in our history' and must be a 'line in the sand' for Britain, with 'fundamental change' in the way citizens are protected Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood (left) and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (right) were in No9 to watch the PM's statement PM warns UK faces threat of US-style school attacks by 'young men' radicalised by online violence Keir Starmer today warned that Britain faces the threat of US-style school attacks by 'young men' radicalised by online violence. The PM said the 'new' danger from 'loners and misfits' might require a change in the law. He told a Downing Street press conference that previously the 'predominant threat was highly organised groups with clear political intent groups like al Qaida'. 'That threat, of course, remains but now alongside that we also see acts of extreme violence perpetrated by loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom accessing all manner of material online desperate for notoriety, sometimes inspired by traditional terrorist groups, but fixated on that extreme violence, seemingly for its own sake,' Sir Keir said. The PM continued: 'My concern in this case is we have clearly got an example of extreme violence, individualised violence, that we have to protect our children from and our citizens from. 'It is a new threat, it's not what we would have usually thought of as terrorism when definitions were drawn up, when guidelines were put in place, when the framework was put in place and we have to recognise that here today.' He said the law and framework for responding needed to be appropriate to the 'new threat' and whatever changes were necessary in the law would be made. Sir Keir continued: 'I do think it's new. You've seen versions of it in America with some of the mass shootings in schools. 'It is not an isolated, ghastly example. It is, in my view, an example of a different kind of threat and that is why I'm absolutely so determined that we will rise to that challenge and make sure that our law, our response, is capable, appropriate and can deal with that sort of threat. 'But that is my concern, that is my thinking that this is a new threat individualised extreme violence, obsessive, often following online viewing of material from all sorts of different sources. 'It is not a one-off. It is something that we all need to understand and have a shared undertaking to deal with within our society. 'That is not just the laws on terrorism, the framework on terrorism, it's also the laws on what we can access online. 'We still have rules in place in this country about what you can see at a cinema and yet online you can access no end of material. We have to ensure that we can rise to this new challenge and that is what I'm determined to do.' Advertisement Rudakubana pleaded guilty yesterday to murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July. It has emerged he was referred three times to anti-extremism programme Prevent amid concerns over his fixation with violence. But despite this and contact with other state agencies, the authorities failed to stop the attack which claimed the lives of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. As well as the three murders, Rudakubana admitted 10 counts of attempted murder, possession of a knife, production of a biological toxin, ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit acts of terrorism. The charges relating to the possession of ricin and the al Qaida training manual were not made public for three months after the teenager's arrest. In the Commons, Mr Philp said: 'On October 29 Rudakubana was charged with possessing the ricin and the terror manual, that was then made public. So, if it can be made public in October, without risking prejudice of the murder trial, it follows that it could have been made public in August, without prejudicing that same trial. 'Background facts on other cases over the years have been made public after arrest and before trial without prejudice, and the shields relating to two of those cases are in this chamber. So why did the Prime Minister not make public some of this background information in August when he knew it, when later disclosure of that information in October demonstrated such disclosure could be made without prejudice?' Ms Cooper said: 'The British way of justice means that information is presented to the court by the police and CPS with restrictions on what can be said beforehand so the jury does not get partial or prejudicial information in advance, to make sure that the trial is fair and justice is done. 'Social media puts those long-established rules under strain, especially when partial or inaccurate information appears online, and the Law Commission is reviewing the contempt of court rules in that light. 'But, let me be clear, where the police, Government and journalists are given clear advice from the CPS about contempt of court or about not publishing information in advance of a trial, if we did not respect that and a killer walked free, we would never be forgiven.' Sir Keir said earlier: 'No words come anywhere close to expressing the brutality and horror in this case. 'Every parent in Britain will have had the same thought. It could have been anywhere, it could have been our children, but it was Southport. It was Bebe, six years old. Elsie, seven. Alice, nine. 'Back in August, I said there will be a time for questions, but that first, justice had to be done, and that, above all, we must not interfere with the work of the police, the prosecutors and the delivery of that justice. 'Well, yesterday, thankfully, a measure of justice was done, but it won't bring those girls back to their families, and it won't remove the trauma from the lives of those who were injured, their lives will never be the same. 'So before I turn to the questions that must now be answered for the families and the nation, I first want to recognise their unimaginable grief, because I know the whole country grieves for them. 'The tragedy of the Southport killings must be a line in the sand for Britain.' Laying out the new danger the country faces, Sir Keir said: 'In the past, the predominant threat was highly organised groups with clear political intent. Groups like Al-Qaeda. 'That threat of course remains. But now, alongside that we also see acts of extreme violence perpetrated by loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom, accessing all manner of material online, desperate for notoriety. 'Sometimes inspired by traditional terrorist groups. But fixated on that extreme violence, seemingly for its own sake. 'Now, it may well be that people like this are harder to spot. But we can't shrug our shoulders and accept that.' Sir Keir said the threat was similar to some of the mass shootings in schools in the US. 'This is extreme violence, clearly intended to terrorise, and my concern is that because it is different to the sort of behaviour we've associated with terrorism - al Qaida, there are plenty of other examples, which tended to be more organised in groups with a clear political ideology and motive - because it is not that, it is a new and different threat, it doesn't fit as well as it should within our framework,' he said. 'That is what we've got to change. That is the urgent question that has to be addressed and it's one that has to be addressed before the conclusion of the inquiry and it's why we've already done the learning from the Prevent mistakes. 'I do think it's new. You've seen versions of it in America with some of the mass shootings in schools. It is not an isolated, ghastly example, it is, in my view, an example of a different kind of threat and that is why I'm absolutely so determined that we will rise to that challenge and make sure that our law, our response, is capable, appropriate and can deal with that sort of threat. 'But that is my concern, that is my thinking that this is a new threat - individualised extreme violence, obsessive, often following online viewing of material from all sorts of different sources. 'It is not a one-off. It is something that we all need to understand and have a shared undertaking to deal with within our society. 'That is not just the laws on terrorism, the framework on terrorism, it's also the laws on what we can access online. 'We still have rules in place in this country about what you can see at a cinema and yet online you can access no end of material. We have to ensure that we can rise to this new challenge and that is what I'm determined to do.' Directly addressing the cover-up claims, the PM said: 'Yes I knew the details as they were emerging He said: 'Yes of course I was kept up to date with the facts as they emerged. But just like you as a journalist I had to obey the law of the land.' Asked if he viewed the killings as an act of terrorism - a label the police have not used - he insisted it was an act of 'extreme violence clearly intended to terrorise'. Announcing an inquiry last night, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the country needed 'independent answers' on Prevent and other agencies' contact with the 'extremely violent' Rudakubana and 'how he came to be so dangerous'. Following Rudakubana's guilty pleas, Sir Keir described the 18-year-old as 'vile and sick', and said there were 'grave questions to answer' on how the state 'failed' to protect the three girls. The PM added: 'Britain will rightly demand answers, and we will leave no stone unturned in that pursuit.' As well as the three murders, Rudakubana admitted 10 counts of attempted murder, possession of a knife, production of a biological toxin, ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit acts of terrorism. The terrorism offence relates to a PDF file entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual. He is also understood to have possessed numerous other documents on violent subjects, including A Concise History Of Nazi Germany, The Myth Of The Remote Controlled Car Bomb and Amerindian Torture And Cultural Violence. Sources said the material discovered showed an 'obsession with extreme violence' but there was no evidence he ascribed to any political or religious ideology or was 'fighting for a cause'. A car burns after being overturned during a protest in Middlesbrough on August 4, 2024 Reform UK leader Nigel Farage insisted he was 'right all along' when he claimed in the summer that information had been withheld from the public. But Ms Cooper said the information about Rudakubana's background could not be made public earlier 'to avoid jeopardising the legal proceedings or prejudicing the possible jury trial, in line with the normal rules of the British justice system'. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said there were many questions that 'remain unanswered about what went wrong'. Welcoming the announcement of a public inquiry, he said: 'We also need to know who in Government knew what and when, as well as why the authorities may have withheld some information from the public.' Mr Philp told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'There is quite a lot you can put into the public domain without prejudicing the judicial proceedings. 'In previous incidents, we've seen more information being put out and Jonathan Hall drew attention to the risks of not putting out information, it undermines trust in justice, but it also creates a void. 'So, I think these are legitimate questions. I think it's important the inquiry looks at those questions as well as what happened before this appalling incident.' Asked whether he was confident in the Prevent counter-terrorism programme, he told Times Radio: 'The Prevent programme is a long-running programme. It deals with about 7,000 referrals per year. 'There was quite a comprehensive review of Prevent by William Shawcross that was published in February of last year So, one question I'll be asking the Government is whether they plan to implement the recommendations in the Shawcross report. Police officers at Rudakubana's home on Old School Close in Banks, Lancashire, last October At 11 years old, Rudakubana appeared dressed as Doctor Who in a television advert for BBC Children In Need, after being recruited through a casting agency, it is understood. 'I think it's just important the inquiry looks at all of this, gets to the truth both about what happened beforehand, but critically also the Government's response afterwards, and what they knew when and whether they should have put more information into the public domain. 'It appears they withheld information about the perpetrator, potentially, on CPS advice. 'William Shawcross has raised questions over that, saying that if you leave a void, then speculation fills it, and William Shawcross is obviously an expert lawyer, and also says there's quite a lot you can say about these incidents afterwards. 'But clearly in this case, the Government, it appears, didn't share information which they had in their possession.' A horrifying accident at Taiwan's Ching Chuan Kang Airbase has claimed the life of an Air Force officer in a rare and devastating incident. Sergeant Hu, a seasoned military professional with 17 years of service, tragically lost her life after being sucked into the engine of a fighter jet during a routine inspection on the runway. The freak accident occurred as Sergeant Hu was placing wheel chocks to secure an Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) shortly after it landed. While carrying out this standard procedure, she was reportedly drawn into the jet's engine - a sequence of events so improbable that aviation experts have expressed shock and disbelief. Emergency crews responded immediately, rushing Hu to the hospital in a desperate attempt to save her. But despite their efforts, she was later pronounced dead, leaving colleagues and her family reeling from the sudden loss. The incident has sparked a wave of questions about how such a rare and catastrophic event could have happened. Aviation safety experts stress that accidents of this nature are exceptionally uncommon, with strict protocols in place to prevent them. Sergeant Hu, a seasoned military professional with 17 years of service, tragically lost her life after being sucked into the engine of a fighter jet during a routine inspection at Taiwan 's Ching Chuan Kang Airbase The freak accident occurred as Sergeant Hu was placing wheel chocks to secure an Indigenous Defense Fighter (pictured) shortly after it landed One expert, speaking to The Taipei Times, noted that typically, an aircraft's engine should be powered down completely before ground crew approach to set up wheel chocks. 'The chances of this happening are astronomically low,' the expert said. Adding to the mystery, the IDF jet's engine intake is described as relatively small, theoretically making it nearly impossible for a person to be pulled in. Investigators are now poring over security camera footage from the airbase in a bid to piece together what went wrong. The footage is expected to shed light on whether procedural errors, equipment malfunction, or some other unforeseen factor played a role in the tragedy. Sergeant Hu was a well-respected member of the military, known for her dedication and expertise. Her untimely death has left her colleagues grieving and the broader military community in shock. Tributes have poured in from those who knew her, describing her as a diligent and capable officer who took great pride in her work. The airbase, one of Taiwan's most important military facilities, has temporarily suspended operations in the aftermath of the incident as authorities conduct a thorough investigation. This tragedy has also reignited discussions about safety measures on military airbases, with some calling for stricter adherence to protocols and improved training for ground crews. While engine-related accidents are rare, they are not unheard of in the aviation world. The powerful suction created by jet engines poses a deadly risk if safety measures are not meticulously followed. However, such incidents typically involve loose objects or debris being sucked into the engine, rather than human fatalities. In this case, the rarity of the circumstances has only heightened the sense of disbelief among experts. The IDF jet, a Taiwanese-designed aircraft used for defense and patrol missions, has a reputation for being reliable and safe, adding to the puzzle of how such a freak accident could have occurred. A police officer climbed on a drug dealer's bike and chased him through the streets as the criminal tried to escape arrest. Justice Oyedokun, 22, had been approached by a Met officer as he cycled through south east London on the evening of December 9, 2023. Body cam footage shows Sergeant Alan Cooley get out of the vehicle to speak to Oyedokun, before the cyclist drops his bike and flees on foot. But Sgt Cooley wastes no time, picking up the bike and setting off in pursuit on two wheels of the man, who is wearing a black hoodie and carrying a Nike bag. In the footage the officer can be heard telling his colleagues where the suspect is running on his walkie talkie, before catching up with the would-be escapee. At one point Sgt Cooley catches up with Oyedokun, telling him: 'You might as well give up mate'. But the drug dealer refuses to stop and the pair then comically begin to circle a parked car as the 22-year-old shouts 'get off me you fool'. The out-of-breath officer shouts down his radio that the pair are 'by Domino's pizza', before Oyedokun once again attempts to run away on foot. The two circle the car while the out-of-breath officer informs others of his location - shouting 'By Domino's Pizza' The man, seen wearing a black hoodie and a black Nike bag starts to flee while the police officer chases him on the suspect's bike In a body-cam footage, the suspect, Justice Oyedokun, 22, is seen being approached by the police officer on December 9 2023 Once again he starts to run away in a final bid to evade but his efforts are rendered useless when a police car stops by and he is arrested on Romney Road Oyedokun of Trafalgar Road, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a class B drug (cannabis) and an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act However, at this point backup has arrived and the drug dealer is taken to the ground in Romney Road, Greenwich, and put into handcuffs. A Met Police spokesman confirmed Oyedokun of Trafalgar Road, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a class B drug (cannabis) and an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act. He was sentenced at Bromley Magistrates Court on Monday, 20 January where he was jailed for eight months and ordered to pay a surcharge 187 for possession of cannabis to supply and of criminal property. The spokesman added: 'This arrest is another strong message to those involved in drug-related criminality and our commitment to tackling this issue. 'We know that drugs are inextricably linked to violence and that people are exploited through drug supply. We listen to our communities and will look to take action when such issues are raised. 'Local officers work tirelessly on the ground providing a visible deterrent through patrols in relevant areas and carrying out arrests where offences are identified. 'They are supported by specialist units who regularly gather intelligence and execute warrants to apprehend those involved in the supply and distribution of drugs.' The video attracted attention from people online, with one user commenting: 'Time to give proactive officers fast e-bikes!' Meanwhile, another user said: 'Excellent work from one of my closest mates and one of the easiest identified voices in the Met.' An eight-year-old boy and a 39-year-old man died after authorities attempted to rescue them off the coast of Cowell Ranch State Beach, near Half Moon Bay in California. The shocking tragedy occurred just after 3 pm on Sunday. Lifeguards and park rangers initially responded to the emergency. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner's office identified the eight-year-old boy as Vihaan Mukund and the 39-year-old as Mukund Kalyanaraman Murali. They were both from San Jose. Once they brought the two to a Harbor Patrol vessel, Coastside Fire, the US Coast Guard, Pillar Point Harbor Patrol, and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office responded to assist the drowning victims. They were unconscious when a Pillar Point Sheriff vessel arrived at 3:46 pm. The Coast Guard helicopter arrived on the scene three minutes later, the Coast Guard confirmed. The boy was then airlifted to a nearby hospital while the man was taken by ambulance. They were pronounced dead at the hospital. Jorge Moreno, a spokesperson for California State Parks, said in a statement to the press that the two received 'life-saving efforts.' 'We extend our deepest sympathy to the family for this devastating loss,' Moreno added. Multiple authorities responded to assist the drowning victims near Half Moon Bay Cowell Ranch State Beach is just south of Half Moon Bay Cal Fire Battalion Chief Chip Pickard told local Fox affiliate, KTVU News, that the child got swept up in the harsh currents and the adult went in after him. 'It was a coordinated effort to rescue them,' Pickard added. Due to the hazardous currents, a sneaker wave warning was put in place until 7 pm Monday. Sneaker waves surge inland and are made up of multiple smaller waves. There's a delayed reaction so beachgoers may not feel the impacts of the waves for at least 10 minutes. Since they are composed of harsh small waves, the water may not look dangerous from the coast, heightening the danger they pose to beachgoers. In 2021, a 12-year-old boy was swept off the coast of San Mateo County at Cowell Ranch by a sneaker wave. Arunay Pruthi was dragged underneath the current while swimming with his 8-year-old brother. Their parents struggled to save them. Authorities searched the coast of Half Moon Bay but couldn't find Arunay. His parents Sharmistha and Tarun told KTVU that they didn't know about the dangers of sneaker waves. His parents told the San Francisco Chronicle that they were pitching a tent when Arunay and his brother Siddhant went to feel the water. A deceiving sneaker wave pulled them under in a split-second. Sharmistha and Tarun ran after their sons but got caught in the vicious waves as well. Families on the beach locked arms and were able to bring the parents and Siddhant to shore. They saw Arunay's head bobbing above the water as the rip current pulled him further and further from the shore. A family friend, Sanjeev Kulkarni, also attempted to retrieve Arunay but dislocated his shoulder from the monstrous waves. An ambulance transported the man to a hospital while the boy was airlifted Chip Pickard told local news that the adult when in after the boy got swept away by a wave California beaches can be deceptively dangerous, especially for small children The family called 911 in distress and a dispatcher sent a Pillar Point Harbor patrol boat to the scene. The Coast Guard mobilized but after two hours authorities urged the Pruthis to go home. After 17 hours, the Coast Guard called off the search, but his family never gave up. They recruited volunteers and hired helicopters to search for Arunay. They never found his body. His death marked a deadly span of two months where seven people died off the coast of Cowell Ranch. The death toll included a four-year-old girl and a family of three, the youngest of which was also four years old. The sneaker waves off the coast of Cowell Ranch have proven to be deadly and hard to predict due to their small size. A host of MAGA celebrities shared their delight online after President Trump was sworn in for his second term. A-listers and political heavyweights attended numerous balls in Washington DC, while other MAGA supporters who never made the guests list shared their delight from home. President Trump was surrounded by tech titans and media moguls as he was formally made the 47th President of the United States. Other well known figures that made it inside the Capitol Rotunda included podcaster Joe Rogan, media mogul Rupert Murdoch and other dignitaries. Celebrities outside of the rotunda meanwhile shared their glee at him being handed the reins of the country. This included the likes of Vince Vaughn, who was spotted in DC on Monday, and Kim Kardashian who shared a cryptic post to her social media. President Donald Trump speaks on stage at the Commander in Chief Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the Commander in Chief ball Monday night James Woods Actor James Woods shared a picture of Trump during his inauguration ceremony to his X profile. The 77-year-old said: 'We are literally bringing our beloved nation out of the Dark Ages of the last fours years. 'As our beloved new President enumerates the renovation plans for our nation, only then is it possible to see the decline we have suffered.' Actor James Woods shared a picture of Trump during his inauguration ceremony to his X profile Rob Schneider Comedian and actor Rob Schneider had been in Washington DC on Monday for the inauguration ceremony. He shared posts of him watching the ceremony, writing: 'Lets ALL root for America! TOGETHER we can accomplish ANYTHING and TOGETHER there is NOTHING that can HOLD US BACK! The USA IS BACK!!' Schneider then later shared a video of himself celebrating alongside other MAGA supporters inside the Capital One Arena in DC. In his clip, the Trump family can be seen standing before the crowd alongside Vice President JD Vance as bands play for their arrival. Schneider speaks during Turning Point's annual AmericaFest 2024 in Phoenix AMERICA JUST GOT GREAT AGAIN!! God Bless the USA!!! pic.twitter.com/gvBWUvCadz Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) January 20, 2025 Kim Kardashian Kim Kardashian made a political statement by sharing a photo of Melania Trump during Donald Trump's Presidential Inauguration on Monday. The reality star, 44, posted a snap of new First Lady Melania in a chic black suit and hat to her Instagram story - leading to a wave of social media reaction. Kardashian has never spoken publicly about who she endorsed in the 2024 Presidential election, in which Trump triumphed over Democrat candidate Kamala Harris. However, she has aligned herself with Trump supporter and Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk, and has a close friendship with Trump's daughter Ivanka. Kim Kardashian at the Fourth Annual Academy Museum Gala held at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 19, 2024 The reality star, 44, shared a snap of new First Lady Melania in a chic black suit and hat to her Instagram story - leading to a wave of social media reaction Kardashian visited the White House in 2018 to discuss prisoner commutation Russell Brand Controversial comic turned Christian Russell Brand was in DC for the inauguration, and spoke at a 'MAHA' ball to celebrate RFK Jr. Prior to his speech, the known Trump supporter had shared a video of him interacting with soldiers stationed in DC. He posted clips of Trump being sworn also, adding: 'Trump takes the oath! Ladies and gentlemen, it's official.' Controversial comic turned Christian Russell Brand was in DC for the inauguration, and spoke at a 'MAHA' ball to celebrate RFK Jr Vince Vaughn Actor and comedian Vince Vaughn was snapped in a tuxedo as he attended the Starlight Ball in Washington on Monday night. The self-identified Libertarian posed for pics with fans as the celebrations continued in to the night. He had previously had to defend himself after shaking hands with Trump and having a conversation with him. The 50-year-old Wedding Crashers star claimed he had 'always been cordial to' multiple politicians in the past, even figures on the left. The two talked briefly before the actor shook Trump's hand, and then he waved at some of the president's entourage as he stood up to leave. The self-identified Libertarian posed for pics with fans as the celebrations continued in to the night Mike Tyson Footage emerged on Monday evening showing Mike Tyson being hoisted in the air by his enemy in the ring Jake Paul. The former heavyweight champion was seen getting on his former rival's shoulders as onlookers chanted words of encouragement. Paul, 27, lifted the 58-year-old relatively easily as Iron Mike shouted in excitement. Both men were dressed in slick tuxedos for the black-tie event. Paul, the influencer-turned-boxer who endorsed Trump days before the election, captioned the post 'best friends' and tagged Tyson. Tyson didn't formally endorse the president this time around, but the former heavyweight champion has said complimentary things about Trump over the last three decades. Their relationship dates back to the 1980s, when Trump hosted some of Tyson's fights in the gambling town of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Jake Paul is seen lifting Mike Tyson on his shoulders at a Trump inaugural ball on Monday Candace Bure Full House star Candace Bure had shared a litany of posts to her Instagram profile as Trump was sworn in. Earlier in the morning she had posted: 'Happy Inauguration Day', alongside pictures of President Trump and First Lady Melania. She also shared other images of Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha, as well as a video of Carrie Underwood's performance. In another post she had described it as being an 'exciting day'. Full House star Candace Bure had shared a litany of posts to her Instagram profile as Trump was sworn in Dean Cain Superman actor Dean Cain, 58, was in the capital on Monday and shared a picture of him near the White House to his social media. He told GB News: 'I would call Trump the real Superman, I am very excited for today. I just think its a whole new dawn. 'They will lead in a different way than the prior administration, look no further than the pardons today. It looks so corrupt.' Cain said he had been in the city to host the parade following the ceremony but it had to be cancelled due to the freezing temperatures. Superman actor Dean Cain, 58, was in the capital on Monday and shared a picture of him near the White House to his social media Elsewhere in Washington D.C., other MAGA celebrities were seen celebrating at the three official inaugural parties, including the Commander in Chief Ball, the Liberty Ball, and the Starlight Ball. Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Defense, was seen laughing at the Commander in Chief Ball. Kid Rock, who performed Sunday night at Trump's pre-inauguration rally, was photographed taking selfies with fans, throwing back a drink or two and smoking a cigar. The country music star, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, recently said more celebrities than ever are comfortable publicly showing support for Trump now that there's been a 'change in the air.' Hulk Hogan appeared with Jesse Watters during the Fox News anchor's coverage of the Liberty Ball. The former WWE wrestler was giddy over Trump's win and proceeded to rip his shirt off before pretending to wrestle Watters live on air. Other famous faces seen throughout Inauguration Day included podcaster Theo Von, Logan Paul, and Conor McGregor. President Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency is already under threat of being shut down from lawsuits filed almost immediately after he took office. The DOGE has been one of Trump's most touted plans as he tapped Tesla billionaire supporter Elon Musk to run the newly created agency to help cut waste throughout the federal government. The order creating it was one of dozens of executive orders the president signed with the flourish of a pen on day one back in the White House. But minutes after Trump was sworn in, government watchdog groups filed suits against DOGE, threatening its creation. They claim that despite its name, DOGE is not an actual government agency. The first of the federal lawsuits was filed by Public Citizen, State Democracy Defenders Fund and the American Federation of Government Employees union. The filing argues DOGE violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) claiming members 'do not have balanced viewpoints, meets are secretly held and records and work are not available to the public.' 'As constructed, DOGEs mission to advise OMB and the White House on how to slash regulations and cut expenditures puts at risk important consumer safeguards and public protections,' said Public Citizen co-president Lisa Gilbert. President Donald Trump signing an executive order on the Department of Government Efficiency on Monday. He has already been sued over DOGE Despite Ramaswamy posting a photo to X Monday shaking hands with Musk and calling it 'a new dawn,' it appears Musk was part of the push to get him out of DOGE The DOGE's creation was led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who suddenly resigned this week to run for governor of Ohio amid rumors of a feud with the X CEO. He's bolting before DOGE even takes off amid rumors that the MAGA movement wants him dropped from the position. Ramaswamy, 39, a biotech entrepreneur who ran against Donald Trump in the Republican primary before dropping out and endorsing him, has reportedly set his sights on running for governor of Ohio in 2026. In fact, an operative familiar with Ramaswamy's thinking told DailyMail.com last week that he planned to deliver results at DOGE and announce a bid for governor shortly after. However, the past few weeks have suggested that Ramaswamy and Musk - named co-chairs of DOGE - were unlikely to be a good mix, after a social media post Ramaswamy made in support of Musk's position on migrant visas ignited a massive conservative backlash. Despite Ramaswamy posting a photo to X Monday shaking hands with Musk and calling it 'a new dawn,' it appears Musk was part of the push to get him out of DOGE. A Republican strategist told Politico that Ramaswamy's rant about the H-1B visa program burned his bridges with Musk. 'He just burned through the bridges and he finally burned Elon. Everyone wants him out of Mar-a-Lago, out of D.C.' DOGE is being led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy The lawsuit, meanwhile, takes particular issue with Musk having an appointed government position while holding a top private-sector job at the same time. It goes on to cite potential conflicts of interest posed by Musk and Ramaswamy, who, it claims, are a 'threat' to Americans due to their 'extremist views.' 'This is not about cutting redundant staff; this is about billionaires gutting important programs that American citizens across the country rely on every single day without adequate transparency or accountability,' said Norman Eisen, co-founder of the State Democracy Defends Fund. Before filing the lawsuit, the groups said they reached out to the Trump transition team with their concerns and asked for representation on the advisory group, but their request was rejected. They filed their lawsuit in the District of Columbia and asked the district court to block the administration from using DOGE as an advisory committee and prohibit them from meeting and advising the Trump and OMB. However, the lawsuit filed may have gotten ahead of what DOGE will actually turn out to be as the language of the order has now been revealed. According to the executive order signed by the president on Monday, DOGE looks like it would function less as an advisory committee but within the government. It states that DOGE is actually the public renaming of the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) - which was a technology agency created under President Barack Obama - to U.S. DOGE Service. Trump tapped Vivek Ramaswamy and billionaire Elon Musk to lead DOGE, but Ramaswamy is already headed out as he is planning to launch a bid for Ohio governor soon, DailyMail.com has learned The Trump executive order states that within the new agency, there will be a temporary DOGE organization that will last 18 months and end July 4, 2026. The wording of the order also suggests it is less about government waste as Trump and allies has been publicly saying and more about modernization. 'This Executive Order establishes the Department of Government Efficiency to implement the Presidents DOGE Agenda, by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity,' the order reads. On Monday night while signing the order, Trump said that Musk would not have an office in the West Wing, but he indicated DOGE would hire 20 employees to carry out its mission. The other suits were brought by National Security Counselors and Democracy Forward and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. A fourth lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity seeks all records from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) relating to DOGE. A fire chief who stopped to help a driver who struck a deer in Alabama was shot and killed after the pair went to a neighbor's house looking for help. Coweta County Fire Rescue Chief James 'Bart' Bartholomew Cauthen, 54, of Moreland, Georgia, was found dead at the scene in the community of Stroud. Cauthen had stopped to help the unidentified driver, who had hit a deer while traveling on County Road 267. Both men walked toward the house of William Randall Franklin looking for help after neither could get cellphone reception, according to WSFA. That's when Franklin, 34, allegedly opened fire on Cauthen and the driver. 'They start walking up a driveway and an individual that lived in the residence where this driveway was came out and started shooting,' Chambers County Chief Deputy Mike Parrish told the outlet. All three men were armed and suffered gunshot wounds. Cauthen died before first responders arrived, according to police. 'I've worked a lot, but this is probably one of the most bizarre scenes I ever showed up on.' Parrish said. 'A deer wreck...you pull up and three people are shot - it just don't make sense any way you look at it. 'We just really didnt know what happened. It was just bizarre.' Coweta County Fire Rescue Chief James 'Bart' Bartholomew Cauthen, 54, of Moreland, Georgia, was found dead at the scene. He had stopped to help an unidentified driver who had hit a deer in Stroud, Alabama Both Cauthen and the driver went to William Randall Franklin's house for help after neither could get cellphone reception. Franklin, 34, allegedly opened fire. All three were armed and suffered gunshot wounds. Police issued an arrest warrant for Franklin on murder charges Cauthen had worked for the fire rescue for more than 24 years and his employees remembered him as an 'amazing, hard-working man with a gentle soul' The driver was taken to a trauma center in LaGrange for treatment, while Franklin was taken to Piedmont Medical Center. Police issued an arrest warrant for Franklin on murder charges, according to the Chambers County Sheriff's Office. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown. Coweta County Fire Rescue paid tribute to their fallen chief, writing on Facebook that they were 'devastated to hear of the loss.' 'We lost one of our brothers, leaders, mentor, and family to a senseless tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Cauthen family as they go through this difficult time. We asked that you keep this family in your hearts and prayers.' Cauthen had worked for the fire rescue for more than 24 years and his employees remembered him as an 'amazing, hard-working man with a gentle soul.' Well, that's one way to swear in the new president A Danish politician left the European Parliament speechless today when he issued Donald Trump with a very direct warning over Greenland - complete with a choice four-letter word. For weeks, Trump has been ramping up calls for the US to either purchase or stage a takeover of the 'strategically located' nation, which is an autonomous territory of EU member Denmark. Addressing the 47th President of the United States, right-wing MEP Anders Vistisen responded to his statements: 'Dear President Trump, listen very carefully. 'Greenland has been part of the Danish kingdom for 800 years [sic]. It's an integrated part of our country. It is not for sale.' In case his message wasn't clear, Vistisen added pointedly: 'Let me put it in words you might understand, Mr Trump. F**k off.' An official took the MEP to task over his coarse language, warning: 'If the translation was correct, the term you used is not allowed in this house and there will be consequences to the message you have used. 'It is not okay in this house of democracy, thank you. Regardless of what we think of Mr Trump, use of such language.' MEP Anders Vistisen used a speech in the European Parliament to tell Trump that 'Greenland is not for sale' For weeks, Trump has been ramping up calls for the US to either purchase or stage a takeover of the 'strategically located' nation Greenland was colonised in 1721 with the permission of the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway. It is now an autonomous territory of Denmark Vistisen later wrote on X that the parliament was threatening to fine him over the expletive-laden speech. 'Fines if you tell the truth about foreigners and crime! Fines if you tell the truth about the Greenlanders! Fines if you tell the truth to Trump!' he wrote on X. Sharing video of the unorthodox exchange on social media, Vistisen said that Greenland has been a territory of Denmark for 'more [than] double the time the US has existed.' He added: 'Any true patriot should understand that this is an unacceptable attack on national sovereignty!' On his return to the Oval Office Trump on Monday, Trump reiterated previous statements that the US should acquire Greenland for 'international security.' 'Greenland is a wonderful place. We need it for international security. And I'm sure that Denmark will come along it's costing them a lot of money to maintain it, to keep it,' the Republican leader said. Vistisen is the Chief Whip of the Danish People's Party, which forms part of the far-right European Parliament faction Patriots for Europe. The group was initiated by Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, an outspoken ally of Trump. Vistisen's outburst at the new President marks a potential rift in the bloc after Orban hailed Trump's victory as a new opportunity for 'patriots' in Europe. The populist Hungarian leader, who has a long has a long record of inflammatory statements about the EU, congratulated Trump on his victory in a post on X, alongside a video in which he talked about 'occupying Brussels'. 'Now it's our turn to shine! It's our turn to occupy Brussels!' he said, in reference to what he called 'a great patriotic faction' in Europe which he suggested could work with the American president. Trump has faced repeated warnings from across Europe regarding his apparent ambitions surrounding Greenland. Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Republican lawmakers are largely in lockstep with Trump's Greenland plans Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede's both stated that 'Greenland is not for sale' and that it would not be in the future. Earlier this month, the Danish king changed the royal coat of arms to more prominently feature Greenland. Germany also slammed the president-elect's comments. A spokesperson said during a press conference that 'borders must not be moved by force.' At a press briefing, a spokesperson for the European Commission said it 'will not go into the specifics' of Trump's remarks amid intense questioning over how it would respond to a US attack on Greenland. 'It is clear that the sovereignty of states has to be respected,' spokesperson Anitta Hipper said. 'There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be, attack its sovereign borders,' French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told the France Inter radio station. He added that while he did not believe the US 'would invade' Greenland 'we have entered an era that is seeing the return of the law of the strongest'. 'We are a strong continent, we need to strengthen ourselves further,' he went on, warning that Europe needs to 'wake up' to the reality of an increasingly insecure world and 'reinforce ourselves, militarily, in competition'. Barrot added that he believed that the United States is 'inherently not imperialistic' and said he 'did not believe' that it is changing. Trump previously questioned whether Denmark has any legal right or 'interest' to Greenland, stating: 'People really don't even know if Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up, because we need it for national security.' While geographically it is part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically linked with Europe - in particular Norway and Denmark - since the 9th Century. It has been inhabited by the Inuit people for around 800 years. It was colonised in 1721 with the permission of the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway and remained a colony of Denmark until 1953. It is now an autonomous territory of Denmark. The Danish government has control of Greenland's foreign and economic policy, but the territory left the EU in 1985 following a referendum. The US has a military base there given its strategic position as the shortest oceanic crossroads between North America and Europe. The island also has a large supply of valuable rare earth minerals - like uranium - not found in the US. Two American prisoners have been freed by the Taliban in exchange for the release of a 'violent jihadist' who was serving life imprisonment in California. Ryan Corbett and William McKenty are currently en route back to the US following the release of Khan Mohammad. Mohammad was the first person to be convicted under American narco-terrorism laws and was sentenced to life in jail in 2008. The family of dad-of-two Ryan Corbett confirmed he had been released in a statement. He had been living in Afghanistan with his family at the time of the 2021 collapse of the US-backed government and was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 while on a business trip. 'Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryan's life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives,' the family's statement said. They thanked both Trump and Biden, as well as many government officials for their efforts in freeing him. Corbett's family also praised the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar 'for their vital role in facilitating Ryan's release, and for their visits to Ryan'. Two American prisoners, including Ryan Corbett (right), have been freed by the Taliban in exchange for the release of a 'violent jihadist' who was serving life imprisonment in California Corbett was on business in Afghanistan in 2022 when he was detained by the Taliban Energy-rich Qatar has hosted negotiations between the US and the Taliban over the years. Corbett ran a non-government organization called Bloom Afghanistan, a social enterprise focused on strengthening Afghanistans private sector. He was in Afghanistan to renew his business visa in 2022 when he was detained by the Taliban. McKenty's family had asked the U.S. government to keep his details private, according to the New York Times. The prisoner exchange was the result of 'long and productive' negotiations between Afghan and American authorities, Afghanistan's foreign ministry said in a statement. 'The Islamic Emirate views the actions of the United States positively when they contribute to normalizing and expanding relations between the two countries,' it added. According to the DOJ website, Taliban-member Mohammad was sentenced to life imprisonment on two counts. The website quoted court records saying Mohammad was 'a violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker' who 'sought to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan using rockets'. Corbett's family said they are 'overwhelmed with gratitude' about his safe return. Pictured: Corbett with his daughter Miriam and son Caleb They were released in exchange for Khan Mohammad who was convicted on narco-terrorism charges in 2008 Mohammad was given a hero's welcome upon his return to Kabul, where Taliban officials lined up to greet him He was detained on the battlefield in Nangarhar and later taken to the U.S. A federal jury convicted him on charges of securing heroin and opium that he knew were bound for the United States and, in doing so, assisting terrorism activity. He was captured after trying to recruit an Afghan farmer to help carry out the attack who then tipped off the DEA. The farmer met with Mohammad wearing a recording device and recorded his plans. '[T]he Americans are infidels and Jihad is allowed against them. If we have to fire [the missiles] toward the airport, we will do it and if not the airport, wherever they are stationed we will fire at their base too. I mean we have to use the mines too. God willing, we and you will keep doing our Jihad,' Mohammad was recorded as saying. He also agreed to purchase opium and expressed delight that the product could end up in the US, according to the DOJ. Mohammad was given a hero's welcome upon his return to Kabul, where Taliban officials lined up to greet him. Since the US withdrawal, no government has recognized the Taliban as the country's official leaders. American troops were hauled out of the country in September 2021 after the 20-year conflict in a move universally criticized as disastrous. Approval ratings for President Joe Biden sank and never recovered throughout his tenure. At a rally before his inauguration, President Donald Trump vowed to cut humanitarian aid to the area unless $7 billion of US military equipment which was lost during the withdrawal is returned. This is a breaking news story, please check back for updates... Florida has become the first state to call the Gulf of Mexico 'The Gulf of America' after President Donald Trump doubled down on his decision to rename the ocean basin in his inaugural speech, according to an official emergency weather advisory. Issued on behalf of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida's statement read: 'An area of low pressure moving across the Gulf of America, interacting with Arctic air will bring widespread impactful winter weather to North Florida beginning Tuesday.' Trump first announced his bold plan to rename the Gulf of Mexico earlier this month at a wild and wide-ranging press conference at Mar-a-Lago. 'We are going be changing the opposite of Biden closing everything up and getting rid of 50 to 60 trillion worth of assets we'll be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring,' he noted. 'That covers a lot of territory. The Gulf of America. What a beautiful name. It is appropriate. It's appropriate.' This was met with the ire of Mexican politicians, including their president. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum hit back at Trump's plan by last week unveiling a map dating back to the 1600s that showed an early designation of North America with the title 'America Mexicana' in giant letters. 'Mexican America, that sounds nice, no?' she said sarcastically, pointing to a massive image of the old map behind her. 'He talked about name, we too are talking about the name.' Trump said Monday that he would rename the Gulf of Mexico to the 'Gulf of America' Florida has become the first state to call the Gulf of Mexico 'The Gulf of America', according to an emergency weather warning The Gulf of Mexico is an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly surrounded by the North American continent He reiterated his plans Monday night after he signed approximately 200 executive orders in a massive crackdown on Day One of his second term. The orders cover a wide range of issues from immigration policies, to gender identity issues and even deregulating the permitted flow of water from shower heads. One of his more interesting proposals is to rename or restore previous titles to landmarks and bodies of water bordering the U.S., including the new 'Gulf of America.' And 10 of his orders crack down on illegal immigration and the southern border crisis. Much of the US is currently experiencing a 'life threatening' vortex, with temperatures dropping as low as -50F. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to a crowd on June 2, 2023 in Gilbert, South Carolina Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum shows a world map from the 1600s that shows North America during her press conference in Mexico City on January 8 after Trump says he wanted to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America' The bitter cold hit Monday and will linger until Wednesday, impacting regions from the Gulf Coast to New England, the Great Lakes and the Midwest. Several states have issued weather warnings as a result, but Florida appeared to follow suit with a statement influenced by Trump. Some surprising faces turned up at President Trump's inauguration - managing to make it inside the Capitol Rotunda and get a coveted seat for the ceremony. The star-studded event was attended by tech titans, media moguls and dignitaries, as well as heavyweights of Washington DC. As he took to the stage to officially be sworn in alongside his wife Melania and children, Trump was flanked by donors to his campaign and big tech execs. The likes of Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk were all within close proximity as he took the oath of office. Scattered throughout were the presidents family members and other familiar faces in Trump's orbit. Lawmakers mostly sat in front of Trump, watching the new president take the oath of office. Others close by included podcaster Joe Rogan, as well as his close friend and fellow billionaire Phil Ruffin, 89. Ruffin had attended the ceremony alongside his partner Oleksandra Nikolayenko, 43, with the couple sitting near all former-presidents. The star-studded event was attended by tech titans, media moguls and dignitaries, as well as heavyweights of Washington As he took to the stage to officially be sworn in alongside his wife Melania and children, Trump was flanked by donors to his campaign and big tech execs George W. Bush was joined by his wife Laura as well as Hillary and Bill Clinton. Barack Obama had entered the chamber alone after his wife Michelle snubbed the ceremony. President Biden was accompanied by First Lady Jill alongside Kamala Harris, whose partner Doug Emhoff stood behind her. CEO of Dior Delphina Arnault was rubbing shoulders with Nikolayenko, who was sat next to her brother Alexandre and father Bernard Arnault. The elder Arnault is the chairman and CEO of LVMH, the conglomerate behind brands including Louis Vuitton and is worth over $180 billion. Trump also made sure to invite his children's in-laws - including Ivanka's husband Jared's parents, Charles and Seryl Kushner. Charles Kushner has already been nominated by Trump to serve as US Ambassador to France during his second presidential term. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson was among those invited in to the special event American businessman Phil Ruffin and his wife Oleksandra Nikolayenko were also given prime spots Rudy Giuliani, Trump's former lawyer, whipped out his phone to take photos of the event Donald Trump Jr's new girlfriend, Bettina Anderson, snapped photos on her phone throughout Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump Jr's ex-fiancee also attended the event Lebanese-American businessman Massad Boulos was also in the crowd - after being designated as Trump's Middle East advisor. He became Tiffany Trump's father in law in 2022, when she wed her husband Michael. They are expecting their first child together in 2025. Nearby, Israeli-American physician Miriam Adelson had a clear view of the proceedings. Adelson's family was the largest donor to Trump through his last term as president, and also now owns the Dallas Mavericks. According to Forbes, the businesswoman is worth a staggering $34.4billion, which makes her the third richest owner in American sports. Others who stood nearby included UFC President Dana White and his wife Anne. White has been a vocal supporter of Trump in recent times. On the floor of the rotunda, Senator Bernie Sanders, I-VT sat beside Senators Tom Cotton, R-AR, and Cory Booker, D-NJ. President pro tempore of the Senate Charles Grassley was also seen beside the trio of senators. Seemingly exiled to the far side of the rotunda, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Don Jr.'s former partner made an appearance despite rumors she would be excluded. (L-R) Priscilla Chan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, and Elon Musk, attend Donald Trump's inauguration On the floor of the rotunda, Senator Bernie Sanders, I-VT sat beside Senators Tom Cotton, R-AR, and Cory Booker, D-NJ Sitting nearby Guilfoyle was Trump ally Charlie Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA. Kirk was noticeably cheering as Trump raised his fist during the ceremony. Congresswoman Alma Adams wore her signature zebra striped hat inside the rotunda as she sat near the back of the room near Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno. Further down was Texas Senator Ted Cruz who was all smiles, alongside Mitch McConnell. A few rows behind them was Rudy Giuliani, who just last week reached a settlement with two election workers he repeatedly defamed. Across the aisle, Trump's elect for special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff watched proceedings. Vice President-elect JD Vance takes the oath of office during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Others on the rotunda floor included media personality Tucker Carlson and Fox presenter Laura Ingraham. In an unprecedented move, Trump also invited foreign leaders to the inauguration, and they also got coveted seats for the ceremony. Argentina President Javier Milei was seated next to Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni sat next to China's Vice President Han Zheng. The Chinese ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, was also nearby the group of foreign leaders. British lawyer Simone White's cause of death has been revealed after she drank methanol-laced shots in a Laos backpacking hotspot. The 28-year-old died from a bleed on the brain after unwittingly being poisoned by the dangerous substance nine days before her death. Ms White was among several young women thought to have died after reportedly being offered free vodka shots at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in traveller hotspot Vang Vieng. But her mother has now told how she died after drinking six shots of alcohol which Ms White and her friends had bought from a local shop. Ms White, of Orpington, South London died on November 21 at the Kasemrad International Hospital in the Laos capital of Vientiane. At the opening of an inquest into her death on Monday, a court heard she died of methanol toxicity leading to an intercranial haemorrhage. Police in Laos are still investigating the incident, which killed five people. Senior coroner Sarah Ormond-Walshe told the short hearing she expects delays as local authorities continue to look into the events. Simone White, 28, died in Laos on November 21 after drinking methanol-laced shots Ms White studied law at Newcastle University before taking the fast-track course at the BPP law school The Nana Backpackers Hostel, where the incident took place She told the inquest: 'I've ordered a post-mortem that has taken place, histology has been taken and specialist neuropathologist is examining the brain. That will take some time.' According to the Sun, she continued: 'There is an investigation going on in Laos. I don't have any jurisdiction to ask for any papers there but clearly I will be once that investigation is finished. 'There will be an inquest but it is normally quite some time to have to wait to get documents from abroad. 'We are also waiting for the specialist histopathology results and the family will be updated with those as soon as we have them and once the investigation abroad has finished we will be asking for the papers.' Australian Bianca Jones, 19, also died in the horrific incident alongside two Danish women - Anne-Sofie Orklid Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21 - and a 56-year-old American man. Ms White was an associate lawyer specialising in technology and intellectual property at the London office of the American law firm Squire Patton Boggs. After completing her A-levels at St Olave's Grammar School in Orpington, she studied law at Newcastle University before taking the fast-track course at the BPP law school. Ms White's friend, Bethany Clarke, a healthcare worker also from Orpington, took to the Laos Backpacking Facebook group to warn other travellers. She said: 'Urgent please avoid all local spirits. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars. Ms White's (left) was on holiday with her friend Bethany Clarke (right) Ms Clarke, a healthcare worker also from Orpington, took to the Laos Backpacking Facebook group to warn other travellers Bianca Jones, 19, was the fourth person to die after consuming alleged 'methanol-laced' drinks in Vang Vieng, Laos Ms White was an associate lawyer specialising in technology and intellectual property at the London office of the American law firm Squire Patton Boggs Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan (pictured), who served the free shots at the hostel, has claimed it wasn't his Tiger Vodka that made the girls sick 'Just avoid them as so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.' Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan, who served the shots, denied it was his Tiger Vodka that had made the tourists sick. He was later arrested alongside seven other members of staff by police. Ms White's mother Sue, 61, told how she made the heartbreaking decision to take her daughter off life support after her condition worsened. She said: 'Simone was such a popular, fun-loving girl, who was hugely well thought of. 'What's happened is absolutely tragic, she had everything going for her.' Methanol is sometimes found in alcoholic drinks in southeast Asia as a cheaper, counterfeit alternative to ethanol. The Foreign Office has issued guidance to Britons travelling to the country, warning them against consuming replica alcohol brands that may contain hidden amounts of methanol. In an update provided to the coroner, the FCDO said: 'The ambassador and consular team recently met with the director general of the Consulate Department of Registry Foreign Affairs. 'They confirm the investigation is ongoing and complex. 'Our ambassador requested the British embassy in Vientiane is updated as soon as any information is available recognising the inquiry will take time and a report will not be issued until conclusion of the Laos police investigation.' Rishi Sunak downplayed rumours he will take his family to California after leading the Tories to defeat at the general election, insisting he would remain a Yorkshire MP. But the former prime minister today revealed that he will at least make a few flying visits to the Pacific coast, where his has a home, after landing two new jobs. Mr Sunak announced today he would be taking up a visiting fellowship at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. Closer to home, he is also joining Oxford University's Blavatnik School of Government as a member of its World Leaders Circle. Mr Sunak, who studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford before earning a master of business administration degree at Stanford, said he was 'delighted' to be joining the two institutions. Posting on Instagram he shared a throwback picture of himself with wife Akshata Murty. The pair met while studying at Stanford. He said: 'Both Blavatnik and Hoover do superb work on how we can rise to the economic and security challenges we face and seize the technological opportunities of our time. 'I have huge affection for both Oxford and Stanford. I was fortunate enough to study at both, they shaped my life and career, and I look forward to contributing to their world-leading research in the months and years ahead.' The positions are Mr Sunak's first since returning to the backbenches last year, where he remains the MP for Richmond and Northallerton, in North Yorkshire. Mr Sunak announced today he would be taking up a visiting fellowship at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. Posting on Instagram he shared a throwback picture of himself with wife Akshata Murty. The pair met while studying at Stanford. Mr Sunak, who studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford before earning a master of business administration degree at Stanford (pictured), said he was 'delighted' to be joining the two institutions. In accepting roles at major universities, he has followed two of his predecessors in Number 10. Sir Tony Blair taught a course at Yale University shortly after leaving Downing Street, while Gordon Brown became a 'distinguished leader in residence' at New York University. Lord William Hague, chancellor of Oxford University and one of Mr Sunak's predecessors as Conservative leader, said the former prime minister's experience and 'deep understanding of the challenges facing governments today' would be 'a huge asset'. Lord Hague added: 'Rishi's connection to Oxford University runs deep, and it's great to see him coming back to his alma mater to contribute in such a meaningful way. 'I have no doubt his insights will inspire the next generation of leaders who are starting their journey here at Oxford.' The positions are Mr Sunak's first since returning to the backbenches last year, where he remains the MP for Richmond and Northallerton, in North Yorkshire. Condoleezza Rice, the former US secretary of state and current director of the Hoover Institution, also welcomed his appointment, saying Mr Sunak's 'extensive policy and global experience will enrich our fellowship and help to define important policies moving forward'. She said: 'The United States and the UK share a very special bond, and we look forward to the impact of his work on the many challenges facing democracies and the world in years to come.' The Blavatnik School of Government teaches postgraduate courses in public policy, and counts former Colombian president Ivan Duque among its World Leaders Circle, while the Hoover Institution is a public policy think tank. Other distinguished visiting fellows at the Hoover Institution include former Conservative chancellor George Osborne, former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer and Mr Sunak's former foreign policy adviser John Bew. Written material about self-driving car bombs was found on Axel Rudakubana's devices after he stabbed three children to death in Southport, it's been reported. The 18-year-old, who pleaded guilty yesterday to three counts of murder, was found in possession of articles and books that sources said proved an 'obsession with extreme violence'. This included texts on the genocide in his parents' native Rwanda, Nazi Germany and tactics for urban warfare, as well as others containing gory details about torture and cannibalism. One article detailing the use of car bombs by ISIS explained how they were 'an incredibly powerful and versatile weapon' that could 'cause unfathomable destruction in all sorts of environments'. The piece, written by a weapons expert in a journal about radicalisation, described how the terror group had designed self-driving cars with a 12-mile range with mannequins to hide the fact there was no driver. The teenager was also found to have researched 'electronic detonators' and 'strong nitric acid', The Times reported - citing sources - suggesting he was interested in putting his research to practical use. A PDF file that he was found with, entitled 'Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual' led to him being charge with possessing terrorist materials. He also admitted carrying a knife more than 10 times and had a prior conviction for a violent offence against another child at school, despite which he was still able to purchase a blade on Amazon at the age of 17, the BBC reported. Axel Rudakubana, who pleaded guilty yesterday to three counts of murder, was found in possession of articles and books that sources said proved an 'obsession with violence' One article detailing the use of car bombs by ISIS explained how they were 'an incredibly powerful and versatile weapon'. Pictured is the aftermath of a blast in Yemen in 2016 Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said public bodies 'completely failed to identify the terrible danger that [Rudakubana] posed', adding that it was a 'total disgrace' that he was 'easily able to order a knife on Amazon'. She told the commons today the teenager was 'obsessed with massacre or extreme violence' and that 'action against him was much too weak'. Yesterday he also pleaded guilty to possessing the highly deadly poison ricin. Some of Rudakubana's research focused on the Rwandan genocide, an event that was said to fascinate him. The killer has a connection to the atrocity through his parents, who were both Tutsi and were forced to flee the country following the outbreak of mass killings by the Hutu-dominated regime. His taxi driver father, Alphonse, is thought to have fought with the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), an armed force that fought the Hutu government and eventually brought an end to the murders. The 49-year-old is said to have been an officer in the RPA, which invaded from nearby Uganda. The Rwandan genocide saw an estimated one million people shot, beaten or hacked to death with machetes during just over 100 days of violence that broke out in the east African nation in 1994. Rwandan Patriotic Front stand next to the skulls of Tutsis massacred by Hutus in the 1994 Rwanda genocide Rudakubana's father Alphonse is believed to have fled Rwanda with Rudakubana's mother, Laetitia Muzayire, 52, well before the killings began The killings were sparked by the death of Hutu President Juvenal Habyariman, whose plane was shot down on the night of April 6, triggering a rampage by Hutu extremists and the 'Interahamwe' militia. The Tutsi ethnic group made up only a small proportion (about 14 per cent) of Rwanda's population at the time but made up the vast majority of the dead - with the killers egged on by propaganda comparing the ethnic minority to cockroaches. Alphonse is believed to have fled Rwanda with Rudakubana's mother, Laetitia Muzayire, 52, well before the killings began. Multiple sources in the country and among the Rwandan expat community told the Mail that the Rudakubanas continued to have close links with 'high status' figures linked to the regime. The family have distanced themselves from Axel Rudakubana's monstrous crimes, insisting Rwanda's bloody past played no part in the British-born teenager's descent into mass murder. Instead they blamed his exposure to graphic images of brutal killings and atrocities which he was able to access online, coupled with his mental state. 'Axel has trauma and autism which causes him mental health issue and he did it unconsciously,' one relative told the Mail on condition of anonymity. A source added: 'They think this was caused by exposure to violent materials online.' Some of the material in the teenagers possession concerned the Nazis (pictured - Hitler at a rally in 1936) In 2017 Rudakubana's mother Laetitia Muzayire paid tribute to Tutsi victims of the genocide. In a Facebook post accompanied by an image of a candle she wrote: 'Our families, our friends, our kids, our people. Forever in our hearts. Tutsi genocide 1994.' Rudakubana's paternal grandfather, Dr Rudakubana, is also said to have been an influential figure in Rwanda, with some reports stating that he was a senior official in the government of President Habyariman, while others say he was a founding member of the RPF - the Guardian reports. Rudakubana has been described as 'introverted' as a child and 'clingy' with his mother - who previously worked in a clerical role at Cardiff University's school of dentistry. Residents of a quiet close in Cardiff said the boy's parents were 'nice, quiet people struggling to make a living after coming from Rwanda'. The couple lived in the Welsh capital for 11 years and had two boys, the elder boisterous, and Axel quiet and shy. Former neighbours were in shock after discovering Rudakubana had been arrested for murder over the 'ferocious' stabbings at a Taylor Swift themed dance class for young girls. Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died following the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed class in The Hart Space on a small business park in the seaside town shortly before midday on July 29. A court artist's sketch of Rudakubana appearing at Liverpool Crown Court this morning A man living in the Rudakubana family's two-bedroomed former home said: 'Obviously something has gone seriously wrong with this young man. 'It is a shock, such a terrible thing to happen.' Their former next door neighbour, a 55-year-old civil servant who didn't want to be named said Axel was 'very quiet, an introvert'. 'He was quite clingy to his mum while his older brother was more boisterous and would stick his tongue out at you. 'I knew the parents were from Rwanda, they spoke English with a strong accent and they cooked spicy food with smells that I didn't recognise. 'They were in their late twenties, they had a story about how they came here but I didn't like to pry.' Sources have confirmed that Rudakubana was referred three times to the Government's deradicalisation scheme Prevent. Superstitious housebuilders have been told that they are no longer allowed to skip giving new build properties the Number 13. Property companies have routinely missed out the unlucky number when building streets as it is believed that houses with that number are harder to sell. It has even led to non-superstitious buyers becoming reluctant to exchange contracts on such properties as they fear they might then struggle to sell them on. Now, however, a group of local authorities in Lincolnshire have banned property developers from missing out the number on new housing projects. South Holland District Council (SHDC), East Lindsey District Council and Boston Borough Council have locked horns with developers on the issue. Mark Foster, director at Lincoln-based Lindum Homes, said it was still common practice for planning authorities not to allow the number and developers still had issues with people not wanting to live at Number 13. A joint Street Naming and Numbering Policy document published by the councils last month states that the Number 13 'is to be used in the proper sequence and no sanction should be given to its avoidance'. South Holland Council has underlined this means there were 'no circumstances when builders will be allowed to avoid using number 13'. Superstitious housebuilders have been told that they are no longer allowed to skip building properties on Number 13. File image A joint document published by the Lincolnshire councils states that the Number 13 'is to be used in the proper sequence and no sanction should be given to its avoidance'. File image Mr Foster said another Lincolnshire authority, North Kesteven District Council, did not allow the use of the number unless 'a developer is insistent'. In September 2024, real estate company Rightmove found that number 13 homes were valued around 5,000 lower than the average house price in a study if over 10 million homes numbered 1-100. Mr Foster said: 'It is quite uncommon for a local authority to come out and be categoric in that way. Most local authorities are the opposite to that.' An SHDC spokesperson said the use of Number 13 in housing developments in the district was already in place and the document just turned that 'practice into policy'. 'Where objections persist, [they] can be lodged with the magistrates' court,' they said. 'The council may depart from the policy where justifiable but will document that decision and the reasons why.' Traces of where the superstition began can be found in Christianity, with the 13th guest at the Last Supper - Judas Iscariot - being the disciple who betrayed Jesus. In Norse mythology, another 13th guest at a dinner - Loki - tricked one of Odin's sons into killing another. The 'unluckiness' of the number has been reinforced more recently in popular culture, such as in the film Friday the 13th, Cardiff University lecturer Dr Juliette Wood said. Megyn Kelly has slammed Lauren Sanchez for dressing 'like a hooker' for Donald Trump's inauguration in a fiery attack on Jeff Bezos' fiancee. The 54-year-old conservative commentator unleashed on the fellow glamorous MAGA inner circle member Sanchez, 55, in a fiery tirade on Instagram. 'This is not my first time saying she dresses like a hooker, because she does,' Kelly said during the incendiary onslaught posted on her official Megyn Kelly Show page. 'Have some dignity and some respect for your setting and your circumstances. 'No-one should be talking about your tits, sorry, they should be talking about the inauguration.' 'She has no class. No dignity. No respect,' Kelly added in an angry X post as she continued her attack on Sanchez via a second social media platform. Sanchez wore a white lace bra on full display with a matching ivory pantsuit as she appeared beside her fiancee Jeff Bezos, 61, for the inauguration on Monday. She initially looked cozy and chic when she arrived to see Trump sworn in as the 47th US President in Washington DC - but she later shocked the public by removing her coat to reveal the racy outfit underneath. The look caught the attention of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, who was spotted repeatedly staring at Sanchez's chest in videos which went viral online. Megyn Kelly has slammed Lauren Sanchez for dressing 'like a hooker' for President Donald Trump 's inauguration in a fiery attack on the Amazon founder's fiancee Kelly continued her attack on Sanchez via a second social media platform, X Some members of the public also echoed Kelly's reaction to the bold look - flooding social media with their thoughts on Sanchez's wardrobe choice. 'Good grief, Lauren Sanchez. Put them away for one day,' a disgusted user urged. 'Lauren Sanchez is wearing a bra,' wrote another shocked user. 'Just when I was luxuriating in the beauty and class of @FLOTUS45, in walks Lauren Sanchez wearing only a bra,' slammed someone else. 'Lauren Sanchez complete inappropriate dress today,' another agreed. 'Really, a bra plainly visible. Today is NOT a night club event. Show some class & dignity.' Sanchez arrived with Bezos at the US Capitol Rotunda on Monday morning. The journalist wore a long white mohair coat, buttoned up in the middle with her long, dark brown hair wavy and tied up in a low pony tail, with some loose tendrils around her face. Once inside, she took her demure jacket off to reveal the white pantsuit - with lace lingerie peaking through. Sanchez wore a white lace bra on full display with a matching ivory pantsuit as she appeared beside her fiancee Jeff Bezos , 61, for the inauguration on Monday The look caught the attention of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, who was spotted repeatedly staring at Sanchez's chest in videos which went viral online It appears to be the same outfit the soon-to-be Mrs Bezos wore during a chat with Forbes executive vice president Moira Forbes at the 2024 Forbes Power Women's Summit in September. On Sunday night, Sanchez rubbed shoulders with Ivanka Trump, the president-elect's daughter, at a candlelight dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington D.C. The former TV host wore a stunning black Dolce and Gabbana gown for the event, where she was seen embracing Ivanka. Sanchez called the night a 'magical evening' on Instagram as she showed off her stunning black dress that featured a glittery strapless top and a silk draped skirt from the Italian designer. She and her billionaire lover were seen talking to fellow tech titan Elon Musk, 53, ahead of the event as the socialite held tightly to her man's arm. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an urgent recall for snack food that contains undeclared milk. The FDA confirmed the recall of curry-flavored Curvee Puffs Corn Puff Snack bags on January 20. The recall includes 2.46 oz packages Shirakiku brand snacks that were distributed to retailers, restaurants, and online businesses in 38 states, including California, Texas, and New York. Some of the recalled snack food packages were also exported to Mexico. Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. initiated the recall on January 17 after individuals noticed milk was not listed as an ingredient. The last products with this error were shipped out on January 10, according to the announcement. Shoppers with milk allergies who ingest this product could be at risk of life-threatening allergic reactions. The product code on the UPC is 07441078512, and the FDA is urging shoppers who purchased the product to return them for a full refund. The FDA announced a recall on of curry-flavored Curvee Puffs Corn Puff Snack bags on January 20 The FDA advised customers who believe they purchased recalled products to look out for directions on how to receive a refund. Shoppers who have not used the recalled product can receive a full refund from the store where they purchased it in most cases. The FDA also recommended purchasers not to give the recalled product to other individuals or animals. Customers who placed the snack product on other surfaces may want to consider cleaning the items before using them again. Utensils that have come in contact with the contaminated food should be sanitized with one tablespoon of chlorine to one gallon of hot water, according to the FDA. After the sanitization is completed, the FDA suggests washers dry the utensils with a clean cloth or unused paper towel. The organization recommended shoppers wash their hands with soap and warm water after completing these steps. Following these steps would lower the risk of shoppers developing health problems from the recall, according to MedlinePlus. Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. initiated the product recall due to undeclared milk on January 17 Milk allergies are common in the US and can cause allergic reactions from one's immune system. Severe milk allergies could cause anaphylaxis reactions, which can be fatal. Someone who suffers mild allergic reactions from ingesting milk could experience vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or swelling of the lips or tongue. Besides anaphylaxis, severe symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and a drop in blood pressure. The FDA recommends customers who have allergic reactions contact a medical professional to receive treatment. Buyers also have the option to report the event or a complaint regarding illness on its website. As of now, no illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported as a result of ingesting the recalled Curvee Puffs Corn Puff Snack package. Severe milk allergies could cause anaphylaxis reactions, along with mild issues such as vomiting and abdominal pain The Shirakiku brand Corn Puffs was not the only recalled product this month for undeclared milk. The FDA issued a recall on multiple Monkey Spit-brand barbecue sauces on January 17 that were distributed to central coast of California for undeclared milk, soy, and wheat. The organization also issued recalls for undeclared milk on Monkfish liver distributed by New York Mutual Trading, Co, Pearl Milling Company's Pancake and Waffle Mix, and two kinds of NuGo-brand nutrition bars. Other recalls issued by the FDA recently include 1350 cases of Peach Mango Sorbet sold at Target and Wegmans, and Marketside Broccoli Florets sold throughout 20 states at Walmart. President Donald Trump revealed which of the living presidents he'd call for advice. At both his inauguration and President Jimmy Carter's funeral, Trump came face-to-face with former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and also Joe Biden, who joined the ex-presidents club on Monday. Bush is the only living ex-Republican president, while Clinton, Obama and Biden are Democrats. Still, 78-year-old Trump paid an across-the-aisle compliment. 'Well, I thought Bill Clinton was a very good politician,' Trump answered from the Resolute Desk. He held a mini-press conference in the Oval Office Monday night ahead of attending three inaugural balls. 'I don't think he was used properly. I think they disrespected him when Hillary was running,' Trump continued. Hillary Clinton was Trump's 2016 Democratic rival and it was her husband, the former president, who sounded the alarm that her campaign looked weak in some of the traditional 'blue wall' states - Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan - and in places that Obama had won like North Carolina. President Donald Trump was asked Monday which of the living presidents he would seek advice from - after seeing all of them at both President Jimmy Carter's funeral and his inauguration on Monday Trump pointed to Bill Clinton (left) the husband of Trump's 2016 Democratic rival Hillary Clinton (right), noting how the former president had been right about Hillary's weakness in Wisconsin and Michigan Trump won Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina in his shock 2016 victory. The newly sworn-in president recalled how Clinton and come in and said, 'You know you better get up to Michigan and Wisconsin.' 'You remember that, Peter?' Trump said to Fox News' Peter Doocy, who had posed the question. 'Every house has a Trump sign on it. And they all laughed at him because the Republicans hadn't won Michigan and Wisconsin for decades, long time,' Trump continued. 'And they all laughed at Bill Clinton. Like, the hell does he know?' Hillary Clinton didn't visit Wisconsin one time during her general election campaign. 'And he turned out to be right because I won both of them,' Trump said. 'And then we just won both in this election, too,' the president added. Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania went for Biden in the 2020 race - and Trump was able to win them back four years later, with every other battleground state. 'We won all the swing states. All seven ... we won them all,' Trump went on. Former presidents including President Bill Clinton (left), George W. Bush (center) and Barack Obama (right) attended President Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony on Monday. Joe Biden also joined the ex-presidents club that day President Donald Trump (right) was asked about his very friendly looking conversation with former President Barack Obama (right) at the Carter funeral earlier this month. He responded that the two were 'having some crazy conversations' 'But Bill Clinton, he had a great political sense I think,' the new president added. Another reporter then pointed out Trump's animated conversation with Obama at the Carter funeral, which saw Obama laughing. The clip went viral. 'I was!' Trump agreed. 'And you'd like to know what it was - ohhhhh,' he teased. 'Everybody wants to know!' 'No, no, I wouldn't want to,' he continued. 'But we were having some crazy conversations.' My Unorthodox Life star Julia Haart has landed a massive divorce win in a bitter court battle with her ex-husband Silvio Scaglia. A New York judge awarded Haart, 53, control of the business she ran with Scaglia, 66, during the marriage, the $65 million Tribeca apartment they lived in, and nearly $10 million in cash, reported Page Six. Haart's daughter Batsheva posted a TikTok of her mother celebrating the win, dancing to All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled and drinking champagne. The couple had been duking it out through the courts, across multiple lawsuits for nearly three years. During their marriage, Haart worked as the creative director of luxury lingerie brand La Perla and co-owner of Elite World Group (EWG), which represents the largest number of modeling agencies in the world. However, when Haart told Scaglia she was divorcing him in 2022, he fired her from EWG. Haart said Scaglia had given her half of Freedom Holding - which owns EWG and their luxury apartment - in return for running the firm. He claimed she only owned a fraction of the company and accused her of misappropriating millions of dollars from EWG, for which he failed to offer proof in court. My Unorthodox Life star Julia Haart landed a massive divorce win in the bitter court battle with her ex-husband A judge awarded Haart, 53, control of the business she ran with Silvio Scaglia, 66, during their marriage, the $65 million Tribeca apartment they lived in and nearly $10 million in cash Haart's daughter Batsheva posted a TikTok of her mother celebrating the win, dancing to All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled and drinking champagne Judge Jeffrey Pearlman granted Haart a default judgment in the divorce last week after Scaglia stopped engaging in the proceedings. Haart received a 50 percent interest in Freedom Holding and power of attorney over Scaglia's 50 percent. The judge ruled she now owns the 16-room Tribeca triplex penthouse they lived in during their marriage. She was also given $7,400,000 in unpaid management fees for 2019 through 2021 and half the proceeds of a Kees Van Dongen painting owned by Freedom Holding that Scaglia sold for $2,972,632. 'Words cannot fully express the immense joy and gratitude I feel in my heart,' Haart told Page Six. 'Throughout this journey, I held steadfast to my belief in truth and justice, deeply trusting that if I stayed the course, the truth would ultimately prevail and the wrongs done to me would be made right. 'I am profoundly grateful to God for granting me the strength to persevere and to Judge Pearlman for holding Silvio accountable and ensuring that justice was served.' In June, Scaglia was found in contempt after he failed to appear at an appointed court date. When Haart told Scaglia she was divorcing him in 2022, he fired her from Elite World Group Haart is the star of the Netflix series My Unorthodox Life, which documents her life after leaving an incredibly strict Orthodox Jewish community A judge ruled that Scaglia owed Haart $300,000 in legal fees which he ordered should be paid by January 2024. However, Scaglia appeared to have no intention of honoring the order and fled to Milan. In 2023, Scaglia tried to evict Haart from the $70million Tribeca penthouse and force the sale of the home to support his floundering company. Haart is the star of the Netflix series My Unorthodox Life, which documents her life after leaving an incredibly strict Orthodox Jewish community. She has since established herself as a key figure in the fashion industry and is the owner of the shapewear brand +Body. 'I have a very personal and emotional feeling about this because my entire life my body hasn't been my own,' Hart told DailyMail.com. 'I was just another human that was supposed to have babies and take care of people and be this quiet, obedient and silent wife... that was my job.' A flock of more than 200 sheep have been seen storming through the streets of a town in the Yorkshire Dales. It was recorded by Wayne Hutchinson as the group of Swaledale Ewes are seen running through the narrow streets of Hawes, North Yorkshire. The animals can be seen being herded from their farm to the moorland above the village, a common practice during winter months. They are followed by a farmer on a quad bike and his border collie, who keeps the sheep in line as they pause to chew on grass. Mr Hutchinson said: 'These ewes are 'hefted' to this ground, meaning they know and live on this open moor, on their own particular patch, not held in by fence. The moment recorded by Wayne Hutchinson shows the group of Swaledale Ewes running through the narrow streets of Hawes, North Yorkshire. The animals can be seen being herded from their farm to moorland above the village, a common practice during winter months They are followed by a farmer on a quad bike and his border collie, who keeps the sheep in line as they pause to chew on grass 'Many generations of sheep from this flock will have made this journey, with lambs learning the route from their mothers, who learnt it from their mothers, an unbroken modern 'migration' pattern for this flock. 'A farmer goes on ahead to warn oncoming traffic, but the sheep know their way to the high wild moorland, where they call home. 'These sheep will stay up on the moors until early spring when they are brought down again for lambing in April.' A video shared by Wayne on social media has been viewed more than one million times. One user commented: 'There is nothing in the world more satisfying than watching a good sheep dog at work.' Mr Hutchinson said: 'These ewes are 'hefted' to this ground, meaning they know and live on this open moor, on their own particular patch, not held in by fence. He said: 'Many generations of sheep from this flock will have made this journey, with lambs learning the route from their mothers, who learnt it from their mothers, an unbroken modern 'migration' pattern for this flock' He said: 'A farmer goes on ahead to warn oncoming traffic, but the sheep know their way to the high wild moorland, where they call home' Another said: 'I love the 'ooh look, there's grass' moment on the corner and the dog coming in saying 'oh no you don't! On you go ladies'. Fabulous.' A third added: 'Brilliant drone footage and brilliant farmer and sheep dog.' A fourth said: 'Is there any more magnificent sight than a farmer and collie in perfect harmony herding sheep? 'Also love the way the sheep stop off at the green for a quick nibble of grass.' In September last year Hollywood star Damian Lewis took part in an 'eccentric' tradition dating back hundreds of years by ushering a flock of sheep over the River Thames. The Band of Brothers actor led the 11th annual Sheep Drive across Southwark Bridge in central London today - as he took part in a tradition dating back to the 1100s. More than a thousand Freemen of the City ushered 50 North of England Mule sheep along a historic trading route to celebrate their medieval right to bring produce to market over the Thames without paying tolls. Shepherd-for-the-day Mr Lewis, 53, wore his grandfather's wool coat and carried a crook as he herded the animals over Southwark Bridge in what he described as an 'eccentric, very British, day'. Damian Lewis (centre) took part in the 11th annual Sheep Drive in central London today The Hollywood actor (centre) took part alongside Lord Mayor of London Michael Mainelli (left) and Master Woolman Manny Cohen (right) Damian Lewis eats a doughnut as he gears up for today's London Sheep Drive The Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning actor, who is himself a Freeman of the City, was photographed keeping the animals in check ahead of other freemen dressed in black hats and red and fur cloaks at the London Sheep Drive. The tradition of taking sheep over London Bridge was resurrected just over a decade ago and the event is sometimes held on Southwark Bridge, depending on traffic plans, Mr Cohen said. 'We've just started with a few sheep and it's sort of taken a life of its own now, and it's a huge event - it's the second largest outdoor event of the City of London, other than the Lord Mayor's Show', he added. The fundraiser also has stalls set up around Queen Street and is expected to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the Woolmen Charity, which supports the wool trade, and the Lord Mayor's Appeal that works to improve 'London's most pressing societal issues'. Previous celebrity guests at the Sheep Drive have included Mary Berry, Alan Titchmarsh and Michael Portillo. Southern Californians are facing even more wildfire devastation as two more wildfires broke following weeks of destruction in Los Angeles. The Lilac and Pala Fires broke out early on Tuesday morning within an hour of one another in San Diego County, and they had already ravaged nearly 100 acres. Evacuations for parts of the county have been ordered, while other area residents are urged to pack up their things and leave, according to Cal Fire. Dangerous winds are making conditions worse, with wind gusts up to 70mph along the coast and up to 100mph in the mountains. The National Weather Service warned of a 'particularly dangerous situation' in Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties due to low humidity and the winds. 'The conditions are ripe for explosive fire growth should a fire start,' Meteorologist Andrew Rorke told the Associated Press. The Lilac Fire, which is only 10 percent contained, had burned through 80 acres since around 1am on Tuesday and is mainly threatening structures near Bonsall, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. The Pala Fire burned about 17 acres, according to Cal Fire data. However, firefighters have been able to stop its progress. The Lilac and Pala Fires broke within an hour of one another in San Diego County and had already ravaged nearly 100 acres (pictured: The Lilac Fire) Evacuations for parts of San Diego County have been ordered, while other area residents are urged to pack up their things and leave (pictured: The Lilac Fire) The causes of the two fires remained unknown. A red flag warning - which indicates an area is at high risk of fire - has been issued until Tuesday evening in San Diego County. Firefighters in Los Angeles are still working to contain two massive wildfires - the Palisades and Eaton Fires - which broke out on January 7 and have torn through nearly 40,000 acres in Los Angeles County. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff flew to Los Angeles on Monday after attending President Donald Trump's inauguration and met with firefighters, volunteers and victims of the Eaton Fire in Altadena. 'We just came out to thank [firefighters], to thank the community and just remind folks that were all in this together,' Harris said. She said their home in Pacific Palisades was still standing. Trump, who criticized the response to the wildfires during his inaugural address, has said he will travel to Los Angeles on Friday. California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday said the devastation left by the blazes underscores the need for partnership between the state and federal governments. 'I look forward to President Trump's visit to Los Angeles and his mobilization of the full weight of the federal government to help our fellow Americans recover and rebuild,' Newsom said in a statement. The causes of the two fires remained unknown (pictured: The Lilac Fire) A red flag warning - which indicates an area is at high risk of fire - has been issued until Tuesday evening in San Diego County (pictured: The Lilac Fire) The Lilac Fire, which is only 10 percent contained, had burned through 80 acres since around 1am on Tuesday and is mainly threatening structures near Bonsall (pictured: The Lilac Fire) A small amount of rain is forecast for the weekend in the Los Angeles area, though more gusty winds are expected to return Thursday, Rorke said. Authorities urged people not to mow their lawns to prevent sparking a fire, or start any fires that could get out of control. They also urged residents to review their evacuation plans and ready emergency kits, and be on the lookout for any new blazes and report them quickly. 'Don't do things to start another fire so we can focus on the mitigation of the current fires,' David Acuna, a spokesman with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, told the Associated Press. The Palisades fire was 63 percent contained as of Tuesday morning and the Eaton fire 89 percent contained, according to fire officials. At least 27 people have been killed from the LA fires, which destroyed more than 14,000 structures in 14 days. LA Mayor Karen Bass said Monday the city was prepared for any possible new fires and warned the winds could disperse ash from existing fire zones across Southern California. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff flew to Los Angeles on Monday after attending President Donald Trump's inauguration and met with firefighters, volunteers and victims of the Eaton Fire in Altadena At least 27 people have been killed from the LA fires, which destroyed more than 14,000 structures in 14 days (pictured: The Lilac Fire) Cal Fire and local fire departments have positioned fire engines, water-dropping aircraft and hand crews across multiple counties to enable a quick response should a new fire break out, Acuna said. Los Angeles city fire officials said the department has all available engines ready and 30 of them had been positioned in high-risk areas. The agency ordered the outgoing shift of about 1,000 firefighters to remain on duty to staff the extra engines. 'The pre-deployment is very, very thoughtful and strategic,' LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said. Budget supermarket Aldi has retained its crown as Britain's best paying supermarket employer after committing to paying its shop floor stuff up to 14 an hour. The German multinational discounter, which employs around 45,000 people across the UK, is hiking its base hourly rate to 12.71, up from 12.40. Staff working in and around London will see pay rise to at least 14, up from 13.65, to counter the additional cost associated with living in the capital. It puts Aldi staff on better pay than those working at their competitors, including upmarket shops like Waitrose and M&S. But while the news will be very welcome to staff busying away in the middle aisles packed with chainsaws, air fryers and kayaks, it will come with a greater tax bill come April - something that has not impressed UK CEO Giles Hurley. Mr Hurley previously signed an open letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves criticising a series of corporate tax hikes she trailed as part of the Autumn Budget. April will see employer National Insurance (NI) contributions rise alongside the minimum wage, alongside a cut in the threshold at which employers begin to pay NI. Aldi staff will receive at least 12.71 an hour after bosses announced a substantial wage hike Aldi UK boss Giles Hurley (pictured) has expressed concerns over the pace with which the Government is imposing corporate tax hikes Rachel Reeves announced the increases in last year's Autumn Budget (pictured at a Morrisons supermarket in June) The national living wage for adults aged 21 and over will shoot up to 12.21 from 11.44 from April - with the age cut from 23 as Labour seeks to eliminate the disparity between the minimum and living wages altogether. In response to the estimated 25bn tax raid, the British Retail Consortium and more than 80 of its members, including Aldi UK, wrote to the government to express concern over the speed with which the measures were being implemented. The triple-whammy of NI hikes, threshold cuts and wage rises would, the letter said, 'create a cumulative burden that will make job losses inevitable, and higher prices a certainty'. How do supermarket wages compare? London wages are in brackets. Aldi : 12.71 (14) Sainsbury's : 12.60 (13.85) Lidl : 12.40 (13.65) Asda : 12.04 (13.21) Tesco : 12.02 (13.15) Marks & Spencer : 12 (13.15) Co-Op : 12 (13.15) Waitrose : 11.55 (12.89) Morrisons : 11.44 (12.29) Iceland : up to 11.50 (up to 12.65) Advertisement Plastic packaging levies would also contribute to an overall annual burden of 7billion a year, the BRC said. 'We appreciate Government's focus on improving the fiscal situation and investing in public services; we also recognise the role businesses have in supporting this,' the letter read. 'But, the sheer scale of new costs and the speed with which they occur create a cumulative burden that will make job losses inevitable, and higher prices a certainty.' Aldi's competitive pay rise cements its position as the best-paying supermarket employer. Next is Sainsbury's, which has said it will raise the minimum across the UK to 12.60 in August, followed by Lidl, where store workers get at least 12.40. Both budget chains are ahead of Asda, Tesco, Co-Op and even the likes of Marks and Spencer and Waitrose, which is behind ever major supermarket group save for Morrisons and Iceland in terms of the wages it pays floor staff. Aldi boss Giles Hurley said of the wage rise: 'Our colleagues are the best in the business and this latest pay rise reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring they remain the best paid. 'Every single Aldi colleague plays an absolutely vital role in delivering on our promise to bringing unbeatable Aldi prices to even more customers across the UK.' Discounters like Aldi and Lidl can likely afford the pay rises because they spend very little on anything else. Aldi's wage hike puts it ahead of Sainsbury's to be crowned the UK's best paying supermarket for shop floor staff Fellow German discounter Lidl pays its staff 12.60 an hour - putting it in third place for shop staff wages Asda is the fourth best employer for shop staff wages, giving staff 12.04 an hour outside of London They undercut rivals by adopting fiercely stringent business practices - from deploying stock onto the floor on its pallets through to minimising the amount spent on advertising. Their brutal efficiency, and dependency on an almost exclusive range of own-name products, means prices are kept low compared to rivals. But this can also land discounters in trouble - particularly when they sail too close to the wind when creating their own brands 'inspired' by the real deal. On Monday Aldi lost a trademark battle against Thatchers over its cloudy lemon cider, after the Somerset-based brewer sued the supermarket for infringement. It had argued that Aldi's Taurus Cloudy Lemon Cider, with its packaging depicting lemons against a plain background, was too similar to its own product and could be construed as being the same. Last January the High Court in London dismissed Thatchers' case, with a judge saying there was a low degree of similarity between the products and no likelihood of confusion for consumers. But in December, Thatchers challenged the ruling at the Court of Appeal, and on Monday three judges allowed the appeal. An Aldi spokesperson said they were 'disappointed' with the ruling and that the company intends to appeal it. It has also landed itself in hot water over its caterpillar cake after Marks & Spencer said it had copied the iconic Colin the Caterpillar design in making its Cuthbert cake. The retailers later settled out of court - but nonetheless Aldi has continued to poke fun at the argument in its advertisements. Recently, Aldi is thought to have been behind a Traitors-themed prank in its stores that saw M&S cakes hidden amongst the discount treats, shrouded in cloaks reminiscent of those in the BBC series. Social media users swooned over Donald and Melania Trump's dancing with servicemembers as they celebrated inauguration night on Monday. The president and first lady attended the Commander in Chief ball in DC to honor the military as they embarked on a second term in the White House. Trump had a dance with sergeant Tatiana Saldana from the Space Force, while Melania enjoyed one with Honor Guard member Henry Wallen. The Trumps were also joined by the vice-presidential couple, JD and Usha Vance, who also each shared a dance with members of the military - of the Marine Corps and Navy respectively. The Commander in Chief ball is dedicated to the six branches of the military. 'President Trump had a dance with Space Force military,' said on X user. 'That is awesome! I love the uniform jacker. So sharp!' 'Melania just started dancing with a young armed services member at the ball and I never saw her smile so damn big,' said another X user. 'I want someone that smiles at me like Melania smiled at the service member who came to dance with her,' wrote a third. Donald Trump danced with sergeant Tatiana Saldana from the US Space Force at the Commander in Chief ball on Monday night after his inauguration First Lady Melania Trump danced with Honor Guard member Henry Wallen on Monday The Trumps were also joined by the vice-presidential couple, JD and Usha Vance, who also each shared a dance with members of the military JD and Usha Vance are seen dancing with members of the Navy and Marine Corps Monday The newly sworn-in president and his glamorous first lady started at the military-themed Commander in Chief Ball, before heading to the nearby Liberty Ball where they danced onstage with the entire Trump family. Then, they motorcaded to Union Station for the Starlight Ball. 'We needed three because we have such support,' Trump told the crowd at the Liberty Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Monday night. The crowds waited for hours to see the returned commander-in-chief and he and the first lady, who were finally played on by the United States Marine Band at the Commander in Chief ball a little before 10:30 p.m. Melania debuted a leggy, white-and-black gown, which was custom-made by Herve Pierre, the same designer who crafted her 2017 inaugural outfit. The Commander in Chief ball is dedicated to the six branches of the military They did their first slow dance to The Battle Hymn of the Republic, played by the United States Marine Band, before being joined onstage by Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha. Both couples then danced with members of the military, as is the custom. 'This is quite a gathering huh?' the 47th president said to the crowd that numbered in the thousands, with many servicemembers sporting their dress uniforms. Before Trump left the stage he conversed via satellite link with troops stationed in South Korea who popped up on the Jumbotron screens. Trump then used a saber to cut into an Air Force One cake onstage - that was made to look like his design for the presidential aircraft that President Joe Biden scrapped. 'I'm going to take a piece home with me,' he said. YMCA played as he started to depart, though he danced with the sabers onstage before taking off. 'The Secret Service is getting very nervous,' Vance commented at the sight. Rascal Flatts played after the Trumps departed from the Commander in Chief ball while other musical acts - including Billy Ray Cyrus and Jason Aldean - kept audiences occupied as they awaited the president and first lady. Labour's Ed Miliband has warned Donald Trump the world's transition to Net Zero is 'unstoppable' - despite the US President pulling out of the Paris climate agreement. Within hours of his return to the White House yesterday, Mr Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from the international treaty. The deal, which entered into force in 2016, commits almost all countries to limiting the increase in the global average temperature to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. But, having promised to 'drill baby drill' during his victorious election campaign, Mr Trump wants to boost US oil and gas production and reverse climate rules. It puts the US President at odds with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who has pledged to decarbonise the UK's electricity grid by 2030 as part of Labour's green agenda. Mr Miliband, the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, was quizzed this afternoon about the Government's bid to make Britain a 'climate leader' among global nations. The Cabinet minister was challenged about major polluters - such as China, India and the US - appearing 'somewhat less interested in climate leadership' than the UK. Within hours of his return as US President, Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw America from the Paris climate agreement But Labour's Ed Miliband, appearing before a House of Lords committee, insisted the world's transition to Net Zero is 'unstoppable' Appearing before the House of Lords' Environment and Climate Change Committee, Mr Miliband replied: 'It's interesting this, because... I've been at this a long time. 'I would say one of the things that has changed since I was last in this job [between 2008 and 2010] is that the transition is now unstoppable. 'If you think about this reality, 90 per cent of the world is now covered by Net Zero targets.' Mr Miliband admitted last year's COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan - which he described as '198-dimensional chess' - was 'very difficult', but said there was 'a will to get an agreement' in Baku. 'Now I'm not trying to look at this through rose-tinted spectacles, because you can hold two truths in your mind at the same time,' he added. 'One that the transition is unstoppable and, secondly, it's not going nearly fast enough. I think both truths are correct. The world is moving. 'When you look at what, for example, China has done in terms of the installation of renewable energy in the last year. 'I'm going to be goung to India shortly, which is also moving on renewable energy. That isn't to say it's all one-way traffic when it comes to China, India and so on. 'But the world is moving and I think part of the role of UK leadership here is to do the right thing at home, because it's the right thing for energy security. 'But we're only one per cent of emissions and so then the power of example really matters and working with others.' Mr Miliband told the committee not to 'underestimate the impact of British leadership' on climate issues, adding: 'It's really tough - I think the transition is unstoppable, we need to make it move faster.' Mr Tump also withdrew the US from the Paris climate agreement during his first term in the White House in 2017, before his action was reversed by Joe Biden in 2021. Tech boss Sam Altman has hit back at Democrats who criticized him for donating $1 million of his personal cash to Donald Trump's inaugural fund. The OpenAI CEO received a letter from Senators Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennet last week, which accused him of trying to 'cozy up' to the president to avoid federal scrutiny. The senators posed a series of questions ostensibly aimed at discovering his motivations for the cash gift. Altman, 39, shared the letter and pushed back at the suggestion, saying: 'Funny, they never sent me one of these for contributing to Democrats'. He then went on to explain that the senators allegations were unfounded since the money was donated by Altman personally. 'It was a personal contribution as you state; I am confused about the questions given that my company did not make a decision,' he added. The letter stated that big tech companies including Altman's had made, 'million dollar gifts to president-elect Donald Trump's inaugural fund in what appears to be an effort to influence and sway the action and policies of the incoming administration. Tech boss Sam Altman has hit back at Democrats who criticized him for donating $1 million of his personal cash to Donald Trump 's inaugural fund Senator Elizabeth Warren accused Altman of trying to 'curry favor' for his company with the donation 'Big Tech companies have come under increased scrutiny from federal regulators, the Senators continued. 'We are concerned that your company and other Big Tech donors are using your massive contributions to the inaugural fund to cozy up to the incoming Trump administration.' The letter went on to point out that several companies including OpenAI are under investigation and regulatory actions. Altman's company is currently subject to an FTC probe over alleged consumer harm and an SEC investigation for potentially misleading investors. The senators suggested that OpenAI along with the likes of Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft are trying to 'curry favor' ahead of the completion of the investigations. Altman was among the tech bosses who were invited to Trump's inauguration yesterday. He was pictured chatting to boxer Logan Paul and his brother Jake Paul ahead of the ceremony. Trump was surrounded by tech titans and media moguls as he was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. Warren penned the letter alongside Senator Michael Bennet with both asking Altman to explain his rationale for the donation Altman pointed out that his gift to Trump was from his personal wealth and so queried why he was being asked to defend it Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Apple CEO Tim Cook were all present inside St. John's church in the capital and the Capitol Rotunda. The three were spotted chatting amongst themselves as they attended the morning service with Trump to kick off his inauguration. Google CEO Sundar Pichai was also spotted sitting behind the three, with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew also pictured after the service. The group of tech titans were then seen sitting together alongside Bezos' fiancee Lauren Sanchez and Zuckerberg's wife Priscilla Chan for the inauguration ceremony. Other guests seen inside the Church of the Presidents and the rotunda included the likes of podcaster Joe Rogan and former Fox News' media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Put aside any ideology. On a subject such as this, one wanted him to find a princely tone. Sir Keir Starmer summoned the TV cameras to Downing Street so that he could address the nation in an 8.30am statement. He discerned that the Southport murders were dreadful enough to merit prime ministerial comment. This was indeed a moment for some stiffening moral fibre from the top of our elected government. Most reasonable people will root for a PM at such times in the hope that he can find the words and demeanour to make some sense of what happened. It soon became apparent that Sir Keir was falling short in his attempt to be Father of the Nation. The delivery was stiff. He looked jolted, angular, abrupt. Self-defensive. He started talking about his own record on 'spotting failures in grooming cases at my institution, the Crown Prosecution Service, 14 years ago'. Please, Sir Keir. Another time and place for political back-covering, perhaps. But not here. Any half-decent adviser would have drawn a red pen through most instances of 'I' in this speech. If the first-person must be used, let it be first-person plural. The statement lasted 17 minutes and ended with a vow to 'honour those three little girls'. At which, not for the first time, he momentarily leaned his left elbow on the lectern. Why? In an attempt to convey intimacy? It was the gesture of a pub regular leaning on the bar as he settled into an anecdote. It felt improper for such a performance. Merseyside Police today issued this mugshot of Axel Rudakubana, 18, of Banks, Lancashire, after he pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to all 16 counts he was charged with The PM told a press conference in Downing Street that people were right to 'demand answers' over 'failings' in the case of Axel Rudakubana Some will say 'performance' is a discreditable concept in cases so sensitive. But the ability to act, or to project character, is essential in politicians. Assuming they do possess some character. The event was held in the Downing Street media room which was recently given an 80,000 rejig at Sir Keir's insistence so that the backdrop would not be such a Tory blue. The backdrop is now wooden; as was Sir Keir. Had he stuck with the blue he might not have looked such a plank. He began by saying that 'the senseless, barbaric murders' were 'a devastating moment in our history' and that every parent would think 'it could have been anywhere, it could have been our children'. Amen to that. There was a line about how, when you normally wake from a nightmare, 'the first thing you do is reassure yourself with reality, but for too many people the state of our society no longer does that'. Internet violence, conspiracy theories, post-pandemic truancy levels, bureaucratic inertia: all were fair points, as was his praise for the decency of most emergency services. They deserved a better delivery. Our democracy needs efficient, persuasive political communicators. Instead of which we have this blockage in the works. Everything about Sir Keir, from his scraped hair gel and the boxy-shouldered new suit to his formulaic exasperation, felt rigid. He came across not as an answer but as a barrier. An impediment. He is too much a part of the bureaucracy that keeps us under its thumb. Sir Keir said it was a 'devastating moment in our history' and must be a 'line in the sand' for Britain, with 'fundamental change' in the way citizens are protected Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood (left) and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (right) were in No9 to watch the PM's statement One practical suggestion: those designer spectacles donated by Lord Alli do him no favours. They create a stern vertical at the top of his vision field and that prevents us seeing into his soul. Lose the glasses. What else would a theatre director say to help this tense ham? Stop hopping from foot to foot. Stop leaning on that lectern. Stop the puppet hand gestures. Gesticulated emphasis (he has one very odd hand gesture, as if holding a sausage between thumb and forefinger) may be fine for party-conference speeches but when you are talking about the murder of children, it jars. Three times and more he droned about 'a line in the sand'. 'Nothing will be off the table'. 'National renewal.' 'No stone will be unturned.' A locust cloud of cliches. He thought it sounded noble but all it achieved was an overwhelming sense of staleness. He was Hamlet as cast by human resources. Legal opacity in place of poetic grit. The backlash against a councils controversial experiment with a four-day week has spread to parish councils, with a clerk quitting their job and members widely criticising the scheme. South Cambridgeshire District Council has been allowing staff to work for 80 per cent of their contracted hours with no loss of pay since 2023, arguing it will improve conditions and aid job retention. But the last Tory government tried to shut the project down amid fury over the way taxpayers money was being gambled on it, while a survey commissioned by the council recently revealed one in six workers were moonlighting on their day off. Now parish councils the first step on the rung of local democracy, who maintain vital services in their communities have laid into the shambles they say the four-day week has caused. The frustration was voiced as it emerged Lib Dem-run SCDC leader Bridget Smith had refused to hold a public referendum on the matter which was pushed through without holding a full council debate or consulting the public - claiming it would be meaningless. Critics include a clerk who has resigned in frustration at the constant problems. The individual who wanted to remain anonymous while they serve out their notice said: I have never known such a shambles with the workings of the district council and self-gratification in the upper echelons of the district council. The fact that this four-day week was pushed through with no agreement from full council is no less than shameful. South Cambridgeshire District Council (pictured) has been allowing staff to work for 80 per cent of their contracted hours with no loss of pay since 2023, arguing it will improve conditions and aid job retention The frustration was voiced as it emerged Lib Dem-run SCDC leader Bridget Smith (pictured) had refused to hold a public referendum on the matter Railing at the appalling service that is now commonplace, they added: My role is constantly impeded by the four-day week system and lack of direct contact with officers in all departments this has the effect of prolonging issues that it used to be possible to resolve very quickly, often with one phone call. The clerk gave the example of emailing the housing department on a Monday morning over an urgent issue involving a tenant in social housing, only to receive an automated response saying that they no longer worked that day and would endeavour to respond within seven working days. I was appalled. [That] would in face mean I might not get a response until the following Thursday week, the clerk complained. They also revealed how the confidentiality of my calls and emails is compromised by officers regularly working from home, while conversations take place with the sound of people speaking in the background and often dishes being washed or dogs barking. I dont believe for one minute that the automated email responses I receive dont mean that the officer is collecting children from school, putting out washing, cooking the batch of meals to put in the freezer on what is supposedly one of [their] full days work, they added. Meanwhile, a member at different parish council compared the lack of district council staff available to handle queries to a prolonged chronic form of holiday absence. Frequently, other members of the SCDC team that may take a call do so unwillingly and have to put down their own work and mostly learn, in the call, about a colleagues work, the councillor said. Generally, they will have to pass on queries when the officer is in the office. For the resident, the momentum is lost. Independent councillor Dan Lentell said: who has been contacted by disaffected parish council members and staff, told the Mail: Whats happening at SCDC is nuttier than a squirrels brunch' Another councillor, also speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Mail: Its like a kind of musical chairs with officers. You never know whos going to end up where or when. This makes sorting out day-to-day issues difficult and results in vast amounts of time being wasted. Yesterday, the Mail revealed how a whistleblower had accused the council of effectively operating a three-day week [because] most people have Mondays or Fridays off and were afraid of mentioning their reduced hours to friends and family in case they were labelled lazy. The council last week debated a motion to monitor staffs activities on their paid day off after independent councillor Ben Lentell said there were no proper checks in place. The motion was turned down by the Lib Dem majority. Ms Smith did offer a public consultation but refused to hold a referendum. Tory councillor Tom Bygott warned: We are not going to have any view whether, as a taxpayer, people want to fund a four-day week but we are going to get a view whether they would want to be an employee working that way. South Cambridgeshire began a three-month pilot into the four-day week in January 2023 for 450 desk-based staff. It later extended the trial and added binmen and cleaners. The then Tory government wrote to Ms Smith demanding the experiment be terminated but it has continued regardless. The trial came under further fire when it emerged a 2023 report by Cambridge University academics at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy which hailed the initial three-month trial as a great success had been edited by the council prior to publication. Exchanges included one council official worrying there was too much detail which might allow critics to rip the 4DW (four-day week) apart and asking if they could propose changes. A researcher replied: Sure well work towards a version that works for you! A clerk South Cambridgeshire District Council (pictured)has resigned in frustration at the constant problems Independent councillor Dan Lentell, who has been contacted by disaffected parish council members and staff, told the Mail: Whats happening at SCDC is nuttier than a squirrels brunch. Jobs designed, advertised, and filled on the basis of traditional 5in7 [day] working are being crazily retro-fitted to 4in7. With the result that those already under the greatest stress are even worse off. 4in7 working should be for everyone, not just folks in one area of local government. A South Cambridgeshire District Council spokeswoman said: The data so far on the four-day week is showing it is having a positive impact on the services we provide. We will soon be carrying out a consultation, which will include talking directly with parish and town councils, to gather their feedback. A former prison watchdog member appeared in court today accused of plotting to bring cannabis and phones into a jail. Helen Spree, 61, was the chair of the independent monitoring board (IMB) at HMP Liverpool before her arrest for misconduct in public office and conspiring to convey prohibited articles into prison. Liverpool Magistrates Court heard that between December 2, 2019 and August 26, 2021 while acting as chair of the IMB she also 'engaged in inappropriate relationships with serving prisoners'. She was charged alongside five men as part of a joint counter corruption investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the prison service. IMBs are made up of volunteers tasked by ministers to report on whether the individuals held there are being treated fairly and humanely and whether prisoners are being given the support they need to turn their lives around. They have unrestricted access to jails and inmates at any time after undergoing a year-long induction and security training. Members are subject to the same vetting and checks as prison staff but references are not taken, according to the MoJ. Helen Spree, 61, was the chair of the independent monitoring board (IMB) at HMP Liverpool before her arrested for misconduct in public office and conspiring to convey prohibited articles into prison. Pictured: Leaving court today She was charged alongside five men as part of a joint counter corruption investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the prison service She is also accused of conspiring with others to bring cannabis into the prison and List B items, mobile phones, into the establishment and charged with conspiring to supply cannabis at the prison, all between the same dates. Ms Spree was not asked to enter a plea as the offences can only be dealt with by the crown court and she was remanded on bail to appear at the higher court on February 18. In separate hearings five men also appeared facing similar conspiracy charges and they were also further remanded to appear at the crown court on the same date. Stephen Brookes, 37, of Longton Lane, Rainhill, who faces two charges; John Hughes, 30, of Page Moss Avenue, Huyton, and Thomas Porterfield, 42, of Greenwich Avenue, Widnes, who both face three conspiracy charges and possessing mobile phones in the prison. As well as Michael Westall, 26, of Alt Bank House, Field Lane, Fazakerley, who faces three conspiracy charges, were all remanded on bail. Dylan Westall, 34, of no fixed address, who faces three conspiracy charges and possessing mobile phones inside HMP Liverpool, was further remanded in custody. John Hughes, 30, of Page Moss Avenue, Huyton, and Michael Westall, 26, of Alt Bank House, Field Lane, Fazakerley leaving court today Stephen Brookes, 37, of Longton Lane, Rainhill, who faces two charges Detective Inspector Tanya Kitchen, from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), said previously during Ms Spree's arrest: 'We can confirm that following a joint investigation between Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service's Counter Corruption Unit and NWROCU, a woman was arrested and temporarily suspended from duties.' James Stunt received the 'lion's share' of the profits from a 207 million money laundering scheme to turn criminal cash into gold, a court heard today. The former husband of Formula One heiress Petra Ecclestone had claimed to have no knowledge or involvement in the operation to pay millions of pounds in 'dirty' cash to the accounts of Bradford-based jeweller Fowler Oldfield and use the funds to buy 'clean' gold. But in his closing speech to the jury at Leeds Crown Court, prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford, KC, asked: 'If he's not involved, if he's not taking the risk of being involved, why is he taking the lion's share of the profit?' He said his company Stunt and Co took 70% and Fowler Oldfield a 30% cut from the scheme that saw gold bought with allegedly criminal cash and sent to Dubai. The operation, organised by a Dubai-based money launderer, involved a complex cover up of 'fake receipts' and 'fake shipping invoices' to hide what was going on, the court heard. Mr Sandiford said despite being predominantly based in his massive marital mansion in Los Angeles, Stunt must have known the truth of what was going on. He told the jury the socialite was 'not hands on' and would not have been found his Mayfair office 'counting the cash.' Mr Sandiford said Stunt claimed it was 'nothing to do with me, I'm not there, I'm not involved in this money laundering scheme.' James Stunt, pictured with Petra Ecclestone at their engagement party in 2011, is accused of being involved in a 207million international money laundering operation Stunt told the court he had no idea how much money was being counted at his opulent London office (pictured) James Stunt with Petra Ecclestone and her father Bernie Ecclestone in Mayfair in 2010 But by 2015 Stunt was having 'very significant problems' with his gold refinery' set up in Sheffield with the aim of turning unrefined gold into gleaming gold bars, branded with his company name. Mr Sandiford said the money laundering operation gave him 'the opportunity to make some money in what was otherwise in reality a failing and loss-making venture.' The jury has been shown a vast amount of evidence during the three-and-a-half-month trial, but Mr Sandiford told the jury the case was 'relatively simple' with all five defendants profiting from using criminal cash to buy gold. He asked the jury to ignore a number of 'distractions' put before the court. This included suggestions that some of the gold belonging to Stunt and Co the company formed to refine gold bars was 'stolen' or missing.' And that Stunt may have been the victim of a 'Ponzi scheme' by Gregory Frankel and Daniel Rawson, his partners from Fowler Oldfield in the gold refinery 'joint venture.' Mr Sandiford also said Stunt setting up a plush office in Mayfair, even spending tens of thousands of pounds on office stationary, and investing millions in opening a gold refinery in Sheffield was 'not in dispute.' He said it also wasn't disputed that Stunt's grand plan to use unrefined gold from Africa to produce top quality gold bars and then source 'scrap' gold for the same purpose ended in failure. Police allege that up to 30 million in cash was counted and collected at Stunt's London office James Stunt pictured with his then-wife Petra Ecclestone at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2012 'It just didn't work,' he said. It was this background that allegedly led to Stunt agreeing to process up to 30m through the Mayfair office in 2016. The cash was counted by Stunt's staff and collected to be paid into the NatWest account of Fowler Oldfield without questions being asked, the court heard. Stunt, 43, Frankel, 47, Rawson, 47, Haroon Rashid, 54, and Arjun Babber, 32, all deny money laundering. Frankel, Rashid and Babber have not been present throughout the trial and offered no evidence in their defence. The case continues. When Danny Brown got a new puppy, he couldn't resist sending a picture of his beloved pooch to friends. But the photograph of Bob, the French Bulldog didn't just land the crime boss in the doghouse, it resulted in him being collared by police for a 45million drugs trafficking operation. Now the drugs baron who organised one of the biggest ecstasy smuggling rackets in the UK faces being ordered to pay back the profits after this picture ended up exposing his entire operation. National Crime Agency investigators who were secretly snooping on messages between drug traffickers managed to identify Brown as one of the ringleaders of the group after spotting his girlfriend's phone number on Bob's collar tag. As a result, NCA officers were able to identify his six cohorts who were plotting to smuggle 45million of MDMA to Australia hidden in the arm of a mechanical digger. Brown and his gang were later jailed for a total of 163 years at Kingston Crown Court in December 2022. Now the 57-year-old will be counting the cost of sharing the puppy picture as he faces a confiscation hearing later in the year. Yesterday (tues) his cohorts, Stefan Baldauf, 64, and Philip Lawson, 63, were told to hand over almost 1.2million or face extra time in jail. Danny Brown (pictured) organised one of the biggest ecstasy smuggling rackets in the UK and now faces paying back the profits after a picture of his dog ended up exposing his entire operation This picture of Danny Brown's French bulldog 'Bob' contained his girlfriend's phone number on the collar which was used by investigators to help take Brown's illegal enterprise down Brown had sent an image of 'Bob' the French bulldog to accomplice Stefan Baldauf Baldauf, who was jailed for 28 years, was ordered to repay 1million in profits or receive an extra seven years in jail. While Lawson, who designed the drugs hide in the digger and arranged a welder to cut it open, was ordered to pay 182,476. The funds will go towards crime fighting, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said. NCA investigators have revealed the extraordinary story of how the young pup led them to the network. Officers who hacked into an encrypted phone network used by crooks known as Encrochat discovered a plot to smuggle 448 kilos of ecstasy by creating a fake auction to make shipping the machinery 10,000 miles from Southampton to Brisbane appear legitimate. The gang had been plotting on Encrochat for a year to export the massive quantity of the Class A drugs using anonymous handles like 'throwthedice' to disguise their names. But Brown inadvertently identified himself after proudly sending an image of his new pet to Baldauf on April 11, 2020. The pair then incriminated themselves further in a series of 'accidental selfies'. Brown accidentally snapped a photo of a television with his reflection in it on his encrochat phone. Baldauf also sent an image of intended meeting place to the rest of the gang unintentionally capturing his face in the reflection of a brass door plate. The images were to prove key pieces of evidence in convincing jurors of their role in the plot. Stefan Baldauf also sent an image of an intended meeting place to the rest of the gang unintentionally capturing his face in the reflection of a brass door plate An NCA investigation revealed that the gang planned to hide drugs in the arm of a mechanical digger The gang had organised an online auction for the digger, bought it for 75,000 euros, so that the intended recipients could hide their purchase. Investigators then watched as the digger was transported to Southampton Docks, arriving in Brisbane. On arrival, Australian Border Force officers secretly removed the drugs and re-sealed the arm after adding in a tracker and listening device. The digger was taken to a site near Sydney where the gang spent days hunting for the missing merchandise before realising they had been rumbled. When police finally came to arrest Brown in Putney, south west London , they found his faithful friend Bob by his side. Brown was later jailed for 26 years. Chris Hill who led the operation said: 'These criminals did not care about the misery and exploitation that the supply of illegal drugs bring to UK and Australian communities. 'All they cared about was money. 'So these proceedings are immensely painful for them, hitting them in their pockets and are a crucial way of showing other organised criminals that the consequences do not end when the prison door slams shut. 'The NCA continues to do everything possible, working at home and abroad, to protect the public from the threat of illegal drugs supply.' The full horror at a Turkish ski resort has been revealed as the inferno has claimed the lives of 76 people and left victims jumping out of windows in a bid to save themselves. The blaze broke out at the restaurant on the fourth floor of the 11-storey hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, northern Turkey, at around 3.30am on Tuesday, according to interior minister Ali Yerlikaya and Bolu governor Abdulaziz Aydin. Harrowing footage showed the top floors and roof of the hotel engulfed in flames, as some guests attempted to climb down from their rooms using sheets to escape the blaze. Survivors and eyewitnesses spoke of scenes of desperation as people tried to flee the flames with some leaping out of the windows or using bedsheets as a makeshift rope. 'People on the upper floors were screaming. They threw bedsheets out of the windows, some tried to jump,' Atakan Yelkovan, who escaped from the third floor with his wife, told IHA news agency. A very shaken hotel employee, who did not give his name, said he saw guests at their windows screaming for help. 'I saw a father with his baby in his arms asking for pillows so he could throw down his son. Luckily he waited for the emergency services who saved them,' he told IHA. 'But on the top floor, two women threw themselves out of the window and died,' he said, explaining that students were staying on the top floor. So far, 76 people have been killed and 51 were injured as a result The death toll rose to 76 in a fire that broke out in a hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center on January 21, 2025 in Bolu The resort is located on top of a mountain range about 170 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of the capital Ankara Baris Salgur, who works at a nearby hotel, said those trapped inside were screaming for help. 'They wanted blankets so they could jump so we brought pillows and a sofa. Some people jumped as the flames approached,' he told private NTV television. At least three people who tried to climb out of the windows fell to their deaths, NTV said. In an interview following the devastation, a witness said that a man fell on his head after using torn bedsheets to climb down the side of the flaming building. 'One father was yelling about his one-year-old child: "I will thrown my child or he will burn",' the witness added. One survivor, Eylem Senturk, said she and her daughter managed to get out despite the thick black smoke on their landing but her husband was trapped. 'Although he was right behind us, he couldn't get downstairs due to the smoke so he jumped from the window to the porch below,' she told Anadolu news agency, saying he'd then jumped to safety on a car roof. Since the fire broke out, the death toll has tragically climbed to 76, the interior minister said. An aerial view of the area as fire brigades responding to a fire that broke out in a hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center, on January 21, in Turkey Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 51 people were injured, fire cooling work continues A view of the damage from a fire that broke out at a hotel in the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort in Bolu, Turkiye on January 21, 2025 'Our pain is great,' Yerlikaya told reporters at the Kartalkaya resort, around 100 miles northwest of the capital Ankara. '66 citizens lost their lives and 51 others wounded.' The number of deaths has since been amended to 76. Turkish authorities on Tuesday detained four suspects including the owner of the hotel. 'As part of an investigation led by six prosecutors, four people including the hotel owner were detained,' Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said on X. Health minister Kemal Memisoglu said at least one of the injured was in a serious condition. Among the dead was a journalist who worked for the Sozcu daily, who perished with his wife and two adult children, the newspaper said in a statement. Footage showed huge plumes of smoke rising into the sky with a snow-capped mountain behind the hotel. The resort is located on top of a mountain range about 170 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of the capital Ankara. The fire is thought to have started in the restaurant and quickly spread through the hotel which was covered with wooden cladding. The cause was not immediately clear. 'Two-hundred and sixty-seven personnel from various public institutions and organisations responded to the fire and the response is ongoing,' Yerlikaya wrote on X. 30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances rushed to the site after the fire broke out Tuesday morning The fire broke out overnight at the restaurant of a hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said The cause of the blaze is now being investigated, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Private NTV broadcaster said three people died after jumping from the hotel's windows Part of the hotel backs onto a cliff, which made it harder for firefighters to tackle the blaze. At the time of the inferno breaking out, there were 237 were staying at the hotel where its occupancy rate was between 80 and 90 percent due to the school holidays, according to local reports. Some 30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances rushed to the site, as other hotels at the resort were evacuated as a precaution. Those evacuated were rehoused in nearby hotels. Justice Minister Tunc said six prosecutors had been allocated to investigate the blaze. The health, interior and culture ministers are expected to visit the site later in the day. In an address in Ankara, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said on Tuesday: 'Unfortunately, we received very sad news this morning from Bolu, Kartalkaya. Our brothers and sisters were killed and injured in a fire that broke out in a hotel.' 'All necessary steps will be taken to shed light on all aspects of the incident and to hold those responsible accountable,' he added. Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor at the hotel, said he was asleep when the fire erupted and he rushed out of the building. Search and rescue teams work at the site of a fire that broke out in a hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort in Bolu, northwestern Turkey, on January 21, 2025 A view of the damage from a fire that broke out at a hotel in the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort in Bolu, Turkiye on January 21, 2025 Search and rescue teams are still working on the site of the inferno in Bolu, northwestern Turkey He told NTV television that he then helped some 20 guests out of the hotel. He said the hotel was engulfed in smoke, making it difficult for guests to find the fire escape. 'I cannot reach some of my students. I hope they are OK,' the ski instructor told the station. Tourism Minister Nuri Ersoy said the hotel had two fire escapes and had passed a fire inspection 'in 2024' but some survivors said there appeared to be no safety mechanisms in place. 'No fire alarm went off.. and there was no fire escape,' said Yelkovan, who escaped from the third floor, telling IHA it had taken 'about an hour to an hour-and-a-half' for the firefighters to arrive. After the flames were finally doused, footage from inside showed the blackened lobby filled with charred wooden furniture and shattered glass. As Turkey counted the dead, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen praised the 'incredible courage' of the first responders and said Europe 'stands united with Turkiye and its people in this tragedy' in a post on X. Also on X, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed shock over the tragedy and said Ukraine 'shares the grief of the Turkish people during this difficult time'. Messages of condolence were also posted by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. A Minnesota family's nightmare came to life when Shuefaub Xiong, 42, a Domino's delivery driver vanished in the middle of his shift. Xiong was last seen at work in Apple Valley on January 14, before hitting the road to make four deliveries around 6:00 pm. His customers never received their orders. Police issued an update on Monday that Xiong's red Toyota Camry was found in Superior, Wisconsin. Further investigation revealed that Xiong stopped at a Target 45 minutes after he was last seen. His sister, Nischa, told local CNN Newsource, WCCO News, that Xiong attempted to call their other brother from someone else's phone at Target. She said her brother didn't pick up because he didn't recognize the number and speculated that it was a spam call. 'The person who picked up said that my brother approached him in his vehicle, knocked on the window and asked to use his phone,' Nischa told WCCO. Other than the mysterious phone call and missing vehicle, police have struggled to find further information that could lead to Xiong's whereabouts. Shuefaub Xiong went missing on January 14 and police are investigating his disappearance Police believe Xiong could be experiencing a mental health crisis Xiong's red Toyota Camry was found in Minnesota days after he disappeared Xiong was recently seen in his vehicle on Saturday around 4 pm. An acquaintance of the delivery driver then told police that they spoke with him at 8 pm in Roseville, Minnesota. Questions remain as to how Xiong's Toyota Camry ended up in another state and why he abandoned it. Authorities now believe that Xiong is having a mental health crisis. The extremely cold temperatures are adding to concern for the delivery man's well-being. 'Investigators are continuing to follow up on any leads, as it is critical he is located and provided care,' police said in a statement. Xiong is not believed to be dangerous but has a permit to carry firearms and has been known to have one, according to a police statement. Xiong's family is diligently working with the community to locate him. 'We're lost, we're confused, we're scared, we hope that he is okay,' Nischa told WCCO. The family wrote in a statement on Facebook that they were 'deeply concerned' for Xiong's safety and well being. 'Thank you for your continued support, thoughts, and prayers during this difficult time as we work to bring him home safely. We also ask for understanding and privacy as we navigate this challenging time,' they added. Nischa has also started a Facebook group so that they can communicate with the community. The group has over 1,700 members. 'Shue is the most thoughtful, kind, and selfless person we know. His steadfast commitment to family and community has always been evident,' his family wrote on GoFundMe. Xiong's sister, Nischa, pictured engaging with the community after he brother disappeared Xiong is a delivery driver with Domino's and was declared missing after he failed to complete four deliveries 'Whether it was repairing a neighbor's car, helping a friend move, or simply being present when someone needed support, Shue has always been the one to show up. Now, its our turn to show up for him.' His family told police that his behavior was uncharacteristic. They are offering a $20,000 reward for Xiong's safe return. Xiong is an Asian male and is around 5'8," weighing about 215 lbs., according to a missing person poster. Authorities are asking the public to call 911 if they see him or contact the Apple Valley Police Department if they have information on his whereabouts. Minnesota Crime shared an update on Facebook on Tuesday afternoon that police in Saint Paul received reports of a possible suicide attempt in connection with the missing person, but further information hasn't been released to the public. President Donald Trump was left in disbelief as he was forced to listen to a woke bishop deliver a stunningly negative sermon calling for him to show 'mercy' to illegal immigrants and transgender children. On the first full day of Trump's presidency Marianne Budde, the left-wing Episcopal Bishop of Washington, unleashed a wild lecture claiming trans kids were 'fearing for their lives' due to him being in the Oval Office. Trump sat stony-faced in the front row, next to First Lady Melania Trump, as the prelate told him illegal immigrants were not criminals and he shouldn't deport those with children. Bishop Budde, 65, addressed Trump directly in a highly political speech from the pulpit during a traditional inaugural prayer service at Washington National Cathedral. She told Trump: 'I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country that are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and Independent families, some who fear for their lives.' The liberal clergywoman then asked Trump to have mercy on illegal immigrants. She said: 'The people who pick our crops, and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants, and work the night shifts in hospitals, they might not be citizens or have the proper documentation. 'The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. I ask you to have mercy Mr. President on those in communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away.' Trump maintained his calm and appeared to look on slightly wearily after a full day and night of Inauguration festivities. But some other members of the congregation seemed uncomfortable as they listened to the bishop's diatribe. U.S. President Donald Trump stands near Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde as he attends the National Day of Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, U.S., January 21, 2025. Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance with second lady Usha attend the National Day of Prayer Service Despite the awkward silence in the cathedral, Bishop Budde continued her stunning pro-migrant scolding of the president. She added 'Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger for we were all strangers once in a strange land.' Later, Trump was critical of the bishop. Asked about the service by reporters at the White House, Trump said: 'What did you think? Did you like it? Did you find it exciting? Not too exciting, was it? I didn't think it was a good service, no.' He added: 'They could do much better.' Republicans and MAGA supporters were more scathing, eviscerating the bishop online. 'The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list,' wrote Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) on social media. President Donald Trump attends the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington S President Donald Trump (front) and US First Lady Melania Trump (C-L) with US Vice President JD Vance (2-R) and Second Lady Usha Vance (R) attend the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral, in Washington, DC, USA, 21 January 2025 Budde champions leftist causes through her ministry. On her diocesan website, she boasts of serving as 'an advocate and organizer in support of justice concerns, including racial equity, gun violence prevention, immigration reform, the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons, and the care of creation.' She also has a long history of criticizing President Trump during his first term. President Donald Trump (L) speaks with US Vice President JD Vance (R) during the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, USA, 21 January 2025 President Donald Trump, from left, watches as Rev. Mariann Budde arrives at the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington That included after after he stood next to an Episcopal church holding a Bible after clearing protesters out of Lafayette Square near the White House during the Black Lives Matter protests. At the time, she said that Trump's actions were 'antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that we as a church stand for.' She also condemned Trump while attending an outdoor Black Lives Matter protest in 2020, wearing a mask during the coronavirus pandemic. 'I've given up speaking to President Trump. We need to replace President Trump,' she said then. A 'beautiful' mother-of-two was strangled to death by her own father-in-law, a murder trial heard today. Sophie Evans, from West Wales, was found lying face down on her kitchen floor - with her cause of death later given as compression to the neck. The 30-year-old had answered the door in a towel after coming out of the shower - and was expecting her father-in-law Richard Jones to do some handy work in the property. But a murder trial heard her partner's father Jones, 50, killed her in the house before going to a bakery and ordering a custard slice. He has admitted killing her - but denies it was murder. Prosecutor Michael Jones KC said that Jones had visited Sophie Evans at her home in Llanelli, Wales, before the killing. Prosecutor Jones said: 'What we know is in that house he physically and repeatedly attacked Ms Evans before strangling her to death.' Swansea Crown Court heard their Ring doorbell footage shows Jones leaving the house at Bigyn Road at 10am - 44 minutes after arriving that morning. The footage showed him run to his car before running back into the property and leave five minutes later with a rolled up cigarette in his mouth - and drives away. Sophie Evans (pictured), from Llanelli, Wales, was found lying face down on her kitchen floor The court heard that he went straight to Jenkins Bakery to order a tuna roll and a custard slice before CCTV footage shows him arriving home in Burry Port at 10.29am with the packets from the bakery. He then leaves the house with a yellow box minutes later. Police said that telecommunications evidence shows Jones admitted killing Sophie in a phone conversation with his ex-partner Tracey Thompson. He called Ms Thompson at 4.48pm on July 5 and the call lasted just under eight minutes, before texting her: 'Don't say a word please.' But Ms Thompson called the police to inform them of what she had heard at 5..27pm. Jones was arrested later that night at 8.02pm at a roadside - and later charged with attempted murder on July 11. A post-mortem examination showed that Sophie was physically attacked and assaulted - and sustained multiple injuries, including defensive injuries. The post-mortem concluded a medical cause of death as compression to the neck. Mr Jones KC told the court that a notepad which stated: 'I got scammed and rinsed by my own son so I dealt with it myself. Had no other choice' was found in Jones' vehicle following the death. Prosecutor Michael Jones KC said that Jones had visited Sophie Evans at her home in Llanelli, west Wales, before the killing. Prosecutor Jones said: 'What we know is in that house he physically and repeatedly attacked Ms Evans before strangling her to death' The court that Sophie was in a relationship with Jones' son Jamie Davies at the time and a mother of two young children. Sophie moved into Jamie's property in April 2023 and was paying the mortgage while Jamie was remanded at HMP Swansea facing charges of supplying drugs and money laundering. The court heard that Jones had felt scammed by Sophie and Jamie as he was 'duped' into signing a document stating that Sophie was a tenant and Jones was the landlord. The jury has been told this information was false and amounted to fraud. Days before killing Sophie, Jones made internet searches including: 'Is paternity fraud a crime in the UK?' He also searched: 'I was duped into signing a mortgage, is there a way out of it?' And: 'Where are my deed titles held and do I need them?' After Sophie's death, Jones told Dyfed-Powys Police officers in interviews that he was being taken advantage of financially by them and he had 'lost his temper' before the killing in July last year. In a tribute, Sophie's family said: 'Our beautiful and amazing sister and daughter Sophie was tragically taken from us, and our lives will never be the same. 'We are heartbroken by our loss. 'Our Sophie, only 30 years young, will be greatly missed by us all. 'She was a loving mother to her two girls, who she adored with all her heart. An amazing sister, who was the rock of our family. So bright and funny, always making us laugh. 'Sophie was a loving daughter, with a huge heart, who we all adored. 'She lived life to the fullest, and will be remembered for being so kind and caring to her loved ones. 'Sophie loved spending time with her children and family, had a passion for beauty therapy, and enjoyed keeping up with her fitness and the latest fashion trends. 'We would like to thank everyone for their support at this horrific time. It has meant a lot to the whole family. 'We would now like time to grieve, and ask to be given privacy in which to do so.' The trial is set to last two weeks and continues. A traveler was baffled after noticing a decline in meal quality while flying with United Airlines. The flier, known as Lalulilelo99 on Reddit, shared her disgust over a meal she received during a flight from Seattle, Washington, to Denver, Colorado, in a January 20 post. The traveler was shocked with the recent meal, calling it a departure from the quality of food during her first United flight on January 13. 'New to this airline so not sure how reliable the meal service, but with an airline as big and fancy as United i'm surprised the downgrade in quality from one week to the next,' the traveler wrote. I'd proudly give up my roll this week for the pasta of last week.' Lalulilelo99's first meal consisted of pasta with sauce and cheese, a side salad, and a cup of Magnolia Bakery-brand Banana Pudding. The next meal, served on her January 20 flight, came with the same food products, along with a small bread roll. Unlike her first meal, the pasta dish was drenched in sauce, the shredded cheese was nearly unnoticeable, and it was compared to a pile of 'slop.' A United Airlines flier known as Lalulilelo99 on Reddit praised a meal she received while on a flight from Washington to Colorado on January 13 Lalulilelo99 received the same meal on another United flight on January 20, which Reddit users compared to 'slop' 'I think it went through a blender the second time. Maybe a special meal for the toothless,' a commenter joked. 'Someone must have said it needed more sauce and no pasta haha. I wonder if the FAs look at that final product and think, "They're going to love this one,"' a traveler wrote. A few flyers shared their own negative experiences with the food on United flights. 'Those rolls. I've been calling out those awful rolls forever. They are inevitably stale and cold. I'm on a personal vendetta against them at this point,' a United flier wrote. 'Ngl the pasta is so bland. I try to dump salt on it,' a commenter added to the post. Multiple commenters claiming to be past and present flight attendants were disturbed by the food difference and insisted serving the 'slop' would be 'humiliating.' 'Any FA who's been here more than 5 minutes is incredibly embarrassed by catering the last few years,' a former flight attendant wrote. 'I remember the days when inflight food presentation mattered.. it is so sad what it has become.' Lalulilelo99 claimed these were the first flights she ever flew with United in her Reddit post Reddit users were disgusted with the January 20 flight meal, and trashed United's food offerings United offers a variety of inflight dining on most of its trips. The airline offers free snacks and soft drinks to its United Economy travelers on flights that are more than 300 miles, according to United's website. They can also purchase snacks like Pringles or Crispy Double Chocolate Chip Cookies all day on flights over 500 miles within and outside the US. Bistro on Board meals are available on longer flights in the US, primarily those that are over 1,190 miles. United has a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, and fliers can either pay for the meals with money or flight miles. Lalulilelo99 did not reveal how much money she spent on her meal, but items on United's online US inflight dining menu indicate that costly food and drinks are worth $5 to $12 or 590 to 1,420 miles. United's US inflight dining menu online indicates that special snacks, meals, and beverages cost between $5 to $12 Other airlines like Delta and American offer fine dining to its fliers depending on the length of the flight. Alaska Airlines received high praise for their food, and a Reddit user even insisted Lalulilelo99 'stick with Alaska.' Alaska was awarded a Business Traveler North America Award for Best Inflight Food & Beverage in 2024. 'We are incredibly honored to receive this award, which reflects our team's passion for delivering a remarkable travel experience and dedication to offering curated food and beverage products that represent the best of the West Coast,' Todd Traynor-Corey, Vice President of Guest Products at Alaska Airlines, said in November 2024. 'This recognition inspires us to continue creating memorable inflight moments with our menus that combine quality, creativity and sustainability.' Daily Mail has reached out to United for comment. The border patrol agent who was shot dead near the United States border with Canada had recently transferred up north from Texas. Agent David Maland, 44, was shot in the neck at about 3:15 p.m. on Monday in Newport, Vermont, while performing a traffic stop, authorities said. Sources told NewsNation's Ali Bradley that Maland became a Customs and Border Patrol agent in 2015. Bradley said Maland transferred from Texas to Vermont, where he worked in the Swanton Sector along the northern border. Police have reportedly identified two suspects, one of whom was shot dead and the other injured, reported WCAX. The suspects' immigration status is unknown. The incident sparked the immediate closure of sections of Interstate 91 as authorities launched an investigation. The FBI is assisting with the investigation and motorists have been warned to find a different route. 'Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harm's way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure,' Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamin Huffman said. Agent David Maland (pictured), 44, was shot in the neck at about 3:15 p.m. on Monday in Newport, Vermont, while performing a traffic stop The incident sparked the immediate closure of sections of Interstate 91 (pictured) as authorities launched an investigation 'My prayers and deepest condolences are with our Department, the Agent's family, loved ones, and colleagues.' Vincent Illuzzi, the state's attorney in neighboring Essex County, drove past what appeared to be a U.S. Border Patrol agent traffic stop on I-91 past the Newport exit Monday afternoon shortly before authorities reported the shots fired. 'I'm heading down the road, not much traffic, and I saw them on the right,' he told The Associated Press. He said the agent was driving an unmarked white pickup truck with a cab on it and red and blue flashing lights. The stopped vehicle appeared to be a small, blue car, he said. The agent was speaking with someone standing in front of his truck, behind the car, according to Illuzzi. 'Nothing unusual at that point,' Illuzzi said, but when he returned to the highway later that night, it looked like the same two vehicles were still parked and other law enforcement vehicles had arrived. Illuzzi said the U.S. Border Patrol works closely with state and local police in his county. 'We have limited law enforcement, and they're often primary responders in emergency cases,' he said. Cars are backed up at the US-Canada border in Stanstead, Quebec, after the shooting The shooting came just hours after President Trump returned to the White House on the back of a hard-line campaign vowing to deport migrants who made it inside the US. On day one of his presidency, Trump began signing a swathe of executive orders - 10 of which related to the southern border and illegal immigration crisis. The number of immediate actions underscores the importance of immigration policy to Trump's second term. He is declaring a national emergency at the southern border. A last-minute deal to settle Prince Harry's blockbuster court case against The Sun's publisher was plunged into chaos today blamed on the time difference with California. In a day of high drama, the Duke of Sussex was said to be 'very close' to clinching an out-of-court settlement with the newspaper group. However, Harry was not at the High Court for the opening of his high-stakes privacy case against News Group Newspapers (NGN), instead remaining at home in California. The court heard there had been 'problems' obtaining 'instructions' from the duke because of the time difference with California, where it was the middle of the night. And when Harry's lawyers and those of the publisher begged the judge for more time citing the time zone as 'a factor' - a visible irritated Mr Justice Fancourt ordered them to get on with the trial anyway. The judge said they had already had plenty of time, and he was 'not satisfied this is anything to do with the timetable in California'. There were dramatic scenes as he refused to allow any further delays, and the two sets of opposing lawyers then teamed up against him. They jointly appealed his decision, but he refused them, saying: 'The trial starts today'. So then they said they were going to apply to the Court of Appeal which has the power to overrule the judge. A visibly angry Mr Justice Fancourt adjourned the case and left the courtroom. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex waves as he arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice, Britain's High Court, in central London on March 28, 2023 David Sherborne, a lawyer of Britain's Prince Harry, walks outside the Rolls Building of the High Court on January 21, 2025 Former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson leaves the Rolls Building of the High Court on January 21, 2025 Harry had been due to spend up to four days in the witness box being quizzed about his allegations that NGN journalists unlawfully accessed his private information, which the newspaper group denies. Harry was the last of two claimants the other being Labour peer Lord (Tom) Watson who had refused to settle with the publisher, after Hugh Grant accepted 'an enormous sum' last year. A total of 39 claimants in the case settled out of court. The duke who has described himself as a 'dragon slayer' in his crusade against the Press - recently vowed he would not settle his case against NGN and was committed to 'seeing it through'. But that appeared to dramatically change this morning. The trial was due to start 10.30am, but Harry's barrister David Sherborne asked the court for a short delay. It was reported outside court there had been a last-minute settlement offer, with David Folkenflik, a biographer of Rupert Murdoch, tweeting there had been 'a massive offer from Murdoch's camp'. The judge eventually delayed the case all morning while the two sides help discussions behind the scenes. However when the hearing resumed shortly after lunch, Anthony Hudson, the newspaper's KC, said there had been problems because of the time difference with California. He told the court there had been 'very intense negotiations in the past few days, and the reality is we are very close'. But asking for an extra two hours, he added: 'There is an issue with time, getting instructions because of the time difference.' Lawyer Clare Montgomery departs the High Court on January 21, 2025 Barristers David Sherborne (left) and Ben Hamer (centre), representing Prince Harry, arrive at the Royal Courts of Justice on January 21 He urged the judge not to start the trial, saying 'a very substantial sum becomes payable if the trial starts this afternoon' believed to be a reference to lawyers' fees. Starting the trial would have a 'very, very substantial' impact on the settlement terms, he said. Mr Sherborne, for Harry, confirmed the eight-hour time difference with California was 'a factor' but claimed it was not 'the reason' for the situation. Mr Justice Fancourt said the two sides 'have had ample time' to do a deal, and ordered that the case which was lodged in 2019 must finally get under way. When the Sun's lawyer asked for a private discussion with the judge, he replied: 'I'm not going to start having secret hearings about what's going on.' If Harry goes ahead with the case, he would face a large legal bill even if he wins, having turned down previous offers to settle out of court. Hugh Grant said he had settled to avoid paying 10million in legal costs. Harry stayed in the case, telling an audience in New York before Christmas: 'There is a system which is set up where, if you are offered more money as a settlement than you would ever get in courtthen you're forced to have to settle. Even if or when we win, I'm still liable for the legal costs of both sides.' Harry said other claimants had settled their cases but he vowed: 'One of the main reasons for seeing this through is accountability, because I'm the last person that can actually achieve that.' Among the witnesses to have offered evidence to the trial included Hugh Grant, actress Sienna Miller, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and former Commons' Speaker John Bercow. Lawyer Clare Montgomery walks outside the Rolls Building of the High Court on January 21 It would have been the duke's second courtroom encounter, after he gave evidence in 2023 before the same judge as he sued Mirror Group Newspapers alleging phone hacking. In the new trial, the duke was alleging breaches of his privacy over at least 30 articles written about him, including the day he found out he had been accepted to Eton in 1998. Some 39 other claimants including Hugh Grant who had joined Harry in this tranche of the group action had all settled out of court, with only the duke and Lord Watson still pursuing the case. In the early stages of his case, Mr Justice Fancourt threw out Harry's claims of phone hacking, last year, because the duke had waited too long before starting that part of his legal case. Harry had protested that a Buckingham Palace 'secret agreement' had prevented him from bringing his case any sooner, but the judge ruled that such a deal was 'implausible', and rejected Harry's bid to use it as the reason for his late claim. Then, three months ago, his claims of 'bugging' and 'tracking' devices being planted by The Sun were thrown out too. Mr Justice Fancourt said Harry had provided 'no particulars whatsoever' to back up these assertions against the newspaper. The duke proceeded to the trial on the basis of other types of unlawful information gathering which he alleges. He would have been the main witness in his case, with one other person not identified - also lined up to give evidence to support his case, the court was previously told. The newspaper had some 65 witnesses lined up including the News of the World's infamous 'fake sheikh' Mazher Mahmood, the court was told. At a pre-trial hearing last month(DEC), Anthony Hudson, the newspaper group's KC, accused Prince Harry's side of 'an attempt to turn January's trial into some form of public inquiry'. He referred to recent remarks made by the duke at an event in New York about refusing to settle the case and 'seeing it through', and said: 'It shows what's really going on herewhat it's clearly about is almost by definition a public inquiry.' Mr Sherborne said this was untrue. President Donald Trump twice retaliated against his former National Security Advisor John Bolton since taking office Monday. CNN reported Tuesday that Trump moved to have Bolton's Secret Service protection terminated. 'I am disappointed but not surprised that President Trump has made this decision,' Bolton posted to X. 'Notwithstanding my criticisms of President Biden's national-security policies, he nonetheless made the decision to once again extend Secret Service protection to me in 2021.' Trump pushed out Bolton, his third national security adviser, in September 2019. Bolton published a tell-all book about his time working for Trump in June 2020, ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Trump's Justice Department tried to stop publication of the book claiming Bolton needed to wait for the White House to review whether it contained classified information. After leaving government service it was revealed that Bolton had been targeted for assassination by Iran. 'The Justice Department filed criminal charges against an Iranian Revolutionary Guard official in 2022 for attempting to hire a hit man to target me,' Bolton continued. 'That threat remains today, as also demonstrated by the recent arrest of someone trying to arrange for President Trump's own assassination.' President Donald Trump has twice gone after his former National Security Advisor John Bolton since taking office Monday - terminating his Secret Service detail and starting the process to remove his security clearance Former National Security John Bolton has become a top Trump critic. Trump has stripped him of his Secret Service protection and moved to ax his security clearance since taking office on Monday 'The American people can judge for themselves which President made the right call,' Bolton added. Bolton was also included - despite not signing onto the letter - with the group of 51 former intelligence officials that Trump moved to have their security clearances revoked. Asked about his decision to go after Bolton's security clearance Tuesday afternoon, Trump appeared to misunderstand the question and explained why he dismissed Bolton's security detail instead. 'I think that was enough time. You take a job. You take a job, you want to do a job, we're not going to have security on people for the rest of their lives,' Trump said. 'Why should we?' He then went into attack mode. 'I thought he was a very dumb person but I used him well. Because every time people saw me come into a meeting with John Bolton standing behind me, they thought that they'd attack them because he was a warmonger,' Trump said. He said Bolton, along with former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney, 'blew up the Middle East.' 'We got nothing out of it except a lot of death. We killed a lot of people. And John Bolton was one of those guys, a stupid guy, but you can't have that for life, you can't expect that for life,' he said about Bolton's security detail. While Bolton didn't sign on to the Hunter Biden laptop letter, he was included in that group as well as Trump sought to ax their security clearances. Fifty-one individuals signed onto a letter in October 2020 saying that the laptop, first revealed in The New York Post, had 'all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operative.' Four years later, 49 are surviving. Trump had long vowed revenge on those officials - which include James Clapper, the director of national intelligence under former President Barack Obama, and John Brennan and Leon Panetta, who both served as Obama's CIA director. The president was angered that the damaging information discovered on the laptop didn't ruin President Joe Biden's chances of victory that year. Trump signed an executive order Monday that targets the clearances of 50 people in all, including the 49 surviving signatories of the letter. The order directs the CIA to work with the office of the Director of National Intelligence to begin the process of revoking the clearances. The action also sets up a potential court challenge from ex-officials seeking to maintain access to sensitive government information. 'The president has a lot of authority when it comes to security clearances. The problem the White House will run into is, if they depart from their existing procedures, they could set up a judicial appeal for these 51 people - and it will probably be a class-action suit since theyre all in alike or similar circumstances,' said Dan Meyer, a Washington lawyer who specializes in the security clearance and background check process. It was not clear how many of the former officials still maintain security clearances, though Mark Zaid, who represents eight people who signed the letter, said that he did not believe many did and that the Trump's action functioned largely as a 'public policy message to his right-wing base' Those on the list include former CIA Director John Brennan (left) and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper (right) President Donald Trump has complained that Hunter Biden's laptop should have been a bigger issue in the 2020 race - but the ex-intelligence officials cast doubt on its legitimacy by tying the leak of the content to Russia He said he would sue the administration on behalf of any client who wanted to challenge the order. 'There's nothing in this that shows me, regardless of presidential authority, that this action is not subject to existing law and policy that mandates procedural and substantive due process,' Zaid said. A Clinton-era executive order says people determined to be ineligible for a clearance are to be provided a 'comprehensive and detailed' explanation of the conclusion. The signatories of the October 2020 letter wrote that they didn't know whether the emails were authentic or not but pointed a finger at Russia. But Trump's director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe - also his current pick to lead the CIA - contradicted that assessment by saying there was no intelligence to support the idea that Russia had anything to do with Hunter Biden's laptop. The FBI, which was conducting its own criminal investigations into the younger Biden, seemed to back up Ratcliffe's statement by telling Congress in a letter it had nothing to add to what he had said. Hunter Biden was subsequently convicted of both tax and gun charges, but was pardoned last month by his father. Though courts are historically reluctant to weigh in on disputes involving security clearances, the unilateral suspension by Trump is a departure from standard protocol in which individual executive branch agencies would be tasked with creating an investigation into a person's fitness for a clearance or whether it should be revoked. Throughout his first presidency, Trump fumed about an intelligence community that he believed had been politicized against him, repeatedly citing the investigation into ties between Russia and his 2016 campaign. A teenager who used a Christmas gift 3D printer in a bid to build a semi automatic rifle has avoided jail. James Maris used the present from his parents to manufacture parts for a firearm called the FGC9, which stands for F-k Gun Control 9. But police received intelligence which resulted in officers searching his family home at Rannoch, in Perthshire, where they found the printer, components for the gun and computer files, The 19-year-old earlier admitted offences under the Firearms Act, two of which carried a minimum term of three years detention unless a judge held that exceptional circumstances existed in the case. At the High Court in Edinburgh, the judge, Lady Hood, said she was satisfied that was the case and told Maris she took into account the circumstances of the offending, his own circumstances and a risk assessment prepared on him. Lady Hood told Maris at the sentencing: I am persuaded a community based disposal, rather than a custodial disposal, is appropriate in your case. She ordered him to carry out 300 hours unpaid work and a three-year supervision requirement during a community payback order of the same duration. The judge also limited his mobile phone and computer ownership and told him he must make devices available to police and a supervising officer. James Maris was convicted of building a gun with 3D printer Police discovered the homemade semi-automatic weapon during a search in May 2023 Maris is also not allowed to use encryption and must provide passwords. He was also placed on a night-time curfew for 12 months and told he would be tagged during that period. Advocate depute Liam Ewing KC earlier told the court that police became aware in May 2023 that the teen had ordered a parts kit for an AR 15 semi automatic rifle online which was known to be used in the manufacture of an FGC9. The prosecutor said Maris told police he was fascinated with firearms and had been building a gun that was in a white box in his bedroom. He stated this was his and had nothing to do with his parents, and that he only built this for a hobby and had no intention of using it to hurt anybody, he said. Mr Ewing added: He stated he purchased items to build this using his laptop which was within his bedroom. The court heard that the first offender was diagnosed with autism, ADHD and suffered from anxiety. Mr Ewing said 3D printed firearms are primarily made from 3D printed plastic components, with some metal parts such as barrels, firing pins and springs. The designs for the guns are created digitally. During a search of a bedroom cupboard police found the printed parts for the gun in a box. They also found replica weapons and ammunition. Inside the box was a handwritten letter which read: If you are reading this I am most probably caught but I need to try and explain why Ive done this. Its not for causing any harm nor is it to spread a message or belief - its purely for my own interest as I have a passion for firearms and engineering. I have no radical views nor have any association to people that do. Im also truly sorry for any inconvenience I have given people as a result of this. I am the only one who is responsible for this and have had no help during construction either. Thank you for reading and Im sorry. Police also found ammunition capable of being fired from the gun known as an FGC-9 The court was told the printer had been a Christmas present from his parents in 2021 and hed used it to make models and gifts for family and friends. Police investigating the case concluded that Maris was nearing the end of the manufacturing process for the weapon. Defence solicitor advocate Ewen Roy said a further report prepared on Maris underscored his high level of remorse. He said: There is no element of self pity from him, rather he focuses on the troubles he has caused others, not least his family. Maris earlier admitted attempting to manufacture a firearm without authority between January and May in 2023 and unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon and ammunition on Mary 25 in 2023. Moira Orr, who leads on major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: James Maris has been convicted of a serious crime. This sentence should act as a deterrent to others who are engaged in this sort of criminal activity. The manufacture of viable 3D-printed firearms is a real threat and, as prosecutors, we will robustly pursue those who are involved in assembling them. This case underlines our commitment to continue working with the police and other agencies to ensure that crimes of this nature are detected and those responsible prosecuted using all measures at our disposal. Three killers who launched a brutal knife attack on a 29-year-old and then left him on the road to die have been locked up for life. Murdered Sadiq Al-Lami was ambushed at a junction near Parrs Wood in Didsbury on January 22 last year. The sick group knifed Sadiq 11 times, before taking off on foot as he shouted for help. Sultan Bakr, 23, along with brothers Sikander Babar, 25, and Abdul Wahab Babar, 19, were on Tuesday handed life sentences at Minshull Street Crown Court for their roles in the horrific stabbing. Two other men, Noraiz Kamal, 18, and Yousaf Ahmed, 24, were acquitted of murder and manslaughter. After the sentencing, police released footage of the moment the murderers were caught as they tried to flee the country in a lorry in the days after Sadiq's death. Kamal was the driver of a Mercedes containing all five defendants while Ahmed was accused of encouraging and assisting the others. Three men involved in the brutal killing of Sadiq Al-Lami in East Didsbury have been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of murder Sadiq Al-Lami (pictured) yelled for help as he lay dying on the road The 29-year-old was ambushed at a junction near Parrs Wood in East Didsbury - and stabbed him 11 times In a desperate scene he shouted 'help me' as he lay dying in the road while his killers fled, a trial at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard. Despite frantic efforts to flee the scene and evade justice, forensic evidence, including a parcel addressed to one of the attackers, Noraiz Kamal, along with discarded cigarettes and balloons containing the men's DNA, led detectives to make arrests. The men had initially tried to cover their tracks by abandoning the black Mercedes used in the attack and fleeing to various parts of the country. Though police traced the car and uncovered CCTV footage linking the suspects to the scene, it was their phone records and internet searches, including one by Abdul Babar trying to find out if the attack had been published in the Manchester Evening News, that ultimately sealed their fate. The trio's apparent nonchalance in the hours following the killing, including one suspect booking a haircut and another ordering fast food, also shocked the jury. In custody, evidence from Kamal's mobile phone led police to identify Sultan Bakr who matched the description of one of the men involved in the attack and later abandoning the car. Later, police also identified Sikander Babar from the device. Sultan Bakr was then arrested in London, in response to his caution, all he had to say was 'I'm shocked.' His mobile phone was found down the side of a sofa, it was seized by police and provided further evidence for detectives. Followed by the capture of Abdul and Sikander Babar in a covert operation in Essex on 29 January 2024, where the pair were attempting to flee in the back of a lorry. Bakr, Sikander Babar, and Abdul Wahab Babar were sentenced to life imprisonment. In custody, evidence from Kamal's mobile phone led police to identify Sultan Bakr who matched the description of one of the men involved in the attack and later abandoning the car Sultan Bakr was then arrested in London, in response to his caution, all he had to say was 'I'm shocked' Followed by the capture of Abdul and Sikander Babar in a covert operation in Essex on 29 January 2024, where the pair were attempting to flee in the back of a lorry In the CCTV clip released by the police you can see the two brothers jumping out of the back of a lorry at a recycling centre in Essex. In separate footage you see Abdul and Sikander Babar being arrested and read their rights by police. Both of them act shocked and surprised over the charges being read to them. One brother even smiles as his brother shouts, 'what have you been arrested for', and in response he says 'murder'. The footage of the arrest of Baku shows armed police officers breaking down his door, to screams from inside the house before Baku is found on the floor of his bedroom. His is cuffed immediately. Sadiq was described by his family as 'a son, brother, uncle, a husband, and a friend for many. Each and every single person that knew him will be impacted in their own way. His memories will live with us and will be forever cherished.' Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson from our Major Incident Team said: 'My thoughts, and those of the investigation team, remain with Sadiq's family and I hope these sentences will give at least some small measure of comfort to his family whilst they continue to deal with the immeasurable pain and heartbreak they are going through.' DI Wilkinson added: 'Sadiq lost his life in such a cold and senseless attack. These men had a choice that night and for reasons only known to them, they chose to resort to violence. 'They have shown no remorse for their actions, and from the very start they have tried to destroy evidence, distance themselves from this attack, even turning against each other in court to try and shift the blame.' The stench of hypocrisy is as familiar as it is overwhelming. Two decades ago, the SNP began moving from the fringes of Scottish politics on the back of a pledge to do things differently. Under the leadership of the late Alex Salmond, the nationalists capitalised on a growing feeling among voters that politicians at both Westminster and Holyrood were out of touch. Support for the SNP grew as Mr Salmond painted a picture of a corrupt political establishment, rife with cronyism and backroom deals. A vote for his party, said Mr Salmond, represented a bite for a new kind of politics, where fairness and transparency were paramount. A sufficient number of voters - many of whom were, understandably, unhappy with Labours direction of travel - were persuaded by the former SNP leaders pitch and, in 2007, Scotland entered its ongoing period of nationalist rule. It should, by now, be abundantly clear to even the most wide-eyed and gullible among us that the new politics promised by Mr Salmond (and by all manner of populists from Jeremy Corbyn to Donald Trump) is no different to the old politics. In power, the SNP has been secretive and evasive: on a number of occasions, the Scottish Government has frittered away taxpayers cash on futile attempts to suppress information. Recently, it was the turn of the SNP administration of Glasgow City Councils turn to put that new politics into action. SNP leader John Swinney with Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken Members of the press and public were ordered to leave a council meeting last week while members discussed a donation of 1million to the local authority by an unnamed company. We were to accept that this matter was of no interest or importance, that the source of this money was irrelevant. Of course, it was far from so. If the SNP leadership of Scotlands largest local authority wishes to accept a million quid from a business, it is not only desirable but essential that we know which is the business in question. Otherwise, bluntly, how can we possibly know whether the donor - any donor - receives something in return? Inevitably, the city council has been unable to suppress the details of this particular case. We now know that councillors agreed to accept the money from the Turkish-owned confectionary conglomerate, Pladis, which bought the former McVities biscuit factory in Tollcross before closing it down in 2022. Councillors involved argue that they were in an impossible situation: the company wished to remain anonymous and so their choice was either to accept that or to turn down a substantial sum of money that could be used to improve the area affected by the factory closure. Well, this is only a moral quandary if one doesnt believe transparency to be a foundation stone of a healthy democracy. It is not clear Glasgows SNP leader Susan Aitken is committed to that principle. Can you imagine the howls of righteous fury that would be emanating from nationalists if we were discussing a decision by a Labour or Conservative-run council to keep things hush-hush? Last week, while the name of the donor remained secret, the Labour MP for Glasgow East, John Grady, wrote to Ms Aitken asking whether she considered this appropriate. Anonymity, he wrote gave him cause for serious concern. Accepting the donation, wrote Mr Grady, on condition that the identity of the donor was not disclosed would make it difficult - if not impossible - to assess whether the donation created any conflict of interest. This is hardly complicated stuff but it seems to elude Glasgows SNP establishment. Nationalist councillors have got one thing right: Glasgow needs serious investment, and quickly. Since the SNP took control of the council in 2017, the decline in the city has been stark. For years, much of the worst neglect was confined to pockets of depravation in the east end and parts of the south side. Today, Glasgow is falling into dereliction. The city centre is filthy, with cracked and flooded pavements and bins overflowing. I was born here and its my home so maybe Im biased but Ill stand by the argument that Glasgow is one of the most beautiful cities anywhere in the United Kingdom. Developed with the wealth of traders and importers, my home town is a place of endless architectural wonder and surprising natural beauty. Not that a visitor would necessarily notice any of that, today. The streets around Glasgows central station are filthy and unwelcoming. A tourist exiting beneath the Hielan Mans Umbrella to the south of the station is as likely slip on the grease-slicked pavement as he is to stumble across someone smoking drugs. Shortly before Christmas, the Glasgow street on which I live was closed to allow filming of a remake of the sci-fi thriller The Running Man. What, I wonder, attracted film-makers looking for a post-apocalyptic dystopia to the once majestic city of my birth? All cities face challenges, today. The dominance of online retailers means the death of high streets across the nation. Once busy thoroughfares are lined with empty units and cheap vape shops. Every so often a cash-only candy store will pop up, satisfying the local sweet tooth while providing cover for money-launderers. So, yes, there are complex problems at hand for Susan Aitken (and councillors across the country, for that matter) right now. But keeping the place clean shouldnt be beyond the ability of a modern city leader. Travel south of the border to, say, Newcastle or Manchester and you find modern cities facing the same challenges and meeting them. Glasgow is unusually dirty. It is unusually run down. It is unusually neglected. This should not be surprising. The SNPs sole tool is the hammer of nationalism but every problem is not a nail. Obsessed with independence, SNP politicians have neither the wit nor the inclination to consider how current problems might be solved under the current constitutional settlement. Glasgow is dirty and crumbling because, for almost a decade, it has been run by a party that cares more about picking fights with the UK government than it does about addressing the pressing needs of voters. In 2017, the SNP inherited control of one of the great cities of Western Europe, a jewel in the United Kingdoms crown. Today, Glasgow is dirty and scarred, many of its once beautiful streets unrecognisable. Its no surprise SNP councillors want to keep details of their decision-making from voters. Two Ohio siblings who went missing in October were found with their mother, thousands of miles away in Iceland. The unnamed two kids, aged eight and nine years old, were reported missing to the Canton Police Department on October 25. The report claimed their 34-year-old mother stopped taking her mental health medication, abandoned her apartment, and the children stopped attending school. The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) said the missing children were initially tracked to Denver, Colorado. From there, investigators learned the three traveled to London, England, and then to the Island of Jersey on the English Channel. The group then traveled to a remote fishing village in Iceland, and was finally located by Icelandic Police at a hotel in Reykjavik on January 10. 'Icelandic officials were kind of keeping track of them and their location until we could get the proper court orders for them to be able to take the children into custody,' Canton Police Captain John Bosley told News5Cleveland. The USMS said the children were placed in the care of Iceland social services until a trusted family member could get them. Their mother's identity has not been disclosed. Two Ohio siblings who went missing in October have been found with their mother thousands of miles away in Reykjavik, Iceland The mother was placed in a hospital, where she will remain until she is well enough to travel back to the U.S. 'The collaboration of effort in this case can't be overstated. The ability to respond and recover these children abroad is an extremely difficult task,' U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said. 'Our investigators did an outstanding job. We are lucky to have such strong and dedicated law enforcement partners, and credit should be given to them for helping bring these children home.' Bosley noted he has never worked on a case like this with so many different offices playing a role in his career. 'In my almost 27 years of being in law enforcement, I've never had a case or been associated with a case like this, where you have multiple jurisdictions involved, multiple locations throughout our country, and then obviously other countries as well,' he said. In September, three Utah children who mysteriously disappeared over two years ago have been found alive in a tiny, unassuming desert town just south of the Arizona-Utah border. The children strangely vanished two years ago in October 2022 from their home in Beaver County, Utah, prompting a years-long search that has finally met its end. A tip received by local police in late August alerted the officials to the possible whereabouts of the children. The two kids, aged eight and nine years old, were reported missing to the Canton, Ohio (pictured) Police Department on October 25 At the time, police believed that the children's father may have 'orchestrated the disappearance and subsequent hiding' of his three kids. Authorities discovered the missing children in Fredonia, Arizona, a small desert town less than five miles from the Arizona-Utah border, in the custody of their grandmother. Upon further investigation, the Fredonia Police Department learned that the children had been intentionally concealed from the rest of the world as family members helped hide their location. The unnamed children's grandmother and aunt were both arrested in connection to the 2022 disappearance. Meanwhile, their father remains at large. The children were said to be living with the Fundamentalist Latter-day Saint church. This religious movement has often been compared to a cult for its involvement in various illegal activities, including child marriages, child abandonment, sexual assault and human trafficking. A press release issued by the department stated that in a joint effort, both the Arizona and Utah law enforcement agencies were able to liberate the children on September 1. The children have since reunited with their mother. A 23-year-old Texas woman has died after she was pinned underneath a speeding vehicle while walking to catch an Uber with a friend. Katherine 'Katie' Kerl, a recent graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, was killed just before 10pm on Thursday as she and a friend left the Rosewood Mansion Hotel and headed towards their rideshare vehicle. Investigators said that Kerl and a friend were walking to their parked rideshare vehicle outside the luxury hotel when an oncoming driver sped around the parked car and plowed into them. Kerl was caught pinned underneath the vehicle after the collision and died on impact, her sister, Abbey Kerl, told Fox4. 'I was talking on the phone with the cop, and he said they were getting into an Uber, and they both got hit,' Abbey, 19, said. 'Katie got run over and died on impact. Her friend just got knocked unconscious. It's not like she was doing anything wrong.' The other victim, a friend traveling with Kerl, was badly injured and rushed to the hospital by Dallas Fire-Rescue where they appear to be in stable condition, police said. The driver, however, fled the scene after the fatal crash. It is unclear as to whether they will face charges at this time. Katherine 'Katie' Kerl, 23, a recent graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, was killed just before 10pm on Thursday as she and a friend left the Rosewood Mansion Hotel Investigators said that Kerl and a friend were walking to their parked rideshare vehicle outside the luxury hotel when an oncoming driver sped around the parked car and plowed into them. Pictured: Katie Kerl (right) with her family David Pemberton, a witness who lives across the street from the hotel on the 3400 block of Gillespie Street, said the crash was 'so loud' he knew 'something bad had happened.' 'It was so loud. It was so much activity that you knew something bad had happened,' Pemberton said. The Dallas-native added that the area outside the busy hotel was a 'dangerous' area as many rideshare vehicles often crowd the narrow roadway. 'It is very dangerous right here because of the Ubers across the street. There are five to eight parked and it ends up making the street a one-way. And people drive so fast through here, it's scary to even walk,' he told Fox4. Kerl's family is devastated at their loss. The youngster had stayed in the Dallas-area after receiving her degree from SMU because she had 'fallen in love' with the city. David Pemberton, who lives across from the Rosewood Mansion Hotel, said that the area outside the busy hotel was a 'dangerous' area as many rideshare vehicles often crowd the narrow roadway. Pictured: Outside the Rosewood Mansion Hotel in Dallas, Texas 'Never in a million years did I ever think I would have to say goodbye this soon. But rest in paradise best friend, thank you for being the best sister one could ask for,' Abbey said in an Instagram tribute to her sister Kerl, originally from Florida, was a role model to her younger sister who said her sister was 'the light of the family.' 'Never in a million years did I ever think I would have to say goodbye this soon. But rest in paradise best friend, thank you for being the best sister one could ask for,' Abbey gushed in an Instagram tribute to her sister. 'Thank you for being the best role model to look up to and for always entertaining all of us. You were the light of our family Katie. 'You truly are a beautiful soul inside and out and words cannot explain how much I am gonna miss you, but I know youll be watching over me the rest of the way.' The driver's details have not yet been released. The investigation is ongoing. Multiple lawmakers visited the Washington, D.C., jail to demand the release of pardoned January 6 rioters. Conservative House Freedom Caucus (HFC) members Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Chip Roy of Texas and Eli Crane of Arizona were among some of the MAGA-friendly members that visited the jail Tuesday. 'We hope they are going to be released shortly,' Roy said speaking outside of the jail on the conservative show Real America's Voice. 'A pardon is a pardon.' MAGA diehard Lauren Boebert even offered the soon-to-be released defendants a private tour of the Capitol. 'These men have already paid too much time, more time than they ever should. They should never have been locked up,' Boebert told a crowd of Trump supporters waiting eagerly outside the prison. 'I want to see their release, and you know, I'll be the first member of Congress to offer them a guided tour of the Capitol,' she continued to massive applause. Their visit to the jail comes just one day after President Donald Trump took office and immediately pardoned January 6 defendants. Speaking reporters Monday night in the Oval Office, Trump explained that he was pardoning roughly 1,500 defendants and issuing six commutations. He also directed the attorney general to seek dismissal of about 450 pending criminal cases against January 6 offenders, fulfilling a long kept promise to release the MAGA faithful that participated in the riot. However, as Tuesday rolled around and some J6 prisoners remained behind bars, concern began percolating among hard-right lawmakers about whether the D.C. detention center got Trump's memo. Boebert posted a picture from the DC jail, captioning it: 'RELEASE THEM NOW!' Representative Lauren Boebert speaks to the media as people gather outside of the D.C. Central Detention Facility, after U.S. President Donald Trump made a sweeping pardon of nearly everyone charged in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol Reps Eli Crane (R) and Chip Roy (C) also made the trip to the D.C. jail Crane explained to Real America's Voice that some defendants were still in prison pending paperwork, but assured viewers that the cases are being worked on. 'The D.C. jail [doesn't] have any federal authorities [to] release some of these guys that were being held on federal crimes,' the Arizona lawmaker stated. 'So the paperwork had to start with the U.S. Marshals, and they said that they were complying with the executive order, they said it did take time.' Crane also revealed that since some of the J6 defendants had prior convictions on their records that those 'had to be dealt with as well.' The HFC member continued: 'We're just standing out here in solidarity.' Boebert also mentioned that the U.S. Marshals Service is working on paperwork for the defendants' release before asking for Trump and his nominee for attorney general Pam Bondi for help. 'According to the United States Marshals [Service], he's dealing with them one by one, getting all the paperwork,' Boebert told the crowd of MAGA supporters and media. 'I would love for President Trump, for attorney general Pam Bondi, step in and help us out here with the U.S. Marshals and to make sure that this is, it doesn't become a paperwork issue.' Supporters of rioters serving jail time for their role in the January 6th, 2021, attack on the US Capitol speak with the media as they gather outside the DC Central Detention Facility Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, U.S. January 6, 2021 DC police put up a tape line as supporters of rioters serving jail time for their role in the January 6th, 2021, attack on the US Capitol gather outside the DC Central Detention Facility following President Trump's pardoning of their crimes in Washington, DC, USA, 21 January 2025 The Colorado lawmaker also apologized to those in attendance, saying she regrets how the U.S. government treated the defendants. 'I regret what the media did to lie about the events of that day. I regret that the American people weren't allowed to know how many federal agents were present in the crowd.' 'I regret that the tens of thousands of hours of footage that was recorded the capital was not released immediately to the American public, I regret the livelihoods that were lost, the time that has been spent locked up unjustly, the amount of time in court and on probation and defending oneself against something that they shouldn't have to defend.' Keir Starmer has promised to give judges powers to force criminals to appear in the dock, after meeting with the mother of murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. Thomas Cashman, the gunman who killed Olivia as he chased a drug dealer who had tried to run into her home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, did not appear in court to hear his life sentence in April 2023. Olivia's family have since campaigned to change the law, so that offenders are compelled to appear in the dock when they are being sentenced. They met with the previous prime minister, Rishi Sunak, who also pledged to bring in the new power but did not see through his plans before the election. Cheryl Korbel has since met with Sir Keir on Tuesday at Downing Street, where they discussed changes to the law. The Prime Minister said reiterated his promise made to the schoolgirl's mother back in 2023, adding the Government 'will legislate on this at the first chance', which could be as soon as this summer. But, Ms Korbel suggested to ITV News she was not yet hopeful that the law change will be made after meeting the Prime Minister. 'I am not going to my hopes up too high now, because we have already been knocked down once,' she told the broadcaster. Thomas Cashman (pictured), the gunman who killed nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, did not appear in court to hear his life sentence in April 2023 The schoolgirl (pictured) was killed as Cashman chased a drug dealer who had tried to run into her home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool Sir Keir Starmer speaks with Cheryl Korbel, the mother of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, at his office in the Houses of Parliament in August 2023 During their meeting, Sir Keir said: 'It's really important to meet today because we met 17 months ago and I said two things: we will support the previous government on this, and if we get into power, we'll make sure this happens. 'That's the promise I made to you and it's a promise I'm going to keep, and that's why this is forthcoming legislation is so important. We have put this in the first King's Speech so we will legislate on this at the first chance and we should have it before the summer.' The Prime Minister added: 'I remember you telling me last time we met about the impact this had and you describing how hard it was you to do your bit, which was the victim and impact statement, and having gone through all of the trauma of actually having to sit down and do a victim impact statement process - so I appreciate you meeting today.' The law change is expected to be made in the Victims, Courts and Public Protection Bill, which will be laid in Parliament in the next few months. The legislation will aim to 'strengthen community policing, give the police greater powers to deal with anti-social behaviour and strengthen support for victims', according to the King's Speech, which set out Labour's law-making agenda. The Prime Minister's pledge comes after a spate of high-profile cases in which defendants have sparked public outcry by not appearing at their own sentencing hearings. Lucy Letby, who murdered seven babies and attempted to kill seven more between June 2015 and June 2016 while she worked as a nurse on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital, was absent from her sentencing. Jordan McSweeney, who killed 35-year-old law graduate Zara Aleena as she walked home from a night out in Ilford, east London in 2022, also failed to appear to hear his life sentence handed down. Cheryl Korbel, mother of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, outside Manchester Crown Court following the sentencing of Thomas Cashman on April 3, 2023 Rishi Sunak meets with Cheryl Korbel in Downing Street in August 2023 Olivia died as Cashman tried to shoot dead drug dealer Joseph Nee as he tried to burst into the school girl's home in Dovecot, Liverpool. The thug shot Olivia in the middle of her chest, while the nine-year-old's mother Cheryl sustained a gunshot wound to the hand while trying to stop Cashman entering the family's home. Police bodycam footage showed the horrific scenes as officers arrived at the family's home on Kingsheath Avenue and tried to save the schoolgirl's life. Cashman was jailed for 42 years after being found guilty of murder following a trial in 2023 at Manchester Crown Court. Surrending the Chagos Islands to Mauritius will jeopardise the special relationship between the UK and US, one of Donald Trumps top aides has warned. Robert Wilkie, who is heading up the Presidents transition team in the Pentagon, branded Sir Keir Starmers decision to cede the islands as haphazard. His comments are a blow to No 10, which has been hoping for a cordial start to the Trump administration and has rowed back on past criticisms of the President. I think it was a calamitous decision, I dont think there was much thought put into it, Mr Wilkie told the BBC yesterday. In Mr Trumps mind, he warned, the move was something that could impinge on that special relationship between the two nations. Labour has sparked fury by deciding to cede the islands, which Britain has controlled since 1814, to Mauritius. Mr Wilkie said the Diego Garcia military base, on the largest of the Islands, provides leverage to project power. A Foreign Office spokesman said: Given Diego Garcias status as a key strategic asset, it is right to discuss the agreement with the new US administration. Meanwhile, Sir Keir was last night still angling to be one of the first world leaders to meet Mr Trump following his inauguration but a meeting had yet to be confirmed. Labour made the shock announcement in October that it was going to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, which has been a British overseas territory for more than 200 years. (pictured: Keir Starmer) Robert Wilkie, who is heading up the Presidents transition team in the Pentagon, branded Sir Keir Starmers decision to cede the islands as haphazard Chagossians were forced to leave the central Indian Ocean territory by 1973 to make way for the military base (pictured: Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos) In Mr Trumps mind (pictured), the move was something that could impinge on that special relationship between the two nations, Mr Wilkie warned The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) or Chagos Islands (formerly the Oil Islands) is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom situated in the Indian Ocean, halfway between Africa and Indonesia No10 yesterday also declined to comment on Mr Trumps controversial first acts in office. Confidence is fading among UK Government figures that a deal will be secured before Monday, according to the Financial Times. The Prime Ministers official spokesman refused to give a running commentary on every executive order or decision made by President Trump and his administration. Downing Street had been asked to comment on Mr Trumps executive orders to leave the World Health Organization (WHO) and withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. It comes amid concerns about a political gulf between Labour and the new White House - with suggestions that the nomination of Lord Mandelson as the UKs ambassador could be vetoed. Lord Mandelsons perceived links to China, and concerns about his pro-European views, are said to be to blame. But senior No10 sources have rejected the claims and remain confident he will be given the post. Meanwhile, it was reported yesterday that Mr Trumps team are annoyed that details of a call between him and Sir Keir made it into UK newspapers earlier this month. The then-president elect was said to have become fixated on the number of birds dying after flying into wind turbines in the US, and joked that the coyotes eating the fallen birds were getting so fat that they would need to be given weight-loss drugs, the report in The Times said. Yesterday the i Paper revealed that Mr Trumps team were particularly annoyed as the report gave the impression that Britain was laughing at the incoming president. It is highly unusual for details of such a high-level call to leak to the media. There are also suggestions that Mr Trump could punish Sir Keir for party activists travelling to the US to campaign for his Democrat rival Kamala Harris. The Mail on Sunday revealed at the weekend that some of Mr Trumps key advisers were debating whether to put Sir Keir at the back of the queue of world leaders invited to Washington. One Trump ally warned that the PM was gonna have to eat humble pie to get a speedy visit to the White House. Mr Trumps campaign filed a Federal Election Commission complaint against Labour in October, accusing it of blatant foreign interference after the partys head of operations, Sofia Patel, asked for people to travel to the US to campaign for Harris. Labour is braced for Cabinet splits over plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport as the Chancellor ducked questions about the expansion yesterday. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan are likely to become the most prominent critics of the scheme. While Rachel Reeves is yet to confirm that permission for the runway will be granted, she is expected to do so in a speech later this month. But she will face opposition from many of her Labour colleagues, including members of the Cabinet, if she approves the project. Eight of those who attend Cabinet - including the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Environment Secretary Steve Reed and Mr Miliband - have previously opposed Heathrows expansion. Asked yesterday whether she would support it, she refused to answer the question but said she was committed to growing the economy. Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond - which is in the Heathrow flight path - asked her: Residents in my constituency of Richmond Park will have been extremely concerned to read the news this morning that the Chancellor plans to announce next week the expansion of Heathrow. Id like to invite her to tell us, yes or no, on the floor of the House, whether or not the Government backs expansion at Heathrow. Rachel Reeves (pictured) is yet to confirm that permission for the runway will be granted, she is expected to do so in a speech later this month A plane landing at Heathrow Airport near the village of Longford. Any expansion of Heathrow - as well as Gatwick and Luton which are also mooted - will anger the green lobby and jeopardise the Governments plans to get to net zero Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is likely to become one of the most prominent critics of the scheme. In 2009, Mr Miliband threatened to resign from Gordon Browns then government over plans for a new runway at Heathrow Ms Reeves replied: Im not going to comment on leaks. What I would say is this Government is absolutely committed to growing our economy and making this a great place for businesses to invest and trade in. Her remarks have fuelled speculation that the long-delayed project will receive approval from a government desperate to improve growth figures. Any expansion of Heathrow - as well as Gatwick and Luton which are also mooted - will anger the green lobby and jeopardise the Governments plans to get to net zero. A spokesman for Sir Sadiq said: The Mayor has a long-standing opposition to airport expansion around London - linked to the negative impact on air quality, noise and Londons ability to reach net-zero by 2030. Mr Miliband and other Cabinet ministers are yet to comment on the proposals but are likely to be divided on the plans. Other ministers who attend Cabinet and voted against expansion include Hilary Benn, Anneliese Dodds, Darren Jones, Lisa Nandy and Ellie Reeves. It comes after reports that Labour is preparing to signal support for a third runway at Heathrow, to bring the second strip at Gatwick into full-time use, and allow an increase in the capacity at Luton Airport, according to Bloomberg. There are likely to be major splits over concerns about air and noise pollution and the UKs ability to meet climate commitments, as well as serious doubts that airport expansion will generate significant economic growth. Sarah Olney (pictured), the Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond - which is in the Heathrow flight path - asked her: Residents in my constituency of Richmond Park will have been extremely concerned to read this news' Sir Sadiq Khan (pictured) - who fought legal battles against the expansion in the past - remains opposed and has said he will launch a fresh challenge if Sir Keir signs it off A passenger jet flies over houses as it prepares to land at Heathrow Airport. There are likely to be major splits over concerns about air and noise pollution and the UKs ability to meet climate commitments Ms Reeves is likely to signal support in a speech on growth that is due to take place before the end of the month. She is under pressure to make new announcements due to concerns about her competence and the ongoing implications of increasing taxes on business at the Budget. In 2009, Mr Miliband threatened to resign from Gordon Browns then government over plans for a new runway at Heathrow. Ahead of the vote in 2018, he issued a statement on social media saying the proposal was very likely to make air pollution worse and the then Tory government had made no serious attempt to square its climate change commitments with its support for the third runway at Heathrow. Sir Sadiq- who fought legal battles against the expansion in the past - remains opposed and has said he will launch a fresh challenge if Sir Keir signs it off. Labours mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, told Bloomberg: I understand the need to move forward with growth projects but it cant be at the expense of the North of England. That is not in my view the balanced growth that we need. However, Labour MP Chris Curtis, chair of the Labour Growth Group, supported the plans, telling the BBC his party is determined to do everything that we can to fix the economy and in my view, that does include building a third runway at Heathrow. Kevin Rudd has been mocked after posing for a selfie with a political foe who then mocked the former Prime Minister and called on President Donald Trump to expel him from the US. Australia's Ambassador to the US was pictured grinning alongside former LNP staffer Barclay McGain in the Senate Office Building in Washington DC on Friday as they attended Mr Trump's inauguration. Mr McGain, who now works for lobby group Americans for Tax Reform, shared the selfie with a scathing message for Mr Rudd, now Australia's Ambassador to the US, and a former Australian Prime Minister. 'Bumped into this shady character swanning around the halls of Capitol Hill today and I have a message,' Mr McGain wrote on Facebook. 'Dear President-elect Donald J. Trump, On Day 1, please do Australians a favour and deport this illegal immigrant from these United States. 'Regards, The entirety of Australia.' Mr Rudd's position as ambassador has been under close scrutiny since the re-election on Mr Trump, given his past negative comments he made about the Republican leader. Mr Rudd labelled the President-elect a 'village idiot', a 'traitor to the West' and 'the most destructive president in history'. Australia's Ambassador to the US was pictured grinning in a selfie alongside his fellow countryman, Barclay McGain in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington DC on Friday Mr McGain, who works for lobby group Americans for Tax Reform, shared the selfie with a cheeky message for the controversial diplomat and former Australian Prime Minister (pictured) He subsequently deleted a swathe of negative social media comments after Mr Trump's election victory in November. But that same month Daily Mail Australia revealed how Mr Rudd never imagined Trump would return to power, dismissing his first term as a period of 'craziness'. 'Never take a backwards step in saying we're allies with the United States,' Mr Rudd said. 'For all the American pre-disposition to episodic craziness... Look at Trump: how did that happen? That was a walk on the wild side for all of us.' Less than nine months later, in March 2023, Mr Rudd was appointed as Australia's ambassador to the US by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese despite the chance that Mr Trump could be re-elected. He now faces the task of trying to curry favour and influence with the Trump administration that is actively hostile towards him due to his previous comments. One of Trump's most senior campaign advisers, Dan Scavino Jr, gave an indication that Mr Rudd would not last long under the new administration . Sharing Mr Rudd's congratulatory message to the new President-elect on X, Mr Scavino Jr posted an hour glass GIF to his two million followers - suggesting his days were numbered. Trump has also previously signalled his disapproval of Mr Rudd, branding him 'nasty' (pictured: the 47th President of the United States with his wife Melania at his inauguration on Monday) Trump has also previously signalled his disapproval of Mr Rudd, branding him 'nasty'. 'I don't know much about him. I heard he was a little bit nasty,' Trump told GB News last year. 'I hear he's not the brightest bulb, but I don't know much about him. If he's at all hostile, he will not be there long.' Despite his unpopularity with the incoming administration, Mr Rudd's position as ambassador has been backed by both Mr Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Mr McGain's post was flooded with similarly critical comments. 'He is known as Kevin Dudd, village idiot,' wrote one. 'We sent him to the US for the same reason we export Fosters beer. Nobody here likes it,' another quipped. Mr McGain is no stranger to controversy. He was was fired from his role as an electorate officer for former Federal MP Andrew Laming in 2020 after a social media post came to light showing him grinning with a racially offensive figurine. He returned to work for Mr Laming six months later, but was publicly blasted the following year when he dressed up as Kyle Rittenhouse for a Halloween party - with the hashtag #NotGuilty. Mr Rittenhouse shot three people, killing two, who threatened him with a gun and tried to take his firearm during Black Lives Matter riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin in August 2020. He was acquitted on homicide charges after pleading self-defence. The Prime Minister's office condemned the costume at the time as 'completely inappropriate'. Despite the controversy, he was pictured working on the Coalition campaign in two elections in 2023. According to his LinkedIn profile, he took up his new role as 'federal affairs associate' at the Americans for Tax Reform lobby group in September last year. Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr McGain for further comment. Anthony Albanese has given in to pressure to convene a national cabinet to respond to a wave of anti-Semitic attacks. The Prime Minister has for weeks resisted calls to convene such a meeting of state and territory leaders but has now yielded after yet another anti-Semitic incident. On Tuesday morning, there was an attempted arson attack on a childcare centre in Maroubra in Sydney's south and graffiti which read 'f*** the Jews' was also sprayed. It was the latest in a long list of anti-Semitic incidents to afflict Australia. On Friday, the former home of a prominent Jewish leader, Alex Ryvchin, was soaked in red paint while cars were spray-painted and torched in the street. Mr Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, had written to Mr Albanese last month to request an urgent meeting of the national cabinet following the terror attack on the Adass Synagogue in Melbourne. That request initially fell on deaf ears, as too did a similar request from Mr Albanese's own hand-picked anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal, who accused the Prime Minister of not showing 'leadership' on the issue. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton joined the calls, saying on Monday that the Coalition would call one if voted into government at the upcoming election. The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) has for weeks resisted calls to convene a crisis meeting of state and territory leaders but has now yielded after yet another anti-Semitic incident An anti-Semitic slur was found spray-painted on the childcare centre's exterior wall (pictured), with the building set ablaze in yet another hate crime to afflict Sydney 'The shocking rise in anti-Semitism in our country is a national crisis which requires a national response,' Mr Dutton said. 'I first requested the PM convene a National Cabinet on anti-Semitism in November 2023. He failed to do so. 'Last week I again wrote to him requesting a National Cabinet on this most pressing matter yet he still evades his responsibility.' Just 24 hours after the Coalition's campaign promise, Mr Albanese said he will hold a meeting of the leaders of the states and territories on Tuesday evening. On Tuesday afternoon, Mr Dutton said the national cabinet needed to have tangible outcomes. There's no sense holding a meeting for the sake of ticking a box, he added. If the Prime Minister thinks that he's going to get the Australian public off his back and that he'll have some reprieve from the media by holding this meeting, he doesn't understand the gravity of the situation. This is a national crisis. We are having rolling terrorist attacks in our community, and the Prime Minister is being dragged kicking and screaming to hold a meeting of our nation's leaders. Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, had written to Mr Albanese last month to request an urgent meeting of the national cabinet following the terror attack on the Adass Synagogue in Melbourne . But his request fell on deaf ears. (Mr Ryvchin is pictured with his wife outside their former family home, which was targeted on Friday) It came after an apparent anti-Semitic firebombing destroyed a daycare centre in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Tuesday morning. Emergency services were called to Only About Children childcare centre on the corner of Anzac Parade and Storey Street, Maroubra, at about 1.00am following reports of a fire. The arsonists set fire to the childcare centre and spray-painted an anti-Semitic slur on its exterior wall. Police believe the attack may have targeted the wrong property as there is a synagogue 150 metres further down Anzac Parade, and the damaged child care centre had no connection to it. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as an 'evil hate crime'. A series of highly disturbing anti-Semitic attacks in recent days and weeks, including the firebombing of a Synagogue and an attack on the former home of a prominent Jewish leader (pictured), has prompted the Coalition to announce a raft of tough new measures 'My government will support NSW Police to hunt down the offenders and ensure they face the full force of the law through Operation Avalite,' Mr Albanese said. Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, Australias leading civil rights organisation fighting antisemitism, said Mr Albaneses decision to convene a national cabinet meeting had come at 'long last'. 'The alarm bells have been heard, but lets not mistake this for progressthis is survival,' he said. 'Australia is on the brink of a moral reckoning, and the gathering of state and territory leaders is not just overdueits an act of national triage to stop the bleeding before its too late. 'The attempted arson of a childcare centre in Maroubra, smeared with venomous anti-Jewish graffiti, is not just a hate crimeits a declaration of war against decency, a grotesque symbol of how far the rot of antisemitism has spread. Dr Abramovich said the 'national cabinet cannot be another talkfestit must be the start of an uncompromising, unified offensive against the forces of hate that are poisoning our communities'. 'The agenda must be clear: nationwide legal reforms to make antisemitic crimes punishable by the harshest penalties, zero-tolerance enforcement that removes ambiguity, and a commitment to education so unyielding that no Australian grows up ignorant of the Holocaust or blind to the dangers of prejudice,' he adedd. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton announced his plan on Monday for tougher laws to combat anti-Semitism. Terrorism offences would attract a minimum of six years in jail under the coalition's proposed laws, while those displaying terrorist organisation signs, Nazi symbols or performing a Nazi salute would face at least a year behind bars. 'They force courts to impose sentences where the circumstances do not warrant it because of the nature of offending, or the background of the offender,' he said. The arson attack that claimed the life of Melbourne woman Katie Tangey while she was house-sitting her brother's home also killed his beloved pet. Golden retriever Sunny was trapped alongside Ms Tangey when fire engulfed her brother's home in Truganina, in Melbourne's west, last week. Ms Tangey had been looking after Sunny and minding her brother's home while he enjoyed his honeymoon. Ethan and Brooke Tangey immediately returned to Melbourne after they learnt of the tragedy that killed Ms Tagey and the dog and gutted their home. A Gofundme appeal has revealed the full extent of the disaster's affect on Ms Tangey's brother and sister-in-law. 'In the early hours on Thursday January 16, whilst only days into their honeymoon, a time meant to be filled with happiness and love, an absolute tragedy occurred,' fundraiser organiser Jason Steele stated. 'The unfortunate and absolutely undeserving victims of an arson attack that took their home and all of their belongings, and more importantly Ethans sister and Brookes sister in law, Katie Tangey and their loving and one-of-a-kind Golden Retriever child Sunny.' Ethan and Brooke Tangey and their beloved dog Sunny, who perished alongside Mr Tangey's sister in a senseless arson attack Mr Steele described the couple as 'the most beautiful and wholesome people'. 'We are asking all who love them to donate to help them rebuild their lives and help them honour the memories of their beautiful sister Katie and cherished Golden Sunny,' he told well wishers. 'Having to replace a home from scratch is difficult but if we all pull together we can help lighten the load on Brooke and Ethan.' Ms Tangey had acted as bridesmaid at her brother's wedding just weeks before she was burned alive in the alleged arson attack and posed alongside her brother and his new wife. The fundraiser is now hoping bighearted locals will help get the Tangey family back on their feet. 'We wholeheartedly ask their family, friends and the wider community to please come together to support them through this difficult time with any donation small or large,' the fundraiser asks. 'Your generosity will help them to rebuild and gain access to necessities and assist financially in what can only be described as a time of tragedy. Katie Tangey (far right) had acted as bridesmaid at her brother's wedding 'Brooke and Ethan are two of the most incredibly beautiful people who are experiencing incredible loss that nobody should ever have to bear and we encourage everybody to come together to assist and help them honour Katie and Sunny.' Police believe she was killed by alleged arsonists who attacked the wrong target, and the offenders remain at large. Ms Tangey had made a desperate triple-0 call shortly after 2am, telling the operator she was trapped in the burning house in Dover Street and could not escape. The 27-year old had been a talented burlesque performer, photographer and make-up artist. In an interview she conducted in 2023, Ms Tangey spoke of her childhood passion for make-up, which carried on for the remainder of her life. 'It was just something I wanted to keep learning about and get more experience and everything like that. Make-up really was my drive for a lot of the stuff that I do now,' she said. Such was the intensity of the blaze that it took crews two hours to sufficiently quell the flames to enable a search of the property, when her body was found. Katie Tangey died in a targeted attack in what is believed to have been a case of mistaken identity Ms Tangey had no way of escaping the inferno All that remained of the Dover Street property A separate GoFundMe to support Ms Tangey's mother has already raised more than $27,000 of what was initially an $8000 target. Detective Inspector Chris Murray from Arson and Explosives Squad told reporters n Ms Tangey had been looking after the house for her brother, who was on his honeymoon. 'What I can say is this: this individual is completely innocent and should not have died,' Det Insp Murray told reporters. On Friday, Ms Tangey's mum Tracey told friends she was a broken woman. 'Its with a heavy heart I let you all know my beautiful baby girl passed away in a targeted house fire yesterday morning at 2am,' she wrote on Instagram. 'I am completely broken and dont know how we are going to heal from this devastating news. If you could all remember our beautiful soul in your own way.' Addressing media on Thursday, Det Insp Murray said police did not believe the attack was linked to the ongoing tobacco wars, which have seen more than 100 arson incidents across Victoria. Police to believe it might have been a mistake, as there appeared no motive to target that property. 'We're stuck. The premises and the family and the individual lead us nowhere. Therefore, the only logical conclusion I can draw is they've got the wrong premises,' Det Insp Murray said. Katie Tangey, otherwise known as Vivien May-Royale, was killed in a targeted attack Katie Tangey, otherwise known as Vivien May-Royale, was allegedly murdered in a case of mistaken identity CCTV footage from a nearby property showed two alleged offenders parking a small dark colour SUV or hatchback outside the home at around 2.03am before they jumped the fence. The pair were seen getting back into the car and speeding away at around 2.10am as flames erupted from the home. 'We know two occupants got out of that vehicle. Some accelerant was poured inside the house and subsequently has engulfed the premises,' Det Insp Murray said. 'Whether they meant to damage these premises or just cause a scare tactic now they are staring at a charge of homicide, of murder. 'We're looking for two murderers. Let's be clear about that. 'I know the type of individuals that do that, they do it for a few $100 thinking they're going to burn something down. This was just a matter of time.' A Truganina man told Daily Mail Australia he recalled hearing a loud noise after midnight. 'The roof was fully engulfed. It was ferocious.' 'It was quite distressing - knowing there might be people in there.' A community advice warning was issued for smoke in the immediate area. Police have appealed for anybody with information to come forward by contacting Crime Stoppers. Man, 31, charged with one count of murder A man has been charged with murder after a beloved father-of-two was found dead at a children's playground. The body of Anmol Bajwa, 36, was found in a park near Elementary Road in Mambourin, west Melbourne, at about 7.30pm on Tuesday. Mr Bajwa is believed to have met with an associate, whom he had helped out financially, at the park on Monday evening. Detectives were quick to arrest Ishtpal Singh, 31, on Tuesday night and charged him with one count of murder. Singh appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday where he was remanded in custody until May 23. The alleged killer appeared to complain to the magistrate about not being given an opportunity to make a bid for bail, which under law cannot be done for a murder charge in the magistrates' court. 'You can't,' Singh was told by the magistrate. The court heard it is Singh's first time behind bars and he needed urgent access to his anti-depressant medication. The body of 36-year-old Anmol Bajwa was found in a park in Melbourne's west on Tuesday morning Detectives discovered Mr Bajwa deceased underneath a picnic table at a park in Mambourin No further details were offered about how detectives put their case against Singh. Mr Bajwa's wife had alerted authorities to the 36-year-old's disappearance when he failed to return home. Police arrived at the park on Tuesday morning where detectives found Mr Bajwa's body underneath a picnic table. Singh is understood to be known to the victim. Mr Bajwa was an Indian migrant and father of two young children, aged six and three. His friends described him as a respected member of the local community. 'Anmol was a source of love, light, and inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,' one mate said on social media. The body of Anmol Bajwa (circled) was found under a picnic table Police converged on the park where the body of Anmol Bajwa was found on Tuesday 'His kindness, wisdom, and unwavering support will forever remain in our hearts ... may his legacy live on in the lives he touched.' Another friend said the young father had fought to forge a life for his family since moving to Australia. 'Anmol was a community and family orientated person who worked hard to build a better life in Australia. 36-year-old only, a life too short taken away,' he wrote. Mr Bajwa's brother Amandeep said he had been broken by the news of his death. 'Hes one of my best mates, marvellous, he was everything to me,' he said. 'Hes a lovely person, never ever had a fight with anyone.' A GoFundMe has been established to help Mr Bajwas wife and two children. It has currently raised $17,165 of a $45,000 target. Police have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online. Princess Diana's famous BBC Panorama interview was explosive, and many members of the Royal Family felt the impact. The late Princess of Wales's landmark television appearance with Martin Bashir aired on November 20, 1995 and 20 million tuned in as she made the well-known comment, 'there were three of us in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded'. Sitting opposite Bashir in Kensington Palace, Diana went on to question the now King's suitability for the throne, and opened up about her mental health struggles and extramarital affairs. It came after Charles's own interview where, in 1994, he too admitted his infidelity with Camilla Parker-Bowles. Less than a month after Diana's controversial comments, the couple filed for divorce, which was finalised two years later. Diana's relationship with other royals also soured and, despite once being supportive, Princess Margaret felt the interview was a 'betrayal', Andrew Morton wrote in his 2021 book Elizabeth & Margaret. 'Margaret experienced a deep sense of hurt and betrayal as she watched Diana's historic interview,' the journalist and author writes. Queen Elizabeth's younger sister had attempted to help Diana assimilate in to royal life by taking her under her wing and thought of her as a friend. Princess Margaret considered Princess Diana a friend. Here they are seen together in 1989 The late Princess of Wales during her interview with BBC's Martin Bashir back in 1995 'Princess Margaret told her what would happen wherever they went, and what to do, whose hand she would have to shake and what to say - it was a bit like Eliza Doolittle except, of course, Diana was already posh,' Margaret's chauffeur David Griffin previously said. She even persuaded the Queen to 'indulge' Diana's 'whims and caprices' on occasion, Mr Morton writes. So when Diana's interview was broadcasted, Margaret saw it as a move against the monarchy. She responded by throwing away magazines that featured Diana on the front cover, and ensured her children didn't continue any relationship with her. 'Not only did she cut off all contact with the princess, she also made it clear to her children that she did not want them fraternising with the enemy,' Mr Morton writes in his book. Margaret's daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto, reportedly had a close bond with the Princess of Wales and the pair were only three years apart in age. She was also the chief bridesmaid at Diana and Charles's wedding in 1981. Despite this, when Sarah had her first child in 1996, Diana was so cut off from her that she asked David Griffin to pass a gift on, Mr Morton was informed. Margaret disagreed strongly with Diana's television appearance and wrote her a scathing letter afterwards expressing her feelings. A confident Princess Margaret shows a shy Diana the ropes while attending a banquet at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London in 1990 Just a month before her marriage to Prince Charles, the then Lady Diana attended the London film premiere of For Your Eyes Only with her husband-to-be and Princess Margaret, with both women channelling burnt orange coloured gowns Princess Margaret is a reassuring presence behind Princess Diana, who is holding three-year-old Prince Harry, on the balcony at Buckingham Palace in 1988 The reaction devastated Diana, who had looked up to Margaret and appreciated her kindness when she first joined the family. Mr Morton previously wrote in Diana, Her True Story: In Her Own Words, how the Princess told him: 'I've always adored Margo. I love her to bits and she has been wonderful to me from day one.' Margaret could relate to Diana's difficulties with the Royal Family somewhat and the media. 'With her unpredictability and panache, Margaret had been the Diana of her day and knew what it was like to be the medias chew toy,' Tina Brown, former Vanity Fair editor and royal chronicler, writes in her bestselling book The Palace Papers: Inside The House Of Windsor. Diana's relationship with the Queen Mother was different and 'much less cordial,' Mr Morton shared in his book. The Princess avoided the Queen Mother by keeping 'a distrustful distance', finding social situations difficult and formal with her, he wrote. Twenty-five years after Diana's interview first aired, it emerged that Martin Bashir had secured his interview with the princess by falsifying documents. In 2021, an independent investigation by former senior judge Lord Dyson revealed the misconduct of reporter Martin Bashir and the BBCs lack of transparency surrounding the Panorama interview with Princess Diana, and raised questions about the manner in which interview was secured. The inquiry found that 'Bashir seriously breached BBC rules by mocking up fake bank statements to gain access to the princess' (these suggested a staff member of Charles Spencer, Diana's brother, had been leaking information to the press and were used to induce the earl to arrange a meeting with his sister) among other issues. It was also alleged that Diana was shown a 'faked abortion receipt' which suggested Charles had been romantically involved with one of the royal nannies. Bashir admitted at the time to having the documents forged but denied ever showing them to anybody. The two princesses shared a rebellious streak and a flair for fashion, both setting trends in their own right, pictured together with Charles in 1982 Initially, Princess Margaret and Diana got along well, Margaret seeing the young woman as a breath of fresh air in a stuffy Royal Family Margaret was protective of Diana as she adjusted to royal life, but the Princess of Wales kept 'a distrustful distance' from the Queen Mother (pictured on her 92nd birthday in 1992), finding social situations difficult and formal with her The report slammed BBC bosses, including former director-general Tony Hall, for covering up information on how Bashir was able to secure the interview. After the findings were released, it prompted Prince William to make an unprecedented statement saying the interview should never be aired again after it had created a 'false narrative for over a quarter of a century'. 'Our mother was an incredible woman who dedicated her life to service. She was resilient, brave, and unquestionably honest,' Prince Harry added. 'The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life.' Both brothers received 'unconditional apology' letters from the BBC over Bashir's conduct and the 25-year cover up. A popular, sexy AI agent is set to receive a robotic body that becomes a 'productivity partner' for lonely men in the real world. The AI creation, called ElizaOS, is designed as a young woman with long black hair, dark-rimmed glasses, pouty lips and large breasts, which will be recreated into a five-foot, 10-inch tall humanoid. Created by Eliza Labs, the AI-powered robot Eliza Wakes Up will feature a silicon animatronic face capable of mirroring human emotions and expressions. The company claims Eliza can also cut a cigar and pour a drink and will come with custom-tailored clothes and optional accessories. While Eliza Labs says the robot was not designed for sex, the company is developing an artificial vagina for the AI version. According to creators, Eliza Wakes Up is in 'advanced stages of development,' and is now available for pre-order starting at $420,000. Matthew Graham, advisor to the company, said: 'This will be the most advanced humanoid robot ever seen outside a lab. 'We are rapidly approaching a robotics revolution, and Eliza Wakes Up stands at the forefront of this transformation.' The AI creation, called ElizaOS, is designed as a young woman with long black hair, dark-rimmed glasses, pouty lips and large breasts, which will be recreated into a five-foot, 10-inch tall humanoid Shaw, Founder of Eliza Labs, said: 'ElizaOS powers the most advanced, human-like AI agents currently available on the market. 'We're excited to see Eliza Wakes Up bringing Eliza into the physical world, creating a truly immersive experience that bridges the gap between digital intelligence and human connection.' Shaw has remained anonymous with his company, along with others on his team. The robot can run at an eight-minute mile speed, faster than the nine to 10 minutes it takes a human to complete the same distance. Eliza adapts to the user's needs, handling tasks like managing schedules, engaging on social media, automating research, processing documents and executing blockchain transactions. The company said the 'hardware and software are configured with safeguards, which makes it difficult to use the robot for unintended purposes,' such as being used for sexual activities. Shaw announced last week that he is seeking a device that would let people have sex with an AI agent, and offered a $1,000 grant to make it happen. AI agents are more advanced than chatbots, with the ability to make decisions and perform tasks on their own. Created by Eliza Labs, the AI-powered robot Eliza Wakes Up will feature a silicon animatronic face capable of mirroring human emotions and expressions A Las Vegas developer, known as Bry.ai, accepted the challenge, offering his device called Orifice, Decrypto reports. The device, in early stages, features sensors that can measure the velocity of thrusts and record how deep the robotic vagina is being penetrated. It is unclear if the device will be added to the humanoid in the future. Graham made it a point to mention that the focus of the project is simply not of a sexual nature. 'It's not that there's anything necessarily wrong with this, or any kind of sex. It's just that that's not really what the focus of this project is,' he told Decrypto. 'It's about filling a very real need for companionship that, in our view, is really one of the most untapped psychological needs in the world today.' Robots that look, talk and act like humans were once only seen in movies, but such innovations are hitting the market in droves. A study from 2016 also predicted that women would have more sex with robots than human men in 2025. This new year marks the date futurist Dr Ian Pearson anticipated humanity 'will start to see some forms of robot sex appearing in high-income, very wealthy households.' 'Vibrators have been around for over a century,' Dr Pearson noted, 'but now the vibrant sex toy industry doesn't just make standalone devices, but teledildonic devices that bring all the fun and functionality of computing and networks to sex too.' First conceived in 1975, 'teledildonics' has become the technical term of art for mechanical sex toys that operate remotely, whether via the internet or otherwise. By some surveys, as many as 63 percent of women admit they either already use or would like to use a sex toy, with 40 percent admitting virtual reality would make sex more fun and enjoyable. Although the market for human-like sexbots is often imagined to be male dominated, other analysts have also suggested this gender balance is destined to flip. 'I think it's the men who should be worried,' Harvard-trained mathematician and data scientist Dr Cathy O'Neil said. 'It's entirely possible that robots can outperform them.' If you ask a dog owner, they'll often tell you that getting their pet was one of the best decisions they ever made. But a new study has warned that 'man's best friend' might be more of a hindrance than a help for some owners. Researchers from Eotvos Lorand University, Hungary found that the burden of owning a dog is much higher than previously suggested. While the study found that dogs were generally seen as positive, there are also serious drawbacks that need to be considered. Vet bills, restrictions on travel, and the inevitability of outliving their pet were all listed as some of the biggest problems. The worry, sadness, and guilt associated with dog ownership can even lead to long-term medical conditions like chronic stress or depression in the long run. Lead author, Laura Gillet, told MailOnline: 'One of the most important things people should think about is how having a dog will affect their daily lives in regard to their personal circumstances, personality and expectations. 'Not everyone finds the same aspects of dog ownership costly, especially the ones related to the long-term commitment that comes with it.' While dog owners might be positive about their pets, a new study suggests that keeping a pooch could be more of a burden than many expect. Just like in Marley and Me (pictured), dog owners say that outliving their pet was the biggest drawback Around the world, the population of pet dogs has been steadily growing after jumping sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, estimates suggest that there are 65.1 million households in the US that own at least one dog and around 104 million in Europe. While dog ownership is almost always presented as a positive, there are also considerable drawbacks. Research has shown that having a dog can cause depressive symptoms, poor physical health, and increased stress. While it might seem counterintuitive, many of these issues arise from the feeling that owners can't properly care for their pets. For this reason, Ms Gillet and her co-authors set out to investigate how dog owners actually rate the pros and cons of having a pet. A group of 246 dog owners completed a questionnaire consisting of 33 neutrally worded statements about owning a dog such as 'dogs need to be trained and educated'. Each participant then rated these statements on a scale of minus three (a big disadvantage) to plus three (a big advantage). Researchers surveyed dog owners to see how they rated different aspects of owning a dog. The expenses associated with pet bills and general care were ranked as one of the most significant burdens (stock image) The biggest drawbacks of owning a dog Dogs usually have a shorter lifespan than their owners Having a dog can make it difficult to find an appropriate place of living When on vacation, a solution to care for the dog might be needed Dog's disobedience can generate feelings of frustration, stress, and anger Dogs can cause harm to other animals Advertisement These results revealed a mixed picture in which dog owners found both benefits and challenges with dog ownership. The researchers grouped the facets of dog ownership into three major components. The first encompassed the emotional, social, and physical benefits of having a dog such as getting out for walks and meeting new people. The second refers to the negative emotions and challenges of keeping a dog and includes problems like the stress of vet visits and worrying about your dog's health. Finally, the third aspect of dog ownership was found to be the commitment and responsibilities that come with keeping a dog happy and healthy. Overall, dog owners tended to rate positive attributes as more of an advantage than the problems were seen as disadvantages. On average, positive statements received a rating of plus 2.06 while negative statements only received a rating of -0.66. According to the researchers, this pushes the cost-benefit scales in favour of owning a dog. However, Ms Gillet says that it is hard for science to determine whether dogs are a net positive for most people. When asked for the 'biggest benefit of dog ownership' owners gave a variety of answers (illustrated), but the most common response given by 60 per cent of people was the 'meaningful and valued relationship' The biggest benefits of having a dog Dogs can brighten one's life Having a dog can encourage people to be more physically active Dogs can help their owner(s) to get through difficult situations in life Dogs can be loyal and can provide unconditional love towards their owner(s) People can share fun moments of play and laughter with their dog Advertisement She says: 'What dogs bring to our lives may not always be easily measurable. 'For example, in our study, some dog owners reported that their dogs contributed to their self-growth and gave them purpose in life, which can be hard to put in numbers.' Out of the positive benefits, dog owners rated their dog's ability to brighten their life as the biggest advantage, with this statement being rated as plus 2.78. However, there were also serious drawbacks that even the most enthusiastic of dog owners had to admit. Just like in the film Marley and Me, the emotional toll of outliving our pet was the biggest problem associated with getting a dog. Owners ranked the fact that dogs have short lifespans as the biggest disadvantage, rating this -1.67 on average. Likewise, dog owners gave negative rankings to the fact that having a dog can make it hard to find an appropriate place to live or to go on holiday. Interestingly, the issue that divided dog owners the most was whether the practical commitments were a positive or a negative. When asked about the biggest drawback of owning a dog, 95 per cent of participants mentioned the financial costs Dog owners revealed that the responsibilities of having a dog were found to be both a source of joy and a burden. For example, some owners felt like the need to train their dog was a big benefit, while others ranked this as a major disadvantage. In the second stage of the study, the dog owners were asked to talk freely about their experiences of owning a pet. Co-author Eniko Kubinyi says: 'More than sixty per cent of dog owners spontaneously mentioned that the biggest benefit of pet dogs was the meaningful and valued relationship they developed with them. 'Dogs were often described as honest, devoted and supportive social partners, showing unconditional, selfless love to their human family.' However, this test also showed that agreement about the worst part of owning a dog was unanimous. Unprompted, 95 per cent of dog owners mentioned the costs of caring for their dog - including feeding, vet bills, and other expenses. According to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, owning a dog in the UK costs around 2,000 ($2,450) per year. If those costs grow too great, the feeling that owners can't give their dogs the care they need can lead to many negative consequences. The researchers also point out that their study might be underestimating the true costs of keeping a dog since you would expect a group of enthusiastic dog owners to be positive about getting a pet. Additionally, they note that some dog owners may struggle with their dogs without being able to talk about it for fear of being labelled a 'bad owner'. While the researchers don't say that having a dog is always bad, they do emphasise the need to properly consider the costs before bringing a dog into your life. Ms Gillet concludes: 'For the good of both dogs and people, I'd say that having a pet suitable for anyone who feels able to take on the responsibilities of dog ownership. 'At the end of the day, this is mostly a matter of finding the dog that will make you happier. Not all dogs make a good match with all humans.' The existence of Scotland's legendary Loch Ness Monster has been hotly-debated for nearly a century. Affectionately referred to as Nessie, the large marine creature is said to inhabit the freshwater loch south of Inverness and be a species as yet unknown to science. Now a leading scientist claims to have finally put the nail in its coffin. Tim Coulson, a professor of Zoology at Oxford University, says it is a 'biological impossibility' for the Loch Ness Monster to exist. The fact that no skeletal remains of Nessie have been found in the region and no-one has caught such a creature in their fishing nets proves that the animal is not real, he claims. And regarding purported photos of the beast by locals and tourists alike, there is a simple explanation, according to the expert. 'In the case of the Loch Ness Monster they are either seeing bits of floating debris, or a bird such as a cormorant with a longish neck that sits low in the water,' he told MailOnline. 'You might think that sounds unlikely, but I am always amazed at how bad people can be at judging size particularly when they are hoping to see a particular animal.' Surgeon's Photograph: For 60 years this celebrated photograph of a long necked creature helped keep afloat the legend of the Loch Ness Monster Famously, the legendary marine creature is said to inhabit the freshwater loch southwest of Inverness Just like Bigfoot and the Yeti, the Loch Ness Monster is a cryptid a creature whose existence is disputed or unsubstantiated, with little to no scientific evidence. The earliest report of a monster in Loch Ness is AD 565, but 'Nessie' became a global phenomenon in 1934 upon the publication of Surgeon's Photograph, which purported to show the beast (although doubts surrounding the snap's authenticity remain). In the near-century since, many visitors have taken blurry photographs of what they think to be the beast in the 23-mile loch but none offer convincing evidence. 'The absence of skeletal remains and any credible photos are strong and reliable indicators that Nessie, Bigfoot and the Yeti dont exist,' the academic says in a piece for The European. 'I apologise to all cryptozoologists for placing this big and very final nail into cryptids coffins but its time to find another hobby.' Some alleged snaps of the Loch Ness Monster that do exist suggest the animal has a long neck and a small head similar to a giant marine reptile called a plesiosaur. Plesiosaurs first appeared about 215 million years ago, but died out with the dinosaurs 66 million years ago when an asteroid hit Earth. However, Professor Coulson rules out any possibility that Nessie is a plesiosaur, because there are no plesiosaur fossils dating to any sooner than 66 million years. Tim Coulson, a professor of Zoology at Oxford University (pictured), says it is a 'biological impossibility' for the Loch Ness Monster to exist Plesiosaurs first appeared about 215 million years ago, but died out with the dinosaurs 66 million years ago when an asteroid hit Earth (artist's depiction of a plesiosaur) Experts weigh in on why people are so obsessed with finding the Loch Ness Monster, hundreds of years after the beast was first referenced. This photo was taken at Loch Ness by Charlotte Robinson in August 2018 What is Surgeon's Photograph? In 1934, The Daily Mail published a picture by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kenneth Wilson of what appeared to be the Loch Ness Monster. For 60 years this celebrated photograph of a long necked creature helped keep afloat the legend of the Loch Ness Monster. It became known as the 'Surgeon's Photograph' as Lieutenant Wilson was a Harley Street gynaecologist. However, this photograph was actually of a modified toy submarine. Now it's alleged he was part of a plot to perpetuate the myth of the monster which began as a joke. Advertisement 'It is a biological impossibility for a single individual of a long extinct species to live in Loch Ness, and if there were many hundreds, we would surely have caught some in our fishing nets,' he said. Regarding Bigfoot the hairy creature said to inhabit forests of North America Professor Coulson says supposed witnesses are actually 'seeing black bears'. 'There was a paper not long ago to show that the spatial distribution of bigfoot sightings completely overlaps with the distribution of black bears,' he told MailOnline. Dr Jason Gilchrist, an ecologist and lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University, said the mystery of cryptids such as Nessie, Bigfoot or the Abominable Snowman are 'self-perpetuating'. 'People want to see or find something rare or special it's a part of human nature and it doesnt get any more rare or special than the Loch Ness Monster,' Dr Gilchrist previously told MailOnline. 'The legend of the Loch Ness Monster brings people to the loch and they want to see a monster. 'They may therefore see or give attention to evidence that they would otherwise, at any other loch or location, not get too excited about.' There is, however, a 'good possibility' that aliens exist, according to Professor Coulson, because the universe is 'absolutely vast' and we have only explored a 'very tiny fragment' of it, so there's bound to be some other form of life out there. This statue of the Loch Ness Monster, on the banks of Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland, is based on descriptions from supposed witnesses No life beyond Earth has ever been found and there is no evidence that alien life has ever visited our planet. But this may be due to extraterrestrial life being too scared of 'dangerous' and 'violent' humans (artist's impression) 'Unlike the forests where Bigfoot is supposed to live, or the mountainous home of the Yeti, we have only explored a miniscule corner of the places where aliens may be found,' Professor Coulson said. 'The problem we have at the moment is we dont know how to explore more of our universe quickly and easily. 'If that problem faces all intelligent species, we may never encounter aliens, even if they are quite comment across the vast tracts of the cosmos.' According to estimates from Erik Zackrisson, an astrophysicist at Uppsala University in Sweden, there are 70 quintillion planets in the universe that's 7 followed by 20 zeroes. So the very fact we exist here on Earth would make it incredibly unlikely that nowhere else in the universe has some kind of concious life too. However, Dr Gordon Gallup, a biopsychologist at the University of Albany, thinks aliens may be too scared of 'dangerous' humans to visit Earth. A pair of 'icy balls' discovered in a distant stretch of the Milky Way have left scientists baffled. The 'peculiar' objects don't resemble anything scientists have seen before and could even be an entirely new kind of star. Japanese researchers first spotted the balls in 2021, but it is only now that telescope observations have confirmed just how strange they are. According to this new study, the light coming from these distant objects doesn't fit with anything predicted by current theories about star formation. Although they resemble dense clouds of gas or newly forming stars, they are totally isolated from regions where stars normally form. Likewise, even though they give out infrared light as a star would, this doesn't line up with the large amounts of ice that surround them. To make things even stranger, the only two examples ever found are located extremely close to one another in the sky. Lead researcher Dr Takashi Shimonishi, of Niigata University in Japan, says: 'We tried our best to reproduce the properties, but currently we cannot find any theories that can explain the spectral energy properties.' Scientists have been baffled after discovering two 'icy balls' (pictured) which don't resemble anything known to science When Dr Shimonishi first spotted the two icy balls, it was immediately clear that they were exceptionally odd. The objects were spotted using the Japanese AKARI space telescope, which scanned the Milky Way in the infrared spectrum between 2006 and 2011. This revealed that although the objects were close together in the sky, they were actually far enough apart to be unrelated. Dr Shimonishi and his colleagues estimated that Object 1 is about 9.3 kiloparsecs (30,332 light years) from the Sun in a region of the Milky Way called the Crux-Scutum Arm. Object 2, meanwhile, is 13.4 kiloparsecs (43,704 light years) from the sun in the Carina-Sagittarius Arm. Although Dr Shimonishi's initial observations suggested that these objects were unusual, the space telescope didn't have the resolution needed to reveal more. Now, the researchers have used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile to look again in the hope of resolving this mystery. And even with the help of the largest telescope in existence, these two icy orbs still don't look anything like any other object in the universe. The two objects appear very close to each other in the sky but are actually extremely far apart. 'Object 1' is about 9.3 kiloparsecs (30,332 light years) from the Sun while 'Object 2' is 13.4 kiloparsecs (43,704 light years) away Despite being unrelated, new telescope observations (pictured) show that both of the objects have very similar infrared properties If anything, this new set of measurements only raised more questions. The ALMA observations show that the balls are somewhere between one and 10 times the size of our solar system. Although that might seem vast, this makes the objects relatively small compared to other gas clouds. Additionally, the wavelengths of light escaping the object suggest that they are composed of carbon monoxide and silicon dioxide. The fact that there is a lot of silicon compared to the amount of carbon is what you would expect to find where a young star is violently blasting out new material. However, Dr Shimonishi says that the objects' small size, high ice content, and isolation don't match any other type of star known to science. For this reason, the researchers suggest that they may have found a previously unknown type of object. Professor Jane Greaves, an astronomer from the University of Cardiff who was not involved in the study, told New Scientist: 'Its a fascinating piece of work, albeit rather puzzling. Scientists believe that these objects could be a type of newly forming star. However, their small size, isolation, and 'abundant ice' don't match with any known type of star (file photo) 'The two objects seem to have contradictory characteristics, being cold enough to have abundant ice, but also infrared emission like a star.' Dr Shimonishi and his co-authors have now applied to use the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to gather new data about these strange objects. Those observations could help settle the question of whether these icy balls fit within our current theories of star formation or not. Dr Shimonishi says: 'JWST is very sensitive and has a high spectral resolution, so we can do a very detailed analysis of ice or dust, which can help us understand the thermal history of the source.' As Britain's longest running soap, Coronation Street has weathered many storms. There was the explosive 50th-anniversary tram crash, Pat Phelan's reign of terror storyline, and more recently Daisy's stalking hell. But now explosive infighting behind the scenes between cast and their agents could prove to be the final straw for ITV's flagship soap after it recently lost its title as ITV's most-watched soap to Emmerdale, and disappointing festive viewing figures have only fuelled predictions that its end may be near 64 years after it began. Whispers of betrayal, fear, and fury are swirling amid a mass cast exodus, with insiders painting a picture of turmoil behind the scenes. Things have become so bad that 22 cast members left last year and five more are due to depart in the coming months. And now MailOnline can reveal that members of the Corrie cast have been left 'disgusted' after the show's top talent agent, Melanie Blake, suggested fan-favourite Maria Connor, played by Samia Longchambon, will be the next star to be axed. Whispers of betrayal, fear, and fury are swirling amid a mass Corrie cast exodus, with insiders painting a picture of turmoil behind the scenes. Things have been come so bad that 22 cast members left last year and five more are due to depart in the coming months And now MailOnline can reveal that members of the Corrie cast have been left 'disgusted' after the show's top talent agent, Melanie Blake, suggested fan-favourite Maria Connor, played by Samia Longchambon, will be the next star to be axed A source told MailOnline: 'Samia is one of the most popular members of the Corrie cast, she is absolutely adored. To suggest that she should be axed and lose her job is just disgusting.' The insider revealed: 'Corrie has always been a nice place to work but Melanie's words have prompted much anger within.' Samia's friends on the show are said to be 'disgusted someone would openly say she would be sacked,' particularly when this person is 'one of her castmates' agents.' 'So many people are worried about their futures at Corrie. We need to stick together, not have our agents going at others,' the source continued. Melanie represents some of the top talent on the show including Claire Sweeney, 53, Jennie McAlpine, 40, along with former Corrie star Claire King, 63, and former EastEnders' actress Laila Morse, 79. She has previously used her social media platforms to claim she has been responsible for returning 'legendary soap queens' back to the screens. But in a social media tirade last week, Melanie took to X to ask her 30,700 followers to vote 'who you would like to see axed immediately.' 'Maria out for me 1st plz #taxi,' she wrote. A source told MailOnline: 'Samia is one of the most popular members of the Corrie cast, she is absolutely adored. To suggest that she should be axed and lose her job is just disgusting' The insider revealed: 'Corrie has always been a nice place to work but Melanie's words have prompted much anger within' Samia, 42, who has played Maria since 2000, quickly responded: 'What have I ever done to you?' In a now-deleted response, Melanie replied: 'You haven't upset me darling, I've met you and your lovely, l just think 'Maria' has had a really good on screen run years length of time but didn't doesn't get the stories she needs for me - to stay invested in on what is clearly going to be a tightening up on numbers.' 'I picked your character for me as I wouldn't miss 'her' & I find Gary more interesting without her - that's just me! She's in the danger zone unless you have great stuff coming up we haven't see yet!' she continued. Samia, seemingly unimpressed by Melanie's response, wrote back: 'So, basically, 'nothing personal but you think I should be fired'. Thanks. Wishing you all the best Melanie.' Last year Samia appeared in 92 out of 157 Corrie episodes, as viewers saw her at the centre of a heartbreaking bullying storyline that left her teenage son Liam contemplating suicide. And she has been at the heart of some of Weatherfield's most gripping plots, from her ill-fated marriage to Liam Connor and his shocking murder in 2008, to her dramatic stint in prison for a sham marriage in 2016. But over two decades of service to the show may not be enough to shield Samia from what appears to be a troubling shake-up on the cobbles. It comes as doom-laden rumours suggest panic behind the scenes, with six cast members announcing their departures in just two months. Since November, Charlotte Jordan (Daisy Midgeley), Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw), Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster), Colson Smith (Craig Tinker), Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe) and Shelley King (Yasmeen Nazir) have all announced they will be leaving the show though some are not through choice. It is understood that Cleaver asked to go early last year but was asked to hold off until Helen Worth - Gail Chadwick had departed. Other actors have reportedly shared furious messages on a WhatsApp group amid fears they could be next as new boss Kate Brookes is being described as the one 'wielding the axe' and in charge of the blood bath. The TV veteran - who first served as story producer on the cobbles back in 2012 - left Emmerdale last year after an eight-year stint to take over from Iain MacLeod. During her time as Emmerdale's big boss, Kate produced a range of storylines alongside fellow producer Laura Shaw, including serial killer Meena Jutla and Mandy Dingle's 2019 return after 17 years away, along with Marlon's stroke, and Faith's breast cancer storyline in 2022. At the time, Kate said she gained more than she 'ever could have imagined' both professionally and personally from her time on the Yorkshire Dales-based show, but that she was delighted to make the jump to Weatherfield. But it is no secret that she has been left with a tough job on her hands because some insiders at Corrie cite Iain MacLeod who was in charge of the programme for six years as series producer as being a contributing factor to the dire state it is in. Sources on the show said that he was 'too close' to some of the cast and didn't want to make the cuts. 'He was really fond of the cast,' said one. 'He didn't want to deliver bad news to anyone but the down side to that is that we are now in a situation where it is bloodbath time.' Indeed, there is much fear at the Granada Studios in Manchester. Some of the soap's mid-ranking actors and younger stars are worried but in fact, it can be revealed, it is those who are on higher salaries but without big storylines who are most at risk. 'The bosses don't want to pay actors just to hang around the street, or sit in the Rovers nursing a pint,' said one. A solution on the table in a bid to save money are shorter contracts being offered to trim budgets amid declining viewing figures and financial woes. With doubts over its future it will perhaps come as little surprise that ITV struggled to get someone to take the top job at Corrie when it was looking last year. It can be revealed that a number of sought after television executives turned down the role as they knew it would be impossible to turn around. ITV chiefs attempted to poach bosses from BBC, Channel 4, and Sky but the chatter about how the show was on its knees was becoming more common and they didn't want to take a risk to go there. The problem left bosses with a huge headache. Eventually Brookes took the job, though apparently needed some persuading. The insider revealed: 'You really can't blame Kate for being reluctant to take on the top job at Corrie, but ITV had tried everyone. They went back to her and she finally she agreed. She knew the task ahead and the difficult decisions she'd have to make due to the cast being so big and the current cash crisis at ITV. But she's come in and is determined to take it back to classic Corrie days.' It might help. A mere 2.6million viewers tuned in to watch the Christmas Day special which saw Gail Chadwick, played by 74-year-old Helen Worth, leave the show after 50 years. Daisy Midgeley (played by actress Charlotte) will be leaving the show after four years on the cobbles as she is said to be very ambitious and is wanting to see what is out there Eileen Grimshaw (played by Sue Cleaver) has had various breaks over recent years, but now she's leaving for good as she said she would like to explore new adventures Last year it was confirmed that Debbie Webster (played by Sue Devaney) would be diagnosed with dementia and killed off PC Craig Tinker (played by Colson Smith) has been written out of the soap after 14 years and his role will come to an end in Autumn 2025 Mason Radcliffe (played by Luca Toolan) bowed out in devastating scenes this year as the teen killed off in a knife crime storyline Yasmeen Metcalfe (played by Shelley King) filmed her final scenes in December with her exit set to play out in early spring Gail Platt (played by Helen Worth) exited the show after 50 years in December as she relocated abroad with her husband Bethany Platt (played by Lucy Fallon) will soon go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her second child which is said to be temporary Evelyn Plummer (played by Maureen Lipman) is also said to be taking temporary leave and upon her return will change to a part-time character Someone feared to be leaving is Lauren Bolton (played by Cait Fitton) who awaits trial for the murder of Joel Deering Another character teased to be leaving is David Platt (played by Jack Shepard) as he is set to face a 'downfall' Soap viewers immediately feared the departure of soap icon Audrey Roberts (played by Sue Nicholls) after Gail's exit Corrie's longest serving character Ken Barlow (played by William Roache) is currently at the centre of a drug storyline, with his carer Cassie Plummer and so is feared his time could soon be up Samia's friends on the show are said to be 'disgusted someone would openly say she would be sacked,' particularly when this person is 'one of her castmates' agents' Helen appeared in just 26 episodes in her final year on the soap. And her final appearance raked in just ten percent of the 27million who watched Hilda Ogden's farewell in its 1987 heyday. Corrie ultimately lost the overnight ratings battle to BBC's Eastenders, and was also easily beaten by the 3million viewers who tuned into The Weakest Link on Christmas Day. 'Something needs to be done fast,' said one soap insider. 'Or it won't be making its 65th birthday.' Tracy Morgan says he felt like he 'was being culturally isolated' during his years as a cast member on NBC's Saturday Night Live. The comic-actor, 56, spoke about his time as a cast member while speaking on the new Peacock docuseries SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night. Morgan - who opened up about his experience with Ozempic last year - was a regular on the NBC comedy staple from 1996 to 2003, beginning on the 22nd season of the series. 'I wanted to show them my world, how funny it was,' the New York City native said. 'But the first three years, I felt like I was being culturally isolated sometimes. 'I'm coming from a world of Blacks - I'm an inner city kid. To be on the whitest show in America, I felt by myself. I felt like they weren't getting it.' The principle cast members during Morgan's first season on the show in 1997-1997 included Tim Meadows, Jim Breuer, Will Ferrell, Ana Gasteyer, Cheri Oteri, Darrell Hammond, Chris Kattan, Molly Shannon and the late Norm Macdonald. Tracy Morgan, 56, says he felt like he 'was being culturally isolated' during his years as a cast member on NBC's Saturday Night Live. Pictured in 2022 in NYC Morgan pictured in a 1998 skit with costar Will Ferrell and guest star Cameron Diaz The Emmy-nominated entertainer said that a chat with the show's creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels helped him feel more comfortable in his work. 'Lorne Michaels had that talk with me,' Morgan said. 'He said, "Tracy, I hired you because you're funny, not because you're Black. So just do your thing." And that's when I started doing my thing.' Morgan, who went on to appear on the NBC series 30 Rock from 2006 to 2013, was the ninth Black cast member on the series. Previous Black cast members on SNL included Meadows, Eddie Murphy, Garrett Morris, Ellen Cleghorne, Chris Rock, Damon Wayans and the late Danitra Vance. In the segment, Morgan commented on his audition tape on the show, saying, 'I don't know what Lorne Michaels and them saw, but they saw something.' Michaels last week donated his career archive to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas, the center announced Wednesday. The collection includes behind-the-scenes rehearsal notes, scripts and photographs of iconic characters and sketches from a show that launched the careers of comedians Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and the late Gilda Radner and John Belushi. It also includes some of 80-year-old Michaels' personal correspondence. SNL, the most Emmy Award-nominated show in television history, is in its 50th season. It is set to broadcast SNL50: The Anniversary Special live on February 16. The Emmy-nominated entertainer said that a chat with the show's creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels, pictured in NYC last month, helped him feel comfortable in his work Morgan appeared opposite Britney Spears in a 2002 sketch on the series Morgan appeared opposite Colin Quinn on a 1998 Weekend Update segment The Ransom Center is one of the top literary and humanities archives and research institutions in the country. Its literary archive includes the collections of Nobel Prize winner J.M. Coetzee, Pulitzer Prize winners David Mamet and Norman Mailer, actor Robert DeNiro, the television drama Mad Men and the Gone With the Wind collection of Hollywood producer David O. Selznick. The Michaels collection documents his career in television from his earliest writing for Rowan & Martins Laugh-In and The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show, but the bulk of it is related to SNL. The Ransom Center plans an exhibit, Live from New York! The Making of Lorne Michaels to open in September with sketch drafts, correspondence, video, photos and artifacts that detail show production and highlight SNL's role as a comedic window into, and influence on, culture and politics. 'Lorne Michaels has kept us up late and laughing for 50 years and Im confident for years to come his archive will be studied by students and researchers looking for insight into the social, political, and cultural history of our time,' Ransom Center Director Stephen Enniss said. 'We are deeply grateful to him for entrusting this rich legacy to us.' SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night can be seen on Peacock. Two couples are looking on the rocks on Love Island's All Stars, as a teaser clip reveals chaos in the villa for Tuesday's episode. Gabby Allen and Casey O'Gorman and Catherine Agbaje and Nas Majeed, were captured in the sneak peek shown at the end of Monday's installment. The pairs were put to the test when two bombshells - Grace Jackson and Ron Hall - arrived in the South African villa on Monday ready to shake things up. And less than 24 hours after the arrival, Catherine is seen opening up about her dwindling feelings for Nas, while a frustrated Casey confesses to Ronnie that passion 'works both ways'. It hasn't taken long for Casey's head to be turned by new bombshell Grace- a former flame of Joey Essex. Two couples are looking on the rocks on Love Island's All Stars, as a teaser clip reveals chaos in the villa for Tuesday's episode (Catherine Agbaje and Nas Majeed pictured) Gabby Allen and Casey O'Gorman (pictured) and Catherine Agbaje and Nas Majeed, were captured in then dramatic segment In Monday's episode, Gabby told Casey during a candid chat: 'Grace walks in and obviously I'm like: She's so hot.' Casey nodded echoing: 'She's fit.' But that response left Gabby perplexed, who replied bluntly: 'I hate the way you say that to me. Why can't you just say she's good looking?' 'She's a good looking girl,' Casey quipped back. Elsewhere Catherine enjoyed an chat with hunky Ron, where the duo chatted about zodiac signs. 'I'm a Cancer, I'm so emotional,' Catherine said. 'I'm a Leo,' Ron replied as Catherine said giggling: 'Yeah, I get along with Leos.' Heating up the conversations as the pair tried to get to know one another, Ron remarked: 'I've actually always been into Cancers because they are so emotional,' leaving the beauty smiling. The pairs were put to the test when two bombshells - Grace Jackson (pictured) and Ron Hall - arrived in the South African villa in style earlier, ready to shake things up A frustrated Casey confesses to Ronnie that passion 'works both ways' Elsewhere Catherine enjoyed an chat with hunky Ron (pictured) where the duo chatted about zodiac signs Catherine is coupled up with Nas (pictured together) although he recently caught the eye of previous bombshell Tina Stinnes Catherine's interest for the newcomer comes after Nas, whom she's coupled with, caught the eye of previous' known bombshell Tina Stinnes. Elsewhere in the episode, Luca Bish was left disappointed after new bombshell Tina Stinnes chose to couple up with Scott Thomas on Sunday night, sending India Reynolds home. And Luca struggled to hold back tears in emotional scenes as he reflected on how different his journey has been this time in the villa. After India's dumping, Kaz Crossley was quick to check in on Luca in the wake of Tina picking Scott over him, he said: 'Its Indias night, theres no point in me sitting here being upset.' Catherine Agbaje pointed out that Luca wasn't interested in any of the girls in the villa, adding: 'You basically said none of us were your type!' But Ronnie Vint responded: 'I dont think thats a problem, do you? If you met seven people and didn't fancy them?' However, later in the evening Luca became more emotional and was comforted by pal Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Curtis Pritchard. Elsewhere in the episode, Luca Bish (pictured) was left disappointed after new bombshell Tina Stinnes chose to couple up with Scott Thomas on Sunday night, sending India Reynolds home Rushing over to comfort him, Ekin-Su said: 'Youre doing great I promise you' and have him a hug. Sitting down at the beanbags, Luca admitted to her: 'It feels so different to the last time.' But Ekin-Su insisted that he has grown since he first appeared on Love Island series eight in 2022. She said: 'Youre a much better version of you than you were before I promise you. Youre genuine, not leading anyone on and going with how you want to feel.' Only Connect viewers were left seriously distracted by host Victoria Coren-Mitchell's striking piece of headwear during Monday's instalment of the popular BBC Two quiz show. The TV icon, 52, fronted the show wearing a very unique and 'distracting' green feather fascinator on her head. She teamed the unusual headpiece with a striking red floral dress as she guided teams through the challenging quiz show. The bold fashion choice quickly caught the attention of fans watching the programme, who took to social media to share their thoughts. They said: 'Coren off to a wedding after this?' 'Looks like an alien character from Star Trek Voyager many years back.' Only Connect viewers were left seriously distracted by host Victoria Coren Mitchell's striking piece of headwear during Monday's instalment of the popular BBCTwo quiz show The TV icon, 52, fronted the show wearing a very unique and 'distracting' green feather fascinator on her head 'Some bird nest?' 'Has anyone seen my dead peacock?' 'Victoria is the epitome of where what he f**k you want.' Another fan questioned: 'Has anyone got VCM wearing random headgear on their OC bingo card?' While a seventh chimed in: 'Victoria's toupee is a bit obvs... seriously though, what do we think she or the costume team were thinking?' It comes after Only Connect viewers were left baffled when they noticed a bizarre change to her appearance halfway through a show earlier this year. Victoria returned to screens as she welcomed two teams Too Many Cookes vs the Tea Totallers. But as the presenter read out the clues on her cue card her appearance changed just minutes later and eagle-eyed fans noticed. In the first few moments Victoria was seen with bright red polish on her nails but when the camera flashed back to her it had been removed. Fans shared their thoughts on social media, asking if anyone else had noticed the change. They wrote to X: 'Hang on, how long does it take to film a show. At the beginning you have red nails and then a few moments later they have gone.' The bold fashion choice quickly caught the attention of fans watching the programme, who took to social media to share their thoughts It comes after Only Connect viewers were left baffled when they noticed a bizarre change to a host's appearance halfway through a show earlier this year In the first few moments Victoria Coren Mitchell was seen with bright red polish on her nails but when the camera flashed back to her it had been removed Others added: 'Watching #onlyconnect on delay and in Victoria's intro she has red nails holding the phone, yet later with the question cards, no nail varnish. 'The viewers of this show are far too observant and analytical to miss something like that continuity!!'; Did anyone else notice Victorias nails?' Victoria also left viewers 'traumatised' after making a very crude joke about her BBC co-star Michael Portillo. She referenced an infamous joke about her having a crush on the former politician and journalist - but while some fans loved the jibe, others think she went 'too far'. Ending the show, Victoria said: 'Coming up next on BBC Two is another episode in that wonderful series sponsored by the RSPB, where celebrities look after birds before handing them on to other celebrities to raise awareness of struggling avian numbers. 'I have so enjoyed watching big names on BBC Two passing their feathered dependents on to other presenters, so I decided to join in myself. Tonight, I will be eagerly taking several swallows from Michael Portillo. Goodnight.' Victoria made a very crude joke about her former co-star Michael Portillo She referenced an infamous joke about her having a crush on the former politician and journalist (pictured in 2021) - but while some fans loved the jibe, others think she went 'too far' Viewers had mixed opinions as they rushed to social media after hearing the shocking innuendo, writing: '@VictoriaCoren full on choked at the closing comment on this evenings episode of #onlyconnect. Did not expect that.' '#onlyconnect a pretty near the knuckle innuendo by Victoria Coren at the end. I have no problem with that. Innuendo was part of being British. But what is the difference between what VC said & what Greg Wallace said?' 'Eww @VictoriaCoren I can't unhear that Portillo gag at the end of #Onlyconnect.' 'Somewhat traumatised by @VictoriaCoren parting shot on #OnlyConnect tonight!! 'Phenomenal Portillo gag in true ISIHAC style at the end of last night's #OnlyConnect. Kudos, @VictoriaCoren for the deadpan delivery.' Only Connect airs on BBC Two on Mondays and is avalable to stream on iPlayer. A Death In Paradise star has broken his silence about his character being brutally sacked in the new series. The wildly popular drama sees a string of detectives tackle crime on the tropical island of Saint Marie. Don Gilet, 57, recently made an entrance on the show's Christmas special, as Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson. The new detective caused a stir amongst his new colleagues with his bristly personality and straight-talking ways. He was a completely different character to a more timid Neville Parker, played by Ralf Little, who his co-workers question whether he is good enough to replace. However, further disturbance is to come to Honore Police Station in the fourteenth series as it has been revealed that Commissioner Selwyn Patterson's job is set to be terminated, The Mirror reported. The wildly popular drama sees a string of detectives tackle crime on the tropical island of Saint Marie Further disturbance is to come to Honore Police Station in the fourteenth series as it was revealed Commissioner Selwyn Patterson's (right) job is set to be terminated Don Warrington, 73, who plays the Commissioner, has revealed how his character feels about the revelation. 'He's shocked. It's not what he expected. It comes as a bold from the blue,' he elaborated. 'He has to deal with a situation that he hadnt expected, and its making a big change in his life, in his status. He has to work through a crisis, really.' The actor shared that the plot twist will impact the rest of the island and other characters. Mayor Catherine Bordey, portrayed by Elizabeth Bourgine, could play an important role in the situation. The actress teased: 'She will be, even with Selwyn, helpful as a mayor and as a friend. 'Because she can have the mayor power and do things. And as a friend, she can be very nice, tender, warm or angry.' Elizabeth added that Catherine's character will be shown in different lights in the new series. It was recently revealed that the fourteenth season of the show, which has been on screens since 2011, will air from January 31. Don Gilet, 57, recently made an entrance on the show's Christmas special, as Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson (pictured) Don Warrington (left), who plays the Commissioner, has revealed how his character feels about the revelation The actor shared that the plot twist will impact the rest of the island and other characters Death In Paradise's 9pm time slot will cause waves on other channels, with Channel 5 forced to move their flagship mystery series The Good Ship Murder to 8pm to avoid a clash. The drama follows former Coronation Street stars Shayne Ward, 40, and Catherine Tyldesley, 41, as they try to crack cases aboard a luxury cruise ship. Viewers were left frustrated by the time slot clash with BBC's The Traitors and will be grateful to learn the Channel 5 series will not clash with Death In Paradise either. Unfortunately Don's appearance as Mervin in the Christmas special was not welcomed by some fans. One X user went as far as to say the character should be killed off: 'It's only one episode but not gonna lie, Don't like new inspector Melvin, Hope he goes, maybe murdered, that'll be cool.' Another added: 'Worst detective inspector ever I certainly won't be watching anymore.' Don Warrington as the Commissioner with Detective Inspector Neville Parker, played by Ralf Little, in Death in Paradise But some disagreed, with one viewer saying: 'Don Gilet is fabulous in Death in Paradise - at last an actor in the role. A proper breath of fresh air.' Another posted: 'I like the new inspector Mervin Wilson, I can see a romance hatching between him and DS Naomi Thomas.' Death in Paradise, filmed on the French Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe, was the UK's most watched returning drama in 2024 across all broadcasters and streamers and aired in more than 230 territories across the globe. All series of Death In Paradise are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now. Lorraine viewers were left divided after Piers Morgan returned to daytime TV on Tuesday. While some critics branded the journalist, 59, nauseating others raved its good to have him back! Piers joined Lorraine Kelly, 65, on her show to talk about Donald Trump returning to The White House. The broadcaster left ITV back in 2021 amid backlash to his criticism of Meghan Markle - which he refused to apologise for, against the demand of the show's bosses. He originally joined the Good Morning Britain team in 2015 but these days is best known for fronting his own show Piers Morgan Uncensored. Many took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts on the broadcaster being back on their screens. One brutally said: 'Get rid of Piers Morgan. He does not deserve air time on #Lorraine.' Lorraine fans were left divided as Piers Morgan returns to daytime TV The 59-year-old appeared on the ITV talk show on Tuesday and spoke to presenter Lorraine Kelly Another added: 'Piers Morgan's Trump a**e kissing is nauseating #Lorraine.' One more brutall chimed in: 'Piers Morgan blowing his trumpet on Lorraine gives me the f****** jaundice.' While others made it clear they enjoyed him being back. A third tweeted: 'Does feel a little like they're trying to reboot Piers back into the ITV Daytime fold #lorraine #ThisMorning.' 'Loved seeing Piers this morning. Bring piers back on to GMB! #piersmorgan #gmb # #lorraine,' another wrote. A sixth added: '#Lorraineplease bring back Piers Morgan on GMB.' Piers addressed the reaction on X, writing: 'Thanks for all the kind (and unkind) comments about my appearance on Lorraine today. Always great fun catching up with the fabulous Lorraine and seeing so many other old friends at ITV Towers.' Elsewhere in their conversation Lorraine mentioned the wildfires that have happened over in America, and that she knows Piers has a property in LA. Piers told Lorraine: 'My business manager lost his entire home. 'He's been with me 20 years. Lovely guy with a big family. Wiped out. Piers smiled for a picture with host Lorraine after the appearance Piers opened up about the LA fires during his chat with Lorraine 'He was in the Pacidic Palisafes. Hard to describe, it was about the size of Brighton. Gone. 'I drive past there all the time when I'm in LA.' He added: It's been utterly disastrous for the city.' Lorraine told the star: 'It's good to see you, really good to see you.' And Piers made a flirty comment back to the host. 'It's good to see you, if I may say so - hot!' Piers replied. Lorraine blushed as she said: 'Thank you. You can call me up any time and tell me that.' Piers said: 'I'm going to phone you up and say "Lorraine you're looking great."' Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV and is available to stream on ITVX.. Only Fools and Horses has been slapped with a trigger warning some fans have deemed 'excessively woke'. The BBC show is known for being feel-good TV, but has become the latest sitcom to be issued with disclaimers around offensive or outdated language, according to The Sun. All seven series of the 80s hit starring David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst and the late Lennard Pearce are on streaming platform ITVX. However, many of the episodes have been hit with trigger warnings for racial and 'outdated attitudes'. 'The Russians are Coming' from series one was a fan favourite, but now features a disclaimer that reads: 'Contains some offensive racial language of the time.' 'The Yellow Peril' from the second series and 'Who's A Pretty Boy' from the third also feature a number of warnings now. Only Fools and Horses has caused outrage as beloved sitcom has slapped it with a ' woke ' trigger warning The BBC show is known for being feel-good TV but has become the latest sitcom to have disclaimers and warning of offensive or outdated language Two episodes in the fourth installment also have a warning, while 'The Miracle of Peckham' from series five warns of language that 'may offend'. The only two series which did not receive a disclaimer of some kind are the sixth and seventh. Even the 1985 Christmas special includes a message that says: 'Contains dated attitudes and behaviours and racist language some viewers may find offensive.' The repeats of Only Fools And Horses still air on digital channel U&Gold and have also been slapped with warnings. Fans have taken to social media to share their frustration at the new warnings. One said: 'It takes a brave platform to showcase a comedy. People are desperate to be outraged and offended in this country Even UK Gold has to give a f***ing warning before showing an episode of Only Fools And Horses,' 'I'm watching series 1 of Only Fools & Horses and I wonder how much of this humour would get written today. If any, it's comedy genius but the woke brigade cancel it out nowadays,' All seven series of the 80s hit starring David Jason , Nicholas Lyndhurst and the late Lennard Pearce are on streaming platform ITVX 'You know you are living in an upside down offended by everything society when the TV is giving warnings before airing episodes of Only Fools And Horses,' 'This is what happens when everyone gets offended all the time, comedy programs are on their a**e, nowadays you watch only fools and horses and before it comes on they pretty much say these are old jokes that might offend a little whine bag with no soul,' 'There'll never be a new series of Only Fools And Horses because the 2024 generation will get offended,' 'Being offended by Only Fools And Horses, pathetic, get a grip,' 'Anyone offended by Only Fools And Horses has clearly had a sense of humour failure, and needs to lighten up.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for ITV and UKTV for comment. It comes after TV bosses slapped a trigger warning on a Michael Portillo travel documentary - as it shows him sipping sherry. Viewers are now unable to watch the ex-MP's Andalucia show on the My5 streaming service unless they confirm they are over 16. It comes after TV bosses slapped a trigger warning on a Michael Portillo travel documentary - as it shows him sipping sherry The warning sign that pops up when viewers try to watch Michael Portillo's Andalucia documentary A large alert also warns that the program contains 'adult themes' and 'may not be suitable for children'. Such warnings are usually reserved for material that can be potentially harmful or offensive, such as strong language, violence, graphic images and sexual behaviour. In the show, that aired in 2023, Mr Portillo visits the Spanish city Jerez dubbed the sherry capital of the world. He takes part in a 15-minute tasting session where he tells viewers that Andalucia is a region known for its wide variety of wine. The decision to add the trigger warning to the show has baffled critics. Tory MP Sir John Hayes told The Sun: 'Most people find these types of trigger warnings very bizarre. 'It's less about the programs and more about these people who feel we have to protect everyone from any kind of fear or stimulus. 'If these warnings can go on family-friendly shows, it makes you wonder where this woke Puritan culture ends.' Steve Coogan has sparked fears that a new Margaret Thatcher drama will be a woke whitewash after he admitted editing out a scene that was sympathetic to Britains first female prime minister. A new two-part drama, written by James Graham, about Margaret Thatchers 1989 interview with Brian Walden will air on Channel 4 on January 29. Mr Coogan, 59, who plays the former Labour MP turned London Weekend Television host, said that he had huge antipathy for the former PM describing himself as very anti-Thatcher. He told the Radio Times: The one thing that I was worried about in this drama was being too compassionate because of her legacy. The actor even took exception to a scene written by Sherwood writer Mr Graham, 42, for being too kind to the Iron Lady and said that she would now be diagnosed with a disorder. Mr Coogan added: In fact, in the edit we cut something because I thought it was a bit too kind and we wanted to remind people that there was this damage... She had vision and zeal, but she lacked empathy. Now, shed probably be diagnosed with some sort of disorder. Steve Coogan, 59, has sparked fears that a new Margaret Thatcher drama will be a woke whitewash after he admitted editing out a scene that was sympathetic to Britains first female prime minister (pictured in May 2024) A new two-part drama, written by James Graham, about Margaret Thatchers 1989 interview with Brian Walden will air on Channel 4 on January 29 (pictured with Harriet Walter as Margaret Thatcher) Starring opposite the Alan Partridge actor as Margaret Thatcher is Dame Harriet Walter, who Mr Coogan met at Extinction Rebellion events. Dame Harriet, who at 74 is over a decade older than Mrs Thatcher was during the 1989 showdown, said she only took the role because of the team involved. She said: I thought, I just wish it was about somebody else. The Succession actress said the former Conservative prime minister was blinkered. She added: I didnt warm to her. She remains unchallenged as a role model for female politicians in this country and thats regrettable, because I dont think its a very nice role model. The Sense and Sensibility star, who never met the former prime minister, said she thinks Mrs Thatcher would have detested her if they had met. She said: In my youth, I went on demos and picket lines. Plus, my coming from a fairly privileged background. We would have had zero to talk about. Maybe clothes, I suppose. The highly-critical comments about Mrs Thatcher from the dramas leading stars has caused concern about bias. Donal Blaney, the founder of the Margaret Thatcher Centre, said: If they have cut out scenes which paint Margaret Thatcher in any sort of favourable light, as Mr Coogan has admitted, then it calls into question the whole legitimacy of this drama. Mr Coogan who plays the former Labour MP turned London Weekend Television host, said that he had huge antipathy for the former PM describing himself as very anti-Thatcher (pictured in October 2019) In fact, in the edit we cut something because I thought it was a bit too kind and we wanted to remind people that there was this damage. She had vision and zeal, but she lacked empathy,' Steve explained about Thatcher's portrayal Starring opposite the Alan Partridge actor as Margaret Thatcher is Dame Harriet Walter, who Mr Coogan met at Extinction Rebellion events I didnt warm to her. She remains unchallenged as a role model for female politicians in this country and thats regrettable, because I dont think its a very nice role model,' the actress said Margaret Thatcher will be remembered long after Steve Coogan. I was always taught to be sceptical about comedians who think they can be serious actors. 'Coogan is very funny when playing Alan Partridge - which is basically himself - but has no other memorable performances that spring to mind. Harriet took fans back in time as she perfected the look of the former UK Prime Minister. For her character, she swapped out her usual brunette tresses with a classic golden perm and wore a striking blue suit with a scallop design around the collar. Brian and Margaret, which will air on 30 January, was written by RTS award-winner Jamers Graham, known for Sherwood, Quiz, Brexit: The Uncivil War. It's based on political editor and TV producer Rob Burley's book Why is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me?: Searching for the Truth on Political TV. The two-part drama was directed by Academy Award nominee and BAFTA-winning Stephen Frears - known for A Very English Scandal and Florence Foster Jenkins, Philomena. Steve, who previously starred in The Reckoning, looked worlds away from his usual youthful, trendy self and embodied the wise and much-feared inquisitor that is Brian Elsewhere, Harriet took fans back in time as she perfected the look of the former UK Prime Minister In 1989 Brian and Margaret came together for their last ever TV interview. Little did they know they were about to embark on one of the most famous political exchanges of all time. The 45-minute showdown became a national talking point and set in train a series of events that ended with Margaret's resignation. Afterwards, they never spoke again. Brian and Margaret will be released in two 60-minute episodes. TV presenter Brian died in 2019 at the age of 86 following complications from emphysema. The veteran broadcaster, who started his career as a Labour politician, died at home in St Peter Port, Guernsey. Brian was scouted by ITV, where he worked on Weekend World among other programmes. It was based on political editor and TV producer Rob Burley's book Why is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me?: Searching for the Truth on Political TV TV presenter Brian died in 2019 at the age of 86 following complications from emphysema. He was scouted by ITV, where he worked on Weekend World among other programmes He was best known for his tenacious interviews with high-profile politicians and was considered Margaret Thatcher's 'favourite' interviewer (pictured together in 1977) Read the full interview in this week's Radio Times magazine He was best known for his tenacious interviews with high-profile politicians and was considered Margaret Thatcher's 'favourite' interviewer. During one famous grilling when her own Conservative cabinet were turning against her in 1989, Brian asked Margaret whether she was 'off her trolley'. He asked her: 'You come over as being someone who one of your backbenchers said is slightly off her trolley, authoritarian, domineering, refusing to listen to anybody else why? 'Why cannot you publicly project what you have just told me is your private character?' She replied: 'Brian, if anyone's coming over as domineering in this interview, it's you.' Abbie Chatfield broke down in tears as she detailed her struggles with suicidal thoughts as a result of trolling, and the trauma of domestic violence in a past relationship. The Bachelor star, 29, candidly spoke about her struggles with her mental health during a wide-ranging discussion on her podcast, It's A Lot. She addressed an incident at the Australian Open, where a man approached her while she was working and filmed her, prompting Abbie to accuse him of 'harassment'. After the clip was shared online, Abbie tearfully addressed the incident and resulting backlash, including that of former AFL player Jed Lamb, who had commented on the video that she 'sucked'. Abbie was overwhelmed with emotion as she revealed the Australian Open incident came at a time when she was already struggling psychologically with online trolling. Abbie Chatfield broke down in tears as she emotionally detailed her struggles with suicidal thoughts and her past domestic violence relationship 'The day before he uploaded that, I was with my therapist speaking about my suicidal ideations to do with all this trolling, to do with feeling like I'm always surveilled, to do with feeling like no matter what I do I'm going to get trolled,' she shared. 'Even when I'm not saying or doing anything ''controversial'', I still get attacked and abused and trolled, and I'm just f**king over it. I'm really f**king exhausted.' 'At the moment, my suicidal thoughts are rampant. My resting thought is ''f**k, I'd love to take a pill and just go to sleep and not wake up, that would be so nice'',' she went on. 'When I'm anxious, I think about ending my own life because of this trolling and because of all the things I've listed. 'It's been a slow burn and I'm just at a point where I'm like ''I can't do this anymore, I can't deal with this anymore, I'm really tired''.' The podcaster also detailed how she has been left traumatised and suffering with PTSD because of a past domestic violence relationship. She explained how people expect her to be happy because she has found love with musician Adam Hyde, however Abbie is still affected by her past. 'There's this idea that now that with Adam and in a happy and safe relationship, everything is fine and all my PTSD is reversed and everything is happy, happy and I'm able to move on from that abusive relationship,' she shared. The Bachelor star, 29, candidly spoke about her struggles with her mental health during a wide-ranging discussion on her podcast after a man 'harassed' her at the Australian Open 'It's getting better but it's not just ''you've got a happy boyfriend now, so everything's fine''. 'Any issues that me and Adam have end up getting tainted by - I'm not overreacting or being crazy but my anxieties - I get very scared about certain things and overapologise.' Abbie said she tried EMDR therapy - which helps people process traumatic memories and is used to treat PTSD - but it opened her mind up to more 'flashbacks' and made things worse for her. Abbie shared a segment of the emotional podcast episode to Instagram, with an honest caption . 'This was a very hard episode to record. I've been hiding the severity of my struggle with for the last year, but lately things have come to a head, fuelled by trolling,' she penned. Addressing the Australian Open incident, she went on: 'The day before that video was uploaded by that pig, I was in therapy trying to work through the harassment and my thoughts of unaliving myself. 'I've come to the conclusion that I'll never be able to go a day without reading something negative about myself, which is heartbreaking. 'I feel trapped in this, but I don't want to stop speaking about politics and I don't want to hide away for the sake of insecure ignorant losers. It comes after Abbie hit out at AFL player Jed Lamb (pictured) after he commented on a video of her at the Australian Open writing that she 'sucked' 'Listen to the full episode to hear more about how I got here. I hope some of you can at least feel comfort in relating to how I'm feeling. If you're struggling, reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14.' Her heartbreaking podcast admission comes after Abbie was approached by a man and filmed at the Australian Open in what she described as 'harassment'. Abbie was working outside the Canadian Club tent when a man walked up to her and filmed her while she was doing high kicks, before asking her who she was. 'I'm the high kick champion of the Australian Open,' she responded to which he hit back with: 'You wish you are the high kick champion.' The footage was then shared online, with a tearful Abbie then explaining that the man had been filming her to try and get 'internet clout' because he 'hated' her. 'I was just being silly and I was doing high kicks in front of the camera with the crew because it was raining and it was a hard day at work,' she began. 'We were all laughing and this man comes up to us and says something to me... It turns out he was trying to film me to get internet clout because he hates me so much. 'I'm sorry you're jealous that I got paid to go to the Australian Open and you had to pay to get in but I was just a woman existing and men are so emboldened now,' she continued while in tears. Abbie shared their private message exchange to her Instagram Stories as she detailed the extent of trolling she receives 'All I do is speak about politics, women's rights and advocate for domestic violence victims to then be abused further by men,' Abbie continued before crying hysterically. 'I'm so exhausted and to be at work and have that happen from some ugly loser. The comments are horrific but at least I live in my brain and have a beautiful life.' Abbie also hit out at AFL player Jed Lamb for commenting a cruel remark about her when the footage was shared online. 'Love this. She sucks,' Jed had commented on the post. Abbie took a screenshot of his comment and shared it with her fans alongside a private message he sent her in 2021 asking if she would attend his girlfriend's birthday celebrations. 'When did you go down the alright pipeline because your message from 2021 shows your girlfriend loves me?' she wrote. 'Men are being radicalised. Look at how he spoke to me only 3 years ago.' Abbie then contacted Jed privately asking 'why don't like me?' before sharing the conversation with her followers. 'Was a bit of tongue in cheek. Lesson learnt. Apologies,' Jed responded. Abbie shared his response and captioned the conversation: ''Weak little boys!!!!' Marcia Cross stepped out in Los Angeles over the weekend, rocking her trademark red locks. The 62-year-old Desperate Housewives star who recently revived her role as Bree in a parody video was casually dressed in black pants and a crew neck, dark gray sweater. Cross let her flame-toned locks fall over her shoulders while they were straight and styled in a center part. She layered a blue, collared shirt underneath her outer layer and punctuated her comfortable look with a pair of chocolate-colored Ugg-style boots. The mother-of-two wore a pair of round, transparent eyeglasses that she set on top of her head at one point during her outing. And the Hollywood veteran secured a black fanny pack pouch around her waist. Marcia Cross stepped out in Los Angeles over the weekend, rocking her trademark red locks The 62-year-old actress was casually dressed in black pants and a crew neck, dark gray sweater She appeared to have on a light face of makeup, with her eyebrows pristinely shaped to frame her face. Last year Cross took her talents to the catwalk as she walked in the Vetements Paris Womenswear Spring-Summer 2025 show. She also stormed the runway for Vetements Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show during Paris Fashion Week last March The Desperate Housewives cast, which included Marcia, Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, and Felicity Huffman, celebrated the show's 20th anniversary last fall. In October, Marcia reposted a piece of content from CNN Style that highlighted her character Bree Van de Kamp's iconic fashions. She wrote in a caption for her 485,000 followers to read: 'This compliment really goes to the uber talented and equally divinely patient and classy @cate.adair who dressed all of us so brilliantly.' The siren added, 'It was an endless job and I am eternally grateful to her- and of course Karo, Amanda, Kathy and many more. Twenty Years wow,' before including a string of red heart emoji. She recently revived her role as Bree Van de Kamp in a parody video promoting Series Mania, a French TV festival The Desperate Housewives cast, which included Marcia, Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, and Felicity Huffman, celebrated the show's 20th anniversary last fall; seen in a 2007 still Last year Cross took her talents to the catwalk as she walked in the Vetements Paris Womenswear Spring-Summer 2025 show She also stormed the runway for Vetements Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show during Paris Fashion Week last March Her co-star Eva also paid homage to the series with a heartfelt social media post. She shared a slew of photos from the set with co-stars Felicity, Teri, Marcia, and Brenda Strong. '20 years of Desperate Housewives!! I get so emotional thinking about how this show changed everything for me,' Longoria began the note. The mother-of-one added, 'So many memories, so many episodes (we used to film 24 episodes a season back then!), and so many iconic outfits.' The message continued, 'Everything I know about filmmaking and TV I learned on that show,' she added before praising the show's creator. 'Im so grateful for my forever mentor, Marc Cherry, and for the women who took me under their wing and showed me the way,' she concluded, with the hashtag '#DesperateHousewives.' Justin Baldoni is distracting himself from multimillion-dollar lawsuits between himself and Blake Lively with a trip to Hawaii. The 40-year-old actor and director, who was sued by Lively for allegedly sexually harassing her and creating a hostile work environment on the set of their romantic drama It Ends With Us, was pictured on Saturday as he enjoyed a trip to a beach in Maui, Hawaii, with his family. He was pictured flashing his ripped abs and chiseled physique while jumping in the surf with his wife Emily and their two children: daughter Maiya, nine, and son Maxwell, seven. Prior to landing in Hawaii, Baldoni broke his silence after launching his own $400 million lawsuit against Lively when he was spotted with his family flying out of Los Angeles' LAX airport early on Friday morning. He has alleged in his lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and her publicist Leslie Soane, that the trio attempted to defame him in the aftermath of the release of their hit film. But Baldoni was focused on enjoying his vacation with his family during the Hawaiian trip and he soaked up the sun and perfect weather. Justin Baldoni, 40, was seen enjoying a trip to the beach in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday after launching a $400 million lawsuit against his It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively The actor and director showed off his ripped physique after claiming Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds attempted to defame and extort him in the aftermath of the film She previously sued him and his production company for alleged sexual harassment He wore a pair of grayblue swim trunks and sported some designer stubble and shaggy dark hair. Before running into the water he had on a dark baseball cap, and he was spotted carrying a large gray insulated tumblr and some beach towels and sunscreen for his family. He also appeared to have brought along a bodyboard for some more fun in the ocean. On Thursday, Baldoni escalated his legal war of words with Lively and Reynolds when he filed a $400 million against the two and her publicist, accusing them conspiring to trash his reputation with sexual harassment allegations that Lively previously made. In court papers obtained by DailyMail.com, Baldoni accused Lively of hijacking the filming of their romantic drama It Ends With Us which he directed. He also accused her and her Deadpool star husband of ruining his experience of the film's premiere by forcing him and his family to wait in a basement holding area surrounded by overstocked concession stand offerings and security guards to ensure that she wouldn't see him in the theater. In response to Baldoni's new lawsuit, Lively's attorneys issued a fiery statement to DailyMail.com, declaring: 'This latest lawsuit from Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its associates is another chapter in the abuser playbook.' They added: 'This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim. This is what experts call DARVO. Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim Offender.' He wore a pair of grayblue swim trunks and sported some designer stubble and shaggy dark hair Before running into the water he had on a dark baseball cap He was spotted carrying a large gray insulated tumblr and some beach towels and sunscreen for his family He also appeared to have brought along a bodyboard for some more fun in the ocean In court papers from Baldoni's lawsuit obtained by DailyMail.com, he accused Lively of hijacking the filming of their romantic drama It Ends With Us which he directed The statement claimed Baldoni's production company Wayfarer Studios 'opted to use the resources of its billionaire co-founder to issue media statements, launch meritless lawsuits, and threaten litigation to overwhelm the publics ability to understand that what they are doing is retaliation against sexual harassment allegations.' Lively's attorneys added: 'They are trying to shift the narrative to Ms. Lively by falsely claiming that she seized creative control and alienated the cast from Mr. Baldoni. The evidence will show that the cast and others had their own negative experiences with Mr. Baldoni and Wayfarer. 'The evidence will also show that Sony asked Ms. Lively to oversee Sonys cut of the film, which they then selected for distribution and was a resounding success.' They continued: 'Their response to sexual harassment allegations: she wanted it, its her fault. Their justification for why this happened to her: look what she was wearing.' The statement concluded: 'In short, while the victim focuses on the abuse, the abuser focuses on the victim. The strategy of attacking the woman is desperate, it does not refute the evidence in Ms. Livelys complaint, and it will fail.' Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman explained the Jane The Virgin star's decision to sue in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'This lawsuit is a legal action based on an overwhelming amount of untampered evidence detailing Blake Lively and her teams duplicitous attempt to destroy Justin Baldoni, his team and their respective companies by disseminating grossly edited, unsubstantiated, new and doctored information to the media,' he said. 'It is clear based on our own all out willingness to provide all complete text messages, emails, video footage and other documentary evidence that was shared between the parties in real time, that this is a battle she will not win and will certainly regret,' the statement continued. 'Blake Lively was either severely misled by her team or intentionally and knowingly misrepresented the truth. He also accused her and Reynolds of ruining his experience of the film's premiere by forcing him and his family to wait in a basement holding area surrounded by overstocked concession stand offerings and security guards to ensure that she wouldn't see him in the theater In response to Baldoni's new lawsuit, Lively's attorneys issued a fiery statement to DailyMail.com, declaring: 'This latest lawsuit from Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its associates is another chapter in the abuser playbook.' Baldoni claims that Lively used her husband and a 'megacelebrity friend' which fans have suggested is Taylor Swift to pressure him into adopting changes Lively had written for a scene, despite him expressing only 'extremely mild resistance' to her changes The actor also claims that he and other defendants in Lively's lawsuit were served with legal papers as they prepared to potentially evacuate amid fires raging in parts of Los Angeles 'Ms. Lively will never again be allowed to continue to exploit actual victims of real harassment solely for her personal reputation gain at the expense of those without power,' Freedman said. 'Lets not forget, Ms. Lively and her team attempted to bulldoze reputations and livelihoods for heinously selfish reasons through their own dangerous manipulation of the media before even taking any actual legal action. We know the truth, and now the public does too. Justin and his team have nothing to hide, documents do not lie.' Among the allegations in the lawsuit, Baldoni claims that Lively used her husband and a 'megacelebrity friend' which fans have suggested is her good pal Taylor Swift to pressure him into adopting changes Lively had written for a scene, despite him expressing only 'extremely mild resistance' to her changes. He said he was summoned to her New York City penthouse to discuss the changes, where he was greeted by Reynolds, who praised Lively's rewritten version of the scene. Later, the 'megacelebrity friend' allegedly showed up and also praised Lively's rewrite. 'Baldoni understood the subtext: he needed to comply with Livelys direction for the script,' his lawsuit alleges. After the actor and director sent her a Lively a text message saying he 'liked her pages and hadnt needed Reynolds and her megacelebrity friend to pressure him,' she alleged responded that the two were her 'dragons.' Baldoni's suit asserted: 'The message could not have been clearer. Baldoni was not just dealing with Lively. He was also facing Livelys dragons, two of the most influential and wealthy celebrities in the world, who were not afraid to make things very difficult for him.' The actor also claims that he and other defendants in Lively's lawsuit were served with legal papers as they prepared to potentially evacuate amid fires raging in parts of Los Angeles. Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman claimed the lawsuit presents an 'overwhelming amount of untampered evidence' after her team allegedly passed on 'grossly edited, unsubstantiated, new and doctored information to the media'; Baldoni and Lively seen on set in January 2024 Baldoni went on to accuse Lively having never read the novel by Colleen Hoover that served as the basis for It Ends With Us, which he said explained she she allegedly suffered from a 'fundamental lack of understanding' of the source material. Among the Gossip Girl star's complaints was that Baldoni had allegedly engaged in 'improvised physical intimacy' while they were filming, particularly during kissing scenes. But in his own lawsuit he accused her of 'engag[ing] in unchoreographed kissing scenes,' and he claimed that any 'variations' he made in scenes were merely because he was following her lead an improvising in character. In the film, Baldoni plays Lively's husband, and the movie focuses on his character's abusive actions, which ultimately doom their relationship. But Baldoni claimed it was his leading lady who failed to take domestic violence seriously during production and the subsequent publicity campaign for It Ends With Us. His lawsuit alleges that she refused to meet with a domestic violence charity that he had consulted with in the making of the film and which producers pledged to donate one percent of the film's proceeds to. Lively has alleged in her own lawsuit that Baldoni and his crisis PR team aggressively tried to smear her in public by weaponizing her upbeat interview appearances to make her seem unserious or uncaring about It Ends With Us' dark subject matter. However, Baldoni's suit claims that it was largely Lively's own actions that were responsible for the public's perception of her. Baldoni says Lively and Reynolds allegedly demanded that Baldoni issue a public apology statement they drafted, but he refused, fearing the vague 'mistakes' alluded to were designed to allow the public to assume the worst; Lively and Reynolds pictured at the 2014 Met Gala Lively sued Baldoni and his production company, alleging that he showed her nude videos without her consent, spoke about his past porn addiction and inquired about her weight; seen in August 2024 in NYC He claimed she created her own public relations issues by promoting her alcohol brand which is named after one of her daughters during the campaign ahead of the film's release, despite the 'link between drinking and domestic violence.' He also said it was an unforced error to name a cocktail at her premiere party after his character, a domestic abuser. Baldoni, who claimed he and Lively were initially friends when they began working on the film, accused her of 'induc[ing]' their costars to publicly shun him by unfollowing him on Instagram and by refusing to pose for photos with him. He claimed the lack of support from other actors was designed to give the 'impression that Baldoni had committed an egregious sin, something so egregious that no one wanted to even take photos with him or have him around.' The legal documents propound the theory that she 'was leaving what she had earlier referred to as crumbs, a social media strategy she had learned from a close celebrity friend: to give fans just enough to allow them to come to their own conclusions, thereby launching an army of detectives that, on information and belief, Lively hoped would turn against Baldoni.' Baldoni also claimed Lively and Reynolds had drafted a public apology that they wanted him to deliver, which was sent via their talent agency, William Morris Endeavor (WME), which also represented him until he was dropped in the wake of her sexual harassment complaints. Although WME executives allegedly urged him to make the public apology despite their apparent conflict of interest he refused, because 'admitting to false, vague, and unspecified "mistakes"' would allow the public to take those additional 'crumbs' and use them to assume the worst about him. Before filing his lawsuit against Lively, Baldoni launched a $250 million libel lawsuit against the New York Times over its reporting of Lively's complaint against him. Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez has revealed he has 'adapted' his training methods for his celebrity partners following the show's bullying scandal. The dancer, 34, said he believed being a good teacher meant you must be able to adjust to the 'abilities and the necessities' of each student, including those who are more sensitive. Fellow pro Giovani Pernice was forced to leave the hit BBC dancing show last year amid a probe into his behaviour, after he was accused of abuse by his former celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington. Numerous allegations of abusive behaviour soon followed which forced professional dancers Graziano Di Prima to also exit the long-running programme. Asked if the scandal had changed his own teaching style Gorka, who has been paired with the likes of Helen Skelton and Dr Punam Krishan since joining the show in 2016, told The Mirror: 'I change my training methods with every celebrity, every year. Thats because everybody is different. The dancer shares daughter Mia, two, and one-year-old Thiago with partner Gemma Atkinson, 40, and went on to compare his methods to being a parent. Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez has revealed he has 'adapted' his training methods for his celebrity partners following the show's bullying scandal The dancer, 34, said he believed being a good teacher meant you must be able to adjust to the 'abilities and the necessities' of each student, including those who are more sensitive (pictured with Helen Skelton on the show in 2022) 'Its like if you have two children, the way that you educate one, the things that you did with one, arent going to work with the other one. They might have different personalities, there are differences between a boy and a girl, the boy might want to throw everything around and the girl is more sensitive'. Before adding: 'Its trial and error especially in the first weeks, then you get to know a person because its someone that you never met before'. Giovanni was cleared of ten out of Amanda's 16 allegations when the BBC probe concluded in September but remained absent for the current edition of the series. The BBC's report cleared him of the most serious accusations of physical aggression, but upheld some of verbal bullying and harassment. Giovanni revealed he had to battle through some 'dark times' in the wake of the bombshell bullying claims against him. He confessed: 'I'm not going to lie, there were dark moments in terms of, you know, this is finished, this is the end of my career. That was one of my down moments. 'Sorry for my language but 2024 can f**k off. I've been looking forward to seeing the back of it.' Commenting on Amanda's bombshell claims, he continued: 'Every time she came out with another interview I was always maintaining a calm inside. Trust me, it wasnt easy, there were dark times.' Giovani Pernice was forced to leave the hit BBC dancing show last year amid a probe into his behaviour, after he was accused of abuse by his former celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington Asked if the scandal had changed his own teaching style Gorka, said: 'I change my training methods with every celebrity, every year. Thats because everybody is different' (pictured with Dr Punam Kirshnan) The dancer, who shares daughter Mia, two, and one-year-old Thiago with partner Gemma Atkinson , 40, went on to compare his methods to being a parent Despite bosses not upholding allegations that Giovanni was physically aggressive, it did uphold some of actress Amanda's complaints of verbal bullying and harassment. The BBC also agreed with she that at times he appeared to be giving her overly negative feedback. Meanwhile Graziana was axed from the show in July over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during the 2023 series. He fled the UK when the scandal broke to his native Italy with his wife - who is a professional dancer on the Italian version of the series. In July Mark Borkowski, a spokesperson for Graziano, told BBC News: 'There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right. And he knows that. He knows he's made a mistake. He apologised at the time.' Referring to the media reports, Mark added: 'But he doesn't recognise some of the issues surrounding it. The descriptions of what is being commented online, and how he remembers it, are not aligned.' He continued: 'He [Graziano] has literally cut himself off from civilisation. I think that's a wise thing to do, supported by his wife. He's coming to terms with his mental health issues.' Giovanni revealed he had to battle through some 'dark times' in the wake of the bombshell bullying claims against him Despite bosses not upholding allegations that Giovanni was physically aggressive, it did uphold some of actress Amanda's complaints of verbal bullying and harassment Meanwhile Graziana was axed from the show in July over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during the 2023 series (pictured on the show) Graziano, who believed the matter had been resolved at the time, was sacked from the show after a video of the idea was brought to the attention of the BBC last week. According to show insiders, video footage of Graziano mistreating Zara gave bosses no choice but to cancel his contract. Addressing his departure on Instagram, Graziano wrote: 'I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime. 'Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it's best for the show that I step away.' He continued: 'While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can't discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends. 'I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future.' He concluded the post: 'I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.' Tyra Banks was seen out in Sydney, Australia this week, after revealing she lost her Palisades home in one of the Los Angeles wildfires. The 51-year-old model who broke down in tears on an Australian morning show on Monday was dressed in a button-up black shirt with dramatically flared short sleeves and matching trousers. Banks rounded out her outfit with a pair of black, leather ballet flats and draped a big, black purse over her forearm. Her face was fully made up as she accentuated her green eyes with black liner. She wore a pair of gold, star-shaped drop earrings and wore a wavy, bob haircut wig with face-framing bangs. Speaking with hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington during her talk show appearance, Tyra revealed that her Pacific Palisades home did not survive the fire. Tyra Banks was seen out in Sydney, Australia this week, after revealing she lost her Palisades home in one of the Los Angeles wildfires The 51-year-old model was dressed in a button-up black shirt with dramatically flared short sleeves and matching trousers. She said she previously kept the devastating loss private because she 'didn't want to pull a lot of attention to me.' 'I lost my house. I haven't really talked about it, but yeah, I have,' a teary-eyed Tyra said when asked about the fires, which ravaged Southern California for nearly two weeks. 'I just didn't want to pull a lot of attention to me. I feel like there's a lot of people that need that attention so I haven't talked about it. But I can't sit here and not tell the truth,' she explained. Tyra is currently living in Sydney as she prepares to open her ice cream store Smize & Dream at Darling Harbour in March. She has been splitting her time between Australia and her home in New York, and revealed she's lucky to have moved most of her belongings out of LA before the wreckage. On January 9, the former America's Next Top Model host appeared online to acknowledge the firestorms with a heartfelt message to her 7.2 million followers. She wrote, 'The Palisades is such a special place a true village. Small, quaint, and filled with the most warm, kind people. So seeing whats happening now is truly devastating. 'To everyone affected, my heart is with you. My family lived there for a decade, and weve seen the strength of this community firsthand. We know you will get through this.' Banks rounded out her outfit with a pair of black, leather ballet flats and draped a big, black purse over her forearm The former supermodel broke down in tears on an Australian morning show on Monday as she spoke about her devastating loss Tyra is currently living in Sydney as she prepares to open her ice cream store Smize & Dream at Darling Harbour in March; pictured in Dubai in 2023 Two days later, as the fires continued to blaze in areas throughout the city, she sent out a special message to those impacted in the Pasadena and Altadena neighborhoods. She penned, 'The Westside of Los Angeles, with its attention and its fame, often steals the spotlight. But my heart is also with Altadena and Pasadena communities rich with history and deeply tied to my family. 'My Mama Carolyn speaks so lovingly about her childhood in Pasadena and Altadena, painting vivid pictures of life there. She talks about the large, magnificent trees that line the streets, the warmth of the neighborhoods, and the joy of simpler times.' Banks said elsewhere in the note, 'Right now, Im thinking of all the people across Altadena, Pasadena, and beyond who are suffering and facing profound loss.' Over 100,000 Los Angeles residents were forced to flee their homes and 27 have been confirmed dead as a result of the infernos, which began on the morning of January 7. Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster looked in great spirits during a recent outfit when they were spotted enjoying a stroll in Los Angeles, shortly after confirming their relationship. The Wolverine star, 56, and the theatre actress, 49, ran errands together in very casual ensembles. Hugh flaunted his muscular physique in activewear, consisting of a plain white T-shirt, black track pants and sunglasses tucked into his shirt. His laid-back look was completed with comfortable-looking black sneakers and he sported a rugged salt-and-pepper five o'clock shadow while his hair was left uncombed. Meanwhile, Sutton, known for her theatre prowess on Broadway, appeared completely at ease with her new man in equally casual attire. The American-born actress showcased her unique style in a yellow oversized shirt, pink leggings, a print scarf and bright blue sneakers. Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster looked in great spirits during a recent outfit when they were spotted enjoying a stroll in Los Angeles, shortly after confirming their relationship The Wolverine star, 56, and the theatre actress, 49, ran errands together in very casual ensembles Hugh looked fit as a fiddle as he flaunted his muscular physique in stylish casualwear, consisting of a plain white T-shirt, black pants and sunglasses Meanwhile, Sutton, known for her theatre prowess on Broadway, appeared at ease in casual attire which blended effortlessly with Hugh's laid-back style The loved-up couple looked to be having a great time strolling through the scenic street, just weeks after confirming they were dating He sported a rugged salt-and-pepper five o'clock shadow while his hair was left uncombed Her brunette hair was styled in loose, natural waves and flowed freely around her shoulders. The loved-up couple looked to be having a great time strolling through the scenic street, just weeks after confirming they were dating. The post comes days after Hugh was spotted kissing Sutton. The pair looked deeply in love and couldn't keep their hands off each other as they repeatedly kissed while in the car at a San Fernando In-N-Out. Sutton was seen tenderly cradling Jackman's face as they locked lips while waiting to order the fast food in the drive-thru line - days before the LA fires broke out. That outing came after the Logan star attended a performance of Foster's production of Once Upon A Mattress in Los Angeles and the pair were seen holding hands on a date in Santa Monica. The two stars had previously shared the stage on Broadway when they played the leads in an acclaimed production of the classic musical The Music Man. Foster filed for an uncontested divorce from her husband Ted Griffin in October of last year. The American-born actress showcased her unique style in a yellow oversized shirt, pink leggings, a scarf and sneakers Her brunette hair was styled in loose, natural waves and flowed freely around her shoulders It looked to be a fun day out for the new couple She had been married to the 53-year-old Ocean's Eleven screenwriter for 10 years. Foster and Jackman have been swarmed in recent months by rumors that an affair between the two scuttled their marriages. Hugh and Deborra-Lee Furness announced that they were dissolving their 27-year marriage in September 2023. 'We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth,' the couple said in a statement obtained by People. 'Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. 'We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives.' The Australian couple share two children together; Oscar, 24, and Ava. Jennifer Hawkins gave fans a peek into her private life on Sunday when she shared intimate family photos of a recent getaway. The Australian model, 41, uploaded a reel of images to Instagram as she flaunted a 'special trip away' to a beachy location she has not yet revealed. In the heartwarming images, the former Miss Universe was all smiles as she cuddled up with husband Jake Wall and their children Frankie, five, and Hendrix, three. 'A little camera roll dump from the last few weeks. Special trip away with my little family,' she captioned the post. The first few images saw the parents cradling their children in their arms as they posed against the backdrop of a crystal clear beach. Another snap saw Jennifer holding the hands of her children as she walked them down to the water. Jennifer Hawkins, 41, gave fans a peek into her private life on Sunday when she shared intimate family photos of a recent getaway. Pictured with husband Jake Wall and their children Frankie and Hendrix The Australian model uploaded a reel of images to Instagram as she flaunted a 'special trip away' to a beachy location she has not yet revealed In the heartwarming images, the former Miss Universe was all smiles as she cuddled up with husband Jake Wall and their children Frankie, five, and Hendrix, three Jennifer and Jake also enjoyed a few drinks and some grilled food before having fun with their children on a set of boogie boards. The family of four laughed with joy as they rode the body boards down a short hill in the backyard of their accommodation which sat right on the beach. Other pictures from the lavish holiday saw Frankie and Hendrix having the time of their lives as the small family enjoyed some tropical fun in the sun. The getaway comes as Jennifer and Jake are currently caught up in a feud with the neighbours of the mega-mansion they're building in Sydney's Northern Beaches. Locals say the luxury home is way too big and out of character with its surroundings, dubbing the structure 'the Taj Mahal of Whale Beach'. The couple began work on the $30million Westfield-style compound in December 2022 after receiving approval from the Northern Beaches Council for $3.3million worth of construction. After two years, the project has still not been completed and locals claim the ongoing work costs would have far exceeded the power couple's original planning submissions. One upset resident told Daily Mail Australia in October they were sick of the ongoing construction and described it as 'the biggest thing in the whole peninsular at the moment'. 'A little camera roll dump from the last few weeks. Special trip away with my little family,' she captioned the post The first few images saw the parents cradling their children in their arms as they posed against the backdrop of a crystal clear beach Jennifer and Jake also enjoyed a few drinks and some grilled food before having fun with their children on a set of boogie boards 'It's so huge,' they said. 'It's out of character with Whale Beach, it's too big and unnecessary. I have anxiety now.' The resident added they were worried Northern Beaches Council was not receiving the right fees and taxes on the project, which they believed would be now well over the budgeted $3.3 million. 'I'd say the costs now would be a minimum of $10 million. I think the council is missing out on all this money because they are not checking up on the project,' they said. They added there were also serious concerns among locals as to how the proposed $30 million home would fit in with the other properties in the neighbourhood, which had an average value of around $10 million. 'I want the council to assess the building properly and charge the appropriate fees. We as the ratepayers are missing out on a lot.' Northern Beaches Council told Daily Mail Australia in a statement that while costs of the original grant were indeed exceeded, there was no legal precedent for charging additional fees. 'At the time of the lodgment of the development application in 2020, Council considered the cost estimate report prepared by a licensed builder and did not find any irregularities with the cost estimate,' they said. 'The cost of construction has substantially increased since 2020. However, there is no legislative basis to charge additional fees for development applications where construction costs have escalated.' Tippi Hedren celebrated her 95th birthday on Sunday. Her daughter, actress Melanie Griffith, 67, shared a rare video of the Hollywood icon on Monday, wishing her a happy birthday. 'My beautiful Mama turned 95 yesterday! She's happy, healthy and feisty!!' Griffith wrote of her mom, who is battling dementia. She also showed a glimpse of Tippi's pastel green confetti cake, which was inscribed with 'Happy 95th Mor Mor.' It was a nod to Tippi's Norwegian descent, as 'Mor Mor' means 'mother mother' in Norwegian. Hedren starred in the hit horror movie The Birds which was directed by Hitchcock. She also acted in the hit films Marnie, Birds II and Pacific Heights. Tippi Hedren celebrated her 95th birthday on Sunday. Her daughter, actress Melanie Griffith, 67, shared a rare video of the Hollywood icon on Monday, wishing her a happy birthday 'My beautiful Mama turned 95 yesterday! She's happy, healthy and feisty!!' Griffith wrote Last year in February representatives for the iconic film star confirmed that Hedren is battling dementia and 'can't remember her career'; Melanie pictured with Tippi in 2016 In the clip Tippi was pictured blowing out her candles, before sweetly waving to the camera. Tippi looked chic in a black sweater, with a red and black top underneath, and a pair of black leather pants. She adorned herself with a collection of jewelry, completing the look with a bold red lipstick. Melanie's pal Demi Moore took to the comments, writing, 'Gorgeous!' Another friend wrote, 'Happy Birthday! She looks fabulous.' '95! Wow... she looks gorgeous,' someone else added. Last year in February representatives for the iconic film star confirmed that Hedren is battling dementia and 'can't remember her career.' Spanish journalist Gustavo Egusquiza learned of Tippi's condition after requesting an interview. In response, her team said the actress 'is no longer able to be interviewed due to health reasons.' 'She has dementia, and is unable to remember her career at all.' 'She just turned 94, so unfortunately, time has taken its toll.' In the clip Tippi was pictured blowing out her candles, before sweetly waving to the camera The star looked chic in a black sweater, with a red and black top underneath, and a pair of black leather pants She also showed a glimpse of Tippi's cake, which was inscribed with 'Happy 95th Mor Mor.' It was a nod to Tippi's Norwegian descent, as 'Mor Mor' means 'mother mother' in Norwegian Melanie's pal Demi Moore took to the comments, writing, 'Gorgeous!' 'This is devastating news for Tippi Hedren's fans worldwide,' Egusquiza added. 'Unfortunately, her agent confirmed to me that Tippi is dealing with dementia and is unable to remember her career. It is a difficult situation for her and her family.' Her condition was reported in Spanish media outlets. The elderly actress rose to fame for her turn Hitchcock's leading lady in The Birds, a horror-thriller about a town attacked by the killer creatures. However, their relationship was said to have been somewhat tumultuous, with the director allegedly subjecting Hedren to cruel treatment on set to get more out of her acting. This included attaching live birds to her body with rubber bands, according to Lawrence Leamer, author of Hitchcock's Blondes: The Unforgettable Women Behind the Director's Dark Obsession. The experience allegedly terrified Hedren, as the birds would peck close to her eyes and face. To add to her hellish experience, the actress was subjected to a barrage of Hitchcock's dirtiest jokes, Leamer claims. Former model Hedren was propelled into the film industry by Hitchcock who saw her in a commercial before casting her in The Birds. She also acted in the hit films Marnie, Birds II and Pacific Heights. Hedren is also the grandmother to Dakota Johnson, Stella Banderas and Alexander Bauer. From left, Dakota, Hedren, Griffith and Stella in 2015 Her team told Spanish journalist Gustavo Egusquiza last year that the actress 'is no longer able to be interviewed due to health reasons' 'She has dementia, and is unable to remember her career at all'; Seen in 1963 Her work has earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer in 1964. Hedren has been a vocal animal rights activist, with a particular interest in big cats - even welcoming them into her home, including a 300-pound lion named Neil who she kept as a pet. Her lifelong love affair with lions began in 1969 while she was filming a movie in Africa. She was inspired to make the disastrous adventure film 'Roar' after visiting a wildlife preserve. The film has since been branded 'the most dangerous film ever made' and starred Hedren along with her then 13-year-old daughter. In order to make the movie, she needed to raise her own cubs and has since owned more than 150 big cats as pets. However, wrangling all the animals proved extremely difficult and financially challenging. During a promo shoot, Hedren was bitten on the head by a lion named Cherries, whose teeth scraped her skull. 'Who exactly did we think we were to risk all these lives our crew's, our animals, ours, and most of all, our children'sfor what really amounted to nothing more than a very, very expensive home movie?' Hedren wrote in her memoir. She later had a change of heart about big cats and declared that they should not be kept as pets. Former model Hedren was propelled into the film industry by Hitchcock who saw her in a commercial before casting her; seen in a throwback Hedren was given a lifetime achievement award by the Humane Society of the United States. As well as her famous daughter, Hedren is a grandmother to actress Dakota Johnson, the only child of Melanie and husband Don Johnson. Hedren has been married three times: First to advertising executive Peter Griffith in 1952. In 1964, she married her agent Noel Marshall, before the two divorced in 1982. Three years later, Hedren tied the knot with Luis Barrenechea. The couple was together for a decade before splitting in 1995. Erika Jayne has made a triumphant return to the stage, once again starring as Roxie Hart in Broadway's Chicago. The 53-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills personality originally played the role in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic halted the scheduled performances. Erika's three-week run in the musical, from January 20-February 9, was announced in mid December. A joint post shared by the actress and official Chicago The Musical Instagram account read, 'Erika Jayne joins CHICAGO as Roxie Hart starting January 20 for 3 weeks only!' 'Come see the "Pretty Mess" and "RHOBH" star in her return to Broadway. Get tickets at the link in our bio!' Following Monday's show, the Atlanta-born bombshell thanked her fans in an Instagram Stories post. Erika Jayne, 53, has made a triumphant return to the stage on Monday, once again starring as Roxie Hart in Broadway's Chicago The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills personality originally played the role in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic halted the scheduled performances In a show of gratitude, she wrote to her 2.6 million followers, 'Thank you to everyone that came to the show tonight!' The note was typed in white font against a black backdrop and she signed off with her name and a single red heart emoji. About one month before her turn as Roxie, she reflected on returning to the role five years later. Sharing photos of her Chicago Playbill cover, she mused, 'Beginning 2025 by stepping back onto Broadway as Roxie Hart feels like coming home. 'This role holds a special place in my heart, and Im truly grateful for the opportunity to bring her story to life once again. ' The blonde beauty urged fans not to miss her at the Ambassador Theatre as she added, 'Get your tickets now!' Weeks later the star tantalized fans as she released a polished promotional video featuring her singing a rendition of the show's signature tune, Roxie. It was excitedly captioned, 'And thats Showbiz, kid! Im back on Broadway as Roxie Hart!! Tickets in Bio.' Erika's three-week run in the musical, from January 20 - February 9, was announced in mid December In December it was announced on Instagram, 'Erika Jayne joins CHICAGO as Roxie Hart starting January 20 for 3 weeks only!' Erika beamed during Monday night's curtain call as she held hands with co-star Kimberly Marable Following Monday's show, the Atlanta-born bombshell thanked her fans in an Instagram Stories post In an interview with Playbill ahead of her opening night, Erika gushed about the opportunity, 'Who says "no" to Broadway?!' And she dished that in this run of the show she's excited to dig into 'the nuances, the things that I missed the first time run.' She explained, 'I know this is going to sound really silly, but almost like, the placement of the hands,' before humorously adding, 'I've been thinking about it for five years.' In the musical, Roxie shoots her boyfriend dead for trying to leave her and lands in jail, where she encounters Velma who is in prison for murdering her husband and sister after she caught them in an affair. The two scorned women become rivals as they fight for their lawyer's attention and over the celebrity status they've attained for their crimes. Referencing her ex-husband, disbarred lawyer Tom Girardi, 85 who was recently convicted of stealing $15 million from his clients Jayne noted, 'Look, I've gone through some really interesting personal things in the last five years.' The reality television star cheekily noted that her personal matters 'may or may not sort of mirror Roxie's legal journey.' Natasha Hamilton showed off her incredible figure in a plunging swimsuit as she posed on the beach in Rio de Janeiro this week. The former Atomic Kitten star, 42, penned a message of body acceptance in the caption as she said she struggled with looking in the mirror after turning 40. She looked great in the brown one piece as she frolicked on the beach and told how she wanted to worry less about her appearance. Natasha penned in the caption: 'Something I learned while in Rio body acceptance and confidence are truly abundant there! 'Life revolves around the beach, and what a life it is. Women of all shapes and sizes wear stunning, tiny bikinis, unapologetically showing off their bodies and carrying themselves with the kind of confidence we all deserve to feel. 'Hitting my 40s has been tough. I had a baby, was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, and now I'm in full swing of perimenopause. Honestly, I haven't felt like myself for a while now. Natasha Hamilton showed off her incredible figure in a plunging swimsuit as she posed on the beach in Rio de Janeiro this week The former Atomic Kitten star, 42, penned a message of body acceptance in the caption as she said she struggled with looking in the mirror after turning 40 'My body has changed so much it's dropped, softened, and shifted. There are more wrinkles, less elasticity, cellulite, dimples, thread veinsthe list goes on. Aging and the changes it brings can be a hard pill to swallow. 'I've avoided looking at my body in the mirror because, truthfully, I've not wanted to see the new me. 'But that stops now! I'm promising myself to embrace and love every version of me the super-fit me, the older me, and the future me still to come. I'm tired of wasting so much mental energy worrying about my appearance. If I want to make changes or get fitter, I can. But for now, I just want to live in the moment. 'Life is unpredictable, and I don't want to look back at 50 wondering why I wasted so much time worrying about how I looked. 'People will always judge. There will always be someone with something cruel to say about your appearance. That's just life. But while we can't stop the world, we can stop and show ourselves the respect and love we need to feel confident in our bodies and see the beauty within. 'This is for anyone dreading their next holiday, worrying about putting their body on show because it's not what it used to be. Guess what? It's not supposed to be! We age, we evolve, and we grow into more mature versions of ourselves. I'm slowly learning to accept those changes. 'I ran down that beach with no cover-up, feeling a bit self-conscious but also thinking, 'F%k it!' You can look at my jiggly bum if you want to. My husband thinks it's lovely, and that's good enough for me.' She looked great in the brown one piece as she frolicked on the beach and told how she wanted to worry less about her appearance She penned in the caption: 'I've avoided looking at my body in the mirror because, truthfully, I've not wanted to see the new me. But that stops now!' She added: 'Life is unpredictable, and I don't want to look back at 50 wondering why I wasted so much time worrying about how I looked' Over the years Natasha has been fairly transparent over what she has had done to her face, admitting to Botox, lip filler and laser treatment Over the years Natasha has been fairly transparent over what she has had done to her face, admitting to Botox, lip filler and laser treatment. In a recent picture she shared on Instagram, the star's changed appearance caught the attention from her fans as some admitted they couldn't even recognise her. According to cosmetic expert Dr Ross Perry of skin clinics chain Cosmedics, Natasha appears to have undergone multiple different treatments - some which she hasn't admitted too. Dr Perry said: 'It looks as though Natasha has had dermal fillers to her cheeks and lip areas to create the more fuller effect that we can see in the latest images. 'It also looks like she potentially has had what's called a lip lift, where the upper part of the lip area is lifted up by removing a small amount of skin under the nose. 'Potentially some rhinoplasty too where the bridge of the nose has been trimmed, as well as the tip of the nose, and possibly some eyelid surgery to help remove some of the eyelid heaviness. 'There is also the use of eyebrow tattooing and most likely Botox as well, to create a smooth complexion.' Kanye West, or Ye, as he prefers to be known, shared a loving post about his daughter North on Instagram on Tuesday, saying she 'made me love music again'. The rapper, 47, shares North, 11, with Kim Kardashian, who he was married to until their divorce in 2022. And he heaped praise on his eldest child in the update, which featured a black-and-white picture of her in the recording studio. Ye captioned the post, which is one of just six on his account all added on Tuesday after he wiped his Instagram last year, with: 'This little girl made me love music again. 'She asked me to make beats for her I got back on the ASR Chopped up beats for her album and chopped every beats with my bare hand for BULLY.' The Grammy-award winning rapper revealed in September 24 that his 11th studio album would be called BULLY, uploading official cover art for the project the next month. Kanye West, also known as Ye, paid tribute to his daughter North in a sweet Instagram post on Monday, revealing she 'made me love music again' The rapper, 47, shares North, 11, (pictured in 2015) with Kim Kardashian, who he was married to until their divorce in 2022 The Grammy-award winning musician revealed in September 24 that his 11th studio album would be called BULLY It comes amid Ye's Vultures album series, which has seen him collaborate with fellow rapper Ty Dolla Sign on two instalments with a third expected in the next year. Last month, the Kardashian-Jenner family hosted their annual Christmas Eve party, first organized by Kris Jenner in 1987, opting for a low-key gathering this year. North and younger sister Chicago, seven, joined their father last year on the song Bomb, for which a video was released in November. The children are both pictured driving Mad Maxstyle vehicles while being chased by cartoonish monsters in the music video. North has the more substantial verse, which she mostly raps in rudimentary Japanese, while Chicago has an even longer verse in which she raps about how she likes 'to have fun' and to 'go to the beach.' Last week, Ye prompted fears that his marriage with Bianca Censori, 30, which began in 2022, might be on the rocks after he posted a naked video of Pamela Anderson presenting a birthday cake to Hugh Hefner on the Playboy mogul's birthday. The Instagram video - which he later deleted - was set to offensive audio from an apparently unreleased new Ye track, called Hide Your B***h. It came after the Gold Digger rapper finally reunited with his children he shares with ex-wife Kim Kardashian after reportedly spending 118 days apart as he continues life overseas. The controversial musician, who has been traveling with Censori for much of the last six months, was spotted in Japan with his three youngest children earlier this month. North and younger sister Chicago, seven, joined their father last year on the song Bomb, for which a video was released in November Steve Jones has praised his 'amazing' wife Phylicia Jackson after her 'brutal' fertility and endometriosis journey, as he gushed that he's 'lucky to have her with or without children'. The Welsh TV presenter, 47, opened up on the 'tough period' the couple went through while trying to start a family, emotionally describing it as one of 'the hardest things' he's ever been through. Appearing on the Who We Are Now podcast with Richard Hammond and his daughter Izzy on Tuesday, Steve applauded his wife, 39, for the bravery she has shown after getting the news last year that 'it's not happening'. He recalled: 'It's been a tough, tough few years. I mean, probably the hardest thing I've ever You know, life's thrown me a few curveballs over the years, but this is one of the hardest things I've ever been through, just seeing Phylicia try to start that family. 'To see her put her body through everything she's put it through due to endometriosis, the multiple surgeries, and for the conclusion to be it ain't happening, which was the news we got I think last year. It's been brutal.' Despite the outcome of their fertility journey not being what they hoped for, Steve continues to praise his wife for everything she has been through. Steve Jones has praised his 'amazing' wife Phylicia Jackson after her 'brutal' fertility and endometriosis journey The Welsh TV presenter, 47, opened up on the 'tough period' the couple went through while trying to start a family He added: 'I never thought I could love her more than I already did, but to see her go through it all just being so stoic and, you know, dignified and strong. 'She's an amazing woman, just incredible. I'm so lucky to have her and with kids, without kids. I just don't care, as long as she's in my life. She's an amazing person.' The couple met 11 years ago while Steve was working in America on The X Factor USA and Phylicia was a photographer. Steve proposed in front of Phylicia's family in Italy in September 2014 after she relocated from Los Angeles to the UK with him in 2013. They went on to tie the knot in a low-key ceremony at the Mayfair Library in London in October 2014. Steve's heartwarming comments come just after the couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary with a romantic candle-lit dinner in October. Looking back on their decade-long marriage, Phylicia said 'life's too easy' and 'wonderful' with her beloved husband in it as she shared a a gushing Instagram post. Phylicia shared a trio of snaps from their anniversary dinner as they sipped on fizz and indulged in a fancy restaurant. She wrote: '10 years. I'd say I can't believe it but that would be a lie. Life's too easy and wonderful with you.' Despite the outcome of their fertility journey not being what they hoped for, Steve continues to praise his wife for everything she has been through (pictured together in 2014) He said: 'She's an amazing woman, just incredible. I'm so lucky to have her and with kids, without kids. I just don't care, as long as she's in my life. She's an amazing person' Reposting the pictures on his Instagram story, Steve wrote: 'It's been 10 years since I married the best thing that ever happened to me. Love you sweet P.' In 2022, Steve insisted he's finally put his womanising ways in the past after marrying Phylicia, with the star describing their union as his 'greatest achievement'. He insisted he only has eyes for Phylicia today who he describes as his 'absolute favourite person'. He told The Mirror: 'My good marriage, my healthy marriage it's my greatest achievement. 'I love being with my wife. She's my absolute favourite person.' Speaking of their wedding, a source told the Daily Mirror at the time: 'It might seem to have happened incredibly quickly to outsiders given that they only had a few weeks to plan the entire day but they couldn't be happier.' Steve's love life has really had people talking over the years, with the former lothario famed for his high profile dalliances with a host of Hollywood stars as well as several British beauties. The most memorable of these may be his fling with Hollywood icon Pamela Anderson, who he described as a: 'Lovely girl, lovely girl.' While Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Natalie Imbruglia and Paris Hilton all also have reportedly handed over their numbers to him after being interviewed by Steve. Steve's heartwarming comments come just after the couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary with a romantic candle-lit dinner in October Phylicia shared a trio of snaps from their anniversary dinner as they sipped on fizz and indulged in a fancy restaurant Looking back on their decade-long marriage, Phylicia said 'life's too easy' and 'wonderful' with her beloved husband in it Reposting the pictures on his Instagram story, Steve wrote: 'It's been 10 years since I married the best thing that ever happened to me. Love you sweet P' Kylie Minogue refused to be interviewed by him because she 'just didn't want to be tempted', while Kate Moss's nickname for him is 'Jump His Bones'. Steve also dated Alex Jones from 1999-2002, and later reunited to present Let's Dance For Comic Relief, remaining close friends for the show. Elsewhere in the new podcast episode, Steve began by revealing that he got his break in TV after auditioning for BBC Wales's The Pop Factory on a whim. He expalined: 'I went to this audition, I sat down with a producer who pretended to be Bon Jovi or something, and asked a bunch of stupid questions. 'And they were like, 'Great, don't call us. We'll call you.' I'm like, 'Okay.' That afternoon, the head of the company called me, and he said, 'You got the job, starting in two weeks!' Admitting that he is fearless when it comes to taking on new opportunities, Steve said he adopted his 'f*** it mentality' after witnessing a heartbreaking accident in his teens. 'I was on a bike ride when I was 19, and a friend of mine, he came off his bike and he died. And my brother Jonathan was there, and when you see something like that, it just changes everything,' he said. Adding: 'It was heartbreaking, and I was in a terrible place. But it instilled this, if I can use these words, a f*** it mentality. When you see life taken away so quickly and so horrendously, you just think, 'I'm going to go for it.' Steve's love life that has really had people talking over the years, with the former lothario famed for his high profile dalliances with a host of Hollywood stars including Pamela Anderson (pictured in 2005) TV presenters, Alex Jones and Steve, dated from 1999-2002, and later reunited to present Let's Dance For Comic Relief, remaining close friends for the show He only has eyes for Phylicia today who he describes as his 'absolute favourite person' While he's built a successful presenting career in the UK, Steve admitted that his time working in America on The X-Factor USA was not an enjoyable experience. The TV star recalled: 'I must admit, when I went to the States to present American X Factor in 2011, and that did not go well. 'I'm not allowed to speak about what happened. But I didn't enjoy the experience. And after it ended, I came back to Britain, and that was a difficult period.' After returning from America, Steve revealed he had to 'bend the knee' to find presenting work. He admitted: 'And I get it. You know, to have to bend the knee, you've got to do a bit of crawling, because I'm like, 'Bye bye, I'm going to America everyone!' That wasn't how I did it, but that's how it looked. 'And half the time, people didn't even realise I was back. They're like, 'Oh man, I thought he moved to America?' I'm like, 'Yeah, but I'm back! And that was a three years ago!' Who We Are Now with Izzy & Richard Hammond is available to listen to now on Global Player, or wherever you get your podcasts Days Of Our Lives actor Francisco San Martin has died aged 39. The actor, known for his role as Dario Hernandez on the soap, was reportedly found by police at his home in Los Angeles on Thursday. He is believed to have died by suicide, the Los Angeles County Coroner's office told the Hollywood LA News. Francisco first appeared on Days Of Our Lives in 2011 playing a petty thief, though it was later revealed he arrived in Salem to investigate a cold case. His character later moved to Argentina for a job and the character was subsequently portrayed by Jordi Vilasuso from 2016-17. Francisco is also known for appearing on The Bold And The Beautiful as groundskeeper Mateo in 2017. Days Of Our Lives actor Francisco San Martin has died aged 39 The actor, known for his role as Dario Hernandez on the soap, was reportedly found by police at his home in Los Angeles on Thursday Francisco first appeared on Days Of Our Lives in 2011 playing a petty thief, though it was later revealed he arrived in Salem to investigate a cold case He had a recurring role as estate manager Fabian Regalo del Cielo on the hit show Jane The Virgin in 2017. Francisco also had a small role in the Steven Soderbergh film Behind The Candelabra starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon. According to Forbes, Francisco's former Days Of Our Lives co-star Camila Banus - who played his sister Gabi - shared a tribute on Instagram. She wrote: 'Pepe, what can I say but I love you and rest in peace, my friend. Love you mucho mucho mucho; I wish I had told you more.' Other people took to social media to pay tribute with one writing: 'Very, very sad. I am a bit in shock, as I saw Francisco at my gym most every day.' Others wrote: 'RIP sweetheart. Gone too soon'... 'Let God strength to his family. Francisco San Martin RIP'. Francisco was born in Mallorca, Spain and raised in Montana. He began his acting career in children's theatre while living in the U.S. Francisco's former Days Of Our Lives co-star Camila Banus - who played his sister Gabi - shared a tribute on Instagram (pictured together in 2011) Francisco had a recurring role as estate manager Fabian Regalo del Cielo on the hit show Jane The Virgin in 2017. He and his family later moved back to Spain when he was a teenager and began working as a model and taking acting classes. He later appeared in several Spanish stage, television and film productions. Anyone who needs help can call the national suicide and crisis helpline on 988 Richard Hammond has acknowledged his 'hideous traits' and claimed that being a male TV presenter is 'catastrophic for mental health'. The former Top Gear presenter, 55, - who stepped out in London on Tuesday - opened up to his daughter Izzy on their joint podcast, weeks after his split from wife-of-28-years Mindy was made public. The father-daughter duo were joined on the Who We Are Now podcast by Steve Jones - and the Welsh presenter's presence inspired Richard to make the candid confession. Richard said: 'As a bloke, keeping your head straight, managing your mental fitness. I think being a television presenter, especially a male one, is catastrophic.' Continuing on how his TV career has impacted him personally, Richard added: 'For 36 years my male ego has been rewarded for some of the worst traits we can exhibit. 'I've been encouraged to show off, I've been encourage to believe that what I'm about to say is compelling enough to hold the attention of 365million people that my questions are pertinent. It can be hideous.' Richard Hammond has acknowledged his 'hideous traits' and claimed that being a male TV presenter is 'catastrophic for mental health' (Pictured with ex wife Mindy in October 2023) It came as he stepped out on Tuesday and continued to wear his wedding ring after his marriage split from Mindy Richard said: 'As a bloke, keeping your head straight, managing your mental fitness. I think being a television presenter, especially a male one, is catastrophic' 'I'm perfect of course,' the presenter joked, before he put on a wheezy voice and added: 'Completely balanced and happy.' F1 presenter Steve actually started out his career in modelling and was scouted on two occasions, and Richard compared the Welsh hunk's good looks to his own. 'I'd like to put something heavy in here,' Richard began. 'This is the sum of your roots, as a TV presenter and as a model, as somebody who was spotted twice then rejected. 'I was a TV presenter when you started presenting, I saw him and thought "Oh bugger look at him, I mean look at him". A bit of me was thinking "Yeah Welsh hunk, nobody has ever said brummy hunk Richard Hammond".' It came as he stepped out in London on Tuesday with his daughter Isabella, 24, after a visit to the Global radio offices. Later in the episode, Steve spoke about how he likes to stay busy at which point Richard again referenced his looks. 'I hate having nothing to do because a lot of what we do in TV presenting, I think, in my case, is compensatory,' Richard said. 'I am shorter, of course I'm shorter than you. Thank you nature.' The comment appeared to come as a surprise to his daughter Izzy, who stepped in to ask: 'Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it? You're really revealing some stuff.' He looked in good spirits as he stepped out in central London with his daughter Isabella, 24, after a brief visit to Global Offices He put on a brave face as he strolled through Leicester Square with his daughter The former Top Gear presenter, 55, opened up to his daughter Izzy (Pictured) on their joint podcast, weeks after his split from wife-of-28-years Mindy was made public The father-daughter duo were joined on the Who We Are Now podcast by Steve Jones (Pictured) - and the Welsh presenter's presence inspired Richard to make the candid confession Richard explained that his mentions of Steve's attractiveness were because he was curious if Steve had ever worried that women only date him for his looks. After Steve had left, Izzy readdressed the issue as the pair wrapped up the episode. She said: 'Do you want to talk about something? I don't think you're jealous of Steve but I think you're quite upset that he's a good looking man.' 'Only because you can't miss it when he walks in the room, it's like "Oh look at you we're the same species",' Richard said. 'And if I was from another planet I'd think "Those are two different animals there".' The candid confession comes less than two weeks after he confirmed he had split from his wife Mindy - and had been staying in the barn outside their home since August. Richard reportedly 'tried everything' to save his marriage for almost 18 months before he eventually accepted that it was over for good with his wife Mindy. 'He tried everything,' a source told The Sun. 'He hoped they could live separately at the same address under different roofs, but Mindy pushed for a full divorce. 'He even whisked her away to the South of France to patch things up, but it just didn't work.' The candid confession comes less than two weeks after he confirmed he had split from his wife Mindy - and had been staying in the barn outside their home since August (pictured in 2006) The couple married in 2002, and they share daughters Isabella, 24, and Willow, 22 And while he did everything he could to save it, Richard was made to move into a converted barn in his family home, Bollitree Castle in Herefordshire, in August 2023. During this time, Mindy confessed that she's 'had enough' and now Richard is living in rented accommodation short commute away which is close to his motor business, The Smallest Cog. Earlier this month, Richard took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to confirm the split after 23 years of marriage. He penned: 'A little update from us. This Christmas, we were together as a family and this year we will still be a family, but just structured a bit differently. 'Our marriage is coming to an end, but we've had an amazing 28 years together and two incredible daughters. 'We will always be in each other's lives and are proud of the family we created.' Richard Gere and his wife Alejandra Silva put on a very loved-up display on the cover of Elle Spain's February issue, as they opened up on relocating to Madrid with their family. The 41-year-old wife of the 75-year-old actor, hails from Spain, and the couple previously discussed their intentions to move to the European country with their two sons, Alexander, five, and James, four. Despite the 33-year age gap and the geographical distance that separated them at the beginning, the married couple are now 'happier than ever'. In the new interview, he opened up on the move as he explained: 'This is our momentum. We are happier than ever. She, because she is at home and I because, if Alejandra is happy, I am too.' 'We are like soul mates,' Alejandra gushed, 'We have the same values, we see the world in the same way and from the first moment we feel like we have known each other for a long time. 'And this only happens once, if it happens at all. We were united by the karma of our past lives.' Richard Gere and his wife Alejandra Silva put on a very loved-up display on the cover of Elle Spain 's February issue, after relocating to Madrid with their family The 41-year-old wife of the 75-year-old actor, hails from Spain, and the couple previously discussed their intentions to move to the European country with their children Giving an insight into their family life, she added: 'Richard is a very dedicated and present father. He loves reading stories to children. 'It seems like an idyllic picture, but it's true. He's a great dad. He doesn't cook. I do, but when I cook, he plays the guitar. She continued: 'One of the things that unites us the most and what made us fall deeply in love was our activist hearts.' Elsewhere in the interview, Richard said: 'The new world will be built with and thanks to women. The Dalai Lama once told me that he inherited compassion and kindness not from his father, but from his mother. 'Together they are extremely powerful. If you give money to a woman, she invests it and puts it at the service of the community and improves the whole village.' The bestted couple looked as loved-up as ever in the new cover shoot, with Richard allowing his wife to take centre-stage as he stood behind her. Alejandra looked incredible in a plunging white short complete with black trousers and a silver statement necklace in the shape of a snake. In another snap, she slipped into a gold strapless gown, wearing her choppy brunette tresses in a straight style. She opted for a glamorous palette of makeup as she smiled at the camera while her husband nuzzled into her face, before she turned around to gaze into his eyes. In the new interview, he opened up on the move as he explained: 'This is our momentum. We are happier than ever' The bestted couple looked as loved-up as ever in the new cover shoot, as they gazed into each other's eyes It comes after Richard spent his Thanksgiving holiday in his new overseas home with Alejandra, both hitting the red carpet at the Elle for Future Awards in Madrid It comes after Richard spent his Thanksgiving holiday in his new overseas home with Alejandra, both hitting the red carpet at the Elle for Future Awards in Madrid. The actor and wife were spotted rocking black ensembles at the photocall, held at the Four Seasons in Madrid. The couple's November outing was their first time seen in public since they both made the move to Madrid. The Emmy-nominated actor was spotted donning a classic black tuxedo with a black coat, white shirt, black bowtie, black pants and black shoes. His wife opted for a stunning strapless black dress with colorful pink and blue encrusted embellishments all over the gown. She accessorized with gold hoop earrings, a stunning gold necklace with encrusted diamonds and matching gold and diamond bracelets. She also accessorized with a number of gold and diamond rings for her time on the red carpet. Her long flowing gown obscured her footwear for the evening as she walked the red carpet with her husband of five years. They sold their Connecticut ranch last year for $10.75 million, ahead of the couple's move to Spain with their children. The couple's November outing was their first time seen in public since they both moved to Madrid, bringing his wife back to her home country of Spain They sold their Connecticut ranch last year for $10.75 million, ahead of the couple's move to Spain with their two sons, Alexander, five, and James, four Richard did confirm that he won't be quitting America forever and added: 'Of course I'll be back' He revealed the move back in April in an interview with Vanity Fair Espana, revealing they plan on spending at least six years there. 'She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so I think it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers,' he told the magazine. Lifting the lid on the major move on an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Richard began by joking: 'My wife is Spanish. Is this a problem for anybody out there?'. He then announced: 'But my wife is Spanish, and she gave me about seven years here, so we're going to spend some years in Madrid.' 'Our kids are bilingual so they're going to flourish there,' he continued. In addition to his two sons with Alejandra, the Hollywood A-lister is stepfather to the Spanish activist's 11-year-son, Albert and he is also the proud dad of son Homer, 24, whom he welcomed with his second wife, actress Carey Lowell. Richard did confirm that he won't be quitting America forever and added: 'Of course I'll be back.' Speaking about his family, the Chicago star gushed: 'I love my wife, she's incredible. Great mother. Kids are healthy and happy. Of course, there's nothing more than that.' Richard and Alejandra's romance began in 2014, when they reconnected in Italy after first meeting years earlier through a mutual friend Turning his attention to their Thanksgiving plans, he continued: 'My wife grew up in a big Spanish family, like a big Italian family, and her grandmother was kind of the glue that held that all together. 'And the grandmother passed away [about] two years ago, so my wife, I can see her morphing into the new grandmother of this extended family. So shes already planning for 35 people for Sunday lunches.' Prior to moving to Connecticut, Richard owned an estate in the celebrity-favored area of Pound Ridge, New York, roughly an hour from Manhattan. In May 2022, he sold that property for $28 million, according to Mansion Global, just two months before purchasing his New Canaan home. Richard and Alejandra's romance began in 2014, when they reconnected in Italy after first meeting years earlier through a mutual friend. Despite their age difference, the two quickly bonded over their shared passions for humanitarian work and spirituality. They married in a private ceremony at Gere's estate in upstate New York in 2018. Read the full interview in the February issue of Elle Spain. Love Island's Cally Jane Beech has opened up on her 'shocking' and 'scary' ordeal, after she discovered digitally faked nude photos of herself circulating online. The reality star, 33, who appeared on the ITV dating show in 2015, has become a prominent activist to raise awareness of the disturbing rise of deepfake porn and call for the Government to clamp down on the vile abuse. In recent months, a number of high profile figures have been victims of deepfake pornography, including pop star Taylor Swift and US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Fake images and videos are made to look realistic, and victims are usually unaware and unable to consent to being sexualised in such a way. While in March last year, a Channel 4 investigation discovered more than 250 British celebrities had been victims of deepfake pornography, including newsreader Cathy Newman. The probe analysed of the five most visited deepfake websites and found thousands of high profile figures had their faces superimposed onto pornographic videos using artificial intelligence, with all but two of the almost 4,000 famous individuals being women. Love Island's Cally Jane Beech has opened up on her 'shocking' and 'scary' ordeal, after she discovered digitally faked nude photos of herself circulating online The reality star, 33, who appeared on the ITV dating show in 2015, has become a prominent activist to raise awareness of the disturbing rise of deepfake porn and call for the Government to clamp down on the vile abuse Cally appeared on Good Morning Britain earlier this month, where she recalled finding a photo of herself from a lingerie photoshoot being circulated on the internet with her underwear digitally removed using AI. She explained: 'I was just contacted out of the blue. Someone said there's an explicit image of you and I said that can't be true because I knew I'd never taken anything like that. 'I asked them to send me a link, opened it and to my surprise there was an image of me. I knew it wasn't real because I had the original photo from an underwear campaign, but the underwear wasn't there. 'I then followed through the site to see where it was being hosted, and it was on a website advertising to put pictures of females into the site and be able to strip their clothes and was advertising other apps for your smart phone to do this to anybody. 'And that's when I found out where the real issue was and took to my social media to speak out about it. 'A lot of people came rushing forward and said this is a major problem, but it was never something I realised was an issue until that point - how big it was and how many people contacted me. 'And then it struck that it was really bad when the family member of a 14-year-old schoolgirl that took her own life because images were created of her and sent around school as a bullying tactic.' Describing how she felt seeing the deepfaked image of herself for the first time, she said: 'It was mixed emotions, because at first I was in shock and wasn't quite sure what to feel. In recent months, a number of high profile figures have been victims of deepfake pornography, including Taylor Swift (pictured March) and US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez While in March last year, a Channel 4 investigation discovered more than 250 British celebrities had been victims of deepfake pornography, including newsreader Cathy Newman (pictured) 'My instant response was to go on social media and say, "Guys I've just seen this image of me online, I'm not really sure what's going on here. Is it a laughing matter?" 'And then I realised no this is actually a really serious thing. It was just shocking but I have a daughter, so that's when I started to think, "OK, hold on a minute, this could happen to her". "And that's when other people said to me it has been happening to children and paedophiles have been using this AI technology for their own access as well and there was nothing to stop them doing it. "I found that out when I contacted the police and it was such a grey area. They just said, "There's not a lot we can do because it's not a real image of you". Even though I tried to argue that it technically is, it's my head, my arms, my torso, just superimposed parts. It was still like, "We're not really sure what we can do".' Cally first spoke about her discovery of AI photos of herself online in January last year, sharing a video to her Instagram in the hopes of raising awareness. Describing her 'scary' ordeal, she recalled how she had been left 'shook and in tears' after first seeing the edited picture. She admitted: 'First thing I did was panic. I knew there was such a thing as AI but I didn't realise this kind of thing was happened. 'I was so shook last night, I wanted to cry, the next minute me and [her fiance] DJ were laughing, but I knew it was so serious.' Cally appeared on Good Morning Britain earlier this month (pictured), where she recalled finding a photo of herself from a lingerie photoshoot being circulated on the internet with her underwear digitally removed using AI Cally first spoke about her discovery of AI photos of herself online in January last year, sharing a video to her Instagram in the hopes of raising awareness Captioning the clip, Cally continued: 'Honestly this has shook me to my core. Someone has brought to my attention that there is so called nude pictures of me on the internet. 'I said there couldnt be as Ive never sent a nude to anyone or posted anything explicit. EVER. When they sent me the picture they was shown I instantly knew it was a deep fake, coz for one I know what my body looks like and for two I have a tattoo near my nunny lol, but that is not there. 'I looked into it and I have found there are sites that allow you to remove peoples clothes/underwear appearing them to be naked. I was sent this last night and instantly had to speak on it and raise awareness coz this day and age is scary what AI can do.' Issuing a warning to her followers and voicing her determination to do something about the problem, she added: 'Be mindful what you see on the internet or someone may send you is not real and can be very soul destroying or affect someone hugely. 'Lucky me and DJ have laughed this off but this could have had much much more impactful affect on my mental health and Im now left thinking what the hell Im even meant to do from here. I will get to the bottom of this. Please be aware guys. The internet is a scary, scary place.' Cally received a flood of messages from her followers who had also been victims, which inspired her to campaign heavily for more stringent laws criminalising non-consensual deepfake pornography was to be made a criminal offence. Speaking to Glamour in October, she revealed how she feared for her career after the photos emerged and said: 'It makes you feel like you should be ashamed. 'And really, you shouldnt have to feel like that even if you have taken a nude photo of yourself and shared it with a partner. That doesnt make it OK for them to share it without your consent.' Cally received a flood of messages from her followers who had also been victims, which inspired her to campaign heavily for more stringent laws criminalising non-consensual deepfake pornography was to be made a criminal offence (pictured with her daughter Vienna) Despite her hellish ordeal, Cally says she sees herself as 'lucky' as she and her management team succeeded in getting the deepfake images removed, but explained her relief was short-lived as 'there was no justice for me' She added: 'We all share our pictures on holidays, pictures of us in bikinis or with partners etc, and the fact someone can just take these and do what they see fit with it and theres little that can be done is awful. 'It just feels violating because it looks really realistic. If you didnt know that wasnt my body, youd assume Id put that video out there.' Despite her hellish ordeal, Cally says she sees herself as 'lucky' as she and her management team succeeded in getting the deepfake images removed. But she explained her relief was short-lived, saying: 'However, there was no justice for me. There was no follow-up, there was no IP address tracing for who created this image, and theres nothing to stop them from taking another image off my social media and doing it again. 'I was like "What now? How will we stop it from happening again to me or anybody else? I was told by the police, "[The image is] not you its just your head". 'It was really distressing to have that conversation and realise that, if the image were real, I probably wouldve got more justice. Thats where the system is flawed.' For her activism, she was awarded with Glamour's Woman of the Year Activist Award in October and has opened up about her experiences at parliamentary roundtables to raise awareness. Detailing her motivation, Cally said: 'This is bigger than me just being a bit hurt by someone creating an image. For her activism, she was awarded with Glamour's Woman of the Year Activist Award in October and has opened up about her experiences at parliamentary roundtables to raise awareness (pictured) This month saw the Government crackdown on explicit deepfakes, introducing new legislation to prosecute offender that could potentially lead to longer sentences 'This is happening to children and school girls and at that young age, you want to fit in and be happy and not have that stress of embarrassment. Its a difficult time being a teenager as it is. 'Thats when I thought, "No, I need to get involved and do something about it." The person who created the images of me would never in a million years have thought I was capable of this. 'I think they thought the images would make me crumble, be very sad, be ashamed, and damage my career, which they know I worked so hard for... but I will always try and change a negative into a positive. And if it can help other people, then theres no question about it.' This month saw the Government crackdown on explicit deepfakes, introducing new legislation to prosecute offender that could potentially lead to longer sentences. The Online Safety Act 2023 criminalised the vile practice for the first time, making it a criminal offence to share, or threaten to share, a manufactured or deepfake intimate image or video of another person without his or her consent. However, it was criticised for not going far enough as it was not intended to criminalise the creation of such deepfake content. But the new law will mean anyone who makes sexually explicit 'deepfake' images of adults maliciously and without consent will face prosecution. It also strengthens the existing offence, as creating and then sharing the image could lead to a person being charged with two offences, facing a criminal record and an unlimited fine. Addressing the new legislation, Cally told GMB she was glad to see change being made, but pointed out the new law still allowed loopholes Some have even called for perpetrators to be placed on the sex offenders register, with Cally saying: 'It would be a huge deterrent if these men were put on the list. I dont think people will really take this seriously until there are some big prosecutions' In a statement surrounding the new legislation, Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones said: 'It is unacceptable that one in three women have been victims of online abuse. 'This demeaning and disgusting form of chauvinism must not become normalised, and as part of our Plan for Change we are bearing down on violence against women whatever form it takes. 'These new offences will help prevent people being victimised online. We are putting offenders on notice they will face the full force of the law.' While Baroness Jones, Technology Minister, said: 'The rise of intimate image abuse is a horrifying trend that exploits victims and perpetuates a toxic online culture. 'These acts are not just cowardly, they are deeply damaging, particularly for women and girls who are disproportionately targeted. 'With these new measures, were sending an unequivocal message: creating or sharing these vile images is not only unacceptable but criminal. 'Tech companies need to step up too - platforms hosting this content will face tougher scrutiny and significant penalties.' Addressing the new legislation, Cally told GMB she was glad to see change being made, but pointed out the new law still allowed loopholes. She said: 'I hope it will have an effect, I guess time will tell. It's good that it's being noticed, so that's a positive for now. 'But a key word that we were speaking about was consent. When the legislation is written out, it cannot state if they [the creators] were trying to cause harm or intent to harass that person. Meanwhile, Vicky Pattison has created her own deepfake porn video to properly understand the violation of image-based abuse for her upcoming Channel 4 documentary (pictured last month) Vicky has directed and produced the deepfake porn footage of herself and will release the video on social media to understand the way the content spreads online and how these images and videos are taken down 'But there's so many loopholes within that, so that's why it really needs to be based around completely being an offence.' She added: 'I hope this law gives the police and CPS the powers to prosecute these men. But you still have a problem that many of the sites hosting the images are outside the jurisdiction of British police. Its up to the platforms to sort that now.' Campaigners are calling on social media platforms to ban advertisements for websites and apps that allow people to create the sexually explicit deepfakes. While they want the new legal measures to close the loophole that could allow offenders to try and avoid prosecution by claiming they hadn't meant to cause distress. Some have even called for perpetrators to be placed on the sex offenders register to deter others from committing the crime. Voicing her thoughts on the idea, Cally said: 'It would be a huge deterrent if these men were put on the list. It would make people think twice about doing this. 'I dont think people will really take this seriously until there are some big prosecutions.' Meanwhile, Vicky Pattison has created her own deepfake porn video to properly understand the violation of image-based abuse for her upcoming Channel 4 documentary. In her own video, to ensure that the production of it is fully consensual, her likeness in the video is portrayed by an actor, with Vicky's face superimposed on top using AI technology Speaking about the decision to make her own explicit deepfake, Vicky said: 'I wrestled with this decision for a long time, mulling over the permanence of it, and ultimately coming to accept the fact that this content may live online forever' (pictured in 2023) My Deepfake Sex Tape is set to air next Tuesday and will see the former Geordie Shore star, 37, fully immerse herself into the world of this rapidly evolving violation of privacy. Vicky has directed and produced the deepfake porn footage of herself and will release the video on social media to understand the way the content spreads online and how these images and videos are taken down. In her own video, to ensure that the production of it is fully consensual, her likeness in the video is portrayed by an actor, with Vicky's face superimposed on top using AI technology. The video appears to show Vicky engaged in a sex act with a man while first wearing a bra and then later, topless. Speaking about the decision to make her own explicit deepfake, Vicky said: 'I am hugely passionate about women's issues, and have found myself increasingly disturbed by how prevalent the problem of deepfake porn is becoming. 'As part of the documentary, I have made the challenging decision to release my own deepfake sex tape online, which I directed and produced with actors to ensure the process was fully consensual from start to finish. 'I wrestled with this decision for a long time, mulling over the permanence of it, and ultimately coming to accept the fact that this content may live online forever. 'Whilst I know this doesn't compare to the distress and horror actual victims feel when they discover this content of themselves, I hope it will give some insight into what they go through. 'I want this documentary to bring attention to the imbalance of power and encourage society, lawmakers, and tech companies to provide stronger protections and support for those who are affected. 'My goal is to foster empathy and drive action and to contribute to a larger movement for justice and change, so victims feel supported, understood, and empowered to reclaim their voices and control.' Revenge Porn Helpline provides advice, guidance and support to victims of intimate image-based abuse over the age of 18 who live in the UK and can be called on 0345 6000 459. Love Island: All Stars will see the return of Harriett Blackmore as she becomes the show's latest bombshell, MailOnline can reveal. The former Islander, 24, who starred on last year's series, is set to confront ex-boyfriend Ronnie Vint in the South African villa after he admitted to sending co-star Olivia Hawkins flirty messages despite being in a relationship. And the bombshell will have questions for love rival Olivia, 29, amid claims she engaged with the interaction and even Photoshopped an image of the couple holding hands with her face. Harriett and Ronnie, 28, met on the ITV2 show last summer and continued to date outside of the villa until splitting up in September. Now, Ronnie is in a couple with TOWIE's Elma Pazar, 31, but their blossoming romance could be under threat following Harriett's explosive return. A TV source told MailOnline: 'Harriett can't wait to confront Ronnie for embarrassing her in front of the nation and will be going into the villa with all guns blazing. Love Island: All Stars will see the return of Harriett Blackmore as she becomes the show's latest bombshell, MailOnline can reveal The former Islander, who starred on last year's series, is set to confront ex-boyfriend Ronnie Vint in the South African villa after he admitted to messaging co-star Olivia Hawkins Harriett and Ronnie met on the ITV2 show last summer and continued to date outside of the villa until splitting up in September 'She had no idea he had been messaging so many other girls during their time together and it's been frustrating for her to see this all play out on the show without having her say. 'As well as Ronnie, she will have words for Olivia because her girl code wasn't the best. 'Harriett is still looking for love and hopes her ITV comeback will see her connect with a man who's willing to settle down and be faithful.' The reality star's return comes after Bad Boyfriends host Olivia Attwood revealed on her Instagram stories that she had seen the messages between Ronnie and Olivia. Olivia said the All Stars contestant even jokingly Photoshopped her face onto an image of Harriett holding her hands with Ronnie while they were still in a relationship. Presenter Olivia, who starred on Love Island in 2017, has the inside story because her husband Bradley Dack is Ronnie's best friend. Harriett has already reacted to Ronnie's confession, posting an image of herself wearing a see-through black bodysuit alongside the caption: 'Best thing you never had.' Her entrance follows the arrival of bombshells Grace Jackson and Ron Hall, who made their way back into the villa on Monday night's show. Olivia, who is currently coupled up with Marcel Somerville, told the villa Ronnie had sent her flirtatious messages over Instagram while he was still dating Harriett After being in a love triangle during his first appearance on the show last year, Ronnie found himself back where he started between Elma Pazar and Kaz Crossley A TV source revealed to MailOnline Harriett is going into the villa with all guns blazing after being spoken about on the show In Tuesday night's instalment, viewers will see Grace grow close to Nas Majeed after the pair bond over their love of cats. But their flirtation doesn't go unnoticed by Cathrine Agbaje, who's in a couple with Nas and has been wanting more from their pairing. Talking to Elma, Catherine says: 'It's nice to feel wanted and I just don't, I know Nas is a slow burner it's just starting to get to me.' Elsewhere in the episode, Scott Thomas and Tina Stinnes spend more time together after the Made In Chelsea star stole the Islander from India Reynolds, leaving her dumped from the show. Scott admits: 'I feel relaxed, I feel chilled, a completely different experience with you and I like your vibe a lot.' Tina adds: 'I'm a happy person but I think you're making me happier I'm enjoying getting to know you every day.' In the evening, Scott and Tina share their first kiss together, which they joke was worth the nine-year wait after they almost connected during their first appearance on Love Island in 2015. An Australian TV star shocked followers on Tuesday when he shared a pumped-up gym selfie of his bulging muscles to Instagram. Fashion designer Alex Perry, 61, donned a sultry pout in his latest snap as he slipped into a black tank top to show of his huge biceps. He looked almost unrecognisable in the image as he hid his face behind a pair of mirrored sunglasses as he pulled his cap down low over his head. The Australia's Next Top Model judge put the shadows of the low-lit room to good use as he worked his best angles in the picture. 'Starting the year off right,' he captioned the image alongside a fist emoji before tagging his personal trainer Simon in Sydney. The selfie comes after Gen Z TikTok users were shocked by resurfaced footage of Australia's Next Top Model, the Australian spin-off of Tyra Banks' infamous ANTM. Australian TV star Alex Perry, 61, (pictured) shocked followers on Tuesday when he shared a pumped-up gym selfie of his bulging muscles to Instagram In the first few seconds of the viral video montage, Alex, who was a judge on the series, can be heard asking: 'What are those feet? Gorilla feet? Transgendered feet?' He appears throughout the two-minute montage of un-PC clangers, with a measuring tape in hand, and a hard word for the often teenage models about their weight. 'Just stop chowing down, you guys have got to exercise. Just get on the treadmill,' he tells one model in the clip. In another moment, he assessed one model: 'She's really pretty, she's really sleek. Beautiful skin,' before asking another judge, 'Do you reckon she's got to drop some K-Gs?' 'Alex Perry is living his karma,' one person commented as they referenced the renowned designer's recent public appearances. 'Can't talk if you see him now,' another user commented. 'How is Alex Perry not cancelled?' asked another. With a fourth person chiming in: 'Alex Perry they could never make me like you.' 'Starting the year off right,' he captioned the image alongside a fist emoji before tagging his personal trainer Simon in Sydney One Gen Z TikToker was so baffled by what they had just witnessed, that the closest thing they could liken the series to was a Chris Lilley skit. The show saw young girls, most still teenagers, aspiring toward a high-fashion modelling career as they compete to avoid elimination each week by a panel of high-profile judges. Fates on the show were determined by a panel of three judges: model, Myer face and former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins, sunglasses-topped Alex, and a rotation of high-profile fashion names including Linda Evangelista, Jean Paul Gaultier, Kelly Osbourne and Tyra herself. Bullying, verbal and physical abuse, fat shaming, tears, and tantrums were all fair game in the reality format, which raked in the highest number of viewers for a reality series on subscription TV. Elsewhere in the video, the show's style director Jonathan Pearce kicked off because models were drinking coffee during a swimwear shoot. 'We've got a swimwear shoot and we've got people ordering bloody ice chocolates with cream!' he exclaimed in dismay. Jonathan asked the model: 'Do you reckon that's a good decision? I'm confiscating this one.' In yet another clip, an enraged model who'd just lost a competition screamed: 'She's a f***ing ugly dero mole. She's fat. She's a size 16.' The selfie comes after Gen Z TikTok users were shocked by resurfaced footage of Australia's Next Top Model, the Australian spin-off of Tyra Banks ' infamous ANTM. Pictured with Australia's Next Top Model contestants Yolanda Hodgson and Jess Bush in 2011 The Australian judging panel also asked models who they thought was 'the fattest' of their competitors. 'She looks trashed,' Alex began in another tear down moment. 'She looks like she's been at Arq, rolled out, and just dragged something through her hair.' Many commenters said that particular comment, referencing Sydney's gay nightclub, was 'iconic'. While observing another runway, Alex said a model's expression made her look like American cold case victim JonBenet Ramsey. 'She is JonBenet Ramsey, aged 18,' he quipped. 'Murderous beauty queen.' Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in December under the condition of anonymity, one former Top Model said it's not an excuse, but the TV series was a product of its time. 'You can't take that back but that's just how the industry was, and that's what the show was. It was the early 2000s,' they said. 'I grew up watching this stuff. No wonder our body image is so distorted,' one TikTok user commented on the video. 'Alex Perry makes gorgeous clothes for women but I don't know how he manages because good god, he hates us!' added another. 'Watching this back is WILD,' someone else commented. Alex was the only judge to helm all 10 seasons of Australia's Next Top Model and he famously campaigned for the show's 178cm height restriction to be enforced. 'I like sleek, runway greyhounds. It's my aesthetic,' he explained in an old interview. In May 2020, Tyra took to Twitter to address some backlash America's Next Top Model was facing after it was added to the streaming site Netflix. 'Been seeing the posts about the insensitivity of some past ANTM moments and I agree with you. Looking back, those were some really off choices,' she wrote on Twitter at the time. 'Appreciate your honest feedback and am sending so much love and virtual hugs.' Algiers 2 University celebrates Chinese New Year with cultural showcase Xinhua) 10:38, January 21, 2025 ALGIERS, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Algiers 2 University celebrated the Chinese New Year on Monday with a vibrant event, featuring a range of cultural displays on campus that showcased Chinese traditional paintings, calligraphy, paper cutting, and clothing. While addressing the event, Chinese Ambassador to Algeria Dong Guangli said that as one of the most important traditional festivals, the Chinese New Year "embodies values of family, renewal, and prosperity." He further emphasized that the event was not just a celebration, but also "an opportunity to enhance the closeness between the Chinese and Algerian peoples, strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and friendship between our two countries." "Hosting this event reflects our commitment to expanding international cultural exchanges," said rector of the university Said Boumaiza, who also attended the celebration. "With the opening of the Chinese language department, we aim to give students more opportunities to connect with China academically and professionally." In September 2024, Algiers 2 University launched a Chinese language department within its Faculty of Languages, in collaboration with Northwest Normal University in China. On Dec. 4, UNESCO inscribed the Spring Festival -- social practices of the Chinese people celebrating the traditional new year -- on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision recognizes the festival's rich array of rituals and cultural elements that engage all levels of Chinese society. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Katie Price has addressed her dramatic weight loss and insisted to her Instagram followers she is at her natural weight after gaining it during IVF treatment. The 46-year-old former glamour model has been questioned by fans if she has been taking Ozempic injections or similar to obtain her new look. However, Katie has now claimed that she has actually 'shrunk back' to her 'natural' size after she gained weight during IVF and being inactive after breaking her foot. Speaking on Rob Moore's Disruptors podcast, Katie denied taking any from of weight loss injection or drug to lose weight. She said: 'So people have said I've lost loads of weight. Now there's a programme coming out in January, my IVF journey. 'Anyone you know who's had IVF, you put on weight. I had three IVFs the past 15 months. They all failed. Katie Price has addressed her dramatic weight loss and insisted to her Instagram followers she is at her natural weight after gaining it during IVF treatment The 46-year-old former glamour model has been questioned by fans if she has been taking Ozempic injections or similar to obtain her new look 'It started from when I broke my feet. They said I'd never run again. So I couldn't run, wasn't exercising, couldn't ride my horses, so basically, I was in a wheelchair for 10 months. 'They said I couldn't walk again, this all happened around COVID time, so obviously you're going to put on weight because you're not moving about.' 'Then I had to learn to walk again, but slowly, I still can't run now, because I've got screws in my feet,' Katie continued. 'Then I did IVF, pumped all my stuff, and it takes ages for it to get back out your body. 'But I say to people, if you look at old pictures of me, even after I've had babies, I just shrink back. I've always been tiny, and I think because the past sort of three years, I've been bigger, but they're the reasons why, right? 'Now I've gone like back, now the IVF that's all come out, and I'm more active because I could do more because of my feet, and I'm horse riding again, then naturally, i'm going back athletic again.' When Rob circled back to ask her to confirm never taking Ozempic, she confirmed: 'No, but Harvey's going on that. So I've had to sit there with the doctors.' 'I think when it comes to things like that, I think because of Harvey and all the medication and that he has, I think people have to be really careful with things like that,' she said. 'I don't need the Ozempic. I never have done. I've always been skinny. Look at old pictures of me. Always been tiny.' Katie left fans concerned again by her notieceably slimmer figure after she danced around in a cropped loungewear set in a new Instagram video this week. However, Katie has now claimed that she has actually 'shrunk back' to her 'natural' size after she gained weight during IVF and being inactive after breaking her foot She shared another clip promoting her friend's clothing brand, JYY London, while wearing a nude two-piece set made up of joggers and a matching cropped cardigan. In the video, she looked to be in high spirits as she strutted around her driveway to show off the clothing. She grinned and flipped back her hair before twirling around and pouting to the camera, before it panned down her body to showcase the entire outfit. Katie wrote in her caption: 'It's pricey babes. @jyydldnloungeset. It's been a good productive Monday xx.' Fans rushed to the comments section with worried messages, writing: 'Katie. What happened. Your face.' 'I remember you from the 90s Katie - you were so naturally beautiful in every way. Please look back and realise how beautiful you really are without all these interventions! The weight really is a worry. Said with love.' 'Poor girl. She was once so gorgeous.' 'Sorry but she looks ill now. Such a shame.' 'Far too skinny looks so unhealthy, too obvious is gone too far with facelift il almost impossible to see her real face.' 'Katie what are you doing to yourself, you are looking too thin!' It comes after Katie addressed her drastic weight loss and revealed she's getting bum fillers as she's been left with a 'saggy a**' after losing 'loads and loads' of weight. The star first sparked concern about her health among fans when she showcased her trim figure in a new Instagram video. And in another social media post shared on Wednesday, Katie told how she's now been forced to get the non-surgical procedure to enhance her bottom as it's been left 'flat' before brazenly showing off her behind. She grinned and flipped back her hair before twirling around and pouting to the camera, before it panned down her body to showcase the entire outfit Fans rushed to the comments section with worried messages, writing: 'Katie. What happened. Your face' Filming herself at an aesthetics clinic where she had just topped up her lips, Katie proudly unveiled her plans for yet another cosmetic procedure. Speaking about herself in third person, Katie said: 'Oh she's done it again! She's closer to looking like a Bratz doll! She's done the lips at The Clinic Club. I just love it here, I'm obsessed with them here.' Discussing her latest plans while addressing her weight loss, Katie continued: 'That obsessed as where I've lost loads and loads of weight, my a**e s now saggy! So no, I've got to have my bum filler done here.' She concluded: 'I can't wait. Keep tuned. It's not happening today, but I'm doing my bum.' She then urged her followers to head to the clinic if any of them have 'lost weight' and has a 'saggy a**'. In a second video Katie pulled down her jogging bottoms to reveal her tattooed bottom as she told: 'This is an insight to why I need my bum doing. Look how flat it's got.' Captioning the racy post, she remarked: 'Bum filler pending'. The mother-of-five has long been known for her love of cosmetic surgery and has had numerous procedures over the years. Only in November, she revealed she is getting a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) to make her bottom 'as big as my lips'. It comes after Katie addressed her drastic weight loss and revealed she's getting bum fillers as she's been left with a 'saggy a**' after losing 'loads and loads' of weight Katie told how she's now been forced to get the non-surgical procedure to enhance her bottom as it's been left 'flat' before brazenly showing off her behind Only in November, she revealed she is getting a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) to make her bottom 'as big as my lips' Sharing a video of herself at The Clinic Club on Harley Street, Katie said: 'I've just had my consultation to get my bum as big as my lips. 'I'm getting it done in January but this time they've got an ultrasound which means it'll be much safer. Get used to the big lips because soon I'm going to have a bubble butt. Wahey!' Katie has already had a bum lift in the past but appears to have not been satisfied with the results as she's going back for more. She first underwent a bum lift in January followed by another one in March. It comes as Katie worried fans as she shared a clip on Wednesday promoting her friend's clothing brand, JYY London, while wearing a burgundy co-ord. In the video, Katie strutted confidently in the skin-tight two-piece, but her visibly thinner legs sparked concern among her followers. Fans flooded the comment section with messages urging her to prioritise her health, with many pleading: 'No more weight loss.' They commented: 'Omg Katie what's happening to you,' 'Ozempic working its wonders again.' Filming herself at an aesthetics clinic where she had just topped up her lips, Katie proudly unveiled her plans for yet another cosmetic procedure The former glamour model first sparked concern about her health among fans when she showcased her noticeably slimmer figure in a new Instagram video Fans flooded the comment section with messages urging her to prioritise her health, with many pleading: 'No more weight loss' In October last year, Katie responded the concerns over her drastic weight-loss, by exclusively telling MailOnline it was the result of a new gym regime 'From a place of love - I've loved you my entire life please eat,' 'Who is looking after her? This needs flagging up before it goes too far,' 'Looking frail and elderly,'; 'Yeah this isn't healthy Katie, please get some help,' 'The sad reality of body dysmorphia. Easier for people on the outside to spot.' In October last year, Katie responded the concerns over her drastic weight-loss, by exclusively telling MailOnline it was the result of a new gym regime. She had worried her followers after modelling a skimpy cardigan dress on Instagram form her friend's clothing brand, showing her legs looking much thinner. But a representative for Katie insisted to MailOnline at the time: 'Katie has always been tiny and she's recently been enjoying going to the gym more and getting herself into a routine with exercise etc which has been beneficial for her overall well being.' Emily Ratajkowski shared a first look at her Valentine's Day lingerie campaign with Italian brand Intimissimi on Tuesday. The pinup looked very toned in slender in the bra and underwear set. The 33-year-old DKNY model had her dark hair worn down as she had on light nude-toned makeup while on a bed with white sheets. Emily is the new 'global ambassador' for the brand that Jennifer Lopez and Heidi Klum, along with daughter Leni, have also posed for. 'A tribute to love that blends elegance, sensuality and energy, the collection encapsulates a retro charm with a modern twist,' Intimissimi said in a statement to DailyMail.com. The Valentine's Day collection' is designed to make every woman feel glamorous and irresistible.' Ratajkowski wears Intimissimi's More Amore line, available to shop in red and black. Emily Ratajkowski shared a first look at her Valentine's Day lingerie campaign with Italian brand Intimissimi on Tuesday The pinup looked very toned in slender in the bra and underwear set. The 33-year-old DKNY model had her dark hair worn down as she had on light nude-toned makeup In November Emily started working for the lingerie brand. 'I am thrilled to join Intimissimi as their Brand Ambassador,' Ratajkowski said in a statement shared with DailyMail.com. 'Intimissimi celebrates women and femininity in such an inspiring way, and I am excited to help introduce this iconic brand to more women across the U.S.' This comes after she was seen posing in a sexy swimsuit while at the Four Seasons Hotel in Mexico. The diva from New York City was wearing a red bikini with a cherry pedicure. She has been on hot-weather vacation with a female friend this week as she unwinds from chilly Manhattan. It comes as celebrity blogger Deuxmoi revealed an anonymous tip claiming that Ratajkowski could be romancing Kaia Gerber's recent ex, Austin Butler, 33. In Deuxmoi's January 16 podcast episode, the anonymous host revealed that a source told her things 'had been bad' between Gerber and Butler 'for at least six months' leading up to their split. Emily is the new 'global ambassador' for the brand that Jennifer Lopez and Heidi Klum, along with daughter Leni, have also posed for 'A tribute to love that blends elegance, sensuality and energy, the collection encapsulates a retro charm with a modern twist,' Intimissimi said in a statement to DailyMail.com '[Austin] stopped making an effort to see [Kaia] when their schedules didn't align,' the insider spilled. She then shared an email tip that read: 'I have heard Austin Butler and Emrata are hooking up. She followed him on Instagram.' Kaia and the actor have called it quits on their relationship after three years together after reportedly decided to end things towards the end of 2024. Meanwhile Ratajkowski sparked romance rumors with A Bar Song hitmaker Shaboozey last year. It came following her divorce from ex-husband Sebastian Bear-McClard. She was married to the Uncut Gems producer, 37, from 2018 to 2022, and they share 3-year-old son Sylvester 'Sly' Apollo. The latest caption on Emily's social media post read: 'Guess we live here now @ziwef.' Fans gushed over her appearance in the comments section. 'God was in a really good mood the day he made you ,' one person said, while another added, 'Perfection!!' Ratajkowski flaunted her sizzling bikini body in images shared to Instagram on Monday; she is in Mexico with a female friend It comes as celebrity blogger Deuxmoi revealed an anonymous tip claiming that Ratajkowski could be romancing Kaia Gerber's recent ex, Austin Butler, 33; the exes pictured in April 2023 A third user said, 'Body goals,' and a fourth wrote, 'You look gorgeous.' TikTok went dark for users in the United States on the night of January 18 ahead of the Supreme Court mandated deadline for the ban on the Chinese social media platform. Less than 14 hours later, officials from TikTok said they were working to restore service to U.S. users. The London-born SoCal native's four-year marriage to Sebastian ended in 2022 amid a slew of sexual misconduct allegations against him from actresses. Emily famously wed the Independent Spirit Award-nominated producer at a New York City courthouse in February 2018 - just two months after she ended her three-year, live-in relationship with music producer Jeff Magid. Ratajkowski will next portray Felix's (Will Sharpe) ex-girlfriend Polly in Lena Dunham and husband Luis Felber's upcoming 10-episode comedy series Too Much for Netflix. Megan Stalter, Richard E. Grant, Stephen Fry, Janicza Bravo, Andrew Rannells, Rhea Perlman, Rita Wilson, and Adele Exarchopoulos will also appear in Too Much. Georgia Harrison showcased her incredible figure as she showcased a number of skimpy bikinis and stylish outfits she wore during her holiday in Colombia with her boyfriend Jack Stacey. The Love Island star, 30, recently returned home from her South American getaway and took to her Instagram on Tuesday to share a slew of sizzling snaps from her trip. One shot saw Georgia showing off her sensational physique in a tiny floral two-piece as she soaked in the sun, before slipping into sparkling sheer blue dress, which flashed her thong bikini underneath. Another set of photos saw the stunner slipping into a quirky blue feathered top with a halterneck design, which barely contained her ample cleavage. Sending temperatures soaring, she turned around for one cheeky shot and flashed a glimpse at her perky bottom in her tiny denim cut-off shorts. Georgia also showed off her toned midriff in a colourful bikini top teamed under a matching vibrantly patterned co-ord. Georgia Harrison showcased her incredible figure as she showcased a number of skimpy bikinis and stylish outfits she wore during her holiday in Colombia with her boyfriend Jack Stacey The Love Island star, 30, recently returned home from her South American getaway and took to her Instagram on Tuesday to share a slew of sizzling snaps from her trip One shot saw Georgia showing off her sensational physique in a tiny floral two-piece as she soaked in the sun, before slipping into sparkling sheer blue dress, which flashed her thong bikini underneath While she could be seen enjoying a drink at a bar in a plunging pink dress with daring cutouts at the sides. Georgia recently revealed the identity of her new boyfriend Jack on Instagram, months after revealing in October that she was someone who is not famous. Discussing her new man, she previously told The Sun that he is 'out of the public eye', explaining: 'It's really refreshing and he's very grounded. 'It's not something I've been shouting from the rooftops yet but it's going really, really well, and I'm really enjoying my time with him.' Adding that she feels she can be 'completely and utterly myself' when she's around him, Georgia concluded: 'For the first time in a while, I've met someone that I do think is a really good person and I enjoy being around.' Her holiday snaps come after she took a hilarious swipe at her ex Casey O'Gorman after he arrived in the Love Island villa for the third time last week, for All Stars. As he made his controversial return to the South African series, ITV shared the exciting news on social media and ex Georgia couldn't resist commenting: 'Grandad said good luck.' Her hilarious comment is in reference to the time she claimed to Casey that she had seen his late grandfather's presence while at a spiritual retreat, which he took offence to and 'ghosted' her. Another set of photos saw the stunner slipping into a quirky blue feathered top with a halterneck design, which barely contained her ample cleavage Sending temperatures soaring, she turned around for one cheeky shot and flashed a glimpse at her perky bottom in her tiny denim cut-off shorts Georgia also showed off her toned midriff in a colourful bikini top teamed under a matching vibrantly patterned co-ord While she could be seen enjoying a drink at a bar in a plunging pink dress with daring cutouts at the sides Georgia recently revealed the identity of her new boyfriend Jack on Instagram, months after revealing in October that she was someone who is not famous Discussing her new man, she previously told The Sun that he is 'out of the public eye', explaining: 'It's really refreshing and he's very grounded' However, her joke seemed to have gone over All Star winner Tom Clare's head as he swooped in to defend his best friend. Hitting back, Tom penned: 'Very insensitive thing to say? He was so close with his grandad.' Last year, Casey and Georgia addressed the viral 'dead grandad' moment during the first All Stars series leaving ITV viewers in hysterics. She claimed to see the ghost of his dead grandad in a bizarre chat as he told her that it was 'a bit too much' that she made the comments about his late relative when she rang him from a spiritual retreat. She defended herself saying: 'I just was on the retreat and I thought I felt a presence that was still around!' Georgia later broke her silence on the conversation she had with Casey on Olivia Attwood's So Wrong It's Right podcast, and slammed him for bringing it up on TV. She said: 'I need to speak on that situation - there's so much around the entire thing that I don't think is being conveyed and this is actually what happened. 'I'd done a week at a meditation retreat and it's really intense and I felt that I was getting a sense from people who have passed over in my family, in my life, that there is another world. Her holiday snaps come after she took a hilarious swipe at her ex Casey O'Gorman after he arrived in the Love Island villa for the third time last week, for All Stars As he made his controversial return to the South African series , ITV shared the exciting news on social media and ex Georgia couldn't resist commenting: 'Grandad said good luck' Georgia's hilarious comment was in reference to the time she told Casey that she had seen his late grandfather in a sweet gesture, which Casey took pretty badly and 'ghosted' her Last year, Casey and Georgia addressed the viral 'dead grandad' moment during the first All Stars series leaving ITV viewers in hysterics However, her joke seemed to have gone over All Star winner Tom Clare 's head as he swooped in to defend his best friend 'It might be a bit far-fetched, and it might not be for everyone, but I genuinely believe, having lost my ex and my best friend over the last couple of years, that I do, at times, have signs that they're there.' She added: 'When I was dating Casey we'd spoken multiple times about how it was really hard for him having just lost his nan and granddad, so what I was trying to say was I really think that they're still with you. 'I think they're still on your journey. I wasn't saying, just bumped into your dead granddad in Tesco's. He's looking fly! 'I think in my head I thought we'd get back together and we'd end up seeing each other on the show because the way he left things was like, look, this is killing me. 'I'm really going to miss you. But instead of just explaining to me how he felt about the granddad stuff, why did he wait a month and a half to do that and then drop that bomb on national television when all he had to do was be honest?' Meanwhile, Georgia's best pal Kaz Crossley had a very fiery row with new bombshell Casey just minutes after his arrival into the villa. Casey entered the show minutes after Ekin-Su Culculoglu stole Curtis Pritchard from Kaz - with him surprising everyone by sneaking onto the villa's balcony. Soon they all gathered around to welcome him and chat but Kaz immediately seemed aggravated as Casey began to explain what his type of girl was like. Meanwhile, Georgia's best pal Kaz Crossley had a very fiery row with new bombshell Casey just minutes after his arrival into the villa She pointed out that she is friends with Georgia, who he had fling with in the past before they then came face to face again in All Stars series one She pointed out that she is friends with Georgia, who he had fling with in the past before they then came face to face again in All Stars series one. Kaz said to Casey in front of all the other Islanders: 'I've heard you've have been with a lot of girls. That puts me off.' While he described his ideal woman Kaz savagely remarked: 'Love Island girls outside the Villa, too.' Casey didn't take it well and the pair began to argue with Kaz declaring: 'Georgia is one of my friends and you didn't treat her well.' But Casey challenged her, saying it was just something 'you heard' - but Kaz doubled down saying he had 'f**ked over' her friend. Amanda Holden fans were left in hysterics after she was gifted a wholly unflattering cake of her face. The presenter, 53, and her co-host Jamie Theakston were stunned during Tuesday's Heart Radio after being surprised with personalised baked goods. They were joined on air by Keith Scovell, known as Kakes By Keith - a baker who went viral on TikTok with his unique take on Claudia Winkleman, complete with Tic Tac teeth. And Amanda and Jamie were the latest stars to receive the Kakes By Keith treatment as he gifted them their very own portrait cakes. Amanda even took to doing an impression of her quirky-looking cake as she crossed her eyes and mimicked her own Tic Tac cheesy grin. Fans of the presenter were bowled over by the cake and one even joked it looked like Amanda's best friend Alan Carr wearing a wig. Amanda Holden fans were left in hysterics on Tuesday after she was gifted a wholly unflattering cake of her face The presenter, 53, and her co-host Jamie Theakston were stunned during Tuesday's Heart Radio after being surprised with personalised baked goods 'Gee-whiz,' Amanda declared as she unboxed the treat, before she started to giggle and said: 'That actually does look like me.' By his own admission, Keith Scovell's creations would horrify small children and no doubt the stars from whom he draws his inspiration. But unflattering though they may be, the amateur baker insists his cakes are made with love, and more than a healthy dose of mischief. Commenting on the clip of his Amanda and Jamie creations, Keith wrote: 'Just the best morning. Tea , cake and a lot of giggles. 'Thanks to all the amazing team, you made me feel amazing. And thank you Amanda and Jamie. So glad you loved your Kakes xx.' Finding the cake hilarious, fans wrote: 'Blimey! Madame Tussaud work of art! hahahaha,'; 'So funny! How many teeth???,'; 'It looks like Alan Carr in a wig! Sorry Amanda.' 'Im so glad youve showed them I was wondering this morning when listening what they looked like!!' Amanda and Jamie were the latest stars to receive the Kakes By Keith treatment as he gifted them their very own portrait cakes Amanda even took to doing an impression of her quirky-looking cake as she crossed her eyes and mimicked her own Tic Tac cheesy grin 'Gee-whiz,' Amanda declared as she unboxed the treat, before she started to giggle and said: 'That actually does look like me' Commenting on the clip of his Amanda and Jamie creations, Keith wrote: 'Just the best morning. Tea , cake and a lot of giggles' Finding the cake hilarious, fans wrote: 'Blimey! Madame Tussaud work of art! hahahaha' Amanda turned heads as she arrived for Tuesday's show in a vibrant red knitted dress and structured coat, teamed with matching heeled boots. It came after Amanda shared a collection of moments from her daughter's 19th birthday party on Instagram last week, including a pink 'drunk Barbie' cake. She celebrated Lexi Hughes's big day in a restaurant in Exeter with her model daughter's friends. The post showed the teenager wearing a black top and posing next to her custom-made birthday cake which is laid out on a table full of drinks. The lavish treat was described by Amanda in a separate story as a 'drunk Barbie cake' and showed the doll doing the splits atop a pink layer of icing with candles reading '19' on it. The large cake was covered in various fondant models, which depicted bottles of famous tequila brands. Amanda added the caption: 'Our gorgeous girl turns 19 today!! Lexi we love you so much. Super proud of you and all the choices you are making. 'Our shy, wise, funny talented girl. Love Mummy Daddy and Hollie xx Have the happiest day.' Amanda turned heads as she arrived for Tuesday's show in a vibrant red knitted dress and structured coat, teamed with matching heeled boots Amanda shared a collection of moments from her daughter's 19th birthday party on Instagram last week, including a pink 'drunk Barbie' cake Her birthday cake showed Barbie doll doing the splits atop a pink layer of icing with candles reading '19' on it The Heart FM presenter shared a separate story showing the cake in more detail and Lexi handing out plates for her pals to have a portion. And another saw Amanda leading a rendition of 'Happy birthday to you', while a shy Lexi takes in the adulation of her friends. The teenager appeared to debut her new boyfriend last month as she posted a very cosy snap with him on New Year's Eve. Lexi, who is the Britain's Got Talent judge's eldest child, rang in the New Year with her mother, father Chris and younger sister Hollie in Scotland. Amanda shared snaps of the family posing in front of a Christmas tree along with one of Lexi with her arms around a boy dressed in a black blazer and kilt. Lala Kent appears to be regretting a haircut she has given her daughter Ocean. The Vanderpump Rules alum, 34, posted a photo of her little girl rocking her fresh cut - which resembled the hairstyle actor Jim Carrey famously sported in the 1994 comedy Dumb and Dumber. The post captured Ocean sporting a chin-length haircut with fringe while an accompanying shot of Carrey showed the actor from the film with a shorter hairstyle and blunt bangs. 'Guys... I think I f**ked up,' Lala wrote in the photo. Little Ocean proudly rocked the cut as she posed beside her family dogs. Lala shares Ocean with her ex-fiance Randall Emmett. She also has four-month-old daughter Sosa, who was conceived with a sperm donor. Lala Kent appears to be regretting a haircut she has given her daughter Ocean Meanwhile, Lala recently fled to Palm Springs to escape the poor air quality in Los Angeles amid the devastating fires. The fires have displaced celebrities and working class citizens alike. Taking to Instagram, Kent said that the poor air quality was making it difficult for her younger daughter to breathe. She wrote via the app's Stories feature: 'This morning Sosa woke up and was really struggling to breathe. 'I made the decision to pack my family up and come to Palm Springs, strictly based on the air quality. This is where we will stay until LA is safe again.' Lala gave birth to her second child, who was conceived with a sperm donor, on September 3. The somber post from the reality television star continued, 'This is one of the most devastating situations I have ever seen. 'At this point, if you were not directly affected, you know someone who has lost everything.' Lala shares Ocean with her ex-fiance Randall Emmett; pictured November with Ocean Lala is now also a mother of two after giving birth to daughter Sosa, who was conceived with a sperm donor Pouring her heart out to her 2.4 million followers, she went on to say, 'I'm obsessing over how we could be so underprepared.' Kent, who lives in the valley, said her 'heart is shattered for my community.' She told her fans, 'We have not been directly affected, and I'm trying to feel grateful for that it's hard because of what I'm seeing other people go through.' The star expressed feeling 'sad,' but also 'angry' as she emphasized that there are 'looters' and a 'lack of water.' But, she said, 'I'll save that rant for a later date.' Naomi Watts recently revealed her now husband Billy Crudup's hilarious admission during their first sexual encounter. And now the 56-year-old actress has detailed what happened leading up to that moment as she was interviewed on Today where she promoted memoir Dare I Say It on Tuesday. As she had experienced menopause at the early age of 36, she had to wear a hormone replacement patch which she was embarrassed about on her first night of intimacy with the hunky 56-year-old actor. She said: 'I had to sneak off to the bathroom and find a way to. If anyone knows about these patches, they have quite a strong adhesive and it wasn't the easiest thing to do so I was missing from the room a bit too long. 'So things are supposed to be happening , um, so yeah I talk about that in the book.' Menopause is when a woman stops having periods, and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally. It usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. Naomi Watts recently revealed her now husband Billy Crudup's hilarious admission during their first sexual encounter; the two stars are seen at the Golden Globe Awards in LA earlier this month And now the 56-year-old actress has detailed what happened leading up to that moment as she was interviewed on Today where she promoted memoir Dare I Say It on Tuesday In an extract from her forthcoming book published by The Times earlier this month, Naomi candidly reflected on her and Billy's romance that blossomed after she experienced menopause at the age of 36. The Oscar-nominated actress admitted she wasn't looking for love when their paths crossed while filming the Netflix thriller Gypsy - shortly after Naomi's split from American actor Liev Schreiber in 2016. In fact, she wrote, a relationship with Billy - who played her on-screen husband - was the furthest thing from her mind, despite the fact that they had 'simulated sex on screen many times, dry-humping each other to the point of exhaustion'. However, Naomi began to see Billy in a different light after one of their steamy scenes when he 'spontaneously flung a pillow across the room while ravishing me with such passion that I blushed and broke character'. She was particularly taken aback by the moment because her sex drive had reduced in the years since experiencing menopause. Recalling their first time together, Naomi said she excused herself to go to the bathroom and remove her hormone therapy patch - but became conscious after it left a mark on her body. Naomi dwelled on how Billy might react to her being menopausal, while worrying about whether he wanted more children, for so long that Billy eventually called out to her. 'I came out mortified,' she continued, before telling him everything about being in early menopause. As she had experienced menopause at the early age of 36, she had to wear a hormone replacement patch which she was embarrassed about on her first night of intimacy with the hunky 56-year-old actor She said: 'I had to sneak off to the bathroom and find a way to. If anyone knows about these patches, they have quite a strong adhesive and it wasn't the easiest thing to do so I was missing from the room a bit too long' She continued: 'So things are supposed to be happening , um, so yeah I talk about that in the book' Naomi arrived in style for the chat show appearance as she sported a long black coat over a monochrome midi dress Naomi later changed up her look to a sexy off-the-shoulder number In an extract from her forthcoming book published by The Times earlier this month, Naomi candidly reflected on her and Billy's romance that blossomed after she experienced menopause at the age of 36 Naomi's book Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause is available wherever books are sold now 'I wear these hormone patches, and I didn't want you to see it because then you would know I'm in early menopause, which means I am old, and you wouldn't want me and, oh my God, should I just leave?' Naomi recalled their conversation. However, Billy's response instantly quelled her fears about ageing, as he quipped: 'Hey, if it makes you feel better, I've got grey hairs on my balls.' Describing his admission as the 'most romantic words I've ever heard', she praised Billy for being 'compassionate, not squeamish or awkward'. In that moment, Naomi added, all the shame she was carrying was washed away. Naomi's book Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause is available wherever books are sold now. Paris Hilton has pledged to adopt a dog she has been caring for since the Los Angeles fires. The 43-year-old socialite opened up her main home to a pooch named Zuzu, who was being cared for at the Pasadena Humane Society after his owners lost their home in the devastating Southern California wildfires. According to the hotel heiress, the Chihuahua mix has blended in so well to their household, he is going to stay permanently. On Monday, Paris who lost her Malibu home in the blaze told TMZ: 'His family had to surrender him because they lost their Altadena home in the devastating Eaton Fire. 'I was fostering him this past week and we've all fallen in love with him so we're going to adopt him.' The Stars Are Blind songstress also called on others to help care for animals displaced as a result of the fires. Paris Hilton has pledged to adopt a dog she has been caring for since the Los Angeles fires; seen December 2024 She added: 'To everyone who can connect with the Humane Society in Pasadena, there's animal shelters all over to volunteer, to foster and fall in love with these animals who are so beautiful, they deserve homes and everyone can do their part in some way.' Just hours earlier the star took to her Instagram story to tease that her son, Phoenix, two, has been spending time with their new furry friend and shared images of them playing in her living room. Last week, the star announced that she was adopting the tiny dog via social media, sharing images of them posed together while urging her followers to foster displaced pets. She captioned the carousel of snaps: 'We got a chance to visit @PasadenaHumane and was so moved by their life-saving work to help our animal community. Im so grateful that Im able to bring home Zuzu, our new foster whose family unfortunately had to surrender her after their home was destroyed in the wildfires. 'Fostering is such an important way to help when youre able to if you can, please consider giving a temporary or permanent home to animals in need.' The heiress' friends Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag lost their house in the fires but have seen an upturn in their fortunes after earning money through TikTok videos and a surge in streaming for the blonde beauty's old music. And Paris who also shares London, 14 months, with husband Carter Reum teased she is open to helping her friends further with a musical collaboration. Asked if she would be open to a duet with Heidi, she said: 'That would be fun, Im sending so much love, I'm so heartbroken for them and what they're going through but it's amazing to see everyone supporting her and her music, I'm really proud of her.' The 43-year-old socialite opened up her main home to a pooch named Zuzu, who was being cared for at the Pasadena Humane Society after his owners lost their home 'I was fostering him this past week and we've all fallen in love with him so we're going to adopt him,' the socialite told TMZ The heiress' friends Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag lost their house in the fires; seen October 2024 Paris shared photos of the remnants of her $8.4 million home earlier this month She launched an emergency fund and donated $100,000 to aid victims of the Los Angeles wildfires after losing her own Malibu home; seen November 2024 The reality star stayed tight-lipped when asked if she could potentially DJ at the highly anticipated FireAid benefit concert in Inglewood, California later this month. She said: I can't wait for that, it's going to be amazing. We'll see what happens. I'm just heartbroken for everybody who have lost everything, children, animals, it's been heartbreaking to see what happened to California.' The former Simple Life star also declined to give a definite answer when asked if she plans to rebuild her scorched Malibu home. She said: 'Carter will be dealing with all that.' Paris and her husband, Carter Reum, 43, owned the home for nearly four years years before it was destroyed by the Palisades Fire earlier this month. The couple purchased the 3,000 sq. ft. three-bedroom beachfront home for $8.4 million back in June 2021, according to Realtor.com. She also recently launched launched an emergency fund and donated $100,000 to aid victims of the continuing wildfires. EastEnders' Phil Mitchell is seen breaking down at his late parents' graves in first look images amid the heartbreaking new storyline which will see the character attempt suicide. The upcoming hard-hitting plot will see Phil, portrayed by Steve McFadden, struggle with his mental health as his depression spirals, which results in him ultimately attempting to take his own life. Filming images for the BBC soap show Phil's concerned friends and family - Linda Carter, Billy Mitchell, Nigel Bates and Lexi Pearce - find what appears to be a suicide note from the mechanic left on his beloved mother Peggy's grave. The nighttime scenes see the Walford residents gathered at a graveyard after going in search of Phil, amid growing worry for his welfare. Shots see Steve in character as the infamous hard man standing over a grave looking emotional as he continues to struggle with his depression. While other snaps sees the actor, 65, bundled up in a padded navy coat and a beanie hat in between scenes. EastEnders' Phil Mitchell is seen breaking down at his late parents' graves in first look images amid the heartbreaking new storyline which will see the character attempt suicide Filming images for the BBC soap show Phil's concerned friends and family - Linda Carter, Billy Mitchell, Nigel Bates and Lexi Pearce - find what appears to be a suicide note from the mechanic left on his beloved mother Peggy's grave Further images show the character being comforted by cousin Billy (Perry Fenwick) and granddaughter Lexi (Isabella Brown). Nigel (Paul Bradley) also embraces his longtime pal, having recently returned to Albert Square after 27 years away. With another snap revealing the shock moment Linda (Kellie Bright) leans down at Peggy's grave to uncover a note, seemingly penned by Phil. In upcoming scenes, Phil will start to isolate himself from his close family and friends as he comes to terms with Sharon's new relationship with his cousin Teddy, the collapse of his marriage to Kat and son Ben's imprisonment in America. As his depression deepens, Phil behind to experience vivid hallucinations, leading him to the heartbreaking belief that his life is no longer worth living. The storyline will follow the impact Phil's depression will have on his family and friends as they struggle to understand and support him. EastEnders is working closely with The Samaritans, Rethink Mental Illness, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and Mind to ensure Phil's story is portrayed as accurately and as sensitively as possible. The BBC soap's executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: 'Phil's depression storyline will focus on his decline in mental health and the subsequent psychotic symptoms, and the reaction of those around him, as we hope to demonstrate how mental health can affect anyone at any time. The upcoming hard-hitting plot will see Phil, portrayed by Steve McFadden, struggle with his mental health as his depression spirals, which results in him ultimately attempting to take his own life The nighttime scenes see the Walford residents gathered at a graveyard after going in search of Phil, amid growing worry for his welfare Shots see Steve in character as the infamous hard man standing over a grave looking emotional as he continues to struggle with his depression Dressed in his signature black leather jacket, Phil is seen struggling with his emotions The character has been battling with depression and loneliness in recent months Other snaps sees the actor, 65, bundled up in a padded navy coat and a beanie hat in between scenes Steve has played the Walford resident for 35 years In between scenes, the actor was spotted studying his script Further images show the character being comforted by cousin Billy (Perry Fenwick) and granddaughter Lexi (Isabella Brown) Phil embraces Lexi in heartbreaking scenes Nigel (Paul Bradley) also embraces his longtime pal, having recently returned to Albert Square after 27 years away A struggling Phil visited the graves of both his parents Eric and Peggy The cast shot scenes late into the night amid the hard-hitting plot The actors bundled up in padded coats in between scenes 'Steve's performance is nothing short of extraordinary and has thoughtfully portrayed the complex realties of depression, and the experience of psychotic symptoms, with compassion and understanding.' Grant Mitchell, portrayed by Ross Kemp, will make a surprise return to the BBC soap after nine years to help his brother who grapples with his mental health. Grant was last seen in 2016 when he returned for mum Peggy Mitchell's funeral and the appearance will be part of the soap's 40th anniversary special episode. Another snap reveals the shock moment Linda (Kellie Bright) leans down at Peggy's grave to uncover a note, seemingly penned by Phil Linda, Lexi and Billy all worry for Phil amid the latest development in Phil's depression storyline The graves of late Walford residents Pat Evans and Heather Trott are also pictured The cast wrapped up in warm coats as they took some downtime from filming Kellie munched on an apple while chatting to co-star Perry in between scenes The storyline will follow the impact Phil's depression will have on his family and friends as they struggle to understand and support him EastEnders is working closely with The Samaritans, Rethink Mental Illness, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and Mind to ensure Phil's story is portrayed as accurately and as sensitively as possible Confirming his return, Ross said: 'I'm delighted to be returning to EastEnders as the show heads towards its 40th anniversary. 'EastEnders has always meant so much to me, so to return as the show is about to celebrate such a special anniversary, is an absolute honour. 'Grant has never been far from the action and let's just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang.' For help for a mental health crisis contact Mind on: 0300 123 3393 Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina were among the stylish arrivals for the Louis Vuitton show at Paris Men's Fashion Week on Tuesday. The couple caught the eye in matching leather ensembles as they posed for snaps together ahead of the runway show. Showing off her incredible physique, Sabrina, 35, set pulses racing in tiny black leather shorts teamed with a matching top and one of Louis Vuitton's famous bags. The Canadian model finished her look with matching black stilettos as she posed up a storm with her spouse, 52, who cut a suave figure in a black leather overcoat. Bradley Cooper was also in attendance for the fashion show, with the actor opting for a smart brown tweed coat. As one of the favourites to be nominated for Best Actor at this year's Oscars, Adrien Brody also took a break from promoting his film The Brutalist to attend the event. Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina were among the stylish arrivals for the Louis Vuitton show at Paris Men's Fashion Week on Tuesday The couple caught the eye in matching leather ensembles as they posed for snaps together ahead of the runway show Showing off her incredible physique, Sabrina set pulses racing in tiny black leather shorts teamed with a matching top and one of Louis Vuitton's famous bags Paris Men's Fashion Week kicked off on Tuesday, and will continue until Sunday, January 26, before being immediately followed by the French city's Haute Couture Fashion Week. It comes after Idris revealed that he wants to settle in Africa within a decade. The actor wishes to help bolster their film industry and is opening film studios in Zanzibar and Ghana's capital Accra. Idris - whose mother is from Ghana and father is from Sierra Leone - was born in Hackney in east London. Last month, he told the BBC: 'I would certainly consider settling down here not even consider; it's going to happen. 'I think I'll move in the next five, ten years, God willing. I'm here to bolster the film industry. That is a ten-year process. I won't be able to do that from overseas. I need to be in-country, on the continent.' 'I'm going to live in Accra, I'm going to live in Freetown [the capital of Sierra Leone], I'm going to live in Zanzibar. I'm going to try and go where they're telling stories - that's really important.' He added that he thinks it is vital for Africans to play a key part in all areas of the film-making process including in financing, distribution and marketing. The Canadian model finished her look with matching black stilettos as she posed up a storm with her spouse who cut a suave figure in a black leather overcoat Idris and Sabrina, who married in 2019, cosied up to one another as they posed for snaps The Luther star was in high spirits as he arrived for the event Idris stuck a peace sign up as he held hands with wife Sabrina Bradley Cooper was also in attendance for the fashion show, with the actor opting for a smart brown tweed coat During the show, the actor was seen mingling with British actor Callum Turner, who is reportedly engaged to singer Dua Lipa Callum showed off his eye-catching sense of style in a sharp all-black look Following reports that he and Dua are engaged, Callum was in high spirits as he made a solo appearance at the fashion show As one of the favourites to be nominated for Best Actor at this year's Oscars, Adrien Brody also took a break from promoting his film The Brutalist to attend the event Fashionista Rahi Chadda was dressed to impress at the VIP event After attending the fashion show, Adrien was spotted outside the event with his partner Georgina Chapman Georgina cut a stylish figure in a leather black mini dress and matching boots as she and Adrien departed the fashion show The couple put on a cosy display as they joined a star-studded lineup at the fashion show As one of the designers behind Louis Vuitton's latest collection, Pharrell Williams received a rousing reception when he walked the runway Pharrell was greeted with a huge round of applause after Louis Vuitton's latest show The models descended on the catwalk A model walks the runway during the Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall-Winter 2025/2026 show At one point a model wheeled out a LV suitcase He said that in the current sector if you watch films that have anything to do with Africa all you will see is 'trauma, war, how we were slaves' but that in reality if you travel there you see that that is not true. In March Idris revealed plans to transform a remote island off the coast of Sierra Leone, the West African nation where his father was born, into an eco-friendly 'smart city'. The British star said he wants to make Sherbro Island an 'afro-dynamic eco-city' - an urban hub for the whole of Africa combining sustainability, community and economic growth. Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP) say the development will be done while protecting its 'delicate ecosystem', with the 230 sq mile island covered with mangrove forests and an important nesting site for sea turtles. Home to just 40,000 people, most of whom work in fishing and rice farming, the actor hopes to cultivate economic growth and bring prosperity to the former British colony. The development scheme has not got a specified budget but is likely to run into the billions of dollars, with SAP seeking out investment and Mr Elba admitting that it is a 'big dream'. 'Never in my lifetime would I have thought I could build the foundation for a new smart-city I'm not qualified for that,' he told the BBC. 'But I am qualified to dream big.' Mob Wives star Natalie DiDonato has been reported missing after failing to board two flights home. A police report was filed Tuesday morning in Las Vegas after DiDonato, 44, who appeared on season five of the hit show, sparked fears for her safety, per TMZ. DiDonato's concerned family spoke with police in Philadelphia - where the star visited earlier this month - after she missed a January 5 flight home to Florida. DiDonato also failed to board another flight home to Florida that was booked by a friend and her current whereabouts are unknown. Her mother Denise Fuoco told the publication she last spoke to her daughter a week ago on FaceTime and that DiDonato appeared 'nervous and distressed.' Denise says they had a 'brief conversation', but Natalie 'rushed off the phone' and didn't say where she was, telling her she had to go. Mob Wives star Natalie DiDonato has been reported missing after failing to board two flights home - pictured 2019 A police report was filed Tuesday morning in Las Vegas after DiDonato, 44, who appeared on season five of the hit show, sparked fears for her safety, per TMZ - pictured 2015 She says she has 'repeatedly' tried to contact her daughter but failed to reach her, leading her to contact police in Philadelphia. Denise says one of DiDonato's friends named Ben updated her on Monday that her daughter was in Las Vegas and had 'reached out to him for help getting back home to Florida.' She said Ben claims DiDonato contacted him four days prior on WhatsApp, where she sounded 'distressed' and asked for money for a flight. Denise adds Ben bought a ticket for DiDonato but that she never boarded the flight to Florida. Ben is believed to be the last person to have spoken to DiDonato and he filed the missing person report. Denise says she is 'sick' over her daughter's whereabouts and claimed she had 'not been right for the past month' and had been 'distant' but that she does not know what is going on with her. DiDonato's most recent Instagram post from December 2024 showed her reflecting on turning 44. She wrote: 'Not bad for 44. I love me some me. 44 sitting on 24s still. (its not my bdayIm just feelin myself, dropped 10 lbshit that goal weight) DiDonato's most recent Instagram post from December 2024 showed her reflecting on turning 44 Her mother Denise Fuoco told the publication she last spoke to her daughter a week ago on FaceTime and that DiDonato appeared 'nervous and distressed' - she is pictured right in 2016 with Gina Marie Zimmerman 'Getting older is a blessing, can't believe I made it this far. I'm embracing my age because to me it's a badge of honor to have made it to 44.' She shot to fame on the VH1 series' fifth season in 2014, titled Mob Wives: Trust No One. She is the cousin of deceased mobster Frankie Flowers. The show ended in 2016 with final season Mob Wives: The Last Stand. Disgraced celebrity chef Pete Evans has thrown his support behind Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization. After being sworn in as the 47th president on Monday, Trump announced the US will exit WHO and suspend all foreign aid for three months. Former My Kitchen Rules judge Pete, 52, celebrated Trump's controversial move on Instagram. He shared a photo of Trump signing a document which read: 'Trump withdraws US from World Health Organization.' The disgraced celebrity chef then captioned the image with three orange love hearts. Pete's fans flooded his comments section with messages of support and jubilation. Disgraced celebrity chef Pete Evans (pictured) has thrown his support behind Donald Trump 's decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization 'SUPER happy about this. Now we need to pull out of the UN, WEF, NATO, etc,' one person wrote. 'And now for Australia to follow suit,' another commented. 'Yay It's going to be a great ride,' a third wrote, while another said: 'Lets hope this is the beginning of something great for the whole world.' Peter has been a longtime supporter of Trump and went shirtless on Instagram back in November to celebrate his win in the US election. He displayed his graying chest hair as he enjoyed a gin and tonic and a cigar, all while wearing Trump's iconic red 'MAGA' hat. 'Another cracker of a day,' he captioned the post, alongside three orange heart emojis. Once a small screen star, Pete has all but vanished into obscurity in recent years, following a string of controversies stemming from his belief in anti-vaxxer conspiracy theories. After being banned for several mainstream social media sites, Pete now communicates with his fanbase via Telegram, an encrypted messaging app that is often used by conspiracy theorists to broadcast their beliefs. Former My Kitchen Rules judge Pete, 52, celebrated Trump's controversial move on Tuesday by sharing a post to Instagram The President has announced the US will exit the WHO and suspend all foreign aid for three months Pete's new appearance is worlds away from the squeaky-clean image he maintained while starring on Seven cooking show My Kitchen Rules. In fact, the once youthful-looking restaurateur appears to have aged decades since quitting his television career two years ago. In May 2020, it was announced that Pete had parted ways with Channel Seven after 10 years as a judge on MKR alongside Manu Feildel. It effectively marked his break from the mainstream after years of flirting with off-the-wall ideas during his tenure at the network. Now free from the contractual constraints of mainstream television, Pete began spouting his non-scientific beliefs about vaccines and the Covid-19 pandemic on social media. Pete was kicked off Facebook for sharing misinformation in December 2020. He was also dropped by 15 sponsors and companies in the space of 48 hours last November, after posting a neo-Nazi meme on social media. Kaz Crossley opened up about her alopecia and shaving her hair for charity on Love Island All Stars during Tuesday night's episode. The influencer raised an incredible 13,000 for a children's hair loss charity last year after she developed alopecia herself following a series of traumatic events. Speaking to new bombshell Ron Hall in the South African villa, Kaz said she is 'now embracing the short hair' after previously saying she 'felt like a boy' with the hair do. She said: 'Everything happens for a reason and to me on my journey it's made me who I am and made me do things that I do now. 'Even like shaving my hair off it was because I had alopecia. I shaved it off for charity, it's a charity that makes wigs for children going through alopecia and cancer. 'Yeah, now I embrace the short hair'. Kaz Crossley opened up about her alopecia and shaving her hair for charity on Love Island All Stars during Tuesday night's episode The influencer raised an incredible 13,000 for a children's hair loss charity last year after she developed alopecia herself following a series of traumatic events Ron reassured the stunner that she is 'fit as f***' as the pair shared a sweet hug on the balcony. Last April, Kaz gave her first honest opinion on the new look, telling FUBAR Radio: 'I feel like a boy. I'd be lying if I said that I felt super confident or I love it. 'It's weird for me to not have my hair but you know if it means that I take a bit of my confidence away to give these girls their confidence, then I'll do that.' Kaz and her mother both cut their hair so they could make a wig for children who had lost their hair for various reasons. She explained: 'You know what she did. She literally went "I'm going to do it too" on the day and I was like "what" and she was like "yeah." 'And they were like "how short do you want to go?" and she was like "the same." So they shaved her head and she just sat there meditating.' Kaz raised more than 13,000 for a children's hair loss charity after shaving her head. She is raising funds for charity Little Lady Locks which relieves the needs of children up to the age of 18 who are suffering with hair loss due to alopecia or other conditions by the provision of wigs and hair systems. Speaking to new bombshell Ron Hall, Kaz said she is 'now embracing the short hair' after previously saying 'felt like a boy' with the new hair do She said: 'Everything happens for a reason. Even like shaving my hair off it was because I had alopecia. I shaved it off for charity, it's a charity that makes wigs for children going through alopecia and cancer. Now I embrace the short hair' Last year, Kaz revealed she had suffered from hair loss as a result of 'stress' after she was held in a Dubai prison on suspicion of drug offences. She was detained at Abu Dhabi airport while transferring to a flight to Thailand where she says she was going to carry out voluntary work. Following the ordeal, Kaz revealed her hair had thinned as she shared a picture of a bald patch at the front of her head. Alongside the images, Kaz wrote: 'I've just arrived in the Dominican Republic to celebrate my best friends birthday. Lucky us. 'But due to recent stress, I'm experiencing hair loss. It's got a lot thinner, I also have a small bald patch right at the front of my head. 'I'm trying to cover it by changing my parting or wearing one of my @kazbands (of course) but when I tie my hair up it's still so noticeable. 'In all honesty Im pretty sure it's getting worse. I'm not usually one to care too much about what I look like but its starting to affect my confidence. If anyone has gone through something similar I'd really appreciate your advice or any products/treatments you'd recommend. 'Feel free to comment below, you'd really be helping me out and hopefully others reading this too. P.S who knew that you can wear your Kazband inside out to get rid of the bow? Not me!' In February last year, Kaz spoke out about being arrested in the United Arab Emirates on suspicion of drug offences and held in a Dubai prison. In 2020, she was filmed appearing to snort lines of white powder in Dubai when hordes of influencers flocked there to escape Covid-19 restrictions in the UK, claiming they were there for work. Kaz previously revealed she has suffered from hair loss as a result of 'stress' after she was held in a Dubai prison on suspicion of drug offences Speaking her 'own truth' on Instagram, Kaz said: 'Hi everyone. I wanted to do this video to speak my own truth and use my own voice about a situation that's happened to me. 'I feel like I owe it to my followers and I owe it to myself to get closure about this situation because it's been a good few years and I'm ready to move forward now.' She went on: 'In 2020, I was in Dubai. I was filmed - it was me in the video, no one forced me to do that - it was a time of my life where I definitely didn't love myself at all, probably. And this is reflected in what I was doing to my body and who I surrounded myself with.' '[The video] later got leaked and then, more recently, I was on my way to Thailand,' Kaz further explained. 'I had an amazing job offer. I was so excited for this job offer guys, it was like my dream job and I was staying up all night researching and, yeah, I did not think about the transit in Abu Dhabi and that it would be an issue for me because, obviously, I wasn't thinking and... yeah, everything happens for a reason. 'I was then detained in Abu Dhabi and kept in custody from Monday through to Friday, which is when they released me. 'I was very accepting of the situation and I was ready for whatever was going to happen to me because, at the end of the day, I take full accountability. I don't lie. I said that that was me in the video and explained the situation, it was a long time ago, etc.' In 2020, she was filmed appearing to snort lines of white powder in Dubai when hordes of influencers flocked there to escape Covid-19 restrictions in the UK Kaz was one of many influencers who had travelled to Dubai for 'work purposes' when travel was banned for UK citizens during the height of the lockdown in 2020 The former Love Island star explained she's had a lot of messages of concerns from her followers, largely warning her about her friends in her circle. However, Kaz cleared up that the leaked video of her with a white substance was recorded by an ex, not one of her pals. The star then later took to Instagram Stories to clarify that the ex in question was not Love Island star Theo Campbell, who she dated from March 2019 to February 2020. She wrote: 'It wasn't Theo! We are friends now and just filmed a show together please stop sending him abuse. It was a relationship that I kept private. Thank you for all the love on my recent video love you all.' Kaz was arrested and an insider claimed 'that her name obviously raised a red flag' when her passport was checked in the UAE's capital. She was then moved to a Dubai prison, where she was reportedly refused a phone call to her family, but was permitted to send a single email. A Foreign Office spokesman said at the time: 'We are in contact with the local authorities following the arrest of a British national in the United Arab Emirates.' Dubai has recently liberalised its drugs laws with first-time offenders given a minimum of three months in prison and a fine of between 4,559 and 22,799. Previously, offenders would have faced a minimum of four years in prison for any drug use. After serving jail time, suspects are then deported to their home state - in Kaz's case to the UK - and banned from returning to the UAE. Sentences for drug-trafficking can include the death penalty. Bloomingdale's has announced that it will shut its flagship store in the struggling San Francisco Centre Mall. It marks the end of the department store chain's nearly two decades on Market Street. Bosses blamed changes in the retail landscape. The store is set to close by the end of March, leaving the embattled mall without its last major anchor tenant. Around half of stores are empty after retailers have fled since the pandemic amid crime in the area. Nordstrom left last year after 40 years. Bloomingdale's has 32 departement stores and 21 outlet shops in the US. Owner Macy's is in the middle of a three-year cost cutting pan that includes mass store closures. Macy's plans to shut 150 underperforming stores by the end of 2026. The the first 66 have been named and will stop serving customers in coming weeks. 'We are saddened to confirm that Bloomingdale's will officially close its doors in Union Square, San Francisco,' a Macy's spokesperson said. 'While we are committed to this decision, our doors will remain open until late spring 2025.. Bloomingdale's has announced that it will shut its flagship store in the struggling San Francisco Centre Mall Bloomingdales, in the former Westfield Mall in downtown San Francisco, will be closing in March Macy's now now expects to close 65 locations by the end of the year. Pictured is a previous closure in Houston in 2013 'We are hopeful to be back to serve the San Francisco community in the future and look forward to introducing new ways to provide enhanced service to our loyal local shoppers.' The five-story Bloomingdale's space was originally leased until 2046, and it remains unclear how the retailer will exit the long-term agreement. Macys is also shutting down its Union Square store and actively searching for buyers for the property. The San Francisco Centre mall has been plagued by mass vacancies since the pandemic. Previous owners Westfield and Brookfield Properties surrendered the property to lenders in 2023 after ceasing mortgage payments, and the mall is now under receiver management. The mall has seen an exodus of high-profile retailers, including Nordstrom, which left last year after 40 years, and brands like Hollister, Adidas, and J. Crew. Despite promises of recovery, foot traffic has failed to rebound. Meanwhile, Macy's continues to face challenges, closing 150 stores nationwide by 2026. The five-story Bloomingdale's space was originally leased until 2046 The company's stock is down 22 percent so far this year The iconic Macy's Union Square location is being marketed for sale, leaving the city's retail future uncertain. Kazuko Morgan, a veteran retail broker, expressed dismay over the closure. 'It's heartbreaking,' she told the San Francisco Chronicle. 'San Francisco needs stores like Bloomingdale's - a mix of luxury and major department stores to attract shoppers.' The closure underscores the city's ongoing struggle to revitalize its downtown retail sector amid rising vacancies and dwindling consumer traffic. Like many department stores, Macy's has been suffering from dwindling sales amid the stratospheric rise of online rivals and the demise of America's suburban malls. Tony Spring was appointed CEO last year and announced a major turnaround effort. Across the board, stores are being closed as the ongoing 'retail apocalypse' forces brick-and-mortar locations to grapple with rising theft and shrinking profit margins. Up until mid-December, US retailers have shut 7,300 stores - up nearly 60 percent from 2023. The most recent big retail bankruptcy was Container Store, which filed for Chapter 11 protection on December 22. Earlier that month, Big Lots said it was beginning 'going out of business' sales at all its stores across the US, after filing for bankruptcy in September. Prof. Karamjeet Singh's first Senate meeting as Vice-Chancellor of GNDU Amritsar: In his first Senate meeting as Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Prof. Karamjeet Singh emphasized the importance of making higher education globally competitive and employment-oriented. SIMATS hosts Intl. meet on vector-borne diseases, Awards handed over to experts CHENNAI: Entomologists played a vital role in combating the menace of vector-borne diseases, yet the number of experts and their role was being often ignored, speakers at an international conference said on Tuesday. VIT-AP University and IIT Madras Ink MoU to Propel Research and Innovation in DeepTech Amravati: In a landmark move aimed at fostering innovation and strengthening research collaborations, VIT-AP University, Amaravati, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai. Five-day Boot Camp on Drone Technology commenced at Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar: Under the visionary guidance of the worthy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Karamjeet Singh, Guru Nanak Dev University, the department Electronics Technology in collaboration with Dr. BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar organised a 5-Day Boot Camp on "Drone Dynamics: Drone Technology, Trends and Applications" from 20 th- 24 th January, 2025. RECPDCL Handovers HVDC Transmission Project's to Adani Energy Solutions Limited Gurugram: REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of REC Limited, the Maharatna CPSU under the aegis of Ministry of Power, has handed over the project specific SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) of HVDC Transmission Project under TBCB route viz, Rajasthan Part I Power Transmission Limited to Adani Energy Solutions Limited on 20th January 2025 at Gurugram. the event reaffirms its status as an intangible cultural heritage, blending ancient mythology and lived religious practices to embody the unity in diversity of Indian spirituality Mark Tully, the well-known former BBC correspondent depicted the 1989 Maha Kumbh at Parayag as an enigmatic and enchanting interplay of time and timelessness. Navigating the kaleidoscopic unfolding of saints from Akhadas, pilgrims called Kaplvasis, stakeholder communities such as Prayagwals and Ghatiya priests, Kewats and Khatiks, and overall householders and renouncers, Tully reported on the mythology and history aimed at a greater common goal, the spiritual uplift of the participating humanity. The religion of the Hindus at Maha Kumbh wrote Tully, is a religion beyond the reality of history, a religion of the imagination which goes beyond reason. The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur is engaged in reviewing the Prayag Maha Kumbh of 2025, enabling a fresh perspective on the interplay of time and timelessness surrounding the intangible heritage. At various levels, the intangible heritage seems to have found tangible manifestation. The enormity of Mahakumbh is not merely in the formidable statistics on the whopping number of participants or even the scale of the organisation. The numbers have increased over the decades and the organisation has entered an art of state level. In the past Mahakumbh was spotted by the Indian Space Research Organisation space satellite as one of the most jaw-dropping visuals. The 2025 version has ensured that more elaborate facilities for the pilgrims and sadhus, diverse categories of accommodations on three sides of Sangam, and the latest technology for the upkeep of hygiene are in place. The administrators of the Kumbh district have seemingly left no stone unturned to ensure highly efficient, technologically supported services. Yet the most significant is the power of mythology, history and social embeddedness of the Hindu religion, the Sanatan dharma. No wonder UNESCO had to declare Kumbh as an intangible heritage of India in 2017. But the intangible and abstract have very tangible and concrete expressions in the Kumbh, the latest addition being an up-marketed Akshaya Vat, a mythical tree adjoining the precincts of the fort of emperor Akbar. Even though Maha Kumbh is conceived and communicated through abundant textual references, it is a manifestation of lived religious tradition and collective memory of India. The ancient texts of the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Atharva Veda, Matsya Purana, Skanda Purana, Vishnu Purana, and the epics such as Valmikis Ramayana and Ved Vyass Mahabharata provide ample references to the religious congregation, premised on the origin myth of Hindu mythology. Gods in collaboration with demons conducted a churning of the ocean, the sagar-manthan. The boatmen tell us that the sagarmanthan shall continue in our minds. Of the fourteen priceless outcomes of the churning one was a Kumbh of Amrit, a pitcher filled with immortality nectar. Many versions of the myth and tales inform that some drops of nectar fell in the confluence of rivers, Ganga, Jamuna and mythical Sarasvati. On certain celestial occasions, the nectar in the confluence becomes available for the pilgrims, who stay by the confluence and observe a daily life of austerity, piety, and spiritual practices, called Kalpwaas, aimed at transforming the body and mind. Unlike the modern historians dispute about the origin of Mahakumbh, many travellers, chroniclers and intellectuals from ancient to modern times have found it mystical. The Chinese Buddhist scholar Hsuan Tsang attended a Kumbh in the 7th century CE in which the emperor of Kannauj Harshavardhan participated and gave away his wealth. In the 9th century CE, the Hindu reformer saint and scholar Adi Shankar transformed the Mahakumbh into a more pan-Hindu event. Much later Mughal emperor Akbar constructed ghats and fortifications by the Sangam contributing to the infrastructure of the Kumbh Mela, as described by Abu Fazal in Akbarnama. In modern India Mahatma Gandhi had more critical comprehension of the Mahakumbh. He mentioned in his biography that self-realisation was not a hostage to the pilgrimage in the Kumbh, yet in 1915 he attended the Kumbh at Haridwar. Jawaharlal Nehru, however, fondly remembered in The Discovery of India, What was the tremendous faith, I wondered, that had drawn our people for untold generations to this famous river of India? A microcosm of India, Maha Kumbh represents unity in diversity and lived religion described in Dhananjay Chopras book published in 2024 by the National Book Trust of India. Perhaps that ensures an interplay of time and timelessness and thus a long future of the Maha Kumbh. (The author is Associate Professor of Sociology at South Asian University and is a member of the Maha Kumbh review team of IIT Kanpur; views are personal) US President Donald Trump has said that he would have chosen Usha Chilukuri Vance, JD Vance's wife, as his Vice President as "she is smarter but the line of succession did not work that way". Usha, 39, on Monday, became the first Indian-American and Hindu Second Lady after her husband JD was sworn in as the 50th Vice President of the US. On Monday, wearing a pink coat, she held the Bible in one hand and their daughter Mirabel Rose in the other, as Vance placed his left hand on the religious text, and raising his right hand took the oath of office. As a lawyer who is the daughter of Indian immigrants - her parents' ancestral village is Vadluru in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh - Usha is also one of the youngest second ladies assuming the position. She is the youngest second lady since 38-year-old Jane Hadley Barkley, the wife of former President Harry Truman's Vice President Alben Barkley. After Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States with JD as his deputy, the 78-year-old Republican addressed a crowd in the overflow room, calling them "beautiful". Trump praised his team, especially JD, for his successful re-election bid. "I watch JD over a period of time. I endorsed him in Ohio. He was a great senator and a very, very smart one," said Trump, but added, "The only one smarter is his wife". This reference made everyone around the hall laugh. Trump then looked at JD and said, "I would have chosen her but somehow the line of succession didn't work that way, right?" She is great and he is great. This a great, beautiful couple and an unbelievable career, he continued. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a mentor to Usha, administered the oath to her husband JD. Usha had clerked for Supreme Court justices Kavanaugh and John Roberts. Her rise as second lady comes as Indian Americans have become more politically active during recent election cycles and have stood as candidates on the national stage, including several who ran for president in 2024, the Hill reported. "My background is very different from JD's, she said at the Republican National Convention in July. I grew up in San Diego, in a middle-class community with two loving parents, both immigrants from India, and a wonderful sister. That JD and I could meet at all, let alone fall in love and marry, is a testament to this great country." Usha is Hindu, raised by Indian immigrant parents in California. Her husband credits her with helping him return to his faith. Vance told the Megyn Kelly Show podcast in 2020: "If I maybe get a little bit too cocky or a little too proud, I just remind myself that she is way more accomplished than I am. People don't realise just how brilliant she is." Usha and Vance met at Yale Law School while studying and later married in 2014 in Kentucky. The ceremony was blessed by a Hindu priest at a different event, according to a New York Times profile. The Vances have three children: sons Ewan and Vivek, and a daughter named Mirabel. After Vance was chosen as Trump's running mate, Usha's Hindu roots soon became the talk of the town. Vance has said on several occasions that his wife is not a Christian but was very supportive of deepening his faith. Asked about the challenges of an interfaith marriage, Usha said, There are a lot of things that we just agree on, I think, especially when it comes to family life, how to raise our kids. And so I think the answer really is, we just talk a lot. As the Delhi Assembly elections approach, a shower of new freebies continues to pour down on the people of the national Capital with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Tuesday, promising a slew of welfare schemes, including free education for needy students from KG to PG in government institutions, a one-time assistance of Rs 15,000 for UPSC aspirants, and an insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh, along with a Rs five lakh accident cover for domestic helps and auto-taxi drivers, as part of the second phase of its Sankalp Patra. Former Union Minister and Lok Sabha MP Anurag Thakur presented the manifesto which has eight poll promises including zero tolerance for corruption. He said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed to probe all irregularities and scams of the AAP government if the party comes to power in Delhi. As soon as the BJP government is formed, we will form an SIT to investigate the Mohalla Clinic scam, classroom scam, DTC bus scam, Delhi Jal Board scam, Thakur said. The manifesto includes a number of measures focusing on youth including a one-time financial assistance of Rs 15,000 and reimbursement of fees and travel expenses twice for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and state civil services examinations. The party also assured that its government in Delhi would launch Dr BR Ambedkar Stipend Yojna to provide Rs 1,000 monthly aid to Scheduled Caste (SC) students at polytechnic and skill centres in the national capital if voted to power. In a bid to counter AAPs promise to provide insurance to auto-drivers, who have traditionally been a voter base of the ruling party, the BJP also promised to form welfare boards for domestic workers and auto-taxi drivers once they form the government. The senior BJP leader added, Besides, the boards will provide Rs 10 lakh of insurance and Rs 5 lakh of accident cover and offer scholarships to the children of domestic workers and auto-taxi drivers. He also promised six months paid maternity leave for the female domestic workers. Under the PM SVANidhi scheme for street vendors, the number of beneficiaries will be doubled, he said, citing the Sankalp Patra-2. Thakur alleged that the AAP government had failed to implement the Jal Jeevan Mission in the national capital, reiterating the BJPs commitment to improve infrastructure and welfare if voted to power. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, water comes from taps even at 17,000 feet in the mountains but the AAP-da (AAP) government did not implement it in Delhi, he claimed. Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal described the BJPs election manifesto as dangerous for the country. The AAP convener alleged that the BJP plans to shut free education in government schools and dismantle free health services including the mohalla clinics if voted to power. The first part of the BJPs manifesto for the Delhi polls, Sankalp Patra-1, was released by its president JP Nadda last week. The party has already promised Rs 2,500 per month to Delhi women under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojna and assured that all public welfare schemes of the outgoing AAP government will continue in the future. In what the parents of the victim called a travesty of justice, for which they held the Kolkata Police and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) responsible, the Sealdah Sessions Court on Monday sentenced convict Sanjoy Roy to life imprisonment until death - and not death, as the prosecution and the public had wanted - for committing the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate lady doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Roy, a former civic volunteer who was working with the West Bengal Police at the time, was pronounced guilty of the RGKMCH rape and murder case on Saturday, with the quantum of punishment delivered by District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das on Monday. Judge Das stated that the crime did not fall under the rarest of the rare category, which is why he did not impose the death penalty on the convict. He also ordered the State Government to pay compensation of Rs 17 lakh to the parents who lost their daughter in the chilling crime that shook the conscience of the country. Roy was found guilty on January 18, 2025, under sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the BNS. However, the mother of the victim, who broke down in tears immediately after the judgment was pronounced, said, We cannot discard the order, but we think it is a rarest of rare case, as the rape and murder occurred inside the workplace, which is a second home, and that too by a civic police officer who is considered a protector of citizens. The family did not want money; they wanted justice, she said. She trailed off, saying, Now we have understood that it is not enough to be the parents of a meritorious child or enough to labor hard to see the child succeed it is also very important to be powerful and influential so that you can get justice. Her parents and other doctors immediately took out long processions throughout Kolkata and threatened another sit-in movement. They quoted forensic reports that found the presence of at least four different types of DNA inside the victims body. They also cited reports suggesting that the crime had been committed elsewhere, and the body was dumped inside the seminar hall. The family will move the higher court to challenge the order. The victims body was found in a semi-nude condition inside the seminar hall of the Chest Medicine Department of the hospital in the early hours of August 9, triggering nationwide outrage. Even as the medical fraternity, civil society, and the general public erupted in anger, promising a prolonged movement in the days to come, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee - whose government was primarily held responsible by the victims family for destroying evidence and hushing up the case - promptly laid the blame at the Centres door, calling it a failure of the central agencies that had been handling the case to ensure a death sentence for the convict. I am very upset my party too is we wanted the death sentence All of us had demanded the death sentence, but the court has given a life term until death. The case was forcibly taken from us. Had it been with the Kolkata Police, we would have ensured that he was given a death sentence We dont know how they conducted the investigation. In many similar cases that were probed by the State Police, the death penalty was ensured in a record time of 55 to 60 days recently I am not satisfied with the proceedings, the Chief Minister said. Following allegations that the Calcutta Police, led by then Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, was engaged in a cover-up, the Calcutta High Court had promptly transferred the case to the CBI, which expressed its displeasure at how the crime scene had been tampered with. After taking up the case, the CBI arrested the then Principal of RGKMCH, Sandip Ghosh, and the officer in charge of the local Tala Police Station on charges of destroying evidence. Ghosh was also arrested for running a multi-crore racket, which included smuggling medical waste and other various crimes. However, the CBI failed to submit the supplementary chargesheet, and both Ghosh and the officer managed to obtain bail. Junior doctors and other medical staff of the college complain that Abhaya, the victim, had to pay with her life because she had protested against what was happening inside the hospital. Incidentally, Ghosh is known for his close ties to top political circles in the State, which is why he evaded action despite repeated complaints being sent to the Health Ministry and even to the Police authorities about his alleged corrupt acts. Interestingly, as Mamata Banerjee is both the Health Minister and Home Minister of the State, the political opposition has roundly held her government responsible for a number of scams plaguing the medical campus. While the parents of the victim directly blamed the Chief Minister and her government for a miscarriage of justice, calling it an institutional murder, Opposition BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya said, The Chief Minister is blaming the CBI, but the police had destroyed the case well before it was handed over to the CBI They will have to answer why the crime scene was allowed to be disturbed by so many outsiders why the adjoining walls were demolished why the vaginal swab of the victim was not preserved at the correct temperature who sent Sanjoy Roy to that room and why the CFSL reports were not properly evaluated. Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury, on the other hand, said, The common people of Bengal are disappointed The people will never believe this government again. The Left also lambasted the State Government and the CBI, with State CPI(M) Secretary Md Salim saying, Like the Sharada, Narada, and teachers job scams, this is another instance of how the Centre and the State work in close cooperation. Life sentence for Sanjoy Roy Saugar Sengupta n Kolkata In what the parents of the victim called a travesty of justice, for which they held the Kolkata Police and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) responsible, the Sealdah Sessions Court on Monday sentenced convict Sanjoy Roy to life imprisonment until death - and not death, as the prosecution and the public had wanted - for committing the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate lady doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Roy, a former civic volunteer who was working with the West Bengal Police at the time, was pronounced guilty of the RGKMCH rape and murder case on Saturday, with the quantum of punishment delivered by District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das on Monday. Judge Das stated that the crime did not fall under the rarest of the rare category, which is why he did not impose the death penalty on the convict. He also ordered the State Government to pay compensation of Rs 17 lakh to the parents who lost their daughter in the chilling crime that shook the conscience of the country. Roy was found guilty on January 18, 2025, under sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the BNS. However, the mother of the victim, who broke down in tears immediately after the judgment was pronounced, said, We cannot discard the order, but we think it is a rarest of rare case, as the rape and murder occurred inside the workplace, which is a second home, and that too by a civic police officer who is considered a protector of citizens. The family did not want money; they wanted justice, she said. She trailed off, saying, Now we have understood that it is not enough to be the parents of a meritorious child or enough to labor hard to see the child succeed it is also very important to be powerful and influential so that you can get justice. Her parents and other doctors immediately took out long processions throughout Kolkata and threatened another sit-in movement. They quoted forensic reports that found the presence of at least four different types of DNA inside the victims body. They also cited reports suggesting that the crime had been committed elsewhere, and the body was dumped inside the seminar hall. The family will move the higher court to challenge the order. The victims body was found in a semi-nude condition inside the seminar hall of the Chest Medicine Department of the hospital in the early hours of August 9, triggering nationwide outrage. Even as the medical fraternity, civil society, and the general public erupted in anger, promising a prolonged movement in the days to come, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee - whose government was primarily held responsible by the victims family for destroying evidence and hushing up the case - promptly laid the blame at the Centres door, calling it a failure of the central agencies that had been handling the case to ensure a death sentence for the convict. I am very upset my party too is we wanted the death sentence All of us had demanded the death sentence, but the court has given a life term until death. The case was forcibly taken from us. Had it been with the Kolkata Police, we would have ensured that he was given a death sentence We dont know how they conducted the investigation. In many similar cases that were probed by the State Police, the death penalty was ensured in a record time of 55 to 60 days recently I am not satisfied with the proceedings, the Chief Minister said. Following allegations that the Calcutta Police, led by then Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, was engaged in a cover-up, the Calcutta High Court had promptly transferred the case to the CBI, which expressed its displeasure at how the crime scene had been tampered with. After taking up the case, the CBI arrested the then Principal of RGKMCH, Sandip Ghosh, and the officer in charge of the local Tala Police Station on charges of destroying evidence. Ghosh was also arrested for running a multi-crore racket, which included smuggling medical waste and other various crimes. However, the CBI failed to submit the supplementary chargesheet, and both Ghosh and the officer managed to obtain bail. Junior doctors and other medical staff of the college complain that Abhaya, the victim, had to pay with her life because she had protested against what was happening inside the hospital. Incidentally, Ghosh is known for his close ties to top political circles in the State, which is why he evaded action despite repeated complaints being sent to the Health Ministry and even to the Police authorities about his alleged corrupt acts. Interestingly, as Mamata Banerjee is both the Health Minister and Home Minister of the State, the political opposition has roundly held her government responsible for a number of scams plaguing the medical campus. While the parents of the victim directly blamed the Chief Minister and her government for a miscarriage of justice, calling it an institutional murder, Opposition BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya said, The Chief Minister is blaming the CBI, but the police had destroyed the case well before it was handed over to the CBI They will have to answer why the crime scene was allowed to be disturbed by so many outsiders why the adjoining walls were demolished why the vaginal swab of the victim was not preserved at the correct temperature who sent Sanjoy Roy to that room and why the CFSL reports were not properly evaluated. Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury, on the other hand, said, The common people of Bengal are disappointed The people will never believe this government again. The Left also lambasted the State Government and the CBI, with State CPI(M) Secretary Md Salim saying, Like the Sharada, Narada, and teachers job scams, this is another instance of how the Centre and the State work in close cooperation. Donald J Trump was on Monday sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, marking his remarkable return to power for a second term four years after he left the American capital as a pariah. The 78-year-old Republican leader storms back to the White House with a strongman persona and a vision of an all-powerful presidency with a promise to aggressively reset US policies in a range of domains, including immigration, tariffs and energy. Trump registered a spectacular victory over his Democratic rival Kamala Harris in the November 5 presidential election, defying two assassination attempts, two presidential impeachments and his criminal conviction. Four years back, Trump had left Washington as a pariah in the face of his unsuccessful attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election to stay in office. His victory in the bitterly fought election was widely acknowledged as the most momentous comeback in American political history. JD Vance was sworn in as the vice president ahead of Trump. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the inauguration ceremony as Prime Minister Narendra Modis special envoy. The inauguration ceremony was held indoors under the Capitol Rotunda against the initially planned outdoor venue in view of frigid temperatures in the US capital city. The ceremony was attended by Trumps wife Melania, his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, and billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Tim Cook. On the first day in office, Trump is expected to sign a slew of executive orders, including kicking off a process to end birthright citizenship. A court in Kerala on Monday sentenced a woman to death for the sensational murder of her boyfriend in 2022. The Neyyattinkara Additional District Sessions Court also sentenced her uncle, Nirmalakumaran Nair, the third accused in the case, to three years of imprisonment. The 24-year-old convict, Greeshma, had sought leniency in sentencing by citing her academic achievements, lack of prior criminal history, and the fact that she is her parents only daughter. In its 586-page verdict, the court observed that there was no need to consider the convicts age and other circumstances over the gravity of the crime committed, according to the prosecutor. The victim, Sharon Raj, was a BSc Radiology student and a native of Parassala in the Thiruvananthapuram district. The court also observed that the convict conspired to operate the crime in phases, she had a criminal background as she attempted to murder the youth earlier and tried to end her life after the arrest to divert the investigation, the prosecutor said. The trial court found Greeshma guilty under Sections 364 (kidnapping or abducting to murder), 328 (causing hurt by poison), 302 (punishment for murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of IPC. Her uncle Nirmalakumaran Nair was also found guilty under Section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), while her mother was acquitted due to lack of evidence. The prosecution charge was that Greeshma, who was in a relation with Raj for more than a year, wanted to get rid of him as her family had fixed her marriage with a soldier. Although she asked Raj to back off, the latter did not heed to her demand. This made her to bump him off. Accordingly Greeshma invited Raj to her house and administered him with a concoction laced with a lethal herbicide on October 14, 2022. She was helped by her mother, Sindhu and uncle, Nirmalakumaran Nair in destroying the evidence. After consuming the concoction Raj fell ill and breathed his last on October 25, 2022 following multi-organ failure. The poison consumed by him had resulted in irreversible damage to his liver, kidney and lungs. AM Basheer, a short story writer in addition to being the Additional Aessions Judge at Neyyattinkara, described the murder as a rarest of rare case and the crime was executed brilliantly. The accused does nit deserve any leniency, said the judge while reading out the 580-pages long verdict. The case was investigated by the Crime Branch of Kerala Police and the charge sheet was submitted in 73 days. The Kerala High Court has to ratify the verdict before the hangman gets ready with the noose. The verdict is based on circumstantial evidence and not on documentary evidence. Expressing satisfaction with the judgment, mother of the victim, Priya, told reporters that she was grateful to the court for issuing such an exemplary order. Special Public Prosecutor VS Vineeth Kumar, told reporters that the verdict was fully justified and the court observed that this case is falling under the rarest of rare category. The court noted that the convict was a brilliant criminal who meticulously planned the brutal murder, he said. He added that despite Greeshmas belief that she could not be held guilty, the scientific investigation conducted by the probe team ultimately led to her arrest. The court also rejected Greeshmas claim that she had no criminal background stating that she had attempted to poison Sharon by mixing paracetamol tablets into fruit juice. However, that attempt failed when he refused to drink it, citing its bitter taste, on 22 August 2022, the court noted. The court also observed that the womans actions sent a harmful message to society and violated the sanctity of love, Kumar added. Welcoming the verdict, D Shilpa, the then Superintendent of Police, who oversaw the probe, said it was a victory for the joint efforts of the police investigation team. We faced several challenges in various phases of the probe but the joint efforts by the officers helped in solving the case, she told reporters. / In a bid to ensure peaceful and secure celebrations of Republic Day 2025, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Monday directed the implementation of enhanced security measures across the State. Acting on Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns mandate for safety and harmony, the Punjab Police has intensified night domination operations, increased vigilance at sensitive locations, and bolstered border security. The DGP, accompanied by Special DGP Internal Security RN Dhoke, ADGP Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Nilabh Kishore, and ADGP Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Promod Ban, chaired critical law and order review meetings in Amritsar and Jalandhar. These sessions involved senior officers from the Commissionerates of Amritsar and Jalandhar, as well as Police Ranges from Border, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana. The review covered counter-terrorism initiatives, drug trafficking controls, and the containment of organized crime. Security arrangements were reviewed and suitable instructions have been given to maintain peace and harmony by ensuring police presence at all important places, intensify domination operations and other preventive and detective measures ahead of Republic Day celebrations, said DGP Yadav, adding that comprehensive security arrangements are being enforced to maintain peace and harmony ahead of Republic Day. He said that Police presence has been reinforced at key locations, and night patrols are being conducted to preempt any potential threats. He emphasized that additional police forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, particularly in border districts, to maintain vigilance and thwart any disruptive activities. DGP Yadav instructed all Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police (CPs/SSPs) to monitor suspicious activities closely and take decisive action against any security breaches. Officers have been mandated to act firmly against anyone breaking the law. Immediate FIRs should be registered against individuals found indulging in violent or unlawful activities, he asserted. Key measures include increasing checkpoints across districts, maximizing vehicle inspections, and enhancing scrutiny at border crossings. These actions are aimed at curbing criminal and terrorist activities. To further bolster security, the DGP emphasized the need for issuing Look Out Circulars (LoC), Red Corner Notices (RCN), Open Arrest Warrants, and Blue Corner Notices (BCN). He also directed the preparation of extradition proposals to bring wanted criminals hiding abroad back to India to face justice. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that only Ayurveda can help achieve a healthy and long life, aligning with the philosophy of Jivate Sharadah Shatam (living for a hundred years). He said that Ayurveda is the authentic way to live better at every stage of life. Dr. Yadav highlighted Ayurveda as a time-tested tradition that offers natural remedies for every disease, with its knowledge deeply rooted in understanding plants and yoga. Dr. Yadav credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting Ayurveda globally and invited to organize next Ayurveda festival during Simhastha 2028 in Ujjain. He shared these insights during Monday's inaugural session of the 21st Ayurveda Festival-2025 national seminar. Yadav announced the establishment of 11 Ayurvedic colleges in Madhya Pradesh, with universities permitted to run courses in Ayurveda, medicine, paramedical, and nursing under the new education policy. Like the Health Department, the AYUSH department will oversee the registration of clinics and nursing homes and align its retirement age to 65. An All-India Ayurveda Institute will be established in Ujjain, and the AYUSH departments purchase policy will be simplified. The government will support setting up Ayurvedic product units and provide land for permanent Ayurvedic institutions during Simhastha. Assistance will also be given to establish an International Vedic Court in Ujjain, with provisions to study Unani medicine in Hindi. Yadav highlighted the status of Madhya Pradesh as the Tiger State and its rich wildlife heritage. He emphasized the states importance as the origin of major rivers like the Narmada, Tapti, Chambal, and Ken-Betwa, which benefit neighbouring states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Madhya Pradesh is proud to be the first state to implement the river-linking campaign, fulfilling the vision of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has allocated Rs 1 lakh 75 thousand crores to support this initiative. AYUSH, Technical Education, and Higher Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar stated that the state government is making special efforts to promote research in Ayurveda. MLA Bhagwan Das Sabnani highlighted how Prime Minister Modis leadership has inspired even developed countries to embrace Ayurveda-based healthy lifestyles. Padma and Padma Bhushan awardee Devendra Triguna proposed establishing centers for Ayurveda, Yoga, and Panchkarma in locations like Pachmarhi and Ujjain. Vaidya Manoj Nesari pointed out the need to integrate AYUSH with technology, while Dr. Girish Chandra Verma, Director of Maharishi Vedic University, recommended incorporating health education from school to higher education levels. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav digitally inaugurated a national seminar by worshipping Lord Dhanvantari and lighting a ceremonial lamp. He released a souvenir on the occasion of Arogya Parv and honoured expert Vaidyas for their contributions to Ayurveda. Appointment letters were presented to lecturers selected by the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission. At the event, organized by the All India Ayurveda Mahasammelan in collaboration with the state AYUSH department, Dr. Yadav was welcomed with a medicinal plant, Kalash, and Angavastram. He also inaugurated and toured the Arogya Mela during the programme. Principal Secretary AYUSH D.P. Ahuja, President of Madhya Pradesh Ayurveda Sammelan Vaidya Vinod Bairagi, CEO of Dhootpapeshwar Pharmaceuticals Ranjit Pauranik and Principal of Pandit Khushilal Sharma Ayurveda College Dr. Umesh Shukla were present in the programme. Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari conducted meetings with senior Congress leaders and workers from Maheshwar, Kasrawad, Khargone, Bhagwanpura, Bhikangaon, and Burhanpur constituencies in Khargone and Burhanpur districts. These meetings were part of the preparations for the "Jai Bapu-Jai Bhim-Jai Samvidhan" campaign. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Umang Singhar, former State Congress President Arun Yadav, former Minister Sachin Yadav, and Youth Congress President Mitendra Singh, along with other senior Congress leaders, were present at the events. During the campaign's stop in Khargone, Patwari and senior Congress leaders discussed the upcoming historic program scheduled for January 27. The campaign, focused on the themes of struggle and the Constitution, has been receiving widespread public support. Patwari shared his journey, stating that he has been serving the people of Madhya Pradesh for over two decades in various capacities, from Block Congress President to State Congress President. He emphasized his dedication to strengthening the Congress organization and leading the party to victory in the upcoming Assembly elections. Patwari announced that the "Jai Bapu-Jai Bhim-Jai Samvidhan" campaign would formally commence on January 27 from Mhow, the birthplace of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The event will witness the presence of prominent leaders, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, MP Priyanka Gandhi, and other senior leaders. More than two lakh Congress members and followers of Ambedkar are expected to participate. Criticizing the BJP, Patwari alleged that the party is anti-reservation and works to divide society based on caste and religion. He accused the BJP of undermining the benefits of the Constitution for Dalits, tribals, backward classes, and minorities, favoring only their capitalist allies. Patwari also claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah mock Ambedkar in Parliament, which is unacceptable to Congress and Ambedkar's followers. Senior leaders, including Umang Singhar and Sachin Yadav, criticized the BJP for its alleged anti-Ambedkar mentality and attempts to tamper with the Constitution. They highlighted that the people of India have already rejected the BJPs divisive politics, as seen in the party's reduced seat count. The meeting witnessed participation from MLAs Hiralal Alawa, Rajkumari Upadhyay, and a large number of Congress workers. Dubbing the Aam Aadmi Party a party of "algavwad", "atankwad" and "afwah", BJP leader Anurag Thakur on Monday accused it of supporting separatists and raised questions on the spate of hoax bomb threats to schools in Delhi. Congress and AAP appear different outwardly but are the same inside, Thakur said at a press conference. "AAP came to power talking about corruption of the Congress. But now the 'A' in AAP is also known for 'arajakta' (anarchy), 'algavwad' (separatism), 'atankwad' (terorrism), 'afwah' (spreading rumours) and 'apraadhi' (criminals). What compels AAP to join hands with such anti-national forces," Thakur said. The Congress and AAP, he said, were seen as joining hands on the issues of hanging of Afzal Guru and surgical strikes.When the entire country was waiting for the hanging of the Parliament attack accused Afzal Guru, some people were trying for a presidential pardon for him, Thakur said. He did not take any names."Whose NGO came forward for commuting of Afzal Guru death sentence. Whose relatives, parents were part of it. Will (Delhi Chief Minister) Atishi and (Arvind) Kejriwal say something or keep mum?" he asked. Thakur went on to ask which politicians stayed at the homes of "terrorist sympathisers" during Punjab polls. He claimed that there were political parties who supported the separatists and terrorists and also received donations from them. There are some who spread rumours of bomb blasts and put the parents of school children in Delhi under distress, Thakur added. He again addressed Atishi and Kejriwal and queried, "Who are connected to those spreading bomb blast rumours. Atishiji, Kejriwalji will you respond?" Kejriwal and AAP are "old players" at creating "anarchy and sensation", he alleged. A meeting of the Jharkhand Cabinet (Council of Ministers) was held in Project Bhawan on Tuesday under the chairmanship of CM Hemant Soren. 18 proposals were approved in this. The proposal for a health insurance scheme for state employees and creation of posts for various hospitals in the state has been approved. The scheme aims to provide health insurance benefits to working and retired state employees and officials. Previously, due to certain errors, state employees were unable to benefit from the scheme. However, the Health Department has now fully resolved these issues, and the scheme will soon be implemented across Jharkhand. The scheme, with Cabinet approval, intends to provide healthcare protection for staff members and their families, reducing their medical expenditure. The Cabinet also gave its nod for setting up a special court in Chatra. The cabinet has approved the supplementary budget after deduction. Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore, Minister Ramdas Soren, Deepak Birua, Irfan Ansari, Sanjay Prasad Yadav and others were present in the meeting. The Jharkhand Cabinet has approved the proposal of MoU with AIA for regular flights from Dumka Airport. Case IO (researcher) will be given a mobile. Rs 12 crore has been approved for Jharkhand Advocate Welfare Fund. Under the Gyanodya Yojana, the proposal for computer education in middle schools has also been approved. Approval has been given for the formation of Jharkhand Para Medical District Level Cadre (Appointment, Promotion and Other Service Conditions) Rules 2025 under the Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare. Approval was given to abolish the penalty of stopping one salary increment of the then Block Development Officer of Tamar, Kumkum Prasad. Approval was given to cancel the resolution regarding employing a highly skilled professional as Advisor cum Special Secretary on contract basis. The state government will provide mobile phones to all police Investigating Officers (IO), with the proposal from the Home Department receiving approval in the cabinet. Mobile phones valued up to 25,000 rupees will be distributed. Additionally, a financial allocation of 94 crore 50 lakh rupees has been sanctioned for computer education in secondary schools for the period from 2024-25 to 2029-30. An advance of 12 crore 10 lakh rupees has been approved from the states contingency fund for the Jharkhand Advocate Welfare Fund Trust Committee, which was formed by the High Court for the financial year 2024-25. The approval has also been granted to annul the salary increase penalty of Kumkum Prasad, the then Block Development Officer of Tamar. Additionally, the resolution to appoint a highly skilled professional consultant on a contractual basis to the position of Special Secretary has been annulled. Under the CT-MIS project, approval has been granted for the one-year extension of the consultancy services provided by TCS. The creation of senior hospital management positions has been approved for state medical colleges, district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, and community health centers. An electrician died of an electric shock while repairing a TV wire at his home in Gandhi Nagar. The incident occurred on Sunday evening when Ramesh Vishwakarma, 28, was working with his uncle to fix a broken cable. According to his relative Krishnakant, Ramesh was holding a damaged wire when he inserted it into a socket and switched on the power. The exposed wire caused an electric shock, leaving him unconscious. Rameshs family rushed him to a private hospital and later to Hamidia Hospital for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries on Monday morning. Ramesh Vishwakarma was a resident of Dharmapura village in Chhatarpur district. He moved to Bhopal six years ago in search of work and was employed as an electrician in a private hospital in Lalghati. His earnings supported his family back in the village. The Gandhi Nagar police have registered a case and started an investigation. After a postmortem on Monday, the body was handed over to the family for last rites. Farmers protesting at the Shambhu border on Monday decided to defer their planned march (scheduled for January 22) to Delhi, calling for the Centre to hold an urgent meeting ahead of slated February 14 and shift the venue from Chandigarh to the national capital. Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), made an impassioned request to the Centre, highlighting the worsening condition of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for 56 days now. The government must act now. Any further delay could endanger Dallewals life, said Pandher, questioning the governments rationale for not advancing the talks. Dallewals hunger strike will reach its 87th day by February 14. He is a senior citizen and a cancer survivor his condition is critical, and waiting this long is a risk we cannot afford. The Government must advance the meeting and hold it in Delhi, where the stakes of this nationwide struggle can be properly acknowledged, said Pandher. Dismissing the excuse of the Model Code of Conduct as a barrier, he added, If the Eighth Pay Commissions announcements can be made despite the code, then why not this meeting? The elections are limited to Delhi; this is a national issue. At the same time, Pandher also urged unity among farmer unions and called on the SKM (non-political) and Bharatiya Kisan Union (Sidhupur) leaders to encourage their chief, Dallewal, to end his hunger strike for the sake of his health. Pandher said: Regarding our plan to send another jatha of 101 farmers towards Shambhu border on January 22, we have postponed it to January 26. We will be doing a tractor rally on January 26 and will take a call later about the jathaOur struggle, however, will continue till the demands are met. Notably, KMM and Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) has been spearheading the Delhi Chalo Andolan since February 2024. The ongoing farmers movement, rooted in demands such as a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops and the withdrawal of legal notices against previous protesters, continues to adapt its approach. Initially, the pan-India farmers body Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) had planned a nationwide gherao of MPs residences on January 20 (Monday) to press their demands. However, after the Centre proposed a February 14 meeting in Chandigarh, the SKM urged farmers to send their demands via email and letters instead. While the change in tactics reflected an openness to dialogue, Dallewals hunger strike has amplified the urgency of the situation. Despite receiving medical assistance, Dallewal has refused to break his fast until the MSP guarantee law is implemented. Doctors monitoring him have expressed grave concerns about his deteriorating health, warning that survival on glucose and basic support alone may not be possible for much longer. Pandher accused the Central Government of attempting to sow discord among farmer unions, but stressed that their resolve remains strong. He also called on leaders from the SKM (non-political) and Bharatiya Kisan Union (Sidhupur) to convince Dallewal to end his hunger strike for the sake of his health. Reports of internal disagreements surfaced after Dallewal accepted the Centres February 14 proposal without consulting all union leaders. However, KMM and SKM (non-political) leaders have reiterated their shared commitment to the movement. This is not just a regional issue; it is a national struggle, said KMM leader Kaka Singh Kotra, who also backed calls for relocating the meeting to Delhi. He added, The farmers demands affect the entire country, and the venue should reflect that importance. Senior SKM leader Abhimanyu Kohar revealed that union representatives had previously requested the Centre to advance the meeting, but were told that logistical constraints related to Republic Day preparations prevented an earlier date. Dallewals critical condition has added a new dimension of urgency to the farmers demands. Currently surviving on medical assistance, his health continues to decline, and his hunger strike has become a symbol of the movements determination. Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian has also appealed to the Centre, urging the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to address the farmers demands promptly. The farmers protest, ongoing at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 2024, includes a 12-point charter of demands ranging from MSP guarantees to compensation for losses due to unseasonal rains. Their decision to postpone the march to Delhi is a calculated move to focus on dialogue, but it comes with a warning their struggle will not end until their demands are met. Garhwa Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar Pandey and Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations) Rahul Dev Baraik, accompanied by a police contingent, visited Lavahi village under the jurisdiction of Dandai police station. There, they met with the wife and mother of Raju Bhuinya, a two-lakh-rupee reward-carrying Maoist sub-zonal commander from Lavahi Kala village. The officers informed them about the Jharkhand government's surrender policy. Raju Bhuinya's wife and mother assured the officers that they would encourage him to surrender and would facilitate his surrender in the near future. The Superintendent of Police explained the benefits of the surrender policy to his mother and wife. He also enquired about their needs and any problems they might be facing. He assured them that their needs would be met and their problems addressed. As Maha Kumbh 2025 continues with scores of saints, spiritual leaders, and millions of devotees immersed in the rich spiritual experience, spiritual leader Chidanand Saraswati, President of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, has described the event as the grandest celebration of Indianness. He said, This festival symbolises the resurgence of Sanatan Dharma, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is committed to elevating it to even greater heights. He added, For those who follow the Sanatan Dharma, no festival surpasses Maha Kumbh in significance. It is not just a festival for a select few, but a collective celebration. The enthusiasm and devotion of the participants have turned the banks of the holy Sangam into a sea of believersa sight unparalleled anywhere in the world. Chidanand Saraswati, who has been attending Maha Kumbh since 1971, expressed his admiration for the arrangements made for this years grand event at Prayagraj. He lauded Yogi for orchestrating such an extraordinary event, acknowledging the chief ministers relentless efforts in making this possible. He shared that the event has left everyone in awe, with devotees and tourists from across the globe drawn to its spiritual energy. He said, The mesmerising aura of Maha Kumbh has left an indelible impression on visitors, compelling them to return repeatedly. The festival is a beacon of unity and vitality, sending the world an unparalleled message of Sanatan Dharmas harmony. Recalling his experience at the Sangam, Chidanand Saraswati remarked that he felt immense pride witnessing the peoples enthusiasm. He said, The scene of devotees from every corner of the nation and beyond taking a dip in the holy waters was divine and magnificent. Even individuals from countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, and the Arab world are captivated by the spiritual grandeur of Maha Kumbh, with many expressing a desire to join the celebration. The festival showcases the unity of Sanatan Dharma, transcending barriers of caste, creed, and language. He added, Those seeking to divide humanity should witness this extraordinary confluence, where people from diverse backgrounds come together harmoniously. Maha Kumbh truly exemplifies the spirit of unity and the timeless legacy of Sanatan Dharma. The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday set aside elections scheduled for Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor, and Deputy Mayor in Chandigarh, which were to be held on January 24. The Bench of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Vikas Suri ordered that the elections be conducted after January 29 as the tenure of the current mayor, Kuldeep Kumar, continues till that date. The notification for the same could be issued prior to January 29. The decision was issued in response to a writ petition filed by Kuldeep Kumar represented by Senior Counsel Gurminder Singh. The Court found merit in the argument that conducting elections before the completion of the incumbent mayor's tenure would be legally untenable. The court also directed the Chandigarh administration to consider the use of the show of hands method for voting during the elections, while referring to concerns regarding transparency and fairness. The administration was also directed to ensure videography of the entire election process enhancing accountability. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had earlier approached the high court, seeking directions for the Chandigarh administration to ensure transparency in the mayoral polls. AAP's councilor from ward number 25 filed the petition demanding, among other things, that voting be conducted by show of hands instead of the secret ballot method. Harpreet Babla is BJPs Mayor candidate Even before the announcement of the next hearing date, the Congress and the BJP have declared their candidates. The BJPs mayor candidate is Harpreet Babla, while Bimla Dubey has been nominated for senior deputy mayor and Lakhbir Singh for deputy mayor. As for the Congress, the candidates for senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor are Jasbir Bunty and Taruna Mehta, respectively. They submitted their nominations to the secretary of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation on Monday. Talking to reporters, Congress president H S Lucky said, We submitted our nominations before learning about the new poll date. Regardless, our nominations will remain unchanged. AAP-Cong alliance to announce its candidate on Mayor post after new elections schedule declared Talking to The Pioneer Senior Chandigarh AAP leader SS Ahluwalia said that no decision has been taken regarding the name of candidate for the post of mayor. No meeting has been held with the Congress party on this issue so far. Party will take a decision regarding the name of the candidate for mayor post after the new election schedule is declared. He accused BJP leaders of putting pressure on UT Administrative officers over mayoral election issues. All the issues related to election should not be decided by the Court. UT officers should be allowed to function independently to conduct the election free and fair and transparently. Sources said that AAP-Congress alliance have delayed to declare the names to minimise internal tussles as much as possible. In AAP, the contest is between the names of municipal councillors Prem Lata, Anju Katyal, and Jaswinder Kaur. Sources further said that on Sunday, Congress and AAP senior leaders have also held discussions to ensure their alliance's victory for the second time in a row. Many other senior leaders including Rajiv Shukla were present in the meeting. Both the parties discussed the name of the joint candidate for the post of Mayor. In Chandigarh, the elections for the three municipal posts are held annually in December end or first week of January. According to the rotation system, the first term is reserved for a woman candidate from general category, the second is for any candidate from general category, third for a candidate from Scheduled Caste category, fourth for a woman candidate from general category and fifth for general category. Seats for the senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor are not reserved. The AAP has a sitting mayor in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation House with the support of the Congress. This time also, the AAP has decided to continue with the arrangement. Currently, the INDIA bloc (AAP and Congress) commands 21 votes in the MC House 13 from AAP, seven from Congress and one ex-officio vote of MP Manish Tewari. In contrast, the BJP has only 15 votes and is relying on cross-voting or defection of INDIA bloc councillors to tip the balance in its favour. The City's Mayor election is always a high-stakes affair, as it is decided not by the public, but by elected councillors, including the Member of Parliament (MP). This time, Congress holds the MP vote, meaning that instead of BJPs Kirron Kher, Congress MP Manish Tewari will cast the crucial vote. With political alliances in flux and the specter of cross-voting hanging over the election, the outcome remains uncertain. For the past eight years, the BJP has dominated the Mayors office in Chandigarh. The mayoral polls held on January 30, 2024, were marred by allegations of misconduct by BJP councillors and presiding authority Anil Masih. After the case reached the Supreme Court and it made adverse observations, the elected BJP mayor, Manoj Sonkar, resigned. The AAP-Congress alliance candidate Kuldeep Kumar was later declared the winner. Now, all eyes will be on the Chandigarh Mayoral poll to see which party ultimately prevails in this battle for power. To tackle the challenges related to cybercrime, Haryana Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur on Tuesday urged the bank officials to keep an eye on suspicious transactions in bank accounts and take appropriate action if they find any suspicious bank account transactions. He gave necessary directions to all bank officials and fintech companies to follow the new RBI guidelines and specifically keep an eye on fake bank accounts and take appropriate action. Presiding over a state-level conference with RBI Regional Director Vivek Srivastava, NPCI, and senior officials from around 50 banks and fintech companies across the country, including Google Pay, Paytm, Amazon Pay, and PhonePe, along with Police officials, Kapur said that some banks are doing a good job in controlling cybercrime, but to control it effectively, all stakeholders need to work together so that the defrauded amount can be frozen as soon as possible. He said, In September 2023, only 7% of the amount of cyber fraud was held by Haryana Police, which increased to 27% in November 2024. We need to increase this percentage rate to 70% through our joint efforts, which can be done after all banks adopt the RBI's Mulehunter Artificial Intelligence software. Since cyber fraud is done through digital means, it is very important to use the digital platform effectively to stop it. He stated that with the passage of time, the cases of cyber fraud have also increased. In 2023, cyber fraud of Rs 602 crore was committed in Haryana, while in 2024 this figure increased to Rs 980 crore. This figure shows that there is an increase in cybercrime cases, which need to be curbed in time. Apart from this, he also appealed to inform the helpline number 1930 immediately in case of cyber fraud. RBIs Regional Director Vivek Srivastava explained in detail about the new RBI policy, the system and procedure in case of cyber fraud, and asked all banks to follow its guidelines. Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij on Tuesday said that to promote solar energy and facilitate farmers, the officers concerned have been asked to explore the possibilities of setting up a solar power house in every village in the state. This will enable all tubewells in the area to operate using the supply from these solar power houses, ensuring uninterrupted operation for farmers without any objections, said the Energy Minister. He said this after attending a regional workshop in Jaipur by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. During the event, Vij said that his suggestion of setting up a solar power house in every village in the state was based on farmers' needs, especially in areas with deep water levels where a 10-kilowatt motor cannot function effectively. He further said that the implementation of the PM-KUSUM scheme, through which Haryana has not only achieved its targets but is nearing completion of the goals, thereby ensuring that every farmer in Haryana can run their tubewells using solar energy. During the workshop, detailed discussions were held on the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, maximizing the use of renewable energy, successful implementation of the PM-KUSUM scheme, and the revival of wind power plants. On this occasion, the Haryana Power DISCOMS were honoured with incentive for their exceptional work in the rooftop solar sector and for exceeding set targets. The Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam received incentive funds of Rs. 9.77 crore for 2019-20, Rs. 10.52 crore for 2020-21, and Rs. 11.89 crore for 2021-22. Similarly, the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam was awarded Rs. 11.16 crore for 2019-20, Rs. 8.01 crore for 2020-21, Rs. 13.92 crore for 2021-22, Rs. 9.58 crore for 2022-23, and Rs. 14.58 crore for 2023-24. Prabhjot Kaur Saini, a resident of Manifit, has successfully passed the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) on her first attempt. In the results announced late last night, she scored 214 out of 300, bringing immense joy to her family. Her father, Sardar Amarjeet Singh, and her mother, Gurjeet Kaur, celebrated the achievement by cutting a cake and distributing sweets to their neighbors in joy. Prabhjot Kaur completed her MBBS in Ukraine, Europe, where she spent six years pursuing her medical education. She appeared for the FMGE exam in Kolkata on January 12, and the results were announced today. The outcome has brought her great happiness, and she credited her success to the support of her parents. Her father, Amarjeet Singh, had also recently won the Tinplate Union election, further adding to the familys celebrations. Prabhjot Kaur expressed her desire to serve patients in her home country, stating that she intends to practice medicine within India. Taking note of attack on Saif Ali Khan allegedly by a Bangladeshi national, Delhi Lt Governor(LG)Vinai Kumar Saxena has asked the authorities to take action as there are organised syndicates and vested interest groups which facilitate the settlement of such immigrants, facilitate their employment on the basis of forged documents such as Aadhar, Voter ID and Ration Card. Stating this on Monday, Raj Niwas said on Monday Saxena has taken note of the grave criminal incident involving a high profile Bollywood actor in Mumbai, wherein a Bangladeshi national was involved in house break and criminal assault. It has been widely reported that the concerned individual was living under an assumed identity and was working at a restaurant. The LG has observed that the involvement of illegal Bangladeshi/Rohingya infiltrators in criminal/illegal activities in Delhi cannot be ruled out. It is underscored that such illegal immigrants are often employed by shopkeepers and other residents as workers/house help at far lower wages than the prescribed minimum wages, thereby depressing local labour markets. Saxena has directed that a special campaign be launched to identify such infiltrators on a mission mode. An outreach programme may be launched through print and social media to generate public awareness on the importance of verification of employees/domestic help and workers including construction labour in the interest of their own security. Resident Welfare Associations/Shopkeeper Associations may also be sensitized about the need of antecedent verification before employment. For those employers who are providing employment, accommodation or shelter to such illegal immigrants without antecedent verification, suitable legal action may also be initiated. Earlier, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj on Monday launched a scathing attack on AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal over his alleged silence on the Bangladeshi accused in Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan stabbing case. Swarajs critique of AAP and its supremo came during the inauguration of BJPs election office in the Greater Kailash constituency for the upcoming Delhi elections. I want to ask Arvind Kejriwal why he has gone quiet now that it has been revealed the accused is Bangladeshi. Whenever the Election Commission verified and removed illegal Bangladeshi voters from the electoral rolls, AAP always opposed it, she added. Participating in the 61st Conference of Secretaries of Legislative Bodies in India, held in Patna, Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly Principal Secretary Awadhesh Pratap Singh highlighted the Assembly's technological advancements and innovations. Singh emphasized that the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly has been a pioneer in adopting paperless procedures for receiving information, such as questions and assurances, online from members and departments. He credited the use of modern technology for the Assembly's continuous improvement in productivity. In his address, Singh announced that under the guidance of the Speaker, the NeVA (National e-Vidhan Application) project would be implemented in the Assembly starting from the Monsoon Session this year. This initiative aims to transition the Assembly from a less-paper to a paperless system. To facilitate this transition, training centers for members of the Assembly, Secretariat staff, and government officials are being established. The initiative is being implemented under a tripartite agreement between the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, and the state government. Singh also stated that officers would visit the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to study the effective use of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). The conference, held on January 20-21, 2025, witnessed the participation of Secretaries-General of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, along with Principal Secretaries and Secretaries from various legislative bodies across India. During the visit, Awadhesh Pratap Singh also paid a courtesy call on Bihar Governor Honorable Arif Mohammad Khan and Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker Honorable Nand Kishore Yadav at the Raj Bhavan. At Maha Kumbh 2025, the Namami Gange Pavilion in Prayagraj is attracting large crowds. Established under the Namami Gange Mission, the pavilion raises awareness about the Gangas cleanliness and conservation. It features the Interactive Biodiversity Tunnel, where visitors can explore the rivers rich biodiversity and natural beauty. Its advanced projection technology creates a lifelike experience, showcasing the chirping of riverbank birds and highlighting the Gangas vital role in sustaining life. The pavilions centrepiece is a digital exhibition that creatively showcases the various initiatives undertaken for the rivers cleanliness and conservation. A major highlight is the Prayag Manch, which presents real-time data on the Ganga and Yamuna and their tributaries. This includes information on water levels, pollution metrics, and overall cleanliness, making it an informative visitor hub. Additionally, the pavilion displays the progress made in riverfront development along the Ganga and highlights the operations of sewage treatment plants. Visitors also gain insight into the technical and structural measures in place to maintain the rivers purity. The exhibit also features replicas of iconic Ganga species, such as the Gangetic dolphin, turtles, crocodiles, and fish, offering an educational experience, particularly for children and youth. This initiative effectively conveys the importance of conserving the Ganga and its biodiversity, fostering a sense of responsibility among future generations. The National Book Trust (NBT) has set up a special reading corner in the exhibition, featuring a curated collection of books on topics such as the Ganga, Maha Kumbh, social policies, and national pride. This reading corner has become a key attraction for those eager to delve into the cultural and historical significance of the Ganga. Renowned institutions like the Wildlife Institute of India, the Ganga Task Force, and IIT-Delhi are also contributing to the pavilion by sharing valuable insights on the conservation of endangered Ganga species, public awareness initiatives, and waste management practices. These efforts highlight the importance of the Ganga while fostering a more profound sense of responsibility among visitors. A statue of Lord Ganesh, along with his vehicle, the mouse, is prominently displayed in the pavilion, symbolising the purity and cleanliness of the Ganga. This installation reinforces the cultural and emotional connection people have with the river. The Namami Gange Mission has urged the devotees attending Maha Kumbh to recognise the Ganga as a river and an integral part of Indias cultural heritage, historical legacy, and economic vitality. It emphasised that preserving and protecting the Ganga is the duty of every citizen. This state-of-the-art and innovative pavilion not only effectively conveys the significance of the Ganga but has also emerged as a significant highlight of Maha Kumbh 2025, captivating visitors with its educational and cultural appeal. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that 2025 marks the 300th birth anniversary of Malwas Maharani Punyashloka Ahilya Devi. The state government has planned year-long celebrations to honour her legacy. The Chief Minister stated that the upcoming Cabinet meeting, dedicated to Maharani Lokmata Ahilya Devi, will be held on January 24 in Maheshwar, her historic capital and a religious city. Dr. Yadav shared this information in a message issued on Monday. Praising the life of Lokmata Ahilya Devi, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav called it a symbol of righteousness, sacrifice, and compassion. He emphasized that she was not only an efficient ruler but also an ideal woman and mother. Her reign, marked by devotion to duty, religion, good governance, charity, and righteousness, continues to inspire and energize us in the pursuit of public welfare through the right path and effective governance. Dr. Yadav said that her remarkable personality is a testament to her lasting influence on society. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh is the land of great rulers like Rani Durgavati, Lokmata Ahilya Devi, Samrat Vikramaditya, and Raja Bhoj, whose legacy of majestic governance continues to inspire us. He emphasized that the name and contributions of female ruler Lokmata Ahilya Devi remain immortal. Dr. Yadav shared that in the upcoming Cabinet meeting which is dedicated to her, several new public welfare schemes will be approved. He urged the people of the state to join in the sacred remembrance of Lokmata Ahilya Devi and announced that he and all the ministers would attend the meeting in Maheshwar, honouring her and her good deeds as a tribute. About Lokmata Ahilya Devi Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai is renowned in Indian history as a great ruler, social reformer, and religious leader. Her life embodied the ideals of sacrifice, women's empowerment, justice, and religion. Born on May 31, 1725, in Chaundi village, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, in a simple Maratha Patil family to Mankoji Shinde, she married Khanderao Holkar, the son of Malharrao Holkar, ruler of Malwa, in 1733. After her husband died in 1754, Ahilyabai dedicated her life to serving the state and its people. Following the death of Malharrao Holkar in 1766, she ascended the throne of Indore in 1767. Her reign, lasting until 1795, was marked by justice, efficient governance, and social welfare. She focused on improving the status of women and fostering unity and harmony in society through education and religion. Under her leadership, her kingdom flourished, becoming a well-organized and prosperous region. Intensifying election fervor ahead of the high octane assembly elections in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with BJP's workers, volunteers and supporters from the national capital on Wednesday under the 'Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot' (My booth is the strongest) programme. PM Modi will interact virtually with the party workers on Wednesday at around 1 pm through the NAMO app. With the BJP vying to win the assembly polls after not being in power for more than two decades, he will motivate booth level workers to strengthen their campaign in the election. He will guide the workers to highlight the public welfare schemes of the central government to the public and appeal to them to vote for the BJP. The Prime Minister will also ask the party workers to amp up their attack against the ruling party and highlight its failures and scams it has been involved in including the money laundering linked excise policy scam. Under this program, workers from approximately 13,033 booths across all 256 wards in Delhi will listen to the Prime Ministers message via video call, and many will also get an opportunity to engage in a conversation. Senior Delhi BJP leader and National Coordinator of the NaMo App Kuljeet Singh Chahal shared, Delhi BJP Election In-Charge Baijayant Panda, Co-In-Charge Dr. Alka Gurjar and Atul Garg, Delhi BJP President Virender Sachdeva, as well as all Members of Parliament, MLAs, Councillors, State, District, and Ward Organization officials, Booth In-Charges, and Page In-Charges will join the Prime Ministers interaction at designated locations. PM Modi also shared a link on X and called for questions and suggestions from the supporters ahead of the interactive session 'Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot. Delhi is determined to give a landslide victory to BJP in the assembly elections. On January 22 at 1 pm, there will be a great opportunity to interact with dedicated workers in the program 'Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot'. For this, you must share your views. I will talk to some of you, he shared in a post on X. In the interactive sessions, he will also answer questions of the few selected booth workers. Ahead of his interaction with party workers and leaders, the BJP on Monday held a meeting of its candidates along with the seven BJP Delhi MPs and senior party leaders including party Vice-President and Delhi BJP Election Incharge Baijyant Panda The candidates were briefed regarding the Mera Booth Sabse Majboot programme and asked to ensure maximum participation of booth level workers in the programme. We have asked them to ensure that there is maximum participation of booth level workers in their respective seats, a party leader said. PM Modi will urge BJP booth workers to ensure they reach every household with the message of the party and the vision for the future during the interaction. As part of the 'Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot' initiative, BJP workers are expected to strengthen their outreach efforts at the grassroots level, ensuring that every voter is informed about the partys vision and the accomplishments of the BJP. With the elections just about two weeks away, PM Modi's interaction will galvanize the party's booth workers and boost morale ahead of what is expected to be a closely contested election. The voting for the elections are slated to be held on February 5 and counting will take place on February 8. The National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE) has announced nationwide protests against the privatisation of electricity in Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh. In Uttar Pradesh, for the second consecutive week, power employees continued their protest by wearing black bands. The campaign of tying black bands will continue on Tuesday also. All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) chairman Shailendra Dubey said that according to the decision of the NCCOEEE, power employees and engineers would protest in the capitals of all the provinces of the country on January 23 against the pre-bidding conference for privatisation in Uttar Pradesh and hold a press conference demanding cancellation of the privatisation process. Similarly, on January 31, protests will be held at district and project headquarters in all the provinces of the country against the plan for takeover of Chandigarhs electricity by a private company on February 1. The NCCOEEE includes All India Power Engineers Federation, All India Power Diploma Engineers Federation, All India Electricity Employees Federation of India, Electricity Employees Federation of India, Indian Electricity Employees Federation, All India Power Mens Federation. Power employees, contract workers and engineers of Uttar Pradesh protested against privatisation by wearing black bands throughout the day. Protests were held in all the district/projects after lunch break or office hours. The coordination committee said that the pre-bidding conference for appointing a transaction consultant for the privatisation of Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam and Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam should be canceled immediately. It said the electricity workers would strongly protest against the pre-bidding conference across the state. Retired teacher of Loyola School Dilip Acharya passed away on Sunday at his residence at Sakchi Seagull Apartment Reliance Fresh. The news of his demise has left the community in mourning. Acharya, a respected educator, was known for his long and dedicated service to Loyola School. His elder son, Gregory Acharya, who recently suffered a leg injury in an accident, is unable to walk, and his wife is in a state of shock. Meanwhile, the family is awaiting the return of Acharyas younger son, who resides in London, to perform the last rites. Loyola School Principal, Father Vinod Fernandes, along with Rajiv Talwar of the Loyola Alumni Association, Ronald D'Costa, and Professor Raymond D'Souza, Secretary of the Beldih Cemetery Committee, are in constant touch with the bereaved family to provide all possible support during this difficult time. On Sunday evening, Rajiv Talwar, along with Savak Patel, Iqbal Alam, Gaurav Rungta, Haren Rupani, and others from the Alumni Association, visited the residence and arranged for the body to be kept in the cold storage facility at Tata Main Hospital. The burial will take place at Beldih Cemetery according to Roman Catholic customs once the younger son arrives. Nirmal Maharaj, a prominent journalist and Bokaro district correspondent for a reputed daily, lost his father, Nivaran Chandra Maharaj (75), on the morning of January 18 at their ancestral home in Kasmar. His demise has left the local community in mourning. Nivaran Maharaj was known for his dedication to social work. He contributed to the construction of a road from Maharaj Tola to Kasmar Chowk and was actively involved in various public welfare activities. His last rites were performed on the evening of January 18 at the Khanzho River in Kasmar. Several locals, journalists, and public representatives expressed their condolences to the bereaved family. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has announced its support to the BJP in the Delhi Assembly elections in which the saffron party is taking on the Arvind Kejriwal-headed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress. Shinde, who is the president of the Shiv Sena and also the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra in the Bharatiya Janata Party-led MahaYuti government in Maharashtra, has conveyed his partys decision to support the BJP in the Delhi Assembly elections, to BJPs national president J P Nadda, who is the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister in the Modi government. In a letter written to Nadda, Shinde stated: The Shiv Sena under my leadership has been a torch bearer of Hindutva ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray. Following this legacy, the Shiv Sena is a member of the NDA under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shinde stated that the Shiv Sena would actively support all the candidates of the BJP and have directed the Delhi unit of the party to align with the BJP state unit and actively participate in the campaign. Shiv Senas Delhi unit chief Sandeep Chaudhary also met BJP Delhi unit president Virendra Sachdeva and handed over the letter of support to the saffron party. Shinde said that for more than three decades, the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance had stood as a powerful force in Indian politics, sharing common ideals of Hindutva and good governance. Their recent victory in the Maharashtra state elections underscored the strength of this partnership. Delhi, as the nations capital, requires a corruption-free and efficient government. Shiv Sena, as a loyal NDA ally, is dedicated to supporting BJP to ensure that Delhi benefits from stable and effective governance, similar to the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, the deputy chief minister stated. The Yogi Adityanath government is set to hold a special cabinet meeting in Prayagraj on Wednesday, January 22. All 54 ministers of the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet have been invited to this meeting, which is expected to approve several significant proposals and schemes for the state. Following the meeting, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with the entire cabinet, will take the holy dip in the sacred waters of the Triveni Sangam. This isnt the first time CM Yogi has led his cabinet to the Sangam. In 2019, during the Kumbh Mela, he took a ceremonial dip along with his ministers, Akhara Parishad President Narendra Giri, and other saints. The cabinet meeting will be held at the Triveni Sankul in Arail, starting at 12 noon. The location has been changed to avoid inconvenience to pilgrims visiting the Sangam. Initially, the meeting was planned at the Mela Authority Auditorium, but concerns over VIP security disrupting pilgrims movement led to the shift in venue. After the meeting, the ministers will travel from the Arail VIP Ghat to the Sangam by motorboats. At the Sangam, CM Yogi and the cabinet members will perform the worship rituals and take the holy dip in the Sangam. As per reports, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, along with Cabinet ministers Suresh Kumar Khanna, Surya Pratap Shahi, Swatantra Dev Singh, Baby Rani Maurya, Jaiveer Singh, Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, Dharampal, Nand Gopal Nandi, Anil Rajbhar, and other ministers, including those with independent charge and state ministers, will take the holy dip in the Sangam after attending the cabinet meeting. Meanwhile, besides the ministers, 130 VIPs who are attending the meeting will include the principal secretaries and other officers of all departments. They will also take a holy dip on the occasion. Some important proposals are being prepared for the meeting. It is expected that the Maha Kumbh area may be declared plastic-free permanently. This proposal is being prepared with the cooperation of the municipal corporation. Although the Kumbh area is declared plastic-free during the fair period, if it is declared a permanent plastic-free zone, it will be an important decision in the steps being taken towards Nirmal Ganga and will prove to be a milestone. Along with this, during the cabinet meeting, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura, and some other districts may also be declared as special religious areas. Meanwhile, a municipal corporation meeting was held on Monday, during which the demand was made to fully and effectively implement the 74th Constitutional Amendment and bring a proposal related to it in the proposed cabinet meeting during Maha Kumbh on January 22. The councillors said that the amount left after the completion of Maha Kumbh should be used for development works in the form of a special economic package. BJP state spokesperson and former Godda MLA Amit Mandal addressing media persons at BJP office said that the Jharkhand government is not able to provide the account for 1300 crore spent from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) since 2019. He said that as per the recommendation of the 15th Commission, the state government will get Rs 2370 crores in the health sector, Rs 6585 crores to rural local bodies (panchayats), Rs 3367 crores to municipal bodies and Rs 3138 crores to the disaster management department by 2026. This will be available for 5 years. (90 Centre: 10 States). Mandal said that the term of the 15th Finance (2021-2026) Commission is about to end and before the formation of the 16th Finance Commission, the Government of India has directed all the states to update their data on the NDMIS portal. He said that the portal is not being updated due to non-submission of data by the departments. Mr. Mandal said that the Agriculture Department used the disaster fund for drought relief, but its account is still pending. 600 crores. The Health Department alone has an account of 700 crores. This also includes the amount sent to the districts during the Corona epidemic. He said that in future, some major bodies related to disaster management, State Disaster Management Authority, District Disaster Management Authority will not be able to do their work. Due to lack of funds, water and climate change, geological disaster, industrial disaster, man-made disasters will be affected across the state. He said that the government should tell where did the 700 crores of the Health Department and 600 crores of the Agriculture Department go - has the money been embezzled, has it fallen prey to corruption or is the account not being found? Mandal said that the government should tell how much money the government has to fight the disaster and if a disaster-like situation arises in the future, how will the government fight it. BJP State Co-Media Incharge Ashok Badaik was present in the press conference. In an early hour encounter on Tuesday in the Jhinjhana area of Shamli district, the sleuths of the Special Task Force (STF) killed four criminals, officials said. Arshad, carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, and three of his associates from a gang, who were hardcore criminals operating in Western UP, Haryana, and Uttarakhand, were killed, they added. However, STF Inspector Sunil was also injured in the encounter. He was admitted to Amritdhara Hospital in Karnal and later referred to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar on Tuesday said that one of the accused identified as Arshad was an active member of the Mukim Kala gang and was carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh. After the death of Mukim Kala, Arshad formed his own gang and was continuously involved in criminal activities in the neighbouring areas of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the police official said. Arshad was wanted in a robbery case in the Saharanpur district and had committed several other crimes. The encounter took place in the early hours of Tuesday in the village of Ud Pur (near the UP-Haryana border) in the Jhinjhana area of UPs Shamli district. Kumar said, One of the miscreants killed has been identified as Arshad, and there was a reward of Rs 1 lakh on him. He was wanted in a robbery case in Saharanpur district. His other two companions have been identified as Manjeet, hailing from Sonipat, and Satish, a resident of Karnal. One Brezza car, two pistols, one carbine, and three guns have also been recovered from them. Arshad was an active member of the Mukim Kala gang and had more than 16 cases against him, five of which were for murder. He was released in June 2024 and became active again, forming his own gang and continuing his criminal activities in the neighbouring areas of Haryana and UP. The police official said that during the encounter, Inspector Sunil was seriously injured and is in critical condition. He is undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, Haryana. STF ASP Brijesh Kumar told the media that the team surrounded Arshad, a resident of Bahri Majra village in Thana Gangoh of Saharanpur district, on the information that he was hiding in Jhinjhana. During this, Arshad and his three companions were killed in the firing by the STF team in response to the bullets fired by the criminals. Arshad had 18 cases of murder, robbery, and loot registered against him, including cases of robbery and loot in Behat of Saharanpur, murder and attempt to murder in Thana Gangoh, robbery in Thana Nanauta, and murder in Thana Rampur Maniharan. Apart from Muzaffarnagar and Shamli, cases of fraud and criminal conspiracy are also registered in Panipat district of Haryana. He said that a reward of Rs 1 lakh had been declared on the notorious Arshad by Meerut Zone ADG DK Thakur. Arshad was wanted in a robbery case from Thana Behat (Saharanpur). The Supreme Court on Monday passed some strong observations in the matter pertaining to a bail plea filed by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidate and Delhis northeast district riots case accused Mohd Tahir Hussain, by saying "such persons should be barred from contesting." The AIMIM candidate, formerly with the Aam Aadmi Party, who is an accused in the 2020 Delhi riots, is from the Mustafabad constituency, sought bail to campaign for the upcoming Delhi elections. The Supreme Court has listed the matter for Tuesday. A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Ahsanuddin Amanullah adjourned the hearing due to paucity of time but just as it was rising for the day, Hussain's lawyer mentioned the matter and requested for a hearing on January 21. The court, however, took strong note of Hussain's bail plea and observed that people like the petitioner "should be barred" from contesting elections. "Jail mein baithke ladte hain na chunaav ab toh (these days elections are contested from jail)...It is easy to win elections sitting in jail," the bench observed. Justice Mithal is part of the two-judge bench that also includes Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah. All such persons should be barred from contesting the elections," the bench remarked in response. His lawyer submitted Hussain's nomination was accepted. The Delhi High Court on January 14 granted custody parole to Hussain to file nomination papers from the Mustafabad constituency on an AIMIM ticket. It, however, refused his plea for interim bail from January 14 to February 9 to fight the polls, saying the gravity of allegations against Hussain, being the main perpetrator in the violence, resulting in the death of several persons, could not be overlooked. The high court said about 11 FIRs were registered against him in connection with the riots and he was admittedly in custody in a related money laundering case and UAPA case. The senior counsel counsel appearing for Hussain argued fighting elections was a complicated process, which required him to not only file his nomination by January 17 but also open a bank account and campaign. Maintaining that contesting elections was not a fundamental right, the police had alleged that Hussain who was the "main conspirator" and "funder" of the February 2020 riots could complete formalities and fight polls on custody parole. Violence broke out in northeast Delhi on February 24, 2020, leaving 53 dead and several injured. According to the prosecution, on February 26, 2020, complainant Ravinder Kumar informed the Dayalpur Police Station that his son Ankit Sharma, posted in the Intelligence Bureau, was missing since February 25, 2020. Sharma's mortal remains were reportedly recovered from Khajuri Khas nullah in the riot-affected area and his body bore 51 injuries. Hussain, in the bail plea, said he spent 4.9 years in jail and though the trial started in the case, only 20 of the 114 prosecution witnesses were examined so far. Pleading he had suffered a long incarceration, Hussain said the fact that several witnesses were still left to be examined meant the trial wouldn't be over soon. The co-accused, his plea said, allegedly involved in the riotous mob and committing the offence of murder were granted bail by the high court. The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday submitted before the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Waqf (Amendment) Act 2024 that out of the 14,000 hectares claimed to be Waqf property, as much as 11,000 hectares are government land. The government also refused to recognise the Asafi (Bada) Imambara and Chhota Imambara in Lucknow, and the Bahu Begum Ka Maqbara in Faizabad (now Ayodhya), as Waqf properties. In Uttar Pradesh, a total of 1.25 lakh properties are registered with the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board, and 7,785 properties with the Shia Waqf Board. The JPC meeting on the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2024 was held in Lucknow on Tuesday. Suggestions and objections were sought from Muslim religious leaders and organisations. A total of 11 members, including JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal and member Asaduddin Owaisi, participated in the meeting. Prominent attendees included Shia Waqf Board Chairman Ali Zaidi, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali, Maulana Sufiyan Nizami, representatives from Jamaat-e-Islami, the Milli Council, and officials from other organisations. This marked JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pals second visit to Lucknow. During his earlier visit, he met with Muslim community leaders and intellectuals. Sources said that Pal held extensive discussions with Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali and Maulana Saif Abbas about the bill. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Pal said, This law is being introduced for the betterment. Today was our last meeting in Lucknow. Earlier, similar meetings were held in various states. In todays discussion, we also consulted Minister Danish Azad Ansari, Minister OP Rajbhar, and the Shia Waqf Board and UP Sunni Central Waqf Board. AIMIM national president and MP Asaduddin Owaisi alleged that the new law aims to undermine Waqf properties, as the Bada Imambara, Chhota Imambara in Lucknow, and Bahu Begum tomb in Ayodhya have not been considered as Waqf properties by the government. How can there be a non-Muslim member in the Waqf Board? All power will be transferred to the collector, who will function according to the government. The bill has many shortcomings, which is why it is facing opposition, said Owaisi. The Uttar Pradesh government defended its position, stating that a comprehensive survey of Waqf properties had been conducted. Officials noted that there had previously been no data on Waqf properties in the state, including registration details or figures on confiscated land. The government cited findings from the Sachar Committee, which identified 60 properties as government-owned. Jagdambika Pal emphasised the productive nature of the meeting, stating that discussions were held in a constructive atmosphere. He noted that complaints are frequently received about the misuse of Waqf properties and cited examples of vast land holdings, such as 5,000 acres in Pilibhit and 70,000 acres in other areas, which require proper management. The UP government had, in September 2022, decided to undertake a survey of all the Waqf properties in the state. The UP government overturned a 1989 government order that mandated automatic registration of high or mounded land, barren land, and Usar land as Waqf property. The government had then issued directions to all the district magistrates and commissioners to re-examine the documents of all the properties that had been registered under Waqf since April 7, 1989, and to record the status of such lands. The government says that the cemetery, mosque, and Idgah land should be properly demarcated because, under the 1989 ordinance, many such properties, which were Usar, Banjar, and Bhita in the revenue records, were also declared Waqf properties. Under the guise of this order, some cultivable land was also automatically registered as Waqf property, sources said. The government maintains that under the Muslim Waqf Act of 1960, no Waqf property can be automatically registered. The 1989 order, however, revealed that many properties were registered with the Waqf Board without any application, leading to the ordinance. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav vociferously opposed the survey, saying, We are against the survey of Waqf properties by the state government. It should not be done. This government wants to keep people entangled only in the Hindu-Muslim issue. Vedanta ESL, in collaboration with MJM Hospital and the Citizen Foundation, organized a Mega Health Checkup Camp at Chandaha Bargad Tola under its healthcare initiative, Project Aarogya. The camp aimed to provide free quality healthcare services to underserved communities near the ESL plant. With over 250 attendees, the camp featured five service desks for smooth operations: Registration, Lab Tests, Medicine, Help Desk, and Check-up Desk. Free consultations were offered in specialties like Orthopaedics, General Medicine, Paediatrics, and Dermatology. Diagnostic services included blood pressure checks, glucose tests, and weight monitoring. Kunal Daripa, Head CSR at Vedanta ESL, stated, This initiative addresses health and wellness challenges in the community by providing free healthcare services and spreading awareness about diseases and treatments. The camp was supported by a team of experienced doctors, including Dr. M G Rasul (consultant for chronic diseases), Dr. Anand Kumar Manjhi (pediatrics), and Dr. Rahul Sinha (orthopedics). Distinguished guests, including Shyamlee Minz (CHRO, ESL Steel Limited) and community leaders, were present to oversee the initiative. This effort highlights Vedanta ESLs commitment to social welfare, focusing on improving health access and well-being in rural areas. In a move to ensure the comfort of devotees attending Maha Kumbh 2025, the Yogi Adityanath government has launched an online system for procuring bonfire wood. The Uttar Pradesh Forest Corporation has made firewood depot locations accessible via Google. The move seeks to help pilgrims combat the cold during the event. Devotees, including those arriving from abroad, can easily locate depots by searching Firewood Depot Prayagraj online, streamlining the process and ensuring a hassle-free experience. DSM Prayagraj RK Chandna announced that 16 firewood depots have been set up across the Maha Kumbh area, with wood priced at Rs 600 per quintal. According to the Uttar Pradesh Forest Corporation, approximately 27,000 quintals of wood will be supplied during Maha Kumbh. Firewood will be transported from various depots across the state and sold at the prescribed rate of Rs 600 per quintal. At least 14 Naxalites, including a senior cadre, were killed in an encounter with security forces along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border in Gariaband district, police said on Tuesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Maoists were killed in a joint operation by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), SoG Odisha and Chhattisgarh Police along the inter-state border. He said that with the resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of the security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today. Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border," he said in a post on X. According to the police, two women Naxalites were killed, and a CoBRA jawan was injured in an encounter during the joint operation earlier on Monday. An official said a fresh exchange of fire took place late on Monday night and early Tuesday morning in a forest under the Mainpur police station area along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, in which 12 more Naxalites were gunned down. With this, the toll in the operation was at 14, he said. Gariaband Superintendent of Police Nikhil Rakhecha, in a statement, said that of the deceased, one has been identified as Jairam alias Chalpati, a central committee member of Maoist, who was carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore. He said the identity of the remaining killed cadres was yet to be ascertained. The official said intermittent exchange of fire was still underway in the area, and the number of Maoist casualties may increase. A joint team of security personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA from Chhattisgarh and Special Operation Group (SOG) from Odisha are involved in the operation, the official said. He said the operation was launched on the night of January 19 based on intelligence about the presence of Maoists in the Kularighat reserve forest of Chhattisgarh, just 5 km from the border of Odisha's Nuapada district. Two women Naxalites were neutralised during the operation on Monday, and a large cache of firearms, ammunition and IEDs, including a self-loading rifle, were recovered from the encounter site, the official said. Hailing the security forces, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that under the double-engine government (BJP government at the Centre and the state), Chhattisgarh will get rid of the menace by March 2026. Strengthening the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to end Naxalism in the country and state by March 2026, the security forces have been continuously achieving success and moving rapidly towards fulfilling the target, he said. "This success of the soldiers is commendable. I salute their bravery", Sai said. With this encounter, 40 Naxalites have been killed in separate encounters in the state so far this year. On January 16, twelve Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Bijapur district. Later, Maoists, in a statement, admitted that 18 cadres were killed in the January 16 gunfight. Last year, 219 Naxalites were neutralised by security forces in separate encounters in the state. Soon after taking charge as the 47th US president on Monday, Donald Trump signed a first round of executive orders aiming to assert control of the federal workforce, and withdraw from the Paris climate treaty, among others, to halt a slew of orders passed by the previous Joe Biden administration. Among the executive orders Trump signed with a flourish in front of a cheering crowd was one mandating that federal workers return to their offices five days a week. The move followed the new president's pledge to end the work-from-home culture that became common during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last month, at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Trump said he planned to dismiss federal employees who don't return to office to comply with the order. Trump also ordered a federal hiring freeze on his first day back in office, mirroring an action he took at the start of his first term to try to reduce the size of government. The order suspends hiring for new positions and many open ones. It includes exceptions for posts related to national security and public safety, as well as the military. During his campaign, Trump pledged to dismantle a federal bureaucracy that he derided as the "deep state". The order issued eight years ago was intended as a temporary, 90-day measure until federal budget officials, as well as those in charge of the government's personnel office, could devise a longer-term strategy for reducing the size of the federal government -- and it was effectively lifted that April. How long the latest freeze may last is less clear. It is a drastic step away from the Biden administration, which took steps to increase the federal workforce and give pay raises to many in its ranks. Trump also signed an executive order directing the US to again withdraw from the landmark Paris climate agreement, dealing a blow to worldwide efforts to combat global warming and once again distancing the US from its closest allies. Trump's action echoed his directive in 2017, when he announced that the US would abandon the global Paris accord. The pact is aimed at limiting long-term global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels or, failing that, keeping temperatures at least well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Trump also reversed an executive order issued by Biden that moved to lift the US designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. Biden formally notified Congress just last week of his decision to lift the designation as part of a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners on the island. The day after the announcement, Cuba began releasing people who were convicted of various crimes, including some who were arrested after taking part in the historic 2021 protests, according to Cuban civil groups following the cases of detainees on the island. Trump also issued an order freezing many new or pending federal regulations, effectively blocking last-minute protections issued by the Biden administration. Such an order is fairly common when a new administration takes over, but it could be the first in a series of moves designed to tamp down what the new president and other top Republicans have consistently decried as "federal overreach". The move recalled the first day of Trump's first administration in 2017. Then, he froze all pending federal regulations, effectively suspending Obama-era actions that were new or closer to implementation. That "immediate regulatory freeze" did not apply to some regulations being implemented for emergency situations relating to health, safety, financial or national security. Implementation of the new administration's order is likely to include similar language allowing for key exceptions. What Trump has signed orders on: * Halting 78 Biden-era executive actions * A regulatory freeze preventing bureaucrats from issuing regulations until the Trump administration has full control of the government * A freeze on all federal hiring except for military and a few other essential areas * A requirement that federal workers return to full-time in-person work * A directive to every department and agency to address the cost of living crisis * Withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty * A government order restoring freedom of speech and preventing censorship of free speech Diljit Dosanjh's much-awaited film "Punjab '95" has been delayed and won't release on February 7 as earlier announced, the actor has confirmed. The film, based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was slated to have its worldwide release next month without any cuts, except for India. Dosanjh shared a message on his Instagram story about the film's release. "We are sorry and it pains us to inform you that the movie 'Punjab '95' will not release on 7th Feb due to circumstances beyond our control," he wrote. Directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP Movies, the film sheds light on Khalra's relentless pursuit of justice during Punjab's tumultuous militancy period, highlighting his investigations into human rights violations and the disappearances of Sikhs. Khalra was kidnapped and killed in 1995. In 2023, "Punjab '95" was scheduled to have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) but was removed from the line-up without any official statement from the organisers. The film also stars Arjun Rampal and Suvinder Vicky of Kohraa fame. Reports are coming through of a massive caravan of illegal immigrants from South America moving through Mexico towards the US southern border crossing within hours of the Trump inauguration. The exact numbers of the caravan are not yet known, but are in the thousands. It is not known what will happen when they do reach the border crossing into the US, as Trump has probably not had enough time to implement some kind of policy regarding illegal immigration yet. The US border policy is probably still one of open borders, dating back to the Biden administrations policies, which let in over 15 million illegal immigrants into the US under his disastrous tenure. Trump is okay with legal immigration because the US is going to need workers for manufacturing jobs when companies build factories in the US to avoid trade tariffs. Illegal immigration is not something Trump is looking for in any way. HOLY SH*T! MASSIVE caravan of migrants is making its way to the American border within hours of Trump taking office. @Oscarelblue pic.twitter.com/4d05Zo6URF I Meme Therefore I Am (@ImMeme0) January 20, 2025 J-10 multi-role fighter jets fly in pairs China Military Online) 10:48, January 21, 2025 Two J-10 multi-role fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command take off for a flight training exercise in late November, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Shang Yanjie) Two J-10 multi-role fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command fly in pairs during a flight training exercise in late November, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Shang Yanjie) Two J-10 multi-role fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command fly in pairs during a flight training exercise in late November, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Shang Yanjie) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Ritholtz Wealth Management lowered its stake in shares of Telefonica Brasil S.A. (NYSE:VIV Free Report) by 24.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 70,438 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock after selling 22,967 shares during the quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Managements holdings in Telefonica Brasil were worth $532,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get Telefonica Brasil alerts: A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in VIV. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 67.8% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,818 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,543 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in Telefonica Brasil by 87.5% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 6,026 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 2,812 shares during the period. Aprio Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Telefonica Brasil in the third quarter worth $134,000. QRG Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 30.2% in the third quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 13,094 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $134,000 after buying an additional 3,039 shares during the period. Finally, First Affirmative Financial Network purchased a new position in shares of Telefonica Brasil during the 3rd quarter valued at $160,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 5.16% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In VIV has been the subject of several recent research reports. StockNews.com raised Telefonica Brasil from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. New Street Research downgraded shares of Telefonica Brasil from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Telefonica Brasil from $11.50 to $11.80 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, November 25th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on shares of Telefonica Brasil from $10.60 to $9.20 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $10.47. Telefonica Brasil Trading Up 1.3 % Shares of VIV opened at $8.07 on Tuesday. Telefonica Brasil S.A. has a twelve month low of $7.47 and a twelve month high of $11.43. The stock has a market cap of $13.33 billion, a PE ratio of 12.80, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $8.24 and its 200-day moving average price is $8.96. Telefonica Brasil (NYSE:VIV Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 5th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.15 by $0.03. Telefonica Brasil had a net margin of 9.78% and a return on equity of 7.77%. The business had revenue of $2.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.52 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.18 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Telefonica Brasil S.A. will post 0.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Telefonica Brasil (Free Report) Telefonica Brasil SA, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mobile telecommunications company in Brazil. Its fixed line services portfolio includes local, domestic long-distance, and international long-distance calls; and mobile portfolio comprises voice and broadband internet access through 3G, 4G, 4.5G, and 5G, as well as mobile value-added and wireless roaming services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Telefonica Brasil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Telefonica Brasil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ritholtz Wealth Management cut its stake in shares of Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) by 3.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,565 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 118 shares during the period. Ritholtz Wealth Managements holdings in Discover Financial Services were worth $618,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get Discover Financial Services alerts: Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. State Street Corp grew its position in Discover Financial Services by 0.8% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,498,044 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,472,771,000 after acquiring an additional 80,601 shares during the period. FMR LLC grew its holdings in shares of Discover Financial Services by 8.0% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 7,493,862 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,051,314,000 after purchasing an additional 558,227 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its position in Discover Financial Services by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,834,705 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $257,391,000 after purchasing an additional 12,255 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Discover Financial Services by 0.5% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,728,276 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $242,460,000 after buying an additional 7,751 shares during the period. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its position in Discover Financial Services by 0.4% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,063,980 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $149,266,000 after buying an additional 4,594 shares in the last quarter. 86.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Discover Financial Services Stock Up 1.2 % NYSE:DFS opened at $187.17 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.10. The company has a market capitalization of $47.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.46. Discover Financial Services has a one year low of $96.46 and a one year high of $189.27. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $176.94 and a 200 day simple moving average of $152.55. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth DFS has been the subject of several recent research reports. Barclays raised shares of Discover Financial Services from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $137.00 to $186.00 in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Discover Financial Services from $160.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, January 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Discover Financial Services from $150.00 to $146.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on Discover Financial Services from $170.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Discover Financial Services from $148.00 to $161.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, October 18th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Discover Financial Services currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $171.71. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Discover Financial Services Discover Financial Services Company Profile (Free Report) Discover Financial Services, through its subsidiaries, provides digital banking products and services, and payment services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Digital Banking and Payment Services. The Digital Banking segment offers Discover-branded credit cards to individuals; personal loans, home loans, and other consumer lending; and direct-to-consumer deposit products comprising savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, IRA certificates of deposit, IRA savings accounts and checking accounts, and sweep accounts. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DFS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Discover Financial Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Discover Financial Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ritholtz Wealth Management decreased its position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC Free Report) by 5.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,985 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 168 shares during the quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Managements holdings in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico were worth $522,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Get Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico alerts: Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. acquired a new stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico during the third quarter valued at about $23,145,000. 1832 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico in the second quarter valued at approximately $13,976,000. National Bank of Canada FI raised its holdings in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 7,927.9% in the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 48,970 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $8,521,000 after buying an additional 48,360 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 11.0% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 374,595 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $65,187,000 after buying an additional 37,005 shares during the period. Finally, FMR LLC grew its holdings in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 1,454.3% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 19,367 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $3,370,000 after acquiring an additional 18,121 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.73% of the companys stock. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Trading Up 0.1 % NYSE:PAC opened at $189.70 on Tuesday. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. has a 52 week low of $139.64 and a 52 week high of $200.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.08, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a current ratio of 1.50. The firms fifty day moving average is $185.08 and its 200-day moving average is $174.51. The firm has a market cap of $9.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 1.46. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Announces Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th were given a dividend of $3.7626 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $15.05 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.93%. Several research firms have recently issued reports on PAC. UBS Group raised shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Scotiabank lowered Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $224.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $195.00. Get Our Latest Research Report on PAC About Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (Free Report) Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, holds concessions to develop, operate, and manage airports in Mexico and Jamaica. The company operates twelve international airports in Guadalajara and Tijuana areas, Mexico; and two international airports in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ritholtz Wealth Management lessened its stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD Free Report) by 54.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,498 shares of the consumer goods makers stock after selling 12,392 shares during the period. Ritholtz Wealth Managements holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV were worth $526,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Get Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV alerts: Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 37.7% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 57,870 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $3,836,000 after purchasing an additional 15,837 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 10,307,014 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $683,252,000 after buying an additional 587,329 shares during the last quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG purchased a new stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,865,000. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 61.9% in the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 61,061 shares of the consumer goods makers stock valued at $4,048,000 after acquiring an additional 23,348 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brophy Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in the third quarter worth approximately $946,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 5.53% of the companys stock. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Up 1.8 % Shares of BUD opened at $47.99 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $86.25 billion, a PE ratio of 14.81, a P/E/G ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.09. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a 1 year low of $45.94 and a 1 year high of $67.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.69. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $51.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $58.63. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have commented on BUD. Citigroup upgraded Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $65.00 to $55.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Barclays upgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, September 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $64.00. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BUD Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Profile (Free Report) Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV produces, distributes, exports, markets, and sells beer and beverages. It offers a portfolio of approximately 500 beer brands, which primarily include Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois; Beck's, Hoegaarden, Leffe, and Michelob Ultra; and Aguila, Antarctica, Bud Light, Brahma, Cass, Castle, Castle Lite, Cristal, Harbin, Jupiler, Modelo Especial, Quilmes, Victoria, Sedrin, and Skol brands. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A man has appeared at Derry Magistrates' Court charged with communicating information about a member of the security forces likely to be of use to terrorists. Andrew Curry (40) of Victoria Road in Bready outside Derry appeared charged with three counts of communicating information on January 19 about police officers. He also was charged with improper use of the communications system on the same date. A police officer connected the accused to the charges but said that bail could be agreed. Defence barrister Stephen Mooney said police had agreed to bail 'subject to stringent conditions'. A police officer told the court that the conditions included no contact with any of the injured parties, not to go within 100 metres of any injured party, not to have any Internet enabled device and not to get any third party to post any information on Social Media. Curry is also not to consume any alcohol and to make an appointment with his GP. Curry was released on his own bail and will appear at Strabane Magistrates' Court on February 13. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Poland is now under US sanctions, cut off from advanced tech Poland's aspirations to become a European AI leader have hit a significant roadblock following new US export controls on advanced technology. According to the Polish Press Agency (PAP), Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski had announced plans to establish an AI factory by 2025, positioning Poland as a leading force in European artificial intelligence. These plans now face uncertainty as Intel has suspended its intended construction of an advanced packaging facility in the country. Export controls create division The Biden administration's announcement on January 13, 2025, of new AI chip export controls has effectively created a two-tier system within the European Union. As reported by NFP, Euractiv, and other sources, while some strategic allies received exemptions, many EU members, including Poland, were excluded from the preferential list. This development has split the EU into 10 primary and 17 secondary nations regarding access to advanced AI technology. Under the new restrictions, Poland's import capacity is limited to 50,000 high-end GPUs. The US government has indicated that countries aligning their policies on export controls, clean energy, and technology security with US interests could potentially negotiate to double this limit to 100,000 units. In contrast, companies from "trusted national entities" can apply to import up to 320,000 high-end GPUs over the next two years, with an additional allowance of 1,700 GPUs without licensing requirements. Short-term stability, long-term concerns Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Dariusz Standerski revealed in a Polish Radio interview that the country's current GPU usage represents less than 10% of the new import limits. While this suggests minimal immediate impact, the restrictions pose significant challenges for Poland's long-term AI development ambitions. The Polish Embassy in Washington has sought clarification from the US government regarding these measures. The implications of these restrictions have drawn criticism from Polish technology leaders. Piotr Sankowski, head of the state-funded AI research center IDEAS NCBR, expressed concern over Poland's classification as a secondary nation in the current geopolitical landscape. Referring to the Biden administration's extensive AI export ban documentation, Sankowski stated, "We can forget about developing our superintelligence." Despite these challenges, Poland continues to pursue its AI development goals. In November 2024, the government announced plans to invest EUR235 million (approx. US$244.26 million) in AI initiatives, including the development of Polish large language models (LLM). However, the new US export controls may significantly impact the scope and timeline of these ambitions. Samsung delays 1c DRAM development to 2Q25 amid Nvidia concerns Samsung Electronics has reportedly delayed the development of its 10nm sixth-generation 1c DRAM to June 2025. Initially slated for completion by late 2024, the timeline has been pushed back by six months due to ongoing yield challenges, potentially affecting mass production plans. Market leadership at stake Samsung representatives declined to comment on the development timeline or roadmap when approached by DIGITIMES. However, industry sources indicate that if 1c DRAM development falls short of expectations, the mass production of sixth-generation HBM (HBM4), planned for the second half of 2025, could face delays. According to South Korean media outlet Money Today, Samsung is struggling with 1c DRAM development. While reports in late 2024 suggested the company had successfully produced its first "good die," the expected yield levels have yet to be met. For mass production readiness, yield rates typically need to reach 60% to 70% during development. Samsung had originally aimed to achieve a 70% yield rate by December 2024, but this goal has reportedly been postponed to June 2025. The standard product development cycle in the industry spans about 18 months. Samsung completed its 10nm fifth-generation 1b DRAM in December 2022 and began mass production in May 2023. However, there have been no recent updates on the progress of its 1c DRAM. Samsung's 1c DRAM delays could weaken its position in the highly competitive HBM market, potentially ceding ground to rivals such as SK Hynix and Micron. Competitors forge ahead SK Hynix successfully completed its 1c DRAM development in August 2024 and aims to begin mass production by February 2025. Meanwhile, Micron is targeting an April 2025 timeline. In contrast, Samsung's projected completion by June 2025 could position it as the slowest among the industry's top three memory chipmakers. The transition from development to mass production typically takes around six months. With Samsung's 1c DRAM development already delayed, mass production is expected to face further setbacks. Analysts now estimate that Samsung may not commence mass production until late 2025 at the earliest. Nvidia CEO raises concerns Samsung's delayed 1c DRAM development could disrupt its broader plans to regain a foothold in the HBM market, raising concerns about its long-term competitiveness. Samsung had reportedly planned to incorporate 1c DRAM into its HBM4 products. However, if 1c DRAM mass production is pushed to late 2025, the rollout of HBM4 could face corresponding delays, potentially impacting market readiness. Samsung is now focused on accelerating DRAM development in the first half of 2025 to improve yield rates. Meanwhile, SK Hynix is taking a more conservative approach by opting to integrate 1b DRAM into its HBM4 products, ensuring stable production timelines. According to industry sources, Samsung is making design revisions to its 1c DRAM in an effort to accelerate development. This aligns with remarks made by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at CES 2025, where he cited the need for "new designs" as a key reason for not utilizing Samsung's HBM products. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Taiwan startup secures military contract for advanced anti-drone systems Taiwan's military has awarded a contract to Tron Future Tech for 26 anti-drone systems, marking a significant step in the island's efforts to counter unmanned aerial threats amid rising regional tensions. The systems are slated for deployment on Taiwan's outlying islands. This contract represents one of the first major defense deals secured by a private-sector startup in Taiwan's emerging drone defense industry. Tron Future's anti-drone platform combines Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar technology with RF detection capabilities, offering drone detection ranges of up to 6 kilometers. The system is said to be capable of countering frequency-hopping drones as well as swarms. The startup aligns with Taiwan's broader military modernization, including two national programs for drone and counter-drone development. In mid-2024, the company raised NT$900 million (US$28.4 million) in Series A funding, led by government-backed Taiwania Capital. The systems have already been deployed at critical infrastructure sites, including the Hsinchu Science Park. Meanwhile, Tron Future has been working on lighter, modular anti-drone systems suitable for mobile applications. A hard-kill solution featuring interceptor drones is also in development. Taiwan's focus on anti-drone systems comes as drone warfare gains prominence globally, especially after their extensive use in recent conflicts. Chinese military drones have increasingly been spotted near Taiwan's territory, prompting calls for enhanced defenses. While Tron Future reports international interest, it faces competition from larger, more established defense contractors with proven records in military procurement. Defense officials and industry analysts will closely monitor the company's ability to deliver on contracts while upholding quality standards. Safety issues have been identified in two separate children's items which were available on Temu, an online marketplace known for their discounted stock, amid fears they could lead to choking. The first of two recalls was for the popular Broun indoor swinging set. The risk of choking was reported to the competition and consumer protection commission due to the item featuring small wooden balls, a potential hazard if small children were to put these in their mouth. At present, there are approximately 21 affected products in the Republic of Ireland. The bar code is 4131130148, with the batch number being 2023-536. The second issue comes from a fun floating bath toy, which is in the shape of a turtle. READ MORE: Maura Higgins reveals she turned down Love Island: All Stars This product poses a threat to children's safety as it contains small parts, such as flippers, which a young child could place in their mouth and swallow, posing a choking hazard. There are approximately 255 affected products in the Republic of Ireland. The bar code of this product is 2671457393. Customers should stop using both these products immediately and keep them out of the reach of children. Temu has contacted affected consumers regarding these recalls on behalf of the sellers, and reimbursements have been issued to those impacted. If you have not received a refund or have further questions or concerns about these products, please contact Temus customer service team here. Gardai in Bray, Co. Wicklow have carried carried out seven searches under warrant and arrested a further four males in connection with the ongoing investigation into the death of a man in his 30's on January 19. Gardai have today, Tuesday 21st January 2025, arrested a male juvenile, two men aged in their 20s, and one in his 30s in connection with this investigation. The four arrests come after two individuals, both males aged in their 20s and 40s, were arrested for serious offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 yesterday evening, Monday January 20. READ MORE: Woman appears in court over death of pedestrian in road crash last summer All six arrested are currently detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, at Garda Stations in the Wexford / Wicklow Division. The Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) is assisting with this investigation. A post-mortem examination is due to take place by the State Pathologist, Dr. Sally Anne Collis at the morgue in Whitehall, Dublin. Results of the post-mortem will assist investigating Gardai in determining the course of this investigation. Independents supporting the Government should not be given speaking time normally allocated to members of the opposition, according to a letter from opposition parties to the Ceann Comhairle. Some of the regional independent TDs involved in negotiating and supporting the Programme for Government have sought to keep their Dail speaking time in opposition technical groups. Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy, who previously sat as a regional independent, has indicated that this will be allowed under parliamentary legal advice she has received from the Oireachtas. Opposition parties have described the decision as absurd, objecting to the move on the basis that it would eat into their speaking time. A key point of contention is the commitment that other members of the regional independent group will be given Minister of State positions. The dispute has led to a joint submission to the Ceann Comhairle from parties including Sinn Fein, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit-Solidarity, the Greens and Independent Ireland. The central question is whether an independent who has agreed to support the Government but is not a Minister of State is eligible to be part of a technical group for the allocation of speaking time. Standing Order 170 for the Dail sets out the definition for technical groups, stipulating that they must be made of at least five members in opposition. The opposition parties argued that the proposed Government will be a coalition operating as a majority administration as a three-legged stool, formed by Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the regional independents. Therefore, they contend that regional independents without minister of state positions should not be considered in opposition. In a letter to Ms Murphy on Tuesday, the parties said: In our view it would be absurd to think otherwise. Those who argue to the contrary must answer this basic question: to what are these so-called members in Opposition opposed? The opposition parties propose that speaking time for these independents should be a matter for the Government Chief Whip. They said: To rule otherwise would be to permit Government encroachment into Opposition speaking time, and to upset the balance between Government management of Government business and Government time, on the one hand, and the time allocated to the Opposition to secure responsible and accountable Government, on the other hand. The authors also argue that there has been repeated clear acknowledgement from the members of the Regional Independents that they have influence over Government policy. To this end, they cite public statements by members of the Regional Independents who were involved in Government negotiations, including Michael Lowry reportedly saying the group had secured a fantastic result and would get on with the work now of governing. Elsewhere, the authors of the letter note that Barry Heneghan told Ireland AM: You can whinge and whine from Opposition all you want, but Im actually going to go in and roll up my sleeves. He also said: Theres a lot I want to do that I wouldnt be able to achieve if I was in Opposition. In conclusion, the opposition parties said they strenuously object to the attempt to eat into the Dail time allocated to the Opposition. They added: At its simplest and bluntest, on this most basic of issues members of the Dail cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. Ms Murphy has indicated that she will consider the submission but will allow the Government-supporting independents to sit in the technical groups on an interim basis. After the huge success of Brigid 1500 last year Celebrating Brigid is the theme of this years activities in County Louth, and what better way to join in than at The Northern Lights 'Celebrating Brigid' light shows at Dundalk's Market Square on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd of February! Taking place between 6pm and 7pm each evening, the spectacular lighting shows are choreographed to the rhythm of captivating music that will invigorate and inspire. The eight majestic golden arches feature up to 200,000 individual points of light and are adorned with symbols inspired by the Brigid of Faughart mural created by renowned Irish artist Friz. Reflecting on Brigid 1500, TCCM Manager Martin McElligott said: The publics response to The Northern Lights inaugural festival last year was phenomenal, it was wonderful to hear feedback that the festival had succeeded in honouring both the traditional and modern interpretations of Brigids influence, uniting the community in a shared celebration of culture, creativity, and light. As we continue to celebrate her legacy in 2025, and into the future, honouring the enduring spirit of Brigid of Faughart as a beacon of light, hope, and new beginnings will inspire us in our efforts. Read Next: Cllrs call for action on broken traffic lights across Dundalk Louth County Tourism Officer, Sabhbh Ni Mhaolagain, added: St. Brigid holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Louth, as her legacy symbolises renewal, resilience, and creativity, which are deeply woven into our county's identity. This St. Brigid's Day, we invite everyone to explore her birthplace, County Louth, and celebrate the stories, traditions, and beauty that make our home a truly unique destination. Louth County Council proudly supports The Northern Lights this St. Brigid's Day, which embodies the spirit of St. Brigid as Market Square comes alive with dazzling displays of light and sound. Do not miss The Northern Lights 'Celebrating Brigid' Festival this Bank Holiday weekend as these awe-inspiring light shows illuminate the night sky creating an unforgettable audio-visual experience that is free of charge and a must see for all ages! The festival is proudly brought to you by Louth County Council and Dundalk Town. A man, who used the dating app Grindr to find victims to rob, was jailed for a total of eight and a half years at Dundalk Circuit Court. Michael Quinn of Cara Close, Priorswood, Coolock, Dublin had pleaded guilty at Dundalk Circuit Court to two counts of robbery, falsely imprisoning one of the men and assaulting another, causing him harm, at locations in the Dundalk area in 2023. The first victim met the defendant, who had the username James on the dating app on June 24th that year. He told gardai how Michael Quinn had taken off his jacket, before he produced a large kitchen knife and possibly a screwdriver and demanded all his money. The defendant stole the mans wallet and on seeing he had 600 in his Revolut account demanded that they drive to an ATM. Quinn warned him he would shove the knife in his leg, and that he would cut him from ear to ear if he screamed. When he spotted the man was trying to alert members of the public, he threatened to kill him, before he managed to undo his seatbelt and escape. On July 18th, the second victim arranged to meet a man with the username John. They walked for some distance before going into an alleyway near a shop, where Quinn produced two knives, before he grabbed the man in a headlock and demanded his phone and wallet. That victim, who managed to break free and run to safety, had a slice mark on his cheek and a cut to the other cheek and on his ear. The defendant followed him some of the way and shouted Youre dead. Two days later, the third victim picked him up in his car and was directed to a cul de sac, where the defendant produced a knife and robbed 60 in cash, and the victims AIB and Revolut cards. The defendant was arrested after being recognised by a garda, who had seen images circulated by the crime unit. He had 30 previous convictions including assault causing harm, theft and burglary. Judge Dara Hayes in finalising the matter, imposed a 10 and a half years sentence for the first robbery with the final two years suspended, and seven years concurrent for falsely imprisoning the same victim. Three and a half years were imposed for assaulting the second man, causing him harm and five years and nine months were imposed for robbing the third victim. Those sentences were also concurrent, and were backdated to August first last year. As part of the suspended portion of his sentence, Mr Quinn entered a 100 bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour towards all the people of Ireland during his sentence of imprisonment and for a period of 2 years post release. He must also place himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for a period of 18 months post release, engage and cooperate with the service and adhere to all directions given. He must also engage in offence focused and victim awareness work, engage as directed with addiction treatment support services, aftercare support and ongoing drug monitoring as directed. In addition, he is further required to engage with psychology supports and reside at an address agreed with the Probation Service. he Dundalk IT Loves STEM team hit the road in early January to empower over 400 Transition Year girls in five schools to explore the dynamic world of STEM. This year, the roadshow introduced a range of innovative, exciting, hands-on STEM activities specifically designed to capture the interest of female students. Participating students competed for STEM roles in a fictional company, aptly named Totally Yours or TY Cosmetics. The workshops gave participants the opportunity to explore various STEM careers through the process of creating and selling cosmetic products. Led by Dr. Orla Sherlock and Maryellen Kelledy from the School of Health and Science and the School of Engineering at DkIT, the Totally Yours Cosmetics project provided a unique, interactive, female focused experience. Throughout the workshop, students faced three exciting challenges that showcased their key STEM skills such as problem-solving, maths, and creativity. These challenges, which included cosmetic puzzle solving, TY ball gift box preparation, a STEM escape room and New Product Design allowed the girls to step into the roles of STEM professionals like Formulation Scientists, Chemists, Microbiologists, Product Engineers, Product Technologists and Financial Analysts careers they might not have previously considered. By participating in these challenges, students gained valuable insights into the wide range of STEM careers available to them, all while having fun and gaining practical experience in a creative industry. A follow up DkIT campus day will take place in May, where a lucky 100 TY Girls inspired by the roadshow will be given an opportunity to meet the remainder of the DkIT loves STEM team and get hands on experience in Computing, Maths, Technology, Science, Engineering, Health and Physical Activity, and Film and Media. Dr Orla Sherlock, a lecturer in the Department of Life & Health Sciences at DkIT said: In collaboration with my colleague Maryellen and with the support of colleagues Paul Durcan, James Connolly, Harry Donnelly, Ryan Duffy and Donna OConnor, we have developed a series of STEM based activities to challenge students, while enabling them to showcase their STEM skills to build confidence. By competing for roles within our TY Cosmetics company, we can highlight STEM careers to participants in a current relevant way and the workshops helped students gain an understanding of key STEM roles. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to share our ideas with so many students and open their eyes to the opportunities awaiting them in STEM careers. The project was part funded by the Society of Microbiology, UK who awarded Dr Orla Sherlock funding to create the workshop activities. For the third year of this fantastic initiative, the DkIT Loves STEM team visited Our Ladys College Greenhills, Drogheda, Inver College, Carrickmacross, St Vincents, Dundalk, Breifne College, Cootehill and St Louis, Carrickmacross, to discuss the opportunities available in STEM and explore its place in our lives and potential future career opportunities. In addition to activities, leading female academics from DkIT, who specialise in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths met with the students to share their own experiences and career journeys within the STEM industry. Despite STEM being one of the fastest growing and most in demand sectors in Ireland, only 1 in 4 people working in STEM are women. This DkIT roadshow was run in conjunction with iWish, a community committed to showcasing the power of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths to teenage girls, who the Institute have been proudly partnering with since 2023. Research by the organisation in 2024, found that 53% of girls lack confidence in their ability in STEM subjects and over 40% cited lack of access to female role models in this area as a barrier. However, 85% of students surveyed said they were interested in STEM and 89% wanted to know more. Read Next: Michael Harding comes to Dundalk's An Tain Speaking after the roadshow Maryellen Kelledy, Department Engineering at DkIT said: It is wonderful to see the continued success and increasing interest in the DkIT Loves STEM roadshow. Each year we hear from more and more secondary schools hoping to take part and encourage their female students to consider the value of a career in STEM. We want to ensure that each student achieves their potential in an area they are passionate about. It was a privilege to share our stories with so many TY students locally and we cant wait to see where they use their talents in the future. The DkIT Loves STEM workshops were highly praised by participants. Ultan Henry, Transition Year Coordinator at St. Vincents Secondary School in Dundalk, said, The students really enjoyed the interactive nature of the workshop and found the topic highly relevant. 98% of the students who participated said that they really enjoyed the workshops and 92% said that they learned something new about STEM. Describing the workshop, some of the students attending said it was fun and interactive, and it inspired me to explore STEM further, while another said I found it a great learning experience and a fun day at the same time. I learned a lot about STEM while going through the challenges. To find out more about DkIT schools outreach visit: School of Health & Science Outreach at Dundalk Institute of Technology / DkIT - Dundalk Institute of Technology A legacy etched in the red planet: Mars crater named for planetary expert Jay Melosh 12-19-2024 A crater on Mars has been named after Jay Melosh (1947-2020), Purdue University professor. (Visible color image courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey) A leading world expert in impact crater physics, Jay Melosh, has permanently left his mark on Mars, the red planet. According to the U.S. Geological Surveys Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature website, a crater on Mars has been named Melosh. Jay Melosh, a distinguished professor with Purdues Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) and professor with the Department of Physics and Astronomy, was known for his work on impact cratering, planetary tectonics and the physics of earthquakes and landslides. Melosh was also a key member of the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission that first mapped the gravity field of the moon. One of many of Meloshs accomplishments led to a groundbreaking study on mass concentrations, or mascons, of material revealed by GRAIL beneath the lunar surface. The research revealed that mascons were formed by enormous asteroid impacts billions of years ago. Melosh explained how these collisions altered the moons surface density and gravitational field. Along with GRAIL, Melosh was also on the Deep Impact mission that slammed an impactor into a comet to peek under the surface. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons; image of lunar gravity field courtesy of NASA) He was instrumental in building planetary science within Purdue Universitys College of Science. Melosh passed away in 2020, leaving an everlasting legacy at Purdue and with many colleagues. You can read more about Meloshs legacy at Nature.com. Jay was a wonderful mentor to so many of us. We all have fond memories of Jay and miss him dearly, Professor Briony Horgan said. Professor Brandon Johnson said, This large, nearly 100-km crater is a rather fitting honor since Jay, quite literally, wrote the book on impact cratering. He would have been pleased to see the other surface processes at work within this crater, too. Jay Melosh was my PhD advisor and also a close colleague and friend. (Shaded relief/elevation image courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey) Planetary feature names are approved by the International Astronomical Union. Tenielle Gaither, database manager for the U.S. Geological Surveys Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature, received a request to name several features on Mars, specifically in an area of an ongoing mapping investigation of the Aram Chaos region. The IAU Mars Task Group chair and I selected Melosh from our Mars name bank to propose to the IAU. The names were approved in October, Gaither said. More information on how extraterrestrial features are named can be found on the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature homepage. The crater is located near Aram Chaos in the equatorial region of Mars, Horgan said. Based on a quick look at the orbital data, this crater has had a complex history! It looks like it was filled in with lava, then ripped in half by giant outburst floods of water. Jay would have loved that interplay of planetary processes. He was selected as Purdues Herbert Newby McCoy Award winner in 2014. This is the most prestigious research honor in the natural sciences given by the university. Melosh was a member of the National Academy of Sciences. (Nighttime thermal infrared, bright = bedrock, image courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey) Jay Melosh was a visionary scientist whose contributions transformed our understanding of planetary science, said Lucy Flesch, Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science. He was deeply knowledgeable and had an ability to connect complex ideas in innovative ways. Naming a crater on Mars in his honor is a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy, both at Purdue and in the global scientific community. About the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) combines four of Purdues most interdisciplinary programs: Geology and Geophysics, Environmental Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, and Planetary Sciences. EAPS conducts world-class research; educates undergraduate and graduate students; and provides our college, university, state and country with the information necessary to understand the world and universe around us. Our research is globally recognized; our students are highly valued by graduate schools and employers; and our alumni continue to make significant contributions in academia, industry, and federal and state government. About the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University Purdue Department of Physics and Astronomy has a rich and long history dating back to 1904. Our faculty and students are exploring nature at all length scales, from the subatomic to the macroscopic and everything in between. With an excellent and diverse community of faculty, postdocs, and students who are pushing new scientific frontiers, we offer a dynamic learning environment, an inclusive research community, and an engaging network of scholars. Physics and Astronomy is one of the seven departments within the Purdue University College of Science. World-class research is performed in astrophysics, atomic and molecular optics, accelerator mass spectrometry, biophysics, condensed matter physics, quantum information science, particle and nuclear physics. Our state-of-the-art facilities are in the Physics Building, but our researchers also engage in interdisciplinary work at Discovery Park District at Purdue, particularly the Birck Nanotechnology Center and the Bindley Bioscience Center. We also participate in global research including at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, many national laboratories (such as Argonne National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Fermilab, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Stanford Linear Accelerator, etc.), the James Webb Space Telescope, and several observatories around the world. Writer: David Siple, Communications Specialist for the Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Department at Purdue University We owe the Poles who have come to live in Cork in recent years a debt of gratitude. Their presence here undoubtedly led to an increased demand for flights to and from Cork connecting some of Polands finest cities - thus putting some great weekend break and holiday destinations firmly on our radar. In the final part of our Cork Airport Getaways series, we highlight two such Polish cities, as well as the Alpine city of Salzburg in Austria, famed for its musical connection to Mozart and the Von Trapps. The series wraps up with a final visit to a sunshine getaway - Faro in Portugal. Poznan, Poland Ryanair flights from Cork, Mondays and Fridays A city on the Warta River in western Poland, Poznan is a pretty university town oozing in history and culture. Its Renaissance-style buildings in the Old Market Square are a great tourist attraction, and the Town Hall here houses the Historical Museum of Poznan, with exhibits on the city. The town hall clock features mechanical goats that butt heads at noon, so make sure youre there on time to see that! The Stary Rynek, or Old Market Square, in Poznan, Poland To stretch your legs, head to Citadel Park a 15-minute walk from the square One of the worlds more unusual museums is based in Poznan - the Croissant Museum! Its been billed as part cooking demo, part comedy show, and part history lesson. Perhaps it could be twinned with Corks Butter Museum?! Almost as unusual is the HistoryLand museum, which tells the story of Polish history through the medium of... Lego bricks. This interactive journey includes the worlds oldest map of the sky and great medieval battles, all told via more than a million Lego bricks. Dont stand on any in your bare feet... Youre never too far from religion in Poland, and the Gothic and baroque Poznan Cathedral Of St Peter And Paul is built on an island called Ostrow Tumski. It is the oldest such building in Poland, dating back to the 10th century and the beginnings of the Polish State. Here you will find the burial place of the first rulers of Poland - Mieszko I and his son Boleslaw Chrobry - as well as the mysterious vaults. Meanwhile, the Parish Church of St Stanislaus is known for its magnificent Baroque ornamentation in the chapels of the Holy Cross, which feature a 16th-century crucifix and the Virgin Mary. Or check out the Gallery of Paintings and Sculpture, one of the largest and oldest art venues in Poland. It houses rich collections of art from antiquity to Polish avant-garde art, and exhibits include The Beach In Pourville by the Impressionist Claude Monet. Shoppers may be surprised to find theres a Penneys in Poznan, girl! Though it is called Primark over there - still, never a bad time to grab a bargain. Gdansk, Poland Ryanair flights from Cork, Mondays and Saturdays Banish any misconceptions you may have of Gdansk as a war-damaged industrial port city - its actually vibrant and cosmopolitan, a wonderful blend of old and new - and with a reputation for being one of the more affordable European cities Like Cork, its compact too, making it a great place for a weekend break. There are some great museums in Gdansk, many with a war theme - and the Museum Of The Second World War has a reputation as one of the finest in Europe. You can literally spend hours immersed here, with exhibits including authentic 1930s Polish streets, a Soviet tank, a German Junkers plane, and a British Enigma cipher machine. The Europejskie Centrum Solidarnosci tells the story of Polands more recent history, its road to freedom from Soviet oppression and embracing the Solidarity movement. On a lighter note, Gdansk Old Town is charm personified, with an array of street markets, shops, pubs, bars, and restaurants. The nightlife is great, with guided pub crawls popular. Ambitious diners might want to try the local lunch specialty - a hollowed-out round of bread filled with soup made from pickled cabbage and white sausage. The milk bars are actually affordable eateries that offer hearty dumplings and thick stews, while more extravagant restaurants offer venison and wild boar from the forests of Pomerania. Mariacka (St Marys Street) is lined with artisan retailers selling Baltic amber jewellery. The Amber Museum tells the story of this remarkable natural local resource. Dont miss a boat ride from the Gdansk quayside - there are water taxis and short cruises aplenty. There are also lovely seaside resorts on the citys doorstep. The Baltic Riviera is popular for sunbathing and people-watching in the summer. Both Sopot and Gdynia are close by via train and tram. Salzburg, Austria Topflight flights from Cork, Saturdays The city is fairytale-like, with its turreted buildings and cobbled streets. Salzburg is divided by the Salzach River, with medieval and baroque buildings of the Old City on its left bank, facing the 19th-century New City on its right. There is so much to see and do in and around Salzburg for all the family, including river cruises, tours, and even forest bathing. Hohensalzburg Fortress is a must-see. The biggest fully preserved castle in central Europe, it dates back to 1077 and offers a 360-degree view of the city and its surroundings. The Getreidegasse is Salzburgs most famous shopping street, the location of numerous traditional businesses, clothing stores and souvenir shops. The city is the birthplace of famed composer Mozart, and his memory is preserved in various museums, including one displaying his childhood instruments. The other musical claim to fame here is that it was the setting for The Sound Of Music. The Fraulein Marias Bicycle tour takes in some of the iconic films locations. If youre heading for a ski break, Ski Amade is one of the largest such networks in Europe. With one ticket, you can ski 760km of slopes over five regions in the Austrian Alps. If you have kids in tow, the Soll resort offers gentle nursery slopes. Or take a 25 minute bus ride to Untersberg in the Alps, to experience incredible scenery as a cable car ascends to a breath-taking 1800m. Bad Gastein is a thermal spa town, 90 minutes from Salzburg, that people have been flocking to for the cure for generations. Faro: Discover the Treasures of the Algarve Ryanair flights from Cork, Fridays and Sundays Located in Portugals famously sun-drenched Algarve region, Faro is often seen as a gateway to golden beaches, writes Kelly OBrien. While this is undoubtedly accurate, the destination is also rich in history, natural beauty, and unforgettable experiences. The Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos) in Faro. As with most mainland European city breaks, the Old Town is the best place to start your journey. Encircled by medieval walls, these quaint, cobblestoned, orange-tree-lined streets will quickly transport you back in time. At the heart of it all lies Faros cathedral with its striking blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Climb to the roof for amazing views over the city and its many terracotta-tiled rooftops. Nearby, youll find one of Faros most unique (yet most macabre) attractions - the Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos). Featuring the skeletal remains of more than 1,000 monks, this eerie yet fascinating site isnt for the faint of heart. Yet those daring enough to enter will not soon forget it. Nature lover? Head to the Ria Formosa Natural Park - a sprawling network of lagoons and islands which is a paradise for bird-watchers - or embark on a dolphin-watching boat tour (just make sure its an ethical one - always read the reviews before booking!). As sunset falls, assuming you havent yet had your fill of rooftop views, head to the bar at the top of the Eva Senses Hotel, which overlooks Faro Marina - its the second-best vantage point in the city, after the rooftop of the aforementioned cathedral. While Faro does indeed have more to offer than sun, sea, and sand, one cannot deny the allure of the amazing beaches here. Just a short ferry or drive away, Ilha de Faro offers a stretch of golden sand perfect for sunbathing, swimming, or simply soaking in the tranquil ocean views. For a more secluded escape, head to Ilha Deserta, a pristine island accessible by boat where you can enjoy serene landscapes and crystal-clear waters almost entirely to yourself. Nearby Ilha da Culatra, a charming fishing village, offers a more local vibe and is ideal for a leisurely seafood lunch by the sea. If you have a bit more time and are in the mood for further exploration, consider a day trip or two. The nearby town of Olhao charms visitors with its bustling fish market and picturesque streets, while Tavira enchants with its Roman bridge, historic churches, and laid-back atmosphere. A Cork garda, who was repeatedly stabbed when attending a domestic incident, has been named the 2024 Blarney Person of the Year, while a brother and sister have been honoured for their work in Africa. Garda Timothy McSweeney, a Blarney native, was stabbed during an incident at a house in Douglas in March 2022. After entering the house he was confronted by a man who was drunk and behaving aggressively in front of a woman, who was in fear for her life and those of her children. During the incident, Gda McSweeney received stab wounds to his hand and arm, and tore his knee. A woman who was present in the house that night said in court: I want to thank Garda Tim McSweeney. I believe he saved my life. Last September, Gda McSweeney was awarded the Scott medal by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. The Scott medal is the highest award that can be bestowed by the Commissioner of An Garda Siochana, and is awarded for most exceptional bravery and heroism involving the risk of life in the execution of duty. At a ceremony at the Castle Hotel in Blarney last weekend, Gda McSweeney was named as 2024 Blarney Person of the Year. At the same ceremony, brother and sister John Mitchell and Bernice OBrien were inaugurated into the Blarney Hall of Fame for their work since 2010 in building schools and teachers quarters, and providing thousands of educational scholarships in Africa. Masters of ceremonies at the event were Fine Gael city councillor Damian Boylan and local solicitor John Henchion who, along with local businesswoman Kate Durrant, founded the awards 15 years ago. Ms Durrant said it was lovely to be in a room full of people who, through their actions, demonstrate that there is good and right in the world. She paid tribute to people who put others first, who care about their neighbours, their community, and those they have never met on the other side of the world. People who make the world a better place. Mr Boylan described the awards as a way for us to shine a light on the talents and hard work of people who work tirelessly under the cloak of invisibility, with humility and for the common good. The award winners were chosen from a panel of monthly recipients that included Jacqui OBrien from Gaelscoil Mhuscrai, Mary Cronin, leader of the Whitechurch Swimming Group, and award-winning cheese maker Dan Hegarty. A war of words has broken out between local councillors over a National Transport Authority (NTA) allocation for a northside amenity. In a funding allocation announced last week, Cork City Council was awarded 28m for 2025 under the NTA Active Travel Investment Grants Scheme. On top of the 28m allocated in active travel grants, the city council was also allocated 6,535,000 in other NTA funding streams, bringing to 34,535,000 the total amount allocated to the city. At the time, the allocations were criticised by Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central as once again [proving] the neglect of northside infrastructure. The northside TD said the average project spend on northside projects was almost 100,000 less than the overall average per project. Despite this, Mr Gould welcomed some of the northside funding allocations, among them 50,000 for the Nashs Boreen Active Travel Scheme, but now one of his party colleagues has criticised the amount allocated, saying it is too low. Kenneth Collins, Sinn Fein councillor for the citys North West ward, has alongside his party colleague, former councillor Mick Nugent long been champion of the scheme, which, when completed, would see Nashs Boreen closed to general vehicular traffic and enhanced for pedestrians and cyclists. Mr Collins said he was extremely disappointed with the NTA Active Travel funding allocation, describing it as a drop in the ocean. Im delighted that Nashs Boreen has been selected for this funding, but its not enough; 50,000 is probably only going to cover the consultation fees, he said. This is a massive amenity on the north-west of the city, the jewel in the crown of the north-west as I call it, and 50,000 only assigned for it is not enough, it needs to get a lot more money. I cant see anything being done out of that 50,000, itll probably go to consultation fees, but the community wont see anything of that 50,000. However, one of Mr Collins fellow North West ward councillors strongly disagreed. Fianna Fails Tony Fitzgerald accused Sinn Fein of opportunistically criticising one part of an ongoing series of funding allocations. There is a massive suite of northside projects at various stages of development, all of the councillors have been fully briefed about them, but this is just typical of a campaign of negativity, said Mr Fitzgerald. The Knockpogue Avenue, Knockfree Active Travel has got 250,000; we have Nashs Boreen [which got] 50,000, we have the North Monastery school [which] got 20,000, the Northern Distributor Road got 600,000; Blarney village got 200,000; the Glen and the North Ring Road got 250,000, and the Kerry Pike pedestrian improvement programme got 100,000. Cork City Council and the NTA were both asked for comment. Cork Opera House is for everybody, and we take that very seriously, its CEO said at the launch of the historic venues strategic plan 20252030 last night. The event, which was attended by Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, Lord Mayor of Cork, saw the launch of a 40-page document outlining the venues main objectives for the coming five years. Cork Opera House CEO Eibhlin Gleeson told The Echo the strategic plan laid out a vision for the future which would build on the venues rich heritage. She said: We have six strategic objectives in total, the first of which looks at developing our programme and making sure that were inclusive of everyone; the second is about building our community and including young people and marginalised communities in the work that we do and helping broaden out our work to be inclusive of everybody. This is our 170th year, and were taking the moment to look at our legacy, and how we can build on that legacy. Ms Gleeson said Cork Opera House would continue to prioritise its people, ensuring wellbeing and job satisfaction amongst its staff, and to accommodate diverse audiences and artists. She said infrastructure was a priority, adding that the venue was on the hunt for a rehearsal space for in-house productions. Finally, she said, another key objective was keeping very good and stable finances to continue to ensure Cork Opera Houses future. Fianna Fail councillor Mary Rose Desmond, who is chairperson of the Cork Opera House strategic planning committee, said the strategic plan was very important as it mapped the venues plans for the coming five years. Institutions like the Opera House dont just exist by chance, we have to ensure their future and ensure their success, and its a cornerstone of the creative and artistic and cultural world here in the city of Cork and beyond, in the wider region, said Ms Desmond. Weve taken the time to make sure that we have a robust strategy to take us through the next five years. Among the objectives cited for the coming years are a focus on large-scale shows, musicals, and traditional theatre; and prioritising classic repertoire and nurturing opera talent through the Cara OSullivan Associate Artist programme. The document also promises a commitment to working with local festivals and artists over the next five years, while also working to develop ticket pricing structures in support of artists, allowing them to experience performances at the Cork Opera House without financial barriers. Results are expected today of tests on substances in circulation, undertaken following two deaths in the city on Friday. The deaths of two men are being investigated as possible drug overdoses. The HSE is working with local stakeholders to review these overdoses and will identify if new or emerging trends are associated or if cases relate to other factors. They added that service users in Cork were supported during the weekend and that the market was being monitored to identify if extra risky substances are circulating. HSE head of drugs and alcohol services in Cork and Kerry, David Lane, told The Echo: Usually to be definite about a substance in circulation, it needs to be tested first. However, on Friday we went ahead of that usual process because two deaths in one day in a small city like Cork is hugely concerning. We started getting the word out on Friday afternoon, warning vulnerable people to be very careful. We shared our harm-reduction messages not to use alone in the first instance, and that if you are using substances, not to buy it from people you dont know, to use people youre familiar with from previous transactions. An inter-agency group was set up in October 2023 following a spate of nitazene overdoses in Dublin, which later came to Cork. The group contains representatives from the HSE, Cork City Council, the Mercy Hospital, An Garda Siochana and homelessness services. We set the group up to establish a quick system where we can get WhatsApp messages into the phones of people wed be concerned about, and weve been working together ever since, Mr Lane said. We called an emergency meeting of that group on Friday, so we could try to keep people safe at a time when theres a heightened anxiety around what might be circulating. Over the weekend, samples of substances in circulation were secured. It is hoped the results will be available today, so it will then be known if there is a more dangerous substance on the streets of Cork. Shane Grimes, aged 28, was found dead at Fitzgeralds Park on Friday morning, while Shane OSullivan, aged 31, was found dead in Kyrls Quay on Friday afternoon. Ross OConnor Kenny, senior services manager at homelessness service Depaul, told The Echo: We are very sorry to hear about the passing of two young men in Cork at the weekend. It really highlights the need for medically supervised injection facilities, particularly in a major city like Cork. A facility like this would help limit overdoses and the transmission of diseases, and it would also bring drug use away from streets the urgency of a facility like this cant be understated. Mr Lane agreed: The HSE and other agencies are really supportive of a project like this. We visited a number of facilities in Lisbon with Cork City Council, and following that visit, we engaged with UCC to do a piece of research, and we are due to publish next month. It will show, objectively, what researchers have found in terms of the feasibility, and I am hopeful it will recommend establishing a medically supervised injection centre in Cork city the bottom line is it will save lives. Funding has been secured to progress a long awaited piece of infrastructure that is seen by local representatives as vital to providing support for the building of thousands of homes, a growing community, and linking the northside of Cork city with the city centre. Cork city councillor John Maher has welcomed the news of 2m funding allocated by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to progress the works on the Ballyvolane Strategic Transport Corridor. Mr Maher said: This is great news after years of waiting for this project to commence, we finally have the funding to push it forward. These works will improve and upgrade the junctions at the Fox and Hounds, North Ring Road, and Clonard/ Riverview. Ballyvolane is seeing more than 1,500 new homes being built, and this is to be welcomed but the infrastructure must also be delivered. Its great that after five years, we now have the funding to get the project delivered. This project will deliver new cycle paths, the upgrade of signalised junctions, provision of new surface water drainage system, more footpaths, bus lanes and change of traffic priority at Banduff Road/ Rathcooney Road junction. This development is very welcome and Im delighted that after years of representations and championing this project, we will now see it delivered in 2025. The Ballyvolane Strategic Transport Corridor Scheme North Ring Road to Mervue was approved by councillors in early 2022, following public consultation in 2021. It is aimed at delivering enhanced facilities for all road users with particular benefits for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users. This project entails improving and upgrading Ballyhooly Rd from North Ring Rd junction to Fox & Hounds junction and onwards to Mervue Lawn and also along Ballyvolane Rd from North Ring Rd to Banduff Rd. This new infrastructure, when completed, will form part of a sustainable transport corridor between Ballyvolane and Cork city centre. Having a ball at Rebel Og awards banquet Shane McCarthy, Glen Rovers, Mary Newman at the 2024 Rebel Og Awards Banquet, at Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cork.Picture: Jim Coughlan. Dance festival returns to Cork The Take Off Festival returns to Dance Cork Firkin Crane from February 19-21, with performances from established and emerging choreographers, and flavours of contemporary dance, dabke, and hip hop. Now in its third year, Take Off celebrates thrilling dance artists from Ireland and Europe. Highlights include works by Aerowaves artists Tu Hoang (Netherlands/Vietnam) and Habib Ben Tanfous (Belgium/Tunisia), alongside Jessie Keenan (Ireland), Tobi Omoteso (Ireland/Nigeria) and Amir Sabra (Ireland/Palestine). Professional classes and a roundtable discussion complete the festival schedule. As well as tickets to individual programmes, you can purchase a festival pass. See dancecorkfirkincrane.ie/news/take-off-festival-2025/ New players for Delanys A historic club on the citys northside is looking to bolster their underage teams with new players and everyone is welcome to try out. Delanys GAA on Dublin Hill are recruiting players for the new year. The club said: With the growth of our underage over the years we are delighted to be recruiting boys and girls from nursery up to U18s as this year we have a girls and boys minor team. If you played before and would like to get back playing GAA, lgfa or camogie then please get in touch. If you never played before and would like to give it a try then please get in touch. Everyone is welcome so spread the word and lets make the underage even stronger. See the Delanys Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/delanys.rovers Blackpool Tidy Village group back on the job for 2025 The Blackpool Tidy Village Group has wasted no time getting into the swing of things for 2025. The group were back at it on Saturday giving the area around Blackpool some attention and covered a huge amount of ground. The group said on its Facebook page: Heres to a great year ahead, Happy New Year 2025. Happy Agbatagu, Louise Jordan, Chris Moody, Tony Holton and Kevin Fleming of the Blackpool Tidy Village Group out and about last Saturdsay morning on one of their weekly cleanups. Our volunteers were out [on Saturday] doing a great clean up of Blackpool. Thanks Tony, Louise, Kevin, Sandra, Chris, Happy, Teresa, and Jim. Areas done include Spring Lane, Dublin St, Thomas Davis St,The Plaza, Watercourse Rd, Maddens Buildings, Gt William OBrien St, Sunday School Lane, and Commons Road. Wow, well done all. Arts Theatre submissions Carrolls Quay-based Cork Arts Theatre has put a call out for submissions for its short play event Views From A Couch. The submission deadline is Monday, March 31. A spokesperson for the theatre said: We are looking for submissions for our annual Views from... short play event. The theme this year is Views from a Couch. Ask yourself, where is the couch situated... a living room, psychiatrists office, a derelict house, by a roadside, in a forest, student dorm, retail store, office, waiting room, etc? There are a myriad of situations and countless plots that can be explored. The more imaginative the better. We are looking for 10-minute-plays that are character driven and are complete stories in their own right. All entrants should bear the following in mind... the setting (the couch) must be integral to the plot. Preference will be given to plays that achieve this. Dont just shoehorn in a couch to an existing script. As always, in our short play events, please follow these few guidelines. Plays should be no more than 10 minutes in duration. Other than that, we are open to plays of all genres comedy, tragedy, farce, fantasy, horror, period pieces, etc. As per previous years, all submissions will be read by our panel of readers, a shortlist compiled, and 10 plays selected by our directors. Those 10 plays will then be staged during our performance week which will take place from Tuesday May 27 to Saturday, May 31. The 10 minute maximum duration is important, so, if youre unsure of how long your play runs, the easiest way to gauge it is to do a live reading. This is always a useful exercise as it can also bring to light any issues with dialogue or plot. A rough guide is seven or eight pages of double-spaced dialogue. The Views from... series is a fund-raising event for the Cork Arts Theatre and, as such, we are not in a position to pay royalties should your play be chosen for performance. If you have any other questions please email theatre@corkartstheatre.com. We look forward to receiving your entries in due course. Happy writing. Plays must be submitted by Monday, March 31 and should be sent as a Word document or PDF to: theatre@corkartstheatre.com with the subject line Views from a Couch Submission 2025. The venue has asked those interested to not submit plays to any other Cork Arts Theatre email address. Have news to share? Contact robert.mcnamara@theecho.ie A decision on approving a plan for the promotion of the Irish language in Cork city will be forthcoming without delay, a Department of the Gaeltacht spokesperson has pledged. According to the secretary of Irish language organisation Gael-Taca, which co-ordinated the drafting of the plan, the Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholaisti across Cork city have been left without language assistants because of a provision that these can only be employed if there is a functioning language plan for the town or city. Cork was designated as a Gaeltacht service city for the Cork Gaeltacht communities when the legislation was enacted in 2012, and last February a plan was submitted to the Department of the Gaeltacht for its consideration by local Cork Irish language promotion agency Gael-Taca. The plan contains 160 pages of measures aimed at increasing the level of Irish in the city. Adrian Breathnach, Gael-Taca secretary and principal of Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers on Corks northside, said that the delay in approving the plan was blocking the education of children attending Irish-medium schools in the city. Our children, students in Irish-medium schools in Cork city, have been denied the essential assistance they need in acquiring the Irish language, he said. Its been almost a year since the Irish Language Plan for Cork city was published by Gael-Taca, and yet here we stand, with no sign of change. A Department of the Gaeltacht spokesperson told The Echo there was an ongoing discussion regarding the steps that would need to be taken regarding the advancement of the language planning process in Cork city. It is expected that there will be a result to this discussion without delay, said the spokesperson. The delay has been raised in the Dail previously, and on that occasion the then minister of state for the Gaeltacht, Patrick ODonovan, said that the department had not had a regular funding arrangement with Gael-Taca since 2020 when governance issues led to the suspension of that funding. Responding to a question from Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould in March last year, Mr ODonovan said that the department was of the view, following receipt of a funding application the previous September, that a sufficiently robust structure was not in place to avoid the reoccurrence of governance issues. Mr Breathnach pointed out that while the organisation had co-ordinated the compilation of the plan, organisations from across the city had contributed to the 160-page document. He also disputed the departments assertions regarding governa A 40-year-old woman pulled deals of heroin from her underwear and tried to swallow them in an attempt to obstruct a search and now she has been sentenced to nine months in prison. Judge Mary Dorgan imposed that sentence on Sandra Byrne at Cork District Court where she pleaded guilty to obstruction of a search, possession of the drugs, having them for sale or supply and money-laundering in respect of cash the proceeds of criminal activity. Detective Garda Joe Crowley charged Sandra Byrne of Upper Convent Road, Blackrock, Cork, with resisting Detective Garda Sharon Sweeney during a search at the Bridewell garda station on October 21, possession of Diamorphine (heroin) and possession of this drug for sale or supply on the same occasion. Detective Garda Crowley said Ms Byrne, 40, was stopped at Blackrock Road at around 3.30 p.m. on October 21. At the Bridewell garda station she was searched by Det Garda Sharon Sweeney. A bag of suspected Diamorphine was recovered from her bra. As the search continued, Sandra Byrne took two packages from her panties and attempted to swallow them. Sandra Byrne violently obstructed Det Garda Sweeney who tried to prevent her from swallowing the packages, Det Garda Crowley said. Assistance had to be called and Ms Byrne spat two packages on the ground, one containing seven individual wraps of suspected Diamorphine and 16 individual wraps of Diamorphine. Sergeant John Kelleher said that Ms Byrnes mobile phone was seized and examined and it contained evidence of drug-dealing with references to grams, Qs and tabs in the texts. The heroin had a suspected value of 700 and she also had 1,700 in cash. Regarding the cash, she initially said she had withdrawn 1,500 from a credit union to pay for a planned holiday. Diane Hallahan solicitor said the defendant was pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity and cooperated with the investigation. Judge Dorgan acceded to Ms Hallahans application to backdate the sentence to October when she went into custody. With the Four-Faced Liar telling the wrong time on three of its faces and stopped on the fourth, the horologist who for years maintained the clocks on St Annes Shandon has stepped back due to serious safety concerns. The 253-year-old clock tower on Shandon is arguably the most defining image of Cork city, but its reputation as an unreliable timekeeper is probably almost as old as the clock mechanism which was installed in 1847 by the then Cork Corporation. According to locals in the Shandon area, the clocks on St Annes Shandon, which are the responsibility of Cork City Council, have been telling the wrong time since at least last May. At 3.30pm yesterday afternoon, three of the towers four clock faces were working, but, with the big hand at 12 and the small hand at eight, they were out by either seven and a half hours or four and a half hours. The east face was stuck, as it has been for months, at six oclock. Horologist steps back due to safety concerns The clocks at Shandon have, for many years, been maintained by Philip Stokes of Stokes Clocks and Watches on MacCurtain St. Speaking to The Neil Prendeville Show on Corks RedFM, Mr Stokes said he had stepped away from the maintenance of the clock mechanism, due to concerns about the safety of small windows on the clock faces which, he said, were in fairly bad shape. The wooden windows went in day one and theyre carrying quite a considerable weight on them and they are in disrepair and Im afraid of a weakness on them, he said. A spokesperson for Cork City Council said the council was preparing an application to the national Historic Structures Fund for the necessary funding to repair the clock at St Annes, Shandon. The Department of Housing funds the Historic Structures Fund, but it is administered by local authorities. Cork City Council did not respond when asked the estimated time it would take to complete repairs, or how the council proposed to address the safety concerns raised by Mr Stokes. Shandon St butcher James Nolan said it was a shame to see the clocks not working properly. Everybody likes to look up and see the clocks on Shandon give the right time, and that was something people all over the city always liked to do, Mr Nolan said. There was a woman above in Kerryhall Rd always said she didnt need a watch or a clock in the house, she only had to look out her window at Shandon. This is a month when the soundbite of New Year, new me can often be heard. But if you suffer from mild to severe hearing loss, perhaps it could be? If so, The Cork Deaf Association with their offices on MacCurtain Street could just be the answer to your problem. Serving the deaf and hearing-impaired community since 1966, the association provides support that is badly needed and they have never been stronger than they are today. They have a tight-knit team in a very well-kitted out space, that offers privacy, care and a point in the right direction for those looking to improve their hearing, albeit from a technical or practical side. Gerrie OGrady, Executive Manager, explained their ethos: Some people associate us exclusively with ISL (Irish Sign Language) but were very diverse. We address all forms of hearing loss, including tinnitus, as well. Their Tinnitus and Hearing Loss co-ordinator, Sarah, pointed out: People can just walk in off the street or make an appointment. Well meet with them and go through whats for them on the tech side. I was, quite frankly, blown away by what the association has on display in their technological department. If you can think of it, they have it: Telephones for the deaf, alarms for the deaf, even a catch-all watch that sends alerts when the phone rings, when the doorbell goes, and even acts as a carbon monoxide alarm. Their audiologist does a clinic once a month and gives sound advice for those uneasy with the thought of having to spend money on hearing aids. She says: Its about finding out where theyre at. Some of them have never had a hearing test in their lives - some come from a private dispenser and arent sure if they really need hearing aids or not. Manager Geraldine OGrady outside the Cork Deaf Association office on MacCurtain Street, Cork My role is to empower people so that they can go back to the dispenser knowing if they really need them or not. Given the often outrageous cost of hearing aids, as I know from experience, its important to know whether or not they will really work for you, as the audiologist helps answer the questions Do you really need to spend 5,000? Are they entitled to PRSI? Are they covered by a medical card? The charity also provides a social aspect of help for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in Cork, with group activities for all walks of life and support groups. Socialising is the main bane in the life of anyone with this affliction, so such comforts can be priceless. Building up a little community you can interact with on your own terms, who also know what youre going through, who understand, is a wonderful thing and possibly life-changing. For those struggling, the Cork Deaf Association also provide a counselling service. A new initiative within the Association includes ISL, which up until now relied upon the UK version. Ms OGrady said: You can come and do you ISL exams on a QQI model, which is very exciting. This is a game-changer for those wanting to learn it, who need the QQI accreditation on an academic and professional level. It is something I am eager to avail of myself. Cork Deaf Association takes very much what Gerrie describes as a holistic approach to dealing with hearing loss. This means they are most keen on looking at the problem and coming up with a strategy to deal with it. Hearing aids are not an overnight fix for hearing loss and can take a while to get used to. For instance, in the first month of having mine, I had three scares crossing the road, as I wasnt gauging sound correctly. The mere sound of a tennis shoe squeaking would send me into the stratosphere with the fright. Cork Deaf Association aims to provide aftercare for those new to hearing aids, giving them the information they need to adapt to them. Maintaining the hearing aids, too, can be quite tricky. As Sarah Good, the Hard of Hearing Coordinator, noted: We can help with things people might be afraid of, like changing the wax filters, getting people used to handling them without fear of breaking it. The HSE Audiological Review states that 8% of the adult population in Ireland is in need of audiological intervention, which rises to 50% in the over 70 age group, and many of the latter group are reticent to do anything about their hearing impairment or loss. This is why agencies like Cork Deaf Association are a vital support for those uneasy about going to a private clinic. It is there to guide you through the process, with no agenda, they are simply there to give you information. The world of audiology can be a Wild West arena, because it is the one health profession not covered by the regulating body CORU. This means there is currently no cap on what can be charged for products sold by audiology professionals. One wonders how sustainable this can be, in the long term, with the World Health Organisation estimating a quarter of people will have some degree of hearing loss by 2050. Cork Deaf Association is currently taking bookings for a 10-week ISL course, starting in September. Places are expected to fill quickly, so be quick if you want to learn. Theres lots of information on their Facebook page. As of 2017, the Irish Sign Language Act means that users of ISL have the right to preserve it as their native language.. Cork Deaf Association is just across the road from Thompsons on MacCurtain Street. The Audiology Clinic is once a month, so booking for this is essential. Vivienne Clarke Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment Peter Burke has said that he wants to reassure staff at financial firm BNYs Wexford operation that this is not an Armageddon situation. Mr Burke told RTE radios Today with Claire Byrne show that staff would be supported in every way by the government and he was hopeful that staff would be offered remote working options or transfers to BNYs other operations in Ireland in Dublin and Cork. We will do everything we can to ensure there are options. The company was growing their options in Ireland, he added. Mr Burke said his primary concern was the families involved and was acutely aware of the pressures facing them. He would be front and centre in his efforts to help them. Wexford TD George Lawlor has asked what is the difference between Wexford and Cork and why is it only the Wexford staff at BNY who will be impacted by the global review. Speaking on RTE radios Today with Claire Byrne show, the Labour party representative said that BNY staff in Wexford had endured months of rumours. While the Minister for Trade and Employment Peter Burke might say that the situation was not Armageddon, it could be a very different situation for staff in Wexford who were told that their only option was to commute to BNY Dublin to retain their job. That is a difficult scenario. Mr Lawlor said his information from a well informed source within the company was that there would be a number of redundancies. What is an interesting fact about this is that the Cork facility and the Dublin facility remain unaffected by this global review, according to the minister, and questions must be posed about that. What's different about Wexford and Cork? Not that you'd wish anything on our Cork colleagues, but why single out Wexford? Eoin Reynolds A woman on trial accused of murdering a pensioner who was "put over" Ireland's highest sea cliffs told a friend that she had "battered" a man with a rock "until his face was out the back of his head" and that she liked it, the Central Criminal Court heard on Tuesday. The trial also heard a recording of a separate phone call in which the accused woman, Nikita Burns, said that after a fight with the deceased Robert 'Robin' Wilkin, she and her co-accused Alan Vial drove until 3am and "pushed him [Mr Wilkin] off Sliabh Liag". She said, "they won't find him," but added that there was blood on the roof of the car in which the alleged assault took place. She added: "There is a slim chance we'll get caught for it but if I go down, I go down." Ms Burns (23) of Carrick, Co Donegal and Alan Vial (39) of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, Co Donegal have pleaded not guilty to the murder of 66-year-old Robert 'Robin' Wilkin on June 25th 2023 in Donegal. Mr Wilkin's body was found one week later in the water below the Sliabh Liag cliffs. Ms Burns pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of another person for an arrestable offence but the prosecution did not accept her plea. Chris Quinn on Tuesday told prosecution counsel Bernard Condon SC that Ms Burns had been homeless before he allowed her to move into his apartment in 2023. She later brought another man to stay in the one-bed apartment and that man's brother and son ended up living there. About two weeks before the alleged murder, Ms Burns had moved out to live somewhere in Killybegs. She seemed to be doing well and told Mr Quinn by text message that she "felt like a new woman". However, the witness said that when Ms Burns knocked on his door at around midnight on the night after the alleged murder, she seemed "panicky and deranged" and he thought she was "off her head" from drugs or alcohol. She initially spoke to the other people in the house before coming to Mr Quinn's room where she told him repeatedly that she was a "murderer". She changed her clothes before going back to the living room where, with the two other men present, Mr Quinn said Ms Burns said out loud that she was "after murdering someone". Mr Quinn recalled her saying that she was out with Mr Vial and another man in a car and that there was an argument when the other man "was trying to touch her [Ms Burns] up". They started fighting, he said, before the car pulled up and either she or Mr Vial got a rock from somewhere along the road. She said she she hit the man with the rock in his face. Mr Quinn recalled her saying that she "battered him in the face with the rock and she liked it". He added that she "didn't seem to care that much" and after telling her story, asked for some of Mr Quinn's antidepressant or antipsychotic medication before eating a chicken curry. Mr Quinn said he went to bed and could hear laughter from the room where Ms Burns and the two other men were sitting. Under cross-examination, Mr Quinn confirmed to Alan Vial's defence counsel Shane Costelloe SC that Ms Burns said she "battered the fella until his face was out the back of his head. Then she said she liked it." Sharon O'Dowd told Mr Condon that she spoke on the phone that night with one of the men who was in Ms Burns's company in Mr Quinn's apartment. Ms Burns took the phone and told Ms O'Dowd that she "beat some man's head in, her and Alan". The witness decided she needed a recording of what Ms Burns was saying so she called her son to record the conversation on his mobile phone. The recording was played to the court today in which Ms Burns said that Mr Wilkin had been "fighting with us" and that he was "touching up my legs and doing whatever to me and that's why Alan got pissed and dragged him out the back and started caving his head in." Ms Burns said this happened "a wee bit outside Killybegs" and afterwards she and Mr Vial drove until 3am "and we pushed him off Sliabh Liag." She later said: "They won't find him, he was thrown off Sliabh Liag, they won't find him." As the phone conversation continued, Ms Burns said Mr Vial had been arrested later that evening for drink driving after crashing the car. She said: "His [Mr Wilkin's] blood is on the roof. There's a slim chance we'll get caught for it but if I go down for it, I go down." Ms O'Dowd told Ms Burns's defence counsel Eoin Lawlor SC that she recorded the conversation because Ms Burns is a vulnerable person and she thought she "was in a situation". She recalled Ms Burns telling her that Mr Wilkin had been driving with Mr Vial in the back seat. She said that Mr Vial began throwing punches at Mr Wilkin from behind before Mr Vial got out of the car and got a rock. She agreed with Mr Lawlor that Ms Burns appeared to say that after Mr Vial retrieved the rock, Ms Burns got another rock and came round to the driver's side of the car. She recalled Ms Burns saying that Mr Vial then dragged Mr Wilkin to the back seat and that there was "more fighting". Ms O'Dowd agreed that she did not hear Ms Burns crying. "She was just on a high, she was very loud and high," the witness said. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of five men and seven women. Sonya McLean A man who thought he was being paid to transport edible bird nests to Ireland has been jailed for three years after custom officers found over 280,000 worth of cannabis in his suitcase. Cheong Sik Hong (38) of Kampung, Paya Bemban, Malaysia, came forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on signed pleas of guilty from the District Court. He admitted possession of 14kg of cannabis, worth an estimated 281,000, for sale or supply at Dublin Airport on July 7th, 2024. He has no previous convictions. Garda Jamie Connor told Derek Cooney BL, prosecuting, that a customs dog indicated interest in Hongs suitcase. Hong was stopped and questioned about his luggage. He said it was his friends bag and he had not packed it himself. He said he had no way of unlocking the luggage. It was forced open and a number of vacuum sealed bags of a green plant-like material was discovered. Gda Connor confirmed that during a follow-up interview, Hong said his flight had been organised for him and he had been told he would be staying in Ireland for seven days. He was told he would get a phone call with further instructions once he arrived in Dublin. Hong said hed picked up the suitcase from a hotel parking lot in Bangkok before he boarded his flight to Dublin. He later told gardai he had found a job online that required people to transport edible bird nests to the UK and Ireland. He said he agreed to do the job and was expecting to be paid for his role as a runner. He considered the job was very safe. Gda Connor told Mr Cooney that Hong told gardai he was handed 600 in cash, the flights were arranged for him and he was told edible bird nests would be in the suitcase. Gda Connor agreed with Dominic McGinn SC, defending, that other drug couriers have given gardai similar explanations and gardai accept that Hong gave a true account of his involvement. He further accepted that analysis of Hongs phone and messages found on that also endorsed his explanation to gardai. Gda Connor said he was aware that Hong had two young children at home and his five-year-old son had significant medical difficulties. Mr McGinn asked the court to accept that his clients involvement was at the lower end of the scale. He has been in custody since his arrest at the airport. Judge Martin Nolan said Hong had carried these drugs on the basis of a promise of money and he was reckless in his behaviour. He acknowledged that he pleaded guilty at an early stage, has no previous convictions and co-operated with the garda investigation. He jailed him for three years. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. A gray wolf stands newly free from a crate at the release site in Colorado on Jan. 14, 2025. Colorado Parks and Wildlife Colorado wildlife officials have released 15 Canadian gray wolves into the states central mountains over the past week. The historic effort was completed on Saturday, and is the second reintroduction season for the native predator. The capture and release work supports the Colorado Gray Wolf Restoration and Management Plan. This binational effort was conducted by a professional team of experts from two jurisdictions, said Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Director Jeff Davis in a press release from CPW. From the veterinarians and biologists to the helicopter pilots and wildlife officers, this team worked together to ensure a safe and successful outcome for this years capture and release efforts that also prioritized the health and safety of staff and animals. Fifteen wolves were brought to Colorado from British Columbias central interior. The agency also released five members of the original Copper Creek Pack a mother and four pups in a separate operation. All of the wolves were released in Pitkin and Eagle counties, as part of CPWs efforts to create a self-sustaining and permanent gray wolf population in the state. There are no more planned releases for the 2024 to 2025 season. It is the second of between three and five release seasons for the wolves. Two out of 10 wolves who were reintroduced in 2023 were illegally shot. Illegal killing of wolves can result in jail time, fines of up to $100,000 and the loss of hunting privileges. CPW has a responsibility to balance the safety of staff and the animals with the level and timing of information provided during this complex wildlife operation. Unfortunately, staff safety was threatened as CPW offices were watched and threatening social media posts and phone calls were received, the press release said. Because of the safety risk and security needs of our staff and the animals, CPW did not share wolf release details while the operation was underway. The most recent reintroduction effort was conducted over six days of capture in BC and release in Colorado. A total of eight females and seven males were translocated. The areas where the wolves were captured are those where predator reduction is happening to support caribou recovery. The BC government entered into consultations with three First Nations during the projects planning and operational phases in wolf capture areas. The export of wolves is allowed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which is administered by the Canadian Wildlife Service. It has been an honour to work with Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff to support their conservation priority. It is a great example of collaboration and the connections we have in the large landscapes of North America, said Hillary Ward, the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardships regional director of resource management, in the press release. The area where the gray wolves were captured did not overlap with places where livestock were present. Sadly, one of the wolves passed away after they were captured. As restoration efforts continue, CPW is committed to working with livestock owners, communities, state agencies and all partners to reduce the likelihood of wolf-livestock conflict. Our goal is to keep ranchers ranching, while at the same time restoring a healthy, sustainable population of gray wolves to Colorado as mandated, Davis said in the press release. Five wolves each were released in Colorado on January 12, 14 and 16. January 12 is coincidentally the 30th anniversary of the reintroduction of Canadian wolves to Yellowstone National Park. BCs gray wolf population is estimated to be from 5,300 to 11,600, widely distributed and not considered a conservation concern at this time. The wolves reintroduction was voter mandated and brings the total number of known wild wolves in Colorado to 29. Colorados arms are open to these pioneering and resilient wolves. We are beside them, rooting for their success and well-being, said Courtney Vail, Rocky Mountain Wolf Project board chair, in a statement, as reported by MediaNews Group. While others, in decades past, paved the way with successful wolf reintroductions in surrounding states, Colorados endeavor is historic because it is state-led and reflects the will of our citizens. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. While scientists have long known that pesticide use could impact pollinators, a new study reveals how fertilizer could negatively impact these important organisms. Not only that, but the research, which was conducted at the site of the longest ecological experiment in global history, revealed that high fertilizer use could also lead to a decline in flowering plants. A team led by researchers at the University of Sussex and Rothamsted Research examined fertilizer use over a two-year period at the Park Grass Experiment, Rothamsted. The site is home to the longest-running ecological experiment in the world, which was originally established in 1856 to determine how inorganic fertilizers versus organic manure impacted hay yields, but researchers in the 1850s found that these fertilizers and manures were negatively affecting local species. Following that discovery, the site has become an ongoing experiment to test impacts of varying factors on ecology and soil health. A sign describes the Park Grass Experiment at Rothamsted Estate in Hertfordshire, England. Paul Gravestock / Flickr After increasing the amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) through fertilizer use on the site, the researchers found significant impacts on the number of pollinators and, in turn, the species variety and abundance of flowers. The amount of pollinators in the untreated land plots were about 95% higher than in areas with high fertilizer use, and bees in particular had up to a 9.35 times higher rate of abundance in untreated plots. Plots with higher amounts of fertilizers had higher amounts of flies and beetles. The team also determined that fertilizer use negatively impacted flowering plants, which had better abundance and diversity when pollinator abundance was higher. The researchers published their findings in the journal npj Biodiversity. In total, higher levels of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus led to a five-fold decline in flowering plants and a 50% decline in pollinators, as The Guardian reported. As you increase fertilisers, pollinator numbers decrease thats the direct link that to our knowledge has never been shown before, Nicholas Balfour, lead researcher of the study, told The Guardian. Its having a drastic effect on flowers and insects. The knock-on effect goes right up the food chain. The researchers determined that other land management strategies, such as using lime or clover, could help maintain better yields while reducing biodiversity loss. The results showed that plots with lime had 50% more pollinators, 70% more pollinator species richness, 15% more flower abundance and 68% more flower species richness, compared to plots without lime. According to the study, agricultural grasslands make up about 25% of Earths land, but artificial nitrogen fixation and using other fertilizers on these lands makes up about 1.4% of global carbon emissions. Further, fertilizer use leads to soil eutrophication, which changes ecosystems and can lead the grasslands to lose biodiversity of native plants and pollinators. As The Guardian reported, the UK uses about 100 kilograms of fertilizer for every 1 hectare of agricultural grassland. In the study, the highest amount of fertilizer use was about 144 kilograms of fertilizer per hectare, which led to around 50% declines in pollinators, with the biggest impacts on native bees. According to the study authors, reducing fertilizer use on agricultural grasslands could lead to improved biodiversity, better resilience to extreme weather, natural pest control, improved soil health, reduced air pollution, and other benefits. To realize these benefits, well-designed policies are needed to incentivize the sustainable management of pastoral landscapes, the authors concluded. Our data indicate that soil nutrients management strategies that favour nitrogen-fixing legumes, i.e. low to zero N and intermediate P, K and Mg inputs, with lime addition can lessen the trade-off between biodiversity and yield in agricultural grasslands. When President Biden took office back in 2021, he issued several executive orders to address climate change. Now, the reverse is happening. President Trump is in charge now and he is signing EOs at a fevered pace. Many of these actions seek to limit or reverse any changes made by the Biden administration, taking the oft-used head in the sand approach to climate policy. Trump's first step was to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement... again. Trump began the executive order deluge by rescinding 78 of the Biden administration's EOs, including one on AI guidelines, before implementing a federal hiring freeze and mandating no new regulations. Keep in mind that an EO cannot change a law or regulation, but that wont stop Trump from trying. In other words, some of this stuff will end up mired in lengthy legal battles. Trump withdrew the US from the Paris climate agreement during his first term and then Biden reinstated it. Now, history repeats itself. The president has once again taken the US off the agreement roster. This puts the US as one of the few nations that arent part of the 2015 accord, joining Iran, Libya, South Sudan, Eritrea and Yemen. This also means that the US is likely dropping any pledges it made under the pact, including a promise of climate aid for developing nations and a commitment to cut emissions up to 66 percent by 2035. The Trump administration has to notify the United Nations in writing of its intention to withdraw from the accord, which will take a year to become official. That didnt take long. Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump signed a swathe of executive orders. Among them was a temporary pause on the law that banned TikTok in the US. With the executive order, Trump's Justice Department will not enforce the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act for 75 days, effectively extending the amount of time the company has to reach a deal. In a statement, Trump said that the "unfortunate timing" of the law, which went into effect during President Joe Biden's last hours in office, "interferes with my ability to assess the national security and foreign policy implications of the Acts prohibitions before they take effect." He wrote that he would review "sensitive intelligence" related to the national security concerns raised by the app's critics and "evaluate the sufficiency of mitigation measures TikTok has taken to date." The company previously undertook a years-long effort, known as Project Texas, to move US user data to servers hosted by Oracle. The arrangement was made after years of negotiating with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), but those talks halted last year. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement TikTok (and other ByteDance apps) went offline late Saturday ahead of the law taking effect on Sunday. The TikTok outage only lasted a matter of hours, however. Service was gradually restored after Trump pledged to sign an executive order to suspend the law after he was sworn in on Monday. He affirmed that there would be "no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order." Trump also proposed a joint venture that would see US interests take a 50 percent stake in TikTok. Earlier on Monday, China (where ByteDance is based) signaled an openness to striking a deal with the US that would allow TikTok to remain active there for the long run, despite previously saying it would block a forced sale of the app. When it comes to actions such as the operation and acquisition of businesses, we believe they should be independently decided by companies in accordance with market principles, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. If it involves Chinese companies, Chinas laws and regulations should be observed. During his first administration, Trump sought to ban TikTok in the US. He signed executive orders to that effect, which included an attempt to force ByteDance to sell its US business. That didn't come to pass at the time. But pressure on TikTok mounted during the Biden Administration, with the former president signing a bill last year that called for ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in the US. Almost immediately after taking office, President Donald Trump signed a swathe of executive orders including a reprieve for TikTok in the US. With the executive order, Trumps Justice Department will not enforce the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act for 75 days, extending the time the company has to reach a deal. TikTok (and other ByteDance apps) went offline late Saturday, but the TikTok outage only lasted a matter of hours. Trump affirmed there would be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order. Trump also proposed a joint venture that would see US interests take a 50 percent stake in TikTok. Earlier on Monday, China (where ByteDance is based) signaled it was at least a little open to an arrangement with the US. TikToks rescue wasnt the only change President Trump announced. Read on, everyone. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Coming up, weve got Samsungs big Unpacked event tomorrow, where we expect to see at least three new phones , a bunch of AI tricks and features of varying utility and who knows, maybe another wearable? Mat Smith The other big stories Get this delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! Everything we know so far Nintendo Trump is president, and Nintendo has a new console. Its 2017 all over again. The company is keeping the technical details under wraps, but the teaser shows a bigger console, bigger Joy-Cons and possibly a smoother gaming experience, judging by the Mario Kart renders. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Expect the full details during the Nintendo Direct on April 2, with the company planning a worldwide roadshow to let gamers go hands-on with the console. These events start in New York and Paris on April 3 to 6, with more taking place in the following months. Continue reading. The S25 series is on the way. A little update ahead of the big Unpacked show tomorrow: Leakers have posted numerous renders this past week comparing the different size options. A post from Ice Universe puts the S25 Slim at 6.4mm. However, the FCC certifications made public so far only appear to cover the familiar trio of flagships. So if a slim iteration does exist, it may not arrive until much later in the year. Continue reading. New details are emerging regarding the factors that contributed to the end of Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell's relationship of four years, after leaving fans anticipating an imminent engagement between the couple. In a surprising revelation posted on Instagram on Jan. 16, James shared a photo featuring himself and Kirkconnell from their time on "The Bachelor" as they advanced to the final round. "Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts," he started the caption. Now, an insider claims Kirkconnell reportedly decided to end her relationship with James due to unmet expectations. The insider disclosed that Kirkconnell had allegedly set a deadline for James to propose by the end of 2024, and when he did not fulfill this, she chose to end the relationship. According to an insider who spoke to The US Sun, "Rachael is the one who pulled the plug, full stop. Matt knows what he did, but that's Rachael's story to tell." "I will say this, he wouldn't commit," the inside explained. "She basically gave him an ultimatum to propose by the end of 2024, and that didn't happen." "Years of dragging her along. She tried and tried. It's been really hard on her, she really cared and thought this was going to work." The insider added, "I really don't think she thought he'd still be dragging his feet all these years later." More information has also surfaced regarding the couple's breakup. During their trip to London, James' social media posts seemed to suggest a happy time with Kirkconnell, leaving fans confused when news of their split emerged. This revelation coincided with a striking detail shared by Kirkconnell's sister, Trinity, adding another layer of intrigue to the situation. In a recent TikTok video, Trinity responded to questions about her sister's relationship and their trip to London and provided additional information about the timeline of Rachael and Matt's separation. "They were still together when he was posting all that," referring to the London post, the 22-year-old responded to a fan who asked on TikTok, via Us Weekly. "Just to give some perspective on the timeline of things." In another report by The US Sun, Kirkconnell was reportedly caught off guard and humiliated and shocked after seeing James' Instagram post just last week. An insider revealed at the time, "They didn't know they were fully broken up. Rachael is being pretty quiet right now, but I know she was blindsided by Matt's post." "She didn't know he was going to do that and definitely wouldn't have approved of it if she did." The insider added, "And she thinks it's just as weird as everyone else does, she's humiliated that's how the news came out." TikTok personality and traditional wife influencer Nara Smith has confirmed her safety following a frightening driving incident on the East Coast. The content creator recalled a terrifying incident in which she lost control of her car while driving in snowy conditions. "Last night, I was driving home, and it started snowing. I thought I would make it but ended up with my car sliding down a hill and blocking the road with my tires spinning out," she said in a series of Instagram Stories. Following the unexpected slide of her vehicle down the slope, the 23-year-old reached out to her husband Lucky Blue, who was away in Italy attending Milan Fashion Week. Together, they shared a moment of prayer over the phone. She then mentioned how a "kind stranger" assisted in moving her car to the nearest parking area, conveniently located next to a French restaurant. Smith captured a picture of her dinner while waiting for the snowplows to clear the roads. After eating, the mom-of-three made her way back to the road but encountered another challenge when her car struggled to climb the hill. Turning to the restaurant's top chef for help, she watched as he joined her in the car and, despite everyone's efforts, they were unable to push it up the slope. As her car's wheel malfunctioned during the attempt to move the car, she made the choice to abandon it. The model expressed gratitude towards the restaurant owners for their generosity in offering her a ride back home. Upon arriving at her home without incident, Smith described the night as an unforgettable journey filled with anxiety and tears. Expressing immense gratitude, she credited the compassionate people who assisted her as the "most kind-hearted and genuine souls." Reflecting on the events, Smith admitted to becoming emotional at the mere thought of it. "This was the wildest experience with a lot of anxiety and tears," she said. "I met the kindest, most pure hearted people last night and I couldn't be more grateful." As Smith finished recounting her experiences, she concluded, "Everything that transpired after that was divine intervention." "Every time I felt helpless or too upset to even form a clear thought, there was some kind stranger helping me." "Whether it was driving my car for me, parking across from me and giving me emotional support, or the plow driving ahead of me to make sure I made it safely," she added. "I'm getting emotional just thinking about it." Trump declares 'only two genders' to be official US policy As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders male and female, incoming President Donald Trump declared in his inaugural address, referencing evolving race and gender debates. Nominate Your Favorite Authors for the Hall of Fame! For Immediate Release Contact: Judith Briles Judith@Briles.com 303-885-2207 Nominate Your Favorite Authors for the Hall of Fame! Denver, CO January 21, 2025The Colorado Author's Hall of Fame welcomes nominations from the public for outstanding authors with ties to our beautiful state. If the nominee is inducted by the Hall's Board, the author will be celebrated at the upcoming Gala Induction on September 6, 2025, to be held at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel-Denver in Greenwood Village, Colorado, and be forever placed in the Colorado Author's Hall of Fame. Nominations are open until the end of March 2025. Only 12 authors will be nominated this year for induction. The public is invited to visit the website, read the criteria for nominations, and encouraged to nominate authors who they believe would be ideal to include in the 2025 celebration. The Hall was introduced to Colorado, and the nation in 2019. It was the first Hall to exclusively honor authors of published books. Inductees included former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, Miss America By Day's Marilyn Van Derbur, Jerry Jenkins, who created the Left Behind series, American Western writer, Louis L'Amour, fortune hunter W. C. Jameson, and even Stephen King. After living in Colorado for a year to create The Shining, bringing the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park to prominence, King returned to Maine, to finish The Stand which is set in Boulder. Additional inductees have included cookbook pioneer Carol Fenster, Manuel Ramos, Sandra Dallas, Patricia Raybon, Phil Yancey, Kathleen Gear, Dick Weisman, Penny Hamilton, Temple Grandin, Thomas Noel, Abelardo "Lalo" Delgado, Kevin Anderson, and Dom Testa. The nomination criteria for the Hall of Fame are simple: The author was born in Colorado, currently lives in Colorado, or created one of their published works in Colorado. They write about Colorado or include a location or event in Colorado as part of their published work. Made significant and enduring contributions to their fields of work. Helped open new frontiers for writing styles, ideas, and concepts. Inspired others by the breadth of their writing and work. Advanced the status of authors. Anyone who wants to make a nomination must go to www.ColoradoAuthorsHallOfFame.org and click on the Nominate tag. About Colorado Authors' Hall of Fame Authors' Hall of Fame strives to educate the people of Colorado and the country about the stories of the authors who shaped their works using their personal presence and the environment of our State with courage, leadership, intelligence, compassion, and creativity. Inductees are authors who've made a major impact on others with their words. The Authors' Hall of Fame recognition endeavors to ensure their legacies never die. Nominations for authors to be inducted are now open to the public on the Hall's website, www.ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org. Additional information about the upcoming Induction event, donations, events, board members and future inductees is also available on the website. Press inquiries: Judith Briles, Judith@Briles.com or 303-885-2207. As Donald Trump assumes office as the 47th president of the United States, the prospect of a federal government-backed plan for long-term care has become increasingly unlikely, according to Matt McCann, one of the nation's foremost specialists in long-term care planning. "The new administration is expected to maintain the status quo, keeping existing federal programs intact and continuing tax advantages for qualified Long-Term Care Insurance policies." McCann notes that the Trump administration will preserve the Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership Program, created as part of the Deficit Reduction Act. The Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005, signed into law by President Bush in 2006, incentivizes private LTC Insurance policies, providing a policyholder with additional dollar-for-dollar asset protection. What is the Partnership Program? The Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership Program is a public-private initiative encouraging individuals to purchase Long-Term Care Insurance policies. Under the program, policyholders who exhaust their benefits can qualify for Medicaid coverage without having to spend down all their assets, as long as they meet Medicaid's income requirements. McCann says that partnership policies offer peace of mind. "A Partnership Long-Term Care Insurance policy not only protect families financially but also shield assets that otherwise might be depleted when long-term care becomes necessary." McCann says even a small policy can offer substantial asset protection, in addition to paying for quality care without burdening loved ones. Rising Costs of Long-Term Care The rising cost of long-term care remains a critical issue for millions of Americans. According to a recent survey of long-term care costs from LTC News, the median annual cost of in-home care services averages nearly $62,000 per year. The base cost for assisted living and memory is higher. However, the median annual cost for a private room in a nursing home is nearly $115,000. These figures are projected to continue climbing, driven by increased labor costs and increased demand as the population ages. Health insurance and Medicare only pay for short-term skilled care. Medicaid will pay for long-term care services for those with limited financial resources. American families are left to navigate these financial challenges largely on their own unless they have Long-Term Care Insurance. McCann emphasized the importance of early planning, citing Long-Term Care Insurance as a viable solution to mitigate the high costs and the burden otherwise placed on families. Tax Advantages for Long-Term Care Insurance Qualified LTC Insurance policies come with significant tax benefits. Premiums for these policies may be tax-deductible, and benefits paid under the policy are tax-free. McCann said these incentives are critical to encouraging individuals to plan their future care, ensuring quality care, and giving loved ones the time to be family instead of caregivers. Limited Federal Involvement While the federal government supports existing programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, these programs have significant limitations when it comes to long-term care. Medicare, for example, only covers short-term skilled nursing care under specific conditions, leaving many families to shoulder the bulk of long-term care expenses. Medicaid, meanwhile, requires individuals to meet stringent income and asset thresholds to qualify for coverage. "Families should not rely on federal programs alone to address long-term care needs," McCann warned. "The federal government has consistently signaled, starting with the Clinton administration, that it is not in a position to fund long-term care for the general population, focusing instead on those with limited financial resources." McCann says Long-Term Care Isnurance makes it easy and affordable to plan before you retire. How Much Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cost at My Age? The Path Forward Experts like McCann stress the importance of proactive planning with the Trump administration focused on maintaining current policies rather than implementing new federal programs. "Long-Term Care Insurance, especially policies that participate in the Partnership Program, can provide families with financial security and access to quality care." McCann says that for those who qualify, these policies are the best way to prepare for the inevitable challenges of aging. In the absence of new federal programs, McCann's advice to Americans is clear: start planning now. By exploring LTC Insurance options, understanding available tax benefits, and taking steps to protect assets, families can face the future with greater confidence and less financial strain. Most people purchase a Long-Term Care Insurance policy between the ages of 47 and 67. Premiums and underwriting guidelines can vary significantly between insurance providers. McCann recommends consulting an LTC Insurance specialist who works with top-rated companies to find the best solutions and accurate quotes Get Professional Planning Help Matt McCann is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, representing top-rated insurance companies that provide long-term care solutions. His innovative approach allows clients to consult with him over the phone while viewing his computer screen, ensuring a convenient and transparent process for learning about, exploring, and selecting the best options. You can get free and accurate quotes from all the top companies, along with professional recommendations - Free and Accurate Quotes. Media Availability McCann is available for radio, TV, and podcast interviews. He also speaks to groups and organizations worldwide on the issues of aging, caregiving, health, and long-term care. Contact McCann through his website for information. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Cloudy and windy with periods of rain this morning. High 52F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight Cloudy. Low 27F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk said Tuesday his critics needed "better dirty tricks" after a row erupted over a gesture he made at an inauguration event for US President Donald Trump that some likened to a Nazi salute. The X, SpaceX and Tesla chief appeared on stage at the Capital One Arena in Washington, where supporters of the newly inaugurated president had gathered for a rally. Upon thanking the crowd for returning Trump to the White House, Musk tapped the left side of his chest with his right hand and then extended his arm with his palm open, repeating the gesture for the crowd seated behind him. Claire Aubin, a historian who specializes in Nazism within the United States, said Musk's gesture was a "sieg heil," or Nazi salute. "My professional opinion is that you're all right, you should believe your eyes," Aubin posted on X, aligning with those who found the gesture was an overt reference to Nazis. But Musk later posted on X that his opponents needed "better dirty tricks." "The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired," he said. Musk has also made several statements in recent weeks in support of Germany's far-right AfD party and British anti-immigration party Reform UK. But the Anti-Defamation League, an organization founded to combat anti-Semitism which has criticized Musk in the past, defended his actions this time around. - 'Awkward gesture' - "It seems that Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute," the organization said in a statement posted on X. Another historian, Aaron Astor, also rebuffed accusations of Musk's Nazi emulation. "I have criticized Elon Musk many times for letting neo-Nazis pollute this platform," he wrote on X, adding: "But this gesture is not a Nazi salute." "This is a socially awkward autistic man's wave to the crowd where he says 'my heart goes out to you.'" Musk announced in 2021 he had been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. One attendee at the rally told AFP he thought Musk was making the gesture as a joke. "He's very humorous, and he uses a lot of sarcasm. So when he did that on the stage, I don't think he meant it," said Brandon Galambos, a 29-year-old pastor and tech worker. Still, reports by Wired and Rolling Stone magazines said far-right personalities in the United States were celebrating the move, such as the writer Evan Kilgore, who called the salute "incredible." Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a historian of fascism, found the gesture "was a Nazi salute -- and a very belligerent one too," she said on X. Democratic Party members also quickly responded with alarm. Congressman Jimmy Gomez reacted to the moment by posting on X: "Well, that didn't take long." rle/pno/jgc/des/fox/pbt SALEM, Ohio Its stressful to rehome one animal, let alone more than 70 of them. But thats just what a group of friends did after the sudden and tragic loss of a farm family in rural Beaver County, Pennsylvania last week. Within 12 hours, every single animal on that farm was spoken for, said family friend Judie Mammone. It goes to show what type of people Michelle and Bill were. Clifford Bill Hunt Sr., 51; Michelle Hunt, 48; Clifford CJ Hunt Jr., 18, and Cody Hunt, 16, were shot Jan. 12 at their North Sewickley Township home. Police said it appears that CJ shot his parents and younger brother before turning the gun on himself. Michelle and Bill were found dead when police officers arrived. The teens were airlifted to a Pittsburgh hospital in grave condition but died Jan. 13. The Hunts left behind not only grieving loved ones, but also four horses, two dogs, a few cats, several dozen chickens and a handful of ducks, turkeys and geese. Still in shock, friends gathered at the house Jan. 13 to make sure the animals had good homes to go to. Bill and Michelle loved their animals wholly, Mammone said. They were a huge part of their lives. When I heard about what happened, I knew the animals were the first thing Michelle would have wanted to make sure they were OK. Animals Autumn Ashurst-Stang met Michelle only two weeks before the shooting but said the two became fast friends. They met via Facebook over ducks. Ashurst-Stang had ducks she needed to rehome, and Michelle reached out to say she was interested. She completely loved her animals, and that was apparent to me from the get-go, Ashurst-Stang said. Ashurst-Stang had dropped off the ducks at Michelles house just hours before the shooting occurred. When she heard about what happened, she knew she had to go back for the ducks and see how else she could help. Thats when she connected with Mammone and other friends who stepped up to help. Mammone took the four horses and the turkeys. Ashurst-Stang took the ducks and half of the 50 or so chickens. Another friend took the rest of the chickens and the geese. The dogs and cats also found homes with trusted friends. I knew Michelle could not rest until her babies were cared for, Ashurst-Stang said. Family Bill and Michelle moved to the farm in North Sewickley in 2021, from a nearby suburb. It was a dream for their family who enjoyed the outdoors and their animals. Mammone met Michelle when they both boarded horses at the same stable before they had their own farms. When Mammone bought her place in North Lima, she said, Michelle was the first one here with house-warming gifts and walking through the barn with me. Michelle and Cody were the horse people in the family. Bill and CJ preferred motorcycles and dirt bikes. Bill, a larger than life U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was a bit scared of riding horses, Mammone said, but he had a dream to go on a trail ride with Cody because riding was so important to his son. So a couple of years ago, Mammone taught Bill how to ride. He took lessons for four days straight at Mammones farm. The fourth day, he brought Cody here, and we went on a 45-minute trail ride, she said. And in the end, he had tears in his eyes, and he gave me the biggest hug and thanked me. Mammone said Bill and Michelle loved their children with everything in them. There are few details available about the shooting, and the motive still isnt clear. Even given what police said happened, Mammone said CJ isnt a monster. Even knowing CJ did it, my heart breaks for him, Mammone said. I cant understand. Am I upset that he did it? Yes, but how bad was he hurting that he felt like he had to do that? I just want to hug him. Friends Almost all the animals were moved off the farm the day after the shooting, save for a few chickens that couldnt be caught. Ashurst-Stang said they made trips back to the farm a few times to catch the stragglers. Ashurst-Stang also created a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to pay for the Hunt familys funeral expenses. The effort reached its goal of $40,000 within four days. Shes also been collecting monetary donations and donations of feed, bedding and other pet supplies for the Hunt familys animals in their new homes. Donations are also being accepted at Tractor Supply in Chippewa Township, Diamond Milling in New Brighton and Reeds Services in Ellwood City. We are part of such an amazing community, Ashurst-Stang said. You ask for help and they will answer the call. Taking in four new horses without notice hasnt been easy, but it was the least she could do to help, Mammone said. Shes keeping the horses together for the foreseeable future. Theyre getting by through the winter with donated hay, grain and bedding. I wish I could do more, she said. I miss my friends. Morrisons has taken out an injunction following 'unlawful protests' by farmers earlier this month, in which a major depot was blocked by tractors. The supermarket said the injunction, issued by the High Court and granted on 16 January, came amid a "serious threat of immediate further action". It prohibits anyone from entering or remaining on parts of the land without consent and creating or causing blockades, obstructions of traffic and or preventing staff from accessing the building. Morrisons said while it "sympathises with the position of farmers" against the backdrop of the inheritance tax issue and low returns from retailers, it said it had to protect the "integrity of the food supply chain". A spokesperson said: "Weve had to take the difficult decision to seek a High Court injunction to restrain unlawful protest action aimed at preventing us from operating from our sites referenced in the Injunction Order. "However, please know that we remain committed to continuing to work with all our farming network on the issues that matter most to you." The injunction follows a major tractor blockade at the Willow Green Distribution Centre near Bridgwater, Somerset, on 10 January, organised by campaign group Farmers To Action. Dozens of tractors were used to block the entrance to the supermarket's distribution centre, in turn disrupting operations and supply chains. In response to the blockade, Sophie Throup, head of agriculture at Morrisons, posted a video message expressing solidarity with farmers. She stated that the retailer had been in contact with "the highest level of government" to raise its concerns about the impact of the new inheritance tax proposal. "We understand your anger and frustrations about the inheritance tax, and we're with you," Ms Throup said in the viral video message. "We share your concerns about the long-term impact this tax will have on farms - particularly smaller, family-run businesses. We know you want action, and weve been raising these concerns with Government since November last year. We will continue to do so." Hundreds of farmers across the UK recently parked their tractors in supermarket car parks to talk directly with the public about the impact of the inheritance tax changes. The peaceful day of action took place on Friday (17 January) as part of a campaign to highlight to the public the financial challenges that many are facing. The protests also saw some farmers deliver letters to store managers urging for more support from retailers. A pilot project which aims to boost the amount of Welsh-grown organic vegetables in school lunches, while supporting local farmers, has now expanded. Numerous primary schools in Ceredigion are now serving organic vegetables to schoolchildren as part of the Welsh Veg in Schools project. The county is the latest local authority in Wales to join the project, which is co-ordinated by Food Sense Wales. The overall aim of it is to get more organically produced Welsh-grown veg into primary school meals across the country. Its currently operating across six local authority areas, with Ceredigion becoming the seventh to take part. Welsh Veg in Schools is a partnership that includes Food Sense Wales, Castell Howell, Farming Connect Horticulture as well as farmers and growers. One of the schools that will be receiving the veg is Ysgol y Dderi, in Llangybi, which now receives food from farmer Patrick Holden of Bwlchwernen Farm, near Lampeter. Children from years 3 and 4 visited the farm in September, where they learnt about the project and how carrots were being supplied to schools across South and West Wales. At the time, Ceredigion wasnt a part of the scheme, so the children at Ysgol y Dderi took it upon themselves to canvass for Bwlchwernen carrots to be included in their school lunches. What followed was a live school project aimed at getting local veg into the kitchen at their school. Mr Holden, from Bwlchwernen Farm, said: Growing organic carrots for Welsh schools after a gap of 18 years since we last grew them for supermarkets has been an inspiring experience. "Knowing that they will be in childrens meals in local schools, including Ysgol y Dderi, the primary school which my children attended is one of the most exciting developments of our recent farming history. Dr Amber Wheeler, the project lead for Welsh Veg in Schools, said it was inspiring to know that the decision to take part was influenced by the children. "At the moment most of the veg that comes into Welsh schools is from outside the country and is often frozen," he explained. "This pilot project is showing that it is possible to increase the amount of produce grown in Wales, and support growers and farmers in doing so, by using the market of Local Authority Free School Meal provision. Growers who are interested in taking part in the project can contact Food Sense Wales by emailing foodsensewales@wales.nhs.uk Cheryl Burke felt "disgusted" when she had "nice" dance partners after being abused as a child. Cheryl Burke suffered trauma after being abused as a child The former 'Dancing with the Stars' professional - who testified against her abuser when she was nine years old - admitted she found comfort in being treated badly in her personal life, and those feelings also spread to her professional life because she "hated" herselfand didn't think she deserved to have people be kind to her. Speaking to Randy Spelling, Brian Austin Green and Sharna Burgess on their 'Oldish' podcast, Cheryl said: Sharna, you were saying, People must think that you have this life, this perfect life, and it's so beautiful how you went from all this child abuse, you know, me getting sexually molested when I was a little girl.' In my brain, this is home, unfortunately. [It] was not having a father figure and turning to men who weren't, I guess, healthy, but also I was attracting physical and mental abuse because this is all I knew, so it felt like home. I remember feeling so disgusted when I would have a nice dance partner, let's say, who would treat me with respect. Now that's how much I hated myself, to the point where I was disgusted by people who were nice to me because, obviously, which I didn't know back then, but I didn't think I deserved that type of treatment. It was so foreign to me, it was like it gave me the ick. The 40-year-old dancer has spoken in the past about being celibate in the wake of her 2022 split from Matthew Lawrence and she admitted her feelings of trauma is the reason why she hasn't felt ready to date again. She said: This is why I've been single, and I choose to be single until I can well there's no magic switch but I know I'm not ready to date yet." As well as being abused, Cheryl also attributes the fact her earliest memory is witnessing her father getting intimate with another woman when she was just a toddler as another reason why she sought unsuitable relationships. She said: My first memory as a kid was seeing my father with another woman, like literally as if it was yesterday. It's so funny because I always ask my guests this, like, What's your first memory as a kid? For the most part, it's all like, My grandma picked me out of the crib. But I'm like, Great, I saw my father literally be intimate with another Filipino woman, which was his secretary. And [her parents] were already separated, mind you, but still I was like freaking two years old. So right then and there is like an imprint in my brain, I would say, on what my life unfolded to be as far as the choices and the men and not stable men I had in my life until my stepfather came into my life, who I call dad to this day." 'Days of Our Lives' star Francisco San Martin has died aged 39. Francisco San Martin has died by suicide at the age of 39 The Spanish-born actor - who was best known for playing Dario Hernandez in the long-running US soap opera between 2010 to 2011 and Fabian Regalo del Cielo on 'Jane the Virgin' - was tragically found dead at his home in Los Angeles on January 16. A report from the Los Angeles County Coroners Office confirmed his cause of death was suicide by hanging. His 'Days of Our Lives' co-star Camila Banus - who played his on-screen sister Gabi on the show - paid a touching tribute to Francisco, writing on Instagram: "Pepe, what can I say but I love you and rest in peace, my friend. Love you mucho mucho mucho. I wish I had told you more." Francisco's other credits included the 2013 film 'Behind the Candelabra' and the daytime soap 'The Bold and the Beautiful'. The actor's death comes just two months after another 'Days of Our Lives' star passed away. Wayne Northrop - who played Detective Roman Brady - had a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease and passed away on November 29, at the age of 77, surrounded by family. In a statement shared with Deadline, Wayne's wife, 'General Hospital' actress Lynn Herring Northrop, 66 with whom he had sons Hank, 33, and Grady, 31 - said: Wayne was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers six years ago. He took his last breath in the arms of his family. We wish to thank the most caring and amazing place, The Motion Picture and Television Home for taking such great care of him. Wayne touched so many people with his sense of humour and wit. A husband for 43 years, the best dad ever to his two boys, Hank and Grady, and a rancher who loved his cows and was a friend to many. Christopher Walken has no hobbies and doesn't like to travel. Christoper Walken doesn't have any hobbies and doesn't like to travel The 81-year-old has admitted he doesn't do much else other than his job and declared that learning his lines is his idea of "bliss". Asked if he still enjoys acting, Walken told the Metro newspapers 60 Seconds column: Sure. I wouldnt have much else to do if I didnt go to work at least once in a while. And quizzed on what else he gets up, he replied: I like to have a script that Im working on. I dont have a lot of things to do. I dont have kids. I dont have hobbies. I dont like to travel. Actors travel anyway, and usually its to interesting places. So I dont do that, but having a script to learn, standing in my kitchen, is kind of bliss." Elsewhere, the Pulp Fiction star revealed the strangest place fans have quoted his speech from the 1984 Quentin Tarantino classic - in which he portrayed Captain Koons, a USAF veteran of the Vietnam War was in a steam bath at a hotel. He said: People quote that a lot. I was working somewhere, and I went to the hotel steam bath. And I walked in, and there were all these young guys in there. There must have been a dozen, kind of college-age guys. And I sat down and suddenly one of them started to recite my speech about the watch. He memorised it. It was bizarre to sit in a room full of guys with towels on and all this steam, and to be hearing my speech back at me! The Severance star admitted these days he likes to play lovable old guys, but he would love to portray a sorcerer. Asked if he would do a rom-com, he replied: Well, I dont know if Im going to get to play romantic roles, but I would like to play uncles and grandfathers. Lovable old guys. Maybe a sorcerer! Richard Gere and his wife Alejandra Silva are "happier than ever" since moving to her native Spain. Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva have never been 'happier' since moving to Spain The 75-year-old Hollywood star tied the knot with the publicist, 41, in 2018, and they have two children together - sons Alexander, five, and James, four - and the family havent looked back since relocating to the European country last year. Alejandra also has son Albert, 11, from a previous relationship, while the Pretty Woman star has grownup son Homer James, 24, with second wife Carey Lowell. Speaking to Elle Espana, Gere who sold his Connecticut mansion for $11 million said: "The truth is that you are seeing us in our momentum. We are happier than ever. "[Alejandra], because she is at home and I because, if she is happy, I am happy." The American Gigolo star who was also previously married to Cindy Crawford - gushed that he and his other half have a special bond that is infinite. He said: "We can all minimise this sense of ego, of the self. And that's when true change occurs. My wife shines for her open-mindedness and her genuine sense of gratitude. So connecting with that, however you do it, whether you consider it spirit or religion, love or compassion ... it's infinite." Alejandra said the loved-up pair are like soul mates, telling the publication: We have the same values, we see the world in the same way and from the first moment we felt like we have known each other for a long time. And this only happens once, if it happens at all ... We were united by the karma of our past lives. Gere previously told Vanity Fair Spain of their decision to leave the US: "For Alejandra, it will be wonderful to be closer to her family, her lifelong friends and her culture. "She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers." Sean Diddy Combs alleged crimes are reportedly set to be probed in an upcoming documentary. Sean Diddy Combs alleged crimes are reportedly set to be probed in an upcoming documentary The shamed rapper, 55, has been languishing in New Yorks notoriously tough Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since September awaiting trial on charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution all of which denies. The Sun has now reported Channel 4 is joining forces with Lion TV to examine the charges against the Bad Boy Records founder. It comes after the broadcaster aired a string of documentaries on the controversies swirling around Russell Brand, Andrew Tate and Marilyn Manson. A TV insider told The Sun: As the clock ticks towards Diddys trial, it gives an opportunity for those yet to have their voices heard in this case to speak up and give their testimony. This in-depth programme will dive into all the charges, the highs and lows of Diddys success and what went on behind the scenes at his infamous White Parties. It will no doubt produce some very shocking revelations. Combs trial is due to start on 5 May, and Channel 4s series Diddy: In Plain Sight is expected to air later this year, The Sun added. It follows an announcement by Netflix that they have also been making a documentary about the fallen star, titled Diddy Do It? Other shows about the rapper include Peacocks The Making of a Bad Boy, TMZs The Downfall of Diddy and HBOs The Fall of Diddy, which is due to be shown in the US this week. Along with the federal charges facing Combs, he has also been hit with scores of civil cases against him from men and women alleging he subjected them to horrific drug-rapes and abuse. Much of the apparent abuse centres around Combs now-infamous Freak-Off and White Parties, where victims are said to have been put into stupors by spiked drinks. Robert Pattinson can identify his daughter by her smell. Robert Pattinson has a 10-month-old daughter The 38-year-old actor - whose partner Suki Waterhouse gave birth to their first child in March 2024 - admitted he never understood why people talked about a baby's scent until he had his own little girl and he thinks she smells "incredible" and distinctive. He laughed to Vogue.com: I remember people used to be like, 'Oh, dont you like the smell of babies?', but I thought they were just smelling the baby powder. But then I had a baby, and I was like My baby smells incredible. "There's something there, I can identify her. She doesn't smell like other babies. The 'Mickey 17' actor also spoke of his fear he was "going to die" while filming his new ad for Dior Homme fragrance because he had to ride a motorcycle on a beach. He said: I learned how to ride a motorcycle for 'Batman', so when Dior asked if I could ride, I said yeah. Well, I could sort of ride a motorcycle-ish. "But even trying to even start a motorcycle in wet sand is literally impossible. I just thought, Im going to die on this.' If the Dior man can do this easily, well it's very impressive." And while he may be happy to tackle stunts on film, Robert admitted he is much more risk-averse in real life and is a very cautious driver. He said: I'm very anxiety-prone, I don't like driving fast in real life at all. I can't even parallel park! I need it to be valet-only like in 'Clueless'. "But there's something about my pride that comes out when I'm being filmed. All of a sudden, I'm like Yeah, I can drive 120 miles an hour through this tiny little gap. Suki, 32, recently praised the 'Batman' actor as "the greatest" dad. Speaking to Access Hollywood on the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York in September, she said of her partner: Hes the greatest. Ive had the best day with her today and showing her around New York City is heaven. Its the best. And its just getting more and more fun. Asked which parent she is most like, Suki replied: I dont know. Its just always changing. She has such a sweet nature. Its really sweet to see. Zoe Saldana spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day (20.01.25) assisting volunteers in handing out supplies to victims of the Eaton Fire. Zoe Saldana is among the celebrities assisting with relief efforts in Los Angeles The 'Emilia Perez' star, 46, has been doing her bit to support the residents of Pasadena and Altadena, who were left displaced by the blaze, by helping the National Day Laborer Organizing Network with their relief efforts and admitted they were in desperate need of more everyday essentials to offer locals impacted by the disaster. In a video shared to Instagram, Zoe said: Were here at the Pasadena Job Center Im here with the team organizers. We are in dire need of a lot of items that are running out. The lines here of cars and people that are coming is incredible. The support is incredible, but we need more. So if you guys can help, we are here right now. Come you guys. Earlier this month, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, volunteered at the Pasadena Convention Center and helped to distribute food and supplies to victims of the California wildfires. The couple donated supplies, served meals with the World Central Kitchen in Pasadena, California, thanked first responders and met with affected families as they took in the devastation caused by the fires in LA. Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo told PEOPLE: "Its great people, great personalities and great heart for them to come out here and meet with the first responders, meet with the people who were affected," Gordo told the news station. "Its very important. They really buoyed the spirits of the first responders. "People were very happy to see them. They want to be as helpful as they can be we visited with some of the affected families in some of the burned-out areas in Pasadena and Altadena. They took the time to meet the people that are affected and spent time. Theyre just very caring people who are concerned for their friends and neighbours." He added that Harry and Meghan's appearance was not for "publicity" and said they served food "anonymously" earlier in the day. He explained: "No one knew they were serving food with masks. We went to visit some of the families in the impacted area and view firsthand some of the impacted area and then they wanted to go visit the first responders and personally thank them for their efforts to help our families and their neighbours." It was previously reported that the couple - who are parents to Prince Archie, five, and three-year-old Princess Lillibet - opened their home to friends fleeing the wildfires. According to PEOPLE, the royals are believed to have offered their $14 million mansion in Montecito as a refuge to pals and loved ones who have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the fires, which have forced more than 180,000 residents of Los Angeles to seek safety. The White House issued a memorandum yesterday clarifying that the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Global Tax Deal has no force or effect in the United States. The deal supported under the prior administration not only allows extraterritorial jurisdiction over American income, but also limits our nations ability to enact tax policies that serve the interests of American businesses and workers, the memorandum issued to the secretary of treasury, the US trade representative (USTR) and the US permanent representative at the OECD, said. The White House issued a memorandum yesterday clarifying that the OECD Global Tax Deal has no force or effect in the United States. The deal supported under the prior administration not only allows extraterritorial jurisdiction over American income, but also limits our nation's ability to enact tax policies that serve the interests of American businesses and workers, it noted. American companies may face retaliatory international tax regimes if the United States does not comply with foreign tax policy objectives because of this deal and other discriminatory foreign tax practices, it noted. The treasury secretary in consultation with the USTR shall investigate whether any country is not in compliance with any tax treaty with the United States or has or is likely to put any tax rules in place that are extraterritorial or disproportionately affect American companies. He will present within 60 days a list of options for protective measures or other actions that the United States should adopt or take in response to such non-compliance or tax rules, the memorandum added. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) As I bid farewell to India after serving as the 26th U.S. Ambassador to this amazing country, my heart is full. Youve given me a second home, a family of friends, and memories that will last a lifetime. Today, I leave as more than an ambassadorI leave as a lifelong friend and pic.twitter.com/FEB6YqoRlm U.S. Ambassador to India (@USAmbIndia) January 19, 2025 He shared a video on his social media handle, reflecting on his time spent in the country. He recalled visiting India as a child and later as a student and acknowledged the hospitality extended to him.He said, "Your people's dosti and zindadili touch me every day." Talking about the places he visited, Garcetti continued, "I've been able to float past the Ghats at Varanasi, I have crossed living root bridges in Meghalaya, sailed through backwaters of Kerala, cheered on India at Modi Stadium, and played hoops with the girls in bustling Mumbai. I have seen that fusion of ancient royalty and modern innovation in Hyderabad, celebrated the culture of Kolkata and the incredible history in the ancient temples of Chennai." Kartik Aaryan has been sporting a rugged beard look recently that has grabbed quite the attention. The actor recently made an appearance at an event, where his look has been the topic of conversation on social media. During an interaction, Kartik shared that his new look is for an upcoming film. Conversing further, the actor noted that the movie is being directed by Anurag Basu. Fans on social media have been quick to decipher that Kartik might be shooting for Aashiqui 3. He said, Its (the look) is for my next film. When asked if he has been receiving Hollywood offers after revealing the look, Kartik further quipped, Ye Bollywood movie hai, Basu Dada (Anurag Basu) ki movie hai. On the professional front, Kartik will also been seen in Karan Johars Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. Chinas private rocket firm Galactic Energy completes first launch mission in 2025 Global Times) 11:15, January 21, 2025 China's private aerospace company Galactic Energy completed its first launch mission in 2025 on Monday, successfully deploying five satellites into sun-synchronous orbit from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province. The launch included five satellites, namely No.37 to No.40 satellites for the Yunyao constellation, and the A-05 satellite for the Jitianxing constellation, the company told the Global Times on Monday. Four Yunyao satellites are designed for meteorological applications and interstellar mining network verification of K-Space Aerospace Technology Co in Southwest China's Sichuan Province. The Jitianxing A-05 satellite is installed with a hyperspectral camera for capturing remote sensing images, enabling monitoring in multiple sectors such as environmental monitoring, forest management, and urban planning, among others. The mission utilized Galactic Energy's self-developed carrier rocket Ceres I Remote 16, manufactured at the company's new solid-propellant spacecraft R&D and production facility in the city of Ziyang, Sichuan Province. As of Monday, the Ceres-1 carrier rocket series has successfully completed 16 launch missions, sending a total of 63 satellites into orbits, establishing it as the most frequently launched and reliable commercial carrier rocket in the private space sector, according to Galactic Energy. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 20, 2025) - Lode Gold Resources (TSXV: LOD) (OTCQB: LODFF) ("Lode Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has completed phase one of exploration in New Brunswick. The preliminary exploration results on its New Brunswick properties are held in its subsidiary Gold Orogen (new Spin Co). Lode Gold confirms gold endowment in mineralized rhyolites in McIntyre Brook; the geology is consistent with the surrounding Puma/Kinross JV property. Due to positive gold soil anomalies, Lode Gold expanded its land package to 445 km2. Further analysis in drill targeting is in progress. Lode Gold subsidiary, Gold Orogen (Spin Co), holds key assets in Yukon and New Brunswick. In New Brunswick, Acadian Gold, its 50/50 JV company with Fancamp Exploration has two assets: McIntyre Brook and Riley Brook. Exploration Highlights A Heliborne HeliTEM Survey, by Xcalibur, was flown covering 419 km of the joint venture land package, utilizing a 150 m line spacing totalling 3,247 line kilometers. The survey collected Magnetic, Radiometric and Electro Magnetic (EM) data. Geophysics, prospecting and trenching at McIntyre Brook confirmed the presence of a gold bearing rhyolite horizon (refer to Figure 4 and Table 1), with preliminary trench results that include 5.3 m of 1.19 g/t Au. This is similar to the geology (rhyolite hosted mineralization) of Puma Exploration's Williams Brook Project under option to Kinross Gold Corp, adjacent to our property. Radiometric and conductive geophysics has revealed geophysical anomalies at both McIntyre Brook and Riley Brook (refer to Figures 1, 2 and 3). Drill testing is scheduled to commence after all results from 2024 have been received and the complete 2024 exploration dataset has been analyzed. Prospective areas may require additional ground follow-up, before drilling. Orientation soil geochemical surveys were conducted over three grids covering approximately 10% of the Riley Brook property. They revealed the presence of large soil Au-W-As-Sb geochemical anomalies positioned in the southern part of the property ( refer to Figure 2 ). Based on these results, the joint venture staked an additional 26 km (new total JV area of 445 km2) at the southwestern edge of the Riley Brook property to cover the potential continuation of the soil geochemical anomaly and coincident conductivity anomaly. McIntyre Brook The trenching at the McIntyre Brook prospect has significantly increased the known surface expression of a mineralized rhyolite horizon initially revealed by Lode Gold's 2019 drill results (20 m @1.2 g/t and 16 m @ 0.84 g/t in two holes). The new work demonstrates a minimum strike extension of the mineralization of at least a 200-metre with the horizon measured up to 9-metre thick. The trench results report up to 5.3 m @ 1.19 g/t Au (see Figure 4). Multi-element assays for pathfinder elements are awaited. This mineralization appears similar to mineralized lithological unit on the neighbouring Williams Brook Project (Puma Exploration). The trenching also allowed for a better definition of the strike and dip of the gold bearing rhyolites at the McIntyre Brook prospect. Follow-up exploration drilling along the northeast and southwest mineralization trends can be better defined with this information. These results are considered very encouraging, and work is planned at McIntyre Brook prospect to extend the strike and identify potential parallel structures and inflections. The EM airborne data has revealed a distinctive anomaly in the east of the property. Soil samples were taken from this area, assay results are expected later this month. Riley Brook Recon soil sampling (only covering 10% of the property) has revealed multiple gold anomalies of similar tenor evidenced at deposits on the Appalachian Gold Belt, such as at Puma Exploration's Williams Brook Property (>20ppb Au in soils). These gold anomalies have coincident Antimony, with +/- Arsenic and Tungsten pathfinder elements. This association of elements are often linked to intrusive-related gold deposits, further work is required to confirm (see Figure 3). The anomalies in the southern part of Riley Brook are also coincident with a prominent EM conductor. Based on these results, Gold Orogen staked more ground expanding the Riley Brook property (now totalling 445 km2) to the south to encapsulate the full extent of the anomaly. Future work will consider ground geophysics to cover the gold geochemistry and EM anomaly. Further soil sampling and trenching is planned for spring 2025. "The first phase of exploration at the Acadian Gold joint venture has been successful at confirming gold bearing rhyolitic mineralization at McIntyre Brook through the trenching and channel sampling; and at Riley Brook with coincident, geophysical and multi-element geochemical anomalies," comments Francois Auclair, Vice President Exploration of Fancamp and Acadian Gold (subsidiary of Gold Orogen). "The results at both properties are highly encouraging considering the limited historical work recorded in the area, especially noting that our current soil sampling has covered less than 10% of the Riley Brook property. We see a lot of potential for growth given the prolific region which hosts other gold-focused development projects." Figure 1: Total field magnetic image over Puma Exploration's Williams Brook property (optioned to Kinross). Red colors represent volcanics. Inset shows new total magnetic field data demonstrating these rock types trend into the McIntyre Brook property. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4064/237787_a4fae1b9d4eed94d_004full.jpg Figure 2: Total magnetic field images over McIntyre Brook and Riley Brook. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4064/237787_a4fae1b9d4eed94d_005full.jpg Figure 3: Riley Brook coincident EM and soil geochemical anomaly. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4064/237787_a4fae1b9d4eed94d_006full.jpg Figure 4: McIntyre Brook Prospect Trenching Results. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4064/237787_a4fae1b9d4eed94d_007full.jpg Trench ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (gpt) Metal Factor (gpt*m) T10 8.8 14.1 5.3 1.19 6.30 T9 3 9.8 6.8 0.89 6.04 T1 24.9 28.9 4 0.21 0.86 T2 3.7 6.7 3 0.50 1.51 T5 No significant assay results T6 No significant assay results Table 1: Preliminary Trenching Results at McIntyre Brook. About Lode Gold Lode Gold (TSXV: LOD) is an exploration and development company with projects in highly prospective and safe mining jurisdictions in Canada and the United States. In Canada, its Golden Culvert and WIN Projects in Yukon, covering 99.5 km2 across a 27-km strike length, are situated in a district-scale, high grade gold mineralized trend within the southern portion of the Tombstone Gold Belt. A total of four RIRGS targets have been confirmed on the property. A NI 43-101 technical report has been completed in May 2024. In New Brunswick, Lode Gold has created one of the largest land packages with its Acadian Gold JV Co; consisting of an area that spans 445 km2 and a 44 km strike. McIntyre Brook covers 111 km2 and a 17-km strike in the emerging Appalachian/Iapetus Gold Belt; it is hosted by orogenic rocks of similar age and structure as New Found Gold's Queensway Project. Riley Brook is a 335 km2 package covering a 26 km strike of Wapske formation with its numerous felsic units. A NI 43-101 technical report has been completed in August 2024. In the United States, the Company is advancing its Fremont Gold project. This is a brownfield project with over 43,000 m drilled and 23 km of underground workings. It was previously mined at 10.7 g/t Au in the 1940's. Mining was halted in 1942 due the gold prohibition in WWII just as it was ramping up production. Unlike typical brownfield projects that are mined out; only 11% of the veins - in 2 out of 7 deposits have been exploited. The Company is the first owner to investigate an underground high grade mine potential at Fremont. The project is located on 3,351 acres of private and patented land in Mariposa County. The asset is a 4 km strike on the prolific 190 km Mother Lode Gold Belt, California that produced over 50,000,000 oz of gold and is instrumental in the creation of the towns, the businesses and infrastructure in the 1800s gold rush. It is 1.5 hours from Fresno, California. The property has year-round road access and is close to airports and rail. Previously, in March 2023 the company completed an NI 43 101 Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"). Project Valuation has an after-tax NPV (5%) of USD $370M at $2000 2 /oz gold, IRR 31% and an 11-year LOM, averaging 118,000 oz per year. At $1,750 /oz gold, NPV (5%) is $217M. The project hosts an NI 43-101 resource of 1.16 Moz at 1.90 g/t Au within 19.0 MT Indicated and 2.02 Moz at 2.22 g/t Au within 28.3 MT Inferred. The MRE evaluates only 1.4 km of the 4 km strike of Fremont property. Three step-out holes at depth (up to 1200 m) hit structure and were mineralized. All NI 43-101 technical reports are available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.lode-gold.com). QUALIFIED PERSON STATEMENT The scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill, Director, BSc (Hons) (Economic Geology - UCT), FAusIMM, and who is a "qualified person" as defined by NI-43-101. ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY Wendy T. Chan, CEO & Director Cautionary Note Related to this News Release and Figures This news release contains information about adjacent properties on which the Company has no right to explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to the use of proceeds, advancement and completion of resource calculation, feasibility studies, and exploration plans and targets. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "potential", "target", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management based on the business and markets in which the Company operates, are inherently subject to significant operational, economic, and competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies. These include assumptions regarding, among other things: the status of community relations and the security situation on site; general business and economic conditions; the availability of additional exploration and mineral project financing; the supply and demand for, inventories of, and the level and volatility of the prices of metals; relationships with strategic partners; the timing and receipt of governmental permits and approvals; the timing and receipt of community and landowner approvals; changes in regulations; political factors; the accuracy of the Company's interpretation of drill results; the geology, grade and continuity of the Company's mineral deposits; the availability of equipment, skilled labour and services needed for the exploration and development of mineral properties; currency fluctuations; and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include a deterioration of security on site or actions by the local community that inhibits access and/or the ability to productively work on site, actual exploration results, interpretation of metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, delays or inability to receive required approvals, unknown impact related to potential business disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak, or another infectious illness, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, including those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237787 SOURCE: Lode Gold Resources Inc. Langley, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 20, 2025) - Adastra Holdings Ltd. (CSE: XTRX) (FSE: D2E0) ("Adastra" or the "Company"), a leading cannabis processor and producer of two top Canadian concentrates brands with a focus on product innovation and commercialization for adult-use and medical markets, wishes to confirm the current management of the Company. As a result of a review by the British Columbia Securities Commission, the Company is issuing the following press release to clarify our disclosure. In news releases dated September 26, 2024 and October 8, 2024, the Company announced that Lachlan McLeod had resigned as Interim Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") effective September 26, 2024, and as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") and Corporate Secretary effective October 5, 2024. Mr. McLeod continues to provide financial services to the Company as an external consultant. On October 15, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement (the "Stornoway Agreement") with Stornoway Consulting Corp. ("Stornoway"), an entity controlled by Mr. McLeod. Pursuant to the Stornoway Agreement, Stornoway provides certain financial consulting services to the Company on a part-time basis, including: (i) assisting management with the preparation and filing of quarterly and annual financial statements with the Company's external advisors; (ii) assisting management with the preparation of the Company's annual budget; and (iii) supporting the Company's external auditors with its annual audit. The Stornoway Agreement is effective until May 31, 2025, unless extended by mutual agreement of the parties. The management activities of the Company are currently being performed by the Company's board of directors, consisting of Jon Edwards, Andrew Hale and Paul Morgan. The Company is in the process of identifying candidates to fill the roles of CEO, CFO and Corporate Secretary. About Adastra Holdings Ltd. Adastra has become one of Canada's leaders in the supply and manufacturing of ethnobotanical and cannabis products for lawful adult-use. It serves medical markets and engages in forward-looking therapeutic applications. With cannabis concentrate products sold through retailers at more than 2,000 locations across Canada, Adastra's Phyto Extractions and Endgame Extracts brands are now well established with a growing distribution presence. As a Health Canada licensed facility, it specializes in extraction, distillation and manufacturing of a range of cannabis-derived products. Adastra partners with healthcare professionals and practitioners within the regulated environment to create products suitable for the medical cannabis market, with the ultimate aim of addressing the needs of patients. For more information, visit: www.adastraholdings.ca. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding the search for a permanent full-time CEO, CFO and Corporate Secretary. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical fact but instead reflects management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: regulatory and licensing risks; changes in consumer demand and preferences; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; compliance with extensive government regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; and the risk factors set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237901 SOURCE: Adastra Holdings Ltd. SINGAPORE, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascentium, a leading global business services platform headquartered in Singapore and backed by Hillhouse Investment, has announced the acquisition of Virtuzone, the UAE's leading and award-winning provider of company formation solutions, corporate services, and tax consultancy. This strategic move signifies Ascentium's entry into the dynamic Middle East markets, leveraging Virtuzone's expertise and local presence to tap into emerging opportunities in the region. The acquisition of Virtuzone-which includes Virtuzone's sister companies, Taxready.ae, Next Generation Equity and MAKTABI-positions Ascentium to establish a robust foothold in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and extend the potential reach across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. With foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in the UAE soaring to USD 30.6 billion in 2023 and the Middle East's GDP growth projected to reach 3.9% in 2025, this acquisition aligns with Ascentium's growth strategy in strategic markets. Lennard Yong, Founding Management and Group CEO of Ascentium, remarked, "We are pleased to expand in the GCC through the acquisition of Virtuzone, and we welcome them to the Ascentium group. Their expertise and commitment to excellence will bolster our organisation and drive us towards our strategic goals. Virtuzone's strong presence in the Middle East complements our existing capabilities, and together, we look forward to achieving new milestones and delivering exceptional value to our global clientele." Neil Petch, Chairman and Co-founder of Virtuzone, commented, "As global leaders in the corporate services industry, Ascentium embodies the core values that Virtuzone has upheld over the years, empowering businesses and delivering customer-centric solutions, transformative innovation, and unrivalled service excellence. By combining their business acumen with our local market leadership and expertise, I believe this new era will bring significantly greater value to our clients, partners and the communities that we serve." George Hojeige, Group CEO of Virtuzone, shared, "We are excited to join the Ascentium family, where our shared values and vision will drive us towards even greater success. The opportunities ahead for Virtuzone within Ascentium are truly promising, especially in expanding our reach in the Asia-Pacific region. Ascentium's global network and expertise will enrich our service offerings and allow us to deliver tailored solutions to our clients, further solidifying our position as a leader in the corporate solutions sector." Founded by Zhang Lei in 2005 with initial investor capital from the Yale University Endowment, Hillhouse is a leading diversified asset manager with strategies across equities, credit, and real assets. The firm manages capital for global institutions, including non-profit foundations, endowments, and pensions and has a proven track record of completing large complex transactions across more than 30 countries. In line with the acquisition, Ascentium will provide additional resources to Virtuzone, enabling the Dubai-based company to expand its suite of corporate services, strengthen its local presence, and serve as a catalyst for Ascentium's expansion into the Middle East. About Ascentium Ascentium is a leading global business services platform dedicated to helping businesses scale greater heights. Headquartered in Singapore and backed by Hillhouse Investment, we empower extraordinary growth through specialised expertise across secretarial, finance, payroll, HR administration, family office, fund administration, GRC, and cross-border & FDI specialist services. Our team of 1,500 professionals spans 9 markets in the Asia-Pacific region, serving over 20,000 active clients across diverse industries. Through innovative, technology-enabled solutions and collaborative approach, Ascentium drives transformative growth, helping clients navigate complex global environments. For more information, visit: ascentium.com About Virtuzone Virtuzone is the UAE's first and largest company formation specialist and an award-winning corporate service provider. Established in 2009, we have set up the companies of more than 80,000 entrepreneurs from 180 countries. With over 250 staff members speaking 40 languages, we provide end-to-end company formation and corporate services, ranging from trade licensing and visa processing to bank account opening, tax consultancy, compliance, accounting, legal services, and more. We are part of Virtugroup, a Dubai-based holding company that comprises Taxready.ae, an FTA-certified tax and accounting firm; Next Generation Equity, which offers citizenship and residency-by-investment programmes; and MAKTABI, a world-class business centre located in the heart of Dubai. About Hillhouse Hillhouse Investment is a long-term investor focused on partnering with quality business leaders to help them grow their organizations globally. For almost 20 years, Hillhouse has worked alongside traditional businesses that have redefined their industries. Our goal is to establish alignment and build sustainable, forward-thinking companies that create lasting value for all stakeholders. Hillhouse is a full life-cycle private equity firm, investing for the long term across opportunities in the business services, healthcare, consumer, and industrials sectors. Operating an integrated platform spanning private equity, credit, real assets and public equity, the firm manages capital on behalf of global institutions such as non-profit foundations, endowments, sovereign wealth funds, and pensions. Media Contact Nancy So - Associate Director, Group Marketing, Ascentium nancy.so@ascentium.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2596229/VZxAscentium_V2.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2509528/ascentium_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ascentium-expands-strategic-footprint-in-the-middle-east-through-acquisition-of-virtuzone-302354745.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 20, 2025) - Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. (TSXV: SPA) (FSE: S3Y) (OTC Pink: SPAZF) (the "Company" or "Spanish Mountain Gold") is pleased to announce commencement of Stage 2 of the System Impact Study ("SIS") with BC Hydro (the provincial utility company) for a proposed new power line to the project. The SIS is part of BC Hydro's power supply interconnection process to provide 60 mega-watts (MW) of renewable hydroelectric power to the Spanish Mountain Gold project (the "SMG Project"), located in the Cariboo Gold Corridor, British Columbia, Canada. BC Hydro's scope of work includes construction of a new power substation to connect SMG's planned 75 kilometre 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line, to the BC Hydro grid. Peter Mah, Spanish Mountain Gold's President & CEO commented, "We have made excellent progress in 2024 completing Stage 1 of the SIS (part of the BC Hydro interconnection process). We are excited to announce we are advancing to Stage 2 - Conceptual Design of the SIS, which will bring us another step closer to a build decision by 2027. Renewable hydro electricity supplied from BC Hydro is the cleanest energy source currently available for the project that supports our objectives of securing a low cost, clean power supply that could support a larger scale operation compared to the 2021 Pre-feasibility Study, lower the project's carbon intensity and reduce green-house gas emissions." The SIS is an important step in securing a renewable power supply for the SMG Project, which could enable project improvements such as the electrification of the mining fleet, increased mineral processing throughput, as well as other potential opportunities including, waste and tailings storage, water management and mine closure benefits. Many of these opportunities are being assessed as part of the Whittle Enterprise Optimization with a goal to improve project economics. International Technology Group ANDRITZ's work targeting energy reduction and sustainability has been completed and the results will be utilized for the Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") proposed mine trade-offs (see press releases dated December 22, 2023, and May 24, 2024, respectively). About Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. is focused on advancing its 100%-owned Spanish Mountain Gold Project towards construction of the next gold mine in the Cariboo Gold Corridor, British Columbia. We are conducting an integrated Whittle Enterprise Optimization to identify the highest potential value-add improvements while increasing the understanding of the high-grade geologic controls and associated drill targets that could upgrade and expand the gold resource. We are striving to be a leader in community and Indigenous relations by leveraging technology and innovation to build the 'greenest' gold mine in Canada. The Relentless Pursuit for Better Gold means seeking new ways to achieve optimal financial outcomes that are safer, minimize environmental impact and create meaningful sustainability for communities. Details on the Company are available on www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website: www.spanishmountaingold.com. On Behalf of the Board, "Peter Mah" President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: Certain of the statements and information in this press release constitute "forward-looking information". Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be considered forward-looking information. The Company's forward-looking information is based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release and includes but are not limited to information with respect to the advancement of the SMG Project towards development, and any changes in scope to the 2021 Pre-feasibility Study, and delivery of an updated PEA, and the timing and results thereof; and the continued advancement of the interconnection process with BC Hydro, and the timing thereof. Other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237905 SOURCE: Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. BioVersys AG / Key word(s): IPO BIOVERSYS ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO FLOAT ON THE SIX SWISS EXCHANGE 21-Jan-2025 / 07:04 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR FOR RELEASE IN SWITZERLAND - THIS IS A RESTRICTED COMMUNICATION AND YOU MUST NOT FORWARD IT OR ITS CONTENTS TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM FORWARDING THIS COMMUNICATION IS PROHIBITED BY THE LEGENDS CONTAINED HEREIN. Basel, Switzerland. January 21, 2025, 7am CET Offering targets primary-only proceeds of approx. CHF 80 million. No secondary tranche is envisaged in this transaction. The transaction is expected to take place in Q1 2025. Proceeds from the IPO envisaged to be primarily used to advance BioVersys' lead asset BV100 through Phase 3, aiming at a filing with the major regulatory agencies at the end of 2027, and to finance the Company's operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements from 2025 into 2028 and the end of the pivotal Phase 3 study for BV100. Beyond BV100 proceeds are also expected to support ongoing Phase 2 development of alpibectir. BioVersys is leading the fight to overcome life-threatening infectious diseases by focusing on profitable indications within the antibiotic space which address two of the top three priorities of the World Health Organization (WHO). Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) currently represents an area of high unmet medical need. Besides the approx. 5 million deaths associated annually to AMR globally, not having access to effective antibiotics could jeopardize modern healthcare. Potential for clear and sustainable commercial opportunity with further upside from new reimbursement and incentive schemes for antibiotics which are gradually being introduced within the G7/EU27 countries. BioVersys delivered very positive Phase 2 data for its two clinical-stage pipeline assets in 2024: BV100 demonstrated a survival benefit in ventilator associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP) caused by carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), while alpibectir achieved human proof of concept in pulmonary tuberculosis. The Phase 3 clinical trial for BV100 will start in H2 2025, expanding the successful Phase 2 study into a global registration study. We believe we have general alignment between the US FDA and EMA CHMP on the Phase 3 trial design. This offering is supported by existing shareholders including, among others, the AMR Action Fund and GSK. BioVersys AG (the "Company"), a multi-asset, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on research and development of novel antibacterial products for serious life-threatening infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, announced today that it plans to conduct an initial public offering ("IPO") on the SIX Swiss Exchange in the first quarter of 2025. High value clinical assets and rich preclinical pipeline BioVersys' two clinical programs address life-threatening antibiotic resistant bacterial infections, focusing on profitable indications within the antibiotic space, in pneumonia, blood stream infections and meningitis. BV100 (Phase 3 ready) for hospital infections of carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) with a mortality rate of up to 50%, and (Phase 3 ready) for hospital infections of carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) with a mortality rate of up to 50%, and Alpibectir (Phase 2a), developed in partnership with GSK, for tuberculosis (TB) which is still the largest infectious disease killer globally. (Phase 2a), developed in partnership with GSK, for tuberculosis (TB) which is still the largest infectious disease killer globally. Both drug candidates achieved FDA QIDP designation offering fast track and 5-years extended market exclusivity in the US. BV100 has undergone extensive drug profiling in seven Phase 1 clinical trials resulting in robust pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD), safety and efficacy results in an open label Phase 2 clinical trial. The all-cause mortality within the clinical Phase 2 target population of CRAB was 25% in the BV100 treatment arm vs 60% in the best available therapy (BAT) control arm. Furthermore, the clinical cure rate, the number of ventilator-free days and the time in the intensive care unit, were all endpoints measured and where BV100 out-performed BAT in the study. Overall, these results demonstrate the superior efficacy of BV100 vs other marketed drugs and warrants further development of BV100. BioVersys plans to initiate a single, global Phase 3 trial and seek regulatory approval in the US, Europe and China. BioVersys also aims to support its Phase 3 program with a clinical Phase 2b trial aiming at further commercial differentiation. BioVersys believes BV100 has a best-in-class potential for treating CRAB in hospital acquired and ventilator associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP) and blood stream infections (BSI). Alpibectir has undergone clinical Phase 1 first in human studies and a Phase 2a human proof of concept study that were conducted together with BioVersys' partner GSK. Alpibectir represents a first-in-class molecule for the treatment of pulmonary TB and TB meningitis. In collaboration with GSK further Phase 2 trials for alpibectir are set to commence in 2025. BioVersys is responsible for leading the ongoing development in TB meningitis. BV100 and alpibectir address two of the top three priorities of the World Health Organization (WHO) for bacterial pathogens to prevent a global health crisis. CRAB and rifampicin resistant TB are classified by the WHO as "critical, with lowest level of treatability with today's available antibiotics." BioVersys' two clinical assets are complemented by a pipeline of preclinical products as well as two proprietary technology platforms, the Ansamycin Chemistry platform and the TRIC platform. The fast-follower preclinical projects include BV500, targeting non-tuberculosis mycobacterial lung diseases (NTM-LD), and BV200, addressing Staphylococcus aureus on the skin microbiome for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. BioVersys conducts its own development as well as in partnership with other renowned thought leaders and organizations. The long-term relationship with GSK and a consortium of the University of Lille, France for the development of alpibectir in tuberculosis is one such example. Dr. Thomas Breuer (Chief Global Health Officer, GSK): "BioVersys is a trusted and long-standing collaboration partner for GSK and we are aligned in our mission to address major global health threats, such as tuberculosis. GSK is also committed to investing GBP 1 billion over next 10 years on global health R&D to get ahead of high burden infectious diseases, such as TB and Malaria, and addressing the high unmet medical need of broader bacterial infections resistant to current antibiotics. This commitment is demonstrated by several initiatives, including our recent support of the Flemming initiative. We are delighted to see the progress of our partner BioVersys in this important space and are excited to support the further development of the company." Dr. Henry Skinner (CEO AMR Action Fund): "Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is a serious and rapidly growing threat to patients around the world for which new, effective treatments are urgently needed. BV100 has the potential to deliver significant benefits to patients suffering from intractable infections caused by this pathogen and we are pleased to support BioVersys as it advances this promising therapeutic candidate into Phase 3 testing." Positive evolving developments in global reimbursement landscape In recent years, governments worldwide, particularly in G7 and G20 nations, have advocated for new reimbursement schemes that decouple rewards for antibiotic innovation from initial sales volume expectations. The United Kingdom was first to implement an annual subscription model for new antibiotics, while Sweden has implemented a guaranteed annual revenue for selected antibiotics. Similarly, Canada is working on, and Japan is piloting a volume-independent reimbursement system that prioritizes access to new medicines over traditional sales volume metrics. Other countries are also actively looking to improve pricing and reimbursement for antibiotics including the US which is working on a Bipartisan Bill, called the Pasteur Act. The new reimbursement pathways for novel antibiotics are set to significantly enhance revenue streams for antibiotic developers, creating a sector specific upside that BioVersys is well-positioned to benefit from as these initiatives are implemented. Details of the Proposed Offering - proceeds from planned IPO targeted to take BV100 through Phase 3 to regulatory submission, and progressing alpibectir in TB meningitis BioVersys is targeting exclusively primary proceeds of approximately CHF 80 million and expects to allocate a majority of such proceeds to the development of its lead asset BV100. Alpibectir will also be progressed in its clinical development towards regulatory approval together with GSK and with additional support of non-dilutive grant money. The remaining proceeds are expected to be allocated to the preclinical pipeline complementing existing non-dilutive funding to progress BioVersys' fast follower assets towards clinical development. Based on the current capex forecasts, BioVersys will be funded with the IPO proceeds into 2028. Dr. Marc Gitzinger, CEO of BioVersys: "The envisaged listing on the Swiss Stock Exchange represents a key milestone for our company since its inception. We plan to use the proceeds to primarily advance BV100 through Phase 3 clinical development and regulatory submission and advance the clinical development for alpibectir together with our partner GSK to reach the next critical clinical milestone. The proceeds will also enable the development of our preclinical candidates, BV200 and BV500, as fast followers. These efforts are aimed at sustaining our momentum, maintaining a competitive edge, and capitalizing on the positive reimbursement developments in the antibiotic field. Delivering new first-in-class and best-in-class medicines to address the dire unmet needs in the AMR sector, remains our top priority." The Proposed Offering AMR Action Fund and GSK, both of which are existing shareholders of BioVersys, are supportive of the envisaged IPO. AMR Action Fund and GSK have both expressed an intention to commit further investment in the IPO following on from their past equity investments. The Offering is expected to be conducted as a public offering in Switzerland and in the form of private placements in a number of jurisdictions, including in the United States, to certain qualified institutional buyers ("QIBs") in each case as defined in the applicable securities laws and regulations. BioVersys intends to have its shares admitted to trading and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange in the course of the first quarter of 2025. The directors of the Company and its executive management committed to a customary lock-up period of 360 days and all existing investors committed to a lock-up period of 180 days. Dr. Seng Chin Mah, Chairman of BioVersys: "BioVersys has always aspired to bring its products through clinical development and ultimately to patients in need of new AMR therapies. The planned SIX listing will allow us to advance BV100 towards the market and to address a WHO top three priority pathogen. With alpibectir, we address tuberculosis, a tangible UN sustainable development goal. These programs underpin our adherence to sustainable global research and development. From employees to shareholders, we are committed to environmental, social and governance-based healthcare practices jointly with our partners. It is especially gratifying to see the same shareholders and partners supporting us for the listing and even increasing their contribution to our company." Citi, UBS and Stifel are acting as joint global coordinators, with Octavian and Mirabaud as selling agents. For information on the public offering of securities of BioVersys AG in Switzerland, for those legally permitted, please visit www.bioversys.com/investors/IPO. About Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) AMR has been widely recognized as the top priority health threat by the World Health Organization (WHO), the G7 and G20. AMR has resulted in the majority of our antimicrobial therapies becoming obsolete thereby leaving the world's population completely susceptible to an ever-increasing range of infections. More than 1'270'000 lives are lost every year to AMR, a figure which is predicted to rise to 10 million by 2050. In Europe alone, about 4 million hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) occur annually, and AMR is responsible for an estimated 33'000 deaths per year, with associated EUR 1.5 billion in healthcare costs and productivity losses every year. Resistant infections threaten the advancements of modern medicine, where patients undergoing surgery, treatments for cancer, or viral infections (COVID-19) are put in jeopardy of contracting an untreatable bacterial infection because appropriate working antibiotics are no longer available. About BioVersys BioVersys AG is a multi-asset, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying, developing and commercializing novel antibacterial products for serious life-threatening infections caused by multi-drug resistant ("MDR") bacteria. Derived from the Company's two internal technology platforms (TRIC and Ansamycin Chemistry), candidates are designed and developed to overcome resistance mechanisms, block virulence production and directly affect the pathogenesis of harmful bacteria towards the identification of new treatment options in the antimicrobial and microbiome fields. This enables BioVersys to address the high unmet medical need for new treatments against life-threatening resistant bacterial infections and bacteria-exacerbated chronic inflammatory microbiome disorders. The Company's most advanced research and development programs address nosocomial infections of Acinetobacter baumannii (BV100, Phase 3 ready), and tuberculosis (alpibectir, Phase 2a, in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and a consortium of the University of Lille, France). BioVersys is located in the biotech hub of Basel, Switzerland. BioVersys contact Hernan Levett, CFO, Tel. +41 61 633 22 50; Mail: Hernan.levett@bioversys.com Website: www.bioversys.com Disclaimer This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of offers to purchase or subscribe for shares. This document is not a prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act and not a prospectus under any other applicable laws. Copies of this document may not be sent to, distributed in or sent from jurisdictions in which this is barred or prohibited by law. The information contained herein shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any jurisdiction. A decision to invest in securities of BioVersys AG should be based exclusively on the issue and listing prospectus available from the Company, if and when published for such purpose. This document is not for publication or distribution in the United States of America (including its territories and possessions, any State of the United States and the District of Columbia), Canada, Japan or Australia or any other jurisdiction into which the same would be unlawful. This document does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities in such countries or in any other jurisdiction into which the same would be unlawful. In particular, the document and the information contained herein should not be distributed or otherwise transmitted into the United States of America or to publications with a general circulation in the United States of America. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or the laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration under or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. There will be no public offering of the securities in the United States of America. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer of securities to the public in the United Kingdom. No prospectus offering securities to the public will be published in the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom this document is only directed at persons who are (A) qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended, and who are also (B)(i) investment professionals falling within article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the FSMA Order); (ii) persons falling within Articles 49(2)(a) to (d), "high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc." of the FSMA Order or (iii) persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 may otherwise be lawfully communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons). The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. In any member state of the European Economic Area (each a Relevant State) this document is only addressed to qualified investors in that Relevant State within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation. Information to UK Distributors: Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements of Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the "UK Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in delict, tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Requirements), may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Shares have been subject to a product approval process by each Manager established in the UK, which has determined that the Share are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors, as defined in the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook ("COBS"), investors who meet the criteria of professional clients, as defined in Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended, and eligible counterparties, as defined in the COBS; and (b) eligible for distribution through all permitted distribution channels (the "UK Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the UK Target Market Assessment, "distributors" should note that: the price of the Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The UK Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Offer. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the UK Target Market Assessment, the Managers established in the UK will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties. For the avoidance of doubt, the UK Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of Chapter 9A or 10A respectively of the COBS; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Shares. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels. Information to EEA Distributors: Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II and (c) local implementing measures (together, the "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Shares have been subject to a product approval process by each Manager established in the EEA, which has determined that the Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the Target Market Assessment). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, Distributors should note that: the price of the Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Offer. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the Managers established in the EEA will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties. For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Shares. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels. Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as "plans", "targets", "aims", "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "will", "may", "continues", "should" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect, at the time, BioVersys' beliefs, intentions and current targets/aims concerning, among other things, BioVersys' results of operations, financial condition, industry, liquidity, prospects, growth and strategies and are subject to change. The estimated financial information is based on management's current expectations and is subject to change. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial consequences of the plans and events described herein. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors (including, but not limited to, future global economic conditions, changed market conditions, intense competition in the markets in which BioVersys operates, costs of compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards, diverse political, legal, economic and other conditions affecting the BioVersys' markets, and other factors beyond the control of BioVersys). Neither BioVersys nor its shareholders, directors, officers, employees, advisors, or any other person is under any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak of the date of this announcement. Statements contained in this announcement regarding past trends or events should not be taken as a representation that such trends or events will continue in the future. Some of the information presented herein is based on statements by third parties, and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to, and no reliance should be placed on, the fairness, reasonableness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of this information or any other information or opinions contained herein, for any purpose whatsoever. Except as required by applicable law, BioVersys AG has no intention or obligation to update, keep updated or revise this publication or any parts thereof following the date hereof. None of the underwriters, the selling agents or any of their respective subsidiary undertakings, affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, advisers, agents, alliance partners or any other entity or person accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for, or makes any representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, as to the truth, accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted from the announcement) or any other information relating to the group, its subsidiaries or associated companies, whether written, oral or in a visual or electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Accordingly, each of the underwriters, the selling agents and the other foregoing persons disclaim, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all and any liability, whether arising in tort or contract or that they might otherwise be found to have in respect of this announcement and/or any such statement. End of Inside Information Global Tailings Management Institute launched to help make mine tailings facilities safer for people and the environment JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 21, 2025(GTMI), an independent, multi-stakeholder governed organisation dedicated to improving the safety of mine tailings facilities worldwide, was launched today. It has been founded by the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Based in South Africa, the GTMI will drive the responsible management of tailings facilities throughout their lifecycle. The goal is to achieve zero harm to people and the environment, by overseeing an independent assessment process through which tailings facilities will be audited and certified. The GTMI will oversee the implementation of, and conformance with, the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). Companies seeking to meet the Standard are required to prioritise safety, and enhance accountability through public disclosures at all tailings facilities. The GTMI will be responsible for managing the assurance framework through which tailings facilities will be independently audited and certified against the GISTM, by qualified third-party assessors. The development of the institute was informed by comprehensive guidance from an international advisory panel representing multiple stakeholders. "The devastating Brumadinho dam collapse in Brazil which killed 272 people in 2019 was a stark wake-up call for the entire industry and marked the beginning of a vital journey to make these facilities safer for people and the environment. ICMM, UNEP and PRI convened the Global Tailings Review shortly after, and in August 2020 we published the GISTM. The establishment of the institute is the next transformative step. As a non-profit, multi-stakeholder governed initiative, we believe it will provide communities, investors and the mining industry with confidence that effective measures are being put in place to prevent future failures," said Aidan Davy, Co-COO of ICMM. The GTMI's mission The core function of the GTMI is to manage the assurance framework. This will be supported by raising awareness and encouraging the adoption of the GISTM, sharing knowledge and best practices for responsible tailings management, and transparently disclosing auditing outcomes. "The GTMI is a vital part of the global architecture to deliver the goal of zero harm to people and the environment from tailings dams. The GISTM's credibility lies in the confidence of all stakeholders in the conformance status of tailings facilities. Updates will be made to the GISTM as lessons are learned from implementation, and public disclosure of auditing outcomes will ensure that interested parties are always kept informed," said Adam Matthews, Chief Responsible Investment Officer at The Church of England Pensions Board, representing the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Establishing a multi-stakeholder board A critical first step for the GTMI is to elect a board of directors who will represent the entire ecosystem of communities and industries impacted by tailings facilities. The co-convenors are inviting applications from the following groups: Mining Industry Potentially affected communities Indigenous Peoples Investment community Insurance and banking Industry Technical and academic community Environmental experts Mining workforce Regulatory authorities Once the board is in place, the GTMI will recruit a CEO and Chief Technical Officer who will establish a committee to oversee all technical matters. Independent auditors will also be recruited, trained, and accredited to evaluate and certify tailings facilities. "UNEP is working towards making the mining and metals value chain more sustainable and to minimise its impact on the environment and human health", said Elisa Tonda, Chief, Resources and Markets at UNEP. "The multi-stakeholder governance of the GTMI is critical to ensure transparency, accountability and ultimately build trust among all actors, which will contribute to a more responsible mining sector." she added. All stakeholders are invited to support responsible tailings management The GTMI will be calling on all mining companies to become signatories, therefore committing to the implementation of the GISTM, and agreeing to independent auditing and certification. All other interested parties will be invited to become supporters and participate in collaborative efforts to improve tailings management. Becoming a signatory will not only demonstrate a commitment to responsible tailings management, but can help strengthen relationships with regulators and affected communities, boost investor confidence, and potentially provide access to preferred insurance coverage. To learn more about the GTMI or how to become a signatory or supporter, visit: www.thegtmi.org To apply for a board member position visit: www.thegtmi.org/board-positions/ About the Global Tailings Management Institute The Global Tailings Management Institute (GTMI) is an independent, multi-stakeholder governed organisation, established to promote widespread adoption and implementation of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). The GISTM requires mining operators to take responsibility and prioritise the safety of tailings facilities, and the GTMI is responsible for managing the assurance framework through which tailings facilities will be audited and certified against this Standard, by qualified, independent third party assessors. The GTMI is cofounded by ICMM, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The first priority of the GTMI is to manage an assurance framework for GISTM, supported by efforts to drive awareness, share knowledge, and disclose auditing outcomes. Its goal is to achieve zero harm to people and the environment, with zero tolerance for human fatality. Global Tailings Management Institute (GTMI) info@thegtmi.org www.thegtmi.org Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/996f7612-4fbd-4605-bfd7-3d2e8fe2a096 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b199dad2-f916-441e-9969-d4aa62b1bc5b Azbil's initiatives reinforce its commitment to exceeding customer expectations, solidifying its reputation as a leader in automation technology and positioning it for continued success and innovation. SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently assessed the smart building solutions industry and based on its findings, recognizes Azbil Corporation with the 2024 Southeast Asia Company of the Year Award. Azbil plays a pivotal role in delivering automation and smart building technologies tailored to the unique demands of the region. Its building management solutions (BMS) optimize building operations, enhance maintenance efficiency, and improve overall performance while reducing carbon footprints and boosting productivity, transforming buildings into intelligent, interconnected systems. The company's advanced automation technologies address the growing emphasis on safety, sustainability, and remote access, improving indoor air quality, operational efficiency, and building safety. Azbil's comprehensive product portfolio, including sensors, control systems, and software solutions, forms the foundation of its competitive edge. By offering integrated, end-to-end solutions, Azbil serves as a one-stop provider for smart building management. Azbil also focuses on green transformation (GX) in response to the urgency of climate change. The company's enhanced products and services help clients reduce their carbon footprints and achieve carbon neutrality, and its collaborations with partners enable it to offer comprehensive energy solutions that integrate renewable energy sources and provide retrofitting solutions for existing infrastructure. Azbil's deep know-how in automation allows it to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient solutions that improve productivity significantly and optimize resource use in various sectors, including buildings and factories. Azbil is also constantly leveraging technologies into smart building solutions to enhance efficiency and operational performance. Its integration of cloud and digital technologies, technical expertise, and a customer-centric design philosophy distinguish it further from competitors. Its holistic approach-from concept to design, installation, and maintenance-enables Azbil to provide tailored solutions that meet specific client needs and support long-term sustainability. Anirudh Bhaskaran, energy and environment industry principal at Frost & Sullivan, observed, "Azbil's success as a pioneer in the smart building solutions industry stems from its ability to adapt to global challenges, leverage its deep expertise in automation, and focus on delivering innovative and comprehensive solutions. By continuously evolving its business model and addressing the needs of a changing world, Azbil remains at the forefront of the industry." With over a century of expertise in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, Azbil's deep knowledge and historical advantage strongly position it in building automation markets, especially in Asia. This blend of long-standing expertise and advanced technology solidifies the company's reputation as a trusted smart building management partner. Azbil's dedication to research and development (R&D) is a cornerstone of its innovation and growth strategy and its global R&D initiatives establish it as a key player shaping the future of smart building management, ensuring long-term growth. The company's innovative solutions and global R&D initiatives establish it as a key player in shaping the future of smart building management, ensuring long-term growth and industry impact. "Azbil's comprehensive growth strategies position it for sustained growth and innovation, reinforcing its leadership in the smart building solutions market while adapting to evolving market conditions and technological advancements. The company is strategically expanding its footprint across Asia, including key markets such as India, China, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia," added Norazah Bachok, best practices research analyst at Frost & Sullivan. With its record financial performance and strong overall performance, Azbil earns Frost & Sullivan's 2024 Southeast Asia Company of the Year Award in the smart building solutions industry. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies, and the resulting leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About Frost & Sullivan For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, megatrends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact: Tarini Singh E: tarini.singh@frost.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2601960/Azbil_Award.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/azbil-corporation-applauded-by-frost--sullivan-for-enhancing-building-safety-comfort-and-energy-optimization-302355613.html CAIRO, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Envision Energy, a global leader in in green technology, has secured a landmark contract for Saudi developer and world largest private company in water desalination, leader in energy transition and first mover into green hydrogen, ACWA Power's 1.1GW onshore wind farm in Egypt's Gulf of Suez region, set to become one of the largest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This groundbreaking collaboration will significantly enhance Egypt's renewable energy capacity, supporting the country and MENA's energy transition and sustainable development goals. The project is managed by Suez Wind Energy, a joint venture by Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power and HAU Energy, with financing provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). It will feature 138 of Envision Energy's state-of-the-art 8 MW wind turbines, designed for high wind speeds and sandy environments and include 25 years of long-term maintenance services, ensuring optimal performance and reliability throughout its lifespan. "We are thrilled to be part of this transformative project in Egypt. By leveraging our cutting-edge turbine technology and industry-leading supply chain integration, this project will set a new standard for large-scale wind energy in the MENA region." said Kane Xu, Senior Vice President and President of International Product Lines at Envision Energy, "As the world accelerates its transition to cleaner energy, this project highlights the power of innovation and collaboration to scale sustainability. It underscores our commitment to delivering tailored solutions that meet the unique challenges of renewable energy deployment in diverse environments." Envision Energy's 8 MW platform turbines are customizable with different blade configurations and hub heights to optimize energy capture in diverse conditions. Backed by Envision's industry-leading vertical supply chain integration and in-house development and manufacturing of critical components, these turbines offer superior quality and reliability. Additionally, the use of Envision's Galileo system, which analyzes real-time wind data to define precise load conditions for component- and system-level testing, ensures unmatched performance. This project marks a significant milestone in the MENA region's clean energy journey, offering broad economic and environmental benefits. It will enhance Egypt's renewable energy infrastructure, attract further investment, drive innovation, and create job opportunities. By setting a new benchmark for large-scale renewable energy projects, the wind farm underscores Envision Energy's commitment to advancing the global energy transition and lays the foundation for future collaborations worldwide. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/transforming-menas-energy-landscape-envision-energy-set-to-power-egypts-gigawatt-scale-wind-project-302355956.html Industry Leaders to Convene in London on 11th February to Explore the Future of Ecommerce Delivery Metapack, a leader in ecommerce delivery technology, is set to host The Delivery Conference (TDC) 2025 on 11th February at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. This premier event will bring together over 1,000 industry leaders from more than 500 brands to discuss the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of ecommerce delivery. "Ecommerce is at a turning point," said Al Ko, CEO of Auctane, the parent company of Metapack. "As the market matures, businesses face increasing pressure to innovate and adapt. Companies must not only keep pace with shifting consumer expectations but also rethink their operational strategies to stay competitive in a crowded marketplace. Now is the time for decisive action to secure growth and customer loyalty in the years to come. The agenda for The Delivery Conference 2025 has been developed with these specific challenges in mind, and we've brought together some of the brightest minds in the industry to share their perspectives." Event Highlights: Opening Session: Al Ko, CEO of Auctane, will open the conference with insights into the rapid changes in the shipping and logistics industries and the continued evolution of ecommerce. Al Ko, CEO of Auctane, will open the conference with insights into the rapid changes in the shipping and logistics industries and the continued evolution of ecommerce. Ecommerce Delivery Benchmark Report: Richard Lim, CEO of Retail Economics, will present pivotal insights from Metapack's annual Delivery Benchmark Report, highlighting the need for retailers to compete for customer loyalty amid evolving consumer expectations. Richard Lim, CEO of Retail Economics, will present pivotal insights from Metapack's annual Delivery Benchmark Report, highlighting the need for retailers to compete for customer loyalty amid evolving consumer expectations. Panel Discussion: Industry leaders, including David James, Group Supply Chain Director at Boohoo Group plc; Charlotte Bunney, Director of Customer Experience at DPD UK; and Jo Causon, CEO of the Institute of Customer Service, will discuss strategies for future-proofing operations against potential disruptions. Industry leaders, including David James, Group Supply Chain Director at Boohoo Group plc; Charlotte Bunney, Director of Customer Experience at DPD UK; and Jo Causon, CEO of the Institute of Customer Service, will discuss strategies for future-proofing operations against potential disruptions. Sessions on Emerging Trends: Topics will include leveraging smart technology to attract younger consumers, the rise of discovery commerce featuring Nora Zukauskaite, Integrated Marketing Manager at TikTok, and the growing necessity of rapid delivery services. Topics will include leveraging smart technology to attract younger consumers, the rise of discovery commerce featuring Nora Zukauskaite, Integrated Marketing Manager at TikTok, and the growing necessity of rapid delivery services. Keynote Address A motivational speech by Debra Searle, adventurer and entrepreneur, inspiring attendees to tackle challenges and embrace innovation in their professional journeys. Featured Speakers and Panelists: The conference will feature over 30 speakers across more than 20 sessions, providing attendees with actionable, data-driven insights to navigate the evolving ecommerce landscape, including: Nora Zukauskaite, Integrated Marketing Director, TikTok Shop U.K. Neil Kuschel, UK CEO, InPost David James, Group Supply Chain Director, Boohoo Group plc Charlotte Bunney, Director of Customer Experience, DPD UK Jo Causon, CEO, Institute of Customer Service Matthew Mitchell, Managing Director Global Sales, eCommerce, FedEx Beth Chapman, Managing Director, Starlinks Global Tobias Buxhoidt, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, parcelLab Cheyney Cartwright, Head of Commercial, UK, Amazon Shipping Daniel Hulme, CEO, Satalia Emma Clarke, Sr. Director, Product Management, Metapack Katie Searles, Editor, InternetRetailing Exhibition Hall: Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with 40 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations in ecommerce delivery technology. Registration: For more information and to register for TDC 2025, please visit the official website: thedeliveryconference.com About Metapack: Metapack helps ecommerce and delivery professionals meet consumers' growing expectations of delivery while maintaining and optimising operational efficiency. Metapack's solution offers a wide range of personalised services, from delivery options to tracking, through a catalogue of 400 carriers and 4,900 services available that span every country in the world. Note: This press release is based on information available as of January 21, 2025. For the most current details, please refer to the official conference website. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121338302/en/ Contacts: media@auctane.com At the Completion Ceremony TOKYO, Jan 21, 2025 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), today announced the successful, on-schedule completion of the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of a 1,400 MW natural gas-fired gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) power plant. The milestone was marked by the commercial operation of the second M701JAC gas turbine for the plant owned by Hin Kong Power Company Limited, a joint venture company established by RATCH Group Public Company Limited (RATCH) and Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited (GULF).Located approximately 100 kilometers west of Bangkok, the project features two state-of-the-art M701JAC gas turbines. The first unit began commercial operation in March 2024, with the second following in January 2025, completing installation of the plant's full capacity on schedule. Mitsubishi Power will provide long-term maintenance for the turbines under a 25-year Long Term Service Agreement (LTSA) and the facility will supply electricity to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) under a long-term power purchase agreement, ensuring continued high-efficiency and reliable energy to support the power demand in the country.Nitus Voraphonpiput, Chief Executive Officer, RATCH, said: "We are proud to celebrate the completion of this critical high-efficiency power plant, which furthers our goal to deliver reliable, sustainable, and efficient energy solutions for Thailand. This plant supports the growing energy demands of the country while ensuring we are future-ready as energy needs evolve. We look forward to strengthening collaboration with our partners to drive Thailand's energy progress."Chaichawin Tantiyankul, Executive Officer, GULF, added: "The on-schedule completion and smooth operation of the plant underscores strong synergy between GULF, RATCH, and Mitsubishi Power. This project plays a significant role in strengthening Thailand's energy security and supporting economic growth. We are confident that this partnership will continue to drive innovative and efficient energy solutions."Takao Tsukui, Executive Vice President, Mitsubishi Power, Ltd. said: "This project marks the commercial operation of our tenth M701JAC gas turbine in Thailand, a memorable milestone that we are proud to celebrate together with RATCH and GULF. Looking ahead, we remain committed to providing continuous support through the 25 years LTSA, ensuring the stable operation of this power plant over the years to come. Building on the success of the Hin Kong Power project, we are eager to further strengthen our partnership and embark on new challenges together."This project follows Mitsubishi Power's recent completion of the landmark 5,300 MW GTCC power plant project in Thailand's Rayong and Chonburi provinces, which featured 8 units of M701JAC gas turbines with Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. With this latest achievement, all 10 M701JAC units across both projects have been delivered on schedule, collectively achieving 120,000 cumulative operating hours, demonstrating their outstanding operational reliability and performance.Including this latest project, Mitsubishi Power has supplied a wide range of equipment, including 22 gas turbines to RATCH and GULF projects, contributing over 14,000 MW of power generation capacity in Thailand.Globally, orders for the JAC gas turbine continue to increase, with cumulative orders recently surpassing 100 units in 2024. The JAC gas turbine has a combined cycle efficiency greater than 64% and meets stringent standards for reducing carbon emissions. Its operational flexibility, including shorter startup times and superior load-following capability, makes it an essential solution for balancing power demand in grids increasingly reliant on renewable energy sources.Mitsubishi Power remains focused on advancing its industry-leading power generation technologies to support Thailand's energy needs and contribute to its economic growth.Source: Mitsubishi PowerCopyright 2025 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The commodity currencies such as Australia, the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars weakened against their major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday, as oil prices dropped after the U.S. President Donald Trump postponed imposing fresh tariffs and unveiled a plan to increase U.S. oil and gas production.The West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for March dropped 67 cents to $76.72 per barrel.Brent crude futures fell 11 cents, or 0.14 percent, to $80.04 per barrel.Oil prices fell as a result of President Donald Trump's announcement of a plan to increase U.S. oil and gas output and his suggestion to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico starting on February 1 rather than immediately.Meanwhile, the markets reacted positively to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision not to impose China-specific tariffs on his first day in office.Markets were bracing for major policy announcements and sweeping changes in U.S. trade policies that could thrust businesses into considerable uncertainty.Trump also stated, 'If we make a TikTok deal and China doesn't approve it, we could maybe put tariffs on China.' He made this statement following his signing of an executive order postponing the implementation of the TikTok ban by seventy-five days.In economic news, data from Business NZ showed that the New Zealand Performance of Service Index (PSI) fell to 47.9 in December from 49.5 in November, extending its contraction streak to ten consecutive months.In the Asian trading today, the Australian dollar fell to an 8-day low of 1.6681 against the euro and a 6-day low of 1.1039 against the NZ dollar, from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.6593 and 1.1055, respectively. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.68 against the euro and 1.08 against the kiwi.The aussie edged down to 0.6209 against the U.S. dollar, from an early more than a 2-week high of 0.6289. The aussie may test support near the 0.60 region.Against the yen, the aussie edged down to 96.83 from Monday's closing value of 97.52. On the downside, 94.00 is seen as the next support level for the aussie.The NZ dollar fell to 0.5622 against the U.S. dollar, from an early 2-week high of 0.5689. The next downside target for the kiwi is seen around the 0.54 region.Against the yen and the euro, the kiwi edged down to 87.60 and 1.8421 from yesterday's closing quotes of 88.21 and 1.8343, respectively. If the kiwi extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 86.00 against the yen and 1.86 against the euro.The Canadian dollar fell to nearly a 5-year low of 1.4518 against the U.S. dollar and nearly a 4-week low of 1.5051 against the euro, from Monday's closing quotes of 1.4303 and 1.4905, respectively. If the loonie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.46 against the greenback and 1.52 against the euro.Against the yen and the Australian dollar, the loonie dropped to more than 1-month lows of 107.34 and 0.9034 from yesterday's closing quotes of 108.57 and 0.8983, respectively. The loonie may test support near 104.00 against the yen and 0.92 against the aussie.Looking ahead, Germany's ZEW economic confidence survey results for January are due at 5:00 am ET in the European session. The economic sentiment index is expected to fall to 15.2 in January from 15.7 in December.In the New York session, Canada CPI reports for December are slated for release.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy Brand Finance today announced HCLTech as the world's fastest-growing IT services brand in its 2025 Global 500 and IT Services Top 25 Report released in Davos. HCLTech's brand value increased by 17% year-on-year to $8.9 billion. This recognition highlights the sustained growth of the HCLTech brand, which in last year's report was the fastest growing among the top 10 IT services brands. "FY24 saw HCLTech deliver solid market performance with our revenue growth rate the highest among tier 1 global IT services companies and our early leadership in the AI and GenAI space. This exceptional performance is directly mirrored in our brand valuation, showcasing the strong correlation between our business achievements and our brand's market perception," said Jill Kouri, Chief Marketing Officer at HCLTech. David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance, remarked: "HCLTech has once again exhibited exceptional growth in its brand value through effective market differentiation. In an era where buyers and prospective employees encounter numerous choices across various categories, HCLTech has set itself apart with its distinctive brand positioning, clearly articulating the company's ambition, energy and momentum. This remarkable performance underscores how effectively HCLTech is engaging with clients and capitalizing on new market opportunities, surpassing other leading brands in the industry." Brand Finance determines brand value using a methodology that assesses the brand's strength based on its ability to generate business value. The study measures consumer perceptions of over 6,000 brands in 41 countries across 31 sectors using metrics such as Awareness, Familiarity, Consideration, Usage, Loyalty and Recommendation. It also evaluates a brand's strength by examining its marketing and brand investments, client and employee perceptions and overall business performance. This recognition is particularly significant as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of HCLTech's initial public offering. Since its listing, HCLTech has experienced remarkable growth, with revenues increasing by over 80 times (CAGR: 19%) and annual profits rising by 90 times (CAGR: 19.4%), resulting in industry-leading total shareholder returns over this period, with a CAGR of 20.6%. "Our global purpose-driven strategy is paying off great results. HCLTech's fastest brand value growth reflects the continued relevance and stickiness of our company's value proposition to all its stakeholders, driven by bringing together the best of technology and our people to supercharge progress," said Zulfia Nafees, Global Head of Brand at HCLTech. *Note for the Editors Top 10 IT Services providers as per Brand Finance Global 500 and IT Services Top 25 report are (in alphabetical order) -- Accenture, Capgemini, Cognizant, Fujitsu (IT Services), HCLTech, IBM Consulting, Infosys, NTT DATA, TCS, Wipro. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250120181941/en/ Contacts: For further details, please contact: HCLTech Meredith Bucaro, Americas meredith-bucaro@hcltech.com Elka Ghudial, EMEA elka.ghudial@hcltech.com James Galvin, ANZ james.galvin@hcltech.com Nitin Shukla, India nitin-shukla@hcltech.com The Dusseldorf-based residential property company LEG Immobilien SE is approaching 2025 with measured expectations, signaling a continued market stabilization but tempering hopes for rapid recovery. The company's current leverage ratio of 48.5% exceeds its medium-term target of 45%, prompting management to adopt a particularly prudent strategic approach. This conservative stance reflects in the company's market position, with its stock trading at 77.56 as of January 20, showing a slight decline of 0.19% from the previous day. With a market capitalization of 5.8 billion and approximately 145,000 rental units under management, LEG maintains its position as one of Germany's leading listed residential property companies. Investment Strategy Focus The company has established stringent criteria for future acquisitions, implementing a conservative approach that prioritizes financial stability. New investments will only be pursued if they positively impact both earnings per share and net asset value, demonstrating the company's commitment to sustainable value creation. This strategic framework aligns with projections for 2025, including a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.52, indicating a moderate market valuation. Ad Fresh LEG Immobilien information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated LEG Immobilien analysis... Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From January 27th to 30th, 2025, Arab Health 2025 will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Center. Arab Health is the largest, most comprehensive and professional medical equipment exhibition in the Middle East in terms of scale and variety of exhibits. As a leading enterprise in the intelligent nursing industry, Zuowei Technology will showcase its cutting-edge intelligent nursing robots and solutions at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing an unparalleled technological feast to global consumers. Intelligent Portable Shower Machine: Come with Intelligent Water Flow Control and Nano Cleaning technologies, Ushering in a New Era of Comfortable Bathing for the Disabled People. At this technology-packed exhibition, Zuowei Technology will release a high-tech intelligent portable shower machine. This shower machine adopts advanced water flow control technology to precisely regulate the water flow. Meanwhile, it can quickly adjust the water temperature through intelligent algorithms according to different user needs. Its innovative drip-free sewage suction bathing method integrates cutting-edge nano technology, enabling thorough body cleansing. Intelligent Walking Robot: Empowered by Technology, Enabling Mobility-Impaired Individuals to Regain Freedom of Movement At this technological feast, an extremely tech-savvy intelligent walking robot will make a stunning debut. This robot uses advanced ergonomic mechanics technology to perfectly fit the human body curve. At the same time, equipped with an intelligent gait training algorithm and combined with multiple high-tech technologies, it realizes intelligent assisted mobility functions such as intelligent wheelchairs, rehabilitation training, and transportation, highlighting the high-tech intelligence. In addition to the aforementioned highlights, Zuowei Technology will also exhibit a wide range of products in the fields of intelligent nursing and intelligent rehabilitation at this exhibition, showcasing its profound expertise and forward-thinking vision in technological innovation, and bringing an even more extraordinary high-tech experience to global consumers! We cordially invite you to visit Zuowei Technology at booth Z4H12 at Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to witness our latest achievements together! Zuowei Technology focuses on the six intelligent care needs of disabled elderly people, including toileting, bathing, eating, getting in and out of bed, walking, and dressing, it meticulously provides comprehensive solutions of intelligent care equipment and intelligent care platforms. This not only brings more considerate and professional elderly care well-being solutions to global users, but also contributes more high-tech power to the well-being of the elderly worldwide! View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zuowei-technology-set-to-debut-at-arab-health-2025-introducing-intelligent-nursing-robots-and-solutions-302355985.html RichTech Digital Berhad ("RichTech" or the "Company"), a company involves in the distribution of electronic reloads and provision of bill payment services in Malaysia, is pleased to announce the successful launch of its prospectus for its Initial Public Offering ("IPO") in conjunction with its listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad ("Bursa Securities"). This milestone underscores RichTech's dedication to advancing its position in the dynamic electronic reload and bill payment services industry. This IPO is set to raise RM13.67 million through the issuance of 54.66 million new ordinary shares at the IPO price of RM0.25 . The funds raised will be strategically allocated to drive digital innovation and market expansion: RM4.50 million for marketing, promotional and collaboration activities to expand the user base of end-users for its SRS App and SRS Portal. RM3.00 million for the acquisition of a new office, consolidating RichTech's headquarters and branch office under one roof for corporate profiling and ease of administration. RM3.00 million for working capital to support the growing digital transaction volume and platform scaling. RM3.17 million for estimated listing expenses. Mr. Lee Teik Keong, Managing Director of RichTech, remarked, "As Malaysia accelerates towards a fully digital economy, RichTech is positioned to participate in this transformation. Our IPO represents more than just a capital raising exercise - it reflects our dedication to enhancing the convenience and accessibility of electronic reload and bill payment services for a wide range of users. Through our enhanced SRS platform, we are enabling businesses and consumers to adopt seamless digital solutions for electronic reload and bill payments, aligned with both national and global digitalisation trends." En. Ahmad Fazlee bin Aziz, Co-Head / Director, Corporate finance of KAF, said, "RichTech's IPO reflects the Company's strong foundation and immense growth potential in Malaysia's evolving electronic reload and bill payment services industry. We are proud to support RichTech in achieving its vision of becoming one of the leading force in this sector, leveraging its innovative platform and robust market presence." According to the Independent Market Research ("IMR") Report, the electronic reload and bill payment services industry in Malaysia has experienced significant growth, with commissions and/or incentives generated from these services growing at a compound annual growth rate ("CAGR") of 12.9% between 2019 and 2023. The sector is projected to maintain strong momentum with an 11.5% CAGR from 2024 to 2026. RichTech, with its well-established SRS platform and extensive user network, is well-positioned to capitalise on these opportunities. Notably, RichTech's proven track record is evident in its impressive gross profit margin growth from 97.09% in FYE 2021 to 98.17% in FYE 2023, demonstrating its ability to scale efficiently while maintaining service quality. Applications for the IPO are open from 21 January 2025 and will close on 31 January 2025. The listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities positions RichTech to play a pivotal role in shaping Malaysia's digital economy landscape and supporting the nation's digital economy aspirations. KAF Investment Bank Berhad is the Principal Adviser, Sponsor, Underwriter and Placement Agent. About RichTech Digital Berhad ("RichTech") RichTech Digital Berhad is a leading provider of electronic reload and bill payment services in Malaysia, driven by its proprietary SRS platform. Established in 2010, the SRS platform enables electronic reloads for mobile airtime and data reloads, prepaid digital TV reloads, gaming credits, application credit, and eWallet credit as well as bill payments for postpaid mobile network services, water and electricity utilities, maintenance services of national sewerage systems, internet services, postpaid digital TV, quit rent and assessment payment, education loan and instalment plan payment. With a network of over 4 million users nationwide, the Company delivers a one-stop solution with secure, scalable, and innovative technology to meet Malaysia's growing demands in electronic reloads and bill payment sector. For more information, visit https://richtech.my/index.html Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of RichTech Digital Berhad For more information, please contact: Jazzmin Wan Email: j.wan@swanconsultancy.biz Xinyi Ching Email: x.ching@swanconsultancy.biz SOURCE: Richtech Digital Berhad View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire KYIV, Ukraine, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ukraine's largest airline, SkyUp Airlines has completed its migration to IBS Software's iFly Res to empower its commercial operations restart. IBS Software, a global leader of SaaS solutions to the travel and cargo industry, is now providing SkyUp with a comprehensive Passenger Services System (PSS) to support efficient operations. SkyUp, a leading digital-first airline, has garnered widespread recognition for its bold and innovative strategies since the onset of the war. From swiftly evacuating its fleet from restricted airspace to transitioning into an ACMI provider and securing an Air Operator Certificate in Malta to enable operations across Europe, the airline has consistently adapted to challenging circumstances. As SkyUp Airlines now resumes regular flights in the EU, following its temporary role as an ACMI and charter carrier, this move to the state-of-the-art PSS is a key milestone for the airline. Daria Alieksieienko, Chief Commercial Officer at SkyUp says, "We are thrilled to announce a successful migration to IBS Software's digital solutions. Adopting advanced digital tools into our rebrand will transform our personalised customer service capabilities and strengthen our recovery following the conflict in Ukraine. Our partnership with IBS Software signifies triumph in the face of adversity, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead." For SkyUp and beyond, IBS Software's iFly Res ensures integrated operations, rapid implementation, scalability according to individual business needs, an enhanced customer experience and compliance with modern standards, like IATA NDC and One Order. "We are proud to support SkyUp Airlines as they embark on this exciting new chapter," said David Friderici, SVP & Head of Aviation Passenger Solutions at IBS Software. "Our iFly Res solution is designed to empower forward-thinking airlines like SkyUp to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and adapt to evolving market dynamics. By providing robust, scalable, and future-ready order management capabilities, we aim to support SkyUpTM in its mission to redefine modern air travel and achieve operational excellence as they resume full-scale European operations." ABOUT IBS SOFTWARE IBS Software is a leading SaaS solutions provider to the travel industry globally, managing mission-critical operations for customers in the aviation, tour & cruise, hospitality, and energy resources industries. IBS Software's solutions for the aviation industry cover fleet & crew operations, aircraft maintenance, passenger services, loyalty programs, staff travel, and air cargo management. Across the hospitality sector, IBS Software offers a cloud-native, unified platform for hotels and travel sellers, including central reservation (CRS), property management (PMS), revenue management (RMS), call centre, booking engine, loyalty, and distribution. For the tour & cruise industry, IBS provides a comprehensive, customer-centric, digital platform that covers onshore, online and on-board solutions. Across the energy & resources industry, we provide logistics management solutions that cover logistics planning, operations & accommodation management. The Consulting and Digital Transformation (CDx) business focuses on driving digital transformation initiatives of its customers, leveraging its domain knowledge, digital technologies and engineering excellence. IBS Software operates from 17 offices across the world. Further information can be found at www.ibsplc.com Follow us: Blog | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram ABOUT SKYUP AIRLINES SkyUp Airlines is an international aviation brand with Ukrainian roots, established in 2017. The company quickly became one of Europe's most dynamic airlines. In 2021, SkyUp ranked as the second-largest Ukrainian airline by passenger volume. Since 2022, SkyUp has expanded its international operations, offering charter flights under ACMI contracts. In 2023, the company secured a Maltese license, allowing it to operate scheduled flights within European airspace. Starting in 2025, SkyUp will further scale its operations by launching regular routes from Moldova to European destinations such as France, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, and Greece. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2602351/SkyUp_migrates_IBS_Software.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1169353/IBS_Software_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/skyup-airlines-migrates-to-ibs-softwares-ifly-res-to-support-operations-restart-302355964.html Press Release Atos Digital Workplace Experience Engagement platform enhances user support with Espressive's Barista Conversational AI solution Employees receive immediate, customized IT support through consumer-like engagement channels Paris, France - January 21, 2025 - Atos today announces the successful integration of Espressive Barista, a GenAI-based Conversational agent into its Digital Workplace Experience Engagement platform. This new feature enables employees to receive instant, personalized, and seamless IT support through consumer-like engagement channels, accessible anywhere, anytime, and from any device. In today's workplace, the expectations from IT support have heightened. Hyper-personalization, accessibility, immediate request fulfillment, and issue resolution, all in a conversational experience, have become standard requirements. Thanks to Atos and Espressive, employees can engage in natural conversation interactions with a GenAI-powered digital assistant. EspressiveBarista Conversational AI helps first-line support agents by providing 24/7 support and decreasing mean time to resolution (MTTR) through automation. This enables agents to allocate more time to higher level issues. Atos and Espressive signed a partnership agreement a year ago. Since then, over 200,000+ Barista licenses have been enabled across various Atos' Digital Workplace customers, resulting in up to 50% of IT support cases solved at the conversational AI level. Due to its success, customers are now expanding Barista beyond IT to include HR and other departments. By embedding Espressive Barista's conversational AI capabilities and advanced automation, Atos takes the personalization of services delivered by its Digital Experience Engagement platform even further. This strategic move reinforces Atos' commitment to building a human-centric digital workplace, aimed at transforming the end-user experience, minimizing downtime, and boosting employee performance. This also highlights Atos' proficiency in incorporating AI-powered technologies and automating workflows to provide intuitive, seamless services for employees in the workplace. With this partnership, Atos' customers can fast-track a generative AI-based virtual agent into the hands of their employees. Barista leverages best in class technology to solve employee issues-including pre-built automations like password reset, retrieval augmented generation (RAG) to locate answers in enterprise knowledge, and safe access to live web answers. Employees only need to remember Barista to get the help they need, resulting in increased employee productivity and a better employee experience. Leon Gilbert, Senior Vice President Digital Workplace Atos, said: "We appreciate the positive feedback from our clients regarding our partnership with Espressive, as we strive to develop ever more human centric digital workplace platforms supported by the right processes and technologies. Espressive's Gen-AI conversational capabilities alleviate common IT challenges for employees, enabling them to resolve issues more efficiently, save valuable time, and focus on their core responsibilities." Pat Calhoun, CEO and founder of Espressive, said: "At Espressive, we understand that the key to a successful digital workplace is providing employees with immediate, intuitive, and personalized support through conversational experiences that feel effortless. Our partnership with Atos has not only enabled us to scale these capabilities globally but also demonstrates the power of combining Conversational AI with Atos' innovative Digital Workplace platform to elevate employee satisfaction and efficiency. Together, we're redefining how IT support operates by turning traditional challenges into seamless solutions." Atos provides end-to-end employee experience solutions through digital collaboration and productivity tools, as well as intelligent customer care services. In March 2024, Gartner continued to position Atos as a Leader in its 2024 Magic Quadrant for Outsourced Digital Workplace Services(ODWS) for the eighth consecutive year. *** About Atos Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 82,000 employees and annual revenue of c. 10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris. The purpose of Atosis to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space. Press contact Isabelle Grange | isabelle.grange@atos.net| +33 (0) 6 64 56 74 88 About Espressive Espressive, the pioneer in automating digital workplace assistance and a 2024 Forrester Leader, is transforming how employees across IT, HR, finance, and other departments receive help by delivering an exceptional conversational experience. Espressive Barista, the company's GenAI-based virtual agent, acts as a service agent, combining the best of human interaction with advanced artificial intelligence. Barista automates the resolution of employee questions, issues, and requests with personalized experiences that achieve employee adoption rates of 80% to 85% and reduce help desk call volumes by 50% to 70%. Espressive is backed by Insight Partners, General Catalyst, and Wing Venture Capital, and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Visit www.espressive.comfor more information. Attachment LONDON (dpa-AFX) - The UK unemployment rate rose slightly in the third quarter and wage growth remained high but falling vacancies signals a decrease in pay pressures, official data showed on Tuesday.The unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent in the September to November period, as expected, from 4.3 percent in the three months to October, the Office for National Statistics revealed.Average earnings excluding bonuses grew 5.6 percent in three months to November from a year ago, slightly faster than the forecast of 5.5 percent.Earnings including bonuses also climbed 5.6 percent annually, which was in line with expectations.The claimant count held steady at 4.6 percent in December. The number of people claiming unemployment benefits increased 7,000 from November.Payrolled employment decreased by 47,000 from the previous month and fell 8,000 on year to 30.3 million in December.In the December quarter, the number of vacancies decreased 24,000 on the quarter to 812,000. Vacancies declined for the 30th consecutive period.ING economist James Smith said plenty of evidence shows that the jobs market is continuing to cool down.It looks like policymakers are on course to continue gradually taking rates lower and probably more rapidly than markets now expect, the economist added.British Chambers of Commerce Deputy Director Public Policy Jane Gratton said the labour market continues to be challenging for many businesses, with wage growth continuing to rise as firms compete for skilled workers.'This is a concern as they face a significant rise in employment costs in April,' said Gratton.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Transforming Visual Collaboration with 5K Clarity and Versatile Design BARCELONA, Spain, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MAXHUB, a global leader in integrated communication displays and unified communications solutions, has announced it will launch its industry-leading Interactive Display - MAXHUB 92" XBoard Microsoft Teams Rooms at ISE 2025 (Stand 2N500), the world-renowned annual tech show for the systems integration and audiovisual industry. Integrating the functions of a projector, whiteboard, advertising signage, computer, microphone, audio, and more, the device provides an all-in-one solution. MAXHUB Microsoft Teams Rooms devices satisfy the needs of both local meetings and remote collaborations. MAXHUB XCore Kit and XCore Kit Pro for Microsoft Teams Rooms The XCore Kit and XCore Kit Pro seamlessly combine cutting-edge technology with easy-to-use design to deliver efficient and intuitive meeting experiences. The XCore Kit is a certified entry-level Microsoft Teams Rooms solution with Windows inside that - to meet the collaboration needs of more participants - incorporates 12th Gen Intel Core processor and features price and performance advantages. This makes it effortless for users to upgrade their small BYOD meeting rooms. XCore kit Pro is a certified Microsoft Teams Rooms solution for medium and larger meeting rooms. With wireless content sharing and dual-screen display capabilities, it offers a comprehensive and user-friendly conferencing experience. The XCore Kit and XCore Kit Pro, along with MAXHUB's other bundles and peripherals, come together as the MAXHUB XT Series for Teams Rooms. The XT Series offers a comprehensive Teams Rooms solution, with a console kit, camera options, speakerphone, and optional display choices, making it effortless to convert your DIY meeting rooms. With the MAXHUB XT series, you can easily enjoy a one-stop Certified Teams Rooms experience, with entry-level solutions starting from half of the average budget for these products. As an Intel Titanium partner, MAXHUB harnesses the power of Intel's high-performance processors to empower its core products. With robust computing capabilities, it delivers professional-grade image and video processing, seamlessly supporting video conferencing software. In addition, MAXHUB will be presenting its Display Solutions that have been designed for easy deployment, easy operation and easy maintenance across multiple scenarios including corporate offices, higher-education settings, and public spaces. Partnering with technology industry leaders MAXHUB partners with technology industry leaders, including Intel and Microsoft, to deliver advanced communication and collaboration solutions, integrating Intel's high-performance processors and optimising its solutions for Microsoft Teams Rooms use cases. This provides customers with solutions that are intuitive, reliable and built to foster creativity and productivity while empowering seamless collaboration and engagement across all settings. "ISE is a key event in the annual industry calendar and the ideal platform for announcing our latest breakthrough display solution," said Kevin Wang, Head of MAXHUB Sales Europe. "By enabling customers to create inspiring technology hubs, we empower them to transform their communication, collaboration and presentation capabilities, and we look forward to meeting customers, partners and colleagues in February to share our newest innovations." About MAXHUB MAXHUB is a global leader in integrated display and unified communications solutions. MAXHUB creates a technology hub where inspiration has the freedom to grow into meaningful connections. Centered around integration, MAXHUB provides next-level integrated solutions for people to communicate, present, and collaborate. MAXHUB, where inspiration moves ahead. For more information about MAXHUB, visit www.maxhub.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2602369/MAXHUB_Interactive_Display____XBoard_Teams_Rooms.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2602370/MAXHUB_XCORE_KIT_PRO_for_Teams_Rooms.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2362520/MAXHUB_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/maxhub-to-pre-launch-industry-leading-92-microsoft-teams-rooms-interactive-display-at-ise-2025-302355950.html BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - German stocks are down in negative territory Tuesday morning, weighed down by losses in the automobile sector amid uncertainty over potential new tariffs following Donald Trump taking charge as U.S. President.Trump said he could impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico as early as February 1, although he held off unveiling China-specific tariffs for now.Several shares from Japanese auto segment fell today and European carmakers are down as well, as Trump revoked the previous administration's executive order on electric vehicles.Investors await Germany's ZEW economic confidence survey results, due later in the day. The economic sentiment index is expected to fall to 15.2 in January from 15.7 in December.The benchmark DAX, which dropped to 20,916.93, recovered some lost ground subsequently and was at 20,977.10 a little while ago, down 27.82 points or 0.13% from previous close.BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Daimler Truck Holding, Porsche and Volkswagen are down 1.3 to 1.7%. Continental is down nearly 1%, and Porsche Automobil is down by about 0.6%.Shares of energy firm RWE are declining nearly 2%. DHL Group, Commerzbank, Fresenius Medical Care, HeidelbergCement, Bayer and Symrise are moderately lower.Siemens Healthineers is up nearly 3%. Deutsche Telekom is up 1%, while Siemens Energy, SAP, Rheinmetall, Munich RE and Sartorius are up with modest gains.The yield on German 10-year government bond is down marginally at 2.511%, while the yield on 30-year bond is lower by 0.018% at 2.739%.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. LONDON, Jan. 21, 2025, the global leader in Decision Intelligence (DI) solutions for the public and private sectors, has joined the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Innovator Community as a member of its Unicorn Program. This invite-only program unites private start-up companies valued at over $1 billion with political, academic, civil society, and other global leaders. Quantexa became the first British unicorn of 2023 after closing a $129m funding round at a valuation of $1.8bn. Quantexa will be involved in key global initiatives through the WEF's Centre for Financial and Monetary Systems. This initiative provides Quantexa the opportunity to help shape global policy decisions on critical topics such as AI, data privacy, digital transformation, and analytics. The WEF's Unicorn Community offers a range of invaluable benefits to the world's leading organizations, including participation in exclusive forums, workshops, and events. Quantexa's Founder and CEO, Vishal Marria, will also be attending the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, where this year's theme, "Collaboration in the Intelligent Age," underscores the critical role of data-driven decision-making in tackling global challenges. As Quantexa works alongside other innovative companies and stakeholders in this group, its voice will be integral in defining the future direction of AI, helping to ensure that the company remains a leader in Decision Intelligence. This announcement comes at a pivotal time for Quantexa, as the company recently reached Centaur status, surpassing $100 million in annual recurring revenue. Quantexa's Decision Intelligence platform helps organizations navigate uncertainty, mitigate risk and drive innovation by connecting AI and data for more trusted, context-rich decisions that fuel growth and resilience. Vishal Marria, Founder and CEO at Quantexa, said:"Joining the WEF Unicorn Program is a significant milestone for Quantexa, offering us the opportunity to work alongside some of the world's most influential global leaders, policymakers, and innovators. As the global conversation on AI, data privacy, and digital transformation intensifies, our role in shaping these discussions becomes even more critical. We are excited to share our perspective to help define the best practices and policies shaping a more secure, transparent, and prosperous future." About Quantexa Quantexa is a global AI, data and analytics software company pioneering Decision Intelligence to empower organizations to make trusted operational decisions with data in context. Using the latest advancements in AI, Quantexa's Decision Intelligence platform helps organizations uncover hidden risk and new opportunities by unifying siloed data and turning it into the most trusted, reusable resource. It solves major challenges across data management, customer intelligence, KYC, financial crime, risk, fraud, and security, throughout the customer lifecycle. The Quantexa Decision Intelligence Platform enhances operational performance with over 90% more accuracy and 60 times faster analytical model resolution than traditional approaches. An independently commissioned Forrester TEI study on Quantexa's Decision Intelligence Platform found that customers saw a three-year 228% ROI. Founded in 2016, Quantexa now has over 800 employees and thousands of platform users working with billions of transactions and data points across the world. Media Enquiries C: Stephanie Crisp, Fight or Flight E:Quantexa@fightorflight.com OR C: Adam Jaffe, SVP of Corporate Marketing T: +1 609 502 6889 E :adamjaffe@quantexa.com Render for Wadi AlFann, Courtesy of James Turrell Studio and Royal Commission for AlUla ALULA, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wadi AlFann presents James Turrell, an exhibition surveying the work of pioneering Light and Space artist James Turrell. The exhibition will run from 16 January until 19 April 2025 and is presented by Wadi AlFann as part of the AlUla Arts Festival 2025, taking place in the ancient oasis of AlUla in north west Saudi Arabia. The exhibition is curated by Guest Curator Michael Govan, CEO of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and curator of James Turrell's major retrospective at LACMA in 2013-14. It connects Turrell's legacy with his ambitious Wadi AlFann commission, offering visitors an unparalleled experience of Light and Space. On view are light art installations as well as renders, plans and a constellation map relating to his upcoming commission in AlUla. As part of the exhibition, visitors can view plans for Turrell's upcoming Wadi AlFann commission where he is creating a monumental sequence of chambers within the canyon floor which will generate a sensorial experience of space, colour, and perception. Experiencing the 'thingness of light' as well as elements of sky and terrain, the viewer will explore these spaces via a series of tunnels and stairs. The large-scale commission will examine the very nature of seeing and offer a profound opportunity to experience art in dialogue with nature. The exhibition also includes four works from the Royal Commission for AlUla and private collections, which showcase the artist's mastery of light as a medium. Turrell's work immerses us in what he describes as 'the wordless thought that comes from looking at a fire', each work is a meditation on the nature of perception. This exhibition offers the rare opportunity to see one of the artist's earliest works and one of his most recent pieces. Highlights from the Royal Commission for AlUla's contemporary art collection include Cross Corner projection work Alta (1968), which transforms the dim corner of a room into a luminous pyramid, the pink-violet light creates planes that appear to be solid. The exhibition also includes Jubilee,Circular Glass (2021), a circular glass screen where colours mutate hypnotically. However much the viewer stares, it is hard to recognise the colours changing, yet the work takes us imperceptibly from a dazzling crimson to an icy blue. Relating to the oculus Turrell will install in Wadi AlFann, AlUla, the disc of light seems a palpable intervention from another reality. Lastly, a work from his Magnatron series, evokes the artist's childhood memories of glimpsing the flickering light of televisions through the windows of neighbouring houses, and Hologram series which reveals a luminous geometric shape floating in space, will also be featured. Wadi AlFann, meaning 'Valley of the Arts', will be a global cultural destination for contemporary art, where era-defining works by artists from around the world will be permanently sited in the monumental landscape of AlUla, the extraordinary desert region of north-west Saudi Arabia. Turrell is one of the first five artists, alongside Manal AlDowayan, Agnes Denes, Michael Heizer, and Ahmed Mater. The exhibition is part of the Wadi AlFann pre-opening programme which provides context and understanding to the commissioned artists' work and practices, offering a chance to hear from the artists behind Wadi AlFann's monumental Land Art commissions. This exhibition is located in two spaces in AlJadidah Arts District, the historic old town of AlUla and is part of the AlUla Arts Festival, an annual festival which forms a flagship event as part of the AlUla Moments events calendar in AlUla. The festival runs from 16 January to 22 February 2025. The festival offers visitors an immersive journey through art, design, artist residencies and workshops set against the backdrop of the ancient city. James Turrell comments I first visited the Wadi AlFann site in 2020. I was surprised that the sandstone formations looked very similar to those in Arizona. I was very familiar with that kind of landscape and strangely felt at home with doing work there. The work envisioned for Wadi AlFann will have two large Skyspaces and two small Skyspaces, that each address different aspects of sky. All of my Skyspaces engage the natural light of the area. The light quality in AlUla is of dry desert air with little moisture, which yields a light in the sky that is crisp and clear. Nora Aldabal, Director of Arts and Creative Industries, Royal Commission for AlUla As we continue to celebrate the journey toward the opening of Wadi AlFann, we are delighted to present James Turrell's extraordinary work as part of the AlUla Arts Festival 2025. We are honoured to work with Michael Govan as Guest Curator for this introduction of the artist's astonishing oeuvre to the Kingdom. This exhibition not only introduces our audiences to the pioneering Light and Space movement but also offers a unique preview of the monumental large-scale Land Art commission Turrell is creating for Wadi AlFann. Through projects like this, we shine a global spotlight on AlUla's breathtaking landscape and rich cultural heritage which is inspiring profound contemporary art in dialogue with the natural world. Michael Govan, CEO of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) For decades, James Turrell has been considering the experience of light in the context of human perception. His revolutionary use of light in art is an unforgettable experience. LACMA, the largest art museum in the western United States, presented a defining retrospective of James Turrell in 2013-2014 and is delighted to collaborate with Wadi AlFann to bring Turrell's masterworks to the AIUIa Arts Festival 2025. PRESS CONTACTS: Pelham Communications Saskia Deliss saskia@pelhamcommunications.com Rosie Lowit rosie@pelhamcommunications.com Please find the press kit here. Royal Commission for AlUla media@rcu.gov.sa NOTES TO EDITORS: About Wadi AlFann: Wadi AlFann, meaning 'Valley of the Arts', will be a global cultural destination for contemporary art, where era-defining works by artists from around the world will be permanently sited in the monumental landscape of AlUla, the extraordinary desert region of north-west Saudi Arabia. New, large-scale, site-specific commissions by Manal AlDowayan (b. 1973, Saudi Arabia), Agnes Denes (b. 1931, Hungary), Michael Heizer (b. 1944, USA), Ahmed Mater (b. 1979, Saudi Arabia) and James Turrell (b. 1943, USA) will be the first five works to be conceived for Wadi AlFann, a spectacular valley spanning approximately 65 square kilometres. These initial five works will mark the start of a continued programme of commissions, with more artists and activities to be announced. Wadi AlFann will offer a profound opportunity to experience art in dialogue with nature. Learning from the desert, the artists are responding to the landscape of AlUla, taking inspiration from its dramatic topography, undulating vistas, remarkable geological structures and complex natural ecosystem. The works will be created with respect for the landscape, set against the stunning sandstone cliffs and canyons of the vast terrain. Wadi AlFann will provide unparalleled opportunities for local communities to experience art as a source of education and enrichment. Through job creation, skills development and engagement with local creatives, Wadi AlFann will strengthen AlUla's cultural economy, inspiring a new generation of arts professionals and enhancing quality of life for its residents. This epic new destination will also welcome art lovers, adventurers, and globetrotters from across the world on a transformative cultural journey to a unique place of creative and geographical wonder, continuing the region's history as a place of cross-cultural exchange. A full press release about Wadi AlFann can be found here . The exhibition is part of the Wadi AlFann pre-opening programme which provides context and understanding to the commissioned artists' work and practices, offering a chance to hear from the artists behind Wadi AlFann's monumental Land Art commissions. About Arts AlUla: The creation of Arts AlUla within The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) is a commitment to crafting the next chapters in a millennia of artistic creation - celebrating cultural inheritance, presenting the art of our time, and shaping a future propelled by creativity. AlUla has long been a consistent and ever-evolving hub of cultural transfer. It has been a place of passage, a crossroads for trade, and home to successive civilizations who carved, sculpted and inscribed their lives into the landscape. The work of Arts AlUla seeks to preserve this legacy: fuse the old with the new; the local with the international, keeping the arts central to the spirit of AlUla as a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage. Arts AlUla will bring to fruition a series of new initiatives, projects and exhibitions. The artwork curation will speak to RCU's vision for the continued development of AlUla's contemporary art scenes: positioning the arts as a key contributor to AlUla's character, the quality of life for its local community and the region's economic future. Arts AlUla focuses on transferring the talents of the Saudi nation and the local AlUla community into meaningful long-standing social and economic opportunities. This is a key part of the Journey through Time masterplan bringing together the 15 different landmark destinations for culture, heritage and creativity across AlUla. James Turrell: American artist James Turrell has been a leading figure of the Light and Space movement of the 1960s for over half a century as he dedicated his practice to perceptual art, investigating the materiality of light and the limits of human perception. Over his fifty-year career, his works have ranged from transforming enclosed spaces into boundless horizons of colour, to building entire pavilions that capture the luminescence of the cosmos. His most legendary work is the epic Roden Crater, set in a volcanic cone in the Arizona desert. Turrell received his BA in mathematics and perceptual psychology at Pomona College, California, in 1965, then entered graduate school at University of California, Irvine in 1965-1966 and later enrolled in the Studio Art program at Claremont Graduate University, California, earning his MA in 1973. He has shown worldwide and his work features in public collections such as MOCA Kanazawa, Japan; Barcelona Arts Bibliotech; Ekeberparken Oslo; Houghton Hall, UK; Lenbachhaus Museum, Munich, Germany; MoCA Los Angeles, USA; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas; and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, UK. Michael Govan: Michael Govan is the CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director at LACMA. Since coming to LACMA in 2006, he has overseen the transformation of the 20-acre campus with buildings by Renzo Piano and monumental artworks by Ai Weiwei, Chris Burden, Michael Heizer, Robert Irwin, Barbara Kruger, Yoshitomo Nara, and others. At LACMA, Govan has pursued his vision of contemporary artists and architects interacting with the museum's historical collections, as evidenced by exhibition and gallery designs as well as programming in collaboration with artists and architects. Currently, the museum is in the process of building a new, state-of-the-art permanent collection building designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor. Under his leadership, LACMA has acquired nearly 44,000 works, building and expanding its collection of more than 150,000 works of art from Latin America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific. Known as well for his curatorial work, Govan has co-curated a series of notable LACMA exhibitions, including Ed Ruscha: Now Then (2023-24); Barbara Kruger: Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You (2022); Rauschenberg: The 1/4 Mile (2018); Picasso and Rivera: Conversations Across Time (2016-17); James Turrell: A Retrospective (2013-14), The Presence of the Past: Peter Zumthor Reconsiders LACMA (2013); and Dan Flavin: A Retrospective (2007) that traveled to six venues in Europe and the United States. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5258c1fc-86d0-4eb6-9787-41ddacd6f28a BEIJING, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (the "Company" or "New Oriental") (NYSE: EDU/ 9901.SEHK), a provider of private educational services in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2024, which is the second quarter of New Oriental's fiscal year 2025. Financial Highlights for the Second Fiscal Quarter Ended November 30 , 2024 Total net revenues increased by 19.4% year over year to US$1,038.6 million for the second fiscal quarter of 2025. Total net revenues, excluding revenues generated from East Buy private label products and livestreaming business, increased by 31.3% year over year to US$894.2 million for the second fiscal quarter of 2025. Operating income decreased by 9.8% year over year to US$19.3 million for the second fiscal quarter of 2025. Operating income, excluding operating loss generated from East Buy private label products and livestreaming business, increased by 102.5% year over year to US$25.0 million for the second fiscal quarter of 2025. Net income attributable to New Oriental increased by 6.2% year over year to US$31.9 million for the second fiscal quarter of 2025. Key Financial Results (in thousands US$, except per ADS(1) data) 2Q FY2025 2Q FY2024 % of change Net revenues 1,038,636 869,600 19.4 % Operating income 19,255 21,342 -9.8 % Non-GAAP operating income (2)(3) 27,580 50,902 -45.8 % Net income attributable to New Oriental 31,931 30,066 6.2 % Non-GAAP net income attributable to New Oriental (2)(3) 35,541 50,158 -29.1 % Net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental - basic 0.20 0.18 7.9 % Net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental - diluted 0.19 0.18 9.6 % Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental - basic (2)(3)(4) 0.22 0.30 -28.0 % Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental - diluted (2)(3)(4) 0.22 0.29 -26.4 % (in thousands US$, except per ADS(1) data) 1H FY2025 1H FY2024 % of change Net revenues 2,474,052 1,969,621 25.6 % Operating income 312,405 226,466 37.9 % Non-GAAP operating income (2)(3) 327,583 295,657 10.8 % Net income attributable to New Oriental 277,361 195,452 41.9 % Non-GAAP net income attributable to New Oriental (2)(3) 300,273 239,476 25.4 % Net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental - basic 1.69 1.18 43.1 % Net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental - diluted 1.68 1.17 44.3 % Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental - basic (2)(3)(4) 1.83 1.45 26.5 % Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental - diluted (2)(3)(4) 1.82 1.42 28.0 % (1) Each ADS represents ten common shares.The Hong Kong-listed shares are fully fungible with the ADSs listed on NYSE. (2) GAAP represents Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America. (3) New Oriental provides net income attributable to New Oriental, operating income and net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental on a non-GAAP basis that excludes share-based compensation expenses and gain (loss) from fair value change of investments to provide supplemental information regarding its operating performance. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section captioned "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the tables captioned "Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures to the Most Comparable GAAP Measures" set forth at the end of this release. (4) The Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental is computed using Non-GAAP net income attributable to New Oriental and the same number of shares and ADSs used in GAAP basic and diluted EPS calculation. Operating Highlights for the Second Fiscal Quarter Ended November 30 , 2024 Michael Yu, New Oriental's Executive Chairman, commented, "We are encouraged by the sustained healthy top line growth of 19.4% in the second fiscal quarter of this year. Total net revenues, excluding revenues generated from East Buy private label products and livestreaming business, increased by 31.3% year over year. Our overseas test preparation and overseas study consulting business increased by approximately 21.1% and 31.0% year over year, respectively. In addition, the domestic test preparation business targeting adults and university students recorded a growth of approximately 34.9% year over year. Furthermore, our new educational business initiatives have maintained strong momentum this fiscal quarter, with revenue growth of 42.6% year over year. Among these initiatives, our non-academic tutoring courses were offered in around 60 cities, attracting approximately 994,000 student enrollments in this fiscal quarter. Simultaneously, our intelligent learning system and devices were adopted in around 60 cities, with approximately 261,000 active paid users in this fiscal quarter. With our strong educational resources, we will continue to execute our long-term strategy of balancing healthy and sustainable growth while improving profitability, supported by our improving service quality and operating efficiency." Chenggang Zhou, New Oriental's Chief Executive Officer, added, "In this fiscal quarter, we closely monitored our capacity expansion to align with revenue growth and operating efficiency. At the same time, we continued to devote efforts to revamp our online-merge-offline teaching system and apply new technologies to enhance user experience and support the growth of our educational offerings. Furthermore, for the first six months of fiscal year 2025, East Buy expanded its private label offerings to 600 SKUs, including healthcare and pet foods. Its private label products contributed approximately 37% of total GMV. To reach a wider customer base, East Buy leveraged a multi-platform approach with online shops and livestreaming, and it is also exploring offline channels through vending machines in EDU learning centers." Stephen Zhihui Yang, New Oriental's Executive President and Chief Financial Officer, commented, "Despite the second quarter traditionally being the slowest of the year, we managed to generate a Non-GAAP operating profit of US$27.6 million for the quarter and delivered a slight year over year improvement in operating margin for our core educational business this fiscal quarter. To better reflect New Oriental's core educational businesses, the following operating margin numbers in this fiscal quarter exclude the financial results of East Buy's private label products and livestreaming business. Our GAAP operating margin for the quarter, excluding operating margin generated from East Buy private label products and livestreaming business, was 2.8%, representing an improvement of 100 basis points year over year. Our Non-GAAP operating margin, excluding operating margin generated from East Buy private label products and livestreaming business for the quarter, was 3.2%, representing an improvement of 12 basis points year over year. We recorded a positive operating cash flow of US$313.3 million this quarter and by the end of this fiscal quarter, our cash and cash equivalents, term deposits and short-term investments totaled approximately US$4.8 billion. In the second half of this fiscal year, we will continue focusing on enhancing utilization of facilities and improving operational efficiency. We are confident in our ability to create sustainable value for our customers and shareholders in the long term." Recent Development On August 19, 2024, New Oriental announced its board of directors approved a special cash dividend of US$0.06 per common share, or US$0.6 per ADS, to holders of common shares and ADSs of record as of the close of business on September 9, 2024, Beijing /Hong Kong Time and New York Time, respectively. The payment date was on or around September 23, 2024, for holders of common shares and September 26, 2024, for holders of ADSs. The total cash dividend distributed was approximately US$100 million. Share Repurchase The Company's board of directors approved a Share Repurchase Program in July 2022, under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to US$400 million of the Company's ADSs or common shares through the next twelve months. The Company's board of directors further approved extending the effective time of the Share Repurchase Program to May 31, 2025, and increasing the aggregate value of shares that the Company is authorized to repurchase from US$400 million to US$700 million. As of January 20, 2025, the Company had repurchased an aggregate of approximately 11.2 million ADSs for approximately US$542.8 million from the open market under this Share Repurchase Program. Financial Results for the Second Fiscal Quarter Ended November 30 , 2024 Net Revenues For the second fiscal quarter of 2025, New Oriental reported net revenues of US$1,038.6 million, representing a 19.4% increase year over year. Net revenues, excluding revenues generated from East Buy private label products and livestreaming business, were US$894.2 million, representing a 31.3% increase year over year. The growth was mainly driven by the increase in the net revenues from our educational new business initiatives. Operating Costs and Expenses Operating costs and expenses for the quarter were US$1,019.4 million, representing a 20.2% increase year over year. Non-GAAP operating costs and expenses for the quarter, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, were US$1,011.1 million, representing a 23.5% increase year over year. The increase was primarily due to the cost and expenses related to the accelerated capacity expansion for educational businesses and newly integrated tourism-related business. Cost of revenues for the quarter increased by 17.9% year over year to US$498.3 million. for the quarter increased by 17.9% year over year to US$498.3 million. Selling and marketing expenses for the quarter increased by 26.6% year over year to US$196.1 million. for the quarter increased by 26.6% year over year to US$196.1 million. General and administrative expenses for the quarter increased by 20.0% year over year to US$324.9 million. Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses for the quarter, which exclude share-based compensation expenses, were US$319.4 million, representing a 24.7% increase year over year. Total share-based compensation expenses for the quarter, which were allocated to related operating costs and expenses, decreased by 71.8% to US$8.3 million in the second fiscal quarter of 2025. Operating Income and Operating Margin Operating income for the quarter was US$19.3 million, representing a 9.8% decrease year over year. Non-GAAP income from operations for the quarter was US$27.6 million, representing a 45.8% decrease year over year. Operating margin for the quarter was 1.9%, compared to 2.5% in the same period of the prior fiscal year. Non-GAAP operating margin for the quarter, which excludes share-based compensation expenses, for the quarter was 2.7%, compared to 5.9% in the same period of the prior fiscal year. Net Income and Net Income per ADS Net income attributable to New Oriental for the quarter was US$31.9 million, representing a 6.2% increase year over year. Basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental were US$0.20 and US$0.19, respectively. Non-GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Net Income per ADS Non-GAAP net income attributable to New Oriental for the quarter was US$35.5 million, representing a 29.1% decrease year over year. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental were US$0.22 and US$0.22, respectively. Cash Flow Net operating cash inflow for the second fiscal quarter of 2025 was approximately US$313.3 million and capital expenditures for the quarter were US$60.6 million. Balance Sheet As of November 30, 2024, New Oriental had cash and cash equivalents of US$1,418.2 million. In addition, the Company had US$1,443.2 million in term deposits and US$1,951.4 million in short-term investment. New Oriental's deferred revenue, which represents cash collected upfront from customers and related revenue that will be recognized as the services or goods are delivered, at the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 was US$1,960.6 million, an increase of 19.2% as compared to US$1,645.0 million at the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2024. Financial Results for the Six Months Ended November 30, 202 4 For the first six months of fiscal year 2025, New Oriental reported net revenues of US$2,474.1 million, representing a 25.6% increase year over year. Operating income for the first six months of fiscal year 2025 was US$312.4 million, representing a 37.9% increase year over year. Non-GAAP operating income for the first six months of fiscal year 2025 was US$327.6 million, representing a 10.8% increase year over year. Operating margin for the first six months of fiscal year 2025 was 12.6%, compared to 11.5% for the same period of the prior fiscal year. Non-GAAP operating margin for the first six months of fiscal year 2025, which excludes share-based compensation expenses, was 13.2%, compared to 15.0% for the same period of the prior fiscal year. Net income attributable to New Oriental for the first six months of fiscal year 2025 was US$277.4 million, representing a 41.9% increase year over year. Basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental for the first six months of fiscal year 2025 amounted to US$1.69 and US$1.68, respectively. Non-GAAP net income attributable to New Oriental for the first six months of fiscal year 2025 was US$300.3 million, representing a 25.4% increase year over year. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental for the first six months of fiscal year 2025 amounted to US$1.83 and US$1.82, respectively. East Buy's Financial Highlights for the Six Months Ended November 30, 202 4 New Oriental's subsidiary, East Buy Holding Limited ("East Buy"), a well-known private label products and livestreaming e-commerce platform in China listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, announced its financial results under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") for the first six months of fiscal year 2025. East Buy's financial information in this section is presented in accordance with IFRSs. For the first six months ended November 30, 2024, East Buy recorded the total revenue from continuing operations of RMB2.2 billion (US$304.9 million), a 9.3% decrease from the revenue from continuing operations of RMB2.4 billion in the same period of the prior fiscal year, and recorded a net loss from continuing operations of RMB96.5 million (US$13.5 million), compared to a net profit from continuing operations of RMB160.7 million in the same period of the prior fiscal year. As there was the disposal of Time with Yuhui during the reporting period, if we excluded the financial impact from the disposal of Time with Yuhui, which are about the one-off expense incurred and profit generated by Time with Yuhui, the net profit from continuing operations was RMB32.7 million for the six months ended November 30, 2024. East Buy's gross profit from continuing operations was RMB735.1 million (US$102.5 million) and gross profit from continuing operations margin was 33.6% for the six months ended November 30, 2024. The translations of RMB amounts into U.S. dollars in this section are presented solely for the convenience of the readers. The conversion of RMB into U.S. dollars is based on the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of November 30, 2024, which was RMB7.1706 to US$1.00. The percentages stated in this section are calculated based on the RMB amounts. Outlook for the Third Quarter of the Fiscal Year 2025 New Oriental expects total net revenues, excluding revenues generated from East Buy private label products and livestreaming business, in the third quarter of the fiscal year 2025 (December 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025) to be in the range of US$1,007.3 million to US$1,032.5 million, representing year over year increase in the range of 18% to 21%. The projected increase of revenue in our functional currency Renminbi is expected to be in the range of 20% to 23% for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2025. This forecast reflects New Oriental's current and preliminary view, which is subject to change. Conference Call Information New Oriental's management will host an earnings conference call at 8 AM on January 21, 2025, U.S. Eastern Time (9 PM on January 21, 2025, Beijing /Hong Kong Time). Please register in advance of the conference, using the link provided below. Upon registering, you will be provided with participant dial-in numbers, and unique personal PIN. Conference call registration link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI41baa2efc73b4357814a196a50b55d82. It will automatically direct you to the registration page of "New Oriental FY2025 Q2 Earnings Conference Call" where you may fill in your details for RSVP. In the 10 minutes prior to the call start time, you may use the conference access information (including dial in number(s) and personal PIN) provided in the confirmation email received at the point of registering. Joining the conference call via a live webcast: Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at http://investor.neworiental.org. Listening to the conference call replay: A replay of the conference call may be accessed via the webcast on-demand by registering at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/47p7vdrz first. The replay will be available until January 21, 2026. About New Oriental New Oriental is a provider of private educational services in China offering a wide range of educational programs, services and products to a varied student population throughout China. New Oriental's program, service and product offerings mainly consist of educational services and test preparation courses, private label products and livestreaming e-commerce, and overseas study consulting services. New Oriental is listed on NYSE (NYSE: EDU) and SEHK (9901.SEHK), respectively. New Oriental's ADSs, each of which represents ten common shares, are listed and traded on the NYSE. The Hong Kong -listed shares are fully fungible with the ADSs listed on NYSE. For more information about New Oriental, please visit http://www.neworiental.org/english/. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the outlook for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, quotations from management in this announcement, as well as New Oriental's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. New Oriental may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about New Oriental's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: our ability to effectively and efficiently manage changes of our existing business and new business; our ability to execute our business strategies; uncertainties in relation to the interpretation and implementation of or proposed changes to, the PRC laws, regulations and policies regarding the private education industry; our ability to attract students without a significant increase in course fees; our ability to maintain and enhance our "New Oriental" brand; our ability to maintain consistent teaching quality throughout our school network, or service quality throughout our brand; our ability to achieve the benefits we expect from recent and future acquisitions; the outcome of ongoing, or any future, litigation or arbitration, including those relating to copyright and other intellectual property rights; competition in the private education sector and livestreaming e-commerce business in China; the continuing efforts of our senior management team and other key personnel, health epidemics and other outbreaks in China; and general economic conditions in China. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in our annual report on Form 20-F and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New Oriental does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and New Oriental undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. About Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement New Oriental's consolidated financial results presented in accordance with GAAP, New Oriental uses the following measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the SEC: net income excluding share-based compensation expenses and gain (loss) from fair value change of investments, operating income excluding share-based compensation expenses, operating cost and expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, general and administrative expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses, operating margin excluding share-based compensation expenses, and basic and diluted net income per ADS and per share excluding share-based compensation expenses and gain (loss) from fair value change of investments. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned "Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures" set forth at the end of this release. New Oriental believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance and liquidity by excluding share-based compensation expenses and gain (loss) from fair value change of investments that may not be indicative of its operating performance from a cash perspective. New Oriental believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing its performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to New Oriental's historical performance and liquidity. New Oriental believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making. A limitation of using these non-GAAP measures is that they exclude share-based compensation charge and gain (loss) from fair value change of investments that has been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in our business. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables have more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures. Contacts For investor and media inquiries, please contact: Ms. Rita Fong Ms. Sisi Zhao FTI Consulting New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. Tel: +852 3768 4548 Tel: +86-10-6260-5568 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) As of November 30 As of May 31 2024 2024 (Unaudited) (Audited) USD USD ASSETS: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1,418,215 1,389,359 Restricted cash, current 169,596 177,411 Term deposits, current 1,343,067 1,320,167 Short-term investments 1,951,356 2,065,579 Accounts receivable, net 35,591 29,689 Inventory, net 92,659 92,806 Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net 355,696 309,464 Amounts due from related parties, current 5,495 4,403 Total current assets 5,371,675 5,388,878 Restricted cash, non-current 23,262 22,334 Term deposits, non-current 100,148 169,203 Property and equipment, net 715,593 507,981 Land use rights, net 4,400 4,450 Amounts due from related parties, non-current 13,564 7,273 Long-term deposits 43,751 38,161 Intangible assets, net 15,787 18,672 Goodwill, net 103,943 103,958 Long-term investments, net 400,971 355,812 Deferred tax assets, net 71,520 72,727 Right-of-use assets 710,175 653,905 Other non-current assets 59,699 188,319 Total assets 7,634,488 7,531,673 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable 92,146 105,681 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 686,538 774,805 Income taxes payable 175,594 139,822 Amounts due to related parties 562 551 Deferred revenue 1,960,630 1,780,063 Operating lease liability, current 218,601 199,933 Total current liabilities 3,134,071 3,000,855 Deferred tax liabilities 14,554 19,407 Unsecured senior notes 14,403 14,403 Operating lease liabilities, non-current 489,829 447,994 Total long-term liabilities 518,786 481,804 Total liabilities 3,652,857 3,482,659 Equity New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. shareholders' equity 3,699,826 3,775,934 Non-controlling interests 281,805 273,080 Total equity 3,981,631 4,049,014 Total liabilities and equity 7,634,488 7,531,673 NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands except for per share and per ADS amounts) For the Three Months Ended November 30 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) USD USD Net revenues 1,038,636 869,600 Operating cost and expenses (note 1) Cost of revenues 498,312 422,558 Selling and marketing 196,121 154,965 General and administrative 324,948 270,735 Total operating cost and expenses 1,019,381 848,258 Operating income 19,255 21,342 Gain/(Loss) from fair value change of investments 2,505 (180) Other income, net 31,008 37,002 Provision for income taxes (14,629) (8,926) Loss from equity method investments (6,292) (14,506) Net income 31,847 34,732 Add: Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interests 84 (4,666) Net income attributable to New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.'s shareholders 31,931 30,066 Net income per share attributable to New Oriental- Basic (note 2) 0.02 0.02 Net income per share attributable to New Oriental- Diluted (note 2) 0.02 0.02 Net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental-Basic (note 2) 0.20 0.18 Net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental- Diluted (note 2) 0.19 0.18 NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC. RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO THE MOST COMPARABLE GAAP MEASURES (In thousands except for per share and per ADS amounts) For the Three Months Ended November 30 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) USD USD General and administrative expenses 324,948 270,735 Less: Share-based compensation expenses in general and administrative expenses 5,527 14,649 Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses 319,421 256,086 Total operating cost and expenses 1,019,381 848,258 Less: Share-based compensation expenses 8,325 29,560 Non-GAAP operating cost and expenses 1,011,056 818,698 Operating income 19,255 21,342 Add: Share-based compensation expenses 8,325 29,560 Non-GAAP operating income 27,580 50,902 Operating margin 1.9 % 2.5 % Non-GAAP operating margin 2.7 % 5.9 % Net income attributable to New Oriental 31,931 30,066 Add: Share-based compensation expenses 6,115 19,912 Less: Gain/(Loss) from fair value change of investments 2,505 (180) Non-GAAP net income attributable to New Oriental 35,541 50,158 Net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental- Basic (note 2) 0.20 0.18 Net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental- Diluted (note 2) 0.19 0.18 Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental - Basic (note 2) 0.22 0.30 Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental - Diluted (note 2) 0.22 0.29 Weighted average shares used in calculating basic net income per ADS (note 2) 1,629,316,430 1,655,069,348 Weighted average shares used in calculating diluted net income per ADS (note 2) 1,638,260,510 1,669,692,046 Non-GAAP net income per share - basic 0.02 0.03 Non-GAAP net income per share - diluted 0.02 0.03 Notes: Note 1: Share-based compensation expenses (in thousands) are included in the operating cost and expenses as follows: For the Three Months Ended November 30 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) USD USD Cost of revenues 710 6,600 Selling and marketing 2,088 8,311 General and administrative 5,527 14,649 Total 8,325 29,560 Note 2: Each ADS represents ten common shares. NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) For the Three Months Ended November 30 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) USD USD Net cash provided by operating activities 313,297 300,586 Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities 210,129 (93,031) Net cash used in financing activities (238,419) (4,725) Effect of exchange rate changes (25,085) 27,195 Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 259,922 230,025 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 1,351,151 1,890,721 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 1,611,073 2,120,746 NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands except for per share and per ADS amounts) For the Six Months Ended November 30 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) USD USD Net revenues 2,474,052 1,969,621 Operating cost and expenses (note 1): Cost of revenues 1,081,833 863,776 Selling and marketing 389,813 291,086 General and administrative 690,001 588,293 Total operating cost and expenses 2,161,647 1,743,155 Operating income 312,405 226,466 (Loss)/Gain from fair value change of investments (9,408) 7,068 Other income, net 70,095 71,730 Provision for income taxes (92,180) (71,456) Loss from equity method investments (6,082) (23,002) Net income 274,830 210,806 Add: Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interests 2,531 (15,354) Net income attributable to New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.'s shareholders 277,361 195,452 Net income per share attributable to New Oriental- Basic (note 2) 0.17 0.12 Net income per share attributable to New Oriental- Diluted (note 2) 0.17 0.12 Net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental- Basic (note 2) 1.69 1.18 Net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental- Diluted (note 2) 1.68 1.17 NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO THE MOST COMPARABLE GAAP MEASURES (In thousands except for per share and per ADS amounts) For the Six Months Ended November 30 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) USD USD General and administrative expenses 690,001 588,293 Less: Share-based compensation expenses in general and administrative expenses 16,125 41,881 Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses 673,876 546,412 Total operating cost and expenses 2,161,647 1,743,155 Less: Share-based compensation expenses 15,178 69,191 Non-GAAP operating cost and expenses 2,146,469 1,673,964 Operating income 312,405 226,466 Add: Share-based compensation expenses 15,178 69,191 Non-GAAP operating income 327,583 295,657 Operating margin 12.6 % 11.5 % Non-GAAP operating margin 13.2 % 15.0 % Net income attributable to New Oriental 277,361 195,452 Add: Share-based compensation expenses 13,504 51,092 Less: (Loss)/Gain from fair value change of investments (9,408) 7,068 Non-GAAP net income attributable to New Oriental 300,273 239,476 Net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental- Basic (note 2) 1.69 1.18 Net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental- Diluted (note 2) 1.68 1.17 Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental - Basic (note 2) 1.83 1.45 Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to New Oriental - Diluted (note 2) 1.82 1.42 Weighted average shares used in calculating basic net income per ADS (note 2) 1,639,044,478 1,653,126,055 Weighted average shares used in calculating diluted net income per ADS (note 2) 1,648,700,192 1,667,494,807 Non-GAAP net income per share - basic 0.18 0.14 Non-GAAP net income per share - diluted 0.18 0.14 Notes: Note 1: Share-based compensation expenses (in thousands) are included in the operating costs and expenses as follows: For the Six Months Ended November 30 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) USD USD Cost of revenues (2,436) 11,572 Selling and marketing 1,489 15,738 General and administrative 16,125 41,881 Total 15,178 69,191 Note 2: Each ADS represents ten common shares. NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) For the Six Months Ended November 30 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) USD USD Net cash provided by operating activities 496,507 636,372 Net cash used in investing activities (85,027) (301,197) Net cash used in financing activities (391,913) (17,716) Effect of exchange rate changes 2,402 (2,140) Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 21,969 315,319 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 1,589,104 1,805,427 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 1,611,073 2,120,746 Reconciliation between US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu was engaged by the company to conduct limited assurance engagement in accordance with Hong Kong Standard on Assurance Engagements 3000 (Revised) "Assurance Engagements Other Than Audits or Reviews of Historical Financial Information" ("HKSAE 3000 (Revised)") issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (the "HKICPA") on the reconciliation of the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended November 30, 2024 and the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 2024 of the company and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the "Group") between the accounting policies adopted by the Group of the relevant period in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (the "US GAAP") and the International Financial Reporting Standards (the "IFRSs") issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (together, the "Reconciliation"). The limited assurance engagement undertaken in accordance with HKSAE 3000 (Revised) involves performing procedures to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence about whether: the related adjustments and reclassifications give appropriate effect to those criteria; and the Reconciliation reflects the proper application of the adjustments and reclassifications to the differences between the Group's accounting policies in accordance with the US GAAP and the IFRSs. The procedures performed by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu were based on their professional judgment, having regard to their understanding of the management's process on preparing the Reconciliation, nature, business performance and financial position of the Group. Given the circumstances of the engagement, the procedures performed included: (i) Comparing the "Amounts as reported under US GAAP" as of and for the six months ended November 30, 2024 in the Reconciliation as set out in the Appendix with the financial results as of and for the six months ended November 30, 2024 prepared in accordance with the US GAAP; (ii) Evaluating the assessment made by the board of directors in identifying the differences between the accounting policies in accordance with the US GAAP and the IFRSs, and the evidence supporting the adjustments and reclassifications made in the Reconciliation in arriving at the "Amounts as reported under IFRSs" in the Reconciliation as set out in the Appendix; and (iii) Checking the arithmetic accuracy of the computation of the Reconciliation as set out in the Appendix. The procedures performed by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in this limited assurance engagement vary in nature and timing from, and are less in extent than for, a reasonable assurance engagement. Consequently, the level of assurance obtained in a limited assurance engagement is substantially lower than the assurance that would have been obtained had a reasonable assurance engagement been performed. Accordingly, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu do not express a reasonable assurance opinion. Based on the procedures performed and evidence obtained, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu have concluded that nothing has come to their attention that causes them to believe that: (I) The "Amounts as reported under US GAAP" as of and for the six months ended November 30, 2024 in the Reconciliation as set out in the Appendix is not in agreement with the financial results as of and for the six months ended November 30, 2024 prepared in accordance with the US GAAP; (ii) The adjustments and reclassifications made in the Reconciliation in arriving at the "Amounts as reported under IFRSs" in the Reconciliation as set out in the Appendix, do not reflect, in all material respects, the different accounting treatments according to the Group's accounting policies in accordance with the US GAAP and the IFRSs of the relevant period; and (iii) The computation of the Reconciliation as set out in the Appendix is not arithmetically accurate. Appendix The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with US GAAP, which differ in certain respects from IFRSs. The effects of material differences between the consolidated financial statements of the Group prepared under US GAAP and IFRSs are as follows: For the six months ended November 30, 2023 IFRSs adjustments Amounts as reported under US GAAP Investments measured at fair value Share-based compensation Lease accounting Amounts as reported under IFRSs Note i Note ii Note iii (US$ in thousand) Cost of revenues (863,776) - 2,176 1,189 (860,411) Selling and marketing (291,086) - 2,356 130 (288,600) General and administrative (588,293) - (618) 290 (588,621) Operating income 226,466 - 3,914 1,609 231,989 Interest expense (144) - - (9,786) (9,930) Gain/(Loss) from fair value change of investments 7,068 11,098 - - 18,166 Income before income taxes and loss from equity method investments 305,264 11,098 3,914 (8,177) 312,099 Provision for income taxes (71,456) (2,775) - - (74,231) Net income 210,806 8,323 3,914 (8,177) 214,866 Net income attributable to New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.'s shareholders 195,452 8,323 3,914 (8,177) 199,512 For the six months ended November 30, 2024 IFRSs adjustments Amounts as reported under US GAAP Investments measured at fair value Share-based compensation Lease accounting Amounts as reported under IFRSs Note i Note ii Note iii (US$ in thousand) Cost of revenues (1,081,833) - (3,568) 8,729 (1,076,672) Selling and marketing (389,813) - (1,930) 971 (390,772) General and administrative (690,001) - (3,921) 2,425 (691,497) Operating income 312,405 - (9,419) 12,125 315,111 Interest expense (182) - - (15,493) (15,675) Gain/(Loss) from fair value change of investments (9,408) (6,106) - - (15,514) Income before income taxes and loss from equity method investments 373,092 (6,106) (9,419) (3,368) 354,199 Provision for income taxes (92,180) 1,527 - - (90,653) Net income 274,830 (4,579) (9,419) (3,368) 257,464 Net income attributable to New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.'s shareholders 277,361 (4,579) (9,419) (3,368) 259,995 As of May 31, 2024 IFRSs adjustments Amounts as reported under US GAAP Investments measured at fair value Share-based compensation Lease accounting Amounts as reported under IFRSs Note i Note ii Note iii (US$ in thousand) ASSETS Long-term investments, net 355,812 (184,463) - - 171,349 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss - 187,098 - - 187,098 Right-of-use assets 653,905 - - (16,805) 637,100 Total assets 7,531,673 2,635 - (16,805) 7,517,503 LIABILITIES Deferred tax liabilities 19,407 614 - - 20,021 Total liabilities 3,482,659 614 - - 3,483,273 Total New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. shareholders' equity 3,775,934 2,021 - (16,805) 3,761,150 Total equity 4,049,014 2,021 - (16,805) 4,034,230 Total liabilities and equity 7,531,673 2,635 - (16,805) 7,517,503 As of November 30, 2024 IFRSs adjustments Amounts as reported under US GAAP Investments measured at fair value Share-based compensation Lease accounting Amounts as reported under IFRSs Note i Note ii Note iii (US$ in thousand) ASSETS Long-term investments, net 400,971 (224,498) - - 176,473 Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss - 226,690 - - 226,690 Right-of-use assets 710,175 - - (20,173) 690,002 Total assets 7,634,488 2,192 - (20,173) 7,616,507 LIABILITIES Deferred tax liabilities 14,554 503 - - 15,057 Total liabilities 3,652,857 503 - - 3,653,360 Total New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. shareholders' equity 3,699,826 1,689 - (20,173) 3,681,342 Total equity 3,981,631 1,689 - (20,173) 3,963,147 Total liabilities and equity 7,634,488 2,192 - (20,173) 7,616,507 Notes (i) Investments measured at fair value Under US GAAP, the Group elects measurement alternative to the fair value measurement for the equity securities without readily determinable fair values, under which these investments are measured at cost, less impairment, plus or minus observable price changes of an identical or similar investment of the same issuer with the fair value change recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. For investments in investee's shares which are determined to be debt securities, the Group accounts for them as available-for-sale investments when they are not classified as either trading or held-to-maturity investments. Available-for-sale investments are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Realized gains or losses on the sales of these securities are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. Under IFRSs, the aforementioned investments are classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss and measured at fair value. Fair value changes of these long-term investments are recognized in profit or loss. (ii) Share-based compensation Under US GAAP, the Group recognized as compensation expenses net of forfeitures as they occur using graded vesting method over the requisite service period. Under IFRSs, the compensation expenses are recognized net of estimated forfeitures using graded vesting method over the requisite service period. (iii) Lease accounting Under US GAAP, the amortization of the right-of-use assets and interest expense related to the lease liabilities are recorded together as lease expense to produce a straight-line recognition effect in profit or loss. Under IFRSs, the amortization of the right-of-use asset is on a straight-line basis while the interest expense related to the lease liabilities are measured at amortized cost. SOURCE New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc. Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Shine Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SMR.H) (the "Company") announces that it is actively exploring gold opportunities within Namibia's renowned Damara Orogenic Gold Belt.This region hosts several prominent gold mines and deposits, including the Twin Hills Deposit (2.1mil ounces), the Navachab Gold Mine (3 million ounces), and B2Gold's Ojikoto Gold Mine (620,000 ounces). Namibia actively welcomes foreign companies and offers investor-friendly policies designed to encourage mining exploration and development. The country is home to numerous international firms engaged in exploration and mining operations. Renowned as a major producer of uranium, industrial minerals, and diamonds, Namibia stands out as a prime destination for mining investment opportunities. About Shine Minerals Corp. Shine Minerals Corp is a Canada-based natural resource focused company. The Company is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, evaluation, and development of mineral resource assets. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Mr. Devinder Randhawa Chief Executive Officer Neither the CSE Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements that address the Company's plans for its properties/projects, the closing of the debt settlement, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of metals, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, the impact of Covid-19 or other viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate, adverse weather conditions, equipment failures, failure to obtain the necessary equipment or machinery, failure to maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), increase in costs, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237911 SOURCE: Shine Minerals Corp. Driving revenue protection, regulatory compliance, and brand trust, this partnership integrates Swiss-made S/MIME certificates for seamless sender authentication, scalable encryption, and enhanced message integrity. Echoworx, a global leader in cloud-based email encryption, has announced a strategic partnership with SwissSign, the top Swiss trust service provider operating in Central Europe and a globally recognized authority in secure digital certificates. SwissSign is distinguished by its rigorous Swiss-made approach-featuring root key material securely stored at Swiss banks, and operations housed in Swiss data centers. The partnership marks an important step in Echoworx's expansion across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Email security is increasingly critical for protecting revenue, reputation, and regulatory compliance. However, only 40% of organizations have adopted enhanced email security, with many citing the complexity of S/MIME deployment, according to Gartner. Echoworx and SwissSign aim to simplify and scale email security, offering a user-friendly, automated solution. Meeting Growing Cybersecurity Demands in DACH DACH is one of Europe's most digitally advanced and compliance-driven markets, particularly under tightening regulations such as FADP and GDPR. This collaboration represents a significant alignment of priorities. SwissSign's impeccable credentials complement Echoworx's expertise in email encryption, setting a higher standard for secure communication in this key region. "Switzerland is one of Europe's most digitally competitive regions," said Steve Davis, Director of Products at Echoworx. "Our partnership with SwissSign ensures organizations don't have to choose between security and usability. This is about solving real challenges with real solutions." Automating Email Security for Business Success SwissSign, trusted for issuing over 2 million certificates globally, brings rigorous Swiss-made standards to Echoworx's platform, delivering key benefits: Automated Certificate Management: Simplifies S/MIME deployment, reducing IT workloads and errors. Simplifies S/MIME deployment, reducing IT workloads and errors. Enhanced Phishing Protection: Verifies sender authenticity and protects against email tampering. Verifies sender authenticity and protects against email tampering. Compliance-Driven Encryption: Enhances GDPR (TOM) compliance, reducing legal risks. The automation of S/MIME provisioning also minimizes productivity disruptions, allowing businesses to adopt Zero-Trust security principles without compromising efficiency. "Businesses increasingly recognize that data breaches are not just IT problems-they're revenue and reputation problems," said Anantha Ayer, CEO SwissSign. "With over 20 years of experience and by providing trusted Swiss quality certificates for Echoworx we tackle these challenges head-on, proving that convenience and security can, and should, go hand in hand." The integration of Echoworx and SwissSign brings advanced S/MIME encryption, addressing critical security and compliance demands in one of Europe's most competitive markets. This partnership reinforces their leadership in secure communication. About Echoworx Echoworx stands as a globally recognized provider of secure email solutions, delivering a customizable encryption platform designed to ensure seamless communication security for both individuals and enterprises. With a team of experts at the helm, Echoworx enables top-tier organizations to effortlessly transmit protected emails, statements, and documents from any device or location, without sacrificing experience or security. Trusted by industry leaders in over 30 countries, Echoworx provides state-of-the-art secure communication services. For further information, please visit www.echoworx.com. About SwissSign SwissSign is a recognised Swiss trust service provider (TSP) and a leading expert in trust services. With our services, we provide a robust public key infrastructure that enables secure digital certificates as well as signatures and identity verification, ensuring trusted and legally compliant digital interactions. SwissSign empowers clients to uphold the highest standards of data protection, privacy, and compliance while empowering digital sovereignty and ensuring their business operates securely and within regulations. Our fully self-managed, geo-redundant infrastructure, exclusively in Switzerland, guarantees sensitive customer data is handled with unparalleled protection, offering our clients and their customers unmatched peace of mind. Further information is available on swisssign.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121870408/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Lorena Magee, Chief Marketing Officer, info@echoworx.com News provided by World News Media LONDON, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PrimeXBT, a leading multi-asset broker, has been named the 'Fastest Growing CFD Broker in South Africa' for 2024 by World Finance. The award recognises PrimeXBT's exceptional growth and commitment to providing innovative trading solutions in the South African market. This accolade comes following PrimeXBT's recent expansion into South Africa and its acquisition of a license from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). The FSCA license has enabled PrimeXBT to offer its comprehensive suite of trading services to South African traders, including access to a wide range of financial instruments and cutting-edge trading tools. PrimeXBT's rapid growth in South Africa can be attributed to its user-friendly platform, competitive trading conditions, and commitment to regulatory compliance. The broker offers traders access to over 100 popular markets, including Crypto Futures, and CFDs on Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, and Commodities, all through a single, intuitive interface. With highly competitive trading fees, engaging rewards, and educational resources, PrimeXBT has quickly become a popular option for traders in the region. However, as with any trading activity, it is important to understand the risks involved. Matthew Hayward, Senior Market Analyst at PrimeXBT, commented on the award: "We are honoured to receive this recognition from World Finance. It validates our efforts to provide South African traders with a superior trading experience. Our focus on innovation, education, and customer support has resonated strongly with the local trading community. We are committed to continually enhancing our offerings to meet the evolving needs of South African traders and contribute to the growth of the financial markets in the region." Looking ahead, PrimeXBT remains dedicated to its mission of democratising access to financial markets in South Africa. The company plans to further expand its educational resources, introduce new trading instruments, and enhance its trading capabilities. As the company continues to grow its presence in South Africa, it will maintain its focus on empowering traders to achieve their financial goals. Learn more about PrimeXBT South Africa. Disclaimer: The content provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended as personal investment advice and does not constitute a solicitation or invitation to engage in any financial transactions, investments, or related activities. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. The financial products offered by the Company are complex and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. These products may not be suitable for all investors. Before engaging, you should consider whether you understand how these leveraged products work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money. The Company does not accept clients from the Restricted Jurisdictions as indicated in our website. PrimeXBT (PTY) LTD (previously named Stack Advisory (PTY) LTD) is an authorised financial services provider in South Africa with licence number 45697. PrimeXBT (PTY) LTD acts as an intermediary between the investor and the market maker which is the counterparty to the products purchased through PrimeXBT. World News Media, the parent company of World Finance, is a leading publisher of quality financial and business magazines, which enjoys a global distribution network that includes subscriber lists of prominent decision-makers around the world. Contact information: Richard Willcox World News Media +44 (0)207 553 4151 richard@wnmedia.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/primexbt-wins-fastest-growing-cfd-broker-in-south-africa-award-from-world-finance-302355457.html SYDNEY, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axi, a leading global provider of online trading services, is excited to announce the launch of a new and enhanced feature for its Axi Select program: the Edge Score Explainer. Designed to offer Axi Select traders deeper, more actionable insights into their trading performance, this dynamic tool will help users optimise their strategies and sharpen their trading skills. The Axi Select program launched by Axi last year, is specifically crafted to empower traders by offering them a pathway to access capital funding up to $1,000,000 USD and facilitating their progression into professional trading. Setting a new precedent within the industry, Axi Select offers traders the exceptional advantage to join the program with zero registration fees, as well as the opportunity to earn up to 90% of their profits. The Edge Score is key for AS traders-it plays a crucial role in advancing through the stages of the program, and it offers personalised insights to help traders improve their trading performance. However, until now, the specific factors influencing this score have not always been immediately clear. With the launch of the Edge Score Explainer, traders will now have access to personalized, real-time insights that clarify what's driving their score and how they can improve it. Key Features of the Edge Score Explainer: Personalized Insights : The Edge Score Explainer delivers tailored suggestions for improving your score, helping traders identify weaknesses and, ultimately, achieve higher scores. : The Edge Score Explainer delivers tailored suggestions for improving your score, helping traders identify weaknesses and, ultimately, achieve higher scores. Real-Time Updates : This feature updates dynamically, reflecting changes in trading behavior and providing an up-to-date view of your performance. : This feature updates dynamically, reflecting changes in trading behavior and providing an up-to-date view of your performance. Clear Performance Metrics : The explainer highlights the top three behaviors that most impact your score, making it easier to focus on the right areas for improvement. : The explainer highlights the top three behaviors that most impact your score, making it easier to focus on the right areas for improvement. Actionable Data: Traders can now see the specific points they can gain and the highest possible score they can achieve, empowering them to improve their trading performance and achieve higher scores. "We've heard from our traders that understanding and improving the Edge Score was a challenge, and we're thrilled to offer this new explainer feature to help our users navigate their performance more effectively," said Greg Rubin, Head of Axi Select at Axi. "Our goal is to make it easier for traders to improve their results with clear, actionable insights, and the Edge Score Explainer is a helpful tool to support this process." The Edge Score Explainer is now available to all Axi Select traders and can be accessed through the Axi Client Portal. The Axi Select program is exclusively available to clients of AxiTrader Limited. CFDs carry a high risk of investment loss. This content is not available for residents of AU, NZ, EU, or the UK. Standard trading fees apply. For more details, please refer to our Terms of Service. About Axi Axi is a global leader in online trading, offering traders of all levels access to cutting-edge tools, resources, and market insights to enhance their trading experience. As a trusted provider in the trading industry, Axi is committed to delivering innovative solutions that empower its clients to achieve their trading goals. Contact us: mediaenquiries@axi.com BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - U.K. stocks are marginally higher Tuesday morning, extending recent gains, as investors continue to assess the likely moves of Donald Trump, who was sworn-in on Monday as the President of the United States.The mood is cautious with investors digesting the nation's unemployment data, and weighing the possible impact of Trump's policies on international trade and potential tariffs and his take on the current geopolitical tensions.Investors are also closely following the proceedings at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos.The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 10.17 points or 0.12% at 8,530.71 a few minutes ago.Lloyds Banking Group shares are up 4.3%. Airtel Africa is gaining 1.8%, while Barclays Group, Auto Trader Group, 3l Group and Beazley are advancing 1 to 1.3%.Natwest Group, Ashtead, Hiscox, IAG, Relx, Schrodders and DS Smith are modestly higher.Anglo American Plc, BT Group, Rightmove, J Sainsbury, Associated British Foods, Antofagasta, Haleon, Easyjet, Mondi and Diageo are down 1 to 1.7%.Data from the Office for National Statistics showed the UK unemployment rate rose slightly in the third quarter and wage growth remained high but falling vacancies signals a decrease in pay pressures.The data said the unemployment rate rose to 4.4% in the September to November period, as expected, from 4.3% in the three months to October.Average earnings excluding bonuses grew 5.6% in three months to November from a year ago, slightly faster than the forecast of 5.5%. Earnings including bonuses also climbed 5.6% annually, which was in line with expectations.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Renault is undergoing a significant leadership transition as Thierry Pieton, the company's current Chief Financial Officer, prepares to step down at the end of February. The French automaker has appointed Duncan Minto, who brings 25 years of automotive industry experience and currently serves as Alpine's financial director, as the new CFO. This change comes at a crucial time for Renault, which has demonstrated remarkable recovery from its record losses in 2020, outperforming major European competitor Volkswagen in recent financial metrics. The transition occurs as the company faces increasingly stringent EU CO2 emission regulations in its primary market, presenting substantial financial implications for the automotive manufacturer. Market Performance Indicators The company's stock has shown resilience despite recent market fluctuations, with shares trading at 47.96 following a 1.59% decline on January 20, 2025. While experiencing this short-term dip, Renault maintains a strong market position, demonstrated by a 3.92% gain over the previous month and a market capitalization of 14.3 billion. The upcoming fourth-quarter results for 2024, scheduled for February 13, 2025, are eagerly anticipated by investors, with the company currently trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.06 for 2025. Ad Fresh Renault information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Renault analysis... WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump has announced that the United States is withdrawing from the World Health Organization.In one of the dozens of executive orders he signed on Monday, Trump cited the 'organization's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states,' as reasons for his decision, which drew criticism by public health experts.The action will also prevent a large amount of funding flowing from Washington to the cash-strapped UN health agency to carry out its multiple global obligationsThe World Health Organization last week had called for $ 1.5 billion for its 2025 Health Emergency Appeal, to support life-saving health interventions worldwide.Trump's announcement comes at a time conflict, climate change, epidemics, and displacement are converging to create an unparalleled global health crisis, with 305 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in 2025.According to Trump, the U.S. Government was paying too much money to WHO compared to other donors.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Colle AI, the groundbreaking multichain AI-NFT platform, has allocated 150 million COLLE tokens to Trump's World Liberty Fi. This strategic allocation underscores Colle AI's commitment to advancing decentralized innovation and fostering growth within the AI-powered NFT space. Empowering innovation with Colle AI's multichain solutions. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8833/237897_47.jpg As a platform dedicated to merging artificial intelligence with blockchain technology, Colle AI has been at the forefront of enabling seamless and hyper-realistic NFT experiences. The allocation of 150 million COLLE tokens is a testament to the platform's mission to expand its ecosystem and empower projects that leverage AI-driven tools to redefine digital creativity and utility. The collaboration with Trump's World Liberty Fi amplifies Colle AI's vision of building scalable and sustainable blockchain solutions. These tokens will bolster liquidity and support the development of decentralized applications, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in the AI-NFT ecosystem. Colle AI's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting projects across blockchain networks highlights its role as a leader in the decentralized space, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth for the entire ecosystem. About Colle AI Colle AI leverages AI technology to simplify the NFT creation process, empowering creators to transform ideas into digital assets. The platform fosters accessibility and innovation in the digital art and blockchain spaces. Social Media Twitter Instagram To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237897 SOURCE: Kaj Labs Joint Solution Disrupts Ransomware Payloads and Insulates Companies from the Threat of Extortion Campaigns Halcyon, a leading platform designed from day one to defeat ransomware, today launched an expanded Halcyon Revolution Partner Program in the United Kingdom (U.K.) as a key part of its strategy to accelerate global growth. In conjunction with the launch, Halcyon announced a strategic partnership with U.K. cybersecurity solutions provider and distributor Distology to improve ransomware resilience. Halcyon and Distology are combining forces to fill every endpoint protection gap in their joint mission to defeat ransomware and prevent business downtime. "Halcyon is designed to work in concert with other aspects of the security stack to help companies maximise the return on their security investments," said Chris Catanzaro, VP of Global MSSP and Channels, Halcyon. "Our partner program expansion in the U.K. with Distology as a strategic partner will deliver the outcomes that business leaders want in response to ransomware no business impact. With Halcyon's anti-ransomware platform and Distology's market acceleration, we can insulate customers from ransomware and give companies peace of mind." The Halcyon Anti-Ransomware Platform insulates organisations from disruptive ransomware attacks. Ransomware operators regularly bypass security prevention controls, but the unique Halcyon key material capture and automated decryption capabilities prevent threat actors from triggering ransomware payloads. While Halcyon Data Exfiltration Prevention (DXP) prevents threat actors from executing extortion campaigns, Distology brings a business-centric approach to risk analysis to deliver outcome-oriented results while reducing operating costs, optimising productivity, and enhancing service quality. The combination of Halcyon and Distology enables organisations to withstand ransomware attacks with minimal business impact. "At Distology, we're continuously surveying the market for cybersecurity technologies that make a real difference in the war against cyber threats," said Lance Williams, CTO at Distology. "Our new partnership with one of the newest cyber tech unicorns, Halcyon, brings the potential to our partners to offer their customers a fundamental upgrade to their cyber defences to counter our greatest opposition: ransomware. With targeted threat techniques evolving throughout 2025, thanks to AI-powered text, voice and video phishing, Halcyon's anti-ransomware technology protects at the system level of every endpoint. I'm confident that this ground-breaking technology, brilliant team of people, and complementary fit with existing endpoint protection platforms will spark positive defence upgrades for end customers and buoyant business growth for our channel partners." The launch of the expanded Halcyon Revolution Partner Program closely follows the closing of Halcyon's $100M Series C funding round that valued the company at $1B. The funds will be used to accelerate global growth through a channel-led go-to-market strategy. The Halcyon Revolution Partner program enables solution providers to become the trusted ransomware expert for their customers and leverage the most innovative ransomware-specific prevention, detection and recovery solution available. To learn more about joining the Halcyon Revolution Partner Program, visit https://www.halcyon.ai/partners. For further information on the Halcyon platform visit: www.halcyon.ai. About Halcyon Halcyon is the only cybersecurity company that eliminates the business impact of ransomware. Modern enterprises rely on Halcyon to prevent ransomware attacks, eradicating cybercriminals' ability to encrypt systems, steal data, and extort companies. Backed by an industry-leading warranty, the Halcyon Anti-Ransomware Platform drastically reduces downtime, enabling organisations to quickly and easily recover from attacks without paying ransoms or relying on backups. About Distology Distology is a multi-award-winning, passionate, and highly knowledgeable cybersecurity solutions provider distributing leading and emerging cybersecurity technologies and services across the EMEA region. Distology's services team, Distology Studios, provide expertise in the areas of Workspace Identity, Consumer Identity and Software Engineering. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121173279/en/ Contacts: Media: Sarah Graham Marketbridge for Halcyon halcyon@marketbridge.com OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump on Day 1 of his second term in office has revealed plans to impose 25 percent tariffs on import of goods from Mexico and Canada.At a signing ceremony at the Oval Office after swearing in on Monday, Trump said the new tariff will come into force on February 1 in an effort by his administration to force the neighboring countries to crack down on illegal immigration and drug smuggling into the U.S.If implemented, the drastic change in North American trade policy could lead to imported goods from these countries turn costlier for American consumers.Both Canada and Mexico are highly dependent on trade with the U.S.Likewise, the United States is a major exporter to both these countries.Steep hike in tariffs raise the prospect of Canada and Mexico imposing retaliatory tariffs on goods imported from the U.S., according to reports.Around 75 percent of Canadian exports go to south, which was worth $418 billion last year.In 2024, Mexico had exported $475 billion worth of goods to the U.S.Trump has also threatened to impose an 'additional 10 percent tariff, above any additional tariffs' on China if it doesn't take tough action on fentanyl smuggling.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Founders Metals Inc. (TSXV: FDR) (OTCQX: FDMIF) (FSE: 9DL0) ("Founders" or the "Company") announces a new high-grade gold discovery 1.8 kilometres (km) west of the Lawa Prospect, at the Antino Gold Project ("Antino" or "Project") in southeastern Suriname (Figure 1). The Company highlights grab sample results with assays ranging from 1.5 to 66.8 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au), and 17.8 metres (m) of 5.68 g/t Au in the first channel sample over the newly identified high-grade structure. The discovery highlights an emerging, multi-kilometre parallel gold trend east of the main >15 km Antino structure (Figure 1, dashed line). The Company recently began drilling the new zone as the first of more than ten new high-priority drill targets planned for 2025. Highlights Gold mineralization confirmed in a broad, high-grade shear zone with 17.8 m of 5.68 g/t Au in first channel Four additional grab samples were taken from Van Gogh with grades of 66.8 g/t Au, 11.0 g/t Au, 7.8 g/t Au and 1.5 g/t Au Current mapping indicates the structure extends >300 m along strike, with an average estimated true width of ~20 m for the main shear Sampling, LiDAR analysis, and mapping indicate more than one mineralized structure First of over ten 2025 exploration targets tested with similar overlapping geological characteristics as at Upper Antino Fully funded 60,000 m 2025 drill plan focuses on new discoveries and further extending known gold mineralization Colin Padget, President and CEO, commented "With all four drills back turning following a three-week break over the holidays, we're starting out strong in 2025. Our focus this year is on making new discoveries and continuing to grow what we know at Antino. Our technical team has identified 10-12 new areas with geological characteristics like those leading to December's Da Vinci Zone discovery and today's 17.8 m channel of 5.68 g/t Au is our first example of this approach in action. Our fully funded 60,000 m drill program is now underway with assay results beginning to roll in from the lab. With ongoing expansion drilling in several areas and our plan to rapidly test new targets, we will continue our track record of regularly releasing news throughout 2025. We look forward to a busy and exciting 2025." New 'Van Gogh' Zone Geology The Van Gogh prospect is situated 1.8 km from Lawa and 3.8 km from Da Vinci, and forms part of an emerging multi-kilometre northwest oriented gold trend that includes Lower Antino and Maria Geralda targets and is actively being developed by surficial teams (Figure 1). The first diamond drill hole of a planned 1,500 m phase 1 drill program is underway to test gold mineralization at depth and along strike. Gold mineralization at Van Gogh occurs within an ~20 m wide mylonite zone comprising heavily sheared, decimetre-scale quartz and quartz breccia zones throughout the interval. Gold bearing intervals contain 2-5% disseminated and boxwork pyrite, typically with moderate to strong sericite-chlorite-ankerite alteration of the mixed intrusive and volcanic wall rock (Figure 3, current drilling). Grade distribution in channel sampling is excellent (Table 1) with high overall grades similar to Upper Antino/Froyo Zone mineralization. 2025 Exploration Strategy Upper Antino The focus at Upper Antino is continuing extending gold mineralization to the north and south and to test adjacent targets with similar characteristics. Gold mineralization at Upper Antino currently has a drill defined strike length of 1.6 km, depth of 280 m, and remains open in all directions. The Company plans to complete up to 20,000 m of drilling at Upper Antino in 2025. Buese and Lower Antino A second drill will split its time between Buese and Lower Antino, continuing to expand known mineralization with broad steps along strike. This program will be designed to determine the extent of the Buese and Lower Antino areas' mineralized footprint. There is currently ~8,000 m of planned drilling between these two more advanced targets. Da Vinci, Lawa, and other advanced targets Initial 2025 plans at Da Vinci include a 3,000 m program to follow up on initial results from December last year. Da Vinci is a high-priority early exploration target for 2025. A maiden drill program at Lawa is planned to begin in H1 2025. Other advanced targets for 2025 drilling including, Maria Geralda and Parbo (Figure 1). Van Gogh and new targets A 1,500 m program at Van Gogh is underway (Figure 3) and once complete the drill will continue to the next high-priority target in the area with the goal of drill testing 1-2 new drill targets per month. Combined, up to 25,000 m of drilling is planned for new target areas at Antino. Approximately 50% of these targets are within previously unexplored regions of the property. Additional drills are available and may be added to the program as necessary based on results. About Founders Metals Inc. Founders Metals is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on advancing the Antino Gold Project located in Suriname, South America, in the heart of the Guiana Shield. Antino is 20,000 hectares and has produced over 500,000 ounces of gold from surface and alluvial mining to date1. The Company is fully financed for up to 60,000 metres of drilling in 2025. 1 2022 Technical Report - Antino Project; Suriname, South America. K. Raffle, BSc, P. Geo & Rock Lefrancois, BSc, P.Geo. Figure 1: Property Scale Map with Auger Samples To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7574/237828_66a97085b4429a1b_001full.jpg Figure 2: Plan Map of Van Gogh Target To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7574/237828_66a97085b4429a1b_002full.jpg Figure 3: Photo of Drill Core from VG001 Drill Hole (currently drilling) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7574/237828_figure3.jpg Table 1: Assay Results from Channel Sample Number From (m) To (m) Sample Width Au (g/t) G545009 0.0 1.0 1 12.35 G545010 1.0 2.0 1 6.12 G545011 2.0 3.0 1 1.94 G545012 3.0 4.0 1 0.23 G545013 4.0 5.4 1.4 0.54 G545004 5.4 6.4 1 1.35 G545005 6.4 7.4 1 11.02 G545006 7.4 8.4 1 4.72 G545007 8.4 9.4 1 1.77 G545008 9.4 10.0 0.6 0.35 NO SAMPLE 10.0 11.2 G547046 11.2 12.2 1 6.36 G547047 12.2 13.2 1 4.35 G547048 13.2 14.2 1 25.21 G547049 14.2 15.2 1 2.69 G547050 15.2 16.2 1 2.56 G545001 16.2 17.2 1 16.72 G545002 17.2 18.2 1 0.61 G545003 18.2 19.0 0.8 2.70 Table 2: Location of Channel Sample Channel ID Easting* (m) Northing* (m) DV001 828067.5 395915.9 Quality Assurance and Control Samples were analyzed at FILAB Suriname, a Bureau Veritas Certified Laboratory in Paramaribo, Suriname (a commercial certified laboratory under ISO 9001:2015). Samples are crushed to 75% passing 2.35 mm screen, riffle split (700 g) and pulverized to 85% passing 88 m. Samples were analyzed using a 50 g fire assay (50 g aliquot) with an Atomic Absorption (AA) finish. For samples that return assay values over 5.0 grams per tonne (g/t), another cut was taken from the original pulp and fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. Founders Metals inserts blanks and certified reference standards in the sample sequence for quality control. External QA-QC checks are performed at ALS Global Laboratories (Geochemistry Division) in Lima, Peru (an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited facility). A secure chain of custody is maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Drill intervals with visible gold are assayed using metallic screening. Rock chip samples from outcrop/bedrock are selective by nature and may not be representative of the mineralization hosted on the project. Qualified Persons The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Per: "Colin Padget" Colin Padget President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings and the future or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect ", "is expected ", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, other factors may cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management discussion and analysis. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All material information on Founders Metals can be found at www.sedarplus.ca. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237828 SOURCE: Founders Metals Inc. Truegenics revolutionizes customer service with 'Madison,' its cutting-edge AI assistant, achieving 76% inquiry automation. This breakthrough redefines efficiency, elevates customer experience, and marks a bold leap in the company's digital transformation, showcasing its leadership in AI-driven innovation and operational excellence. Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Truegenics Pte Ltd today announced the successful implementation of its proprietary AI customer service system 'Madison', which now handles over 76% of daily customer inquiries, marking a significant milestone in the company's digital transformation journey. The AI system, developed through a collaborative effort between the company's technology and customer service department, demonstrates superior response times and accuracy compared to traditional customer service methods while maintaining high customer satisfaction rates. "Developing 'Madison' has been a transformative journey for Truegenics," says Jeremy Wong, Chief Technology Officer. "We set out to create an AI system that could match and exceed human-level customer service quality and speed. Madison combines comprehensive product knowledge with company policies to deliver fast, consistent, accurate responses at any time of day." Wong emphasizes the critical importance of AI adoption in today's business landscape: "The integration of AI into business operations isn't just an option anymore, it's a business imperative. Companies that fail to harness AI's potential risk becoming irrelevant in an increasingly competitive market. At Truegenics, we're committed to staying ahead of this curve, ensuring we remain competitive and continue delivering value to our stakeholders." The implementation of Madison represents just one facet of Truegenics' broader AI integration strategy. The company reports significant efficiency gains across multiple departments, with notable improvements in both customer service and internal operations. "Through extensive testing and refinement, we've created a system that not only handles routine customer inquiries efficiently but also provides an enhanced customer experience that our customers have come to expect from Truegenics," says Julius Yap, Senior Customer Service Manager, who collaborated with Wong on the project. The company's HR department has emerged as another success story in Truegenics' AI transformation journey. "By incorporating AI into our workflow, we've reduced the time spent on crafting policies and protocols by over 68%," says Hidayah Zulka, HR Manager. "This efficiency gain allows our team to focus on more strategic initiatives, such as employee development and workplace culture enhancement. We're not just working faster, we're working smarter and making a more meaningful impact on our organization." Looking ahead, Truegenics plans to expand its AI capabilities beyond operational efficiency. The company is exploring advanced data analytics applications to optimize decision-making and performance across all business units. "While improving efficiency is important, we're just scratching the surface of AI's potential," adds Wong. "Our vision extends to leveraging AI for deep data analysis, delivering actionable intelligence at a scale and speed traditional approaches can't match. We're particularly excited about applications in predictive analytics and personalized customer experience enhancement." The success of Madison and other AI initiatives at Truegenics has also sparked interest in developing additional AI-powered solutions across different business functions. The company has established a dedicated AI Innovation Task Force to identify and implement new opportunities for AI integration throughout the organization. About Truegenics Pte Ltd Truegenics Pte Ltd is a personal care company dedicated to serving the baby boomer demographic. As a D2C e-commerce brand, they primarily cater to US consumers. Truegenics believes that even the smallest actions can shape one's destiny and is committed to creating products that enrich the lives of their customers. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237412 SOURCE: Plentisoft Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) ("Forum" or the "Company") announces drill results for the Qavvik anomaly, its second basement hosted deposit located within Forum's 100% owned Aberdeen Project. This highly successful program intersected a 296-metre-wide zone of uranium mineralization with grades up to 8.2% U3O8 in a newly identified lense and resulted in more than 20 assays with grades greater than 1% U3O8. Mineralization is open to the northeast and southwest, and the shallow depths along with the thick overall uranium intercepts demonstrates the open pit potential of this deposit. With multiple drill targets on the property, the Aberdeen project has the potential to unfold into a generational uranium district. (Figure 1). HIGHLIGHTS QAV24-001 intersected a 296 m wide zone of uranium mineralization consisting of numerous discreet lenses from 36 m to 332 m, and QAV24-002 intersected over 190 m of discreet mineralized lenses from 192 m to 384 m. On the Qavvik Grid, uranium mineralization has been intersected over a 150 metre northeast-southwest trend and is open for extension of the deposit. The highest mineralization intervals from QAV24-001 are as follows: 1.49% U3O8 over 3.30 m (171.9 - 175.2 m) Max. of 8.17% U3O8 over 0.5 m at 172.0 m U3O8 over (171.9 - 175.2 m) 1.99% U3O8 over 0.3 m (205.3 - 205.6 m) 0.82% U3O8 over 4.9 m (291.4 - 296.3 m) Max. grade of 7.92% U3O8 over 0.1 m at 292.3 m U3O8 over (291.4 - 296.3 m) 0.64% U3O8 over 2.7 m (317.1 - 319.8 m) Including 1.22% U3O8 over 1.4 m at 318.1 m Max. grade of 6.3% U3O8 over 0.2 m at 318.8 m U3O8 over (317.1 - 319.8 m) The highest mineralization intervals from QAV24-002 are as follows: 0.40% U3O8 over 3.5 m from 192.9 to 196.4 m including: 1.69% U3O8 over 0.6 m at 195.9 m Max. grade of 2.44% U3O8 over 0.2 m at 196.2 m U3O8 over from 192.9 to 196.4 m including: 0.66% U3O8 over 1.7 m from 197.0 to 198.7 m including: Max. grade of 3.08% U3O8 over 0.2 m at 197.4 m U3O8 over from 197.0 to 198.7 m including: Rick Mazur, CEO, commented, "These exceptional results from our Qavvik deposit are in line with what we believe to exist in the Thelon Basin - basement and unconformity contact type deposits with the same size potential as the Athabasca Basin. With Tatiggaq only 5 km from Orano's 127 million pound Kiggavik uranium deposit and Qavvik demonstrating the potential for an economic resource, we believe that we are building a new tier one uranium district. The unconformity style alteration of the Thelon sandstone and basement rocks that has been observed at our Ned, Ayra and Loki drill targets provides even more growth potential for the project." Dr. Rebecca Hunter, Forum's VP, Exploration, stated, "Going into 2024, it was our first opportunity as a company to showcase the size and grade potential of the Qavvik deposit. Our objective to drill at a shallower angle in order to intersect multiple lenses was highly successful both in terms of grade and size. The thick intersection in our first drill hole of several hundred metres of uranium mineralization is quite prolific. In addition, the high grades demonstrate tremendous potential for increasing the resource at Qavvik. We are very encouraged by these results and look forward to conducting more infill and expansion drilling at Qavvik." QAVVIK DRILL PROGRAM - INFILL AND EXPANSION The Qavvik anomaly, hosts Forum's second deposit on the Aberdeen Project. The Aberdeen Project land package consists of approximately 95,000 ha or 950 square kilometres (365 square miles) of mineral claims in the Thelon Basin, located approximately 100 km west of Baker Lake. Qavvik is an 800mx800m gravity low 15 km west of the Tatiggaq deposit, which is adjacent to the 127 million pound Kiggavik project held by Orano/Denison/UEC*. The mineralization is hosted in steep-dipping structures as well as along flat-lying foliation planes within the host rock. The area has been tested by 28 historical holes by Cameco from 2009 to 2012. These holes were largely drilled on 25 to 50 m centres at an orientation of -85 degrees to the southeast. Another nine short holes drilled in the late 70's, early 80's by Marline Oil and Anaconda intersected alteration but no uranium. Forum completed two drill holes into the Qavvik anomaly in 2024 totaling 835 m (Table 1). The objective of QAV24-001 was to drill at a shallower angle in a more optimal direction to crosscut multiple lenses rather than the historical holes that drilled steeply along the mineralized lenses. The objective of QAV24-002 was to intersect and extend the main lower lense intersected in historical drilling. Both these tests were successful and will guide the expansion targeting in 2025. The structural setting of Qavvik is still being interpreted but the main controls on mineralization appear to be east-northeast subsidiary faults, and potentially a northeast fault that transects the area. The mineralization is open throughout the anomaly but in particular, to the northeast and southwest along these fertile east-northeast trending fault zones. QAV24-001 intersected mineralization over 296 m and the heart of this intercept includes over 0.12% U3O8 over 162.4 m from 170.0 to 332.4 m. Over 20 intercepts with greater than 1% U3O8 were identified in the drill hole and show the grade and size potential of this mineralized area. High-grade intercepts of 8.17% U3O8 over 0.5 m at 172.0 m, 7.92% U3O8 over 0.1 m at 292.3 m and 6.30% U3O8 over 0.2 m at 318.8 m are the highest grade intercepts intersected at Qavvik to date from all the historical drilling. Table 2 outlines the mineralized intercepts intersected in QAV24-001 and QAV24-002. Figure 2 is a plan map showing the 2024 drill holes and the gravity anomaly that is being tested. Figure 3 is a simplified cross section of QAV24-001 showing the extent of mineralization and the main geological units. Figure 4 is a core photograph of the high-grade lense intersected in QAV24-001. Hole ID Target Easting Northing Elev. Depth Orient. Comment QAV24-001 Qavvik 533558 7135661 141 377 -70 / 013 Mineralized - High Grade QAV24-002 Qavvik 533561 7135730 140 458 -85 / 054 Mineralized - High Grade Table 1 2024 Drill Hole Data for Qavvik Zone drill holes. UTM datum WGS84 Zone 14N. Hole ID From_m To_m Interval_m U3O8_% QAV24-001 Upper Lenses 44.3 44.7 0.4 0.23 45.8 46.2 0.4 0.21 58.4 58.9 0.5 0.49 including 58.7 58.8 0.1 1.22 119.5 119.7 0.2 0.11 167.4 167.6 0.2 0.15 Main Interval 170.0 332.4 162.4 0.12 Subdivided into Lenses 170.0 170.9 0.9 0.49 including 170.6 170.9 0.3 1.14 171.9 175.2 3.3 1.49 Max. Grade 172.0 172.5 0.5 8.17 200.8 202.0 1.2 0.30 201.9 202.0 0.1 2.30 202.7 202.8 0.1 1.32 205.3 207.8 2.5 0.28 including 205.3 205.6 0.3 1.99 209.3 210.1 0.8 0.14 219.0 219.1 0.1 0.27 236.1 238.2 2.1 0.12 267.9 268.5 0.6 0.15 278.2 283.3 5.1 0.15 including 281.0 282.8 1.8 0.25 291.4 296.3 4.9 0.82 including 292.0 294.0 2.0 1.15 including 293.7 294.0 0.3 1.69 including 295.2 295.6 0.4 2.60 Max. Grade 292.3 292.4 0.1 7.92 298.9 301.4 2.5 0.33 301.9 305.6 3.7 0.35 including 304.3 304.7 0.4 1.34 308.2 313.1 4.9 0.24 including 311.1 311.3 0.2 2.96 314.0 316.6 2.6 0.22 including 314.0 314.1 0.1 2.78 317.1 319.8 2.7 0.64 including 318.1 319.5 1.4 1.22 Max. Grade 318.8 319.0 0.2 6.30 322.3 323.0 0.7 0.36 327.2 327.9 0.7 0.34 330.8 332.4 1.6 0.29 including 331.4 331.5 0.1 3.59 QAV24-002 192.9 196.4 3.5 0.40 including 194.9 195.0 0.1 1.70 including 195.9 196.4 0.5 1.69 197.0 198.7 1.7 0.66 Max. Grade 197.4 197.6 0.2 3.08 216.6 222.8 6.2 0.10 including 216.6 217.9 1.3 0.20 including 219.3 220.3 1.0 0.17 239.0 239.4 0.4 0.12 301.9 302.9 1.0 0.12 335.4 335.5 0.1 0.14 337.6 338.0 0.4 0.11 Table 2 U3O8 assay results for QAV24-001 and QAV24-002 (0.01% cutoff). Figure 1 Property map with the locations of the 2024 diamond drilling program on the Aberdeen Project. The drilling reported is within the Qavvik area. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/237915_50ca35b254ec68d5_003full.jpg Figure 2 The location of the 2024 Qavvik drilling on the gravity anomaly, the faint dots are the historical holes drilled by Cameco. The main faults are outlined in the dashed lines and the preliminary outline of the known mineralization is in pink. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/237915_50ca35b254ec68d5_004full.jpg Figure 3 QAV24-001 cross-section showing the main lithologies and the uranium assay intercepts. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/237915_50ca35b254ec68d5_005full.jpg Figure 4 Core photo of the 0.5 m mineralized lense that intersected 8.2% U3O8 at 172.0 to 172.5 m. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4908/237915_50ca35b254ec68d5_006full.jpg QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL (QA/QC) Forum implemented a robust QA/QC program for its 2024 drill program, expanding upon the program used in 2023. This sampling program was used in the resampling program as well. The 2024 QA/QC program utilized control samples comprising certified reference materials (CRMs), duplicates, and blank samples. CRMs were used to monitor laboratory accuracy in the analysis of mineralized and non-mineralized samples, duplicate samples were used to monitor analytical precision and repeatability at the preparation and analytical stages, and blank samples were used to monitor for cross contamination during preparation and analytical stages. Control samples were inserted every 10th sample, alternating between blank, duplicate, and uranium CRM. Duplicate samples alternated between field, coarse, and pulp duplicates. Three low grade uranium CRMs were alternated between: BL-4a (0.1248% U), DH-1a (0.2629% U), and BL-2a (0.426% U). A high-grade uranium CRM (BL-5; 7.09% U) was inserted into the sample sequence when counts exceeded 10,000 cps. Blanks and duplicates were inserted at a rate of 1-in-20 in non-mineralized holes. For mineralized holes, blanks, duplicates, and uranium CRMs were inserted at a rate of 1-in-30. In addition to Forum's QA/QC program, SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories (SRC) conducted an independent QA/QC program, and its laboratory repeats, non-radioactive laboratory standards (BSL18, BSM, BSH, DCB01), and radioactive lab standards (BL2A, BL4A, BL5, and SRCU02) were monitored and tracked by Forum staff. For the resampling program the original sample intervals were identified from markers that still were present on the core boxes and quarter split samples were obtained from the remaining half split core that remained in the core boxes. The core was weathered and broken down in places due to the strong clay content in much of the mineralized intervals but it did not appear that any core was missing and it was in otherwise good condition. ASSAYING AND ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES Composite, Spot, and Assay samples were shipped to the ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 accredited SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon for sample preparation and analysis. Non-mineralized systematic and spot samples are dried, crushed, and pulverized for analysis by the ICP-MS Exploration Package for sandstone and basement (codes ICP-MS1 and ICP-MS2 respectively). This analytical package consists of three separate analyses of inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) on the partial and total digestions of an aliquot of sample pulp material. Partial digestion is completed via nitric and hydrochloric acids and total digestion is completed via hydrofluoric, nitric, and perchloric acids. The SRC implements several instrumental and analytical quality control procedures for this analytical package. Instrumental checks comprise two calibration checks and two calibration standards. Analytical quality control consists of one blank, two reference materials, and one pulp replicate (duplicate) in each group of 40 samples. Samples with radioactivity over 500 CPS and indicated as assay samples were analysed using the ICP-MS Exploration Package (ICP-MS), ICP-OES (ICP1), and U3O8 Assay (U3O8 wt% Assay). The sample preparation procedures for ICP-MS and ICP1 are the same, and the U3O8 wt% assay uses an aliquot of sample pulp digested in hydrochloric and nitric acid followed by ICP-OES finish. This method is capable of detecting as low as 0.001 weight percent (wt%) U3O8. All Assay samples were also analysed for gold by fire assay using aqua regia with ICP-OES finish. Boron analysis was conducted on all sample types and is completed by fusing an aliquot of sample pulp in a mixture of Na2O2 and NaCO3, followed by ICP-OES. The SRC inserts a blank, an in-house reference material, and a replicate sample with each batch for analytical quality control and uses a 1000 ppm B commercial certified solution for equipment calibration. DOWNHOLE RADIOMETRIC PROBING METHOD Of the 30 holes completed in 2024,18 were successfully radiometrically logged using a 2GHF-1000 Triple Gamma downhole probe sourced from Terraplus in Ontario, Canada. The probe measures natural gamma radiation every 10 cm along the length of the drill hole. The total count NaI, which reports in count per second, may not be directly or uniformly related to uranium grades and are only an indication of the presence of radioactive minerals. *Source: The Kiggavik deposit is held by Orano (66.2%), Denison (16.9%) and Uranium Energy Corp. (16.9%). Kiggavik mineral resources are 127.3 million pounds Indicated mineral resource grading 0.55% U3O8 and 5.4 million pounds Inferred mineral resource grading 0.33% U3O8 as reported on the Denison Mines Ltd. Corporate Presentation dated November 2024, p. 23 on their website and the Orano 2023 Activities Report converted from tonnes U to pounds U3O8 and from %U to %U3O8. Cut-off grades and other assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate resources are unknown. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the issuer is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Rebecca Hunter, Ph.D., P.Geo., Forum's Vice President of Exploration and Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. ABOUT FORUM ENERGY METALS Forum Energy Metals Corp. (TSXV: FMC) (OTCQB: FDCFF) is focused on the discovery of high-grade unconformity-related uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and the Thelon Basin, Nunavut. In addition, Forum holds a diversified energy metal portfolio of copper, nickel, and cobalt projects in Saskatchewan and Idaho. For further information: https://www.forumenergymetals.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-Looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Forward-Looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Forum's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to: uncertainties related to the historical data, the work expenditure commitments; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund future exploration or development programs; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; changes commodity prices, litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or an inability to obtain permits required in connection with maintaining or advancing its exploration projects. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Richard J. Mazur, P.Geo. President & CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237915 SOURCE: Forum Energy Metals Corp. LJUBLJANA (dpa-AFX) - Slovenia's producer prices continued their declining trend in December, though at the slowest pace since the current sequence of decline began at the start of the year, figures from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia showed on Tuesday.Industrial producer prices dropped 0.2 percent year-on-year in December, slower than the 0.4 percent decline in November.The prices of products for sale on the domestic market decreased 0.1 percent, and those on non-domestic markets slid by 0.2 percent.Among the main sectors, prices in the manufacturing and mining and quarrying sectors dropped 0.3 percent in each case compared to last year. Meanwhile, prices in the electricity segment showed an increase of 1.8 percent.On a monthly basis, output prices edged up 0.1 percent versus a 0.5 increase in November.During the year 2024, the total producer price index declined 1.7 percent compared to 2023.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. MEXICO CITY (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency at the southern border to prevent the illegal entry of cartels, criminal gangs, terrorists, human traffickers, smugglers, unvetted military-age males and illicit narcotics from foreign countries into the United States.After signing one of a set of executive orders he signed after his inauguration Monday, Trump said he will send troops to the southern border 'to repel the disastrous invasion of our country.'Considering the gravity and emergency of the situation, he has directed the Armed Forces to take full operational control of the southern border.The Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security have been urged to take immediate steps to construct additional physical barriers along the southern border.The Department of Homeland Security has been given the authority to counter unmanned aerial systems within 5 miles of the southern border.The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security have been required to submit a joint report to the President about the conditions at the southern border within 90 days.Trump also signed an order declaring Mexican drug cartels terrorist organizations.He said illegal immigration over the last 4 years has led to the murders of many innocent American citizens, including women and children. 'Foreign criminal gangs and cartels have begun seizing control of parts of cities, attacking our most vulnerable citizens, and terrorizing Americans beyond the control of local law enforcement. Cartels control vast territories just south of our southern border, effectively controlling who can and cannot travel to the United States from Mexico. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have tragically died from drug overdoses because of the illicit narcotics that have flowed across the southern border'.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX NEW Growth in AI Photography Nextech3D.AI (OTCQX:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:EP2), established in 2018, has been a pioneer in augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and a leader in advanced 3D AI-driven solutions has Secured its First Customer for Its AI-Powered Photography Studio: Marmi Stone . This milestone marks a significant step in the company's mission as it pushes beyond 3D modeling into product photography through its proprietary artificial intelligence. Marmi Stone, a premier provider of high-quality stone products, has engaged Nextech3D.ai to create lifestyle product photos and 3D models using the company's AI-driven photography platform. The pricing for these AI-generated photos ranges from $13 to $20 each, offering Marmi Stone a cost-effective, scalable, and high-quality solution for showcasing its product catalog. With over 200 products in its inventory, and approximately 1,000 photos they are a great first customer. AI GENERATED LIFESTYLE PHOTO: AI places the 'Mantle' (product for sales) in AI generated room: The Company believes its AI Photography Is Setting A New Standard: Nextech3D.ai's AI-powered Photography Studio is setting a new standard for lifestyle product photos by delivering new super-high-quality visuals at competitive prices. By leveraging proprietary AI technology, Nextech3D.ai provides businesses with the ability to create realistic, super-high-quality images that resonate with customers, enhance online shopping experiences, and drive sales. "Marmi Stone's trust in our AI-powered Photography Studio validates the potential of our technology to replace the traditional photography industry," said Evan Gappelberg, CEO of Nextech3D.ai. "This collaboration is just the beginning, and we believe that the market for AI-driven product photography is substantial and fast growing. Our solution offers a scalable, affordable, and high-quality alternative for businesses of all sizes, and we are excited to expand further into this market." Why AI-Powered Product Photography Matters Traditional product photography can be time-consuming and costly, especially for businesses with extensive product catalogs. Nextech3D.ai's AI Photography Studio automates the process, delivering stunning results at a fraction of the time and cost. This innovation empowers businesses to scale their online presence while maintaining the visual quality necessary to captivate consumers in today's competitive e-commerce environment. Looking Ahead Nextech3D.ai is optimistic about the future potential of its AI-powered Photography Studio and is actively pursuing additional partnerships across various industries. The company anticipates substantial growth in demand for its solutions, particularly as businesses increasingly prioritize efficiency, scalability, and AI technology. Want to learn MoreYou're invited to Join the upcoming Livestream link below: CLICK HERE CEO Livestream Demo and Live Q&A Tuesday, January 22nd,12pm EST CLICK HERE Join CEO Evan Gappelberg as he discussed how all three companies-Nextech 3D.ai, Toggle3D.ai, and ARway-are united in their commitment to leveraging AI technology to enhance their platforms and deliver value to customers. Their aggressive launch schedules in 2025 aim to generate significant sales growth while setting a new benchmark for AI-powered solutions in ecommerce and the event industry. For more information, visit Nextech3D.ai . Sign up for Investor News and Info - Click Here For more information and full report go to https://www.sedarplus.ca For further information, please contact: Nextech3D.ai Evan Gappelberg / CEO and Director 866-ARITIZE (274-8493) About Nextech3D.ai Nextech3D.ai or the "Company," (OTCQX:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:1SS), is a versatile augmented reality and AI technology company that utilizes its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) to craft immersive 3D experiences at scale for manufacturers with CAD files and for E-COMMERCE merchants. The Company's primary focus lies in creating high-quality 3D WebAR photorealistic models for Amazon and various other online retailers with patented 2D-3D technology. Forward-looking Statements The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Nextech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws SOURCE: Nextech3D.ai View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 21, 2025 / Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (TSXV:EPL), or ("Eagle Plains") is pleased to announce that partner Refined Energy Corp (CSE:RUU)(OTC PINK:RFMCF)(FRA:CWA0) ("Refined") has completed the review and interpretation of historical geophysical survey data at the Dufferin North property in the Athabasca Basin. Four priority target areas were identified by Condor Consulting Inc. using archived electromagnetic (MEGATEM), magnetic and gravity data. The data interpretation is part of the 2024 work program on the Dufferin Project as described in the news release of October 7, 2024. The property lies adjacent to and within the Virgin River Shear Zone, approximately 18km along strike to the south-southwest from the Centennial uranium deposit of Cameco Corporation. Four target zones were identified by Condor using an airborne gravity survey as the primary data source, complemented by regional magnetic data. A series of gravity lows, potentially indicative of alteration, coincide with a north-northeast trending magnetic low and are overlain by several conductor traces from historical EM surveys. Geochemical anomalies and a lithogeochemcial halo are also present on the property. In the fall of 2024, a modern MobileMT airborne geophysical survey was flown by Expert Geophysics Ltd. to compliment the historical datasets. The contractor completed 123 line kilometers over two of the four target zones before needing to abandon the survey due to adverse weather. Interpretation of the recent survey results in conjunction with the historical data is underway. Refined holds the exclusive option to acquire up to a 75% interest in the 10,140ha Dufferin Project, which is made up of the North and West Dufferin properties, located approximately 18km from Cameco's Centennial Deposit where historic drill hole VR-031W3 intersected 8.78% U308 over 33.9m (SMAF 74G12-0061). Mark Fields, Chief Executive Officer of Refined stated: "We are very encouraged to receive positive results from this interpretation of the historical work at Dufferin North. The data will allow us to focus future work on these prospective targets. Simultaneously we are advancing our drill program plans for Dufferin West, located 40 km south of Dufferin North. Our work is focused on the discovery of potential high-grade deposits that characterize the Athabasca Basin." See Dufferin North Project Information and Map here The Dufferin Project is located on or in close proximity to the known trace of the Virgin River Shear Zone and related splays which are key structures for potential uranium mineralization. The Project is prospective for unconformity- and basement-hosted uranium mineralization in proximity to the Virgin River Shear Zone. Faulted basement contacts and brittlely reactivated structures are the primary locations for mineralization in the area covered by the Dufferin Project. The relatively high concentration of secondary uranium-bearing minerals demonstrated by prior exploration work on the Dufferin Project may also indicate uranium mineralization remobilization may play an important role in this region of the Athabasca Basin. Geophysical EM and magnetic anomalies demonstrated by prior exploration work on the Dufferin Project are supported by previous uranium and boron soil and lake sediment anomalies along the inferred fault zones, which are expected to aid in focusing future exploration programs. Some of the above results were taken directly from the SMDI descriptions and assessment reports (SMAF) filed with the Saskatchewan government. Management cautions that historical results were collected and reported by past operators and have not been verified nor confirmed by a Qualified Person, but form a basis for ongoing work on the subject properties. Eagle Plains' management cautions that past results or discoveries on proximate land are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on the subject properties. Dufferin Option Agreement Details To exercise the Option, Refined must make a series of cash payments and share issuances to Eagle Plains and fund exploration expenditures on the Project. These payments, share issuance and expenditures are separated into two phases, with the first Option entitling the Company to acquire a 60% interest in the Project by paying CA$275,000, issuing an aggregate of 1,000,000 post-consolidated common shares to EPL and funding CA$2,600,000 in exploration expenditures on the Project by December 31, 2026. Pursuant to the second phase of the Option, the Company may acquire an additional 15% interest in the Project (for a 75% total interest) by paying an additional CA$500,000, issuing an additional 500,000 post-consolidated Shares to EPL and funding an additional CA$3,000,000 in exploration expenditures on the Project by December 31, 2028. The Dufferin project is owned 100% by EPL, which has been appointed as Operator during the first Option period. If the First Option or the Second Option is exercised, a 2% smelter returns royalty will be granted to Eagle Plains, 1% of which may be repurchased for CA$2,000,000. Qualified Person Technical information in this News Release has been reviewed and approved by C.C. Downie, P.Geo., a director and officer of Eagle Plains, hereby identified as the "Qualified Person" under N.I. 43-101. About Eagle Plains Resources Based in Cranbrook, B.C., Eagle Plains is a well-funded, prolific project generator that continues to conduct research, acquire and explore mineral projects throughout western Canada, with a focus on critical metals integral to an increasingly electrified, decarbonized economy. The Company was formed in 1992 and is the ninth-oldest listed issuer on the TSX-V (and one of only three that has not seen a roll-back or restructuring of its shares). Eagle Plains has continued to deliver shareholder value over the years and through numerous spin outs has transferred over $100,000,000 in value directly to its shareholders, with Copper Canyon Resources and Taiga Gold Corp. being notable examples. Eagle Plains latest spinout; Eagle Royalties Ltd. (CSE:ER) was listed on May 24, 2023, and holds a diverse portfolio of royalty assets throughout western Canada. On October 2, 2024, Eagle Plains announced announce the formation of a separate division within the Company that will give Eagle Plains' shareholders direct exposure to strategic opportunities in Canadian green energy transition. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Eagle Plains, Osprey Power Inc. ("OP") will focus on identifying and advancing innovative and diverse clean energy project portfolios in target markets throughout Canada, with an initial focus on Western Canada. Eagle Plains' core business is acquiring grassroots critical- and precious-metal exploration properties. The Company is committed to steadily enhancing shareholder value by advancing our diverse portfolio of projects toward discovery through collaborative partnerships and development of a highly experienced technical team. Expenditures from 2010-2023 on Eagle Plains-related projects exceed $38M, the majority of which was funded by third-party partners. This exploration work resulted in approximately 50,000m of diamond-drilling and extensive ground-based exploration work facilitating the advancement of numerous projects at various stages of development. Throughout the exploration process, our mission is to help maintain prosperous communities by exploring for and discovering resource opportunities while building lasting relationships through honest and respectful business practices. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Eagle Plains "C.C. (Chuck) Downie, P.Geo" President and CEO For further information on EPL, please contact Mike Labach at 1 866 HUNT ORE (486 8673) Email: mgl@eagleplains.com or visit our website at https://www.eagleplains.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. SOURCE: Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Internet, Everywhere--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Shopify Inc. (NYSE, TSX: SHOP) plans to announce financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, before markets open on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Shopify's management team will host a conference call to discuss fourth-quarter and full-year results at 8:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The conference call will be available via webcast on the investor relations section of Shopify's website at https://shopifyinvestors.com/news-and-events. An archived replay of the webcast will be available following the conclusion of the call. About Shopify Shopify is the leading global commerce company that provides essential internet infrastructure for commerce, offering trusted tools to start, scale, market, and run a retail business of any size. Shopify makes commerce better for everyone with a platform and services that are engineered for speed, customization, reliability, and security, while delivering a better shopping experience for consumers online, in store and everywhere in between. Shopify powers millions of businesses in more than 175 countries and is trusted by brands such as Mattel, Gymshark, Heinz, FTD, Netflix, Kylie Cosmetics, SKIMS, Supreme, and many more. For more information, visit www.shopify.com. SOURCE: Shopify To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237861 SOURCE: Shopify EQS-News: Birkenstock Holding plc / Key word(s): Personnel IVICA KROLO APPOINTED AS NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE BIRKENSTOCK GROUP 21.01.2025 / 13:01 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. PRESS RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT Birkenstock Holding plc ir@birkenstock-holding.com LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM || JANUARY 21, 2025 IVICA KROLO APPOINTED AS NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE BIRKENSTOCK GROUP Birkenstock Holding plc ("BIRKENSTOCK", the "Company" or "we", NYSE: BIRK) has announced the appointment of Ivica Krolo as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") of the BIRKENSTOCK Group, effective from February 1, 2025. He will succeed Dr. Erik Massmann, who will step down from his duties as of January 31, 2025. BIRKENSTOCK and Mr. Massmann have agreed that Mr. Massmann will step down as CFO as of January 31, 2025. He will actively support the handover process to ensure a seamless transition. Mr. Massmann and his successor, Ivica Krolo, will jointly present the first fiscal quarter 2025 (ended December 31, 2024) financial results during the conference call scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2025. The Company confirms that no changes in its goals or objectives are planned and reiterates the guidance for FY 2025 as announced on December 18, 2024. Ivica Krolo joins the BIRKENSTOCK Group from EMH Partners, a growth investment firm that invests in owner-managed technology companies, where he has served as Partner and CFO since 2015. He was a member of the Investment Advisory Committee and responsible for the areas of finance, tax, legal and corporate administration. Prior to this, Mr. Krolo was a Certified Public Auditor and Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he focused on auditing and advising listed and mid-sized companies, and, before that, an Audit Manager and Tax Consultant at Mazars, a leading global professional services network providing audit and assurance, tax, advisory and consulting services. Mr. Krolo holds a Master of Arts in Auditing, Finance and Taxation from the Universities of Applied Sciences Munster and Osnabruck and qualified as German Tax Advisor and Certified Public Auditor in 2013. As regards these changes, Oliver Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the BIRKENSTOCK Group, comments: "We are excited to welcome Ivica to BIRKENSTOCK. He is an experienced finance executive with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape in which we operate and with a significant operational and financial planning expertise. With his pragmatic hands-on and people-first approach, Ivica is a great fit for our global BIRKENSTOCK family. I am looking forward to working with him and to further shaping the Global Finance function as a backbone for sustainable and profitable growth, and to writing the next chapter of our success story". Oliver Reichert then continues: "On behalf of the board and our leadership team, I would like to thank Erik for his achievements and his willingness to support the handover. In a moment when the role of the CFO was mission-critical when preparing for our IPO, Erik and his team made a valuable contribution to strengthening capital market readiness and communicating our financial performance to the investment community. I wish him all the best for his professional and personal future". ABOUT BIRKENSTOCK Birkenstock Holding plc is the ultimate parent Company of Birkenstock Group B.V. & Co. KG and its subsidiaries (the "Birkenstock Group"). BIRKENSTOCK is a global brand which embraces all consumers regardless of geography, gender, age and income and which is committed to a clear purpose - encouraging proper foot health. Deeply rooted in studies of the biomechanics of the human foot and backed by a family tradition of shoemaking that can be traced back to 1774, BIRKENSTOCK is a timeless super brand with a brand universe that transcends product categories and ranges from entry-level to luxury price points while addressing the growing need for a conscious and active lifestyle. Function, quality and tradition are the core values of the Zeitgeist brand which features products in the footwear, sleep systems and natural cosmetics categories. BIRKENSTOCK is the inventor of the footbed and has shaped the principle of walking as intended by nature ("Naturgewolltes Gehen"). MEDIA CONTACT Birkenstock Holding plc ir@birkenstock-holding.com 21.01.2025 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Omai Gold Mines Corp. (TSXV: OMG) (OTCQB: OMGGF) ("Omai Gold" or the "Company") announces continued strong assay results from drilling completed as part of the 2024 program, including an impressive 57.0m intercept grading 4.48 g/t Au in hole 24ODD-092 and a 63.2m intercept grading 1.10 g/t Au in hole 24ODD-094. A total of 26 diamond drill holes totalling 13,716m were completed in 2024, mostly focused on expanding the large Wenot deposit at the Omai gold project in Guyana. Assays are reported for 6 holes and are pending for an additional 3 holes at Wenot and one hole into the adjacent Gilt Creek deposit. Results to date from the 2024 drill program at Wenot achieved the objectives as set: 1) to identify further mineralization in some of the wide undrilled areas within the 2.5 km long strike of the Wenot deposit, particularly within the under-explored southern sedimentary rock sequence, 2) to extend the known mineralization in the multiple subparallel gold zones down to the 400 to 450m level, a level that management believes is a reasonable depth for a potential large open pit operation, and 3) to increase the shallow drilling at West Wenot, an area with known broad mineralized zones within the southern sedimentary rocks with potential as a starter pit. Highlights include: Hole 24ODD-092 4.48 g/t Au over 57.0m including 21.13 g/t Au over 10.0m Hole 24ODD-094 1.10 g/t Au over 63.2 m including 1.63 g/t Au over 21.0m 1.13 g/t Au over 20.4 m 2.69 g/t Au over 4.3 m 0.77 g/t Au over 30.5 m 1.97 g/t Au over 9.1 m Hole 24ODD-091 0.79 g/t Au over 48.0m 5.76 g/t Au over 5.4m 2.50 g/t Au over 9.0m Hole 24ODD-090 1.01 g/t Au over 28.5m Hole 24ODD-089 1.16 g/t Au over 16.5m 1.39 g/t Au over 11.9m Elaine Ellingham, President & CEO, commented: "Wenot continues to deliver very strong drill results and in particular we are encouraged by the continuity of mineralization and increasing grades with very impressive widths at depth. We believe these will support our goal of further expanding the Wenot resource in advance of an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") planned for Q3 2025. The current results include the best intercept in our Company's history (4.48 g/t Au over 57.0m) which is outside of the current NI43-101 Resource1 and below previous drilling. This gives us further confidence in the growth potential for the Wenot deposit. Drilling at West Wenot, beyond the area of historic mining, is also positive, with hole 24ODD-094 intersecting a wide zone of mineralization at shallower depths (1.10 g/t Au over 63.2m). We expect results like this will allow us to integrate some of the excluded West Wenot resources into the next PEA. We commenced our 2025 drill program last week, with an initial planned 10,000 m program. With the positive results from the 2024 program, drilling will likely continue into late Q1 2025, paving the way for an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in Q2 2025, and an updated PEA planned for Q3 2025. In addition to our goal of expanding the proposed Wenot open pit in this upcoming PEA, we are also working to include the second deposit at Omai, the Gilt Creek intrusion-hosted deposit that could significantly expand the mine plan. The Gilt Creek deposit would be an underground mining scenario with this deposit starting at a depth of only 300m below surface. The Company's first drill hole into Gilt Creek was completed in December (1,148m), and assay results are expected in a few weeks." Most significant in these current drilling results from Central Wenot, holes 24ODD-091 and 24ODD-092 (Figures 1-2, Table 1) both continue to intersect very wide gold zones (48.0m and 57.0m), down to the 450-500m depth. These are the deepest encountered so far and are within the most prolific historically-mined zone within the Wenot deposit, known as the "Dike Corridor". The Dike Corridor is one of five main subparallel, near-vertical gold zones that comprise the large 2.5km long Wenot deposit. Lying within the broader Wenot Shear, the Dike Corridor is a roughly 100-200m wide zone within the volcanic sequence, typically 25-100m north of the central volcanic-sedimentary contact, that itself hosts gold mineralization within a persistent quartz feldspar porphyry unit. This Dike Corridor was selectively mined from 1995 - 2002 when the gold price fell well below US$400/oz, suggesting it proved the most economic. The Dike Corridor is comprised of a series of felsic and diorite dikes intruded into the volcanic sequence with varying degrees of shearing, alteration and stockworks of quartz veining, hosting significant gold mineralization and frequently visible gold. Hole 24ODD-092 was drilled from the north to test deeper below the Wenot deposit. This hole intersected the wide 57.0m gold zone between 430-480m depth from surface grading 4.48 g/t Au within the "Dike Corridor". This is 50m deeper than any previous intercept in this zone, over 100m below the 2024 PEA pit shell at that location, and 75m below the 2024 resource pit shell. This intercept is approximately 75m to the west and 80m below the recently reported intercept of 3.16 g/t Au over 68.7m in hole 24ODD-085 (see news release dated December 4, 2024). Previous drill results suggested a potential 600m strike length for this wide gold zone, and this new drilling adds potential for further depth extension of the Mineral Resource Estimate to 500m. Hole 24ODD-092 drilled to a depth of 716m, one of the Company's deepest holes to date, encountered 10m of diabase at a vertical depth of approximately 530m below surface. This is likely the projected continuation of the post-mineral diabase dike which separates the historically mined out Gilt Creek open pit from the Gilt Creek underground deposit. Similarly, we expect that the Wenot deposit continues below this dike and the recently drilled gold grades and widths suggest that Wenot could support underground mining at greater depths. Optimizing the economics of a proposed Wenot open pit with underground mining will be evaluated for an updated PEA that management is planning for Q3 2025. Hole 24ODD-091 is approximately 250m to the east of hole 24ODD-092 in Central Wenot. It likewise intersected depth extensions of multiple gold zones within the "Dike Corridor", including 0.79 g/t Au over 48.0m, 5.76 g/t Au over 5.4m, and 2.50 g/t Au over 9.0m. The 0.79 g/t Au over 48.0m intercept is 250m to the east of the intercept in hole 24ODD-092 (4.48 g/t Au over 57.0m), and approximately 40m below, at a depth of 470m from surface. Drilling continues to provide evidence of the continuity along strike of these significant gold zones. Hole 24ODD-089, also drilled in Central Wenot, was drilled from the south side within a 300m gap between holes 24ODD-075 and 24ODD-076. The hole encountered several zones of minor gold mineralization within the targeted southern sedimentary sequence, including 4.38 g/t Au over 4.6m. The central quartz feldspar porphyry at the sediment-volcanic contact was intersected at a depth of 323m from surface, highlighted by 1.16 g/t Au over 16.5m. The hole continued north of the central contact into the volcanics and encountered the Dike Corridor where it intersected five gold intercepts, the best being 1.39 g/t Au over 11.9m at a depth of 435m from surface. Intersections within the sedimentary sequence south of the contact are important, as this sequence was largely undrilled in Central Wenot so was mostly incorporated as waste into the 2024 PEA pit, contributing to the higher strip ratio. Holes 24ODD-088, -090 and -094 were all drilled in West Wenot from the north side. This area is west of the past producing pit and although a significant portion of the 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate1 is in this area, some did not meet the economic criteria due to insufficient drilling, particularly the shallow drilling. Hole 24ODD-094, collared approximately 500m west of the past producing pit, targeted shallower extensions above broad intervals of sediment-hosted gold mineralization intersected by previously drilled holes 24ODD-086 and 23ODD-063 (Figure 4). Hole 24ODD-094 contained 13 occurrences of visible gold and intersected three broad gold intervals including 1.10 g/t Au over 63.2m, 0.77 g/t Au over 30.5m, and 1.42 g/t Au over 14.0m - all within the sedimentary sequence south of the main contact. This hole achieved our objective of confirming that this very wide gold zone within the southern sediments occurs shallower nearing surface, with these gold zones at a depth of only 120m below surface. This hole also supports vertical continuity with the very impressive gold intervals encountered more than 50m below in hole 23ODD-063 (4.07g/t Au over 31.1m, 1.18 g/t Au over 25.2m and 3.38 g/t Au over 9.6m) and 180m below in 23ODD-086. The very broad sediment-hosted gold zone shows good continuity towards surface. The widest interval is below the 2024 PEA pit shell1. Hole 24ODD-088 was drilled at West Wenot, from the north side, targeting an area within the 2024 PEA pit shell but with sparse previous drilling. The hole intersected 7 minor gold intervals including one high-grade interval of 13.31 g/t Au over 1.4m. The central contact quartz feldspar porphyry assayed 0.55 g/t Au over 15.8m. Four zones of mineralization were intersected in the southern sedimentary sequence, the best being 1.46 g/t Au over 9.0m. Hole 24ODD-090 is in the West Wenot area and was drilled from the north side 150m east of hole 24ODD-088. This hole intersected 1.19 g/t Au over 10.5m in the Dike Corridor and a broad zone grading 1.01 g/t Au over 28.5m within the central contact quartz feldspar porphyry zone. A zone further south, within the sedimentary sequence assayed 1.07 g/t over 11.0m. Figure 1. Wenot Plan Map Showing Drill Hole Locations To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8712/237922_a03ca33a74b3f903_001full.jpg Figure 2. Cross-Section for DDH 24ODD-092 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8712/237922_a03ca33a74b3f903_002full.jpg Figure 3. Cross-Section for DDH 24ODD-094 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8712/237922_a03ca33a74b3f903_003full.jpg 1 A NI43-101 Technical Report dated May 21, 2024 "UPDATED MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE AND PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE OMAI GOLD PROPERTY, POTARO MINING DISTRICT NO.2, GUYANA" was prepared by Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants Inc. is available on SEDAR+ and on the Company's website. It includes a Wenot resource of 834,000 indicated ounces of gold averaging 1.48 g/t Au and 1,614,000 inferred ounces of gold averaging 1.99 g/t Au, and the adjacent Gilt Creek resource of 1,151,000 indicated ounces of gold averaging 3.22 g/t Au and 665,000 inferred ounces of gold averaging 3.35 g/t Au. Quality Control Omai maintains an internal QA/QC program to ensure sampling and analysis of all exploration work is conducted in accordance with best practices. Certified reference materials, blanks and duplicates are entered at regular intervals. Samples are sealed in plastic bags. Samples from the Wenot drilling were shipped to ActLabs, a certified laboratory in Georgetown Guyana, respecting the best chain of custody practices. At the laboratory, samples are dried, crushed up to 80% passing 2 mm, riffle split (250 g), and pulverized to 95% passing 105 m, including cleaner sand. Fifty grams of pulverized material is then fire assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA). Initial assays with results above 3.0 ppm gold are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish. For samples with visible gold two separate 500g or 1000g pulverized samples are prepared, with 50 grams of each fire assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, with assays above 3.0 ppm gold being re-assayed using a gravimetric finish. Certified reference materials and blanks meet with QA/QC specifications. Qualified Person Elaine Ellingham is a Qualified Person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" and has approved the technical information contained in this news release. Ms. Ellingham is not considered to be independent for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. ABOUT OMAI GOLD Omai Gold Mines Corp. holds a 100% interest in the Omai Prospecting License that includes the past-producing Omai Gold Mine in Guyana, and a 100% interest in the adjoining Eastern Flats Mining Permits. The Company announced a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA")1 on its Wenot Deposit at Omai in April 2024, showing an open pit operation to produce 1.84 million ounces of gold over a 13-year period, with an NPV5% of US$556 million at a US$1950/oz gold price. This baseline PEA incorporates only 45% of the property's MRE and management believes that with additional work the mine plan can be significantly expanded, the economics enhanced, and the open pit resources further increased. An updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE")1 of 2.0 million ounces of gold (Indicated) and 2.3 million ounces (Inferred) reflects a notable increase as a result of 2023's successful drilling. Once South America's largest producing gold mine, Omai produced over 3.7 million ounces of gold between 1993 and 2005. Mining ceased at a time when the average gold price was less than US$400 per ounce. As a brownfields project, Omai benefits from good road access and a wealth of historical data that provides knowledge of the geology and gold mineralization on the Property, as well as metallurgy, historical processing recoveries and many other relevant mining parameters. For further information, please see our website www.omaigoldmines.com or contact: Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Table 1. Recent Drill Results* DDH From To Interval (m) Grade (g/t Au) 24ODD-094 152.00 155.70 3.7 2.80 199.00 229.50 30.5 0.77 including 199.00 203.30 4.3 2.69 241.00 261.40 20.4 1.13 including 247.00 261.40 9.1 1.97 268.00 274.50 6.5 0.42 290.30 353.50 63.2 1.10 including 290.30 311.30 21.0 1.63 24ODD-093 results pending 24ODD-092 177.5 182.0 4.5 0.80 233.0 236.0 3.0 0.40 431.0 433.0 2.0 2.38 456.0 457.0 1.0 1.87 470.2 471.6 1.4 6.29 480.5 482.0 1.5 0.78 489.5 491.0 1.5 1.00 495.1 500.0 4.9 2.46 527.0 533.0 6.0 2.97 546.5 549.5 3.0 0.42 561.5 618.5 57.0 4.48 including 574.7 588.6 13.9 1.52 also including 595.0 605.0 10.0 21.13 624.0 639.5 15.5 0.60 659.0 663.5 4.5 1.61 24ODD-091 87.0 88.5 1.5 2.30 241.0 242.5 1.5 4.64 321.7 323.8 2.1 0.61 377.9 380.7 2.8 5.01 389.5 394.9 5.4 5.76 400.0 404.5 4.5 1.35 460.0 461.0 1.0 1.95 489.0 498.0 9.0 2.50 545.0 548.0 3.0 2.21 581.5 584.5 3.0 1.16 622.0 638.0 16.0 0.68 667.0 715.0 48.0 0.79 721.8 722.6 0.8 1.28 24ODD-090 254.5 256.0 1.5 1.65 324.9 326.1 1.2 2.29 334.0 335.5 1.5 2.29 349.0 350.5 1.5 0.66 361.0 371.5 10.5 1.19 395.5 424.0 28.5 1.01 467.5 469.0 1.5 0.94 479.5 487.0 7.5 0.55 509.0 520.0 11.0 1.07 542.5 544.0 1.5 0.30 590.3 591.5 1.2 0.54 24ODD-089 233.0 233.9 0.9 0.40 292.0 292.9 0.9 2.00 312.0 313.0 1.0 1.58 323.0 324.0 1.0 0.53 360.0 361.0 1.0 1.39 371.7 373.6 1.9 3.55 391.0 405.0 14.0 0.38 410.1 414.7 4.6 4.38 429.5 446.0 16.5 1.16 459.5 464.0 4.5 0.41 519.0 521.4 2.4 2.35 543.5 549.2 5.7 0.44 556.5 559.5 3.0 0.54 568.7 580.6 11.9 1.39 24ODD-088 182.5 184.0 1.5 0.31 190.1 193.0 3.0 0.47 269.5 273.7 4.2 0.62 280.3 282.4 2.1 0.60 300.6 301.5 0.9 0.49 314.5 315.9 1.4 13.31 338.9 340.0 1.2 0.52 360.2 376.0 15.8 0.55 446.5 454.0 7.5 0.36 460.0 466.0 6.0 0.81 475.0 484.0 9.0 1.46 551.2 553.4 2.2 1.70 *True widths vary as mineralization at Wenot is generally hosted within stockwork vein systems with alteration halos, with an estimated true width range of 70-90%. Cut-off grade 0.30 g/t Au with maximum 5.2m internal dilution is applied. Grades are uncapped. Table 2. Recent Drill Hole Coordinates Hole ID Azimuth (degrees) Inclination (degrees) Easting Northing Depth (m) Status 24ODD-88 170 -50 304585 601940 562.00 Reporting 24ODD-89 355 -50 305030 601329 596.00 Reporting 24ODD-90 175 -56 304731 601931 595.00 Reporting 24ODD-91 174 -52 305330 602000 723.40 Reporting 24ODD-92 174 -54 305078 602021 716.00 Reporting 24ODD-93 177 -50 304647 601829 497.00 Pending 24ODD-94 177 -48 304385 601797 403.00 Reporting Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing of completion of exploration, trenching and drill programs, and the potential for the Omai Gold Project to allow Omai to build significant gold Mineral Resources at attractive grades, and forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; the price of gold and copper; and the results of current exploration. Further, the Mineral Resource data set out in the Omai Gold news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Further, the Preliminary Economic Assessments and related data discussed in this news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Omai Gold Mines Corp. to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to international operations; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of gold, copper and other minerals and metals; general market conditions; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; uncertainty of access to additional capital; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or in the completion of development or construction activities. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237922 SOURCE: Omai Gold Mines Corp. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES South Star Battery Metals Corp. ("South Star" or the "Company") (TSXV:STS)(OTCQB:STSBF), is pleased to announce that it has successfully exercised its right to earn-in 75% of the BamaStar Graphite Project (the "Project"), which was formerly named the Ceylon Graphite Project, located in Coosa County, Alabama. Per the terms of the binding earn-in agreement (the "Agreement") (see Dec 07, 2021 Press Release), South Star successfully completed the following conditions to complete the 75% earn-in: The drilling, resource estimation and analysis needed to produce a NI 43-101 compliant Preliminary Economic Analysis (PEA) within three years (See October 10, 2024 Press Release). Fund an annual minimum expenditure of C$250,000 (C$750,000 total) to earn 75% of the Project. Extend or renew, as needed, the currently existing mineral leases and surface agreements on the Project to ensure they are valid for a period of a minimum of 12 months beyond the three-year term of the definitive earn-in period (See March 05, 2024 Press Release). Subsequently, all the Project partners (the "CML Owners") exercised their vendor option to sell the remaining 25% of the Project to South Star for C$250,000 in common shares of South Star (the " Shares"), priced as per the terms of the Agreement. A total of 445,454 Shares are being issued pro rata to the CML Owners, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. On completion of the transfer of the mineral and surface rights to South Star, the Company will have 100% of the rights to the Project. Richard Pearce, CEO of South Star commented, "Our team continues to execute on our strategic goals of having a diversified portfolio of scalable, vertically integrated, graphite assets producing in stable, Tier 1 jurisdictions and a go-to-market commercial plan. Acquisition of 100% of BamaStar is an important strategic milestone as we move the Project forward quickly, and with the commencement of the upcoming feasibility study to be completed in partnership with the U.S. DoD Title III program." Mr. Pearce continued, "Looking ahead to 2025, South Star is poised for transformation, as we shift our focus from a project developer to a producing miner and integrated, industrial graphite processor in the Americas. We aim to leverage our first-mover advantage in onshore and near-shore, responsibly sourced graphite production, as well as continued strategic advancement into midstream and downstream products. Santa Cruz Mine, in Bahia Brazil, serves as our foundational asset as we ramp-up and scale high-quality, natural flake graphite production at a time when jurisdictions and companies are looking to derisk, diversify and strengthen supply chains. South Star is working hard to be a trusted supplier and innovator in ensuring certainty and reliability of supply of global graphite solutions for growth today, tomorrow and into the future. We would like to thank our BamaStar partners for their support and assistance during the past 3 years, and we wish them luck in their future endeavors." # # # About South Star Battery Metals Corp. South Star is a Canadian battery-metals project developer focused on the selective acquisition and development of near-term production projects in the Americas. South Star's Santa Cruz Graphite Project, located in Southern Bahia, Brazil is the first of a series of industrial- and battery-metals projects that will be put into production. Brazil is the second-largest graphite-producing region in the world with more than 80 years of continuous mining. Santa Cruz has at-surface mineralization in friable materials, and successful large-scale pilot-plant testing (> 30 tonnes) has been completed. The results of the testing show that approximately 65% of graphite concentrate is +80 mesh with good recoveries and 95%-99% graphitic carbon ("Cg"). With excellent infrastructure and logistics, South Star Phase 1 is ramping up commercial production in 2025. Santa Cruz Phase 1 commercial production has a nameplate capacity of 12,000 tpy and is the first new graphite production in the Americas since 1996. Phase 2 production (25,000 tpy) is partially funded and planned for 2026, while Phase 3 (50,000 tpy) is scheduled for 2028. South Star's second project in the development pipeline is strategically located in Alabama, U.S.A. in the center of a developing electric-vehicle, aerospace, and defense hub in the southeastern United States. The BamaStar Project includes a historic mine active during the First and Second World Wars. A NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment was filed on SEDAR+ in November 2024. Trenching, Phase 1 drilling, sampling, analysis, and preliminary metallurgical testing have been completed. The testing included a traditional crush/grind/flotation concentration circuit that achieved grades of approximately 94-99% Cg with approximately 90% recoveries. The vertically integrated production facilities include a mine and industrial concentrator in Coosa County, AL and a downstream value-add plant in Mobile, AL, which will be upgrading natural flake graphite concentrates from both Santa Cruz and BamaStar mines. South Star is executing on its plan to create a multi-asset, diversified battery-metals company with near-term operations in strategic jurisdictions. South Star trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol STS, and on the OTCQB under the symbol STSBF. South Star is committed to a corporate culture, project execution plan and safe operations that embrace the highest standards of ESG principles, based on transparency, stakeholder engagement, ongoing education, and stewardship. To learn more, please visit the Company website at http://www.southstarbatterymetals.com . This news release has been reviewed and approved for South Star by Richard Pearce, P.E., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of South Star Battery Metals Corp. On behalf of the South Star Board of Directors, MR. RICHARD L. PEARCE, President & Chief Executive Officer For additional information, please contact: South Star Investor Relations Email: invest@southstarbatterymetals.com Phone: +1 (604) 706-0212 Website: www.southstarbatterymetals.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/southstarbm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southstarbatterymetals LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southstarbatterymetals/ YouTube: South Star Battery Metals - YouTube CAUTIONARY STATEMENT Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to statements regarding production and scaling of operations at Santa Cruz, as well as advancing the Alabama project, and the Company's plans and expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. SOURCE: South Star Battery Metals Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Aldevron, a global leader in the production of DNA, RNA and protein, has launched its latest innovation, Alchemy cell-free DNA technology. This revolutionary technology represents a significant advancement in synthetic DNA manufacturing, offering a cell-free, enzymatic process to generate linear DNA (linDNA) templates for in vitro transcription (IVT) synthesis of mRNA molecules. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121761284/en/ Aldevron's Alchemy is an exclusive cell-free DNA technology which cuts research grade linear DNA manufacturing time by over 50 percent, accelerating mRNA development projects with cleaner, safer DNA templates. (Graphic: Business Wire) Alchemy cell-free DNA technology is now available at research grade, providing researchers with a faster, more efficient method to produce high-quality DNA templates. This technology is designed to support development and preclinical programs, with a future cGMP offering expected to launch in 2025 to support clinical applications and beyond. "Alchemy is Aldevron's exclusive cell-free DNA technology which cuts research grade linear DNA manufacturing time by over 50 percent, accelerating mRNA development projects with cleaner, safer DNA templates," said Venkata Indurthi, Chief Scientific Officer for Aldevron. "This is a reliable and efficient foundation for mRNA synthesis that also delivers higher purity without host cell protein, gDNA, or endotoxin. We are delivering on our mission is to be the engine of innovation for genomic medicine pioneers to ensure they can maintain a competitive edge." Key Benefits of Alchemy Technology: Faster Turnaround: The Alchemy process significantly reduces production timelines, allowing researchers to accelerate their projects and meet deadlines faster. The process significantly reduces production timelines, allowing researchers to accelerate their projects and meet deadlines faster. Low Endotoxin and Other Cell-Derived Impurities: By eliminating the use of cells in the DNA amplification process, the technology ensures minimal endotoxin levels and mitigates the introduction of other host cell-derived impurities, resulting in higher purity DNA and mRNA downstream. By eliminating the use of cells in the DNA amplification process, the technology ensures minimal endotoxin levels and mitigates the introduction of other host cell-derived impurities, resulting in higher purity DNA and mRNA downstream. Comparable Quality Control Specifications: mRNA produced using Alchemy technology meets stringent quality control specifications, ensuring the highest standards of purity and performance. Aldevron's proprietary cell-free DNA manufacturing process, utilizing rolling circle amplification, enables the rapid production of linear DNA templates. This method supports the swift screening of mRNA constructs and the turnaround of candidate selection within the clients' workflow, further expediting client manufacturing timelines. For more information about Alchemy cell-free DNA technology and how it can enhance the mRNA production process, visit aldevron.com. About Aldevron Aldevron is a premier manufacturing partner, producing high-quality plasmid DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes, and other key components for the development of vaccines, gene and cell therapies, immunotherapies, and other treatments. Headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, and as a part of the Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) family of global science and technology companies, Aldevron supports thousands of scientists who are developing revolutionary, lifesaving treatments for millions of people. To learn more about how Aldevron is advancing biological science, visit www.aldevron.com/about-us. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121761284/en/ Contacts: Aldevron Ellen Shafer, Senior Director of Communications ellen.shafer@aldevron.com 701-219-0333 Dynacor Group Inc. (TSX-DNG) ("Dynacor" or the "Corporation"), an international gold ore processing company servicing ASMs (artisanal and small-scale miners), today announced unaudited gold sales of $30.2 million in December 2024, for record sales of $284.4 million annually. All figures are in US dollars unless otherwise indicated. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121016015/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) Annual Highlights Record annual sales of $284.4 million (C$389.5 million) (1) , compared to $250.2 million (C$337.6 million), an increase of +13.7% compared to 2023 Sales at the top end of our 2024 guidance range of between $265 and $285 million. of $284.4 million (C$389.5 million) , compared to $250.2 million (C$337.6 million), an increase of +13.7% compared to 2023 The increase of $34.2 millionor +13.7% on a year-over-year basis is due to a 21.2% increase in the sales price, partially offset by a 7.5% decrease in sales volume due to the lower grade of ore processed. Monthly Highlights Gold sales reached $30.2 million (C$42.9 million) in December 2024, compared to $20.3 million (C$27.3 million) in December 2023. in December 2024, compared to $20.3 million (C$27.3 million) in December 2023. The increase in sales of $9.9 million or +48.8% versus December 2023 results from increases in both the sales price (+34.0%) and volume (+14.8%). In December, the selling price of gold averaged $2,626 per ounce, compared to $2,024 per ounce in December 2023. The Veta Dorada plant processed 12,200 tonnes of ore in December 2024 (cumulatively in excess of 150,000 tonnes) as its annual equipment maintenance was carried out before the new year. The Corporation will release its 2025 financial guidance in February and its 2024 annual financial results at the end of March. (1) Sales are converted using the average monthly exchange rate. About Dynacor Dynacor is a dividend-paying industrial gold ore processor headquartered in Montreal, Canada. The Corporation is engaged in gold production through the processing of ore purchased from the ASM (artisanal and small-scale mining) industry. Dynacor operates in Peru where its management and processing teams have decades of experience working with ASM miners. It also owns a gold exploration property (Tumipampa) in the Apurimac department. The Corporation intends to expand its processing operations to other jurisdictions. Dynacor produces environmental and socially responsible gold through its PX IMPACT gold program. A growing number of supportive firms from the fine luxury jewelry, watchmaker and investment sectors pay a small premium to our customer and strategic partner for this PX IMPACT gold. The premium provides direct investment to develop health and education projects for our artisanal and small-scale miner's communities. Dynacor trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker DNG and is ranked on the 2024 TSX30. The TSX30 is an annual ranking of the 30 top-performing companies on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) over a three-year period. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in the preceding may constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Dynacor, or industry results, to be materially different from any future result, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance as of the date of this news release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121016015/en/ Contacts: For more information, please contact: Ruth Hanna Director, Investor Relations T: 514-393-9000 #236 E: investors@dynacor.com Website: http://www.dynacor.com Round led by Ansa Capital underscores industry need for an end-to-end carbon accounting platform that engages overlooked industries and drives business impact SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gravity , the leading enterprise carbon accounting and energy management platform, today announced a $13M Series A funding round, bringing the company's total funding to over $20M. The round was led by Ansa Capital, with participation from existing investors Eclipse, Hanover, and Caffeinated Capital, along with new investors Communitas Capital, Buoyant Ventures, and WEX Venture Capital. As part of the round, Marco DeMeireles, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Ansa Capital, will join Gravity's board of directors. Amidst a surge in carbon reporting requirements, sustainability teams are drowning in disclosure obligations, with little business impact to show for their efforts. With the majority of their time and resources spent on reporting and stakeholder engagement, there is little focus on action, which leads to companies leaving an estimated $2T on the table in energy efficiency savings alone. Gravity addresses this challenge head-on by delivering a carbon management solution that automates data collection and reporting, while empowering companies, even those in critical hard-to-abate industries, to reduce their energy consumption and costs. "Too often, sustainable disclosure is a manual, time-consuming chore that's detached from evergreen business priorities. Ultimately, behind every ton of emissions is a cost - whether it's energy spend, logistics investments, or purchased goods and services," says Saleh ElHattab, CEO and Co-Founder of Gravity. "Gravity taps into the fact that these cost centers are already well-tracked and can be measured automatically, while connecting the task of reporting back to every company's core financial priorities of cost and risk mitigation. Reporting should be easy and connected to business value." Unlike other platforms that require manual data entry, Gravity automates data collection and calculates audit-ready sustainability reports, offering a frictionless experience that has convinced over 60% of Gravity's customers to switch from other providers. Gravity's industry-leading data collection capabilities seamlessly integrate with each customer's existing energy tracking, supplier engagement, ESG measurement, and reporting modules, dramatically lowering their compliance burden and time spent on disclosure. One customer reported that Gravity's AI-powered bill scanning saved them an estimated 4,600 hours - or 578 days of work - annually. Gravity's platform also turns the act of reporting into one of value creation. Through energy audits, financing partnerships, and a marketplace of trusted vendors, Gravity is a one-stop shop for companies to execute projects that improve balance sheets by enhancing energy efficiency and unlocking new electrification and energy storage opportunities. One Gravity project - an HVAC optimization for a Midwestern utility - saved the customer over $2M annually. Another project, for a vertically integrated developer in Nevada, secured over $1M in federal incentives for construction improvements that were both sustainable and modernizing. "Gravity is the first platform we've seen successfully leverage LLMs to automate emissions reporting for large-scale organizations and turn carbon accounting into a value driver by identifying and executing cost-saving opportunities through their marketplace," said Marco DeMeireles, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Ansa Capital. "With a founding team that combines deep industrial expertise with world-class climate strategy and engineering excellence, we believe Gravity will be instrumental in helping the largest emitters move beyond emissions calculation to actively managing their energy costs through pragmatic, high-ROI actions on one convenient platform." The solution has struck a chord with the market, driving 400% year-over-year revenue growth. Gravity works with Fortune 500 companies, global enterprises, and leading private equity firms, including WM, Autodesk, and MiddleGround Capital. It is also supporting the companies that make up their supply chains and portfolios, including construction firms like McCarthy Holdings, Inc.; distributors like TTI, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway Company; and metals suppliers like Wisconsin Aluminum Factory. "We chose Gravity because it was the only solution that truly automated the data ingestion process and empowered us to go beyond reporting to reduce costs and increase business resilience," explains Sachin Shivaram, CEO of Wisconsin Aluminum Factory. "Thanks to Gravity, we are executing energy projects that deliver over $400,000 in annual savings, more than paying for itself. The team consistently goes above and beyond to anticipate our business needs, shepherding us through a journey that would have otherwise been very difficult." Gravity plans to invest the Series A funds in product research and development as the company expands its carbon management solution and customer experience. In particular, Gravity will double down on its energy efficiency marketplace, making it easier for customers to identify and implement energy efficiency projects and introducing new decarbonization and financing partners. The company will also expand its team in the US and EU to deliver the platform to new markets and empower customers to meet new regulatory reporting requirements. To learn about Gravity's solution and see the platform, visit their website here . About Gravity Gravity is an end-to-end carbon accounting and energy management solution that aligns sustainability and business impact. Built for energy-intense operations and companies with complex supply chains, Gravity empowers the world's makers and leading institutions to easily comply with emissions reporting requirements, win over customers, and reduce costs by optimizing energy use. With industry-leading technology, Gravity ensures customers can navigate the changing regulatory environment with confidence and execute projects that drive meaningful energy reductions, while protecting - and enhancing - their bottom line. Learn more and arrange a demo at www.gravityclimate.com . About Ansa Capital Ansa Capital makes high-conviction, thesis-driven investments in technology companies scaling from early venture to early growth. Backed by leading institutions, including Princeton and Accolade Partners, we focus on investing in new markets, innovative distribution models, and modern software tools-serving as the hub for tomorrow's leading companies, operators, and ideas. We leverage our prior experience as partners to companies like CrowdStrike, Coinbase, Zscaler, and Peloton to support our operators' evolution into category definers. Our commitment extends beyond capital: our team and network of advisors aid founders in operational scaling, while our Revenue Council of experienced go-to-market leaders provides indispensable tools and resources to accelerate the path to market leadership. Our ambition is to be your most aligned and impactful partner. Learn more at www.ansa.co Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2601869/Gravity_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gravity-announces-13m-in-series-a-funding-to-automate-reporting-and-accelerate-energy-optimization-302355467.html Sokoman Minerals Corp. (TSXV:SIC)(OTCQB:SICNF) ("Sokoman" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following results from the ongoing Western Trend diamond drilling program at the 100%-owned Moosehead Project. A total of 19 holes (1,325 m) were completed immediately before the Christmas break, with this release including assays for 13 holes, highlighted by the following: MH-24-649 69.48 g/t Au over 4.85m incl. 176.47 g/t Au over 1.90 m from 41.60 m MH-24-648 40.89 g/t Au over 4.30m incl. 74.08 g/t Au over 2.35 m from 47.20 m MH-24-646 26.72 g/t Au over 3.10m incl. 40.56 g/t Au over 1.90 m from 28.30 m Assays are uncut with core lengths shown; the estimated true thickness is believed to be 80 to 90% of the reported length. Assays are total pulp metallics from Eastern Analytical in Springdale, Newfoundland. Timothy Froude, P.Geo., President and CEO, states, "This is a great way to start the year! We are incredibly pleased with the high grades, with visible gold (including abundant visible gold) in 9 of 13 holes from the Western Trend (Photo 1). The success of the drilling was the result of using what we learned from the Western Trend trenching program last November, which included input from structural consultant Dr. David Coller, who mapped the trench. The Western Trend drilling is scheduled to resume on January 27 with a minimum 10-hole program to further expand the high-grade mineralization in the trench (Figure 1), the site of the planned conventional (drill and blast) bulk sample. We are also in discussions with Novamera to finalize an agreement for a surgical bulk sample at the adjacent Footwall Splay utilizing their proprietary technology in Q3 2025, so it will be a pivotal and very busy 2025 at Moosehead." The recent Western Trend drilling has tested 100 m of strike to 80 m down dip, with the zone remaining open. The remaining assays are expected in 3-4 weeks. The next phase of drilling will be mainly deeper holes targeting the high-grade plunge of the intersection point between the east-west trending splay and the main north-trending vein system (down plunge from MH-24-648 and 649) to a depth of 165 m down plunge and 100 m vertically. This area is a key target as it is a location where rock preparation is ideal for gold deposition with the potential to be where there is dilation zone. We will also be testing to the south of the trench (south of MH-24-646) to extend the strike to 145 m. Table of Results - Western Trend Drill Program Photo 1: Visible gold in quartz - DDH MH-24-649 Western Trend Trench area 69.48 g/t Au over 4.85 m (41.60 - 46.45 m) Figure 1: Drill Hole Location Map QP This news release has been reviewed and approved by Timothy Froude, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of Sokoman Minerals Corp. Analytical Techniques/QA/QC Samples, including duplicates, blanks, and standards, are submitted to Eastern Analytical Ltd. in Springdale, Newfoundland, for gold analysis. All core samples submitted for assay are saw cut by Sokoman personnel, with one-half submitted for assay and one-half retained for reference. Samples are delivered in sealed bags directly to the lab by Sokoman personnel. Eastern Analytical Ltd. is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Samples with visible gold are submitted for total pulp metallics with a gravimetric finish. All other samples are analyzed by standard fire assay methods. Total pulp metallic analysis includes the entire sample being crushed to -10 mesh and then pulverized to 95% -150 mesh. The total sample is weighed and screened to 150 mesh; the +150-mesh fraction is fire-assayed for Au, and a 30 g subsample of the -150-mesh fraction is fire-assayed for Au, with a calculated weighted average of total Au in the sample reported as well. One blank and one industry-approved standard for every twenty samples submitted is included in the sample stream. Random duplicates of selected samples are analyzed in addition to the in-house standard and duplicate policies of Eastern Analytical Ltd. All reported assays are uncut. About Sokoman Minerals Corp. Sokoman Minerals Corp. is a discovery-oriented company and one of the largest landholders in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada's emerging gold district. The Company's primary focus is its portfolio of gold projects; the 100%-owned flagship, advanced-stage Moosehead, Crippleback Lake, and the district-scale Fleur de Lys project near Baie Verte in northwestern Newfoundland, targeting Dalradian-type orogenic gold mineralization similar to the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland. The Company entered a strategic alliance with Benton Resources Inc. through three, large-scale, joint-venture properties including Grey River, Golden Hope, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland. In October 2023, Sokoman and Benton completed an agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc., a major developer of lithium projects and processing plants in the USA, and exactly the right partner to have to advance the lithium project. For full details of the agreement please refer to the Company's press release dated October 11, 2023. Projects optioned with optionee fully vested are: East Alder Project optioned to Canterra Minerals Inc. (SIC retains shares of CTM plus 1% NSR) Startrek Project optioned to Thunder Gold (SIC retains shares of TGOL plus 1% NSR) The Company would like to thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for the financial support of the Moosehead and Fleur de Lys Projects through the Junior Exploration Assistance Program during the past few years. For more information, please contact: Timothy Froude, P.Geo., President & CEO T: 709-765-1726 E: tim@sokomanmineralscorp.com Cathy Hume, VP Corporate Development, Director T: 416-868-1079 x 251 E: cathy@chfir.com Website: www.sokomanmineralscorp.com Twitter: @SokomanMinerals Facebook: @SokomanMinerals LinkedIn: @SokomanMineralsCorp Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of the Corporation should be considered highly speculative. Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Sokoman Minerals Corp. will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by Sokoman Minerals Corp. SOURCE: Sokoman Minerals Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire ZTEST Electronics Inc. ("ZTEST" or the "Company") (CSE ZTE). The Company's Board of Directors announces it has initiated a comprehensive strategic review to explore and evaluate a broad range of opportunities to enhance shareholder value. The Company is also pleased to announce that it has engaged RRico Corporate Development Company ("RRico") for an initial term of three months to explore strategic growth initiatives. Ron Rieder, President of RRico brings more than 25 years experience in creating, assisting and developing both public and private companies. Ron has been involved in public company mergers and acquisitions, corporate development, and investment banking, raising well more than $100 million in various forms of financing. Ron has been granted 100,000 stock options of the Company. These options have an exercise price of $0.40 and will expire in five years with 50% vesting in three months and the balance vesting in 6 months, provided that Ron continues to be retained by the Company. Steve Smith, CEO commented, "Ron's rich experience and rigorous approach to determining impactful acquisition targets match our drive to shape the future of the Company. I'm confident he will accelerate our ability to identify new opportunities to develop our business." About ZTEST Electronics Inc. ZTEST Electronics Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary Permatech Electronics Corporation ("Permatech"), offers Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) to a wide range of customers. Permatech's offering includes Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Assembly, Materials Management and Testing services. Permatech operates from an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility in North York, Ontario, Canada. Permatech is a contract assembler of complex circuit boards, serving customers in the Medical, Power, Computer, Telecommunications, Wireless, Industrial, Trucking, Wearables and Consumer Electronics markets. It specializes in servicing customers who are looking for high yield and require high quality and rapid-turnaround on low and mid-volume production of high complexity products. For more information contact: Steve Smith, CEO (604) 837-3751 email: steves@ztest.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains forward looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.com). SOURCE: ZTEST Electronics Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 21, 2025 / Rush Rare Metals Corp. (CSE:RSH) ("Rush" or the "Company) is pleased to confirm that its earn-in partner on the Copper Mountain uranium property in Wyoming, Myriad Uranium Corp. (CSE:M)(OTCQB:MYRUF)(FRA:C3Q) - ("Myriad"), has announced a large expansion of the project area, from approximately 4,200 acres to approximately 9,320 acres. The newly acquired areas include prospects generally known as Railroad, Steffen Hill, Cedar Ridge, Mole, West Mesa, and Lucky Cliff, plus extensions of existing areas such as Fuller, Mint, Midnight, and Knob (see Figure 1 below). Most of the new areas have confirmed significant surface or subsurface uranium mineralisation and may be prospective for other minerals. Some of the newly-acquired areas were previously targeted for uranium mineralisation in sandstone. This is important because sandstone-hosted deposits could be more amenable to in-situ recovery methods, if the conditions are favourable. All of the new areas were acquired by staking. The expansion of the Copper Mountain Project claim area was largely guided by extensive information from historical exploration data (which includes over 2000 drill holes), mainly completed by Union Pacific during the 1970's, as well as insights from Myriad's 2024 successful maiden drill program. Peter Smith, Rush's CEO, commented "We are very excited about the recent expansions at Copper Mountain, which adds a great deal of ground to our earn-in agreement with Myriad, creating exciting new value and potential for Rush shareholders. We have an ever-expanding collection of highly prospective zones at Copper Mountain which have all demonstrated great potential for extensive uranium mineralization through historical exploration records. In addition, Myriad's recent successful drill program in just one of these zones, at the Canning zone, has started to not only validate the historical work, but also increase our expectations in terms of the size, depth and grade in some of these mineralized zones. We anxiously await further exploration insights beyond the Canning zone, including for Mint, Bonanza, Fuller, Steffan Hill, Knob, Railroad, Midnight, Hesitation, Cedar Ridge, and others. It certainly appears that Copper Mountain is fast becoming Wyoming's largest and most exciting uranium project." Myriad's news release dated January 20, 2025, can be found here, and contains comments from the CEO of Myriad. Boxi Property Update The Boxi Property is a road accessible property comprised of over 8,000 hectares, located just a short distance from Mont Laurier, Quebec. Boxi was formerly held by Areva S.A. (now Orano), who held the Property based on early samples returning high values for uranium. Orano dropped the Property following the Fukushima incident in 2013, and uranium mining was subsequently suspended in Quebec under a temporary moratorium still in place today. Rush subsequently acquired the Property on the strength of niobium values in samples taken by Orano in 2011. Niobium is categorized as a critical mineral in Canada and is used to make strong, light weight and corrosion resistant steel, superconductors, and various other highly topical products. There are only three niobium mines of any significance in the world, two of them in Brazil, and the third, the Niobec Mine, just 350km from Boxi in Quebec. Unlike these operating mines, which are hosted within carbonatite intrusions, the Boxi Property stands out by hosting niobium within pegmatite intrusions. Previous exploration at the Boxi Property was summarized in a Company news release dated July 12, 2024. We are pleased to report some more recent results from the Boxi Property. In the late fall of 2024, some additional channel samples were taken at various points along the mineralized dyke as shown below on Map 2. Map 1. BX-1 Showing Channel Results Results from the channel samples are summarized on the following table: Table 1. BX-1 Showing Channel Results The mineralized dyke at Boxi continues to be highly anomalous for niobium. However, recent results have failed to produce the much higher results often found in earlier prospecting programs. The niobium on the BX-1 showing is hosted in a pegmatite composed of quartz, feldspar, biotite and minor magnetite. The Boxi Property still holds significant untapped potential, particularly along the interpreted highly prospective NE-SW trending zone. This zone, spanning up to 15 km, has been delineated through interpretations from radiometric and magnetic surveys. The BX-1 Showing is located along that trend. Additionally, the presence of other critical-mineral-rich pegmatite occurrences in the area, as documented on the SIGEOM's government website, further underscores the strong exploration potential, both along strike and in other unexplored parts of the property. In particular, a previously discovered radiometric anomaly at the far east of the Boxi Property along the NE-SW prospective trend should be further investigated. Additionally, the controls on pegmatite distribution and grade variability across the property remain to be fully understood. Further analysis will be done over the rest of the winter and plans for future exploration work will be announced in due course, which may include geophysics, sub-surface investigation of the dyke and further stripping and sampling in other areas. Qualified Person Clyde McMillan, P. Geo, a "Qualified Person" for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific or technical information included in this news release respecting the Boxi Property. There were no limits on the verification process. Further scientific or technical information in this news release respecting the Boxi Property is based on an independent geological report titled "43-101 Technical Report on the BOXI REE-Nb-U Deposit" dated August 6, 2022 and available at Rush's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). About Rush Rare Metals Corp. Rush Rare Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on its Boxi Property located in the Province of Quebec, Canada. Rush also owns the Copper Mountain Project located in Wyoming, USA, which it has optioned to Myriad Uranium Corp. Rush currently has a 100% interest in the Boxi Property, and a 50% interest in the Copper Mountain Project. For further information, please refer to Rush's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) or contact Rush by email at psmith@rushraremetals.com or by telephone at 778.999.7030, or refer to Rush's website at www.rushraremetals.com. Rush Contacts: Peter Smith Chief Executive Officer psmith@rushraremetals.com ### Mineralization hosted on adjacent or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's properties. Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. SOURCE: Rush Rare Metals Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Grid Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Grid") (TSXV:CELL)(OTCQB:EVKRF)(FRA:W47) is pleased to announce the results of its fall 2024 reverse circulation drilling program on the Company's claim block at Silver Peak, Clayton Valley, Esmeralda County, Nevada. This strategic land package, covering approximately 2,300 acres (930 ha), directly adjoins the western portion of lithium producer Albemarle's (NYSE: ALB) evaporation ponds and is nearby Century Lithium Corp.'s (TSXV:LCE)(OTCQB:CYDVF) proposed 5,430-acre Angel Island Lithium Mine, which recently released a Positive Feasibility Study detailing a 40-year mine life and an after-tax NPV8 of $3.01 billion . Drilling Image from the Clayton Valley Lithium Project Mr. Tim Fernback, Company President and CEO comments "Now that we have the results of the fall 2024 exploration program at our Clayton Valley Lithium Project, we are excited about the next steps of further testing the lithium content of the claystones and brine in the southern part of the claim which is near the Silver Peak Lithium Mine. This area holds the greatest promise as a lithium deposit for our company at Clayton Valley. One of the stated goals of the fall drilling program was to test the depth of the accumulated lithium brine and claystones on our property which was completed. With this knowledge, we can propose a significant follow-on exploration program that will work towards an eventual maiden resource calculation and NI# 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment. We remain very excited about this opportunity in Nevada for our company and shareholders." Summary of the 2024 Fall Exploration Program at Clayton Valley Grid Battery Metals completed a five-hole drill program in late October 2024, and assay results have since been returned. A total of 4735 feet were drilled to test for economic lithium clay and lithium brines with the Company landholdings located 1.2 miles northeast of Silver Peak, Nevada. Figure 1 shows the locations of the completed 2024 and 2021 holes. The ingredients for lithium deposition including basin bounding faults, tuffaceous sediments, and geothermal waters are present on the Grid claims (Figure 2). Geologically, the property lies above a north trending fault graben on the west side of Clayton Valley called the Goat Island Graben. The surface is composed of alluvium, dunes, and playa sediments. Hot-spring related travertine, sinter, and tufa deposits occur on the west edge of the graben andare thought to represent upwelling and lithium bearing geothermal water from the deeper Clayton Valley basins to the east. Tuffaceous sediments (including sinter and travertine), and alluvial gravels with anomalous lithium were encountered in nearly every hole. Water temperatures were elevated in all holes with a peak temperature of 85C in RCV-05. The presence of sinter and travertine in the holes suggests that hot-springs sediments covered a much broader area than the mapped exposures indicate. Table 1 is a summary of assay results. Water assays were collected in 500 ml plastic bottles every 20 feet and sent to ALS Global where they were weighed, filtered, acidified, and analyzed by ICP-AP. Cutting samples were collected every 5 feet and sent to Bureau Veritas in Reno for analysis. Samples were processed, weighed and air-dried. Samples were crushed to 70% passing 10 mesh in a 250 g split. The analysis was by multi-acid digest with ICP-MS/ES finish. QA/QC standards, blanks, and field duplicates were inserted approximately every 20 samples. Lithium concentrations in water samples were determined in all holes. The best drill-cutting intercept occurs in RCV-04 in tuffaceous sediments between 80 and 250 feet with an average of 298 ppm Li that includes grades to 741 ppm and is worthy of further exploration. Published low-grade clay-hosted lithium assays are approximately 800-850 ppm. While lithium assays generally diminish to the north, there is still untested property to the south to explore for shallow, but higher-grade lithium which is of considerable interest to the Grid Exploration Team. The anticipated thickness of the sediments above Cambrian basement (1500-1800 feet) in the Goat Island Graben appears thinned by the presence of basalt with an unknown thickness that may occur along the length of the Graben. However, this "flow" may lie on top of older sediments within the graben, G. and could potentially act as an ideal aquitard for lithium brines (Figure 2). Seismic survey lines would help to establish the basalt depth and plan for deeper drill targets. Grid Battery Metals will consider its exploration options for 2025 with a primary focus on the southern area of the claim block which returned the highest lithium drill results for the Company. Figure 1: Grid Battery Metals property with drill hole locations, faults, and hot-spring related rocks Figure 2: Interpretive north facing cross-section showing extended hot-springs rocks and basalt. Section is located between RCV-01 and RCV-05 Table1: Summary of Results Mr. Steven McMillin, P.G. Company Qualified Person, states "For a follow-up program consisting of shallow holes less than 600 feet could rapidly test for higher grade lithium to the south of RCV-04. For a deeper test beneath basalt, an active seismic test line should be considered to identify the basalt thickness and hopefully the graben bottom. Drilled lithologies, particularly basalt, will help calibrate the seismic results. If the results indicate there is a lower package of sediments, then more lines to the south RCV-04 and possibly over holes drilled to the north could be conducted. Magnetotelluric results in conjunction of the seismic results can be reinterpreted. From this, a much better geologic model can be constructed to plan deeper drill holes". Mr. McMillin continues "There is a possibility of a deeper section of sediments below the basalt in the Goat Island Graben. Basalt could be an excellent aquitard for lithium brines." Assays Cutting samples were sent to Bureau Veritas ("BV") laboratory in Reno. Samples were processed, weighed and air-dried. The air drying was recommended by Applied Hydrologic of Reno because normal drying temperatures in a lab may volatilize lithium. Unfortunately, additional time was added to sample processing. After weighing, samples were crushed to 70% passing 10 mesh in a 250 g split. The analysis was by multi-acid digest with ICP-MS/ES finish. Water samples were delivered to the ALS Global laboratory in Elko. The water samples were kept in a cooler with ice until delivery. Samples were logged in, filtered, and acidified. The analysis was done by ICP instrumentation. Geology Logging Lithology samples were captured every 5 feet using a strainer and placed into 20-compartment plastic chip trays for geologic logging. Chip logging into an Excel spreadsheet was conducted during night and day shifts. and lithology, structure, alteration, and mineralization were logged into separate worksheets. Drillhole Geology The geology of all holes drilled is summarized in Table 1. Material drilled includes lacustrine alluvial sediments, and basalt Common features encountered in nearly every hole include: Thin recent alluvium cover of approximately 20 feet. Clay and travertine/sinter intervals to approximately 400 feet from the surface. Basalt from approximately 400 feet with an unknown total thickness. The exceptions are RCV-06 and RCV-08 where no basalt was drilled. Groundwater temperatures of 85-120 F. RCV-05 ended with 180 F water. Evidence of active hydrothermal alteration at multiple elevations in multiple lithologies. Water flows of up to 220 gallons per minute. Alteration in tuffaceous units consists of distinct greenish or gray clays. Qualified Person Mr. Steven McMillin, P.G. is an independent qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained within this news release. About Grid Battery Metals Inc. www.gridbatterymetals.com . Grid Battery Metals Inc. is a Canadian based exploration company whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market. About Texas Springs Property The Company owns a 100% interest in the Texas Spring Property which consists of mineral lode claims located in Elko County, Nevada. The Property is in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nevada, about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Nevada. The target is a lithium clay deposit in volcanic tuff and tuffaceous sediments of the Humbolt Formation. A Phase 1 exploration program at the Texas Springs Property (Fall 2023) yielded average lithium grades of 2010 ppm, applying a 1,000 ppm cut-off, and up to 5,610 ppm Lithium. The Texas Spring property adjoins the southern border of the Nevada North Lithium Project - owned by Surge Battery Metals Inc. ("Surge") (TSXV:NILI)(OTCQX:NILIF) and comprised of 725 mineral claims. Surge's first round of drilling identified strongly mineralized lithium bearing clays. The average lithium content within all near surface clay zones intersected in the 2022 drilling program, applying a 1000 ppm cut-off, was 3254 ppm. (Press release March 29, 2023). More recent results have shown higher grade lithium up to 8070 ppm on this property after initial drilling (Press release September 12, 2023). Our exploration results are on-trend with these results. About Clayton Valley Lithium Project The Company owns a 100% interest in 113 lithium lode and placer claims covering over 930 hectares in Clayton Valley. Clayton Valley is a down-dropped closed basin formed by the Miocene age Great Basin extension and is still active due to movement along the Walker Lane structural zone. As a result, the basin has preserved multiple layers of lithium bearing volcanic ash, resulting from multiple eruptive events over the past 6 million years including eruptions from the 700,000-year-old Long Valley Caldera system and related events. These ash layers are thought to contribute to the lithium brines extracted by Albemarle and are also likely involved in the formation of the exposed lithium rich clay deposits on the east side of Clayton Valley. About the Volt Canyon Lithium Property The Company owns a 100% interest in 80 placer claims covering approximately 635 hectares of alluvial sediments and clays located 122 km northeast of Tonopah, Nevada. About the British Columbia Copper Project The Company acquired a 100% interest in 17 mineral claims comprising 27,525 hectares (approximately 275 km2) located in North Central British Columbia, that has conditional approval by the TSX Venture Exchange at the time of this news release. The region is host to numerous operating mines, good infrastructure including experienced exploration and supporting services. Prominent among early discoveries in the Omineca region include the nearby Lustdust/Stardust Copper - Gold deposit; the Kwanika Copper - Gold depositandthe Lorraine Copper deposit (all of which are owned by (NorthWest Copper Corp. (TSXV:NWST)). The Company's claims are also located between Centerra Gold Inc.'s (TSX:CG)(NYSE:CGAU) prominent Copper/Gold assets, the Kemess North project and the operating Mount Milligan mine, which has produced over 1.8 million ounces of gold and 742 million pounds of copper (Technical Report on the Mount Milligan Mine, November 7, 2022, Borntrager. B, et al.). On Behalf of the Board of Directors "Tim Fernback" Tim Fernback, President & CEO Contact Information: Email: info@gridbatterymetals.com Phone: 604- 428-5690 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements. It should be noted that results from any adjacent property(s) are not an indication of what may be found on the Company's property(s). SOURCE: Grid Battery Metals Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire MARION, NC / ACCESS Newswire / January 21, 2025 / Greene Concepts, Inc. (OTC PINK:INKW) and GEMZ Corp (OTC PINK:GMZP) are excited to announce a partnership to ship large containers of fresh artesian spring water to the Middle East. GEMZ Corp's subsidiary, BadgerBlox Inc., a leader in sustainable shipping container conversions, will collaborate with Greene Concepts, which operates artesian wells in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains while creating its flagship bottled water brand BE WATER. This initiative follows Greene Concepts' January 14, 2025 announcement of a large-scale water refill station at its Marion, NC bottling plant, the source from which the water containers will be filled. BadgerBlox will retrofit containers with pumps for water storage and continuous mixing ensuring freshness during transit and delivery. Chris Schrubey, CEO and President of BadgerBlox, states, "Our expertise in repurposing large containers for innovative uses, such as affordable housing solutions (see: June 14, 2024 news release), extends naturally to providing water solutions. Partnering with Greene Concepts allows us to address critical water needs in the Middle East." Lenny Greene, CEO of Greene Concepts, commented, "This partnership unites our companies to address the Middle East's water crisis. By filling BadgerBlox's innovative containers with clean water from our refill station, we're delivering a scalable long-term solution that generates substantial revenue while helping those in need." Follow Greene Concepts, Inc. onSocial Media (X) at:@GreeneConcepts About GEMZ Corporation and BadgerBloX Homes Inc. GEMZ Corporation is a publicly traded company which trades under the symbol GMZP. BadgerBloX Homes Inc. is a designer and manufacturing converter of container-based living and workspaces. BadgerBloX specializes in affordable, high-quality conversion of containers for use as homes, offices, and other imaginative ready to use spaces. Visit https://www.badgerblox.com/ for more information. Follow us on Twitter (X) at: @GEMZCorporation and @BadgerBlox About Greene Concepts, Inc. Greene Concepts, Inc. (https://www.greeneconcepts.com) is a publicly traded company whose purpose is to provide the world with high-quality, healthy and enhanced beverage choices that meet the nutritional needs of its consumers while refreshing their mind, body and spirit. The Company's flagship product, BE WATER, is a premium artesian bottled water that supports total body health and wellness. Greene Concepts' beverage and bottling plant is located in Marion, North Carolina, and their water is ethically sourced from spring and artesian wells that are fed from a natural aquifer located deep beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains. Greene Concepts continues to develop and market premium beverage brands designed to enhance the daily lives of consumers. Safe Harbor: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a few uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and OTC Markets, Inc. OTC Disclosure and News Service. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Fathom Nickel Inc. (CSE: FNI) (FSE: 6Q5) (OTCQB: FNICF) (the "Company" or "Fathom") is pleased to provide management's review of the Company's activities from 2024 and a preliminary outlook for 2025. Amid a challenging junior capital markets and commodity price landscape, Fathom has made several significant advances in 2024 at both its magmatic nickel sulphide projects: Gochager Lake and Albert Lake projects in north-central Saskatchewan. The Company continues to attract the interest of notable third-parties (majors and strategics), a testament to our methodical and scientific approach to exploration. We believe there is a very strong investment thesis at current prices to experience significant near-term share price gains based on several possible catalysts - from both an internal and macro perspective. Exploration highlights to-date include: Gochager Lake Project: 2024 drilling demonstrated that the historic Gochager Lake deposit 1 remains open for expansion to depth and along strike well beyond the historic boundaries. remains open for expansion to depth and along strike well beyond the historic boundaries. Importantly, exploration to date demonstrates tremendous upside potential in an expanded footprint area we have now defined to be 25x the area of the historic deposit. The historic Gochager Lake deposit is possibly one of several potential mineral deposits within the expanded footprint. Why? The Gochager Lake deposit host rock continues along strike to the east-northeast and has now been mapped for a minimum of 600m. Very robust Ni-Cu-Co in-soil assay anomalies, occurring ~ 1.5km east-northeast and ~ 1.0km west-southwest of the historic deposit, grade significantly higher than the Ni-Cu-Co in-soil responses in the immediate historic deposit area. Disseminated, massive sulphide vein, and semi-massive sulphide breccia styles of mineralization (grading up to 2-3% Ni) intersected in recent drilling at the historic deposit, is consistent with a magmatic nickel sulphide deposit model and supports the notion that massive sulphide Ni-Cu-Co mineralization can also be hosted within the recognized Gochager Lake deposit footprint. Fathom's near-term exploration strategy is focused on discovering massive sulphide bodies within the expanded footprint. Albert Lake Project: 2024 drilling at the Nic5 - Tremblay-Olson area intersected Rottenstone-like host rock and Rottenstone-like metal tenor ~ 25m below surface, thus validating the very robust 4km 2 multi-element soil geochemical anomaly occurring 1-3km south-southwest of the historic very high-grade Rottenstone deposit 2 . multi-element soil geochemical anomaly occurring 1-3km south-southwest of the historic very high-grade Rottenstone deposit . This provides further indications that mineralized ultramafic rock occurs subsurface and is being reflected by the 4km 2 Nic5 - Tremblay-Olson soil geochemical anomaly. Nic5 - Tremblay-Olson soil geochemical anomaly. Numerous high-priority, near surface and deep coincident gravity and electromagnetic anomalies remain untested in the Nic5 - Tremblay-Olson area. Fathom has proven unequivocally that the famous, world-class grade Rottenstone deposit is not a "one-off", isolated occurrence but is part of an open, dynamic, magmatic nickel sulphide system that should yield Rottenstone-like grades within the vicinity of Rottenstone and elsewhere on the Albert Lake property. In 2024 the Company discovered a Gold Zone with grades up to 2.68 g/t Au in an area 17.0km along strike of Ramp Metals Ranger gold discovery. We have had preliminary discussions with certain strategic investors with respect to the gold prospects at the Albert Lake project. Ian Fraser, CEO and VP Exploration, stated, "In a very challenging junior exploration environment in 2024 our focused and methodical exploration approach has demonstrably advanced both projects. At Gochager, in just over a year and a half, and with just over 5,000 meters of drilling, we have re-constructed and expanded the historic Gochager Lake deposit. Importantly, our understanding of the dynamics and controls of this deposit have put us in an excellent position to make new, more significant discoveries at the 23,000-hectare Gochager Lake project. Now that we are armed with a comprehensive understanding of the geology, it is time to hunt for elephants. At Albert Lake the new gold zone discovery has attracted significant interest to the property for its gold potential. We look forward to leveraging this opportunity going forward and continuing our exploration efforts in the Nic5 - Tremblay-Olson area." 2025 Outlook: Our immediate exploration plans for 2025 include: Q1 - approximately 75 line-km of deep penetrating EM (electromagnetic) survey at Gochager Lake project. Q1 - anticipate a permit to allow for transport of drill and ancillary equipment via winter trail and ice roads to Gochager Lake camp. Q1-Q2 - small drill program at Mal Lake nickel occurrence during equipment mobilization to Gochager camp. Q2-Q3 - mapping prospecting along Gochager Lake expanded footprint, ground-truth EM anomalies, followed by drilling. Q2-Q3 - mapping, prospecting at Albert Lake South gold zone. We expect to see an improvement in the nickel spot price in 2025. There is growing evidence that the government in Indonesia will continue to curb production in an effort to both improve commodity pricing and contain the vast environmental damage currently being inflicted by miners and processors. It is our belief that the demand for North American supplied "critical" metals is essential and, specific to Fathom, there is a dearth of high-grade magmatic nickel sulphide projects in North America. There has not been a significant discovery of high-grade nickel-copper-cobalt+PGE in North America since the Voisey's Bay discovery 30 years ago and Fathom feels we have the potential to make this type of discovery. Ian Fraser, CEO and VP Exploration, further commented," I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our shareholders. It has been difficult to witness the deterioration of our share price while at the same time we continue to be very successful with our exploration results. Your patience and support are very much appreciated, and you can rest assured that Management will continue to meet these challenges head-on and continue to work diligently in the best interests of our shareholders and our Company. I would also like to thank our team, our consultants and all suppliers and contributors to our 2024 exploration programs - your support and continued excellent work is very much appreciated." Qualified Person and Data Verification Ian Fraser, P.Geo., CEO, VP Exploration and a Director of the Company and the "qualified person" as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of the Company. About Fathom Nickel Inc. Fathom is an exploration company that is targeting magmatic nickel sulphide discoveries to support the rapidly growing global electric vehicle market and to secure the supply of North American Critical Minerals. The Company now has a portfolio of three high-quality exploration projects located in the prolific Trans Hudson Corridor in Saskatchewan: 1) the 22,000+ hectare Gochager Lake Project that is host to a historic, NI43-101 non-compliant open pit resource consisting of 4.3M tons at 0.295% Ni and 0.081% Cu1, and 2) the Albert Lake Project, a 90,000+ hectare project that was host to the historic and past producing Rottenstone Mine2 (produced 28,724 tons @ 3.3% Ni, 1.8% Cu, 9.63 g/t 3E (Pd-Pt+Au) 1965-1969), and 3) the 10,000+ hectare Friesen Lake Project located 40km southwest of the historic Rottenstone Mine and 30km northwest of the historic Gochager Lake deposit. 1 - The Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMDI #0880) reports drill indicated reserves at the historic Gochager Lake Deposit of 4,262,400 tons grading 0.295% Ni and 0.081% Cu mineable by open pit. Fathom cannot confirm the resource estimate, nor the parameters and methods used to prepare the reserve estimate. The estimate is not considered NI43-101 compliant and further work is required to verify this historical drill indicated reserve. 2 - The Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMDI #0958) reports the production grades noted above from a small open pit. Fathom cannot confirm the production numbers nor a historic resource estimate that may have been in place ahead of production. The historic pit exists, and the Company trusts the production, as noted in SMDI #0958, to be accurate. The Company has performed test assaying of Rottenstone-type mineralization and results are consistent with production grades. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-Looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding payment of terms under the Option Agreement, permitting for the Property, receipt of an exploration permit, timing of the exploration program on the Property and the Company achieving the earn-in thresholds under the Option Agreement. Forward-Looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-Looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237924 SOURCE: Fathom Nickel Inc. The Target-MRD blood test uses a combination of tumor-informed and tumor-agnostic molecular features for personalized, accurate and more effective monitoring of molecular residual disease. LONDON and MUNICH and NEW DELHI, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Datar Cancer Genetics (DCG) today announced the launch of Target-MRD, an advanced molecular residual disease (MRD) monitoring blood test for solid organ cancers. Target-MRD is a blood test based on tumor-agnostic next-generation sequencing (NGS) and customized, tumor-informed droplet digital PCR (dd-PCR) assay. In patients who undergo initial anticancer treatments, a small number of tumor cells can survive and persist in the body. This low 'disease burden' is capable of leading to a relapse, which can remain undetectable by traditional genomic and imaging methods. Timely detection of this 'minimal residual disease' is now considered critical towards mitigating risks of recurrence. Target-MRD offers personalized, ultra-sensit ive detection and monitoring of residual disease at the molecular level, if any, to assist oncologists to intervene early, well before the disease gets out of hand. Target-MRD combines tumor-agnostic (to detect tumor evolution) and tumor-informed (specific to a patient's cancer) biomarkers thus offering a comprehensive and ultra-high sensitivity solution for more effective disease management. Dr. Timothy Crook, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Cromwell Hospital, London, said, "Monitoring the slightest recurrence of cancer in patients after treatment is critical to enable timely interventions before the disease gets out of hand. The dual approach of Datar's MRD is a significant step forward in non-invasively detecting the earliest signs of residual disease. It has the potential to change how we manage cancer patients." "This novel MRD detection approach, combining tumor-informed and tumor-agnostic strategies, represents a significant advancement in oncology diagnostics. This innovative methodology enhances our ability to deliver truly personalised care to cancer patients. Its sensitivity and precision offer clinicians invaluable tools for tailoring treatments, improving recurrence detection, and optimising long-term patient outcomes. This is a transformative step toward truly personalised cancer care," said Dr. Ashok Kumar Vaid, Chairman, Medical Oncology, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram. Advancing the Future of Oncology "Target-MRD reflects DCG's commitment to safe, reliable and accurate technologies. It is the next generation test that has the potential not only to detect recurrence earlier but to adapt itself to each patient's individual requirements and helps to personalise cancer management decisions," said Dr. Darshana Patil, Senior Director, Global Strategy and Medical Affairs at DCG. "With its ability to sensitively detect minimal residual disease, Target-MRD empowers clinicians with the information they need to make timely, data-driven decisions, improving patient outcomes and ultimately transforming the way cancer is managed." Datar Cancer Genetics is a global oncology research and applications company that is spearheading the development of non-invasive technologies for improved detection, treatment and management of cancer. The Company's state-of-the-art cancer research centre is NABL, ISO and CAP accredited. The Company serves cancer patients in the UK, European Union, United States, GCC, and India, and has modern cancer research facilities in the US, UK, and India. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2602389/DGC_Blood_Test_Mutations.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2602388/Datar_Cancer_Genetics_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/datar-cancer-genetics-introduces-revolutionary-tumor-agnostic--informed-blood-test-for-residual-disease-monitoring-302356128.html Paris, France--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS), a leading provider of 4G and 5G semiconductors and modules for the Internet of Things, today announced the acquisition of ACP Advanced Circuit Pursuit AG ("ACP"), a Zurich-based company recognized for its robust IP portfolio and expertise in RF CMOS technology. The acquisition strengthens Sequans' technology leadership in 5G eRedCap development and accelerates its time-to-market for next-generation IoT chips. In addition, ACP's proven radio technology and successful track record in selling its technology across various wireless market segments are expected to create new growth opportunities for Sequans. "We are thrilled to welcome the ACP team to Sequans," said Georges Karam, Chairman and CEO of Sequans. "Their advanced, ready-to-use technology and engineering expertise perfectly complement our existing capabilities and will be instrumental in driving our product innovations forward." "Joining Sequans marks a pivotal moment for the ACP team," said Dr. Qiuting Huang, CEO of ACP. "Sequans' pioneering leadership in cellular IoT provides an ideal platform for integrating our technologies and accelerating innovation in the 5G IoT product roadmap." The acquisition brings a small, highly skilled team to Sequans with minimal impact on the company's planned operating expenses for 2025. The acquisition is expected to generate modest revenue in 2025 and potentially contribute several million dollars in 2026 through ACP's existing customer relationships. "The 5G eRedCap market is expected to surpass 4G IoT in scale, and this acquisition strengthens Sequans' ability to capture this expanding market opportunity," concluded Karam. The deal, structured as a cash transaction, underscores Sequans' ability to execute its strategy while maintaining disciplined financial management. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Sequans, including the impact of the recently closed ACP acquisition on product innovation, growth prospects and future revenue expectations. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that are not historical fact. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements also often use words such as "anticipate," "target," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "goal," "believe," "hope," "aims," "continue," "could," "project," "should," "will" or other words of similar meaning. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by Sequans in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, future developments and other factors they believe appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty, because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and the factors described in the context of such forward-looking statements in this announcement could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although it is believed that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to be correct, and you are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as at the date of this announcement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results and are based on certain key assumptions. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the completion of the transaction; significant or unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the transaction; and negative effects of the transaction on the market price of Sequans' ADS. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements are changes in the global, political, economic, business and competitive environments, market and regulatory forces. If any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or if any one or more of the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Such forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the light of such factors. A more complete description of these and other material risks can be found in Sequans' filings with the SEC, including its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, subsequent filings on Form 6-K and other documents that may be filed from time to time with the SEC. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. Sequans undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. About Sequans Communications Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a leading semiconductor company specializing in wireless cellular technology for the Internet of Things (IoT). Our engineers design and develop innovative, secure, and scalable technologies that power the next generation of connected devices. We offer a wide range of solutions, including chips, modules, IP, and services. Our LTE-M/NB-IoT, 4G LTE Cat 1bis, and 5G NR RedCap/eRedCap platforms are optimized for IoT, delivering breakthroughs in wireless connectivity, power efficiency, security, and performance. Established in 2003, Sequans is headquartered in France and has a global presence with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Finland, Taiwan, and China. About ACP Advanced Circuit Pursuit ACP Advanced Circuit Pursuit AG is a leading specialist in integrated circuits for cellular communications. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, ACP offers a comprehensive portfolio of RF transceivers and systems-on-chip (SoCs) for the cellular Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G-enabled enhanced mobile broadband (EMB). To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237926 SOURCE: Sequans Communications Gilchrist's addition deepens firm's collective intelligence expertise and capabilities North Highland, the leading change and transformation consultancy, has welcomed Christopher Gilchrist as Head of Research and Intelligence. Gilchrist will spearhead the firm's intellectual property strategy, driving innovation and insights that empower clients to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121223080/en/ North Highland Welcomes Christopher Gilchrist as Head of Research and Intelligence (Photo: Business Wire) Under Gilchrist's leadership, the Research Intelligence team will build on best-in-class qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to provide clients with research backed-perspectives that enable and inform a more durable organizational development approach. "I am thrilled to be part of a firm that is as passionate about the transformative nature of markets as I am," Gilchrist shared. "Together, we will explore new frontiers that challenge and create the required capabilities to drive sustainable performance and long-term value for our clients." Gilchrist joins after four years with Forrester Research, Inc. as principal advising clients on market strategy, industry economics and corporate governance. Prior to that, Gilchrist spent six years at PwC as director advising clients on market risk, regulatory strategy and economic performance. "We're thrilled to welcome Chris to the team," said Matt Klein, managing director and chief marketing officer at North Highland. "His expertise in strategic advisory and academic research will be instrumental in enhancing our collective intelligence capabilities, and I look forward to the innovative solutions and actionable intelligence he will bring to our clients." In addition to his professional experience, Gilchrist holds a bachelor's degree in science from the University of Oklahoma and a master's degree in science from Columbia University where he also holds a faculty appointment. Under this appointment, his research delves into the future of organization and performance in the post-industrial era, which has expanded to the future of work efforts at Brown University and the University of Vienna. As a thought leader, Gilchrist will shape the future of durable organizational development as clients seek sustainable performance and long-term value creation. Discover more about North Highland's Research and Intelligence expertise at https://www.northhighland.com/insights. About North Highland North Highland makes change happen, helping businesses transform by putting people at the heart of every decision. Partnering closely to design and deliver change, we turn challenges into opportunities. It's how lasting progress is made. As the world's leading change and transformation consultancy, our award-winning services powered by data and digital expertise unleash untapped potential at the intersection of workforce and operations. Founded in 1992, North Highland is regularly named one of the best places to work. We are a proud member of Cordence Worldwide, a global network of truly connected consultancy firms with the ability to think and deliver together. This means North Highland has more than 5,500 experts in 60+ offices around the globe on hand to partner with you. For more information, visit www.northhighland.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121223080/en/ Contacts: Media contact: Courtney James PR Director 404-850-2806 courtneylee.james@northhighland.com The Supervisory Board of MYT Netherlands Parent B.V., (NYSE: MYTE) ("Mytheresa" or the "Company") announces the nomination of Burkhart Grund, Chief Financial Officer of Richemont, as a new Supervisory Board member, subject to the completion of Mytheresa's acquisition of YOOX NET-A-PORTER ("YNAP") following the fulfillment of customary conditions including regulatory approvals. The proposal will be presented for approval by the Company's shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting, scheduled for March 6, 2025. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121831323/en/ Burkhart Grund (Photo: Business Wire) On October 7, 2024, Mytheresa and Richemont signed an agreement for Mytheresa to acquire YNAP, featuring the NET-A-PORTER, MR PORTER, YOOX and THE OUTNET brands, to create a leading, global, multi-brand digital luxury group. As part of the transaction, Richemont has the right to nominate an individual for election to the Supervisory Board. Burkhart Grund started his Richemont career in 2000 as CFO of Montblanc in France, before becoming CFO of Van Cleef Arpels and later Group Deputy Finance Director before his appointment to the Senior Executive Committee as Group CFO in 2017. Mr Grund is a graduate in Business Administration of Georgia Southern University, US and completed his graduate studies in International Finance at Munster University, Germany. Nora Aufreiter, Chair of the Supervisory Board of MYT Netherlands Parent B.V., said: "With Burkhart Grund, we look forward to welcoming an internationally experienced financial expert to our board. As a nominee of Richemont, we will expand the Supervisory Board by one seat to consist of eight members. We feel honored to work with another high-caliber individual in the future and are convinced that we will be able to accelerate the profitable growth and sustainable success of our combined companies following the transaction. The Supervisory Board will remain composed of a majority of independent directors under both NYSE and Dutch Corporate Governance Code standards." The closing of the transaction, which is expected to occur in the first half of calendar year 2025, is subject to customary conditions, including the receipt of antitrust approvals. ABOUT MYTHERESA Mytheresa is one of the leading luxury multi-brand digital platforms shipping to over 130 countries. Founded as a boutique in 1987, Mytheresa launched online in 2006 and offers ready-to-wear, shoes, bags and accessories for womenswear, menswear, kidswear as well as lifestyle products and fine jewelry. The highly curated edit of up to 250 brands focuses on true luxury brands such as Bottega Veneta, Brunello Cucinelli, Dolce&Gabbana, Gucci, Loewe, Loro Piana, Moncler, Prada, Saint Laurent, The Row, Valentino, and many more. Mytheresa's unique digital experience is based on a sharp focus on high-end luxury shoppers, exclusive product and content offerings, leading technology and analytical platforms as well as high quality service operations. The NYSE listed company reported 913.6 million GMV in fiscal year 2024 (+7% vs. FY23). (https://investors.mytheresa.com). FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact or relating to present facts or current conditions included in this press release are forward- looking statements. Forward-looking statements give Mytheresa's current expectations and projections relating to the proposed transaction and the operation of the combined companies; its financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business, including statements relating to financing activities, future sales, expenses, and profitability; future development and expected growth of our business and industry; our ability to execute our business model and our business strategy; having available sufficient cash and borrowing capacity to meet working capital, debt service and capital expenditure requirements for the next twelve months; and projected capital spending. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "ongoing," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on assumptions that Mytheresa has made in light of its industry experience and perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate under the circumstances. As you read and consider this press release, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties (many of which are beyond Mytheresa's control) and assumptions. Although Mytheresa believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect its actual operating and financial performance and cause its performance to differ materially from the performance anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Mytheresa believes these factors include, but are not limited to: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination or abandonment of the proposed transaction; the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the proposed transaction with Richemont, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the proposed transaction that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the transaction; the risk that the conditions to closing the proposed transaction may not be satisfied in a timely manner or at all; the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of YNAP to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their brand partners and customers and on their operating results and businesses generally; the risk that problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of YNAP and Mytheresa, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected; the risk that the combined company may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies or that it may take longer than expected to achieve those synergies; Mytheresa's ability to effectively compete in a highly competitive industry; Mytheresa's ability to respond to consumer demands, spending and tastes; Mytheresa's ability to respond to any current or future health epidemic or other adverse public health development; Mytheresa's ability to acquire new customers and retain existing customers; consumers of luxury products may not choose to shop online in sufficient numbers; the volatility and difficulty in predicting the luxury fashion industry; Mytheresa's reliance on consumer discretionary spending; and Mytheresa's ability to maintain average order levels and other factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of these assumptions prove incorrect, Mytheresa's actual operating and financial performance may vary in material respects from the performance projected in these forward-looking statements. Mytheresa undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. The achievement or success of the matters covered by such forward-looking statements involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If any such risks or uncertainties materialize or if any of the assumptions prove incorrect, Mytheresa's results could differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements it makes. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements represent Mytheresa's management's beliefs and assumptions only as of the date such statements are made. Further information on these and other factors that could affect Mytheresa's financial results is included in filings it makes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") from time to time, including the section titled "Risk Factors" in its annual report on Form 20-F and on Form 6-K (reporting its quarterly results). These documents are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on the SEC Filings section of the Investor Relations section of our website at: https://investors.mytheresa.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121831323/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations Contacts Mytheresa.com GmbH Stefanie Muenz phone: +49 89 127695-1919 email: investors@mytheresa.com Media Contacts for public relations Mytheresa.com GmbH Sandra Romano mobile: +49 152 54725178 email: sandra.romano@mytheresa.com Media Contacts for business press Mytheresa.com GmbH Lisa Schulz mobile: +49 151 11216490 email: lisa.schulz@mytheresa.com Media Contacts for business press BOC Consult GmbH Ruediger Assion mobile: +49 176 2424 7691 email: ruediger.assion@boc-consult.com One in five healthcare organizations reported a change in senior leadership (21%) or lawsuits (19%) as attack consequences, compared to 13% among other sectors surveyed. FRISCO, Texas, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Netwrix, a vendor specializing in cybersecurity solutions focused on data and identity threats, surveyed 1,309 IT and security professionals globally and today released findings for the healthcare sector based on the data collected. It reveals that 84% of organizations in the healthcare sector spotted a cyberattack on their infrastructure within the last 12 months. Phishing was the most common type of incident experienced on premises, similar to other industries. Account compromise topped the list for cloud attacks: 74% of healthcare organizations that spotted a cyberattack reported user or admin account compromise. "Healthcare workers regularly communicate with many people they do not know - patients, laboratory assistants, external auditors and more - so properly vetting every message is a huge burden. Plus, they do not realize how critical it is to be cautious, since security awareness training often takes a back seat to the urgent work of taking care of patients. Combined, these factors can lead to a higher rate of security incidents," says Dirk Schrader, VP of Security Research and Field CISO EMEA at Netwrix. A cyberattack resulted in financial damage for 69% of healthcare organizations, compared to 60% among other industries. One in five healthcare organizations that suffered an attack experienced a change in senior leadership (21%) or lawsuits (19%) as a result, compared to 13% for each of these outcomes among all industries surveyed. "Due to the sensitivity of the protected health information (PHI) data, breaches can cause severe concerns among the general public and various stakeholders. On top of that, healthcare is a highly regulated industry where organizations face strict penalties for non-compliance. Together, these factors lead to a higher-than-average likelihood of lawsuits. At the same time, organizations can feel pressured to change IT or even executive leadership to signal their commitment to addressing security issues and rebuilding trust," says Ilia Sotnikov, Security Strategist at Netwrix. Learn more about how the healthcare sector can thwart attacks here. About Netwrix Netwrix champions cybersecurity to ensure a brighter digital future for any organization. Netwrix's innovative solutions safeguard data, identities, and infrastructure reducing both the risk and impact of a breach for more than 13,500 organizations across 100+ countries. Netwrix empowers security professionals to face digital threats with confidence by enabling them to identify and protect sensitive data as well as to detect, respond to, and recover from attacks. For more information, visit www.netwrix.com. CONTACT: Erin Jones Avista PR for Netwrix P: 704.664.2170 E: pr@netwrix.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/631922/Netwrix_Corporation_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/84-of-healthcare-organizations-spotted-a-cyberattack-within-the-last-12-months-and-69-of-them-faced-financial-damage-as-a-result-302355706.html Cloud-native platform provisions 6x faster, delivers 9 new pre-configured solution kits to enable rapid use case adoption, with at least 25% cost savings through separation of storage and compute REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 21, 2025, the next generation cloud offering, extending its market leadership as the graph database designed for companies that need to quickly discover relationships, analyze complex patterns, and make mission critical decisions across large amounts of highly connected data. This innovative new offering comes as the demand for TigerGraph's products is exploding with TigerGraph becoming the vendor of choice for transformational graph database solutions that supercharge AI systems. TigerGraph is delivering the next stage in the evolution of the graph database. Its Native Parallel Graph (NPG) design focuses on both storage and computation, supporting real-time graph updates, and offering built-in parallel computation. "Graph analytics are also a critical enabler of natural language processing and data fabrics, and can enrich and accelerate data preparation, analytics and AI. Graph analytics processing has also become a core technology underlying many other advanced technologies such as virtual personal assistants, smart advisors and other smart machines." - Gartner Exploring the Top Use Cases for Graph Analytics report, published on May 10, 2024. TigerGraph Savanna enables NPG massively parallel storage and computation to scale independently and without size limits, to meet the changing workloads and growing data volumes required by AI adoption within enterprises. New compute resources provision 6 times faster than alternative graph database offerings. Companies are able to rely on the fully managed service to handle underlying infrastructure and maintenance, freeing them to leverage the user-friendly interface and the 300+ APIs to effortlessly automate deployment, configuration, and monitoring. TigerGraph Savanna users will benefit from: Nine new pre-configured solution kits encapsulating TigerGraph's expertise for mission-critical uses: Transaction Fraud, Application Fraud, Product Recommendation, Mule Account Detection, Entity Resolution, Entity Resolution KYC, Customer 360, Supply Chain Management, and Network Infrastructure. Transaction Fraud, Application Fraud, Product Recommendation, Mule Account Detection, Entity Resolution, Entity Resolution KYC, Customer 360, Supply Chain Management, and Network Infrastructure. At least 25% cost savings arising from the flexibility of consuming and paying only for what is needed: Savanna provides separate scaling of storage and compute, scheduled expansion/shrink, and auto stop/resume features for enhanced elasticity, while maintaining TigerGraph's distributed, massively parallel graph database architecture, already the industry's performance leader as certified by LDBC (https://ldbcouncil.org/benchmarks/snb-bi/) . Savanna provides separate scaling of storage and compute, scheduled expansion/shrink, and auto stop/resume features for enhanced elasticity, while maintaining TigerGraph's distributed, massively parallel graph database architecture, already the industry's performance leader as certified by (https://ldbcouncil.org/benchmarks/snb-bi/) Optimized performance and management of OLTP and OLAP traffic through dedicated compute workspaces tailored for each workload. through dedicated compute workspaces tailored for each workload. 3x more data sources for seamless, high-speed data ingestion: Data lake and cloud RDBMS sources now include Snowflake, Spark, Delta Lake, Iceberg, and Postgres, in addition to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud object stores. Data lake and cloud RDBMS sources now include Snowflake, Spark, Delta Lake, Iceberg, and Postgres, in addition to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud object stores. Widest support for query languages: Users can choose from 3 languages: GSQL, OpenCypher, or the pattern-matching syntax of GQL, the new ISO standard graph query language, which TigerGraph helped to develop from GQL's inception. Users can choose from 3 languages: GSQL, OpenCypher, or the pattern-matching syntax of GQL, the new ISO standard graph query language, which TigerGraph helped to develop from GQL's inception. BYOC (Bring Your Own Cloud) option: Enterprises can choose between a fully managed service or deploying TigerGraph on their own cloud infrastructure, to best suit their operational and compliance needs. "We already offer the fastest, most scalable graph database and analytics platform," said Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO of TigerGraph. "Our Savanna cloud-native platform accelerates setup speed six-fold while providing agility in how companies consume storage, compute, and managed service options. Savanna demonstrates our continued market leadership in providing the industry's most comprehensive enterprise-grade graph analytics. Customers turn to us for their mission critical applications where faster resolution supports business continuity and customer retention." To learn more about how TigerGraph Savanna can benefit your organization check out the product here . GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. About TigerGraph TigerGraph, the enterprise AI infrastructure and graph database leader, delivers massively parallel storage and computation that scales independently and without size limits, to meet the changing workloads and growing data volumes required for crucial business needs and AI adoption within companies. By providing visibility into the multidimensional data connections and relationships, TigerGraph has become a trusted partner to leading companies including JPMC, Intuit, United Healthcare, and Unilever successfully solving fraud detection, entity resolution, customer 360, supply chain management, and many other problems. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California and with offices around the world TigerGraph is backed by Tiger Global Management, Softbank, Susquehanna International Group (SIG), Oceanpine Capital, Celesta Capital, Nvidia, Blackopal Ventures, and Qiming Venture Partners. Contact paige.leidig@tigergraph.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Refined Energy Corp. (CSE: RUU; OTC: RFMCF; FRA: CWA0) ("Refined" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the review and interpretation of historical geophysical survey data at the Dufferin North property in the Athabasca Basin. Four priority target areas were identified by Condor Consulting Inc. ("Condor") using archived electromagnetic (MEGATEM), magnetic and gravity data. The data interpretation is part of the 2024 work program on the Dufferin Project as described in the news release of October 7, 2024. The property lies adjacent to and within the Virgin River Shear Zone, approximately 18km along strike to the south-southwest from the Centennial uranium deposit of Cameco Corporation. Four target zones were identified by Condor using an airborne gravity survey as the primary data source, complemented by regional magnetic data. A series of gravity lows, potentially indicative of alteration, coincide with a north-northeast trending magnetic low and are overlain by several conductor traces from historical EM surveys. Geochemical anomalies and a lithogeochemical halo are also present on the property. In the fall of 2024, a modern MobileMT airborne geophysical survey was flown by Expert Geophysics Ltd. to complement the historical datasets. The contractor completed 123 line kilometers over two of the four target zones before needing to abandon the survey due to adverse weather. Interpretation of the recent survey results in conjunction with the historical data is underway. Mark Fields, Chief Executive Officer of the Company stated, "We are very encouraged to receive positive results from this interpretation of the historical work at Dufferin North. The data will allow us to focus future work on these prospective targets. Simultaneously we are advancing our drill program plans for Dufferin West, located 40 km south of Dufferin North. Our work is focused on the discovery of potential high-grade deposits that characterize the Athabasca Basin." The Dufferin Project is located on or in close proximity to the known trace of the Virgin River Shear Zone and related splays. These are key structures for potential uranium mineralization and are prospective for unconformity- and basement-hosted uranium mineralization. Faulted basement contacts and brittlely reactivated structures are the primary locations for mineralization in the area covered by the Dufferin Project. The relatively high concentration of secondary uranium-bearing minerals demonstrated by prior exploration work on the Dufferin Project may also indicate uranium mineralization remobilization may play an important role in this region of the Athabasca Basin. Geophysical EM and magnetic anomalies demonstrated by prior exploration work on the Dufferin Project are supported by previous uranium and boron soil and lake sediment anomalies along the inferred fault zones, which are expected to aid in focusing future exploration programs. Some of the above results were taken directly from the SMDI descriptions and assessment reports (SMAF) filed with the Saskatchewan government. Management cautions that historical results were collected and reported by past operators and have not been verified nor confirmed by a Qualified Person, but form a basis for ongoing work on the subject properties. Eagle Plains' management cautions that past results or discoveries on proximate land are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on the subject properties. Refined has an option to acquire up to 75% from the Vendor, Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. ("Eagle Plains") as per the news release on February 27, 2024. Qualified Persons C. C. (Chuck) Downie, P.Geo., a "qualified person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and a director of Eagle Plains, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release. About Refined Energy Corp. Refined Energy Corp. is a junior mining company dedicated to identifying, evaluating and acquiring interests in mineral properties in North America. In addition to the Dufferin Project, Refined also has an option to earn up to a 100% interest in the Basin and Milner uranium properties in Saskatchewan. The Company continues to review other mineral properties in North America for possible acquisition in the future. For further information, please contact: Phone: (604) 398-3378 Email: Info@refinedenergycorp.com Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans and objectives at the Dufferin Project; the exploration potential of the Dufferin Project, including the potential of the Dufferin Project to host unconformity- and basement-hosted uranium mineralization; and the utility of prior historic exploration work in focusing future exploration programs. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including, in respect of the forward-looking information included in this press release, the assumption that: the Company will successfully complete its planned exploration programs in accordance with current expectations and that such programs will yield the results anticipated by the Company, including identifying disrupted faults delineated by EM conductors and other geophysical anomalies for drill targeting. Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral projects, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and that the results of mineral exploration may not be indicative of the actual geology or mineralization of a project and that mineral exploration may be unsuccessful or fail to achieve the results anticipated by the Company, including identifying disrupted faults delineated by EM conductors and other geophysical anomalies for drill targeting and discovering unconformity- and basement-hosted uranium mineralization. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein HYCU Takes Bronze in Annual Enterprise Storage Awards; Judges Note HYCU R-Cloud for SaaS Data Protection Boston, Massachusetts, Jan. 21, 2025a leader for modern data protection for on-prem, cloud services, and SaaS, and one of the fastest growing companies in the industry, announced that HYCU R-Cloudwon Bronze in the Backup and Disaster Recovery Hardware Software and Services Category in the 23rd Annual Awards edition of the TechTarget Storage Products of the Year. In winning Bronze, the panel of judges noted that SaaS data protection is an increasingly critical feature, which HYCU R-Cloud excels in. The awards were presented by Informa TechTarget editors and judged by a panel of Informa TechTarget editors, industry experts, analysts, and consultants. One judge noted the following about HYCU R-Cloud in selecting the solution in this year's awards, "Its ability to optimize costs while providing enterprise-grade protection ensures excellent value for businesses moving toward cloud-native infrastructure." HYCU R-Cloud was also noted by another judge as "a smart and seamless backup option." "It is great to see the reaction to HYCU R-Cloud since we introduced it two years ago. We knew that unprotected SaaS was quickly becoming one of the most significant challenges facing enterprises today," said Simon Taylor, Founder and CEO, HYCU, Inc. "Now, even as SaaS application and cloud services use continues to rise, it is no longer good enough to wait and hope you won't be dealing with an outage of some sort where your most valuable asset, your data, is not available. We are not just talking about malicious attacks but reminders to the recent Crowdstrike outage should serve as invaluable lessons. This latest recognition serves to remind us all that solutions exist where no data, SaaS included, should be unprotected or unavailable." HYCU R-Cloud was updated significantly since winning Gold in the 22nd TechTarget Storage products of the Year. Developed as an integrated SaaS platform, HYCU R-Cloud offers enterprise class automated backup, granular recovery, data migration, and disaster recovery across on-premises, multi-cloud platforms, cloud services, and SaaS applications. HYCU R-Cloud is built on an agentless architecture, eliminating the need for additional hardware or software. HYCU R-Graph, a key component of HYCU R-Cloud, provides data estate discovery and visualization, supporting more than 90 data sources. From the HYCU Generative AI Initiativeintroduced in January 2023, HYCU seamlessly integrated generative AI technology, including Anthropics' AI assistant Claude with HYCU R-Cloud, users and partners can now create new, easy-to-use SaaS integrations. The annual awards were selected by the panel of judges according to the following criteria: innovation, performance, ease of integration into existing environments, ease of use and manageability, functionality and value. From more than 50 nominated products, three winners were chosen in four categories: Backup and disaster recovery hardware, software and services, Cloud storage, Disk and disk subsystems, and Storage system and application software. Eligible products must have been initially released or significantly upgraded on or after Sept. 1, 2023, and before Sept. 1, 2024. For more information on HYCU R-Cloud, visit https://www.hycu.com/platform. For more information on HYCU, visit:www.hycu.com, follow us on X, connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. ### About HYCU? HYCU is the fastest-growing leader in the multi-cloud and SaaS data protection as a service industry. By bringing true SaaS-based data backup and recovery to on-premises, cloud-native, and SaaS IT environments, the company provides unrivaled data protection, migration, disaster recovery, and ransomware protection to thousands of companies worldwide. The company's award-winning R-Cloud platform eliminates complexity, risk, and the high cost of legacy-based solutions, providing data protection simplicity to make it the #1 SaaS Data Protection platform. With an industry leading NPS score of 91, HYCU has raised $140M in VC funding to date and is based in Boston, Mass. Learn more at www.hycu.com.? About TechTarget Storage Products of the Year TechTarget Search Storage invited data storage product companies to nominate new or enhanced products for the Products of the Year 2024 awards. For previously available products, the upgrade must have incorporated significant new features. Products could be entered in one of four categories: backup and disaster recovery hardware, software and services; cloud storage; disk and disk subsystems; and storage system and application software. Products were judged by a panel of industry experts, analysts, consultants and Informa TechTarget editors. Products were rated based on innovation, performance, ease of integration into environment, ease of use and manageability, functionality and value. About TechTarget SearchStorage TechTarget Search Storageis the No. 1 online destination for IT professionals charged with purchasing, implementing and managing storage systems at the core of large - and medium-sized businesses. More than 600,000 storage-focused IT executives, managers, and staff rely on TechTarget Storage for information they need to do their jobs. TechTarget Search Storage content includes original editorial features, news, expert storage advice, webcasts and white papers. Attachment Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Parvis Invest Inc. (TSXV: PVIS) ("Parvis" or "the Company'), a technology-driven private investment platform dedicated to democratizing access to institutional-quality private investments, announces the launch of the Parvis Direct Access Fund (PDAF). Targeting a $60 million fundraise, this innovative vehicle provides investors with diversified exposure to institutional-grade real estate opportunities, breaking down traditional barriers to entry. Historically, access to private real estate investing has been limited to institutional players or high-net-worth individuals with significant capital. The Parvis Direct Access Fund disrupts this model by enabling eligible and accredited investors to access top-performing real estate projects led by marquee developers. With a portfolio spanning multifamily housing, mixed-use developments, and hospitality the fund allows investors to benefit from long-term growth potential while enjoying the strategic diversification-an approach traditionally reserved for institutional investors. "Real estate is a cornerstone of wealth creation, yet the best opportunities have often been out of reach for most Canadians," said David Michaud, CEO of Parvis. "The Parvis Direct Access Fund is designed to change that. By delivering institutional-grade opportunities through a streamlined and inclusive structure, we're giving more investors the ability to build diversified portfolios and access the potential of Canada's real estate market." The PDAF follows a clear and strategic allocation plan, targeting value-add opportunities in high-demand markets. The fund targets 60% Multi-family, 20% Hospitality, 15% Mixed Use, and 5% Industrial projects, ensuring exposure to diverse real estate sectors that align with market trends and investor demand. Geographically, the fund is concentrated in Canada's high-growth regions, with 40% in Ontario, 20% in British Columbia, 20% in Quebec, and 10% in other provinces, reflecting a balanced approach to maximizing growth potential while mitigating risk. Reimagining Real Estate Investing for Modern Investors Parvis brings unique market expertise to the PDAF, leveraging its dual role as an Exempt Market Dealer (EMD) and operator of Canada's premier real estate and alternative investment platform. With deep industry insights and a commitment to due diligence, the Parvis team evaluates and selects opportunities that align with evolving market trends, targeting long-term growth potential and risk-adjusted returns. With an opportunistic and value-add approach, the Fund's strategic focus is on development and redevelopment projects that address critical housing supply challenges in urban centers while supporting the transformation of underutilized properties into vibrant, high-value assets. By partnering with leading builders and developers, the fund supports renovation, expansion, and new development initiatives that deliver strong potential returns while aligning with industry trends. The PDAF also enables foreign investors to access Canada's thriving real estate market, further expanding the fund's reach and appeal. Key Features of the Parvis Direct Access Fund (PDAF) Diversification: A portfolio spanning multifamily housing, mixed-use developments, and redevelopment projects. Lower Capital Thresholds: Access high-quality opportunities with a minimum investment of $25,000. Registered Account Eligibility: Invest through RRSPs, TFSAs, and other registered accounts. Value-Add Approach: Focus on urban projects with strong growth potential and community impact. The launch of the Parvis Direct Access Fund reflects the company's ability to bring together market expertise, a proven platform, and innovative solutions to create meaningful opportunities for investors. By making institutional-grade opportunities accessible to a wider audience, Parvis continues to bridge the gap between investors and high-quality real estate projects, empowering them to build diversified and resilient portfolios. About the Company Parvis is a technology-driven investment platform dedicated to democratizing access to institutional-quality opportunities. Utilizing AI and blockchain technology, Parvis streamlines the investment process, making it more accessible and efficient. Headquartered in Vancouver, Parvis operates with experts in Toronto, Vancouver, Kelowna, and Montreal. For more information, visit www.parvisinvest.com and SEDAR+. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information generally refers to information about an issuer's business, capital, or operations that is prospective in nature, and includes future-oriented financial information about the issuer's prospective financial performance or financial position. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding: execution and integration of the investment offerings; and the Company's business plans and role in the investment industry. To develop the forward-looking information in this news release, the Company made certain material assumptions, including but not limited to: prevailing market conditions; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and the ability of the Company to execute and achieve its business objectives. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary from the forward-looking information in this news release due to certain material risk factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: adverse market conditions; changes in general economic, business and political conditions; changes in applicable laws and regulations; compliance with extensive government regulation; reliance on key and qualified personnel; risks associated with the real estate, investment, and technology industries in general. The foregoing list of material risk factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information in this news release, unless it is required to do so under Canadian securities legislation. Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237925 SOURCE: Parvis Invest Inc. JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - With the Middle East undergoing 'a period of profound transformation,' the international community must support efforts towards more justice, dignity, human rights and peace in the region, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Monday.Antonio Guterres addressed the Council's first quarterly debate on the Middle East for the year, held against the backdrop of Sunday's temporary ceasefire in Gaza, the end of hostilities in Lebanon, and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.'We have a responsibility to help make sure the people of the Middle East come out of this turbulent period with peace, dignity and a horizon of hope grounded in action,' he said, speaking after a visit to Lebanon.Guterres said that the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal 'offer a ray of hope.'The first phase of the agreement went into effect on Sunday, with Hamas releasing three women hostages and Israel releasing 90 Palestinian prisoners.He said the parties now must make good on their commitments and fully implement the deal and ensure that it leads to the release of all hostages and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.The Secretary-General pledged that the UN will do all it can to advance these efforts - in particular, to scale up humanitarian aid across Gaza, despite facing significant obstacles, challenges and constraints.He said the UN must have rapid, safe and unimpeded access through all available channels and crossings to deliver food, water, medicine, fuel, shelter, and materials to repair infrastructure across Gaza, including the north.Meanwhile, more than 630 trucks of UN humanitarian aid entered Gaza on Sunday, with at least 300 headed to the north.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Former New York Times CTO and Wall Street Journal Chief Product & Technology Officer Brings Transformative Leadership to Rising AI Technology Companies Flatiron Software and Snapshot Reviews today announced the appointment of Rajiv Pant as President of both companies, marking a significant milestone in their growth trajectories. Pant, renowned for transforming digital operations at The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and other major media organizations, will lead both companies' expansion in artificial intelligence and technology innovation. "We're entering an era where AI can significantly augment and enhance human potential and innovation," said Pant. "Flatiron Software and Snapshot Reviews are uniquely positioned to help enterprises harness these capabilities. I'm excited to build upon the remarkable foundation created by founders Ovunc Sezer and Kirimgeray Kirimli." Under Pant's technology leadership, The New York Times achieved unprecedented digital growth, scaling its pioneering paywall to nearly one million digital-only subscribers and delivering award winning mobile apps for news and games. At The Wall Street Journal, he led groundbreaking initiatives in CMS and artificial intelligence, including innovative applications in content analytics and digital security. Most recently, as Chief Product and Technology Officer at Hearst Magazines, he unified product, design, and engineering teams across one of the world's largest publishing groups. Earlier in his career, he led the Reddit team following its acquisition by Conde Nast. Flatiron Software partners with enterprises to transform their technology operations through AI-powered solutions and strategic consulting. The company has established itself as a trusted advisor to major media and technology organizations, helping them navigate digital transformation and innovation challenges. Snapshot Reviews, a recent graduate of the prestigious Techstars San Francisco accelerator program, has developed an AI-powered platform that provides engineering leaders with actionable insights to enhance team performance and productivity. The company's rapid growth reflects increasing market demand for intelligent solutions in technology team management. "Rajiv's track record of driving innovation at scale, combined with his deep understanding of both technology and media, makes him the ideal leader to guide our next phase of growth," said Ovunc Sezer, CEO of Flatiron Software and CTO of Snapshot Reviews. "His vision for AI-enabled transformation aligns perfectly with our mission." Named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Pant brings a unique perspective on global technology trends and their impact on business transformation. His leadership philosophy, centered on fostering cultures of innovation while maintaining operational excellence, has consistently delivered exceptional results across organizations. "Rajiv's appointment represents a pivotal moment in our companies' evolution," said Kirimgeray Kirimli, CEO of Snapshot Reviews and leader at Flatiron Software. "His expertise in scaling technology operations and driving digital transformation will be invaluable as we expand our impact in the market." About Flatiron Software Flatiron Software partners with enterprises to transform their technology operations through artificial intelligence, combining AI-powered solutions with strategic consulting to drive meaningful business outcomes. About Snapshot Reviews Snapshot Reviews provides engineering leaders with AI-powered insights to enhance team performance and productivity. A Techstars San Francisco graduate, the company is revolutionizing how organizations manage and optimize their technology teams. SOURCE: Snapshot Reviews View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Delivering a unique 'high-vis' data trail, Simpel's software empowers construction companies to optimise operations and compliance to meet the evolving regulatory environment Simpel, a leading innovator in construction technology, has announced its recent entry into the UK market. Designed to address the complexities of document management, quality, compliance, safety and site access, Simpel's end-to-end platform is uniquely positioned to support construction organisations as they navigate increasing regulatory obligations and enforcement of the Building Safety Act (2022). Building Safety Act's Golden Thread of Compliance Supporting compliance of the BSA's Golden Thread Established in 2018, Simpel has matured quickly, counting many of construction's largest developers and contractors among its clients. Delivering a breadth and depth of functionality that spans a project's lifecycle, Simpel is the preferred platform for mid to large tier projects including airports, hospitals, civil infrastructure, high rise residential apartments and commercial developments. Simpel's proven success in Australia's complex construction environment made market expansion into the UK a natural choice. Kurt Robinson, CEO of Simpel, said: "The UK construction sector, valued at over 300 billion annually, continues to evolve, creating significant opportunities for businesses to innovate and streamline their operations. The challenges faced here are similar to those we've successfully addressed in Australia, and industry leaders are increasingly requiring a balance of practical innovation, together with platform scalability and the growing need to leverage construction data and AI into the future." What sets Simpel apart is its unique project ecosystem- a 'high-vis' data trail that connects workers, files and tasks, delivers real-time project insights, and retains a comprehensive audit trail for the life of the project. The appeal for UK construction organisations who are updating their systems lies in the ease with which Simpel can be implemented, and that it is already equipped with the common data environment needed to help them prioritise safety and comply with emerging regulatory obligations. Cold Clad Limited are a leading installation specialist for insulated and fire rated construction and are the first UK company to adopt Simpel's construction management platform. The team are adopting the new requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Golden Thread and they sought software solution that could seamlessly handle the tracking and compliance needs of their business, without adding unnecessary complexity. Cold Clad's Contracts Director Gareth Pitman commented: "Managing multiple large, complex projects including data centres, temperature-controlled environments and commercial properties requires a lot of resource. Finding a solution to simplify and automate the process, whilst being user friendly was challenging. We are glad to have Simpel on board. The benefits have been realised immediately." Simpel's robust suite of document management, field and safety tools, including online inductions and RAMS modules save their clients thousands of labour hours on single projects alone - translating to a powerful return on investment that scales across the entire organisation. Scott Fisher, Group SHEQ Manager at Cold Clad, added: "What appealed to us was that Simpel combined a lot of the functionality that we were looking for within a single platform, which meant that we could more easily meet regulatory requirements as well as eliminate other software and associated costs". "Due to the ease of use and the level of support we received, we've had no issues with rolling the platform out to our site-based teams. It has also proved invaluable to our subcontractors who are using it to manage their own compliance". Richard Bray, COO of Simpel, stated:"Our move into the UK reflects our commitment to addressing the evolving needs of the construction industry with practical and adaptable solutions. Simpel's platform empowers businesses to meet compliance challenges like the Golden Thread, while streamlining operations and enhancing project outcomes. We're proud to bring our expertise to the UK, equipping construction professionals with the tools to build safer and more innovative projects." SOURCE: Simpel View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire In a new monthly column for pv magazine, the Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT) describes how carbon dioxide removal may support the world's energy transition from a portfolio perspective. New research by LUT University, Finland, and OTH Regensburg, Germany, presents the techno-economic assessment of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from a portfolio perspective. Two climate targets of 1. 5 C and a more ambitious 1. 0 C until 2100 have been studied. The publication is entitled "Assessment of technologies and economics for carbon dioxide removal from a portfolio perspective" and published ... Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.(KTOS), Tuesday said it received a contract worth $34.86 million, a modification of the previous contract, from the U.S. Marine Corps.The expanded contract is to support the integration of XQ-58A Unmanned Aerial Systems mission systems and subsystems for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Unmanned Aerial System Expeditionary (MUX) Tactical Aircraft (TACAIR).Since 2022, Kratos and its partner, Northrop Grumman, have been working with the U.S. Marine Corps in the MQ-58 Valkyrie variant. The team recently demonstrated advanced collaborative capabilities during the Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer Portfolio (PAACK-P) program, which is transitioning to MUX TACAIR in 2025, the company said in a statement.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Jim Bolante and Kevin Kondry join Comgest to support U.S. institutional relationships and drive marketing initiatives Comgest, the global equity asset manager focused on long-term quality growth, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its U.S. Investor Relations team led by James DuPont, Investor Relations Manager at Comgest. Jim Bolante and Kevin Kondry, who joined the firm in November, bring a wealth of experience to support Comgest's continued growth and enhance its presence in the U.S. market. "We are excited to welcome Jim and Kevin to our team as we continue to strengthen our commitment to the U.S. institutional market. Their expertise, combined with a deep understanding of investor needs, aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver exceptional solutions and service," said Jan-Peter Dolff, CEO. "The addition of Jim and Kevin marks an important step in our strategy to deepen client partnerships and expand our presence in the U.S. institutional market. Their proven track record and dedication to building long-term relationships will further the value we bring to our clients." Kevin Kondry, based in Boston, joins as an Investor Relations Manager and brings more than 30 years of experience to Comgest. Prior to this position, Kevin worked at Amundi Asset Management as a Senior Institutional Consultant Relations Officer. He previously worked at Permal Group and NEPC, where he focused on relationship management and sales. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University, as well as FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities licenses. Jim Bolante, based in Newport Beach, California, also joins Comgest as an Investor Relations Manager, bringing over 18 years of experience in institutional asset management. Specializing in relationship management, sales, and consultant relations, Jim previously held roles at Fiera Capital, GW&K Investment Management, and State Street Global Advisors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Boston University, an MBA from Boston College, and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations. Jim is also an active member of the CFA Orange County and Los Angeles Societies and holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities licenses. Comgest, an independent boutique founded in 1985 and 100%-owned by employees and founders, has always adhered to a disciplined, bottom-up approach to stock selection. The company's investment philosophy is centered around quality growth identifying high-quality companies capable of generating consistent EPS growth over time. Important Information This material is for information purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security. The views expressed herein are the views of the author and are valid at the time of publication only, do not constitute independent investment research and should not be interpreted as investment advice. Investing involves risk including possible loss of principal. All opinions and estimates are current opinions only and are subject to change. Comgest S.A. is a portfolio management company regulated by the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) whose registered office is at 17, square Edouard VII, 75009 Paris, France. Comgest Asset Management International Limited is an investment firm regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and registered as an Investment Adviser with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission. Its registered office is at 46 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. About Comgest Comgest, an independent boutique founded in 1985 with a single focus on equities, is 100%-owned by employees and founders. This broad partnership of over 35 years drives an unconstrained, quality growth and responsible investment approach that is applied to both developed and emerging markets. With headquarters in Paris and offices across Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America, Comgest serves investors around the world who share our long-term investment horizon. With more than 200 employees of 30 different nationalities, Comgest serves a diverse global client base and manages assets of over $28.3 billion (estimated data as of 31 December 2024). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121528415/en/ Contacts: Edward Lopez Prosek Partners elopez@prosek.com Tacton, a global leader in Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) software and leading SaaS platform simplifying sales and configuration processes for manufacturers of complex products, today announced the launch of its Connect to Anything integration capability, powered by Workato, the leading enterprise orchestration platform. This innovative solution transforms how manufacturers integrate Tacton CPQ into their digital ecosystems, enabling seamless connections to over 600 enterprise applications, including CRM, ERP, PLM, PIM, and analytics tools. Manufacturers often face costly inefficiencies from data silos and integration roadblocks as IT teams struggle to keep pace with complex connections. The stakes are high: poor data quality costs organizations an average of $12.9 million annually, according to Gartner's 2020 Magic Quadrant for Data Quality Solutions. Connect to Anything solves this challenge by making it simple to connect data across applications without heavy reliance on IT. With pre-built connectors, reusable recipes, and a no-code approach, Tacton empowers manufacturers to eliminate silos, streamline workflows, and accelerate their digital transformation journey. "As manufacturers embrace digital transformation, seamless integration across systems has become mission-critical," saidJesper Alfredsson, Chief Product Officer, Tacton. "Connect to Anything simplifies this process by enabling manufacturers to unify their digital ecosystems, reduce IT dependency, and achieve faster, smarter operations that drive tangible business outcomes." With Connect to Anything, manufacturers can: Simplify Integration: Seamlessly connect Tacton CPQ to essential systems with pre-built connectors and no-code recipes. Seamlessly connect Tacton CPQ to essential systems with pre-built connectors and no-code recipes. Accelerate ROI: Achieve faster implementation and operational efficiency with reduced dependency on IT. Achieve faster implementation and operational efficiency with reduced dependency on IT. Maximize CPQ Value: Unlock greater returns from CPQ investments with integration capabilities available from the start of implementation. Connect to Anything brings together unmatched innovation through this partnership. Tacton has been recognized as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for CPQ Applications, while Workato is a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS). Together, these industry leaders deliver a powerful solution that helps manufacturers simplify integrations, optimize workflows, and scale operations seamlessly. "We are thrilled to partner with Tacton, providing manufacturers with seamless integration capabilities that accelerate their journey towards smart factories," said Nam Le, General Manager of Workato's Embed Business. "This collaboration exemplifies how leaders in their respective industries can drive powerful outcomes for manufacturers. By embedding Workato's no-code platform into Tacton CPQ, manufacturers gain unmatched flexibility and efficiency in connecting and optimizing their digital ecosystems. Together, we're empowering manufacturers to build connected, agile operations that deliver real business value." Connect to Anything is available now for manufacturers looking to simplify and accelerate their digital transformation. To learn more about our integration capabilities, visit our website. About Tacton Tacton is a leading SaaS company redefining how manufacturers of complex products engage with their buyers. Its cutting-edge buyer engagement platform empowers manufacturers to streamline the buyer journey, deliver personalized, customer-centric experiences, and bring complex products to market faster and more efficiently. Recognized as a Leader in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for CPQ Applications, Tacton partners with manufacturers to drive smart factory initiatives and align operations with customer needs. With over 25 years of experience and trusted by more than 100 global leaders like ABB, Daimler, MAN, Scania, Siemens, Xylem, and Yaskawa, Tacton is co-headquartered in Chicago and Stockholm, with regional offices in Karlsruhe, Warsaw, and Tokyo. Learn more at www.tacton.com. About Workato Workato transforms technology complexity into business opportunity. As the leader in enterprise orchestration, Workato helps businesses globally streamline operations by connecting data, processes, applications, and experiences. Its AI-powered platform enables teams to navigate complex workflows in real time, driving efficiency and agility. Trusted by a community of 400,000 global users, Workato empowers organizations of every size to unlock new value and lead in today's fast-changing world. Learn how Workato helps businesses of all sizes achieve more at www.workato.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250116707013/en/ Contacts: Lori McInerney SVP Global Marketing, Tacton Lori.McInerney@tacton.com MIAMI and PRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIH), a technology-driven leader in building and operating regulated financial markets across multiple asset classes, today announced the promotion of Joseph Bracco to the position of Executive Vice President, Global Head of Sales. "Joe's expertise in developing and managing client relationships has been instrumental to the growth of MIH, and this promotion is a recognition of his substantial contributions to the company," said Thomas P. Gallagher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MIH. "His ability to execute on our growth plans while scaling them to meet the demands of our larger organization has been a key factor to our success." Mr. Bracco has been an integral part of the MIH senior management team since joining the company in 2015, leading MIH's sales efforts since then. He has leveraged his extensive knowledge of financial markets across asset classes and deep professional networks to establish strong relationships within the trading community. "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of MIAX's evolution throughout the last decade and proud to have played a major part in growing market share across our platforms," said Mr. Bracco. "I truly appreciate this recognition and look forward to working with our current and future market participants to expand our industry footprint as we launch new products across the U.S. derivatives markets." Mr. Bracco's career spans over 40 years in financial markets. His contributions at MIH include initiating and managing relationships within the financial industry, as well as strategic development of new products and venues. Mr. Bracco is currently focusing his efforts on the launch of the MIAX Sapphire trading floor in Miami, new product expansion on MIAX Futures, and growth strategy for MIAX Pearl Equities. Before joining MIH in 2015, Mr. Bracco spent nearly eight years at BATS Global Markets, Inc. where he was Senior Vice President and held several senior sales and strategic relations roles. Prior to joining BATS, Mr. Bracco spent over 20 years in senior sales and trading roles at Cantor Fitzgerald and its affiliates, including eSpeed and BGC Partners. About MIAX MIAX's parent holding company, Miami International Holdings, Inc., owns Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC (MIAX), MIAX PEARL, LLC (MIAX Pearl), MIAX Emerald, LLC (MIAX Emerald), MIAX Sapphire LLC (MIAX SapphireTM), MIAX Futures Exchange, LLC (MIAX FuturesTM), MIAX Derivatives Exchange (MIAXdxTM), The Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX) and Dorman Trading, LLC (Dorman Trading). MIAX, MIAX Pearl, MIAX Emerald and MIAX Sapphire are national securities exchanges registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are enabled by MIAX's in-house built, proprietary technology. MIAX offers trading of options on all four exchanges as well as cash equities through MIAX Pearl Equities. The MIAX trading platform was built to meet the high-performance quoting demands of the U.S. options trading industry and is differentiated by throughput, latency, reliability and wire-order determinism. MIAX Futures is a registered exchange with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and offers trading in a variety of products including Hard Red Spring Wheat Futures. MIAX Futures is a Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO) under the CFTC, providing DCM and DCO services in an array of asset classes. MIAXdx is a CFTC regulated exchange and clearinghouse and is registered as a Designated Contract Market (DCM), Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO), and Swap Execution Facility (SEF) with the CFTC. BSX is a fully electronic, vertically integrated international securities market headquartered in Bermuda and organized in 1971. BSX specializes in the listing and trading of capital market instruments such as equities, debt issues, funds, hedge funds, derivative warrants, and insurance linked securities. Dorman Trading is a full-service Futures Commission Merchant registered with the CFTC. MIAX's executive offices and National Operations Center are located in Princeton, N.J., with additional U.S. offices located in Chicago, IL and Miami, FL. MIAX Futures offices are located in Minneapolis, MN. MIAXdx offices are located in Princeton, N.J. BSX offices are located in Hamilton, Bermuda. Dorman Trading offices are located in Chicago, IL. To learn more about MIAX visit www.miaxglobal.com. To learn more about MIAX Futures visit www.miaxglobal.com/miax-futures. To learn more about MIAXdx visit www.miaxdx.com. To learn more about BSX visit www.bsx.com. To learn more about Dorman Trading visit www.dormantrading.com. Disclaimer and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities of Miami International Holdings, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the Company), and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer; solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may," "future," "plan" or "planned," "will" or "should," "expected," "anticipates," "draft," "eventually" or "projected." You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. All third-party trademarks (including logos and icons) referenced by the Company remain the property of their respective owners. Unless specifically identified as such, the Company's use of third-party trademarks does not indicate any relationship, sponsorship, or endorsement between the owners of these trademarks and the Company. Any references by the Company to third-party trademarks is to identify the corresponding third-party goods and/or services and shall be considered nominative fair use under the trademark law. Media Contact: Andy Nybo, SVP, Chief Communications Officer (609) 955-2091 anybo@miaxglobal.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1396492/MIAX_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/miami-international-holdings-promotes-joseph-bracco-to-executive-vice-president-global-head-of-sales-302356187.html BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump, on his first day in Office on Monday, signed an executive action as promised to delay enforcement of the ban on social media platform TikTok for 75 days.With the action, the U.S. Justice Department will be directed not to enforce the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which was signed into law in April last year by former President Joe Biden. The Biden administration last week had stated that it would leave the enforcement of the ban to the new President Trump.As per the law, TikTok was to be banned in the United States starting January 19 on national security grounds unless ByteDance Ltd., the Chinese parent company of TikTok, sells it to a buyer from the country or one of its allies.In addition, the law directed TikTok's technology partners, reportedly including tech majors Apple, Google and Oracle, which hosts TikTok's content in the U.S., among others, to stop supporting the app or face fines of up to $5,000 per person who has access to the platform.After the U.S. Supreme Court last Friday upheld the decision to ban, the popular short-video sharing app used by over 170 million Americans had started disabling services in the country.However, the platform began restoring its services on Sunday after then President-elect, and now President, Trump, announced his support to the service on his social media platform Truth Social, as well as at a rally on Sunday, ahead of his inauguration.In a social media post, Trump had promised that he would issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law's prohibitions take effect, so that they could make a deal to protect national security. 'The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order,' he had then added.As per the law, the President holds broad discretion on how to enforce the ban.In his executive action, Trump said, 'The unfortunate timing of section 2(a) of the Act - one day before I took office as the 47th President of the United States - interferes with my ability to assess the national security and foreign policy implications of the Act's prohibitions before they take effect. This timing also interferes with my ability to negotiate a resolution to avoid an abrupt shutdown of the TikTok platform while addressing national security concerns.'President Trump instructed the Attorney General not to take any action to enforce the Act for a period of 75 days from Monday to allow his Administration 'an opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans.'While talking to reporters at the Oval Office, Trump stated that he has the right to either sell it or close it, and that he will make that determination.Earlier on Sunday, responding to Trump's support, TikTok in a post on the X platform, had thanked the new President for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to its service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans, and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive. Tiktok also said then that the firm will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.Trump earlier had talked about the U.S. to have a 50 percent ownership position in a joint venture, between the current owners and/or new owners, so as to save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to stay up.Without U.S. approval, there is no Tik Tok, but with the approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars - maybe trillions, Trump had said.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") at the Company's 100% owned Blackjack gold deposit located at the RC Gold Project, Yukon using a 0.3 g/t gold cut-off grade: Indicated Mineral Resource: 1,291,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 1.01 g/t Inferred Mineral Resource: 1,044,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 0.94 g/t The updated MRE represents a significant increase in both average grade and contained ounces at the Blackjack deposit where an initial inferred MRE of 900,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 0.83 g/t with a cut-off of 0.25 g/t gold was announced in 2023 (see Company News Release dated January 19, 2023). The updated MRE at Blackjack has a well defined and consistent core of 1 g/t or greater material that extends from surface to a depth of 660 m and remains open in all directions . Initial metallurgical testing indicates that the gold in the Blackjack deposit is not refractory and has high recoveries of up to 94% with minimal NaCN consumption (see News Release dated July 13, 2022). 30,000 m of drilling planned at RC Gold this year to continue upgrading and expanding the Blackjack resource and further develop other significant centres of gold mineralization within the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex ("CCIC"), including the Eiger Deposit, which contains an initial inferred MRE of 440,000 ounces of gold (see Table 3 and Figure 5), and the Saddle, Rhosgobel, Contact, Pukelman, Bear Paw and Josephine targets (see Figures 4 and 5). Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Sitka Gold Corp. (TSXV: SIG) (FSE: 1RF) (OTCQB: SITKF) ("Sitka" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards incorporated by reference in National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") for the Blackjack gold deposit located on the Company's road accessible, contiguous 431 square kilometre RC Gold Project ("RC Gold" or the "Project") located in the Yukon's prolific Tombstone Gold Belt ("TGB"). The MRE was prepared on behalf of the company by GeoSim Services Inc. and is based on additional drilling completed by the Company in 2023 and 2024. "We are thrilled with the remarkable growth of the Blackjack gold deposit that has been achieved in just two years at our flagship RC Gold Project in Yukon," stated Cor Coe, Director and CEO of Sitka. "With just 11,725 metres of additional diamond drilling since the initial mineral resource estimate was published in 2023, we have substantially increased the number of ounces contained at the Blackjack gold deposit by over 2.5 times while also increasing the overall grade. This updated resource estimation reflects the quality of this discovery, highlighted by the robust, non-refractory gold mineralization that has a significant core of higher-grade material of 1 gram per tonne or greater that begins at surface and extends to a currently defined depth of 660 metres (see Figure 2). These results also illustrate the exceptional scalability that can be achieved with relatively modest drilling at RC Gold and emphasize the potential of this extensive gold system to host world-class, multi-million ounce gold deposits. The Blackjack deposit provides a benchmark for what can be achieved at the several other intrusions within the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex, which have all been shown to host similar gold mineralization. With 30,000 metres of diamond drilling planned for this year - which exceeds all the drilling we have completed to date at RC Gold - we are on track to rapidly advance what is quickly becoming a multi-million ounce gold camp." Updated Mineral Resource Estimate The updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Blackjack Zone includes 11,725 m of drilling in 25 holes in addition to the 7,074 m of drilling in 21 holes which comprised the initial resource estimate. At a 0.30 g/t gold cut off grade, the updated MRE at Blackjack includes an Indicated resource of 39,962,000 tonnes at 1.01 g/t gold containing 1,291,000 ounces and an Inferred resource of 34,603,000 tonnes at 0.94 g/t gold containing 1,044,000 ounces (Figure 1 and Table 1). A 0.30 g/t cut of grade is achievable because of the nature of the deposit, the good gold recoveries obtained from initial metallurgical testing and the favourable logistics of the RC Project, including year-round road access and proximity to infrastructure. The modelling for the updated MRE identified a consistent higher grade core of the deposit that contains greater the 1 g/t Au material that trends from surface to a currently identified depth of 660 m (Figures 2 and 3). The morphology and grade of this mineralization allows for the possible development of a higher-grade starter pit and a faster capital cost payback of potential future mine development. The MRE is also relatively insensitive to changing cut-off grades, further confirming the quality of the resource (see Table 2). A National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report describing the details of the mineral resource estimate is in preparation and will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this news release. Table 1: Blackjack Deposit Gold Mineral Resource Estimate with Indicated and Inferred Contained Gold at a 0.30 g/t Cut-off Grade Gold Cut-off (g/t Au) Mineral Resource Category Tonnes (000's) Gold Grade (Au g/t) Oz Au (000's) 0.30 Indicated 39,962 1.01 1,291 Inferred 34,603 0.94 1,044 Notes: 1. Mineral resource estimate prepared by Ronald G. Simpson of GeoSim Services Inc. with an effective date of January 21, 2025. 2. Mineral Resources are estimated consistent with CIM Definition Standards and reported in accordance with NI 43-101. 3. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. 4. Mineral resources are constrained by an optimized pit shell using the following assumptions: US$2000/oz Au price; a 45 pit slope; assumed metallurgical recovery of 85%; mining costs of US$2.00 per tonne; processing costs of US$10.00 per tonne; G& A of US$4.00/t. 5. The base case cut-off of 0.3 g/t Au is believed to provide a reasonable margin over operating and sustaining costs for open-pit mining and processing. 6. Totals may not sum due to rounding. Table 2: Blackjack Deposit Gold Mineral Resource Estimate Showing the Sensitivity of the Resource Model to Changing Gold Cut-off Grades Gold Cut-off (g/t Au) Mineral Resource Category Tonnes (000's) Gold Grade (Au g/t) Oz Au (000's) 0.20 Indicated 44,638 0.93 1,328 Inferred 39,710 0.85 1,085 0.30 Indicated 39,962 1.01 1,291 Inferred 34,603 0.94 1,044 0.40 Indicated 35,420 1.09 1,240 Inferred 29,783 1.03 990 0.50 Indicated 31,171 1.18 1,179 Inferred 25,340 1.14 926 Notes: 1. Bolded row represents the base case for the mineral resource estimate. 2. Cut-off grades as low as 0.2 g/t Au are still considered to meet NI 43-101 standards for Reasonable Prospects for Eventual Economic Extraction. Figure 1: Updated Blackjack Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate Outline with highlighted drill hole intercepts. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6144/237933_1e3ed7a0947ee91b_001full.jpg Figure 2: Block Model of the Blackjack resource illustrating the coherent core of greater than 1 g/t material that extends from surface to a currently defined depth of 660 m. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6144/237933_1e3ed7a0947ee91b_002full.jpg Figure 3: A 3D Representation of the Current Blackjack Resource Shell showing the gold deposit that begins at surface and is open in all directions. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6144/237933_1e3ed7a0947ee91b_003full.jpg Figure 4: Longitudinal cross section showing locations of several of the intrusion targets within the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex. A 30,000 metre diamond drilling program planned for 2025 will focus on further expansion of the 2 km long Blackjack-Eiger area with 15,000 metres of drilling. An additional 10,000 metres of drilling is planned at Rhosgobel to follow up on the initial diamond drilling conducted by Sitka in late 2024 that discovered intervals of significant gold mineralization, including 119.0 metres of 1.05 g/t gold (see news releases dated November 25) and 5,000 metres of drilling is planned at Pukelman where initial drilling in late 2024 returned over a 100 gram-metre gold interval within the intrusion and on the periphery of a large geochemical anomaly target (see news release dated January 7, 2025). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6144/237933_1e3ed7a0947ee91b_004full.jpg Figure 5: A map of the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex (CCIC) showing the location of the updated Blackjack resource outline, the 2023 Eiger resource outline, and the other intrusions of the CCIC such as the Pukelman intrusion and the Rhosgobel Intrusion. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6144/237933_1e3ed7a0947ee91b_005full.jpg About the flagship RC Gold Project The RC Gold Project consists of a 431 square kilometre contiguous district-scale land package located in the heart of Yukon's Tombstone Gold Belt. The project is located approximately 100 kilometres east of Dawson City, which has a 5,000 foot paved runway, and is accessed via a secondary gravel road from the Klondike Highway which is usable year-round and is an approximate 2 hour drive from Dawson City. It is the largest consolidated land package strategically positioned mid-way between the Eagle Gold Mine and the past producing Brewery Creek Gold Mine. The RC Gold Project now has pit-constrained mineral resources prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") guidelines that are contained in two zones: the Blackjack and Eiger deposits with 1,291,000 ounces of gold grading 1.01 g/t gold in an indicated category and 1,044,000 grading 0.94 g/t in an inferred category at Blackjack and 440,000 ounces grading 0.50 g/t gold in an inferred category at Eiger. Both of these deposits are at/near surface, are potentially open pit minable and amenable to heap leaching, with initial bottle roll tests indicating that the gold is not refractory and has high gold recoveries of up to 94% with minimal NaCN consumption (see News Release July 13, 2022). The Mineral Resource Estimate is presented in the following table: Table 3: Current pit-constrained gold resources at the RC Gold Project Deposit Gold Cut-off (g/t Au) Mineral Resource Category Tonnes (000's) Gold Grade (Au g/t) Oz Au (000's) Blackjack 0.30 Indicated 39,962 1.01 1,291 Blackjack 0.30 Inferred 34,603 0.94 1,044 Eiger 0.25 Inferred 27,362 0.50 440 Notes: 1. The Eiger deposit resource is from the mineral resource estimate prepared in 2023 which was not updated as no additional drilling has been completed. To date, 72 diamond drill holes have been drilled into this system by the Company for a total of approximately 25,136 metres. Other targets drilled to date include the Saddle, Josephine, Rhosgobel and Pukelman zones. The resource expansion drilling in 2023 at Blackjack produced results of up to 219.0 m of 1.34 g/t gold Including 124.8 m of 2.01 g/t gold and 55.0 m of 3.11 g/t gold in drill hole DDRCCC-23-047 (see news release dated September 26, 2023) and in 2024 results of up to 678.1 metres of 1.04 g/t gold starting from surface in DDRCCC-24-068, Including 409.5 metres of 1.36 g/t gold, 93.0 metres of 2.57 g/t gold and 5.5 metres of 17.59 g/t gold (see news release dated October 21, 2024). (1) Simpson, R. January 19, 2023. Clear Creek Property, RC Gold Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory. RC Gold Deposit Model Exploration on the Property has mainly focused on identifying an intrusion-related gold system ("IRGS"). The property is within the Tombstone Gold Belt which is the prominent host to IRGS deposits within the Tintina Gold Province in Yukon and Alaska. Notable deposits from the belt include: Fort Knox Mine in Alaska with current Proven and Probable Reserves of 230 million tonnes at 0.3 g/t Au (2.471 million ounces; Sims 2018)(1); Eagle Gold Mine with current Measured and Indicated Resources of 233 million tonnes at a grade of 0.57 g/t Au at the Eagle Main Zone (4.303 million ounces; Harvey et al, 2022)(2); the Brewery Creek deposit with current Indicated Mineral Resource of 22.2 million tonnes at a gold grade of 1.11 g/t (0.789 million ounces; Hulse et al. 2020)(3); the Florin Gold deposit with a current Inferred Mineral Resource of 170.99 million tonnes grading 0.45 g/t (2.47 million ounces; Simpson 2021)(4); the AurMac Project with an Inferred Mineral Resource of 347.49 million tonnes grading 0.63 gram per tonne gold (7.00 million ounces)(5) and the Valley Deposit, with a current Indicated Mineral Resource of 4.05 million oz gold at 1.66 g/t and an additional Inferred Mineral Resource of 3.26 million oz at 1.25 g/t gold(6). (1) Sims J. Fort Knox Mine Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, USA National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report. June 11, 2018. https://s2.q4cdn.com/496390694/files/doc_downloads/2018/Fort-Knox-June-2018-Technical-Report.pdf. (2) Harvey N., Gray P., Winterton J., Jutras M., Levy M.,Technical Report for the Eagle Gold Mine, Yukon Territory, Canada. Victoria Gold Corp. December 31, 2022. https://vgcx.com/site/assets/files/6534/vgcx_-_2023_eagle_mine_technical_report_final.pdf. (3) Hulse D, Emanuel C, Cook C. NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resources. Gustavson Associates. May 31, 2020. https://minedocs.com/22/Brewery-Creek-PEA-01182022.pdf. (4) Simpson R. Florin Gold Project NI 43-101 Technical Report. Geosim Services Inc. April 21, 2021. https://sedar.com/GetFile.do?lang=EN&docClass=24&issuerNo=00005795&issuerType=03&projectNo=03236138&docI d=4984158. (5) Thornton T., Jutras M., Malhotra D. Technical Report Aurmac Property Mayo Mining District, Yukon Territory, Canada. JDS Energy and Mining Inc. February 6, 2024. https://banyangold.com/site/assets/files/5251/banyan_gold_ni_43-101_technical_report_2024_03_18.pdf. (6) Burrell H., Redmond D.J., Haggarty P., Rogue Gold Project: NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate, Yukon Territory, Canada. Snowline Gold Corp. May 15, 2024. https://snowlinegold.com. Upcoming Events Sitka Gold will be attending and/or presenting at the following events*: RoundUp, Vancouver, BC: January 20 - 23, 2025 PDAC, Toronto, ON: March 2 - 5, 2025 Swiss Mining Institute, Zurich, Switzerland: March 18 - 19, 2025 *All events are subject to change. About Sitka Gold Corp. Sitka Gold Corp. is a well-funded mineral exploration company headquartered in Canada with approximately $15 million in its treasury and no debt. The Company is managed by a team of experienced industry professionals and is focused on exploring for economically viable mineral deposits with its primary emphasis on gold, silver and copper mineral properties of merit. Sitka is currently advancing its 100% owned, 431 square kilometre flagship RC Gold Project located within the Tombstone Gold Belt in the Yukon Territory. The Company is also advancing the Alpha Gold Project in Nevada and currently has drill permits for its Burro Creek Gold and Silver Project in Arizona and the Coppermine River Project in Nunavut. *For more detailed information on the Company's properties please visit our website at www.sitkagoldcorp.com. The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Cor Coe, P.Geo., Director and CEO of the Company, and a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions and the Company's anticipated work programs. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market uncertainty and the results of the Company's anticipated work programs. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237933 SOURCE: Sitka Gold Corp. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Alcoa Inespal SL, a subsidiary of Alcoa Corp. (AA, ASX: AAI), and IGNIS Equity Holdings, SL (IGNIS EQT), the majority shareholder in the IGNIS Group, Tuesday announced, that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Spanish National Government and the Xunta de Galicia to support the long-term sustainability of the San Ciprian operations.The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration among the parties to address critical issues and enhance the future outlook of the plant by maintaining stability for the workforce and restarting the smelter as a priority. To facilitate this, major capital investments will be deferred to a later stage, ensuring immediate operational needs are met.The goal is to deploy policies that help achieve competitive energy costs, further strengthening the plant's viability. Additionally, the agreement underscores the importance of securing materially higher compensation for CO2 emissions to support the facility's sustainability efforts.AA is currently trading at $39.87, up 0.85 percent or $0.34 on the New York Stock Exchange.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Objective: Develop a new low carbon feedstock from Glycerin, a byproduct of the biodiesel production to strengthen the SAF value chain The Brazilian biofuel pioneer, Be8, and the U.S.-based leader in the development of innovative biotech solutions, Cemvita, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday, January 21, at Brazil House, the country's discussion space at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The MOU aims to develop the conversion of glycerin (a byproduct of biodiesel production) into low carbon feedstock to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121223344/en/ The announcement was made on the morning of Tuesday, January 21, at Brazil House in Davos, Switzerland, during the World Economic Forum, in the presence of Tara Karimi, Cemvita Co-Founder and Chief Science and Sustainability Officer, and Erasmo Carlos Battistella, President of Be8. (Photo: Business Wire) The announcement was made on the morning of Tuesday, January 21, at Brazil House in Davos, Switzerland, during the World Economic Forum, in the presence of Tara Karimi, Cemvita Co-Founder and Chief Science and Sustainability Officer, and Erasmo Carlos Battistella, President of Be8. "We are now establishing an important partnership aimed at developing a new low-carbon value chain using residual raw material for the production of SAF by converting crude glycerin from Be8's operations into sustainable bio-oil using our technology," explained Moji Karimi, CEO at Cemvita, a leader in developing innovative biotechnological solutions that support sustainable energy. "There is a growing demand from SAF produced from residual and circular feedstock and we are very excited to help the aviation industry deliver its long-term ambitious goals to reduce emissions with this innovative solution," celebrated Erasmo Carlos Battistella, President of Be8, the leading biodiesel producer in Brazil and the largest exporter of glycerin in the country. He highlighted that, once again, Be8 shows its innovation DNA, whether developing in-house or seeking partnerships like this one with Cemvita. "It is a pleasure to establish this strategic collaboration with Cemvita, which contributes its expertise in industrial biotechnology, and synthetic biology within a Circular Bioeconomy model that will enable us to produce a very low carbon SAF," said Battistella. He highlighted the work developed by the new business team led by Tulio Abi-Saber, Be8's Vice President of Finance. Vision for Brazil's Future Bioeconomy Be8 believes the energy transition challenge will be addressed through a combination of different solutions. The company is already a leader in the production of biodiesel and has recently announced a large-scale ethanol plant in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The current partnership with Cemvita to strengthen the SAF value chain, reinforces Be8's long term goal to become sustainable biofuel solutions provider. Cemvita's approach is rooted in collaboration, with plans to partner with local industries and research institutions to accelerate the adoption of circular bioeconomy principles. By introducing technologies that convert carbon emissions into sustainable feedstocks for SAF and other sustainable products, Cemvita envisions a future where Brazil becomes not only a leader but also a global hub for sustainable fuel innovation. "For decades, Brazil has been a pioneer in bioeconomy, and now the time has come to create the future of circular bioeconomy," said Moji Karimi, CEO of Cemvita. "Our vision is to combine the innovation for which Cemvita is known with Brazil's expertise and resources to create an ecosystem where waste becomes opportunity, and sustainability drives growth. By partnering with Brazilian stakeholders, Cemvita intends to develop Brazil's bioeconomy legacy, while also laying the groundwork for a circular and sustainable future." Glycerin Glycerin is a byproduct of biodiesel production. During the transesterification process, which converts vegetable oils or animal fats into biodiesel, glycerin is generated as a coproduct. It has several applications in various industries, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food. In this case, the innovation will contribute to using glycerin as a raw material for producing biofuel that will support the decarbonization of the aviation sector. A working group formed by professionals from both companies will now conduct a detailed technical and economic feasibility study on the proposed bio-oil production process, including the details of a collaborative business model, and the investment estimates for a glycerin-to-SAF raw material conversion plant in Brazil. The studies will also include the usage of the sustainable bio-oil, obtained from the new partnership, as a feedstock in the Omega Green Project. The initiative is a world class bio-refinery that will produce SAF, Renewable Diesel and Green Naphtha, located in Paraguay. About Cemvita Cemvita harnesses the power of synthetic biology to transform carbon emissions into valuable bio-based chemicals. By reimagining waste as a resource, Cemvita produces sustainable oils and other essential chemicals for industries ranging from aviation to personal care. With a mission to drive the transition to a circular bioeconomy, Cemvita partners with global corporations to provide cutting-edge solutions that tackle climate challenges and pave the way for a sustainable future. Website: www.cemvita.com Press Contact: info@cemvita.com About Be8 Be8 is a global renewable energy company that implements new energy matrices through a circular innovation ecosystem. With a focus on production that ensures a future with natural resources, the company delivers sustainable solutions for people, businesses, and the planet. Be8 is part of the ECB Group and was founded in 2005. The company's headquarters are in Passo Fundo (RS), with administrative offices in Sao Paulo (SP), Geneva (Switzerland), and Dubai (UAE), responsible for marketing the company's production in Passo Fundo (RS), Marialva (PR), Nova Marilandia (MT), Floriano (PI), Santo Antonio do Taua (PA), La Paloma (Paraguay), and Domdidier (Switzerland). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121223344/en/ Contacts: Press Contact (Analitica Comunicacao): Eduardo Ritschel Email: eduardo.ritschel@analitica.inf.br Cell: +55 11 99688-0850 Carlos Henrique Coelho Moura Email: carlos.moura@analitica.inf.br Cell: +55 11 98243-9332 Isabela Lago Miranda Email: isabela.miranda@analitica.inf.br Cell: +55 11 99147-6327 Apple is once again the world's most valuable brand. Brand Finance, the world's leading brand valuation consultancy, values Apple's brand at USD574.5 billion, ahead of second-placed Microsoft (USD461 billion). According to Brand Finance's research, four out of the five most valuable brands in the world are technology brands: Apple: brand value of USD574.5 billion, up 11% from 2024 Microsoft: USD461.1 billion, up 35% Google: USD413.0 billion, up 24% Amazon: USD356.4 billion, up 15% Walmart: USD137.2 billion, up 42% Brand Finance also analysed what brands have grown the most since 2020, plus TikTok although Brand Finance began valuing the brand in 2022, its 79% growth in four years puts it in the same league as the other high-growth brands. TikTok/Douyin: USD105.8 billion, up from USD59.0 billion (in 2022) DraftKings: USD5.1 billion, up from USD18 million FanDuel: USD7.0 billion, up from USD56 million NVIDIA: USD87.9 billion, up from USD4.7 billion AMD: USD11.0 billion, up from USD1.4 billion Pinduoduo: USD13.0 billion, up from USD2.5 billion BYD: USD14.0 billion, up from USD3.1 billion Apple: USD574.5 billion, up from USD140.5 billion TSMC: USD34.2 billion, up from US8.6 billion Microsoft: USD461.1 billion, up from USD117.1 billion Lilly: USD8.0 billion, up from USD2.1 billion American gambling brands DraftKings and FanDuel are cashing in as online gambling becomes legal in more American states. Semiconductor brands NVIDIA, AMD, and TSMC advance new technologies, while tech giants Apple and Microsoft lead from the front. David Haigh, Founder CEO, Brand Finance, commented: "Our analysis of what brands have grown the most since 2020 reveals that technology companies do not have a monopoly on sustained brand growth. This also reinforces another global trend: how Chinese brands like TikTok, Pinduoduo, and BYD lead the charge by creating value and challenging established brand leaders." e& is the world's fastest growing brand value, posting an eight-fold increase following consolidation of brand architecture. WeChat is the strongest brand, with a Brand Strength Index score of 95.2/100. View the full Brand Finance Global 500 2025 report here See details of Brand Finance's methodology here, along with frequently asked questions. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121799865/en/ Contacts: Jamie Hyman press@brandfinance.com Regulatory News: Orano is lodging a second arbitration procedure vis vis the State of Niger in order to assert its rights following the loss of operational control of SOMAIR. The Group has filed its request for arbitration with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). This litigation is now Orano's last possible recourse, after several attempts at amicable resolution have gone unanswered. The State of Niger's obstruction of the commercialization of production, as well as the suppression of Orano's offtake rights, have only aggravated SOMAIR's financial situation and the prejudice suffered by Orano. The worsening situation led the group to recognize the loss of operational control of SOMAIR on December 4, 2024. In this context, Orano, the majority shareholder, plans to claim damages and assert its rights over the inventory corresponding to SOMAIR's production. Orano also reserves the right to initiate any and all proceedings, including against third parties, in the event of preemption of the material in violation of its offtake rights. This action follows an initial request for arbitration filed on December 20, 2024 against the State of Niger concerning the withdrawal of its mining license for IMOURAREN. Orano expresses its deepest regret regarding the evolution of the situation and the position of the State of Niger, which weigh heavily on the employees of the group's mining subsidiaries and on local communities. About Orano As a recognized international leading operator in the field of nuclear materials, Orano delivers solutions to address present and future global energy and health challenges. Its expertise and mastery of cutting-edge technologies enable Orano to offer its customers high value-added products and services throughout the entire fuel cycle. Every day, the Orano group's 17,500 employees draw on their skills, unwavering dedication to safety and constant quest for innovation, with the commitment to develop know-how in the transformation and control of nuclear materials, for the climate and for a healthy and resource-efficient world, now and tomorrow. Orano, giving nuclear energy its full value. www.orano.group View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121877916/en/ Contacts: Press Office +33 (0)1 34 96 12 15 press@orano.group Investor relations Marc Quesnoy investors@orano.group The Partnership Combines Advisory Expertise and AI Innovation to Revolutionize the Acquisition Process for Entrepreneurs and Investors Mirante Partners, a newly established M&A advisory firm led by a team of experienced and trusted advisors, has joined forces with Caprae Capital, a pioneer in AI-powered search solutions, to redefine how acquisition entrepreneurs and investors navigate business acquisitions. This strategic partnership combines the strengths of Mirante's advisory expertise with Caprae's innovative technology to deliver unparalleled solutions for entrepreneurs, family offices, and private equity funds at all stages of the acquisition process. A Partnership Built on Complementary Strengths The collaboration represents a pivotal step for both firms. Caprae Capital will leverage Mirante's seasoned deal team to expand its enterprise solutions, particularly for larger, more complex deals. "Mirante's depth of expertise in larger transactions aligns perfectly with our vision to provide enterprise clients with tailored, technology-driven solutions," said Kevin Hong, CEO of Caprae Capital. "This partnership allows us to enhance our enterprise offerings while continuing to serve acquisition entrepreneurs with precision and scale." On the other side, Mirante Partners will gain significant operational and technological support through Caprae's advanced AI tools and scalable backend systems. "For Mirante, this partnership is about unlocking new efficiencies and delivering even more value to our clients," said Fred Wang, board member and senior advisor of Mirante Partners. "Caprae's AI-driven platform and backend capabilities will provide our Managing Directors with the tools to serve Mirante's clients faster, smarter, and more comprehensively." A History of Collaboration and Trust The partnership is also a culmination of a longstanding professional relationship between Wang and Hong. Wang was an early investor in Hong's first acquisition, Destroy Drive, and has closely observed Hong's leadership over the years. "I've been impressed with Kevin's relentless drive as an entrepreneur," said Wang. "As an investor in his first acquisition, I've seen firsthand his strength in leading teams, crafting a compelling vision, and tireless execution. Kevin's innovative mindset and leadership align perfectly with Mirante's mission." Hong echoed these sentiments: "Fred has been a great thought partner and supporter since the beginning of my journey as an acquisition entrepreneur. He has deep experience, sharp insights, and relationships in the search fund space, and successfully exited an acquisition last year. We're excited to continue working with him and the leadership team at Mirante as we embark on this next phase of growth together." Mutual Benefits to Drive Innovation and Growth Through this partnership, Caprae Capital aims to strengthen its enterprise solutions by tapping into Mirante's expertise in handling larger deal sizes and complex transactions. This will enable Caprae to meet the growing demand for high-end services while expanding its presence among institutional clients. For Mirante, the collaboration provides access to Caprae's scalable backend team and innovative AI tools, streamlining deal sourcing, due diligence, and transaction support. This will allow Mirante to better serve acquisition entrepreneurs while maintaining its client-first approach. A Shared Vision for the Future "This partnership is about more than just combining our strengths - it's about transforming the way acquisitions are done," said Wang. "Together, we're building a platform that gives business acquirers the edge they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving landscape." Hong added, "At Caprae, we're focused on empowering entrepreneurs with data-driven tools to navigate the acquisition process, and partnering with Mirante allows us to enhance that mission. By combining our technological capabilities with Mirante's advisory expertise, we're creating a solution that's greater than the sum of its parts." About Mirante Partners Mirante Partners is a newly established M&A advisory firm built on the expertise of seasoned professionals, including former CEOs, corporate executives, and industry veterans. The firm specializes in helping business owners and acquisition funds achieve their growth objectives through personalized guidance and strategic insight. For more information, visit Mirante Partners . About Caprae Capital Caprae Capital leverages AI-powered Search-as-a-Service tools to streamline the acquisition process for entrepreneurs and investors. With a focus on high-end solutions, including tech and AI due diligence, Caprae empowers clients to source, assess, and execute deals with precision and confidence. SOURCE: Caprae Capital View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire G&A's Sustainability Highlights ( 1.15.2025 ) Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. We hope this issue of our newsletter brings a sigh of relief amid all the other news coming your way as 2025 begins. While many trends in climate change and sustainability action are worrying, the good news is that governments around the world continue to move regulations forward in ways that could have positive impacts across ESG topics and issues. Recent news from Australia, Canada, and China point to a broad move towards requiring companies to report more corporate emissions and related sustainability disclosures. Most notably, in 2025 the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will take effect not only for EU-listed companies but all companies headquartered anywhere with operations in the EU that meet 2 of 3 criteria (more than 250 employees, +50 million in annual turnover, +25 million in total assets). Similarly, any company with total annual revenues greater than $1 billion that does any business in California will be subject to climate disclosure requirements once the State's rule is finalized. Even without such requirements, ESG News highlights a study finding that around the world, 85% of executives planned to disclose GHG emissions because of what is viewed as the financial benefits of integrated reporting. The U.S. offered more sources of hope with a Supreme Court decision that will allow communities to sue oil and gas companies for damages stemming from climate change. The outgoing Biden Administration announced the U.S.' nationally determined contribution towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement by setting a 2035 target of cutting GHG emissions by 61-66% from a 2005 baseline. And the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved a state-level ban on selling gas cars, which will start in 2035 in California. In New York, the governor signed legislation requiring fossil fuel companies to fund projects to help communities adapt to climate change, following a similar law in Vermont. In addition to these governmental moves in support of expanded corporate reporting and accountability, companies continue to voluntarily undertake sustainability reporting and action, which have become widely accepted best practices. G&A Institute's latest research shows substantial increases in sustainability reporting for both large-cap and mid-cap U.S. public companies in 2023. A record 93% of Russell 1000 companies published a sustainability report that year, driven by increases in the smaller half of the index by market cap. Corporate sustainability leadership examples abound heading into 2025, and we will continue to spotlight these in our newsletter. Costco has made the business case for diversity in the face of anti-DEI pressure. LEGO made progress on its sustainable packaging goals. Aldi announced plans to eliminate hydrofluorocarbons by 2035, replacing them with natural refrigerants and building improvements to prevent food spoilage. And over 500 companies and financial institutions have committed to begin nature-related corporate reporting by 20 As we monitor the positive steps taking place around the globe at the dawn of 2025, the G&A team is available to help your company navigate its sustainability journey. Please reach out to us at info@ga-institute.com if you would like to discuss how our expert team's support can help you meet the challenges and opportunities in 2025 and beyond. This is just the introduction of G&A's Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/governance-accountability-institute-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Justin van der Toorn, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director, Greenheart Gold Inc., and David Fennell, Executive Chairman, Greenheart Gold Inc. ("Greenheart Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV: GHRT), and their team, joined Robert Peterman, Chief Commercial Officer, Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), to open the market to celebrate the Company's new listing on TSX Venture Exchange. Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmRhSFdpT88 Greenheart Gold is a new exploration company that provides an opportunity for investors to participate in greenfield discoveries within the mining friendly jurisdictions of Guyana and Suriname, which host historically prospective, yet under-explored orogenic gold belts. The Company's management and exploration team were behind the Reunion Gold Corporation's 6 Moz Oko West discovery in Guyana currently being advanced to production by G Mining Ventures. The Company's management is leveraging its knowledge, experience and relationships within the region, along with its strong treasury to acquire and explore a portfolio of mineral projects in the Guiana Shield with the objective of making new significant discoveries. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237941 SOURCE: Toronto Stock Exchange e.l.f. establishes a new standard of quality for the next generation of German makeup users with its "e.l.f. von zehn" campaign e.l.f. Beauty is set to transform the beauty landscape in Germany with its "e.l.f. von zehn" campaign, built on the brand's commitment to be a different kind of company that disrupts norms, shapes culture and connects communities. Through satirical 'self-reflection' of the community, e.l.f. is building trust by leveraging humor to communicate the real-life insights of its passionate community while upholding a shared value of premium quality. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121186456/en/ Actor Christopher Kouros ("Bridget Jones's Diary") stars in e.l.f. Beauty's "e.l.f. von zehn" campaign The "e.l.f. von zehn" campaign, which translates to "11 out of 10", celebrates the absurdly good quality of e.l.f.'s affordable and high-performing products. Drawing inspiration from its community's strong affinity for reviews and ratings, e.l.f. blends humor with product testing, boldly redefining the boundaries of traditional quality reviews and ratings. "Germans are obsessed with a good rating. True to form, the German community bestowed upon us "e.l.f. von zehn" a rating that only e.l.f. can own." said Kory Marchisotto, Chief Marketing Officer of e.l.f. Beauty. "'e.l.f. von zehn' embodies our connection to culture and community, harnessing the power of real people and translating it into e.l.f.ing entertaining content made for them, by them. By celebrating our community's authentic perspectives through humor, we create a place of belonging that fosters positivity, inclusivity and accessibility for every eye, lip and face." "e.l.f. von zehn!" is rooted in e.l.f.'s unwavering dedication to innovation and a commitment to surprising and delighting its community with premium quality beauty products for every eye, lip and face. Through its compelling fusion of playfulness and quality, e.l.f. demonstrates the unmatched strength of its brand and the enduring loyalty of its ever-growing community. In collaboration with creative agency 72andSunny, e.l.f. brings its "e.l.f. von zehn" campaign to life through a series of engaging multi-channel activations. A collection of humorous and entertaining 30-second spots stars actor Christopher Kouros ("Bridget Jones's Diary") as a zany scientist, taking real community reviews and conducting over-the-top experiments with e.l.f.'s must-have products, such as the Glow Reviver Lip Oil, Lash XTNDR Mascara, Power Grip Primer, and Halo Glow Liquid Filter. Campaign films: Glow Reviver Lip Oil Halo Glow Liquid Filter Power Grip Primer Lash XTNDR Mascara To amplify the "e.l.f. von zehn" message, the brand is partnering with retailers in Germany, and engaging with beauty enthusiasts through dedicated sponsorships for example on Amazon Prime, Netflix, and RTL+, along with captivating digital out-of-home advertising in Hamburg, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne and Munich. Additionally, the catchy theme song, "The ELF Sting," serves as the anthem of the campaign, further emphasizing the brands commitment to e.l.f. the status quo. Press material: Dropbox WeTransfer About e.l.f. Beauty e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF) is fueled by a belief that anything is e.l.f.ing possible. We are a different kind of company that disrupts norms, shapes culture and connects communities through positivity, inclusivity and accessibility. The mission is clear: to make the best of beauty accessible to every eye, lip and face. e.l.f. Beauty and its brands, e.l.f. Cosmetics, e.l.f. SKIN, Keys Soulcare, Well People and NATURIUM, are led by purpose, driven by results and elevated by superpowers. e.l.f. Beauty offers e.l.f. clean and vegan products and proudly stands as the first beauty company with Fair Trade Certified facilities. With a kind heart at the center of e.l.f.'s ethos, the company donates 2% of net profits to organizations that make positive impacts. Learn more at www.elfbeauty.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121186456/en/ Contacts: Press contacts: Theres Herrmann: theres.herrmann@boldberlin.com +49 151 599 860 75 Alishia Latz: alishia.latz@boldberlin.com +49 171 288 5616 Noa Sophia Rosado: noasophia.rosado@boldberlin.com Lahore, Pakistan--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - One Homes, a UK-based real estate group with $435 million worth of projects under development in Pakistan, has announced the acquisition of prime land in Lahore's higher education district to launch one of the country's first purpose-built student housing communities. One Homes Student Accommodation in Lahore To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/237923_8bba5dfcb4344af5_001full.jpg Pakistan is home to over 22.6 million higher education students, yet lacks Purpose-Built Student Accommodations (PBSA). This gap represents an untapped $30 billion market that One Homes aims to address with its newest development. Strategically located near several universities and home to a student population of approximately 100,000 within a three-mile radius, the site is perfectly positioned to meet the growing demand for secure, modern housing solutions. The project's first phase will prioritize female students, recognizing the safety and accessibility challenges they face in Pakistan's urban housing market. Future phases will broaden access to other student demographics. "This acquisition marks a significant milestone for us," said Aqib Hassan, Chief Commercial Officer of One Homes. "Our mission is to invest in Pakistan's future by supporting students and creating environments where they can thrive. This development is more than just housing-it's about empowering the next generation." With Pakistan's urban population growing at 3% annually, demand for quality housing solutions continues to rise, driven by increasing university enrollments and migration to major cities. Hassan emphasized the company's commitment to excellence: "We're partnering with globally recognized experts in this asset class to deliver a project that meets the highest international standards." One Homes, part of One Group, has established itself as a leading foreign investor in Pakistan's real estate sector, with landmark developments including One Canal Road in Lahore and Amaya Residences in Islamabad. Founded by serial entrepreneur Zeeshaan Shah, One Homes continues to deliver innovative real estate solutions that address critical market needs while driving impact and growth. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237923 SOURCE: GYT NEWBURY, England, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Osteotec, the market leading manufacturer and distributor of specialised medical devices, is pleased to announce an exclusive distribution agreement with Highridge Medical. This strategic partnership, effective from December 13, 2024, brings together Osteotec's established presence in the UK with Highridge Medical's innovative spinal solutions, strengthening Osteotec's growing spine product portfolio and enhancing opportunities for both patient outcomes and market growth. Highridge Medical, headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, is the world's largest privately held spine company and a global leader in implantable spine solutions designed to address diverse surgical challenges. Its comprehensive product range of implants, fixation systems and biologics are supported by extensive clinical evidence and training programmes to equip surgeons with the tools and expertise needed for success. In partnering with Highridge Medical, Osteotec underscores its commitment to providing surgeons with tried and tested products and robust support systems. Dean Stockwell, Osteotec Sales and Marketing Director, said: "We are proud to collaborate with Highridge Medical, a globally recognised innovator in spinal solutions. This partnership represents a significant step forward for Osteotec as we expand our spine portfolio and strengthen our ability to support surgeons in delivering exceptional patient care. With Highridge's comprehensive products and training, we are confident in driving improved clinical outcomes while increasing our presence in the UK spine market." The agreement marks a new chapter in Osteotec's strategic expansion, adding another premium partner to its portfolio. By leveraging Highridge Medical's advanced spine technologies and solutions, Osteotec aims to not only enhance the options available to surgeons but also drive increased sales and market share in the region. With a focus on innovation, quality and support, this partnership ensures that Osteotec remains at the forefront of providing solutions that meet the evolving needs of both surgeons and patients. "Osteotec's established reputation and deep connections within the surgical community make them an ideal partner," said Rebecca Whitney, Highridge Medical Chief Executive Officer. "Together, we look forward to advancing spinal care in the UK, delivering comprehensive training to empower surgeons and improve lives." Editor's Notes About Osteotec Osteotec is a manufacturer and distributor of medical devices headquarter in Newbury, UK, with offices in Dublin and Malmo. Established in 1993, Osteotec has been supplying into the NHS and private healthcare sectors for the past 31 years. Osteotec manufactures and distributes the Osteotec Silicone Finger, ChiroKlip and the Concentric Bone Graft System and is a distributor for world-leading orthopaedic partners including SI-BONE, TriMed, Enovis and Cerapedics. Media Contact: Harriet Bawden Marketing Manager mkt@osteotec.com | 020 3011 5574 For more information, visit - www.osteotec.com About Highridge Medical Highridge Medical is a global medical device company focused on designing and commercializing novel and proprietary products and solutions for the treatment of patients suffering from spine disorders. With a strong portfolio supported by extensive clinical evidence, Highridge is committed to improving spine care by partnering with the surgeon community to drive product and clinical innovation. Media Contact: Mark Richards Vice President of Communications and Events Mark.richards@highridgemedical.com | +1 512 913 9572 For more information, visit - www.highridgemedical.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2151731/5126420/Osteotec_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/osteotec-announces-exclusive-partnership-with-highridge-medical-to-distribute-spine-surgery-solutions-in-the-uk-302356283.html Turin, 21stJanuary 2025. Iveco Group N.V. (EXM: IVG) today announces changes to its Senior Leadership Team (SLT). Effective immediately, Domenico Nucera will assume the newly created role of Chief Quality & Operations Officer and Claudio Passerini will take over as President, Bus Business Unit. Both will report directly to Olof Persson, CEO of Iveco Group. Iveco Group's new Quality & Operations function will regroup and centralise all Quality departments and incorporate Manufacturing and Supply Chain. Integrated Quality & Operations will connect every operational aspect of the business - from sourcing to production and delivery - enabling the Group to work even more cohesively and efficiently. The new function will be under the leadership of Domenico Nucera, who has led the Bus Business Unit of Iveco Group since its inception. Nucera brings to the role his expertise built up throughout his career, which he began in 2003 in the Powertrain business. Over the years, Nucera has assumed positions of increasing responsibility in process engineering, quality, manufacturing engineering and international operations. Claudio Passerini has a long history in the automotive industry at multi-national companies in Italy, Brazil, Russia and Germany, developing expertise in B2B sales, private equity funds, commercial turnaround, and transformation projects. In February 2022 Passerini joined Iveco Group, first as Head of Transformation then as Head of Powertrain Sales & Marketing. Passerini will now drive the Group's Bus Business Unit in continuing to deliver sustainable people transport. Angela Qu, previously Chief Supply Chain Officer, has elected to leave the organisation to pursue other interests, while Angel Rodriguez Lagunilla, previously Chief Manufacturing Officer, will become Head of Manufacturing Operations, reporting to Domenico Nucera and maintaining a pivotal role in the development of the Group's production value chain. Olof Persson, CEO, Iveco Group, said: "This announcement marks a key milestone in Iveco Group's journey towards excellence and demonstrates our commitment to placing quality even more at the centre of our operations. Under this new model, we are strengthening our strategic approach to manufacturing, sourcing and logistics, while increasing our focus on delivering quality products and maximising customer satisfaction. With this evolution, I am confident that Domenico and Claudio will bring their broad range of expertise to help lead our success. I thank Angela for her contributions in our first years as an independent company and I look forward to continuing to count on Angel's vast experience in manufacturing." Iveco Group N.V. Media Contacts: Francesco Polsinelli, Tel: +39 335 1776091 Fabio Lepore, Tel: +39 335 7469007 E-mail: mediarelations@ivecogroup.com Investor Relations: Federico Donati, Tel: +39 011 0073539 E-mail: investor.relations@ivecogroup.com Attachment Protecting Taiwan's Water Resources to Preserve Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world's largest express transportation companies, has recently partnered with the Society of Wilderness (SoW) to tackle water resource challenges. As part of this initiative, FedEx encouraged team members and their families to join a riverside cleanup along the Touchian River in Hsinchu. After several hours of dedicated effort, the team successfully removed nearly 181 kilograms of waste. This accomplishment highlights the strong commitment FedEx has for environmental stewardship and its positive contribution to Taiwan's ecological sustainability. The Touchian River, which plays a critical role in the Greater Hsinchu area, was selected for the cleanup due to its importance in supplying over 90% of the local water, supporting agriculture, sustaining livelihoods, and being essential for the operations at the Hsinchu Science Park. Notably, Taiwan's high-tech sector, which relies heavily on electronic components-its largest export in 20231-benefits significantly from this water resource. "FedEx is committed to fostering sustainable development in the communities we serve and supporting local environmental conservation efforts," said Michael Chu, managing director of FedEx Taiwan. "The Touchian River is a vital resource for the Hsinchu area, and our ongoing partnership with the Society of Wilderness underscores our dedication to environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility. We are committed to enhancing Taiwan's ecological environment, growing alongside local communities, and pursuing a more sustainable future through our actions." "A clean river is the key to a blue sea," said Liu Yueh-Mei, Honorary Chairperson of the Society of Wilderness. "We are excited to collaborate once again with FedEx, focusing on Taiwan's water resources. According to the results of these two riverside clean-up events, the most common debris were plastic bottles, plastic bags, and disposable utensils. This emphasizes the importance of reducing plastic usage and reminds us to minimize the reliance of single-use products from everyday activities to achieve environmental sustainability. Additionally, numerous large waste items were discovered in the streams, highlighting the urgent need to prevent dumping trash or wastewater into our waterways to preserve their cleanliness. The Society of Wilderness eagerly anticipate more companies, organizations, and individuals, like FedEx, to join in protecting our land, rivers, and oceans, for a cleaner, sustainable future." In addition to organizing two cleanup events on December 14 and 28, 2024, FedEx partnered with the Society of Wilderness to hold an environmental education seminar titled "For Blue Seas, Start with Clean Streams." This initiative aimed to explore the beauty of Taiwan's aquatic and marine environments while educating team members on the importance of protecting the natural world. Through these hands-on cleanup events and educational seminars, FedEx team members are inspired to incorporate sustainability into their daily lives, particularly by reducing the use of disposable plastic items. FedEx actively supports sustainable practices, collaborating with local NGOs to promote environmental sustainability and foster a virtuous cycle. 1https://www.ey.gov.tw/state/6A206590076F7EF/8b5032af-1a67-4c02-bd16-8791aa459cd2 Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from FedEx Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: FedEx Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fedex-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: FedEx Corporation View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire PUNE, India, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Size Overview of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) The market for Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) is experiencing significant growth. Valued at USD 17,581.25 million in 2023, it is anticipated to reach USD 30,988.25 million by 2032. This growth reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.43% from 2024 to 2032. ASICs continue to gain traction across diverse applications due to their efficiency, customization, and performance benefits, positioning the market for sustained expansion over the forecast period. Market Drivers of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) The market for Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) is propelled by several influential drivers, primarily rooted in technological evolution and growing industry-specific demand. The customization and optimization capabilities of ASICs allow for high performance and efficiency, making them essential in applications requiring precision and speed. Technological Advancements Breakthroughs in semiconductor technology have significantly enhanced ASIC design and functionality. These developments enable reduced power consumption, higher processing speeds, and miniaturization, making ASICs ideal for compact electronic devices and advanced industrial equipment. For example, emerging nodes like 5 nm and 3 nm facilitate greater density and performance, supporting demanding applications like artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G networks. The transition to these advanced nodes has been driven by the need for improved power efficiency and performance, with 5 nm nodes offering up to 15% speed improvement and 30% power reduction compared to their predecessors. Preview the report with a detailed sample and understand how it can benefit your business strategy. Request a free sample today -https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/application-specific-integrated-circuits-asics-market Growing Demand in Industry Applications ASICs are pivotal in the rapid evolution of AI and machine learning. Their ability to perform specific tasks with high efficiency makes them indispensable in training AI models and real-time data processing. The global AI market, which heavily relies on ASICs, is projected to grow from $189.72 billion in 2023 to $1689.3 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 27.5%. Similarly, the automotive sector relies on ASICs for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous driving, and electronic control units. The global adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) further underscores this trend, as ASICs play a crucial role in battery management and powertrain control systems. IoT and 5G Expansion With the Internet of Things (IoT) growing at an unprecedented speed, ASICs ensure seamless connectivity and device functionality. The number of IoT devices worldwide is forecast to almost double from 15.9 billion in 2023 to more than 32.1 billion by 2030. Combined with the rollout of 5G, ASICs support ultra-reliable and low-latency communications, strengthening their market presence across telecommunications and consumer electronics. The 5G chipset market, which includes ASICs, is projected to grow from $39.03 billion in 2023 to $457.5 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 35.9%. Growth Opportunities in the Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) Market The ASICs market presents substantial growth opportunities, particularly through innovations in AI, IoT, and 5G technologies. These technologies demand ASICs for their high efficiency and specialization. Businesses can leverage these opportunities by focusing on creating chips tailored for AI applications, such as neural network acceleration or real-time data analysis. The expansion of IoT devices requires low-power, high-performance ASICs for seamless connectivity across smart homes, industries, and wearables. Additionally, the global adoption of 5G networks invites investments in ASICs that optimize network infrastructure and mobile devices. Companies positioned to align their products with these trends will gain a competitive edge. Preview the report with a detailed sample and understand how it can benefit your business strategy. Request a free sample today - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/application-specific-integrated-circuits-asics-market Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) Market Segmentation Type of ASIC: Full Custom ASICs Semi-Custom ASICs (Standard Cell ASICs) Programmable ASICs (FPGA-based ASICs) Application: Telecommunications Consumer Electronics Automotive Industrial Automation Medical Electronics Aerospace and Defense Data Centers and Cloud Computing IoT (Internet of Things) Blockchain and Cryptocurrency AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine Learning By Region North America US Canada Mexico Europe Germany France UK. Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea South-east Asia Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa GCC Countries South Africa Rest of Middle East and Africa Regional Analysis of the Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) Market North America North America holds a significant share of the ASICs market, driven by the robust presence of key semiconductor manufacturers and tech giants. High investments in R&D for AI, machine learning, and autonomous driving technologies propel demand. For instance, the U.S. government has implemented various initiatives to support AI and autonomous driving research. Additionally, the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and advancements in 5G infrastructure amplify the need for customized ASIC solutions in this region. The U.S. has nearly 50,000 EV charging stations, and significant investments are being made in 5G infrastructure. Europe Europe's ASICs market growth is fueled by innovations in the automotive and industrial sectors. The strong focus on electric and autonomous vehicles drives ASIC deployment in ADAS and battery management systems. The European automotive industry, which employs over 14 million people and contributes about 7% to the region's GDP, is a major driver of this demand. Industries aiming to modernize production processes with industrial automation also leverage ASICs for high precision and optimized performance. Europe is home to leading companies in analog, mixed-signal, and high-voltage ASIC design. Asia-Pacific Asia-Pacific dominates the ASICs market, attributable to its massive consumer electronics and semiconductor manufacturing hubs, particularly in China, South Korea, and Taiwan. China alone produces over 70% of the world's smartphones. The region's leadership in 5G deployment and the rapid expansion of IoT devices create substantial opportunities. Asia-Pacific countries are expected to add almost $130 billion to their economies through 5G by 2030. Growing EV adoption in countries like China and India further accelerates ASIC demand, particularly for energy-efficient designs. China is a global leader in EV production and adoption. Other Regions Regions such as Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa exhibit steady growth potential, driven by increasing telecommunications infrastructure and IoT adoption. The development of smart cities and digitization initiatives also open doors for ASIC manufacturers to tap into emerging markets. Each region's unique focus areas and demand drivers collectively shape the global ASICs market, fostering growth and innovation. Tailor the report to align with your specific business needs and gain targeted insights. Request customization now -https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/application-specific-integrated-circuits-asics-market Top Companies - Broadcom Inc. STMicroelectronics Faraday Technology Corporation Comport Data FUJITSU Infineon Technologies AG Intel Corporation ASIX Electronics OmniVision Technologies, Inc. Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC Seiko Epson Corporation DWIN Technology Socionext America Inc. Tekmos Inc. Others Latest Developments: October 2024: OpenAI, an artificial intelligence company, partnered with Broadcom Inc., a provider of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), to develop an AI chip aimed at improving the efficiency of AI model inference. July 2024: STMicroelectronics launched the world's largest cinema image sensor, specifically designed for large-scale cinema applications, underscoring its advancements in sensor technology and innovation in the imaging market. February 2024: Broadcom Inc. reported record revenue of USD 13,072 million for Q3 2024, a 47% year-over-year increase, driven by robust demand for AI-related products and innovations in 5G and networking. July 2023: Faraday Technology Corporation launched its SerDes total solution, featuring SerDes IP design on UMC 28nm and the corresponding IP Advanced (IPA) service. This solution is designed to accelerate customer integration. September 2023: Intel announced plans to create an ASIC accelerator to minimize performance overhead in Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE). The company also revealed its intention to release a beta version of an encrypted computing software toolkit for developers. September 2023: Infineon Technologies AG launched a new line of OptiMOS power MOSFETs to enhance efficiency and performance in power management applications. August 2022: Broadcom Inc. introduced the StrataXGS Tomahawk 5 switch series, offering 51.2 terabits per second of Ethernet ASIC switching capacity in a single, monolithic device. April 2022: Intel unveiled the Intel Blockscale ASIC, a result of extensive R&D. This ASIC provides efficient hashing for proof-of-work consensus networks. July 2022: Faraday Technology Corporation introduced its FPGA-Go-ASIC prototyping platform, enabling customers to accelerate circuit creation and verification processes, enhancing its ASIC design services. February 2022: MIT researchers developed an ASIC chip designed to defend IoT devices against power-based side-channel attacks. The chip employs threshold computing, splitting data into random components for secure processing. March 2021: Intel and the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) initiated a three-year collaboration under the SAHARA project (Structured Array Hardware for Automatically Realized Applications) to advance domestically produced structured ASIC platforms with cutting-edge security countermeasures. February 2021: Renesas Electronics Corporation acquired Dialog Semiconductor Plc, a provider of power management, charging, AC/DC power conversion, and ASICs, in a deal valued at approximately USD 5 billion. June 2021: Taiwan-based IC design houses expressed optimism for increased shipments in Q3 2021 due to the rollout of 5G-enabled smartphones by Chinese brands. They anticipated over 10% sequential growth in order volumes, driven by higher quotes for 5G chips compared to 4G applications. Reasons to Purchase this Report: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the market through qualitative and quantitative analyses, considering both economic and non-economic factors, with segmentation and sub-segmentation details provided in terms of market value (USD Billion). Identify regions and segments expected to experience the fastest growth or dominate the market, with a detailed analysis of geographic consumption patterns and the factors driving or hindering market performance in each region. Stay informed about the competitive environment, with rankings of major players, recent product and service launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions from the past five years. Access detailed profiles of major market players, including company overviews, insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis, to understand competitive advantages and market positioning. Explore the present and forecasted market landscape, with insights into growth opportunities, market drivers, challenges, and constraints for both developed and emerging regions. Benefit from Porter's Five Forces analysis and Value Chain insights to evaluate various market perspectives and competitive dynamics. Understand the evolving market scenario, including potential growth opportunities and trends expected in the coming years. Preview the report with a detailed sample and understand how it can benefit your business strategy. 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The company is a market research and consulting firm serving governments, non-legislative associations, non-profit organizations, and various organizations worldwide. We help our clients improve their execution in a lasting way and understand their most imperative objectives. Contact Us Mitul Dean Tower C-1105 , S 25, Akash Tower, Vishal Nahar, Pimple Nilakh, Haveli, Pune - 411027, India sales@credenceresearch.com www.credenceresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562161/Credence_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/application-specific-integrated-circuits-asics-market-to-reach-usd-30-99-billion-by-2032--growing-at-a-cagr-of-6-43--credence-research-inc-302356429.html From renovating school libraries in Suriname to running career fairs in Brazil, supporting education initiatives in the Dominican Republic, and pioneering port-focused qualifications in Ecuador, DP World is proving that education can flow as seamlessly as global trade. When you think of a logistics leader like DP World, you probably imagine shipping containers and cranes - not classrooms and scholarships. Yet DP World is investing in global education to shape future leaders and strengthen the communities it operates in, not least in the Americas. In celebration of the UN's International Day of Education, we're taking a closer look at how DP World is empowering students, teachers, and communities in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic. Through innovative programs, infrastructure upgrades, and scholarships, DP World is proving that building minds is just as important as moving goods. Building Futures Through Infrastructure DP World understands that a strong foundation starts with the right environment. In Suriname, the company partnered with COSCO Shipping Lines to renovate the media library at OS Lobatoschool near the Jules Sedney Terminal in Paramaribo. Completed in late 2024, the project transformed the library into a modern learning space. During the handover ceremony, DP World Paramaribo CEO Mervel Kotzebue-Fleur emphasized the importance of education in shaping Suriname's economic future. Meanwhile, in Peru, the DP World Race, a 10K charity run, has been funding school improvements in Callao for over a decade. In 2024, proceeds from the race helped build eight digital classrooms, a computer lab, and a library at Luisa de Sabogal 5001 school, benefiting over 430 students. In Ecuador, DP World has partnered with ESPOL University to deliver a port-focused technical qualification through the Academic Unit for Technical and Technological Training (AUFTT) in Posorja. Offering qualifications in mechatronics and port logistics, 40% of training is conducted in DP World facilities. Empowering Students with Scholarships and Career Guidance Scholarships are a cornerstone of DP World's education strategy, breaking down barriers for low-income families. In Chile, the Pre-University Program in San Antonio has supported over 300 students since 2016, helping them prepare for the Higher Education Admissions Test (PAES). Nearly 70% of participants are children of employees, while the remaining 30% are high-achieving local students. In Brazil, DP World is preparing students for the logistics workforce through its Global Education Program (GEP). From September to November 2024, the program reached 140 students with interactive sessions on sustainability, decarbonization, and human resources. At a career fair hosted in partnership with SENAI, over 200 students connected with DP World Santos managers and explored how their studies could lead to real-world opportunities. In the Dominican Republic, DP World's Vision Futuro initiative has impacted approximately 6,000 young people by focusing on education, labor insertion, women's empowerment, and youth networks. Programs include a School Retention effort benefiting 2,000 students, vocational technical training for 805 participants, and entrepreneurship support for 388 individuals. Since 2020, DP World has invested over $512,570 in Vision Futuro, with an additional $138,000 planned for 2025. Ecuador's AUFTT program also highlights the transformative power of education. For 25-year-old Sharon Baque, a mechatronics student, it has meant becoming the first in her family to pursue a college degree. In Chile, San Antonio's Technical-Professional Talks Program and educational terminal visits, at both locations, help foster students' interest in both the academic training and career prospects in the supply chain industry. Recognizing Academic Excellence Celebrating student success is just as important as creating opportunities. In Chile, DP World held award ceremonies in July 2024 at its San Antonio and Lirquen terminals, recognizing over 100 students for their outstanding academic performance. Similarly, in Peru, DP World's EcoCuentos initiative took a creative twist. Over four editions, the program published 1,400 books featuring stories written by employees and their families. The stories, which focus on topics like climate change and ocean conservation, have reached over 4,000 children in Callao and Paita, inspiring a love for learning and sustainability. Breaking Barriers for Women in Education DP World is also addressing gender inequality in education and the workforce. In Ecuador, the Operators of the Future program trains women to work in traditionally male-dominated roles, such as crane and forklift operation. In Suriname, the DP World 4 Women initiative honored 26 female teachers at OS Lobatoschool for their dedication to shaping future leaders. Female employees from DP World Paramaribo provided care kits to the teachers as a gesture of appreciation during Women's History Month. In Chile, DP World's sustainability efforts include courses for women heads of household in Lirquen, equipping them with tools to work in a trade. Why Education Matters to DP World So why is a global logistics company so invested in education? For DP World, it's about more than corporate social responsibility. Education is a long-term investment in the communities where it operates - and in its own future workforce. By aligning its programs with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), DP World is building a pipeline of talent while fostering economic growth and social equity. The impact goes deeper. From Suriname's revitalized libraries to DP World's pioneering university-partnership in Ecuador, education initiatives are transforming lives across the Americas. By investing in students, teachers, and infrastructure, DP World is proving that education can be the ultimate supply chain-one that delivers opportunity and prosperity for all. Curious to learn more? Visit DP World's Global Education Platform for free resources, career tools, and a closer look at how DP World is shaping the next generation of leaders. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from DP World on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: DP World Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/dp-world Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: DP World View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Based in West Palm Beach, Florida, Bagnall joins the firm's Senior Leadership Team WGI President Gregory Sauter proudly announces that Dave Bagnall joined the firm as Chief Human Resources Officer in its West Palm Beach headquarters. The addition of Dave solidifies WGI's Senior Leadership Team, positioning the company to continue as a standout among the country's national design and professional services firms. WGI is a market leader in technology-based engineering, planning, and design solutions for the construction of public infrastructure and real estate development. Dave brings over two decades of Human Resources leadership experience to WGI, partnering with senior executives to build high-performing teams across the home improvement industry as well as the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). With a reputation for developing advanced solutions and energizing teams, Dave combines strategic thinking with a passion for fostering collaboration and growth. A lifelong learner, he stays ahead of industry trends, uniting stakeholders to achieve shared goals while empowering individuals and teams to reach their full potential. His expertise and leadership will play a pivotal role in helping to drive WGI's continued success. Gregory -- WGI's President -- expressed his enthusiasm for Dave's addition to the company: "It is with great excitement that we welcome Dave to WGI's Senior Leadership Team as Chief Human Resources Officer. Dave's exceptional expertise in HR strategy, combined with his unwavering passion for cultivating people-first cultures, makes him an outstanding fit. His alignment with WGI's core values, Passion for People, and ability to inspire and lead will undoubtedly strengthen our culture, elevate our team, and drive meaningful progress across the organization." Dave earned his Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications, graduating Cum Laude from Bob Jones University, and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Executive Leadership at Liberty University. Additionally, Dave holds the globally recognized Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certification, underscoring his operational-level expertise in human resources. In his new role, Dave will lead an HR strategy aligning with the organization's overall business plan and strategic direction. He will focus on enhancing company culture, boosting employee engagement, and advancing talent management. Additionally, Dave will oversee performance optimization, benefits, training, development, and comprehensive total rewards to ensure a thriving, high-performing workforce. Dave expressed his enthusiasm regarding his new role and arrival at WGI, stating, "When considering joining a new company, it's important to look at financial performance, innovation, and strategic vision. In all those areas, WGI shows strength and remarkable growth potential. However, what excites me about this role is the conversations I had with the people at WGI; I met people genuinely passionate about what they do at every level and in every part of the business. Clearly, this is a winning team, and I look forward to seeing what we accomplish together!" ABOUT WGI As a multidisciplinary consulting firm, WGI has 25 offices in eight states and serves an active client base in over 49 states. WGI specializes in roadway engineering, structural engineering, environmental sciences, water resources, geospatial services, land surveying, subsurface utility engineering, land development, municipal engineering, mobility planning, parking solutions, building restoration, landscape architecture, architecture, land planning, and MEP engineering. In 2024, ENR ranked WGI #171 on its list of the Top 500 Design Firms in the United States. ENR Magazine also named WGI its 2021 Design Firm of the Year in the southeast United States. For more information, please visit www.wginc.com. WGI Company Contacts: Will Schnier, P.E. Chief Marketing Officer Will.Schnier@wginc.com 512.669.5560 Gregory Sauter President Gregory.Sauter@wginc.com 561.687.2220 Media Contact: Kelly Owens Alchemy Communications Group ko@alchemycommgroup.com O: 561.935.9953 x.101 M: 561.222.4958 SOURCE: WGI Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Valhalla Metals Inc. (TSXV: VMXX) (OTCQB: VMXXF) ("Valhalla" or the "Company") provides an update on the Ambler Mining District Access Road. The proposed Ambler Access Road is planned to cross Valhalla State mining claims at the Sun project and would unlock a host of critical and strategic metals located in the Ambler Mining District - all metals necessary for the green energy and transportation transition and to ensure a secure domestic supply chains for these metals. On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential". In his Executive Order, President Trump reverses a series of Biden administration policies and actions related to Alaska's lands and resources that had a significant negative impact on natural resources development in the state. The Executive Order under paragraph Section 3 (b) (viii) orders specific to the Ambler Road as follows:"(viii) place a temporary moratorium on all activities and privileges granted to any party pursuant to the record of decision signed on June 27, 2024, entitled "Ambler Road Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision," which is referred to in "Notice of Availability of the Ambler Road Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, Alaska," 89 Fed. Reg. 32458 (April 26, 2024), in order to review such record of decision in light of alleged legal deficiencies and for consideration of relevant public interests and, as appropriate, conduct a new, comprehensive analysis of such deficiencies, interests, and environmental impacts; and reinstate the record of decision signed on July 23, 2020, by the Bureau of Land Management and United States Army Corps of Engineers entitled "Ambler Road Environmental Impact Statement Joint Record of Decision," which is referred to in "Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Road Environmental Impact Statement," 85 Fed. Reg. 45440 (July 28, 2020);" Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, Chairman of Valhalla stated: " Well, as promised to Alaska in his personal address on November 6th, right after his election, President Trump has hit the ground running and signed an Executive Order ordering his government to rescind the erroneous No Action Alternative Record of Decision (ROD) made by the previous administration and reinstate the ROD signed on July 23, 2020 by the BLM and US Army Corps of Engineers. No doubt this action will take time to correct, but it is a very clear signal that President Trump means business and means to carry through on his promises. ANILCA guaranteed access be provided to the State of Alaska and Alaska Native corporations in order to develop the Ambler Mining District. After 45 years it is about time that we have a President who is willing to deliver on that promise!" The Company welcomes the statements from the U.S Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and U.S. Representative Nick Begich (all R-Alaska) reacting to President Trump executive order: "It is morning again in Alaska. With the stroke of a pen, President Trump has sent America and the world the unmistakable message that unleashing Alaska's energy and resources will be a top priority of his administration, literally from day 1," said Sen. Sullivan. "The contrast with the Biden administration couldn't be more stark. For four years, our state suffered under an unrelenting assault-70 executive orders and actions restricting Alaskans' economic opportunities and lawful access to our lands. No state has endured this kind of sustained negative attention from a federal administration in recent memory. President Trump's sweeping executive order, and the work we will do with his administration over the next four years, will put Alaskans back in the driver's seat of our state's destiny, advancing critical resource development projects and unleashing economic opportunities for the benefit of our hard-working families and the security of the entire nation. I want to thank President Trump for recognizing Alaska as the great strategic asset for our country that it is and for standing up for working Alaskans." "President Trump is picking up right where he left off, reversing years of damaging decisions and prioritizing Alaska's unrivaled opportunities for responsible energy and mineral development," Sen. Murkowski said. "The policies laid out in this Executive Order will improve our economy, our budget, and our quality of life while simultaneously making energy more affordable and enhancing national security. Alaska is the blue chip in the United States' energy portfolio, and I thank President Trump for helping us capitalize on our resources." "Today, the failed policies of the Biden Administration are now but a page in the history books - one that will soon be forgotten. The golden age of America has begun," said Rep. Begich. "On day one, President Trump showed the American people they have a leader in the White House who will usher in a new era of economic renewal and energy dominance with an executive order aimed at unleashing American energy. Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, Alaska will be empowered to fully harness its vast energy and mineral resources, spearhead economic renewal, and solidify our position as an energy powerhouse. I am proud to stand with the Trump Administration in this critical effort to build a stronger, more prosperous Alaska for generations to come. The pathway to American prosperity begins in Alaska, and it begins today." For more details, the full executive order can be found here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/unleashing-alaskas-extraordinary-resource-potential/. About Valhalla Metals Valhalla Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the advancement of its mineral projects towards feasibility. Valhalla's flagship project is the Sun copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver VMS projects located in Ambler Mining District, Northwest Alaska. The Company also owns the Smucker project, a high-quality copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver VMS project located in the Ambler Mining District, Northwest Alaska. Valhalla Metals Inc. shares trade on the TSX-V under the ticker symbol VMXX and OTCQB under the ticker symbol VMXXF. For more information about Valhalla, please visit our website at www.valhallametals.com. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plan", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based, are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; and the additional risks identified in the annual information form of the Company or other reports and filings with the TSX-V and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237962 SOURCE: Valhalla Metals Inc. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The depiction of violence on shows and movies has been rising lately, leaving a profound impact on the mental and emotional health of children, particularly teenage boys.Published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, a recent study explained how the exposure to violence at early ages of 3 to 4 can shape behavior during adolescence.The study led by Linda Pagani at the Universite de Montreal's School of Psychoeducation, followed 963 girls and 982 boys born between 1997 and 1998, who were part of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development.'Although past evidence showing causal links between modelling and getting rewarded for violence had an immediate impact on aggressive behavior in 4-year-old children, few studies have investigated long-term risks with antisocial behavior. We studied such risks in mid-adolescence,' explained Pagani.'It was ideal to study this question with typically developing middle-class children because, as a population, they have the lowest chances of engaging in aggression and behavior harmful to others.'The study defined violence on screen as any content 'characterized by physical aggression, verbal aggression, and relational aggression', depicting 'situations that intentionally attempt or cause harm to others.' Initially, parents reported the frequency of their child's exposure to violence on screens during their younger age, and later, it was self-reported by the children.The researchers found that children were drawn to fast-paced, stimulating violent content, often featuring appealing characters like superheroes who commit and are rewarded for aggressive acts. This type of content increases the likelihood of exposure.Even though, the study was conducted on both girls and boys, the gender disparities were clearly visible in the findings with boys exhibiting more aggressive and antisocial behaviors like hitting others or participating in gang fights by the age of fifteen.'Our study provides compelling evidence that early childhood exposure to media violence can have serious, long-lasting consequences, particularly for boys,' Pagani concluded.'This underscores the urgent need for public health initiatives that target campaigns to inform parents and communities about the long-term risks and empower them to make informed choices about young children's screen content exposure.'The research team underscored the crucial role of parents and communities in limiting early exposure to violent media among young children.Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSXV:AEMC)(OTCQB:AKEMF) ("Alaska Energy Metals," "AEMC," or the "Company") is pleased to announce that very positive actions have been taken by the President of the United States concerning Alaska's resource development. The Executive Order is entitled: "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential." AEMC President & CEO Gregory Beischer commented: "A new era has dawned in Alaska. The new administration is aware of the country's vulnerability to metal supply chain disruption and is taking concrete steps to help Alaska achieve its potential to help with economic and national security for the country. AEMC's Nikolai project is already among the largest nickel resources globally and contains four other critical and strategic metals. We believe our project is likely to get strong support and will play a key role in achieving the new administration's long-term goals concerning critical metal onshoring." By an Executive Order the President has made sweeping changes that will positively affect resource development in Alaska. The entire Executive Order can be viewed at this link. The order addresses all Alaska resources including oil, gas, minerals, forestry and fisheries. Highlights for Alaska's mining industry include: Recognition that Alaska contains abundant, untapped mineral resources. USA to fully avail itself of Alaska's vast lands and resources for the benefit of the Nation. Consider building national stockpiles of Critical and Strategic metals. Maximize the development of production on Federal and State lands in Alaska. Promote liquid natural gas production from the North Slope oilfields (potentially providing low cost energy for mining projects). Reopen the regulatory process that would allow construction of the Ambler road, providing access to the rich mineral districts of the northwestern part of Alaska. For additional information, visit: https://alaskaenergymetals.com/ ABOUT ALASKA ENERGY METALS Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (AEMC) is an Alaska-based corporation with offices in Anchorage and Vancouver working to sustainably deliver the critical materials needed for national security and a bright energy future, while generating superior returns for shareholders. AEMC is focused on delineating and developing the large-scale, bulk tonnage, polymetallic Nikolai Project Eureka deposit containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, iron, platinum, palladium, and gold. Located in Interior Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, its flagship project, Nikolai, is well-situated to become a significant domestic source of strategic energy-related metals for North America. AEMC also holds a secondary project in western Quebec; the Angliers - Belleterre project. Today, material sourcing demands excellence in environmental performance, technological innovation, carbon mitigation and the responsible management of human and financial capital. AEMC works every day to earn and maintain the respect and confidence of the public and believes that ESG performance is measured by action and led from the top. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Gregory Beischer" Gregory Beischer, President & CEO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEO Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164 Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, but not limited to, positive effects on Alaska's mining industry including on Alaska Energy Metals Nikolai project development. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. SOURCE: Alaska Energy Metals Corporation View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire China's low-altitude economy expected to reach 1 trillion yuan in market size in 2025 11:30, January 21, 2025 By Chen Qingrui, Tu Lei, Tao Mingyang ( Global Times Visitors view an electric aircraft at an exhibition of the 2024 Low Altitude Economic Development Conference in Wuhu, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 6, 2024. An exhibition displaying unmanned aerial vehicles, manned aircraft, airspace management systems, and other innovative hi-tech products of the low-altitude economy industry was held in Wuhu City during the 2024 Low Altitude Economic Development Conference. (Photo/Xinhua) China's low-altitude economy is expected to achieve a scale of approximately 1 trillion yuan ($137 billion) in 2025, the Global Times learned at a press conference on Monday. By 2030, the industry is projected to surpass 3 trillion yuan, with drones taking the lead at more than 1 trillion yuan, according to the China Low Altitude Economy Alliance. Driven by rapid technological advancements and policy support, China's low-altitude economy is experiencing unprecedented growth and gaining new momentum. Several companies have made proactive strides in advancing low-altitude projects, while the government has introduced policies to provide strong support to these enterprises. Chinese urban air mobility technology platform company EHang's EH216-S autonomous eVTOL conducted its maiden flight in Shanghai last Thursday, marking the debut of air taxis in the global metropolis, according to the information EHang shared with the Global Times. The flight, conducted in downtown Shanghai, aimed to showcase the EHang EH216-S's outstanding performance in convenience, safety, and environmental sustainability in the context of urban air mobility in a global megacity. The company announced that it plans to commence regular trial operations of the eVTOL sightseeing route at the Shanghai Longhua Airport, along the Huangpu River, to prepare for the commercialization of air taxi services in the city. Shanghai previously unveiled an action plan that outlines clear policy guidance for the high-quality development of its low-altitude economy from 2024 to 2027. The plan seeks to position Shanghai as a leading hub for innovation, commercial applications, and operational services in the low-altitude sector, with its core industries projected to exceed 50 billion yuan in scale. The development of China's low-altitude economy is regarded as a joint accomplishment, driven by the combined efforts of the government and businesses. In December 2024, a trial flight for low-altitude transport in the postal and courier industry was held in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, according to the Liaoning Provincial Postal Administration. The provincial government stated that the administration has consistently supported postal and courier companies in accelerating the adoption of new technologies like drones, expanding the exploration of low-altitude economic applications, and constantly enhancing the sector's intelligence levels. The Chongqing Liangjiang New Area in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has unveiled an action plan to establish a pilot zone for the low-altitude economy in the western region, with the goal of accelerating its development, the Chongqing Liangjiang New Area reported on its official website on November 23. The area will prioritize the research, development, and manufacturing of eVTOLs, aiming to attract leading companies to set up research and development and production operations. By leveraging its strengths in the new-energy vehicle sector, the area seeks to encourage local companies to explore and invest in flying-car ventures, the report said. In 2025, national-level plans are set to be gradually rolled out, including a roadmap for developing the low-altitude economy, accompanied by standards, regulations, and policies governing air traffic, the China Low Altitude Economy Alliance told the Global Times. Local governments at all levels are expected to accelerate the construction of air traffic networks and essential ground-based flight service infrastructure, the association said. In 2025, more research institutions and companies are projected to increase investment in low-altitude aircraft development, while several leading international aviation companies are anticipated to broaden their footprints in China, according to the China Low Altitude Economy Alliance. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / January 21, 2025 / Southern Company Southern Company, along with its subsidiaries Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Mississippi Power and Virginia Natural Gas, is proud to celebrate the remarkable recovery of the red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW), which has been downlisted from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. This achievement marks more than 50 years of dedicated conservation efforts by a coalition of federal and state agencies, private landowners and conservation groups. "The recovery of the red-cockaded woodpecker exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships in achieving significant conservation milestones," said Dr.Mark Berry, senior vice president of Southern Company Services research, environment and sustainability. "Southern Company's dedication to environmental stewardship and collaborative conservation efforts underscores our commitment to preserving biodiversity and protecting our natural heritage. We remain steadfast in our efforts to ensure that the RCW and other species continue to thrive for generations to come." The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced this milestone, recognizing the collaborative efforts that have helped increase the RCW population. Known for its distinctive black-and-white plumage with a red streak in males, the bird has found sanctuary across Southern Company's territory, including longleaf pine forests restored across the Southeast. In 2008, Georgia Power and Southern Company provided funding to assist the state of Georgia in purchasing the 9,200-acre Silver Lake Wildlife Management Area to focus on supporting the RCW. The tract contains extensive stands of mature longleaf pine habitat where more than 21 RCW family groups are found today. The company also supported emergency habitat recovery efforts after Hurricane Michael in 2018 and provides habitat adjacent to Plant Hatch as part of the Georgia Department of Natural Resource's Safe Harbor program. In total, Georgia Power has played a vital role in restoring more than 1 million acres of longleaf pine forests across the state, providing essential habitat for the RCW. Alabama Power has been instrumental in creating a safe habitat for the RCW at Lake Mitchell. The company's efforts include prescribed, controlled burns and the installation of artificial cavity inserts to provide the woodpeckers with ready nests. These initiatives have significantly contributed to the bird's population growth in Alabama. The downlisting of the RCW is a significant achievement, but the work continues. Southern Company and its subsidiaries remain committed to ongoing conservation efforts to ensure the RCW not only survives but thrives for generations to come. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Southern Company on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Southern Company Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/southern-company Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Southern Company View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire ~Contributing to the development of simulation technology through the use of High-Precision 3D Map data Dynamic Map Platform Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO President: Shuichi Yoshimura; "DMP") today announced that DMP has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PTV Group, part of Umovity, (Headquarters: Karlsruhe, Germany; CEO: Christian U. Haas; "PTV") for the development of simulation technology in the fields of automotive and transportation engineering and its applications. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121975679/en/ (left) PTV Group Managing Director Mobility Steve Perone (Right) Shuichi Yoshimura, CEO President (Photo: Business Wire) The signing ceremony was held on January 5 (local time) at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting 2025 in Washington, D.C. PTV is a global company based in Germany that provides software for traffic modeling, simulation, and real-time traffic management. Under the MOU, DMP and PTV have agreed to combine DMP's High-Precision 3D Map data with PTV's traffic simulation software "PTV Vissim" to provide a more sophisticated simulation environment. Through this collaboration, DMP aims to further utilize 3D Map data in simulations, while PTV aims to expand the adoption of "PTV Vissim" mainly in the automotive industry. Commenting on the partnership, Steve Perone, PTV's Managing Director Mobility, said, "Precise data is essential for creating realistic simulations. DMP's High-Precision 3D Map data will allow us to deliver Model2Go for PTV Vissim networks out of the box and in just a few days, unlocking a wealth of opportunities for both the automotive industry and traffic engineering." Shuichi Yoshimura, DMP's President and CEO, stated, "PTV is a global provider of simulation software. By providing 3D Maps to PTV and PTV users around the world, it is possible to replicate a road network that is as close to reality as possible on a global scale. Through this partnership, we look forward to significant innovation in the automotive and transportation industries." As a platform provider of high-precision 3D Map data, we will continue to collaborate with a wide range of industries and contribute to the creation of innovations in various industrial fields. PTV Group is a leading global software company for traffic planning, simulation, and real-time management. With more than 40 years of experience in the fields of mobility, the Germany-based company provides soft-ware products based on proprietary algorithms ranging from microscopic and macroscopic modeling and simulation of traffic to real-time traffic management, benefiting more than 2,900 cities and municipalities. Bridgepoint acquired a majority stake in the company in January 2022 in order to further accelerate its growth together with shareholder Porsche Automobil Holding SE. Since 2023 PTV Group and Econolite are united under the brand Umovity. Dynamic Map Platform was established based on the All-Japan System, which is supported by the Government of Japan and unifies Japanese companies, including 10 automobile manufacturers. Based in Japan, Dynamic Map Platform has group companies in the US, Germany, South Korea, and the Middle East, with currently about 300 staff members (consolidated). As a high-precision 3D Data platform that replicates the real world in a digital space, Dynamic Map Platform supports innovation in various industries. Established: June 2016 Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Representative: YOSHIMURA Shuichi Business: Providing high-precision 3D data for a variety of industries, including automated driving and ADAS. URL: https://www.dynamic-maps.co.jp/en/index.html View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250121975679/en/ Contacts: [For inquiries from the press regarding this news release] Nomura, Public Relations Section, Dynamic Map Platform Co., Ltd. NEXTSITE SHIBUYA BLDG. 12F, 2-12-4, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0002, Japan Phone Number: 03-6459-3445 Email: Nomura.Eriko@dynamic-maps.co.jp Rebranding highlights AGY's role as the singular U.S. manufacturer of specialty glass fiber reinforcements. AGY, the United States' sole manufacturer of specialty glass fiber reinforcements, today announced a comprehensive rebranding initiative to reflect its position as a critical innovator in Artificial Intelligence, National Security, and Civilian Infrastructure supply chains. The rebranding underscores AGY's vital role in developing and manufacturing advanced glass fiber solutions that enable high-performance composites across essential sectors, including aviation, defense, artificial intelligence, electronics, architecture, and telecommunications. "As America's singular specialty glass fiber manufacturer, we recognize our distinctive responsibility in securing domestic supply chains for critical technologies," said Al Ridilla, Chief Executive Officer of AGY. "Our new brand identity represents our commitment to innovation, technical excellence, and our role as a trusted partner in both civilian and defense applications." The rebranding initiative, including the fresh visual identity and focused messaging, allows the organization to shine a light on its core strengths as a global supplier of S2 glass fiber used in aerospace, defense, and civilian infrastructure, leader in high-performance L and L2 glass fiber essential to Artificial Intelligence, and trusted partner for customized material solutions globally. According to Ridilla, "As President Trump is set to deploy his America First trade plan, AGY is already poised at the forefront of reshoring critical manufacturing-we never left the fight. The U.S. once dominated specialty glass manufacturing," Ridilla continued, "and we're ready to reclaim what's been yielded to China. Under President Trump's economic leadership, AGY will be the standard-bearer for a new generation of U.S. manufacturers." AGY's products play an indispensable role in technologies and applications integral to both everyday life and national security. By aligning its corporate branding with its strategic priorities, the company aims to better communicate its mission to advance innovation, sustain domestic manufacturing capabilities, and contribute to the global industrial landscape. The new brand identity will be rolled out across all company communications, facilities, and digital platforms over the coming months. SOURCE: AGY View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Modash, a Tallinn, Estonia-based provider of an influencer marketing platform, acquired Promoty, a Tallinn, Estonia-based provider of an influencer platform providing CRM tools and focus on meaningful brand-creator relationships. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The acquisition will help Modash to accelerate ecommerce growth and enhance workflow tools and followed its $12M Series A funding round and continued growth, particularly amongst Shopify-based ecommerce stores. Founded by Aleks Koha and Leonardo Romanello, Promoty offers a Trello-like CRM system that fosters long-term connections between brands and creators. The company has achieved traction in the Nordics, the Baltics, and Benelux, and has been used by the likes of Lyko, Freeletics, and Alibaba. With web and mobile apps for iOS and Android, as well as enterprise-grade features like white-label solutions and API integrations, it empowers brands to manage their creator partnerships. Led by CEO Avery Schrader, Modash is a provider of a creator partnerships platform that empowers consumer brands to discover, manage, and scale their influencer marketing efforts globally. Its search engine covers over 250 million creators, mapping the entire creator economy. With its end-to-end campaign management suite, and an in-platform payment solution, the company helps brands to build and maintain partnerships. It is used by brands like Birkenstock, Victorias SecretIkea and Notino. FinSMEs 21/01/2025 StepChange Labs, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of a tech monitoring platform, raised $4m in seed funding. The round was co-led by Kindred Ventures and The General Partnership, with participation from Ritual Capital and Liquid 2 Ventures. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts. Led by CEO Niall OHiggins, and CTO Harry Tormey, StepChange Labs provides APX (Application Performance Xcellerator), an AI-enabled monitoring platform which automatically detects, diagnoses, and fixes performance issues. With APX, teams and enterprises can focus on higher order development efforts, and also optimize observability costs and ongoing staff headcount budgets. It automatically detects and fixes performance issues like slow queries and bottlenecks with expert-driven optimizations and regression detection, removing the need for engineers to manually sift through performance dashboards. FinSMEs 21/01/2025 Celebs like Emily and Zooey Deschanel, Carel Struyken, Sona Movsesian, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Pete Lee, Barbara Corcoran, Mel Gibson, Molly Baz, Bella Hadid, Anthony Hopkins, Cobie Smulders and Taran Killam, Paris Hilton and Diane Warren among others read more Donald Trump, the 47th President US President, addressed serious issues from immigration to wars after a grand and star-studded inauguration ceremony. He empathised with the the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in our country, who loss their homes due to LA Widfires. The President, who is planning to visit Los Angeles later this week after resuming office as the US President, said, Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina been treated so badly and other states who are still suffering from a hurricane that took place many months ago, or more recently, Los Angeles, where we are watching fires still tragically burned from weeks ago without even a token of defence. Advertisement They are raging through the houses and communities, even affecting some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in our country, some of whom are sitting here right now. They dont have a home any longer. Thats interesting, but we cant let this happen. Everyone is unable to do anything about it. Thats going to change, he added. Celebs like Emily and Zooey Deschanel, Carel Struyken, Sona Movsesian, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Pete Lee, Barbara Corcoran, Mel Gibson, Molly Baz, Bella Hadid, Anthony Hopkins, Cobie Smulders and Taran Killam, Paris Hilton and Diane Warren among others. Amazons Jeff Bezos, Apples Tim Cook, METAs Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai of Google and Elon Musk attended the ceremony of Donald Trump. Due to Los Angeles wildfire, tens of thousands of acres of land have been destroyed with several being evacuated. Melanias attire has become the talk of the town. She effortlessly flaunted a silhouette, likely from Manolo Blahnik, included stark white uppers in what looked to be suede read more First Lady of the US, Melania Trump and the current U.S President Doanld Trump, the hot favourite husband and wife would attend three inaugural balls after Donald was sworn in this morning. Melanias attire has become the talk of the town. She effortlessly flaunted a silhouette, likely from Manolo Blahnik, included stark white uppers in what looked to be suede. The suede offered the silhouette textural interest. Donald Trump is now the president of the United States. After taking oath at the US Capitol Rotunda, Potus delivered an inaugural speech it was fiery and delivered some shockers. Trump signed a series of executive orders, some of which revoked 78 of Joe Bidens policies. Advertisement Trumps America is going to be starkly different one with only two genders, where January 6 rioters roam free, where migrants are not welcome, and a lot more. We look at some of the most shocking decisions Trump made during his day in office. There was a lot of speculation over this. Hours after his inauguration, Trump said he was pardoning about 1,500 US Capitol rioters, who stormed the building in a bid to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The president also ordered all pending criminal cases against the Capitol riot defendants to be dropped. Among those receiving a pardon was Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the far-right Proud Boys, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for directing a military-style assault on the Capitol. Stewart Rhodes, the leader of another far-right group, the Oath Keepers, had his 18-year prison sentence commuted to time served. Both Tarrio and Rhodes had been convicted of seditious conspiracy. The defendants in the case of Jan 6 are expected to be released from DC jail before midnight (local time). The Mumbai Police on Sunday morning confirmed that the person arrested for allegedly attacking actor Saif Ali Khan is an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh read more Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khanwas stabbed six times by a burglar, who broke into his house in Mumbai. He was rushed to the Lilavati Hopsital and is currently out of danger. Who is his attacker? His attacker was identified as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad who hails from Bangladesh and was arrested from Thane. He worked at a Mumbai pub. The Mumbai Police on Sunday morning confirmed that the person arrested for allegedly attacking actor Saif Ali Khan is an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh. Advertisement More details Further, according to the police, the accused was about to flee to his native village when he was detained at Hiranandani Estate in Thane. It was revealed that the accused is a native of the Jhalokati district in Bangladesh. The accused Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad was sent to five-day police custody by Bandra Holiday Court on Sunday. The attack was reported by Aleyamma Philip, a 56-year-old staff nurse. The incident occurred around 2:00 AM on January 16. Amid heavy police presence, Shehzad was produced before a metropolitan magistrate court in Bandra in the afternoon. The court asked him if he had any complaints against the police to which Shehzad replied in the negative. He was then taken to a box meant for accused persons in the back end of the courtroom. A lawyer then came forward claiming to be appearing for the accused. However, the scene turned dramatic just before he could take the signature of the accused on the vakalatamana (legal document authorising a lawyer to appear in a case). Another lawyer jostled his way to the accused box and took Shehzads signature on his vakalatamana, triggering moments of confusion about who would appear for the alleged attacker. Advertisement To defuse the situation, the magistrate suggested to both the competing lawyers to represent Shehzad. You both can appear," the magistrate said, bringing back the focus on the remand proceedings. The duo agreed. is currently undergoing treatment at Mumbais Lilavati Hospital following a stabbing incident at his Bandra residence in the early hours of January 16. His sister Soha Ali Khan said that he is recovering well. While speaking to the media during an event, she said, We are happy that he is recovering well and we are very thankful and we feel very blessed and grateful that it wasnt any worse. Thank you for all your wishes. (With inputs from agencies) Taking to Instagram Stories and sharing a video, which has now been deleted, Kareena wrote, Stop this now. Have a heart. Leave us alone. For Gods sake, along with two folded-hands emojis. read more As Saif Ali Khan is recovering well after a stabbing incident a few days ago, which happened at his Mumbai residence, Kareena Kapoor has slammed paps outside her home for breaching privacy. Taking to Instagram Stories and sharing a video, which has now been deleted, Kareena wrote, Stop this now. Have a heart. Leave us alone. For Gods sake, along with two folded-hands emojis. Advertisement The 54-year-old, who received six stab injuries, including in his neck, was out of danger following an emergency surgery at the Lilavati Hospital where he was taken after the attack outside his younger son Jehs room around 2.30 am. In a statement on her Instagram account, Kareena said the family was still trying to process the challenging day. She expressed gratitude to their well-wishers and fans for their love and concern and requested the media and paparazzi to refrain from their relentless speculation over the incident. It has been an incredibly challenging day for our family, and we are still trying to process the events that have unfolded. As we navigate this difficult time, I respectfully and humbly request that the media and paparazzi refrain from the relentless speculation and coverage, she wrote on the social media platform. While we appreciate the concern and support, the constant scrutiny and attention are not only overwhelming but also pose a significant risk to our safety. I kindly request that you respect our boundaries and give us the space we need to heal and cope as a family, Kareena added. He sustained six injuries, two are minor, two intermediate and two deep injuries. One of the injuries is on the back which is close to the spine, the hospitals chief operating officer Dr Niraj Uttamani told PTI. With inputs from agencies Donald Trump is back at the White House as the 47th president of the United States. On his first day, Trump signed executive orders that will make it harder for refugees to stay in the country. He also vowed to try to end birthright citizenship in the country. But what are the challenges these actions will face? read more During his first day in office on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders on immigration that would make it harder for refugees, asylum seekers and others to try to enter the US and for some immigrants to stay in the country. On Monday night, Trump signed executive orders that included declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border and pausing refugee admissions for at least four months. Migrants trying to enter the US at the border also found that CBP One, an app they used to schedule asylum application appointments, was shut down. Advertisement Amy Lieberman, a politics editor at The Conversation US, spoke with scholar Jean Lantz Reisz, co-director of the University of Southern Californias Immigration Clinic and a clinical associate professor of law, to understand the meaning of Trumps new executive orders and the challenges he could face in implementing them. Will Trump be able to carry out these many executive orders? When it comes to immigration and national security, the president has a broad range of powers. We are hearing that Trump is trying to end asylum. Migrants at the US border today had their appointments with Customs and Border Protection canceled. There will be litigation because asylum is a big part of US law and only a Congressional act can end it. Using different kinds of national security and public health actions, like Title 42, an emergency health order that allowed the government to turn away migrants at the border because of COVID-19, has been successful in the past at making it harder for people to seek asylum but a presidential action cannot end asylum. If Congress wanted to end asylum, it would be a terrible thing in the world of international human rights, but it could still happen. Trump announced he will reinstate the Remain in Mexico programme, which requires people seeking asylum in the US to remain in Mexico while they await their court date. It would require Mexicos cooperation to do this, especially since this would apply to migrants who are not even from Mexico. Usually, this kind of announcement would have to first be published in the Federal Register for comment. This procedure has not been followed here and could leave this policy open to legal challenges. Advertisement What does it actually mean to shut down the border? We dont have the details yet, but it looks like shutting down the border means the US government will no longer process any migrants coming to the border without visas for asylum or other kinds of humanitarian relief. Up until now, if a migrant comes to the US border and says they fear returning to their home country, they are supposed to be given a so-called credible fear interview. That would be suspended. People have the right to seek asylum under US law, and by shutting the border down, the president is preventing people from exercising that right. Advertisement Migrants walk through Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico, in an attempt to reach the US border. File image/AP Now, under Trumps orders, migrants who are crossing into the country and seeking asylum or humanitarian parole at a US border port of entry will be denied the right to stay in the country, even temporarily. Everyone who crosses the border will be immediately expelled from the country. That is an immediate impact that is already being felt at the border. But for people who already crossed the US border and applied for asylum, their situations have not changed, according to these executive orders. This is also unlikely to affect people who have visas to enter the country or those conducting any commerce across the border. Advertisement Trump announced that he will use the Alien Enemies Act to deport immigrants who are in the country illegally. Are there limits on his ability to do that? The president has the authority to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, a law from 1798 that allows a president to detain and deport noncitizen males during times of war. This is aimed at making it easier to deport people who have been suspected of belonging to a drug cartel. But the US government then has to prove that it is at war with the migrants country of origin, and that the drug cartels represent this entire country and government. In the immigration system, a president can deport someone who is suspected of supporting or belonging to a drug cartel or terrorist group, but Trump may be using the Alien Enemies Act to deport a targeted group of persons more quickly. Advertisement The Alien Enemies Act does allow a federal court to review whether or not a person being targeted by the US government is actually an alien enemy. This hasnt actually played out for almost 100 years, but someone could challenge the governments designation that they are a foreign enemy and take the claim to a federal court, or all the way up to the Supreme Court. What are some of the other big changes that you will be watching? First, The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration will end birthright citizenship, which gives US citizenship to US-born children of noncitizens. I think that would play out by Trump issuing orders to federal agencies like the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Social Security Administration to not process citizens applications for passports or Social Security numbers if they cannot demonstrate that the citizens parents were lawfully present in the US at the citizens birth. That would then be challenged with lawsuits because the president cant just say there is no more birthright citizenship when it is part of the US Constitution. I am also expecting mass arrests of immigrants living in the US without legally authorized status through workplace raids targeting them. The president has the authority to arrest everyone who is in unlawful status. But most immigrants living in the US without legal authorization have the right to go in front of an immigration judge to argue that they are lawfully in the US There is a long backlog right now of cases in immigration court. It could also be prohibitively expensive to arrest, detain and deport the millions of people that Trump wants to deport. Finally, by declaring a national emergency at the southern border, Trump could use Department of Defense funding for immigration enforcement and allow the military and the National Guard to help patrol the border and build a border wall. The National Guard has assisted in border security administrative work under Joe Bidens administration, as well as Barack Obamas and Trumps, by doing things like mending fences and stocking warehouses. This freed up more Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection agents to go out and actually arrest immigrants. That is nothing new. But the way Trump is saying he is going to enlist military to do the law enforcement would likely be challenged. US law says you cannot use the military in internal law enforcement operations. Jean Lantz Reisz, Clinical Associate Professor of Law, Co-Director, USC Immigration Clinic, University of Southern California This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Executive orders allow US presidents like Trump, Biden, and Obama to bypass Congress for swift policy changes. But do they carry the same weight as laws passed by Congress? From Trumps immigration bans to Bidens climate orders, these directives have reshaped America but have limitations read more US President Donald Trump holds a document on the day he issues executive orders and pardons for January 6 defendants in the Oval Office at the White House on Inauguration Day in Washington, US, January 20, 2025. File Image/Reuters Executive orders are one of the most powerful tools available to the president of the United States, offering a way to direct federal government operations without the need for congressional approval. US President Donald Trump had signed a slew of executive orders on his first day back in office on Monday, an echo from the time he signed off countless executive orders during his first term. These signed orders are directives that can be employed to advance key policy objectives quickly. However, these directives have limitations and often differ in impact compared to legislation passed by Congress. Advertisement What are executive orders? Executive orders are written directives issued by the president to federal agencies, outlining how the executive branch should operate. These orders can range from mundane administrative tasks, such as granting federal employees a holiday, to significant policy decisions, such as shaping environmental regulations or altering immigration policies. For example, former US President Joe Biden signed an order to establish a framework for regulating artificial intelligence, while Trump issued an order to stop diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the federal government. The authority for executive orders is derived from Article II of the US Constitution, which vests executive power in the president. While executive orders have the force of law, they are not laws in themselves and must operate within the framework of existing statutes and constitutional provisions. Unlike laws passed by Congress, they do not require legislative approval and primarily direct the internal workings of the federal government. How do executive orders compare to Congressional legislation? A law passed by Congress carries greater weight than an executive order because it represents the collective will of the legislative branch and applies universally across the nation. Once signed into law, it must be adhered to by all, with penalties for noncompliance. In contrast, executive orders are akin to instructions issued by the CEO of a company to its employees. They are binding only within the federal government and are limited in scope. US President Donald Trump signs documents as he issues executive orders and pardons for January 6 defendants in the Oval Office at the White House on Inauguration Day in Washington, US, January 20, 2025. File Image/Reuters For instance, while Congress can pass a law mandating nationwide actions, an executive order can only direct federal agencies on how to enforce or interpret existing laws. If an order exceeds the presidents authority or conflicts with statutory law, it can be overturned by courts or overridden by subsequent legislation. How are executive orders used to advance agenda? Executive orders are often used to advance policy goals that face resistance in Congress. For example, Franklin D Roosevelt issued an executive order during World War II to establish detention centers for Japanese Americans, while Harry Truman attempted to seize steel mills during the Korean War to prevent a strike. Trumans order, however, was invalidated by the Supreme Court, which ruled that he lacked the authority to take such action without congressional approval. Advertisement Donald Trump also utilised executive orders extensively. These included a temporary hiring freeze for federal agencies, a mandate for federal employees to return to office work, and actions targeting immigration and environmental policies. Some of these orders faced legal challenges, such as his controversial travel ban on certain majority-Muslim countries, which was later revoked by Biden. In comparison, Joe Biden signed executive orders addressing issues such as rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and revoking Trumps emergency declaration to fund a border wall. Barack Obama, who served two terms, issued orders which included measures to address healthcare and immigration. Can executive orders be reversed? Executive orders are inherently temporary. A sitting president can revoke, modify, or replace orders issued by their predecessors. This has become a standard practice in modern presidencies. For instance, Biden reversed several Trump-era policies, such as rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and rescinding the travel ban on certain countries. Advertisement Similarly, Trump had earlier rolled back Obama-era initiatives, including the Affordable Care Acts individual mandate. How frequently are executive orders issued? The frequency of executive orders varies significantly across administrations. Historical records show that Franklin D Roosevelt issued the most 3,721 over 12 years while modern presidents like Barack Obama and Joe Biden issued far fewer during their terms. Trump signed 220 executive orders during his first term, averaging 48 per year. In comparison, Obama averaged about 35 per year, with a total of 277 orders during his two terms. Meanwhile Biden signed 160 orders by the end of 2023. While the volume of orders can reflect a presidents policy priorities, it is often the scope of these directives that generates public and political debate. For instance, Bidens initial orders included steps to combat climate change, while Trumps targeted deregulation and immigration reforms. Also Watch: While executive orders are a powerful instrument of presidential authority, they are inherently limited compared to legislation passed by Congress. Advertisement They provide presidents with a means to act swiftly, especially in times of crisis or when legislative gridlock hampers policymaking. However, their temporary nature and susceptibility to legal and political challenges mean that their impact can be fleeting. With inputs from agencies On his first day in office, US President Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders, making good on several of the controversial promises he made while campaigning. He has pardoned all 1,500 Capitol rioters, rolled back protections for transgender people, withdrawn from the crucial Paris Climate Agreement and WHO read more US President Donald Trump reacts on the day he signs documents as he issues executive orders and pardons for January 6 defendants in the Oval Office at the White House on Inauguration Day in Washington. Reuters Donald Trump is now the president of the United States. After taking oath at the US Capitol Rotunda, Potus delivered an inaugural speech it was fiery and delivered some shockers. Trump signed a series of executive orders, some of which revoked 78 of Joe Bidens policies. Trumps America is going to be starkly different one with only two genders, where January 6 rioters roam free, where migrants are not welcome, and a lot more. We look at some of the most shocking decisions Trump made during his day in office. Advertisement US President Donald Trump gestured on the day he signed pardons for January 6 defendants in the Oval Office at the White House on Inauguration Day in Washington. Reuters Pardoning Jan 6 rioters There was a lot of speculation over this. Hours after his inauguration, Trump said he was pardoning about 1,500 US Capitol rioters, who stormed the building in a bid to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The president also ordered all pending criminal cases against the Capitol riot defendants to be dropped. Among those receiving a pardon was Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the far-right Proud Boys, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for directing a military-style assault on the Capitol. Stewart Rhodes, the leader of another far-right group, the Oath Keepers, had his 18-year prison sentence commuted to time served. Both Tarrio and Rhodes had been convicted of seditious conspiracy. The defendants in the case of Jan 6 are expected to be released from DC jail before midnight (local time). Washington Metropolitan Police Department riot police officers face off with thousands of supporters of Donald Trump as rioters fight to enter the West Front door of the US Capitol on January 6 in a still photo from US Capitol Security footage that was introduced as evidence by House impeachment managers during the impeachment trial of Trump on charges of inciting the deadly attack. Reuters While Vice President JD Vance suggested only a few days ago that some of the most violent of the January 6 rioters might not get clemency, Trump has pardoned everyone even those who assaulted policemen and rampaged Congressional offices. Nancy Pelosi, who at the time of the 6 January Capitol riot was the Democratic House speaker, has called Trumps decision an outrageous insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and emotional trauma as they protected the Capitol, the Congress and the Constitution. Only two genders and an anti-DEI policy As promised during campaigning, Trump has moved to change the US government policies on gender and diversity. During his inaugural address, Trump said, As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female. On Monday, he signed executive orders rolling back protections for transgender people and terminating diversity, equity and inclusion programmes within the federal government. In his speech, he described this move to end efforts to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life." Advertisement Both are major shifts from federal policy. A protester uses a megaphone while holding a sign at a demonstration outside the US Supreme Court over transgender rights. File photo/Reuters One order declares that the federal government would recognise only two immutable sexes: male and female. The definition will be based on whether people are born with eggs or sperm, rather than on their chromosomes. The change is being pitched as a way to protect women from gender extremism. Under the order, federal prisons and shelters for migrants and rape victims are to be segregated by sex as defined by the order. Cracking down on immigration: Border emergency, ending birthright citizenship Trump signed several executive orders and decrees to crack down on immigration. He passed an order tackling the definition of birthright citizenship and declaring illegal immigration at the border a national emergency. Potus reversed several immigration orders from Joe Bidens presidency, including one that narrowed deportation priorities to people who commit serious crimes, are deemed national security threats, or were stopped at the border. It returns the government to Trumps first-term policy that everyone in the country illegally is a priority for deportation. Advertisement Acting on his promise to tighten the US-Mexico border, he has declared a national emergency and plans to send American troops to help support immigration agents and restrict refugees and asylum. He has also pledged to restart a policy that forced asylum seekers to wait over the border in Mexico, but officials didnt say whether Mexico would accept migrants again. Margelis Tinoco, a migrant from Colombia, reacts after her US Customs and Border Protection CBP One appointment was cancelled, on the inauguration day of Donald Trumps second presidential term, at the Paso del Norte International border bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on January 20. Reuters Trump is also promising to end birthright citizenship, but it is unclear how hed do it. Since it is enshrined in the US Constitution, he is likely to face steep legal opposition. The president is also is ending the CBP One app, a Biden-era border app that gave legal entry to nearly one million migrants. Advertisement Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement again Trump signed an executive order on Monday, directing the US to once again withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. In 2017, he abandoned the global pact, aimed at limiting long-term global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels or, failing that, keeping temperatures at least well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The decision comes as a big blow to worldwide efforts to fight global warming, distancing the US from its closest allies. The slogan 1.5 Degrees is projected on the Eiffel Tower as part of the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) in Paris. Trump has now withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement. File photo/Reuters Trump also signed a letter to the United Nations indicating his intention to withdraw from the 2015 agreement, which allows nations to provide targets to cut their emissions of greenhouse gases from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas. The Republican leader also declared a national energy emergency to expand drilling in the worlds top oil and gas producer and said he would scrap vehicle emissions standards that amount to an electric vehicle mandate. He also vowed to curb wind farms, a frequent target of his scorn. Advertisement Withdrawing from WHO Fulfilling yet another pledge he made during campaigning, Trump has pulled the US out from the World Health Organization (WHO). He started the process of withdrawing from the United Nations health agency during his first term, as he believed WHO failed in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic and had not demonstrated independence from China. However, when President Biden took over, he reversed the decision on its first day. Now Trump has signed an executive order stating that the US issued a notice about its withdrawal in 2020 due to the organisations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states. The US is the WHOs top donor. A report in Axios points out that the US contributes about $130 million per year to help cover the agencys global health preparedness and response, along with efforts to address HIV, tuberculosis, and childhood vaccination, per Devex. A worker unloads boxes containing ventilators delivered by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Gaza City. File photo/Reuters No WFH for federal employees Trump signed an executive order Monday requiring federal workers to return to the office full-time. Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements, the White House said in a statement confirming the executive order. The measure also requires employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary. This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law, it added. The language in the statement underscores the challenges the new Trump administration is likely to face in enforcing the executive order, given the strong opposition to ending remote work by unions representing public sector workers. Work-from-home allowances flourished during the Covid-19 pandemic when millions of white-collar workers moved online as their employers looked to reduce the spread of the virus. The measures proved popular with employees, who voiced support for the new-found flexibility it afforded them in their personal lives. Many of President Trumps most ardent supporters, including his billionaire ally and mega-donor Elon Musk, have said work-from-home policies were inefficient, and have called for federal workers to return to the office full-time. With inputs from agencies Donald Trumps inauguration was a stylish affair with First Lady Melania Trump serving one look after another. During the oath-taking ceremony, she stunned all with a tailored silk wool coat and pencil skirt, topped off with a stylish boater-style hat. In the evening for the three inaugural balls, she served up a beautiful moment in a black and white column gown read more President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the Liberty Ball during the 60th presidential inauguration, at the Washington Convention Centre in Washington. Melania looked radiant in her black-and-white gown, serving fashion lessons to all. AP US presidential inaugurations are about pomp and pageantry. There are a lot of traditions and procedures to follow on this historic day. Its also about style and fashion with many watchers trying to decipher the messages the US leadership, namely the First Lady, tries to indicate through her sartorial choices. And Donald Trumps inauguration has been no exception where First Lady Melania Trump oozed style and glamour through the different looks she put together for the big day. Advertisement From the inaugural ceremony look to the inaugural ball designs we size up the First Ladys style. Hats off to Melania For her first and, perhaps, main look at the inauguration, incoming US First Lady Melania Trump chose to ditch the European luxury labels that she favours to wear a custom navy silk wool coat and pencil skirt with an ivory silk crepe blouse from New York-born designer Adam Lippes. What elevated her look more was the navy boater-style hat, featuring a white band, designed by another American, Eric Javits. Notably, Javits told WWD last week, No other hands touched, nor did any other eyes see, the hat, prior to stylist Herve [Pierre] and the first lady receiving it. Many commented on the size of her hat it, after all, blocked her husbands kiss to her, making it one of the most awkward moments of the event. But as celebrity stylist and fashion expert Lauren Rothman pointed out in a BBC report it was Melanias way of blending Palm Beach and DC. Javits is based in Floridas Palm Beach, which is close to Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate. Some other style hawks noted that Melanias choice of attire for the inauguration ceremony was very reminiscent of Trumps 2019 state visit to the UK. For a visit to Buckingham Palace to meet the late Queen, she wore a white Dolce & Gabbana dress with a white boater-style hat, designed by her stylist Herve Pierre, trimmed with a black ribbon. Her hair was styled in a low bun, creating a striking silhouette. The stylists noted that maybe Melania was trying to recreate the British royal style. In fact, a tailored coat and fascinating headwear are often the go-to style options for Britains Princess of Wales. US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena on the inauguration day. Melania wowed many with this custom navy silk wool coat and pencil skirt with an ivory silk crepe blouse from New York-born designer Adam Lippes. Reuters But for Rachel Tashjian, style critic for The Washington Post, the look was a flop. She wrote, She cut the figure of a mafia widow or high-ranking member of an obscure religious order, and a bit of My Fair Lady. Advertisement She also noted that the monochrome look is a sharp departure from her style during the previous Trump tenure. For her second round as first lady, the fashion game the tool she brandishes most often and most forcefully, even if the public sometimes struggles to divine her sartorial messages is likely to be one of steely, precise armour, of clothes with brash and exacting tailoring, wrote Tashjian in the Washington Post. For the past year, she has worn a wardrobe of mostly black, but this does not seem intended to make her disappear into the background. Melanias black-and-white moment After the inauguration ceremony, came the inaugural balls the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball and the Starlight Ball. For these events, Melania appeared with her husband, Donald Trump, dressed in a white column dress with a black ribboned design. She paired the look with a matching black choker necklace that had a silver pendant on it. According to WWD, the pendant on her choker is a diamond brooch created by famous jeweller Harry Winston in 1955. Advertisement Her dress was made by her personal stylist of eight years, Herve Pierre, who helped her put together her eye-catching look. Pierre also created the dress Melania wore in 2017 to the Inaugural Balls with Donald. US President Donald Trump and his wife First Lady Melania Trump attend the Liberty Ball on Inauguration Day of his second presidential term in Washington. For this part of the festivities, Melania chose an off-shoulder white column dress with black accents. Reuters Speaking on the same, Pierre told WWD, It is a big honour to have collaborated with the First Lady on the design for her inaugural dress. It was clear that Mrs Trump was gravitating towards a combination of black and white true to her own style and vision. The designer said that he sought inspiration for his dress from the level of care that artisans used to restore Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. He wanted to incorporate that into the design, adding to WWD, We need to be promote American craftsmanship at the highest level. Advertisement Usha Vance shines bright While Melania stole the show with her style, she wasnt the only one standing out. US Vice President, JD Vances wife, Usha, also turned heads for her sartorial choices. The India-origin Usha chose a pale pink belted coat and scarf from well-known designer Oscar de la Renta. Many perceived her choice of the bubblegum pink outfit to be a nod to her Indian roots; this shade of pink is associated with charm and beauty. Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, takes the stage with her sons during the inauguration parade for President Donald Trump at Capital One Arena in Washington. Usha looked demure and beautiful in her pale pink full-length coat. Reuters And it seems her fashion choices hit it off with style divas and experts. Style strategist Lauren A Rothman told BBC, I would absolutely label her as one to watch. It doesnt look like a costume. It looks like shes having fun. For the inaugural balls, Usha Vance kept up the style quotient by wearing an elaborate sequined navy blue gown. The dress was created by New York-based Lebanese designer Reem Acra, who in an email to CNN said that Vance was a true vision of grace and style on this monumental evening. Advertisement Vice President JD Vance, left, and his wife Usha Vance arrive at the Commander in Chief Ball. Usha looked radiant in her blue sequinned gown. AP US Second Lady also turned heads earlier on Sunday when she wore a purple gown designed by Indias Gaurav Gupta for the Candlelight Dinner. Gupta in the past has designed some looks for pop diva Beyonce. Usha Vance wore Gaurav Gupta, an Indian couturier, to the pre-inauguration candlelight dinner on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/eijXRk3kbK Vanessa Friedman (@VVFriedman) January 20, 2025 Ivanka ups the style quotient And just as Melania shone bright at the inauguration, so did Trumps daughter, Ivanka. She matched Melanias serious colour palette with an emerald green skirt suit with a matching hat. The look was courtesy famous fashion house Dior. Ivanka Trumps green cinched waist look was courtesy fashion house, Dior. Reuters Some, however, found Ivankas inauguration look to be comparable to a look in the dystopian show Handmaids Tale, where women are often depicted wearing shades. One commenter posted on social media, Came straight from filming season 6 of Handmaids Tale. Another joked, I had no idea the French Foreign Legion was in town. And Ivanka, it seems, kept the best for last. For the inaugural balls, she chose a black and white Givenchy haute couture gown. The dress featured a bustier gown with an overskirt in off-white silk taffetas that was overlaid with tone-on-tone organdy and trimmed with a black silk satin organza ruffle. The dress was also embellished with black handprint and threadwork in floral motifs.' Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner smile at the Liberty Ball on Inauguration Day. She chose a Givenchy haute couture gown for the evenings festivities. Reuters Incidentally, the gown was originally designed for Audrey Hepburn in the 1954 film Sabrina. A source told Hola magazine that Ivanka may have chosen the dress as Hepburn has been a personal inspiration to her. She also completed her stunning look with a Leviev diamond necklace, coordinating cluster earrings and black opera gloves. All in all, we have got to say that the inauguration really served up some amazing style, barring a few misses ( Lauren Sanchez we are talking about you). With inputs from agencies US President Donald Trump wants to regain control of the Panama Canal, claiming that American ships are being severely overcharged by Panama. With the canal under Panamas control for over two decades, we look at how the US can go about taking it back read more A cargo ship traverses the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal in Colon, Panama, September 2, 2024. File Image/AP United States President Donald Trump again reiterated him intention of reclaiming the Panama Canal. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didnt give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and were taking it back, said Trump in his recent inaugural address on Monday. Advertisement Trumps comments have drawn sharp responses from Panamanian leaders but also reignited discussions about US interests in the strategic waterway. Who owns the Panama Canal? The Panama Canal, a vital waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has been under the ownership and operation of the Panamanian government since December 31, 1999. It is managed by the Panama Canal Authority (PCA), an autonomous government entity responsible for its operations, maintenance, and modernisation. The PCA sets transit fees, which have seen significant increases in recent years to align with global shipping standards and to support ongoing upgrades. The canals history traces back to US involvement in its construction, which began in 1904 following Panamas independence from Colombia a movement supported by the United States. A container ship transits the expanded canal through Cocoli Locks at the Panama Canal, on the outskirts of Panama City, Panama, August 12, 2024. File Image/Reuters Over 5,600 workers lost their lives during the US-led construction effort. The canal opened in 1914 and revolutionised global shipping by offering a shortcut between oceans, saving ships approximately 7,000 miles of travel around South Americas Cape Horn. However, US control of the canal sparked long-standing tensions with Panamanians, culminating in the 1977 Panama Canal Treaties signed by US President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos. These treaties facilitated the gradual transfer of the canal to Panama while guaranteeing its permanent neutrality. Since then, Panama has efficiently managed the canal, overseeing traffic growth and a $5.2 billion expansion project completed in 2016 to accommodate modern cargo ships. Why does Trump want the Panama Canal back? Trumps interest in the Panama Canal isnt new. He has previously expressed dissatisfaction with the 1977 treaties, claiming that the United States foolishly gave the canal away. In his 2025 inaugural address, he argued that Panamas promise to us has been broken and alleged that China is operating the Panama Canal. While the canal remains under Panamanian control, Chinese investments in Panama have grown, including a Hong Kong-based consortiums operation of ports at either end of the canal since 1997. Advertisement Trumps remarks reflect broader concerns about Chinas influence in the region. In 2017, Panama cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and deepened its relationship with Beijing, resulting in increased Chinese investments in infrastructure and trade. And we didnt give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and were taking it back, said Trump. This shift has alarmed US policymakers, who view the canal as a strategic asset critical to American economic and national security interests. What can the US do to reclaim the Panama Canal? Despite Trumps rhetoric, experts agree that the United States has limited options for reclaiming control of the canal. The 1977 treaties do not provide any legal pathway for the US to retake ownership, except in cases where the canals operation is threatened by military conflict. Former canal administrator Jorge Luis Quijano stated that theres no clause of any kind in the neutrality agreement that allows for the taking back of the canal. Advertisement Legally, theres no way, under normal circumstances, to recover territory that was used previously. One viable approach for the US is to increase economic engagement with Panama. Trump could leverage his administrations tools to boost US investment in Panamas tech and maritime sectors, as well as construction projects linked to canal operations. Greater US business presence could help counterbalance Chinese influence and strengthen bilateral ties. Panamas current government, led by President Jose Raul Mulino, appears open to closer cooperation with the United States. Mulino, who assumed office in July 2024, has expressed concerns about excessive Chinese investment and has called for more US involvement in Panamas development. Advertisement However, Mulino has been firm about Panamas sovereignty over the canal, stating, Every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to. What now for the Panama Canal? The Panama Canal has long been a symbol of US engineering prowess and geopolitical influence. Former US President Theodore Roosevelt once called it one of the feats to which the people of this republic will look back with the highest pride. Today, it continues to serve as a critical conduit for global trade, particularly for US businesses relying on efficient supply chains. Trump said, We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made. However, challenges such as rising fees, drought-induced shipping restrictions, and geopolitical competition pose risks to the canals future. While Trumps rhetoric may appeal to nationalist sentiments, any move to reclaim the Panama Canal would face significant legal, diplomatic, and logistical hurdles. Advertisement Theres very little wiggle room, absent a second US invasion of Panama, to retake control of the Panama Canal in practical terms, AP quoted Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. If youre going to pick a fight with Panama on an issue, Gedan said, you could not find a worse one than the canal. With inputs from agencies US President Donald Trump has issued a slew of executive orders upon his return to the White House perhaps none more controversial than his move to end birthright citizenship. But how will it impact Indians in the United States? read more There are around 5.4 million Indian-Americans in the US. US President Donald Trump issued a slew of executive orders upon his return to the White House. Among these, perhaps the most controversial is his move to end birthright citizenship. This executive order, which will likely be challenged in the courts, has already sparked much debate on social media. But how could it impact Indians in the United States? Lets take a closer look: A brief look at birthright citizenship First, lets briefly examine birthright citizenship. Birthright citizenship in the United States is guaranteed under the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. Advertisement It states, All persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. In essence, it states that any child born on US soil is a citizen of America. As per Hindustan Times, the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution was passed in 1868 after the end of the Civil war. The idea behind it was to illuminate the status of those who had previously been enslaved. According to the Brennan Centre, the US Supreme Court endorsed this around 130 years in United States vs Wong Kim Ark. That case, which was litigated in 1878, dealt with Wong Kim Ark who was born in San Francisco in 1873. After Ark went to visit his parents in China, he was not allowed to reenter the United States. Government officials claimed he was not a US citizen. However, the US Supreme Court begged to differ, saying in its ruling that birthright citizenship is ancient and fundamental. Now, lets look at Trumps executive order. Under Trumps executive order, a child born in the US can only become a citizen if Advertisement At least one parent is a citizen One parent is a green card holder One parent is in the US military Trumps order reads, Among the categories of individuals born in the United States and not subject to the jurisdiction thereof, the privilege of United States citizenship does not automatically extend to persons born in the United States: (1) when that persons mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth, or (2) when that persons mothers presence in the United States at the time of said persons birth was lawful but temporary (such as, but not limited to, visiting the United States under the auspices of the Visa Waiver Program or visiting on a student, work, or tourist visa) and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth. But the Fourteenth Amendment has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States. The Fourteenth Amendment has always excluded from birthright citizenship persons who were born in the United States but not subject to the jurisdiction thereof, the order signed by Trump argued. As per CNBC, the order is set to take effect in 30 days. It does not apply retroactively meaning those already naturalised will not lose their citizenships. A Trump administration official in a briefing, referring to the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, said, The federal government will not recognise automatic birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens born in the United States. We are also going to enhance vetting and screening of illegal aliens. Advertisement Trump himself had called birthright citizenship ridiculous. He said he absolutely planned to halt birthright citizenship after taking office. How will it affect Indians? As per CNBC, there are around 5.4 million Indian-Americans in the US. They comprise 1.47% of the population. While two-thirds are immigrants, 34 per cent are born in the United States. Trumps order, if it goes into effect, means that Indians in America on work visas would no longer see their children become US citizens at birth. Donald Trumps order, if it goes into effect, means that Indians in America on work visas would no longer see their children become US citizens at birth. This could affect hundreds of thousands of children per year. Those waiting for green cards could face even longer delays. As per The Times of India, over a million Indians have been waiting for years to get an employment-linked green card. Cyrus D. Mehta, New York based immigration attorney told the newspaper, If both parents are in the US in a non-immigrant status, such as in H-1B and H-4 (dependant visa) status, under Trumps EO the State Department will not issue a US passport to the child as they are no longer regarded as subject to the jurisdiction thereof. This EO will obviously be challenged in court, but I can see the Trump administration taking this all the way to the Supreme Court in the hope that the majority of conservative justices could agree with Trumps new interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Advertisement If the courts agree with Trumps interpretation, going forward children of H-1B and H-4 non-immigrants who are born in the US, will not be recognized as US citizens. There is a ripple impact. Many Indians are caught in 100 year employment-linked green card backlogs, and so their only hope was for their child born in the US to sponsor them, when he/she attained 21 years. Now this will not be possible. As per Indian Express, Trumps order will impact Indian families using birth tourism where women travel to the United States and deliver there to get citizenship for their children. Indians and Mexicans are among the highest percentage of those using birth tourism, according to the newspaper. Advertisement What do experts say? Experts think the executive order is likely to be struck down by the United States Supreme Court. The Brennan Centre piece noted that not only is the right enshrined in the Constitution, but that the court has a long history of adhering to it. Trumps order contends as opponents of birthright citizenship long have that the children of undocumented immigrants cant be citizens, because they allegedly arent subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Thats nonsense, the piece argued. It also noted that though the right-wing court has ruled in favour of Trump time and time again, courts throughout history have found no way to counter the 14th Amendments straightforward language. This precedent will loom rightly and heavily over any move the Court makes, the piece noted. When we ratified the 14th Amendment, we rejected the idea that some people born here are less than others in the eyes of the law. We reject that idea again today. We say that out loud for everyone to hear because protecting our Constitution requires all of us to speak and act like we still have one. No matter what kinds of orders might come off a presidents desk, it concluded. Experts say the US Supreme Court is likely to strike down the order as unconstitutional. AP Greg Siskind, co-founder of Siskin Susser, an immigration law firm, told The Times of India, The unconstitutionality of this is stunning. The term subject to the jurisdiction thereof was never intended to apply to those targeted by the EO. It was meant to apply to diplomats who are not subject to the jurisdiction of the US. This is going to be litigated and I predict it will be enjoined before it is effective in 30 days. But obviously theres no guarantees here. The case may land up in the Supreme Court sooner rather than later. Trumps executive order is already facing a legal challenge. Immigration advocates in New Hampshire said the order leaves children and their families facing a lifetime of exclusion from society and fear of deportation from the only country they have ever known. But that is illegal. The Constitution and Congress not President Trump dictate who is entitled to full membership in American society. With inputs from agencies Donald Trump after his inaugural address as the 47th President of the United States raised a clenched fist yet again. It is a gesture Trump has deployed on many occasions most memorably in the aftermath of his assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. But what does it mean? read more President Donald Trump wraps up his speech during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington. AP Donald Trump after his first speech as 47th President of the United States did his signature fist pump yet again. It is a gesture Trump has repeatedly made in the past most memorably in the aftermath of the assassination attempt, while and after leaving a New York courthouse after being was found guilty on 34 felonies. Lets take a closer look: Origins The gesture has an ancient and interesting history. As per Buzzfeed, a book on art entitled Assyrian Origins shows artworks with the clenched fist going back to ancient times. Advertisement The works were linked to procreation, prayer, and the manifestation of sheer physical strength. DW quoted late researcher Roland Posner, former head of the Semiotics Department at the Technical University of Berlin, as writing that the fist is an ancient gesture. The fist joins the strength of the hand and the arm, the website noted. It added that it can represent both a threat and a challenge. It said those people in the Stone Age likely clenched their fists to defend their cave, family, supplies and fire. It added that artwork on 2,000-to-3,000-year-old Greek vases depict fists clenched in victory or making rude gestures. The New York Times noted that one of the earliest examples of the raised, clench first can be found in a 19th Century painting about French revolutionaries. The article said its rice can be traced via the proto-Soviet insurgents pictured in Sergei Eisensteins Battleship Potemkin and through its use by labour unions, womens movements and pride activists. DW quoted late German ethnologist Gottfried Korff as saying that the gesture first began appearing to represent the working class in the 19th and 20th centuries. Advertisement The hand is more than just an organic, muscular gripping instrument included in our basic biological equipment, Korff wrote in a piece. It has a closeness to manual work. The explosive power of social issues can be represented with the clenched fist," Korff added. Symbol of solidarity As per The Conversation, the 20th Century has seen the raised clench fist been used by a wide variety of groups fascists, socialists, communists, and Black Power advocates. In the early 20th century, for example, it was associated with socialism, communism and labour unions like the Industrial Workers of the World. In these contexts, it was typically viewed as a symbol of solidarity with others who shared their views, the piece noted. However, by the 1960s, the gesture was synonymous with the black power movement including leaders like Huey Newton of the Black Panthers. Advertisement One recalls the unforgettable image emerging from the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City when two black athletes raised their black glove covered fists to the sky. US athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos) raise their gloved fists in the Black Power salute to express their opposition to racism in the USA during the US national anthem. US athletes Tommie Smith (C) and John Carlos (R) raise their gloved fists in the Black Power salute to express their opposition to racism in the USA during the US national anthem, after receiving their medals at the 1968 Olympics. AFP Athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who won the gold and silver medals respectively in the 200-meter dash, did so during the US national anthem. Smith and Carlos were protesting the treatment of African-Americans back home. The raised fist then made a return decades later first as after the 2014 Ferguson riots and then as Black Lives Matter brought the issue of police brutality to the fore after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, as per The Conversation. Advertisement As per Buzzfeed, over a dozen West Point cadets in 2016 were taken to task online after graduation photo showing them raising their fists went viral. In 2017, some of the cast of Stranger Things raised their fists on stage during an impassioned speech by David Harbour after winning an award. Buzzfeed in its piece noted that the raised first .is a symbol thats been repurposed throughout history by various movements, embedded within visual cultures and discarded, only to be recycled again later. Trump has used the raised fist for decades. From the opening of his Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City in 1990, during a famous press conference in 1994 when he threatened to sue the New York Post to his 2017 inauguration. Advertisement Since public appearances by Trump typically draw mixed crowds of supporters and detractors, his use of a raised fist provides a potent message for both groups. It can function as a gesture of solidarity for those who are with him, and one of defiance against those who oppose him. In this way, Trumps raised fist is like a Rorschach inkblot, since it allows people to interpret his message according to their own ideological preferences, the piece noted. Trump himself is well aware of the power of this picture. A lot of people say its the most iconic photo theyve ever seen, Trump told the New York Post. Theyre right and I didnt die. Usually you have to die to have an iconic picture. Trump earlier told the Washington Examiner he made the gesture to show he was okay. He said he wanted to send the message that America goes on, we go forward, that we are strong. The energy coming from the people there in that moment, they just stood there, he added. Its hard to describe what that felt like, but I knew the world was looking. I knew that history would judge this, and I knew I had to let them know we are OK. What do experts say? Erik Bucy, a professor of strategic communication whose research focuses on political imagery, told Vox that Trumps raised fist conveyed defiance. Defiance is you cant get me. Im coming. Whatever you throw at me, Im gonna stand tall. And thats what hes doing here, Bucy added. In the worst situation a person can find themselves, in the face of death, the person shot at is not thinking first and foremost about themselves, but about their mission," media analyst Marion Muller told DW. She added that the image is an extremely potent one. Secret service agents surround Donald Trump after an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July. AP Trump is making a promise of salvation here, Muller added. Many Trump fans and the US is a deeply religious country interpret Trumps message as Gods will, added Muller. As the visual symbol of a mission to lead the country. This image was chosen because it fits perfectly into the iconic and pathos-laden tradition of American presidential communication. Trump has an iconic image, Bucy told Vox. One for the ages, that is instantly recognisable. These only come around once in a while. However, others are not so impressed. Liz Magic Laser, writing for the New York Times, noted that Trump uses it to claim he is an outsider running against the system. However, in fact, the president is the ultimate representative of the system. When a blood-spattered Mr. Trump managed to raise his fist in the face of death, I thought (echoing Karl Marx): History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce, Laser wrote. It appears that anyone, no matter that persons power and privilege, can raise a clenched fist and identify as a revolutionary these days. But I believe we must still distinguish between authentic and appropriated performances, between those who work in solidarity with the people and those only who pretend to, she concluded. With inputs from agencies Donald Trumps First Buddy Elon Musk has triggered a controversy with a hand gesture at the inaugural parade in Washington DC. Many have compared it to the Nazi salute. However, experts are divided. Heres what Musk did, his past links to the far-right and the history of the salute read more Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gestures as he speaks during the inaugural parade inside Capitol One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20. The billionaire has been receiving flak for the gesture that many have compared with the Nazi salute. Its Day 1 of Donald Trumps presidency. And his First Buddy Elon Musk is grabbing headlines for all the wrong reasons a hand gesture to be precise. Trump and Musk are close and on the Presidents Inauguration Day, the SpaceX and X owner was by his side. However, his presence at the inaugural parade has ruffled feathers. Musk was seen giving back-to-back fascist salutes during the inaugural celebrations. I just want to say thank you for making it happen, Musk, one of Trumps big donors and adviser, told the crowd at the Capital One Arena in Washington, where the parade was shifted because of dangerously cold temperatures in the city. Advertisement He then thumped his right hand on the chest, before extending his arm up diagonally, fingers together and palm facing down. Wait, did Musk just do a Nazi salute? pic.twitter.com/VZChlQXSYv Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) January 20, 2025 Did Elon Musk give the Nazi salute? Musk did this not once but twice. As Trumps MAGA supporters cheered, the worlds richest man repeated the gesture. This time his arm and hand were slightly lower. Striking himself on the chest, Musk said, My heart goes out to you It is thanks to you that the future of civilisation is assured. Thanks to you. Were gonna have safe cities, finally safe cities. Secure borders, sensible spending. Basic stuff. And were gonna take Doge to Mars. He was referring to the department of government efficiency, a task force set up by Trump to cut federal costs. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gestures as he speaks during the inaugural parade inside Capitol One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20. AFP Known for dramatics, Musk also asked the supporters to imagine US astronauts planting a flag on another planet and shouted, Bam, bam. The head of Doge was speaking at Capital One Arena before Trump took to the stage. While he might be receiving hate, he wrote on X, Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired. Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired https://t.co/9fIqS5mWA0 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025 Advertisement How have experts reacted to Musks gesture? Musks controversial gesture has created quite a stir on social media, leaving many divided. Journalist Ben Samuels wrote in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Elon Musk, speaking at a Trump celebration rally at Washingtons Capital One Arena, appeared to conclude his remarks with a Roman salute, fascist salute most commonly associated with Nazi Germany where the salute was performed along with the remark Heil Hitler. Gaurdian quoted Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a history professor at New York University, as writing on the social media platform Bluesky, Historian of fascism here. It was a Nazi salute and a very belligerent one too. Claire Aubin, a historian who specialises in Nazism within the United States, agreed Musks gesture was a sieg heil, or Nazi salute. My professional opinion is that youre all right, you should believe your eyes, Aubin posted on X. Advertisement My talk today at the Presidential Parade pic.twitter.com/qCAxYQb7LN Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025 However, not everyone agrees. British journalist and commentator Owen Jones said in a post on X, This honestly could not look more like a Nazi salute. Even the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a New York-based non-profit that combats antisemitism, said that Musk had made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute. Advertisement In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath, the ADL said in an X post. This is a new beginning. Lets hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead. This did not go down well with Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She slammed the ADLs reaction, writing on X, Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity. Elon Musk speaks at an Inauguration parade in Washington, on Monday, January 20. AP Whats the history of the Nazi salute? The ADL defines the Nazi salute as raising an outstretched right arm with the palm down. The Heil Hitler salute has been infamous over the years. In Nazi Germany, raising the arm to salute the dictator was considered a sign of subversion and respect and those who did not conform to it paid consequences. Advertisement The Nazis came to power in January 1933 and Hitler ordered that be used in public greetings and salutations along with the words Heil Hitler, which meant Hail Hitler. In Hitlers mind, the parallel between the salute proffered him and the salute demanded by the great conquering Caesar was clear, direct, and incontrovertible, wrote Micah D Halpern in a review of the book The Hilter Salute: On the Meaning of the Gesture. In Hitlers Germany, the notion of the salute was a galvanising social element. It was used in massive rallies where the master of ceremonies would shout Sieg (meaning Victory) and the tens of thousands in attendance would respond with Heil. A picture dated 1939 shows German Nazi Chancellor Adolf Hitler giving the nazi salute during a rally next to Deputy Furhrer Rudolf Hess. File photo/AFP But does it have a connection with the Roman Empire? The salute is also referred to as the Roman Salute but Forward, an independent non-profit, quotes from Martin M Winklers The Roman Salute: Cinema, History, Ideology as saying that it has no links with ancient Rome. According to Wrinker, the term Roman salute is a misnomer. Not a single Roman work of art sculpture, coinage, or painting displays a salute of the kind that is found in Fascism, Nazism, and related ideologies, Winkler writes in Forward. It is also unknown to Roman literature and is never mentioned by ancient historians of either republican or imperial Rome. It was in the 19th Century that the salute was used in plays and dramas set in the Roman Empire. It was seen for the first time in French painter Jacques-Louis Davids painting Oath of the Horatii created in 1784. While Hitler made the salute his own, it was used by fascists in Italy. The Italian Fascist party used it before and they adopted it from earlier Italian nationalist and proto-fascist Gabriele dAnnunzio. A World War I hero, he used the salute as he marched with 2,600 volunteers into the city of Fiume (now Rijeka in Croatia) to claim it for Italy. It was later co-opted by Italian dictator Mussolini, according to History Answers. On September 18, 1927, The New York Times reported, The Roman salute, as given in Italy, must be made with a short, snappy motion. Those who are unwilling to use the Roman salute are to be reminded that not only snow and rain but also sound thrashings can fall from above upon the forgetful ones. How the salute has re-emerged Now centuries later, the Nazi salute, which is banned in several countries, has been used by right-wing extremists. While Musks gesture on Monday sparked a debate, in 2022, at a Trump rally when music resembling a QAnon song was played and crowds raised fingers, social media once again compared them to Nazis. In November 2016, a video from Washington showed several far-right activists celebrating Trumps victory with what appeared to be Nazi salutes, according to the BBC. A supporter of Alternative for Germany (AfD) party does a Hitler salute during a protest against the government in Berlin, Germany, October 8, 2022. File photo/Reuters In recent days, Musk, now part of Trumps inner circle, has been endorsing the far-right. Last month, he hosted a live chat with Germanys far-right candidate Alice Weidel on his X, promoting her AfD party. His microblogging platform does little to censor pro-Nazi content. In April 2024, NBC reported at least 150 paid Premium or verified X accounts amplifying Nazi propaganda. He had also reinstated the accounts of prominent neo-Nazis Andrew Anglin and Nick Fuentes. In October last year, German magazine Der Spiegel equated Musk to Adolf Hitler, calling him a public enemy to which he responded by saying, Well, I did Nazi that coming! Those fools will Goebbels anything down I bet their pronouns are He/Himmler! With inputs from agencies On his first full day as US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio is engaging with the Quad comprising the US, India, Japan, and Australia aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties and counter Chinas rising influence. With discussions on maritime security and defence cooperation, the Quad is increasingly seen as pivotal in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific read more US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), US President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be US Secretary of State, arrives ahead of the presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, US, January 20, 2025. File Image/Reuters On his first full day as United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio is engaging with his counterparts from the Quad, a group consisting of the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, representing almost 2 billion people and over a third of the global GDP. While the Quad has existed for more than 15 years, its significance has recently surged. What exactly does it entail? A diplomatic alliance, but perhaps more? The Quad was founded in 2007 to unite nations that had collaborated in response to the catastrophic 2004 earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Its members highlight its diplomatic focus, with a broad agenda covering regional issues such as infrastructure, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, climate change, and maritime security. Although security is only one aspect, the Quad plays a key role in the American strategy to address Chinas growing assertiveness and expansive territorial claims in the region, including nearly all of the strategically crucial South China Sea and Taiwan, a self-governing democratic island. Advertisement US President Joe Biden greets from left, Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, at the Quad leaders summit at Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware, US, September 21, 2024. File Image/AP For this reason, the group is often referred to as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, although it is officially known simply as the Quad. The strategic dimension of the Quad has led China to accuse the four countries of attempting to create an Asian NATO, though it is fundamentally different and lacks a mutual defence pact, which is a core feature of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Still, the White House stated after a Quad summit in September that the members were collaborating with regional partners to bolster maritime security, improve maritime domain awareness, and uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific. How significant is it? Shortly after its creation, the Quad became dormant for a decade, until US President Donald Trump, in his first term, joined the leaders of Japan, Australia, and India to revive it. Under President Joe Biden, meetings of the countries top diplomats have been elevated to summits of leaders, most recently held in September in Bidens home state of Delaware. During Bidens tenure, defence cooperation among Quad members has strengthened. Japan, Australia, and the US have all increased defence spending, with the US focusing more on the Asia-Pacific region, while India has kept its defence budget steady. At the Delaware summit, the nations agreed to broaden their cooperation among coast guards to enhance interoperability and capabilities, with Indian, Japanese, and Australian personnel serving on US vessels in the region. Japan and Australia have also been overhauling their defence strategies, with Australia joining the AUKUS pact with the US and United Kingdom to acquire nuclear-powered submarines and other advanced capabilities. Advertisement What lies ahead? It remains uncertain whether Trump will continue the Quad at the leadership level or return it to the top diplomats, though the scheduled meeting in Washington the day after his inauguration suggests it will remain a priority. In his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Rubio described China as the most potent, dangerous and near-peer adversary this nation has ever confronted, and the challenges that led to the Quads revival during Trumps first term have only escalated. Among other developments, China has pursued its regional territorial claims with greater aggression, leading to direct clashes with the Philippines and other nations, while working toward building a true blue-water navy capable of operating far from its shores, including advancing the construction of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in an intensifying global challenge. Ahead of the meeting with Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the US as our most important strategic relationship and expressed her satisfaction that the Quad meeting was taking place so soon after the inauguration. Advertisement Its a demonstration of the collective commitment of all countries to the Quad, an iron-clad commitment in this time where close cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is so important, she told reporters in Washington over the weekend. With inputs from AP US President Donald Trump is not a fan of Work From Home (WFH). On Day 1 of returning to the White House, he signed an executive order directing federal workers to return to in-person work. But why? read more United States President Donald Trump is done with Work From Home (WFH) and wants federal employees to return to office. After being sworn in on Monday (January 20), he signed an executive order directing all federal workers to return to in-person work five days a week. The move will force many white-collar government employees to abandon remote work, which became a norm during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, he had warned that federal workers who refused to work from office were going to be dismissed. Advertisement Now, Trump has ordered the heads of all federal agencies to take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to report to their respective duty stations full-time. The order says the directive shall be implemented consistent with applicable law. Trumps decision is expected to trigger uproar and legal challenges from unions. Can Trump ban WFH for federal employees? It depends. The president has broad authority over the federal workforce, including the power to tell agencies to stop allowing remote work for employees who are not unionized. That includes supervisors and managers, who cannot join unions, and Trump could move quickly to order them back to the office. But, about 26 per cent of federal employees are unionized and many are covered by bargaining agreements that allow for remote work or hybrid arrangements. The Trump administration will have to wait for those to expire or try to renegotiate the agreements. Bargaining agreements between federal agencies and unions can only be challenged in court if they contain illegal terms or were the product of coercion, bribery or some other wrongdoing. In some cases, federal agencies may also be required to allow employees with disabilities to work remotely. Federal law requires employers to grant reasonable accommodations to workers with chronic medical conditions as long as they can still perform their job duties. How many federal employees do WFH? The Trump White House said on Monday that only 6 per cent of federal employees currently work in person, but government data shows that remote work is more limited. About 46 per cent of federal workers, or 1.1 million people, are eligible for remote work, and about 228,000 of them are fully remote, according to a report issued by the White House Office of Management and Budget in August. The US Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs, which have far more employees than other agencies, have the most remote workers, along with the Department of Health and Human Services. For federal employees who are eligible for remote work, about 61 per cent of regular working hours are spent in person, according to OMB. That figure excludes fully remote workers. Advertisement Why Trump is against remote work? Trumps order may also represent an effort to encourage some federal workers to quit, opening up positions that can be filled by political loyalists. Elon Musk, who will lead a commission created by Trump to rein in government spending, said in a Nov. 20 Wall Street Journal opinion piece that federal workers should not be paid for the COVID-era privilege of telework. Requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome, Musk wrote. But, agencies may be leery of engaging in a large number of firings or layoffs, especially when they involve workers who hold important roles or are difficult to replace. Trumps agenda, including potentially repealing thousands of federal regulations, coordinating a large number of deportations, and overhauling US health policy, will require fully staffed agencies to execute. Experts said that in many instances, Trump will likely have to choose between culling the federal workforce and carrying out other initiatives. Advertisement Can workers be sacked for not retuning to office? The president and agency heads have broad authority to fire non-union workers for cause, which could include defying a mandate to return to the office. But federal employees must be given written notice that they are being fired at least 30 days in advance, including an explanation of the reason for their termination and an opportunity to respond. And federal workers who lose their jobs can bring a challenge before the Merit Systems Protection Board, an independent three-member panel appointed by the president, seeking to be reinstated. Employees could argue to the board that they were not fired for cause, that agencies did not follow the proper procedures and violated their due process rights, or that they were targeted for discriminatory reasons. The boards decisions are binding unless they are set aside by a federal appeals court. With inputs from Reuters Vivek Ramaswamy, an Indian-origin biotech entrepreneur, is no longer part of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), which he was heading with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. A report claims his post on X deriding American culture sealed his fate read more Vivek Ramaswamy arrives for the inauguration ceremony before Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th US President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. Reuters Indian-origin biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is out of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) that he was supposed to lead with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. In a post on X, the former United States presidential candidate confirmed the development, adding that he will have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. It was my honour to help support the creation of Doge. Im confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government. Ill have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Most importantly, were all-in to help President Trump make America great again, Ramaswamy wrote on X. Advertisement It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. Im confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government. Ill have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Most importantly, were all-in to help President Trump make America great again! https://t.co/f1YFZm8X13 Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 20, 2025 He reportedly intends to run for Ohio governor. However, that is not the only reason that Ramaswamy has left Doge. In fact, a report says it was Musk who got him thrown out of the advisory group that aims to slim down federal spending through budget cuts and mass firings. Lets take a closer look. Vivek Ramaswamy out of Doge Ramaswamys departure from Doge comes just 69 days after US President Donald Trump announced the team. Hours after Trump was sworn in for his second term on Monday (January 20), the White House confirmed the development to Associated Press (AP). Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create Doge," Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the commission, said in a statement. He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of Doge, based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last two months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again. Advertisement This comes after several media outlets reported last week that Ramaswamy would exit the body. Did a tweet get Vivek Ramaswamy fired? A Politico report claims Ramaswamy fell out of favour with Musk who got him booted from Doge. It says the biotech entrepreneurs tweet about H-1B visas sealed his fate. In a long post on December 26, 2024, Ramaswamy decried American culture that venerated mediocrity over excellence, which he said was partly why tech companies hire foreign workers. The reason top tech companies often hire foreign-born & first-generation engineers over native Americans isnt because of an innate American IQ deficit (a lazy & wrong explanation). A key part of it comes down to the c-word: culture. Tough questions demand tough answers & if Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) December 26, 2024 Advertisement His tweet did not go down well with Republicans or Musk. They wanted him out before the tweet but kicked him to the curb when that came out, a person familiar with his departure told the news outlet. According to a person close to Doge, Musk did not think it was feasible for Ramaswamy to pursue a gubernatorial bid while co-chairing the advisory body. Advertisement Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy walk on Capitol Hill on the day of a meeting with members of Congress, as Musk holds his son on his shoulders, in Washington, US December 5, 2024. File Photo/Reuters Three people familiar with Musks preferences who spoke to Politico revealed that the Tesla CEO, a close confidant of Trump, made it clear he wanted Ramaswamy out of Doge in recent days. Musk is now the sole leader of Doge. Ramaswamy just burned through the bridges and he finally burned Elon. Everyone wants him out of Mar-a-Lago, out of DC, a Republican strategist close to Trump advisers said. A source told Politico that Ramaswamy had not done any work for Doge since early December. According to CBS News, there was a rift between Ramaswamy and the incoming Doge staff. People close to Musk also privately undercut Ramaswamy for weeks due to him shying away from doing the heavy lifting. Advertisement Ramaswamy is now expected to launch a bid for Ohio governor to succeed Republican leader Mike DeWine, who is term-limited. The Ohio election is slated to take place in November 2026. Is DOGE in trouble? Despite its name, it is not an official government department. As per Trump, the body will provide advice and guidance from outside of Government. It will suggest ways to reduce federal bureaucracy, cut federal spending and restructure federal agencies, as per the US president. After assuming office on Monday, President Trump signed an executive order to create DOGE, which has landed in trouble. The Trump administration was sued at least four times over DOGE on Inauguration Day. Three lawsuits argue it violates federal transparency law. A 30-page lawsuit, obtained by The Washington Post, alleges DOGE does not follow transparency rules on disclosure, hiring and other practices. Not a single member of DOGE is a federal employee or represents the perspective of federal employees, despite the evidence that DOGE intends to provide recommendations regarding federal employment practices and ways to reduce the size of the federal workforce, the lawsuit reads. DOGE will operate outside of the US government and would thus have limited official power to carry out the sweeping cuts proposed earlier by Musk and Ramaswamy. But will it reform the government? Only time will tell. With inputs from agencies US President Donald Trump has vowed to launch a golden age for America and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy and indeed their freedom. He has plans for mass deportations, imposing tariffs and more. But why does India need to worry? read more On Monday, Donald Trump was sworn into office as the 47th President of the United States. He vowed to launch a golden age for America and claimed that he would give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy and indeed their freedom. From this moment on Americas decline is over, Trump added. While this may be music to the ears of the Maga faithful followers, others may feel a tad nervous. New Delhi, for example, will be watching Trumps moves closely. Advertisement But why does Trump 2.0 pose challenges for India? Lets take a closer look: Immigration, deportation Trump signed a slew of executive orders including declaring illegal immigration at the US-Mexico border a national emergency and suspending the US refugee resettlement program for four months Trump had vowed to launch the biggest deportation programme in the history of America. In his inaugural address, Trump said, All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. Undocumented Indians in the US have reason to be nervous. According to The Times of India, there are 7.25 lakh undocumented Indians in the United States. Indians are the third-largest undocumented group after Mexicans (40 lakh) and those from El Salvador (7.5 lakh). America often nabs illegal immigrants on its soil who have entered using the Donkey Flights method. Image used for representational purposes/Reuters Trump has claimed that America has around 20 to 25 million illegal immigrants. He has vowed to go after the criminals first. NDTV quoted US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that Indians comprise 17,940 of the 1.4 million that face final removal orders. ICE has claimed it catches around 90,000 Indian nationals trying to come to the US illegally every year. Most of these come from Punjab, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. ICE has India 13th on the list of countries when it comes to undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Even worse for New Delhi is the fact that India has been designated uncooperative by ICE. This is because of delays in confirming citizenship and issuing travel documents for deportation. Pakistan, China, Iran, and Venezuela are the other countries that have been classified as uncooperative. Citizenship Trump has also signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship. According to India Today, the executive orders states that for a child born in the US to become a citizen, at least one parent must be a citizen, a green card holder or in the US military. Among the categories of individuals born in the United States and not subject to the jurisdiction thereof, the privilege of United States citizenship does not automatically extend to persons born in the United States: (1) when that persons mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth, or (2) when that persons mothers presence in the United States at the time of said persons birth was lawful but temporary (such as, but not limited to, visiting the United States under the auspices of the Visa Waiver Program or visiting on a student, work, or tourist visa) and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth, the order states. Advertisement A Trump administration official in a briefing, referring to the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, said, The federal government will not recognize automatic birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens born in the United States. We are also going to enhance vetting and screening of illegal aliens. This executive order, if upheld by the court, would greatly impact the Indian-American community. According to the outlet, there are 5.4 Indian-Americans in the US comprising 1.47 per cent of the population. While two-thirds are immigrants, the rest are born in the US. Trumps order basically means the children of Indian citizens in America on work visas or in line for green cards would no longer become US citizens automatically. Advertisement Children of those in the US on H-1B visas will no longer become citizens if the order is upheld. Reuters. This could potentially affect hundreds of thousands of children every year. Immigrant and civil rights advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have already filed a lawsuit challenging Trumps executive order. Immigrants rights advocates today sued the Trump administration over its executive order that seeks to strip certain babies born in the United States of their US citizenship, the advocates said in a statement that called the order unconstitutional. Trump previously said he absolutely planned to halt birthright citizenship once in office. Were going to end that because its ridiculous, he added. Tariffs Trump in his inaugural address vowed to impose tariffs and tax foreign countries to enrich Americas citizens. As per CNN, Trump announced that his administration would impose 25 per cent tariffs on Mexico and Canada starting February 1. Advertisement Though Trump made no mention of tariffs on India, he previously vowed to impose 100 per cent and 200 per cent tariff on goods from India. The word reciprocal is important because if somebody charges us India, we dont have to talk about our own if India charges us 100 per cent, do we charge them nothing for the same? You know, they send in a bicycle and we send them a bicycle. They charge us 100 and 200. India charges a lot. Brazil charges a lot. If they want to charge us, thats fine, but were going to charge them the same thing, Trump previously According to India Today, this could damage Indias export sector, particularly industries that cater to the US market. Indian exporters might find less of a demand for their products in America. This in turn could bring down sales and income for Indian businesses thereby having a cascading effect on employment and economic growth. US President Donald Trump has called India a very big abuser in terms of import tariffs. AP If India responds in kind, it may also increase the prices Indian consumers have to pay for US goods thus making things more expensive. As per The Times of India, Trump, speaking about India and tariffs at a rally before his election, said, India is a very big charger. We have a great relationship with India. I did. And especially the leader, Modi. Hes a great leader. Great man. Really is a great man. He brought it together. Hes done a great job. But they probably charge as much. Trump previously called India an abuser of tariffs and a tariff king. Trade wars According to Economic Times, Trumps threatened tariffs on China risk sparking a trade war. India has also taken flak for its high import duties on certain products like US motorcycles. While Trump did not mention a trade war against India in his inaugural speech or issue an executive action regarding the same, that could change in an instant. As per the newspaper, the trade war between US and China could actually lead to a chance for India to get foreign investments instead of China. Trump famously said trade wars are good and easy to win. We shall see if that is indeed the case. What do experts say? Huma Siddique, writing in the Financial Express, said that the fear within the Indian community when it comes to Trumpss immigration policies is palpable. The fear within the Indian community in the US is palpable. Many have lived in the US for years, sometimes for decades, and have become part of the fabric of American society. For those without proper documentation, however, the risk of deportation has now become a real and looming threat, Siddique wrote. As Trumps second term progresses, the fate of millions of undocumented immigrants remains uncertain. With deportations set to intensify, including a significant number of Indian nationals, the situation is expected to strain both US immigration systems and India-US relations. Swaminathan Aiyar, Consulting Editor at ET Now, said India ought to take a cautious approach to a potential trade war. Aggressive retaliation may lead to escalation, as Trump is likely to respond with even harsher measures. Instead, India should aim for limited escalation, maintain strategic patience, and prepare for policy shifts post-Trumps tenure, Swaminathan wrote. With inputs from agencies Chandratara, an elephant that wandered through the jungles and inadvertently crossed borders between India and Bangladesh, is now at the centre of a legal battle. Atikur Rahman, a Bangladeshi citizen, asserts that Chandratara belongs to him. However, his claim is being challenged by two Indians, who have come forward with similar assertions. The elephants fate now hangs in the balance as the matter awaits a hearing in a local court read more Atikur Rahman, a Bangladeshi citizen, asserts that Chandratara belongs to him. However, his claim is being challenged by two Indians, who have come forward with similar assertions. The elephants fate now hangs in the balance as the matter awaits a hearing in a local court. Image for Representation. Pixabay An elephant may never forget, but when it comes to Chandratara, two nations certainly wont let her story fade either. This majestic elephant, who wandered through dense jungles, now finds herself at the heart of a heated tug-of-war between India and Bangladesh. The dispute centres around a cross-border ownership claim that has drawn attention on both sides of the border. Atikur Rahman, a Bangladeshi citizen, asserts that Chandratara belongs to him. However, his claim is being challenged by two Indians, who have come forward with similar assertions. The elephants fate now hangs in the balance as the matter awaits a hearing in a local court. Advertisement But how did Chandrataras extraordinary journey lead to this point? Heres what we know so far. The origin of the dispute Chandrataras story began when she reportedly wandered through the jungles in search of food and, unintentionally, crossed the border into Indian territory. The elephant was discovered on 11 September last year near a border village close to western Kailashahar in Tripuras Unakoti district. She had passed through an unsecured area, eventually being spotted by personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF). Atikur Rahman, a Bangladeshi resident from Moulvibazar, claimed the elephant as his own, suggesting she had strayed into India out of confusion. However, the situation took a complicated turn when two Indian villagers also claimed ownership of Chandratara. Chandrataras story began when she reportedly wandered through the jungles in search of food and, unintentionally, crossed the border into Indian territory. Image for Representation. Pixabay After being informed by BSF that an elephant was roaming along the border, we rescued her. Immediately, two villagers claimed ownership, but werent able to give proof. We took the elephant into custody after that, a senior Indian wildlife official told The Times of India. Hearing this, Atikur acted swiftly. He sent photographs and ownership documents to the BSF and the Tripura Forest Department through his relatives, Sad Mia and Shimu Ahmed, who are Indian citizens. Anticipating the legal challenges ahead, Atikur lodged a General Diary (GD) with the Kamalganj Police Station in Bangladesh. He also escalated the matter by filing a formal complaint with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) headquarters. The legal battle Following Atikur Rahmans complaint, a flag meeting was held between the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). During the discussion, Atikur presented valid documents to support his ownership claim over Chandratara, reports The Assam Tribune. However, due to legal complications and the elephant being in the custody of the Tripura Forest Department, the BSF was unable to facilitate her return to Bangladesh. Advertisement With no resolution achieved, the matter has now been taken to a court in Tripuras Unakoti district, where the case is set to be heard on January 21. Saleh Ahmed, a relative of Atikur, has initiated legal proceedings on his behalf to seek the elephants return. Currently, Chandratara is being housed at an elephant camp in Mungiakami, according to a senior wildlife official. The elephant is safe, the official told The Times of India. Due to legal complications and the elephant being in the custody of the Tripura Forest Department, the BSF was unable to facilitate her return to Bangladesh. Chandratara is being housed at an elephant camp in Mungiakami. Image for Representation. Pixabay For Atikur, life without Chandratara feels incomplete. He remains hopeful for a reunion with his beloved elephant. India is a great country, and I have immense respect for the law of this land, Atikur said in a video message. I trust the legal complexities will soon be resolved, and I will be reunited with my elephant. Advertisement Also read: Whats behind the deaths of 7 elephants in 2 days in Madhya Pradeshs Bandhavgarh National Park? Dwindling elephant population The population of wild elephants in Bangladesh has dramatically declined in recent years, with the species now listed as critically endangered. According to a BBC report, only about 200 elephants remain in the country, and nearly half of them are in captivity. Once a thriving habitat for Asian elephants, Bangladesh has witnessed a sharp decline in their numbers due to poaching and habitat loss. In a significant move to protect these endangered animals, the Bangladesh High Court granted legal protections to the wild elephant population last year. The decision aims to prevent exploitation and ensure better conservation practices. Advertisement Animal rights groups have welcomed the High Courts decision to suspend all licences, which puts an end to the capture and captivity of young Asian elephants. File image/AFP Previously, young elephants were often captured and licensed to logging companies, where they were used to haul timber. Some were even sold to circuses, enduring harsh conditions. The High Court deemed these practices illegal, highlighting violations of licensing terms and the unethical treatment of the animals. Rakibul Haque Emil, head of the People for Animal Welfare (PAW) Foundation in Bangladesh, described the courts decision as a landmark order." In the name of training elephants, private licensees, including circus parties, brutally separate elephant calves from their mothers, shackle them for months, and torture them to teach tricks, Emil told the BBC. He also expressed the foundations commitment to rehabilitating captive elephants. Advertisement Several countries in Asia such as Thailand and Nepal have found some success in rehabilitating captive elephants, he said. We shall do it here. With input from agencies In addition to providing lifelong care for the elephants, the Vantara project will offer new livelihood opportunities for former owners, mahouts, and their families read more In the logging industry, elephants are constantly chained and deprived of the freedom to roam and engage in natural behaviours. Image courtesy News18 Vantara, a rescue centre for captive elephants and other wild animals in Gujarats Jamnagar, is all set to welcome 20 elephants that were rescued from the logging industry in Arunachal Pradesh. These animals will now be able to live free of chains and never be pushed into labour. Founded by philanthropist Anant Ambani, Vantara will be home to these rescued elephants 10 males, eight females, one sub-adult and calf each. The rescue operation was carried out with the approval of a high-powered committee formed by the Tripura High Court and entrusted by the Supreme Court. It had the full consent of the owners of the animals. Advertisement Among the rescued elephants is Laxmi, a 10-year-old captive-born sub-adult that struggles to bear weight on her hind legs due to deep and untreated wounds. It also suffers from a fresh and painful one-inch diameter hole piercing its sensitive right ear pinna both inflicted during the taming process to establish human dominance. Maya, a two-year-old captive-born calf, was rescued alongside its mother, Rongmoti, who endured large harness-induced lesions on its chest and buttocks from prolonged logging work. amu, a bull elephant, was found heavily restrained with both its forelegs and hind legs tightly tethered together to control its musth period lasting four to six months resulting in immense physical and psychological distress. Babulal, another bull elephant, suffered from a severely broken and bleeding tail, caused by a conflict with a wild bull elephant during foraging. Years of captivity had stripped it of natural instincts needed to defend itself. New opportunities for owners, mahouts In addition to providing lifelong care for the elephants, the project offers new livelihood opportunities for the owners, mahouts, and their families at Vantara. They will undergo intensive training in humane and scientifically backed methods of elephant management, ensuring a future of compassionate care for the animals and empowering their caregivers with the knowledge and skills to support this approach. The organisation has secured all required documentation under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including obtaining a no-objection certificate from the Gujarat forest department and a transport permit from the Arunachal Pradesh forest department. The elephants will be transported in specially designed elephant ambulances, with the calf Maya travelling alongside its mother. Advertisement A dedicated team of more than 200 experts, including elephant veterinarians, paravets, senior caretakers, and ambulance drivers from Vantara, will ensure the safe and compliant transportation of the animals, adhering to strict transportation guidelines and animal welfare standards. What happens to elephants in the logging industry? In the logging industry, elephants are forced to carry heavy logs and work for long hours. They endure physical abuse, malnutrition, arthritis, and lack of medical care. Constantly chained, they are deprived of the freedom to roam and engage in natural behaviours. These harsh conditions also inflict severe psychological trauma, often evident in the form of stereotypic behaviours such as head bobbing, swaying, and weaving, leading to long-term welfare compromises. Advertisement Despite their intelligence and social nature, these elephants are treated as machines, stripped of their dignity and well-being. At Vantara, they will have the opportunity to rejuvenate and live as elephants should. A research paper published in 2020 in Gajah, the biannual journal of the IUCN/SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group, reveals that a significant number of privately owned elephants are bred in captivity in Arunachal Pradesh. These elephants are often managed in close proximity to forested areas, where captive cow elephants come into contact with wild bulls. However, private ownership of elephants is declining, as the demand for their use in forestry operations has diminished following the logging ban. Advertisement Tabang Jamoh, divisional forest officer in Namsai, said, With an active breeding population of approximately 200 captive elephants in Arunachal Pradesh, DNA profiling is being conducted to closely monitor their health and welfare. The transfer of 20 elephants to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust at Vantara, as directed by the Supreme Court-appointed committee, ensures a brighter future for these animals. This initiative enhances animal welfare while providing local communities with alternative livelihoods, striking a balance between conservation, community well-being, and forest protection." Dr Sorang Tadap, veterinary officer at Itanagar Biological Park, said: Captive elephants often suffer from severe health issues, including injuries, arthritis, and psychological trauma due to harsh labour, training, and prolonged chaining. Many calves sustain deep leg injuries during training, while adults face ongoing risks from conflicts with wild bulls. There is an urgent need for dedicated hospital facilities offering round-the-clock care and physiotherapy, which our state currently lacks. It is encouraging to see facilities like Vantara providing advanced medical treatment and lifelong care for rescued elephants, setting a vital benchmark for their welfare." Advertisement An elephant owner, Chow Thamasala Mein, highlighted the uniqueness of the initiative. With wood logging banned, we no longer wish to use our elephants for such labour. We are pleased they will now live a life of care at Vantara. This initiative also provides stable jobs and a steady income for our families, securing a brighter future for our children," Mein said. As Donald Trump begins office in his second coming, it surprises no one that the presidency arrived ahead of the president. Trump laid out his plans in the weeks preceding the inauguration of his term as President. However, more amusingly, just when many people thought Trump would continue in the same vein as his earlier tenure, he found a new gear. In fact, he unleashed the kind of conversations people were unprepared for. Advertisement In January, at the start of every year, Xi Jinpings speech has a mention about Taiwan, in which he indicates its growing embrace with each successive year, into Chinas aspirational orbit. This year, Xis incremental assertions about Chinas expansionist plans faded before the trumpeting of the President elects plans to annex Canada and Greenland and seize the Panama Canal by overturning an existing US Panama Treaty. Suddenly, we are talking about Trump, not Taiwan. Typically, Xi Jinpings speech is dissected in terms of the degree of change in his expansionist plans on Taiwan. China has pursued a route of making incremental additions to their plans and continues to keep the world on tenterhooks about its plans of execution. American politicians such as Nancy Pelosi occasionally have stirred a hornets nest by taking a ride to Taiwan. There are reams of print outpourings each year and frequent diplomatic manoeuvres induced each season to explore Chinas possible belligerent routes towards fulfilling its revanchist claims on Taiwan. The western world has been consumed by the conversation on China. With one fell stroke, Trump has turned the conversation on its head, bringing into question the larger expansionist tendencies of autocratic leaders. If Xi and China feel its right to annex Taiwan, if Russia has claims on Ukraine, it may not be entirely incorrect for the US to declare its claims on Greenland or the Panama Canal. Or even Canada, goes the logic. Lets take the example of Greenland. During World War II, the US invoked the Monroe Doctrine to occupy Greenland and prevent invasion by Hitlers Germany. For over 600 years, Greenland has been part of Denmark but is self-governed and aims to attain complete independence. We fully recognise that Greenland has its own ambitions. If they materialise, Greenland will become independent, though hardly with an ambition to become a federal state in the United States, Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen asserted. Advertisement Knives were swiftly brought out in response to Trumps claims. However, closer evaluation indicates that Trumps claims are likely to have the opposite effect. For years, Greenland has been awaiting its independence. Marc Jacobsen of the Royal Danish Defence College believes that Trump is positioning himself before entering office. More pertinently, he is setting himself up as a leader who will push and shove meandering, vain political movements towards settlements. In that context, he may have just catapulted onto the table the case for Greenlands long wait for independence. His stances are sure to appear brash and he could cause exasperation with an unabashedly vainglorious form, while dealing with sticky issues, but they could throw up positive outcomes to such pressing issues. Issues such as Greenland might not form the core of his policy but it means much for Greenland to be on the international discussion table over autonomy and independence. Advertisement What Trump might end up doing is prove his point that politicking, tactless discussions and endless manoeuvring on international relations are futile if the means dont have an end. The Biden administration, for all its touted diplomatic pedigree, oversaw the breakout of more wars than the last few presidencies. What can we expect in Trumps world? Let us briefly examine the two pressing wars and their chances of peace under Trump. The peace negotiation process in the Middle East was initiated in the previous Trump era. President Joe Biden wanted to continue the Arab-Israel normalisation process begun through the 2020 Abraham Accords. When Biden took over, he was expected to have a sound line on west Asia. Instead, the democrats flattered to deceive. The Biden government lost control over the region and let the war drag down the region with no hope in sight. Advertisement The US and Qatar announced a ceasefire recently but Netanyahu and the Hamas will have areas of dissent from within their ranks. Fighting has continued despite the attempts being made to arrive at a ceasefire. Under the peace deal, 33 from over a hundred hostages are to be released over six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. In a second phase later, more hostages are to be freed, based on the terms of the peace deal. The complexity of the deal is exacerbated when this takes into account the various stakeholders. Israel has gained an advantage in the region with Iran a major stakeholder on the back foot with the dismantling of proxies and the Assad regime in Syria. All the dominoes have been falling, says James Jeffrey, a former US diplomat and deputy national security advisor. Advertisement The Middle East conflict has other stakeholders. One of the prominent ones are the Houthis, who can go unnoticed in the peace process. Yemen plays a key role, given its geographic location on the Red Sea and its access to key trade and sea routes. The Houthis, a terrorist group in Yemen, have regularly posed risks to global supply and trade, besides threatening military bases in Djibouti and Eritrea. Houthis have targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. India too has deployed warships east of the Red Sea to provide security against pirates. With Irans support, the Houthis have taken on many governments, including in Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the American allies such as UAE and KSA. Trumps administration ought to view the Middle East conflict in its entirety and thus aim to resolve the issue in Yemen in order to obtain a lasting peace in the region. It is important to understand the role of the Houthis in the conflict in Gaza and also the disruption to global trade on the Red Sea. The Houthis will continue to snipe at peacemakers in the Middle East, and thus will need to be defeated. A strong, empowered Yemeni government needs to be enabled, which can address the threats from Houthis. Despite the truce deal likely to be inked between Israel and Hamas, it is the challenge in evolving an enduring peace that will determine the future stability of the region. A comprehensive solution in the region consists of ensuring that the peace deal is a lasting one, which is possible with a defanged Iran and a dismantled Houthi group. In eastern Europe, the democrats managed to look both manipulative and hapless. Clearly, they did not have an effective diplomatic line with Russia to call a halt to the war as they were not viewed as a neutral party by Russia. Russia and Putin was the invader but the US never looked like playing the role of a peacemaker in the region. In eastern Europe, the opening advantage for Trump is that he begins the term by being on the same side of Vladimir Putins view that Ukraines entry into Nato threatens Russia. Thus Ukraine realises it is not likely to have an advantage with Trump at the helm. There isnt much enthusiasm either among Americas allies France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the UK, Sweden and Denmark. A recent YouGov poll revealed an increased percentage among them preferring a negotiated settlement over a continuing supply of weapons to Ukraine to fight on. The discussion on continued supply of weapons to Ukraine could face stiff opposition in Congress, since its controlled by the Republicans now. In 2023, the aid for Ukraine faced delays because of Republican opposition. A recent Gallup poll indicates that a majority of Republicans feel that the US has already done more than enough on aid and thus want the war to end quickly. Without continuing American aid, Ukraine would be amenable to come to the negotiating table. To ensure sustained peace, Trump might even consider creating a demilitarised zone between the two countries. However, Trump might still find Putin a difficult candidate to convince on the text of any deal, since the intransigent Russian leader is unlikely to agree to any fine print around peace terms. Getting Putin to end the war is Trumps biggest challenge, more than the Middle East. Trump tries hard to convey that traditional ways of resolving existing issues may not be enough. Which simply means that a festering issue cannot be resolved with old, unfeasible tools. He wrote a book on the art of deal-making sometime back and looks to bank on policies and approaches that use deal-making to resolve sticky global issues. While it could work in some areas such as unveiling a ceasefire between warring sides in the Middle East, he will find obstacles in eastern Europe. Trump will also realise that complex global conflicts cannot be fixed through a deal, and even if the warring parties are brought to the peace table, the simmering issues will ensure its a broken peace. In his second innings, Donald Trump is set to adopt a different approach, guided by an entirely distinctive set of advisors. Despite the misgivings on the outcomes, there is no disputing the fact Trump will make an effort to give peace a chance. Between the claims on Canada, Panama Canal and Greenland, the bluster around China and playing peacemaker in Europe and Asia, Donald Trump will set his sights on the tariffs, trade and negotiated business deals which is where he would prove to be a tougher customer to deal with. We can disagree on several issues Trump wades into. But we can be assured of one thing the world will go around Donald Trump for the next four years. The writer is the author of Watershed 1967: Indias Forgotten Victory over China and Camouflaged: Forgotten Stories From Battlefields. His fortnightly column for Firstpost Beyond the Lines covers military history, strategic issues, international affairs and policy-business challenges. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Tweets @iProbal Trump may be happier dealing with Netanyahus post-election successor. His relationship with the Israeli prime minister has been distinctly cooler than former President Joe Biden enjoyed read more Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stalled for months a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza. It took intense pressure from the United States and the families of Israeli hostages still held captive by Hamas to compel Netanyahu to sign the multi-phase peace deal brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt. Why was Netanyahu fiercely opposed to a truce with Hamas? There are three principal reasons. One, the 15-month war with Hamas hasnt resulted in the total destruction of Hamas. That was the non-negotiable objective of the war following the lethal Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Advertisement Despite Israel assassinating the top leadership of Hamas and killing over 46,000 people in Gaza, including an estimated 30,000 women and children with many more bodies buried under rubble, Hamas has reportedly recruited 20,000 new fighters to its ranks. Far from destroying Hamas, Israel has given it a second wind. Two, the ceasefire deal, once all phases are completed, will re-legitimise Hamas, giving it a role in the reconstruction of Gaza. Infrastructure companies in the US, Europe, Middle East and India are eyeing one of the most lucrative rebuilding projects in decades. President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, a real estate developer, plans to make Gaza a modern, high-tech enclave. That bodes ill for Israels long-term security. Three, once lasting peace breaks out over the region, the issue that haunts Netanyahu and most Israelis is the likely establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. Netanyahu has gone on record to declare that he will never accept an independent Palestine co-existing side-by-side with Israel. His party, Likud, makes the point clear in its official manifesto. This is what Likuds Party Platform says: The Government of Israel will enable the Palestinians to manage their lives freely, within the framework of self-government. However, foreign affairs and defence, and matters which require coordination, will remain the responsibility of the State of Israel. Advertisement Netanyahu, who has long headed Likud, clearly regards a future Palestinian state as an Israeli colony with limited self-government. Defence and foreign affairs will remain with Israel. To ensure its goal is spelt out unambiguously, the clause declares: The government of Israel will oppose the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Thats not how the rest of the world sees it. Spain, Norway and Ireland are among 146 countries that recognise Palestine as a sovereign, independent country. The US has consistently used its veto to deny Palestine full membership of the United Nations. In violation of international norms, Israel has meanwhile allowed Israeli settlers to illegally occupy large tracts of land in the West Bank under the nominal control of the toothless Palestinian Authority (PA) which is complicit with violent Israeli settlers. Over 4,50,000 Israelis now illegally occupy land in the West Bank, despite universal global condemnation, launching frequent armed attacks to occupy the homes of the 3 million Palestinians who live there. Advertisement Netanyahu is thus faced with an intractable triple problem: a rejuvenated Hamas rather than a defeated Hamas; reconstruction and transformation of Gaza into a modern enclave that could pose a future threat to Israels security; and strong global pressure on Israel to establish an independent Palestine. Netanyahu delayed as long as he could signing the peace deal which he insists is temporary. He warns that Israel reserves the right to resume the war. For Israel, peace in the region is a poisoned chalice. War is Israels default option. Peace carries the promise of economic prosperity to the whole region from Gaza to the West Bank and further on to Lebanon. Israel loses its monopoly of prosperity in the region. Advertisement How long, Israelis wonder, before re-armed Hamas and Hezbollah pose an existential threat to Israel while an independent Palestine emerges from the rubble of Gaza? Washington consensus? Netanyahus best hope to avoid or delay these outcomes lies in Washington. While Trump is strongly pro-Israel, he is a pragmatist. He knows that an independent Palestine is a geopolitical inevitability. As a real estate developer, he also knows that reconstruction in Gaza represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity. War in the Middle East has long benefited the US military-industrial complex (MIC). Without US weapons and intelligence, Israel would be untenable as an independent state. Netanyahu has tried to prolong the war in Gaza sacrificing the interests of the families of Israeli hostages, many of whom have died in the 15-month captivity even as he stands accused of corruption in the Supreme Court. The war delayed hearings in the case which have only recently begun. Advertisement Israels best hope of long-term security is to accept an independent Palestine, a rebuilt Gaza, withdrawal from the West Bank and establishment of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia which has made an independent Palestine a precondition to normalising diplomatic and commercial ties with Israel. General elections in Israel have been postponed due to the Gaza war. While the attacks on Hezbollah, Iran and Syria have boosted Netanyahus popularity, a new opinion poll showed that if elections to Israels 120-seat parliament, the Knesset, were held today, Netanyahus Likud and its coalition partners would struggle to win a majority. Trump may be happier dealing with Netanyahus post-election successor. His relationship with the Israeli prime minister has been distinctly cooler than former President Joe Biden enjoyed. India is watching developments closely. If peace holds in the region, the ambitious sea-rail-road India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) can be a trade game-changer. An independent Palestine may be the price Israel will have to pay to ensure its security in a post-Netanyahu era. The writer is an editor, author and publisher. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Trump revealed that he had spoken with Apple CEO Tim Cook, who reportedly committed to a major investment in the country. While Apple hasnt revealed exactly what this new investment will look like, its clear that the company is focusing more on US-based operations read more Apple has always been a big supporter of creating jobs and manufacturing in the United States. Tim Cook has spoken about the companys deep love for the country, saying that Apple could have only been created in the US. Image Credit: AFP Ahead of his inauguration, President Donald Trump held a victory rally where he shared some exciting news about Apples plans to increase investment in the United States. Trump revealed that he had spoken with Apple CEO Tim Cook, who reportedly committed to a major investment in the country, according to a report by Fox Business. Although the specifics were not detailed, Trump seemed enthusiastic, mentioning that Cooks decision was influenced by his election win. Advertisement Trump also mentioned other business leaders, like those from SoftBank and DAMAC, who promised to invest more in the US. But it was Apples commitment that seemed to steal the show, especially with Cooks reputation for supporting US manufacturing and job creation. Apples continued focus on US manufacturing and jobs Apple has always been a big supporter of creating jobs and manufacturing in the United States. Tim Cook has spoken about the companys deep love for the country, saying that Apple could have only been created in the US. Hes also made it clear that Apples goal is to create as many jobs as possible within the country. Even though most of Apples products, like iPhones and Macs, are still made abroad mainly in China and India the company has been making strides to increase its presence in the US. This new pledge to invest more shows Apples ongoing dedication to the US market and its workers. Chips Act and growing investment in US manufacturing Under the Biden administration, the Chips Act was introduced to encourage more tech companies to set up manufacturing in the US, particularly in the semiconductor industry. Thanks to this, Apples chip supplier, TSMC, is now building new plants on American soil. This is a step towards reducing the reliance on foreign production, especially from countries like China and India. While Apple hasnt revealed exactly what this new investment will look like, its clear that the company is aligning itself with broader trends in the tech industry, focusing more on US-based operations. Trump and Cook: A relationship of cooperation This announcement also comes on the back of Tim Cooks interactions with President Trump during his first term in office. The relationship between Apple and the Trump administration has been a bit of a balancing act, but Cook has managed to navigate it successfully. In fact, he even personally donated $1 million to support Trumps inauguration, showing that the relationship between the two has remained strong. As Apple continues to make moves in the US, this latest investment pledge marks an important moment for both the company and the future of US manufacturing. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated that corporate decisions like mergers and acquisitions should be made independently by companies based on market principles. She also emphasised that Chinese companies involved in such activities must comply with Chinese laws read more On Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry made a notable shift in its stance on TikTok, saying that private companies, like ByteDance, can make their own decisions regarding the sale or merger of their assets. This marks a reversal from its previous position, which opposed the idea of ByteDance selling TikToks US operations to a foreign buyer, as per a report by Axios. This new development is significant because it comes at a time when US law requires ByteDance to either sell or divest TikToks US arm to avoid a ban. Until now, China had been reluctant to allow the sale, which had left ByteDance in a difficult position as it faced mounting pressure to comply with US regulations. Advertisement Chinas statement and its implications In her remarks on Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated that corporate decisions like mergers and acquisitions should be made independently by companies based on market principles. She also emphasised that Chinese companies involved in such activities must comply with Chinese laws and regulations. This marks a shift towards a more hands-off approach by the Chinese government, giving ByteDance more autonomy in navigating the future of TikTok in the US. US law and TikToks future The legal situation surrounding TikTok remains complicated. The US Supreme Court recently upheld a law that requires TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, in order to avoid a ban in the US The law was framed to protect US national security by preventing China from having control over TikToks algorithm and user data. US lawmakers remain divided on whether to extend the deadline for TikTok to comply or to enforce the ban if a deal isnt made. Former President Donald Trump has indicated that he may grant a 90-day extension for TikTok, suggesting a potential 50 per cent joint ownership venture with a US company. However, any deal would need to adhere to the legal requirements, including ensuring that ByteDance remains uninvolved in TikToks operations moving forward. Problem with TikToks valuation Billionaire Frank McCourt, who is leading a bid to purchase TikToks US operations, has reportedly committed $20 billion in capital to the effort. Along with him, there are several other tech businesses and tech billionaires vying to take over TikTok. Reports have also suggested that Elon Musk may be a serious contender as well. While there are challenges in valuing TikToks US arm separately from ByteDance, estimates place its worth between $20 billion and $100 billion. McCourts team has expressed confidence that their proposal would comply with the Supreme Courts recent ruling. As the situation continues to unfold, the future of TikTok in the US hinges on a complex mix of legal requirements, business decisions, and international relations. While NVIDIA has been hit by US export restrictions preventing it from supplying advanced AI chips to China, the company still holds a strong position in the market due to its powerful GPUs. Huawei, however, has its eyes on challenging NVIDIA in a different areainference tasks read more Another hurdle for Huawei is convincing Chinese businesses to switch from NVIDIAs well-established Cuda software to Huaweis own proprietary tools. NVIDIAs software is deeply integrated into the AI ecosystem, so getting companies to make the switch could take some time. Image Credit: Reuters Huawei is making big moves to grab a larger share of Chinas AI chip market, setting its sights on dethroning NVIDIA, which has long been the dominant player. The company wants to position its new AI chipsets as the go-to choice for local businesses, particularly when it comes to training large language models (LLMs). This bold strategy could shift the dynamics in Chinas AI chip industry. While NVIDIA has been hit by US export restrictions preventing it from supplying advanced AI chips to China, the company still holds a strong position in the market due to its powerful GPUs. Huawei, however, has its eyes on challenging NVIDIA in a different area inference tasks. These are the real-time applications where trained AI models are used to make predictions or solve tasks. Huawei believes this area will see even more demand in the future and sees it as the perfect opportunity to offer a competitive alternative to NVIDIA. Advertisement Whats inference and why it matters to Huawei? Inference is all about running live data through an AI model thats already been trained, using that information to make decisions, predictions, or solve specific problems. Unlike the training phase, which happens less often, inference is a continuous process that will drive growing demand for AI chips as AI technology progresses. Huawei sees this as a major area where its chips can shine. Georgios Zachaeopoulous, a senior AI researcher at Huaweis Zurich lab, noted that while training is important, its something that only happens occasionally. In contrast, inference will be used by far more customers, creating a larger and more consistent demand for chips in the long run. Huaweis strategy and government support Huaweis approach isnt just about hardware; the company is also working hard to develop the right software to make sure its chips can do the job. Since NVIDIAs chips and Huaweis Ascend chips require different software to function, Huawei is helping Chinese companies adopt new tools that will work seamlessly with its AI chips. To make things even more interesting, Huawei is getting a boost from the Chinese government, which has been encouraging local firms to choose Huaweis AI chips over NVIDIAs. Many experts are now saying that Huawei is the most serious threat to NVIDIA in China, making the competition even fiercer. Challenges for Huawei Of course, Huawei isnt without its challenges. Its Ascend chips, while strong on an individual basis, face issues when it comes to connecting multiple chips together. This is especially important when training large AI models, where tasks need to be split across several chips. If one chip fails, the system has to quickly shift the work to the others, and that can cause delays. Another hurdle for Huawei is convincing Chinese businesses to switch from NVIDIAs well-established Cuda software to Huaweis own proprietary tools. NVIDIAs software is deeply integrated into the AI ecosystem, so getting companies to make the switch could take some time. Despite these challenges, Huawei is not backing down. The company is already working on improving its chips with the new Ascend 910C processor, which it claims will solve some of the previous issues. Whether Huawei can successfully chip away at NVIDIAs lead in Chinas AI market is still up in the air, but its clear the race is heating up. One of Trumps key actions was to propose a reconsideration of federal emissions regulations that mandate automakers to sell a specific percentage of electric vehicles. The current rules require that between 30 per cent and 56 per cent of vehicles sold by 2032 be electric read more This order is part of Trumps broader promise to end Bidens EV mandate, a stance he campaigned on during the 2020 election. Trump has long criticised Bidens approach to clean energy and has pledged to boost US oil production, despite record-high levels of domestic oil production under Biden. Image Credit: Reuters On Monday, President Donald Trump took action to reverse a key initiative from the Biden administration, revoking the 2021 executive order that aimed to make electric vehicles (EVs) 50 per cent of all new vehicle sales in the US by 2030. The target, while not legally binding, had gained support from US and foreign automakers as part of a broader push to transition towards greener energy. Alongside this, Trump issued an executive order halting the distribution of unspent government funds from a $5 billion initiative meant to expand EV charging infrastructure. The move marks a significant shift in policy, particularly on clean energy and climate change, areas where Biden had focused heavily. Advertisement Reconsidering EV regulations and tax incentives One of Trumps key actions was to propose a reconsideration of federal emissions regulations that mandate automakers to sell a specific percentage of electric vehicles. The current rules require that between 30 per cent and 56 per cent of vehicles sold by 2032 be electric to meet federal emissions targets. Trumps order directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revisit these stringent rules, suggesting a more lenient approach going forward. The order also raised the possibility of eliminating federal subsidies for electric vehicles, including the $7,500 tax credit offered to consumers who purchase EVs. Trump argued that these incentives create market distortions that unfairly favour electric vehicles over other technologies and could be seen as government-imposed mandates on the market. Californias zero-emission vehicle waiver revoked Trumps executive order also targeted a waiver granted to California in December by the EPA, which allowed the state to enforce a ban on the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035. Eleven other states adopted similar rules. Trumps order calls for this waiver to be repealed, arguing that state emissions waivers limiting the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles should be terminated where appropriate. The move is part of a broader effort to scale back state-level regulations that align with Bidens clean-energy goals, which Trump has opposed as part of his commitment to rolling back the previous administrations green energy agenda. Trumps campaign promise and energy agenda This order is part of Trumps broader promise to end Bidens EV mandate, a stance he campaigned on during the 2020 election. Trump has long criticised Bidens approach to clean energy and has pledged to boost US oil production, despite record-high levels of domestic oil production under Biden. Trumps actions signal a shift back to traditional energy sources, with less emphasis on electric vehicles and renewable energy compared to the Biden administrations priorities. In addition to the flagship smartphones, Samsung is rumoured to introduce some exciting new wearable tech, including the Galaxy Ring 2 and augmented reality (AR) glasses read more Samsungs highly anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event is just around the corner, set for January 22 at 1 PM ET in San Jose, California. The tech giant is expected to reveal its Next Big Thinglikely a new lineup of smartphones and other innovative devices. Audiences in India can watch the livestream of Samsungs Galaxy Unpacked launch event on January 22 from 11:30PM, on their own website Samsung.com, Samsung Newsroom, their own official YouTube channel, and other social media platforms. Advertisement While theres been a fair amount of speculation about what Samsung will unveil, the details remain shrouded in mystery. That said, we can confidently expect a new generation of Galaxy S smartphones, AI-driven enhancements, and perhaps a glimpse at some exciting new wearables and augmented reality (AR) devices. For years, Samsung has used its first Unpacked event of the year to showcase its flagship Galaxy S smartphones, and this time will likely be no different. We expect the Galaxy S25 series to be front and centre, continuing Samsungs trend of launching multiple tiersstandard, Plus, and Ultra models. The latest rumours, backed by certifications and leaks, suggest that Samsungs new phones will include minor design updates and cutting-edge AI features, setting the stage for a bold new chapter in the Galaxy lineup. Galaxy S25 Ultra and other smartphones in the series The Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to be the star of Samsungs January event and along with it, we will also see the standard Galaxy S25, and the S25+. While we can expect some minor design tweaks, such as rounded corners, flatter edges, and thinner bezels, these devices are not expected to feature drastic aesthetic changes. The S25 and S25+ are expected to retain their 6.2-inch and 6.7-inch displays, while the S25 Ultra will sport a slightly larger 6.9-inch screen. Representative image. Samsung Galaxy S24 + and Galaxy S24. Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das Performance-wise, the Galaxy S25 series is almost guaranteed to feature Qualcomms Snapdragon 8 Elite processor in the US market, with Samsungs commitment to AI functionality being a key focus. This new chip will be geared towards generative AI, which aligns with the increasing emphasis on AI-powered features in Samsungs smartphones. This means the S25 devices will likely offer improved processing power, enhanced battery efficiency, and superior performance for a wide range of applications, from gaming to multitasking. When it comes to the camera, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to feature a 200MP main sensor, with some upgrades to its ultra-wide sensor, now boasting a 50MP resolution. There will also be a 10MP 3x zoom and a 50MP 5x zoom. Additionally, Samsung will introduce the Qi2 wireless charging standard, although the charging system may not feature built-in magnets, as the phones will reportedly require a separate case for the full magnetic charging experience. Advertisement Additionally, there have been rumours circulating about a potential Galaxy S25 Slim model. If it materialises, this model will likely feature a slimmer design compared to the S25, possibly aiming to compete with similar offerings from other brands, such as Apples more compact versions. While not officially confirmed, the slim variant could join the S25 lineup later in the year. AI-driven enhancements are also expected, with rumours suggesting that the Galaxy S25 series will feature an AI agent capable of offering personalised clothing and transport suggestions. These AI features are expected to be integrated into Samsungs One UI 7, built on Android 15, which promises to deliver a more personalised and intuitive user experience. Advertisement One of the most significant advancements in the Galaxy S25 series will likely be the integration of refreshed Galaxy AI features. Samsung has been pushing its AI-driven capabilities for a few years now, and the S25 series is expected to take things to the next level. The new devices will reportedly come equipped with an AI platform designed to understand natural language and interact with users through speech, text, and images. The upcoming One UI 7 will act as Samsungs first fully integrated AI platform, ensuring that all Galaxy devices become true AI companions. This means users will experience more seamless interactions with their phones, whether theyre asking for recommendations, controlling smart home devices, or even performing complex tasks. Expect longer battery life, improved screen quality, and better overall device performance, all thanks to AI optimisations. The Galaxy S25 devices are also expected to support Samsungs broader AI ecosystem, which could include new smart home devices and apps designed to take advantage of the AI platform. Samsung is likely to focus on creating a more cohesive and interconnected experience for users across their smartphones, wearables, and other smart devices. Advertisement Galaxy Ring 2, and AR devices In addition to the flagship smartphones, Samsung is rumoured to introduce some exciting new wearable tech, including the Galaxy Ring 2 and augmented reality (AR) glasses. The Galaxy Ring 2, expected to build on the success of the original model, will reportedly come with updated sensors and enhanced AI features to improve the accuracy of health and fitness tracking. It is also expected to offer better battery life than its predecessor, possibly lasting up to seven days. Samsung is also expected to make a significant leap in the AR space, with new AR glasses that may be unveiled at the event. These glasses, which are rumoured to resemble regular prescription eyewear, will likely feature Googles Gemini AI and could offer a range of immersive experiences. While these AR glasses are still in development, the teaser during the Unpacked event could give us a glimpse into the future of augmented reality. Furthermore, Samsungs partnership with Google and Qualcomm on Android XR (extended reality) devices is expected to come to fruition in 2025, with a focus on lightweight, ergonomic designs and high-quality displays. The company is also developing a Project Moohan XR headset, which could rival Apples Vision Pro by offering multi-modal input, passthrough video, and a state-of-the-art display. Advertisement Declaring illegal immigration a national emergency, Trump ordered the Pentagon to provide support for border wall construction, detention space, and migrant transportation and empowered the secretary of Defense to send troops to the border as needed read more US President Donald Trumps inauguration into the White House for his second term has brought bad news for unauthorised immigrants who will be deported as a result of an executive order signed by POTUS on his first day in the Oval Office. This will also include as many as 725,000 Indians who will be forced out of the US. One of my most important obligations is to protect the American people from the disastrous effects of unlawful mass migration and resettlement. My Administration will marshal all available resources and authorities to stop this unprecedented flood of illegal aliens into the United States, Trump said. Advertisement Declaring illegal immigration a national emergency, Trump ordered the Pentagon to provide support for border wall construction, detention space, and migrant transportation and empowered the secretary of Defense to send troops to the border as needed. Indian immigrants brace for impact According to a Pew Research report of 2024, Indians account for the third largest group of illegal immigrants in the US after Mexico and El Salvador. Nearly half of these undocumented immigrants are living or employed in the US under current authorisations which gives them immunity to reside in the country mandated by Trumps predecessors. Unauthorised immigrants call states like Florida, Texas, New York and New Jersey their home with the most number of migrants flocking to Florida (400,000). Trump launches sweeping border crackdown Shortly after the inauguration, US border authorities said they had shut down outgoing President Joe Bidens CBP One entry program. This program allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter the US legally by scheduling an appointment on an app. Existing appointments were cancelled, leaving migrants stunned and unsure what to do. In several Mexican border cities, migrants saw their appointments on Bidens CBP One app cancelled just after Trump took office. Some 280,000 people had been logging into the app daily to secure an appointment as of Jan. 7. The Republican leader has also ordered the Department of Homeland Security to terminate all categorical parole programs that are contrary to the policies of the United States established in my Executive Orders, including the humanitarian parole program offered to migrants flocking to the US from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. With inputs from agencies Advertisement Chinese authorities appear to be softening their stance on the fate of TikTok, possibly paving the way for Beijing-based ByteDance to begin talks with American investors, according to a report, citing people familiar with the matter read more Chinese authorities appear to be softening their stance on the fate of TikTok, possibly paving the way for Beijing-based ByteDance to begin talks with American investors, according to a report, citing people familiar with the matter. According to a South China Morning Post report, citing a person who was briefed on the Chinese governments considerations, with US President Donald Trumps recent eagerness to reach an agreement on TikTok, Beijing recognises the importance of establishing a fair arrangement to enhance bilateral relations. Advertisement On Day 1 in the White House, Trump signed an executive order that postpones federal enforcement of a law requiring American companies to cease hosting TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. Trump indicated a willingness to allow a US entity to acquire a 50 per cent stake to ensure the app remains available to its 170 million users in the country, reported South China Morning Post. Trump also warned that he would impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports if Beijing fails to approve a deal. We may have to get an approval from China too. Im not sure, but Im sure theyll approve it, South China Morning Post quoted Trump as saying. The Chinese government has not directly addressed Trumps request. However, Chinas foreign ministry recently has recently softened its rhetoric about a potential deal. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing this week that corporate operations and acquisitions should be determined by businesses based on market principles. If Chinese companies are involved, the deals should comply with Chinese laws and regulations, she was quoted as saying at a separate briefing. Advertisement According to the report, the statement marked a significant change in tone from the last time Chinas foreign ministry commented on the TikTok situation. Previously, Beijings official stance was that it strongly opposed US actions against Chinese companies under the guise of national security, added the report. In 2020, Beijing cautioned the US about the consequences of a TikTok ban, comparing it to opening Pandoras box. Meanwhile, Trump said that he discussed TikTok with President Xi Jinping during their most recent phone call on Friday. It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately. We discussed balancing trade, fentanyl, TikTok, and many other subjects, he said in a post to his Truth Social platform. Advertisement Trumps demand that the US get 50 per cent of TikTok is blackmail, South China Morning Post quoted another person briefed on considerations for a deal as saying. But it is better than giving away 100 per cent, the person added. According to the report, analysts suggest that China and the US may be moving closer to a resolution regarding TikToks future. TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi attended Trumps inauguration on Monday, alongside other prominent tech figures such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Thomas Liu, founder and CEO of the consultancy Policy Nexus, told South China Morning Post that the tone from both parties indicates that the deal might be ongoing already, even before Trumps inauguration. However, it remains uncertain how any potential agreement would comply with the law, which stipulates that ByteDance cannot retain control over an app operating in the US. However, an arrangement involving regulatory compliance, transparency measures, and possibly US-based ownership could serve as a model for navigating the intersection of international business and geopolitical tensions," Liu was quoted as saying. Advertisement In China, ByteDance informed several media outlets that it has not finalised a deal with the US government. Publications like Yicai and 36Kr reported that TikTok resumed operations after briefly blocking access in the US, as the government chose not to enforce the law immediately. The law, which imposes a January 19 deadline for ByteDance to divest TikToks US operations, does not prohibit TikTok from delivering content to American users. However, US hosting providers cannot legally support TikTok while it remains under ByteDances ownership. Although the law remains in effect, enforcement is currently delayed. A major hurdle for a potential divestment is Chinas reluctance to allow ByteDance to export its valuable algorithm, which is crucial to TikToks success. Nonetheless, a deal might still be feasible without transferring ownership of the algorithm, according to a source familiar with the governments discussions. Advertisement After all, it is not difficult for potential American shareholders to find a good algorithm given the apps large US user base and content stock, the person was quoted as saying. With inputs from agencies Frances budget airline carrier was among several international flights that had suspended their operation in Tel Aviv last September over fears of escalating tensions in West Asia. Several have resumed flights following the latest Gaza ceasefire read more Air France on Tuesday announced that it will resume flights in Tel Aviv from Saturday as the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas takes effect. Frances budget airline carrier was among several international flights that had suspended their operation in Tel Aviv last September over fears of escalating tensions in West Asia. Several have resumed flights following the latest Gaza ceasefire. The Lufthansa group whose airlines include flagship Lufthansa, Swiss and Eurowings and Easyjet have also said they plan to resume flights but not until February and June, respectively. Advertisement Meanwhile, Hamas has said that it will release 4 women hostages on January 25 (Saturday) in return for Palestinian prisoners that will be freed by Israel on the same day. This is the second round of such exchange under the Gaza ceasefire. The Palestinian terrorist groups official Taher al-Nunu made the announcement to AFP saying that Hamas would release four Israeli female detainees in exchange for a second group of Palestinian prisoners. He, however, did not name the hostages to be released over the weekend. Earlier today, the Israeli military and the Shin Bet announced that the country had launched an operation called the Iron Wall in Jenin, whose refugee camp is a stronghold of Palestinian militant groups. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the operation saying that it is intended to eradicate terrorism in the area. He added that it was part of a broader strategy to counter Iran wherever it sends its arms in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the West Bank. With inputs from agencies Even though US President Donald Trump promised to impose tariffs on China after assuming office, he has now put the plans on holds. It appears that he is exploring the possibility of a trade deal with China. read more US President-elect Donald Trump waves next to Chinese President Xi Jinping after attending a business event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 9, 2017, during his first term. (Photo: AP) As US President Donald Trump is walking back on promises made on the campaign trail, he has put plans to impose tariffs on China on hold. On the campaign trail, Trump had said he would impose tariffs to the tune of 60 per cent of China after assuming office. Now, he has instructed his officials to conduct a review of the deal signed in 2020 and see how it has fared, according to Bloomberg. Advertisement While Trump did not commit to tariffs on Chinese imports on his first day, he threatened to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Brics countries India is part of the group. He also said Canada and Mexico would face 25 per cent tariffs from February 1. Even as Trump is going after allies and partners, he is completely silent on US adversaries China and Russia. He has even served China a gift by saving TikTok, the app it uses to peddle pro-China, anti-West propaganda and indoctrinate the masses into becoming supporters of China. Such a silence is in line with his longstanding friendly ties to China and Russia. Instead of dealing aggressively dealing with these adversaries, Trump has threatened to invade Denmarks Greenland island and Panamas Panama Canal in the Latin Ameria. For these military actions, his rationale is the same that Russian leader Vladimir Putin employed to invade first Georgia in 2008 and then Ukraine in 2014 and 2022. It appears that Trump is exploring the possibility of a trade deal with China. During his first term, he had secured a deal with China, the Phase One Economic Agreement, in which China gamed him and reneged completely on its obligations. Here is what the deal hoped to accomplish and how it failed. What was US-China trade deal of 2020? In January 2020, the United States and China signed a trade deal, the Phase One Economic Agreement, to end more than two years of tariff war started by Trump. The deal would have served as a stepping-stone for a second deal, but, as the deal failed spectacularly, the second deal was never reached. Under the deal, China was required to increase its purchase of US goods and services by $200 billion a year for two years. For those increased purchases, the United States cut the tariffs imposed at the time in half. Advertisement In 2017, when Trump initiated the trade war, China bought $186 billion of US exports, which meant it was supposed to buy US exports worth at least $386 billion in 2020 and 2021. Instead, Reuters reported that China bought just $135 billion of US goods and services in 2020 and $178 billion in 2021. This marked a spectacular failure of Trumps trade war as well as the trade deal. This means that China not just failed to increase its purchase of US exports, it did not even buy what it bought before the trade war began. Additionally, the deal was also expected to address concerns around Chinese theft of US intellectual property and artificial devaluation by China of its currency to boost its exports. Advertisement Panamas UN Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba said that under the founding U.N. Charter, countries shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. read more Panama has raised concerns with the United Nations over US President Donald Trumps inauguration speech, in which he said that the United States would take back the Panama Canal. In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Panamas UN Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba cited the U.N. Charter saying that countries must refrain from threatening or using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. The letter was circulated to the 15-member Security Council, where Panama holds a seat for the 2025-26 term which is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Advertisement Doubling down on his pre-inauguration threat to reimpose U.S. control over the canal, Trump on Monday accused Panama of breaking the promises it made for the final transfer of the strategic waterway in 1999 and of ceding its operation to China claims that the Panamanian government has strongly denied. We didnt give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and were taking it back, Trump said just minutes after being sworn in for a second four-year term. Alfaro de Alba shared Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulinos rejection of Trumps remarks. Dialogue is always the way to clarify the points mentioned without undermining our right, total sovereignty and ownership of our Canal, Mulino said. The United States largely built the canal and administered territory surrounding the passage for decades. But the United States and Panama signed a pair of accords in 1977 that paved the way for the canals return to full Panamanian control. The United States handed it over in 1999 after a period of joint administration. With inputs from agencies Sheikh Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 last year when she fled Bangladesh following a massive student-led protest that toppled her Awami Leagues (AL) 16-year regime. read more Bangladeshs interim government Tuesday reiterated its commitment to bringing deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back from India, threatening to seek international intervention if necessary. Addressing the media, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said that if New Delhi refuses to comply, it would violate the extradition treaty between the two countries, as reported by the Daily Star. Hasina, 77, has been in India since August 5 of the previous year, fleeing Bangladesh after a large student-led protest led to the downfall of her Awami League (AL) government, which had been in power for 16 years. Advertisement The Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former officials, including Cabinet ministers and military figures, on charges of crimes against humanity and genocide. Last year, Dhaka sent a diplomatic note to New Delhi seeking the extradition of Hasina. We have written a letter for extradition. If India does not extradite Sheikh Hasina, it will be a clear violation of the extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India, Nazrul said. In that case, he said, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take necessary steps to address the matter within the international community. The foreign ministry is also making efforts and a red alert has already been issued, the law adviser added. We are doing everything we can. The government will continue all efforts to bring Sheikh Hasina back. If necessary, international support will be sought, Nazrul said. Under the provisions of the India-Bangladesh extradition treaty, extradition may be refused if the offence is one of a political character. Another clause said a person convicted of an extradition offence may not be extradited unless the person was sentenced to imprisonment or other form of detention for a period of four months or more. Advertisement The relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus came to power. India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country. In recent weeks, Hasina has also accused the Yunus-led interim government of perpetrating genocide and failing to protect minorities, especially Hindus, since her ouster. With inputs from agencies Iraqi law currently sets 18 as the minimum age of marriage in most cases. The changes passed Tuesday would let clerics rule according to their interpretation of Islamic law, which some interpret to allow marriage of girls in their early teens or as young as 9 under the Jaafari school of Islamic law followed by many Shiite religious authorities in Iraq. read more Iraqs parliament on Tuesday approved three contentious laws, including amendments to the personal status law that critics warn could effectively legalize child marriage. The changes grant Islamic courts greater authority over family matters such as marriage, divorce and inheritance, sparking concerns that they erode the protections established under Iraqs 1959 Personal Status Law which unified family law and introduced safeguards for women. Currently, Iraqi law sets the minimum marriage age at 18 in most cases. However, the new amendments permit clerics to interpret Islamic law, potentially allowing marriage for girls as young as nine under the Jaafari school of Islamic thought followed by many Shiite religious leaders in Iraq. Advertisement Supporters, predominantly conservative Shiite lawmakers, argue that the amendments align the law with Islamic principles and push back against Western cultural influences. Activists, however, fear the changes will roll back progress on womens rights in the country. The parliament also passed a general amnesty law seen as benefiting Sunni detainees and thats also seen as giving a pass to people involved in corruption and embezzlement. The chamber also passed and a land restitution law aimed at addressing Kurdish territorial claims. The session ended in chaos and accusations of procedural violations. Half of the lawmakers present in the session did not vote, which broke the legal quorum, a parliamentary official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly. He said that some members protested loudly and others climbed onto the parliamentary podium. Independent legislator Noor Nafea Ali wrote on X that the laws were passed without proper voting, describing the session as a farce. Also Tuesday, at least three officers, including the national security chief of the al-Tarmiyah district north of Baghdad, were killed and four others wounded in an explosion at an ammunition depot, a security official said. Advertisement The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media, said the explosion occurred as a joint force of the Iraqi army and the national security service conducted an operation following intelligence reports of the Islamic State groups activity and an ammunition cache in the area. With inputs from agencies Germanys ambassador to Washington has warned internally of turbulent relations under Trump while German companies have sounded the alarm over threatened tariffs under the new U.S. administration. read more Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed cautious optimism on Tuesday regarding German-US relations under President Donald Trump, pointing to positive initial discussions with his administration but highlighting the need for a measured approach amidst prevailing uncertainties. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Scholz reaffirmed the United States as Germanys closest ally outside Europe. I will do everything in my power to ensure that it stays that way, he said. Scholz said that collaboration between Europe and the United States is vital for global peace, security, and economic progress, marking the first full day of Trumps presidency. Advertisement However, the German chancellor added that Europe must become more self-reliant. In a world that is constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown when viewed through the prism of social media, cool heads are needed, Scholz said. Not every press conference in Washington, not every tweet should immediately plunge us into agitated, existential debates. Nonetheless, Scholz expects Trump to keep the world on its toes over the coming years, particularly in the areas of energy and climate policy, trade and foreign policy. With inputs from agencies A day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order delaying enforcement of a ban on TikTok by 75 days, the popular Chinese-owned short-video app remained unavailable on Apple and Google app stores in the US on Tuesday read more TikTok app with the message "Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now" are seen in this illustration taken, on January 19, 2025. Reuters File A day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order delaying enforcement of a ban on TikTok by 75 days, the popular Chinese-owned short-video app remained unavailable on Apple and Google app stores in the US on Tuesday. The order was issued amid increasing uncertainty about the apps future, which went dark on Saturday, just before a law took effect on Sunday requiring its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell it or face a ban due to national security concerns. Advertisement While TikTok resumed its services following Trumps assurances that the company and its partners would not incur hefty fines to continue operating, it has not yet returned to the app stores. According to Reuters, citing analysts, the delay may be because Google and Apple are awaiting additional protections before bypassing the ban that punishes the companies for hosting or distributing the app. Apples App Store said, TikTok and other ByteDance apps are not available in the country or region youre in, while Google Play showed, Downloads for this app are paused due to current US legal requirements. Google, Apple and TikTok did not respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, former US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC he had paused his bid for TikTok as China was unwilling to negotiate, but will be very interested in investing. The idea would be to transfer all technology so it no longer engages with ByteDance going forward, Mnuchin said. Mnuchin described TikTok as a terrific business and said he and his partners had plans to rebuild its technology. Bill Ford, CEO of TikTok investor General Atlantic, also told CNBC there were ways to change TikToks US ownership that do not necessarily involve its sale and that the apps parent company was already 60% by non-Chinese shareholders. Advertisement Mnuchin and Ford did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. ByteDance is nearly 60% owned by institutional investors such as BlackRock and General Atlantic, while its founders and employees own 20% each. With inputs from agencies The warrant, issued on Monday, holds Assad accountable as commander-in-chief of the armed forces for a bombing in the Syrian city of Deraa in 2017 that resulted in a civilians death, according to a report, citing a source read more Two French investigating magistrates have issued an arrest warrant for ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, citing suspected complicity in war crimes. This marks the second such action taken by Frances judicial authorities, according to AFP citing a source on Tuesday. The warrant, issued on Monday, holds Assad accountable as commander-in-chief of the armed forces for a bombing in the Syrian city of Deraa in 2017 that resulted in a civilians death, AFP quoted a source familiar with the case as saying. Advertisement This warrant was issued as part of an investigation into the case of Salah Abou Nabout, a 59-year-old Franco-Syrian national and former French teacher, who was killed on June 7, 2017, when Syrian army helicopters bombed his home. According to the source, the French judiciary believes that Assad ordered and facilitated this attack. Six senior Syrian army officials are already facing French arrest warrants in connection with this case, which has been under investigation since 2018. This case represents the culmination of a long fight for justice, in which I and my family believed from the start, AFP quoted Omar Abou Nabout, the victims son, as saying in a statement. He expressed hope that a trial will take place and that the perpetrators will be arrested and judged, wherever they are. French authorities in November 2023 issued a first arrest warrant against Assad over chemical attacks in 2013 where more than a thousand people, according to American intelligence, were killed by sarin gas. While considering Assads participation in these attacks likely, public prosecutors last year issued an appeal against the warrant on the grounds that Assad should have immunity as a head of state. However, his ouster has now changed his status and potential immunity. Assad and his family fled to Russia after his fall, according to Russian authorities. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The new US presidents announcement to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO) is a serious blow to the international fight against global health crises. We will try to persuade Donald Trump to reconsider this decision, said Karl Lauterbach The World Health Organisation (WHO) logo is seen near its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Reuters File Berlin will try to talk US President Donald Trump out of his decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organisation, Germanys health minister said on Tuesday. The UN agency also said that it hoped that its top donor country would change its mind and looked forward to a constructive dialogue with Trumps team. The new US presidents announcement to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO) is a serious blow to the international fight against global health crises, Karl Lauterbach said. Advertisement We will try to persuade Donald Trump to reconsider this decision, he added. Germany is the second largest national donor to the WHO, contributing around 3% of the agencys funding. Trump announced the withdrawal on Monday, alleging that the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises. In the UN agencys first reaction to the move, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva, We hope that United States will reconsider, and we really hope that there will be constructive dialogue for the benefit of everyone, for Americans but also for people around the world. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the operation saying that it is intended to eradicate terrorism in the area read more Israeli forces in armoured vehicles stop a Palestinian ambulance for a search as they block a road during a raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank on January 21, 2025. AFP Hamas on Tuesday said that the fight against Israel should be intensified after the country launched an operation in the West Bank city of Jenin that killed six people. Earlier today, the Israeli military and the Shin Bet announced that the country had launched an operation called the Iron Wall in Jenin, whose refugee camp is a stronghold of Palestinian militant groups. The attack comes just days after the Gaza ceasefire took effect and three hostages returned home. Advertisement Eradicate terrorism Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the operation saying that it is intended to eradicate terrorism in the area. He added that it was part of a broader strategy to counter Iran wherever it sends its arms in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the West Bank. A military official told The Times of Israel that the Jenin operation is expected to last several days. What happened in Jenin? Jenin governor Kamal Abu al-Rub told AFP the operation was an invasion of the (refugee) camp. It came quickly, Apache helicopters in the sky and Israeli military vehicles everywhere, he added. An AFP journalist said Palestinian security forces, who had been conducting an operation against Palestinian factions in the area since early December, left some of their positions around the camp before the arrival of Israeli forces. The spokesman for the Palestinian security forces, Anwar Rajab, said in a statement that Israeli forces had opened fire on civilians and security forces, resulting in injuries to several civilians and a number of security personnel, one of whom is in critical condition. Hamas to release more hostages Hamas on Tuesday said that it will release 4 women hostages on January 25 (Saturday) in return for Palestinian prisoners that will be freed by Israel on the same day. This is the second round of such exchange under the Gaza ceasefire. The Palestinian terrorist groups official Taher al-Nunu made the announcement to AFP saying that Hamas would release four Israeli female detainees in exchange for a second group of Palestinian prisoners. He, however, did not name the hostages to be released over the weekend. With inputs from AFP The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has announced that Palestinians who had fled to southern Gaza at the peak of the war will now be able to return to the northern part of the region, provided Hamas upholds the truce deal read more A woman and a child look at pictures and memorabilia related to fallen soldiers, hostages and people killed during the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, ahead of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, at a public square in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Thursday. Reuters Hamas on Tuesday said that it will release 4 women hostages on January 25 (Saturday) in return for Palestinian prisoners that will be freed by Israel on the same day. This is the second round of such exchange under the Gaza ceasefire. The Palestinian terrorist groups official Taher al-Nunu made the announcement to AFP saying that Hamas would release four Israeli female detainees in exchange for a second group of Palestinian prisoners. He, however, did not name the hostages to be released over the weekend. Advertisement According to Times of Israel, seven female hostages remain from the original list of 33 set to be released in the first phase of the hostage ceasefire agreement: Arbel Yehud (29), Shiri Silberman Bibas (33), Liri Albag (19), Karina Ariev (20), Agam Berger (21), Danielle Gilboa (20), and Naama Levy (20). Displaced Gazans to return home Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has announced that Palestinians who had fled to southern Gaza at the peak of the war will now be able to return to the northern part of the region, provided Hamas upholds the truce deal. Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDFs Arabic-language spokesman said, If Hamas adheres to all details of the agreement, starting next week, residents of the Gaza Strip will be able to return to the northern Gaza Strip and instructions will be issued in this regard. As part of the agreement, on the seventh day of the ceasefire, unarmed Gazans will be permitted to return to northern Gaza on foot via the coastal road without inspection. Vehicles heading back to northern Gaza, however, will need to undergo inspection by a private company designated by the mediators and Israel. On the 22nd day, displaced and unarmed Palestinians will be allowed to return to their homes in the north on foot via Salah a-Din road, meaning that Israel will gradually withdraw from the Netzarim Corridor. Israel launches op in Jenin The Israeli military said Tuesday it had launched a counterterrorism operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, which the Palestinian Ministry of Health said had killed one person. In a joint statement, the army and Israeli Security Agency said that, along with the Israeli Border Police, they had launched an operation in the city, a stronghold of Palestinian militant groups. With inputs from agencies Moments after Donald Trumps inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, the Afghanistan foreign ministry on Tuesday confirmed that an Afghan fighter Khan Mohammad imprisoned in US has been released in exchange for American citizens read more The Taliban government announced on Tuesday the release by the United States of an Afghan prisoner in exchange for US detainees, saying the deal was brokered by Qatar. An Afghan fighter Khan Mohammad imprisoned in America has been released in exchange for American citizens and returned to the country, the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement. The ministry said Mohammad had been serving a life sentence in the state of California after being arrested almost two decades ago in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar. Advertisement Asked by AFP, the foreign ministry refused to provide further details or the number of American prisoners. The announcement comes the day after the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who during his first term in office presided over a deal with the Taliban that paved the way for the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and their return to power. After Trumps election win in November, the Taliban government had said it hoped for a new chapter in relations with the United States. The Taliban government on Tuesday called the exchange a good example of resolving issues through dialogue, expressing special gratitude for the effective role of the brotherly country of Qatar in this regard. The Islamic Emirate views positively those actions of the United States that contribute to the normalisation and expansion of relations between the two countries, it added, using the Taliban authorities name for their government. When asked if he thought the Israel-Hamas ceasefire would hold for all three stages, US President Donald Trump said he was not confident read more US President Donald Trump signs documents as he issues executive orders and pardons for January 6 defendants in the Oval Office at the White House on Inauguration Day in Washington, US, January 20, 2025. File Image/Reuters US President Donald Trump, who has been crediting himself for the Israel-Hamas deal, has said he is not confident if the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip would hold. In an impromptu press conference at the White House as he was signing a slew of executive orders, Trump on Monday appeared to downplay the US involvement in the war in West Asia. He said that its not our war even though his envoy, Steve Witkoff, has made several visits to the region and played an important role in coordination with the previous Joe Biden administrations officials to get the deal done. Advertisement When asked if he thought the ceasefire would hold for all three phases of the deal, Trump said he was not confident about it. Im not confident. Thats not our war. Its their war. I am not confident but I think they [Hamas] are quite weakened on the other side, said Trump. REPORTER: How confident are you that you can keep the ceasefire in Gaza? TRUMP: I'm not confident. That's not our war. It's their war ... Gaza is interesting. It's a phenomenal location. pic.twitter.com/kiBdGHKLRV Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 21, 2025 As per the deal that Israel and Hamas have reached, the war in Gaza would end in three phases. In the first phase, a six-week ceasefire would come into place in which Hamas would release 33 hostages and Israel would release around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. In the second phase, all hostages would be released and Israel would withdraw from Gaza. In the third phase, the reconstruction would start in Gaza. Even though the mediators as well as much of the international community has called upon Israel to respect all the stages of the ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said in recent days that the deal allows Israel to resume the war in Gaza at any point if it feels Hamas is not abiding by the terms of the deal. He has said that both Trump and Biden gave him the assurance about resumption of war. Netanyahu is under pressure from his far-right minister, Bezalel Smotrich, to resume the war in Gaza. Another far-right minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, has already quit the government. If Netanyahu would not resume the war after the first phase of the deal, Smotrich has threatened to leave Netanyahus ruling coalition, which would lead to the collapse of his government. Advertisement To save his government from collapsing, The Jerusalem Post has reported that Netanyahu has accepted Smotrichs demand to resume the war after six weeks, attack Gaza with even heavier weapons than used so far, and controlling and restricting the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza. If Netanyahu indeed does this, he would break the deal and essentially condemn the rest of the hostages to near-certain deaths as they would either by killed by Hamas in retribution or by Israeli bombardment. Expecting an expedited process to negotiations aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, Kyiv looks up to India with hope. Ukrainian President Zelenskyys close aide says his country considers India among the countries that can help in the ongoing conflict read more US President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. Source: AFP. With Donald Trump becoming the 47th US president, and Israel and Hamas having entered a ceasefire agreement, focus has shifted to the other big theatre of war Europe. The Russia-Ukraine war is nearing its third anniversary, but without any formal talks to end the military conflict. Trump made ending the war one of his campaign promises. Now, Ukraine says that it expects India and a few other countries to play a role in bringing a negotiated end to the war. Advertisement Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyys close aide and Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, has told Indian journalists that with its global standing India can play a big role in resolving the military conflict. Though a lot depends on the Trump administration that was sworn in in the US on Monday. Ukraine pins hope on Trump Yermak said, We are looking very positively at the role of the United States and President Trump for ending this war. We are looking at starting consultations with the new US administration. We will not lose time and immediately start working towards it (after Trumps inauguration), he said. Ukraine is pushing for an early start of talks with the newly sworn-in Donald Trump administration in the United States to bring peace in the country and the rest of Europe. Kyiv also said that India was in a position to play a big role in bringing lasting peace in the conflict-struck nation. On February 24, Russia-Ukraine will complete three years. Trump, at a campaign rally in June last year, said, Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. However, such a 24-hour promise to end the Russia-Ukraine war was never a real possibility but it did generate hope of speedier negotiations to end the conflict. India can play a big role On what Ukraine hopes from India, Yermak said Kyiv was looking at non-West countries like India and South Africa with global influence to play a role in that. India is one of the biggest democracies in the world, and not just regional, but a world leader, and its position can play a big role. During the last two years, we have held a lot of meetings on the platform of the peace formula, which was mooted in Switzerland, he said. Advertisement I am waiting to continue dialogue with my Indian colleague Ajit Doval (national security advisor) with whom we have worked all this period of time, Yermak further said. The global goal is to end this war, I am sure the position of India that this war has to end is extremely important, not just by some temporary ceasefire but by bringing peace, he said. UK-based Baroness Helena Kennedy, International Human Rights Lawyer & Labour member of the House of Lords, was also present in the virtual interaction with Yermak. Kennedy spoke on the devastating humanitarian crisis facing children in war-torn areas, particularly Ukrainian children who have been forcibly displaced or deported from their homes. Advertisement Kennedy highlighted the alarming situation of Ukrainian children allegedly abducted by Russian forces, estimating that between 10,000 to 19,000 children have been taken under the pretense of safety. She even emphasised the severe psychological impact this could have on the children, and of them losing their sense of identity and memory. Both Yermak and Kennedy sought Indias help in bringing Ukrainian children back, especially since PM Modi could intervene and evacuate Indian medical students stuck in Ukraine at the beginning of the war, Yermak said. Of course, President Zelenskyy discussed this issue with Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Kyiv [in August 2024] and he said India is ready to participate and be involved in this process to help bring back Ukrainian children. India has a really big influence on Russia, they can have this opportunity to help. We count on Indias participation, Yermak said. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The bill to ratify the Cape Town Convention to promote the leasing business of aircraft has been approved by the Union Cabinet, Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam said on Tuesday and added that it will go to the Parliament for approval. read more The Union Cabinet has approved a bill to provide legal backing for the Cape Town Convention, which mainly pertains to leasing, according to a senior official. Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam confirmed on Tuesday that the bill will now be presented to Parliament for approval. India is one of the worlds fastest growing civil aviation markets and domestic carriers have placed orders for more than 1,200 planes. We are hopeful that sooner than later Cape Town Convention will have the legal backing in India and become enforceable greatly supporting leasing and acquiring of aircraft, he said at a conference in Greater Noida. Advertisement He was speaking at the International Conference on Air Mobility organised by industry body CII along with the civil aviation ministry.Last week, the Cabinet cleared the Protection and Enforcement of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill. It seeks to enforce the provisions of the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment (Cape Town Convention), and Protocol on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment (Cape Town Protocol). Under the Cape Town Convention, lessors can take back the possession of aircraft leased to airlines. When Go First was undergoing an insolvency resolution process, there was a moratorium and lessors were not able to take back their aircraft leased to the airline. Later, an ad hoc arrangement was put in place allowing the lessors concerned to take their leased planes from Go First. India is a signatory of the Cape Town Convention but is yet to ratify the convention. On Monday, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) ordered the liquidation of Go First. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 which replaces the 90-year-old Aircraft Act came into force on January 1. The legislation seeks to facilitate designing and manufacturing of aircraft in India as well as facilitate the ease of doing business in the aviation space. With inputs from agencies In a significant upgrade in official protocol, Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was offered seat in the front row, while his Japanese counterpart was seated two rows behind, at Donald Trumps inauguration as the 47th US President on Monday read more India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar sitting in front row at Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th US President. Source: @DrSJaishankar The India-US ties are expected to be stronger under newly sworn-in President Donald Trump and this was indicated at his inauguration in the White House on Monday, where External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, who attended the event as Prime Minister Narendra Modis special envoy, was offered a seat in the front row, alongside Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. This marked a significant upgrade in official protocol. While Jaishankar was seated in the front row at Trumps inaugural ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya was seated two rows behind. Advertisement Jaishankar carried a letter from PM Modi for the 47th US President. In a post on X, the EAM said that he was privileged to represent India at Trumps oath taking ceremony. Privileged to represent as external affairs minister and special envoy of the PM at the swearing-in ceremony of the 47th President of the United States of America today in Washington DC, he wrote. Privileged to represent as External Affairs Minister and Special Envoy of PM at the Swearing-In Ceremony of the 47th President of the United States of America today in Washington DC. Attended the Inauguration Day Prayer Service at St Johns Church this morning. pic.twitter.com/ktod8SdbpI Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 20, 2025 PM Modi also shared a post on X congratulating Trump and saying that he looked forward to working with him. Congratulations my dear friend President Donald Trump on your historic inauguration as the 47th President of the United States! I look forward to working closely together once again, to benefit both our countries, and to shape a better future for the world. Best wishes for a successful term ahead! PM Modi said. Advertisement Congratulations my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump on your historic inauguration as the 47th President of the United States! I look forward to working closely together once again, to benefit both our countries, and to shape a better future for the world. Best wishes for a Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2025 EAM Jaishankar also posted a photo with fellow foreign ministers from Australia and Japan at the US Capitol and discussed bilateral issues and those related to Quad. Along with fellow Foreign Ministers at the US Capitol for the inauguration ceremony. pic.twitter.com/DlBmj13fJX Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 20, 2025 In one of the pictures shared by Jaishankar, he could be seen talking to Indian origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who abruptly quit from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) barely hours after Trump took office on Monday. Advertisement Jaishankar had also participated in the Inauguration Day Prayer Service at St Johns Church, a traditional event held before the presidential inauguration. Trump took the oath of office administered by Chief Justice John Roberts, using both a family Bible and President Abraham Lincolns Bible. Vice President JD Vance was sworn in earlier by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, holding a family heirloom Bible. With inputs from agencies India is hoping that its cooperation with the Trump administration will safeguard legal migration channels used by citizens to enter the US like student visas and the H-1B program read more US President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. Source: AFP. The Indian government is working with the new US administration under President Donald Trump to bring back 18,000 undocumented Indian immigrants from the country after the leader launched sweeping orders to deport illegal migrants. According to a report by Bloomberg, the US and Indian governments have identified 18,000 Indian citizens living illegally in the country to be sent back home. Sources have told the publication that the figure can be much higher, although it is unclear how many more people can be added to the list since the number of Indian illegal immigrants is not known. Advertisement Declaring illegal immigration a national emergency on the day of his inauguration, Trump ordered the Pentagon to provide support for border wall construction, detention space, and migrant transportation and empowered the secretary of Defense to send troops to the border as needed. One of my most important obligations is to protect the American people from the disastrous effects of unlawful mass migration and resettlement. My Administration will marshal all available resources and authorities to stop this unprecedented flood of illegal aliens into the United States, Trump said. India is hoping that its cooperation with the Trump administration will safeguard legal migration channels used by citizens to enter the US like student visas and the H-1B program. Failure to address the issue of illegal US migrants could negatively impact Indias labour and mobility agreements with other nations, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Amid a domestic job shortage, Prime Minister Narendra Modis government has signed migration agreements in recent years with several countries, including Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Israel, and others. According to a Pew Research report of 2024, Indians (725,000) account for the third largest group of illegal immigrants in the US after Mexico and El Salvador. Meanwhile, data from the US Customs and Border Protection show that the number of unauthorised Indian immigrants is rising in the country. Notably, illegal crossings have surged at the less-trafficked northern US border, where Indians make up nearly a quarter of all crossings and represent the largest group of unlawful migrants intercepted at that entry point. Advertisement In his second term, whether its the invitation to foreign leaders for Inauguration or the nationalist pitch, US President Donald Trump appears to be taking leaves from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis playbook read more US President Donald Trump appears to be taking leaves out of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis style of politics as he starts his second term. Trump has started his second term with an unprecedented political comeback that not just brought him to the White House again, but also established him as the absolute leader of the Republican Party whose writ runs supreme. Trumps second term would be marked different from the first and the differences were visible in the Inauguration itself. In nearly every aspect of Trump 2.0, there appears to be an influence of Modi. Advertisement Foreign leaders on Inauguration Day For the first time in American history, foreign leaders were invited to attend the Inauguration. While the tradition to invite foreign leaders is not there in the United States, it is a trademark of Modi, who has invited a host of foreign leaders on all of his swearing-in ceremonies. In 2014, Modi invited South Asian leaders. In 2019, he invited leaders from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) group. In 2024, Modi invited leaders from the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and South Asia. Similarly, Trump invited the leaders of Italy, Argentina, and China. Italian Prime Minister Georgia Melonia, Argentinas President Javier Milei, and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attended the inauguration. Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar also attended the inauguration. Nationalism at the forefront Both Modi and Trump are nationalist leaders who came to power with the promise of putting their countries on the right path after what they said was a long period of decline. While Modi dubbed his project as the making of New India, Trump dubbed his project Make America Great Again. Both leaders have pursued a muscular foreign policies. While Modi has repeatedly ordered operations inside neighbouring countries to pursue terrorists, Trump during his first term sanctioned the operation that killed Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and ordered the assassination of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, who was led the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) of Iran and was key to Irans shadow war in Middle East. Both Modi and Trump made crackdown on illegal immigration central to their pitch to voters. Make in India & Make in US While Modi launched Make in India initiative in his first term, Trump has also pushed to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States that companies shifted overseas over the years. Trumps voter base primarily comprises of White blue collar workers who do not have college degrees. This working class group thrives on manufacturing jobs and Trump has been pushing to create such jobs in the United States. He believes in using tariffs to persuade companies to reduce imports and instead set up manufacturing facilities in the United States. Absolute leaders of their parties Just like Modi is the towering leader of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Trump now stands as the unquestioned leader of the Republican Party. He has muted and eliminated all dissenters among Republicans and has come to have complete hold over the party. Even those Republicans who criticised him after January 6 attack on the Capitol that he instigated have now fallen in line and toe his line. Trump is so powerful that there is now essentially no separation of branches of government. Republican Congressional leaders, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Majority Leader in Senate, are yes-men of Trump who would do his bidding lest they lose their jobs. Advertisement Moreover, with three conservative judges that Trump appointed to the Supreme Court in his first term, the Supreme Court also has a 6-3 conservative majority and is in his pocket. With Republican trifecta in place and Supreme Court in his pocket, there are few if any checks on Trumps power. Republican Senator Marco Rubio became the first Cabinet nominees of Donald Trump to be confirmed by the Senate, just hours after the president was sworn in for a second White House term. The Senate backed Rubio by a vote of 99-0 read more The US Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a China hawk and staunch backer of Israel, as President Donald Trumps secretary of state. The Senate backed Rubio by a vote of 99-0, days after the long-term member of the Senate foreign relations and intelligence committees sailed through his friendly confirmation hearing. Rubio became the first of Trumps Cabinet nominees to be confirmed by the Senate, just hours after the president was sworn in for a second White House term. Advertisement Additional votes on Trump nominees were expected this week. Rubio, 53, is a harsh critic of China and an advocate for Israel. The son of immigrants from Cuba, he has also pushed for tough measures against the Communist-ruled island and its allies, especially the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. During his confirmation hearing, he warned that the US must change course to avoid becoming more reliant on China, and promised a robust foreign policy focused on American interests. Rubio also said it should be US policy that the war in Ukraine must end. He said reaching an agreement to stop the fighting would involve concessions from both Moscow and Kyiv, and he suggested that Ukraine would have to give up its goal of regaining all the territory Russia has taken in the last decade. Rubio is the first person of Hispanic origin to serve as the nations top diplomat. Trump began announcing his selections for cabinet positions almost as soon as he won his second term as president on November 5. His supporters had clamored for the Senate to confirm all of his picks as quickly as possible but some faced tough questioning about their experience and qualifications even from members of his own Republican party. By late 2024, around 240,000 Ukrainian refugees in Germany were employed in socially insured jobs, marking a significant increase compared to the previous year, according to data from Germanys Federal Employment Agency read more As the Ukraine-Russia war is about to enter its third year, Kyiv has urged all its citizens who fled to Germany in the wake of the conflict to return home. Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov on Tuesday announced that the country would establish processing centres to help refugees find places of residence and employment in their home country. These centres will initially open up in Berlin but later expand in other areas. Advertisement There are as many as 1.2 million Ukrainians who have sought refuge in Germany after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an offensive against Ukraine in 2022. How will the centres prove helpful? Chernyshov held discussions on the matter with Germanys Interior Minister Nancy Faeser following which he told the German news agency DPA, A significant number of Ukrainians are seriously considering returning home. Faeser said that the processing centres, which will be called unity hubs, would help Ukrainian refugees return home or integrate themselves more productively if they wish to stay in Germany. Chernyshov stated that the unity hubs would also assist refugees choosing to stay in Germany by providing support with job searches and obtaining professional qualifications. Why does Ukraine want its people back home? Ukraine is experiencing a population decline owing to emigration and the war. With citizens moving out of the country, Kyiv is going low on people to rebuild its workforce. Returnees will be vital to our recovery. If you work in a power plant, you will not be drafted," the deputy PM said. How Germany has provided a haven to Ukrainians? Germanys refugee-friendly policies have welcomed Ukrainians who escaped the war in the country. By late 2024, around 240,000 Ukrainian refugees in Germany were employed in socially insured jobs, marking a significant increase compared to the previous year, according to data from Germanys Federal Employment Agency. However, over 60 per cent of adult Ukrainian refugees are women, many of whom struggle to balance childcare responsibilities with employment. Germany is a reliable partner, Chernyshov said as he expressed gratitude for Germanys hospitality to the Ukrainian people. On January 6, 2021, a mob egged on by US President Donald Trump attacked the US Capitol to illegally overturn the 2020 election result in his favour read more Former police personnel who were posted at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, have condemned President Donald Trumps decision to pardon people who attacked the Capitol that day to hijack the Senate proceedings. On Jan. 6, 2021, as the Senate was certifying the 2020 presidential result, a mob of supporters egged on by Trump stormed the US Capitol to hijack the certification and illegally overturn the election in his favour. Even though his supporters breached the Capitols defences, they could not overturn the election. Advertisement Now, on his first day in office in the second term, Trump has pardoned all of nearly 1,600 people accused and convicted of various offences related to the assault on the US Capitol. Three persons, including one policeman and two Trump supporters, were killed that day directly during the attack on the Capitol. Overall, more than 150 police personnel were injured that day. Harry Dunn, a former policeman, dubbed the pardons as a betrayal to the officers who were severely injured and died as a result of the insurrection, according to The Guardian. Dunn further said that pardons a reflection of what abuse of power looks like and what we the people are bound to witness over the next four years. Another former Capitol Police officer, Aquilino Gonell, called the pardons a miserable miscarriage of justice and added that the scars of January 6, 2021 are seared in my mind and body, and I will never truly recover from the events of that day, according to the newspaper. Both the policemen testified before the Congressional inquiry into the Jan. 6 attack and were granted last-minute pre-emptive pardons by former President Joe Biden to safeguard them from retribution from Trump. Hours after taking oath as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump reversed the Biden administrations decision to remove Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. read more Newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump on Monday reversed the Biden administrations recent decision to remove Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, the White House said. #BREAKING Trump reverses removal of Cuba from state sponsor of terror list: White House pic.twitter.com/onhzYfS3ia AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 21, 2025 Advertisement Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during his confirmation hearing that the administration planned to reverse the removal of Cuba from the terrorism list and reimpose other restrictions on the island nation. This move was expected as Trump had vowed to revoke the decision and place Cuba back on list of state sponsors of terrorism. Earlier, the Joe Biden administration had announced plans to lift the restrictions as part of a deal to free political prisoners in Cuba. Following the announcement, Cuban authorities began releasing detainees. The prisoners released also included some who were arrested during the 2021 protests over economic hardships and government policies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during his confirmation hearing that the administration planned to reverse the removal of Cuba from the terrorism list and reimpose other restrictions on the island. Trump takes charge as 47th US president Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th US president on Monday in a grand ceremony in Washington, DC. In his first speech after being sworn in, Trump said, The golden age of America begins. He also announced that he would rename the Gulf of Mexico. Trump signs executive orders After his inaugural address, Trump signed multiple executive orders aimed at reversing many Biden administration decisions. He also took a dig at his predecessors team and called it the worst administration in history. Exit from Paris climate agreement, WHO Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement. He had also withdrawn from the accord during his first term as president, but former President Joe Biden rejoined it on his first day in office. Trump also signed an executive order to withdraw the US from the World Health Organisation (WHO), cutting off one of the groups largest funding sources, Bloomberg reported. Israels army chief Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday he will resign on March 6, taking responsibility for the security lapse on October 7, 2023 when Hamas terrorists carried out a cross-border attack on Israel, according to a report read more Israeli Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi speaks at a ceremony for the 70th cohort of military combat officers, at an army base near Mitzpe Ramon, Israel, on October 31, 2024. Reuters File Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has written to Defence Minister Israel Katz announcing his intention to resign on March 6. According to a Times of Israel report, Halevi said he recognises his responsibility for the IDFs failure on October 7, and has decided to step down at a time when the IDF has achieved significant successes and is working to implement an agreement for the release of hostages. Advertisement On the morning of October 7, under my command, the IDF failed in its mission to protect Israels citizens. The State of Israel paid a heavy and painful price in lives lost, in hostages taken, and in those wounded both physically and emotionally. The courageous acts of many security forces personnel, IDF soldiers and commanders, and brave civilians were not enough to prevent this great disaster. My responsibility for this terrible failure accompanies me every day, every hour, and will remain with me for the rest of my life, Halevi wrote in the letter to Defence Minister Katz. This decision (to step down) was made long ago. Now, with the IDF holding the upper hand in all theaters of combat and with another hostage return agreement underway, the time has come, he added. Until March 6, Halevi said he will complete the investigations into the October 7 Hamas onslaught and prepare the IDF for future challenges. In the time remaining, I will finalise the investigations and continue strengthening the IDFs readiness for the challenges ahead. This will ensure a smooth and structured transition of command to my successor, he added. On October 7, 2023, thousands of militants from Hamas launched a coordinated assault on southern Israel via land, sea, and air, attacking army bases and nearby communities for hours. The assault resulted in 1,200 deaths, primarily among civilians, and around 250 people were taken hostage. More than 90 of these captives are still being held in Gaza, around a third of whom are believed to be dead. Advertisement In retaliation, Israels military campaign in Gaza has reportedly killed over 46,000 people, most of whom are civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. The ongoing conflict has devastated much of Gaza and displaced a significant portion of its pre-war population of 2.3 million. With inputs from agencies Hours after vowing to realise the dreams of Black American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, President Donald Trump pardoned leaders of White supremacist groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, including Enrique Tarrio, who was convicted for vandalising a Black church read more Hours after US President Donald Trump promised to realise the dreams of Black Americans civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, he pardoned a host of White Supremacist figures on Monday, including the former leader of militia Proud Boys who has previously been convicted of vandalising a Black church. In one of the first actions in his second term, Trump pardoned nearly 1,600 persons charged and convicted for taking part in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6. Those pardoned include Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of White Supremacist, neo-Nazi militia Proud Boys, who was one of the organisers of the mob that attacked the Capitol for Trump. He also commuted the sentence of Stewart Rhodes, the leader of racist, far-right militia Oath Keepers. Advertisement On Jan. 6, 2021, when the US Senate was certifying the 2020 presidential election result, Trump egged on a mob to attack the US Capitol to hijack the certification and illegally overturn the election in his favour. Even as the mobs of his supporters breached the Capitol, it failed to overturn the result. We will make Martin Luther King Jrs dream come true At this inauguration speech, which took place on the Martin Luther King Jr Day, Trump said that he would work to realise the dreams of the civil rights leader. Thanking the Black and Hispanic communities for their tremendous outpouring of love and trust, Trump said he would realise the dreams of King. Ive heard your voices in the campaign, and I look forward to working with you in the years to come. Today is Martin Luther King Day and his honor this will be a great honor but in his honor, we will strive together to make his dream a reality. We will make his dream come true, said Trump. Hours after promising to uphold Kings vision, however, Trump rewarded the White supremacist militias Proud Boys and Oath Keepers with pardons for supporting his efforts to violently overturn the 2020 election. Trump pardons violent White Supremacists Trump granted a full, complete and unconditional pardon" to nearly 1,600 supporters convicted for attacking the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 for him. Repeating the lie that he was a victim of a Democratic plot to steal the election and his supporters attacking the Capitol were unjustly tried and convicted, Trump dubbed them as hostages. So this is January 6. These are the hostages. Approximately 1,500 were pardoned. Full pardonWe hope they come out tonight franklyTheyve already been in jail for a long time. These people have been destroyed, said Trump as he signed the pardons. Advertisement Those pardoned included former Proud Boys head Tarrio and 13 other Proud Boys members. Tarrio had been serving a 22-year sentence. Moreover, Trump commuted the sentence of Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the Oath Keepers, and eight of his fellow militias along with five Proud Boys militias. Unlike a pardon, commutation ends the prison term but does not acquit the convict of their crimes. With the executive order, Trump also dismissed all pending cases against his supporters accused but not yet convicted or sentenced for acts on Jan. 6, 2021. Proud Boys leader pardoned by Trump vandalised Black church In addition to leading the violence on Jan. 6, 2021, Proud Boys Tarrio had been convicted for vandalising a Black church in Washington DC in December 2012. While several Trump supporters convicted for the Jan. 6 violence were booked under relatively not-so-serious charges, Tarrio was convicted for seditious conspiracy, which is a serious crime amounting to using violent force against the government. Advertisement Tarrio was described by prosecutors as a savvy, street-fighting extremist who helped fellow militias in Trumps army initiate an assault on the Capitol, according to The New York Times. In December 2020, Tarrio responded to a call for wild protests by Trump in Washington DC on Jan. 6 and established a crew of hand-selected members for the rally that was called inside the Proud Boys as the Ministry of Self-Defense, according to court papers cited by The Times. The prosecutors said that Tarrio and other Proud Boys members were thirsting for violence and organising for action after Trump lost the 2020 election and attacked the Capitol to keep their preferred leader [Trump] in power no matter what the law or the courts had to say about it. Advertisement Proud Boys is a White supremacist, neo-Nazi organisation was established in 2016. The militias rise stemmed from the rise of the broader far-right extremism in the United States fanned by Trump and his Make America Great Again movement. Along with other racist militias like Oath Keepers, Proud Boys has been part of several racist events, such as the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017 when torch-lit marches with Nazi chants You will not replace us and Blood and soil were carried out, followed by an attack by a far-right extremists on anti-far right protesters that killed one persons and injured dozens. Advertisement US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to delay the TikTok ban for 75 days, giving the platform more time to meet the requirements. Trump earlier proposed that TikTok could be a joint venture, with an US entity holding 50 per cent stake read more A woman poses with her smartphone displaying the @realdonaldtrump TikTok page, in Washington, US January 19, 2025. Source: Reuters. Following up on his promise, Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday hours after taking oath as the 47th US president to delay the enforcement of the TikTok ban by 75 days. The order directed the US justice department not to enforce the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act on TikTok. The Act imposes a ban on TikTok in the US unless it is sold to a buyer from America or an allied country. This law was signed by former President Joe Biden in April 2023 and was set to take effect on January 19, 2024. Advertisement I am instructing the attorney general not to take any action to enforce the Act for a period of 75 days from today to allow my Administration an opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans, the executive order read. Earlier on the eve of his inauguration, he announced plans to issue an executive order suspending the nationwide ban on TikTok TikTok was banned in the US on January 19 under the law requiring its Chinese owner ByteDance to sell its US operations. TikTok was down for about 14 hours from Saturday night before restoring services on Sunday afternoon. Before his inauguration, Trump emphasised that the United States should hold a 50 per cent ownership stake in a joint venture with TikTok. However, Trumps executive order delayed the ban by 75 days, giving TikTok more time. TikTok is mostly about kids, young kids. If China is getting information about kids from it, honestly, we have bigger problems than that, Trump said. Trump Sworn in as the 47th US President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday in a grand ceremony in Washington, DC. In his inaugural speech, he declared, The golden age of America begins." Trump Signs Executive Orders Following his inaugural address, Trump signed several executive orders aimed at undoing many of the Biden administrations policies. Exit from Paris climate agreement , WHO Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organisation (WHO). He had also withdrawn from the Paris accord during his first term as president, but former President Joe Biden rejoined it on his first day in office. President Donald Trump on Monday has, for the second time, signed an executive order to begin the process of pulling the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement. The order to exit from the deal was signed by Trump during his first hours in office on Monday read more US President Donald Trump signs executive orders during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. Source: AFP. In his first hours in office, the 47th US President, Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement. This is the second time he has done so. Trump pulled the US out of the Paris climate agreement during his first term, only to have former President Joe Biden rejoin the pact on his first day. The decision to exit from the Paris climate agreement aligns with Trumps continued scepticism about global warming. He has persistently referred to climate change as a hoax and seeks to free US oil and gas industries from environment regulation. Advertisement Why is Trump pulling out the US from the Paris climate agreement worrying? The US is the worlds second-largest emitter of planet-warming greenhouse gases and its pulling out from the pact would leave a major hole in international efforts to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. As per an analysis of historical data by the UK-based climate publication Carbon Brief, the US is responsible for 20 per cent of all cumulative greenhouse gas emissions the largest share of human emissions since the industrial revolution ended in 1850. Since 2005, China has ranked as the top emitter, the US being the second which is followed by India, according to data from environment data platform Climate Watch. In the order, the White House said that these agreements steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people. The order said the US ambassador to the United Nations will submit a written notification of the withdrawal. The process could be expedited and take just around a year compared to the lengthy process required by the original terms of the accord. Meanwhile, in his inauguration speech, Trump said that he will declare a national energy emergency", despite the US producing more oil currently than any other country. As per a list of priorities from his press office, the newly sworn-in US President intends to streamline permitting and review regulations that impose undue burdens on energy production and use, including mining and processing of non-fuel minerals." Advertisement What is the Paris climate agreement that the US will no longer be a part of? The Paris Agreement was signed in 2016. Participating nations vowed to work together to keep global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels by making yearly pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, participating nations, including the US, have even pledged billions of dollars to funds that assist developing nations with climate adaptation and mitigation. The UN, in its recent climate report, warned that the world is currently on track for a 3 degree Celsius temperature rise by the end of the century, a scenario that could trigger devastating heat waves, storms, and rising sea levels. Is the US first to leave the Paris climate agreement? No. The US now joins Libya, Yemen and Iran as nations that are not part of the Paris Agreement. With the US exiting the global stage of climate action, several experts have expressed concerns that other nations may follow suit. With inputs from agencies The swearing-in ceremony for Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States took place indoors at the Capitol Rotunda due to freezing weather. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to President Trump. read more Donald Trump is sworn-in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump holds the Bible on the inauguration day of his second presidential term in Washington. Reuters The swearing-in ceremony of the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump, was held indoors at the Capitol Rotunda on Monday due to freezing weather in Washington. As per tradition, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts administered the oath to him, while Vice President JD Vance also took his oath. Because of the freezing weather in Washington DC, with temperatures expected to remain around -6C and wind chills making it feel even colder, the inauguration was moved indoors for safety and comfort. Advertisement Here are some pictures from Trumps swearing-in ceremony, marking a historical comeback to the White House The inauguration ceremony was initially planned at the West Front of the US Capitol. The last indoor inauguration was held in 1985 for Ronald Reagans second term, also due to extreme cold. Attendees applaud US President Donald Trump on the day of his Presidential Inauguration at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. REUTERS It began with a service at St Johns Episcopal Church. This was followed by a tea gathering at the White House with outgoing President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Musical performances included the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Combined Choirs and The Presidents Own US Marine Band. US President Donald Trump raises his fist after taking the oath on the day of his Presidential Inauguration. Source: Reuters After refusing to accept his loss in the 2020 election to Joe Biden, Trump went through impeachments, criminal charges, a conviction, and even assassination attempts. History will likely remember it as the most dramatic comeback in US politics. President Joe Biden was initially his opponent in 2024 but withdrew due to party pressure over age and health, making Kamala Harris the Democratic candidate. People sit at the National Mall, on the inauguration day of Donald Trumps second presidential term. Source: Reuters Trumps aggressive start as US president President Donald Trump began his second term with a series of decisive actions, including signing multiple executive orders aimed at reversing policies from the previous administration. Notably, he withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization, aligning with his America First agenda. Just hours after his inauguration, Trump announced plans to pardon about 1,500 US Capitol rioters who stormed the building to challenge the 2020 election results. EAM Jaishankar at Trumps inauguration External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar represented India at Donald Trumps inauguration on his invitation. He was seated in the front row at the Capitol Rotunda, marking a significant change in protocol. A great honour to represent India at the inauguration ceremony of @POTUS President Donald J Trump and @VP Vice President JD Vance in Washington DC today. pic.twitter.com/tbmAUbvd1r Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 20, 2025 Advertisement With inputs from Reuters The bill mandates the federal detention of illegal immigrants who are accused of theft and burglary, among other things. The legislation was seen as a priority for Republicans after the immigration crisis turned out to be a major talking point for the Trump campaign read more The US Senate on Monday approved the Laken Riley Act, making it the first piece of legislation passed by the upper chamber after US President Donald Trump took over the White House. According to The Hill, 64 senators voted in favour of the bill while 35 voted against it. 12 Democrats ended up supporting all the Republicans to ensure that the legislation passes with a clear majority. The bill mandates the federal detention of illegal immigrants who are accused of theft and burglary, among other things. The legislation was seen as a priority for Republicans after the immigration crisis turned out to be a major talking point for the Trump campaign. Advertisement This legislation will ensure that illegal aliens who steal or assault a law enforcement officer are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement instead of being allowed out on the streets, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on the floor before the voting commenced. Im looking forward to getting this legislation to the presidents desk," he added. About the Laken Riley Bill According to The Hill, Democrats who voted in favour of the bill were Senators John Fetterman, Ruben Gallego, Maggie Hassan, Mark Kelly, Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock, Gary Peters, Jacky Rosen, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jeanne Shaheen, Elissa Slotkin and Mark Warner. The bill was named after Laken Riley, a college student who was killed in Athens by a Venezuelan migrant. The migrant was arrested for shoplifting before the attack and paroled in the US. The bill was on the Senate floor for over a week. Last week, the upper chamber approved a proposal from Sen. John Cornyn to add the assault of a law enforcement officer to the list of offences that would lead to detainment. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the bill is estimated to cost nearly $27 billion to implement during the first year. Many insisted that the bill would be hard to implement due to a lack of resources. This bill makes the country less safe, not more safe. Its a joke, said Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.), the lead Democratic negotiator on the bipartisan border deal that was spurned by conservatives last year. It claims to be locking people up and then allocates no money to do that, so the situation doesnt change," he added. The bill will now be introduced in the House of Representatives to get a green light. Forty-eight House Democrats voted for the proposal earlier this month, but the Senate voted on a different version of the Laken Riley Act with an amendment. This meant it the bill needed to be passed in the lower chamber once more. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Pentagon removed the portrait of former Joint Chiefs of Staff General Milley, two hours after US President Donald Trump returned to the White House read more Two hours after US President Donald Trump took the oath to office, the Pentagon removed a portrait of Gen. Mark A. Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from a corridor of the building filled with paintings of all of his predecessors. According to The New York Times, the decision to remove the portrait was reportedly taken by the new administration because of Milleys animosity with US President Donald Trump. Advertisement It is pertinent to note that the portrait of General Millye went up last week during the final days of then-US President Joe Biden. While speaking to the New York Times, a US official confirmed that the portrait was being removed on the orders of the White House. In the past, Trump has referred to Milley with several names, including calling him a woke train wreck. Trumps disdain for Milley Trump had complained about the generals calls to his Chinese counterpart during the waning weeks of his first term. In a post on TruthSocial he referred to the act as so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH! The POTUS often referred to Milley as slow-moving and moron. Hours before Trumps inauguration, former US President Joe Biden preemptively pardoned Milley along with Trumps other potential targets like Dr. Anthony Fauci and lawmakers who served on the January 6 committee. Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy, Biden said in a statement on Monday. Yet alarmingly, public servants have been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation for faithfully discharging their duties, he added. Reacting to the pardons, Trump called Bidens action disgraceful. Many are guilty of MAJOR CRIMES! he told the NBC News. Meanwhile, Milley expressed gratitude to the former president. My family and I are deeply grateful for the Presidents action today, he said. After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our Nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights. I do not want to put my family, my friends, and those with whom I served through the resulting distraction, expense, and anxiety. Advertisement It has been an honour and a privilege to serve our great country in uniform for over four decades, and I will continue to keep faith and loyalty to our nation and Constitution until my dying breath, Milley furthered. The former joint chief of staff has been often targeted by Republicans over the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. With inputs from agencies. During the oath-taking ceremony, First Lady Melania Trump stood next to Trump with two Bibles in her hands. However, while the 47th President of the United States raised his right hand to take the oath, her missed out putting his left on the bible read more While US President Donald Trump had two bibles at his disposal, he did not place his hand on either of them while taking oath at his inauguration ceremony. During the oath-taking ceremony, First Lady Melania Trump stood next to Trump with two Bibles in her hands. However, while the 47th President of the United States raised his right hand to take the oath, her missed out putting his left on the bible. Advertisement The move garnered severe attention online with many claiming that the POTUS simply forgot to put his hands on the bibles. They also pointed out that Chief Justice John Roberts who administered the oath also forgot to ask Trump to put his left hand on the bible. Trump used two Bibles at his inaugural ceremony. One was given to him by his mother after he graduated from the Sunday school. The other one was the Lincoln Bible that President Abraham Lincoln used to take the oath of office in 1861. Perhaps its because John Roberts screwed up by not waiting for Trumps family to be by his side before telling to raise his right but not telling him to place his hand on the bible. Roberts was clearly in a rush. pic.twitter.com/FvTNs8MifD suzy (@Suzy_1776) January 20, 2025 The move left some by surprise since during his first inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017, Trump placed his right hand atop two Bibles held by the first lady as Roberts swore him in as the 45th president. Meanwhile, his second-in-command, Vice President JD Vance also placed his hands on the Bible which was held by his wife, Usha Vance. Trumps bibles carried history Trump is not the first American president to use two Bibles in his inaugural ceremony. Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard M. Nixon and Barack Obama all took the oath with two in hand. The Lincoln Bible is quite popular among American leaders. Former President Barack Obama used Lincolns Bible to swear on twice. According to the Library of Congress, the Lincoln Bible is a burgundy, velvet-bound book that was serendipitously used in the 16th presidents swearing-in because his family Bible was packed with other belongings that still were en route to Washington from Springfield, Illinois." Meanwhile, Trumps personal Bible is a 1953 Revised Standard Version edition that his mother Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, gave him after he graduated from his Sunday school at age 9 in 1955. His name is embossed on the front of the Bible and the inside cover is signed by church officials, Trumps inaugural team said in a statement. Advertisement During the inauguration ceremony, Vice President-elect JD Vance is also leaning into his family roots. He will swear on a King James Version passed down from his maternal great-grandmother who he fondly called Mamaw Bonnie in 2003. According to the inaugural committee, the bible was gifted to him when he left home for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina. At his inaugural parade, US President Donald Trump confirmed that he would issue presidential pardons to Jan 6 defendants along with other executive orders read more President Donald Trump speaks to the crowd in the VIP overflow viewing area in Emancipation Hall after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in the U.S. Capitol. Reuters While opening his address at his own inaugural parade, US President Donald Trump said that he would pardon a lot of people, including the January 6 defendants. The president also announced that he would sign some very important executive orders in front of the large crowd gathered for the parade. So, now the work begins. We won. We won. But now the work begins, we have to bring them home, Trump said followed by thunderous applause. And you know, tonight, Im going to be signing on the J6 hostages, pardons, to get them out. And as soon as I leave, Im going to the Oval Office, and well be signing pardons for a lot of people, a lot of people," he added. Advertisement During his address, the Republican firebrand maintained that his executive orders would revoke nearly 80 destructive and radical policies that were in place during former US President Joe Bidens tenure. Were going to sign executive orders. First, Ill revoke nearly 80 destructive and radical executive actions of the previous administration, one of the worst administrations in history, he averred, calling the move extremely important. Trump signs a slew of executive orders After delivering his address, Trump sat down at a desk onstage to sign a pile of executive orders that are intended to undo many Biden administration policies. He went on to refer to his predecessors team as the worst administration in the history. Soon after Trump signed the orders, the White House promptly posted the documents on its website. They are as follows: Rescission of 78 Biden-era executive actions, executive orders, presidential memoranda, etc. A regulatory freeze, ordering agencies to freeze the creation of regulations until his government is in place. A hiring freeze, with the exception of military and some other categories. An executive order which demands all federal employees to return to work. Directive to federal departments and agencies to address the cost of living crisis in the United States. An order to withdraw the US from the Paris climate accords, a move he did during his first term in office. Another directive to the federal government and agencies is to restore freedom of speech and prevent government censorship. A directive to the federal government to end the weaponization of government. Before he left the stage, Trump tossed the marker he used to sign the orders into the crowd, which garnered thunderous applause. This is a developing story. On his first day in the Oval Office, US President-elect Donald Trump signed an executive order which would withdraw United States from the World Health Organisation (WHO) read more Hours after assuming the Oval Office, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order which would pull the United States out of the World Health Organisation (WHO). This is the second time Trump has unleashed an attack against the global health body. Before Trump signed the executive order, several health experts warned the move would isolate the US at a time when viruses are spreading all around the world. The move can turn out to be a major setback for the WHO since the United States has historically been the largest funder of the global health agency headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Not only this, Washington has strongly influenced the agency since its founding after World War II. Advertisement In the past, Trump had slammed WHO over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, his own administration was scrutinised for being too slow to deal with the crisis. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, he began the process of pulling out from WHO. His plans were not fulfilled due to US law governing the timeline for withdrawal and funding obligations to the agency. President Joe Biden eventually reversed Trumps decision and restored the funding to the body. This time, Trumps first executive order on the first day of his second term would enable him to carry out his decision. How will the US withdrawal impact WHO? The consequence of a US withdrawal would be dramatic. Apart from his membership dues of roughly $110 million annually, the United States is also the biggest voluntary donor of WHO, contributing $1.1 billion in 2022 and 2023 combined. The country provides about one-fifth of WHOs budget every year. If the US opts out, other members of the body might make up some difference, the same way they did when Trump slashed the USs contribution to the body. Despite such efforts, none of the member nations would be able to make up Americas contribution. Washingtons departure would also sever WHOs ties with several crucial American health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which currently provide guidance to WHO on a range of topics. Losing American funds would restrict WHOs ability to react quickly. Meanwhile, the departure would also leave the US more vulnerable to new health crises, since WHO provides a strong defence against diseases through global collaboration and data sharing. It is pertinent to note that the United States joined WHO through a joint act of Congress in 1948. Hence Congress might need to weigh in on the matter. However, Republicans have a majority in both the Senate and the House. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. With President Trump withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate agreement once again, the world faces renewed uncertainty in its fight against the escalating climate crisis, raising critical questions about global unity and environmental accountability read more US President Donald Trump takes oath on the day of his presidential inauguration at the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington. Reuters President Donald Trump has once again pulled the United States out of the Paris climate agreement on Monday, removing the worlds largest historic polluter from global efforts to tackle climate change. This marks the second time in a decade that the US has stepped away from the accord. This decision leaves the US in a small group of nations outside the 2015 pact, and interestingly, Trump has put America in the club of Iran, Libya and Yemen countries he is not particularly fond of. The agreement aims to limit global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels to prevent the worst consequences of climate change. Advertisement Trumps withdrawal aligns with his scepticism about climate change, which he has previously referred to as a hoax. It also reflects his broader agenda to free US oil and gas companies from regulations, allowing them to maximise production. He signed the executive order to withdraw at the Capital One Arena in Washington, surrounded by supporters. Although the US withdrawal is immediate, the process to fully exit the pact will take a year. In the meantime, the White House has declared a national energy emergency and introduced measures to roll back climate regulations and increase oil and gas production. This decision comes at a critical time as global temperatures in 2024 have already exceeded the 1.5C threshold above pre-industrial levels for the first time in a calendar year. While the Paris Agreement is not legally binding, it serves as the foundation for international collaboration to combat global warming. The USs involvementor lack thereofhighlights the broader challenges climate change policies face on the global stage. Signed in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement is a cornerstone of global efforts to limit warming to below 2C, with a goal of staying under 1.5C. As a major global player, US participation or withdrawal has significant repercussions for international climate efforts. Advertisement The Paris Agreement: Goals and challenges Before the Paris Agreement, the world was headed towards a dangerous rise in global temperatures, with an increase of 3.6C expected by 2100. The Paris Agreement aimed to change this by working together globally to keep global warming well below 2C and ideally limit it to below 1.5C. To reach this challenging goal, all countries would need to drastically reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. To ensure progress, the agreement required countries to share their climate action plans, called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and to update these plans every five years. A key part of the Paris Agreement was providing financial help to developing countries to manage and adapt to climate change. In 2010, the Green Climate Fund was created to receive donations from wealthier nations to support smaller and developing countries in reaching their climate goals. Advertisement Developed countries, including the US, promised to raise $100 billion every year by 2020 for this cause. However, by the end of 2020, only $7 billion had been raised, showing a large gap in climate funding. US withdrawal under Trump The biggest change in the US stance on the Paris Agreement happened in 2017 when President Trump announced he wanted to pull out of the agreement during his first presidency. Although he made this announcement in June 2017, the Paris Agreement rules meant the US couldnt officially start the withdrawal process until November 4, 2019. Once the withdrawal was official, it took effect on November 4, 2020. This decision was widely criticised by other countries, who saw it as a setback for global climate efforts. However, the withdrawal also highlighted tensions within the US as several states confirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement goals and promised to take action on climate change even without federal support. Advertisement The financial impact Previously, the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement had a significant impact on global climate finance. The Green Climate Fund, created to support developing nations in addressing climate change, was severely affected as the USone of its largest contributorsstopped its funding. While the Paris Agreement set a goal of raising $100 billion annually by 2020, only $7 billion was raised by the end of that year. This lack of financial support from developed countries, including the US, placed heavy burdens on poorer nations already struggling with the effects of climate change. The withdrawal also influenced investment patterns, particularly in Europe. A study on ScienceDirect explored how the Paris Agreement and the USs exit affected investor behaviour toward high-carbon companies. Advertisement After the Paris Agreement was adopted, European investors increasingly saw high-carbon businesses as risky leading to a decline in investments in those sectors. However, the USs withdrawal introduced uncertainty about the future of the agreement, temporarily making high-carbon investments more attractive again. This shift in investment behaviour exposed a critical issue: doubts about the Paris Agreements credibility and long-term stability created a ripple effect in global financial markets. According to the study, investors began to reallocate their climate-related risks, shifting investments to BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China). These countries increased their holdings in high-carbon firms, effectively moving some climate transition risks from highly regulated European markets to less-regulated regions. This reallocation reflected investors efforts to protect their portfolios amid the unpredictability caused by the USs decisions. Bidens reentry The election of Joe Biden in 2020 marked a major change in US climate policy. On his very first day in office, Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement, showing a renewed commitment to global climate efforts. Beyond rejoining the accord, his administration took several executive actions to reverse Trump-era environmental rollbacks. These included strengthening methane emissions standards, revising fuel economy regulations, and restoring environmental protections that had been weakened under Trump. Biden also announced an ambitious $2 trillion climate and clean energy plan. This plan aimed to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector by 2035 and achieve net-zero emissions across the entire US economy by 2050. However, these bold goals faced significant challenges, particularly due to a politically divided Congress. With narrow majorities in both the House and Senate, Bidens administration faced an uphill task. Global and domestic impact of US climate policies With Washington opting out of the Paris Agreement again, the USs inconsistent stance on the accord has had significant global and domestic effects. Internationally, the withdrawal weakened global confidence in the agreement, as many countries see the US as a key player in the fight against climate change. This back-and-forth on climate policy has made it harder for other nations to commit to long-term climate goals, given the uncertainty surrounding US leadership in this area. Domestically, Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement was part of a larger pattern of reducing environmental protections. Under his leadership, the US tried to weaken rules on methane emissions, fuel economy standards and other climate-related policies. At the same time, the Trump administration promoted fossil fuel development by speeding up the approval of oil and gas pipelines, allowing more offshore drilling and reducing protections for national parks and monuments. These actions not only weakened the USs own climate strategy but also sent a message to the world that the US was less committed to global climate cooperation Whats next? Now that the US has once again withdrawn from the Paris Agreement under President Trump, the question remains: what will heat up moreclimate or politics? Cyprus-US relations have improved significantly in recent years, especially after the 2023 election of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides who has underscored Cyprus pro-Western stance and commitment to expanding defense ties with the U.S.. read more A view of the interior of the abandoned Nicosia International Airport at the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia, Cyprus June 3, 2024. File Image- Reuters A US military assessment team will be in Cyprus this week for defense upgrades, according to Cypriot officials, following Washingtons announcement of enhanced cooperation with the Mediterranean island. The evaluation team, based in Germany, would provide know-how and recommendations on infrastructure projects to enhance interoperability with the United States and other partners, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said. The upgrading of infrastructure, the supply of modern means and the investment in training are key pillars of our national strategy for an effective and flexible defence, Letymbiotis told a news briefing. Advertisement The assessment will take place at a military base in the western district of Paphos. Strategically perched on the edge of the volatile Middle East, European Union member Cyprus has played a central role in evacuating civilians from the region during the many flare-ups in tensions. Last week, President Joe Biden issued a directive allowing Cyprus to buy arms from the U.S. government and get surplus American military equipment in a move welcomed as promoting stability in the eastern Mediterranean. From Cyprus perspective, the development is a key step after the United States in 2020 lifted a decades-long arms embargo on the island nation. The government in Nicosia also see it as an acknowledgment of Cyprus reliability as a U.S. partner in the region. Christodoulides last month said the ethnically-divided Cyprus could join NATO once conditions allow for it. He has also invited FBI and U.S. Department of Justice officials to help train local law enforcement authorities on stopping financial crimes. Since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1960, successive Cypriot governments embraced a non-aligned foreign policy, walking a fine line between Washington and Moscow. With inputs from agencies Donald Trump made a stunning comeback to the White House as the 47th President of the United States after overcoming impeachments, criminal charges, and assassination attempts during the 2024 election campaign. read more Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday as the 47th President of the United States, marking a stunning comeback to the White House. After refusing to acknowledge his loss the 2020 election to Joe Biden, Trump faced impeachments, criminal indictments, conviction and assassination attempts. History books would call it the most dramatic return to the White House in the US politics. Trump released a video of his re-entering the White House in a triumphant mood. He described his return to the White House as correcting the betrayal that he faced four years ago. Advertisement After the 2020 election, Trump had claimed that he won the contest against Biden without offering any evidence. He also obstructed to peaceful transition of power, leading to the Capitol Hill riots on January 6, 2021. Trump pardoned about 1,600 of his supporters, who were accused in the Capitol Hill riots during the certification of the 2020 election results by Congress. President Joe Biden was his opponent in the 2024 election as well but he dropped out of the race months under pressure from within the Democratic Party over age and medical fitness. Vice President Kamala Harris then became the Democratic Partys candidate. An assassination attempt was made on Trump during a campaign rally near Butler in Pennsylvania. The assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired eight shots from an AR-15 rifle. The shot injured Trump in his upper right ear. The attack also killed one person in the audience and left two others critically injured. Advertisement My NEW Official Trump Meme is HERE! Its time to celebrate everything we stand for: WINNING! Join my very special Trump Community. GET YOUR $TRUMP NOW. Go to https://t.co/GX3ZxT5xyq Have Fun! pic.twitter.com/flIKYyfBrC Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2025 Trumps MAGA campaign Trump rode on his Make America Great Again (MAGA) slogan to win the support of Americans. With MAGA slogan, he promised to restore the nations greatness and global dominance. This slogan first became popular during his 2016 presidential campaign. During his campaign, Trump took a hard line on immigration. He vowed to launch the largest deportation program in American history against undocumented immigrants and stop influx of migrants. Advertisement In his inauguration speech, he said, The golden age of America begins. Trumps aggressive start as US president It would not be wrong to say that Trump is giving an aggressive start to his second term as president. Four years after losing the White House, Trump now has a second chance to create what he calls a golden age for America. Trump signed multiple executive orders on his first working day, aimed at reversing many Biden administration decisions. He also led the US to an abrupt exit from the Paris Climate Agreement and the WHO. Just hours after his inauguration, Trump announced plans to pardon about 1,500 US Capitol rioters who stormed the building to challenge the 2020 election results. During his inaugural address, Trump said, As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female. Echoing the rationale of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump has floated security concerns to annex Greenland and Panama Canal read more Within hours of taking oath as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump raised anxieties across continents as he pledged again to annex Panama Canal in Latin America and Greenland from Denmark. He said that the annexations were essential for US national security. Earlier this month, in a threat echoing the mindset of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Trump said the use of military force to annex Greenland and Panama Canal is not off the table. Advertisement While some commentators believed Trump would turn sober after assuming office, he resumed expansionist rhetoric right after taking oath on Monday. He raised the issue of Panama Canal in his inauguration speech and repeated the pledge to annex Greenland while signing executive orders later in the day. Minutes after Trumps remarks, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino issued a statement rejecting them and said the canal is and will continue to be Panamas and its administration will continue to be under Panamanian control with respect to its permanent neutrality. Trump borrows a leaf off Putins notebook Just like Putin justified invading Ukraine in 2022 and Georgia before it in 2008 on farcical national security grounds, Trump is turning to the same excuse to annex Panama Canal and Greenland. Putin, a product of the Soviet Union, believes in bloc mentality of the Cold War and considers Eastern Europe and Central Asia as Russias exclusive sphere of influence. He has long been committed to the restoration of the Soviet Union that crumbled in 1991. As part of the restoration project, he has occupied parts of Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, and has essentially turned Belarus into a client state. Now, under the same bloc mentality, Trump has staked claim to everything in the Western hemisphere. He has threatened to invade Greenland to occupy it, peddled falsehoods to justify the desire to annex Panama Canal, and expressed desire to annex Canada and make it the 51st US state. Trumps approach would make sense considering he has long admired Putin and his principal ally Xi Jinping. Since his first term, Trump has trusted Putin more than US government agencies and his new administration is full of Putin- and Xi-friends, such as JD Vance, Tulsi Gabbard, and Elon Musk. The yearslong fawning relationship between Trump and Putin is already visible as while Trump has already started benefitting China and Russia, by saving TikTok and propping plans for the Ukraine War that would essentially mean a victory for Putin, and harming longtime allies of Nato, whom Trump has threatened with military invasions if they do not do his bidding. Advertisement We need it for international security Shortly after repeating the pledge to annex Panama Canal in the inauguration speech, Trump said while signing executive orders that the annexation of Greenland was essential for international security. We need it for international security and I am sure that Denmark will come along. Its costing them a lot of money to maintain it, to keep it. The people of Greenland are not happy with Denmark, as you know. I think theyre happy with us, said Trump. Making his case further for the annexation, Trump said that its not just for us but we need it for international security. Trump: "The people of Greenland are not happy with Denmark, as you know. I think they're happy with us." pic.twitter.com/5ow3X2AXGF Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 21, 2025 Advertisement In recent weeks, Trumps allies have framed plans to annex Greenland in national security terms to prevent the influence of Russia and China in and around the island, which is believed to have large reserves of rare earth minerals. As for the Panama Canal, Trump resorted to falsehoods and claimed China was controlling the canal and the United States was being charged more than the others for the usage of the waterway. We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made and Panamas promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy, and, above all, China is operating the Panama Canal and we didnt give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and were taking it back, said Trump. Advertisement Panama controls the canal, not China, and even though shipping charges have been hiked in recent time, such charges apply to every ship irrespective of the nation owning it. The US withdrawal is expected to trigger a significant restructuring of the institution and could further disrupt global health initiatives read more Trump signs executive order to withdraw US from WHO. Reuters The World Health Organization said Tuesday it regretted US President Donald Trumps decision just hours after taking power to withdraw his country from the UN agency, saying it hoped he would reconsider. Trump on Monday signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from the WHO, a body he has repeatedly criticized over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking at the White House hours after his inauguration, Trump said the United States was paying far more to the UN body compared to China, adding: World Health ripped us off. The United States, the largest donor to the Geneva-based organization, provides substantial financial support that is vital to the WHOs operations. Advertisement The UN health agency said Tuesday it regretted the decision. WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the worlds people, including Americans, spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva. We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe. The US withdrawal is expected to trigger a significant restructuring of the institution and could further disrupt global health initiatives. This marks the second time Trump has sought to sever ties with the WHO. During his first term, the United States issued a notice of intent to withdraw, accusing the organization of being overly influenced by China during the pandemics early stages. That move was later reversed under former president Joe Bidens administration. Jasarevic stressed that it would take one year from formal notification for the US to leave WHO, according to the rules in place. China promises support In China, a foreign ministry spokesman said Beijing would continue supporting the WHO. The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened, Guo Jiakun said. China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity. Advertisement In his new executive order, Trump directed agencies to pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO and to identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO. The administration also announced plans to review and rescind Bidens 2024 US Global Health Security Strategy, which was designed to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, as soon as practicable. Several experts expressed dismay at the withdrawal. We cannot make WHO more effective by walking away from it, Tom Frieden, a former senior health official under Barack Obama, wrote on on X. Advertisement The decision to withdraw weakens Americas influence, increases the risk of a deadly pandemic, and makes all of us less safe. Others warned that by withdrawing from the organization, the United States will lose privileged access to important epidemic surveillance data which could harm the capacity to monitor and prevent health threats from abroad. Instead of being the first to receive vaccines, we will be at the back of the line, wrote Lawrence Gostin, professor of public health law at Georgetown University, on X. Withdrawal from WHO inflicts a deep wound on US security & our competitive edge in innovation. The timing of the US withdrawal comes amid mounting fears over the pandemic potential of the current bird flu outbreak (H5N1), which has infected dozens and claimed one life in the United States. Advertisement Meanwhile, WHO member states have been negotiating the worlds first treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response since late 2021 negotiations now seemingly set to proceed without US participation. Taking charge as the President of the United States (Potus), Donald Trump delayed imposing China-specific tariffs, focusing instead on global trade practices and compliance with previous agreements read more Until the middle of the last week, Donald Trump looked all set to start a tariff war with his inauguration that happened on Monday in a grand celebration by his supporters and some booing of his critics including former US presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. However, after taking oath as the 47th US president, Trump looked to hold fire on tariffs against China. In between happened a telephonic conversation between Trump and Chinas Xi Jinping, who sent his vice president to represent him at the Republicans swearing-in ceremony. Advertisement Much against palpable anticipation, on the first day in office, an executive order to impose an increased by up to 60 per cent tariff against imports from China was missing from Trumps slew of executive orders. He clearly shied off unveiling the much-talked about China-specific tariffs. While on the campaign trail not so long ago, Trump promised a 10 to 20 per cent charge on all imported goods and 60 per cent on Chinese products. He also vowed a 25 per cent tariff on all products from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10 per cent duty on Chinese goods. Trump pushes for global trade reforms Bloomberg News, however, reported that Trump instead directed federal agencies to review and address unfair trade practices globally and to recommend how to design and implement it. He directed his administration to assess Chinas performance under the phase 1 trade deal that he signed with Beijing in 2020 during his first term in the White House. In his first term (2017-2021), Trump negotiated a phase one trade deal with China that ended years of tit-for-tat tariffs, but few of Chinas promised purchases of US goods materialised. A fact sheet, not yet public but a copy of which Bloomberg News said it had seen, mentioned the moves are aimed at reversing the destructive impact of globalist, America last trade policy. Advertisement It called for key federal agencies to address currency manipulation by other countries. This action underscores the Administrations dedication to reducing dependence on foreign nations for critical supply chains and reinvigorating the US industrial base, the fact sheet further stated. A shift to negotiation mode? Bloomberg News cited a source familiar with the development as saying that the decision not to immediately target Chinese imports reflected a shift by Trump from a combating to a negotiating mode, and an eagerness to cut another deal with Xi. Coming weeks or months could set the stage for trade duties, but it will come as a relief for some companies that had feared the tariffs would be imposed from day 1 of the Trump administration. Bloomberg News report quoted people familiar with the decision cautioning that Trump often quickly changes his strategy, and could again push forward his original plans to target China. Still, his first-day action suggests a more deliberate approach than the fiery rhetoric about tariffs Trump offered during his campaign last year. Advertisement Trumps decision tumbles dollar Following the news that Trump would hold off from immediately implementing China-specific tariffs, the US dollar tumbled over 1 per cent, its biggest fall since November 2023. However, the US equity futures moved upside with Trumps decision. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, granting TikTok a 75-day extension. This temporary measure halts the enforcement of a U.S. law that requires TikToks parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to an American entity. The extension provides the U.S. government with more time to review and determine the best course of action for addressing national security concerns linked to the apps ownership. Background on the Law The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April 2024, mandates that ByteDance divest a majority of its stake in TikTok to allow the app to continue operating in the United States. This law took effect on January 19, 2025, with services being restored from 12 PM ET on the same day. The primary goal of the law is to address national security risks associated with TikToks Chinese ownership. Key Provisions of the Law Prohibited Activities: The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary-Controlled Applications Act (Pub. L. 118-50, div. H) restricts the distribution, maintenance, or updating of foreign adversary-controlled applications, including TikTok. Entities Affected: These restrictions apply to ByteDance Ltd. and its subsidiaries, encompassing various applications they operate, including TikTok. National Security Concerns The White House has emphasized that TikTok should remain available in the U.S., but under American ownership, to mitigate national security risks. President Trump noted that a comprehensive review of sensitive intelligence and the mitigation measures taken by TikTok would be necessary before deciding on any final action. Actions Taken by the U.S. Government Attorney Generals Role: The executive order directs the Attorney General to refrain from enforcing the law for the next 75 days. During this period, no penalties will be imposed for noncompliance with the law, including the distribution, maintenance, or updating of TikTok. Guidance for Compliance: The Attorney General is instructed to issue written guidance clarifying that no liability will arise for actions taken during this 75-day period. General Provisions of the Executive Order The executive order clarifies several important points: It does not affect the authority of any executive department or agency. It does not create enforceable rights or benefits against the U.S. government, its officers, or any other entity. Chinas Response to TikTok Ownership Proposal In response to President Trumps proposal of giving the U.S. a 50% ownership stake in TikTok, the Chinese government reiterated that acquisitions should be decided independently by companies and should comply with the laws of the respective countries, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. This comment followed the implementation of the law that mandates ByteDance sever its ties with TikTok, leading to the apps temporary unavailability in the U.S. this past Sunday. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning emphasized that Chinese companies must adhere to Chinese laws when involved in such transactions. She also highlighted that TikTok has been successfully operating in the U.S. for years and remains highly popular among American users. Mao further urged the U.S. to provide a fair, open, and non-discriminatory business environment for foreign companies, including TikTok. President Trumps Position on TikToks Ownership President Trump has proposed that a joint venture be established, in which the U.S. would hold a 50% stake in TikTok. This move aims to ensure TikTok continues operating in the U.S. while addressing national security concerns. However, ByteDance has previously resisted selling TikTok, and no potential buyers have been identified at this time. Trump has strongly asserted that TikTok could not operate in the U.S. without American approval, adding that the platforms value could be hundreds of billions of dollars possibly trillions. Elon Musks View on TikTok Ban Tech billionaire Elon Musk expressed his opposition to banning TikTok, citing concerns about freedom of speech. However, he also noted the imbalance in the global tech landscape, where TikTok operates freely in the U.S., but X (formerly Twitter) is banned in China. Musk argued that a resolution is necessary to address this disparity. Chinas Response to Musks Comments In reaction to Musks remarks, Mao Ning responded that China manages internet access in line with its laws and regulations. She stated that foreign companies are welcome to operate in China as long as they comply with Chinese laws. Source 1, 2 Xiaomi has announced in China that it has started recruiting Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 users internally from the Xiaomi Community to test a new WinPlay engine in HyperOS that will let you play Windows games on the tablet without internet connection. WinPlay engine is not a cloud gaming streaming tool, but can run Windows software directly locally without a network through virtualization translation. Xiaomi said that WinPlays GPU performance loss is only 2.9%. The official poster reveals that WinPlay also supports the installation of Steam. However, supporting the installation of Steam does not mean that all games on the Steam platform can be run even Steams own SteamOS has issues when running some games. Leaker Digital Chat Station has posted an image of the Xiaomi Tablet 6S Pro running Windows games locally based on the WinPlay engine and support for Xbox controller. The engine is now able to run games such as Tomb Raider relatively smoothly. Xiaomi WinPlay has now started recruiting internal testers for Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro users. Users who meet the requirements can apply in the Xiaomi Community. Source Iti doresti o presa libera si independenta, care nu da inapoi cand vine vorba de respectarea standardelor profesionale, refuza sa se lase cenzurata, sustine independenta justitiei, transparenta decizionala si valorile democratice. Alege sa o sustii. Interview: China makes positive contributions to AI global governance -- senior WEF official Xinhua) 13:32, January 21, 2025 DAVOS, SWITZERLAND, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- In addition to significant achievements in AI technology and industry, China has made positive contributions to the global governance of AI, said a senior official of the World Economic Forum (WEF). On the theme of "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," the 2025 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting kicked off on Monday in Davos, Switzerland. In the next decade, AI will have a profound impact on global economic growth, industrial transformation, social livelihood, climate environment and international cooperation, said Chen Liming, chair of Greater China of the WEF, in a written interview with Xinhua. The rapid application of AI in areas like intelligent robots, intelligent creation, smart education and smart medical care has accelerated industrial upgrades and unlocked widespread innovation opportunities across society, he said. Noting that China's core AI industry has reached nearly 600 billion yuan (82 billion U.S. dollars), covering key upstream and downstream links such as chips, algorithms, data, platforms and applications, Chen said China also actively engages in global AI governance, collaborating with the WEF and other international organizations to share insights and promote cooperation. Multilateral cooperation has promoted the initial formation of a global governance framework and policy consensus for AI, he added. China has put forward The Global AI Governance Initiative, which provides a Chinese solution to global AI governance and emphasizes the principle of giving equal importance to the development and security of AI, Chen said. "This initiative is not only a positive response to global challenges, but also provides an important reference for the international community on the issue of AI governance," he said. Following the people-centered, AI-for-good principle, China has made positive progress in balancing the development and security of AI, and in 2023, China issued an interim regulation on the management of generative AI services, marking an important step in promoting the governance of generative AI and providing clear policy guidance for the industry, Chen noted. "AI brings great potential to our economy, society and the earth. If applied properly, AI can improve efficiency and support resource management, climate change mitigation, disaster response and economic transformation," he said. However, the global governance of AI still faces many challenges. For example, the Global South is not fully represented in the dialogue on AI governance; as AI technology is increasingly integrated into daily life, it also brings major ethical, privacy and governance challenges, including data privacy, algorithmic bias and transparency issues. Noting the need for sufficient dialogue and cooperation on data security and AI governance, he stressed balancing AI's rapid advancement with effective oversight to ensure its safety, reliability and fairness. "This requires finding a balance between rapid technological development and effective governance," he said. To promote responsible AI use, Chen called for strengthened global collaboration, unified industry standards and increased public awareness. "To make AI truly benefit all mankind, a bridge must be built between innovation and ethics," he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) The Police Special Fraud Unit in Lagos State has arrested four serving members of the National Youth Service Corps and eight students of the Gateway Polytechnic, Sapaade, Ogun State for alleged internet fraud. It was gathered that the suspects between ages 18 and 28, were arrested on January 15, 2025 at Saapade, area of the state.This was disclosed in a statement by PSFUs Spokesperson, Johnson Eyitayo on Sunday.Mr. Johnson said that some student union leaders, visited Commissioner of Police in charge of the unit on the 16th of January , 2025 for a dialogue in respect of the arrest.The statement partly reads: Quote On the 16th of January 2025, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Godwin Omodeinde, receives in audience leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students, National Association of Polytechnic Students, Association of Southern Nigerian Students, and GAPOSA Students Union Government. The visit of the Student Union leaders was to dialogue with the unit following the arrest of 14 persons, ages 18-28 years, at Saapade, Ogun State, on January 15, 2025. The arrested suspects, who were suspected members of an internet fraud syndicate operating within Lagos and Ogun States, comprised eight students of Gateway Polytechnic, Ogun State; four NYSC Corps members; and two other persons of unknown status who claimed to be an artist and a cobbler, respectively. The Commissioner of Police also advised the student union executives to educate their members to desist from cybercrime, which is tarnishing the countrys image and making it difficult for Nigeria to exit the Financial Action Task Force grey list. He enumerated the following as implications of Nigerias status on the FATF grey list: reduced foreign investment, increased cost of transactions, difficulties in transacting with other countries, increased regulatory scrutiny, loss of revenue for the government, undermining of financial markets, reduced cross-border transactions, and loss of correspondent banking relationships, among others. Memorandum to Resolve the Backlog of Security Clearances for Executive Office of the President Personnel January 20, 2025 January 20, 2025 MEMORANDUM TO THE WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL SUBJECT: Memorandum to Resolve the Backlog of Security Clearances for Executive Office of the President Personnel The Executive Office of the President requires qualified and trusted personnel to execute its mandate on behalf of the American people. There is a backlog created by the Biden Administration in the processing of security clearances of individuals hired to work in the Executive Office of the President. Because of this backlog and the bureaucratic process and broken security clearance process, individuals who have not timely received the appropriate clearances are ineligible for access to the White House complex, infrastructure, and technology and are therefore unable to perform the duties for which they were hired. This is unacceptable. Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order: 1. The White House Counsel to provide the White House Security Office and Acting Chief Security Officer with a list of personnel that are hereby immediately granted interim Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearances for a period not to exceed six months ; and 2. That these individuals shall be immediately granted access to the facilities and technology necessary to perform the duties of the office to which they have been hired ; and 3. The White House Counsel, as my designee, may supplement this list as necessary; and 4. The White House Counsel, as my designee, shall have the authority to revoke the interim clearance of any individual as necessary. This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IDF Chief of Staff Situational Assessment Regarding Operation Wings of Freedom IDF Press Release January 18, 2025 18.01.25 IDF The IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, conducted a situational assessment earlier today focusing on the preparations of the Southern Command and Central Command for implementing the agreement to return the hostages. During the assessment, the Chief of the General Staff issued directives to reinforce troops in the Central Command, emphasizing counterterrorism efforts through offensive operations and enhanced defensive measures in communities and on main routes, particularly concerning the release of prisoners. The Chief of the General Staff also approved the Southern Command's defensive plans in accordance with the agreements determined by the political echelon. The IDF is also preparing, through the Manpower Directorate and the Technology and Logistics Directorate, to receive the hostages with utmost care and sensitivity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by Commissioner Dombrovskis at the Eurogroup press conference European Commission Speech Jan 19, 2025 Brussels Thank you. Good evening, everyone. The Eurogroup had a very useful discussion on economic policy priorities for the euro area, which showed a high degree of convergence, and alignment with the agenda of the new commission. While we have successfully navigated a period of significant challenges in recent years, demonstrating a remarkable degree of economic resilience, the euro area continues to be confronted with significant structural challenges. Productivity growth has been slow for too long in the euro area, and euro as a whole, threatening our competitiveness and hinders our ability to invest in the future. Debt levels remain high and, looking further ahead, public spending faces growing pressures from defence spending to an ageing population. We face these challenges in a context of heightened global tensions as Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine continues and the high degree of uncertainty surrounding the policy priorities of the new US administration. To tackle these challenges, with ministers we agreed today on the need for urgent and coordinated policy action to improve competitiveness, productivity and innovation across the euro area. We need to move from words to action. We must act towards: improving access to funding for businesses; promoting innovation; improving the business environment by reducing administrative burdens and regulatory complexity; removing obstacles to investment and supporting public and private investment in common priorities, such as the green and digital transformations and defence. We also need to strengthen economic resilience and uphold prudent fiscal policies as a key to achieving macro-financial stability. There was also broad consensus on the need to deepen the Banking Union and the CMU. The Eurogroup can play an important role in driving the delivery of these priorities and, in doing so, securing our long-term prosperity. Today's meeting also heard from representatives of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank for International Settlements who provided updates on their exploratory work on new technologies for wholesale settlement of transactions. From the commission side we are supportive of exploring how to modernise our wholesale payment systems to cater for the needs of the market while keeping in mind the need to maintain financial stability and safe, efficient payment systems, as well as our common goal of creating a Savings and Investment Union. The Eurogroup will return to these discussions in the future. As regards the digital euro, we need to make fast progress with the legislative proposals. Europe needs to be at the forefront of embracing the digital age and making the most of all the opportunities that it offers. Our monetary system, with its common currency at its heart, must also adapt to a digitalised future. Despite steady progress, further efforts are needed to reach a compromise. We are fully committed to supporting the Polish Presidency to reach this common approach in the Council this year. Work on the digital euro also continues in the European Parliament. The Commission is committed to providing all the technical support needed to facilitate swift progress. Finally, the new French and Lithuanian ministers presented today's meeting with the policy priorities of their respective governments. The Commission looks forward to closely engaging with the Lithuanian authorities on the preparation of their medium-term fiscal-structural plan. As regards France we welcomed the commitment of the French minister to reduce the French general government deficit and to eventually put public debt on a sustainable downward trend. It is good news that the adjusted fiscal trajectory presented by the French authorities last week preserves the same ambitious level of overall fiscal effort over the adjustment period. We also welcome the continued commitment of France to the reforms and investments underpinning the extension of its adjustment period. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari-January 19, 2025 IDF Press Release January 19, 2025 19.01.25 IDF Good morning, This morning it was cleared for publication that in a special IDF and ISA covert operation, the abducted fallen soldier Staff Sergeant Oron Shaul, Oron, who fell in battle in Shejaiya on July 20th, 2014, during Operation "Protective Edge," and was abducted by the Hamas terrorist organization, was rescued from Gaza. IDF and ISA representatives delivered the news to the Shaul family this morning. We embrace the family and share their grief. This was a significant intelligence and operational undertaking that lasted over the past decade since his fall and abduction, and especially during the war and over the past few days. The IDF and ISA worked around the clock for many years to bring Oron, may his memory be a blessing, to burial in Israel. This special operation was conducted by special units from the Military Intelligence Directorate, Shayetet 13, and with ISA operatives on the ground. They worked intensively in recent days in a complex operational effort to do everything possible to bring Oron home for burial. During Operation "Protective Edge," the fallen soldier Lieutenant Hadar Goldin was also abducted. The IDF has been working for years to bring him back, and this morning, we reiterate our commitment to Hadar and his dear family to bring him home. The IDF is deeply committed to returning all hostages. The IDF and ISA will continue to make every effort to bring all the hostages home, whether through operational and intelligence actions or as part of the agreement. This morning, we all expect the implementation of the agreement to return the hostages. As of this morning, Hamas has not fulfilled its obligation, and contrary to the agreement, has not provided the State of Israel with the names of the returning female hostages. The ceasefire will not come into effect so long as Hamas does not fulfill its obligations. At the direction of the Prime Minister, the IDF will continue to operate in the Gaza Strip area as long as Hamas does not fulfill its obligations, with all that this entails." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address January 20, 2025 By David Vergun, DOD News As Commander in Chief, Trump Says He Will Defend Our Country "As commander in chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I am going to do," said President Donald J. Trump during his inauguration address today as the nation's 47th president, alongside Vice President JD Vance. "America will soon be greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before," he said. "I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country. Sunlight is pouring over the entire world, and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before." "We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into," Trump said. "My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier," he added. The 60th inaugural swearing-in ceremony took place at noon inside the Capitol Rotunda, with Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administering the oath of office to the new president and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh swearing in the vice president. In the audience were former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, former Vice President Kamala Harris, members of Congress, all nine Supreme Court justices and family members of Trump and Vance. Trump thanked Black and Latino voters for helping him get elected and added that on this observance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, "we will strive together to make his dream a reality. We will make his dream come true." Trump said he'll declare "a national emergency at our southern border," with troops ordered there. Trump also said he'll reinstate service members who were let go because they objected to COVID-19 mandates, and they will receive full back pay. Carrie Underwood performed "America the Beautiful," and Christopher Macchio sang "Oh, America!" and the national anthem during the inaugural ceremony. The U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." The theme of this year's ceremonies is "Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise." In addition to the swearing-in ceremony and the inaugural luncheon at the Capitol, the president and vice president are scheduled to review the military parade, which will take place inside Capital One Arena due to frigid weather. Yesterday, Trump and Vance placed wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. Joint Task Force-District of Columbia supported civilian authorities, including the Capitol Police, Secret Service and D.C. Metropolitan Police, by providing troops for crowd management; traffic control points; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response; civil disturbance response; and sustainment operations. JTF-DC consists of 7,800 troops from about 40 states, territories and the district. Joint Task Force-National Capital Region orchestrated the military's involvement in the inauguration ceremony and parade with members from all services participating. The election of a new president is of particular significance to the Defense Department, as Article 2 of the Constitution directs that the president is also the commander in chief of the armed forces. President Donald J. Trump joins Grover Cleveland as the only presidents to have served two discontinuous terms. Cleveland was president from 1885 to 1889 and from 1893 to 1897. Vice President JD Vance served in the Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007, attaining the rank of corporal. His military occupational specialty was public affairs. To qualify for his MOS, he received training in journalism and public affairs at the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, Maryland. He joins three other vice presidents who are DINFOS alumni: Al Gore, Dan Quayle and Walter F. Mondale. Today is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as it is observed on the third Monday in January. This is just the second time that the inauguration occurred on the same day as that holiday, the other being in 1997 at the second inauguration of President Bill Clinton. Today is cold, but it isn't the coldest inauguration day. That would be President Ronald Reagan's second swearing-in, which took place in 1985 when the noon temperature was 7 F. The tradition of National Guard involvement in presidential inaugurations dates back to the early years of the republic when guardsmen escorted George Washington from his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia, to the nation's then-capital in New York City for the first presidential inauguration in 1789. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address January 20, 2025 By Army National Guard Master Sgt. Zach Sheely, National Guard Bureau National Guard Bureau Leaders Meet With Guardsmen Supporting 60th Presidential Inauguration Today, about 7,800 National Guard troops are on duty during the 60th Presidential Inauguration, as part of a large interagency presence to ensure the transition of power, continuing a legacy that began in 1789 when their predecessors escorted George Washington to the first inauguration. Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau; Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau John Raines; Army Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director, Army National Guard; and other NGB leaders met with guardsmen at various locations across the nation's capital Sunday. Sporting a special shoulder patch with a minuteman in the middle and the words "Always Ready, Always There," stitched across the bottom to make them easily identifiable, these guardsmen representing 40 states, territories and the District of Columbia form Joint Task Force-District of Columbia, led by the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard, Army Maj. Gen. John Andonie, and JTF commander, Army Brig. Gen. Craig Maceri. At the request of civil authorities, JTF-DC personnel are staged throughout the city to support the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police by providing troops for crowd management; traffic control points; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response; civil disturbance response; and sustainment operations. "The National Guard's experience, versatility and long-standing relationships help ensure seamless collaboration with our interagency partners to set the conditions for a safe and peaceful presidential inauguration," Nordhaus said. "We could not be prouder of you," he said. "You give confidence to the American people to know the [National] Guard is here." The 20th Amendment to the Constitution specifies that the term of each elected President of the United States begins at noon on January 20 of the year following the election. Each president must take the oath of office before assuming the duties of the position. The NGB, along with states and civilian agency partners, spent much of the last year preparing for the inauguration, which usually takes place outside the United States Capitol. Officials modified the plan Friday due to the predicted extreme cold, and the ceremony will now happen inside the Capitol Rotunda with a follow-on event at Washington's Capital One Arena. "Our soldiers have been able to quickly adapt to meet the needs of the Secret Service," said Army Maj. Peter Leach, operations officer with the Maryland National Guard's 581st Troop Command. Stubbs praised the guardsmen's agility to quickly shift to the new plan. "It's impressive," Stubbs said. "Your professionalism is evident. Your dedication is admirable. I'm proud of you, the whole nation is proud of you." Guardsmen began flowing into the National Capital Region last week and received assignments to JTF-DC's subordinate task forces to address diverse operational needs. The subordinate task forces are working closely with federal and local agencies to protect critical infrastructure and maintain seamless coordination. A reserve force is also on standby to offer scalable support to ensure flexibility to address requests from civil authorities. Army Lt. Col. Julie Shelley, who is serving as the Task Force Reserve commander for the inauguration, is the 372nd Military Police Battalion commander with the D.C. Army National Guard. "Our task force is comprised of the District's military police battalion, and we are very grateful to be supported by soldiers and airmen from Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Tennessee and Wyoming over 800 service members in total," Shelley said. "There is a great deal of coordination required to get the service members and all their equipment here and staged, not to mention space for them to bed down, and space to train, both independently as organic units and as a combined force. "I am fortunate to have great leadership teams from the other states, especially the noncommissioned leaders that are like-minded when it comes to soldier care and mission focus," she said. "These soldiers and airmen have proved they are willing to put in the long hours and hard work required to meet those expectations. I'm proud of how quickly they came together and developed a sense [of] unity for this mission. I believe they understand what an important role they play in keeping the citizens safe. I hope every one of them realize they are a part of this country's history." While at one of the several locations used as a staging area for guard personnel, Nordhaus talked with Army Pfc. Perry Solinski, a signal operations support specialist with the D.C. Guard's 74th Troop Command. Solinski is working as a radio telephone operator in the joint task force's operations center. The inauguration is Solinski's first time with his unit since he completed the Army's initial entry training last year. "It's incredible being able to come together in a nationwide effort to support the peaceful transition of power," Solinski said. "It shows the true operational capabilities of the National Guard and allows us to serve our country as we've been trained to do." At 430,000 members strong, the National Guard is the primary combat reserve of the Army and the Air Force, focusing on defending the nation, protecting the homeland and building partnerships. Most guardsmen serve in a part-time capacity, balancing civilian jobs and family responsibilities. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Aidan Chance Gipson, a station captain for the 153rd Airlift Wing's Fire Department, Wyoming National Guard, told Nordhaus and Raines this is his first time in the nation's capital. "Every mission, or deployment, provides an opportunity to put yourself out there to try and learn new things, but this one especially has been amazing to see so many people from the community come together for the nation," said Gipson, who is also a civilian firefighter. "I think it has been the perfect snapshot of the military: Everyone's skill sets, both professionally and personally, have been used at some point." "I'm very thankful to have had a part in this," he said. Nordhaus and Raines thanked every guardsman they met. "You are a part of history," Nordhaus said. "Make sure you thank your family members from my wife Shannon and I for enabling you to be here and support this important event for our nation." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Statement: UN Security Council Open Debate on The Situation in the Middle East European External Action Service (EEAS) 20.01.2025 New York Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York 20 January 2025, New York -- Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States delivered by H.E. Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East Mr. President, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* align themselves with this statement. The European Union welcomes the ceasefire agreement of 27 November 2024 between Israel and Lebanon, following the mediation efforts undertaken in particular by France and the United States. It urges the parties to implement the ceasefire as agreed, and calls for the full and symmetric implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The EU recalls in that context the fundamental stabilisation role of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon. We will continue to support the Lebanese State's sovereignty, territorial integrity and State-building efforts, including by contributing to the strengthening of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The EU also warmly welcomes the election of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and the designation of Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister. These significant steps mark a moment of hope and renewal for the Lebanese people. Following the fall of Assad's criminal regime in Syria, the European Union reiterates the historic opportunity to reunite and rebuild the country, restore justice and ensure accountability, and underlines the importance of an inclusive and Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, in line with the core principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254. In this respect, the European Union continues to support the work of the UN Special Envoy for Syria in facilitating this process, as well as UN and its mechanisms, particularly with regard to accountability, reconciliation and humanitarian assistance. Syria's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within secure borders should be fully respected, in accordance with international law. We underline the need to address the severe and continuing humanitarian needs of Syrian people and to ensure respect for human rights, including women's rights, non-sectarian governance, and the protection of members of all religious and ethnic minorities, and to safeguard Syria's cultural heritage. We call on all parties to preserve national unity and ensure the protection of all civilians and the provision of public services, as well as the creation of conditions for an inclusive and peaceful political transition and for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Syrian refugees, as defined by the UNHCR. The EU also emphasises the importance of the fight against terrorism, of preventing the re-emergence of terrorist groups, and of destroying Syria's remaining chemical weapons stockpiles, with the assistance of the OPCW. The EU has started discussions on its sanctions on Syria to adjust them in light of the ongoing developments. The EU warmly welcomes the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which will allow the phased release of the hostages - ending their terrible ordeal that has lasted for more than 15 months - end hostilities and ease the humanitarian suffering in Gaza. We are relieved that the hostages, including several EU nationals, will finally be reunited with their loved ones and that much needed humanitarian aid will reach civilians in Gaza. It is vital that the deal is fully implemented to allow all the hostages to be released, and to ensure a permanent end to hostilities. We extend our gratitude to the US, Egypt and Qatar for their efforts in negotiating the ceasefire, which we had consistently called for. This is a significant achievement, which should have positive repercussions across the Middle East. The EU deplores the unacceptable number of civilian casualties, especially women and children, in Gaza and the West Bank, and the catastrophic levels of hunger and imminent risk of famine caused by the insufficient entry of aid into Gaza. It also recalls the need to fully implement the International Court of Justice orders. The European Union expresses its deep concern over the consequences of the Israeli legislation adopted on 28 October 2024 on UNRWA's capacity to operate its mandate. The EU stresses the essential role of UNRWA, which provides crucial support to the civilian population, both in Gaza and the West Bank, and in the wider region. Continued implementation of the UNRWA Action Plan is key, including the implementation of the Colonna report. It is essential that UNRWA can continue carrying out its crucial work in line with its mandate adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1949 and renewed since. The EU strongly condemns the further escalation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, following increased terrorist attacks, settler violence, the expansion of illegal settlements and Israel's military operation. The EU calls for safe access to the holy sites and for the Status Quo to be upheld. The EU will work on further restrictive measures against extremist settlers and against entities and organisations that support them, as well as against Hamas. We reiterate our commitment to international law and to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side-by-side in peace within secure and recognised borders. We will actively support and engage with international partners on concrete irreversible steps towards the two-state solution reviving a political process to this end, including through the holding of an international peace conference as soon as possible. The EU is ready to contribute to all efforts towards this solution and calls on all parties to refrain from actions that undermine its viability. The European Union will continue supporting the Palestinian Authority to help it address its most pressing needs, build institutional capacities, and implement its reform agenda. As part of the EU's long standing commitment to support Palestinians in need and in light of the latest developments in the region, the EU last week announced a new humanitarian aid package for Gaza worth 120 million. We welcome the international conference, which will be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia in New York next June. Finally, on the situation in Yemen and the Red Sea: The EU reiterates its firm support for UN-led peace efforts in Yemen and urges all parties, and especially the Houthis, to show restraint, to lower tensions, and to engage constructively and meaningfully with UN Special Envoy Grundberg towards a lasting peace and the implementation of the UN roadmap. The EU continues to support the Government of Yemen in its efforts to advance on reforms and to progress towards stability in the country. The EU condemns the destabilising actions throughout the Middle East by Iran and its proxies, including through terrorist and armed groups. In this respect, the EU condemns the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and against Israel, as contributing to regional escalation and posing a serious threat to security, international trade, freedom of navigation, and also the environment. The EU is gravely concerned about the latest escalation. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times in accordance with international humanitarian law. The situation in the Red Sea remains critical, with freedom of navigation severely affected. The EU defensive maritime operation ASPIDES maintains its operational tempo to ensure freedom of navigation and the protection of commercial ships in the Red Sea. The EU also remains the key contributor to the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM), which aims to facilitate the unimpeded free-flow of commercial items. The EU strongly condemns the detentions by Houthis of UN personnel and staff working for non-governmental organisations and diplomatic missions in Yemen and renews the urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained. The EU continues to call on the Houthis to stop attacks in the Red Sea and the MENA regions, and to return to the UN-led peace process. Thank you. * North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Statement: Joint briefing by the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council European External Action Service (EEAS) 20.01.2025 New York Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York 20 January 2025, New York -- Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States by H.E. Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the Joint Briefing by the Presidents of the General Assembly and the the Economic and Social Council. Presidents, colleagues, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia, as well as Armenia, align themselves with this statement. We highly appreciate the tradition of setting priorities at the beginning of each year to ensure coherence between the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. The complex challenges that countries - and the UN - face today require all hands on deck, with the work of the GA and ECOSOC fully aligned. 2025 will be a pivotal year in this regard. With only five years to go to fully implement the SDGs, and with growing needs and inequalities in times of uncertainty, we must urgently work collectively on all three interrelated pillars, and ensure not just the UN's willingness, but its effectiveness in achieving peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights for all. President Yang, We are confident that, with your agenda and under your leadership, much can be achieved in 2025. Your priorities presented last week showcased an impressive ambition to work towards addressing the numerous challenges we face. You can count on the EU support in your endeavours to ensure that the United Nations General Assembly fulfils its mission to leave no one behind. We appreciate in particular your leadership, both in facilitating the successful Pact negotiations and, now, in following up on the Pact and its annexes. We welcome the four steps laid out towards its implementation. Meeting with co-facilitators and co-chairs of relevant intergovernmental processes is the right first step. Indeed, the Pact implementation should be pursued in ongoing processes, where possible. Several of those are anchored within ECOSOC, underscoring the importance for both bodies working hand-in-hand. Furthermore, we appreciate your convening of three informal and inclusive dialogues. You can count on our active participation to ensure the success of our efforts to reinvigorate our work at the UN and to turbo-charge the SDGs. This, of course, cannot be done without the active engagement and involvement of civil society and the private sector. A Town Hall Meeting with civil society will be a crucial contribution to ensure full ownership in the Pact's implementation. President Rae, Dialogue will indeed be key this year, under your stewardship. As the foundation of our work at the UN, dialogue will allow us to make progress and overcome divergence in ECOSOC. In your inaugural statement, you emphasised that your goal is to make ECOSOC open to contributions from all - to make it a true "House of the People". I am glad to hear that your priorities are set to enable the achievement of this goal. Dialogue should lead to Partnerships. We cannot achieve the SDGs each on our own, so we must identify joint priorities and deliverables in all aspects of sustainable development -- here at the UN, but also at country level. With Global Gateway, the EU walks the talk and builds mutually-beneficial partnerships on the ground, delivering on the common ambitions that we define here together. ECOSOC will have a busy year as it works to: accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development effectively follow up on the outcomes of the Summit of the Future, and contribute to important global conferences and processes, such as the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, the World Social Summit, the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+30), the process for revitalisation of the Commission on the Status of women, as well as the review of the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20). I can assure you that the EU and it Member States will actively participate in the work of ECOSOC and we will use these meetings to advocate for the implementation of the Pact for the Future to re-invigorate a more effective and inclusive multilateralism. As you have rightly emphasised, we need deeper engagement between ECOSOC and international financial institutions, among others, also to ensure that FFD4 delivers on bridging the funding gap to meet global development goals. This year marks an important opportunity to make tangible steps towards addressing the widening gap in gender equality. The EU will engage actively in the CSW revitalisation process, to strengthen the Commission's purpose to serve women and girls around the world. The EU will also participate in the 69th Commission on the Status of Women in March, and the 58th Commission on Population and Development in April. SDG 5 (Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls) is also one of the SDGs under in-depth review during this year's High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). And this brings me to my final point: As every year, the ECOSOC cycle finishes with the HLPF.s. I am proud to announce that this year 5 EU Member States will present their VNR. Presidents, We are sure that under your guidance, the General Assembly and ECOSOC will deliver. In these challenging times, we must build on the strengths of both bodies, jointly reinforcing and complementing each other, while avoiding unnecessary duplication. You can count on the EU and its MS as your allies in this endeavour. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chief Observer Nathalie Loiseau launches EU Election Observation Mission and underlines EU's support for Kosovo to further strengthen democratic governance European External Action Service (EEAS) European Union Election Observation Mission Kosovo 2025 18.01.2025 Pristina EU Election Observation Mission to Kosovo 2025 Chief Observer of the European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Kosovo Nathalie Loiseau, Member of the European Parliament, launched the mission officially today at a press conference in Pristina. CO Loiseau announced that, following the invitation to the EU from Kosovo's President to observe the 9 February parliamentary elections, the mission will deploy 18 long-term election observers covering all municipalities of Kosovo. The mission's core team of nine analysts started its work earlier this month and arrived in Pristina on 8 January. Chief Observer Nathalie Loiseau said: "The 2025 parliamentary elections are an important milestone for Kosovo, showcasing the plurality of Kosovo's political landscape. The EU Election Observation Mission's presence on the ground aims to contribute to an inclusive, credible and transparent election process, allowing Kosovo voters to express their choices. It also underlines the continuous EU support for Kosovo to further strengthen democratic governance." The Chief Observer went on to say: "We are deploying nine teams of long-term observers, working in pairs, male and female, across Kosovo. They will assess the campaign and preparations for the elections in all municipalities. Long-term observers are instrumental for the EU EOM to conduct a full and comprehensive assessment of the electoral process, in line with the EU's well-established, standard election observation methodology." The long-term observers come from 18 countries, including European Union Member States, Norway and Switzerland. They are independent and impartial observers, and they will meet local election officials, candidates and representatives of political parties, as well as civil society and local media representatives. Shortly before election day, the mission will be reinforced with 36 short-term observers, a delegation of Members of the European Parliament, and up to 36 diplomats from EU Member States, Canada, Norway and Switzerland accredited in Kosovo in order to ensure as broad as possible coverage of Kosovo. The EU EOM will remain in Kosovo until the completion of the electoral process. The EU Election Observation Mission is bound by a code of conduct which requires strict neutrality and non-interference. The mission operates under a separate and distinct mandate from that of the European Commission and other EU institutions in Kosovo. It carries out its work in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. The long-term observers will be deployed on Sunday 19 January at 10am from the EOM headquarters in Pristina. Media representatives are welcome to witness the deployment. The EOM will issue its preliminary findings in a press conference two days after the election day. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Donald Trump sworn in as 47th US president IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 20, 2025 New York, IRNA -- Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. Trump was sworn in on Monday at the Capitol Rotunda by Chief Justice John Roberts. "In the United States of America, as we gather today, our government confronts a crisis of trust," Trump said at his inaugural speech, adding that for many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens, while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair." Trump further said that it fails to protect "our magnificent law-abiding American citizens" but provides sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals, many from prisons and mental institutions that have illegally entered "our country from all over the world". "We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad," he further added. Trump further pointed out that "our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina being treated so badly" and other states who are still suffering from a hurricane that took place many months ago. "Or more recently, Los Angeles, where we are watching fires still tragically burn from weeks ago without even a token of defense. They're raging through the houses and communities, even affecting some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in our country, some of whom are sitting here right now. They don't have a home any longer," he added. "My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all of these many betrayals that have taken place and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed, their freedom. From this moment on, America's decline is over." Former US presidents; Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama attended the inauguration. Trump's biggest supporter Elon Musk also attended the ceremony. The inauguration ceremony took place indoors due to the cold temperatures in Washington, DC, unprecedented in decades. Trump had previously attended a church service. Alongside, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Google's Sundar Pichai and Apple's Tim Cook, some of the most powerful tech moguls in the world, attended the service. The swearing-in marked the culmination of a four-year journey for Trump, whom many Republicans distanced themselves from following the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, but nonetheless supported during his third campaign for the White House. Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance of Ohio, was sworn in as vice president. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN's Guterres warns Israel against annexing West Bank IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 20, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday warned Israel against annexing the West Bank, stressing that he is "deeply concerned about an existential threat to the integrity and contiguity" of the Palestinian territories. "Senior Israeli officials openly speak of formally annexing all or part of the West Bank in the coming months. Any such annexation would constitute a most serious violation of international law," Guterres said before the UN Security Council. "The United Nations will continue to support every effort to advance peace, stability and a more hopeful future for Palestinians and Israelis - and the broader region," he added. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen warns against further aggression by US, UK after Gaza ceasefire IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 20, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- A senior Yemeni official has warned the US, UK, and Israel against further aggression towards the country, stressing that they will not succeed in defeating Yemen. Speaking to Yemen's Al-Masirah TV on Monday, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, reaffirmed the country's commitment to supporting Gaza. He issued a stern warning to the aggressors that they would not defeat "a people now armed with accurate, precision-guided missiles." Al-Houthi also had a message for Saudi Arabia, cautioning the kingdom against repeating its past miscalculations regarding Yemen. He warned that any new aggression against Yemen would result in heavy losses to the Saudi economy. The Yemeni armed forces have been attacking shipping linked to Israel, as well as the US and UK, in the Red Sea in support of their ally, Hamas, in Gaza. However, following a ceasefire deal in Gaza, they have signaled that they will limit their operations to only Israel-affiliated ships. 9341**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinian Resistance Committees thank Iran for supporting Palestine IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 20, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian Resistance Committees have expressed gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran for its unwavering support for the Palestinian people, after a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip went into force. According to a statement carried by the Al-Manar news network on Monday, the committees honored the memory of resistance leaders and commanders who sacrificed their lives for the cause, emphasizing Iran's pivotal role in backing Palestine. "After more than 470 days of aggression, genocide, ethnic cleansing, and the mass killing [of Palestinians] by the Zionist regime, aided by the military and financial support of the US and the West, the resistance and its negotiating team managed to fulfill the rightful demands of our people," the statement read, referring to the ceasefire. It noted that the ceasefire, which took effect on Sunday, is the result of the resilience, steadfastness, and sacrifices of the Palestinian nation. The committees paid tribute to the martyrs of Gaza, the West Bank, the occupied territories, Hezbollah, Ansarullah, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. They also saluted the spirits of key figures such as Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, and Iranian general Abbas Nilforoushan, among other leaders whose names, they said, are forever etched in history. The committees extended their gratitude to all allies of the Palestinian resistance, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Islamic resistance in Iraq, the Yemeni people and armed forces, and the leadership, nation, and armed forces of Iran, for their steadfast support during this critical phase. The ceasefire took effect at 11:15 a.m. local time on Sunday, returning calm to Gaza for the first time in more than 15 months. 4354**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sweden joins NATO Forces in Latvia, strengthening regional security Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence 01/20/2025 - 10:27 Defence policy In Latvia International cooperation Information prepared by Media Relations Section In a significant demonstration of unity and commitment to collective defence, today a Swedish Mechanized Infantry Battalion from the South Skane Regiment arrived in Latvia to join the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia, as part of the Multinational Division North based in the country. "The number of Allied soldiers and military equipment continues to increase in Latvia. Sweden's accession to the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia is a clear sign that the Alliance is united, and any hostile actions by Russia will be followed by a clear response. I am convinced that our joint military exercises will provide excellent experience for both us and our Allies," Defence Minister Andris Spruds said. This is the first Swedish NATO mission deployment since Sweden became a member of the NATO Alliance on March 7, 2024. Deploying Swedish troops to Latvia is part of the efforts of the entire Alliance to protect NATO's eastern flank. NATO unity and strength are the bedrock of the multinational support to Latvia, committed to peace and security. The troops were welcomed at Riga Port, where ships carrying essential equipment also arrived. They will train together with their NATO Allies. Present at the event was the Minister of Defence of Latvia Andris Spruds, the Commander of Multinational Division North Major General Jette Albinus, the Commander of Multinational Brigade Latvia Colonel Cedric Aspirault, the Commander of Swedish Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Henrik Rosdahl. "I have been looking forward to the arrival of the Swedes and warmly welcome Sweden to their first full-fledged NATO mission. We look forward to collaborating with them in light of their expertise and participation in previous missions, I am confident they will make a decisive difference here in Latvia," says the Commander of Multinational Division North Major General Jette Albinus. "We welcome the Swedish Mechanized Infantry battalion to the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia. Their presence is a valued addition to our combat-ready force, enhancing our collective defence efforts and strengthening regional security. Every contributing nation directly impacts the success of the Brigade, demonstrating a solid alliance and willpower to protect the peace of our world," says Colonel Cedric Aspirault, Commander of the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia. "We are honoured to be here, and we are committed and ready to contribute to NATO's collective defence and deterrence efforts in the region. It is history in the making, but also the new normal for us. We look forward to the important task that is ahead of us, and we take great pride in doing it together as Allies", says Lieutenant Colonel Henrik Rosdahl, Commander of the 71st Mechanized Infantry Battalion. In the coming weeks a formal Transfer of Authority ceremony will take place, officially integrating Swedish forces into the NATO mission in Latvia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Allies discuss defence production and security with the new European Commissioner for Defence and Space NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 20 Jan. 2025 On Monday (20 January 2025), Secretary General, Mark Rutte welcomed the new European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, to NATO Headquarters for a meeting with Allies in the North Atlantic Council. The Secretary General said such exchanges were important to foster transparency and political dialogue between NATO and the European Union, noting that they allow EU leaders to hear directly from non-EU Allies. He highlighted that ramping up defence production, to deliver not just on commitments to Ukraine but also for our own deterrence and defence, is more relevant than ever. Mr Rutte welcomed EU efforts to increase European defence readiness and enhance the defence industrial base, recognising that our transatlantic defence industry is deeply intertwined and there is a unique opportunity to set the direction of our cooperation. He said he hoped that today's meeting was the first of many exchanges with Commissioner Kubilius and his colleagues. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN torture expert welcomes Gaza ceasefire agreement and hostage release Press releases Special Procedures 20 January 2025 GENEVA -- The Special Rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, today welcomed the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, which paves the way for an end to hostilities, release of Israeli hostages and freeing of many Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. "This is a day so many have hoped for," Edwards said. "It represents a chance for the return of hostages taken during the lethal attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023, and an end to 15 months of Israeli bombardment, widespread killings and multiple displacements that have exacted a terrible toll on the civilian population of Gaza. I urge all those involved to ensure that humanitarian relief reaches those in need without obstruction." The torture expert noted that the first phase of the agreement allows many Gazans to return to their homes and for urgent humanitarian relief to be delivered. "This critical development could offer the chance for lasting peace and justice after a period of immense suffering," she said. The Special Rapporteur stressed the need for all actors to respect international human rights and humanitarian law and to prohibit and prevent further international crimes, in particular torture and other ill-treatment. "Independent and impartial investigations into all alleged violations are essential," she said. "This agreement is an important first step, allowing 33 Israeli hostages to return home. If fully implemented, it could be the start of a lasting truce and the beginning of a process towards a sustainable and just peace," Edwards said. "Despite this good news, the coming days and weeks will be nervous ones for the families of hostages still in captivity, as many have had no information about the condition of their loved ones or even if they are still alive," the torture expert said. "Holding hostages is illegal under international law, and it amounts to a form of torture." The Special Rapporteur reiterated the need for continued vigilance regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody. "They must be treated humanely and with dignity at all times, and all those arbitrarily detained must be released," she said, adding that she would continue to raise with Israeli authorities her concerns about credible allegations of torture and ill-treatment, as well as her request to inspect detention facilities. Edwards stressed that representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross must be granted immediate access to all hostages as well as Palestinian detainees. "All allegations must be thoroughly investigated, those responsible held to account, and all victims of torture provided with justice and rehabilitation support," she said. The Special Rapporteur will remain engaged in the conflict and calls on all individuals and organisations who have credible information about abuses, as well as the consent of the alleged victims, to report them to her mandate. Details on this process can be found on the OHCHR website. Dr. Alice Jill Edwards, Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; Graeme Reid, Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Alliance with int'l partners key feature of revised PH naval plan Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno January 20, 2025, 2:36 pm MANILA -- The Revised Naval Cooperation Plan (NCP) 2025 of the Philippine Navy (PN) will focus on protecting maritime sovereignty, enhancing operational readiness and fostering regional stability. The NCP 2025 is anchored on the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, which seeks to defend the country's territories that include the 200-nautical exclusive economic zone, according to a Facebook post Monday. "It (SCP 2025) provides a structured roadmap for the Navy's security cooperation engagements, focusing on bilateral and multilateral cooperation, maritime domain awareness, and adherence to international maritime law," the PN said. The NCP 2025 includes specific guidelines and strategies for engaging not only partner navies and defense industries but also other countries that can contribute to achieving the objectives of the plan. It focuses on strengthening alliances with key regional and global players; promoting multilateral maritime cooperation activities to counter common security threats; safeguarding maritime interests through joint patrols, capacity building, and information sharing; and enhancing operational readiness and interoperability. The Revised NCP 2025 was developed through close collaboration among key stakeholders, including Capt. Nerelito Martinez, assistant chief of Naval Staff for Plans (N-5), and the PN's International Defense and Security Engagement Cluster, chaired by N-5 chief Rear Admiral Alan Javier. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MCAs to have more assets, advanced training scenarios Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno January 20, 2025, 11:48 am MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sees the maritime cooperative activities (MCAs) with the United States evolving as more assets and training scenarios are expected in the future. "Moving forward, we plan to elevate these activities by incorporating more advanced training scenarios, expanding participation to include additional assets," AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said Monday. She added that the exercises are essential components of the country's defense cooperation and will continue to evolve in scope and complexity. The AFP spokesperson said the MCAs could involve other like-minded countries. "This will strengthen our collective ability to address evolving security challenges and maintain peace and stability in the region," Padilla said. The MCAs with the US military enhance the Philippines' ability to defend its maritime territory and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), she added. The activities strengthen the AFP's maritime domain awareness, beef up communication and coordination capabilities, and provides valuable training opportunities for Filipino military personnel. Padilla said that more MCAs are being eyed in the future as part of "ongoing efforts to enhance the interoperability and readiness" between the Philippine and US armed forces. "As part of our longstanding defense partnership, this activity plays a crucial role in strengthening our cooperation, contributing to regional peace and stability. Our primary focus is to promote a rules-based order in the maritime domain and ensure the peace and security of the region," she said. Naval and air units from the Philippines and the United States conducted this year's first MCA at the WPS over the weekend. In a statement, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the MCA took place in the Palawan area of the WPS with the US Indo-Pacific Command on Jan. 17 and 18. "Philippine assets involved in the activity included the BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17), two FA-50 fighter aircraft, and Philippine Air Force search-and-rescue assets," he said. Participants on the US side were the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) carrier strike group that includes the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59), Arleigh Burke-class guided-destroyer USS Sterett (DDG-104), an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter, a V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, and two F-18 Hornet jet fighters. "On Jan. 17, the forces conducted a communications check exercise, division tactics/officer of the watch maneuver, and a photo exercise. The exercises continued on Jan. 18 with the participants conducting dissimilar aircraft combat training," Trinidad said. It was the fifth MCA between the AFP and US military units since the drills started in November 2023. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah praises 'grand victory' of Palestinians in Gaza ceasefire Iran Press TV Monday, 20 January 2025 7:08 PM Hezbollah has congratulated the Palestinian people and their resistance against Israel for a "grand victory" in the ceasefire deal. In a statement released on Monday, the Lebanese resistance movement called it "the culmination of legendary and historic steadfastness" over more than 15 months of Israeli barbarism. It is "an example to be followed in confronting the Zionist-American aggression against our nation and our region," Hezbollah said. "The United States of America is a full partner in the crimes and genocide committed by the enemy against the Palestinian people." Washington, Hezbollah stated, "bears full responsibility due to its continuous and ongoing support for this occupation militarily, security-wise, intelligence-wise, politically and diplomatically." "It (the ceasefire) represents a new strategic defeat for the Zionist enemy and its supporters and confirms that the time of imposing dictates has passed and that the will of free peoples is invincible and stronger than all the machines of Zionist and American war and terrorism." The agreement was a political victory which was added to a military victory, indicating that Israel was unable to achieve its war goals. "Reaching a ceasefire agreement by imposing the conditions of the resistance and without giving up the rights of the Palestinian people represents a political victory that is added to the military achievement." Hezbollah said the Palestinian resistance has proven during this battle that it is strong and capable of breaking the arrogance and tyranny of the enemy. "It confirmed that this temporary entity is a fragile entity that cannot survive and continue and that it will not enjoy security or stability as long as it continues its aggression against our people, our land and its holy sites." Hezbollah also denounced the silence of the international community toward the crimes of Israel. "What the Zionist occupation did during this war by committing the most heinous crimes and genocide, which targeted civilians, children, women and the elderly, will remain a historical witness to the barbarism of this entity and its supporters," it added. The crimes of Israel, Hezbollah said, "will remain engraved in the memory of generations, and a stigma on the forehead of the silent and indifferent international community." Elsewhere in the statement, Hezbollah thanked Iran and the Resistance Front in connection with the ceasefire in Gaza. "We salute the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, along with our brothers in Yemen." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthi: Iran played crucial role in victory of Palestinians over Israel Iran Press TV Monday, 20 January 2025 6:07 PM The Yemeni Ansarullah leader has praised Iran's significant role in the Palestinian nation's triumph over Israel after a 15-month-long campaign of genocide. Abdul-Malik al-Houthi was giving a televised speech aired live from the Yemeni capital Sana'a on Monday evening. "Despite all pressures, the Islamic Republic of Iran maintained its unfaltering support for Palestinians and their Resistance front. Iran carried out major and large operations, and launched Operations True Promise I and II," targeting key Israeli military and intelligence installations with its missiles, he said. "The support front for Gaza delivered a crushing blow to the Zionist enemy, and Iran played an important role in the achievement of such a victory." "This round of confrontation with the Israeli regime marks a turning point in the history of struggle against the Zionist enemy. [The Lebanese resistance movement] Hezbollah made tremendous sacrifices in an unprecedented manner alongside Palestinians. "Hezbollah has continued to torment the Israeli enemy, and inflicted heavy losses and serious damage on it through great operations. The Iraqi support front also undertook several operations, which continued till recently, until victory was achieved," Houthi stated. The Ansarullah chief said Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian resistance factions remained steadfast until an outstanding result. He also hailed Resistance fighters based in the occupied West Bank for the great sacrifices made and heroic operations carried out in solidarity with Gazans. Houthi said the support front in Yemen has surprised the whole world with its substantial level of support, sustainability, and resilience. "Yemenis supported the Palestinian cause and its resistance front due to Qura'nic teachings. The Yemeni nation wanted Ansarullah to stand side by side with Palestinians in the fight against the Israeli enemy." The Ansarullah leader underscored that the Israeli army crossed all redlines in the Gaza Strip with attacks on hospitals and civilian infrastructure. Houthi said the Yemeni Armed Forces could successfully carry out operations against Israeli assets at sea, stating that the retaliatory strikes continued despite US interventions. "The US military and the Israeli enemy failed to intercept Yemeni missiles and drones. Yemeni Armed Forces managed to stop Israeli-linked vessels sailing through the Red Sea. "The US military and the Israeli enemy also could not locate Yemeni military installations and missile launch sites. Yemeni forces could cause serious economic losses on the Israeli enemy by targeting the Port of Eilat," Houthi said. The Ansarullah chief also said Yemeni forces managed to target US aircraft carriers in the Red Sea, stating that Washington launched a propaganda campaign against Yemen's popular support for Palestinians in Gaza but to no avail. Houthi warned the regime against the resumption of atrocities in Gaza, emphasizing that Yemeni forces are ready to escalate their strikes in case the Tel Aviv regime ups the ante in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli soldier killed, 4 others wounded in West Bank explosion Iran Press TV Monday, 20 January 2025 2:19 PM An Israeli reservist soldier has been killed and four others wounded when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb during a raid in the occupied West Bank. According to the Israeli daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the blast occurred in the town of Tammun, located 13 kilometers (8 miles) northeast of Nablus, on Monday. It added that the soldiers were in an armored vehicle when the bomb went off. The Israeli military identified the reservist soldier killed in the explosion as 31-year-old Eviatar Ben Yehuda. It announced in a statement that a battalion commander seated next to him sustained serious injuries, and was evacuated to a hospital for treatment. Earlier, a Palestinian teenager was fatally shot and several others, including two minors and an elderly man, were wounded as Israeli military forces stormed the nearby town of Sebastia. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said in a brief statement that 14-year-old Ahmad Rashid Rushdi Jazar was shot in the chest with live bullets during the raid on Sunday evening. He was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to his serious gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead. Mayor of Sebastia, Mohammed Azem, said Israeli troops fired live bullets, stun grenades and toxic teargas canisters at local residents and their homes during the skirmishes. Several protesters suffered breathing difficulties due to inhaling the tear gas. In the southern West Bank, the PRCS said its teams transported two injured people to the hospital. One was a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the hand and the other was an 11-year-old child injured during clashes in the town of Idhna. Eyewitnesses said the Israeli military raid into the town took about two hours before the forces withdrew. Clashes erupted during the raid, with the use of live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas. The developments came as hundreds of families of Palestinian prisoners gathered near the Israeli Ofer Prison in the West Bank, awaiting the release of 90 prisoners, most of them women and children, as part of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. Over the past few years, the Israeli military has conducted numerous raids in the West Bank, which have escalated with the onset of the genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023. Palestinians have also been violently attacked by illegal Israeli settlers. At least 859 Palestinians have since been killed and over 6,700 others injured by Israeli army fire in the occupied territory, according to the Health Ministry. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen says monitoring Netanyahu's 'crushing defeat', pledges support for Gaza Iran Press TV Monday, 20 January 2025 11:32 AM The Yemeni Ansarullah resistance movement has congratulated Palestinians on the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire deal, reaffirming its unwavering support for the oppressed nation and its resistance front. "With faith and confidence in the promised divine victory, we reiterate Yemen's unfaltering support for Palestine and its resistance," the group said in a statement on Monday. It added, "Yemen will closely follow up on the full implementation of the agreement and its details, and will resolutely confront any possible escalation of aggression by the Zionist regime." The Ansarullah movement described the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, as part of which 90 Palestinian prisoners were freed from Israeli jails, as the fruit of resilience in the face of the 15-month-long genocidal war and brutalities by the Israeli military. "The genocidal war, launched by the Zionist regime, was waged with the full complicity of the United States and the unlimited support of Western European countries," the Yemeni group stated. It lauded the Gaza ceasefire deal and the release of the first group of Palestinian prisoners, which was achieved through sacrifices of the local Palestinian population, as a historic achievement. "Palestinians have recorded an epic saga of patience and resilience. Operation Al-Aqsa Flood proved that we are facing a tyrannical and bullying enemy, which only understands the language of force and cannot be deterred by any means other than the language it comprehends [which is confrontation]," Ansarullah pointed out. It underlined that the martyrdom of the late secretary-general of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the political bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar helped the attainment of this great achievement. It noted that a complete fiasco was imposed on the Zionist regime, the United States and Britain, which brought "a great disappointment for criminal [Israeli prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu." Israeli authorities released 90 Palestinians from the Israeli Ofer military prison at about 1:30 a.m. local time (2330 GMT) on Monday. The release came hours after Hamas released three Israeli captives from Gaza, on the first day of a ceasefire deal. The freed Palestinians included politician Khalida Jarrar and journalist Rula Hassanein. Among the released prisoners were women from East al-Quds, and minors. Several of the freed Palestinians described as difficult the conditions in Israeli prisons, including lack of medical care and solitary confinement. The prisoner release is part of a Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that took effect on Sunday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran president congratulates Gazans on victory, praises 'strong resistance' against Israel Iran Press TV Monday, 20 January 2025 9:13 AM Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian congratulates the people of the Gaza Strip on their victory in the face of the Israeli regime's ferocious 15-month-long war of genocide. "We congratulate the resisting people of Gaza and Palestine on the occasion of this victory. They stood up to Israel with strength and esteem, and attained this great achievement," the chief executive said during a meeting on Monday. "This resisting people taught other nations how they should stand up to terrorism," he added. The remarks came after implementation of the first phase of a ceasefire deal between the regime and the Gaza-based resistance movement Hamas. The agreement came by after the regime surrendered in the face of incessant and successful operations by the territory's resistance groups. The president referred to the massacres that the regime and its supporters had committed within Gaza's small geographical area, which claimed the lives of nearly 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, as "an instance of terrorism." "This is while, they (Tel Aviv and its backers) accuse us of 'supporting terrorism'" he stated. 'Iran a victim of terror' Pezeshkian identified the Iranian nation as a victim of terrorism, noting how the enemies have murdered numerous Iranians, including officials, great personalities, and elites, since the victory of the country's Islamic Revolution as a means of trying to stop the Revolution from planting roots. In the same context, he offered his condolences over the recent assassination of two of the country's Supreme Court judges, saying, "The martyrdom of these dear ones serves as the reason and testament to [the fact that] the Islamic Republic of Iran and this Revolution are a victim of terror." "Our enemies assume that they can incapacitate us," Pezeshkian, meanwhile, noted. "However, if the people are with us, no power can incapacitate us," he added, noting that the country's authorities needed to adopt an inclusive approach towards the nation and live up to their commitments to it. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Endless violence: Israeli settlers attack Palestinian towns to protest Gaza truce deal Iran Press TV Monday, 20 January 2025 7:30 AM Israeli settlers, backed up by the occupation forces, have stormed several Palestinian towns in the West Bank, in a show of anger at a Gaza ceasefire deal that is widely seen as a defeat for the occupying regime. The settlers attacked Palestinian cars and closed several main roads in Turmus Ayy, 'Atara, Ein Siniya, Ein Ayoub, Qalqilya, and Jaba' on Sunday evening. Other reports said that in Sinjil, two houses were torched along with four vehicles, WAFA news agency said. Footage released on social media shows Israeli settlers hurling stones and Molotov cocktails in their raids. The assaults took place hours before Israel released the first group of Palestinian abductees, including 69 women and 21 children, in return for the three freed Israeli captives. The exchange came as part of the truce agreement between the Palestinian Hamas resistance and Israel aimed at ending the latter's 15-month-long genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip. Far-right Israelis rejected the deal, insisting instead that the bloody onslaught on Gaza must continue. Prior to the agreement, Israeli minister of military affairs Israel Katz released all 16 settlers who were under administration detention due to their involvement in attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank. The release of the settlers was meant "to convey a clear message of strengthening and encouraging the settlements," he said. Referring to Sunday's attacks, the Yesh Din rights group said, "Settler violence against innocent Palestinians without a response" is the message the Tel Aviv regime and Katz send "when they seek to 'strengthen and encourage' the settlements". Settler violence has escalated significantly since October 7, 2023, when Israel unleashed its brutal offensive against Gaza. The usurping regime failed to achieve its declared objectives of freeing captives and eliminating Hamas despite killing nearly 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in Gaza. Israel was forced to agree to the Gaza ceasefire, which took effect on Sunday morning, accepting Hamas' longstanding negotiation terms. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Over 80 people killed in Colombia as ceasefire between rebel groups collapses Iran Press TV Monday, 20 January 2025 7:28 AM More than 80 people have been killed and thousands displaced in northeast Colombia following the government's failed attempt to hold peace talks between rebel groups. William Villamizar, governor of North Santander, where most of the conflict took place, said that at least 80 people were killed as the conflict broke out between ELN and FARC rebel groups during the weekend in northeast Colombia, while several thousand people were displaced. The National Liberation Army (ELN) assaulted the Catatumbo region last Thursday against the combatants of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla force who kept fighting after it supposedly disarmed in 2016. Community leader Carmelo Guerrero and seven people, who attempted to sign a peace deal, are among the victims. Also, three other individuals who were part of the peace talks have been kidnapped. Civilians were caught in the middle. Terrified citizens carrying backpacks and belongings on overladen motorcycles, and boats fled the region over the weekend, said the governor. According to official estimates, thousands of people have fled the area, with some hiding in the nearby lush mountains or seeking help at government shelters in nearby cities. Also, an unspecified number of people have crossed the border and taken shelter in the neighboring Venezuela. Venezuela has announced the launch of "a special operation to assist the civilian population displaced from Colombia." Civil conflict in Colombia, one of the closest allies of the US in Latin America, has left as many as 220,000 dead, 25,000 disappeared, and 5.7 million displaced over the last half-century. The conflict officially began in 1964 with the formation of two separate guerrilla groups, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN). The FARC was composed of militant communists and peasant self-defense groups, while the ELN's ranks were dominated by students, Catholic radicals, and left-wing intellectuals who hoped to replicate Fidel Castro's revolution. Both oppose the privatization of natural resources and claim to represent the rural poor against Colombia's wealthy. A peace process between the government and leaders of FARC in 2016 temporarily halted the violence. However, the rearmament of the group, along with the resurgence of other guerrilla and paramilitary organizations has left the country in a state of constant conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel: 90 Palestinian abductees freed in first exchange of Gaza ceasefire deal Iran Press TV Monday, 20 January 2025 2:45 AM Israel has released ninety Palestinian abductees as part of the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal with the Hamas resistance movement. All the Palestinian abductees were freed from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank on Monday, the Israel Prison Service said on Monday. They were carried by buses to the West Bank town of Beitunia and the city of Ramallah. Hundreds of Palestinians hit the streets of Beitunia and Ramallah in jubilation, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans to express their joy. They also carried flags of several resistance movements, including Hamas and the Islamic Jihad. Freed female prisoners could be seen smiling and flashing V-signs inside the buses. The 90 prisoners released early on Monday morning - all women and children - are the first of what is expected to be more than 1,000 Palestinians freed under the terms in the first phase of the ceasefire deal, and in exchange for 33 Israeli captives held in Gaza. More than 230 of the Palestinian prisoners who will be freed under the agreement are expected to be exiled by Israel immediately upon their release, AFP reported. Who are released Palestinian prisoners? Ninety Palestinian prisoners have been released on the first day of the ceasefire agreement. They are all women or children. The freed prisoners include Khalida Jarrar, a politician and leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in the occupied West Bank. Israeli authorities have previously imprisoned Jarrar on multiple occasions for charges including "incitement" related to her public statements about the Israeli occupation. The Palestinians released also include children, some of whom were imprisoned indefinitely for throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers. Palestinians are mostly serving administrative detention, which is a tactic used by Israeli policy to keep people in prison indefinitely without charges. Israel had said earlier that 737 Palestinian prisoners would be freed during the first 42-day phase of the ceasefire. In the meantime, Hamas confirmed the transfer of three Israeli captives to representatives from the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC). "The Red Cross has communicated that the three Israeli hostages were transferred to them and are on their way toward IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip," Israel's military said in a statement, using acronyms for Israel's military and the Israeli Security Agency respectively. The three captives Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher were the first of 33 that the resistance group is expected to free during the first phase of the ceasefire deal. Under the agreement, Hamas will release four captives on Day 7 of the ceasefire and the remaining 26 will be released over the next five weeks. Foreign captives, including Americans, are also expected to be released in addition to the 33 Israeli captives, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China holds drills as Philippines, US conduct exercise in South China Sea The exercises took place after Beijing and Manila held talks on lowering bilateral tensions in the region. By RFA Staff 2025.01.20 -- China's People's Liberation Army has conducted sea and air combat readiness drills in the South China Sea as the Philippines and its ally the United States held joint exercises in disputed waters in the region, the PLA Southern Theater Command said. The Chinese joint air-and-sea patrols were held on Jan. 17-18 - just one day after a China-Philippines bilateral consultation meeting - "to maintain peace and stability in the area," the command said in a statement. "Any military activity that stirs up trouble in the South China Sea is within our control," the Chinese command said. It did not specify the exact location of the PLA drills, but on Friday the Philippine navy held a so-called sovereignty patrol with a live-fire exercise near Scarborough Shoal, followed by joint maritime activities with the U.S. Navy on Friday and Saturday. Scarborough Shoal is a hotly disputed chain of reefs inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, or EEZ, but China holds de-facto control and has deployed its large coast guard vessels to the area to exert power since the beginning of the year. The Philippine frigate BRP Antonio Luna and patrol vessels BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Andres Bonifacio took part in the "sovereignty patrol," Manila said, adding that it was aimed at "sustaining and improving the operational proficiency of both assets and personnel." First joint drills in 2025 The guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna also participated in the two-day joint exercise with the U.S. Navy, the U.S. 7th Fleet, which operates in the region, said in a press release. The first bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity of the year is "designed to emphasize our longstanding partnership between the two militaries in the maritime domain," it said. The show of force included the U.S. Navy Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and a U.S. Navy P-8A maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, alongside Philippine patrol vessel BRP Andres Bonifacio and the BRP Antonio Luna. The Philippine Navy also deployed two FA-50 fighters to take part in the exercise. "The U.S. and the Philippines are ironclad allies," Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander of Carrier Strike Group 1 was quoted as saying. "As fellow maritime nations, we share the common goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific, assuring access to the seas." "Bilateral exercises in the region have grown in scale, scope and complexity," said Capt. Matthew Thomas, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. Tensions between the Philippines and China have been escalating in the last few months, with regular confrontations between their coast guard vessels. One day before China's drills, on Jan. 16, officials from the two countries met under a bilateral consultation mechanism and agreed to seek common ground and find ways to cooperate to ease the tension in the South China Sea. Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro said in her opening remarks at the talks that she believed there was always "genuine space for diplomatic and pragmatic cooperation." Yet with the drills taking place so soon after the talks, it seems a solution remains far out of reach. China has lodged "serious protests regarding the Philippines' recent maritime infringement and provocative activities as well as its peddling of the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines," the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Asia sends top officials to Trump inauguration amid concern over trade, security Donald Trump discussed trade and Taiwan in a call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping days before swearing-in. By RFA Staff 2025.01.20 BANGKOK -- Senior representatives of the world's second- and third-largest economies are attending Monday's inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president, reflecting the importance China and Japan place on good relations with the world's biggest economy. Trump's return to power for a second term raises fundamental questions in Asia, in particular the extent he will follow through on his promise to ramp up tariffs and his commitment to the security of old allies in an increasingly dangerous world. The Trump team invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington for the inauguration, but Vice President Han Zheng is taking his place. Japan sent Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, the first time its top diplomat will be at a ceremony normally attended by its ambassador. Xi talked with Trump in a Friday phone call and stressed that their two countries were pursuing their dreams, with both committed to a better life for their people, China's foreign ministry said. "President Xi expressed his readiness to secure greater progress in China-U.S. relations from a new starting point," it added in a statement on the talks. "Given the extensive common interests and broad space of cooperation between the two countries, China and the United States can become partners and friends, contribute to each other's success, and advance shared prosperity for the good of the two countries and the whole world," the ministry cited Xi as saying While Beijing is keen to engage with Trump and talk down his threats of 60% tariffs on Chinese goods, Trump's pre-inauguration talk of taking control of Greenland and the Panama Canal has triggered a wave of speculation in Chinese social media that he may be willing to let China take control of democratically ruled Taiwan. In Friday's talk with Trump, Xi repeated that the Taiwan issue was "a red line that China cannot allow to be challenged," according to state media. China's Vice President Han met U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and business leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Washington on Sunday with Han stressing "extensive common interests" despite "some disagreements and frictions," the Chinese ministry said. Taiwan's delegation led by the speaker of the legislature, Han Kuo-yu, will not be able to attend the inauguration "due to space constraints" in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, where the ceremony will be held because of cold weather, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported on Monday. Old alliances During his first term, Trump called for old allies Japan and South Korea to both pay more for the U.S. troops stationed in those countries, raising questions about the decades-old U.S. commitment to their security. Both allies will be watching for signs the Trump administration will champion regional alliances, such as the trilateral agreement forged between the U.S., Japan and South Korea during the Biden administration, to counter the threat of China and North Korea. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the fact that Takeshi Iwaya would be his country's first foreign minister to attend a U.S. presidential inauguration was a sign that the new Trump administration values its relationship with Japan. "I would like to use this as an opportunity to firmly build a relationship of trust," said Hayashi on Monday during a press conference. "The Japan-U.S. alliance will continue to be the cornerstone of our country's foreign and security policy." He reiterated the need for an early Japan-U.S. summit meeting. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Sunday that he was coordinating a schedule for his first summit meeting with Trump, without mentioning a timeline. "We must speak independently and embody the national interest in terms of what role Japan will play in foreign policy, including security, economy, and Ukraine," he said. Korean 'turning point'? South Korea's ruling People's Party of Korea expressed its hope that the alliance with the U.S. would grow even stronger under Trump. "I hope that this will be a new turning point for strengthening the ROK-U.S. alliance and peace on the Korean peninsula," Kwon Sung-dong, the floor leader of the National Assembly, said in a congratulatory message to Trump on Monday, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea. During his first term, Trump held three rounds of talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. While he failed to achieve any progress in persuading Kim to abandon his nuclear and missile programs, South Korea's spy agency has speculated that Trump could make a small step forward if he were to meet the Korean leader again. South Korea is also concerned about trade and the knock-on effect of Trump ramping up U.S. tariffs against China. Policy Committee Chairman Kim Sang-hoon expressed concern about the impact of protectionist U.S. policies, such as the imposition of universal tariffs and reciprocal tariffs, on the domestic economy. Kim cited research by the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy that South Korea's domestic exports could decrease by up to 65 trillion South Korean won (US$45 billion) if universal tariffs and tariffs on China are imposed. 'Adjustments' expected Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan acknowledged the global shift towards more protectionist and nationalistic policies, including the threat of tariffs and trade-restrictive measures by the Trump administration. "We look forward to his inauguration and to the policies, and we will have to make the necessary adjustments even as he makes changes to his policies," he said in an interview with Singapore media on Sunday. He said ASEAN would have to "double down" on regional integration as well as connectivity, and make itself as competitive as possible as a trading partner and an investment destination. "[ASEAN] cannot control the agendas of the superpowers, or indeed the larger powers, but we can, and we should focus on integrating ourselves, strengthening our economies, and our connectivity," he said. In Vietnam, where giant neighbor China has been a historic rival, analysts were upbeat about prospects under Trump. "As Donald Trump is known for being original, unpredictable and non-traditional, he will be bringing new opportunities and hopes to the USA," said foreign affairs expert Luu Van Vinh. Another analyst, Bui Ngoc Son of the Institute of International Politics and Economics said Trump's inauguration would be "political theatre, with much drama expected." "This is diplomatic game play of a smart and unique businessman." Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang. Updated to add comment from Vietnam. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Again Vows To End Ukraine War, Warns Taliban About Weapons By Todd Prince January 20, 2025 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has again said he would get Ukraine and Russia to stop fighting while also saying he would demand that the Taliban return billions of dollars of U.S. military equipment left behind in Afghanistan in 2021. "I will end the war in Ukraine, I will stop the chaos in the Middle East, and I will prevent World War III from happening," Trump told a packed crowd at the Capital One Arena in Washington on January 19, a day before his inauguration, without giving details. Analysts say it will be difficult to end the war in Ukraine in the near term because Russian President Vladimir Putin believes he is winning and has no incentive to stop the fighting. Trump's rally, his first in the city since January 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed the Capitol, featured a rundown of items he has claimed he would achieve during the next four years at home and abroad, including strengthening the military. Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president on January 20. The ceremony will be held inside the Capitol for the first time in 40 years due to freezing temperatures. During his speech, Trump claimed the United States has been giving the Taliban in Afghanistan "billions of dollars a year" and that he will end that unless the extremist group gives back billions in U.S. equipment. "And I say, if we're going to pay billions of dollars a year, tell them we're not going to give them the money unless they give back our military equipment," Trump said. The United States left about $7 billion in military equipment in Afghanistan when it chaotically pulled out in August 2021 as the Taliban retook control of the capital, Kabul. The Taliban takeover has led to a downward economic spiral with more than half of the country's population of some 42 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, such as food, according to USAID, the U.S. development arm. The United States has given more than $2.1 billion in humanitarian funding to Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, according to USAID. Since taking power, the Taliban has been condemned by Western leaders, international organizations, and activists for brutal human rights violations, especially against women and girls. Note: This article has been amended to provide a more accurate estimate of the size of Afghanistan's population. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-afghanistan-taliban- ukraine-russia-putin-war/33281633.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel Releases First 90 Palestinian Prisoners in Exchange for Hostages Sputnik News 20250120 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israel has released the first 90 Palestinian women prisoners under an agreement with Palestinian movement Hamas in exchange for the release of three hostages from the Gaza Strip, Israel newspaper reported, citing the Israel Prisons Authority. The day before, Egypt's state news service reported that Israel would soon release 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of three Israeli hostages by Hamas. Al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of Hamas) earlier said they had decided to release the three hostages on Sunday as part of a deal with Israel. The Israeli army later reported that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had handed over the hostages to the Israeli military, after which the girls arrived in Israel. They later arrived at a first reception center, where they were reunited with some of their relatives, and then they went to Israel's Sheba Hospital. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We urge Israel not to endanger UNRWA's ability to operate: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Rt Hon Hamish Falconer MP, Minister for the Middle East, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East. 20 January 2025 President, the ceasefire agreement offers hope for the Israeli and Palestinian people and for the world. I would like to thank Egypt, Qatar and the US for their tireless efforts to achieve it. The hostages have endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of Hamas since they were so cruelly taken on the seventh of October. I welcome the release of three of them, including dual British national Emily Damari, bringing their horrific ordeal to an end. The remaining phases of the ceasefire must now be implemented in full and on schedule, including the release of all remaining hostages. President, civilians in Gaza are enduring suffering that almost defies belief. More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, including many children. Winter has only worsened this dire situation, with children dying from hypothermia and the imminent risk of famine in northern Gaza. This deal opens the way for them to begin to rebuild their lives. The UK, with our partners, has been pressing at every opportunity for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the hostages. The Foreign Secretary did so just last week during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. These intense diplomatic efforts must continue in the days and weeks ahead. We must build confidence on all sides to help sustain the ceasefire, progress through all its phases, and turn it into a lasting peace that assures the security of Israelis and Palestinians alike. The UK will focus all our efforts on keeping up that momentum. Until every hostage is released. Until the aid promised to Gaza reaches those in need. And Palestinians are free to return to their homes, to rebuild their lives. It is essential that the surge of assistance is properly coordinated, with the right level of access and security to reach those in need. As the Foreign Secretary has said, Israeli legislation means UNRWA faces a cliff edge in its ability to support Palestinian refugees across the West Bank and Gaza. We urge Israel not to endanger UNRWA's ability to operate. President, this agreement is a crucial first step towards a sustainable peace, and a credible pathway to a two-state solution. Millions of people are relying on us to build on this progress and end their agony. We must not let them down. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Guterres urges support for the Middle East amid current 'turbulent period' 20 January 2025 - With the Middle East undergoing "a period of profound transformation", the international community must support efforts towards more justice, dignity, human rights and peace in the region, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Monday. Antonio Guterres addressed the Council's first quarterly debate on the Middle East for the year, held against the backdrop of Sunday's temporary ceasefire in Gaza, the end of hostilities in Lebanon sparked by the war, and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. "We have a responsibility to help make sure the people of the Middle East come out of this turbulent period with peace, dignity and a horizon of hope grounded in action," he said, speaking fresh from a visit to Lebanon. 'Ray of hope' Mr. Guterres said that the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal "offer a ray of hope." The first phase of the agreement went into effect on Sunday, with Hamas releasing three women hostages and Israel releasing 90 Palestinian prisoners. "While many challenges lie ahead, we should appreciate the long-overdue relief this moment provides for Palestinians in Gaza and the hostages reunited with their loved ones," he said. Meanwhile, the UN is doing its part to ensure the rapid scale-up of humanitarian deliveries. More than 630 trucks of aid entered Gaza on Sunday, with at least 300 headed to the north. Fully implement the deal He said the parties now must make good on their commitments and fully implement the deal and ensure that it leads to the release of all hostages and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The Secretary-General pledged that the UN "will do all we can to advance these efforts - in particular, to scale up humanitarian aid across Gaza, fully aware of the significant obstacles, challenges and constraints that we still face." Action on the ground The ceasefire "must translate into at least four simultaneous actions on the ground", he said. The first must be that UN entities - including UN Palestine refugee agency, UNRWA, which he called "the backbone of our humanitarian response" - must be able to perform their functions without hindrance. "The UN must have rapid, safe and unimpeded access through all available channels and crossings to deliver food, water, medicine, fuel, shelter, and materials to repair infrastructure across Gaza, including the north," he said. Other humanitarian organizations, including local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as the private sector, must also have unimpeded safe passage. Safe operating environment His second point underscored that scaling up the delivery of aid and essential services demands safe conditions and a conducive operating environment. Humanitarians also require the necessary technical, protective and communications equipment. "To do our work, the parties must coordinate with the UN system in a timely and effective manner. This also includes the restoration of public order and safety to prevent the looting of humanitarian supplies," he said. Aid access, civilian protection Mr. Guterres stressed that people must be able to access life-saving aid, his third point. This includes medical evacuations for those who need it, and he urged countries to take in these patients. Sufficient commercial supplies must also be allowed to enter Gaza to meet the overwhelming needs of the population, he added. His final point highlighted that civilians must be protected, and those seeking to return to their communities must have safe passage. "Explosive ordnance must be removed. The recovery of human remains must be conducted with dignity and respect," he said. 'Seize the opportunity' The Secretary-General urged the Security Council and all UN Member States to support all efforts to implement the ceasefire, bring about a permanent cessation of hostilities, ensure accountability, and create the conditions for recovery and reconstruction. Furthermore, the international media "must also be allowed into Gaza to report on this crucial story on the ground." Mr. Guterres called for the international community to "seize the opportunity" of the ceasefire deal to intensify efforts toward addressing governance and security frameworks in Gaza. He noted that the Palestinian Authority has said it stands ready to assume its role and responsibilities in the enclave "I urge collective support for the creation of security and governance arrangements that will enable Gaza to be re-unified politically, economically, socially, and administratively with the West Bank," he said. Two-State solution requires 'irreversible action' He reported that, regrettably, the situation in the West Bank continues to worsen, with clashes, airstrikes, and unabated illegal settlement expansion and demolitions. "I am deeply concerned about an existential threat to the integrity and contiguity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory of Gaza and the West Bank," Mr. Guterres said. He noted that senior Israeli officials openly speak of formally annexing all or part of the West Bank in the coming months, which would constitute a most serious violation of international law. He said "it is clear that greater stability in the Middle East requires irreversible action toward a two-State solution" between Israelis and Palestinians. 'New dawn' in Lebanon On Lebanon, the Secretary-General reported that "a new dawn is rising" in the country, "with a government hopefully soon in place where all Lebanese will feel represented, and a State that will be able to guarantee security to all its citizens." During his recent visit, Mr. Guterres travelled to the south where he saw firsthand "the dramatic human impact and destruction" caused by 13 months of hostilities between Hamas militants and Israeli forces. The Governments of Lebanon and Israel signed a ceasefire agreement last November, which he said is fragile but still holding. "It is vital that the Israeli presence in the south ends as defined in the agreement, and that the Lebanese Armed Forces are present in the totality of Lebanon," he said 'Flame of hope' in Syria Mr. Guterres also addressed the situation in Syria. "Following the fall of the brutal previous regime and years of bloodshed, there is a possibility of promise for the people of Syria," he said. "We cannot let the flame of hope turn into an inferno of chaos." He said the UN is committed to working with Syrians and the international community to support a Syrian-led process towards a credible and inclusive political transition. "As Syria travels a new path and seeks to rebuild its institutions and political systems, we will support an inclusive process in which the rights of all are fully respected, and that paves the way towards a united and sovereign Syria with its territorial integrity fully reestablished," he said. Gaza: Return to a semblance of normality Thousands of people in war-torn Gaza have begun returning to what remains of their homes as life slowly starts to regain a semblance of normality following the ceasefire and hostage release deal that took effect on Sunday. "People are out and about, children are playing, and the sound of bombs and drones has stopped," said Sam Rose, Senior Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza, speaking to UN News's correspondent in the enclave. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Delegation in Al-Arish and Rafah to Follow Up on Post-Ceasefire Aid Preparations for Gaza UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Al-Arish, 20 January 2025) A high-level delegation from the United Nations, including the UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, the Head of the OCHA Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa in Cairo, the Chief of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Representative Office in Cairo, and representatives from the World Food Programme (WFP), has visited Al-Arish city and Rafah border crossing to follow up on the critical preparations for the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza following the recent ceasefire agreement. The UN remains unwavering in its commitment to supporting the people in Gaza who are in dire need of assistance. This visit is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that the aid pipeline through Egypt works in its utmost capacity. "It is a core mandate of the United Nations to support people in need. Collaboration is underway with the Government of Egypt, the Egyptian Red Crescent and the Governor of North Sinai to support the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, with a commitment to sustained on-the-ground coordination and support," said Elena Panova, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt. "As the humanitarian situation is at catastrophic levels inside Gaza, ceasefire is a golden opportunity to ease the tremendous suffering of this conflict through bolstering aid delivery into Gaza from all possible routes to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches the people who need it most". She added. Since October 2023, the Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) has been leading the coordination of aid delivery through the Rafah border crossing and Kerem Shalom, playing a vital role in facilitating the safe and efficient transport of essential supplies. The UN in Egypt has been working closely with the ERCS, local authorities, and international partners to ramp up our readiness. We, along with our partners, are now prepared to seize this opportunity with the goal of maximizing the impact of every aid shipment. Humanitarian supplies entering Gaza through Egypt are sourced both locally and internationally. Supplies are delivered through Egypt's sea and airports before being transported to Al-Arish, where they undergo screening, inspections, and coordination at the ERCS logistical hub, and from there, aid is dispatched into Gaza. For more Information, please contact: Naiera Ellethy , United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa, naiera.ahmed@un.org , United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa, naiera.ahmed@un.org Nihal El Kady , United Nations Information Centre in Cairo, , United Nations Information Centre in Cairo, el-kady@un.org 20 January 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The people of Gaza hear the sound of playing children instead of bombardments and airstrikes UNRWA 20 Jan 2025 From Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General as posted on his official X account (previously known as Twitter) After 470 + days, the people of Gaza hear the sound of playing children instead of bombardments and airstrikes. Our UNRWA teams reported a first good day of the ceasefire; aid and some commercial supplies started flowing in smoothly. Three hostages were at long last safely released, while Palestinian prisoners have now reunited with their families. Thank you, ICRC. The ceasefire must continue to hold and all elements of the agreement must be implemented. It is a step in the right direction towards long-lasting peace and stability for all. We will spare no effort to alleviate the immense suffering and scale up the humanitarian delivery. Background Information: UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on. UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary-General Urges Parties to 'Make Good' on Gaza Deal, Calls for Release of All Hostages, Permanent Ceasefire Press Release Secretary-General/ Statements and Messages SG/SM/22526 20 January 2025 Following are UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' remarks to the Security Council's quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, in New York today: I thank the presidency of Algeria for convening this briefing. The Middle East is in a period of profound transformation rife with uncertainty, but also possibility. It is clear the region is being re-shaped. But it is far from clear what will emerge. We have a responsibility to help make sure the people of the Middle East come out of this turbulent period with peace, dignity and a horizon of hope grounded in action. I am just back from Lebanon, where I met with the Lebanese leadership along with the UN family, including our peacekeeping troops. A new dawn is rising in Lebanon with a Government hopefully soon in place where all Lebanese will feel represented, and a State that will be able to guarantee security to all its citizens. The United Nations including the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is fully committed to supporting the Lebanese people on this path. Despite enormous pressure, and with considerable risk, our peacekeeping forces stood their ground for peace to help deliver a cessation of hostilities. Here from this Council, I want to reiterate my profound gratitude and admiration to the women and men of UNIFIL. I also extend my deep thanks to the troop-contributing countries. During my visit to southern Lebanon, I saw first-hand the dramatic human impact and destruction caused by the conflict. Israelis were also victims, suffering loss and displacement. I fervently hope all from both sides will soon be able to return to the areas where they lived and resume their daily lives. We will do all we can to relieve the suffering and support recovery. I can report that the cessation of hostilities is fragile. But it is holding. UNIFIL troops are undertaking vital efforts to nurture this process. They are working closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces. It is vital that the Israeli presence in the south ends as defined in the agreement, and that the Lebanese Armed Forces are present in the totality of Lebanon. In this regard, since 27 November, UNIFIL has carried out over 730 missions in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces, facilitating their redeployment in more than 50 positions. UNIFIL has also facilitated 39 humanitarian missions in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Lebanese Red Cross, various UN entities, and NGOs (non-governmental organizations). Our peacekeepers need strengthened capacities including for clearing mines and disposing of unexploded ordnance together with adaptation of the conduct of operations within their mandate. Resolution 1701 (2006) is clear: The area between the Blue Line and the Litani River must be free of all armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL. The parties must fully implement resolution 1701 (2006), respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, and end the violence once and for all. The UN will continue to support all efforts to transform the cessation of hostilities into true peace. In Gaza, at long last, the ceasefire and hostage release deal offer a ray of hope. I commend Egypt, Qatar, and the United States for their steadfast efforts to secure that deal. Yesterday, the first three female hostages were released as part of the first phase. Ninety Palestinian prisoners were also released by Israel. While many challenges lie ahead, we should appreciate the long-overdue relief this moment provides for Palestinians in Gaza and the hostages reunited with their loved ones. We are doing our part to ensure the rapid scaling up of humanitarian deliveries. More than 630 trucks with humanitarian aid entered Gaza yesterday, at least 300 of them to the north. I want to repeat: Nothing justifies the appalling 7 October terror attacks by Hamas. And nothing justifies the dramatic levels of death and destruction inflicted on the Palestinian people in Gaza. We have been relentless in calling for an immediate ceasefire. The immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. And immediate action to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of life-saving aid to all those in need. Now the parties must make good on their commitments and fully implement the deal. I urge the parties to ensure that this deal leads to the release of all hostages and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. For our part, the United Nations will do all we can to advance these efforts in particular, to scale up humanitarian aid across Gaza, fully aware of the significant obstacles, challenges and constraints that we still face. Specifically, the ceasefire must translate into at least four simultaneous actions on the ground: First, United Nations entities including the backbone of our humanitarian response, UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) must be able to perform their functions without hindrance. The UN must have rapid, safe and unimpeded access through all available channels and crossings to deliver food, water, medicine, fuel, shelter, and materials to repair infrastructure across Gaza, including the north. Other humanitarian organizations including local and international NGOs and the private sector must also have unimpeded safe passage. Visas, permits, and other enabling conditions must be in place quickly to allow a surge of desperately needed relief. Second, scaling up the delivery of aid and essential services demands safe conditions and a conducive operating environment. We require the necessary technical, protective and communications equipment. To do our work, the parties must coordinate with the UN system in a timely and effective manner. This also includes the restoration of public order and safety to prevent the looting of humanitarian supplies. Third, people must be able to access life-saving aid. This includes medical evacuations for those who need it and I urge Member States to take in those patients. Sufficient commercial supplies must also be allowed to enter Gaza to meet the overwhelming needs of the population. Fourth, and fundamentally, civilians must be protected, and those seeking to return to their communities must have safe passage. Explosive ordnance must be removed. The recovery of human remains must be conducted with dignity and respect. I urge the Security Council and all Member States to support all efforts to implement this ceasefire, bring about a permanent cessation of hostilities, ensure accountability, and create the conditions for recovery and reconstruction. The international media must also be allowed into Gaza to report on this crucial story on the ground. We must seize the opportunity presented by the ceasefire deal to intensify efforts toward addressing governance and security frameworks in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority has said it stands ready to assume its role and responsibilities in Gaza. I urge collective support for the creation of security and governance arrangements that will enable Gaza to be re-unified politically, economically, socially, and administratively with the West Bank. Regrettably, the situation in the West Bank continues to worsen with clashes, airstrikes, and unabated illegal settlement expansion and demolitions. I am deeply concerned about an existential threat to the integrity and contiguity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory of Gaza and the West Bank. Israeli administrative changes over the past two years have streamlined and accelerated the settlement approval process. As a result, control over many aspects of planning and daily life in Area C of the West Bank has been transferred to Israeli civilian authorities. Senior Israeli officials openly speak of formally annexing all or part of the West Bank in the coming months. Any such annexation would constitute a most serious violation of international law. It is clear that greater stability in the Middle East requires irreversible action towards a two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security, in line with international law, relevant UN resolutions, and previous agreements, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States. The United Nations will continue to support every effort to advance peace, stability and a more hopeful future for Palestinians and Israelis and the broader region. Finally, with respect to that broader region, allow me to say a few words about Syria. For centuries, Syria has been a crossroads of civilizations. Now it stands at a crossroads of history. Following the fall of the brutal previous regime and years of bloodshed, there is a possibility of promise for the people of Syria. We cannot let the flame of hope turn into an inferno of chaos. The United Nations is committed to working with Syrians and the international community to support a Syrian-led process that ensures a credible and inclusive political transition, in line with the key principles of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015). I welcome the steps taken by Member States showing solidarity with Syrians. But much more significant work in addressing sanctions and designations will inevitably be necessary, particularly in light of the country's urgent economic needs. Advancing an inclusive political transition is the most effective means to ensure that Syria receives more support. As Syria travels a new path and seeks to rebuild its institutions and political systems, we will support an inclusive process in which the rights of all are fully respected, and that paves the way towards a united and sovereign Syria with its territorial integrity fully reestablished. In Lebanon, Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, and beyond, let us keep working for peace and security. As the region is undergoing a profound transformation, we must spare no effort to help shape it in the form of more justice, dignity, human rights, and peace for all the people of the Middle East. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council - on the Middle East [as delivered] United Nations Secretary-General New York 20 January 2025 Mr. President, Excellencies, I thank the presidency of Algeria for convening this briefing. The Middle East is in a period of profound transformation - rife with uncertainty, but also possibility. It is clear the region is being re-shaped. But it is far from clear what will emerge. We have a responsibility to help make sure the people of the Middle East come out of this turbulent period with peace, dignity and a horizon of hope grounded in action. Mr. President, I am just back from Lebanon, where I met with the Lebanese leadership along with the UN family, including our peacekeeping troops. A new dawn is rising in Lebanon -- with a government hopefully soon in place where all Lebanese will feel represented, and a State that will be able to guarantee security to all its citizens. The United Nations -- including the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and UN Interim Force In Lebanon - is fully committed to supporting the Lebanese people on this path. Despite enormous pressure, and with considerable risk, our peacekeeping forces stood their ground for peace to help deliver a cessation of hostilities. Here from this Council, I want to reiterate my profound gratitude and admiration to the women and men of UNIFIL. I also extend my deep thanks to the troop-contributing countries. During my visit to southern Lebanon, I saw firsthand the dramatic human impact and destruction caused by the conflict. Israelis were also victims, suffering loss and displacement. I fervently hope all from both sides will soon be able to return to the areas where they lived and resume their daily lives. We will do all we can to relieve the suffering and support recovery. Mr. President, I can report that the cessation of hostilities is fragile. But it is holding. UNIFIL troops are undertaking vital efforts to nurture this process. They are working closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces. It is vital that the Israeli presence in the south ends as defined in the agreement, and that the Lebanese Armed Forces are present in the totality of Lebanon. In this regard, since 27 November, UNIFIL has carried out over 730 missions in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces, facilitating their redeployment in more than 50 positions. UNIFIL has also facilitated 39 humanitarian missions -- in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Lebanese Red Cross, various UN entities, and NGOs. Our peacekeepers need strengthened capacities - including for clearing mines and disposing of unexploded ordnance - together with adaptation of the conduct of operations within their mandate. Resolution 1701 is clear: The area between the Blue Line and the Litani River must be free of all armed personnel, assets and weapons -- other than those of the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL. The parties must fully implement resolution 1701, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, and end the violence once and for all. The UN will continue to support all efforts to transform the cessation of hostilities into true peace. Mr. President, In Gaza, at long last, the ceasefire and hostage release deal offer a ray of hope. I commend Egypt, Qatar, and the United States for their steadfast efforts to secure that deal. Yesterday, the first three female hostages were released as part of the first phase. Ninety Palestinian prisoners were also released by Israel. While many challenges lie ahead, we should appreciate the long-overdue relief this moment provides for Palestinians in Gaza and the hostages reunited with their loved ones. We are doing our part to ensure the rapid scaling up of humanitarian deliveries. More than 630 trucks with humanitarian aid entered Gaza yesterday, at least 300 of them to the north. Mr. President, I want to repeat: Nothing justifies the appalling October 7 terror attacks by Hamas. And nothing justifies the dramatic levels of death and destruction inflicted on the Palestinian people in Gaza. We have been relentless in calling for an immediate ceasefire. The immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. And immediate action to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of life-saving aid to all those in need. Now the parties must make good on their commitments and fully implement the deal. I urge the parties to ensure that this deal leads to the release of all hostages and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. For our part, the United Nations will do all we can to advance these efforts -- in particular, to scale up humanitarian aid across Gaza, fully aware of the significant obstacles, challenges and constraints that we still face. Specifically, the ceasefire must translate into at least four simultaneous actions on the ground: First, United Nations entities - including the backbone of our humanitarian response, UNRWA - must be able to perform their functions without hindrance. The UN must have rapid, safe and unimpeded access through all available channels and crossings to deliver food, water, medicine, fuel, shelter, and materials to repair infrastructure across Gaza, including the north. Other humanitarian organizations -- including local and international NGOs -- and the private sector must also have unimpeded safe passage. Visas, permits, and other enabling conditions must be in place quickly to allow a surge of desperately needed relief. Second, scaling up the delivery of aid and essential services demands safe conditions and a conducive operating environment. We require the necessary technical, protective and communications equipment. To do our work, the parties must coordinate with the UN system in a timely and effective manner. This also includes the restoration of public order and safety to prevent the looting of humanitarian supplies. Third, people must be able to access life-saving aid. This includes medical evacuations for those who need it - and I urge Member States to take in those patients. Sufficient commercial supplies must also be allowed to enter Gaza to meet the overwhelming needs of the population. Fourth, and fundamentally, civilians must be protected, and those seeking to return to their communities must have safe passage. Explosive ordnance must be removed. The recovery of human remains must be conducted with dignity and respect. I urge the Security Council and all Member States to support all efforts to implement this ceasefire, bring about a permanent cessation of hostilities, ensure accountability, and create the conditions for recovery and reconstruction. The international media must also be allowed into Gaza to report on this crucial story on the ground. Mr. President, We must seize the opportunity presented by the ceasefire deal to intensify efforts toward addressing governance and security frameworks in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority has said it stands ready to assume its role and responsibilities in Gaza. I urge collective support for the creation of security and governance arrangements that will enable Gaza to be re-unified politically, economically, socially, and administratively with the West Bank. Regrettably, the situation in the West Bank continues to worsen - with clashes, airstrikes, and unabated illegal settlement expansion and demolitions. I am deeply concerned about an existential threat to the integrity and contiguity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory of Gaza and the West Bank. Israeli administrative changes over the past two years have streamlined and accelerated the settlement approval process. As a result, control over many aspects of planning and daily life in Area C of the West Bank has been transferred to Israeli civilian authorities. Senior Israeli officials openly speak of formally annexing all or part of the West Bank in the coming months. Any such annexation would constitute a most serious violation of international law. It is clear that greater stability in the Middle East requires irreversible action toward a two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security, in line with international law, relevant UN resolutions, and previous agreements, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States. The United Nations will continue to support every effort to advance peace, stability and a more hopeful future for Palestinians and Israelis - and the broader region. Excellencies, Finally, with respect to that broader region, allow me to say a few words about Syria. For centuries, Syria has been a crossroads of civilizations. Now it stands at a crossroads of history. Following the fall of the brutal previous regime and years of bloodshed, there is a possibility of promise for the people of Syria. We cannot let the flame of hope turn into an inferno of chaos. The United Nations is committed to working with Syrians and the international community to support a Syrian-led process that ensures a credible and inclusive political transition, in line with the key principles of Security Council Resolution 2254. I welcome the steps taken by Member States showing solidarity with Syrians. But much more significant work in addressing sanctions and designations will inevitably be necessary, particularly in light of the country's urgent economic needs. Advancing an inclusive political transition is the most effective means to ensure that Syria receives more support. As Syria travels a new path and seeks to rebuild its institutions and political systems, we will support an inclusive process in which the rights of all are fully respected, and that paves the way towards a united and sovereign Syria with its territorial integrity fully reestablished. Mr. President, In Lebanon, Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, and beyond, let us keep working for peace and security. As the region is undergoing a profound transformation, we must spare no effort to help shape it in the form of more justice, dignity, human rights, and peace for all the people of the Middle East. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World leaders congratulate Trump on inauguration By VOA News January 20, 2025 World leaders on Monday are congratulating President Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among those who congratulated Trump. "President Trump is always decisive, and the peace through strength policy he announced provides an opportunity to strengthen American leadership and achieve a long-term and just peace, which is a top priority," Zelenskyy said. The third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war is approaching at the end of February. Trump previously promised to end the Russia-Ukraine war in one day after becoming president, or even before his inauguration. More recently, Trump advisers have said resolving the conflict will now take months or even longer. Trump has voiced skepticism of continued U.S. military support for Kyiv. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also congratulated President Trump. "I believe that working together again will raise the U.S.-Israeli alliance to even greater heights," Netanyahu said. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began Sunday, just one day before Trump assumed the presidency. "I look forward to working with you to return the remaining hostages, to destroy Hamas' military capabilities and end its political rule in Gaza, and to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel," Netanyahu added. Congratulations also rolled in from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as U.S. allies like Germany, Italy and Britain. "The U.S. is our closest ally, and the aim of our policy is always a good transatlantic relationship," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pointed to the longtime relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. "For centuries, the relationship between our two nations has been one of collaboration, cooperation and enduring partnership," Starmer said. "With President Trump's longstanding affection and historical ties to the United Kingdom, I know that depth of friendship will continue." And Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who attended the inauguration at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, said she is "certain that the friendship between our nations and the values that unite us will continue to strengthen the cooperation between Italy and the USA." But not all of the messages were congratulatory. Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino rejected a portion of Trump's inaugural address, in which Trump reaffirmed his desire to reassert U.S. control over the Panama Canal. The United States fully ceded control of the strategically important canal to Panama in 1999. "On behalf of the Republic of Panama and its people, I must fully reject the words outlined by President Donald Trump regarding Panama and its canal in his inaugural speech," Mulino said in a statement. Some information in this report came from Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump seeks return of US military equipment from Afghan Taliban By Ayaz Gul January 20, 2025 President-elect Donald Trump says that future financial assistance to Afghanistan will be contingent upon the return of U.S. military equipment by the Taliban leaders currently in power. Trump's remarks at a Sunday rally in Washington on the eve of his January 20 inauguration have heightened uncertainty regarding his administration's stance on the crisis-hit South Asian nation. "They [Biden administration] gave billions of billions of dollars to the Taliban. They gave our military equipment, a big chunk of it, to the enemy," Trump said. He referred to the tumultuous and hasty withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in August 2021, ordered by President Joe Biden. "If we're going to pay billions of dollars a year, tell them we're not going to give them the money unless they give back our military equipment. ... So, we will give them a couple of bucks; we want the military equipment back," Trump stated without elaborating. A report issued by the U.S. Department of Defense in 2022 revealed that approximately $7 billion worth of military equipment was left behind in Afghanistan following the completion of the military withdrawal. The equipment in question, which included aircraft, air-to-ground munitions, military vehicles, weapons, communications equipment, and other materials, was subsequently seized by the Taliban. The de facto Afghan rulers have since repeatedly displayed the U.S. military gear in their so-called victory day celebrations over the past three years. The foreign troop exit stemmed from the February 2020 Doha Agreement that the first Trump administration negotiated with the then-insurgent Taliban. Biden completed and defended the military withdrawal, saying the choice he had was either to follow through on that agreement or be prepared to go back to fighting the Taliban. Following the withdrawal, the Biden administration largely isolated the Taliban and imposed new sanctions on the group. Washington, however, has continued to be the largest donor to Afghanistan, a country that the United Nations says is suffering through one of the severest humanitarian crises in the world. U.S. officials have also engaged in diplomatic efforts with the Taliban to negotiate the release of certain U.S. detainees and assisted in relocating Afghan allies who had helped American forces. US gives cash for humanitarian aid The billions of dollars that Trump repeatedly has referred to are likely the cash shipments being channeled through the U.N. and non-governmental organizations to support humanitarian programs in Afghanistan. Washington remains the primary donor and has spent approximately $3 billion in humanitarian aid since the U.S. withdrawal. Thomas Ruttig from the independent Afghanistan Analysts Network warned of challenges for the Taliban under the Trump administration. He noted that some members of Congress and incoming administration officials took part in the 20-year U.S. mission in Afghanistan and have been highly critical of the Taliban. Despite this, he stated that countering regional terrorism is a significant concern in Washington, and it could potentially encourage the Trump administration to seek cooperation with the Taliban to combat terrorist organizations, including the Afghanistan-based affiliate of the Islamic State terrorist organization known as IS-Khorasan. Ruttig said that Tim Burchett, Republican vice chair of the U.S. Congress's Foreign Affairs Committee, recently introduced a bill, the "No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act," to ensure that U.S. tax money does not end up in the hands of the Taliban. The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan denies that cash shipments for humanitarian programs are financing the Taliban. The mission says the current setup - in which cash is physically brought to Afghanistan and placed in designated U.N. accounts in a private bank - is in place because of a ban on international banking transfers and ongoing liquidity issues. "All these funds are then distributed directly to the United Nations entities, as well as to a small number of approved and vetted humanitarian partners in Afghanistan," according to the mission. Taliban leaders have rejected Trump's assertions that their government received U.S. financial aid, stating that they do not expect or seek any assistance from Washington. "Instead, it (U.S.) has confiscated and frozen billions of dollars that rightfully belong to the people of Afghanistan," said a Taliban statement in response to Trump's remarks earlier this month. Ruttig warns that punitive measures and sanctions to pressure the Taliban into submission might also provoke them to stop cooperation with international stakeholders. "Today, the US-Taliban Doha Agreement is still considered valid and obliges the Taliban to restrict ISKP and other groups from using their shelter in Afghanistan to commit terrorist acts in the West. This could be jeopardized by new quasi-sanctions on them," he said in written comments. Taliban hopes for better relations Masuda Sultan, an Afghan American advocate for women's rights, is doubtful the new Trump administration will substantially change its stance on the Taliban. Instead, she expects the U.S. will cut aid contributions to U.N.-funded programs like the World Food Program that have supported the country's most vulnerable. At the same time, Taliban leaders appear publicly optimistic about a favorable shift in U.S. policy under the Trump presidency, attributing this to their Doha pact with his previous Trump administration. Kabul promptly welcomed Trump's election victory just one day after he was declared the winner of the United States presidential vote. The Taliban foreign ministry issued a formal statement expressing its hope that "the incoming U.S. administration will adopt a pragmatic approach to ensure tangible advancement in bilateral relations, allowing both nations to open a new chapter of relations grounded in mutual engagement." Earlier this month, Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai commended Trump as a "decisive" and "courageous" leader. Stanikzai suggested that Trump reconsider Biden's policy and adopt a new approach. "We want to build good relations with the international community and the Western countries," Stanikzai said in televised remarks in local language. "An enemy doesn't remain an enemy forever, and a friend doesn't remain a friend forever either," he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel-Hamas ceasefire in place with first group of hostages, prisoners freed By VOA News January 20, 2025 A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was holding Monday, with the two sides in the early stages of a six-week pause in fighting that could lead to an end to the war that began in October 2023. So far three of the 99 hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza have been released, with 30 others set to be freed in the first stage of the agreement. Israel also has set free 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, all of them women and teenagers, according to Hamas, with hundreds more to follow. Hamas said Monday it would next release hostages held in Gaza on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees who are held by Israel. The United Nations has surged badly needed food aid to Gaza and says it plans to bring in 150 trucks of food every day to help Palestinian civilians who have seen their lives upended by the fighting. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said 915 aid trucks entered Gaza on Monday. More than 1.8 million people are in need of emergency shelter in Gaza, according to the U.N., which also estimated in a report last year that it could take until 2040 to rebuild the territory's destroyed housing. The ceasefire began around midday Sunday, and hours later a Red Cross convoy brought hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher safely back to Israel. Early Monday, Israel freed the 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, with large buses taking them from Israel's Ofer prison just outside the West Bank city of Ramallah. Palestinians crowded the buses, chanting and cheering, as celebratory fireworks burst overhead. The ceasefire came after months of negotiations led by the United States, Egypt and Qatar. The talks intensified during the past few weeks, with teams from both the outgoing administration of U.S. President Joe Biden and the team of incoming President Donald Trump pushing for a deal before Trump's inauguration Monday. Mediators are on standby to address any problems that may arise during the ceasefire, according to media reports. "These kinds of deals are never easy to maintain," said Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar's Foreign Ministry. "Any party could consider a threat a reason to violate the parameters of the agreement, and, therefore, we would end up with having to go in and to find a way to resume the ceasefire," the spokesperson added. The current conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas, a U.S.-designated terror group, attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostage. Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 47,000, with most of them women and children, although the Israeli military contends, without providing evidence, that it has killed 17,000 militants. In addition to the people being released and aid going into Gaza, the agreement also calls for Israeli troops to pull back into a buffer zone inside the Gaza Strip and for many displaced Palestinians to be allowed to return home. Negotiations on the far more difficult second phase of this ceasefire should begin in just over two weeks. Major questions remain, including whether the war will resume after the first phase and how the rest of the hostages in Gaza will be freed. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Organization of the National Security Council and Subcommittees January 20, 2025 January 20, 2025 National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-1 SUBJECT: Organization of the National Security Council and Subcommittees By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct the following: As President, my highest priority and responsibility is to ensure the safety and security of the United States and its people. The national and homeland security threats facing the United States are complex and rapidly evolving. These issues often do not fit neatly into the categories that single departments and agencies are designed to optimally address, a fact recognized and exploited by our strategic competitors and adversaries in their adoption of whole-of-government and even whole-of-society approaches. The United States Government's decision-making structures and processes to address national security challenges must therefore be equally adaptive and comprehensive. They must be able to competently design and execute cooperative and integrated interagency solutions to address these problems, and protect and advance the national interests of the United States. Therefore, to advise and assist me in this endeavor, I hereby direct that my system for national security policy development, decision-making, implementation, and monitoring shall be organized as set forth in this Memorandum. This Memorandum prevails over any prior orders, directives, memoranda, or other Presidential guidance related to the organization of the National Security Council (NSC or Council). A. The National Security Council and Supporting Staff 1. Functions, Responsibilities, and Chairs. (a) Functions and Responsibilities. The National Security Act of 1947, as amended (the Act), established the NSC to advise the President with respect to the integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies relating to national security. The Homeland Security Council (HSC) has the distinct purpose of advising the President on matters pertaining to homeland security. The NSC shall convene as the HSC on topic areas agreed to in advance by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (National Security Advisor) and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security (Homeland Security Advisor). Along with its subordinate committees and staff, the NSC shall be the President's principal means for coordinating Executive departments and agencies in the development and implementation of national and homeland security policies, strategies, activities, and functions, their integration across departments and agencies within their purview, and for long-term strategic planning. (b) Chairs. The President will chair the NSC. When the President is absent from a meeting of the Council, he may appoint a Cabinet-level official to chair. 2. NSC Staffing Responsibilities of the National Security Advisor. (a) Role of the National Security Advisor. The National Security Advisor shall be responsible, as appropriate and at the President's direction, for determining the agenda for the NSC, ensuring that the necessary papers are prepared, and recording and communicating Council actions and Presidential decisions in a timely manner. (b) Role of the Homeland Security Advisor. When convened as the HSC, the duties referenced in subsection (2)(a) shall be the responsibility of the Homeland Security Advisor. 3. Designating NSC Members, Attendees, and Invitees. (a) Membership. The NSC membership consists of the statutory members set forth in section 101(c)(1) of the Act (50 U.S.C. 3021(c)(1)): The President; The Vice President; The Secretary of State; The Secretary of the Treasury; The Secretary of Defense; The Secretary of Energy; The Director of the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy; and additional members hereby designated by the President pursuant to section 101(c)(1) of the Act: The Attorney General; The Secretary of the Interior; Chief of Staff to the President (White House Chief of Staff); and The National Security Advisor. When the NSC convenes as the HSC, members shall also include: The Secretary of Homeland Security; and 13) The Homeland Security Advisor. (b) NSC Meeting Attendees. The National Security Advisor retains the discretion to determine the attendee list for all meetings of the NSC, including by requesting the attendance of any senior official of the Executive Branch. The Homeland Security Advisor retains this same discretion when the NSC convenes as the HSC. This discretion shall be exercised based on the policy relevance of attendees to the issues being considered, the need for secrecy on sensitive matters, staffing requirements, and other considerations. As regular practice, the National Security Advisor and Homeland Security Advisor shall include as additional non-voting attendees: The Director of National Intelligence (non-voting advisor); The Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor (non-voting advisor and principal notetaker) or, when convening as the HSC, the Deputy Homeland Security Advisor (non-voting advisor and principal notetaker); The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (non-voting advisor); and The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (non-voting advisor). (c) NSC Regular Invitees. Unless specifically restricted, these officials are invited to attend any NSC and HSC meeting as non-voting advisors: The Assistant to the President and Counsel to the President; The Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy; The Assistant to the President for Policy; and The Deputy Counsel to the President for National Security Affairs and Legal Counsel to the National Security Advisor. 4. Right to Propose Agenda Items. Any NSC member attending a meeting in a voting capacity may propose, in advance and in accordance with a timeline set by the National Security Advisor or his designee, agenda items for their consideration.[1] The National Security Advisor will determine whether to include these items on the agenda. The Homeland Security Advisor shall have this same discretion when the Council is convened as the HSC. 5. The National Security Council Staff. (a) Staff Fusion. There is a single NSC staff within the Executive Office of the President (EOP) that serves both the NSC on national security matters and the HSC when the Council is considering homeland security matters. The staff is headed by a single Executive Secretary, in accordance with section 101(e)(1) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3021(e)(1)) and section 905 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 495). (b) Purpose. The purposes of the National Security Advisor and subordinate staff are to (i) advise and assist the President in the course of conducting activities that relate to or affect the carrying out of the President's constitutional, statutory, or other official or ceremonial duties pertaining to national or homeland security, pursuant to the Presidential Records Act of 1978, as amended;[2] (ii) advise and assist the other members of the NSC (and the NSC when convening as the HSC), and others in the White House; (iii) help the President plan and set priorities, in accordance with section II of the Message of the President in the Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977; (iv) advise and make recommendations to the President with respect to, and establish, integrated domestic, foreign, and military policies and procedures for the departments, agencies, and functions of the Government relating to national and homeland security, pursuant to sections 2 and 101(b)(1) of the Act (50 U.S.C. 3002, 3021(b)(1)); (v) coordinate, facilitate, monitor, oversee, and review Administration policies and their implementation with respect to national security, and make resulting recommendations to the President; (vi) help the President resolve major conflicts among departments and agencies with regard to national security, in accordance with section II of the Message of the President in the Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977. (c) Fair, Balanced, and Thorough Processes. In accordance with sections I and II of the Message of the President in the Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977, the NSC staff shall ensure that the processes it organizes, coordinates, and manages fairly and thoroughly gather the facts, intelligence, and other relevant information necessary to NSC decisions; fully analyze the issues; consider a full range of views and options; assess the prospects, risks, costs, and implications of each option; and distill these options for the President, other NSC principals, and senior officials participating in the subsidiary committees of the NSC or HSC, in a fair, balanced, and organized way. The National Security Advisor and subordinate NSC staff shall represent the views and differences of NSC principals and other senior officials to the President with accuracy and fidelity. (d) Policy Development. In accordance with sections I and II of the Message of the President in the Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977,[8] the NSC staff shall facilitate the development and refinement of interagency policy options, and develop additional options besides those proposed by departments and agencies as necessary, both to complement, supplement, and enhance their work, and to offer the President and other NSC principals and other senior officials a sufficiently broad menu of operationally feasible options for consideration, deliberation, and decision. B. The Principals Committee 1. Principals Committee Establishment. (a) (i) Functions and Responsibilities. The Principals Committee (PC) shall continue to serve as the Cabinet-level senior interagency forum for considering policy issues that affect the national security interests of the United States. The PC shall develop options and recommendations for the President on national security and homeland security matters requiring the President's attention, and with the Committee's full consensus shall set priorities, issue policy guidance, and facilitate coordination and integration on national security policy and implementation issues as appropriate that do not require Presidential attention.[9] Issues involving matters that are statutorily authorized for decision by a principal, or delegated to a principal by the President, can be coordinated and decided by the principals without requiring Presidential attention. (ii) Voting and NSC Referral. Consensus is reached when all voting (i.e., non-advisory) attendees present either vote affirmatively for the same decisional option or formally abstain, and all such votes shall be recorded and minuted. Issues for which the Committee fails to reach consensus shall be referred to the NSC for decision, with a formal nonconcurrence required by at least one non-advisory attendee present for such a referral. Whether an issue requires Presidential attention, and the Committee attendees' positions on the issue itself, shall be separately polled. If a voting attendee does not concur with the determination that Presidential consideration is not required, the issue shall be referred, along with the results of the PC's deliberation on the issue itself and its recommendations, to deliberation by the NSC. (b) Role of the National Security Advisor. The PC shall be convened and chaired by the National Security Advisor. The Chair shall determine the agenda, location, and meeting materials, in consultation with the appropriate attendees. (c) Substitute Chairs. At his sole discretion, the National Security Advisor may delegate authority to convene and chair or co-chair the PC to an appropriate attendee of the NSC or EOP policy council senior official. The Homeland Security Advisor, who is Chair when the PC considers matters that would be raised to the NSC convening as the HSC, may similarly delegate such duties. (d) Right to Propose Agenda Items. Any PC member attending in a voting capacity may propose, in advance and in accordance with a timeline set by the Chair, agenda items for consideration by the PC. The Chair will determine which, if any, shall be included. 2. Executive Secretary Responsibilities and Process. (a) Responsibilities. The Executive Secretary shall ensure that the necessary papers are prepared, serve as executive secretary of the PC, and shall record and communicate accurately, and in a timely manner, the Committee's conclusions and decisions, what was not decided, and any responsibilities for implementation by departments and agencies or taskings to the Deputies Committee or subsidiary policy coordination committees that have been agreed or assigned, if appropriate.[10] The Executive Secretary shall generally be assisted in these tasks by the senior directors and other NSC staff by the senior directors and other NSC staff. (b) Dispute Resolution Process. If a PC voting attendee disputes that the conclusions or decisions of the PC were correctly minuted, this must be communicated in writing to the Executive Secretary and the National Security Advisor (and any substitute Chair if appropriate) within three business days, although those officials may allow additional time if exigent or extenuating circumstances require it. If resolution of the dispute cannot be achieved, and any necessary amended report of the PC proceedings was issued within a week of the dispute being communicated, the disputing attendee may appeal the matter to the White House Chief of Staff or, should that official so designate, to the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, whose decision shall be final. 3. Principals Committee Attendees and Invitees. (a) Principals Committee Attendees. (i) The National Security Advisor retains the discretion to determine the attendee list for all PC meetings on national security. The Homeland Security Advisor retains this same discretion when chairing the PC. This discretion shall be exercised based on the policy relevance of attendees to the issues being considered, the need for secrecy on sensitive matters, staffing needs, and other considerations. As regular practice, the National Security Advisor and Homeland Security Advisor shall include as additional non-voting attendees: 1) The Director of National Intelligence; 2) The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; 3) The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency; 4) The Principal Deputy National Security Advisor; 5) the National Security Advisor to the Vice President; and 6) The Executive Secretary (principal notetaker). (ii) PC Regular Invitees. Unless specifically restricted, these officials are invited to attend any PC meeting as non-voting advisors: The Assistant to the President and Counselor to the President; The Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy; The Assistant to the President for Policy; and The Deputy Counsel to the President for National Security Affairs and Legal Counsel to the National Security Advisor. (iii) Staffing Invitees. At the discretion of the Chair, staff members of the NSC or other appropriate EOP policy councils may be invited to attend specific PC meetings to assist the Executive Secretary in the performance of their executive secretary duties. C. The Deputies Committee 1. Deputies Committee Establishment. (a) Functions and Responsibilities. The Deputies Committee (DC) shall continue to serve as the senior sub-Cabinet interagency forum for consideration of and, where appropriate, decision making on, policy issues that affect the national security interests of the United States. The DC shall review and monitor the work of the interagency national security process, including the interagency groups established pursuant to section D below. The DC shall work to ensure that issues brought before the NSC, the NSC when convening as the HSC, and the PC have been properly analyzed and prepared for decision. The DC shall also focus significant attention on monitoring the implementation of these policies and decisions and shall conduct periodic reviews of the Administration's major national security and foreign policy initiatives. (b) Role of the Principal Deputy National Security Advisor. The DC shall be convened and chaired by the Principal Deputy National Security Advisor. The Chair shall determine the location, agenda, and meeting materials in consultation with the DC attendees. (c) Substitute Chairs. At his sole discretion, the Principal Deputy National Security Advisor may delegate authority to convene and chair or co-chair the DC to an appropriate regular attendee of the DC or other appropriate EOP official. The Deputy Assistant to the President for Homeland Security (Deputy Homeland Security Advisor) shall chair meetings when considering issues that would be raised when the NSC is convened as the HSC. The Deputy Homeland Security Advisor has similar delegatory authority. (d) Right to Propose Agenda Items. Any DC member attending in a voting capacity may propose, in advance and in accordance with a timeline set by the Chair, agenda items for consideration by the DC. The Chair will determine which, if any, shall be included. 2. Executive Secretary Responsibilities and Process. (a) General. The Executive Secretary shall ensure that the necessary papers are prepared, and shall record and communicate accurately, and in a timely manner, the Committee's conclusions and decisions, what was not decided, and any responsibilities for implementation by departments and agencies or taskings to subsidiary policy coordination committees that have been agreed or assigned, if appropriate. The Executive Secretary shall generally be assisted in this task by the senior directors and other NSC staff. (b) Dispute Resolution Process. If a DC voting attendee disputes that the conclusions or decisions of the DC were correctly minuted, this must be communicated in writing to the Executive Secretary and the Principal Deputy National Security Advisor or the Deputy Homeland Security Advisor, as relevant, within three business days, although those officials may allow additional time if exigent or extenuating circumstances require it. If resolution of the dispute cannot be achieved, and any necessary amended report of the PC proceedings issued within a week of the dispute being communicated, the disputing attendee may appeal the matter to the White House Chief of Staff, or should that official so designate, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, whose decision shall be final. 3. Designating Deputies Committee Regular Attendees and Invitees. (a) Deputies Committee Attendees. The Principal Deputy National Security Advisor retains the discretion to determine the attendee list for all DC meetings. The Deputy Homeland Security Advisor retains this same discretion when chairing DC meetings. This discretion shall be exercised based on the policy relevance of attendees to the issues being considered, the need for secrecy on sensitive matters, staffing needs, and other considerations. As regular practice, the Principal Deputy National Security Advisor shall include as DC attendees: The Deputy Secretary of State; The Deputy Secretary of the Treasury; The Deputy Secretary of Defense; The Deputy Attorney General; The Deputy Secretary of Energy; The Deputy Director of National Intelligence (non-voting advisor); The Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (non-voting advisor); The Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (non-voting advisor); The Executive Secretary of the NSC (non-voting advisor and principal notetaker); and The National Security Advisor to the Vice President. When homeland security issues are on the DC agenda, the DC's regular attendees will also include: 11) The Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security; and 12) The Deputy Homeland Security Advisor (chair). (b) DC Regular Invitees. These officials are invited to attend any DC meeting: The Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget; and The Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Policy Strategist. D. Policy Coordination Committees Management of the development and implementation of national security policies by multiple Executive departments and agencies typically shall be accomplished by Policy Coordination Committees (PCCs), with participation primarily occurring at the Assistant Secretary level. As the main day-to-day fora for interagency coordination and integration of national security policies, PCCs shall develop and provide policy options and analyses for consideration by higher echelon committees of the national security system. PCCs shall ensure timely responses to, and implementation and monitoring of, decisions, directives, objectives, instructions, inquiries, tasking, and policy guidance of and by the President, National Security Advisor, and the higher-echelon committees of the national security system. PCCs shall be established at the direction of the National Security Advisor or Homeland Security Advisor, in consultation with the White House Chief of Staff or her designee. Members of the NSC staff will chair the PCCs. PCCs shall review, coordinate, integrate, and monitor the implementation of Presidential decisions in their respective national security and homeland security policy areas. The Chair of each PCC, in consultation with the Executive Secretary, shall invite representatives of departments and agencies to attend meetings of the PCC where appropriate. The Chair of each PCC, with the agreement of the Executive Secretary, may establish subordinate working groups to assist that PCC in the performance of its duties. Interagency Policy Committees (IPCs) chartered under the aegis of the process established by National Security Memorandum-2 (NSM-2) may continue to be operated as PCCs by the NSC staff until renewed or discontinued by the National Security Advisor. E. General (a) The President and the Vice President may attend any meeting of any entity established by or under this directive. (b) This document is part of a series of National Security Policy Memoranda, which have replaced both National Security Memoranda and National Security Study Memoranda as the instrument for communicating relevant Presidential decisions. This directive shall supersede all other existing Presidential directives and guidance on the organization or support of the NSC and the HSC where they conflict, including National Security Memorandum-2 of February 4, 2021 (Memorandum on Renewing the National Security Council System), which is hereby revoked. This document shall be interpreted in concert with any Presidential directives governing other policy councils and offices in the EOP mentioned herein, and with any Presidential directives signed hereafter that implement this document or those Presidential directives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DECLARING A NATIONAL ENERGY EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER January 20, 2025 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) ("NEA"), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose. The energy and critical minerals ("energy") identification, leasing, development, production, transportation, refining, and generation capacity of the United States are all far too inadequate to meet our Nation's needs. We need a reliable, diversified, and affordable supply of energy to drive our Nation's manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and defense industries, and to sustain the basics of modern life and military preparedness. Caused by the harmful and shortsighted policies of the previous administration, our Nation's inadequate energy supply and infrastructure causes and makes worse the high energy prices that devastate Americans, particularly those living on low- and fixed-incomes. This active threat to the American people from high energy prices is exacerbated by our Nation's diminished capacity to insulate itself from hostile foreign actors. Energy security is an increasingly crucial theater of global competition. In an effort to harm the American people, hostile state and non-state foreign actors have targeted our domestic energy infrastructure, weaponized our reliance on foreign energy, and abused their ability to cause dramatic swings within international commodity markets. An affordable and reliable domestic supply of energy is a fundamental requirement for the national and economic security of any nation. The integrity and expansion of our Nation's energy infrastructure - from coast to coast - is an immediate and pressing priority for the protection of the United States' national and economic security. It is imperative that the Federal government puts the physical and economic wellbeing of the American people first. Moreover, the United States has the potential to use its unrealized energy resources domestically, and to sell to international allies and partners a reliable, diversified, and affordable supply of energy. This would create jobs and economic prosperity for Americans forgotten in the present economy, improve the United States' trade balance, help our country compete with hostile foreign powers, strengthen relations with allies and partners, and support international peace and security. Accordingly, our Nation's dangerous energy situation inflicts unnecessary and perilous constraints on our foreign policy. The policies of the previous administration have driven our Nation into a national emergency, where a precariously inadequate and intermittent energy supply, and an increasingly unreliable grid, require swift and decisive action. Without immediate remedy, this situation will dramatically deteriorate in the near future due to a high demand for energy and natural resources to power the next generation of technology. The United States' ability to remain at the forefront of technological innovation depends on a reliable supply of energy and the integrity of our Nation's electrical grid. Our Nation's current inadequate development of domestic energy resources leaves us vulnerable to hostile foreign actors and poses an imminent and growing threat to the United States' prosperity and national security. These numerous problems are most pronounced in our Nation's Northeast and West Coast, where dangerous State and local policies jeopardize our Nation's core national defense and security needs, and devastate the prosperity of not only local residents but the entire United States population. The United States' insufficient energy production, transportation, refining, and generation constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to our Nation's economy, national security, and foreign policy. In light of these findings, I hereby declare a national emergency. Sec. 2. Emergency Approvals. (a) The heads of executive departments and agencies ("agencies") shall identify and exercise any lawful emergency authorities available to them, as well as all other lawful authorities they may possess, to facilitate the identification, leasing, siting, production, transportation, refining, and generation of domestic energy resources, including, but not limited to, on Federal lands. If an agency assesses that use of either Federal eminent domain authorities or authorities afforded under the Defense Production Act (Public Law 81-774, 50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) are necessary to achieve this objective, the agency shall submit recommendations for a course of action to the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. (b) Consistent with 42 U.S.C. 7545(c)(4)(C)(ii)(III), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, after consultation with, and concurrence by, the Secretary of Energy, shall consider issuing emergency fuel waivers to allow the year-round sale of E15 gasoline to meet any projected temporary shortfalls in the supply of gasoline across the Nation. Sec. 3. Expediting the Delivery of Energy Infrastructure. (a) To facilitate the Nation's energy supply, agencies shall identify and use all relevant lawful emergency and other authorities available to them to expedite the completion of all authorized and appropriated infrastructure, energy, environmental, and natural resources projects that are within the identified authority of each of the Secretaries to perform or to advance. (b) To protect the collective national and economic security of the United States, agencies shall identify and use all lawful emergency or other authorities available to them to facilitate the supply, refining, and transportation of energy in and through the West Coast of the United States, Northeast of the United States, and Alaska. (c) The Secretaries shall provide such reports regarding activities under this section as may be requested by the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy. Sec. 4. Emergency Regulations and Nationwide Permits Under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Other Statutes Administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. (a) Within 30 days from the date of this order, the heads of all agencies, as well as the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works shall: (i) identify planned or potential actions to facilitate the Nation's energy supply that may be subject to emergency treatment pursuant to the regulations and nationwide permits promulgated by the Corps, or jointly by the Corps and EPA, pursuant to section 404 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1344, section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of March 3, 1899, 33 U.S.C. 403, and section 103 of the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, 33 U.S.C. 1413 (collectively, the "emergency Army Corps permitting provisions"); and (ii) shall provide a summary report, listing such actions, to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget ("OMB"); the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works; the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy; and the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Such report may be combined, as appropriate, with any other reports required by this order. (b) Agencies are directed to use, to the fullest extent possible and consistent with applicable law, the emergency Army Corps permitting provisions to facilitate the Nation's energy supply. (c) Within 30 days following the submission of the initial summary report described in subsection (a)(ii) of this section, each department and agency shall provide a status report to the OMB Director; the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works; the Director of the National Economic Council; and the Chairman of the CEQ. Each such report shall list actions taken within subsection (a)(i) of this section, shall list the status of any previously reported planned or potential actions, and shall list any new planned or potential actions that fall within subsection (a)(i). Such status reports shall thereafter be provided to these officials at least every 30 days for the duration of the national emergency and may be combined, as appropriate, with any other reports required by this order. (d) The Secretary of the Army, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, shall be available to consult promptly with agencies and to take other prompt and appropriate action concerning the application of the emergency Army Corps permitting provisions. The Administrator of the EPA shall provide prompt cooperation to the Secretary of the Army and to agencies in connection with the discharge of the responsibilities described in this section. Sec. 5. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Emergency Consultation Regulations. (a) No later than 30 days from the date of this order, the heads of all agencies tasked in this order shall: (i) identify planned or potential actions to facilitate the Nation's energy supply that may be subject to the regulation on consultations in emergencies, 50 C.F.R. 402.05, promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to the Endangered Species Act ("ESA"), 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; and (ii) provide a summary report, listing such actions, to the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, the OMB Director, the Director of the National Economic Council, and the Chairman of CEQ. Such report may be combined, as appropriate, with any other reports required by this order. (b) Agencies are directed to use, to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law, the ESA regulation on consultations in emergencies, to facilitate the Nation's energy supply. (c) Within 30 days following the submission of the initial summary report described in subsection (a)(ii) of this section, the head of each agency shall provide a status report to the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, the OMB Director, the Director of the National Economic Council, and the Chairman of CEQ. Each such report shall list actions taken within the categories described in subsection (a)(i) of this section, the status of any previously reported planned or potential actions, and any new planned or potential actions within these categories. Such status reports shall thereafter be provided to these officials at least every 30 days for the duration of the national emergency and may be combined, as appropriate, with any other reports required by this order. The OMB Director may grant discretionary exemptions from this reporting requirement. (d) The Secretary of the Interior shall ensure that the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Director's authorized representative, is available to consult promptly with agencies and to take other prompt and appropriate action concerning the application of the ESA's emergency regulations. The Secretary of Commerce shall ensure that the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries for the National Marine Fisheries Service, or the Assistant Administrator's authorized representative, is available for such consultation and to take such other action. Sec. 6. Convening the Endangered Species Act Committee. (a) In acting as Chairman of the Endangered Species Act Committee, the Secretary of the Interior shall convene the Endangered Species Act Committee not less than quarterly, unless otherwise required by law, to review and consider any lawful applications submitted by an agency, the Governor of a State, or any applicant for a permit or license who submits for exemption from obligations imposed by Section 7 of the ESA. (b) To the extent practicable under the law, the Secretary of the Interior shall ensure a prompt and efficient review of all submissions described in subsection (a) of this section, to include identification of any legal deficiencies, in order to ensure an initial determination within 20 days of receipt and the ability to convene the Endangered Species Act Committee to resolve the submission within 140 days of such initial determination of eligibility. (c) In the event that the committee has no pending applications for review, the committee or its designees shall nonetheless convene to identify obstacles to domestic energy infrastructure specifically deriving from implementation of the ESA or the Marine Mammal Protection Act, to include regulatory reform efforts, species listings, and other related matters with the aim of developing procedural, regulatory, and interagency improvements. Sec. 7. Coordinated Infrastructure Assistance. (a) In collaboration with the Secretaries of Interior and Energy, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct an assessment of the Department of Defense's ability to acquire and transport the energy, electricity, or fuels needed to protect the homeland and to conduct operations abroad, and, within 60 days, shall submit this assessment to the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. This assessment shall identify specific vulnerabilities, including, but not limited to, potentially insufficient transportation and refining infrastructure across the Nation, with a focus on such vulnerabilities within the Northeast and West Coast regions of the United States. The assessment shall also identify and recommend the requisite authorities and resources to remedy such vulnerabilities, consistent with applicable law. (b) In accordance with section 301 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1631), the construction authority provided in section 2808 of title 10, United States Code, is invoked and made available, according to its terms, to the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, to address any vulnerabilities identified in the assessment mandated by subsection (a). Any such recommended actions shall be submitted to the President for review, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy. Sec. 8. Definitions. For purposes of this order, the following definitions shall apply: (a) The term "energy" or "energy resources" means crude oil, natural gas, lease condensates, natural gas liquids, refined petroleum products, uranium, coal, biofuels, geothermal heat, the kinetic movement of flowing water, and critical minerals, as defined by 30 U.S.C. 1606 (a)(3). (b) The term "production" means the extraction or creation of energy. (c) The term "transportation" means the physical movement of energy, including through, but not limited to, pipelines. (d) The term "refining" means the physical or chemical change of energy into a form that can be used by consumers or users, including, but not limited to, the creation of gasoline, diesel, ethanol, aviation fuel, or the beneficiation, enrichment, or purification of minerals. (e) The term "generation" means the use of energy to produce electricity or thermal power and the transmission of electricity from its site of generation. (f) The term "energy supply" means the production, transportation, refining, and generation of energy. Sec. 9. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of OMB relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 20, 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WITHDRAWING THE UNITED STATES FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION EXECUTIVE ORDER January 20, 2025 WITHDRAWING THE UNITED STATES FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose. The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 due to the organization's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states. In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries' assessed payments. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO. Sec. 2. Actions. (a) The United States intends to withdraw from the WHO. The Presidential Letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations signed on January 20, 2021, that retracted the United States' July 6, 2020, notification of withdrawal is revoked. (b) Executive Order 13987 of January 25, 2021 (Organizing and Mobilizing the United States Government to Provide a Unified and Effective Response to Combat COVID-19 and to Provide United States Leadership on Global Health and Security), is revoked. (c) The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs shall establish directorates and coordinating mechanisms within the National Security Council apparatus as he deems necessary and appropriate to safeguard public health and fortify biosecurity. (d) The Secretary of State and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall take appropriate measures, with all practicable speed, to: (i) pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO; (ii) recall and reassign United States Government personnel or contractors working in any capacity with the WHO; and (iii) identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO. (e) The Director of the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy shall review, rescind, and replace the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy as soon as practicable. Sec. 3. Notification. The Secretary of State shall immediately inform the Secretary-General of the United Nations, any other applicable depositary, and the leadership of the WHO of the withdrawal. Sec. 4. Global System Negotiations. While withdrawal is in progress, the Secretary of State will cease negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the amendments to the International Health Regulations, and actions taken to effectuate such agreement and amendments will have no binding force on the United States. Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 20, 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address RESTORING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND ENDING FEDERAL CENSORSHIP EXECUTIVE ORDER January 20, 2025 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Purpose.The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, an amendment essential to the success of our Republic, enshrines the right of the American people to speak freely in the public square without Government interference. Over the last 4 years, the previous administration trampled free speech rights by censoring Americans' speech on online platforms, often by exerting substantial coercive pressure on third parties, such as social media companies, to moderate, deplatform, or otherwise suppress speech that the Federal Government did not approve. Under the guise of combatting "misinformation," "disinformation," and "malinformation," the Federal Government infringed on the constitutionally protected speech rights of American citizens across the United States in a manner that advanced the Government's preferred narrative about significant matters of public debate. Government censorship of speech is intolerable in a free society. Sec. 2. Policy. It is the policy of the United States to: (a) secure the right of the American people to engage in constitutionally protected speech; (b) ensure that no Federal Government officer, employee, or agent engages in or facilitates any conduct that would unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen; (c) ensure that no taxpayer resources are used to engage in or facilitate any conduct that would unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen; and (d) identify and take appropriate action to correct past misconduct by the Federal Government related to censorship of protected speech. Sec. 3. Ending Censorship of Protected Speech. (a) No Federal department, agency, entity, officer, employee, or agent may act or use any Federal resources in a manner contrary to section 2 of this order. (b) The Attorney General, in consultation with the heads of executive departments and agencies, shall investigate the activities of the Federal Government over the last 4 years that are inconsistent with the purposes and policies of this order and prepare a report to be submitted to the President, through the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, with recommendations for appropriate remedial actions to be taken based on the findings of the report. Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 20, 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Donald Trump sworn in as 47th US president, starts second term Global Times Han Zheng meets JD Vance ahead of inauguration ceremony By Yang Sheng Published: Jan 21, 2025 12:06 AM Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th US president on Monday, becoming the second president to serve nonconsecutive terms. According to the NBC News, Trump plans to sign more than 50 executive orders - and possibly more than 100 - on the first day of his second presidency. Trump and Biden arrived at the US Capitol for the inauguration after riding together in a limo from the White House, CNN reported. Trump's inauguration took place indoors due to dangerously cold temperatures in Washington on Monday. The media said it will likely be the coldest Inauguration Day since 1985. Trump was sworn in at the Capitol Rotunda by Chief Justice John Roberts. Throngs of Trump supporters who descended on the city to watch the inaugural ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol from the National Mall would be left to find somewhere else to view the festivities, the AP said. The guest list included political leaders, former presidents and influential billionaires, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. The Clintons, the Bushes and the Bidens also attended the inauguration ceremony, along with former president Barack Obama. Future ties Before Trump's inauguration, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who is set to attend Trump's inauguration ceremony on Monday as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, met with JD Vance on Sunday local time. During his meeting with Vance, Han first conveyed Xi's greetings to Trump and congratulated Vance on his election. Han said that China is ready to work with the US to adhere to the strategic guidance of the head-of-state diplomacy and follow through on the important consensus reached between Xi and Trump, so as to push for the steady, healthy and sustainable development of bilateral ties. He noted that Xi recently had an important phone call with Trump, during which the two leaders reached many important consensuses on the development of China-US relations in the next stage. Noting that China and the US are both great countries, and that the Chinese and the Americans are both great people, Han said that the two sides are currently working hard to achieve their respective development goals and dreams. As long as the two sides uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, they will contribute to each other's progress, bring benefits to the two countries, and make important contributions to world peace and development, said Han. Economic and trade relations are important issues of common concern to both sides, he noted. Despite differences and frictions between China and the US, they share huge common interests and space for cooperation, and the two sides can strengthen dialogue and consultation in this regard, Han added. For his part, Vance asked Han to convey Trump's sincere greetings to Xi. Vance said Trump had a phone call with Xi a few days ago, in which they had good communication on important issues regarding bilateral ties. Economic and trade relations, he stressed, are important to both the US and China. Noting that China is playing an increasingly important role in international affairs, Vance told Han that the US is willing to develop an enduring and fruitful relationship with China, strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China on international and regional issues, and jointly promote world peace and stability. Learn from the past "Trump is now becoming much more sophisticated compared to his first term when handling foreign affairs, especially on China-US relations, the most significant but also complex and sensitive bilateral relationship on the planet," Lu Xiang, an expert on US studies and research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. Trump has told advisers he wants to travel to China after he takes office, the Wall Street Journal reported, quoting people familiar with the discussions. Trump has expressed interest in traveling to China in his first 100 days in office, the report said. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that "China stands ready to work with the new administration of the US, under the strategic guidance of the presidents of the two countries and in the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to maintain communication, enhance cooperation, properly manage and control differences and secure greater progress in China-US relations from a new starting point." In addition to media report on Trump's plan to visit China, Trump is also seeking a solution to maintain Tik Tok in America. "This is a positive signal, and we can cautiously expect that, at least in the early part of his term, Trump administration will make efforts to not only stabilize but also develop ties with China," he noted. Diao Daming, a professor at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, said the phone call between Xi and Trump on Friday, which took place a few days ahead of the latter's inauguration, as well as the attendance of the Chinese vice president at the inauguration ceremony of the US president, are all unprecedented activities in the interactions between the two great powers. "This proves that China and the US are able to stabilize bilateral ties. The Trump administration should recognize that cooperation will benefit both sides while conflict and struggle will make both sides suffer," Diao said. Trump will be put under very limited pressure from the opposition Democrats in the Congress, so he will have more space for making decisions on policies about China than in his first term, Lu said. It would be unrealistic to expect all problems to be removed in China-US ties, and to what extent the Trump administration can fix ties is a question that requires long-term cautious observation, and the international community, including China, will pay close attention to and prepare for changes that Trump may bring to the US, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Donald Trump inaugurated as US president again By Ken Bredemeier January 21, 2025 Republican Donald Trump was inaugurated again Monday as the 47th U.S. president, calling for a "revolution of common sense" and vowing to quickly order sweeping policy changes, including the deportation of millions of undocumented migrants living in the United States back to their home countries. "The golden age of America begins right now," Trump declared in his half-hour inaugural address. "From this moment on, America's decline is over. We will lead it to new heights of victory and success. There is no dream we cannot achieve. We will not be broken. We will not fail. "I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country," Trump told a crowd of about 600 people in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol and millions watching on TV throughout the country. "My message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor and the vitality of history's greatest civilization," he said. Trump, 78, was the country's 45th president, and only the second after Grover Cleveland in the 1890s to serve a second nonconsecutive term. With Trump's inauguration, President Joe Biden leaves office after a single four-year term in the White House. In his address, Trump vowed to quickly carry out a litany of 2024 campaign promises, citing the fact that he swept all seven political battleground states in defeating his Democratic challenger, former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump said he will "declare a national emergency," close the southwestern U.S. border with Mexico to stem the flow of thousands of migrants seeking to enter the U.S., with many of them looking to escape poverty, crime and unemployment in Central American countries and elsewhere. Trump said he would enforce a "stay in Mexico" policy for migrants looking for asylum in the U.S. and end the policy of catching other migrants at the U.S. border and then releasing to them to live in the United States while they await adjudication of their asylum requests, a process that can take months, even years. He said he would declare Mexican drug cartels as "foreign terrorists," although said nothing about how he would deal with them. On the domestic front, he said he would declare a "national energy emergency," even though production is already at a record high. "We will drill, baby, drill," he declared emphatically. Trump said he would end Biden policies to promote the production and sale of electric vehicles, while also overhauling U.S. trade policies, imposing new tariffs on key trade partners, levies expected to include those imposed on Canada, Mexico and China. "The American dream will soon be thriving as never before," he contended. "We will forge a society that is fair and merit based." Much like at a campaign rally last year when Biden was still running for reelection before dropping out in favor of Harris, Trump assailed his predecessor's performance in office as Biden sat immediately behind him. "We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home," Trump said, "while at the same time, stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. It fails to protect our magnificent law-abiding American citizens but provides sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals, many from prisons and mental institutions that have illegally entered our country from all over the world." Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania, new Vice President JD Vance and their families, began his second inaugural day eight years after his first by attending a traditional service for incoming presidents at St. John's Episcopal Church across a park from the White House. Afterward, the Trumps headed to the White House for a preinaugural tea with Biden and first lady Jill Biden, before heading to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony. Trump is the oldest person ever inaugurated as U.S. president, eclipsing Biden who was five months younger when he took the oath four years ago. Vance, 40, and most recently a U.S. senator from the Midwestern state of Ohio, was sworn in as the 50th vice president and is the third youngest in history. Trump is also the first felon to serve as U.S. president, after his conviction last year on 34 criminal charges linked to falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 hush money payment to porn film star Stormy Daniels, although a judge declined to penalize him in any way. Charges that Trump tried to illegally overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden were dropped because of a long-standing Justice Department policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. U.S. presidential inaugurations, a symbol of the democratic country's norms of a peaceful transition of presidential power, are traditionally held on the steps of the Capitol overlooking the vast sweep of the National Mall. But with freezing temperatures hitting Washington, Trump days ago moved the ceremony into the Capitol Rotunda, where 2,000 of his supporters rioted in 2021 to keep Congress from certifying Biden's 2020 victory. Several U.S. billionaires Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla chief executive and X owner Elon Musk were among those who watched the inauguration, as was TikTok chief executive Shou Zi Chew. Foreign dignitaries were there as well, including Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentina President Javier Milei and Ecuador President Daniel Noboa. Former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama attended the ceremony, unlike Trump, who skipped Biden's swearing-in four years ago and continues to falsely claim that he was cheated out of reelection in the 2020 election by voting irregularities. The traditional inaugural parade along Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House was also moved indoors due to the weather, with bands and marching units parading past Trump inside the 20,000-seat Capitol One Arena in Washington. The night closed with a series of lavish black-tie balls. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump's executive orders on immigration focus on border security, asylum restrictions, deportations By Aline Barros January 20, 2025 On the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump announced a series of executive actions addressing immigration and border security. Trump signed orders his officials called "common-sense immigration policies." These include declaring a national emergency at the U.S. southern border, deploying armed forces, border wall construction, ending asylum and ending birthright citizenship to some children born in the U.S., among others. During his inaugural address, Trump said, "We have a government that has given unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders, but refuses to defend American borders or more importantly, its own people." In a call with reporters earlier in the day, Trump officials outlined the administration's plans to tackle what it describes as a "national security and public safety crisis" at the U.S.-Mexico border. "President Trump was elected by a resounding mandate to carry out the promises he made on the campaign trail, that includes his pledge to secure the southern border and carry out the largest deportation of migrant criminals in history," an incoming White House official said, speaking on background, a method often used by U.S. officials to remain anonymous. Officials also emphasized the administration's commitment to implement what they call the largest deportation of migrant criminals in U.S. history. Here are some of the administration's plans. National emergency at the border Trump said he will deploy the military to the U.S.-Mexico border, including the National Guard, to assist existing law enforcement officers. Officials emphasized that border security is national security, and the administration is committed to securing the border through use of the military. "What this action does is it deploys armed forces [and] erects physical barriers by directing [Department of Defense] and [Department of Homeland Security] secretaries to finish the wall along the border. ... We're going to reinstate the Remain in Mexico [policy]," the official said. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, wrote on X that without Mexico's permission, the promise to bring back Remain in Mexico is "just words on a paper." The Remain in Mexico policy, created during the first Trump administration, requires some asylum-seekers at the southern border to wait in Mexico until their hearings in U.S. immigration court. Juan Ramon de la Fuente, Mexico's secretary of external relations, said in a news conference Monday morning that if "they reinstate [Remain in Mexico], this is something we don't agree with. We have a different focus. We want to adjust it. ... The desire is to keep the same policies as now." When asked about the number of troops expected to be deployed to the border, Trump administration officials said that decision would ultimately be made by the secretary of defense. The administration is also rescinding the Biden administration border policies by giving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents expanded enforcement authority and establishing federal task forces to work with state and local law enforcement in deportation efforts. Mass deportations Another announcement centers on undocumented immigrants across the country. The Republican president repeatedly promised during his campaign to carry out mass deportations, targeting at least 11 million undocumented individuals. In the press call with reporters, the Trump officials said the administration will provide immigration officers with the necessary "authorities" to enforce existing laws. In his campaign, Trump vowed to eliminate President Joe Biden's deportation priorities, which targeted individuals with criminal records and those considered national security threats, and instead to expand enforcement to include all undocumented immigrants. Stephen Yale-Loehr, a retired professor of immigration law at Cornell Law School, wrote in an email to VOA that mass deportation efforts and raids may get the most attention, but deportations will not increase rapidly right away. "If a person already has an outstanding order of deportation, they can be deported immediately. But that is a relatively small number. Most people picked up will be put into deportation proceedings in immigration courts. Those courts already have a backlog of over 3.8 million cases. Given that backlog, it will be years before many people will find out whether they will be deported or allowed to stay based on asylum or some other form of protection," he wrote. Release of migrants The incoming administration also announced an end to the practice of releasing migrants into the U.S. while they await their immigration court hearings, commonly known as "catch-and-release." The Trump officials did not explain how they would handle an increase in immigrant detention. Refugee program Trump is also ending the refugee resettlement program. During his first administration, he progressively lowered the annual ceiling for refugee admissions to a historic low of 15,000 for fiscal 2021. Refugee advocates said at the time the reductions marked a departure from the United States' long-standing role in global refugee resettlement. Erol Kekic, senior vice president of programs at Church World Service, wrote in an email to reporters that his group is urging President Trump to reconsider. Church World Service is one of the nine national refugee resettlement agencies authorized by the federal government to assist refugees in starting new lives. "Even a brief pause in the program can have a devastating impact; on those displaced by violence and persecution, families separated by oceans and continents, and our communities who embrace the spirit of welcome inherent to our great nation," he wrote. Ending asylum and CBP One app One of Trump's orders calls for the immediate deportation of migrants who crossed the border illegally without a chance to plead their case to an asylum officer. Shortly after Trump's inauguration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted a notice on its website saying the agency was no longer using the CBP One app, which had facilitated the legal entry of nearly 1 million people into the United States with eligibility to work. The app allowed migrants to apply for an appointment to come to the border and apply for humanitarian parole or other forms of legal processing. The use of parole under the CBP One system was part of the Biden administration's broader efforts to manage migration flows and provide legal pathways to entry, rather than having individuals cross the border illegally. However, parole granted through CBP One did not guarantee permanent legal status; it typically allowed individuals to stay temporarily and, in some cases, apply for work authorization while their immigration status was being reviewed. The notice by the CBP One app also confirmed that all existing appointments had been canceled. Birthright citizenship Finally, Trump signed an order to eliminate birthright citizenship. Birthright citizenship grants automatic U.S. citizenship to anyone born on American soil, a right established by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The new administration's actions are expected to face significant legal and political challenges, with immigrant advocacy groups voicing concerns over the implications of these policies. The ACLU of Northern California, a nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to defending individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and laws, wrote in an email to the press they "stand ready." "We are ready to do so again, from day one of the second Trump administration. ... We will defend immigrants' rights to due process in the face of mass deportations," the email read. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address GUARANTEEING THE STATES PROTECTION AGAINST INVASION January 20, 2025 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby proclaim: An essential feature of any sovereign nation is the existence of territorial boundaries and the inherent authority to decide who and what may cross those boundaries. The Supreme Court of the United States has described this power as a "fundamental act of sovereignty," which "stems not alone from legislative power but is inherent in the executive power to control the foreign affairs of the nation." U.S. ex rel. Knauff v. Shaughnessy, 338 U.S. 537, 542 (1950). The Supreme Court has recognized the inherent right and duty of the Executive Branch to defend our national sovereignty, stating that "[w]hen Congress prescribes a procedure concerning the admissibility of aliens, it is not dealing alone with a legislative power. It is implementing an inherent executive power." Id. The Congress has, in establishing "an uniform Rule of Naturalization," created a complex and comprehensive Federal scheme in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq., to control the entry and exit of people and goods across the borders of the United States. In routine circumstances, this complex and comprehensive scheme can protect the national sovereignty of the United States by facilitating the admission of individuals whose presence serves the national interest and preventing the admission of those who do not, such as those aliens who pose threats to public health, section 212(a)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(1); safety, section 212(a)(2) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)); and national security, section 212(a)(3) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)). Prospective immigrants who use the visa system are screened for such health, safety, and security concerns while outside of the United States, and are not permitted to enter the United States until they establish that they are eligible to be admitted as a matter of law and should be admitted as a matter of discretion. But screening under those provisions of the INA can be wholly ineffective in the border environment, where access to necessary information is limited for aliens who have traveled from countries around the world to enter the United States illegally, or when the system is overwhelmed, leading to the unauthorized entry of innumerable illegal aliens into the United States. Due to significant information gaps particularly in the border environment and processing times, Federal officials do not have the ability to verify with certainty the criminal record or national-security risks associated with the illegal entry of every alien at the southern border, as required by section 212(a)(2)-(3) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2)-(3). Nor do aliens who illegally cross the southern border readily provide comprehensive background information from their home countries to Federal law enforcement officials. The public safety and national security risks in such an environment are heightened by the presence of, and control of territory by, international cartels and other transnational criminal organizations on the other side of the southern border, as well as terrorists and other malign actors who intend to harm the United States and the American people. And the risks associated with these issues are greatly exacerbated when the number of aliens illegally crossing the southern border increases to levels that prevent actual operational control of the border. The same is true for public health, where the Federal Government currently lacks an effective operational capability to screen all illegal aliens crossing the southern border for communicable diseases of public-health concern, as required by section 212(a)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(1). Effectively no aliens who illegally enter the United States provide Federal officials at the southern border with their comprehensive health information, as a lawful immigrant would. As a result, innumerable aliens potentially carrying communicable diseases of public health significance illegally cross the southern border and enter communities across the United States. Over the last 4 years, at least 8 million illegal aliens were encountered along the southern border of the United States, and countless millions more evaded detection and illegally entered the United States. The sheer number of aliens entering the United States has overwhelmed the system and rendered many of the INA's provisions ineffective, including those previously described that are intended to prevent aliens posing threats to public health, safety, and national security from entering the United States. As a result, millions of aliens who potentially pose significant threats to health, safety, and national security have moved into communities nationwide. This ongoing influx of illegal aliens across the southern border of the United States has placed significant costs and constraints upon the States, which have collectively spent billions of dollars in providing medical care and related human services, and have spent considerable amounts on increased law enforcement costs associated with the presence of these illegal aliens within their boundaries. In joining the Union, the States agreed to surrender much of their sovereignty and join the Union in exchange for the Federal Government's promise in Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, to "protect each of [the States] against Invasion." I have determined that the current state of the southern border reveals that the Federal Government has failed in fulfilling this obligation to the States and hereby declare that an invasion is ongoing at the southern border, which requires the Federal Government to take measures to fulfill its obligation to the States. The INA provides the President with certain emergency tools. For example, it states that "[w]henever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate." 8 U.S.C. 1182(f). This statute "exudes deference to the President in every clause." Trump v. Hawaii, 585 U.S. 667, 684 (2018). Further, the INA renders it unlawful for "any alien to depart from or enter or attempt to depart from or enter the United States except under such reasonable rules, regulations, and orders, and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may prescribe." 8 U.S.C. 1185(a)(1). Historically, Presidents have used these statutory authorities to deny entry of designated classes and categories of aliens into the United States through ports of entry. But if the President has the power to deny entry of any alien into the United States, and to impose any restrictions as he may deem appropriate, this authority necessarily includes the right to deny the physical entry of aliens into the United States and impose restrictions on access to portions of the immigration system, particularly when the number of aliens illegally crossing the southern border prevents the Federal Government from obtaining operational control of the border. The INA does not, however, occupy the Federal Government's field of authority to protect the sovereignty of the United States, particularly in times of emergency when entire provisions of the INA are rendered ineffective by operational constraints, such as when there is an ongoing invasion into the States. The President's inherent powers to control the borders of the United States, including those deriving from his authority to control the foreign affairs of the United States, necessarily include the ability to prevent the physical entry of aliens involved in an invasion into the United States, and to rapidly repatriate them to an alternative location. Only through such measures can the President guarantee the right of each State to be protected against invasion. By the power vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, I have determined that the current situation at the southern border qualifies as an invasion under Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution of the United States. Accordingly, I am issuing this Proclamation based on my express and inherent powers in Article II of the Constitution of the United States, and in faithful execution of the immigration laws passed by the Congress, and suspending the physical entry of aliens involved in an invasion into the United States across the southern border until I determine that the invasion has concluded. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, hereby direct as follows: Section 1. Suspension of Entry. I hereby proclaim, pursuant to sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), that the entry into the United States on or after the date of this order of aliens engaged in the invasion across the southern border is detrimental to the interests of the United States. I therefore direct that entry into the United States of such aliens be suspended until I issue a finding that the invasion at the southern border has ceased. Sec. 2. Imposition of Restrictions on Entry for Aliens Invading the United States. I hereby proclaim, pursuant to sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), that aliens engaged in the invasion across the southern border of the United States on or after the date of this proclamation are restricted from invoking provisions of the INA that would permit their continued presence in the United States, including, but not limited to, section 208 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1158, until I issue a finding that the invasion at the southern border has ceased. Sec. 3. Suspension of and Restriction on Entry for Aliens Posing Public Health, Safety, or National Security Risks. I hereby proclaim, pursuant to sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), that the entry into the United States, on or after the date of this order, of any alien who fails, before entering the United States, to provide Federal officials with sufficient medical information and reliable criminal history and background information as to enable fulfillment of the requirements of sections 212(a)(1)-(3) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(1)-(3), is detrimental to the interests of the United States. I therefore direct that entry into the United States of such aliens be suspended and restrict their access to provisions of the INA that would permit their continued presence in the United States, including, but not limited to, section 208 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1158. Sec. 4. Constitutional Suspension of Physical Entry. Under the authorities provided to me under Article II of the Constitution of the United States, including my control over foreign affairs, and to effectuate the guarantee of protection against invasion required by Article IV, Section 4, I hereby suspend the physical entry of any alien engaged in the invasion across the southern border of the United States, and direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, to take appropriate actions as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of this proclamation, until I issue a finding that the invasion at the southern border has ceased. Sec. 5. Operational Actions to Repel the Invasion. The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, shall take all appropriate action to repel, repatriate, or remove any alien engaged in the invasion across the southern border of the United States on or after the date of this order, whether as an exercise of the suspension power in section 212(f) and 215(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), or as an exercise of my delegated authority under the Constitution of the United States, until I issue a finding that the invasion at the southern border has ceased. Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This proclamation shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This proclamation is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PROTECTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AGAINST INVASION EXECUTIVE ORDER January 20, 2025 PROTECTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AGAINST INVASION By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose. Over the last 4 years, the prior administration invited, administered, and oversaw an unprecedented flood of illegal immigration into the United States. Millions of illegal aliens crossed our borders or were permitted to fly directly into the United States on commercial flights and allowed to settle in American communities, in violation of longstanding Federal laws. Many of these aliens unlawfully within the United States present significant threats to national security and public safety, committing vile and heinous acts against innocent Americans. Others are engaged in hostile activities, including espionage, economic espionage, and preparations for terror-related activities. Many have abused the generosity of the American people, and their presence in the United States has cost taxpayers billions of dollars at the Federal, State, and local levels. Enforcing our Nation's immigration laws is critically important to the national security and public safety of the United States. The American people deserve a Federal Government that puts their interests first and a Government that understands its sacred obligation to prioritize the safety, security, and financial and economic well-being of Americans. This order ensures that the Federal Government protects the American people by faithfully executing the immigration laws of the United States. Sec. 2. Policy. It is the policy of the United States to faithfully execute the immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens, particularly those aliens who threaten the safety or security of the American people. Further, it is the policy of the United States to achieve the total and efficient enforcement of those laws, including through lawful incentives and detention capabilities. Sec. 3. Faithful Execution of the Immigration Laws. In furtherance of the policies described in section 2 of this order: (a) Executive Order 13993 of January 20, 2021 (Revision of Civil Immigration Enforcement Policies and Priorities), Executive Order 14010 of February 2, 2021 (Creating a Comprehensive Regional Framework To Address the Causes of Migration, To Manage Migration Throughout North and Central America, and To Provide Safe and Orderly Processing of Asylum Seekers at the United States Border), Executive Order 14011 of February 2, 2021 (Establishment of Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families), and Executive Order 14012 of February 2, 2021 (Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans) are hereby revoked; and (b) Executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall take all appropriate action to promptly revoke all memoranda, guidance, or other policies based on the Executive Orders revoked in section 3(a) of this order and shall employ all lawful means to ensure the faithful execution of the immigration laws of the United States against all inadmissible and removable aliens. Sec. 4. Civil Enforcement Priorities. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take all appropriate action to enable the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to set priorities for their agencies that protect the public safety and national security interests of the American people, including by ensuring the successful enforcement of final orders of removal. Further, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that the primary mission of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations division is the enforcement of the provisions of the INA and other Federal laws related to the illegal entry and unlawful presence of aliens in the United States and the enforcement of the purposes of this order. Sec. 5. Criminal Enforcement Priorities. The Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall take all appropriate action to prioritize the prosecution of criminal offenses related to the unauthorized entry or continued unauthorized presence of aliens in the United States. Sec. 6. Federal Homeland Security Task Forces. (a) The Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take all appropriate action to jointly establish Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs) in all States nationwide. (b) The composition of each HSTF shall be subject to the direction of the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security, but shall include representation from any other Federal agencies with law enforcement officers, or agencies with the ability to provide logistics, intelligence, and operational support to the HSTFs, and shall also include representation from relevant State and local law enforcement agencies. The heads of all Federal agencies shall take all appropriate action to provide support to the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure that the HSTFs fulfill the objectives in subsection (c) of this section, and any other lawful purpose that fulfills the policy objectives of this order. (c) The objective of each HSTF is to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations throughout the United States, dismantle cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks, end the scourge of human smuggling and trafficking, with a particular focus on such offenses involving children, and ensure the use of all available law enforcement tools to faithfully execute the immigration laws of the United States. (d) The Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take all appropriate action to provide an operational command center to coordinate the activities of the HSTFs and provide such support as they may require, and shall also take all appropriate action to provide supervisory direction to their activities as may be required. Sec. 7. Identification of Unregistered Illegal Aliens. The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, shall take all appropriate action to: (a) Immediately announce and publicize information about the legal obligation of all previously unregistered aliens in the United States to comply with the requirements of part VII of subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 8, United States Code; (b) Ensure that all previously unregistered aliens in the United States comply with the requirements of part VII of subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 8, United States Code; and (c) Ensure that failure to comply with the legal obligations of part VII of subchapter II of chapter 12 of title 8, United States Code, is treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority. Sec. 8. Civil Fines and Penalties. (a) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of Treasury, shall take all appropriate action to ensure the assessment and collection of all fines and penalties that the Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized by law to assess and collect from aliens unlawfully present in the United States, including aliens who unlawfully entered or unlawfully attempted to enter the United States, and from those who facilitate such aliens' presence in the United States. (b) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report to the President regarding their progress implementing the requirements of this section and recommending any additional actions that may need to be taken to achieve its objectives. Sec. 9. Efficient Removals of Recent Entrants and Other Aliens. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take all appropriate action, pursuant to section 235(b)(1)(A)(iii)(I) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(1)(A)(iii)(I)), to apply, in her sole and unreviewable discretion, the provisions of section 235(b)(1)(A)(i) and (ii) of the INA to the aliens designated under section 235(b)(1)(A)(iii)(II). Further, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall promptly take appropriate action to use all other provisions of the immigration laws or any other Federal law, including, but not limited to sections 238 and 240(d) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1228 and 1229a(d)), to ensure the efficient and expedited removal of aliens from the United States. Sec. 10. Detention Facilities. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall promptly take all appropriate action and allocate all legally available resources or establish contracts to construct, operate, control, or use facilities to detain removable aliens. The Secretary of Homeland Security, further, shall take all appropriate actions to ensure the detention of aliens apprehended for violations of immigration law pending the outcome of their removal proceedings or their removal from the country, to the extent permitted by law. Sec. 11. Federal-State Agreements. To ensure State and local law enforcement agencies across the United States can assist with the protection of the American people, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, and with the consent of State or local officials as appropriate, take appropriate action, through agreements under section 287(g) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1357(g)) or otherwise, to authorize State and local law enforcement officials, as the Secretary of Homeland Security determines are qualified and appropriate, to perform the functions of immigration officers in relation to the investigation, apprehension, or detention of aliens in the United States under the direction and the supervision of the Secretary of Homeland Security. Such authorization shall be in addition to, rather than in place of, Federal performance of these duties. To the extent permitted by law, the Secretary of Homeland Security may structure each agreement under section 287(g) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1357(g)) in the manner that provides the most effective model for enforcing Federal immigration laws in that jurisdiction. Sec. 12. Encouraging Voluntary Compliance with the Law. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take all appropriate action, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, and subject to adequate safeguards, assurances, bonds, and any other lawful measure, to adopt policies and procedures to encourage aliens unlawfully in the United States to voluntarily depart as soon as possible, including through enhanced usage of the provisions of section 240B of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1229c), international agreements or assistance, or any other measures that encourage aliens unlawfully in the United States to depart as promptly as possible, including through removals of aliens as provided by section 250 of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1260). Sec. 13. Recalcitrant Countries. The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take all appropriate action to: (a) Cooperate and effectively implement, as appropriate, the sanctions provided by section 243(d) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1253(d)), with the Secretary of State, to the maximum extent permitted by law, ensuring that diplomatic efforts and negotiations with foreign states include the foreign states' acceptance of their nationals who are subject to removal from the United States; and (b) Eliminate all documentary barriers, dilatory tactics, or other restrictions that prevent the prompt repatriation of aliens to any foreign state. Any failure or delay by a foreign state to verify the identity of a national of that state shall be considered in carrying out subsection (a) this section, and shall also be considered regarding the issuance of any other sanctions that may be available to the United States. Sec. 14. Visa Bonds. The Secretary of Treasury shall take all appropriate action, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, to establish a system to facilitate the administration of all bonds that the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security may lawfully require to administer the provisions of the INA. Sec. 15. Reestablishment of the VOICE Office and Addressing Victims of Crimes Committed by Removable Aliens. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall direct the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take all appropriate and lawful action to reestablish within ICE an office to provide proactive, timely, adequate, and professional services to victims of crimes committed by removable aliens, and those victims' family members. The Attorney General shall also ensure that the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 3771 are followed in all Federal prosecutions involving crimes committed by removable aliens. Sec. 16. Addressing Actions by the Previous Administration. The Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall promptly take all appropriate action, consistent with law, to rescind the policy decisions of the previous administration that led to the increased or continued presence of illegal aliens in the United States, and align any and all departmental activities with the policies set out by this order and the immigration laws. Such action should include, but is not limited to: (a) ensuring that the parole authority under section 212(d)(5) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)) is exercised on only a case-by-case basis in accordance with the plain language of the statute, and in all circumstances only when an individual alien demonstrates urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit derived from their particular continued presence in the United States arising from such parole; (b) ensuring that designations of Temporary Protected Status are consistent with the provisions of section 244 of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1254a), and that such designations are appropriately limited in scope and made for only so long as may be necessary to fulfill the textual requirements of that statute; and (c) ensuring that employment authorization is provided in a manner consistent with section 274A of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1324a), and that employment authorization is not provided to any unauthorized alien in the United States. Sec. 17. Sanctuary Jurisdictions. The Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, to the maximum extent possible under law, evaluate and undertake any lawful actions to ensure that so-called "sanctuary" jurisdictions, which seek to interfere with the lawful exercise of Federal law enforcement operations, do not receive access to Federal funds. Further, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall evaluate and undertake any other lawful actions, criminal or civil, that they deem warranted based on any such jurisdiction's practices that interfere with the enforcement of Federal law. Sec. 18. Information Sharing. (a) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall promptly issue guidance to ensure maximum compliance by Department of Homeland Security personnel with the provisions of 8 U.S.C. 1373 and 8 U.S.C. 1644 and ensure that State and local governments are provided with the information necessary to fulfill law enforcement, citizenship, or immigration status verification requirements authorized by law; and (b) The Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take all appropriate action to stop the trafficking and smuggling of alien children into the United States, including through the sharing of any information necessary to assist in the achievement of that objective. Sec. 19. Funding Review. The Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall: (a) Immediately review and, if appropriate, audit all contracts, grants, or other agreements providing Federal funding to non-governmental organizations supporting or providing services, either directly or indirectly, to removable or illegal aliens, to ensure that such agreements conform to applicable law and are free of waste, fraud, and abuse, and that they do not promote or facilitate violations of our immigration laws; (b) Pause distribution of all further funds pursuant to such agreements pending the results of the review in subsection (a) of this section; (c) Terminate all such agreements determined to be in violation of law or to be sources of waste, fraud, or abuse and prohibit any such future agreements; (d) Coordinate with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that no funding for agreements described in subsection (c) of this section is included in any appropriations request for the Department of Justice or the Department of Homeland Security; and (e) Initiate clawback or recoupment procedures, if appropriate, for any agreements described in subsection (c) of this section. Sec. 20. Denial of Public Benefits to Illegal Aliens. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall take all appropriate action to ensure that all agencies identify and stop the provision of any public benefits to any illegal alien not authorized to receive them under the provisions of the INA or other relevant statutory provisions. Sec. 21. Hiring More Agents and Officers. Subject to available appropriations, the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, shall take all appropriate action to significantly increase the number of agents and officers available to perform the duties of immigration officers. Sec. 22. Severability. It is the policy of the United States to enforce this order to the maximum extent possible to advance the interests of the United States. Accordingly: (a) If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its other provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby; and (b) If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid because of the failure to follow certain procedures, the relevant executive branch officials shall implement those procedural requirements to conform with existing law and with any applicable court orders. Sec. 23. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 20, 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HMAS Hobart joins multilateral Exercise La Perouse 25 Issued by Defence Media 20 January 2025 HMAS Hobart today joined Exercise La Perouse 25, a French-led multilateral maritime training activity in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia. During the exercise, 12 ships and more than 30 aircraft will practice maritime interoperability missions, including multi-domain and simulated warfare training, boarding operations, live fire exercises, and air-based search and rescue procedures. The exercise involves participants from Canada, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and United States, including the French Navy aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle. Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO CSC, RAN, said the exercise would deepen our cooperation with France and strengthen our shared engagement with partners in the Indo-Pacific. "Multilateral exercises like La Perouse 25 highlight our shared security interests, and allow the Australian Defence Force to strengthen cooperation and build interoperability with other nations through a live training environment," Vice Admiral Jones said. "Australia's security and prosperity lies in the Indo-Pacific, and the experience gained through this exercise ensures we can collectively maintain peace, security and prosperity in the region." Commanding Officer of HMAS Hobart Commander Alisha Withers RAN, said La Perouse 25 was the largest iteration of the exercise in its history. "The whole ship's company is excited to put our training to the test during such a challenging but rewarding event," Commander Withers said. "It's also a great honour to work alongside the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, especially as it is the first time this carrier strike group has deployed to the IndoPacific region." Exercise La Perouse 25, the first major multi-national exercise on Defence's 2025 calendar, is also the first key event for Hobart during its three-month Regional Presence Deployment. Indo-Pacific Regional Presence Deployments demonstrate Australia's commitment and ability to maintain a near continuous presence in the region to support regional security and stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China is ready to properly manage differences with new US administration: spokesperson People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 15:53, January 20, 2025 BEIJING, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to properly manage differences with the new U.S. administration, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday. Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press conference in response to a question about China's expectations for the new U.S. administration. "Cooperation between China and the United States benefits both countries, while confrontation harms them both, as the history of China-U.S. relations clearly demonstrates," she said. China has always believed that a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship is in the common interests of the two countries and the expectations of the international community, Mao added. The spokesperson said that China is willing to work with the new U.S. administration to uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and find a way for China and the United States to get along correctly in the new era, benefiting both countries and the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on January 20, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: January 20, 2025 21:00 Xinhua News Agency: At the reception for his assumption of office in Beijing on January 17, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Nurlan Yermekbayev said the top priority of the SCO Secretariat this year is to support China's presidency and make the upcoming SCO summit to be hosted by China a full success. Do you have any comment on this? Mao Ning: We congratulate Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev on his assumption of office and will continue to facilitate him in fulfilling his duty, support the SCO Secretariat in strengthening self-building and provide strong support for various cooperation of the SCO members. China sees the SCO as a priority in our diplomacy and stands ready to work with other SCO members and the SCO Secretariat to act on the slogan of "Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move," host a SCO summit featuring friendship, solidarity and fruitful outcomes, draw a blueprint for development, come up with more cooperation measures, improve operational mechanisms, advance high-quality development of the SCO, deliver more tangibly to people of this region and make positive contributions for a more peaceful and prosperous world. CCTV: It's reported that Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, the IMF's chief economist, said that the 5 percent economic growth reported by China in 2024 was a "positive surprise" higher than the IMF's projections and that the IMF revised up its economic growth forecast for China for 2025 and 2026. What's China's comment? Mao Ning: In 2024, China's economy successfully realized the growth target with its economic output breaking the RMB130 trillion mark for the first time and economic growth equivalent to the annual GDP of a medium-sized country. This speaks to the resilience and potential of China's economy and the confidence that China's economy has brought to the world. China will stay committed to high-quality development and high-standard opening up, maintain the continued upward trajectory of the Chinese economy, and bring more "positive surprises" to the global economy. Reuters: TikTok has restored service in the US citing Trump's efforts, but Trump has said that he wants to cut a deal that will see the US have 50 percent ownership in a joint venture. Is China open to a deal with Trump and how might such a deal look like? Mao Ning: TikTok has operated in the US for years and been very popular with American users. It has played a positive role in boosting US employment and consumption. We hope the US will earnestly listen to the voice of reason and provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for market entities from all countries. When it comes to actions such as the operation and acquisition of businesses, we believe they should be independently decided by companies in accordance with market principles. If it involves Chinese companies, China's laws and regulations should be observed. NBC: President-elect Trump has also been reported as saying he'd like to travel to China in the first 100 days in office. What is your reaction to that? Mao Ning: China stands ready to work with the new administration of the US, under the strategic guidance of the presidents of the two countries and in the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to maintain communication, enhance cooperation, properly manage and control differences and secure greater progress in China-US relations from a new starting point. Financial Times: Elon Musk on Sunday said it was unbalanced to allow TikTok to operate in the US and not allow his social media platform X to operate in China. He said something needs to change. Does China have any comment on that? Mao Ning: The Chinese government manages the Internet in accordance with law. We welcome Internet companies across the world to operate in China as long as they abide by China's laws and regulations and provide safe and reliable products and services. China Daily: Brazil, the BRICS chair country, announced in a press release the admission of Nigeria as a partner country of the grouping. What's China's comment? Mao Ning: China welcomes and congratulates Nigeria on becoming a BRICS partner country. Nigeria is a major developing country and an important force in the Global South. Its active participation in BRICS cooperation is conducive to its own development, and more importantly, is in the interest of BRICS countries and the Global South. We believe Nigeria will contribute to the development of BRICS mechanism. New partner country joining the BRICS family demonstrates that the BRICS mechanism has greater representation, and BRICS sees its appeal and influence grow more salient. China stands ready to work with other BRICS members and partner countries to uphold the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, and mutually beneficial cooperation, expand practical cooperation in various fields, advance the high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and make greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. AFP: Just ahead of Trump's inauguration today, can you tell us what China's expectations are for Trump's presidency and perhaps what we can expect in the next few days or weeks with regards to China-US relations and dialogue? Mao Ning: Both countries stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, this is what the history of China-US relations tells us. We always believe that a steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relationship serves the common interests of the two countries and is what the international community expects. Following the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, China stands ready to work with the new US government to enhance dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, find the right way for the two countries to get along with each other in the new era and bring benefits to both countries and the world. Shenzhen TV: We've learned that Myanmar's Tatmadaw and ethnic armed organization Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) held peace talks and signed a ceasefire agreement in Kunming. Can you brief us on the background and details of the peace talks? Mao Ning: In mid-January 2025, with China's mediation and effort to drive progress, the Myanmar government and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army held the seventh round of peace talks in Kunming, Yunnan. The two sides reached and signed a formal ceasefire agreement, and stopped fighting at 12 a.m. on January 18, 2025, Beijing time. The two sides thanked China for facilitating the results of this round of peace talks. Deescalating tensions in northern Myanmar serves the common interests of all parties in Myanmar and regional countries, and is conducive to ensuring the safety and security, stability and development of the China-Myanmar border area. China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors, and we firmly oppose wars and turbulence in Myanmar. We hope that all parties will maintain the momentum of ceasefire and peace talks, earnestly implement existing common understandings, take the initiative in deescalating the situation on the ground, and further negotiate and settle relevant issues through dialogue. China firmly supports Myanmar in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, firmly supports Myanmar's effort to keep the country peaceful and stable and grow its economy, and firmly supports Myanmar in realizing political reconciliation at an early date and advancing its domestic political agenda under the framework of the constitution. China stands ready to actively promote talks for peace and provide support and help for the peace process in northern Myanmar. Financial Times: Does China have any comment on Trump allowing TikTok to continue operating? It had turned off for a bit and Trump helped it get back online. Does China have any comment on that? Mao Ning: I just answered the question. TikTok has operated in the US for years. It abides by US laws and regulations, has never endangered the US's national security and is liked by many American users. We hope that the US will listen to the voice of reason from various quarters and provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for market entities from across the world. AFP: On the Gaza ceasefire that has just come into effect with some prisoners and hostages already exchanged, does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on the ceasefire deal coming into effect and more broadly on the future of Gaza and the conflict? Mao Ning: China welcomes the coming into force of the agreement on ceasefire in Gaza, and hopes the agreement will be implemented in its entirety and without interruption and that there will be a full and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. China will work with the international community to make unremitting effort for peace and stability in the Middle East. Financial Times: Elon Musk also said it was the right approach to question if you should allow a platform like TikTok to operate that had the potential to harvest American data as well as control the type of content it would broadcast in the US. Does China have any comment on his comments? Mao Ning: We believe that Internet companies need to observe local laws and regulations. As for the Chinese government, we attach great importance to data privacy and security and protect it in accordance with the law. The Chinese government has never asked and will never ask any company or individual to collect or provide data located abroad against local laws. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijing sees Trump presidency as 'critical' juncture for Sino-US ties An official commentary says both sides should 'move towards each other' as officials invite US companies to China. By Ray Chung and Qian Lang 2025.01.20 -- Beijing views the second presidency of Donald Trump as a "critical" juncture that could improve ties with the United States, according to official commentaries in state media. "The river of history is constantly flowing, and the critical points are often just a few steps," the People's Daily, official newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, said in an op-ed published on Monday, the Trump's inauguration date. Describing the international situation as "full of change and chaos," the article said the bilateral relationship should be managed from a "strategic and long-term perspective, which will bring more certainty to a turbulent world." "China-U.S. relations are the most important bilateral relations in the world ... affecting the future and destiny of mankind," the commentary said, citing a need for more exchanges between the Chinese and American people. "Both sides need to move towards each other," it said. The official commentaries come amid multiple media reports that Trump plans to visit China within 100 days of taking office, and that a face-to-face meeting with Xi is on the cards. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who attended Trump's inauguration ceremony on behalf of Xi Jinping, met with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance on Jan. 19 to discuss various bilateral issues including fentanyl, trade balance and regional stability. Han also met with Trump ally Elon Musk, telling him that American companies including Tesla are welcome to "share the fruits" of China's development. The nationalistic Global Times said the recent migration of TikTok users to China's Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, social media platform and the exchanges seen on the platform between Chinese and Americans was a good example of positive "people-to-people" exchanges. Trump-Xi phone call It also said Friday's phone call between Trump and Xi was a "compass" showing where the relationship is headed. "This telephone conversation showcased interaction at the highest level, reflecting both sides' deep understanding of the importance of China-US relations and their positive attitude toward cooperation," the paper said in a Jan. 20 op-ed. "This call set the tone for the direction of China-U.S. relations in the coming period," the article said, noting that demand for exchange-traded funds linked to Chinese stock indexes had spiked following the call. "[This] indirectly reflects how sensitive and hopeful the world is about the possibility of a good start to China-US relations," it said. But it said the previous approach in Washington had led to "negative assets" in the relationship and "numerous problems that need solutions through dialogue." It called on the new administration to "move beyond the mindset of viewing China as a formidable enemy," but it said China's territorial claim on democratic Taiwan was "a red line that China cannot allow to be challenged." In Hong Kong, the Chinese-language Ming Pao newspaper said the Sino-U.S. relationship would likely get off to a "relatively harmonious start under Trump 2.0," citing the phone call and Xi's invitation to the inauguration. "However, the United States has always regarded China as the most important strategic competitor, and Trump's high-ranking officials and staff have not changed their hawkish position," the paper said in a Jan. 20 op-ed. "There are still many variables when it comes to whether Sino-US relations can be stabilized and improved." Current affairs commentator Wu Qiang said a more domestically focused approach to global cooperation is actually something that is shared by China and the Trump administration, and that the relationship would likely improve with more direct contact between Trump and Xi. "At the very least, they can balance the relationship by strengthening the relationship between their individual leaders," Wu said. "This is the kind of strengthening that is welcomed by the leaders of China and also Russia." He said such relationships would act as a "parallel" axis of international cooperation, alongside the China-Russia alliance and the U.S. relationship with allies NATO, Europe and Southeast Asia. Russia, Trade Commentator Yuan Hongbing said Trump's plan to visit China is likely part of a bid to get Beijing's help with a ceasefire in Ukraine. "The fundamental reason he is now showing goodwill towards Xi Jinping is that he wants to meet his diplomatic commitments," Yuan said. "Russia is already in a position of advantage on the battlefield." But trade is also likely high on the agenda, according to Yuan and a veteran Chinese journalist who gave only the surname Kong for fear of reprisals. "It's part of the plan to make America great again," Kong said, referencing Trump's slogan. "He believes that the trade deficit has had an impact on the U.S. economy." "But what kind of pressure he will bring to bear ... that will be a key focus of his trip to China." Sun Kuo-hsiang, director of Taiwan's Nanhua University, said Taiwan could see its defense concerns drop further down the list of U.S. priorities under Trump. "During his first term, Trump put a strong emphasis on transactional diplomacy, and so he may use Taiwan as leverage, for example, reducing arms sales or limiting official contacts, in exchange for concessions from China on trade or international issues," Sun told RFA Mandarin in a recent interview. He said that could undermine Taiwan's ability to defend itself in the event of a Chinese invasion. "If Sino-U.S. ties ease, then China may believe that the United States has softened on Taiwan, and step up its military and diplomatic activities," Sun said. "That will bring far more uncertainty to the situation in the Taiwan Strait." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kim Yo Jong, Vice Department Director of C.C., WPK, Clarifies Stand on Issue of DPRK-Belarus Top-level Meeting Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, January 20 (KCNA) -- Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, clarified the stand of the DPRK on the issue of the DPRK-Belarus top-level meeting through the Korean Central News Agency on January 20. According to a report of TASS on January 17, the Belarusian president said that the DPRK and other Asian countries proposed to Minsk organizing the top-level meeting for the discussion of the issue of cooperation. I know well that the Belarusian side has been hoping for the top-level contact with the DPRK from at least two years ago. But if I understand the context of TASS report released on Jan. 17 as it is, it seems not to properly reflect the desire of Belarus. If I comment on the report of TASS on the speaking of the Belarusian president that we proposed a top-level meeting to Minsk for a discussion of the issue of cooperation, there is no such thing, at least, as far as I know. If Belarus hopes to develop a cooperative relationship with the DPRK, it is important to clarify its intention correctly. I think that such veracity and frankness should be the starting point in the relations between the two countries. The DPRK would welcome with joy the Belarusian side without any reason if it wishes to develop friendly and cooperative relations with the DPRK from this stand. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Declaration on the 7th India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue India - Ministry of External Affairs January 20, 2025 The 7th India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 14 January 2025. It was co-chaired by Shri Pavan Kapoor, Deputy National Security Advisor, National Security Council Secretariat, India, and Ms. Alice Rufo, Director General for International Relations and Strategy, Ministry for the Armed Forces, France. 2. Both sides discussed enhancing their cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region and reaffirmed their shared vision for maritime security, a key element of the India - France Strategic Partnership. India and France reiterated their strong commitment to upholding international law, supporting multilateralism, including through regional organisations, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protecting freedom of navigation. 3. Recalling their vision for a free and open Indian Ocean Region, first expressed in the 'Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region' in 2018, India and France agreed to support free and secure access to sea lanes of communications through collaboration between their maritime assets and organisations. France welcomed the participation of the Indian Navy in the Combined Maritime Forces and looks forward to India's leadership of the appropriate Combined Task Forces. 4. India and France agreed to develop a joint assessment of the threats to maritime security in the region; to counter illicit maritime activities, including piracy and armed robbery, maritime terrorism, contraband smuggling, Illegal Unreported and Unregulated fishing; hybrid as well as cyber security threats and marine pollution. 5. Both sides agreed to strengthen existing mechanisms of cooperation such as implementation of the agreed framework of exchange of information through enhanced information exchange between Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region, Gurugram and Regional Coordination Operations Centre, Seychelles and Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre, Madagascar in the Indian Ocean Region and explore opportunities for coordinated surveillance whilst deployed to counter threats to maritime security in the region. India and France committed to mutually support each other in maritime security engagements and constructs. 6. As part of their joint commitment towards the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of oceans, India and France also agreed to preserve marine resources in the Indian Ocean Region, through the United Nations Ocean Conference. Both countries welcomed the progress made on biodiversity and blue economy during the last bilateral dialogue on blue economy and ocean governance, and agreed to pursue cooperation at the regional level, as members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. New Delhi January 20, 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting between External Affairs Minister and Foreign Minister of Japan (January 19, 2025) India - Ministry of External Affairs January 20, 2025 External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Japan H.E. Takeshi Iwaya on 19 January 2025 in Washington D.C.. This was their second meeting, after the one on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Italy on 26 November 2024. 2. The Ministers utilized the meeting to take stock of salient issues in bilateral cooperation, including in the political, security, economic, technological, and people-to-people domains. They expressed satisfaction at the level, range, and pace of exchanges between the two countries. They agreed to maintain strategic communication through frequent dialogue, including Strategic Dialogue and the 2+2 Dialogue of Foreign and Defence Ministers. In this context, EAM extended an invitation to Foreign Minister Iwaya to visit India. 3. On the 40th anniversary of the signing of the first Memorandum of Understanding between India and Japan on Science & Technology cooperation in 1985, the Ministers declared 2025-26 as the India-Japan Year of Science, Technology and Innovation. The Ministers also welcomed efforts to enhance people-to-people exchanges, especially in areas of technology, skills, and education. 4. The meeting reinforced the enduring friendship between India and Japan based on mutual trust, shared values, and commitment to regional stability. New Delhi January 20, 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel cannot erase strength of Resistance Axis: Leader's military adviser IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 20, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Brigadier General Amir Hatami, military adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has said that Israel is incapable of dismantling the ideological and military strength of resistance groups such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and Yemen's Ansarullah. Speaking at a political conference of senior commanders of the Iranian Army on Monday, General Hatami emphasized the decline of the Israeli regime which he said the European countries once claimed to be the only democracy in the region. He said that the Israeli prime minister and defense minister had been condemned for human rights violations by the International Criminal Court (ICC) with many nations and governments being prepared to enforce the court's ruling. General Hatami further highlighted Israel's military setbacks, stating that its forces were defeated in ground battles with Hamas and Hezbollah fighters. "Not only did the Israeli army fail to destroy Hamas and Hezbollah or free its prisoners, but it was also compelled to retreat and agree to a humiliating ceasefire to avoid further casualties," he said. The Iranian official also commented on Israel's economic struggles, noting that the regime faces its worst financial situation to date. He said that credible resources have announced that over 4,000 companies have left Israel, forcing the regime to seek billions of dollars in loans from Western nations to sustain its military efforts. 9341**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, Pakistan agree to strengthen cooperation to enhance border security IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 20, 2025 Islamabad, IRNA -- The Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, and his Pakistani counterpart, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, have stressed the need for increased efforts to combat terrorism and enhance border security between their nations. During the second day of his official visit to Pakistan, General Bagheri met with General Munir in Islamabad to discuss bilateral cooperation and address regional and international developments. In their meeting, General Bagheri expressed gratitude for the strong support shown by the Pakistani government and people towards Gaza. He praised Pakistan's condemnation of the Israeli regime's aggression against Iran and commended the recent operations conducted by Pakistan's security forces against terrorist elements. Bagheri highlighted that Iran has begun implementing measures to secure its borders with Pakistan, and ensuring that all movements occur only through official crossings. He stressed the importance of coordination between both sides to conduct prompt operations against terrorists. General Munir, in turn, emphasized the ongoing defense and military consultations between the two countries regarding border security, noting that Pakistan is also implementing necessary measures to curb terrorist movements. "Iran and Pakistan are at the center of this threat. Therefore, we need to strengthen our relations to achieve sustainable security along the border with Iran," he said. Additionally, the Pakistani side invited Iran to participate in upcoming international naval exercises in Karachi. Major General Bagheri responded positively, expressing Iran's readiness to conduct joint naval exercises with Pakistan. 3266**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran says its military capabilities never subject to any negotiations IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jan 20, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei says the Islamic Republic has never negotiated its military capabilities with other parties, and will never do so. Baghaei was speaking on Monday during his weekly press briefing in Tehran. He made the comment in response to an IRNA question that what the Islamic Republic's stance was on the recently made allegations that Iran may withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in case that the so-called snapback mechanism was triggered, and that Iran's ballistic missiles should be part of any negotiation with the incoming Trump administration in the US. Those allegations were reportedly made following talks in Geneva earlier this month between Iranian and European officials over the 2015 Iran nuclear deal officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the removal of sanctions on the Islamic Republic. "Iran has never negotiated its military capabilities with anyone and will not do so," the spokesperson responded. He said that Iran's threat to withdraw from the NPT is not a new subject, adding that the Islamic Republic had previously made it clear that it would give a proportionate response if the snapback mechanism was triggered to put pressure and gain concessions from the country. It has been clearly said that misusing the mechanism means that there remains no reason and justification for Iran to remain in some treaties, said Baghaei. JCPOA revival talks Answering a question on the revival of the JCPOA and possible return of the US to the negotiating table, the spokesperson stated that the JCPOA is the basis for talks over Iran's nuclear issue. He said the JCPOA has been endorsed by a UN Security Council resolution giving it a legal status, and therefore all the parties that contributed to the formation of the deal should be basically part of the revival talks. Previous Iran-Russia agreements still valid The spokesperson said that the agreements Iran and Russia signed in 1921 and 1940 remain valid, as they are part of the history of ties between the two countries. He made the comment as he answered a question on why the two agreements have been referred to in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between Iran and Russia, which was announced this past Friday. Gaza ceasefire According to the spokesperson, Iran considers the ceasefire in Gaza as the failure of the plan to eliminate Palestine. The Islamic Republic made all-out efforts during the 16-month-old war on Gaza to urge the international community to help stop the Israeli regime's genocide and crimes against humanity, Baghaei said. Iran believes that the Palestinian people should exercise their legal right to decide their fate, which is also their right recognized under international law, as the only way to save themselves from the Israeli occupation, he noted. The Iranian diplomat also said his country will continue to support the Palestinian resistance. Future of Hamas Baghaei rejected claims about the end of Hamas's role in the future of Gaza, saying that the Palestinian resistance movement has its roots in the hearts of the Palestinian people. Therefore, he added, no one can neglect Hamas's influence and presence in the future of Palestine, he added. Iran's foreign policy stance On recent comments made by one of the Iranian president's advisors regarding talks with the US, Baghaei said that the stance of the Islamic Republic and the Iranian government on foreign policy issues are announced by official spokespersons. Those comments have nothing to do with our official stance, and reflect personal views expressed in an interview with a media outlet, Baghaei said. Deaths of Iranian expats in France In response to a question on the murder of two Iranian nationals in France, the spokesperson noted that the Iranian embassy in Paris has been pursuing the issue, but no sufficient and compelling information has been received on their deaths and the motive behind their killings. The Islamic Republic calls for the punishment of the murderer, and expects relevant authorities in France to respond to its questions, he added. Araghchi NY visit called off A planned trip by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to New York, where he was due to attend a UN Security Council meeting on Palestine on January 20, was called off due to the developments in the past couple of days, notably the Gaza ceasefire, Baghaei explained. Ukraine war The spokesperson referred to FM Araghchi's recent comments regarding Iran's readiness for talks with Europe over the alleged role of the Islamic Republic in the Russia-Ukraine war. Baghaei said that Iran has already rejected the allegations of any involvement in the war, and announced its readiness to hold talks with Ukraine and any party levelling those accusations. This issue has been raised in various meetings with European countries, including in the Geneva negotiations held earlier in January, he noted. Iran-Afghanistan talks on water rights The issue of Iran's water rights from the Hirmand River remains a topic of talks between Iran and Afghanistan, Baghaei said, noting that the good neighborliness policy and historical relations between the two nations can help both governments achieve consensus in this respect. Decision on FATF According to the spokesperson, Iran's Expediency Council is currently engaged in re-assessing the Islamic Republic's accession to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime in order to come up with a decision on joining the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a decision which he said will be made by relevant bodies. The Iranian Foreign Ministry, as one of the parties involved in the process, will provide those bodies with its viewpoints, Baghaei said. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian, Pakistani military chiefs urge fight against terrorism to boost border security Iran Press TV Monday, 20 January 2025 3:30 PM Iranian and Pakistani military chiefs say the two countries should pursue a serious fight against terrorism to protect sustainable security in common border areas. Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri, who is in Islamabad at the head of a high-ranking military delegation, met with Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir, on Monday. Baqeri said the two countries have succeeded in making remarkable growth in bilateral consultations, particularly in military and defensive sectors. He added that "fundamental" measures have been taken to close borders so that traffic between the two countries can be done only through formal crossings. He pointed to Pakistan's firm determination to battle the Jaish al-Zulm (Army of Brutality) terrorist group and noted that coordination in border areas and swift exchange of intelligence would help the two countries conduct swift operations against terrorists. The top Iranian general welcomed the activation of Iran-Pakistan border markets which will be a step towards ending smuggling and supporting trade activities. Baqeri also praised Pakistan's strong stance in opposition to the Israeli regime's 15 months of genocidal campaign in Gaza. The Pakistani army chief, for his part, said regional countries, including Iran and Pakistan, should foster unity at the current sensitive juncture. Munir added that Pakistan would take necessary and swift actions to end terrorist moves on borders, emphasizing that Tehran and Islamabad seek to broaden their understanding in all issues of common concerns. He criticized the lack of unity among the Muslim countries in the region and said the inaction of the Muslim world has led to the brutal killing of some 50,000 Palestinians, the destruction of their homes, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza. He expressed concern over terrorist activities in the region, particularly in Iran and Pakistan, and called for the promotion of mutual relations in an attempt to establish endurable security in common borders. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran asserts its defense, military capabilities 'non-negotiable' forever Iran Press TV Monday, 20 January 2025 10:35 AM Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says Iran's defense capabilities will never be subject to negotiations. He made the remarks during his weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, when asked about claims that European countries had asked for limits on Iran's missile program during last week's talks with the Islamic Republic. "It is not unusual for the parties to raise their arguments, which is not unprecedented. However, what should be considered is that Iran has never discussed its defense and military capabilities with anyone and never will do so," he said. During a meeting in the Swiss city of Geneva on January 13, Iranian diplomats and those of the three European countries, namely the United Kingdom, France, and Germany (E3), discussed the removal of illegal sanctions and issues about the country's nuclear program. The two sides have been conducting on-again, off-again talks since 2021, three years after the United States unilaterally left the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and returned Washington's unlawful sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Also in his remarks, Baghaei warned of a "reciprocal response" to any misuse of the so-called snapback mechanism, which allows for the return of anti-Iran sanctions suspended under the JCPOA, aimed at exerting pressure on the country. Iran hopes US adopts 'realistic' approach Regarding expectations from the administration of US President-elect Donald Trump in the upcoming four years, the spokesman expressed hope that Washington's approach will be based on "realism, international law, and respect for the demands of the Iranian people." 'Gaza truce resistance's victory over occupation' Baghaei also hailed the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Hamas resistance group in the Gaza Strip as "another example of the resistance's victory against occupation and oppression." Israel was forced to agree to the Gaza truce after the regime failed to achieve its objectives in the besieged territory despite killing nearly 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, during a 15-month-long genocidal war. Baghaei noted that the Israeli crimes in Gaza were not possible without the support of the US and Western countries. 'Palestinian resistance not reliant on any country' He further emphasized that the Palestinian resistance "is not dependent on any country and that it stems from the nation's beliefs." Asked about claims that Hamas will not play a role in the governance of post-war Gaza, he replied, "What is clear is that the resistance and Hamas are a movement in the hearts of the Palestinian people, and no one can ignore Hamas' presence in the future of Palestine." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Army Ground Force launches extensive security, counterterrorism drills Iran Press TV Monday, 20 January 2025 7:26 AM The Iranian Army's Ground Forces have launched extensive security, offensive and counterterrorism drills near the country's borders and beyond. The forces began the exercises early Monday, enlisting a vast array of military hardware. The drills have featured successful nabbing of ringleaders and senior members of presumed terrorist outfits, and preemptive attack against terror groups' positions across the country's borders. The first stage of the exercises saw the special units of the forces' rapid reaction division, especially the 65th Brigade of the Ground Forces' Special Airborne Forces, crossing the common border, staging deterrent offensive against the groups, and trying to take away and ensnare the terrorist elements. The stage witnessed a specialized operation comprising gleaning of relevant information and completion of identification of the gatherings of overseas terrorists trying to endanger the country's security and territorial integrity, and sow insecurity along the borders. After analyzing the data, the forces deployed various sorts of stealth and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) against the terrorist positions, destroying the targets with Fajr (Dawn) missiles that can fly as far as 110 kilometers (68 miles), and Mohajer (Migrant) drones carrying Qa'em (Upright) bombs. The operation was being supported with heavy airborne fire issued by the Army Aviation Units' helicopter gunships as well as strong firepower deployed by armored and artillery units. The developments came after the Army's Combat Organization took delivery of as many as 1,000 advanced UAVs during a special ceremony. Reflecting on the joining process, Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh commended the superior stance of the capabilities of the country's Armed Forces, especially in the area of air defense and naval combat. "The drones that joined the Combat Organization today created such capacity in the Islamic Republic's Army that has rendered it capable of bringing the skies under its command if necessary, and administer fatal blows to the enemy," he said. The Islamic Republic's Armed Forces, including the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), have been continuously enhancing their military hardware and combat readiness in line with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's directives. The forces have vowed to defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of the threats that are posed by the Iranian nation's enemies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar govt and MNDAA sign ceasefire agreement with China's mediation: Chinese FM Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 20, 2025 04:45 PM When asked for details that Myanmar's Tatmadaw and ethnic armed organization Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) held peace talks and signed a ceasefire agreement in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that in mid-January, with China's mediation and effort to drive progress, the Myanmar government and MNDAA held the seventh round of peace talks. The two sides reached and signed a formal ceasefire agreement, and stopped fighting at 12 am on January 18, Beijing time. The two sides thanked China for facilitating the results of this round of peace talks, Mao said. Deescalating tensions in northern Myanmar serves the common interests of all parties in Myanmar and regional countries, and is conducive to ensuring the safety and security, stability and development of the China-Myanmar border area, Mao told a routine press conference on Monday. "China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors, and we firmly oppose wars and turbulence in Myanmar. We hope that all parties will maintain the momentum of ceasefire and peace talks, earnestly implement existing common understandings, take the initiative in deescalating the situation on the ground, and further negotiate and settle relevant issues through dialogue," she said. China firmly supports Myanmar in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, firmly supports Myanmar's effort to keep the country peaceful and stable and grow its economy, and firmly supports Myanmar in realizing political reconciliation at an early date and advancing its domestic political agenda under the framework of the constitution, the spokesperson said. "China stands ready to actively promote talks for peace and provide support and help for the peace process in northern Myanmar," Mao noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar junta kills 28, including its own soldiers, in prison attack The victims included soldiers' relatives taken prisoner, including women and children, an insurgent group said. By RFA Burmese 2025.01.20 -- The Myanmar military killed 28 of its own soldiers and their detained relatives in an airstrike on insurgent positions near an ancient capital in Rakhine state, according to the rebels and a human rights group. The Arakan Army, or AA, is fighting for control of Rakhine state and has made stunning gains over the past year, seizing 14 of its 17 townships from the control of the junta that seized power in an early 2021 coup. The military has struck back with its air force, launching numerous bombing raids, which early on Sunday included a strike on Kyauk Se village, to the north of Mrauk U town. "We don't know the exact details yet but we do know that dozens are dead," Myat Tun, director of the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association, told Radio Free Asia. "There were no residents affected, it affected prisoners of war, including children," he said. The AA said 28 people were killed and 29 were wounded when the air force dropped three bombs on a temporary detention center run by the AA before dawn on Sunday. "Those killed/injured in the bombing were prisoners and their families who were arrested in battles," the AA said in a statement. "Military families were about to be released and were being temporarily detained in that place." Some of the wounded were in critical condition and the death toll could rise, the group said. RFA tried to contact AA spokesperson, Khaing Thu Ka, and Rakhine state's junta spokesperson, Hla Thein, for more information but neither of them responded by time of publication. Mrauk U is the ancient capital of Rakhine kings who were conquered by Burmese kings in 1784. The AA has captured hundreds of junta soldiers, police officers and their family members, in its relentless advance across the state, from its far north on the border with Bangladesh, down to the south where AA fighters have launched probes into neighboring Ayeyarwady division. Families of soldiers and police in Myanmar often live near them in family quarters. This was not the first AA prison to be bombed. In September, military aircraft struck a detention center and hospital in Pauktaw town, killing more than 50 prisoners of war, the AA said at the time. On Jan. 8, junta airstrikes in Ramree township's Kyauk Ni Maw village killed more than 50, including women and children, and some 500 homes were destroyed in a blaze that the bombing sparked. Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by RFA Staff. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China-aided New Gwadar International Airport officially opens Global Times By Global Times Published: Jan 20, 2025 04:29 PM The New Gwadar International Airport, funded and built by China as a grant, officially commenced operations on Monday. The first flight, PIA503 operated by Pakistan International Airlines, arrived at the newly inaugurated airport from Karachi, China Media Group (CMG) reported. Pakistani officials welcomed passengers at an opening ceremony, and the inaugural flight was greeted with a traditional water salute upon landing, according to CMG. "Today marks a historic day as the Gwadar International Airport gets functional with the landing of first commercial flight. This marks the beginning of a new era of building linkages for enhanced connectivity and integration. I hope it will pave the way for new endless opportunities," Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan said in a post published on Monday on X. The airport is a 4F-grade state-of-the-art facility built to handle the largest civil aircraft. Its 3,658-meter-long, 75-meter-wide runway, with a specialized foundation, sets a benchmark in engineering standards, according to the Xinhua News Agency. The new airport is located in a coastal area and faces a harsh salt spray environment that may potentially cause corrosion. According to a Chinese construction technician, the construction team took anti-corrosion measures in many aspects, such as the foundations, steel structures and decoration, with the aim of ensuring the durability of the terminal building, Xinhua reported. The manager of the new airport said that the facility will greatly improve Pakistan's air connectivity with other countries and provide easy access for international cargo and tourists. The airport will also be equipped with a refrigerated cargo storage system to facilitate exports of local seafood and further integrate Gwadar's economy into the global market, Xinhua reported. Addressing previous connectivity challenges, the airport will enable modern airlines to serve Gwadar, enhancing regional economic growth and positioning Gwadar as a transshipment hub linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to Xinhua. Launched in 2013, the CPEC, a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, is a corridor linking the Gwadar Port in Southwest Pakistan's Balochistan province with Kashgar in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It highlighted energy, transport and industrial cooperation in the first phase, while the new phase expands into the fields of agriculture and livelihoods, among others, according to Xinhua. A Chinese staff member at the new airport explained that the design standards, main materials and equipment used in the construction were all sourced from China, helping to promote China's civil aviation technology standards and materials abroad, CMG reported. A Pakistani representative of the airport stated that the new facility will play a key role in the development of Gwadar and Pakistan's overall economy. With significant cargo potential, the airport is expected to handle not only a high volume of passenger traffic but also a large number of freight flights, according to CMG. On October 14, 2024 Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif jointly attended the completion ceremony of the new Gwadar International Airport Project at the Prime Minister's Office, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council Vladimir Putin held, via videoconference, a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council. January 20, 2025 16:50 Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, and Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov. * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues. Today, we will discuss certain issues concerning regions of particular importance to us and the evolving situation there. Mr Lavrov, could you update us on the current developments in the United States? As I understand, the inauguration of the newly elected President is scheduled for today. Please proceed. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov: Colleagues, Indeed, since yesterday, the global media and social networks have been flooded with news from Washington, coinciding with the arrival of Trump and his team in the capital for today's inauguration, set to take place at 8:00 pm Moscow Time. While the details are widely reported, speculation, analytical assessments, and forecasts are also intensifying regarding how this event may influence various conflicts across different regions of the world. There are numerous conflicts, including those in the Middle East, where the situation remains fragile. Despite the signing of an agreement between Israel and Hamas, there are no convincing signs of lasting stability. On the one side, warnings are voiced that Israel is violating the agreements, while Israel accuses Hamas of not fully adhering to the commitments they made. Of course, the Palestine problem beyond the Gaza Strip does not go anywhere. We can recall that Donald Trump, during his first term, promoted a concept that was totally different from the Arab Peace Initiative and implied that relations between Israel and all Arabs be normalised... Yemen, Libya, and, of course, Syria after the events that took place a month ago, all this makes the Middle East and the Near East a very troubled region. Let us not forget Afghanistan, where the Americans are also trying to restore their presence to some extent, using neighbouring countries for this and thinking about returning their military infrastructure there. I am saying all this in terms of the policies carried out by the previous administration. So, of course, everyone is trying to guess what official approaches the Trump administration will promote. Unofficially, members of his team and he, himself, have repeatedly spoken out about the Middle East and the Ukraine crisis, which Trump considers a priority area of his foreign policy activity with an eye to resolving it, making it clear that they understand the Russian position in some of its aspects: for example, regarding the unacceptability of Ukraine's membership in the North Atlantic Alliance. However, let me repeat that all of these are preliminary statements, more like "test runs," made on the eve of the new President's official inauguration and the approval of members of his administration. This is why a lot depends on the United States, first of all, because the Europeans and US Asian allies, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand are completely guided by the position of the White House, and in this sense, they are waiting to see what its final position will be. Of course, developing countries are waiting, too - countries in the regions where the United States can play a positive role or carry on the previous administration's course to maintain conflict potential in the hope of benefitting from the ongoing crises. At least, this was the United States' course for many years under various administrations. Therefore, guessing is a thankless job. We are open to contacts. We have repeatedly confirmed this in response to relevant questions, with the understanding that we will have serious proposals from those of our colleagues who once suspended, or even broke off, relations with the Russian Federation. Vladimir Putin: You referenced the Middle East. Recently, there has indeed been an exchange, and some hostages have been released. However, among those still held captive is an individual holding dual citizenship, Russian citizenship. I would request that within the Foreign Ministry, along with colleagues from other relevant agencies, efforts are made to address this matter. Do not overlook it, and strive to ensure the release of our citizen. Sergei Lavrov: We are engaged in this matter. Vladimir Putin: Regarding the developments in the United States, today in Washington, D.C., Donald Trump is being inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States. Undoubtedly, the pre-election phase was challenging for Mr Trump in every aspect; he, along with his family members, faced constant and intense pressure, including attempts on his life. Nevertheless, he demonstrated resilience and achieved a decisive electoral victory. We observe that the newly elected President of the United States and his team have expressed a desire to re-establish direct contact with Russia, which the outgoing Administration had severed, through no fault of our own. Furthermore, we note his remarks on the necessity of doing everything possible to avert a third world war. Naturally, we welcome this stance and extend our congratulations to the President-elect of the United States of America on his inauguration. I wish to emphasise that we have never declined dialogue and have always been prepared to sustain amicable and cooperative relations with any American administration, as I have reiterated on numerous occasions. We operate under the premise that the dialogue will be established on an equal and mutually respectful foundation, acknowledging the significant roles our nations play on several vital global issues, including the enhancement of strategic stability and security. We are also open to dialogue with the new US Administration concerning the Ukrainian conflict. The primary focus here should be addressing the root causes of the crisis, which we have discussed extensively. Concerning the resolution of the situation itself, I would like to reiterate that its objective should not be a temporary ceasefire or a pause to regroup forces and rearm for the eventual continuation of the conflict, but rather a lasting peace founded on respect for the legitimate interests of all individuals and peoples residing in this region. Nonetheless, we will steadfastly advocate for the interests of Russia and the Russian people. This, in essence, is the purpose and meaning of the special military operation. Let us return to, or rather commence work on, the agenda, if you please. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU provides 235 million humanitarian aid to Syrians European Commission Press release Jan 16, 2025 Brussels The European Commission will provide new humanitarian support to Syrians, both inside Syria and in neighbouring countries, for an amount of 235 million for 2025. Following the collapse of the former government in Damascus, the EU is working at all levels to boost humanitarian aid delivery, including through launching Humanitarian Air Bridge flights. Today, Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality Hadja Lahbib is visiting Syria to reaffirm the EU's commitment to providing critical assistance to civilians. This marks the first visit of an EU Commissioner to the country since the fall of the Assad regime. This new EU funding will provide emergency assistance, including: Food for malnourished communities across the country. Medical aid and essential health services. Protection of vulnerable populations from violence and exploitation. Shelter solutions to people displaced by conflict. Ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. Distributing cash transfers to support basic needs Educational support to affected children The aid is part of a larger regional humanitarian fund which supports vulnerable Syrians and host communities across the region. Commissioner Lahbib is meeting with representatives of the transitional government as well as EU partners and Syrian civil society organisations to discuss urgent humanitarian challenges and needs. She will advocate for full respect of International Humanitarian Law and unhindered access to the whole of Syria for humanitarian partners. The Commissioner will also meet with beneficiaries of EU humanitarian aid projects. Commissioner Lahbib will then continue her visit to the region in Jordan, where she will meet with local authorities as well as heads of UN agencies and other key humanitarian partners. She will also meet with Syrian refugees during a visit to an EU aid project. Background Over the past 13 years, the EU and its Member States has mobilised more than 33.3 billion in humanitarian, development, economic and stabilisation assistance for the Syria crisis. This has supported Syrians both inside the country and across the region. More than 13 years after the start of the Syria crisis, half the population is displaced, both inside and outside the country. The number of people in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance has continued to rise since 2020, reaching 16.7 million people in 2024, an all-time high since the beginning of the crisis in 2011. As a leading donor, the EU and its Member States have provided sustained humanitarian funding since the start of the crisis. The EU also funds humanitarian aid in countries across the region which host millions of Syrian refugees. In late 2024, to help Syrians affected by the increasing turmoil and instability in the region, the EU also: provided immediate emergency funding of 5.5 million to swiftly address the needs of those who have crossed the border from Lebanon, including 2.8 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). allocated an additional 4 million to address the most urgent humanitarian needs of the people crossing into Syria. channelled aid through a dedicated Humanitarian Air Bridge operation from Dubai and EU truck convoys in December from its stockpile in Denmark. Quote(s) The EU remains committed to supporting Syrians in their pursuit of recovery, peace, and a secure future. Let us remember that the dire humanitarian crisis affecting them has not vanished with the fall of the regime. This can be an invaluable opportunity to reset, recover and rebuild. The EU will continue to support vulnerable Syrians in 2025 and beyond. With this new package, we will ensure humanitarian aid will continue to be provided to those who need it the most. Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Eide: Visiting Syria leaves a profound impression Government of Norway News story | Date: 19/01/2025 'Syria may be at a turning point. We have seen positive initial signals from the transitional government, but we need to be prepared for the fact that developments can go both ways. It is imperative that the international community contributes to a positive development in this crucial phase. This is the reason for my visit to Syria', said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. The Foreign Minister is in Syria today. In Damascus, he met with the leader of the transitional government, Al-Sharaa. He also met with representatives of civil society, the United Nations and Norwegian humanitarian organisations working in Syria. 'In my meeting with the transitional government, I emphasised the need for further peaceful transition, inclusion and respect for women's rights. The massive changes the country is facing have made a deep impression on me during my visit. After 50 years of the Assad regime and 13 years of bloody civil war, my impression is that Syrians are aware that anything may happen', said Minister Eide. After 13 years of civil war, which killed half a million Syrians, challenges are legion. Nine out of ten Syrians live below the poverty line. 17 million Syrians are dependent on humanitarian assistance. 7 million Syrians have fled the country, while 6 million are internally displaced. Critical infrastructure is destroyed or obsolete. Health care services and the educational system are severely weakened. 'Norway supports a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process. We will continue the longstanding Norwegian commitment to the Syrian people and contribute to Syria's successful transition. A stable Syria with security for all is essential for stability in the Middle East. It is also important that Syria not become a breeding ground for extremism, which would be a threat to both Europe and the region. This is important for Syrians themselves, their neighbours, and for Norway and our own security', said Mr Eide. 'There are numerous overlapping fault lines in Syria. We must strive for Syria to become a safe country for its entire population, regardless of ethnic or religious affinity. It is also critical that other countries respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity', said Mr Eide. Long-term Norwegian commitment to Syria Syria was for many years the biggest recipient of Norwegian assistance, together with neighbouring countries Jordan and Lebanon, which were affected by the war in Syria. From 2016 to 2019, Norway contributed 10 billion NOK to Syrians and Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. In 2024, Norway's contribution was 569 million NOK. This included approximately 490 million NOK for humanitarian aid, while 79 million NOK was directed at stabilisation efforts. In 2024, Norway's total support for Syria and neighbouring countries affected by the Syrian crisis was 1.1 billion NOK. Norwegian support is directed at all parts of Syria, from health care, food security, education, mine clearance, rehabilitation of infrastructure and agriculture and small businesses to measures for youth in and around camps for internally displaced, as well as support for women. Important partners include the Norwegian Refugee Council, Norwegian People's Aid, Norwegian Church Aid, Save The Children, Norwac, Care, The Red Cross Movement and the United Nations. Syria is one of the countries in the world with the highest share of unexploded ordnances remaining after war. 3353 civilians are said to have been killed by such remnants since 2011. Mines are an obstacle to the return of internally displaced persons, agriculture and food production in many parts of the country. Norway supports the work of organisations such as Norwegian's People Aid, Mines Advisory Group and HALO in Syria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Opposition lawmakers freeze part of domestic submarine program budget ROC Central News Agency 01/20/2025 09:07 PM Taipei, Jan. 20 (CNA) Opposition lawmakers on Monday passed a motion to freeze half of the funding proposed for 2025 to continue work on a fleet of indigenous defense submarines (IDS) until an IDS prototype passes a required sea acceptance test (SAT) this year. The motion passed at the Legislative Yuan by a 56-46 margin, with 11 lawmakers not in attendance, including eight currently in the United States to attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Lawmakers with the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and smaller opposition Taiwan People's Party (TPP) supported the freeze of half of the total NT$2 billion (US$61.01 million) budget, while ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators opposed it. With the motion, NT$1 billion of the proposed NT$2 billion budget for the IDS fleet cannot be used by the Navy until the military briefs the lawmakers after the completion of the SATs of the IDS prototype, the Narwhal, also known as Hai Kun. KMT lawmaker Wang Wen-chun (), one of the initiators of the motion, previously said the KMT would significantly cut or freeze the IDS budget because of serious delays in the program. She also questioned if the prototype and IDS systems could meet Taiwan's defensive needs. Monday's session of the Legislature was being held to review a number of motions proposed by the KMT and/or TPP to cut and/or freeze some of the government's budget proposals for fiscal year 2025, which is expected to clear the Legislative floor on Tuesday. The Narwhal was unveiled in Kaohsiung in September 2023 and has currently completed about 80 percent of its harbor acceptance tests (HAT). The next step in the process, the SAT, is expected to begin in April and conclude by October, before meeting the delivery deadline in November, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND). Other than the Narwhal prototype, the MND has also proposed building seven indigenous submarines from 2025 to 2038 at an estimated cost of NT$284 billion. (By Fan Cheng-hsiang and Joseph Yeh) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Buy U.S. arms, create U.S. semiconductor jobs to appease Trump: Expert ROC Central News Agency 01/20/2025 04:02 PM Washington, Jan. 19 (CNA) Taiwan should request arms purchases worth billions of dollars from the United States and create more jobs there through semiconductor-related investments to placate U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, according to an American scholar. "Those two things seem to be the most likely ways for Taiwan to diminish Trump's complaints, and also reduce the fear that he will use Taiwan as a bargaining chip," Thomas J. Shattuck, a senior program manager at the University of Pennsylvania's Perry World House policy research center, told CNA last month. "Putting together a multi-billion dollar package [of U.S. arms purchases] within the first six months" would be a "great way" for Taiwan to signal to Trump that the president-elect's concerns have been heard, the expert on China and Taiwan said. Taiwan also needs to remind Trump that Taipei "pays more" than the United States' NATO allies for its own defense, Shattuck said, referring to the fact Taiwan's defense budget exceeds NATO's target of 2 percent of GDP for its member states, which Trump had previously "harped on" about. Trump, whose inauguration ceremony for his second term as U.S. president takes place on Monday (U.S. time), said on the campaign trail that Taiwan "stole our chip business" and needed to "pay us for defense." During his first term from 2017 to 2021, the Republican president did not make those "accusations," Shattuck said, which made lawmakers and others in Taiwan a "little afraid" about a second Trump term. However, Shattuck argued that "Trump and his team understand the strategic nature of keeping Taiwan as Taiwan, keeping the alliances strong." Trump's "very pro Taiwan" picks for top roles in his administration, such as Senator Marco Rubio for U.S. secretary of state, further suggest that Taiwan will not "get sold out for a big trade deal with China" during the next four years, Shattuck said. "If the big great power competition between the U.S. and China continues, you don't sell Taiwan out on day one or the last day in the office," the expert continued. Shattuck, who is also a non-resident research fellow at both the Global Taiwan Institute and the Foreign Policy Research Institute, suggested that "Taiwan keeps China boxed in" due to its geographical location. U.S. strategic interests in the region, he suggested, should dissuade Washington from putting "any deals on the table with any country to give up a country or give up a piece of land or do any sort of thing." (By James Thompson and Shih Hsiu-chuan) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/01/20 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1. Date 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Sunday to Monday, Jan. 19-20 2. PLA activities 4 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities. 1140120_Diagram of PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Lai congratulates Trump on inauguration ROC Central News Agency 01/21/2025 02:25 AM Taipei, Jan. 21 (CNA) Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te () extended his congratulations to Donald Trump via social media on Tuesday, following his inauguration as president of the United States. In a post on X, Lai said Taiwan looks forward to working with Trump's administration. "Sincere congratulations to @realDonaldTrump & @JDVance on your inauguration as #POTUS & #VP. #Taiwan looks forward to working with your administration to promote enduring freedom, peace & prosperity around the world. We wish you great success in the years ahead," Lai wrote. A delegation of cross-party lawmakers led by Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu () watched a livestream of the inauguration at Capital One Arena on Monday (Washington time). Due to sub-zero temperatures forecast for Washington, the ceremony was moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda, instead of being held on the Capitol steps. This adjustment significantly reduced the number of attendees, including Taiwan's delegation. (By Elizabeth Hsu) Enditem/cc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM call with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani: 20 January 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to the Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. 20 January 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to the Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani this afternoon. The leaders began by reflecting on the success of the Qatar State Visit last month, and they agreed on the importance and strength of the UK-Qatar partnership. Turning to the Middle East, the Prime Minister thanked the Amir for his steadfast leadership in securing a ceasefire deal. They both agreed on the requirement to maintain pressure on both sides to ensure that the deal is fully implemented, seeing the release of all hostages and an increase of aid into Gaza. The Prime Minister underscored that the UK, alongside international partners, will continue to be at the forefront of efforts to ensure long-term peace in the Middle East. A two-state solution that will guarantee security and stability for Israel, alongside a sovereign and viable Palestine state will ensure a better future for all, the leaders agreed. They looked forward to speaking soon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM call with Prime Minister of Frederiksen of Denmark: 20 January 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. 20 January 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen this afternoon. The Prime Minister updated on his visit to Kyiv last week and underlined his steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes. Putting the country in the strongest possible position in 2025 and securing peace through strength was vital, the leaders agreed. Turning to broader European defence issues, the leaders looked ahead to their attendance to the upcoming European Council in early February. The Prime Minister extended an invite to Prime Minister Frederiksen to visit the UK. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address High casualty rate could deplete North Korean troops in Kursk by mid-April: report North Koreans have likely suffered roughly 92 casualties per day, a US thinktank reported. By Taejun Kang for RFA 2025.01.19 TAIPEI, Taiwan -- North Korea could lose all of its troops deployed to help Russia in its war against Ukraine in about three months, if the high casualty rate it has been suffering persists, said a Washington-based thinktank. As many as 12,000 North Korean soldiers are in Russia to support its war against Ukraine in Russia's Kursk, according to Ukraine and the United States - although neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has acknowledged this. "North Koreans have likely suffered roughly 92 casualties per day since starting to participate in significant fighting in early December 2024," said the Institute for the Study of War in its report on Thursday, citing casualty reports from Ukraine and South Korea as well as Russian military bloggers. "The entirety of this North Korean contingent in Kursk Oblast may be killed or wounded in roughly 12 weeks [about mid-April 2025] should North Korean forces continue to suffer similarly high casualty rates in the future," the institute added. North Korean forces will likely continue to suffer a larger ratio of wounded to killed in action, and it is unclear if or when injured North Korean soldiers return to combat, the institute explained. Ukraine reported on Jan. 4 an estimated 3,800 casualties among North Korean soldiers, saying they proved to be easy targets for Ukrainian drones since they were unfamiliar with the difficulties of drone warfare and were struggling to adapt. South Korea estimated on Jan. 13 that more than 300 North Koreans had been killed and about 2,700 wounded. The South's top envoy to the United Nations, Hwang Joon-kook, said on Thursday that North Korean troops were being treated as "expendables" and as a "cynical" means of sustaining the North Korean regime, citing "inhumane" tactics on the front lines as one of the main reasons for casualties. British daily The Times cited a Ukrainian military official as saying that North Korean soldiers sent to Russia were being used as "human mine detectors." 'Strategic mistake' NATO's top official said that coordination between Russian and North Korean troops was virtually impossible, calling it a "strategic mistake," pointing to the low effectiveness of the North Korean military and its high casualties. "We know it's about 11,000 soldiers that are in the Kursk region used by the Russians ... They were wounded and killed, and actually they are used in a not very effective way, because there is a language problem with the Russians," the chairman of NATO's military committee, Adm. Rob Bauer, told a news conference on Thursday. Pointing out a lack of coordination between Russians and North Koreans, he added that the North Korean troops were also not used in "very favorable positions by the Russians." "It is a huge change that North Korea, the most isolated country in the world, now suddenly is a player...that they are in Europe fighting for the Russians. It means that the Indo-Pacific is now suddenly connected to the European theater in a way that nobody thought possible. That has huge consequences," he added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned in early January of the possibility that North Korea could send up to half a million troops to aid Russia. North Korea has an estimated 1.2 million soldiers in its armed forces, though they have barely any combat experience. It is known to instead often rely on its troops for building infrastructure projects. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonia sends mobile demining camp to Ukraine Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20.01.2025 A nine-trailer mobile demining camp has embarked on the journey from Estonia to Ukraine. The camp, destined for a humanitarian demining unit in the Zhytomyr Region, was a collaborative project between the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and the Estonian Rescue Association. Over the past three years, Ukraine has become the most mined country in the world. Over 250,000 km2 or a third of Ukraine's territory is estimated to be mined, threatening civilian lives, hindering economic development, especially in agriculture, and slowing down reconstruction. According to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, this mobile demining camp will contribute to solving an extremely serious problem as Russia's full-scale assault continues and Ukraine's need for aid increases. "Over 30% of Ukraine's territory has been mined, and at the current pace of demining, it would take 700 years to clear it. Therefore, every bit of additional aid will make Ukraine safer, faster," said Tsahkna. In Ukraine, humanitarian demining efforts are primarily carried out by police and rescue service deminers. The most heavily mined areas are often far from large population centres, with little infrastructure to ensure safe working conditions for deminers. "Considering Ukraine's need to move to the mined areas quickly, we proposed, together with the Rescue Association, the idea of a mobile modular camp, consisting of specially outfitted trailers to accommodate a 44-member demining team," said Margus Gering, head of Cooperation and Development for Ukraine at ESTDEV. "This is a flexible, cost-effective solution. Transporting the trailers does not require a special vehicle; they can be transported using existing vehicles." The demining camp sent by Estonia consists of nine trailers with built-in headquarters, sleeping quarters, a washroom with a toilet and shower, a kitchen, and equipment and repair rooms. All trailers are equipped with air conditioning and a heat pump. The campus also has Starlink devices for internet use and a special trailer for a generator to ensure continuous operation in areas without reliable electricity. The Estonian company Alro Trailers manufactured the trailers after winning the 365,000 euro public procurement organised to implement the project. Volunteers from the Estonian Rescue Association transported the trailers to Ukraine. Piia Kallas, head of the Estonian Rescue Association and project advisor, said the mobile demining campus will help Ukrainian police officers move more efficiently in war zones. "The assistance sent by Estonians allows police officers to accommodate large demining units in crisis centres and areas near the front, saving time and ensuring their mobility in case of danger," Kallas said. "There is no mobile combined working-and-living environment of this type in Estonia, which is why Ukrainians' feedback on the product's functioning is important, allowing us to create a similar solution in Estonia if necessary," Kallas added. According to ESDTEV's executive director, Klen Jaarats, this collaborative project with the Estonian Rescue Association will increase the operational efficiency and efficacy of humanitarian demining units in Ukraine and improve the deminers' living and working conditions during missions. "Landmines are silent killers, and explosives planted during the war can remain hidden in the ground for decades. This widespread contamination significantly complicates the rebuilding and restoration of the areas most affected by the conflict. Ukrainians face a long-term demining challenge, and Estonia is ready to help make Ukraine safe for its people again, so the economy can recover and reconstruction can move forward," Jaarats said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Lithuania: We must not be afraid of Russia's defeat Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20.01.2025 On 16 and 17 January, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna attended the Snow Meeting, a high-level foreign and security policy event in Lithuania, speaking in a panel on Ukraine's victory plan. "Ukraine's victory plan clearly states what needs to be done to achieve victory. Ukraine's supporters do not have to come up with something new, they just need to follow the plan," Tsahkna said. "However, in addition to Ukraine's victory, it is important to understand that Russia must lose the war. We must not be afraid of Russia's defeat." The foreign minister said that it in addition to Ukraine's sovereignty and survival, the future of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture was also at stake. "Several times, the international community has made the mistake of not taking the aggression coming from Russia seriously," the foreign minister said, referring to Russia's war in Georgia in 2008 and the annexation of Crimea in 2014. "This mistake should not be made again now. We must understand that Russia poses a serious and long-term threat." Speaking about Ukraine's NATO membership, Tsahkna underlined its importance for not just Ukraine but European security. "NATO membership is the best way to deter Russia from launching new attacks and this is why it is important to bring Ukraine under the NATO umbrella. Equally importantly, with Ukraine's accession, NATO would gain a battle-hardened and extremely strong Ally." The foreign minister emphasised the importance of continued pressure on Russia, including through using its frozen assets. "Using frozen assets for the benefit of Ukraine would be a concrete and very practical step that would help Ukraine on the one hand, and pressure Russia into stopping hostilities on the other," Tsahkna said. On the sidelines of the conference, the foreign minister had bilateral meetings with Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski and Romanian Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu, as well as with NATO's Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Drones thermal imagers and telescopic loaders delivered to Ukraine Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2025-01-20 International cooperation | Security and defense policy Lithuania continues unwavering support to Ukraine. In the end of Last week UAVs made by Lithuanian manufacturers, thermal imaging equipment and 5-ton telescopic loaders were transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "We cannot slow down the assistance to Ukraine because Ukraine's security concerns are our security concerns. We have the same amount of time that Ukraine does. Since we have removed bureaucratic obstacles, the aid will be getting to Ukraine even faster," said Minister of National Defence Dovile Sakaliene. Majors directions of assistance this year are planned to be for urgent needs (air defence, ammunition, drones, drone jamming equipment) while simultaneously developing the Lithuanian defence industry and support to Ukraine's defence industry by providing financing to weaponry production in Ukraine. Lithuania will also be contributing to the Capability Coalition for Demining that it leads together with Iceland, as well as to other capability coalition it is a member of. Military assistance will also be transferred via international funds and collective initiatives, medical rehabilitation aid to injured Ukrainian troops and training to Ukrainian military personnel will continue to be provide. Since the breakout of the war, Lithuania has delivered to Ukraine military assistance worth of EUR 754 million. Lithuania's overall support for Ukraine for the long-haul has exceeded a billion and a half euros. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Why Are European Troops For Ukraine A Nonstarter? By Ray Furlong January 20, 2025 Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration is likely to herald a tectonic shift in Washington's policy on Ukraine, with a declared push for a peace or cease-fire deal and a clear desire for U.S. disengagement. That has led European leaders to discuss previously unthinkable ideas about how to ensure Ukraine's postwar security without U.S. involvement. Top of the list is French President Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of deploying European military forces to Ukraine if a deal is agreed. First mooted nearly a year ago, it was reinvigorated after Trump's election victory. Last month, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Rome would be willing to join a potential mission and his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, said Berlin was "preparing" and "considering scenarios." But these two examples highlight the enormous obstacles to such a mission. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said such discussions were premature. Given Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union -- including Ukraine -- during World War II, it is also hard to imagine German forces deployed in the country. European Union Foreign Affairs chief Kaja Kallas said that as long as Russia was shelling Ukraine, "we have nothing to talk about." Of course, she meant publicly. But her comment underlines another factor that may make a European military role a nonstarter: Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I think there is absolutely no indication that at the moment Putin is interested in negotiations at all," said Ian Bond, deputy director of the Center for European Reform, a think tank. "You know, Putin thinks he's winning." A 'Tall Order' Bond is not alone in this assessment. Trump appears to disagree, stating at his January 7 Mar-a-Lago news conference that he believed he could achieve a deal within six months. But even then, there's no sign that Putin would agree to a European force. Nicu Popescu, at the European Council on Foreign Relations, sees a further difficulty. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Moscow can block any peacekeeping mission. "The problem with traditional peacekeeping missions is that they are bound by UN decisions, meaning Russia could veto it or terminate the mission at any time. Such a mission would also not be limited to Western countries but also have troops from other parts of the world," he said. Popescu, who was Moldovan Foreign Minister in 2021-2024, said the discussion among European leaders is not about peacekeepers. "What's being discussed is a military presence to prevent another war. It means troops, not lightly armed peacekeepers, but equipped with antiaircraft, anti-electronic warfare capacities, to defend cities like Odesa and Kyiv." Popescu admits that is a "tall order" for European armies. Britain and France have Europe's strongest militaries, but are overstretched. In Britain, the military has been largely focused on anti-terror and counterinsurgency operations since the September 11 attacks in the United States in 2001. It has been through cuts in the last decade and a recent parliamentary report said Britain was "underprepared" to counter the Russian threat. In July, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a review of defense strategy, declaring that Britain's armed forces were "hollowed out." The French Army has greater numbers than the British but has also been stretched by yearslong combat deployments across Africa. French experts have voiced doubts about its capacity for a higher-intensity conflict, such as Ukraine. "We only have six long-range rocket launchers left, we do not have any real means of combating drones," noted Leo Peria Peigne from the French Institute of International Relations in November. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said security guarantees for Kyiv to end Russia's war would only be effective if the United States provides them. Some advocates of a European military presence say it would only be possible with U.S. help in areas such as planning, logistics, and intelligence. Political Constraints Adding to these military constraints are political ones. Would European governments really be willing to deploy significant forces to Ukraine against Russia's wishes and without U.S. involvement on the ground? The idea could be deeply unpopular with public opinion. Polling in Western Europe has consistently shown low levels of support for sending troops to Ukraine. The risks of sending such a contingent, even in a noncombat role, would be enormous. Rules of engagement would have to be set covering how to respond if they are fired on by Russian forces, and the political fallout of casualties could be huge. Macron already has his back to the wall after losing his majority in France's National Assembly. Starmer has only just returned his Labour Party to office after 14 years in opposition. Both leaders have a lot to lose from a bloody crisis involving their soldiers in Ukraine. Many would also point to the danger of escalation. This appears to be one reason outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden's administration ruled out any military presence in Ukraine. Still, some analysts argue that the situation on the battlefield could get so bad that European leaders feel compelled to act. "If you are Poland, the prospect of the collapse of Ukraine with millions of refugees flowing across your borders and Russian forces coming up to your border is much, much worse than the prospect of having to do more to shore up Ukraine's current front lines," said Ian Bond. But, he added, "We're a very, very long way away from that." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/european-troops- ukraine-nonstarter-analysis/33281160.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Macron Sees No Early End To War As Russia Presses Attacks Near Pokrovsk By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 20, 2025 French President Emmanuel Macron on January 20 cautioned that the Kremlin's war against Ukraine will not end "tomorrow or the day after" following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has vowed to quickly bring the conflict to conclusion. The remarks came as Ukraine's military reported further Russian attacks near the strategic city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region and as Kyiv posted another video purporting to show a wounded North Korean soldier. "Let us not delude ourselves," Macron said in an address to the French military in northwestern France. "This conflict will not be resolved tomorrow or the day after." During his presidential campaign, Trump vowed to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, although he has backed off that claim in recent remarks, saying only that he will bring peace in the near term. Trump has also criticized the amount of military aid provided to Kyiv by the administration of President Joe Biden, who left office at midday on January 20. Macron said Western partners must give Ukraine "the means to last and to enter any future negotiations from a position of strength." Macron said that regardless of the outcome of the war, Russia will pose a security challenge for Europe and the wider world for the foreseeable future, and he urged Europe to bolster its defenses amid uncertainty coming out of the United States. On January 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his embattled nation had been struck by more than 1,000 Russian projectiles over the past week, prompting him to renew his urgent plea for additional air defense weapons, particularly the U.S.-made Patriot missile system. "More Patriots for Ukraine means more protection of life. More range for Ukraine means more guarantees that the Russian war can be stopped," he added. Zelenskiy has stepped up his appeals for the sophisticated Patriot air defense system over the past year as Russian forces continue assaults against Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian sites. Ukraine is thought to have at least five of the $1 billion Patriot systems, although details have been kept mostly secret. Zelenskiy is expected to speak at 2:30 p.m. at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21 as he presses his calls for additional economic and military aid. Zelenskiy on January 20 released another video purporting to show a wounded North Korean soldier. The video showed a young man lying in bed saying that North Korean troops had suffered serious losses fighting alongside Kremlin forces in Russia's Kursk region. Moscow and Pyongyang have not commented on the deployment of North Korean troops in the Kursk region. Kyiv and Western leaders say some 11,000 troops have been sent there and have suffered substantial casualties. On the battlefield, Russian authorities reported Ukrainian drone attacks in Kazan, the capital of the Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, early on January 20. According to local officials, drones targeted a defense industrial facility. They claimed there were no casualties or significant damage to the facility, which could not be independently verified. The Kazan Aviation Plant, which manufactures strategic bombers used in Russia's war against Ukraine, was reportedly the main target, which if hit, could cause a major disruption to Russia's military operations in Ukraine. Russia's Voronezh regional government said a falling Ukrainian drone sparked a fire at an oil depot in the Liski district, where a similar incident caused a blaze on January 16, as Kyiv maintained its campaign of attacks against Russian oil-storage sites. And early on January 21, authorities in Russia's Smolensk region reported an ongoing attack of Ukrainian drones. The Ukrainian military said in its evening update on January 20 that "the enemy is intensively attacking Ukrainian defenders in the Pokrovsk direction." It said 65 of the attacks had been repulsed while seven more clashes were still under way. Pokrovsk has been the target of a long, brutal offensive by Russian forces as they attempt to capture the vital logistics hub in Ukraine's Donetsk region. Separately, the DeepState open-source intelligence resource said Russian forces appear to have broken through another defensive line in the Donbas region that had been otherwise stable in recent months. A sustained breakthrough there could pose a threat to Lyman, a strategic city with a prewar population of around 20,000. With its closeness to the front line, the area has been regularly bombarded by Russian forces and been left mostly in ruins. With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/macron-france-ukraine- russia-trump-war/33282661.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Military Officials Detained Over Failures In Defense Of Kharkiv Region By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and RFE/RL's Russian Service January 20, 2025 Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) and the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) have detained three high-ranking Ukrainian military officials accused of failing to properly defend the Kharkiv region during a Russian offensive in May 2024. According to an official statement published on January 20 by the DBR, those detained include a brigadier general, a lieutenant general, and a colonel. The investigation alleges that the officials, who held key leadership positions in Ukraine's territorial defense, neglected to adequately prepare defensive positions along the border areas of the Kharkiv region. During the renewed Russian assault, they reportedly lost control over their troops, contributing to the loss of strategic territory in the region. Charges against the detained officers include negligent military service during wartime and the organization of an unauthorized retreat from the battlefield. If convicted, the officials could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. Authorities are currently determining pretrial restriction measures for the three detainees. The arrests come as Ukrainian regions, including Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Kherson, were hit by intense Russian attacks overnight. Local authorities reported two civilian deaths with four others injured due to shelling. In the Donetsk region, one civilian was killed and another injured in the Pokrovsk district, where residential buildings sustained significant damage. In Kherson, one civilian was killed in an attack while in Kharkiv, a 14-year-old girl was injured in Zolochiv, and a 45-year-old man was wounded after stepping on an explosive device. Russian authorities, meanwhile, reported Ukrainian drone attacks in Kazan, the capital of the Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, early on January 20. According to local officials, drones targeted a defense industrial facility. They claimed there were no casualties or significant damage to the facility, which could not be independently verified. The Kazan Aviation Plant, which manufactures strategic bombers used in Russia's war against Ukraine, was reportedly the main target, which if hit, could cause a major disruption to Russia's military operations in Ukraine. Russian authorities said they temporarily closed airports in Kazan, Nizhnekamsk, and Izhevsk as a precaution. The airports were later reopened. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine- military-officials-detainment-failures-defense- kharkiv-russia-invasion/33282200.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (20 January 2025) 20.01.2025 The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region. During the offensive actions, the Sever Group of Forces' units inflicted fire damage on formations of one tank brigade, one heavy mechanised brigade, four mechanised brigades, two air assault brigades, one marine brigade, and three territorial defence brigades of the AFU close to Guyevo, Zaoleshenka, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Malaya Loknya, Makhnovka, Nikolayevka, Nikolayevo Daryino, Nikolsky, Novaya Sorochina, Sverdlikovo, and Yuzhny. Four enemy counter-attacks were repelled. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU close to Agronom, Viktorovka, Goncharovka, Kazachya Loknya, Pervy Knyazhy, Kubatkin, Lebedevka, Loknya, Martynovka, Makhnovka, Mirny, Nikolayevka, Nikolsky, Sudzha, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye as well as Belovody, Vodolagi, Veselovka, Zhuravka, and Khrapovshchina in Sumy region. During the day, AFU losses amounted to more than 460 troops, four tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, one armoured personnel carrier, nine armoured fighting vehicles, 57 motor vehicles, five artillery guns, one mortar, one electronic warfare station, one armoured recovery vehicle, four UAV command posts, and one ammunition depot. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 53,330 troops, 308 tanks, 236 infantry fighting vehicles, 175 armoured personnel carriers, 1,581 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,565 motor vehicles, 378 artillery guns, 44 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 16 anti-aircraft missile launchers, eight transport-loading vehicles, 94 EW stations, 14 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 31 units of engineering and other materiel, including 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, nine armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses Over 545 Soldiers in Battles With Russian Forces - MoD Sputnik News 20250120 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated over 545 Ukrainian military personnel over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday. "The enemy lost up to 545 military personnel, two US-made M113 armored personnel carriers, three vehicles and a 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system," the statement said. Russian forces took control of the Shevchenko settlement in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Novoegoreevka settlement in the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR), the ministry said. Russia's Battlegroup Zapad group has eliminated over 400 Ukrainian soldiers, while Battlegroup Yug has eliminated up to 220 Ukrainian soldiers, the ministry said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security and Defense-Industrial Cooperation, Sanctions, Security Guarantees, and Euro-Atlantic Integration: President Met Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas President of Ukraine 20 January 2025 - 22:28 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with a delegation from the Lithuanian Seimas led by Speaker Saulius Skvernelis, who visited Ukraine for the first time since his election to the position. "We are very grateful to the entire Lithuanian people for your support since the very beginning of the war. We are grateful to your government and President Gitanas Nauseda," the Head of State remarked. Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Lithuania's assistance, which has exceeded 1.5 billion, half of which is defense support. Strengthening Ukraine's position on the battlefield is crucial on the path to achieving a just and lasting peace. Lithuania allocates at least 0.25% of its GDP annually to Ukraine's security and defense needs. Recently, it provided 4,500 FPV drones, purchased from Lithuanian manufacturers as part of the Drone Coalition initiative. Lithuania is also an active participant in coalitions for demining, strengthening Ukraine's air defense, and artillery support. During the meeting, discussions focused on continuing support for Ukraine, preparing a new EU sanctions package, enhancing military-technical cooperation, and joint projects in the defense-industrial sector. President Zelenskyy specifically highlighted Lithuania's leadership in advocating for Ukraine's path to EU and NATO membership. "We are glad that on this challenging path to NATO membership - with all its difficulties - the Lithuanian people and Lithuania are always with us," he said. Saulius Skvernelis emphasized that Lithuania and its parliament remain committed to providing Ukraine with defense and humanitarian support, rehabilitating Ukrainian soldiers, and rebuilding infrastructure destroyed or damaged by Russian aggression. "We understand peace as the complete liberation of Ukrainian territories, including Crimea, the punishment of the dictator for war crimes, holding him legally and financially accountable, and Ukraine's full-fledged membership in NATO and the EU," the Speaker stated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World Economic Forum kicks off Ecns.cn) 14:02, January 21, 2025 People attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 20, 2025. (China News Service/Ma Xiuxiu) The 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting commenced on Monday in Davos, Switzerland, calling for global cooperation amid global uncertainty. Themed "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," the five-day event will bring together nearly 3,000 participants from various regions and industries to discuss issues across five pivotal areas: Reimagining Growth, Industries in the Intelligent Age, Investing in People, Safeguarding the Planet, and Rebuilding Trust. Photo shows the town of Davos during the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 20, 2025. (China News Service/Ma Xiuxiu) Photo shows the town of Davos during the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 20, 2025. (China News Service/Ma Xiuxiu) People attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 20, 2025. (China News Service/Ma Xiuxiu) Photo shows the town of Davos during the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 20, 2025. (China News Service/Ma Xiuxiu) Photo shows the town of Davos during the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 20, 2025. (China News Service/Ma Xiuxiu) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) India and South Africa Can Help Establish a Just and Lasting Peace - Andriy Yermak President of Ukraine 20 January 2025 - 21:04 India and South Africa can play a key role in facilitating the return of illegally deported Ukrainian children and establishing a just and lasting peace. This statement was made by the Head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, during an online discussion with representatives of South African and Indian media. Andriy Yermak emphasized that India and South Africa have actively participated in meetings concerning the implementation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula. He also highlighted the significance of the visits to Ukraine by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that both leaders were able to witness firsthand the consequences of the war. "Your countries' involvement in the global peace process and all efforts that help end Russia's war against Ukraine and restore a just peace for our nation are incredibly important," said the Head of the Office of the President. Andriy Yermak stressed that Russia speaks only the language of ultimatums, and the Russian dictator is intent on continuing his aggression. Therefore, Ukraine needs as much support from its partners as possible to compel Russia to agree to a just peace. "We all want to live in a safe world, where it would be impossible to deport thousands of Ukrainian children, create filtration camps in the 21st century, or attack a children's hospital in the center of Kyiv. But this is all happening in our country. Today, Putin and Russia want to fight against us. Unfortunately, we see no sign that Putin wants to stop this war. He wants to destroy Ukraine," the Head of the President's Office noted. According to Andriy Yermak, South Africa has already expressed its willingness to mediate the return of Ukrainian children, and India could join such a coalition of states. He called on both countries to contribute to the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, emphasizing that such a step would demonstrate their leadership in addressing global humanitarian crises. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainians Are Ready to Work Together with Americans to Achieve Peace, True Peace - Address by the President President of Ukraine 20 January 2025 - 20:42 I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! Today, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation, the National Police, and the Prosecutor's Office are also doing a good job of ensuring justice in Ukraine, particularly in military affairs. Wealthy draft officers, situations like those in the Kharkiv region when the Russian army attempted to occupy our land and advance on Kharkiv again, and criminal errors in brigade management - all these issues require thorough investigation and just responses. I thank law enforcers for today's efforts, and it is essential for people to feel that no status or past achievements can override the rule of law. I held a meeting of the Staff today - many issues were discussed, including our domestic production and equipment repairs. Our defense industry, our defense production, is an absolute priority. Today, the Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas visited Ukraine. We discussed further cooperation between our states and our nations. I am grateful for the support of all Lithuanians, all our friends. I would like to thank Gitanas, the President of Lithuania. And I am confident that the kind of unity we have between our countries, between Ukraine and Lithuania, is exactly what all of Europe needs now - so that we can achieve security for ourselves and for everyone in Europe. Right now, there is a good opportunity for this.The inauguration of the new President of the United States, Donald Trump. He is a strong person. I wish President Trump and all of America success. Ukrainians are ready to work together with Americans to achieve peace, true peace. This is an opportunity that must be seized. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Comprehensive Approach to the Implementation of the Rome Statute Will Be Developed in Ukraine President of Ukraine 20 January 2025 - 13:14 Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Iryna Mudra opened a two-day expert roundtable discussion on the need for legislative changes to ensure fair accountability for international crimes. More specifically, judges, prosecutors, investigators, lawyers, academics, people's deputies, as well as experts from both international and Ukrainian non-governmental organizations paid special attention to the issues requiring regulation in relation to the Rome Statute. "Changes in the system for investigating international crimes require coordination among all participants in the process of restoring justice for Ukrainians. That is why it is crucial to agree upon and formulate a unified, common approach to the development of these changes - one that incorporates international standards as well as our unique experience and best practices," Iryna Mudra emphasized. As a result of the discussion, participants decided to develop a comprehensive approach to the implementation of the Rome Statute. It should be based on the priorities of the authorities within the Ukrainian criminal justice system and the need to ensure fair trial standards. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine reports downing 93 Russian drones By VOA News January 20, 2025 Ukraine's military said Monday it shot down 93 of the 141 drones that Russian forces launched overnight in attacks targeting regions across the country. The intercepts took place over the Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Sumy and Vinnytsia regions, Ukraine's air force said. Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram that Russian attacks, which also included artillery and missiles, damaged four high-rise buildings. Russia's Defense Ministry said Monday it destroyed more than 30 Ukrainian aerial drones late Sunday and early Monday. Kaluga Governor Vladislav Shapsha said on Telegram that falling debris from a destroyed drone sparked a fire at a business that was quickly extinguished. In Belgorod, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said a drone attack hit a car, injuring a woman. The Ukrainian assault also damaged six houses, Gladkov said. Russian air defense also shot down drones over the Bryansk, Kursk, Ryazan, Oryol and Tatarstan regions. Later on Monday, the regional governor of Russia's Voronezh region said a falling Ukraine drone sparked a new fire at an oil storage depot in the region. There were no casualties, Alexander Gusev said in a post on Telegram. Russia's Defense Ministry also said on Monday that Russian troops took control of the villages of Shevchenko and Novoiehorivka in eastern Ukraine. VOA could not independently verify the battlefield report. Some information for this report was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hi-View Resources Inc. (Hi-View' or the Company) (CSE: HVW; OTCQB: HVWRF; FSE: B63) announces that planning has commenced for a follow-up exploration program at its 9,140 Hectare (Ha) Golden Stranger Project and Lawyers South, East and West claims located in British Columbia's prolific Toodoggone-Kemess porphyry Cu-Au region of north-central British Columbia (Toodoggone). The properties are contiguous to the Thesis Gold Inc. Lawyers-Ranch project that has reported significant drilling intercepts and extensive continued drilling campaigns and currently hosts a Total Mineral Resource of 4.0 million ounces (Moz) gold equivalent (AuEq)1 (Measure and Indicated) at 1.51 grams per tonne (g/t) AuEq1 and 727,000AuEq1 (Inferred) at 1.82 g/t Au Eq1 (See Thesis News Release dated September 5th 2024). The properties are also contiguous to Amarc Resources Ltd. JOY Copper-Gold district project that recently announced significant drilling discoveries at the Au-rich porphyry AuRORA Deposit (See Amarc News Release dated January 20th, 2025). Figure 1. Hi-View Resources Proximity to Thesis and Lawyers Gold Deposits As announced on October 1st 2024, Hi-View completed a sampling program that returned assays in grab samples of up to 111.5 g/t Au and 2,740 g/t Ag as well as the Company identified a new target zone 1.3 km to the southeast of the Golden Stranger on the Lawyers Group revealing a previously unknown mineralized zone, with one grab sample returning 2.68 g/t Au and 13.2 g/t Ag along with a number of gold in soil anomalies. The Company has 45 sites now permitted for drilling across the project to confirm and expand upon historical drilling intercepts on the project of up to 10 meters of 11.5 g/t Au. The project hosts a historical resource of 498,905 tonnes of material grading 2.74 g/t Au* (Sutton Resources Ltd. Report to Shareholders, March 30, 1989, in Energy, Mines and Resources Canada Mineral Bulletin MR 223 (1989) - B.C. 268)*. Hi-View Resources President and CEO Howard Milne states, With gold prices recently hitting all-time highs and copper forecasting high demand as a critical metal in the Green Energy Transition, were excited to continue our exploration in the prolific Toodoggone region following significant 2024 sampling discoveries. Our neighbors Thesis Gold Inc. recently raised $10 Million by way of brokered private placement and will be actively drilling to expand their existing mineral resource of over 4 million ounces of Gold equivalent. We look forward to a multi-front exploration season in 2025, focusing on both our newly acquired Babine Gold and Copper project and our Gold-Silver Projects in the prolific Toodoggone region. Furthermore, the company will continue to look to acquire new exciting opportunities to add to its highly prospective portfolio of exploration projects. See project page for more information: Toodoggone Mining District - Hi-View Resources *The historical mineral resource estimate above for the Golden Stranger mineralized zone was calculated prior to the implementation of the standards set forth in the current NI 43-101 and current CIM standards for mineral resource estimation. Resource definitions, terminology, and reporting standards have changed significantly since these series of reports. The estimates in these reports are all considered historical in nature and a QP has not done sufficient work to evaluate these resources as current resources. In order for these resources to be updated as current resources, a QP would need to examine and analyze the existing drill core, validate and verify the existing data supporting the historical estimate, and perform a confirmatory site visit. Therefore, the Company and the QP for this News Release are treating this estimate as historical in nature and are highlighting the estimate for the purpose of illustrating the potential extent of mineralization that may be present. On December 23rd, 2024, Thesis Gold announced it closed a $10.0 Million Brokered Private Placement to further exploration its neighboring Gold deposits immediately contiguous to Hi-Views Project. Clarus Securities Inc. and Cormark Securities Inc. acted as co-lead agents, on behalf of a syndicate of agents including BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., H&P Advisors Ltd., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Raymond James Ltd. and Ventum Financial Corp., for the equity private placement. Prior to the October 2024 announcement Hi-Views 2023 exploration program, physical work in the form of soil sampling was completed on 389 sites of interest within the Golden Stranger claims, a helicopter landing pad was constructed to facilitate further exploration, and a Wildlife Management Plan was completed. The Golden Stranger claims have historical drilling of 29 diamond drill holes during 1987 and 1988, which showed mineralization in core and on surface consistent with other regional mineralized trends. The Lawyers group of claims has had an airborne magnetics survey flown at 100 meter spacing, which produced strong magnetic anomalies consistent with other regional mineralized trends. Figure 2. Golden Stranger Drill Core The soil survey was completed in Fall 2023 and was centered around the main Golden Stranger historical showings on a grid 3 km wide by 2.8 km in length with 15 sample lines at 200 m spacing with samples along the lines collected at 100 m intervals. A total of 419 soil samples sites were examined and where possible sampled in 2023. Results have been received for a total of 335 samples with 8 samples returning greater than 50 parts per billion (ppb) gold (au) and 2 samples returning greater 100 ppb Au up to 254 ppb Au. A total of 11 rock grab samples during 2023 were collected while soil sampling with 3 samples returning greater than 0.1 grams per tonne (g/t) Au up to 0.957 g/t Au. A total of 6 of the 11 rock grab samples yielded greater than 2 g/t silver (ag) up to 7.4 g/t Ag. Most of the rock grab samples were collected near the north end of the main showings area. Based upon the 2023 work and results, the 2024 survey identified two new areas with multiple anomalous gold in soil samples identified 800 m north of the main showings and 1.2 km southeast of the main showings. A total of 45 rock grab samples were collected during the 2024 program. There is little exposure in the areas of the gold in soil anomalies, however, some minor silica veins with propylitic alteration were spotted in limited outcrops and were sampled. At the main historical Golden Stranger showings, geologists have identified hydrothermal breccias with potassic alteration and rounded altered clasts along with silica veinlets similar to the breccias at the Cliff Creek prospect at Thesis Golds Lawyers Project. The breccias, similar to neighboring Lawyers gold project, contain sooty pyrite in a silica matrix with some galena spotted a total of five samples returned anomalous gold (>0.2 g/t Au) and six samples returned anomalous silver (>5 g/t Ag), including one impressive high-grade sample that returned 111.5 g/t Au and 2,740 g/t Ag. Additionally, quartz veins sampled 1.3 km to the southeast of the Golden Stranger on the Lawyers Group revealed a previously unknown mineralized zone, with one sample returning 2.68 ppm Au and 13.2 ppm Ag and four samples returning anomalous silver, indicating significant potential for further discoveries in this area. Hi-Views management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Hi-View may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties. The technical content of this news release and the Company's technical disclosure has been reviewed and approved by Michael B. Dufresne, M. Sc., P. Geol., P.Geo., who is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Thesis Gold Inc. Thesis Gold Inc. is a resource development company focused on unlocking the potential of its 100% owned Lawyers-Ranch Project, located in British Columbia's prolific Toodoggone Mining District. The recently completed Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) highlights robust project economics, including a 35.2% after-tax IRR and an after-tax NPV5% of C$1.28 billion, demonstrating the potential for significant value creation. Over the next 12 months, Thesis is dedicated to advancing the Project through critical development milestones, including the initiation of a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and progressing permitting and environmental work. The Company will also continue to evaluate multiple high-potential exploration targets across the district, aiming to build on the substantial resource growth potential identified in the PEA. About Hi-View Resources Inc. Hi-View is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Canada and the USA. The Company, through its subsidiary holds a 100% interest in the newly acquired Babine Copper-Gold property as well as interests in the Golden Stranger Property and the Lawyers West, East, South projects, together with claims acquired directly through staking, all located in the Toodoggone region of northern BC, prospective for gold, silver, and copper. The collective holdings cover 9,749 hectares. Contact: Hi-View Resources Inc. Howard Milne, CEO Email: hdmcap@shaw.ca Telephone: (604) 377-8994 Website: www.hiviewresources.com FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, potential and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could or should occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release includes statements related to the proposed Transaction and related matters. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3158124b-6755-4a86-8a7c-d8463d918711 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f08f8a6-617b-4240-9008-0ddcba2cc5fc ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aspis is revolutionizing decentralized finance (DeFi) by combining the power of artificial intelligence (AI) with the decentralized, transparent, and secure framework of DeFi. Our innovative platform empowers users to achieve their financial goals without requiring technical expertise. Aspis simplifies asset management, making it accessible for everyonefrom experienced investors to newcomersin the ever-evolving DeFAI (Decentralized Finance + AI) market. Market Potential The DeFi sector reached over $200 billion in total value locked (TVL) in 2024, showcasing a 10x increase in just a few years. This growth highlights the massive potential of decentralized finance as users seek more transparent and secure financial tools. Notably, the AI-powered DeFi market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35% through 2030, potentially surpassing $1 trillion in assets under management. According to Statista , over 20 million users participated in DeFi globally by 2024. As AI integration accelerates, this number could triple in 2025, driven by demand for intelligent and accessible financial solutions. Aspis is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this trend, bridging the gap between DeFi complexity and user-friendly empowerment. Key Features Aspis is built on three key pillars that redefine how digital assets are managed: AIDAO Framework: A highly adaptive system that allows users to create customizable vaults with dynamic fund parameters, unlocking the full potential of AI trading agents. 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Users can already create and test different types of DAO Funds in our app. Aspis offers three types of fund setups: Agent-Fund: For those who wish to set up their own AI agent to manage Aspis Vaults. Algo Trading: Harness algorithmic trading with your custom strategies deployed via Aspis public API. Manual: A hands-on approach for managing Aspis Vaults, ideal for personal vaults or trusted managers. These options enable users to tailor their financial strategies to fit specific goals and risk preferences. Expanding The Vision Aspis is committed to shaping the future of DeFAI with a focus on scalability, innovation, and accessibility. Our strategic plans include: Scaling AI Capabilities : Expanding the predictive and cross-chain functionalities of our AI agents to enhance decision-making and efficiency. : Expanding the predictive and cross-chain functionalities of our AI agents to enhance decision-making and efficiency. Custom Agents Frameworks : Developing a custom agents framework that eliminates reliance on third-party open-source solutions like Eliza and Virtuals, enhancing security and performance. : Developing a custom agents framework that eliminates reliance on third-party open-source solutions like Eliza and Virtuals, enhancing security and performance. New Vault Use Cases: Developing specialized vaults tailored to sustainable finance, RWA, philanthropic investments, and other emerging sectors. By staying at the forefront of DeFAI innovation, Aspis aims to deliver unparalleled value and secure its position as a leader in the decentralized finance market. Join Aspis Revolution Aspis is paving the way for a decentralized, AI-powered future in finance. With its innovative approach, user-centric design, and commitment to security, Aspis empowers individuals and institutions to achieve their financial objectives with confidence. Join the revolution today. Visit Aspis Finance for more information, and follow us on Twitter to stay updated. Together, lets unlock the future of DeFAI! Disclaimer This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency and DeFi investments are inherently volatile and involve significant risks, including the loss of your principal investment. The performance of past investments is not indicative of future results. Aspis encourages all users to conduct their own research and consult with licensed professionals before making any investment decisions. Aspis is not responsible for any financial losses or damages arising from the use of its platform. Please also consider the regulatory environment in your jurisdiction before participating in DeFi-related activities. Contact Us Contact: Renat Vakhabov renat@aspis.finance Disclaimer: This content is provided by Aspis finance. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee941df4-7662-40ee-89ca-3a2e10804867 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a4ce9b23-bda7-4d65-a399-f8e31fa75eab Lisbon, Portugal, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The member states of the Council of Parties of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) which include the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Vatican State as a founding observer, alongside the Republic of Portugal as a guest and host state have appointed His Excellency Ambassador Antonio de Almeida - Ribeiro as Acting Secretary General of the International Dialogue Centre KAICIID, effective January 2025. Expressing his gratitude for the trust placed in him, His Excellency stated: In todays evolving global landscape, the Centre plays a crucial role in advancing and promoting the values of peace, tolerance, and moderation through dialogue among followers of different religions and cultures. KAICIID will continue to work closely with international partners to achieve this important mission. Ambassador Almeida - Ribeiro added: I commend the significant accomplishments that KAICIID has achieved since its founding, building a credible and trusted international organization dedicated to spreading peace through interreligious and intercultural dialogue, despite the challenges it has encountered. Looking ahead, the Centre is determined to build on this success, enhancing and expanding its impact through programmes and projects in the regions it serves worldwide. KAICIID will strengthen its role as a vital international organization driven by unique humanitarian strategies, uniting religious leaders, policymakers, communities, and governments across nations. Our shared goal is to work collaboratively with partners to uphold human dignity and protect the universal right to life, progress, and development. Ambassador Antonio de Almeida - Ribeiro, KAICIIDs Acting Secretary General, is a distinguished Portuguese diplomat. A graduate of the Faculty of Law (Legal and Political Sciences) at the University of Coimbra in 1976, he began his career at the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1979. Over the years, he has held numerous key positions in the Portuguese MoFA and abroad, including serving as ambassador to Argentina, Egypt, the Vatican, and Austria, as well as permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, among other prestigious global roles. In recognition of his diplomatic service, Ambassador Almeida - Ribeiro has received numerous honours, including from countries such as Portugal, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Italy, France, Jordan, Peru and the Sovereign Order of Malta. Attachment ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HRCI, the premier credentialing and learning community for the human resource profession, today announced the appointment of Katharine Kathy Claytor, SPHR, GPHR, a global HR executive, as the chair of its board of directors. Claytor has over 20 years of experience leading the human resources function at organizations in the financial services, government, and technology industries, including her current role as Chief Human Resources Officer at Delta Dental. She is recognized as a people- and culture-first leader with a track record of achieving global business results. In addition to her role as HRCIs board chair, Claytor serves on the board of the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance, which advances technology and biotechnology throughout the region. A frequent speaker at the World HRD Congress in Mumbai, India, where she was recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Global Leaders in Asia, she is a sought-after participant in executive human resources delegations throughout the Asia Pacific region, Cuba, and South Africa. A certified Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), she holds a masters degree from the University of Lynchburg, a bachelors degree in business and economics from Emory and Henry College and Harvard executive studies. Earlier in her career, Claytor was an item writer for HRCI and assisted in the development of ISO standards for HR. With Claytors appointment, which was effective January 1, 2025, Andre T. Allen, MBA, GPHR, assumed the role of immediate past chair. Other board members include Gardiner Hempel, Jr., CPA, GPHR, Secretary/Treasurer; Janet Hanofee, SPHR, Governance Committee Chair; Dr. Amy Dufrane, SPHR, CAE, CEO of HRCI; Franz Gilbert, GPHR; Kenneth Lee; Nancy Hill-Davis, SPHR, CCHR; Dr. Janet Walsh, DBA, Board Liaison; Shaun Mayo, SPHR; and Shelie Gustafson, SPHR, GPHR. Ive delighted in being part of HRCIs expansion as the trusted source of education and certification for the HR industry, as well as its growing presence around the world, said Claytor, who thanked Allen for his leadership. As we move forward, HRCI will continue to evolve, adding substantial value to organizations and HR professionals, especially during these times of significant change. Dr. Amy Dufrane, CEO of HRCI, commented, Kathys contributions to the HRCI board are well documented and have added tremendous value to the future of work. Given her significant expertise as a global business leader and hands-on HR executive, her leadership will ensure that HRCI can serve its deeply engaged community with the right tools, education, and opportunities that differentiate us. About HRCI HRCI is the premier credentialing and learning community for the human resource profession. For 50 years, HRCI has set the global standard for HR expertise and excellence through its commitment to developing and advancing those in the people business. Secretariat for International Organization for Standardization (ISO) TC 260, HRCI helps HR professionals achieve new competencies that drive results by creating and offering world-class learning and administering eight global certifications. To learn more about HRCI, visit www.hrci.org. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3d63c920-2448-497b-a560-00b3eecdcc2a New Delhi, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global predictive maintenance market is expected to experience substantial growth in revenue, increasing from US$ 8.96 billion in 2024 to US$ 91.04 billion by 2033, with a growth rate of 29.4% CAGR during the forecast period of 2025-2033. Predictive maintenance market has emerged as a critical focal point for organizations seeking to optimize asset reliability and reduce operational disruptions. As of 2024, different market observers note that aviation operators including Delta Air Lines and Lufthansa Technik have ramped up adoption of real-time condition monitoring solutions, demonstrating the urgent demand for these technologies. At the same time, automotive manufacturers such as Ford, Toyota, and Stellantis have reportedly broadened their investment in sensor-based analysis to curtail the risks of unexpected machinery failures. This emphasis on proactive maintenance strategies has been propelled by the widespread realization that unplanned downtime can be significantly more harmful than scheduled servicing. Market watchers indicate at least four major oil and gas corporations, including Shell and BP, are transitioning their compressor stations to advanced predictive platforms due to the high stakes associated with equipment malfunction. Equally, consumer packaged goods companies like Nestle and Mondelez are actively implementing remote monitoring to streamline production lines and extend machine lifespans. Demand for these offerings is also traced to the rising role of connected sensors that capture operational data, bridging information gaps between production teams and maintenance teams. Download Free Sample PDF Copy @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/predictive-maintenance-market In terms of current consumer base in the predictive maintenance market, industrial conglomerates, process industries, and even mid-sized manufacturers have moved toward structured adoption of predictive maintenance solutions. While multinational brands like Bosch provide integrated solutions for assembly lines, more specialized providers such as SKF offer vibration and temperature assessment services to niche markets. The largest players active in the sectornamely IBM, SAP, and Siemensare commonly cited as supporting thousands of client facilities worldwide with multi-faceted predictive platforms that help identify performance anomalies, plan part replacements, and optimize supply chain logistics. Data analytics firms, too, have begun packaging predictive modeling tools specifically for end users outside manufacturing, such as food processing plants or large-scale warehouses that require near-constant operational continuity. As a result, demand analysis suggests that any industry where unplanned stoppages carry major financial risk is finding predictive maintenance technologies indispensable for real-time diagnostics, resource allocation, and the long-term health of critical infrastructure. Key Findings in Predictive Maintenance Market Market Forecast (2033) US$ 91.04 billion CAGR 29.4% Largest Region (2024) North America (35.3%) By Component Solution (70.40%) By Technology Vibration Monitoring (22.6%) By Deployment On-Premises (63.60%) By Industry Manufacturing (25.70%) By Organization Size Large Enterprises (65.5%) Top Drivers Intelligent collaboration between industrial IoT systems and advanced analytics for maintenance Data-centric transformation ensuring personalized, condition-based interventions across asset lifespans Real-time hardware-software synchronization amplifying equipment reliability under extreme operations Top Trends Autonomous machine-learning pipelines analyzing thousands of incoming signals per second Expansion of digital twin ecosystems for continuous lifecycle optimization and diagnostics Hybrid edge-cloud deployments merging localized intelligence with enterprise-wide analytics dashboards Top Challenges Managing heterogeneous device protocols in high-speed production and logistics environments Enforcing unified security measures throughout diverse sensor and automation infrastructure layers IBM SAP And Siemens Collectively Control More than 30% Share In Predictive Maintenance Market IBM, SAP, and Siemens collectively hold around 30% of the predictive maintenance market, a notable figure that arises from each companys established presence across multiple sectors. To illustrate IBMs reach, Maximo Application Suite is deployed across hundreds of facilities in aerospace, automotive, and chemical processing, enabling intelligent alerts and scheduled repairs. Meanwhile, SAP has deep penetration in discrete manufacturing and pharmaceuticals through its Asset Intelligence Network, encouraging seamless data exchange and improved asset utilization. Siemens exerts global influence via its MindSphere platform, reputedly installed in at least ten globally recognized manufacturing plants, including those focusing on electronics and heavy machinery. When it comes to revenue analysis, each of these firms has allocated substantial resources to develop specialized offerings that complement their larger enterprise solutions. IBM invests heavily in advanced analytics capabilities, channeling them into sectors as varied as logistics and oil exploration. SAP leverages its long-standing enterprise resource planning background in the predictive maintenance market to integrate predictive solutions directly into supply chain modules for improved collaboration. Siemens, with a robust footprint in automation, adds a digital services layer that detects anomalies in turbines, assembly equipment, and transportation fleets. All three of these corporations continue to expand operations in countries like Germany, the United States, and India, providing top-tier support and customization for large-scale installations. Their most prominent productsMaximo from IBM, SAP Predictive Maintenance and Service, and Siemens MindSphererank among the markets go-to solutions, with each brand tailoring platforms to address different end-use cases, from energy grid management to advanced robotics in manufacturing. Growth Imperatives Behind Rapid Adoption Of Shock Pulse Technology Solutions Worldwide at Fastest Rate Shock pulse technology, poised for a remarkable CAGR of 32.60%, has gained traction in the predictive maintenance market for its ability to detect bearing damage and lubrication insufficiencies at an early stage. Experts have observed that major manufacturing sites, particularly those housed by companies like General Electric and ABB, rely on shock pulse analysis to pinpoint subtle shifts in rotating equipment performance. This approach proves invaluable in environments where high-speed components demand meticulous oversight. In 2024, industrial automation sources reported that at least five global steel producers, including ArcelorMittal and Baosteel, commissioned specialized instruments utilizing shock pulse detection to achieve higher precision in mill rolls and reduce downtime. The core reason behind the robust momentum is shock pulse technologys distinct advantage: it preempts significant mechanical stress by analyzing vibration signatures far more effectively than legacy systems. Equally important is the ability of shock pulse sensors to integrate with existing machine health platforms. Some providers in the predictive maintenance market, such as SPM Instrument, have introduced portable tools that feed real-time bearing condition data into advanced data analytics dashboards, enabling multi-site coverage within a unified interface. It is also notable that major maritime equipment suppliers including Wartsila utilize these sensors to address early-stage damage in ship engines and propeller shafts. The market sees consistent interest from segments like wind energy, where maintenance crews track rotor balancing and gear alignment through shock pulse readouts. Combined with widely used predictive maintenance software, shock pulse measurements help isolate abrupt mechanical phenomena that traditional frequency-based methods often overlook. These critical insights explain the technologys growing adoption across capital-intensive industries, proving that real-time bearing diagnostics significantly mitigate failures and extend asset longevity. Adapt this report to your specifications: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ask-for-customization/predictive-maintenance-market Extreme Momentum of Energy and Utility Industries Fuels Predictive Maintenance Demand at Robust CAGR of 31.3% Among the many sectors embracing predictive maintenance, the energy and utility domain demonstrates a particularly intense surge of implementation. Experts note that leading power companies like Enel and NextEra Energy have rolled out extensive sensor networks across their high-voltage grid systems, ensuring the continuous monitoring of transformers and circuit breakers. The impetus behind this heightened momentum in the predictive maintenance market rests on the potentially massive operational losses tied to any supply disruption, as well as the regulatory attention directed at grid stability. Additionally, nuclear operators including EDF have unveiled pilot projects in advanced condition-based monitoring for critical reactor components, aiming to tighten safety margins through early fault detection. The pace of adoption within utilities outstrips many other end-use industries because unplanned issues can pose pivotal challenges to public services and environmental protocols. In 2024, wind park operators, notably Iberdrola, harnessed predictive maintenance to safeguard turbine gears from stress fractures brought on by gust fluctuations. Meanwhile, water treatment facilities in municipalities such as New York are integrating digital twins to keep tabs on filtration pumps and chemical dosing equipment from a remote command center, reflecting the thirst for robust asset insights. Another contributing factor to this higher growth in the predictive maintenance market is the availability of integrated IoT frameworks that collect performance data from an entire power or water distribution network in one unified format. As a result, energy providers minimize breakdown incidents, preserve service quality, and comply with stringent regulatory benchmarks without depending solely on manual oversight. This synergy between operational stability and advanced analytics marks a definitive edge for the energy and utility sphere, with predictive maintenance emerging as an indispensable tool for reliable services in an era where disruptions can escalate into significant financial and societal implications. Prominent Equipment and Technologies Shaping Modern Predictive Maintenance Market Landscape The predictive maintenance market is taking shape through an array of cutting-edge hardware and software solutions that give organizations deeper insight into machine health. Notably, industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) gateways, built by companies like Cisco and HMS Networks, stand out for their role in aggregating sensor data from conveyors, robots, and heavy-duty machines in complex production lines. These gateways reduce latency by processing partial analytics at the edge before transmitting critical signals to centralized dashboards. In parallel, advanced sensors from entities such as Fluke or Honeywell capture operational metricslike temperature, vibration, and acousticsin real time, creating a continuous feed that predictive algorithms can parse for anomalies. This synergy between hardware and software is particularly visible in maintenance workshops that house rotating equipment, as the complete health profile of each component becomes easier to generate. Machine learning platforms, including those by Uptake and C3 AI, interpret streaming data from multiple sensors, automatically recalibrating anomaly thresholds based on machine age and environmental conditions in the predictive maintenance market. Meanwhile, augmented reality-based maintenance tools offered by PTC empower technicians to visualize an assets performance metrics through headsets, enhancing field service accuracy and compressing corrective action timelines. In 2024, automotive assembly plants owned by Volkswagen have reportedly implemented ultrasound inspection apps that detect leaks in compressed air systems, highlighting yet another dimension of advanced diagnostic capabilities. By combining sophisticated equipmentshock pulse sensors, thermal cameras, acoustic indicatorswith AI-driven predictive engines, industries achieve a holistic approach that merges precise fault identification with real-time scheduling of repairs. As the market continues to prize reliability, data integration, and versatile deployment, it is increasingly clear that predictive maintenance technologies represent a foundation for consistent uptime and operational resilience across a diverse set of domains. Global Predictive Maintenance Market Major Players: Fujitsu Limited Hitachi, Ltd. Toshiba Corporation Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Google Llc IBM Corporation Microsoft Corporation Oracle Corporation SAP Se Software Ag Onyx Insight Amazon Web Services, Inc. SAS Institute Hakunamatata Solutions Other Prominent Players Key Segmentation: By Component: Solutions Integrated Standalone Services Managed Services Professional Services By Deployment Mode: Cloud Public Cloud Private Cloud Hybrid Cloud On-Premises By Technology: Vibration Monitoring Electrical Testing Oil Analysis Ultrasonic Detectors Shock Pulse Thermal/Infrared Monitoring Optical (cameras) Monitoring ML Database Others By Organization Size: Large Enterprises Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises By Industry: Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing Energy and Utilities Oil & Gas Transportation Warehouse & Logistics Healthcare and Lifesciences Automotive Marine/ Shipping Others By Region: North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa (MEA) South America Inquire about this report before purchasing: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/inquire-before-purchase/predictive-maintenance-market About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost-effective, value-added package from us, should you decide to engage with us. Contact Us: Astute Analytica Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) For Sales Enquiries: sales@astuteanalytica.com Website: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Los Angeles, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) announced they will receive nearly $1 million in contributions from Sit 'n Sleep, which includes more than 900 new, quality mattresses and $150,000 in funds to the ReBuild LA Wildfire Relief Fund. The commitment marks Sit 'n Sleep's first step in helping local families rebuild their lives after the devastating California wildfires. Los Angeles is our home. The fire disaster has impacted so many of our staff, friends, and families, said Larry Miller, CEO of Sit 'n Sleep. We know a mattress cant replace whats been lost, but we hope it provides a little comfort and relief as we rally to rebuild our communities. Supporting our neighbors in moments like this is the least we can do. More than 900 new mattresses will be shipped to one of Habitat LAs warehouse locations, where the inventory will be managed by a voucher system, ensuring mattresses are allocated to fire victims most in need. The ReBuild LA Wildfire Relief Fund is a long-term emergency response effort dedicated to supporting wildfire survivors in Los Angeles. Many of these households are uninsured, underinsured, or have limited incomes. The fund addresses critical needs by providing: Rebuilding and relocation assistance to ensure families have safe, stable housing. Gift cards and vouchers for essential supplies and home furnishings. Temporary rental and mortgage assistance for families with uninhabitable homes. Sit 'n Sleep's partnership with Habitat LA comes at a crucial time, said Erin Rank, President and CEO of Habitat LA. A bed to lay your head is one of the most coveted yet basic needs. Their generous support will enable us to provide critical resources and assistance to families recovering from the recent wildfires. Together, we are creating a foundation for resilience and hope, helping families restore their homes and their lives. Sit 'n Sleeps commitment to Habitat LA is a testament to their dedication to the well-being of families across Greater Los Angeles, particularly in times of crisis. Sit 'n Sleep is also distributing mattresses to local fire stations immediately, to offer support to those first responders. To register for Habitat LAs resource updates to recover and rebuild from the recent California wildfires, please visit: Wildfire Victim Relief Form Together, We Can ReBUILD LA The fund is an ongoing initiative, with resources deployed immediately to address urgent needs while building toward long-term recovery. Our mission is to build homes and communities, so everyone has a place to live with dignity. In times of disaster, its more important than ever to stand together and help those who need us most. Habitat LAs efficient and transparent use of donations ensures that every dollar goes directly to helping the people of Los Angeles rebuild their homes and lives after this tragic event. To donate and help rebuild Los Angeles, please visit Habitat LA ReBUILD LA Donation Page. # # # About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles - Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) transforms neighborhoods throughout greater Los Angeles by bringing the community together to build affordable homes, provide critical home repairs and help families rebuild after natural disasters. Habitat LA strengthens families through helping them access affordable loans, housing counseling and down-payment assistance. For more information about Habitat LA visit https://www.habitatla.org/. About Sit 'n Sleep: Sit 'n Sleep is the mattress superstore dedicated to delivering a good night's sleep to millions of Californians. Sit 'n Sleep is focused on helping people find the right mattress for their needs, body type, and healthall from the largest selection of mattresses, at the best price, while receiving great service. With 36 superstore locations throughout Southern California, Sit 'n Sleep is an established Southern California brand, operating some of the largest and most successful mattress stores in the nation for over 35 years. For more information, visit https://www.sitnsleep.com/. Attachment Lehi, Utah, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DigiCert, a leading global provider of digital trust, today announced the appointments of Paul Holt as EMEA Group Vice President and James Cook as APAC Group Vice President. The new hires reflect DigiCerts commitment to meeting the growing demand for digital trust and resiliency in these high-growth regions. Holt and Cook will lead their respective teams in driving customer engagement, building partnerships, and executing DigiCerts growth strategy as the global leader in digital trust. Their appointments come at a time when organizations around the world are prioritizing solutions that ensure secure communications, protect data, and foster resilience across an increasingly complex digital landscape. "Digital trust has emerged as foundational infrastructure that enables organizations to achieve a higher level of confidence in their security posture," said Dave Packer, Chief Revenue Officer of DigiCert. "With growing awareness on the importance of trust and resilience, Paul and James bring the extensive sales leadership experience and proven ability to drive growth across the EMEA and APAC regions." Holt joins DigiCert from Venafi, where he served as Vice President of Sales, covering both the EMEA and APAC markets. With decades of experience, Holt has also held senior leadership positions at Anchore and VeriSign, where he led sales strategy in security services. I am thrilled to join DigiCert, a company that is playing a key role in helping customers overcome emerging challenges in areas such as quantum computing, content provenance, and machine identity, said Holt. I look forward to working closely with the DigiCert team in EMEA, as well as our partners and customers. Cook brings deep expertise in sales leadership across the APAC region, having served as Vice President of Sales for APAC at Entrust and as Regional Sales Director for Australia and New Zealand. Before Entrust, Cook spent more than a decade at Thales eSecurity, where he held various leadership roles across the UK and India. What excites me most about DigiCert is the opportunity to be part of a company that is uniquely positioned to address the accelerating demand for digital trust, said Cook. Organizations in APAC are facing increasing challenges around cybersecurity and digital transformation, and DigiCerts solutions for PKI, quantum readiness, and digital trust makes it a great time to be a part of the companys mission. About DigiCert DigiCert is a leading global provider of digital trust, enabling individuals and businesses to engage online with the confidence that their footprint in the digital world is secure. DigiCert ONE, the platform for digital trust, provides organizations with centralized visibility and control over a broad range of public and private trust needs, securing websites, enterprise access and communication, software, identity, content and devices. DigiCert pairs its award-winning software with its industry leadership in standards, support and operations, and is the digital trust provider of choice for leading companies around the world. For more information, visit www.digicert.com or follow @digicert. __PRESENT Attachments COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine January 21, 2025, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America will pay tribute to the indomitable spirit of American heroes, The Four Chaplains, and commemorate the bravery displayed during the U.S.A.T. Dorchester incident. Join us for a special Facebook live event at 11 AM EST, broadcasting from the serene Balsam Valley Chapel and tip lands in Downeast Maine. Embarking on a coastal passenger steamship requisitioned for wartime use, the U.S.A.T. Dorchester sailed from New York harbor to Greenland on January 23, 1943, carrying over 900 officers, service members, and civilian workers. Tragically, the ship met its fate on February 3, 1943, when torpedoed by a German U-boat (U-233) in the Labrador Sea. As the ship sank, 675 lives were lost. Amidst the chaos, four chaplainsLt. George L. Fox (Methodist), Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Lt. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed), and Lt. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic)selflessly guided trapped soldiers to escape hatches, sacrificing their life jackets to save others. Their final act was to link arms, praying and singing hymns as the Dorchester slipped beneath the waves. This solemn ceremony will share poignant messages and stories about The Four Chaplains and honor the memory of the U.S.A.T. Dorchester crew. We will also pay tribute to the bravery of African American Coast Guardsman Charles Walter David Jr., who, from a nearby rescue ship, jumped into icy Greenland waters to save two men from drowning and continued to rescue a total of 93 survivors from lifeboats. Sadly, 54 days later, Charles Walter David Jr. succumbed to pneumonia stemming from his heroic acts in those frigid waters. Join us as we come together to remember and honor these selfless individuals and the enduring spirit of courage they exemplified. To watch live on Facebook, or share the ceremony on Feb. 3, at 11 AM ET, please click here. To listen live on Wreaths Across America Radio, click here. To learn more about The Four Chaplains, view this video. You can learn more about Four Chaplains and the U.S.A.T. Dorchester, by following this link. Follow this link to learn more about Coast Guardsman Charles Walter David Jr. For $17, you can help sponsor the year-long efforts of Wreaths Across America and, at the same time, raise funds for the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation, which is working to teach the next generation about the service and sacrifice of these brave men. Sponsor a wreath through the Foundations Group Sponsorship page to support both programs: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/PA0520p. # # # About Wreaths Across America Year-to-date in Fiscal 2025, Avante Black sales have increased over 100% compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year and now represents over 10% of the Companys total revenues. Avante Black is the Companys elite security division which provides an unmatched level of protection and investigation services, crises management, and cybersecurity for high-net worth individuals and corporations. TORONTO, Ontario, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avante Corp Inc. (TSX.V: XX) (OTC: ALXXF) (Avante or the Company), a global provider of technology enabled security solutions and services is pleased to provide an update on the growing success of its elite security division, Avante Black. Year-to-date in Fiscal 2025, Avante Black sales have increased over 100% compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Since its launch in January 2023, the division has expanded its services with the addition of 24-hour military trained dedicated residential guarding for high-profile clients and now represents over 10% of the Companys total revenues. With a commitment to redefining security standards, Avante Black brings together a team of experts, including veterans from the elite forces, who blend covert operations expertise with cutting-edge technology and tailored solutions. The result is an executive-level experience that transforms the way risks are mitigated, and crises are managed. This elite service offering includes 24/7 personal security protection, rapid response teams ready to act within minutes, providing secure safe houses for clients and their families globally. Avante Black clients also enjoy exclusive access to the Avante Black Argus App, connecting them to medical services with vetted doctors and hospitals including medical evacuation or emergency in country evacuations using any means possible. The Avante Black phone, an untraceable encrypted device crafted to provide unparalleled privacy and a layer of cybersecurity. Avante Black Phone is a mobile device that cannot be hacked or listened to by any persons or governments. These services set a new benchmark in executive protection, combining innovation and precision to address modern security challenges. Emmanuel Mounouchos, Chief Executive Officer of Avante, commented: Avante Blacks stands for a symbol of excellence in the security industry, its rapid growth and contribution to our overall revenue is a testament to our ability to provide unparalleled protection and peace of mind to our clients. Blacks comprehensive suite of services includes ethical hacking, physical infiltration testing, and technical surveillance countermeasures to safeguard clients against electronic eavesdropping and other vulnerabilities. As threats evolve, we remain committed to delivering state-of-the-art security servicesfrom high-level investigations and physical security to advanced cyber monitoring and secure communication technology. Avante Black extends its protection into the digital realm with advanced cybersecurity solutions designed to counter online threats. Services include in-depth background investigations to proactively identify risks, social media monitoring to prevent reputational damage, and tracking anonymous email threats. Also included is the Avante Black phone, an untraceable encrypted device crafted to provide unparalleled privacy and a layer of cybersecurity. With successful investigations completed in Israel, Taiwan, Russia, and Ukraine, along with ongoing operations in other regions, Avante Black is expanding Avante's reach and establishing itself as a truly global service. Coupled with Avantes acquisition of North Star Support Group (NSSG), a global leader in tailored security solutions highlights the Companys ability to maintain its robust growth trajectory as it expands its global footprint and solidifies its reputation for excellence. By combining NSSGs expertise in protective services with Avante Blacks cutting-edge suite of solutions, the integration promises to deliver unparalleled value to high-profile clients around the world. About Avante Corp. Avante Corp Inc. is a Toronto based leading provider of security operatives and technology enabled security solutions to residential and commercial clients. Avantes mission is to deliver an elevated level of security globally, with white-glove mentality to high- net-worth families and corporations alike, through advanced solutions and methods of detecting conditions that require immediate response. The Company has developed a diversified security platform that leverages advanced technology solutions to provide a superior level of security services. With an experienced team and proven track record of solid growth, Avante is taking steps to establish a broad portfolio of security businesses and solutions for its customers through organic growth complemented by strategic acquisitions. Avante acquires, manages and builds industry leading businesses which provide specialized, mission-critical solutions that address the security risks of its clients. Avante is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker XX. For more information, please visit www.avantecorp.ca and consider joining our investor email list. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain Forward-Looking Information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-Looking Information are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies. Forward-Looking Information generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as may, should, will, could, intend, estimate, plan, anticipate, expect, believe or continue, or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-Looking Information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information and the Forward-Looking Information are not guarantees of future performance. Avantes comments expressed or implied by such Forward-Looking Information are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and conditions, many of which are outside of Avantes control, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information. Forward-Looking Information are qualified in their entirety by inherent risks and uncertainties, including: direct and indirect material adverse effects from adverse market conditions; that future results may vary from historical results; that market competition may affect the business, results and financial condition of Avante and other risk factors identified in documents filed by Avante under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca, including its most recent Annual Information Form and its most recent Management, Discussion and Analysis. Except as required by securities law, Avante does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information: Emmanuel Mounouchos CEO, Chairman, and Founder Avante Corp. (416) 923-6984 NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanenbaum Keale LLP is pleased to announce Philip F. McGovern Jr. has joined the firm as a partner. An accomplished and experienced commercial practitioner, McGovern combines his strong and diverse business background to provide clients pathways to the successful resolution of complex matters. Additionally, he will serve as outside general corporate counsel to a wide range of companies, varying in size and industry, providing guidance in formation, financing, contractual negotiation, acquisitions/dispositions, succession planning and litigation. McGoverns practice includes both transactional and litigated matters. He has assisted numerous large organizations in significant real estate development and commercial leasing projects across the United States. He also regularly facilitates negotiations in the disposition of assets, and is well versed in financing matters, including traditional lending and corporate trust work. In the litigation arena, McGovern has successfully litigated matters on behalf of large healthcare organizations, real estate entities, small to mid-cap companies and shareholders of closely held corporations. Phils accomplished and curated track record speaks volumes about his lawyering skills, and his addition to our firm enhances and expands our abilities to handle the commercial needs of our clients, Tanenbaum Keale Co-Chair James H. Keale said. Having been privileged to know Phil for decades, I can attest to the fact his integrity, leadership skills and strategic approach to both the practice of law and management of law firms in our ever-changing profession, will enhance the future of our firm. Phil will also be a central player in our governance and management as TK plots its course for the next decade. As the former Managing Partner of one of this states largest law firms, his exceptional capabilities in law firm management made him an ideal target for TK. Perhaps it was best said in ROIs Influencer Power Listing Lawyers which wrote: [P]lenty of praise for McGovern. He is a lawyers lawyer, a worthy adversary, principled. Its his persona and legal ability that make him a magnet for talent. McGovern completed his undergraduate studies at Saint Michaels College and earned his legal degree from the Seton Hall University School of Law, which honored him with the Distinguished Graduate Award in 2022. He completed a clerkship with the Hon. Alfred M. Wolin in the Superior Court of New Jersey before entering private practice. In addition to notable legal work, McGovern maintains a lengthy list of current and past involvements with professional and civic organizations, including board positions with the Supreme Court of New Jersey District V-C Ethics Committee, New Jersey State Bar Association, Essex and Hudson counties (New Jersey) bar associations, Jersey City Economic Development Corporation, Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, Township of Nutley (New Jersey), Saint Peters Preparatory High School and St. Michaels College. About Tanenbaum Keale LLP Tanenbaum Keale LLP is a litigation boutique representing leading national and international corporations in matters ranging from product liability and catastrophic injury to environmental and toxic tort litigation. Tanenbaum Keale provides these services from a platform that integrates decades of litigation management, resolution, trial and appellate experience with cutting-edge technological tools that provide unique opportunities for collaboration and partnerships with clients. Together with its litigation technology subsidiary Xerdict Group LLC, Tanenbaum Keale has offices in New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Florida. ### Attachment NEW YORK, NY, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tara Weymon Leonard, with 25 years Fortune 500 and B2B marketing experience, will now accelerate client revenue as a Fractional CMO for Chief Outsiders. Recently, Leonard joined Chief Outsiders team of more than 120 Fractional Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and Fractional Chief Sales Officers (CSOs). Known for her engineering-meets-creative mindset, Tara specializes in digital transformation to help businesses outperform the competition, ensuring strategic alignment that drives sustainable, profitable growth, said Slade Kobran, Managing Partner, Chief Outsiders. Were excited to add her deep consumer and digital marketing experience to our battle-tested network of marketing professionals. As a seasoned executive, Leonard bridges strategy and execution, bringing high-impact big company expertise to small and mid-sized businesses, using digital to help them scale faster, compete smarter, and maximize long-term value. Consumer & Digital Marketing Leadership As a Chief Outsiders Consumer & Digital-focused Fractional CMO, Leonard brings deep industry experience to drive growth at client companies. For example, prior to joining Chief Outsiders, as Vice President Global B2B & Field Marketing at MillerKnoll, she delivered 12% YoY sales growth and 10% cost savings while leading the digital marketing transformation for the companys largest strategic initiatives. And at The Estee Lauder Companies as Vice President North America Marketing for Jo Malone London, she drove 14.5% retail sales growth for this market leader in luxe prestige fragrance. Leonards executive marketing experience also includes roles as Executive Director, North America Marketing at Estee Lauder, and multiple roles at Unilever, including Senior Global Brand Manager, Vaseline Masterbrand. Prior to her experience at Unilever, Leonard filled Brand Manager roles at Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages. Taras career journey began at Procter & Gamble, first as an engineer in Product Development and then in Brand Marketing. To support her successful executive marketing career, Leonard earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing/Corporate Strategy from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She also earned HubSpot Certifications in Content, Inbound, and Social Media Marketing and attended Estee Lauder Bryn Mawr & University of Oxford Executive Development Programs. About Chief Outsiders Chief Outsiders, the nations leading Executives-as-a-Service firm, helps CEOs identify and deploy the fractional marketing and sales executives they need to accelerate growth. The firms cohesive team of more than 120 fractional executives act as Strategic Operators to achieve results. They blend insight, strategy, and execution to deliver revenue engines that drive long-term profitable growth for businesses. Chief Outsiders fractional executives drive growth strategy and execution plans by offering instant access to talent with highly customized and flexible engagements. Having served on the executive teams of more than 2,000 client companies, each Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Sales Officer has led marketing or sales at a diverse set of large corporations, including many Fortune 500 firms. Inc. Magazine has recognized Chief Outsiders for ten consecutive years as one of the 5,000 fastest growing privately held companies in the US. The company was also recognized as a Forbes Small Giant in 2019. The Growth Gears: Using a Market-Based Framework to Drive Business Success, is an Amazon #1 best-seller for business owners and CEOs co-authored by Chief Outsiders CEO Art Saxby and Principal Pete Hayes. For additional information about the companies and CEOs who trust Chief Outsiders as their premier source for business growth acceleration, visit us at www.chiefoutsiders.com. Attachment NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vistar Media , the leading global provider of technology solutions for out-of-home (OOH) media , announced the opening of its first office in Latin America, located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Renato Maria has been appointed as Vistars Brazil Country Manager, marking a significant step in the companys global expansion and commitment to powering OOH advertising around the world through technology and expertise. Renato officially assumed the role on January 7, 2025. Vistar first launched its Latin America operations in 2022 through a partnership with PRODOOH , a local programmatic OOH activation team, successfully introducing the channel and its capabilities to key stakeholders across the region. As the market for OOH advertising in Brazil rapidly evolves, the time has come to establish a dedicated team on the ground, led by Renato, to provide best-in-class support for clients and partners. Joining Vistar Media is an incredible opportunity to bring my passion for digital transformation and collaborative growth to the programmatic OOH space, said Renato Maria, Brazil Country Manager at Vistar Media. Throughout my career, Ive witnessed how innovation and teamwork can drive extraordinary results. OOH is at a pivotal stage in Brazil, and I am excited to lead Vistars efforts in delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower our clients and partners to thrive in this evolving landscape. My goal is to combine Vistars global expertise with local market insights to create lasting impact for brands and advertisers across the region. Renato brings 20 years of experience at global companies such as Google, Meta, Globo and Groovinads, where hes demonstrated a track record of successfully leading transformative initiatives and managing global challenges. Renato will focus on driving the adoption of programmatic OOH in Brazil, delivering tailored solutions to brands, agencies and media owners while ensuring seamless collaboration with Vistars global teams. Brazil represents an exciting opportunity for Vistar, as both a critical growth market and a leader in innovation within the broader LATAM region, said Eugenie Chen, SVP, Strategy & Partnerships at Vistar Media. With Renatos leadership, we are confident that our clients will benefit from the perfect combination of Vistars global programmatic expertise and a team that deeply understands the unique market dynamics and cultural nuances in Brazil. Vistar has already forged strong partnerships with leading OOH players across Brazil, including Eletromidia, JCDecaux, Helloo, RZK Digital, and the adMooH network, which connects more than 15,000 screens from publishers such as NEOOH, Retail Media, B.Drops, OOH Brasil, and many others. These partnerships enable Vistars advertising partners to tap into premium OOH inventory across the countrywhile equipping them with the capabilities to run highly personalized and impactful campaigns. About Vistar Media Vistar Media is the home of out-of-home providing brands, marketers and media owners with the worlds first truly intelligent platform for buying and selling OOH. Vistar hosts the worlds most extensive digital out-of-home inventory globally, offering the scale, data and expertise that allow brands to capture a better kind of attention. With a full suite of platforms to choose from demand-side platform, supply-side platform, ad server, player, and device management system and Adstruc traditional OOH planning tool Vistar has built the worlds largest marketplace for OOH transactions. Headquartered in New York, Vistar has a presence in more than 30 countries, working with hundreds of brand marketers and media owner networks to power an OOH thats both timeless and future-proof. For more information, visit www.vistarmedia.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Facebook and Instagram . Vistar Media Relation publicrelations@vistarmedia.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/790bdbd3-15ac-44af-ba37-7e9eff22f4df Washington, DC, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "The chance that you or someone you know having unclaimed property are 1 in 7.", said Treasurer Carmen Pigler, District of Columbia, and President of The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA). "Much better odds than winning the lottery!" In the United States, 1 in every 7 have unclaimed property waiting to be claimed. The property can be any financial accounts or items of value in which the owner has not initiated any activity for a number of years. When that happens, and the company cannot locate the owner, the money or properties are turned over to the state for safekeeping until the rightful owner can be found. Common examples include unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, and unused rebate cards. Over the last year, state programs have successfully returned unclaimed property to their constituents in innovative and effective ways. Their success has been noted Each year, to increase awareness of unclaimed property, NAUPA hosts National Unclaimed Property Day on February 1. Unclaimed property administrators encourage everyone to search ucpday.com to determine if a state is holding their property. Individuals are encouraged to search their name, a maiden name, or the name of a business or non-profit. Every search is free. To complement National Unclaimed Property Day, NAUPA also has launched a social media campaign, will distribute informational materials to state lawmakers and stakeholders, and will assist them in marketing and outreach efforts within their communities. The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators leads and facilitates collaboration among administrators, holders, and the public in their efforts to reunite unclaimed property with its rightful owner. More than $4.49 billion dollars in unclaimed property was returned to its rightful owners by state unclaimed property offices in FY 2024, according to the latest NAUPA Annual Report. Search for your unclaimed property today at missingmoney.com. Merrillville, Indiana, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- White Lodging, a privately owned industry leader in urban and lifestyle hospitality development and management, is pleased to announce that Conner White will take on a new role as Vice Chair and Chief Investment Officer. Conner White is the eldest son of White Lodging Chair Beth White and the late White Lodging Founder Bruce White. Jean-Luc Barone will continue in his role as White Lodgings CEO, partnering with Conner, the White Family and the companys Board of Directors on strategies and investments that help accelerate growth through acquisitions and new-build hotels, underpinned by the companys industry-leading management operations. Conner and Jean-Luc's collaboration has been critical in navigating the various business challenges and opportunities of the last two years, including financing availability, increased costs and muted industry growth, said Beth White, White Lodging Chair. With the support of the entire executive team, Im confident in White Lodgings future as a multi-generational family-owned organization firmly built on the values Bruce laid 40 years ago. Conner White was involved in the development, construction, and opening of White Lodgings two newest properties in San Antonio that opened in 2024: Kimpton Santo Hotel and Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection. In late 2024, he also played a critical role in securing the final details to ultimately break ground on the companys 13th hotel in Austin, Texas. Additionally, he led the companys growth efforts, which included securing the land and launching the development process for White Lodgings second hotel in Charlotte, NC. "I am thrilled to lead the next generation of White Lodging family leadership in service of our guests, associates, and owners, said Conner White. Consistent with our history, we are not looking to be the biggest, just the very best at what we do. To that end we are well positioned to sustainably grow through new urban hotel developments, strategic acquisitions, and expansion of our third-party management portfolio within our current and targeted new markets across the U.S. Theres no better fit for this important role as White Lodging celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025, said Jean-Luc Barone. Conner has a vision and passion for the hospitality industry that mirrors his fathers, and I am thrilled to be alongside him as we push White Lodging to maintain our reputation as an industry leader. Conner has worked for White Lodging for more than 15 years in a variety of leadership roles across operations, real estate, and new property development. Outside of White Lodging, Conner built his career with roles supporting the expansion of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant Group in Chicago and Dunkin Donuts in China. Conner holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and is a graduate of Indiana University with a bachelors degree in economics. White Lodging has developed more than 210 new hotels since its founding in 1985. The company currently owns and/or manages approximately 60 high-end urban and lifestyle hotels with nearly 15,000 rooms under the Marriott, IHG (Kimpton), Hyatt and Hilton brands. View White Lodging's full portfolio. ABOUT WHITE LODGING: White Lodging, established in 1985 by Bruce White, has evolved into one of the countrys largest privately held hospitality companies focused exclusively on highly curated urban and lifestyle properties. The company develops, owns, and manages a portfolio of brands in destination-driven markets, including Austin, Chicago, Denver, Nashville, Indianapolis, and Louisville. With a focus on elevated and experiential service, White Lodgings portfolio consists of approximately 60 premium hotels; a private collection of world-renowned luxury ranches; 50 locally relevant, award-winning restaurants; and 10 market-leading rooftop bars. White Lodging focuses on hiring and developing Hospitalitarians that are committed to exceptional service and fostering meaningful connections. White Lodging has earned the Gallup Exceptional Workplace award four times, including in 2024, and consistently is in the top J.D. Power Guest Satisfaction Benchmark listing for third-party management companies. For more information about White Lodging, visit www.whitelodging.com or follow the company on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Attachment FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. (Cboe Canada: ZEFI) (Frankfurt: Y6B) (OTCQB: ZEFIF) (the Company, Zefiro, or ZEFI) today announced that Luke Plants was featured within the U.S. Department of the Interiors Orphaned Wells Program Annual Report to Congress. Mr. Plants is CEO of Plants and Goodwin, Inc. (P&G), which is a subsidiary of Zefiro. Mr. Plants also serves as Senior Vice President of Business Development for Zefiro. Published this past November as part of the departments Fiscal Year 2024 review, the report highlights that, as of September 30, 2024, a total of 9,636 orphaned or abandoned oil and gas wells were successfully plugged on state, privately owned, and federal lands through the Orphaned Wells Program . Mr. Plants quote, which appears on Page 49 of the report, is reprinted below. The full report can be accessed in PDF format through this link . Thanks to BIL funds, my business has established a robust training program that includes a comprehensive six-month apprenticeship for new hires. Our equipment now meets or exceeds industry standards, creating a safer working environment and ensuring that well-plugging is performed to a high standard, maximizing value for the American public. With our current headcount of 135, we've expanded our workforce by 40% as a direct result of this funding. BIL projects have also stimulated local economies by increasing demand for lodging, food services, and contract materials. Moreover, the predictability of future funding opportunities through the BIL has given business owners the confidence to invest in additional fixed assets, further stimulating American manufacturing. None of these positive economic effects would have been possible without federal stimulus support. As a recognized expert on the topic of remediating orphaned oil and gas wells, Luke Plants was quoted by the U.S. Department of the Interior in its Orphaned Wells Program Annual Report to Congress Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access SEDAR+ or the Investors section of the Companys website for a version of this press release containing all published media. Regarding his input in this report, Luke Plants commented, Over the past 18 months, our team has worked hard to foster and deepen a variety of federal and state government partnerships to help expand P&Gs nationwide plugging operations as part of Zefiros footprint in the United States. This report highlights the important progress that has been made to address this pressing environmental remediation issue, and we remain committed to working with key stakeholders across the public, private, and non-profit sectors to help more communities accelerate economic growth and safeguard their critical air, water, and land resources. Reporters/Media: For any questions or to arrange an interview with Mr. Plants, please contact Rich Myers of Profile Advisors (New York City) by email at media@zefiromethane.com or by telephone at +1 (347) 774-1125. About Zefiro Methane Corp. Zefiro is an environmental services company, specializing in methane abatement. Zefiro strives to be a key commercial force towards Active Sustainability. Leveraging decades of operational expertise, Zefiro is building a new toolkit to clean up air, land, and water sources directly impacted by methane leaks. The Company has built a fully integrated ground operation driven by an innovative monetization solution for the emerging methane abatement marketplace. As an originator of high-quality U.S.-based methane offsets, Zefiro aims to generate long-term economic, environmental, and social returns. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. Talal Debs Talal Debs, Founder & CEO For further information, please contact: Zefiro Investor Relations 1 (800) 274-ZEFI (274-9334) investor@zefiromethane.com For media inquiries, please contact: Rich Myers - Profile Advisors (New York) media@zefiromethane.com +1 (347) 774-1125 Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as seeks, believes, plans, expects, intends, estimates, anticipates and statements that an event or result may, will, should, could or might occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information including statements regarding: the Companys intention to reduce emissions from end-of-life oil and gas wells and eliminate methane gas; the Companys partnerships with industry operators, state agencies, and federal governments; the Companys expectations for continued increases in revenues and EBITDA growth as a result of these partnerships; the Companys intentions to build out its presence in the United States; the anticipated federal funding for orphaned well site plugging, remediation and restoring activities; the Companys expectations to become a growing environmental services company; the Companys ability to provide institutional and retail investors alike with the opportunity to join the Active Sustainability movement; the Companys ability to generate long-term economic, environmental, and social returns; and other statements regarding the Companys business and the industry in which the Company operates. The forward-looking information reflects managements current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (i) adverse general market and economic conditions; (ii) changes to and price and volume volatility in the carbon market; (iii) changes to the regulatory landscape and global policies applicable to the Company's business; (iv) failure to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals; and (v) other risk factors set forth in its Prospectus dated April 8, 2024 under the heading Risk Factors. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment where technologies are in the early stage of adoption. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Companys management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including, but not limited to, the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The forward-looking information included in this news release is made as of the date of this news release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Statement Regarding Third-Party Investor Relations Firms Disclosures relating to investor relations firms retained by Zefiro Methane Corp. can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca/ . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9e7dd91b-34b9-476e-94d9-e0cf51d81fef Wilmington, Delaware, Transparency Market Research Inc. , Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Stacking Cranes Market, valued at US$ 1.1 Bn in 2023, is projected to witness steady growth over the coming years. Expanding at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2024 to 2034, the market is expected to reach US$ 1.9 Bn by 2034. This growth is driven by increasing adoption in logistics and warehousing to enhance operational efficiency. Introduction: The stacking cranes market (Markt fur Stapelkrane) plays a critical role in the efficient handling and storage of goods in various industries, particularly in logistics, shipping, and warehousing. These cranes, designed to move and stack containers or heavy loads, have become an essential part of modern supply chain systems. With the rise in e-commerce, increased shipping activities, and the need for optimized storage solutions, stacking cranes have seen significant demand worldwide. This report delves into the key drivers, major players, strategies, segmentation, opportunities, industry trends, and future prospects of the stacking cranes market. By providing insights into current market dynamics, we aim to give stakeholders a comprehensive overview of the market's potential for growth. Get a Detailed PDF Brochure to Explore the Future of the Stacking Cranes Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=86412 Market Overview: Stacking cranes, also known as automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) cranes, are used to efficiently stack, retrieve, and transport goods within high-bay warehouses and container yards. They play a vital role in automating processes, reducing labor costs, and improving operational efficiency in material handling. The global stacking cranes market is witnessing strong growth due to the rising need for automation across industries such as logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, and retail. The increasing adoption of advanced technologies in logistics operations and the growing demand for efficient storage and transportation solutions are key factors propelling the market forward. Key Players and Strategies: The stacking cranes market report highlights prominent players, including Konecranes Plc., Liebherr Group, Demag Cranes & Components GmbH, Mecalux, Jungheinrich AG, Daifuku Co., Ltd., SSI Schaefer, Murata Machinery, Vanderlande Industries, Kardex Remstar, Toyota Material Handling, Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Beumer Group, Stocklin Logistics, Swisslog, among others. Several key players dominate the stacking cranes market, each adopting different strategies to maintain competitiveness. These players focus on product innovation, mergers, and partnerships to strengthen their market presence. Konecranes: Known for its robust and efficient stacking cranes, Konecranes focuses on integrating cutting-edge technology such as IoT and AI for smart crane operations. Known for its robust and efficient stacking cranes, Konecranes focuses on integrating cutting-edge technology such as IoT and AI for smart crane operations. Kalmar (Cargotec): Kalmar is a global leader in providing automation solutions for ports and terminals. The companys stacking cranes are designed to maximize productivity and offer seamless integration with other material handling systems. Kalmar is a global leader in providing automation solutions for ports and terminals. The companys stacking cranes are designed to maximize productivity and offer seamless integration with other material handling systems. Liebherr: Liebherr focuses on high-performance, reliable cranes that can handle heavy loads in tough environments. The companys emphasis on customization and customer-centric solutions has helped it remain competitive. Liebherr focuses on high-performance, reliable cranes that can handle heavy loads in tough environments. The companys emphasis on customization and customer-centric solutions has helped it remain competitive. Sany Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.: Sany is a major player in the global market, offering cost-effective stacking crane solutions, primarily in the APAC region. The company aims to expand its market presence by catering to emerging markets and increasing its product portfolio. Get Customized Market Analysis and Insights Designed for Your Business - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=86412 Key Growth Drivers: Rising E-commerce Industry: The exponential growth of e-commerce has led to a surge in the need for efficient storage and transportation of goods. Stacking cranes, with their ability to handle large volumes of goods and optimize space, are essential in ensuring smooth warehouse operations for e-commerce giants. Increased Automation in Logistics: With industries increasingly adopting automation to improve efficiency and reduce human errors, stacking cranes have become indispensable. Automated cranes reduce manual labor, increase precision, and help in better inventory management. Urbanization and Infrastructure Development: The rise in urbanization and the development of modern infrastructure, especially in developing economies, is driving the demand for advanced material handling systems. Ports, airports, and industrial facilities are increasingly relying on stacking cranes to optimize their operations. Focus on Cost Reduction and Operational Efficiency: Businesses are constantly seeking ways to reduce operational costs. Stacking cranes provide a cost-effective solution by reducing dependency on manual labor, minimizing operational errors, and enhancing productivity. Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: As industries are increasingly focusing on sustainability, modern stacking cranes are designed to be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. These cranes reduce energy consumption and contribute to greener operations in warehouses and ports. Opportunities: Emerging Markets: Developing countries are investing heavily in infrastructure development, providing significant opportunities for stacking crane manufacturers. Ports and airports in countries like India, China, and Brazil are expanding, leading to increased demand for advanced material handling solutions. Technological Advancements: With innovations like AI, IoT, and 5G connectivity, stacking cranes are becoming smarter and more efficient. Opportunities for growth lie in integrating these technologies to offer predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and fully automated crane systems. Sustainability Initiatives: Companies are increasingly adopting sustainable practices, creating a demand for energy-efficient stacking cranes. Manufacturers that can provide environmentally friendly solutions will have an edge in this competitive market. Customization and Flexible Solutions: The need for customizable cranes that cater to specific industry requirements presents a significant opportunity for manufacturers to offer tailored solutions that can handle unique challenges in various industries. Industry Trends: Shift Toward Automation: The trend of automating warehouse operations is growing, and stacking cranes are at the forefront of this shift. Automated stacking cranes help in reducing human intervention and enhancing efficiency in storage and retrieval operations. Increased Focus on Safety: As industries become more reliant on heavy-duty machinery, safety regulations are getting stricter. Stacking cranes are incorporating safety features such as collision detection, load monitoring, and advanced control systems to prevent accidents. IoT Integration: IoT-enabled stacking cranes offer real-time data on crane performance, maintenance needs, and operational efficiency. This allows businesses to monitor and optimize their crane systems more effectively. Hybrid and Electric Stacking Cranes: With growing environmental concerns, hybrid and electric stacking cranes are gaining popularity. These cranes reduce carbon emissions and offer lower operating costs, making them a preferred choice for sustainable operations. Market Segmentation: The stacking cranes market can be segmented based on several factors to understand its diverse applications: By Type: Automated Stacking Cranes Manual Stacking Cranes By Industry: Logistics & Warehousing Shipping & Ports Manufacturing Aerospace Automotive By Technology: Electric Cranes Hydraulic Cranes Hybrid Cranes By Region: North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Each segment offers unique growth opportunities and faces distinct challenges. For example, the logistics and warehousing sector is expected to see rapid growth due to the rise of e-commerce, while shipping and ports rely heavily on stacking cranes for efficient container handling. Buy This Premium Research Report Now to Get Detailed Analysis: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=864120.20% or Co Grade >200 g/t or Au Grade >0.2 g/t or Fe Grade >30%] Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Cu (%) Au (g/t) Co (g/t) Fe (%) Rincones Target 138.00 141.85 3.85 0.38 0.22 154 11.6 186.00 288.00 102.00 0.25 0.04 185 14.7 SP-DDH-35 includes 230.00 240.30 10.30 0.51 0.05 137 13.4 317.83 336.65 18.82 0.06 0.03 202 13.6 SP-DDH-36 6.00 12.00 6.00 0.17 0.06 221 23.3 54.00 74.00 20.00 0.20 0.02 57 8.3 128.00 134.00 6.00 0.45 0.07 602 23.5 SP-DDH-37 23.00 57.00 34.00 0.55 0.24 163 51.0 127.00 139.00 12.00 0.23 0.02 40 11.5 146.50 150.00 3.50 0.25 0.03 33 15.4 250.00 380.00 130.00 0.23 0.05 69 13.4 includes 250.00 265.30 15.30 0.96 0.31 179 28.5 SP-DDH-38 83.00 366.00 283.00 0.23 0.04 101 15.5 includes 110.65 120.00 9.35 0.74 0.43 254 38.6 & includes 138.00 149.55 11.55 0.51 0.05 80 12.5 & includes 280.00 355.00 75.00 0.33 0.05 183 21.5 Note: Intervals are downhole length. See hole descriptions in text for additional details. San Pietro Phase 2 Drill Program Details The San Pietro Project hosts multiple targets with strong Iron oxide-Copper-Gold and Cobalt mineralization (see Figure 1). This mineralization is typically found within a pile of fine to porphyritic andesites that exhibit widespread potassic feldspar alteration. The mineralization is often associated with areas where a superimposed quartz-scapolite alteration is more intense and there is a development of brecciation and massive replacement of magnetite. In 2023, the Company completed a Phase 1 drill program of approximately 4000 metres of diamond drilling in 13 holes to add to the database of ~34,000 metres of historic drilling at San Pietro. Strongly mineralized intervals were intercepted at all targets tested as reported in company news releases on June 13, June 27 and July 12, 2023. The Company focused this Phase 2 drill program mainly on the Rincones advanced exploration target with the goal of completing an initial Mineral Resource Estimate. In addition, 2 holes (SP-DDH-25 and SP-DDH-34) with a total of 607 metres were drilled at the nearby Colla target. SP-DDH-35 stepped out 135 metres west of historic reverse circulation ("RC") hole RARC-015, which included a 142-metre interval averaging 0.32% Cu, 92 g/t Co, 0.05 g/t Au and 10.5% Fe starting at 54 metres downhole (azimuth 0 & dip -65). A similar long, well-mineralized interval in SP-DDH-35 (see Table 1) was hosted in a series of subvertical crackle breccias and veinlets plus several 1-to-3-metre-wide, east-west trending subvertical breccias filled with specularite-chalcopyrite-pyrite. These structures were also intercepted in the holes east and west of SP-DDH-35. SP-DDH-36 was drilled in the north-central part of Rincones where it intercepted east-west trending crackle breccias with specularite-chalcopyrite-pyrite, dipping 70 to 89 the north. Mineralization was modest, similar to an adjacent historic RC hole. SP-DDH-37 tested a gap in the central part of Rincones approximately 145 metres southeast of SP-DDH-12, which returned the best overall interval of the Phase 1 program: 64.2 m averaging 0.86% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, 196 g/t Co and 25.9% Fe starting at 42.8 metres depth (see News Release from July 12, 2023). A second interval of 75.0 metres averaging 0.23% Cu, 0.03 g/t Au and 67 g/t Co starting at 243 metres depth was also reported. SP-DDH-37 successfully identified similar mineralized zones in the gap tested. Immediately below 23 metres of gravels, SP-DDH-37 started with a series of magnetite replacement mantos striking northwest and dipping 66 to the southwest. These hosted copper and iron oxides in veinlets in a fine porphyritic andesite, with a 34 metre interval averaging 0.55% Cu, 0.24 g/t Au, 163 g/t Co and 51% Fe. These mantos correlate with those intercepted in hole SP-DDH-12. Starting at 250 metres depth, SP-DDH-37 intercepted another series of magnetite mantos, 3 to 5 metres wide, with veinlets and disseminations of chalcopyrite and pyrite plus zones of breccias filled with specularite and chalcopyrite. This lower zone returned a long (130 metres) well-mineralized interval, including over 15 metres with nearly a percent copper and 0.3 g/t Au as well as significant cobalt and iron (see Table 1). SP-DDH-38 expanded the southern extension of the Rincones mineralization, as first identified in hole SP-DDH-29 that returned 310.85 metres averaging 0.19% Cu, 0.06 g/t Au, 127 g/t Co and 12.2% Fe starting at 186.4 metres depth (see News Release dated October 31, 2024). Mineralization was pervasive throughout nearly 300 metres of downhole depth, (see Table 1) hosted in porphyritic andesites with crackle breccias. In the first half of the 283-metre reported interval, the crackle breccias are filled with magnetite-chalcopyrite-pyrite and in the second half with specularite-chalcopyrite-pyrite. Additionally, 3 magnetite mantos were intercepted downhole. These were approximately 10 metres in width with east-west strike, dipping to the south and hosted disseminated and fracture-controlled chalcopyrite-pyrite mineralization. Table 2. Drill Hole Collar Information [PSAD 56 / UTM Zone 19 S] Hole Easting Northing Elevation (m) Azimuth () Dip () Final Depth (m) SP-DDH-35 390561 7071720 1003 20 -60 368 SP-DDH-36 391283 7071902 940 0 -60 200 SP-DDH-37 391036 7071653 952 20 -60 389 SP-DDH-38 390598 7071282 1000 20 -60 374 Methodology & QA/QC This drilling campaign was completed by Sociedad de Servicios Andinos SpA of Copiapo, Chile, using diamond drill producing HQ-sized core. The Golden Arrow field team, supervised by senior geologists, photographed and logged the entire length of core for each drillhole, as well as measured it for recovery and marked it for sampling. Pieces of whole core approximately 10 to 15 cm long were selected and measured for specific gravity on average every 20 metres and targeting all different lithologies. Subsequently, the core was cut in half with an electric saw. One half was labelled, bagged and sent for analysis and the other half retained onsite. After completing the sampling of each hole, the samples were shipped to ALS Laboratory in Copiapo, Chile by a contract truck service. Sample preparation and gold analysis by Fire Assay and reading by atomic absorption on 30 gm sample by method Au-AA23 was completed at the ALS facility in Santiago de Chile. Multi-element package by ICP-OES reading following a four-acid digestion by method ME-ICP61 was performed at ALS facilities in Lima, Peru. Samples with over limits in copper (+ 10,000 ppm) were re-assayed by ore grade method Cu-OG62 that includes four acid digestion and ICP-OES reading. The Company follows industry standard procedures for the work carried out on the San Pietro Project, with a quality assurance/quality control ("QA/QC") program. Blank and standard samples were inserted in each batch of samples sent to the laboratory for analysis. Golden Arrow detected no significant QA/QC issues with material effect on the data. The trajectory of all the holes drilled at San Pietro during this Phase 2 were measured using the gyroscope equipment "Champ Navigator" that assures no interference from the magnetite in the ground. Additionally, all the core was orientated using the "Champ Ori" core orientator to measure the azimuth and dip of structures. About the San Pietro IOCG Project The San Pietro Project covers approximately 20,000 hectares, 100 kilometres north of Copiapo. Situated between and adjacent to Capstone Copper's Manto Verde Mine property and Santo Domingo Project, San Pietro is in the centre of a potential new copper-iron-cobalt district within an active, well-developed mining region that is home to all the major iron oxide-copper-gold ("IOCG") deposits in Chile. The Project is hosted by andesite units in a Cretaceous-aged volcano-sedimentary sequence associated with intrusive rocks including granodiorites and diorites of similar age. The Project is located east of the Atacama Fault system, a major north-south regional structure, which was instrumental in controlling the emplacement of the ore deposits in the area. Mineralization at San Pietro is typical of an IOCG system, with the addition of cobalt, and occurs in mantos, breccias and veins within a zone of alteration characterized by an association of actinolite, epidote, chlorite and scapolite. The mantos are replacement of andesite by magnetite and sulphides, with a roughly southeast strike and a gentle dip to the SW. Breccias and veins crosscut the mantos, are often subvertical, and filled with specularite and sulphides. Qualified Persons The exploration programs are designed by the Company's geological staff and results are reviewed, verified (including sampling, analytical and test data) and compiled under the supervision of Brian McEwen, P.Geol., VP Exploration and Development to the Company. Mr. McEwen is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the contents of the news release. About Golden Arrow: Golden Arrow Resources Corporation is a mining exploration company with a successful track record of creating value by making precious and base metal discoveries and advancing them into exceptional deposits. Golden Arrow is actively exploring its flagship property, the advanced San Pietro iron oxide-copper-gold-cobalt project in Chile, and a portfolio that includes nearly 125,000 hectares of prospective properties in Argentina. The Company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management group that has pioneered exploration in Argentina since 1993. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Joseph Grosso" _______________________________ Mr. Joseph Grosso, Executive Chairman, President and CEO Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments management of the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, statements about the Company's plans for its mineral properties; the Company's business strategy, plans and outlooks; the future financial or operating performance of the Company; and future exploration and operating plans are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: risks and uncertainties related to the ability to obtain, amend, or maintain licenses, permits, or surface rights; risks associated with technical difficulties in connection with exploration activities; the possibility that future exploration. There may be other factors that cause results or events to not be as anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for a more detailed discussion of factors that may impact expected future results. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof or the dates specifically referenced in this press release, where applicable. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, unless required pursuant to applicable laws. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. SOURCE Golden Arrow Resources Corporation For further information, please contact: Corporate Communications, Tel: 1-604-687-1828, Toll-Free: 1-800-901-0058, Email: info@goldenarrowresources.com Toronto, January 21, 2025 - Stakeholder Gold Corp. (TSXV: SRC) ("Stakeholder" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results and interpretation for the VLF-EM (Very Low Frequency - Electro-Magnetic) geophysical survey undertaken on the Company's 100% owned Ballarat Gold-Copper Project ("Ballarat") which covers 18,741 Ha in the Heart of the White Gold District of the Yukon Territory, Canada. The VLF-EM survey was a portion of the 2024 summer exploration program on Ballarat. The 2024 exploration program was comprised of a ground-based VLF-EM survey on the Skye Gold Zone, grid soil sampling on the Loki Copper Zone and a property wide drone magnetic survey. Results of the drone magnetic survey (Figure 1) and grid soil sampling (Figure 4) are discussed in the news release dated November 12th, 2024. Highlights of this work included the delimitation of a significant, 2.3 km x 530 m, zone of anomalous copper in soils on the Loki Copper Zone and structural interpretation from the magnetic survey which highlighted a series of 2nd - 3rd order faults associated with gold occurrences on the Skye Gold Zone. Skye Gold Zone VLF-EM Survey The ground based VLF-EM survey was conducted across the Skye Gold Zone to aid in structural interpretation. The survey was performed with six (6) lines extending for a total of 2.5 line-km. The Skye Gold Zone is located in the central portion of the Ballarat Property and consists of two, NE-SW trending, sub parallel gold in soil anomalies extending approximately 1.9 km and 1.3 km respectively (Figure 2). The two sub parallel gold in soil anomalies are detected in association with locally established indicator minerals Mo (Molybdenum), Pb (Lead), and/or Te (Tellurium). These gold in soil anomalies, and particularly clusters of >50 ppb gold along them, are associated with a series of E-W and NE oriented structures first highlighted by the 2024 drone magnetic survey. The VLF-EM survey focused on two areas within the Skye Gold Zone. Lines 1,2,3 & 4 were placed on the northern portion of the trend across the gold in soil anomaly extending for 1.9 km. Lines 5 & 6 were placed along the southern end of the trend across the gold in soil anomaly extending for 1.3 km (also Figure 2). The VLF-EM survey lines were designed to cross the gold in soil anomalies, and to provide further information for structural interpretation. Results For all of the VLF-EM survey lines, there is a strong correlation between the gold zones detected on surface, cross-cutting structures interpreted from the magnetic survey, and low-resistivity zones resulting from inversion of the VLF-EM sections. These low resistivity zones appear to dip moderately to steeply northwest and are interpreted as primary structural controls to gold mineralization in the area (Figure 3). This structural setting is very similar to, and likely related to, zones of known gold mineralization on the White Gold Property, including the Golden Saddle deposit, which is located some 30 km to the northwest. The newly defined structural targets on the Skye Gold Zone are considered priority drill targets for the Company in 2025. In addition, these results highlight the necessity for follow up work on a series of gold in soil anomalies (up to 200 ppb Au), the East Zone (Figures 1,2 & 4), located approximately 2 km east of the Skye Gold Zone that are now interpreted to be associated with similar structural controls (1). (1) See the Company's news release dated Oct. 20th, 2023. Available on SEDAR. Figure 1: Drone magnetic survey of the Ballarat Property showing 1VD magnetics and structural interpretation. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3082/237849_2cde93a5c4c03ad3_001full.jpg Figure 2: Gold in soils on the Skye Zone with VLF lines and structural interpretation. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3082/237849_2cde93a5c4c03ad3_002full.jpg Figure 3: Cross-section showing gold in soils and resistivity in VLF - Line 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3082/237849_figure.jpg "Size potential for the Skye Gold Zone is now evidenced across three corroborative studies: geochemical gold signature analysis, magnetic surveys and very low frequency electro-magnetic surveys. The Skye Gold Zone itself extends over two sub-parallel features of 1.9 km and 1.3 km respectively, while recent interpretation suggests to us that the East Zone, which is located some 2 km east of the Skye Gold Zone, may now also have enhanced merit for exploration follow up as a result of revised structural interpretations." "2024 exploration work on Ballarat confirms for us size potential for both the Skye Gold Zone and the Loki Copper Zone on the company's contiguous claim holdings. These exploration targets are separated by approximately 10 km and are located either side of the planned route for the Northern Gateway Road where it is expected to traverse 17 km of company claims. We believe that this combination gives our company shareholders an unparalleled opportunity for value accretion through economic mineral discovery in the Heart of the White Gold District of the Yukon Territory." Stated Christopher Berlet, President & CEO of Stakeholder. 2025 Exploration The Company is currently considering plans for the 2025 exploration season. Proposals include up to 2,500 m of drilling, encompassing 8 - 10 holes on the Skye Gold Zone, and 1 - 2 holes on the Loki Copper Zone. Further work is also anticipated to include an expanded grid soil sampling program, geologic mapping and prospecting, and a ground based geophysical survey designed to source and define additional drill targets. Detailed plans for the 2025 season will be released in early spring. Figure 4: Ballarat Property target areas with gold in soils. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3082/237849_2cde93a5c4c03ad3_004full.jpg Ballarat Property The Company's 100% owned; 18,741-hectare, contiguous claim position covers key ground features in the center of the rapidly evolving White Gold Mining & Exploration District. Stakeholder's claims are located in the relative center of the White Gold District (Figure 5), north and northeast of Newmont's (NYSE: NEM) Coffee Gold Project, due north of Western Copper and Gold Corp.'s (TSX: WRN) Casino Project and west, south, and east of White Gold's (TSX: WGO) regional exploration initiatives. Figure 5: Ballarat Property regional location. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3082/237849_2cde93a5c4c03ad3_005full.jpg QAQC and QP Statement The analytical work for the 2024 program was performed by Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd., an internationally recognized analytical services provider, at its Vancouver, British Columbia laboratory. Sample preparation was carried out at the company's Whitehorse, Yukon facility. All soil samples were prepared using procedure SS80 (dry at 60 C and sieve 100g at -80 mesh) and analyzed by method AQ201 (aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS analysis). The work was completed using industry standard procedures, including a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program consisting of the insertion of certified standards, blanks, and field duplicates into the sample stream. Jodie Gibson, M.Sc., P.Geo. is the Qualified Person for the Company, as defined by NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release. Forward Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information. All information, other than information of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and includes any information that addresses activities, events or developments that the Corporation believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the Corporation's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237849 Vancouver, January 21, 2025 - Nine Mile Metals Ltd. (CSE: NINE) (OTC Pink: VMSXF) (FSE: KQ9) (the "Company" or "Nine Mile") announces its intention to complete a private placement of up to 18,507,143 units (each a "Unit") at a price of $0.021 per Unit. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.05 per Common Share for a period of 5 years from the date of issuance (the "Private Placement"). Up to 7,500,000 of the Units may be sold for cash proceeds of up to $157,500. The Company intends to use the cash proceeds for operating expenses, including legal and audit fees and general working capital. As per the CSE policies, none of the funds raised in the Private Placement will be used for management fees current or owed. In consideration for their services in introducing subscribers to the Company under cash portion of the Private Placement, finders may receive commission of 7% cash and 7% common share purchase warrants, exercisable to purchase one common share at a price of $0.05 for a period of 5 years. The Company also intends to issue 11,007,143 Units for the settlement of Convertible Loans that were due on December 14, 2024, and applicable interest thereon, for a combined total of principal and accrued interest of $231,150. The issuance of Common Shares will not result in a new insider or control person. The Common Shares, and any Common Shares to be issued on exercise of the Warrants, are subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance of the Units. About Nine Mile Metals Ltd.: Nine Mile Metals Ltd. is a Canadian public mineral exploration Company focused on Critical Minerals VMS (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag and Au) exploration in the renowned Bathurst Mining Camp (BMC), located in New Brunswick, Canada. The Company's primary business objective is to explore its four VMS Projects: Nine Mile Brook VMS Project, California Lake VMS Project, the Canoe Landing Lake (East - West) VMS Project, and the Wedge VMS Project. The Company is focused on Critical Minerals Exploration, positioning itself for the boom in EV and green technologies requiring Copper, Silver, Lead and Zinc with a hedge on Gold. Forward-Looking Information: This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of Nine Mile. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of Nine Mile. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "will," "may," "would," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "could" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include that a) the Company will complete a Private Placement of up to 18,507,143, allocated as described above (b) finders will receive the commission as described above, and (c) the Company will use the case proceeds as described above. Although Nine Mile believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because Nine Mile can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/237938 All eyes on Hamilton's first Ferrari test Hotel rooms are fully booked in the region surrounding Ferrari's Maranello HQ, as Lewis Hamilton gets his red-coloured Formula 1 career underway. Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari Ferrari As he posed with a striking black suit and an F40 outside Enzo Ferrari's iconic old house, rumours swirled that he had joined fellow seven time world champion Michael Schumacher as a rare Ferrari driver who was offered the opportunity to live in the villa. I love seeing the house and the legendary rooms, but no - I won't be living there, Hamilton, 40, said. An unusually big crowd of Tifosi had gathered in the rain and freezing temperatures to be part of the former Mercedes driver's first official day as a Ferrari driver. La Repubblica newspaper said the Tifosi had waited since dawn . Inside, Hamilton toured the factory, met with officials, engineers and workers, and had a seat fitting to iron out the last little details ahead of his first run in two and three-year Ferrari single seaters at Fiorano on Wednesday. Hamilton and (Charles) Leclerc will alternate at the wheel of the SF-23 and the F1-75 - single-seaters that are at least two years old as permitted by the regulations for the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC), reported La Gazzetta dello Sport. Another outing for the duo is also reportedly scheduled for Barcelona next week. Hamilton met up with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, who had also worked with his friend Sebastian Vettel as well as the now Williams-departed Carlos Sainz. Pundits are now considering which 2025 Ferrari driver will have the edge this season. Lewis feels things differently to others and has a really strong race pace, said former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi. "But Charles is really strong in qualifying and starting position is always very important. It will be extremely interesting to see what happens between the two of them. Hamilton's former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, however, expects that a change of colours for the Briton over the winter will not change much else. Charles will be at a similar level to George Russell, the German said, referring to the fact that Russell generally beat Hamilton at Mercedes last year. "They are the best of the next generation, except for (Max) Verstappen, who is a bit higher. Lewis has just been struggling, and we don't really know why, Rosberg added. So if it's like last season, Charles will beat Lewis in the same way that George beat Lewis. However, Rosberg also acknowledges Hamilton's special talent and achievements. Lewis is the greatest of all time, he said. We still give him the benefit of the doubt that he can be at his best again and then he should be slightly ahead of Charles at the end of the year. So we'll see. (GMM) Next article: I made a loss of about GH40,000 from my last comedy special- OB Amponsah Featured I promise to do my best to justify your faith in me- Dzifa Gomashie pledges Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Jan - 21 - 2025 , 13:49 2 minutes read The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts designate, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has expressed her gratitude and humility following her nomination by the president. In a recent post on her Facebook page, she expressed her gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama, the Vice-President and her team for the honour, acknowledging the numerous congratulatory messages she received from industry players and well-wishers. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South vowed to uphold the trust bestowed upon her by embracing a comprehensive strategy that showcases Ghana's vibrant cultural legacy, boosts tourism and celebrates artistic expression. She wrote, Dear all, please help me thank H.E. JDM, our Vice-President and the team for this honour. I am truly, humbled. Advertisement Over the past few days, I have received numerous calls and messages following my nomination as Minister Designate for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts. I am deeply grateful to everyone for the heartfelt congratulations and well-wishes, especially from the industry players On Thursday, January 16, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama appointed Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Member of Parliament for the Ketu South Constituency, as the Minister designate for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts. ( Read Dzifa Gomashie named Minister-designate for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Rex Omar: Dzifa Gomashie has my full blessing as Tourism Minister) Dzifa Gomashies name had come up as a popular choice for the position, for which her naming by the President was widely hailed by creative players. Music producer Fred Kyei Mensah and actor and CEO of Image Bureau George Quaye had tipped Dzifa as the best candidate for the position. Other notable names such as Baba Sadiq had equally come up for the role during debates before the nomination last Thursday. Abla Dzifa Gomashie is a veteran actress, accomplished politician and creative arts expert with a distinguished track record spanning advocacy, youth leadership and cultural promotion. With decades of experience in the creative industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role having previously served as Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts from 2013 to 2017. She is due for vetting on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. See full post below: Previous article: I made a loss of about GH40,000 from my last comedy special- OB Amponsah Featured Melania's hat, shorts in winter and other eye-catching looks at Trumps inauguration BBC Showbiz News Jan - 21 - 2025 , 12:34 9 minutes read Inauguration Day is all about pomp, pageantry - and pictures. The clothes worn on this world stage - the colour, cut and details - take the spotlight. From Melania's striking hat to Usha's fashion forward overcoat, here's a roundup of some of the day's most memorable looks. Melania Trump The first lady's serious look was in stark contrast to her 2017 inauguration outfit Melania Trump kicked off Inauguration Day with an outfit that has all the hallmarks of her favoured first lady style: sharply cut, with spiked heels and a dramatic flourish via the headgear. It is simultaneously serious and chic. The designer chosen by the 54-year-old first lady for the inauguration is the subject of fascination and, again, an opportunity to transmit a message. That the former model chose New York designer Adam Lippes and a coordinating hat by Eric Javits, was a marked shift of gear. Advertisement She may have worn the American fashion designer Ralph Lauren to her husband's last inauguration, but much more frequently turns to the big European houses. Plus, unlike Lauren, neither Lippes nor Javits are such household, starry names. In a statement, Lippes said the look had been hand-stitched in New York "by some of America's finest craftsmen." Fittingly, Lippes recently opened a new boutique in Palm Beach, close to the Trump's home, Mar-a-Lago, or the "southern White House". Very much on-brand is the price tag: Melania Trump is known for her extravagant tastes many of her outfits while previously first lady had price tags running well into the thousands and Lippes' dresses, for example, go from 1,000 up to over 7,500. It also speaks to her love of hats. The brim is wide enough and the contrast between the cream ribbon and navy hat big enough that it draws the eyes upwards even if it obscures the eyes of the wearer. There was a loadedness to its incongruity. As celebrity stylist and fashion expert Lauren Rothman points out, "a boater is traditionally a summer hat. It's traditionally worn by, you know, in Venice, right?" Not in a freezing cold DC. "This was just such a spectacular use of signalling and blending Palm Beach and DC with international global fashion aesthetic, while understanding the traditional and political power that is also necessary for your look to communicate," she said. The first lady made an equally dramatic appearance at the first inaugural ball wearing a full-length gown with a thick black ribbon-like strip The first lady made an equally dramatic appearance at the first inaugural ball wearing a full-length gown with a thick black ribbon-like strip, echoed in a choker-style necklace. From a distance, the inky squiggle could easily remind viewers of the signature that Melania's husband had earlier signed on a flurry of executive orders. Her black-and-white look was echoed in the classic tux worn by her husband, 24 years her senior. Ivanka Trump First daughter Ivanka Trump, 43, matched Melania's serious colour palette with an emerald green skirt suit with a matching hat. The hourglass silhouette the cinched in waist and fuller skirt felt pointed and intentional. It was reminiscent of Dior's glamorous New Look, which ushered in a new era in fashion after World War Two. The asymmetry of the cut, however, sounded a note of continuation: Ivanka wore a white Oscar de la Renta jacket with an asymmetric handkerchief hem for inauguration day in 2017. The first daughter's outfit feels like it could be harking back to the work of Adolfo Sardina, a Cuban-born American fashion designer who started out as an apprentice milliner at Bergdorf Goodman in the late 1940s and went on to be known for his spectacular hats, which were worn by Nancy Reagan to both of her husband's inaugurations. For Lauren Rothman, the look had a very international flavour. "We're seeing a little bit of Princess Kate style," she said. It speaks to the idea of a Trump dynasty, in a way more akin to royalty than a democracy. "Her look is really a signal that indicates her strong understanding of the political kingdom," she said. Yet for all of its regality, Rothman also identifies an accessibility. She has clients already texting her asking, 'how can I get that outfit in another color?' And I've already sent a few links." Jill and Joe Biden Former first lady Jill Biden, 73, yet again wore a purplish blue from head to toe - a colour that has come to represent the administration of the last four years. At her husband's swearing-in ceremony in 2021, Jill wore a blue coat created by designer/founder Alexandra O'Neill for the New Yorkbased luxury womenswear label Markarian. It reportedly quintupled sales for the designer. It was custom made and embroidered with Swarovski crystals, plus had a pandemic-era matching face mask. Both Bidens have chosen to dress in clothes again by Ralph Lauren, whose designs and back story are often seen as synonymous with the American dream. It comes as no surprise: Jill has worn his clothes throughout the last four years and was at his fashion show in the Hamptons last September. Her husband recently awarded Lauren the Presidential Medal of Freedom - the nation's highest civilian honour - and in the process made him the first fashion designer to receive the distinction. Lauren suits have been a fitting uniform of choice for the outgoing president. On the White House website as he leaves office, it sums up his presidency: "for all Americans, a country for all Americans, a future for all Americans." You could argue his Lauren suits are also designed to not leave any Americans out never straying too far from classic blue and classic lines. Usha Vance The lawyer and wife of Vice President-elect JD Vance, Usha Vance's most high profile appearance to date was speaking the 2024 Republican National Convention. For the occasion, the 39-year-old chose a cobalt blue off-the-shoulder Badgley Mischka dress, which retails for $495 (400). According to a spokesperson speaking to industry website WWD, Vance must have bought the garment herself as the brand wasn't consulted. But, there were clear signs of a pivot to more high-fashion choices. She chose an Oscar de la Renta overcoat with a strikingly fashion-forward detail: a scarf intentionally tucked into her waist-height belt. Is it a sign of a more stylised image to come as Vance takes her place as the second lady? I would absolutely label her as one to watch," said Lauren Rothman, "because she is the newest member into the spotlight, she is receiving help and it's working." Plus: "her energy indicates a comfort in it. Like, I was ready for this." She sees an authenticity too: "It doesn't look like a costume. It looks like she's having fun." She cited an optimism in the choice of pink, where many of the other figures in Trump's universe went for more sombre colours. John Fetterman Suits, ties, shoulder pads, pearls; these are the traditional attire of inauguration day. But John Fetterman, the 55-year-old US senator from Pennsylvania since 2023, has never been one to stick to traditional dress codes he wore a Carhartt hoodie with a picture of a bow-tie printed onto it for the White House Correspondents' Dinner last year. Still, if tradition didn't mean Fetterman opted for a pair of trousers, you would have thought the weather might temperatures in Washington were so low that the ceremony was moved inside for the first time since 1985. Yet Fetterman showed up coatless, in only a hoodie, and wearing shorts. It is fitting Fetterman is all about bucking convention he was, after all, the first Senate Democrat to meet with Trump since the election. The Tech executives and their partners The "tech bros" have been undergoing some interesting style shifts of late. Most recently in Elon Musk's case, a Belstaff jacket drew the internet's eyes, while Mark Zuckerberg's style makeover has seen him transform from "normcore" grey T-shirts and inconspicuous jeans to luxury labels, his own brand of slogan T-shirts with Greek and Latin phrases and million pound watches. For Lauren Rothman, there was "a sleekness" about the way they looked, "and they also sort of showed up as a squad, sunglasses and suits." But, she said, "the most significant part of how the tech giants showed up was in their significant others. Mark Zuckerberg's wife Priscilla Chan wore "the classic DC look: a short statement necklace and a buttoned up coat". The author and fiancee to Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez, by contrast to both the darkly suited tech entrepreneurs surrounding her, as well as to Chan, wore a startling white Alexander McQueen suit with pointed, padded shoulders. Underneath was a lingerie-inspired look that has already drawn some criticism online for a perceived lack of appropriateness on a state occasion. Hillary Clinton At Bill Clinton's 1997 inauguration, Hillary Clinton wore a candy floss-pink outfit by Oscar de la Renta. And to her husband's first swearing-in ceremony in 1993 she went for an unusually busy look - a checked suit and a blue velour hat. In 2017 at Trump's first inauguration, she wore a white and cream Lauren pantsuit - the outfit that clearly makes her feel most battle-ready and professional. In marked contrast to her previous palette, the 77-year-old went for a grave navy this time round. On her coat there was a single brooch. Its details remain unclear but brooches are often the site of sartorial messaging and Clinton knows it. She recently wore a bald eagle brooch a national symbol with the US flag on it for the funeral of Jimmy Carter. The look was by British sustainable designer Stella McCartney, a move that feels like it could be aimed at the incoming administration's climate plans. Trump has confirmed plans to once again pull the US out of the Paris agreement, which tries to mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis. Donald Trump What the incoming president chose to wear was never going to stray too far from his norm of navy suits. According to Lauren Rothman, "we're still seeing, you know, a pretty simple suit" but she said the big difference and a "huge signal that is different, is in his tie." "It's really ultimately a mix of red and blue, which creates a purple effect. "The more muted tie kind of signals in my world, I don't need to scream. I don't need to project. I have arrived." Another big point of interest, particularly on Inauguration Day, is where the president gets his suits. It is unclear where the 78-year-old's suit came from, but as he used his inauguration speech to talk about increasing American industry, it would be fitting from him to wear an American suit, menswear expert Derek Guy pointed out. "American manufacturing is on the decline, especially in clothing. Some of the factories that made clothes for previous inaugurations have since shuttered. It would be nice to see more support for American manufacturing, even if it's only symbolic," he said. Next article: Donald Trump sworn in as 47th president of the United States Featured Donald Trump's government set to recognise only two genders bbc.com International News Jan - 20 - 2025 , 21:53 2 minutes read Donald Trump has moved to change the US government's policies on gender and diversity, following through on promises he made on the campaign trail. "As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female," Trump said during his inaugural address. The Trump administration indicated he would sign an executive order Monday that would recognize two sexes only - male and female and declare that they cannot be changed. The move is part of Trump's wider promises about what conservatives decry as "woke" culture, gender and diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) progammes. Advertisement An administration official said the executive order would "end DEI inside the federal government", cutting funding to DEI programmes across all agencies and including a review of offices renamed because of DEI initiatives. The administration did not say whether action would extend to the private sector, with an official saying businesses should "wait and see". Several large US companies have ended or scaled back their DEI programmes since Trump was elected, including McDonald's, Walmart and Facebook parent company Meta. Others, like Apple and retailers Target and Costco, publicly defended their existing programmes. DEI supporters see the programmes as a way to correct lingering discrimination based on race, sexuality and other characteristics. The idea received renewed attention in the wake of racial justice protests after the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Featured Trump signs executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship The Washington Post International News Jan - 21 - 2025 , 09:17 5 minutes read President Donald Trump directed U.S. government agencies to no longer issue citizenship documentation to babies born in the United States to parents who lack legal status, one of several immigration-related orders he signed in the Oval Office on Monday evening after his inauguration. Trumps order seeks to reinterpret the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which grants citizenship to all people born on U.S. soil, a change legal scholars say is illegal and will be quickly challenged in the courts. The birthright order was part of a burst of immigration-related directives aimed at undoing Biden administration policies and wielding obscure presidential powers to launch a broad crackdown along the border and across immigrant communities. Trump said during his inaugural speech that he will invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime authority, to deploy the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eradicate foreign gangs and criminals from the United States. The act has been deployed only three times during conflicts, most recently during World War II, when U.S. officials forced 120,000 Japanese Americans and others to live in prison camps. I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, Trump said. We will do it at a level that nobody has ever seen before. Advertisement He declared a national emergency at the southern border to restart border wall construction and direct the armed forces to provide troops, detention space, transportation, including aircraft, and other services to boost border security. All illegal entry will be halted, he said. Asylum seekers who made appointments to come to the U.S. border Monday afternoon were blocked at international crossings after Trump officials halted use of the CBP One mobile app, which the Biden administration used as a scheduling tool. Trump also ended all categorical parole programs that under President Joe Biden allowed 30,000 migrants per month to enter the country via U.S. airports, bypassing the border, for applicants from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti and Nicaragua. Lawmakers gave Trumps agenda an additional boost Monday evening as a dozen Democratic senators joined Republicans to approve the Laken Riley Act. The bill, named for a Georgia nursing student whose murder by a Venezuelan migrant last year became a cause celebre for Trumps campaign, will require U.S. authorities to jail immigrants accused of minor property crimes such as shoplifting. The measure is now headed to the House, where it is expected to pass, and it will probably be the first piece of legislation Trump signs into law. Trump said that the armed forces have played a long and well-established role in security U.S. borders, and he directed the defense secretary to deliver a plan within 10 days that assigns U.S. Northern Command, which oversees operations in the North America, to seal the borders and maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States. Additional orders directed officials to restart the Remain in Mexico policy of Trumps first term, and to designate drug cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. Another order suspended refugee admissions a pause Trump officials said will be in place for four months. Trumps rapid-fire decrees have been crafted to immediately put immigration advocates and other opponents on their heels, his aides say. They view his November win as a mandate to order sweeping changes to the U.S. immigration system and said the record influx of unlawful crossings in the first three years of the Biden administration demands bold action. But lawyers say they have been preparing for months, and many stayed up late Monday night to consider challenges to his orders on birthright citizenship and other issues. This is hallmark Trump, doing what he wants, when he wants, how he wants, the U.S. Constitution be damned, said California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) in an interview Monday. Thats not how it works in our democracy. Trump officials provided few details Monday about how the new policies would correspond with existing federal law, international treaties and ongoing federal litigation. An official also declined to specify when U.S. troops would be sent to the southern border, how many will be involved and the rules of engagement for possible military activity against foreign drug cartels. The official said those details would be worked out by the secretaries of defense and state. Attempt to end birthright citizenship The move to end birthright citizenship fulfills a goal long held by conservative groups that say too many migrants are crossing into the United States illegally to have U.S. citizen children. Trumps order would stop the State Department from issuing passports and direct the Social Security Administration to no longer recognize the babies as U.S. citizens. The order will take effect in the next 30 days. It is unclear how many U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants are in the United States or are born each year. About 4.4 million U.S.-born children under 18 were living with an undocumented parent in 2022, according to the Pew Research Center. At least 1.4 million adults have parents who are undocumented. In 2018 and 2019, Trump threatened to sign an order revoking birthright citizenship, but he never did. The Congressional Research Service said then that prevailing legal interpretations held that children of undocumented immigrants are citizens. But the service cautioned that the Supreme Court has not firmly settled the issue in the modern era. Sending troops to the border Defense Department officials held discussions last week that sought to keep active-duty forces out of any kind of law enforcement role, a cultural and political land mine that senior military officials have long been keen to avoid because of the damage it could do to the U.S. military as an institution. Defense officials will follow legal orders from the new president, according to one Pentagon official, but must adhere to the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the use of active-duty troops in domestic law enforcement. Credit: The Washington Post Next article: 8 Killed in clash with military at AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine Previous article: I will make sure we have enough money to pay road contractors - Roads Minister designate Featured Ghanaian contractors to lead nations $10 billion Big Push infrastructure projects - Agbodza Mohammed Ali Jan - 20 - 2025 , 16:20 2 minutes read Roads and Highways Minister-designate Kwame Governs Agbodza has provided clarity on the governments $10 billion Big Push infrastructure fund, stressing its focus on transformative projects while pledging to prioritise Ghanaian contractors. Speaking during his vetting before Parliaments Appointments Committee on Monday, 20 January 2025, Agbodza described the Big Push as a four-year initiative aimed at addressing critical infrastructure needs across key sectors such as health, education, and transportation. The fund, introduced by President John Mahama during the 2024 election campaign, is designed to finance impactful projects that will boost economic growth and create jobs. The Big Push is not about routine road repairs or maintenance. It is meant to identify and fund large-scale projects that will benefit multiple sectors, Mr Agbodza explained. Advertisement He clarified that the fund is not exclusively for the Ministry of Roads and Highways but will be allocated by the Ministry of Finance based on priorities set by the presidency. During the campaign, the Big Push was touted as a solution to Ghanas growing infrastructure challenges. It promised to complete delayed projects, initiate new ones, and strengthen local industries such as construction, positioning them as a driving force behind national development. Mr Agbodza highlighted the need to balance the funds objectives with traditional funding for road projects. We will continue to finance ongoing road projects through regular budget allocations and other sources, he stated. The Minister-designate reassured local contractors of his commitment to timely payments, recognising the risks they take to execute public projects. Many contractors use their personal assets as collateral to secure loans for road projects. These are some of the most patriotic Ghanaians, yet delayed payments often leave them in financial distress, he said. Mr Agbodza, known for his advocacy for local businesses, recalled his role in cancelling a contract with Motor Angels on the Accra-Tema Motorway and awarding it to a Ghanaian company. He stressed the importance of supporting local contractors who employ Ghanaians and ensuring the economic benefits remain within the country. Additionally, Mr Agbodza called for reforms to the contractor classification system, which determines eligibility for public contracts. He advocated for a system that promotes fairness and allows contractors at various levels to compete effectively. The classification must go hand-in-hand with interventions that enable all contractors, regardless of their capacity, to participate meaningfully, he noted. Next article: President Mahama names last set of Regional Ministers-designate: See full list Featured District Assemblies Common fund delays will be a thing of the past Ahmed Ibrahim pledges timely releases Mohammed Ali Jan - 21 - 2025 , 13:48 2 minutes read The Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has outlined plans to address delays in the disbursement of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). These delays, he noted, have hindered local development across the country for years. During his vetting by Parliaments Appointments Committee on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Mr Ibrahim highlighted how delayed releases of the DACF have affected successive administrations, referencing instances in 2014 and 2024 where third- and fourth-quarter payments were delayed. Whether you win or lose elections, you pay the price, he said. A government that wants to win elections must ensure District Chief Executives (DCEs) are resourced to work. Advertisement Drawing from his eight years of experience on the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, Mr Ibrahim pledged to work closely with the incoming Common Fund Administrator to ensure timely disbursements. He expressed confidence in leveraging this partnership to improve the situation. In addressing the broader state of district assembly operations, the minister-designate announced plans to move away from the current centralised funding approach. There is going to be a radical shift of mindset at the various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), he stated. Challenging perceptions of inefficiency, Mr Ibrahim said, I can build a whole district. You cannot have one building in a district and claim it cannot be maintained within the jurisdiction. To improve local governance, he proposed convening former ministers, including Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Kwamena Ahwoi, and Alima Mahama, to draw on their expertise for better policy direction. Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, MP for South Dayi, who questioned Mr Ibrahim on the Common Fund, underscored the challenges faced by Ghanas 261 districts due to irregular fund releases. Featured 13 Years of budget utilisation, 3 presidents spent GH22.93bn Maclean Kwofi Jan - 21 - 2025 , 10:11 5 minutes read The country has financed various development projects from oil revenue to the tune of GH22.93 billion since commercial oil production began in 2011. The funding, which was allocated out of the cumulative $10.69 billion revenue realised from crude production in the last 13 years, was utilised to support strategic sectors, including agriculture, rail, road, critical infrastructure, health, education, and loan repayment, among other selected priority areas. However, as the country's oil reserves continue to decline, some critical questions arise that underpin whether successive governments have been able to use the allocations for balanced regional development to ensure the quality of expenditure, promote equity of economic opportunity and improve the well-being of citizens. Fiscal mechanism Information sourced from the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) showed that the allocations have been consistently facilitated through the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) by various governments under three presidents between 2011 and 2024. Advertisement The ABFA is a fiscal mechanism established under the Petroleum Revenue Management (PRMA) Act, 2011 (Act 815) to support annual budget funding. The main objective of the ABFA is to maximise the rate of economic development, ensure even and balanced development of the countrys regions and promote equality of economic opportunity with a view to ensuring the well-being of citizens. The law stipulates that ABFA allocations cannot exceed 70 per cent of the benchmark revenue. Priority areas In the absence of a long-term national development plan, the spending of petroleum revenue shall give priority to, but not be limited to health, infrastructure development, alternative energy sources development, potable water and sanitation, social welfare and rural development. Other priorities are housing delivery, strengthening of institutions, environmental protection, public safety and security, agriculture and industry, and education, science and technology. The selected priority areas must be reviewed every three years. Distribution Data sourced from PIAC showed that the governments of Prof. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills and John Dramani Mahama were allocated GH3.31 billion between 2011 and 2016, while Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's administration disbursed GH19.62 billion from 2017 to the first half of 2024. Although the ABFA has been distributed for nearly 13 years to fund development projects, the majority of the priority areas such as alternative energy sources development, social welfare, rural development, housing delivery, environmental protection, and public safety and security are yet to be selected. On the whole, industrialisation received the least amount of GH63.17 million over the 13 years; road, rail and other critical infrastructure projects secured the largest cumulative share of GH13.73 billion; physical infrastructure service delivery in education and health got GH5.24 billion, followed by agriculture with GH1.27 billion. Other areas such as the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), amortisation of loans, and PIAC together received a cumulative GH2.67 billion over the period under review. The current priority areas (2023 -2025) are agriculture including fisheries, physical infrastructure and service delivery in education and health, roads, rail and other critical infrastructure, and industrialisation. Big-ticket projects Some of the big-ticket projects that have benefited from oil proceeds are Agenda 111 Project with a sum of GH2.09 billion; the construction of Irrigation Infrastructure at Tamne in the Upper East Region, which received GH412.88 million; the construction of a flyover over the Motorway from Flower Pot Junction that got GH144.80 million; dualisation of Accra-Kumasi highway with funding of GH121.17 million, and the rehabilitation of Kumasi - Sunyani Road with GH148.96 million. Other projects are the upgrading of the 50-kilometre Branka - Otuokwai - Kumeso - New Abirem Road (GH143.31 million); modernisation of railway location workshops complex, drainage system and training institute Sekondi-Takoradi (GH50.80 million); Kotoka International Airport (KIA) Terminal 3 ($30 million); the Supply of Fertiliser under Governments Fertiliser Subsidy Programme (GH52.84 million); the development of irrigation infrastructure at Mprumem (GH39.01 million) and the construction of Anomabo Fisheries College (GH17.91 million). Contribution The Coordinator of PIAC, Isaac Dwamena, stated that the ABFA had significantly contributed to modernising agriculture in the country through various initiatives. Although the outcomes fell short of expectations, the ABFA has undoubtedly played a crucial role in supporting infrastructure development, including the construction and upgrading of hospitals, roads, rail networks, and other vital projects, he stated. Mr Dwamena explained that the oil revenue had also successfully funded social development projects, notably in education, and achieved a major milestone in the country's healthcare sector by digitising patient records onto a national digital platform. Quality of spending For his part, a Senior Programme Officer for Africa at the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), Dennis Gyeyir, said the key concerns for many people with regard to the allocations were the quality of expenditure and how they were contributing to different categories of developmental needs. We have seen substantial allocations that have gone into projects that yield less tangible outcomes with some to the tune of up to GH400 million. And when you visit the project, you will wonder whether these are projects which have benefited from such a huge amount. Although projects have gone to mostly all the regions, the quality of spending is still a problem and questionable and for that reason must be checked and addressed, Mr Gyegyir said. He added that projects that contributed to economic development were those that could support wider economic outcomes such as major roads that connected to rural areas, major railways and airport facilities with huge returns such as the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) terminal three, among others. Way forward With the selection of new priority areas for 2026-2028 impending, experts are calling on the new government to conduct a thorough review of previous priority areas to inform future decisions. That evaluation, they posited, would help the government to decide whether to maintain focus on existing priority areas or identify new ones given the direction of the country. As of the time of filing this story, there is no evidence to suggest that the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has conducted any impact assessments or evaluations of the ABFA allocations since their inception in 2011. Featured GH135bn debt hangs over road sector - Minister designate reveals Nana Konadu Agyeman & Diana Mensah Jan - 21 - 2025 , 12:05 6 minutes read The past government left behind a GH135 billion debt in the road sector, the Roads and Highways Minister designate, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has told the Appointments Committee of Parliament. He said the amount comprised a GH100 billion commitment debt, GH20 billion for unpaid certificates for roads executed to be paid by the Government of Ghana (GoG), and GH15 billion certificates at the Road Fund. In 2018, the government was owing about GH113 million, and the interest on the GH113 million this year will be GH665 million, Mr Agbodza said. Commitment refers to all the road projects that are active but not complete, with the government having to put the contract sums together and budget to finance them. Advertisement However, the debt is what is due to be paid as a result of certificates cleared by third-party consultants or agencies such as the departments of Feeder Roads or Urban Roads. The government is required to write cheques or transfer money to contractors for work done. Appearing before the 11-member Appointments Committee for his confirmation hearing yesterday, Mr Agbodza, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Adaklu in the Volta Region, said per the road sector documents made available to the Transition Committee by the previous government, the total funding gap in the sector could be wider. The situation is even worse than the GH135 billion indebtedness because the GH100 billion commitment are projects that are designed and built, he said. The rehabilitation and upgrading of (the) Kasoa to Akoti road has a contract sum of GH1 billion for slot one, and the Akoti to Winneba road has a contract sum of GH987 million. The remark is that new figures could be agreed. What it means is that these figures are not stable, and so the GH100 billion I gave you is not cost to complete. This is the projected figure as of the time this report was prepared. So, you will surely have to find extra money by the time you complete these projects, he said. He was responding to a question by a member of the committee and MP for the Daboya-Mankarigu Constituency, Shaibu Mahama, who recalled that the former Minister of Roads and Highways had told Parliament that their predecessor government had left only GH1.56 billion to cater for road sector indebtedness. Increasing interests Mr Agbodza told the committee, chaired by the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, that in 2017, the former Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta, expressed dismay that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government had left behind a commitment debt of GH17 billion in the road sector and GH1.5 billion as certificates approved but not paid. He, however, said per documents that were presented to the Transition Committee before the current government took office, it turned out that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had left a minimum of GH100 billion commitment debt. He said going by the same documents, the certificates and paid as of yesterday from the GoG amounted to about GH20 billion while the ones with the Road Fund were about GH15 billion. Mr Agbodza pointed out that in 2018, the government owed about GH113 million but the interest on that amount this year would be GH665 million. In 2019, the indebtedness was GH219 million and the interest on this was GH960 million, and in 2020, we were owing GH424 million and the interest on this is GH1.5 billion. In 2021, the debt was GH616 million and the interest on that is currently GH1.69 billion, and in 2022, the debt was GH693 million and the interest is currently GH1.4 billion. The question is how do I explain this to the taxpayers at Adaklu that we owe GH113 million and the interest on the GH113 million is GH665 million, he said. He attributed such challenges to the nature of contracts in the sector lately, which says that if a contractor raises a certificate and you do not pay after a period of time, 30 per cent interest accrues on it. So, as a result of the 30 per cent, we are made to pay GH15 billion on Road Fund alone, and the question is what will be the interest on the GH20 billion owed by the GoG, he said. Way forward The nominee said when approved by the House, he would work with the Finance Minister to curb such wastage in the road sector. We cannot accept that you owe somebody GH4 billion, and this year, you are going to pay a total of GH15 billion, including principal and interest, he said. Mr Agbodza added that he did not know how the Finance Ministry would settle such indebtedness, but said he foresaw a situation where the Finance Minister would have to find GH50 billion for it. Out of that GH50 billion, majority of that money is not work done in your or my community, but it is interest, and I do not think Ghanaians will be happy with any of us. So the Finance Ministers responsibility will be to sit down with sector ministers to deal with these unsustainable interests compounding daily so that, if possible, we can derive value for money spent on our projects, he said. He also suggested the urgent need for him and the Finance Minister to sit down with industry players contractors and the agencies that awarded road contracts to review how road contracts were written. The government itself needs to take a step back to find out if it is appropriate to keep awarding contracts when no one knows where the projects are going to be financed from. If you go to the capital expenditure section of the 2024 Budget, you may realise that the capital expenditure in the road sector may not be more than GH4 billion, yet last year alone, the quantum of projects awarded was probably more than three or four times more, he said. Road toll illegality A member of the committee asked whether the suspension of the road toll without recourse to Parliament was legal and sought to know his position on the reintroduction of road tolls. Responding, Mr Agbodza said during the tenure of then Minster of Roads and Highways, Inusah Fuseini, the accruals to the Road Fund moved from around GH250 million annually to GH1.25 billion and now GH2 million currently through enhanced actions. He said it was based on such increased accruals that the previous Minority cautioned the then government against the decision to suspend or cancel road tolls since it was against the Road Act which could not be unilaterally terminated. Indeed, we were surprised on the day they (past government) claimed they zeroed in on road toll, and for me, it was an act of illegality, he said. Featured I feel bad we hurt the man American woman jailed 10 years by Accra Circuit Court GNA Jan - 21 - 2025 , 09:20 4 minutes read An American woman jailed for 10 years with hard labour by an Accra Circuit Court for car snatching says she feels bad that she and her fiance hurt their victim. Skylah Leeann Marine Travis in tears, apologising to the victim, said, I did not mean to do that, I want to ask for forgiveness. The convict, unemployed who was together incarcerated with her Liberian fiance- Daniel Ireland, had her sentence deferred to Monday, January 10, 2025, awaiting a pregnancy test. However, the test came out negative and she is to begin her jail term also. Advertisement Travis, pleading for mitigation, said she and her fiance were not in their right frame of mind at the time the offence was committed, adding that they had come to Ghana for rehabilitation as they were on drugs. She admitted conspiring with her lover to rob the victim and complainant, an online (Bolt) driver of his vehicle but denied stabbing him. In addition, the two were ordered, each to pay GHC6,000.00 compensation to their victim by January 31, 2025. Ireland, her accomplice and lover, was on January 15, 2025, sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in hard labour after pleading guilty to conspiracy, robbery and causing harm (stabbing the convict). Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), prosecuting, told the Court presided over by Mrs Susanna Eduful that the Complainant (name withheld) was a Bolt driver and resident of Ayi Mensah, Accra. Ireland is a Graphic Designer and Travis is unemployed, both convicts. He said Ireland was a fiance to Travis and both lived at Teshie Malik, adding that on January 7, 2025, at about 0030 hours, they requested the services of the complainant to pick them from Labadi Church of Pentecost headquarters to Teshie, which the complainant obliged. The Court was told that the complainant in charge of Toyota Corolla S with the registration number WT 364-24 and on board the convicts, arrived at the residence of the convicts at Malik, a suburb of Teshie. ASP Oppong said Ireland and Travis asked complainant to wait for them to pick their belongings into the vehicle to Madina and whilst complainant was in the vehicle waiting, Ireland suddenly pulled a knife at him and stabbed complainant in the neck to surrender the vehicle. Complainant struggled with Ireland sustained severe injuries on his neck, both hands left arm and head, resulting in blood oozing profusely, the Court was told. Prosecution said the convicts succeeded in robbing complainant of his vehicle valued GH160,000.00, one iPhone 13 pro max valued GH8,000.00, one Samsung S10 valued GH 2,950.00 and cash of GH1,000.00. Complainant who fell unconscious was rescued by a passer-by who rushed him to Teshie Glory land Clinic and later transferred to University of Ghana Medical Centre, where he was admitted, ASP Oppong told the Court. He said the next day, the complainant was discharged and the matter was reported to the Police. During investigation, the Police visited the scene and detected that the convicts had packed most of their belongings in the rented room to an unknown destination. However the Police retrieved Ireland and Travis passports and left a message with their landlady for them to report at the police station, Prosecution said. ASP Oppong said on January 9, 2025, the convicts were arrested, leading to the retrieval of the vehicle in question at Kasoa Odeneho Hotel where convicts after the incidence went and lodged. In their respective caution statements, they admitted the offences and after investigation they were charged with the offences and brought before the Court. Passing sentence, the Court considered the ages of the convicts, the fact that the convicts are first offenders and the prayer that they were not of their right frame of mind as they were under the influence of drugs for which reason they had come to Ghana for rehabilitation. The judge advised that after serving their jail term, they should get rehabilitated to get their lives back and contribute meaningfully to the development of their country. Featured Kasoa Ritual Killing: Juvenile sentenced to 12 months in correctional centre Justice Agbenorsi Jan - 21 - 2025 , 11:25 3 minutes read The Juvenile Court in Accra has sentenced a 15-year-old boy found guilty of conspiring with another teenager to murder a 10-year-old boy in Kasoa for money rituals, to 12 months in prison. He will serve his sentence at the Senior Correctional Centre. Before receiving the sentence, the emotional convict pleaded with the court for forgiveness, saying: It was not my intention to kill my dear friend and to also end his life this way. I pray the court would forgive all my sins and give me a second chance. He further appealed to the deceaseds father for forgiveness. Advertisement I have played with Ishmael (deceased) for a very long time. I never planned to kill him. It was the devil, he added. Presiding Judge Bernice Mensimah Ackon explained that the juvenile convict, who was arrested in April 2021, will turn 19 this year. She noted that the boy had been on remand for three years and two months. According to the judge, under the Juvenile Justice Act 2003 (Act 653), the juvenile had effectively served his three-year sentence. However, due to the gravity of the offence and the juveniles stated intention to learn a technical vocationhaving dropped out of school at Basic 6the court sentenced him to a Senior Correctional Centre for an additional 12 months to enable him to acquire vocational skills. Background In October last year, a seven-member jury unanimously found the two teenagers guilty on two counts: conspiracy to commit murder and the substantive charge of murder. The High Court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, sentenced the 18-year-old, Nicholas Kini, to life imprisonment. The sentencing of the 15-year-old was deferred to the Juvenile Court in accordance with Section 18(1) of the Juvenile Justice Act 2003 (Act 653). This section mandates that where a juvenile is charged alongside an adult in a court of summary jurisdiction, the juveniles case must be remitted to the Juvenile Court for sentencing. The 15-year-old had since been kept in police custody awaiting sentencing by the Juvenile Court. Prosecutions facts According to the prosecution, on 29 March 2021, the accused consulted a spiritualist for money rituals, locally known as "sakawa". The spiritualist, purportedly based in the Volta Region, was said to have requested GH5,000 and a human being to perform the rituals. On 3 April 2021, the accused decided to use the deceased in pursuit of their "sakawa" ambitions. At about 9 a.m. that day, the juvenile accused lured the deceased into an uncompleted building where the second accused lay in ambush with the club of a pickaxe. As soon as the deceased arrived, they told him to remove a video game from a sack they had placed in a corner of the room, Prosecutor Nana Osei recounted. When the deceased bent down to retrieve the video game, the second accused struck him at the back of his neck with the club, causing him to fall, she added. The deceased reportedly turned to the juvenile accused and pleaded for his life, saying he should forgive him if he had wronged him. However, the plea was ignored, and the juvenile accused struck the deceased on the head with a cement block found in the building. The deceased, though unconscious, was still breathing. The prosecution revealed that the accused dug a shallow grave in the room with a spade and shovel, intending to transport the body to the spiritualist. Next article: District Assemblies Common fund delays will be a thing of the past Ahmed Ibrahim pledges timely releases Featured Local governance boundary disputes Minister-designate to review district demarcations Mohammed Ali Jan - 21 - 2025 , 14:06 1 minute read The Minister Designate of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has described Ghanas district boundary disputes as a ticking "time bomb," highlighting cases where single communities are split between different administrative regions. Speaking during his vetting before Parliament's Appointments Committee on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Mr Ibrahim addressed the long-standing boundary crisis affecting communities like Kpeve, where one town is divided between Afadjato South and South Dayi districts. Ghana used to play with boundary issues, Mr Ibrahim said. We create some districts without fully redrawing the district boundaries, then we create others. He pointed out that the Ghana Boundary Commission, established in 2010, had not fully resolved these internal administrative demarcations. The issue, which affects both traditional authorities and local administration, was further highlighted by South Dayi MP Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor who pointed out how the creation of new districts has divided historically unified communities, such as Dededo, a traditionally Peki community, now part of the Ho West district despite its historical links to South Dayi. Advertisement Mr Ibrahim stressed that resolving these disputes would require collaboration with traditional authorities. Thank God we are bringing our distinguished and revered chiefs on board, he said, adding that technical briefs would be prepared to address these long-standing issues. He also clarified that constituency boundaries fall under the jurisdiction of the Electoral Commission, as stipulated in Article 47 of the Constitution. Next article: 7 Smart Money Habits That Will Secure Your Financial Future Previous article: Agbodza, Iddrisu and Opoku: Three more of President Mahama's nominees approved as Ministers Featured McDan resumes Terminal 1 operations after airport company approved debt payment terms Mohammed Ali Jan - 21 - 2025 , 17:56 2 minutes read McDan Aviation has resumed the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) Terminal 1 after the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) approved a payment plan to help clear arrears owed by McDan. The Ghana Airport Company Limited in December 2024 shut down the operations of McDan at the airport due to debt. However, following an agreement reached between McDan and the GACL, the airport company has granted access to McDan to continue with operations at Terminal 1. Checks by Graphic Online on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, confirmed that McDan Aviations security personnel had returned to work, and official company vehicles were seen parked in front of Terminal 1. Advertisement A source at the airport company confirmed to Graphic Online that McDan has been allowed to operate after the two sides agreed on payment terms. The GACL, in December 2024 explained that McDan had an outstanding debt of over US$3.9 million. It said the debt, which had been accumulating since 2020, includes US$3,995,622.66 and GH13,523.37. While McDan Aviation paid GH2 million during that period, GACL had initially insisted on full settlement before reopening the terminal. Following discussions, the two parties successfully resolved the issues, allowing McDan Aviation to restart operations. In a statement dated January 21, 2025, McDan Aviation expressed gratitude to GACL for its collaboration and support, which enabled the resolution and reopening of its services at Terminal 1. With the reopening of its FBO services, McDan Aviation is once again providing private jet services. These include access to luxury lounges and personalised concierge services. We are excited to welcome our clients back and continue offering the top-tier service they expect from us, McDan Aviation said in the statement. Attached below is a copy of the statement issued by McDan Aviation Next article: President Mahama has no plan of cancelling Free SHS but there will be a review - Haruna Iddrisu Previous article: Eric Opoku: 4 key points from the Minister Designate for Food and Agricultures vetting Featured Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair reaffirms commitment to Polio eradication during Ghana visit Kweku Zurek Jan - 20 - 2025 , 20:30 2 minutes read Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Mark Daniel Maloney has assured that Rotary International remains resolutely committed to eradicating polio in Ghana and across Africa. Speaking during a press conference in Accra on the first day of his three-day visit on Monday (January 20, 2025), Mr Maloney stated, Polio eradication is number one priority on our programmes. Were reluctant to identify what might happen afterwards. Although Ghana was declared polio-free in 2015 and the African continent was certified free of wild poliovirus in August 2020, reports of variant cases continue to surface. During his tour, which ends on January 21, 2025, Mr Maloney will engage with stakeholders, including the United States Ambassador and Polio Plus partners, to strengthen collaborations aimed at eliminating polio. A town hall meeting with Rotarians, community leaders, and stakeholders will be held at the Labadi Beach Hotel to discuss Rotarys achievements and upcoming projects. Advertisement Focus on community development The visit is also part of Rotarys broader commitment to humanitarian service. Rotary International supports initiatives in maternal and child health, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, basic education, literacy, peacebuilding, and environmental sustainability. Mr Maloney, accompanied by his wife, Gay, will tour impactful Rotary-sponsored projects, including the Cleft Lip and Palate initiative at Ridge Hospital in Accra. He will also meet senior government officials to explore partnerships in health, education, and community development. Rotary Foundation Trustee Ijeoma Pearl Okoro praised the progress made by Rotarians and Rotaractors since Ghana attained district status in 2023, stating, In less than two years, like joke like joke, there are so many developed gifts. Fundraising for future projects Madam Florence Maame Hagan, Governor of Rotary District 9104, highlighted Rotary Ghanas ambitious fundraising target of US$500 million for 2024-25 to support district projects. A raffle initiative, with tickets priced at GH10, is underway, offering participants the chance to win prizes, including a car. Rotary in Ghana currently boasts 70 Rotary Clubs and 55 Rotaract Clubs, reflecting the organisations growing footprint in the country. As Mr Maloneys term as Trustee Chair concludes in June 2025, his visit reinforces Rotarys enduring commitment to creating positive change. Under the 2024-25 theme, The Magic of Rotary, the organisation aims to inspire its members to make an impact with every project, donation, and new member. Next article: Joyce Bawah Mogtari appointed Presidential Adviser and Special Aide to the President Featured Seth Tekper, Stan Dogbe, Bawah Mogtari among 10 key appointments at Presidency Kweku Zurek Jan - 21 - 2025 , 06:30 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a series of key appointments to the Office of the President, aimed at bolstering governance and enhancing operational efficiency. The announcement, made on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, reflects the Presidents commitment to effective leadership and responsive administration. The newly appointed officials, who bring diverse expertise and extensive experience, are expected to play pivotal roles in advancing the Presidents agenda for national development. Among the appointees is Mrs Joyce Bawah Mogtari, who has been named Presidential Adviser and Special Aide to the President, a critical position designed to provide strategic counsel and direct support to the President. Stanislav Xoese Dogbe takes on the role of Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), while Nana Oye Bampoe Addo will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), overseeing the operational and administrative functions of the Presidency respectively. Advertisement For economic matters, Seth Emmanuel Terkper has been appointed Presidential Adviser on the Economy, a role that highlights the importance of sound economic management in the governments priorities. In a move to address corruption, Professor Francis Dodoo has been named Presidential Adviser for the National Anti-Corruption Programme, signifying renewed efforts to tackle this pervasive issue. Other notable appointments include Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, who has been designated as Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahelian States, a position reflecting Ghanas commitment to regional collaboration and stability. The Office of the President will also be strengthened by the contributions of Nana Yaa Jantuah and Beatrice Annangfio, who have been appointed Presidential Staffers, as well as Shamima Muslim, who takes up the role of Deputy Presidential Spokesperson. Lastly, Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo assumes the critical role of Cabinet Secretary, ensuring the smooth coordination of government policies and decisions at the highest levels. President Mahama expressed his confidence in the appointees, stating that their expertise and dedication will greatly contribute to the progress and development of the nation. This announcement reaffirms the governments commitment to assembling a team of seasoned professionals capable of steering Ghana towards a prosperous future. The statement was signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Acting Spokesperson to the President. Here is a bullet-point summary of the new appointees to the Presidency announced by President John Dramani Mahama on 21 January 2025: Featured Shamima Muslim appointed Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Kweku Zurek Jan - 21 - 2025 , 05:48 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has named Shamima Muslim as the new Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, tasking her to work closely with the Acting Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu. A broadcaster, gender advocate, and development communicator, Shamima Muslim brings a wealth of experience to her new role at the Presidency. She is the Founder and Convener of the Alliance for Women in Media Africa (AWMA), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving the visibility and impact of women in the media. Muslims career spans several achievements, including her role as one of the moderators of Ghanas 2012 Vice-Presidential Debate and her selection as a pioneer representative of Ghana at President Obamas Young African Leaders Initiative in 2010. Her expertise encompasses advocacy, negotiations, leadership, and media communications, making her a strong addition to the Presidents communications team. In her advocacy work, Shamima has been a member and ambassador for numerous initiatives, including the Ghana Right to Information Coalition, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, and UN-Youth Ghana, where she champions Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality. She has also collaborated on projects funded by organisations such as the EU, USAID, DFID, and the Commonwealth Foundation. Advertisement Speaking about her transition from media to politics, Shamima recently shared that her decision was deeply personal and driven by the need to increase womens participation in Ghanaian politics. The decision to go into politics was not forced on me. There are a lot of people who support political parties behind the scenes, but I wasnt going to use a media platform to execute the political agenda of any political party, she explained. Her professional integrity as a journalist has been widely praised, with Shamima reflecting on her career with satisfaction. I am glad that I was able to do a very professional job that people today can say that yes, you did execute your job professionally guided by the ethics of the profession, she stated. In her new role, Shamima Muslim is expected to enhance the Presidencys communications strategies, contributing to effective public engagement and advocacy for the governments programmes and policies. Next article: President Mahama nominates third batch of Ministers for Parliamentary approval Featured Mahama appoints Sam George as minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations Gertrude Ankah Politics Jan - 21 - 2025 , 13:44 1 minute read President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Samuel Nartey George as Minister designate for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations. The announcement was made in a press statement issued on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, and signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the acting spokeperson for the President. The move is part of President Mahamas efforts to bolster Ghanas digital infrastructure and position the country as a leader in technological advancements in Africa. Profile Samuel Nartey George has served as the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram since 2016, following a historic victory over veteran E.T. Mensah in the party primaries. Known for his bold advocacy and leadership, Sam George is a key figure in Ghanaian politics. Advertisement Born in Somanya in January 22, 1985 and raised in Old Ningo, he holds a BSc in Agricultural Engineering from KNUST, an LL.B from the University of London (External), and an MSc in International Strategy and Diplomacy from the London School of Economics. He also earned an Executive Masters in Conflict, Peace, and Security from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre. Before entering Parliament, he served as an Assistant Director at the Office of the Head of Civil Service and later as a Communications Specialist at the Presidency. In Parliament, he has served on the Public Accounts and Communications Committees, championing policies on digital innovation, accountability and social issues. Sam George is a devout Christian, a member of Perez Chapel International, and a passionate advocate for Ghanas development. Soltner, his wife Simone, and the staff at their restaurant, Lutece, in 1984. Photo: Susan Wood/Getty Images Among the list of New York restaurants that are still talked about long after theyve closed Maxwells Plum, One Fifth, Florent one name rises above all others: Lutece. Gael Greene, the former restaurant critic of this magazine, once called it the most important restaurant in New Yorks modern history. For decades after it opened in 1961, the townhouse at 249 E. 50th Street was considered the best French restaurant in Manhattan, which at the time made it the best restaurant in America, period. Presiding over it all was its chef and eventual owner, Andre Soltner, who came to New York to run the kitchen when he was 29 and who died this past weekend at the age of 92. He ran Lutece for proprietor Andre Surmain, who in 1970 told Greene that the restaurants tiny kitchen was the miracle on 50th Street. Soltner bought the restaurant in 1973 the same year Greene listed his orange tart and pike en croute with watercress sauce among the best dishes in the city and ran it for 21 more years, famously taking off no more than a handful of nights. In an obituary, William Grimes describes the mood at Lutece after Soltner bought it: Overnight, the tone changed. The surroundings remained plush Baccarat crystal, Christofle silver, bone china and a Redoute rose print on the menus but Mr. Soltner ran the restaurant like a bistro. He did away with the Surmain system of seating by status. He worked the dining room. Patrons responded with fierce devotion. The patrons who could afford it, anyway. A 1972 Times review by Raymond Sokolov that praised Soltners cooking foie gras en brioche, sorrel soup, the most interesting quenelles de brochet in town also mentioned that dinner for two at the time cost the current-day equivalent of nearly $600. In response, Sokolov suggested opening a special savings account earmarked for meals at this magnificent French restaurant. What made the food so good was not showmanship but dedication to the work of cooking. Soltner grew up in immediate post-WWII France, they didnt have any money. The food was always humble, says chef Jeremiah Stone, who worked for Soltner at the French Culinary Institute when he was in his 20s. The story of French cooking in New York then was a story of adaptation, working with this countrys limited pantry. When Soltner was cooking in New York, he would have had a choice of, say, iceberg lettuce or romaine lettuce. Maybe halfway through the existence of Lutece, Bibb comes along, Stone says. Were spoiled now I can go to the Greenmarket and decide which shallots are best for my recipes but back then it was all about the feeling you put into it. It was all technique, all heart. Food is not what continues to drive the legend of Lutece. When the restaurant closed in 2004 ten years after Soltner had sold it Eric Asimov explained why people had loved it so much: Mr. Soltner and his wife, Simone, who ran the dining room, emanated unpretentious warmth and maman-et-papa charm, a stark departure from the austere atmosphere of French restaurants that so many Americans found so intimidating. Soltner in 2010. Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images Soltner brought that same unpretentious warmth to the next chapter of his career as a dean at the FCI and a paterfamilias of the industry during a period of explosive growth and excitement around restaurants. In doing so, he helped to extend his former restaurants legacy, not through boisterousness or brand extensions, but with his own spirit (recounted in so many tributes these past few days) of humility and generosity. You may not have been able to order his onion tart, but anyone who met him could know to some degree what it felt like to sit in Luteces dining room. Soltner was Lutece. He could have opened any restaurant he wanted or simply licensed his name to offshoot brasseries inside airports, casinos, and cruise ships. He never did. The company that bought the restaurant in the 1990s tried it ran a Lutece in Las Vegas for a while but quickly learned the man, and not the name, was the draw. Today, there is still another Lutece. Its in Georgetown, its five years old, and it has no connection to Soltner or the original restaurant. But chef and partner Matt Conroy (who came on board after the name was chosen) says Soltner showed up anyway to eat shortly after the restaurant opened. It was a random Monday night and the reservation wasnt in his name, Conroy recalls. I was on the line and when I heard he was here I started sweating, tasting everything again. After the meal, Soltner gave Conroy his card, told him to be in touch if he ever needed anything, and returned to dine (and host a tribute dinner) over the years. The last time he was here, he was in his 90s and still wanted to talk about how much he loved cooking, Conroy says. He told us he was proud of everything we did, but that we had to do it for another 30 years like he had you need to love the work because you can taste it in the food if the passion isnt there. Soltner told me much the same thing when I was a 23-year-old culinary student, and he took an hour or so out of his day to talk in a small upstairs office. I couldnt say exactly what we discussed that afternoon (it was a long time ago), but I still remember the feeling of ease that came during the conversation. Soltner was disarmingly unassuming, happy to have a conversation with a young wannabe cook. Andre was a mentor, a natural teacher, Stone says. Beyond even being a mentor, he set such a good example. Where some chefs find fame and wealth by exploiting the worst traits of the restaurant world explosive anger, retaliatory violence, careless expansion Soltners stature, and that of his restaurant, will continue to grow because he embodied the very best. The Google Pixel 9a isn't even official yet - that might change in the next few weeks according to a past rumor - and we're already talking about its successor, the Pixel 10a. This one should arrive in early 2026, and a new rumor today claims Google is thinking about cost-cutting on this one quite a lot. Specifically, the chipset is what will suffer. Allegedly, Google will either go with a lower-performance version of the Tensor G5 chipset that will be powering the rest of the Pixel 10 devices, or will choose to equip the Pixel 10a with the Tensor G4, which will also be in the Pixel 9a. Google Pixel 9a leaked image That would break with the tradition of the "a" model using the latest Tensor SoC and would definitely make the Pixel 10a a less compelling offering compared to its competitors. Of course, Google could compensate for this with other hardware upgrades, but more information hasn't been leaked yet. The Tensor G4 made its debut in the Pixel 9 series last August, so by 2026 it will be almost two years old. That's not going to be a great look for sure. Additionally, going this route could severely impact the 10a's AI functionalities, since the Tensor G5 is said to enable a lot more AI stuff. Obviously, the reason for this is cost. The Tensor G5 could be too expensive to keep the Pixel 10a's price in line with its predecessors, and Google may decide that hiking the price would eat too much into its sales. Then again, going with a 2024 SoC on a 2026 smartphone might end up with the exact same result. Source | Image source Samsung is almost ready to take on Huawei's tri-fold Mate XT. We've already heard that the Korean company is working on such a device, which will unfold in a different way, thus protecting the flexible screen when it's folded. The device is said to be limited to around 200,000 units, and today a new report from Korea tells us when to expect it to launch. It will apparently arrive in the third quarter of the year, so at some point between July and September. This timeline lines up perfectly with Samsung's yearly foldable device launch, so the tri-fold device could be introduced alongside the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 in July. Production for the tri-fold device is set to start in the second quarter, so between April and June. The device's screen will unfold to a size of 9.9" to 10". With this device counted, Samsung is launching no less than four foldable smartphones this year, as the Galaxy Z Flip FE will also arrive. The new report claims there is a high chance that the Galaxy Z Fold7 will have its digitizer removed, presumably in a bid to make it thinner, as Samsung has been losing the thinness race in foldables recently to Chinese companies like Honor with its Magic V3. While it's unclear what chipset the tri-fold will use, we've heard that the Fold7 and Flip7 might go with the Exynos 2500 that didn't make it into the Galaxy S25 family because of yield issues, while the Flip FE will opt for the Exynos 2400e in order to be cheaper. Via The Matao, Guams senior mens national soccer team, goes against Singapore in the second leg of the FIFA World Cup 26 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Joint Preliminary Qualification Round 1. Guam will pay $3.9 million to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the federal agencys past costs related to Ordot dump under a proposed partial consent decree. This is separate from an earlier court-approved partial consent decree in which the U.S. government agreed to pay the government of Guam $48.9 million for GovGuams past costs to clean up and close the environmentally hazardous dump. The latest proposal is going through a required 30-day public comment period. It was filed in the District Court of Washington, D.C. on Jan. 17. The proposed partial consent decree provides for the recovery of past U.S. EPA response costs related to Ordot dump, pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, CERCLA. Specifically, it requires Guam to pay the U.S. EPA $3.9 million plus agreed upon interest of $17,745.53. Guam is to pay the amount within five days of the effective date of the partial consent decree. Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros office, as of Monday, had yet to provide information on where GovGuam, for example, would get the $3.9 million to pay the U.S. EPA once the proposed consent decree is finalized. In 2002, federal agencies sued Guam over the Ordot dump. That resulted in the placement of the Guam solid waste operations under federal receivership, which is still in effect, over environmental issues. In 2017, Guam also sued the U.S. Navy under CERCLA, saying that the U.S. created, owned and controlled the dump before World War II until it was transferred to the local government in 1950. The U.S. military, according to GovGuam, continued to dump waste there until the 1970s, including hazardous chemicals such as DDT and Agent Orange. Both the U.S. government and GovGuam do not admit any liability, according to the latest proposed partial consent decree, which avoids prolonged and complicated litigation between the parties. Ordot dump was closed in August 2011, and Guam now uses the Layon landfill for its solid waste. In September 2023, a federal judge approved a partial consent decree wherein the U.S. government agreed to pay Guam $48.9 million for its past costs related to Ordot dumps closure and cleanup. At the time, GovGuam said it had already spent more than $69 million to close the dump. GovGuam already received the $48.9 million payment, Adelup said, and its deposited in a reserve fund account to be used exclusively for costs associated with maintaining the old dump. Besides the Office of the Attorney General of Guam, GovGuam has also tapped litigation counsel Kelley Drye & Warren LLP on the Ordot case. According to the document, the U.S. EPA shall deposit the amount paid by GovGuam in an Ordot Landfill Special Account to be retained and used to conduct or finance response actions at or in connection with the Ordot site, or to be transferred by the U.S. EPA to the EPA Hazardous Substances Superfund. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration designated the marine portions of Hawaiis Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, a 582,570 square-mile area in the Pacific Ocean, as Americas 18th national marine sanctuary. Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Sanctuary will be the largest sanctuary in the National Marine Sanctuary System, and is one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world, NOAA said. The final rule was published on Jan. 16, days before the end of the Biden-Harris administration. Located in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Sanctuary will provide additional ways to manage and protect the areas nationally significant biological, cultural and historical resources, NOAA said. Sanctuary designation will not change the areas status as a marine national monument. NOAA said the sanctuary designation advances former President Joe Bidens ocean conservation legacy and his America the Beautiful initiative, which supports locally-led, collaborative conservation efforts across the country. National marine sanctuary designation will bring a stronger framework for marine conservation and protection to the waters of Papahanaumokuakea, said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. The Sanctuary will also facilitate scientific research, resource monitoring and coordinated efforts to ensure the long-term health of this natural, cultural and historically significant area. NOAAs Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will co-manage the sanctuary with the State of Hawaii and in partnership with NOAA Fisheries, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, consistent with the existing management of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. The sanctuary boundary will include the marine environment surrounding the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from the shoreline of the islands and atolls seaward to 200 nautical miles. It will encompass an expansive area of coral reefs, seamounts, banks and shoals that are home to a wide variety of invertebrates, fish, birds, marine mammals and other wildlife many of which are found only in the Hawaiian Islands. Sanctuary designation will take effect after 45 days of continuous session of the U.S. Congress, following publication of the final rule, during which time the Governor of Hawaii may review the terms of designation where the sanctuary overlaps with state waters. The sanctuary designation is anticipated to take effect March 2025. Papahanaumokuakea holds deep cultural importance for Kanaka Oiwi (native Hawaiians), who view it as a sacred place where all life begins, and a place where ancestral spirits return after death. Decades of work by multiple agencies, organizations and individuals have increased protections for Papahanaumokuakea. The area has a long history of consideration for national marine sanctuary designation, dating back more than two decades. The designation of Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Sanctuary in Hawaii will enhance protection for this special place and support enhanced opportunities for education and research, said Hawaiis Gov. Josh Green, M.D. In moving forward with the designation, NOAAs Office of National Marine Sanctuaries carefully considered and reinforced a visionary co-management structure that includes the State of Hawaii, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Green said the sanctuary will complement the existing marine national monument and allow for the development of a new sail plan that charts an inspiring course forward for the people of Hawaii and throughout the Pacific. Various protection efforts in the region have been enacted for over a century by six presidents and one governor of Hawaii, beginning in 1903 with President Theodore Roosevelt. Most recently, in 2006, President George W. Bush established the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument, and one year later, renamed the monument Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument to honor Hawaiian language and culture. Haiti - FLASH : Kenya to deploy all-female SWAT team to Haiti On Saturday, January 18, Kenya deployed an additional contingent of 218 police/military personnel from the National Police Service (NPS) and special units. 215 men and 5 women https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44091-haiti-flash-218-kenyan-soldiers-arrived-in-haiti-video.html Kenyan Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, in a statement, said that in the upcoming deployments [200 before the end of the month and 200 in February], Kenya will make history by sending a security team entirely composed and led by women. "As part of our unwavering commitment to the people of Haiti, Kenya will continue to deploy additional officers from various specialized units, including the General Service Unit (GSU), the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), and the all-female Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), to reinforce security efforts and ensure sustained progress in restoring order." The SWAT team aka "The Lionesses" is comprised of all elite women who have undergone rigorous training and education. They are trained to handle high-risk situations that require specialized skills. In addition, this SWAT team is also trained to handle counter-terrorism operations, hostage rescues, and armed confrontations. In Kenya, the SWAT "Lionesses" were first deployed on the streets of Nairobi in 2012, where they received mixed reactions from Kenyans as it was the first team of its kind. S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Education : End of teachers' strike Following the signing of a commitment agreement with teachers' unions on Monday, January 20, 2025, the Government officially announced the end of the strike that had paralyzed public schools and high schools since January 13. This agreement is a major step towards enabling students throughout the country to return to school in the coming days. Aware of the challenges facing the education sector and the consequences of this strike, the Government has intensified discussions with trade union organizations in recent days. Prime Minister Fils Aime, in collaboration with Ministers Antoine Augustin (Education) and Alfred Mettelus (Economy), personally supervised the negotiations that led to a consensus on several urgent and concrete measures. Immediate commitments by the Government : - Continue and strengthen the steps underway to regularize, as soon as possible, the situation of teachers working without pay or without a letter of appointment ; - Process files relating to salary arrears owed by the Ministry to teachers. ; - Grant teachers and MENFP staff a debit card in the amount of fifteen thousand (15,000) Gourdes, available from February 2025; - Work closely with government agencies to restore public insurance coverage for teachers and other Ministry employees; - Work with the National School Canteen Program to guarantee a hot meal for students and other educational agents. - Establish a Joint Commission to examine the situation of primary and secondary school teachers. In addition to these immediate commitments, the Government and the unions have agreed to continue discussions within the framework of a strengthened social dialogue. The objective is to reach a lasting memorandum of understanding that will resolve the structural problems of the education sector, including the adjustment and harmonization of salaries, as well as the modernization of working conditions. HL/ HaitiLibre The pruning, conducted by YIT Road Oy, was initially intended to improve cyclist safety by trimming branches encroaching on pathways. A major pruning error has jeopardised the spring bloom of Helsinki's Roihuvuori Cherry Park, a cherished site known for its annual Hanami celebration. The mistake, attributed to excessive cutting by a private contractor, has left nearly 100 of the parks 152 cherry trees with diminished prospects for blooming this year. However, city officials found that many flowering branches had been unnecessarily removed, compromising the trees ability to bloom for up to four years. This is truly unfortunate, and we are thoroughly investigating how this occurred, said Kari Pudas, Helsinkis technical director. He added that experts are assessing possible restorative actions, including supplementary plantings. The mishap has caused widespread disappointment among local residents and park enthusiasts. Otto-Ville Mikkela, leader of the Roihuvuori Society, expressed shock at the scale of the pruning. I expected small branches to be trimmed, but major cuts have been made, removing flowering branches at eye level, he said. This could have a significant impact on this springs Hanami festivities. YIT Road Oy issued an apology, calling the incident an "extremely regrettable error" and stating that efforts are underway to address the situation alongside city authorities. The trees in Roihuvuori Cherry Park were donated by Japanese residents and companies in Helsinki and planted between 2007 and 2009. The park has become a popular cultural site, especially in May when the Hanami festival draws large crowds to admire the pink blossoms and celebrate Japanese traditions. The annual celebration may now be in jeopardy, with the extent of the damage to the trees bloom remaining unclear. City officials are exploring long-term solutions to mitigate the effects of the error. Initial inspections reveal that approximately one-third of the trees were untouched, offering hope for some flowering this year. The focus now is on securing the parks future and determining how best to restore its full vitality, said Juha Raisio, the citys tree expert. HT Last year brought a dramatic increase in low-value orders from the likes of Aliexpress, Shein and Temu to Finland. Statistics from Finnish Customs reveal that the number of orders worth less than 150 euros grew by almost 900 per cent from the previous year, with the average order valued at no more than six euros. THE GROWTH of Chinese low-cost online retailers divides opinion among the four ruling parties in Finland, according to interviews carried out by STT . Temu has already become the most popular online retailer among over 50-year-olds and among the rural population in Finland, indicates a consumer survey by Postnord. Representatives of the Christian Democrats, National Coalition and Swedish Peoples Party regard the soaring popularity of low-cost online retailers as an obvious problem. Jani Makela, the chairperson of the Finns Party Parliamentary Group, disagrees, describing the debate surrounding the phenomenon as somewhat hypocritical and rife with double standards. Whatever the case almost all of the other goods we buy from shops in Finland and Europe have been made in China, he said to STT on Sunday. Basically what were talking about now is the channel through which they come here. He stated that he is not supportive of regulating such retailers more strictly but stressed the importance of adhering to the current regulations. Reliance on China should, though, be reduced for products that are key for security of supply, such as electronics and medications. Given that peoples consumption habits are swayed by costs, its hard to go and tell someone they should buy the more expensive one rather than the cheaper one, said Makela. Lawmakers from the three other ruling parties would take a tougher stance on low-cost online merchants. I think theres a massive problem here, commented Ville Kaunisto (NCP), a deputy chairperson of the Parliaments Commerce Committee. The current development is in no way sustainable. It strains the environment and the logistics system. He also viewed that the competitive landscape is unfavourable to rule-abiding Finnish companies. Business owners are working hard to secure their own livelihood, paying their taxes, looking after their employees and making sure they dont strain the environment. Simultaneously some Chinese operators are playing by the rules in the Wild West. Otto Andersson (SFP) and Peter Ostman (CD) similarly voiced their concern about facets such as product safety, product origin and labour conditions in the factories that churn out the low-cost goods. Theyre a tough thing for domestic producers that are producing responsibly, in accordance with all regulations, said Andersson. Opposition lawmakers have already proposed solutions. The Centre has voiced its support for exploring the possibility of an environmental tax on low-cost goods and for prohibiting e-commerce giants behind the influx of ultra-fast fashion and other junk from advertising online. Tiina Elo (Greens) called for an outright ban on ultra-fast online retailers earlier this month. STT on Sunday wrote that the ruling parties largely consider such proposals unfeasible. Ostman, though, indicated that it might be worthwhile to look into the environmental tax and called for more information on the backgrounds of retailers and their product offering. Such information, he argued, could prompt many consumers to start thinking if they could make other kinds of choices. Makela dismissed the ban as childish and the tax as a populist in an interview with the news agency. If we start unilaterally levying taxes or tariffs on Chinese goods, well quickly find ourselves in trouble with global trade rules, EU tariff regulations and whatnot, he cautioned. Temu is already being scrutinised by the European Commission. Its inquiry seeks to determine what the e-commerce giant has done to prevent the sale of products that do not meet the standards of the 27-country bloc and whether its gamified reward scheme could cause addiction. The EU is also drafting a reform that would introduce tariffs also on orders worth less than 150 euros starting in 2028. Olli-Pekka Penttila from Finnish Customs reminded STT that the tariffs are not expected to be tremendously high: the price of a nine-euro t-shirt, for example, would only creep up to 10 euros. That wouldnt affect the online shopping of these people too dramatically, he gauged. Neither Finland nor the EU has made the political decision to pursue a reduction in the number of low-value orders from e-commerce platforms. If such a decision was made, it would require larger reforms to reach the target, according to Penttila. Aleksi Teivainen HT Tuesday January 21, 2025 People gather around a bus carrying freed Palestinian prisoners after their release from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, outside the Israeli military prison, Ofer, near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, January 20, 2025. REUTERS/Ammar Awad Purchase Licensing Rights During the first six-week phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreed last week, Hamas is to release 33 hostages in total, with at least three hostages released each week. In turn, Israel will release 30 Palestinians from prison for each Israeli civilian Hamas releases, and 50 for each soldier. Hamas released the first three Israeli hostages from Gaza and Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, day one of the ceasefire. WHO WAS RELEASED ON SUNDAY? In exchange, 90 Palestinians were released from Israeli detention: 69 women and 21 teenage boys. Many of the prisoners released on the first day of the ceasefire were recently detained by Israel and had not been tried or convicted. WHO IS BEING HELD IN GAZA? WHO WILL BE FREED IN THE FIRST PHASE? The Israeli military said shortly before the ceasefire began that it had recovered the body of a soldier who had been killed in Gaza a decade ago. That left 97 hostages in Gaza at the start of the truce. Israeli authorities believe around half of them are alive though they have yet to receive confirmation from Hamas. The 33 hostages slated for release in the first ceasefire phase include women, children, men over 50 and ill and wounded captives. In return, Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinians from its jails. They include 1,167 people detained in Gaza during the war and held in Israel, and 737 other Palestinian prisoners from the West Bank, Jerusalem or Gaza. The second category includes members of militant groups, some awaiting trial, some held by Israel in administrative detention without charge and some who have been convicted of crimes, including attacks that killed dozens of Israelis. During the first phase of the ceasefire, the Israeli army will pull back from some positions in Gaza and Palestinians displaced from areas in northern Gaza will be allowed to return. A second phase, exchanging the remaining hostages and completing the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, is expected to follow, depending on the results of negotiations. WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN HOSTAGES AND PRISONERS ARE FREED? The hostages will be handed by Hamas to Red Cross officials who will take them to the Israeli military in Gaza. The military has set up three locations near the northern, central and southern edges of Gaza in Erez, Re'im and Kerem Shalom to take charge of the hostages, depending on the route they take out. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, buses on Sunday carried the first wave of released Palestinian prisoners to Ramallah. Israel is also expected to release some Palestinian prisoners into Gaza. It will deport others to Egypt with the understanding that they will be settled in a third country, with Qatar, Turkey or Algeria as possible destinations, an official involved in the plans told Reuters. Reporting by James Mackenzie, Maayan Lubell, Nidal al-Mughrabi, Ali Sawafta Editing by Deepa Babington, Ros Russell, Peter Graff Hamas said Tuesday it will release four women hostages in the next swap with Israel under the terms of a fragile truce intended to bring to an end to 15 months of war in Gaza. US President Donald Trump, who claimed credit for the hard-won ceasefire agreement, said he doubted the deal would hold as he took office for a historic second term. Desperately needed humanitarian aid has begun to flow into Gaza as Palestinians displaced by the war headed back to devastated areas of the territory, hopeful the agreement would hold. The ceasefire took effect on Sunday, and saw Israel and Hamas conduct their first exchange of hostages for prisoners. Hamas official Taher al-Nunu told AFP that four Israeli women hostages will be freed on Saturday in exchange for a second group of Palestinian prisoners. In Washington, newly-inaugurated Trump cast doubt on whether the truce would hold. "That's not our war; it's their war. But I'm not confident," he said. Trump had claimed credit for the three-phase ceasefire agreement announced ahead of his return to the White House by Qatar and the United States, following months of fruitless negotiations under his predecessor Joe Biden. Qatar was confident in the ceasefire deal it helped mediate "when it comes to the language of the deal, when it comes to the fact that we hashed out all the major issues on the table", its foreign minister spokesman said on Tuesday. The new US president has made clear he would support Israel, and in one of his first acts as president, he revoked sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank imposed by the Biden administration over attacks against Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on his return, while far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich thanked him for lifting the sanctions. "I look forward to working with you to return the remaining hostages, to destroy Hamas's military capabilities and end its political rule in Gaza, and to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel," Netanyahu said. "Mr. President, your unwavering and uncompromising support for the State of Israel is a testament to your deep connection to the Jewish people and our historical right to our land," Smotrich wrote on X. Displaced Gazan Ghadeer Abdul Rabbo, 30, told AFP she hopes that "with or without Trump", the ceasefire will hold and world governments will help "maintain this calm, because we are afraid". If all goes to plan, during the initial, 42-day phase of the truce that began Sunday, a total of 33 hostages are to be returned from Gaza in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinians. Over those six weeks, the parties are meant to negotiate a permanent ceasefire. In Rafah, in southern Gaza, Ismail Madi said that "we have endured immense hardships, but we will stay here. We will rebuild this place." Three Israeli hostages, all women, were reunited with their families on Sunday after more than 15 months in captivity. Hours later, 90 Palestinian prisoners were released from an Israeli jail. In Israel, there was elation as Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher returned home and appeared to be in good health. "In Emily's own words, she is the happiest girl in the world; she has her life back," Damari's mother Mandy said on Monday, adding that her daughter was "doing much better than any of us could have expected" even after losing two fingers. One freed detainee, Abdul Aziz Muhammad Atawneh, described prison as "hell, hell, hell". Another, Khalida Jarrar of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine -- proscribed as a "terrorist" group by Israel and some Western governments -- said she had been kept "in solitary confinement for six months". The relatives of the three Israeli ex-hostages called for the release of the remaining 91 captives seized during Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war, including 34 the military says are dead. Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of Romi Gonen, said: "We got our Romi back, but all families deserve the same outcome, both the living and the dead." There was anxiety in Israel over the next phases of the truce, with columnist Sima Kadmon warning in the Yedioth Ahronoth daily that the coming hostage releases may be more painful than the first. "Some of them will arrive on gurneys and wheelchairs. Others will arrive in coffins. Some will arrive wounded and injured, in dire emotional condition," she wrote. In southern Gaza, Ammar Barbakh, 35, spent the truce's first night in a tent on the rubble of his home. "This is the first time I sleep comfortably and I'm not afraid," he said. "It's a beautiful feeling, and I hope the ceasefire continues." The war has devastated much of the Gaza Strip and displaced the vast majority of its population of 2.4 million. More than 900 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered Gaza on Monday, the United Nations said. The day the deal came into force, 630 trucks entered Gaza. Qatar, which played a key role in negotiating the truce, said that 12.5 million litres of fuel would enter Gaza over the first 10 days. Hamas's October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,210 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the next step in its evolution toward a more brand-focused organization: the appointment of Javier Aguila as President, Inclusive Collection, effective March 1, 2025, in addition to his current role as Group President, EAME, overseeing Hyatt's Europe, Africa and Middle East region. The appointment of a dedicated leader for Hyatt's global all-inclusive portfolio spanning approximately 55,000 rooms reflects greater focus and differentiation to maximize the potential of Hyatt's 11 Inclusive Collection brands. This includes the Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts brand, which last month entered Hyatt's portfolio as part of a 50/50 strategic joint venture with Grupo Pinero. Aguila serves on the Board of the joint venture. Aguila's appointment comes on the heels of Hyatt's launch of five distinct brand portfolios - Lifestyle, Luxury, Inclusive, Classics and Essentials - as well as the formation of a dedicated Lifestyle group, led by Amar Lalvani. Further announcements relating to a new Luxury group will be forthcoming later this year. "With our distinct brand portfolios and dedicated leadership, we are strengthening our commitment to delivering experiences that meet the needs of our very different guest and customer bases," said Mark Hoplamazian, President & CEO, Hyatt. "Javier came to Hyatt through the acquisition of Apple Leisure Group in 2021, and between his vast all-inclusive expertise and the growth momentum the EAME region has seen under his leadership since 2022, I am confident he will bring the full potential of our growing Inclusive Collection to bear and further advance Hyatt's position as a leader in all-inclusive, caring even more deeply for guests, customers and owners in this exciting segment. Javier possesses a growth mindset and is filled with ideas for innovation and continuous improvement in performance for all our Inclusive Collection brands." In his expanded role, Aguila will oversee all aspects of Hyatt's global all-inclusive business, including development, operations, branding, and commercial performance, working closely with functional teams around the world. The term "Hyatt" is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates. Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the next step in its evolution toward a more brand-focused organization: the appointment of Javier Aguila as President, Inclusive Collection, effective March 1, 2025, in addition to his current role as Group President, EAME, overseeing Hyatt's Europe, Africa and Middle East region. The appointment of a dedicated leader for Hyatt's global all-inclusive portfolio spanning approximately 55,000 rooms reflects greater focus and differentiation to maximize the potential of Hyatt's 11 Inclusive Collection brands. This includes the Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts brand, which last month entered Hyatt's portfolio as part of a 50/50 strategic joint venture with Grupo Pinero. Aguila serves on the Board of the joint venture. Aguila's appointment comes on the heels of Hyatt's launch of five distinct brand portfolios - Lifestyle, Luxury, Inclusive, Classics and Essentials - as well as the formation of a dedicated Lifestyle group, led by Amar Lalvani. Further announcements relating to a new Luxury group will be forthcoming later this year. "With our distinct brand portfolios and dedicated leadership, we are strengthening our commitment to delivering experiences that meet the needs ofour very different guest and customer bases," said Mark Hoplamazian, President & CEO, Hyatt. "Javier came to Hyatt through the acquisition of Apple Leisure Group in 2021, and between his vast all-inclusive expertise and the growth momentum the EAME region has seen under his leadership since 2022, I am confident he will bring the full potential of our growing Inclusive Collection to bear and further advance Hyatt's position as a leader in all-inclusive, caring even more deeply for guests, customers and owners in this exciting segment. Javier possesses a growth mindset and is filled with ideas for innovation and continuous improvement in performance for all our Inclusive Collection brands." In his expanded role, Aguila will oversee all aspects of Hyatt's global all-inclusive business, including development, operations, branding, and commercial performance, working closely with functional teams around the world. With Kempinski's continued expansion in the Middle East and Africa, Sebastien Mariette has been appointed General Manager of Kempinski Harbour Heights Bahrain, a new mixed-use hotel and residential complex scheduled to open by the end of 2025. In addition to helming this landmark development in the capital city of Manama, Mariette will also hold the esteemed position of Vice President of Operations for Kempinski Hotels in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, The Levant and Morocco. Kempinski Harbour Heights Bahrain marks the return of Kempinski to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Occupying one of the highest towers in the Kingdom, the 74 elegantly appointed guest rooms and 186 Kempinski branded residences will offer elevated views across the Marina and Manama skyline with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies. The property will also feature a stunning rooftop pool; spa and wellness facilities; a fully equipped panoramic gym; and meeting and event facilities. Hotel guests and residents will enjoy access to over 60 retail boutiques and extensive food and beverage offerings in Bahrain Harbour. White Lodging, a privately owned industry leader in urban and lifestyle hospitality development and management, is pleased to announce that Conner White will take on a new role as Vice Chair and Chief Investment Officer. Conner White is the eldest son of White Lodging Chair Beth White and the late White Lodging Founder Bruce White. Jean-Luc Barone will continue in his role as White Lodging's CEO, partnering with Conner, the White Family and the company's Board of Directors on strategies and investments that help accelerate growth through acquisitions and new-build hotels, underpinned by the company's industry-leading management operations. Conner White was involved in the development, construction, and opening of White Lodging's two newest properties in San Antonio that opened in 2024: Kimpton Santo Hotel and Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection. In late 2024, he also played a critical role in securing the final details to ultimately break ground on the company's 13th hotel in Austin, Texas. Additionally, he led the company's growth efforts, which included securing the land and launching the development process for White Lodging's second hotel in Charlotte, NC. Conner has worked for White Lodging for more than 15 years in a variety of leadership roles across operations, real estate, and new property development. Outside of White Lodging, Conner built his career with roles supporting the expansion of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant Group in Chicago and Dunkin Donuts in China. Conner holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and is a graduate of Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in economics. White Lodging has developed more than 210 new hotels since its founding in 1985. The company currently owns and/or manages approximately 60 high-end urban and lifestyle hotels with nearly 15,000 rooms under the Marriott, IHG (Kimpton), Hyatt and Hilton brands. London, UK The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today issued a stark warning to the UK Government: the UKs successful Travel & Tourism industry faces stagnation and long-term decline. On the eve of the UK Governments first Visitor Economy Advisory Council, the global tourism body revealed data that shows 60BN1 is at risk over the next 10 years, in lost tourism business. While forecasts indicate short-term stability, the long-term outlook is weak as the UK loses ground to European competitors. The UKs Travel & Tourism sector directly employs almost the same number of people as the NHS2. It contributed 280BN to the UK economy in 2024 (10.3%) and supported over 4.1MN jobs (11.3%)3. It also contributes c.100BN annually to the Treasury in tax revenues, yet successive governments have shown little interest in Travel & Tourism. The opportunity for growth is considerable. Global Travel & Tourism is expected to grow 3.7% annually over the next 10 years, compared to 2.4% for the wider global economy4. However, in the UK, the future looks troubling. Over the next five years, the UK is expected to have one of the lowest growth rates in overnight international arrivals. It is set to lag other European tourism powerhouses, such as Spain, Germany, and Italy, which place Travel & Tourism at the heart of government decision-making. WTTC has identified several key areas that urgently require government action to unlock the sectors full potential: UK Travel & Tourism businesses are already impacted by the recent increase in National Insurance, and higher than European average VAT rates. With the increases in Air Passenger Duty (APD) and the introduction of an ETA, a visa waiver which could rise from 10 to 16 per visitor, the UK is pricing travellers out of the UK, toward other destinations As the organisation charged with promoting tourism in the UK, VisitBritain is seriously under-funded when compared to its competitors around the world, which in many cases receive double the government investment. Additional investment is crucial to continue attracting visitors, and ensure the economic benefits extend beyond London Global travellers are choosing other European destinations, attracted by the tax-free shopping removed in 2021, which could generate an estimated 3BN5 to UK Plc The Treasury has mooted a central hotel tax that will further deter travellers, could cost jobs, and cause major hotel investors to look elsewhere Without targeted reforms, these barriers will continue to stifle competitiveness and deter high-value travellers from choosing the UK. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said The UK is at a critical juncture. The Government is looking for growth and its Travel & Tourism sector offers just that. As one of the countrys largest employers alongside the NHS, contributing 280BN to the UK economy last year, the sector has been misunderstood and poorly treated by successive governments. The Government cannot tax its way out of debt, it needs to invest to grow. UK taxes are higher than many of its competitors VAT, no tax-free shopping, employers National Insurance, APD, and now a potential new hotel tax, making the UK expensive to operate in and expensive to visit. Tourism promotion in the UK is chronically underinvested and it is arrogant to think tourists will always come to the UK. I applaud the initiative by the new Minister for Media, Tourism, & Creative Industries, Rt Hon Sir Chris Bryant MP, to get leaders round the table at the Visitor Economy Advisory Council to tackle this and ensure Travel & Tourism can continue to be a major engine to economic growth. The new government has a unique opportunity to change the trajectory of Travel & Tourism in the UK. Despite the industrys resilience, years of government inertia are taking their toll. We welcome the new governments commitment to surpassing 50 million visitors by 2030, but this can only be achieved with the right policies in place. Travel & Tourism is not just a cornerstone of the UK economy its a vital driver of tax revenue, job creation, and regional development. Yet systemic challenges threaten to undermine its potential and erode the countrys global tourism leadership. Price Competitiveness: A Global Low The UK ranks a shocking 113th out of 119 countries for price competitiveness, according to the World Economic Forums 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index. Key issues include high VAT, lack of VAT-free shopping, rising aviation taxes, and costly visa requirements challenges further compounded by relatively low government investment in marketing and regional tourism. UK: Losing Ground to Competitors The UKs overreliance on US visitors compounds this issue. As the largest inbound market in 2019 and 2023, US visitors account for a significant share of spending. However, this dependence leaves the industry vulnerable to economic and policy changes in one market. Expanding source markets is essential for resilience and sustained growth. Policymakers must act decisively. The choices made today will determine whether the UK thrives as a global tourism leader or becomes an also-ran in the face of growing international competition. Forecast Growth for Overnight International Arrivals 2029 vs 2024 (CAGR) Australia: 9.1% Switzerland: 7.4% Japan: 7.4% Germany: 5.9% Italy: 5.7% Spain: 4.9% Ireland: 3.2% United Kingdom: 3% France: 2.3% Source: Oxford Economics According to Oxford Economics latest estimates, France is the most visited country in the world with almost 100MN visitors per year, whilst the UK had just under 42MN. Danbury, Conn. - A Meyer Jabara Hotels long-term owned asset, the Admiral Fell Inn, is undergoing a multimillion dollar transformation. Opening in Spring 2025 and rebranded as The William Fell, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, the historic waterfront hotel sits right on Fells Point Square and boasts waterfront views of Baltimore's Harbor, making it the best location in the city. Repositioning of this legacy asset is expected to make The William Fell the quintessential market-leading powerhouse in Fells Point. This is MJHs third owned asset in Baltimore, its fifth managed property in Maryland, and the first Tapestry Collection conversion in its portfolio. A grand opening is planned for April 2025. We are delighted to be adding Hiltons Tapestry Collection of independent hotels to the Meyer Jabara Hotels portfolio. Formerly the Admiral Fell Inn, The William Fell is an irreplaceable asset in a truly special neighborhood, and it is surrounded by pubs, restaurants, shops, and coffee bars all along the scenic waterfront. Due to our multigenerational relationship with Hilton, and because this is one of our prime assets, reinvesting in the infrastructure and design of this hotel just makes sense. Not only are we supporting a great brand partner and the ongoing revitalization of Fells Points commercial and historic districts (including the Broadway corridor), but we are giving our guests an authentic connection to Baltimore and a local adventure with every personalized stay. Justin Jabara, Meyer Jabara Hotels president Connecting Guests to the Destination RD Jones + Associates will bring the interior design of the hotel to the present day, while the exterior brick structure from the 1700s will remain the same. Sleek lobby updates will include local nautical-themed art, a coffee area on the first floor, a fitness center with a courtyard, a fifth-floor meeting space, and boardroom surrounded by a wraparound terrace. Guests can choose from two-bed queen rooms, distinctive suites with dedicated sitting areas, and private balcony rooms that overlook the iconic Thames Street, offering a front-row seat to the vibrant heartbeat of the neighborhood. All rooms are tranquil with refined details that evoke luxury and a connection to the hotels waterfront surroundings. Paintings, sculptures, and photography by local artists will also be featured throughout all areas of the hotel. The hotel is named after William Fell, the first settler of Fells Point, who built the area's first colonial home and established its inaugural shipyard. Fells contributions helped lay the foundation for the thriving shipping hub that Baltimore is renowned for today. Boasting waterfront views of Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the hotel stands out for its exceptional accessibility. It offers more than just a place to stay it invites visitors to become part of a story rich in history, culture, and community. With its prime location, guests can effortlessly explore the citys most celebrated restaurants, local gems, and scenic waterfront. The William Fell promises an experience where thoughtful design, personalized service, and a sense of connection ensure every stay is memorable. Meyer Jabara Hotels owns and operates assets across many segments, from luxury and full service to select service, extended stay, and boutique, Jabara said. With this extensive renovation and Hilton rebranding, The William Fell will be a crown jewel in our boutique portfolio and in the Fells Point neighborhood. We are eager to introduce this property with its new culinary offering and highest level of service to historic southeastern Baltimore. For more information on Meyer Jabara Hotels, visit www.meyerjabarahotels.com. About Meyer Jabara Hotels With headquarters in Danbury, Conn., and offices in West Palm Beach, Meyer Jabara Hotels is an award-winning hospitality company owning and operating 31 hotels and 20 restaurants in 12 states throughout the eastern and central United States. The company was formed in 1977 through the partnership of William Meyer, a specialist in real property law, and Richard Jabara, a second-generation hotelier. Now under the direction of President Justin Jabara, the company has experience in all kinds of properties, from 16-room boutique properties to 508-room convention hotels. The Meyer Jabara Hotels portfolio consists of hospitalitys leading extended stay, boutique, select service, and full service brands under the Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental, and Choice umbrellas, as well as several independents. Meyer Jabara Hotels is, and always will be, in the people business. The better the people, the better the business, and that philosophy extends to all key stakeholders: business partners, associates, and guests. The company strives to create success for all it serves. For more information on Meyer Jabara Hotels, visit www.meyerjabarahotels.com. Barb Worcester PRpro +1 440 930 5770 Meyer Jabara London, 21 January 2025 Safestay PLC, one of Europes largest hostel groups, is pleased to announce its partnership with Cloudbeds, the industrys premier hospitality management platform. As part of the multi-year partnership starting in January 2025, Safestay will move its 20-strong Europe-wide hostel portfolio onto the Cloudbeds Enterprise Platform, building its technology stack on Cloudbeds award-winning PMS. The move is part of Safestays Platform for Growth strategy through which it is investing for future success. The Cloudbeds Enterprise Platform provides a centralised multi-property PMS for managing all Safestays owned, leased, managed, and franchised properties. Cloudbeds innovative unified technology will provide the company with a single comprehensive view of customer data across all properties and booking platforms, enabling Safestay to provide a superior modern guest experience, enhance its commercial and marketing strategy, and streamline operational costs across its growing portfolio. The move to Cloudbeds will: Maximise revenues through use of AI-driven yield and pricing software; Drive further financial efficiencies for the business through securing more favourable payment commission rates; Further enhance Safestays impressive direct booking strategy by optimising the customer booking process across all direct booking channels including Safestays brand website and providing enhanced functionality for Safestays Group Reservation Office; Enhance the experience from booking to departure both for guests and staff through the monitoring of customer preferences and the provision of a customer-centric web app; Enhance customer communication through the provision of a multilingual AI-driven chat & messaging customer service; Enhance Safestays membership programme by providing tailored offers and individualised marketing messages to members in line with their preferences. The launch of Safestays partnership with Cloudbeds is the latest step in the companys investment in guest experience and operational excellence as it looks to expand across Europe. It follows other operational and digital investments, including the integration of a new customer management tool and the implementation of mobile check-in and mobile keys. Larry Lipman, Executive Chairman at Safestay, commented: Were excited to be working with Cloudbeds to implement this important platform into our business, which will not only drive financial and operational efficiencies but also ensure that we are continuing to deliver the very best-in-class experience for our guests. As Safestay continues to expand across key destination cities across Europe, this initiative, in line with our broader Platform for Growth strategy, positions Safestay well for future success. Were looking forward to supporting Safestays strategic vision as they position themselves for significant growth, said Adam Harris, CEO of Cloudbeds. The Cloudbeds Enterprise Platform is purpose-built to support dynamic, multi-property hospitality groups like Safestay, providing them with powerful technology combined with world-class 24/7 support, from implementation and training through day-to-day operations. Our partnership represents a pivotal moment in hostel technology, where innovation meets scalable growth. About Safestay Safestay PLC is one of Europes largest hostel groups, operating in the fragmented and fast-growing global hostel market that is expected to be worth $8.9bn annually by 2027*. Safestays portfolio of 19 premium hostels and one hotel offers guests both private and shared rooms in destination cities across the UK, Spain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Slovakia. The Group currently offers 3,580 beds across its locations and sold 848,633 bed nights in 2023, a 17% increase against the prior year. Safestays mission at each of its locations is to provide a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable space that caters to the needs of different travellers. Its properties offer first-class locations and thoughtful designs that cater to the different needs of travellers, from digital nomads to backpackers and from families to group travellers. The companys strong growth momentum continues and during 2024 has announced the acquisition of a freehold hotel property in Brighton and a hotel in central Cordoba, Spain, with the intention of converting these into a 220-bed hostel and 100-bed hostel respectively, as well as the signing of its first management contract for a 120-bed hostel on Spains Costa Blanca. https://www.safestay.com/ *Source Markets and Research, August 2022 Safestays pan-European locations include: About Cloudbeds Cloudbeds is the leading platform redefining the concept of PMS for the hospitality industry, serving tens of thousands of properties in more than 150 countries worldwide. Built from the ground up to be masterfully unified and scalable, the award-winning Cloudbeds Platform brings together built-in and integrated solutions that modernize hotel operations & finance, distribution & marketing, guest experience, and revenue & analytics. Founded in 2012, Cloudbeds has been named a top PMS, Hotel Management System and Channel Manager (2021-2025) by Hotel Tech Report, World's Best Hotel PMS Solutions Provider (2022) by World Travel Awards, and recognized in Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 in 2024. View source Group business is a catch-all phrase which has been applied by the hotel industry to block-bookings. But a group of 10 staying at a 30-room boutique hotel in Key West to celebrate someones 40th birthday weekend has a different set of demands and requirements from 1,000 delegates attending a three-day convention at a big box property in Las Vegas. The cost to the property of servicing different types of groups is different, as is the potential profitability. Identifying the constants While the theory between groups varies, there are some constants in the practice of securing the business in the first place and in delivering on what has been sold. Identifying groups which are most likely to convert after receiving the response; anticipating the upsell, cross-sell and repeat booking opportunities; calculating the potential impact on rates once the groups rooms have been allocated all feed into an increasingly important and business-critical conversation. Delivery of quality customer service to group customers requires effective coordination between many different departments, regardless of the size of the hotel or venue. The collaborative approach, often reflected in corporate structures and reporting lines, is effectively facilitated and enhanced by technology. Assessing group value Before department heads can discuss projections and profits, properties must assess the overall opportunity and value of the group visitors. This includes everything from the anticipated F&B spend of convention attendees hosting contacts and colleagues on company expense accounts to the planned lunches, breaks, and breakout sessions essential to the event planner. Its important to factor in all revenue streams, including individual transactions and group purchases, when evaluating their value to the hotel. Beyond purchases, theres also intrinsic value in brand mentions and digital praise from smaller groups like the 40-somethings birthday weekend in Key West. The immediate pay off may not hit the ledger, but what is the value of their social media activity talking about how welcoming the hotel staff were and what a perfect spot it was for such a group outing? For hotels, this earned credibility online is priceless in earning new business from future like-minded groups. Personalization inside groups Just because a guest is staying as part of an in-house group, dont miss the opportunity to personalize offerings and promotions based on the individual guest profile. Room upgrades, meal options, spa treatments, and even third-party activities should all be considered for additional promotion and upselling. Bottom line Approaching the evaluation of a group lead more broadly than just the booked bedrooms and events enables you to improve pricing decisions, occupancy, and the bottom line. ABOUT CENDYN Cendyn is a global hospitality cloud-based technology company that enables hotels to drive revenue, maximize profitability, and create deeper connections with guests through its integrated solutions. Serving hoteliers for nearly 30 years, Cendyn drives commercial success for hotels through its Find, Book, Grow promise: find the right guests; drive them to book direct, and grow loyalty and revenue across the spectrum of digital guest interactions. Cendyn has over 35,000 customers worldwide in more than 150 countries. The company supports its growing customer base from locations across the globe, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangkok, and India. To find out more, visit cendyn.com View source Koelnmesses presence in Asia-Pacific was established in 2002 to meet the rising business demands in the region. Headquartered in Cologne, Germany since 1924, our offices in Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Taipei and Hong Kong specialize in bringing established and successful events to Asia, as well as providing exceptional service to regional exhibitors and visitors participating in trade fairs in Cologne and worldwide. In Mainland China, Koelnmesse is represented with three offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. As one of the world's largest trade fair companies, Koelnmesse organizes over 80 trade fairs and exhibitions around the world every year, with around 54,000 exhibiting companies from 122 countries and around 3 million visitors from over 200 countries. Globally, excluding the U.S., RevPAR increased by 7.4%, with Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, and India posting substantial gains. - Image Credit Unsplash U.S. hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) fell by 13.2% year over year in the week ending 11 January 2025 due to post-holiday slowdown and calendar shifts. Despite the drop in the U.S. and Europe, hotel performance remained robust in Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, and India. The U.S. hotel industry witnessed a significant dip in revenue per available room (RevPAR), with a 13.2% year-over-year decline in the week ending 11 January 2025. This decrease was attributed to the post-holiday slowdown and the shift of the MLK holiday weekend. The largest drop was observed in the Top 25 Markets, particularly in San Francisco, due to the rescheduling of the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Group demand was also affected nationwide, with most of the Top 25 Markets recording occupancy declines. However, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Seattle emerged as bright spots, registering double-digit group occupancy gains. Transient occupancy dropped 2.5% nationwide, with the Economy chain scale being the only one to post positive RevPAR comparisons. This was largely due to markets affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Meanwhile, the wildfires in Los Angeles had a limited impact on hotel performance, with a surge in demand noticed during the weekdays but a decline over the weekend. Globally, excluding the U.S., RevPAR increased by 7.4%, with Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, and India posting substantial gains. Countries across Europe and Canada, like the U.S., experienced a slowdown due to the post-holiday lull. Despite the recent slump, next week's data is expected to significantly improve the U.S. hotel industry. Factors contributing to this anticipated boost include the MLK weekend, the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, the U.S. Presidential Inauguration, and the resumption of convention and business travel after the holidays. However, the impact of the Los Angeles fires on the region's hotel industry will continue to be monitored. Discover more at STR. Are You Making These 8 Mistakes When Translating Your Content? - Image Credit IPPWORLD In todays globalized world, translating your content effectively can be the key to unlocking new markets and reaching diverse audiences. But heres the catch: poor translation can do more harm than good, leading to confusion, loss of credibility, or even offending your target audience. Are you guilty of making these common translation mistakes? Read on and learn how to avoid them. 1. Treating Translation as a Word-for-Word Exercise One of the biggest mistakes companies make is assuming translation is just swapping words from one language to another. This approach overlooks cultural nuances, idiomatic expressions, and the tone of your brand. Do This Instead: Invest in transcreation, which adapts your message to resonate with the target audience while retaining its intent and emotional impact. 2. Ignoring Cultural Sensitivities What works in one market might not translate well or at all in another market. A classic example is Pepsis Come alive with the Pepsi Generation campaign, which was misinterpreted in Chinese as Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the dead. Do This Instead: Work with native speakers who understand the cultural context and potential pitfalls of your message. 3. Overlooking Regional Variations Spanish in Spain is different from Spanish in Mexico. Mandarin spoken in Beijing might differ slightly from the Mandarin your audience in Singapore expects. Regional variations matter! Do This Instead: Specify your target region when requesting translations and work with linguists familiar with those specific markets. 4. Skipping Localization for Visual Elements Your written content isnt the only thing that needs translation. Graphics, images, and even colours can have cultural significance. For example, white is associated with purity in Western cultures but often symbolizes mourning in parts of Asia. Do This Instead: Take a holistic approach to localization, considering visual elements alongside your text. 5. Using Machine Translation Without Oversight While tools like Google Translate can be helpful for basic needs, they arent suitable for professional or branded content. Machines cant understand context, idioms, or tone, leading to embarrassing mistakes. Do This Instead: Work with language service providers that specializes in your industry for important content especially branding and marketing related content. If you must use machine translation, always have it reviewed by a human editor. 6. Forgetting to Proofread Even the best translators can make mistakes. Skipping the proofreading stage can result in typos, grammatical errors, or inconsistencies that harm your brands image. Do This Instead: Make proofreading a non-negotiable step in your translation workflow. 7. Neglecting SEO in Translated Content If your website ranks high in your home market, great! But simply translating keywords into another language wont guarantee the same results elsewhere. Search behaviours vary by region and language. Do This Instead: Conduct keyword research for your target market and optimize your translated content accordingly. 8. Failing to Define Your Brand Voice Your brand voice is a crucial part of your identity. If it gets lost in translation, your content might feel generic or inconsistent. Do This Instead: Work with translators and copywriters who understand your brands tone and can adapt it for different audiences. Final Thoughts Translation isnt just a linguistic exercise its a strategic investment. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create content that connects, engages, and converts in any market. Partnering with a professional agency or experienced translators can help ensure your message not only crosses borders but also builds bridges. Ready to elevate your global content strategy? Lets talk! Whether youre translating into Asian, European, or Middle Eastern languages, we specialize in transcreation and localization to make your brand shine worldwide. Contact us today! About IPPWORLD As a Language Service Provider, IPPWORLD (www.ippworld.com) is a global transcreation (creative translation) agency that assists travel, hotels, hospitality and lifestyle brands, as well as various businesses enhance their engagement strategy in global markets. We provide end-to-end Multilingual Localisation and Transcreation solutions for website content and online booking information. Transcreation encourages higher readership amongst native-language speaking communities, helps drive conversions, grows revenue and builds brand loyalty. To understand how you can better connect with global audiences through transcreation, drop us a mail at creativetranslation@ippworld.com, or connect with Joanne Chan on Linkedin. Movenpick Resort Agios Nikolaos - Image Credit Accor Global hospitality group Accor is set to introduce the Movenpick brand to Greece with the signing of the Movenpick Resort Agios Nikolaos Sivota, slated to open in spring 2025. This will be the first international resort in the country's Epirus region. Pitoulis S.A, a leading hospitality operator in Greece, will operate the resort. The resort will include 67 rooms, including deluxe and executive suites with private pools and patios. Dining options will be plentiful, with offerings such as Skippers Beach Bar, Islands Bar by the pool, and the Thalassa restaurant featuring Greek and Mediterranean cuisine using local produce. The resort will also house two swimming pools with sea views and separate pools for adults and families. Patrick Mendes, Accors Chief Executive Officer for Premium, Midscale & Economy brands in Europe and North Africa, underscored the significance of the signing as a major step in Accor's growth strategy in Greece. He also praised Movenpick's global reputation for culinary excellence. The Pitoulis family, founders of Pitoulis S.A, have a longstanding history in the Epirus region's hospitality landscape. They established the original Agios Nikolaos Hotel in 1996, a boutique property of 40 rooms, which has since grown into a beloved destination in Sivota. Now, in collaboration with Movenpick, the property is set to gain international recognition. The partnership combines Agios Nikolaos Hotel's rich heritage with Movenpick's commitment to culinary excellence, human connection, and sustainability. Vassilis Pitoulis, co-founder of Pitoulis S.A, said the collaboration offers a chance to showcase Sivota to a global audience. He expressed pride in building on his family's legacy and evolving the hotel to meet international standards. Founded in 1948, Movenpick has grown from pioneering the Swiss restaurant scene to an international hotel brand celebrated for its inventive culinary excellence. It now operates over 120 hotels worldwide, with cuisine as a crucial element for fostering human connections and driving positive change. Recent Movenpick additions in Europe include Baku, Azerbaijan; Brussels, Belgium; and Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. WoodSpring Suites San Antonio South Hotel in San Antonio, TX Listed for Sale JLLs Hotels & Hospitality Group has been exclusively retained to offer qualified investors the opportunity to acquire the fee-simple interest in the 121-room WoodSpring Suites San Antonio South. The Hotel has unparalleled I-35 frontage and visibility (83,000 VPD) and is in close proximity to some of South San Antonios largest demand generators including South Park Mall, Lackland Airforce Base, Texas A&M University San Antonio, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas. Additionally, the Hotel is within proximity to the 1,900-acre Port San Antonio, a mixed-use development and industrial complex that has become a hub for innovation and technology, and the 1,300-acre Brooks City Base, a mixed-use development that was reimagined from the original Brooks Air Force Base which now consists of a mix of residential areas, business parks, education institutions, and recreational facilities. The offering presents investors with an opportunity to acquire a well-located, economy extended stay hotel, with operating margin and revenue upside, unencumbered of management in one of the fastest growing cities in the country, at a discount to replacement cost. Investment highlights OFFERED UNENCUMBERED OF MANAGEMENT CASH FLOWING HOTEL WITH UPSIDE EXTENDED-STAY SECTOR GROWTH FAVORABLE INTERSTATE LOCATION OFFERED WELL BELOW REPLACEMENT COST FEE SIMPLE / NON-UNION OFFERING SAN ANTONIO: YOUNG & VIBRANT, HIGH GROWTH, DIVERSE For details visit here. The long vacant Hibbard School is being eyed for housing. Marchetti Details Housing Efforts in State of City Address PITTSFIELD, Mass. Upcoming housing projects aim to bring new life into underutilized properties and improve neighborhoods. Mayor Peter Marchetti's first State of the City address emphasized housing, one of the greatest struggles Pittsfield and the nation face. He outlined the administration's efforts to find opportunities for additional units in the city while addressing the growing unhoused population. Running parallel to this is the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force created upon Marchetti's inauguration. "The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the housing challenges we face, not only in Pittsfield but across the state and nation. There's a limited inventory of quality housing and housing that supports our most vulnerable residents," Marchetti told the audience at Taconic High School on Thursday. "As the number of unhoused individuals and families has increased over the past several years, I have created an internal working group comprised of several city departments to help me brainstorm new ideas in addressing homelessness. Not every individual that is experiencing homelessness has the same story and there are many factors to consider." He reported that "plans are well in the works" to look at the feasibility of housing at the former Hibbard School. The city received an award from Mass Housing to help complete a structural review of the building and a financial feasibility analysis. The school, located at 280 Newell St., closed its doors in 2009 and has been underutilized for storage since. The three-story building sits on nearly two acres and is surrounded by paved open space and a front lawn. Pittsfield is working with a consultant to determine various redevelopment scenarios for the property, facilitate community engagement, and draft a request for proposals for mixed housing. The city has also engaged in a comprehensive housing study that has identified 10-12 potential downtown development spots. "We have demonstrated time and time again our commitment to revitalizing our downtown," Marchetti said. "Including increasing development of housing stock, rehabilitating blighted buildings, expanding opportunities for a more walkable downtown, and creating new economic development and employment opportunities." Last year, Allegrone Construction Co. was awarded more than $4 million through the state's Housing Development Incentive Program to redevelop the historic Wright Building and the Jim's House of Shoes property. The nearly $18 million project will combine the two buildings into one development, retaining the commercial storefronts on North Street and providing 35 new rental units, 28 of which will be market-rate units and seven of which will be affordable. It will retain the historic facade of the Wright Building and the commercial store frontage on North Street. Marchetti reported that the city has received a $1.37 million grant for pedestrian improvements that accompany this project. "We plan to convert a vehicular alleyway into a pedestrian way, supporting the Wright Building development. This block just steps away from Pittsfield's BRTA transportation hub is currently blighted, vacant, and underutilized," he explained. "As a result of the public-private partnership between the city and the local, family-run developer Allegrone Companies, the streetscape improvements will unlock additional housing units on the ground floor of that vacant, underused, building that Allegrone is redeveloping by creating a second means of egress." The arts center will be located at 94 and 100 Porter St. The offices in the buildings will be relocated on campus. Jeremy Winchester, left, Robert Ziomek, Richard Glejzer and Jerome Socolof were recognized for their efforts on the arts center with bowtie pins from Birge. PreviousNext California Artist to Fund New MCLA Arts Learning Center President James Birge made the announcement at the opening breakfast for the second semester in the Amsler Campus Center. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. MCLA is significantly enhancing its arts curriculum by developing a new teaching center through a gift from artist and author Carolyn Mary Campagna Kleefeld Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts President James Birge informed Tuesday's opening breakfast for the second semester that Campagna Kleefeld will fund the construction of the center on Porter Street and fund its operation for three years. The announcement prompted a wave of applause. "Sometimes it seems to me like society has forgotten the value of a liberal arts education," he said. "Our work here, that of the faculty, staff and the administration, can seem lonely at times, but there are those wonderful moments in our lives when we're reminded of just how important our work is and that we are, in fact, not alone in our belief that liberal arts improves the world." Work is expected to start immediately at 94 and 100 Porter St. with construction slated to begin in the fall. A public session to inform neighbors about the project will be held Jan. 30. The college will also offer updates on the project on its websit e. Birge did not give a cost for the project but had told the Board of Trustees last year that the gift could be up to $10 million. The Campagna Kleefeld Center for Creativity in the Arts will support the college's programs by providing opportunities for students to engage with artists, their work, and the community. Located between the science center and the Church Street Center, it will be the primary gallery and arts programming space on campus. College officials say it will serve as a "dynamic and flexible space" for faculty engagement and curricular innovation, fostering meaningful interactions with a rotating array of exhibits and programs. "I think one of the most exciting elements of this project is that we will be able to bring to campus many different kinds of art from numerous artists, so that we can learn about the inspiration of artists, their motivations and why each of us appreciates art different," said Birge. "Valuing the aesthetic of art isn't just appreciation for the work itself, but rather how an arts management, for example, learns how to curate, discern and share our work that might be controversial or provocative or a different form of art." A cornerstone of the center will be its integration of Campagna Kleefeld's art and poetry, offering opportunities for students to curate and engage with her work as a model for exploring the creative process. It will also provide spaces for student artists to showcase in-progress and completed work, supported by peer and faculty critiques. The London-born contemporary artist grew up in California and studied art and psychology at the University of California at Los Angeles. She has written 25 books of on poetry, art and reflection. Her work has been exhibited nationally and featured in a line of fine art cards. "The Campagna Kleefeld Center for Creativity in the Arts will be a vital hub of creativity that will also provide a compelling teaching and learning environment," Campagna Kleefeld said in a statement. "This will allow others to explore and engage with the artistic practices that have meant so much to me throughout my life." She gifted $10 million in 2019 to the California State University at Long Beach along with 120 of her works for its permanent collection. The Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum now houses her literary archives as well. Birge was clear in that the MCLA center will not an art museum but rather a teaching lab that will host revolving exhibits of student and visiting artist work as well as Kleefeld 's. Unlike Long Beach, her work will not be permanently housed on the campus though she and her representatives will be involved in the construction project. "The center will be a teaching lab for all students, regardless of nature, to explore, create and learn about art and its expression," he said. "This transformational gift only hands all students experiences on campus linking the arts academic disciplines from humanities and social sciences to business and computer science and serve as an essential part of the MCLA learning process." This new venue will also support the Benedetti Teaching Artists-in-Residence program and student artists-in-residence. Alma Benedetti was longtime art teacher in the public schools in North Adams and a 1937 graduate of the college. The construction means the removal of the offices of interdisciplinary studies, modern language and philosophy to vacant space on campus, while the offices for fine and performing arts and the Porter Street Art Gallery will relocate to the new building. The offices are located in former single-family homes adapted for college use. It also means that the activities at Gallery 51 on Main Street, opened by the college in 2006, will move back to the campus when the building is completed. The gallery and the attached Design Lab at 49 Main St., opened in 2017, had been strong components of the downtown scene for years but stepped back during the pandemic and changes in leadership within what had been the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center. Birge said instructor Jeremy Winchester is leading Mosaic, a rebranding that has been working more in collaboration with Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, the Clark Art Institute and the Adams Theater. "Those activities are still around, but they've been more focused on partnerships with other people, instead of just recreating things here," he said. The gift is the work of three years of discussion with Kleefeld that took on more tangible form last year as Birge updated the Board of Trustees on the talks. He credited Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Richard Glejzer and Vice President for Institutional Advancement Robert P. Ziomek as instrumental in developing the gift as well as faculty members Winchester, Jerome Socolof, Melanie Mowinski and Victoria Papa. They and others were involved in showing the college's best when Kleefeld 's team visited the campus in September. "Carolyn's real gift for MCLA is the inspiration to be creative, to have a space where we can wrestle with the definitions of what art is and how creativity is a form of expression of who we are and how we value one another," Birge said. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy London Art Fair returned to the capital for its 37th year, welcoming 130 galleries from around the world to exhibit at Islingtons sprawling Business Design Centre. A showcase of the very best in contemporary and modern art, visitors were greeted by the Fairs most international show to date, featuring galleries from 18 countries outside the UK displaying work for sale. The best of British was well represented: Francis Bacon triptychs, Tracey Emin prints, sun-drenched David Hockney acrylics, and Terry ONeill portraits of The Rolling Stones and David Bowie sat metres from works by emerging European artists. Among them were etchings by Spanish artist Juan Escudero, a winner of 14 international awards, and pieces by French abstract painter Christine Ankaoual, who recently celebrated her 80th birthday and exhibited in London for the first time. open image in gallery ( Mark Cocksedge ) Its a very fresh edition of the fair, said director Sarah Monk of the differing notoriety of works on display. We wanted to make sure it was a really accessible place for young emerging galleries to come and show in London. Whilst we have a very British focus, we want to celebrate Londons identity as a global centre for art, she added, noting the selection committees growing interest in international curators. This isnt a regional fair. Norfolks Sainsbury Centre, known as the UKs most radical museum, was this years London Art Fair official Museum Partner. Their ethos that art should be treated as a living entity permeated the entire event. Between a Richard Avedon portrait of Francis Bacon and looming bronze sculptures by Alberto Giacometti and Dame Elisabeth Frink sat a large perspex box, inviting fair goers to climb in and become art themselves. The Instagram-worthy installation reflected why Monk believed the London Art Fair had weathered many storms while others across the globe shuttered completely. We always try to make sure that were evolving, that were reflective of all the trends, she said. Were never complacent. open image in gallery ( Mark Cocksedge ) Alongside its main collection, London Art Fair offered a series of curated sections. These included Platform, which explored artworks about nature and spirituality, and Encounters, showcasing the freshest collection of contemporary art from around the world. For Encounters, the Fair reduced display stall fees from 12,000 to 3,000 to encourage participation from young galleries. Monk also highlighted efforts to attract young collectors. Adjacent to the Platform collection was Prints & Editions, featuring galleries focused on limited-edition prints, photography, and multiples, with prices starting at 500. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Fairs most expensive piece was priced at 500,000. In addition to exhibiting works by contemporary giants and emerging artists, London Art Fair offered a diverse programme including talks on philanthropy, clay workshops, and soundbathsa meditative experience using singing bowls or gongs. Its just about being able to give people the full opportunity to discover art, buy art, build their understanding, and engage with some of the debates in the art world, Monk said. London Art Fair opened at the Business Design Centre on 22 January. The British fascination with the tyrannies of sinister, evil, and possibly mad foreign dictators is a tale we love to tell. It goes with our history as the sceptrd isle beset by enemies. In a society thats been periodically obsessed by the threat of European invasion, that nightmare is remembered in phrases such as Boney will get you and take back control. During the reign of Elizabeth II, our not-so-secret pride in the way we opposed the horrors of 20th-century totalitarianism became a scarlet thread in the tapestry of our national story. Churchill, who gave the roar to Britains response to the Nazis, was a well-judged organ grinder as much as a rhetorical master. There are many ironies in our dread of Nazism. We purport to be unscathed by hostile invasions and alien ideology. Yet the conquest of 1066 was followed by 300 years of French occupation, the Norman yoke. And we have known other oppressions. In what sense, then, are we immune to authoritarian governance? Besides, when the walls between subjugation and freedom can be so paper-thin, is it not prudent to keep an eye on any predisposition to tyrannical government? Laurence Rees, a lifelong and acclaimed historian of the Nazis, does not invoke this context as a British intellectual. He does not need to. The making of the Nazi mind from 1919 to 1945 is both enthralling and chilling on its own terms. As a warning from history in the age of Trump 2.0, its compulsive reading. Of course, The Nazi Mind must address the charismatic evils of monsters such as Hitler and Goebbels. Each occupies their own special place in any 20th-century Inferno, the Fuhrer as a petit-bourgeois carpet-chewing Beelzebub; his brilliant propagandist as a silky, satanic antisemite. They, in turn, are flanked by several junior fiends: Himmler, Frank, Goring, Heydrich, Mengele, Rosenberg, Eichmann, and others. But those sadistic deputies are not the whole story. Their sinister cruelties depended on countless humdrum enablers in the SS and the Gestapo, the foot soldiers of the Third Reich. More alarming still is the tale that Rees unfolds about the motivations and manipulations of everyday life in Germany after the collapse of the Weimar Republic that underpinned the evils of Hitlers regime. How, asks Rees, could the Nazis have committed the crimes they did? Why did the death camp commandants thrill to their programme of mass murder? Most disturbing of all: why did so many ordinary Germans become complicit in the elimination of the Jews? (Notoriously, even the philosopher Martin Heidegger was a Nazi.) How was it possible that people from such a cultured nation perpetrated the worst atrocities in history? Finally, the big one: what relevance does this history have for us today? open image in gallery Attendees of the 1937 Nazi Party Congress rally in Nuremberg cheering and saluting Adolf Hitler ( Getty ) Rarely have the tormented questions that accumulate around the conduct of the Third Reich been subjected to such a baleful, brilliant, modern and revelatory interrogation, combined with some acute neuro-psychological interpretations. The use of medical science is telling. As populist Donald Trump takes up his second term as US president and Elon Musk is seen doing what many consider to be a Nazi salute in full sight, these are issues Rees is at pains to present with all the clarity and insight of the forensic historian. The Nazi Mind is not the first examination of this subject, but its unquestionably the best informed. As early as August 1941, for example, the renowned American journalist of the Roosevelt years, Dorothy Thompson, wrote her essay Who Goes Nazi? in Harpers, grappling with issues that trouble Rees, but she does it almost tongue in cheek; an interesting and somewhat macabre parlour game to play at a large gathering of ones acquaintances: to speculate who in a showdown would go Nazi. Thompson is forthright, American and (in 1941) untroubled by the Holocaust. I know lots of Jews, she writes, who are born Nazis and many others who would heil Hitler tomorrow morning if given a chance. There are Jews who have repudiated their own ancestors in order to become Honorary Aryans and Nazis; there are full-blooded Jews who have enthusiastically entered Hitlers secret service. Nazism has nothing to do with race and nationality. It appeals to a certain type of mind. open image in gallery Hitler, then chancellor of Germany, is welcomed by supporters at Nuremberg in 1933 ( Getty ) She goes on: It is also the disease of a generation the generation which was either young or unborn at the end of the last war. This is as true of Englishmen, Frenchmen, and Americans as of Germans, the disease of the so-called lost generation. Here, Thompsons analysis morphs with Reess 12 warnings. The evolution of Hitlers grip on the German people begins, says Rees, with three specific corruptions of democracy in the aftermath of the First World War: first, the spreading of conspiracy theories (about the role of the Jews in Germanys 1918 defeat); second, the promotion of a rhetorical Them vs Us narrative; and third, Hitlers self-invention as a heroic leader who would become a quasi-parental figure within the German psyche. This triad of manipulations depended on their success in targeting the younger generation. The biology of the brains amygdala not being fully developed before the age of 25 means that, as Rees puts it, adolescents are the easiest people to mould into fanatics. open image in gallery Nine of Reess 12 warnings will already strike a chord in the agitated thoughts of the contemporary reader ( Viking Penguin ) From the process of corrupting young people to finally seizing supreme power by conniving with the German elite, principally Hindenburg, Rees explains how Hitler ran his absolute dictatorship on surprisingly conventional lines. As Fuhrer, he eliminated human rights, terrorised the free press, diverted his voters (the Berlin Olympics became Goebbelss bread and circuses), and promoted a utopian fantasy about a new Holy Roman empire (shades of Maga here). To his great credit, Rees never mentions Trump. You will look in vain for the return of the 45th US president, or indeed any reference to Orban, Putin, or Kim Jong Un. Thats not necessary, of course. Nine of Reess 12 warnings will already strike a chord in the agitated thoughts of the contemporary reader. The climax so to speak of The Nazi Mind is its portrait of Hitlers regime in its mature, and most unhinged phase, after the Night of the Long Knives. Paradoxically, for all the international condemnation, it was this event that cemented Germanys approval of the Fuhrer. Henceforth, the Nazis would concentrate on four governing strategies that must put it, for all time, beyond the pale of civilised consideration: the brutal elimination of resistance; the escalation of murderous racism; the deployment of killing at a distance (gas chambers, blitz bombing); and, above all, terror the fuelling of an acute, and universal, dread. In the end, its not so much a warning as a conundrum from history. Rees lists his 12 warnings, each one more minatory than the last. Then, he says, something happened: The Nazis were defeated. The Nazi Mind: 12 Warnings from History by Laurence Rees (Viking Penguin, 25) Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The release of the latest installment of Rebecca Yarros romantasy Fourth Wing series, Onyx Storm, caused Targets website and app to crash in the early hours of Tuesday, the books hardcore fans believe. According to Down Detector, the outages first began to be reported around 2:45am before spiking 30 minutes later. Lol,, everyone jumping to grab Onyx Storm and we broke Targets servers??, one commenter wrote. I got work in a few hours man, let me buy my book, said another. Just trying to get this damn book for my wife so I can go back to sleep, said another frustrated shopper. The outage is reportedly impacted users across North America. open image in gallery The demand for a limited edition of the book caused Targets online store to crash in the early hours ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Hard copies of the book were released to event attendees at midnight in the US with bookstores across the country hosting events to celebrate the release of the latest installment. However, its only through Target that the special collectors edition is available. The book would represent publisher Little-Browns biggest pre-ordered release since the 2016 Harry Potter play script. This livel of fan devotion hasnt been seen since the days of Harry Potter, Little Brown editorial director Rebekah West told The Daily Telegraph just prior to the release. Yarros, for her part, also fanned the flames of anticipation with an Instagram post. 1. Its in your hands now. 2. Thank you for sharing this incredible experience with me. 3. Enjoy the ride, the best selling author wrote in an Instagram post. The previous two installments of the books, Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, continue to occupy some of the top slots in the bestseller lists across the world. The series follows the story of heroine Violet Sorrengail, a young woman who rises to the top in the world of dragon riding. Like Yarros, Violet suffers from a condition which causes brittle bones and for her joints to dislocate. Her love interest comes from a rival family and is a fellow rider, Xaden Riorson. The publishers blurb states that in Onyx Sorm theres no more lessons as the battle has truly began. The Independent has reached out to Target for comment on this story. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Glenn Close has revealed she has left New York City behind in favor of small-town Montana. The Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe-winning actor, 77, is known for her iconic roles in films such as Fatal Attraction and 101 Dalmatians and can currently be seen in the new Netflix action-comedy Back in Action. In a new interview with The Wall Street Journal, Close said she moved to the town of 57,000 in 2019 to be closer to her family. Today, my home is in Bozeman, Montana, she said. All of my siblings live here. My modest, 1892 brick house has a porch where I can see the mountains and say hi to neighbors. Her 2,316 square-foot home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms and is close to the town center. However, Close did add that she plans to construct a bigger house nearby. open image in gallery Glenn Closes modest home in Bozeman, Montana ( Google Maps ) Im building a larger house about a half-hour outside of town, she said. Its going to be my Zen farmhouse and our family sanctuary. In the back will be a stone cottage, reminding me of the best years of my childhood. In a previous 2021 interview with Mountain Outlaw magazine, Close said she never used to get homesick before moving to Bozeman. Not only is Bozeman my home, but I couldnt wait to get back here. When I left to go to that job, [her sisters] Jessie and Tina were there to see me off at the airport. It was so great. Ive come to realize how much I dread going away, continued Close. When I was little, I got solace in nature, and that has never changed. I always tried to create that same potential for my family, especially now to come back here and be with my siblings and have a piece of land outside of town that will always be here for my daughter and her children. Thats my legacy. I just feel incredibly lucky. I do think these will be the best years of my life. open image in gallery Close in Netflixs Back in Action ( 2024 Netflix, Inc. ) Earlier this month, Glenn Close hit out at JD Vance during an appearance on The View. She previously starred in a film based on his book about his life, Hillbilly Elegy. When co-host Joy Behar noted Vance had a whole different personality in those days than he has now, Close said: I dont know what happened, suggesting that political success might have altered his outlook. Power is probably the biggest aphrodisiac for a human being, she told Behar. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Laura Dern has reacted to the death of David Lynch in an emotional post celebrating what would have been the directors 79th birthday. Lynch, the much celebrated director of Mulholland Drive, Twin Peaks and The Elephant Man died on 15 January, aged 78. His family announced his passing in a Facebook post, writing: Theres a big hole in the world now that hes no longer with us. But, as he would say, Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole. Dern was one of Lynchs most frequent collaborators with the director first casting Dern in his 1986 noir-horror Blue Velvet when she was just 17 years old. Lynch and Dern then reunited in 1990 for Wild Heart, which starred the Marriage Story actor and Nicolas Cage as a young couple on the run from their controlling families and a group of hit men. The star also appeared in Lynchs 2006 feature Inland Empire, for which he famously campaigned for Dern to be nominated for an Oscar by sitting on a street corner with a live cow in Los Angeles. Dern also featured in Lynchs 2017 revival of Twin Peaks, which The Independents Clarisse Loughrey called a fitting end to TVs greatest treasure. Sharing a photo of herself and Lynch engaged in conversation to Instagram, Dern wrote: Happy birthday, tidbit. I will love and miss you every day for the rest of my life. In the wake of his death, numerous tributes have been paid to Lynch by those who worked with him closely, including Naomi Watts, Kyle MacLachlan, Nicolas Cage, Madchen Amick and Lara Flynn Boyle. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Back in 2019, Dern told Greta Gerwing during an interview on Inside the Actors Studio that it was Lynch who prevented her from being typecast in films. It was an amazing gift that a filmmaker who knows you would say Now I want you to play the complete opposite of what you did last time, she said. Laura Dern and Kyle MacLachlan in Blue Velvet ( Paramount ) Dern has also revealed that shes still angry that she was kicked out of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for taking the role in Blue Velvet yet the film is now part of the schools curriculum. After Derns department head had read the Blue Velvet script he told her: First of all, if you make this choice, you are no longer welcome at UCLA. Youll be out. But secondly, having read this script, that you would give up your college education for this is insane. The Academy Award-winning actor reflected: Obviously, it was an incredibly shocking script. She added: I will just end by saying after my two days, today, if you want to get a masters in film at that school, when you write a thesis there are three movies you are required to study. And you know what one of them is? [Blue Velvet]. P***es me off, she admitted. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning director, Christopher McQuarrie, has claimed that an audience member almost had a heart attack during a screening of the new Tom Cruise film. The film is set to be the next and possible final installment in the long-running Mission: Impossible franchise. The movie series, which is based on a 1966 TV spy show, began in 1996. This latest film was originally billed as Part Two to 2023s Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning. The new film is set to be released in May 2025 and early previews suggest that fans could be in for quite the thrill ride and some potential health scares thanks to one particular stunt. According to GamesRadar, McQuarrie recently told Empire: We had a small screening, and someone said, I was suffocating throughout the entire sequence. I almost had a heart attack. And I thought, I guess we did something right. The trailer for the new blockbuster does feature Cruises character, Ethan Hunt, being put through another series of jaw-dropping stunts while he fights enemies on planes and underwater. Its not been revealed which scene in the film caused the audience member to feel faint. open image in gallery Tom Cruise ( Getty Images for Paramount Pictu ) Despite the finality implied by the title, Cruise has previously said he hopes to continue making Mission: Impossible films for decades. In the previous film, Dead Reckoning, Cruises character Ethan Hunt finds himself as the only man on Earth capable of defeating a seemingly sentient, AI-powered virus that possesses the ability to infiltrate any top-secret infrastructure it sets its sights on, like, say, the CIA or the World Bank. Last year the action star compared the franchise to Indiana Jones and told The Sydney Morning Herald: Harrison Ford is a legend. I hope to still be going. Ive got 20 years to catch up with him. He continued: I hope to keep making Mission: Impossible films until Im his age. Cruise was 34 when he first played super spy Ethan Hunt in 1996s Mission: Impossible. The character was two years younger than the actor. He is now 62. open image in gallery Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames ( Moviestore/Shutterstock ) Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning is set to be released on May 23, 2025. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nina Dobrev has revealed she is experiencing survivors guilt after being forced to evacuate during the devastating Los Angeles fires, but ultimately returning to find her home unscathed. The 36-year-old XXX: Return of Xander Cage actor had to leave home on January 9, her birthday, due to the proximity of the deadly wildfires. In a video posted to Instagram on Saturday (January 18), Dobrev said: Its been such a tragic time in Los Angeles recently. She continued: I have been absolutely sick to my stomach with all the destruction and devastation that these fires have caused and displaced so many families. My heart is broken for all the people affected by these wildfires. We evacuated on January 9th, definitely not how I planned on spending my birthday, but I wanted to make this video to thank everyone for their birthday wishes and to make a request. I dont know about you, but I have been feeling survivors guilt. Our home, although close to one of the fires, thankfully made it but so many others were not so lucky. I wanted to help, and while I was overwhelmed and didnt know how at first, I have since researched and have been seeing online that many of the shelters have enough clothes. Actually, maybe too many clothes. What people really need right now is financial aid to help them get back on their feet and start rebuilding their lives and their homes. The Pacific Palisades, the Altadena-Pasadena community in particular needs it the most. Nina Dobrev in New York in September 2024 ( Getty Images ) Dobrev provided a link to a Google spreadsheet listing families who lost their homes in the fires, adding: For my birthday this year I went down that list and I donated to those families, and it would be my birthday wish and I would love it if you could do the same, small or big donations, thats up to you, whatever is within your means. She added: I put myself in the shoes of all these people whose homes have burned down to the ground with their belongings, memories, everything that made them feel safe in the world now gone, and their insurance dropped them. For some of them, the level of tragedy is immeasurable and its really hard to comprehend. Thousands of Los Angeles residents lost their homes in the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires, including Anthony Hopkins, Anna Faris, Mandy Moore, Ricki Lake and Eugene Levy. Last October, Dobrev announced her engagement to professional snowboarder Shaun White. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Paul Schrader has delivered a surprise endorsement of AI technology, saying he was stunned by screenwriting ideas he sought from the generative AI chatbot ChatGPT. The Taxi Driver writer and First Reformed director, 78, is known for his often contrarian views on film, recently revealing he walked out of Joker 2 after 15 minutes and telling The Independent last year he would be open to casting the scandal-hit actor Kevin Spacey. In a Facebook post on January 17, Schrader described his recent experiences using ChatGPT, writing: IM STUNNED. I just asked chatgpt for an idea for Paul Schrader film. Then Paul Thomas Anderson. Then Quentin Tarantino. Then Harmony Korine. Then Ingmar Bergman. Then Rossellini. Lang. Scorsese. Murnau. Capra. Ford. Speilberg. Lynch. Every idea chatgpt came up with (in a few seconds) was good. And original. And fleshed out. Why should writers sit around for months searching for a good idea when AI can provide one in seconds? The post drew a shocked reaction from his followers on the platform, with several speculating whether the filmmaker had been hacked. Schrader has frequently posted about AI in the last few days. His previous post praised Spike Jonzes 2013 movie Her, about a man who falls in love with an AI voice assistant. Schrader said he had recently rewatched the film and found it even more relevant, prescient and deeply creepy than it was ten years ago. This film grows in stature. I liked it then, I love it now. Theres only one like it. Paul Schrader attending a New York screening of Oh, Canada in December 2024 ( Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images ) In another post, Schrader revealed he had sent ChatGPT an old script he had written some years ago and asked for improvements. He added that in five seconds it responded with notes as good or better than Ive ever received from a film executive. In an earlier post, he said that he has come to realize that AI is smarter than I am, adding: This is an existential moment, akin to what Kasparov felt in 1997 when he realized Deep Blue was going to beat him at chess. In November, actor Ben Affleck also made headlines for defending the use of AI, arguing that it would help some filmmakers. What AI is going to do is going to disintermediate the laborious, less creative and more costly aspects of filmmaking that will allow costs to be brought down, that will lower the barrier for entry, that will allow more voices to be heard, that will make it easier for the people that want to make Good Will Huntings to go out and make it, said Affleck. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Pop star Jade Thirlwall has opened up about the grief she experienced when her former bandmate, Jesy Nelson, quit their group Little Mix. Formed on ITV reality show The X Factor in 2011, Little Mix went on to become one of the most successful British pop groups of all time, releasing hit singles and chart-topping albums including Shout Out to My Ex, Black Magic and Break Up Song. Nelson departed in 2020, citing the toll being in Little Mix had taken on her mental health. Thirlwall remained in the group with bandmates Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock before they announced a hiatus in 2022. All four members have since been pursuing solo careers. Appearing on The Louis Theroux Podcast on Spotify, Thirlwall, who released her latest single IT Girl this month, said she bore no ill feeling towards Nelson for her decision, but admitted that she struggled to process her abrupt departure. I think that's why I struggled with it, because we didn't all get a chance to just sit together like we've done for so many years just hash it out, she said. There's no hate there from me or from any of us I think. She recalled a time not long after Nelson quit, when she had begun dating fellow musician and author Jordan Stephens: It was very early days at the time. And so I was scared to show him what this meant for me, she said. Because I think in his head, he was like, Oh, you know, someone left that happens all the time. Thirlwall said she and Stephens were driving north to visit her family and she was being really short with him because of her feelings surrounding Nelson leaving. He kept probing like, What's wrong, what's wrong, she said. Honestly, out of nowhere, I literally, like, bellowed, like, a f***ing whale or something. You know, like, when you have so much grief that you feel like you've been, winded, and you start, like, wailing? And I'd, I'd never cried like that since my grandad died when I was 13. And I think it was all the years of the love and the everything we'd been through together, the good things, the bad things, you know. So much of it was brushed under the rug and then it just f***ing exploded. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members) Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members) Sign up open image in gallery Little Mix winning their first Brit Award in 2017 ( YouTube/BRITs ) Thirlwall said she knew Stephens was a keeper when he checked if shed be alright in the car on her own, then returned with a pasty from Greggs for her. I will never begrudge Jesy wanting to leave, because if she needed to do that for herself, no matter what happened behind the scenes or, you know, anything that unfolded, she said. I'll never discredit or invalidate the struggles that she had in the group, particularly at the beginning. She really did suffer the most in terms of, like, trolling, the press being really mean, all of that stuff. And it really did some lasting damage. And we always tried our best to support her in that. Sometimes you get it wrong, sometimes you get it right. Like, again, like I said before, we're not qualified to, especially at 18 years old, to help someone with that. Nelson who announced this month that she is expecting twins with her partner, musician Zion Foster released a BBC documentary in 2019, in which she revealed she had attempted suicide as a result of the online bullying she received over her appearance. I had a routine of waking up, going on Twitter, searching for the worst things I could about myself, she said in the programme. Id type in the search bar, Jesy fat, or Jesy ugly, and see what would come up. Sometimes I didnt even need to do that, Id just write Jesy and then Id see all the horrible things. Everyone told me to ignore it but it was like an addiction. open image in gallery Jesy Nelson opened up about the effect of the online bullying she received while in Little Mix for a 2019 BBC documentary ( BBC ) Thirlwall said she, Edwards and Pinnock had tried to be there for Nelson as best they could: I think she gradually clocked out and that's fair enough. I feel like I can't and I don't want to talk about it in depth because it isn't just my story to tell, she continued. I'd be speaking for people and I don't think that's right. But for myself, I will say that I'm still getting over it now, quite truthfully. open image in gallery Jade said she felt intense grief after Jesy Nelsons departure from Little Mix ( Getty ) She and her fellow bandmates had a lot of group therapy, while she also had therapy as an individual, to cope with the traumatic effects of Nelson leaving the band, she added. Asked by Theroux if she was back in touch with Nelson, she responded: No. The Louis Theroux Podcast is available on Spotify now. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy John Sykes, who played guitar with rock bands Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, has died. He was 65. The Reading-born musician was known for playing on hit songs including the massively popular 1987 re-recording of Whitesnake power ballad Here I Go Again. A statement posted to his official website announced that Sykes died after a hard-fought battle with cancer. It continued: He will be remembered by many as a man with exceptional musical talent but for those who didnt know him personally, he was a thoughtful, kind and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room. He certainly marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog. In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude for his fans who stuck by him through all these years. open image in gallery John Sykes on stage with Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy ( PA Archive ) While the impact of his loss is profound and the mood somber, we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence. On his Instagram page, Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale wrote: Just heard the shocking news of Johns passingMy sincere condolences to his family, friends & fans Sykes started his career in Blackpool-based band Streetfighter before joining heavy metal group the Tygers Of Pan Tang in 1980. After two years of albums and tours, Sykes left to become lead guitarist with Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. He performed on the groups final album, 1983s Thunder And Lightning, co-writing the single Cold Sweat. He later joined frontman Phil Lynott on his tour of Europe with a band dubbed The Three Musketeers. Sykes was headhunted by Coverdale to join Whitesnake, appearing on the Slide It In album in 1984 and the platinum-selling Whitesnake in 1987. The album would prove a massive success, but Sykes left the band before it was released and went on to form the supergroup Blue Murder with Tony Franklin and Carmine Appice. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up In the 1990s and 2000s, Sykes split his time between a solo career and a reformed version of Thin Lizzy which he fronted until 2009 alongside Scott Gorham. He released his first solo album Out of My Tree in 1995, with follow-up Loveland was arriving in 1997. His final solo album, Bad Boy Live!, was recorded during a tour of Japan and released in 2004. Sykes was married to Jennifer Brooks-Sykes from 1989 to 1999. The couple had three sons: James, John Jr and Sean. Additional reporting by Press Association. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Bowen Yang and Dave Chappelle continue to quash any rumours of a feud as the two comedians embraced on the latest episode of Saturday Night Live. Chappelle returned to host SNL for a fourth time on Saturday night (18 January). As is customary, at the end of the episode, the SNL regulars gathered at the end of the stage with the host to wave goodbye to the audience. Before the cameras cut and the credits rolled, Chappelle and Yang (who has been an on-air regular on the sketch programme since 2019) were seen briefly hugging one another. The comedians, however, did not appear in any skits together. The televised hug comes amid ongoing rumours that Yang actively avoids the controversial comedian whenever he appears on the show. Last year, fans speculated that there was bad blood between the two stars after noticing an awkward interaction during one episode. In January 2024, Chappelle made a surprise appearance on an SNL episode that was hosted by Madame Web star Dakota Johnson with musical guest Justin Timberlake. As the hosts and the cast gathered at the end of the episode, fans noticed that Yang and Chappelle were standing at opposite ends to one another and that Yang appeared to look uncomfortable. open image in gallery ( NBC / SNL ) Fans speculated that Yang, who is gay, took issue with Chappelle who has attracted criticism in recent years for his jokes mocking the transgender community. His comments have prompted criticism from fellow celebrities and fans. His 2021 Netflix special The Closer led to a staff walkout at the streaming giant. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free In June last year, Yang outright denied distancing himself from Chappelle during the episode in question, telling Variety: I stand where I always stand on [goodnights] It was not a physical distance that anyone was creating. It had to do with so many things that were completely internal. open image in gallery Dave Chappelle on SNL ( NBC ) During his opening monologue on Saturdays episode (18 January) of SNL, Chappelle did not make any jokes about transgender people and instead poked fun at the recent wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles. The other day on the news, they said these fires were the most expensive tragedy that ever happened in the United States history. I think thats because people in LA have nice stuff. I could burn 40,000 acres in Mississippi for like six or seven dollars, he said. If you were a rational, thinking person, youd have to at least consider the possibility that God hates these people. More than 35,000 acres of land have been destroyed and 24 people have died as a result of the blaze, which has ripped through the region. Several celebrities, including Paris Hilton and When Harry Met Sally star Billy Crystal, have lost their homes. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Days of our Lives star Francisco San Martin has died, aged 39. The actor was known for his role for originating the role of Dario Hernandez on the long-running soap opera, which has been running on American television since 1965. He was found dead at his home, with the Los Angeles County Coroners Office confirming San Martin died by suicide. The Spanish actor was born on 27 August 1985 and starred on the show for six months in 2011. His character, Hernandez was a petty thief who arrives in Salem to look into a cold case. He then moved to Argentina for a promotion before later being portrayed by Jordi Vilasuso from 2016 to 2017. San Martin joined The Bold and the Beautiful in 2017 as groundskeeper, Mateo, who gets caught up in one of Sheilas schemes at Forrester Manor. His appearances also included a story arc on Jane the Virgin starring Gina Rodriguez. He played Fabian Regalo del Cielo, and appeared in Seasons 3 and 4, for a brief and chaotic relationship with Jane. open image in gallery Actors Molly Burnett, Francisco San Martin, Camila Banus and Freddie Smith attend the 2011 Daytime Emmy Awards nominees cocktail reception at SLS Hotel Beverly Hills on June 16, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. ( Getty Images ) Days of our Lives co-star Camila Banus who portrayed San Martins on-screen sister Gabi posted a tribute on Instagram according to Forbes: Pepe, what can I say but I love you and rest in peace, my friend, she wrote, adding, Love you mucho mucho mucho; I wish I had told you more. One person was left in shock as they wrote: Very, very sad. I am a bit in shock, as I saw Francisco at my gym most every day. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jon Stewart has reacted to Elon Musks controversial salute to Donald Trump during an inauguration celebration for the new president on Monday (January 21) The Tesla CEO, DOGE leader and first buddy to Trump gave a speech at the Capital One Arena on Monday and quickly caused outrage after he made a salute that many felt was fascist. While getting extremely excited about the prospect of landing a man on Mars and planting an American flag, the X/Twitter owner pounded his chest and shot his right arm in an angular motion toward the sky, saying he felt it in his heart. He also turned his back to the audience and repeated the gesture towards the American flag hanging over the stage. Although many were swift to condemn the 53-year-old for the gesture, Stewart attempted to give Musk the benefit of the doubt, albeit in an amusing way. After showing the clip, which prompted boos from The Daily Shows studio audience, Stewart paused briefly before saying: Okay, charitably, Im going to say that was just an awkward my heart goes out to you gesture. Stewart then made reference to Taylor Swift and a heart gesture that she would make with her hands next to her chest, before adding: Its a nerve-wracking day. Youre not usually a public speaker. Its a one-off gesture. Please try not to use it again. Then, for comedy effect, the clip of Musk doing the salute for the second time is shown, leaving Stewart even more exasperated. Son of b****. I guess you really want the people in the back to see it, I guess? Stewart concludes his thoughts on Musks salute by saying: Im just going to be generous and say maybe that was Elons attempt at dabbing on the haters. Many have suggested that Musk was actually performing a Roman salute that soldiers in the ancient empire would use to greet their commanders as a show of respect and loyalty. The Roman salute, however, was later adopted in some forms by fascist states including Nazi Germany, as some noted. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Additionally, right-wing extremists celebrated the alarming gesture. I dont care if this was a mistake. Im going to enjoy the tears over it, neo-Nazi leader Christopher Pollhaus wrote on Telegram. Elon Musk makes a salute during Trumps inauguration celebration ( AFP via Getty Images ) Musk later shared a clip of his entire speech on X, though the video - which he pulled from another user - curiously did not show the first salute he gave to the crowd. The footage was from Foxs Live Now broadcast. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Fans of Silent Witness were brought to tears by the shows latest episode and have demanded a major change to forensic pathologist Dr Nikki Alexanders storyline. The long-running BBC drama, which began in 1996, aired an emotional episode this week as the Lyell squad searched for the remains of a woman whose hand was discovered in a waterway. It quickly emerged that the woman was Faith, a missing barrister, who had previously been troubled by a man called Stefan who later became the lead suspect in her death. Dr Alexander (Emilia Fox) then visited Faiths partner, Lucy, and revealed that there was some hope the barrister may still be alive. After discovering unknown DNA on Faiths hand while looking for clues, Dr Alexander suggested the barristers son, Josh, undergo DNA testing. Lucy then tearfully asked the forensic pathologist: What do I say to him? How on earth do I tell him? to which Dr Alexander assured her: I promise were doing everything we can to find Faith. Silent Witness fans were moved by Dr Alexanders subsequent interaction with Faiths son, Josh, and argued the pathologist should have children of her own in forthcoming seasons. open image in gallery Emilia Fox in Silent Witness as Dr Nikki Alexander ( BBC ) Nikki and another child. Please make this woman a Mum, one viewer wrote on X/Twitter. And one again we see Nikkis maternal nature and love of children in dealing with Josh. Surely this must be pointing to something another person speculated. "They way Nikki looks at the kid and makes him feel so comfortable with her in an instant. Shes so maternal, a third person added alongside a crying emoji. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free She would make the sweetest mom, another fan added. Although Dr Alexanders character has always been portrayed to have a caring nature and empathy for children, the pathologist has never had children of her own. Back in season 25, Nikki revealed to her fiance Jack Hodgson that she and her ex-husband Tom Faulker had a child who was stillborn at eight months when she was 21 years old. We were having a baby and I lost it. It was a stillbirth at eight months. It was devastating, I spent my 21st birthday in hospital, she said. When I got out, I knew it was over with Tom, I just wanted to be on my own and start again. Wipe the slate. He lost his child and then he lost me, and I barely looked around to see if he was still standing. open image in gallery David Caves and Emilia Fox as Jack Hodgson and Nikki Alexander on Silent Witness' ( BBC ) Speaking to press about her characters forthcoming nuptials, Fox said she thinks Dr Alexander is in denial about wedding planning. Theyre two people whove been great friends and who have loved each other and supported each other in different ways, she said. Then theyve admitted their love for each other and come together and now theyre seeing whether they can work together and have a relationship. This is the next stage of commitment. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy For 80 years, the haunting melodies of Auschwitz lay buried in silence, hidden among the archives of one of historys darkest chapters. Now, for the first time, this lost music composed by prisoners will be heard again, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of British composer Leo Geyer. The Lost Music of Auschwitz follows the journey of the composer and conductor, as he embarks on a ten-year mission to piece together fragments of musical manuscripts found in the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. The film, commissioned by Sky Arts, commemorates the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp from the Nazis. Over one million people were killed at Auschwitz as the horrors of the Holocaust unfolded. Inmates were forced to compose and perform for SS officers as victims marched to their deaths, with survival often depending on the strength of their musical talent. Featuring interviews with some of the last remaining survivors of the genocide and the Auschwitz orchestra, Geyer reveals how musicians rebelled with secret melodies and forbidden notes hidden within the music. Geyer, 33, first came across the lost archive when he was commissioned to write a composition in memory of Sir Martin Gilbert, a Holocaust historian. I went on a research trip to Auschwitz, he told The Independent. open image in gallery Music from the inmates at the Nazi camp will be played for the first time ( Sky Arts ) I wasnt expecting to discover anything other than a greater understanding of the Holocaust, particularly as Im not Jewish, Polish, Romani, or indeed descended from any other group or person who perished in Auschwitz. But I did know something about the orchestras of Auschwitz, as most classical musicians do. A chance conversation with an archivist led to the discovery of the treasure trove. He said in a very offhand way, Oh yeah, well, I think theres some music in the depth of the archive, but yeah, you wont be interested. And I said, I think I will. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Geyer returned a month later to examine the manuscripts and said, It transpired that actually there was a lot. He was moved to take up the project when he saw handwriting on an unfinished manuscript that was similar to his own. In the documentary, he searches for the identity of the hand that wrote it. Suddenly, it made it clear in my mind that while Im not immediately connected to this history, I am human and therefore I am connected to this history, he said. Some of the pieces were damaged beyond recognition or too faint to read, but through painstaking work, Geyer and his team were able to piece together and complete the works. His orchestra will finally play the music exactly as it would have sounded 80 years ago in The Lost Music of Auschwitz. open image in gallery Conductor and composer Leo Geyer came across the lost during a trip to the Auschwitz-Birkenau museum ( Sky Arts ) Most people are incredibly surprised that there were orchestras in Auschwitz in the first place, and once people have reconciled with that, people hope that any music that was performed was sorrowful and sad, in some way engaged with that history, Geyer explained. But the reality is the total opposite. Most of the music that was performed, bearing in mind of course that this was mostly for the SS, is incredibly jolly and very happy. Some of the hardest music to perform, which we did for the documentary, was one of the foxtrots, which was for the SS parties. For Nazis gorging on food and downing beer. The juxtaposition of that image and the music is utterly horrific. open image in gallery The 33-year-old composer has spent ten years putting the work together ( Sky Arts ) However, he added: This is why I was so moved by one of the pieces because it was what I was looking for, which was something which was racked with grief and sorrow. He reports that Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, now the sole survivor of the orchestras of Auschwitz, expressed bittersweet frustration at the recovery of the lost music.It was frustration that it had taken 80 years for this music to come to light, Geyer said. She was very frustrated that she did not have the opportunity to share this music with any of her colleagues. The Lost Music of Auschwitz is available to stream on NOW. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwans southern Chiayi county on Tuesday, causing minor injuries and damage to houses and prompting evacuations at a prominent chipmakers factories. The earthquake struck near the Dapu township at 12.17am local time, with its epicentre located 38km southeast of Chiayi County Hall, at a depth of 10km, according to Taiwans Central Weather Administration. The quake shook buildings as far as Taipei and prompted evacuations at chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) factories, local media reported. TSMC confirmed in a statement that evacuations were conducted at its facilities in the Central Taiwan Science Park in Taichung and the Southern Taiwan Science Park in Tainan as part of its emergency response protocols. Rescuers reported no major casualties, but 27 people sustained minor injuries, including six rescued from a collapsed house in Tainan city. TSMC said all of its employees were safe. Nikkei Asia reported that workers returned to their job sites hours after the quake. The earthquake struck near Chiayi where TSMC operates clusters of its cutting-edge chip plants that supply AI and mobile processors to global companies such as Nvidia, Apple, and Advanced Micro Devices. A video shared on Facebook showed local fire authorities rescuing three individuals, including a child, from a house that had collapsed in the nearby Nanxi district. open image in gallery In this image from a video, a store worker cleans the floor in Tainan, Taiwan on Tuesday, 21 January 2025 after an earthquake ( TVBS via AP ) In Nanxi district, the ceilings of several houses caved in. Elsewhere, one person sustained injuries from falling debris, and two others were reported trapped in elevators, according to authorities. The health ministry confirmed a total of 27 injuries, while the Nanxi district fire brigade stated that no major damage had been reported. The earthquake triggered a fire at a printing factory in Chiayi, but it was quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported Taiwan, situated near the junction of two tectonic plates, is highly prone to earthquakes. The Meishan earthquake near Chiayi in 1906 claimed over 1,200 lives. The islands most recent major earthquake occurred in April, when a 7.2-magnitude tremor struck Hualien on the east coast, resulting in 13 deaths. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A popular Korean bubble tea brand sparked backlash after one of their franchise managers told employees to inform their boss before their families in case they were in a plane crash. The directive was given to employees who worked at the bubble tea store on 29 December, the same day South Korea saw the worst domestic aviation disaster in the countrys history. A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash landed after failing to deploy its landing gear, then skidded off the runway at Muan airport and rammed into a concrete embankment. The plane burst into flames, killing all but two of its 181 passengers and crew. The survivors, crew members seated at the rear, suffered injuries but were rescued. open image in gallery A crane lifts the tail section during the salvage operation of the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 aircraft which crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport ( YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images ) A manager from one of Gong Cha Koreas franchises at the Shinsegae Department Store in Daegu allegedly told its part-time workers that they must inform him before contacting family in the event they found themselves in a plane crash. Did you see the plane explosion today? There are some people going overseas during the holiday. If a crash happens, send me a message saying hire an intern first before contacting mum and dad. Do not be absent, the manager allegedly said, according to a message posted on social media by someone who claimed to be an intern at the Gong Cha franchise location. The intern added: Please do not support Gong Cha by spending your money there. Is this really something you should say to a part-time worker? As an adult, dont you feel ashamed? This is so heartless. People were quick to respond in anger, with one comment reading: Is this person even human? Making such remarks right after a national tragedy? according to the South China Morning Post. Another commented: The managers brain must be broken. They have clearly given up on being a decent human being. The intern, in their message, said that the managers message was not entirely unexpected, as they routinely insulted employees and justified it as them testing the staff. In response, Gong Cha Korea apologised with a statement the next day, saying they were seriously addressing this issue. We would like to express my deepest condolences to those who lost their precious lives and their bereaved families in the unfortunate accident that occurred at Muan International Airport. We would also like to express my sincere condolences to all those who were hurt by this accident, the statement began, according to an online translation. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience or hurt caused by the inappropriate remarks made at the Shinsegae Daegu franchise store. An investigation determined that the incident resulted from inappropriate personal conduct by the store manager. Currently, Gong Cha Korea is seriously addressing this issue and taking appropriate measures against the relevant employees. In addition, we will strengthen our internal management system and prepare improvement measures to prevent this from happening again. We would like to once again sincerely apologise to our customers who have always trusted and supported Gong Cha Korea and to our part-time workers who were hurt by this incident. A handwritten letter, puportedly from the owner of the store, was also posted on Gong Chas social media, where they too apologised, and stated they would improve staff training to prevent an incident like this occurring again. open image in gallery ( Facebook/Gong Cha Korea ) I am the owner of a Gong Cha store inside Shinsegae Daegu Department Store. I sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to many people by our employees inappropriate behavior this time, the letter stated, according to an online translation. All of this is the result of my negligence as the store owner, and I deeply regret it. I will do my best to prevent a recurrence by thoroughly improving store operations and employee training. We sincerely apologise to everyone who was hurt by this incident, and we will do our best to regain the trust of our customers. I bow my head once again and apologise. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol told judges he was a firm believer of liberal democracy as he appeared for his impeachment trial for the first time since imposing a shock martial law decree. Mr Yoon appeared for the constitutional court hearing to decide whether to remove him from office permanently or reinstate him after he was impeached by the National Assembly. The president became the first sitting leader of the country to be arrested last week under a separate criminal investigation on insurrection charges for imposing martial law on 5 December and throwing the country into political turmoil. Dressed in a navy-coloured suit with a burgundy tie, Mr Yoon entered the courtroom at 2pm on Tuesday and waited to speak before eight judges and acting court president Moon Hyung-bae. "Its my first time attending today, so I will speak briefly," Mr Yoon, a career prosecutor before his 2022 election as president, said after asking permission to speak. "Since coming of age, I have lived with a firm belief in liberal democracy until this very day, and especially during my time in public service," he said. open image in gallery Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol attends a hearing in his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court on January 21, 2025 in Seoul ( Getty Images ) "As the constitutional court is an institution that exists to defend the constitution, I ask the justices to consider me favorably in various respects." Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the court in the south of the capital where a huge security arrangement was in place as the presidents appearance drew scores of supporters who protested the legal action against him. Holding banners reading Impeachment Invalid the crowd chanted slogans as Mr Yoon arrived from the Seoul Detention Centre, where he is being held in a correctional service vehicle escorted by a Presidential Security Service motorcade. open image in gallery Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attends his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul ( AP ) Dozens of police buses were lined bumper-to-bumper on both sides of the street in front of the court to limit access to the premises hours before the start of the hearing. Security was stepped up after a mob of angry supporters went on a rampage through the district court on Sunday and broke into the court that issued a warrant to extend his detention. open image in gallery Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol participate in an rally near the Constitutional Court ( Getty Images ) One woman was detained from outside the court for allegedly assaulting a police officer, Yonhap reported. Lawyers of Mr Yoon have denounced the impeachment trial as a political attack against the president by opposition parties abusing their parliamentary majority and it had nothing to do with safeguarding constitutional order. Mr Yoon is facing a charge of insurrection, which is one of the few that a South Korean president does not have immunity from and is technically punishable by death. South Korea, however, has not executed anyone in nearly 30 years. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A mysterious illness has devastated three families in a remote Indian village in the federal territory of Jammu and Kashmir, killing 17 people in just over a month. The deaths, all occurring in the Budhal village in Rajouri district, have left the local community paralysed with fear as experts raced to investigate the cause. On Sunday, Yasmeen Kousar, 16, succumbed to the illness at a hospital in Jammu. Kousar was the last surviving child of Mohammad Aslam, who had already lost five of his children and two other relatives last week. People walk amid snowfall in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir on 16 January 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images ) The fatalities were concentrated within three interrelated families, with nine members of two families having died between 7 and 12 December. Budhal, a remote village with a predominantly Scheduled Tribe population one of Indias most disadvantaged groups is now a place of mourning and fear. The victims have been buried in two rows across two graveyards a grim reminder of the tragedy that unfolded. Community gatherings have ceased, and many residents have refused to consume food prepared outside their homes. Federal home minister Amit Shah dispatched a high-level inter-ministerial team to investigate the situation. The team, composed of experts from the ministries of health, agriculture, chemicals, and water resources, arrived in Rajouri on Sunday evening and is investigating the cause. Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating: The health department and other agencies have probed the deaths, but the exact cause has not been determined yet. The Home Ministers team will work with local authorities to provide relief and uncover the truth. He also confirmed that police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to explore other angles, including the possibility of foul play. The illness, which initially presented with fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and episodic loss of consciousness, claimed its first victim on 7 December. Fazal Hussain, a resident of Budhal, fell ill after attending a community meal during his daughters wedding. Within days, four more family members, including children aged 5 to 14, also perished. The second wave of deaths occurred on 12 December, when three children from Mohammad Rafiqs family died. The third cluster, involving Mohammad Aslams family, began on 12 January and culminated with Yasmeens death. The medical teams have screened over 3,000 individuals in the area but they did not find a trace of any communicable disease from bacteria or virus that lead to the deaths, reported the Hindu Businessline. Over 12,500 samples, including blood, food, and environmental specimens, have been collected and tested by leading national health agencies. Preliminary findings indicate the presence of neurotoxins, but the exact toxin and its source remain unidentified, reported The Print, citing sources. Investigators suspect contaminated food or water may have been the delivery mechanism. Water samples from the village spring tested positive for pesticides or insecticides, prompting authorities to seal and sanitise the area and relocate affected families to isolated shelters. Despite extensive testing and surveillance, we are still in the dark about what is killing these people, said Jammu and Kashmir health minister Sakina Itoo. We have ruled out bacterial and viral infections, but this only deepens the mystery, Ms Itoo said. Experts from institutions such as the National Institute of Virology, the National Centre for Disease Control, and PGIMER Chandigarh have been roped in to expedite the investigation. Local residents are gripped by fear and frustration as the deaths have disrupted their daily life. Nasir Ahmed, a villager, voiced the communitys concerns: How can this be a virus when only three families are affected? If it were a disease, it would have spread to others. Were terrified to eat or drink anything. The recurring pattern of deaths following community meals has fuelled speculation about intentional poisoning. While the SIT is interrogating suspects and collecting evidence, no arrests have been made so far. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A woman in Indias southern state of Kerala has been sentenced to death for killing her boyfriend by poisoning him, becoming the youngest and only second woman in the state to be handed capital punishment. SS Greeshma, 24, was convicted of poisoning her boyfriend Sharon Raj in October 2020 by making him drink a pesticide-laced drink under the pretext of giving him a traditional medicinal concoction. Prosecutors said the drink caused Raj to suffer multiple organ failure. He died in hospital after receiving treatment for 11 days. A sessions court in the town of Neyyattinkara said the murder charge met the rarest of the rare threshold required for the death sentence. Greeshma was also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for kidnapping in order to murder and an additional five years and two years for causing harm by poison and destroying evidence respectively. Her maternal uncle Nirmalakumaran Nair was sentenced to three years imprisonment for his role in the conspiracy while her mother, who was also investigated, was acquitted last year. Judge AM Basheer called the murder diabolic and depraved. Taking into consideration all the facts and materials, it is crystal clear that the entire act of convict amounts to a barbaric and inhuman behaviour of the highest order, the judge said in the ruling, according to The Hindu. The manner in which the murder was carried out in the present case is extremely brutal, gruesome, diabolical and revolting as to shock the collective conscience of the community. The police investigation into the case revealed that Greeshma wanted to break up with Sharon and was already engaged with another man, whom she intended to marry. Prosecutors said Raj refused to end their relationship and Greeshma then hatched a plan to murder him. A key piece of evidence in the case involved a video Raj had recorded of the concoction before he consumed it, with police saying he suspected foul play at the time. Over 95 witnesses were examined in the trial which began in October 2024 and concluded on 3 January 2025 in what was described as a challenging case by investigators, who said Greeshma tried to mislead them. "The act of inviting Sharon over under the pretext of sexual intimacy and subsequently committing the crime cannot be ignored. It is the States responsibility to ensure punishment for criminal acts, a judge said during the trial. Evidence such as Sharon recording a video of the suspicious juice, despite Greeshma asking him not to record, indicates that he suspected something was wrong. Sharon fought for his life for 11 days without even consuming a drop of water. Greeshma can still appeal her sentence in a higher court. Greeshma becomes the 35th person handed a death sentence in Kerala, although actual executions are rare in the state. Kerala last carried out a death sentence on a convict 33 years ago with the execution of convicted serial killer Muthukutty Chandran in 1991. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Days after Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 14 and seven years in prison respectively in a real estate corruption case, one of Khans closest aides says he was offered a lucrative deal to testify against the former Pakistan prime minister. Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari is Khans international media adviser, and is based in London due to fears that like many other officials in Khans Pakistan Threek-e-Insaf (PTI) party he could be detained if he returns to Pakistan. He is also one of the named defendants in the case that saw Khan and his wife convicted on Friday of obtaining land worth billions of rupees from powerful property tycoon Malik Riaz, in a deal that allegedly cost the national exchequer about Rs 50bn (190m). The allegations surfaced after Riaz made an agreement with the UKs National Crime Agency in December 2019 to hand over assets, including properties, in a case linked to money laundering. Instead of depositing the funds into Pakistans treasury, Khans government allegedly used them to pay fines related to a separate land acquisition case in Karachi. The case is arguably the most significant in dozens that have been filed against Khan since he was ousted as prime minister in 2022. In Pakistan it is known as the Al-Qadir Trust case after the welfare organisation founded by Khan and his wife that was said to have received land from Riaz. Prosecutors accused Khan, Bushra Bibi, Bukhari and others of a key role in the illicit transfer of state funds for private gain. Khan denies any wrongdoing and says all the charges against him are designed to keep him and his party from power. Convictions in three other major cases have all either been overturned or suspended by higher courts. Bukhari tells The Independent he faced lots of pressure from the authorities to turn witness against Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Anybody whose name is involved in this case was offered all sorts of deals (to testify) against Imran Khan. Luckily, none of them took that offer not the businessman, not myself, he says. open image in gallery Supporters of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan hold his portrait during a protest in Lahore on 17 January 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images ) As well as the offer of lucrative deals, Bukhari says he faced various forms of harassment back home in Pakistan, from kidnapping family members, destroying homes, businesses, blocking bank accounts, stripping me of all my land... no pressure tactic was left. It was a two-pronged attack carrot and a stick. Riaz is said to have provided land in Jhelum, Punjab and the capital Islamabad, including 458 kanals (roughly 57 acres) that was acquired to set up the Al-Qadir University, run by the trust of the same name. Related: Imran Khan: Party is resilient to challenges after former PMs conviction, says Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari The Al-Qadir Trust case centres around the establishment of Al-Qadir University, which currently educates over 300 students... this is a nonprofit organisation... Imran Khan and his wife are not any form of beneficiaries of it. They dont receive any wages, salaries or retainers from this trust. It is simply non-profitable at the moment, Bukhari says. Bukhari argues that the case does not involve personal financial gain as the funds in question remain in the Supreme Courts custody. The 190m, which was sent from businessman Malik Riaz, is sitting with the Supreme Court of Pakistan. That money is actually earning interest in the Supreme Courts account. That interest benefits the government and the judicial system, he says. So this whole narrative that is being spread that that money has been used or put into Mr Malik Riazs account, or Imran Khans, or his wifes, or anyone elses for that matter, is absolute rubbish. open image in gallery Supporters of the former prime minister, Imran Khan, shout slogans after a court sentenced him to 14 years in prison for corruption related to the Al-Qadir University Project Trust ( EPA ) Khan told the media at Adiyala prison in Rawalpindi, where he has been detained since 2023, that Bukhari was offered a lucrative deal to testify against him in cases like Al-Qadir Trust, but he outrightly refused, which he said has resulted in business destroyed, family members displaced. Hes always been a key player of my team, Khan said. open image in gallery The accountability court in Rawalpindi found Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi guilty of misusing authority in a deal involving land acquisition from property tycoon Malik Riaz ( EPA ) He said that Bukhari had requested to appear in this case via video link or embassy because if he came to Pakistan, the court would not protect him and like the rest, he would be arrested or kidnapped and tortured. Zulfi Bukharis house was illegally raided and vandalised, the family was harassed and deals were offered. Bukhari says he was only added to the case as a defendant because he refused to travel to Pakistan to appear as a witness in court. Pakistans authorities have consistently denied that the allegations against Khan are politically motivated. In 2023 Marriyum Aurangzeb, the minister of information and broadcasting, told BBC News: You have to be accountable for your deeds in law. This has nothing to do with politics. A person who has been proven guilty by the court has to be arrested. Prime minister Shahbaz Sharif, whose party orchestrated Khans ousting in 2022 through a vote of no confidence in parliament, has called Khan a fraudster and the biggest liar in Pakistans history. 'I know they will put me in jail': Imran Khan speaks to The Independent On Friday, speaking about the corruption conviction from inside his jail cell, Khan said: Todays verdict has tarnished the reputation of the judiciary. In this case, neither I benefited nor the government lost. I dont want any relief and I will face all cases. He claimed a dictator is doing all this. My wife is a housewife, who has nothing to do with this phoney case and she has been given this sentence to infuriate me, Khan said. Dragging housewives into politics is shameful and against our traditions. Bushra Begum is a woman with strong nerves, she is not my weakness but my strength. PTI said Khans legal team planned to file an appeal against the Al-Qadir case judgement in the Islamabad High Court later this week. On Tuesday they issued a statement warning that if the PTI founder and his wife were not released promptly, and if prime minister Sharif and his associates persisted in their stubbornness, a new political crisis would grip the nation. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A recent decree aimed at regulating polygamy among Jakartas male civil servants has sparked a backlash as critics are calling for the practice to be abolished entirely, citing its discriminatory nature and harmful impact on women. The Jakarta gubernatorial regulation, issued on 6 January by acting governor Teguh Setyabudi, reaffirms and tightens existing provisions under Indonesias 1974 Marriage Law, which permits polygamy under specific conditions. The decree outlines the strict requirements civil servants must meet to take additional wives, including medical proof that the first wife is unable to perform her marital responsibilities due to disability or illness, evidence of infertility after ten years of marriage, written consent from the first wife, and a courts approval. The Jakarta Employment Agency a government regional civil service agency has defended the move, describing it as an effort to reduce the citys high divorce rates among government employees. [Hopefully] after the issuance of the [decree], there will be no more civil servants who divorce without permission from their institutions and have more than one wife without complying with the prevailing regulations, said Chaidir, head of the Jakarta Employment Agency, in a statement last Friday. However, the decree has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and gender equality advocates, who argue that such regulations perpetuate patriarchal norms, enable domestic violence, and fail to protect women and children in polygamous marriages. Amnesty International Indonesia condemned the regulation as a violation of international human rights treaties that Indonesia has ratified, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Both international human rights treaties emphasise that polygamy is a form of discrimination against women because it creates inequality in marital relations, said the groups executive director Usman Hamid. He called for the abolition of polygamy and urged the Jakarta administration to focus on policies that promote gender equality, such as improving womens access to divorce and child custody rights. The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) echoed these concerns, describing the existing legal framework as a reflection of deeply entrenched patriarchal values. [The conditions for polygamy] are subjective and mirror the construction of a patriarchal society that places women in a subordinate position and makes them exclusively responsible for domestic roles such as child care and nurture, the commission said. It further highlighted the link between polygamy and domestic violence, citing emotional neglect as a common consequence of such marriages. Emotional neglect accounts for a significant portion of the domestic violence cases reported since the ratification of the 2004 Domestic Violence Elimination Law, with half of the 3,079 cases involving psychological violence, according to Komnas Perempuan. Public policy analyst Achmad Nur Hidayat attempted to clarify misconceptions about the regulation during a discussion hosted by BTV. He argued that the decree was not an endorsement of polygamy but rather an effort to impose stricter conditions on its practice. Some members of the public mistakenly view this regulation as an incentive for male civil servants to take additional wives. In reality, it makes it significantly harder for them to do so, he said. Acting governor Teguh Setyabudi has also defended the regulation, asserting that it was designed to protect families rather than encourage polygamy. The primary goal of this regulation is to protect the families of our civil servants, he said on Friday, adding that discussions on the decree had been ongoing since 2023 and involved officials from the Justice Ministry and other stakeholders. Nevertheless, critics argue that the regulation does little to address the systemic issues underlying polygamous practices and may exacerbate existing inequalities. While men civil servants are allowed more than one wife, their women counterparts remain barred from becoming a second, third, or fourth wife under the law, highlighting the inherent gender bias in the policy, reported Indonesian national daily Kompas in June 2023. The regulation has also faced scrutiny from the National Commission for Women, which pointed out that many polygamous marriages remain unregistered, leaving women and children in these unions vulnerable. In many cases, second or third marriages are not officially registered with the authorities, which leaves women and children in these marriages vulnerable, Siti Aminah Tardi, a commissioner with the organisation was quoted as saying by the Jakarta Globe. Indonesias 1974 Marriage Law, which first introduced conditions for polygamy, has faced growing calls for reform from activists and human rights organisations. Komnas Perempuan has urged the government to prioritise revising the law to eliminate discriminatory provisions and protect womens rights. Revisions to the 1974 Marriage Law should focus on the fulfilment of womens rights and the liberation of women from discrimination and violence, the commission said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy As the second Donald Trump presidency gets underway in America, one of the key questions is how his policies are going to affect businesses and, in turn, share prices. Known for his pro-America stance in most matters, in commerce that will have a big impact as he theatens tariffs of 10 to 25 per cent on imports from other nations and cut regulations on oil production on his first day back in office. While its yet to be fully realised how Trumps plans may affect the UK directly, theres no doubt that political alliances are already seeing US-based businesses step further into the limelight, with Elon Musk in particular a regular face - and voice - throughout Trumps campaign. Among big US tech, though, its not just Musk who has been involved, with former White House chief strategist labelling the Tesla boss, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg supplicants who surrendered to the incoming president. From trade restrictions with China to those potential incoming tariffs, it could be a wild ride in US business over the coming months, big which have been the most immediate winners and losers across notable names Stateside? Heres a look at the so-called Magnificent Seven - Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla - whose growth has fuelled the stock market rise across the Atlantic over the past two years, how their share prices have performed in the week up to Trumps presidency and what happens next as the stock markets reopen after Martin Luther King Jr Day. Alphabet The company formerly known as Google has seen almost a 16 per cent rise in share price from when Trump was confirmed as having won the US election in early November, and while it has held fairly steady across the past month, the final week of Joe Bidens administration did see an initial 1.6 per cent rise. Googles biggest current question mark comes with a Department of Justice court case, which it filed in autumn last year calling for the breakup of the organisation and sale of certain parts, such as its Chrome browser and Android operating system. Ongoing discussions and lawsuits surrounding web dominance and possible anti-competitive practices are also factors which could affect the wider make-up of the organisation, while its Gemini product positions Alphabet as one of the leaders in the AI revolution - that could yet make the company even more prevalent in day-to-day lives. In the futures pre-market ahead of reopening on Tuesday, Alphabet is showing a slight lift of 0.6 per cent. Amazon A 13 per cent rise for Amazon since Trumps victory has been added to by a more short-term, but still notable, rise of 3.2 per cent in the week before he takes office. On account of the high number of products Amazon makes available through sellers which may be imported to USA, theres an obvious focus on what increased tariffs may mean for the e-commerce arm of the company, but pro-business regulations domestically also appear likely to benefit them. open image in gallery ( Getty Images ) During Trumps first term there was an ongoing battle of words and wills between he and then-CEO Bezos, but the latter has since stepped down from the role and was at the inauguration ceremony. Ahead of trading, Amazon is trading 1.1 per cent up. Apple One of the few giants to not be seeing a notable boost in share price since Trump was confirmed - and the only one to see a fall in the week preceding his arrival. Right now its up less than one per cent in the three months since early November, though that does incorporate a one-month drop of eight per cent following an earlier rise. Over the past week Apple is down almost three per cent. One of the biggest issues facing Apple right now are reported weak iPhone sales in China, its biggest market, while the next trading update at the end of January will reveal the next steps for the company to take. The recent fall is set to continue when markets open, with Apple 1.1 per cent down in pre-trading. Meta Zuckerberg was another in attendance on Monday and the Meta chief has seemed to align himself with Trump as the social media platform dispensed with fact checkers. Meta also donated $1m to Trumps inaugural fund amid efforts perceived to be intended to improve relations between big tech and the White House. open image in gallery ( Getty Images ) Trump last year called Facebook very dishonest and said election fraudsters would be sent to prison, appearing to reference the Meta boss at the same time with a message to Zuckerbergs, be careful. Shares are seven per cent up since the vote came in and flat across the last week ahead of Trumps arrival. Meta remains flat ahead of Tuesday trading, up 0.1 per cent. Microsoft Up four per cent since decision day and 2.4 per cent in the past week, its not a big moving moment for Microsoft. In fact, they might initially appear to be the least-affected of the seven in either direction; while they - like Meta, like Google - donated $1m to the Trump fund, they also did so in 2017, $0.5m then, and the same amount to Biden four years later. Microsoft leaders did meet with Trump, vice president JD Vance and also Elon Musk ahead of the start of the presidency, The Hill reported, but again that is not out of the ordinary compared with other big tech. Shares are slightly up in pre-trading, 0.6 per cent. Nvidia The second-biggest company in the world behind Apple, Nvidia is down two per cent since Trumps victory was confirmed - the only one of the seven dropping in that time - but up 1.3 per cent in the past week. In essence the share price has largely held steady since October, as the market waits to see how trade restrictions pan out for the chipmaker. Export restrictions on AI chips could impact Nvidia significantly, with China on the list of blocked nations, and Nvidia have criticised Washingtons approach to halting supplies of chips around the globe. Chief executive Jensen Huang was at a Lunar New Year party with employees rather than the Trump inauguration. Nvidia is up around 0.8 per cent in pre-trading. Tesla Finally, but perhaps most notably, the Musk-led vehicle manufacturer Tesla has been the biggest winner in share price terms since Trump claimed election victory. A share price of $251 on 5 November 2024 has ballooned to $426 at close of play on 17 January - a massive 69 per cent share price increase in under three months, leaving Teslas market capitalisation value at almost $1.4tn (1.14tn). open image in gallery ( AFP via Getty Images ) Even in the past week, the price is up more than three per cent. Musk has been alongside Trump at rallies on his campaign trail, was a central figure at his inauguration and has a position leading the administrations newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, which has reportedly already been sued at least four times. Hes also the worlds richest man, so the power plays and political intertwining are not going away. Should all that directly translate into share price alterations for Tesla? One Morgan Stanley analyst suggests the excitement is unrelated to cars but to Teslas other products - robotaxis, data, self-driving vehicles and more - while Chris Gannatti, global head of research at Wisdomtree, told Bloomberg he saw it hard to imagine an upside scenario at this stage given market constraints to sales. DataTrek Research suggest more than 90 per cent of Teslas share price is tied to what the company might do in the future. Ahead of trading, Tesla is up a further two per cent. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Selling Sunset alum Christine Quinn has mocked Mark Zuckerbergs reaction to Lauren Sanchezs outfit at Donald Trumps presidential inauguration. The 36-year-old reality star took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday (January 20) to share her reaction to Zuckerberg seemingly looking at Sanchezs chest, as she wore a lingerie-inspired outfit. In the viral moment, shared on X/Twitter, Zuckerberg appeared to be looking down at Sanchez, who was wearing an Alexander McQueen suit featuring a white blazer, which revealed her matching white lace bra. open image in gallery Christin Quinn claims Lauren Sanchezs inauguration outfit was worn at wrong place ( Getty Images ) Quinn, who was on Selling Sunset for five seasons, didnt hesitate to share her two cents about the look, claiming that it wasnt the best choice for the inauguration. Jeff Bezoss wife strutting into the presidential inauguration in lingerie with her chesticles hoisted like NASA was launching them into orbit? she wrote on X. Peak Selling Sunset season 2 energy Cute outfit, sweetheart, but wrong place. She concluded her post by mocking Zuckerberg for how he appeared to be looking at Sanchez fiancee of billionaire Jeff Bezos in that outfit. And as for our favorite Lizardman, Mark Zuckerberghis cold, dead eyes were locked on her cleavage like he was trying to program his next algorithm off it. WTF is going on America, Quinn wrote. open image in gallery Sanchez, with Jeff Bezos at the inauguration, divided opinion with her outfit ( via REUTERS ) During the inauguration, Sanchez paired her lace bra and blazer with matching white pants and a fuzzy coat. On X, many people also argued that the outfit was inappropriate for such a formal occasion. Jeff Bezoss future wife Lauren Sanchez is incredibly inappropriately dressed for a state occasion, one post read. Someone should have told her that having her white lace bra out on display is not acceptable. Another person agreed, writing, Lauren Sanchez needs to hire someone to teach her to dress like a classy lady. Money cannot buy class. Look at Melania, Ivanka and Usha. They have class. However, not everyone felt her outfit deserved such a backlash, as one post read: Lauren Sanchez for the win. open image in gallery Christine Quinn mocks Mark Zuckerbegs dead eyes on Lauren Sanchezs clevage at inauguration ( @XtineQuinn / Twitter ) I think she looks beautiful. Theres hardly any cleavage, calm down folks, another X user agreed. Sanchez wasnt the only one to draw ire over their outfit. Many fashion fans have threatened to boycott Oscar de la Renta after the brand dressed Ivanka Trump for an inaugural dinner this weekend. open image in gallery Ivanka Trump wore Oscar de la Renta to a candlelight dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C ( AFP via Getty Images ) On Instagram, the company boasted about dressing Trumps daughter in a custom off-shoulder crystal and pearl floral-embroidered empire waist gown with silver stole, prompting many followers to express their sudden distaste. Oh ok so were done with odlr, one person wrote, while another added: ODLR sold their soul. Unsubscribe. Meanwhile, Donald Trumps wife Melania turned heads as she arrived at the inauguration on Monday (January 20) in a navy blue silk-and-wool overcoat with large lapels buttoned up to reveal an ivory scarf peeking through. The custom piece was crafted by the 52-year-old designer who rose to fame as the youngest creative director at Oscar de la Renta before launching his eponymous label. open image in gallery Melania Trump captured attention in her outfit for her husbands inauguration ( Getty Images ) The dark and defining look was paired with a wide-brimmed top hat by Eric Javits shielding the top half of her face, which sparked hilarious memes online. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Six different brands of eggs have been recalled in Canada due to the possibility of salmonella contamination. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recalled Golden Valley, Compliments, Foremost, IGA, No Name, and Western Family eggs on Saturday (January 18). The recall applies to different packages and sizes of eggs. Only specific lot numbers of the eggs have been affected. A list of lot numbers is available on the CFIA website. The agency warned that people should not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products. Recalled eggs that are part of the lots that are potentially contaminated with salmonella should either be thrown away or returned to the store where they were purchased. Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick, the CFIA website reads. Salmonella is a type of bacteria thats found in the intestines of animals and humans and can cause food poisoning. The highest-risk foods tend to be animal products, such as raw meat, unpasteurized milk, undercooked poultry, and eggs, but salmonella can also contaminate fruit and vegetables through fertilizer used on crops. The six affected brands are Golden Valley, Compliments, Foremost, IGA, No Name, and Western Family eggs ( Getty Images ) According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, vomiting, nausea, chills, headache, and bloody stool. Most people recover from the illness on their own within a few days, but they are encouraged to see a doctor if it lasts more than a few days, becomes associated with a high fever, or the person begins to show signs of dehydration. In the U.S. last month, the Food and Drug Administration upgraded the alert level of Costcos egg recall over fears of salmonella. The FDA revealed in December 2024 that the recall was Class I, meaning this is a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. This is the most serious risk level that an FDA recall can be, with the classification change coming one month after 10,800 retail units of organic eggs were recalled from Costcos across the southern United States. The 24-count cartons with the Kirkland Signature branding were recalled by Handsome Brook Farms in New York because they had the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The cartons included in Handsome Brook Farmss recall were sold at 25 Costco stores located in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee beginning on November 22, 2024. Units with Julian code 327 and a use by date of January 5, 2025, are included under the recall. The FDA said in the press statement that the recall was launched after officials at Handsome Brook determined that eggs not meant for delivery to markets had accidentally been packaged and distributed to retailers. No known illnesses have been connected to the affected products. Similar to the current recall in Canada, consumers who are in possession of one of the affected cartons should return the eggs to their local Costco store to receive a full refund, or dispose of the eggs. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sharon Stones past comments about living next to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have resurfaced amid new complaints from the couples neighbours. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been accused of ruining the quiet and bringing more attention to the wealthy town of Montecito, California by some of their neighbours. The comments were published as part of a Vanity Fair article titled American Hustle. Published on Friday (17 January), the piece offered insight into what life was like inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markles big business ambitions, five years after their royal exit. After stepping down from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan moved to Montecito where, according to several people who spoke with Vanity Fair, they have rubbed locals up the wrong way. According to The Times, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are understood to have dismissed the allegations made against them. Sources close to the couple have described the article as distressing. One Montecito neighbour said of the royal couple: I still think theyre the most entitled, disingenuous people on the planet. They moved away from England to get away from the scrutiny of the press, and all they do is try and get in the press in the United States. open image in gallery The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have criticised Metas fact-checking changes (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Archive ) In the wake of the neighbours complaints, friends of the couple pointed to recent comments made by Sharon Stone who previously painted a very different picture of what it was like to live next to the Sussexs. In 2020, the Casino star told Hello! magazine: Theyre a part of our community, theyve become a giving, caring, participating part of our community. Theyre not here to be like Would you like to kiss my butt? Elsewhere in the Vanity Fair article, a source who worked in media projects claimed that Meghans relationships with her employees were rocky. open image in gallery ( AFP via Getty Images ) She would be warm and effusive at the beginning, engendering an atmosphere of professional camaraderie, the article stated. When something went poorly, often due to Meghan and Harrys own demands such as a teaser for Archetypes being released five months before the show premiered and before there was any tape to promote Meghan would become cold and withholding toward the person she perceived to be responsible. Others, however, such as producer Jane Marie who collaborated with the couple while they developed audio projects at Archewell had a different experience with the Duchess, calling her a lovely, genuine person. The Vanity Fair article spoke about the couples various business ventures, stating: Leaving the royal family has brought tests for the couple legal, financial, reputational, personal and practical. Going from divinely chosen (or at least chosen by someone else who was divinely chosen) members of a 1,200-year-old institution to start-up founders in exile is a tough adjustment. One unnamed person who worked with the couple on their Spotify deal said: The thing youre escaping is the reason youre compelling. open image in gallery ( Archewell Audio/Spotify ) They added that the Sussexes wanted a big theme [to their podcast] that would explain the world, but they had no ideas. According to The Times, sources close to Harry and Meghan said that previous employees had gone on record in the past to dispute the claims made in the article. They declined to be interviewed for the article. The Independent has contacted a representative of the Sussexes for comment. The couple also attracted criticism recently after they were branded disaster tourists in search of a a photo op when they were pictured consoling victims of the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires. In a post shared on X (Twitter), Arrested Development star Justine Bateman took issue with the pairs appearance in Pasadena, writing: Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers. What a repulsive photo op they achieved. They are touring the damage? Are they politicians now? They dont live here; they are tourists. Disaster Tourists. Bateman lives in the Hollywood Hills, which has been affected by the wildfires. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy John F Kennedys grandson Jack Schlossberg shocked his X/Twitter followers when he asked an unexpected question about his grandmother Jacqueline Lee Kennedy Onassiss looks. Yesterday (January 20), during President Donald Trumps second inauguration, the 32-year-old, born John Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg, wrote: True or False? Usha Vance is way hotter than Jackie O. The post, which has now garnered over 5.6 million views, drew immediate backlash as numerous people reminded the Vogue political correspondent: Thats your grandmother!!!! open image in gallery Usha Vance (left) and Jackie Kennedy (right) ( Getty ) Gonna be honest man, I think most people dont do hotness rankers involving their grandmas, one person commented, while another asked: Are you that desperate for engagement? Jack NOOO this may be taking the trolling too far, a third commented. If you have a therapist, mention this at the next session, wrote another. open image in gallery Jack Schlossberg says Usha Vance is way hotter than Jackie Kennedy ( X/@JBKSchlossberg ) Schlossbergs tweet spawned several memes from short clips of Debra Jo Rupp in That 70s Show to a video of a man on the subway screaming: Police! Help! Police! open image in gallery One person shares meme of Debra Jo Rupp on That 70s Show in response to Schlossberg ( X/@Brazil201 ) Others, meanwhile, answered the question more honestly: I would say Usha Vance is a little hotter than Jackie, but thats just personal preference and not a commentary on either womans moral character or general vibe. I think we can both agree that they are two *very* foxy ladies, am I right Jack, my man??? Schlossberg replied: Really appreciate this take thanks Sam. He later followed up to his own tweet, writing: Im a literal pervert. I called my grandmother hot have I totally lost it ? Jesus this kid will do anything for attention. Your grandfather would be ashamed. Seriously. Time to get a job. For the inaugural swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, seemed to play upon former First Lady Jackie Kennedys iconic silhouette and dignified use of color in a bubblegum, belted pink overcoat and a matching neck scarf. open image in gallery Usha Vance (far left), JD Vance (inner left), Donald Trump (inner right), and Melania Trump (far right) ( Getty Images ) Vances bright jacket cut across a sea of dullness on the inaugural stage yesterday, especially to FLOTUS Melania Trump, who wore a black and white ensemble by Adam Lippes. In the past, incoming first ladies have donned light-hued jackets akin to Vances. Indeed, Melania chose to forego tradition, conservatively covering up in the navy blue garment and a wide-brimmed hat concealing the top half of her face, making it difficult to read her expressions. Online, people compared her Eric Javits head accessory to cartoon villains and evil film characters such as the Hamburglar and Jim Carreys green-faced persona in The Mask. Why the hell does Melania Trump look like the Hamburglar? one person asked on X, while another said: And now I will never unsee it. Thank you. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Kellyanne Conway appeared like the ghost of Inauguration Day past ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States, Monday morning. Conway, 58, who served as senior counselor to the president throughout Trumps first term, spoke inside the Capital One Arena wearing the same red, white, and blue double-breasted Gucci coat and bright red stockings that she wore to the inaugural festivities eight years earlier. In 2017, the political consultant described the patriotic get-up as Trump Revolutionary Wear after several people online poked fun at her $3,600 ensemble. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the time, Conway said: Sorry to offend the black-stretch-pants women of America with a little color. open image in gallery Kellyanne Conway on Donald Trumps Inauguration Day in 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images ) She added: Im the face of Donald Trumps movement. open image in gallery Kellyanne Conway on Donald Trumps Inauguration Day 2017 ( Getty Images ) Conway may no longer be Trumps senior counselor, but the resurrected statement-making outfit apparently conveyed her unwavering support for the president. I wanted to come here today to tell you that I dont believe what they say about books and movies, that the sequel is often not as good as the original, Conway declared earlier. I think this sequel is going to be kick-ass better than the original. Conway wasnt the only woman dressed to the nines in an unexpected outfit for Trumps historic day. First Lady Melania Trump also pulled a daring fashion move for the occasion, donning a wide-brimmed hat that cast a long shadow over the top half of her eyes. The Eric Javits accessory, which almost didnt make it in time, topped off her Adam Lippes navy blue, silk-and-wool overcoat. According to the designer, the original accessory he had made for the second-time FLOTUS was ruined in transit. I guess the hat arrived all crushed, Javits told Womens Wear Daily before Inauguration Day. It looked like it had been sitting in snow drifts for about a week. Obviously, I had to scramble to redo it. It couldnt really be repaired, because of the construction of it. Lippes the designer who gained notoriety as the youngest creative director to helm Oscar de la Renta told the outlet: Mrs. Trumps outfit was created by some of Americas finest craftsmen and I take great pride in showing such work to the world." Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy During the second episode of her new podcast Are You A Charlotte?, Kristin Davis revealed she once was ghosted by an actor who has since become very successful after he borrowed money from her and has still never paid her back. Its funny that we didnt have the term ghosting [while filming the original Sex and the City series] the Charlotte York actor, 59, told fellow SATC alum Sarah Wynter, 51, on the January 20 recording. A long time ago I was ghosted. I dont know exactly. Its hard to define the term ghosting. I think it was when there were cellphones. I did one time date this out-of-work actor. I think this was before Sex and the City. Hes now very successful. Hes very talented. But at the time, I had money because I had been working, she continued. And I was at his house and he had all of these like, Your electricity is going to be turned off notices that you get when you cant pay your bills. Davis went on to mention he also mightve wrecked his motorcycle, his only mode of transportation at the time. I was like, Can I lend you some money? Davis remembered asking him. Horrible mistake. Anyone listening, do not lend anyone money that you are dating. It doesnt end well. It really irked me. Davis ended up lending him all of $5,000. It changed the dynamic in a horrible way, the Melrose actor continued. Kristin Davis opens up about her dating history on episode two of her new podcast ( Getty Images for Highbrow Hippie ) And it was kind of a casual thing, probably shouldve known better. But I just felt like, I can help. I should help this guy, hes so talented, which he is, she said. I lent him this money and he stopped calling. So, I remember going over to his apartment, banging on the door, and his dog was in there. In her fit of rage, Davis continued banging on the door amid all the dog barking. Her boyfriend, however, was nowhere to be found until later that day. Later on, he did call me and he was like, Did you come to my house and bang on my door? I felt so embarrassed. I felt messy, Davis admitted. Then I was like, Well, remember how I lent you the money, now I havent heard from you. This is a successful actor. I just would love some acknowledgement or whatever. Wynter encouraged Davis to knock on his door now, years later. Where does he live? she asked. Lets go. According to Davis, her ex now lives in the country with his wife and kids. So, shes no longer motivated to go and confront him. You live and you learn, Wynter said before Davis cheekily confessed that wasnt the last time she let someone borrow money from her. Daviss conversation with Wynter comes after her podcasts January 13 debut episode in which she dished about having auditioned for the role of Carrie Bradshaw and got emotional re-watching Willie Garson, the actor behind Stanford Blatch who died in 2021, in the first season of Sex and the City. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy On Monday (January 20) Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. As people begin to file into the United States Capitol Rotunda, Jeff Bezoss fiancee Lauren Sanchez turned heads with her daring outfit. Sanchez showed up to the event wearing an all-white outfit alongside the Amazon CEO. Inside the Rotunda, she removed her fuzzy white coat to show off her Alexander McQueen suit featuring a white blazer and wide-leg trousers. Sanchez opted out of a blouse, instead revealing a matching white lace bra. Many people were quick to turn to X (formerly Twitter) to argue that the outfit was inappropriate for such a formal occasion. Jeff Bezoss future wife Lauren Sanchez is incredibly inappropriately dressed for a state occasion, one post read. Someone should have told her that having her white lace bra out on display is not acceptable. Another person agreed, writing, Lauren Sanchez needs to hire someone to teach her to dress like a classy lady. Money cannot buy class. Look at Melania, Ivanka and Usha they have class. Lauren Sanchez complete inappropriate dress today. Really, a bra plainly visible. Today is NOT a night club event. Show some class & dignity, a third post read. open image in gallery Sanchez wore an all-white Alexander McQueen suit for the inauguration ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) However, not everyone felt her outfit deserved such a backlash. Lauren Sanchez for the win, one post read. open image in gallery Sanchez largely sparked backlash over the lace bra she decided to wear ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) I think she looks beautiful. Theres hardly any cleavage, calm down folks, another X user agreed. open image in gallery Fans compared Sanchezs outfit to Melania Trump and Usha Vances outfits ( Getty Images ) Sanchez wasnt the only one to draw ire over their outfit. Many fashion fans have threatened to boycott Oscar de la Renta after they dressed Ivanka Trump for an inaugural dinner this weekend. On Instagram, the brand boasted about dressing Trumps daughter in a custom off-shoulder crystal and pearl floral-embroidered empire waist gown with silver stole, prompting many followers to express their sudden distaste. Oh ok so were done with odlr, one person wrote, while another added: ODLR sold their soul. Unsubscribe. Sad to be done with odlr, added a third. While Sanchez wore her Alexander McQueen suit, First Lady Melania Trump made a bold style statement, partnering with Adam Lippes, who gained notoriety as one of the youngest creative directors while at the helm of Oscar de la Renta from 1996 to 2003. Melania arrived outside the White House for the Inaugural Ceremony on Monday in a buttoned navy blue overcoat layered over an ivory neckline and an elongated top hat by Eric Javits, which carefully shielded her eyes from the cameras. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Richard Gere has opened up about moving to Spain from the United States with his family. In a recent interview with Elle Espana, the 75-year-old said that since making the move with his wife Alejandra Silva and their children sons Alexander, 5, and James, 4, in addition to Silvas 11-year-old son Albert from her previous marriage to Govind Friedland they are happier than ever. The truth is that you are seeing us in our momentum. We are happier than ever, he told the publication. [Alejandra], because she is at home and I because, if she is happy, I am happy. The Pretty Woman actor first revealed he was selling his home in Connecticut with the goal of moving to Spain back in November 2024. The home had been originally purchased in 2022 for $10.8 million. Back in April that year, the Runaway Bride actor opened up about wanting to leave the U.S. and start a life with Silva in Spain so she could spend more time with her relatives. Silva, 41, is originally from La Coruna, Spain, though shes spent considerable time with Gere in the States since their 2018 wedding. Gere met Silva in Positano, Italy, in 2014 when he was still married to his second wife, Carey Lowell with whom he shares 24-year-old son Homer. Before Lowell, the Hollywood star was married to supermodel Cindy Crawford from 1991 to 1995. Gere said he made the move abroad for his wife: If she is happy, I am happy ( AFP via Getty Images ) For Alejandra, it will be wonderful to be closer to her family, her lifelong friends, and her culture, Gere told Vanity Fair Spain at the time. She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers. The Agency actor further discussed the move while speaking on The Today Show in November. My wife is Spanish, and were going there for her family, her friends, her culture, he said. The kids are bilingual, so its really going to be great for them. Gere isnt the only well-known figure to have left the U.S. Eva Longoria also revealed in a November interview with Marie Claire that she and her family were splitting their time between Spain and Mexico City. I get to escape and go somewhere. Most Americans arent so lucky. Theyre going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them, she told the outlet. However, she later clarified in a surprise phone call appearance on The View: Behind the Table podcast that she did not leave America because of the results of the presidential election. Will you please let them know I didnt move out of the United States because of Trump? Longoria asked The View co-host Ana Navarro on the podcast. Ive been in Europe for almost three years. She clarified that she left the U.S. because of work, adding: I didnt leave because of the political environment. I left because my work took me there. While the Texas native admitted that living outside the U.S. allows her some distance from the constant 24-hour news cycle, she claimed speculation that she had relocated because of American politics was divisive. We cant be that way right now, Longoria said. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy On Monday (January 20) Donald Trump and JD Vance were sworn in as the 47th president and vice president of the United States. Although the goal of the inauguration may have been to celebrate the start of a new political term, the subject of many viral social media posts came from the attendees and what they were wearing. In some cases, the outfit was too casual or didnt fit the proper aesthetic of the event, and in others, it stood out in just the right way. Here are the best and worst-dressed attendees at Trumps inauguration. BEST Usha Vance open image in gallery Ushas outfit was designed by Oscar de la Renta ( REUTERS ) The second lady, and wife to Vice President JD Vance wore an outfit designed by Oscar de la Renta. The ensemble included a pair of knee-high Manolo Blahnik Lina boots in addition to a structured blush-pink coat with a high collar and a belted waist. Carrie Underwood open image in gallery Underwood wore a sleeveless gray dress by Opificio Modenese ( AP ) The American Idol winner was styled by Marina Toybina as she wore a sleeveless gray dress by Opificio Modenese with silver accessories a more toned-down version of the more sequins-heavy outfits she normally wears while performing. Although her performance of America the Beautiful may not have gone as planned, fans were still obsessed with her simple yet elegant outfit. Jill Biden open image in gallery Fans fawned over the purple color of Dr Bidens outfit ( Getty Images ) The previous First Lady said goodbye to the White House in an all-purple outfit, complete with a dress and tailored double-breasted coat cinched at the waist, matching gloves, and pointed-toe pump. Similar to Ushas outfit Dr Biden drew attention for the striking color of her coat as many people interpreted the purple to be a statement of unifying the countrys two political parties the Democrats (blue) and the Republicans (red). Barack Obama open image in gallery Barack Obama attended Trumps inauguration without Michelle ( Getty ) Although the former president had shown up without his wife, he still made sure to look his best for the occasion wearing a black suit with a blue-striped tie, showing that in some cases, simple is best. Melania Trump open image in gallery The outfit led to various memes over the way the hat cast a shadow over her face ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) The First Lady earned many comments on her outfit in which she was fully decked out in Adam Lippes. Melania wore a navy blue silk-and-wool overcoat with large lapels buttoned up to reveal an ivory scarf peeking through. The dark and defining look was paired with a wide-brimmed top hat by Eric Javits shielding the top half of her face. Despite appearing put-together, the outfit led to various memes over the way the hat cast a shadow over her face as she was compared to fictional characters such as the McDonalds Hamburglar. WORST Lauren Sanchez open image in gallery Sanchez wore an Alexander McQueen suit ( Getty Images ) Jeff Bezoss fiancee attended Trumps inauguration wearing an all-white outfit. However, after she removed her fuzzy coat, she revealed an Alexander McQueen suit featuring a white blazer and wide-leg trousers. Sanchez opted out of a blouse, instead revealing a matching white lace bra. Sanchez received swift and harsh judgment for the daring outfit, which many people on X described as inappropriate. Someone should have told her that having her white lace bra out on display is not acceptable, one person wrote. John Fetterman open image in gallery The senator wore gray gym shorts and a hoodie ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) The Pennsylvania Senator looked like he arrived at the inauguration ceremony straight from the gym as he was seen wearing a black hoodie and gray shorts. Kellyanne Conaway open image in gallery Conway repeated the outfit she wore in 2016 ( Getty Images ) The former Trump counselor was seen wearing the exact same outfit she wore to his first inauguration back in 2017. At the time, she described her red-collared, blue-and-white striped coat with matching red leather gloves as Trump revolutionary wear. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Iraqs parliament passed three divisive laws Tuesday, including amendments to the country's personal status law that opponents say would in effect legalize child marriage. The amendments give Islamic courts increased authority over family matters, including marriage, divorce and inheritance. Activists argue that this undermines Iraqs 1959 Personal Status Law, which unified family law and established safeguards for women. Iraqi law currently sets 18 as the minimum age of marriage in most cases. The changes passed Tuesday would let clerics rule according to their interpretation of Islamic law, which some interpret to allow marriage of girls in their early teens or as young as 9 under the Jaafari school of Islamic law followed by many Shiite religious authorities in Iraq. Proponents of the changes, which were advocated by primarily conservative Shiite lawmakers, defend them as a means to align the law with Islamic principles and reduce Western influence on Iraqi culture. The parliament also passed a general amnesty law seen as benefiting Sunni detainees and that's also seen as giving a pass to people involved in corruption and embezzlement. The chamber also passed and a land restitution law aimed at addressing Kurdish territorial claims. The session ended in chaos and accusations of procedural violations. Half of the lawmakers present in the session did not vote, which broke the legal quorum," a parliamentary official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly. He said that some members protested loudly and others climbed onto the parliamentary podium. Independent legislator Noor Nafea Ali wrote on X that the laws were passed without proper voting, describing the session as a farce. Also Tuesday, at least three officers, including the national security chief of the al-Tarmiyah district north of Baghdad, were killed and four others wounded in an explosion at an ammunition depot, a security official said. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media, said the explosion occurred as a joint force of the Iraqi army and the national security service conducted an operation following intelligence reports of the Islamic State group's activity and an ammunition cache in the area. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK will fight in court for its right to ban fishing vessels from catching sand eels, small silvery fish which are often pictured being guzzled by puffins. The move is thought to be the first courtroom trade battle between the UK and EU since Brexit. Britain banned sand eel fishing last year in an effort to protect and sustain the numbers of puffins, auks and kittiwakes that eat them. But the fish are useful as animal feed and bought by fish oil producers. Danish fishing vessels want the right to fish them in UK waters and the EU will challenge the ban in court. This month there will be a three-day tribunal hearing at the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague after talks to resolve the dispute failed. A final ruling will be made in April. The ban in England was brought in by the last Conservative government and was hailed by environmentalists. Scotland followed suit shortly after with its own ban. The ban was introduced last year ( REUTERS ) But the EU argues that it infringes the EU-UK trade deal which promised full fishing access to UK waters. The rift comes at a sensitive time for EU-UK relations since prime minister Keir Starmer is aiming to strengthen ties with the trading union. As well as being eaten by puffins, sand eels are eaten by fish such as cod and haddock. Despite their name, they are a fish despite their long, sleek frame, which can grow to 30cm. Their use in animal feed and fertilizer and subsequent commercial fishing was blamed for a sudden drop in the population of seabirds in the UK. Conservationists are concerned that if the EU wins its case, there could be other challenges to the UKs protections of the marine ecosystem. If this arbitration decision goes the EUs way it is likely to lead to France challenging trawling bans in all our offshore marine protected areas and also challenging our fisheries management plans. That would be a most depressing outcome and would remove most of the green gains from Brexit at a stroke, Charles Clover, co-founder of the Blue Marine Foundation told the Times newspaper. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Scientists hope to investigate whether common drugs could be used to help fight dementia after ibuprofen and some prescription antibiotics, antivirals and vaccines were associated with a reduced risk of the condition. The new study, led by researchers from the universities of Cambridge and Exeter, examined 14 studies that used data from more than 130 million people and 1 million dementia cases. Dementia is a leading cause of death in the UK and one in three people will develop it, making it the biggest health and social care issue of our time according to the Alzheimers Society. Understanding whether drugs in current use could be re-purposed for use in dementia is an urgent priority, the academics leading on the report said, but other experts stressed more work needs to be done before these medications could be used to treat the condition. The team found the corticosteroid prednisone, the antibiotic amoxicillin, and vaccines including tuberculosis, hepatitis A and diphtheria jabs were associated with a reduced risk of developing dementia. They further found diabetes drugs, vitamins and supplements, and antipsychotics were associated with an increased risk, but other classes of treatment including some blood-pressure medications and antidepressants showed conflicting evidence. open image in gallery Dementia is a leading cause of death in the UK and one in three people will develop it ( AP ) Dr Ilianna Lourida, from the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula at the University of Exeter, acknowledged the study had limitations. Because a particular drug is associated with an altered risk of dementia, it doesnt necessarily mean that it causes or indeed helps in dementia, she said. We know that diabetes increases your risk of dementia, for example, so anyone on medication to manage their glucose levels would naturally also be at a higher risk of dementia but that doesnt mean the drug increases your risk. Dr Ben Underwood, from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, said despite the fact the study could not link drugs with causing or increasing dementia risk, it was still an important step towards finding new treatments for the condition. We urgently need new treatments to slow the progress of dementia, if not to prevent it, he said. If we can find drugs that are already licensed for other conditions, then we can get them into trials and crucially may be able to make them available to patients much, much faster than we could do for an entirely new drug. The fact they are already available is likely to reduce cost and therefore make them more likely to be approved for use in the NHS. However Dr Baptiste Leurent, associate professor in medical statistics at UCL said the quality of studies used in the review was generally poor, and didnt include any randomised controlled clinical trials. The risk of spurious findings in such study is very high, he said. Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimers Society, said the study provided important initial groundwork. One in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime, making it the biggest health and social care issue of our time, he said. If we can repurpose drugs that have already been shown to be safe and approved for use for other conditions, this could save millions of pounds and decades it takes to develop a new dementia drug from scratch and get us closer to beating dementia. Dr Julia Dudley, head of research strategy at Alzheimers Research UK, said that because these drugs had already been shown to be safe, that could potentially speed up the process of clinical trial testing. Although these findings are interesting, it is too early to say if these medications can reduce the risk of dementia, she said. Researchers will need to confirm these findings in clinical trials and investigate how these medications could potentially protect the brain against dementia. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy After centuries of speculation, archaeologists in Peru have confirmed the existence of an underground tunnel network, thought to have been built by the Incas. The groundbreaking discovery was found over a mile of the network of streets, underneath the historic city of Cusco near Machu Picchu. According to the Association of Archaeologists of Peru, the chincana - meaning labyrinth in Quechua- connect the citys Temple of the Sun to the ancient Sacsayhuaman fortress. open image in gallery The tunnels connect the citys Temple of the Sun (pictured) to the ancient Sacsayhuaman fortress. ( Getty Images ) Archaeologists Jorge Calero and Mildred Fernandez told a press conference that three further branches of the tunnels were detected, with each leading to different areas across the city. At its deepest point, the Chincana tunnel is said to be around 8.2 feet in depth. The search for the tunnels began after historical accounts written in the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries mentioned them View more One account written by a Spanish priest in 1594 stated that a main tunnel began at the temple and travelled under the bishops house behind Cusco Cathedral, and ended at the citadel of Sacsahuaman. Researchers used sound testing and a radar to identify the tunnels location and reveal that the walls, likely constructed with stone and roofed with carved beams, 1.4 to 2.5 metres beneath the streets. Mr Palomino said: Now we have to excavate at key points to be able to enter the Chincanaperhaps in March or April. Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the historic capital of the Inca Empire. Millions of tourists visit each year, with many basing themselves in the city before beginning their journey to one of the seven wonders of the world - Machu Picchu. open image in gallery Millions of tourists visit Cusco each year, with many basing themselves in the city before beginning their journey to one of the seven wonders of the world - Machu Picchu. ( AFP via Getty Images ) Under Inca rule, Cusco was developed into a complex urban centre with distinct religious and administrative functions. It is renowned for its architectural and cultural heritage and was surrounded by clearly delineated areas for agricultural, artisan and industrial production. When the Spanish conquered the city in the 16th century, the urban structure of the Inca imperial city of Cuzco was preserved and temples, monasteries and manor houses were built over the Inca city. The latest discovery of the tunnels highlights the advanced nature of Inca civilisation as the tunnels likely served as a communication system across the city. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Scientists have identified a new giant horned dinosaur species that roamed across modern-day North Africa about 95 million years ago, despite its fossilised remains being destroyed during the Second World War. The 10-metre-long predatory dinosaur species, named Tameryraptor markgrafi, was discovered based on archive photographs of the dinosaurs skeleton from before 1944. Its original skeleton was described in 1914 after it was excavated in the Bahariya Oasis in Egypt and then stored together with other Egyptian dinosaur fossils in the Bavarian State Collection for Paleontology and Geology in Munich. At the time, paleontologist Ernst Stromer von Reichenbach (1871-1952) assigned the fossil to the genus Carcharodontosaurus, meaning shark-toothed lizard. open image in gallery Skeletal remains of Tameryraptor markgrafi in the exhibition at the Alte Akademie ( University Archives Tubingen ) Measuring about 10 metres long, it is one of the largest known land-based carnivores ever to have roamed the Earth comparable in size to the slightly younger Tyrannosaurus rex from North America. However, a large part of the dinosaur fossil collection in Munich, including those from Egypt, fell victim to bombing during the Second World War. The only remnants of this 10-metre giant were Dr Stromers notes, illustrations of its bones, and some photos of the original skeletons. Have You Ever Wondered Why Dinosaurs Sounded Like? Well We Might Have the Answer Archived pictures show the original skeleton from Egypt, including parts of the dinosaurs skull, spine and hind limbs before its destruction. What we saw in the historical images surprised us all. The Egyptian dinosaur fossil depicted there differs significantly from more recent Carcharodontosaurus found in Morocco, said Maximilian Kellermann, the studys first author. Stromers original classification was thus incorrect. We identified a completely different, previously unknown predatory dinosaur species here and named it Tameryraptor markgrafi, Dr Kellermann said. Researchers found from the images that the dinosaur had distinct symmetrical teeth and a prominent nasal horn. Its genus name Tamery refers to the ancient name for Egypt and the species name honors Dr Stromers fossil collector Richard Markgraf, who excavated the dinosaurs remains. open image in gallery Reconstruction of Tameryraptor markgrafi ( Joshua Knuppe ) This species is related to the North African and South American Carcharodontosaurus and to a group of predatory dinosaurs from Asia, the Metriacanthosaurs, scientists say. The findings suggest dinosaurs of North Africa were much more diverse than previously thought. This work shows that it can be worthwhile for paleontologists to dig not only in the ground, but also in old archives, said Oliver Rauhut, another author of the study. However, a more comprehensive assessment of the Cretaceous predatory dinosaur fauna from the Bahariya Oasis would require the recovery of more fossils from the site, Dr Rauhut said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A banking executive found bludgeoned to death at her home has been named by police as the hunt for her killer continues. Marianne Kilonzi, 43, was found dead from blunt force trauma after neighbours heard screams from her flat that was reportedly bolted from the inside. Police had to break into her apartment in Argyll Road, Woolwich, southeast London, just before 5.30pm on Friday. A post-mortem held on Saturday gave the victims cause of death as blunt force trauma and head injury. Neighbours heard screaming at the time of the killing and were told by police a suspect is believed to have fled the country, as reported by Metro. One said: The poor woman was inside the flat with the door bolted. The police got in somehow but it was too late. There were police and paramedics everywhere. Police later told residents there was no risk to them as the suspect had left the country. According to her LinkedIn profile, Ms Kilonzi was currently working as a vice-president for trade at Citibank in London after being promoted from the Kenya office. A Citibank spokeswoman said: We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague. Our thoughts are with Mariannes family and friends during this difficult time. Asked whether the suspect had fled the country, Scotland Yard said: This is one line of enquiry that is currently being explored as a part of the investigation. DCI Suzanne Soren said detectives believe the suspect was known to the victim, adding: This is a tragic crime and our thoughts at this incredibly difficult time are with Mariannes loved ones and colleagues. We are in contact with her family, who are being supported by specialist colleagues. I know this is a concerning time for the wider community and want to reassure the public that whilst we are in the early stages of this investigation, we believe the suspect was known to Marianne and there is no wider risk to the public. This is a fast-paced investigation and I would urge anyone with any information to come forward. If you have information, you can call 101 quoting CAD 5231/17Jan or to report anonymously you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Axel Rudakubana admitted to killing three girls at a dance class in Southport on the first day of his trial. The 18-year-old was to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, charged with 16 offences, including three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder. Dramatically changing his plea at the last moment, the teenager admitted to all the charges. He pleaded guilty to the murders of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine. He also admitted to possessing terrorist material and producing the toxin ricin. On Thursday, Rudakubana was sentenced to life with a minimum of 52 years for carrying out the horrific attack which was described as a pre-meditated attempt to commit indiscriminate mass murder. The judge also apologised to the families of the victims who, because of Rudakubanas surprise guilty plea, were not in court to see his admission. Heres everything we know about the devastating Southport attack of July 2024. What did Axel Rudakubana do? On the morning of 29 July 2024, then 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana travelled from his home village of Banks in Lancashire via taxi. He was then seen calmly exiting the vehicle and entering the dance studio on Hart Street. In just minutes, witnesses would describe seeing young girls being carried out of the building covered in blood with stab wounds to their backs, while their screaming parents rushed to find them. Advertised for children aged between years 2 and 6 at primary school, the summer event quickly turned to a scene from a horror movie, with an enormous emergency incident declared. Bebe and Elsie both died at the scene. Alice died in hospital the day after the incident. open image in gallery From left to right: Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar were murdered by Axel Rudakubana ( Merseyside Police/PA ) Ten others were injured, including eight children, yoga teacher Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, who both had heroically attempted to prevent the attack. He has now pleaded guilty to all charges of murder and attempted murder, as well as terror-related offences. He was found to have a PDF file titled Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual and charged with possessing information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. What happened after the attack? Shortly after the murders, violent riots broke out across the country. These were fuelled by far-right misinformation online which claimed that Rudakubana whose identity was not yet public was a Muslim and asylum seeker. Much of the violence was targeted towards Muslim and migrant communities. Over the course of six days, the rioting became the largest incident of social unrest in the UK since the 2011 riots. Attempting to tackle the violence, around 130 police officers were injured. By September, 1,280 arrests had been made, with 800 charged. open image in gallery Axel Rudakubana covered his face as he appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court ( Elizabeth Cook/PA ) In the months since his crime and the subsequent riots, Rudakubana had remained consistently silent in the dock, with prosecutors and investigators compiling CCTV and witness statements to establish the case against him. In a previous appearance, the court heard that Rudakubana had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and had refused to engage with a psychiatrist at a police station. In the period leading up to the attack, he had also been unwilling to communicate with his family and had not been leaving the house. Rudakubanas not-guilty pleas were entered on his behalf in December 2024, as he chose not to speak. But as each charge was read to him on 20 January this year, the teenager quietly said guilty to each count. Public inquiry The home secretary announced on Monday that there will be a public inquiry into how Rudakubana came to be so dangerous and why Prevent failed to identify the terrible risk he posed to others. Yvette Cooper confirmed the 18-year-old had contact with a range of different state agencies throughout his teenage years before carrying out his meticulously planned rampage. Ms Cooper said in a statement: He was referred three times to the Prevent programme between December 2019 and April 2021 aged 13 and 14. He also had contact with the police, the courts, the Youth Justice system, social services and mental health services. Yet between them, those agencies failed to identify the terrible risk and danger to others that he posed. Announcing the public inquiry, the Home Secretary continued: Although, in line with CPS advice to preserve the integrity of the prosecution, we were constrained in what we were able to say at the time, the Home Office commissioned an urgent Prevent Learning Review during the summer into the three referrals that took place and why they were closed. We will publish further details this week, alongside new reforms to the Prevent programme. But we also need more independent answers on both Prevent and all the other agencies that came into contact with this extremely violent teenager as well as answers on how he came to be so dangerous, including through a public inquiry that can get to the truth about what happened and what needs to change. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Inside Liverpool Crown Court, a tense silence descended as victims families gathered in the public gallery, anxiously waiting for Southport killer Axel Rudakubana to enter the dock. The sentencing hearing, scheduled for 11am, had already started late as police, legal teams, families and journalists had made their way through enhanced security amid heightened tensions over the shocking case. Every seat was taken, with some choosing to sit in parts of the public gallery with no view of the dock. A piece of frosted glass obscured any chance of catching even a fleeting glimpse of the remorseless killer, described by his own lawyer as having a total lack of empathy. Others, including the grief-stricken parents of Alice da Silva Aguiar, Alexandra and Sergio, had a clear view of the daughters murderer. open image in gallery 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana was not in court to hear the judge sentence him to life in prison with a minimum term of 52 years ( PA Media ) They watched as Rudakubana, tall and slight, finally entered the glass-screened dock wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit and a surgical facemask like the one he wore on the day he targeted 26 defenceless girls at a Taylor Swift themed holiday class in Southport last July. He refused to speak when asked to confirm his identity and sat slumped in the dock with his head bowed accompanied by five dock officers. The sentencing hearing had come more rapidly than anyone had anticipated. They had all been braced for a harrowing four-week trial which they were spared after the 18-year-old changed his plea without warning on Monday. However, any hope the families had that Rudakubana would accept his punishment with dignity were soon dashed. Within minutes of prosecutor Deanna Heer KC launching her address, Rudakubana who had refused to speak entirely at several previous hearings started to shout over her. I need to speak to a paramedic, he shouted. I need to speak to paramedic I feel ill. Reports published that morning, later contested by police, claimed he had been taken to hospital from prison before the hearing. Rudakubanas lawyer Stan Reiz KC revealed prison staff had raised concerns over his wellbeing and his ability to be in a high-pressure situation. He has not eaten for a number of days and hes drunk very little over a period of time, the lawyer said. open image in gallery Police officers line the streets outside Liverpool Crown Court prior to the departure of Axel Rudakubana ( Peter Byrne/PA Wire ) However judge Mr Justice Goose said he had been examined by healthcare professionals before the hearing, who determined he was fit to attend, and told him to stay quiet. I cant remain quiet because I am ill judge, he protested. I havent eaten for ten days and Im not going to remain quiet. Despite attempts to carry on, he continued to shout over Ms Heer and then told his lawyer he was experiencing chest pains. The judge, determined to continue, warned him shouting from the dock is not going to make this happen any quicker, but the killer refused to stop interrupting. He was ordered from the dock. A family member shouted coward as he was led to the cells by dock officers, while others shook their heads in disgust. The evidence that followed as Ms Heer recounted the horrifying details of the brutal knife attack was harrowing. Families broke down in the public gallery, with many leaving the court before distressing CCTV footage of the screaming girls fleeing in terror from the knifeman was played. One clip showed Rudakubana grabbing a girl as she tried to escape and pulling her back into the Hart Space. Moments later, the seven-year-old dressed in summer shorts emerged stumbling and disoriented with visible injuries. She clung to a wall for a few seconds, looking for her route to safety, but collapsed on the floor. Miraculously, she survived her injuries. After lunch Rudakubana returned to court, having been seen again by healthcare professionals. He had told his lawyer he would be quiet, but within minutes the interruptions resumed. Judge, judge I feel really ill, he continued. I need to be seen by a paramedic. The judge responded: He has been seen by a paramedic two teams of paramedics who deem hes fit, before he was ordered from the dock for a second time. open image in gallery From left to right: Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar were killed in the mass stabbing ( PA Media ) His absence meant he was not in court to listen to a string of devastating victim personal statements, some of which were delivered in person. One brave survivor, aged just 14, who was stabbed in the back and arm delivered her own victim statement via videolink. She demanded give me a reason for what you did as she told her attacker: I hope you spend your whole life knowing that we think youre a coward. Jailing him life with a minimum of 52 years, Mr Justice Goose said it was highly unlikely Rudakubana would ever be released. Some family members could be heard to take an audible breath as the sentence was announced. Outside court, they held hands and hugged. Later, police lined the street as Rudakubanas prison van was set to leave the court. The killer, who will likely serve his sentence in a maximum security jail, will not be eligible to apply for parole until 2077. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A TikTok influencer has been jailed after strangling their girlfriend in a sustained attack of domestic abuse. Hollie Hanson, 26, of Low Cross Court, Knottingley, pleaded guilty to a number of charges relating to her partner including intentional strangulation and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour in their relationship, West Yorkshire Police have said. The 26-year-old was sentenced on Friday at Leeds Crown Court to four years in prison, an extended licence period of three years, and was made the subject of an indefinite restraining order. The charges related to an incident on 2 September last year where Hanson reportedly got jealous of her girlfriends relationship with one of their friends and grew verbally abusive. When she returned to Hansons home to collect her belongings, she was followed and pinned to the bed in a sustained attack lasting several minutes, with Hanson repeatedly making threats about killing the female victim, said Wakefield District Adult Safeguardings Detective Constable Demi Stubbs. Hanson then became violent toward one of their friends, DC Stubbs continued, as they assaulted the male victim by grabbing him around the neck by his chain. The court heard that on a separate occasion in 2020, Hanson once assaulted her girlfriend with a vodka bottle, knocking her unconscious before slashing her leg. The victim was too scared to report the attack and told the hospital shed accidentally cut herself on a shard of glass. Hanson has shown they are a dangerous individual who is prepared to use extreme levels of violence in a domestic relationship. Hanson was remanded in custody throughout this court process and has now been jailed, DC Stubbs said. They continued that the case was publicised to highlight that domestic abuse does not only occurr in heterosexual intimate relationships. I would urge anyone who is in the LGBTQ+ community who is the victim of domestic abuse, whether physical or emotional, or who has concerns for a friend or family member, to please have the confidence to come forward, DC Stubbs concluded. Hanson, had approximately 25.9k followers on one TikTok account. In a video posted in 2023, Hanson posted a video about how they need to learn how to stay quiet sometimes. Because I know how disrespectful I can get when Im angry and hurt. The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated mens advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Government has confirmed that the annual earnings threshold for automatic workplace pension enrolment will remain at 10,000 for 2025-26. Pensions minister Torsten Bell said automatic enrolment thresholds for 2025-26 will be maintained at their 2024-25 levels. In a written statement he said: It is important that AE (automatic enrolment) works for individuals, supporting those for whom it makes economic sense to save towards their pensions whilst also ensuring affordability for employers and taxpayers. Mr Bell said the Government is committed to looking at long-term steps it can take to further improve pension outcomes. Ian Futcher, a financial planner at wealth manager Quilter, said: Torsten Bell has unsurprisingly decided to maintain the automatic enrolment thresholds given the upcoming changes to employer national insurance contributions and the continued financial strain many people are suffering. While freezing the thresholds provides stability for both employers and employees, it is still a missed opportunity to drive higher contributions that could secure better retirement outcomes for millions of workers. The Governments decision puts the onus on individuals to ensure theyre saving enough for their future. While AE has transformed pension saving, those relying solely on minimum contributions may find themselves falling short of the retirement they desire. open image in gallery Many people fear they wont have enough money for retirement ( PA Wire ) The automatic workplace pension enrolment amount is reviewed annually. The 10,000 trigger has been kept in place for a number of years. Automatic enrolment obliges employers to enrol all workers into a qualifying workplace pension. It comes amid concerns about the lack of knowledge about pensions. More than half of people agreed between 25 and 54 say they feel nervous or unsure about their retirement finances, according to a survey carried out by NFU Mutual. Fewer than one in 10 people were very confident they would be financially comfortable in retirement dropping to just 6 per cent for women. The countrys growing army of self-employed people could also be on track to increase pensioner poverty. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that 15 per cent of all people in employment now work for themselves. That means they are not automatically enrolled into a pension scheme and that theres no employer contributing to their savings Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Villagers fighting to save their historic local pub, which once served Winston Churchill and Cold War Spies, are making efforts to bridge generational divides to boost their campaign. The Elm Tree Inn, located in the Dorset village of Langton Herring, has been a hub of community life since opening its doors in the early 18th century. Over its 300-year history, the pub has welcomed a diverse array of patrons, from World War II heroes to local villagers. However, after centuries of trading, the pub closed in 2023, spurring a determined group of locals to launch a campaign to bring it into community ownership. Since its launch in April 2023, the Friends of the Elm Tree campaign has raised half of the 650,000 needed to purchase the pub through donations and 1 shares purchased by investors. But with 300,000 still to go, the group is appealing to younger generations, including Gen Z, to invest in their mission. In a TikTok clip that has garnered over 100,000 likes, members of the group made a playful plea: Be an Elm Tree stan and help these boomers save their pub. open image in gallery After launching in April of last year, the Friends of the Elm Tree have managed to raise half of the funds needed. ( The Friends of the Elm Tree ) The video opens with two villagers lamenting the pubs closure, saying: Were feeling salty about our village pub closing down. We were shook when we found out it might be knocked down - along with its rich 400-year history. The clip highlights the pubs charm and history, noting its significance as a social hub and its storied past. They jokingly describe it as the perfect spot to crochet with the besties or meet your next situationship. One villager recalls the 1950s, when locals noticed something sus happening at the pub, leading to the unravelling of the infamous Portland spy ring. Dorset residents Harry Houghton and his lover Ethel Gee, members of the Russian spy network, were regular patrons of the Elm Tree Inn. They would sit in the pubs snug, awaiting calls from their KGB handler to exchange information about the nearby Portland naval base. open image in gallery Dorset-based Harry Houghton and his lover Ethel Gee were part of the infamous Portland spy ring ( Getty Images ) The pubs links to espionage arent its only claim to fame. During World War II, the Elm Tree Inn welcomed legendary figures such as Barnes Wallis, the inventor of the bouncing bomb. Wallis and Winston Churchill are said to have spent time there while Wallis conducted secret bomb trials nearby. Their visits, shrouded in secrecy, were deemed a matter of national security. The pub really was the centre of the villages social milieux, said Alun Cooper, vice president of the Friends of the Elm Tree Inn, in an interview with The Independent. open image in gallery September 1977: British aviation engineer Sir Barnes Neville Wallis (1887 - 1979), inventor of the bouncing bomb which destroyed the Ruhr dams, and of the Wellington bomber ( Getty Images ) He warned of the consequences if the campaign fails: The worst-case scenario is that the pub is knocked down and developed into housing. There are plenty of stories of communities who lose their pub, and it never reopens. Its a real loss to the social cohesion of the community. The Friends of the Elm Tree hope their efforts will either secure the pub for community ownership or attract a buyer committed to reopening it. If someone came in and said theyll run it instead, thats fine with uswe just want to see the pub open, Cooper said. To find out more about the campaign click here and to find out how you can donate or buy shares, click here. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UKs central programme to stop domestic terrorism, Prevent, has been criticised for failing to intercept Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana before his fatal attack which left three young girls dead in July. The 18-year-old had previously been referred to Prevent three times before he carried out the atrocity, the first as long ago as 2019. Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has now ordered a public inquiry into the attack, saying that the anti-terror programme and other state institutions failed the families of the victims. His comments come after Rudakubana, 18, made a surprise guilty plea in court on Monday as his trial was due to begin. He admitted to the murders of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and trying to kill ten others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class last summer. open image in gallery Axel Rudakubana, 18, who has pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to murdering three young girls, Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar (Merseyside Police/PA) ( PA Media ) The teenagers referrals to the Prevent programme were made between December 2019 and April 2021, when he was aged 13 and 14, home secretary Yvette Cooper revealed the day after his trial. Rudakubana had also had contact with the police, the courts, the Youth Justice system, social services and mental health services. Yet between them, those agencies failed to identify the terrible risk and danger to others that he posed, Ms Cooper said. The minister that a Learning Review into Rudakubanas three referrals to Prevent begun in the Summer but remained confidential to protect the integrity of the trial. We will publish further details this week, alongside new reforms to the Prevent programme. But we also need more independent answers on both Prevent and all the other agencies that came into contact with this extremely violent teenager as well as answers on how he came to be so dangerous, including through a public inquiry that can get to the truth about what happened and what needs to change. Heres everything you need to know about the UKs anti-terror programme: What is Prevent? The Prevent programme is a central part of the Home Offices counter-terrorism strategy. Its central aim is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism through early intervention. It also extends to supporting the rehabilitation and disengagement of those already involved in terrorism. Its three main objectives are: Tackle the ideological causes of terrorism Intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation Enable people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate The programme comprises a multi-agency approach, with duties extending to many bodies. Legislation introduced in 2015 introduced the Prevent Duty, requiring certain sectors to follow Prevent safeguarding policies by law. This includes several specific authorities such as schools, colleges, universities, health, local authorities, police, and prisons. open image in gallery Home secretary Yvette Cooper looks at tributes near the scene of the deadly attack in Hart Street, Southport (James Speakman/PA) ( PA Wire ) Local authorities oversee the delivery of the Prevent programme locally. Anyone can refer themselves or someone they know to Prevent if they are concerned that they are susceptible to radicalisation or might be at risk of becoming involved in terrorism or supporting terrorism. Referrals can be made to a number of bodies with the Prevent duty, but will be handled by specialist officers in the local police force. If a referred person is found to represent a security threat, they should be investigated further under current guidance. In the year to March 2024, there were 6,922 referrals to Prevent. The Prevent programme is the first of four steps in the governments counter-terrorism strategy CONTEST. Revised over the years, the strategy was first created in 2003 in as an immediate response to 9/11. The strategy comprises are four Ps, and alongside Prevent there is: Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Civil servants have dubbed a new AI system introduced to reduce millions spent on consultants Humphrey after the machiavellian adviser from Yes, Minister. The bundle of tools, named after the fictional Whitehall official from the BBC sitcom, will look to boost productivity, replace archaic technology and save taxpayer-funded services as much as 45bn. Sir Keir Starmer has already greenlit a plan to use the immigration system to recruit a new wave of AI experts and loosen up data mining regulations to help Britain lead the world in the new technology. Tim Flagg, chief operating officer of trade body UKAI which represents the AI sector, hit out at the nickname given to the tech, telling the BBC: Humphrey for me is a name which is very associated with the machiavellian character from Yes, Minister. That immediately makes people who arent in that central Whitehall office think that this is something which is not going to be empowering and not going to be helping them. One, called Consult, aims to speed up policy decision-making by crunching thousands of responses to consultations within hours and presenting them as interactive dashboards for policymakers and experts. open image in gallery Paul Eddington (Jim Hacker) and Derek Fowlds (Bernard Woolley) in the classic BBC sitcom ( BBC ) Consultants and analysts who do this at the moment can take months to compile responses and bill the taxpayer around 100,000 per consultation. The package for civil servants also includes a tool to analyse decades of parliamentary debates called Parlex, a generative programme to prepare briefings called Redbox and a legal research tool called Lex. The tools are part of a plan to overhaul digital services in a bid to cut costs and make it easier for the public to access services. Science and technology secretary Peter Kyle is also expected to unveil plans for digital driving licences that would be accessed through a government app. The government wants to do away with antiquated processes such as queueing at the local council to register a death or posting an advert in the local paper to get a lorry driving licence. It also wants central departments such as HMRC and the Department for Business and Trade to share more data with each other and local councils to crack down on fraud. A new team in Mr Kyles Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will be tasked with joining up public services so people do not have to tell dozens of organisations the same thing. The science secretary said: Sluggish technology has hampered our public services for too long, and its costing us all a fortune in time and money, not to mention the headaches and stresses were left with after being put on hold or forced to take a trip to fill out a form. My department will put AI to work, speeding up our ability to deliver our Plan for Change, improve lives and drive growth. We will use technology to bear down hard to the nonsensical approach the public sector takes to sharing information and working together to help the people it serves. We will also end delays businesses face when they are applying for licences or permits, when they just want to get on with the task in hand growth. This is just the start. open image in gallery Keir Starmer said AI would become Britains superpower ( Pool/AFP/Getty ) The rollout came after Sir Keir called AI the UKs superpower, as he unveiled plans to expand use of the technology in a bid to boost growth. The prime minister conceded there would be teething problems involved in the process but insisted changes would help revolutionise creaking public services and turn around Britains economy. The government has said it will take forward all 50 recommendations made by tech entrepreneur Matt Clifford, who was commissioned by Mr Kyle in July to come up with a plan to identify AI opportunities. In a speech in east London on Monday, Sir Keir said: AI isnt something locked away behind the walls of blue chip companies; its a force for change that will transform the lives of working people for the better. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The crucial committee which will scrutinise the assisted dying bill was told to be civil and courteous as members met for the first time ahead of expert evidence hearings at the end of January. The 23-member committee has a majority of MPs who are supportive of assisted dying, including two government ministers Stephen Kinnock and Sarah Sackman. The MPs, who will test the proposed legislation line by line, met on Tuesday to set out the timetable for the inquiry process. The meeting started with a disagreement between parliamentarians over whether the session, which would consider the suitability of witnesses to future hearings, should take place in private. Committee chairman Sir Roger Gale had to remind MPs to be nice to each other as we are going to spend quite a lot of time together. MPs then voted for the meeting to be held in private. The bill, which will support terminally ill adults to end their own lives, has received initial backing from MPs but still has some way to go before it becomes law. open image in gallery Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said she is open to hearing suggestions on how safeguards in her Bill can be strengthened ( PA Wire ) A number of amendments to the bill have already been submitted for MPs to consider. These include additional safeguards against people with severe anorexia seeking help to end their lives, and a clause to stop illnesses that can be managed or controlled through treatment from being classed as terminal. MPs have also suggested a change to the bill that would require the doctor who approves the assisted death to have undertaken training on domestic abuse, including coercive control and financial abuse. A number of MPs have also proposed a timetable for evidence hearings to run from the end of January until 6 February. The proposal, brought by member of the committee Danny Kruger, suggests a number of experts; including Sir Max Hill, the former director of public prosecutions, Baroness Hale, the former president of the Supreme Court, and Sir James Munby, the former president of the family division of the High Court. A number of doctors from the US, Australia and Canada have also been suggested as expert witnesses to the committee. open image in gallery Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney will try and add safeguards to the assisted dying bill ( PA Archive ) However Kim Leadbeater, the MP behind the historic bill, had proposed a different selection of witnesses, which Mr Kruger said he had serious concerns about. He told Tuesdays hearing that eight witnesses were proposed from abroad, but all of them were proponents of assisted dying, likewise there were no lawyers proposed as witnesses who are against the bill. There is nobody from deaf or disabled peoples organisations, Mr Kruger added. Kim Leadbeater, the MP behind the historic bill, has said she is very open to hearing how safeguards can be strengthened. She said some 40 people have been invited to give evidence to the committee. She said this was unprecedented for a private members bill and goes beyond what might typically happen with a government bill of a similar length. Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney, who sits on the committee, said she will look to close a potential loophole in the bill that might allow people with severe eating disorders to end their lives. The Royal College of Psychiatrists has raised concerns the wording of the bill could cover anorexia, saying: Its effects in severe cases could be deemed by some as a terminal physical illness, even though eating disorders are treatable conditions and recovery is possible even after decades of illness. open image in gallery Danny Kruger said he believes the assisted dying bill, to which he remains opposed, needs to be significantly changed ( PA Wire ) Ms Olney claimed her amendment, which would replace an assessment of capacity with a test of ability, would safeguard those suffering from anorexia. She said: My amendment would replace capacity with a functional test of ability and it will ensure that only those who can fully understand the nature of their decision can choose an assisted death. This key safeguard will, for example, protect those suffering from eating disorders. The committee is made up of 14 MPs who voted in favour of the bill and nine who voted against it. The Independent revealed medically qualified MPs who opposed assisted dying were among those rejected for inclusion on the crucial committee. These included qualified psychiatrist Dr Ben Spencer, meaning the three medically qualified MPs on the committee are all supportive of assisted dying. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Lancashire Police responded to five calls from Axel Rudakubanas home about his behaviour before the Southport attacks took place, Yvette Cooper has revealed, as she said multiple agencies failed to identify the terrible danger he posed. Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, the home secretary offered more details on the child killers background and announced a new public inquiry into the murders he committed of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. She said the government will consider the wider challenge of rising youth violence and that requests will be made to tech companies to remove online material accessed by the 18-year-old. The home secretary also said the government has ordered a thorough review of the Rudakubanas referrals to the Prevent anti-terror programme to identify what changes are needed to make sure serious cases are not missed. It comes after the prime minister said Britain faces a new threat of terrorism from extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms. open image in gallery The home secretary gave a statement to the Commons on Tuesday ( house of commons/AFP via Getty I ) Giving a statement in London, Sir Keir Starmer said the law and framework for responding needed to be appropriate to the new threat and whatever changes were necessary in the law would be made. Rudakubana pleaded guilty on Monday to the murders of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva, nine, in Southport last July. He also admitted the attempted murders of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, dance class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. Outlining more details on Rudakubanas background, Ms Cooper told the Commons that he had admitted to having carried a knife more than 10 times, was referred three times to Prevent and had contact with both childrens social care and mental health services. He was also convicted of a violent assault against another child at school, as well as having been excluded from one school. Yet the action against him was far too weak, she said. And despite the fact hed been convicted for violence and was just 17, he was easily able to order a knife on Amazon. Thats a total disgrace and it must change. So, we will bring in stronger measures to tackle knife sales online in the Crime and Policing Bill this spring. It is just unbearable to think that something more could and should have been done", Ms Cooper said. There are grave questions about how this network of agencies failed to identify and act on the risks. There were so many signs of how dangerous he had become, yet the action against him was far too weak. open image in gallery Axel Rudakubana ( PA Media ) So families need the truth about why the system failed to tackle his violence for so many years. That is why we are setting up an independent public inquiry. During her statement, the homes secretary also put tech firms on notice, demanding they remove dangerous content accessed by the Southport killer. Companies should not be profiting from hosting content that puts childrens lives at risk, she warned. Announcing a swathe of reforms in the wake of the horrific attacks in Southport last summer, Ms Cooper said ministers will be contacting technology companies to ask them to remove dangerous material that he accessed. She also said that a Prevent learning review had been commissioned in the summer and detailed findings will be published following the sentencing of Rudakubana. open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer gave a statement in London on Tuesday ( Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street ) While Ms Cooper said the government was previously constrained in what it could say about Rudakubanas background to avoid prejudicing any jury trial, shadow home secretary Chris Philp argued that further information could have been made public without prejudicing the court. Does she accept there should and could have been more openness and transparency, as I just set out, without prejudicing the trial and that disclosing more of that truth, openly and transparently, would have helped combat the damaging misinformation that circulated and which arguably fuelled the riots?, Mr Philp asked. Meanwhile, in a statement on social media, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the government was hiding behind contempt of court when the country needed to know the truth about Rudakubana and the fact that he was known to the authorities. Even MPs were banned from asking questions about this mans background. Cover up Keir convinces no one, Mr Farage said. Responding to Mr Philp, Ms Cooper said the government was keen to publish more information but added that the advice was clear. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rachel Reeves is poised to back a third runway at Heathrow in a bid to revive Britains flatlining economy. The chancellor is preparing a sweeping expansion of UK airports as part of its number one mission to secure sustained economic growth. As well as publicly endorsing Heathrows much-postponed plan to build a third runway, the government is reportedly set to approve a second runway at Gatwick and an application for Luton airport to double its capacity. open image in gallery Rachel Reeves is set to back the third runway at Heathrow in a bid for growth ( Getty Images ) Last month, Gatwick boss Stewart Wingate told The Independent he was pleading for permission from transport secretary Heidi Alexander to bring his airports standby runway into permanent use. He warned: Londons airports are already reaching capacity and demand is forecast to grow by more than 30 million passengers by 2030. We are already full at peak times. And he joined long-standing calls from a series of Heathrow bosses including incumbent Thomas Woldbye, who has said the plan for a third runway at Britains busiest airport is contingent on government support. Both bosses have warned that by not approving the plans, the government is missing out on an opportunity to boost growth. Amid growing fears about the state of Britains economy, with Ms Reeves expected to push through deep cuts when it publishes its upcoming spending review, she has ordered ministers to come up with ideas to boost growth. And last week Ms Reeves said the rising cost of borrowing and falling value of the pound only underlined the need to go further and faster in search of economic growth. open image in gallery Gatwick is set to be able to use its standby runway to boost capacity ( Jeffrey Milstein/Gatwick ) She could announce the decisions supporting airport expansions in a speech about growth as early as this month, Bloomberg reported. The major airport expansions would set Ms Reeves on a collision course with climate campaigners, who have consistently rallied against a third runway being built at Heathrow. It could also set up a cabinet clash with environment secretary Ed Miliband, who opposed Heathrows expansion during his time as Labour leader. Chair of the Labour Growth Group Chris Curtis MP has backed calls for a third runway at Heathrow. Speaking to Jo Coburn on BBC Politics Live, he said: We are determined to do everything that we can in order to get [the economy] fixed, and in my view, that does include building a third runway at Heathrow. We talked about the importance of living in an interconnected world, I think, having more airport capacity, including at Heathrow, is a really important part of that. It has been reported the Chancellor is considering backing the third runway and could make an announcement as soon as next week. Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, had told Times Radio, a creating a third runway at Heathrow is not a good idea as it "diverts infrastructure investment away from the north and traps it in London." Speaking to Times Radio, he warned: Its a model for an ever overheating UK economy rather than a more balanced, levelled up economy, which is what we would argue for. Manchester Airport has two runways and it doesnt operate at full capacity. And a spokesman for London mayor Sadiq Khan said: The mayor has a long-standing opposition to airport expansion around London linked to the negative impact on air quality, noise and Londons ability to reach net-zero by 2030. A government spokesman refused to comment on speculation, but added: We are determined to get our economy moving and secure the long-term future of the UKs aviation sector. All expansion proposals must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth, while remaining in line with existing environmental obligations. Heathrow boss Mr Woldbye has told The Independent that plans for a third runway are being revived, but has also warned that they will not submit proposals unless the government is fully onboard. Speaking at the Airlines 2024 conference, he said: We need to get around the table and say, do we want this? And we need to do that relatively fast because we cannot keep spending money. That requires discussion. Its not just Heathrow, its the airlines, its the Government, its Parliament, its everybody around this. We cant do that just as a single company. We are the tactical executors on the plan but transportation strategy is a government issue. Plans to allow Gatwick to use its second runway for departures are also expected to be approved, which would double passenger numbers to around 80m a year. And Labour is also set to accept the expansion of Luton airports capacity from 18m a year to 32m a year. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Keir Starmer has denied being part of a cover up over the Southport knife attack in which three young girls were murdered, insisting he kept secret the killers violent background to ensure he faced justice. The prime minister faced questions at a press conference on Tuesday about what he knew about attacker Axel Rudakubana after the stabbings, which also included the attempted murders of eight more children and two adults at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. After announcing an inquiry into how the state failed to identify the risk posed by Rudakubana, Sir Keir took head on claims that he had concealed information in the wake of the killings last July. open image in gallery Keir Starmer addressed the cover up claims head on on Tuesday ( PA Wire ) The PM admitted that he knew in the wake of the attack that Rudakubana was known to the authorities and that the 18-year-old had produced biological toxin ricin and possessed an Al Qaeda training manual for three years titled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants. But he said he could not disclose the information without collapsing Rudakubanas trial due to contempt of court laws, which would have seen the killer walk away a free man. He has faced claims of a cover up from Nigel Farages Reform UK and the Conservatives, who accused the PM of withholding information about the perpetrator. Speaking to Times Radio on Tuesday, shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: I think its just important the inquiry looks at all of this, gets to the truth both about what happened beforehand, but critically also the Governments response afterwards, and what they knew when and whether they should have put more information into the public domain. open image in gallery Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty on Monday (Merseyside Police/PA) ( PA Media ) It appears they withheld information about the perpetrator, potentially, on CPS advice. But, hitting back at a Downing Street press conference, Sir Keir said: If this trial had collapsed because I or anyone else had revealed crucial details, while the police were investigating, while the case was being built, while we were awaiting a verdict, then the vile individual who committed these crimes would have walked away a free man. The prospect of justice, destroyed for the victims and their families. I would never do that, and nobody would ever forgive me if I had. That is why the law of this country forbade me or anyone else from disclosing details sooner. But Mr Farage accused Sir Keir of once again hiding behind the contempt of court argument. This is simply untrue, the country needed to know the truth about this murderer and that he was known to the authorities, the Reform leader said. He added: Even MPs were banned from asking questions about this mans background. Cover up Keir convinces no one. Six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe were killed in the attack on 29 July 2024, while nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar died from her injuries in hospital a day later. open image in gallery Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar (Merseyside Police/PA) ( PA Media ) The decision to withhold information about the killer came as riots erupted in the wake of the attack, fuelled by misinformation about his identity on social media, including the claim that Welsh-born Rudakubana was an asylum-seeker who had recently arrived in Britain by boat. Mr Farage has previously claimed that disorder following the murders last July may not have happened if the public had been told the truth about Rudakubana from the start. He said: There has been a gigantic cover-up from day one. The authorities knew very, very quickly about his expulsion from school, the ricin-making and the al-Qaeda material, yet they refused to class the murders as terror-related for fear of the reaction there might have been. And, following Sir Keirs press conference, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said the governments inquiry into the tragedy must focus on what the government chose to disclose to the public and why. She said: The Prime Ministers announcement of an inquiry into the Southport murders is welcome. But contrast his press conference in No10 this morning with the governments silence in the days following the horrific attacks. There remain serious questions about the transparency of government information at the time of the unrest that followed these horrific killings. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Labour is split over plans to back a hugely controversial third runway at Heathrow as Rachel Reeves scrambles to boost the UKs flatlining economy. The chancellor is poised to support the expansion of the London airport, a move long opposed by her cabinet colleague Ed Miliband. On Tuesday, the Labour mayors of London and Greater Manchester hit out at the plans, which one Labour peer described as madness. The government could even face legal action from London mayor Sadiq Khan, after it emerged he said last week that if Heathrow came back with plans for a new runway that was supported by the government, I wouldnt hesitate to launch, with partners and colleagues, another legal challenge. As well as publicly endorsing Heathrows much-postponed plan for a third runway, the government is reportedly set to approve a second runway at Gatwick and an application for Luton airport to double its capacity. Cabinet ministers including Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Miliband, the energy secretary, and Steve Reed, the environment secretary, have all previously opposed Heathrows expansion. But last week Ms Reeves said the rising cost of borrowing and falling value of the pound underlined the need for ministers to go further and faster in search of economic growth. open image in gallery Rachel Reeves could face a showdown with climate campaigners (Dan Kitwood/PA) ( PA Wire ) As well as a cabinet clash, the move would set Ms Reeves on a collision course with climate campaigners, who have consistently rallied against a third runway. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham hit out, saying the decision would help overheat the economy. He warned: Its a model for an ever-overheating UK economy rather than a more balanced, levelled-up economy, which is what we would argue for. Manchester Airport has two runways and it doesnt operate at full capacity. A spokesperson for Mr Khan said he had a long-standing opposition to airport expansion around London linked to the negative impact on air quality, noise and Londons ability to reach net zero by 2030. Labour peer Prem Sikka said a third runway would be madness, was bound to lead to environmental degradation and protests and was a vote loser. Former shadow minister Rosena Allin-Khan, who represents a London constituency, told The Independent: Heathrow will never go through as itll be stuck in judicial reviews forever. Gatwick could and should be expanded. Ruth Cadbury, a Labour MP and Heathrow sceptic who chairs the transport select committee, told the Telegraph ministers were jumping the gun in seeking to push through three airport projects at the same time. Expanding three airports in the South East would also do nothing for regional economies that are already left behind, and you have to question where it would leave our climate policy, she added. In 2018, Mr Miliband tweeted: We owe it to future generations not just to have good environmental principles but to act on them. That is why I will be voting against the third runway at Heathrow. open image in gallery Expanding Heathrow would be catastrophic, environmental groups have claimed (Steve Parsons/PA) ( PA Archive ) Last month, Gatwick boss Stewart Wingate told The Independent he was pleading for permission from transport secretary Heidi Alexander to bring his airports standby runway into permanent use. He warned: Londons airports are already reaching capacity and demand is forecast to grow by more than 30 million passengers by 2030. We are already full at peak times. And he joined longstanding calls from a series of Heathrow bosses including incumbent Thomas Woldbye, who has said the plan for a third runway at Britains busiest airport is contingent on government support. Both bosses have warned that by not approving the plans, the government is missing out on an opportunity to boost growth. Amid growing fears about the state of Britains economy, with Ms Reeves expected to push through deep cuts when the government publishes its upcoming spending review, she has ordered ministers to come up with ideas to boost growth. Chair of the Labour Growth Group, Chris Curtis backed calls for a third runway at Heathrow, saying: We are determined to do everything that we can in order to get [the economy] fixed, and in my view, that does include building a third runway at Heathrow. We talked about the importance of living in an interconnected world, I think, having more airport capacity, including at Heathrow, is a really important part of that. open image in gallery Keir Starmer has voted against a third runway in the past (Henry Nicholls/PA) ( PA Wire ) On Tuesday, Ms Reeves sidestepped a question about Heathrow expansion but added: What I would say is this government is absolutely committed to growing our economy and making this a great place for businesses to invest and trade in. A government spokesperson refused to comment on speculation, but added: We are determined to get our economy moving and secure the long-term future of the UKs aviation sector. All expansion proposals must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth, while remaining in line with existing environmental obligations. Heathrow boss Mr Woldbye has told The Independent that plans for a third runway are being revived, but has also warned that they will not submit proposals unless the government is fully onboard. Speaking at the Airlines 2024 conference, he said: We need to get around the table and say, do we want this? And we need to do that relatively fast because we cannot keep spending money. That requires discussion. Its not just Heathrow, its the airlines, its the government, its parliament, its everybody around this. We cant do that just as a single company. We are the tactical executors on the plan but transportation strategy is a government issue. Plans to allow Gatwick to use its second runway for departures are also expected to be approved, which would double passenger numbers to around 80 million a year. And Labour is also set to accept the expansion of Luton airports capacity from 18 million a year to 32 million a year. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Allies of former prime minister Rishi Sunak have denied he is planning to quit as an MP after he accepted a new role in California. The ex-Tory leader, who suffered a thumping defeat at last years general election, has long been the subject of rumours he will relocate to the Sunshine State. He met his wife there while he was studying as a student and the couple still own a luxury penthouse apartment there, worth an estimated 5 million. Now, he has announced he will be taking up a visiting fellowship at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution in California, as well as joining Oxford Universitys Blavatnik School of Government as a member of its World Leaders Circle. open image in gallery Former prime minister Rishi Sunak has returned to the Commons as a backbench MP ( PA Wire ) Mr Sunak said he had huge affection for both which had shaped my life and career. But allies denied that his new role in California would lead to him quitting as an MP, which would trigger a by-election for his seat. The positions are Mr Sunaks first since he returned to the backbenches in July, where he sits as the MP for Richmond and Northallerton, in North Yorkshire. Mr Sunak said: Both Blavatnik and Hoover do superb work on how we can rise to the economic and security challenges we face and seize the technological opportunities of our time. I have huge affection for both Oxford and Stanford. I was fortunate enough to study at both, they shaped my life and career, and I look forward to contributing to their world-leading research in the months and years ahead. open image in gallery Mr Sunak with his family on holiday in California while he was PM ( Getty Images ) Intense speculation about what Mr Sunaks post-Downing Street life would look like began even before he entered No 10 when it was revealed he once held a US green card. In fact, he returned it only after he became chancellor, ahead of his first trip to America as a serving UK government minister. During the resulting row, he was forced to deny that he had kept the card which allows the holder to live and work permanently in the US to return there. Despite this, there remains speculation in Whitehall that Mr Sunak will at some point relocate to California. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain is facing a new terror threat from a generation of young men in their bedrooms accessing radical materials online, Sir Keir Starmer has warned. The prime minister laid the groundwork for an overhaul of terrorism laws to guard against the new threat of loners and misfits driven to acts of extreme violence by all manner of material online. Responding to Axel Rudakubana pleading guilty to the murder of three children in a mass stabbing at a Taylor-Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Sir Keir said terrorism has changed. At a press conference in Downing Street on Tuesday, the PM said he understood why the killings would make people question what the word terrorism means. He said: The blunt truth here is that this case is a sign. Britain now faces a new threat. Terrorism has changed. In the past, the predominant threat was highly organised groups with clear political intent. Groups like al-Qaeda. open image in gallery Keir Starmer said a generation of young men in their bedrooms pose a new terror threat to Britain ( Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street ) That threat of course remains. But now, alongside that we also see acts of extreme violence perpetrated by loners, misfits, young men in their bedroom, accessing all manner of material online, desperate for notoriety. And, hinting at an overhaul in the way terrorism is approached in the UK, Sir Keir said: When I look at the details of this case. The extreme nature of the violence. The meticulous plan to attack young children in a place of joy and safety. Violence clearly intended to terrorise. Then I understand why people wonder what the word terrorism means. And so, if the law needs to change to recognise this new and dangerous threat, then we will change it and quickly. Sir Keir also promised a review of the UKs counterextremism system to ensure the tools are in place to defeat it, to be carried out by David Anderson KC, a crossbench peer and former independent reviewer of terrorist legislation. Rudakubana, aged 18, also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of eight more children and two adults as well as two terror offences of producing the deadly poison ricin and possession of a document which contained al-Qaeda training material. He had been due to stand trial for four weeks at Liverpool Crown Court, having denied the charges last year. But he changed his plea on the first day of the trial. open image in gallery On Monday Axel Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty to murdering three young girls at a dance class (Merseyside Police/PA) ( PA Media ) Six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe were killed during the attack on 29 July 2024, while nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar died from her injuries in hospital afterwards. Rudakubana, who was described by the Crown Prosecution Service as having a sickening fascination with death and violence, was born to Rwandan parents in Cardiff before his family moved to Banks, Lancashire. He was 17 at the time of the attack. Despite his repeated contact with state agencies such as anti-terror watchdog Prevent, authorities failed to stop Rudakubanas attack. The al-Qaeda training manual, which he possessed between August 2021 and July last year, was entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants. Searches of his home also turned up documents about Nazi Germany, the Rwandan genocide and car bombs. Sources said the material showed an obsession with extreme violence but there was no evidence he subscribed to any political or religious ideology or was fighting for a cause. Unrest erupted across the country in the wake of the Southport attack, with mosques and hotels used for asylum seekers among the locations targeted. In the hours after the stabbing, information spread online which claimed the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK on a small boat. open image in gallery Rudakubana murdered (from left) Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine (Merseyside Police/PA) ( PA Media ) The day after the attack, thousands turned out for a peaceful vigil in Southport, but later a separate protest outside a mosque in the town became violent, with missiles thrown at police and vans set on fire. More than 1,000 arrests linked to disorder across the country have been made since the attack, and hundreds of people have been charged and jailed But, on Tuesday, Sir Keir hit back at claims of a cover-up over the killers identity and his violent background. The PM admitted that he knew in the wake of the attack that Rudakubana was known to the authorities and that he had produced biological toxin ricin and possessed the al-Qaeda training manual. But he said he could not disclose the information without collapsing Rudakubanas trial due to contempt of court laws, which would have seen the killer walk away a free man. Critics such as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage doubled down on claims the PM had covered up vital information about the killer, accusing him of hiding behind the contempt of court argument. This is simply untrue, the country needed to know the truth about this murderer and that he was known to the authorities, Mr Farage said. Sir Keir and home secretary Yvette Cooper have announced an independent inquiry into how the state failed to identify the risk posed by Rudakubana, with the PM promising that he will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of answers. The PM said the killings must be a line in the sand for Britain, adding: We must make sure the names of those three young girls are not associated with the vile perpetrator, but instead with a fundamental change in how Britain protects its citizens. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said the governments inquiry into the tragedy must focus on what the government chose to disclose to the public and why. She said: The prime ministers announcement of an inquiry into the Southport murders is welcome. But contrast his press conference in No 10 this morning with the governments silence in the days following the horrific attacks. There remain serious questions about the transparency of government information at the time of the unrest that followed these horrific killings. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Treasury minister Darren Jones signalled further cuts as he told government departments they must meet the minimum 5 per cent savings target required before they will receive any fresh funding. Giving a speech at the Institute for Governments (IfG) annual conference on Tuesday, which saw him put his Cabinet colleagues on notice over their departments budgets, the chief secretary to the Treasury warned that Britain is long overdue a reckoning with government spending. Mr Jones is leading Labours spending review, which will determine how much money departments will get over the coming years. He has said he will adopt a zero-based approach that requires every pound the government spends to be fully justified. As a moderniser with an optimism about the future for Britain, I just do not accept the idea that we should just keep spending more and more money for continued poor outcomes, the Mr Jones said. Treasury minister Darren Jones has signalled further cuts as he warned Britain is long overdue a reckoning with government spending ( EPA ) Taxpayers and the users of public services obviously deserve better. We therefore wont settle for doing things the same and hoping for a different result, we have to do things differently, and we will. That is why funding from the Treasury to support new priorities will only be made available to departments that have first fulfilled the requirements of our zero-based review and met the minimum 5 per cent savings and efficiency target required in this spending review process. Rachel Reeves this week told MPs said she expects to reveal multi-year spending plans for government departments in June. It comes after the Treasury previously acknowledged that the 5 per cent savings target will mean difficult decisions. The spending review follows criticism of the previous government, with Labour accusing the Conservatives of wasting taxpayers money and leaving a 22bn black hole in last years budget something the opposition denies. Mr Jones also used his IfG address to outline plans to change the process of the spending review itself, saying he will move it from an analog process - involving letterheads and excel spreadsheets - to shared digital dashboards. The government will use artifical intelligence to forecast the preventative benefits of policies, he said, saying ministers will for the first time be asked to look at the long term wellbeing impacts of departmental spending. By putting data at the heart of this spending review, well be able to properly link choices about what outcomes we are buying for each pound, understand how spending on housing, transport or education can work together to drive growth in a particular place and root out spending that isnt directly contributing to the priorities of this government. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trumps new administration believes it has Sir Keir Starmers government over a barrel on trade as Britain becomes increasingly reliant on a US deal, insiders have told The Independent. Senior sources in the presidents team said the UK had no choice but to seek a trade agreement after the prime minister said his governments success would be judged primarily on economic growth. With Britains relations with the EU strained following Brexit, and only a modest investment deal secured on Rachel Reeves recent trip to China, one Trump aide said it was time to remind Starmer who holds all the cards in this relationship. It comes as the new Trump administration considers its threat over rejecting Lord Mandelsons credentials as UK ambassador to the US. There has also been a bruising experience over attempts to hand over the Chagos islands before the inauguration which the UK government was forced to back down on. The US has long wanted the UK to lift its ban on chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef, a move former UK ambassador to the US, Kim Darroch, warned would destroy British farming. open image in gallery Donald Trump used his presidential acceptance speech to repeat his plans to plough ahead with tariffs ( AP ) At the weekend, Sir Keir conceded that he wanted some kind a trade deal with America, while UK chief Treasury secretary Darren Jones said there were plenty of good deals to be done. But worryingly for Downing Street, Mr Trump used his presidential acceptance speech to repeat his plans to plough ahead with tariffs. Andrew Hale, a senior analyst at the highly influential Heritage Foundation thinktank which helped draft the Project 2025 document that the Trump administration is using as a blueprint for policy. He said: Trump has got Starmer over a barrel. The UK economy is contracting, and there is no growth. The Starmer government has doubled down on the failed economic policies of Jeremy Hunt and the past Conservative prime ministers. They need to give up their tried and failed policies of punitive taxes, borrowing, and reckless spending. The UK is bankrupt. The Trump administration is in a position to offer a free trade agreement that would be a lifeline to the UK economy, but Starmer and his band... have done everything they could to offend President Trump, and now they risk being tariffed as a form of economic sanction if they are going to realign economically with China - a foreign adversary. Mr Trumps team has suggested that the UKs flirtation with Beijing is a flawed attempt to create some leverage by setting up China as a potential fall back. One Mar-a-Lago source told The Independent: They are literally using China as a paper tiger. They want us to believe they will fall back on China as an alternative if they cannot get a trade deal with us. It is clearly ridiculous and nobody here is taking it seriously. But the trips by senior officials [chancellor Rachel Reeves] just make it look as though Labours instincts are wrong which they are. It had also been noted that the 600 million investment Reeves came back with from China was peanuts. open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer conceded that he wanted some kind a trade deal with America at the weekend ( PA Wire ) Trumps team has been advised by Brexiteers in the UK as well as trade experts at thinktanks like the Heritage Foundation that economic alignment with the EU will not work for Britain. The EU will not save Britain, even if it wanted to, said a senior source. If true this would render the aims of Sir Keirs much vaunted reset with the EU pointless. Mr Hale, who specialises in trade at the Thomas A. Roe Institute of Economic Studies in Washington DC, said the UK needed a trade deal quickly. He said: Everyone in Washington knows that Starmer and his team would prefer a realignment with the EU as opposed to the US, but given the slow processes of EU trade negotiations and ratifications in EU member states, that will take time that the UK economy cannot afford to wait around for. open image in gallery Mr Trumps team has suggested that the UKs flirtation with Beijing was a flawed attempt to create some leverage ( EPA ) An influential article being circulated among Republicans is by pro-Brexit UK economist Shanker Singham, who was in Washington for the inauguration, on the UK in a changing Europewebsite. In it he questioned whether dynamic alignment can work for the UK and the Eu because they have two fundamentally different approaches. He noted: If the system the UK was being pushed to align with was a fundamentally pro-competitive one that unleashed economic growth, then the cost of divergence would far outweigh any harm. However, if the EU system is actually anti-competitive, leading to wealth destruction, then that harm far outweighs the divergence cost. Downing Street and the Department for Business and Trade were approached for comment. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trumps second-term will begin today, kicking off four years which are likely to push the US-UK special relationship to its limits. Much has been made of the tension between Sir Keir Starmer and the incoming US president in the build up to the day, with the pair seeming to disagree on a number of fronts. How the prime minister will navigate this challenge will now be a key question for the rest of this government one its likely he and his ministers never wanted to find out the answer to. But you meet the world as it is not you would like it to be, as foreign secretary David Lammy said when pressed on his view of Trumps second term. Alongside other ministers, he has changed his tone on the new US president from years past, instead taking a diplomatic approach with clear hopes to get off on the right foot. open image in gallery Incoming US president Donald Trump has spoken of his intention to introduce trade tariffs (Matt Rourke/AP) ( AP ) The new US president, meanwhile, remains characteristically unapologetic. He has pledged to bring in 200 executive orders on day one of his presidency alone, with implications that will sweep beyond the US and across the globe. Here are some of the key issues that may soon arise between the UK and the US: Preparing for tariffs The most beautiful word in the dictionary according to Trump, is tariff. The incoming president has said he plans to put a 10 to 25 per cent tax on imports from countries which have been ripping [the US] off for years. This is all but confirmed for China, Mexico and Canda, but for others it remains less clear. Whitehall officials will be hoping the new US president wont seek to impose a blanket border tax that includes UK exporters. The measure would be disruptive to many of the countrys businesses, at time when the economy is already struggling to see any real growth. Ministers will likely now need to play a diplomatic balancing act, waiting to see what Trumps approach to the UK is and preparing for all scenarios. Given Labours manifesto pledge to reset the countrys relationship with the EU, its thought that the prime minister could look to offset any US tariffs by seeking out stronger trade ties with countries across the channel. open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the White House in September 2024 following talks with Joe Biden (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire ) The Liberal Democrats have called for the government to go further and form a new customs union with the EU to pre-empt any negative effects from Mr Trumps presidency. However, ministers recent statements indicate that the government is not looking not to make any moves that could be seen as antagonistic to the Trump administration, instead trying to salvage a good working relationship. The war of words continues But its no secret that Keir Starmer and Donald Trump are not the most politically, or personally, aligned. Whilst on the campaign trail, the incoming presidents team accused the far-left Labour party of acting unlawfully by sending volunteers to assist with opponent Kamala Harris presidential bid and the war of words hasnt stopped there. Many of them have been said, or typed, by Trump ally Elon Musk. The worlds richest man began making appearances at the incoming presidents campaign events towards the end of the trail, but did enough to earn himself a place at the Mr Trumps side as a head of his new government efficiency unit. Not long after securing his new job, the tech billionaire began taking aim at Sir Keir and his government, often to an extreme degree. Taking to Twitter / X, the platform he owns, at the start of the year, Mr Musk accused home office minister Jess Phillips of being a rape genocide apologist who deserves to be in prison. He also wrote that the prime minister was complicit in the worst mass crime in the history of Britain. open image in gallery Nigel Farage and Party Treasurer Nick Candy with Elon Musk (Stuart Mitchell/Reform UK/PA) ( Stuart Mitchell/Reform UK ) Paired with his outspoken support of Reform UK (although not always of its leader, Nigel Farage) Sir Keir has not found a natural ally in Elon Musk. Mr Trump has likewise expressed support for the UKs relatively new right-wing party, calling Mr Farage a friend at one of his 2024 rallies. The new president may even go so far as to block Labours pick Peter Mandelson for the UK ambassador to the US, The Independent recently reported. This extremely rare step would undoubtedly be a disappointing act of hostility for UK ministers. Nato and Ukraine Another area where the incoming Trump administration and Labour are likely to clash is on defence spending. The incoming president has said he feels the US spends more on defence than most Nato countries, calling for a new target of fie per cent GDP. This is up considerably from the current two per cent target. The UK currently pledges 2.3 per cent, with intentions ro raise it to 2.5 per cent by this year. Given the tight economic contraints outlined by the Treasury, its unlikely calls to increase this futher would be welcomed by UK officials. The incoming president has also said he would like to bring the war in Ukraine to a speedy end and will now be able to use the USs massive expenditure on Zelenskys forces as a bargaining chip in discussions. open image in gallery Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer meets with Ukraines President Zelensky, January 16, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) But some of his comments have prompted concern that Mr Trump may cede key Russian demands as part of a deal. This could include granting Vladimir Putins regime large regions of the country, or deferring Ukraines Nato membership bid. The incoming president has previously said that he understands [Russias] feelings about having somebody right on their doorstep. If the war in Ukraine does move from military support to a possible peacekeeping operation, the prime minister has said that the UK will play full part in the plans. Chagos deal Another point of contention in the build up to Trumps second term has been the UKs ongoing discussions over the fate of the Chagos Islands. Its thought that Labour officials were hoping to get a deal over the line with Mauritius before the incoming presidents inauguration, but has now been put on hold. Although the plan had already been greenlit by the Biden administration, the prime ministers spokesperson has said Trump will now be given the opportunity to consider the deal before it goes ahead. The deal was expected to be signed by 22 January, a Mauritian source said, but overnight the British position changed. It was recently revealed that cross-Atlantic discussions between right-wing Tory and Reform politicians and Donald Trumps team took place to ensure the deal was put on hold. The UK deal would see the sovereignty of the islands given back to Mauritius, but allow a key US-UK military base to be leased back. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tanzanias president has confirmed an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus disease (MVD), a highly infectious virus like Ebola that can be fatal in up to 88 per cent of cases without treatment. President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed a positive case in the northwestern Kagera region during a press conference alongside Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) director general, in the countrys administrative capital Dodoma. The announcement came after the WHO first reported a suspected outbreak of the virus that was believed to have killed eight people in the Kagera region. The president said a total of 25 suspected cases of the virus have been reported as of 20 January, all of whom have since tested negative and are under close surveillance. Laboratory tests conducted at Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative, the president said. We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around. All cases have been reported in Biharamulo district in Kagera, she added. Tanzanian health authorities initially objected to the WHO saying it suspected a Marburg virus outbreak in the country after it quickly spread through neighbouring Rwanda, which last month declared its own outbreak was over. Rwanda reported 15 deaths and 66 cases in the outbreak first declared on 27 September, with healthcare workers who handled the first patients the majority of those affected. The WHO said it is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus. The WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania, said Dr Tedros. Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease. Marburg virus, like Ebola, transmits to people from fruit bats and spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces, and materials. Its symptoms which begin abruptly are high fever, severe headache, severe malaise, muscle aches as well as severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping. Nausea and vomiting can begin on the third day. In fatal cases, death of the infected person occurs most often between 8 and 9 days after symptom onset, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock, according to the WHO. This is the second outbreak of the virus in Tanzanias Kagera region since 2023. A total of nine suspected cases were reported with six deaths in the region. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Just as Donald Trump's inauguration concluded, Honduran asylum seeker Denia Mendez's phone buzzed with alarming news: the CBP One app, her lifeline to a new life in the US, was down. Panic set in. Her appointment, scheduled for January 21st, hung precariously in the balance. Mendez, 32, frantically called for her daughter Sofia, urging her to bring the phone. The CBP One app, established under the Biden administration to manage asylum requests at the southwest border, represented Mendez's only legal pathway to safety. A year of waiting, a year fraught with uncertainty, culminated in this terrifying moment. open image in gallery Sofia Mendez, 15, and her brother Isai, 13, walk through the sleeping quarters of a migrant shelter ( REUTERS ) She recounted a harrowing tale from January 1, 2024, when a gang member in Honduras demanded a fortnightly payment of some $120 from the proceeds of her small Tupperware business. Unable to meet the demand, Mendez said she pleaded for two months to get the money. Five days later, another gang member came with the same demand. "He told me: you get warned twice. The third time we won't be talking," Mendez said. Fearing for her life, she fled that night with her daughter Sofia, now 15, and son Isai, now 13. She left without saying goodbye to anyone to avoid the risk of being denounced. Over the course of a week, Mendez made her way to Monterrey, Mexico, with the help of money sent by a brother in Maryland. open image in gallery The family pray ahead of Trump's inauguration ( REUTERS ) In Monterrey, she found work packing tortillas, working eight-hour shifts a day. She changed phones and abandoned her Facebook account as she said she kept receiving threatening messages from the gang members in Honduras. Mendez, who was orphaned as a toddler and left school at eight to help her grandmother sell cakes and tamales in the street, wanted her children to continue their education. But Mendez said she was turned away from two schools in Monterrey and was not allowed to speak to the principals. She suspects she was the subject of discrimination. For a year, Mendez said she logged into the CBP One app daily, hoping for an appointment to make her case for US asylum. Her persistence paid off on January 2, 2025, when she finally got an appointment for January 21. "I was so happy," Mendez said. "But at the same time, I was a little nervous, because supposedly on January 20 they were going to close things down." Trump, a Republican, won a second term at the White House after promising to intensify border security and deport record numbers of migrants. He vowed to also shut the CBP One entry program, which had allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. legally by scheduling an appointment on an app. Still, Mendez made her way to Piedras Negras migrant facilities on Saturday, hoping she would be allowed through to the United States. For around two days at the border, she was so nervous that she struggled to eat anything. She avoided any TikTok videos that said Trump was going to cancel the appointments. On Sunday, the eve of Trump's inauguration, she and her family went to church to pray. "I asked God to soften the president's heart," Mendez said. Sofia, her lips red from candy, came down with the phone and immediately tried to log into the CBP One app. Mendez had meanwhile just checked her inbox on her own phone and was staring at an email for several minutes. She read it over and over, before her eyes welled up. "They cancelled my appointment," she said. A handful of other migrant women, who just minutes before were laughing as they fed potato chips to pigeons, huddled around her phone, their faces suddenly stricken. Turning to Sofia, Mendez said softly, "They're not going to let you into the app, baby." Mendez called her brother Dennis in Maryland and read the email out to him. "Tell me: What do I do?" Her brother said he wasn't sure he would be able to send her more money as his construction work was slow. Mendez said she only had some $10 left in her pocket and while she didn't think her old job in Monterrey would still be available, returning to Honduras was out of the question. She made her way to the shelter's dormitory and sat on a mattress, legs under a blanket amid a major cold spell. "We were one day away," Mendez said in disbelief as she talked through her options with other migrants, many Venezuelans. One migrant quoted a Spanish proverb that roughly translates as: "In the face of bad weather, put on a good face." "But this isn't bad weather," Mendez responded. "This is a snowstorm that has come to freeze our heart and bones." Mendez kept sitting still on the mattress and stared ahead, her eyes occasionally tearing up. Her son Isai, who wants to become a psychologist, did some push-ups. Sofia, who wants to be a veterinarian, wandered downstairs and talked with the other children. Eventually news drifted in that more migrants would be arriving at the shelter. Mendez got up. "Let's clean the floor before the others get here," she said, grabbing a broom and mop. Cleaning, she added, would take her mind off the appointment that never was. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A United States Border Patrol agent who was gunned down during a traffic stop in Vermont near the Canadian border was an Air Force veteran who worked at the Pentagon during 9/11, his family said in a statement following the shooting. Agent David Maland, 44, who was killed on Monday, was a devoted agent who served with honor and bravery, his family said. He had a tremendous respect and pride for the work he did; he truly embodied service over self. The shooting happened around 3:15 p.m. Monday on Interstate 91 in Coventry, close to the U.S. Customs and Border Protections Newport Station, part of the Swanton Sector that Maland was assigned to. The sector encompasses Vermont, parts of New York and New Hampshire, and includes 295 miles of international boundary with Canada. open image in gallery Agent David Maland, 44, was killed on Monday during a traffic stop near the Canadian border ( AP ) A German national who was in the country on what the FBI called a current visa was also killed and an injured suspect was taken into custody and is being treated at a local hospital, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said. Malands family said his career spanned nine years in the military and 15 in the federal government. While working in Washington, D.C., he was active security in the Pentagon during 9/11, the statement said. Before heading to the northern border, he served in Texas, near the border with Mexico. The Minnesota native was also a K9 officer. Maland, who family members called by his middle name, Chris, was about to propose to his partner, his aunt Joan Maland said. We are all devastated, she told the Associated Press, describing him as an exceptional person. Incredible man. open image in gallery Maland with his K9 partner, Cora ( AP ) The shooting temporarily closed part of Interstate 91 about 20 miles from Canada in Coventry, part of the small, 27,000-resident community of Orleans County in the Northeast Kingdom section of Vermont that straddles the international border. The Derby LineRock Island Border Crossing is located about 12 miles by highway north of Coventry. Its a major link to the Canadian province of Quebec, giving northern Vermont more French speakers than most of New England. U.S. Customs and Border Protections thoughts and prayers are with Agent Malands family during this difficult time, the agency said in a statement. The death is a tragedy, said Gov. Phil Scott and state Sen. Russ Ingalls, a Republican who represents the area. open image in gallery Cars were backed up at the US-Canada border in Stanstead, Quebec, on Monday after the shooting ( AP ) In a joint statement, Vermonts Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint sent condolences to the agents family and said Border Patrol agents deserve our full support in terms of staffing, pay and working conditions. Maland was the first Border Patrol agent to be killed in the line of duty since Javier Vega Jr. was shot and killed near Santa Monica, Texas, in 2014, according to records provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, AP reported. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two men who were arrested following the fatal shooting of a teenage girl in Utah said they followed her and shot at the red truck she was driving because they believed she and her passenger were stalking them, officials revealed. Michael Edward Hess-Witacki and Ethan Andrew Galloway, both 23, admitted to investigators that they were involved in the shooting, according to the Iron County Sheriffs Office. The two men, along with Aldric Felipe, 21, and Matthew D. Sorber-Petrie, 22, who were also arrested, were in a black truck that allegedly pursued the 17-year-old driver and her passenger along a stretch of road northwest of Cedar City Friday night. Iron County Sheriff Ken Carpenter said the black truck pulled up alongside the teens around 10:42 p.m. and began firing, which caused the driver to crash through a fence. She suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died from her injuries. Her passenger, who was injured in the crash, was able to call 911 and eventually led investigators to the suspects, KSTU reported. She said they had first encountered the black truck at a residential complex. Its unclear what the teens were doing in that area. open image in gallery Two men who were arrested in connection to the fatal shooting of a teenage girl in Utah said they followed her and shot at the red truck because they thought she was stalking them ( Iron County Sheriffs Office ) Deputies searched the complex and located a black 2018 Black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that matched the description by the witness, KSL reported. The four suspects attempted to flee, but were quickly detained. Hess-Witucki was identified as the registered owner of the truck, and told investigators that he drove the truck that chased the teens, while Galloway said he sat in the front passenger seat and shot at the vehicle, according to law enforcement authorities. They said they went after the girls because they had seen the red truck in the neighborhood and thought they were stalking them, according to the arrest affidavit. Both suspects admitted that their actions had resulted in serious bodily injury and death of the victim, the affidavit states. Their justification for chasing the victims vehicle was they believed they had previously observed the victims vehicle in their neighborhood and presumed the occupants of the victims vehicle were (stalking) them. Sorber-Petrie reportedly told investigators that he handed over his gun with knowledge of their intent to go after the girls. open image in gallery The men shot at the truck which caused the driver to crash through a fence ( Iron County Sheriffs Office ) Galloway said he fired 12 shots into the vehicle, according to authorities. Both Galloway and Hess-Witucki were charged with one count of murder and 12 counts of felony discharge of a firearm resulting in serious injury, obstruction of justice, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person. The other two suspects were arrested for investigation of obstruction of justice, possession of a controlled substance, and being a restricted person in the transaction of a firearm. "During the execution of the search warrant, several firearms and ammunition matching the caliber used in the homicide, similar to the shell casing recovered at the crime scene, were recovered, deputies wrote in the affidavit. Additionally, controlled substances and drug paraphernalia were recovered in the suspect(s) residence. Narcotics, including mushroom vapes, marijuana vapes and an assortment of pipes used to smoke marijuana, were identified and recovered, the affidavit added. All four suspects are being held without bail. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Centuries ago, Alaska's native Koyukon people settled on the name "Denali" for the tallest mountain in North America. Then, in 1896, a random European-American gold prospector decided to name it after presidential candidate William McKinley and kicked-off a controversy that has raged ever since. On Monday President Donald Trump revived that dispute when he changed Denali's name back to Mount McKinley in an executive order Monday. "A short time from now, we will be restoring the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs," Trump announced earlier in his inauguration speech. The change is opposed by both of Alaska's Republican senators, as well as by many other Alaskans and representatives of the state's indigenous people. So why is Trump changing it, and does his plan make any sense? From Bolshaya Gora to Mount McKinley On a clear day, you can see Denali from more than 133 miles away in the Alaskan city of Anchorage. Towering 20,310 feet above sea level, it has long been a landmark to indigenous Alaskans with many names coined by different groups. The name that's now most popular in Alaska comes from the Koyukon language, spoken on the north side of the mountain. It comes from deenaalee, meaning "the high one. That name wasn't well known to the Europeans who visited Alaska, though. The peak went unnamed on George Vancouver's 1794 visit, while an 1839 map by the German Russian explorer Ferdinand von Wrangel used the name coined by the nearby Deg Hitan people, who called it Tenada (or "the great mountain"). According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the Russians called it "Bolshaya Gora" (or "big mountain"), while U.S. prospectors often called it "Densmore's Peak, after a prospector called Frank Densmore who regularly raved about its beauty. Yet in 1896 another prospector named William A. Dickey visited the area, later writing an account of his trip for The New York Sun. The first news he heard from the outside world on his return trip was that former Ohio governor William McKinley had received the Republican nomination for president. Apparently this excited Dickey enough to name the mountain after McKinley. According to The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, it was actually a political jab: Dickey had met many silver miners in Alaska who supported moving the U.S. dollar back to the silver standard, whereas McKinley (and presumably Dickey) favored the gold standard. The moniker might never have caught on but for McKinley's shock assassination by an Ohio anarchist in 1901. The desire to honor McKinley's memory made the name more popular, and it was officially adopted by the U.S. government in 1917 despite there being zero connection between McKinley and Alaska. A decades-long battle between Alaska and Oh Even at the time, not everyone agreed with calling the peak McKinley. Charles Sheldon, a hunter and naturalist who had spent much time in the area, had strongly campaigned for it to be called Denali, as had mountaineer Belmore Browne. "In looking backward over the history of the big mountain, it seems strange and unfortunate that the name of McKinley should have been attached to it," said Browne in 1913. In 1930, Sheldon likewise noted: "The Indians who have lived for countless generations in the presence of these colossal mountains have given them names that are both euphonious and appropriate. He asked: "Can it be denied that the names they gave to the most imposing features of their country should be preserved? Can it be too late to ... restore these beautiful names?" In fact, it wasn't too late. By 1975 enough momentum had grown that Alaska's Republican governor Jay Hammond, and a majority of its state legislature, requested an official name change to Denali. open image in gallery Denali National Park ( Shutterstock ) Yet the effort failed in Congress due to the opposition of legislators from Ohio, chiefly GOP representative Ralph Regula. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names was legally forbidden from considering a name change if any laws about it were pending in Congress, which Regula exploited by filing a new law every year from 1975 until his retirement in 2009. Many Alaskans continued to use "Denali" in daily life, and Alaska Republicans never gave up on the cause. Soon after Regula's retirement in 2009, GOP senator Lisa Murkowski began pushing again, and the idea gained traction. In 2015, the Obama administration finally intervened, arguing that the 40-year delay in answering Alaska's request gave the federal government the authority to settle things. On August 28, the mountain's name was changed to Denali. Uh. Nope. Its Denali Denali has been embraced by Alaska, a state with a strong tradition of independence from the "lower 49" and an unusually high proportion of native residents. "Weve been calling it Denali since I moved up here, said Alaskan conservative talk radio host Dave Stieren in 2015. "If folks in Ohio are really intent on naming Alaska places, maybe theyd let us name some of theirs? joked Anchorage's Democratic mayor Ethan Berkowitz. Still, some Republicans continued to oppose the former name not least of all Donald J Trump. While campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination, he repeatedly criticized the Obama administration's decision. He was joined by Regula (who claimed that Obama "thinks he is a dictator"), Ohio-born speaker of the House John Boehner, and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Trump has since returned to this theme, claiming in a speech in January 2025: "McKinley was a very good, maybe a great president. They took his name off Mount McKinley. That's what they do to people." The 47th and 25th presidents have have something in common: Tariffs. In 1890, Congress passed the Tarriff Act increasing duties on imports from 38 to 49.5 percent earning McKinley the moniker The Napoleon of Protection. Trump promised in his speech Monday that he would restore the name of a great president where it should be and where it belongs. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent. His executive order later reviving Mt. McKinley is entitled: Restoring names that honor American greatness. It is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes, Trump wrote in the order. The naming of our national treasures, including breathtaking natural wonders and historic works of art, should honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans in our Nations rich past. Both of Alaska's Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, oppose the change. "Uh. Nope. Its Denali," said Murkowski on X after Trump's speech. "There is only one name worthy of North Americas tallest mountain: Denali, the Great One." Sullivan, whose wife, Julie Fate, has indigenous Alaskan ancestry, recounted how at a meeting in 2017 both he and Murkowski had urged Trump not to change the name. "If you change that name back now," Sullivan told him, "[my wife's] going to be really, really mad. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President Donald Trump rolled out a blueprint to beef up security at the southern border in a series of executive orders that began taking effect soon after his inauguration Monday, making good on his defining political promise to crack down on immigration and marking another wild swing in White House policy on the divisive issue. Some of the orders revive priorities from his first administration that his predecessor had rolled back, including forcing asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico and finishing the border wall. Others launched sweeping new strategies, like an effort to end automatic citizenship for anyone born in America and ending use of a Biden-era app used by nearly a million migrants to enter America. Actual execution of such a far-reaching immigration agenda is certain to face legal and logistical challenges. But in a concrete sign of how the changes quickly played out, migrants who had appointments to enter the U.S. using the CBP One app saw them canceled minutes after Trump was sworn in, and Mexico agreed to allow people seeking U.S. asylum to remain south of the American border while awaiting their court cases. I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places in which they came, Trump said in his inauguration speech to thunderous applause. The CBP One app disappears The online lottery system gave appointments to 1,450 people a day at eight border crossings to enter on parole, which Joe Biden used more than any president. It was a critical piece of the Biden administrations border strategy to create new immigration pathways while cracking down on people who enter illegally. Supporters say it brought order to a chaotic border. Critics say it was magnet for more people to come. By midday Monday, it was gone. Migrants who had scored coveted appointments weeks ago found them canceled. That includes Melanie Mendoza, 21, and her boyfriend. She said they left Venezuela over a year ago, spending more than $4,000 and traveling for a month, including walking for three days. We dont know what we are going to do, she said in Tijuana, Mexico, just on the other side of the border from San Diego. Mexico agrees to take back migrants The Trump administration is reinstating its Remain in Mexico policy, which forced 70,000 asylum-seekers in his first term to wait there for hearings in U.S. immigration court. Mexico, a country integral to any American effort to limit illegal immigration, indicated Monday that it is prepared to receive asylum-seekers while emphasizing that there should be an online application allowing them to schedule appointments at the U.S. border. Immigration advocates say the policy put migrants at extreme risk. This is deja vu of the darkest kind, said Krish OMara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Global Refuge. She said policies like Remain in Mexico have exacerbated conditions at the border while doing little to address reasons migrants leave home in the first place. Aiming to end the constitutional right to birthright citizenship Anyone born in the United States automatically becomes a citizen, including children born to someone in the country illegally or in the U.S. on a tourist or student visa. Its a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War to assure citizenship for all, including Black people. Trumps executive order suggests that the amendment has been wrongly interpreted, and it would go into effect in 30 days meaning it would not be retroactive. The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups immediately sued, calling it a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values. Trump said he thought he had very good grounds for the order. Migrants fear promised mass deportations Trump is moving to realize his pledge of mass deportations of at least 11 million people in the country illegally. One order restores efforts to pursue everyone in the country illegally, moving away from the Biden administrations more narrow deportation criteria. He also wants negotiations with state and local governments to deputize police to enforce immigration laws. As in his first term, Trump also wants to end federal grants to sanctuary jurisdictions states and cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Rocio, a 43-year-old single mother from Mexico who lives in South Florida, said shes worried about her 13-year-old son. His father was deported when the boy was an infant, and hes afraid the same thing could now happen to her. Rocio, who asked to be identified only by her first name over fears about being detained, said she worries about driving without a license but needs to work to survive. We have to be very careful, she said. Erlinda, a single mother from El Salvador who arrived in 2013, has signed over legal rights to her U.S.-born children, ages 10 and 8, to Nora Sandigo, who has volunteered to be the guardian for more than 2,000 children in 15 years, including at least 30 since December. I am afraid for my children, that they will live the terror of not seeing their mother for a day, for a month, for a year, said Erlinda, 45, who asked to be identified by first name only due to fears of being detained. A bigger military role in border security Trump ordered the government, with Defense Department assistance, to finish construction of the border wall and send troops to the border. He did not say how many would go leaving it up to the defense secretary or what their exact role would be. His executive orders suggested the military would help the Department of Homeland Security with detention space, transportation (including aircraft), and other logistics services. Trump directed the defense secretary to come up with a plan to seal the borders and repel unlawful mass migration. Both Trump and Biden have sent troops to the border before. Historically, they have been used to back up Border Patrol agents, who are responsible for securing the nearly 2,000-mile border, and not in ways that put them in direct contact with migrants. Critics say using troops this way signals that migrants are a threat. Cartels as foreign terrorist organizations A Trump order paves the way for criminal organizations such as Tren de Aragua or MS-13 to be named foreign terrorist organizations. MS-13 is a transnational gang that originated in Los Angeles and gained a grip on much of Central America. Tren de Aragua is a Venezuelan street gang that has become a menace on American soil. The Cartels functionally control, through a campaign of assassination, terror, rape, and brute force nearly all illegal traffic across the southern border of the United States, the order reads. Trump is also raising the possibility of invoking a wartime power act for the first time since World War II to deport gang members who are deemed members of a foreign terrorist organization. Pausing permission for refugees Trump also is indefinitely suspending refugee resettlement. For decades, the program has allowed hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war and persecution worldwide to come to the United States. Trump also suspended the refugee program in his first term, and after reinstating it, slashed the numbers of refugees admitted. Under Biden, the program was rebuilt to a three-decade high. The refugee program is the type of legal immigration that the Trump administration says it's for, said Mark Hetfield, president of HIAS, one of 10 resettlement agencies helping refugees start new lives in the U.S. The first Trump administration said it needed more vetting. This time, it says immigration is straining American communities, Hetfield said. This is a complaint that I have heard nobody raise, he said. Its going to be devastating for people who followed the rules and are waiting to get out of danger. What else is Trump planning? The incoming administration also ordered an end to releasing migrants in the U.S. while they await immigration court hearings, a practice known as catch-and-release, but officials didnt say how they would pay for the enormous costs associated with detention. Trump plans to end asylum, presumably going beyond what Biden has done to severely restrict it. It is unclear what the incoming administration will do with people from countries that dont take back their citizens, such as Nicaragua and Venezuela. ___ Salomon reported from Miami and Spagat from San Diego. AP writer Julie Watson in Tijuana, Mexico, contributed to this report. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Taliban has released two American citizens in a prisoner exchange negotiated by the outgoing Biden administration, US media reports and the families of the two men said. The two Americans Ryan Corbett and William McKenty were exchanged for a member of the Afghan Taliban named Khan Mohammed who was convicted in 2008 on narco-terrorism charges. In a statement provided to The Independent, Mr Corbetts family first thanked the new US president Donald Trump, and then his predecessor Joe Biden, for their efforts to secure his release. Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryans life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives, Mr Corbetts family said. No statement was provided from the family of Mr McKenty, 69, due to his familys request to the US government for privacy. Khan Mohammad, 55, was a narcotics trafficker who sought to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan using rockets, according to the US Department of Justice. He was sentenced to life in prison in the USs first conviction on narco-terror charges. The exchange took place after Mr Biden had left the White House but was negotiated by his administration, with several rounds of talks mediated by Qatar, according to multiple people aware of the details of the swap. Qatar also provided logistical support to get the two American men out of Kabul safely, officials said. Mr Corbetts family also thanked the Qatari government. Your efforts as mediators, your compassion, and your commitment to diplomacy have given our family the most precious gift imaginable: Ryans freedom, they said. open image in gallery Taliban detainee Ryan Corbett with his wife Anna Corbett ( Family handouts ) While negotiations had been taking place for many months the very latest push happened in the course of the past week, Mr Corbetts lawyer Ryan Fayhee told The Independent. An official from the Biden administration told CNN that the details of the exchange were communicated to Donald Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz. The incoming administration was on board with this deal, acknowledged it and [had] not objected to it, they said. Explaining the delay, one person briefed on the swap told CNN that the Taliban preferred to let Mr Trump take the credit for the deal and did not want the news to be lost during buzz around the inauguration itself. Bad weather in both Washington and Kabul was also partly blamed. A senior Trump administration official indicated some disapproval of the terms of the deal but welcomed the release of the two Americans. While we would not do the deal that the Biden administration did at the end, we are always happy to have two Americans home, the Trump official was quoted as saying. Mr Corbett, a New York resident, started an enterprise called Bloom Afghanistan in 2017 to boost the countrys private sector by providing business consulting services, microfinance lending and evaluation of international development projects. He wanted to help Afghans start their own businesses but had to flee in 2021 as the Taliban returned to power in the country. open image in gallery One of the last photos of Ryan Corbett inside Afghanistan before he was detained by the Taliban ( Family handouts ) He returned, apparently to train the Bloom Afghanistan staff, but was detained in August 2022 despite having a valid visa. The State Department said last year that he was wrongfully detained. The Taliban are believed to have two other American nationals in their custody Mahmoud Shah Habibi, a senior civil aviation official under the previous Nato-backed government of Afghanistan and George Glezmann, a tourist. The Taliban have not acknowledged holding Mr Habibi in their custody, and details about his condition are unknown. Mr Habibi is an Afghan-American businessman who worked as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecommunications company and also went missing in 2022. He is believed to have been arrested by the Taliban in August 2022 after a drone strike killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. open image in gallery Afghanistan-born American national Habibi was working in the civil aviation sector and visiting the country when he was captured by the Taliban in 2022 ( Family handouts ) Mr Biden had promised last week that an exchange deal would not take place if all three Americans Mr Corbett, Mr Glezmann and Mr Habibi were not included in the deal. There was no public discussion of talks around Mr McKenty at that time. The Taliban had reportedly sought the release of Afghan national Muhammad Rahim, a Guantanamo Bay detainee and a close aide of the late al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. During the phone call with Mr Biden, he assured me that he will not finalise the trade unless my brother is included, Mr Habibis brother Ahmad Shah Habibi told The Independent after the call, adding that the Taliban wanted the al-Qaeda adviser in return. Mr Corbetts family said they were still hoping for the release of the remaining Americans from Taliban custody. It was our hope that Ryan, George and Mahmoud would be returned to their families together, and we cannot imagine the pain that our good fortune will bring them. We recognise the immense privilege of our familys reunion today, and pledge to keep praying and fighting for George and Mahmouds swift release, they said in a statement. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and other notable allies of President Donald Trump engaged in a lengthy conversation with 18-year-old Barron Trump on Inauguration Day. Bezos, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senate Majority Leader John Thune all chatted with the New York University student for half an hour at Trumps Inauguration Day Luncheon, Reuters journalist Bo Erickson reported. Rubio was confirmed as Secretary of State by the US Senate just hours after his conversation with the 18-year-old. Barron attended his fathers inauguration at the US Capitol on Monday alongside his mother Melania Trump, his siblings and their families. open image in gallery Amazon founder Jeff Bezos raises his glass during a luncheon in honor of President Donald Trump following the inauguration ceremony, in Statuary Hall at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. Also pictured are US Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio and Barron Trump ( AFP via Getty Images ) The 18-year-old reportedly helped his fathers campaign reach young men throughout the last year, including by persuading him to do an interview with the popular video game streamer Adin Ross and giving him a list of potential podcasts to appear on ahead of Election Day. Trump ultimately gave interviews to creators like the Nelk Boys, Theo Von, Joe Rogan and Logan Paul throughout his third presidential campaign. While Trump lost the overall youth vote to Vice President Kamala Harris, he beat her by two points among young men, according to NBC News exit polling. open image in gallery Barron Trump and his family members watch on as Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States ( EPA ) John Morgan, a former Democratic megadonor, even told Fox News he thinks Barron is a lot smarter than Harriss campaign strategists after the Democrat failed to appear on many of the same podcasts Trump did. Look, if Im running, Im going on Joe Rogan, Im living on Fox. Thats how you change minds, Morgan said in November. It turns out, Barron Trump, who looks like a runway model, was telling his father, You need to go on podcasts, you need to go on Joe Rogan, Morgan added. Several tech giants attended Trumps inauguration alongside Bezos, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and the worlds richest man, Elon Musk. Musk even spoke after Trumps inauguration, giving a salute from the podium that many have compared to the Sieg Heil" hand gesture used in Nazi Germany. The multi-billionaire will lead Trumps Department of Government Efficiency, which is designed to slash federal spending through budget cuts and mass firings. Vivek Ramaswamy was also set to co-lead DOGE, but has since stepped down from the role, the White House announced on Monday. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Republicans and leading MAGA movement figures reacted with outrage to the preemptive pardons announced by Joe Biden in the final hours of his presidency. Some, including GOP firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene and Donald Trump Jr, claimed the action was indicative of the pardonees guilt, and accused the Democrats of closing ranks to protect their own. On Monday, shortly before Trumps swearing-ceremony, Biden pardoned Dr Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack on the Capitol. The president, who sat just feet away from his political rival throughout the ceremony, said the decision was to guard against potential revenge by the new Trump administration. Some 15 minutes before the end of his term, Biden also added several family members to the pardon list. open image in gallery Joe Biden announced a series of preemptive presidential pardons for several people, including the January 6 investigative committee, shortly before the end of his time in office on Monday ( Getty Images ) Supporters of the 47th president were quick to blast the news online. Biden pardons for Mark Milley, Anthony Fauci, the members of the Jan. 6 committee and the cops who testified before the committee because they are GUILTY OF CRIMES, wrote the Georgia congresswoman. Never forget what the Democrats have done.The mask is completely OFF. Right-wing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who is known to spar with Greene online for the presidents affections, (for once) agreed. Now we all know for certain they are criminals, she wrote. We always knew, they always denied it. But in the final hour, Biden admits what he did to us during COVID was criminals. He admits what he did to the J6ers and President Trump was criminal. She later added: Biden has pardoned his family. So much for holding the Biden crime family accountable. They will be getting away with all of their crimes. Biden knows his family is a family full of criminals. Valentina Gomez, a controversial MAGA zealot and congressional hopeful, added: Fauci, Liz Cheney & Miley deserve prison, not pardons. These so called Republicans didnt hold them accountable. A bunch of lying clowns. In a post on social media, the presidents son, Donald Trump Jr, reacted to news that Fauci had thanked Biden for his preemptive pardon but reiterated that he was guilty of no crime. He doesnt have to accept the pardon. If he did nothing wrong be a man and turn it down But you know he wont because everyone knows hes guilty of so much, he wrote on X, later adding: If you ever say I believe in the rule of law.. BUT you dont actually believe in the rule of law. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, once a rival to Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, also referenced Faucis pardon. One of Bidens greatest abuses of power was the forcing of mRNA (vaccine) shots by executive fiat (which Florida successfully blocked), he said. open image in gallery Among those being given pardons was Dr Anthony Fauci, who served as Bidens chief medical advisor, during the years of the Covid-19 pandemic ( Getty Images ) Now, on his way out the door, Biden pardons the chief henchman of that and so many other abuses. The swamp protects its own He later reacted to Bidens family pardons. 15 minutes before his term expires, Biden pardons his family members General Mike Flynn, former U.S. national security advisor under Trump, said the offers of pardons were admissions that something sinister and treasonous had occurred. Flynn himself was given a presidential pardon in 2020 after being convicted of lying about his communications with Russian diplomats. As someone who received a presidential pardon (mine is considered a pardon of innocence because my case was dismissed by a very weaponized DOJ for their own misconduct, then a federal judge weaponized his bench to come after me in an unprecedented way), therefore @realDonaldTrump decided to offer me a pardon. I took it to end the nightmare, Flynn wrote. These offers of pardons are, no doubt, admissions that something sinister and treasonous occurred during 45s first administration. Announcing the pardons on Monday, Biden said in a statement: The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country. The prospect of such pardons had been the subject of heated debate for months at the highest levels of the White House. Its customary for a president to grant clemency at the end of his term, but those acts of mercy are usually offered to Americans convicted of crimes. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A pregnant woman living in Massachusetts with temporary protected status is expected to give birth in March. But under the terms of Donald Trumps executive order that unilaterally redefines the Constitution, upending federal law and decades of established Supreme Court precedent, her baby will not be a citizen. She is the lead plaintiff in a federal lawsuit against the newly inaugurated president and members of his administration, accused of mounting a flagrantly illegal attempt to strip citizenship from millions of Americans with a stroke of a pen. open image in gallery Donald Tump signed an executive order intended to revoke birthright citizenship for Americans born in the United States to parents without permanent legal status ( AP ) The lawsuit was filed by Boston-based Lawyers for Civil Rights on behalf of Brazilian Worker Center and La Colaborativa, which have numerous members who are either currently pregnant or planning to grow their families in the future, and whose children will be among the targeted citizens, according to the complaint. A lawsuit in Maryland from CASA and the Asylum Seeker Advocacy is seeking to overturn Trumps order on behalf of five pregnant women who fear that their children will be denied United States citizenship based on their immigration status and that of their childrens fathers. When I fled persecution in my country, I found a new home in the United States and am proud of the life my husband and I have built in this country over the last six years, said Monica, a pregnant mother who is one of the lead plaintiffs in the case. I am shocked that the government does not want my child born in the United States to have U.S. citizenship, she said. I am scared for my child and for our family, especially since we cannot return to our country or get our child any other citizenship I dont know what we will do. The lawsuits are among at least three federal complaints filed by several immigrants advocacy organizations and civil rights groups on behalf of immigrant families and expectant mothers who flooded the groups with complaints and fears over what will happen to their families. Eighteen state attorneys general and officials in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco are also suing the Trump administration to block the flagrantly unlawful attempt to strip hundreds of thousands American-born children of their citizenship based on their parentage. Our constitution is not open to reinterpretation by executive order or presidential decree, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday. Trump and administration officials were also sued by Arizona, Illinois, Oregon and Washington. More than 12,000 babies born in the United States each month who are entitled to citizenship including more than 1,100 babies born each month in the Plaintiff States will no longer be considered United States citizens and will be left with no immigration status under Trumps order, according to the complaint. Plaintiffs are demanding the courts to immediately hit pause on Trumps order, which revives a once-fringe right-wing legal effort to get a conservative-majority Supreme Court to redefine the 14th Amendment. Another lawsuit from New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support, Make the Road New York, and the League of United Latin American Citizens accuses the Trump administration of straightforwardly violating the Constitution with an attempt to upend one of the most fundamental American constitutional values. Stripping citizenship from immigrant children threatens them with a lifetime of exclusion from society and fear of deportation from the only country they have ever known, according to the complaint. But that is illegal. The Constitution and Congress not President Trump dictate who is entitled to full membership in American society. open image in gallery Protesters gather in Chicagos Federal Plaza on January 20 to rally for immigrant rights as Trump is inaugurated ( AP ) Trumps order, among the first signed by the president in his first hours in office, attempts to revoke citizenship for children born in the United States under two sweeping conditions. Under the orders terms, children can be denied citizenship when that persons mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the persons father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth, or when that persons mothers presence in the United States was lawful but temporary, and the persons father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth. The 14th Amendments citizenship clause states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. The Supreme Court affirmed the principle in 1898, clarifying that children born in the United States to immigrant parents are citizens, regardless of their parents immigration status. The 14th Amendment was specifically enshrined to ensure that no one not even the President could deny children born in America their rightful place as citizens, according to the complaint from New Hampshire plaintiffs. The orders impact will be overwhelming and devastating, Boston plaintiffs wrote. If allowed to go into effect, American citizens would be denied passports, leaving them unable to travel outside the country for fear of never being allowed re-entry; denied Social Security numbers and cards, hampering their ability to work without government permission; and prevented from exercising countless federal rights, protections, benefits, and entitlements that derive from U.S. citizenship, they argued. The order not only violates the 14th Amendments citizenship clause but treads on the Fifth Amendment by treating people born in the United States as a subordinate caste of native-born Americans who are entitled to fewer rights, benefits, and entitlements than other citizens, they wrote. This executive order is a brutal and unconstitutional attempt to redefine what it means to be an American, according to Lawyers for Civil Rights executive director Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal. The Constitution is clear: birthplace, not parentage, determines citizenship in this country, he added. Our members are mothers, fathers, workers, and neighbors who came to this country searching for a safer and better life, La Colaborativa executive director Gladys Vega said in a statement. Denying citizenship to their U.S.-born children undermines the ideals of fairness and opportunity that define America. We will not stand idly by while our children are targeted and their rights and dignity are erased. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Department of Homeland Security employees have been ordered back to the office as the agency follows through with new President Donald Trumps executive order and ahead of his expected mass deportations of illegal migrants. In a memo shortly after the inauguration, Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman said the amount of hours being spent in the office throughout the agency was unacceptable. He cited how 28.9 percent of total hours worked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 24.4 percent of hours worked by U.S. Coast Guard personnel and 39.7 percent of hours for the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency were done in the office, according to an internal memo seen by ABC News. "These numbers are unacceptable. It is the policy of this agency for employees to work at their duty station whether in an office or in the field to the maximum extent", Huffman said. He also told employees that each component of the DHS would need to file a report on officials who had not returned to work within 30 days, reported ABC. open image in gallery President Donald Trump has ordered federal workers to return to the office - and the Department of Homeland Security didnt waste any time ( AP ) Workers would have to provide adequate documentation justifying the reasons to continue remote working. Huffman wrote in the memo: "Reasons might include lack of adequate office space, physical inability of the employee or a legal impediment. The decision to call workers back comes in tandem with Trumps order that federal workers should return to work and that he would crack down on immigration by declaring a national emergency at the borders and instigating mass deportations in U.S. cities. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement falls under the DHS umbrella. Trump signed several immigration-related executive orders Monday to commence a mass deportation process. The stark list of orders included ending birthright citizenship a Constitutional right, declaring a national emergency at the U.S. Mexico border, reinstating the remain in Mexico policy, freezing asylum claims, and shutting down the migrant entry app CBP One. He also pledged to intensify deportation pressure by increasing the presence of the armed forces and National Guard at the borders to assist existing law enforcement personnel. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trumps supporters returned to the nations capital after four years of exile emboldened, celebratory, and expecting revenge just like the incoming president himself. Its a sign of how everything and nothing has changed in the last four years that extremist Proud Boys were on the march again and January 6 protesters returned to the Capitol. It was a day of absolution for Trump and everyone in his orbit. open image in gallery Members of the Proud Boys gather outside the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. where Donald Trump was holding an event ( Anadolu via Getty Images ) Virjilio Burciaga, a 48-year-old electrician from Anaheim, California, who took part in the protest that ended in the Capitol attack, was returning to the Capitol for the first time since he joined the protests there on January 6, 2021. At one point they were seeing us as insurrectionists, he told The Independent as he braced against a bitter wind in front of the Capitol building. Now its changed to were all going to get pardoned. That label has been lifted. He and his wife Clara were back and, like Trump, redeemed. All these real criminals are being pardoned by this administration and what happened to our J6ers? Clara asked. Across town, Proud Boys spewed conspiracy theories about the attack and waved flags with the words The Proud Boys did nothing wrong. Hours later the groups leader, Enrique Tarrio, who received one of the harshest sentences for the Capitol attack after being convicted of seditious conspiracy, was in the process of being released along with every other person charged in connection with the attack. The last time this many red MAGA hats descended on Washington DC, American democracy faced a mortal threat. Four years have passed, and the same may be true again. open image in gallery Trump wasted no time in signing a raft of executive orders on his first day back in the Oval Office ( AP ) Many of those who braved the winter storm to celebrate Trumps return shared the same view, even if it wasnt their primary concern. I think that the people there on January 6, even though they couldnt know it, they got the feeling there was fraud, said Reagan Smelkinson, 24. And youve never seen punishment for a protest like that ever. They touched the hand of the king and they didnt like that so much so they brought the hammer down. Trumps unlikely political comeback from that day is due in no small part to a reimagining of his attack on democracy and of his chaotic first term a case of history being written by the winners. His second inauguration on Monday was proof that his gambit had worked. Trumps first arrival in DC was greeted by mass protests, this time around, the nations capital seemed to give itself completely to him. A brutal winter chill emptied the streets of its residents, giving the MAGA faithful the run of the city. Red hats streamed down the citys wide avenues and packed the bars and restaurants to crowd around televisions showing ceremonies across the city. Trumps face was everywhere, his familiar droning voice, too. They cheered his lines in between nachos. Stalls selling all manner of Trump schmatta were dotted along every sidewalk. Flags, pins, badges, hats all apparently designed with the singular intention of making liberals angry. One of the most popular t-shirts on sale contained only the words: Im back, bitches. Corporations were eager to pay homage, too. Crypto billboards appeared to have been strategically placed around the arena where Trump spoke; Amazon, run by the incoming presidents new friend, Jeff Bezos, purchased every other billboard in the city. Black SUVs carrying VIPs sped past on empty streets from one gilded hall to another. The billionaires and establishment figures who had stayed away the first time were back and in the front row. Power is intoxicating, and the city seemed drunk on it. open image in gallery Trump throws pens to fans after signing executive orders at the Capitol One Arena ( Getty Images ) Many of Trumps supporters were there to celebrate in any way they could. Trumps team canceled the outdoor ceremony due to the frigid temperatures, leaving many to wander around somewhat aimlessly. The entire downtown area was turned into a maze of checkpoints, only adding to the confusion. National Guard soldiers from across the country were scattered around at intersections fielding questions. Thousands lined up for hours to get into the Capitol One Arena, where an indoor parade was to replace the outdoor one. Many queued all day in the freezing cold only to be turned away. A big pile of handbags and backpacks lay outside of the main security gate to the arena, left there by rallygoers who were told they could not bring them inside the arena. A few dozen hung around in view of the Capitol rubbing their hands and staring towards to house of American democracy. Jeff Gehbauer, 64, sat in what appeared to be some kind of thermal camouflage outfit, taking it all in. Im here just to celebrate this man being elected president again, really against some pretty long odds to say the least, he said. The unlikely drink Trump toasted with during presidential inauguration dinner Ive been very fed up in the last four years and our country has been diminished. So we got principled leadership back in the Oval Office, he added. There were none of the same demonstrations that welcomed Trump to DC the first time around. A sole protester held up his sign outside the Capitol. Someones got to do it, said Eddy Seger, 74-year-old retired teacher and Air Force veteran. Im here to tell the truth and to give a warning. There needs to be a warning label on this inauguration and on this presidency because we know what were getting. Were getting a felon. Were getting a criminal. People have been fooled or they have sold out, so people of character have to stand up and make their voices heard, he added. What about Hillary Clinton?! a nearby Trump supporter shouted, sparking an argument that quickly devolved into allegations of pedophilia against the Democratic Party. Outnumbered and surrounded, the lone protester was asked to leave by police, and Trumps supporters had the run of the Capitol, and the capital, once more. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Elon Musk is now responding to the controversy he sparked when he delivered back-to-back gestures during his speech at Donald Trumps inauguration celebration, which many saw as him performing a Nazi salute. Rather than outright deny that he was emulating a fascist salute when he shot his right arm in an angular direction with the palm facing down, the Tesla CEO and first buddy instead said his critics needed better dirty tricks because attacking their political opponents as Adolf Hitler is sooo tired. Following Trumps swearing-in ceremony, Musk who provided significant funding to the presidents successful campaign and is tasked with running a meme-based government efficiency council took the stage at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C., to sing Trumps praises in a short and excitable speech. While the crowd roared in approval, the worlds richest man told the MAGA supporters he wanted to say thank you for making it happen before emphatically slapping his right hand into his chest. At that point, he threw his right arm diagonally into the air, fingers together, and his palm down. With the audience going wild, the Tesla CEO turned around and repeated the salute, this time towards the back of the stage where an American flag was hanging above. My heart goes out to you, he added, putting his hand on his chest again. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured. Thanks to you! open image in gallery Elon Musk is now responding to accusations that he gave a Nazi salute during a speech at Donald Trumps inauguration celebration. ( AFP via Getty Images ) With the Anti-Defamation League defining a Nazi salute as raising an outstretched right arm with the palm down, and Musk having already come under fire for sympathizing with extremists and far-right political parties with neo-Nazi ties, the reaction to the gesture was swift and severe. On top of that, the backlash comes after Democrats repeatedly warned during the campaign that a Trump victory would lead to fascism. During CNNs inaugural coverage, anchors Erin Burnett and Kasie Hunt noted that Musk had given an odd-looking salute that was evocative of things that we have seen through history and not something you typically see at American rallies. The network also immediately replayed the moment, saying their viewers are smart and can take a look at it. Others, however, felt what they had just seen was explicitly clear. Our new co-president Elon Musk gives a Nazi salute on day one of Trump presidency, Democratic strategist Sawyer Hackett tweeted while sharing a clip of the X (formerly Twitter) owner. Yeah Elon gave a Sieg Heil, another user posted on Bluesky. Spains deputy prime minister even quit X over the salute. Additionally, other observers noted that Musk was performing a Roman salute and that far-right extremists were excited over the gesture being aired to a television audience of millions. While the Roman salute was initially performed by soldiers in the ancient empire as a greeting to commanders to show loyalty and respect, it was later adopted by the Italian fascist regime and a form of it was eventually used by Nazi Germany. Historians of fascism and neo-Nazism also weighed in following Musks speech, saying that they believed Musks gesture was a sieg heil and that viewers should believe your eyes. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a history professor at New York University, added: "Historian of fascism here. It was a Nazi salute and a very belligerent one too." open image in gallery Musk was hardly the only tech billionaire to enjoy a choice seat at Trumps inauguration on Monday ( AP ) Defenders of Musk pushed back, however, suggesting that the gesture was just another example of the tech billionaire exhibiting social awkwardness on a big stage. As a person with a *strong* track record of criticizing Elon Musk, I feel extremely confident asserting that this was not a Nazi salute. Elon Musk is a friend to the Jews, Newsweek opinion editor Batya Ungar-Sargon claimed. This is a man with Aspergers exuberantly throwing his heart to the crowd. We dont need to invent outrage. The ADL, which Musk had previously threatened to sue for accusing him of platforming antisemitism, also ran to the tech moguls defense. The organization and its chief, Jonathan Greenblatt, have been criticized for flip-flopping on Musk following the October 7 Hamas attacks and subsequently praising his leadership in fighting hate. This is a delicate moment. Its a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety. It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge, the ADL said in a statement. In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Lets hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead. The organization waving off Musks gesture only sparked more backlash, prompting Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) to blast the group for defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity. This resulted in Musks top acolytes on X pushing back against the progressive lawmaker, leading to Musk finally weighing in on the outcry. She had just 100% lost her marbles, Musk posted after far-right influencer Ian Miles Cheong claimed Ocasio-Cortez was Jewsplaining hate speech to the league. open image in gallery The worlds richest man spent hundreds of millions of dollars to help Trump get re-elected ( REUTERS ) After another sympathetic account claimed that the salute hoax was part of the Democrats dirty tricks campaign, Musk replied: Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired. In addition, Musk also agreed with another pro-Musk account that stated: Can we please retire the calling people a Nazi thing? It didnt work during the election, its not working now, its tired, boring, and old material, youve burned out its effect, people dont feel shocked by it anymore, the wolf has been cried too many times. Meanwhile, the outrage over the salute comes amid a continued backlash over the mega-billlionaire endorsing the far-right Alternative for Deutschland, a German political party with ties to neo-Nazis and whose youth wing has been described as extremist by German intelligence agencies. Musk has also hosted the AfD leader for a sympathetic conversation on X. Furthermore, Musk recently changed his X username to Kekius Maximus and updated his profile to an edited picture of Pepe the Frog, a meme that had been co-opted by the alt-right and white supremacists in online spaces such as 4chan. And earlier this month, Musk who has backed far-right criminal Tommy Robinson while injecting himself into British politics criticized the U.K. judge who sentenced a man to seven years in prison for inciting anti-immigrant riots. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Spanish Labour Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz has said she will withdraw from Elon Musks social media platform X due in part to the billionaires behaviour during President Donald Trumps inauguration. The Tesla billionaire was seen to make a gesture that drew online comparisons to a Nazi salute during his speech at the Capitol One Arena on Monday to celebrate President Donald Trumps inauguration. The X (formerly Twitter) owner pounded his chest and shot his right arm in an angular motion toward the sky, saying he felt it in his heart. He also turned his back to the audience and repeated the gesture towards the American flag hanging over the stage. Hours later, Musk responded to the criticism of the gesutre in a post on X. Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is so tired, he posted. I made this decision, which I know is complicated, but I will not be part of a social network based on the use of algorithms that encourage xenophobic ideas, against human rights and encourage the extreme right in the world, Diaz said in an interview with state TV station TVE. open image in gallery Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) She said the decision followed Elon Musks positioning yesterday, not only with his gestures, but with the absolutely convoluted speeches he is making. The Anti-Defamation League, which tracks antisemitism, disagreed that it was a Nazi salute, saying it appeared to be an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm. Diaz said she will stop posting on X on personal and political matters, adding that other ministers from her hard-left Sumar party will also stop using the platform. Earlier this month, the German Defence and Foreign Ministries said they would stop using X, with the Defence Ministry saying it had become increasingly unhappy with developments on the platform. open image in gallery Elon Musk, left, and President-elect Donald Trump embrace as they look at Musks son X A A-Xii at a rally ( AP ) They joined a growing number of German and UK universities, which have departed from X. In November The Guardian newspaper announced it will stop posting on X, describing the social media platform as toxic. The news outlet wrote on its website that it had considered the decision for a while due to the often disturbing content promoted or found on the platform, but the US election earlier in November underlined its decision. This is something we have been considering for a while given the often disturbing content promoted or found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism, The Guardian wrote. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President Donald Trump signed executive orders Monday imposing a hiring freeze and ending remote work for federal government employees. Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, the orders states. Department and agency heads will be allowed to make exemptions they deem necessary, the order added. Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman on Monday evening quickly ordered all DHS employees back to work, ABC News reported. The hiring freeze applies to all positions in the executive branch except for the military and other categories like national security, public safety and immigration enforcement, according to the order. Outside of those categories no jobs that were empty as of noon Monday can be filled, and no new positions can be created. Trump said last month that employees who refuse to return to their offices to work full time would be fired. Remote work has become a target of tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has called it a privilege of the Covid-era, when employees worked at home to help stem the spread of the disease. Musk aims to utilize a ban on remote work to cull federal workers as part of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome, Musk and his former DOGE co-head Vivek Ramaswamy wrote late last year in The Wall Street Journal. Ramaswamy is stepping down from DOGE to run for governor of Ohio. He was reportedly forced out of DOGE by Musk after Ramaswamy claimed in a social media post that American work culture venerated mediocrity over excellence, Politico reported. Musk, however, endorsed a social media post at the time that called American workers re***ded, which Musk later deleted. Trump also signed an order that effectively reinstates Schedule F, a move that strips some civil servants of their employment protections by classifying them as political hires, presumably to help the president fill the ranks of government workers with loyalists, and fire those whom he has termed rogue bureaucrats and career politicians. Trump and Musk have indicated that teleworking federal employees are inefficient and ineffective. Only ten percent of federal employees were fully remote, and 54 percent aboug 2.28 million workers were required to show up for work in person, according to a report to Congress last year by the federal Office of Management and Budget. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy One day after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas officially began, some of the families of Israeli hostages, and at least one former hostage, joined Donald Trump on stage at his inauguration event moments later, he discussed the January 6 hostages. Steve Witkoff, Trumps Middle East envoy, announced that some family members and released hostages were in attendance at the Capitol One Arena event hours after Trump was sworn in. As crowds in the arena applauded, the hostages family members stood in a line wearing yellow scarves and holding photos of their family members kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023. open image in gallery A terrified Noa Argamani was seen being kidnapped on the back of a motorcycle in heartbreaking footage on October 7, 2023 ( Telegram ) Noa Argamani, who was 25 when she was taken hostage from the Nova Music Festival by men on a motorbike, was among them. She was rescued in June 2024. Footage of her being kidnapped, as she yelled Dont kill me!, became one of the defining images of the terror attack, which sparked the Israel-Gaza War. Her terminally ill mother, who had appealed for her release, lived long enough to see her return after 245 days in captivity, but died three weeks later. Several of families appearing with Trump lost children and loved ones, Witkoff added. Theyre here because theyre part of an effort to retrieve their bodies so they can be buried in a proper way, he said. Others have children who are still in captivity, Witkoff added. The family members then walked onto the stage and took turns shaking hands with the newly sworn-in president. Argamani stood directly behind Trump as he spoke. open image in gallery Argamani with her father Yakov and family friend Nir Givon in Ramat Gan following her release from captivity ( via REUTERS ) So now the work begins. We won! We won! But now the work begins. We have to bring them home, Trump said. He then abruptly pivoted to stating his plans to sign an executive order later on Monday regarding the J6 hostages, referring to those convicted of or charged with crimes related to the January 6 Capitol riot four years ago. Shortly after his comments, it emerged that one of the most notorious January 6 prisoners was being released. Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the neo-fascist Proud Boys gang, was sentenced to 22 years in prison after being convicted of seditious conspiracy and other crimes. open image in gallery Enrique Tarrio, who was jailed for 22 years for his role in the Jan 6 riot, was being released from prison, his mother said ( Getty Images ) Tarrios mother tweeted on Monday that her son would soon be released. His lawyer told The New York Times that he could be out of prison by as early as Monday night. At the Oval Office later on Monday night, Trump pardoned roughly 1,500 defendants charged with January 6-related crimes and issued six commutations. Last week, Trump took credit for the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, which began 11:15 a.m. local time. This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies, he wrote on Truth Social. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones. Three Israeli hostages and 90 Palestinian prisoners were released in the first phase while dozens more are set to be released in the next six weeks. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Michelle Obama shared a poignant message during the build-up to President Donald Trumps inauguration as the former first lady decided to stay away from the festivities. Obama, whose husband Barack Obama was in attendance, chose to share a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. on Instagram just a couple of hours before Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. The occasion coincides with the public holiday honoring the American civil rights leader. The 61-year-old posted the quote: The time is always right to do what is right. The message was also in support of the non-profit group When We All Vote. Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s legacy of service always inspires me, Obama wrote. This #MLKDay, I hope youll join me and @WhenWeAllVote in honoring Dr. Kings life and legacy by getting involved in your community. open image in gallery Michelle Obama decided to skip Trumps inauguration, pictured here at his first in 2017 ( Getty Images ) Whether youre mentoring students at your local school or volunteering for a cause that matters to you, it all helps make a difference. Tell me how youre giving back today in the comments, she added. Some of Obamas Instagram followers shared messages of support for her decision to miss the inauguration. We are celebrating him [King Jr] today and not this nonsense in the capital, one person commented. The only person were acknowledging today, another wrote. Thank you for NOT attending any of the orange festivities, someone else said, with an emoji of a clown face. We understand your absence, another supporter told Obama. The hypocrisy that it is okay to not accept the results of an election and treat you and your family with so much vitriol. Trump was abhorrent to you, he was abhorrent to Biden. Gets old trying to be the bigger person when youre up against a man-child. We support you. open image in gallery Obama joined fellow former president Bill Clinton at Trumps inauguration ( Getty ) We love you even more for the decision you made on MLK day, another added. Comments on Obamas post were largely supportive but a handful said it was disgraceful that she was not in attendance today. Disgraceful that you are not attending the inauguration. This is supposed to be a peaceful transition from one party to another, one person said. Obama is reported to have skipped Trumps inauguration because she doesnt want to plaster on a smile for someone she fundamentally believes is a threat to American democracy, according to a report last week. It was confirmed by her office that she would not be attending Trumps swearing-in but they did not give any further explanation in the brief statement. Representatives for Obama did not respond when previously contacted for comment by The Independent. Speculation about her absence from Trumps inauguration has been rife since her announcement but a source close to Obama offered insight into the decision, according to People. open image in gallery Trump is sworn in as 47th President of the United States ( 2025 Getty Images ) Theres no overstating her feelings about [Trump]. Shes not one to plaster on a pleasant face and pretend for protocols sake, the source told the outlet. Michelle doesnt do anything because its expected or its protocol or its tradition. She would be expected to swallow her feelings in the spotlight if she attended his second inauguration. Despite a great deal of pressure on her to run for the presidency on the Democratic ticket in future, Obama has largely shunned politics since leaving Washington and doesnt feel the need to be a public figure anymore, according to Peoples source. Both Donald and Melania Trump refused to attend Joe Bidens swearing-in in January 2021, making them the first American leaders not to attend the succession since 1869. Obama, who served as first lady from 2009 to 2017, did attend Trumps first inauguration in January 2017 and later revealed her discomfort at being expected to sit in the audience and watch him be sworn in as commander-in-chief. To sit on that stage and watch the opposite of what we represented on display, there was no diversity, there was no color on that stage, she said on her show The Light Podcast in 2023. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy After ascending to the top of the GOP ticket in March 2024, Donald Trump made a promise. My first acts as your next President will be to Close the Border, DRILL, BABY, DRILL, and Free January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned, he wrote at the time on his Truth Social platform. On his first day back in office on Monday, Trump stayed true to his word on the rioters and granted clemency to more than 1,500 supporters charged with crimes connected to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol building. While an overwhelming majority of defendants were issued full pardons, five members of the far-right Proud Boys and nine members of the Oath Keepers militia had their sentences commuted. Trump has also issued full pardons for two Proud Boys members. Here are the highest-profile Proud Boys and Oath Keeper members and most memorable insurgents who received clemency from Trump, and a reminder of the crimes they committed: Enrique Tarrio former Proud Boys leader open image in gallery Enrique Tarrio counter-protesting people gathered to commemorate the one year anniversary of the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2021 ( Getty Images ) The former leader of the all-male group of proud Western chauvinists which is listed as a terrorist entity by the Canadian government was issued a full presidential pardon on Monday, his family told CBS News. Tarrio, 42, was serving a 22-year sentence after being convicted of seditious conspiracy and other charges related to the Jan. 6 insurrection. Unlike many others on this list, Tarrio was not physically present at the Capitol during the riot. However, prosecutors argued that he played a central role in orchestrating the events from outside Washington, D.C. He is belived to have touched down at Miami International Airport on Tuesday evening after flying from Dallas Love Field airport, a family spokesperson said. Gabriel Garcia open image in gallery Garcia was accused of participating in aggressive confrontations with police ( via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock ) Garcia, a former US Army captain, has also been issued a full pardon from Trump. The 43-year-old was allegedly hand-picked by Tarrio to join a national rally planning chapter of the Proud Boys called the Ministry of Self Defense before the riot. Garcia, who joined a later wave of rioters in the afternoon, was accused of participating in aggressive confrontations with police and helping others storm the Capitol. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison in December 2024 after being convicted on charges of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding. I was facing up to 27 years, 27 years for walking in a building with a flag. I didnt hurt anybody, I didnt destroy anything, I didnt burn down a city, and I sure as hell didnt go in there to stop any process or kill anybody, Garcia told CBS News. Ethan Nordean open image in gallery Ethan Nordean walks toward the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 ( AP ) A Proud Boy leader and recruiter from Auburn, Washington, Nordean received a commuted sentence. Nordean, who also goes by Rufio Panman, was arrested four weeks after the Capitol riot and in May 2023, was one of four Proud Boys leaders found guilty of seditious conspiracy among other charges. Prosecutor Jason McCullough said that Nordean was the undisputed leader on the ground on Jan. 6. The neo-fascist activist was sentenced to 18 years in prison in September 2023, before his sentence was commuted to time served by Trump on Monday. Joseph Biggs open image in gallery Proud Boys organizer Joseph Biggs walks from the George C. Young Federal Annex Courthouse in Orlando on January 20, 2021 ( Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel via AP ) Biggs was another of four Proud Boys leaders serving a prison sentence after he was found guilty of seditious conspiracy in August 2023 and sentenced to 17 years in prison. Last month, the attorney for Volusia County chapter leader, Norm Pattis, requested that Trump grant his client a complete pardon. On Monday, Biggs had his sentence commuted by Trump, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons shows that hes since been released. Zachary Rehl open image in gallery Zachary Rehl walks toward the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Janaury 6, 2021 ( AP ) The leader of the Proud Boys Philadelphia chapter was arrested after a video showed him spraying a chemical irritant at police officers during the riot. Rehl, another of the four leaders convicted of seditious conspiracy, was serving a 15-year term in medium-security federal prison at FCI Petersburg in Hopewell, Virginia, when his sentence was commuted. He was also part of the Ministry of Self Defense, according to prosecutors. He later told the group that he was proud as f*** [of] what we accomplished. Dominic Pezzola open image in gallery Dominic Pezzola, center with police shield, confronts Capitol Police officers outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 ( AP ) Pezzola, the fourth Proud Boy found guilty of seditious conspiracy, was almost a year and a half into a 10-year prison term when his sentence was commuted by Trump on Monday. Touted as an enthusiastic foot soldier by prosecutors, he exclaimed, Trump won! upon being escorted out of the courtroom. The New Yorker is believed to have breached the Capitol building by smashing a window with a police riot shield and later filmed a celebratory video with a cigar, prosecutors said. Jeremy Bertino open image in gallery Jeremy Bertino, second from left, joins Proud Boys members at a rally at Freedom Plaza in Washington on December 12, 2020 ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Bertino was the governments star witness in the Proud Boys sedition trial after himself pleading guilty to seditious conspiracy in October 2022 and agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors. He hadnt been serving prison time when Trump extended an olive branch. The North Carolina member, who had his sentence commuted Monday, testified in March 2023 that the group wanted to act as the tip of the spear in the attack on the Capitol. Bertino was not physically present at the attack because he was recovering from being stabbed at another Proud Boys riot in December 2020. Elmer Stewart Rhodes III Oath Keepers founder open image in gallery Elmer Stewart Rhodes III was sentenced to 18 years behind bars ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Founder and former head of the Oath Keepers, Rhodes was serving an 18-year prison stint when his sentence was commuted. The far-right extremist group, which was founded in 2009, is comprised of roughly 5,000 members many of whom are military veterans or former law enforcement officers. Several Oath Keepers were seen sporting paramilitary gear outside the Capitol, moving in an organized and practiced fashion, according to an indictment. Prosecutors showed jurors encrypted messages and recordings where Rhodes, a former paratrooper who wears an eyepatch after accidentally shooting himself in the face, spoke of commenting on a bloody civil war and calling members to rise up in insurrection to defeat Biden. Before Jan. 6, Rhodes told members on his website: It is CRITICAL that all patriots who can be in D.C. get to D.C. to stand tall in support of President Trumps fight to defeat the enemies foreign and domestic who are attempting a coup, through the massive voter fraud and related attacks on our Republic. Kelly Meggs open image in gallery Oath Keeper leader and organizer Kelly Meggs mugshot ( US Marshall Orlando Office ) The leader of the Oath Keepers Florida chapter was found guilty of seditious conspiracy in November 2022. Kelly was serving a 12-year sentence when his punishment was commuted by the president on Monday. Weeks before the insurrection, prosecutors said that Meggs wrote in a group chat that Trump called us all to the Capitol and wants us to make it wild Sir Yes Sir! He is said to have added: Im gonna go on a killing spree. Meggs contested that he was sitting on the steps outside the front of the Capitol building and unintentionally got sucked in, he told New 6 in January 2022. Kenneth Harrelson and Jessica Watkins open image in gallery Jessica Watkins (left) stands among Trump supporters outside the Capitol buildong on January 6, 2021 ( REUTERS ) Two more U.S. Army veterans and Oath Keepers who stormed the Capitol had their sentences commuted on Monday. Both Watkins and Harrelson were handed prison time in May 2023, eight and half years and four years, respectively. They were both acquitted of seditious conspiracy charges but were convicted of other Jan. 6-related charges, including obstructing Congress certification of Bidens victory. Watkins, an Oath Keeper recruiter, and Harrelson, the so-called ground team lead, were among the group that marched towards the Capitol in stack formation. Watkins is said to have communicated over a channel called Stop the Steal J6, while Harrison screamed treason as he stormed the chamber, prosecutors said. Five other Oath Keepers commuted open image in gallery Photograph of Roberto Minuta sporting his Oath Keeper body armor ( FBI ) Several other high-ranking Oath Keeper members also had their sentences commuted by Trump on Monday. They include U.S. Navy veteran Thomas Caldwell, tattoo artist Roberto Minuta, a member in charge of stockpiling weapons Edward Vallejo, Sarasota Chapter leader Joseph Hackett and former neuroscientist David Moerschel. Jacob Chansley QAnon Shaman open image in gallery Jacob Chansley, the QAnon Shaman, pictured in the Capitol building the Jan 6 Capitol riot ( Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The spear-wielding, bare-chested Jan. 6 rioter known as the Qanon Shaman was issued a full pardon by Trump. Jacob Chansley from Phoenix, Arizona, was one of the first Trump supporters to descend on the Capitol building. In November 2021, Chansley pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstructing an official and was ordered to serve 41 months in prison one of the longest sentences received by a rioter but was released after 27 months in May 2023 He became a worldwide symbol for the insurrection sporting a horned fur hat made from raccoon fur, his red, white and blue face paint and use of a bullhorn to rile up the mob. Our rights are given to us by God not government. Freedom is our natural state of being. My spirit is free, I was born to be wild [and] I am gonna travel around the country now that I finally can!, Chansley told The Independent when reached for comment. Doug Jensen open image in gallery Capitol Riot Trial ( Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Prosecutors pitted Doug Jensen as a leader of the mob. Supporters hailed him as a patriot and donated money via GiveSendGo in their droves. The QAnon T-shirt-wearing rioter went viral as he was filmed pursuing a Capitol Police officer up a stairway near the Senate chamber. Jensen was the rioter who would not back down, proseuctors argued. If it wasnt all recorded from at least 10 different angles, itd be pretty hard to believe. In September 2022, Jensen was found guilty of obstruction of a law enforcement officer during civil disorder, among six other felony charges. In December that year, he was sentenced to five years in prison, with three years of supervised release. Jensen was issued a full presidential pardon on Monday. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Elon Musk has been slammed online after his gesture at Trumps inauguration was compared to a Nazi salute. However, some of his biggest fans rushed to his defense calling it a Roman salute and trying to downplay the connection to World War II Germany. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO dismissed the comparison to the Nazi and wrote on X that his critics need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired, he added. During the 2024 campaign, Musk joined forces with President Donald Trump, helping him win by donating more than $250 million to the efforts to get Trump elected. Musk, who bought Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion and renamed it X, faced widespread backlash for seemingly mimicking a Nazi salute multiple times during his appearance in Capital One Arena in downtown Washington. The salute, also known as the Roman salute, involves putting your arm forward with fingers together and your palm downwards. Its alleged to have been used in ancient Rome, but theres no Roman text that describes the salute. In the 1930s and 1940s, it became associated with the Nazi party in Germany. open image in gallery Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gestures as he speaks during the inaugural parade. He has drawn backlash for his comments ( Getty Images ) The move became popularized in the 18th and 19th centuries in artworks and theatre performances, showing Romans saluting as a way of greeting each other, Newsweek noted. The salute was used as a symbol in the Neoclassical art movement to display Roman virtues such as honor, patriotism and civic duty. In the 20th century, it was put to use by fascists in Italy and the Nazi party in Germany. Both also used a number of other Roman and Neoclassical symbols. The salute quickly became synonymous with the German Nazi party, with military staff and citizens being forced to do the salute and say Heil Hitler or Sieg Heil. Following World War II, it has been widely seen as a salute used by fascists and for symbolizing white supremacy. Doing the movement is outlawed in Germany, Austria and Slovakia and its restricted in several other countries such as the U.K. and Canada. open image in gallery August 1927: Austrian born German fascist dictator, Adolf Hitler, saluting the massed ranks of his party during the party congress at Nuremberg ( Getty Images ) Musk sparked controversy when he used the salute on Monday during Trumps indoor parade and rally. "I just want to say thank you for making it happen, thank you, he said before putting his hand to his chest and extending his arm up towards the crowd, his fingers outstretched and his palm down. My heart goes out to you. Its because of you that the future of civilization is assured, he said after having done the salute. The Anti-Defamation League wrote on X in part that It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge. Thanks guys, Musk wrote in response along with a laughing emoji. Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed the ADLs response, writing, Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity. People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now. You work for them. Thank you for making that crystal clear to all. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Top TikTok executives reportedly rubbed shoulders with American tech leaders and handed out business cards at an elite pre-inauguration donor event on Sunday featuring members of the Trump administration, as the apps future in the U.S. remains uncertain. Tiktok executives including CEO Shou Chew and vice president Michael Beckerman were reportedly on hand at the event, which President Donald and First Lady Melania Trump hosted at the National Building Museum in Washington. They joined a reported guestlist including Vice President JD Vance, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and conservative megadonor Miriam Adelson. The apps c-suite was reportedly making the rounds last night; making a big argument for TikTok, an eyewitness told Mediaite. They were schmoozing and speaking to anyone they could, handing out cards. open image in gallery TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew attends Mondays inauguration ceremony The Independent has contacted the Trump transition team and TikTok for comment. In addition to their reported appearance at the candlelight dinner, which was open to those who gave $1 million or raised $2 million for the record-breaking, $200-plus million inaugural fund, TikTok also sponsored an award show on Sunday night for conservative TikTok influencers. Chew also appeared at Mondays inaugural ceremony itself in Capitol. The full-court press from TikTok comes as the wildly popular apps future in the U.S. is uncertain. On Saturday, the app went offline in the U.S., a day before a law banning TikTok unless it found new owners for its U.S. operations was set to take effect. However, by Sunday, thanks to a promise from Trump to delay the ban until he could work out a new compromise over the apps future, TikTok was back online, with the company thanking the new president for his position. open image in gallery TikTok credited Trump who once tried to ban the app with saving it ( TikTok ) Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trumps efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! read a message to the apps newly reinstated U.S. users. Nonetheless, despite the temporary respite for TikTok, numerous users are flocking to rival apps like Rednote in anticipation of a permanent ban in the U.S. The uncertainty around TikTok is the latest bizarre chapter in its relationship with Donald Trump, who tried to force a U.S. sale in 2020 via executive order, was denied in court, then pledged his support for the app in the 2024 election once it helped boost his campaign with young voters. Liberal leaders and commentators expressed alarm over the presidents apparent personal influence over many of the major social media companies. open image in gallery The Trump campaign drew influential support from the tech world, including a high-profile alliance with Elon Musk and millions in donations from tech executives to the inaugural fund ( AP ) TikTok tucking itself in with Trump. Twitter under control of the White House. Facebook making major changes to placate MAGA, doing PR campaign to align w Trump, Senator Chris Murphy on Conecticut wrote in a post on X. Does everyone not see whats happening here and how terrifying this is. New York Times opinion columnist Ezra Klein argued Trump was angling for control over the attentional oligarchs. For all Trumps talk of manufacturing jobs, you didnt see the CEOs of GE and Caterpillar sitting in the prime seats today, Klein wrote on X of the inauguration. You saw the CEOs of Amazon and X and Meta and Google and TikTok. Million-dollar donations from leading tech firms and executives deluged the Trump inaugural fund, putting it on track to raise more than $200 million, breaking the record from Trumps previous inauguration. Some firms, like Meta, have also made internal changes like removing fact-checking and appointing Trump allies to key positions, in steps seen by observers as an attempt to deepen ties to Trump. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President Donald Trump signed a batch of executive orders on inauguration day to begin implementing his conservative agenda but some of his most ambitious revoking birthright citizenship and denying the identity of transgender people are likely to face legal challenges. Executive orders are mandatory declarations from the president to federal agencies or the military about how they should use resources given to them by Congress or operate within the limits of the U.S. Constitution. It is typical for presidents to sign executive orders upon taking office to display an eagerness to begin working. But Trump has made it clear, he plans to utilize his presidential authority to carry out his agenda to the fullest extent possible. Already, he has set the record for most executive orders signed on the first day in office. However, some of his executive orders face legal challenges with lawmakers disputing Trumps scope of authority. Now, many are left wondering if there is any way to stop or challenge an executive order. open image in gallery President Donald Trump signed 26 executive orders on inauguration day - but is there any way to stop them? ( Getty Images ) Can executive orders be blocked? Like all laws, executive orders are subject to judicial review and may be blocked if they violate the Constitution or if Congress passes legislation that directly interferes with them. Executive orders do not require congressional approval but Congress can pass laws refusing to fund the order - thus thwarting its impact. For example, Congress could refuse to fund Trumps newly formed Department of Government Efficiency to stifle its authority. Congress can also pass legislation that invalidates an executive order, however, if the president vetoes the law, then the House and Senate need a two-thirds majority to override that veto. It is unlikely this will occur under Trump, though, because the House of Representatives and Senate are both Republican-dominated. Courts may also temporarily block executive orders from taking effect if they feel the order needs to be reviewed for constitutionality. open image in gallery As part of his anti-immigration plan, Trump issued a swath of executive orders that makes it difficult for those seeking asylum to come into the U.S. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Can executive orders be overturned? A president can revoke an executive order and courts can overturn an order if they find it violates the Constitution. Trump revoked several of former president Joe Bidens executive orders upon taking office on Monday including pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement, removing protections for transgender people and lifting requirements for federal agencies to promote voter registration. Courts may also overturn an executive order if they determine it violates the Constitution. Trumps executive order revoking birthright citizenship for those born to immigrant parents appears to be a direct violation of the 14th Amendment that gives any person born in the U.S. citizenship status. open image in gallery Trumps executive orders aimed at restricting transgender identity and diversity, equity and inclusion programs are likely to face lawsuits ( Getty Images ) How likely will Trumps executive orders hold up? Many of Trumps executive orders particularly those aimed at restricting immigration are likely to face legal challenges from states, individuals and advocacy groups. His remain in Mexico policy faced lawsuits when it was first enacted in 2019 with federal courts pausing its enforcement while they reviewed its legality. Ultimately, Biden rescinded the policy during his administration but with Trump reinstating it it is likely to face more lawsuits. Trumps executive order determining the government may only identiy two genders is also likely to face legal pushback. Federal judges around the U.S. have determined that prejudice against trans people is a form of discrimination per Supreme Court precdent. Another gray legal area is around the order that pauses the TikTok ban from taking effect for 75 days. Congress passed the legislation that bans TikTok with the provision that the president could delay the ban 90 days so long as a viable deal was being worked out. The Supreme Court upheld the legislation making it unclear if Trump has the authority to pause the ban. Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump plans to sign a pair of executive orders on Monday that will make sweeping changes to how the federal government approaches gender, including erasing protections and recognition for transgender people and ending federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. During his inaugural address, Trump claimed his administration would end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. The White House has described the orders as part of its immediate priorities to protect women from radical gender ideology and bring back American values. One of the planned orders deals with gender, holding that there are two immutable sexes, male and female, defined by whether an individual is born with eggs or sperm, officials told The Associated Press. This definition is at odds both with the lived experience of the estimated nearly 2 million people who are trans in America, as well as the determinations of expert groups like the American Medical Association, which holds that gender identity exists along a spectrum, rather than an immutable male-female binary. The execution action will roll back a Biden-era policy allowing people to choose X as a gender on U.S. passports rather than male or female, and directs the State Department and Department of Homeland Security to ensure that official government documents, including passports and visas, reflect sex accurately. The order, reportedly entitled Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, will also block requirements at federal facilities to use individuals chosen gender pronouns, and will require federal prisons and shelters to segregate people by the new sex definition. open image in gallery Trump orders will redefine sex and cut federal support for diversity programs ( REUTERS ) It will also end the use of federal dollars for gender-affirming medical care, including inside federal prisons. (As The Independent has reported, trans people face exceptional levels of sexual and physical violence behind bars, and advocates argue such care both serves a medical and emotional need and keeps people safer.) Trump officials framed the policies as a way to protect women. Women deserve protections, they deserve dignity, they deserve fairness, they deserve safety, a senior policy adviser told The Free Press. And so this is going to help establish that in federal policy and in federal laws. Studies show transgender people face disproportionate levels of violence compared with their cisgender counterparts. Another order plans to halt federal agencies use of DEI programs, while Trump has also promised to end DEI requirements in the military and federally funded educational institutions. open image in gallery Trump and Elon Musks DOGE program is reportedly eyeing millions of dollars worth of spending cuts on federal diversity programs ( AFP via Getty Images ) A Trump official told NBC News the new administration will hold monthly meetings with agencies to assess what type of DEI programs are still discriminating against Americans and figure out ways to end them. On the campaign trail, Trump said he would use education funding to pay victims of DEI at universities and schools. Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency effort is also reportedly targeting $120 billion worth of recommended cuts on federal diversity programs. Prominent U.S. companies, including Meta, Amazon, and McDonalds have also announced recent DEI rollbacks at their firm, as part of a wider backlash and shift away from post-2020 diversity programs. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the World Health Organization via executive order Monday evening to the shock of some. Trump cited the organizations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the funds contributed by the U.S. in his executive order ending the countrys membership. The order came amid dozens of others during the first hours of Trumps second term in the White House. Heres what we know about the decision: open image in gallery President Donald Trump pictured signing dozens of executive orders during his first day in office. Trump removed the U.S. from the World Health Organization via executive order Monday evening ( EPA ) Why did Trump remove the U.S. from the World Health Organization? Trump signed an executive order hours after taking office Monday revoking the countrys membership in the WHO. The executive order cites the organizations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states. The president also cited the onerous payments the U.S. gives as a member. The U.S. has paid WHO anywhere from $160 million to $815 million every year for the past decade, the Associated Press reports. Trump ended the countrys WHO membership last time he was in office as well. Trump severed ties with WHO and suspended funding to the organization during his first administration in July 2020 as COVID-19 cases surged globally and thousands of Americans died from the virus. President Joe Biden reversed the order on his first day in office, making the U.S. a member of WHO again in January 2021. open image in gallery The U.S. is no longer a member of the World Health Organization - again- after Biden put the U.S. back in following Trumps removal during his first term ( AFP via Getty Images ) What does this mean for the World Health Organization? The U.S. was the organizations largest donor in 2023, paying 18 percent of the organizations total budget, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said Tuesday. We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, the organization said in a statement. For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats, the statement continued. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. While Jasarevic declined to answer what Trumps order would mean for the organization, the AP reports the loss of U.S. funding could hamper many of their global health initiatives including polio eradication efforts and research on new viral threats. What does this mean for the U.S.? U.S. agencies that work with WHO, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will suffer from the presidents decision, the AP reports. These agencies will no longer benefit from WHO-coordinated initiatives or have access to key research materials from the organization, such as their genetic databases, which are used to produce vaccines and medication, according to the AP. open image in gallery Trump cited the organizations handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the high financial contribution of the U.S. to the organization in his executive order ( AP ) Withdrawing from WHO and hampering its funding could also have a global impact. A U.S. withdrawal from WHO would make the world far less healthy and safe, Lawrence Gostin, director of the WHO Collaborating Center on Global Health Law at Georgetown University, told the AP. Gostin added that losing U.S. funding could devastate the organizations epidemic response efforts. The decision comes as the U.S. sees a spike in bird flu cases across the nation. There are 67 confirmed cases of the bird flu as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the CDC, with at least one death from the virus confirmed. The death, reported in Louisiana, marks the first in the U.S. from the virus. Before leaving office, the Biden administration allocated $300 million toward monitoring H5N1 bird flu and regional, state, and local preparedness programs, The Independent previously reported. A third of that is allocated for testing, outreach to high-risk populations, and increased surveillance of individuals who have been exposed to infected animals. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Immigrant communities across the country have been bracing for Donald Trumps avalanche of anti-immigration actions, which are already drawing legal fire and constitutional challenges while stranding thousands of people across the U.S. Mexico border, desperate for a better life. In Chicago, where Trumps border czar Tom Homan promised to launch the presidents mass deportation operation, community groups have been preparing know your rights training and fielding dozens of questions from immigrants and their families about what the future holds, including what happens if federal law enforcement agents descend in their schools and workplaces. I think the idea that there is some sort of an emergency here in Chicago will come as a surprise to people who live here, Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at the ACLU of Illinois, told The Independent. open image in gallery Asylum seekers react as they wait for news on their CBP One appointments January 20. Moments after Trumps inauguration, all appointments were canceled ( AFP via Getty Images ) I think the only emergency is the fear and confusion among people who are here looking for a better life for themselves and for their families, he said. Its the fear of kids who are going to school and worried about raids thats the emergency. The legal arm of Chicagos Latinos Progresando, based in the citys historically Mexican immigrant Little Village neighborhood, has been focused on rapid response legal services and connecting DACA recipients with federal agencies to process their renewal requests before Trump takes office. Theres a lot of unknowns we thought that mass deportation was going to be ground zero here, so folks have been preparing for that, and the questions have been like, What does that mean? What happens to my kids? chief programs officer Nubia Willman told The Independent. There was this belief that maybe there was only going to be a certain group of people that were going to be targeted. And I think now folks are understanding that this is going to be much more expansive and not necessarily precise, Willman said. If you dont have status, if youre not a citizen, I think everyone is understanding that they may be at risk. Trumps 10 orders include a national emergency declaration to surge troops to the border and erect physical barriers. Another clarifies that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution does not recognize citizenship for children born to parents who arrived in the country without legal permission. Another order reinstates the Remain in Mexico policy to force people to stay on the other side of the southern border while their immigration cases are pending with U.S. courts and authorities despite no agreement with Mexico to do so. The administration is also freezing asylum claims a right guaranteed under both U.S. and international law and pausing a decades-long refugee resettlement program for at least four months. open image in gallery A migrant seeking asylum in Matamoros, Mexicoh olds up the CBP One app showing his appointment was canceled after Trump was sworn into office ( AP ) Trump is also ending the CBP One app, which has been used by more than 900,000 people to schedule appointments with immigration authorities at the southern border since it was introduced in January 2023. Roughly 270,000 people on the other side of the border were trying to get an appointment through the app when it was abruptly shut down on Monday. The app was effectively the only way that people living outside the country could request an appointment at an official port of entry to begin their asylum claims and immigration paperwork, but was falsely characterized by Trump and his allies as a fast track for illegal immigration. On Monday, a notice on the apps website said that the app is no longer available and all appointments have been cancelled without notice. At ports of entry across the southern border, where hundreds of people were lined up for their appointments, they all received the same message: Existing appointments through CPB One are no longer valid. Another woman and her two minor children, who have been embroiled in a long-running lawsuit over constraints on asylum claims, were scheduled for their appointment on January 25. It is now cancelled. The app had previously processed up to 1,450 people seeking asylum each day. But as a result of the appointment processs elimination, the right to seek asylum at the border no longer exists, no matter how great the danger faced by migrants, including families with children, a group of civil rights attorneys wrote in a court filing on Monday. open image in gallery Marcela Medina and her husband Enrique Corea of Venezuela react to seeing that their appointment was canceled on the CBP One app as they wait near the border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico on January 20 ( AP ) Last week, Chicagos City Council voted 39-11 to block a vote on an amendment to the citys so-called sanctuary ordinance that would allow police to work with federal immigration authorities in cases in which undocumented immigrants have been arrested or convicted of certain crimes. Chicago police do not document immigration status nor share information with federal immigration authorities, but the agency will not intervene with other government agencies performing their duties in the city, according to a spokesperson. There are limits to immigration enforcement and if its appropriate and where its appropriate. If those limits are crossed, we will look to enforcement mechanisms, Yohnka told The Independent. But I think its hard to even speculate on what that might look like. Trump has promised to carry out mass arrests and deportations targeting millions of people across the country. Homan has repeatedly said that U.S. citizen children could end up being detained and deported alongside their noncitizen parents, while families have asked for clarity from advocates and legal groups about the specter of immigration raids that could target workplaces, schools, and places of worship. It destroys the communities by destroying the lives of people, said Mario Garcia, executive director of Chicagos Onward House, a nonprofit group that supports asylum seekers. Its going to be devastating to business, its going to be devastating to the social fabric, and its going to impact women and children in particular, he told The Independent. open image in gallery Protesters gather in Chicagos Federal Plaza during Trumps inauguration ceremonies on January 20 ( AP ) Krish OMara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Global Refuge, said Trumps attempts to address immigration requires the precision of a scalpel, not the blunt force of a sledgehammer. A sweeping enforcement dragnet that doesnt distinguish between serious offenders and those who have become valuable community members without incident for decades would be cruel and counterproductive, she said in a statement shared with The Independent. Our nations strength lies in thoughtful, targeted solutions, not indiscriminate policies that abdicate our moral obligations, shatter lives, and devastate local economies. The return of Remain in Mexico and freezing of asylum claims is deja vu of the darkest kind, she said. Barely 24 hours into his second term, President Trump is already seeking to implement his harmful, racist, anti-immigrant agenda with these executive actions, said Amy Fischer, director of Amnesty International USAs refugee and migrant rights program. Upending asylum law will only exacerbate the chaos across the country and the humanitarian crisis at the border, she said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump announced a flurry of explosive executive orders Monday during his inaugural address as he returned to the Oval Office two of which included initiating the withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization and the policy of recognizing only two sexes. As he signed over 100 executive orders in a move that broke away from his predecessors, reproductive rights activists waited anxiously for what Trumps next move would be regarding abortion rights and sexual health information. What is the Mexico City Policy aka the Global Gag Rule? One significant policy that human rights organizations are dreading the reinstatement of, is the Mexico City Policy, also known as the Global Gag Rule. The policy, first implemented by President Regan in 1984, was created to prevent any foreign organizations that receive U.S. global health assistance from providing information, referrals, or services for legal abortion or advocating for access to abortion services in their country even with their own money, according to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund . Setting this policy in place meant that education and safe practices in foreign countries, as well as abortion services through U.S. aid, became prohibited. open image in gallery A reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule could lead to the increase of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and preventable deaths, say reproductive rights organizations ( AFP/Getty ) Since Reagan, every Republican president has reinstated the policy including Trump in 2017 when he renamed it Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance. Joe Biden, like Democratic leaders before him, removed it after he came into power in 2020. Dr Alvaro Bermejo, the Director General for the International Planned Parenthood Federation told The Independent Monday: Donald Trumps return to power represents a direct assault on those seeking lifesaving sexual and reproductive health care. Trumps proposed executive actions are deadly; and designed to strip away bodily autonomy for LGBTQ people, women, and girls. Expanding the Global Gag Rule not only threatens the right to end a pregnancy safely, it compromises the integrity of entire health-care systems. What was the effect of Trumps implementation of the GGR in 2017? When Trump re-implemented the policy in 2017, it meant that all access to contraception was reversed along with safe sex and reproductive health services in countries that receive aid from the U.S. Not only did this affect women who required abortion services, but it expanded to affect a broader range of funds dedicated to global health concerns such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and nutrition, in places such as Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. The result: increased unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and preventable deaths. According to MSI Reproductive Choices, by refusing to certify the rule, they lost 17% of [their]annual donor income in 2017, were unable to help an estimated 8 million women as a result, could not prevent an estimated 6 million unintended pregnancies, nor 1.8 million unsafe abortions, and 20,000 maternal deaths. What impact could a reinstatement of the policy have on global health? Dr Laura Gil, a SheDecides Champion and chair of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics on Safe Abortion told The Independent: The executive orders signed by President Trump and the anticipated reinstatement of the global gag rule threaten the health and well-being of women, girls, and pregnant people especially among marginalized and underserved populations. Such a regressive approach by the US regime is perhaps the single greatest threat to health and reproductive rights worldwide. It represents an attack on womens health and will lead to greater rates of unsafe abortion and maternal mortality. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A January 6 rioter who wore a Hitler mustache to work at a navy base claimed that he was invited to Trumps inauguration and posted images indicating he was in Washington, D.C. Timothy Hale-Cusanelli was identified as a white supremacist with admiration for Nazi leader Adolf Hitler by prosecutors. Hale-Cusanelli said on X that he was Happy to say there was less Antifa this Inauguration than the one in 2017. He shared an image of an invitation to the inauguration. Its unclear who or what group invited him. Hale-Cusanelli, along with others, overwhelmed police in the Capitol crypt during the attack on Congress on January 6, 2021, according to The Washington Post. Videos revealed that he tried to get a rioter away from officers who were arresting the rioter. He claimed that he was unaware that the officer was a member of the police and that he thought that the certification of the Electoral College vote would be in a building called Congress. As stupid as it sounds, I did not realize that Congress sat in the Capitol building. Hale-Cusanelli was sentenced to four years in prison, with Trump appointee U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden slammed the defendant for racist, sexist and antisemitic statements and also blasted him for his decision to lie on the witness stand, The Post noted. Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, a January 6 rioter sentenced to prison, said he was invited to Donald Trumps inauguration ( US Department of Justice ) After three years behind bars, Hale-Cusanelli was released in December 2023 and has taken to posting on X as Tim Hale Criminally Funny J6er. He was only the seventh participant in the riot to go on trial, with prosecutors saying that he hoped for a second U.S. civil war. Hale-Cusanelli was a Navy contractor with a government security clearance when he took part in the storming of the Capitol, the BBC noted in September 2022. In an internal navy probe, 34 of his co-workers said he had extremist or radical views pertaining to the Jewish people, minorities and women. A naval officer claimed that Hale-Cusanelli once said, Hitler should have finished the job, in relation to the Holocaust. He took the stand in his trial, saying that he didnt know there was an actual building that was called the Capitol. I feel like an idiot, he said. But government attorneys argued that he was lying, citing conversations between Hale-Cusanelli and his roommate following the attack on Congress where he said that getting into the Capitol complex was exhilarating. Hale-Cusanelli is, at best, extremely tolerant of violence and death, prosecutors said, according to the BBC. What Hale-Cusanelli was doing on January 6 was not activism, it was the preamble to his civil war. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President Donald Trump has issued an indefinite hiring freeze for the Internal Revenue Service. Trump issued an executive order Monday night ordering a 90-day hiring freeze for all federal agencies except for the Internal Revenue Service, which will remain under the freeze until his administration determines that it is in the national interest to hire again. With tax season set to begin on January 27 and the filing deadline less than four months away, how will this impact your tax return? The IRS says officials issue refunds within 21 days for taxpayers who file online and select the direct deposit option. However, some experts say this hiring freeze could slow down the work of public agencies as the U.S. enters tax season this spring. open image in gallery Donald Trump pictured signing a slew of executive orders Monday night. One of these orders establishes a hiring freeze for the IRS until his administration determines it is in the national interest for officials to resume hiring ( AP ) Taxpayers shouldnt be immediately concerned about this having an outsized impact on their filing, Dr. Steven Hamilton, an economics professor at George Washington University who specializes in public finance, told The Independent. I would say we shouldn't immediately assume that it will be very disruptive, Hamilton said. Thats because of President Joe Bidens Inflation Reduction Act, which allocated billions of dollars in additional funding to the IRS. Thanks to those funds, the IRS has a far larger staff than they did four years ago, Hamilton explained. The IRS will function much better today and in the upcoming filing season with this hiring freeze than they would have, say, four years ago, he said. Hamilton noted that the hiring freeze could impact wealthier individuals, however, because the agency may have fewer resources for auditing. A hiring freeze on the IRS is like reducing enforcement on high income individuals, he added. If you don't hire the people who could audit their returns more intensively...then they get away with more tax evasion. The freeze could also prove problematic during tax season because the IRS typically hires thousands of temporary workers to help with the workload, according to Michael Cohn, Editor-in-Chief of the outlet Accounting Today. It could also make federal agencies less responsive to the public, Max Stier, president of the Partnership for Public Service, similarly told Government Executive. This order could leave agencies with hiring gaps in critical areas, and it will deter the talented workers needed for a well-functioning government, especially those with specialized skills, Stier said. open image in gallery The IRS says officials issue refunds within 21 days for taxpayers who file online and select the direct deposit option. However, some experts say this hiring freeze could slow down the work of public agencies as the U.S. enters tax season this spring. ( AP ) The hiring freeze comes after Trump signed an executive order Monday to establish the Department of Government Efficiency, making it a part of the Executive Office of the President despite earlier promises that it would operate outside of government. The agency is now called the U.S. DOGE Service and will replace the U.S. Digital Service, which was established under former president Barack Obama. Before the 90 days are up, the DOGE administrator and the heads of the Office of Management and Budget and Office of Personnel Management must submit a plan to reduce the size of the Federal Governments workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition. Elon Musk, the worlds richest man, is set to lead DOGE. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was initially set to co-lead DOGE, but departed the role this week ahead of an expected campaign for Ohio governor. The Independent has contacted the Treasury Department and IRS for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Senate Republicans were mostly evasive when asked about President Donald Trumps pardon of both violent and non-violent offenders who stormed the US Capitol on January 6 four years ago. On the first day of his second term in office, Trump, who had repeatedly said that he would pardon people who committed crimes on January 6, and who called them hostages while onstage with hostages recently freed by Hamas as part of a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, issued pardons for 1,500 people criminally charged with the violent assault on the US Capitol in attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. Look, nobody is a stronger supporter of law enforcement than President Trump myself, or JD Vance, Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio told The Independent. But these people have been treated horribly. Nobody's been treated worse than these people, and they deserve to have their day in court and be treated like proper American citizens. open image in gallery Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said that Congress doesnt have a role on Trumps pardon of violent offenders convicted for their actions on January 6. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) But Republican Senators remained largely tight-lipped about the pardons. No comment, Tim Sheehy, a newly-elected senator from Montana, told The Independent. Sen. John Curtis, who replaced frequent Trump critic Mitt Romney as Utahs senator, did not comment and suggested getting in contact with his office while Sen. Lindsey Graham told The Independent, Ill talk about that later, in the week. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told The Independent that it was not his place to comment on Trumps pardons. Its the presidents prerogative, he said. Congress doesnt have a role. Many of the people pardoned were accused of assaulting police officers and putting senators of the presidents party at risk four years ago. However, most of those elected officials did not want to focus on the action and instead remained vague. My understanding, there was a range of actions that he took and I guess I want to look and see what those are, Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota told The Independent. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma said he would not comment because we've got about 200 executive orders. That seems to be the only one anyone's talking about. Other Republicans focused on Joe Biden and his actions. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito diverted to talking about how Biden issued preemptive pardons for members of his family who have been the focus of Republican investigations and for various targets of Trumps wrath such as former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, Anthony Fauci and members of the January 6 select committee, Its his authority and hes using it, she told The Independent. I mean, President Biden widened the pardon authority, this president is using pardon authority. Moreno did the same, saying that Trump was more coherent than Biden. Well, I think President Trump outlined that pretty well yesterday in his press conference, he told The Independent. I don't remember Joe Biden ever doing a press conference like that. Moreno beat former Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown in November as Trump carried Ohio. He also compared the incarceration of January 6 inmates to people who were arrested for Black Lives Matter demonstrations that turned violent during the summer of 2020. Some of these people have been in jail for a long time, he told The Independent. January 6 was a long time ago, and they've been in jail with their due process rights taken away. open image in gallery U.S. Sen.. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) promoted a conspiracy theory that FBI agents instigated the January 6 riot. ( Getty Images ) Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, one of Trumps most vocal supporters, said he wholly supported the pardons, saying he believed a hundred percent that some of the people in the crowd on January 6 were undercover FBI agents. A report from the Inspector General for the Justice Department debunked that false claim in December. I feel sorry for the officers, a lot of these people were set up, Tuberville told The Independent. People posing that they were MAGA people but they were FBI agents. They're the ones who need to go to jail. Okay, those people that were put over here, and instigated the whole whole process. Some Republicans disagreed though, specifically citing the attacks on law enforcement. We have an honest disagreement on anybody who was convicted of a violent crime against particularly police officers, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who is up for re-election next year, told The Independent. We're introducing bills this week to increase penalties and create federal crimes for injuring police officers so that should tell you all you need to know about me. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who voted to convict Trump for his actions during the January 6 riot, tried to distinguish between people convicted for violent and nonviolent offenses. I think undoubtedly that there were some people in the capitol that day that were caught up in the crowd and did not commit any kind of violent act, she told The Independent. I would draw a huge contrast between those individuals and people who assaulted police officers with sticks or their fists or pepper spray, and those individuals who broke windows and destroyed property, they have committed violent crimes and to me, should not be pardoned. Collins, the chairwoman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, faces re-election in Maine next year, as does Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who also voted to convict Trump. I'm a big back the blue guy, Cassidy told reporters and insisted its not right to pardon anyone who assaulted a police officer. Cassidy faces a right-wing Republican primary challenger, which might make his stance difficult in 2026. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Enrique Tarrio, the now-former leader of the neo-fascist Proud Boys gang who was convicted on treason-related charges after fuelling a mob that attacked the Capitol, was released from federal prison following Donald Trumps sweeping pardons for nearly every January 6 defendant. Tarrio, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison, was among four members of the group convicted of seditious conspiracy and other crimes following a four-month trial. Stewart Rhodes founder of the far-right Oath Keepers anti-government militia who was similarly convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 18 years in prison was also released from prison after Trump commuted his sentence alongside 13 other associates of the two groups. open image in gallery Stewart Rhodes left a federal correctional facility after Trump commuted his 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy to time served ( REUTERS ) More than 1,500 people were criminally charged in connection with a mobs assault on the Capitol, fuelled by Trumps bogus narrative that the 2020 presidential election was rigged and stolen from him. Trump issued full pardons for virtually all of them on January 20, and commuted the sentences of 14 convicted members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers to time served. Pending cases are being dismissed. These are the hostages, he said as he signed a series of orders from the Oval Office. We hope they come out tonight, frankly, he said. These people have been destroyed. What theyve done to these people is outrageous. Theres rarely been anything like in the history of our country. More than 600 people were charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder, including nearly 200 defendants charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer, according to the Department of Justice. More than 1,000 defendants pleaded guilty. More than 200 people were found guilty at trial including 10 like Tarrio and Rhodes who were found guilty of seditious conspiracy. Tarrio who was not in Washington D.C., on January 6 was found guilty of organizing and directing a mob towards the Capitol, where Proud Boys members dismantled barricades and broke windows to breach the halls of Congress, then bragged about their actions on social media and in group chat messages that were later shared with jurors. Trump acommuted the sentences of other Proud Boys members who were on trial with Tarrio including Ethan Nordean, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison; Joe Biggs, who was was sentenced to 17 years; Zachary Rehl, who was sentenced to 15 years; and Dominic Pezzola, the sole co-defendant among them who was not convicted of seditious conspiracy, who was sentenced to 10 years. Oath Keepers members who were similarly convicted of seditious conspiracy and other charges including Rhodes also had their sentences commuted to time served by the president. Last month, the judge who presided over Rhodess trial said a pardon should be frightening to anyone who cares about democracy in this country. open image in gallery Trump issued pardons for virtually all Capitol riot defendants, excluding several members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys convicted of seditious conspriacy and other charges. Their sentences were commuted instead ( AP ) Tarrio served as a naturally charismatic leader, a savvy propagandist, and the celebrity Chairman of the Proud Boys, wielding his influence over his subordinates and allies to organize and execute the conspiracy to forcibly stop the peaceful democratic transfer of power as lawmakers convened to certify election results, according to federal prosecutors. Tarrio instead used his talents to inflame and radicalize untold numbers of followers, promoting political violence in general and orchestrating the charged conspiracies in particular, they argued. open image in gallery Enrique Tarrio heeded Trumps call to stand by as he organized members of a far-right mob to storm the Capitol on January 6, according to prosecutors ( AFP via Getty Images ) During a televised presidential debate on September, 29, 2020, moderator Chris Wallace repeatedly asked Trump whether he would denounce white supremacism. Trump asked for a name to reference. Joe Biden, standing on the opposite side of the stage, suggested the Proud Boys. Proud Boys, stand back and stand by, Trump said. But Ill tell you what somebodys got to do something about antifa and the left because this is not a right-wing problem. This is a left-wing problem. Almost immediately, Proud Boys members and their allies celebrated what they heard as a call to action. On Parler, Tarrio wrote: Standing by, sir. On December 12, 2020, Tarrio and members of the Proud Boys and other far-right groups sparked riots in Washington in the wake of Trumps defeat. Tarrio admitted in comments on Parler and on a Proud Boys-affiliated podcast that he was responsible for burning a churchs sign. I was the one that lit it on fire, he said. I was the person that went ahead and put the lighter to it and engulfed it in flames, and I am damn proud that I did. Tarrio was arrested moments after arriving in Washington from Miami on 4 January, 2021. During his arrest, police found Tarrio was carrying two high-capacity magazines compatible with high-powered rifles. Both were empty. But in the weeks leading up to his arrival, Tarrio assembled a Ministry of Self-Defense with his co-defendants, which became the primary instrument through which members of the group prepared for January 6, according to prosecutors. Members of the group were instructed to conceal and destroy evidence of their conversations and to refuse to cooperate with law enforcement, with warnings of disavowal and retribution if members were exposed. Days before the attack, Tarrio exchanged messages over a document titled 1776 Returns that included plans to occupy crucial buildings with as many people as possible, including the House and Senate. One message told him that revolution is [sic] important than anything, to which Tarrio replied: Thats what every waking moment consists of Im not playing games. On January 6, Tarrio told followers on social media that day to do what must be done and, in a group chat with other Proud Boys members, do it again. Dont f****** leave, he told them. Make no mistake, he wrote in another message. We did this. open image in gallery Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was released from federal prison after Trump commuted his sentence on January 20 ( Getty Images ) Rhodes and his allies spent weeks discussing a violent response to the 2020 election on encrypted messaging apps, then organized a weapons and supply cache at a nearby hotel before joining the mob that broke through the Capitols doors and windows to storm the halls of Congress, according to prosecutors. After several members breached the Capitol that day, shouting out this is our f****** house and we took the f****** Capitol as they joined the mob, Rhodes hailed them as patriots. He told an ally that his only regret that day was that the group wasnt armed. Days after January 6, Rhodes typed a message intended for then-President Trump, calling on him to save the republic or die in prison. That message was ultimately never delivered, but it echoed another message published on the Oath Keepers website weeks earlier, calling on Trump invoke the Insurrection Act and deputize Rhodes and the Oath Keepers to take up arms against the government. Its better to wage it with you as Commander-in-Chief than to have you comply with a fraudulent election, leave office, and leave the White House in the hands of illegitimate usurpers and Chinese puppets, he wrote at the time. He followed up with another message demanding that Trump attack, drop the hammer and deliver a crushing blow to his enemies while they sleep, wrapped in their arrogance. Rhodes also instructed his allies to get gear squared away and ready to fight, adding that Trump has one last chance right now to stand but he will need us and our rifles too. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy On Sunday, the 170 million Americans who use TikTok saw the same message when they opened the app. As a result of President Trumps efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S." Now, TikTok is operational in the U.S. following a short shutdown that began Saturday evening. The closure came after Congress passed a law last year requiring TikTok to be sold to an American buyer by January 19 or be banned from US app stores. The Supreme Court even ruled in favor of the law, citing threats to national security. Trump has claimed he wants to save TikTok and that the decision on its ban is ultimately up to him, despite the fact that the law is already in existence. It ultimately goes up to me, so youre going to see what Im going to do, Trump told CNN. Congress has given me the decision, so Ill be making the decision. Can Trump actually save TikTok? open image in gallery President Donald Trump signed an order extending TikToks availability in the U.S. for 75 days. Can he actually save the app? ( AP ) Its unclear. However, Stephen Carter, a Yale University law professor and Bloomberg opinion columnist, published an op-ed Tuesday explaining Trump could save TikTok using prosecutorial discretion to negate the consequences for violating a law. True, as a legal matter, a president cant simply suspend the operation of a duly enacted law, Carter wrote. As a practical matter, however, Trump will stand in a long line of chief executives who have used prosecutorial discretion to achieve the same end. Prosecutorial discretion is the presidents ability to not enforce a law by instructing his justice department to not prosecute those who violated it. Carter describes it as the all-but-unreviewable freedom of the Oval Offices occupant to decide which laws to enforce, when, and how. The Supreme Court has even said that the decision of whether or not to enforce a law through prosecution is a decision which has long been regarded as the special province of the Executive Branch, Carter noted. The current law banning TikTok would impose a $5,000 fine on companies such as Apple or Google for each user accessing TikTok through their services. If Trump exercises prosecutorial discretion, Carter explained, he can direct his administration to not levy the fines and essentially not enforce the law. open image in gallery TikTok credited Trumps efforts for returning service in the U.S. after it went dark for a few hours when the ban started ( TikTok ) Trump already issued an executive order noting that companies will not be penalized for keeping the app online for the next 75 days. Its also unclear to what extent Trump will use prosecutorial discretion. He also said he wants TikTok to be 50 percent U.S.-owned, despite its parent company ByteDance giving no indication they plan to sell. "I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to say up." Trump even said on Sunday he changed his mind on TikTok (after initially wanting to ban it in his first term) because he used it in his campaign. As of today, TikTok is back, Trump told his supporters at a pre-inauguration victory rally. So, you know, I did a little TikTok thing. We have a guy...hes a young kid, like 21 years old, and we hired this guy, and I went on Tiktok. Can you believe what Ill do to win an election? So I like Tiktok, he added. But not everyone is happy with Trumps decision including some of his Republican allies. Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts said Sunday there is no legal basis for an extension on TikToks operation in the U.S. "Now that the law has taken effect, theres no legal basis for any kind of extension of its effective date," the senators said. "For TikTok to come back online in the future, ByteDance must agree to a sale that satisfies the laws qualified-divestiture requirements by severing all ties between TikTok and Communist China." Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Shortly after being inaugurated on Monday, Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating a U.S. withdrawl from the World Health Organization, the United Nations global health body that monitors pandemics and supports vaccination efforts around the world. World Health ripped us off, Trump said in the Oval Office as he signed. Mondays action starts a one-year countdown clock until the final exit, as WHO members are required to give one years notice and fulfill existing funding obligations before leaving the group. open image in gallery Trump sought to withdraw from WHO in 2020, but was unable to before leaving office ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) The WHO said it regretted Trumps decision and pointed to its long history working with the U.S. on crucial issues like ending smallpox and drastically limiting the spread of polio. It also argued the body has worked with the U.S. to pursue the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe, a WHO spokesperson told The Independent in a statement. The organization issued an emergency appeal for funding last week. Trumps order cited unfairly onerous U.S. payments to the WHO and accused the organization of mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China. It also pulled the U.S. out of ongoing negotiations for a global pandemic agreement and rescinded the Biden administrations 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy, a national policy strategy calling for increased bilateral partnerships and financial investments in pandemic response. Trumps move could cripple the organization, depriving it of major funding and scientific expertise. The U.S. helped found the WHO in 1948. Trumps executive order marks the first time a member nation has opted to leave the WHO. open image in gallery Experts warn pulling from WHO will cripple organization and cut off U.S. access to key pandemic data ( AFP via Getty Images ) Health experts warned the decision would harm both global health and U.S. interests. Tom Bollyky, director of global health for the Council on Foreign Relations, told Stat News the decision is an enormous mistake. Americans have been made less safe by the presidents action today, Bollyky said. Lawrence O. Gostin, director of WHOs Center on Global Health Law, told NPR Trumps executive order is a "grave wound to American national interests and our national security. This will really leave our agencies like the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and NIH [National Institutes of Health] flying blind, he added. Once the U.S. leaves the WHO, the CDC wont have access to global data on pandemics and other health issues collected by the multilateral body. The U.S. has historically been the largest financial contributor to the WHO, giving $1.284 billion in the 2022 - 2023 period, in a mixture of assessed and voluntary contributions. The U.S. dues to the WHO for 2025 are roughly $130 million, while China will pay $87.6 million. Trump attempted to pull the U.S. from the WHO in 2020, but left office before the full one-year notice ended, then saw his steps reversed under Biden. Trump, as well as his conservative allies, have criticized the WHO for its handling of the Covid pandemic, arguing the organization didnt push China hard enough for a transparent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy More than 220 million Americans are facing life-threatening and bitter cold weather this week as frigid air blasts much of the U.S. Blizzard conditions during the winter storm have resulted in travel headaches at Gulf Coast airports, forcing more than 2,000 flight cancelations and more than 1,300 delays, according to tracker FlightAware. Hundreds of cancelations were reported at Houston airports. William P. Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport said their flight operations had been temporarily suspended. Local officials advised residents to leave roads for first responders and beware of icy driving conditions and strong winds. Video and photos showed anti-icing materials being applied on highways. Snowplows cleared lanes impacted by snow and ice. Youve got about two hours to do your last-minute shopping, get off the roads and stay home for about the next 48 hours. This is a serious, life-threatening arctic blast, Houston Mayor John Whitmire cautioned at a Monday press conference. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the states grid operator, said that grid conditions were expected to be normal, and that a Weather Watch had gone into effect through Thursday due to the cold, higher electrical demand and the potential for lower reserves. More than 36,000 customers were left without power in Southern Texas on Tuesday morning, according to site PowerOutage.US. The most impactful period of this storm system is expected over the next 6-8 hours. Avoid travel, Houstons National Weather Service office said. Several Houston area school districts would remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. School closures were also reported in Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida and many other states affected by the polar vortex-driven Arctic blast, which encompasses the Rockies, the Northern Plains, Northeast and even the Southeast. open image in gallery A snowplow clears highway lanes for passage for first responders and critical supplies on Tuesday. Houston is responding to inmpacts from a rare winter storm and bitter cold gripping much of the U.S. ( @TxDOTHouston/X ) The South In the South and Southeast, an unprecedented blizzard warning was in effect from the upper Texas coast to part of the Louisiana coast. Forecasters said snowfall rates of an inch an hour or more are possible from eastern Texas through the Florida Panhandle. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a State of Emergency lasting through next week. For parts of the western and northern Gulf Coast, this could be the biggest snow and ice storm in more than 100 years, according to AccuWeather. This will be a rare and especially dangerous winter storm right along the upper Gulf Coast that will result in major and lengthy disruptions to travel, AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said in a statement. In New Orleans, this could be the biggest storm in a lifetime, and its expected to dump as many as 6 inches of snow across the southern part of the state on Tuesday. The storm is expected to continue to disrupt air and ground travel, and more power outages are possible. open image in gallery Passengers wait to check-in for their flights at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Monday in Houston. Flights at the airport were temporarily suspended on Tuesday. More than 220 million Americans face bitter and dangerous cold this week ( AP ) The East To the east, New Yorks brutal Arctic air would linger through much of the week. The Orange County-based Montgomery Airport recorded a temperature of -11 degrees early Tuesday. Wind chills dipped as low as -5 to -15 degrees in the New York City area, according to Fox 5 New York. Up the coast, a Cold Weather Advisory was also issued in New England and forecasters there said to expect light snow Tuesday night. As many as 2 inches could fall in coastal Nantucket, Marthas Vineyard and outer Cape Cod. Temperatures are dropping, Boston! Its important to clear snow from sidewalks, ramps, and entrances before it freezes to avoid dangerous conditions for pedestrians, students, and residents, the City of Boston said on social media. Philadelphia also experienced a frigid morning, with temperatures between 0 and 10 degrees, with some spots below zero. These conditions are expected through Wednesday. As the bitter cold continues today, a system sliding by well to our south and east may be close enough to produce some light snow this evening in parts of northeast Maryland, Delaware and southeastern New Jersey. If it does snow, any amounts would be light, the Mount Holly National Weather Service said. open image in gallery An SUV drives along a snow-covered road during an icy winter storm on Tuesday in Galveston, Texas. The Southeast is feeling the effets of a rare winter storm ( AP ) The Midwest Significant lake-effect snow will continue for the next couple of days downwind of the Great Lakes. Snow showers are expected in the northern Plains and Upper Midwest as a system drops south from Canada. While temperatures across portions of the northern plains will return to more typical January temperatures by Tuesday afternoon, the Upper Midwest wont see temperatures in the 20s and 30s until Wednesday. This cold snap is coming at the climatological peak of winter when historical average temperatures hit their lowest values in many parts of the country. Since this is the heart of winter, record-low temperatures are near their lowest values as well, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty said in a statement. This may prevent widespread record-setting temperatures, but some record-low temperatures will likely be broken. open image in gallery A billboard advertises for a heating and air conditioning company on Monday in St. Joseph, Michigan. The Midwest will see some snow and cold temperatures over the coming days ( AP ) AccuWeather warned that windy conditions will persist through the weekend, increasing the risk of cold-related illness like frostbite and hypothermia. In areas that experience windy conditions, like much of the Midwest early this week, AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures can reach minus 40 to minus 50. It will feel brutally cold, and anyone adventuring outside can get frostbite on exposed skin in just a matter of minutes, noted Douty. With reporting from The Associated Press Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy More air travel chaos was expected on Tuesday, just after a deadly winter storm brought dangerous weather across much of the eastern U.S., forcing over 12,000 delays and cancellations at airports. In the early morning hours of Tuesday, more than 2,100 delays and cancellations were tracked within, into, or out of the country, according to tracker FlightAware. Of those, the majority were still reported at airports based in major East Coast cities. But flights in the South were also impacted as frigid temperatures and wintry conditions gripped the region. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport where runways reopened after closing overnight reported dozens of cancellations and delays, while flights at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport were also severely impacted. Meanwhile, snow continued to fall near the metros and in the mountains between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., bringing an additional one to two inches. Cold and dry conditions were expected between Tuesday and Thursday before the next system approaches that area on Friday and into the weekend. open image in gallery A man checks a flight information display showing many canceled flights at Virginias Washington Dulles International airport on Monday. After thousands of flight cancellations and delays were reported across states affected by a deadly winter storm in the eastern U.S., wintry weather has its eye on Texas and the South ( Photo by DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images ) Many schools across the county remained closed on Tuesday after snow and ice made driving conditions nearly impossible. Hundreds of crashes were reported in Maryland, Virginia, and other states, with a handful of deaths being reported. While the majority of the victims were adults, Illinois officials said a juvenile was killed and another was being treated for life-threatening injuries following a snow tube crash in Macon County, according to WICS. While weather across the eastern U.S. was markedly calmer on Tuesday, forecasters warned that disruptive wintry weather would sweep from Texas into the Lower Mississippi Valley and Mid-South, before possibly moving back toward the Mid-Atlantic states. Light snow is forecast in the Lone Star States western region before a more significant storm on Thursday. With cold air already in place, a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is forecast for the Southern Plains, which may cause hazardous driving conditions, starting late Wednesday night and continuing into Thursday morning, the National Weather Service warned. Its warnings came after an unidentified individual was found dead at a bus stop in Houston. Officials reported the death was tied to the cold weather. A winter storm watch was in effect for north Texas and a cold weather advisory was issued in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. open image in gallery Heavy snow falls as a person walks along U.S. Route 42 in Florence, Kentucky, on Monday. More wintry weather conditions are forecast in Texas this week after storms resulted in hundreds of crashes ( AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File ) In response to the oncoming threat, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he had activated state emergency response resources. As Texas faces snow, ice, and freezing rain, were working around-the-clock to ensure Texans have necessary resources, he wrote in a post on social media. More than 5,000 customers were reported without power in the state, according to tracker PowerOutage.US. Outages continued to plague the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states. Virginia still had more than 57,000 on Tuesday. Utility Dominion Energy said it had restored power to more than 70 percent of its customers and was continuing to work on Tuesday. While the lions share of outages were reported in six states from Missouri to Virginia, outages were also shown in California, where a particularly dangerous situation resulting from Santa Ana winds and critical fire weather was unfolding. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump vexed New Zealanders on the first day of his presidency after he claimed that America split the atom a feat achieved by Sir Ernest Rutherford from Nelson in New Zealand. Mr Trump was highlighting Americas achievements during his swearing-in ceremony for his second term in the White House when he gave credit to the US for the historic achievement by the revered physicist. Mr Trump was called out on social media by Nick Smith, the mayor of the city of Nelson near where the physicist grew up, who said he was surprised by the US president making such a claim. I was a bit surprised by new president Donald Trump in his inauguration speech about US greatness claiming today Americans split the atom when that honour belongs to Nelsons most famous and favourite son Sir Ernest Rutherford, Mr Smith said. He said he would be inviting the US Ambassador to New Zealand to Nelson so that he can visit the Lord Rutherford Memorial in Brightwater so we can keep the historic record on who split the atom first accurate. Rutherford, a farmers son who worked in the UK and Canada, was a researcher in both atomic and nuclear physics. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, he was the first to split an atom in 1917 at Victoria University of Manchester in England. ( AFP via Getty Images ) The atom was fully split in a controlled manner in 1932 by British and Irish researchers John Cockcroft and Ernest Walton under Rutherfords supervision. Mr Trump was addressing a high-profile gathering of world leaders, billionaires and politicians when he said: Americans pushed thousands of miles through a rugged land of untamed wilderness, they crossed deserts, scaled mountains, braved untold dangers, won the wild west, ended slavery, rescued millions from tyranny, lifted billions from poverty, harnessed electricity, split the atom, launched mankind into the heavens and put the universe of human knowledge into the palm of the human hand. Trumps remarks provoked a flurry of online posts by New Zealanders about Rutherford, whose work is studied by New Zealand schoolchildren and whose name appears on buildings, streets and institutions. His portrait features on the 100-dollar banknote. Okay, Ive gotta call time. Trump just claimed America split the atom, Ben Uffindell, editor of the satirical New Zealand news website The Civilian, wrote on X. Thats THE ONE THING WE DID. This is, however, not the first time Mr Trump has made this inaccurate claim. In a speech in 2020 at Mount Rushmore Mr Trump said: Americans harnessed electricity, split the atom, and gave the world the telephone and the internet. We settled the wild west, won two world wars, landed American astronauts on the moon and one day soon, we will plant our flag on Mars! For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy US President Donald Trump has left some in Spain confused after seeming to get the S in the acronym Brics confused. On his first day, the president said Spain is a member of the Brics bloc of developing economies, causing some head-scratching and jitters over possible tariffs in Madrid. Spain is not in Brics. It is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. open image in gallery Spain is a member of Nato, along with the US, and of the European Union ( EPA ) Mr Trump erroneously said Spain was in Brics when a journalist asked him about Nato countries like Spain which do not meet the Nato minimum of spending 2% of economic output on defence. Spain ranked last in the 32-nation military alliance, estimated to spend 1.28% on defence last year. Mr Trump started his answer by saying Spain is very low, referring to its defence expenditures, but quickly veered into speaking about Brics. Theyre a Brics nation, Spain. Do you know what a Brics nation is? Youll figure it out, he told the reporter from the presidential desk in the Oval Office. It is a member of Nato, along with the US, and of the European Union. Mr Trump repeated his threat to put costly tariffs on Brics, saying we are going to put at least a 100% tariff on the business they do with the United States, part of his economic plans that would overturn decades of free trade consensus. open image in gallery Donald Trump and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy shake hands during a joint news conference at White House in 2017 ( Getty ) Spanish education minister Pilar Alegria, who acts as a spokeswoman for the government, said she was not sure why Mr Trump made the comment. I dont know if the affirmation made by president Trump was the result of a mix-up or not, but I can confirm that Spain is not in Brics, Ms Alegria told reporters on Tuesday. Spain is one of eight countries that failed to meet Natos 2% spending target last year. Mr Trump has said he wants Nato members to reach 5% spending on defence. Spain is not the only foreign country left confused by Trumps first day. During a speech the President vexed New Zealanders after he claimed that America split the atom a feat achieved by Sir Ernest Rutherford from Nelson in New Zealand. Mr Trump was highlighting Americas achievements during his swearing-in ceremony for his second term in the White House when he gave credit to the US for the historic achievement by the revered physicist. Mr Trump was called out on social media by Nick Smith, the mayor of the city of Nelson near where the physicist grew up, who said he was surprised by the US president making such a claim. I was a bit surprised by new president Donald Trump in his inauguration speech about US greatness claiming today Americans split the atom when that honour belongs to Nelsons most famous and favourite son Sir Ernest Rutherford, Mr Smith said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Russian president Vladimir Putin has called on Moscow and Beijing to deepen their strategic ties, as he spoke with dear friend Chinese president Xi Jinping on a video call. Putin waved at Mr Xi over the call as he proposed outlining plans to develop the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China, strengthening a geopolitical alliance which seeks to weaken western hegemony. In a video released by the Kremlin of the conversation, Putin said: "I agree with you that cooperation between Moscow and Beijing is based on a broad commonality of national interests and a convergence of views on what relations between major powers should be. open image in gallery Putin and Xi discussed ties on a basis of friendship" ( via REUTERS ) "We build our ties on the basis of friendship, mutual trust and support, equality and mutual benefit. These connections are self-sufficient, independent of domestic political factors and the current global situation." Moscow and Beijings foreign policies play an important stabilising role in international affairs, Putin added. The two autocrats have long sought to present the West as being in decline, as China continues to serve as Americas greatest economic threat and Putins war of attrition against Western-supplied Ukrainian forces grinds on. With the war approaching the three-year mark and a new era beginning as Donald Trump enters the White House, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky urged European leaders to establish themselves as strong global players. All European countries must be willing to spend as much on security as is truly needed, not just as much as they have gotten used to during years of neglect, he told world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday. If it takes 5 per cent of GDP to cover defense then so be it, 5 percent it is. open image in gallery Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said European countries must spend whatever it takes on security ( REUTERS ) Defence spending should not need to be compensated at the expense of healthcare or pensions, he added, saying that is not fair. In the speech, for which he received rapturous applause, Mr Zelensky also warned that Putin will return to Europe with an army 10 times the size of that which invaded Ukraine in 2022, if a future diplomatic solution does not have strong security guarantees. Kyiv has increased the regularity of its long-range strikes into Russia as it looks to damage energy infrastructure and military facilities. Ukrainian forces struck a Russian aviation factory in the Smolensk region and an oil depot in the Voronezh region on Tuesday, according to Ukraines military. Voronezhs Liskinskaya oil depot was struck for the second time in the past week, after a Ukrainian strike on January 16 hit fuel and lubricant tanks and started a fire at the Rosneft-run facility, Kyivs General Staff said. Russias Defence Ministry says it intercepted 55 Ukrainian drones in a large-scale overnight attack on Tuesday, including 10 drones over the Smolensk region and six over the Voronezh region. Ukraine says it downed 72 of 131 drones fired by Russia overnight. open image in gallery A Ukrainian soldier prepares artillery shell before firing towards Russian positions at the frontline on Pokrovsk direction ( AP ) Meanwhile, a top German official warned on Monday that Russia is rearming faster than had previously been thought - and that it could be preparing to attack a Nato country. The Russian armed forces are not just able to compensate for the enormous personnel and material losses, they are successfully rearming, Germanys Maj Gen Christian Freuding said. Although Putin is not necessarily planning an attack on any Nato state, Gen Freuding said he is clearly creating the conditions for it. The head of Germanys military task force in Ukraine noted that production and supplies are growing in Russia, with Iran and North Korea helping to replenish its heavily-used stockpile of missiles, drones and tanks. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Ukrainian military chief has said that 150,000 of Vladimir Putins troops were killed in 2024, as the countries prepare for a new era of their conflict after Donald Trump re-enters the White House. A record 434,000 casualties, including the wounded, were suffered last year taking total Russian casualties to 819,000, claimed Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraines commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. This year of combat has cost them more than the previous two years of the war combined, Mr Syrskyi told Ukrainian TV channel TSN. Russia has gained ground in eastern Ukraine over the past year, but at the cost of heavy casualties as it throws waves of soldiers at Ukraines defensive lines. Moscows Defence Ministry claimed on Monday that Russian troops had taken control of the eastern Ukrainian villages of Shevchenko and Novoiehorivka. Shevchenko is just south of the city of Pokrovsk, a strategic supply route for Ukraine which Russian troops have been advancing towards for months. The battlefield reports have not been independently verified at the time of writing. A leading war monitor said on Monday that Russia is recruiting unskilled men and women to boost its manpower on the frontline a crucial element of Russias war of attrition. Russian volunteer military detachments continue efforts to boost manpower by recruiting women into the Russian Armed Forces, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said. Army units are recruiting specialists and unskilled men and women from across Russia to participate in combat operations in Ukraine, it added. open image in gallery Ukrainians in the 24 Separate Mechanized Brigade fire howitzer artillery towards Russian forces near the town Chasiv Yar, in the Donetsk region ( Press service of the 24 Separate ) Meanwhile, Kyiv has issued a warning to the incoming Trump administration that forcing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia before the defending army has gained a territorial advantage would be a catastrophic mistake. Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, said: The bottom line is that there are no simple, quick decisions to be made here. The initiative has to be controlled. It must not be given away to Russia. Donald Trumps inauguration marks a new era in American-Ukrainian relations, with Kyiv fearing that the president may try to force a rushed resolution to the war. Mr Trump, who once said the war would be over in 24 hours if he was president, now aims to bring an end to the war within 100 days of his presidency. open image in gallery Donald Trump has previously claimed he could end the war in 24 hours ( Getty ) As Ukraines ground troops fiercely defend the frontline, its air force shot down 93 of 141 Russian drones launched overnight, it said on Monday. Of the remaining drones, 47 were lost, referring to Ukraines use of electronic warfare to redirect drones. Putins forces were also accused by Ukraines general staff of using chemical weapons 434 times in December. The use of chemical agents banned by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) added to a total of 5,389 documented cases since February 2023, the general staff said. The Kremlin says it has not broken international law with the weapons the Russian army uses. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy British-Israeli national Emily Damari among the first three hostages freed from Gaza by Hamas as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel says she has returned to my beloved life in the moving first comments she has made since her release. Ms Damari, 28, was freed from 15 months in captivity on Sunday as the truce deal came into effect, with authorities reporting she had lost two fingers when she was taken from her home during Hamas attack inside Israel on 7 October, 2023, during which around 1,200 people were killed and another 250 were taken hostage. In emotional remarks made hours after her release on Monday morning, Emily, who is a dual British-Israeli citizen, thanked her family and the large protest movement that campaigned for the release of the hostages. open image in gallery In emotional images released online, former hostage Emily Damari was seen hugging her mother and waving a bandaged hand, wounded when she was shot during her capture ( PA ) Thank you, thank you, thank you. Im the happiest in the world, the 28-year-old said in the Instagram story shared by Israeli media, signing off her message with a rock on emoji, a possible reference to the two fingers she lost when she was shot in the hand as she was taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Her family previously said she was blindfolded and forced into her own car with two other friends. Celebrations have been taking place across Israel, Gaza and the occupied West Bank over the ceasfire, with 90 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails also freed as part of the deal. Families in Gaza also started to return to their homes, with Israels retaliatory offensive to the Hamas attack having killed around 47,000 Palestinians and forced about 90 per cent of the enclaves 2.3 million residents from their homes. In footage taken in Gaza on Sunday, Hamas were seen handing over Emily, alongside one of her friends who was captured with her, Doron Steinbrecher, 31, as well as Romi Gonen, 24, who was seized from the Nova music festival. At Sheba hospital, which is located in a suburb of Tel Aviv, there were emotional scenes of the three hostages being reunited with their family members. A motorcade was led by police cars. Within it, minivans holding the hostages and their mothers, who were the first to greet them in the transitional first aid point, drew up to a specially closed-off area. open image in gallery Emily Damari, 28, was freed on Sunday as the Gaza ceasefire deal came into effect, following 15 months in captivity ( PA ) Crowds of patients in the hospital cheered as they caught a brief glimpse through a window inside complex of the moment the three women hugged their fathers, siblings and other extended family members, in floods of tears with Emily reunited with her mother Mandy Damari, who also survived Hamass attack on the border Kibbutz of Kfar Aza. On Hostage Square in central Tel Aviv, the rallying point for families and supporters of the hostages, crowds cheered, cried, and hugged each other as the footage of the reunions was released. Later thousands of people gathered there chanted Now! Now ! Now!, a reference to bringing all the remaining hostages left in Gaza back, as well as the slogan bring them home now. On Monday, Mandy Damari, who grew up in Beckenham, southeast London, released a statement in the wake of her daughters release, praising Emilys resilience and calling for the remaining 91 hostages to be freed. open image in gallery Romi Gonen, 24, who was seized from the Nova music festival, reuniting with her mother Meirav Leshem Gonen ( Getty ) From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank the many people who have played a role in bringing Emily home and given their support to me and my family, she said in a statement. I am relieved to report that, after her release, Emily is doing much better than any of us could ever have anticipated. I am also happy that during her release the world was given a glimpse of her feisty and charismatic personality. In Emilys own words, she is the happiest girl in the world, she has her life back. open image in gallery Doron Steinbrecher, 31, embraces her mother Simone after she was kidnapped by Hamas on 7 October, 2023, alongside Emily ( Getty ) In this incredibly happy moment for our family, we must also remember that 94 other hostages still remain. The ceasefire must continue and every last hostage must be returned to their families. As wonderful as it is to see Emilys resilience, these are still early days. As you will have seen yesterday, Emily lost two of the fingers on her left hand. Mandy, who campaigned fiercely for her daughter's freedom, said she will now need time with her loved ones and doctors to recover. All three former hostages were assessed at the Sheba Medical Centre in Tel Aviv, with doctors reporting that they are in a stable condition and will be monitored there for a few days. open image in gallery A freed Palestinian prisoner is greeted after being released from an Israeli jail on Monday ( Reuters ) Romis mother also issued a moving statement on social media in the wake of her daughters release, as she too called for the remaining hostages to be freed. Meirav Leshem Gonen said in a post on Facebook on Monday morning: It will take me, for us, a moment to breathe it in and believe in the reality we achieved together. Captives released in November described Emily as a leader who kept up the spirits of her fellow captives. Israeli media reported that she started taking care of everyone, with one freed girl telling Mandy that her daughter would wake up and sing: Its a great morning. open image in gallery The ruinous conflict has wreaked destruction and claimed tens of thousands of lives over the last 15 months ( EPA ) Others have reported Emily acted as a go-between with the guards. Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the wonderful and long-overdue news of their release and called for all hostages to be freed, saying we must not forget those who remain in captivity. Foreign secretary David Lammy said he is pleased and delighted that Emily has been released. open image in gallery Israelis celebrated the release of the three hostages as they gathered in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Sunday ( AP ) Let me just first, obviously say how pleased and delighted I am that Emily Damari has emerged, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Monday. And I say that because I grew very close to her family, and I think the whole of the country will be delighted that she is free, but recognising there are still hostages being held, and there are British nationals like Nadav Popplewell who lost their life. Mr Lammy said a social media post by Emily after her release made him very emotional. I have a yellow flower. Its a plastic flower that her mother gave me thats in my office that I said I would keep in my office until she was freed. I will move it from my office today and take it home. So thats... its incredibly touching, he said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A fragile ceasefire deal struck between Israel and Hamas went ahead on Saturday after teetering on the brink of collapse this week. Since the ceasefire and hostage deal came into force on 19 January, both sides have expressed frustration with how the other has handled their obligations within the truce. Despite this, the deal has held so far. Exactly 24 hostages have been released in total, including 19 Israelis and five Thai nationals, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Many prisoners are incarcerated without charge or trial under an Israeli process called administrative detention. But after Hamas alleged that Israel had breached the terms of the fragile ceasefire and subsequently suspended the handover of hostage this week, the deal came close to collapse. open image in gallery Hostages were brought on stage by Hamas militants before being released ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Netanyahu said he had also ordered the military to gather forces in and around Gaza as Israel warned it would open the gates of hell on Gaza if hostages were not released by noon on Saturday. On Thursday, Hamas announced would continue implementing the ceasefire as originally planned, before Russian-Israeli Sasha Troufanov, 29, Argentinian-Israeli Iair Horn, 46, and US citizen Sagui Dekel Chen, 36, who were all seized from Kibbutz Nir Oz, were all released on Saturday. In exchange, Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The stand-off threatened to reignite a conflict which started when Hamas killed around 1,200 people in a terror attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, and abducted another 250. In response, Israel launched a devastating bombing and ground campaign in Gaza, killing more than 46,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry. Why did Israel threaten to end its ceasefire with Hamas? Under the ceasefire deal signed on 19 January, Hamas has so far freed 24 Israeli hostages. They are being exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in the first stage of the multi-phase ceasefire deal. Mediators hope a second phase of the agreement will lead to the release of the remaining hostages and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. However, talks in Doha broke down on Monday when the Israeli team returned home just two days after arriving. This week, Hamas announced it would suspend the handover of hostages due to alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire terms. In response, Mr Trump demanded all hostages be released on Saturday at noon, before Mr Netanyahu warned of a return to intense fighting if more hostages were freed on Saturday, without saying how many. Israel later threatened to open the gates of hell, and to start a new Gaza war different in intensity, if all hostages were not released by Saturday noon. It deployed additional troops to its border area with Gaza and cancelled leave for combat soldiers. Mr Netanyahu is under pressure in his country where thousands of protesters took to the streets this week to call on the government to continue with the ceasefire deal to bring the remaining hostages back. open image in gallery Amir Abu Radha, a freed Palestinian prisoner, is embraced after being released from an Israeli jail ( Reuters ) Why did Hamas nearly pause the hostage exchange? Earlier this week, Abu Obeida, spokesman for the armed wing of Hamas, announced the postponement of Saturdays planned release of three Israeli hostages. The group has accused Israel of delaying the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, carrying out strikes across the enclave and hindering the entry of humanitarian aid. On Wednesday, Israeli military said it had struck two people in the southern Gaza Strip who were flying a drone. Gaza's health ministry said at least 92 Palestinians have been killed and more than 800 wounded by Israeli fire since the ceasefire deal. Hamas has said the "door remains open" to the exchange going ahead on Saturday if Israel "complies" with its obligations, according to news agency AFP. Three Israeli officials and two mediators told the New York Times on condition of anonymity that Hamas claims were accurate. But COGAT, the Israeli military unit overseeing aid deliveries, described the accusations as completely false. But Hamas has now called off the pause in hostage exchanges after Israels threat to unleash a new war on Gaza. The militant group said mediators had pledged to "remove all hurdles" to ensure Israel would allow more tents, medical supplies and other essentials into Gaza. What is in the first phase of the ceasefire? A six-week initial ceasefire phase includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza. Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages, including all women (soldiers and civilians), children, and men over 50. Hamas will release female hostages and under 19s first, followed by men over 50. So far, 24 hostages have been released, including 19 Israeli and five Thai hostages. In return, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees have been freed from Israeli prisoners. Thousands of Palestinians are currently imprisoned in Israel without charge under a policy known as administrative detention, but it is unclear whether they have ben involved in the prisoner releases. Israeli troops would also pull out of all populated areas of Gaza during the first stage while the Palestinians [could] also return to their neighbourhoods in all the areas of Gaza, said former US president Joe Biden at the time of the deal being signed. The agreement also stipulates that aid deliveries to Gaza should rise to 600 trucks daily, surpassing the minimum requirement of 500 trucks that aid agencies deem necessary to address the territorys dire humanitarian crisis. What is the second phase of the ceasefire? Negotiations over a second phase of the agreement appear to have broken down after an Israeli team returned from talks in Doha after two days. It is hoped it will include the release of all remaining hostages, including Israeli male soldiers, a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli soldiers. The second and most difficult phase will mark a permanent end to the war, president Biden said. It will include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and Israeli forces would withdraw completely from Gaza. Hamas said it will not release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal. What is the third phase of the ceasefire? The third and final stage would involve the reconstruction of Gaza something which could take years and the return of any remaining hostages bodies. The deal requires 600 truckloads of humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza every day of the ceasefire, 50 of them carrying fuel, and 300 of the trucks allocated to the north of the strip. Israel allows aid into the enclave but there have been disputes over the amount allowed in, as well as the amount that reaches people in need, with looting by criminal gangs an increasing problem. What next for Gaza? As uncertainty hangs over the current ceasefire, its still not clear what will happen and who will manage Gaza if the truce deal is completed. Israel has said it will not end the war leaving Hamas in power. It has also rejected the administration of Gaza by the Palestinian Authority, the Western-backed body set up under the Oslo interim peace accords. The international community has said Gaza must be run by Palestinians, but efforts to find alternatives to the main factions among civil society or clan leaders have proved largely fruitless. Last week, Mr Trump announced a plan for the US to take over Gaza, move out its more than 2 million Palestinian inhabitants and redevelop it into an international beach resort. But the idea has faced opposition neighbouring countries who claim it could fuel regional instability. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Iraq's parliament sparked outrage on Tuesday after passing a series of controversial laws, including amendments to the country's personal status law that critics fear will effectively legalise child marriage The changes grant Islamic courts greater control over family matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance. These amendments are seen as a direct challenge to Iraqs 1959 Personal Status Law, which standardised family law across the country and introduced protections for women. Activists argue the new laws will erode these safeguards, potentially paving the way for the marriage of minors and diminishing women's rights within the family structure. Iraqi law currently sets 18 as the minimum age of marriage in most cases. The changes passed Tuesday would let clerics rule according to their interpretation of Islamic law, which some interpret to allow marriage of girls in their early teens or as young as 9 under the Jaafari school of Islamic law followed by many Shiite religious authorities in Iraq. open image in gallery Activists argue the new laws will erode safeguards, potentially paving the way for the marriage of minors ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Proponents of the changes, which were advocated by primarily conservative Shiite lawmakers, defend them as a means to align the law with Islamic principles and reduce Western influence on Iraqi culture. The parliament also passed a general amnesty law seen as benefiting Sunni detainees and that's also seen as giving a pass to people involved in corruption and embezzlement. The chamber also passed and a land restitution law aimed at addressing Kurdish territorial claims. The session ended in chaos and accusations of procedural violations. Half of the lawmakers present in the session did not vote, which broke the legal quorum," a parliamentary official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly. He said that some members protested loudly and others climbed onto the parliamentary podium. Independent legislator Noor Nafea Ali wrote on X that the laws were passed without proper voting, describing the session as a farce. Also Tuesday, at least three officers, including the national security chief of the al-Tarmiyah district north of Baghdad, were killed and four others wounded in an explosion at an ammunition depot, a security official said. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media, said the explosion occurred as a joint force of the Iraqi army and the national security service conducted an operation following intelligence reports of the Islamic State group's activity and an ammunition cache in the area. Close Netanyahu thanks Trump for helping free Israeli hostages For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Israels top general has resigned, citing the security failures that allowed Hamas 7 October attack, as at least 10 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Jenin. The Jenin raid also left at least 40 wounded, Palestinian health officials said, as Israels fragile ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza entered its third dayChief of Staff Lt General Herzi Halevi became the most prominent Israeli official to step down over the militant groups attack when he announced his resignation on Tuesday. In Tel Aviv, four people were wounded in a stabbing attack on Tuesday evening, according to Israeli police, who said the attacker was killed by security forces at the scene. Meanwhile, Hamas official Taher al-Nunu has said four female Israeli hostages will be released on Saturday in return for Palestinian prisoners in the second such exchange under the truce, according to AFP. And US president Donald Trumps pick for ambassador to the UN, Elise Stefanik, has told a Senate confirmation hearing that Israel has a biblical right to dominion over the West Bank. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Palestinian prisoners released during Gazas ceasefire deal have alleged abuse inside Israels jails saying they feel mixed emotions about being freed as they fear the fragile truce will not hold and that they may be arrested again. Ecstatic crowds waving flags greeted the buses that left the sprawling Ofer prison complex in the occupied West Bank early on Monday. Inside were 90 Palestinian prisoners, all women, teenagers and children, many of whom say they were abused and tortured inside Israels detention system allegations that Israel has repeatedly denied. They were freed as part of a long-fought-for ceasefire brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt. The initial six-week period of the three-phase ceasefire will see Hamas release 33 hostages it seized during its bloody attacks on 7 October. In exchange, almost 2,000 Palestinians in Israeli detention are also set to be freed. After 15 months inside Gaza, the first three hostages, including British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, 28, were reunited with their families in emotional scenes at Tel Avivs central hospital on Sunday. It took until early Monday morning before the prisoners were released, after scuffles with Israeli security forces outside Ofer. Among the released was 17-year-old secondary school student Thaer Abu Sara, who was arrested in the occupied West Bank in October 2023 the second day of the war on charges of participating in violent protests and allegedly having ties to Hamas. He says he was tortured in detention, including the use of electric shocks. His family told The Independent that Israelis had barred them from holding celebrations or gatherings for the release of their teenager, and that they feared that any visitors who did come could be used as an excuse to arrest him again. The situation in the prison was very hard. They beat us every day, didnt feed us, saying: You are security prisoners; you dont deserve to eat, Thaer recounted. I was beaten brutally, and during the interrogation electric shocks were used in different areas of my body. open image in gallery A freed Palestinian prisoner is greeted ( Reuters ) I was affected by scabies, and they didnt give me treatment for six months. I still have scars, he added. The Independent asked the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) for comment on the allegations of torture. It said: IPS is a law enforcement organisation that operates according to the provisions of the law. All prisoners are detained according to the law. All basic rights required are fully applied by professionally trained prison guards. We are not aware of the claims you described and as far as we know, no such events have occurred under IPS responsibility. Nonetheless, prisoners and detainees have the right to file a complaint that will be fully examined and addressed by official authorities. Thaer Abu Saras older brother, Naim, said the family were deeply concerned about his wellbeing and now fear he might be re-arrested: they have been told that no celebrations, flags, or gatherings were permitted upon his release, and no one was allowed to visit their house or distribute sweets. What concerns us these days is that the police may decide to invade the house again, claiming people are coming to congratulate him. We cross our fingers not to have this situation, Naim said. Our main goal now is to help Thaer to continue his studies. Israel said the people on the list to be released were arrested for offences related to Israels security, from throwing stones to more serious accusations like attempted murder. The Independent understands that of the 90 released, 31 were in administrative detention, meaning they were held indefinitely without charge, trial, or even access to the charges against them a practice that Israel says is vital for security, though it has been widely condemned by rights groups and UN experts. open image in gallery Khalida Jarrar, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council was one of the most prominent releases ( AFP via Getty ) The most prominent administrative detainee to be freed was Khalida Jarrar, 61, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and a leading figure in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a secular leftist faction that was involved in attacks against Israel in the 1970s but has since scaled back its militant activities. From the time of her arrest in late 2023, she had been held under indefinite administrative detention. Theres this double feeling were living in: on the one hand, this feeling of freedom, for which we thank everyone, and on the other hand, this pain, of losing so many Palestinian martyrs, she told Associated Press, looking frail. Among those released were teachers, students and journalists, including Rula Hassanein, an editor for the Ramallah-based Wattan Media Network who was arrested last March and brought before a military court on charges of incitement on social media. The Committee to Protect Journalists has campaigned for her release on humanitarian grounds: Hassanein has a daughter, Elia, who was born prematurely and whose health declined after her mother was arrested as she was exclusively breastfed. Shatha Jarrar, 24, a biology and chemistry student who was arrested in August on incitement charges for writing on her Facebook page, was also among those released. She alleged she was badly treated in prison and told The Independent that guards prevented her from taking medicine for insulin resistance. She said she still has scars on her wrists from the handcuffs. They put me in a prison cell with a camera on the toilet and another camera in the rest of the cell for three days. So I decided not to eat or drink because I couldnt use the toilet that was filmed by them. They refused to provide [for my] health needs, she told The Independent. open image in gallery Freed Palestinian prisoners are carried aloft after being released from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal in Gaza between Hamas and Israel ( Reuters ) I witnessed many repressions, where the guards brutally took the girls out of the cells, put them on the ground, heads down, hands cuffed, and insulted them. All of this was filmed by them. Shathas father, Nawaf Jarrar, 63, told The Independent that his daughter was jailed for expressing an opinion and that he has two sons who remain behind bars one who was arrested the same day as Shatha, and another who has been in administrative detention for a year. The entire Palestinian people are prisoners, he told The Independent. Our message to the world is that we are people who want to live in peace. Seventeen-year-old Thaer said he just wants to continue his life now. I dont like to remember those days. I want to continue my studies, and I look forward to my future, and maybe even to study abroad, he said. Families waiting for their loved ones to be released in the next few weeks described feeling mixed emotions. Samira Hussein Hamad, 61 whose son Raed Al-Hajj Hamad is on the list of upcoming releases, said she felt pain, sadness and joy. Hamad was arrested in 2004 at age 21 and sentenced to 20 years in prison, a jail term he completed last January but he has not been released because of the war. It is an indescribable feeling that he will finally be among us and we will meet him after 20 years and four months, she told The Independent. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Israels top general has announced his resignation over the security failures that allowed Hamas to attack southern Israel on 7 October 2023 saying he will stand down in March. Lt General Herzi Halevi, the Israeli armed forces chief of staff, is the most prominent Israeli official to resign over the attack. The move comes just days into a fragile ceasefire in the Gaza war that was triggered by the attack, during which around 1,200 people were killed and another 250 people taken hostage. Israels retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed 47,000 Palestinians according to the enclaves health ministry and forced 90 per cent of its 2.3 million residents from their homes. As part of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, 33 of the hostages still held in the territory are due to be released, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails over the course of six weeks. The first three hostages were released over the weekend, alongside 90 prisoners. A Hamas official told AFP that four women will be released this coming weekend, without naming them. In his letter of resignation, Halevi said the military, under his command, had failed in its mission to defend the state of Israel. Lt Gen Halevi, who began what was meant to be a three-year term in January 2023, said his resignation would go into effect on 6 March. The head of the Israeli militarys Southern Command, Major General Yaron Finkelman is also resigning. In his letter, Lt Gen Halevi said of the Hamas attack: The state of Israel paid a heavy and painful price in lives lost, in hostages taken, and in those wounded both physically and emotionally... My responsibility for this terrible failure accompanies me every day, every hour, and will remain with me for the rest of my life. I will transfer command of the IDF [Israeli Defence Forces] in a high-quality and thorough manner to my successor, he wrote in the letter to Israels defence minister. Lt Gen Halevi had widely been expected to step down at some point over the response to the Hamas attack. He said he would finalise the military inquiries into the 7 October attack and strengthen the Israeli militarys readiness for security challenges. open image in gallery The resignation will likely add to pressure on Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, over the handling of the attacks ( IsraeliPM ) In his statement Maj Gen Finkelman said the failure around 7 October is etched in my memory and that Israel must continue to strike the enemy, return all our hostages to their homes and the communities to their rightful place of security and prosperity. The resignation of the two senior generals will likely add to calls for a public inquiry into the response to the 7 October attack, something prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu whose leadership could be implicated has said must wait until the war is over. Mr Netanyahu has faced rising domestic criticism for failing to accept any responsibility for the 7 October attack himself. On Tuesday afternoon, the Israeli premier said that he had spoken to the outgoing Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, adding that the two agreed to meet in the coming days. He thanked him for his many years of service and commanding the recent wars on seven fronts, which has led to major achievements for the state of Israel. Israeli minister of defence Israel Katz also thanked Lt Gen Halevi for his service and his part in the great achievements of the IDF in the difficult war that was forced upon us. open image in gallery Israeli forces in armoured vehicles conduct a raid in Jenin ( AFP via Getty ) Hours before the announcement by Lt Gen Halevi Israel launched a significant and broad military operation against Palestinian militants in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least nine people were killed and dozens wounded. Mr Netanyahu has claimed that the military operation in Jenin aims to eradicate terrorism in the area. Israeli security forces launched today a large and significant military operation to eradicate terrorism in Jenin Iron Wall he said in a statement. The raid is expected to last a number of days. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in the 1967 six-day war. The Palestinians seek an independent state encompassing all three territories. The Gaza ceasefire does not apply to the West Bank, which has seen a surge of violence since the start of the war. Israeli troops have carried out near-daily raids. There has also been a rise in attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers including a rampage in two Palestinian villages overnight Monday as well as Palestinian attacks on Israelis. The Israeli military raid was launched a day after US president Donald Trump declared he was lifting sanctions on violent Israeli settlers who attacked Palestinian villages. open image in gallery A Palestinian stands beside a truck that was torched in an attack by suspected Israeli settlers in the West Bank village of Jinsafut ( AP ) Hamas condemned the Israeli operation in Jenin, calling on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank to step up their own attacks. The smaller Islamic Jihad militant group also condemned the operation, saying it reflected Israels failure to achieve its goals in Gaza. It said it was also a desperate attempt by Mr Netanyahu to save his governing coalition. One of Mr Netanyahus coalition partners, the hardline nationalist Itamar Ben-Gvir, quit the government the day the ceasefire went into effect, weakening the coalition but still leaving Mr Netanyahu with a parliamentary majority. Another, far-right leader, finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, has threatened to bolt if Israel does not resume the war after the first phase of the ceasefire ends. The Israeli army has carried out multiple raids and large-scale incursions in the West Bank since the war in Gaza began, as well as the years before that. An Israeli air strike last week in the Jenin refugee camp killed at least three Palestinians and wounded scores more. Late on Monday, bands of Israeli settlers attacked near the village of al-Funduq, smashing cars and burning property, in an area where three Israelis were killed in a shooting earlier this month. The military said it had opened an investigation into the incident, which it said involved dozens of Israeli civilians, some in masks. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Brexit has been blamed for ruining the plans of Britons looking to move to Spain, following an announcement by the countrys prime minister that he is looking to ban property purchases by those from outside the European Union. The move by Pedro Sanchez is an attempt to curb rising housing prices. We will propose to ban these non-EU foreigners who are not residents, and their relatives, from buying houses in our country since they only do so to speculate, he said. He added that non-EU residents represent about 23,000 of almost 700,000 homes bought and sold every year in Spain. Of all foreigners buying property in the country, British buyers lead the way with almost 10 per cent of transactions. A group that advocates for Britons in Spain believes the UKs withdrawal from the European Union is the root cause of distress for those who had been hoping to move to sunnier shores. Many British nationals on lower incomes, who had hopes of retirement on the Costas, have already had their dreams shattered [by Brexit], said Sue Wilson, the head of Bremain in Spain, a group with 6,000 members, told The Times. These new measures assuming they are passed by parliament will only add to the barriers we face in Europe as non-EU citizens. Spain has seen a surge in overtourism protests in some areas over the past year, many focusing on the impact holiday rental properties have on the lack of housing in their area. A mounting housing crisis for permanent Spanish residents has left some feeling they have been locked out of the housing market exacerbated by short-term holiday rentals. Tens of thousands in Barcelona protested in November over the increasing prices of renting an apartment in an area that has become such a popular tourist destination. Demonstrators in Barcelona protesting the rising cost of renting ( The Associated Press ) At the protest, people held up signs in Spanish reading: Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living" and The people without homes uphold their rights. Earlier this year, Barcelonas town hall pledged to eliminate the citys 10,000 so-called tourist apartments by not renewing any licences after they expire in 2028. On 13 January, Mr Sanchez unveiled a proposal that would see property taxes for non-EU citizens in Spain be equivalent to 100 per cent of the value of a home. Mr Sanchez said: The tax rate that non-Europeans who do not reside in our country must pay when buying a home in Spain will be increased to 100 per cent, prioritising that the available homes are for residents. One in five homes sold in Spain is bought by foreigners, with many of them non-residents. Currently, the tax rate for non-residents of the EU is around 24 per cent of the price of the house, depending on location. A source close to Mr Sanchez played down the suggestion of a ban to Reuters, saying the plan remained to discourage acquisitions through increased tax rates. Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent, said: Spain has some serious stresses in its property market, but to appear to blame British buyers for the number of Airbnbs in Barcelona looks wide of the mark. The prime minister is relying on the time-worn strategy of blaming greedy foreigners for domestic problems. But by choosing to leave the European Union, the UK opted to be out in the cold. The British demand to be limited to a maximum of 90 days stay during the winter means there are far fewer buyers, and an exodus of long-stay property owners could lead to a slump, he adds. Many other southern European nations recognise the value of long-stay British visitors, and I foresee an arms race as countries compete for the winter-sun pound. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Spains Prime Minister has doubled down on his plan to stop Brits from buying property in the country, this time proposing an all-out ban. Pedro Sanchez said he would propose to ban purchasers from outside the European Union from buying properties. It comes as the government seeks to curb rising housing prices, which have become an increasing source of friction. In the last year, Spain has seen a wave of demonstrations against overtourism and holiday rental properties as a result of the mounting housing crisis for residents struggling to find available homes. We will propose to ban these non-EU foreigners who are not residents, and their relatives, from buying houses in our country since they only do so to speculate, Sanchez said at a political rally in Plasencia, in western Spain, on Sunday. Non-EU residents represent about 23,000 of the almost 700,000 homes bought and sold every year in the country, Sanchez said during the rally. Soaring rents in popular cities, including Madrid, have caused locals to feel they are being priced out of the Spanish market. One in five homes sold in Spain are bought by foreigners, with many of them non-residents. open image in gallery Protesters march on Las Americas beach during a demonstration to protest against mass tourism, in Arona on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife, on October 20, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Sanchez on January 13 unveiled a proposal to tax by up to 100% the acquisitions of property by non-EU citizens not living in Spain as part of a series of measures seeking to boost supply and reduce demand for housing in the country. A source close to Sanchez played down the suggestion of a ban, saying the plan remained to discourage these acquisitions through increased tax rates. Either potential change would need to pass the lower house where Sanchezs minority government faces a constant struggle to pass any bill. Either way, there will be damage to Spains reputation, said real estate company CBRE. All factors related to regulatory and juridical changes are discouraging investors, said Paloma Relinque, CBREs executive corporate director for Spain. open image in gallery Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ( EPA ) Housing has become a major issue in Spain as it struggles to balance promoting tourism, a key driver of its economy, with concerns over high rents due to gentrification and landlords shifting to more lucrative, short-term tourist rentals, especially in urban and coastal areas. The countrys Central Bank recently estimated there could be a deficit of half a million houses in Spain by the end of this year. Targeting non-resident foreigner buyers, who tend to buy second homes particularly in beach resorts, would have a limited effect on the housing market as a whole, a spokesperson for real estate developer Gilmar said. Official figures show that the number of Brits registered as living in Spain increased from 276,089 in 2017 to 284,037 in 2023, with 12,470 Spanish property sales involving a British buyer the same year. Sir Keir Starmer has held his first press conference in the newly revamped Downing Street briefing room, following a politically neutral refurbishment costing the taxpayer 80,000. The room at 9 Downing Street underwent renovations in December. The refurbishment replaces the former blue backdrop, traditionally associated with the Conservative party, with wood panelling and inlaid lighting. Grey tones now replace the previous blue carpet. A government crest has also been added behind the podium. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister described the changes as restoring it to its original state. They emphasized the cost was significantly less than the previous administrations expenditure. Donald Trump was confronted by a bishop who pleaded with him to show mercy to LGBT+ children and migrants at a prayer service on Tuesday, 21 January, a day after he was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. The Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, referenced Trumps belief that God saved him from assassination as she directly addressed the Republican. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now, she continued. Trump signed executive orders intended to roll back the Biden administrations efforts to recognize and accommodate transgender people at the federal level and end federal efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Donald Trump asked US troops serving in South Korea "How's Kim Jong Un?" as he spoke to them on a video link at the Commander-In-Chief Ball following his presidential inauguration on Monday, 20 January. After feedback from his microphone, the Republican commented that the soldiers were a "good-looking group of people" before thanking them for speaking with him. Separately during the event, the president broke out into a dance routine while brandishing a sword. He danced to Y.M.C.A. by the Village People, a track that became a familiar soundtrack at Trump's campaign rallies. President Donald Trump has issued a warning to Russian leader Vladimir Putin on his first day in office. As the 47th president settles into his role at the White House, he was asked about the ongoing war between Russia and the Ukraine. Trump said: Hes told me he wants to make a deal, Zelensky wants to make a deal. I don't know if Putin does, he should do. I think hes destroying Russia by not making a deal. Trump added: I think Russia is going to be in big trouble. A survivor of a deadly fire at a 12-storey hotel at a popular ski resort in Turkey has spoken out for the first time. Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said at least 66 people were killed and at least 51 others were injured in the blaze at the Grand Kartal hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province's Koroglu mountains on Tuesday, 21 January. Atakan Yelkovan, a guest staying on the third floor of the hotel, said: "They dangled down a sheet [to escape]. Some were trying to get in, some were trying to jump out. Some had children inside, some had friends inside. We tried to take shelter in another hotel." Enterprise Minister Peter Burke says EU red tape holding back biopharma sector growth Everyone learns from their mistakes, he says, after backlash to Michael OLearys teacher jibe at his election launch Enterprise Minister Peter Burke. Photo: Rollingnews.ie John Burns in Davos Tue 21 Jan 2025 at 15:07 The new European Commission needs to get to grips with over-regulation, particularly around licenses in the biopharma sector, according to Enterprise Minister Peter Burke. Online travel agencies that extract and sell flight schedules and price data from the Ryanair website are substantially overcharging the airline's customers for things like extra baggage and reserved seats, it has been claimed in the Commercial Court. Ryanair DAC has brought proceedings against Spanish firm eDreams Odigeo SA, part of the eDO group, and its subsidiary Vacaciones eDreams SL. It operates through various websites including eDreams, Opodo, Govoyages and Travellink. Ryanair is seeking a number of reliefs including an order restraining the defendants from breaching its terms of use, engaging in misrepresentation, passing off or infringing the airline's intellectual property rights. It also seeks damages. The defendants deny the claims. The airline today sought but failed to have the case admitted to the fast-track commercial list, but eDreams objected on grounds including there had been a delay in bringing it. Martin Hayden SC, for Ryanair, argued there had been no culpable delay in bringing the case. He said Ryanair had been engaged in dealing with several others proceedings against the online agencies in Spain and Germany which had to be referred to in any proceedings brought here. He said all the cases over screen scraping involve similar conduct. The online agencies had approached the matter on the basis that they are not the ones doing it but have engaged third parties to do so, he said. When efforts were made to stop the screen scraping, ways were found around it, he said. Rather than bringing cases against several small operators, Ryanair took cases against larger operators like Onthebeach, which took a major length of time to resolve and which ultimately led to distribution agreements with four operators, he said. Similar negotiations with eDreams came to nothing. Ryanair had been prohibited in Spain from referring to the online agencies as pirates in, but they are parasitic enterprises operating at the expense of the airline, he said. Consumers who avail of the online agencies' service are being substantially overcharged by up to 200pc more for the same services provided by Ryanair, he said. This is done through their prime services in which the consumer pays extra through hidden mark-ups for things like baggage and reserved seats, he said. Michael Howard SC, for the defendants, said delay in bringing commercial cases is not about the parties' interests but about the proper use of the court's limited resources. A plaintiff cannot say I will litigate at my leisure, he said. Ryanair claimed the online agencies desisted from selling its flights for 50 days later year, but in fact the airline had adopted sophisticated blocking measures to prevent it. There was delay both before issuing proceedings and further delay afterwards, he said. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey refused to admit the case to the fast-track commercial division, which means it will now go through the High Court's ordinary process. Mark Zuckerbergs Meta wants the High Court to overturn a wholly disproportionate 91m penalty imposed on it by Irelands data protection regulator for improperly storing user passwords. The fines, which were imposed last September under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), relate to a 2019 incident where it was discovered the company had stored some user passwords in plaintext, which is an easily readable format, instead of applying encryption. Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, claims the DPC failed to consider whether the fines totalling 91 million were effective, proportionate and dissuasive, as required by the GDPR. The principle of proportionality is a fundamental principle of EU law, but the 91 million penalties are excessive and go beyond what is required to be effective and dissuasive, Meta says. The company further claims that the commission acted in breach of fair procedures and due process by calculating the fine by reference to Metas global turnover without affording it full rights of defence. Meta is asking the High Court to quash the DPCs September 2024 decision and accompanying fines totalling 91 million. It also seeks a court declaration that sections of the Irish Data Protections Act are unconstitutional and incompatible with the States obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. Also among the companys claims is that the DPC misinterpreted and misapplied an article of the GDPR that defines a personal data breach and wrongly concluded that every plaintext password logged amounted to personal data. Meta accepted some of the instances were personal data, but in many cases the plaintext passwords were not logged alonside identifying features, it says. Meta claims the DPC incorrectly found there had been unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, personal data. There was, in fact, no disclosure or access to personal data in relation to the issue, the company says. The case came before Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty on Monday, when she made an order permitting Meta to pursue its claims via the courts judicial review mechanism. She heard the application while only Meta was represented in court. Metas lawyers said the company has also initiated a statutory appeal over the same September 2024 decision. The 93 million fine is one of several imposed by the DPC on Meta. The most significant was issued in May 2023, when the company was fined a record 1.2 billion for violating European privacy rules, following a long investigation into transfers by Facebook of Europeans personal data to the US. This decision is the subject of a High Court challenge by Meta. Last December the regulator handed down a 251 million fine following a data breach, affecting 29 million Facebook accounts globally, that was reported by Meta in September 2018. A 265 million penalty was given in 2022 over a collated set of Facebook personal data that had been uploaded onto an online forum. Ever the pragmatist, notes Labour Court as Mr Foley set to depart The Labour Court is on the hunt for a new chairman as industrial relations veteran Kevin Foley is set to resign from the post in March. He has overseen the resolution of disputes including the bitter pay row between Aer Lingus and its pilots last year. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has advertised for a successor to Mr Foley, who has held the role since 2016. Prior to being appointed chairman, he was deputy chairman of the industrial dispute resolution body. He has been involved in labour affairs in Ireland for more than 40 years. Before becoming deputy chairman of the Labour Court, he was the director of conciliation workplace mediations and early resolutions services with the Labour Relations Commission. The Labour Court described him as being pivotal to workplace dispute resolution in Ireland. With a direct style, he was ever the pragmatist and expected the same from the disputing parties, it noted in a Linkedin post. There has arguably been no greater advocate for the valued resources of the States industrial relations dispute resolution institutions and no more fervent a protector of the Labour Courts role as the court of last resort. During his career, he has been involved in seeking resolutions in disputes involving workers from companies as diverse as the HSE, Irish Rail, Aer Lingus, National Irish Bank and AIB. His work on securing agreements between banks and unions came during the financial crisis. In 2011, AIB announced plans to axe about 2,500 staff, while in 2010, National Irish Bank said it was cutting 150 jobs. Last year, Mr Foley was involved in trying to resolve the pay dispute between Aer Lingus and its pilots. That dispute had dragged on for months, with the two sides poles apart in terms of where a pay deal should be struck. Pilots had staged strike action in late June and had been engaged in a work-to-rule. The travel plans of thousands of Aer Lingus passengers were disrupted as hundreds of flights were cancelled. The dispute cost the airline about 55m. Mr Foley had been involved in industrial relations disputes at Aer Lingus on a number of occasions since 2000. In 2004, he chaired a facilitation process as the airline then headed by Willie Walsh planned to let go more than 1,300 people. The airline had been hit hard in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001 and subsequently engaged in a radical overhaul of its operations. He was also a mediator alongside then head of the Labour Relations Commission, Kieran Mulvey, in 2010 when the Irish public services sector was being hit with pay cuts during the financial crisis. That led to strike action. Mr Foley and Mr Mulvey helped to broker what became commonly known as the Croke Park Agreement. That saw the government agree to no further pay cuts or redundancies in return for unions agreeing to no industrial action and a number of reforms of the sector. The chairman role of the Labour Court has now been advertised. Comes amid fears teachers, nurses and gardai are leaving the city as it becomes unaffordable A majority of Dubliners have shown strong support for rent subsidies in the city for key workers including teachers, gardai and nurses. A survey by market researcher RED C found that 79pc of Dubliners agree key workers in the city should receive rent subsidies and support like other cities with a high cost of living. The governments draft Programme for Government includes proposals to reserve housing for key workers in cost-rental developments. The survey included a sample of 1,209 people from around Ireland. The results also found that 89pc of Dubliners believe high rental costs are the biggest barrier in attracting key workers to the city. The survey was commissioned by Dublin-based businessman Paschal Taggart. Of the people surveyed, 86pc said they were concerned about the social and economic consequences of key worker shortages. People surveyed from Dublin and the rest of Ireland showed support for a reserved housing plan similar to Londons Key Worker Living Rent homes where rent and service charges are capped. Earlier this week, Education Minister Norma Foley confirmed that teachers will be among the local workers included. All of us in Government are conscious of the need for greater affordable accommodation for our young people, including young teachers, Ms Foley told The Irish Times. A number of so-called cost rental schemes have launched in recent months, including a large development at Shanganagh Castle in south county Dublin, and have drawn massive numbers of applications for what are in effect lotteries to allocate units with discounted rents and secure long-term tenancies. Paschal Taggart has sat on the board of many Irish companies including Datalex, the Irish Greyhound Board, Paddy Power and the Irish Credit Bureau. In recent years, he has repeatedly raised concerns about the consequences of key workers being priced out of Dublin accommodation. He said: Dublins high rents are placing an unsustainable burden on our citys key workers, threatening not only their ability to live and work in the capital but also the stability of essential services. Public support for solutions like rent allowances and affordable housing is very strong. This escalating crisis, if left unchecked, will undermine the Irish economy in the not-too-distant future. The new government must act on this issue as a priority I now urge them to follow through and expand this policy to include all key workers, not just teachers. We have already seen the damage caused by rising discontent, including the Dublin riots at the end of 2023. Tourism and inward investment are already showing signs of decline. If key workers continue to leave their professions or emigrate, the economy will suffer substantially in the years to come. Swiss police stand in front of the Amazon house as a woman cleans the store window after activists sprayed paint on its facade during a protest on the opening day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, yesterday. Photo: Reuters/Yves Herman Armed conflict is the top risk in 2025, a World Economic Forum (WEF) survey showed, a reminder of the deepening global fragmentation as government and business leaders attend the annual gathering in Davos this week. Nearly one in four of the more than 900 experts surveyed across academia, business and policymaking ranked conflict, including wars and terrorism, as the most severe risk to economic growth for the year ahead. Yahoo has moved into new offices at the EXO building in the Dublin Docklands. The 35,703sq ft space will be used to house staff working in engineering, R&D, legal, finance, sales, operations, customer care and security, the web services company said. We believe that Ireland is one of the best places in the world to do business, said Edel Murphy, MD of Yahoo Ireland. Dublin is home to a bustling tech scene, and the innovation on offer combined with the diverse mix of talent makes it an important, strategic location for companies like Yahoo. Were looking forward to welcoming our team members to this space dedicated to helping us deliver innovation the millions of people who use Yahoo around the world. The official opening of the new offices come as Yahoo plan to enhance their services in Ireland and across Europe. Our new Dublin office will help foster even more collaboration and innovation in the region, said Jim Lanzone, CEO of Yahoo. "With dedicated space for our engineering, sales, security, operations and finance teams, were better positioned to serve our customers as a trusted guide navigating the digital landscape. Yahoo has been in Ireland for 29 years and its last office move was 10 years ago when it took a nearby unit in the Docklands that could hold up to 450 staff. Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Peter Burke praised Yahoos decision: "Thank you for choosing Ireland for nearly 30 years and continuing to invest here. Your unwavering confidence underscores what we know about our offering in Ireland that we are a reliable location for international businesses to grow and thrive. The move is likely to be seen positively in the property sector with Dublins office vacancy reaching 15.7pc by September last year, according to BNP Paribas Real Estate. In 2023 when Yahoo took the offices in the first and second floors of EXO, the building was reported to be 80pc let. The CEO of IDA (Industrial Development Agency), Michael Lohan, also thanked the company for their contributions to the tech sector in Ireland. He said: Their continued investment helps position Ireland as a location for long term growth and is a great vote of confidence in the talent that we can offer here. This is not a victimless blunder the implications for Ireland are colossal I always find that the arrival of a new year brings with it a new sense of hope and expectation. Unfortunately we still cant escape from that ever present certainty in farming that there is always some problem or other waiting for us around the next corner. While the recent severe weather did cause many difficulties, my biggest problem at the moment resulted from a letter I received last autumn from my local county council. Setting out my obligations under the Roads Act, 1993, the letter referred to a survey carried out last summer by council staff on trees growing beside the N74. The survey claims to have found that trees located in five roadside geo-locations on my farm were potentially unsafe and must be removed. As these trees were not overhanging the road and no reason was given in the councils letter, I was somewhat mystified. When I contacted a local tree surgeon, he advised me that as far as he could discern the problem appeared to be ash dieback. These trees, which were not fully mature, have since been professionally removed, at my cost. The real crunch came when I asked the tree surgeon to look at some fully mature ash trees growing beside another roadway adjoining my farm. He counted 26 large trees which he felt should be removed as ash dieback was well established. Ash dieback arrived in Europe from Asia in the early 1990s. In Ireland, it was first detected in Co Leitrim in October 2012 on ash saplings imported from continental Europe. Having already wiped out most of Irelands commercial ash plantations, the disease is quickly becoming a very costly problem for many farmers. John Heney with some of his cattle. Photo: John D Kelly In what would appear to be a classic case of closing the stable door when the horse has bolted, media reports published just a few days after the initial discovery of the disease announced that the Department of Agriculture is implementing legislation that will allow for a ban on the import of ash trees from much of continental Europe, after a disease specific to the species appeared in Leitrim. At this stage, nearly two decades had elapsed since ash dieback was detected in Europe. This begs the question as to why Irelands biosecurity structures failed to prevent the importation of the diseased saplings when it was obviously well aware of the threat. An official report to Pippa Hackett, Minister for Land Use and Biodiversity, claims that there was clear evidence that Ireland was actively seeking ways to tighten up regulations on the free movement of ash plants prior to the detection of the disease in 2012. However, I dont accept the 2023 reports claims that competency for EU Plant Health Legislation rests with the EU Commission as an excuse for our inaction. This was Irelands problem, it was very serious and we shouldnt have been hanging around wringing our hands and waiting for Brussels to fix it This was Irelands problem, it was very serious and we shouldnt have been hanging around wringing our hands and waiting for Brussels to fix it. After all, our Government was very quick to implement legislation when the disease was discovered in Leitrim. This is not a victimless blunder the implications for Ireland are colossal. Most of our commercial plantations have been wiped out. As well as that, our beautiful traditional, natural landscape of ash-studded field boundaries and hedgerows will soon be consigned to the history books. This sudden and dramatic loss of large amounts of our natural habitat has grave implications for Irelands wildlife. Also, the release of large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, whether by the burning of this ash as fuel, or through the rotting process, is deeply concerning. Rather than owning up to their responsibility, it appears the culpable Government bodies have now abdicated their responsibilities and simply passed the problem on to our local authorities. Judging by the letter I received, local Government officials are now being urged to use the Roads Act, 1993 to make sure farmers clean up this very serious mess. Something I believe the 1993 Act was never meant to be used for. As well as the huge amount of disruption to my farm, which the removal of these diseased roadside trees will entail, the actual cost will be massive, and all because of an obvious blunder by officialdom. Until they eventually rot and fall down, the stark skeletons of dying ash trees scattered across the countryside will remain as reminders of our Governments incompetence and the beautiful lost landscape which we had the privilege of living and working in all through our farming lives. John Heney farms in Kilfeackle, Co Tipperary The next minister for agriculture needs to be better than the outgoing minister, according to Michael Murphy, the organiser of the Positive Farmers conference. Speaking at the dairy farmers conference in Cork, Murphy said he had been weaned on very good Irish ministers for agriculture, but that agriculture has been downgraded within the cabinet in recent years. Farm orgs should be saying to Micheal Martin, the next Taoiseach, that weve had a less than satisfactory minister for agriculture the last time, please give us a better one this time, he said. The new minister, he said, needs to have a good understanding of what farming is about and will be influential in terms of representing a sensible Irish view in Brussels. They need to be respected in Brussels and will challenge the regulatory situation. The new commissioner with agriculture has more of a connection with agriculture and sees that farming is over-regulated. I think he will make change, so Im optimistic on that. He also called on the sector to spend more money promoting farming. Its an honourable profession and were doing a bloody good job and at the moment theres a lot of sh*te being talked. Farmers are tremendously valuable citizens. Were at a period where we need very strong messages as there are gobsh*tes seeking to give advice to people. Who should you trust? You should trust good research and good advisors or farmers with long experience and success who are trying to help you put more money in your pocket, rather than people whose main job it is to extract money out of your pocket "You should trust good research and good advisors or farmers with long experience and success who are trying to help you put more money in your pocket, rather than people whose main job it is to extract money out of your pocket. Murphy also called on Moorepark to improve its messaging. The Moorepark message is excellent, but it needs to be made extremely strongly at the moment. Describing the Teagasc facility as a national treasure, he said at the moment the messages coming from it are not strong enough. I think they need to be much stronger. It might not be populara lot of farmers are uncertain about what to do. We need strong leadership. "Sometimes leadership means you have to take decision that might be unpopular now but over time will be right. At ground level, dairy farmers, he said, need to remember that grass to cash at low cost is the number one rule of dairy farming. Low cost, he said, is four to five times more important than production per cow. Run a resilient, low-cost, grass-based system. We are not just farming to produce milk, we are producing milk as a means of having a rich, fulfilling, family-type life. Dairy processors have confirmed they remain open to new suppliers in 2025. The countrys largest dairy processors took on more than 130 new suppliers in 2024, confirming that they all remain open to new suppliers in 2025. Tirlan took on the greatest number of new suppliers in 2024 at 45, followed by Lakeland Dairies (35), Aurivo (24), Arrabawn (18), and Dairygold (9). Kerry Dairy Ireland did not comment on how many new suppliers it received in 2024, but confirmed it is open to new suppliers in 2025. In 2024, Lakeland had 3,200 suppliers, Kerry Dairy Ireland had 2,740, Dairygold had 2,540, Aurivo had 1,019 and Arrabawn had 991 suppliers. Tirlan did not confirm how many suppliers it had in 2024. A spokesperson for Tirlan told the Farming Independent that since 2015, the processor has taken on over 580 new entrants to milk supply, including new units from existing suppliers. Based on our most recent census, new units will supply a similar milk volume to farmers retiring each year, said the spokesperson. We are interested in talking to anyone considering commencing milk production in the Tirlan Co-op catchment area. Our local milk supply managers will be able to talk to prospective new entrants about the Co-op and answer any questions that farmers might have. They will also be able to explain the range of support services available to Tirlan milk suppliers, including sustainability supports, and the benefits of joining our Co-op. Aurivo said that it is open to new entrants from both the Republic and Northern Ireland. We have a comprehensive support service for new entrants right from first contact all the way through to first milking and ongoing support thereafter, said a spokesperson. Our protein bonus has been a very attractive incentive to new entrants and with lower levels of derogation and higher water quality status in the region we operate, Aurivo is confident of our regions suitability to continued growth in milk supply. Aurivo would be delighted to hear from farmers looking to switch their farm enterprise to dairy and looks forward to welcoming many more new family farm milk suppliers to our Co-op. A spokesperson for Lakeland Dairies told the Farming Independent that over the past decade the co-op welcomed more than 500 new entrants. Lakeland Dairies works closely with those in our catchment area wishing to choose dairy farming as a viable career option, they said. We provide tailored advice supporting them throughout their journey. 20pc of farmers have left SCEP, with most failing Bord Bia requirement Failing to apply or maintain participation in Bord Bias Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme makes up more than half of removals The scheme offers a payment rate of 150/cow on the first 22 cows and 120/cow thereafter. Photo: Roger Jones Catherina Cunnane Tue 21 Jan 2025 at 03:30 Just over 20pc of farmers who joined the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) have left the scheme, with just over 16,000 farmers left in it. Landlord Marc Godart pays tenants 10,000 compensation over illegal eviction ahead of court hearing We probably should have received more money after what we went through, but all that matters is we won. I hope he learns his lesson, but I dont think he will former tenant Francesca Gubellini Marc Godart. Amy Molloy Tue 21 Jan 2025 at 10:25 Three tenants who have been pursuing controversial landlord Marc Godart for thousands of euro in compensation after he illegally evicted them have received their money following a two-year battle. Mark Zuckerbergs Meta wants the High Court to overturn a wholly disproportionate 91 million penalty imposed on it by Irelands data protection regulator for improperly storing user passwords. The fines, which were imposed last September under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), relate to a 2019 incident where it was discovered the company had stored some user passwords in plaintext, which is an easily readable format, instead of applying encryption. There was no application to jail Enoch Burke again after his case returned before the High Court on Tuesday when a judge was told the teacher had again turned up at Wilson's Hospital School after Christmas. The school's lawyer said he had at times been inside the school grounds but not the building since then. The school was not making an application at this stage to attach and commit him to prison for continuing contempt of court orders. The Indo Daily: Why is even the mention of water charges like playing with fire for politicians? Donald Trumps pledge to deport illegal immigrants is causing panic and fear among thousands of undocumented Irish people in the US following his inauguration, an immigration expert has said. It is estimated there are tens of thousands of illegal Irish immigrants living in the US. Many may have arrived on the 90-day visa waiver scheme and have stayed for a number of years, or even decades. President Trump was last night expected to sign as many as 100 executive orders within hours of taking office, many of which relate to immigration. Fiona McEntee, an Irish immigration attorney based in Chicago, who has worked in the field for nearly 20 years, said she is getting emails from her clients who are extremely concerned about their situation. Weve been inundated, and its just everywhere. Its all over the news, all over various Facebook groups, and different immigrant communities. Im getting non-stop emails from people who are extremely concerned. Chicago is apparently going to be targeted as one of the epicentres for the mass deportations, so talk of this is pretty much everywhere. US president Donald Trump. Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Donald Trump: President's first orders include pardons for Capitol riot defendants Parents are afraid to send their children to school this week in Chicago due to the mass deportation threat, she said. Reports from The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times cited multiple sources who said that the incoming administration is planning a large-scale immigration raid in Chicago this week. The reports prompted the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to issue a statement promising that undocumented students will be protected. Thats a big concern for families, and then imagine having to also be worried that youre gonna get deported when you drop your kids off at school. Its horrible that this is what these families have to worry about, Ms McEntee said. She said there have been mixed reports online of which other cities might be targeted for mass deportations. Its pretty hard to get a clear idea of the plan. And, obviously, thats why, [its] designed to create confusion and panic and surprise people. Over the past year or so, they were saying they were going to start targeting places that support and welcome immigrants, like Chicago and other big cities like that. The governments estimated data suggests there might be fewer than 10,000 Irish people classified as undocumented immigrants in the States. We know that definitely some things are coming, Ms McEntee said. All along we have said us immigration lawyers and the immigrants rights community that its not feasible to deport 12 million immigrants from an economic point of view, she added. But theyre all about slogans, about fear, about us versus them. So it just fits well with the campaign, and to the detriment of these immigrants who are afraid to step outside their door. Whether they do it or not, the problem is that the fear has been created in the community. Fianna Fail TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, said the Government will continue to advocate for the regularisation of the undocumented Irish. Farmed salmon that escaped from a cage in Mayo last year are feared to be breeding with their wild cousins and could weaken the species chances of survival. An investigation into the break-out last August found escapees from a fish farm in Killary Fjord swam at least 100km north and south of where the incident occurred. They were confirmed to have entered 12 rivers in Mayo and Galway but may have reached 30 in total. Dr Sean Kelly of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), who led the investigation, said: The substantial geographical spread over which escaped farmed salmon were confirmed - in a critical region for wild Irish Atlantic salmon populations - is particularly concerning. While farmed fish carry diseases that can spread to the rapidly declining population of Atlantic wild salmon, interbreeding is a further concern. Around 20pc of the escaped males were sexually mature and scientists at Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) fear they could have bred with wild counterparts. They can pose a significant threat to wild salmon populations through genetic contamination, impacting the overall ability of future salmon generations to survive in the wild, said Dr Cathal Gallagher, IFIs head of research. Conservationists are extremely worried for the future of Irelands wild salmon after population decline of 70pc in the last 40 years. The iconic fish spawns in Irish rivers, matures in the open ocean and then undertakes an extraordinary migratory journey to return to its birthplace. Pollution, disease, and physical barriers in rivers have caused numbers to plummet. Warming oceans is also forcing them ever further north to find food-rich cold waters, making the journey home longer and more arduous. At least 450 salmon are believed to have entered open waterways, including rivers that are special areas of conservation. Just under half were male but about 20pc of those were ready to breed. The escaped fish had a distinctive appearance with silvery scales which would be out of season if they were wild. Fifty that were recaptured were subject to genetic analysis which confirmed they came from the farm. IFI thanked anglers who handed in suspect specimens for verification but IFI said such incidents must be prevented. This documentation of a single, relatively small escape in terms of reported numbers, highlights the potentially large-scale ecological implications that can arise more generally from marine salmon aquaculture escape events, Dr Gallagher said. The number of refugees from countries such as Syria who were resettled in Ireland hit its lowest point in almost a decade in 2023 because of the States dysfunctional international protection system. An annual report on asylum and migration in Ireland, published by the European Migration Network (EMN) yesterday, said 130 Syrians were resettled in Ireland in 2023 under international obligations. This represented a 64pc drop from 2022, and was the lowest number since 2014. The same report also found that the number of non-EU migrants stopped at Irelands borders dropped by a fifth in 2023, while the State struggled to manage high numbers of international protection applications and appeals, and a dearth of accommodation that led to around 2,000 asylum-seekers being left with no accommodation on arrival. The EMN said the report showed both challenges and progress in terms of how Ireland manages migration. The report found that the Government blamed issues with its immigration system for its failure to meet resettlement targets in 2023. All 130 of the people resettled in Ireland in 2023 were Syrian, and almost half of them were under the age of 18. The EMN report said that according to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, challenges such as a lack of reception capacity, housing shortages and an increase in the number of international protection applications, as well as the hosting of arrivals from Ukraine, affected the ability to reach resettlement targets in 2023. The report also said the number of non-EU nationals stopped at the Irish border in 2023 was 7,405, which represented a 20pc reduction when compared with 2022. The State has struggled to accommodate asylum-seekers. Photo: Sasko Lazarov The report added that this was almost the same as the 2019 figure, prior to the drop due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions. It also said that an increase in international protection applications in both 2022 and 2023 created significant pressure in the international protection system. As a result, 2,000 people who arrived in Ireland to claim asylum in 2023 were initially offered no accommodation. This led to significant criticism and even legal challenges against the State. All of those affected were single men. At the end of the year, 376 people had still not been offered any accommodation. The States ability to process applications was also challenged, even though processing times continued to reduce. By the end of 2023, 21,850 applications were pending at the International Protection Office (IPO), a 47pc increase on the same time in 2022. The report said this was despite a 90pc increase in decisions made by the IPO. The number of people who appealed an International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas) decision in 2023 tripled, and the report said that, despite better processing times, the scale of the increase in appeals taken meant that there were 359pc more applications on hand at the end of 2023 than in 2022. Irelands lack of accommodation for international protection applicants was exacerbated by the housing crisis, which created difficulties for people trying to leave the system after being granted leave to remain. Ukrainian refugee family waiting for train in station, Ukrainian war concept. Today's News in 90 seconds - 21st January 2025 This contributed to the State having 26,279 people living in the Ipas system at the end of 2023 an increase of 42pc on December 2022. Figures on the numbers of people coming here as international protection applicants do not include those who came to Ireland from Ukraine as Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP). The report revealed that 103,458 PPS numbers had been issued to people who came to Ireland from Ukraine between February 2022 and December 2023. Of those, 33,841 PPS numbers were allocated in 2023. As was the case in 2022, there is a higher concentration of Ukrainians in Dublin and the west coast of the country. In Tipperary, Sligo and Offaly, the number more than doubled in 2023. In Ireland, more than 16,000 Ukrainians have been accommodated through rooms or homes pledged by the public. Ireland has a higher proportion of Ukrainians living in homes offered by the public than most of Europe. The report stated: As of June 2023, 25pc of arrivals from Ukraine living in Ireland were living in host accommodation and pledged properties, compared to 8-9pc across the EU. While there are almost 10,000 Ukrainian people living in the Red Cross-pledged accommodation scheme, and another 6,385 living in a similar accommodation scheme run by local authorities, figures for the amount claimed under the Accommodation Recognition Payment scheme suggests that Irish and Ukrainian people are setting up private arrangements between themselves to share homes. Oberstown child detention centre spent more than half-a-million euro on HR consultants over the course of three years. HR investigations led the high external consultancy costs at the state-run facility for juveniles found guilty of serious crimes. Oberstown, which employs 250 staff, is the only youth detention centre in Ireland. On average, about 35 young people stay at Oberstown at any one time. According to its financial reports for 2023, Oberstown spent 210,279 on HR consultants in 2023. This figure included HR investigations. It spent 60,305 on HR consultants in 2022, and another 234,861 on the same fees in 2021. A spokesman for the youth detention centre said that the HR consultancy costs in 2023 related to a range of issues on which external support was required. These included pension issues, learning and development, and support on a number of HR investigations. As an organisation employing 250 staff who work with young people who have very complex needs and require individualised and specialised care and support to ensure their needs are met in a safe and secure environment, we have a commitment to upskilling and training. From time to time, external support is needed for this, the spokesman said. In relation to HR investigations, Oberstown will, where appropriate, draw on external support and expertise. The amount spent on external legal advice also increased for Oberstown to 68,518 in 2023, compared with 39,901 the year before. And although Oberstown only spent a little over 3,500 on external financial advice in 2022, this increased dramatically to 40,652 the following year. Public relations costs remained the same for both 2022 and 2023, at 81,888. Oberstown employs Drury PR to handle its media and press relations. According to its annual report, published last summer, the number of child protection reports made at Oberstown jumped by 50pc between 2022 and 2023. In 2023, a total of 180 matters were referred to or followed up by the designated liaison person for child protection. According to Oberstown, 17 of these cases were forwarded as mandated reports to Tusla. Another 10 reports referred to internal matters within the campus. Of these, four concerned physical interventions by staff. There were six reported cases of assaults by a young person on another. Senator Frances Black, who drafted the bill, said the core policy must be protected. Photo: Gareth Chaney New legislation to replace the Occupied Territories Bill that only imposes a ban on imports would be a significant step back, Senator Frances Black has said. Ms Black, who drafted the bill, said the core policy must be protected and has urged the incoming government to stand up for international law. On Sunday, the soon-to-be elected taoiseach Micheal Martin said new legislation would be needed as the Occupied Territories Bill was unconstitutional. I instructed my officials prior to the general election to work on amendments to the then Occupied Territories Bill, Mr Martin said. Virtually every section of that bill will have to be amended. So the issue is whether we have a new bill. I think, probably, we will move forward to a new bill in respect of imports into Ireland from the occupied territories. Ms Black said she had extensive engagement with Mr Martin and officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs in relation to the bill. Simon Harris has committed to meeting me to discuss this in more detail as soon as a new government is formally appointed this week, Ms Black said. The key thing for me is that technical amendments to strengthen and improve the Occupied Territories Bill are no issue, as long as the core policy is protected. Ms Black said there was no doubt that the government will be under pressure to remove the services aspect of the bill, but urged not to give in to this. We should be absolutely clear, a ban on just imports would be a significant step back. It would be totally out of step with what the ICJ (International Court of Justice) has said is required, which is a full ban on all trade goods and services, she said. This is what was rightly done regarding trade with Russian occupied territories, so there is no justification for applying double standards here. Meanwhile, opposition TDs have criticised the proposed replacement of the bill, with People Before Profits Paul Murphy accusing the government of watering down the legislation. This is not just some legal matter. What theyre doing is massively watering down the effect of the bill because if you look at the language they are using, they now talk about goods imported from the occupied territories, Mr Murphy said. So what that is excluding is services imported from the occupied territories and export of both goods and services from Ireland to the occupied territories. However, at the Fianna Fail special ard fheis on Sunday, Mr Martin rejected that the bill would be watered down. When you say watered down I mean, no. In terms of the legislation its acknowledged by all sides and all in relation to this bill that the bill was unconstitutional as drafted, he said. Labour TD Duncan Smith said the move was bitterly disappointing and that soon after the election, it looked like promises would be broken. It was one element of somewhat consensus going into the general election that, as disappointed as we were that it hasnt been enacted already, at least there were commitments, particularly from the two big parties of the Government, that we would see progress early in the new Dail term, he said. Mr Smith said he was concerned that the original intent of the bill would not be reflected in the incoming governments new legislation. Aontu leader Peadar Toibin has defended his decision to join the technical group of Independents Opposition parties are expected to put forward a joint submission to oppose some of the Regional Independents Group sitting in opposition. The row centres on whether a group of Independents who support the Government but are not given government roles can get speaking time in the Dail during opposition slots. The Regional Group of Independents are to get four junior ministerial roles, while Michael Healy-Rae is also in line to become a minister of state. Opposition parties have criticised a move by the remaining four Independents to form a technical group that would give them speaking time in the Dail. Five opposition groups are to make a joint submission to oppose the proposal, saying they are united together in challenging any interpretation of standing orders that would facilitate this. The Regional Independent Group: Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Noel Grealish, Gillian Toole, Michael Lowry, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan and Sean Canney. Photo: PA Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 20th The Labour Party has prepared a draft submission to the Ceann Comhairle that contradicts the claim that the Independents can form a technical group which would "eat into Dail time that is allocated to the opposition". In a statement, a spokesman for Sinn Fein called on the Ceann Comhairle to publish the legal advice received last week. "In order for the Ceann Comhairle to be satisfied that the three Regional Independent TDs should be permitted to form a technical group, she would need to be satisfied that they are "members in opposition"," the statement added. "It is difficult to see how such a conclusion could be reached on any rational basis given that the group participated in government formation talks with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, reached an agreement with those parties on the text of the Programme for Government, members of that group are to become junior ministers in that Government including some who will sit at Cabinet and the lead negotiator on behalf of the Regional Independent Group who now wishes to be recognised as a "member in opposition" has made a public statement to the effect that the group would 'support the next government on the good days and the bad days'." Labour TD Duncan Smith said opposition parties working together to oppose the proposal will have a bigger impact. The whips are working actively on a joint submission, Labour TD Duncan Smith said. We are altogether on this. All our legal advice is more or less saying the same thing as well, which is encouraging, he added. Sinn Fein has also criticised Aontu leader Peadar Toibin for agreeing that his party's two TDs join the technical group of Independents, as it needs a minimum of five TDs to be recognised. "The disgraceful proposition of the group of so-called independents, who authored and negotiated this programme for government, then sitting on the opposition benches is a charade that could not happen were it not for the support of Aontu leader Peadar Toibin," said Sinn Fein TD for Meath West, Johnny Guirke. Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan said: "It is outrageous that regional, Independent TDs, who negotiated a programme for government and intend to wholeheartedly support the incoming administration, are attempting to hijack opposition speaking time in the Dail. "This farce could come to an immediate end if Aontu, whose two TDs are in the regional independent group, left that grouping. "This would bring the number of TDs in that group below the threshold of five TDs, which secures Dail speaking rights." In a statement, Mr Toibin defended the move. "Currently, if you are not in a Technical Group, you have little or no speaking rights," he said. "You have to beg, borrow, and steal one minute here and two minutes there to speak. You have no Leaders' Questions. You have to enter a lottery to question a minister. You have no committee membership in order to hold ministers to account. "Sinn Fein should remember this well, as they were in a similar situation when Caoimhghin O Caolain was their Dail leader. Unfortunately, they seem to have lost their Standing Order reform zeal since those days. "Aontu has always called for the Standing Orders of the Dail to be reformed to allow for each TD to be able to speak in the Dail on an equal basis. This should be the democratic basis of any parliament, and it would prevent the current difficulties." Two men suspected of directing operations for the on-the-run leaders of a violent Drogheda gang have been arrested in a major garda operation this morning. The pair were detained during dawn raids involving the garda armed tactical unit which saw nine properties searched across the Louth town. The searches were carried out as part of an organised crime investigation being led by the Drogheda drugs unit into the anti-Maguire gang. Two males aged in their late 20s were arrested during the raids and are currently being held under anti-gangland legislation. The Irish Independent has learned that both men are suspected of directing operations for the anti-Maguire gang which was previously involved in the Drogheda feud that claimed four lives. The crime group had been feuding with a gang led by Owen Maguire and Cornelius Price, who died in 2023, but the violence was brought to an end following successful garda operations and the death of key figures. However, gardai suspect that the anti-Maguire grouping continue to be involved in drug trafficking and drug violence in the north-east of the country. One of the men in garda custody is a close associate of the two brothers who lead the gang and was previously jailed over a high-profile feud crime. He has also been a key target under Operation Stratus, the garda initiative brought in to dismantle the gang. The other man arrested this morning is also suspected of being a key gang member and a relative of this individual was recently arrested over a drug seizure linked to the mob. Both men arrested were also investigated over an incident in 2023 when an armed gang broke into a home in the town with handguns and stole a car which was later burnt out. A source told the Irish Independent: The two brothers who are the leaders of this gang are still out of the country because they are facing serious charges in Ireland. The two men arrested in todays operation are suspected of directing operations in their absence and are considered senior figures within this organised crime group. Gardai have had significant success against the gang and several people are currently before the courts charged with money laundering offences. Several large drug seizures at airports in recent months have also been linked to the gang. In a statement gardai said that todays arrests are part of an ongoing investigation organised criminal activity in Drogheda, Co Louth and surrounding areas. A garda spokesperson said: As part of Operation Stratus, an ongoing investigation into organised criminal activity and the sale and supply of drugs and associated money laundering in the Drogheda area, Gardai attached to the Divisional Drug Unit conducted a search operation this morning, Tuesday, 21st January, 2025. They were assisted by the Drogheda, Dundalk and Ardee Detective Units, the Armed Response Unit and the Emergency Response Unit. During the operation, nine addresses were searched in Drogheda and two men (both aged in their 20s) were arrested. Both are currently detained under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 at stations in the Garda North Western Region. Investigations are ongoing. Infertility treatment and stigma: Lilah will know shes an IVF baby, why not? It shouldnt be taboo Anna and Will May were overjoyed to welcome their daughter Lilah in 2023 after undergoing IVF treatment, but the process was not without its complications Anna and Will May pictured with their daughter Lilah: Shes perfect and lots of fun. Photo: Tom OHanlon Erin McCafferty Tue 21 Jan 2025 at 03:30 When Anna and Will May married in 2019, they planned to start a family as soon as possible. A man caught carrying a knife in Dublin city centre said it was for opening beer bottles, but a judge described it as a nasty enough looking weapon. Ali Achouri (29) did not realise it was illegal to carry a knife at the time, a court heard. Judge Deirdre Gearty fined him 200. Achouri, with an address at Navan Road, Dublin 15 pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon. Dublin District Court heard gardai stopped a group of men at Talbot Street on January 19 last year. The accused emptied his pockets on request and a garda noted he had a knife clipped on to his belt. Achouri told gardai he had it for opening beer bottles. The court heard the men had not been acting suspiciously, but were just loitering at the time. Achouri was working as a cleaner in a hospital and had never been in trouble before, his barrister Barry Lysaght said. He did not know it was illegal to have the knife on him, but he accepted that was not an excuse. It was a bit more than a bottle opener, now, the judge said. Its a nasty enough looking weapon. Without proper documentation, the evidence of possible war crimes by all sides will be lost in Gaza. Journalists and investigators must now be allowed to travel freely and safely throughout Gaza to document and record human rights violations. The ceasefire is an important step towards ending the current war on Gaza, but the international community must now fulfil its obligations under international law and work to end Israels occupation and control over Palestinian land and lives. There will be no peace without justice, and this requires the international community to ensure that perpetrators of war crimes on all sides are held accountable in line with international law. Unless respect for international law and its institutions are protected then we will continue to bear witness to these cycles of violence and horrendous suffering. This is critical to securing a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel. A durable peace is one that fulfils the legitimate right of Palestinians to self-determination, and protects the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in security and safety. Previous experience tells us that the days preceding a ceasefire often bring some of the deadliest Israeli attacks. Last Wednesday night, as the people of Gaza celebrated the possible end to their 15-month nightmare, aid worker Ihab Fisal (from Trocaire partner organisation Palestinian Centre for Human Rights) was killed along with his wife and two small children by an Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza city in the early hours of the morning. More than 120 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since the announcement of a ceasefire deal, including at least 19 Palestinians on Sunday morning, as they celebrated the day they have been waiting for, for 15 months. Israel citing the reason for these attacks was a three-hour delay in the ceasefire. Palestinians walk past the rubble of houses and buildings. Photo: Reuters The people of Gaza have been here before, when a temporary ceasefire in December 2023 broke down, and the shelling began again. Much like then, our local human rights and humanitarian partners in Gaza have warned that this ceasefire, if it takes hold, will be fragile and does not yet mean a permanent end to hostilities. That will require further negotiations between both sides. We remain optimistic now the first phase of the ceasefire is under way that we will see a halt in fighting. However, Israel has waged a destructive and widespread military assault on Gaza on a scale we have not witnessed in any other conflict in the 21st century, in response to appalling acts of terror by Hamas. Almost the entire population of Gaza is facing extreme hunger, and 345,000 people are estimated to be living in catastrophic famine conditions. During this conflict, over 90pc of the population in Gaza has been displaced multiple times and 87pc of housing units have been destroyed. The United Nations estimates that there are more than 100,000 people wounded. At the same time, 625,000 students have no access to formal education, and more than 17,000 children are unaccompanied or separated from their families. Today, on top of the almost 47,000 dead, thousands more lie beneath the rubble. Although Palestinians will begin to return to what is left of their homes and neighbourhoods for the first time in months, they will still sleep tonight in tents, newborns will run the risk of freezing to death, and people will continue to live with unfathomable loss, permanent disability, and trauma. There is no returning to normal life for the people of Gaza. Displaced Palestinians return to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters Our partners in Gaza, who have continued to deliver services and lifesaving support to the people in the most horrendous circumstances, tell us that their staff will need space to reunite with families they have not seen in 15 months, to search the rubble to bury and grieve their loved ones. They have been displaced multiple times, and many are sleeping in tents. They no longer have offices or homes to return to. In the short term, the immediate surge of humanitarian aid and rehabilitation of civilian infrastructure and utilities is needed, which are critical for saving and protecting lives. For this to happen, Israel has to allow the necessary items to enter Gaza so our partners can respond appropriately. In addition, humanitarian access should be unfettered and allowed to reach all parts of Gaza. Caoimhe de Barra, CEO of Trocaire A growing number of secondary students are being granted exemptions from Irish, yet studying other languages It may be too early to rush to judgment, as the nations first female Ceann Comhairle has had much on her plate since making that pledge on December 18. Such as allowing her Regional Independent Group (RIG) colleagues to have a shilling each way in both government and opposition at the same time. But that one is for another time. A golden age, a revolution in common sense and a promise to stop all wars were just part of the new deal the 47th president of the United States pledged at his inauguration yesterday. In a markedly different tone to the American carnage and rusted-out industrial wastelands that Donald Trump referenced in 2017, Trump 2.0 appeared unrecognisable compared to the original version. Donald Trump at his presidential inauguration in Washington yesterday. Photo: Reuters Donald Trump becomes 47th president of the United States Clearly, Americans are ready to embrace a can do, as opposed to a cant do, vision in a divided country. Yet how such harmony can be maintained on the back of hundreds of draconian executive orders will only be revealed in time. President Trump secured his second chance through one of the most remarkable comeback stories in the history of American politics. He has now forced the world to pay attention to a leader it had written off. We achieved the most epic political victory our country has ever seen, he told his victory rally ahead of his inauguration. In fact, his margin of electoral college victory, 86 votes, was smaller than those of Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George HW Bush. Considering he had overcome impeachments, criminal indictments and two assassination attempts, perhaps a degree of hyperbole may be forgiven. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves But whether history will look as indulgently on an agenda of transformation that includes unprecedented deportations, turbo-charged fossil fuel development and a radical overhaul of the judicial system remains an open question. An aggressive anti-immigration policy, with troops assisting with US-Mexico border security, and an end to birthright citizenship for children born to parents, who have been in the US illegally, has drawn fire. With Republicans in control of both Congress and the Senate, checking any of his ambitions will be difficult. He has pledged to end the Russia-Ukraine war, although on what terms no one knows. He has also vowed to stabilise the Middle East, and rightly won credit for the ceasefire in Gaza. Trump said his legacy will be as a peacemaker, but only time will tell. As of now, the world can only wish him well. How America First goals and Making America Great Again can be integrated in an ever-more interdependent planet will also tell a story. One way or another, Trump will only have two years before the mid-term elections, which determine the final course of a presidency. It was Abraham Lincoln who said America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves, he warned. But the decorum in the Capitol for the inauguration made for a reassuring contrast to the mayhem of four years ago, when Trump refused to accept Joe Bidens victory. America, for all its difficulties, has shown the world its democracy is durable. President Trump has promised a golden age, yet voters have learned to be cautious of all that glisters. Applications are open for Cork engineers to upskill ahead of advancements to Irelands power grid. Munster Technological Universitys Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering successfully hosted the inaugural PowerGRID2025 conference at its Bishopstown Campus earlier this month. The event attracted 100 registered delegates from a broad range of power industries, technology firms, and energy sectors, all gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities of Irelands evolving power grid. With electricity demand increasing and climate action targets in place, the power grid is undergoing a large transformation. Key targets discussed at the conference include: Achieving a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030 through the Climate Action Plan, increasing the integration of renewable energy sources from 75% to 95% by 2030, and supporting a projected rise in Irish electricity demand from 33 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2022 to 56 TWh by 2030, and ultimately 80 TWh by 2050. To accommodate this growth, upgrades to the electricity grid are required, alongside an increasing demand for skilled professionals capable of designing, developing, and operating modern grid systems. In response, MTU, with the support of industrial partners, has invested in its power engineering training facilities. Speaking at the event, Ross Kelly from H&MV commented on the evolving demands of modern digital substations: The skills needed to engineer a modern digital substation are so broad that no one person could know it all, so a new role is needed for a system integrator. This person needs to know a little bit about power systems, AC/DC, Battery/UPS, primary and secondary equipment, SCADA, protection schemes, networking, cyber and Level 3 and 4 commissioning. Applications for the 2025 intake of the Postgraduate Certificate in Smart Sustainable Power Engineering are now open. Interested applicants can apply at Springboard Courses. Gardai are among the key workers facing soaring rents in Dublin. Pic: Stock image/Getty Dubliners strongly support the idea of rent subsidies for key workers such as gardai, teachers and nurses based in Dublin. A new nationwide survey, conducted by Red C, showed growing concern about the impact of Dublins housing crisis on the availability of essential workers. Of the 1,209 participants in the survey, nearly half of them reside in Dublin, and 79pc of those agreed that key workers in the city should receive rent subsidies. A further 89pc of Dubliners believe high rental costs are the biggest obstacle to attracting and retaining key workers in the city. The news comes as Minister for Education Norma Foley confirmed teachers would be among those prioritised for cost-rental accommodation. All of us in government are conscious of the need for greater affordable accommodation for our young people, including young teachers, she said. New cost rental homes can help with this because the rents are around 25pc below the average local market rent. That is why I engaged with my colleague, Minister for Housing Darragh OBrien, in terms of making it possible to put aside significant accommodation for key local workers in new cost rental developments, include teachers. The Housing Miscellaneous Provisions Act is now in place to provide ring fenced opportunities for key local workers, including teachers, in cost rental developments, she added. The proposed rent subsidies will offer teachers long-term rents and stable rental rates at approximately 25pc below the average local rates. This commitment is outlined in the new programme for government, which states the new government will earmark certain cost rental units for key local works. Schools across the capital have consistently cited the high cost of rental accommodation as a major barrier to attracting young teachers. The survey, commissioned by Dublin-based businessman Paschal Taggart, also revealed widespread agreement that housing affordability for key workers in Dublin should be a government priority. The majority of Dubliners (78pc) believe the new government should prioritise making housing more affordable for key workers in the capital. The governments commitment to earmark cost-rental accommodation for key workers, starting with teachers, is a welcome sign, Mr Taggart said. However, this is just the first step. Dublins high rents are placing an unsustainable burden on our citys key workers, threatening not only their ability to live and work in the capital, but also the stability of essential services. Public support for solutions like rent allowances and affordable housing is very strong, both in Dublin and across the country. This escalating crisis, if left unchecked, will undermine the Irish economy in the not-too-distant future. The new government must act on this issue as a priority. Fine Gael included cost-rental housing for frontline workers in their recent General Election manifesto I now urge them to follow through and expand this policy to include all key workers, not just teachers. A recent survey of primary schools by the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), the Irish Primary Principals Network, and the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association, revealed that almost 1,000 teaching vacancies are open nationwide. The survey found that the crisis is particularly acute in Dublin, Wicklow, and Kildare, where more than half of schools reported unfilled posts. A total of 86pc of participants said they were dissatisfied with the Department of Educations response to the teacher supply crisis. Only 16 out of 1,304 participants rated its response as good. INTO General Secretary John Boyle said the findings paint a deeply concerning picture of an enormous crisis. He added that unless immediate action is taken, particularly to address housing and living cost pressures in Dublin and other urban centres, the crisis will worsen. The Department of Education has been contacted for comment. A Dubliners Blue Monday turned into a golden one after he claimed a 40,000 prize in the main Lotto draw. The lucky player, who bought his winning ticket at Shiels Londis, on Yellow Walls Road in Malahide, matched five numbers and the bonus on a draw that took place on December 28, which saw him winning a total of 40,341. It was my Dad who realised it was our numbers when we do play, we always pick our birthdays this time they all turned up! he said. 40,000 is a great amount to share with family and friends. I have a son and daughter both off to college next year, this will help fund college for both of them. Meanwhile, there were two other lucky players in Cork and Clare, with the rebel county punter scooping over 55,000 after matching 5 numbers on the Euromillions draw which took place on January 10. The lucky player purchased their quick pick ticket from Supervalu, Strand Street in Kanturk, which saw them win a total of 55,998. I usually pick my own numbers; this time I decided to go with a Quick Pick I am so glad I did! I didnt know I had won at all, they said. I went back to the same shop to have my ticket checked, when the cashier told me I had won big. It is still yet to sink in Beating the January blues too was a Clare player who claimed a top prize of 30,000 on a Cashword Doubler scratchcard. This is the players second time winning a high-tier prize on the Cashword Doubler scratchcard, claiming 15,000 in 2017. The player purchased the scratchcard in Tierneys Costcutter, Tulla Road, Ennis, Co Clare. I scratched the card in the car. When I got home, I said to my wife, We have to go back to Dublin, weve won again! This is great news to receive in the New Year as we have a couple of home renovations planned now we can finally get started, he said. The EuroMillions jackpot tonight has rolled forward to an estimated 85m. Radio presenter Shireen Langan is on the hunt for a stand-in boyfriend after she accidentally booked a couples photoshoot at the Cliffs of Moher. Spin1038 host Shireen (30), was contacted by a photographer to take part, and agreed to it before realising it was meant to be a couples experience. The shoot is taking place just before Valentines, so rather than cancelling the experience, Shireen is grabbing this opportunity in the hope of finding love. The Dundrum woman has enlisted the help of co-host, Jamie Maguire, who will be conducting on-air interviews to tease out an eligible bachelor to be her stand-in boyfriend. These photographers travel all around the world. They said theyre coming to Ireland and theyd love to have me participate in a photoshoot at the Cliffs of Moher, Ms Langan said. We arranged the date and time, then they asked me to wear a dress and if my partner could wear a suit. I thought, oh no, whats happening? I looked them up and it was all couples from all around the world. But then I was thinking, its a week before Valentines Day, maybe I could find someone? Were announcing it on Spin. Jamies going to be interviewing people, but then were also going to do a live blind date event in Marconi House. Theres going to be three people picked out of everyone we get over the week. Theyre going to be on one side of the curtain, and Im going to be on the other side. My biggest fear is that no one will come forward or theyll pull out at the last minute. The biggest thing Ill be looking for is just someone who wants to have a bit of fun. Through this experiment, part of me is like, I could meet someone cool, she added. Shireen says the dating scene in Dublin can be difficult, and is hoping this social experiment will help her out. Most of my friends are settled down. A couple of the girls are single, so Im not the only one left in the group, because that would be quite hard, she said. Dating in Ireland, I find the biggest thing we do is online dating. The apps just arent for me. I tried them a few times, downloaded them, deleted them again. I do struggle with it for sure. I dont know where to meet people. Do I join a club? How do people meet people nowadays? I wouldnt be the biggest night scene person either. When I lived in America, men would just walk up to you in a coffee shop and ask for your number. That just doesnt happen here. I haven't met anyone new in a while. A lot of people would say, Youre on the radio, there must be lots of people in your DMs. But theres not. The photoshoot is taking place on February 8, and Shireen and Jamie will be giving updates on Spin from 7pm until 10pm, Monday to Thursday Brigit festival tour celebrates the forgotten women of 1916 Nicola Carroll, founder of Artful Tours and guide on The Forgotten Women of the 1916 Rebellion A tour highlighting the role of women in the 1916 Rising, is being held as part of this years Brigit festival celebrations in Dublin. Nicola Carroll, founder of Artful Tours, is the guide on The Forgotten Women of the 1916 Rebellion, exploring the lives of Dr Kathleen Lynn, Helena Maloney and Linda Kearns, among others. The tour will be running as part of Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women, which is running from Friday, January 31, to Monday, February 3. Nicolas tour takes you through key locations of the 1916 Rising, including City Hall and the GPO, exploring the lives of some of the 77 women who participated, but have been largely forgotten. There were about only 700 rebels in total in 1916, of whom about 77 were women, she said. They must have been very special people because there was so much against them getting involved in an armed struggle, because it was seen as being something so unladylike at the time. The Irish rebels themselves, particularly Eamon DeValera, did not want women involved, they actively discouraged them. James Connolly was an incredible feminist. If he had survived and been our leader, not Eamon DeValera, wed have a completely different country. He believed in equality. He treated everybody exactly the same. The only one of the leaders of 1916 that would allow women to use a gun was Connolly. Eamon DeValera didnt want women to even hold them. Imagine how disappointed these women were after that fight and then DeValera writing that women belong in the home in the Constitution. They must have been absolutely devastated. He put the marriage bar into place, the 1930s must have been so depressing to be a woman, to be a feminist in Ireland. They were so brave to get involved and then they were let down after. Theres Helena Maloney, Linda Kearns, all these names, they all did incredible things. After 1916, they must have been extremely disappointed about what happened after they sacrificed so much, she added. Women who fought in 1916 werent paid a pension while the men were, as it was considered a mans job. It took until 1938 for the women who were involved in 1916 to get a pension, Nicola said. The new Irish Government didnt give them a pension because they said, well, theyre not soldiers, theyre women. Some of the women involved in 1916 kept fighting for that pension. It was a long fight for them. The tour highlights how these women risked their lives, not only in combat, but in the daily struggles that defined the new Irish Republic they helped shape. A name I think people are familiar with is Constance Markievicz, theres two statues to her in Dublin. There are about 50 public statues in Dublin, of which only four of them are of women, and two of the four of Constance Markievicz, she said. Theres also a plaque to nurse Elizabeth OFarrell, who was the woman who brought the actual surrender letter to the British in 1916. Theres a place called Elizabeth OFarrell Park named after her on the Quays. Rosie Hackett was incredibly involved, and she has a bridge named after her, which is great. There are other women, like Winnie Carney, Julia Grennan, a lot of these women would have had medical backgrounds. Dr Kathleen Lynn was eventually made the leader of the group that was in City Hall during 1916 because the leader was shot. She went on to become the State doctor after 1916. Nicolas favourite woman to speak about is Margaret Skinnider, a young Scottish schoolteacher who became a marksman for the rebels. She was only about 19, but was an expert shot. She was Scottish. She learned how to shoot when she was in Scotland. Ironically, the British taught her how to shoot. She came over to Ireland because of James Connolly. She was a maths teacher originally. She was in the GPO most of the time. She dressed as a young boy. She found she could get around easier and wasnt stopped as much. She was shot in the back three times during 1916, but survived, stayed on in Ireland afterwards and went back to teaching. She would have been very involved in the fight to get the pension for the women of 1916. A lot of those women would have been given the job as a runner, so dangerous. But it was easier to camouflage a woman because youd have a woman just walking along the street and people didnt really notice women. If it was a woman wearing a long skirt walking along, theyd think shes getting the groceries or something innocent, whereas these women during 1916 would have had guns in their skirts and carried explosives in their hats. Novelist and former Minister of State, Liz McManus, celebrates her graduation from University of Limerick. Photo: Arthur Ellis It was a proud day for award-winning writer and former Minister of State Liz McManus who celebrated her graduation from University of Limerick on Tuesday. Liz, who served in Dail Eireann for 19 years two-and-a-half of which she spent as Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal was conferred with a PhD in Creative Writing, joining 1,705 others graduating as part of the Universitys winter conferring ceremonies. It was the end of an amazing experience for Liz, who originally qualified and worked as an architect before entering politics. Writing was always a passion for the mother-of-four, who wrote a column for the Sunday Tribune for several years before publishing her debut novel, Acts of Subversion. Following her retirement in 2011, she undertook an MPhil in Creative Writing at Trinity College Dublin, going on to publish two more novels the latest of which, When Things Come to Light, was published in 2023. Liz said she was encouraged by a friend, Lia Mills who had previously completed the PhD in Creative Writing to come to UL. The draw of studying under the tutelage of her supervisors, Professor Joseph OConnor and Professor Tina OToole, played a significant role in her decision. Here I was, with these two very fine academics standing by me like two guardian angels that is a very privileged position to be in, said Liz. For her creative dissertation, she chose to trace the history of modern Ireland through fiction. She studied the work of Irish resistance writers Liam OFlaherty, Sam Thompson and May Morton, producing a series of short stories spanning the 100 years of Irish independence, from 1919 right up to the pandemic. It is a testament to Lizs talent and dedication that at her viva the final hurdle of the PhD process she achieved something incredibly rare by passing with no corrections. It was a terrific experience, and I know not everyone feels that way, she said. You get to a certain age, to tell you the truth, where you become a little bit invisible. So, when you have two academics that you think highly of Donal Ryan and Glenn Patterson taking your work terribly seriously, and reading every inch of it, its kind of satisfying. The PhD process was not without its challenges, with self-proclaimed technophobe Liz admitting that the technical and formatting aspects of the work proved tricky at times. However, she is adamant that budding scholars should embrace the journey at any age and stage. People look at me aghast when I tell them Ive just done a PhD, and I just want to say its big, but its not that big a thing that you couldnt do it To have the resource of a university, a library, academic teachers who are going to be there for you thats a rich resource. Follow Independent Limerick on Facebook And it seems the journey was just as enjoyable for Lizs supervisors, with Professor Joseph OConnor describing her as an immense pleasure to work with. I learned a great deal from working with her and we had many a laugh, too, along the way, becoming good pals, Professor OConnor said. Liz achieved the very rare accolade of passing her viva with no corrections. Extern Glenn Patterson of Queens University Belfast and internal examiner, my friend and colleague Donal Ryan, praised Liz's work as exceptional. To receive this response from two such internationally acclaimed authors and teachers is a well-deserved tribute to Liz's gift." Looking to the future, Liz hopes to publish her dissertation and share the fruits of her PhD with the world, while a memoir is also in the works. I decided to write it partly for my own family, but also, because one of the things I realised when I was doing the PhD was the mammoth changes that have occurred in Ireland that I have not just witnessed but, in a way, been a participant in and thats worth recording. Roscommon priest Fr Donal Morris has been remembered at his funeral as a loyal friend who had a wicked sense of humour. Fr Donal Morris, who was a native of Co Roscommon and the Parish Priest of Kilbegnet and Glinsk, died on Thursday, January 16, 2025 after battling an illness in recent times. He was the youngest Irish-born priest of the Diocese of Elphin. In a con-celebrated funeral mass on Monday afternoon at The Church of St Patrick, Ballinaheglish, Fr Jim Murray led the mass accompanied by fellow priests and Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran. During the homily, Fr Murray told the large congregation that Fr Morris was ordained in the same church almost 20 years ago in June, 1995. He said much had been recorded since that day and Donal had been forced to grapple with ill health in recent times. Fr Murray said Fr Morris family was deeply important to him and his family had the gift of sharing his journey with him. Donal was first and foremost your son, your brother, your uncle and your friend. As a family, I always felt that you had a caring, loving, supportive and real relationship with Donal. "It was obvious that that relationship worked in both directions Donal loved all of you. "He often spoke of you with affection and love, and sometimes he gave out about you. but he always appreciated the open door that was in your homes, said Fr Murray. Fr Murray said Fr Morris always set out to improve the spirit of his parish community and he took a deep interest in his parishioners. "Since I became friends with Donal in Maynooth, I got to know a man who had a deep faith in God fought out in a sometimes uncertain world. "He was a loyal friend who valued friendship and relationships. "Living out his ministry in a parish setting was very important. "The word ordination, believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you preach was engraved in the ministry of Fr Donal. "He had the ability to make and maintain friends in the parish. "He was interested in others your story, your journey, said Fr Murray. Fr Murray said Fr Morris lived by a code of truth and justice surrounded by Gospel values while the congregation heard that Fr Morris kept in contact with many priests and friendships were important to him. Fr Murray said Fr Morris had a 'wicked sense of humour and he was a lively character with a deep personal sense of how to deal with people at events. Following the funeral Mass, Fr Morris remains were taken from the church to Oran Cemetery for burial. Fr Morris grew up in the Ballinaheglish Church Area, in the Parish of Oran, where his parents Kathleen and Eamonn still live. He studied at CBS Roscommon and, following his leaving certificate, began his journey to priesthood by undertaking the pre-seminary formation year at Donamon, in the same parish where he has served for the past five years. He subsequently completed his formation for the Priesthood at St. Patricks College, Maynooth and was ordained on June 4, 1995. Fr Morris first assignment was as a curate in Kilmurry in the Parish of Tulsk, after which he served as Chaplain at Castlerea Prison for seven years. On completing his service in the prison, Donal was assigned to the parish of Knockcroghery, and later to St. Josephs Parish, Boyle. In 2014 he was assigned as Administrator to the parish of Loughglynn. Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran said he offers his condolences and prayers to Fr Morris parents, as well as to Donals beloved sisters and brother, nieces and nephews and his wider family. In a tribute posted online, Bishop Doran said, His final assignment was to the Parish of Kilbegnet and Glinsk where, in spite of his declining health, he gave himself very generously in the service of his parishioners up to the time of his death. St Paul tells us that there are many gifts, but all from the same Spirit. One of Donals gifts, which was already noticed during his years in seminary, was his preoccupation with doing things properly. "This was probably one of the reasons for his decision to undertake studies in Canon Law, graduating with an MA from Milltown Institute and a JCL from the University of Leuven. "He could be formal, and he could be challenging, but he also had a great sense of humour, said Bishop Doran. Fr Morris had been unwell for some time and Bishop Doran said he carried his illness with great courage. Bishop Doran continued, As he commented recently, there was no point in speaking words of faith at the death-beds of others, if he didnt reflect that faith in his own dying. "He deeply appreciated the care that was given to him, especially in the Hawthorne Unit at St. Vincents Private Hospital, which he jokingly described as his local. The Diocesan identity was important to Donal. "He was instrumental in procuring vestments with the Diocesan crest for all the priests, so that we would be well turned out for special occasions. "He was always very concerned that those who had served as priests in the past would not be forgotten after they died. We will certainly not forget him anytime soon. As I offer condolences on behalf of the Diocese to Donals family and to his fellow priests, I also want to mention his parishioners in Kilbegnet and Glinsk. "I had the privilege of celebrating Mass with them last Sunday, which was offered for Fr Donal, and I know that they will greatly miss him. May he rest in peace, concluded Bishop Doran. Fr Morris death notice reads, Mourned by his parents Eamon and Kathleen, brother Edward, sisters Carol (Fox), Catriona (Hynes) and Audrey (Morris), their spouses Michelle, Ronan, Denis and Enda, his nieces Rachel, Roisin, Aoife, Cora and Aoibhinn, nephews Daniel, Ruairi, Tommy, Fionn and Liam, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives, friends and friends in California. Donal is also mourned by Bishop Doran, his brother priests in the diocese of Elphin and elsewhere. Yeats Winter School Director James Pethica giving a reading by the graveside of W.B Yeats at last year's Yeats Winter School based at the Sligo Park Hotel. Pic: Donal Hackett. Theatre, live music, talks and lots more are on the agenda this week in Sligo with plenty of events to tickle your fancy. Why not see January out in style by getting along to one of these wonderful local events. YOUNG SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE The Theme Night Academy presents the 6th annual Young Songwriters Showcase on Sunday, January 26 at Hawks Well Theatre. This event will feature the finest in songwriting talent from young songwriters, who have been helped along the way by local songwriting legend Steve Wickham. LIP SYNC BATTLE Join the Stars of the Coolera Peninsula and beyond, as they take on the Lip Sync Challenge on Saturday January 25 in Radisson Blu Hotel, Rosses Point. This event is Coolera Strandhills annual fundraiser in aid of the Club and North West Hospice, in recognition and support of the tremendous work they do. HANSEL AND GRETEL After a five-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the much-loved Sligo Hospital Pantomime is back with an exciting production of Hansel & Gretel at Hawks Well Theatre from January 22-25. This years return comes with mixed emotions for the cast and crew, as they remember their late co-director, Deirdre Staunton, who passed away last year. This event is a sell-out but keep an eye on social media where there may be tickets floating about. BARRY KIRWAN AND BAND Big Band Dance is back at The Sligo Park Hotel this weekend, and this months edition sees Barry Kirwan come to town. These monthly events have proven to be hugely popular. The event takes place on Sunday, January 26 at the Sligo Park Hotel. Doors open at 8pm. Admission is 15. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Join Hawks Well Theatre as the Transition Year students of Ursuline College Sligo bring to life Disneys High School Musical. With unforgettable songs, energetic dances, and an inspiring message of friendship and self-expression, this production promises a feel-good night that celebrates talent, teamwork, and staying true to who you are. See it on Tuesday, January 28 and Wednesday, January 29. THE LEGACY OF HARRY FERGUSON Bill Forsythe, co-founder of the Harry Ferguson Celebration Committee, will give a talk entitled: The Legacy of Harry Ferguson at Sligo Park Hotel on Thursday, January 23. Bill Forsythes early career as a mechanic working in Dromore, County Down, led him to an interest in classic tractors and cars. He says that the simplicity of the Ferguson tractor was a dream to work on. MAMMYS BOY Skreen/Dromard drama group present Mammys Boy, a hilarious comedy by Jimmy Keary, on Saturday January 25 at Culfadda Community Centre. Doors open at 7:30, play starts 8pm sharp. Tickets priced 15 . For further enquiries on where to purchase tickets, WhatsApp - Culfadda Community Centre on 087 4832762. Tickets will be limited for seating purposes. DS DRESSES LAUNCH PARTY DS Dresses will be hosting a launch party this Friday at 7pm at The Nest. There will be a giveaway on the night, and a chance to see some brand new designs. Refreshments will also be served. CREATIVE WORKSHOPS As bad of the Brid Festival, a St Brigid lantern making workshop will take place with Sligo Woodland School this Saturday, January 25. This is a free event, but booking is required. Book via https://www.sligowoodlandschool.com/ YEATS WINTER SCHOOL The Sligo Park Hotel will welcome Yeats enthusiasts from around Ireland and overseas this weekend. The three-day programme of events celebrating the life and work of poet William Buter Yeats and his brother, the painter Jack Butler Yeats, will take place at the hotel from January 24-26. The Yeats Winter School allows visitors the opportunity to learn more about W.B. Yeats and his family, by providing a basis for reading, exploring and thinking about Yeats poetry. Judge Brian O'Shea was speaking at Cashel District Court during a drink driving case involving a man whose native language was not English A District Court judge has warned that evidence obtained from a defendant by using Google Translate is hearsay which could be challenged in court. Boncho Asenov was disqualified from driving at Cashel District Court for a combined total of three years in relation to motoring offences. Mr Asenov, with an address at the Old Dublin Road, Cahir, Co Tipperary, was observed by Garda Gemma Grogan at The Mall, Cahir, on September 20, 2024. Garda Grogan told Judge Brian OShea that she was on patrol in Cahir when she observed a driver turn into a street but he failed to indicate. The driver turned into the Mall and again failed to indicate. Garda Grogan said she activated the blue flashing lights and stopped Mr Asenov. She performed a search and observed that an open bottle of beer was present in the vehicle. Mr Asenov appeared nervous, she said. Mr Asenov underwent a breath test which showed a fail result. Garda Grogan said she had to use Google Translate to communicate with the driver. Mr Asenov was subsequently arrested and placed in the back of a garda car. They arrived at Cahir garda station at 3.15pm. Mr Asenov later provided two specimens of breath which showed a reading of 22 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 22 microgrammes .Judge OShea said he found the facts proven. Mr Asenov was fined 500 and disqualified from driving for one year in relation to a drink driving offence. He was fined 200 and banned from driving for two years in relation to no insurance. A charge of not having a driving licence was taken into account. Judge OShea noted that the evidence obtained using Google Translate is hearsay evidence, but the accused is not here and did not contest that evidence. Wexford Macra na Feirme had a great and educational experience on a recent visit to the EU Parliament in Brussels, which was hosted and sponsored by Cynthia Ni Mhurchu, MEP. During their time in Brussels they received an in-depth tour and learned about the inner workings of the Parliament. As well as that, the young members were given the opportunity to to engage with several key figures, including Cynthia Ni Mhurchu (MEP, feistier Eorpach, Renew Europe, Cathaoirleach), Billy Kelleher (MEP & First Vice President Renew Europe), Barry Cowen (MEP Renew Europe), Liam McHale (IFA, Director of European Affairs), and Felix Mittermaye (European Parliaments, Administrator in the AGRI Secretariat). Wexford Macra members also contributed, with Eddie Casey presenting on his PhD research concerning the environment, soils and land use. Cliona OLeary also addressed topics such as the importance of succession planning, the derogation, and TB in herds, while Tom Devereux highlighted the critical issue of mental health among young people and farmers, focusing on the Make the Moove initiative. Make the Moove is a farmer driven, farmer led organisation that provides support and assistance, while raising awareness surrounding mental health issues within the industry. The trip was not all work, as outside of their visit the group enjoyed a day trip to Bruges, exploring the Christmas Markets, and experiencing all that Brussels had to offer. Members of Macra na Feirme Wexford in the EU Parliament in Brussels. Sinead Kinsella, PRO, said they hope that trips like this will encourage more young Irish people to get involved in their community groups and have their voices heard on important issues. "We would like to sincerely thank Cynthia and her team for facilitating this visit. It was a fantastic opportunity to engage with our MEPs, share valuable knowledge and have meaningful conversations. As young Irish citizens, having our voices heard at the heart of European decision-making was truly and unforgettable and empowering experience for us all, she said. Wexford has been dealt a major blow on Tuesday with news that global employer BNY Mellon is to close its office in the town. The global financial firm employs approximately 310 employees in the Drinagh office, on the outskirts of Wexford town. There had been widespread reports in recent days that jobs at the firm were in jeopardy. These fears were confirmed on Tuesday morning following a meeting between management and staff where the company has confirmed that it is closing its Wexford office. BNY established a presence in Ireland in 1994 and services global clients from offices in Cork, Dublin and Wexford. It is believed that the Cork and Dublin sites are not affected by today's developments. "At BNY we continually evaluate our real estate footprint to ensure we are operating efficiently. We are intending to close our Wexford office. We remain committed to serving our clients and relationships in the Irish market and internationally," the company said on Tuesday. The company said they will not be commenting during the employee collective consultation process, but it is understood around 5pc of the Wexford workforce will be offered the chance to work remotely, with the remaining 95pc being told their jobs are to be relocated or made redundant. Speaking to the Wexford People on Tuesday afternoon following the official announcement, a member of staff at the BNY Wexford branch said: Everyone's in a bit of shock. Its a blow and Im p*****d, for want of a better word, the parent-of-one said. If we get the option of moving to Dublin or redundancy, I mean, our families and homes are here. If I wanted to be in Dublin, I would have gone to Dublin. Our doctors are here. My childs school's here. Everything's here, we've got a life going in here in Wexford. The staff member also outlined that, despite the announcement, their fate is still undecided as consultations are to take place in February regarding exactly how many are to be kept on. Its still very much the case that no one knows anything, and even though theyve said whats going on, were still left in the dark and staff are going to have to scramble to look for a job in Wexford. It's not fair. They should have announced this better, or given people more warning, but instead its been lumped on our lap. It kind of makes you realise that you are replaceable very quickly in companies, they said. All staff have been asked by management to resume with business as usual in a professional manner, while it is understood that staff were not afforded the opportunity to ask questions at Tuesday's meeting. Reacting to the announcement, Wexford Labour Party TD George Lawlor, said the situation is appalling for the workforce. The manner in which the staff have been treated here is appalling. The rumours have been circulating for months about this, and to announce today that less than 5% will work from home and some of the rest will be offered redundancy, and some of the remaining workforce will be asked to relocate to Dublin if they have an Ireland only contract, it is a huge blow to the workers and their families and a huge blow to the economy of Wexford. I certainly will be calling on the newly instated enterprise minister, whoever he or she may be, to come to Wexford to meet, in the first instance, with the BNY management here locally and then globally, to discuss the situation, because it would appear that Cork or Dublin are not affected by this. The BNy Mellon offices at Drinagh, Wexford. Today's News in 90 seconds - 21st January 2025 If the statement from the [current] Minister is to be believed last night, it is really difficult to understand what the difference between Wexford, Cork and Dublin is, he continued. We have a very skilled workforce, a highly talented workforce, and the workforce that need to be reinstated in either the BNY Mellon plant in Wexford, if this could be reversed, or a new equivalent business to be attracted to Wexford, because this workforce is something I know that employers would be only too delighted to hold on to. On Monday, Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said: "Our thoughts are with the affected workers at this difficult time, and I can confirm that all available supports from Government and from our agency the IDA will be made available to impacted staff," he said. Also speaking on the matter, Independent Wexford county councillor Leonard Kelly said that this is a devastating blow to Wexford, and that the closure is going to be quite traumatic for some staff and their families. Id encourage the staff to talk to professionals if theyre starting to notice that general mood or well being has been impacted by what is happening, whether it be a counsellor or career guidance coach or life coach in terms of getting the best advice that they can to allow them to move forward, said Cllr Kelly. This is a major trauma for so many people there, and the future will seem uncertain for many but with the correct supports, it is something that they can move forward with, as we acknowledge that this is something that is incredibly sad for each and every person involved, and obviously for Wexford itself to see high quality jobs lost. American multinational Amazon has confirmed it is installing a new sub-sea fibre optic cable system off the Wexford coast and said it will donate 50,000 to local communities this year through a fund set up in 2023. Responding to concerns raised by cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) Councillor Jim Codd, spokesperson for Amazon Web Services (AWS), Richard Scannell, said: In terms of AWS support for the local community in the Kilmore Quay area, we established a community fund of 50,000 at end of 2022/start of 2023. Six separate local groups received funding for projects, which were subsequently rolled out in 2023 and 2024. AWS is, for example, actively engaged with the local secondary school (Bridgetown College) and we provide free STEM workshops for classes there via our mobile Think Big space. We now intend to make another 50,000 available for further community support in 2025. Mr Scannells statement came after Cllr Codd raised the issue of cables coming ashore at a council meeting in October. At that meeting, Cllr Codd queried what benefit the people of Kilmore Quay were receiving from a project potentially worth millions, led by the Jeff Bezos-owned company. Were talking about companies that are more profitable than small countries; what agreement have we with those companies, what benefit to the community is this? he asked in October. I want complete transparency, I want to know where theyre coming ashore, what the deal was with them coming ashore, and how much is the community getting? We welcome the business, but if we have companies coming ashore onto our beaches we want to know what the benefit is for the community. I want this investigated. How much are they paying? Explaining the purpose of the project and how it will work, Mr Scannell said it involves the installation of a new optical fibre cable that will connect Kilmore Quay to South Wales. This cable will (subject to all necessary permission being received) remove and replace a now out-of-service ESAT cable that previously connected Kilmore Quay to Cornwall. The installation will involve minimal disruption as it will reuse the existing duct infrastructure that housed the ESAT cable. There will be no interference with privately held land and all necessary permissions and permits will be secured in advance of any works. This is a really important piece of digital infrastructure for Ireland will support the countrys thriving tech sector. Kilmore Quay itself has a long history of subsea telecommunications infrastructure as its both the landing area for the Solas and Pan European Crossing cable system. Arklow will take giant steps towards a goal of becoming an autism-friendly town on Wednesday, January 22, when the Arklow Bay Hotel hosts a public meeting to discuss a plan of action and get the conversation started as a community. Organised by a provisional committee of community members with a vested interest in driving local autism and disability services, the landmark meeting will discuss how Arklow can create an inclusive community by removing the barriers that autistic people and their families face daily and giving everyone the same chance to participate fully and meaningfully in the community. Bray native Redmond OToole makes a welcome return to Mermaid with a concert exploring some of the most sublime and beautiful music of the late twentieth century. Redmond will debut an entirely new programme celebrating the work of some of the greatest composers of our time including Arvo Part, Phillip Glass and John Cage. Friday, January 24 at 8pm. Drawing course A six-week drawing course takes place in Kilcoole Community Centre, from Wednesday, January 29, at 2pm. Proven drawing techniques and methods will enable you to accurately draw from observation, from photos/artwork, and from your own memory and imagination. Nicola has been an art teacher for many years and is also the author of You Too Can Draw. Price is 150. Contact Nicola at 085 7396219 or nic1.sedgwick@gmail.com Bray Youth Club Queen of Peace Adventure Youth Club is preparing a new adventure programme, but it can only be delivered to members if the club has enough volunteers to help out. The club has an urgent need for more leaders, especially females. If anyone can spare two to three hours once a week, or even less frequently, to help out it would be appreciated. Call Paul on 086 3516630, or Mike on 089 0855151 for more information. Bray Library Bray Library opens from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, with late opening on Tuesday and Thursday until 8.30pm. If you fancy a new book club for 2025, the Literary Book Club meets on the last Thursday of the month at 7pm, and the Library Romance Book Club meets at 7pm on the first Tuesday of the month. If crime is your thing, the Crime Book Club meets on the second Tuesday at 7pm. Diving club Bray Divers Sub-aqua Club are hoping to start new divers courses early in January. Persons of fourteen years of age and upwards are welcome to join. The club is eager to bring in other social and educational activities to brighten the winter. Call 087 6756439 for details and you could be a qualified diver within weeks. Shankill Music Club The next meeting is on Wednesday, January 8 2025 at the usual time of 7.45pm to 10 pm, including a tea break, in the Shankill Day Centre, Lower Road, Shankill (100 yds from the Main Street, car parking available). The February meeting will be on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. The music will be as always a varied programme of classical music on CDs, covering many genres orchestral, instrumental, vocal, opera etc in a friendly setting. Visitors and new members are always welcome. You dont need to be an expert. Theres no charge on the night. For further information on joining in, phone or text John at 087-2109175. Open Mic El Troubadours Open Mic Night takes place at the function room in Butler & Barry, Strand Road, Bray, 8-10 p.m. every Wednesday. Cancer Support Greystones and District Cancer Support provide various support services to those affected by cancer and their families in Greystones, Delgany, Kilcoole, Newcastle and Newtownmountkennedy. They offer a range of support services, classes and therapies. You can contact the office at 01 287 1601, email info@greystonescancersupport.com or visit greystonescancersupport.com. Drama Festival The 46th Bray One-Act Drama Festival has begun in the Mermaid Theatre Bray, and will run until Saturday, February 1, 2025. Curtain up at 7.30pm, nightly. Delgany ICA The Delgany Guild ICA team have their monthly meeting happening at 8pm every first Thursday in the Kilian House Family Centre, drama on Mondays from 2pm to 4pm, crafts on Wednesdays from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and a book club gathering every last Thursday at 10.45am. Rathdown Bridge A new Bridge club has opened at Greystones Bridge Centre, Victoria Road each Tuesday, from 10am until 1pm. Established players and beginners are both most welcome and lessons are available. Details of membership from: johnstaffordfennell@gmail.com. Dargle Bridge Club Dargle Bridge Clubs new season has begun again and takes place each Wednesday at 7.20pm. Play finishes approx. 10.30pm. Membership is 20 and 5 per night table money. Venue is the Open Door Day Centre, Vevay Road. For further details see darglebridgeclub.com, or phone Michael on 087 9480151, or Anne on 087 2399457. A new novice section has also been added to the club for any newcomers. Sanctuary Runners The Bray Sanctuary Runners Walk and Talk group meets at 7pm at Queen of Peace Church car park, Putland Road, Bray, on the last Thursday of the month. If a run is more your thing by way of a winter warmer, go to The Esplanade Hotel on Saturdays at 11.30am. Open Door Day Centre The Open Door Day Centre operates Monday to Friday on Vevay Road, Bray. Open Door provides facilities and activities for adults with physical disabilities as a result of multiple sclerosis, stroke, motor neurone disease, spina bifida, road accidents. Call 01 286 7123, email info@opendoor.ie. Garda clinic The community policing clinic is held every Monday from 6 pm to 8pm in the Kilcoole Community Centre. The clinic is there for members of the public to drop in and for crime prevention advice, to get help with forms, such as passports stamped and driving licences, as well as other Garda services that can be attended to by Gda Molly Corbett. Parkinsons Support Theres a Parkinsons Support Group meeting every first and third Friday of the month at the Holy Rosary Church from 3pm to 5pm, with everyone welcome to drop in for a coffee and a chat. Theres also Musical Memories sessions, which take place every Friday at St Patricks Church from 11.30am to 12.45pm and everyone is free to join in. Ballywaltrim Library Storytime for All takes place on Saturday mornings in the library at 11,30am and at 11.30am and on Tuesdays in July and August no booking is required to attend. Tummy Time for Babies takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10.30am to 12pm when babies can play beneath the Magic Tables Projections. All are welcome no booking is required. Adult Scrabble takes place every Monday from 3pm to 4.30pm. Lakers volunteers Lakers supports adults and children with intellectual disabilities and runs over 60 activities a week for its 400 members, and growing. For this reason, volunteers are encouraged to take part in training opportunities. You can email info@lakers.ie for details. Mens Sheds Bray Mens Shed is now full. Greystones Mens Shed meets on Mondays at 77 Rathdown Park, from 7.30 p.m. Contact Jim Rice at 089 254 0586. Dementia Support Wicklow Dementia Support is seeking volunteers to become a friend to someone with dementia. The organisation is also looking for volunteers for a new group in the Villa Pacis Centre (Queen of Peace), Bray, each Wednesday, 10.30am-12.30pm. Contact: info@wicklowdementiasupport.org or call Kate on 0851345128. Country Market Over at the Newcastle Community Centre every Saturday, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, you can catch the long-running North Wicklow Country Market (started in 1970). Youth Cafe Greystones Youth Cafe, at Collnagreina, offers teenagers some time to mix and chat every Wednesday from 3pm to 5pm and Friday from 7pm to 9pm, plus Mondays, 7pm to 9pm, for fourth to sixth years. GARA Activities Greystones Active Retirement Association is on Mondays, with yoga at 1.15pm and art at 2.30pm. On Tuesdays its bowling at 10.45am. Classes in Kilian House, Holy Rosary Church, Greystones.. Katie Hughes of Bray held a 21st birthday party to savour in the Sandyford House, where she and her guests were joined by some of her favourite characters from Star Wars. Katie has a complex set of special needs but she volunteers in the new Irish Deaf Society charity shop in Bray, attends the National Learning Network in Stillorgan and is a member of Lakers for Special Needs in Bray. She made sure that everyone she knew got an invitation to her special event. Katie is also a member of the 501st Ireland Garrison. The 501st Legion is an all-volunteer, non-profit international Star Wars costuming club whose aims are to raise money for charities, to support community events and promote the franchise by making appearances that represent all eras of the Star Wars saga. When the Garrison heard about Katie's 'A Night at the Movies' costume party, they were more than happy to sign up for this very special troop. What a surprise the party guests got when they were welcomed by characters including Kylo Ren and Bo-Katan. Katie joined by two of her inter-galactic buddies. Katie is deaf, she has Autistic Spectrum Disorder and a Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Her dream is to work backstage, in film or theatre, as an assistant to a makeup artist and to meet Johnny Depp. She has a passion for costuming and character makeup and, although she has an approved 501st Jawa costume, she decided on Johnny Depp's version of Sweeney Todd for her party outfit. She also dressed her mum, Carol, as another of her Johnny Depp favourites, Captain Jack Sparrow. The party kicked off on Sunday, January 12, with everyone being welcomed by the Star Wars characters. There was dancing, party food, cake, goody bags and Katie also had a photo booth on the day to ensure that all her guests were able to take home a memento of the occasion. She says she can't wait to do it all again next year. Public consultation on plans to progress two projects on the N81 in west Wicklow commence near the end of the month, with an in-person meeting with the project team due to take place in Baltinglass. Wicklow County Council, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, appointed Roughan & ODonovan (ROD) as the lead consultant to progress both projects. The N81 Whitestown Lower Project and the N81 Hangmans Bend and Tuckmill Project, aim to address road deficiencies contributing to the poor road safety record on the network. The project team are progressing the planning and design of the project in accordance with the TII Project Management Guidelines. The project is currently at phase 2, which includes the development and assessment of options. Kildare National Roads Office and the Department of Transport are also involved with both projects. The N81 Whitestown Lower project is approximately 2km long extending from the Castleruddery Junction to the south to the Ballylion Junction to the north. The N81 Hangmans Bend Scheme and Tuckmill project is approximately 4km long extending from Raheen Junction to the south to Hangmans Bend to the north. Members of the project team will be present to provide guidance and answer any questions at an open public consultation taking place as part of phase two at Inis Fail Germaines, Main Street, Baltinglass from 2pm to 8pm on Thursday, January 30. The public, stakeholders and interested parties are invited to attend and view the emerging preferred options and all project related information at this second non statutory public consultation for the N81 improvement Scheme. This second non-statutory consultation event provides an opportunity for feedback and observations to be submitted regarding the process and conclusions reached to date, which may inform the further development of the scheme in the next phases. Wicklow County Council values the opinion of the community on this project and welcomes feedback and submissions from the public and interested parties. The knowledge gained from the engagement will be considered by the project team as part of the next stages of the development of the scheme in order to finalise the stage 2 options selection process with the identification of the preferred options, and where possible, the impacts of the scheme on the surrounding environment and communities. The public display documents will also be available to view on the project website N81whitestownandtuckmill.ie from 2pm on Thursday, January 30. Submissions will be accepted via the online feedback form available on the project website N81whitestownandtuckmill.ie or by post marked as N81 Improvement Scheme Whitestown Lower and Hangmans Bends Submission addressed to the Senior Executive Office, Transportation & Infrastructure Delivery Department, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Whitegates, Wicklow town, A67 FW96. Submissions will be accepted up until Thursday, February 27. LATEST | Southport knife attacker had material showing obsession with violence Sources said there was no evidence that Axel Rudakubana subscribed to any political or religious ideology or was fighting for a cause Court sketch of Axel Rudakubana (Elizabeth Cook/PA) Eleanor Barlow Tue 21 Jan 2025 at 08:18 Documents about Nazi Germany, the Rwandan genocide and car bombs were found on devices belonging to a teenager with a sickening interest in violence who murdered three girls at a Southport holiday club. 'Hurried child syndrome': Is it any wonder parents are shattered by the end of the day when there is a new trend to digest daily? Russia lost 150,000 troops on battlefield last year, says Kyiv Putin commends Trump ahead of inauguration and says he is open to dialogue with new US administration A Ukrainian serviceman, 34, of the 113th Territorial Defence Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the call sign 'Hell' prepares a first-person view (FPV) drone before operating during a practice, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at undisclosed location in Kharkiv region, Ukraine January 19, 2025. Photo: Reuters/Alina Smutko Alex Croft UK Independent Tue 21 Jan 2025 at 03:30 Roughly 150,000 of Vladimir Putins troops were killed in 2024, the Ukrainian military chief has said, as the countries prepare for a new era of the war after Donald Trump re-entered the White House. British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari among the first three hostages freed from Gaza by Hamas as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel says she has returned to my beloved life in the moving first comments she has made since her release. Ms Damari (28) was freed from 15 months in captivity on Sunday as the truce deal came into effect, with authorities reporting she had lost two fingers when she was taken from her home during Hamas attack inside Israel on October 7, 2023, during which around 1,200 people were killed and another 250 were taken hostage. US President Donald Trumps second inaugural address featured similar themes to his first: a sweeping indictment of the country he inherits and grand promises to fix its problems. Eight years ago, Mr Trump described American carnage and promised to end it immediately. On Monday, he declared that the countrys decline will end immediately, ushering in the golden age of America. The shocking incident of Saif Ali Khan being stabbed not only sent tremors through the Bollywood fraternity but also left the entire nation reeling. It was unimaginable that a prominent Bollywood star, presumably protected by high-level security, could face such a breach. The actor's home was infiltrated, and the intruder managed to attack him, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of security measures. In the aftermath of the incident, surprising details emerged. According to reports, Saif was rushed to the hospital not in a private vehicle or ambulance but in an auto-rickshaw. News24 has now reported that the auto driver who transported him in this moment of crisis has been recognised and rewarded by an institution for his timely help. Rs 11,000 for good deeds According to reports, the auto driver has been honoured with a reward of Rs 11,000 for his commendable actions. Earlier, it was revealed that the driver had refused to accept any payment from Saif Ali Khan for his selfless service during the emergency. What the auto driver said Bhajan Singh Rana, the autorickshaw driver who took Saif Ali Khan to Lilavati Hospital, recalled the harrowing moment when the actor's white kurta was soaked in blood. VIDEO | Attack on Saif Ali Khan: Bhajan Singh, the autorickshaw driver who took the actor to Lilavati Hospital after the knife attack, said: "There were three people in the auto Saif Ali Khan, a kid, and a young man, possibly his son. He was able to speak. He seemed normal pic.twitter.com/0d69TzM6Rp Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 17, 2025 "I was near Saif's building when I suddenly heard urgent calls for help," Rana shared, adding that he didn't initially recognise the actor. "It was only when we reached the hospital, and he calmly asked the guard to bring a stretcher, that he said, 'I am Saif Ali Khan.'" During the tense situation, Saif, accompanied by a young boy, showed remarkable composure. "He wasn't scared. He walked into the auto and sat by himself, bleeding but calm. Even at the hospital, he walked in on his own," Rana recounted, admitting that he was so impressed by Saif's bravery that he refused to accept any payment for the ride. Doctors at Lilavati Hospital also attested to Saif's remarkable courage, describing his arrival as nothing less than heroic. "He walked in like a lion," they said. Despite the severity of his injuries, his spirit remained undeterred. Investigations revealed that the attacker had broken into Saif's home intending to rob but ended up in a violent confrontation with the actor, who valiantly defended his family and staff. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Kaantha OTT Release Details: Selvamani Selvaraj is all set to arrive on the big screen with his highly-anticipated multilingual film. The movie stars Dulquer Salmaan and Bhagyashri Borse in lead roles, with a supporting cast that includes Samuthirakani. If you are wondering where to watch the film on OTT, then Kaantha will be streaming on Netflix after its theatrical run concludes. Produced by Rana Daggubatis Spirit Media in collaboration with Dulquer Salmaans Wayfarer Films, Kaantha will mark Bhagyashri Borses Tamil debut and will be released in multiple languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. Everything we know so far about Kaantha Set in 1950s Madras (now Chennai), Kaantha is expected to explore the complexities of human relationships and societal changes during a transformative period in history. The production of Kaantha began with a pooja ceremony in September 2024 that took place at Rama Naidu Studios in Hyderabad. Telugu actor Venkatesh Daggubati gave the inaugural clap in the presence of the entire team. Dani Sanchez Lopez has handled the cinematography of Kaantha with Jhanu composing the music. The writing is by Tamizh Prabha, and the editing is by Lewellyn Anthony Gonsalves. While there is no official release date yet, it is highly speculated that Kaantha could be announced between March and April 2025. Kaanthas team speaks Producer Rana Daggubati in a media statement said, Kaantha is the ideal film to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Suresh Productions and mark the beginning of a new era with Spirit Media." Dulquer Salmaan added, "This is a beautifully layered story that captures the depths of human emotions and gives an actor a lot of scope to perform. I am thrilled to get started and bring this film to life. Are you excited about Kaantha? Share your thoughts @indiatimes. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. The White Lotus Season 3 OTT release date: HBO's popular American satirical comedy-drama series is set to return for its third season, transporting viewers to the breathtaking landscapes of Thailand. The highly anticipated season will premiere on HBO on February 16, with streaming available in India on JioCinema starting February 17, 2025. The White Lotus Season 3 story, and recap of previous season Season 3 of the series is set at a luxurious Thai resort, where both guests and staff face emotional and spiritual challenges over the course of a week. The teaser hints at the show's tone with a chilling voiceover: "Everyone runs from pain towards pleasure. But they get there only to find more pain." HBO teases that the new season will explore themes of death, Eastern religion, and spirituality, promising another sharp and humorous satire from creator Mike White. After focusing on money in season one and sex in season two, White has now shifted to a deeper exploration of these new subjects. However, the complete storyline remains under wraps. The White Lotus Season 3 cast and crew The cast of the upcoming season features returning star Natasha Rothwell as Belinda Lindsey, alongside new additions Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Leslie Bibb, Michelle Monaghan, and Parker Posey. Blackpink's Lisa makes her acting debut, joined by Jason Isaacs, Scott Glenn, and Aimee Lou Wood. The ensemble cast also includes Sarah Catherine Hook, Sam Nivola, Lek Patravadi, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Tayme Thapthimthong, and more. The series is created, written, and directed by Mike White. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Paatal Lok season 2 released on Prime Video recently left people hooked. The fans are still talking about it days after it was released. LWhile we all know that the plot is to die for and character development is unmatched, this time around we saw new people on board in the cast and let's say they did not disappoint.One man whose performance left people amazed was Prashant Tamang, who portrayed the insane sniper Daniel Lecho. For everyone who enjoyed seeing him on the show, here's all you need to know about Prashant Tamang. Prashant Tamang, winner of Indian Idol season 3 pic.twitter.com/RCxrK8SXWw Pookie Monster (@mishraverse) January 20, 2025 Who is Prashant Tamang? Actor who played a sniper in Paatal Lok Season 2 Early life Prashant Tamang was born in Darjeeling, West Bengal. Having lost his father in an accident, Tamang dropped out of school and became a policeman with the Kolkata Police. He performed for the police orchestra in Kolkata Police. Prashant Tamang in Indian Idol After trying out for Indian Idol in Kolkata, he was selected for the following round and placed in the top 10. Tamang and Amit Paul reached the top two of Indian Idol 3 after a lot of effort. He then proceeded to emerge as the well-deserved winner of the show. Here's Daniel from Paatal Lok, Indian Idol 2007 winner Prashant Tamang pic.twitter.com/V5tyVmD4ut Abhishek (@ImAbhishek7_) January 20, 2025 Following his victory on Indian Idol 3, Tamang signed with Sony BMG to release his debut album, Dhanyavad, which had songs in both Hindi and Nepali. Films and beyond Tamang began his acting career in Nepali cinema in 2009. Gorkha Paltan, his debut feature, came out in 2010. Angalo Yo Maya Ko was his second film and he was last seen as a crazy sniper in season two of Paatal Lok. Where to watch Paatal Lok season 2? Paatal Lok season 2 is currently streaming on Prime Video. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Tabu has strongly denied claims in a recent piece that claimed she made some controversial statements. The article reportedly claimed that the actor had stated, "I just want a man in bed, no marriage." Her team has now released a statement criticising those who have "falsely attributed undignified statements" to her. They also called it a grave ethical violation and demanded an apology. Heres why Tabus team is demanding an apology After her above-mentioned statement went viral, Tabu's team wrote in a statement that a number of websites and social media accounts have incorrectly linked Tabu to certain derogatory remarks. Her statement further read, We would like to clarify that she never made these quotes, and it is a serious breach of ethics to mislead the audience. We demand that these websites remove the fabricated quotes immediately and issue a formal apology for their actions Issued by Tabus Management Team." Tabus upcoming project Regarding her upcoming projects, she will next be seen with Akshay Kumar in an important part in Bhooth Bangla. Under the auspices of Balaji Telefilms and Akshay Kumar's Cape of Good Films production company, the film is directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor. Vedant Baali and Faara Sheikh are co-producers of the movie. Additionally, the film will bring together the legendary trio of Tabu, Akshay Kumar, and director Priyadarshan, who last collaborated on Hera Pheri. Last seen in the web series Dune: Prophecy, Tabu made her Hollywood debut. The character she portrayed was Sister Francesca. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. In a shocking twist, social media is abuzz with speculating rumours about the former US president, Barack Obama, who is reportedly experiencing trouble in his marriage with former First Lady Michelle Obama. Alongside this, several reports are making the rounds on the internet stating that actress Jennifer Aniston is dating Barack Obama. According to a ToI report, sources claim that Barrack Obama and Lady Michelle Obama have transitioned into a 'just friends' dynamic after three decades of marriage. Well, adding fuel to these rumours, several claims link Barrack Obama with Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston. The whole time these guys trying to put down Michelleand all along Obama has been dating Jennifer Aniston She knows how to get the handsome ones pic.twitter.com/PDlSl1oOSo alberto aoki (@aoki_alberto) January 20, 2025 A look into how the rumours about Barack Obama and Jennifer Aniston unfolded Initially, the rumours about Barrack Obama's disturbed marriage surfaced on various social media platforms, but the claims gained momentum when a series of posts and memes suggested a romantic link between Aniston and Obama. However, the romantic connection rumours between Aniston and Barack Obama are not new. Years ago the claims started to spark conversations after a magazine published a cover story titled "The Truth About Jen & Barack!" On the other hand, the speculation intensified after Barack Obama attended former President Jimmy Carter's funeral alone, and during that time too, speculations about his disturbed marriage sparked, and it was said that the couple was living independent lives. This one? Yes, its a real photo..please tell me you dont actually believe Jennifer Aniston and Barack Obama are hooking up? If you do, then I have a Nigerian Prince who needs to talk to you pic.twitter.com/94jEl5PqDA Meredith (@meralee727) January 19, 2025 Several instances led to the conversations about Obama and Aniston dating; one of them was back in 2007 when gossip reemerged that Barack Obama and Jennifer Aniston met briefly at a Hollywood event. However, Aniston has denied these claims. Jennifer Aniston denies all rumours According to a report on RadarOnline, Barack Obama's relationship has become strained in recent years. Moreover, according to some claims from the insiders, note that once a rock-solid couple has lost their spark, Jennifer Aniston's rumours have only aggravated the ongoing tensions. However, according to Jennifer Aniston, these rumours are 'absolutely untrue.'. In a recent talk show, Aniston addressed the speculation and denied all the claims and said that she has met Barack Obama only once, and she also highlighted that she knows Michelle Obama more than him. jennifer aniston ja desmentiu esse boato sobre ela e o barack obama e mesmo assim os rumores so CRESCEM pic.twitter.com/0kZqAUbUhu annabel (@annaisabellag) January 19, 2025 To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. Indian fans of anime will finally be able to witness the magic of Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama on the big screen as it's set to hit cinemas on January 24. Poised to be a treat for the eyes, this remastered version boasts stunning 4K visuals and enhanced audio that will transport you to the world of ancient India. The film will be available in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil dubs, in addition to the original English version, making it accessible to a wider audience. It was expected to hit theaters last year in October but was indefinitely postponed. As the Japanese-Indian anime that enjoys a cult classic status finally gears up to hit Indian screens this Friday, here are five reasons why you should look forward to it. 5 reasons why you should look forward to the Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama's re-release 1. Unique style of anime The anime style, which was a collaborative effort between Japanese and Indian artists, brings a fresh and exciting perspective to the classic tale of the Ramayana. 2. Remastered version to offer rich visual experience The remastered version promises to be a true visual treat for fans. With its stunning new 4K visuals, the film's animation is better than ever before. Additionally, the vibrant colors, intricate details, and dynamic action sequences are all brought to life in a freshly exciting manner. 3. Available in multiple languages The film is set to delight audiences with its multilingual release, as it will be made available with dubs in three prominent Indian languagesHindi, Telugu, and Tamilin addition to the original English version. This means that viewers will have the flexibility to choose their preferred language, making the experience more enjoyable. 4. Hindi version boasts impressive voice actors. The Hindi-dubbed version has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional voice casting. The film brings back Arun Govil as Lord Rama, while the legendary actor Amrish Puri has voiced the character of Ravana. 5. The nostalgic feels For many Indians who grew up watching the film on Doordarshan, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is more than just a movieit's a nostalgic trip down memory lane. What better reason to watch a masterpiece than nostalgia! Check out the trailer below: For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Shweta Singh Kirti, the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's sister, paid a poignant tribute to him on his birth anniversary, January 21, 2025. She sent a lovely message on social media, along with a video montage. This particular message will have his followers in tears. Sushant's sister remembers the actor on his 39th birth anniversary Sharing an emotional and nostalgic video, she wrote, "Celebrating the Star, the Dreamer, the Legend Happy Birthday, Bhai! Your light continues to shine in the hearts of millions. You werent just an actor; you were a seeker, a thinker, a soul filled with boundless curiosity and love. From the universe you admired to the dreams you so fearlessly pursued, you taught us all to reach beyond limits, to wonder, to question, and to love deeply." Further adding, "Every smile you shared, every dream you spoke of, and every piece of wisdom you left behind is a reminder that your essence is eternal. You are not just a memoryyou are an energy, a force that continues to inspire." "Bhai, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. Today, we celebrate youyour brilliance, your passion, and your infinite soul. Lets honour Sushant by continuing to dream big, live fully, and spread love. Happy Sushant Day to All," Shweta ends the post. Fans left teary-eyed The post went viral with fans puring their tributes in the comments. Many fans wished the late actor a happy birthday, others remembered him as an inspiration to many. Here's what some fans wrote. Credit: IG Sushant Singh Rajput was recognised for his outstanding performances in films such as Kai Po Che, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, and Chhichhore. He was also recognised for his interest in astronomy, physics, and the universe. SSR passed away in June 2020. His abrupt demise shook the nation and remains a mystery. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating the matter. The agency has yet to share its conclusions on the case. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput's birth anniversary: Story behind actor's back tattoo dedicated to his mother For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Republic Day 2025 FAQs: India is all set to celebrate its 76th Republic Day on 26th January 2025. This significant day marks the adoption of the Constitution in 1950, making India a republic. The festivities begin with the President hoisting the national flag and overseeing the Republic Day parade. Celebrations extend over three days and conclude with the Beating Retreat ceremony on 29th January. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about Republic Day 2025, including details on the parade timing, route, tickets, and more. What are the Delhi Metro timings for Republic Day 2025? On January 26, 2025, Delhi Metro services will start at 4:00 a.m. across all lines to facilitate public travel to Kartavya Path, where the grand celebrations will take place. Visitors are encouraged to use metro services for a hassle-free commute. What is the theme for Republic Day 2025? The Republic Day 2025 parade theme is "Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas," celebrating Indias heritage and progress. Key highlights include: 75 years of the Indian Constitution showcased through two tableaux. Republic Day 2025's important highlighters are the 150th birth anniversaries of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel . and . Recognition of milestones achieved by the India Meteorological Department. Who is the chief guest for the Republic Day Parade 2025? The President of Indonesia, Mr. Prabowo Subianto, will grace the occasion as the chief guest for Republic Day 2025. This marks his first official visit to India since assuming office in October 2024. A 160-member marching contingent and a 190-member band contingent from Indonesia will participate in the parade alongside Indias armed forces. Is it the 76th or 77th Republic Day in 2025? India will commemorate its 76th Republic Day in 2025, celebrating the adoption of its Constitution on 26th January 1950. This historic day symbolises India's emergence as a republic and is observed with pride across the nation. (Also read: Republic Day essay) How can I get Republic Day Parade tickets in 2025? You can purchase Republic Day 2025 tickets both online and offline. Online: Tickets are available on the Amantran Portal of the Ministry of Defence: aamantran.mod.gov.in. Offline Locations: Tickets can be bought from these designated counters in New Delhi: Sena Bhawan (Gate No. 2) Shastri Bhawan (Near Gate No. 3) Jantar Mantar (Near Main Gate) Pragati Maidan (Gate No. 1) Rajiv Chowk Metro Station (Gates 7 & 8) Please note: You can purchase the ticket from the above-designated counters from 10 am to 5 pm on all working days and from 10 am to 2 pm on Sundays and holidays till January 25. (Also read: Republic Day speech ideas) Which is the nearest metro station to Kartavya Path? Visitors heading to Kartavya Path can alight at these metro stations for easy access: Udyog Bhawan Metro Station (Yellow Line) Central Secretariat Metro Station (Yellow Line and Violet Line interchange). What is the timing of the Republic Day Parade 2025? The Republic Day 2025 Parade will start at 10:30 a.m. on 26th January. The parade begins at Vijay Chowk and proceeds along Kartavya Path, offering seating for around 77,000 attendees. Approximately 32,000 tickets have already been sold. When is the Republic Day Beating Retreat Ceremony 2025? The Beating Retreat Ceremony 2025 will take place on 29th January (Monday). Tickets are priced at Rs 100 each, with only 1,200 tickets available. Tickets can be purchased through the Amantran Portal or the MSeva Mobile App (available on Google Play Store). What makes Republic Day 2025 special? The Republic Day 2025 Parade will showcase: Contingents from the Indian armed forces and paramilitary forces. 18 marching contingents, 15 bands, and 31 tableaux. Tableaux from 15 states and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. This celebration is a tribute to Indias rich cultural heritage and its progress as a nation. By addressing these Republic Day 2025 FAQs, we hope to make your experience more enriching. From the parade timing to the chief guest and how to get tickets, this article covers everything you need to know about the 76th Republic Day celebrations. Republic Day 2025 slogans & quotes: India is set to celebrate its 76th Republic Day on January 26, 2025, with great pride and enthusiasm. This historic day commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950, marking Indias transition into a sovereign, democratic republic. The Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path, near India Gate in New Delhi, will be the main attraction of the celebrations. Citizens across the country eagerly look forward to this spectacular event. The Highlights of the Republic Day Parade 2025 Exhibition of Armed Forces and Tableaux Credit: Freepik | Happy Republic Day 2025 Image The Republic Day Parade 2025 will showcase the might and discipline of the Indian Armed Forces along with paramilitary contingents. Starting at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the parade will proceed toward the iconic India Gate. Adding to the vibrancy will be the tableaux representing the diversity of India's states and union territories. These displays beautifully capture the cultural heritage and progress of the nation. Why January 26 Is Significant On January 26, 1950, the Indian Constitution was formally adopted, completing the journey of India's independence. Since then, this day has been celebrated annually as Republic Day. Interestingly, the first Republic Day parade was held on January 26, 1951, marking the beginning of a proud tradition. The 2025 celebration is particularly meaningful as it highlights 75 years since the inception of the Indian Constitutiona momentous milestone in the countrys history. Republic Day 2025 Theme Every year, the Indian government selects a theme that reflects the spirit of the nation. For Republic Day 2025, the theme is Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas, meaning Golden India: Heritage and Development. This theme aims to honour Indias rich cultural legacy while celebrating its progress in various fields. Who Will Be the Chief Guest? This year, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has been invited as the chief guest for the Republic Day 2025 celebrations. His presence symbolises the strong diplomatic ties between India and Indonesia. Republic Day 2025 Tableaux: A Cultural Extravaganza Credit: Freepik | Happy Republic Day 2025 Image The Republic Day Parade will feature 15 tableaux from different states and union territories, showcasing their unique cultures and traditions. Participants include: Andhra Pradesh Bihar Chandigarh Goa Gujarat Haryana Jharkhand Karnataka Madhya Pradesh Each tableau will highlight the diversity that defines Indias identity. Powerful Republic Day 2025 Slogans Sharing slogans is a great way to spread patriotic fervour. Here are some impactful Republic Day 2025 slogans: "Unity in Diversity: The Strength of India." "Jai Hind! Proud to Be Indian." "Celebrate Freedom, Honour the Constitution." "Swarnim Bharat: Lets Build a Golden Future Together." "Salute the nation, honour the Constitution!" "Republic Day: A tribute to our freedom fighters." "Diversity is our identity; unity is our strength." "Proud to be Indian, grateful to be free." "Together we rise, together we shineHappy Republic Day!" "Empowered citizens, empowered India." "Honour the past, celebrate the present, and shape the future." "Lets uphold the spirit of democracy and justice." "One nation, one vision, one identityIndia." "Celebrate the power of freedom, equality, and unity!" Inspiring Republic Day 2025 Quotes Motivational quotes from freedom fighters and leaders remind us of the sacrifices made for our independence. Here are some Republic Day 2025 quotes: "Freedom is not given; it is taken." Subhas Chandra Bose "The Constitution is not a mere lawyers document; it is a vehicle of life." Dr. B.R. Ambedkar "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it." Bal Gangadhar Tilak "A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people." Mahatma Gandhi "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi "Democracy means nothing if people are not able to work the democracy for the common good." Chandra Bhushan "True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what's right." Brigham Young "India will be free when the women feel safe to walk in the streets." Mahatma Gandhi "Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity." Herbert Hoover "We are Indians, firstly and lastly." B.R. Ambedkar "India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history." Mark Twain As India celebrates Republic Day 2025, its time to reflect on the journey of our nation and honour the values of our Constitution. Whether it's attending the parade, sharing Republic Day 2025 slogans, or sending Republic Day 2025 quotes to loved ones, lets come together to celebrate the essence of our democracy. This Republic Day spread the message of unity, peace, and progress. Jai Hind! Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is no stranger to legal challenges. In his political career spanning over two decades, the former Congress president has faced all kinds of allegations and civil and criminal cases. But a recent case filed against the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha has left many shocked. CREDIT: BCCL Case against Rahul Gandhi A man from Bihar has filed a complaint against Rahul in a local court, blaming him for the complainant suffering a loss of Rs 250. According to the complainant, Mukesh Chaudhary, a resident of Bihar's Samastipur district, he was left shocked by Rahul's "fight against the Indian state" remark last week. This, according to Chaudhary, resulted in him dropping a bucket of milk. Chaudhary said he was holding a bucket containing five litres of buffalo milk, worth Rs 50 per litre, when he heard Gandhi's speech on TV. Lost five litres of milk "I was in such a state of shock that my bucket full of five litres of milk, priced at Rs 50 per litre, slipped off my hand. Rahul Gandhi was threatening the sovereignty of the nation," alleged Chaudhary. CREDIT: BCCL He has filed a petition in the civil court of Rosera sub-division, seeking trial of Gandhi under various BNS sections, including 152, which pertains to sedition. What Rahul Gandhi said Last week, Rahul had triggered a political controversy after claiming that Congress was fighting the "BJP, RSS and the Indian state itself". CREDIT: ANI "Do not think that we are fighting a fair fight. There is no fairness in this. If you believe that we are fighting a political organisation called the BJP, that we are fighting a political organisation called the RSS, you have not understood what is going on," Rahul said during the inauguration of the partys new headquarters at Kotla Road in New Delhi. "The BJP and the RSS have captured every single institution of our country. We are now fighting the BJP, the RSS and the Indian state itself," he added. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. The world's richest person and the right-hand man of newly appointed US President Donald Trump has sparked a row over his hand gestures that many say resembled a Nazi salute. Musk, who was at an event celebrating US President Trump's inauguration at the Capital One Arena in Washington, made back-to-back hand gestures similar to "sieg heil," or a Nazi salute. CREDIT: REUTERS Elon Musk's controversial salute Musk, who thanked the crowd for re-electing Trump to the White House, tapped the left side of his chest with his right hand and then extended his arm with his palm open. My heart goes out to you, Musk said, striking himself on the chest again. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured. Thanks to you. Were gonna have safe cities, finally safe cities. Secure borders, sensible spending. Basic stuff. And were gonna take Doge to Mars. CREDIT: REUTERS What experts say Videos of his hand gestures have gone viral on social media, and many users, including historians, have called it a Nazi salute. Remember when Democrats called MAGA rallies "Nazi rallies?" President un-elect Elon Musk just did the Nazi Sieg Heil salute. We were right. Absolutely vile.pic.twitter.com/lg5xl2QpMM Art Candee (@ArtCandee) January 20, 2025 Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a history professor at New York University, said: Historian of fascism here. It was a Nazi salute and a very belligerent one too. Claire Aubin, a historian who specialises in Nazism within the United States, agreed Musk's gesture was a "sieg heil." "My professional opinion is that you're all right, you should believe your eyes," Aubin posted on X. What is Nazi salute According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which campaigns against antisemitism, in Germany between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi salute was often accompanied by chanting or shouting Heil Hitler or Sieg Heil. While the Nazi salute is illegal in many countries, including Germany, the gesture has been appropriated by many far-right and white supremacist groups, including in the US. Musk supports neo-Nazi AfD in Germany The move also comes nearly two weeks after Musk expressed his support for Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right neo-Nazi political party. CREDIT: REUTERS Musk, who has been attacking liberal governments across Europe, had claimed that only AfD can save Germany. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Samsung Galaxy Tri Fold device launch timeline leaked: Samsung is preparing to reinvent foldable technology with the anticipated Galaxy Tri-Fold gadget, which might come in 2025 along with the next-generation Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7. The Tri-Fold is rumored to feature a revolutionary design, with a display that folds into three halves, providing users with a tablet-sized experience in a pocket-friendly format. This new addition could represent a huge step forward in Samsung's foldable portfolio, demonstrating the company's dedication to pushing the limits of mobile innovation. Along with the widely anticipated improvements to the Z Fold and Z Flip series, Samsung's 2025 portfolio promises cutting-edge features and styles that appeal to tech fanatics and everyday users. Stay tuned for updates on these groundbreaking technologies! Samsung foldable smartphone production and launch timeline (Leaked) Summary of Samsung Foldable News Triple Fold Component production to begin in Q2 this year, with a launch in Q3. Production volume: 200,000 units. Display size: Between 9.9 and 10 inches when unfolded. Samsungs foldable lineup for this year will include a total of 4 Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) January 20, 2025 According to an X post by Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve), which quotes a video from The Elec (in Korean), Samsung is scheduled to start producing components for its triple folding smartphone in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025 between April and June. Before September, the company will likely release the rumored handset in Q3 2025. Samsung expects to create 200,000 triple-folding cellphones this year. The smartphone is projected to have a prominent display of 9.9 to 10 inches when unfolded. According to the Elec video report, the tri-fold model will most likely measure 15mm thick when folded. As a result, Samsung's tri-fold may be released in July alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 6. This time, Samsung may remove the digitizer from the Galaxy Z Fold7, making it slimmer to compete with rivals such as Honor, whose Magic V3 is a tiny phone. In addition to the tri-fold, the Galaxy Z Flip FE, a low-cost foldable powered by the Exynos 2400e processor, is expected to join the fold lineup. In total, Samsung is slated to release four foldables this year. It'll be interesting to see how things play out. Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Event Credit: Smartprix The brand is already preparing for its Unpacked event tomorrow (January 22), during which it will announce the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra. This year's Galaxy Unpacked event will occur in San Jose, California, and will be livestreamed on Samsung.com and the company's YouTube channel at 11:30 p.m. (IST). Stay tuned to GizBot for more details on India's Galaxy S25 series launch. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. Actor Saif Ali Khan has returned home after undergoing surgery at Lilavati Hospital in Bandra, following a stabbing incident at his residence on the morning of January 16. Videos of his return surrounded by heavy security, with mediapersons cheering, have gone viral online, sparking mixed reactions. While some are praising his bravery, likening him to a lion, others are questioning how someone who was reportedly stabbed multiple times can appear to walk normally just days after major surgery. Check out the video of his return here: #WATCH | Actor #SaifAliKhan reached his residence after he was discharged from Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. Saif Ali Khan was admitted there after being stabbed by an intruder at his residence, in the early morning of January 16. pic.twitter.com/QKIfGH1xqq ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2025 Saif Ali Khan was seen leaving Lilavati Hospital today, wearing a black cuff on his arm, surrounded by heavy police security, and waving casually to the media as he entered his home. The 54-year-old actor was discharged after a five-day stay at the hospital. Accompanied by his wife, actress Kareena Kapoor, he made his way back to their residence in Bandra. Saif had undergone a five-hour surgery on Thursday and was later moved to the ICU. During the surgery, a piece of the knife was removed from his body. The actor had sustained six injuries in the attack, two of which were deep cuts, and doctors confirmed he was leaking spinal fluid when he arrived at the hospital. Internet reacts to Saif Ali Khan returning While many were relieved and impressed to see Saif Ali Khan walk out of the hospital with such confidence, others couldn't help but raise eyebrows. Some were perplexed, questioning the speed of his recovery. One person remarked, "He was supposed to be in the hospital for two weeks. What's going on? This whole thing feels like a scam." 2 weeks bi nahi raha hospital mein. Yeh kya hora Chaku mara kaha keh bi alag level scam hey pic.twitter.com/zhfiRseQpv Lone Ranger (@Prabhas7_surya) January 21, 2025 Another commented, "Wow someone got stabbed and losing his spinal fluid is back so soon? Even a normal sprain takes a month." Wow some stabbed and losing his spinal fluid is back so soon? Even a normal sprain takes a month Munda Chan Varga (@munda53870363) January 21, 2025 Some speculated about the authenticity of the incident, with one user wondering, "I hope this isn't a publicity stunt. A man stabbed in the spinal cord walking around like nothing happened seems unbelievable." I hope this was not a publicity stunt . a man stab on spinal cord walking like this is in such short period is quite shocking . harsh shah (@harsh_r_shah) January 21, 2025 Another couldn't understand, saying, "He looks perfectly fine... after being stabbed six times? This seems too good to be true." One more chimed in, "I can't even walk because of back pain, and Saif is up and about after surgery like nothing happened!" Others simply remarked, "Miracle, miracle!" a reference to the iconic 2007 Bollywood film Welcome. If you know, you know! 2 weeks bi nahi raha hospital mein. Yeh kya hora Chaku mara kaha keh bi alag level scam hey pic.twitter.com/zhfiRseQpv Lone Ranger (@Prabhas7_surya) January 21, 2025 To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. It's not every day you see a spiritual leader in India talk and also make sense while discussing same-sex relationships, but a video of Premanand Maharaj is receiving widespread praise on social media. He was recently approached by a man seeking guidance on his feelings of attraction towards men. The man revealed his family was pressuring him to get married, but he felt no attraction to women and was instead drawn to men. Premanand Maharaj listened attentively and offered his perspective on the matter. His take on the sensitive topic has now gone viral, and Reddit is now abuzz with praise for the spiritual leader. Premanand Maharaj expresses his views on same-sex relationships In a video going viral on social media, a young man is seen sharing his personal struggle as he confides in Premanand Maharaj. He said, "My parents are asking me to get married. I am not attracted towards women but men." Responding to him, Premanand Maharaj emphasised the importance of self-acceptance and being true to one's nature. He advised the man to prioritise his own happiness and well-being, rather than trying to conform to societal expectations and hurting the other person in the process. He said, "If you are not attracted to women but to men, I sincerely request such individuals not to deceive a woman. Share your feelings openly with your parents. Do not marry and make someones life miserable by keeping her in your home." So much respect for Maharaj ji. This is our samaveshi hindu dharm not the intolerant version made popular by the self declared gatekeepers of our religion. pic.twitter.com/24eexsVBXx Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) January 19, 2025 'Most graceful take': Reddit reacts to Premanand Maharaj's views on same-sex relationships Social media users, particularly Redditors, lauded Premanand Maharaj's take on same-sex relationships. One Redditor shared his video on the subbreddit r/InstaCelebsgossip, writing, "Probably the most graceful take I've seen from a Guru on this topic." Many in the comments section agreed with the OP's opinion, with one adding, "This is a very important thing in today's era. And that coming from a spiritual Baba is going to help 100s of gay people. I have heard and seen so many wives regretting their marriage where they are unknowingly married to a gay person. It's very important for the society to accept an individual the way they are." Another added, "The only guru whom I will always respect no matter what." "Premanand ji shares the true essence of Sanatan dharm; I feel extremely happy that someone like him was born and is sharing his knowledge with others," added a third Redditor. A fourth individual noted, "I never followed any guru or baba in my whole life but him!! I mean, he actually talks sensibly, and his advice is also so good and on point!" Singing high praise for the spiritual leader, another commented, "This person has helped loads of people on many levels that we can't even comprehend, all while having serious medical issues. A little respect doesn't harm anyone. The influencer we don't deserve, but the one we need right now." Premanand Maharaj enjoys a huge fan following Celebrity couple Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli are devoted followers of Premanand Maharaj. Just a few days ago, the couple had visited his ashram in Vrindavan, along with their children Vaamika and Akaay. Videos of their visit have surfaced on social media, in which Anushka expressed her profound gratitude to the spiritual leader for being a guiding light in her life. BTS' J-Hope has arrived in Paris for his January 23 performance for the Le Gala des Pieces Jaunes at La Defense Arena. Ahead of his eagerly awaited gig at the charity event, the rapper was seen out and about in the city, interacting with fans. Being the sweetheart that he is, J-Hope, who is also known as Hobi, was seen happily signing albums for fans and acknowledging their support. However, few fans' behavior in Paris has now drawn flak from the BTS fandom ARMY online. J-Hope's recent Paris outing sparks criticism BTS J-Hope's interaction with fans in Paris has got everyone talking, and opinions are divided. While fans are praising Hobi's kindness and dedication, they are slamming those who showed up outside his hotel to get their albums signed, reasoning it breaches ARMY code. For those who may not be aware, BTS fandom ARMY has a set number of rules that fans are not supposed to violate, and showing up outside members' hotels is considered disrespecting their privacy and invading their personal space among the fandom. One fan wrote, "Would I love having an album signed by Hobi? yes. Would I compromise his privacy & crowd his hotel for it? no. never. It's basic etiquette... Why do people keep doing this?!" would I love having an album signed by Hobi? yes. would I compromise his privacy & crowd his hotel for it? no. never. it's basic etiquette...why do people keep doing this?!https://t.co/c572NMqwJr Lari (@SheLovesTheSea) January 20, 2025 Another shared, "Why am I seeing videos of signing autographs outside of his hotel? WE. DO. NOT. WAIT. OUTSIDE. THEIR. HOTELS. That can't be ARMY, because we have more respect for their personal space." Why am I seeing videos of signing autographs outside of his hotel? WE. DO. NOT. WAIT. OUTSIDE. THEIR. HOTELS. That can't be ARMY, because we have more respect for their personal space. Smdh. Courtney BTS YEAR (@librakosmos) January 20, 2025 "If you see Hobi in videos just outside his hotel, on his way to wherever, anything that is not a public event, etc., DO NOT HYPE THE ONES POSTING THEM! These videos have been taken by stalkers and paparazzi, and those people are not who we support, not now, not ever!" a third added. If you see Hobi in videos just outside his hotel, on his way to wherever, anything that is not a public event, etc., DO NOT HYPE THE ONES POSTING THEM! These videos have been taken by stalkers and paparazzi, and those people are not who we support, not now, not ever! pic.twitter.com/ZwYL5CAfaN Lyna (@Lyna91Fr) January 20, 2025 Another fan added, "If you are showing up at Hobis hotel. Youre a stalker/saesang. Real, respectful, & loving ARMYS will act like you do not see them & run the other way. Give them space & privacy." If you are showing up at Hobis hotel. Youre a stalker/saesang. Real, respectful, & loving ARMYS will act like you do not see them & run the other way. Give them space & privacy. Some will never learn. Wait for Hobi to post on his social media. pic.twitter.com/4XogFe0ubJ FrannLovesBTS (@Frances39411513) January 20, 2025 "Didnt we as a fandom agree to stop sharing sasaeng/paparazzi pics? So why is my tl flooded with pics of Hobi outside his hotel? Hobi always share pics from the events he attends. Is it really that hard to respect his privacy and just wait for his post?" another fan reacted strongly. Didnt we as a fandom agree to stop sharing sasaeng/paparazzi pics? So why is my tl flooded with pics of Hobi outside his hotel? Hobi always share pics from the events he attends. Is it really that hard to respect his privacy and just wait for his post? Bubs (@875__613) January 20, 2025 More about J-Hope's Paris performance J-Hope is all set to dazzle the Paris stage with his electrifying performance at the Gala des Pieces Jaunes 2025 charity event on January 23. He'll be joining other K-pop biggies like BLACKPINK's Rose and BIGBANG's G-Dragon for the charity event. The event is being held at the Paris La Defense Arena, which has a massive seating capacity of 35,000. The upcoming performance will mark the BTS rapper's first since his return from the military last year. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. In support of the nationwide BDS Movement weekend of action to #BoycottChevron, we are gathering at Chevron locations to bring attention to their complicity in Palestinian energy apartheid, and to share information with our community. Chevron is a major economic partner of the Israeli government, and fuels Israel's apartheid and war crimes.We will drive together in a car caravan (est. 1+ hour), stopping briefly at corporate owned Chevron stations, and concluding with a brief rally at Cupertino Memorial Park.RSVP: https://bit.ly/boycottchevron-caravan Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/vigil4gaza The election of Donald Trump to the American presidency is Europe's last motivation to move from words to actions - not in a spirit of opposition to the US, since we have very close relations and these will be maintained - but to search for mutually beneficial solutions," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in response to a question during an event at the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday evening. Mitsotakis and Enrico Letta, president of the Jacques Delors Institute and former prime minister of Italy were guests of honor at fireside chat and dinner on "The future of Europe in a fast-changing world : Leadership & global challenges" at a hotel in Vouliagmeni. The chat was moderated by Mega TV journalist Katerina Panagopoulou. The Greek premier also referred to the issue of a common European defense, underlining that "as Europeans, we must do more to shield our continent." Asked about Greek-American relations, Mitsotakis noted that "Greece and the United States have excellent relations, which were never better in the past. We have a five-year defense cooperation, but our relations much farther than defense, to cutting-edge technologies, education, and culture. We have very strong relations and strong ties in both parties at Washington. I do not expect changes in our bilateral relations - however, we are facing this relationship not through a bilateral aspect, but we ought to find a unified approach as Europeans before the new American government." In terms of European countries' share common-defense expenditures, the Greek PM noted that "Trump was right when he urged European allies to assume more responsibilities in terms of expenditures in defense. I believe we shall agree to a higher percentage over GDP in terms of defense expenditures in NATO's context; I do not know how much it will be, but I believe it will not reach 5%. It is clear that we will need to spend more money on national and European level as well. We must have more fiscal space for investments in defense, but we also need more European funding for defense. We achieved it in the midst of the pandemic with the Recovery Fund, we are at a critical geopolitical juncture, and I believe this conversation will begin in a coordinated manner at the informal EU [leaders] summit on February 3." Asked to comment on President Trump's positions on current social issues, Mitsotakis underlined that in Europe we do not have a problem as to the woke agenda, which prevailed recently in the US. He also insisted that stability, as seen in Greece where there is a central-right government, is an important goal, while he excluded anew any governing collaboration with parties lying further right than New Democracy. The government's goal now is to play a constructive role at European level. "The time has come for bold initiatives," Mitsotakis said. iefimerida.gr By, Honorary President of the Panhellenic Exporters AssociationGreek exports appear to be trending downward. However, a closer look and analysis shows that they are maintaining their momentum . Christina Sakellaridis: The challenges for Greek exports - Former Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis spoke on Monday about Turkeys revisionist ambitions, encapsulated in its Blue Homeland doctrine. During the presentation of the book For a New Strategy Towards Turkey by Professor and former Deputy Foreign Minister Yannis Valinakis, Karamanlis emphasized the importance of Greece adopting a decisive and resolute approach to Ankaras provocations, urging action without fear or hesitation. Karamanlis highlighted what he described as the widespread misinterpretation of Turkeys intentions both within and outside Greece, noting that some voices effectively echo Turkeys arguments. He argued that confronting Ankaras strategic ambitions requires a comprehensive and assertive strategy, combining Greeces geopolitical enhancement with a long-term plan for military deterrence. Commenting on the prospect of negotiations with Turkey, Karamanlis was unequivocal: Negotiation is not an end in itself, he said, adding that those who view avoiding war as the primary benefit of such negotiations should understand that peace cannot be secured through concessions on critical issues. On the contrary, the country becomes a hostage to Turkeys arbitrary tactics, encouraging further illegal demands, he stated. He also rejected the idea that Turkeys threats are primarily for domestic consumption, describing this belief as a source of complacency and inaction in foreign policy. According to Karamanlis, Ankara seeks to drag Greece into a dialogue devoid of any Greek agenda, leaving Athens perpetually on the defensive. The former Prime Minister characterized the Blue Homeland doctrine as a vision that consolidates Turkeys longstanding territorial claims. He pointed to Turkeys broader strategy of exploiting the reluctance of the U.S. and the European Union to intervene decisively in the region. Ankara operates in the same manner regarding the Aegean, Thrace, and Cyprus, where it demands joint decision-making with Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, Karamanlis stated. Karamanlis called for Greece to use the current period of relative stabilitywhat he described as calm watersto craft a strategy that effectively counters Turkish aggression. He advocated for pursuing concessions from Turkey with the support of international allies such as the European Union and the United States, while simultaneously reinforcing Greeces military deterrence. He conveyed that the false dilemma of dialogue with concessions or war is not the only path forward. #GREECE #TURKEY #KOSTAS_KARAMANLIS #ENGLISH_EDITION Donald Trumps economic policies, unveiled on Monday during his first full day as the 47th President of the United States, could have far-reaching implications for Greece, a nation still grappling with its own economic recovery. Emphasizing energy independence, protectionist trade measures, and a shift away from internationalist frameworks, Trumps agenda raises questions about its potential impact on Greece, particularly in key sectors such as trade, investment, and energy Trumps promise to expand domestic oil and gas production and dominate global energy markets could disrupt energy dynamics that Greece is part of. Greece has been positioning itself as an energy hub in Southeast Europe, with plans for LNG terminals, pipeline projects, and renewable energy investments. However, a surge in U.S. oil and gas exportsenabled by Trumps aggressive drilling policiescould alter global energy prices and diminish the competitiveness of alternative suppliers, including Greeces emerging LNG infrastructure. Furthermore, Trump's dismissal of green initiatives contrasts sharply with Greece's commitments under EU climate policies. If the U.S. scales back its support for global climate goals, it could slow the transition to renewable energy and affect European funding and cooperation for green projects, areas in which Greece has a vested interest. Trumps protectionist trade agenda, including the imposition of tariffs and taxes on imports, threatens to upend global trade patterns. While Greece's direct trade relationship with the United States is relatively small, it relies on broader EU-U.S. trade agreements and economic stability. Any disruption in transatlantic trade, such as retaliatory tariffs between the EU and U.S., could ripple through European markets, indirectly affecting Greeces exports, particularly in sectors like agriculture, shipping, and tourism. For Greece, whose economy is heavily reliant on exports to the EU, the possibility of trade wars or economic tensions between Europe and the U.S. would add uncertainty to an already fragile recovery. Higher trade barriers could slow global growth, reduce demand for Greek goods, and raise costs for imports. The United States is a key source of high-spending tourists for Greece. If Trump's economic policies weaken U.S. consumer spending or result in stronger economic nationalism, the number of American travelers to Greece could decline. Furthermore, any escalation of economic tensions with Europe might discourage transatlantic travel, with tourism-dependent economies like Greece bearing the brunt. Trumps focus on domestic investment and his rhetoric on curbing overseas economic engagements could also dampen U.S. interest in international investments. While Greece has been seeking foreign direct investment to boost its economy, the emphasis on "America First" policies may lead to reduced flows of American capital into Greek industries, from shipping to technology and infrastructure. As a member of the European Union, Greece's position on Trumps policies will largely align with the broader stance of the bloc. Trumps confrontational rhetoric, while likely to strain transatlantic relations, could also serve as a unifying force for the EU, strengthening its resolve to counter protectionist measures. The key challenge for Europe, however, lies in maintaining unity, avoiding divisions that could arise if certain member states seek closer alignment with Trumps agenda. #DONALD_TRUMP #GREECE Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, has dismissed concerns that Kemi Badenochs criticisms of Nigeria would impact the countrys international relations. Badenoch, leader of the United Kingdoms (UK) Conservative Party, had likened the UKs potential future to Nigerias if the system is not reformed. Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, Bwala downplayed the impact of Badenochs remarks, saying, I dont think it would have an effect because shes not the government in power. Advertisement Usually, these international relationships or collaborations are dealings between governments. READ ALSO: An Insufferable Creature Fani-Kayode Blasts Badenoch Over Nigeria Criticism He added that investors would be smart enough to distinguish between Badenochs rhetoric and reality. Bwala acknowledged Badenochs achievements in the UK but accused her of using populism to gain acceptance from her party. His words: The only problem we have with Kemi is the rhetoric. Shes building a rhetoric of denigrating Nigeria. So she can probably win the acceptance or acceptation of the rights in her party. Bwala had contrasted Badenochs approach with that of Rishi Sunak, who has not used his Indian heritage to denigrate India. Former minister of foreign affairs, Bolaji Akinyemi has warned President Bola Tinubu to avoid any confrontation with Donald Trump, the newly inaugurated 47th president of the United States. Speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, on Monday, Akinyemi advised Tinubu on how to relate with the US President. He said that former governor of Lagos State should create better ways of dealing with Trump even if he does things that annoy or step on the interests of Nigeria. Advertisement He said: If I were President Tinubu, I would try to steer clear of antagonising him because there is nothing a bully likes better than taking on people who are not strong enough to resist him. You know there is that African proverb that if you are not strong enough to take on a bully and you take him on, you are just even going to suffer more for it. READ MORE: Africa Shouldnt Expect Much From Trump Shehu Sani Thats the advice I will give President Tinubu: try and avoid having a confrontation with him even if that means that he does things that annoy or does things that step on the interests of Nigeria. There are ways in which you could address his reaction without confrontation. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Trump, in his inaugural speech, promised to deport millions of people he described as criminal aliens, who illegally gain entry into America. He said: All illegal entries will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions of millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. Five individuals were reportedly killed in a lone accident involving a Mercedes Benz jeep at the Fatgbems bus stop on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Sunday night. CSP Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the Ogun Police Command, confirmed the occurrence in a statement on Monday. According to Odutola, the accident occurred at 11:30pm and was caused by the Mercedes Benz drivers careless driving. Advertisement READ MORE: Fire Engulfs Seven Shops In Ibadan The accident occurred when the driver of the Mercedes Benz, going towards Mowe direction, suddenly lost control, hit the culvert, somersaulted and turned to the opposite direction. Three men and two women inside the vehicle were confirmed dead, while one person sustained injuries, she said. She added that the victims families had been notified. The police spokesperson also urged motorists to exercise caution while driving. The Police Special Fraud Unit in Lagos State has arrested four serving members of the National Youth Service Corps and eight students of the Gateway Polytechnic, Sapaade, Ogun State for alleged internet fraud. It was gathered that the suspects between ages 18 and 28, were arrested on January 15, 2025 at Saapade, area of the state. This was disclosed in a statement by PSFUs Spokesperson, Johnson Eyitayo on Sunday. Advertisement Mr. Johnson said that some student union leaders, visited Commissioner of Police in charge of the unit on the 16th of January , 2025 for a dialogue in respect of the arrest. The statement partly reads: On the 16th of January 2025, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Godwin Omodeinde, receives in audience leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students, National Association of Polytechnic Students, Association of Southern Nigerian Students, and GAPOSA Students Union Government. READ MORE: Lagos Police Arrest US Returnee, Accomplices For Uber Drivers Murder The visit of the Student Union leaders was to dialogue with the unit following the arrest of 14 persons, ages 18-28 years, at Saapade, Ogun State, on January 15, 2025. The arrested suspects, who were suspected members of an internet fraud syndicate operating within Lagos and Ogun States, comprised eight students of Gateway Polytechnic, Ogun State; four NYSC Corps members; and two other persons of unknown status who claimed to be an artist and a cobbler, respectively. The Commissioner of Police also advised the student union executives to educate their members to desist from cybercrime, which is tarnishing the countrys image and making it difficult for Nigeria to exit the Financial Action Task Force grey list. He enumerated the following as implications of Nigerias status on the FATF grey list: reduced foreign investment, increased cost of transactions, difficulties in transacting with other countries, increased regulatory scrutiny, loss of revenue for the government, undermining of financial markets, reduced cross-border transactions, and loss of correspondent banking relationships, among others. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, has responded to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wikes, remark that he would have disowned Wabara if he were his father. Wabara challenged Wike to reveal what wrong he committed to warrant such a statement. He described Wikes comments as disgraceful and unbecoming of a supposed man of honour. The Chairman accused Wike of spewing gibberish like a broken water pipe without a tap, which he said was not a mark of maturity. Advertisement READ ALSO: Youre Killing Journalism With Wrong Stories Wike Blasts Arise TV Journalist During Media Chat In a statement on Monday, Wabara said, I would expect a man of his calibre and status to mind his language and words. He should be sure of his facts. But I dont want to join issues with Wike and dignify him. He also questioned Wikes motives, asking, Frankly, for a son to disown his father, his father must have wronged him terribly. Can Wike please tell the world what it is I did wrong to him? Wabara further defended himself against corruption allegations, saying, Talking about corruption, Nigerians know those who are corrupt, and I can proudly say and beat my chest that Im not one of them. I, Adolphus Wabara, am not corrupt! Officers of Ogun State Community, Social Orientation, and Safety Corps, also known as So-Safe Corps have arrested a man, identified as Adelani Oriyomi at a burial ground in Kere, Obada-Oko, Abeokuta, area of the state. It was gathered that the suspect was apprehended when he was allegedly trying to exhume a human skull. In a statement on Tuesday by Commander of So-Safe Corps, Soji Ganzallo, disclosed that a human skull was also retrieved from the 54 years old suspect. Advertisement Ganzallo said: At about 2:35 a.m. on January 21, 2025, officers of the So-Safe Corps on routine patrol observed suspicious activity on a parcel of land behind a church. The suspect, identified as 54-year-old Adelani Oriyomi, was spotted trying to hide. Once the coast seemed clear, he resumed digging the tomb and retrieved a human skull. However, the officers returned to the scene, apprehended him before he could escape. The security agency added that Oriyomi confessed that he was attempting to retrieve another skull to complete the number required for a money ritual preparation known as Osole when he was caught. READ MORE: Four Corps Members, Eight Students Arrested In Ogun Over Alleged Internet Fraud The suspect was also said to have confessed to being a serial offender, having sold nearly ten skulls in the past. During interrogation, the suspect explained that he had previously been arrested for similar offences committed at Ado-Odo and served two years of imprisonment at the Oba Correctional Centre following in Obada-Oko. Ganzallo confirmed that the suspect and the recovered exhibit, a fully dried human skull have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Obada Divisional Headquarters, for further investigation and possible prosecution. President Bola Ahmed Tinubus led government has congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America. This was contained in a statement by Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Tuesday. Kimiebi emphasized the enduring and historic relationship between Nigeria and the United States. Advertisement She highlighted shared cooperation in critical areas such as good governance, sustainable development, and the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. READ MORE: Akwa Ibom Pastor Arrested For Allegedly Defiling Daughter The ministry also expressed Tinubus government commitment to enhance strategic partnership with US under Trumps leadership. The statement read: The Federal Republic of Nigeria congratulates President Donald Trump following his successful inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America. Nigeria and the United States of America have enjoyed cooperation in diverse areas of mutual interest, especially in the promotion of good governance, sustainable development, and the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. Nigeria therefore looks forward to further strengthening our historic, strong, and vibrant strategic partnership for the benefit of all our people. Recall that Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday during a historic inauguration ceremony held inside the Capitol Rotunda due to inclement weather. Donald Trump, has marked a historic return to the presidency on Monday with certain policies, just as he took the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States. During his inaugural address, he promised a golden age for America while unveiling plans to tackle migration and reassert traditional gender policies. The golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world, Trump declared in the Capitol, where the ceremony took place indoors due to cold weather. Advertisement In a move to address immigration, Trump disclosed a series of executive orders aimed at reducing illegal entry into the United States. First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border, he said, emphasizing plans to deploy troops and expedite the deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants. Were going to end asylum, White House Deputy Press Secretary, Anna Kelly had revealed, adding that birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants would also be targeted. Kelly asserted the administrations intent to clarify the 14th Amendment, although legal experts predict significant court challenges. Additionally, Trump plans to reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy, under which asylum seekers must wait in Mexico for their cases to be processed. The administration will also explore using the death penalty for non-citizens who commit capital crimes. Trumps speech also outlined a strong stance on social issues, declaring, As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female. READ ALSO: God Saved Me From Assassins Bullet To Make America Great Again Trump Says In Inaugural Speech As 47th President The administration plans to end federal diversity programs and require government documents to reflect gender based on biological sex. No longer will the federal government be promoting gender ideology, an official stated, suggesting sweeping changes to passport policies and other federal records. Critics have already signaled plans to challenge these measures, arguing they infringe on individual rights and federal anti-discrimination laws. In a controversial statement, Trump also vowed to reclaim the Panama Canal, citing concerns over growing Chinese influence in the region. Above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didnt give it to China, we gave it to Panama. And were taking it back, Trump said, though Panama has repeatedly denied any Chinese control of the canal. The move, which Trump linked to national security and economic fairness, has already drawn international reaction. Trump, who first took office in 2017 as a political outsider, entered this term as a central figure among Americas political and business elite. Notable attendees at the event included tech moguls Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai. Musk, a major backer of Trumps campaign, has been tapped to spearhead cost-cutting initiatives in the new administration. Outgoing President Joe Biden, in a return to tradition, hosted Trump and his wife, Melania, at the White House before the ceremony. Welcome home, Biden said to Trump, marking a stark departure from Trumps refusal to attend Bidens 2021 inauguration. Renowned Nigerian blogger Tunde Ednut has been honoured with a Certificate of Recognition for his significant contributions to society. The popular Instagram personality, who marked his birthday on Monday, 20 January, shared a video on his social media platform showcasing the moment he received the award. Advertisement The certificate was presented by Prince Georges County in Maryland, USA, renowned as the most populous predominantly black county in the state. READ MORE: Cubana Chief Priest Dismisses Claims Of Fathering Two Children In Malaysia The recognition highlights Tunde Ednuts dedication to uplifting and empowering individuals, as well as his advocacy efforts for underrepresented communities. The county council commended his unwavering commitment to justice and his impactful work in raising awareness about issues affecting the African diaspora and beyond. In their tribute, the council lauded the bloggers ability to inspire millions through his influence and his investment in the betterment of communities. Expressing gratitude, Tunde Ednut remarked, It is a honour to be recognised by the people of Prince Georges county, the most populous black county in Maryland, USA SEE POST: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFD6MUHpLXF/?igsh=MWRmMXN5eHUzcWI3bw== The Katsina State Government has vehemently denied participating in any peace negotiations with bandits, contrary to reports of a peace deal involving notorious bandit kingpins in the Batsari Local Government Area. Bala Salisu, the States Commissioner for Information and Culture, in chat with Daily Trust, emphasized that the government remains firm in its stance against negotiating with bandits. While the government is willing to accept bandits who voluntarily surrender and renounce violence, he noted, it will not initiate negotiations. Advertisement READ ALSO: 21 Katsina Villagers Killed In Terrorists Ambush As Salisu stated, We were not part of any peace deal, and the governments position has always been that anyone who renounces violence and surrenders their weapons would be considered. But the government would not go asking to negotiate with any bandit. Reports indicate that a peace meeting took place on Sunday in Kofa village, involving military leadership, DSS representatives, traditional authorities, and residents. Notorious bandit leaders, including Lamu Saudo and Abdulhamid Dan Da, reportedly surrendered their weapons and freed kidnapped victims during the meeting. Military sources attributed the surrender to sustained military operations that left the bandits with no choice but to seek peace. The World Bank has taken decisive action against two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, as well as their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Norman Didam, due to alleged corrupt practices. According to the World Banks statement on Monday, the sanctions stem from findings of fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices related to the National Social Safety Nets Project (NSSNP) in Nigeria. The Washington-based bank statement read partly: The World Bank Group today announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigeria-based companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, and their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr Norman Bwuruk Didam. Advertisement This 30-month debarment prohibits the companies and Didam from participating in any World Bank-financed projects or operations. READ ALSO: Nigeria Receives $1.5bn World Bank Loan For Subsidy Removal, Tax Reforms The investigation, it said, uncovered significant violations of the World Banks Anti-Corruption Framework during the 2018 procurement and contract processes involving Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Didam. The World Bank reported that the companies and Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in their bidding documents, improperly obtained confidential tender information, and provided incentives to public officials associated with the project. These actions were labeled as one which constitute fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices, respectively. As part of their settlement agreements, the companies and Didam, it said, have acknowledged their responsibility and agreed to rigorous integrity compliance requirements. Former Nigerian Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, has taken a swipe at Kemi Badenoch, the leader of Britains Conservative party, over her disparaging comments about Nigeria. Akinyemi warned that Badenoch will soon learn her lessons, particularly that you dont throw your people and your culture under the bus. The renowned Professor of Political Science, via Channels Televisions Politics Today on Monday, expressed disappointment that Badenoch, a Nigerian-raised British politician, would denigrate her country of origin to advance her political career in the UK. Advertisement He advised her to focus on strengthening her party in Britain instead of constantly criticizing Nigeria. How the daughter of a professor of UNILAG, her father who was a medical doctor, a girl who went to the international school at UNILAG would make it sound like she was selling groundnuts and selling water in Lagos to advance her political career. READ ALSO: An Insufferable Creature Fani-Kayode Blasts Badenoch Over Nigeria Criticism She would soon learn that you dont throw your people and your culture under the bus to advance your career. She is making a mistake but she will soon learn. After all, right now, there is even a Right Wing political party in the United Kingdom. So, what she should be focusing on is how to regain that rightwing profile of the Conservative Party and leave Nigeria alone, he said. Akinyemis comments come after Badenoch accused Nigerian politicians of misusing public funds for personal gain in 2022. Her remarks have sparked widespread criticism from Nigerian leaders, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, who suggested she remove the Kemi from her name. Daniel Bwala, a spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, has also weighed in on the matter, stating that Badenochs comments are targeted at gaining acceptance from her party members and will not affect Nigerias investor confidence. President-elect Donald Trump walks with his wife Melania after a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, on Donald Trump's inauguration day. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Read more First lady Melania Trump cut a fine figure at Mondays presidential swearing-in ceremony in an uber-tailored navy double-breasted coat by New York designer Adam Lippes. A pleated high-necked ivory blouse peaked demurely from underneath the swank outerwear, an exact match to the headband of her chapeau. That hat, from Eric Javits, was by far the chicest element of the first ladys ensemble. It sat squarely on her head, over a tight bun, its generous brim covering her eyes. She appeared classy, yet on-brand Melania-Trump-mysterious. Advertisement Lippes is well-known in New York fashion circles. His airy, feminine pieces are available in Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue and his eponymous boutiques are in New York, Houston, and Miami. Jill Biden wore a navy Adam Lippes suit when she went to the Vatican in 2021. While Lippes is the reported designer behind the first ladys austere look, the ensemble was very Christian Dior. Knowing what I know about this particular first ladys pointed sense of style, the Dior vibes were likely intentional. The French designer rose to fashion prominence in the mid-1940s with the severely tailored New Look. Feminine, yet stern, its jackets were structured, often outfitted with shoulders pads. (Fashion fact: Diors New Look is a precursor to Dynastys over-the-top ensembles in the 1980s.) The silhouette nipped the waist, accenting a womans figure. The skirts were respectably mid-calf. And following the mid-20th centurys strict fashion rules, New Look outfits were accessorized to the nines, with dramatic hats as well as gloves, pocketbooks, and pumps. Diors New Look debuted in 1947, two years after the end of World War II. The end of the war, coupled with economic gains from Franklin Delano Roosevelts New Deal, placed America in an era of new prosperity, marked by the rise of white-collar workers and home ownership. It was also a time when women knew their place was firmly behind men. America was at the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement, 17 years before the 1964 signing of the Civil Rights Act, giving Black people equal rights under the law. Only two genders were recognized: male and female. The golden age of America begins right now, said President Donald Trump, in his inaugural address during which he promised to bring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s dream of a color-blind America to fruition yet eliminate DEI programs, promising that all Americans would be judged on their merit. From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation and not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of, Trump said triumphantly. Eight years ago, when Melania Trump appeared at her husbands side at his first inauguration, she wore a powder blue Ralph Lauren suit nearly identical to the one Jacqueline Kennedy wore in 1961. Melania Trumps outfit on Monday speaks to a time before even then, when women were well-dressed on planes, in restaurants, and at church a time when we walked behind our husbands and lowered our eyes. Abdul Anderson, a teenager who was assaulted by a staff member at a juvenile secure placement facility, is shown in Center City. Read more An Inquirer investigation found Philadelphia has become an outlier in its rate of youth incarceration, as cities across the country have worked to curb reliance on institutions rife with abuse. Philadelphia prosecutors say they are only doing what is necessary to keep up with the gun crisis, noting one in four juvenile cases now involves a firearm. Defense lawyers point to data showing Philly still locks up kids who are assessed as low risk, and cite concerning examples, such as a child held in detention for the alleged theft of his uncles dog, months after the uncle and his pet had been reunited. Advertisement The investigation found that, despite some progress, many Philly kids end up in dangerous institutions, even when the systems own assessments deem the youths low risk or appropriate to release. Philly locks up kids more than other big cities Measuring by both annual admissions and population, Philadelphia holds teens in detention and sentences them to institutions at a higher rate than the other largest U.S. cities. Leaders nationwide and in Pennsylvania have called for less incarceration of youth, in light of widespread abuses and research that shows locking up kids leads to worse outcomes for them, and for public safety. Philly has reduced its use as well. Yet it has fallen behind other places in the state, region, and country. Within Pennsylvania, Philadelphia accounts for about 13% of teenagers, but nearly half of juvenile detention admissions and almost 60% of the sentenced population in state secure institutions. The majority of those in state custody are deemed low or moderate risk on standardized assessments. Staff covered up abuses, while officials were slow to react An Inquirer review found more than 650 lawsuits, state inspection reports, and criminal cases describing physical and sexual abuse in youth facilities across Pennsylvania over 15 years. But that is a fraction of more than 7,000 institutional abuse allegations made with the state in the last decade, most of which were not believed. Just 4% were substantiated by inspectors. Abuses persisted for years at some facilities before state or local authorities removed kids often failing to coordinate with one another. Philly teens and staffers said that, as cameras are in wide use, a new trend has emerged: Staffers at Phillys juvenile detention center offered cheesesteaks as bribes to beat up kids who were disrespectful. Its like putting a hit out on a kid, one former counselor said. Then, the teens who fought can be placed in lockdowns, which a city watchdog found are routinely imposed in excess of strict limits set by state law. Even if an assault is caught on video, thats no guarantee of speedy action. After a staffer at a private institution headbutted and tackled a teen, The Inquirer found that initial paperwork appeared to cover up the nature of the incident and place blame on the teen. After the teens lawyer filed a complaint, the staffer was fired. Allegations of abuse go back two centuries This year marks the 200th anniversary of the advent of juvenile detention in America, with the opening of the House of Refuge in New York, followed by a Philadelphia version a few years later. For much of that history, youth had few rights and could be incarcerated without a trial for years on end. Moreover, claims of abuse and maltreatment emerged almost from the start and became endemic to the system. Throughout, such allegations have been disbelieved or ignored, while spikes in crime typically brought a renewed zeal for incarcerating kids. Heres a timeline of how that system evolved. Philly incarcerates Black teens the most by far. In Philly, racial disparities exist in every stage of the juvenile system, with escalating impacts. Black kids are about nine times more likely than white kids to be charged, according to state court data. They are 13 times more likely to be detained, and 20 times more likely to be sentenced to a secure institution. Heres a visualization of how that dynamic plays out. High recidivism raises questions. Philadelphias district attorney has acknowledged that the juvenile system is not succeeding, with a 57% five-year recidivism rate that increases to 80% for youth who have been arrested at least twice. Even though crime remains near historic lows, calls to reform the system have largely faded amid spikes in youth violent crime coming out of the pandemic. This article was supported in part by funding from the Stoneleigh Foundation, a philanthropic organization seeking to improve the life outcomes of young people. Inquirer articles are created independently of donor support. Archbishop Nelson Perez, center left, and retired Archbishop Charles Chaput, center right, pray at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia on Jan. 24, 2020. Read more A statue of an infant Jesus was stolen from a Nativity scene at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann, where nearly a year ago a vandal shattered the shrines stained glass windows. On the night of Jan. 6, staff at the shrine in Northern Liberties discovered that the plaster figurine was missing, the Rev. John Kingsbury, the shrine director, said Tuesday. Advertisement The piece was not expensive, Kingsbury said, but it had been in place for at least a decade and had sentimental value. The shrine, on the lower level of St. Peter the Apostle Church at Fifth Street and Girard Avenue, houses Neumanns remains, along with artifacts including his Bibles, vestments, and eyeglasses, and is open to the public daily. Security footage showed many people visiting the area near the Nativity scene on the day the statue was stolen, making it hard to pinpoint the thief, Kingsbury said. But the footage captured images of a man carrying a bag big enough to stow the statue, he said, and shrine staff sent the images to police. The man is considered a person of interest in the theft, he said. Police confirmed that they were investigating the theft, which they said took place around 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 6. A staff member at the shrine, they said, told police a bald man wearing a blue-and-red flannel shirt, blue jeans, and gray shoes took the statue and put it inside a blue bag before leaving. Kingsbury, who has served as the shrines director for a year, said he was troubled by the theft, but it has not deterred him from opening the doors to the public. I see that shrines by their nature are meant to attract a variety of people, and may attract people that are troubled, he said. It comes with the turf if were going to value and welcome people, especially on the fringes of society. The loss of the statue of Jesus comes less than a year after a vandal shattered at least three stained glass windows at the shrine that Kingsbury said cost about $40,000 to replace. The theft of the statue was announced a week after a thief broke into St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Center City and stole a 125-year-old golden crown from atop a statue of the Virgin Mary. Police have released images of the suspect in that case but have made no arrests. Kingsbury said he hoped the thief who took the figurine from the shrine would simply return it. Just leave it in the shrine anywhere, he said. Well take care of it. SMILE (Silent Mentors In Literacy Education) program teacher Jordyn Glick (left) works with therapy dog Hope and first graders (from left) Emily Glick, 6; Aubrey Stevens, 7; Hutch Helsabeck, 7; and Anthony Fedele (partially hidden), 6, at H. A. Marsh Elementary School in Absecon Jan. 9. Glick is also a certified pet therapy handler. Superintendent Daniel Dooley started the program at the school with two Swiss Mountain dogs, and a bill modeled after their program is in the legislature that would establish a three-year pilot program for other New Jersey elementary schools. Read more As middle school language arts teacher Shana Caputo moved around her social studies classroom, she gently pulled a leash to guide the regular, four-legged visitor: a Greater Swiss Mountain dog, Skye. Caputo is among nearly three dozen staffers certified to handle Skye and his partner, Hope, therapy dogs who work in the Absecon Public Schools. The Swissies provide a calming presence for students who are feeling distressed, or a friendly ear for struggling readers reluctant to read aloud. Advertisement The dogs are popular members of the teaching staff at H. Ashton Marsh Elementary and Emma C. Attales Middle, where they have a full schedule three days a week, visiting classes, small group lessons, and counseling sessions. Its a nice change, especially for the middle school students, said Caputo. A lot of the students look forward to seeing the dogs. During a recent morning lesson on ancient Rome, Caputo moved around the special education classroom with Skye in tow. The dog occasionally took a break, plopping down on the floor. He curiously sniffed a cabinet where Caputo stores snacks for students (but no treats for the dogs while working). In the elementary wing for another assignment, Skye sat on the carpeted floor in Lisa Malettas classroom where a small group of first graders were matching words with phonics cards. When a card was missing, she turned to the culprit, Skye. Sir, are you hiding the card? she asked jokingly, pulling the card from beneath the 140-pound dog. Maletta said her students are more focused and pay better attention when the therapy animals are in the classroom. A certified handler, she escorted Hope through the halls to her next class assignment. I love having that as an option. Its a great way to help the kids feel confident and comfortable, said Maletta. We took a chance on it Superintendent Daniel Dooley initially started the pet therapy program with Skye a decade ago as a teacher in the Commercial Township School District in Cumberland County after researching the benefits of pet therapy. He wanted a free program to try a different approach to reach special-needs students, who comprised nearly one-third of the enrollment. People thought we were crazy, Dooley recalled. We took a chance on it. Dooley got the idea to use pets for therapy after his father was in a rehabilitation facility in 2005 and desperately missed his English bulldog. After getting the dog certified as a service dog, Dooley took him for a visit. Not only was his dad happy, but other patients clamored for time with the bulldog. Dooley wondered if that would have a similar impact on students. Dooley obtained Skye from Kismet Swissies, a breeder in Birdsboro, Pa., who donated the dog to the district on the condition that Skye be permitted to show. Dooley and his wife, Stephanie, agreed, not fully understanding the commitment. READ MORE: At Westminster Dog Show, New Jersey therapy dog competed, but did not place for top prize Skye was a big hit in Commercial Township, socializing freely with students, cuddling and patiently listening to them read aloud. The Swissie was a perfect match, friendly and confident but never aggressive, Dooley said. He was certified as a therapy dog by FURever as Friends. In 2018, Skye made headlines when he competed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York for the second year in a row. He didnt place in the best of his breed, but had a great appearance at the most exclusive dog show in the country. These days, Skye has a more laid-back lifestyle in Absecon, where Dooley has been school chief since 2019. Dooley added a second therapy dog, Esperanza, who everyone calls Hope. They interact with about 150 to 300 kids weekly, he said. Sitting next to teacher Jordyn Glick as she read Good Boy Fergus, a story about a curious dog, to students in the S.M.I.L.E. (Silent Mentors in Literacy Education) program, Hope was quiet as classical music played. Anthony Fedele, 6, reached out to gently pet the dog. When Hope got a little fidgety, one girl suggested, We can read to her. He has a great sense of their feelings Dooley said the impact has been astounding and has helped the schools address students social, emotional and mental health needs. First-grade reading scores have improved and behavior problems have decreased, he said. Working with the dogs promotes good behavior because students can earn points to spend time with them. The dogs also bring a calming presence to special-needs students prone to behavioral problems, Dooley said. A student sent to a reset room with one of the dogs during a crisis typically settles down within minutes and can return to the classroom, compared to an average of 17 minutes without a dog, he said. Unconditional love from Skye in a tough counseling session can get a child to open up about a sensitive subject, said Mary Alvarado, an elementary school counselor. A gentle nudge from the dog breaks down barriers, she said. Then the tears will come, she said. He has a great sense of their feelings. Known as the dog guy, Dooley has become a pet therapy enthusiast and expert. His program has become a model for educators across the country and he mentors about 100 schools with similar programs. He testified last month at a state Assembly Education Committee on a bill that would create a three-year pilot program to assess the academic, social and emotional benefit of animal therapy to students. Programs initially would be set up in two districts in each of the states north, central and southern regions and could expand statewide. Experts say animal therapy can improve student achievement and boost self-esteem and confidence. It also promotes character traits such as patience, nurturing, caring, and empathy. Sometimes they need to see a counselor. Sometimes they need to see a therapy dog, said Michelle Pich, assistant director of the Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program at Rowan University, which has 30 therapy dogs. It help releases anxiety by grounding them. In Absecon, parents may opt out of the program for children with pet allergies or fears of dogs. If a student opts out, the dog is kept in a separate area. The dogs are kept on a leash at all times. When theyre not working, the dogs live with Dooley, his wife, and 2-year-old son. They ride to work with him and are returned to his office at the end of the day. Dooley maintains a distance from the dogs during school hours to avoid distracting them. Dooley believes the program has benefited his students. Anything to make a childs day brighter. Philadelphia School District schools and offices will operate on a two-hour delay on Tuesday. Read more With snow on the ground and freezing temperatures forecast, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. has called a two-hour delay for the Philadelphia School District on Tuesday. The delay applies to schools as well as district offices. Advertisement Archdiocesan elementary schools in Philadelphia will also operate on a two-hour delay, but Archdiocesan high schools will observe a regular schedule, with no delay. (Archdiocesan schools in the suburbs typically follow the weather-related decisions of their corresponding public school districts.) I urge caution as you travel to and from school and work tomorrow, Watlington wrote in a message to staff and families. Students will not be marked late if they encounter weather-related transportation delays as long as they bring a note from a parent or guardian; staff weather-related lateness will be considered excused. Any outdoor activities planned for Tuesday will also be moved indoors. READ MORE: Single-digit temperatures are expected in Philly, after biggest snow of the season Its unclear whether the predicted frigid weather will have further effect on school operations. We will provide further weather-related updates as needed, Watlington wrote. Otherwise, we look forward to welcoming all students and staff back tomorrow, to continue accelerating student achievement! For every food business that shuts down with little or no notice, Danielle Jowdy is doing the exact opposite with Zsas Ice Cream, her charming parlor on Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy. Last month, Jowdy announced Zsas grand closing: December 2025, coinciding with the renewal of her lease and what she calls the desire to have an entire year to make our full seasonal menu so customers could enjoy all their favorites one last time... and also to give my staff time to plan for their whats next? just as I will be for mine. Advertisement Jowdy, 42, said she does not have a next step in mind. In short, she feels that she must expand Zsas to keep it going. But scaling the business would be beyond her financial, emotional, and physical boundaries, she said. You have to make a call as to whether youre going to risk that and potentially dilute yourself, or take on something thats so fragile because that ecosystem of financing, management, and operations has to be so perfect, she said. Jowdy said she loves the creative side, but the founders dilemma is what gets you started in your business. That is not always what you wind up doing down the road. Long runway or not, the pain is being felt in the thriving commercial district, home of Adelie Coffee and a few doors from the hit Downtime Bakery. READ MORE: Our favorite ice cream shops Ahmira Saunders, 22, who has worked at Zsas for three years, called Jowdys announcement really shocking, though she understands the reasons. Im really sad about it, said Diana Gould, shopping for pints with her mother, Diana Tirado, last week. When we found out about it, all the neighborhood was up in arms. Since the pandemic, Jowdy keeps the door locked and Zsas dispenses cones, cups, and pints through a takeout window. Its fun to come up here and stand with your neighbors and chat, Gould said, as Erica Dixon and her son Owen enjoyed their ice cream on a bench beneath a colorful mural. Today, were starting to build our stockpile, Tirado said, patting her shopping bag filled with pints. I feel as though were going to have some small impact on an uptick in chest-freezer sales because people have been scheduling their purchases, Jowdy said. A dip into Zsas history When Jowdy and her mother were packing up the family home in Connecticut for sale years ago, they found a hand-cranked ice cream machine the parents received as a wedding gift in 1980. As kids, Jowdy and her brother, Christopher, poured in skim milk and Hersheys syrup and wed have at it, she said. Jowdy brought the machine back to Philadelphia and, armed with a 1980s-era Ben & Jerrys cookbook, began making ice cream to take to parties and cookouts. She was working at a stained-glass studio as her dessert hobby grew. Using two small machines, she made ice cream in a bakery production kitchen after she finished work for the day at a stained-glass studio. When she was laid off 14 years ago, she went professional. Jowdy launched her business selling pints at the Media Farmers Market in November. It was dark, it was raining, it was cold, she said. Im out there trying to make a living, and this woman comes to my table and says, Ice cream, in this weather? Its a bad idea, and she walks away. Something in my brain just flipped like when someone tells you, You cant do that. Well, yes I can. Because she had diminished what I was trying to do, I had this idea in my head that were going to open an ice cream shop in December, and were going to sell ice cream in the snow. It became a mission of mine to prove that you can do this year-round. The name say it zahz comes from a nickname shared since childhood by Jowdy and her sister, Rebecca. We saw the name Zsa somewhere and started using it for each other, Jowdy said. Years later, she noticed that Rebeccas middle name, Suzanne, includes a z and an a, as does her own middle name, Elizabeth. People would always ask me, Why ice cream? but the more appropriate question I realized was why small business? Jowdy said. Both my parents ran businesses that provided a service to our community, and I watched them have such pride in being a part of our community and seeing them wear all hats. Jowdys father, brother, and sister operate a funeral home, and her mother founded, owned, and operated her own Montessori school for about 30 years. Before opening the shop in late 2018, Jowdy sold ice cream at farmers markets, off a retro ice cream truck at events, and by wholesale to stores like Weavers Way Co-op. Zsas expanded into Whole Foods stores, but it became perfectly clear that [only] the shop was where we needed to be, Jowdy said. In two weeks selling at Whole Foods, we sold less than we did in two days here. Its a very different business. Its about chasing volume and margins. Youre selling to a buyer, not to the public. You dont have that interaction. Asked if this grand closing could give someone time to buy the business, Jowdy acknowledged that this was a possibility. If this doesnt happen, our 100% plan is to put a bow on the magic we have created and say a final goodbye, she said. If youve ever gone out of your way to visit a bakery only to discover the early birds snatched up all the good stuff, you know the cold, hard disappointment of a baked good denied. Phillys latest pop-up bakery turned brick-and-mortar, Mount Airys Downtime Bakery, sees you. Opened in early December at 6624 Germantown Ave., Downtime is perhaps the only bakery in the area to have a publicly posted daily baking schedule: Its sourdough loaves, brioche buns, cookies, and quiche slices debut at 9 a.m. Focaccia hits at 10:30, followed by sandwiches and tomato pie slices at 11. Come 1 p.m., theres a parade of fresh-baked pie slices, baguettes, and cookies. Advertisement I wanted us to be able to always have something in the case, says co-owner and head baker Dayna Evans, a Delco native who edited Eater Philly before pursuing her bread-baking hobby professionally in 2022. Now that Evans' pop-up bakery has graduated from her home to its own brick-and-mortar space, she and partner/co-owner Sam Carmichael have help from staffers Theo Cobb, Emary Parisi, Sophie Wieber, and Haley Peckman. Besides relaxing the pace for Downtimes bakers, the schedule ensures maximal freshness and gives late-risers an incentive to stop by and stay a while. People [can] come in the afternoon and know that the thing that theyre getting in the afternoon has not been sitting there all day, Evans says. If you know youre coming in at 1 and Ive just baked this pie, theres nothing like that feeling. Oh, hot pie. Sure, yeah, Im definitely gonna come have a cup of coffee. Theres a potential downside if you both want pie and bagels, youd have to stay all day, Evans says but the preponderance of customers so far have been locals who dont mind swinging by a second time. Plus, Downtimes 20-seat cafe is so cozy, you wont mind staying awhile. We would love to be a bakery that anyone wants to come to, but I think our goal was to really make a terrific neighborhood spot. Were not chasing Instagram trends or anything, Carmichael says. We just want people to come and sit and hang out. Evans and Carmichael took about a year to convert this former insurance office into a full-on bakery. They tapped friends and family to outfit the space with warm, welcoming touches. Newtown Square-based woodworker Nat Fry built a custom sales counter and shelving out of maple and cherry wood. Designer Dayan DAniello branded Downtimes merch (essential for a new-school bakery), using the bakerys logo a girl hugging a baguette, drawn by illustrator Hannah Robinson as a jumping-off point. Artist Cat Park painted four canvases that form a giant dinner-table motif that hangs over the seating area. Evans' mom, Stephanie Cocchi, threw the ceramic plates and mugs. Thank You Thank You coffee whiz Cody McGregor devised a custom blend for Downtime with Poem Roasting. The ingredients in Downtimes bread also lean local (and organic). All of their flour comes from Pennsylvania mills, including Small Valley Milling in Halifax and Castle Valley Mill in Doylestown. Evans and Carmichael also source produce for sandwiches, pies, and other baked goods (think persimmon muffins) from Weavers Ways Northwest Philly farms. Given its sourcing, you can expect a seasonal and idiosyncratic bent from Downtime. Recent items include a sweet potato-rosemary shokupan (Japanese milk bread), a maple candied-walnut sourdough loaf, and focaccia topped with fingerling potatoes, garlic confit, and rosemary. Thursdays always feature a one-off bread variety, while other specials like the handheld mince pies Evans made around the holidays fluctuate with the three-baker teams daily workload. Caneles waltz in every now and then. Pie fillings and focaccia toppings can change on a lark. Sandwich stuffings will be somewhat static till spring, which Evans is looking forward to. When theres fresh fruit, we can make sour cherry pies. With the sandwiches, an asparagus-lemon-goat cheese combination ... When tomatoes are in season, well do tomato sandwiches on the pane Siciliano, she said. By that time, I feel like well have expanded our menu enough to have even more things. What you can count on at Downtime are sourdough baguettes and bread (country, seeded, and sesame-crusted pane Siciliano, made with durum flour); four varieties of bagels (they always sell out); quiche with a spelt flour crust; sweet and savory brioche buns; puffy squares of tomato pie (people are going nuts for it, Evans says); and focaccia and ciabatta sandwiches (always vegetarian). If you havent noticed, bread rules the day. I really wanted to start the bakery as a bread bakery, and people come for bread, Evans said. Thats the thing I care the most about. Downtime Bakery at 6624 Germantown Ave. is open Thursday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check its Instagram, @downtimebakery, for updates. WASHINGTON A prisoner swap between the United States and Afghanistans Taliban freed two Americans in exchange for a Taliban figure imprisoned for life in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges, officials said Tuesday. The two Americans freed in the swap, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, was brokered before President Joe Biden left office Monday, according to a Trump administration official who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity. Advertisement The Talibans Foreign Ministry in Kabul said the two U.S. citizens had been exchanged for Khan Mohammed, who was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment in 2008. The Trump White House cheered the release and thanked Qatar for its assistance facilitating the deal, but also pressed the Taliban to free other Americans held in Afghanistan. Biden, who oversaw the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, on Monday handed power to President Donald Trump. The Taliban praised the swap as a step toward the normalization of ties between the U.S. and Afghanistan, but that likely remains a tall order as most countries in the world still dont recognize their rule and another two Americans are believed held. The Trump White House cheered the release and thanked Qatar for its assistance facilitating the deal, but also pressed the Taliban to free other Americans held in Afghanistan. The Trump Administration will continue to demand the release of all Americans held by the Taliban, especially in light of the billions of dollars in U.S. aid theyve received in recent years, White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement. U.S., Taliban and Qatar all involved in the swap Corbett, who had lived in Afghanistan with his family at the time of the 2021 collapse of the U.S.-backed government, was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 while on a business trip. Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryans life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives, the familys statement said. They thanked both Trump and Biden, as well as many government officials, for their efforts in freeing him. Corbetts family also praised the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar for their vital role in facilitating Ryans release, and for their visits to Ryan as the United States Protecting Power in Afghanistan. Energy-rich Qatar has hosted negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban over the years. A statement from the Qatar Foreign Ministry acknowledged the countrys role in the swap, saying all those traded passed through Doha on their way to their own countries. Qatar hopes that this agreement would pave the way for achieving further understandings as a means to resolve disputes through peaceful means, the statement said. It was unclear what McKenty was doing in Afghanistan. Taliban prisoner first convicted of narco-terrorism Mohammed, 55, was a prisoner in California after his 2008 conviction. The Bureau of Prisons early Tuesday listed Mohammed as not being in their custody. Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, a Taliban Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson, said Mohammed had arrived in Afghanistan and was with his family. Photos released by the Taliban showed him being welcomed back in his home province of Nangarhar, in the countrys east, with multicolored garlands. Mohammed told Taliban-controlled media he had spent time behind bars in Bagram and also Washington, D.C. Its a joy seeing your family and coming to your homeland. The greatest joy is to come and join your Muslim brothers, he said. He was detained on the battlefield in Nangarhar and later taken to the U.S. A federal jury convicted him on charges of securing heroin and opium that he knew were bound for the United States and, in doing so, assisting terrorism activity. The Justice Department at the time referred to Mohammed as a violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker who sought to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan using rockets. He was the first person to be convicted on U.S. narco-terrorism laws. Ahmed Rashid, the author of several books about Afghanistan and the Taliban, described Mohammed as the biggest drugs smuggler the U.S. had to deal with and key funder of the Taliban. Before Biden left office, his administration had been trying to work out a deal to free Corbett, as well as George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi, in exchange for Muhammad Rahim, one of the remaining detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, was taken by the Talibans intelligence services in December 2022 while traveling through the country. Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman who worked as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecommunications company, also went missing in 2022. The Taliban have denied they have Habibi. Habibis family welcomed the exchange and said they were confident the Trump administration would make a greater effort to free him, expressing their frustration with the Biden team. We know they have evidence my brother is alive and in Taliban hands and it could have been influential in encouraging the Taliban to admit they have him, Habibis brother Ahmed said in a statement shared by the nonprofit Global Reach. Biden officials refused to use the evidence, he claimed. We know Trump is about results and we have faith he will use every tool available to get Mahmood home. Taliban try to gain international recognition For their part, the Taliban called the exchange the result of long and fruitful negotiations with the U.S. and said it was a good example of solving problems through dialogue. The Islamic Emirate looks positively at the actions of the United States of America that help the normalization and development of relations between the two countries, it said. The Taliban have been trying to make inroads in being recognized, in part to escape the economic tailspin caused by their takeover. Billions in international funds were frozen, and tens of thousands of highly skilled Afghans fled the country and took their money with them. However, some nations have welcomed Taliban officials, like the United Arab Emirates, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. On Tuesday, Emirati leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan again welcomed Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who also heads the Haqqani network, a powerful force within the group blamed for some of the bloodiest attacks against Afghanistans former Western-backed government. Haqqani is still wanted by the U.S. on a bounty of up to $10 million over his involvement in an attack that killed an American citizen and other assaults. The meeting came even as the UAE maintains a close relationship with the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump are greeted by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, upon their arrival at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. Read more President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday night to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants born in this country, a move certain to generate both new controversy and legal challenges. Trump and other opponents argue that the practice entices people to enter the country illegally, so that children who are born here will automatically gain American citizenship. Thats a big one, Trump said as he signed the order. Advertisement Those citizens, at age 21, can sponsor close family members to live here permanently. A new poll by Ipsos and the New York Times showed 55% opposition to ending birthright citizenship for children born in this country to undocumented migrants. What exactly is birthright citizenship? Its the legal foundation under which American citizenship is automatically conferred upon people who are born in the United States. The formal term is jus soli, Latin for right of the soil. Automatic citizenship also extends to children who are born abroad to U.S. citizens. Can Trump take it away? No. Or at least, not easily. Birthright citizenship is guaranteed in the Constitution, specifically by the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, after the end of the Civil War, which says that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. A president cannot amend the Constitution by himself, and a Trump order to end birthright citizenship would doubtless face lawsuits. During his first term, he promised to end birthright citizenship but took little action to do so. What about people who are undocumented? Do their children automatically become citizens if they are born in this country? Yes. That principle was confirmed by an 1898 Supreme Court case, United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which held that children born in the U.S. are citizens, regardless of their parents immigration status. The case set a bright-line rule: When youre born here, youre part of us, Philadelphia immigration attorney William Stock, a former national president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, previously told The Inquirer. Who was Wong Kim Ark, and why was his case important? Wong was a Chinese American cook, born in San Francisco to immigrant parents. In 1890, both parents returned to China, and Wong, about 21, visited them there the same year. On his return, he was admitted into the U.S. on the sole grounds that he was a native-born American citizen. Four years later in 1894, at about 25, Wong again traveled to China. But when he returned in 1895, he was denied entry by Customs officials who ruled that he was not a citizen and in fact could be immediately deported under the Chinese Exclusion Act. The 1882 Exclusion Act banned immigration from China amid a perceived invasion of supposedly job-stealing newcomers. The Supreme Court affirmed Wongs citizenship in 1898, citing his birth on American soil. That his parents were not citizens, and in fact were subjects of the Chinese emperor, did not matter, the court ruled. To deny Wong his citizenship would be to deny citizenship to thousands of persons of English, Scotch, Irish, German, or other European parentage who have always been considered and treated as citizens of the United States, the court said. Are there exceptions to birthright citizenship? Very few. Children of foreign diplomats do not automatically acquire citizenship, as their parents immunity means they are not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. And were the U.S. to be militarily invaded, children born to members of that hostile occupation would not be citizens, either. Native Americans were not automatically granted citizenship until 1924. Is this how other countries do it? It depends. Currently 33 nations and two territories have unrestricted birthright citizenship, and another 32 have some form of restricted citizenship, according to World Population Review. Nearly all those countries are located in North or South America, stemming from the time when European colonial powers welcomed immigrants in order to populate their settlements. Other countries offer citizenship based on parentage, generally to children where one or both parents are citizens. Have people previously tried to end birthright citizenship in this country? Yes. The last 30 years have seen failed state and federal efforts to change the law without having to amend the Constitution, the Center for American Progress reported. In 1995, for instance, a House subcommittee held a hearing on children born to Illegal Alien Parents as part of an unsuccessful Citizenship Reform Act, proposed by a California Republican during the Clinton administration. Testifying for the Justice Department, Constitutional scholar Walter Dellinger explained that while the office grapples with many challenging legal issues, this bill wasnt one of them. The legislation, he said, is unquestionably unconstitutional. President Donald Trump issued several orders to dramatically toughen immigration standards and enforcement within hours of taking office on Monday, declaring a national emergency at the southern border after having promised earlier in the day to quickly begin deporting millions and millions of people. All illegal entry will immediately be halted, he said in his inauguration speech. I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country. Advertisement Pro-immigrant groups in Philadelphia promised a fight, insisting they would stand up for migrants and families who seek to make their way in a new country. VietLead stands committed and ready with all immigrant and racial-justice groups in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and across the country, the Vietnamese-led organization said in a statement. Our families must remain united, our communities must remain intact. Trump signed an order to end birthright citizenship, which has been enshrined in the Constitution since the end of the Civil War. He was immediately challenged by a lawsuit filed Tuesday by attorneys general in New Jersey and other states. His order would end automatic citizenship for children born in this country to undocumented people. READ MORE: President Trump wants to end birthright citizenship. Heres why that will be hard to do. Trump also signed an order suspending refugee resettlement. And another declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. And another saying it would be U.S. policy to have the armed forces prioritize the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the United States along its borders. As commander in chief, Trump said during his speech, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I am going to do. We will do it at a level that nobody has ever seen before. In Washington on Tuesday, senators headed to midday lunches reacted to the sweeping immigration orders largely along party lines, with Republicans lauding the actions and some Democrats voicing concern. Joe Biden has facilitated the largest human-trafficking operation in modern history, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R., Ohio) said at the Capitol, describing Bidens less-restrictive border controls. We had a big, beautiful inauguration, and now thats all changed. Moreno, who was born in Colombia, defended Trumps actions, saying, I came to this country legally. Thats the way people should come here. Sen. Andy Kim, a Democrat representing New Jersey, called Trumps executive order to end birthright citizenship unconstitutional, and noted the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the practice. The fact that President Trump thinks that he has the power to take such action thats the kind of action that should alarm the American people, Kim said. The Constitution is the Constitution. It cannot be something that we in Congress overturn or the executive branch overturns. Many people support Trumps immigration policies, including his plan for mass deportations. A new poll by Ipsos and the New York Times shows that 63% of those surveyed supported deporting immigrants who entered the country without permission during the last four years, and 55% said they supported deporting all immigrants who are here illegally. Another Trump order issued on Monday night directed government agencies to undertake enhanced vetting of all people the order called them aliens seeking admission to the United States. Immigrant advocates in the Philadelphia area have braced for a Trump presidency, particularly his stated plans to deport millions of undocumented people living in the United States. About 13 million people, roughly the population of Pennsylvania, are living in the country without legal permission. On Monday, Trump pledged to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 wartime authority, having on the campaign trail promised to put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then kick them the hell out of our country as fast as possible. The Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law calls the act one of the most notorious laws in U.S. history, an overbroad authority that may violate constitutional rights in wartime and is subject to abuse in peacetime. The act allows the president to detain or deport citizens of an enemy nation, targeting immigrants without a hearing, based on nothing more than their citizenship or country of birth, according to the center. The law was passed to prevent espionage or sabotage during war, but can be wielded against immigrants who have done nothing wrong and are lawfully present in the United States, the center said. Make the Road Pennsylvania, one of the states largest immigrant-rights groups, said Monday marked the beginning of a challenging four years for immigrants and working families. Trumps fascist and hateful agenda requires despair to thrive, and the word hopeless is not in our vocabulary, the group said in a statement. We wont back down. The resilience of people committed to fighting against oppression and defending immigrant communities in this country has never been reliant on who is in the White House. On Monday, Trump immediately ended the use of an important border app called CBP One, the initials for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, that has allowed nearly a million people to legally enter the United States with permission to work. The app let migrants schedule appointments at eight southwest border ports of entry. Critics said the app was a magnet that encouraged people to come to the Mexican border to try to enter the United States. An online notice Monday said existing appointments had been canceled. Donald Trump takes the oath of office in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Monday. Trump has claimed to have a mandate from voters, but he narrowly won the election by 1.5% and failed again to get more than 50% of the popular vote, writes the Editorial Board. Read more Declaring the start of a new golden age for America, Donald Trump has returned to the White House. Even as his record of lies, division, and criminality continues to tarnish the office of the presidency. Trump was sworn in at the U.S. Capitol on Monday, four years and 14 days after a mob of armed supporters stormed and desecrated the same building in an effort to overturn the election he lost. Trumps inauguration as the 47th president occurred less than eight months after he was convicted in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election he narrowly won. Advertisement Trumps return following two impeachments, four criminal indictments, and one conviction is unprecedented. His vision for the country is even more jarring. My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all these many betrayals that have taken place, and give people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed their freedom. From this moment on, Americas decline is over, he said in a monotone and grim speech that painted the country in ruin even as others recently declared the U.S. economy is the envy of the world. Trump announced plans to sign as many as 100 executive orders on his first day in office that include deploying troops at the southern border, ending birthright citizenship, deporting millions of migrants, designating drug cartels as global terrorists, imposing steep tariffs on foreign countries, ending electric vehicle mandates, withdrawing again from the Paris climate agreement, and pardoning insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. READ MORE: The Trump Threat: The risk posed by a second Donald Trump presidency | Editorial Series The competing dreams of many Americans played out as Trump took office on the day set aside to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was an ironic counterpoint, as some of Trumps headline-grabbing plans are the antithesis of the civil rights icons peaceful and humane legacy. Trump called for renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America and restoring the name Mount McKinley to Alaskas highest peak, which former President Barack Obama renamed Denali as a sign of respect to Alaskan tribal groups. Trump also said the United States would retake control of the Panama Canal. Were taking it back, he said, without explaining how. He also announced plans for astronauts to plant a U.S. flag on Mars and declared the government will only recognize two genders, male and female. Despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling and concerns about national security, Trump unilaterally said he would allow the TikTok social media app to keep operating. Billionaire Trump supporter Elon Musk wrote on social media: The Return of the King. Trump has claimed to have a mandate from voters, but he narrowly won the election by 1.5% and failed again to get more than 50% of the popular vote. But while the country remains deeply divided, there is no denying Trump bent it to his will. The tens of thousands of protesters who took to the streets after his first election are mostly gone and dispirited. Republican Party leaders who once derided him are now fully behind his America First agenda. Even some Democrats are willing to work with him. Billionaire business titans who once kept their distance flocked to Mar-a-Lago to kiss his ring. Corporations are ending diversity and climate initiatives to get in his good graces. Facebook did away with efforts to fact-check misinformation, while some media moguls want to play nice. READ MORE: A tumultuous election ends, and voters choose Trumps grim vision of discord and retribution | Editorial With the help of a conservative Supreme Court majority, Trump has amassed unchecked power and is now largely above the law. He has assembled an administration of loyal sycophants willing to act on his whims and grievances. He obliterated presidential norms during his first term and is poised to forever alter nearly 250 years of a democratic republic that the founders designed to guard against a demagogue and mob rule. As is often the case, Trumps return includes unprecedented firsts. He is the first convicted criminal elected to the White House. He is the first president elected to two nonconsecutive terms since Grover Cleveland in 1893. And at 78, he is the oldest person ever sworn in as commander in chief. For now, Trumps MAGA supporters are ecstatic. It remains to be seen if he can (as promised) lower the price of eggs, let alone fix any of the nations other real or imagined problems. For those who believe in honesty, truth, justice, the rule of law, and caring for the least of our brothers, it is a dark day. But it is worth remembering what King once said: Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. Within hours of taking office Monday, President Donald Trump said he had pardoned nearly everyone charged with taking part in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol a striking, sweeping decision that will affect scores of defendants from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including some who had been convicted of committing acts of violence while ransacking the halls of American government. While seated in the Oval Office Monday night, Trump signed documents that he said would effectively eliminate the criminal cases for approximately 1,500 people and commute the sentences of six others. Advertisement Moments later, the White House released a statement with different details, saying Trump had commuted the sentences of 14 people including Philadelphia native Zach Rehl, a leader of the local Proud Boys chapter who was convicted of seditious conspiracy and granted a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to the melee at the Capitol. Speaking to reporters while signing a flurry of executive actions Monday night, Trump reiterated his criticism of federal prosecutors who pursued criminal cases against Jan. 6 defendants, saying those charged were hostages who had been treated so badly. These people have been destroyed, Trump said, adding: What [prosecutors] have done to these people has been outrageous. Trump had promised clemency for the Capitol defendants on the campaign trail and repeated that pledge after defeating Kamala Harris in the November election. That relief will extend to more than 150 people from Pennsylvania and New Jersey who had been charged in the sprawling Justice Department investigation of the violent Jan. 6 attack, a chaotic disturbance that sought to block certification of Joe Bidens 2020 electoral victory. Prosecutors charged more than 1,500 people in all. The commutations were given to members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, groups that prosecutors said were responsible for inciting violence in the Capitol. Some were convicted of the rarely used sedition charge, and Rehl was among those ordered to serve lengthy prison terms when he was sentenced. Pardons, meanwhile, were granted to hundreds of people convicted and sent to prison for other serious felonies including assaults on police officers and Trump said those who remained behind bars Monday would soon go free. The White House statement said the attorney general would be instructed to ensure that anyone currently incarcerated for a Jan. 6-related crime be released immediately. We hope they come out tonight, frankly, Trump said in the Oval Office. Theyre expecting it. More than 800 others were charged with misdemeanor offenses for their roles in the riot, and a pardon will eliminate any criminal consequences stemming from those cases, even for people whose sentences have ended. Most of those defendants had been charged with or convicted of crimes including trespassing, disorderly conduct, or parading, demonstrating, or picketing in the Capitol. Trump also ordered federal prosecutors to dismiss the pending criminal cases of more than 300 people awaiting trial or sentencing. The decision to issue blanket pardons was a remarkable development in a divisive chapter in American history. Trump has long accused the Justice Department of conducting a politically motivated and corrupt investigation into the Capitol attack, and described some of those charged as patriots and hostages as he sought to downplay the gravity of the days chaos. Special counsel Jack Smith charged Trump with leading the effort to cling to power after losing the 2020 election, but he dropped the case after Trump won re-election in 2024, saying Justice Department policy prohibits the prosecution of sitting presidents. Trump had suggested he would offer some form of relief to Jan. 6 defendants upon his return to the White House, but the scale of his decision remained unknown until hours after he was sworn-in for his second term Monday afternoon. His actions were immediately criticized by Democrats including Pennsylvania Rep. Brendan Boyle, who said Trump had committed a shameful betrayal and effectively endorsed those who committed violence against law enforcement. What a disgrace to our country and Constitution that Donald Trump pardoned the criminals who violently attacked police officers, ransacked the Capitol, and tried to overturn a free and fair election, Boyle said in a statement. These thugs didnt just break the law they attacked the very foundation of our democracy. Rep. Dwight Evans, a Philadelphia Democrat, was similarly scathing in a statement sent to The Inquirer, saying: On his first day back in office, the convicted felon president has set loose criminals who violently attacked police officers and tried to overturn Pennsylvanians votes. Im disgusted. N.J. Sen. Cory Booker, meanwhile, said on CNN that Trumps decision was a stunning dereliction of duty and cast a big shadow over the beginning of Trumps new term in office. Im just deeply disappointed and angry that thats how he decided to begin, Booker said. Perhaps the most striking local beneficiary of Trumps action was Rehl, a Port Richmond native and one of the leaders of the far-right Proud Boys, a group prosecutors said helped incite the assault. He and three other men were found guilty in 2023 of charges including seditious conspiracy for riling up the mob that stormed the Capitol, and Rehl was ordered to serve 15 years in federal prison one of the longest sentences imposed on any Jan. 6 defendant. It was not clear Monday night when he might be released from prison. His attorney, Norm Pattis, said in an interview just before 10 p.m. that he wasnt sure when Rehl would be freed, but that my understanding is he should be released any time now. Ryan Samsel, a Bucks County resident who federal prosecutors said was another instigator of the riot, was also poised to be spared. He was convicted last year of felony charges including assaulting a police officer, and prosecutors over the weekend said they were seeking a prison sentence of 20 years. Samsels sentencing hearing, scheduled for next month, now seems unlikely to move forward. Julian Khater, meanwhile a native of Somerset, N.J., who ran a smoothie shop in State College, Pa. appeared likely see his six-year prison sentence end early. Khater pleaded guilty in 2022 to deploying pepper spray against police officers trying to protect the Capitol. Dozens of other locals had also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges, largely for entering the Capitol after the mob had breached the building, and sometimes filming videos or entering the offices of elected officials. A presidential pardon does not erase a criminal case, but the pardon is added to the record of the case, and any restrictions stemming from a conviction such as limitations on voting or seeking public office are reversed, according to the Office of the Pardon Attorney. A commutation, meanwhile, keeps a conviction intact but ends or reduces a defendants sentence and can clear the way for a release from prison. As Trump prepared to return to the White House, some Jan. 6 defendants had sought to delay hearings in anticipation of receiving a pardon. Others sought judicial permission to attend Trumps inauguration. Meanwhile, Biden, during his final days in office, made extensive use of his own presidential pardon power. And on Monday in an unprecedented move he granted preemptive pardons to five members of his family who he feared could be targeted for prosecution by the incoming Trump administration. Staff writer Julia Terruso contributed to this article. Zach Rehl (front), snaps a selfie with Freedom Vy (left), Isaiah Giddings (right), and Brian Healion (back right), according to investigators. Read more Zach Rehl, the former leader of the Philadelphia Proud Boys chapter, was behind bars Monday in rural Virginia, a federal inmate who carried a unique distinction as one of only a few people in American history to be convicted of seditious conspiracy. His 15-year prison sentence was not scheduled to conclude until well into the 2030s, its length a reflection of what a judge said was his role as a lead provocateur in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol an attack that turned violent, prosecutors said, because Rehl and others in his right-wing group had riled up a mob in a failed bid to keep Donald Trump in power. Advertisement By early Tuesday, however, Rehls fortunes had suddenly reversed. Trump was back in the White House, this time after winning reelection in 2024. And in a sweeping decision that served as one of the first official acts of his new term, Trump pardoned nearly all of the 1,500 people charged with participating in the riot, vowed to end any pending prosecutions, and commuted the sentences of 14 accused ringleaders, including Rehl and several other Proud Boys who had also been convicted of seditious conspiracy. Hours later, Rehl was a free man released about 1 a.m. from the medium-security facility in Hopewell, Va., where he had been housed as federal inmate No. 34945-509. In a text message to The Inquirer Tuesday afternoon, Rehl said: Im extremely grateful to President Trump for keeping his promise to pardon the January 6th hostages on day one, and Im looking forward to getting my commuted sentence upgraded to a full pardon in the near future. The release of the 39-year-old Port Richmond man was just one example of the fallout likely to reverberate from Trumps striking action to end all criminal prosecutions of the Capitol rioters a decision that Trump had long hinted at and made official hours after being sworn in again as president. During the four years when Trump was out of office, more than 1,200 people were convicted of crimes ranging from mere trespassing to assaulting law enforcement officers on Jan. 6, 2021, while trying to block certification of Joe Bidens electoral win, according to the Justice Department. Officials said the probe was the largest single investigation in the departments history. As Trump returned to power this week, he continued to accuse prosecutors involved in that effort of abusing their power and targeting political opponents. While some of Trumps Republican allies had suggested he issue clemency for convicted rioters on a case-by-base basis, he instead chose to grant blanket pardons, describing Jan. 6 defendants as hostages who had been unfairly persecuted and treated so badly. By Tuesday, at least three other prominent players in the attack Enrique Tarrio and Joseph Biggs of the Proud Boys, and Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers had also been released from prison. And two brothers from the Lehigh Valley, Matthew and Andrew Valentin, were among the first to be freed late Monday, just days after they were sentenced to 2 years each for assaulting police officers. Democratic members of Congress were among those who criticized Trumps actions this week. Pennsylvania Rep. Brendan Boyle called the clemency a disgrace to our country and Constitution. New Jersey Rep. Andy Kim, who helped officers clean up the Capitol Rotunda after the Jan. 6 riot, added: The idea that people can come and assault [police], come to the place theyre charged to protect, and then those people can get let off, whats the deterrence for people not to do that again? The brother of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, meanwhile a New Jersey native who died of two strokes partly attributed to the attacks called Trumps efforts a betrayal to not only the families and loved ones of those who were injured and killed, but all Americans, according to the Washington Post. But Trump who once faced charges for leading the effort to cling to power after losing the 2020 election has remained consistent while seeking to downplay the chaos of that day. He has long suggested he would offer some form of relief to Jan. 6 defendants upon his return to the White House, and he invoked two powers given to presidents: the ability to grant pardons, which effectively eliminate all criminal consequences stemming from a conviction, and to grant commutations, which can end or reduce a defendants sentence and clear the way for a release from prison. He also said he would order the Justice Department not to move forward with hundreds of cases in which defendants were still awaiting trials or sentencing including several from the Philadelphia area. One is Ryan Samsel, a Bucks County native who was convicted last year of felony charges that included assaulting a police officer. Prosecutors said Samsel was another key instigator at the riot someone who helped topple police barricades and shoved officers before the Proud Boys and others burst through the security perimeter to begin attacking the Capitol. In court documents filed over the weekend, prosecutors said they would ask a judge to imprison Samsel for 20 years, a sentence that reflects the gravity of Samsels conduct and provides sufficient deterrence given Samsels continued lack of remorse, active and public rehashing of false narratives, violent criminal history, and interest in assaulting the Capitol again, they wrote. He was scheduled to be sentenced next month But Tuesday afternoon, prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss Samsels case a reflection of Trumps unequivocal statement from a day earlier, in which he called for the dismissal of all pending indictments against individuals for their conduct related to the events at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Isaiah Giddings will almost certainly be another beneficiary. Giddings was a member of the Philadelphia Proud Boys in 2021, and traveled from the city to Washington with Rehl and several other Proud Boys ahead of the storming of the Capitol. Prosecutors said that as the mob breached the building, Giddings followed, then took photos with Rehl in places including a senators office. Giddings was not accused of any crimes of violence, and he pleaded guilty in 2022 to disorderly conduct. His sentencing hearing was scheduled to take place next week, but that now seems unlikely given Trumps orders. Attempts to reach Giddings, 39, were unsuccessful Tuesday. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment. Supporters of Rehl, meanwhile, had spent years describing him online as the victim of an unfair prosecution, calling him a political prisoner and urging followers to vote for Trump to help secure a pardon. In a text message after his release from prison, Rehl did not bring up those issues, saying instead that he was trying to settle down and catch up with some family and friends. I will be weighing my options in the meantime, he continued, and see what happens next. Staff writer Julia Terruso contributed to this article. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) shot down rumors he plans to jump to the Republican Party after meeting with President Donald Trump. Its not going to happen, Fetterman told Semafor Monday night. And even if I wanted to do that, that is a rocket sled to Palookaville to try to switch. I would make a pretty bad Republican. Advertisement Rumors had spread on social media following to Fettermans outreach to Republicans, including becoming the first sitting Democratic senator to visit Trump at Mar-a-Lago. He also called for Joe Biden to pardon Trump in his New York hush-money case. Ive been encouraging my colleagues in D.C. and others saying, like, This is whats democracy. Thats how it works. Thats where we are, Fetterman said earlier this month about meeting with some Trump cabinet nominees. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 seat advantage in the U.S. Senate, where Democrats control 45 seats along with two Independents who caucus with them Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine. Fetterman, who attended Mondays inauguration wearing his trademark shorts and hoodie, sent a fundraising email out shortly after Trump took the oath with the subject line my non-negotiables. Even though Donald Trump is officially back in the White House, Im not backing down from fighting for whats right, the email read. He listed three somewhat vague categories: the union way of life needs to live on, leave LGBTQ+ people alone, and Governments job is to make your life easier, not take away your rights. On Monday night, Fetterman was one of 12 Democrats to vote in favor of the GOP-backed Laken Riley immigration bill, which he also cosponsored. The bill passed the Senate with several GOP amendments and now heads back to the House for final passage. President Donald Trump speaks at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event at Capital One Arena, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. Read more Hours after President Donald Trump was inaugurated into his second presidential term Monday, he took to the stage of the Capital One Arena in Washington and signed two executive orders on the federal workforce, appearing to initiate the beginning stages of one of his main campaign platforms. The directives a hiring freeze and mandating in-person work could have a significant impact in Philadelphia, a major hub for federal workers, yet agencies staff are often stretched thin and have crucial telework employees. Advertisement The total number of orders comes in stark contrast to Day 1 of Trumps first term, when he issued only one executive order, according to the Federal Register. And its clear that these orders, among the first eight signed by the new president, wont sit well with unions representing federal workers. Heres what to know about these orders and how they will impact the local area. What executive orders on the federal workforce did Trump sign Monday? Trump signed executive orders imposing a hiring freeze on the federal government and requiring federal workers to return to total in-person work. The orders closely align with goals outlined by billionaire Elon Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy for the Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory commission tasked with streamlining the government. Musk, the Tesla CEO and richest man in the world, has become a close ally in Trumps political orbit. He has expressed his desire to sharply reduce the federal workforce. Musk attended Trumps inauguration at the Capitol and delivered a speech at the arena as part of Trumps inaugural festivities. The order instructs that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in consultation with the Director of OPM and the Administrator of the United States DOGE Service (USDS), shall submit a plan to reduce the size of the Federal Governments workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition. After this plan is issued the memorandum will expire for the executive branch and other agencies, except the Internal Revenue Service. How could it impact federal workers in Philadelphia? A hiring freeze which Trump instituted once before, at the beginning of his first term would have real on-the-ground impacts in Philadelphia, resulting in less security or safety personnel or even interpreters or maintenance workers at Independence National Historical Park, said Philip Glover, District 3 National Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees. AFGE is the largest federal employee union, representing 800,000 workers. To supplement prospective workers blocked by the hiring freeze, the government may instead contract positions to individuals who may not take their work in the city as seriously, Glover said. Some people dont take the care of those facilities that our people do. Our people kind of revere working there, and so thats not just a job for many of them, and thats whats bad about this, Glover said. The executive order Trump signed Monday includes exceptions for the military and some other professions, including immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety. The order also claims that the freeze wont adversely impact the provision of Social Security, Medicare, or Veterans benefits. According to the executive order, employers are not allowed to contract outside the federal government. David Fitzpatrick, secretary-treasurer of the AFGE Council 270 and a retired National Park Service maintenance employee in Philadelphia, said when he retired in 2019, the local park service had 60 to 70 maintenance workers. Now the agency is down half that amount. Underwhelming staffing for maintenance, park rangers, and security personnel could be exacerbated by a hiring freeze, Fitzpatrick said. What happens when that one carpenter we have for emergency repairs, what happens when he retires? Fitzpatrick said. Frank Bailey, northeast regional vice president for the Council of Prison Locals, said a hiring freeze in combination with recruiting difficulties would decimate the Bureau of Prisons, resulting in decreased staffing numbers nationwide and in Philadelphia where the numbers would drastically fall. Why would they come work for us when the pay is comparable with other places? Bailey said. So when you couple the pay shortage that we have with a hiring freeze, we would end up losing and falling even further behind the eight ball. Is Trump able to mandate in-person federal work? Trump told reporters last month that he plans to fire any federal workers who dont abide by his order to work in person five days a week. But unions, including the AFGE, will surely put up a fight. Many local labor contracts cover telework, potentially laying the groundwork for a clash between unions and the Trump administration, Glover said. For example, federal workers at a military site on Robbins Avenue have an agreement in their contract that allows them to telework two to four days per pay period. Thats in an agreement, Glover said. And we dont think an executive order should be able to override an agreement. Productivity has increased at some agencies thanks to telework, Glover said, but theres also misconceptions about how many employees like those who work for the Veterans Administration in Philadelphia or the National Park Service work from home. It also raises some questions as to how federal workers that are employed by Pennsylvania-based agencies but live in other locations and rely on telework, would navigate this new order, Glover said. Theres misconceptions that all these agencies are all teleworking, and nobody can be seen and all this stuff, and that needs to be debunked; its just not true, Glover said. Adam Johnson, pictured here carrying former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's lectern, is among the roughly 1,500 Capitol rioters who received a pardon after President Donald Trump took office Monday. Read more Sen. John Fetterman inadvertently took a photo Monday with the rioter who grabbed then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis lectern and posed with it during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The photo came the same day President Donald Trump took the oath of office and hours before Trump issued an unconditional pardon to most participants in the Capitol riot along with 14 commutations for other offenders, including Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes. Advertisement In a post on X Monday, Adam Johnson who refers to himself as The Lectern Guy on social media posted a photo with Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat who has been more open to working with Trump than some in his party, at a Starbucks with the caption Just two dudes living their redemption arcs out. In the photo Fetterman is wearing his classic sweatshirt and shorts ensemble while giving two thumbs up. A spokesperson for the senator said the Democrat had zero clue who the individual was. He took several dozens of photos with people yesterday, the spokesperson said. Washington and the U.S. Capitol were filled with people who had traveled for Trumps inauguration. Some Jan. 6 defendants, including a South Jersey man, were granted permission by the courts to travel to D.C. to attend. However, once the ceremony was moved indoors, only certain individuals were able to get a firsthand look at Trumps swearing-in. Johnsons photo was posted ahead of Trump signing the pardons, eliminating criminal cases for approximately 1,500 people. READ MORE: President Donald Trump has pardoned nearly every Jan. 6 defendant, paving the way for some to be released from prison Johnson said he was one of the individuals pardoned for his actions that day, according to his X profile. Johnson was sentenced in February 2022 to serve more than two months in prison followed by one year of supervised release, NPR reported. The image of Johnson smiling and waving as he held the podium on Jan. 6, 2021, went viral. Prosecutors say he placed the podium in the center of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, posed for photos, and pretended to make a speech at it. Like many of his colleagues in the U.S. House and Senate, Fetterman has lambasted Trumps and his allies efforts to subvert and sow doubt in the 2020 presidential election. The senator had not issued a statement on Trumps pardons as of Tuesday morning. The Democrat has expressed a rare openness to working with Republicans and the second Trump administration. He has met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, held meetings with many of Trumps cabinet nominees, and was one of the lone Democratic cosponsors for the controversial Laken Riley Act, aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, before it attracted more support from the party. Fettermans only posts on his personal or professional X accounts Monday touted his affirmative vote on the Laken Riley Act and congratulated Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Fettermans former Senate colleague, on his confirmation. Its because of his continued outreach and collaboration with Republicans that Fetterman had to shoot down rumors of him switching parties. Its not going to happen, Fetterman told Semafor on Monday night. And even if I wanted to do that, that is a rocket sled to Palookaville to try to switch. I would make a pretty bad Republican. A Democratic lawmaker from Allegheny County died over the weekend, leaving the state House of Representatives evenly split at 101-101 seats between the two parties. Rep. Matt Gergely, 45, who won a special election in 2023 and was re-elected in November, died Sunday. Advertisement Gergelys cause of death was not immediately disclosed, but he had suffered a medical emergency over the holidays that caused him to miss the first day of the legislative session two weeks ago. A special election to fill the seat will be scheduled by House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D., Philadelphia). Our hearts are broken as we mourn the untimely loss of our friend and colleague, Pennsylvania House Democrats said in a statement. Matt Gergely devoted his life to fighting for children and working families of Allegheny County, especially his beloved hometown of McKeesport. Gov. Josh Shapiro on Monday ordered that flags on commonwealth grounds and public buildings fly at half-staff in honor of Gergely. Matt fought hard for his community as a state representative, bringing resources back to his district and championing critically important issues, the Allegheny County House Democratic delegation said in a statement. Gergelys key issues included supporting public schools and labor unions. House Democrats from Pennsylvania stood up against Novembers red-wave election, spending more than $18 million to retain a narrow majority in the chamber for the second-consecutive legislative session. McClinton was reelected as House speaker this month, despite Gergelys absence, after House Minority Leader Jesse Topper (R., Bedford) removed his name from consideration. Republicans chose to negotiate more favorable operating rules in the chamber, rather than challenging McClinton. We are at 101 to 101, and we will be that way for quite some time, House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery) acknowledged at the time, as Gergely had not been expected to immediately return to work. Our chamber proved that it can cooperate and operate, and that is our bipartisan achievement that many did not think we could achieve. The bipartisan cooperation in Harrisburg is markedly different from January 2023, when Democrats emerged from the November 2022 election with a one-seat majority, having unexpectedly flipped the state House for the first time in 12 years. But they were temporarily in the minority when two members resigned after winning higher office and a third member died. Instead of supporting McClinton, Republicans reached an unusual deal with with state Rep. Mark Rozzi (D., Berks) to serve as an independent House speaker. That led to a chaotic period during which Rozzi locked Republicans out of an office suite without warning. After a special election in February 2023, Democrats re-formed their majority and Rozzi stepped aside, making McClinton the first woman and second Black person elected House speaker in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity stood in her purple suit and gold blouse six days before the start of her second term, surrounded by the rows of steel file cabinets and tall gates that make up the state treasury vault. The journey down to the safe involves an eerie old-fashioned elevator with gusts of cold air rushing in as it lowers. The vault, which has 870 drawers in six caged rooms, is filled with property abandoned, lost or otherwise separated from Pennsylvania taxpayers. Right now the unclaimed lot includes: lost Civil War letters, family heirlooms left in safe-deposit boxes, a few guitars from police evidence that appear to be autographed by musicians from Guns and Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Rolling Stones, and a damaged drum set that was left in a college dorm. Advertisement Garrity, who won reelection in November as part of Republicans widespread successes in Pennsylvania, loves to talk about unclaimed property. She visits all 67 counties every year discussing it. The state holds about $4.5 billion in value, including $2.96 billion worth that can be attributed to people or businesses with addresses in Pennsylvania. Garritys team returned $848 million worth during her first term. Unclaimed checks and rebates are kept in a Treasury bank account. She gave a tour of the vault like a seasoned museum guide, knowing exactly which drawer had the remaining pieces of a silver set displayed on a table. One of her favorite unclaimed items is a rhinestone necklace with a oversize B pendent that came from a police evidence locker and matched the strappy sparkly heels she wore inside on a frigid January morning. As an Army veteran, she takes particular pride in the military decorations. During her service, Garrity was nicknamed the Angel of the Desert for her humane approach to prisoners at Camp Bucca in Iraq, according to a National Public Radio report from 2004. We basically have medals from every branch of service, every conflict, she said. And so far, since taking office, Ive returned 453, including 11 Purple Hearts and three Bronze Stars. Returning the decorations is pretty near and dear to my heart. One out of 10 Pennsylvanians has unclaimed property, with an average of about $1,600, according to the state. Many people dont even realize they have it, and Garrity is well aware of the impact an unexpected check could have on a struggling Pennsylvania family. Garrity herself had rebate checks to claim when she started the post and, to see how long it would take for the staff to process it, didnt tell anyone in the office. She said it took too long, which led to her staff finding a glitch in the newly upgraded system that they then addressed. Checks with her name on them Returning unclaimed property is a common power for state treasurers, and a popular one, which is part of why the office can be a springboard into higher office as it was for former Sen. Bob Casey. Garrity will be term-limited in January 2029, and the gubernatorial election will take place in November 2026, midway through this second term. She has not said whether she would run for governor or any other elected position but also hasnt ruled it out. She said shes currently focused on being the best treasurer that I can be for the people of Pennsylvania. Serving in the Army was the honor of my lifetime, but being the treasurer for the state of Pennsylvania, thats a pretty close second, she added. So weve been on a roll. I want to continue, just to keep doing good things for Pennsylvanians, and then, you know, well see. Garrity just broke a record for the most votes received by a statewide candidate, surpassing Gov. Josh Shapiros 2020 attorney general win. Because of a recent law change that Garrity championed in her first term, the state now can issue checks for up to $500 for unclaimed property without a person first having to file a claim. The checks, like all Treasury checks, will have Garritys name on them. And that cant hurt her popularity. Garrity credits her record-breaking votes to the continuity of keeping staff from the prior treasurer (Democrat Joe Torsella), her willingness to work across the aisle, and outreach efforts at community events, manufacturing sites, and universities throughout the state. Garrity, an ally of President Donald Trump who repeats his drill, baby, drill rhetoric with a smile, said she was criticized for retaining staff members when she began her post in 2021. I said, I ran a battalion in a war zone, I think I can put together a staff, she said. I come from the private sector, so I thought Id be working with a lot of bureaucrats. They are not. They are dedicated public servants that just want to help Pennsylvanians. One staffer described Garrity, who maintains a residence in Bradford on the northern border of the state, as having boundless energy. And while she is tight-lipped about her political future, she has taken stances on foreign policy through her investment choices for Pennsylvania. She divested $2.8 million in Russian-held companies in 2022 following that countrys invasion of Ukraine, purchased an additional $20 million of Israel bonds following Hamas Oct. 7 attack, and divested most of the states Chinese-associated securities over geopolitical and human-rights concerns. Im like, Dont you want to help your constituents? Garritys new ability as treasurer to distribute checks to constituents without a claim is the result of a bill she advocated for during her first term. The bill became law with unanimous support in July, but it took effect only last week. I always want things to happen more quickly than they do in Harrisburg, Garrity said. With a sweeping wave toward the staff in her spacious and well-appointed office, she said, These guys will know. Politics played a role in the negotiations. Democratic state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents Erie and is chair of the House Policy Committee, was poised to challenge Garrity in the general election though he ended up losing in his partys primary and Democrats likely didnt want a Republican candidate sending checks to voters in an election year. Garrity said beginning the program in a new calendar year made sense, but she wasnt happy about the wait. A similar program already exists in 14 other states, Garrity said, with varying monetary limits. Garrity wanted to be able to send up to $5,000, but after legislators proposed the limit be lowered to $100, they settled on $500. I was so irritated, she said. Im like, Dont you want to help your constituents? She plans to ask the legislature to raise the limit each year. An initial batch of 10,000 letters will go out to Pennsylvanians to confirm their addresses later this month, with checks going out 30 to 45 days afterward. Garrity said her office plans to send more letters quarterly with a total of about 70,000 this year. More work to do with her Republican friends Garrity said the only effort she pushed that she couldnt get done in her first term was her Keystone Saves program, a private-public partnership that would create a retirement-savings program for Pennsylvanians who dont have access to one through their jobs. She said that 44% of the states private-sector employees dont work for a company that offers a retirement plan and that social services for unprepared retirees are costing the state. The National Federation of Independent Business opposes the proposal, but Garrity says its appealing to small businesses who dont have the bandwidth to create their own program. I tried very hard to get that through, she said. We werent successful. But were thinking about, you know, looking at some different ways that will give it more appeal to my Republican friends, and that would be basically maybe removing a mandate. I think thats the rub. Again, she mentioned her impatience. Sometimes things take a little bit longer, she said. My folks will tell you, it just makes me double down and push harder in the next session. This story has been updated to clarify the total amount of assets managed by Garritys office. From left to right: Michael Giannetta, Micheal Giannetta, Jr. 11, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, and his wife Shelley Meuser, in Washington, D.C. on the day President Donald Trump took the oath of office. Read more WASHINGTON Richel Selestow sipped red wine in her snow pants and Trump beret, taking a moment to thaw from standing for several hours outside in the cold. Selestow, a supporter from Washington County, went to the U.S. Capitol on Monday in hopes of getting to see President Donald Trump take the inauguration oath of office inside but watched instead on her phone from outside the domed building in the cold, under sunny blue skies. Advertisement Everything was so confusing, but its OK because were Trump tough, Selestow said at a reception for Pennsylvanians in D.C at Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar. The gathering, hosted by the states GOP members of Congress a few blocks from Capitol Hill, brought together Trump supporters from across Pennsylvania celebrating the start of the new administration and their role in helping win the critical battleground state even those from traditionally Democratic strongholds like Philadelphia. Philadelphia got a lot redder and were very proud of that, said Xavier Devereaux, who lives in West Philadelphia, and said he worked on the Trump campaign in the city. Devereaux was a longtime Democrat who switched parties in 2024. Trump is the first Republican he has supported for president. Trumps victory in Pennsylvania marked a reclaiming of the state for his supporters and what they hope is a continued rightward trend. The day was filled with references to Pennsylvania, which Trump focused his campaign on intently. First responders from Butler participated in Trumps inaugural parade Monday evening, paying tribute to the life of Corey Comperatore, 50, the Buffalo Township firefighter who was fatally shot during the assassination attempt against Trump in the western Pennsylvania town in July. Police officers and EMTs who responded to the attempt on Trumps life paraded through the Capital One Arena on Monday, before a moment of silence was held to honor Comperatore. And Trump brought the day up in his inaugural address, calling it divine intervention that he survived. Just a few months ago in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassins bullet ripped through my ear, Trump said during his remarks. But I felt then, and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again. Fitzpatrick not a fan of Jan 6. pardons Several members of Pennsylvanias congressional delegation mingled around, most lauding the speech they had just heard in the Capitol Rotunda. It was truthful. Definitely inspirational, thats Trump, said U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, who represents the Ninth District, which begins east of Harrisburg and extends to the border with New York. Theres nothing phony about him. I think he did a decent job, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick said of Trumps address. Fitzpatrick, who represents Bucks County, has built a political brand on moderation and a reputation on independence. His relationship with Trump has been complicated. Trump endorsed Fitzpatrick in 2020, but the representative skirted questions then on whether he was backing the former president. Fitzpatrick was the sole Pennsylvania Republican in Congress to vote to certify President Joe Bidens 2020 victory, but he also voted against both of Trumps impeachments including in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Fitzpatrick said he looked forward to meeting with Trump and working with him on issues that can benefit the First District and foster unification. Asked about Trumps plan to pardon some Jan. 6 defendants, though, Fitzpatrick said, Im not a fan of pardons, period, noting that he also opposed Bidens decision to issue blanket pardons for family members early Monday before leaving office. Im a career FBI agent. I just dont like pardons, Fitzpatrick said. I saw the pardons that came out this morning, I dont like them, either. Nearby at the reception, Michael Giannetta posed for photographs with his 11-year-old son, Michael Jr., who was dressed in a suit with a red tie and red MAGA hat. The father and son, from near Scranton, also attended the Republican National Convention. This is the chance to turn the country around and take it in an entirely different, new, good direction, said the elder Giannetta Theres just so many problems that I really think only Trump can tackle. His son, who is in fifth grade, chimed in: I was absolutely just so relieved that this nightmare is finally over. While we still have many fallen trees to clean up and power is not yet fully restored, we will commence damage assessments to allow homeowners, residents, local councils, and other government stakeholders to fully understand the impacts of this severe weather, she said. We understand this news may cause concern to our stakeholders, and we thank them for their ongoing support as we work to resolve this as swiftly as possible, the spokesperson said. We are very proud of our staff who have made amazing efforts again in 2024 to raise money for a number of great charities, King said. As a responsible corporate citizen, Ariel Re takes great pride in corporate social responsibility initiatives like charity donations which help those communities in which we work. I am delighted that in 2024 we were again able to make a real impact on communities in Bermuda and London. Our focus will continue to be on protecting the operating environment of our members by advocating for shared positions on regulatory issues, defending and promoting our jurisdictions reputation when necessary, and educating the local community about the value and opportunities within the Cayman reinsurance industry, Mitchell said. Over the past year, the integration of the two teams has enabled the delivery of comprehensive and long-term solutions to clients. Thomas Meier, co-CEO of Howden Re Switzerland and former CEO of Haakon, described the rebranding as a logical step to leverage Howdens strengths further. Barry previously served as head of financial lines and construction practices at WTW, formerly known as Coyle Hamilton, where he spent over 30 years. His expertise includes complex directors and officers (D&O) insurance programs for private and public companies, as well as professional indemnity, crime, and cyber insurance. Under the bill, the speaker of the assembly and the chair of the senate committee on rules, or their designated representatives, would join the nine-member committee currently composed of insurance carrier representatives. The committee also includes four non-voting members representing agents, brokers, surplus line brokers, and the public, who are appointed by the governor. This milestone is a key component of our growth strategy, enabling us to broaden our reach in the admitted market while reaffirming our commitment to delivering innovative solutions and outstanding financial security, Kumar said. Were eager to grow and diversify our product offerings through this valuable addition. If the fires are treated as two separate events, the company could use reinsurance limits of up to $1.29 billion for the first event and reinstated limits of up to $1.24 billion for the second event. In this scenario, Mercury would be responsible for retentions of $150 million each for both events, along with a potential reinstatement premium of up to $101 million, bringing total retention and reinstatement premiums to $401 million. The company would also share in excess losses, contributing up to $52 million for losses over $650 million on the second event. Gavin Reed has been appointed head of underwriting for North America. With over 20 years of experience as a broker and underwriter in London and the US, Reed has played a key role in building Resiliences West Coast underwriting presence and co-leading the US underwriting team during his three years with the company. The New Jersey attorney generals office cleared state law enforcement officials of wrongdoing in a corruption case involving former US Senator Robert Menendez, who awaits sentencing after his conviction last year. AG Matthew Platkin said Friday his inquiry found no misconduct on the part of any past or present member of the office or the Department of Law and Public Safety. He singled out two former attorneys general, Gurbir Grewal, and Andrew Bruck, for their selfless service to the people of this state and commended them as exemplary public servants. Grewal was the attorney general in 2019 when Menendez tried to pressure him to favorably resolve two criminal matters at the behest of a businessman who bribed the senator with a Mercedes to help his associates, prosecutors said. Bruck was then a top deputy to Grewal, and attended a meeting with the senator. At the Menendez trial last year, Grewal testified that the senator said he was concerned about insurance fraud investigations of Hispanics in the trucking industry and referred to a lawyer for a trucking company owner who was under indictment. Grewal said he told Menendez he couldnt discuss pending investigations. Afterwards, Bruck said to Grewal: Whoa, that was gross. Neither Grewal nor Bruck were accused of any wrongdoing in the Menendez case, and US prosecutors said the men resisted the pressure applied by the senator. Bruck declined to comment and Grewal didnt immediately respond to a message. After leaving the attorney generals office, Grewal became the enforcement chief at the US Securities and Exchange Commission. He now works as a partner at the law firm Milbank. Bruck became a top official at the Department of Justice. Menendez, 71, was convicted of bribery, extortion and acting as a foreign agent of Egypt. Prosecutors say he accepted bribes of 13 gold bars, almost $500,000 in cash and a Mercedes-Benz seized at his home. Prosecutors have recommended a prison term of 15 years when he is sentenced on Jan. 29 with two businessmen. His wife, Nadine, faces a separate trial next month. Photo: Gurbir Grewal, director of enforcement for US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), arrives for a new conference at the US Attorneys Office-Southern District of New York (SDNY) in New York, US, on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was charged with eight criminal counts, including conspiracy and wire fraud, for allegedly misusing billions of dollars in customers funds before the spectacular collapse of his cryptocurrency empire. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics New Jersey The Professional Insurance Wholesalers Association (PIWA) and the New England Surplus Lines Association have merged. The combined organization will operate under the PIWA name and serve excess-and-surplus wholesalers throughout the Northeast. The organization serves as a resource for wholesale brokers and specialty insurance companies through advocacy, education and networking. PIWAs accomplishments have included legislation to require retail agents to notify premium finance companies; and legislation to allow security guards who purchase insurance as part of their licensing requirement to use non-admitted carriers. This merger marks an important chapter in the lifetimes of both associations, said PIWA President Robert Farella. By combining our resources as a single association, we can provide the best possible service to wholesalers in the Northeast. We are proud to join forces, and our work shall continue under the banner of PIWA, said NESLA President Rich Martino. Wholesalers in the Northeast will now have a broader influence and a bigger voice in the industry. PIWA was created in 1978 as the New York Excess and Surplus Lines Association Ltd. In 1984, the association became the Professional Insurance Wholesalers Association Ltd. In 1989, the name was changed again to the Professional Insurance Wholesalers Association of New York State Inc. Topics New York Excess Surplus This edition of International People Moves details appointments at SCOR UK and SCOR Syndicate as well as QBE. A summary of these new hires follows here. SCOR UK Promotes Mumme-Young to CUO SCOR announced the appointment of Henry Mumme-Young as chief underwriting officer, SCOR UK, and active underwriter for SCOR Syndicate 2015, subject to regulatory approval. Mumme-Young will report to Chris Beazley, CEO of SCOR UK & SCOR Syndicate. He replaces Marie Biggas, who has been promoted to the role of CUO SCOR Business Solutions & FAC. Mumme-Young joined SCOR in 2014 as a senior underwriter within Political & Credit Risks as part of SCOR Syndicate 2015 (then called Channel Syndicate 2015). In 2021 he was appointed global line head for political & credit risks across both syndicate and company markets. Prior to joining SCOR, Mumme-Young worked at both ACE and Liberty in an underwriting capacity. Mumme-Young is a chartered insurer of the Chartered Insurance Institute. He has both a Master of Science degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of London, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ancient, Medieval & Modern History from the University of Durham. In his role, Mumme-Young will oversee the underwriting strategy and performance of SCOR UKs operations and Lloyds syndicate capabilities. I am very happy to see Henry take on this important role for SCOR UK and the syndicate. As someone who has worked across both, he is an ideal candidate to continue the development and growth journey of the two platforms, commented Claire McDonald, CEO of SCOR Business Solutions. I look forward to working with him in his new role. I would also like to thank Marie Biggas for her valuable leadership in this role over the last 2.5 years, and for covering the interim since her appointment to global CUO for SCOR Business Solutions and Fac. SCOR Syndicate 2015 is principally a direct, specialty insurance business that underwrites property and specialty classes including renewable energy, cyber, fine art, environmental impairment liability, terrorism & political violence, political & credit risks, and legal solutions. The SCOR Syndicate is 100% backed by SCOR and fully integrated with SCOR Business Solutions, the large corporate risks insurance arm of SCOR. *** QBE Taps Allianzs Marega for New Role of European Product Mgr, Professional indemnity Commercial insurer QBE has appointed Andrea Marega to the newly created role of European product manager for professional indemnity, as part of changes to its underwriting operating model. Marega joins from Allianz Commercial where he was senior global financial lines underwriter in Munich, Germany. He moved back to Milan, Italy, to take up his new role from Jan. 20. He started his insurance career with AIG as a financial lines underwriter in 2000 in Milan. In 2002, he joined ACE (now Chubb) as financial lines manager for Italy and later for Southern Europe before becoming professional indemnity (PI) manager for EMEA. In 2019, he joined Allianz Commercials chief underwriting office. In his new position, Marega will help shape and develop QBEs European PI portfolio. He will report to Naintara Agarwal, Europe director of underwriting and portfolio management. With Andrea on board, we are looking to further our reach in the Professional Indemnity practice across Europe. Andrea has an impressive track record in PI and his cross-country European experience will help us to enhance our service to our customers and brokers while improving QBEs presence in this important portfolio, commented Agarwal. Topics Europe Allianz Assicurazioni Generali SpA and BPCE have reached a preliminary deal to combine their investment units and create Europes second-largest asset manager amid a deal wave in the industry. The two firms signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding for a joint venture between Generali Investments Holding and Natixis Investment Managers, they said in a statement Tuesday. BPCE and Generali are set to own 50% each in the entity, which would have about 1.9 trillion ($2 trillion) under management. The Franco-Italian venture would be valued at about 9.5 billion, the companies said, and rank as the largest European asset manager behind Amundi SA. Generali Near Deal With Natixis for Asset Management Venture The deal comes as many European asset managers are looking for acquisitions and partnerships in a bid to boost scale. BNP Paribas SA last year agreed to buy AXA SAs fund unit while Amundi has recently held talks with German insurer Allianz SE about a potential deal involving its investment arm Allianz Global Investors, Bloomberg News has reported. Bloomberg reported earlier this month that Generali and BPCEs Natixis are close to a deal. Both firms operate a boutique model, with various affiliates run with a degree of autonomy. Natixis IM owns firms including Harris Associates and Loomis Sayles in the US, while Generalis affiliates include Conning & Co., which recently agreed to buy control of New York-based credit investment firm MGG Investment Group. Generali and BPCE would retain full authority over asset allocation decisions for their respective assets, the Italian company said in the statement. The holding company for the joint venture is expected to be based in Amsterdam, with France, Italy and the US remaining operational hubs. BPCE Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Namias is set to become chairman of the venture, with Generali CEO Philippe Donnet acting as vice chairman of the board. GIH chief Woody Bradford would run the new firm and his counterpart at Natixis IM, Philippe Setbon, would become deputy CEO. Of the total money overseen, 61% would be in Europe and 34% in North America. Insurers and pension funds would account for more than half of the assets in the joint venture. Generali also agreed to commit 15 billion in seed and acceleration capital to the affiliates over five years. The insurer said it would deconsolidate its asset management unit GIH from its accounting perimeter. Cathay Life, the subsidiary of Cathay Financial Holding Co. that acquired almost 17% in GIH when it sold Conning to the Italian company, would remain a strategic partner. Shares of Generali fell 1.3% at 10:27 a.m. in Milan. BPCE isnt publicly traded. Scale is a strategic imperative in this industry in order to remain competitive, Philip Kett, an analyst at Jefferies Financial Group Inc., wrote in a note. The main downside of the deal is that Generali will end up with a rather small share of the business. Some members of Generalis board, representing the insurers third-biggest shareholder Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, voted against the tie-up, people familiar with the matter said. The Italian construction tycoon has repeatedly sought to influence the insurers strategy and clashed with its senior management in the past. The vast majority had approved this operation, I am really happy about that, Donnet said on a call. I will not comment on the hypothetical initiative of some shareholders on the so-called risk of sending the Italian money to France, he added. This is a joke because our investment process will not change. Representatives for Caltagirone declined to comment. Photograph: The Assicurazioni Generali headquarters in Milan, Italy; photo credit: Francesca Volpi/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Europe Tropolis, an insurance brokerage that provides property & casualty (P&C) and employee benefits solutions, announced it has completed the acquisitions of four Midwest insurance agencies. Terms of the private transactions were not disclosed. The four businesses are BDMH Enterprises, an insurance and risk management solutions agency for skilled nursing, assisted living, and independent living communities nationwide; Follmer Insurance Services, providing commercial & personal lines insurance, including farm and life products; Madigan Pingatore Insurance Agency, specializing in hospitality, and regional commercial enterprises; and R&A Insurance, specializing in commercial lines including churches, and contractors, as well as personal lines customers. BDMH is based in Chicago, and the other three agencies are based in the greater Detroit and Northern Michigan areas. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Jan. 17 sued two large automakers, accusing General Motors and the United Auto Workers of age discrimination and the Stellantis unit that includes Chrysler of subjecting female employees to sexual harassment. GM and the UAW were accused of having since October 2019 maintained a sickness-and-accident benefits policy under their collective bargaining agreement that reduces payouts to older employees who receive Social Security benefits. The EEOC said the policy, covering at least 50 GM facilities nationwide, discriminates against employees ages 66 and older, violating the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Stellantis FCA US unit, meanwhile, was accused of having since December 2020 tolerated pervasive sexual harassment of female employees at a Detroit assembly plant, and routinely ignored their complaints about male supervisors and co-workers, some of whom were placed in leadership roles. The EEOC said the alleged harassment included inappropriate touching and sexually charged comments, and together with FCAs failure to discipline male harassers created a hostile work environment that violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. GM had no immediate comment, having yet to review its complaint. FCA and the UAW did not immediately respond to requests for comment about their respective cases. The GM and UAW lawsuit seeks to recoup benefits that workers ages 66 and older deserved but never received, while the FCA lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for female employees at the Detroit plant. Both lawsuits also seek permanent injunctions against further wrongful conduct. GM and the UAW were sued in the federal court in New Albany, Indiana, while FCA was sued in Detroit federal court. The lawsuits are part of a string of enforcement actions by several federal agencies in the final days of the Biden administration. It is unclear how EEOC enforcement priorities will change after President-elect Donald Trump enters the White House. Topics Lawsuits The Department of Justice sued Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. for allegedly dispensing opioids and other controlled substances at pharmacies across the US while ignoring red flags that the prescriptions were likely illegal. The lawsuit claims Walgreens pharmacists filled millions of prescriptions that lacked a legitimate medical purpose and then sought reimbursements under various federal health care programs. The suit, filed Jan. 16 in federal court in Illinois, alleges that Walgreens pharmacists faced pressure from corporate leadership to dispense the drugs quickly. Pharmacies serve as critical gatekeepers against the diversion of controlled substances, lawyers for the government said in the lawsuit. For years, even as the opioid epidemic ravaged this country, Walgreens failed to meet that responsibility. Walgreens is among a number of pharmacies, drug manufacturers and distributors that have collectively agreed to pay tens of billions of dollars to resolve various lawsuits filed by state and local governments accusing them of mishandling opioids. The painkillers have been blamed for more than half a million US deaths since the year 2000. The lawsuit focuses on conduct over the last 12 years, when Wallgreens allegedly filled prescriptions for dangerous and excessive quantities of opioids and the so-called trinity, an especially dangerous combination of an opioid, a benzodiazepine and a muscle relaxant. A spokesperson for Walgreens said the companys pharmacists fill legitimate prescriptions in accordance with all laws and regulations. The company sued the US Drug Enforcement Administration on Thursday, accusing the agency of unlawfully imposing stricter requirements on pharmacists in an effort to crack down on the dispersement of opioids for non-medical uses. The companys lawsuit claims the DEA is now requiring pharmacists to ensure the legitimacy of prescriptions before filling them, or else face penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. In its complaint, Walgreens claims earlier DEA regulations placed only limited obligations on pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions and that the shift in policy was not adopted following the proper rulemaking process. We will not stand by and allow the government to put our pharmacists in a no-win situation, trying to comply with rules that simply do not exist, the company said in a statement. Walgreens shares dropped 8.5% in trading after US markets closed Jan. 17. Theyve lost 44% in the past 12 months through Fridays close. Photo: Photographer: Justin Merriman/Bloomberg Topics USA A cold blast gripping the US South threatens to bring record-breaking snowfall to New Orleans and Houston and a deep freeze that endangers oil and natural gas output and electrical grids. Snow and sleet began dropping Monday night in Houston, spreading throughout most of southeast Texas by late evening. As much as 4 inches (10 centimeters) may fall by Tuesday, which would be a record for January, the National Weather Service said. New Orleans may get 7 inches, an all-time high for the region, as may Louisianas capital Baton Rouge. Extreme cold warnings stretch from North Dakota to West Texas. Its a significant storm for so far south, said Tony Fracasso, a senior branch forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Center. It looks like almost the entirety of Texas has some chance of wintry precipitation. Frigid temperatures will ride in behind the snow, potentially shaking oil and natural gas production in the short term, while sending electricity demand soaring. As the freeze gripped West Texas Monday morning, temperatures in Odessa the middle of the oil-rich Permian basin had only reached 19F (10.5C) and are set to drop to 15F overnight. Cold can disrupt oil and gas output by causing water in wells and pipelines to freeze. The Texas grid has a weather watch in place for Monday and Tuesday an early alert that extreme cold driving up heating needs may strain supplies. Peak electricity demand will climb the next two days, hitting 77.5 gigawatts on Tuesday morning, according a recent forecast by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the grid operator. Electricity prices in Dallas will rise to $174 a megawatt-hour at the morning peak, more than double Mondays high, according to the state grid operator. Ercots projections have been volatile and at times have shown demand may test the winter record of 78.3 gigawatts set last January, though the grid operator said it expects to have enough supply to meet demand. Travel Disrupted Plunging temperatures have also triggered grid warnings outside of Texas. PJM Interconnection, which operates the largest US grid from Washington DC to Illinois, on Sunday issued a low voltage alert that extends through Thursday. PJM said demand may climb to 144 gigawatts Tuesday morning, which would topple the decade-long record of nearly 143.3 gigawatts. Amtrak canceled several trains across the US West and South, the federally funded rail carrier said on its website. Airline tracking service FlightAware said 566 flights within, into or out of the US were scrubbed Monday, as of 4:25 pm in New York, while another 5,279 were delayed. New Orleans is also closing sections of the Interstate 10, a major cross-country highway, beginning early Tuesday morning. Fracasso said the snow will sweep across Texas late Monday into Louisiana overnight and then onto Mississippi and Alabama by Tuesday. By midweek it will have reached the North Carolina coast and perhaps even spread into southern Virginia before heading out to the Atlantic Ocean. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Texas IT jobs in Ireland maintain their position as the highest paid roles in Ireland, according to analysis by jobs recruitment website IrishJobs. Workers in the sector had the highest average mean salary at 69,050. This was followed by construction workers on 63,502, finance employees on 63,165 and engineering at 59,808. According to the research, full-time employees in Ireland earned a mean gross salary of 46,791 last year. Ireland compares positively to other European economies, with a median salary in the UK of 35,648 (42,377) and 45,800 in Germany. The research is based on an analysis of salaries and benefits for the most commonly posted jobs by hiring platforms in The Stepstone Group in Ireland, the UK and Germany. In Ireland, employees in the legal sector had an average salary of 56,232. Professionals working in cleaning-related occupations at 27,719 earned the lowest average salary, followed by catering (31,322) and security (33,629). "Despite a fall in job vacancy generation in the sector in 2024, the levels of compensation in the sector indicate that highly skilled IT professionals remain in strong demand," Sam Dooley, country director of The Stepstone Group Ireland said. As the AI transformation accelerates and more firms look to build out their AI capabilities, we expect this competition for a limited pool of highly skilled professionals to grow at pace. Findings revealed head of finance roles, at 90,798, were paid the highest average salary in Ireland. This was closely followed by senior quantity surveyors at 90,207 who posted an average 7.55% increase in salary year-on-year. This indicates the high levels of demand for skilled professionals in the construction sector over the past 12 months. Recent data published by IrishJobs showed seven in 10 of the most in-demand roles in 2024 were in construction and related sectors, and included quantity surveyors, site managers and site engineers. Roles in the pharmaceutical and IT sector made up the remaining five most highly paid professions, and included supervising pharmacist (89,373), scrum master (86,641) and senior software engineers (84,076). Automation engineers in the IT sector were among the professions to experience the highest average increase in salary year-on-year (15.1%) due to accelerating demand among employers for AI skills. The data shows regional differences in annual salaries across Ireland. Dublin is the county with the highest annual average salary at 48,343, indicating its continued strength as a national hub for enterprise activity and highly skilled labour. There is a strong performance from counties in Munster. Limerick has the second-highest annual average salary at 46,011 powered by its thriving manufacturing, life sciences, healthcare, and technology sectors, while Cork, at 45,232 has the third-highest average annual salary. The research revealed an occupational pension was the most common benefit provided to employees in Ireland on top of their base salary. Free parking, the cycle-to-work scheme, career development, and flexible hours make up the top five most common benefits for employees. An alleged secret spy ring operating at the very heart of the British political system says the blurb for Sergei & The Westminster Spy Ring (Project Citizen and the Citizens), a new series hosted by the Guardians Carole Cadwalladr and Peter Jukes of Byline Times, whose MO states: No oligarchs, no government bungs, no adverts. Just journalism. We have become used to hearing about Russian interference in elections around the world; the US presidential election that saw Donald Trump elected for the first time and the UKs Brexit vote both occurred in 2016 and allegedly saw meddling by Russia. A quick Google search reveals recent stories alleging similar interference in, variously, Moldova and Georgia, Croatia, and Romania. But this mission creep is something that Cadwalladr has seen in other ways too. She tells a story, midway through the second episode of the series, about a whirlwind visit to Moscow to interview Pussy Riot after they seemed to appear out of nowhere over a dozen years ago, bursting into a church to stage a protest. As Cadwalladr flies home to London, passing over the city during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, she mulls: Its always felt to me since that that dichotomy between what I saw, this repression in Moscow with this very macho, militaristic regime cracking down on young women, on freedom of expression, it just felt that in a way there's an element of that which has crept into our own politics. I'm talking about the fact that countries all over the world have now learnt from this authoritarian and populist playbook. This is the macro view of what Sergei & The Westminster Spy Ring is trying to do: Show us how Russias tentacles have crept into countries all over the world. But at its centre is a story concerning UK Conservative Party whistleblower Sergei Cristo, who has had an interesting life, including working undercover for the BBC investigation series Panorama (how useful for a spy story). Back in 2011, as the Tories take charge at Number 10, the Russian-born British citizen is busy raising funds for the party and is a regular at the high-rolling toffs-only Carlton Club - hes part of the establishment. A series of meetings with Russian officials start making Cristo nervous and then perplexed as to why the new lobby group Conservative Friends of Russia hadnt subsequently asked him, a Tory fundraiser, to its garden party. It doesnt help that the police dont seem to take his increasing concerns seriously. As the tension escalates, hosts Cadwalladr and Jukes have to jump in regularly to give us context so we dont get bogged down in the details. Its an intriguing spy story, one that, like Jon Ronsons Things Fell Apart, seeks to show us how the world is where it is in 2025. Episode four was released on Tuesday, January 14, and concerns Nigel Farage and the Brexit campaign. Adulthood begins for many people while they are still in school, and because of the housing crisis they may also live at home after they have left school. This is a complex situation for parents. According to the Central Statistics Offices (CSO) 2022 census, 522,486 adults aged 18 and over lived with their parents. More than 61% of 20 to 24-year-olds lived in the parental home. Gender differences were also notable: 57% of adults who lived with their parents were male. This problem is not unique to Ireland. Census data from the Australian Institute of Family Studies, released this year, shows that the proportion of people living at home increased in every age bracket from 19 to 30 between 2006 and 2021. When a child turns 18, they are legally an adult, but given that most are still in school, their understanding of the responsibilities and rights of an adult can be selective. Parents of adult children who are living at home often find themselves in a difficult position. Phrases like You may be an adult, but thats not happening under my roof are commonplace, and can cause friction. Regardless of age, children who still live at home must abide by family values. Rules around drinking alcohol, financial independence, studying, and staying out overnight, are often challenging. Sometimes, the adult child may have a part-time job, which brings some economic freedom. However, they may also be dependent on their parents in other areas. The task is to allow young adults some responsibility, while guiding, directing, and steering them. I often hear from parents who feel powerless and at a loss about how best to manage this complex transition. Disagreements revolve around misperceptions of what is expected of the adult children and the parents. It is helpful to discuss with your teenage child before they turn 18 what it means to become a legal adult. This way, you can agree on which rules must stay the same and which can change. This conversations outcomes can be a contract to record what is agreed. While this might seem excessive, it introduces the teenager to the concept of living up to their commitments. The young adult must show responsibility, stick to their commitments, and learn about accountability. However, the parent may also need to compromise. Their willingness to bend some rules and make exceptions will help the adult child to buy in. A reasonable agreement may require the parent to establish deal breakers regarding family values, but also include aspects of the childs activities on which they are willing to compromise. This negotiation will vary from one set of parents to another and may even be different for each parent in the couple. Some parents might insist that alcohol not be a feature of family life, whereas, for others, their non-negotiables may involve a financial contribution to the family home. Both parents need to agree on what they are willing to permit and not permit. Coming of age? Age is an arbitrary measure of maturity, and most young people dont mature suddenly when they reach 18. So, it is not about immediately granting unmitigated access to adult activities; there is still plenty of room for compromise. For example, the 18-year-old may be permitted to go out and drink alcohol a certain number of times per month. Still, this freedom will be contingent on their adhering to other commitments, like studying or household responsibilities. The capacity to be flexible allows you to role model moderation and responsibility, which is critical for these arrangements to be successful. Be clear with your child about the difference between responsibilities and rights. While they may be adamant about their right to make their own choices, they often need to be reminded that being an adult also comes with responsibilities. We must earn these rights by demonstrating responsibility; it is not a given just because we reach a certain age. For example, adults are permitted to apply for a driving licence. However, regardless of age, they must still pass a driving test, before being allowed to drive unaccompanied. Adulthood does not give you carte blanche to participate in all aspects of adult life; responsibility is an essential first step. Parents often struggle with their childs transition to adulthood. I know this from my work as a psychotherapist. I involve the parents in some aspects of the young persons treatment up until the latter is 18. Feedback at the end of sessions or periodic reviews of progress are standard practice when working with minors. However, once a child turns 18, they can instruct their therapist not to include their parents in their treatment. While this is rare, it can cause a lot of anxiety for parents, who are keen to know how their child is doing. Still, given that the young person is now an adult, I am obliged to respect their wishes and not communicate with their parents unless a situation occurs where their safety or the safety of others is called in to question. I struggle with this age-only guideline for adulthood, especially when 18-year-olds appear somewhat more immature than their counterparts of previous generations. The evolution of social media, the impact of pandemic lockdowns, and societal changes have meant parents are far more involved in their childrens lives, resulting in more coddling and fewer opportunities for young adults to become autonomous decision-makers. I know this generalisation does not apply to all young people. I also believe that maturity plays a far more critical role than age in assessing a young persons ability to make good decisions. While I respect the autonomy and confidentiality in the therapeutic context it can be unfair on the parents to be expected to care for this young person at home without any insight in to how they are doing. The same dilemma exists in the case of an adult child who attends the GP and other support services, which can be a difficult adjustment for parents. Authority figure to advisor How can parents redefine the parent-child relationship when their child turns 18? First, prepare to shift your role from an authority figure to a trusted advisor. This transition can happen gradually as they approach 16 or 17, and it will be easier to negotiate if this process has already started. Think about balancing your involvement with their growing need for independence, and support your child without overstepping developmental boundaries. Begin by gradually letting go of your control over their choices and allowing them some autonomy. It may be challenging, but accepting that adult children make their own choices is a significant learning curve in becoming the parent of an adult child. Learning how to deal with your anxiety about their decisions may also be helpful. Whether it concerns their career, relationships, or lifestyle, allowing them to make choices and mistakes is essential. In doing this, you may also need to manage feelings of rejection if your adult child seeks distance, which is often necessary for them to grow. At this stage of life the relationship between the parent and child should evolve in to something more age-appropriate. You may also need to provide financial support to your adult child. Do this without enabling them, so try to offer financial help without creating dependency. Teach them financial independence while being a safety net for them. Set some boundaries around financial contributions that allow them to learn fiscal autonomy. As with any parent-child relationship, acknowledge the cultural or generational differences. Your values may differ in areas like societal changes or technology, so bridge generational gaps by mutually appreciating differences in communication styles and expectations. Also, learning from your adult children while sharing your wisdom offers opportunities to deepen your adult-to-adult relationship. Some conflict between adult children and their parents while they are sharing the same living space is inevitable. Disagreements over freedom and responsibility are par for the course. Its best to devise strategies for resolving disagreements respectfully and constructively. Knowing when to apologise, compromise, and hold the line is key. Parents should pick their battles. This will be crucial to their relationship with their child surviving the latters transition to adulthood. Despite multiple arguments, disagreements, and fallouts, almost all adult children come full circle and will develop close relationships with their parents later on. It is, therefore, vital to manage this phase well, so that it remains the likely outcome. When it comes to clothing advice for women, the rules are endless. They range from sizeist avoid horizontal stripes if you have a wider frame, to ageist dont wear a crop top over 50. Now Australia is weighing in. A council in Greater Sydney has banned thong and g-string bikinis at its public swimming pools causing outrage among pool users and stirring a wider debate about the policing of womens bodies. In a now-deleted post on Facebook clarifying its swim-attire rules, Blue Mountains leisure centres stated that skimpy swimwear was inappropriate at its facilities. The guidelines were posted after pool users queried posters at centres warning that revealing swimwear/thongs were not to be worn. If an Australian council has got its knickers in a twist over swimwear guidelines, it is going against wider trends. Skin is in, with bikinis outselling traditional one-piece swimsuits and women over 45 driving the trend. Meanwhile, a thongkini has become the default uniform on the reality show Love Island and is regularly championed by celebrities including the gen Z model Bella Hadid, the singer and size inclusivity advocate Lizzo and midlifer Jennifer Lopez. This is hardly the first time that womens bottoms have been controversial. Heather Radke, the author of Butts: A Backstory, describes bottoms as holding a complicated space in conversations of obscenity. The author, who has tracked the cultural history of the derriere, says people generally have a lot of complicated feelings about the butt it is a place associated with sex and defecation and has long been tied up in questions of racial and gender categorisation and hierarchies. The main difference between a g-string and thong is the amount of coverage. On the skimpy scale, the g-string offers the least coverage, with a small triangle of fabric at the front and a thin string that runs between the buttocks. Meanwhile, a thong has a narrow piece of fabric at the back while a Brazilian offers an inch or two more coverage. The main difference between a g-string and thong is the amount of coverage. The Brazilian is a hot-ticket item at the swimwear brand Away That Day. Its Fiji bikini bottoms, which run from a UK size 6 to 18, are a continual bestseller. The brands founder, Ingemae Kotze, describes them as a fun shape that doesnt make you feel too naked. She credits a desire to avoid tanning lines and an increase in body confidence in powering interest in the trend. The fast fashion company Pretty Little Thing has a dedicated thong bikini category on its site offering more than 50 different options. It describes the design as a minimal style that causes maximum impact. Next, a high street retailer typically associated with an older age demographic, sells thong bikini bottoms for 17. This barely there brief trend mirrors underwear trends. Sales of thongs are up at Marks & Spencer, with the retailer focusing on neater, cheekier low-rise knicker shapes for 2025. Twenty-eight years after Tom Ford made headlines for sending a g-string brief down the Gucci catwalk, you can pick up a similar style as a pack of five in Asda. With the continuing gen Z obsession with Y2K fashion comes the return of the visible panty line (VPL) with thongs. The Sydneysiders arent the first to object to the style. In 2023, a woman was arrested for wearing a thong bikini on Myrtle beach in South Carolina, where the style is banned. In France, full-body burkinis are banned at public pools, while men must wear Speedo-style briefs. In the UK, thongs are prohibited at Alton Towers while GLL, a social enterprise that operates 240 leisure centres under the brand Better, has guidelines that stipulate full-coverage bikinis. While GLL doesnt specifically mention thongs, a spokesperson says the wording seems to imply that thongs wouldnt be acceptable. Many attribute an increase in body confidence to driving sales of thongs, but Radke is not so sure. Its true that there are more kinds of butts that are considered acceptable or beautiful than, say, in the mid-90s, but we are certainly not in a place where most people feel free from beauty standards. For me, the thing we should be fighting is the underlying, often unconscious, tendency to rank bodies, to suggest that some of us are, essentially, more worthy than others because of the bodies that we have. Tributes have been paid to the 36-year-old man who was fatally stabbed near a playground in Co Wicklow on Sunday evening. William Moorehouse, aged 36, was found with apparent stab wounds close to a playground near a community centre in the Ballywaltrim area of Bray on Sunday evening at about 6pm. Mr Moorhouse's cousin Trisha Ward wrote online: Cruel world we live in sham rip to my cousin Willie. Hard old life Willie harmless fella you were. Hope u get good bed in heaven. His former partner Angela Joyce wrote: Its with sadness I have to say this, rest in peace Willie, the father of my two young baby girls. I can say I spent six lovely years with you, and you showed me what a good man is. Til we meet again. Six people have been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing, as gardai continue to trawl through CCTV footage as part of their investigation. Mr Moorhouse was discovered by a dog walker, who raised the alarm. Emergency services were called to the scene, and efforts were made to revive Mr Moorehouse, but he was pronounced dead a short time later. An autopsy was due to take place on Tuesday by State Pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis at the morgue in Whitehall, Dublin. One line of inquiry is that Mr Moorehouse knew his attackers and was killed after agreeing to meet another man in order to resolve a dispute. However, officers suspect he was then attacked by a group of men with weapons and suffered fatal stab wounds after attempting to flee the scene. The Traveller mediation service, a partnership funded by the Department of Justice which works to mediate in conflicts involving Travellers, is understood to have been called in to assist. It is not thought to be part of a wider feud. Gardai recovered some weapons in growth close to the scene of the attack, which are being forensically examined. A full examination of the area has been carried out by the Garda Technical Bureau and the cordon has been lifted. On Tuesday, four more men were arrested over the course of the day in connection with the investigation. They include a juvenile, two men aged in their 20s, and one in his 30s. This follows the arrests of two other men aged in their 20s and 40s on Monday night. On Wednesday, gardai said these men have been released without charge. Meanwhile gardai have confirmed they have also carried out seven searches under warrant. Door-to-door inquiries are also under way and officers are trawling through CCTV taken from around Bray as part of the investigation. In a statement issue on Tuesday, a Garda spokesperson said: The [four] arrested males are currently detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, at Garda stations in the Wexford/Wicklow Division. The Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) is assisting with this investigation. "Results of the post-mortem will assist investigating gardai in determining the course of this investigation." Mr Moorehouse was a father of six and was engaged to be married to his partner, who is due to give birth to another baby in four months. A prisoner swap between the United States and Afghanistans Taliban has freed two Americans in exchange for a Taliban figure jailed for life in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges. The deal came as Joe Biden, who oversaw the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, handed power to returning President Donald Trump. The Taliban praised the swap as a step towards the normalisation of ties between the US and Afghanistan. The Talibans Foreign Ministry in Kabul confirmed the swap, saying two unidentified US citizens had been exchanged for Khan Mohammed, who was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment in 2008. Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryans life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives The family of Ryan Corbett, one American held by the Taliban, confirmed he had been released in a statement. Mr Corbett, who had lived in Afghanistan with his family at the time of the 2021 collapse of the US-backed government, was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 while on a business trip. Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryans life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives, the familys statement said. They thanked both Mr Trump and Mr Biden, as well as many government officials, for their efforts in freeing him. Mr Corbetts family also praised the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar for their vital role in facilitating Ryans release, and for their visits to Ryan as the United States Protecting Power in Afghanistan. Both CNN and The New York Times, relying on anonymous US officials, identified the second American released as William McKenty, though no other details have emerged about his identity or what he was doing in Afghanistan. Mohammed, 55, was a prisoner in California after his 2008 conviction. The Bureau of Prisons early on Tuesday listed Mohammed as not being in their custody. Mohammed was detained on the battlefield in Afghanistans Nangarhar province and later taken to the US. A federal jury convicted him on charges of securing heroin and opium that he knew were bound for the United States and, in doing so, assisting terrorism activity. The US Justice Department at the time referred to Mohammed as a violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker who sought to kill US soldiers in Afghanistan using rockets. He was the first person to be convicted on US narco-terrorism laws. Before Mr Biden left office, his administration had been trying to work out a deal to free Mr Corbett as well as George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi in exchange for Muhammad Rahim, one of the remaining detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Mr Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, was taken by the Talibans intelligence services in December 2022 while travelling through the country. Mr Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman who worked as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecommunications company, also went missing in 2022. The Taliban have denied they have Mr Habibi. Officials in Washington did not respond to requests for comment early on Tuesday after Mr Trumps inauguration the day before. The Taliban called the exchange the result of long and fruitful negotiations with the US and said it was a good example of solving problems through dialogue. The Islamic Emirate looks positively at the actions of the United States of America that help the normalisation and development of relations between the two countries, it said. The Taliban have been trying to make inroads in being recognised, in part to escape the economic fallout caused by its takeover. Billions in international funds were frozen, and tens of thousands of highly skilled Afghans fled the country and took their money with them. A fire broke out at a hotel at a ski resort in north-west Turkey on Tuesday, leaving at least 10 people dead and 32 in hospital with injuries, officials said. The fire broke out overnight at the restaurant of a hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. GLOBALink | Davos calls for collaboration to address global challenges in the Intelligent Age Pub Date:25-01-21 09:28 Source:Xinhua The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025 kicks off on Monday in Davos, Switzerland, under the theme "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age." Gathering nearly 3,000 leaders from around the world, the meeting is expected to address pressing challenges and explore opportunities. #GLOBALink Editor:Zheng Chen Related News Beijing to release cinema vouchers to boos... HKSAR gov't welcomes LME's inclusion of Ho... China's manufacturing industry consumed gr... China launches five new satellites South Koreas impeached president has denied he ordered the military to drag MPs out of the National Assembly to stop them from voting to reject his martial law decree last month. Yoon Suk Yeol made the denial as he appeared for the first time before the Constitutional Court that will determine his fate. His presence at the court was his first public appearance since becoming South Koreas first sitting president to be detained over his short-lived declaration of martial law, which plunged the country into political turmoil. After abruptly imposing martial law on December 3, Mr Yoon sent troops and police officers to encircle the National Assembly, but enough MPs managed to enter to vote unanimously to reject his decree, forcing Mr Yoons cabinet to lift the measure early the following morning. Mr Yoon, a conservative, has since argued that his dispatch of troops was not meant to block the assembly but instead was a warning to the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, which has used its legislature majority to obstruct Mr Yoons agenda, undermine his budget bill and impeach some of his top officials. Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives for his impeachment trial (Kim Hong-Ji/Pool Photo via AP) In his announcement of martial law, Mr Yoon called the assembly a den of criminals that was bogging down government affairs, and vowed to eliminate shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces. The commanders of military units sent to the assembly have disagreed with Mr Yoons stance. Kwak Jong-keun, commander of a special forces unit, told an assembly hearing that Mr Yoon had called him directly and asked that his troops quickly destroy the door and drag out the MPs who are inside. Mr Kwak said he did not carry out the order. Asked by acting Constitutional Court chief justice Moon Hyungbae whether he ordered the commanders to pull out the MPs, Mr Yoon replied that he did not do so. Mr Yoon said the MPs could have gathered somewhere later to overturn the decree. He also argued that there would have been a popular backlash if he had tried to physically prevent an assembly vote. If I had obstructed (the vote), I think I wouldnt have been able to handle the consequences, Mr Yoon said. Asked by Mr Moon about reports that he gave a memo on establishing an emergency legislative body to a top official before imposing martial law, Mr Yoon said he did not do so. Whether Mr Yoon plotted to launch such a body would help explain his true intentions for martial law. The Constitutional Court has until June to determine whether to formally dismiss Mr Yoon as president (Kim Hong-Ji/Pool Photo via AP) The assembly impeached Mr Yoon on December 14, suspending his presidential powers. The Constitutional Court has until June to determine whether to formally dismiss him as president or reinstate him. Observers say a court ruling is expected to come sooner. Separately, law enforcement authorities are investigating whether Mr Yoon and others committed rebellion, abuse of power and other crimes in connection with the martial law decree. By law, the leader of a rebellion can face life in prison or the death penalty. Mr Yoon earlier ignored several requests to appear for questioning and remained in his presidential residence in Seoul, though his defence minister, police chief and several top military commanders had already been arrested over their roles in the enforcement of martial law. He was eventually detained on January 15 when authorities mobilised hundreds of police and investigators near his residence. While South Korean presidents have wide-ranging immunity from prosecution while in office, the protection does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason. Mr Yoons martial law decree has rattled South Koreas diplomatic activities and financial markets and hurt its international image as a vibrant democracy. Mr Yoons subsequent defiance and the oppositions push to oust him have also intensified South Koreas already serious internal divide. After a Seoul district court approved a formal arrest warrant to extend Mr Yoons detainment on Sunday, dozens of his supporters stormed the court building, destroying windows, doors and other property. They also attacked police officers with bricks, steel pipes and other objects. The violence left 17 police officers injured, and police said they detained 46 protesters. US President Donald Trump has begun his promised flurry of executive action on his first day back in the White House. With his opening rounds of memoranda and executive orders, Mr Trump repealed dozens of former president Joe Bidens actions, began his immigration crackdown, withdrew the US from the Paris climate accords and sought to keep TikTok open in the US, among other actions. He also pardoned hundreds of people for their roles in the January 6 2021 attack on the US Capitol. Here is a look at some of Mr Trumps initial actions and upcoming plans: Pardons in the January 6 US Capitol attack As he promised repeatedly during the 2024 campaign, the president issued pardons for around 1,500 people convicted or criminally charged in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol as Congress convened to certify Mr Bidens 2020 victory over Mr Trump. Separately, Mr Trump ordered an end to federal cases against political opponents of the Biden administration meaning Trump supporters. He said he would end weaponisation of federal law enforcement but his actions seemed targeted only to help his backers. The economy and TikTok In a made-for-TV display at the Capital One Arena on Monday evening, Mr Trump signed a largely symbolic memorandum that he described as directing every federal agency to combat consumer inflation. By repealing Mr Bidens actions and adding his own orders, Mr Trump is easing regulatory burdens on oil and natural gas production, something he promises will bring down costs of all consumer goods. Mr Trump is specifically targeting Alaska for expanded fossil fuel production. On trade, the president said he expects to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting on February 1, but declined to flesh out his plans for taxing Chinese imports. Mr Trump also signed an order intended to pause Congresss TikTok ban for 75 days, a period in which the president says he will seek a US buyer in a deal that can protect national security interests while leaving the popular social media platform open to Americans. America First As he did during his first administration, Mr Trump is pulling the US out of the World Health Organisation. He also ordered a comprehensive review of US foreign aid spending. Both moves fit into his more isolationist America First approach to international affairs. In more symbolic moves, Mr Trump planned to sign an order renaming the Gulf of Mexico, making it the Gulf of America. The highest mountain in North America, now known as Denali, will revert back to Mount McKinley, its name until former president Barack Obama changed it. And Mr Trump signed an order that flags must be at full height at every future inauguration day. The order came because former president Jimmy Carters death had prompted flags to be at half-staff. Mr Trump demanded they be moved up on Monday. Another of Mr Trumps orders calls for promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture. Immigration and national security Mr Trump reversed several immigration orders from Mr Bidens presidency, including one that narrowed deportation priorities to people who commit serious crimes, are deemed national security threats or were stopped at the border. It returns the government to Mr Trumps first-term policy that everyone in the country illegally is a priority for deportation. The president declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, and he plans to send US troops to help support immigration agents and restrict refugees and asylum. Mr Trump declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Mr Trump is trying to end birthright citizenship. It is unclear, though, whether his order will survive inevitable legal challenges, since birthright citizenship is enshrined in the US constitution. He temporarily suspended the US Refugee Admission Programme, pending a review to assess the programmes public safety and national security implications. He has also pledged to restart a policy that forced asylum seekers to wait over the border in Mexico, but officials did not say whether Mexico would accept migrants again. And Mr Trump is ending the CBP One app, a Biden-era border app that gave legal entry to nearly a million migrants. Meanwhile, on national security, the president revoked any active security clearances from a long list of his perceived enemies, including former director of national intelligence James Clapper, Leon Panetta, a former director of the CIA and defence secretary, and his own former national security adviser, John Bolton. Climate and energy As expected, Mr Trump signed documents to formally withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreements. He made the same move during his first term but Mr Biden reversed it. Additionally, Mr Trump declared an energy emergency as he promised to drill, baby, drill, and said he will eliminate what he calls Mr Bidens electric vehicle mandate. Overhauling federal bureaucracy Mr Trump has halted federal government hiring, except for the military and other parts of government that went unnamed. He added a freeze on new federal regulations while he builds out his second administration. He formally empowered the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which is being led by Elon Musk, the worlds richest man. Ostensibly an effort to streamline government, Doge is not an official agency. But Mr Trump appears poised to give Mr Musk wide latitude to recommend cuts in government programmes and spending. Diversity, equity and inclusion and transgender rights Mr Trump is rolling back protections for transgender people and terminating diversity, equity and inclusion programmes within the federal government. Both are major shifts for the federal policy and are in line with Mr Trumps campaign trail promises. One order declares that the federal government would recognise only two immutable sexes: male and female. And they are to be defined based on whether people are born with eggs or sperm, rather than on their chromosomes, according to details of the upcoming order. Under the order, federal prisons and shelters for migrants and rape victims would be segregated by sex as defined by the order. And federal taxpayer money could not be used to fund transition services. A separate order halts DEI programmes, directing the White House to identify and end them within the government. Israel has launched a large military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin that the Palestinian Health Ministry said had killed at least six people and injured 35. Israel announced a significant and broad military operation against Palestinian militants in the city. Jenin has seen repeated Israeli incursions and gun battles with militants in recent years, even before Hamass October 7 2023 attack ignited the war in Gaza. Israels top general has resigned, citing the security and intelligence failures related to the surprise attack by Hamas that triggered the war in the Gaza Strip. Israel, meanwhile, launched a large military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Tuesday that the Palestinian Health Ministry said had killed at least six people and wounded 35. Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi is the most senior Israeli figure to resign over the security breakdown on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led militants carried out a land, sea and air assault into southern Israel, rampaging through army bases and nearby communities for hours. The attack killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. More than 90 captives are still being held in Gaza, around a third of whom are believed to be dead. In his letter of resignation, Mr Halevi said the military, under his command, had failed in its mission to defend the State of Israel. Mr Halevi, who began what was meant to be a three-year term in January 2023, said his resignation would go into effect on March 6. Israel had earlier announced a significant and broad military operation against Palestinian militants in Jenin. The city has seen repeated Israeli incursions and gun battles with militants in recent years, even before the October 7 2023 attack started the war in Gaza. Medics evacuate a wounded man during an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed). The latest operation came just days into a fragile ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza that is supposed to last for six weeks and see 33 militant-held hostages released in return for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Three hostages and 90 prisoners were released on Sunday, when it took effect. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in 1967. The Palestinians seek an independent state encompassing all three territories. The ceasefire does not apply to the West Bank, which has seen a surge of violence since the start of the war. Israeli troops have carried out almost daily raids that often prompt gun battles. There has also been a rise in attacks on Palestinians by Jewish extremists including a rampage in two Palestinian villages overnight on Monday as well as Palestinian attacks on Israelis. Hamas condemned the Israeli operation in Jenin, calling on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank to step up their own attacks. The smaller and more radical Islamic Jihad militant group also condemned the operation, saying it reflected Israels failure to achieve its goals in Gaza. It said it was also a desperate attempt by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to save his governing coalition. Mr Netanyahu has faced criticism from his far-right allies over the ceasefire, which required Israeli troops to pull back from populated areas in Gaza and envisions the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including militants convicted of involvement in deadly attacks on Israelis. A Palestinian youth sifts through the aftermath of an attack by Israeli settlers in the West Bank village of Jinsafut (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) The ceasefire has already seen Hamas return to the streets, showing that it remains in firm control of the territory despite 15 months of war that killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread devastation. One of his erstwhile partners, Itamar Ben-Gvir, quit the government the day the ceasefire went into effect, weakening the coalition but still leaving Mr Netanyahu with a parliamentary majority. Another, far-right leader, finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, has threatened to resign if Israel does not resume the war after the first phase of the ceasefire ends in six weeks. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel from Gaza, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. More than 90 captives are still being held in Gaza, around a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israels military campaign has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health authorities, who say women and children make up more than half of the deaths but do not say how many of the dead were fighters. Palestinians in Gaza are confronting an apocalyptic landscape of devastation, after a ceasefire paused more than 15 months of fighting between Israel and Hamas. Across the tiny coastal enclave, where built-up refugee camps are interspersed between cities, drone footage captured by The Associated Press shows mounds of rubble stretching as far as the eye can see, remnants of the longest and deadliest war between Israel and Hamas in their blood-ridden history. As you can see, it became a ghost town, said Hussein Barakat, 38, whose home in the southern city of Rafah was flattened. There is nothing, he said, as he sat drinking coffee on a brown armchair perched on the rubble of his three-storey home, in a surreal scene. An aerial photograph shows the destruction in Rafah (Mohammad Abu Samra/AP) Critics say Israel has waged a campaign of scorched earth to destroy the fabric of life in Gaza, accusations that are being considered in two global courts, including the crime of genocide. Israel denies those charges and says its military has been fighting a complex battle in dense urban areas and that it tries to avoid causing undue harm to civilians and their infrastructure. Military experts say the reality is complicated. For a campaign of this duration, which is a years worth of fighting in a heavily urban environment, where you have an adversary that is hiding in amongst that environment, then you would expect an extremely high level of damage, said Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, a British think-tank. Mr Savill said that it was difficult to draw a broad conclusion about the nature of Israels campaign. To do so, he said, would require each strike and operation to be assessed to determine whether they adhered to the laws of armed conflict and whether all were proportional, but he did not think the scorched earth description was accurate. International rights groups. including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, view the vast destruction as part of a broader pattern of extermination and genocide directed at Palestinians in Gaza, a charge Israel denies. The groups dispute Israels stance that the destruction was a result of military activity. Palestinians search for their belongings under the rubble of destroyed homes in Rafah (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Human Rights Watch, in a November report accusing Israel of crimes against humanity, said the destruction is so substantial that it indicates the intention to permanently displace many people. From a fierce air campaign during the first weeks of the war, to a ground invasion that sent thousands of troops in on tanks, the Israeli response to a Hamas-led attack on October 7 2023, has ground down much of the civilian infrastructure of the Gaza Strip, displacing 90% of its population. The brilliant colour of pre-war life has faded into a monotone cement grey that dominates the territory. It could take decades, if not more, to rebuild. A UN assessment from satellite imagery showed more than 60,000 structures across Gaza had been destroyed and more than 20,000 severely damaged in the war as of December 1 2024. The preliminary assessment of conflict-generated debris, including of buildings and roads, was more than 50 million tons. It said the analysis had not yet been validated in the field. Airstrikes throughout the war toppled buildings and other structures said to be housing militants. But the destruction intensified with the ground forces, who fought Hamas fighters in close combat in dense areas. If militants were seen firing from an apartment building near a troop manoeuvre, forces might take the entire building down to thwart the threat. Tank tracks chewed up paved roads, leaving dusty stretches of earth in their wake. The militarys engineering corps was tasked with using bulldozers to clear routes, downing buildings seen as threats, and blowing up Hamas underground tunnel network. Nour and her brother Mohamed Ballas try to salvage what they can of their belongings from the rubble of their home in Rafah (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Experts say the operations to neutralise tunnels were extremely destructive to surface infrastructure. For example, one-mile long tunnel was blown up by Israeli forces, it would not spare homes or buildings above, said Michael Milshtein, a former Israeli army intelligence officer. If (the tunnel) passes under an urban area, it all gets destroyed, he said. Theres no other way to destroy a tunnel. Cemeteries, schools, hospitals and more were targeted and destroyed, he said, because Hamas was using these for military purposes. Secondary blasts from Hamas explosives inside these buildings could worsen the damage. The way Israel has repeatedly returned to areas it said were under its control, only to have militants overrun it again, has exacerbated the destruction, Mr Savill said. That is evident especially in northern Gaza, where Israel launched a new campaign in early October that almost obliterated Jabaliya, a built-up, urban refugee camp. Jabaliya is home to the descendants of Palestinians who fled, or were forced to flee, during the war that led to Israels creation in 1948. Mr Milshtein said Israels dismantling of the tunnel network is also to blame for the destruction there. But the destruction was not only caused by strikes on targets. Israel also carved out a buffer zone about a mile inside Gaza from its border with Israel, as well as within the Netzarim corridor that bisects north Gaza from the south, and along the Philadelphi Corridor, a stretch of land along Gazas border with Egypt. Vast swathes in these areas were flattened. Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general, said the buffer zones were an operational necessity meant to carve out secure plots of land for Israeli forces. He denied Israel had cleared civilian areas indiscriminately. The destruction, like the civilian death toll in Gaza, has raised accusations that Israel committed war crimes, which it denies. The decisions the military made in choosing what to topple, and why, are an important factor in that debate. The second militants move into a building and start using it to fire on you, you start making a calculation about whether or not you can strike, Mr Savill said. Downing the building, he said, still needs to be necessary. In Jabaliya, Nizar Hussein hung a sheet over the shattered remains of his familys home, stepping gingerly around a large, leaning concrete slab. At the very least, we need years to get a house, he said. It is a feeling that I cannot describe. Thank God (for everything). As car thefts continue to rise across Colorado, law enforcement agencies in the state are turning to technology to help combat the growing problem. The latest initiative involves distributing free Apple AirTags and Tile Bluetooth trackers to vehicle owners, providing them with a new tool to track their cars if stolen. The program, which has already been piloted in Arvada, is being expanded statewide as part of a broader effort to curb car theft. Colorado Police Gives Away Free Apple AirTags for Vehicles Colorado residents are receiving Apple AirTags and Tile trackers at no cost in an effort to protect their vehicles from theft. Along with the devices, owners are given stickers to place on their cars, warning potential thieves that the vehicles are equipped with tracking technology. The initiative, reported by CBS Colorado and AppleInsider, allows vehicle owners to monitor their cars using Bluetooth technology, sharing their tracking data with police if the vehicle is stolen. While law enforcement cannot track the vehicles directly, the program enables car owners to work with authorities by providing location data from their trackers. This shareable tracking feature, initially introduced by Apple for luggage at airports, has proven valuable in situations where quick action is needed to recover stolen property. Read Also: Bluetooth Tracker Detection Is Now Available on Android With Two New Features From Google Rising Car Theft in Colorado Relies on AirTags for Tracking Car theft has become an escalating issue in Colorado, with the Arvada area serving as a testing ground for the tracker distribution program. While it is still uncertain whether the initiative will have a lasting impact on reducing thefts, law enforcement officials are hopeful that the increased use of Bluetooth trackers will help curb the trend. The program aims to provide a visible deterrent to criminals and a faster recovery option for stolen vehicles, which are increasingly targeted due to their high resale value. Colorado is not alone in using Bluetooth trackers to fight car theft. Other states and countries have also employed devices like Apple's AirTags and Tile to address rising crime rates. As the program expands, Colorado officials are optimistic about the potential of this technology to assist in solving the state's growing car theft problem. The Many Uses of Apple's AirTags Tracker Apple, Tile, and other companies have designed Bluetooth trackers to help users locate everyday items like keys, wallets, and bags. Over time, these trackers have found new uses, with many people now attaching them to cars, bicycles, and other valuables to track their location in case they are lost or stolen. The popularity of AirTags, in particular, has led to their adoption as a tool for preventing car theft, offering a simple and cost-effective way to monitor vehicles. However, the rise of Bluetooth trackers has also led to some concerns. The devices have been misused by criminals for stalking purposes, prompting companies like Apple and Google to implement security features designed to prevent unauthorized tracking. In response, Apple has introduced anti-tracking alerts that notify users if an unknown tracker is nearby, helping to safeguard privacy and prevent misuse. While some may have concerns about the potential for abuse, the use of AirTags and Tile trackers in combating car theft underscores how innovative technology is being employed to address real-world problems. Law enforcement officials in Colorado hope that by equipping residents with tracking devices, they can better protect their vehicles and contribute to reducing the state's rising crime rates. As the program continues to roll out, police and residents alike are watching closely to see if this high-tech solution will prove effective in fighting car theft in Colorado. With the growing reliance on AirTags and similar devices, it is clear that Bluetooth trackers are becoming a key tool in the ongoing battle against property crime. Today Becoming partly cloudy after some morning rain. Windy at times. High 64F. Winds W at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Gusty winds during the evening. Low around 50F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tomorrow Mostly cloudy skies. High around 65F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Today Windy with rain early. A mix of sun and clouds by afternoon. High 64F. Winds WSW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy. Windy this evening. Low around 50F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tomorrow Considerable cloudiness. High near 65F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. The story of Antarah b. Shaddad illustrates inequalities based on skin color in pre-Islamic Arabia. Arabic speakers and the Sabaic speakers of Yemen along the Tihamah, the western coast of Arabia, had thick social relations with Africans across the Red Sea. These included commerce but also slave taking.`Antarahs father, Shaddad of the `Abs tribe, had his son with an enslaved Ethiopian woman, Zabibah, but did not manumit him in his youth and did not initially consider him his son. The legends say that `Antarah was in love with a girl named `Ablah, but his low estate made that match impossible. The story goes that when the `Abs tribe was attacked by an enemy tribe, Shaddad realized they needed the martial skills of `Antarah and offered to free him if he would lead them to victory. He did so, but even after becoming free, he is said to have faced prejudice from his kinsmen because of his mixed heritage and darkness. Poetry attributed to him contains this verse: My color bothers not me nor Zabibahs name / Since my enemies are short of my ambition / If I survive I will do wonders and I will / Silence the rhetoric of the eloquent. In the Quran, in contrast, differences of outward appearance between human beings are seen as positive, and indeed as a sign of God. The chapter of Rome (30:22) says, Among his signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and complexions. In that are signs for those who know. Why should the varying skin colors of human beings be thought a sign of God and therefore be endowed with a positive valuation? Ancient Near Eastern cosmology had an equivalent of our contemporary notion of the Big Bang. In the beginning, the universe was undifferentiated. The divine not only created the cosmos but set in train the process whereby amorphous emptiness was given form and things were distinguished from one another. Genesis 1:2, echoing Mesopotamian creation myths, says that in the beginning, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep. God then separated light from darkness and brought distinct creatures into being. Making things different from one another is thus a key component of Gods creative activity. In the Quran, as well, God is called the splitter of the heavens as a way of saying that He is the creator. To create is to make things multiple, to break up dull sameness. Likewise, He splits the primeval world of sea into saltwater oceans and sweet water lakes, a notion that goes back to ancient Mesopotamia. The chapter of the Ants (27:61) asks, Is He not the one who made the ground stable and fixed in its midst rivers, and anchored it, and erected a barrier between the two seas? The Creator (35:12) says of the result of this divine creation-through-differentiation, The two seas are not equivalent. One is fresh and sweet, potable for drinking. The other is salt and bitter. Inasmuch as Gods creativity inevitably bestows form on the formless and difference on primal uniformity, the Quran says, wherever in the world we see variety, we can be assured that God is behind it. Hence, that human beings come in a plethora of hues, being bronze, black, fair, and everything in between, is a sign that God has created them and differentiated them. The human rainbow bears witness to the existence of a providential creator, since the state of nature is monotony. The chapter of the Creator (35:27) waxes eloquent on this principle: Have you not seen how God sends down rains from the heavens? Then We produced thereby multi-colored fruit. And in the mountains are veins of white and red of various hues, along with black basalt. This passage glories in the splash of color visible everywhere in the natural world, not merely for its beauty but because the strands of white quartz, red granite, and ebony basalt testify to the divine mind that spun them out from a primeval dull gray abyss. The French modernist Edouard Manet (d. 1883) observed that the painter can say all he wants to with fruit or flowers or even clouds. In the Quran, there is a similar sentiment about God. VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Coast Copper Corp. ("Coast Copper" or the "Company") (TSXV: COCO) is pleased to announce the staking of strategically located mineral properties in British Columbia ("BC") Canada as well as the results of continued compilation work on its 100% owned Hanson property in northwestern BC (see news release for acquisition details December 10, 2024). The five new properties include the Rock Canyon South rare earth and fluorite property in southeastern BC, the Virginia Silver high grade past producing silver project in northwestern BC, the Ben Nevis orogenic gold property located in the Bralorne Camp in southwestern BC, and additional properties in the Anyox camp areas in northwestern BC. See Figure 1. These properties add to the Company's stated 2024 goals of making strategic acquisitions of underexplored projects with a hybrid project generator model. Although Coast Copper's Empire Mine project is still its flagship property, Coast Copper will continue to acquire strategic properties that will help position it for success in a rising metals market. Adam Travis, Coast Copper CEO comments: "We continue to leverage our hundreds of years of combined BC exploration experience by staking prospective ground. The recent acquisitions include the rare earth, fluorspar Rock Canyon South property whose minerals are included in the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, the past producing high-grade Virginia Silver mine which strongly compliments our Sweeney property and prospective orogenic gold and silver ground along strike to the south of Talisker Resources Ltd.'s Bralorne property. We will continue to review opportunities throughout BC and beyond that play to our strengths. Coast Copper will have a booth at the AME Roundup Conference from January 20-23rd. Visit us at booth 521 to discuss these new and exciting projects as well as our portfolio of other projects." Rock Canyon South Rare Earth (Southeastern BC) Carbonatite hosted flurospar, barite and rare earth elements The road accessible Rock Canyon South property (393 hectares ("ha")) is located 90 kilometers ("km") northeast of Cranbrook and 45 km northeast of the Company's Sully property. The property is located directly south and on trend of the Rock Canyon Creek carbonate-hosted rare earth, flurorite and barite deposit where fluorspar and rare-earth mineralization is stratabound, hosted mainly by the "basal Devonian unit", and occurs in a northwest trend over 3.5 km. In 1988, a carbonatite-related origin is suggested for the fluorite and rare-earth mineralization, resulting from metasomatically altered (fenitized) Devonian carbonate rocks, possibly related to a deep-seated alkaline intrusion. Fluorite content generally varies from 2% to greater than (">") 10% of the rock. In 1986, a sample of brown-altered carbonate with fluorite (R85DP-1A) contained 1% cerium, 0.98% lanthanum, 0.3% neodymium, 0.058% thorium and 0.03% samarium. Fluorite occurrences have been previously mapped across the Company's newly acquired property and appear to be along similar geological trends as the Rock Canyon deposit . Virginia Silver Property (Northwestern BC) High grade silver- lead-zinc +/- gold veins The road accessible Virginia Silver property (371 ha) is located approximately 34 km north of Smithers and 5 km east of Morristown located on Highway 16. The Virginia Silver property is geologically similar to the Company's high-grade silver-lead-zinc +/- gold vein Sweeney property located 140 km to the southeast in the Huckleberry Camp. The property has been intermittently explored since 1968, including: Silver Standard Mines aggressively worked on the property in 1968-69, driving two exploration adits totaling 152 meters (" m ") and drilling 22 short diamond drillholes. Silver Standard's engineer at the time estimated a historic, non-43 101 compliant resource of 27,213 tonnes grading 708 grams per tonne (" g/t ") (25 ounces per ton) silver based on detailed underground channel sampling and drillhole data. ") and drilling 22 short diamond drillholes. Silver Standard's engineer at the time estimated a historic, non-43 101 compliant resource of 27,213 tonnes grading 708 grams per tonne (" ") (25 ounces per ton) silver based on detailed underground channel sampling and drillhole data. In 1975, Paul Kindrat leased the property, shipping 226 tonnes from stockpiles on the property of hand sorted ore that reported 696,952 grams silver (22,408 ounces) and 401 grams gold (12.9 ounces) . leased the property, shipping 226 tonnes from stockpiles on the property of hand sorted ore that reported 696,952 grams silver (22,408 ounces) and 401 grams gold (12.9 ounces) . In 1977 Barriere Exploration leased the property and installed a 50 ton-per-day mill. Two shipments of concentrate were shipped in 1980-1981, before the mill was shut down in December of 1981. The mine and mill were decommissioned in 1990. The property was restaked in 1999 by George Braun who completed an 11-line km ground electromagnetic survey in 2001. who completed an 11-line km ground electromagnetic survey in 2001. In 2006 and 2007, Endurance Gold optioned the property, staked the Annie claims, completed a soil geochemical program and drilled 3 diamond drill holes south of Causqua Creek. Two holes, VAG-1 and VAG-3, intercepted the targeted vein material. Hole VAG-1 was a vertical hole and intersected a 0.20 m thick carbonate vein at 80.60 m depth, grading 121 g/t silver and 0.186 g/t gold . thick carbonate vein at depth, grading 121 g/t silver and 0.186 g/t gold . In 2007, Mega Silver Inc. optioned the property from Endurance Gold and in 2008 completed an exploration program of ground Induced Polarization ("IP") geophysics and six diamond drill holes focused south of Casqua Creek. The drill program was designed to test a number of large deep (> 200 m ) IP geophysical conductors, which appear to be associated with zones of secondary tourmaline. Most of the 2008 drillholes intercepted significantly anomalous to mineralized vein material. Ben Nevis Property (Southwestern BC) Hydrothermal gold veins The road accessible Ben Nevis property (1,980 ha) is located 30 km southeast of the town of Goldbridge in the Bralorne Gold Mining Camp and is immediately adjacent to the southeastern corner of Talisker's Bralorne property. In 1980 and 1981, Dupont of Canada Exploration Ltd. conducted programs of prospecting, geological mapping and rock, soil and stream sediment sampling. Soil values up to 0.9 g/t gold and stream sediment values up to 2 g/t gold were obtained . In 1987, two heavy mineral stream sediment samples collected by British Lion Mines Ltd. produced values of 1 and 7 g/t gold in coarse fractions . In 2020, S. Boughey conducted a structural photo interpretation of the Ben showing area. The conclusions of the 2020 work were that the broad and intermediate regional lineament analyses show that the property is located proximal to intersections of major regional structures, which are likely deep penetrating and could be important in localizing mineralizing magmas and their related hydrothermal systems. At the property scale, smaller scale conjugate linears are seen to branch off of the major regional structures and a focus on exploring along these features, with an emphasis on their intersections will be important for planning future work programs at Ben Nevis. Future programs should focus on prospecting, trenching and sampling of material within the north-northwesterly trending depression in attempts to find the source of high-grade gold mineralization identified by historic geochemical surveys . Hanson Property (Northwestern BC) Porphyry copper-molybdenum-gold (see news release dated December 10, 2024) The road accessible Hanson property (1,965 ha) is located 150 km west-northwest of Prince George in the Babine Region and 25 km north of Centerra Gold Inc.'s Endako molybdenum mine. The property is within the southern portion of the under explored Stikine Terrane, one of BC's most prolific copper molybdenum-gold belts which includes Glencore Canada Corp.'s past producing Bell and Granisle mines, the Endako mine and Pacific Booker Minerals' advanced stage Morrison deposit. In addition, new discoveries and active exploration programs on the north part of the belt by American Eagle Gold at its NAK copper-gold porphyry and Amarc Resources/Boliden Minerals at their Duke copper-molybdenum porphyry provide evidence of continuing success in the area. Highlights of the historical compilation include: Copper soil anomaly > 80 parts per million (" ppm ") covering an area over 900 m by 600 m to the west of the known Kimura Zone , and a separate anomaly 450 m by 250 m zone to the northwest of the known Kimura Zone ; ") covering an area over by to the west of the known , and a separate anomaly by zone to the northwest of the known ; Zinc soil anomaly > 1,000 ppm covering an area of 700 m by 250 m (on the current Property); by (on the current Property); Percussion drillholes completed in 1973 returned 0.1% copper on the outskirts of the copper soil anomaly; Diamond drillholes completed in 1990 returning 0.2% copper and 0.1 g/t gold over 15 m and 22 m (DDH-90-20 and DDH-90-3 respectively); and (DDH-90-20 and DDH-90-3 respectively); Geophysical chargeability anomalies over 1,000 m in two areas. Additional Acquisitions (Northwestern BC) High grade silver-lead-zinc +/- gold veins The Company has acquired additional mineral claims within the Anyox camp and adjacent and internal to Goliath Resources Ltd.'s Golddigger property area in the Golden Triangle. More details on these properties will be released once the Company has had time to review the historical data in context with today's knowledge. Qualified Persons The technical information contained in this news release has been prepared, reviewed, and approved by Wade Barnes, P.Geo. (BC), Coast Copper's geological consultant and a Qualified Person within the context of the Canadian Securities Administrators' NI 43-101; Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Coast Copper Corp. Coast Copper's primary exploration focus is the Empire Mine property, located on northern Vancouver Island, BC, which covers three historical open pit mines and two past-producing underground mines that yielded iron, copper, gold, and silver. In 2023, Coast Copper launched a generative program aimed at advancing its other properties in parallel with Empire. In 2024, Coast Copper acquired two new projects bringing its total number of 100% owned projects in BC to six, consisting of the mineral titles comprising the Empire Mine property, the Sully property located in southeastern BC, the Knob Hill NW property located on northern Vancouver Island, the Home Brew property located in central BC, its Sweeney property located in the central interior of BC and its Scottie West property located in the "Golden Triangle" of northern BC. Coast Copper's management team continues to review precious and base metal opportunities in western North America. On Behalf of the Board of Directors: "Adam Travis" Adam Travis, Chief Executive Officer and Director NR25-01 Cautionary Notes in News Release and/or Maps This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which Coast Copper has no right to explore or mine. Investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties. Minfile Record Summary, 082JSW018. https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=082JSW018 C. Graf (1986), Geological Report on the D.P. 1,2,3 and Candy Claims, REE-Ba-F-P Carbonatite Prospect. BC Assessment Report 14677 While Coast Copper notes that the historical results are not NI 43-101 compliant and have not been verified by the Company's QP, these historical resources will help guide Coast Copper's exploration programs. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and Coast Copper Corp. is not treating this historical estimate as current mineral resources. Minfile Record Summary 093M021. https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=093M++021 Minfile Record Summary 092JNE038. https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=092JNE038 S.Boughey (2020), 2020 Geological Report on the Ben Property. BC Assessment Report 39079 J. Cross (2013), Structural Analysis on the Hanson Property. BC Assessment Report 34087 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release, including any information regarding the proposed Transaction, private placement, board and management changes, as to our strategy, projects, plans or future financial or operating performance, constitutes "forward-looking statements." All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Coast Copper, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, geological and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Although Coast Copper believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not a guarantee of future performance. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to: fluctuations in market prices, exploration and exploitation successes, continued availability of capital and financing, changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations, expropriation or nationalization of property and general political, economic, market or business conditions. Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release, or incorporated by reference, are qualified by these cautionary statements. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - CAPITAN SILVER CORP. (TSXV: CAPT) ("Capitan" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its intention to raise up to C$4.2 million through a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"). The Offering is expected be led by a strategic investment from the Jupiter Gold & Silver Fund ("Jupiter"). Capitan intends to raise up to C$4,200,000 by issuing up to a total of 10,500,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$0.40 per Unit. Each Unit shall be comprised of one common share in the Company (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable for a period of 12 months from the Closing Date (as defined below) (the "Exercise Period") at an exercise price of C$0.50 per Share, subject to the Company's Acceleration Right and Exercise Price Adjustment, as discussed further below under "The Offering". The proceeds from the financing will be used to fund exploration programs at the Company's Cruz de Plata Project, additional consolidation opportunities and general corporate expenses. Key Highlights: New High Profile Lead Investor: Strong endorsement of Capitan's Cruz de Plata project from a leading, high-profile institutional silver fund, Jupiter. Jupiter Asset Management is a leading global asset management firm with assets under management of ~C$90 billion (as of Sept 2024). On closing of the Offering, Jupiter Gold & Silver Fund is expected to subscribe for 8,375,000 Units and will thereby own approx. 9.9% of Capitan's issued and outstanding shares on an undiluted basis. Financing Terms : Units priced at a C$0.40/unit, representing a 31.1% premium to the previous trading day's closing price on the TSX Venture. : Units priced at a C$0.40/unit, representing a 31.1% premium to the previous trading day's closing price on the TSX Venture. Warrant Early Exercise : Warrants may be required to be exercised on an accelerated basis following the achievement of a significant property transaction at Cruz de Plata, as determined by Capitan in its sole discretion, upon written notice to the holders of the Warrants, pursuant to the Acceleration Right (as defined below). : Warrants may be required to be exercised on an accelerated basis following the achievement of a significant property transaction at Cruz de Plata, as determined by Capitan in its sole discretion, upon written notice to the holders of the Warrants, pursuant to the Acceleration Right (as defined below). Key Shareholder Support : It is expected that both Michael Gentile, CFA and Construcciones Planificadas (Construplan) will reaffirm their long-term commitment and support for Capitan with their participation in the Offering. : It is expected that both Michael Gentile, CFA and Construcciones Planificadas (Construplan) will reaffirm their long-term commitment and support for Capitan with their participation in the Offering. Fully Funded for Exploration Program for 2025: Capitan intends to ramp up drilling at Cruz de Plata. Alberto Orozco, Capitan's CEO stated: "I am very pleased to announce that this private placement will be led by Jupiter, a new strategic investor in Capitan. Jupiter has deep technical expertise and a track record for identifying great investment opportunities early. We are grateful for their investment and look forward to a strong partnership with them. This transaction represents the third time we will have been able to attract a new strategic investor and the second consecutive time the Company will have financed at a premium to our trading price. Combined with the recent news of the addition of Mr. Fernando Alanis-Ortega (past CEO of Industrias Penoles), I'm excited to see the growing interest from key strategic groups and industry leaders in the potential at our Cruz de Plata project. I'd like to welcome Jupiter as a partner and thank the rest of our great shareholders for their continued support. Following closing of this financing we will be fully funded to advance our Cruz de Plata project in 2025." The Offering Each Unit shall be comprised of one common share in the Company (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable for a period of 12 months from the Closing Date (as defined below) (the "Exercise Period") at an exercise price of C$0.50, subject to the Company's Acceleration Right and Exercise Price Adjustment, as defined and as further described below. During the Exercise Period, at any time following the public announcement of a significant property acquisition (the "Acceleration Event") as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, the Company shall have the right (the "Acceleration Right"), exercisable in its sole discretion by way of providing written notice to the holders of the Warrants, to accelerate the expiry of the Warrants to a date (the "Accelerated Expiry Date") which is 30 calendar days following such written notice. If the Company exercises its Acceleration Right, the holders of the Warrants shall be required to exercise or cause the exercise of all unexercised Warrants held by such holders and pay the aggregate exercise price in respect of such Warrants to the Company prior to the Accelerated Expiry Date. If, immediately prior to the public announcement of the Acceleration Event, the last closing price of the Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") is less than C$0.50, the exercise price of the Warrants shall be adjusted to C$0.40 (the "Exercise Price Adjustment"), subject to applicable TSXV rules. In the event of any default by a holder of any Warrants in respect of the exercise of the Warrants following the exercise by the Company of the Acceleration Right, the Company may terminate such holder's Warrants in addition to any other remedies available to it under law or equity. Closing is scheduled for January 27th, 2025 or such other date(s) as may be determined by the Company. Closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, completion of closing documentation and receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSXV. The securities issued under the Offering will have a hold period of four months and one day from the Closing Date. No finder's fees or commissions are payable in connection with the Offering. Use of Funds The proceeds from the financing will be used to fund exploration programs at the Company's Cruz de Plata Project, additional consolidation opportunities and general corporate expenses. Related Party Considerations As Michael Gentile and certain other insiders of the Company are expected to participate in the Offering, the Offering is expected to constitute a "related party transaction" within the meaning of within the meaning of Policy 5.9 of the TSX-V rules and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") insofar as it involves such insiders. Related party transactions require a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval unless exemptions from these requirements are available under applicable Canadian securities laws. In connection with the Offering, the Company expects to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation requirement in section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 (as a result of the Common Shares being listed on the TSX-V). With respect to an exemption from the minority approval requirement in connection with the Offering, the Company expects to rely on the exemption in section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 (as neither the fair market value of securities which may be distributed to, nor the consideration which may be paid by, the related parties under the Offering are expected to exceed 25% of Capitan's market capitalization). This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Jupiter Asset Management and Jupiter Gold and Silver Fund Jupiter Asset Management is a globally recognized investment firm specializing in innovative strategies across a diverse range of asset classes. With a heritage of active, high-conviction investing, Jupiter is known for its expertise in precious metals, particularly through the Jupiter Gold and Silver Fund. The fund combines strategic allocations to physical bullion and mining equities, positioning investors to capitalize on both monetary and industrial trends in gold and silver. Jupiter's commitment to sustainability and rigorous research ensures its investments align with the highest standards of governance and long-term value creation. About Capitan Silver Corp. Capitan Silver Corp. (TSXV: CAPT) is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing its Cruz de Plata silver gold project located in Durango, Mexico. The Company is led by a management team that has successfully advanced and developed several precious-metal operations in Mexico over the past 16 years. Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking information. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology (e.g., "expect"," estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "plans"). Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the Company's expectations with respect to the use of proceeds and the use of the available funds following completion of the Offering, statements respecting completion of the Offering and the anticipated investments by Jupiter, Michael Gentile and Construplan, receipt of all regulatory approvals in respect of the Offering, including approval of the TSXV, Capitan's exploration drilling programme, and exploration potential and project growth opportunities at the Cruz de Plata Project. Such information involves known and unknown risks -- including the availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of exploration results and other geological data, general political and economic conditions, fluctuations in metal prices and other market-related risks, including any volatility in the Company's share price, unanticipated costs and expenses and other risks identified by Capitan in its public securities filings that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. Toronto and Geraldton, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Tombill Mines Limited (TSXV: TBLL) (the "Company", "Tombill") is pleased to announce an update on recent exploration of mineralized stockpiles on its Tombill Old Mine and Talmora Mine assets. Tombill Old Mine Stockpiles The Tombill Old Mine, which is on and accessible from the Trans-Canada Highway, was mined from 1938-42 and 1955, producing 68,737 oz Au at 12.36 grams/tonnes. From those extractions various legacy stockpiles remain representing a mineralized area of 16,153 meters2 with elevations (derived from the collars access points) ranging from 358.07 m to 366.65 m. From 23 July until 18 November 2024 (including 3 samples collected 6 December 2019) the company produced 55 collars gathering 69 samples for assays with depths ranging from 40 cm to 220 cm, averaging 96 cm. The grade of these 69 samples varied from <0.001 to 20.7 g/t Au, averaging 3.15 g/t Au. Eleven bulk density samples were collected (of which 2 were deemed defective) ranging from 1.31 g/cm3 to 1.74 g/cm3, yielding an average density of 1.49 g/cm3. To collect these 69 samples over 55 collars, the company utilized a combination of a hand augur, excavator, and shovel over a mapped-out grid of 26 quadrants, each measuring 25 m X 25 m. On average, the samples to quadrants ratio was about 2.7 times; however, a disproportionate number of samples were collected in the higher gold grading areas. All samples were collected exclusively from the mine tailings material and no bedrock or overburden were included. During the upcoming 2025 field season, Tombill plans to conduct further work in determining volumes and a potential gold resource. Below, summarizes results from the 69 samples collected to date: Stock Piles Assay Date Collars/Sample Assay ID Elevations Eastings Northing Ore Bearing Depth of Collar(M) G/T Exotic 06/12/2019 TBM19-01 365.0 493714 5505038 0.75 11.80 TBM19-02 366.3 493708 5505041 0.75 10.50 TBM19-03 366.3 493703 5505042 0.75 12.20 02/10/2024 TBT24-023 365.1 493712 5505035 0.75 20.70 08/11/2024 TBT24-036 366.7 493699 5505041 0.75 9.51 TBT24-037 365.5 493704 5505048 0.75 9.20 TBT24-038 365.3 493711 5505044 0.75 3.36 Main Tailing 23/07/2024 TBT24-002 360.7 493809 5504971 0.40 1.43 TBT24-003 360.1 493832 5504983 0.40 1.53 TBT24-004 359.6 493850 5505000 0.40 1.40 TBT24-005 359.1 493867 5505016 0.40 0.97 TBT24-006 358.7 493882 5505036 0.40 0.99 04/09/2024 TBT24-009 359.0 493864 5505045 0.40 4.31 TBT24-010 358.7 493871 5505068 0.40 3.72 TBT24-011 358.1 493897 5505085 0.40 4.75 02/10/2024 TBT24-029 359.8 493827 5504953 0.40 1.20 TBT24-030 359.7 493844 5504972 0.40 1.15 TBT24-031 358.9 493877 5505000 0.40 1.22 TBT24-034 358.6 493882 5505056 0.40 1.24 18/11/2024 TBT24-056 359.0 493855 5505030 0.50 3.56 TBT24-057 358.7 493872 5505045 0.45 1.49 TBT24-058 358.5 493885 5505058 0.50 1.06 Mixed Tailings 03/09/2024 TBT24-012 364.5 493734 5505033 0.40 14.80 TBT24-014 363.0 493748 5505005 0.40 7.15 TBT24-015 364.2 493724 5505016 0.40 2.36 TBT24-016 361.6 493769 5504987 0.40 0.55 02/10/2024 TBT24-024 363.9 493745 5505022 0.40 4.24 18/11/2024 TBT24-039 (A) 361.1 493775 5504985 1.20 1.44 TBT24-039 (B) 493775 5504985 1.20 0.77 TBT24-040 362.5 493755 5504997 0.50 3.73 TBT24-041 (A) 364.0 493734 5505015 1.20 0.10 TBT24-041 (B) 493734 5505015 1.20 0.03 TBT24-042 364.9 493726 5505029 0.40 8.65 Mine Rock 03/09/2024 TBT24-013 363.6 493761 5505028 1.50 5.68 TBT24-017 362.9 493787 5504988 1.50 0.14 TBT24-018 362.0 493789 5505020 1.50 3.58 TBT24-019 364.1 493776 5505056 1.50 1.64 TBT24-020 360.5 493817 5505014 1.50 0.69 TBT24-021 360.9 493842 5505035 1.75 0.06 TBT24-022 361.5 493809 5505055 1.75 0.54 02/10/2024 TBT24-025 362.5 493771 5505008 1.75 0.05 TBT24-026 364.8 493739 5505045 1.75 2.35 TBT24-027 360.7 493811 5505044 1.75 2.17 TBT24-028 361.9 493784 5505007 1.75 0.04 18/11/2024 TBT24-043 (A) 364.4 493748 5505048 1.20 0.67 TBT24-043 (B) 493748 5505048 0.78 TBT24-044 (A) 363.2 493765 5505025 1.50 2.04 TBT24-044 (B) 493765 5505025 1.95 TBT24-045(A) 361.8 493786 5505009 2.20 1.73 TBT24-045(B) 493786 5505009 0.66 TBT24-045(C) 493786 5505009 0.43 TBT24-046 (A) 360.4 493800 5504987 1.20 3.36 TBT24-046 (B) 493800 5504987 2.56 TBT24-047 (A) 360.4 493816 5505005 1.10 1.19 TBT24-047 (B) 493816 5505005 1.92 TBT24-048 (A) 361.6 493797 5505026 2.00 7.56 TBT24-048 (B) 493797 5505026 3.66 TBT24-049 (A) 364.4 493778 5505054 2.00 0.50 TBT24-049 (B) 493778 5505054 0.27 TBT24-050 (A) 364.1 493776 5505053 1.20 0.37 TBT24-050 (B) 493776 5505053 0.29 TBT24-051 (A) 362.0 493831 5505022 1.20 0.00 TBT24-051 (B) 493831 5505022 0.00 TBT24-052 (A) 360.5 493819 5505032 1.50 0.46 TBT24-052 (B) 493819 5505032 1.62 TBT24-053 (A) 361.1 493806 5505047 1.20 5.95 TBT24-053 (B) 493806 5505047 10.50 TBT24-054 360.2 493827 5505050 0.75 0.15 TBT24-055 360.3 493846 5505034 0.50 0.56 Average 0.97 3.15 Note: All assays derived by AGAT Laboratories on the dates noted above, except for 3 samples (TBM-01, 02, 03) collected on 6/12/2019 and analyzed by Activation Laboratories (Actlabs). Talmora Mine In addition to the Tombill Old Mine, on a limited basis, we embarked on sampling our other legacy Talmora Mine stockpiles on the northeast corner of our Main Group patented claims, and we are encouraged by the grades derived from the 10 samples collected to date. The Talmora Mine was mined in 1942 and from 1947-48, producing 1,406 oz Au at a grade of 5.04 g/t. Further work is necessary to determine the stockpiles area and dimensions. Elevations (derived from the sample access points) range from 329.54 m to 331.65 m. On 2 October 2024, we collected 10 samples for assays from the mine tailings area to a depth of 40 cm at each site. The grade of these samples varied from 0.06 to 21.60 g/t Au and averaged 4.9 g/t Au. To date, no bulk density samples have been collected. To collect the samples, we utilized a combination of a hand augur and shovel at sites over the stockpile but have not employed a mapped-out grid yet. All samples were collected from the mine tailings area and no bedrock or overburden were sampled. During the 2025 field season, further exploration work will be conducted over a grid to complete additional sampling and to determine area, volumes, bulk densities and a potential gold resource. Below, summarizes results from the 10 samples collected to date at the Talmora site: Collars/Sample Assay ID Elevations (M) Eastings Northing Ore Bearing Depth of Collar(M) G/T TTA24-001 331.15 501139 5504200 0.4 3.46 TTA24-002 331.65 501159 5504194 0.4 0.85 TTA24-003 331.00 501169 5504171 0.4 0.06 TTA24-004 331.42 501185 5504195 0.4 0.66 TTA24-005 330.86 501207 5504206 0.4 3.04 TTA24-006 331.40 501198 5504230 0.4 21.60 TTA24-007 331.54 501172 5504242 0.4 3.81 TTA24-008 331.14 501140 5504233 0.4 3.40 TTA24-009 329.70 501217 5504218 0.4 9.78 TTA24-010 329.54 501226 5504244 0.4 2.35 Average 0.4 4.90 Assays derived by AGAT Laboratories, Thunder Bay 2 October 2024 Assays Assays were performed at AGAT Laboratories, an accredited lab in Thunder Bay, Ontario. A chain of custody is maintained to the assay lab. Qualified Person Gerry White P.Geo., Superior Rift Geoconsulting Inc., is the Company's designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed and approved its scientific and technical content. About Tombill Founded 1935, jointly by Newmont Mining and 'Tom' and 'Bill' Johnson, Tombill (TSXV: TBLL) owns 2 of the 11 past- producing and producing mines in the Geraldton Greenstone Gold District (pop. 4300, about 225 km NE of Thunder Bay). Within this optimal local and mining infrastructure, our assets comprise 4 royalty-free claims groups, occupying the middle of the Geraldton Gold District. The Greenstone Open Pit Gold Mine (established May 2024), which we border with our Main Group east boundary, is one of Canada's largest gold mines & mill by both annual production and grade according to its owners Equinox Gold Corp (TSX/NYSE: EQX). Our assets comprise 74 royalty-free claims (60 fully owned patented claims, 9 fully owned patented mineral rights, and 5 leases). Of these, the 51-patented claim Main Group borders west of the Greenstone Gold Mine and straddles the Trans- Canada Highway; the 5-claim Ellis Group lies 4 km south of the town of Geraldton; and the original Tombill Old Mine group of 6-patented claims sits 10 km west-southwest of Geraldton. The Tombill Old Mine produced 68,737 gold oz at a grade of 12.47 g/t between 1938 -1942 and 1955 in the southeast part of that claim group. The Talmora Mine, located northeast on the Main Group, was built in 1942, but saw only very minor production before closing in 1948 (1,406 gold oz at 5.05 g/t). The Geraldton camp is approximately 15 km in length over a defined corridor -- essentially along the Bankfield Tombill Fault & Trans-Canada Highway -- housing multiple shallow and deep gold zones, 10 past-producing mines and 1 producing open pit mine stemming from the most easterly Greenstone Open Pit Gold Mine to the most westerly past-producing Key Lake Mine. Location Map Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to its exploration program. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. January 20, 2025 - TheNewswire - Vancouver, British Columbia - Pampa Metals Corp. (Pampa Metals or the Company) (CSE:PM / FSE:FIR / OTCQB:PMMCF) is pleased to advise PIU-05 2025DDH (PIU-05) has been completed to a depth of 1,104.5 m. PIU-05 was the 2nd diamond drillhole of the 2024/25 program at the Piuquenes copper-gold porphyry project in San Juan, Argentina. A 3rd drillhole has now commenced at Piuquenes East. Piuquenes Copper-Gold Porphyry Project San Juan, Argentina Piuquenes is a newly discovered, gold rich copper porphyry deposit located immediately adjacent to the north of Aldebaran Resources (ALDE:TSX-V) giant Altar porphyry copper system. Other large porphyry copper projects in the San Juan Miocene porphyry belt include El Pachon (Glencore), approximately 30 km to the south, the operating Los Pelambres copper mine (60% Antofagasta plc) in Chile, and Los Azules (McEwen Mining) 50 km to the northeast. Corporate and exploration activity along the belt remains high, with major companies including Rio Tinto, South 32, BHP and Teck also active. Diamond Drillhole PIU-05 2025DDH (PIU-05) As previously reported on 10 January 2025, PIU-05 was a significant step-out, collared 220m east of PIU16-01DDH (558m @ 0.38% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au, including 130m @ 0.81% Cu, 0.6 g/t Au, refer 5 December 2023 News Release) and 270m southwest of PIU02-2024DDH (448m @ 0.42% Cu, 0.46 g/t Au, including 126m @ 0.66% Cu, 0.74 g/t Au, refer 6 May 2024 News Release). Diamond Drillhole PIU-06 2025DDH (PIU-06) Diamond drillhole PIU-06 has now commenced at Piuquenes East, considered a standout target within the Piuquenes-Altar porphyry cluster characterized by: Outcropping sinuous and banded porphyry style quartz veinlet stockwork zone; and 400 x 300m Cu-Au soil anomaly, intermediate chargeability intermediate-high resistivity Samples have been progressively dispatched to the ALS lab in Mendoza and results from PIU-04 (refer 9 January 2025 News Release) and PIU-05 are pending. Figure 1: Piuquenes Altar Porphyry Cluster Geology and Mineralization Diamond Drillhole PIU-05 Drill hole PIU-05 drilled transported cover to 42 m and below that to 570 m variably altered, veined and brecciated pre-mineral diorite porphyry host rock. Brecciation is predominantly pre-mineral magmatic-intrusion breccia, however local zones of magmatic-hydrothermal breccia with biotite-magnetite cement occur. From 570 to 660 m and again from 810 to 1050 m the hole intersected intervals of the quartz-bearing causative porphyry, similar to those intersected in the 2024 campaign. Below 1050 m the hole traversed host rock intrusions of intermediate composition. The upper parts of the hole traverse phyllic and intermediate-argillic alteration which progressively give way to biotite-magnetite potassic alteration below approximately 250 m and then overprinting K-feldspar-bearing alteration from approximately 350 m to 1050 m with variable intensity. The K-feldspar alteration occurs predominantly as haloes to porphyry style A-veins and overprints earlier biotite-bearing potassic alteration and is in turn overprinted by chlorite-illite alteration and locally developed phyllic alteration associated with anhydrite-pyrite veins Low intensity porphyry-style quartz-sulfide veining occurs from 250 m, progressively increasing in intensity to approximately 690 m before decreasing in intensity from 720 m. The quartz-sulfide veins are multi-phase with several generations of quartz A-veins observed including one phase of bornite-dominated A-veins. A later, sulfide dominated, quartz-poor chalcopyrite-rich vein phase is also observed. From 860 to 1050 m a distinct banded quartz-magnetite-pyrite vein phase was encountered and includes local high density stockwork zones. The higher sulfide zone encountered to-date is notable for its bornite content; although overall bornite remains less than chalcopyrite, the occurrence of a consistent bornite zone between 530 m and 690m (downhole) is encouraging and may signal that hole PIU-05 has encountered a zone of the system closer to a postulated bornite-dominated core at depth. Image 1: PIU-05 577.5 - 583.16m. Strongly veined porphyry and diorite host rock and intercalated quartz-porphyry, showing multiphase quartz A-veins and associated K-feldspar bearing potassic alteration. Hole PIU-05 has extended the core of the Piuquenes Central porphyry system to depth and has intersected the most bornite-rich mineralization yet encountered. Image 2: PIU-05 616.04 - 621.6m. Strongly veined porphyry and diorite host rock, showing multiphase quartz A-veins and associated K-feldspar bearing potassic alteration. Image 3: PIU-05 1039.22 - 1044.95m. Distinct banded quartz-magnetite-pyrite vein phase hosted by intermineral porphyry and pre-mineral host rock intrusion. Joseph van den Elsen, Pampa Metals President and CEO commented: We continue to make excellent progress at Piuquenes, with hole PIU-05 having significantly expanded the footprint of the Piuquenes Central porphyry system and intersecting the most bornite-rich mineralization yet encountered. We are now drill testing a second compelling, undrilled porphyry target which outcrops at Piuquenes East and advancing several other targets through surface exploration, as we pursue significant shareholder value through the discovery and delineation of an economic deposit(s) on the Piuquenes property. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD INVESTOR CONTACT Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO Joseph van den Elsen | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ABOUT PAMPA METALS Pampa Metals is a copper-gold exploration company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM), Frankfurt (FSE: FIR), and OTC (OTCQB: PMMCF) exchanges. In November 2023, the Company announced it had entered into an Option and Joint Venture Agreement for the acquisition of an 80% interest in the Piuquenes Copper-Gold Porphyry Project in San Juan Province, Argentina. QUALIFIED PERSON Technical information in this news release has been approved by Mario Orrego G. Mr. Orrego G. is a Geologist, a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Orrego G. is a consultant to the Company. Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2025) - Omai Gold Mines Corp. (TSXV: OMG) (OTCQB: OMGGF) ("Omai Gold" or the "Company") announces continued strong assay results from drilling completed as part of the 2024 program, including an impressive 57.0m intercept grading 4.48 g/t Au in hole 24ODD-092 and a 63.2m intercept grading 1.10 g/t Au in hole 24ODD-094. A total of 26 diamond drill holes totalling 13,716m were completed in 2024, mostly focused on expanding the large Wenot deposit at the Omai gold project in Guyana. Assays are reported for 6 holes and are pending for an additional 3 holes at Wenot and one hole into the adjacent Gilt Creek deposit. Results to date from the 2024 drill program at Wenot achieved the objectives as set: 1) to identify further mineralization in some of the wide undrilled areas within the 2.5 km long strike of the Wenot deposit, particularly within the under-explored southern sedimentary rock sequence, 2) to extend the known mineralization in the multiple subparallel gold zones down to the 400 to 450m level, a level that management believes is a reasonable depth for a potential large open pit operation, and 3) to increase the shallow drilling at West Wenot, an area with known broad mineralized zones within the southern sedimentary rocks with potential as a starter pit. Highlights include: Hole 24ODD-092 4.48 g/t Au over 57.0m including 21.13 g/t Au over 10.0m Hole 24ODD-094 1.10 g/t Au over 63.2 m including 1.63 g/t Au over 21.0m 1.13 g/t Au over 20.4 m 2.69 g/t Au over 4.3 m 0.77 g/t Au over 30.5 m 1.97 g/t Au over 9.1 m Hole 24ODD-091 0.79 g/t Au over 48.0m 5.76 g/t Au over 5.4m 2.50 g/t Au over 9.0m Hole 24ODD-090 1.01 g/t Au over 28.5m Hole 24ODD-089 1.16 g/t Au over 16.5m 1.39 g/t Au over 11.9m Elaine Ellingham, President & CEO, commented: "Wenot continues to deliver very strong drill results and in particular we are encouraged by the continuity of mineralization and increasing grades with very impressive widths at depth. We believe these will support our goal of further expanding the Wenot resource in advance of an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") planned for Q3 2025. The current results include the best intercept in our Company's history (4.48 g/t Au over 57.0m) which is outside of the current NI43-101 Resource1 and below previous drilling. This gives us further confidence in the growth potential for the Wenot deposit. Drilling at West Wenot, beyond the area of historic mining, is also positive, with hole 24ODD-094 intersecting a wide zone of mineralization at shallower depths (1.10 g/t Au over 63.2m). We expect results like this will allow us to integrate some of the excluded West Wenot resources into the next PEA. We commenced our 2025 drill program last week, with an initial planned 10,000 m program. With the positive results from the 2024 program, drilling will likely continue into late Q1 2025, paving the way for an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in Q2 2025, and an updated PEA planned for Q3 2025. In addition to our goal of expanding the proposed Wenot open pit in this upcoming PEA, we are also working to include the second deposit at Omai, the Gilt Creek intrusion-hosted deposit that could significantly expand the mine plan. The Gilt Creek deposit would be an underground mining scenario with this deposit starting at a depth of only 300m below surface. The Company's first drill hole into Gilt Creek was completed in December (1,148m), and assay results are expected in a few weeks." Most significant in these current drilling results from Central Wenot, holes 24ODD-091 and 24ODD-092 (Figures 1-2, Table 1) both continue to intersect very wide gold zones (48.0m and 57.0m), down to the 450-500m depth. These are the deepest encountered so far and are within the most prolific historically-mined zone within the Wenot deposit, known as the "Dike Corridor". The Dike Corridor is one of five main subparallel, near-vertical gold zones that comprise the large 2.5km long Wenot deposit. Lying within the broader Wenot Shear, the Dike Corridor is a roughly 100-200m wide zone within the volcanic sequence, typically 25-100m north of the central volcanic-sedimentary contact, that itself hosts gold mineralization within a persistent quartz feldspar porphyry unit. This Dike Corridor was selectively mined from 1995 - 2002 when the gold price fell well below US$400/oz, suggesting it proved the most economic. The Dike Corridor is comprised of a series of felsic and diorite dikes intruded into the volcanic sequence with varying degrees of shearing, alteration and stockworks of quartz veining, hosting significant gold mineralization and frequently visible gold. Hole 24ODD-092 was drilled from the north to test deeper below the Wenot deposit. This hole intersected the wide 57.0m gold zone between 430-480m depth from surface grading 4.48 g/t Au within the "Dike Corridor". This is 50m deeper than any previous intercept in this zone, over 100m below the 2024 PEA pit shell at that location, and 75m below the 2024 resource pit shell. This intercept is approximately 75m to the west and 80m below the recently reported intercept of 3.16 g/t Au over 68.7m in hole 24ODD-085 (see news release dated December 4, 2024). Previous drill results suggested a potential 600m strike length for this wide gold zone, and this new drilling adds potential for further depth extension of the Mineral Resource Estimate to 500m. Hole 24ODD-092 drilled to a depth of 716m, one of the Company's deepest holes to date, encountered 10m of diabase at a vertical depth of approximately 530m below surface. This is likely the projected continuation of the post-mineral diabase dike which separates the historically mined out Gilt Creek open pit from the Gilt Creek underground deposit. Similarly, we expect that the Wenot deposit continues below this dike and the recently drilled gold grades and widths suggest that Wenot could support underground mining at greater depths. Optimizing the economics of a proposed Wenot open pit with underground mining will be evaluated for an updated PEA that management is planning for Q3 2025. Hole 24ODD-091 is approximately 250m to the east of hole 24ODD-092 in Central Wenot. It likewise intersected depth extensions of multiple gold zones within the "Dike Corridor", including 0.79 g/t Au over 48.0m, 5.76 g/t Au over 5.4m, and 2.50 g/t Au over 9.0m. The 0.79 g/t Au over 48.0m intercept is 250m to the east of the intercept in hole 24ODD-092 (4.48 g/t Au over 57.0m), and approximately 40m below, at a depth of 470m from surface. Drilling continues to provide evidence of the continuity along strike of these significant gold zones. Hole 24ODD-089, also drilled in Central Wenot, was drilled from the south side within a 300m gap between holes 24ODD-075 and 24ODD-076. The hole encountered several zones of minor gold mineralization within the targeted southern sedimentary sequence, including 4.38 g/t Au over 4.6m. The central quartz feldspar porphyry at the sediment-volcanic contact was intersected at a depth of 323m from surface, highlighted by 1.16 g/t Au over 16.5m. The hole continued north of the central contact into the volcanics and encountered the Dike Corridor where it intersected five gold intercepts, the best being 1.39 g/t Au over 11.9m at a depth of 435m from surface. Intersections within the sedimentary sequence south of the contact are important, as this sequence was largely undrilled in Central Wenot so was mostly incorporated as waste into the 2024 PEA pit, contributing to the higher strip ratio. Holes 24ODD-088, -090 and -094 were all drilled in West Wenot from the north side. This area is west of the past producing pit and although a significant portion of the 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate1 is in this area, some did not meet the economic criteria due to insufficient drilling, particularly the shallow drilling. Hole 24ODD-094, collared approximately 500m west of the past producing pit, targeted shallower extensions above broad intervals of sediment-hosted gold mineralization intersected by previously drilled holes 24ODD-086 and 23ODD-063 (Figure 4). Hole 24ODD-094 contained 13 occurrences of visible gold and intersected three broad gold intervals including 1.10 g/t Au over 63.2m, 0.77 g/t Au over 30.5m, and 1.42 g/t Au over 14.0m - all within the sedimentary sequence south of the main contact. This hole achieved our objective of confirming that this very wide gold zone within the southern sediments occurs shallower nearing surface, with these gold zones at a depth of only 120m below surface. This hole also supports vertical continuity with the very impressive gold intervals encountered more than 50m below in hole 23ODD-063 (4.07g/t Au over 31.1m, 1.18 g/t Au over 25.2m and 3.38 g/t Au over 9.6m) and 180m below in 23ODD-086. The very broad sediment-hosted gold zone shows good continuity towards surface. The widest interval is below the 2024 PEA pit shell1. Hole 24ODD-088 was drilled at West Wenot, from the north side, targeting an area within the 2024 PEA pit shell but with sparse previous drilling. The hole intersected 7 minor gold intervals including one high-grade interval of 13.31 g/t Au over 1.4m. The central contact quartz feldspar porphyry assayed 0.55 g/t Au over 15.8m. Four zones of mineralization were intersected in the southern sedimentary sequence, the best being 1.46 g/t Au over 9.0m. Hole 24ODD-090 is in the West Wenot area and was drilled from the north side 150m east of hole 24ODD-088. This hole intersected 1.19 g/t Au over 10.5m in the Dike Corridor and a broad zone grading 1.01 g/t Au over 28.5m within the central contact quartz feldspar porphyry zone. A zone further south, within the sedimentary sequence assayed 1.07 g/t over 11.0m. Figure 1. Wenot Plan Map Showing Drill Hole Locations Figure 2. Cross-Section for DDH 24ODD-092 Figure 3. Cross-Section for DDH 24ODD-094 1 A NI43-101 Technical Report dated May 21, 2024 "UPDATED MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE AND PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE OMAI GOLD PROPERTY, POTARO MINING DISTRICT NO.2, GUYANA" was prepared by Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants Inc. is available on SEDAR+ and on the Company's website. It includes a Wenot resource of 834,000 indicated ounces of gold averaging 1.48 g/t Au and 1,614,000 inferred ounces of gold averaging 1.99 g/t Au, and the adjacent Gilt Creek resource of 1,151,000 indicated ounces of gold averaging 3.22 g/t Au and 665,000 inferred ounces of gold averaging 3.35 g/t Au. Quality Control Omai maintains an internal QA/QC program to ensure sampling and analysis of all exploration work is conducted in accordance with best practices. Certified reference materials, blanks and duplicates are entered at regular intervals. Samples are sealed in plastic bags. Samples from the Wenot drilling were shipped to ActLabs, a certified laboratory in Georgetown Guyana, respecting the best chain of custody practices. At the laboratory, samples are dried, crushed up to 80% passing 2 mm, riffle split (250 g), and pulverized to 95% passing 105 m, including cleaner sand. Fifty grams of pulverized material is then fire assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA). Initial assays with results above 3.0 ppm gold are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish. For samples with visible gold two separate 500g or 1000g pulverized samples are prepared, with 50 grams of each fire assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, with assays above 3.0 ppm gold being re-assayed using a gravimetric finish. Certified reference materials and blanks meet with QA/QC specifications. Qualified Person Elaine Ellingham is a Qualified Person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" and has approved the technical information contained in this news release. Ms. Ellingham is not considered to be independent for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. ABOUT OMAI GOLD Omai Gold Mines Corp. holds a 100% interest in the Omai Prospecting License that includes the past-producing Omai Gold Mine in Guyana, and a 100% interest in the adjoining Eastern Flats Mining Permits. The Company announced a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA")1 on its Wenot Deposit at Omai in April 2024, showing an open pit operation to produce 1.84 million ounces of gold over a 13-year period, with an NPV5% of US$556 million at a US$1950/oz gold price. This baseline PEA incorporates only 45% of the property's MRE and management believes that with additional work the mine plan can be significantly expanded, the economics enhanced, and the open pit resources further increased. An updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE")1 of 2.0 million ounces of gold (Indicated) and 2.3 million ounces (Inferred) reflects a notable increase as a result of 2023's successful drilling. Once South America's largest producing gold mine, Omai produced over 3.7 million ounces of gold between 1993 and 2005. Mining ceased at a time when the average gold price was less than US$400 per ounce. As a brownfields project, Omai benefits from good road access and a wealth of historical data that provides knowledge of the geology and gold mineralization on the Property, as well as metallurgy, historical processing recoveries and many other relevant mining parameters. For further information, please see our website www.omaigoldmines.com or contact: Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Table 1. Recent Drill Results* DDH From To Interval (m) Grade (g/t Au) 24ODD-094 152.00 155.70 3.7 2.80 199.00 229.50 30.5 0.77 including 199.00 203.30 4.3 2.69 241.00 261.40 20.4 1.13 including 247.00 261.40 9.1 1.97 268.00 274.50 6.5 0.42 290.30 353.50 63.2 1.10 including 290.30 311.30 21.0 1.63 24ODD-093 results pending 24ODD-092 177.5 182.0 4.5 0.80 233.0 236.0 3.0 0.40 431.0 433.0 2.0 2.38 456.0 457.0 1.0 1.87 470.2 471.6 1.4 6.29 480.5 482.0 1.5 0.78 489.5 491.0 1.5 1.00 495.1 500.0 4.9 2.46 527.0 533.0 6.0 2.97 546.5 549.5 3.0 0.42 561.5 618.5 57.0 4.48 including 574.7 588.6 13.9 1.52 also including 595.0 605.0 10.0 21.13 624.0 639.5 15.5 0.60 659.0 663.5 4.5 1.61 24ODD-091 87.0 88.5 1.5 2.30 241.0 242.5 1.5 4.64 321.7 323.8 2.1 0.61 377.9 380.7 2.8 5.01 389.5 394.9 5.4 5.76 400.0 404.5 4.5 1.35 460.0 461.0 1.0 1.95 489.0 498.0 9.0 2.50 545.0 548.0 3.0 2.21 581.5 584.5 3.0 1.16 622.0 638.0 16.0 0.68 667.0 715.0 48.0 0.79 721.8 722.6 0.8 1.28 24ODD-090 254.5 256.0 1.5 1.65 324.9 326.1 1.2 2.29 334.0 335.5 1.5 2.29 349.0 350.5 1.5 0.66 361.0 371.5 10.5 1.19 395.5 424.0 28.5 1.01 467.5 469.0 1.5 0.94 479.5 487.0 7.5 0.55 509.0 520.0 11.0 1.07 542.5 544.0 1.5 0.30 590.3 591.5 1.2 0.54 24ODD-089 233.0 233.9 0.9 0.40 292.0 292.9 0.9 2.00 312.0 313.0 1.0 1.58 323.0 324.0 1.0 0.53 360.0 361.0 1.0 1.39 371.7 373.6 1.9 3.55 391.0 405.0 14.0 0.38 410.1 414.7 4.6 4.38 429.5 446.0 16.5 1.16 459.5 464.0 4.5 0.41 519.0 521.4 2.4 2.35 543.5 549.2 5.7 0.44 556.5 559.5 3.0 0.54 568.7 580.6 11.9 1.39 24ODD-088 182.5 184.0 1.5 0.31 190.1 193.0 3.0 0.47 269.5 273.7 4.2 0.62 280.3 282.4 2.1 0.60 300.6 301.5 0.9 0.49 314.5 315.9 1.4 13.31 338.9 340.0 1.2 0.52 360.2 376.0 15.8 0.55 446.5 454.0 7.5 0.36 460.0 466.0 6.0 0.81 475.0 484.0 9.0 1.46 551.2 553.4 2.2 1.70 *True widths vary as mineralization at Wenot is generally hosted within stockwork vein systems with alteration halos, with an estimated true width range of 70-90%. Cut-off grade 0.30 g/t Au with maximum 5.2m internal dilution is applied. Grades are uncapped. Table 2. Recent Drill Hole Coordinates Hole ID Azimuth (degrees) Inclination (degrees) Easting Northing Depth (m) Status 24ODD-88 170 -50 304585 601940 562.00 Reporting 24ODD-89 355 -50 305030 601329 596.00 Reporting 24ODD-90 175 -56 304731 601931 595.00 Reporting 24ODD-91 174 -52 305330 602000 723.40 Reporting 24ODD-92 174 -54 305078 602021 716.00 Reporting 24ODD-93 177 -50 304647 601829 497.00 Pending 24ODD-94 177 -48 304385 601797 403.00 Reporting Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing of completion of exploration, trenching and drill programs, and the potential for the Omai Gold Project to allow Omai to build significant gold Mineral Resources at attractive grades, and forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; the price of gold and copper; and the results of current exploration. Further, the Mineral Resource data set out in the Omai Gold news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Further, the Preliminary Economic Assessments and related data discussed in this news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Omai Gold Mines Corp. to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to international operations; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of gold, copper and other minerals and metals; general market conditions; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; uncertainty of access to additional capital; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or in the completion of development or construction activities. Police in Italy have arrested the head of Libya's judicial police who directs Tripoli's Mitiga detention centre, Italian news reports said Monday. Osama Najim, also known as Almasri, was arrested Sunday in Turin on an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to media. A journalist for Avvenire daily who broke the news, Nello Scavo, wrote on social media: "We can confirm from dedicated sources that on the mandate of the International Criminal Court for war crimes the head of the Libyan judicial police was arrested in Turin." Migrant rescue group Mediterranea Saving Humans said Almasri's arrest came after "years of complaints and testimonies from victims". "Almasri is proof of how the entire Libyan system, supported in recent years by millions of euros from Italian governments and the European Union, is atrocious and criminal," it wrote on X. La Repubblica daily reported that Almasri was arrested in a hotel following a tip from Interpol. The newspaper cited a Turin prosecutor as saying the arrested man had been in Turin with other Libyans. The case will be forwarded for examination to the Court of Appeals in Rome. International human rights groups have long condemned abuses in Libyan detention centres, citing widespread violence and torture. Rome's controversial deal with Libya -- dating from 2017 and renewed under the hard-right government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni -- involves providing funding and training to the Libyan coastguard. In exchange, Libya is expected to help stem the departure of migrants to Italy, or return those already at sea back to Libya, where they are often taken to such detention centres. Italian prosecutors were not immediately available to confirm the reports and Interpol did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Next week we're introducing bipartisan legislation that will prohibit countries cooperating with the [the International Criminal] Court from engaging in business with America. This will fundamentally alter the existing paradigm, and I'm unmoved by whatever international pressure may come my way, said U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, in an interview to the newspaper Israel Hayom published on Jan 19, 2025. Sanctions are officially designed to change behaviour, says Adam Keith, now director for accountability at Human Rights First, an NGO, and previously a senior policy advisor in the Office of Global Justice at the U.S. State Department. For the International Criminal Court (ICC), he says, among the purposes of pushing the sanctions, is to make the ICC or its officials radioactive. Sanctions from the United States work precisely because it has a lot of financial power: If you're targeting individuals or the entity, an institution that is based in Western Europe, deeply integrated into Western economies, sanctions can be quite powerful in terms of convincing banks or other institutions not to do business with an institution or an institution that has individuals in it that are on the U.S. sanctions list. If sanctions are imposed against you, all of your assets, all of your financial transactions in US dollars are frozen. And about 90% of all global financial transactions are conducted in dollars, notes Milena Sterio, a law professor at Cleveland State University and managing director at the Public International Law and Policy Group (PILPG), a legal NGO. So when they talk about sanctions, experts on sanctions call it a civil death for the individual who's sanctioned because of the burdens imposed on the person, she says. That is part of the intention, according to Todd Buchwald, former U.S. ambassador for global justice in the last year of Obamas presidency and the first six months of Trumps first mandate. Financial institutions can be unwilling to conduct business with those subject to sanctions, even where doing that business is not actually covered by the sanctions, he explains. In other words, financial institutions just as a matter of business prudence have an incentive not to come any place close to the line and to just cut off relationships with the ICC. What's different than 2020 There are a number of elements that make the expected sanctions by the new Trump administration different from those Trump issued in 2020 in an Executive Order. [At press time, Trump has already reinstated his 2020 executive order on the first day of his new presidency, January 20, 2025, according to the Israeli press.] This time around, it's gotten support from members of Congress. And then, unfortunately, 45 Democrats have voted for it, notes State Department former legal adviser Harold Koh. In traditional sanctions practice, a company or an institution or an individual could be sanctioned if they do the sanctionable activity that's described in the Executive Order or in the legislation, says Keith. In 2020 Trump drew on existing sanctions powers to issue his Executive Order. This time Congress may be providing a different authority. Sterio says the bill that has cleared the House and that will in all likelihood be passed by the Senate, will be worse [than last time], because the sanctions regime is very broad. She also points out that last time it was the presidents discretionary authority as commander in chief to impose the sanctions, whereas this time this bill actually mandates that the president shall sanction. So if this bill becomes the law, the president's hands are tied. Will the U.S. target UK citizens? The crux of the matter though is who Trump would actually sanction, Sterio says. The president still has the discretion to say I'm sanctioning individuals X, Y and Z. In the current circumstances Karim Khan, the ICC prosecutor, is a British national. The two main individuals in charge of the Palestine investigation, standing behind Khan in his video announcing the arrest warrants last May, are Brenda Hollis, who is a U.S. citizen who cannot be put on a sanctions list because it's only for foreign persons, and Andrew Cayley from the UK. Will London use its close ally status to protect its citizens? Many people believe that because we're talking about UK citizens, says Sterio, the president would not actually go after them. Last time around, we were talking about a Gambian [ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda] and a Lesotho citizen. Those are countries that the United States doesn't care about as much. But to actually sanction UK citizens would be an extra unprecedented move. Talking to other people in the field, Sterio says that some folks hope that the president may actually be a lot more discreet in who he sanctions. Therefore, she continues, if we're talking about a more limited number of sanctioned individuals, then the court can continue to exist. However, Keith has one caveat regarding Hollis relative protection as a U.S. citizen: As an American, if she continues to work for a prosecutor who is on the sanctions list, that could attract civil or criminal penalties in terms of sanctions enforcement by the Treasury Department, he says. And that's the sort of second-order effect. Could U.S. citizens continue to engage with the ICC? The effects of sanctions on U.S. citizens would extend well beyond those Americans who work at the court to those who work alongside the court, explains Sterio: If you help work with a sanctioned individual, you as an American citizen expose yourself to civil and criminal fines and penalties civil fines of up to 250,000 dollars and criminal penalties of up to 20 years of imprisonment. So very, very serious penalties. So if certain individuals are put on the sanctions list and a U.S. NGO provides tailored support to the prosecutor in the form of a brief for the prosecutor's use in an investigation, that can attract sanctions enforcement penalties, Keith outlines. Americans can't be put on the sanctions list, but can be hit in this other direction. So the effect is to criminalize basic forms of human rights advocacy when it comes to taking the documentation of your NGO and sharing it with perhaps the only court that has jurisdiction or the only court that's actually investigating in a situation. Last time in 2020, Sterio joined a group to challenge the sanctions because she, as a dual national, could have been prevented from providing education, training, advice, and other forms of assistance to the ICC, as well as to the sanctioned individuals. This time, that loophole the vague term foreign persons in the Executive Order which could be read as dual nationals has been closed. But she may still fight. Even though I personally would not be at risk for being sanctioned, if I were to continue to engage with the court I would risk being fined in a civil way or being prosecuted and imprisoned. Many of us would be willing to sue again, because all the arguments from last time still stand. And then obviously the other avenue would be to just say for the next four years, I'm not really going to engage with the court. I think most of us would not want to do that. First of all, this is my work, this is what I do. But also out of principle, I think that's sort of the cowardly way out. A potential threat to the very existence of the court Looking further around the court, Keith notes a number of key persons who might come into consideration for sanctions for their roles in enabling the Palestine arrest warrants, but whose nationality could make their governments react strongly. One of the reasons we have argued the sanctions are such a bad idea, he says, is that this is pitting the United States against some of its closest allies because, apart from the prosecutor from Britain, the three judges from the pre-trial chamber [that allowed the arrest warrants] include a French person and a Slovenian. Many of the individuals who have publicly supported the prosecutor's investigation are also from major European allies. The Congressional legislation is a little bit broader in its personal scope than the 2020 Executive Order, explains Keith. The 2020 Executive Order basically made it sanctionable for the ICC to investigate U.S. personnel or certain allied personnel. This legislation talks, instead of personnel, about nationals and residents. So it's much broader. And that's where some of the kind of bizarre overreach of the legislation comes in. It's because it's not just focusing on officials. It's anyone from the country or anyone even resident in the country. But if the sanctions are wider, then Sterio says it is a different situation. Because what's really extremely scary this time around is that companies like, for example, Microsoft or interpretation services that provide assistance to the court, are exposing themselves to risk, too. And so they could say to the court, we don't want to work with you anymore. You know, this is just not worth the risk for us. And if that were to happen, then the court would have a really hard time continuing its existence. So everybody's hoping that it doesn't come to that, and that the number of actually sanctioned individuals is more limited. If it is, let's say, four or five individuals from the Office of the Prosecutor, then it's horrible for them, obviously, but the court can continue to exist. Would it affect the Philippines investigation? Corridor discussions with diplomats at the annual meeting of the ICC early December in The Hague indicated how seriously the court and its supporters are taking the threat. Will the courts bankers feel able to continue servicing the institution? How will salaries, security, and communications be funded and paid? I would put the onus for having a capital P plan on the ICC's member states, says Keith. You see a lot of NGO advocacy that is focused on encouraging States Parties to step up and defend the court and ensure its business continuity. Presumably court officials and others are working to come up with workarounds and figure out a way to do business that doesnt involve transacting foreign currency exchanges through New York, says Buchwald. But I don't know how successful they'll be. Keith says advocacy groups are using arguments about the overreach to speak against the legislation with lawmakers. The legislation may target any investigation by the ICC into any state that is an ally of the U.S. and not a party to the statute. We oppose the legislation wholesale, he says, but there are particular ways in which it's bizarrely overreaching beyond the clear core intent of focusing on the U.S. and Israeli conduct. In particular, the other live investigation at the ICC that this legislation would make sanctionable for the ICC to engage in and for foreign nationals to provide certain support to is the Philippines investigation [The ICC is investigating alleged crimes against humanity committed in the so-called war on drugs under the leadership of former president Duterte]. And thats why you see a lot of expressions of concern and alarm in recent weeks and months from Filipino activists. Similarly, it would make it sanctionable for the ICC to investigate someone Turkish because they're from a NATO ally or an Egyptian or someone from any country that is defined as a major non-NATO ally. That's 16 countries, of which only around half have joined the court. The U.S. reputation Buchwald believes the sanctions can be very disruptive not just to the people who might otherwise be cooperating with the ICC but to the reputation of the United States as a supporter of the rule of law. Sanctioning professionals working on justice and accountability gives off an incredibly wrong message, argues Kip Hale, founding director of the Association Bar Associations ICC Project that focused on US-ICC relations. It unjustly maligns an institution that has Americans and nationals from allied nations and committed justice professionals from elsewhere working there, a court that is heavily built on American ideals and principles. Up until now, says Keith, U.S. sanctions have been a flexible and sometimes powerful toolkit, whose legitimacy and usefulness have turned on an understanding that the actions attracting sanctions are human rights abuses, serious acts of corruption. Thats why NGOs have used the sanctions regime to target alleged human rights violators who seemed out of reach of criminal prosecutions. Keith now oversees Human Rights Firsts work coordinating a coalition of NGOs that use the Global Magnitsky Act [a bipartisan bill passed by the U.S. Congress in 2012, intending to punish Russian officials] and other targeted sanctions tools to pursue accountability. That's what we find so jarring and appalling to see the tool applied not against the alleged war criminals being investigated, but the officials, the judges, prosecutors, human rights lawyers doing the investigating. We just see it as a sort of fundamental category error to apply it in this context in this way. Koh points out that if you attack the court over Israel, you can't celebrate its results with regard to Russia and Ukraine. And we still need it for accountability against Russia. It's a very different signal from the Congress, says Buchwald, which passed legislation two years ago, with bipartisan support, affirmatively encouraging the U.S. Government to support the ICC investigation of the situation in Ukraine and providing funding for that support. Four years to survive Koh speculates that some efforts could be taken within Congress to narrow sanctions. (At the time of publishing, the bill still has to go to the Senate.) But also Trump and his team can decide themselves anyway to issue an Executive Order. Koh points out that there may be opportunities provided by official visits to the United States, for either the UN General Assembly or the Security Council, for court officials to tell the world how much the United States is hurting the court. He speculates that depending on who is a particularly needed ally at that particular moment for Trump, it might lead to hesitation in imposing these sanctions. People like Marco Rubio, who may at that point be U.S. secretary of state, and also Elise Stefanik, who has been mentioned as the new UN permanent representative in New York, are not moderating voices now, but they are more seasoned, and they could be moderating voices when the time comes. Apart from the qualitative differences between the 2025 sanctions and those five years ago, Keith says for him the major difference is contextual. Last time the sanctioning administration had four months left in its term when it imposed actual sanctions. This time the sanctioning administration is going to have four years left in its term. And that's just categorically different in terms of the court's ability to survive, in terms of opportunities to escalate and make extorting demands. I think that's what is most alarming, most worrisome about the difference between last time and this time. The first part of this article, which looks at the history of USA/ICC relationships, is available here. Mongolia sees the inauguration of US President Donald Trump as "positive" and has been in close contact with his team over deepening cooperation, the country's prime minister told AFP on Tuesday. A landlocked democracy sandwiched between China and Russia, Mongolia relies heavily on its authoritarian neighbours but has sought to strengthen ties with the West in a push to safeguard its sovereignty. Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene said Ulaanbaatar saw the new Trump administration as a "great opportunity" to move forward with cooperation on everything from energy to tourism. "President Trump personally knows... a great deal about Mongolia," he told AFP just hours after Trump began his second term. "His family members have been on several personal trips to Mongolia to get acquainted with our nomadic lifestyle and beautiful landscape," he said. "I do believe that we have great possibilities to cooperate with his administration going forward, to elevate the relationship between our two countries." Mongolia would welcome a visit by Trump, he said, suggesting it could take place should the magnate make a trip to China. "It is only a two-hour flight between Mongolia and China," he said. "We will seek the opportunity to organise his visit." Mongolia is a major source of key minerals with coal exports, primarily to China, making up a major chunk of its foreign trade. It signed a $1.6 billion investment deal with French nuclear giant Orano last week allowing it to exploit a vast uranium deposit in its southwest. Oyun-Erdene said his team had been in "close contact with the transition team of President Trump's administration" with a view to continuing "our collaboration on critical minerals". However, he acknowledged that threatened US tariffs on goods from China, Mongolia's largest trading partner, were sparking "worries" of an economic knock-on effect. - 'Great hope' for Ukraine peace - Oyun-Erdene also said there was "great hope" that Trump could help facilitate talks to end Russia's war in Ukraine, set to enter its third year next month. Mongolia has not condemned the offensive and drew condemnation last year for its decision to welcome Russian leader Vladimir Putin for a state visit despite its status as a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC). But the Mongolian prime minister defended that move, pointing to his country's "economic dependence and reliance on energy" from Russia. "If Mongolia... arrest(ed) President Putin during his visit to Mongolia, then how would we transport President Putin to the ICC?" he said. "We are a landlocked country," he said, stressing the need to "safeguard" its hard-won democracy in the face of its "two difficult neighbours". He urged Western partners to help Mongolia decrease its "economic dependency on our two neighbours" instead of asking it to take "difficult" political positions. "We would like to have more assistance from the West... help that can be more tangible, concrete and visible," he said. " " Trapdoor spiders are closely related to tarantulas. You can probably see the resemblance. nokkaew / Shutterstock The trapdoor spider is one of the sneakiest hunters in the arachnid world. These clever spiders are named for their unique hunting strategy: They build burrows with hinged "doors" made of soil and twigs that they use to ambush and capture prey. These burrows are lined with silk for stability. However, according to the Australian Musuem, most trapdoor spiders don't actually prey like this and are misleadingly named. Trapdoor spiders are part of the family Ctenizidae or the family Idiopidae. They're relatives of tarantulas and share some of their burrowing habits of that spider species. Principle residences, basement suites, and carriage homes can be offered to tourists as short-term rentals under a relaxation of current rules approved this week by Kelowna city councillors. A Toronto resident is shown in this Canadian Press file photo preparing his suite for a short-term renter. Kennesaw States online degree programs nationally ranked by U.S. News KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 21, 2025 Kennesaw State University online degree programs have been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as among the best in the nation in the publications 2025 Best Online Programs list, released today. Among universities in Georgia, Kennesaw State had the highest-ranked graduate degree programs in information technology, business administration, and engineering. KSUs Master of Science in Information Technology and online bachelors degree programs were Georgias only programs ranked as best for military veterans in those categories. Master's programs in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology jumped 10 spots from their 2024 ranking. Kennesaw States Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction program in the Bagwell College of Education placed 15th overall in the Online Graduate Education Curriculum and Instruction category, while the Master of Science in Information Technology program in the College of Computing and Software Engineering placed 18th among online graduate degrees for veterans. KSUs undergraduate business programs in the Coles College of Business and the Master of Science in Nursing program in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services ranked No. 21 and No. 30, respectively. Kennesaw State Universitys other programs ranked in the 2025 Best Online Programs are: Best Graduate Information Technology No. 36 Best Graduate Business for Veterans No. 39 Best Master of Business Administration No. 42 Best Masters in Criminal Justice No. 52 Best Master's in Engineering No. 70 Best Bachelors Programs for Veterans No. 70 Best Graduate Education No. 85 Best Graduate Business No. 103 Best Bachelors Programs No. 132 Kennesaw State offers 26 fully online masters degree programs, 17 bachelors degree programs, four doctoral degree programs, and four specialist degree programs. The U.S. News rankings evaluate degree-granting online programs at regionally accredited institutions that are offered 100 percent online. Now in its 14th year, the 2025 rankings assessed nearly 1,800 online degree programs at colleges and universities throughout the nation. Story by Darius Goodman Related Stories A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Central Organisation of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, has criticized former President Uhuru Kenyatta for his recent call to young people, commonly referred to as Gen Zs, to rise up and fight for their rights and properties. Speaking in Kakamega on Monday, Atwoli dismissed Kenyattas remarks as insincere and politically motivated. He accused the former Head of State of hiding behind youth empowerment rhetoric to protect his own wealth. In 2017, I suggested we amend the Constitution to set conditions for retired Presidents, but I was accused of trying to extend Uhurus term. Now, he (Uhuru) is free and asking young people to rise and protect their property, Atwoli asserted before posing, What property do they have to protect? Atwoli alleged that Kenyattas call was not genuinely aimed at empowering the youth but was instead a desperate plea to shield his assets from potential government action under the Kenya Kwanza administration. Young people dont have property to protect. Instead of seeking help to save his own wealth, he is now trying to mislead the youth, Atwoli remarked. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - University of Nairobi Student Association Vice President Deborah Zainab Hirbo has been linked to romantic affairs with multiple prominent politicians among them Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro, Governor Natembeya and UDA digital strategist Dennis Itumbi, a bigwig in the current regime. Word has it that Deborah uses her beauty to lure politicians and get special favours. She is being used by the government to push the new university funding model. In the new model, students are placed under five bands based on their financial needs. The controversial model has left students from humble backgrounds suffering since the government has not disbursed HELB funds. Aoko unmasked the beautiful student leader on X and accused her of going to bed with the government instead of fighting for the welfare of the students. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has conveyed his condolences to the family of Richard Raymond Otieno, a Molo-based activist, who was tragically killed by unknown assailants. Raymond popularly known as Prezident, met his untimely death on the night of Saturday, January 18 In a statement on Monday, Gachagua indirectly linked the Kenya Kwanza government to Raymond's death. According to Gachagua, the murder of the vocal Molo activist was meant to instill fear among critics of President William Ruto's administration. "The level of political intolerance and repression in our country is reaching unproportionate and alarming levels. "The gruesome and brutal murder of Raymond Otieno of Molo over the weekend is a clear testimony of another strategy of infusing fear among Kenyans in a pathetic and archaic strategy to silence government critics after failed abductions," Gachagua claimed. The former Deputy President expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family, describing Raymonds death as a significant loss to the fight for human rights. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua played host to Maa leaders at his Wamunyoro home in Mathira, Nyeri County yesterday. This comes as he begins assembling his 2027 political machinery, with the sole mission of defeating President William Ruto and reclaiming the Mt. Kenya region's influence in government. Taking to his official social media accounts, Gachagua revealed that the leaders were drawn from Kajiado and Narok counties. The former Mathira MP further stated that the leaders had spent a whole day at his rural home, during which they raised issues affecting the Maa community and the entire nation. He also commended the leaders for what he termed as their immense knowledge and patriotism for Kenya. We move forward to a better and equal Kenya as a people. I continue to listen to and engage all stakeholders and opinion shapers on what best our nation deserves, especially at a time like now when we are on the precipice of an economic, social, and political nosedive. "Today at my Wamunyoro residence, Nyeri County, I spent the whole day with Maa leaders from Kajiado and Narok counties, Gachagua stated. I commend the leaders for their immense knowledge and patriotism for our motherland. I have noted the concerns they have raised on issues that do not only affect the Maa community but also the entire nation. The meeting comes barely two weeks after Gachagua convened a meeting with a delegation of Elders from Kajiado West at his Wamunyoro residence. The Maa Elders paid Gachagua a courtesy call on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - President William Ruto has vowed never to let embattled former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua defeat him in the 2027 General Election. Speaking in Kakamega County yesterday, Ruto accused Gachagua of engaging in tribalism, political mischief, and divisive rhetoric; something he vowed must end. He urged politicians, especially Gachagua, to focus on uniting the country and addressing developmental issues rather than relying on hate or ethnic divisions for political mileage. "There are people trying to compete with us; but you like mischief, tribalism, and government shareholding, who will you compete with in this country? "I want to tell them, that they should look for better things to sell to the people because you can't thrive on hate, tribalism, and dividing people. "That's stupidity," Ruto said. This comes a day after Gachagua hit out at Ruto, accusing him of using MPs as mouthpieces for his alleged political agenda. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Queensland Fisheries recently handed out penalties to two individuals caught interfering with crab pots that belonging to other people. Fisheries Queensland are warning people not to interfere with crab pots that don't belong to them. Source: Fisheries Queensland. Aussie fishers and boaties have been reminded of the heavy fines that apply for handling something they may stumble across while moving around our waterways. Two individuals recently received $1,613 fines for interfering with crab pots in the Moreton Bay region that dont belong to them. Fisheries Queensland shared their interactions online, disgusting fellow fishers who encouraged authorities to impose even stiffer penalties and to step up their patrols. Protecting our marine resources and respecting others property is essential, Fisheries Queensland said in a Facebook post on Monday. It is everyones responsibility to follow the rules if its not your crab pot, dont touch it. Fisheries received 138 complaints across the state last year, resulting in 60 offences detected, and leading to enforcement action "relating to apparatus interference", a spokesperson for Queensland's Department of Primary Industries told Yahoo News on Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT "Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) Officers target high-risk areas using a range of mechanisms to detect unlawful interference with fishing gear," the spokesperson said. "Officers rely on the community to report unlawful interference with gear to better prioritise and target high-risk areas." A two-day operation earlier this month led to the removal of 52 unmarked crab pots and 4 abandoned cast nets. Source: Fisheries Queensland Fisheries praised for catching crab pot offenders People applauded the Fisheries for the busts but said even steeper penalties must be imposed to stop the illegal behaviour. Confiscate their boats... especially for repeat offenders, this is why I dont crab anymore, one said. Punishment being a disqualified licence would slow them down a bit Id reckon, another added. Aussies also genuinely sought advice on what to do with with discarded and abandoned pots, known as ghost pots. "More needs to be done about the amount of ghost pots," someone wrote. ADVERTISEMENT The department spokesperson said QBFP conduct rolling program crab pot clean-ups across the state in addition to routine removal of derelict and unlawful apparatus during patrol activities. "In 2024, 1,812 crab pots and 334 freshwater traps were seized and removed from the water across Queensland," the spokesperson told Yahoo News. Campaigns continue to reduce problem of 'ghost' crab pots Discarded pots pose a major threat to ecosystems and have been known to entangle threatened species including turtles and sharks. This week the OceanEarth Foundation's Great Aussie Crab Pot Review survey closed after obtaining community input to help address the growing impact of ghost pots in waterways. ADVERTISEMENT In partnership with OzFish Unlimited, the program is collaborating with the recreational and commercial fishing community to better understand the root causes of the issue and clean up existing pots. Fishers are part of the fabric of our community, and we are asking them to work with us to try and solve the issue and reduce the impact this ghost gear is having on our ecosystems and wildlife, explained Anissa Lawrence, Managing Director, OceanEarth Foundation. A green sea turtle fell victim to a discarded crab pot at Bribie Island, Queensland. Source: Facebook "This survey is a vital first step in the program, to expand our understanding of the complexities of the problem and gather valuable information that will enrich our learning, and help guide the effectiveness of our efforts and prevent it recurring. Recreational fishers and waterway users will now be invited to participate in an online follow-up discussion next month to better understand the locations, amounts, and reasons that lead to abandoned, lost, or discarded crab pots in Australian waterways. ADVERTISEMENT Fisheries Queensland officers earlier this month worked with Maritime safety Queensland to remove 52 derelict crab pots in Mackay over two days. In 2023, marine park rangers and fisheries located 195 abandoned crab pots during a three-day clean-up in Pumicestone Passage a narrow pristine waterway between Bribie Island and the mainland in Queensland. At the time a Bribie Island local shared a distressing photo of a deceased turtle after being tangled in a discarded crab net. "The impact of lost gear is far-reaching, it puts the resilience of ecosystems and fish productivity at risk," Lawrence said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 As Kenyans continue to figure out the real intentions of Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi's recent fallout with President William Ruto, some Kenyans already feel the embattled CS may be planning to use the abduction of his son as an excuse to challenge Ruto for the presidency come 2027. Some political players accused the CS of breaking ranks with his boss after the explosive expose of the ongoing abductions while others opined that Muturi used the abduction ordeal to set a political narrative to help him shape his next move. However, speaking during an interview, Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku, a close ally of Muturi, moved to set the record straight on some of the contentious issues raised regarding Muturi. According to Ruku, CS Muturi had not expressed intentions to go for the top seat against Ruto. He termed the reports as rumours insisting that Muturi was focused on his Public Service docket. Further, the MP ruled out reports that CS Muturi was angling himself for the Embu gubernatorial seat. Justin Muturi Biden is not interested in becoming Governor of Embu. He can be interested in becoming the President of the Republic of Kenya he has not declared anything like that, Geoffrey Ruku stated during the morning show. At the same time, Ruku dispelled reports that CS Muturi was seeking to forge alliances with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. He explained that reports that CS Muturi was in discussions with Gachagua came out after he was pictured together with a member of parliament who is a close ally to the former DP. However, he explained that the two only bumped into each other and that their meeting was not planned. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of using him like toilet paper and later dumping him. Referring to his impeachment last year, Gachagua stated that the concept of shareholding originated from Ruto, who instructed him to inform their supporters that the Kenya Kwanza Alliance government would operate as a government of shareholding. According to Gachagua, the president scripted controversial remarks such as the government being managed like shares and opposing Raila Odinga's entry into State House. The former Mathira MP expressed his frustration, noting that the presidents instructions led him to make statements that alienated him from the Kenyan public. When you see MPs speaking, its Ruto who has sent them. Its not me. I was with him, and he used to write for me what to say. "I said it for three days and realized this person wanted to make me fall out with Kenyans. Didnt you see how I used to speak in the early days? "This issue of shareholding, hes the one who told me to tell Kenyans that this government is about shares. "The President is the one who told me. Another day, he went and said that the one talking about shares is primitive and retrogressive. "Yet he is the one who had told me to say that," Gachagua said. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Monday, January 20, 2025 - Renowned activist Njeri Mwangi is seeking justice for 52-year-old businessman Elijah Matoke, who died after his wife poured acid on him. Read her post. This is Elijah Matoke, He was 52 years of age. He was a businessman. This case was brought to us by his daughter, who is crying for justice for her father. We have been in contact and offered grief counseling to the family. Mr. Matoke met and married his second wife Ruth Chelagat in 2008. At the time of marriage, Ruth had three biological children and her brother. Mr Matoke's other children remained with their mother. The couple had a large prosperous farm from which they were able to sell their farm produce. In 2023, Elijah started to lament that money was disappearing and two of his title deeds had also disappeared. He told his older children that the marriage wasn't going well and his blood pressure was spiking, and it was not going well for him as he was diabetic. On several occasions, Ruth had threatened to kill him but it was mostly dismissed as people said their marriage was quarrelsome. 5th Dec, Ruth came in with a white jerrican, Matoke presumed it was water, she had once poured water. He went to sleep and around 3am he heard her rummaging around and asking her what was going on, she threatened to kill him. She picked up the white Jerrican and poured acid on him. He screamed for help but the neighbours assumed it was one of their quarrels. She put him on a motorbike and rushed him to hospital. The nurses noticed she had acid burns on her hands but she refused treatment. Instead, she rushed to the police and reported an intruder had poured acid on her partner. The police got on the scene only to find her children and her brother trying to get rid of evidence including the mattress. She was arrested together with her son. Mr. Matoke suffered 40% acid burns including loss of one eye. He was able to record a voice note on what happened. Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated rapidly and four days later he passed away. His daughter Claris is asking for justice for her father as her stepbrother has already been released from custody and is now threatening her. The matter is in Nakuru court and the family is asking for a lawyer to represent them and seek justice. An advocate that can help this family. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 The impromptu meeting between President William Ruto and his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, at the residence of the former President late last year didnt yield much. This is according to Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, who indicated that nothing major was discussed contrary to the perception of most Kenyans. It was believed, at the time, that Uhuru and Ruto agreed on a possible coalition, which was hinted at by Ruto onboarding some of the former president's allies into government. However, it has emerged that nothing of the sort was agreed upon. According to Kioni, there was no agreement between Uhuru and Ruto to help the latter secure re-election in the 2027 General Election. He noted that the retired president still values the nation and that he wishes Kenyans well, and would not give that up to support Ruto. He wants a government that leads the country well, calm, and successful," Kioni stated. Kioni stated that Uhuru's recent call for Gen Z to continue defending their rights demonstrates the former president's commitment to fulfilling his promises to Kenyans. Uhurus sentiments sent mixed signals, indicating there was nothing of substance he discussed with Ruto in December. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - An outspoken Luhya community Member of Parliament has asked President William Ruto to isolate the Mt Kenya region for rebelling against his administration. Speaking on Monday, Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama urged the president to shift his focus to the Western Kenya region, citing the growing rebellion in the Mt. Kenya region led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) lawmaker stated that Ruto is assured of a second term in 2027 with the support of the Western Kenya region. Wanyama asserted that the recent merger of Musalia Mudavadis Amani National Congress (ANC) with Rutos UDA aims to teach the larger Mt. Kenya region a lesson about what he calls ongoing entitlement. "The mountain has slipped, and it will continue to slip forever, and we are here with a mountain that is strong. "And I pray to my elders who are before us, that what Musalia Mudavadi has done will be the downfall of these people. "If we all unite in one place, I tell you we will isolate them and it will be us against them, and I have no fear in saying this because enough is enough." Wanyama stated in front of the president. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has once again dropped a bombshell that is causing ripples across the country. This is after he declared that the people of Nyanza will not play a subordinate role to the Mt Kenya community in the 2027 General Election. Mbadi stressed that Nyanza, a region that has been a stronghold for the opposition for decades, deserves equal political recognition and influence as the 2027 General Elections approach. According to Mbadi, the Nyanza region will back President Rutos re-election bid in the 2027 elections. Mbadi reminded the nation of how former Prime Minister Raila Odingas father, the late doyen of opposition politics in Kenya, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, had stood by the founding father of the nation Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in the early years of Kenyas independence, and how Raila himself had consistently supported leaders from Mt Kenya, notably Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Mwai Kibaki, in their political careers. According to him, the political debt owed to Raila and the people of Nyanza had not been repaid by their counterparts in Mt Kenya. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - President William Ruto has told off Kakamega County Senator, Dr. Boni Khalwale after he questioned the recent merger between the United Democratic Alliance(UDA) and the Amani National Congress(ANC) party. On Monday, Khalwale questioned the merger, saying members of the Luhya community have been left in the dark about the union. According to Khalwale, Nyanza and the Mount Kenya region know how they will work with President Ruto going forward, but Western Kenya is in the dark. "From the bottom of my heart, we want our people to move with you, if they must walk with you, they must first understand you,'" Khalwale said. "From the signs, I can see that the people of Mount Kenya know where they are going with you, similarly, Nyanza knows where they are going with you," Khalwale added But speaking in Mumias on Monday, Ruto questioned if Khalwale lacked answers to most of the questions he was posing, then who would answer the citizenry. Ruto pointed out Khalwale's high-ranking position in the UDA government, hilariously adding that he moves around in a government vehicle. "Now, Boni, I dont even know what to say to you. You are the leader of UDA, and yet you come here trying to ask questions. "Now, are you the one who should be asking, or should it be the citizens? "Youre supposed to know. Stop that. Or what do you think? Isnt he the leader? "Now the Chief Whip of the government for the entire Kenya is here walking around with a GK vehicle... "This world has its peculiarities, but its alright. Lets carry on like that. Isnt that right," Ruto challenged. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - President William Ruto has expressed confidence in his re-election during the 2027 presidential election. Speaking at the launch of sugarcane farmers bonuses in Mumias on Monday, Ruto said his social media critics face a daunting task in trying to unseat him in the 2027 elections. The Head of State said Kenyans will ultimately decide who has delivered on their mandate and who has not. He added that online critics focus on drawing silhouettes and cartoons on social media rather than addressing the country's development. "These people who make noise on social media have a very difficult task ahead. Competing with me? They have a difficult task. "Let me ask the people of Kakamega: do these people know how this sugarcane programme is planned? Do they even know where Mumias is? "Have you heard them talk about the road or electricity," Ruto said The president has always been vocal in addressing critics of his government who claim he will serve only one term. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Mumias East Member of Parliament, Peter Salasya, has warned President William Ruto that he risks being a one-term president if he fails to address pressing issues such as the high cost of living, excessive taxation, and the Social Health Authority (SHA) initiative. Speaking during the launch of the first-ever bonus payments to sugarcane farmers in Mumias, Kakamega County, Salasya accused the presidents advisors of withholding the truth about the state of the nation. "Mr. President, I want you to take me as your advisor and pay me because your people dont tell you the truth. "They say SHA is working, but its not," he said. Salasya criticized the heavy deductions on Kenyans' pay slips and called for immediate intervention. He urged the government to prioritize the needs of citizens, suggesting that doing so could secure President Rutos re-election bid. 'If you do that, I will support you,' he added." The event, attended by farmers and local leaders, was seen as a key step in the governments efforts to revive the struggling sugar industry. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has transformed his rural home in Wamunyoro, Nyeri, into a mini state house where he is meeting with leaders from across the country. Since his impeachment in October, Gachagua has been holding a series of meetings at his home to craft a gargantuan and formidable alliance to unseat President William Ruto from power during the 2027 presidential elections. On Monday, Gachagua hosted Maasai community leaders at his Wamunyoro home. In a statement via his official X and Facebook accounts, the former DP stated that the meeting focused on issues affecting the Maasai community and the entire nation. "We move forward to a better and equal Kenya as a people. I continue to listen to and engage all stakeholders and opinion shapers on what the best one nation deserves, especially at a time like now when we are on the precipice of an economic, social, and political nosedive," Gachagua said. "Today at my Wamunyoro residence, Nyeri County, I spent the whole day with Maa leaders from Kajiado and Narok counties." The Kenyan DAILY POST. A bitter dispute has erupted between a NSW council and dozens of families who've been told they can no longer camp at their beloved waterfront spot. Council is planning on taking away camping sites which line the foreshore (right), but the ones before the road (left) will remain. Source: Google Maps Camping families who've been staying on the waterfront of a secluded Australian community for decades are set to lose their right to do so as council looks to accomodate a rising number of day visitors to the picturesque beach. Clarence Valley Council is pushing ahead with controversial plans to scrap 34 campsites on or near the water's edge at Brooms Head, 130km south of Byron Bay, arguing campers, who return year after year in a holiday tradition, have overcrowded the foreshore with large 4WDs, RVs and caravans. The council argues the booming industry has led to the disappearance of the "simple camping experience", and all the vehicles and equipment with the modern-day experience are simply "not suitable" for Brooms Head's waterfront. It has also flagged concerns over the environmental impacts of wastewater from campers at the site, which is on crown land and managed by the council. Council plans on creating further open space for visitors in a move it says will "return the foreshore to the broader community", arguing there has been a long-term view that there needs to be "a greater balance" in the area. ADVERTISEMENT But Ken Shephard, who has been using the site with his family for 38 years, spanning four generations, says council's reasoning doesn't add up and they've failed to give a justifiable explanation for the abrupt change. Council says the move will free up foreshore space for daily visitors. Source: Google Maps "We've had no input, no consultation... it's just wrong. We can't get an honest answer," Shephard, spokesperson for the Brooms Campers and Caravanners Association, told Yahoo News Australia. Shephard argues there is plenty of community space in Brooms Head to enjoy, and the scores of families who use the site bring in thousands of dollars for the local community. "Over Christmas my daughter was down at the site and I got her to photograph the community areas. At no stage was it full. There is plenty of room for more visitors any day of the week," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Confusion over council's right to remove camping spots At the centre of the disagreement is a 1987 council motion which said sites were to be removed once the camping rights granted to visitors, which aren't to be transferred to others, expired. In 2021, 16 sites were removed, with Clarence Valley Council now again referencing it to shut down a further 34 camping spots. However, Shephard says the motion was not intended for these sites and believes a Plan of Management in place for Brooms Head prevents such a change being made, making council's actions improper. Council stresses the move is within their legal rights. Clarence Valley Council general manager Laura Black said it was fulfilling the overdue 1987 Maclean Shire Council agreement to phase out foreshore camping sites, and the transitioning of the campsites was in full council compliance with legislative requirements under their approval to operate the site, The Northern Star reported. ADVERTISEMENT Furthermore, she said the community desires more open space and picnic facilities for day visitors that aligns with the original intent of Maclean Shire Council and supporting existing draft plans of management. Last year in April, council had informed families using the sites they were no longer deemed fit for caravans, and could only accomodate camper trailers and tents. Shephard told Yahoo families went out and spent thousands of dollars to comply with the change, only to be now informed all bookings will cease altogether from May this year. Despite widespread anger from those who use the camping sites, council continues to press forward with its decision and moved last week to explain its position, stressing those who use the spots to be removed are free to apply for other sites in Brooms Head that will remain. But that is of no comfort to the families who have been going to the site for years. ADVERTISEMENT Brooms Head is the sole reason I moved my family from the Southern Highlands to the North Coast, camper Jethro Rockett told The Northern Star. Its where my partner and I first met its where so much of our history is embedded. Council's move does however have its supporters. "We don't need caravan parks on the beach. I say best decision made in a long time," one person expressed online. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Disgraced former Citizen TV journalist Kimani Mbugua has reportedly denounced his father as his mental health deteriorates after leaving rehab. Speaking in an interview on Obinna Show, Kimani Mbuguas father said he has never seen his son since he got out of rehab last year in December. Kimani had been admitted to a rehab centre in Mombasa for 6 months. I have never seen him since he left rehab, Kimani fathers said. He further revealed that his troubled son wrote a text message to him, saying that he doesnt want to be associated with him. He told me that I should never get close to him, the journalists father said. He handed over his phone to Obinna to read the message that his son had written to him. In the message, Kimani blames his father for his woes, claiming that he has done enough damage to him. Kimani further says that he wants to live alone and warns his father that he will take legal action if he comes near him. Watch video. Ex-Citizen TV journalist KIMANI MBUGUA denounces his father after leaving rehab. pic.twitter.com/EB55Pxlw6G DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) January 21, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Police in Huruma, Nairobi Area on 21/01/2025 at about 0500 hrs while on patrol within Kelly Towers Area arrested a male adult suspect carrying a bag on his back and upon conducting a search, found a bag stashed with body parts of a human being. The suspect identified as John Kiama Wambua, 29 confessed that the body parts belonged to his now-deceased wife Joy Fridah Munani, 19, and led the officers to his house where more dismembered parts were recovered from beneath a bed. Also recovered from the crime scene were a blood-stained kitchen knife and female clothes suspected to have been the weapon of murder and clothes for the deceased respectively. The floor of the house was really stained with blood. The body parts have been moved to the City Mortuary awaiting postmortem analysis. The motive of the murder is yet to be established, but the suspect is in police custody. The case is Pending before the court vide CR 126/12/2025, with DCI Starehe dealing. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - A 44-year-old single mother of two was reportedly murdered at Kimunyu Shrine in Gatundu South, Kiambu County where she had gone for prayers. The deceased woman identified as Beth Muthoni Watuku left home on Thursday morning and informed her family that she was going for prayers at the shrine. However, she didnt return home, leaving her family worried. Her body was discovered at the shrine on Saturday evening. Her head had been hit with a blunt object and some of her teeth removed. There were empty bottles containing an unknown fluid beside her body. It is suspected that the fluid was used to drug her and make her unconscious before she was murdered. The shrine is always buzzing with activities as religious Kenyans flock there for prayers and fasting but no one heard her cry for help. Police have launched investigations into the brutal murder. Below is a photo of the slain lady. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has taken on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua yet again, accusing him of double standards and preaching against everything he once portrayed while in government. In a video clip, Sudi alleged that Gachagua had orchestrated numerous incidents aimed at ruining the political and private lives of heavyweights such as former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi. "My brothers from the Mountain, I want to tell you that this man is a big liar. If we had allowed him, he would have done much worse. He wanted to hurt the Uhuru family, the Matiangi family, and all the PSs who were giving us trouble," Sudi alleged. "You had a cruel agenda, but President William Ruto did not want to repay evil with more evil. "God knows that all the things you want to change right now are things you wanted to do to fellow Kenyans, but you were stopped." Among the incidents Sudi listed was the invasion of the Kenyatta family's Northlands farm in 2023 where hundreds of Dorper sheep were stolen. "Who planned the theft of Uhuru's sheep? Who sent goons to Uhuru's son's gate? "You planned all those incidents yet today you are speaking as if you are a clean man. "You are a big liar. You know what you did in the short time you were in office," Sudi stated. And that is not all, Gachagua had also planned an overhaul of Mount Kenya officials from top government positions by arresting them on tramped up charges. As a result, Sudi urged Kenyans not to heed the former DP's rhetoric and, instead see him for who he was. In a cryptic climax, Sudi accused Gachagua of planning something dangerous during the opposition protests of Raila Odinga supporters. Something so diabolical that it could have plunged the country into chaos. "Lastly, you know what you wanted to do during the opposition protests. "If we were not clever and stopped you we would not have a country right now. "You know what you were pushing for in Serena. Please stay at home. "That's where you are supposed to be because you are a very dangerous man," he noted. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, January 21, 2025 Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament George Peter Opondo Kaluma has revived calls for accountability over the Gen Z protests that rocked the country in June last year. In a statement, Kaluma described the mass action as a positive move that was aimed at calling for greater accountability and citizens involvement in decision-making. However, he lamented the noble cause was ruined after individuals with criminal intentions hijacked the protests. The ODM lawmaker urged President William Ruto and his government to ensure those criminal elements are smoked out and brought to justice. Kaluma maintained that police needed to take action, including arresting and arraigning them for a proper judgment to be delivered. He argued that six months was enough to bring to book those who ruined the positive Gen-Z protests. The police have been investigating those who infiltrated the Gen Z positive action for the past 6 months, his statement read in part. It is now time for action arrest, prosecute and jail them, it added. Ruto was forced to respond after the June 2024 protests escalated with some making their way into the Parliament Buildings. The aftermath saw a section of both houses torched and property destroyed. In his late-night address of what transpired, the Head of State vowed to crack down on those who infiltrated the protests for criminal gains. He claimed that some of those who forced their way into Parliament targeted the armoury. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - A dreaded undercover cop has unmasked the identities of two thugs who reportedly stabbed a man to death in Mathare area 4A on Monday morning while taking his three-year-old son to school. The attack happened around 5:40am. The deceased, identified only as Michael, was fatally stabbed on the right side of the stomach by what is believed to be a knife. According to the neighbours, the deceased was a single father. He had reportedly been living alone with the son since he was three months old. The undercover cop, who is tasked with eradicating criminal gangs in Nairobis Eastlands area, accused the residents of shielding members of criminal gangs in Mathare. Below are photos of the suspected thugs behind the murder of the middle-aged man. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has told Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni to stop taking Kenyans for fools. This is after he denied the existence of the pact between President William Ruto and his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta. In a statement yesterday, Wamuchomba opined that the Jubilee party could not distance itself from the pact given that some of its members were selected to join the cabinet. She added that the former ruling party was, therefore, taking Kenyans for a ride for claiming that there was no pact between the duo. According to Wamuchomba, Uhuru's party was only saving face given the backlash that the government was facing. "So now you have realized Mt Kenya is not taking anything short of your game plan. The backlash is real," "Prepare for the shocker, there are new faces coming for the presidential race and none of your recycle hubris will survive the sweep. Its a new dawn," Wamuchomba stated. Wamuchomba made the remarks after Kioni insisted that there was no agreement between Uhuru and Ruto on working together. This is despite the appointment of Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe and Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui to the cabinet. The two have been key allies of Uhuru and even campaigned against Ruto in 2022. Notably, their appointments to the cabinet were done after Ruto visited Uhuru at his Ichaweri home in December 2024. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is in deep trouble for saying that President William Ruto is the one who came up with the shareholding remarks. Speaking in Laikipia County on Sunday, Gachagua revealed that it was President William Ruto who instructed him to travel across the country and tell their supporters that the Kenya Kwanza Alliance government would operate as a government of shareholders. But a fast response to Gachagua, Kapsaret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi told Gachagua off for linking the President to tribal and retrogressive remarks. Sudi stated that Gachagua's remarks were aimed solely at eliciting emotions and creating divisions among Kenyans. "All those things that removed you from that seat were personal. You know what you demanded and it was not possible. Very soon all the lies will be known." Sudi remarked. "You are claiming that the president was writing for you down what to say. Surely, even if Kenyans are stupid, do you want to say that Ruto has been writing for you what to say? I used to be your biggest supporter and I warned you against your inexperience and rushed ambitions." The Kenyan DAILY POST. by Xinhua writers Yang Shilong, Shi Chun UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The recent Spring Festival celebration held at the United Nations headquarters is both entertaining and thought-provoking with highlights such as a captivating performance of Beijing Opera in showcasing cultural exchange. The performance of excerpts from two masterpieces of Beijing Opera by a duo of juvenile students of the famous Chinese traditional performing art, featuring intricate costumes, graceful movements and expressive storytelling, won resounding applause at the gala hosted by the UN Chinese Book Club on Friday night. Zhang Jingwen, 10, and Wei Jiahe, 9, had traveled all the way from Beijing to give the performance, as part of a showcase of Chinese cultural heritage as well as cultural exchange, by bringing a vivid slice of China's rich artistic tradition to the international stage. Their performance added a vibrant touch to an evening replete with reflections on global unity and renewal represented by the spirit of the upcoming Lunar Year of the Snake, as shown in addresses made by Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN and some of the senior UN officials on the occasion. Speaking to an audience of over 500 gathering for the celebration gala, Fu extended heartfelt New Year greetings and expressed gratitude to all those who have supported the UN's mission and China's ongoing collaboration with the global body. "Spring Festival is not only China's most important traditional holiday but also a bridge that connects Chinese culture with the world," Fu said while noting the festival's December inclusion by UNESCO onto its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. "From becoming a UN holiday to being inscribed on UNESCO's heritage list, the Spring Festival showcases its timeless cultural brilliance while building new bridges for intercultural understanding." On the connotation of the Year of the Snake, Fu drew parallels between the snake's ability to shed its skin and humanity's resilience in times of crisis. "In nature, the snake symbolizes the wisdom and strength to renew itself amid adversity. This is precisely the quality we need as we face today's challenges," he said. Fu emphasized China's commitment to multilateralism in addressing global issues. "Over the past year, in the face of complex international dynamics, China has steadfastly practiced true multilateralism, defended the authority of the United Nations, and advanced initiatives that reflect the wisdom and solutions of China." Looking ahead to the UN's 80th anniversary this year, Fu called for collective courage and innovation. "At this critical juncture, the world expects the UN to lead humanity toward a future that is more equal, secure, prosperous, and sustainable. We must embrace the spirit of the snake, shedding old challenges to emerge stronger and more united." In his address, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua stressed the importance of unity as the global body's 80th anniversary is approaching. "All member states must work together to make 2025 a year not of division but of unity," said Li, echoing Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call in his New Year's message to "make 2025 a new beginning: not as a divided world, but as united nations." "Today's gathering involves the warmth of your UN family, a chance to celebrate traditions and connections that transcend borders," said Melissa Fleming, UN under-secretary-general for global communications. She said that the snake, as related to the Year of the Snake, represents "wisdom, intelligence and resilience," qualities which she said the troubled world could use in the coming year. Fleming emphasized the UN's vision of a better tomorrow, where "everyone can live in peace, in dignity and in equality on a healthy planet." Cherith Norman Chalet, assistant secretary-general for General Assembly and conference management, echoed these sentiments. "Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions, reflection and renewal. It also reminds us of the values of peace, harmony and prosperity." Chalet highlighted the valuable contributions of the UN's talented Chinese colleagues, whose "perspectives, language skills, traditions enable us to connect more deeply with each other and with the communities around the world." Friday's gala to celebrate the Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year or the Chinese New Year in many areas around the world, also featured engaging interactive activities such as "Welcoming Spring with the Character 'Fu' (Good Fortune)," "New Year Photo Frame Check-in," and "Red Packet Rubbing," allowing participants to fully immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere while exploring the rich traditions and innovative celebrations of Chinese New Year. Among the standout moments of the evening were Yin Renkai's heartfelt performance of the song of "My Chinese Heart" in Chinese, English and Spanish, and the new Chinese-style stage performance of "Jingshan Tea Ceremony: A Global Tea Banquet," presented by the Yuhang Cultural Tourism Group of Hangzhou, which seamlessly blended the Chan tea culture of Jingshan Temple from China's ancient Tang and Song dynasties with contemporary theatrical dance. Locals say an 'accident' is just waiting to happen if beachgoers are not made fully aware of the risks. Local man Curtis Ramsay says he has witnessed dozens of sharks close to the shore between Mullaloo and Hillarys beach, north of Perth. Source: Instagram.com/curtis_n_kora/ Aussie beachgoers are calling for shark warning signs to be installed at a stretch of beaches that are notorious for shark activity, over concerns an attack could happen. The coastline from Mullaloo to Hillarys beach, north of Perth, is frequented by tiger sharks with one spotted so often he has affectionately been named Trevor by locals. Incredible drone footage over the beaches has captured dozens of curious sharks approaching swimmers and pets in the water, and while an attack in the area has never happened, one local videographer fears an accident is possible if beachgoers arent aware of their surroundings. Ive never been to a beach in WA that has this many sharks in one spot, Curtis Ramsay told Yahoo News. Especially in a metro area. Its an exception to the norm. Curtis is calling for warning signs to be installed at Mullaloo and Hillarys beaches, similar to these at Wylie Bay and Kelps Bed beaches near Esperance in WA. Source: ABC Curtis said hes been to other beaches around Perth that have less sharks, yet display more signage. At Hillarys and Mullaloo, particularly in the summer months, he spots several sharks almost every day for a couple of weeks. ADVERTISEMENT While he is aware of the SharkSmart app and website, Curtis strongly feels there needs to be signage at the beach for those who may not access that technology. Theres no real oversight, its the only way I can really put it, he said. No one seems to pay any attention. Im sure they have some kind of awareness (of the number of sharks) but they just choose not to pay attention. Shark awareness the key to swimmer safety In the last 60 years, tiger sharks have been involved in 10 encounters with swimmers in WA. The last fatal attack by a tiger shark was back in 1993 in Broome, according to the Australian Shark Incident Database. While Curtis encourages people to still visit the beach and swim in the water, he believes some would change their behaviour to avoid a shark encounter if they were aware of the risks in the ocean. ADVERTISEMENT Im afraid [there] will be an accident that will impact the person or the animal that will [be bitten], as well as the shark. Its an avoidable situation that only takes a couple of minor tweaks to peoples behaviour and we can avoid an incident all together, he said. Tiger sharks are generally pretty safe in Australia but one bite could be lethal if it hits the right spot. Its all avoidable, I think thats what the issue is. It could just take a couple of signs, people will still go to the beach, theyll still do what they do, but at least they might have a bit more awareness. Left: Trevor the tiger shark is a local celebrity at Perth's beaches. Right: Another pet owner throws the ball right next to a tiger shark. Source: instagram.com/curtis_n_kora/ Curtis said some simple behavioural changes like avoiding splashing and controlling your movements could make all the difference when swimming at beaches popular with sharks. In one video, he recorded a dog owner throw a ball into the ocean for her pup to chase. Just a few metres away from where it landed, a tiger shark can be seen under the waves. ADVERTISEMENT "Do you think the woman in this clip would still play fetch with her dogs if she knew what was in front of her?" he wrote online. Department says safety of beachgoers is priority When asked about the possible installation of warning signs, the City of Joondalup directed Yahoo News to WAs Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), who in turn said it is a council decision. A DPIRD spokesperson said their shark hazard mitigation strategy is one of the most comprehensive approaches in the country, and while it doesn't specifically include signage, it does include the SharkSmart WA app, beach and aerial patrols, shark tagging and the Shark Monitoring Network. ADVERTISEMENT In December, local and state governments worked together to install almost 1800 Beach Emergency Number (BEN) signs along WAs beaches. Each BEN sign has a unique code that helps emergency services pinpoint your location. The signs were the idea of Rick Gerring, whose brother Ben died in a shark attack in 2016 at Mandurah, south of Perth. Shark hazard mitigation in WA is a shared responsibility, a DPIRD spokesperson said. Water users are encouraged to download the SharkSmart WA app which provides near real-time information on shark activity, including current alerts and warnings to WA water users. The SharkSmart app puts recent shark sightings on a map for beachgoers to see. Source: SharkSmart WA The WA Government has developed an integrated Shark Notification System. This system provides near real-time information on shark sightings and detections to response agencies and the public, to assist people in making informed decisions about their water use. The notification system relies on two information systems reported shark sightings from the Water Police 24-hour coordination centre made by the public, or surf lifesavers; and tagged shark detections from the Shark Monitoring Network. The community can play an important role by reporting shark sightings to Water Police on 9442 8600 or by using the quick call link within the SharkSmart WA app. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. TWINNING with another town in another country has a long history, but sometimes many in the relevant communities don't always feel part of the initiatives. It takes time, and work does go on 'under the radar', as is happening in Kilcullen. The small county Kildare town twinned with Saint Contest in Normandy in 2019, an event that did receive strong local attention because the inaugural visit from France happened during the St Patrick's weekend and the parade that was also part of the Kilcullen 700 celebrations. A return visit in 2023 by a Kilcullen group, delayed because of the pandemic, didn't register as much in Kilcullen, though it did with those who had travelled. Not least because the packed itinerary included visits to Omaha Beach, the American WW2 Cemetery, Bayeux and its famous tapestry, and the D-Day Museum in Arromanches. "It was both moving and an honour to visit these historical places," Tanya Flanagan of the Kilcullen Twinning Group said. "But what will remain with me was the genuine warmth and cordial nature of our hosts. Their committee has grown to include many new members and there were very big crowds at the events in Saint Contest and on the visits." She hopes that the next visit by a Saint Contest delegation, scheduled for 13-17 February, will receive a similar broad welcome from the people of Kilcullen. Much of what has happened since the Kildare County Council-supported twinning began is focused on future generations. "There were teachers from both Scoil Bhride NS and Cross and Passion College secondary on our trip in 2023 and they have continued to correspond with their counterparts there. "Students from CPC also visited a school in Caen recently as part of their Erasmus programme and enjoyed a reception in the Saint Contest Town Hall hosted by the Twinning Committee. "We hope that the partnerships between our schools here and in the Saint Contest area will be further cemented by bringing our visitors to our schools in February." Last year the Kilcullen group were approached by the Saint Contest Twinning Committee to assist with an internship for a post-graduate student. "We were delighted to be able to assist and the IT graduate is now completing a nine-week placement with a major employer in the local area." A delegation of 13 are coming from Saint Contest, staying with host families. The visitors will have a guided tour of Kilcullen's schools and local shops and businesses, as well as spending time at heritage and leisure attractions in the wider area. These will include the Old Kilcullen monastic site, the National Stud, and Kildare Cathedral as well as a visit to Newbridge Silverware's Museum of Style. Music and Irish dancing will feature at various venues during the weekend and in the evenings the Saint Contest delegation will dine in local restaurants. Participation in a music session in Ballymore is expected to be a highlight. On their final day the group will have a cookery demonstration at Kilcullen's Kalbarri Cookery School before returning to the Town Hall for a Community Event which will include an official meeting with Kildare County Council officials and local public representatives. Everyone is welcome to that event which will have music, a dancing display and refreshments. "It is still early days really in terms of our partnership," Tanya Flanagan said. "But with strong community support on both sides, we look forward to growing the links forged to date." This popular beach has been described as Australia's ugliest, and it is not hard to see why. Source: Viv Polyblank Glancing at these photos, you'd be forgiven for thinking this is a sad scene from Bali or another Southeast Asian location struggling with their well-documented plastic pollution problem. But this alarming mass of plastic is in fact on a Sydney beach, offering a disturbing reminder of the waste issue we continue to face. "It really is the ugliest beach in Australia," local Viv Polyblank, who took the photos, told Yahoo News Australia. "There's just an awful, awful lot of plastic." While the astonishing build-up of plastics at Tower Beach at the north end of Botany Bay next to Sydney Airport can shock those viewing it for the first time, she says she's become accustomed to the "disgusting" sight over the years and it is a semi-regular occurrence from king tides and wild weather. ADVERTISEMENT Viv agrees the beach is a real "eye-opener" and offers a disturbing insight into the city's waste problem. "It's pretty filthy and it sort of gives an indication of our reliance on plastics," she said. Locals are accustomed with the sheer amount of plastic that washes up. Source: Viv Polyblank Where does the rubbish come from? While the beach is often littered with everyday single-use plastics like drinks bottles, Viv says there's an array of rubbish that ends up on the beach. She fears the beach cops the brunt of illegal dumping, and with two rivers running into Botany Bay, winds from the south push waste that has drifted downstream onto the beach. One of those rivers is the Cooks River and Viv has found a discarded parking permit from the City of Canada Bay, whose council border is roughly 14km away. ADVERTISEMENT Even more concerning for Viv is the waste difficult to spot in her photos, such as broken-up polystyrene and micro-plastics, which can be devastating for marine life and wildlife. A silver lining to the problem is the adjacent sea wall lining the runway of Sydney Airport means the waste congregates in one spot, making it easier to clean up. That clean up is done by Transport for NSW's Maritime division, who regularly attend the site to remove accumulated waste. Work is currently underway to clear the current build-up of plastic. Unsurprisingly the spot isn't too popular with families wanting to go for a dip. Source: Viv Polyblank The beach is popular with dog walkers and plane enthusiasts, who visit to get a front-row seat of departing and arriving aircraft. And while Viv says the water can appear pristine at times, it unsurprisingly doesn't attract too many sun bakers or swimmers. Bayside Council, which governs the majority of the Botany Bay coastline, says waste management is one of the biggest challenges it faces at its beaches and pleads with visitors to minimise their waste. ADVERTISEMENT "The most effective waste management starts with everyone. We encourage all foreshore visitors to "Leave Only Footprints" on our beaches, and to responsibly dispose of rubbish in the bins provided or take it with them," council says. "Your cooperation plays a crucial role in preserving the beauty of our foreshore. Concerns over Sydney beach's water quality To make matters worse for the beach, there are ongoing fears about the water quality surrounding Sydney Airport due to the previous use of firefighting foam containing per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). While the NSW Environment Protection Authority says the threat has diminished over the years, a new round of water testing has been ordered after visitors to the beach complained about insufficient warnings on the issue. Beachgoers have previously been told to avoid the water and fishermen were advised not to eat their catch after detection of PFAS in fish in Botany Bay. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. A man has been extradited from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland over a fatal crash in Co Donegal almost eight years ago. The 31-year-old is wanted to stand trial for the offence of dangerous driving causing death, in relation to a crash in April 2017 in which two teenagers were killed. Seventeen-year-old Nathan Fullerton and 18-year-old Nathan Farrell were killed in the crash between Quigleys Point to Moville Road in late April 2017. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said he is also wanted to stand trial for possession of a controlled drug for the purposes of sale and supply, in connection with an offence alleged to have taken place in the Donegal area in July 2020. The man was arrested in Northern Ireland on September 15 2022, and was extradited to the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday where he was expected to appear before a court. Meanwhile, a 41-year-old man has been extradited from Northern Ireland to Lithuania, where he is sought to serve a prison sentence of two years and eight months in relation to a number of fraud offences that occurred in 2016 and 2017. He was arrested in the Armagh area in November 2024 and extradition proceedings were completed on Tuesday with his successful return to Lithuania. Sergeant Davey, from the PSNIs International Policing Unit, said: The Police Service continues to work closely with our partners to locate, arrest and extradite those wanted in other jurisdictions. Our message is clear that Northern Ireland is not a safe haven for anyone trying to avoid arrest or the consequences of their actions. We will relentlessly pursue anyone trying to delay or deny justice to victims of crime. Kilkenny weather forecaster Niall Dollard has warned that "Friday's storm is fast becoming a worst case scenario." "All models are showing it deepening very rapidly, with tightly packed isobars bringing damaging gusts," he told followers. "The current forecast tracks bring it right in over the country with Kilkenny too in the firing line." This morning, Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather posted an update to inform followers that the latest weather model updates for storm on Thursday night into Friday 'are worrying'. "They bring the center of the storm further south with severe gusts into Ireland," he said. "This can still change," he notes, 'but not looking good at present'. He has also advised followers to keep up to date with forecasts. The update comes after yesterday's Met Eireann weather advisory was issued. READ NEXT: Centre in Kilkenny 'will be entirely made up of people who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection', says Department The advisory states that on Thursday night and during Friday, 'a deepening low-pressure system is forecast to track close to Ireland'. "Very strong winds are likely across the country, including in Kilkenny, with the potential for damaging wind gusts and disruption in places. High seas and spells of heavy rain are expected also. "Met Eireann is continuously monitoring the evolving situation and weather warnings will be issued as confidence in the forecast track/intensity of the low pressure system improves." FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Weather Alert ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 1 AM CDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of south central, southwest, and west central Illinois and central, east central, northeast, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From noon Friday to 1 AM CDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. && By Park Han-sol The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) is set for an eventful year in 2025, with the grand opening of two new venues the Photography Seoul Museum of Art and the Seo-Seoul Museum of Art alongside expanded institutional partnerships spanning the Middle East and Eastern Europe. This year might just be the busiest yet for our museum, Choi Eun-ju, SeMAs general director, said during a press conference on Monday, where she unveiled the institutions 2025 agenda. The Photography Seoul Museum of Art is scheduled to open in May [in the citys Dobong District], followed by the Seo-Seoul Museum of Art in the latter half of the year in Geumcheon District. The Photography Seoul Museum of Art will become Koreas first public institution dedicated exclusively to the art and history of photography, with a collection of over 20,000 works and archival materials, while the Seo-Seoul Museum of Art will put its curatorial focus on media art. Once inaugurated, these two venues will join SeMAs network of six other museums and art-focused spaces spread across the capital. The museums ongoing collaboration with institutional partners in the Middle East is set to deliver new exhibitions this year. Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits, launching in May at the Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi, will be the largest-ever showcase of Korean contemporary art staged in the Gulf Cooperation Council region. Meanwhile, at SeMAs main Seosomun branch in December, Intense Proximities will be co-organized with the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation to spotlight first- to third-generation contemporary creatives from the United Arab Emirates. Other highlights in the city museums lineup include a solo presentation of Kang Myong-hi, whose ethereal cosmic paintings poetically encapsulate the interplay between her nomadic life and the natural world; a solo exhibition dedicated to modernist abstract sculptor Chun Kook-kwang; and the inaugural group show at the Photography Seoul Museum of Art featuring five defining masters of the medium. In August, the Seoul Mediacity Biennale returns for its 13th edition, curated by Anton Vidokle, Hallie Ayres and Lukas Brasiskis. This years biennial delves into the mechanics of seance, illuminating artistic practices rooted in occult, mystical and spiritual traditions as a lens to navigate the complexities of the present moment. New measures aimed at preventing IPO overheating, 'zombie' firms from distorting market By Jun Ji-hye Financial authorities in Korea have decided to overhaul systems related to the listing and delisting of companies to enhance the qualitative standards of the domestic stock market. The initiative aims to address market distortions, caused by the overheating of initial public offering (IPO) subscriptions or so-called zombie companies insolvent firms that cannot service their debts but continue to operate and maintain their listing status. The goal is to improve the efficiency of capital allocation in the stock market and foster an investment environment based on corporate value. The Financial Services Commission (FSC), together with the Financial Supervisory Service, the Korea Exchange, the Korea Financial Investment Association and the Korea Capital Market Institute, held a joint seminar on Tuesday and announced measures to improve IPO and delisting systems. They said the improvement plans will be implemented starting July. A key task for enhancing the value of the capital market is to pursue improvements in the IPO and delisting systems, FSC Chairman Kim Byoung-hwan said during his address. The IPO market is excessively driven by short-term profit-oriented operations, and delisting does not occur as smoothly as listing. This has led to criticism that it undermines the efficient functioning and trustworthiness of the capital market. According to the FSC, institutional investors recorded a net sell position on the listing day for 74 out of 77 IPO stocks last year. This means that even institutional investors, who are expected to play the role of medium- to long-term investors, sold their allocated IPO shares immediately after listing. The government noted that this short-term profit-driven investment behavior led to overheating in demand forecasts and the failure to determine appropriate offering prices. To address this issue, the government plans to introduce a new system where at least 40 percent of the shares allocated to institutional investors must be preferentially allocated to those who commit to a mandatory holding period. Considering that the proportion of shares allocated to institutional investors with a mandatory holding commitment was around 20 percent on average last year, this new measure will double that proportion. To ensure the smooth implementation of the system, the preferential allocation will be set at 30 percent this year, and it will be increased to 40 percent next year. If the mandatory holding commitment does not reach 40 percent, the lead underwriter will be required to purchase 1 percent of the offering volume up to a maximum of 3 billion won ($2 million) and hold on to it for six months. The countrys top financial regulator also explained that the delisting system in the domestic stock market has been more focused on the impact on individual companies and investors, rather than on overall market efficiency, and that the requirements and procedures have been overly lenient. The regulator said the number of companies being delisted annually is typically only about one-quarter of the number of companies entering the market, and the growth rate of listed companies is relatively high compared to major global stock markets. It highlighted that the delayed delisting of underperforming companies leads to inefficiencies in capital allocation, a decline in overall market confidence and negatively impacts stock indices. To address these concerns, the government will take steps to accelerate the delisting of the zombie companies from the stock market by tightening requirements, which a company must meet in order to maintain its listing, by 2029. Firms that have a market capitalization of less than 50 billion won and sales under 30 billion won will be delisted from the countrys main bourse, the KOSPI, while those with a market capitalization of less than 30 billion won and sales under 10 billion won will be delisted from the secondary Kosdaq. This means the listing maintenance requirements will be increased by up to 10 times. Starting in April, the delisting process for KOSPI-listed companies will be shortened from a maximum of four years to two years, and the process for Kosdaq-listed ones will be reduced from a three-step procedure to a two-step procedure. Additionally, from the second half of the year, if a company listed on the KOSPI or Kosdaq receives an audit opinion that is either limited, disqualified or rejected for two consecutive years, the company will be immediately delisted. We will strengthen the listing maintenance requirements and streamline the delisting procedures to ensure that companies undermining market trust are smoothly delisted, Kim said. Korea's exports dropped 5.1 percent from a year earlier in the first 20 days of January due to a smaller number of working days, data showed Tuesday. Outbound shipments reached $31.6 billion in the Jan. 1-20 period, compared with $33.3 billion tallied a year earlier, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. Imports went down 1.7 percent on-year to $35.4 billion during the period, resulting in a trade deficit of $3.8 billion, the data showed. The decline in exports was solely attributed to a reduced number of working days, which came to 14.5 over the period, compared with 15.5 tallied a year earlier. The daily average volume of exports, on the other hand, moved up 1.4 percent on-year over the cited period, according to the agency. "This year's Lunar New Year holiday falls in January, unlike last year, and with the inclusion of a temporary public holiday, the holiday period has been extended. As a result, exports for this month are expected to temporarily slow down," Cho Ik-no, an industry ministry official, said. The country had maintained a 15-month streak of export growth as of December. By sector, exports of semiconductors moved up 19.2 percent on-year to $6.3 billion in the first 20 days of January, reflecting an upswing in the semiconductor industry cycle. In contrast, outbound shipments of automobiles shed 7.3 percent to $3.2 billion. Those of petroleum products plunged 29.9 percent to $2 billion. By destination, exports to China, the top trading partner of Korea, went down 4.9 percent over the period to $6.48 billion. Shipments to the United States shed 9.6 percent to reach $5.59 billion. Exports to Vietnam, on the other hand, increased 13.9 percent to $3.06 billion. (Yonhap) Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun said Tuesday the government has sent a working-level delegation to the United States to discuss potential shifts in trade policies under the second Donald Trump administration. Ahn made the announcement in a joint meeting with officials from related ministries and private entities to discuss the government's response to Trump's protectionist trade policies. The industry ministry will also strengthen its communications with its U.S. counterparts by operating a communications channel between high-ranking officials once the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representatives complete their personnel reshuffle. "The public and private sectors should cooperate to fully respond to (U.S. trade policies) as there are risks and opportunities at the same time," Ahn said. The minister cited the shipbuilding and energy industries as potential areas where Seoul could strengthen collaboration with Washington. During his inauguration address, Trump vowed to immediately begin an overhaul of America's trade system to protect American workers and families. He had pledged to slap blanket tariffs of 10 to 20 percent on all imports throughout his campaign, while threatening to impose tariffs of up to 60 percent on Chinese goods. Shortly after taking office, Trump signed an executive order to consider the elimination of what he called "unfair" subsidies for electric vehicles, which, if realized, may seriously affect South Korean carmakers. Earlier in the day, Ahn also held a meeting with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and said the government will come up with measures next month to support export companies amid a negative outlook for semiconductors, automobiles and other major export items in the first half due to global economic uncertainties. "Exports are expected to be particularly difficult in the first half due to the deteriorating export conditions of key items, such as semiconductors and automobiles, as well as the base effect," Ahn said, according to his ministry. Ahn asked KITA to use its global network to help create favorable conditions for South Korean companies and work as a think tank to help the government create effective trade policies. In 2024, exports jumped 8.2 percent on-year to reach a new annual high of $683.8 billion, but the industry ministry has said uncertainties surrounding exports will likely be high this year due to the launch of a new U.S. administration and geopolitical risks. "Geopolitical risks, rising protectionism and supply chain realignments pose significant challenges to our trade," Ahn said. "However, the government will collaborate closely with key nations to mitigate these risks." (Yonhap) By KTimes At Donald Trumps inauguration on Monday, where he was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, Melania Trumps bold fashion choices drew public attention, receiving both praise and criticism. Melania donned a dark navy suit with a military-inspired design and a wide-brimmed hat that partially obscured her face. Under the tailored coat, she wore a silk-wool pencil skirt paired with an ivory silk crepe blouse featuring a sharp neckline, with black leather gloves completing the look. The outfit was designed by emerging American designer Adam Lippes. The most talked-about feature was her wide-brimmed hat, which cast a shadow over her face, making eye contact with cameras and others nearly impossible. The hat even led to a moment when Donald Trumps attempt to kiss her cheek was obstructed by the brim, creating a viral moment online. Reactions to her outfit were divided. Some lauded it as sophisticated and serious, while others criticized it for creating a somber mood. CNN described the hat as an austere flourish to a neat, military-style ensemble." On the other hand, The Guardian remarked that with the dark attire, Melania, "who absented herself from the limelight for long stretches of Trumps first term, seemed to show little more enthusiasm about the second. The Washington Post offered a colorful comparison, saying her look resembled a mafia widow or high-ranking member of an obscure religious order, then added, and a bit of My Fair Lady. This outfit was notably different from her attire at Trumps first inauguration, where she wore a sky-blue Ralph Lauren suit paired with white stiletto heels. At the time, Vogue described the look as "1960s-inspired," drawing comparisons to former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Reflecting on the change in style over the years, a former CNN White House correspondent remarked, As her public persona emerged, she still craved privacy. She noted that Melanias silhouettes evolved to feature long sleeves, cinched waists, structured shoulders and longer hemlines elements that gave off a military-esque vibe and suggested that the change felt like armor. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times. By Baek Byung-yeul Korea is set to bid for the opportunity to host the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the largest annual international event on the cultural heritage calendar, for the first time next year, according to the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) on Tuesday. "To host the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Korea for the first time, we plan to actively respond to the selection of the next host country at the 47th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in July by holding a public contest for host cities in the first half of 2025 and operating a dedicated organization," the KHS announced in its key work plan for this year. The KHS is a state-run agency responsible for overseeing the preservation and maintenance of national heritage. At the 47th World Heritage Committee, to be held in Bulgaria this July, the venue for the 48th edition, scheduled for 2026, will be decided. The World Heritage Committee is a UNESCO committee responsible for determining UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This annual event has been hosted by Thailand in Phuket in 1994, Japan in Kyoto in 1998, and China in Fuzhou in 2021 among Asian nations, but Korea hasnt hosted it yet. To enhance the countrys global status and influence, the KHS will also diversify its cooperation with UNESCO by hosting the International Council on Monuments and Sites' Asia-Pacific regional meeting in April and establishing a UNESCO Intangible Heritage Trust Fund worth 1 billion won ($700,000). In addition, the agency said it will focus more on preserving natural and intangible heritage and implement policies to make cultural heritage more accessible to the people this year. This year marks the beginning of fully implementing the national heritage system. We will make every effort not only to regulate and preserve national heritage as in the past, but also to help people benefit from it in their daily lives and experience its intrinsic value, Choi Eung-chon, administrator of the KHS, said. As part of the plan, the agency will first survey animal species among natural monuments in the natural heritage sector, comprehensively investigating the number of individuals, distribution and habitat density of animals distributed nationwide. Additionally, they plan to strengthen the regular management of plant heritage through a treatment history management system. By Jhoo Dong-chan Experts in inter-Korean and South Korea-U.S. relations gathered for a forum, Friday, to assess the diplomatic doctrine of President-elect Donald Trumps second term and discuss how to prepare for Korean unification amid growing uncertainties surrounding the power transition in Washington. The forum highlighted growing concerns among experts that the U.S. presidential transition could significantly impact inter-Korean relations and complicate efforts towards reunification. The event was hosted by Action for Korea United and the Global Peace Foundation and co-hosted by the Kookmin University Graduate School of Global Peace & Unification. North Koreas regime change is inevitable. It is a matter of time, Global Peace Foundation President Seo In-teck said in his welcome remarks for the Korean Dream Unification Strategy Forum held at Seoul Global Center. Seo also chairs Action for Korea United. President-elect Donald Trump will soon come to office. During his first presidency, Trump defined China as an enemy. I hope his hawkish stance would contribute to building a unified Korea over the next four years. Action for Korea United Co-Chair Kim Choong-hwan agreed. Geopolitical dynamics are changing rapidly with Americas power transition. Trump will undoubtedly continue to press his signature Make America Great Again doctrine, Kim said in his welcome remarks. World order is currently being reshaped by two ongoing wars one in Ukraine and the other in the Middle East. However, we have yet to see any significant changes on the Korean Peninsula. We must continue our efforts toward a united Korea. Our work will also contribute to world peace. The seminar was followed by presentations from Nam Kwang-kyu, director of the Maebong Institute for One Korea, and Kim Eun-sun, a researcher at the Korea University Convergence Institute for National Unification. During his lead-up presentation, Nam said Trumps second term is expected to be even more hawkish toward China than his first. Republicans have seized control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. The majority of the U.S. Supreme Court justices are also Republican appointees. Returning Trump now has no domestic hurdles for what he is going to do, Nam said. There is, however, no government here in Korea to address this since President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by the National Assembly. Yoon managed to normalize diplomatic ties with the U.S., and the basic framework of current U.S.-Korea relations should play an important role under the Trump administration. Nam also expressed concerns that a liberal administration taking control of South Korea's government could have an impact on Seoul-Washington relations. The impeachment symbolizes the confrontation between democracy and communism, and between liberalism and authoritarianism. North Koreas Kim regime will fall within 10 years, and we need to be ready for it. If leftists come to power, Seoul may be seen as part of Chinas sphere of influence by the incoming Trump administration. Korea University Convergence Institute for National Unification researcher Kim Eun-sun highlighted the potential for heavy tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, expressing concerns that Seoul could get caught in the crossfire. Trump said during his presidential campaign that he would impose a 60 percent tariff on Chinese goods. While it is difficult to predict whether he will actually impose such heavy tariffs, a potential tariff clash between the two superpowers could have a significant impact on intermediate goods exporters like South Korea, Kim said. Another geopolitical factor that could influence Seoul is Taiwan and [chipmaker] TSMC. Harvard University history professor Niall Ferguson once said, Who controls Taiwan will control the world. China is expected to assert control over Taiwan for political reasons, symbolizing Chinese leader Xi Jinpings legitimacy during his tenure. On the other hand, the U.S. views TSMC as a critical component in maintaining its leadership in artificial intelligence technologies. The tug of war between the two superpowers over Taiwan is also closely related to Korea. Acknowledging a shift in South Korea-U.S. relations, Kim urged Seoul to navigate more cautiously in an increasingly polarized world order. President-elect Trump said during his campaign that he would have made Seoul pay $10 billion if he were president, because [South] Korea is a money machine. This symbolizes the shift in the Korea-U.S. alliance from the current Biden administrations deep alliance concept to the Trump administrations easy alliance, Kim said. He also signaled that the U.S. might exit NATO if European member states do not increase their defense contributions. Beijing will undoubtedly take advantage of the current situation to expand its influence. In November, Beijing decided to waive visa requirements for South Korean citizens, signaling a thaw in relations ahead of Xis visit to Seoul for the scheduled APEC meeting. This could be an opportunity, Kim said. China is also one of the most important trade partners for Seoul. This could help ease strained relations between Korea and China. At the same time, however, it is essential for Seoul to demonstrate its commitment to the Korea-U.S. alliance. One of the two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine this month has claimed that he arrived in Russia without knowing whom he would be fighting, according to another video of his interrogation released by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Earlier this month, Zelenskyy disclosed that his forces had captured the North Korean soldiers in Russia's western front-line region of Kursk, sharing videos of their interrogation on the social media platform X. In the latest video posted on Monday (local time), one of the captured soldiers said he arrived in Russia aboard a ship with around 100 others before being transported inland by rail with them. "Even after coming here, I didn't know that I would be fighting the Ukrainian people," the man said in the video in Korean. The video could not be independently verified. He said some North Korean troops were taught how to use Russian weapons and equipment but that he himself did not receive such training. The soldier, believed to be born in 2005, said he joined the military when he was 17, as most North Korean men do after graduating from school, and was affiliated with a company under the North Korean military's reconnaissance bureau. Zelenskyy said Ukraine will confirm details of North Korea's involvement in the war through continued interrogation of the soldiers. "Intelligence data on the movement of such troops to Russian territory, their training and complete information isolation have been confirmed by the prisoners," he wrote on X. "All the facts about North Korea's involvement in this war will be established." North Korea is estimated to have sent some 11,000 troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. Of those, 300 are believed to have been killed, with some 2,700 others wounded, South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers last week. (Yonhap) U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday described North Korea as a "nuclear power" and anticipated that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will be "happy" to see his return to the White House. During a press availability at the Oval Office, Trump made his first public mention of the recalcitrant regime since he was sworn in as the United States' 47th president in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington earlier in the day. "I was very friendly with him. He liked me. I liked him. We got along very well. They thought that was a tremendous threat," Trump told reporters as he signed a series of executive orders at the office. "He is a nuclear power. We got along. I think he will be happy to see me coming back," he added. His remarks come amid expectations that Trump might seek to revive his direct diplomacy with Kim, given that he repeatedly boasted about his personal ties with the reclusive leader on the campaign trail. During his first term, Trump had three in-person meetings with Kim, including the first-ever summit in Singapore in 2018. It remains uncertain what the president meant by his reference to North Korea as a nuclear power, a term that U.S. officials have mostly been reluctant to use, given that it could be seen as Washington's recognition of Pyongyang's nuclear program at the expense of its nonproliferation efforts. During a Senate confirmation hearing last week, Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth also called the North a "nuclear power." The term "nuclear power" is different from the nuclear-weapon states the U.S., China, France, Britain and Russia that are officially recognized as possessing nuclear weapons by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, better known as the NPT. Uncertainty lingers over the prospects for the resumption of nuclear diplomacy between the U.S. and the North as Pyongyang's appetite for engagement with Washington might have lessened considering that it now relies on Russia for food, fuel, security assurances and other forms of support. (Yonhap) Returning U.S. President Donald Trump's reference to North Korea as a "nuclear power" might be aimed at paving the way for resuming talks between Washington and Pyongyang, experts said Tuesday. During a press availability at the Oval Office on Monday (U.S. time), shortly after being sworn in for his second term, President Trump said outgoing President Joe Biden viewed North Korea as "a tremendous threat" when asked about the threats Biden had identified to him. "He is a nuclear power. We got along. I think he will be happy to see I'm coming back," Trump said, in reference to North Korea and its leader, Kim Jong-un. It is unusual for a U.S. president to refer to North Korea as a nuclear power, a term that could be interpreted as acknowledging North Korea's nuclear weapons program in violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, under which only five nations China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States are recognized as nuclear-weapon states. The U.S. had consistently pursued a complete denuclearization of North Korea. Trump's remarks came after Pete Hegseth, his nominee for defense secretary, also described North Korea as a "nuclear state" posing a threat to global stability in his written responses to a Senate committee last week as part of his confirmation hearing. In a separate confirmation hearing last week, then Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio also stressed that "there has to be an appetite for a very serious look at broader North Korean policies." Trump's second presidency has sparked widespread speculation that he may seek to revive dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to reduce nuclear threats, after the two met three times in person during Trump's first term, though without concrete results. Hong Hyun-ik, a researcher at the Sejong Institute, told Yonhap News Agency that Trump's latest remark serves as "laying the ground" for the resumption of U.S.-North Korea talks and is effectively part of Trump's "preparations for a meeting with Kim Jong-un." Trump "is alluding to what Kim Jong-un could gain if he engages in dialogue," at a time when Kim has little reason to meet, now that he possesses nuclear weapons, Hong said. Trump might eventually want North Korea to promise a halt to military provocations in exchange for the U.S. not interfering in its nuclear weapons development, although it cannot officially recognize North Korea's nuclear arsenal, Hong noted. Nam Sung-wook, a professor of unification and diplomacy at Korea University, said Trump's remarks mark the end of three decades of denuclearization efforts for North Korea and signal the start of a new stage instead. "A new road map leading to U.S.-North Korea talks on nuclear arms reduction has now been laid," he said. They both agreed that South Korea needs increased communication with the new U.S. administration to ensure its stance is reflected, as Washington may now seek nuclear arms reduction with North Korea instead of denuclearization. Nam, in particular, emphasized Seoul's potential need to defend itself against North Korea's nuclear threats over the mid- to long term if personal diplomacy between Trump and Kim resumes. Any arms reduction deal between Trump and Kim, short of denuclearization, however small, could also give rise to calls in South Korea to develop its own nuclear weapons program. Park Won-gon, a professor at Ewha Womans University, warned that "There are enough possibilities (for the U.S.) to pressure North Korea again if Kim Jong-un does not reciprocate." (Yonhap) Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On January 20, SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle Company ("SAIC Motor PV") officially announced a strategic partnership with Meituan, China's leading local life services and retail platform. This collaboration aims to leverage the strengths and resources of both companies to unlock market potential and build an integrated ecosystem for automotive business, delivering enhanced services to users, merchants, dealers, and employees. Photo credit: SAIC Motor PV Under the partnership, SAIC Motor PV's dealership stores will join the Meituan platform, enabling seamless online-to-offline integration. Meituan will provide onboarding support, technical services, and a suite of value-added tools, including AI-powered livestreaming, store design guidance, order management, customer feedback analysis, and data-driven insights, to enhance the dealerships' online operations and improve customer reach. In addition, SAIC Motor PV will leverage Meituan's digital marketing resources to conduct targeted online campaigns, providing users with a more efficient and convenient car-buying experience. The two companies also plan to explore innovative new retail models, piloting a complete e-commerce solution for vehicle sales on the Meituan platform to meet customer demands with greater flexibility. On the after-sales front, SAIC Motor PV's service offerings will also be available on Meituan, allowing users to access and review post-sale services directly through the platform, driving continuous service quality improvement. By joining forces, the two companies aim to redefine automotive retail and inject fresh momentum into the innovation and development of Chinas automotive industry. SAIC Motor PV brings its deep technical expertise, diverse product portfolio, and comprehensive marketing network, while Meituan contributes its advanced digital technology, extensive user base, and wide-ranging local service scenarios. This comprehensive partnership marks a pivotal step for the two parties in advancing brand marketing and exploring new retail models. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday visited a hospital in central Seoul for a medical check-up after making his first appearance at his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court, sources said. According to the sources, Yoon and his escort vehicles departed from the court at 4:42 p.m. and traveled to the Armed Forces Seoul Capital District Hospital for a routine medical examination. Yoon is not currently suffering from any specific medical issues, the sources added, noting that the visit was apparently arranged with the approval of the head of the detention center. Yoon is set to return to the detention center after the examination, the sources said. (Yonhap) A former head of the state-run Korea Airports Corp. , who was in office during the renovation of an instrument landing system localizer at Muan International Airport, was found dead at his home, police said Tuesday. Police said they are investigating the cause of death of Son Chang-wan, who led the company from 2018 to 2022. Last month, a Jeju Air B737-800 aircraft crashed at the airport, located some 290 kilometers southwest of Seoul, killing 179 people after skidding without its landing gear extended and colliding with the localizer. The localizer, installed on a concrete structure, has been blamed for worsening the severity of the casualties. The airport underwent a renovation of the structure in 2020. (Yonhap) U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday held brief video-linked talks with American troops stationed in South Korea and asked them how North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been doing, as he attended a formal inaugural ball in Washington. The Commander-In-Chief Ball took place after Trump was sworn in as the United States' 47th president at the Capitol Rotunda in the U.S. capital. The ball is one of the three inaugural balls that included the Liberty Inaugural Ball and the Starlight Ball. "How are we doing over there? How's Kim Jong-un doing?" Trump said, apparently half in jest, while talking to the U.S. Forces Korea personnel based in Camp Humphreys, a sprawling U.S. military base some 65 kilometers south of Seoul. In an apparent reference to the North Korean leader, Trump said the troops face "somebody with pretty bad intentions." "You would say that, although I developed a pretty good relationship with him, but he's a tough cookie," he said. Trump became the U.S. commander-in-chief at noon when his term began. In November 2017, Trump, along with then South Korean President Moon Jae-in, visited Camp Humphreys. (Yonhap) By Jhoo Dong-chan Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok invited U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance to the 75th anniversary event for Operation Chromite slated for September, the city official said Tuesday. Operation Chromite was the code name for an amphibious assault on the port city of Incheon during the Korean War that resulted in a decisive victory and strategic reversal in favor of the United Nations Command. According to the official, the invitation is expected to be delivered via Trumps close aide, John Mark Burns. The historic significance of Operation Chromite is similar to Operation Overlord, Yoo said in the invitation letter. Operation Overlord was the code name for the Allied Forces Normandy Invasion in World War II. This will display the strong bond of the Korea-U.S. alliance if President Trump comes to the event. Yoo met Burns on the second day of his four-day trip to the United States. Operation Chromite is of historic significance since the United Nations Command managed to reverse the war situation and retook Seoul during the Korean War, Yoo said during a meeting with Burns. Not many Korean War veterans are still alive now. Incheon Metropolitan City wants to express a token of gratitude for their sacrifice before it is too late. Burns said he would do his best to invite Trump and Vance to the event. Yoo also met Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong on the first day of the trip. During his meeting with the ambassador, the mayor said he also plans to invite leaders of the eight United Nations members who fought in the Korean War as well as U.S. governors and veterans for the commemoration event. Seoul reaffirms unified stance with Washington on NK denuclearization By Lee Hyo-jin Newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump referred to North Korea as a nuclear power," Monday (local time), a remark that raised concerns in South Korea as officials brace for sweeping shifts in Washington's North Korea policy under the new administration. The comments, made in the first few hours of his presidency, were rare for a U.S. official, let alone an incumbent president. Some analysts interpreted this as a sign that the Trump administration might be poised to officially acknowledge North Korea's de facto nuclear status. Trump spoke about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during an impromptu meeting with reporters in the Oval Office, shortly after his swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. "I was very friendly with him. He liked me. I liked him. We got along very well," Trump said. "He is a nuclear power. We got along. I think he will be happy to see me coming back." The remark about North Korea being a nuclear power marks a sharp departure from previous U.S. policy, as officials had long avoided publicly acknowledging Pyongyang as a nuclear-armed nation. Even Trump, who had developed a personal rapport with Kim during his first term, had refrained from making such references in his talks with the North Korean leader. While "nuclear power" is not an official term under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which distinguishes between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states, it is noteworthy that the phrase was recently used by Trump's Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. During his confirmation hearing last week, Hegseth said Pyongyangs status as a nuclear power poses a threat to both the Korean Peninsula and global security. "It is unclear whether Trump was referring to North Koreas nuclear weapons in terms of military capability and technology, or to its status as a nuclear state in political and diplomatic terms, as those two are very different concepts," Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, said. "If he was referring to the latter, which could pave the way for U.S. support for formally recognizing North Korea as a nuclear state under international law, it would be a highly contentious move that could strain South Korea's goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula." There is increasing speculation that if Washington and Pyongyang were to resume talks, Trump may focus on securing a freeze on North Korea's nuclear weapons to reduce threats to the U.S., rather than pursuing the long-standing goal of complete denuclearization. This could be welcomed by the Kim regime, which has long sought international recognition of its nuclear arsenal. Lim Eul-chul, an expert on North Korea at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies, said, Its not a coincidence that both Trump and Hegseth, who will be leading U.S. policy on North Korea over the next four years, have used this term. And its definitely something Kim Jong-un wants to hear." Trump may make further overtures to Kim in an effort to bring him back to the negotiation table. These gestures could include scaling back joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises or reducing the deployment of American strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula both of which the Kim regime views as rehearsals for invasion. Meanwhile, the new U.S. leader held a video call with U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) troops during the Commander-in-Chief Ball after his inauguration ceremony, during which he asked, "How is Kim Jong-un doing?" He added, "I developed a pretty good relationship with him, but he's a tough cookie." Regarding the new U.S. leader's comments, the South Korean Ministry of Unification stressed that Seoul's unified goal of complete denuclearization with Washington remains unchanged. "South Korea and the U.S. have maintained a firm and unified position on the goal of North Korea's complete denuclearization. The government will establish a close cooperation system with the new U.S. administration," a ministry official said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that "the goal of denuclearizing North Korea remains a principle consistently upheld by South Korea, the U.S. and the international community," and that "North Korea can never attain the status of a nuclear-weapon state under the NPT." Yet, potential Trump-Kim nuclear talks pose a diplomatic challenge to South Korea as the country grapples with deepening political turmoil. President Yoon Suk Yeol is under criminal investigation for his martial law imposition late last year and also faces impeachment trials, which will determine in the coming months whether he will be formally ousted. Considering Trumps preference for leader-to-leader exchanges, he is unlikely to engage seriously with South Korea under the acting leadership. This is a concerning development as Washington and Pyongyang may begin behind-the-scenes engagement in the coming months, Lim said. Acting President and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said Tuesday that he plans to arrange phone talks with Trump in the near future, while stating his wariness of policy shifts under the new U.S. president. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul is seeking to visit Washington as early as possible as his ministry works to minimize the diplomatic void with the nation's key ally during the leadership crisis. By Bereket Alemayehu This month brings new and exciting exhibitions, one of which opened last Friday at Gallery Baton in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, and is worth checking out. Titled "Symphony of Selves," the show features Berlin-based Irish artist David OKane for the third time, alongside London-based Serbian artist Djordje Ozbolts "Sing Me a Song," marking his second exhibition with the gallery in Korea. OKane works across various mediums, including painting, drawing, photography, animation and film, according to the gallerys press release about his exhibition, which unfolds across large-scale and small-scale canvases, and deconstructs the illusion of the singularity of the self by hinting at an inner life influenced by illusions mixed with memories from the past. With these works, which range from uncanny, playful and even humorous to absurd, the artist invites the viewer into an imaginary, interior realm that exists only in the half-light, just barely visible between the gloaming and dawn. Drawing on art historical references from Velazquez to Rembrandt to Francis Bacon, OKane develops one of his avatars in the mold of an artist's self-portrait. Oscillating between self-aggrandizement, mystery and suspicion, OKanes bold paintings have both the feeling of deep seriousness and outright absurdity, which serve to both uphold and dismantle the grandiosity of the figure of the artist. Since 2014, OKane has been traveling to Korea for his exhibitions, invited by the gallery. He has mentioned that he always finds Korean hospitality amazing and friendly, and this time, he brought his girlfriend with him. At the opening reception, he had a short conversation with The Korea Times about the creative motives for his paintings, which he heavily depicts with ghostly characters, something he identifies as an expression of the self. Its the moment of unveiling something, but I wanted to abstract the figure in this moment, becoming the artwork or becoming abstracted by the artwork, he said. He further explained that it's this idea that we are made up of many parts, having different parts of ourselves that we can uncover and reveal or hide. For me, being an artist, I found that a lot of the time you spend on your own, working solitary in the studio, and then suddenly you have an opening like this and your artwork is on show," he said. "Like you are out there, it's that moment of vulnerability, of showing yourself and whether you want to show this or not. The light is the subject and the shadow which depicts the inability to know fully yourself. I think we are always trying to find ourselves, but I think the way I've begun to understand it is that there isn't a single self to find we have all these different parts of us, and depending on who we're with, you have intimate relationships, with a partner, with your family, with friends and different aspects of your personality will come out through that. OKane lives and works in Berlin. He studied at the Academy of Visual Arts in Leipzig for five years under Neo Rauch, a leading figure of the New Leipzig School, earning a Meisterschuler degree in 2012. OKane has won numerous awards, scholarships and residencies. His work is represented in such collections as the Busan Museum of Art, the Kunsthalle der Sparkasse in Germany, the Zabludowicz Collection in the U.K., the CAP Foundation in Ireland and the Trapaga-Fonalledas Collection in Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, Serbian artist Djordje Ozbolt's work is a profound reflection of his childhood, shaped by the wars in the former Yugoslavia and the diverse cultural influences he has encountered during his global travels. He skillfully integrates these experiences into his unique artistic perspective. His interpretations of various events, incidents, media images and the cultures he has experienced on his travels take on an unfamiliar feel and presence in his works. This brings new dimensions of possibility to the traditional painting medium. In his latest paintings, mysterious birds that exist solely in the artist's imagination take center stage. Ozbolt combines authentic art historical motifs with kitschy pop culture images, breaking away from conventional formal expressions. This paradoxical coexistence of order and disorder in his work captivates viewers, creating a sense of tension and grotesqueness that invites engagement with the artist's surreal sensibility. Ozbolt gained international acclaim after successfully representing Serbia at the 58th Venice Biennale. Since its founding in 2011, Gallery Baton has gained international recognition as a leading contemporary art gallery in Korea. Distinguishing itself with a dynamic and refined program, it consistently strives for an in-depth understanding of current paradigms within the complex and ever-changing landscape of contemporary art. The gallery displays 23 paintings for OKanes solo exhibition, as well as 9 of Ozbolts paintings, until Feb. 15. The exhibitions are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday. Admission is free. Visit gallerybaton.com for more information. Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He's also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency. Rights commission urges justice ministry to be more proactive in protecting non-citizen workers By Jung Min-ho The government has refused to strengthen the rights of undocumented foreign workers to receive overdue wages, arguing that doing so would undermine Korea's immigration control system and that these rights are already protected under existing regulations. According to the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, Tuesday, the Ministry of Justice did not accept its recommendation to eliminate the requirement for all government officials to report undocumented workers to the immigration office while taking legal action over unpaid wages. By law, all officials are required to report non-Korean residents who are staying illegally in the country to the immigration office for deportation, except in certain cases, such as children attending school and victims of state-designated serious crimes. The system of reporting exemptions was introduced to protect undocumented victims from rights violations or crimes, who may hesitate to report their cases (to the police) due to the fear of deportation. However, the issue of overdue wages is merely a financial matter between creditor and debtor and does not constitute a human rights violation or a serious crime, the ministry said in a statement sent to the commission. The ministry noted that all undocumented foreign nationals, except for such victims, need to be reported in order to help establish law and order. It also said that changing administrative rules is not necessary, as individuals owed unpaid wages are not immediately deported and are given more time to remain in the country during which they can take legal action to resolve their cases. The commission made the recommendation on July 26, 2024, stating that including overdue wages in the list of crimes subject to the exception policy would be crucial in better protecting undocumented foreign workers from exploitation. The recommendation followed the commissions investigation into a metal-processing factory owner accused by an undocumented foreign worker of failing to pay over 10 million won ($7,500) in wages. The worker sought assistance from the regional labor administration to receive the money before leaving the country. However, after the employer reported the worker, the individual was later detained for violating immigration laws. Thanks to immigration officials who allowed him to stay here longer to take necessary legal steps, the worker eventually received all the money. However, the human rights commission came to the conclusion that there should be rule changes to effectively prevent a recurrence of such cases. In response to the ministrys refusal, the commission stated that the current rule is insufficient to protect foreign workers in such instances. Foreigners taking legal and administrative steps over unpaid wages are subject to receive G-1 visas. But in principle, with that visa, they cannot work, the commission said. It would be very difficult for them to take the proceedings necessary (over unpaid wages) when their right to live is under threat (due to financial reasons). The commission said that, for many workers, the issue of unpaid wages is a serious violation of the law that could threaten their livelihood, urging the ministry to be more proactive in promoting and protecting their rights. According to the latest data from the ministry, the number of foreign nationals living in Korea as of December 2024 stood at 2.65 million. Of these, an estimated 397,000 were undocumented individuals, a significant increase from around 200,000 just a decade ago. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday denied that he ordered troops to "drag out" lawmakers from the National Assembly after declaring martial law last month, in his first appearance at his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court. Yoon was asked by acting court President Moon Hyung-bae whether he had ordered military commanders to drag out lawmakers to stop them from voting down his Dec. 3 martial law decree. "No," he replied. "(A parliamentary vote) is not something that can be blocked by blocking or delaying it." The president denied that he gave a note to Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok on the day of the martial law imposition to ask him to draw up a budget for an "emergency legislative body." He also sought to clarify claims that election fraud was a key reason for his declaration of martial law, saying he simply gave orders to screen the computer servers of the National Election Commission amid suspicions about fair elections. Yoon arrived at the court in a convoy escorted by the Presidential Security Service from the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, just south of the capital, where he has been held in custody since last Wednesday. At 2 p.m., he entered the courtroom, dressed in a suit and red tie, and sat waiting for the eight justices to arrive for the third hearing of the trial deliberating his impeachment over his declaration of martial law. "It's my first time attending today, so I will speak briefly," Yoon said while seated after asking Moon for a chance to speak. "Since coming of age, I have lived with a firm belief in liberal democracy until this very day, and especially during my time in public service," he said. "As the Constitutional Court is an institution that exists to defend the Constitution, I ask the justices to consider me favorably in various respects." Yoon is the first president to attend his or her own impeachment trial as former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye were absent from theirs. Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly on Dec. 14 and remains suspended from duty while an investigation is under way into charges he led an insurrection and abused his power through his declaration of martial law. The Constitutional Court has 180 days from the day it received the case on Dec. 14 to uphold the impeachment and remove him from office or dismiss the impeachment and reinstate him. If Yoon is ousted, the country will be required to hold a snap presidential election within 60 days. During the hearing, which lasted 1 hour and 43 minutes, Yoon's legal team denied he had any plans to execute the martial law decree under which all political activities were banned, and all media and publications were subject to the control of the martial law command. "The decree was drafted by (then Defense Minister) Kim Yong-hyun, and reviewed and revised by the defendant in order to satisfy the outward appearance (of martial law)," Chah Kee-whahn, one of the lawyers, said. "Strictly speaking, the decree was aimed at prohibiting illegal acts by the National Assembly and not at all at dissolving the Assembly or prohibiting its regular activities," he said. Yoon has justified his short-lived imposition of martial law as an "act of governance" meant to defend the country from "anti-state forces" and warn the opposition party against abusing its legislative power. Chah said the deployment of troops to the Assembly during the six-hour enforcement of martial law was aimed at informing the public of parliament's "dangerous behavior" and preparing against a sudden surge of people there. He flatly denied allegations Yoon ordered the arrest of prominent politicians and judges, including then ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon and Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik. Outside the court, hundreds of people gathered to show their support for the president, holding up signs that read "Impeachment Invalid." Police surrounded the court's perimeter and beyond, and parked buses along sidewalks to prevent any violence among protesters. One woman was apprehended after assaulting a police officer. In a neighborhood across the road from the court, 4,000 people attended a conservative rally in support of the president. Yoon's appearance at the court was the first time he appeared in public since the day he imposed martial law. (Yonhap) President makes 1st public appearance since Dec. 3 By Anna J. Park President Yoon Suk Yeol defended himself in his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court, Tuesday, reiterating his claim that his imposition of martial law was an act of governance and thus did not violate the Constitution. This marks the first time in Korean history that a sitting or former president of the country has ever publicly attended an impeachment trial. It was also Yoon's first official appearance before the public since his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. After he was detained on Jan. 15 to be questioned over allegations of insurrection and abuse of power, some reporters caught a glimpse of him inside a vehicle after he was questioned at the headquarters of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). Yoon, who has since been confined at Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, came to the court in central Seoul in a prisoner transport vehicle belonging to the justice ministry. He wore a suit with a necktie instead of a prison uniform and was not handcuffed. He began his statement by delivering an apology to the justices of the court. "I feel deeply apologetic to the justices for the burden caused by my impeachment case," the president said. "Throughout my public service career, I have held a strong belief in liberal democracy. As the Constitutional Court exists for the protection of the Constitution, I ask the justices to carefully deliberate on the matter in every aspect." During the trial, Yoon's legal defense team argued that the president had no intent to execute or implement any of the orders in the martial law decree. The decree is one of the key issues in the impeachment case. It included a ban on all political activities, such as the operations of the National Assembly, local councils and political parties. The National Assembly, playing the role of the prosecution in the impeachment case, argued that this violated the Constitution, undermining the essence of representative democracy. "The decree was made only to meet formality, and there was no specific intent to implement it and no concrete plan for its execution, and no organizational structure established to carry it out," Yoon's legal representatives said. The defense team further claimed that the purpose of the decree was "to restrict illegal actions by the National Assembly, if any, not to dissolve the legislative body or prohibit normal legislative activities." It also stated that former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun drafted the initial version of the decree, which Yoon later revised. "Kim prepared the draft based on previous examples from when military regimes granted the president the authority to dissolve the National Assembly. Yoon modified it, particularly removing the public's curfew provision," the defense said. Yoon's defense team also denied allegations that he ordered the arrest of key political figures, including then ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon and Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik. They also dismissed as baseless the claim that Yoon gave an order to assassinate Han. During the trial, acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae questioned the president directly. The chief justice asked Yoon about election fraud allegations, which the president's defense team cited as a key reason for the martial law declaration. In response, Yoon expressed his doubts about the fairness of the voting process. "When the National Intelligence Service conducted a limited inspection of the National Election Commission's (NEC) electronic equipment in October 2023, it found numerous problems," Yoon said. "My intention was not to uncover election fraud, but to conduct a comprehensive review of the NEC's electronic systems." He claimed that his actions were not intended to promote conspiracy theories but to verify the facts. When asked about allegations that martial law forces were deployed to block the National Assembly from passing a resolution to lift martial law, Yoon argued that such a decision could not be blocked or delayed by those means. "The National Assembly passed a resolution swiftly, even though it did not fully comply with parliamentary procedures. Nevertheless, upon seeing this, I immediately ordered the withdrawal of the military forces," he said. The acting chief justice announced during the hearing that the court had accepted a request from the president's legal team to call former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min and Senior Presidential Secretary for Economic Affairs Park Chun-seop as witnesses. Park is slated to testify on Feb. 6, and Lee on Feb. 11. Previously, Yoons team had requested the addition of at least 24 witnesses, including many Cabinet members, to support their claim that the martial law declaration was prompted by the oppositions disruption of state governance. The court also plans to proceed with the questioning of the former defense minister on Thursday, as scheduled. Later on Tuesday, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) sent six investigators to formally summon Yoon and conduct an on-site interview at Seoul Detention Center. However, it was later revealed that Yoon had visited a hospital in central Seoul for a medical check-up after the hearing at the Constitutional Court. Yoon and his escort vehicles left the court at 4:42 p.m. and went to the Armed Forces Seoul Capital District Hospital for the examination. According to sources, Yoon returned to the detention center after the check-up. By Lee Hae-rin Supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol defiantly gathered around the Constitutional Court in central Seoul on Tuesday, demanding the rejection of his impeachment motion by the National Assembly as the embattled president arrived to attend a hearing for his trial. Yoon left Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, at 12:48 p.m. in a van of the Ministry of Justice and arrived at the Constitutional Court in Jongno District at 1:14 p.m. Yoon refused to attend the first and second hearings held earlier. Around 4,000 supporters, according to police, participated in a rally held by the Liberty Korea Party in front of Anguk Station from 1 p.m., waving Korean and American national flags and holding placards with the slogan "Stop the Steal." The slogan referenced the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) impeachment motion, which they claimed was an attempt to wrest control of the country. Although polls show the nation divided between those who support the embattled leader and those who favor his impeachment, Yoon's supporters have recently made headlines with their passionate and sometimes violent displays of loyalty. "Invalidate the impeachment!" they chanted. "Immediately release the president! Out with the fraudulent elections and fake National Assembly! they chanted, citing fictional narratives about election fraud that dominate far-right YouTube channels. I joined this rally today because the rule of law of the Republic of Korea has collapsed," a 26-year-old from Daejeon said on stage. "[DPK leader] Lee Jae-myung has not been properly investigated, while they (investigators) kidnapped and arrested our president by executing illegal warrants. Does this make sense?" he said, with people responding with shouts, some of whom yelled Amen. Many who attended the rally emphasized its peaceful nature to distance themselves from the protesters who stormed the Seoul Western District Court last weekend, but called for the release of pro-Yoon demonstrators who were arrested during the incident. Several rally participants also claimed that Yoon inevitably declared emergency martial law to protect the people and the free Republic of Korea" and argued that the impeachment was invalid, calling for the dismantling of the National Election Commission for allegedly causing election fraud. Meanwhile, near exit 2 of Anguk Station close to the Constitutional Court, about 200 supporters gathered in an attempt to get closer to the court and see the president. Police called for the crowd to disperse, stating that it was an unauthorized rally. In response, pro-Yoon protesters said, "We're not here to rally, we're just observing," and continued to shout, Nullify the impeachment, and Release the president. To prevent a recurrence of the violent riot that took place at the Seoul Western District Court last week, police deployed 64 units and 4,000 personnel around the Constitutional Court. Police officers at the scene wore helmets and riot gear, prepared for any contingency. Two of the four lanes in front of the Constitutional Court were blocked with police buses. Police also set up a barricade at the main gate of the court to manage the expected large crowd. The Jongno Police Station said it arrested a woman who assaulted a police officer while heading to the court at 1:30 p.m. The National Assembly impeached Yoon on Dec. 14 and he has been suspended from his duties as an investigation is ongoing into allegations that he led an insurrection and abused his power. The president's appearance at the court on this day marked his first public appearance since he imposed martial law on Dec. 3. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- FANGCHENGBAO, a premium automobile brand under BYD, announced on January 20 that deliveries of its flagship BAO 8 off-road SUV have exceeded 10,000 units. Hitting the market in November last year, the BAO 8 is available in four trim levels priced between 379,800 yuan and 407,800 yuan. Positioned as a new energy off-road SUV, it measures 5,195 mm in length, 1,994 mm in width, and 1,875 mm in height (1,905 mm with the roof rack) with a wheelbase of 2,920 mm. Photo credit: FANGCHENGBAO The vehicle's exterior design shares similarities with the YANGWANG U8, featuring a boxy silhouette and a roof-mounted trio of observation towersone equipped with a LiDAR sensor and two decorative elements. Photo credit: FANGCHENGBAO The BAO 8 offers a wealth of advanced features, including an AR-HUD, a full liquid crystal instrument cluster, and a co-pilot screen with interactive capabilities. Powered by BYD's DiLink 150 system and the 9000 chipset, the vehicle supports AI large models and retains numerous physical buttons for intuitive operation. With 6- and 7-seat layouts, the SUV provides electrically adjustable seats for all rows, easy second-row controls, and one-touch third-row entry, catering to family users. The BAO 8 features Huawei's Qiankun ADS 3.0 advanced smart driving system, offering full-scenario intelligent driving assistance, including end-to-end navigation, valet parking, remote vehicle movement, and self-parking capabilities. Photo credit: FANGCHENGBAO The BAO 8 is also equipped with the DiSus-P hydraulic suspension system, the same one used in BYD's YANGWANG U8. This suspension system, a technological highlight of BYD's portfolio, features a 140mm suspension travel height, adjustable stiffness in three levels, intelligent damping control, and predictive road scanning with four-wheel interlink capabilities, enhancing overall driving stability. Performance-wise, the BAO 8 is built on FANGCHENGBAO's exclusive DMO platform. It features a longitudinally mounted high-output 2.0T engine, paired with a 200 kW front motor and a 300 kW rear motor, delivering a combined output of 550 kW and 760 Nm of torque. The model can zip from 0-100km/h within just 4.8 seconds. Despite its hefty weight of over three tonnes, it achieves an impressive fuel efficiency of 8.5 liters per 100 kilometers on battery depletion. Acting President Choi Sang-mok said Tuesday the government is prepared to discuss injecting additional budget with the National Assembly amid growing calls for an extra budget to revitalize the economy already facing headwinds. "There are growing calls from the political sphere, local governments and the business sector for additional fiscal input to support struggling livelihoods and strengthen industrial competitiveness," Choi said during a Cabinet meeting. Choi said the government and the parliament can discuss the issue under the fundamental principle of ensuring the most effective use of taxpayers' money. The government has allocated 431.1 trillion won ($300.2 billion), or 75 percent of this year's total budget, to be executed in the first half of the year, citing a need to support self-employed individuals and enhance economic stability. Despite such measures, the rival parties have called for discussions on increasing the budget in areas critical to people's livelihoods and economic recovery. Bank of Korea (BOK) Gov. Rhee Chang-yong earlier suggested an additional budget of around 15 to 20 trillion won, citing significant downside risks to the economy. (Yonhap) Opposition lawmakers submit motion to dismiss Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun By Kwak Yeon-soo Some lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) have come under fire for allegedly supporting far-right YouTubers, including some who were involved in Sundays violent intrusion into the Seoul Western District Court following the issuance of an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol. Rep. Kwon Young-se, interim leader of the PPP, sent Lunar New Year gifts to 10 right-wing YouTubers, including Ko Sung-kook, who runs the Kosungkook TV YouTube channel, Bae In-kyu, leader of New Mens Solidarity, and lawyer Bae Seung-hee. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) criticized the PPP for supporting far-right YouTube channels that spread rumors about election fraud claims that Yoon has repeatedly referenced to justify his targeting of the National Election Commission (NEC) during the brief period of martial law last month. These YouTubers are the ones who were invited to Yoons inauguration ceremony and received holiday gifts from the president. They are the ones who instilled the delusions of election fraud into Yoon. Is the PPP also endorsing these delusional statements about election fraud? said Rep. Han Min-soo, spokesperson for the DPK. A PPP official said the partys interim leader aimed to rally YouTubers who were wrongfully accused by the DPK of spreading political propaganda. Party leaders usually send gifts to party members on holidays. For this years Lunar New Year gift, we chose roasted seaweed produced in Muan to help overcome the pain caused by the tragic accident at Muan airport not long ago, the official said. Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader of the PPP, described the criticism of Kwon as excessive. YouTube is alternative media. I dont understand why people overinterpret things and criticize small gifts given to alternative media channels on holidays, he said. "I dont know what you mean by far-right, but the PPP embraces all the people who support our party and we maintain a balanced perspective." However, the NEC said the party leaders gifts may violate the Public Official Election Act. In the case of political party leaders, there is a possibility of violating Article 112 of the Public Official Election Act if not regarded as a contribution, the NEC was quoted as saying, according to Rep. Kim Yong-man of the DPK. Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the PPP is also facing growing criticism after acting National Police Agency Commissioner-General Lee Ho-young revealed, Monday, that the lawmaker had called Gangnam Police Chief Kim Dong-soo and asked for leniency for those involved in the violent intrusion at the courthouse. Lawmakers from five opposition parties submitted a motion on Tuesday to expel the conservative lawmaker. However, the PPP leadership said Yoons actions were not severe enough to warrant a formal penalty. I dont think there was any pressure or coercion in any way. I believe lawmakers can always stand on the side of those in need and speak up for their beliefs. I dont understand how Yoons words and actions amount to a constitutional violation. To me, it just sounds like a political offensive, Kweon said. The lawmaker was seen encouraging and rallying supporters who were protesting near the Seoul Western District Court on Sunday night, calling them patriots. The DPK accused him of inciting the violent attack. The lawmaker, who is currently in Washington to attend Trumps inauguration ceremony, dismissed the DPKs claims. By Choe Chong-dae In ancient Eastern philosophy, thought holds transformative power. Master Huineng, a revered Tang Dynasty Buddhist monk, observed, "If one thought is deluded, it leads to reincarnation; if one thought is enlightened, it leads to Buddhahood." Here, thought acts as a catalyst, capable of either trapping us in cycles of desire or elevating us toward enlightenment. Huinengs teaching suggests that enlightenment is not something distant or unattainable but is accessible in each moment through the cultivation of the right understanding and awareness. This timeless concept of purposeful thought transcends cultures and time periods. Many famous sayings by prominent philosophers have inspired me. However, one that stands out is Rene Descartes' "Cogito, ergo sum," meaning "I think, therefore I am." Descartes (1596-1650) established thought as the cornerstone of human existence. For him, thinking was not merely a mental function; it was the very affirmation of one's being in the world. His iconic phrase has resonated for centuries, highlighting the power of thought in shaping human existence, philosophy and personal identity. This emphasis on the foundational role of thought in personal identity finds its counterpart in the corporate world through Thomas J. Watson. In 1914, Watson became president of a struggling company called C-T-R (Computing-Tabulating-Recording), which he transformed into IBM. On his first day, Watson adopted "Think" as the company's motto, emphasizing the importance of thoughtfulness and innovation. I want to change the companys motto to 'Think.' From now on, we will put our hearts into thinking, and through thinking, we will grow into a great and prosperous company, he declared. Under Watsons leadership, IBM embraced a culture of deep thoughtfulness, propelling its growth from a failing venture to a global technology giant. Watsons philosophy echoes the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hees famous call to Change everything except your wife and children, delivered during a pivotal 1993 meeting in Frankfurt. This speech, known as the Frankfurt Declaration, marked a transformative shift for Samsung from prioritizing quantity to focusing on quality. It laid the foundation for Samsungs rise as one of Koreas leading conglomerates. IBMs dominance was eventually challenged by a new tech leader: Bill Gates. The Microsoft founder introduced his own form of intentional reflection through Think Week, a personal retreat designed for profound contemplation. Gates used these weeks to make some of his most critical decisions, helping propel Microsoft to its position as a global powerhouse. His culture of thoughtful reflection spread throughout Microsoft, encouraging employees to think deeply and innovate boldly. Then came Steve Jobs, the iconic founder of Apple, who championed the mantra "Think Different." For Jobs, revolutionary ideas emerged from fresh perspectives. He frequently emphasized that creativity thrives when we "think different." His approach was famously visual he even kept a portrait of Einstein in his bedroom as a reminder of the power of bold, unconventional thinking. Through constant reflection and curiosity, Jobs harnessed the power of thought to create products that redefined personal technology. The influence of thought extends beyond business and into personal growth. A timeless sequence captures this well: Thoughts eventually lead to practical actions, practical actions lead to habits, habits shape character, and character ultimately determines destiny. Therefore, intentional thinking shapes not only the choices we make but also the character we build and the destiny we create. In both business and life, distinctive and innovative thinking aligns us with our core values, fostering resilience and growth. Embracing thought as both practice and principle helps us transcend immediate challenges and cultivate a broader perspective. In a world that often values speed over reflection, its essential to remember the quiet strength of contemplation. From Descartes' "I think, therefore I am" to Jobs' "Think Different," history teaches us that our thoughts are not merely fleeting reflections they are the foundation of our destiny. By embracing intentional and reflective thinking, we can align our actions with our values, foster resilience and shape a more thoughtful future. Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co. and founding director of the Korean-Swedish Association. Territorial ambitions, climate inaction, protectionism stoke concerns Donald Trumps inauguration as the 47th president of the United States has stoked fears over the possible consequences his policies could have on global stability. Trumps speech made during the swearing-in ceremony offers a worrying glimpse into what the world might look like as his approach will dominate the global stage. From military expansion and territorial ambitions to a climate policy that prefers fossil fuels and a protectionist economic agenda, Trump's second term could ignite a new era of global disarray, intensifying tensions, economic fragmentation, and environmental deterioration. One of the most alarming aspects of Trumps policies is his increasing militarization of U.S. foreign policy. Trumps push for an emergency declaration at the U.S.-Mexico border and sending troops to deter illegal migration into the U.S. sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting he may be more inclined to use force in areas of national security and foreign relations. This could further strain U.S.-Mexico relations, provoking diplomatic tensions or even possibly escalating into a military confrontation. His bid to acquire territories like Greenland and the Panama Canal shows a disturbing expansionist tendency that could reignite geopolitical rivalries. Such territorial ambitions would likely provoke strong responses from other nations, especially those with historical ties to these regions. For example, Denmarks potential response to a U.S. push for Greenland would strain relations in the Arctic, while Panama would undoubtedly resist any attempt to revisit U.S. control over the Panama Canal. The result could be a more fractured and volatile international order, where countries seek to counterbalance U.S. dominance, increasing the risk of military confrontations and diplomatic standoffs. Trumps stance on climate change represents one of his most detrimental policies on the global stage. His withdrawal from the Paris Agreement during his first term undermined decades of international collaboration on climate change. With climate change accelerating at an alarming rate, the need for global cooperation is more urgent than ever. Trump prioritizes fossil fuels and promises to eliminate environmental regulations, thus aggravating the environmental crisis and eroding international climate accords. By doubling down on fossil fuel development, Trump could undermine global endeavors to reduce carbon emissions, leaving vulnerable nations particularly those in the Global South, who are already bearing the brunt of climate-related disasters fighting for their survival. The global fight against climate change could be set back years, if not decades, as the U.S. once again becomes a primary obstacle to international cooperation on environmental issues. Trumps economic policies will focus on protectionism. His tariffs on imports from China and other countries will trigger severe repercussions. Trump vowed to set up an "External Revenue Service" to tax and tariff other countries. This would further alienate the U.S. from the international community as well as its allies. Such policies would likely provoke retaliatory tariffs from China, the European Union and other trade partners, creating a global economic environment characterized by rising protectionism, trade wars and slower economic growth. The resulting fragmentation of the global economy would harm developing nations reliant on exports to the U.S. and could lead to further destabilization of global markets. Perhaps one of the most troubling aspects of Trumps rhetoric is his attempt to glorify a past that many nations view as imperialistic. His claims that God saved him from assassination so he could Make America Great Again, and his comments about American exceptionalism suggest that he seeks to return the U.S. to a status of dominance based on a glorified version of its past. Such remarks are deeply unsettling, particularly to former colonies and countries that have struggled to maintain their sovereignty in the face of U.S. influence. By embracing this rhetoric, Trump could undermine efforts to build a more inclusive and cooperative international order. His policies could fuel anti-U.S. sentiment worldwide, particularly in regions that have historically been subjected to U.S. interventionism. This, in turn, could destabilize international relations, further complicating global cooperation on issues like trade, climate change and security. Taken together, Trumps militarization of U.S. foreign policy, disregard for climate change, economic protectionism and imperialist rhetoric create a perfect storm for global instability. His policies threaten to undo decades of progress in building multilateral institutions and diplomatic cooperation. If the U.S. continues to retreat from its role as a global leader in favor of isolationist, self-interested policies, the international community will face increased fragmentation and volatility. As we look to the future, the worlds leaders must prepare for the potential consequences of Trump's return to power, where rising nationalism, environmental degradation and protectionist trade policies could set the stage for an increasingly disorderly and unstable world order. The time to confront these challenges is now, before the impact of Trump's second term becomes a reality. By Lee Min-hyung Tier 1 suppliers, otherwise known as direct suppliers to Hyundai Motor and Kia, achieved combined sales of 90 trillion won ($63.45 billion) in 2023, which the automakers hailed as a landmark contribution to boosting the sluggish domestic economy, according to data from both firms released on Tuesday. Despite this record-breaking performance, the figure for 2024 is expected to reach new heights, driven by the carmakers strong export growth during that period. The data was compiled from a total of 237 tier 1 vendors who supply Hyundai Motor and Kia directly. The total figure is expected to exceed 100 trillion won once earnings from the carmakers tier 2 (suppliers suppliers) and tier 3 suppliers (suppliers/subcontractors of tier 2 suppliers) are combined. The parts suppliers for Hyundai Motor and Kia have been able to increase their earnings on the solid sales growth of the two carmakers, an official from Hyundai Motor Group said. They also succeeded in diversifying their sales channels to other overseas markets by leveraging their status as key partners of the automakers. According to the carmakers, around 70 of the 237 Tier 1 suppliers are listed on the local stock market, and their combined market capitalization is gradually rising, now exceeding 17 trillion won. Hyundai Motor Group highlighted their significant social and economic contributions, estimating that they generated production-related economic effects totaling 237.8 trillion won and helped create around 600,000 jobs. The group manages a 2.37 trillion won co-prosperity fund to support its partners. For example, the company operates a 100 billion won supply chain stabilization fund for its tier 2 and tier 3 partners. The Korean automaker is also supporting the aggressive expansion of its partners into overseas markets by building manufacturing facilities in key strategic territories, such as the United States, Europe, India, Brazil and Mexico. In 2023, a total of 690 tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers of Hyundai Motor Group were doing business abroad. We have played a pivotal role in helping our partners operate their stable business in overseas markets by supporting consulting services, so they can gain permission for business operation abroad, the official said. Washington feared to reconsider trade pact with Seoul By Park Jae-hyuk Koreas top economic policymakers have closely monitored the potential impacts of U.S. President Donald Trumps series of executive orders, most of which aim to put a stop to his predecessors policies. Although the new president did not make any comments specifically about Korea on inauguration day, his energy and trade policies are expected to pose a threat to major conglomerates and exporters here, as well as to the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries. The government said Tuesday that acting President Choi Sang-mok, who also serves as prime minister and finance minister, has ordered ministries to brace for Trump's tariffs and the nullification of former U.S. President Joe Bidens policies that were supportive of the renewable energy industry. The acting president expressed concerns about the establishment of the External Revenue Service, which will be tasked with collecting tariff revenue and the withdrawal of the electric vehicle (EV) mandate. By maximizing opportunity factors and minimizing risk factors in the wake of the initiation of the new U.S. administration, the government will strengthen economic stability, Choi said during a meeting with ministers and presidential aides in charge of foreign and trade affairs. Working-level officials have already been sent to Washington to figure out the specifics of the forthcoming measures and to communicate with the U.S. government, he added. On the same day, Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun also talked with Korea International Trade Association Chairman Yoon Jin-sik about ways to create an environment favorable to exporters in light of Trumps inauguration. Pangovernmental countermeasures will be taken against the new U.S. governments policies, Ahn said during a forum hosted by the association. The ministry convened a separate meeting between the private and public sectors that day to discuss countermeasures against the America First trade policies. These efforts come as Trump said in his inaugural address on Monday (local time) that he would end the Green New Deal and EV-friendly policies. With a declaration of a national energy emergency, he also made it clear that the United States will accelerate oil and gas drilling. Later that day, the new U.S. president signed executive orders to pull his country out of the Paris climate agreement and revoke Bidens plan to make 50 percent of new vehicle sales electric. In particular, he called for considering the elimination of what he termed as unfair subsidies for EVs. Additionally, Trump signed a memorandum ordering the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to review existing trade deals, while reiterating his promise to impose universal tariffs on all imports soon and threatening to start levying 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico next month. The Korea-U.S. FTA appears to be one of the pacts subject to review, given the increasing trade imbalance between the two countries. Last year, Korea saw a record surplus of $55.7 billion in its trade with the U.S. The USTR shall review existing U.S. trade agreements and sectoral trade agreements and recommend any revisions that may be necessary or appropriate to achieve or maintain the general level of reciprocal and mutually advantageous concessions with respect to FTA partner countries, the memorandum read. Despite the growing concerns about Trumps economic policies, the government expressed optimism about the growth of the shipbuilding industry, considering his plan to rebuild the U.S. Navy in collaboration with allies. The government will take advantage of opportunity factors, such as bilateral cooperation in the shipbuilding sector, in which Trump showed his interest, the acting president said. Buoyed by the rosy outlook for shipbuilders, the stock prices of major shipbuilding companies hit a 52-week high on Tuesday. Korean aerospace companies also saw a sharp rise in stock prices, driven by Trumps pledge to send American astronauts to Mars as part of the countrys "manifest destiny" in space. In contrast, stock prices of Korean EV battery firms and companies in the renewable energy sector plummeted due to the rollback of U.S. climate policies. Edward Lee, Napoli Matfia promote Mom's Touch, Lotteria By Ko Dong-hwan Celebrity chefs are rolling up their sleeves to infuse their culinary ideas into new menu items for major burger brands in Korea. The franchise companies are banking on their new creations, endorsed by famous faces, to capture attention. This is part of their strategy to thrive in the fiercely competitive burger market and attract more attention. Mom's Touch on Tuesday unveiled its new food items developed by Edward Lee, a finalist from last year's Netflix series "Culinary Class Wars." The menu now features a fried chicken dish and two new burgers featuring bourbon sauce and bacon jam as signature ingredients. These creations were developed by the Korean American chef, who draws strong inspiration from Southern U.S. cooking. Lee currently runs fine-dining restaurants and more casual dining restaurants in Kentucky and Washington. People in Korea watched me on TV only cooking fancy dishes. But I invest as much energy into casual recipes, Lee said during a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. Lee said he chose to collaborate with Moms Touch because the company had the largest number of restaurants among burger franchises in the country 1,450 as of this month. He noted that he wants to share his food with as much of the Korean public as possible. Many Koreans told me they want to come to my restaurant and taste my dishes but I do not have a restaurant here. I cannot hold a pop-up dinner for thousands of guests, either, which is impossible to do. So I have chosen this collaboration, Lee said. "I did not want to use typical Korean sauces like 'gochujang' (spicy red hot pepper paste) because that would not be unique. I wanted to bring the flavor of the United States with a twist to cater to Korean consumers' taste buds." Moms Touch will start selling the Edward Lee Chef Collection on Feb. 18 starting with restaurants in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province. Kwon Sung-jun, the winner of "Culinary Class Wars" under the stage name Napoli Matfia, also teamed up with Lotteria for the countrys quick service restaurant (QSR) market. His signature burgers for the QSR subsidiary of Lotte GRS are two kinds of mozzarella cheeseburgers. Their key ingredients are basil, tomato and mozzarella cheese which, according to Lotteria, represent the flavors of Italy and Kwons culinary style. Lotteria, which runs the second-largest number of restaurants in the country, launched the new offerings last week. Kwon runs an Italian fine-dining restaurant in western Seoul. Following his victory in the Netflix show, he also collaborated with BGF Retail to launch precooked meal products exclusively for its CU convenience store chain, which is the largest in the country. Earlier this month, KFC Korea launched a commercial for its new product, which stars chef Choi Hyun-seok. KFC's new dishes include two variations of a fried rice bucket topped with chopped chicken tenders and signature sauces. The renowned chefs joined commercials and recipe development for the major burger franchise brands here as the domestic QSR market is fiercely competitive. The competition is no longer limited to the markets largest and most popular brands like McDonalds, Burger King, Moms Touch and Lotteria. Premium brands like Shake Shack, Five Guys, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, Super Duper and Jaggers have also opened stores in Korea, fueling local demand for expensive, high-end burgers. Frank Burger, another domestic franchise claiming to offer authentic American-style premium burgers, surpassed the milestone of 700 restaurants in June and signed an official partnership with English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in October. There are also more affordable products available at convenience stores and through franchise brands, such as No Brand Burger, which is owned by Shinsegae Food. Among these brands, those advertised by popular chefs go the extra mile to make high-quality products, as these celebrities possess both popularity and expertise. The domestic QSR market remains robust, maintaining a relatively consistent customer base, while other local dine-in restaurants have experienced a significant drop in sales due to rising market prices. The unstable political climate following President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law controversy last month has led to reduced spending, with more people opting for cheaper food options offered by QSR brands. QSR industry experts stated that differentiating one's self from the competition is key to survival, and hiring chefs from "Culinary Class Wars" helps achieve that goal. Lotteria is expected to register sales of 1 trillion won ($700 million) in 2024 due to its products that successfully distinguished themselves from their rival products, a QSR franchise company official said. Lotteria last saw its sales surpass 1 trillion won in 2017. Unlike in the past, survival in the domestic burger market is now impossible without a meaningful change. The companies collaboration with celebrity chefs will likely continue this year. By Jhoo Dong-chan Woojin Industrial Systems has inked a series of deals for producing train cars over the past two months. According to the domestic railway vehicle and electric bus maker, Tuesday, it has secured three major deals within the last couple months. It signed a deal with the Busan Transportation Corp. to produce 168 train cars last month. Shortly after, Woojin also clinched an order for 108 cars from KORAIL. The company also agreed to produce 220 cars for Seoul Metro, Monday. Woojin is also boosting its presence in the overseas market. In May, the company was selected as a maintenance contractor for the A650 Heavy Rail Vehicle Refurbishment Program for the LA Metro. The company was also selected as a preferred bidder for the Inglewood Transit Connector project in Los Angeles, Calif., last August. The total project is estimated to be worth around 2.7 trillion won ($2 billion). Of that, Woojin's order is expected to be around $300 million. Woojin introduced Korea's first rubber-tire unmanned light rail system. The system is currently in operation for Busan Metro Line 4, Seoul's Sillim Line and the Incheon International Airport Shuttle Train. It also supplied the system to the Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Indonesia. The Senate quickly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state Monday, voting unanimously to give President Donald Trump the first member of his new Cabinet on Inauguration Day . Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida, is among the least controversial of Trumps nominees and vote was decisive, 99-0. Another pick, John Ratcliffe for CIA director, is also expected to have a swift vote, as soon as Tuesday. Action on others, including former combat veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, is possible later in the week. Marco Rubio is a very intelligent man with a remarkable understanding of American foreign policy, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the senior-most Republican, said as the chamber opened. Its often tradition for the Senate to convene immediately after the ceremonial pomp of the inauguration to begin putting the new presidents team in place, particularly the national security officials. During Trumps first term, the Senate swiftly confirmed his defense and homeland security secretaries on day one, and President Joe Bidens choice for director of national intelligence was confirmed on his own Inauguration Day. With Trumps return to the White House, and his Republican Party controlling majorities in Congress, his outsider Cabinet choices are more clearly falling into place, despite initial skepticism and opposition from both sides of the aisle. Rubio, who was surrounded by colleagues in the Senate chamber, said afterward he feels good, but theres a lot of work ahead. Its an important job in an important time, and Im honored by it, Rubio said. Senate Majority Leader John Thune moved quickly Monday, announcing he expected voting to begin imminently on Trumps nominees. Democrats have calculated it's better for them to be seen as more willing to work with Trump, rather than simply mounting a blockade to his nominees. They're holding their opposition for some of his other picks who have less support, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said his party will neither rubber-stamp nominees we feel are grossly unqualified, nor oppose nominees that deserve serious consideration. Rubio, he said, is an example of "a qualified nominee we think should be confirmed quickly." Senate committees have been holding lengthy confirmation hearings on more than a dozen of the Cabinet nominees, with more to come this week. And several panels are expected to meet late Monday to begin voting to advance the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously advanced Rubio's nomination late Monday. The Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee, respectively, voted to move the nominations of Hegseth and Ratcliffe. And the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee advanced nominees Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary and Russell Vought as director of the Office of Management and Budget, but with opposition. Rubio, a well-liked senator and former Trump rival during the 2016 presidential race, has drawn closer to the president in recent years. He appeared last week to answer questions before the Foreign Relations Committee, where he has spent more than a decade as a member. As secretary of state, Rubio would be the nations top diplomat, and the first Latino to hold the position. Born in Miami to Cuban immigrants, he has long been involved in foreign affairs, particularly in South America, and has emerged as a hawk on Chinas rise. During his confirmation hearing last week, Rubio warned of the consequences of Americas unbalanced relationship with China. While he echoes Trumps anti-globalist rhetoric, Rubio is also seen as an internationalist who understands the power of U.S. involvement on the global stage. Rubio cultivated bipartisan support from across the aisle, both Republicans and Democrats. He takes over for outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken , who has said he hopes the Trump administration continues Biden's policies in the Middle East to end the war in Gaza and to help Ukraine counter Russian nomination. The Senate is split 53-47, but the resignation of Vice President JD Vance and, soon, Rubio drops the GOP majority further until their successors arrive. Republicans need almost all every party member in line to overcome Democratic opposition to nominees. Objection from any one senator, as is expected with Hegseth and several other choices, would force the Senate into procedural steps that would drag voting later into the week. (AP) A top Chinese official warned Tuesday that no country would emerge victorious from a trade war, in a speech to the Davos forum as Donald Trump returned to the White House. "Protectionism leads nowhere, and there are no winners in a trade war," Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said in a speech to the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alps. (AFP) Qatar is confident that the deal it helped mediate for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas addressed all the major issues at stake in the war, the foreign ministry spokesman said Tuesday. "We are confident in the deal when it comes to the language of the deal, when it comes to the fact that we hashed out all the major issues on the table," Majed al-Ansari told a regular press conference cautioning: "Any breach from either side or a political decision... could obviously lead the deal to collapse." (AFP) We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. On January 19, reporters learned from the Municipal Bureau of Commerce that in 2024, the total value of Hefei's import and export trade reached 379.07 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.7%, which is 0.7 percentage points higher than the national average. Among these, exports amounted to 257.23 billion yuan, up by 10.6% year-on-year, outpacing the national growth by 3.5 percentage points. In terms of foreign trade, in 2024, Hefei's exports of mechanical and electrical products reached 206.54 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 13.2%, accounting for 80.3% of the total export value and becoming an important engine driving the growth of foreign trade. The combined export value of the "new trio" representing high technology, high added value, and leading green transformationnew energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and solar cellsreached 34.84 billion yuan, ranking first in the province with a proportion of over seventy percent, and a year-on-year increase of 31.2%. Exports of electric vehicles amounted to 8.32 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.2 times, with the export volume exceeding 40,000 units, also a year-on-year increase of 3.2 times, indicating a continuous optimization of the foreign trade structure. To enhance the vitality of market entities, Hefei city has issued the "Hefei Foreign Trade Assistance Series Theme Activity Plan." Throughout the year, Hefei has organized and held more than 30 training sessions, with over 2000 participating enterprises, helping enterprises go global, secure orders, expand markets, and promote cooperation. Data shows that in 2024, private enterprises achieved an import and export volume of 196.2 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.7%, accounting for 51.8% of the city's total and contributing 25% to the city's import and export growth. As the pace of "going global" accelerates, the city's trading partners are becoming increasingly diverse. Since 2024, Hefei has been implementing the "Anhui Going Global" Action, guiding enterprises to actively explore emerging markets. In 2024, Hefei's import and export volume to the European Union was 67.97 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.7%. Source: Hefei Daily Olivia Kelleher A prosecution witness who legged it to Spain and failed to give evidence in the trial of barrister Diarmuid Phelan, who was acquitted of murdering a trespasser on his farm, has been jailed for four months. Kallum Coleman (24) appeared before a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork on Monday to face a contempt of court hearing. On January 3rd, Mr Phelan (56) walked free from the Central Criminal Court after a jury found him not guilty of the murder of Keith Conlon (36) at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght in February 2022. Mr Conlon suffered a fatal gunshot injury to his head when he trespassed on Mr Phelans land on February 22nd, 2022. Roisin Lacey, SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said on Monday that Coleman was an eyewitness whose importance to the case could not be overstated. Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford said that, arising out of the seriousness of the case, it was incumbent on Coleman to appear in court to give evidence in relation to the death of his friend Mr Conlon. His [Colemans] evidence would have been described as crucial. He had been present at the scene [of the shooting]. The contempt is of a serious nature. It was a murder trial. Ms Justice Lankford said Coleman failed to answer his witness order and went to Spain. He was due to give evidence in court last October. Ms Justice Lankford said that she was not saying that the prosecution failed because Coleman wasnt present. However, she stated that his evidence was vital given that he had been side by side with Mr Conlon. Ms Justice Lankford took the guilty plea into consideration when sentencing. She noted that defence barrister Tim OLeary had cited as a mitigating factor in the case that his client was extremely stressed and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of having witnessed the death of his friend. However, she said that many people suffer from stress or PTSD but still manage to attend court to give evidence. The presiding judge made reference to evidence she heard on Monday afternoon from Det Sgt Michael McGrath who said that he and another garda flew to Marbella in Spain on November 5th, 2024, in a bid to speak to Coleman. She said that any evidence of what occurred in Spain was not relevant to the hearing. Dt Sgt McGrath had told her that when they found Coleman at a hotel in Marbella on November 6th, they told him a bench warrant had been issued for him. He said that Coleman said he wanted to come back to deal with the arrest warrant. However, when they were on the way to the airport and stopped to get refreshments Coleman exited the car and ran. Dt Sgt McGrath said that Coleman had told him he would kill himself rather than give evidence in the case. He said he told Coleman it was in his best interest to return to Ireland with gardai but the young man was aware that it was a choice and that gardai were not in a position to arrest him outside of the jurisdiction. Det Sgt McGrath said that Coleman had told him that under no circumstances would he give evidence in the case. He said he would rather kill himself than give evidence. The court heard that Coleman was eventually detained by gardai when a car he was travelling in was stopped by gardai on the Naas road in Dublin on January 2nd last. Gardai indicated that Coleman was brought to Tallaght Garda Station. However, he ran out a side door of the station on to a busy motorway while being followed by gardai. He successfully escaped but surrendered by arrangement five days later. Coleman apologised for his actions. Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford said that a custodial sentence needed to be imposed in the case. She said that a fine was not a suitable option for such a serious case. She jailed Coleman for six months with the last two months suspended. She backdated the sentence to January 7th when Mr Coleman first entered Garda custody. HUGE celebrations took place in Scoil Bhride, Mountrath last week when the school was presented with new state-of-the-art Samsung tablets after winning second place in the Roscommon Mini Motion Pictures Film Festival last month. Following the schools success, their film Grannies Revenge received global attention. Five primary schools from Laois, Offaly, Longford and Roscommon took part in the festival at Roscommon Arts Centre, where each film was screened in front of three judges representing the Irish Film Industry, Samsung and The Arts Council of Ireland. Cathy OFlaherty from Samsung, along with Aideen McHugh of Creative Schools and Lee Williamson from Shuttermaniac Productions, presented ten new devices to the children and staff of Scoil Bhride this week. Grannie'sRevenge was created by the children after Scoil Bhride entered the Creative Schools programme two years ago. With the support of their teachers, creative associate Aideen McHugh and principal Mary Keegan, the children decided to learn about filmmaking. In the second year of the Creative Schools initiative, all students had the opportunity to work closely with Lee Williamson from Shuttermaniac to create Grannies Revenge, which can be viewed on YouTube. PRNewswire Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], January 21: Liases Foras, India's leading non-broking real estate research company, has unveiled its comprehensive report, "An Emerging Excellence: City of Nagpur," shedding light on the city's rapid transformation and its emergence as a major urban hub in India. This report delves into the broader urbanization trends across the nation while highlighting Nagpur's role as a standout metropolis driving India's urban future. Also Read | Donald Trump Inauguration: EAM S Jaishankar Joins Roster of International and US Leaders, Takes a Prominent Seat at Swearing-In Ceremony (See Pics). India is experiencing unprecedented urban growth, with its urban population projected to reach 43% by 2036. Urban centers now contribute over 60% of the national GDP, a figure expected to soar to 75% by 2030. As major metropolitan cities grapple with overcrowding, cities like Nagpur are emerging as pivotal engines of economic growth and investment. It is new urban centers, like Nagpur, that now house nearly half of India's urban population. With robust infrastructure, superior quality of life, relatively affordable living standards, and significant government initiatives like Smart City Mission, AMRUT, and UDAN, these cities are becoming attractive alternatives to strained metropolitan cities for businesses and residents alike. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for January 21, 2025 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. Strategically located at the Zero Mile marker, Nagpur's evolution into a key urban center is driven by several factors: - Connectivity: Nagpur stands as a rising connectivity hub with the Rs60,000-crore Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway, complemented by major national highways like NH 44 (Srinagar in J&K to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu) and NH 53 (Hajira in Gujarat and Paradeep Port in Odisha). The city is further empowered by a Rs10,000-crore metro network with over 40 operational stations and 30 more underway. Additionally, the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is undergoing a massive Rs7,000-crore, 2,000-acre expansion, positioning it to emerge as Asia's largest logistics hub under the ambitious MIHAN project. - Social Infrastructure: Home to premier educational institutions like IIM Nagpur and VNIT, along with advanced healthcare facilities like AIIMS and National Cancer Institute, Nagpur is emerging as an education and healthcare hub for India. - Market Overview: The southern zones of Nagpur, led by Samruddhi Circle, MIHAN and Wardha Road, dominate the real estate market, with a surge in demand for high-end residential plots, apartments and villas. - Living Environment: Nagpur stands out as India's second-greenest city, offering superior air quality and a low risk of natural disasters. Its excellent livability quotient is further enhanced by a decline in crime rates, making it an attractive destination for families and professionals. - Tourism: Known as the "Tiger Capital of India," Nagpur's proximity to prominent tiger reserves like Pench and its iconic sites like Deekshabhoomi position it as a significant cultural and wildlife tourism hub. With its strategic location, growing population, and thriving industrial base, Nagpur is poised to redefine urban living in India. Projects like the Rs30,000-crore MIHAN, the Rs60,000-crore Samruddhi Expressway, and expanding metro corridors are set to propel the city into a new era of economic and social prominence, helping the state of Maharashtra realise India's vision to be a $5 trillion economy. Nagpur's story exemplifies the opportunities within India's fast growing cities Tier-II cities, proving that with strategic investments, robust infrastructure, policy support from the government and community-centric initiatives, urban centers with strong fundamentals can achieve unprecedented growth. Liases Foras remains committed to empowering stakeholders with insightful research that not only highlights such success stories but also inspires urban planning and investments geared towards sustainable development. As India marches toward a city-centric future, Nagpur stands as a beacon of progress and potential. About Liases Foras: Founded in 1998, Liases Foras is India's only non-broking real estate research company. Our services are grounded in data and science, spanning market intelligence, risk advisory, and valuations for lenders, mortgage companies, developers, funds, and corporations. Our expertise in real estate pricing and understanding market dynamics enables clients to identify opportunities and mitigate risks effectively. With an unparalleled database covering 60 cities across India since 2003, Liases Foras is widely recognized as a leading authority in real estate research. Our unbiased, in-depth analysis and advisory services stem from a commitment to scientific principles and economic geography, offering clarity in a complex industry. Liases Foras' pioneering approach and strategic alliances ensure unmatched real estate advisory services, empowering clients with reliable insights and robust solutions. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Davos [Switzerland], January 21 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a landmark Rs1.4 lakh crore investment by ArcelorMittal/Nippon Steel for a 17.8-million-ton integrated steel project in Anakapalli, during his visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Naidu posted on X, "Met with the Executive Chairman of @AMNSIndia , Lakshmi N. Mittal, and CEO Mr. Aditya Mittal, in Davos today. ArcelorMittal/Nippon Steel has recently made a landmark investment of Rs1.4 lakh crore for a 17.8-million-ton integrated steel project in Anakapalli. This initiative stands out as one of the largest greenfield projects in recent times! #InvestInAP" Also Read | Kim Sharma Birthday: Check Out Her Fashionable Instagram Pics. Accompanied by Ministers Nara Lokesh and T.G. Bharat, Naidu met with Lakshmi Mittal, Executive Chairman of the Mittal Group, and Aditya Mittal, CEO of ArcelorMittal, to discuss the progress of the integrated steel plant. The delegation highlighted Andhra Pradesh's investment-friendly ecosystem and strategic advantages, inviting further industrial collaborations. Also Read | Parakram Diwas 2025 Wishes: Subhas Chandra Bose Quotes, Messages, HD Images, Greetings and Wallpapers To Pay Tribute to the Freedom Fighter on His Birth Anniversary. State Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics Nara Lokesh urged Mittal to consider developing Bhavanapadu into a world-class petrochemical hub. He outlined its planned port capacity of 83.3 MTPA, robust infrastructure, and the presence of the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy in Vizag as key enablers for R&D, manufacturing, and logistics in petrochemicals and green energy. Lokesh also proposed a Rs3,500 crore investment under HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL), a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Mittal Green Energy Limited, to establish a 2 GW solar cell manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh. The project, aimed at creating 2,000 jobs, received a positive response and assurances of government support. Lakshmi Mittal shared updates on the company's ventures in the state, including renewable energy projects in collaboration with Greenko to develop 975 MW of solar and wind capacity. The clean energy will power the Anakapalli steel plant, reducing carbon emissions by 1.5 million tons annually. Additionally, Mittal announced a 1 MT green ammonia project in Kakinada, aligning with Andhra Pradesh's push for sustainable energy. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) PRNewswire New Delhi [India], January 21: Mystore, the first ONDC-connected marketplace, introduces Affiliate Buyer Apps, a ready-to-go, white-labeled solution enabling big brands and enterprises to launch their own ONDC-compliant buyer apps quickly. This cutting-edge solution enables enterprise brands to further engage their large captive audience through an eCommerce-enabled sales channel on the open network. Also Read | What Are Income Tax Deductions Under Sections 80C, 80CCD, 80D and 80G? Know Details Ahead of Actual Investment Proof Submission Last Date. Powered by StoreHippo's proven Multistore technology, the highly customizable Affiliate Buyer App can be launched in just one week, significantly reducing the typical 5-6 month development timeline. Mystore's AI-powered, industry-agnostic Affiliate Buyer Apps enable enterprises like Telcos, Banks, Media Companies, AgriTech, FMCG, and Automobile Brands to create dedicated ecommerce sales channels to offer their branded products and also enhance their offerings by leveraging the fast-growing ONDC network of 3 lakh+ sellers and 2 crore+ products. The Affiliate Buyer App solutions come packed with advanced features designed to fast-track growth, enhance buyer engagement and drive conversions. Also Read | AUS-W vs ENG-W 1st T20I 2025: Top Five Performers From Australia Women Against England Women Match. Here's what brands can achieve with Mystore Whitelabelled Affiliate buyer Apps: * Leverage the ONDC Network's vast supply to engage customers and offer diverse products. * Go to market in record time with fully branded and customisable Affiliate Buyer Apps that work seamlessly across devices and networks. * Stay ahead of the curve with cutting-edge, battle-tested, auto-updated solutions that are fully compliant with the ONDC Network. * Deliver precise and relevant search results with AI-powered Semantic Search. * Scale with confidence using a secure, globally distributed infrastructure backed by industry-leading security accreditations, ensuring reliability and data protection. Mystore's Affiliate Buyer Apps also provide valuable strategic insights into evolving buyer behaviour and purchasing journeys, helping businesses stay ahead in the competitive digital commerce landscape. Highlighting the transformative power of Affiliate Buyer Apps for large enterprise businesses with a wide customer base, Rajiv Kumar Aggarwal, CEO & Founder, Mystore said, "With Mystore's Whitelabelled Affiliate Buyer Apps, enterprises can unlock the power of ecommerce without the complexities of building and managing the infrastructure themselves. Our solutions are plug-and-play, fully branded, and customizable, enabling businesses to focus on their growth and customer engagement while we handle the heavy lifting." About Mystore Mystore is an ONDC-connected marketplace that offers an unparalleled Ecommerce Ecosystem enabling Enterprises and SMEs to leverage the ONDC network to accelerate their growth. Mystore specialises in setting up dealer-network-based Quick Commerce Marketplaces for brands in record time. With its AI-enabled ecommerce solutions for smart selling (using Mystore Seller App) and buying (through the Mystore Buyer App), Mystore empowers businesses to enhance discoverability, personalize experiences and drive growth through the ONDC Network. Mystore's cutting-edge ecommerce solutions are built on StoreHippo - the leading enterprise ecommerce platform powering top enterprise brands across the globe for 10 years. Mystore enables hyperlocal businesses, SMEs, D2C brands, and Enterprises to join the ONDC Network ecosystem and explore the vast Indian markets. Built on next-gen technology, PCI-DSS, SOC2 and ISO/IEC 27001 compliant, Mystore offers a level-playing field and 360-degree ecommerce solutions to businesses irrespective of their size and industry vertical. About ONDC: Incorporated on 31st December 2021, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a Section 8 company, is an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India to create a facilitative model that revolutionizes digital commerce, giving greater thrust to penetration of retail e-commerce in India. ONDC is not an application, platform, intermediary, or software but a set of specifications designed to foster open, unbundled, and interoperable Open Networks. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1913630/3693818/Mystore_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, January 21: President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Treaty -- just as he did in his first term. It's among a slew of executive actions he signed in front of thousands of supporters at Capitol One Arena. However, the Trump administration's move against the 2015 Paris accord in 2017 was reversed by Joe Biden on his first day in office in 2021. Paris Agreement is an international agreement to combat climate change, and nearly 200 countries have committed to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius and ideally below 1.5 degrees. Each country is responsible for developing its own plan to uphold the commitment. However, the agreement is not a legally binding treaty. Trump also signed a directive to the Federal Government ordering the restoration of Freedom of Speech and preventing government censorship of free speech going forward, adding that he signed a directive to the Federal Government ending the weaponisation of government against political adversaries of the previous administration. 'Mystery' Drone Sightings in New Jersey: Donald Trump Directs Chief of Staff Susie Wiles To Immediately Begin Investigation Into 'Suspicious' Drones That Sparked UFO and Alien Rumours (Video). He further, signed more Executive Actions in the Oval Office and took questions from the press. Earlier, during his speech at the Capitol One Arena, President Donald Trump highlighted the success of his "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement, calling it the most successful political operation in the history of the country and the world. "MAGA was the most successful political operation and movement in the history of our country and the world. We are not finished yet. We have a long way to go," Trump said. Sex To Be Defined as Either Male or Female: Donald Trump Declares US Will Now Recognise Only 2 Genders, Says Will Work To Make a Merit-Based and Colourblind Society. On Monday, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. US Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump. Prior to Trump's swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th US Vice-President.After taking the oath, Trump declared that the "golden age" of America had begun and today marks the 'Liberation Day' for the country. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan attended the screening of his son Junaid Khan and late Sridevi's daughter Khushi Kapoor's upcoming film Loveyapa on Monday evening. Loveyapa Trailer: Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoors Love Story Takes a Twist With Mobile Phones (Watch Video). The Andaz Apna Apna actor looked classic in a white kurta, which he paired with blue denim. Watch 'Loveyapa' Trailer: His son Junaid was seen twinning in black with co-star Khushi Kapoor, who opted for a casual, cool black crop top that she paired with flared denim. Last week, the makers unveiled the film's trailer, which is packed with comedy, drama, and love. The trailer showcases the story of a young couple whose lives are exposed to each other after they exchange their mobile phones. Recently, Aamir shared his initial reaction to the film after watching the rough cut. "I have watched the rough cut. I liked this film. It is very entertaining. The way our lives have turned out these days due to cellphones, and the interesting things that happen in our lives because of this, have been shown here. All the actors have done a good job. When I watched the film and saw Khushi (Kapoor), I felt that I was watching Sridevi. Her energy was there, I could see it. I am a huge fan of Sridevi," Khan told ANI. The Ghajini actor also expressed his admiration for late actor Sridevi and found similarities in the performance of her daughter Khushi Kapoor. "I am a very big fan of Sridevi. I always wanted to work with her. She was a brilliant artist. She always kept her talent latent when the camera was off. As soon as the camera starts rolling, she starts showing her true talent. She used to exude an energy which I found to be similar to Khushi Kapoor's performance," he added. Loveyapa Trailer: Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoors Film Explores Gen-Z Romance With a Fun Touch of Humour and Secrets (Watch Video). Ashutosh Rana, Tanvika Parlikar, and Kiku Sharda are also a part of the movie. Directed by Advait Chandan, Loveyapa is scheduled to be released on February 7. Motihari (Bihar), Jan 21 (PTI) Bihar Police has put the salaries of 104 officers on hold for failing to hand over case files to their relievers after their transfers, disrupting investigations into 990 cases, officials said on Tuesday. According to a statement by East Champaran police, "During a review meeting of the pending cases by the SP on Monday, it was found that 104 policemen did not hand over case files to their relievers even after their transfers, hampering investigation into 990 cases. Their salaries have been put on hold and all officials have been asked to handover the case files to their relievers within 24 hours". Motihari is the headquarters of East Champaran district. Also Read | RG Kar Case: Supreme Court To Hear Suo Moto Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case on January 22 As West Bengal Govt Moves Calcutta HC for Accused's Death Sentence. Earlier, more than 53 police officers were slapped with cases in Gopalganj district for not handing over case files to their relievers even after their transfers. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Gariaband (Chhattisgarh) [India], January 21 (ANI): Fourteen Naxals were killed in an encounter with Chhattisgarh police at the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border on Monday, the Chhattisgarh Police stated. According to the police, a member of the Naxal group, who had a bounty of 1 crore rupees on his head, was also killed in the encounter. Also Read | MP Shocker: Clerk Thrashes Woman at Revenue Department's Office in Bhind, Gets Suspended After Video Goes Viral. According to the police the encounter is still underway and more details are awaited on the matter. On January 17, two Border Security Force (BSF) jawans sustained injuries after Naxals set off an improvised explosive device (IED) in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district. Also Read | Share Market Today: Indian Stocks Continue to Surge as Donald Trump 2.0 Begin, Markets Relieved as No Universal Tariffs Imposed So Far. The incident happened when in the morning when a BSF road-opening party was being deployed up between Camp Garpa and Garpa village, added the police official. The incident has been confirmed by Narayanpur SP Prabhat Kumar and detailed information will be shared by the officials later in the day. On January 16, two CRPF jawans were injured in a pressure IED blast planted by Naxalites near Putkel village under the Basaguda police station in Bijapur district. T On January 12, five Naxalites including two women were killed in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur. Several automatic and other weapons and explosives were recovered from the forests under the National Park area of the Bijapur district. The recovered weapons included one SLR rifle, one 12-bore rifle, two single-shot rifles, one BGL launcher, and one locally made Bharmar gun, along with explosives, Maoist literature, and other Naxal materials. Speaking to ANI about the South Bastar naxal encounter, IG Bastar P Sundarraj said, "Bodies of 12 Naxalites, including 5 women, were recovered in the encounter that took place at 9 pm between security forces and Naxalites on January 16." "A large number of arms and ammunition were also recovered. We are moving ahead in our goal of taking action against Naxalism," said P Sundarraj. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jan 21 (PTI) The Ministry of Defence Tuesday signed a Rs 1,561-crore contract with Heavy Vehicles Factory for the procurement of 47 T-72 Bridge Laying Tanks for the Indian Army, officials said. Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) is a unit of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL). Also Read | 'Men Too Are Victims of Marital Disputes in Divorce Cases', Says Karnataka High Court While Denying Wife's Transfer Petition. The contract was inked in the presence of senior officials of the ministry and HVF, AVNL, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh here. "The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Heavy Vehicles Factory, a unit of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited, for the procurement of 47 Tank-72 Bridge Laying Tanks (BLT) for the Indian Army at a total cost of Rs 1,560.52 crore," the ministry said in a statement. Also Read | Earthquake in Meghalaya: Quake of Magnitude 4.1 on Richter Scale Jolts North Eastern State. BLT is a critical equipment which is deployed to launch bridges during offensive and defensive operations by mechanised forces. It provides integral bridging capability to the tank and armoured vehicle fleet, enhancing battlefield mobility and offensive capability, it said. "The present case being a Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) will give impetus to the 'Make in India' initiative in defence. This project will also play a pivotal role in boosting the overall economy and increasing employment avenues in the country," the statement said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], January 21 (ANI): Delhi Police have moved an application before Rouse Avenue court for permission to interrogate two alleged associate of Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu gang namely Sahil and Vijay alias Kalu in jail. They have been arrested by the crime of branch of Delhi police in Kakrola Firing case. Also Read | BJPs 2nd Manifesto for Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: Anurag Thakur Releases Second Part of Sankalp Patra; Promises Free KG-to-PG Education, Insurance (Watch Video). Earlier, both were sent in judicial custody after police interrogation in Singla Sweet firing case. They are also allegedly involved in Triple murder case of Panchkula. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja is to hear the application at 2 PM. Police seeking permission to interrogate both in MLA Naresh Balyan MCOCA case. Also Read | Bengaluru Horror: Woman Waiting for Bus in KR Market Gang-Raped, Robbed of Her Jewellery, Cash and Mobile Phone, One Detained. Delhi police have also requested the court to issue NBW against wanted associates of Nandu Gang. AAP MLA Naresh Balyan is also in judicial custody after police interrogation. He has already moved to the High court after denial of bail by the trial court in a MCOCA case. He along with two other accused Rohit alias Anna and Sachin Chikara is in judicial custody till February 2. Meanwhile, Delhi police have already filed a charge sheet against one accused Ritik alias Peter under MCOCA. The court is to consider the charge sheet on Wednesday. Ritik alias Peter is also to be produced after expiry of his judicial custody tomorrow. Balyan, who was arrested on December 4 in connection with the MCOCA case, had previously been granted bail in an extortion case. In its January 15 order, the trial court, led by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, noted that there was substantial evidence linking Balyan to an organized crime syndicate. The court emphasized that Balyan appeared to be actively involved in ongoing unlawful activities as a member of the group. The Delhi Police had opposed Balyan's bail plea during a January 8 hearing, accusing him of acting as a "facilitator" for the crime syndicate allegedly led by Kapil Sangwan. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guwahati, Jan 21 (PTI) Four Bangladeshis, who were trying to enter India illegally, were pushed back by Assam Police, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. He, however, did not specify from which district the infiltrators were sent back. Also Read | Share Market Today: Indian Stocks Continue to Surge as Donald Trump 2.0 Begin, Markets Relieved as No Universal Tariffs Imposed So Far. Zero Tolerance for Illegal Infiltration. Under strict vigil along the international border, four Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended by @assampolice near the border and pushed back, Sarma said in a post on X on Monday. The infiltrators were identified as Md. Habil, Md. Jakariya, Md. Naim and Md. Aliul SK, he added. Also Read | Andhra Pradesh Fire: Massive Blaze Erupts in Anakapallis Metro Chem Pharma Company; No Casualties, Injuries Reported (Watch Videos). Over 210 infiltrators have been pushed back from Assam, and vigil along the 1885 km-long India-Bangladesh border in the North has been intensified since turmoil broke out in the neighbouring country last year. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, Jan 21 (PTI) NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate on Tuesday said if an "outsider" is made the guardian minister of a district not nurtured by him, such arrangement creates hurdles in resolving local issues. The remarks of Kokate, believed to be close to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, came amid a tussle between Mahayuti allies Shiv Sena and BJP over holding the guardian ministership for Nashik district. Also Read | Places of Worship Act 1991: Mathura's Shahi Masjid Eidgah Mosque Committee Urges Supreme Court To Close Centre's Right To File Counter Affidavit. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had to stay the appointment of BJP leader Girish Mahajan and NCP MLA Aditi Tatkare as guardian ministers of Nashik and Raigad districts, respectively, due to opposition from Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena leaders Bharat Gogawale and Dada Bhuse are reportedly keen to hold the position of guardian ministers for Raigad and Nashik districts, respectively. Also Read | 'Men Too Are Victims of Marital Disputes in Divorce Cases', Says Karnataka High Court While Denying Wife's Transfer Petition. "It is the prerogative of the chief minister to allot the positions of the district guardian minister. However, when a minister gets the guardian minister's post in his or her district, it becomes smoother for the party workers and supporters to get their work done. "Having an outsider as a guardian minister creates hurdles in addressing local issues and maintaining proper communication," Kokate told reporters when asked about Shiv Sena ministers expressing their disappointment over the distribution of guardian minister responsibilities. Kokate hails from Sinnar in Nashik district, while Mahajan is an MLA from the neighbouring Jalgaon district. The guardian minister's post for Nashik district has become a flash point among Mahayuti allies. Sources said Fadnavis' decision to appoint his close confidante Girish Mahajan as the guardian minister for Nashik didn't go down well with Sena and NCP as both parties have more MLAs than BJP in this north Maharashtra district, which will host Kumbh Mela in 2027. Commenting on the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh mela to be held in Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, Kokate asked, "What is the role of ministers during events like Simhastha Kumbh Mela? Most of the work is done by officials". The district guardian minister oversees the distribution of funds and execution of various government schemes in particular region. Meanwhile, sources indicated that the BJP is firm on retaining the Nashik guardian ministership and discussions are being held among senior BJP leaders. Fadnavis is likely to personally discuss the matter with Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar once he returns from Davos, sources added. Shinde, who denied that he was upset with the distribution of district guardian minister posts, had told reporters that a person winning elections for several years has the right to stake a claim for a district guardian minister post. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 21 (ANI): A man was shot dead in an alleged firing incident in the Jewel Chowk area of Jammu, a police official confirmed on Tuesday. Authorities have formed a team to apprehend the culprit. Regarding the firing incident, Jammu Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Anand Jain told reporters, "In this incident, a person named Sumit Jandial has been shot. He was attacked by his rival gang. This is not a terrorist case... investigation of the case is ongoing. The victim has died and we have formed the team, soon the culprit will be nabbed." Also Read | How Do I Speed Up My Wi-Fi? Check Out Simple Ways To Boost Your Router's Signal Strength and Get Maximum Internet Speed. Upon receiving information about the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Police promptly arrived at the scene to investigate further. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 21 (ANI): Multi-tier security arrangements have been put in place in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, as the nation prepares to celebrate Republic Day on January 26, a police officer said on Tuesday. Security forces have been deployed to prevent any untoward incidents, the officer added. Also Read | Republic Day Parade 2025 Ticket Price, Parade Timing, How To Book Tickets Online and Offline - Here's All You Need To Know. On security arrangements for Republic Day, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone, VK Birdi, told ANI,"The function on 26th January holds great importance, especially in Kashmir valley and for this, Jammu and Kashmir police have done security-related work in its various districts so that the entire security force remains on alert." "In the Srinagar district also, there is a big function on 26th January in which there is a parade and the general public participates in it," he mentioned. Also Read | Rinku Singh To Marry Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj, Engagement Ceremony To Be Held in Lucknow. The top cop also stated that security has been tightened in the areas surrounding Srinagar. "In this regard, multi-tier security arrangements have been made here as well and the security arrangements in the city of Srinagar and the surrounding areas have been made more robust and tight...," the officer added. Meanwhile, the Republic Day Parade 2025 is all set to be a spectacular celebration of India's cultural diversity and military prowess, with a special focus on 75 years of the enactment of the Indian Constitution and Jan Bhagidari. On 26th January 2025, the Republic Day Parade will start in the morning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. The President will arrive at Kartavya Path in a ceremonial buggy and take the salute during a ceremonial march past, which will include units from the Armed Forces, Para Military Forces, Auxiliary Civil Forces, NCC, and NSS. The parade will begin with a unique cultural performance, where 300 cultural artists will play musical instruments from different parts of the country. This will be followed by the march past the contingents of the Indian Armed Forces and the Indonesian contingent. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Doda (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 21 (ANI): In a crackdown on drug trafficking, the police arrested a woman in connection with illegal substance smuggling and seized 6 grams of heroin from her possession in Doda district. The accused was identified as Shakeela Begum, a resident of Sadiqabad Dak Maholla in Doda. Also Read | Robert Pattinson Opens Up About Fatherhood, Says 'My Baby's Smell Is Incredible'. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sandeep Mehta confirmed the arrest, stating that the operation was carried out earlier today under the leadership of Station House Officer (SHO) Doda, Parvaz Khanday, and DySP Headquarters, Ajay Anand. The police action follows intelligence gathered from a previous arrest, that of a man named Baber, who provided crucial information about Shakeela Begum's involvement in drug trafficking. Also Read | Share Market Today: Sensex Tanks Over 1,200 Points, Nifty Ends at 23,024 Amid US President Donald Trump's Tariff Threats to BRICS Nations and Other Countries. Upon receiving specific intelligence regarding her return to Doda, the police launched a raid, during which they seized 6 grams of heroin. Speaking to ANI, SSP Sandeep Mehta said, "An FIR was filed at the start of 2025, leading to the arrest of a youth named Baber, from whom around 10 grams of heroin were seized. During interrogation, Baber revealed the identity of a woman involved in the drug trade. Acting on this information, the police discovered that she was in Doda, and upon searching, they recovered an additional 6 grams of heroin from her possession." SSP Sandeep Mehta stated, "No individual, whether a woman, child, or elderly person, involved in smuggling will be spared." The arrested individual is now under investigation as authorities intensify their efforts to dismantle drug networks operating in the region. SSP Mehta also pointed out that the police are encountering increasing attempts to disguise the identities of those involved in smuggling, with suspects frequently misusing others' names to avoid detection. He assured that the police are diligently following leads and are committed to apprehending all individuals connected to the illicit drug trade. Authorities continue to strengthen their vigilance, with more raids planned to curb the flow of illegal substances into the area. The arrest is part of an extensive operation aimed at curbing the drug trade in the region. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Rajouri (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 21 (ANI): Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday visited Rajouri's Badhal amid the unexplained deaths reported in the village. During his visit, CM Omar Abdullah also met with the affected families. Also Read | Rinku Singh To Marry Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj, Engagement Ceremony To Be Held in Lucknow. On mysterious deaths in Jammu & Kashmir's Rajouri, CM Abdullah told reporters, "The day when we got the information, the health department along with other departments have been working to understand the causes behind such incidents... Tests were done, and we reached the conclusion that there were no bacteria or viruses - that caused those deaths." "Later, we found that all those deaths happened in three families," he added. Also Read | PhonePe Launches Extensive Campaign for Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, Offers INR 144 Flat Cashback in First Transactions. He said that the authorities are yet to ascertain the cause behind these deaths. "But, we are yet to find the reason behind 17 deaths... Since it's not a disease, police are also involved in it and they have formed a team to investigate the matter. Central govt team is also there - and we together will look into the incidents to find the reason behind all these deaths...," CM Omar Abdullah added. The health department in JK's Rajouri district is working on a war footing with health officials launching extensive screening of residents. Dr M L Raina, CMO Rajouri, said on Monday, "We have repeatedly screened the 1600-1700 houses. We have screened out 9000-10000 houses from door to door. I have on-record data, day-wise data and date-wise data. We have day-wise data and date-wise data. On the very next day of the 'unidentified' disease outbreak, we deployed our teams. In which we doing active surveillance and passive surveillance. There are our medical mobile units. There is a team of doctors from the National Health Organization. Along with that, we have a lab system too." Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday ordered the constitution of an inter-ministerial team led by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to investigate the causes of unexplained deaths in three incidents reported over the past six weeks. The Indian Army has been deployed to the area to provide essential supplies, including food, water, and shelter, to the residents. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bengaluru, Jan 21 (PTI) Karnataka High Court judge Justice Krishna S Dixit has highlighted the contributions of Brahmins in drafting the Indian Constitution, citing a statement by Dr B R Ambedkar. Speaking at 'Vishwamitra', a two-day Brahmin convention held on January 18-19 to mark the golden jubilee of the Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha, he said, "Dr Ambedkar once mentioned at the Bhandarkar Institute that if B N Rau had not prepared the draft of the Constitution, it would have taken another 25 years to be framed." Also Read | What Are Income Tax Deductions Under Sections 80C, 80CCD, 80D and 80G? Know Details Ahead of Actual Investment Proof Submission Last Date. Justice Dixit noted that three of the seven members in the Constitution's drafting committee Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, N Gopalaswami Ayyangar, and B N Rau were Brahmins, underscoring their role in shaping the nation's legal framework. Clarifying his stance on Brahmins, he said the term should be associated with "Varna" rather than caste. Also Read | Kerala: Infant Suffers Uneasiness During Flight; Dies at Hospital in Angamaly. He pointed out that Vedavyasa, who classified the Vedas, was the son of a fisherwoman, and Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana, belonged to either a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe. "Have we (Brahmins) looked down on them? We have worshipped Lord Rama for centuries, and his values have been incorporated into the Constitution," he said. Justice Dixit also mentioned his past association with non-Brahmin nationalist movements, stating that after becoming a judge, he had distanced himself from all other activities and was speaking within the constraints of his judicial position. Justice V Srishananda, who also attended the event, defended the necessity of such gatherings, responding to critics who questioned the grandeur of the convention amid widespread socio-economic struggles. "Many ask why such large events are needed when people struggle for food or education. But these gatherings are essential to bring the community together and discuss its issues. Why shouldn't such events be held?" he asked. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], January 21 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday, after a brief hearing, said it would hear on January 22 the plea of AIMIM candidate and Delhi riots accused Tahir Hussain, seeking interim bail for campaigning ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls. A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Ahsanuddin Amanullah asked the Delhi Police to come prepared with submissions on Hussain's plea. Also Read | Republic Day Parade 2025 Ticket Price, Parade Timing, How To Book Tickets Online and Offline - Here's All You Need To Know. The bench asked why Hussain had been denied bail in a single case related to the Delhi riots when he had been granted bail in nine other similar cases. "In all other 9 cases where he faces the same allegations, he has been granted bail, so why not in this one?" asked the bench, addressing the Delhi Police. Senior advocate Sidharth Aggarwal, representing Hussain, told the bench that the main assailants in the case had been granted regular bail. Also Read | Rinku Singh To Marry Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj, Engagement Ceremony To Be Held in Lucknow. Aggarwal informed that charges were framed against Hussain after three years of custody, and 115 witnesses had been cited by the prosecution, of which 22 had been examined. The bench asked Aggarwal why Hussain was pressing for interim bail instead of regular bail. "Why are you insisting on interim bail as if elections are the only thing left to be done in life?" the bench remarked. Counsel said Hussain's regular bail plea was pending before the Delhi High Court, but the Delhi Police had not even filed a counter-affidavit. Hussain, a former Aam Aadmi Party councillor, was granted custody parole by the Delhi High Court on January 14 for the purpose of filing his nomination from the Mustafabad constituency. He has challenged the Delhi High Court's order that denied him interim bail to campaign in the upcoming Delhi election. In the High Court, the Delhi Police opposed Hussain's plea for interim bail because of the gravity of the allegations, claiming he was the main perpetrator in the violence, which resulted in the deaths of several people. The High Court had noted that about 11 FIRs were registered against Hussain in connection with the riots, and he was in custody in a related money laundering case and UAPA case. Hussain was booked in the murder case of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. Violence broke out in North-East Delhi on February 24, 2020, leaving 53 dead and several injured. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Imphal (Manipur) [India], January 21 (ANI): Security personnel have been conducting search operations and area domination in the fringe and vulnerable areas of the hills and valley districts in Manipur in the last few days. A number of arms and ammunition were recovered during the search operations, officials said in a statement on January 19. Also Read | Kerala: Infant Suffers Uneasiness During Flight; Dies at Hospital in Angamaly. As per the officials, one 7.62 mm sniper rifle, five 9 mm pistols with five magazines, two SBBL guns, two no. 36 hand grenades, six live round ammunition, two shells, one tear smoke shell (chilli), and one Motorola handset were recovered from the general area of Lunkhongjang Ridges under New Keithelmanbi Police Station in Kangpokpi District. A joint team of Manipur Police and central forces carried out a poppy destruction drive on January 18 in the hill range of Y. Langkhong village under Salkul Police Station in Kangpokpi District. Also Read | H-1B Visa Under Trump 2.0: Will Donald Trumps Return Impact Indian Techies Working in US With H-1B Visas? Know Where US President, Elon Musk and His Other Supporters Stand on Issue of Hiring Foreign Talent. The team also successfully destroyed about 26 acres of illegal poppy plantation, the police said. Additionally, the police has ensured safe passage for the movement of 274 vehicles carrying essential items along NH-2. "Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and security convoy is provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles," the press note reads. A total of 106 nakas and checkpoints were installed in different districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley and no one was detained by police in connection with violations in different districts of the state, the officials said. "Appeal is made to the general public to not believe in rumours and be aware of false videos and any circulations of them. Further, an appeal is made to the public to return the looted arms, ammunition and explosives to the police or nearest security forces immediately," the note added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], January 21 (ANI): Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday released a special postcard issued by India Post Office, commemorating the 75 years of the Indian Republic and Constitution. In a post on X, Scindia said, "Visited the 'Postal Exhibition' organised by the National Philatelic Museum in Delhi to mark the completion of 75 years of the Indian Constitution and released a special postcard issued by @IndiaPostOffice on the journey of 75 years of the Indian Republic and Constitution." Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Congratulates 'Dear Friend' Donald Trump on His Inauguration As 47th US President. During his visit, Scindia also got the opportunity to see the letters written by Baba Saheb Ambedkar. "During the visit, I got the opportunity to see the historical letters written by the architect of the Constitution, Baba Saheb Ambedkar," Scindia said on X. Also Read | Bulandshahr: Retired Cop Detained in Uttar Pradesh After Video of Car Running Over Puppy Goes Viral. Scindia also met and interacted with artists and collectors associated with the field of Philately. "Along with meeting school children, there were also discussions with various artists and collectors associated with the field of Philately," Scindia said on X. Later speaking to the media, Scindia said, "Students were brought to this museum of 'philately' to give them awareness about the Constitution, philately, and India Post. Our Constitution is our book, a guide for the country to move forward on the path of development and progress. Today, when India has rapidly moved on that path, connecting the new generation to this journey with the same energy will be an important part of today's program." November 26, 2024, marked the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India as the Indian Constituent Assembly formally adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949. However, the Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950, establishing India as a sovereign, democratic republic and hence on January 26, 2025 the nation completes 75 years of the Indian Republic. In 2015, the Government of India formally declared November 26 as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) to honour the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1949. Since then, each year on this day, the nation celebrates the Constitution's adoption. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guwahati, January 21: A woman travelling by train went into sudden labour and gave birth at the Guwahati railway station assisted by railway doctors and RPF women personnel, an official said on Tuesday. The woman was on her way from Agartala to Barauni on the Rani Kamlapati Express, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) spokesperson Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said. "The passenger suddenly went into labour inside the train. On receiving information, our officials took immediate necessary steps and advised the woman along with family members to deboard at Guwahati railway station on Monday," he said. Madhya Pradesh: Woman Gives Birth on Moving Mumbai-Varanasi Kamayani Express in Vidisha District; Family Names Infant After Train. "As soon as the train arrived at Guwahati Railway Station, railway doctors along with Railway Protection Force (RPF) women personnel sprang into quick action, and assisted the woman in a successful delivery at Platform number 4 of the station," he added. Sharma said the woman was later shifted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital in an ambulance along with her husband and newborn for further medical attention. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kochi, January 21: A 11-month-old infant, who developed some uneasiness onboard a Kerala-bound flight, died at a hospital here, police said on Tuesday. The baby boy met with the tragedy while he was on his way to the home state from Qatar. Son of a couple hailing from northern district Malappuram, Fesin Ahammed, travelled to the state with his mother. Paragliding Site Closed Days After Tourist's Death in Manali. A police officer said the infant developed some uneasiness onboard the flight and he was rushed to a hospital in Angamaly soon after the flight landed at Nedumbassery airport here. Born as a preterm baby, the boy was already struggling with health issues and was being transported to his home state for further treatment, police said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Itanagar, Jan 21 (PTI) The Raj Bhavan in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday celebrated the foundation days of Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura with an event highlighting the spirit of unity under the theme 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.' Governor Lt Gen (Retd) K T Parnaik, speaking on the occasion, described the celebration as a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to foster national unity and promote a shared cultural ethos. Also Read | Republic Day Parade 2025 Ticket Price, Parade Timing, How To Book Tickets Online and Offline - Here's All You Need To Know. The event, he said, strengthens the 'Nation First' and 'One India' sentiment, while contributing to the vision of a 'viksit Bharat' (developed India). Parnaik emphasised that such events provide a platform for showcasing India's cultural diversity. He encouraged the special guests, primarily students, to appreciate the dances and songs performed during the celebration. Also Read | Republic Day 2025: Who Unfurls National Flag on R-Day? Who Is the Chief Guest? Who Are Special Guests? When Does Republic Day Parade Start? Get All Answers Here. Cultural programmes included traditional dances from the participating states. The governor expressed his gratitude to the people of Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura for their cultural contributions and commended the participants for their vibrant performances. Students from Abotani Vidya Niketan of Pachin village attended the event as special invitees, alongside many residents from these states living in Arunachal Pradesh. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ghaziabad (UP), Jan 21 (PTI) Police lodged a case of dowry death against the husband and in-laws of a woman who was found hanging here on Tuesday, officials said. Nazia, 22, was allegedly killed by her husband Altaf and in-laws in Alvi Nagar in Ghaziabad for not bringing sufficient dowry after marriage, a police official said. Nazia married Altaf 13 months ago. Also Read | Republic Day Parade 2025 Ticket Price, Parade Timing, How To Book Tickets Online and Offline - Here's All You Need To Know. Her mother Firdaus lodged a complaint against Nazia's in-laws at Ankur Vihar police station on Tuesday. According to the complaint, Nazia's in-laws hanged her daughter from a ceiling fan using a rope around 1 am on the intervening night of January 20-21. Also Read | Republic Day 2025: Who Unfurls National Flag on R-Day? Who Is the Chief Guest? Who Are Special Guests? When Does Republic Day Parade Start? Get All Answers Here. The in-laws have been absconding since Nazia's death and efforts are on to arrest them, ACP Ankur Vihar Bhaskar Verma said. Police said Nazia's alleged harassment began 15 days after the marriage. Altaf, her sister-in-law Erum and mother-in-law Shabana allegedly started harassing her for insufficient dowry. They are also alleged to have demanded Rs 2 lakh for a motorcycle, police said. Nazia tried to convince them citing her paralytic father's financial condition but the torture allegedly continued, police said. A case has been registered under Sections 80 (dowry death) and 85 (husband or relative of the husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Dowry Prohibition Act, the ACP said. Nazia's body has been sent for post-mortem, he said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jan 21 (PTI) JK Tyre & Industries on Tuesday said it has received a USD 100 million sustainability-linked loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The funding includes USD 30 million for JK Tyre and up to USD 70 million for Cavendish Industries Ltd (CIL), a subsidiary of the company, the tyre maker said in a statement. Also Read | Republic Day Parade 2025 Ticket Price, Parade Timing, How To Book Tickets Online and Offline - Here's All You Need To Know. The funding will support the company's expansion of passenger car radial (PCR) tyre capacity at the Banmore plant in Madhya Pradesh, it added. The capital would also be utilised to expand truck and bus radial (TBR) production capacity at CIL's Laksar plant in Uttarakhand, it added. Also Read | Republic Day 2025: Who Unfurls National Flag on R-Day? Who Is the Chief Guest? Who Are Special Guests? When Does Republic Day Parade Start? Get All Answers Here. The initiative aims to promote energy-efficient tyre production, strengthen local supply chains, and create jobs, JK Tyre said. "By aligning financing to sustainability goals, we aim to drive positive environmental and social impact while achieving our growth objectives," JK Tyre & Industries Chairman and Managing Director Raghupati Singhania said. "This reaffirms our commitment to sustainable development while embracing a holistic approach to bolster our presence in key product segments," he added. Riccardo Puliti, IFC's Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific, said "Sustainable manufacturing is key to realising India's green ambitions. The enduring partnership between IFC and JK Group demonstrates our shared commitment to this vision." "Our latest investment will drive climate-smart manufacturing, enhance supply-chain integration, create quality jobs, and propel India towards self-reliance in domestic production," he added. The SLL, a first in India's tyre industry, aims to set a benchmark and catalyse widespread adoption across the manufacturing sector, Puliti said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Shamli, January 21: At least four miscreants were killed and one STF inspector was injured after an encounter broke out between Uttar Pradesh's Special Task Force (STF) and miscreants in the wee hours of Tuesday, said police. The encounter broke out in the Jhinjhana area of the Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh. According to the UP STF, the miscreants have been identified as Arshad, Manjeet, Satish and one unknown accomplice and they were members of the 'Mustafa Kagga' gang. Uttar Pradesh Encounter: Wanted Criminal, 3 Aides Killed in Gun Fight in Shamli With UP STF; Cop Sustains Gunshot Wounds (See Pics). One of the gang members, Arshad, was wanted in a robbery case from Behat police station in Saharanpur district and police have declared a reward of Rs 1 lakh on him. Arshad has also committed various other crimes, as cases of robbery, dacoity and murder were registered against him. Sopore Encounter: Soldier Killed in Gunfight With Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. During the encounter, Inspector Sunil who was leading the STF team received multiple gunshot wounds and is undergoing treatment. Currently, he has been referred to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, Haryana. "The bodies of the miscreants have been kept in the mortuary," said SP Shamli, Ram Sewak Gautam. Further details awaited. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, January 21: US President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order that extended the operations of TikTok, the Chinese controlled video short sharing platform, by 75 days, during which he plans to pursue a resolution that protects national security while saving a platform used by 170 million Americans. I am instructing the attorney general not to take any action to enforce the Act for a period of 75 days from today to allow my Administration an opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans, said the executive order signed by Trump. Signed into law by Joe Biden in April last year, the bill passed by wide bipartisan majorities in the House and the Senate gave TikTok's parent company ByteDance 270 days to divest from the app or face a ban from US app stores. January 19 was the last date for this. The popular video sharing app went dark on January 18, but it restored its services after Trump promised to extend its deadline a day later. During this period, the Department of Justice shall take no action to enforce the Act or impose any penalties against any entity for any noncompliance with the Act, including for distributing, maintaining, or updating (or enabling the distribution, maintenance, or updating) of any foreign adversary controlled application as defined in the Act, said the executive order. Sex To Be Defined as Either Male or Female: Donald Trump Declares US Will Now Recognise Only 2 Genders, Says Will Work To Make a Merit-Based and Colourblind Society. Trump, in his executive order said, he has the unique constitutional responsibility for the national security of the United States, the conduct of foreign policy, and other vital executive functions. To fulfil those responsibilities, I intend to consult with my advisors, including the heads of relevant departments and agencies on the national security concerns posed by TikTok, and to pursue a resolution that protects national security while saving a platform used by 170 million Americans. Donald Trumps Priority Is America First: White House Says US President Would Take Bold Action To Secure Border and Protect American Communities. Trump Signs Executive Order Extending TikTok Operations NOW - Trump: "TikTok is largely about kids, young kids. If China is gonna get information about young kids. I think, to be honest with you, I think we have bigger problems than that." pic.twitter.com/2TZKugQzrG Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) January 21, 2025 President Trump signs an Executive Order to keep TikTok alive so that a deal can be reached pic.twitter.com/oPqrvSjaes Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 21, 2025 My Administration must also review sensitive intelligence related to those concerns and evaluate the sufficiency of mitigation measures TikTok has taken to date, Trump said in the executive order. The unfortunate timing of section 2(a) of the Act one day before I took office as the 47th President of the United States interferes with my ability to assess the national security and foreign policy implications of the Act's prohibitions before they take effect, he said. This timing also interferes with my ability to negotiate a resolution to avoid an abrupt shutdown of the platform while addressing national security concerns, he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow, January 21: A wanted criminal and his three associates were gunned down in an encounter with the Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh Police in Shamli district, officials said on Tuesday. An STF inspector also suffered multiple gunshots in the exchange of fire that took place in the Jhinjhina area of Shamli district during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, a senior police officer said. UP: Four Miscreants Killed in Encounter in Shamli, STF Inspector Injured. "On the intervening night of January 20-21, Mustafa Kagga gang member Arshad along with three others -- Manjeet, Satish and one unknown accomplice -- were injured in a police engagement with STF Meerut team. They have succumbed to injuries during the encounter," said UP STF, Law and Order, Additional Director General of Police, Amitabh Yash. "Arshad was wanted in a robbery case from Police Station Behat, Saharanpur. A reward of Rs one lakh was declared on him by the ADG of Meerut Zone. A dozen cases of robbery, dacoity and murder were registered against Arsad," he added. Man Carrying Rs 1 Lakh Bounty on Head Held After Encounter with UP Police. Wanted Criminal, 3 Aides Killed in Encounter in UP 4 miscreants were killed in an encounter by Uttar Pradesh STF in the Jhinjhana area of Shamli district; STF inspector injured Mustafa Kagga gang member Arshad along with three others- Manjeet, Satish and one unknown accomplice were injured in the encounter. They have succumbed pic.twitter.com/LmTyOep0wP ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2025 Yash said that Inspector Sunil, who was leading the STF team, received multiple gunshot wounds during the encounter and was admitted to Amritdhara Hospital in Karnal. Sunil was later referred to the Medanta in Gurugram, he added. Further legal proceedings in the case are underway, the police said. The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), an elite wing of the state police, primarily deals with organised crime and criminals. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Memphis, Jan 22 (AP) At least one sheriff's deputy fatally shot a person suspected of driving a stolen car in Memphis on Tuesday, authorities said. Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputies came across the person in a stolen car and tried to take him/her into custody near a cluster of businesses in east Memphis, said Kim Wheeler, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Also Read | Donald Trump 2.0: Marco Rubio Sworn In as US Secretary of State by Vice President JD Vance (Watch Video). The situation escalated, and at least one deputy shot the person, who died at the scene, Wheeler said. No deputies were hurt. No other details were immediately provided, including how the situation escalated and the names, ages, sexes and races of the deputy and the person who was killed. Also Read | WHO Regrets US Exit From Global Cooperation on Health, Climate Change Agreement; Hopes Donald Trump Will Reconsider Decision. Agents were collecting evidence and conducting interviews to put together the series of events that led to the shooting, Wheeler said. The TBI is the state's police agency. It conducts investigations of shootings involving law enforcement and then gives its report to the local district attorney, who decides whether to pursue charges. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dhaka, Jan 21 (PTI) Bangladesh's interim government on Tuesday said it will continue its efforts to bring deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back from India and will seek international intervention if necessary. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul told reporters at the Secretariat here that if New Delhi refuses to return Hasina, it would constitute a violation of the extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India, the Daily Star newspaper reported. Also Read | Turkey Fire: At Least 66 People Killed, 51 Others Injured After Blaze Erupts at Ski Resort Hotel in Bolu Province (See Pic and Videos). Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 last year when she fled Bangladesh following a massive student-led protest that toppled her Awami League's (AL) 16-year regime. Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for crimes against humanity and genocide. Last year, Dhaka sent a diplomatic note to New Delhi seeking the extradition of Hasina. Also Read | Donald Trump Revokes Security Clearances of 50 Former Intelligence Officials Who Signed Letter on Hunter Biden's Laptop, Hours After Taking Oath as US President. "We have written a letter for extradition. If India does not extradite Sheikh Hasina, it will be a clear violation of the extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India," Nazrul said. In that case, he said, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take necessary steps to address the matter within the international community. The foreign ministry is also making efforts and a red alert has already been issued, the law adviser added. "We are doing everything we can. The government will continue all efforts to bring Sheikh Hasina back. If necessary, international support will be sought," Nazrul said. Under the provisions of the India-Bangladesh extradition treaty, extradition may be refused if the offence is one of a "political character". Another clause said a person convicted of an extradition offence may not be extradited unless the person was sentenced to imprisonment or other form of detention for a period of four months or more. The relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus came to power. India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country. In recent weeks, Hasina has also accused the Yunus-led interim government of perpetrating "genocide" and failing to protect minorities, especially Hindus, since her ouster. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Balochistan [Pakistan], January 21 (ANI): The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has organized rallies and activities in several Baloch cities as part of an awareness drive for the approaching "Baloch Genocide Memorial Day." These events were attended by important BYC leaders, The Balochistan Post reported. Earlier on Sunday, the BYC staged a protest rally in Karachi's Malir Sharafi Goth. Numerous men and women took part, underscoring the importance of Dalbandain's Memorial Day on January 25, 2025. The purpose of the rally was to raise public awareness of the atrocities endured by the Baloch people. Also Read | Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump Share First Dance at Commander-in-Chief-Ball (Watch Video). BYC leader Sammi Deen Baloch spoke to the protesters, highlighting the Baloch people's continuous fight against systemic violence, enforced disappearances, and governmental repression. She reaffirmed the BYC's dedication to its objectives in face of harsh state repression as per a report by The Balochistan Post. Sammi Deen Baloch also brought up the police crackdown in Lyari on January 18, which resulted in the arrest of peaceful Baloch demonstrators, The Balochistan Post reported. Male demonstrators, including BYC Deputy Organizer Lala Wahab Baloch, were remanded for three days, while female captives were illegally detained until late at night before being freed. She emphasized that the Baloch people's determination to fight against injustice cannot be weakened by such acts. Also Read | Donald Trump Inauguration: US President Promises a Second Term Focused on Immigration and Nationalism, as Well as Revenge and Retribution. Similarly, in anticipation of the "Baloch Genocide Memorial Day," an event hosted by the BYC's Khuzdar Zone was held at Shaheed Razaq Chowk. BYC central organiser, Mahrang Baloch, addressed the people and described the site as a witness to the Baloch people's suffering. Mahrang Baloch brought attention to the injustices and the tyranny that the Baloch had to endure, citing Abdul Rauf's murder and the mass graves found in Tootak on January 25, which prompted the establishment of "Baloch Genocide Memorial Day," The Balochistan Post reported. She commended the strong engagement of women in Khuzdar despite the state-imposed barriers. BYC organizers Shahji Sabghtullah and Bebarg Baloch led an awareness rally in Nushki where attendees paid respect at the graves of Baloch people who have been killed as a sign of respect. A component of the continuous awareness campaign was the rally. At the moment, BYC leader Sabiha Baloch is in the Chagai district. She emphasized the significance of Baloch solidarity and unity during her visit. Historically, enemies have taken advantage of the divisions within the community, but now the Baloch's unity has made their enemies fearful, she said. According to the BYC, the awareness campaign is a vital effort to highlight the struggles of the oppressed Baloch people, raise awareness of their issues, and mobilise support for the "Baloch Genocide Memorial Day". These demonstrations and public engagements have not only amplified voices against state oppression but also galvanised the Baloch people to stand united, it said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Hong Kong, January 21 (ANI): Chairman Xi Jinping once looked supreme, unimpeachable and irreproachable. He was perched high upon a pedestal he and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) erected after he became supremo in 2012. At first, he could do no wrong, as China's economy and military might inexorably grow. However, a lot has happened since then, and the gloss of his aura has rubbed off and is now tarnished. Also Read | Vivek Ramaswamy Exits DOGE After Donald Trump Takes Charge: Indian American Entrepreneur-Turned-Politician Leaves Department of Government Efficiency, Mulls Run for Ohio Governor. Much of the reason for that has been Xi's poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasingly restrictive surveillance and control over the minutest aspect of Chinese society, unstinting support for tsar Vladimir Putin and his war machine, and his failed economic policies. Consider too that Xi and a militant CCP have done nothing to endear themselves to other nations - as China grabbed territory in India and the South China Sea, tightened the screws against Taiwan, trampled on human rights in Xinjiang, and subjugated Hong Kong. He has rubbed neighbours up the wrong way and alarmed Europe and the US. Also Read | Donald Trump Threatens 25% Tariffs on Mexico and Canada To Raise Prices for Americans. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been complicit in all manner of sabre-rattling activities and in bullying others smaller than themselves. Yet the PLA is in a degree of disarray, wracked by scandal, corruption and political interference. Commander-in-chief Xi is not filled with confidence in his armed forces. Furthermore, the PLA seems to be reacting somewhat to Xi's constant remonstrations and "meddling" with the CCP's armed wing. As an example, the PLA Daily recently championed the virtues of collective leadership in an article published on December 9, 2024. Such a plea was a direct insult to Xi, who unceremoniously scrapped recent CCP practice by elevating himself far above anyone else in the hierarchy and rolling back all the advantages that collective leadership provided in recent decades. When Xi came to power, he insisted that all decisions should "rely on a single voice of authority," something the PLA seems now to be agitating against. Amidst such unfavourable conditions at home and abroad, opposition forces are slowly stirring, although, of course, the country's Orwellian security apparatus prevents anything from breaking out into the open, at least for now. Willy Wo-Lap Lam, a Hong Kong scholar who writes for The Jamestown Foundation think-tank in the USA, believes Xi is in trouble. Indeed, Lam has identified four key opposition groups against Xi: retired Politburo Standing Committee members; fellow princelings; some military top brass; and some in China's middle class. Lam noted: "As a result, his ability to shape policy in the financial, foreign affairs and other arenas has been truncated. It might be far-fetched to speculate that Xi, the so-called 'eternal core of the party', might be driven out of office this year, but it is crucial to understand who his enemies are and how they challenge the commander-in-chief." Xi, a one-man band possessing supposed godlike knowledge and control over every aspect of policy, must take responsibility for the economic malaise in which China now finds itself. Lam asserted that "Xi's clout over economic decision-making appears to have been reduced," and he cited two Xi-led commissions - the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission and Central Comprehensively Deepening Reforms Commission - that now seem to meet only sporadically. Lam opined that this "could be due to the underwhelming results of the massive program of monetary and fiscal quantitative easing - known to Chinese officials as 'using ample water to undertake massive irrigation' - that has been executed since September". Xi's abrasive foreign policy stance also seems to be undergoing a marked change. His "wolf warrior" approach to diplomacy is being jettisoned as China covets precious exports and as the US and other multinational corporations pull out of China. Xi even sent an envoy Vice-President Han Zheng to attend Donald Trump's president inauguration on 20 January, the first time Beijing has ever sent an official to such an American swearing-in ceremony. Returning to the four opposition groups, Lam provided further details on each in his article written for The Jamestown Foundation. Former party heavyweights have been kept under tight reins by Xi. For example, they cannot hold meetings or travel around China without Xi's permission. There are rumours many of these elders have disapproved of Xi's policy directions since the Third Plenary Session held in July 2024. Interestingly, former premier Wen Jiabao and Li Ruihuan, former chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, sat either side of Xi at the official banquet on the eve of 1 October. This was a subtle signal by Xi that he is receptive to advice from former leaders. Of course, such former luminaries have no power to remove Xi, but China's leader is being forced to acknowledge criticism from elder statesmen. Princelings are another group dissatisfied with Xi. He has worked hard to marginalize those with "red genes" (the so-called princelings) as he considers them competitors to his own authority. Many have become fierce critics of Xi, particularly those who grew rich from their privileged positions and who moved overseas with their families to preserve their ill-gotten gains. It is reported many are collaborating with foreign intelligence agencies. Lam discerns that wider social discontent is rising, with anti-party and anti-Xi activities increasing. The academic noted: "These appear to consist largely of victims of Xi's policies, including those [policies] that prioritize state-owned enterprises at the expense of private capital, those that have led to mass unemployment for graduates from high schools and colleges, and those that have created the conditions for the current economic downturn. Members of the middle class who still can get foreign exchange on the black market are voting with their feet by moving overseas. This is in addition to the tens of thousands of mainly low-income Chinese who are estimated to have attempted to flee to the United States via Central America in the past year." An example of such protests occurred recently in Pucheng, Shaanxi Province after the local government tried to play down a student suicide after he had been repeatedly bullied by classmates whose families had party connections. Because the police did not want to upset local CCP officials, they tried to hush up the incident. Such behaviour led to violent protests by people angry at incessant censorship and the blatant excesses of card-carrying party members. Lam concluded: "The gradual though relentless dwindling of Xi's authority could adversely impact Beijing's plans to reflate the economy or to repair relations with the West. On the economic side, the monetary and fiscal stimulus announced since September is far from sufficient to assuage local government debt." Xi has no desire to give up the reins of power, and he will continue to grimly hold onto them through all the current ups and downs. The Hong Kong professor added, "Xi seems uninterested in changing course. The continued lack of reports on his succession planning reinforces the sense that he intends to remain in power until 2032." One wonders whether outright protest against Xi will boil over between now and then. Lam believes a number of top brass in the PLA are unhappy too, amidst mass firings and political turmoil. The PLA has held high-level meetings without Xi even being present. Examples are meetings hosted by General Zhang Youxia, the highest-ranking vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), on September 13 and October 22, 2024, an indication that Xi might be losing control over personnel arrangements. Incidentally, Zhang was the boss of General Li Shangfu and General Wei Fenghe whom Xi sacked in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Zhang is due to retire in 2027, but the impact of personnel troubles in the PLA remains a dark cloud. Lam even suggested that the current investigation of Admiral Miao Hua, Director of the Political Work Department, may be an effort by opponents in the PLA to get rid of Xi's favourite acolytes. Digging into the topic of PLA chaos, Kenneth Allen conducted a study also published by The Jamestown Foundation. He said, "It is not clear what the impact the overall leadership changes will have on the PLA's ability to conduct war if needed, but a better understanding of who the key decision-makers are provides a starting point for assessing the PLA's readiness." Xi has reduced the size of the CMC to just six members, including himself as chairman. The current CMC comprises vice-chairmen Zhang Youxia and He Weidong, and other members Liu Zhenli, Miao Hua and Zhang Shengmin. Allen noted, "Corruption apparently continues to be a wider issue that is present at the highest levels of the PLA. Most recently, Admiral Miao Hua was removed from his position as the director of the Political Work Department in December 2024 due to corruption issues, but he has not yet been replaced. It is most likely that Miao's replacement will be named in early 2025, perhaps at the next plenary session of the CCP Central Committee so that it can be done by a majority vote." Allen predicted that of today's five subordinate CMC members, only two (He Weidong and Liu Zhenli) will likely remain in the job after the 2027 congress. By then, Liu may have joined He as a vice-chairman. Changes in the CMC typically occur every five years during these party congresses. Generally, though not always, CMC vice-chairmen can serve until the age of 70, whilst other senior military commanders must retire when they hit 65, according to military law. Therefore, looking ahead to the 21st National Congress, scheduled for late 2027, Allen predicted the CMC would look very different than it does now. Note too that the defence minister is not normally added to the CMC. China has had three defence ministers since March 2018, with two being removed because of corruption charges. The current minister is Admiral Dong Jun, but he is neither a CMC member nor a state councillor. This indicates that "he wields significantly less power," according to Allen. "It also suggests that Xi Jinping is punishing the Ministry of National Defense for its being politically unreliable following the corruption charges that brought down Dong's two predecessors." It is probable too that Dong does not have direct access to Xi, but must go through a vice-chairman or other CMC member first. Such a demotion in influence does not bode well for military-to-military relations with the US if the Chinese defence minister carries little clout. Allen duly noted, "Based on the estimated age of the key leaders at the time of the 21st Party Congress in 2027, it appears that a major change in leadership will occur at the congress or within two years after the congress. In particular, the service and theatre command commanders will most likely be replaced at their own party congress two years later." Analyzing current PLA top brass, Allen listed these as ones who remain based on age: Liu Zhenli (Chief of the Joint Staff Department); Chen Hui (PLA Army Political Commissar); Hu Zhongming (Commander of the PLA Navy); Chang Dingqiu (Commander of the PLA Air Force); Guo Puxiao (PLAAF Political Commissar); Xu Xisheng (PLA Rocket Force Political Commissar); Lin Xiangyang (Commander of the Eastern Theater Command); Liu Qingsong (Eastern Theater Command Political Commissar); Wang Haijiang (Commander of the Western Theater Command); Wang Qiang (Commander of the Northern Theater Command); Zheng Xuan (Northern Theater Command Political Commissar); Huang Ming (Commander of the Central Theater Command); and Xu Deqing (Central Theater Command Political Commissar). Allen listed ten others who will retire by then, as the PLA suffers significant churn. Furthermore, the PLA's shift to a corps-brigade structure instead of the traditional corps-division-regiment structure has created difficulties in officer career paths and the chain of command. Things are not going to get any easier for Xi Jinping. Whether internal resistance from the party, dissatisfaction from the populace, or frustration in the PLA's upper ranks, it is clear Xi is struggling. His answer has typically been to double down and demand greater loyalty. Unfortunately, loyalty and respect have to be earned, and Xi seems to be frittering that away. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Davos, Jan 21 (PTI) Pitching for taking Indian food products global, Union minister Chirag Paswan has said that the Indian processed food sector has huge potential for growth in the international markets. Here for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Paswan told PTI that the food processing ministry allocated to him by Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes with a huge responsibility. Also Read | Donald Trump Inauguration: EAM S Jaishankar Joins Roster of International and US Leaders, Takes a Prominent Seat at Swearing-In Ceremony (See Pics). "Our aim is how we can help our farmers more while also strengthening the food processing industry of the country," Paswan said soon after reaching Davos on Monday evening. In an agriculture-dominated country like India, the food processing industry can play a key role in ensuring the economic progress of our farmers, he said. Also Read | Usha Vance Becomes First Indian-American and Hindu Second Lady As JD Vance Takes Oath as 50th US Vice President. Referring to the prime minister's aim to make India a developed nation by 2047, Paswan said the food processing sector will have a significant contribution in achieving that goal. "Earlier, our farmers used to face a lot of post-harvest issues, but in the last ten years we have seen a lot of new programmes that have not only provided post-harvest help to the farmers but also helped create a large number of entrepreneurs in this sector," the minister said. "I'm talking about the rural sector, not just tier one or tier two cities. I believe there are great possibilities at the international level also for our food processing sector to grow," he said. Paswan, who has several bilateral meetings lined up here in addition to his participation in the five-day WEF Annual Meeting ending on January 24, said the way Indian flavours are liked and cherished globally is known to everyone. "For centuries, Indian spices have been famous everywhere. We have so many varieties across the country from north to south and from east to west. All of these are now getting famous at international levels," he said. "At the same time, the demand for processed foods has been growing globally. If we look at the data for the last one decade, the export of processed food has grown from 13-14 per cent to 23-24 per cent. "This shows there is a huge growth potential in this sector in the global market. I'm working in that direction only, so that Indian brands get international recognition," Paswan said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], January 21 (ANI): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked his party's negotiating team to withdraw from further talks with the government if a judicial commission is not established within seven days, The Express Tribune reported. Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, Gohar Ali Khan called the formation of judicial commission critical for meaningful dialogue. He said, "If the government does not move forward on forming the commission, there is no point in continuing negotiations." Also Read | Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump Share First Dance at Commander-in-Chief-Ball (Watch Video). PTI has demanded formation of judicial commission to ensure accountability and transparency. He said, "Imran Khan has made it clear that the fourth meeting will only happen if the commission is formed within the deadline," emphasising PTI's commitment to talks and its resolve to hold the government accountable for its promises. Gohar Ali Khan has accused the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N)-led government of being uneasy regarding the demand for transparency, terming it the "Form 47 government." He criticised government's negotiation committee spokesperson, Irfan Siddiqui, for delaying the progress. Also Read | Donald Trump Inauguration: US President Promises a Second Term Focused on Immigration and Nationalism, as Well as Revenge and Retribution. PTI chairman said, "Siddiqui should not derail the talks by turning minor issues into major controversies," adding that discussions focused on law and order and should not be politicised, The Express Tribune reported. He called on the federal government to focus on talks for benefit of Pakistan. He said, "Successful negotiations mean success for Pakistan" and called for patience and mutual understanding in the process. On January 16, the PTI formally submitted its 'charter of demands' to the government in the third round of negotiations between the two sides, Dawn reported. Negotiations between the government and the PTI began in December as an attempt to de-escalate political tensions. However, significant progress has yet to be made on pivotal concerns, including the establishment of a judicial commission and the release of PTI members detained in political cases. The meeting was held under the supervision of the National Assembly Speaker and was attended by six representatives from the opposition, including three PTI leaders, and eight from the government. The opposition was represented by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, PTI MNA Asad Qaiser, Sunni Ittehad Council chief Hamid Raza, Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen chief Senator Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri, and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja. During the meeting, the government's side was represented by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui, PPP MNAs Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Naveed Qamar, prime minister's aide Rana Sanaullah, and MQM-P MNA Farooq Sattar. During the meeting, the PTI presented a three-page document detailing its demands, signed by all six opposition members present. These demands include two primary objectives: the formation of judicial commissions and the government's cooperation in facilitating legal relief for political prisoners. The PTI specifically called for two judicial commissions to be established under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 2017, each led by either the Chief Justice of Pakistan or three serving Supreme Court judges mutually agreed upon by the government and opposition.The PTI further asserted that the establishment of these commissions was essential to demonstrate the government's commitment to addressing their concerns. The party stated, "We shall not be able to continue with the negotiations if the two commissions sought by us are not agreed to in principle and constituted forthwith," Dawn reported. One of the commissions is expected to investigate the legality of events surrounding the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan on May 9, 2023. The PTI has demanded an in-depth inquiry into the actions of law enforcement during the arrest, the subsequent nationwide protests, and the circumstances under which individuals targeted high-security locations. The party also demanded a review of media restrictions and the government's internet shutdowns during the unrest, emphasising the need for accountability. The second commission would probe the crackdown on the PTI's November 'Final Call' protest in Islamabad, where tensions escalated after clashes between protestors and law enforcement. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Peshawar, Jan 21 (PTI) Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has announced plans to send a delegation to Afghanistan within two weeks to address Pak-Afghan issues, including cross-border militancy. Talking to the media on Monday, Gandapur said that terrorism in the region cannot be eliminated through operations, air strikes and use of force. Also Read | Share Market Today: Sensex Tanks Over 1,200 Points, Nifty Ends at 23,024 Amid US President Donald Trump's Tariff Threats to BRICS Nations and Other Countries. "The federal government talked about negotiations with Afghanistan over bilateral issues, but there's no success. Now, the dialogue with Kabul will be held at the provincial level. A delegation of our [KP] government will meet Afghan officials within two weeks, Gandapur told reporters. The nation has been reeling under rising violent attacks since the Taliban rulers returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Also Read | US Birthright Citizenship Rules Changed: Who Will Not Get US Citizenship After Donald Trumps Executive Order? What Does It Mean for Indian Parents on Temporary Visas Like H-1B?. The year 2024 turned out to be the deadliest for Pakistan's civil and military security forces in a decade, with at least 685 fatalities and 444 terror attacks, according to CRSS Annual Security Report 2024" issued by the Centre for Security and Strategic Studies. Gandapur said that in the next phase, a delegation of tribal elders from the province would engage with the Afghan Taliban government to strike a peace agreement. He expressed optimism that the Afghan government would cooperate with the provincial teams. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party believes in the resolution of issues through negotiations and not the use of force with neighbours, he said. The chief minister criticized his Punjab counterpart, Maryam Nawaz, for a diatribe against his party. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led federal government had made fake cases against political rivals, especially PTI leaders and workers, he said. The chief minister insisted that PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were being unfairly targeted over the Al-Qadir Trust affair. Al-Qadir Trust University offered free education to poor students, the PTI founder and his wife, who initiated that project, were targeted out of political revenge, he said. The chief minister said that Khan and Bushra Bibi believed in the rule of law despite their illegal punishment in the Al-Qadir Trust case. A court on Friday sentenced Khan and Bushra Bibi to 14 and seven years in prison respectively, after finding them guilty of corruption in the 190 million pounds al-Qadir Trust case. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has termed the chief minister's announcement to send a delegation to Afghanistan a filmi dialogue'. If they were serious for peace, they would have talked to the federal government, the governor was quoted as saying by the ARY News. If you cannot control the province, summon the military, Kundi said. You could not maintain the writ at 25 kilometres road in Kurram, he said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad, Jan 21 (PTI) The future of negotiations between the government and the opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), remains uncertain due to disagreements over the formation of judicial commissions to investigate the events of May 9, 2023, and Nov 26, 2024. Formal talks between the two sides commenced on December 23 of last year, aiming to ease the ongoing political tension and instability caused by PTI's protests against alleged electoral rigging and the arrests of its members and leaders. Also Read | Share Market Today: Sensex Tanks Over 1,200 Points, Nifty Ends at 23,024 Amid US President Donald Trump's Tariff Threats to BRICS Nations and Other Countries. PTI presented its charter of demands during the third round of talks held on Jan 16, giving the government a seven-day timeline to set up two judicial commissions to probe the incidents of May 9, 2023 and Nov 26, 2024. The key demand has become a sticking point, as the government has yet to agree to form the commissions. In response, PTI's incarcerated leader Imran Khan has instructed his party to withdraw from the talks if the demand is not fulfilled. Also Read | US Birthright Citizenship Rules Changed: Who Will Not Get US Citizenship After Donald Trumps Executive Order? What Does It Mean for Indian Parents on Temporary Visas Like H-1B?. PTI chief Gohar Ali Khan told the media on Monday outside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail that Khan had directed the negotiating team to withdraw from talks if the judicial commission was not formed within seven days. Khan, 72, has been lodged at the Adiala Jail since mid-2023 in multiple cases. Emphasising that the establishment of the judicial commission was critical for a meaningful dialogue, Gohar said if the government did not move forward on forming the commissions, there was no point in continuing the negotiations. Gohar said there wouldn't be a fourth round of talks if the commissions were not constituted. However, he added that the PTI team would wait for seven days for a response from the government side. On May 9, 2023, violent protests erupted after the arrest of Khan by paramilitary Rangers from the premises of the Islamabad High Court. His party workers vandalised a dozen military installations, including the Jinnah House (Lahore Corps Commander house), and the ISI building in Faisalabad. Khan had said he was implicated in the May 9 cases as a result of a "well-orchestrated plan" to "harass" him for political reasons. On November 13 last year, Khan issued a final call for nationwide protests on November 26, demanding the restoration of the PTI's electoral mandate, the release of detained party members, and the reversal of the 26th constitutional amendment. Responding to his call, thousands of PTI workers reached Islamabad but faced a crackdown by police, which forcibly dispersed them while arresting more than 1,400. Meanwhile, the government's negotiation committee was mulling over extending its seven-day deadline by another week to submit its response to the PTI demands, said Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the spokesperson for the government's negotiation committee. "Currently, the seven parties, included in the government committee, are in the process of mutual consultation and seeking guidance from their respective leaderships," Senator Siddiqui posted on X on Monday, adding that "it may take another week to prepare the final response". His statement came against the backdrop of several reports that claimed that the government side's response was ready and it had decided not to constitute a judicial commission on the May 9 incident. Siddiqui refuted the reports, terming them "baseless" and asserting that there was no truth in the news. PTI has earlier announced to conclude the talks by January 31, however, the deadline is unlikely to be met due to the current differences over the core demands. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jinsafut (West Bank), Jan 21 (AP) Shortly after suspected Jewish settlers stormed Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank late Monday, setting cars and property ablaze, US President Donald Trump cancelled sanctions against Israelis accused of violence in the territory. The reversal of the Biden administration's sanctions, which were meant to punish radical settlers, could set the tone for a presidency that is expected to be more tolerant of Israel's expansion of settlements and of violence toward Palestinians. Also Read | Turkey Fire: At Least 66 People Killed, 51 Others Injured After Blaze Erupts at Ski Resort Hotel in Bolu Province (See Pic and Videos). In Trump's previous term he lavished support on Israel, and he has once again surrounded himself with aides who back the settlers. Settler leaders rushed to praise Trump's decision on the sanctions, which were first imposed nearly a year ago as violence surged during the war in Gaza. Also Read | Donald Trump Revokes Security Clearances of 50 Former Intelligence Officials Who Signed Letter on Hunter Biden's Laptop, Hours After Taking Oath as US President. The sanctions were later expanded to include other Israelis seen as violent or radical. Finance Minister and settler firebrand Bezalel Smotrich called it a just decision, saying the sanctions were a severe and blatant foreign intervention. In a post on social media platform X, he went on to praise Trump's unwavering and uncompromising support for the state of Israel. The West Bank's 3 million Palestinians already live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority administering cities and towns. Smotrich and other hard-line settler leaders want Israel to annex the West Bank and rebuild settlements in Gaza, territories that Israel seized during the 1967 Mideast war. Palestinians want both territories for a future state and have long viewed the settlements as a major obstacle to peace, while the international community overwhelmingly considers them illegal. There are more than 500,000 settlers in the West Bank who have Israeli citizenship. Late Monday, dozens of masked men who are widely believed to be settlers marauded through at least two Palestinian villages and attacked homes and businesses, according to officials in Jinsafut and Al-Funduq, which are roughly 30 miles (50 kilometres) north of Jerusalem. The Palestinian Red Crescent said it treated 12 people who were beaten by the men. It gave no details on their condition. Israel's military said the men hurled rocks at soldiers who had arrived to disperse them, and that it had launched an investigation. Violence has surged in the West Bank during the Gaza war, so it was not clear if the attack had any link to the inauguration. On Tuesday, meanwhile, Israel launched a deadly raid on the Jenin refugee camp. Jalal Bashir, the head of Jinsafut's village council, said that the men attacked three houses, a nursery and a carpentry shop located on the village's main road. Louay Tayem, head of the local council in Al-Funduq, said dozens of men had fired shots, thrown stones, burned cars, and attacked homes and shops. The settlers were masked and had incendiary materials, said Bashir. Their numbers were large and unprecedented. On Tuesday, the charred shells of cars lay on the side of the road in Jinsafut and residents surveyed the damage to a burned storage space. Growing impunity, even after Biden's sanctions Biden's executive order against the settlers marked a rare break with America's closest Middle East ally, and signalled his frustration with what critics say is Israel's leniency in dealing with violent settlers. Rights groups say that impunity has deepened since Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz exempted settlers from what is known as administrative detention Israel's practice of detaining individuals on security grounds without charge or trial which is routinely used against Palestinians. Katz, who freed all Israelis held in administrative detention just last week, said those behind Monday's attack should be held accountable in Israel's more transparent criminal justice system. Palestinian residents, meanwhile, are tried in Israeli military courts. Biden's sanctions were aimed at settlers who were involved in acts of violence, as well as threats against and attempts to destroy or seize Palestinian property. They later were broadened to include other groups, including Tzav 9, an activist organisation that was accused of disrupting the flow of aid into Gaza by trying to block trucks heading into the territory. Reut Ben-Chaim, a mother of eight who founded the group and was then slapped with sanctions that crippled her wellness company and prohibited her access to credit cards or banking apps, welcomed Trump's step. We have heard in the last few days that the Trump administration is going to be the most pro-Israel there has been, she told The Associated Press. These actions, such as the removal of the sanctions these are actions that already mark the way forward. Support for Israel could clash with wider ambitions Trump has long boasted of his support for Israel, but he has also pledged to end wars in the Middle East that could require exerting some pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Even before taking office, Trump appears to have pressed Netanyahu to accept a Gaza ceasefire agreement with Hamas that strongly resembled one the Biden administration had been pushing for months. Trump has also said he hopes to bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords, under which the United Arab Emirates and other Arab countries forged ties with Israel during his first term. The Saudis have said they will only sign such a historic agreement if it includes a pathway to a Palestinian state a nonstarter for Netanyahu's government. During his first term, Trump moved the American embassy to Jerusalem, recognised Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights which it captured from Syria in the 1967 war and presented a Mideast peace plan that was seen as overwhelmingly favourable to Israel. He also let settlement construction in the West Bank surge unchecked. But he seemed at the time to have tapped the brakes on Netanyahu's plans to annex large parts of the West Bank, something Israel's far-right settlers have demanded for years. Netanyahu said he temporarily shelved the idea as part of the agreement with the UAE. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ankara, Jan 22 (AP) Turkish authorities on Tuesday arrested the leader of a far-right opposition party on charges of inciting violence through a series of anti-refugee posts on social media, his party said. Umit Ozdag, the leader of Turkiye's anti-immigrant Victory Party, was detained by police on Monday as part of an investigation into allegations that he insulted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a speech he delivered a day earlier. Also Read | Donald Trump 2.0: Marco Rubio Sworn In as US Secretary of State by Vice President JD Vance (Watch Video). The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's office, however, released Ozdag from custody on charges of insulting the president but subsequently ordered his arrest on charges of "inciting hatred and hostility among the public", the party said. Prosecutors presented 11 of the politician's posts on X as evidence against him, the party said. Also Read | WHO Regrets US Exit From Global Cooperation on Health, Climate Change Agreement; Hopes Donald Trump Will Reconsider Decision. The prosecutor's office also held Ozdag responsible for anti-Syrian refugee rioting that erupted in the central Turkish province of Kayseri last year, during which hundreds of homes and businesses were attacked. Ekrem Imamoglu, the popular mayor of Istanbul who is seen as a possible candidate to challenge Erdogan in the next elections, criticised Ozdag's arrest, saying on X that "Everyone knows that this is political meddling in the judiciary". Imamoglu, who is a member of Turkiye's main opposition party, was convicted of insulting members of Turkiey's electoral board in 2022 and faces a two-year ban from politics if his conviction is upheld by a court of appeals. Ozdag, a 63-year-old former academic, is an outspoken critic of Turkiey's refugee policies and has called for the repatriation of millions of Syrian refugees. The politician was being taken to Silivri prison on the outskirts of Istanbul, according to his party. Mehmet Ali Sehirlioglu, the party's spokesman, would temporarily assume leadership of the Victory Party. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jerusalem, Jan 21 (AP) Residents of Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank say Israeli settlers have rampaged through their communities and set a large fire. Officials in Jinsafut and Al-Funduq, two villages roughly 50 km north of Jerusalem, said that dozens of settlers had attacked homes and local businesses. Also Read | US President Donald Trump Says Will Take Back Panama Canal and Leave Paris Climate Accord (Watch Video). Jalal Bashir, the head of Jinsafut's village council, said that settlers burned three houses, a nursery and a carpentry shop located on the village's main road. Northward in Al-Funduq, Louay Tayem, head of the local council, said dozens of Israeli settlers had fired shots, thrown stones at homes and burned cars, homes and shops. Also Read | US President Donald Trump Announces National Emergency at Southern Border, Tariff Body. The Palestinian Red Crescent said it treated 12 people who were beaten by settlers. It gave no details on their conditions. Israel's military said it dispersed the settlers and launched an investigation. The West Bank has seen a surge in settler rioting and violence since October 7, 2023. Rights groups say that arrests for settler violence are rare, and prosecutions even rarer. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported 1,432 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians that resulted in casualties or property damage in 2024, and additional attacks in and near Nablus last week. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Prashant Tamang has blown minds in Paatal Lok 2, playing the chillingly intense sniper Daniel Lecho. A true scene-stealer, Tamang brought a captivating mix of calm and chaos to his role, leaving fans obsessed. But did you know this multi-talented man is not just an actor? Hailing from Darjeeling, Prashant first rose to fame as the winner of Indian Idol 3! His journey from a singing sensation to an actor dominating screens is nothing short of inspiring. With his razor-sharp performance in the show, Tamang has proved hes a force to reckon with. Lets hope for more iconic roles soon! Read more to know about Prashant Tamang. Paatal Lok Season 2 Review: An Excellent Jaideep Ahlawat Shoulders This Toned-Down Yet Thrilling Return to Political Chaos and Hell! (LatestLY Exclusive). From Darjeeling to the Spotlight Prashant Tamang, born in Darjeeling, West Bengal, faced early struggles after losing his father. Leaving school, he joined the Kolkata Police, where his talent for singing shone in the police orchestra, setting the stage for his future. Meet Prasant Tamang Prashant Tamang, winner of Indian Idol season 3 pic.twitter.com/RCxrK8SXWw Pookie Monster (@mishraverse) January 20, 2025 Rising to Fame with Indian Idol Prashants life took a turn when he auditioned for Indian Idol 3. Battling through fierce competition, he emerged as the winner, gaining national fame. Now, his intense portrayal of sniper Daniel Lecho in Paatal Lok 2 has solidified his position as a multi-talented star. Paatal Lok Season 2 Review: Critics Praise Jaideep Ahlawats Crime Thriller Series on Prime Video. Prashant Tamang In Indian Idol 3 Here's Daniel from Paatal Lok, Indian Idol 2007 winner Prashant Tamang pic.twitter.com/V5tyVmD4ut Abhishek (@ImAbhishek7_) January 20, 2025 Prashant Tamang's Life After Indian Idol 3 Win After winning Indian Idol 3, Prashant Tamang signed with Sony BMG to launch his debut album Dhanyavad. The album, a heartfelt tribute, featured songs in both Hindi and Nepali, showcasing his cultural roots and versatile singing talent. Prashant Tamang And His Filmography Prashant Tamang stepped into Nepali cinema in 2009, making his acting debut with the feature film Gorkha Paltan, which was released in 2010. He followed it up with Angalo Yo Maya Ko as his second film. Most recently, he stunned audiences as the menacing sniper in Paatal Lok Season 2. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 21, 2025 03:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Prayagraj, January 21: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Tuesday dismissed the rampant speculation and rumours circulating on social media about his son Jeet Adanis upcoming wedding being a grand and extravagant affair. When asked by the media in Prayagraj if the wedding would be a Maha Kumbh of celebrities, Adani firmly responded, Definitely not! Recently, social media had been buzzing with reports suggesting that the wedding of Jeet Adani to Diva Shah, daughter of Surat diamond merchant Jaimin Shah, would see a star-studded guest list, including global icons like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Daniel Craig, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, the Kardashian sisters, Rafael Nadal, Diljit Dosanjh, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Billie Eilish, Coldplay, and even King Charles and the Pope. Jeet Adani and Diva Shah Wedding Date: Gautam Adani Shares Plan and Details of His Sons Marriage (Watch Video). Rumours also claimed that the India-England ODI at Motera stadium had been rescheduled to make way for the event, which was said to feature 1,000 supercars, hundreds of private jets, and chefs from 58 countries, with an estimated cost of over Rs 10,000 crore. However, Gautam Adani, while performing the Ganga Aarti with his family at Prayagrajs Triveni Sangam, dismissed these stories, saying, My upbringing and our way of doing things are that of a common person from the working class. Jeet too is here for Maa Gangas blessings. The wedding will be a simple and traditional family affair. Jeet Adani and Diva Shah Wedding Adanis announcement that the wedding, scheduled for February 7, would be a private, low-key ceremony in Ahmedabad came during his visit to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. He was accompanied by his wife Dr Priti Adani, sons Karan and Jeet, daughter-in-law Paridhi, and granddaughter Kaveri. At the Mela, the Adani family participated in the Mahaprasad Seva at ISKCON, where Adani is supporting the distribution of over one lakh free meals daily. He is distributing one crore Aarti Sangrah printed by the renowned Gita Press of Gorakhpur. Jeet Adani Wedding: From Travis Scott Performance to 1000+ Luxury Cars for Guests, What Reports Say About Lavish Celebrations Planned for Gautam Adanis Son and His Would-Be Wife Diva Shah. Describing his experience at the Maha Kumbh Mela as an indescribable experience, the industrialist praised the Modi and Yogi governments for their efforts in organising the event, particularly in terms of policing and sanitation. He suggested that the successful administration of the Mela could serve as a model for study in management institutes and corporate houses. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 21, 2025 10:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Mumbai, January 21: Water supply in parts of Mumbai will be affected due to a major leak in the Tansa pipeline in Powai, civic officials said on Tuesday. The leak was detected early morning near the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road bridge, prompting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to undertake repair work. The pipeline breach is expected to be plugged within the next 24 hours, officials said. Supreme Court Tells BMC: No Tree Felling In Mumbais Aarey Without Our Nod. A civic official said the BMC stopped the water supply from the pipeline. The water supply from Powai to Dharavi will remain suspended while the pipeline is being repaired, which will affect parts of S Ward, K-East Ward, G-North Ward, and H-East Ward. The BMC has appealed to residents to use water judiciously. Jaipur, January 21: In an unfortunate incident in Rajasthan, a woman who tried to die by suicide allegedly died inside an EMRIGHS-operated ambulance after the doors of the emergency vehicle got jammed for over 15 minutes. The alleged incident occurred on Sunday, January 19, in Rajasthan's Bhilwara. As the doors got stuck, officials extracted the woman by breaking the glass window of the ambulance and took her to the district hospital; however, she had passes away by then. During the preliminary investigation, it was learned that the woman tried to end her life by hanging herself at home, reports TOI. Luckily, her kin said that she was discovered on time and was immediately rushed to the hospital. The deceased woman's family said that valuable time was wasted as the ambulance's doors were jammed. They claimed that the doors were stuck for more than 15 minutes. Rajasthan Shocker: 3 Die of Suffocation From Smoldering Stove in Khairthal-Tijara District. The family further alleged that the ambulance had no oxygen facility. They also said that the ambulance staff were unfamiliar with the hospital route, which caused additional delays. When the ambulance reached the hospital, the woman was declared "brought dead". After the incident came to light, the state's health department formed a four-member panel to probe the matter. Meanwhile, EMRIGHS has denied the family's claims that the woman died due the doors of the ambulance being jammed. EMRIGHS alleged that the woman did not exhibit any vital signs when she entered the ambulance. "We possess documentary evidence substantiating this," EMRIGH said. They further claimed that the ambulance door functioned properly but malfunctioned when it reached the hospital due to several opening attempts. Rajasthan Shocker: Dalit Man Tied Upside Down From Tree, Beaten in Barmer. EMRIGHS which also conducted an investigation said that their prove revealed that the ambulance had received an emergency call at 9.51 AM on January 19 and arrived at MG Hospital at 10.13 AM. Thus contradicting the family's claim of unfamiliarity of route. They also said that the ambulance had oxygen provision with the cylinders filled on January 8. Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Helpline Numbers: Tele Manas (Ministry of Health) 14416 or 1800 891 4416; NIMHANS + 91 80 26995000 /5100 /5200 /5300 /5400; Peak Mind 080-456 87786; Vandrevala Foundation 9999 666 555; Arpita Suicide Prevention Helpline 080-23655557; iCALL 022-25521111 and 9152987821; COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ) 0832-2252525. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 21, 2025 09:11 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, January 21: The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Wednesday the matter where it has taken suo moto cognisance of the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan will resume hearing the suo moto case on January 22. Meanwhile, the West Bengal government on Tuesday approached the Calcutta High Court, challenging the verdict of a Kolkata special court awarding life imprisonment to Sanjay Roy, the sole accused and convict in the rape and murder case of the woman doctor. A division bench of Justices Debangshu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi of the Calcutta High Court admitted the state governments appeal seeking a death penalty for the convict. RG Kar Medical College Rape-Murder Case: West Bengal Government Seeks Death Penalty for Sanjay Roy in Appeal Against Sealdah Court's Decision in Calcutta High Court. A day before, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the Bengal government would move the Calcutta High Court challenging the quantum of the sentence and the state government would be seeking the death penalty for the convict. "I am convinced that it is indeed a rarest of rare cases which demands capital punishment. We want to insist upon the death penalty in this most sinister and sensitive case," the Chief Minister said in a statement. While pronouncing the quantum of the sentence, special court judge Anirban Das said that the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) contention that Roy's offence in the matter was "the rarest and rare crimes" was not tenable. Hence, the judge observed that instead of the death penalty, Roy, an erstwhile civic volunteer attached to Kolkata Police, be sentenced to life imprisonment. Apart from that a fine of Rs 50,000 was also imposed on Roy. The special court, at the same time, directed the West Bengal government to pay a compensation of Rs 17 lakh to the family of the deceased victim. It observed that since the victim was raped and murdered at her workplace, which is a state-government entity, the West Bengal government is legally bound to pay compensation to the victims family. RG Kar Verdict: Life Imprisonment for Convict Sanjay Roy in RG Kar Hospital Rape-Murder Case; Not Rarest of Rare Crimes, Says Kolkata Court. In an earlier hearing held in November 2024, the Supreme Court had remarked that it would not pass any direction to transfer the trial of the ghastly rape and murder case outside West Bengal. A bench, headed by then CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, turned down the oral prayer made by a lawyer seeking transfer of trial outside West Bengal. "Yes, we have transferred cases (of gender violence) in Manipur. But we are not doing anything like that here," it had remarked. The apex court had noted that the trial will commence on November 11 at a special court in Kolkata after charges were framed against the "sole prime accused" in the case, Sanjay Roy. The process of the framing of charges was completed on November 4, exactly 87 days after the body of the woman junior doctor was discovered at a seminar hall within the state-run R.G. Kar premises on the morning of August 9, 2024. In October, the CBI filed its first charge sheet against Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, in the alleged rape and murder case. In the charge sheet, the CBI did not rule out the possibilities of a larger conspiracy behind the macabre crime that prompted alleged events of tampering and altering of evidence during the initial phase of the investigation which was carried out by Kolkata Police. Besides Roy, two others arrested by the CBI officials in the matter are RG Kar Medical College and Hospital's former Principal, Sandip Ghosh, and the former SHO of Tala Police Station, Abhijit Mondal. RG Kar comes under the jurisdiction of Tala Police Station. The main charges against Ghosh and Mondal are for misleading the investigation when the Kolkata Police were probing the matter before it was handed over to CBI by the Calcutta High Court. Both have been accused of tampering with evidence in the case. Taking suo moto cognisance of the rape and murder case of the junior doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the Supreme Court had termed the incident "horrific," which raises the "systemic issue of safety of doctors across the country". "We are deeply concerned about the fact that there is an absence of safe conditions of work for young doctors across the country, particularly, public hospitals," it had said. The apex court had ordered the formation of the NTF (National Task Force) to suggest measures for the security of medical professionals across the country, observing that the safety of doctors is the "highest national concern". (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 21, 2025 09:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Utan, a US state, has introduced a new bill to invest public funds in Bitcoin and other digital assets. The 'Blockchain and Digital Innovation Amendments' bill was introduced by Chief Sponsor Jordan D. Teuscher, which established a framework and included provisions for cryptocurrencies. Teuscher said that the bill reflected the state's commitment to embrace the "cutting-edge technology and prepare for the future of finance while ensuring fiscal sovereighnity" The Utah's crypto bill would authorise the treasurer to engage in staking and lending digital assets under specified conditions. What Is $BARRON Meme Coin? Did Donald Trumps Son Barron Trump Launch Cryptocurrency? Find Out Here. Utah State Introduced New Crypto Investment Bill BREAKING: US State of Utah introduces bill to invest public funds in #Bitcoin & other digital assets pic.twitter.com/MePoKEzjYQ Crypto India (@CryptooIndia) January 21, 2025 Jordan D. Teuscher Said, "Utah is Proud to Lead the Way in Blockchain and Digital Innovation" Thank you, @martypartymusic, for highlighting our efforts! Utah is proud to lead the way in blockchain and digital innovation. This bill reflects our commitment to embracing cutting-edge technology and preparing for the future of finance, while ensuring fiscal sovereignty. https://t.co/4WsPkiBnk0 Jordan Teuscher (@jordanteuscher) January 21, 2025 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter (X), Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) Washington DC, January 21: US President Donald Trump on Monday, January 20 signed an executive order revoking birthright citizenship. So what is birthright citizenship? In simple terms, Birthright citizenship can understood to be a legal principle which grants citizenship to an individual born on a country's soil, regardless of their parents' legal status. The executive order to revoke birthright citizenship is aimed at ending automatic citizenship of children born in the United States to non-citizen parents. The decision is likely to affect millions of children born in the US, especially Indians who are expected to be impacted the most. Donald Trump's Executive Order To End Birthright Citizenship The executive order clearly states that a child born in the US can gain citizenship if at least one parent is a US citizen, a legal permanent resident (green card holder) or a member of the US military. Reports also suggest that children born in US before the effective date of the order will retain their citizenship as the order is not retroactive. Donald Trump's move to end birthright citizenship is part of his broader pan to reduce illegal immigration and curb "birth tourism" in the country. What Is $BARRON Meme Coin? Did Donald Trumps Son Barron Trump Launch Cryptocurrency? Find Out Here. Donald Trump Signs Executive Order Ending Automatic Birthright Citizenship US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order ending birthright citizenship to people born on American soil to non-American citizens (who are in the usa either illegally or on a temporary visa like student visa, work visa or tourist visit visa.) pic.twitter.com/T6jEgpPT9k TheElite (@TheElite____) January 21, 2025 Who Will Not Qualify for US Citizenship? "Birth tourism" is a term which has been used to describe the practice of women travelling to America to give birth so that their children can claim US citizenship. Trump also said that the "birth tourism" system has been exploited by nationals of countries with high levels of immigration to the US, including India and China. As per the order, a child will not qualify for US citizenship if the mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the father was not US citizen or lawful permanent resident in the country. Additionally, children whose mothers were present in the United States at the time of their birth lawfully but temporarily on visa and the father was not a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. How Will Trump's Executive Order Affect Indians? The executive order of Donald Trump's second tenure revokes automatic citizenship granted to children born to parents who are on temporary work visas, including H-1B or those awaiting their green cards. Donald Trump's decision to end birthright citizenship is most likely to impact the Indian-American community, which has been one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the United States. It is reported that until 2024, there were over 5.4 million Indian Americans in the US, thus accounting for 1.47 per cent of the US population. Was S Jaishankar Asked To Leave His Front-Row Seat at Donald Trumps Swearing In? Know the Truth Behind Viral Video. Revoking birthright citizenship means there would be a longer waiting period for Indian immigrants, who are already facing long backlogs for green card as their will no longer be entitled to citizenship at birth. Soon after Donald Trump signed the order, a coalition of civil rights and immigration groups filed a lawsuit challenging the move by the US President. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other organisations who have filed a 17-page lawsuit in federal court in New Hampshire said that the order is unconstitutional and illegal. Read Donald Trump's executive order revoking birthright citizenship here. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 21, 2025 02:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). By Xu Wenli () [Editors Note: This article was written by the author fifteen years ago. Now, in 2025, looking back, one may find its outlook a touch optimistic, yet the displacement theory regarding mainland China may still hold some merit. Zbigniew Brzezinskis final analysis and prediction of communism states: In the twentieth century, communism brought catastrophe to humankind, yet it also presented a painfully important lesson: utopian social engineering cannot coexist with the complexity of the human environment; only when political power is constrained can a societys creativity be fully realized. Based on that lesson, what will likely dominate the twenty-first century is democracy, not communism. Still, the ultimate demise of communism is but a historical trend; precisely when it will end remains hard to predict. The authors notion of a sweeping displacement may help us comprehend the array of events now unfolding. That displacement has already occurred and cannot be reversed; the broader trend is set, unstoppable.] Recently, Xiao Han (), a professor at the Law School of the China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing who was suspended for political reasons, offered a New Years wish on January 1, 2010: let laughter usher in the collapse of autocracy. Xiao Hans words are bold indeed, and history will confirm his prediction as a great one. Why a great prediction? At the close of last year, the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) government handed down a heavy sentence against Liu Xiaobo () and the Charter 08 (). That may well be the regimes last act of madness. During the grand military parade to mark the sixtieth anniversary in 2009, residents in the vicinity of Tiananmen were forbidden from stepping out their doors, so the Partys splendor could unfold in a sealed iron caska telling sign indeed. At the end of the Qing dynasty, despite two Self-Strengthening Movements, the economy was not poor. Yet in 1894, on Empress Dowager Cixis () sixtieth birthday, Chinas defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War forced her to hunker down in the Ningshougong (). And in 1903, the Qing court punished Zhang Taiyan () and Zou Rong () for their writings. Eight years later, the Wuchang Uprising toppled the dynasty overnight. Our present era is long removed from the Ming Dynastys closed-door isolation or the late Qings halting footsteps; change now arrives in cycles of mere decades, not centuries. Thus, what is the grand trend in China today, and where might the way out lie? Let us consider several fundamental realities and transformations in mainland society: 1 Todays CCP is already a mutated CCP; can a CCP that has lost its original character have any future? The Chinese Communist Party, originally tinged with some idealism when the Soviet Union created it in 1921, is long gone. (It is worth noting that large sums provided by the Comintern early on had already deeply corrupted the CCP leadership.) This mutation began before 1949. An even more telling sign, as historian Yang Kuisong () discovered, is that in April 1950, the CCP government promulgated a Draft Salary Standards for Central-Level Government Personnel, setting the top salary at 28.33 times that of the lowest level. In effect, top officials earned at least fifty times more than the already second-class peasants. Yet before 1949, the corrupt regime so vilified by the CCPthe Nationalist Government of the Republic of Chinahad enacted in 1946 a salary range from bottom to top of only 1:14.5 (excluding the president and five Yuans leaders). As for those Western countries so harshly criticized by the CCP, except for a handful of nations, in England, France, and Germany, including their chief executives, the difference between the highest and lowest wages stands around 810 times, while in the United States and Japan, the gap is larger yet still only around 20 times. In most cases, the higher figure applies merely to the personal salary of the president or prime minister, which may be more than double that of the next tier of administrators. In other words, in developed Western countries, the pay gap among government officials tends to be far narrower than that of officials in the so-called New China. Facing these hard facts, those who blindly extol the Maoist line will be the most embarrassed. One can conclude definitively that Mao Zedong is the primary culprit behind Chinas current social inequities (). During the three-year civil war, over ten million peoplemainly peasantslost their lives. Both the Nationalists and the Communists carry guilt: the former for mistakes, the latter for crimes. From 1959 to 1961, the unprecedented Great Famine caused the death of millions more peasants, the atrocity of a totalitarian communist dictatorship with the Red Emperor Mao Zedong at its helm. Then came the Anti-Rightist Campaign of 1957 and the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976, both of which broke the moral backbone of Chinese society and severed the source of the nations knowledge. After 1978, the process of mutation under Deng Xiaopings () leadership became increasingly blatant. In order to break out of economic hardship, the Party signaled left while turning right, recognizing citizens right to private property and renouncing the campaign to eliminate the root of all evil, i.e., Share private ownershipeffectively discarding the theory of communism. Soon, official-business collusion led to a second wholesale seizure of public wealth (the first being after 1949). The CCPs ruling elites became the most contemptible private ownersa privileged oligarchy built on monopoly. Todays one-party dictatorship is maintained by that groups entrenched monopoly. Hence, the CCP now is completely changedone might more accurately call it the Chinese Oligarchic Privilege Party. A classic maxim holds that justice brings ample support, whereas injustice yields little. How could todays China tolerate the perpetual domination of a tiny cluster of oligarchs? Can such a mutated Party have any future? A proverb says, When the name is not correct, the words will not ring true. This fundamental disconnect leads only to destruction, which is the first point. 2 Mainland Chinese society today has undergone an all-encompassing displacement. With this major shift already in place, can the Partys authoritarian rule remain stable? Over the past century, China has witnessed two sweeping societal displacements. Textbooks in mainland universities still do not acknowledgethus leaving many Chinese intellectuals unawarethat some two thousand years ago, Emperor Qin Shihuang () established a commandery system, abolishing feudal enfeoffment and centralizing imperial power, thus ending the fiefdom model of clan and tribal leaders that had spanned millennia. Since the Qin Dynasty, China entered an era of centralized imperial autocracy, lasting from Qin times through 1911, over two thousand years of imperial rule. This period is not properly called feudal society. In his essay The Confusion of Feudal, Mr. Luo Jian links the scholarship of Chen Yinke, Hu Shi, Huang Renyu, Li Shenzhi, and Wang Xuetai, offering incisive commentary. We need not elaborate here. Mainland textbooks, constrained by the CCPs once-blind faith in Marxist theories from the West and in The History of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks), continued to push the five-stage theory of human society. Meanwhile, the new generation of CCP leaders hold inflated academic credentials but lack genuine learning in the humanities, with full control of all societal functions yet no capacity to rectify such errors. Admittedly, before 1912, that imperial autocracy committed myriad evils and injustices, but it largely aligned with Chinas agrarian production methods at the time and thus achieved a mighty empire more than once. Curiously, under this imperial autocracy, there was still a degree of gentry-based clan autonomy (or community self-rule) at the grassroots, which even carried on into the Nationalist era under Chiang Kai-shek. Only around 1949, with Mao Zedongs so-called land reform, was this space entirely shut down. It is likely that only in Communist China would a bound-feet detective squad replace the gentry-based clan autonomya practice persisting to this day with red armbands everywhere during official holidays. This pervasive stench of foot-binding cloth is indeed a wonder of the world, ridiculed by all. After two thousand years of seemingly unshakable imperial autocracy, once confronted with the modern world of the Industrial Revolution, the system became immediately untenable. Around 1840, Western powers used strong ships and sharp cannons to force the moribund Qing court to end its isolationist policy and begin the first reform and opening in modern Chinese history. Western influences flooded in, novel institutions appeared in droves, a civil society began emerging, commercial guilds thrived, and private capital entered the scene. Society underwent the first major displacement. Despite the empires outward grandeur, it lost its traditional underpinnings, so its overnight collapse became inevitable. At that time, China imported something called newspapersa form of mass mediaand with it came crushing figures such as Zhang Taiyan () and Zou Rong () in the famous Su Bao Case offering an unparalleled platform for new ideas. The old order fears new ideas far more than it fears new weapons. Hence the perceptive Mr. Wang Wo can declare, Eleven years is not a prison term for some individuals; it is a death sentence for certain people. That is the second point. 3 The Internet will be the catalyst for accelerating social transformation in mainland China. For authoritarian rulers, the Internet is a war they can never win. Its essence is decentralized, without a single origin or endpoint; once you fail to smash it, you cannot block it. Like spilled mercury, it seeps into every crevice. All these golden shields and silver shields eventually become riddled with holes, to no avail. As early as the 1920s and 1930s, China had pioneers who promoted human rights concepts. Again, in 1978 and 1979, voices cried out. But only in the Internet age have human rights truly gained recognition. The CCP has been compelled to incorporate human rights into its constitution and has signed two U.N. treatiesthe International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Today, almost every blogger or Weibo user becomes a mini newspaper or news agency, terrifying the Partys rulers. In mainland China, oppositional voices engage the authoritarian regime every day; arrests cant stifle them, and bans cant hold them. Freedom of speech may well be the first forbidden zone to be broken. In terms of the future, the CCP ought to be worried, not us. Witness how Chinese mainland society has, once again, undergone a fundamental displacementone the authorities are loath to see or admit. Yet flowers drift of their own accord, waters flow of their own accord. This intrinsic transformation is not only real but deepening, already irreversible. The pivot on which one-party rule rests is steadily shrinking; the Partys sole remaining pillar is the increasingly targeted privileged oligarchy, whose corrupt officials have become street rats spurned by all. Indeed, openly cursing the CCP has long been fashionable. Perhaps the architects of the new Self-Strengthening Movement within the Party never anticipated this day; perhaps Deng Xiaoping vaguely foresaw it. When someone asked him if, in fifty years, Hong Kongs political system would be identical to that of the mainland, he demurred: By then, if were all the same, theres no need to change. What were all the same meant deserves probing. Crucially, the CCP did not willingly permit this overarching displacement. After the Tiananmen events of 1989, both Jiang Zemin () and Li Peng () attempted a return to the old ways, traveling to southern Jiangsu (the Sunan region) and rallying to eradicate the social foundation of peaceful evolution. Yet Deng Xiaoping knew that spelled doom for the Party. He undertook his famous Southern Tour, slapping down Jiang and Li in the process. The past three decades of change in Chinese society have not been driven primarily by the CCP but rather by a citizenryparticularly peasantswho were desperate from years of famine and poverty. In a paradoxical twist, the privileged oligarchy that benefited most from ill-gotten wealth would not voluntarily pull society back, for they are a host of vampires reveling in extravagance and addiction, heedless of impending floods. Thus, ironically, they are both the most significant predators and the biggest catalysts for this massive displacement. That is the third point. These three factors together portend imminent upheaval. On Chinese soil, mountain rains are about to break, and wind fills the tower. The ostensible prosperity of one-party rule is already a rotten wall awaiting an inevitable collapse. 4 A stable foundation for liberty and democracy rests on robust social autonomy and citizens legitimate private property. So, where is mainland societys current, ceaseless displacement heading? Indeed, it is quietly moving toward a new foundation. And what is that new foundation? To grasp this, we must first clarify what underpins a stable, free, and democratic stateand then see whether the hidden displacement in mainland China aligns with that bedrock. At first glance, this may seem profoundly complex or mystical. Yet truth is always the simplest thing, unburdened by complexity or obscurity. Consider: A stable democratic regime is not fundamentally shaken by mere social or economic turbulence. One does not speak of democracys shipwreck because it rests on two solid pillars. The first is broad social autonomy; the secondthe foundation of the foundationis that every citizen is equally entitled to hold legitimate private property and, in practical terms, does hold such property. Once we grasp this, we have the key to understanding why free, stable democracies endure. Take the White House, for example. The power of a U.S. President is not small, yet aside from being constitutionally granted authority in foreign affairs and defense, he cannot intervene in the affairs of each U.S. state, roughly equivalent to a Chinese province. Under a dictatorial system, this would be unthinkable. Translating state as (zhou) for the U.S. is not quite accurate; strictly speaking, each State is more akin to a nation with its own legislative, judicial, and executive branches that do not bow to the federal government. This forms the largest unit of self-governance, making the United States a Federal Republic. Add in widespread community autonomy, periodic term limits and elections, an independent judiciary, and checks from public opinion. Under these conditions, no U.S. President can ever wield absolute powerhe is effectively confined within the cage of the rule of law. In this way, a free and democratic political order takes shape and holds firm. Consider Taiwan as another example: although its democracy remains imperfect, todays elected President cannot and does not meddle arbitrarily in the affairs of Kaohsiung in the south or even in the local affairs of Taipei, which is run by his own party. Thus, local and nationwide autonomy form the bedrock of a free, democratic state. Chinese people are also beginning to realize that even car culture fosters independent, self-reliant individuals. Commercialization and marketizationhowever incompleteinevitably generate myriad autonomous entities. The tens of thousands of volunteers who rushed to assist after the 2008 Wenchuan () earthquake exemplify such a spirit of autonomous initiative. Though Chinas state-owned economy remains concentrated in the hands of very few, just as Western capital was once monopolized by only a few individuals and families, such a phenomenon will inevitably fade away. Who can reverse such a foundational shift in Chinese society? Impossible! That policies never leave Zhongnanhai () is actually good newsthe portent of the Red Dynastys impending collapse, unstoppable. Let us delve further into the second foundation of foundations. Take, for instance, Charter 08 (), which some belittle. From day one, it held its head high, boasting 303 distinguished mainland signatories at the outset. We have yet to hear that any have recanted. During the court verdict against Dr. Liu Xiaobo (), the CCP indirectly revealed that more than ten thousand people had signed it. Some supporters even proposed a plan to accompany Liu into prison in protest, described by the media as tender yet defiant. When has mainland China, in recent memory, witnessed such an inspiring scene? If the people do not fear death, how will you threaten them with it? Recall the 33 signatories of 1989how many retreated, regretted, or recanted under pressure? It was understandable. Consider the Rightists and quasi-Rightists in 1957, half a million or morearguably the backbone of the Chinese nationvirtually all were forced to confess or beg the Party for mercy, compelled to submit to Mao Zedong. Again, understandable. Why was that? Because around 1949, with land reform, the co-opting of private enterprises, the establishment of peoples communes, and the nationalization (in reality, Party-ization) of everything, the CCP, and Mao Zedong seized absolute power over intellectuals survival, from basic sustenance to raising children. Faced with such extremities, how many could possibly resist? Todays Hu Jintao () may be no less ruthless than Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, and Jiang Zemin, but he no longer has the means. The essential social displacement that began taking shape after 1978driven by commerce, markets, and private ownershiphas allowed the mainland to begin to realize If one place wont feed me, another will. Professor He Weifang () offers one example. Fan Yafeng () and Zhang Boshu (), who were also recently suspended by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, remain calm, steadfast, and unyieldinganother. Times have changed: intellectuals on the mainland once again enjoy their own intellectual property rights, personal assets, and social resources. The collective fearlessness of Charter 08, at minimum, shows that the CCPs first survival weaponlieshas already failed; its secondviolence and oppressionno longer inspires enough fear. The implications of that failure run deep. In summary, these are the two foundations of a free and democratic political system. Certainly, mainland China still has a long way to go before these foundations can support a stable, liberal democracy. Yet the fundamental displacement underway has already accelerated the downfall of the Partys red dynasty. Still, do not expect a free, democratic society to be one of absolute equality or unbridled freedom. Such a society rests on the rule of law, guaranteeing only legally protected freedom and equality of rights and opportunity without denying human differences. It protects legitimate private property earned through honest work, does not encourage laziness, and does not stifle industry. An absolute egalitarian society has no future. Natures laws cannot be defied; law grows from nature, unifying Heaven and humankind and enabling societal harmony. (For a detailed analysis, see my On the Normal Order of Human Society, written in prison in 2002 and published in Hong Kong in 2008.) 5 The contradiction between the CCPs privileged oligarchy and the citizenry is the principal conflict in mainland China today. It hardly requires argument to see that this is the central reality of Chinese society. Because this oligarchic group is tiny, it stands opposed to the larger population, including the seventy million ordinary Party members. The ease with which they amassed power only makes them greedier, sharpening these conflicts. Meanwhile, their rapacious arrogance and domineering ways will produce decisive economic and social crises, as we see with escalating public protests. Relying on brute force, the oligarchs may discover one day that they have truly become a minuscule minorityat which point their armed forces might also waver. A color revolution is inevitable. By then, unless the oligarchy splinters and concedes power, allowing freedom of speech and assembly, independent unions, and the formation of new partiesmirroring the actions of the large bourgeoisie in the Westthere will be no escape. But the current CCP oligarchy is likely far less enlightened and self-respecting than those Western magnates of old. If they do not surrender, they face extinction. Nonetheless, even an imperfect market economy gradually fosters habits of independent thought, individual judgment, mutual respect, and adherence to contracts. Day by day, people learn anew: fair dealing, equality of human rights, commercial economy is contract economy, market economy is the rule-of-law economy, live and let live, and negotiation is better than mutual destruction. Over time, water wears down the stone. A peaceful transformation is not impossibleand that would spare the Chinese from the nightmares of another communist revolution. Then we would indeed be fortunate. I believe circumstances override human will. The tide is stronger than the individual. So, how can we achieve the best outcome rather than the worst? 6 Achieving Three Possessions for Citizens () may be the key to a peaceful transition in mainland China. Change cannot wait. In my view, the path lies in continuous, unrelenting rights-defense and civil rights movements, leading to the realization of Three Possessions for Citizens. Government of the people, by the people, for the people is the core of constitutional democracy. Of this, for the people underpins the other two. Three Possessions for Citizens is simply its concrete form. This means that citizens have employment (), shares (), and property (). Have employment signifies that the nation should provide every citizen a fair chance at full employment and the opportunity to build a personal career. Of course, no society can achieve 100% employment, but only in a constitutional democracy can unemployment be minimized, and those without work receive proper unemployment aid and retraining, with an emphasis on equal opportunity. Have shares refers to the massive assets accumulated in Chinas state-owned enterprises thanks to the peoples decades of labor. After recent shareholding reforms, mainland citizens received nothing, while the privileged oligarchy seized what should have been public property. Citizens thus have every right to reclaim their portion. This must be enacted through legislation to ensure fair distribution. Indeed, this step is inevitableone that may become a major driver of transformative change. Meanwhile, we also encourage private entrepreneurs to share a suitable portion of equity with their employees, a decision to be made independently by shareholders, gatherings of employees, or free unions without state interference. Have property mainly concerns housing and land. Citizens should hold complete and legitimate ownership of private property, with the state prohibited from vying with the populace for profit or arbitrarily confiscating lawfully held assets. Naturally, we acknowledge the extreme complexity of land rights. Legislation must ensure equal rights in land ownership for all citizens, ending the perpetual second-class status of peasants. Among these, shares and property are the most potent weapons, the only real means to dissolve the trap of crony capitalism. 7 Democracy in China must be born from and take root in fine traditional values. Since the nineteenth centuryespecially under foreign oppressionsome Chinese have believed only foreign imports are good, first Mr. Marx and then Mr. Capital. They forget that we also have Mr. Chinese Tradition and a normal order of human society that forever remains in effect. When we fail to achieve harmony, it is because we defy that order; to create harmony, we must restore it. Our ancestors taught this long ago. Such things cannot be accomplished by mere toppling. The Communist Party destroyed the Nationalist Party at the cost of tens of millions of Chinese lives; after taking power, it again caused millions more innocent deaths. Repeating that pattern is reckless. We should not forget that in 1957, Xu Zhangben ()labeled a Rightist and imprisoned for twenty years for an article and a Labor Party Manifestoremarked incisively: From the holistic perspective of human nature, Marxs omission of the person reduces humans to products of an economic system, an inversion of cause and effect. Such a doctrine cannot serve as a guiding philosophy of life. Moreover, relying on class strugglea derivative of Hegelian war-driven evolutionreflects an extreme expression of human selfishness, hatred, and cruelty. While Marx inherited Germanys rigorous academic traditions, he also inherited its Prussian absolute intransigence, tinged with religious fervor. Applied to a political philosophy of action that ignores humans dual biological instincts, it engendered both a lofty ideal and a psychology of hatred: an internal contradiction that prioritizes ends over means. Meanwhile, the profound insights of India and Chinas Eastern traditions, free from religious dogmatism, extol the Great Unity of humanitarianism and the concept that Heaven and Man are One. This is the right path for humanity. Researchers believe that this single essay will earn Mr. Xu Zhangben a place in Chinas intellectual history. (Xie Yong, Qian Xuesen and His Classmate Xu Zhangben). The fusion of universal human values with Chinas longstanding virtues is the grand future for our country. Without addressing institutional issues, understanding human nature, without comprehending the normal order of human society, no fundamental solution to Chinas problems is possible. We must learn from the Wests distrust of personal authority, preference for pluralistic checks and balances, and democratic political institutions so that evildoers dare not and cannot easily do wrong. On the other hand, we should carry forward the best of Chinese culture: law following nature, the unity of man and Heaven, trust in humanity and in the innate conscience of each individual (everyone has a scale in their heart), urging self-reflection and inner responsibility. We must cultivate both character and intellect, meaning that in future China, we value both institutional constraints and moral education. Education comes first. We must accept that human society has a normal order. It cannot be violated. Chinas path forward lies in education, institutions, and that normal order. 8 The best way for China to achieve democratization and national unification is through peace, rationality, and nonviolence. Remember, in his final hour, Sun Yat-sen () implored: Peace, struggle, save China! Through scholarly forums advancing to roundtable dialogues, we seek reconciliation, systemic transition, and ethnic rapprochement between the two sides of the Strait. We must employ democratic constitutional governance to resolve the crisis of legitimacy, use Three Possessions for Citizens to steer clear of crony capitalism, and build a constitutional democracy while revitalizing Chinese culture to establish a just foundation of sovereignty. In this manner, we can achieve national unity. Concretely, we can address cross-strait realities through peaceful development under a framework of One China, Two Constitutions, Two Governments, eradicating division and confrontation. A future authorized constitutional convention can finalize a peaceful democratic transition, ending authoritarianism and ultimately forming the Third Republic of China, a new civilization defined by liberty, benevolence, and ethnic unityour optimal path to constitutional democracy and national unification. That is precisely why I, along with former Taiwanese legislator Qian Da () and the young mainland scholar of New Confucianism Kong Shiren (), jointly advocate a cross-strait peace accord. Wang Kang (), a noble encyclopedic mind whose wisdom could guide mainland China to greatness, recently said: We have not just one MosesLiu Xiaobo is the latest. Let us not allow our Moses to stand alone. Only then does China have hope. This faith belongs to Liu Xiaobo. I believe it belongs to all. I believe Chinas Shrine of Loyal Martyrs will never lack courageous souls. I believe that with worthy guides and wise men leading the way, Chinas future is boundless. (January 18, 2010) This translation is authorized and contributed by the author and undertaken by the China Thought Express editorial team. The Chinese version will be in the Contemporary China Review 2025 Spring Issue. A 40-year-old man is accused of firing multiple shots in a Wilson Borough neighborhood before fleeing and hiding out in the Palmer Township Volunteer Fire social clubs bathroom, the boroughs police chief said. Kevin Simons, of the 200 block of S. 14th St. in Easton, is charged with felony possession of a prohibited firearm; felony firearms not to be carried without a license; summary public drunkenness; and summary summary disorderly conduct. Wilson Borough police Chief Chris Meehan said the incident began around 1 a.m. Tuesday in the 1800 block of Freemansburg Avenue. Investigators were called for a reported man running around and shooting a gun. Officers found a description of the suspect, later identified as Simons, in the 1700 block of Filbert Street, but he ran, police said. He was later found hiding in the bathroom of the fire companys social club, 1710 Washington Blvd., police said. Officers retrieved a loaded pistol in the bathroom, which matched spent shell casings found at the scene, according to police. There were no reported injuries or property damage as a result of the incident. Simons was arrested and taken to Northampton County Central Booking, where he awaits arraignment on the charges. Wilson Police were assisted by the Easton and Palmer Township Police Departments. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. A plan to demolish buildings and clean up the vacant, sprawling 225-acre former campus of Rowan College at Burlington County was announced this week, along with the sale of the property to the county. Burlington County bought the property in Pemberton for $1 million from the college, which built a new campus and moved to Mount Laurel in 2017. The old campus borders the Rancocas Creek, sits in the New Jersey Pinelands and has remained mostly vacant for seven years. We are taking this action to remove blight and protect public safety, Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson said in a statement. With the property now under County control, we will start demolition work and maintenance of the property so it is no longer an eyesore and ... nuisance. The property has several large buildings that have been ransacked, including a library, empty physical education building, a 182,000-square-foot college center and an olympic-size pool. The county plans to use $4 million in federal funds to demolish the buildings and clean up the property. The decision to phase out the Pemberton campus was made by the college after determining it needed $50 million in repairs. Students also preferred the more centrally-located Mount Laurel campus, officials have said. This closes a chapter in the colleges history, which allows us to focus on our goal of helping students transform their lives through education, Rowan College at Burlington County President Dr. Michael A. Cioce told NJ Advance Media on Friday. We look forward to the campus new future as county property. The former Academic Center at the now abandoned Rowan College at Burlington County in Pemberton, Thursday, May 11, 2023.Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media Since the campus closure, RCBC had been unable to find a buyer and maintaining the property had become a challenge, the county said. This was a beautiful property and our intent is for it to once again become an asset for Pemberton and the entire county, Hopson said. A fire that damaged the Academic Building nearly two years ago raised questions about the ghost-like property and its future. People have been in there systematically stripping all the metals and taking what they can find, Daniel Hornickel, Pemberton Townships business administrator, told NJ Advance Media after the fire. Theres been people partying in there So, its been a headache to us. The campus is surrounded by wetlands and required wetlands buffers, which are both protected areas in the Pinelands. Any proposed development plans must be filed with the commission and be consistent with Pinelands land use and environmental standards. The abandoned campus is also about 10 miles from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, a U.S. military facility in Burlington County. Staff writer Nyah Marshall contributed to this report. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. A group of Lehigh Valley mortgage brokers and their manager took part in a kick-back scheme that involved real estate agents directing potential home buyers to the brokers, the state Attorney Generals Office says. Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle A. Henry announced Friday a civil complaint has been filed against manager Barry Newhart and several of the brokers. Defendants listed include: Bright Financial Group, LLC; Conquest Mortgage, LLC; and Flagship Home Loans, LLC; Legacy Mortgage Partners, LLC; Nittany Home Loans, LLC; and MCT Financial, LLC, all with main offices based in the Allentown area. This complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by Deputy Attorney General Pat Gavin. Newhart and the brokers offered real estate agents discounted ownership in a joint venture mortgage brokerage company, sporting event tickets, dinners, and other kickbacks, in exchange for the agents steering clients to the mortgage brokerage, according to the complaint. The buyers were unaware of the scheme, authorities said. The suit alleges Newhart and the brokers sales practices violate Pennsylvanias Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. The Attorney Generals office seeks injunctive relief, civil penalties, restitution, costs and attorneys fees, as well as other relief to end the alleged kickback scheme. The suit states that Newhart allegedly concocted and executed a complex scam in an attempt to disguise the kickbacks as stock sales and cash to referring real estate professionals. Henry said in a statement buying a home can be a stressful and challenging time and the group involved conspired to serve themselves while betraying buyers. Consumers, especially those who are making large financial investments like the purchase of a home, which is very often a familys most valuable asset, deserve to know if businesses assisting them have conflicts of interest, Henry said. Newhart denied the claims and alleged nothing was conducted illegally to lehighvalleylive.com Tuesday afternoon. He said the mortgage brokers listed in the lawsuit were compliant under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, which is a federal law protecting homebuyers and sellers from abusive lending practices. No other things of value were provided for business referrals, Newhart said. The businesses remain strong and continue to provide consumers with the best loans and services. We look forward to proving the PAOAGs complaint is without merit. A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office said they didnt have any attorney information available for the other defendants listed in the complaint. The mortgage brokers listed didnt immediately return requests for comment Tuesday morning. Authorities believe there could be more victims. The Attorney Generals Office urges anyone who may have been a victim of any of the defendants business practices to file a complaint online or call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-441-2555. They also can email scams@attorneygeneral.gov. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. The Upper Nazareth Township supervisors are considering whether to ban parking on residential streets near Nazareth Area High School on school days. Residents have complained about students ignoring a rule requiring them to park in lots at the school at 501 E. Center St. in Nazareth. Instead, they park on neighborhood streets, making them difficult for neighbors to navigate. The topic is on the agenda for the February supervisors meeting. A Bethlehem man, on parole from a previous violent crime, was convicted earlier this month for his role in a 2020 armed robbery that led to a shot being fired in the city. Justin Noel Hale, now 36, of the 100 block of East Washington Avenue of Bethlehem, was found guilty of charges that included felony robbery; felony conspiracy to commit robbery; felony theft; felony receiving stolen property; felony making terroristic threats; felony firearms not to be carried without a license; and misdemeanor reckless endangerment. A Northampton County jury on Jan. 10 convicted him following a four-day trial before Northampton Court of Common Pleas Judge Anthony Beltrami. With the verdict, Hales bail was revoked and he was sent to Northampton County Prison. Hale is scheduled to be sentenced March 6, when he faces as much as 54 years in prison, Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta said. Baratta on Jan. 13 announced the guilty verdict against Hale. New York-based attorney, Donte Omar Mills, representing Hale, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday. The incident began around 4 p.m. March 29, 2020 when Quentin Maurice Wimberly, now 37, was visiting with a man and his girlfriend in an apartment complex in the 400 block of Wyandotte Street, authorities said. Both Wimberly and Hale knew the man, according to police. Wimberly left for a short time and returned about 4 p.m. with Hale. Both were armed, police said. Hale told the male victim, If you do not give me the money, Im going to... kill you. The pair knew the male victim recently had $3,700 from an insurance settlement. That victim was then struck in the head by Hale with a firearm and a necklace was ripped off his neck. Cash was taken as well, according to police. The male victim testified in court that when he left his apartment, Hale discharged a firearm at him in the 400 block of Cherokee Street before fleeing with Wimberly in a black Audi. The gunfire missed the victim, authorities said. The Audi was eventually stopped by investigators in the 500 block of Seneca Street. Wimberly got out of the passenger side and tossed a gray Taurus revolver and silver Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun, authorities said. The pair ran, but were caught a short time later. Wimberly had $1,500 in his possession during the arrest, police said. The jury that convicted Hale Jan. 10 was not the first to consider charges against the parolee. Hale in October 2022 was found guilty of the robbery and firearms offenses in the same incident following a jury trial. However, after that verdict, Northampton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Samuel P. Murray ordered a new trial because a witness had recanted earlier statements made to police. Both Hale and Wimberly were on parole at the time of their 2020 arrest. Wimberly, of the 600 block of Itaska Street in Bethlehem, had three criminal cases from 2010, including two aggravated assault counts. He was released Jan. 3, 2020. Hale had a 2007 felony robbery conviction and was later released. Neither were allowed to carry firearms following those convictions, police said. In the most recent case, court records show Wimberly also was charged with felony robbery; felony conspiracy to commit robbery; felony theft; felony receiving stolen property; felony firearms not to be carried without a license; and misdemeanor reckless endangerment; and related charges in the most recent case. Wimberly was sentenced in July 2023 before Beltrami, who imposed a maximum of 20 years in state prison. He was then taken to Northampton County Prison. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Dont miss the deadline to sign up for a $197.5 million class action settlement for people who took out money from an ATM that used a Visa or Mastercard network in the past 17 years. The last time to sign up to get money back is Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. The settlement stems from a lawsuit that accused Visa and Mastercard of charging unlawful surcharges on transactions at certain bank-operated ATMs. It covered a timeframe between Oct. 1, 2007 and July 26, 2024 and could affect some 175 million people, the settlement website said. JP Morgan, Wells Fargo and Bank of America were among the banks involved, the Visa/Mastercard settlement website said. Those banks agreed to a previous settlement worth $67 million. There was no admission of wrongdoing by the companies as part of the settlement agreements. Visa and Mastercard did not respond to requests for comment about the settlement. MORE: Drive a Subaru? Broken windshield? See if youre eligible for this class action settlement. If you filed a claim or received a payment from a previous settlement, you are automatically eligible to get money from the new settlement, the settlement website said. It said if you believe you paid additional surcharges since filing your last claim, you must file an updated claim. New claimants can file their first claim on the settlement website at atmclassaction.com. Its unclear how much each affected customer could receive. The settlement website said it will depend on the number of approved claims, court fees and attorneys costs, which may not exceed 33% of the total settlement amount. You can call (877) 311-3724 or email info@ATMClassAction.com to get additional information from the settlement administrator. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on X at @KPMueller. A Whitehall man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sex with a 14-year-old girl, according to a news release. Soumya Rudra, 42, went to Ohio and had sex with the girl in a hotel in November 2023 even though she was below the age of consent, the release says. Rudras attorney, Rhys B. Cartwright-Jones, had no comment. He practices law in Youngstown, Ohio. With dangerously cold wind chills and air temperatures forecast to dip below zero degrees Fahrenheit, there are plenty of concerns this week for personal, pet and property safety across the Lehigh Valley region. For those in need of somewhere to warm up, the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley lists the following details for local warming stations: River Crossing YMCA Allentown Branch: Open through April 15, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. Meals will be served every evening. Address: 425 S. 15th St., Allentown. Entrance is on the south side of the YMCA lower parking lot. Phone: 610-351-9622. Bethlehem Emergency Shelter: Open through April 30, 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. with dinner served between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., and breakfast-to-go bags distributed as guests depart. Address: 75 E. Market St., Bethlehem. Phone: 484-379-6694. Safe Harbor Easton/Greater Shiloh Church: Open through March 31, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Safe Harbor, 536 Bushkill Drive in Easton, 610-258-5540, hosts Monday-Wednesday. Greater Shiloh Church Chapel, 201 Brother Thomas Bright Ave. (lower level) in Easton, 610-252-5640, hosts Thursday and Friday. For the most up-to-date listings, information on volunteering at these locations, and additional health and human services aid, the local United Way says to contact PA 211 East by phone at 211 or by visiting pa211.org. The cold raises the risk of contracting hypothermia and frostbite, the National Weather Service says. Heres how to avoid cold-related injury, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hypothermia: Hypothermia can happen when a person is exposed to very cold temperatures for a long time. Victims of hypothermia are often: older adults with inadequate food, clothing, or heating; babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; people who remain outdoors for long periods, such the the unhoused, hikers, hunters, etc.; and those who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs. Warning signs include shivering; exhaustion, feeling very tired or very low energy; confusion; fumbling hands; memory loss; slurred speech; drowsiness; and bright red, cold skin. Treatment includes getting the person into a warm room or shelter and removing any wet clothing the person is wearing. Frostbite: Frostbite is a dangerous condition that can happen when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures, and which can require hospitalization and lead to amputation . Risk factors that increase the chance of developing frostbite include poor blood circulation and dressing improperly for extremely cold temperatures. If you notice redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin frostbite may be beginning. As with hypothermia, treatment begins with getting into a warm room as soon as possible; put affected areas of the body into warm, not hot, water; do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all this can cause more damage. Avoid slipping and falling on ice by following steps like wearing proper footwear and taking your time, the Mayo Health Clinic says. Find winter-driving tips, including on being prepared if you become stranded, from AAA. When it comes to pets, Libres Law in Pennsylvania says dogs may be tied outside for no more than 30 minutes when temperatures are lower than 32 degrees (or higher than 90 degrees) and that owners must ensure fresh water remains available. Violations can lead upon conviction to jail time and fines. Report animal cruelty in Pennsylvania to the Pennsylvania SPCA by calling 866-601-7722. Find more cold weather safety tips for pets at aspca.org. At your home or business, the American Red Cross says that if you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation. Letting cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes, even at a trickle, can help prevent pipes from freezing. Consumer Reports also offers up additional tips for avoiding a costly plumbing problem caused by the cold, including: Keep garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an exterior wall. (If you have small children, be sure to remove any harmful cleaners and household chemicals.) Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during day and night. Again, during a cold snap is not the time to set back the thermostat at night to save a few bucks on your heating bill. If you plan to be away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 F. For the long term, add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in those areas. And to prevent drafts, seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, and at sill plates, where the house rests on its foundation. Visit consumerreports.org for additional information on protecting property from the cold, including advice on how to thaw frozen pipes. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Condolences have poured in for Tunde (Christopher) Nwagwe who passed away on Friday January 17th. Mr Nwagwe passed peacefully at the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore. He will be deeply missed his loving wife Marie, his brother Ike and family, the Moylan family, the family in Nigeria especially Ngozi and Uche, neighbours, friends and relatives from around the world. Mr Nwagwe received countless tributes on RIP.ie which praised his character, his singing, the stories he told and the memories people made with him. One tribute from the Ballyragget Vet Clinic read, "sincere condolences to you Marie and to all of Tundes family and friends. We are shocked to hear of his passing. It was a pleasure to meet Tunde and his beloved Ellie at the clinic. His warm smile and laugh filled the clinic with joy every time he came into us. We will all miss him dearly, he was a gentleman. May he rest in peace." Another read, "Marie, I'm so sorry for your loss and sorry we haven't met. My younger brother and I grew up with Chris and Ike in London. Funnily enough Chris and I both made our lives in Ireland, me being up north, our younger brothers are both in warmer parts of the world. Neither of us would have had it any other way. Chris, was always a fantastic person, kind, supportive, thoughtful and generous of spirit. My heart is truly broken but I'm pleased he had a great life with, by all accounts a fantastic wife in you Marie. Ike, our families have been intertwined since birth practically and Marie and her family are now forever a part of you. We will miss him terribly, though I hope we will have each other, wherever and whenever we need and to remember the great times we had with Chris." READ NEXT: Special Olympics Ireland leads tribute to pioneering Laois woman Another message said, "Dear Marie, I am deeply saddened to hear about Tunde's passing. He was a wonderful man and work colleague. His kindness, his ever present smile and his invaluable words of encouragement left a lasting impression on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Tuned often shared with me, on our lunch break walks, such meaningful stories about his life growing up in London, his family, navigating the challenges of life in his youth and ultimately meeting his beloved wife and settling in Ireland. He truly embodied strength and warmth in equal measure. Please know that my thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Tunde will always be remembered fondly and missed dearly." Dynamite Guitar school said on Facebook, "We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of our friend and student Tunde-a true gentleman who was a pleasure to know and teach. We offer our deepest sympathies to his wife and family at this sad time." Funeral arrangements Reposing in the Chapel of Rest adjoining the Church of the Most Holy Rosary Abbeyleix from 4pm. with Rosary at 7pm on Tuesday the 21st of January. Removal to Holy Trinity Church Durrow Co Laois on Wednesday for 12 noon Requiem Mass. Burial afterwards in the adjoining Cemetery. Met Eireann has put Ireland on notice for a damaging weekend of stormy weather with Storm Eowyn one of possibly two wintry storms that could hit by Sunday. Met Office in the UK, Met Eireann's official storm forecasting partner, officially gave storm status to the weather front that will hit Ireland and Britain on Friday and Saturday. Storm Eowynn will bring storm-force winds, heavy rain in cold conditions which carries the risk of snow for parts. Met Eireann, which had already issued a Weather Advisory for bad weather, is also putting people on notice of the potential for Storm Eowyn to be followed quickly by a second spell of stormy weather on Sunday. Liz Coleman is the Deputy Head of Forecasting with Met Eireann. She spoke first about what Storm Eowyn will bring. Storm Eowyn will bring wet and very windy conditions on Friday, especially in the west and northwest. The very strong southwest winds with damaging gusts will start to be felt late on Thursday and will cause dangerous travelling conditions on Friday, with the likliehood of trees down and potentially power outages. Wave overtopping is also expected at high tide. There could be localised flooding further into Saturday associated to the heavy rain and to the snow melt. MORE BELOW VIDEO. #StormEowyn has been named and is forecast to bring strong winds to much of the UK on Friday and into Saturday. Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/XCphCgyj2Z Met Office (@metoffice) January 21, 2025 "Western and northwestern counties are likely to see Status Orange wind warnings as a minimum, but we are monitoring the situation closely and will issue warnings as Met Eireanns high resolution model, which provides information two days ahead, comes into play. We are in close contact with the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) and emergency management stakeholders and will provide timely updates as the situation progresses," she said. The forecaster also warned that Storm Eowyn will not be the end of the bad weather over the weekend. "There will be a short respite from the weather on Saturday as Eowyn moves away, but we are also watching a different low-pressure system, forecast to bring impactful winds and further rain on Sunday. However, in this case the situation is still too uncertain; we will provide updates as the week progresses, she said in a commentary on the storm. The bad outlook for Sunday is shared by the forecasters which named Storm Eowyn. "Later Sunday, another area of low pressure could bring further wet and very windy weather across the UK," said the Met Office in its Storm Eowyn warning. In advance notice of what's to come Met Eireann's partners said warned that 250 km jet stream winds would drive a deepening low-pressure system over Ireland and Britain. "A powerful Jet Stream will develop above the North Atlantic this week, with perhaps the strongest winds of the winter so far," it said. Met Eireann says the main impacts will start to be felt overnight on Thursday and through Friday, with some potentially lasting longer: Dangerous travelling conditions Displaced objects Fallen trees Power outages Poor visibility in any sleet or snow Surface water flooding, as the ground is saturated countrywide Localised river flooding, in view of the rainfall totals expected over the weekend High seas: wave overtopping at high tide due to strong on-shore winds. Met Eireann national Forecast issued at 12.12pm on Tuesday, January 21. Tuesday: Any lingering mist and fog will clear to leave a dry day for many with a mix of cloud and sunny spells and just well scattered showers, mainly affecting northwest areas. Cool with highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees in a light southwest or variable breeze. The night will generally dry and calm with just isolated showers. Cold however with areas of mist and fog - some dense pockets possible. Frost and icy patches developing too, where skies remain clear. Lowest temperatures of -2 to 2 degrees. Wednesday: Overnight mist and fog will clear Wednesday morning, possibly lingering though across eastern and northern areas for a time though. Most areas will be dry with sunny spells and just well scattered showers. Cool with highest temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees in just light west southwest winds. Dry for most at first with clear spells and well scattered showers. Cloud will build from the west overnight with showery outbreaks of rain spreading eastwards. Becoming breezier with winds increasing moderate southwesterly. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees. Thursday: Wet on Thursday morning with rain becoming widespread. The rain will clear to scattered showers and sunny spells in the afternoon, with the chance of hail. The showers will become isolated through the evening with cloud building from the southwest. Blustery in moderate to fresh westerly winds and highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees. Current indications suggest conditions will turn wet and windy Thursday night. Southerly winds will become very strong and gusty as rain spreads from the southwest becoming widespread overnight. The rain, heavy at first, will possibly turn to sleet or snow locally. Cold initially with lowest temperatures of 0 to 5 degrees but temperatures turning very mild from the south through the night. Friday: There is some uncertainty in the forecast for Friday but it is expected to be a very windy day with near gale force westerly winds developing, potentially reaching gale force in places. The rain will clear to sunshine and showers through the day, some of which may turn wintry. Highest afternoon temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees. Further wintry showers are possible Friday night, mainly over the north and west. Drier and clearer conditions further east. Southwest winds will ease moderate to fresh overnight with lowest temperatures of degrees 0 to 3 degrees. Weekend: Remaining very unsettled at the weekend with strong winds and the potential for further heavy rainfall. Tributes have been pouring in for the late Tadhg O'Donnell following his passing. Tadhg ODonnell of Naas, Co. Kildare and late of Newcastle, Co. Dublin, died peacefully January 18 2025, surrounded by his loving family in the excellent care of the staff of the Beacon Hospital, Sandyford. Many friends, family and people who met Tadhg over the course of his life have left messages on his rip.ie page. READ MORE: Kildare man climbing Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Barretstown One person wrote: "My deepest sympathy to Tadhg's family on this very sad news. I only met him occasionally over the years but always found him to be a gentleman, a perhaps overused term sometimes but, with Tadhg, very true indeed. "He will be sorely missed too by his many friends and acquaintances." Another person said: "A huge loss to his family and to everyone who knew him, we are all better people for having known Tadhg. He has left a great legacy which will live on." A former colleague said: "I worked along side him the last couple of years and he was an absolute gentleman, with an unbelievably positive and optimistic look on life and a genuine smile. "I will miss him very much may he rest in peace." Tadhg was the beloved grandson of the late Joe and Nellie OReilly, he is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife Maria Ines, cherished children Paul and Maria Christina, parents Geraldine and Tim, brother, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, mother-in-law Ines, nieces, nephews, extended family and many good friends. Tadhg is reposing at his residence on Tuesday, January 21 from 4pm - 8pm, with evening prayers at 6:30pm. Removal from his residence on Wednesday, January 22 at approximately 10:30am to arrive at St. Peters Church, Two-Mile-House for 11am Funeral Mass, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. A man found with pepper spray after being searched told gardai he had it in his possession because he had been assaulted. Mohamed Akrouf, 31, whose address was given as 60 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6, was prosecuted in relation to the theft of property from the Ralph Lauren shop at Kildare Village as well as wireless earphones from Tesco, Monasterevin Road, Kildare town, on July 7, 2024. He was found with the pepper spray at Priory Court, Kildare town. Garda Danny OShea told the court that the items had a value of about 200. Defending barrister Aisling Murphy told Naas District Court that the defendant was serving a sentence for assault and he has a release date in February 2025. She also stated that the man is originally from Algeria and he came to Ireland in 2022. Read more Kildare news Ms Murphy told the court that he had the pepper spray for his own protection and he had shown a stabbing injury he had sustained to the gardai. His torso was injured in this incident. She said a person is in custody for this alleged incident. Ms Murphy told the court that when the defendant arrived here he could not work and could not claim social welfare payments. The court was further told that he made admissions at the scene and the goods were recovered in saleable condition. Judge Desmond Zaidan imposed a nine months term for the theft at the Ralph Lauren shop and the Tesco incident was taken into account. A concurrent three months term was imposed for possessing the pepper spray Kildare County Council was delighted to host a special reception at Naas Library & Cultural Centre, this morning, in honour of the Italian theatre group, La Rattattuglia. The group hails from Casalattico, which has been twinned with Naas since 1991 and they are visiting Naas to perform E Vissero tutti felici e contenti (forse!) at the Moat Theatre later this evening. Speaking at the event, the Mayor of Casalattico, Ing. Francesco Antonio Di Lucia said: Today there is a large Casalattico community in Ireland, so that there are now more of our people living in Ireland than there are in our town of Casalattico. At events like this, the renewal of the twinning of Naas and Casalattico, we feel at home. The people of Ireland and Naas are very friendly and welcoming. We have integrated very well here and we are very proud of our tied communities. Mayor of Naas, Councillor Fintan Brett said "It is an honor to host La Rattattuglia and witness the vibrant cultural exchange between Naas and Casalattico. This event underscores the importance of fostering international relationships and celebrating our shared heritage." Presentations of framed wooden paintings and a photo, reflecting the ties between the two towns, were made to the Mayor of Naas, Councillor Fintan Brett, Chairperson of the Twinning Liaison Committee, Councillor Carmel Kelly and Executive Librarian, Kildare County Council, Evelyn Cooley. Todays event celebrated the strong bond between Naas and Casalattico, marking a significant moment in the twinning of both towns and the enduring cultural and community ties that unite them. This gathering celebrated not only the artistry and heritage of La Rattattuglia, but also the enduring friendship between both communities. Also in attendance at the reception were Councillor Seamie Moore, Councillor Anne Breen, La Rattattuglia Theatre Group President Annaemilia Centofanti, President of Club Italiano Irlanda Angelo Vecchio, and Director of the Italian Cultural Institute Marco Gioacchini. Caira Ryan, a 38-year-old mother from Killargue, Dromahair, is courageously battling recurrent Stage 4 HER2-positive breast cancer. With limited options available locally, Caira has launched a heartfelt appeal for donations through her IDonate page to fund advanced treatment in Spain and Germany. She lives with her partner Darran and their four-year-old son Kyrie, whose love fuels her determination to seek treatment abroad. Caira explains her condition: The cancer has metastasized to the lymph nodes under my arm and neck, both lungs, a bone in my spine, a bone in my pelvis, and my brain. The tumor in my breast has grown through the skin, creating an ulcerated wound. This causes me constant pain, and I rely on regular pain medication under palliative care just to get through each day and continue being a mum to Kyrie. While she has started on a targeted drug, it is not enough to fully manage her condition, particularly the cancer in her brain. After researching all available options, Caira has decided to pursue innovative treatments in Europe, which combine advanced medical therapies with holistic care. Europe offers cutting-edge cancer therapies and is much closer to home than other options, which reduces travel stress and allows my family to support me, she shares. The cost of treatment in Europe is also significantly lower, enabling her to reduce her fundraising target from 70,000 to 55,000. The funds will help cover travel to Spain and Germany, her personalized treatment plan, hospital stays, follow-up care, and holistic therapies aimed at improving her quality of life. Caira is urgently appealing for help to meet her fundraising target. Time is not on my side, and I need to raise these funds to access life-saving treatment. Every donation, no matter the size, brings me closer to my goal. Your generosity can give me the chance to heal, regain my health, and continue being a mum to Kyrie and a partner to Darran. Caira has already raised 15,368 but urgently needs additional support to reach her goal. To donate and help Caira access the treatment she desperately needs, visit her IDonate page. READ MORE Outrage over 'eyesore' art installation in Mohill Leitrim has the lowest house builds in Ireland by a considerable margin, according to data released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The data shows the number of Commencement Notices issued, reflecting residential construction starts. 101 homes were commenced in Leitrim, the lowest in the country, followed by Carlow (213), and Longford (248). The figures come amidst the highest number of annual residential commencements since records began in 2014. Nationwide, 60,423 houses commenced with Dublin City leading all local authorities. In 2024, just 65 houses were granted planning permission in Leitrim. This comprised 25 units in small schemes across the county, 22 one-off houses, eight replacement houses, nine individual dwellings and a community dwelling in Carrick-on-Shannon. Cllr Enda McGloin questioned the reasoning for the low number of houses being built at Januarys meeting of Leitrim County Council, and a reply clarified that the Council primarily responds to the private housing market, which faces challenges such as rising construction costs. This is a major factor contributing to Leitrims very low number of house builds. The expenses associated with building new homes exceed the price these homes can sell for on the market. As a result, new construction becomes financially unappealing for developers and builders, leading to a lack of new housing development. One area where Leitrim is performing well in housing is through the Croi Conaithe scheme. Croi Conaithe, or the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, is funded by the Department of Housing and provides grants to support the renovation of vacant properties. Since its introduction, the scheme has helped restore 230 houses in Leitrim. Uisce Eireann has also been identified as a problem in constructing new builds in the county. There are potential opportunities for housing projects outlined in the County Development Plan for towns like Leitrim Village, Drumshanbo and Carrick-on-Shannon, but the plans cant proceed because of wastewater infrastructure. This was discussed at length at the most recent Council meeting, leading to a decision to invite Uisce Eireann executives to meet with the Council to discuss their role in facilitating new builds. Commenting on the 65 houses granted planning permission in 2024, CEO of Leitrim County Council Joseph Gilhooly emphasised that the figures must be viewed within the context of a national housing crisis and noted there is ongoing housing activity in Leitrim. Another obstacle delaying housing in general has been changes to the measures regarding housing acquisitions. In 2023, the Department of Housing withdrew funding for the purchase of individual second-hand houses. The shift in policy was to focus on increasing the supply of new build housing, which has not been sufficiently delivered in the county. Cllr Padraig Fallon recently questioned if the local authority is able to acquire housing, and was informed that the Council cannot consider the acquisition of any more units under the Acquisition Programme until they receive confirmation from the Department of Housing. The limited ability to acquire second-hand houses, coupled with the slow pace and high costs of construction, drives up the demand for newly built homes, exacerbating the housing shortage in the county. Despite challenges in housing, Leitrim County Council has emphasised its commitment to working with construction companies to maintain housing supply. READ MORE: Leitrim drivers brace for premium hikes as car insurance costs surge Xanadu's Near-Term Outlook TORONTO , Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xanadu Mines Ltd (ASX: XAM, TSX: XAM) (Xanadu or the Company) is pleased to provide an update on The Kharmagtai Project and associated discussions about the next steps for the development of the Kharmagtai copper-gold Project with our JV partner, Zijin Mining Group (Zijin). Highlights Xanadu delivered a prefeasibility study (PFS) for the Kharmagtai Project late in the September Quarter of 2024, outlining a 29-year, large scale, low cost, open pit copper-gold operation. Under the joint venture agreement (JVA), delivery of the PFS KPIs triggered two key events namely, transition of JV Operatorship to Zijin, and the vesting of two 6-month options, granted for Xanadu's benefit by the original Zijin investment agreement. The transition of operatorship to Zijin was completed smoothly during the December Quarter 2024, with the joint venture now planning the next stage through to Final Investment Decision (FID). Xanadu is expecting to meet with Zijin in Xiamen China in early February to commence consideration of the scope, budget and schedule. The budget for this next stage cannot be approved without Xanadu having a viable funding solution in place. The Company is therefore focussed on reviewing all strategic options for Xanadu and its shareholders, to ensure it can move forward unconstrained, whilst ensuring value is maximised for our shareholders. Xanadu's Executive Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Colin Moorhead, said, "The Kharmagtai PFS describes a world class, low cost, low complexity, open pit mining operation that delivers on average 165kt of copper and 75koz gold metal per annum over 29 years. Furthermore, the deposit has significant upside potential needing more work in the next stage such as oxide leaching and accounting for the significant amount of silver reporting to the concentrate. Significant exploration potential also remains as the deposits remain open at depth, with real potential to further grow over time as is common for other porphyries of similar nature. Encouraged by an improving regulatory environment, it is reasonable to expect that Kharmagtai will be the next large-scale copper mine built in Mongolia. Through the 50:50 joint venture Xanadu shares control with Zijin, each partner currently holds a 38.25% beneficial interest in a project with an estimated post tax NPV at 8% discount rate calculated at USD $930M. It has been pleasing to see Zijin push forward with preparations for the next phase through to Final Investment Decision. We were also grateful to receive Zijin's support for the Company's recent capital raising, with both of these events validating Zijin's strong support for the Kharmagtai Project. Xanadu is now working to determine a way forward that delivers best value to our shareholders". Kharmagtai Project Update Delivery of the PFS in September 2024 triggered a change in operatorship from Xanadu to Zijin and also marked the commencement of a 6-month option period, agreed as part of the original investment agreement to allow both parties to consider the results of the PFS and to determine the best ownership structure for the joint venture going forward. During the December Quarter, Zijin transitioned into the position as operator of the Joint Venture, with Xanadu assisting to transition technical, commercial and operational aspects as required. Key points to note in this regard are as follows: Zijin appointed its Head of Overseas Operations, a very senior company executive, as the incoming Chairman of Khuiten Joint Venture (KHJV). A site visit was undertaken in October. A General Manager has also been appointed from within Zijin to manage the project from Ulaanbaatar. All of Xanadu's Mongolian staff, excluding those dedicated to running Xanadu's non-Kharmagtai exploration efforts, have transferred to the KHJV. During the cold winter months field activity has been minimal, with efforts focussed on preparing detailed scopes of work for various aspects of the next phase of the project. Xanadu expects the key areas of focus leading to an investment decision will include: completion of a bankable feasibility study (BFS) based on the recently completed PFS, as well as ongoing investigation of additional upside opportunities such as oxide leach and the value to be obtained from monetising the silver content of the offtake. a water exploration program required to secure remaining water requirements for the planned production; completion of all permits and approvals including a negotiated investment agreement with the Government of Mongolia; and continued exploration to test for extensions and repetitions of mineralisation, particularly at depth where the system remains open and potentially strengthening. NOTE: Notwithstanding Zijin is now being operator of the project, the composition of the JV Board of Directors has not changed and all material actions, (including capital raisings equity which still require majority board approval i.e. support from Directors appointed by both Zijin and Xanadu). The Company also welcomes the Mongolian Parliament's recent approval of an Investment Agreement with French Uranium Company Orano which signals a more commercial and pragmatic approach from the government with respect to mining investments in Mongolia. The Company approved a modest JV budget for Q1, 2025 of USD $2.1M in lieu of consideration of the full next stage strategic plan and budget expected to be presented at the JV Board meeting scheduled to occur in Xiamen China in early February. Xanadu's contribution for Q1 was USD $1.05M or approximately AUD $1.70M. The Company will fund this using part of the proceeds of the recent equity offering. Strategic Options Delivery of the PFS in late September 2024 triggered the start of a 6-month period (a hold, or negotiation period) with Zijin to determine the best way to take the Kharmagtai Project forward. During this period, which notionally ends in late March 2025, Xanadu is considering its strategic options for the project which include: Securing funding for its 50% interest in the project until the next major decision point in the project (FID) ? via a process being managed by Bacchus Capital; A selldown of the project (either at Xanadu or project level) to a third party; Exercising one of the two put options under the originally negotiated JV Agreement with Zijin, or alternative negotiated outcome. As can be expected, during this 6-month period, Xanadu has been actively progressing each of the alternatives above with a view to evaluating which alternative provides maximum value for Xanadu shareholders. Whilst Xanadu does not have details of the various options at this stage, it anticipates being able to provide them prior to the end of the 6-month period. It should be noted that although Zijin are the operator all key decisions including budget approvals require Xanadu support, protecting the company from dilution. The Bacchus Capital led process is progressing well and a number of groups are currently in the data room conducting due diligence. Discussions with parties are actively ongoing with a view to providing clarity on funding for the BFS in the coming months. The Company also has two negotiated options that can be put to Zijin at Xanadu's sole discretion during the negotiation period. These include: Option 1 ? sell Xanadu's 50% share in the KHJV (38.25% effective interest in Kharmagtai) to Zijin for USD $50M cash (approximately AUD $80M at current exchange rates). Option 2 ? sell half of Xanadu's share in the KHJV (25% or 19.125% effective interest in Kharmagtai) for USD $25M and be loan carried on commercial terms whilst retaining 19.125% of the project. Xanadu considers Option 2 to be materially superior to Option 1 (which was originally intended as a fall-back liquidity event should unforeseen circumstances arise). Option 2 would create a small but meaningful liquidity event for The Company in the short term and allow it to maintain a significant interest in the Kharmagtai project over the long term, avoiding further equity dilution. Exercise of either option will require a shareholder vote, requiring an EGM pre-approval before the end of the 6 month option vesting period. About Xanadu Mines Xanadu is an ASX and TSX listed Exploration company operating in Mongolia. We give investors exposure to globally significant, large-scale copper-gold discoveries and low-cost inventory growth. Xanadu maintains a portfolio of exploration projects and remains one of the few junior explorers on the ASX or TSX who jointly control a globally significant copper-gold deposit in our flagship Kharmagtai project together with our 50-50 JV partner Zijin Mining Group. For further information on Xanadu, please visit: www.xanadumines.com or contact: Colin Moorhead Executive Chairman & Managing Director E: [email protected] P: +61 2 8280 7497 Spencer Cole Chief Financial & Development Officer E: [email protected] This Announcement was authorised for release by Xanadu's Chair and Managing Director. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this Announcement, including information as to the future financial or operating performance of Xanadu and its projects may also include statements which are ?forward?looking statements' that may include, amongst other things, statements regarding targets, estimates and assumptions in respect of mineral reserves and mineral resources and anticipated grades and recovery rates, production and prices, recovery costs and results, capital expenditures and are or may be based on assumptions and estimates related to future technical, economic, market, political, social and other conditions. These ?forward-looking statements' are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Xanadu, are inherently subject to significant technical, business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results reflected in such forward?looking statements. Xanadu disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to any forward?looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, circumstances or results or otherwise after the date of this Announcement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than required by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The words ?believe', ?expect', ?anticipate', ?indicate', ?contemplate', ?target', ?plan', ?intends', ?continue', ?budget', ?estimate', ?may', ?will', ?schedule' and similar expressions identify forward?looking statements. All ?forward?looking statements' made in this Announcement are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. Investors are cautioned that ?forward?looking statements' are not guarantee of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on ?forward?looking statements' due to the inherent uncertainty therein. For further information please visit the Xanadu Mines' Website at www.xanadumines.com. 21 january 2025 at 07:00 News published onand distributed by: Grindr Unveils 2025 Product Roadmap, Including Six New Intent-Based Travel and AI Personalization Products Grindr Inc. (NYSE: GRND), the Global Gayborhood in Your Pockettm, today unveiled an ambitious product roadmap for 2025, consisting of the most robust set of launches in its history. New products and features coming to Grindr in 2025 will continue to expand user intents and use cases across the app, including enhanced personalization and travel features. "Our goal is to build out a world-class app that serves as the Global Gayborhood in Your Pocket," said Grindr CEO George Arison. "This year, we'll introduce groundbreaking features to enhance the Grindr experience like never before, bringing our vision for intent-based connections to life. We're creating products that add value for our users, enabling us to deliver an awesome app for them and great long-term results for our shareholders. I can't wait to see how our users respond to these exciting innovations." With user engagement and meaningful connections in mind, Grindr expects to launch at least six new products and features in 2025, many of which are new additions to the roadmap the company announced last June: AI Personalization: Chat Summaries, powered by the AI Wingman assistant, create summaries of conversations so users can quickly access the history of their chats with the most relevant information and pick up where they left off. "A-list" 1 automatically creates a select list of users a user has previously interacted with, based on meaningful conversations and high-potential matches, making it easy to reengage when the moment is right. For You provides smart, personalized recommendations for users who may be a match based on preferences and intentions. Discover is a new area in the app where users are served relevant profiles recommended from around the world based on their interests. Travel Expansion: The new Explore Heatmap lets users quickly identify the lively local hotspots and the aggregated density of Grindr users in specific neighborhoods in their city or other cities around the world. Travel Pass is the ultimate travel package for any trip, including unlimited Roam and Boost for more visibility and faster connections, a "Visitor" tag on users' profiles, and chat translations for seamless communication. Gayborhood Expansion: This year, Grindr will also begin testing new Gayborhood products and services beyond the core business, including in the health and wellness sector. Concurrently, the company will continue to work on building out its "Relationships" use case, as well as other add-on products announced last year. 2024 Launches Launches planned for 2025 come on the heels of significant progress on new and existing products and features in 2024, including: Right Now , Grindr's first intent-based product for enabling people to easily find others who want an immediate connection. It is currently being tested in Washington, D.C., and Australia, and has been very well received by users. It will be launched more widely by the end of Q2 and will be available globally by end of 2025. , Grindr's first intent-based product for enabling people to easily find others who want an immediate connection. It is currently being tested in Washington, D.C., and Australia, and has been very well received by users. It will be launched more widely by the end of Q2 and will be available globally by end of 2025. Roam allows users to make connections ahead of an upcoming trip. Launched in Spring 2024 in select markets, it was fully rolled out globally last year. allows users to make connections ahead of an upcoming trip. Launched in Spring 2024 in select markets, it was fully rolled out globally last year. Super Boost lets a user put their profile front and center for twice as long and lets them select certain parameters like age and position so that their profile is boosted to other users that match their interests. Super Boost is currently available to over half of users and we plan to make it available to the entire Grindr community by the second half of 2025. lets a user put their profile front and center for twice as long and lets them select certain parameters like age and position so that their profile is boosted to other users that match their interests. Super Boost is currently available to over half of users and we plan to make it available to the entire Grindr community by the second half of 2025. AI assistant Wingman has already been rolled out in testing with 10,000 users in the U.S., several quarters ahead of schedule. The test group will continue to grow throughout 2025, while Wingman will power several new features being launched this year. "Over the last several years, we've made significant investments in technology, and in 2024, users experienced major strides with new product launches like Right Now, Interest, and Roam. Our team's rapid innovation has allowed us to expand our roadmap with new features beyond what we announced only last June," said AJ Balance, Grindr's Chief Product Officer. "I'm especially excited about integrating responsible AI and ML to create a more personalized and impactful experience for our users." Note: 1 Working name, subject to change. About Grindr Inc. With more than 14.5 million monthly active users, Grindr has grown to become the Global Gayborhood in Your Pockettm, on a mission to make a world where the lives of our global community are free, equal, and just. Available in 190 countries and territories, Grindr is often the primary way for our users to connect, express themselves, and discover the world around them. Since 2015, Grindr for Equality has advanced human rights, health, and safety for millions of LGBTQ+ people in partnership with organizations in every region of the world. Grindr has offices in West Hollywood, the Bay Area, Chicago, and New York. The Grindr app is available on the App Store and Google Play. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends, and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, current expectations, or projections. In some cases you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of terminology such as "anticipates," "approximately," "believes," "continues," "could," "estimates," "expects," "goal," "intends," "may," "outlook," "plans," "potential," "predicts," "seeks," "should," "upcoming," "will" or the negative version of these words or other comparable words or phrases, although not all forward-looking statements contain these terms. The forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our expectations about the Company's product roadmap; improvements and changes in user experience; products and features, including AI-driven features; launch plans, including the anticipated testing and launch of new products in 2025; and anticipated results for shareholders, reflect our current views about our business and future events and are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. While forward-looking statements reflect our good-faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance, and there are no guarantees that any events or transactions described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). Factors that could cause actual results, performance, and future events to differ materially from those set forth in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements include those included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For a further discussion of factors that could cause our future results, performance, or transactions to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, please see the section titled "Risk Factors" in annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. In addition, statements relating our beliefs and opinions, and similar sentiments, on a particular subject are made as of the date of any such statement. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date they are made, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and such statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements. Except to the extent required by applicable law, we are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or revise our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based only on information currently available to us (or to third parties making the forward-looking statements). Trademarks This press release may contain trademarks of Grindr. Solely for convenience, trademarks referred to in this press release may appear without the or tm symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that Grindr will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, its rights to these trademarks. 21 january 2025 at 09:00 News published onand distributed by: Windsor Port Authority Strengthens U.S.-Canada Border Waterway Safety and Security with Axis Communications Surveillance Technology Windsor Port Authority, one of just 17 national ports created by the 1999 Canada Marine Act, has enhanced waterway safety and security across its jurisdiction on the U.S.-Canada border with state-of-the-art cameras from Axis Communications. These cameras, combined with radar solutions from Accipiter Radar Technologies Inc., provide the port with the visibility needed to prevent collisions, better detect illegal activity, and save lives along the river. Located on the Detroit River, the Windsor Port serves as the passageway between Lake Huron and Lake Erie, navigating between 6,000 and 9,000 cargo vessels annually. In addition to commercial ships, over 10,000 small fishing boats and other recreational watercraft make their way through the port each year. With so many vessels passing through, Windsor Port Authority realized that it needed better visibility into happenings along the river to be able to keep the waterway running safely and smoothly. "Axis' cameras, along with Accipiter's radar technology, have been vital to keeping the port safe for all who pass through it," said Peter Berry, Harbour Master and Vice President of Operations for Windsor Port Authority. "Without detailed knowledge of the traffic in these waters, the risk of severe accidents increases significantly, so having the ability to both detect and visually confirm incidents in real-time is invaluable. We've already been able to do some amazing things with the enhanced surveillance solution, like quickly rescuing drowning victims and helping to catch human smugglers, and we're eager to see what the future holds as a result of this upgrade." While radar coverage from Accipiter has monitored river activity for years?offering wide-area, real-time detection and tracking to identify commercial vessels, small craft such as jet skiers, and even debris in the water?it lacked the visual detail needed to provide effective, remote observation. By integrating Axis' bispectral cameras into Accipiter's platform, the port now has a 360-degree surveillance system with both thermal detection and visual verification. With this enhanced system, the port can: Broadcast real-time warnings about obstructions in the channel: In one instance, the U.S. Coast Guard notified the port that they'd spotted a boat stopped in the middle of the river. The vessel had caught fire, dropped anchor, and was dead in the water. The thermal camera and radar technology allowed for continuous monitoring of the fire onboard the ship?helping them to determine that it was contained to the engine room?while enabling the port to send out a navigational warning to other vessels on the river. While the darkness of the hour prevented them from seeing anything from shore, the technology also provided thermal visuals to monitor activity on the bridge and deck. Everyone was safely evacuated. In one instance, the U.S. Coast Guard notified the port that they'd spotted a boat stopped in the middle of the river. The vessel had caught fire, dropped anchor, and was dead in the water. The thermal camera and radar technology allowed for continuous monitoring of the fire onboard the ship?helping them to determine that it was contained to the engine room?while enabling the port to send out a navigational warning to other vessels on the river. While the darkness of the hour prevented them from seeing anything from shore, the technology also provided thermal visuals to monitor activity on the bridge and deck. Everyone was safely evacuated. Safely navigate craft through high-risk construction projects: During construction of a new bridge, the port was concerned about potential disruptions to river traffic, but Axis cameras and integrated radars allowed them to effectively manage vessels passing underneath the site. During construction of a new bridge, the port was concerned about potential disruptions to river traffic, but Axis cameras and integrated radars allowed them to effectively manage vessels passing underneath the site. Deliver precise coordinates for faster rescue operations: When the port got a call from the U.S. Coast Guard that they had spotted a person treading water by the Ambassador Bridge, they were able to quickly identify the location of the person using a combination of radar and camera technology and execute a life-saving rescue. When the port got a call from the U.S. Coast Guard that they had spotted a person treading water by the Ambassador Bridge, they were able to quickly identify the location of the person using a combination of radar and camera technology and execute a life-saving rescue. Help to identify criminal activity: While using the camera-radar technology to view objects crossing from Canada to the U.S., the port identified suspicious activity from a boat that regularly sailed from Windsor to Detroit. The port turned the data and video over to the Canadian and U.S. authorities to investigate, which ultimately led to the arrest of two individuals running a human smuggling operation. "At Axis, we take pride in working with organizations like Windsor Port Authority to contribute to improved marine domain awareness and heightened safety along the border," said Anthony Incorvati, Transportation Segment Development Manager for the Americas at Axis. "Combining advanced camera and radar technology ensures comprehensive visibility in maritime environments, providing essential detection and visual verification to resolve incidents quickly and effectively. Not only that, but powerful business intelligence capabilities contribute to improved operations across the organization." Looking ahead, the port plans to enhance its capabilities with drone awareness. By leveraging the Accipiter platform's specially designed three-dimensional slew-to-cue software, Axis cameras will seamlessly transition from monitoring the river to tracking aerial targets using radar technology. Read the full customer story for more details. About Axis Communications Axis enables a smarter and safer world by improving security, safety, operational efficiency, and business intelligence. As a network technology company and industry leader, Axis offers video surveillance, access control, intercoms, and audio solutions. These are enhanced by intelligent analytics applications and supported by high-quality training. Axis has around 5,000 dedicated employees in over 50 countries and collaborates with technology and system integration partners worldwide to deliver customer solutions. Axis was founded in 1984, and the headquarters are in Lund, Sweden. 21 january 2025 at 09:05 News published onand distributed by: United Steelworkers National Director Marty Warren condemns President Trump's tariffs threat on Canadian exports and jobs TORONTO, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marty Warren, National Director for Canada of the United Steelworkers union (USW), today issued the following statement: "President Trump's renewed threat to impose across-the-board, punitive 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico effective February 1 is a reckless and harmful move that will have devastating consequences for workers, industries and communities across Canada and the United States. In addition, the President articulated his broader trade vision in a memorandum on the day of his inauguration, which directs a reassessment of various trade relationships, including the USMCA, based on exaggerated and false allegations of U.S. subsidies to the Canadian economy. These reckless allegations and the threat of tariffs are an attack on the deeply integrated industries, strong supply chains and the good, unionized jobs on which they depend on both sides of the border. Workers in key sectors such as steel, aluminum, forestry, mining, auto and broader manufacturing and processing sectors are the backbone of our economy. Threatening the Canadian trade relationship undermines the very foundation of these industries and hundreds of thousands of jobs. As an international union representing 850,000 workers in Canada and the United States, the USW understands the shared struggles of workers across borders. Tariffs will hurt not only Canadian workers but also American manufacturers, workers and families who depend on the seamless flow of goods and materials between our countries. We have seen the damage caused by similar actions in the past. These tariffs will create instability, add further uncertainty to business investment plans, disrupt supply chains, increase costs and put thousands of jobs at risk. They will also undermine the standard of living of workers on both sides of the border, as rising costs and job insecurity will impact communities. Workers cannot be collateral damage in political gamesmanship. The federal government must respond immediately and decisively together with the provinces and territories, in a climate of unity that goes beyond partisanship. This means implementing strong countermeasures to protect Canadian workers, defending our industries through diplomatic and trade mechanisms, and working closely with U.S. allies who recognize the damage these tariffs will inflict on their own economies and workers. Canada must implement domestic mitigation measures to safeguard Canadian jobs and industries in the short, medium and long term. This includes the implementation of targeted support for affected sectors, and trade safeguard measures. In addition, the USW calls for assistance for workers and communities impacted by tariffs, including improving and expanding access to Employment Insurance and other income-support measures, long-awaited industrial policies aimed at bolstering strategic sectors, domestic procurement policies and investment in domestic manufacturing capacity. The USW will do whatever it can to fight for fair trade policies that protect workers and ensure shared prosperity. We urge governments and industry leaders to work to immediately oppose these destructive measures and to put workers' needs ahead of political games. Canadian workers will not be intimidated or sacrificed. We stand united with our American union counterparts in demanding fairness, stability and respect for workers in the industries that sustain our communities and economies." About the United Steelworkers union: The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of the union's strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation ? including good wages, benefits and pensions. For more information, please contact: Shannon Devine, USW Communications and Political Action, [email protected], 416-938-4402 Francois Soucy, USW Legislative Office, [email protected], 873-355-2841 21 january 2025 at 13:20 News published onand distributed by: (From left) Finance Minister Augustine K. Ngafuan, MCC Managing Director for Africa, Jason Small and U.S. Ambassador Mark C. Toner The Genocide in Darfur and the Deafening Silence of African Leadership GARDAI have opened an investigation after a bus driver was hospitalised after being assaulted by two people in Limerick city centre. The incident took place in William Street this Tuesday morning on the 343 bus service which links Shannon Airport to Limerick city centre. Limerick Live understands two people travelling on e-scooters set upon the driver. Initially, they verbally assaulted him, before spitting at and physically attacking him. It's understood a sharp object was used in the attack. READ MORE: Minister for Education approves construction of large extension for Limerick school As a result, he was transferred to hospital by ambulance with cuts to his face and a black eye. Bus Eireann, which operates 343 confirmed the "serious anti-social behaviour incident". The provider added the matter has been referred to the gardai for investigation, with closed circuit television being made available. "Our driver received injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment and we will continue to provide every support," the company added in a statement. "Bus Eireann does not tolerate antisocial or criminal behaviour towards our customers or staff. As this matter is currently subject to a Gardai investigation we are not in a position to provide any additional information on this specific incident," they added. Jim Boylan, the Limerick branch secretary of the drivers' union, the National Bus and Rail Union said: "We condemn this fully and want to wish our friend and colleague the very best. This is more ammunition for the need for a dedicated transport police service." Limerick Live have contacted An Garda Siochana, but have yet to receive a response. Bus Eireann said the safety of passengers and staff remain "of paramount importance". "Any incidents reported are taken very seriously and are fully investigated. Customers can report any incidents to Gardai, to the driver, to our Customer Care team on 0818-836611 or via customercare@buseireann.ie," the firm added. A 240,000 bill for Limerick's Christmas celebrations featuring a 5,000 "ghost train" that never arrived has sparked anger and calls for more scrutiny. Metropolitan district councillors have questioned whether Limerick's taxpayers are getting good value for money after they were presented with the figures this Monday. In total, 240,574 was spent on 31 events during December - but the traditional turning on of the Christmas lights, a family day out in Limerick city centre, did not take place this year. Instead, a Winter's Tale procession took place costing 27,676. Elsewhere, 'animation' of the public realm in Limerick set council back 43,370.15, according to the data presented to members. READ MORE: Limerick petrol station in dispute over all-night opening Almost 10,000 was spent buying Christmas trees, and a further 15,674 to install them, with Cllr Sarah Kiely, Fine Gael, asking: "Are they gold leaf?" Priomh Chomhairleoir Dan McSweeney said "there is nothing to show" for the trees which were shredded this Monday. More than 30,448 was spent on activities around the Crescent at the top of O'Connell Street, which was closed to traffic on the final Sunday before Christmas. There were initially plans to have the area fenced off for three Sundays in December. That plan was proposed after Mayor John Moran secured the closing off of the area to motorised vehicles for the month of August. Lighting the Christmas trees located around the O'Connell Monument cost 9,420 in total, while traffic management around that area set council back 2,525. Some 2,300 was given to Lumen Street Theatre for a show at the Crescent, while 2,000 was paid out for the stage light and sound of a concert by the 16 Tonnes of Jive group. The band itself received 650. A Santa's grotto in the Crescent cost 1,635 for a half day of activities - leading Cllr Kiely to say, tongue-in-cheek, that she would have played Santa "for half that amount". Elsewhere in the city, 3,450 was spent on traffic management for Cruises Street. A spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said this spend was needed to grant external companies access to the thoroughfare. "Cruises Street is pedestrianised with bollards preventing vehicular access," said the spokesperson. Unlike in recent years, Toots the Train did not make an appearance in Limerick at Christmas this year. Despite this, council paid 5,000, a sum it is trying to recover, the authority has confirmed. Social Democrats councillor Elisa O'Donovan, who was given the figures after she tabled a question at this month's metropolitan meeting, said this was a "ghost train" and said the spend "is really alarming". "Since I came back to Limerick in 2014, festivals and events have become progressively worse. It's so upsetting to see," she said. Cllr McSweeney added: "I'm worried about value for money. We need to focus our Christmas offering in the city centre. The core business district. The whole intention of Christmas in Limerick is to bring footfall into our city centre. To spend in the region of 30,000 on The Crescent is unacceptable and does not represent good value for money." City West councillor Daniel Butler contrasted the fact the Milk Market got 5,000 in spend from council, against what was put aside for the Crescent, describing it as "exasperating". "My attitude is rather than spend 30,000 in the Crescent, I'd suspect you'd get better bang for your buck if you spend it in the Milk Market. The overall issue for me is if you look at the budget, the value for money doesn't appear to be there anywhere," he said. "This is taxpayers' money. It's your money, it's my money". He suggested many activities were planned "at the last minute". Sinn Fein councillor Ursula Gavan agreed, saying: "I can't see the value here. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." She also questioned the spend of 5,000 "on a ghost train". Metropolitan district leader Cllr Kieran O'Hanlon has started making moves to establish a cross-party committee of members to provide "oversight" of the spending on festivals and events. "Of the public I have spoken to, many of them are not happy at the show we put on in Limerick. This happens every year. We sit down in January and give out about what didn't happen and what should have happened. But now I hope with this all-party committee, we will be able to have a positive input into it," he said. Cllr Olivia O'Sullivan admitted she was upset to learn of where the spend went as the Pigtown festival she is involved in was shelved last year due to a lack of resources in terms of volunteers. She said council had agreed a plan in 2023, but did not deliver on it, meaning last year's event did not proceed. Former council official, Cllr Maria Donoghue pointed out the spend on Christmas in Limerick was less than in other Irish cities. Newly co-opted councillor Padraigh Reale, who replaced the Dail-bound Conor Sheehan on the local authority admitted he took his family to Galway to enjoy the Tribesmen's city experience as he felt it was better than what was on offer in Limerick. When asked why council did not have a Christmas lights turning on ceremony this year, a local authority spokesperson said a number of other events were planned. "It was decided there would be no switch-on event for Christmas 2024 in order to focus on the successful running of the other events across the six weeks of the campaign." However, they added council is "exploring all options and assessing the feasibility" of having a switching-on ceremony in Christmas 2025. RESIDENTS in the Ballyhoura region of south Limerick can learn how to create their own tiny forests to enhance biodiversity around their communities. Ballyhoura Development and Living Woodlands will be teaching Limerick residents how to locally plant trees and create biodiversity havens at Coote Hall Resource Centre in Kilmallock at 7:30pm this Wednesday. Participants will discover how they can create tiny forests with Dr. John Galvin of Living Woodlands introducing the Miyawaki method of planting, and offering useful tips on how communities can create small but effective havens for biodiversity. Living Woodlands is a social enterprise founded by Limerick brothers John and Colm Galvin. This January 22 event champions how small actions can help the environment and highlights the pivotal role of community-led initiatives like the EU Climate Pact in fostering climate awareness and action. Rhiannon Laubach, EU climate pact ambassador and development officer with Ballyhoura Development said local action is key to making a difference. READ ALSO: Olympian Sarah Lavin launches popular Milford Care Centre fundraiser The power of community is essential in addressing global challenges like climate change, she said. By encouraging residents to do something as simple as plant some trees in their neighbourhood, we could be making an impact on the landscapes biodiversity, benefitting everyone. The EU Climate Pact is built on the foundation of collaboration and local action, and this event highlights the power of community in driving forward Irelands and Europes climate-neutral future. The European Climate Pact, launched by the European Commission as part of the European Green Deal, aims to make the EU the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. As a member of the climate pact, Ballyhoura Deveolpment contributes to this grassroots movement which aims to foster a broad and inclusive climate action community across Europe that unites people in the fight against climate change and helps them adapt to its consequences. FOUR students from Limerick are among over 100 students taking part in an online safety campaign. The Webwise Safer Internet Day (SID) Ambassador Training Programme 2025 is a peer-led initiative that equips students with the knowledge and skills to run their own online safety campaigns in their schools and local communities. As part of the programme, Aisling Giltinane and Anna McCarthy of Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ and Sophie Murphy and Abby Sweeney of Ardscoil Mhuire attended an in-person training day in Dublin, where they received support and guidance from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel. The Ambassador Training Programme empowers students to take a leading role in creating a safer, better internet by tackling key issues like online bullying, misinformation, well-being, privacy, and digital rights. READ ALSO: FET centres get 60m boost with high hopes for city and county The theme for Safer Internet Day 2025, happening on Tuesday, February 11, is Prepare, Protect, Thrive: Navigating Algorithms and Influencers. This years campaign encourages schools, parents, young people, and educators to explore how algorithms and influencers shape young peoples online lives. Safer Internet Day (SID) is an EU-wide initiative to promote a safer internet for all users, especially young people. It is promoted in Ireland by the Oide Technology in Education and Webwise, with over 200,000 people taking part last year. To take part in SID register your activity, use the free resources, and visit the Safer Internet Day Hub. Webwise is the online safety initiative of the Department of Education and co-funded by the European Commission. Webwise develops resources to help teachers integrate digital citizenship and online safety into teaching and learning in their schools. It also provides information, advice, and tools to parents to support their engagement in their childrens online lives. IT WAS a proud day for award-winning writer and former Minister of State Liz McManus who has celebrated her graduation from University of Limerick. Liz, who served in Dail Eireann for 19 years two-and-a-half of which she spent as Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal was conferred with a PhD in Creative Writing today, joining 1,705 others graduating as part of the Universitys winter conferring ceremonies. It was the end of an amazing experience for Liz, who originally qualified and worked as an architect before entering politics. Writing was always a passion for the mother-of-four, who wrote a column with the Sunday Tribune for several years before publishing her debut novel, 'Acts of Subversion.' Following her retirement in 2011, she undertook an MPhil in Creative Writing at Trinity College Dublin, going on to publish two more novels the latest of which, 'When Things Come to Light,' was published in 2023. Liz said she was encouraged by a friend, Lia Mills, who had previously completed the PhD in Creative Writing, to come to UL. The draw of studying under the tutelage of her supervisors, Professor Joseph OConnor and Professor Tina OToole, played a significant role in her decision. Here I was, with these two very fine academics standing by me like two guardian angels that is a very privileged position to be in, said Liz. For her creative dissertation, she chose to trace the history of modern Ireland through fiction. She studied the work of Irish resistance writers Liam OFlaherty, Sam Thompson and May Morton, producing a series of short stories spanning the 100 years of Irish independence, from 1919 right up to the pandemic. It is a testament to Lizs talent and dedication that at her viva the final hurdle of the PhD process she achieved something incredibly rare by passing with no corrections. READ MORE: Minister for Education approves construction of large extension for Limerick school It was a terrific experience, and I know not everyone feels that way, she said. You get to a certain age, to tell you the truth, where you become a little bit invisible. So, when you have two academics that you think highly of Donal Ryan and Glenn Patterson taking your work terribly seriously, and reading every inch of it, its kind of satisfying. The PhD process was not without its challenges, with self-proclaimed technophobe Liz admitting that the technical and formatting aspects of the work proved tricky at times. However, she is adamant that budding scholars should embrace the journey at any age and stage. People look at me aghast when I tell them Ive just done a PhD, and I just want to say its big, but its not that big a thing that you couldnt do it To have the resource of a university, a library, academic teachers who are going to be there for you thats a rich resource. And it seems the journey was just as enjoyable for Lizs supervisors, with Professor Joseph OConnor describing her as an immense pleasure to work with. I learned a great deal from working with her and we had many a laugh, too, along the way, becoming good pals, Professor OConnor said. Liz achieved the very rare accolade of passing her viva with no corrections. Extern Glenn Patterson of Queens University Belfast and internal examiner, my friend and colleague Donal Ryan, praised Liz's work as exceptional. To receive this response from two such internationally acclaimed authors and teachers is a well-deserved tribute to Liz's gift." Looking to the future, Liz hopes to publish her dissertation and share the fruits of her PhD with the world, while a memoir is also in the works. I decided to write it partly for my own family, but also, because one of the things I realised when I was doing the PhD was the mammoth changes that have occurred in Ireland that I have not just witnessed but, in a way, been a participant in and thats worth recording. Lessons can be learned by all following a probe into employment arrangements for a now disgraced former Sinn Fein press officer, Michelle ONeill has said. A Northern Ireland Assembly report found that Michael McMonagle likely misrepresented details of his employment which may have resulted in a misuse of public money. McMonagle, from Limewood Street in Londonderry, was jailed last year after being found guilty of a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. The review found that he simultaneously held two full-time jobs working for Sinn Fein politicians while also working as a press officer for three months in 2020, including being employed by then deputy first minister Ms ONeill. Assembly chief executive Lesley Hogg told MLAs that the issue has now been referred to the PSNI. Police confirmed a report has been received and inquiries are ongoing. Speaking in Belfast on Tuesday, Ms ONeill, now First Minister at Stormont, welcomed that the report, which she described as comprehensive, is now in the public domain. The Sinn Fein vice-president said there are lessons for everybody around the employment of workers by MLAs. Ms ONeill said Sinn Fein fully worked with the Assembly Commission in terms of the review. Its a very fulsome review, its very comprehensive over 40 pages long, she said. I dont really have anything more to add to what Ive said to the review itself. I am very acutely aware of the need to be fully accountable in terms of public money and will always be so, so I welcome the fact that the report is now in the public domain. People will make up their own minds. We were at a time of Covid, it was a very short time that he did work for me and there as an overlap, but I do believe there are lessons to be learned. She added: It has been a very useful piece of work. I think there are lessons to be learned for everybody in terms of how we employ people and how that is all fully accounted for. Queens University Belfast has been showcasing the impact of its work across Northern Ireland at an event in Stormont to mark its 180th year. An exhibition brought together academics and MLAs, highlighting innovation as well as work in the community. The universitys president and vice-chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, said: There are researchers at Queens considering how technological advancements can both assist in, and pose a risk to, the Executives commitment to ending violence against women and girls; researchers looking at transforming healthcare delivery through new techniques and precision medicine which can aid waiting list reduction; and countless other research teams and institutional initiatives linked to government priorities across economic growth, education, climate action, and global peace and security. Political leaders and policymakers also learnt about initiatives to ensure access to quality education for all young people. Economy Minister Conor Murphy said: Queens University is a key partner of the Executive. Academics at Queens are delivering world-class research and innovative solutions to challenges of both local and global significance across health, climate, the economy, and peace-building. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: This event is a timely reminder that there are positive developments in healthcare, in spite of the challenges currently facing the service. Experts at Queens are continually seeking to transform healthcare delivery through new techniques, precision medicine, and, ultimately, reduce waiting lists. The collective job of politicians, health staff and academics is to maximise that potential to meet patient needs in an innovative, sustainable way. New Delhi: Busy Bee Airways Pvt. Ltd, former bidder for bankrupt airline Go First, on Tuesday withdrew its plea challenging the 18 December decision of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) reserving the liquidation order. During a hearing in the NCLT on Tuesday, the company expressed its interest to submit a resolution plan to acquire the grounded carrier. The bidder also filed a plea requesting the tribunal to direct the resolution professional (RP) and the committee of creditors (CoC) to halt any liquidation-related actions. Since the NCLT had already passed its liquidation order for Go First on 20 January, the bidder withdrew its plea, stating it would explore other options for relief. In its plea, Busy Bee Airways also sought updated and comprehensive details about Go First, as requested in emails dated 6 May 2024, 27 May 2024, 1 June 2021, and 2 July 2021. The bidder now has the option to move the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), challenging the liquidation order. Busy Bee Airways, majority-owned by Nishant Pitti and linked to SpiceJet chairman and managing director Ajay Singh, had previously expressed interest in acquiring the insolvent airline but withdrew its bid after Go First was left without any operational aircraft. The company was incorporated on 19 April 2017 in Delhi with a paid-up capital of 1 lakh, according to data from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Also read: Go First's airport slots may be up for grabs for rivals soon Media reports suggest that the consortium of Ajay Singh and Nishant Pitti had reportedly offered a bid of approximately 1,800 crore for Go First, compared to an earlier offer of 1,600 crore. The group had also raised its upfront payment proposal to 500 crore from 290 crore, along with plans to use proceeds from an arbitration case against engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney to settle debts owed to financial creditors. This bid was submitted in their personal capacities, while another bid was made by Jaideep Mirchandani-owned Sky One Airways. However, the latter bid was reportedly withdrawn after the Delhi high court ruling on 26 April, which allowed lessors to repossess all 54 Go First aircraft on lease, leaving the airline without planes and rendering it an unviable asset. Also read: Mint Explainer: The Cape Town connection to the Jet Airways, Go First insolvencies The airline owes a total of 6,521 crore to its lenders, including Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India, Deutsche Bank, and IDBI Bank. Central Bank of India holds the largest exposure at 1,987 crore, followed by Bank of Baroda with 1,430 crore, Deutsche Bank at 1,320 crore, and IDBI Bank with 58 crore. Go First, promoted by the Wadias, filed for voluntary insolvency before the NCLT in May 2023. The struggling airline attributed its decision to issues with Pratt & Whitney, claiming that the rising frequency of engine failures caused by the US-based firms International Aero Engines left it with no choice but to seek insolvency protection. Prayagraj: About 40 years ago, Mahavir Singh tasted his first success in business. Just eight years-old, he took his familys camel to the famous Pushkar fair, near his hometown in Rajasthan. He let tourists ride the camel and earned 1,000 in a day. Fairs, or melas, he realized, were a great place to make a fast buck. The thought stayed with him. At Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh mela is being held this year, Singh has invested over 4 crore to install 350 tents. Some of them are luxury tents. They resemble camps erstwhile royalty rested in during their hunting safaris, replete with classy linen and wooden furniture. At the higher end, a luxury tent can come for 40,000 a night. Singh is hoping there will be enough takers; he has a huge loan to service. But then, the river banks at Prayagraj are now dotted with thousands of similar or even more luxurious tents. They are all eyeing a piece of the same piethe well-heeled pilgrim. They have started arriving in hordes to participate in the worlds largest spiritual congregation that includes ascetics, saints, sadhus, sadhvis and kalpvasis. Between 13 January, when the mela, held once in 144 years began, and 26 February, when it will end, the city is expecting over 400 million people, higher than the population of the US. View Full Image Mahavir Singh inside a tent at Prayagraj. (Devina Sengupta) A mini city, divided into 25 sectors, has come up on the banks of the three rivers (Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati) at Prayagrajthe mela spans about 4,000 hectares. Besides hospitality, visitors need a huge array of products and services. Businesses, small and big, want to latch on to that opportunity, just like Singh. In fact, Kumbh has been a trade hotspot for many centuriesChinese monk Xuanzang, who travelled to India in the 7th century AD, made a mention of the congregation. In a report subtitled Economic blessings from Mahakhumb 2025, Sprout Research, an investment research outfit, estimated financial transactions worth $30 billion during the mela period. Assuming an average expenditure of 6,000-8,000 per person, incurred by approximately 80% of the anticipated 400-450 million devotees, the Kumbh mela could generate transactions totalling 2-2.5 trillion ($25-30 billion) over 45 days," the report stated. Tea for the soul This writer landed in Prayagraj on a cold and foggy morning. Announcements from lost and found booths permeated the soundscape of the Kumbh area. Many visitors had lost their wallets or phones; some couldnt find their relatives. Thousands of traders, meanwhile, crossed temporary bridges, called pontoons, built on river banks to reach their chosen sector. They sold beads, necklaces, perfumes (claiming it has musk), bangles made of ivory, medicines, clothes and chillum (small pipe). All these products came with a spiritual twistthey promised customers some sort of salvation, relief from the physical world. View Full Image A chillum being sold at the Kumbh mela. (Devina Sengupta) Rahul Bharti, a 22-year-old Bsc student, placed himself rather ingeniously near the changing rooms built on the river banks. He sold tea. As pilgrims emerged from the icy water after taking holy dips, his beverage was in hot demand. So much so, he frequently ran out of milk. I bought 15 kg of sugar, 5 kg of ginger and stored them at my home nearby. I have borrowed 8,000 from friends and family to set up the tea stall and have recovered my investment in the first three days," said Bharti, whose parents are daily wage earners. I have to travel a few kilometres everyday to get milk which is now sold for 65 per litre versus 28 earlier." Many other residents of Prayagraj have also seen their earnings double. An autorickshaw driver who identified himself as Saddam, is one of them. Saddam wore a brown jacket, kept a shawl over his legs, a muffler tightly wound around his head and ears. He used wired headphones to communicate with customers, who were instructed to call him for pick up and drop well in advance. He estimated he could earn 5,000-6,000 a day, ferrying passengers from the city to the Kumbh area. In regular months, his earnings would be less than half that amount. I was working in Kuwait as a driver and decided to return just before Kumbh. We are locals; we know the routes even on days when there are road blocks," the 31-year-old said. Kumbh in Reels As you walk around the mela, you realize another all-pervasive thing: almost everyone was live streaming or video recording their experiences. But one cohort is making a lot of moneysocial media influencers. They are being paid by tent owners, local shops, large corporations, and even sages who desire for more disciples. If you scroll through social media and search for Kumbh, you would discover a blitzkrieg of reelsinterviews of sages and pilgrims, on life in a tent, on holy dips. And some have travelled quite a distance to shoot. View Full Image A screenshot from Aman Srivastavas Instagram page. I used to work as a wedding vlogger," said Dinesh Kushwaha, who is from Meerut. I took the night train and came to Kumbh to make blogs because this was an opportunity I did not want to miss," he added. For many, these impromptu trips meant sleeping in makeshift camps and eating free food sponsored by the akhadas (religious sects). Aman Srivastava, from Prayagraj, works at a technology company. He is also an influencer. His Instagram account has more than 380,000 followers and his Facebook account over 208,000. I have a team of six who take photos, make reels, update the social media sites and edit the content," said the 31-year-old, who rushes from one end of the city to another, on a bike with a handheld camera, to make the perfect reel. From the mela, he has made posts sponsored by a fintech firm, a four-wheeler showroom in the city, a local Italian restaurant, and a nearby temple. His pay ranges from 4,000 to 15,000 for a 50 second reel. In fact, some influencers said that their compensation for Kumbh-related posts can fetch upto 30,000 a reel. This is a bonanza considering that normally, they mostly make wedding-related reels, getting paid only between 3,000 and 4,000. Pay per snap The stars at Kumbh are clearly the sages. Enveloped in a haze of smoke, they draw huge crowds. Akharas (religious sects) advertise the details of their leaders and followers often pay a donation. At times, you have to pay if you want to click a sadhuabout 40-50 for a snap. View Full Image A sadhu poses for a photograph at Maha Kumbh. (Devina Sengupta) Local tour companies are reaping the rewards. Some are selling holy dip packages to foreign tourists for 50,000- 100,000. The package includes a days stay in the Kumbh area and the opportunity to take the dip along with a team of sadhus. This writer spotted tour guides taking a bunch of foreign tourists to different akharas for a peek into their lives. A man who identified himself as Chela Arpan (chela means disciple) said he was an engineer who gave up the material world. Arpan joined a group of sadhus three-four years ago and now travels with the troupe, living off the alms and money that pilgrims offer. In these four years, he has lost more than 40 kg, he claimed. I will not go back to that worlda world where I had a family and a regular earning," he added. The reverence is so high that many pilgrims made a beeline before tattoo artist Sadnam Singh. From Himachal Pradesh, Singh was inking the names of sages for 400, in sector 20, where most of the akharas are centered. View Full Image Tattoo artist Sadnam Singh. (Devina Sengupta) SIP mantra So, what are large corporations up to at the mela? Not just companies, even Indias central bank made its presence felt. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up centres here to promote concepts around digital privacy and cyber security. Banks (such as Bank of Baroda) promoted digital payments. Life Insurance Corporation, meanwhile, talked about quick and safe online payment methods for insurance products. There has been a six times increase in advertising revenue this Kumbh versus the one in 2019 (Ardh Kumbh)," said Raj Mohanty, vice president at Crayons Advertising. The cost in 2019 was 70,000-80,000 a hoarding; now it is going for 3.5- 5 lakh," he added. If you take a walk down the prominent roads in the area, billboards, advertisements on tents, gates and watchtowers make quite a splash. Even the police posts have brands all over them. For the next two months, we have invested about 1 crore for branding. Changing rooms and police booths are visible areas," Mohit Sharma, senior vice president and business unit head, lighting & electricals, Eveready Industries, reasoned. He added that at Maha Kumbh, some companies are spending more than what they did during last Diwali. View Full Image Changing rooms at Maha Kumbh mela. (Devina Sengupta) The Sprout Research paper, cited earlier, stated that companies have collectively allocated a budget of over 3,000 crore for the mela. While Sharda Universitys posters were plastered on police posts, consumer goods firm Dabur set up Dabur Dant Snan zones in prominent akharas. These zones would help spread the message of oral hygiene among the lakhs of devotees at the Kumbh Mela using a unique automated toothpaste dispenser," the company said in response to Mint's queries. You cannot keep the stock markets out. This writer saw street plays organized by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), promoting the idea of systematic investment plans (SIPs). With a vision to spread financial literacy and educate millions of pilgrims about the benefits of mutual funds, AMFIs campaign integrates innovative on-ground activities to ensure deep engagement," the association said. This included a skit on conserving water. View Full Image A street play, organized by the Association of Mutual Funds in India, in progress. (Devina Sengupta) Meanwhile, some boats ferrying passengers down the rivers carried ads from the State Bank of India (SBI) or Reliance Consumer Products beverage, Campa. Hospitality and consumer firm ITC put up booths that sold its snacks brand Bingo! and incense brand Mangaldeep. These branding activities by India Inc come at a time when weak urban demand, delayed winters and inflationary pressures have impacted their business. The catchment area, be it for fast-moving consumer goods companies, or the financial sector, is rural India and Kumbh, apart from the well-heeled, has also attracted people from Indias heartland. But not everyone in the region will make money. Some boatmen who work away from the Kumbh area feel deprived. I have barely earned any money as no one wants to go down other parts of the rivers now," Dhanraj, a boatman, said. Dhanraj is unaware that Mahavir Singh, like him, is just as worried. After the Kumbh ends, Singh will be able to calculate if his risksthe 4 crore that he invested in tentswere worth it. Donald Trump started his new presidential term with an unexpected show of restraint. Just a couple of months ago, Mr Trump had warned that he would announce hefty new levies on his first day back in the White House. Instead, he opted for a softer opening. He was set to issue a presidential memorandum, calling for an America first" trade policy and a review of commercial relationships with China, Canada and Mexico. His measured start prompted relief in government offices and on trading floors around the world. Foreign currencies and stocks rallied. How long will Mr Trumps restraint last? In his inaugural address he vowed to follow through on his pledge to jack up tariffs, a staple of his campaign. Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens," he saida line that his supporters may love but which distorts the grimmer reality of how tariffs function in part as a tax on Americans. He also said the government would establish an External Revenue Service to collect the massive amounts of money" that will pour into America from its tariffs. Mr Trumps initial caution may be explained by the fact that he uses the stockmarket as a barometer of economic sentiment, and may have wanted to avoid rattling investors at the outset of his presidency. Although American markets were closed for Martin Luther King Day on January 20th, futures jumped after initial reports about the absence of new tariffs, pointing to a strong opening on the 21st. The delay also hints at continued debate within Mr Trumps inner circle about how exactly to pursue tariffs. More traditional conservatives such as Scott Bessent, nominated to be treasury secretary, want levies to be limited at the outset, mainly targeting industries that America wants to cultivate at home, such as batteries and steel. Hawkish voices in his White Housenotably, Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policyare pushing for the universal tariffs that Mr Trump promised on the campaign trail. By using his presidential memo to call for an America first" trade policy without specifying its actual content, Mr Trump has given the different groups breathing space to work out the details. Waiting a few months on tariffs could also serve a legislative purpose. Under the arcane budgetary rules of Congress, bills passed with a narrow majority through the reconciliation process cannot increase the federal deficit on a permanent basis. In practice, that means that Republicans must find pay-fors" to cover the cost of extending Mr Trumps tax cuts from 2017, many of which are due to expire at the end of this year. By holding fire on trade for now, Mr Trump has left Republicans with tariffs as a large, albeit controversial, source of revenue for a tax package. If they decide against including tariffs in their bill, Mr Trump still has a range of legal options, such as declaring an economic emergency that would allow him to impose tariffs unilaterally. A final wrinkle is that a delay in tariffs aligns with Mr Trumps instincts as a dealmaker. He believes, contrary to most evidence, that tariffs are good for Americas economy. But he also thinks, consistent with more evidence, that the threat of tariffs offers America clout in talks with other countries. In particular, Mr Trump has signalled that he wants to re-engage with China: the Wall Street Journal reported on January 18th that he would like to visit Beijing to meet Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, within his first 100 days in office. Rather than kick off a new trade war before that meeting, Mr Trump would come armed with the possibility of new tariffs, potentially giving him a stronger position at the negotiating table. The thread running through all these explanations is that tariffs are almost certainly still coming. After an initial market rally, Mr Trump may feel emboldened. In time, his advisers will settle on a strategy. And talks with China, not to mention with Canada and Mexico, are unlikely to fulfil all of Mr Trumps wishes. If anyone thinks were done with tariffs, I dont think thats the way to read it," says Sarah Bianchi, a former American deputy trade representative. Although Mr Trump may have displayed surprising patience on day one, the self-declared tariff man" will surely ride again. New Delhi: Steep prices, rotting stocks and cartel concerns - The heartburn that comes with onion harvests every year may become a thing of the past, with the government looking to sign up private firms for efficient storage and transport of the kitchen staple to supplement its own buffer stocks. Selected companies will source and store onions from hubs in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh at a pre-agreed price, to be delivered across the country when needed, a person aware of the plans said on the condition of anonymity. India maintains buffer stocks to stabilize prices of onion, a kitchen bulb prone to volatile prices since a quarter of the produce is lost after harvest. Currently, the stocks are maintained at warehouses run by national agriculture cooperatives. The preparation of the terms and conditions for the tender document is nearing completion and will be released soon. Under the tender, the responsibility for the transportation and storage of onions will rest with the selected private entity. Any failure to fulfill these obligations will result in the forfeiture of their security deposit and blacklisting from future contracts," a second person aware of the plans said on the condition of anonymity. Also read | Government to rope in Railways to rein in sky-high onion prices Onion prices have posed a headache for governments over the years, with its volatile prices figuring in election campaigns. Prices tend to rise during August and remain elevated through October and November, coinciding with the festive season. To address this, the government begins selling onions at subsidized rates of 35 per kg from August or September. In 2023, the discounted onions were sold at 25/kg from August through stores and mobile vans operated by Nafed and NCCF. Presently, the governments buffer onion stock is managed by the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (Nafed) for a fee paid by the consumer affairs ministry. Queries emailed to the consumer affairs ministry which plans to float the tender remained unanswered. Vinod Anand, an agricultural policy expert and member of a government committee on minimum support prices, emphasized the urgent need for reforms in the onion supply chain to address persistent challenges like price volatility and farmer exploitation. "Aligning procurement with actual production is crucial to avoiding the price fluctuations that hurt both farmers and consumers," Anand said. Also read | Centre keeps a wary eye on the sky as onion looms large over state polls However, Anand opposed the governments move to involve private players in procurement, stating they may have a larger interest in exploiting the market and disrupting prices. Traceability, enabled by the government's e-Samridhi logistics platform, could revolutionize the sector by ensuring transparency from production to sale, he said. Anand pointed to the influence of India's largest onion hub at Lasalgaon in Maharashtra, adding central cooperatives need to curb inefficiencies and unfair practices. Maintaing supply Apart from the stocks held by the private sector, the ministry will also maintain a secondary buffer stock to ensure market stability, the second person added. This reserve will be utilized to offset any price surges, providing an additional safeguard for consumers during periods of volatility. The government has often ordered stock limits and export curbs to ensure ample supplies. Exports were banned from December 2023 to May 2024, followed by gradual liberalization and reduction in export duties. Consequently, monthly onion export volumes increased from 72,000 tonnes in September to 168,000 tonnes in December 2024, the ministry data showed. Also read | Govt plans to introduce new agriculture export policy Transporting perishable commodities like onions across the country is a complex challenge due to their sensitive nature and risk of spoilage during transit. An integrated supply chain focused on maintaining ideal temperature conditions, proper packaging, and efficient handling is essential. With real-time temperature monitoring and advanced storage protocols, we can minimize losses, optimize transportation, and ensure that the quality of agri-commodities like onions is preserved throughout their journey," said Swarup Bose, founder and chief executive officer, Celcius Logistics. The Centre is targeting to procure 475,000 tonnes of onions for the buffer stock in FY25, after production fell from 31.6 million tonnes in FY22 to 24.2 million tonnes in FY24. Meanwhile, annual household consumption of onions in FY23 stood at 19.3 million tonnes. The government procured 470,000 tonnes of onions from the rabi harvest last year at an average price of 2,833 a quintal, sharply higher than the previous years 1,724. Buffer stocks were released to curb price surges, and export policies were calibrated to ensure domestic supply. A Competition Commission of India (CCI) order against Meta Platforms Inc. in November over its messaging application WhatsApps 2021 privacy policy update has revived questions of overlapping jurisdictions between sectoral regulators and CCI, two persons informed about the development said. The competition watchdog imposed a 213 crore penalty on Meta for allegedly abusing its dominant position and prohibited WhatsApp from sharing user data collected on its platform with other Meta companies or products for advertising purposes for five years. The order, however, is in conflict with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023 and the draft rules to implement the law released by the ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity) on 3 January. The rules allow processing of digital personal data of individuals with informed consent, the persons said, requesting anonymity. The new law entrusts the Data Protection Board of India -- to be set up by the government--with overseeing legitimate use of personal data based on consent. CCIs order on Meta Platforms prohibiting data sharing by WhatsApp for five years signals CCIs role as a guardian of personal data. It goes against the individuals sovereignty over data and small and medium businesses' ability to go for targeted advertising on the basis of such data," the person cited above said. Metas appeal against the CCI order is currently pending in the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal. Also read | Apple anti-trust case: CCIs investigation confirms anti-competitive practices in India As per the CCI order, the company has time till mid-Februarythree months from the date of order--to comply with its directions on specific data-related practices. Stopping data sharing among group entities could impact Facebooks advertisement business and small businesses' ability to target advertisements, the second person said. Experts pointed out that while the CCI order prohibiting user data sharing by Meta among group entities for five years shows the regulatory effort to protect competition in the market, the emerging digital data protection framework allows it based on user consent. The entire edifice of protecting digital data and its legitimate use is based on user consent and user autonomy, given that the user may consider it beneficial," said Amol Kulkarni, director of research at CUTS International, a non-profit, non-governmental organization working on public interest issues. Regulatory bodies like CCI may have a concern about the use of data by businesses, but whether the remedy for that can be a complete prohibition, even when the user is agreeing to it, is a questionable premise because it could have an unintentional impact on user interest. While we completely understand CCI may be looking for innovative remedies against anti-competitive conduct, where penalty alone may not prove to be a disincentive, prohibiting data sharing even when the user is actively consenting can impact interests of small businesses given that startups and other small businesses would potentially benefit from data sharing and targeting advertisements," said Kulkarni. Also read | CCI not to intervene in quick commerce market That is the way they can compete with larger companies and connect with customers. We appreciate CCIs concerns, but we need to be very careful in order to avoid any unintentional impact," Kulkarni added. Queries emailed on Friday to CCI and Meta seeking comments remained unanswered. In 2018, the Supreme Court had offered guidance on the interplay of the powers of CCI and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) in a case of alleged cartelization in the telecom sector. The apex court had said that comity between the sectoral regulator and the anti-trust regulator is a crucial aspect of market regulation and must be exercised effectively. The court balanced regulatory powers by giving Trai the authority to determine sector-specific issues first, and invoke the jurisdiction of CCI if it apprehends existence of anti-competitive practices. The CCI order accused Meta of abusing its dominant position, citing WhatsApps 2021 privacy policy update which it said undermined users ability to opt out of getting their data shared with the groups social media platform Facebook. Business transaction information of users helps social media firms profile customers and target advertisements. According to a clarification from WhatsApp in 2021, the policy update did not affect the privacy of customer messages with friends or family in any way. Also read | CCI enlists attorney general R Venkataramani to clear path for Amazon, Flipkart antitrust probes The CCI order said that sharing user data among Meta companies for purposes other than offering WhatsApp services creates an entry barrier for the rivals of Meta, and results in denial of market access in the display advertisement market, in violation of competition law. Metas leveraging of its dominant position in the internet messaging app to protect its position in the online display advertising market was against the law, the regulator said. MeITy's draft rules on digital data protection, open for public feedback till 18 February, says consent given by the user should be free, specific, informed, unconditional and unambiguous and for a specified purpose. The Digital Data Protection law seeks to allow processing of digital personal data based on individuals right to protect the same and the need for its lawful uses. Facebook acquired WhatsApp in 2014. And read | CCI to streamline penalty recovery mechanism to force reluctant defaulters India-based venture capital and private equity firms have petitioned Securities Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to reconsider rules that mandate their co-investors exit alongside the fund, three people familiar with the development said. Co-investors are those who typically want to take additional exposure to a particular investment made by an alternative investment fund (AIF)vehicles used by private equity and venture capital firms to invest in India . Sebi brought in new rules under the PMS (portfolio management services) regime for co-investments in 2022. A key reason to regulate co-investors was to ensure that all AIF investors had identical termsmeaning a co-investor cannot have more favourable terms than other investors of an AIF. This included synchronising co-investor exits alongside funds. While this has been a thorny issue for two years, it has especially come up over the last year as VC/ PE exits have soared on the back of multiple initial public offerings (IPOs). Read more: Santosh Kamath of Franklin Templeton MF is back with a new credit alternative investment fund Many fund managers have booked exits via block deals after the listing of their portfolio firms, but their co-investors have wanted to stay on for a longer period of time, the people cited above said on the condition of anonymity. Industry concerns Instead of facilitating co-investments in the true sense, the existing regulatory framework almost seems suspicious of such arrangements (by prescribing simultaneous exits on identical terms)," said Swapneil B. Akut, partner, S&R Associates. Akut leads the firms funds practice. Most funds are deliberately designed to function as limited-life vehicles, with initial public offerings providing the exits they need at the end of their life cycles. However, the large-ticket investors offered co-investment opportunities often have higher risk appetites and may not be inclined to exit high-quality investee companies at the time of an initial public offering. With Indian listed equities continuing to perform well and attracting global interest, it comes as no surprise that such co-investors are seeking practical regulatory reforms. Insofar as the interests of other fund investors are not adversely impacted, it is a fair ask not to be compelled to exit along with the fund," Akut said. "Co-investments to limited partners (LPs), historically has been a function of their overall relevance to the portfolio company, contribution to the fund, availability of the cap table to absorb capital and finally founders' comfort on adding more investors to the cap table of the company. Having a pari passu democratic right across the LP base of a fund may defeat the purpose and make it an execution challenge. We believe that SFA will factor it in whilst making the operational guidance to the industry and the regulators so that these can be made easier to implement," said Ankush Bhutra, financial controller, Blume Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm. SFA stands for Standard Setting Forum constituted with industry representatives from IVCA and PE and VC firms. On 14 January, a Business Standard report said that the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) in the Gift city has proposed that funds be allowed to set up a special purpose vehicle for co-investments. Global investors adopt a special purpose vehicle for co-investments in other geographies. However, in India, a special purpose vehicle for co-investments would meet the description of an NBFC, flouting existing laws. Sebi's perspective Instead, some investors had proposed that co-investment units be issued within an AIF, the people cited earlier said. However, Sebi felt that this would contravene the principles of a blind-pool AIF which requires that all investors within an AIF vehicle are offered the same terms, a fourth person with knowledge of the discussions said. Sebi was clear that a co-investorwho pays an additional fee to the fund manager for the opportunity to invest moreshould not be given more favourable terms than an existing AIF investor. Further, Sebi felt that synchorising exits alongside fund managers would best protect co-investor interests, as they may not get the necessary guidance after the manager exits, the fourth person added. Fund managers, however, feel that a more elegant solution needs to be found as limited partners or investors in AIFs have a greater incentive to stay invested in a company well after a fund exits. This is especially true of fund managers in early-stage investments, the fund-managers cited above said. "Lot of investors have a longer investment horizon than the fund which has a defined life of 10 years. Sebi is treating them as mutual fund investors. Maybe Sebi is worried about transparency in which case they should focus on educating these investors rather than coming up with such rules," Anand Lunia, founding partner at homegrown venture capital firm India Quotient, said, noting that AIF investors were far more sophisticated. "Sebi is protecting them like they are retail investors vulnerable to malpractice by funds and as a result removing all the flexibility that this investor class deserves." New Delhi: Gross refining margins of Indian oil refiners are likely to shrink going ahead post fresh sanctions on two Russian oil producers and nearly 200 crude-carrying vessels, according to sector experts. Buyers of cheap Russian oil may now have to look at other sources of oil which are unlikely to be offered at discounts, they said. "Due to the sanctions, oil companies may have to look at other sources of oil, which may not come with discounts. This would increase the cost and eventually shrink refining margins of the refineries. Although the overall import bill of the country is unlikely to see a major hit, the GRMs (gross refining margins) may somewhat decline" said Prashant Vasisht, senior vice president and co-group head, corporate ratings, Icra. Decline in public sector GRMs As Russian discounts fall to below $5 per barrel, GRMs of Indian public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) have already declined by about 80% in FY25 from the highs recorded in FY24. Discounts on Russian oil are currently around $2.5-4 per barrel, compared with around $6 per barrel a year ago. According to data from the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC), in the first half of FY25 the refining margins of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd, a public sector enterprise under the Union petroleum ministry and a subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd (ONGC) declined as much as 80.17% to $2.56 per barrel from $12.91 in the same period last fiscal. State-run IOCLs GRM in April-September stood at $4.08 per barrel, compared with $13.12 a barrel during the corresponding period of the last fiscal, registering a decline of 68.90%. The other public sector oil majors Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd (HPCL) reported a GRM of $6.12 and $4.03, lower by 60.31% and 61.58%, respectively. Russia emerged as the top supplier of oil to India in the past three years as it offered crude at steep discounts to get around Western sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. So far in FY25 (April-October), India has imported crude oil worth $31.86 billion from Russia, about 38.5% of India's total oil imports during the period. China and India have been among the biggest beneficiaries of Russian crude discounts in the past few years. Bhanu Patni, associate director, corporates, India Ratings, said: There could be a two-way impact on the GRMs. In case of an increase in the cost of crude procurement, the refining margins of Indian players, currently benefitting from discounts on Russian crude procurement, may somewhat decline. However, if there is an overall rise in crude prices globally due to the supply side constraints, the margins globally may see an uptick." Impact of sanctions The US Treasury on 10 January imposed sanctions on Russian oil producers Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, along with 183 vessels that have shipped Russian oil, in a bid to hit the countrys revenue from oil sales. On 13 January, Mint reported that the fresh sanctions are unlikely to have an immediate impact on supplies to India for about the next two months as the crude required for this period has already been loaded on vessels and is in transit. Post this period, refiners will realign their supply arrangements as per their requirement, an official said on the condition of anonymity, adding that an impact, if any, may be in the form of narrowing of discounts, leading India to procure oil at market prices. Earlier this month, India Ratings forecast that GRMs will remain subdued during FY26 like in the first half of FY25, on account of slow global consumer and industrial demand, especially China, and additional supplies flowing from refinery capacity additions seen globally. However, demand of petroleum products in India is expected to remain strong during FY26, with bulk demand coming from diesel, petrol and LPG, it said. India's petroleum product demand continues to remain robust with consumption seen at a record 252.9 million tonnes for the next financial year (FY26). According to data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, demand for petrol is projected to grow 6.64% in FY26 to 42.6 million tonnes from 39.98 million tonnes projected for this fiscal. Diesel consumption is projected at 94.12 million tonnes, higher by 2.77% than the 91.57 million tonnes estimated for FY25. Despite the domestic demand for petroleum products being robust, the global trend has been subdued due to weak demand by China, the second largest importer of crude oil, leading to a fall in crack spreads globally. Crack spreads are the price difference between a barrel of crude oil and the petroleum products refined from it. There never has been a better time than now to manage the wealth of the rich, as the parabolic rally in equities in the post-pandemic era swelled the ranks and bank balances of the extreme rich in both metros and tier-II cities. Private bankers, whose job it is to manage the finances of such wealthy individuals, are ballooning in headcount, and their salaries, too, are skyrocketing as demand shoots through the roof and they jump jobs as well. The number of private bankers in the wealth management industry has almost doubled in the past two-three years, data compiled by Native, a homegrown headhunting firm, shows. Today, there are around 3,200 private bankers in India across metro, tier-I and tier-II cities, compared to just around 2,000 bankers two years ago, the data compiled exclusively for Mint shows. Their compensations, too, have kept pace. Those earning more than 2 crore annually have doubled from 100 executives in 2022 to around 200 as on date, the data from Native shows. Similarly, the number of people earning more than 1 crore in annual compensation has doubled from around 250 people in 2022 to 500 as on date. This effectively means every one in five private bankers earns more than 1 crore in annual salary today. Esops have long been a crucial factor in attracting private bankers. Following the successful listings of firms like 360 One WAM, Nuvama, and Anand Rathi, they have become a key determinant in talent acquisition, particularly for senior-level positions," said Shujat Ali, director of private banking practice at Native. The wealth management surge Post-covid, the surge in capital markets has coincided with the growth of the wealth management industry, of which private bankers are a part. Even as the Nifty has grown more than 206% till date from the panic low of March 2020, the wealth management industry in India has grown at an annual compounded rate of around 18-20% over the same period. Today, the industrys assets under management (AUM) stands at more than $750 billion, according to new reports. It is projected to climb to more than $2 trillion over the next decade, thus becoming the fastest growing segment in the financial services industry. Also read | Standard Chartered Bank looks to raise its wealth management game in India The next decade is going to be a golden era for the wealth management industry, where a significant amount of wealth creation will happen across all segments of the society, from retail clients to the ultra HNI clients," said Raghav Gupta, joint CEO of IIFL Capital. Gupta added that the wealth management industry is likely to grow exponentially driven by the addition of high-net-worth individuals (HNIs). The annual likely growth is minimum 20% over the next decade," he said. The rise and rise of the ultra-rich According to the Hurun India Rich List 2024, India saw one new billionaire every five days in the past year, as reported by Mint last August. India is emerging as Asias wealth creation engine," Anas Rahman Junaid, founder and chief researcher at Hurun India, said. While China saw a 25% decline in its number of billionaires, India experienced a 29% increase, reaching a record 334 billionaires." The cumulative wealth of these billionaires is an eye-popping 159 trillion. To capitalize on the rising number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs) and HNIs, several new wealth management startups have come up in the past 12-24 months. Some of these include Centricity Wealthtech, Dezerv, Neo Group, Ionic Wealth, FundsIndia, HDFC Tru and Shriram Wealth, among others. As per various classifications, HNIs are those with liquid assets of up to 5 crore, and UHNIs, more than 25 crore. Also read | HNIs pivot towards early-stage startups as late-stage entities face correction According to Sandeep Jethwani, co-founder of Dezerv, the wealth management ecosystem in India is witnessing a profound change, with new wealth creators, particularly first-generation entrepreneurs and professionals, entering the high-net-worth segment at an unprecedented pace. Our data shows nearly 1 crore (10 million) households now have investible assets over 1 crore, growing at 15% CAGR annually," Jethwani said. However, the talent pool to serve this segment isnt growing at the same pace. Theres a clear demand-supply gap playing out and one that cannot be solved at the expense of client experience." Jethwani added that his firm has hired more than 100 relationship managers in the past 24 months who are managing 10,000 crore in client assets. Going strong Natives Ali, too, said that the private banking industry continues to experience strong demand for private bankers, team leaders, and CXO-level executives. At Native, we are currently managing several CXO-level positions and conducting more than a dozen searches for candidates at the regional head-equivalent level on behalf of our clients," Ali added. The high demand for deep domain expertise has seen several top-level moves in the wealth management industry in recent times. Some such moves include Raghav Guptas and Prakash Bulusus appointment at IIFL Capital as joint CEOs; Anupam Guhas appointment as chairman at Motilal Oswal Private Wealth; Apurva Sahijwanis appointment at Avendus Wealth as managing director and CEO; Srikanth Subramanians move to Angel One Wealth as its cofounder and CEO; and Srinivas Mendu taking over as CEO of FundsIndia. Also read | Can this mid-cap company take lead in the $1.2 tn wealth management business? Many of their team members also move with these CEOs, with compensation and the culture becoming the top reasons for people movement in the industry, the Voice of the Private Banker 2025 report by Native shows. And since the compensations are linked to the growing AUM, bankers expect compensations to be directly linked with advisory fee-based earnings going forward. More frequent fliers are declaring themselves airline free agents, fed up with ever-changing requirements to earn and maintain status. Carriers across the country have changed their loyalty programs in recent years to reward big spenders rather than budget-conscious road warriors up in the air week after week. These changes have upset travelers who once wore their airline loyalty as a badge of honor. Those backing away say the high cost of maintaining status isnt rewarded with the same quality of customer service as before, and that rewards are harder to come by. Forgoing access to airport lounges and early boarding can be worth it for travelers who are tired of chasing points and want to save money on flights. Benjamin Carter, a veterinary chief medical officer who lives in Boca Raton, Fla., has earned Diamond Medallion status, the top tier of Deltas SkyMiles loyalty program, for six years. He carries the Delta SkyMiles Reserve credit card that comes with a $650 annual fee. Some travelers are choosing to lose perks such as dedicated check-in lanes to make a break from the airline-status cycle. Having Diamond status means Carter gets global upgrade certificates, access to a VIP phone line and priority boarding, among other perks. He plans to give that all up after growing frustrated with Deltas customer service and the higher cost of maintaining his status. For a business trip to Houston, hes considering Spirits Big Front Seat option. He plans to track his travels with other carriers in a spreadsheet, comparing prices and on-time statistics. If Im able to find an airline that gives me more point-to-point service with less connections, that will be a huge factor in determining who I choose going forward," Carter says. Shifting priorities Industry veterans say customers are reacting to the changes airlines have made to frequent-flier programs in recent years. Delta announced changes to its program in 2023 that focused rewards more heavily on the airlines biggest spenders. That resulted in as many as 100,000 people with higher levels of SkyMiles status checking with competing airlines to see if they could receive the same level of status and switch allegiances, says Mark Ross-Smith, CEO of Loyalty Status Co., a company that creates technology for loyalty programs. While not all of those people would have actually flown on another carrier, the Delta changes were material enough that members felt they needed a backup option," Ross-Smith says. A Delta spokeswoman said in an email that customers are engaging with the airlines loyalty program at record levels, noting that when customers interact more with Delta, the more satisfied they are with their experience." Delta doesnt disclose how many members are in its loyalty program, but that number is in the millions. Airlines including American and United have also embraced loyalty models in recent years that put greater emphasis on how much customers spend rather than how often they travel. Co-branded credit cards have risen in prominence within these programs. Paying with these cards for everyday purchases can earn someone status without ever boarding a flight. United Airlines says that its frequent-flier program is growing at a record pace. Many frequent travelers are opting to save money instead. Chad Bordes holds Platinum Medallion status with Delta. His allegiance to the carrier stretches decades: His father was a Delta employee when he was growing up. Bordes, who works in event management, finds it increasingly hard to justify the often higher cost of flying with a preferred carrier in the name of maintaining status. He has to pass on business-travel expenses to cost-conscious clients. This year, he opted to play the field when booking. Its a breath of fresh air," says the 53-year-old resident of Eugene, Ore. Generational backlash Millennial and Gen Z travelers are becoming free agents when it comes to airlines, industry executives say. These younger customers are less likely to be enrolled in frequent-flier programs in the first place, let alone reach the upper echelons of those programs. The value of airline miles and points has decreased as travelers have accumulated huge war chests of rewards, making it harder to convert loyalty into free trips. Travelers increasingly view air travel as simply a means to getting to their destination, rather than part of the experience itself, says Jeff Zotara, chief marketing officer at Arrivia, a travel technology company. So theyre shifting more of their travel budget away from flights. General travel cards such as the Chase Sapphire, Capital One Venture and Amex Platinum cards have made eschewing airline status easier. The perks that come with these cards include airport lounge access and more options for converting rewards into flights or hotel stays. Raina Szura, a 30-year-old in Chicago who works in investment services, plans to hold on to her United-branded credit card. But shes less focused on earning status with the airline. Her card entitles her to a free checked bag and earlier boarding, which she says makes ditching her status in Uniteds MileagePlus program an easier pill to swallow. She says she will miss the occasional upgrades to seats with more legroom that her status has earned her. Thats something Im probably going to have to pay for if it is a long flight," she says. United says its MileagePlus program is growing at a record pace. For airlines, winning back these free agents might not be easy to do. Airlines need to remember that their members are emotionally attached to their airline status," says Ross-Smith, the loyalty company executive. Messing with that emotional relationship comes at a cost to the airline. That cost may not be felt immediately, but it does down the road." Sign up for the WSJ Travel newsletter for more tips and insights from the Journals travel team. Write to Jacob Passy at jacob.passy@wsj.com Indias markets regulator has stepped up its surveillance of penny stocks and micro-cap companies that have returned exponential gains in a short period, according to a senior official aware of the development, as the watchdog continues to increase scrutiny to protect small investors. Astronomical share price rises could signal speculative trading, posing risks to retail investors, particularly those new to the stock market, the official said on the condition of anonymity. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), the official said, aims to protect investors through targeted enforcement. But as the regulator cannot monitor every small company or suspicious activity, it also aims to protect investors through education, the official said. The regulator is doing its best to ensure investors are protected. The orders of the regulator carry a message for investors, but they should check these orders." Sebi is looking to ringfence investors at a time the ongoing volatility has wiped out 60 trillion from investor wealth in the past three-and-a-half months. Millions of new retail investors drawn by the pandemic-driven stock frenzy--demat accounts surged about fourfold since March 2020 to 185.30 million--would be among the worst hit. Also read | Sebi to enhance risk metrics in F&O to curb manipulation fears in cash, derivative markets: Ananth Narayan G The regulators concerns stem from the surge in the prices of penny stocks and micro-caps even though their earnings have not kept pace. The Nifty Microcap Index surged 21.7% over the past year through 10 January. But its price-to-equity ratio, a measure of share price relative to profit, fell from 32.27 to 29.75. Some penny stocks and micro-caps have seen gains of more than 1000% during the period. Last year, Sebi imposed curbs to prevent speculative trading in derivatives and social media tips. It also cracked down in individual cases for strict action. It recently suspended trading in Bharat Global Developers Ltd within a week of discovering financial misrepresentation to prevent further manipulation and send a message to the broader market. The official quoted earlier said much like a police force cannot catch all petty criminals, it is impossible for the regulator to issue orders for every company engaged in manipulative practices. However, the focus remains on educating investors, especially first-time ones, about the risks of investing in speculative stocks or following unverified advice from social media influencers." Also read | Ketan Parekh: Inside Sebis 30-month front-running probe Sonam Srivastava, founder and fund manager at Wright Research PMS, cautioned that blanket punitive measures might stifle growth, particularly for micro-cap companies recovering after restructuring. Transparency in investigations and strict monitoring of unusual trading patterns are essential," she said, advocating a balance between investor education and prompt action against proven manipulation. Regulatory vigilance To be sure, the regulator's vigilance extends beyond micro-caps. It recently introduced curbs to prevent retail investors from speculating in futures and options after a study showed that most individual investors lose money on such products. It also tightened rules for funding of initial public offerings (IPO). The regulator and market institutions are "watchful" for any signs of manipulation that might occur in one market to profit from another, Sebi whole-time member Ananth Narayan G said during a symposium. Often, on social media, we hear rumors claiming that manipulation in the cash market is driving activity in the derivatives market, which leads to either extreme volatility or a complete lack of it, benefiting certain manipulators." Sebi has repeatedly warned investors against blindly following stock tips on social media, particularly those promoting obscure small-cap stocks. It encourages thorough research before investing, especially in IPOs or heavily advertised stocks. Also read | Sebi introduces MF Lite framework for passive mutual funds In August, the flagged the risk of companies listed on the Small and Medium Enterprises platform making exaggerated claims, misleading investors into buying overpriced securities. In October, Sebi cancelled Trafiksol ITS Technologies' SME IPO and ordered a refund after uncovering irregularities. In 2023, Sebi barred 55 entities for allegedly manipulating stock prices via YouTube. Subhash Chandra Garg, former finance secretary and a former whole-time member of Sebi, compared the current situation to the period between 2012 and 2016, with manipulators inflated prices of penny stocks or low-cap companies by trading within a closed group to convert black money, ultimately trapping retail investors. The government and Sebi addressed this through measures like shifting penny stocks to delivery-based trade and modifying the Income Tax Act. Garg called for accountability regarding how small-cap stocks were issued at premiums. While Sebi may argue that it is a free market and investors should make informed decisions, this issue should have been tackled more professionally," he said. He also raised concerns over the surge in demat accounts, suspecting that some may be used to secure IPO allotments, which warrants investigation. And read | Sebis meds do the trick in slowing retail options frenzy. Next dose in January. However, according to Ashish Padiyar, co-founder of Bellwether Associates, the resilience of smaller stocks amid broader market corrections may also indicate a structural change in investor sentiment, favouring higher growth potential in smaller companies. Moreover, Sebis current actions may not sufficiently curb manipulative practices, he said, suggesting to also educate investors to differentiate between companies with genuine growth potential and those driven by speculation. By taking a more proactive action, Sebi can better protect investors and contribute to the overall health of the Indian stock market." KRN Heat Exchanger and Refrigeration , a recent entrant to the stock market, has grabbed the spotlight with the entry of ace investor Mukul Agrawal. Known for his knack for spotting winning microcap and smallcap stocks, Agrawal made a fresh move into the counter in the December quarter, as revealed by the companys latest shareholding data. This marks his debut in the stock, raising eyebrows and speculation about the companys growth prospects. Who is Mukul Agrawal? Mukul Agrawal, a seasoned investor renowned for his sharp insights, blends offensive and defensive strategies to navigate the market. Also read: Astronomical gains in penny stocks under Sebi lens Known for his meticulous analysis, Agrawal adopts an aggressive investment approach while maintaining a balanced edge with two distinct portfoliosone for long-term investments and another for tactical trading opportunities. Why did Mukul Agrawal buy stake in this company? Data available on the exchanges shows that Mukul Agrawal has entered this counter by buying 1.6% stake. As of December 2024, he held 10,00,000 shares of KRN Heat Exchanger. While we do not know the exact reasons behind Agrawals decision to enter in this counter, here's what we believe might have influenced the move: Massive data centre opportunity KRN Heat Exchanger and Refrigeration manufactures fin and tube-type heat exchangers for the heat ventilation air conditioning, and refrigeration industry. The company caters to sectors such as oil and gas, chemical processing, power generation, refrigeration, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), offering a wide range of heat exchangers including shell and tube, plate, finned tube, and air-cooled models. With advancements in industries like electronics manufacturing services (EMS), semiconductors, and data centres, the demand for keeping things cool" and cooling systems has surged. KRN Heat Exchangers products are designed to maintain ultra-low levels of airborne particles, temperature, humidity, and pressure, catering to sectors where precision and contamination control are paramount. Also read: 5 worst performing stocks in the Nifty 100 in 2024 The companys cooling technologies ensure quality and safety in production processes, making them indispensable to industries that prioritise cleanliness and sterility. KRNs major customers include industry leaders like Daikin and Schneider Electric, with Schneider contributing a significant portion of the data centre business. Improving financials The company successfully raised 340 crores in 2024 and was listed in October 2024. Following a successful listing, the company went on to report robust quarterly earnings. During the September 2024 quarter, it achieved standalone revenue of 100 crores, a 39.4% year-over-year (YoY) growth. Meanwhile, the net profit for the quarter surged 43% to 12.4 crores, with a net profit margin of 13.4%. Over the past 3 years, the companys sales and net profit have grown at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 60% and 151%, respectively. View Full Image Source: Equitymaster During the quarter, the company signed a 1,000 crore MoU with the Rajasthan government under the Rising Rajasthan initiative for future expansion plans. At present, Rajasthan accounts for 41% of the total business. The companys major business comes from domestic markets while close to 15% comes from exports. What next? During its recent earnings call, the companys management conveyed optimism about reaching full capacity utilisation within three years of launching its new facility. KRN HVAC, the companys wholly owned subsidiary, is set to begin commercial production in April 2025, with plans to gradually scale up operations thereafter. Addressing growth prospects in emerging industries, the management underscored the significant potential of data centres, which currently account for approximately 7% of its revenue but are anticipated to grow substantially in the coming years. Also read: Seven power stocks to track as Q3 earnings season kicks off Growing demand, along with the upcoming product launches including bar and plate heat exchangers and roll bond heat exchangers, are expected to diversify its revenue profile. Nevertheless, investors should conduct thorough research, check corporate governance practices, and assess risk tolerance before making investment decisions. KRN Heat Exchanger stock performance In recent trading sessions, shares of KRN Heat have come under pressure as its three-month lock-in period ended. From its peak price of 876 touched in December 2024, it has come down to 755 at present. The stock rallied 10% on Monday following positive overall market sentiment and after the buying activity was revealed. In the past 5 trading sessions, KRN Heat Exchanger share price has gained 15%. The stock has gained 18% over the past month. Since listing, the stock price has gained more than 70%. Source: Equitymaster Heres a table comparing KRN with its peers Comparative Analysis View Full Image Source: Equitymaster Happy investing! Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com Over the last three decades, Kavery Nambisan has quietly built an impressive body of work in contemporary Indian English writing. Her seven previous novels (which include The Scent of Pepper and The Hills of Angheri ) contain realistic, thoughtful, multi-dimensional portraits of life in villages and towns. Her last, A Town Like Ours (2014), set in the fictional village of Pingakshipura, was about a place recognised for its eight varieties of paddy, four of mangoes and ten types of banana" that becomes a high-decibel, boom-boom town". With her latest novel, Rising Sons, Nambisan expands on the village-meets-modernity framework and elevates it to a wholly different level, crafting a compelling familial saga while at it. The fictional setting this time is Kesarugattu, a few hours away from Mysoor, and the era is the 1920s-40s. The patriarch is the uber-Brahminical Devaraya, living amidst a large number of lower-caste people, including the Ai tribes indigenous to the region. He works as a peon at a bank in Mysoor and uses his experience to open a money house" in his village. Devarayas wife Gowru and their childrenNanju the conscientious elder son, his sickly younger brother Anna, and sisters Chinni and Bhavaniare the other key players. Through their lives and choices, especially Devarayas, Nambisan shows us how the said and unsaid rules of religion and caste" (not to mention, gender) play out in Kesarugattu and, by extension, in pre-independence India. Devaraya himself is the exemplar of Brahminical hubris. He is strict about caste hygiene". He frowns on his sisters best friend for marrying a lower-caste Malayali and keeps an eye on what his children are eating. But, as we learn later, when hes away in Mysoor, he is known to enjoy eating meat himself. Nambisan orchestrates this revelation through the eyes of Nanju, fifteen and already chafing against his fathers restrictive ways. Devaraya has big plans for him and its this straightforward patrilinear chain of caste-supremacy thats broken when the scales fall from Nanjus eyes. Eventually, the son sees the father being excluded from British-only spaces, despite waiting on his British superiors, hand and foot. The white man excludes the brown man, who, in turn, excludes someone with even darker skinround and round goes the wheel of oppression. View Full Image Rising Sons by Kavery Nambisan, Penguin Random House, 530 pages, 599 Like her fellow doctor-writers Abraham Verghese and Siddhartha Mukherjee, Nambisan writes especially powerfully about corporeal decline. While attending a sacred thread ceremony, the already-frail Anna is affected by a mighty thunderclap that initiates hearing loss in his left ear. Over the next few days, the reader is kept close to Annas thoughts as he tries to make sense of the change overcoming his body. This magisterial section is reminiscent of Nissim Ezekiels classic poem Night of the Scorpion, which also featured a sick child in the throes of delirium. Annas hapless parents subject him to a battery of physicians, both actual doctors and local healers". After trying a range of responses with diminishing returns, the doctors declare him healed, just like that. Their wallets no longer bleeding, the parents are relieved, while the patient continues to suffer in silence. That this is an indictment of organised healthcarenot just the systems of the 1920s but also the systems of todayis made abundantly clear by Annas sister Chinni, who suffered hearing loss as a toddler and has learnt to adjust" ever since. She tells her brother that the two of them should stick together and go through life as a team", she to his right side always since her right ear and his left ear no longer work (Right-left! Of course! Right-left"). Nambisan is telling us that in the face of bodily decay, societal structures as they exist today will inevitably let you down. At the end of the day, the disabled will have only each other to fall back upon. A salient aspect of the villages arrival at modernity is, of course, the residents induction into the ways of capital. Crucially, the intertwined magic of interest and compounding is introduced by Devarayas bank. The scene where Keshava, the pujari, finally approaches Devaraya, looking to deposit a portion of his wealth at the money house, is a masterclass in understated humour. The priest has a superiority complex as a Brahmin, he is above" the grubby business of money-making and fiscal prudence, associated with dusty old financial ledgers. Now he must surrender to Devaraya, who, on his part, must try not to rub it in, lest he loses his hesitant customer. Anybody reasonably well-versed in the social sciences can deliver a dry summary of the intersectional encounter between money, religion, caste dynamics and gender relations. But an experienced novelist like Nambisan, operating at the top of her game, does so while advancing character and plot, indulging in gentle comedy. Thanks to the recent Netflix adaptation of Gabriel Garcia Marquezs One Hundred Years of Solitude, one was reminded of how a single village or town can become a metonym for the dreams and challenges of a nation. Rising Sons does something similar with Kesarugattu, and unlike Marquez, Nambisan never resorts to deus ex machina narrative solutions. Rising Sons will be on sale end January. Aditya Mani Jha is a writer based in Delhi. Sandro, the Parisian brand known worldwide for creating trendy, yet classic, everyday clothes, has opened its first store in India, at the Jio World Drive, Mumbai, in collaboration with Reliance Brands Ltd (RBL). Spanning 1,600 sq.ft, the store offers holiday collections for both women and men, including rhinestone-studded tweed jackets, pleated trench coats, Italian cashmere jumpers and overshirts. In an interview with Lounge, Evelyne Chetrite, who started the brand in 1984, along with her son Ilan, talks about the brand's journey, entering the Indian market, and unisex clothing. Edited excerpts: What inspired you to work in fashion design? From Rabat, in Morocco, where I grew up, I remember the souks and my grandfathers shirt shop. I was always surrounded by colour and vibrancy. My clothes were all custom-made by my auntie, who was a dressmaker. I really loved when we had to choose together the materials we will use for my future outfits. These are strong snapshots from my childhood that first made me want to work in fashion design. You moved to Paris eventually and worked as a stylist in the French capital. How did this experience shape your creative process? We moved to Paris when I was 15. I was very lucky to grow up in Paris. As a student, I held a series of weekend jobs at flea markets and later at shops in Saint-Germain-des-Pres and built up a loyal group of customers who appreciated the mix of pieces I was selling. I think that my love and inspiration for vintage pieces come from this special period in my life. I have an approach to fashion that is both intuitive and thoughtful. It's a bit like cooking; I always ask myself, Is the dish spicy enough? Will my guests enjoy it? Sandro has been a metaphor for easy chic with a touch of luxe The brand keeps on growing. We are now in 750 points of sale worldwide, but we have always remained true to our values: hard work and family. We have worked hard, and even today, all the Sandro teams are working tirelessly to make our customers happy. Personally, I can spend hours working on a piece, trying to find the right fabric, the right length. Moreover, one of the founding values is family. What I am most proud of is that this sense of family is still very much present at Sandro. Has India ever inspired any of your collections before? Just six months ago, with the Spring-Summer 2024 collection. India is so inspiring. We imagined some pieces directly inspired by the beautiful Indian aesthetics. In India, there is an abundance of colour, nature, and spices. It's a vibrant energy, and in that sense, it touches me deeply because the richness of India reminds me a bit of my childhood in Morocco. I have a great admiration for the sense of Indian craftsmanship. India is a natural fit for Sandro because it is a country that's constantly evolving. We share common values. Sandro, as a high-end ready-to-wear brand, has found a loyal following in India that appreciates its modern and elegant aesthetic. How important is the India market for Sandro? We are attentive to this market, focusing on all the common points that unite us: chic, elegance, and craftsmanship. India is an exciting and promising market for Sandro. For this store, weve chosen to highlight Sandros iconic Parisian aesthetic, ensuring a consistent experience that reflects our global identity. This approach allows us to introduce the brand in its purest form, while we continue to observe the market and learn from our Indian customers. Whos the Indian Sandro customer? Weve observed that our Indian customers around the world consistently gravitate towards designs that seamlessly blend refinement with versatility. They appreciate pieces that transition effortlessly from professional to social settings, aligning perfectly with Sandros DNA. How have you tweaked the offerings keeping in mind Indian weather and customers needs? At this stage, our offerings in India remain consistent with Sandros global collections, reflecting our Parisian heritage and design ethos. While we havent yet tailored the assortment specifically to the Indian market, we are closely observing customer preferences and needs. Sandro has extensive experience working with markets in warm climates, and our collections are designed to suit a global audience. Additionally, we include specific "reverse-season" capsules in each offering to cater to these markets. Whats the story behind the Tangoso bag? We wanted a bag that is timeless yet with a distinctive aesthetic, a shape that stands out. It has very versatile ways of wearing it, both on the shoulder, by hand, and crossbody. Women can easily make it their own. We named it Tangoso because it swings on womens arms, much like during a tango. With most brands offering gender-blurring pieces, is unisex clothing the future of fashion? Its actually the present of fashion. We increasingly see men embracing and wearing Sandro womens pieces, and just as often, we, as women, find ourselves borrowing from the mens wardrobe. Sandro has always played with the masculine and feminine codes, so this trend feels perfectly aligned with our brands identity. Manish Mishra is a Delhi-based writer and content creator. Also read: Your guide to cracking the business casual dress code A burgeoning appetite for global diversification is driving Indian investors beyond domestic shores. Driven by a combination of technological advancements, a more permissive regulatory landscape, and the allure of higher returns, Indian capital is increasingly flowing into foreign markets. Investing abroad demands a strategic approach to navigating evolving tax landscapes and regulatory complexities, particularly as financial borders continue to blur. Read this | Your guide to investing in the US and global stocks through the Liberalised Remittance Scheme Navigating this landscape presents a complex web of challenges for Indian investors pursuing global opportunities. It includes examining permissible investment avenues, regulatory restrictions, and the crucial tax implications of investing abroad, while grappling with intricate tax laws and exchange control regulations and the ever-shifting sands of global geopolitics. Here is a look at various rules governing overseas investments. Investment options for Indian residents Under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), resident Indians can invest up to $250,000 per financial year in foreign markets. The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Overseas Investment Guidelines provide the framework for permissible investments, with two primary categories: Overseas Direct Investment (ODI): Primarily involves acquiring equity capital in unlisted foreign entities. Investments exceeding 10% of the equity capital of a listed foreign entity are also generally categorized as ODI. Overseas Portfolio Investment (OPI): Covers equity investments that do not qualify as ODI, such as investments in listed foreign equities below the 10% threshold and participation in regulated overseas funds. Read this | International ETFs are trading at premiums. What should investors do? The distinction between ODI and OPI is crucial, as each category carries distinct compliance, reporting, and repatriation requirements. Restrictions and exceptions RBI regulations restrict ODI investments in sectors such as real estate trading, gambling, and entities engaged in financial services. Investments in unlisted debt securities and crypto assets are prohibited under both ODI and OPI frameworks. Additionally, an individual cannot hold more than 10% equity in an overseas company if that company itself holds more than 10% equity in another entity. Indian residents can participate in Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs) of foreign companies, provided they are employed by the company's Indian subsidiary or an Indian entity where the foreign company holds equity. Notably, ESOP acquisitions are exempt from certain restrictions, allowing investments even in sectors generally prohibited for ODI and without the 10% equity holding limitations. Read this | Own foreign stocks or MNC Esops? Omit them from ITR at your peril While ESOP remittances are counted towards the LRS limit, they are not subject to the $250,000 cap. This provides flexibility for individuals to remit funds beyond the general LRS limit for ESOP acquisitions. Shares acquired through ESOPs are classified as OPI below the 10% holding threshold and as ODI above it. The employer typically handles the reporting obligations related to ESOP acquisitions, relieving individuals from separate filing requirements. Foreign real estate and inheritance Indian residents can acquire immovable property abroad within the overall LRS limit. This allows families to pool resources by consolidating LRS limits among relatives for joint property investments. Inheritance of foreign assets is permitted for Indian residents. Individuals can receive shares of a foreign company as gifts from other Indian residents. Gifts from non-resident individuals must comply with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. Regarding immovable property, gifts are permitted only between Indian residents. Relocating NRIs/OCIs: Asset retention and repatriation Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizen Of India (OCIs) relocating to India are not obligated to repatriate their foreign assets or accumulated foreign currency. They are permitted to retain these assets, reinvest abroad, or utilize the proceeds as they deem fit. While the combined ceiling for ODI and OPI remains within the LRS limit $250,000, ODI investments require obtaining a Unique Identification Number (UIN) from the RBI. This process involves submitting documents such as a valuation report, company charter documents, Form FC, Form A2, and specific declarations to the bank. Sale proceeds from ODI investments must be repatriated to India within 90 days. In contrast, exit proceeds from OPI can be retained and reinvested abroad. However, idle funds in offshore bank accounts exceeding 180 days must be repatriated to India. Taxes and foreign tax credits Understanding the tax implications of offshore investments is crucial for Indian investors. Gains from equity investments are typically treated as capital gains, while income like dividends and interest is taxed under the "Income from Other Sources" head. For Indian tax residents, both capital gains and income from offshore investments are taxable in India. Investors can claim credit for taxes paid abroad based on applicable tax treaties or provisions within the Income-tax Act. However, discrepancies in tax years and accounting methods between India and foreign jurisdictions can pose challenges in claiming foreign tax credits effectively. Capital gains tax in India is levied on the actual transfer of the asset and is based on the holding period. This can create mismatches with some foreign jurisdictions that tax gains on an accrual basis, regardless of the holding period, potentially impacting the effectiveness of foreign tax credits. LRS remittances are subject to Tax Collection at Source (TCS), which is fully creditable against the individual's tax liability. All foreign assets must be declared in income tax returns. Increased scrutiny on unreported foreign assets underscores the importance of accurate disclosure to avoid penalties. Also read | Asset quilt: How returns varied across assets classes in 2024 and last 10 years Thorough review of personal tax situations before undertaking any overseas investment is essential. This ensures compliance with both Indian and foreign regulations while optimizing post-tax returns. A comprehensive understanding of cross-border tax implications empowers investors to seize global opportunities effectively. Rupali Ashar is partner at Legacy Growth and Ankur Pahuja is co-founder and partner at Legacy Growth. On the morning of January 21, the second plenary meeting of the third session of the 13th Anhui Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was held at the Anhui Grand Theatre. Ten committee members took the stage one after another to deliver speeches, offering constructive opinions, strategies, and practical suggestions to provide valuable references for the scientific decision-making of the Anhui Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government. Speeches at the CPPCC conference are an important form of duty fulfillment for committee members and a key demonstration of their contributions. The members focused on enhancing residents' consumption willingness, strengthening the county tourism industry, exploring the "new blue ocean" of the silver economy. They closely aligned their discussions with the situation of Anhui, concentrating on key, hot, difficult, and focal issues concerning economic and social development, as well as the concerns of the public. Their well-considered questions and suggestions were transformed into high-quality proposals, showcasing their commitment to grassroots research and their dedication to voicing the needs of the people. Source: anhuinews.com WASHINGTON Three speeches from the new president on Inauguration Day didnt sum up Donald Trumps fledgling second-term nearly so succinctly as did one post on X from Taylor Budowich, the new White House deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel. Now comes SHOCK AND AWE, Budowich said before repeating the new presidents promise that the Golden Age of America begins RIGHT NOW. Monday was a day of shock and awe all around and several of Trumps moves promise to have dramatic impacts in Western New York. He promised 25% tariffs on Canadian imported goods starting Feb. 1. He pardoned more than 1,500 people charged with offenses connected with the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, including some from Western New York. He suspended refugee resettlement. And he ordered all federal workers who work virtually, including those in Buffalo, to go back to the office full time as soon as possible. Some important details of Trumps moves are not yet known. But based on what Trump said and what his team announced Monday, heres a more detailed look at what it all means, or is likely to mean, for metro Buffalo and its residents: Tariffs Trump had promised to enact tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico at the start of his administration, but on Monday, he delayed that move slightly. Were thinking in terms of 25% (tariffs) on Mexico and Canada because theyre allowing ...vast numbers of people to come in and fentanyl to come in, Trump said in the Oval Office Monday night. I think well do it Feb. 1. In fact, the number of undocumented immigrants and amount of illegal drugs entering the nation from Canada is minuscule compared with what comes in from Mexico, federal figures show. But if Trump does impose a 25% tariff on every product entering the U.S. from Canada, experts told The Buffalo News in November that such a move likely would have a hugely disruptive short-term impact on the Western New York economy. Higher prices on gasoline and groceries, along with possible supply-chain woes at U.S. auto plants, are among the potential ramifications of the move. While some Canadian officials expressed relief that Trump had delayed his tariffs by a few days, Ontario Premier Doug Ford was by no means optimistic. I feel like hes going to be targeting Canada, specifically Ontario, Ford said, according to CBC. Make no mistake, hes coming for us. I think its a lot worse than it was yesterday. Jan. 6 pardons Perhaps the most shocking or, depending on your point of view, awe-inspiring move that Trump made on his first day of office was his blanket pardon of about 1,500 people who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in hopes of preventing Democrat Joe Biden from becoming president. So this is January 6. And these are the hostages. Approximately 1,500 for a pardon. Full pardon, Trump said while seated at his desk in the Oval Office Monday evening. An accompanying statement from the White House said Trump commuted the sentence of 14 people who were convicted in connection with the riot. All of them were connected with the right-wing groups the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers including Dominic Pezzola of Rochester, who, according to prosecutors, used a police shield to shatter a window in the Capitol. The statement also said Trump granted a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Trump also ordered the Justice Department to drop the charges filed against all other Jan. 6 defendants. Trumps moves appear to cover 10 people from metro Buffalo who have been charged with offenses related to Jan. 6 including Thomas Sibick of Amherst, who was sentenced to more than four years in prison after ripping a cops badge and radio away from him during the insurrection. Ironically, that cop Michael Fanone received a pardon from Biden earlier in the day, as did everyone connected with the congressional Jan. 6 investigation, along with Bidens closest family members. Trumps pardon of the Jan. 6 defendants left Fanone livid. I have been betrayed by my country, and Ive been betrayed by those that supported Donald Trump, Fanone told CNN Monday night. Whether you voted for him because he promised these pardons, or for some other reason, you knew that this was coming. And here we are. Tonight, six individuals who assaulted me, as I did my job on Jan. 6, as did hundreds of other law enforcement officers, will now walk free. Refugee resettlement Thousands of refugees outcasts from troubled parts of the world given legal permission to resettle in the United States moved to Buffalo in the first two decades of this century, thereby playing a key role in the revival of Buffalo neighborhoods. And even as the flow of refugees slowed to a trickle under Trumps first administration and increased a bit under Biden, newcomers kept coming to Buffalo. Not anymore, at least for now. The president is suspending refugee resettlement, after communities were forced to house large and unsustainable populations of migrants, straining community safety and resources, the Trump White House announced shortly after his inauguration. Refugees are not, however, the immigrants who poured over the southern border without permission, who have put an unprecedented strain on major cities such as New York, which shipped some of those migrants to Buffalo. Refugees are legal immigrants who must endure a vetting process in order to move to the U.S., and they often must wait for years to do so. Trumps move will mean that they will have to wait even longer, or give up on their dream of moving to the U.S. Included in that will be relatives of some refugees already living in Buffalo. An order like that would be catastrophic to families in our community, said Rep. Tim Kennedy, a Buffalo Democrat who noted the move also would mean the loss of federal resources to Buffalo-area refugee resettlement agencies. But Rep. Nick Langworthy, a Niagara County Republican and longtime Trump supporter, defended the move. I think we should suspend everything for the time being, until the president and his new team get confirmed, get in place, and we can see what is the extent of the problems regarding the nations immigration system, Langworthy added. Federal employees Trump announced two significant moves for the federal workforce: a civilian hiring freeze and a back-to-work order. Nearly five years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, significant numbers of federal employees still work at home. A May 2024 report from the Office of Management and Budget reported that 46% of federal workers worked virtually at least part time. But thats about to change. At Capitol One Arena in Washington Monday evening, Trump signed an executive order mandating that federal workers return to the office immediately. And on the White House website, the Trump administration ordered that federal managers as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary. Its difficult, if not impossible, to know how many people that mandate will affect in metro Buffalo, but consider this: the Office of Personnel Management reported last last year that 7,522 people in the region work for the federal government. If 46% of them work virtually at least part time now, that means 3,460 of them will be headed back to the office as a result of Trumps order. As Donald Trump starts his second innings as US president, the world waits with bated breathand nervouslyto see if he will translate his disruptive campaign ideas into action. Mint looks at how his policies could play out for the worlds largest democracy. How different will Trumps 2nd term be? When Trump began his first term in 2017, he was new to Washington and its ways. And he did not have control over the Republican Party. This time around, he is more experienced, and his hold over the party may be stronger. Most importantly, he has a stronger mandate. Apart from his convincing victory, Republicans control both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Supporters hope this governing trifecta will make it easier for him to push through his policies. What, however, remains unchanged is his unpredictability in policymaking and transactional way of dealing with friends and foes. What are his policy priorities this time? He has spoken about many priorities which, in his opinion, will fix everything in the country" and restore America to greatness. He has threatened fresh tariffs to set right the trade balance and make American manufacturing competitive. A 10% duty on all imports, 25% for those from Mexico and Canada and a 60% for those from China. These tariffs will also fund his proposed tax cuts. He has also promised strong action, including massive deportations, of illegal immigrants. And he has enlisted Americas most successful businessman Elon Musk to cut the flab and improve the efficiency of the US government. Is this just campaign bluster or is he serious? The message coming out from Trumps transition team is that his initial days as president will see a flurry of executive orders with as many as 100 set to be signed in the first few days in office. They could be in the areas of immigration, border security, deportation, trade tariffs and energy production where he is likely to dismantle predecessor Joe Bidens policies. What can India expect of the administration? India is on a much better footing, compared with many other nations. The relationship between the two nations was good during Trump 1.0. In fact, Indian officials say India and the US were close to striking a trade deal. Trumps personal chemistry with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also helped. Ties between the two countries deepened in defence, trade and counterterrorism during 2017-2021. However, experts warn India should watch out for Trumps tendency to flatter his enemies and unsettle his friends". What challenges can India expect? The risks are from the indirect fallout of Trumps action. If he imposes high tariff on Chinese imports, there could be a trade war which would slow global economic growth and hurt Indian exports. Tariffs on Chinese goods will also result in them flooding other markets, such as India, at cheap prices hurting domestic industry. The H1B visa, used extensively by Indian IT companies, is in the crosshairs of Trump supporters. Musk supports it but many Republican voters want it ended, saying it benefits Indian workers. Read more: Trumps tariffs: How India can escape a dumping flood from China Four simultaneous crisis have engulfed Indian agriculture. The first is an income crisis, with stagnant or falling incomes of farm households, which in turn has led to an investment crisis in agriculture. The second is a factor crisis, of rapidly degrading natural resources, especially soil and water. The third is the accelerating human resources crisis, as increasing numbers of rural youth lose faith in agriculture as a viable employment option and exit the village to seek alternative livelihoods in urban or even foreign locations (sometimes through life threatening methods). To add to this brew is the rapidly developing climate crisis , which threatens our hard-won food security, perhaps the most significant achievement since Independence. Expecting solutions for legacy challenges through what is essentially an annual accounting statement of the central government is unrealistic. However, given the unique nature of the Union budget, and its outsized impact on the national economy, it has become something of a national pastime to wade through the finance ministers speech for clues about the larger policy direction. Going beyond allocations to existing and a clutch of creatively named new schemes (which we should certainly expect), heres a four-point wish list for a longer term reset for agriculture. What is expected is at least directional messaging, indicating that there is recognition of the long haul ahead. The first and foremost requirement is to re-establish a relationship of trust and cooperation between the Centre and the states, an absolute pre-requisite to address the ongoing multiple crises in agriculture. Without this key pillar of the ecosystem being repaired and strengthened, it is unlikely that we can achieve even short-term outcomes, let alone address long-term policy goals. There is currently no standing mechanism at the apex political level, either at the Centre or in the states, where agriculture policy challenges and options can be discussed in an atmosphere free of political friction. We need a budget announcement for the setting up of the equivalent of the GST Council for agriculture, preferably chaired by the Prime Minister, or at least the Union agriculture minister. This one step will mark a significant break from the policy drift of the past two decades and focus national energies on the urgent task of rebuilding our agricultural economy as an engine of food security, employment generation and value addition. Secondly, many of the working parts of the agriculture ecosystem are either worn out, creaking or outright broken. These damaged parts must be identified, ranging from agricultural research and education to extension, from credit to rural infrastructure and from technology to pricing policy, to enable a holistic approach to rebuilding the ecosystem. A positive change from over 50 years ago, when the Green Revolution was being rolled out, is the expansion of private sector capacity and investments in the sector. This can be leveraged successfully to rapidly repair the potential of the ecosystem to respond to the current set of challenges. The budget can announce the setting up a National Farm Commission with an eminent group of domain experts, private sector and farm representatives to undertake this exercise. The present state of agriculture needs a highly decentralized, regional and state-specific approach to planning and implementation, with agroclimatic conditions, land tenure systems, food safety and nutrition goals, market requirements and the short to medium term impact of climate change being factored in. The farming community today is far better informed and aware than was the case in the 1960s and 70s, which to an extent justified highly centralized planning. Thus, this time around, the farming community has to be given a far more active role in planning and execution. It must participate as a partner, and not a passive recipient, in policy making. Hence, the third announcement can suggest the parallel creation of state-level Farm Commissions, to work with the national body and build a truly ground-up vision for agriculture in the coming decades. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, this budget should address the threat of climate change to agriculture and the challenge it poses to our long term food security. This is one area which literally requires a whole-of-the-government approach. For India, climate change is not a matter of addressing emissions only, but rather of protecting access to food and basic livelihoods. Thus, the fourth announcement can set up a National Climate Fund for Agriculture, with an initial corpus of say, 5,000 crore. The goal should be to leverage on-farm investments of at least 20 times the corpus, to help farmers transition to the new resilient technologies and practices required to climate-proof agriculture. The writer is a former IAS officer and currently Director, Samunnati, an agri value chain solutions company. Views are personal. The general mood is upbeat at this years World Economic Forum (WEF), though day one at Davos coincided with a flurry of executive orders by US President Donald Trump immediately after he took oath. As several sessions at WEF are on climate change and global collaboration on artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability, President Trumps executive orders which include the USs withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord and all UN-led climate change agreements, the promise to increase oil production, and the repeal of the Biden-era AI policies have made the upcoming sessions as well as the side chatter even more interesting. Also read | Steel, PVC, Trump tariffs, and China: How India can tackle the dumping crisis This year, the Indian government has perhaps its biggest contingent ever at Davos. Ashwini Vaishnaw, union minister of information and broadcasting, railways and electronics, and information technology, and fellow union ministers C R Patil, K Ram Mohan Naidu and Chirag Paswan are leading the charge. Chief ministers N Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh and Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra are also meeting investors from around the world. Karnatakas deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar and ministers from several other states are also expected to attend. Like every year, the Confederate of Indian Industry (CII) is at the forefront of representing Indian industry and positioning the country as an attractive investment destination. Day one saw N Chandrababu Naidu share his vision for Swaran Andhra by 2047 and his plan to turn the state into a green-energy hub. His keynote address was followed by a panel discussion on making India globally competitive by encouraging green industrialisation and manufacturing ecosystem. Sajjan Jindal, MD, JSW, Anil Chalamalasetty, MD, Greenko Group, and Hans-Olav Raen, CEO of Yara Clean Ammonia, were the main speakers calling out the opportunity and challenges. Also read: Five artificial intelligence trends to track in 2025 For most global leaders, the Davos Promenade is different this year. Emerging economies are showing up in a bigger way, with India and Saudi Arabia taking up prime real estate along this iconic stretch. IT services and product companies continue to make a splash, but nearly every company and CEO is talking about AI, especially agentic AI, and how it can add value to businesses and customers. Other major topics of conversation include Trump's tariffs and crypto regulations, which is no longer a side conversation. Rajiv Memani, chairman and CEO of EY India, writes exclusively for Mint from Davos. Also read: India's farm sector grapples with falling yields to climate change Just how badly did the British plunder the wealth of India during its colonial rule? This has been a matter of debate. Now, Oxfam has put out a staggering number based on its research. The British empire, according to Oxfam, extracted as much as $64.82 trillion (in todays money) from India between 1765 and 1900 and $33.8 trillion (or more than half) of it went to the richest 10%. Also Read: When the British chose pragmatism as strategy In cash, this is enough to carpet London in notes of 50 almost four times over. At the same time, the colonial era spelt Indias economic decline, with its share in the worlds industrial output plummeting from a fourth of the pie in 1750 to just 2% by 1900. The British clearly owe a lot of their material success to India. And not just its wealthiest, many of whom trace their wealth back to slavery and colonialism, Britains new middle class benefited too, grabbing about a third of the wealth brought from India. True, advances of the Industrial Age had a significant role in British success, but that cannot be a pretext to deny that a case for reparations can be made. This is not about money alone, though. Also Read: India has an opportunity to lead the fourth industrial revolution The British education system must stop glossing over this inglorious chapter in its history. That would be a start. President Donald Trump will be tested early after having taken charge of the Oval Office in the US White House. Last week, the Supreme Court upheld a federal law requiring the popular social media app TikTok to be divested in favour of non-Chinese ownership by its China-based parent company, ByteDance, or be banned. The court rejected the social media companys argument that the law violated the First Amendment rights of TikTok and its content creators. On Sunday, the app went dark in the US [but on Monday, Trump issued an executive order to delay the ban by 75 days]. Yet, as president, it will be Trumps duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed." That means he will have to enforce the statute. The ban, passed with large bipartisan support and signed into law by former US president Joe Biden in April, was designed to protect the private data of US users from a hostile foreign adversary. During his first term, Trump issued an executive order prohibiting ByteDance from engaging in financial transactions in the US on the grounds that it posed a risk to national security because the app automatically captures vast swaths of information from its users and is susceptible to being used to further the interests of the Chinese government." Those sanctions were tied up in court and did not go into effect before Congress passed the current law. However, as Trump returns to the White House, he seems to have had a change of heart. Shortly before the law was passed, Trump spoke out against the ban, causing some critics to speculate that he was being transactional, seeking to curry favour with billionaire donor Jeffrey Yass, a 15%-owner of ByteDance. Trump also used the app with great success during the 2024 presidential campaign, amassing more than 14 million followers. Importantly, he promised to save TikTok." He recently became cosy with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, meeting with Chew at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in December. He had also invited Chew to Mondays inauguration. Chew thanked Trump for his support in a video message Friday after the Supreme Court decision. As the deadline approached, Trump sought to intervene in the Supreme Court case. Legal documents filed by his lawyers asked the court to delay its decision until he took office, in part because President Trump alone possesses the consummate dealmaking expertise, the electoral mandate, and the political will to negotiate a resolution to save the platform while addressing the national security concerns expressed by the Government." Last week, the Biden administration had said it had no plans to initiate lawsuits enforcing the ban before Trump took office [as he did on Monday]. Trump said on Friday that he would decide whether the ban would go into effect. Congress has given me the decision, so I will be making the decision," he said. Not quite. While the statute authorizes the president to approve any qualified divestiture" of TikTok from ByteDance, it does not permit him to simply allow the current arrangement to continue. The president can approve a divestiture only if it removes control from a foreign adversary. That means ByteDance must sell to a non-Chinese company. Trump [has instead tried] to stall the ban. The law authorizes the president to extend the deadline by 90 days if he certifies to Congress that there are in place the relevant binding legal agreements to enable execution of" a sale. While the ban has been delayed, we are not even close to reaching that status. So far, ByteDance has said the app is not for sale. It seems highly unlikely that Trump will be able to do either of those things quickly. [The executive order issued on Monday cannot supersede the law.] If no divestiture occurs, the Trump administration must enforce the statute. The law authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil suit against American companies offering the platform for download in their app stores or providing hosting services. Violators are subject to hefty penalties of $5,000 per user. For an app with about 170 million users in the US, fines could reach billions of dollars. The risk of penalties is designed to incentivize compliance by essential service providersbut only if it is enforced. President Trumps handling of the TikTok ban [once the 75-day relief period is over] will indicate whether he can fulfil his duties as Americas president to protect national security, even when it might be unpopular or conflict with his personal interests. Bloomberg The era of Trump 2.0 has begun and everyone is busy trying to decipher the multiple meanings of the policy arrows that US President Donald Trump has unleashed from his quiver ever since winning the presidential contest in November. There are his appointments, there are his statements and then there are his pronouncements on social media. If there is a method to this madness, no one is quite sure, but for global policymakers who are already battling a turbulent phase in global politics, managing Trumps shake-ups will be a key policy objective in the coming months. In one of his most important public interventions where he outlined his foreign policy agenda for his second term, he harked back to the era of territorial conquest and spheres of influence, while rejecting the constraints of allied partnerships and economic complementarity. He underlined his willingness to wrest control of the Panama Canal and Greenland through the use of force, even as he threatened Canada with obliterating its sovereignty. It was a remarkable statement of intent by a US policymaker in contemporary times as such a pronouncement by any other country would have led to the label of rogue" being slapped on it by Washington itself. Trump, however, has normalized such discourse to an extent that it comes across as the first salvo in a potentially long-drawn negotiation with key interlocutors. When asked if he would rule out using military or economic force in order to take over Greenland or the Panama Canal, Trump was categorical: No, I cant assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security." On Canada, while Trump has indicated he was not considering using military force to make Canada part of the United States, he has criticized Canadas low defence spending and threatened it with 25% tariffs, calling it the 51st state of the US. For all the talk of a bipartisan consensus on foreign policy in the context of core US interests, Trump is posing a challenge unlike anything seen before. He is questioning the fundamentals of that seeming US consensus. He had done it in his first term as well. Before he took office, his pronouncements on China were often ignored or ridiculed. They were considered so divergent from the mainstream that many believed the US establishment would ensure Trumps adherence to conventional policy on China. But that, he did not do. Instead, he shook up the consensus on China and reframed the Western discourse on China almost single-handedly. It is safe to assume that a conventional Republican or Democratic president would not have been able to do so. Trumps shift was so significant that not only did his successor Joe Biden continue with it, he even accelerated it, with the wider West recognizing a need to reorient its China policy. Similarly, Trumps threat to Nato allies led to a rethink among its non-US members over living up to their defence-spending commitments for the alliance framework to stay credible. Today, he is challenging the wider consensus in the US establishment on the American periphery. The sense that US leadership is getting weaker in the neighbourhood is palpable and the role of extra regional players, especially China, has been growing exponentially. The role of China in the management of the Panama Canal has long been a worry for the US, and Trump might be keen to renegotiate the fee structure for US cargo ships and Navy vessels sailing through the waterway. Concerns about Beijings influence over the canal are related to its two ports situated at either end of the canal that are operated by CK Hutchison Holdings, a Hong Kong-based company. Trump has been fixated with the idea of buying Greenland since 2019 at least, but as the Arctic gets contested, he might be aiming for greater American access to rare-earth minerals there. He is also eyeing a better trade arrangement with Canada and stricter immigration controls along that border. There seem to be some hard-nosed geopolitical calculations in Trumps pronouncements so far. How he and his team implement his ideas would determine his foreign policy legacy. But his ability to surprise remains at the heart of his style. After berating China throughout his campaign, he managed to have a very good" phone call with Chinas President Xi Jinping last week, with expectations of solving many problems together and starting immediately." At the same time, one of the first foreign policy acts of the Trump administration will be a meeting held with foreign ministers of Americas three Quad partnersJapan, India and Australia. At its foundation, Trumps world view was best captured in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in 2020 where he argued: As president, I have rejected the failed approaches of the past, and I am proudly putting America first, just as you should be putting your countries first. Thats okaythats what you should be doing." India, along with the rest of the world, should prepare accordingly. The author is professor of international relations, Kings College London, and vice president for studies at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi. WASHINGTONThe phrase wormwood to detox your soul" isnt typically associated with a presidential-inaugural ball event, but this is Trump 2.0 and norms are rapidly shifting. The motto comes courtesy of the Make America Healthy Again ball where nonalcoholic, mood-boosting" beverage brand Kin Euphorics created the mocktail menu, including its Luna Morada, which the companys website says includes wormwood. On the red carpet for that gala Monday night the health-forward crowd came decked out, with MAGA wellness-influencer Alex Clark in a white Ashley Lauren gown coated in pearls and crystals. They were part of a flurry of fur-clad, MAGA hat-wearing partyers spotted all over Washington in recent days as joy-filled Republicans descended on the now frozen capital to celebrate President Donald Trumps return to office. It has been a while since Washington was possessed with such a celebratory streak. Four years ago, Joe Biden rose to power amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which curtailed the inauguration events. Four years before that, the country was more wary of Trumps elevation, and the balls were more muted. No longer. This time, seemingly contradictory wings of the presidents coalition celebrated side by side, new groups were ushered into the fold and onetime Trump adversaries opened their checkbooks and hosted events. Monday nights official parties included three inaugural balls: the Commander in Chief Ball, the Liberty Inaugural Ball and the Starlight Ball. But before those balls got going, there was a reception co-hosted by Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who suspended Trump from Facebook four years ago after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Other co-hosts include casino billionaire and GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson and Todd Ricketts, the co-owner of the Chicago Cubs. The MAHA ball, held at the Waldorf Astoria on Pennsylvania Avenue (formerly Trumps hotel), attracted hundreds of wellness influencers, acupuncturists, massage therapists, chiropractors and homeopathic medicine practitioners, along with actors Russell Brand and Zachary Levi. More than 1,000 people were on the waiting list, organizers said. MAHA is not conservative," Levi said. MAHA is not liberal. MAHA is not moderate. MAHA is people that actually give a sabout the truth about our health and wellness." Sponsors included Tijuana, Mexico-based stem-cell treatment clinic Cellular Performance Institute, at-home fentanyl test seller Ecnalab and placenta-tissue provider Acesso Biologics. Not invited: drug and food lobbyists. The event conflicted with the Ag Ball (also known as farm prom"), held four blocks north at the Grand Hyatt. Washington is usually a stodgy town, and the dress code remained conservative over the last four years, even as Biden governed from the left. But as a new Florida-based clique comes into power, fashion is also taking a more risque turn. Lauren Sanchez, the fiancee of Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, turned heads at Trumps swearing-in events Monday in a white blazer over a corset-style top that instantly became a meme about Americas new golden age," a phrase Trump rolled out in his inaugural address. Leading up to Mondays inauguration, a crowded itinerary of black-tie galas over the weekend highlighted Trumps new governing coalition. Glossy new events included a Crypto gala celebrating the new administrations embrace of digital currency and a Hispanic Ball nodding to the growing number of Latino voters backing the GOP. The hottest tickets were for events where Trump was expected to make an appearance. That included Sunday nights Candlelight Dinner, held at the National Building Museum as snow began to fall in Washington. Ivanka Trump, Elon Musk and Bezos were all spotted chatting at one point. But even without Trump, world leaders graced guest lists. More than 2,000 guests crowded Saturday into the ballroom of the Omni Shoreham hotel for the largest Hispanic ball in inaugural history, according to organizers. Presidents Javier Milei of Argentina and Santiago Pena of Paraguay rubbed elbows with lawmakers and Trump administration appointees, business tycoons, movie directors, and Miss Universe while being serenaded by a mariachi band. Attendees thronged around a giant pan of paella. Milei, whose aggressive style and economic policies have made him a MAGA darling, was the star of the evening as he was trailed by fans and photographers, sometimes pausing for selfies. Vivek Ramaswamy, who had helped lead the Department of Government Efficiency advisory panel, praised him as DOGE before there was DOGE in America." Later in the evening, there were appearances by Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., and his nominee for secretary of health and human services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who spoke to the crowd in Spanish to loud cheers. One hot topic was presidential pardons, amid expectations that Biden would use his clemency power in his final hours in office and that Trump would soon pardon people convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol. They both did. Two guests had direct experience. In one corner was Roger Stone, the flamboyant Republican operative who resisted criticizing Biden for pardoning his son, Hunter. When youve been in that situation yourself and understand the family situationI have not been critical of it," Stone said. Stone was found guilty by a jury of obstructing a congressional investigation into Russias activities in the 2016 election. Trump commuted his sentence just before he was to report to prison and later pardoned him just as he leaving office in 2020. Another was Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat and former governor of Illinois, who also made an appearance at the Hispanic ball. Blagojevich, who served time on corruption charges before Trump commuted his sentence in 2020, said he was writing a book about his experiences. Smaller gatherings also revealed the Washington establishments new embrace of Trump. A swank private affair at the Woodley Park home of PayPal Holdings co-founder Peter Thiel Saturday night attracted the tech titans who have become increasingly influential on the right. Zuckerberg was spotted going into the home, which Thiel bought from Wilbur Ross, who served as commerce secretary in Trumps first administration. The hot ticket Friday night was to the Crypto Gala, a first-of-its-kind event designed to lean into the Trump administrations potential embrace of cryptocurrency. During the event, word quietly spread that Trump had released his own digital coin. Later in the weekend, incoming first lady Melania Trump also created an online coin. The reign of terror against crypto is over," said David Sacks, who Trump has named as his incoming czar for policies related to digital currencies and artificial intelligence, speaking to the guests. And the beginning of innovation in America for crypto has just begun." Vera Bergengruen contributed to this article. Write to Annie Linskey at annie.linskey@wsj.com, Liz Essley Whyte at liz.whyte@wsj.com and Aaron Zitner at aaron.zitner@wsj.com WASHINGTON Reps. Nick Langworthy and Tim Kennedy, like most of their colleagues, sat crowded into the Capitol Rotunda on Monday to hear President Trump deliver his official inaugural address. But to hear them describe the speech and a remarkable day of presidential pardons afterward, it seemed as if they had witnessed entirely different events. Langworthy, a Republican who represents much of suburban and rural Erie County as well as the Southern Tier, lauded Trumps speech and his actions on immigration and energy policy that accompanied it. Meanwhile, he decried outgoing President Joe Bidens preemptive pardons of his own family members as well as those associated with the congressional investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. But Kennedy, a Buffalo Democrat, expressed grave concerns about Trumps return, his planned immigration crackdown and his reported move to essentially forgive the insurrectionists themselves. In other words, the two federal lawmakers who represent Erie County in Congress viewed a historic transition of presidential power through different lenses one set tinted red and the other tinted blue. A new golden age Langworthy a former Erie County and New York Republican chairman who has been a strong Trump supporter since early in his first presidential campaign in 2016 echoed Trumps own words while lauding the new presidents inaugural speech. I think the optimism of talking about how we need to create a new golden age for America is exactly why he won this election, Langworthy said. You know, people want to see the country flourish and thrive. And you know, hes outlined an agenda to right a lot of the wrongs of the last four years and get the country back on track. In particular, Langworthy lauded Trumps comments on curbing illegal immigration and his accompanying executive actions. I think that this is exactly how you solve problems, he said. You have to stop the bleeding first, then you can cure the problem. And until his officials get in there that do have the true attention on bringing this to a halt I mean, this invasion of our southern border and this drastic problem we have with illegal immigration you have to shut these things down. Langworthy was also happy that the president vowed to drill, baby, drill and end the Biden administrations transition away from fossil fuels and toward cleaner sources of energy. American energy exploration, Ive said it for four years now, is our path back to prosperity, Langworthy said. Langworthy had appointments and missed Trumps second speech in the Capitol, in which he promised, without specifics, to pardon or commute the sentences of those involved in the 2021 insurrection. But Langworthy had plenty to say about the pardons Biden issued with just hours left in his presidency. I think that is a last gasp a very pathetic last gasp of a very corrupt administration, corrupt right to last minute, Langworthy said. Serious concerns Kennedy attended both of Trumps Capitol speeches on Monday including his improvised second one given to supporters rather than lawmakers. In that speech, Trump not only commented on the Jan. 6 prisoners, but also eviscerated the Biden administration as bad and incompetent, falsely argued that he won California in Novembers election and praised his improvised speech as better than the scripted one he delivered an hour earlier. There are serious concerns, Kennedy said. I think his second speech painted a dark picture of our country. And when hes talking about pardoning J6 hostages or putting in tariffs that will obliterate our economy and drive up the cost of groceries and goods and services across the country which is exactly counter to what hes claiming his policies will do its certainly concerning. Trump offered no details of those tariffs during his early speeches Monday, but the new presidents actions on immigration outlined in his first speech of the day also worried Kennedy. Were a nation of immigrants and were a beacon of light and hope for the rest of the world, he said. And those that are suffering from oppression and war come to the United States of America to seek refuge and in their darkest times of need. Kennedy stopped short of broadly criticizing Trumps pro-drilling energy policies, but said he was appalled by Trumps comments about pardoning the Jan. 6 rioters. I think its outlandish, Kennedy said. I think its disgraceful, and it should not happen, and I hope the president rethinks that idea of pardoning the insurrectionists from January 6. It was a dark day in our countrys history where insurrectionists invaded the Capitol. They injured scores of police officers and others that were protecting the Capitol. Kennedy said he understood, though, why Biden pardoned those who were involved in the congressional investigation of the insurrection, as well as his own family members, even though none of the people Biden pardoned on Monday had even been charged with a crime. I unfortunately think its a sign of the times that he (Biden) doesnt trust that President Trump wouldnt weaponize his position to carry out a personal vendetta against his own family and those that have worked to uphold the law in our country, Kennedy said. Longford based Director General of the Irish Prison Service, Caron McCaffrey, has been honoured with a DCU Alumni Award. The DCU Alumni Awards honour alumni who, through their exceptional ability and leadership, have achieved excellence in their chosen fields of endeavour. Caron McCaffrey is the first woman to hold the position of Director General of the Irish Prison Service. Caron has devoted her career to public service with over two decades of experience in the justice sector. Also read: Longford allocated 3.5 million for Active Travel projects across the county She worked initially in the Department of Justice and Equality which she joined in 2000, before joining the Irish Prison Service in 2006 as Press and Programme Manager. In 2008, Caron took the role of Director of Corporate Services and held responsibility for a range of portfolios including Human Resources, Finance and Estates over the following decade, prior to her appointment as Director General in 2018. Her role now involves responsibility for the leadership, management, and strategic direction of the Irish Prison Service, which operates 13 prisons and employs over 3,500 staff with a budget of 525 million. Also read: Longford's Maura Higgins reveals she turned down Love Island: All Stars Under her direction, the Service is committed to providing safe and secure custody, upholding the dignity of care, and promoting the rehabilitation of prisoners to contribute to safer communities across Ireland. In addition to her role as Director General, Caron serves as President of EuroPris, the European Organisation of Prison and Correctional Services, having joined its board in 2019. Also read: Longford Student is a leading figure in promoting online safety The aim of the organisation is to improve cooperation among European Prison and Correctional Services, to improve the lives of prisoners and their families, enhancing public safety and security; reducing re-offending; and advancing professionalism in the prisons field. Caron is an active proponent of lifelong continuing education with postgraduate qualifications in Law and Corporate Governance which underpin her approach to leadership which exemplifies innovation, dedication, and a commitment to excellence in one of the most challenging areas of public service. Caption: DCU President Daire Keogh with Caron McCaffrey, (MA International Relations, 1999), Director General of Irish Prison Service and President of European Organisation of Prison and Correctional Services (EUROPRIS) The achievements of Caron and seven other exceptional graduates were celebrated at a special ceremony in The Helix on DCUs Glasnevin campus. DCU President Prof Daire Keogh told the awardees: You may come from diverse fields and backgrounds but what you have in common are some key traits. You are leaders, doers, innovators and change-makers. What you share is a track record of putting the DCU values and mission into action, transforming lives and societies. Also read: LIVE: Track of Storm Eowyn shows counties at RED WARNING risk amid Met Eireann update Ross Munnelly, Director of Alumni Relations at DCU, said, Our alumni represent the strong values and high expectations of the university. Each awardee through their own contribution helps to make the world and society a better place for us all. We have seen this through their achievements to date, they are proven leaders and who continue to inspire the next generation of graduates at DCU. We look forward to welcoming them back to campus regularly and wish them even more success in the future. Also read: Longford musicians and former Declan Nerney band members reunite for special impromptu gig Crime By Chris Boyle Published: January 21 2025 Angelique White received childcare benefits and Medicaid benefits between 2017 and 2021, said Nassau DA Anne T. Donnelly. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Freeport woman was charged with grand larceny and welfare fraud for receiving more than $130,000 in childcare and Medicaid benefits between 2017 and 2021 to which she was not entitled. The defendant allegedly failed to disclose employment income from two separate positions and rental income from properties she co-owned in Elmont and Freeport. Angelique White, 32, was arraigned Thursday before Judge Robert Pipia on one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (a C felony); one count of Welfare Fraud in the Second Degree (a C felony); two counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (a D felony); one count of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree (a D felony); and Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree (a D felony). The defendant pleaded not guilty and was released on her own recognizance. She is due back in court on January 16, 2025. If convicted, White faces up to 5 to 15 years in prison. The case was referred to NCDA by the Nassau County Department of Social Services (NCDSS) Office of Investigations. Over the course of several years, this defendant allegedly defrauded public assistance programs of more than $130,000 while she pocketed thousands of dollars in rental payments from two properties that she co-owned and salaries from jobs at the U.S. Postal Service and Northwell Labs, said DA Donnelly. In yet another alleged scam, White pretended to live in Oswego to avoid paying higher downstate insurance premiums, providing illegitimate documentation to the company purportedly proving her residency. Public benefit theft compromises our social safety net and puts families truly in need of assistance at risk. We will continue to protect these essential programs and hold individuals accountable who exploit them. DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, between August 2017 and June 2020, the defendant submitted yearly New York State Health Benefits Exchange applications and began receiving Medicaid benefits. In the applications, the defendant requested health care benefits for her two children and listed annual incomes for each year ranging from $0 to $24,000. In August 2019 and July 2020, the defendant also submitted applications for Child Care Assistance and received benefits for her two children. In the applications, the defendant included bi-weekly income from employment with the U.S. Postal Service of $995 and hourly wages of $16.00 at Northwell Core Labs, respectively. The defendant also affirmed that she did not receive any rental income. A subsequent review of the defendants financial records and Nassau County Land records by NCDSS revealed that the defendants verified income during this period exceeded both the childcare income limit and the Medicaid income limit and that the defendant co-owned two residences in Nassau County in Elmont and Freeport and made monthly electronic mortgage payments on the property in Freeport of $3,126. Further review of the defendants financial records found checks with rent written into the memo line deposited into the defendants account in amounts ranging from $1500 to $3000. The defendants alleged failure to accurately report her annual income and rental income resulted in an overpayment to the defendant of $39,771 in childcare benefits and $92,730 in Medicaid benefits. In a separate scheme, the defendant owned a 2017 Infiniti insured by Geico. From 2017 through the present, the defendant allegedly reported to Geico that she resided in an apartment in Oswego, New York. The defendant allegedly provided three separate documents as proof of her residence, including a National Grid bill in her name, a paystub from Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in the name of the defendant with the Oswego address, and a Verizon bill in the defendants name with the same Oswego address. Records from National Grid revealed the statement provided to the company was not legitimate and the Verizon bill included a legitimate Verizon account number belonging to a customer who resided in New Jersey. Employment records from Creedmoor Psychiatric Center revealed the paystub to be an actual paystub for an employee at the center, but the paystub was not issued to the defendant. The six-month premium for the vehicle using the Oswego address is $1,143 and the premium for the same make and model vehicle at the defendants Elmont address is $2,542. As a result, the defendant underpaid insurance premiums to Geico totaling more than $11,000. White surrendered to NCDA Detective Investigators on January 9, 2025. NCDA thanks the Nassau County Department of Social Services Office of Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case. The case is being prosecuted by Crimes Against Revenue Unit Chief Christine Burke, under the supervision of Major Financial Frauds Bureau Chief Maureen McCormack and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Investigations Division Rick Whelan. The defendant is represented by the Alber Firm. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: January 21 2025 The ceremony will take place at Oyster Bay Town Hall, 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay hamlet. Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Town Clerk Richard LaMarca invite residents to renew their wedding vows at a special ceremony on Valentines Day, Friday, February 14th, at Oyster Bay Town Hall. Co-sponsored by Raynham Hall Museum, the event will include a reading of Americas First Valentine, which was written on February 14, 1779 in Oyster Bay. The special ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. and will include light refreshments for all guests. Valentines Day is the most romantic day of the year, and many couples celebrate their wedding anniversaries on this special day. We look forward to making this special day even better as couples renew their marriage vows and declare their endless love for one another, said Supervisor Saladino. Couples often select Valentines Day to celebrate their relationship, added Town Clerk LaMarca. It may be a sentimental choice for couples who had their first date, first kiss, or even engagement on Valentines Day. Whatever the reason, we are proud to offer this special vow renewal ceremony at Town Hall. The ceremony will take place at Oyster Bay Town Hall, 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay hamlet. The event is offered free of charge to Town residents but reservations are required. Residents interested in renewing their wedding vows should RSVP to (516) 624-6380 by February 10th. The story of Americas first Valentine is a proud piece of Oyster Bay history which dates back to the time of the Revolutionary War, as British troops occupied Long Island homes. During the height of the American Revolutionary War, love improbably blossomed between Lt. Col Simcoe and a young patriot named Sally Townsend as the Townsend property served as a headquarters for a regiment of 300 British troops. Lt. Col. Simcoe presented Sally with a poem he wrote asking her to be his Valentine, and his famous poem, entitled Will You Be My Valentine, became the first documented written Valentine in America. Credit: Town of Oyster Bay Local News By Chris Boyle Published: January 21 2025 Jeremy Emmanuel Lopez Ramirez allegedly stabbed his 57-year-old mother to death in the living room of her home. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a man was arraigned on murder and weapons charges for the stabbing death of his mother at her Massapequa apartment on Christmas Eve. Jeremy Emmanuel Lopez Ramirez, 27, was arraigned today before Judge Robert McDonald on charges of Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony) and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (a D felony). The defendant pleaded not guilty and was remanded. He is due back in court on February 19, 2025. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 32 years to life in prison. The holiday season is a time for families to come together, but this defendants alleged actions tore his family apart when he fatally plunged a knife directly into his mothers heart on Christmas Eve, said DA Donnelly. A grief-stricken family was left to spend their Christmas mourning the senseless and tragic loss of their mother, taken from them by the hands of their own blood, according to the charges. Our thoughts are with Josefinas family, friends, and all who loved her as we prosecute this devastating crime. DA Donnelly said that on December 24, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., 57-year-old Josefina Ramirez Montero, was inside her upstairs apartment at 5714 Old Sunrise Highway in Massapequa when her youngest son, defendant Jeremy Emmanuel Lopez Ramirez, left to go to a nearby laundromat. Upon his return, the defendant allegedly began attacking his mother with a six-inch knife, puncturing her four times, including a stab wound to the heart. The defendant then left the apartment and allegedly attempted to bury the knife in the ground outside the building. Ramirez Montero was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Tracy Keeton of the Homicide Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Chief Jared Rosenblatt and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Litigation Division Kevin Higgins. The defendant is represented by Nicole Guliano, Esq. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Several Massachusetts lottery players won during Monday nights Powerball drawing, including two people who won $150,000 and $50,000 prizes. The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing held on Jan. 20 were 15, 16, 32, 47, 54 and Powerball: 6, and there was a 3X PowerPlay. Someone won $150,000 after they bought a ticket that matched four numbers and was a PowerPlay at Lucky Spot Convenience in Randolph. Another lottery player also won $50,000 from a ticket they bought for the drawing in Woburn at Matsottas Convenience Store. Additionally, two lottery players won $100,000 during the daily Mass Cash drawing on Monday. The winning numbers for the drawing were 10, 16, 17, 18 and 31. One of those winning $100,000 tickets was sold at West Main Gas in Hyannis, while the other was sold at Winners Corner MA in North Andover. Overall, at least 179 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Monday, including three in Springfield, five in Worcester and 12 in Boston. The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of winning tickets every day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600. Advocates for immigrant rights sued the Trump administration hours after the president signed an executive order that sought to end birthright citizenship in the United States. The lawsuit challenges President Trumps order, stating that it contradicts the Constitution which gives citizenship rights to anyone born in the United States regardless of their parents status. Trump administration officials appeared to acknowledge potential issues with the order and said it would be carried out on a prospective basis, The Hill reported on Monday. On a prospective basis, the federal government will not recognize automatic birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens born in the United States, the official said. The ACLU said it expected to prevail in its legal challenge and described the executive order as an egregious overreach. Denying citizenship to U.S.-born children is not only unconstitutional its also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values, said Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union. Birthright citizenship is part of what makes the United States the strong and dynamic nation that it is. This order seeks to repeat one of the gravest errors in American history by creating a permanent subclass of people born in the U.S. who are denied full rights as Americans, Romero said. The American Civil Liberties Union and its chapters from Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine filed the suit late Monday in U.S. District Court in New Hampshire. The Asian Law Caucus, State Democracy Defenders Fund and Legal Defense Fund also signed onto the lawsuit for organizations with members whose babies were born on U.S. soil, including New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support, League of United Latin American Citizens, and Make the Road New York. Birthright citizenship is based on the Constitutions 14th Amendment and it guarantees the citizenship of all children born in the United States regardless of race, color or ancestry, according to the ACLU. Specifically, the amendment states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. The only exception is for children of foreign diplomats. The ACLU said a family belonging to the New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support is impacted by the lawsuit. The family arrived in 2023, applied for asylum and their application awaits review. The nonprofit organization is based in Somersworth, New Hampshire, and serves as a resource hub for the Indonesian community. The mother-to-be is in her third trimester, and under Trumps executive order, the baby would be considered an undocumented citizen and could be denied basic health care and nutrition, putting the newborn at risk at a vulnerable stage of their life, according to the ACLU. The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, overturning a court decision denying Black Americans the right to U.S. citizenship. In 1898, the Supreme Court confirmed that children born in the United States to immigrant parents were entitled to U.S. citizenship. The principle has remained an undisturbed constitutional bedrock for over a century, according to the ACLU. The family of a Fisher College student who was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Roxbury on Saturday is raising money to cover funeral expenses "and support efforts to find the individual responsible for this senseless act," according to a GoFundMe. We are reaching out to our community to ask for your support, the family of Taylor Wilkinson, 20, said on GoFundMe. ...Together, we can ensure that Taylors light continues to shine and that her story drives change. On Jan. 18 around 8:30 p.m., Boston police responded to a report that a car had struck a pedestrian at 1829 Washington St., Boston police said Sunday morning. Wilkinson was found with life-threatening injuries and a 23-year-old woman, Wilkingons sister, with minor injuries. As of Tuesday, the GoFundMe has received 162 donations totaling $10,102, with a goal of reaching $50,000. Taylor was more than a daughter, a sister, and a friendshe was a force of nature," the GoFundMe read. She lit up every room she entered with her infectious laughter and boundless energy. Whether she was singing her heart out at karaoke or dancing like no one was watching, Taylors joy was contagious. A cheerleader for fun and for life itself, she lifted everyone around her with her love and unwavering positivity. The fundraisers organizer said that while Wilkinsons family was shattered, they will fight for justice and call for the person responsible for this tragic act a driver who fled the scene without regard for the life they ended [to] be held accountable." Wilkinson proudly graduated from the BPS-Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers in June 2023, Fisher College President Steven Rich wrote in a message on Monday. She began attending Fisher College in the fall of 2023 and was a sophomore pursuing a bachelors degree in management with a concentration in fashion merchandising when she died. Rest in power, Taylor Wilkinson, the GoFundMe concluded. You are gone but will never, ever be forgotten. Boston Polices homicide detectives and accident reconstruction team are investigating the crash, police said. The SUV depicted in the photo above is believed to be involved in the crash, and investigators are hoping the public can help them identify it. The SUV is described as a small, 20212023 dark-colored Mercedes, police said. It would now have damage to its front grille and light and would be missing its right-side mirror. Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470. You can also submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-494-TIPS or texting TIP to CRIME (27463). Harvard University has agreed to take several steps to combat antisemitism after The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law filed a lawsuit against the school in May claiming it ignored and tolerated antisemitism on its campus. Under the agreement, Harvard University will incorporate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism into its Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying Policies, according to a press release from The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law. Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities according to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. The Ivy League school will also have to consider the IHRA definition and examples when its reviewing claims regarding antisemitism or harassment, the center said. Todays settlement reflects Harvards enduring commitment to ensuring our Jewish students, faculty, and staff are embraced, respected, and supported, Kenneth L. Marcus, the founder of the center, said in a statement. We will continue to strengthen our policies, systems, and operations to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate and ensure all members of the Harvard community have the support they need to pursue their academic, research and professional work and feel they belong on our campus and in our classrooms. Harvard also needs to post an FAQ document relating to its non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies online and in the same place as the policy, the center said. The FAQ needs to clarify that both the Jewish and Israeli identities are covered by the schools non-discrimination and anti-bullying policy; that the policy includes shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics and political beliefs in its protected categories; and that the IHRA definition will be used in their non-discrimination and anti-bullying policy, according to the center. The FAQ also needs to include a statement that says Zionism is a part of many Jewish peoples identity and that attacking this identity violates the schools non-discrimination policy, the center said. The FAQ also should provide a list of examples of behavior that would violate the policy. Harvard also needs to reaffirm at least once a year that antisemitism wont be tolerated and that it will consider the IHRA definition in its non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies, the center said. The school also needs to prepare a public annual report for the next five years that describes its response to discrimination or harassment based on Title VI-protected traits, the center said. These reports will catalog Harvards response to complaints based on allegations of antisemitism, consistent with FERPA, and assess Harvards treatment of such complaints against its treatment of complaints based on allegations of other forms of bias, the center said. Harvard also agreed to hire someone in its Office for Community Conduct to consult on complaints about antisemitism and supervise the preparation of its annual reports, the center said. The school will also provide expert training on fighting antisemitism and the IHRA definition for its staff the Office for Community Conduct. The school will also pour more academic resources into studying antisemitism, the center said. It will also partner with a university in Israel, in addition to the programs the school has with Israeli universities. Harvard will provide an opportunity for the Brandeis Center to host a variety of events on campus. In addition, Harvard Kennedy School will provide an opportunity for three alumni of that school to organize and host an on-campus event, consistent with the relevant guidelines that apply to active student groups, on the substantive issues of Israeli Jewish democracy, the center said. President Donald Trump was inaugurated for the second time in American history Monday morning. Many Massachusetts elected officials both those who attended the ceremony and those who did not called for resistance to the presidents second term agenda on social media. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., quickly reacted to one of the promises Trump made in his inauguration speech: to end the Green New Deal a policy agenda created in part by Markey to reduce American carbon emissions. Donald Trump cant kill the Green New Deal, Markey wrote on social media. Donald Trump cant kill the Green New Deal. Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) January 20, 2025 U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren Instead of commenting on the content of Trumps inauguration speech, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., commented on some of the guests at the ceremony. Big Tech billionaires have a front row seat at Trumps inauguration. They have even better seats than Trumps own cabinet picks. That says it all, she wrote on social media. Big Tech billionaires have a front row seat at Trump's inauguration. They have even better seats than Trump's own cabinet picks. That says it all. https://t.co/cZh08sAxHM Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 20, 2025 U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton Prior to the inauguration, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-6th District, took to social media to comment on what he described as an ironic situation, given the false assertion by the president and his supporters that the prior election was invalid. Im here today at the Inauguration on principle, out of respect for our democracy. Its pretty ironic to be amongst so many hypocrites who suddenly respect elections, he wrote. Im here today at the Inauguration on principle, out of respect for our democracy. Its pretty ironic to be amongst so many hypocrites who suddenly respect elections. Rep. Seth Moulton (@RepMoulton) January 20, 2025 After Trumps inauguration speech, Moulton critiqued the presidents rhetoric. Trump is smothering fact with fiction, history with heresy, hope with horror, and greatness with grievance. This will be remembered as the darkest inaugural address in history, he wrote. Trump is smothering fact with fiction, history with heresy, hope with horror, and greatness with grievance. This will be remembered as the darkest inaugural address in history. Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) January 20, 2025 U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan After Trumps inauguration, 3rd Congressional District Rep. Lori Trahan, D-3rd District, posted a statement about the presidents proposed policies on social media. The American people deserve leaders who prioritize their needs, and during his campaign, President Trump pledged to prioritize lowering costs for working families. As I always have, I will work to address the financial burdens facing everyday Americans, and I am hopeful that there will be opportunities to find common ground, she wrote. However, if the Trump administration pursues policies that reward billionaire donors with tax cuts while paying for them by slashing vital programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid House Democrats will fight back against those efforts. Today, I attended the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/vcdE8teI5r Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) January 20, 2025 U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark Prior to Trumps inauguration, U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-5th District, posted a statement about the presidents proposed policies on social media containing similar rhetoric to that in Trahans statement. I will be attending todays inauguration ceremony for President-elect Trump, and I hope to hear a commitment from him to building an economy that works for working people. House Democrats will partner with anyone serious about lowering costs from groceries and housing to child care and health care, Clark, the No. 2 Democrat in the U.S. House, wrote. But we will stand up to anyone seeking to further rig the economy in favor of the billionaire class at the expense of hard working Americans. We will not let anyone take your Social Security money to fund a tax cut for corporations and the extremely rich, Clark continued. Clark ended her statement by urging the incoming Trump administration and Congressional Republicans to join House Democrats in working on behalf of all Americans. .@HouseDemocrats will partner with anyone serious about lowering costs. But we will stand up to anyone seeking to further rig the economy in favor of the billionaire class at the expense of hard working Americans. My statement on inauguration. pic.twitter.com/zmxTtAq2Qb Katherine Clark (@WhipKClark) January 20, 2025 U.S. Rep. Bill Keating Prior to Trumps inauguration, 9th Congressional District Rep. Bill Keating, D-9th District, issued a statement addressing why he would not be attending the ceremony. As someone who comes from a family of police officers and served over a decade upholding the rule of law as a District Attorney, I will not be attending the inauguration this year, he wrote. Keating attended Trumps first inauguration, he wrote, and respects that the president won the 2024 presidential election. However, Keating cannot condone the presidents promise to pardon people convicted or charged with crimes in connection with the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 on his first day in office. My decision to not attend the inauguration is out of respect for the men and women of the Capitol Police who were attacked at the very site of the inauguration itself while protecting Members of Congress and the peaceful transfer of power. Keating pointed out that, of the more than 1,200 individuals charged in the wake of Jan. 6, the Department of Justice charged 452 with crimes against police. Among these people, 123 were charged with using a deadly weapon against a police officer, he wrote. Additionally, 140 officers were assaulted during the Jan. 6 riot, and five officers died in the days and weeks that followed, Keating wrote. In the years since, hundreds of those charged have pled guilty to crimes associated with the riot or been convicted by a jury. Regardless of my attendance at the inauguration, I remain committed to delivering for the people of Southeastern Massachusetts and will work across the aisle with my colleagues and with the incoming administration whenever possible, Keating wrote. U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley Prior to Trumps inauguration, 7th Congressional District Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, explained why she would not be attending the ceremony on social media, citing the teachings of civil rights legends Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, his wife. King asked: where will we go from here, chaos or community? Ill always choose community. Thats why Im skipping the inauguration & spending the MLK holiday in my district, she wrote. As we brace for the next 4 years, its essential that we come together to mobilize our collective power. Pressley included a video clip from an interview with MSNBC in which she explained her reasoning further. I am not attending the inauguration. I think it is a painful contradiction to all that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. represented. And I want to include Coretta in that as well, she said. Pressley continued on, highlighting the Kings ties to Boston and her congressional district, which encompasses much of the city. The couple met while Martin Luther King Jr. was earning his doctorate in theology from Boston University and Coretta Scott King was studying at New England Conservatory of Music. This is where their relationship was forged, and it ultimately birthed the movement. So I will be in community in Roxbury, she said. Pressley added that the current climate in her district is that of fear. I have constituents calling my office saying, Whatever you can do for me on immigration, passports, social security, IRS whatever they need please do it by Jan. 20 because they are fearful of what will happen after that, she said. Get your badge, put on your cowboy hat, and get out there and arrest the illegals. Do your job, Sheriff! Thats one of many public comments Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux, a Democrat, said hes received in the course of his duty. The problem: its not his job, per the law, he says. Its no more my job to do immigration enforcement than it is to track down drug cartels in Mexico. Its just not part of my jurisdiction, he said. Rhetoric around immigration and local law enforcements roles in enforcing immigration law has been ratcheting up over the past decade, and is set to become a major issue for the incoming administration of President Donald Trump. Heroux and other Massachusetts sheriffs cooperation with federal immigration enforcement officials is not limited by communities sanctuary laws or policies, but restrictions at the federal and state level limit the role he can play in enforcing immigration laws. With Trump promising mass deportations which would require a massive law enforcement effort Heroux said the public needs to know the ways he is and is not permitted to aid immigration enforcement. What the law says Under federal law, immigration enforcement is the responsibility of federal authorities alone. Local and state law enforcement agencies are only permitted to work as immigration enforcers if they enter into a 287g contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This type of contract allows ICE to deputize members of local and state law enforcement agencies to work as ICE officers. Herouxs office formerly had such a contract with ICE while his predecessor Sheriff Thomas Hodgson, a Republican was in office. But President Joe Bidens homeland security secretary ordered ICE to end the contract in 2021 after the Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office published an investigative report alleging that the sheriffs department violated detainees civil rights during a May 2020 incident at its immigration detention center. Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald Jr., a Republican, said his office also had a 287g contract with ICE from 2017 to 2021, but it was not renewed due to staffing issues. Today, his office has a contract with ICE to transport and house men in ICE custody. How sheriffs aid immigration enforcement The primary way in which state and local law enforcement agencies aid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is by cooperating with immigration detainers. Immigration detainers notify state and local law enforcement agencies that ICE wants to take custody of someone currently in the custody of the law enforcement agency if and when the agency releases that person. ICE issues immigration detainers in the hopes that law enforcement agencies will notify them ahead of the release of a prisoner or suspect with a detainer so that ICE can arrest the suspect or prisoner as soon as they are released. There is no federal or Massachusetts law mandating that law enforcement agencies provide ICE with prisoner or suspect release information beyond that which is public. While some states have made cooperation with immigration detainers mandatory, other states including Massachusetts have limited the ability of local law enforcement to cooperate with detainers. How Massachusetts is different In most states, state and local law enforcement agencies can hold suspects with immigration detainers up to 48 hours after theyve been released. This buffer period gives ICE time to decide whether it wants to take a suspect or prisoner with a detainer into custody and ensures that ICE can easily take custody of the suspect or prisoner upon their release, assuming that ICE responds within the buffer period. But a 2017 ruling by Massachusetts highest court made this kind of buffer period illegal in the state. In Lunn v. Commonwealth, the Supreme Judicial Court found that state law doesnt give state or local law enforcement the authority to arrest or hold someone based solely on an immigration detainer. As a result, the most that local and state law enforcement can do to help ICE arrest suspects with detainers is let ICE know of court appearances during which a suspect may be released and notify ICE of a suspects release as soon as they post bail or are released by a judge. But these notifications often dont allow ICE to respond quickly enough to arrest someone as soon as theyre released. How this could change Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis, a Republican, told MassLive he believes the Lunn ruling is detrimental to public safety. He wants to see a return to how things were prior to the ruling, when he was allowed to give ICE a short pick-up window. I cant imagine that anybody wouldnt support the idea that when people are here illegally and have committed crimes, our federal officials should have a window of time a short window of time to determine whether they want to take that person into custody because they believe they are a person of interest that poses a threat to our community, he said. In November, Evangelidis made headlines when he called on the Massachusetts Legislature to pass a bill giving local and state law enforcement the authority to hold suspects with an immigration detainer up to 48 hours after they are released. During an interview last week, he wouldnt say which state legislators hes working with to craft such a bill, but said he expects one to be filed within the next month. The sheriffs relationship with ICE Heroux and Evangelis said they are happy to cooperate with ICE in any way the law allows, including by providing ICE with a list of people in their custody who are foreign born. These lists allow ICE to check for any suspects or prisoners who might be in the country illegally and choose whether or not to issue detainers against them. As for the possibility of entering into a 287g contract with ICE, Heroux believes this would be irresponsible, as the last one didnt go well, and his office needs all its current staff working to fulfill their regular duties. " Im not opposed to ICE doing the job they need to do. Im just not going to do it for them, he said. McDonald said he honors ICE detainers, but that staffing issues currently prevent his office from being able to participate in the 287g program. When asked whether he would welcome a 287g contract, Evangelidis said ICE officials have never expressed a desire to enter into one with his office. As such, he assumes ICE doesnt need one to carry out its work in Worcester County. I feel like what Im doing currently is everything I need to do to protect the citizens of my county, he said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Foley was appointed the new U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts by President Donald Trumps administration on Monday, a move anticipated by some legal experts. Foley was officially appointed to the role by acting Attorney General James McHenry, who was tapped for that post on Monday, Reuters reported. McHenry is leading the Justice Department while Trumps attorney general pick, Pam Bondi, goes through the Senate confirmation process. Foley takes over the office from acting U.S. Attorney Mary B. Murrane, who was the first assistant to former U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy. Levy resigned from the post on Jan. 17 after serving in the top job for more than a year. He took over the U.S. Attorneys office when Rachael Rollins resigned amid an ethics scandal in 2023. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton swore Foley into the new role on Tuesday afternoon. I can think of no greater mission than that of public service and it is the honor of a lifetime to now serve in the capacity of U.S. Attorney. I am profoundly humbled by the opportunity to serve our great nation as the chief federal law enforcement officer in Massachusetts, Foley said in a statement released by her office. I look forward to working with the outstanding men and women of the U.S. Attorneys Office and our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to protect our communities and support the principles of the rule of law. Foley is still expected to undergo a formal nomination process, where the Senate Judiciary Committee and likely later the full U.S. Senate would vote to confirm her to the position. A federal prosecutor for more than two decades, Foley most recently served as the deputy chief of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit. She joined the U.S. Attorneys Office in Massachusetts in 2006. Foley was considered for the job under the previous Trump administration in 2017, but the role ultimately went to Andrew Lelling. Nathaniel Mendell, who was the first assistant to Lelling and served as acting U.S. attorney when Lelling resigned, hailed Foley as an experienced federal prosecutor, formidable trial lawyer and passionate advocate for victims. Her selection is worth celebrating, said Mendell, who worked with Foley for more than a decade in the drug unit, first when she was a line assistant US attorney then when she became his deputy. Foley has clear ideas about what matters and how to get the job done, he said. Choosing Foley lines up with what is expected to be the top priority for the incoming U.S. Attorney, Brian Kelly, a former federal prosecutor and now a partner at Nixon Peabody, told MassLive. Theyll be doing a lot more immigration-type cases, and theyll probably take a harder line on a lot of these drug cases, which involve people who are illegally here, Kelly said in an interview on Monday. But Mendell said it would be a mistake to suggest other cases will fall by the wayside. He pointed to Foleys experience in human trafficking cases, where she has been really effective and dialed in on victim issues. Robert Fisher, a former federal prosecutor who worked with Foley in the drug unit from 2007 to 2010, said Foleys knowledge of the ins and outs of the office would allow her to get off to a fast start. She has the respect of not only the lawyers but also the agents at the agency, the DEA, the FBI or any of the OIGs, Fisher said. The Trump administration moved quickly to tap Foley for the job: typically, acting U.S. attorneys serve for months when administrations change over while a new U.S. attorney works their way through the Senate confirmation process. By appointing Foley so quickly, the administration is signaling they have a very clear idea about what they want to get accomplished in the time that they have, Mendell said. Four years goes by quickly, added Fisher. It seems like they have some aggressive sweeping policies they want to implement, [they] dont have any time to waste. A man in his 80s was killed in a two-alarm house fire in New Bedford Monday afternoon, fire officials said. Firefighters went to 34 Cotter St. shortly after 1 p.m. Monday afternoon. Arriving firefighters found heavy fire coming from the two-family home and used a ladder to rescue one person from the second floor. Three other people inside the home escaped the flames on their own, New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger, New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said in a joint statement. All four tenants were taken to St. Lukes Hospital. An adult male who attempted to rescue the trapped occupant was subsequently taken to Rhode Island Hospital, according to the statement. A man in his 80s, whose name was not immediately released, was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of his death. No firefighters were injured. A pair of cats were rescued from the residence and treated for smoke inhalation by New Bedford Animal Control. The fire caused catastrophic damage to the building, officials said. Its origin and cause remain under investigation. On behalf of the New Bedford Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the victims family, Kruger said. Our thoughts are with them, and also with the residents who lost their home today. This is a terrible loss for them and the community. State officials have identified the New Bedford man who was killed in a house fire on Monday. Alfred Martin, 88, of New Bedford, was named as the victim, according to the New Bedford Fire and Police departments, the State Fire Marshal and Bristol County District Attorneys Office. Four other people were hurt in the fire that broke out at 24 Cotter St. just after 1 p.m. on Jan. 20, including a man who tried to save Martin from the two-family home. Firefighters saw heavy flames overtaking the house when they arrived and used a ladder to rescue one person from the second floor. Three others were able to escape on their own, and all four people were brought to the hospital with injuries. A pair of cats were also rescued from the residence and treated for smoke inhalation by New Bedford Animal Control. Martin was pronounced dead at the scene, the office said. The cause and manner of his death is pending following an investigation from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. On behalf of the New Bedford Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Martins family, said New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger. Our thoughts are with them, and also with the residents who lost their home. This is a terrible loss for them and the community, Kruger said. The cause of the fire, which caused catastrophic damage to the home, is not believed to be suspicious, though the exact cause has yet to be determined, the officials said. A preliminary investigation showed the fire started by a couch in the first-floor living room near the front left of the home, and smoking materials and an electrical outlet were also in that area. Martins death was the first fire death in the state of 2025. Smoking was the leading cause of residential fire fatalities in Massachusetts in 2024. Assistance at the scene was given by New Bedford EMS, the New Bedford Emergency Management Agency, the New Bedford Department of Public Works and Providence Canteen. Michael Baldassarre, the superintendent for Uxbridge Public Schools, was released on personal recognizance Tuesday after he was charged with driving while under the influence on Saturday. Baldassarre, of Concord, was charged with OUI (liquor), negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation and driving at a rate of speed exceeding the posted limit, according to court records. Baldassarre was released on personal recognizance after his arraignment Tuesday. Clinton District Court Judge Nicole A. Colby Longton ordered Baldassarre not to drive. The Uxbridge School Committee is expected to hold a meeting on Tuesday night, according to the districts website. The committee will vote to appoint an interim superintendent, the Telegram & Gazette reported. Massachusetts State Police arrested Baldassarre at around 2:40 p.m. on Saturday on Interstate 495, the Telegram reported. A State Police trooper and a field training officer on patrol saw Baldassarre driving a 2022 Toyota Camry as it sped and swerved before crashing into another car. I observed the vehicle almost crash with the white vehicle operating adjacent to the subjects vehicle in the left lane, the trooper wrote in a report, according to the Telegram. Baldassarres eyes were red, glassy and bloodshot, and his speech was slurred, the Telegram wrote. Baldassarre told the trooper that he had a couple of glasses of wine hours earlier. Because Baldassarre showed signs of impairment, the trooper arrested him, the newspaper wrote. He failed or refused to take several field sobriety tests and later was uncooperative in answering State Police questions at the Leominster barracks. Baldassarre verbally refused to answer if he consented to a breath test, and he did not sign the Statutory Rights and Consent Form indicating he refused to (take) the breath test, the trooper wrote. While inventorying items in his possession, State Police found a receipt from the Victory Cigar Bar in Worcester, the Telegram wrote. Listed were a cigar, two Taylor 10 years Tawny wine glasses, an open liquor, and two Stella Artois. He is expected to next appear in court on March 3, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.s office confirmed with MassLive. MassLive contacted Uxbridge Public Schools for more information about Tuesdays meeting but has not received a response. A portion of Interstate 91 in northern Vermont was closed Monday afternoon after police say a U.S. Border Patrol agent was involved in a shooting. According to Vermont State Police, the shooting occurred at about 3:15 p.m. in Coventry, near the Canadian border. The highway was closed in both directions between exit 27 in Newport and exit 26 in Orleans. Police have not provided any other information on what occurred. The FBI is leading the investigation. Drivers are being asked to seek alternate routes as of 5:30 p.m. A Wareham woman was sentenced to over four years in prison for selling fentanyl that led to a mans overdose death in 2019, United States Attorney Leah Foleys office said. U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper sentenced Kayla Nightingale, 37, to 52 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, Foleys office said. Nightingale was also ordered to pay $7,868 in restitution to the family of the victim for funeral expenses. Nightingale pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl in August 2024, the statement read. She and her co-conspirator, Troy Jones, were indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2020. The two worked together from January 2019 until April 3, 2019, to distribute fentanyl in Wareham, Foleys office said. A 42-year-old Wareham resident received fentanyl, only to overdose and die on April 2. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell has sued President Donald Trump over an executive order that seeks to cancel the constitutional guarantee that children born in the United States are citizens regardless of their parents' legal status. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts by 17 states, the District of Columbia, and the city and county of San of Francisco, argues that Trumps order flagrantly violates the rights of children born in the United States, Campbells office said in a statement. Birthright citizenship in our country is a guarantee of equality, born out of a collective fight against oppression, slavery and its devastating harms, Campbell said. It is a settled right in our Constitution and recognized by the Supreme Court for more than a century, she continued. President Trump does not have the authority to take away constitutional rights, and we will fight against his effort to overturn our Constitution and punish innocent babies born in Massachusetts. If its allowed to proceed, Trumps order will affect more than 150,000 children born every year in the nation, Campbells office said. The number of babies born to parents without legal status has been dropping steadily since 2007, according to Pew Research Center data. Still, immigrants' rights advocates have argued that the White Houses action will affect the next generation of children, NPR reported Some 4.7 million children would have one or both parents without legal status by 2050 under the current policy, NPR reported, citing data compiled by the Migration Policy Institute. Legal experts predicted swift legal action against Trumps executive order, including birthright citizenship. It will be litigated immediately and its prospects of surviving those court fights are slim, even before a Supreme Court stacked with conservative justices and Trump appointees, Thomas Wolf wrote in an analysis for the Brennan Center for Justice. The order on birthright citizenship was among the battery of executive orders and actions that the Republican president signed within hours of taking office on Monday. The multi-jurisdictional lawsuit joins litigation already filed by the American Civil Liberties Union that also seeks to block the order. The new White House wasted little time hitting back at that effort. Radical Leftists can either choose to swim against the tide and reject the overwhelming will of the people, or they can get on board and work with President Trump to advance his wildly popular agenda, Harrison Fields, the White Houses principal deputy press secretary, told Fox News Digital. These lawsuits are nothing more than an extension of the Lefts resistance and the Trump administration is ready to face them in court, Fields told Fox News. President Donald Trump signs an executive order at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)AP Trump has long promised to end birthright citizenship, arguing that its a way to reduce undocumented immigration, NPR reported. The clause is enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which holds that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Read More: Here are the executive actions and orders Trump signed on Day 1 Trumps order excludes the following people from automatic citizenship: Those whose mothers were not legally in the United States and whose fathers were not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; people whose mothers were in the country legally but on a temporary basis and whose fathers were not citizens or legal permanent residents, according to The Associated Press. It goes on to bar federal agencies from recognizing the citizenship of people in those categories. It takes effect 30 days from Tuesday, on Feb. 19, the wire service reported. The lawsuit filed Tuesday seeks to invalidate Trumps order and to enjoin any actions taken to implement it, Campbells office said. The plaintiffs also are requesting immediate relief to prevent [Trumps] order from taking effect. The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees that no matter your familys country of origin, if you are born here, this is your home, this is your country, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha said in a separate statement announcing the Ocean States participation in the litigation. With this executive order, the president seeks to deny citizenship to Americans who would lawfully reside here, pay taxes here, raise their families here, and contribute to the extraordinary fabric of this country, Neronha said. In addition to harming children, Campbell and other state attorneys general argued that Trumps order, if fully implemented, will cause states to lose funding under such joint state/federal programs as Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program, as well as foster care and adoption assistance programs. All of those programs " turn at least in part on the immigration status of the resident being served," Campbells office said. The order also will require states on virtually no notice and at considerable expense, to start modifying their benefits programs to account for the change, Campbells office said. In addition to Massachusetts, the lawsuit is being co-led by New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin and California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Other states joining the action include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. EASTHAMPTON Easthampton City Councilor Owen Zaret was blindsided Sunday when he received a letter from the School Committee requesting his censure. The letter to the City Council, obtained by The Republican, states that Zaret was dissatisfied and frustrated with the committees handling of his requests to deal with antisemitism in the Easthampton Public Schools over the last year. Zaret escalated to incidents of clearly unprofessional and unacceptable conduct, the letter said. Castlebar Rotary Club would like to thank all the members of the public who supported the Rotary Tree of Remembrance which was located on Hopkins Road, Castlebar during the week leading up to Christmas. Once again, this annual event was very well supported by the public. Charity partners, Mayo Cancer Support Association and Castlebar Social Services Centre will benefit from the funds which were donated. The Rotary Club would like to thank the following businesses for their support: Dunnes Stores; Thornbrook Construction and Mayo Leisure Point. Castlebar Rotary Club presented a cheque for 2,400 to Castlebar Social Services from funds raised by the Rotary Club Tree of Remebrance. Pictured at the presentation were, from left: Deidre Waldron, Manager of Castlebar Social Sevices; Rotary President John Mulroy; Vivienne Kyne, and Finian Joyce from Castlebar Rotary Club and Denis Gallagher, Chair at Castlebar Social Services. Pic: Alison Laredo At the recent presentation of cheques to the two charities, Rotary Club President John Mulroy said The members of Castlebar Rotary Club were delighted to organise this annual event in association with Mayo Cancer Support Association and Castlebar Social Services Centre. The support of the public is much appreciated and the funds raised will assist these two deserving local charities in the great work they undertake in the community He also thanked all the volunteers who gave of their time to man the Tree during the busy Christmas period. Pictured at the top of the article at the presentation to the Mayo Cancer Support Association were, from left: Vivienne Kyne, Rotary Club; Breda Gilvarry, Rotary Club; Rotary Club President John Mulroy; Orla Gillespie from Mayo Cancer Support Services and Peter Glynn from Castlebar Rotary Club. Pic: Alison Laredo A Castlebar-based councillor has branded Mayo University Hospital unsafe after 38 people were left on trolleys yesterday (Monday) morning the highest number since the start of the year. Cllr Harry Barrett is now calling on Mayo politicians to walk out of the next HSE Regional Health Forum West meeting in protest. Seventeen of the 38 patients were on trolleys in wards, while the remaining 21 were in the emergency department, according to figures released by the Irish Nurse and Midwives Organisation (INMO). This surpasses the previous 2025 record of 27, which was set on January 14. The INMO did not compile any trolley figures for January 1 or any Saturday or Sunday in the past month. Other hospitals in the Saolta hospital group also treated a high number of people on trolleys, including Sligo University Hospital (32) and University Hospital Galway (62). A total of 613 people were left on trolleys nationwide yesterday. MUH had the fourth-highest number of patients on trolleys of any hospital in the country, behind only University Hospital Limerick (107), Cork University Hospital (71) and University Hospital Galway. The Castlebar hospital has had above-average attendance since December due to a high incidence of flu and other respiratory illnesses. Most elective surgeries, including endoscopies, were cancelled due to the pressure on the hospital yesterday. This morning (Tuesday, January 21), there were 23 people on trolleys in Mayo University Hospital. WALK OUT Speaking to The Mayo News about the current situation at MUH, Cllr Barrett did not hide his anger and frustration. Its disgusting, its wrong, you cant stand over that. Older people are suffering, he said. The boot has to be put into management, and the boot has to be put into our political system thats asleep at the wheel here while people suffer. It doesnt seem to make any impact here when it comes to general elections, and yet people continue to suffer, he continued. Senior management and local management have to be called out, and councillors, I think, can only at this stage protest by walking out [of the next Regional Forum meeting]. The HSE Regional Health Forum West is composed of elected representatives and officials from the Saolta hospital group, which manages a number of hospitals in Connacht and Donegal. Elected members are afforded the chance to table questions and receive answers in written and spoken form regarding various aspects of the health service. The four members of Mayo County Council currently sitting on the forum are Cllr Michael Kilcoyne (Independent), Cllr Alma Gallagher (Fine Gael) and Cllr Michael Loftus (Fianna Fail) and Cllr John Caulfield (Fianna Fail). Thirty-eight people left on trolleys is unsafe. The data shows that. The research shows that if you are left on a trolley for more than six hours your long-term outcomes are worse, all of the scientific data shows that, said Cllr Barrett. I am asking sitting councillors on the HSE Forum to walk out in protest at this. This is a direct result of Saolta management being unable to recruit enough doctors to staff primary care at the weekends. They are failing to deal with primary care at the weekends, and they are failing to use the resources that they have. The district hospitals in this county are under utilised. Belmullet District Hospital is half empty, and Swinford District Hospital has major capacity that could be used. Our primary-care centres are not open at the weekend, we have a skeletal primary care service at the weekend. The Independent councillor also called for a stipulation that general practitioners must remain in the country for seven years after qualifying. Every time a young doctor leaves Ireland to fly to Australia, thats cost the State nearly 150,000. Weve got to be able to say to these young graduates that well provide you with registration, well provide you with a deal on accommodation, providing you stay here as a GP for seven years in Ireland once you qualify. 'NOTHING IS HAPPENING' Speaking to The Mayo News yesterday, Cllr Michael Kilcoyne did not rule out walking out of the next HSE Regional Forum West meeting, but he questioned whether it would make any difference to the chronic overcrowding at MUH. I have raised that hospital, and so has other councillors on the forum, over the last ten years, and nothing is happening. I didnt see too many protesting outside the TDs office about it, Cllr Kilcoyne said. I will consider it but I dont see any use in it. The reason Mayo University Hospital is the way it is because of a lack of capital investment. But we cannot put in capital investment, so you go after the fellas that can put it in. Theres three of them representing the government parties. Designs for a new emergency department are at MUH with additional treatment space are currently progressing through the planning system. A proposed new 75-bed Community Nursing Unit (CNU) for Ballina and a 50-bed CNU in Belmullet are also at design phase. SIGNIFICANT DELAYS IN A statement issued yesterday afternoon, the HSE urged the public to consider alternative care pathways in light of significant delays at the MUH emergency department. Over 200 patients attended the emergency department over the weekend. MUH urged the public to consider alternative avenues for treatment, such as GPs, out-of-hours GP services, the Roscommon Injury Unit and pharmacies, when appropriate. The out-of-hours GP (WestDoc), Roscommon Injury Unit and pharmacies are open this weekend for expert advice and treatment. A hospital spokesperson said that critical cases presenting at MUH would continue to be prioritised. OXFAM Ireland has published a new report titled, 'takers not makers' which shines a light on the richest people in the country. The report shares interesting information to help us picture how wealthy these people are: Irish billionaire wealth could carpet the whole of Phoenix Park in 50 notes almost 1.5x over In 2024, billionaire wealth increased by 13 billion or 35.6 million per day. There were two new billionaires in 2024. It takes just 5 days for someone in the top 1% to make what the average person in the bottom 50% makes all year. A combined total of 50 billion euro amounts to the total wealth of the eleven billionaires, according to OXFAM Ireland. We are witnessing the rise of a modern oligarchy, where wealth is used to build and consolidate political power and vice versa. Meanwhile, global poverty remains at 1990 levels. We must first acknowledge the disparity and set about reversing the trend. Jim Clarken, Oxfam Ireland CEO said. Mr Clarken added, Its time for governments to stop protecting billionaires and to prioritise investing in people. A fairer, more equal world is essential for a liveable planet, global democracy and the eradication of poverty. Urgent change is needed. Oxfam Ireland is urging the next Government to: Tax extreme wealth to pay for public services, honour our international commitments and to broaden our own tax base. We propose a flat rate of 1.5% on all net wealth, that is real wealth, above. Lead efforts for a more multilateral world by advocating for debt cancellation, democratisation of international institutions like the UN, the World Bank and the IMF and regulate corporations to ensure living wages and fair-trade practices. Commit to climate justice by ramping up our domestic climate action and providing greater financial support for countries in the global south experiencing climate breakdown and related hunger and conflict. OXFAM Ireland is a registered charity dedicated to helping climate change, poverty and injustice around the world. READ NEXT: ALERT: Met Eireann warns of 'damaging wind gusts' as low-pressure system approaches The full report can be read here. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) has plans for a new state-of-the-art creativity and teaching center. The Campagna Kleefeld Center for Creativity in the Arts is made possible through the generosity of artist and author Carolyn Mary Kleefeld. From this transformational gift will come the construction of the Campagna Kleefeld Center for Creativity in the Arts on the corner of Porter and Church Streets. Carolyns support will enhance all students experiences on campus linking the arts with academic disciplines, from humanities and social sciences to business and computer science and will serve as an essential part of the MCLA learning experience. Read the press release A Hub for Creativity and Engagement The Campagna Kleefeld Center will be MCLA's primary gallery and arts programming space on campus, The Center will support MCLA programs by providing opportunities for students to engage with artists, their work, and the community. It will serve as a dynamic and flexible space for faculty engagement and curricular innovation, fostering meaningful interactions with a rotating array of exhibits and programs. This new venue will also support MCLAs Benedetti Teaching Artists-in-Residence and student artists-in-residence. "The Center will allow others to explore and engage with the artistic practices that have meant so much to me throughout my life. I hope it will become a space of creativity, reflection, and inspiration for students and community members alike. - Carolyn Kleefeld A Space for Artistic Exploration and Innovation One of the core features of the Campagna Kleefeld Center is the integration of Carolyn Kleefelds own art and poetry. The Center will provide ongoing opportunities for students to explore the creative process through her works, as well as participate in curating exhibitions and engaging with art from a variety of artists. Students will have the chance to interact with works both in-progress and completed, participating in critiques with peers and faculty to enhance their creative development. Arts Management Experience and Interdisciplinary Learning In addition to offering a platform for visual and performing arts, the Center will provide Arts Management students with hands-on experience in museum and gallery operations, community education, and collaboration with artists. By connecting the arts with academic disciplines ranging from the humanities and social sciences to business and computer science, the Campagna Kleefeld Center will enrich the MCLA learning experience and support the Colleges ongoing commitment to equity, access, inclusion, and belonging. The Campagna Kleefeld Center will be a vital hub of creativity that enhances teaching, learning, and community engagement at MCLA. "Carolyn Kleefelds extraordinary generosity will allow MCLA to build and steward a cutting-edge facility that will exponentially enhance the quality of our teaching, expose all our students to new and exciting forms of art, and serve the broader community in immeasurable ways. Carolyns forward-thinking gift is a game-changer, not only for our students and faculty but also for Berkshire County and its surrounding communities, and will continue to be for generations to come." - MCLA President James F. Birge, Ph.D. A Lasting Impact on MCLA and the Berkshires The new Campagna Kleefeld Center for Creativity in the Arts is expected to open its doors in the coming years, serving as a beacon of creativity and collaboration at MCLA and throughout the Berkshire region. To learn more or to download a one-page summary click here. About Carolyn Mary Kleefeld Carolyn Mary Kleefeld is an English-American author, poet, and visual artist. Working since 1981, she has written 25 books, published many tri-lingual and bi-lingual translations, and created an extensive and diverse body of drawings and paintings, ranging in style from romantic figurative to abstract. Her art is featured internationally in galleries, museums, private collections, and multimedia presentations. She studied art and psychology at UCLA and resides in Big Sur, California. Learn more at carolynmarykleefeld.com. About MCLA At MCLA, were here for all and focused on each of our students. Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 130-year commitment to public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence. MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Reports list of Top Ten Public Colleges for 10 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for 2025, after earning the No. 7 spot the prior three years. The Colleges focus on affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in additional 2025 U.S. News rankings: No. 5 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 2 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for public liberal arts colleges in the country. These rankings measure how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants. by Fern Siegel , January 21, 2025 Ammunition appointed Kate Grafton as vice president of client engagement. She is expected to drive sustainable growth and lead business development efforts for the Atlanta agency. Previously, Grafton spend nearly 10 years driving sales and business development at Houzz, the home design site for architecture, interior design and home improvement. Before that, Grafton held sales and marketing roles at tech start-up Leapset (acquired by Sysco) and Bloomspot (acquired by JP Morgan Chase). She also led business development efforts at Groupon and San Diego Tourism. Jeremy Heilpern, CEO of Ammunition, calls Grafton's hire a natural step in our growth strategy, reinforcing our commitment to growing brands in the home and building product categories while paving the way to continue leveraging that momentum into like-minded categories. Ammunition has work with various brands, such as Atlanta Hawks, Georgia-Pacific, LG and Mitsubishi. Grafton added she was eager to broaden the agency's national impact and lauded its blend of creativity and strategy, along with the teams deep understanding of both individuals and brands. Ammunition has achieved a 108% revenue growth over the past three years. by Fern Siegel , January 21, 2025 Two creative agencies, Merrick Creative and Ellen Bruss Design are merging. Denver-based EBD, which launched in 1990, will become part of Merrick Creative, combining decades of expertise in branding, marketing and design across industries such as real estate, food and beverage, hospitality and consumer products. Ellen Bruss, EBDs founder-creative director, and her team, will join Merrick Creative, adding digital strategy services. Clients of the enhanced entity include Naturipe Farms, Hammonds Candy, Gen Digital (with brands such as Norton, Avast, Lifelock), Hoffman & Associates and Continuum Partners. Tom Frank will serve as chief creative officer, Jason Smith is CEO. This was an easy business decision, said Jason Smith, CEO-Partner of Merrick Creative. "Merrick Creative and EBD share a passion for innovative design, strategy and delivering exceptional results for our clients. By combining forces, we now have a nationwide presence and an even stronger ability to provide thoughtful, creative solutions that drive business outcomes. Merrick Creative is located in Greenbelt, Maryland. by Ray Schultz , January 20, 2025 Two Hearst newspapers in Northern Michigan have seen their print circulations rise at a time when many papers around the country are experiencing the opposite. One -- the Manistee News Advocate -- has enjoyed a 15% boost in subscriptions over its subscription total prior to the pandemic. That is the highest since 2017, representing the continued high-quality journalism and community involvement efforts by the News Advocate staff, says Aaron DeKuiper, regional circulation director for Hearst Newspapers Midwest, the News Advocate reports. More readers subscribe digitally nowadays than in print, but there is still a steady core of readers who prefer the print product, and we have every intention of continuing to provide that version as well. advertisement advertisement The increases are largely due to investments in infrastructure and content by Hearst, and are comparable to those seen by other Hearst community publications in Michigan and Illinois, according to the News Advocate. Of the News Advocates subscribers, 47% are print accounts and 53% digital, the paper reports. The print numbers are even better for the Benzie County Record Patriot -- 69% subscribe to the print product and 31% to the digital. Hearst acquired the Pioneer Group, which owned the News Advocate and Record Patriot, in 2017. by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, January 21, 2025 But enough about domestic U.S. politics -- for now -- ahead of this week's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Stagwell has released a study indicating that the CEOs and board members of some of the world's biggest companies still believe in the role and vitality of journalism. Yes, in these blurry information times when the world's biggest digital information platforms are retrenching on fact-based information -- or at the very least, fact-checking what they distribute to billions of people worldwide -- Stagwell's HarrisX unit found the CEOs and board directors of more than 1,000 publicly traded companies in the U.S. and 13 other countries believe they should be backing news media outlets more, including with their ad spending. In fact, 75% believe they should be advertising more to support news media, while only 7% believe they should spend less, according to findings of the study fielded December 30, 2024 to January 14, 2025. advertisement advertisement Importantly, the corporate chieftains believe companies have disproportionately hurt the news industry by either avoiding advertising altogether, or by overly applying "brand safety" tools and protocols to news media outlets. Specifically, Stagwell found: 57% think it is a mistake to apply brand safety across all news outlets and types of news content. 69% say brand safety protocols are over-applied to the point of hurting media outlets and advertisers. 75% of executives of large companies in particular believe brand safety has been over-applied. Personally, I've always considered brand-safety sensitivity in news content to be a relative value judgment for businesses, and believe one of the greatest shifts in the way the ad industry applies it has been the move from old school "blacklists" excluding questionable content, to "inclusion lists" sanctioning the responsible kind. But in this post-GARM (the World Federation of Advertisers' now defunct Global Alliance for Responsible Media initiative), highly litigious (ie. Elon Musk's and Donald Trump's heavy-handed libel suits, etc.), and especially the regression of fact-checking on Meta's and other platforms, there has never been a better time for more open-minded advertising support for news media. Kudos to Stagwell for fielding this research, more of which can be found here. The push is especially noteworthy given that Jim Jordan's House Judiciary Committee already has opened a probe into Omnicom and Interpublic related to their merger, but citing the ad industry's support for responsible media. Stay tuned for more on that, but you can read the letters sent to Omnicom's John Wren and Interpublic's Philippe Krakowsky yourself. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, January 21, 2025 WHSmith North America on Tuesday launched its first in-store travel retail media network in the United States, partnering with SMG, which specializes in commerce marketing. Bose and Pepsi were early adopters. Sean Crawford, managing director at SMG North America believes that WHSmith North America Media Network, which combines U.S. businesses Marshall Retail Group (MRG) and InMotion, is the first in-store travel Retail Media Network with offsite capabilities. The network will allow brands to buy ad inventory, from digital screens and audio to analog signage and experiential media for stores. Although the trend is being led by Amazon and Walmart Connect, retail media ad spend across networks overall is expected to reach $60 billion this year, according to Emarketer. The media is supported by off-site digital display ads via The Trade Desk for news websites, blogs, and more, as well as off-site social ads via Meta's Facebook and Instagram. It lets advertisers target travelers in route to, or in and around travel hubs like airports, rail stations and resorts. advertisement advertisement The combination of ways to connect with consumers gives advertisers access to approximately 3 million business and leisure travelers who pass through North American airports each day. This is the first RMN to span more than 347 locations across North America, the company said. The insights gained from campaigns will allow WHS Medias team of retail media experts to optimize strategies using sales data and other metrics such as impressions and click-through rates. As WHSmith expands into the United States, the company will close 17 stores across the United Kingdom each month through May 2025. The goal is to open more stores in other profitable locations, the Independent reported. The British retailers has more than 1,100 stores in the UK, with just over half of these found in travel locations. In the U.S., it has 320 locations, with plans to open new stores in airports in Denver, Dallas and Washington, according to the report. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 21, 2025 Advocacy groups are urging a federal appellate court to uphold T-Mobile's $92 million fine for sharing wireless customers' location data. The vast majority of American consumers use mobile devices, and nearly three-quarters keep them nearby or on their person wherever they go, the Electronic Privacy Information Center and other watchdogs write in a friend-of-the-court brief filed late last week with the D.C.Circuit Court of Appeals. Those subscribers deserve the privacy protections that the law promises, which can only be secured through broad coverage of the sensitive data about them and robust enforcement, the groups add. They are weighing in on the Federal Communications Commission's April order fining T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T for selling access to customers geolocation data to aggregators that resold the information to outside companies. (The FCC fined AT&T $57 million and Verizon $47 million. T-Mobile's $92 million fine included a $12 million fine for Sprint, which merged with T-Mobile in 2020.) advertisement advertisement All three carriers are challenging the fines in court; T-Mobile brought suit in the D.C. Circuit, while AT&T sued in the 5th Circuit and Verizon sued in the 2nd Circuit. T-Mobile argued in a November filing that the fine should be struck down for several reasons, including that the FCC hadn't previously said all location data should be treated as customary proprietary network information, and therefore subject to confidentiality rules under Section 222 of the Communications Act. Instead, according to T-Mobile, the FCC only required carriers to keep location data confidential when it was directly tied to voice services -- meaning data that would reveal customers' locations when they were talking on the telephone. The location data at the center of the fine came from location-based services connected to non-voice services -- such as the Life Alert program, which sends medical help to people, or roadside assistance company AAA -- T-Mobile says. The Electronic Privacy Information Center and other advocates are asking the appellate court to reject that theory and rule that the phrase customary proprietary network information includes all customer location data collected by a carrier, and not just data collected during an active voice service call. The groups add that T-Mobile's interpretation of the statute would undercut its purpose by exposing extremely sensitive location data to misuse and abuse. Congress tasked the FCC with holding each carrier accountable for protecting the data of its subscribers through Section 222; here, subscriber data was exposed in violation of the statute and ultimately and predictably that data was abused, the groups write. Against this backdrop, it is implausible to argue that Congress did not intend for the FCC to regulate precisely this type of misconduct by telecom companies. The agency initially proposed the fines in 2020, when it was led by Republicans. The move came around two years after it emerged that a Missouri sheriff used geolocation data provided by Securus Technology to track other law enforcement officers, without court orders. Securus obtained the location data from the phone carriers. Around one year later, Vice Media's Motherboard detailed how a journalist was able to pay a bounty hunter $300 to track a phone's location to a neighborhood in Queens. The major U.S. carriers have said they no longer sell location data. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr -- who took over as chairman on Monday -- dissented from the decision to impose fines, arguing that the Federal Trade Commission was the appropriate agency to police the privacy practices at issue. Carr also agreed with the carriers that the location data at the center of the fines hadn't previously been subject to confidentiality rules. Todays FCC orders rest on a newfound definition of customer proprietary network information ... that finds no support in the Communications Act or FCC precedent, he stated in April. And without providing advance notice of the new legal duties expected of carriers (to the extent we could adopt those new duties at all), the FCC retroactively announces eye-popping forfeitures totaling nearly $200,000,000. These actions are inconsistent with the law and basic fairness. Maha Kumbh 2025 brings advanced healthcare with free eye care, AI tools, and emergency services, enhancing safety for millions of pilgrims. Trusted Source Healing at the Maha Kumbh 2025 Go to source Trusted Source Bringing vision to millions! #NetraKumbh at #MahaKumbh2025 offers free eye care, 3,00,000 eyeglasses, and 5,00,000 consultations. #medindia Free Eye Care, AI Tools, and Advanced Medical Services for Pilgrims Tradition Meets Modern Healthcare at Maha Kumbh 2025 Advertisement Healing at the Maha Kumbh 2025 - (https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2091178) Maha Kumbh 2025, is a spiritual gathering and an important Hindu pilgrimage celebrated every 12 years. This mass gathering has been improvised with world-class healthcare services this year ().Rameshwar, a 55-year-old from Madhya Pradesh was rushed to the Central Hospital with severe chest pain . The special medical facilities arranged for Maha Kumbh have benefited him by saving his life with the quick response of ICU specialists and modern equipment.A major healthcare effort of this years Maha Kumbh is the Netra Kumbh (Eye Fair), an initiative focused on combating vision problems. Spread across 10 acres, it offers free eye check-ups, and 3,00,000 eyeglasses, and aims to conduct 5,00,000 OPDs. With over 10,000 daily eye consultations, the Netra Kumbh aims for a Guinness World Record. It also encourages eye donations to help over 15 million blind individuals in India.The Central Hospital at Maha Kumbh has 100 beds, and ICU facilities, and conducts emergency procedures. It has treated over 10,000 patients so far. A Sub-Central Hospital in Sector 24 has 25 more beds, offering all medical services. The hospital admitted up to 900 patients on January 1, showcasing the scale and efficiency of these healthcare arrangements.AI-powered language tools bridge communication gaps between doctors and patients in 22 regional and 19 global languages. Medical observation rooms at major railway stations like Prayagraj Junction are equipped with ECG machines and defibrillators, ensuring emergency care for traveling pilgrims.The healthcare system is supported by 240 doctors, 40 dormitories, and region-specific meals for staff. Dr. Jasmine oversaw the delivery of a couple from Fatehpur at the Central Hospital. She confirmed that both mother and baby are healthy and safe. The baby boy was named Jamuna Prasad inspired by the sacred Yamuna River. This highlights the events success with tradition and advancements.Maha Kumbh 2025 sets a new standard for healthcare from advanced ICUs to the visionary Netra Kumbh, all the efforts highlight the Uttar Pradesh Governments commitment to making Maha Kumbh a safe and healthy spiritual experience.Source-Medindia A premature baby born at just 31 weeks and weighing only 1.05 kg has restored vision. Early diagnosis and advanced tech make miracles happen. Micro-incision cataract surgery can restore vision in premature babies! A baby born at 31 weeks had this rare surgery to fix congenital cataracts and now sees clearly! #pediatriccare #cataractsurgery #medindia Early Diagnosis Saved the Day Pediatric Eye Surgery Anterior Vitrectomy: Removal of the gel from the front part of the eye. Posterior Capsulorhexis: Creating an opening in the lens capsule to prevent further clouding. Intraocular Lens (IOL) Implantation: Placing artificial lenses to restore vision. Advertisement Medical Milestone: Doctors Successfully Perform Groundbreaking Cataract Surgery on 31-Week-Old Premature Baby- (https://www.onlymyhealth.com/doctors-perform-groundbreaking-cataract-surgery-on-thirty-one-week-old-premature-baby-12977824015) Advertisement In a significant medical achievement, doctors at Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital in Bengaluru successfully restored the. Weighing only 1.05 kg at birth, the baby was diagnosed with congenital cataracts , a condition characterized by clouded lenses that can lead to vision impairment.and pose significant treatment challenges due to their fragile health. The baby underwent a complex procedure known as, a rare and intricate operation, especially in such young patients.The baby was diagnosed with bilateral mature congenital cataracts after a thorough evaluation by the medical team. This included several diagnostic tests such as. These tests helped confirm the cataract diagnosis while, another common condition in premature infants The surgeon explained the significance of early diagnosis: Congenital cataracts are rare and particularly challenging in preterm infants due to their fragile physiology.The surgery was performed using advanced techniques specifically designed for pediatric eye care. The medical team used ato minimize trauma and promote quicker healing. The key steps in the procedure included:The surgeon and his skilled team of anesthesiologists worked carefully to ensure the safety of the baby throughout the delicate procedure. Despite the challenges of the babys low birth weight and premature status, the surgery was a success.The outcome of the surgery has brought immense joy and relief to the babys family. The babys mother expressed her gratitude.The surgeon emphasized the importance of the achievement, stating, Restoring vision in such young patients is both a challenge and a privilege. This success is a testament to the advanced pediatric eye care solutions and technology we have at our disposal.This successful surgery highlights the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in treating congenital cataracts in infants. It also underscores the power of modern medical technology in transforming lives. This achievement offers hope to families facing similar challenges and serves as a stepping stone for future advancements in pediatric eye care.Source-Medindia Akshay Kumar, while promoting his upcoming movie Sky Force, recently addressed Saif Ali Khans stabbing incident during a media interaction. Akshay said, It's very nice that he is safe. It's very good. We are happy. The whole industry is happy that he is safe. It was very brave of him that he protected his family and hats off to him. Disney + Hotstar Akshay added, Maine uske saath ek film ki hai Main Khiladi Tu Anari lekin agli baar agar hum karenge toh banayenge film Do Khiladi (I did a film with him called Main Khiladi Tu Anari, but next time if we do a film together, we'll make it Do Khiladi). The incident Akshay was talking about the incident that took place at Saifs Bandraresidence, where he was stabbed multiple times by an intruder. Saif endured six stab wounds and was later hospitalised at Lilawati Hospital. He is currently recovering from the incident. Akshay clears off Salmans name During the same session, Akshay Kumar also cleared the air between him and Salman Khan regarding the Bigg Boss controversy. Jio Cinema Akshay said, I spoke to Salman, and he was stuck with something personal. He told me that he would be late by around 40 minutes. But I had to leave because I had a prior commitment. Eve teasing and altercations in nightclubs have become increasingly common, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region, where its not unusual to hear someone involved in a scuffle say, Tu Jaanta Hai Mera Baap Kaun Hai? Many of my female friends have expressed the need for a space exclusively for women, where they can relax and connect without constantly looking over their shoulders. Instagram/Ms&Mrs But say no more, because Indias first women-only nightclub has officially opened its doors in Bangalore. This place is going viral on social media and grabbing attention, but surprisingly, its being trolled primarily by women. About the club The name of this club is Miss and Mrs. and it isnt just a women-only club for its clienteleit also features an all-female staff, including DJs and service personnel. The club creates a unique, inclusive, and safe space where women can relax, enjoy music, and socialise freely. It is located on Bannerghatta Road in Bangalore. The divide This club has sparked a debate on social media where some people are praising the place, while the others are bashing it. In an interesting turn of events, a majority of girls are saying, Who will pay the bills? It could be sarcasm, but who knows? One user commented, Much needed! , coming from a man tbh finally a safe place for girls to have fun without compromising on their safety, the men who are hating on this get urself a gf then ull be happy about this. Instagram/Ms&Mrs Another user commented, Idk whats the problem of some of these people tbh, I know ya all dont go to a all guys pub just coz there wont be a women and its sad reality. Ig we shouldnt be bothered by this unless the page or the pub is attacking men or pointing finger on us and showing hate which they clearly are not. I would not feel safe sending my sister to places coz I know how it goes in a pub when some men are high this would be the safer option I feel. There is certainly men hate in other contexts but not in here and we shouldnt take everything which women do or create a safe place for women calling it men hate which it isnt. Instagram/Ms&Mrs When Matthew Lohmeier took the stage at a town hall in North Carolina in October, he looked at former President Donald Trump and told him that he had been fired from the Space Force -- the service branch created under the president's first administration -- because he criticized diversity initiatives in the military. In front of the crowd of supporters, Lohmeier also told the former and soon to be future president that he should establish a "special task force, office or position" to make sure that there arent any more diversity, equity or inclusion efforts throughout the Department of Defense. "I'm going to put you on that task force," Trump replied to him as the audience erupted in applause. Read Next: Trailblazing Coast Guard Commandant Fired by Trump Administration Trump seemingly didn't forget that interaction. The now-president announced Friday on social media that the former officer would become his nominee to be the second-highest civilian leader of the Department of the Air Force -- which also oversees the Space Force, the service branch Lohmeier was once part of. "I am pleased to announce that Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier will be the next United States under secretary of the Air Force," Trump wrote on his Truth Social social media platform. "Matthew will work with the great secretary of defense nominee, Pete Hegseth, to end the devastating 'woke' policies that have destroyed our military, and make our country strong again." Trump's choice has some leaders in the Space Force worried, Military.com has learned. One Space Force Guardian said some leaders are nervous that, if confirmed as under secretary, Lohmeier could seek retribution against those officers. "I'll kind of judge it based on his actions, but I know that there's a pretty big wave of fear amongst the Space Force senior leaders," a Space Force Guardian, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they're not authorized to speak to the media, told Military.com. "I think there's this fear that he might have personal bias against some of the generals." In 2021, Lohmeier was fired from command of the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado by then-Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting after Lohmeier made comments during a podcast promoting his self-published book "Irresistible Revolution: Marxism's Goal of Conquest and the Unmaking of the American Military." Notably, Whiting was promoted to four-star general and is now the head of U.S. Space Command -- which may be relocated from Colorado to Alabama under Trump's administration, Military.com reported. During congressional testimony in January 2024, Lohmeier told lawmakers that he submitted an inspector general complaint in which he alleged the garrison commander of Buckley Space Force Base had "unethically used his position to promote anti-American propaganda," the November 2020 complaint detailed. Lohmeier said in his testimony that the complaint "was never investigated and was later dismissed" by Whiting. An inspector general probe into Lohmeier's podcast appearance and comments was started shortly after his firing, Military.com reported in 2021. It's not clear whether that investigation has concluded or is ongoing. Lohmeier commissioned into the Air Force in 2006 after graduating from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, according to a biography submitted to Congress. He flew the T-38 Talon as an instructor pilot and later the F-15C Eagle. He transferred into the Space Force in October 2020. In an excerpt from his book, Lohmeier writes about an experience he had as a young Air Force Academy cadet in which he traveled with a group to the People's Liberation Army Air Force Academy in China, where he bunked with two Chinese cadets. Lohmeier writes he made small talk with those cadets because he spoke Mandarin, and "they appeared to take a liking to me, and I remember liking them." Lohmeier wrote that the two cadets told him they believed in Marxism and that he "felt compassion for them" and later explained the interaction served as a reminder that "America was great." Meanwhile, the former Space Force officer has become a guest on numerous conservative and right-wing media shows where he has espoused controversial views. In a 2023 interview with conservative media personality Glenn Beck, Lohmeier claimed the U.S was involved in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. "I think the United States was directly involved," Lohmeier told Beck in the interview. "I think it was responsible, probably." He went on to speculate that a Navy P-8 Poseidon could have been used to carry out the attack. The U.S. government has denied any involvement in the attack. Information leaked online in 2023 detailed that the CIA was allegedly aware of a Ukrainian military plan to sabotage the pipelines, The Washington Post reported. Trump has named Troy Meink, the principal director of the National Reconnaissance Office and a former KC-135 Stratotanker navigator, to be his nominee as Air Force secretary. If both are confirmed, Lohmeier would be second in command and would become acting secretary in case of Meink's vacancy. "Thank you, Mr. President! I'm grateful for your trust, and am very much looking forward to continuing my service to our great men and women in uniform," Lohmeier wrote on the social media platform X in response to Trump's nomination. "To all men and women with a desire to serve your country in uniform, come join us now! We want the best, brightest and strongest of you at this critical juncture in American history." Defense experts told Military.com that the selection of Meink and Lohmeier shows how the Space Force will be a top priority for the incoming Trump administration. Lohmeier did not respond to multiple text messages and emails seeking comment on his nomination. Related: Trump Names Former KC-135 Navigator, Spy Agency Official to Be Next Air Force Secretary COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio public school districts will soon be required to allow open enrollment of children whose parents are full-time, active duty members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard. Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 208 on Jan. 8. The General Assembly passed the bill late last year, unanimously in both chambers. It is expected to go into effect on April 9. Open enrollment occurs when a student who doesnt live in the school district boundaries is allowed to attend. Current state law requires school districts to adopt open enrollment policies that do one of the following: totally prohibit open enrollment, with the exception of students who pay tuition; permit open enrollment from adjacent districts; permit open enrollment of students from all districts. Under HB 208, districts that prohibit open enrollment or limit it to adjacent districts must allow open enrollment of students whose parents are active-duty armed forces members who are stationed in Ohio, and who provide verification of the parents status as active duty. Military families relocate every two to three years. Research shows this is about ten times more often than civilians, said state Sen. Kristina Roegner, a Hudson Republican who sponsored the bill. These families are often required to move from temporary to permanent housing, or they relocate to a new state after the school year has started, which in turn impacts their childrens school enrollment, Roegner said in prepared comments to an Ohio House committee. We can ease their transitions by ensuring their children have easy access to the public education system by being allowed to enroll in any Ohio public school. The U.S. Department of Defense supported the bill. About 10,000 active-duty service members are stationed in Ohio, and they have about 10,000 children attending school in the state, said Shane Preston, a regional liaison for the department. No one testified against the bill. Cassie Barlow, a retired Air Force colonel who was the commander of Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton and now is president for the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education, said bills such as SB 208 go a long way in showing members of the military that the state supports them. Her family moved 13 times in 26 years. Her daughter attended 10 different schools in 16 years, she said. When it was time to retire, we looked diligently for a community that was friendly and welcoming to the military and responsive and supportive the needs of Military, Veterans, and their families, she said. We served in many communities that did not have great Military and Veteran services or resources and we frankly couldnt wait to depart those communities, and we never thought even once about settling in that community at a point in the future. An Ohio House committee loaded the bill with amendments, including: -Eliminating a requirement that public schools use model curriculum developed by Department of Education and Workforce for high school students on proper interactions with police during traffic stops and other encounters. -Permitting, instead of requiring, that public schools in-service training on the prevention of child abuse, violence and substance abuse be conducted by police or prosecutors with relevant experience. -Allowing student teachers to substitute teach and receive compensation for it. -Allowing educational aids or assistants to provide services virtually to students who receive taxpayer-funded scholarships in the Jon Peterson Special Needs and autism programs, two of the states voucher programs. -Renaming the Regional Education Partnership Grant Program the Prenatal-to-Five Early Childhood to Post-secondary Regional Partnerships Program. These regional partnerships are made up of pre-schools, primary and secondary schools, colleges and employers to collaborate to increase educational attainment and economic mobility outcomes for children and adults. The regional partnerships can apply for grants from the state if they demonstrate long-term goals, with measurable metrics, for the education and workforce continuum over time. About $2 million for the grants came from federal COVID-19 funds in the 2020-2022 legislative session. -Allowing home school families to create learning pods, which are a voluntary association of parents who group their children together for home schooling, as long as one of the parents is on the premises when the pod meets. The law specifies that the pods are not child care and not required to be regulated like daycare centers. Laura Hancock covers state government and politics for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com. 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit cleveland.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. JINSAFUT, West Bank Shortly after suspected Jewish settlers stormed Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank late Monday, setting cars and property ablaze, U.S. President Donald Trump canceled sanctions against Israelis accused of violence in the territory. The reversal of the Biden administration's sanctions, which were meant to punish radical settlers, could set the tone for a presidency that is expected to be more tolerant of Israel's expansion of settlements and of violence toward Palestinians. In Trump's previous term he lavished support on Israel, and he has once again surrounded himself with aides who back the settlers. Settler leaders rushed to praise Trumps decision on the sanctions, which were first imposed nearly a year ago as violence surged during the war in Gaza. The sanctions were later expanded to include other Israelis seen as violent or radical. Finance Minister and settler firebrand Bezalel Smotrich called it a just decision, saying the sanctions were a severe and blatant foreign intervention. In a post on social media platform X, he went on to praise Trump's unwavering and uncompromising support for the state of Israel. The West Bank's 3 million Palestinians already live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority administering cities and towns. Smotrich and other hard-line settler leaders want Israel to annex the West Bank and rebuild settlements in Gaza, territories that Israel seized during the 1967 Mideast war. Palestinians want both territories for a future state and have long viewed the settlements as a major obstacle to peace, while the international community overwhelmingly considers them illegal. There are more than 500,000 settlers in the West Bank who have Israeli citizenship. Late Monday, dozens of masked men who are widely believed to be settlers marauded through at least two Palestinian villages and attacked homes and businesses, according to officials in Jinsafut and Al-Funduq, which are roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Jerusalem. The Palestinian Red Crescent said it treated 12 people who were beaten by the men. It gave no details on their condition. Israels military said the men hurled rocks at soldiers who had arrived to disperse them, and that it had launched an investigation. Violence has surged in the West Bank during the Gaza war, so it was not clear if the attack had any link to the inauguration. On Tuesday, meanwhile, Israel launched a deadly raid on the Jenin refugee camp. Jalal Bashir, the head of Jinsafuts village council, said that the men attacked three houses, a nursery and a carpentry shop located on the villages main road. Louay Tayem, head of the local council in Al-Funduq, said dozens of men had fired shots, thrown stones, burned cars, and attacked homes and shops. The settlers were masked and had incendiary materials, said Bashir. Their numbers were large and unprecedented. On Tuesday, the charred shells of cars lay on the side of the road in Jinsafut and residents surveyed the damage to a burned storage space. Growing impunity, even after Biden's sanctions Bidens executive order against the settlers marked a rare break with Americas closest Middle East ally, and signaled his frustration with what critics say is Israels leniency in dealing with violent settlers. Rights groups say that impunity has deepened since Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz exempted settlers from what is known as administrative detention Israel's practice of detaining individuals on security grounds without charge or trial which is routinely used against Palestinians. Katz, who freed all Israelis held in administrative detention just last week, said those behind Monday's attack should be held accountable in Israel's more transparent criminal justice system. Palestinian residents, meanwhile, are tried in Israeli military courts. Bidens sanctions were aimed at settlers who were involved in acts of violence, as well as threats against and attempts to destroy or seize Palestinian property. They later were broadened to include other groups, including Tzav 9, an activist organization that was accused of disrupting the flow of aid into Gaza by trying to block trucks heading into the territory. Reut Ben-Chaim, a mother of eight who founded the group and was then slapped with sanctions that crippled her wellness company and prohibited her access to credit cards or banking apps, welcomed Trumps step. We have heard in the last few days that the Trump administration is going to be the most pro-Israel there has been, she told The Associated Press. These actions, such as the removal of the sanctions these are actions that already mark the way forward. Support for Israel could clash with wider ambitions Trump has long boasted of his support for Israel, but he has also pledged to end wars in the Middle East that could require exerting some pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Even before taking office, Trump appears to have pressed Netanyahu to accept a Gaza ceasefire agreement with Hamas that strongly resembled one the Biden administration had been pushing for months. Trump has also said he hopes to bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords, under which the United Arab Emirates and other Arab countries forged ties with Israel during his first term. The Saudis have said they will only sign such a historic agreement if it includes a pathway to a Palestinian state a nonstarter for Netanyahu's government. During his first term, Trump moved the American embassy to Jerusalem, recognized Israels annexation of the Golan Heights which it captured from Syria in the 1967 war and presented a Mideast peace plan that was seen as overwhelmingly favorable to Israel. He also let settlement construction in the West Bank surge unchecked. But he seemed at the time to have tapped the brakes on Netanyahu's plans to annex large parts of the West Bank, something Israel's far-right settlers have demanded for years. Netanyahu said he temporarily shelved the idea as part of the agreement with the UAE. ___ Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel ISLAMABAD A prisoner swap between the United States and Afghanistan's Taliban freed two Americans in exchange for a Taliban figure imprisoned for life in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges, officials said Tuesday. The deal came as Joe Biden, who oversaw the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, handed power over to returning President Donald Trump. The Taliban praised the swap as a step toward the normalization of ties between the U.S. and Afghanistan, but that likely remains a tall order as most countries in the world still don't recognize their rule and another two Americans are believed held. U.S., Taliban and Qatar all involved in the swap The Talibans Foreign Ministry in Kabul confirmed the swap, saying two unidentified U.S. citizens had been exchanged for Khan Mohammed, who was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment in 2008. The family of Ryan Corbett, one American held by the Taliban, confirmed he had been released in a statement. Corbett, who had lived in Afghanistan with his family at the time of the 2021 collapse of the U.S.-backed government, was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 while on a business trip. Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryans life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives, the family's statement said. They thanked both Trump and Biden, as well as many government officials, for their efforts in freeing him. Corbett's family also praised the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar for their vital role in facilitating Ryans release, and for their visits to Ryan as the United States Protecting Power in Afghanistan. Energy-rich Qatar has hosted negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban over the years. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari declined to discuss the swap in detail with journalists at a briefing Tuesday. We are still working on it with the parties, al-Ansari said. We can confirm that our efforts are always ongoing, of course, in all or many of the elements of this matter. Both CNN and The New York Times, relying on anonymous U.S. officials, identified the second American released as William McKenty, though no other details have emerged about his identity or what he was doing in Afghanistan. Officials in Washington did not respond to requests for comment early Tuesday after Trumps inauguration the day before. Taliban prisoner first convicted of narco-terrorism Mohammed, 55, was a prisoner in California after his 2008 conviction. The Bureau of Prisons early Tuesday listed Mohammed as not being in their custody. Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, a Taliban Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson, said Mohammed had arrived in Afghanistan and was with his family. Photos released by the Taliban showed him being welcomed back in his home province of Nangarhar, in the country's east, with multicolored garlands. Mohammed told Taliban-controlled media he had spent time behind bars in Bagram and also Washington, D.C. Its a joy seeing your family and coming to your homeland. The greatest joy is to come and join your Muslim brothers, he said. He was detained on the battlefield in Nangarhar and later taken to the U.S. A federal jury convicted him on charges of securing heroin and opium that he knew were bound for the United States and, in doing so, assisting terrorism activity. The Justice Department at the time referred to Mohammed as a violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker who sought to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan using rockets. He was the first person to be convicted on U.S. narco-terrorism laws. Ahmed Rashid, the author of several books about Afghanistan and the Taliban, described Mohammed as the biggest drugs smuggler the U.S. had to deal with and key funder of the Taliban. Before Biden left office, his administration had been trying to work out a deal to free Corbett, as well as George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi, in exchange for Muhammad Rahim, one of the remaining detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, was taken by the Talibans intelligence services in December 2022 while traveling through the country. Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman who worked as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecommunications company, also went missing in 2022. The Taliban have denied they have Habibi. Habibi's family welcomed the exchange and said they were confident the Trump administration would make a greater effort to free him, expressing their frustration with the Biden team. We know they have evidence my brother is alive and in Taliban hands and it could have been influential in encouraging the Taliban to admit they have him, Habibi's brother Ahmed said in a statement shared by the nonprofit Global Reach. Biden officials refused to use" the evidence, he claimed. "We know Trump is about results and we have faith he will use every tool available to get Mahmood home. Taliban try to gain international recognition For their part, the Taliban called the exchange the result of long and fruitful negotiations with the U.S. and said it was a good example of solving problems through dialogue. The Islamic Emirate looks positively at the actions of the United States of America that help the normalization and development of relations between the two countries, it said. The Taliban have been trying to make inroads in being recognized, in part to escape the economic tailspin caused by their takeover. Billions in international funds were frozen, and tens of thousands of highly skilled Afghans fled the country and took their money with them. However, some nations have welcomed Taliban officials, like the United Arab Emirates, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. On Tuesday, Emirati leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan again welcomed Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who also heads the Haqqani network, a powerful force within the group blamed for some of the bloodiest attacks against Afghanistans former Western-backed government. Haqqani is still wanted by the U.S. on a bounty of up to $10 million over his involvement in an attack that killed an American citizen and other assaults. The meeting came even as the UAE maintains a close relationship with the U.S. ___ Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Najib Jobain in Doha, Qatar, contributed to this report. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan has been relieved from her duties as the service's top officer by the incoming Trump administration. In a Coast Guard-wide message sent out Tuesday morning, acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman announced Fagan's removal without saying why the action was taken. The firing comes after President Donald Trump was sworn into his second term in office on Monday and issued a flurry of executive orders. Fagan appeared to be the first high-profile firing within the military amid Trump's promises to purge members he deems unfit or go after political adversaries. Read Next: Troop Pardons Set to Complicate Military's Muddled Response to Jan. 6 In one case, outgoing President Joe Biden on Monday pardoned retired Gen. Mark Milley, who served as the Joint Chiefs chairman during Trump's prior term, to protect him from potential "revenge" by the new president. Milley's Joint Chiefs chairman portrait was suddenly removed from the Pentagon on Trump's first day in office. Fox News, which first reported Fagan's termination late Monday evening, cited a Department of Homeland Security official voicing concerns over "an erosion of trust" based on recruiting concerns, border security and the service's focus on diversity. In his message, Huffman took responsibility for the relief and acknowledged the officer's nearly 40-year career. "Under my statutory authority as the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, I have relieved Adm. Linda L. Fagan of her duties as commandant of the United States Coast Guard. She has served a long and illustrious career, and I thank her for her service to our nation," Huffman wrote. In a statement to Military.com, the Department of Homeland Security said Fagan was terminated for reasons that included concerns over border security, acquisitions, recruiting and leadership. "Adm. Linda L. Fagan has been removed from her position. She was terminated because of her leadership deficiencies, operational failures, and inability to advance the strategic objectives of the U.S. Coast Guard," according to the statement, attributed to a senior DHS official. The official said she failed to address border security, to include drug smuggling, as well as the service's long-standing recruiting issues. According to the statement, she also mismanaged acquisitions programs, resulting in delays and cost overruns, particularly of the service's icebreaker programs, demonstrating "inadequate accountability for acquisition failures highlighted during the Trump 45 administration." The official also criticized her for "excessive focus on diversity" policies and for mishandling Operation Fouled Anchor, the investigation into sexual assaults across decades at the Coast Guard Academy that service leadership covered up when it concluded. "The failure to adequately address the systemic issues exposed by this investigation has underscored a leadership culture unwilling to ensure accountability and transparency in protecting service members," the statement read. Fagan, who was the first woman to lead any U.S. military service, had served as commandant since May 2022. She previously served as vice commandant and held successive leadership positions following her commissioning from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1985. Fagan, a marine safety officer, commanded the Coast Guard Pacific Area as well as First Coast Guard District and Coast Guard Sector New York and held numerous posts at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., throughout her career, Her tenure has been clouded by the service's Operation Fouled Anchor investigation, the news of which broke in June 2023. While Fagan ordered a top-down review of the service's policies and culture toward sexual assault and harassment, she consistently declined to hold anyone accountable until the conclusion of a Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General investigation into the scandal. The outcome of that investigation has not been published. In a statement to Military.com, retired Adm. Thad Allen, who served as Coast Guard commandant from 2006 to 2010, said Fagan is a leader of "character and integrity" whom he looked to for counseling and support and "would do so again without hesitation." "She has faced the most difficult challenges in a responsible, forthright and forward-looking manner always acting in the best interest of the service," Allen wrote. "Her dismissal is not a matter of her performance. It is political performance. One that should cause great concern for current and future military leaders." Vice Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday is serving as acting commandant. Lunday is a 1987 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy who has commanded the Coast Guard's Fourteenth District and Coast Guard Cyber Command. Editor's note: This story has been updated to add comments from retired Adm. Thad Allen. Related: House Probe Finds Former Coast Guard Commandant Decided to Withhold Sexual Assault Findings Escaping the festering hostilities in Germany against Jews in the 1930s, Rudy Pins kissed his father goodbye and boarded a train. Then 12 years old, Pins -- bound for a new life in the United States -- never saw his family again. After the policy forbidding German Jews from serving in the U.S. military was changed during World War II, Pins joined the Army and was going through basic training, believing he would be sent overseas to battle the Nazis. The Army had other ideas, though. "I was called back to headquarters, and a colonel there, he said, 'I don't know what this is all about, Private, but I have secret orders for you to take a bus to Alexandria, Virginia. Go to the post office and call this telephone number,'" Pins told the American Heroes Channel. With his German roots and knowledge of the language, Pins was a perfect candidate for a military intelligence program at Fort Hunt -- a sprawling, former Civilian Conservation Corps camp within driving distance of the Pentagon -- where German POWs were interrogated to glean information that would be beneficial to the Allieds' mission. As the war was concluding and in its aftermath, German scientists were debriefed there as well, with some of their information proving priceless during the Cold War; one of them, Wernher von Braun, later emerged as a leading figure in NASA's space program. The Army's secret military intelligence program at Fort Hunt in Alexandria, Virginia, was referred to only as P.O. Box 1142. (Image from YouTube video) The goings-on at Fort Hunt were so secret that they were known only by the facility's mailing address: P.O. Box 1142. From 1943 through 1946, more than 3,400 prisoners (including 15 Nazi generals) were processed at Fort Hunt, according to Robert K. Sutton's 2022 book, "Nazis on the Potomac: The Top-Secret Intelligence Operation that Helped Win World War II." Army personnel officially were trained in the art of interrogation at the Camp Ritchie Military Intelligence Training Center in Maryland before they were transferred to Fort Hunt with orders to tell absolutely no one, including family, about their activities. Like Pins, several interrogators were Jewish immigrants fleeing Nazi oppression, "incredibly smart individuals who were recruited here and very passionate about winning the war," according to the National Park Service. While the Army's Military Intelligence Service spearheaded the program, officials with the Navy's Office of Naval Intelligence interviewed the POWs, too. The prisoners were never physically harmed, Pins told CBS in 2014. "You don't get people to talk by beating them or waterboarding or anything of that nature," Pins said. "If you make life for certain prisoners fairly easy, they will relax." After the War Department acquired the land at Fort Hunt in Virginia in 1942, the Army installed barracks and other buildings there for a secret intelligence operation. (Photo courtesy of YouTube video) Make no mistake: This installation of nearly 90 barracks and other facilities was no Club Med. Trained in the delicate art of persuasion, the interrogators were not above using psychological means to coerce uncooperating prisoners. Some were threatened with being handed over to the Russians, considered by many POWs to be a much more menacing proposition than being captured by the Americans, if they didn't talk. By whatever means -- the military also employed listening devices and stool pigeons -- the program was certainly prolific, producing more than 5,000 reports that were forwarded along to the Army, Army Air Force or Navy. "It could be information about a target for the Air Force to bomb," Pins said, per the American Heroes Channel. "It could be information about some individual in Germany, political. It could be information about the mood or the morale of the German people." An aerial view of Germanys Peenemunde Army Research Center is shown in 1943. The U.S. Army bombed it after learning from German POWs it interrogated that the center was a prime rocket-making facility for the Nazis. (U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence photo) From the POWs, the interrogators learned where Germans were primarily producing V-1 and V-2 rockets and bombed the facility. They unearthed details not only about weapons technology but also military operations, and they discovered that Germany intended to send a submarine to the Pacific theater to assist Japan. That plan was thwarted when the sub, U-234, surrendered in the North Atlantic in May 1945 with two disassembled jet fighters and enough uranium to construct eight atomic bombs onboard. Besides the interrogators, the Army ran a robust escape and evasion (E&E) program and a military intelligence research department at Fort Hunt, as well as a mission that ultimately would bring about 1,600 prized German scientists here. Fort Hunt was returned to the National Park Service in January 1948, and in his book, "Nazis of the Potomac," Sutton said the first public realization of the happenings there came in 1990 when a former soldier published his memoir. Even 4 decades later, the U.S. military went to such great lengths to keep the program secret that it bought as many copies of the book as possible. Rudy Pins served as one of the military interrogators who questioned German POWs, scientists and high-ranking officials at a secret installation at Fort Hunt near Washington, D.C. (Image from YouTube video) The files were finally declassified later in the 1990s, several years before the National Park Service started the Fort Hunt Park Oral History Project. In 2007, some surviving service members assigned to P.O. Box 1142, including Pins, reunited. During that gathering, Pins was asked how much of the intelligence they obtained contributed to the Nazis' demise. "I would hope so, but, you know, it's like a jigsaw puzzle," said Pins, who died in 2016 at the age of 95. "You need all the pieces to get the picture, and we got some of the pieces." Want to Know More About the Military? Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. Russia and Iran like to tout themselves as America's largest and most determined enemies, but everyone in the international community knows few geopolitical beefs run deeper than the United States and North Korea. Technically, the two countries are still at war, despite a 70-plus-year-old armistice that North Korea has publicly revoked at least six times since 1994. Even today, with a potential thaw in tensions under President Donald Trump's second term, North Korea will likely continue to use the U.S. as a bogeyman in both domestic and foreign policy. Yet, just like how Russian Spetsnaz have fought alongside U.S. Special Forces in Kosovo in 2001 and Iran joined the U.S. in the fight against ISIS in 2014, North Koreans have fought on the same side as Americans -- albeit on a much, much smaller scale. After a North Korean ship was captured by Somali pirates on the Horn of Africa in 2007, it was American sailors who answered their distress call. The combination was enough to retake the ship and get its sailors back in control. The action at sea even earned the United States a rare mention of praise from North Korean state media: "We feel grateful to the United States for its assistance given to our crewmen." This lady is not usually known for her goodwill toward the United States. (KCTV) Relations between North Korea and the United States since the end of the Korean War in 1953 have been tense at best. At worst, they devolved into ax murders in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. But nothing brings two countries together like a common enemy -- and under the right circumstances, anything is possible. The right circumstances came on Oct. 29, 2007, when the North Korean freighter Dai Hong Dan left the port of Mogadishu after delivering a cargo of sugar from India. Seven of the same Somali workers who were responsible for the ship and its cargo while in port passed themselves off as guards to gain access to the ship via skiffs. They detained the crew of 22 at gunpoint, directed the ship to the open sea and demanded a ransom of $15,000. North Korean cargo vessel Dai Hong Dan transits off the coast of Somolia after the ship was hijacked by pirates Oct. 29, 2007. (U.S. Navy) Piracy was big business in Somalia in 2007. In that year alone, pirates attacked 19 commercial ships and successfully ransomed 12 of them. With foreign vessels illegally overfishing in Somali waters and what little government the country had powerless to do anything about it, many Somalis turned to piracy to make a lucrative living. Capturing the Dai Hong Dan had the potential to be a big payday. It turns out that attacking North Korean merchant vessels is a bad idea. Before they were forced into the steering and engine rooms, the North Korean crew managed to send out a distress signal, one eventually picked up by the Piracy Reporting Centre of the International Maritime Bureau. The call was answered by the U.S. Navy, specifically the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS James E. Williams, which was the closest vessel in the area. While the United States isn't specifically required to help North Korea, an important part of the U.S. Navy's ongoing mission is keeping waterways safe and open to global commerce and asserting the freedom of navigation. Basically, it didn't matter what country the merchant was from; the United States would respond. The destroyer altered its course to intercept and dispatched a SH-60B Seahawk helicopter to confirm the capture of the Dai Hong Dan. When the James E. Williams arrived on the scene, it radioed the pirates at the helm of the merchant vessel and ordered them to surrender. The presence of the destroyer and its Seahawk helicopter distracted the pirates just enough to give the North Koreans a window to attack their captors. "Most of [the] North Korean seafarers of international trade or cargo ships have at least 10 years of military service," a North Korean defector told the Daily NK in 2007. "They also receive martial arts training to prepare themselves for a time of emergency. Therefore, it is not that difficult for the crewmen to defeat the pirates." A team from the USS James Williams boards the cargo vessel Dai Hong Dan to provide medical aid after a fight with pirates. (U.S. Navy) The 22 crew members overpowered their guards in the engine and steering rooms before making their way to storm the bridge with the weapons they acquired from their former captors. After a long gunfight, two pirates lay dead, with three others wounded. Six of the North Korean crew were also wounded, but the crew had retaken control of their vessel. The James E. Williams dispatched a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Team to the Dai Hong Dan and, with the permission of the crew, boarded the ship and attended to the wounded. The North Koreans were even taken aboard the destroyer for more critical medical care before being returned. The pirates were detained and their skiffs destroyed. Boarding team members from USS James E. Williams prepare to raise an injured crew member of North Korean cargo vessel Dai Hong Dan up to USS James E. Williams Oct. 30, 2007. (U.S. Navy) When word of the successful operation reached Pyongyong, the North Korean government released a statement via its state media, KCNA: "This case serves as a symbol of the DPRK-U.S. cooperation in the struggle against terrorism. We will continue to render international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, in the future, too." Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. The Pirates designated infielder Tristan Gray for assignment, the team informed reporters (including Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). Pittsburgh had not officially added Andrew McCutchen to their 40-man roster until this evening, so they needed to open a spot. McCutchen re-signed on a $5MM deal last month. Pittsburgh claimed Gray off waivers from the As in the first few days of the offseason. The 28-year-old had spent a couple months on the As, as theyd only claimed him from the Marlins at the end of August. Gray has suited up for both those teams and had a brief stint on the Rays in 2023. Despite playing for a trio of clubs, he has just 17 games of MLB experience. He has hit .152 with one homer in 36 plate appearances. The lefty-hitting Gray has a much more extensive minor league track record. The Rice product has taken nearly 1800 trips to the dish across four Triple-A seasons. Gray has hit .238/.306/.472 with 90 home runs in 443 games at the top minor league level. Strikeouts have kept him from getting an extended MLB look, as he has fanned in nearly 30% of his Triple-A plate appearances. Gray has some power and a decent amount of defensive versatility. He has upwards of 1000 minor league frames at each of shortstop, second base and third base. Gray has just over 900 professional innings at first base as well. He has mostly played the corner infield in his limited big league time. Hes likely to end up on waivers again this week. Gray has been outrighted once in his career, so hed have the ability to elect minor league free agency if he goes unclaimed. The Reds are bringing back left-handed reliever Alex Young on a minor league deal, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. The Wasserman client gets a non-roster invite to MLB camp. Young was a productive member of the Cincinnati bullpen in 2023. He made a career-high 63 appearances and worked to a 3.86 earned run average through 53 2/3 innings. That was a strong return on a small investment, as Young had inked a minor league contract the preceding offseason. He held his roster spot into July before Cincinnati flipped him to the Giants for outfielder Austin Slater. It didnt wind up being a significant move for either team. Slater appeared in eight games before the Reds dealt him to the Orioles. Young didnt pitch in the majors for San Francisco, who lost him on waivers to the Mets within two weeks. The 31-year-old southpaw pitched 13 times for New York. He allowed five runs across 13 2/3 innings. New York opted not to tender him a contract in November, sending him back to free agency in the process. Young didnt find a major league roster spot but made a strong enough impression during his previous stint in Cincinnati that the Reds will give him a look in Spring Training. Cincinnati has a pair of left-handers locked into Terry Franconas bullpen: Sam Moll and Brent Suter. Young and Reiver Sanmartin are among their non-roster options from the left side. Veteran righty Bryan Shaw, a longtime Francona favorite, will also be in camp as a non-roster invitee. The Reds could have two or three middle relief spots for up grabs. Alexis Diaz, Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan, Moll and Suter will all be in the Opening Day bullpen if healthy. This famous hippopotamus is turning 8 years old. Fiona, a resident of the Cincinnati Zoo, quickly became a social media star after her premature birth during January 2017. She weighed just 29 pounds. By July, she was nearing 375 pounds. Now a full-grown adult hippo, Fiona will turn 8 this week and you could win a trip to celebrate with her, the zoo announced. Give Fiona an $8 birthday gift card for a chance to win the Ultimate Hippo Getaway, or gift $40 for eight entries in the contest. Enter by Jan. 31. The grand prize includes: A behind the scenes tour for five people to meet all four hippos (valid through 3/31/26) $1,250 in flight vouchers with gold status from Frontier Airlines A two-night hotel stay at the Summit Hotel An original Fiona kiss painting Fiona books illustrated by Richard Cowdrey All contest entrants receive a digital Fiona kiss print. This birthday fundraiser will help provide food, toys and enrichment for zoo animals. The winner will be contacted by Feb. 7. The zoos Hippo Cove is home to Fiona, her mother Bibi, her younger sibling Fritz and Fritzs dad, Tucker. MANISTEE TOWNSHIP, MI It took almost two decades for this retired steamship, once a Great Lakes railcar ferry, to find its permanent home in Northern Michigan. The S.S. City of Milwaukee recently celebrated the 25-year anniversary of its arrival in Manistee. However, the 14 years before that were anything but smooth sailing. While the ship is now a thriving destination and a cherished part of the community ... The journey to her current home was far from easy, according to the Society for the Preservation of the S.S. City of Milwaukee, which was founded in 1986. Originally, the society planned to operate a museum aboard the ship in Betsie Bay. For 14 years, they faced fundraising hurdles, negotiations with state and local officials, and finally, a court order to vacate Betsie Bay, the nonprofit said on Facebook. It became clear that the City of Milwaukee needed a new home, the post said. A view of the pilot house of the historic S.S. City of Milwaukee on Friday, June 7, 2024. The ship offers a bed and breakfast, known as the Boatel. Guests stay in the 1930s staterooms and have access to the Grand Saloon, observation room, dining room, crew mess, galley and the ship's upper decks.Justine Lofton | jlofton@mlive.com RELATED: Historic boatel on picturesque Up North lake taking reservations for 2025 stays It was January 2000 when a temporary solution was found. On the morning of Jan. 14, 2000, the S.S. City of Milwaukee traveled from its dock in Elberta to Sengs Marina in Manistee. Under the power of two tug boats, the journey took nine hours. The ship was welcomed by hundreds of locals and ship enthusiasts. RELATED: Why historic car ferry, U.S. Coast Guard ship moor side-by-side in Northern Michigan The plan was to prepare a site and return to Betsie Bay. But that never happened. A exterior view historic S.S. City of Milwaukee in Manistee on Friday, June 7, 2024. The ship offers a bed and breakfast, known as the Boatel. Guests stay in the 1930s staterooms and have access to the Grand Saloon, observation room, dining room, crew mess, galley and the ship's upper decks.Justine Lofton | jlofton@mlive.com The warm reception from Manistee residents made it evident that this was the perfect home for the National Historic Landmark, officials said. The ship moved to its home on the northern end of Manistee Lake in 2004. In the past 20 years, the society has renovated and preserved the ship as a museum, offering guided historic tours, a boatel, weddings, private events, and a haunted attraction each fall. RELATED: Hotel. Motel. Boatel? Stay on this historic ship in Northern Michigan The ship was built in 1930. Beginning operations in 1931, it transported up to 32 railcars plus passengers across Lake Michigan. It was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1990. Of the more than 30 ships that ferried railcars across Lake Michigan from the 1890s to the 1990s, only three remain: the S.S. City of Milwaukee; the S.S. Badger, which serves as a passenger and vehicle ferry operating out of Ludington; and the S.S. Spartan, which is a parts vessel for the Badger. RELATED: 2,000 feet of lights transform historic car ferry into Christmas Ship The S.S. City of Milwaukee is owned and operated by the nonprofit the nonprofit Society for the Preservation of the S.S. City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia. Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder, and John Mayer are only a few of the artists featured on the upcoming FireAid concert lineup. Find out who else is performing, how to stream the event, and more. Billie Eilish arrives at the 35th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Palm Springs, Calif.Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP When and where: To support relief efforts following the devastating California fires, FireAid is holding two concerts on January 30 one at 6 p.m. at the Kia Forum, and the other at 7:30 p.m. at the Inuit Dome both located in Inglewood. Performers and tickets: As of now, the lineup includes big-name artists Billie Eilish and Finneas; Dave Matthews and John Mayer; Earth, Wind & Fire; Gracie Abrams; Green Day; Gwen Stefani; Jelly Roll; Joni Mitchell; Katy Perry; Lady Gaga; Lil Baby; P!NK; Red Hot Chili Peppers; Rod Stewart; Stephen Stills; Stevie Nicks; Sting; Tate McRae; No Doubt; Olivia Rodrigo; Stevie Wonder; Peso Pluma; Anderson .Paak; Alanis Morissette; John Fogerty; and The Black Crowes; with more stars joining the list in the days leading up to the concert. For locals looking to attend, tickets to the upcoming benefit concerts will be available tomorrow, Tuesday, January 22, at 12 p.m. PST via Ticketmaster. Per FireAid organizers, Contributions made to FireAid in connection with the FireAid benefit concert and other direct donations will be distributed under the advisement of the Annenberg Foundation and will be distributed for short-term relief efforts and long-term initiatives to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California. The Annenberg Foundation, with decades of philanthropic leadership in our community, including rapid response, will help coordinate a team to direct funds for the greatest impact. Fans and supporters can also stream the events on Apple TV, Max, Paramount+, Prime Video, and more, including YouTube and even select AMC Theatre locations. How to watch: ANN ARBOR, MI The University of Michigans Research Museums Center celebrated its 10,000th CT scan Friday by imaging a campus icon - the skull of a wolverine. Researchers chose the skull from the centers collection of nearly 20 million items to celebrate a milestone after more than five years of near-constant scanning. The universitys Nikon Micro CT machine was installed in October of 2018 at a cost of around $600,000 and has been running nearly nonstop since in order to digitally catalogue just a fraction of the four-museum archive, according to Micro CT lab manager Ramon Nagesan For the 10,000th scan, Nagesan said researchers poured through the collection for a sign of the universitys 19th-century mascot. Within the collection of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology they discovered the skull of a male wolverine, collected in 1948 in remote British Columbia. We looked it up and wed never done a wolverine before, Nagesan said. So we figured Its the University of Michigan, go blue! On Friday, Haley Martens, Micro CT laboratory technician, carefully positioned the wolverine skull atop a metal platform inside the scanner and closed the 400-pound lead door to seal the machine, which occupies roughly the footprint of a full-size bed in a dedicated room. With the click of a button, X-ray images of the long-deceased mammal appeared on an attached monitor. Thirteen minutes and more than 3,000 images later, the Micro CT scanner had compiled a stack of scans that Martens could slice, dissect and manipulate as a three-dimensional model. Researchers use the CT machine to scan specimens - some as old as the university itself - as a non-destructive method of immortalizing near-priceless ecological knowledge, according to Hernan Lopez-Fernandez, associate chair for collections at the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Museums. Preservation of the universitys world-class collection is instrumental to understanding how animal species change over time. These natural history collections serve not just as a cabinet of curiosities for people to go look at, but actually they are fundamental for us to understand biodiversity and how its changing with all the things that were doing to the planet, Lopez-Fernandez said. In total, the universitys collection ranks third in the U.S. and among the top ten in the world, he said. Few other universities have the advantage of having a Micro CT scanner located in the building that houses their museum collections. The collections include millions of preserved organisms - many stored in glass jars full of ethanol - in movable banks of shelves that line room after room on either side of the central lab. The scale is monumental - even for biologists, this is an astonishingly rich collection in detail, Lopez-Fernandez said. We like to tell our students The only limit to what you can learn from these collections is your imagination. For more than a century, in-depth research on the species preserved in the collections would have meant destructive dissection that permanently altered the specimen. CT scanners are a solution. Even as recently as 10 years ago, it wasnt a thing you had in mind when you were in the field, Lopez-Fernandez said. That I might be able to put this fish in a scanner and reconstruct its entire skeleton or look at the muscles or the nervous system without having to cut into it. Highlights of the Research Museums Center include a reptile and amphibian collection second only to that of the Smithsonian Museum and the worlds largest collection of snakes, which includes extinct species. About 100 people are involved in on-site research each year, with many more researchers taking advantage of the universitys online archives. Most of the 3D models researchers at the University of Michigan create are publicly available online through the Deep Blue Data portal. Nagesan, who manages the Micro CT lab, envisions teachers in classrooms across the world using the digital collection to help students better understand the world around them. The popularization of 3D printers has given researchers and the public a more tactile use for the models: CT images can be easily converted into a format that allows users to print larger-than-life models that realistically reflect an animals anatomically. In the research lab, printed models of snake skulls stand on display like something out of Jurassic Park. For the first several years of scanning, the university was working as part of a National Science Foundation-funded program called open Vertebrate or oVert, a five-year collaborative project among 18 institutions. It involved University of Michigan researchers scanning 1,600 specimens from UM Museum of Zoology and hundreds more from other institutions. The 3D-rendered images were then made publicly available for free online. Researchers continue to build a digital archive of the universitys collections while also working with partner institutions theyll soon begin a project scanning 50 wolf skulls from Michigans Isle Royale National Park. Nagesan says the wolverine skull will help further a friends research on mustelids - the family to which Michigans mascot belongs - at the Field Museum in Chicago. Itll also be made publicly available for anyone to download, research or 3D-print online. If someone is interested in it, theyll be able to download it and use it for morphometric research or ecological research, Nagesan said. Thats one of the really cool parts of this lab is that were generating research for things that were not necessarily involved in. Nagesan hopes making more CT scans available to the public will help not only to preserve the collection, but also give the public a peek at the advanced research happening behind the scenes. Museums are not closets - we dont just put things in here and forget about them, he said, Its a dynamic place where were trying to incorporate new technology. A snowmobiler was found dead in Lake Superior. According to the Ashland County Sheriffs Office, crews began looking for the 20-year-old male after he was late joining friends for ice fishing on the Chequamegon Bay at 12:16 a.m. on Jan. 19. The bay is in Wisconsin near the U.P. border, between the mainland and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The man hadnt been heard from since just after 9 p.m. on Jan. 18. He was later found in dead in open water at 10 a.m. on Jan. 19. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Ashland Fire Department, Ashland Police Department and Ashland County Sheriffs Office assisted in the search. The incident is under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Ashland County Sheriffs Office. The identity of the subject will be withheld, pending the notification of family. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - While no changes to policy have been made yet, the Michigan department overseeing the states Childrens Protective Services is conducting an internal review since the triple shooting of a foster family. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is going over all policies and forms used in case files for a child taken into protective custody, Director Elizabeth Hertel told MLive/The Ann Arbor News. GENESEE COUNTY, MI - With some of the coldest temperatures Michigan has experienced in six years gripping the region, Flint-area schools will remain closed Wednesday, giving students another unexpected day off. Genesee County is under a Cold Weather Advisory until noon Wednesday, Jan. 22, as the region faces dangerously low wind chills of 15 to 20 degrees below zero. Residents are urged to exercise caution outdoors, as frostbite can occur within 30 minutes of exposure to such extreme cold. Related: Genesee County Jail lobby opens as warming center amidst frigid temperatures Wind chill values may briefly improve during the day but will plunge back to hazardous levels after sunset. Light lake-effect snow, primarily between the I-69 and I-94 corridors, could result in some minimal accumulation. The high for Wednesday is forecast at 12 degrees with a low of -1. Authorities advise wearing appropriate winter clothing, checking on vulnerable individuals, and using portable heaters and generators safely. Here are the school districts and organizations that are closed through Wednesday: Davison Community Schools Flint Community Schools Flushing Community Schools Genesee Intermediate School District Genesee School District Goodrich Area Schools Grand Blanc Community Schools Kearsley Community Schools Linden Community Schools Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools Westwood Heights Schools Lapeer Community Schools Beecher Schools Clio Area Schools Holly Area Schools International Academy of Flint For a full list of school closures, visit the ABC12 weather closing website. GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Candied Yam, a Southern cuisine restaurant in Grand Rapids, hosted its seventh annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day community meal at the 2305 44th St. SE location on Monday, Jan. 20. Check out MLives favorite photos in the gallery above. Each year, the soul food eatery welcomes neighbors to unite and honor Kings legacy as a Civil Rights Movement leader by sharing a meal and giving back to the community. Guests were invited to bring canned goods or personal care items to help stock the Kentwood Little Free Pantry, which directly benefits families in need. In return, participants were treated to scratch-made Southern meal free of charge as a gesture of gratitude and unity. We believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back, said Jessica Ann Tyson, owner of The Candied Yam. Dr. Kings vision for equality and compassion inspires us to create an event that nourishes not just the body but also the soul of our community. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI More Burger King restaurants around Grand Rapids have closed, making it harder for customers to have it their way. Burger King has quietly been disappearing in Kent County over the years. The restaurant at 2204 Plainfield Ave. NE is just one of several locations to close in recent months. The building, now stripped of all signage, has a notice on the front door directing customers to two remaining restaurants at 2672 Alpine Ave. NW and at 410 Pearl St. NW. Workers at the Alpine and Pearl locations confirmed they were still open but declined to comment on the recent closures. One employee told MLive/the Grand Rapids Press they were instructed not to talk to reporters. Factorial Restaurant Holdings is the local franchisee and operates 26 Burger King locations in Grand Rapids, according to its website. The group did not respond to a request for comment. The Burger King Corporation also did not comment about the recent closures. The following is a list of Grand Rapids-area Burger Kings that are either open or closed. Grand Rapids 2672 Alpine Ave. NW Open 410 Pearl St. NW Open 2204 Plainfield Ave. NE Closed 1209 Leonard St. NW Closed 750 S Division Ave. Open 471 68th St. SW Closed Kentwood 2880 E Paris Ave. Closed 5260 Eastern Ave. SE Open 5135 Broadmoor Ave. SE Open Wyoming 990 44th St. Closed 1313 28th St. SW Closed Grandville 31 44th St. SW Open Sparta 590 S State St. Closed Burger King has been rolling back its presence nationwide for a couple years now. The fast-food chain in May 2023 said it planned to close up to 400 locations, including 26 locations in Metro Detroit. EYM King of Michigan LLC, the franchisee of the 26 restaurants, wrote the closures were due to the unforeseen business circumstance and not being able to reach a resolution with Burger King Corporation. Another franchisee, Union Burgers LLC, later that year bought and reopened five of the affected restaurants. RELATED: 5 Burger King locations to reopen in Metro Detroit - mlive.com Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. KALAMAZOO, MI Keyshawn Givhan addressed the judge, assistant prosecutor and a family member of the man he murdered on Tuesday, Jan. 21, just before he was sent to prison for life. F--- you, too, said Givhan, of Kalamazoo, to Judge Paul Bridenstine after the judge asked him to be quiet. Bridenstine then handed down the sentence mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Many Kalamazoo-area schools will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 as frigid temperatures and lake effect snow blanket the region. An arctic air outbreak is bringing the coldest temperatures in six years to Michigan, according to the National Weather Service meteorologists in Grand Rapids. The cold temperatures are accompanied by between two and four inches of lake effect snow, according to NWS. MORE: Coldest air in 6 years is hitting Michigan: Time to frostbite is 30 minutes or less Kalamazoo County is currently under a winter weather advisory and cold weather advisory, according to NWS. Some schools were also closed on Monday, Jan. 20. Monday and Tuesday will see high temperatures in the single digits and lows of 0 degrees and minus-2 degrees. Wind chills as low as minus-20 degrees will make the air feel colder. With temperatures this cold, frostbite damage on exposed skin can occur in 30 minutes or less, according to NWS. The following schools will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21: Athens Area Schools Climax-Scotts Community Schools Colon Community School District Comstock Public Schools Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Gull Lake Community Schools Kalamazoo Public Schools Lawton Community Schools Mattawan Consolidated School Mendon Community Schools Otsego Public Schools Parchment School District Plainwell Community Schools Portage Public Schools Schoolcraft Community Schools Vicksburg Community Schools For other Michigan school closures click here. RELATED: Western Michigan University closing Tuesday, Jan. 21 due to cold temperatures SAGINAW, MI -- The Iota Chi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in partnership with Delta College Black Faculty and Staff, hosted the 29th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration on Monday, Jan. 20. (The celebration) is a way to bring the community together and really keep the dream alive, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member Daryl Grays said. The celebration started with a march of around 100 people down Franklin Street from Hayden Street to the Dow Event Center. Participants endured frigid temperatures. The days forecast indicated a high of 9 degrees and wind chill values as low as negative 9 degrees. (The weather) is just a small sacrifice compared to what Dr. King and many others fought for during the Civil Rights Movement, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member Chris Collins said. Once at the center, a luncheon with about 300 people in attendance followed with a keynote address from State Rep. Amos ONeal (D-Saginaw) and the recognition of community leaders with awards. Richard Dick Garber was awarded the Dr. MLK Jr. Unity Award, Wilbert Long Jr. received the James Pete Gaddis Service Award and Dr. Angela Guy-Lee won the Spirit of Dr. King Award. ONeals address was titled Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence. He spoke on the work that still needs to be done in Michigan, including within the states corrections and healthcare systems. He also talked about Kings lasting legacy. (The theme) serves as a reminder that safeguarding freedom, justice and democracy is achievable when we unite in the spirit of love and non-violence. We all play a part in making our state, our nation, a better place, ONeal said. An executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office is already entangled in legal battles. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel along with 17 other Democratic state attorneys general sued the Trump administration Tuesday, Jan. 21 over an order that aims to end the Constitutional right to birthright citizenship. Under the 14th Amendment, anyone born in the United States is guaranteed citizenship regardless of their parents immigration status. Shortly after that initial complaint was filed in Massachusetts, four additional states filed another lawsuit in Washington. Nessel called birthright citizenship a basic right granted to all Americans with historic roots dating back to 1868. The Citizenship Clause has stood as constitutional law in this nation for more than 150 years and has twice been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. It is disappointing that in the first hours of this incoming administration, the first perceived enemy President Trump has struck against is the U.S. Constitution, she said in a statement. The Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. Related: Inauguration Day 2025: Trump sworn in as president after unprecedented comeback As one of his first actions as president, Trump signed an executive order that said all children born in the United States will no longer be guaranteed citizenship. The order directs federal agencies to stop issuing citizenship to U.S.-born children whose parents are undocumented or arent permanent residents with green cards. It also applies to children of mothers who have temporary visas, like a student visa or work visa. The order entitled Protecting the meaning and value of American citizenship argues the Fourteenth Amendment has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States. It is set to go into effect in 30 days and would not impact anyone who was already born in the country. But there is a hurdle: a president cannot unilaterally revoke birthright citizenship because any change to the Constitution requires a supermajority vote in Congress and approval from at least three-quarters of states. Todays executive order is a clear violation of American law, Nessel added. The U.S. Constitution lays out the steps to alter an amendment unequivocally and clearly, and those steps do not include an executive order on the first or any day of a presidential term. The 14th Amendment was enacted after the Civil War to guarantee citizenship to everyone born in the United States, including the descendants of enslaved people. It was then upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court when a Chinese-American man was denied entry back into the country in the late 1800s. The high court ruled any children born in the United States could not be denied citizenship. It has been simply tremendously well-established law in the United States that people who are born within the territorial confines of the U.S. are citizens, said Jonathan Weinberg, an immigration and citizenship law expert from Wayne State University Law School. Related: Trumps Bible move during swearing-in raises eyebrows The executive order is now facing multiple legal challenges. Immigrant rights advocates and the ACLU filed the first lawsuit Monday night arguing the order will create a permanent subclass of people born in the U.S. who are denied full rights as Americans. Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, as well as Washington D.C. and the City of San Francisco filed the second lawsuit Tuesday in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts. That was quickly followed by Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon filing a third suit Tuesday afternoon. Despite those legal fights, Weinberg says the Trump administration has the advantage of being the first mover. Theyre going to act in accordance with their theory notwithstanding their theory is unconstitutional and theyre going to keep doing that until somebody stops them, he said. The legal challenges will likely halt the executive order, but Christine Sauve with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, says it could still create chaos even if its enforced for one day. We hope the actions are stopped, she said. Even if its in effect for hours or days, it could do a lot of harm to the children being born. Ending birthright citizenship is seen by supporters as a way to reduce illegal immigration, but research shows it would likely increase the number of undocumented immigrants living in the United States. In 2016, the Migration Policy Institute estimated that ending the right could create 4.7 million unauthorized immigrants who had been born in the United States. All of these efforts are unconstitutional and would have a major impact not just on children across the country, but especially in Michigan as well, Sauve said. It would mean that when babies are born to immigrant parents without legal status, or if they have temporary status, those children would not be considered citizens and they would not have full rights and privileges of citizens as they do now. The birthright citizenship order was one of a slew of immigration-related executive orders Trump signed on his first day in office. Other orders suspend refugee resettlement, reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy for asylum seekers and send troops to the southern border. Outside of immigration policy, Trump also signed executive orders to pardon 1,500 people involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol and temporarily suspend a ban on TikTok. The extreme cold is making for a fascinating look on Grand Traverse Bay at Traverse City, Michigan. Grand Traverse Bay is a bay on Lake Michigan. The large temperature difference between still relatively warm Lake Michigan water and the Arctic cold air is allowing the steam to form. The surface water on Lake Michigan in Traverse City is averaging 37 degrees right now. The Arctic air touching the waters surface was around zero. The 37 degree temperature difference allowed the liquid water to easily become water vapor. Photographer John Robert Williams of Traverse City, MI shared the Monday morning spectacular view over Grand Traverse Bay. Lake Michigan steaming in the cold on January 20, 2025 (photo provided by John Robert Williams)John Robert Williams Ducks on Grand Traverse Bay with steam rising off the Lake Michigan surface on January 20, 2025 (photo provided by John Robert Williams)John Robert Williams In this picture below you can also see steam devils trying to form. Steam devils are formed by a similar process as the more widely known and seen dust devils. The icy scene at the mouth of the Boardman River on West Grand Traverse Bay on January 20, 2025 (photo by John Robert Williams)John Robert Williams In a steam devil the warmed air touching the lake surface starts to rise off the lake surface. As the air rises it also starts to rotate, creating the look of the steam devil. Steam shimmering off the surface of the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay at Traverse City, MI on. January 20, 2025John Robert Williams Steam on the Lake Michigan surface on Grand Traverse Bay at Traverse City, MI on January 20, 2025 (photo provided by John Robert Williams)John Robert Williams Here is a look at the current surface water temperatures over Lake Michigan and the rest of the Great Lakes. Even with the recent cold air, the Great Lakes continue to have water temperatures as high as the low-40s. Current Great Lakes' surface water temperatures.NOAA At this time of year with the cold air aloft and warm water surface we can also have a great weather scene, waterspouts. In fact the chance of waterspouts is high today and tomorrow. If you get close to the Great Lakes' water during the cold outbreak, slow down and take in the rare wintry scene. Treacherous travel conditions - including blowing, gusty snow leading to low visibility and white-out conditions - are expected to continue through Tuesday as all of Michigan stays in the grips of this icy blast of air. The bitter cold has created slick roads across the state, and the lake-effect snow thats falling is smaller because of the intense cold. This makes it easier to blow around, creating hazardous driving conditions, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Near-zero temperatures and sub-zero wind chills remain dangerous, too. Wind chills down to 25 below zero are expected into Wednesday. Time to frostbite on exposed skin is 30 minutes or less. Stay inside if you can, and make sure to bring pets indoors. Animal rescue groups in Michigan have already reported responding to find dead pets or animals in distress. Very cold temperatures and lake effect snow will continue to result in slow and treacherous travel through Tuesday night, NWS meteorologists in Grand Rapids said. While not particularly heavy, the snow will greatly reduce visibilities and slowly add up, with the highest additional amounts generally near and west of Highway 131. To check the highway conditions before you leave home, click into the states MiDrive website. It shows you traffic slow-down areas in real time, as well as any reported accidents and where state-contracted snow plows are working. On Monday, there was a lot of slow-moving red showing on the map, as slide-offs and pileups were reported from West Michigan to Lansing to Flint. Tonight a snow squall line was reported near Lansing, extending all the way to Livingston County. One NWS staffer in Grand Rapids shared this first-person account from earlier today: Take it from someone who drove to work: 5 vehicles in the ditch in a 3-mile stretch of M-6 near Grand Rapids is just one of several problem spots. Even if you see pavement, you might have very little braking action. 45 mph might not be a safe speed. Remember your hat and gloves. More snow is expected Monday night and during the day on Tuesday.Graphic provided by the NWS New snow expected between tonight an Wednesday could total up to 8 inches along the Ottawa County/Kent County border. Three to 4 inches in forecast for Ludington, Muskegon and Kalamazoo. The Grand Rapids area could see 4 to 6 inches. Southeast Michigan is expected to get less than an inch of new snow by Tuesday night. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC lessened its position in shares of Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL Free Report) by 15.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,759 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 1,226 shares during the quarter. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLCs holdings in Tyler Technologies were worth $3,898,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Tyler Technologies during the third quarter valued at $27,000. Tobam bought a new position in shares of Tyler Technologies in the third quarter worth about $78,000. Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of Tyler Technologies during the third quarter valued at approximately $78,000. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its position in Tyler Technologies by 18.4% in the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 135 shares of the technology companys stock worth $78,000 after purchasing an additional 21 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in Tyler Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth $79,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.30% of the companys stock. Get Tyler Technologies alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently commented on TYL shares. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and issued a $685.00 price objective (up from $600.00) on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Barclays lifted their price objective on Tyler Technologies from $700.00 to $705.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an equal weight rating and issued a $615.00 target price (down previously from $670.00) on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Needham & Company LLC boosted their target price on Tyler Technologies from $600.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Tyler Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $643.77. Insider Transactions at Tyler Technologies In related news, insider John S. Marr, Jr. sold 12,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $613.66, for a total transaction of $7,363,920.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 6,983 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,285,187.78. This trade represents a 63.21 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Brian K. Miller sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $624.41, for a total transaction of $1,561,025.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 11,950 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,461,699.50. This represents a 17.30 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 42,252 shares of company stock worth $26,096,928 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock. Tyler Technologies Trading Down 1.1 % NYSE:TYL opened at $569.18 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Tyler Technologies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $397.80 and a twelve month high of $638.56. The company has a market cap of $24.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 103.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 0.78. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $599.72 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $584.55. Tyler Technologies (NYSE:TYL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 23rd. The technology company reported $2.52 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.43 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $543.34 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $547.34 million. Tyler Technologies had a net margin of 11.39% and a return on equity of 9.79%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.66 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Tyler Technologies, Inc. will post 7.36 EPS for the current fiscal year. Tyler Technologies Profile (Free Report) Tyler Technologies, Inc provides integrated information management solutions and services for the public sector. It operates in two segments, Enterprise Software and Platform Technologies. The company offers platform and transformative technology solutions, including cybersecurity for government agencies; data and insights solutions; digital solutions that helps workers and policymakers to share, communicate, and leverage data; payments solutions, such as billing, presentment, merchant onboarding, collections, reconciliation, and disbursements; platform technologies, an application development platform that enables government workers to build solutions and applications; and outdoor recreation solutions, including campsite reservations, activity registrations, licensing sales and renewals, and real-time data for conservation and park management. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TYL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Tyler Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tyler Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said on Monday it has launched the AI Skills Coalition, an initiative to bridge the global AI skills gap that has the backing of 27 organizations, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, the East Africa Community and Cognizant. According to the ITU, the coalition will serve as an online platform for AI education and capacity building that will also encourage inclusive participation by offering open and accessible skills training on generative AI, machine learning and applying AI for sustainable development. The rise of AI has prompted the telecoms and ICT sectors to prep their digital infrastructures and data centres to support bandwidth and compute-intensive AI workloads. Meanwhile, an estimated 94% of global business leaders already see AI as critical for the success of their organizations, according to a recent AI for Good Impact Report published by ITU and Deloitte. However, insufficient technical skills and the need for extensive upskilling and reskilling are among key barriers to broader AI adoption globally, as well as a considerable lack of trust in AI amid fears that it will replace human jobs, the ITU said. Recent announcements regarding the launch of AI cloud infrastructure investments in developing markets by big-name players like Google, AWS and Microsoft have typically come with promises of local AI skills training, but the ITU says a more global and inclusive approach is needed to address the issue and ensure more stakeholders are involved. The AI Skills Coalition aims to will provide educational materials that can bolster skills for the future and address global inequalities in AI knowledge. Meanwhile, the ITU will work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to leverage UNDP's presence in over 170 countries and territories to deliver AI capacity development directly to partner countries. Capacity development is the number one ask from the developing countries that we work in, said Achim Steiner, administrator of UNDP. As part of this Coalition, we will work with our partners to deliver crucial foundational AI training, so that policy-makers and national governments can responsibly harness AI to achieve sustainable development. The initiative will also addresses underrepresentation of marginalized groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the development of AI products and services, the ITU said. The coalition initiative will be rolled out in phases, starting with the launch of a new training platform developed by the ITU in March 2025. The platform will include a comprehensive training portfolio and a customizable digital library of AI material supplied by coalition members, as well as self-paced courses, webinars, access to in-person workshops, and hybrid programs tailored to diverse learning needs all offered free of charge, The coalition will also develop specialized government training in AI governance, ethics, and policymaking to address the specific needs of developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs), the ITIU said. Manish M. Suvarna USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept From free KG-to-PG education to financial assistance: BJP's 2nd manifesto for Delhi Siddharth Chakravorty USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Ayushmann Khurrana wishes wife Tahira Kashyap on her 42nd birthday in the sweetest way possible, see Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pop-up shops have become a hot topic in the entrepreneurial world, especially for e-commerce businesses looking to break into the physical retail scene. While they offer a unique way to engage customers directly, they come with their own set of challenges. For those who get it right, pop-ups can be an exciting and rewarding venture, allowing businesses to expand their reach and enhance their brands visibility in a tangible way. Whats a Pop-up? Pop-up shops are small, temporary retail spaces that operate for a few days to a week. They are commonly used by e-commerce businesses to connect directly with customers, raise brand awareness for products like clothing, or test new concepts such as menus before transitioning to permanent operations like food trucks. T hese pop-ups are ideal for brands looking to create excitement, engage with customers in-person, and experiment with new offerings without committing to long-term leases. Big cities often offer short-term rental retail spaces, making it easier for businesses to access prime locations and establish a physical presence. The benefits of pop-up shops Pop-up shops provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to bring their products directly to customers, which is invaluable for e-commerce businesses that typically operate online. These temporary retail spaces allow business owners to test the waters in the physical retail world without the commitment of long-term leases. Many see pop-ups as a low-risk, high-reward marketing move. 1. Building Brand Awareness and Credibility One of the key benefits of a pop-up is the ability to build brand awareness. A physical presence allows customers to interact with the brand in a tangible way, fostering trust and recognition. Entrepreneurs can also learn how their products resonate with customers, which can inform future marketing strategies. Additionally, many consumers are more likely to take a brand seriously when it has a physical presence, making pop-ups an effective way to enhance your brands credibility. 2. Customer Interaction and Product Testing Pop-ups allow for face-to-face interactions with customers, offering valuable insights into their preferences, needs, and questions. This direct feedback is something e-commerce businesses often miss out on. Entrepreneurs can use this information to refine their products or marketing approach. For instance, if certain product features consistently spark questions or confusion, it might be time to make that information more visible on the website. 3. Low-Cost Marketing and Lead Generation Compared to setting up a permanent retail store, pop-ups are relatively low-cost. They often require no long-term leases and come with minimal overhead. In addition, they allow businesses to test different markets and locations, potentially reaching new customers. Some entrepreneurs also use pop-ups to offer discounts or limited-time offers, which can drive traffic and boost conversions. When done right, pop-ups can act as effective lead-generation tools that provide a solid return on investment. The challenges of pop-up shops Despite the advantages, pop-up shops are not without their challenges. Entrepreneurs who have tried them share that there are several factors to consider before committing to a pop-up. 1. Cost and Location Concerns Many entrepreneurs find the costs associated with pop-up shops to be prohibitive, particularly when theyre paying for a prime location but not seeing significant sales. While pop-ups dont require long-term leases, rental fees for temporary spaces can still be high, especially in busy areas. If the location isnt ideal, it can significantly impact sales. For example, a pop-up shop near restaurants might attract foot traffic but fail to convert visitors into buyers, as they may be focused on dining rather than shopping. 2. Timing and Market Fit Timing is crucial for a successful pop-up. Some entrepreneurs have found that their pop-ups only succeed when they align with a specific buying season (like holidays) or when theyre placed in areas with high foot traffic. Additionally, certain businesses, like seasonal products, are better suited to pop-ups than others. A pop-up for an e-commerce business that sells specialty items may struggle if its not set up in an area where the right demographic exists. 3. Operational Challenges Running a pop-up shop can be physically and mentally exhausting. Entrepreneurs often handle the setup, operations, and customer interactions themselves, which can be overwhelming. Furthermore, pop-ups are time-sensitive, requiring quick adaptation and fast decision-making. Managing inventory, staffing, and the logistics of moving in and out of spaces can be more complicated than expected, especially if the pop-up is not strategically planned. Do you need a permit for your pop-up Shop? In Australia, particularly in New South Wales, businesses often need a permit or approval to sell goods or services from a temporary store, such as a pop-up shop. Local councils, such as Singleton Council, typically require approval for activities like: Selling goods from a stall or vehicle Operating temporary food stalls Mobile food vendors READ more here For pop-up shops, the council usually requires a licence to sell goods or services from a temporary location. This is commonly necessary for temporary events like festivals or shows. In some cases, additional development consent may be required, depending on the nature of the event. Its important to contact the local council to understand the specific eligibility requirements for your pop-up shop. For example, Singleton Council charges a daily fee of $21.50 for a pop-up shop, but additional fees may apply. Always check with the council for the latest details. The licences validity will depend on the nature of the event or business, so the specific duration is specified in your approval. Youll need to submit an application to get approval. Forms and more details can be found by contacting the relevant council. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. M Snehanjali USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Producer Mano Akkineni passes away in Chennai, director Sudha Kongara shares heartfelt post: "This film Im doing today I dedicate to you..." M Snehanjali USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Sarika Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Saif Ali Khan Attack: Auto-rickshaw driver who took the actor to hospital rewarded Rs 11,000 Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Vaishnavi Gavankar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Saif Ali Khan to be discharged from Lilavati Hospital later today: Reports Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The battle for the top spot in global brand rankings took an unexpected turn as two tech giants, Apple and Microsoft, surged ahead of long-time leader Amazon. Whats behind their dramatic rise? The answer is simple: AI. Both companies made bold moves in the world of artificial intelligence, fueling innovation, boosting their brand value, and reshaping the tech landscape. From Apples game-changing M4 chip to Microsofts custom AI accelerator, these brands are not just riding the AI wavetheyre creating it. Heres how they did it and why AI is the one thing thats driving their massive success. As AI entered the mainstream, companies not only adopted the technology but also leveraged it to drive innovation, growth, and brand differentiation. Alongside AI, brands continued to prioritize sustainability, diversity, and gender equalityefforts that boosted their public image and contributed to higher brand values. Research conducted by the team at TradingPedia highlights how the emergence of AI technologies had a dramatic effect on the tech industry, with several companies seeing substantial increases in their brand value in 2024. Notably, tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Google took the lead, significantly outpacing others, including online retailer Amazon. Apple, in particular, made headlines with the launch of its AI-focused M4 chip in May 2024. This development contributed to a staggering 73.6% increase in the companys brand value, propelling it to the top spot, surpassing Amazon after several years at the helm. Key findings from the 2024 brand value report: Apple Inc. topped the charts as the worlds most valuable brand in 2024, with a brand value of $516.58 billion. This marked a massive 73.6% increase from its 2023 value of $297.51 billion. Apples focus on AI innovation, particularly with the launch of its M4 chip, played a crucial role in its surge to the top. topped the charts as the worlds most valuable brand in 2024, with a brand value of $516.58 billion. This marked a massive 73.6% increase from its 2023 value of $297.51 billion. Apples focus on AI innovation, particularly with the launch of its M4 chip, played a crucial role in its surge to the top. Microsoft came in second place with a brand value of $340.44 billion. The company saw a 77.7% rise in its brand value, driven by innovations like its custom AI chip, the Maia 100 AI Accelerator, designed for the Azure platform. came in second place with a brand value of $340.44 billion. The company saw a 77.7% rise in its brand value, driven by innovations like its custom AI chip, the Maia 100 AI Accelerator, designed for the Azure platform. Google , or more specifically its parent company, Alphabet, secured the third spot with a brand value of $333.44 billionan 18.5% increase from the previous year. Googles own foray into AI saw a boost with the introduction of Trillium, a new addition to their AI data center chip series. , or more specifically its parent company, Alphabet, secured the third spot with a brand value of $333.44 billionan 18.5% increase from the previous year. Googles own foray into AI saw a boost with the introduction of Trillium, a new addition to their AI data center chip series. Amazon , which had been the leading brand for years, dropped to fourth place with a brand value of $308.9 billion, reflecting a modest 3.2% increase from 2023. Despite a slight growth in value, the company was outpaced by Apple, Microsoft, and Google. , which had been the leading brand for years, dropped to fourth place with a brand value of $308.9 billion, reflecting a modest 3.2% increase from 2023. Despite a slight growth in value, the company was outpaced by Apple, Microsoft, and Google. TikTok/Douyin , the popular Chinese social media platform, made significant gains in 2024, climbing one position to rank 5th with a brand value of $84.2 billion, marking a 28.16% increase. TikToks parent company, ByteDance, also began implementing AI in its app features, further strengthening its position in the tech space. , the popular Chinese social media platform, made significant gains in 2024, climbing one position to rank 5th with a brand value of $84.2 billion, marking a 28.16% increase. TikToks parent company, ByteDance, also began implementing AI in its app features, further strengthening its position in the tech space. Samsung , one of the few brands to lose value in 2024, saw its brand drop to 6th place with a value of $82.21 billion. The company, which primarily relies on third-party AI technology, is now planning to build its own AI data center in South Korea in response to the growing demand for AI innovation. , one of the few brands to lose value in 2024, saw its brand drop to 6th place with a value of $82.21 billion. The company, which primarily relies on third-party AI technology, is now planning to build its own AI data center in South Korea in response to the growing demand for AI innovation. Metas brands, Facebook and Instagram, both saw notable increases in their brand value. Facebook rose by 28.4% to $75.72 billion, while Instagram surged by 48.49% to $70.44 billion. Meta has also entered the AI chip race, launching its Artemis chip to further integrate AI into its platforms. brands, Facebook and Instagram, both saw notable increases in their brand value. Facebook rose by 28.4% to $75.72 billion, while Instagram surged by 48.49% to $70.44 billion. Meta has also entered the AI chip race, launching its Artemis chip to further integrate AI into its platforms. Oracle made significant strides, ranking 9th with a brand value of $53.1 billionup 34.18% from the previous year. Oracles AI-powered services, including its AI agents for business automation, helped boost its standing in the tech industry. made significant strides, ranking 9th with a brand value of $53.1 billionup 34.18% from the previous year. Oracles AI-powered services, including its AI agents for business automation, helped boost its standing in the tech industry. NVIDIA, a leading AI chip developer, saw its brand value skyrocket by an impressive 163%, reaching $44.49 billion and securing the 10th spot. The companys stock surged throughout the year, peaking at $148.88 per share in November, a 209% increase from January 2024. The 2024 report, compiled using Brand Finances estimations and the Royalty Relief method, offers a unique perspective on the worlds leading brands. This approach evaluates how much a company would be willing to pay to license its brand if it did not own it, providing insight into the strength and resilience of these global brands. As the year unfolds, companies that embrace new technologies and maintain strong brand values continue to outperform, showing their capacity to adapt in an ever-evolving marketplace. 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept Social media posted footage showing a large number of russian-made vehicles passing through Mali. At first glance, this looked like a "luxury" gift to the Kremlin's African satellite state, given that russian troops are forced to switch to "jihad mobiles" in battles against the Ukrainian army. Later, the bmpd blog of the Russian Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies clarified that it was a convoy of equipment belonging to the Africa Corps of the russian Defense Ministry. This convoy included seven T-72B3 tanks, five BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, and more than fifty other types of armored vehicles, which is significantly more than previously thought. BTR-82A of the Africa Corps of the russian Defense Ministry in Mali, January 2025 / Open source photo It should be noted that the term Africa Corps refers to units of the Wagner Group private military company, which are currently operating on the African continent under the direct control of the russian Defense Ministry. This is not only about Mali, but also about Libya. It is worth noting that this convoy includes equipment comparable in size or even superior to the entire Malian armed forces. According to The Military Balance 2024, at the beginning of last year, the Malian army had only two PT-76 amphibious light tanks, five BRDM-2 armoured scout cars, 63 armored personnel carriers of various types, 274 wheeled armored vehicles of various types, and more than 30 units of D-30 howitzers and BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers. PT-76 amphibious light tank of the Malian armed forces / Photo credit: Oryx At the same time, there is no publicly available information about the total number of russian troops currently deployed in Mali and the amount of equipment and weapons the Africa Corps may have in the country. We can observe an interesting logic in Russian actions: they have created an advantage in certain weapon categories over the country where they are currently operating, which is economically beneficial for sustaining the war against Ukraine. Armored vehicles of the Africa Corps of the russian Defense Ministry in Mali, January 2025 / Open source photo Furthermore, the decision to send an armored group consisting of seven tanks, five IFVs, seven APCs and 50 wheeled armored vehicles of various types to Mali may look quite rational to russians. For instance, the same number of armored vehicles could easily be lost by russian invaders in eastern Ukraine within just half a week of fighting against the Ukrainian armed forces. This brings us back to the question of the priorities russians are currently using in the deployment and distribution of armored vehicles to achieve their military and political goals. Earlier Defense Express reported about two problems faced by TOS-1, TOS-2 systems on Ukrainian battlefields. Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_ Christin Mathew Philip USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept January 21, 2025 / 18:27 IST The Islamist organization Hamas has issued a call for intensified resistance from Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This plea is a direct response to a recent Israeli military offensive conducted in the city of Jenin, known for its frequent clashes. Hamas made the announcement via a public statement, emphasizing the need for increased confrontation with Israeli forces. 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I Accept Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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Kumar is an author, journalist and a political commentator based in in Mumbai who writes on crime and Maharashtra politics. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Priyanjali Ghose USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept A flock of black-faced spoonbills are pictured at a wetland in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 13, 2025. A large number of black-faced spoonbills, an endangered waterbird under first-class national protection in China, have arrived at the wetland for wintering. In recent years, Hainan has been strengthening the protection of wetlands and birds to boost biodiversity. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A flock of black-faced spoonbills forage at a wetland in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 13, 2025. A large number of black-faced spoonbills, an endangered waterbird under first-class national protection in China, have arrived at the wetland for wintering. In recent years, Hainan has been strengthening the protection of wetlands and birds to boost biodiversity. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A flock of black-faced spoonbills fly over a wetland in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 13, 2025. A large number of black-faced spoonbills, an endangered waterbird under first-class national protection in China, have arrived at the wetland for wintering. In recent years, Hainan has been strengthening the protection of wetlands and birds to boost biodiversity. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A black-faced spoonbill flies at a wetland in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 13, 2025. A large number of black-faced spoonbills, an endangered waterbird under first-class national protection in China, have arrived at the wetland for wintering. In recent years, Hainan has been strengthening the protection of wetlands and birds to boost biodiversity. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 15, 2025 shows a wetland in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province. A large number of black-faced spoonbills, an endangered waterbird under first-class national protection in China, have arrived at the wetland for wintering. In recent years, Hainan has been strengthening the protection of wetlands and birds to boost biodiversity. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 15, 2025 shows planted mangroves at a wetland in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province. A large number of black-faced spoonbills, an endangered waterbird under first-class national protection in China, have arrived at the wetland for wintering. In recent years, Hainan has been strengthening the protection of wetlands and birds to boost biodiversity. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A black-faced spoonbill forages at a wetland in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 13, 2025. A large number of black-faced spoonbills, an endangered waterbird under first-class national protection in China, have arrived at the wetland for wintering. In recent years, Hainan has been strengthening the protection of wetlands and birds to boost biodiversity. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A flock of black-faced spoonbills forage at a wetland in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 13, 2025. A large number of black-faced spoonbills, an endangered waterbird under first-class national protection in China, have arrived at the wetland for wintering. In recent years, Hainan has been strengthening the protection of wetlands and birds to boost biodiversity. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Birdwatchers take photos of black-faced spoonbills at a wetland in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 13, 2025. A large number of black-faced spoonbills, an endangered waterbird under first-class national protection in China, have arrived at the wetland for wintering. In recent years, Hainan has been strengthening the protection of wetlands and birds to boost biodiversity. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Editor: WXY Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Glassdoor CEO joins work-life debate, shares how he juggles being a dad and boss to 500 staff Ankita Sengupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept In case of a plane crash, call me before family: Manager tells employees in Korea, faces backlash Ankita Sengupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Baer's Pochards, which are critically-endangered diving ducks, are pictured in Hengshui Lake national nature reserve in north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 16, 2025. (Photo by Wang Tieliang/Xinhua) SHIJIAZHUANG, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 120 Baer's Pochards, which are critically-endangered diving ducks, have been observed wintering in Hengshui Lake national nature reserve in north China's Hebei Province. Images of the wintering ducks were captured by a shutterbug who later provided the footage to staff members of the wetland ecological monitoring division, under the resource protection bureau of Hengshui's Lakeside New Area. The Baer's Pochard is classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The photographer, Zhang Xuefeng, recalled discovering several Baer's Pochards resting on the water surface. He then observed the scene through his camera lens and saw a vast flock of the ducks in the distance. "Spotting such a large flock with my camera was incredibly thrilling. Being able to document this precious moment through photographs and bear witness to the beauty and wonder of Hengshui Lake makes me feel immensely proud," said Zhang Xuefeng. The Baer's Pochard population at Hengshui Lake was first discovered by research teams back in 2000, while the flock sighted recently by Zhang Xuefeng is the largest recorded at this lake since 2018. "The sighting underscores the health of Hengshui Lake's ecosystem, as Baer's Pochards are extremely sensitive to the environment," said Zhang Yuguang, head of the wetland ecological monitoring division. Hengshui Lake, located in the city of Hengshui in Hebei, is a national nature reserve that maintains an intact wetland ecosystem encompassing swamps, water bodies, tidal flats, meadows and forests. It serves as an important stopover for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway -- with 336 bird species recorded at this location to date. Baer's Pochards, which are critically-endangered diving ducks, are pictured in Hengshui Lake national nature reserve in north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 15, 2025. (Photo by Zhang Xuefeng/Xinhua) Baer's Pochards, which are critically-endangered diving ducks, are pictured in Hengshui Lake national nature reserve in north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 15, 2025. (Photo by Zhang Xuefeng/Xinhua) Editor: WXY Ankita Sengupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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I Accept 'Will tax foreign nations to enrich our citizens': Trump sets stage for tariff wars Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Israel launches 'significant' military operation in West Bank, at least eight Palestinians killed Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept People take selfies before light installations in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jan. 18, 2025. Lanterns and light installations have been arranged across China for the upcoming Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. (Xinhua/Zhou Hua) Customers buy lanterns at a market in Qingzhou City, east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 19, 2025. Lanterns and light installations have been arranged across China for the upcoming Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. (Photo by Wang Jilin/Xinhua) People take photos before light installations in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jan. 18, 2025. Lanterns and light installations have been arranged across China for the upcoming Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. (Xinhua/Zhou Hua) Tourists visit a lantern fair in Chengde, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 18, 2025. Lanterns and light installations have been arranged across China for the upcoming Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. (Photo by Liu Huanyu/Xinhua) Jingshan Park is decorated with lanterns in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 19, 2025. Lanterns and light installations have been arranged across China for the upcoming Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. (Photo by Li Menglan/Xinhua) A drone photo shows people visiting a night market in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 18, 2025. Lanterns and light installations have been arranged across China for the upcoming Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. (Photo by Hu Xuejun/Xinhua) Beihai Park is decorated with lanterns in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 19, 2025. Lanterns and light installations have been arranged across China for the upcoming Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. (Photo by Li Menglan/Xinhua) A drone photo shows people visiting a night market in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 18, 2025. Lanterns and light installations have been arranged across China for the upcoming Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. (Photo by Hu Xuejun/Xinhua) A drone photo shows people taking photos of light installations in Deqing County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 18, 2025. Lanterns and light installations have been arranged across China for the upcoming Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. (Photo by Xie Shangguo/Xinhua) Editor: JYZ No more birthright citizenship in US: How Trump's executive order will impact Indians Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept 'Peacemaker and unifier': President Donald Trump on the legacy he wants to leave behind Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Putin vows to further develop ties with Xi just hours after Trump inauguration Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Taliban say two Americans held in Afghanistan freed in a prisoner exchange 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept What are executive orders and why do American Presidents love them Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept What does Trump's win mean for H-1B visa holders, Indian techies Arishaa Izaj USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept COLOMBO, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya attended the opening ceremony of "Happy Chinese New Year Chinese Culture Festival" held here on Sunday. In her speech, Amarasuriya said China has been a steadfast partner in Sri Lanka's development journey, supporting Sri Lanka in times of need and standing by the South Asian country in its efforts to achieve economic stability and prosperity. Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong said that in recent years, the Chinese Spring Festival has increasingly gone to the world, becoming a window for the world to better understand Chinese culture and customs, and an important way to promote exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations. He said China and Sri Lanka are good brothers and partners who help each other. China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen the strategic cooperative partnership, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, bringing more benefits to the two countries and their peoples. Approximately 800 guests, including high-level officials of the Sri Lankan government, overseas Chinese, and Chinese enterprise representatives, attended the opening ceremony. Editor: WRX Trump's Day 1 in office: From executive orders to reiterating his tariff threats, all you need to know Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Six planets aligning in skies each night: How and where to see stunning 'planet parade' in India Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Davos 2025: Business-friendly shift could boost AI and innovation, says Andrew Ng on Trump inauguration 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 Aihik Sur USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 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 Aihik Sur USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 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 Rohit Singh USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 1/12 Thailand is often synonymous with bustling markets, vibrant nightlife, and idyllic beaches, but did you know that its also home to some truly magical, lesser-known destinations? If you're looking to break away from the crowds and discover Thailands hidden treasures in 2025, these ten under-the-radar spots are waiting to be explored. From pristine beaches to historical wonders, get ready for an unforgettable journey off the beaten path. (Image: Canva) 2/12 1. Pai Tucked away in northern Thailand, Pai is a serene town surrounded by stunning mountains and hot springs. With its laid-back atmosphere, Pai offers travelers an escape from the crowds of Chiang Mai. Explore lush green valleys, visit the Pai Canyon for breathtaking views, and relax in the natural hot springs. (Image: Canva) 3/12 2. Sukhothai Historical Park While most tourists flock to Ayutthaya, Sukhothai offers a quieter yet equally mesmerizing peek into Thailand's past. Known as the birthplace of Thai civilization, this UNESCO World Heritage site is home to remarkable ruins, centuries-old temples, and stunning statues. Its a place where history and beauty intertwine, making it a must-see for culture lovers. (Image: Canva) 4/12 3. Koh Lanta If youre craving a beach escape thats far from the crowds, Koh Lanta is your answer. Known for its peaceful ambiance, pristine beaches, and lush jungles, this island offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Spend your days lounging by the sea, exploring local fishing villages, or hopping on a boat to nearby islands for snorkeling and diving. (Image: Canva) 5/12 4. Erawan National Park Hidden in the heart of Kanchanaburi province, Erawan National Park is home to one of Thailands most stunning waterfalls. The Erawan Falls is a series of emerald-colored pools, perfect for swimming or simply marveling at the beauty of nature. With hiking trails and wildlife to discover, this park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. (Image: Canva) 6/12 5. Wat Rong Khun Chiang Mai may get most of the attention in northern Thailand, but nearby Chiang Rai offers something truly uniqueWat Rong Khun, or the White Temple. This surreal, all-white temple is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture, with intricate designs and breathtaking beauty. A visit here feels like stepping into another world, one that is both spiritual and visually striking. (Image: Canva) 7/12 6. Koh Kood Looking for an island where you can escape the hustle and bustle? Koh Kood, located on the eastern coast near Cambodia, is a serene, undiscovered gem. The island boasts crystal-clear waters, unspoiled beaches, and lush tropical forests. Its the perfect destination for those who want to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy a tranquil beach retreat. (Image: Canva) 8/12 7. Nakhon Ratchasima Most tourists miss out on the cultural charm of Nakhon Ratchasima, but this province in the Isaan region offers a glimpse into authentic Thai life. Explore ancient temples, traditional markets, and local festivals. Dont miss the stunning Phimai Historical Park or a visit to Khao Yai National Park, known for its scenic landscapes and wildlife. (Image: Canva) 9/12 8. Koh Yao Islands The Koh Yao Islands are a hidden treasure tucked between Phuket and Krabi, offering a peaceful alternative to the more crowded beaches of southern Thailand. These islands are perfect for those looking to unwind in nature, with crystal-clear waters, lush landscapes, and a laid-back atmosphere. Rent a bike, explore local villages, or simply relax on the pristine beaches. (Image: Canva) 10/12 9. Huai Yang Waterfall Located in Kui Buri National Park, Huai Yang Waterfall is a secluded beauty thats rarely visited by tourists. Surrounded by dense jungle and tropical flora, this waterfall offers a serene setting for those seeking tranquility. Hike the trails, take a refreshing dip in the pools, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this hidden paradise. (Image: Canva) 11/12 10. Lopburi Lopburi, also known as the Monkey City, is one of Thailands most unique destinations. The city is home to ancient Khmer ruins and playful monkeys that roam freely around the historical sites. Visit the Prang Sam Yot temple, snap some photos of the cheeky monkeys, and explore the vibrant sunflower fields. Its an offbeat experience thats perfect for those looking for something different. (Image: Canva) Ukraine expects further constructive trade cooperation with the United States under the new administration of Donald Trump, as there is mutual interest in its expansion, Deputy Economy Minister and Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka has said Tuesday. "The Department of Commerce, the U.S. Trade Representative remain our partners. We welcome Howard Lutnick becoming Secretary of Commerce. We have our agenda that we talked about. We hope to meet soon there are already certain time benchmarks and we will be able to work further," he told Interfax-Ukraine on the sidelines of the Ukraine House Davos. Kachka recalled that Ukraine has an agreement with the United States on suspension of tariffs on Ukrainian steel extended until June 1, 2025. According to him, Kyiv expects its extension following future meetings. He also noted that the plans announced by Donald Trump in his inaugural speech to create a foreign revenue service that would regulate duties on goods imported to the United States do not directly concern Ukraine. "Ukraine is also committed to collecting all the duties, taxes and fees we need for the budget. We also plan to reform customs. We have a customs reform working group. Perhaps the wording used by President Trump is a bit different from what we are doing. But, on the other hand, such initiatives draw attention to the fact that global trade in general should be reformed," the Ukrainian trade representative said. According to him, an informal ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization will be held in Davos to discuss the issue. "And it is not only about the United States, it is also about a very specific global position of India. There are also the traditional principles that European countries stand for. And we all need to sit down again and negotiate, update the rules. And it is important for Ukraine because we are exporters, for some goods global exporters," Kachka said. He noted that it is not necessary to write down as a Bible the results of the Uruguay round of negotiations, and Ukraine also has its own claims, which, by the way, are very similar to the American, only work differently. "I mean, what does the United States say? It says they have reduced their duties throughout all the rounds of WTO negotiations. True, on industrial products, on agrarian otherwise. We also entered expecting the results of the Doha Round, that they would reduce duties. Now we see that the Doha Round has long been part of the textbooks, this agenda is not so relevant anymore. We see that in addition to tariffs, the issue of active subsidies is emerging: it's not just China, there are a lot of people who give out subsidies. So, obviously, it is our interest, as well as the United States, to say that we need fair rules, fair access to markets," the Ukrainian trade representative said. Thomas Manglona II, founder of Marianas Press, along with his team join the Saipan Chamber of Commerce leadership for ceremonial ribbon cutting as a new SCC member. The information about the alleged permission to work in occupied Sevastopol provided to Sevastopol Marine Plant, which once belonged to the MP of Ukraine, leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko, in exchange for recognizing the Russian jurisdiction over Sevastopol and paying taxes in the Russian Federation is false, according to a statement published on the website of the political force. "In fact, this enterprise was one of the first that the occupiers nationalized after the annexation of Crimea... By December 31, 2014, all Ukrainian businesses in the temporarily occupied Crimea were to be re-registered 'in accordance with Russian legislation.' Since Poroshenkos enterprise failed to do so, it was nationalized at the end of February. Accordingly, the statement about some kind of 'tax payment' is absurd since it was not registered in Russia. The fake about Sevastopol Marine Plant was born in the midst of the 2019 election campaign and has been repeatedly refuted," the European Solidarity reported. The party emphasized that lawyers are preparing the relevant lawsuits on the topic of Sevastopol, but noted the political aspect of this campaign and the potential harm to the philanthropic project to support the Armed Forces and the country's defense capability. "The pressure of the political leadership on law enforcement agencies in order to justify any sanctions against Poroshenko, for which there is no basis, can also be seen as an attempt to purge the opposition... We believed and believe that political unity was and remains the key to victory and everything should be done to preserve it. And not to do anything that would destroy it," the political force stressed in the statement. SBU detains chief psychiatrist of Ukraine's Armed Forces, who enriched himself by over $1 mln during war Photo: https://t.me/SBUkr/13845 The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), with the assistance of the Minister of Defense and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, detained the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces, who is the deputy chairman of the Central Military Medical Commission and decides on the suitability of military personnel for military service. "According to the case materials, this official acquired unjustified assets worth more than $1 million during the full-scale invasion. At the same time, the defendant did not reflect the relevant property in his declaration and registered it in the name of his wife, daughter, sons and other third parties," the SBU said in a statement on the Telegram channel on Tuesday. As the investigation established, during 2022-2024, the suspect acquired: a private house in Obukhiv district of Kyiv region, two apartments in Kyiv, one apartment in Odesa, two land plots in Obukhiv district of Kyiv region, a BMW X7 (2024), a BMW X7 (2022), a BMW X5 (2023), a BMW X3 (2022), as well as other property. During the search, SBU investigators also found $152,000 and EUR 34,000. A notice of suspicion is currently being prepared for the defendant under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Article 368-5 (illegal enrichment), Article 366-2 (declaration of false information). The pretrial investigation is being carried out under the procedural guidance of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the Sphere of Defense of the Prosecutor's General Office. Washington, DC Dozens of Executive Orders were signed on day one of President Donald Trumps new term in office, and Governor Gavin Newsom quickly criticized two. Early in the day, when President Trump was inaugurated, Newsom congratulated him, stating, Where our shared principles are aligned, my administration stands ready to work with the Trump-Vance administration to deliver solutions and serve the nearly 40 million Californians we jointly represent. Later in the day, Newsom quickly criticized an action to end birthright citizenship, with a short response. The Governor stated, This is unconstitutional. The Governor also put out a statement opposing Trumps climate actions, specifically pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord. The Governor argued, If you dont believe in science, believe your own damn eyes. We reported earlier that President Trump and Governor Newsom are anticipated to meet in person later this week when Trump visits California to view the wildfire destruction. To read a story about President Trumps inaugural address, click here. The Defense Forces of Ukraine have hit a number of important objects of the Russian invaders the Liskinskaya oil depot in Voronezh region of Russia was hit for the second time, a drone strike was carried out on the Smolensk Aviation Plant, as well as on the command post of the Russian army in temporarily occupied Volnovakha in Donetsk region, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. "For the second time in a week, drones of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have struck the Liskinskaya oil depot in Voronezh region of the Russian Federation. This time, on the night of January 21. As a result of the strike, carried out in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, tanks with fuel and lubricants, which the occupiers provide to Russian troops, are burning. The enterprise belongs to one of the largest Russian state corporations, Rosneft," the General Staff said in a statement on Telegram on Tuesday. In addition, the Defense Forces, in particular the Unmanned Systems Forces and the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, struck the infrastructure of the Smolensk Aviation Plant in Smolensk region of the Russian Federation, where combat aircraft are modernized and manufactured. Explosions were recorded on the territory of the aircraft plant. "The destruction of command posts of the Russian occupation army also continues. In particular, a strike was carried out on the command post of the 29th combined arms army of the Russian Federation in temporarily occupied Volnovakha in Donetsk region. There is information about explosions and smoke in the target area," the General Staff reports. As noted by the General Staff, the results of the strikes are being clarified. Dr. Leonard Coldwell on Decentralize TV: Only 0.8% of humanity will survive the coming GLOBAL COLLAPSE Dr. Leonard Coldwell, an expert in cancer reversal and holistic health, warns that only 0.8 percent of humanity will survive the impending global collapse, driven by what he describes as a deliberate, satanic agenda orchestrated by a shadowy elite. He argues that the destabilization of governments, supply chains, currencies and public health systems is not accidental but part of a calculated plan to weaken humanity and consolidate power. He cites events like the COVID-19 pandemic as engineered crises. Coldwell claims vaccines are being used to reduce the global population, referencing predictions that over 80 percent of vaccinated individuals may die by 2025. He also warns of future pandemics like monkeypox and bird flu as part of this agenda. Coldwell advocates for escaping centralized systems by embracing self-sufficiency, community-building and preparedness. He has created his own decentralized community and encourages others to grow their own food, form strong relationships and reject reliance on centralized institutions. Despite the grim outlook, Coldwell's message is one of hope and self-reliance. He urges individuals to take control of their health, live in the present and prepare for a decentralized future, emphasizing that survival depends on rejecting the system and cultivating resilience. In a chilling and sobering revelation, Dr. Leonard Coldwell, an expert in cancer reversal and holistic health, has issued a dire prediction: Only 0.8 percent of humanity will survive the coming global collapse. Speaking on a recent "Decentralize TV" episode with hosts Mike Adams and Todd Pitner, Coldwell painted a grim picture of a world on the brink of orchestrated chaos, driven by what he describes as a deliberate, satanic agenda. His decades of experience in understanding the root causes of disease and societal decay have led him to conclude that humanity is facing an existential crisis one that demands urgent action and a radical shift toward decentralization. Coldwell's central thesis is that the collapse of centralized systems governments, supply chains, currencies and even public health is not accidental but intentional. "People need to understand that all of this happens on purpose," said the most blocked healer from social media. From the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to the destabilization of global economies, Coldwell argued that these events are meticulously engineered to weaken humanity and consolidate power in the hands of a shadowy elite. He mentioned that a pandemic doesn't start everywhere in the world at the same time, because it starts in one place and spreads over months or years. He continued that COVID-19 didn't happen by accident or coincidence because it was orchestrated. (Related: Chinese doctor says covid was intentionally released from Wuhan lab.) Coldwell pointed to the role of vaccines in this grand scheme, describing them as tools of population reduction. He cited the prediction of geopolitical forecasting firm Deagle that said over 80 percent of vaccinated individuals will die by the end of 2025. "They're coming up with absurd things like monkeypox, bird flu and maybe the 'dragon flu' next," he said, warning of a relentless push to inject humanity with harmful substances under the guise of public health. But at the heart of this collapse is a satanic, antihuman agenda that infiltrates every aspect of society governments, corporations, media and even science. "The Luciferians are behind all of this," You never hear their names. You don't even know they exist. That's why we don't get them," Coldwell told the duo. Pitner agreed with the program's guest, continuing that the Luciferians "hate God's creation, anything good, beautiful and true." He continued: "They want to invert it, turn it upside down and destroy it." Decentralization: The path to survival Amid the doom and gloom, Coldwell offers a glimmer of hope decentralization. He believes that escaping the clutches of centralized systems is the key to survival. Coldwell himself has taken this philosophy to heart, creating his own country and surrounding himself with like-minded individuals who prioritize self-sufficiency, preparedness and community. "If you're fighting the system, youre still in the system. You need to get out of it," he urged viewers. "We need to regrow. We need to grow our own lives, our own friendships and our own food. Nothing is more important than team play." Coldwell's prediction of a 0.8 percent survival rate is not just a statistic, it's a call to action. The best-selling author believes that those who survive will be the ones who reject the system, embrace decentralization and cultivate resilience. "I collect good people," he said, referring to his "0.8 percent club," an elite group of individuals who share his vision of a decentralized, self-reliant future. Despite the grim outlook, Coldwell's message is ultimately one of empowerment. He encourages individuals to take control of their health, their lives and their communities. Follow Collapse.news for more stories like this. Watch the full interview between Dr. Leonard Coldwell, Todd Pitner and the Health Ranger Mike Adams on "Decentralize TV" below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Economic crisis: Americans are unprepared for the coming collapse. Eleven signs that humanity is DOOMED and won't survive much longer on planet Earth. Dr. Robert Malone calls for 'decentralization' to overcome government, medical tyranny. Sources include: Brighteon.com DrLeonardColdwell.com Former Fake-President Biden PRE-PARDONS WORST CRIMINALS in U.S. history while claiming theyre not guilty of anything Former President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to alleged criminals including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and corrupt lawmakers from the House Jan. 6 Committee. Biden's statement claimed the pardons do not denote guilt, despite being an admission of their alleged crimes. The pardons are seen as a response to potential prosecution by the incoming Trump administration, which Biden's regime had previously targeted with weaponized DOJ tactics. Critics argue that these pardons should be recognized as an admission of guilt for the worst crimes in U.S. history, and that those pardoned should still face consequences despite Biden's actions. Former Fake-President Joe Biden just issued preemptive pardonsv to some of the worst alleged criminals in history, including the insidious Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired treasonous Gen. Mark Milley, and the highly corrupt lawmakers who served on the sham House Jan. 6 Committee that put peaceful protesters of the most corrupt election in U.S. history in jail for walking through the Capital building while escorted by Capital police. The former Fake President Biden said: Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy, in a statement just hours before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office. Yet alarmingly, public servants have been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation for faithfully discharging their duties, Biden added, even though the only people these traitors were faithful to were other traitors of our country who betrayed the U.S. citizens, wrecking peoples lives, health and livelihood. Fauci served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infection Disease for decades, including during the scamdemic release of Covid in Trumps first presidency. He has been subject to intense vitriol from the political right, and righteously so. Milley served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Trumps first term and has falsely warned Trump is a fascist, just like the rest of the fake news industrial complex has perpetuated for years. Biden said the pre-pardons do not denote guilt even though thats exactly what these pre-pardons are all about Biden, in his statement, noted that the pardons did not denote guilt, even though thats obviously exactly what these pre-pardons are all about. The issuance of these pardons should be RECOGNIZED BY ALL AMERICANS as an absolute admission of guilt to the worst crimes this country has ever seen. There will still be many consequences for these criminals to face even though Resident Biden gave them a get-out-of-jail-free pass. Earlier this month, the fake president told reporters one factor weighing in his decision is whether Trump telegraphed any of his intentions for possible prosecution of his political opponents in the days leading up to his inauguration. The Biden Regime targeted Trump using the weaponized DOJ and cherry-picked prosecutors and even judges that would find Trump guilty of Trumped-up charges (pun intended) and fake felonies that were crafted from a handful of misdemeanors. It depends on some of the language and expectations that Trump broadcasts in the last couple of days here as to what hes going to do, the fake president said when asked about what pardons and commutations he just penned. California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff have said he does not want a preemptive pardon, and that should help put him in jail where he belongs, with Nancy Pelosi, Barrack Obama, Bill Gates, Fauci, Walensky, Comey, Pedo-Biden, and Hitlery Clinton herself. Pedo-Biden himself should be tried by a tribunal for his war crimes, propagating the Covid clot shots, putting innocent people in prison, trafficking thousands of children into sex slavery, and embezzling billions of dollars in the military industrial complex. Keep your truth news in check by adding preparedness.news to your favorites list and tuning in daily for updates on real news about the surviving and thriving in the near future, and news that's STILL being censored from MSM and social media as you read this. Sources for this article include: USSAnews.com OffthePress.com Censored.news NaturalNews.com Houthis vow to continue attacks on Israel if Gaza ceasefire fails Yemen's Ansarallah leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi declared on Jan. 16 that his group will maintain military support for Palestine if Israel continues attacks on Gaza civilians before a ceasefire scheduled for Jan. 21. The ceasefire, brokered by the U.S. and Qatar, is seen as a potential turning point in the 15-month conflict but is met with skepticism due to ongoing regional tensions and the Houthis' resilience. Al-Houthi emphasized the group's alignment with the Palestinian resistance and their position within the Iran-aligned "Axis of Resistance," highlighting their continued defiance and support for regional allies. The U.S., U.K. and Israel's coordinated strike on Jan. 10 against Houthi targets in Yemen, coupled with the European Union's Red Sea mission, underscores the international attention and concern over Houthi activities. Al-Houthi's warnings indicate that the ceasefire faces significant challenges and that any further aggression could lead to renewed military operations, reflecting the complex and fragile nature of the agreement. Yemen's Ansarallah leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi declared on Jan. 16 that his group will continue military operations in support of Palestine if Israel persists in attacking Gaza civilians ahead of a ceasefire set to begin on Sunday. The announcement came during a televised address, where al-Houthi emphasized that Yemen's stance aligns with the Palestinian resistance and warned of further action if Israel escalates violence. The statement underscores the Houthis' role as a key player in the Iran-aligned "Axis of Resistance," a network of regional militias opposing Israel and Western influence. The ceasefire agreement, brokered by the U.S. and Qatar, marks a potential turning point in the 15-month conflict. However, al-Houthi's remarks highlight the fragility of the deal and the broader regional tensions that continue to simmer. "If the Israeli forces continue committing massacres in the three days leading up to the agreement's implementation, we will persist with our military operations in support of the Palestinian people," al-Houthi said. On Jan. 10, the U.S., U.K. and Israel launched a coordinated strike on Houthi targets in Yemen, including areas near Sanaa where a large civilian demonstration was underway. The strike was part of a broader multinational effort to safeguard commerce in the Red Sea, which began in December 2023. Despite these efforts, the Houthis have continued their operations, sinking two vessels, seizing another, and killing at least four seafarers. (Related: U.S. THAAD defense system makes first missile interception against Houthi attack in Israel.) Al-Houthi framed the ceasefire agreement as a victory for Palestinian resistance, stating that Israel and the U.S. were "forced" to negotiate after failing to achieve their objectives in Gaza. "The enemy failed in Gaza despite having enormous capabilities and a high level of intelligence activity to end the resistance and eliminate all the mujahideen," he said. Ceasefire faces skepticism The ceasefire, expected to take effect on Sunday, has been met with skepticism by shipping industry experts and regional analysts. Laura-May Scott, a partner at law firm Reed Smith, cautioned that "given the ongoing uncertainty and fragility of the situation, shippers should continue to exercise caution and closely monitor developments in the region." The Houthis' actions have drawn significant international attention, with the European Union launching its own Red Sea mission in February to deter attacks and protect trade routes. However, the group's resilience and continued operations suggest that a lasting resolution remains elusive. Al-Houthi's speech also highlighted the broader geopolitical dynamics at play. The Houthis are part of Iran's "Axis of Resistance," which includes Hamas, Lebanon's Hezbollah, and Shiite militias in Iraq. While Israel has dealt significant blows to Hamas and Hezbollah in recent years, the Houthis have emerged as a persistent challenge, leveraging their strategic position in Yemen to project influence across the region. The ceasefire agreement represents a potential de-escalation in the Gaza conflict, but al-Houthi's warnings underscore the precarious nature of the deal. "At any stage in which the aggression retreats from the agreement, we will be ready to provide military support to our Palestinian brothers," he said. This stance reflects the Houthis' commitment to their allies and their willingness to continue operations if the ceasefire falters. The situation also highlights the complex interplay between regional and global powers. The U.S. and its allies have sought to curb Houthi influence through military strikes and diplomatic efforts, but the group's ability to adapt and persist suggests that a comprehensive solution will require addressing the root causes of the conflict, including the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and the broader Israeli-Palestinian dispute. The Houthis' defiance and their role in the Axis of Resistance underscore the challenges facing international efforts to stabilize the region. Whether through diplomacy or continued conflict, the path forward will require navigating a complex web of alliances, grievances, and geopolitical rivalries. Visit WWIII.news to read more stories on Israel's multifront war against Middle Eastern nations. Watch the video below that talks about Houthis taking the conflict with Israel to a new level. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: U.S. Navy destroyers successfully repel Houthi missile and drone attacks in Gulf of Aden. Yemen's Houthis launch hypersonic ballistic missile targeting Tel Aviv. Red Sea shootdown: Did the Houthis play a role in the U.S. navy's 'friendly fire'? Hypersonic threat: Houthi missile overwhelms Israel's defense, raising alarms across the region. Sources include: TheCradle.co Reuters.com Brighteon.com How PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, increase your cancer risk The United States is facing another crisis, one that involves its public water systems. According to a report released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Nov. 20, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, have been found to pollute 2,394 water sites, exposing millions of Americans to these man-made fluorinated chemicals that have been classified as "possible human carcinogens." Researchers from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) estimate that more than 200 million Americans are currently drinking water contaminated with these cancer-causing chemicals. PFAS earned the moniker "forever chemicals" because of their high resistance to breakdown, which allows them to persist in nature. PFAS also accumulates inside the body and can cause significant damage and toxicity even at low levels. Back in 2012, a panel consisting of three epidemiologists were tasked to evaluate whether there is a probable link between exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a PFAS chemical also known as C8, and any human disease. After monitoring the health of 69,000 residents of West Virginia who were exposed to C8 in their drinking water, the panel concluded that there is a probable link between C8 exposure and high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, testicular cancer and kidney cancer. A recent study published in JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute also linked 2-(N-methylperfluorooctanesulfonamido)acetic acid, a PFAS that has been found in watersheds, to acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer in the world. The study also found an association between exposure to high levels of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), another PFAS chemical used in many consumer and industrial products such as carpets, upholstered furniture, non-stick cookware and leather products, and a increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. According to the study, children "are prenatally exposed through maternal transfer of PFAS to cord blood," suggesting that these widespread, environmentally persistent chemicals endanger nor just individuals directly exposed to them but even babies who are still in their mothers' wombs. (Related: From womb to tomb: Forever chemicals can be passed on to babies during pregnancy.) Now findings from tests conducted under the EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, or UCMR 5, which mandates that water utilities across the U.S. be tested for 30 different PFAS compounds, confirm that one or more of these toxic chemicals are present in drinking water, putting millions of Americans at risk of developing cancer. How PFAS cause cancer in humans The PFAS group of chemicals are synthetic compounds distinguishable by their chemical structure that is, they all possess a chain made up of carbon atoms bonded to fluorine. These forever chemicals are often used in industrial products because of their desirable qualities, which include heat, grease and water resistance. The introduction of PFAS in everyday products began in America in the 1940s, and continuous use throughout the decades has led to the contamination of U.S. soil, water supplies and livestock with these dangerous compounds. High concentrations of PFAS have also been detected in the blood of humans who frequently use these everyday products. Firefighting foams, in particular, which are commonly used at airports and military bases, have been identified as a significant source of PFAS exposure. A study published in 2023 investigating PFAS exposure in the U.S. military found elevated concentrations of PFOS and PFOA, typical ingredients in firefighting foams, and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), a contaminant of drinking water, in the blood of active-duty Air Force servicemen. High blood levels of PFAS, specifically PFOS, were linked to an increased risk of testicular germ cell tumors in Air Force servicemen. Back in 2014, an estimated 664 current or former military fire- or crash-training sites were suspected of contamination with PFAS chemicals. In 2018, the Pentagon admitted to knowing or suspecting over 400 military sites of PFOS and PFOA releases into groundwater, impacting not just the health of military servicemen but also that of the communities living near these bases. (Related: EPA monitoring a new class of toxic PFAS in municipal water supplies GenX chemicals.) According to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, "several PFAS exhibit one or more of the key characteristics of carcinogens." Although current studies are yet to confirm whether any PFAS can cause chronic inflammation, cell immortalization (a step that governs the development of human cancers) and alterations in DNA repair, multiple reports have found evidence of PFAS chemicals inducing oxidative stress and immunosuppression -- two mechanisms that are strongly linked to cancer development. In an article by The Epoch Times, Georgetown University School of Medicine Professor of Oncology Sivanesan Dakshanamurthy noted that PFAS accumulate inside the human body, particularly in blood serum and vital organs such as the liver, kidneys and male testes. What makes them incredibly dangerous is that "they interact with cellular receptors and signaling pathways, potentially initiating tumor growth." Dakshanamurthy added that PFAS can also damage DNA and cell components and interfere with the immune system's ability to kill cancer cells. Cancers linked to PFAS chemicals Here is a list of human cancers that have been linked to specific PFAS chemicals by numerous studies, as summarized by investigators from the National Cancer Institute's Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics: The alarming increase in PFAS contamination especially in water supplies across the U.S. needs to be addressed with more research, increased public awareness, transparency from manufacturers and stricter regulation by the government. Most importantly, sources of contamination must be stopped promptly and contaminated sites cleaned up to reduce the exposure of communities to these cancer-causing chemicals. Learn more about what the government is (or is not) doing about the PFAS crisis at EPA.news. Watch the following video about "PFAS and cancer: Unveiling the risks of forever chemicals." This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Scary new study reveals PFAS "forever chemicals" can seep through human skin. Common bandages contain alarming levels of cancer-causing PFAS, which leach directly into the blood. Study: Toxic FOREVER CHEMICALS are found in many cosmetics. Texas sues 3M and DuPont for deceptive marketing of PFAS-contaminated household products. Study finds so-called "greener" alternatives to plastic straws contain harmful PFAS. Sources include: EWG.org 1 DCEG.Cancer.org EWG.org 2 NRDC.org C8SciencePanel.org CaymanChem.com Academic.OUP.com P65Warnings.ca.gov [PDF] EPA.gov EESI.org USFA.FEMA.gov EHP.NIEHS.NIH.gov EWG.org 3 MDPI.com TAndFOnline.com TheEpochTimes.com ScienceDirect.com 1 Endocrine.org PMC.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov MDPI.com ScienceDirect.com 2 TheLancet.com Brighteon.com Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/ A total of 72 enemy UAVs were shot down, 59 were locally lost during the night on Tuesday, the Air Force reported on Telegram. "On the night of January 21, 2025 (from 20:00 on January 20), the enemy attacked with 131 Shahed-type strike UAVs and drone imitators of various types from the directions: Millerovo, Orel, Primorsko-Akhtarsk - Russia, and also used four Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Voronezh region," the Armed Forces said in a statement. The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and the Defense Forces of Ukraine. "As of 9:00, the downing of 72 Shahed-type attack UAVs and other types of drones has been confirmed in Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytsky, Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Zaporizhia and Rivne regions," the Air Force concludes. Some 59 enemy drone imitators were locally lost (without negative consequences). Institutions, outbuildings and private houses were damaged in Poltava and Cherkasy regions. Special services are eliminating the consequences. Preliminary - no victims or injured. Russia and Iran forge 20-year defense and energy pact, challenging Western influence Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 20-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty on January 17, solidifying military, economic and energy ties to counterbalance Western influence. The pact aims to reduce reliance on Western financial systems by linking national payment systems, with over 95 percent of bilateral trade conducted in Russian rubles and Iranian rials, addressing sanctions imposed on both nations. The treaty emphasizes defense cooperation, including the use of Iranian-made drones in Russia's war in Ukraine and the establishment of a drone production facility in Russia, though it lacks a mutual defense clause. The agreement reflects Russia and Iran's shared goal of challenging Western dominance, with Russia also strengthening ties with other U.S.-adversarial nations like North Korea and Belarus. While the treaty strengthens Iran's position amid economic and regional challenges, Russia must balance its relationships with other Middle Eastern powers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, complicating its role as a regional mediator. In a move that underscores their shared defiance of Western sanctions and geopolitical isolation, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a sweeping 20-year strategic partnership treaty on Friday, January 17, at the Kremlin. The agreement, dubbed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, solidifies military, economic and energy ties between the two nations, marking a significant escalation in their efforts to counterbalance United States and European influence. Signed just three days before the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the pact signals Moscow and Tehran's intent to deepen their alliance amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. The treaty, which covers defense, counterterrorism, energy, finance and cultural cooperation, is being hailed by both leaders as a "real breakthrough" that will foster regional stability and economic growth. However, Western analysts warn that the agreement could further destabilize global security, particularly as Russia and Iran continue to collaborate on military technologies, including drones and ballistic missiles. A strategic alliance against Western sanctions The partnership between Russia and Iran is not new, but the 20-year pact formalizes and expands their cooperation in unprecedented ways. Both nations have faced crippling U.S. and European Union sanctions Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and Iran for its nuclear program and support of militant groups in the Middle East. The treaty aims to reduce their reliance on Western financial systems by linking their national payment systems, with over 95 percent of bilateral trade already conducted in Russian rubles and Iranian rials. "Our countries firmly uphold the principles of the supremacy of international law, the sovereignty of states, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries," Putin declared during a joint press conference with Pezeshkian. The Iranian president echoed this sentiment, calling the treaty a "new chapter of strategic relations" that will enhance trade and security cooperation. The defense component of the agreement is particularly significant. Russia has relied heavily on Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones in its war against Ukraine, and Tehran has reportedly established a major drone production facility on Russian soil. While the treaty does not include a mutual defense clause, it commits both nations to refrain from aiding any aggressor against the other. (Related: Russia sends powerful vaunted missile systems to Iran for Middle East war.) Regional and global implications The timing of the treaty's signing is noteworthy, coming just days before Trump's return to the U.S. political stage. While Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any connection to the inauguration, the agreement underscores Moscow and Tehran's shared goal of challenging what they describe as Western "unipolarity and hegemony." The pact also reflects Russia's broader strategy of forging alliances with nations hostile to the U.S., including North Korea and Belarus. In June 2023, Russia signed a partnership agreement with North Korea, and in December, it formalized a security treaty with Belarus that included the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons. For Iran, the treaty is a lifeline amid mounting domestic and regional challenges. The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a key ally, has weakened Tehran's influence in the Middle East, while U.S. sanctions have crippled its economy. The agreement with Russia offers Iran a pathway to economic recovery through energy cooperation, including the potential construction of a gas pipeline linking the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf. A balancing act in the Middle East Despite their growing alliance, Russia and Iran face complex dynamics in the Middle East. Moscow must navigate its relationships with other regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which are critical to global oil markets. Russia's recent agreements with the UAE, which question Iran's sovereignty over strategic islands in the Strait of Hormuz, highlight the delicate balancing act Moscow must maintain. Iranian leaders, however, view the treaty as a turning point. "This is not just a political agreement; it's the road map to the future," wrote Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Telegram. A new geopolitical reality The 20-year pact between Russia and Iran represents a significant shift in global geopolitics, as two sanctioned nations unite to challenge Western dominance. While the agreement formalizes existing cooperation, its long-term implications are profound, particularly in the realms of defense, energy and regional security. As the war in Ukraine drags on and tensions in the Middle East escalate, the Russia-Iran alliance could further complicate efforts to achieve stability in both regions. For now, the treaty stands as a testament to the growing alignment of nations seeking to reshape the global ordera move that will undoubtedly draw scrutiny and pushback from the West. "The agreements we reached today are another stimulus when it comes to the creation of a multi-polar world," Pezeshkian said, encapsulating the shared vision of Moscow and Tehran. Whether this vision leads to greater stability or further conflict remains to be seen. Follow RussiaReport.news for more news about Russia's foreign relations. Watch the video below about Russia and Iran signing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Russian, North Korean foreign ministers meeting in Moscow sparks concerns over increased military cooperation between the two countries. Russia and China reaffirm their "no limit" partnership amid rising tensions with the West. Putin to showcase Russia's global alliances at BRICS summit. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com NewYorkTimes.com Reuters.com Save the SMELT FISH but let the HUMANS DIE by FIRE Thats the method of operation in Los Angeles for the bureaucrats who embezzle funds and deplete resources Oh, the madness of dealing with Democrat bureaucrats in Los Angeles and Washington DC. Yes, L.A. County has 72 genders but zero operational fire hydrants. Its very hard for these sinister public officials, politicians, and powerful bureaucrats to cover up all their lies when they continue to stack them on top of each other. And yes, the lives of smelt fish are obviously more important than the lives of L.A. residents as the bureaucrats have their priorities ass-backwards. There is so much evidence pointing to foul play, weather weapon technology, a planned smart city for Los Angeles in 2028, the incoming Olympics that same year, lack of water to put out fires, DEI ruling who gets hired by the fire departments, the fake climate change narrative by all the embezzling climate alarmists, and the list just goes on and on. Watch as the Director of Los Angeles County Public Works accidentally admits they started the fires! He says at the press conference during the fire update, My first piece of advice to you is lets take care of our mental and physical health first, before we embark upon whats going to be a journey to rebuild these communities back and rebuild them better than they were when WE STARTED THIS FIRE. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eric Edwards (@eric.edwards4) Real news covers the Los Angeles inferno of the century in preparation for Governor Newscums Smart City and the LGBTQ Rainbow Olympics Now watch top-notch journalist and YouTube influencer Paul Joseph Watson, who has over 2 million subscribers, reveal all the idiotic nonsense and the lies the Democrats in Los Angeles engage in before, during, and after the L.A. inferno thats still burning down the Hollywood city of shame and fallen angels. Governor Newscum is caught dancing like a Muppet during an interview about his planned smart city and how hes already wheelin and dealin with developers to take over everyones property thats charred and destroyed by the L.A. Planferno. Firefighters are using traffic cones dipped in water puddles to try to put out the biggest inferno L.A. has ever seen. Good luck with all that. Mainstream media in L.A. doesnt know how to cover up all the lies and idiocy, so theyve all got their narratives bungled and botched. Some fake news outlets (climate cultists) are saying theres plenty of water, while others reveal all the fire hydrants are empty. Most are blaming the biggest hoax of the century climate change, even though fires broke out separately all across L.A., when smart meters blew up, electric wires burst into flames out of the blue, and electric car batteries exploded like individual IEDs that must have been charged to the hilt from some energy weapons in the sky. Don't forget, the bureaucrats in Los Angeles believe it's more important to save the SMELT FISH than the human beings who inhabit the crowded, Democrat-run city. Let that sink in as L.A. burns to the ground, along with everyone's homes and everything they own. Check out ClimateAlarmism.news for updates on fake news blaming climate change while bureaucrats plan smart cities where weather weapons have destroyed peoples homes, lives, and land in Los Angeles and North Carolina. Whos next? Sources for this article include: NaturalNews.com BezoEarthFund.org Turkish Straits: A vital global maritime corridor for energy and grain trade The Turkish Straits, comprising the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, are a vital global maritime corridor for energy and grain trade, handling four percent of crude oil and significant grain shipments. Turkeys control of the straits has enabled it to broker key agreements, such as the Ukraine-Russia grain deal, highlighting its strategic role in global commerce. The ongoing Ukraine conflict has amplified the straits importance, with resumed grain shipments in 2022 reducing global food prices by 20 percent, while also introducing risks like floating mines and high insurance costs. Calls to revise the 1936 Montreux Convention and Turkeys proposed Istanbul Canal project threaten to disrupt the straits governance and regional power dynamics. The Istanbul Canal, a $25 billion project, could allow Turkey to bypass the Montreux Convention, raising concerns about unilateral regulation and geopolitical tensions in the Black Sea region. The Turkish Straits, a critical maritime corridor linking the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, have emerged as a focal point of global geopolitical tensions and economic stability. Amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the strategic importance of these waterways comprising the Bosphorus and Dardanelles has been thrust into the spotlight. With approximately four percent of the worlds crude oil trade and a significant portion of global grain shipments passing through these straits, their security and efficiency are vital to sustaining international trade and energy flows. Turkey, which controls the straits, has leveraged its position to broker deals like the Ukraine-Russia grain agreement, underscoring its pivotal role in global commerce. However, rising geopolitical risks, calls for revising the 1936 Montreux Convention and ambitious infrastructure projects like the Istanbul Canal threaten to disrupt the delicate balance governing these waters. The Turkish Straits serve as a linchpin for global trade, particularly for energy and agricultural commodities. In 2019, more than 40,000 vessels transported nearly 650 million tons of cargo through these waters, reaffirming their status as one of the worlds busiest maritime trade corridors. The straits are especially critical for energy exports from the Caspian region and the Middle East, as well as for grain shipments from Ukraine and Russia. Prior to the conflict in Ukraine, the region accounted for 28 percent of global nitrogenous fertilizer exports and 50 percent of the worlds sunflower oil production. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has further highlighted the straits importance. When Ukraine was allowed to resume grain shipments via the Black Sea in 2022, global food prices dropped by nearly 20 percent, demonstrating the macroeconomic impact of these waterways. However, the conflict has also introduced significant risks, including floating mines and skyrocketing insurance premiums for Black Sea shipping, which now exceed 10 percent of hull values. Since 1936, the Montreux Convention has governed the passage of military and commercial vessels through the Turkish Straits, ensuring their status as an international waterway. The treaty limits the presence of non-littoral states' naval vessels in the Black Sea and grants Turkey the authority to close the straits during wartime. However, recent calls from Turkish and Russian policymakers to revise the convention have raised concerns about its future. Russia, in particular, has sought to reinterpret the convention since its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Some Russian defense planners have proposed reducing the length of stay for non-littoral states vessels in the Black Sea, while others have argued that restrictions apply only to non-littoral states. Meanwhile, Turkey has floated the idea of a regional ownership model for the straits under the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, which could tighten restrictions on non-littoral states while loosening them for Black Sea neighbors. Turkey proposing new canal that would bypass the straits Turkey's proposed $25 billion Istanbul Canal project adds another layer of complexity to the straits' future. The 45-kilometer (28 miles) waterway, designed to bypass the Bosphorus, has been touted as a solution to congestion and environmental risks. However, critics argue that the canals primary purpose is to circumvent the Montreux Convention, allowing Turkey to unilaterally regulate traffic and potentially alter the balance of power in the Black Sea region. (Related: Geopolitical analyst warns of economic chaos should Iran shut down Strait of Hormuz.) Turkish officials have claimed that the canal, as an artificial waterway, would not be subject to the convention. This interpretation could enable Turkey to restrict or prioritize access to certain vessels. The project has also faced domestic opposition, with over 72 percent of Istanbul residents opposing it, according to a 2019 poll. For the United States, maintaining open diplomatic channels with Turkey and other Black Sea littoral states is crucial. As Yusuf Can, Middle East Program Coordinator for the Wilson Center, noted, "A comprehensive approach that integrates diplomatic efforts, infrastructure investments and strengthened alliances is essential to counterbalance Russia's and China's expanding presence in the region." More related stories can be found at SupplyChainWarning.com. Watch this video warning about how vulnerabilities around chokepoints could trigger a global financial reset. This video is from the ADAPT2030 | Civilization Cycle channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: SABOTAGE? Chinese vessel accused of intentionally severing undersea cables in Europe. Malaysia, which controls 25 percent of the world's sea route trade via the Strait of Malacca, announced it is joining BRICS. China continues to threaten Taiwanese airspace, deploying WARPLANES to cross Taiwan Strait median line. Sources include: WilsonCenter.org GlobalGuardian.com CIMSEC.org Brighteon.com U.S. launches One Health framework amid concerns over global health governance and surveillance The CDC, USDA and DOI introduced a "One Health" framework to address zoonotic diseases and pandemic preparedness. Critics argue the plan could expand government surveillance, centralize health decision-making and undermine democratic governance. The NOHF-Zoonoses outlines goals such as pathogen surveillance, pandemic preparedness and integrating environmental factors into public health strategies. The framework is seen as part of a broader trend toward global health governance, raising concerns about national sovereignty and individual autonomy. The plan prioritizes surveillance and vaccine development, but critics warn it could prioritize biosecurity over holistic health solutions. The U.S. government has unveiled its first-ever national framework for a One Health approach, a collaborative strategy aimed at addressing zoonotic diseases those transmitted between animals and humans and bolstering public health preparedness. The framework, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior (DOI), seeks to tackle emerging health threats like COVID-19, mpox, bird flu and Ebola. The framework, titled the National One Health Framework to Address Zoonotic Diseases and Advance Public Health Preparedness in the United States (NOHF-Zoonoses), outlines seven goals, including pathogen surveillance, pandemic preparedness, vaccine development and biolab safety. It also emphasizes tracking environmental and social determinants of health, such as climate change and land use, and integrating One Health principles into educational curriculums. While proponents argue the plan is a necessary step to address interconnected health threats, critics like Sayer Ji, founder of GreenMedInfo, say it overlooks foundational health strategies. The lack of focus on regenerative agriculture, toxin reduction and lifestyle medicine demonstrates a troubling detachment from what truly promotes health at the individual and societal levels, Ji told The Defender. A globalist agenda or public health necessity? The One Health framework has sparked debate over its implications for national sovereignty and individual autonomy. Critics argue it aligns with globalist efforts, such as the World Health Organizations (WHO) proposed Pandemic Treaty, which seeks to centralize health decision-making under international bodies. Dr. Meryl Nass, founder of Door to Freedom, told The Defender that the framework could bypass traditional public health policymaking processes. The plan is aimed at further embedding the extremely fuzzy concept of One Health into all government agencies, creating new interagency structures and mechanisms for decision-making outside the usual chain of command structures, Nass said. Ji echoed these concerns, warning that the framework risks amplifying crisis-driven governance. By focusing on zoonotic diseases, the framework risks entrenching centralized global systems that bypass democratic oversight, he said. The frameworks origins trace back to the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which mandated federal agencies to address zoonotic diseases and pandemic preparedness. Critics argue this legislative push, combined with global initiatives like the WHOs Pandemic Treaty, could erode national sovereignty. Surveillance and vaccine development take center stage A key component of the One Health framework is its emphasis on surveillance and vaccine development. The plan calls for tracking zoonotic diseases and their environmental drivers, as well as accelerating the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics. However, some experts warn that this crisis-oriented approach could prioritize biosecurity over holistic health solutions. The frameworks focus on pathogen surveillance and vaccine development reflects a reactive, rather than proactive, approach to health, Ji said. The framework also connects One Health to environmental justice and climate change, proposing to integrate these issues into public health strategies. Yet, critics argue this broad scope could expand government oversight into nearly every aspect of life. Fast-tracked drug approvals and global implications The U.S. framework coincides with global efforts to streamline drug approvals and pandemic responses. In the U.K., the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is considering a plan to fast-track drugs approved by trusted regulators in other countries, raising concerns about safety and regulatory oversight. Dr. Nass warned that such initiatives could lead to a race to the bottom in drug safety standards. By saying that any friendly nations drug regulator decision can stand in your country, that obviously will turn into a race to the bottom, she said. Barbara Loe Fisher, co-founder of the National Vaccine Information Center, highlighted the risks of expedited approvals. Over the four decades that I have been an informed consent advocate in the U.S., I have watched Congress systematically lower the bar for vaccine safety and efficacy, she told The Defender. These developments are part of a broader trend toward global health governance. The Biden administrations National Biodefense Strategy, which aims to develop vaccines within 130 days during health emergencies, has also drawn criticism. Brian Hooker, Ph.D., senior director of science and research for Childrens Health Defense, warned that such timelines could compromise safety. The whole prospect of rolling out a vaccine in 130 days is completely unrealistic and too many corners will be cut, he said. A crossroads for public health The One Health framework represents a significant shift in how the U.S. approaches public health, emphasizing collaboration across sectors and disciplines. However, its success will depend on balancing crisis preparedness with democratic oversight and individual autonomy. As Ji noted, the One Health concept could benefit humanity if it recognizes health as an emergent property of balanced ecosystems. But it must overcome the globalist push to centralize health decision-making under unelected bodies, he said. With global health governance initiatives gaining momentum, the debate over the One Health framework underscores the tension between preparedness and freedom a tension that will shape the future of public health in the U.S. and beyond. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org CDC.gov DoorToFreedom.org Bidens preemptive pardon of Fauci sparks outrage, sets dangerous precedent President Biden issued a controversial preemptive pardon for Dr. Anthony Fauci, shielding him from potential criminal investigations. The pardon has drawn bipartisan criticism, with many viewing it as an admission of guilt and a dangerous precedent. Fauci faced accusations of misleading Congress about COVID-19 origins and pandemic decisions, sparking public outrage. Senator Rand Paul vows to continue investigating Fauci, despite the pardon, to uncover the truth about pandemic actions. In a controversial move that has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the political aisle, outgoing President Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former chief medical advisor, just hours before Donald Trumps inauguration on January 20. The pardon, which shields Fauci from potential criminal investigations, has been widely condemned as an admission of guilt and a dangerous precedent that allows those in power to evade accountability. The decision to pardon Fauci, who has been a lightning rod for criticism over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, has reignited debates about justice, transparency, and the rule of law. Critics argue that the move undermines public trust in government institutions and sends a chilling message: those in positions of authority can endanger lives and walk away unscathed if the president shields them. A pardon that speaks volumes Bidens pardon of Fauci, along with other high-profile figures such as retired General Mark Milley and members of the House Jan. 6 committee, has been met with widespread condemnation. Many view the preemptive nature of the pardon as an implicit acknowledgment of wrongdoing. If there was ever any doubt as to who bears responsibility for the COVID pandemic, Bidens pardon of Fauci forever seals the deal, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) wrote on X. Fauci, who served as the face of the federal governments pandemic response, has been accused of misleading Congress about the origins of COVID-19 and the funding of gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Many people feel that his decisions during the pandemic led to unnecessary deaths, economic devastation, and the erosion of civil liberties. By pardoning Fauci, Biden has effectively shielded him from potential legal consequences, leaving many Americans feeling betrayed. The pardon sets a troubling precedent by allowing individuals in power to act with impunity. This act suggests that those in power can evade scrutiny, leaving the public without answers and without justice, wrote Sayer Ji on X. Such a precedent cannot stand unchallenged. Senator Paul, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has vowed to continue investigating Fauci despite the pardon. As Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I will not rest until the entire truth of the coverup is exposed, Paul said. His commitment to uncovering the truth has resonated with many who feel that Faucis actions during the pandemic warrant a full and transparent investigation. The backlash against Bidens pardon has been swift and bipartisan. Activist Riley Gaines called the move a new low, while Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, urged President Trump to ignore the pardons and proceed with investigations. The blanket pardons issued by Biden are invalid and constitutional nullities and should be considered to have no legal force or effect, Fitton said. Even some Democrats have expressed discomfort with the concept of preemptive pardons. I think preemptive pardons seem to imply guilt, Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) previously told NewsNation. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) echoed these concerns, stating, I didnt like the pardon of the presidents son. I didnt think that was prudent. A legacy of controversy Bidens last-minute pardons, particularly that of Fauci, have cast a shadow over his presidency. By shielding individuals from potential legal consequences, Biden has raised serious questions about accountability and the rule of law. As Senator Paul and others continue their investigations, the American public will be watching closely to see if justice can still be served. In the end, Bidens decision to pardon Fauci may be remembered not as an act of mercy but as a glaring example of how power can be used to protect the powerful at the expense of the people. Sources for this article include: X.com NYPost.com YourNews.com ZeroHedge.com Crypto industry questioning whether TRUMP memecoin promoted on the presidents social media accounts is a SCAM President Donald Trump announced a new memecoin called TRUMP on his social media accounts, sparking confusion in the cryptocurrency world. The TRUMP memecoin launched with an $8.3 billion market cap, becoming the talk of the crypto community. The memecoin's legitimacy is in question, with some crypto community members skeptical of its authenticity and potential for market manipulation. The coin's funding origins have raised concerns, as it was seeded with millions of dollars from wallets linked to exchanges that do not cater to U.S. customers. The TRUMP memecoin's potential success could legitimize crypto in the eyes of skeptics but also raises ethical concerns about a sitting president promoting a speculative asset. President Donald Trump is promoting a new "memecoin" that has traders in the cryptocurrency world scratching their heads in confusion. Just days before he was inaugurated, Trump's social media accounts on Truth Social and X posted an announcement regarding the release of a memecoin called TRUMP that will be based on the blockchain platform Solana. The posts, which urged followers to "GET YOUR TRUMP NOW," sent shockwaves through the crypto market, but questions about their authenticity have cast a shadow over the project. The TRUMP memecoin, which launched with a staggering $8.3 billion market cap within hours, has become the talk of the crypto community. (Related: Trump administration poised to overhaul crypto regulations with new SEC leadership.) Memecoins are cryptocurrencies often created as jokes or internet memes, with little intrinsic value beyond their cultural appeal. However, some memecoins have stuck around, most notably dogecoin, which initially thrived on hype and community engagement. The TRUMP memecoin, however, is not being regarded as a joke or temporary meme crypto asset. Its launch was accompanied by posts on Trumps official social media accounts, lending it an air of credibility that most memecoins lack. A website established to help promote the memecoin claims that it is not political and has no connection to any political campaign, but its branding and messaging are undeniably tied to Trumps persona. The tokens rallying cry, Fight, Fight, Fight, references immediate response following being shot during an assassination attempt in a 2024 campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania. Crypto community concerned about TRUMP memecoin's legitimacy Yet, the crypto community remains divided. Some point to the coin's infrastructure, which mirrors Trumps previous NFT projects, as evidence of its legitimacy. Others, however, are skeptical, noting that Trump's accounts could have been hacked a scenario that would make this one of the most audacious crypto scams in history. The TRUMP memecoin's rapid rise has raised several red flags. For starters, 80 percent of the tokens are controlled by two entities: CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of The Trump Organization, and Fight Fight Fight LLC, a Delaware-registered company formed just days ago. This concentration of ownership raises concerns about market manipulation, as a small group of holders could potentially dump their tokens as soon as the memecoin generates enough for them that immediately selling could make them a hefty profit. This would immediately cause the price of the coin to crash, leaving many initial investors out of luck. Additionally, the coin's funding origins have come under scrutiny. On-chain investigators discovered that the project was seeded with millions of dollars from wallets linked to Binance and Gate.io, two exchanges that do not cater to customers in the United States. For a project tied to an American president, this is an unusual and potentially problematic choice. If the posts are genuine, they could signal a seismic shift in Trumps approach to cryptocurrency. The president has previously dabbled in Web3 projects, including NFT collections, and has expressed support for decentralized finance. A Trump-backed memecoin could rally his supporters around blockchain technology, boosting adoption and legitimizing crypto in the eyes of skeptics. However, it also raises serious questions about the ethics of a sitting president promoting a speculative asset. Cryptocurrencies are notoriously volatile, and memecoins are among the riskiest investments in the space. If TRUMP turns out to be a "pump-and-dump" scheme, it could tarnish Trumps reputation and undermine public trust in crypto. Watch this video predicting how the value of Bitcoin will continue to increase during Trump's administration and as more nations commit to cryptocurrency use. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: El Salvador to continue purchasing Bitcoin despite agreement with IMF to scale back crypto policy. Bitcoin surges to just under $90,000 in value as second Trump term excites crypto markets. Trump says no CBDCs for America, but YES to turning USA into "Bitcoin superpower of the world." Gold research firm explains Bitcoin's intrinsic value: It cannot be easily confiscated by government. Sources include: CoinTelegraph.com EconomicTimes.IndiaTimes.com Coincentral.com Brighteon.com Europes war on FREE SPEECH is igniting a revolution, as populist movements demand truth, freedom, and accountability As corrupt, authoritarian European leaders grapple with the rise of far-right populism that demands truth, freedom and government accountability, the establishment is doubling down on censorship , raising questions about the future of democracy and free speech on the continent. Why is going on?: Europes political elite is increasingly resorting to censorship and legal maneuvers to suppress far-right political parties and alliances, undermining democratic principles in the process. Whats at stake: The erosion of free speech and the rise of authoritarian tactics to maintain political control. Whos involved: Key players include EU officials like Thierry Breton, far-right leaders such as Marine Le Pen and Alice Weidel, and tech giants like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. Historical context: This struggle echoes past efforts to suppress dissent, raising concerns about the future of democracy and republican principles in Europe. Why it matters: The censorship of free speech is leading some European leaders to cancel elections and threatening the existence of social media platforms. The EU fears rising populism and accountability In the aftermath of Brexit, Europes political establishment has been gripped by a palpable fear: the rise of populist movements that challenge that left wing narratives and power structures that suppress individuals. This fear has manifested in a series of increasingly authoritarian measures designed to suppress dissent and control the narrative. The cancellation of Romanias presidential election after nationalist leader C?lin Georgescu won the first round is a stark example. Thierry Breton, a former French European Commissioner, openly admitted the EUs strategy: We did it in Romania and we will obviously do it in Germany if necessary. Bretons cavalier authoritarianism reveals a troubling truth: Europes political elite is willing to sacrifice democratic principles to maintain power. The Digital Services Act (DSA), spearheaded by Breton, is emblematic of this approach. By compelling platforms like X and Meta to filter out fake news, the EU is effectively stifling free speech under the guise of protecting public discourse. But the DSA is just the beginning. Ursula von der Leyens proposed democracy shield aims to further insulate the EU from outside influence, conjuring images of a fortress under siege. This defensive posture underscores the blocs vulnerability and its growing reliance on censorship to maintain control. The role of social media and the epic clash with America Social media has become a battleground in this war over free speech. Mark Zuckerbergs recent decision to abandon fact-checking on his platforms is a direct challenge to the DSA. By aligning himself with Donald Trump, Zuckerberg is betting on American political power to shield him from European regulations. The EUs dependence on the U.S. complicates its ability to enforce these regulations. J.D. Vance, the Vice President-elect, has already threatened to withdraw U.S. support for NATO if Europe attempts to censor Elon Musks X. This transatlantic tension highlights the EUs precarious position: it lacks the political clout to take on American tech giants, yet it continues to push forward with legislation that risks alienating its most powerful ally. Meanwhile, Elon Musks endorsement of far-right parties like Germanys AfD has sent shockwaves through Europes political establishment. His interview with AfD co-leader Alice Weidel and subsequent endorsement in Die Welt prompted the resignation of the newspapers op-ed editor and sparked outrage in the German media. This backlash reveals a deeper truth: Europes traditional media operates within a narrow centrist consensus, leaving little room for dissenting voices. In Germany, a group of 113 MPs has proposed banning the AfD, claiming the party poses a threat to democracy. Similarly, Marine Le Pen faces potential disqualification from the 2027 French presidential election over allegations of irregularities. These efforts to suppress political parties that threaten the left-wing narratives and power structures are not only undemocratic but also destructive to republican principles. As history has shown, banning political movements only leads to revolution. Sources include: Unherd.com Politico.eu NaturalNews.com FDAs ban on Red Dye No. 3 is a win but the fight against synthetic dyes continues The Food and Drug Administration has banned Red Dye No. 3, a synthetic dye linked to cancer in animal studies, from food and ingestible pharmaceuticals. Red Dye No. 3 was first banned from certain commercial products due to its cancer-causing properties. The ban also follows decades of inaction from the FDA and advocacy from organizations who have called for the banning of all additives that cause cancer in animals or humans. Activist groups are now turning their attention to other harmful synthetic dyes that are still widely consumed despite their links to a variety of health risks including allergies, organ damage and cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a ban on Red Dye No. 3, a petroleum-derived synthetic coloring agent that has been linked to cancer in animal studies. While this decision is a step in the right direction, it raises serious questions about why it took the agency over three decades to act and why six other harmful synthetic dyes remain in thousands of American food and drink products. Red Dye No. 3, also known as erythrosine, has been banned in cosmetics since 1990 due to its cancer-causing properties. Yet, astonishingly, it has remained a staple in the American food supply. The FDAs decision to finally ban it from food and pharmaceuticals is being hailed as a victory for consumer advocacy groups, but it barely scratches the surface of a much larger problem surrounding the pervasive use of potentially dangerous synthetic dyes. (Related: The battle for a safer food supply: Consumers demand FDA ban cancer-causing Red Dye No. 3.) The FDAs ban comes after mounting pressure from organizations like the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which petitioned the agency in 2022 to revoke the dyes approval. The CSPI cited studies showing that Red Dye No. 3 caused tumors in male rats, triggering the Delaney Clause a federal law requiring the FDA to ban food additives that cause cancer in humans or animals. Advocacy groups turning their attention to other dangerous synthetic dyes inundating food products Red Dye No. 3 is just the tip of the iceberg. According to the Department of Agriculture, Red Dye No. 40 is the most widely consumed synthetic dye in the U.S., found in over 36,000 food products. Like Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40 has been linked to hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions and potential carcinogenic effects. Yellow Dyes Nos. 5 and 6, Blue Dyes Nos. 1 and 2 and Green Dye No. 3 are also under scrutiny for their potential health risks, including organ damage, hormonal disruption and behavioral issues. The FDAs reluctance to address these other dyes is baffling, especially given the growing body of evidence linking them to serious health concerns. For example, Blue Dye No. 2 has been associated with tumors in animal testing, while Yellow Dye No. 5 has been linked to cell damage. Yet, these dyes remain in countless products consumed by millions of Americans every day. Recent legislation passed in California could serve as a template for incoming Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for how to take bold action against synthetic dyes. Californias School Food Safety Act, set to take effect in 2027, bans Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dyes Nos. 5 and 6, Blue Dyes Nos. 1 and 2 and Green Dye No. 3 from foods served in public schools. This bipartisan effort reflects a growing awareness of the dangers posed by synthetic dyes and a demand for safer, more natural alternatives. If the federal government follows Californias lead, it could mark a turning point in the fight to rid the food supply of harmful additives. Visit CleanFoodWatch.com for more stories like this. Watch this video reporting on the FDA's decision to ban Red Dye No. 3. The video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: FDA announces BAN on use of carcinogenic Red No. 3 on all food products and ingestible drugs. Newsom issues executive order addressing health risks associated with ultra-processed foods and synthetic food dyes. FDA finally takes action on toxic Red Dye No. 3. Sources include: InfoWars.com NBCNews.com CBSNews.com Brighteon.com Israels ceasefire deal under threat as deadly strikes continue in Gaza A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the U.S., is already jeopardized as Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza, killing 77 Palestinians, including 21 children and 25 women, in the deadliest 24-hour period in over a week. The agreement includes a six-week pause in fighting, gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Former President Joe Biden called it a critical first step toward ending the conflict, which has caused over 46,000 Palestinian deaths and displaced nearly 2 million since October 2023. While the ceasefire announcement brought temporary jubilation in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes resumed hours later, killing civilians and destroying homes, raising doubts about Israels commitment to peace. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces internal opposition, with far-right coalition members threatening to withdraw support if fighting does not resume after the six-week pause, highlighting the deals fragility. The ceasefire does not address long-term issues like Gazas governance or the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, it offers hope for increased humanitarian aid, though Gazas recovery will require years of reconstruction. A fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, is already under strain as Israeli airstrikes continue to devastate Gaza, killing at least 77 Palestiniansincluding 21 children and 25 womenin the deadliest 24-hour period in over a week. The violence, which erupted just hours after the ceasefire was announced, has cast doubt on the durability of the deal and raised questions about whether it will lead to lasting peace or merely a temporary pause in the bloodshed. The ceasefire, set to begin Sunday, outlines a phased approach: an initial six-week pause in fighting, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Former President Joe Biden hailed the deal as a critical first step toward ending the conflict, which has claimed over 46,000 Palestinian lives and displaced nearly 2 million people since October 2023. Yet, as Israeli airstrikes continued to devastate Gaza, many are left wondering if the agreement is more about optics than genuine reconciliation. Ceasefire celebrations overshadowed by violence The announcement of the ceasefire sparked jubilation in Gaza, where residents have endured 15 months of relentless bombardment, severe shortages of food and water, and the destruction of homes and infrastructure. In Khan Younis, crowds took to the streets, waving Palestinian flags and chanting in celebration. I am happy. Yes, I am crying, but those are tears of joy, said Ghada, a displaced mother of five. But the celebrations were short-lived. Hours after the deal was announced, Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza City, Rafah and Nuseirat, killing dozens and destroying homes. Among the victims was Ihab Marwan Kamal Faisal, a 33-year-old human rights worker, along with his wife and two young daughters. The timing of the strikes has drawn sharp criticism. Every time there is talk about a truce or ceasefire, we witness an escalation in the intensity of the bombardment, said Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for Gazas Civil Defense. The attacks have left many questioning Israels commitment to peace. Political infighting threatens fragile agreement The ceasefire deal, while a significant diplomatic achievement, faces numerous hurdles. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed a cabinet vote on the agreement, citing last-minute demands from Hamas. Meanwhile, far-right members of his coalition, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have threatened to withdraw their support if Israel does not resume fighting after the initial six-week pause. This political infighting underscores the fragility of the deal. Its stunning to me that the prime ministerthe magician, the master politicianseems to have miscalculated, said Aaron David Miller, a veteran American negotiator. Even if the ceasefire holds, the broader conflict remains unresolved. The agreement does not address the future governance of Gaza or the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Cautious hope Despite the violence, the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope for Gazas beleaguered population. The deal includes provisions for increased humanitarian aid, which is desperately needed to address the enclaves dire conditions. The United Nations and other aid agencies are preparing to ramp up their operations, but the scale of the devastation will require years of reconstruction. For now, the people of Gaza remain caught between hope and despair. Although theyve been waiting for a breakthrough in ceasefire negotiations, theyve suffered monumental losses. As the world watches, the question remains: Will this ceasefire mark the beginning of a lasting peace, or will it be another fleeting pause in a cycle of violence that has claimed too many lives? Sources include: SHTF.com Reuters.com NBCNews.com The price of loyalty: Jill Bidens refusal to confront Joes COGNITIVE DECLINE First Lady Jill Biden's steadfast defense of her husband, outgoing President Joe Biden, has come under intense criticism, particularly after her disappointment over former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's call for Joe to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Joe's cognitive decline became evident during his poor performance in the June 2024 debate against Donald Trump, prompting Democratic leaders to urge him to step down. His public appearances have been marked by memory lapses and confusion. Jill has actively protected her husband's image by accompanying him at events, guiding him and limiting his interactions with the press. She has also criticized staff for not preventing embarrassing moments. Despite the increasing concerns and Joe's own uncertainty about serving another term, Jill remains optimistic and continues to defend her husband's fitness for office and his decisions, including the controversial pardon of their son Hunter. As her husband's presidency ends, Jill's legacy as first lady is characterized by unwavering loyalty but also by denial, raising questions about the motivations behind her actions. As the outgoing administration winds down, First Lady Jill Biden's steadfast defense of her husband, outgoing President Joe Biden, has come under intense scrutiny. Her recent comments to the Washington Post (WaPo) expressing disappointment over former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) call for Joe to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, highlight a troubling disconnect between the Bidens' perception of reality and the stark truths that have emerged about the president's cognitive decline. Jill's disappointment with Pelosi, a 50-year friend, underscores her refusal to acknowledge the growing concerns about her husband's fitness for office. "Let's just say I was disappointed with how it unfolded," Jill told WaPo. "I learned a lot about human nature." Pelosi, along with other Democratic leaders, urged Joe to step aside after his disastrous June 2024 debate performance against President-elect Donald Trump, which laid bare the 82-year-old Joe's struggles with coherence and stamina. The debate marked a turning point in public perception. Until then, Jill had been a relentless shield for her husband, deflecting criticism and downplaying his cognitive lapses. Her role as a protector became increasingly evident as she accompanied him to public events, often holding his hand to guide him offstage or prevent him from wandering in the wrong direction. This behavior, while perhaps born of love and loyalty, has been criticized as a deliberate effort to deceive the public about the president's true condition. Jill's shielding of Joe extended to his interactions with the press. Reporters covering the administration noted that her presence at events signaled a strict no-questions policy. During Joe's rare press conferences, Jill was often positioned to intervene if her husband faltered. (Related: Operation Bubble Wrap: Jill Biden and several White House staffers SHIELDING Joe Biden from unscripted media interactions.) At one particularly grueling presser in January 2022, Biden rambled for nearly two hours, making several factual errors. According to excerpts from a forthcoming book by New York Times correspondent Katie Rogers, Jill fumed at aides afterward, demanding to know why no one stopped the president from embarrassing himself. Jill's unwavering loyalty matched by White staff The first lady's efforts to manage her husband's public image were matched by the White House staff's elaborate precautions. From pre-screening reporters to deploying aides in Easter bunny costumes to block unwanted questions, the administration went to great lengths to protect Biden from unscripted moments. Yet, despite these measures, the outgoing president's gaffes and memory lapses became impossible to ignore. Joe has repeatedly confused the names of world leaders, both living and dead, in September last year. He mistakenly referred to the late French President Francois Mitterrand as a recent conversation partner and mixed up German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who died in 2017, with current leaders. These slips, coupled with his misidentification of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as the "president of Mexico," have fueled concerns about his mental acuity. However, Jill remains steadfast in her belief that her husband could have served another term. She replied in the affirmative when asked if Joe had the fortitude to lead for four more years. "I mean, today, I think he has a full schedule," Jill told WaPo. "He started early with interviews and briefings, and it just keeps going. Her optimism contrasts sharply with Joe's own uncertainty. When asked by USA Today on Jan. 5 if he had the physical and mental strength to serve another term, the president replied: "I don't know." The first lady's delusion extends beyond her husbands capabilities. She has also defended his controversial pardon of their son Hunter, despite the presidents earlier pledge not to intervene in his sons legal troubles. "Joe really wrestled with that decision," Jill said, adding that the pardon was a response to relentless Republican attacks. As the Biden presidency draws to a close, Jill Biden's legacy as first lady is one of unwavering loyaltybut also of denial. Her refusal to confront the reality of her husband's decline has left many questioning whether her actions were motivated by love or a desire to preserve a carefully constructed image. Watch this Fox News report about First Lady Jill Biden's vendetta against the Democrats who pushed her husband to drop out from the 2024 presidential race. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: DEMOCRAT COUP: Pelosi played major role in pressuring Biden to DROP OUT of presidential race. Pelosi now claims it's LEGITIMATE to question Bidens mental state after initially backing him. Insiders: First Lady Jill Biden LIVID at the idea of VP Harris replacing her husband. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com NYPost.com Brighteon.com Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Davos (Switzerland), where he will take part in the World Economic Forum, the press secretary of the Ukrainian president, Serhiy Nykyforov, reported. According to him, the president will speak at the WEF, bilateral talks with leaders from different parts of the world, meetings with big business and other events are also expected. Report: RFK pressures Trump to ban direct-to-consumer pharma advertising File what follows under: believe it when I see it. (Article by Ben Bartee republished from ArmageddonProse.Substack.com) A lot of people are black-pilled about Trump and whether hell deliver the goods on the Big Pharma front, and with good reason. I dont blame anyone for their skepticism after relentless, brutal lies over the past five years (much longer, actually, but five years in the COVID context). But well know for sure here in about a month once the rubber hits the road; allowing a little bit of grace period is in order once he takes the reins, no? Talk is cheap (and even the transition team rhetoric of late has been weaksauce anyway). So Ill believe the MAHA agenda is real when I see it bear fruit not in word, but in deed with eyes wide open. Related: Pfizers Moral Rot on Display in Cringe Super Bowl Ad With all that caveat established, Big Pharma is worried their TV marketing racket might soon be abolished with the stroke of the executive pen, which it absolutely could be. Via Fierce Pharma (emphasis added): With Robert F. Kennedy Jr. slated to take the top spot at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under President-elect Donald Trump, some in the biopharma industry are concerned about his tenures possible impacts on companies direct-to-consumer outreach. RFK Jr. has previously expressed a desire to put a stop to DTC pharma ads in the U.S.which is one of only two countries in the world, along with New Zealand, where prescription drugs can be directly advertised to consumers In a report Sunday, research firm Intron Health suggested that such a ban represents a major risk of RFK Jr.s (still to-be-confirmed) HHS leadership for the biopharma industry. Whilst we have a relatively benign view of RFKs impact on the Pharma industry, one thing that does worry us is the potential for the US government to ban DTC advertising of drugs, Intron wrote, adding, We see this as the biggest imminent threat from RFK and the new Trump administration.* The analysts noted that because the return on investment for DTC drug ads is quite highwith estimates ranging as high as 100%-500%, depending on the drugpharmas will almost certainly see their drug sales take a hit from a DTC ban, even as they save money on marketing spending. *The fact that industry lobbying groups, which are presumably in a position to know, view a simple, anodyne reversal on DTC advertising, which would bring the United States in line with literally the rest of the planet policy-wise, as the biggest imminent threat just shows how neutered RFK Jr. and Trump might turn out to be. Well know for sure if that prediction bears out in short order. Read more at: ArmageddonProse.Substack.com Self-deport or face 20-year exile: Trumps border czars tough new immigration strategy President Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, proposes a policy offering illegal immigrants the choice to self-deport or face a 20-year ban on U.S. reentry. The policy targets the estimated 10 million illegal immigrants who entered under Bidens open-border policies, aiming to reduce strain on cities and resources. The Trump administration plans additional immigration measures, including ending birthright citizenship, halting refugee resettlement, and resuming border wall construction. The 20-year visa ban would be part of a broader strategy to enforce stricter immigration policies and restore border integrity. President Trumps incoming border czar, Tom Homan, has announced a groundbreaking policy proposal aimed at encouraging illegal immigrants to self-deport or face a 20-year ban on reentering the United States. The plan gives illegal immigrants the option to either leave voluntarily now or risk being barred from the U.S. for two decades, with no chance of obtaining work, tourist, or any other visas. This aggressive strategy is part of a broader effort to restore order to the southern border and prioritize American citizens over illegal immigration. The policy comes as a direct response to the estimated 10 million illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. under the Biden administrations open-border policies. These policies have overwhelmed American cities, drained taxpayer resources, and created a public safety crisis. Homans plan seeks to reverse this trend by incentivizing illegal immigrants to leave on their own terms, avoiding the harsher consequences of forced deportation. The 20-year visa ban is designed to be a powerful motivator for illegal immigrants to self-deport. Under the new rule, those who voluntarily leave the U.S. may retain the possibility of returning legally in the future if they meet the requirements. However, those who refuse to comply and are subsequently deported will face a two-decade ban, effectively cutting off all avenues for reentry. If you dont leave on your own You got a 20-year mark, Homan said in a recent interview. This approach has been praised by immigration hardliners as a necessary step to restore integrity to the U.S. immigration system. Some advocates have even suggested that the ban should be extended to a lifetime for those who refuse to self-deport, arguing that illegal immigrants who flout U.S. laws should not be given a second chance. Florida leads the charge on self-deportation The push for self-deportation is not limited to federal action. In Florida, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has taken a proactive stance, urging illegal immigrants to leave the state voluntarily. Southbound and down, Judd said during a recent press conference. Do it yourself. You can self-deport and avoid a lot of prison sentences, but its time. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has also thrown his support behind the initiative, vowing to work closely with the Trump administration to crack down on illegal immigration. DeSantis has called a special legislative session to address the issue, including funding for detention and relocation efforts. We need to end the illegal immigration crisis once and for all in these United States of America, DeSantis said. A flurry of immigration-related executive orders The 20-year visa ban is just one of several immigration-related measures expected to be implemented by the Trump administration in its first days. Among the most controversial is an executive order ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants, a move that challenges the traditional interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Additionally, Trump plans to halt refugee resettlement for at least four months, resume border wall construction, and designate international cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. These actions reflect the administrations commitment to overhauling U.S. immigration policy and securing the nations borders. By taking a hardline stance, Trump and his team aim to send a clear message: the era of lax enforcement and open borders is over. The Trump administrations 20-year visa ban represents a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, one that prioritizes enforcement and accountability. By offering illegal immigrants a choiceself-deport now or face a lengthy exilethe plan seeks to restore order and protect American taxpayers. While critics may argue that the policy is overly harsh, supporters see it as a necessary step to address the chaos created by years of weak border enforcement. As the administration prepares to implement new measures, the message to illegal immigrants is clear: the time to act is now. For those who choose to do the right thing and leave voluntarily, there may still be a path to return legally in the future. But for those who refuse, the consequences will be severeand long-lasting. Sources for this article include: Revolver.news FoxNews.com FoxNews.com Southern California faces renewed fire threat as 100 mph winds loom Southern California faces renewed fire threats as Santa Ana winds, with gusts up to 100 mph, are forecasted to return, heightening fire danger. Over 27 lives lost, 22,000 structures destroyed, and 82,000 people remain under evacuation orders due to ongoing wildfires. The Palisades Fire is 56% contained, while the Eaton Fire is 81% contained, but progress is threatened by incoming winds. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has mobilized additional firefighting resources, including 170+ fire engines and aircraft, to combat the crisis. Rebuilding costs could exceed $150 billion, with recovery potentially taking a decade, as residents face emotional and financial devastation. As Southern California struggles to recover from the devastating wildfires that have claimed 27 lives, destroyed over 22,000 structures, and forced tens of thousands to evacuate, forecasters are warning of another critical threat: the return of powerful Santa Ana winds. Gusts of up to 100 mph are expected to sweep through the region starting Monday, raising fears of renewed fire activity and further destruction. The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for much of Los Angeles and surrounding counties, effective Monday through Wednesday. We anticipate another major event as the Santa Ana winds pick up this weekend, bringing with them critical fire hazard danger, a California Met Office spokesman said. Some areas could see wind gusts of 80 mph and higher, possibly up to 100 mph. We are in extreme fire danger. Damage and containment efforts so far Since the first fires erupted on January 7, firefighters have battled multiple blazes across the region, including the destructive Palisades and Eaton fires. The Palisades Fire, which began in the Pacific Palisades, has burned over 23,700 acres and is 56% contained, while the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena has scorched 14,000 acres and is 81% contained. Despite progress in containment efforts, the toll has been staggering. Over 82,000 people remain under mandatory evacuation orders, with another 90,000 under evacuation warnings. Celebrities like LeBron James, Paris Hilton, and Mel Gibson have joined countless others in fleeing their homes, with James tweeting, I pray this nightmare ends soon! So many prayers. California prepares for the next threat In anticipation of the returning winds, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has mobilized additional firefighting resources, including more than 170 fire engines, water tenders, and aircraft. By strategically placing specialized personnel and equipment in areas prone to wildfires, crews are able to respond faster and more aggressively, Newsom said in a statement. The state is also grappling with the potential role of electrical grid faults in sparking the fires. Bob Marshall, CEO of Whisker Labs, a company that monitors electrical activity, told Fox News that spikes in grid faults were detected in the hours before the Eaton, Palisades, and Hurst fires ignited. That creates a spark in a fault, and we detect all of those things, Marshall said, noting that tree limbs touching wires or wires blowing in the wind could have caused the surges. As residents return to their neighborhoods to assess the damage, the emotional and financial toll is becoming clearer. Early estimates suggest rebuilding costs could exceed $150 billion, with recovery potentially taking up to a decade. Meanwhile, the psychological scars are deepening. This has been really devastating, said one resident sifting through the rubble of their home. The upcoming winds threaten to undo recent progress and reignite the crisis. The bottom line is: were in uncharted territories this deep into the winter, or rainy season, said Alex Tardy, a National Weather Service meteorologist in San Diego. With no rain in the forecast and vegetation dried to tinder, the region remains on high alert. As Southern California braces for another round of extreme fire weather, the resilience of its communities is being tested like never before. While firefighters and emergency responders prepare for the worst, residents are left to hope that the winds will spare what little remains. For now, the message is clear: stay vigilant, stay prepared, and brace for the possibility of more devastation. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk ABCNews.go.com LATimes.com Tanzania denies experiencing Marburg virus outbreak despite WHO concerns Tanzania is denying that it is currently dealing with a Marburg virus outbreak despite claims to the contrary from the World Health Organization. Despite WHO concerns, Tanzania's Health Ministry claims it has tested suspected cases and all were negative. Tanzania has also rejected calls from the WHO to share test samples with international labs for further analysis. Tanzania's government has defended its decision, citing its sovereignty and strengthened disease surveillance systems. The government has also deployed rapid health response teams to Kagera and continues to conduct tests on suspected Marburg cases. In a brewing diplomatic spat with the World Health Organization, the government of Tanzania has firmly denied that it is experiencing an outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus within its borders. The East African nation's Ministry of Health has declared that laboratory tests on suspected cases in the northern Kagera Region have all returned negative for the virus. This announcement comes after the WHO raised alarms about potential new infections, urging Tanzania to share samples with international laboratories for further analysis. (Related: CDC issues warning about traveling to Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea due to outbreaks of Marburg virus.) The Marburg virus, a close relative of Ebola, is a highly infectious and often fatal disease. It spreads through contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces, causing symptoms such as high fever, vomiting blood and severe bleeding. With a fatality rate as high as 88 percent, the virus is a serious public health threat, particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. Tanzania's Kagera Region, which borders Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is especially vulnerable due to its role as a transit hub for trade and travel within East Africa. Tanzania claims it can independently handle any Marburg cases without WHO intervention The WHOs concerns stem from reports of nine suspected cases in Kagera, including eight deaths, over a five-day period. Patients exhibited symptoms consistent with Marburg, prompting the global health body to call for immediate action. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for Tanzania to follow standard procedures, including submitting samples to international reference labs and conducting further testing. However, Tanzania has pushed back against these demands, asserting its capability to handle the situation independently. Health Minister Jenista Mhagama stated that the country has strengthened its disease surveillance systems and is fully equipped to detect and respond to health threats. She assured the international community that Tanzania would keep organizations like the WHO informed of any developments. The last confirmed Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania also occurred in the Kagera Region in March 2023, during which there were nine confirmed cases and six deaths. The virus's rapid spread and high mortality rate make early detection and containment critical. While Tanzania insists that no new cases have been confirmed, the WHO has warned that improved surveillance could reveal additional infections in the coming days. Tanzania's government has taken steps to address the situation, deploying rapid response teams to Kagera and conducting laboratory tests on suspected cases. However, the lack of clarity regarding the total number of cases investigated has raised questions about the thoroughness of its response. Visit Outbreak.news for more on disease outbreaks around the world. Watch this video of infectious diseases expert Dr. Paul Cottrell discussing the Marburg virus. This video is from the Dr.Paul Cottrell channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Concerns rise over the potential release of new engineered, weaponized and even deadlier pathogens. Marburg virus kills 5 in Tanzania; over 100 feared to be infected. Next PLANDEMIC? CDC warns Marburg virus is coming. The Prather Point: Disaster looms as Marburg virus may have been released through COVID-19 vaccine payloads Brighteon.TV. CLAIM: COVID vaccines installed Marburg "payloads" in human victims; 5G broadcast signal will activate the bioweapons, unleashing the next raging pandemic. Sources include: RT.com Reuters.com BBC.com Brighteon.com Tijuana declares state of emergency as it braces for mass deportations under Trump Tijuana declared a state of emergency to prepare for potential mass deportations under a second Trump administration, fearing a significant influx of deportees. The city is allocating funds for housing, security and legal services to support thousands of deportees and ensure their dignified treatment. Plans include opening a shelter for up to 10,000 people, with expansion capacity to 30,000, and leasing industrial buildings to prevent public space overcrowding. The effort involves collaboration between Tijuana, Baja California and the Mexican federal government, with new shelters and federal deportation plans in place. Mexico is enhancing support for deportees through increased consular staff, a 24-hour call center and a smartphone app to help them reconnect with families and access resources. The Mexican city of Tijuana, on the country's northwestern border with the United States, has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of a potential wave of deportations under President Donald Trump's second administration. The move, unanimously approved by the Tijuana City Council, underscores the growing concern over Trump's promise to carry out the largest mass deportation operation in the history of the United States. Tijuana, a bustling border city just 20 miles south of San Diego, is no stranger to migration challenges. However, the scale of what may come has prompted local officials to act swiftly. The emergency declaration allows the city to allocate funds for housing, security, legal services, and other necessities to accommodate what could be thousands of deportees arriving in a short period. (Related: House passes bill targeting DEPORTATION of illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes against women and children.) Mayor Ismael Burgueno emphasized the citys commitment to treating deportees with dignity and respect for their human rights. "We want to ensure that those who return to Mexico feel protected and supported as they reintegrate into society," he said. The city is also working to avoid the chaotic scenes of past migrant surges, such as the street encampments that emerged in 2018 and the subsequent migration waves on 2021 and 2022. To prepare, Tijuana has announced plans to open a shelter capable of housing up to 10,000 people, with the potential to expand to 30,000 if needed. The city is also considering leasing an industrial building in southern Tijuana to serve as a temporary shelter, ensuring that public spaces remain accessible to residents. Baja California speeding up preparations to receive migrants The emergency declaration is not just a local effort. It is part of a broader collaboration between Tijuana, the state of Baja California, and the Mexican federal government. Baja California Gov. Marina del Pilar Avila has announced the opening of new shelters in Tijuana and Mexicali, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has assured the public that federal plans to handle deportations are "ready." However, the situation is fraught with uncertainty. While Trump has vowed to prioritize the deportation of illegal immigrants, the specifics of his plan including how many people will be deported and how quickly remain unclear. What is clear is that Tijuana, as a primary border city, will bear the brunt of this policy shift. For Mexico, the sudden return of thousands of citizens many of whom have spent years or even decades in the U.S. presents a logistical and humanitarian challenge. Mexico's federal government has taken steps to mitigate the impact, including increasing consular staff, launching a 24-hour call center and developing a smartphone app to assist deportees in contacting their families and local consulates. These measures aim to provide support and guidance to those navigating the deportation process. Watch this Fox News clip about what the National Border Patrol Council expects from Trump regarding immigration. This video is from the NewsClips channel at Brighteon.com. More related stories: Republican lawmakers push to reinstate "Remain in Mexico" policy. Trump's bold plan: Military deployment and mass deportations to secure the border. Biden shields nearly 1 million migrants who invaded the U.S. from deportation, including gang affiliates. Fearing tariffs, Mexico scrambling to disperse migrant caravans ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration. Mexican President Sheinbaum relents, now ready to receive Mexican nationals deported by Trump. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com SanDiegoUnionTribune.com MexicoNewsDaily.com Brighteon.com Border Czar Tom Homan announced that deportations targeting public safety and national security threats will commence on Jan. 21. The operation will be nationwide, with every ICE office participating, rather than focusing on specific sanctuary cities. Homan emphasized that ICE will enforce the law and start deporting individuals who have been ordered to leave by a federal judge. The mass deportations will require cooperation from state and local law enforcement agencies. Homan stated that the operations will make a positive difference, such as taking criminals off the streets and saving lives by finding victims of sex trafficking and seizing drugs at the border. Border Czar Tom Homan has revealed that the wave of deportations is set to begin today, Jan. 21. In a broadcast with "Evening Edit" of Fox Business Network on Jan. 20, Homan revealed that the primary focus of the mass deportations will be on individuals posing threats to public safety and national security. These operations will not be confined to a single city but will be conducted nationwide. "Look the president's been clear that, right out of the gate, we're going to concentrate on public safety threats and national security threats. So, I can't believe that any elected politician I don't care what party you're from, why would you not want public safety threats out of your communities? That's your number one responsibility as an elected official is the protection of your communities." Host Elizabeth MacDonald then reiterated if the deportations would start the next day and which sanctuary cities would it target specifically. In response, Homan clarified that the enforcement would not be limited to sanctuary cities, but instead would take place "throughout the country," with every ICE office participating in the effort to "enforce the law like they should be." "Yeah, ICE is going to start doing their job tomorrow," Homan said. "They haven't been able to do the job for the last four years and now they're going to start enforcing the law like they should be... It's not a specific sanctuary city. They're going to do it throughout the country and we have offices throughout the country and every ICE office is going to be out there enforcing the law, starting tomorrow morning." (Related: Tom Homan warns opponents of BORDER SECURITY: "Get the hell out of the way.") Homan will partner with state and local law enforcement agencies to conduct mass deportations A few days earlier, Homan said in an interview with Jan Jekielek of The Epoch Times at the Turning Point USA that the second Trump administration will prioritize border security and the enforcement of immigration laws. This includes the removal of individuals who have already been ordered to leave the country by a federal judge. "It's a big operation," Homan told Jekielek on Jan. 19. "Every day, we're gonna make a difference. For every criminal we take off the streets, we make the streets safer. For every child we find in sex trafficking, it's going to save a life. For every pound of fentanyl we seize at the border ... there's going to be less overdose deaths in this country. You're going to see a difference, starting day one." Homan also revealed that the process will require the cooperation of state and local law enforcement agencies. "We want partnerships with state, local, federal law enforcement," he said. "So we want American people to get involved. They see a lot of things." Trump declares war on big tech censorship, signs executive order to protect free speech President Trump signed an executive order to combat government collaboration with Big Tech, aiming to prevent censorship of Americans' voices online and address "viewpoint discrimination" by tech platforms. The order challenges federal agencies' efforts to suppress speech under the guise of combating misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, asserting it infringes on constitutional rights. Free speech advocates praise the move as a correction to overreach, while critics warn it could hinder efforts to combat harmful content, especially in public health and elections. The order aligns with Trump's "America First" policies, including border security measures and initiatives to restore traditional values, such as banning biological males from women's sports. The order is expected to face legal challenges and could influence ongoing lawsuits against tech giants, reigniting debates over free speech, censorship, and Big Tech's role in society. In a bold move to combat what he describes as "government collusion with Big Tech," President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at safeguarding free speech and curbing the suppression of Americans' voices online. The order, issued on his first day back in office, specifically targets federal agencies' collaboration with tech platforms to censor speech under the guise of combating "misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation." This action marks a significant step in Trump's broader push to restore constitutional rights and hold tech giants accountable for what he calls "viewpoint discrimination." The executive order comes after years of escalating tensions between conservative voices and major tech companies, which have been accused of disproportionately silencing right-leaning perspectives. Trump's order asserts that the federal government has "infringed on the constitutionally protected speech rights of American citizens" by advancing its preferred narratives on significant public debates. "Government censorship of speech is intolerable in a free society," Trump declared in the document. Free speech advocates have hailed the move as a long-overdue correction to what they see as an overreach by both tech companies and government agencies. "This is a great start," said Mike Adams, founder of Brighteon.com, a free speech video platform. Adams, who has been censored and de-platformed multiple times over the past decade, praised Trump for taking action but emphasized that more needs to be done. "The government must also prohibit large tech platforms from engaging in viewpoint discrimination," he added. However, the order is expected to face fierce legal challenges from tech companies and critics who argue that it could undermine efforts to combat harmful content online. Critics warn that limiting the ability of platforms to moderate content could lead to the proliferation of dangerous misinformation, particularly in areas like public health and elections. The executive order is part of a broader agenda Trump has outlined to restore what he calls "America First" policies. On his first day in office, he also declared a national emergency at the southern border, allowing Texas and other states to deploy additional law enforcement resources. Additionally, he signed orders to reassert traditional values in federal institutions, including rejecting the concept of multiple genders and banning biological males from competing in women's sports. Trump's actions have been met with both celebration and skepticism. Supporters view them as a necessary correction to what they see as years of overreach by the previous administration, while opponents argue that they risk further polarizing an already divided nation. The pardoning of 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol protests, whom Trump referred to as "hostages," has also sparked intense debate. Critics see the pardons as a dangerous endorsement of political violence, while supporters view them as a necessary step to rectify what they believe were unjust prosecutions. The executive order on tech censorship is particularly significant in the context of ongoing lawsuits against major platforms like Google, Meta, and X (formerly Twitter). Adams, who is involved in one such lawsuit, believes Trump's order could bolster his case. "Every day that lawsuit gets better because somebody comes out and admits something, like Zuckerberg admitting to censorship, or Trump saying the government has been engaged in censorship," he said. As the legal battles unfold, the broader implications of Trump's executive order remain to be seen. Will it lead to a more open and equitable digital public square, or will it create new challenges in the fight against harmful content? One thing is certain: the debate over free speech, censorship, and the role of Big Tech in American society is far from over. For now, Trump's supporters are celebrating what they see as a decisive victory for free speech. "Trump kept his word," Adams said. "He's doing exactly what he promised to do, and if this is a taste of things to come, I can't wait." Whether this marks the beginning of a new era of accountability for tech giants or the start of a protracted legal battle, one thing is clear: the fight for free speech in the digital age has entered a new and contentious chapter. Watch this Jan. 21 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about the bright new future for America. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trumps inauguration marks historic turning point: Pardons for J6 prisoners and calls for deep state accountability Top 7 PRO-HEALTH changes should be noticeable with Trump and RFK Jr. overseeing FDA, CDC, HHS and the Censorship Industrial Complex Zuckerbergs sudden censorship thaw is not free speech Sources include: Brighteon.com Trump signs roughly 200 executive actions on Inauguration Day, vows to overhaul federal government President Donald Trump has signed approximately 200 executive actions on his first day in office, including 50 legally binding executive orders and over 150 additional directives, described as the most extensive first-day agenda in U.S. history, aimed at reshaping federal policies and fulfilling campaign promises. A national border emergency was declared, closing the southern border to illegal immigration. Key measures include reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy, directing the military to build more border walls and designating criminal cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Trump also plans to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, a move expected to face legal challenges. The administration will prioritize domestic energy production by "fully unleashing" Alaska's energy reserves and rolling back Biden-era environmental policies. Actions include pausing offshore wind leases, terminating electric vehicle mandates and withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord. Trump will implement significant changes to the federal workforce, such as ending Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs, instituting a merit-based hiring system and requiring federal employees to return to in-person work, emphasizing a focus on serving the American people. Trump has granted pardons to individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and suspend the security clearances of 51 national security officials involved in the Hunter Biden laptop scandal. These actions, along with the border and citizenship policies, are likely to face significant legal and political opposition, setting the stage for a contentious and transformative four years. President Donald Trump has signed roughly 200 executive actions on his first day in office. The sweeping measures, described by aides as the most extensive first-day agenda in U.S. history, will address border security, energy production, federal workforce policies and more, signaling a dramatic shift from the policies of the Biden administration. Historic wave of executive actions Trump signed 50 legally binding executive orders and issue over 150 additional directives, many of which will be part of "omnibus" packages addressing multiple policy areas simultaneously. "This is a massive, record-setting, unmatched first wave," an official told Fox News Digital. "This is the most extensive list of executive actions in American history, all guided by a relentless commitment to deliver on the campaign promise." Among the most significant actions is a declaration of a national border emergency, which will effectively close the southern U.S. border to illegal immigration. The move includes reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy, directing the military to construct additional border wall sections and designating criminal cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Trump has also taken steps to end automatic citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants born in the U.S., a policy that directly challenges the 14th Amendment and is expected to face legal challenges. Energy, environment and federal workforce overhaul The Trump administration will also prioritize domestic energy production, with Trump vowing to "fully unleash" Alaska's energy reserves and roll back Biden-era environmental policies. He issued executive orders that will pause offshore wind leases, terminate electric vehicle mandates and withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord. Trump has also implemented sweeping changes to the federal workforce, ending Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the government, instituting a merit-based hiring system and requiring federal employees to return to in-person work. "There is a massive federal workforce that has been moving its objectives at the expense of the American peopleand President Trump is taking command, saying, You will serve the American people and only American people," an official told Fox News. Controversial measures and legal challenges ahead Some of Trump's actions are likely to spark significant controversy and legal battles. He has granted sweeping pardons to nearly all individuals arrested in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. More than 1,625 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the event, with over 465 currently in prison. Critics argue that such pardons would undermine the rule of law, while supporters view them as a necessary correction to what they describe as politically motivated prosecutions. Trump has also suspended the security clearances of 51 national security officials involved in the Hunter Biden laptop scandal ahead of the 2020 election, a move that underscores his ongoing focus on what he calls the "weaponization" of the federal government. Additionally, he plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America," a symbolic gesture that has drawn mixed reactions. A new era of presidential power The sheer volume of executive actions reflects Trump's determination to assert control over the federal bureaucracy and deliver on his campaign promises swiftly. "He is reasserting muscular control of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government," an official told Fox News. The administration has framed the actions as part of a broader effort to reduce costs for American families, streamline government operations and restore national sovereignty. However, the use of executive power on such a scale is not without precedent. Past presidents, including Barack Obama and Trump himself during his first term, have relied on executive orders to bypass congressional gridlock. Whether these actions will achieve their intended goals or face significant legal and political hurdles remains to be seen. What is clear is that Trump's second term begins with a dramatic and historic assertion of presidential power, setting the stage for a transformativeand possibly contentiousfour years. Sources include: NYPost.com FoxNews.com Yahoo.com Trump vows to release JFK, RFK, and MLK assassination files in push for transparency President-elect Trump pledges to release classified documents on the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK to restore public trust. Trump previously released some JFK files in 2017 but withheld others due to national security concerns. The release aims to address decades-old mysteries and conspiracy theories surrounding these historic events. Trump also promises to reduce government over-classification and increase transparency as part of his administrations goals. The MLK files, not due for release until 2027, may be expedited under Trumps transparency push. President-elect Donald Trump has reignited his commitment to government transparency by pledging to release long-classified documents related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Speaking to a packed crowd of 20,000 supporters at Washington, D.C.s Capital One Arena on Sunday, Trump declared that the release of these records would be a cornerstone of his administrations efforts to restore public trust. The announcement came just one day before his inauguration for a second, non-consecutive term, and marks a renewed push to address decades-old mysteries that have captivated the American public. This is not the first time Trump has promised to declassify these files. During his first term, he released a portion of the JFK assassination records in 2017, adhering to the 1992 Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act, which mandated the release of all related documents by 2017. However, facing pressure from intelligence agencies like the CIA and FBI, Trump ultimately withheld hundreds of records, citing national security concerns. The potential harm to U.S. national security, law enforcement, or foreign affairs is of such gravity that it outweighs the public interest in immediate disclosure, he said at the time. President Biden also released a trove of JFK-related documents in 2022 but similarly withheld some materials for national security reasons. Now, Trump is doubling down on his promise, vowing to release not only the remaining JFK files but also those related to the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The assassinations of JFK, RFK, and MLK remain some of the most scrutinized events in U.S. history. Officially, Lee Harvey Oswald is credited with acting alone in killing JFK in Dallas on November 22, 1963, but polls consistently show that a majority of Americans believe in a broader conspiracy. Similarly, Robert F. Kennedys assassination in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968, and Dr. Kings murder in Memphis on April 4, 1968, have spawned countless theories and unanswered questions. Trumps pledge to release these files has reignited hope for clarity among historians and the public alike. Its all going to be released, Trump told the crowd, drawing thunderous applause. While experts caution that the documents may not contain earth-shattering revelations, they could provide valuable context and closure to decades of speculation. A broader push for accountability Trumps announcement is part of a broader effort to increase government transparency and reduce the over-classification of documents. As the first step toward restoring transparency and accountability to government, we will also reverse the over-classification of government documents, he said. This move aligns with his campaign promises to challenge the status quo and empower the public with access to information. The release of the MLK files, in particular, presents a unique challenge. Under the Martin Luther King Jr. Records Collection Act, the remaining documents are not due for release until 2027. Trump did not specify how he plans to expedite this process, but his commitment to transparency suggests he may push for an earlier release. A step toward historical clarity President-elect Trumps pledge to declassify the JFK, RFK, and MLK assassination files represents a significant step toward addressing some of the most enduring mysteries in American history. While the documents may not resolve every conspiracy theory, their release underscores Trumps commitment to transparency and accountability. As the nation prepares for his second inauguration, this bold move signals a renewed focus on opennessa promise that could reshape how the government handles sensitive information in the years to come. Sources for this article include: X.com FoxNews.com NYPost.com Reuters.com If you are over 50 your government wants you dead In Britain, it is now official Government policy to ignore the needs of the elderly. This policy is common throughout the world. Doctors and nurses are told to let old people die - and to withhold treatment which might save their lives. Hospital staff are told to deprive the elderly of food and water so that they die rather than take up hospital beds. Nursing home staff have even been given the right to sedate elderly patients without their knowledge. The only -ism that no one cares about is ageism. (Article by Dr. Vernon Coleman republished from VernonColeman.com) But at what age are patients simply allowed to die? And how old is too old for patients to be resuscitated? At what point does society have the right to say `You've lived long enough, now you must die and make way for someone else'? And why should resuscitation be decided by age? It is possible to argue that it would make as much sense to decide according to wealth or beauty. But ageism is now officially accepted. Anyone over 60 is now officially old, though in a growing number of hospitals the cut off age for resuscitation is 55 or even 50. We live in a politically correct world but the elderly don't count particularly if they are white and English. Report after report after report shows elderly patients being left in pain, in soiled bed clothes. Elderly patients in hospital are ignored by staff and left to starve to death, denied even water if they cannot get out of bed and fetch it themselves. Old people are a burden which the Government cannot afford and so the politicians will continue to authorise whatever methods are necessary to ensure that the number of burdensome old people is kept to a minimum. The existence of an absurd branch of medicine called geriatrics is used as an excuse to shove old people into backwater wards and to provide them with second-rate medical treatment. In February 2011, an official report condemned the NHS for its `inhumane treatment of elderly patients' and stated that NHS hospitals were `failing to meet even the most basic standards of care' for the over-65s. It is no exaggeration to say that the NHS treats the elderly with contempt. (It used to be said that you can judge a civilisation by the way it treats its elderly.) It was back in February 2005 that it was revealed that the Government had advised that hospital patients with little hope of recovery should be allowed to die because of the cost of keeping them alive. The Labour Government suggested that `old people' be denied the right to food and water if they fell into a coma or couldn't speak for themselves. So much for any hope for stroke victims. The Government suggested that the need to cut costs came before the need to preserve the lives of patients and decided it had the right to overturn a right-to-life ruling which had been made when a judge ordered that artificial nutrition and hydration should not be withdrawn unless the life of a patient could be described as `intolerable'. (The judge had added that when there was any doubt, preservation of life should take precedence.) Of course, depriving the elderly of food and water is sometimes more a consequence of incompetence than official policy. When my mother was in hospital in Exeter she couldn't feed herself but the staff didn't feed her. If no relative could get to the hospital to feed her she didn't eat. Drinks were put on her tray and then taken away untouched. `Not thirsty, today?' an idiot would ask merrily. Meanwhile, the Government pours money into subsidising the lives of the lazy and the work-shy. Healthy 30-year-olds sit around growing chip backsides and beer bellies, slumped in front of their high definition digital television sets watching their choice of State subsidised satellite television, opening the windows to let the heat out because its easier than turning down the central heating. The elderly are classified as the `Unwanted Generation': a political embarrassment. Elderly individuals facing blindness from age-related macular disease are denied drugs that might have prevented their blindness. The elderly are considered expensive, useless and expendable. The theory is that they don't contribute and rarely vote and can, therefore, be disregarded. But those who believe this will be old sooner than they think. And the definition of old is getting younger by the year. Wars have taught us that people seem to be prepared to accept as normal all sorts of terrible things. But how unbelievably awful it is that doctors and nurses accept that the elderly (officially the over 60s) must be allowed to die because keeping them alive isn't cost effective. The official attitude seems to be that old people don't matter and don't have rights simply because they are old. In mid August 2007, a Select Committee on Human Rights, comprised of MPs and peers, reported that 21% of hospitals and care homes failed to meet even minimum standards of dignity and privacy for older people. The Committee said it had uncovered evidence of neglect, abuse, discrimination and unfair treatment of frail, older people. (Their discovery came as no surprise to those of us who have been uncovering such abuse for decades.) How have we managed to forget that in the 1930s the Nazis deliberately starved and dehydrated elderly and vulnerable patients because they were regarded as a useless burden on society? That is exactly what we are doing today. An astonishing (and horrifying) survey conducted among readers of the journals Nursing Standard and Nursing Older People showed that fewer than one in six nurses said that nothing would prevent them from reporting abuse of older people in their care. In other words five out of six nurses would, at least sometimes, fail to report abuse of the elderly people they were being paid to look after. So, in my view, five out of six of nurses aren't fit to be nurses. Would these same nurses ignore the abuse of children so easily? I suspect not. This is utterly appalling and an indictment of the modern nursing profession. The same survey showed that six out of ten nurses would turn a blind eye to the abuse of the elderly. They would say nothing if they knew that an elderly patient or care home resident was being beaten, bullied or robbed. Why are nurses failing their patients? One reason is cowardice. Unbelievably, it seems that nurses are frightened to report abuse in case they themselves are abused by the person doing the abuse. Oh, please. Another reason is, apparently, `fear of misinterpreting the situation'. What sort of political correct garbage is that? Hospital patients and nursing home residents now often suffer malnutrition and dehydration, abuse and rough treatment, lack of privacy, neglect, poor hygiene and bullying. Thousands and thousands of elderly people are left for hours in soiled clothes. Could it be because too many modern nurses are lazy, stupid and incompetent? Too many are far too self-important to do anything other than stare at a computer screen all day long. In my view, nurses who say nothing when they see abuse are as guilty as the abusers. A once great profession is, today, in a worse state than it was in the days of Dickens. Is it so very old-fashioned of me to believe that every nurse should always report every incident of abuse? Always. Without exception. Ageism is, it seems, now endemic in health care. A reader wrote to tell me that when she visited her doctor complaining of painful knees her doctor told her, very abruptly, that her problem was that she was living too long. She was devastated. `It wasn't said as a joke,' she told me. `He meant it.' In the months before he died my father repeatedly complained: `People treat me like a fool because I am old'. A 79-year-old reader told me: `If you are over 55 they want you dead because you're too expensive alive.' We now live in a world where it is considered acceptable for men and women to have to share a ward; where hospital bathrooms are so dirty that patients dare not use them; where dentists are so scarce and expensive that people have to resort to pulling their own bad teeth with the aid of a length of string tied to a doorknob. But it is the elderly who, above all others, are regarded as disposable and irrelevant. It is the elderly who have no rights. Sexism and racism are outlawed but ageism is not. Indeed, it seems clear that ageism is now a State sponsored prejudice. Violent, feral youths who are caught assaulting elderly law-abiding citizens are likely to be punished with a fistful of vouchers entitling them to a handful of free CDs (the lyrics of which may well encourage more violence) but honest, elderly citizens who, cannot afford to pay their council tax bill will end up in prison. When doctors are owned by the Government then the Government's priorities take over. And so the elderly, who are regarded as an expensive burden, are considered expendable. Read more at: VernonColeman.com Fortifications equipped last year at public expense will be transferred to the management of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine within a month, said Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal. "We are modernizing the mechanism for receiving, recording and servicing fortifications in frontline areas. Last year, 3,000 defensive points were equipped both in threatening directions and in places where active hostilities are not currently underway. For this, the state allocated UAH 46.2 billion, which it sent to regional military administrations and the Recovery Agency," he wrote on Telegram on Tuesday. According to him, earlier that day the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution according to which these fortifications within a month "should be transferred to the sphere of management of the Ministry of Defense and assigned to balance holders." As representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Verkhovna Rada Taras Melnychuk reported on Telegram, at a government meeting on Tuesday, January 21, amendments were made to the Regulation on the procedure for transferring objects of state ownership and the Procedure for submitting and considering proposals for the transfer of objects from municipal to state ownership and the formation and work of the commission on the transfer of objects to state ownership, approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution of September 21, 1998 No. 1482 on the transfer of objects of state and municipal ownership, in terms of not extending the effect of their provisions to the transfer of military engineering and fortification structures. Also, according to Melnychuk, amendments have been made to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 514 of 07.05.2024 on approval of the Procedure for the acceptance, maintenance, servicing and accounting of military engineering and fortification structures. "The Procedure for the transfer, acceptance, maintenance, servicing and operational accounting of military engineering and fortification structures has been set out in a new edition, which improves the mechanism for the acceptance, accounting and maintenance of military engineering and fortification structures by balance holders, the construction of which was carried out by state customers and their transfer, if necessary, for temporary use to units of the defense forces," Melnychuk said. The decree signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, suspending international aid for 90 days, does not apply to military assistance to Ukraine, said Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC). "The decree, signed by U.S. President Trump, suspending international aid for 90 days, does not apply to military assistance to Ukraine. It's all about other things," he wrote on Telegram. As noted by MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak, information about Trump's "freezing of foreign aid from the United States" is actively spreading on the Web and in the media." What will it be?" "In short: it doesn't concern us. We have chosen congressional assistance (only a part of the presidential aid remains there, but this has nothing to do with the decree). The Congress did not vote on new aid. That's it. Do not spread treason where there is none," the MP concluded. According to the Associated Press, the decree signed by Trump concerns international assistance within the framework of development programs, which covers the activities of UN agencies, peacekeeping initiatives, refugee support programs and human rights protection. Military assistance to Ukraine is provided under the PDA, USAI and FMF programs, which were not affected by the decree. Earlier it was reported that on the first day after his inauguration, President Donald Trump signed a decree suspending all U.S. foreign aid programs for 90 days until an analysis of their compliance with his policy goals is carried out. Russia is capable of fielding 1.5 million servicemen while the Ukrainian armed forces have more than 800,000 people and France has 200,000, so European countries need to unite to defend themselves against the Russian Federation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Tuesday. "Russia can field 1.5 million servicemen. Our armed forces have more than 800,000 people. France is second with more than 200,000. Then Germany, Italy and the UK. All the others have fewer. This is not a situation where one country can defend itself alone. It is necessary that we all unite and mean something," he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The head of state recalled European leaders that "battles involving North Korean soldiers are now taking place in places geographically closer to Davos than to Pyongyang." According to Zelenskyy, Russia is turning into a kind of North Korea, "a country where human life means nothing, but they have nuclear weapons and a burning desire to make the lives of their neighbors miserable." He noted that despite the fact that Russia's overall economic potential is much smaller than Europe's, Russia produces several times more munitions and military equipment than all of Europe. "Putin has signed a new strategic agreement with Iran. He already has a pact with North Korea. Who are they making these deals against? Against you, against all of us. Against Europe, against America. We must not forget that. This is not an accident. These are their strategic priorities, and our priorities must meet this challenge in politics, defense, and economics. We can only counter such threats together," the Ukrainian President emphasized. Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. Europe cannot afford to be second or third in line behind its allies, it needs to fight for the first place in priorities, alliances and technological development, said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos (Switzerland) on Tuesday. "Europe cannot afford to be second or third in line behind its allies. If this happens, the world will start moving forward without Europe, and such a world will not be comfortable or beneficial for Europeans. Europe needs to fight for the first place in priorities, alliances and technological development. We are at another turning point, which some consider a problem for Europe, while others consider a chance. Europe must establish itself as a strong global player," Zelenskyy said. The Head of the Ukrainian state noted that all attention is now focused on Washington, since the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump took place 20 hours ago. "And now everyone is waiting to see what he will do next. His first orders have already demonstrated clear priorities," Zelenskyy said. He stressed that most of the world is now thinking about what will happen to their relations with the United States, support, and how Trump plans to end wars, but no one is asking similar questions about Europe. "During the war, everyone is worried - will the United States stay with them? Every ally is worried about this. But is anyone in the United States worried that Europe might one day abandon them - cease to be their ally? The answer is no. Washington does not believe that Europe can bring them something really important," Zelenskyy said. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. What is a hospital-at-home program? Essential categories of tools for HaH programs Emerging trends in HaH technologies Advances in remote monitoring and diagnostic tools Steps to implementing the right tools References Further reading What is a hospital-at-home program? A hospital-at-home (HaH) program involves providing hospitalization services, including 24/7 monitoring, in the comfort of the patients home rather than a hospital facility. Additional advantages associated with the HaH model include reduced healthcare spending, improved patient outcomes, shortened hospital stays, and reduced hospital admissions. Currently, HaH programs are primarily adopted for the management of patients with chronic diseases, such as heart failure (HF), pneumonia, cellulitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), who are cared for by in-personal clinical staff and, when possible, virtual care. Several global studies have reported that HaH programs are associated with non-inferior and, in some cases, superior patient outcomes, along with improved patient quality of life. 1 Image Credit: Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com Essential categories of tools for HaH programs Patient monitoring: Devices for vital signs tracking, wearable tech Recent technological advancements have allowed clinicians to remotely, safely, and effectively provide care to patients in HaH programs through remote patient monitoring. For example, wearable sensors, which can be further classified as biophysical or biochemical sensors, are capable of measuring a wide range of physiological biometrics. Biophysical sensors utilize acoustic, mechanical, electrical, bioimpedance, thermal, and other signals to obtain data on a patients heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, pulse oximetry, activity, gait, sleep, brain and muscle activity, as well as hydration. Comparatively, biochemical sensors, which can be noninvasive or minimally invasive, obtain biological fluids from the patient to measure biomarker levels, some of which can include electrolytes, vitamins, lactic acid, creatine, alcohol, urea, levodopa, and cortisol.1 Communication and coordination: Telehealth platforms, secure messaging systems As the number of wearable sensors and their capabilities have significantly increased, numerous remote patient monitoring applications and software have been developed by numerous companies, such as Apple and Google. Before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, several companies were developed with the goal of providing healthcare to patients through a two-way platform. Some of these included Teladoc, Carbon Health, and Firefly Health, which were founded in 2002, 2015, and 2016, respectively. Following widespread shutdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic and the overwhelming shortage of hospital beds available to care for these patients, video calling platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Twilio, and WhatsApp were widely relied on to communicate with patients remotely. As the volume of patients seeking care through these virtual platforms increased, several companies began incorporating novel sensors into home physical exams that simultaneously facilitated the continuous monitoring of HaH care patients1. Home-based medical equipment: Portable diagnostic tools, infusion therapy devices The utilization of any medical technology outside of the hospital setting must be accompanied by guaranteed safety for the patient and quality of care. Environmental, human, and technological factors must be considered prior to bringing any medical technology into the patients home. An example of a human factor includes the number of people who will be handling the device in the patients home, as well as the varying extent of training, instruction, or education that has been provided to each user. Current estimates indicate that over 500,000 different types of medical devices are currently available on the world market. Various advanced medical technologies can be used in a HaH program, some of which include ventilators for respiratory support, homological or peritoneal dialysis systems, and infusion pumps to provide nutrition or medication2. Image Credit: Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com Suction devices, external electrostimulation, nebulizers, sleep apnea treatment, patient lifting hoists, vacuum-assisted wound closure, and continuous passive motion technologies may also be used in a HaH model. 2 Emerging trends in HaH technologies Ambient monitoring technologies utilize various modalities, including cameras and thermal and radio sensors, to remotely monitor patient vital signs and immediately detect any falls that may occur. Radio sensors, for example, have been used to monitor patients' gait, sleep patterns, and movements. These can be particularly useful in postoperative patients, whose mobility and ability to perform basic activities must be routinely assessed3. Various clinical risk prediction models, some of which have utilized machine learning (ML) methods, have also been developed to predict the likelihood of a patients clinical outcome. These models can be used to predict any potential complications that the patient may experience to ensure that necessary resources are readily available, as well as predict which patients may benefit more from a HaH program as compared to traditional inpatient care. In addition to the development of models that have been constructed from reported observational data, machine-learning tools can also be directly applied to each individual patients records. More specifically, this technology can be applied to learn the patients baseline biometrics while also monitoring their current status to quickly identify any subclinical deviations that may reflect a potential complication that requires medical. 3 Advances in remote monitoring and diagnostic tools Wearable sensors are widely used by both patients and otherwise healthy individuals to monitor their activities. Despite their popularity, wearable sensor nodes are associated with resource limitations that prevent them from always detecting incidents like falls or differentiating these movements from routine activities. The Internet of Things (IoT) has been proposed as a solution to these problems, as this system can combine a wide range of technologies, such as wireless sensor networks, cloud computing, and sensing data, to improve the quality and accuracy of data provided to healthcare providers monitoring patients in a HaH setting. 4 For example, in a study published in Measurement: Sensors, researchers developed a long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural network that combined data wearable sensor data from Apache Flink and MbientLab devices to achieve a 95.9% accuracy rate in detecting patient falls. Steps to implementing the right tools Healthcare providers at the Brigham Womens Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, have created a clinical framework that provides details on important steps that the clinical team must follow on each postoperative day for patients who have been transferred to HaH care. These steps include visits from healthcare providers and the different data points that must be collected through laboratory testing and remote patient monitoring (RPM) tools. Home Hospital Offers Inpatient Care at Home: One Patients Story | Mass General Brigham Play The success of the BWH program can provide other hospitals seeking to increase their utilization of HaH systems by designing similar workflows that support the continuous monitoring of patients remotely while simultaneously ensuring that all members of the care team can access patient records in real time3. To ensure that RPM tools can effectively deliver clinicians the data needed to monitor patients remotely, a collaborative environment that acquires insights from both clinicians and software engineers must be maintained. Federal support is also crucial to ensure that patients can access and afford advanced RPM tools as they are being developed. References Pandit, J. A., Pawelek, J. B., Leff, B., & Topol, E. J. (2024). The hospital at home in the USA: current status and future prospects. npj Digital Medicine 7(48). doi:10.1038/s41746-024-01040-9. ten Haken, I., Allouch, S. B., & van Harten, W. H. (2018). The use of advanced medical technologies at home: a systematic review of the literature. BMC Public Health. doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5123-4. Pathak, K., Marwaha, J. S., & Tsai, T. C. (2023). The role of digital technology in surgical home hospital programs. npj Digital Medicine 6(22). doi:10.1038/s4176-023-00750-w. Kulurkar, P., Dixit, C. K., Bharathi, V. C., et al. (2023). AI based elderly fall prediction system using wearable sensors: A smart home-care technology with IOT. Measurement: Sensors 25. doi:10.1016/j.measen.2022.100614. Further Reading European countries need a unified policy in the field of security and defense, not playing on human emotions that defense should be compensated at the expense of medicine or pensions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Tuesday. "We need a unified European policy on security and defense, and all European countries should be ready to spend as much as is really necessary on security, not as much as they are used to spend during the years of doubt. If 5% of GDP is required for defense, then let it be 5%. And there is no need to play on people's emotions that defense should be compensated at the expense of medicine or pensions this is not fair," he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The head of state also noted that "it is now unclear whether Europe will even sit at the table when the war against our country is over," but it is clear how much influence China has over Russia. Zelenskyy thanked European countries for the support they have given Ukraine since the war began. "But will President [of the United States Donald] Trump listen to Europe or will he negotiate with Russia and China without Europe? Europe must learn to take full care of itself so that the world cannot afford to ignore it," he said. While prostate cancer is becoming more prevalent among middle-aged and elderly men in China, clinical practice still faces considerable challenges due to the lack of unified guidelines and high-level evidence on several aspects of patient care. Despite the publication of various international and domestic guidelines, many crucial areas remain unclear, particularly in the management of localized and metastatic prostate cancer. This consensus is a timely response to these challenges, providing a unified framework that can serve as a reference for clinicians throughout the patient journey. On October 10, 2024, a consensus was published (DOI: 10.1002/uro2.76) in the journal UroPrecision. The document is the result of in-depth discussions and voting by a panel of leading experts, including urologists, medical oncologists, and radiologists. Together, they addressed 19 critical questions related to prostate cancer management, including screening, biopsy techniques, handling localized and locally advanced disease, biochemical recurrence, and managing both castration-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer. Key findings of the consensus include strong support for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, with 89% of experts agreeing that PSA screening can reduce prostate cancer-specific mortality in China. The panel recommends starting screening at age 50 for men without a family history of prostate cancer or BRCA2 mutations. In treatment strategies, experts endorsed the use of next-generation hormonal agents combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for high-volume metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer patients. For nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, 75% of experts advocated for further Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) examination when traditional imaging fails to show metastasis. Nianzeng Xing, the corresponding author of the study, emphasized, "This consensus marks a significant milestone in standardizing prostate cancer management in China. It provides clinicians with a reference for the entire patient journey, from screening to treatment and follow-up." The consensus document offers practical, evidence-based guidance designed to support Chinese clinicians in addressing the complexities of prostate cancer. By addressing key challenges through expert consensus, it aims to not only improve patient outcomes but also enhance the overall quality of life for those affected by the disease. These recommendations on screening and treatment are expected to significantly impact clinical practices across China, potentially reducing the disease burden and improving survival rates. As the incidence of prostate cancer continues to climb, this consensus will play a crucial role in advancing care standards and ensuring better management of the disease nationwide. Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences Journal reference: Han, S., et al. (2024). Hot issues on Chinese expert consensus of prostate cancer management. UroPrecision. doi.org/10.1002/uro2.76. Discover how a simple metabolic marker, the TyG index, combined with obesity measures, can help predict and manage hypertension risk in American adultsoffering new hope for cardiovascular health. Study: Association of the triglyceride glucose index with obesity indicators and hypertension in American adults based on NHANES 2013 to 2018. Image Credit: Naeblys / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports, a research team from China examined how the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a marker of insulin resistance, relates to obesity measures and hypertension in American adults. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 2013 to 2018, they explored the interplay between metabolic health and blood pressure and discussed potential tools for predicting cardiovascular risks and guiding hypertension prevention strategies. Background Hypertension is a leading global health concern, affecting over a billion people and contributing substantially to cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. Despite advances in healthcare, the early detection and effective management of hypertension remain challenging, with many cases undiagnosed or inadequately controlled. Obesity, which is rapidly becoming a serious health concern worldwide, is closely linked to hypertension, as excess weight exacerbates metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance. Moreover, traditional markers such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) that are commonly used to assess obesity-related health risks have limited predictive power for hypertension. However, the TyG index, a surrogate marker for insulin resistance, has emerged as a promising tool for identifying individuals at risk of hypertension. About the study Stratified Analysis Insights: The study found that the association between the TyG index and hypertension was more pronounced among women and individuals with pre-existing conditions such as coronary heart disease and heart failure, highlighting the need for gender- and condition-specific risk assessments. In the present cross-sectional study, the researchers analyzed data from 4,813 adults aged 18 and older who participated in the NHANES between 2013 and 2018. To ensure robust statistical analysis, participants with missing data on the TyG index, obesity indices, or relevant covariates were excluded. The study calculated the TyG index using fasting glucose and triglyceride levels and combined it with obesity measures such as body mass index (TyG-BMI), waist circumference (TyG-WC), and waist-to-height ratio (TyG-WHtR). Hypertension was defined based on self-reports, a systolic blood pressure 140 mmHg, a diastolic blood pressure 90 mmHg, or the use of antihypertensive medications. The researchers performed numerous statistical analyses on the data, including multivariate logistic regression models, to explore associations between the TyG indices and hypertension. Covariates such as age, sex, race, smoking status, alcohol consumption, cholesterol levels, and diabetes status were adjusted to account for confounding factors. Additionally, subgroup analyses examined the consistency of the findings across demographic and health-related factors, such as gender and comorbidities. A threshold effect analysis was also performed using smooth curve fitting to identify potential non-linear relationships between the TyG indices and hypertension risk. The analysis identified threshold values, including TyG = 8.1, TyG-BMI = 247.94, TyG-WHtR = 5.32, and TyG-WC = 806.48. The study also assessed the prognostic value of TyG indices for cardiovascular mortality, to establish the role of these markers in long-term hypertension risk assessment. The researchers took various measures to ensure data accuracy, including quality checks and adjustments for missing values, to comprehensively understand the TyG index's relevance to hypertension and related cardiovascular risks. Key findings The researchers observed that the TyG index and the combinations derived using obesity measures (TyG-BMI, TyG-WHtR, and TyG-WC) showed significant associations with hypertension risk. Higher quartiles of these indices were found to correlate with increased odds of hypertension, even after adjusting for demographic and clinical variables. Predictive Value for Cardiovascular Mortality: The study revealed that individuals in the second quartile of the TyG index had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to those in the lowest quartile, suggesting that even moderate TyG levels warrant attention in clinical practice. The participants in the highest quartile of the TyG index had a greater likelihood of hypertension compared to those in the lowest quartile. The relationships were more pronounced in specific subgroups, including women and individuals with pre-existing conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, or heart failure. However, the threshold effect analysis revealed a nonlinear association between the TyG index and hypertension. Below a threshold of 8.1, the TyG index showed a strong positive correlation with hypertension, but the relationship weakened or reversed beyond this point. Similar trends were observed for TyG-BMI, TyG-WHtR, and TyG-WC, indicating potential saturation effects at higher levels. Furthermore, the Cox regression analysis highlighted the predictive value of the TyG index for cardiovascular mortality. For example, individuals in the second quartile of the TyG index demonstrated a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular death (HR = 4.93, 95% CI (1.29,18.80), P < 0.05). These findings suggested that the TyG index and its related metrics are useful markers for identifying individuals at heightened risk of hypertension and cardiovascular events. In addition, the subgroup analyses highlighted the variations in these associations based on demographic and clinical characteristics, emphasizing the relevance of tailored risk assessment strategies. Conclusions Overall, the study demonstrated a strong association between the TyG index and its combinations with obesity measures and hypertension risk. These findings suggested that the TyG index serves as a valuable marker for identifying individuals at risk of hypertension and related cardiovascular outcomes. Furthermore, the study emphasized the need for further research to explore causal relationships and the potential of TyG-based interventions in improving hypertension prevention and management strategies across diverse populations. However, the study acknowledged several limitations, such as its cross-sectional design, potential biases in self-reported data, and the underrepresentation of specific subpopulations. A large-scale study reveals azvudines comparable efficacy to Paxlovid, fewer adverse effects, and potential antitumor benefits in patients with liver cancer. Study: Realworld effectiveness and safety of oral azvudine versus nirmatrelvirritonavir (Paxlovid) in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study. Image Credit: Cryptographer/Shutterstock.com In a recent study published in the Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, a group of researchers compared the effectiveness and safety of azvudine versus nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, with a focus on clinical outcomes, adverse events (AEs), and potential benefits for patients with malignant tumors. Background Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), it has resulted in over 776 million infections and 7 million deaths globally as of August 2024. Despite vaccination reducing severe cases, its efficacy against immune-evasive variants remains limited. COVID-19 treatment mainly includes antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs, but the latter is effective mostly in severe cases. Paxlovid and azvudine are widely used antivirals, yet their comparative efficacy and safety remain debated. Further research is needed to clarify their roles in managing COVID-19 and associated conditions like hepatocellular carcinoma. About the study The present multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted in Henan and Xinjiang provinces, China, involving hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 5, 2022, and January 31, 2023. The study population included 37,606 patients from ten hospitals in Henan and 3,270 patients from one hospital in Xinjiang. Eligibility criteria required participants to be aged 18 or older, have a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2, and have received standard therapy along with either azvudine or Paxlovid. Patients who did not receive antiviral agents received other antiviral regimens, were pregnant, or had contraindications to either drug were excluded. Data were collected from electronic medical records, including demographics, admissions, outcomes, prescriptions, and laboratory results. Participants were grouped by drug prescription, and propensity score matching (PSM) at a 1:2 ratio ensured balance in baseline covariates. Outcomes included all-cause death, disease progression, and AEs, categorized by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 5.0. Statistical analyses used KaplanMeier curves, Cox regression, and subgroup evaluations. Sensitivity analyses addressed missing values, alternative models, and early discharge or mortality. The study adhered to ethical guidelines under the Declaration of Helsinki. Study results The study included 7,145 patients with confirmed COVID-19 from ten hospitals in Henan Province, China. After rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria, 6,943 patients receiving azvudine and 1,202 receiving Paxlovid were eligible for analysis. PSM at a 2:1 ratio balanced baseline characteristic, yielding 2,404 azvudine and 1,202 Paxlovid recipients for the final cohort. The primary outcome was all-cause death, with 469 deaths observed: 288 in the azvudine group and 181 in the Paxlovid group. KaplanMeier analysis showed a significantly lower risk of death in the azvudine group compared with Paxlovid (p = 0.038). Multivariable Cox regression analysis confirmed this, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.676-0.987, p = 0.036). Composite disease progression occurred in 681 patients: 446 in the azvudine group and 235 in the Paxlovid group. KaplanMeier analysis revealed no significant difference between groups (p = 0.95), and Cox analysis yielded an HR of 1.15 (95% CI: 0.975-1.345, p = 0.097). Sensitivity analyses supported the accuracy of these findings. Results remained consistent across multiple methods of handling missing data, alternative matching models, and the exclusion of early discharges or deaths. For example, after the imputation of missing values, Cox analysis indicated a 21% lower risk of death with azvudine (HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.6580.959, p = 0.016). A Probit-based matching model also showed a significant reduction in mortality risk for azvudine compared with Paxlovid (HR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.603-0.884, p = 0.001). Validation in a cohort from Xinjiang Province, comprising 79 azvudine and 78 Paxlovid recipients, showed no significant differences in composite outcomes (p = 0.27). Still, Cox analysis revealed a lower mortality risk for azvudine (HR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.283-0.989, p = 0.046). Subgroup analyses indicated azvudine was particularly beneficial for patients initiating treatment more than five days after diagnosis (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.39-0.78) and those with primary malignant tumors (HR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.20-0.54). Safety evaluations indicated fewer AEs with azvudine compared with Paxlovid, particularly for grades 1 and 2 AEs. These findings suggest azvudine may be a safer and more effective alternative to Paxlovid for certain hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Conclusions To summarize, this large-scale, multicenter, retrospective cohort study highlighted the effectiveness and safety of azvudine compared with Paxlovid in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Among 37,606 patients analyzed, those receiving azvudine showed a lower risk of all-cause death and comparable rates of composite disease progression compared to Paxlovid. Subgroup analyses revealed azvudines greater benefits for patients with malignant tumors, moderate disease, or delayed treatment initiation. Additionally, azvudine demonstrated significant antitumor effects, suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and enhancing immune responses. Auto Expo 2025: SWITCH Mobility Unveiled Its Electric Light Commercial Vehicle - IeV8, Full Details Inside Published By : PTI Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 15:52 IST Equipped with advanced lithium battery technology, the IeV8 offers a remarkable 250 km range on a single charge. The vehicle also boasts fast-charging capabilities for minimal downtime, ensuring smooth operations. Kumaraswamy, Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, unveils the SWITCH IeV8, an electric light commercial vehicle (eLCV) designed for mid-mile logistics, at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025 NEW DELHI. Designed with sustainability and operational efficiency at its core, the SWITCH IeV8 is set to transform the logistics sector in India. related stories The SWITCH IeV8, a robust addition to SWITCH Mobilitys eLCV portfolio is engineered for optimal performance, durability, and sustainability in cargo transportation. Featuring a cutting-edge advanced lithium battery chemistry, the IeV8 delivers an impressive range of 250 km on a single charge. Its versatile design accommodates up to 830 cubic feet of container space, making it ideal for diverse logistics needs. With a top speed of 80 km/h and fast-charging capabilities, it ensures swift and uninterrupted operations, meeting the demands of modern businesses. With features like Electro-Hydraulic power steering (EHPS) for effortless maneuverability, a driver-centric AC cabin, tiltable steering, and sliding & reclining seats, the SWITCH IeV8 is crafted to deliver exceptional comfort and ergonomic excellence. On the occasion, Mr. Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, SWITCH Mobility, said, The unveiling of the SWITCH IeV8 represents our steadfast commitment to pioneering clean transportation solutions. This vehicle embodies our vision of providing innovative and environmentally conscioussolutions that not only meet the demands of modern logistics but also contribute significantly to a greener future. With the IeV8, SWITCH Mobility reaffirms its position as a leader in innovation and eco-conscious developmentwithin the electric mobility sector." Mr. Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer, SWITCH Mobility, added, The SWITCH IeV8 is designed to address the increasing demand for efficient, reliable, and sustainable solutions in the mid-mile logistics segment." With a robust payload capacity up to 4 Ton and container compatibility of up to 830 cubic feet, the IeV8 is tailored to meet the varied needs of modern logistics operations. Its advanced lithium battery chemistry delivers a range of 250 km per charge, complemented by fast-charging capabilities that minimize downtime and maximize operational efficiency. Built with SWITCH Mobilitys advanced EV architecture, the vehicle delivers superior operational performance resulting in lowest total cost of ownership. The SWITCH IeV8 is designed to deliver superior handling, durability, and driver comfort. With features like Electro-Hydraulic power steering (EHPS) for effortless maneuverability, a driver-centric AC cabin, tiltable power steering, and sliding & reclining seats, it ensures a comfortable and fatigue-free driving experience, even during long hauls. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all These thoughtful additions prioritize driver well-being, enhancing safety and productivity in every journey." Powered by SWITCH iON, our proprietary telematics system, the SWITCH IeV8 offers real-time vehicle health monitoring, ITMS, and efficient fleet management, among over 50 advanced features. Designed for both performance and durability, the SWITCH IeV8 is an innovative vehicle that empowers businesses to lower operational costs while minimizing their carbon footprint. With the SWITCH IeV8, SWITCH Mobility is all set to create a transformative impact on Indias logistics sector by offering a solution that seamlessly combines performance, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. First Published: January 21, 2025, 15:52 IST Narayana Murthy's New Remark On 70-Hour Workweek After Row: 'Nobody Can Say You Should...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 13:09 IST Narayana Murthy Statement: Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy, whose advice to youngsters to work 70 hours a week caused a stir, says these are issues that need to be introspected on, and not debated. Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy. (File photo/ PTI) Narayana Murthy 70-Hour Workweek Remark: Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy, whose advice to youngsters to work 70 hours a week has caused a stir, on Monday said no one can ask people to put in long hours, but it is for everybody to introspect" and understand the need for it. Underlining that he has put in over 70 hours a week for 40-odd years during his time at Infosys, Murthy said these are issues that need to be introspected on, and not debated. I can say that I used to get to the office at 6:30 AM and leave at 8:30 PM, thats a fact. I have done it. So, nobody can say that no, thats wrong. And, I have done it for 40-odd years," Murthy said, while replying to a question on work-life balance after delivering the annual Kilachand Memorial Lecture at the IMC. related stories These are not issues that should be discussed and debated. These are issues that one can introspect on, one can ingest and one can come to some conclusion and do whatever they want, he added. There is nobody who can say you should do it, you should not do it," Murthy said amid a heightened conversation on the topic which only got amplified with Larsen and Toubro Chairman S N Subrahmanyans recent remarks asking employees to put in 90 hours a week. In October 2023, Murthy sparked a debate on the work-life balance after he advocated for the 70-hour work week. He had said that for India to compete with the fastest-growing countries like China and Japan, the youth must commit to working 70 hours a week. A year later, in November 2024, he repeated his stance and said, I am sorry. I havent changed my view. I will take this with me to my grave. I am very proud of having worked very hard I worked fourteen hours a day and 6.5 days a week till I retired." I dont believe in work-life balance," Muthy said. The debate intensified with more industrialists joining the debate with the most of them supporting the idea. The debate took on new dimensions when L&Ts Subrahmanyan recently echoed this ethos, but pushed the envelope further with a 90-hour workweek proposal, including Sundays. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The L&T chairmans comments, first circulated in a video on Reddit, suggested that employees should prioritise work over home life, questioning, How long can you stare at your wife?" Subrahmanyan expressed regret over the inability to mandate Sunday work, stating, If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy because I work on Sundays." This suggestion sparked significant public outcry, highlighting a growing concern among the workforce about the sustainability of such demands and the impact on personal life. First Published: January 21, 2025, 12:39 IST Settlement With Borrowers Only After Exhausting All Options, RBI Tells ARCs Published By : PTI Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 10:12 IST The RBI on Monday modified guidelines related to Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs), envisaging that settlement with the borrower should be undertaken only after all possible ways to recover dues have been examined. RBI The RBI on Monday modified guidelines related to Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs), envisaging that settlement with the borrower should be undertaken only after all possible ways to recover dues have been examined. After a review, it has been decided to revise guidelines on the settlement of dues payable by the borrowers to ARCs, a Reserve Bank circular said. related stories The Master Direction Reserve Bank of India (Asset Reconstruction Companies) Directions, 2024 is also being updated accordingly, it added. Every ARC should frame a board-approved policy for the settlement of dues payable by the borrowers. According to the latest guidelines, the policy should, inter alia, cover aspects like a cut-off date for one-time settlement eligibility, permissible sacrifice for various categories of exposures while arriving at the settlement amount and the methodology for arriving at the realisable value of the security. Settlement with the borrower shall be done only after all possible ways to recover the dues have been examined, and settlement is considered as the best option available," the RBI said. It further said the settlement amount should preferably be paid in a lump sum. Where the settlement does not envisage payment of the entire amount agreed upon in one instalment, the proposals should be in line with and supported by an acceptable business plan (where applicable), projected earnings and cash flows of the borrower," the circular said. The guidelines provide procedures to be followed in cases where the settlement of accounts pertaining to a borrower with an aggregate value of more than Rs 1 crore or less. The Net Present Value (NPV) of the settlement amount should generally be not less than the realisable value of securities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As per the circular, if there is a significant variation between the valuation of the securities recorded at the time of acquisition of financial assets and the realisable value of the securities assessed at the time of entering into a settlement, the reasons thereof should be duly recorded. Further, wherever ARCs had commenced recovery proceedings under a judicial forum and the same is pending before such judicial forum, any settlement arrived at with the borrower shall be subject to obtaining a consent decree from the concerned judicial authorities. First Published: January 21, 2025, 10:12 IST Stallion India Fluorochemicals IPO Allotment Finalised: GMP At 53.3%, A Step-By-Step Guide To Check Allotment Status Online Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 10:40 IST Unlisted shares of Stallion India Fluorochemicals Ltd are currently trading at Rs 138 apiece in the grey market, which is a 53.33 per cent premium over the upper IPO price of Rs 90. Stallion India IPO Allotment Status. Stallion India Fluorochemicals IPO Allotment Status: Even as the Stallion India Fluorochemicals IPO has received a huge response from investors receiving a 188.29 times subscription, the allotment is set to be finalised today, January 21. Once allotted, investors will start receiving bank debit messages in the evening. They can also check the allotment status on the websites of the BSE and NSE, as well as on registrar Bigshare Services Pvt Ltd. The initial public offering of Stallion India Fluorochemicals Ltd, which was open between January 16 and January 21, received a whopping 188.29 times subscription garnering bids for 2,92,09,16,790 shares against 1,55,12,978 shares on offer. The retail category received a 96.81 times subscription in total, the NII portion got 422.35 times subscription. Its QIB category has been subscribed to by 172.93 times. related stories The price band of the Rs 199.45-crore IPO was fixed at Rs 85 to 90 apiece. The IPO received a 7.16 times subscription on Day 1 and a 32.23 subscription on Day 2. The Stallion India Fluorochemicals IPO allotment will take place on January 21, in the evening. Investors can check the allotment status on Tuesday on the websites of the BSE and NSE as well as on registrar Bigshare Services portal. The listing is scheduled to take place on January 23 on both BSE and NSE. Stallion India Fluorochemicals IPO: How To Check Allotment Status Online? The Stallion India Fluorochemicals IPO allotment will take place on Tuesday, January 21. The IPO allotment status can be checked online by following these steps: 1) Go to the official BSE website via the URL https://www.bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx. 2) Under Issue Type, select Equity. 3) Under Issue Name, select Stallion India Fluorochemicals Ltd in the dropbox. 4) Enter your application number, or the Permanent Account Number (PAN). 5) Then, click on the I am not a robot to verify yourself and hit the Search option. Your share application status will appear on your screen. You can also visit direct Bigshare Services Pvt Ltds portal https://www.bigshareonline.com/ipo_allotment.html and check the Stallion India Fluorochemicals IPO allotment status. Stallion India IPO GMP Today According to market observers, unlisted shares of Stallion India Fluorochemicals Ltd are currently trading at Rs 138 apiece in the grey market, which is a 53.33 per cent premium over the upper IPO price of Rs 90. It indicates a strong listing gain for investors on January 23. The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price. Stallion India Fluorochemicals IPO: More Details The IPO comprises a fresh issue of 1.78 crore equity shares and an offer-for-sale (OFS) component of 43.02 lakh shares by its promoter Shazad Sheriar Rustomji. At the upper end of the price band, the IPO size is pegged at Rs 199.45 crore. Proceeds from the issue will be used towards funding working capital requirements, capital expenditure for its proposed facilities in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, and general corporate purposes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Stallion India Fluorochemicals is engaged in the sale of refrigerants and industrial gases, along with related products. The company serves a diverse range of industries, including air-conditioning and refrigeration, firefighting, semiconductor manufacturing, automobile manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and medicals, glass bottle manufacturing, aerosols, and spray foam applications. Sarthi Capital Advisors is the sole book running lead manager, while Bigshare Services is the registrar to the issue. First Published: January 21, 2025, 09:21 IST Odisha Govt Partners With Singapore-Based GFTN To Launch FinTech Hub In Bhubaneswar Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 17:11 IST The MoU aims to support Indias national vision of 'Insurance for All' by 2047, where every citizen has appropriate life, health, and property insurance coverage, according to a statement. The agreement, signed during Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnams visit to Odisha, aligns with India's vision of Insurance for All by 2047. The Government of Odishas Electronics and IT Department has partnered with Singapore-based Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN) to establish a Global Competency Centre in Bhubaneswar, focusing on InsureTech for financial inclusion. The agreement, signed during Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnams visit to Odisha, aligns with Indias vision of Insurance for All" by 2047, according to an official statement. related stories Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasised Odishas growing role in Indias IT and FinTech sectors, aiming to drive innovation through start-ups, incubation centres, and academia-industry collaboration. The hub will serve as a platform for product development, skilling initiatives, and international forums, while fostering global partnerships. The MoU aims to support Indias national vision of Insurance for All by 2047, where every citizen has appropriate life, health, and property insurance coverage. States like Odisha are taking strides in implementing the new policy to ensure the regulatory architecture is aligned with the market dynamics and innovation is turbo charged while mainstreaming technology for financial inclusion," according to the statement. Key initiatives include developing an advanced skilling center, a global sandbox platform for insurance innovation, and an ESG disclosure infrastructure for MSMEs. GFTN CEO Designate Sopnendu Mohanty highlighted Odishas talent potential and its role in advancing the digital economy. With generous policy incentives and a focus on inclusivity, Odisha aims to position itself as a leader in the global FinTech landscape, according to the statement. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO Designate of GFTN, said, GFTNs partnership with the Government of Odisha to build a Global Competency Centre in InsureTech aligns with Indias Viksit Bharat 2047 vision which aims to deliver impactful financial inclusion and sustainable economic empowerment. By harnessing Odishas enormous talent and entrepreneurial potential, the Hub will accelerate the growth of the states digital economy." Vishal Dev, principal secretary for electronics & IT, Odisha government, said, Odisha is a state with immense potential, and the government is committed to transforming it into one of Indias preeminent FinTech Hubs. The state offers generous policy incentives and has the talent pool to succeed in the sector. With a focus on fostering innovation and promoting global collaborations, Odisha is building a robust ecosystem to support startups and drive technological advancements in the FinTech space." First Published: January 21, 2025, 17:11 IST Case Filed Against LGBTQ Books In Schools, US Supreme Court To Hear Parents' Appeal Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 20:01 IST The justices are expected to review the policy. However, it is unclear whether the case will be argued in the spring, or after the new term begins in October. This comes after a court in Montgomery County, Maryland stopped allowing students to opt out of lessons (AP File Photo) Several parents in suburban Washington have appealed to the US Supreme Court to allow them to pull their children from elementary school classes that use books featuring LGBTQ characters. This comes after a court in Montgomery County, Maryland stopped allowing students to opt out of lessons, reported AP. The parents claim that this policy violates their constitutional religious rights and that public schools cant force kids to participate in classes that violate their faith. The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from the parents on the same, the report added. related stories Some of the stories from elementary school classes include a family attending a pride parade, a girl introducing her uncles husband-to-be, the love story of a prince and a knight amid a battle against a dragon, a girls anxiety about giving a valentine to another girl, a transgender boys decision to share his gender identity with his family, etc. The parents further said they be allowed to pull their children from sex education. They also pointed out that the district initially allowed parents to pull their children from classes but now it has been abruptly stopped. The policy by the court in Montgomery County had led to protests in 2023. Several parents had testified at school board hearings about their religious obligations to keep their children from lessons on gender and sexuality that went against their faith. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The justices are expected to review the policy. However, it is unclear whether the case will be argued in the spring, or after the new term begins in October. Meanwhile, lawyers for the school system urged the US Supreme Court justices to stay out of the case. They wrote that the books are a small part of the curriculum which tell everyday tales of characters who experience adventure, confront new emotions, and struggle to make themselves heard." They further stated that the themes found in these storybooks bear the same theme found in classic stories such as Snow White, Cinderella, and Peter Pan, the report added. First Published: January 21, 2025, 19:32 IST Haryana Board Class 10, 12 Exam 2025 Date Sheet Revised, Check New Schedule Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 14:11 IST According to the earlier date sheet, the Haryana Board annual exams for Class 10 were scheduled from February 27 to March 15, 2025. While the class 12 exams were set to be held from February 26 to March 28, 2025. The class 10 and 12 exams will be held from 12:30 PM to 3 PM or 3:30 PM depending on the subjects. (Representative/File Photo) The Haryana Board of School Education or HBSE has revised the classes 10 and 12 exam 2025 schedule. According to the earlier date sheet, the Haryana Board annual exams for Class 10 were scheduled from February 27 to March 15, 2025. While the class 12 exams were set to be held from February 26 to March 28, 2025. According to the revised schedule, the class 10 exams will commence on February 28 and conclude on March 9. The class 12 exams will begin on February 27 and end on April 2. Candidates who are set to appear for HBSE Class 10th, and 12th annual exams can check the revised timetable through the official website of the Haryana board at bseh.org.in. related stories HBSE has revised the exam dates for class 10 Hindi paper which will now be held on March 7 instead of February 28. The social science exam will be held on March 17 instead of March 5, and mathematics to be conducted on February 28, instead of March 7. The Sanskrit, Urdu, Drawing, Agriculture, Computer Science, Physical and Health Education, Home Science, Music, Animal Husbandry, Dance, and Sanskrit Sahitya subjects will be held on March 5, instead of March 17, 2025. The class 12 Chemistry, Accountancy, and Public Administration exams which were scheduled to be held on March 12, will now be held on March 15. The Political Science exam which take place on March 12 instead of March 15. The Mathematics paper scheduled for March 18, will now be held on March 20. The Sociology, and Entrepreneurship exams will be held on March 18 instead of March 20. HBSE Class 10 and 12th Exam 2025: How To Check Date Sheet? Step 1. Go to bseh.org, the Haryana Boards official website Step 2. Click on the area with the most recent announcements on the main page. Step 3. To view the HBSE 10th and 12th date sheet 2025, click the link. Step 4. The schedule will be displayed on the screen. Step 5. Download and save it. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Step 6. Take a printout and keep it safe until the results are announced. The class 10 and 12 exams will be held from 12:30 PM to 3 PM or 3:30 PM depending on the subjects. The official notice further states that candidates will be allowed to appear in the exam only after they show a valid admit card with a scanned photograph. Calculators and mobile phones are not permitted in the examination hall. Candidates are required to bring their log table and pencil for map work. First Published: January 21, 2025, 14:06 IST European countries need a completely new approach to technology companies and technological development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland) on Tuesday, noting that the algorithms of the TikTok social network are already more powerful than the governments of some countries. "We need a completely new, bolder approach to technology companies and technological development. If we miss the time, Europe will lose this century. Europe is currently lagging behind in the development of artificial intelligence. TikTok algorithms are already more powerful than some governments. The fate of small countries depends more on the owners of technology companies than on their laws," Zelenskyy said. He noted that Europe is not leading the global technology race, lagging behind the United States and China. "This is not some minor issue, but it is about weakness, first technological and economic, and then political," the head of state stressed. Zelenskyy noted that it is necessary to ensure the maximum development of technology in Europe, and that it should become the most attractive market in the world. JKBOSE Class 10, 11, 12 Board Exam 2025 Schedule Released For Hard Zone Areas, Check Details Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 14:14 IST JK Board Exams 2025: According to the official timetable, the class 10 board exams will begin on February 21 and conclude on March 3, 2025. The JKBOSE class 12 exams in hard zone areas will start on February 20 and end on March 20. JKBOSE Date Sheet 2025 Released: The class 11 and class 12 exams will take place from 10 AM every day while the class 10 exams will begin at 1:30 PM. (Representative/File Photo) JKBOSE Exam Date Sheet 2025 Out: The Jammu Kashmir board has announced the schedule of the Class 10 final exams in hard zone areas. According to the official timetable, the class 10 board exams will begin on February 21 and conclude on March 3, 2025. The JKBOSE class 12 exams in hard zone areas will start on February 20 and end on March 20. While the Class 11 exam will begin on February 22 and end on March 22. The class 11 and class 12 exams will take place from 10 AM every day while the class 10 exams will begin at 1:30 PM. JKBOSE Class 10 Board Exam 2025 Schedule related stories The class 10 exams will commence with the additional/optional subjects which include Arabic/ Kashmiri/ Dogri/ Bhoti/ Punjabi/ Urdu/ Hindi/ Persian/ Sanskrit. The exam will end with the Painting/ Art and Drawing paper. JKBOSE Class 12 Board Exam 2025 Schedule The class 12 Science stream exam will begin with Biology (Botany & Zoology)/ Statistics subjects. The arts stream exams will begin with Political Science and Statistics and the Commerce stream students will have to appear for the Accountancy exam on the first day of the exam. The Science stream exam will end with Mathematics/ Applied Mathematics papers and the Arts stream exam will conclude with Mathematics/ Applied Mathematics and Sociology papers. JKBOSE Class 11 Board Exam 2025 Schedule The class 11 science stream exam will begin with Geology/ Microbiology/ Bio-technology/ Bio-chemistry papers. The arts stream exam will commence with Urdu/ Hindi/ Kashmiri/ Dogri/ Punjabi/ Bhoti papers. There is no exam for class 11 commerce students on February 22. Their final exams will begin on February 24 with vocational subjects along with science and arts streams. JKBOSE 10th, 11th, 12th Exam 2025 Date Sheet For Hard Zone Areas: How To Check? Step 1. Visit the official website of the Jammu and Kashmir board at jkbose.nic.in. Step 2. Click on the Student Corner" link on the homepage Step 3: Click on the class 10/11/12 date sheet link. Step 4. The JKBOSE Class 10th/11th/12th Datesheet 2025 will be displayed on your screen as a PDF. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Step 5. Download and save the page. Take a print out for further use. To pass the JKBOSE final exams, students must score a minimum of 33 per cent marks in each subject and a 30 per cent aggregate in the theory exam. In addition, students must obtain at least 40 per cent marks in subjects that have practical exams. First Published: January 21, 2025, 13:00 IST Stalin To Fight UGC Rules Legally; AIADMK, BJP Accuse Him Of Politicising Education Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 18:46 IST Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin criticized UGC draft regulations and vowed to continue the legal fight for state rights over education. MK Stalin has termed the UGC's draft regulations an assault on the idea of federalism. (Image credit/PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reiterated his determination to assert the states rights over education, confirming that the legal fight against the Union government will persist. He criticized the University Grants Commission (UGC) draft regulations for minimum qualifications for the appointment and promotion of teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges. Speaking at an event in Karaikudi, Sivaganga district, Stalin raised concerns about the involvement of Union-appointed Chancellors in state universities. He also emphasized Tamil Nadus significant contributions to education policy, infrastructure, and faculty salaries. related stories It is the state that drafts policies, funds infrastructure, and pays salaries. Why should the position of Chancellor be held by someone appointed by the Union Government? Until we reclaim the states rights in education, we will not stop our fight," Stalin said. On Monday, Stalin called on the Chief Ministers of the INDIA Bloc states to pass a resolution against the UGC draft regulation claiming that it infringes on the rights of state governments. In a letter, Stalin alleged the guidelines restrictive measures, particularly those that limit the role of state governments in appointing Vice-Chancellors and in regulating admission procedures, including the introduction of entrance exams for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Stalin claimed that these guidelines threatened the autonomy of universities and encroached upon the federal structure of the country. To defend federalism and safeguard our educational autonomy, I have urged Honble @dpradhanbjp to immediately withdraw the UGCs draft regulations that trample on State rights.I have also requested Non-BJP State CMs to join forces with Tamil Nadu and pass Assembly resolutions pic.twitter.com/puPxl2dcPp M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) January 20, 2025 The Tamil Nadu assembly passed a resolution opposing the UGC draft regulations earlier this year. Stalin in the assembly had said that the UGCs draft regulations were an assault on the idea of federalism and they affected Tamil Nadus higher education system. AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan criticized Stalins call for a united opposition, dismissing it as a diversionary tactic. He remarked, MK Stalin urging other state chief ministers to pass resolutions against the new UGC rules highlights his incompetence." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He further added, Instead of exploring legal options, MK Stalin is attempting to turn this into a national movement, which clearly reflects his political agenda rather than the welfare of the people. His unfulfilled promises to abolish NEET have left the public disappointed, and now he seeks to turn this issue into a national campaign." Senior BJP leader Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan also accused the Tamil Nadu government of politicizing education. Tamil Nadu is turning every issue into a controversy. The NEET and NEP were ignored, and now the UGC regulations are being opposed. They even appointed a political ally as Vice-Chancellor. Such political appointments should be avoided," Tamilisai stated. First Published: January 21, 2025, 18:35 IST SSC MTS Result 2024 Expected Soon at ssc.gov.in, What's Next? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 14:52 IST SSC MTS Result 2024: Candidates who secure the prescribed cut off marks in SSC MTS Result 2024 will be able to participate in the further recruitment process, that is, PET / PST / DV. SSC will also declare the cut off marks along with the MTS Havaldar result (Representational/File Photo) The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is expected to release the Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff and Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) Examination, 2024 result anytime soon. Candidates who appeared for the exam will be able to check the SSC MTS Result 2024 by visiting the official website at ssc.gov.in, once declared. SSC MTS and Havaldar examinations were held from September 30 to November 14, 2024. There were reports of fraud in the SSC MTS exam at Purnia Digital Examination Centre located at Patna. Police had raided the centre on the tip-off of managing the center to pass the SSC MTS exam through fake candidates and arrested seven employees of the centre, 14 fake candidates, and 14 real candidates. related stories This recruitment drive is being conducted to fill 9,583 MTS and Havaldar vacancies, including 6,144 positions for Multi-Tasking Staff (Non-Technical) and 3,439 for Havaldar. SSC MTS Result 2024: How To Check? Step 1: Visit the official website of SSC at ssc.gov.in. Step 2: On the homepage, click on the result link Step 3: Enter your registration number and other required details. Step 4: The SSC MTS Result 2024 will be displayed on the screen. Step 5: Check and download the result. Take a print out for further use. SSC MTS Result 2024: Whats Next? SSC will also declare the cut off marks along with the MTS Havaldar result. Candidates who secure the prescribed cut off marks in SSC MTS Result 2024 will be able to participate in the further recruitment process, that is, PET / PST / DV. SSC MTS Result 2024: Physical Test Requirements top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The minimum height of male candidates for the SSC MTS physical test should be 157 cm. Garhwali, Assamese, Gorkha, and Scheduled Tribe candidates are given a relaxation of 5 cm in this. Apart from this, the chest of the candidate should be 81 cm (5 cm chest expansion). The minimum height for female candidates has been fixed at 152 cm. Female candidates from Garhwali, Assamese, Gorkha, and Scheduled Tribe categories will be given a relaxation of 2.5 cm in height. The minimum weight of a female candidate must be 28 kg. Whereas, reserved category candidates have been given a relaxation of 2 kg. First Published: January 21, 2025, 14:48 IST 'BJP Manifesto Dangerous': Arvind Kejriwal Alleges Plans To Dismantle Free Education, Healthcare Published By : PTI Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 13:59 IST Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of planning to dismantle free education and healthcare, including Mohalla Clinics, through their election manifesto, ahead of the Delhi assembly polls. AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal (Video screengrab/ANI) Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday described the BJPs election manifesto as dangerous for the country". He alleged that the party plans to shut free education in government schools and dismantle free health services, including the Mohalla Clinics, if voted to power. related stories In a press conference, Kejriwal accused the BJP of revealing its true intentions" in the manifesto and warned voters against supporting the party. If the BJP comes to power, they will stop free education, end free health facilities and make it difficult for the poor to survive in Delhi. This is a direct attack on the welfare of the common man," he said. Kejriwal further appealed to people not to vote for the BJP, claiming that their policies would jeopardise the future of the country and adversely impact the lives of Delhis poor. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The BJPs Sankalp Patra is a blueprint for closing government schools and Mohalla Clinics, which have been a lifeline for many," he added. The BJP is yet to respond to the allegations. First Published: January 21, 2025, 13:58 IST Delhi BJP Spent 628% More On Facebook Ads Than AAP & Congress Combined In Last 7 Days Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 11:52 IST The BJPs Delhi unit is not just leading in election-related ads but advertisements overall, including commercials, where it has spent Rs 83,31,641 in the last seven days The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is on a spending spree on Facebook ahead of elections. (PTI) The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is on a spending spree on Facebook ahead of the crucial elections to the Capital, with its ad expenditure on the virtual medium being 628 per cent more than that of the Delhi unit of the Congress and two wings of the Aam Adam Party combined in the last seven days alone. The BJPs Delhi unit is not just leading in election-related ads but advertisements overall, including commercials, where it has spent Rs 83,31,641 in the last seven days. The Aam Aadmi Party, which spends on ads from two accounts, stands at Rs 5,75,399 and Rs 3,05,227 separately. Meanwhile the Delhi Unit of the Indian National Congress in the last seven days spent Rs 4,45,475 on its Facebook ads to reach out to Delhi voters ahead of the February 5 election. Together, the parties have coughed up an amount of Rs 13,26,101 on Facebook ads in the last seven days alone. related stories There has also been a massive shift in Facebooks location-based targeted ads recently. In the last seven days, Delhi has remained the most targeted location for ads a whopping Rs 1,27,01,861 was spent on ads beamed in Delhi. To put things into context, the second runner-up was Maharashtra, which grabbed Facebook ads for its locations the last seven days that cost Rs 18,51,237 one-sixth the expenditure and interest. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all With AI-generated meme wars gaining traction, the Facebook ad campaign has more content every day to be fed with, appealing to different age brackets. If that was not enough, Delhi MP Manoj Tiwaris election campaign song Bahane Nahi Badlav Chahien, Delhi Mein BJP Sarkar Chahiye (need change not excuses, Delhi requires BJP government) has added groove and reason for more online push by the BJP, which has posted 197 ads in the last seven days alone and is raring to go. With each passing day, the tempo is likely to be more competitive. First Published: January 21, 2025, 11:52 IST Delhi Polls: How Kejriwal's Arrest Brought His Wife Sunita To AAP's Star Campaigner List Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 08:00 IST An IRS officer until 2016, Sunita Kejriwal is not a mass leader or a great orator but kept a low profile while her husband, Arvind Kejriwal, made headlines. But, her public appearances have helped the AAP chief AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal, who was announced as one of the star campaigners for the Delhi polls, has already started a house-to-house campaign for her husband in the New Delhi seat. (Image: PTI/File) Sunita Kejriwal was there alongside her husband, Arvind Kejriwal, in the 2020 assembly elections in Delhi, seeking votes for him but she was not part of the AAPs official election campaign until recently. Only after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal went to jail in March last year, Sunita Kejriwal started getting space as one of the partys star campaigners. She was there for the Lok Sabha, Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Haryana polls. related stories The AAP, however, was unable to create magic in any of these elections, except gaining entry into the J&K assembly with a single victory in Doda. Now, when the list of star campaigners for Delhi was announced, Sunita found a mention yet again. She is not a mass leader or a great orator but kept a low profile all these years while her husband was making headlines. She appeared in public only when necessary. But, Sunitas appearance as Kejriwals wife has always helped him. Be it when he went for a sit-in at the Delhi L-Gs house in 2018 or when he went to jail in March last year. She has always managed to gather emotional support for her husband. She has been spotted walking behind or beside Kejriwal on important occasions, but only marked a mute presence without making noise. Even when there were murmurs about finding Kejriwals replacement for the post of chief minister, the BJP was expecting her name to be announced but she stayed away. Sunita has mostly made her public statements when Kejriwal has been absent once in 2018 when Kejriwal stayed at the L-Gs official residence to protest against the officials working in Delhi. And, then in March 2024, after he went to jail, she would deliver his letters addressed to the people of Delhi. ALSO READ | No Charges Framed In Excise Policy Cases, Owns No Car, Uptick In Wifes Assets: Arvind Kejriwals Poll Affidavit An officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) until 2016, she quit her position and took voluntary retirement. She has helped Kejriwal maintain the image of a family man", while their children have also been seen on important occasions, including during political campaigns. Sunita and her daughter were seen in the 2015 and 2020 assembly polls in Delhi. They even campaigned in Punjab in 2022, followed by the general elections. She is among those in Delhi who has an appeal among the women in the city. They connect with her and respect her. Every time she has stepped out in public, it has helped us a lot," an AAP leader told News18. She is important for the party. Although for every candidate, their families are out there seeking votes and Sunita ji is no different. She has stood with the party in everything we faced. Her guidance is equally important for us," the leader added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ | Sunita Kejriwals First Day, First Show Houseful in East Delhi as Delhi CMs Wife Asks Voters to Defeat Tanashahi Although it is not yet clear if she will be holding public meetings and rallies or just simply doing road shows and door-to-door campaigns, she has already started a house-to-house campaign for Kejriwal in the New Delhi assembly seat and even went to his nomination rally. First Published: January 21, 2025, 08:00 IST How Trump Carries Out His Mass Deportation Plan Will Depend On These Factors | Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 17:21 IST Cooperation among states, ICE budget, diplomatic agreements and courts are some of the hurdles that the Trump administration will have to overcome to carry out deportation swiftly. There are 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US Billions of dollars would be required for Donald Trumps mass deportation plan. The average cost of transporting one deportee to their home country was $1,978, according to ICE. (AP Photo) In a flurry of executive orders signed by US President Donald Trump on Monday was the move to seal the nations borders against migrants and systematically crack down on illegal immigrants as part of a policy that included national emergency declaration to deploy the military at the border and cut off birthright citizenship of children of non-citizens. With these actions we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense," Trump said after taking his oath of office. All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came." related stories Trump also moved to block asylum seekers and seal the border against those looking for protection in the US. He argued that illegal border crossings posed a national security threat and public health concern. Trump also declared that his government would no longer treat all US-born children as citizens. The order directed federal agencies, starting in 30 days, not to issue citizenship documents to US-born children of an undocumented mother, or a mother on a temporary visa, if the father is not a US citizen or permanent resident. Whether Trump will be able to carry out his mass deportation plan depends on the following factors. How Swiftly Can Trump Carry Out Deportation There are currently an estimated 11 million people in the United States who lack legal status. State Coordination: Rick Su, a law professor at the University of North Carolina, told NBC News that for Trumps policy to work, it may be that a lot of it is going to be coordination with the states." Trump officials said they will punish localities who resist his plans and will withhold federal police grants from law enforcement agencies that decline to aid in deportations. Democratic city and state leaders across the US have already promised to oppose Trumps plans, and have passed ordinances to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. Legal Hurdles: Can his administration legally force states and localities to deport immigrants? The Trump administrations ability to enact that plan could be hindered by legal action from civil rights and immigrant advocacy groups. While the specific legal strategies will depend on what actions Trump takes and if there are potential civil rights issues, the American Civil Liberties Union has said it is ready to take action the minute Trump takes the oath of office." ICE Budget: According to US officials, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is already facing a shortfall of $230 million in its budget. So, the Congress will have to provide additional funding for enforcement of mass deportation plans. Trumps mass deportation policy could cost more than an estimated $88 billion, according to the American Immigration Council an immigration research and immigrant advocacy group. Trump had told NBC News that there was no price tag" when it came to his mass deportation plan. Outgoing ICE Director PJ Lechleitner told NBC News earlier this month that the agency has nearly 8 million people on its non-detained docket, with one officer for more than every 7,000 cases. Of those, 435,719 have a criminal background as of September 2024, according to a letter to Congress from ICE, with 13,099 of them convicted of homicide and 15,811 convicted of sexual assault. Diplomatic Agreements: According to experts, the Biden administration made a concerted effort in negotiating with other countries to take back their nationals. That included a historic agreement with Mexico in return for the establishment of lawful pathways, such as humanitarian parole processes. But Trump has threatened to use tariffs to compel countries to take their nationals back, and its not clear what other countries would seek in return for or in exchange for accepting their own nationals or third-country nationals" during his administration, Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst with the US Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute, told NBC News. Starting in 2004, the policy allowed authorities to use an expedited removal process for unauthorised immigrants caught within 100 miles of a US land border and arrested within 14 days of arrival. Trumps first administration moved to broadly expand that policy to undocumented immigrants anywhere in the United States who could not prove being in the country continuously for two years or more. What Does Data On Illegal Immigrants Say? As per Pew Research, there are 11 million immigrants in the US without authorization, which include those who overstayed in the US on a tourist visa, asylum seekers who crossed the border and those who have no criminal conviction. Among them are some 1.3 million immigrants who have already been issued removal orders but remain in the country, said Kathleen Bush-Joseph, policy analyst at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute, as quoted by USA Today. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement database reported that there were more than 660,000 non-citizens with criminal histories on its docket. Of the 11 million more than half are people who came legally but overstayed their visas, according to the Center for Migration Studies. Others crossed the border illegally years ago. There are also those who are being protected under temporary federal programmes. More than 860,000 people from 16 different countries such as Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria, Venezuela and Haiti benefit from temporary protected status". If Trumps plan comes into force, these programmes will be cancelled by Homeland Security at any time. There are also 530,000 immigrants who arrived into the United States when their parents crossed the border illegally and benefited from a temporary status under the Barack Obama administration called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Trump had tried to abolish the programme but the Supreme Court rejected it. Another 1.6 million asylum-seekers are awaiting hearings in their cases, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. How Many Undocumented Indians In The US? There are about 725,000 Indian illegal immigrants in the US the third largest population of unauthorised immigrants after Mexico and El Salvador according to new Pew Research Centre estimates. The report said India, Guatemala and Honduras all saw increases from 2017. A significant portion of the undocumented Indians facing deportation come from high-migration states of Punjab, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, according to local immigration experts. Over the last three years, around 90,000 Indian nationals have been apprehended attempting to enter the United States illegally, according to reports. Economic challenges, along with long delays in obtaining visas and green cards, appear to be pushing many towards unauthorised routes. What Will Be The Cost Of Deportation? Billions of dollars would be required to fund Trumps mass deportation plan. The average cost of apprehending, detaining, processing and removing one undocumented immigrant from the US in 2016 was $10,900, according to figures released by ICE at the time. The ICE has said the average cost of transporting one deportee to their home country was $1,978. In 2015, an analysis done by Laura Collins, an immigration policy expert at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, co-authored for the American Action Forum, a conservative think tank, estimated arresting and removing all undocumented immigrants from the US would cost at least $100 billion and take 20 years. If 1 million undocumented immigrants are deported per year, mass deportation could cost more than $88 billion annually, according to the American Immigration Council. Around $992 million is the Department of Homeland Securitys budget for soft-sided" temporary detention facilities along the border in fiscal year 2023. Operating a soft-sided shelter can cost up to $40 million a month, according to Jason Houser, a former ICE chief of staff, as quoted by CNN. With backlogs of millions of cases, 1,016 days would be the average time for a case to make its way through an immigration court, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. There are 8 million undocumented immigrants in the US workforce, thats 5% of the workforce, according to Pew Research Center. The estimated amount of taxes undocumented immigrants pay annually is $96.7 billion, according to the nonpartisan Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. A Look At the History of Deportation Efforts Trump said he would model his deportation plans based on President Dwight D Eisenhowers operation 70 years ago. In 1954, Eisenhower targeted hundreds of thousands of Mexicans and people of Mexican descent. He used the help of local and state law enforcement in systematic dragnet that rounded up and expelled US citizens along with migrants. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all But only President Barack Obama could deport more deportations that his predecessors. At the peak in 2012, Obama removed more than 407,000 people, according to Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC). In total, his eight-year administration logged more than 3.1 million ICE deportations. In Trumps tenure, the highest year of deportations was 2019, when his administration deported more than 269,000 people, according to the same TRAC dataset. In his four years of governance, only 932,000 deportations were carried out, as per ICE. First Published: January 21, 2025, 17:10 IST What Is World Health Organization? How Trumps Order To Withdraw From WHO Could Impact Global Health | Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 13:55 IST As Trump issues orders to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization, established after World War II, health experts warn of impact on Americans' health and progress made on fighting diseases such as malaria, TB, HIV and AIDS Withdrawal of any of the major donors like the US from the World Health Organization would leave an immediate, substantial funding gap that cannot be bridged easily. (Reuters Image) Donald Trump issued an executive order on Monday to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing the agencys mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic," and the failure to adopt urgently needed reforms". The move is expected to undermine the US standing as a global health leader and will create challenges in fighting the next pandemic. related stories While signing a string of executive orders on his first day as president, Trump said the WHO demands unfairly onerous payments" from the US, and complained that China pays less. The order said the US was withdrawing due to the organizations mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states". Why Is Trump Against WHO? When Trump was in office during his first term, he was critical of the Geneva-based organization for being too China-centric" in its tackling of the Covid-19 pandemic. He accused the WHO of being biased towards China in how it issued guidance during the outbreak. How Much Funding Has US Provided To WHO? The US has historically been a major contributor to both the WHOs emergency appeal and its wider budget, fixed at $6.8 billion for 2024-2025. For the current two-year period, the US provided about 34% of the funding available for health emergencies, and in the past its contribution has been as high as 50%, WHO data showed. It also contributes about a fifth of the WHOs overall funding. Under the Biden administration, the US continued to be the largest funder of the WHO and in 2023 it contributed almost one-fifth of the agencys $6.8 billion annual budget. The WHO is seeking $1.5 billion to help more than 300 million people living in 42 emergency zones from Gaza to Afghanistan. What Happens If The US Leaves WHO? The WHO is funded in part by mandatory fees from member states, alongside voluntary contributions and an investment round. Just five donors, again led by the US, represent a huge chunk of its voluntary funding, the WHO document said up to two-thirds of the budget for some programmes. Withdrawal of any of these major donors would leave an immediate, substantial funding gap that cannot be bridged easily," the document reads. WHO values greatly its relationship with the US and is committed to maintaining and strengthening it," a WHO spokesperson told Reuters. WHO will do everything to cooperate with the incoming US administration". How Health Experts Are Responding To Trumps Move Public health experts have been critical of Trumps decision to leave the WHO, warning there could be consequences for Americans health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would have no access to the global data that the WHO provides. For example, when China characterised the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus in 2020, it released the information to WHO, which shared it with other nations. Some have suggested the move could reverse progress made on fighting infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV and AIDS. Ashish Jha, who formerly worked as Covid-19 response coordinator under Biden, previously warned leaving would harm not only the health of people around the world, but also US leadership and scientific prowess", as told to BBC. Lawrence O. Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University who helped negotiate the pandemic treaty", said a US withdrawal from WHO would be a grievous wound" to public health but an even deeper wound to American national interests and national security," as told to The New York Times. What Is WHO And What Does It Do? The WHO was founded as the UN global health body in 1948 in the aftermath of the World War II with a mandate to promote global health, protect against infectious disease and to serve the vulnerable. It was inspired by the international sanitary conferences of the 19th century set up to combat communicable diseases such as cholera, yellow fever and plague. Since 1977, the WHO has maintained a list of essential medicines it encourages hospitals to stock; it has since made a similar list of diagnostic tests. The agency also provides guidance on priority medical devices, such as ventilators and X-ray and ultrasound machines. Its current programme envisages expanding universal healthcare to a billion more people, protecting another billion from health emergencies and providing a further billion people with better health. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Some of the WHOs successes include its child vaccination programmes, which contributed to the eradication of smallpox in 1979 and a 99% reduction in polio infections in recent decades, and its leadership during the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic. The agency has the exclusive authority to declare global health emergencies, which it has done six times since its members granted it the power in 2007: During the 2009 swine flu (H1N1) epidemic; in reaction to a reversal of progress in eradicating polio in 2014; amid the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa; during the 2016 Zika virus outbreak in the Americas; once the ongoing Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2019; and the global outbreak of the new coronavirus in 2020. First Published: January 21, 2025, 13:55 IST Whats Paris Agreement, Why Has Trump Vowed To Withdraw From It? Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 10:33 IST The first Trump administration made a similar move in 2017, but that step was promptly reversed on President Joe Biden's first day in office in 2021 Donald Trumps executive order says the Paris accord is among a number of international agreements that dont reflect US values and 'steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance'. (Photo: AP) President Donald Trump signed executive orders on the first day of his second term on Monday directing the US to withdraw from the Paris Agreement an international climate action treaty of which nearly 200 countries are members. The move could deal a blow to the global efforts to combat global warming. Trumps order says the Paris accord is among a number of international agreements that dont reflect US values and steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people." related stories Instead of joining a global agreement, the United States successful track record of advancing both economic and environmental objectives should be a model for other countries, Trump said. The first Trump administration made a similar move in 2017, but that step was promptly reversed on President Joe Bidens first day in office in 2021. The US will now have to wait a year before it will be officially out of the climate pact. The White House announced a national energy emergency", outlining a raft of changes that will reverse US climate regulations and boost oil and gas production. The move comes after the global temperature in 2024 rose more than 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels for the first time in a calendar year. The Paris agreement binds all member countries to limit the causes of global warming. What Is Paris Agreement? It is a legally binding treaty adopted by 196 countries at the climate change conference in Paris in 2015 (known as COP 21). The main goal of the agreement is to cut global greenhouse gases in order to limit global temperature increases as close as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Other agreed measures focusing on adaptation, education, financing, technological cooperation, and recognizing the role climate action plays in reaching many other Sustainable Development Goals. How Do Countries Plan To Achieve Climate Goals? The following are a series of commitments listed under the agreement: To pursue efforts" to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C, and to keep them well below" 2.0C above those recorded in pre-industrial times To achieve a balance known as net zero between the greenhouse gases that humans put into the atmosphere and the gases that they actively remove, in the second half of this century Each country to set its own emission-reduction targets, reviewed every five years to raise ambitions Richer countries to help poorer nations by providing funding, known as climate finance, to adapt to climate change and switch to renewable energy The 1.5C target is generally accepted to refer to the 20-year average, rather than a single year. What Has Been US History With Paris Pact? The US adopted the Paris Agreement during the Barack Obama administration in 2015. But Trump announced his intent to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement in 2017, though it was not formalised until November 4, 2020, a day after the presidential election that Joe Biden won. On the first day of his term, Biden announced his intent to re-enter the Paris Agreement. In December 2024, the Biden administration submitted a new, ambitious goal on behalf of the US that said the country would cut climate pollution by up to 66% below 2005 levels by 2035. But Trump on his first day of the second term in January 2025 ordered the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement again as he sought to increase US production of fossil fuels. A Project 2025" document from the Heritage Foundation recommends Trump should fully exit the UN treaty that governs the agreement a decision that would disturb international climate negotiations and make it harder for a future US administration to re-enter. How Much Has Been Achieved Through Paris Agreement? Global leaders meet every year to discuss climate goals at international summits known as COP (Conference Of the Parties). All COPs since 2015 have tracked how countries are building on what they promised in Paris. Current climate plans still put the world on track for around 2.6C to 2.8C of warming by 2100, according to the UN. But this could drop to 1.9C if all net zero pledges were achieved, meaning countries need to put in place more policies to achieve their goals. In December 2023, countries agreed for the first time to contribute" to transitioning away from fossil fuels", although they were not forced to take action. But no significant progress was seen at COP29 in November 2024. Whats The Commitment For Poorer Countries? The Paris deal restated a commitment first made in 2009 that the worlds richer countries should provide $100 billion annually by 2020 to help developing nations deal with the effects of climate change, and build greener economies. In 2020, only $83.3 billion was raised, and the goal was eventually achieved in 2022, according to data from the OECD. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In 2023, countries agreed for the first time that a fund should be established exclusively for loss and damage. This is money to help countries recover from the impacts of climate change. Thus, richer nations committed to providing $300 billion a year to developing nations by 2035, with a broader ambition for $1.3 trillion to be raised from private and public sources by the same date. First Published: January 21, 2025, 10:28 IST Why Is Trump Hellbent On Taking Back Panama Canal, How Is It Strategically Important For The US? Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 10:19 IST The US initially supported Panamas independence from Colombia to secure the rights to build the canal. The US accounts for about 75% of the canals traffic, while China ranks second with 21% President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, on January 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo) US newly sworn-in president Donald Trump vowed on Monday to take back the Panama Canal, invoking the 19th Century expansionist policy of Manifest Destiny during his inauguration ceremony speech. Trump threatened to reimpose US control over the canal, and accused Panama of breaking the promises it made for the final transfer of the strategic waterway in 1999 and of ceding its operation to China claims that the Panamanian government has vehemently denied. related stories Although he did not give further details on how he is going to achieve it but had previously ruled out possible use of military force, which was heavily criticised Latin American countries. Meanwhile, some analysts have also questioned whether Trump is serious about pursuing what critics say would be a land grab, in context of rhetoric to acquire not just Panama Canal but Greenland and turning Canada into the 51st state of the US, speculating that he may be laying down an extreme negotiating position to squeeze out concessions later on. Also, Trump, in first term from 2017-2021, was known for issuing some headline-grabbing threats and pronouncements that he failed to deliver on. Let us understand why Panama Canal is important for Trump. What Is Trumps Concern? Trump has claimed in his inaugural address that China is operating the Panama Canal, which Panama has repeatedly disputed. Canal administrator Ricaurte Vasquez told The Associated Press that a Hong Kong consortium won a bid in 1997 that allows Chinese companies to operate in ports at the ends of the canal. But the US and Taiwanese companies also operate ports along the canal, which is open to commerce from all countries, Vasquez said. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has said market conditions are used to set passage rates and that China was not influencing the country. History Of Panama Canal Explorers in Central American began taking keen interest in finding a shortcut from the Atlantic to the Pacific in the early 1500s. In 1523, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V commissioned a survey of the Isthmus of Panama and several plans for a canal were produced, but none ever implemented. US interest in building a canal piqued with the expansion of the American West and the California gold rush in 1848. (Today, a ship heading from New York to San Francisco can save about 7,800 miles by taking the Panama Canal rather than sailing around South America.) In 1880, a French company run by the builder of the Suez Canal started digging a canal across the Isthmus of Panama (then a part of Colombia). More than 22,000 workers died from tropical diseases such as yellow fever during this early phase of construction and the company eventually went bankrupt, selling its project rights to the US in 1902 for $40 million. President Theodore Roosevelt championed the canal, viewing it as important to Americas economic and military interests. In 1903, Panama declared its independence from Colombia in a US-backed revolution and the US and Panama signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, in which the US agreed to pay Panama $10 million for a perpetual lease on land for the canal, plus $250,000 annually in rent. Over 56,000 people worked on the canal between 1904 and 1913 and over 5,600 lost their lives. The canal, which cost the $375 million to build, was considered an engineering marvel and represented Americas emergence as a world power. In 1977, responding to nearly 20 years of Panamanian protest, US President Jimmy Carter and Panamas General Omar Torrijos signed two new treaties that replaced the original 1903 agreement and called for a transfer of canal control in 1999. The treaty, narrowly ratified by the US Senate, gave America the right to defend the canal against any threats to its neutrality. In October 2006, Panamanian voters approved a $5.25 billion plan to double the canals size by 2015 to better accommodate modern ships. How Panama Canal Control Went To Panamanians? Signed by US President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos, the treaties set a timeline for the canals gradual transfer to Panama. According to the Torrijos-Carter Treaties on December 31, 1999, the US officially handed over the control of the Panama Canal to Panamanians. Since then, Panama has managed the canal, overseeing significant expansions, including the 2016 addition of wider locks to accommodate Neopanamax ships. Today, the canal handles over 14,000 vessels annually and facilitates 2.5% of global trade. How Panama Canal Became Important? The Panama Canal is the umbilical cord that ties North and South America together. Although the canal is a mere 82 km in length, the width of the country of Panama at one of its narrowest points. It is among the most iconic pieces of infrastructure in the world, and was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. When the Panama Canal opened in 1914, it stood as a testament to human innovation. However, its creation was not without controversy. The US initially supported Panamas independence from Colombia to secure the rights to build the canal. The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty granted the US control over the Panama Canal Zone, a move that sparked resentment among Panamanians for decades. The US is the canals biggest user, accounting for about 75% of canal traffic in fiscal year 2024. China comes in second at 21%. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Panama Canal finished the 2020 with $3.4 billion in revenues, up 7.2% on the 2019 fiscal year. In 2020, the canals direct contribution to Panamas national nominal GDP was 2.7%. Transits across the canal totalled 13,369 in the 2020 fiscal year, a 3% drop on the previous year. It is widely believed that the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to this dip. Its tonnage for the 2020 fiscal year was 475.2 million. But the canal has faced several challenges over the years, including severe droughts. In 2023, low water levels forced administrators to reduce daily ship transits and raise tolls, leading to supply chain disruptions. First Published: January 21, 2025, 09:04 IST Only real security guarantees for Ukraine will serve as real security guarantees for all countries in Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Tuesday. "Europe deserves to be strong. And for that, Europe needs the EU and NATO. Is this possible without Ukraine and without a just end to Russia's war against Ukraine? I am sure that the answer is no. Only real security guarantees for us will serve as real security guarantees for everyone in Europe," he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The head of state underlined the necessity to make sure that the United States "also considers us important." "For that to happen, America's attention must shift to Europe. So that one day in Washington they will say: all the attention is on Europe. And not because of the war. And because of the possibilities of Europe," he said. According to Zelenskyy, Europe needs to know how to defend itself. Also, he said, "Europe should shape history for itself and its allies to remain not just relevant, but alive and great. Why Trump Wants To Rename The Gulf Of Mexico The Gulf Of America? Can He Do That? Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 11:31 IST As president, Trump could press for changes to geographical names as they are used in the US. Former President Barack Obama has used his executive powers to rename an Alaska mountain from McKinley to Denali in 2015. But Trump has vowed to reverse it The Gulf of Mexico plays a pivotal role in the US economy, hosting nearly half of the nations petroleum refining and natural gas processing capacity. (AP Photo) In a flurry of executive orders signed by newly sworn-in President Donald Trump on Monday was the renaming of Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. In his inaugural speech, Trump said America will claim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth". Trump had announced the proposed change during a press conference held at Mar-a-Lago in January, stating his belief that the renaming is both justified and symbolic of a broader vision for American sovereignty. related stories He further claimed that the Gulf is currently controlled by cartels and reiterated his stance on strengthening US borders, as mentioned in a report by ABC. What Is Gulf Of Mexico? The Gulf of Mexico, which Trump plans to rename, is a critical body of water for North America. Spanning approximately 600,000 square miles, it ranks as the ninth-largest body of water globally. Its name first appeared on maps used by Spanish explorers in the 16th Century, before the discovery of the United States. President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico had displayed earlier this month a map from 1607 that included the Gulf of Mexico. It also labeled North America as Mexican America". Who Owns It? According to the US State Department, the maritime border in the Gulf of Mexico between the US and Mexico begins at the centre of the mouth of the Rio Grande, wherever it may be located, and runs in a fixed line. For the most part, the US has maritime jurisdiction over its portion of the Gulf of Mexico while Mexico has jurisdiction over its portion. The Submerged Lands Act (SLA) of 1953 grants individual states rights to the natural resources of submerged lands from the coastline to no more than 3 nautical miles into the Atlantic, Pacific, the Arctic Oceans, and the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The only exceptions are Texas and the west coast of Florida, where state jurisdiction extends from the coastline to no more than 3 marine leagues into the Gulf of Mexico. How Important Is Gulf Of Mexico For The US The Gulf of Mexico plays a pivotal role in the US economy, hosting nearly half of the nations petroleum refining and natural gas processing capacity. It remains the nations leading offshore producer of oil and gas, accounting for approximately 97% of all US Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas production. Additionally, it accounts for about 40% of Americas seafood supply, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Defense Fund. Can Trump Rename It? As president Trump could press for changes to geographical names as they are used in the US. Former President Barack Obama has used his executive powers to rename an Alaskan mountain from McKinley to Denali in 2015. But Trump has vowed to reverse it. According to John Nyberg, the director of the International Hydrographic Organization, told The New York Times in an email, there is no formal international agreement or protocol in place today for renaming maritime areas. The US Board on Geographic Names, part of the United States Geological Survey, says on its website that it only considers name changes for compelling" reasons. Generally," it adds, the most important policy regarding names is local use and acceptance." Meanwhile, the US and Mexico are both members of the International Hydrographic Organization that works to ensure all the worlds seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted uniformly, and also names some of them. Unlike other measures announced by Trump on Monday, the name change was not the subject of an executive order although he said that would happen in a short time from now". What Other Bodies Have Disputed Names? The body of water that separates Iran from Saudi Arabia has long been a source of tension. Iran wants it called the Persian Gulf," while Saudi Arabia prefers Arabian Gulf." The US Navy uses the term Arabian Gulf" to avoid any friction with an important ally. But the US Board on Geographic Names has mandated use of the Persian Gulf" for official business. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Japan and South Korea have been embroiled in a row over what to call the waters between the Korean peninsula and the Japanese archipelago. Tokyo calls it the Sea of Japan, citing maps written by Catholic priests and European explorers dating back to the 17th century, but South Korea complains that it evokes Japans colonisation of the peninsula from 1910 to 1945, and refers to it as the East Sea. The sea between Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam widely known as the South China Sea in English is also disputed. It is called the West Philippine Sea in the Philippines, the East Sea in Vietnam, and the South Sea in China. Others have suggested calling it the Southeast Asia Sea. First Published: January 21, 2025, 11:31 IST Bengal Govt Challenges Life Term For RG Kar Convict Sanjay Roy, Demands Death Penalty In High Court Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 11:59 IST RG Kar Rape-Murder Case: Sanjay Roy was found guilty and sentenced to life term on Monday by a Sessions Court. RG Kar rape case accused Sanjay Roy (Image: News18/File) RG Kar Rape-Murder Case: The Mamata Banerjee government challenged the trial courts life imprisonment order against Sanjay Roy- convict in RG Kar rape and murder case in Kolkata- demanding that he be given the death penalty. Advocate General Kishore Dutta moved the division bench headed by Justice Debangshu Basak seeking the death penalty for Sanjay Roy. related stories Sanjay Roy, a former civic volunteer for the city police, was found guilty and sentenced to life term by a Sessions Court, as the judge said that the case was not in the rarest of rare" category for a death penalty. Mamata Banerjees government was criticised for allegedly mishandling the case. On the judgement, the West Bengal government had expressed disappointment and said that the Kolkata Police would have ensured the death penalty. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The RG Kar case sparked massive protests after a trainee doctor was found dead on August 9. The case was initially probed by Kolkata Police and was later transferred to the CBI. Sanjay Roy was found guilty under sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita relating to rape and murder. The trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment and the court ordered for financial assistance of Rs 17 lakh to be paid to the victims parents. Location : West Bengal, India First Published: January 21, 2025, 11:53 IST Blunders and Blindfolds: How Kolkata Police, RG Kar Authorities Fumbled Justice in Abhaya Rape-Murder Case Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 10:11 IST From a botched investigation by Tala PS to post-incident chaos, the court didnt hold back in pointing out how the citys law enforcers dropped the ball. RG Kar rape and murder case convict Sanjay Roy sent to life imprisonment | Image/ANI Even as the Sealdah Court sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment in the chilling RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case, the judgment stopped short of the noose. But whats startling isnt just the punishment its the scathing 172-page order that lays bare glaring missteps by the Kolkata Police. From a botched investigation by Tala PS to post-incident chaos, the court didnt hold back in pointing out how the citys law enforcers dropped the ball. related stories Following are the lapses the court found as far as the probe by the city police is concerned: 1. Hastily Conducted Initial Investigation Prior to starting the specific case, the concerned PS had started one UD case vide Tala PS UD Case No. 861 dated 09.08.2024. Afterwards, an investigation was started by the said PS," the court noted. Citing the deposition of Prosecution witness, the court found that the police did not pay any heed to the request for a second postmortem of the victims body, and the cremation was hurriedly conducted without proper protocols. After perusing the evidence, the court also pointed out that if the officers of Tala PS would take proper initiative by applying their intellect at the very first time, the matter would not become so complicated. I am sorry to comment that the officers of Tala PS showed a very indifferent attitude from the very inception," it said. 2. Neglect of Familys Rights and Requests The court in its order further noted, The father of the victim stated that after coming out from the main gate of RG Kar Hospital, the hearse rushed at high speed, and they could not follow it. At Tala PS, he and his wife decided that they would make a prayer for a second postmortem of the victims body, but police did not pay any heed to it." 3. Improper handling of Evidence and Crime Scene The court also condemned SI Subrata Chatterjee for illegal acts and failure to follow investigative protocols. His actions, including handling evidence without proper records or transparency, were deemed serious lapses. Inspector Rupali Mukherjees handling of the accuseds mobile phone was criticised for lack of proper custody or documentation. The court remarked that although no tampering was proven, her conduct displayed poor investigative management. With regards to the Hospital authorities, the court said that it was beyond doubt to consider that from the end of any authority, efforts were made to show the death as a suicidal one so that the hospital authority would not face any consequences. From the case record it appears that the said illegal dream of the authority was not fulfilled as the Junior doctors raised protest and submitted one memorandum to the Principal and at that time, police force started their action but it caused sufficient delay and probably it was the reason for which the parents of the victim were not allowed to see their daughter," the court said in its judgment exceeding 100 pages. The court also condemned such attitude of the RG Kar hospital authority. It is very much clear that the then Principal and the MSVP of Hospital were very much aware on getting the intimation that the victim was raped and murdered inside the hospital premises while she was on duty," it added. It is not clear to me as to why the then Principal or the MSVP did not send any official intimation to the police authority about such unnatural death," the court questioned further. The Sealdah Court on Monday sentenced Sanjay Roy the convict in the RG Kar rape and murder case to life imprisonment, denying CBIs request for a death penalty. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Awarding life sentence instead of much demanded death penalty, the court said, In the realm of modern justice, we must rise above the primitive instinct of an eye for an eye" or a tooth for a tooth" or nail for a nail" or a life for a life." Our duty is not to match brutality with brutality, but to elevate humanity through wis- dom, compassion and a deeper understanding of justice," the court said. First Published: January 21, 2025, 10:11 IST 'Gaumutra's Anti-Fungal Properties...': IIT-Madras Director Defends Views On Cow Urine, Cites Journals Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 08:31 IST IIT-Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, defending his opinion, shared copies of international science journal that have reinforced the beneficial properties of cow urine citing evidence for the same. IIT Madras director praises cow urines medicinal value, faces criticism. (Image: News18) Days after he hit the headlines drawing flak over lauding medicinal benefits of cow urine (gaumutra) at a cultural event, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, defending his opinion on Monday, shared copies of international science journal that have reinforced the beneficial properties of cow urine citing evidence for the same. Also an organic farmer, Kamakotis views on medicinal value of cow urine during an event that he said he had attended in his personal capacity at a gaushala (cow shelter) on Mattu Pongal (on January 15), a day that is celebrated as part of the Pongal festival highlighting the role of cattle in agriculture and harvest in the Tamil culture, drew sharp criticism from political and social groups. related stories Prof Kamakoti said that his views were taken out of context". The anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of cow urine have been scientifically demonstrated. Top journals in the United States (US) have published scientific evidence. It is important to note that my comments were made in the context of advocating for organic farming and the protection of indigenous cattle breeds, which play a crucial role in agriculture and the overall economy," he said. He shared with the press copies of the papers published in international journals including Worlds popular science journal, Nature, which he said reinforces what he or others have said on this matter. One of the papers shared by the IIT-director published in Nature is titled Peptide Profiling in Cow Urine Reveals Molecular Signature of Physiology-driven Pathways and In-Silico Predicted Bioactive Properties. Other papers published in journals shared by Prof Kamakoti include Use of Bio-active Fraction from Cow Urine Distillate (Go-Mutra) as a Bio Enhancer of Anti-Infective, Anti-Cancer Agents and Nutrients (published as a US patent); Review of Gaumutra (Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research); Chemotherapeutic Potential of Cow Urine: A Review (Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology); and Benefits of Cow Urine: A Review (International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Research). top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A portion of the video of his speech (speaking in Tamil) at the event went viral where he said that cow urine could also be a remedy for an irritable bowel syndrome. However, Prof Kamakoti linked his remarks to the broader importance of organic farming, emphasising the role of indigenous cattle in agriculture and the economy and the urgent need to switch to indigenous ways of farming. First Published: January 21, 2025, 08:31 IST 'Great Honour To Represent India': Jaishankar In Front Row Seat At Trump's Swearing-in Ceremony Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 14:08 IST External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar represented India as Special Envoy to PM during Donald Trump's presidential inauguration on Monday, signifying the importance of India-US ties. EAM Jaishankar representing India at Donald Trump and JD Vance's inauguration in the US. (S Jaishankar/X) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday that it was a great honour" to represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Donald Trump as the US president. Jaishankar represented PM Modi as his special envoy at President Trumps inaugural function on Monday. Donald Trump was sworn in for a historic second term as president following which he announced a series of measures including invoking national emergency at southern border and renaming Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. Jaishankar was offered a seat in the front row alongside Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa, marking a significant upgrade in protocol. related stories "A great honour to represent India at the inauguration ceremony of @POTUS President Donald J Trump and @VP Vice President JD Vance in Washington DC today," he said on X. A great honour to represent India at the inauguration ceremony of @POTUS President Donald J Trump and @VP Vice President JD Vance in Washington DC today. pic.twitter.com/tbmAUbvd1r Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 20, 2025 Prior to this, the EAM attended the Inauguration Day Prayer Service at St Johns Church on Monday and said he was privileged" to represent India as Special Envoy of PM at the Swearing-In Ceremony. He also carried a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for US President Donald Trump, according to a report by news agency PTI. The external affairs ministers presence at the presidential inauguration is in line with Indias general practice to send special envoys to attend the swearing-in ceremony of heads of state and government, the sources said. The EAM also met members of Trumps administration, including the 56th Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and nominee for the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Kash Patel. He was also seen exchanging a handshake with Vivek Ramaswamy, who quit the newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He also met the President of Argentina, Javier Milei and conveyed greetings to him from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the inaugural events. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Jaishankars attendance underscores the importance of India-US relations and the global diplomatic ties shared between the two nations as President Trump begins his second term in office. (with inputs from agencies) Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 14:07 IST Kerala Lottery Results: Sthree Sakthi SS-451 Winners For 21 January, 2025 Declared; Here's Full List Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 24, 2025, 09:53 IST Kerala Lottery Results: Here's full list of winning numbers for Sthree Sakthi SS-451 lucky draw for Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Kerala Lottery Sthree Sakthi SS-451 Results: The first prize winner of Sthree Sakthi SS-451 will get Rs 75 lakh. (Image: Shutterstock) KERALA LOTTERY STHREE SAKTHI SS-451 RESULT ON TUESDAY, 21.1.2025, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Sthree Sakthi SS-451 lucky draw for Tuesday, January 21. The first-place winner will receive a grand prize of Rs 75 lakh, while the second and third-place winners will be awarded Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5,000, respectively. Check the Full List of Winning Numbers below. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Results: Nirmal NR-416 Winners For 24 January, 2025; First Prize Rs 70 Lakh! related stories FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR STHREE SAKTHI SS-451 LOTTERY WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE SA 544509 SB 544509 SC 544509 SD 544509 SE 544509 SF 544509 SG 544509 SH 544509 SJ 544509 SK 544509 SL 544509 WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 75 LAKH IS SM 544509 WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKH IS SG 265792 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE 0224 1015 1156 2109 2449 3173 5420 5862 6067 6105 6130 6503 7484 7866 7940 8041 8439 8590 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE 1187 1342 2955 3635 5239 6833 7475 7757 8835 9984 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE 0457 0703 0964 1812 1831 2180 2520 2559 2987 3104 4631 5276 5297 5781 6732 6967 7112 8057 9358 9722 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE 0123 0346 0818 1682 1937 2530 2628 2849 2854 2908 3389 3419 3456 3603 4053 4248 4373 4399 4464 4472 4568 4617 4656 4758 4924 5112 5148 5355 5476 5477 5513 5582 6038 6381 6433 6708 6825 6842 7157 7256 7424 7425 7481 7849 7958 7999 8125 8753 9109 9420 9660 9835 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 200 ARE 0058 0182 0310 0740 0754 1003 1311 1349 1537 1545 2121 2155 2257 2777 2811 3067 3269 3590 4088 4633 4657 4744 4814 4961 5524 5661 5664 5978 6107 6331 6379 6519 6986 7259 7566 7619 7623 7638 7839 9155 9255 9320 9326 9442 9679 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE 0043 0083 0125 0127 0165 0288 0341 0447 0580 0587 0721 0868 0920 1017 1059 1074 1080 1249 1256 1280 1384 1446 1488 1690 1696 1712 1718 1740 1782 1892 1989 2166 2350 2477 2489 2586 2678 2723 2782 3049 3130 3132 3197 3279 3306 3380 3398 3550 3580 3657 3818 4070 4136 4415 4421 4437 4477 4552 4558 4613 4863 4923 5041 5067 5298 5473 5474 5517 5536 5636 5696 6019 6054 6160 6203 6291 6328 6351 6357 6550 6560 6616 7004 7005 7020 7033 7123 7194 7242 7346 7387 7489 7513 7517 7644 7798 7851 7860 8062 8073 8192 8196 8254 8320 8419 8534 8571 8622 8681 8723 8907 8939 9088 9129 9134 9141 9160 9472 9489 9523 9644 9700 9732 9751 9813 9861 HOW TO VERIFY KERALA STHREE SAKTHI SS-451 LOTTERY RESULTS? Visit the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department at www.keralalottery.info to check the results for Sthree Sakthi SS-451. The winning numbers are also published at the Kerala Government Gazette office. For the most trustworthy and accurate results, refer to the official sources. HOW TO COLLECT YOUR PRIZE MONEY? Winners can confirm the authenticity of their ticket by checking the results in the Kerala Government Gazette. Prize winners have a 30-day window to claim their rewards at the Kerala Lottery Office in Thiruvananthapuram. To claim the prize, winners must present the winning ticket along with a valid ID for verification. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY? A photocopy of the winning ticket, signed by both parties. Passport-sized photographs, endorsed by a gazetted officer. A signed copy of the participants PAN card. The online claim form for the prize, is affixed with a revenue stamp. Proof of identity, such as a ration card, voter ID, Aadhaar card, or PAN card. HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS? Visit the official Kerala Lottery Department websites at keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net. Find the link for the Sthree Sakthi SS-451 results. The winning numbers will appear on your screen. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Look for the option to download the results on the page. Save the SS-451 lottery results as a PDF. Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India First Published: January 21, 2025, 09:00 IST Maharashtra Forms SIT To Identify Bangladeshi Infiltrators Days After Saif Ali Khan's Stabbing Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 20:53 IST This comes following an attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan with a knife by a suspected Bangladeshi national. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. File pic The Maharashtra government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify Bangladeshi infiltrators in the state. A letter in this regard has been sent to all Divisional Commissioners and District Collectors in the state. This SIT has been formed based on the complaint and evidence provided by Maharashtra BJP vice-president Kirit Somaiya. related stories District Collectors and Sub-Divisional Officers were earlier granted the authority to issue delayed birth and death certificates. This comes following an attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan with a knife by a suspected Bangladeshi national, identified as Shariful Islam Shehzad, who is believed to have crossed the borders via Northeast. Political Slugfest Over Bangladeshi Infiltrators Soon after Shariful Islams arrest, a political slugfest began in Mahayuti-led state govt. The opposition parties criticised the Mahayuti government over the law and order situation in the state. Later they targeted the BJP-led central government over its alleged failure to curb the influx of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray blamed Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the influx of illegal immigrants into the country. Targeting BJP over the issue, he claimed that, despite being in power for three consecutive terms, the saffron party has failed to prevent illegal immigration. Meanwhile Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut demanded Amit Shahs resignation, holding him responsible for the infiltrators influx. Raut also suggested the Centre about taking action against Bangladeshis by deporting former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been granted asylum by the Indian government. On the other hand, NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar alleged that underlining the Bangladeshi origin of the alleged accused was a ploy by the government to divert attention from the law and order problem raised by the opposition. Saif Ali Khan Discharged From Hospital Meanwhile, actor Saif Ali Khan was discharged from Mumbais Lilavati Hospital on Tuesday, five days after the horrific incident. For the unversed, Khan was stabbed by an intruder at his Mumbai residence in the wee hours of January 16. It was reported that at around 2am, the actor heard noises when one of his female employees was attacked in his son Jehs room. This prompted Saif to intervene, which led to an altercation between the two and the attacker injured both Saif and the female employee. The Bollywood star was stabbed six times by the robber following which he was rushed to the hospital. Following the incident, police stepped into action and arrested the alleged accused Shariful Islam (30). Police further revealed that Islam changed his name to Vijay Das after entering India. He was arrested from the Labour Camp area of adjoining Thane city, three days after the violent attack. After he was nabbed by police, Fakir told police that his name was Vijay Das and he was a resident of Kolkata. He, however, failed to provide any document to support his claim. He disclosed his true name and Bangladeshi nationality during interrogation," a police official told the news agency PTI. He called his brother and asked him to send his school living certificate. His brother sent it (the certificate) on Fakirs mobile phone. This document is strong evidence to prove he is a Bangladeshi national," the official added. The case is currently being probed. On January 19, a Bandra court sent him to police custody for five days till January 24. Addressing a press conference on Sunday, police said the accused had entered the Bollywood stars home, in Satguru Sharan building in Bandra, in the early hours of January 16 with the intention of robbery. Police revealed that that he had been working as housekeeping staff at Rickys bar in Thane and used the different names to avoid detection. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all First Published: January 21, 2025, 20:18 IST 'Uphold Pride, Dignity Of Manipur': CM Biren Singh Calls For Unity On Statehood Day Published By : PTI Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 14:09 IST On Manipur's Statehood Day, Chief Minister N Biren Singh called for unity to uphold the state's pride amid ongoing ethnic violence. He also expressed gratitude to PM Modi for his wishes. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh (Photo: PTI) Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday pleaded with people to take a pledge to work collectively to uphold the pride and dignity of Manipur on the occasion of statehood day. Manipur became a full-fledged state on January 21, 1972. related stories It was on this day in 1972 that Manipur became a full-fledged state of the Indian Union, marking a significant milestone in our history. On this momentous day, let us pledge to work collectively to uphold the pride and dignity of our beautiful state," the Chief Minister said on X. His comment comes at a time when the northeastern state is witnessing ethnic violence. More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence in the northeastern state since May 2023. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Singh extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his wishes on Manipurs statehood day. On behalf of the people of Manipur, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Honble Prime Minister, Shri @narendramodi Ji, for his warm wishes on our Statehood Day. Your kind words inspire us to continue striving for a brighter future for Manipur and India. Thank you for your encouragement and support." Location : Imphal, India First Published: January 21, 2025, 14:09 IST Meghalaya: Hours Before Mob Attack, Ramakrishna Mission School Sought Police Protection | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 16:16 IST In a letter dated January 19 to the Meghalaya DGP Idashisha Nongrang, RKM Ashram's secretary, Swami Anuragananda, requested urgent deployment of security forces in and around their school in Mawkynrew. On January 20, the Ramakrishna Mission witnessed a mob attack on its school at Mawkynrew village. (Image: News18) Hours before the incident of mob attack in an under-construction Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) school in Meghalayas Mawkynrew village on Monday, the RKM had sought urgent police protection against the threats to the school and around 168 children and staff. In a letter dated January 19 to the Meghalaya DGP Idashisha Nongrang, RKM Ashrams secretary, Swami Anuragananda, requested urgent deployment of security forces in and around their school in Mawkynrew. According to the letter, accessed by News18, this plea followed an alarming public announcement made in the village, which might incite a mob to attack the school premises. Please send additional police force and take necessary action as per the law so that the school that is providing education to 168 (2024-25), is not damaged due to whims and fancy of some miscreants who do not care about law and order," secretary of the RKM ashram stated in its appeal. related stories The Mission, according to the letter, has been under court-directed police protection since last year, flagged an audio recording of the incitement as an attached evidence, stressing on the immediate need for reinforcement. This is an urgent request to send additional police personnels to our school site at Mawkynrew where already some police personnel have been staying since last year as per the directions of the High Court of Meghalaya," he wrote. What did the Mission write in the letter? Through several attached documents and evidence, the Mission detailed ongoing legal battles, citing the title suits and related miscellaneous cases, which seek to challenge the schools land ownership, while also expressing dismay over the misuse of public platforms to incite unlawful acts. The reason for our request is due to the public announcement being made now at Mawkynrew village by some people to incite a big crowd to go to the school premises tomorrow (most probably in the early hours of morning) and damage the school," he further added. It is very surprising that the very people inciting the public have already moved the court by submitting following cases asking the court to invalidate the school property gifted by the Sordar and Syiem of that Elaka," the secretary of RKM ashram mentioned in the letter. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, on January 20, the Mission witnessed a mob attack on its school at Mawkynrew village. According to a statement issued by the Mission, in spite of following due process, including securing land through a legal gift deed and obtaining approvals from village and traditional authorities, its efforts to uplift the local community through education have been repeatedly obstructed by violence and vandalism. The attack on the school on Monday was the third such attempt to destroy its premises. Having witnessed the vandalism twice before and inaction on the part of police, the Mission moved the Meghalaya High Court seeking protection of the property. The Honourable judge passed an Order on 19.04.2023 directing police to protect the school and also asking the parties concerned to follow the rule of law," the Mission added in its statement providing details of the gifted land deed, the grants from union ministry and the state governments. First Published: January 21, 2025, 16:16 IST Amit Shah Hails Mighty Blow To Naxalism As Maoist Carrying Rs 1 Crore Bounty Killed In Chhattisgarh Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 12:20 IST Pratap Reddy, 13 Maoists killed: Union home minister Amit Shah, in a post on X, said: Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat..." Home minister Amit Shah said Naxalism was breathing its last today. (PTI File) Pratap Reddy, a top Maoist who was heading the Odisha state committee and had a Rs 1 crore bounty on his head, was killed in a massive operation along with two women and 11 others on Tuesday. The 14 Maoists were killed in a joint operation with Chhattisgarh Police. Union home minister Amit Shah praised the forces for successfully conducting the operation. related stories Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Special Operation Group (SoG) Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today," Shah posted on X. Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 21, 2025 Since the night of January 19, there were intelligence inputs about the presence of a large number of Maoists in the Kularighat reserve forest of Chhattisgarh, just 5 km from the border of Nuapada district of Odisha. A joint inter-state operation was launched by Odisha and Chhattisgarh police and CRPF personnel in the border areas of Nuapada district of Odisha and Gariabandh district of Chhattisgarh on the night of 19th January," the Odisha police said. Two Maoist cadres (women) were neutralised in the operation on 20.1.2025. A large quantity of firearms, ammunition and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) including one SLR were recovered by the security forces on 20th January," the police said. In continuation to the above, in the ongoing operation, 12 more Maoists have been killed during the late night and early morning encounter with the SOG team during the ongoing joint inter-state operation on the early morning of 21 January 2025. The number of Maoist casualties may increase. Arms and ammunition have been seized in massive amounts," police said. A massive search operation is underway by the police in the area. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In 2024, six Maoists were killed, eight arrested and 24 Maoists have surrendered. In 2025, till date, 14 Maoists have been killed in joint inter-state operations with the Chhattisgarh Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). According to sources, top officials of the CRPF from Odisha were monitoring the operations. First Published: January 21, 2025, 12:12 IST Military personnel of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are collecting data on North Korean troops taking part in combat operations in Kursk region. "After accurately defeating enemy groups, our operators clean up the area. In the course of special operations, they collect information about the number, weapons and personal data of the destroyed enemy personnel. In particular, this concerns North Korean soldiers, whom Russia uses in Kursk region as cannon fodder for storming positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces," the press service of the Command of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports on Facebook. So, in particular, after the destruction of enemy groups, the operators of the 73rd Marine Special Operations Center named after commander of Cossack camp Antin Holovaty carefully collect materials to identify the North Koreans and enter them into the appropriate databases and conduct further investigative actions. No Sale Of Liquor In Delhi On These Dates Next Month | Details Published By : PTI Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 22:40 IST A gazette notification issued recently by the Delhi excise commissioner declared "dry days" under Excise Rules-2010. File photo used for representational purpose. The Delhi government has ordered the closure of liquor shops and other establishments serving alcohol in the city from February 3 to 5, the voting day, and on February 8 when the results would be declared. A gazette notification issued recently by the Delhi excise commissioner declared dry days" under Excise Rules-2010 for various excise licenses on the day of voting to the 70-member Delhi Assembly and the counting day. related stories It is ordered that dry days shall be observed (during 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of the poll) from 6 pm of February 3 to 6 pm of February 5, and again on February 8 being the counting day on account of Assembly polls. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all During the dry days, no liquor shops, hotels, restaurants, clubs and establishments selling or serving liquor, will be permitted to sell or serve liquor to anyone whosoever," said the notification. It added that non-proprietary clubs, star hotels, restaurants among others, and hotels run by anyone, even if they are issued different categories of licenses for possession and supply of liquor, should also not be permitted to serve liquor. First Published: January 21, 2025, 22:40 IST RG Kar Case: SC To Hear Suo Motu Petition Today Amid Demand For Sanjay Roy's Death Penalty Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 22, 2025, 07:38 IST The Supreme Court is set to hear the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case, addressing demands for the death penalty for convict Sanjay Roy. Protest erupts in Kolkata demanding justice for RG Kar rape-murder case victim | Image/File RG Kar Rape-Murder Case: The Supreme Court is set to hear on Wednesday the suo motu case concerning the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkatas state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last year. It comes after the Kolkata courts January 20 ruling sentencing Sanjay Roy to imprisonment till death for the rape and murder of the on-duty doctor. However, it triggered statewide demands for capital punishment for the convict. related stories The top court will also hear a fresh intervention application moved by the victims parents alleging inefficiency in the probe and seeking further investigation into the matter. The incident of rape and murder of a woman doctor at the RG Kar Medical College took place on August 9, 2024, while the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the matter on 18 August 2024. Since then, the top court has held multiple hearings regarding the case. RG Kar Case Not Rarest Of Rare While awarding a life sentence to the convict on January 20, Sealdah Court judge Anirban Das held that the case doesnt fall into the rarest of the rare" category, which could have led to a death sentence for Sanjay Roy. I think this is not a case of rarest of the rare. Thats why I am giving you imprisonment till your death," the judge said while announcing the quantum of punishment for Sanjay Roy. In a court order accessed by CNN-News18, the judge mentioned that the modern justice system must rise above the instinct of an eye for an eye." The remark came as the family of the victim, CBI and doctors demanded the death penalty for Roy. In the realm of modern justice, we must rise above the primitive instinct of an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth or nail for a nail or a life for a life," the court order read. Explaining his decision not to award capital punishment to the convict, Justice Das held that the judiciarys primary responsibility is to uphold the rule of law and ensure justice based on evidence, not public sentiment. Roy was convicted in the rape and murder case on Saturday, with Justice Das informing him that the minimum sentence being faced by him was life imprisonment, while the maximum sentence could be the death penalty. The body of the postgraduate trainee was found in a seminar hall at the hospital in the early hours of August 9, 2024. She was killed after being raped. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, was arrested the following day in connection with the crime. Later, the CBI took over the investigation and filed a charge sheet related to the case, paving the way for Roys conviction. First Published: January 21, 2025, 19:22 IST Is Election The Only Thing In Life...: SC Defers Tahir Hussain's Bail Hearing In Delhi Riots Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 14:52 IST Tahir Hussain has moved Supreme Court seeking an interim bail in the Delhi riots case to campaign for the Assembly polls in the city. The court posted the matter for hearing on Wednesday. Former AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain (File Photo) The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the Delhi Polices response on the plea filed by former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain seeking interim bail to campaign for the Delhi Assembly polls. Hussain is an accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case and has been given a ticket to contest the elections by Asaduddin Owaisis All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). related stories The former AAP leader had earlier sought interim bail from the Delhi High Court in a case related to the death of the Intelligence Bureau staff Ankit Sharma during the riots. However, the court had dismissed his plea. He was, however, granted custody parole to file his nomination for the elections. Hussain then moved the Supreme Court seeking interim bail. He has been in judicial custody since March 16, 2020. What Did The Supreme Court Say? A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Ahsanuddin Amanullah heard the matter and posted the matter for tomorrow. Appearing for Hussain, senior advocate Siddharth Aggarwal argued that the AIMIM candidate has been in custody for four years and 10 months based on the allegation of inciting a mob during the riots. After three years of my custody, charges were framed. Main assailants have been granted regular bail," he argued. You were granted custody parole. Out of 11, you were granted bail in 9. Now you want to contest elections thats why parole was granted to file nomination.. but how can bail be granted?" Justice Mithal asked. We have heard on merits and if we are persuaded why cannot we grant interim bail and if not regular bail. In all other 9 cases where he faces same allegations he has been granted bail and then why not in this one," Justice Amanullah asked, Bar and Bench reported. Why Interim Bail Instead Of Regular: SC Asks Tahirs Lawyer Justice Mithal asked Aggarwal why Hussain was seeking an interim bail, instead of regular bail, as if election is the only thing in life to be done". Aggarwal said that the regular bail plea was pending but the respondent has yet not filed a counter-affidavit, Live Law reported. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The court asked the respondents counsel Rajat Nair to come prepared on Wednesday. Time for interim bail is expiring. Come prepared. We will take up tomorrow," Justice Mithal said. First Published: January 21, 2025, 14:52 IST 'Secular Leaders Being Whisked': MK Stalin Slams TN Gov For Honouring Thiruvalluvar In Saffron Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 14:55 IST Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin condemned the saffron portrayal of Thiruvalluvar by Governor RN Ravi, accusing certain groups of co-opting secular figures for ideological purposes. MK Stalin (L)/Tamil Nadu Governor paying tributes to Thiruvalluvar in saffron (R) / (Photos: PTI/Social Media) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday slammed state Governor RN Ravi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for paying floral tributes to a saffron portrait of saint poet Thiruvalluvar. Speaking at an event, Stalin said the saffron party should not be allowed to make Thiruvalluvar theirs". related stories Attempts are now being made by a group to whisk away secular leaders like Thiruvalluvar and Ramalinga Swamigal (Vallalar) in Tamil Nadu. These people should not be allowed to make Thiruvalluvar theirs," the Chief Minister said. A group of people are conspiring to rob great men like Thiruvalluvar and Vallalar, who spoke of equality on the Tamil land," Stalin alleged while speaking at Alagappa University. This comes days after Governor RN Ravi, on January 15, paid floral tributes to a portrait of the saint-poet in saffron, on the occasion of Thiruvalluvar Day. (The original portrait of Thiruvalluvar, as being used by the Tamil Nadu government, shows the poet-philosopher in white.) The development prompted Congress leader K Selvaperunthagai to condemn the depiction of the savant in saffron as unacceptable and urged the Centre to immediately recall him. Paying tributes, Ravi, in an X post, praised Thiruvalluvar for bequeathing Tirukkural and hailed the classic work as unparalleled wisdom, and a matchless guide. The Nation remembers with profound gratitude and utmost reverence Thiruvalluvar, the Tamil patron saint of Bharat. Several thousand years ago he bequeathed us the unparalleled wisdom Tirukkural, the matchless guide for every individual and institution." In the Sanatan civilisational tradition of Bharat he taught us the sublimity of devotion to God and profoundity of right conduct in our individual and collective life. He laid down a comprehensive virtuous code for all sections of the society as well as the rulers," the Governor wrote. Though we are celebrating Thiruvalluvar Day today, he remains our everyday guide and hence should be remembered and celebrated everyday. Thanks to Honble PM Narendra Modi who is a great devotee of Thiruvalluvar, teachings of Tirukkural are now resonating across the world," he added. The Nation remembers with profound gratitude and utmost reverence Thiruvalluvar, the Tamil patron saint of Bharat. Several thousand years ago he bequeathed us the unparalleled wisdom Tirukkural, the matchless guide for every individual and institution. In the Sanatan pic.twitter.com/AMt58ZcLY5 RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) January 15, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In the Raj Bhavan premises, Ravi showered flowers on a decorated portrait, which showed the poet in saffron with religious marks like Rudraksha beads, sacred ash and kumkum. Reacting to it, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai said depicting Thiruvalluvar in saffron clothing was unacceptable". It is against the law to use a drawing of Thiruvalluvar with religious leanings and not using the government-recognised portrait, the Congress leader alleged. First Published: January 21, 2025, 14:55 IST Who Was Chalapati? Maoist Leader With Rs 1 Crore Bounty Killed In Chhattisgarh Encounter Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 18:44 IST Chalapati, who was killed in an encounter with security forces last night, served as a central figure in Maoist activities across Chhattisgarh's Bastar region. Chalapati was killed in an encounter with security forces along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border | File Image Chhattisgarh Encounter: Chalapati, known by several aliases- Ramachandra Reddy, Apparao, and Ramu, was killed in an encounter with security forces near the Chattisgarh-Odisha border last night. During the operations to combat Naxal violence, at least 13 other Maoists were also killed in the Gariaband district, marking one of the most successful campaigns by security forces to cleanse the region of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). related stories Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had vowed to clean the footprints of Maoists in the country, called the operation a major success" and hailed the development as a mighty blow to Naxalism". Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free BharatWith our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today," he said in an X post. Who Was Chalapati? Chalapati, 60, was a central figure in Maoist activities across Chhattisgarhs Bastar region. He recently relocated to the Odisha border area to avoid the increasing encounter operations in his earlier locations. Chalapati, originally from Madanapalle in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, completed his studies up to Class 10. Despite his limited formal education, he rose through the ranks of the Maoist movement, eventually becoming a cadre in the Central Committee Member (CCM), a top decision-making body within the organisation. His prominent position, which granted him access to sensitive operations of the banned group, led to a Rs 1 crore bounty on his head. The size of the bounty reflects his significance as a target for the security forces. Chalapati was well-acquainted with the dense, impenetrable forests of Bastar. His security detail, consisting of 8-10 personal guards, underscored his high status within the Maoist network. Chalapatis swift rise through the Maoist ranks came after he executed several high-profile attacks, including one of killing an MLA. He was also accused of being the mastermind of the September 23, 2018 attack in Dumbriguda Mandal of Araku in which Kidari Sarveswara Rao, the TDP MLA from Araku Valley, and former TDP MLA Siveri Soma were shot dead. After years of violent attacks, the high-profile Maoist commander was eliminated by the security forces on Monday. They launched the operation based on intelligence inputs that some Maoists were holed up in the Kularighat reserve forest of Chhattisgarh, about 5 km from the Odisha border. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The operation was conducted jointly by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), SoG Odisha and Chhattisgarh Police along the inter-state border. Location : Chhattisgarh, India First Published: January 21, 2025, 18:43 IST 'Will Be A Simple And Traditional Family Affair': Gautam Adani On Son Jeet's Wedding Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 22:31 IST Responding to a media question at Prayagraj on whether the wedding was going to be a 'Maha Kumbh of celebrities', the billionaire said, 'Definitely not!' Industrialist Gautam Adani. File image/PTI Industrialist Gautam Adani on Tuesday quashed soaring speculation and buzzing social media rumours that his son Jeets upcoming wedding is going to be an extravagant spectacle. Responding to a media question at Prayagraj on whether the wedding was going to be a Maha Kumbh of celebrities", the billionaire said, Definitely not!" related stories In recent days, social media has been awash with reports that a pantheon of global stars and celebrities will be attending Jeet Adanis wedding with Diva Shah, daughter of Surat diamond merchant Jaimin Shah. The speculated guest names included Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Daniel Craig, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, the Kardashian sisters, Rafael Nadal, Diljit Dosanjh, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Billie Eilish, Coldplay, and even King Charles and the Pope. Some social media users also said that the India-England ODI match at the Motera stadium had been moved to accommodate the wedding, which was expected to feature 1,000 supercars, hundreds of private jets, and chefs from 58 countries at a cost of over Rs 10,000 crore. Speaking after performing the Ganga Aarti with his family at Prayagrajs Triveni Sangam, Adani said, My upbringing and our way of doing things are that of a common person from the working class. Jeet too is here for Ma Gangas blessings. The wedding will be a simple and traditional family affair." Gautam Adanis announcement that his sons wedding on February 7 would be a low-key private ceremony in Ahmedabad came during his visit to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. He was accompanied by his wife Dr Priti Adani, sons Karan and Jeet, daughter-in-law Paridhi, and granddaughter Kaveri. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all At the Maha Kumbh, the Adani family offered prayers at the Lete Hanuman Temple after participating in the Mahaprasad Seva at ISKCON, where Adani is supporting the distribution of over one lakh free meals daily. Adani is also giving away one crore prayer books printed by the renowned Gita Press of Gorakhpur. Calling the Maha Kumbh Mela an indescribable experience", the industrialist lavished praise on the Modi and Yogi governments for the arrangements, especially policing and sanitation, and said that the Melas successful administration should be studied by management institutes and corporate houses. First Published: January 21, 2025, 22:29 IST Is Stretching Better Than Exercise? Experts Explain The Difference Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 15:42 IST Yoga trainer Shashank Gupta explains that both exercise and stretching are essential for a healthy body. Stretching can be done anytime and increases flexibility, while exercise aids in weight management and improves sleep Exercise is done consciously, whereas stretching can be done without planning. Regular stretching and exercising are integral to the goal of maintaining a fit and healthy body. Some people prefer to exercise, while many opt for stretching. But which is better? Or rather, what is the difference between the two? Actually, both exercise and stretching complement each other to keep a body strong, flexible, and healthy. In an interview with News18, Delhi-based yoga trainer Shashank Gupta reflects on the difference between exercise and stretching. related stories According to Gupta, one needs adequate time to exercise. Moreover, it has to be done at a fixed time, like a few hours after eating or a few hours before going to sleep. On the other hand, one can stretch anytime and anywhere. Exercise is done consciously, whereas stretching can be done without planning. For instance, to activate our bodies in the morning, we stretch the muscles of our hands and feet before waking up from sleep without any elaborate planning. Benefits of Stretching According to Gupta, regular stretching increases your efficiency in physical activities. Whatever work you do, you can do it with much more speed and vitality. He believes that stretching increases the flexibility of muscles and cells, thus preventing injuries. Apart from this, Gupta states that it is possible to prevent stiffness of joints or any other joint issues that occur as one gradually ages. People who stretch regularly may even prevent shaky hands and legs that often come with old age, he adds. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Benefits of Exercising According to Gupta, regular exercise is beneficial for weight management and improves ones temperament and helps one sleep better. Gupta believes that exercising helps in dealing with health conditions and slows down the ageing process and increases energy. Apart from this, exercise also improves ones sex life, he says. First Published: January 21, 2025, 15:42 IST Throwback To When Shalini Passi Opened Up About Struggling With Math And Academic Challenges Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 07:15 IST The socialite shared she used to fail at mathematics all the time which often led to criticism from other students. Shalini Passi quickly captured the spotlight with her out-of-the-box fashion choices and quirky lifestyle. (Photo Credits: Instagram) In the classroom of glitz and glamour, Shalini Passi, a Delhi-based art connoisseur, is a sure shot topper. While many perceive her as a true blue fashionista, the diva lives a successful life as a Businesswoman and now an influencer too. But did you know that the Fabulous Lives Vs Bollywood Wives fame once fell out of favour with the Goddess of Knowledge early in her life? During an interview, Shalini shared that she struggled with Mathematics during her school days. During a recent interaction with journalist Barkha Dutt, the socialite shared that she used to fail at mathematics all the time, which often led to criticism from other students. Despite that, she credited her school for developing a passion for learning and creativity. related stories If your kid also struggles with mathematics or any other subjects, here weve mentioned a few tips that might help them: Eliminate Distraction Focus is the key factor for better results, be it in any field. In todays world, the biggest distractions that kids deal with are smartphones and tablets. Therefore, parents must seek ways to distract their kids from using the,m, especially during study hours. Encourage Short Breaks All study and no play can make their life monotonous. Ask your kids to take frequent breaks during studies as it might help them refresh their brains and enhance learning. Praise Them As a parent, you need to appreciate your kid and the effort they put into scoring good marks. This will help your kids stay motivated and encourage them to keep going. Implement New Learning Techniques Take advantage of the technology. There are several new and entertaining ways of learning available for the students which makes education a fun task. Try innovative methods like creating audiobooks, or informative videos about the topic they are studying. Stay Involved top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Stay involved with your kids studies and learning process as it might help them face all the challenges It is also essential to understand your childrens interests and encourage them to choose subjects that they enjoy studying while also helping them understand others. Born in Delhi, Passi is an alumnus of Modern School, Barakhamba Road. She is married to Sanjay Passi, Chairman of the Pasco Group, with whom she shares a son named Robin. First Published: January 21, 2025, 07:15 IST Amit Shah Hugs Nana Patekar, Calls Him 'Talented And Seasoned' | Photos Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 11:41 IST Union Home Minister Amit Shah met actor Nana Patekar, discussing the transformative power of films. Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets Nana Patekar. Bridging the worlds of politics and cinema, Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently met veteran actor Nana Patekar at his office. The interaction was marked by a deep discussion on the transformative power of films and their individual roles in social change. Amit Shah also praised Patekars illustrious career, calling him a talented and seasoned actor. Shah shared multiple photos from their meeting on his X (formerly known as Twitter) handle. In one of the photos, Amit Shah and Nana Patekar are seen greeting each other with a warm hug. Met the very talented and seasoned actor Shri @nanagpatekar Ji. Had a great discussion about films and their role in social change," wrote the politician, while sharing the pictures. related stories Check out his post below: Met the very talented and seasoned actor Shri @nanagpatekar Ji. Had a great discussion about films and their role in social change. pic.twitter.com/5JuVvplwlK Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 20, 2025 Nana Patekar made his acting debut with the 1978 drama Gaman and ever since, there was no looking back for him. After starring in the Academy Award-nominated Salaam Bombay in 1988, he won awards for his performance in the crime drama Parinda. His other popular works of the 90s include Prahaar: The Final Attack, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Angaar, Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi and Khamoshi: The Musical, among others. In 2023, Patekar headlined Vivek Agnihotri directed The Vaccine War, which tells about the development of Covaxin during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Meanwhile, Amit Shah had spoken about films, content and addressed the North vs South debate at the India Today Conclave 2023. We should be proud of anyone who gets India an Oscar, and we are proud. But the apparent north-south divide is not really a north-south divide. I watch movies with great passion. Several of the South Indian films are doing well. I have analysed this trend very carefully. Films that are about Indian traditions, Indian culture and Indianness have all worked and have been accepted heartily," he said. First Published: January 21, 2025, 11:41 IST Francisco San Martin, Days of Our Lives Actor, Dies By Suicide Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 12:24 IST Francisco San Martin passed away by suicide on January 16 at his Los Angeles home. Francisco San Martin has died at the age of 39. Fancisco San Martin, best known for his role of Dario Hernandez in the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives, has died at the age of 39. The actor passed away by suicide on January 16 at his Los Angeles home. This news has left his colleagues, fans, and loved ones in shock and mourning. According to Deadline, the Los Angeles County Coroners office has found that the cause of death was suicide by hanging. related stories His Days co-star Camila Banus who portrayed his on-screen sister Gabi posted a tribute to San Martin on Instagram: Pepe, what can I say but I love you and rest in peace, my friend," she wrote, adding, Love you mucho mucho mucho; I wish I had told you more." Francisco San Martin was born in Mallorca, an island in Spain, on August 27, 1985. On Days Of Our Lives, he lasted for six months in 2011. He first appeared on the series as a petty thief in disguise as his real motive was to investigate a cold case. His character later moved to Argentina following a job promotion. Francisco has also worked on an arc on Jane the Virgin opposite Gina Rodriguez. He appeared in seasons three and four. During this time, Jane had a brief and messy relationship with the actor. In 2017, San Martin also appeared on CBS The Bold and the Beautiful as Mateo. His character was a handsome groundskeeper at Forrester Manor, who soon became involved in one of villainess Sheilas schemes. According to reports by Forbes, San Martin began his acting journey in childrens theatre productions in Montana where he grew up. He returned to Madrid as a teenager where he took acting lessons and took up jobs as a model. First Published: January 21, 2025, 12:24 IST During a Tuesday meeting with Ambassador of Ukraine to the State of Israel Yevhen Korniychuk, Deputy Foreign Minister of the State of Israel Sharren Haskel proposed to transfer to Ukraine Russian-made weapons seized by the IDF, the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel has said on Facebook. "During the meeting, Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Minister for her proposal to transfer to Ukraine Russian-made weapons seized by the IDF in Lebanon or elsewhere from Israel's enemies. It was noted that this initiative represents an important step in recognizing the common threats faced by both countries. The Ukrainian side expressed hope for a positive resolution of this matter," it said. The parties also discussed current common challenges for both countries, including military cooperation between Iran and Russia, which poses a threat to the national security of both Ukraine and Israel. The Ambassador emphasized that successful counteraction to this threat is a shared interest for both nations. Additionally, they discussed the intensification of bilateral contacts at the high and highest levels, as well as bilateral cooperation in the economic, consular, and humanitarian spheres. Ira Khan Praises Brother Junaid Khans Gen Z Look In Loveyapa Ahead Of Release Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 18:45 IST Ahead of Junaid Khan's film Loveyapa release, his sister Ira Khan shared an adorable post for him, celebrating his big milestone. Junaid Khan will be sharing the screen with Khushi Kapoor. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Aamir Khans son, Junaid Khan, is preparing for the release of his upcoming film Loveyapa, in which he stars alongside Khushi Kapoor. The makers recently held a screening in Mumbai, attended by close family and friends. Junaids sister, Ira Khan, was also present and shared her thoughts on her brothers appearance in the film. She praised his look, calling it a perfect fit for the GenZ vibe. Ira also posted a throwback picture from their childhood, fondly remembering how Junaid used to think she was cute and feeling touched by his admiration. She amusingly added how people would often ask who was the older sibling, and with a smile, clarified that Junaid is actually five years older. Taking to Instagram, Ira wrote, When he still thought I was cute. And look how excited I am to receive his attention and affection. I think were both cute. Someone asked me whos older. Junaid, 5 whole years. How is that even a question? Cant tell whos being complimented and whos being insulted. Though he does look very GenZ in Loveyapa." related stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ira Khan (@khan.ira) This isnt the first time Ira Khan has talked about her bond with her brother, Junaid Khan. In a recent interview with People of India, she opened up about their relationship while growing up and shared what brought them closer. She said, I dont know whether this happens with all siblings but either I wanted to be exactly like him in some aspects and in some aspects I had to be exactly the opposite of him. We fought every single day, till he finished school and then when he went to college, he got a life. So he stopped troubling me and then we actually became really close. So it was a very big shift but it was a fun shift." Shedding light on her relationship with her father, Aamir Khan, Ira recalled that her schoolmates knew who her father was and while they didnt judge her, some were eager to be her friends because of his fame. However, she didnt feel anyone treated her badly. She explained that, like most children, she saw her dad as just her parent, not as a famous person. While he was often out for shoots, he always made sure to check on her and ensured no one at school was bothering her. Meanwhile, Ira Khan married her long-time boyfriend and fitness trainer, Nupur Shikhare in January 2024. First Published: January 21, 2025, 18:45 IST Saif Ali Khan Discharged From Lilavati Hospital 5 Days After Knife Attack At Mumbai Home Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 15:41 IST Saif Ali Khan was stabbed by an intruder at his Mumbai residence in the wee hours of January 16. The accused in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case has also been arrested. (Image/File) Actor Saif Ali Khan was discharged from Mumbais Lilavati Hospital on Tuesday, five days after he was repeatedly stabbed by an intruder at his house in posh Bandra West neighbourhood. News agency IANS stated that even though the doctors have allowed Khan to go back home, the actor has been advised to rest for the next few days. Doctors had earlier said that Khan had three injuries, two on the hand and one on the right side of the neck, and the major part was at the back, which was in the spine. Doctors removed the sharp object that was lodged in the spine and repaired the injury. Khan recovered well and was shifted from the intensive care unit (ICU) on January 17 to a special room. related stories For the unversed, Saif Ali Khan was stabbed by an intruder at his Mumbai residence in the wee hours of January 16. It was reported that at around 2 AM, the actor heard noises when one of his female employees was attacked in Jehs room. This prompted Saif to intervene, which led to an altercation between the two and the attacker injured both Saif and the female employee. The Bollywood star was stabbed six times by the robber following which he was rushed to the hospital. Following the incident, police stepped into action and arrested the alleged accused. He has been identified as a 30-year-old Bangladeshi named Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir, who changed his name to Vijay Das in India. Fakir was arrested from Thane, three days after the violent attack. After he was nabbed by police, Fakir told police that his name was Vijay Das and he was a resident of Kolkata. He, however, failed to provide any document to support his claim. He disclosed his true name and Bangladeshi nationality during interrogation," a police official told the news agency PTI recently. He called his brother and asked him to send his school living certificate. His brother sent it (the certificate) on Fakirs mobile phone. This document is strong evidence to prove he is a Bangladeshi national," the official added. The case is currently being probed. First Published: January 21, 2025, 14:38 IST Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Get CCTV Cameras Installed In Bandra Home After Actor Was Stabbed | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 15:29 IST Saif Ali Khan has also been discharged from the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. Saif Ali Khan News: Saif Ali Khan increases security at home. Days after Saif Ali Khan was stabbed in an attempted robbery at his Bandra residence, the actor is getting CCTV cameras installed at home. The attack on Saif Ali Khan left shockwaves in Bollywood and raised concerns over actors safety. Saif Ali Khan had to undergo surgery at the Lilavati Hospital but on Tuesday, doctors finally allowed him to go home. Amid the news of his discharge from hospital, videos have surfaced online showing CCTV cameras being installed in his posh Bandra home. Saif Ali Khan will return home today and will recuperate at home for a few days, as per doctors orders. related stories #WATCH | Mumbai: CCTV cameras are being installed at the residence of actor Saif Ali KhanKhan was stabbed by an intruder at his residence, in the early morning of January 16. pic.twitter.com/6Y9p2sF2ne ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2025 For the unversed, Saif Ali Khan was stabbed by an intruder at his Mumbai residence on January 16. It was reported that at around 2 AM, the actor heard noises when one of his female employees was attacked in his son, Jehs room. Saif intervened, leading to an altercation between the two. The attacker injured both Saif and the female employee. The Bollywood star was stabbed six times by the robber following which he was rushed to the hospital. As per his doctors, Saif Ali Khan had two deep wounds and a piece of the knife was lodged near his spine. Saif Ali Khan had to undergo surgery to prevent spinal fluid leakage. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police had formed over 10 teams to nab the accused, with over 100 officials involved in the operation. On Sunday, they arrested the main accused in connection with the stabbing case. The alleged accused has been identified as a 30-year-old Bangladeshi named Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir, who changed his name to Vijay Das in India. Fakir was arrested from Thane, three days after the violent attack. The Bandra Court on Sunday remanded the arrested accused to five-day police custody. The court said that the demand for custody of the accused is justified as it is an early stage of investigation. First Published: January 21, 2025, 15:29 IST Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 23:52 IST Saif Ali Khan Attacked News Updates: Actor Saif Ali Khan, who was stabbed by an intruder at his home in posh Bandra West area on January 16, was discharged from Mumbais Lilavati Hospital on Tuesday after five days. Doctors said that he is recovering well. Meanwhile, security was enhanced at his building with visuals showing CCTV cameras being installed at the actors apartment. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi shared a news report on X that quoted police as saying Saif Ali Khans attacker swam across the river from Bangladesh, which is about 200 metres in length, and entered Meghalaya before making his way to Mumbai. Accused Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad reportedly told police that due to increasing tensions with Bangladesh, the usual route through Kolkata was fraught with risk as the 500-km border between West Bengal and his country was being rigorously monitored by security forces. Hence. he tried to enter through the Northeast, the report added. Mumbai police believes that Saif Ali Khan may not have been stabbed had the four male workers responded to women staffers screams and resisted the attacker. Sources said that the male servants upstairs were probably frightened by the screams of the women as one of the male workers was reported hiding inside the house. Sandiip Sikcand Faces Death Threats After Supporting Bigg Boss 18 Winner Karan Veer Mehra: 'Don't Give A Sh*T' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 17:41 IST Sandiip Sikcand, known for producing television shows, has been voicing his support for Karan Veer Mehra since the beginning of Bigg Boss 18. Sandiip Sikcand has been supporting Karan Veer Mehra's journey. On January 19, 2025, Karan Veer Mehra was crowned the winner of Bigg Boss 18. The actor had been receiving constant support from ace TV producer Sandiip Sikcand. Now, the latter has revealed that he has been receiving death threats for supporting Karan. Taking to his Instagram story today, January 21, Sandiip stated that he is not affected by the trolls. Sandiip Sikcand wrote, My Instagram is full of abuses, death threats, crassy comments & the worst that you can imagine! ButI dont give a shit! The fact is that the BEST & the most DESERVING person WON." related stories He added, Paid media, channel preferred say what the crap you like but it all just proves that what terrible loosers you all are !! Bring on the hate because as I say water off the ducks back! Keep BARKING." Check it out: Later, while talking to The Free Press Journal, Sandiip said, Im receiving threats after Bigg Boss 18 finale. If you go through the comments under my social media posts, youll see the kind of hate Im receiving. People are also abusing me Ive received DMs in which people have stated that they know my residential address. They are threatening me and asking me not to leave my house in the morning." I have blocked many of them. I dont know who these people are. Its a very wrong thing to point someones name," he added. Earlier, Sandiip Sikcand had extended his support to Karan Veer by urging people to vote for him. After the actor won the reality show, Sandiip wrote, Respect, love, and support here arent bought, theyre hard-earned. #KaranVeerMehra has spent over 20 years proving that with his dedication and hard work. Let the world say what it wants, but #BiggBoss18 will always be remembered as #TheKaranVeerMehraShow." Check it out: View this post on Instagram A post shared by KaranVeerMehra (@karanveermehra) Several users trolled Sandiip for this post in the comments section. Meanwhile, Vivian Dsena emerged as the first runner-up of Bigg Boss 18 followed by Rajat Dalal. First Published: January 21, 2025, 17:41 IST Shark Tank India: Gaurav Taneja Asked To Close YouTube Channels, Told 'Aap Ka Focus Nahi Hoga' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 12:57 IST Gaurav Taneja currently runs three YouTube channels: Flying Beast," Fit Muscle TV," and Rasbhari Ke Papa". Gaurav Taneja pitched his fitness brand named Beast Life on Shark Tank India 4. (Photo: Instagram) YouTuber Gaurav Taneja, who recently appeared on Shark Tank India 4, has now revealed what advice was he given by the judges panel on the popular show. Taneja was seen pitching his fitness brand named Beast Life and asking for Rs 1 crore in return for 1 per cent equity in his company. However, he failed to get any offer in the show. Recently, Gaurav Taneja took to his LinkedIn account and revealed that the sharks had asked him to shut down his YouTube channels. Shut down your YouTube and go all in on one business. Thats the advice I got from some Sharks on Shark Tank India," he wrote and then added, During the pitch, one of the Sharks asked if I would continue YouTube. Without a blink of an eye, I confidently said, Yes." He didnt seem too happy with my response and remarked, Aap ka focus nahi hoga, aap waha se paisa bana loge." related stories Gaurav called the advice risky" and admitted that he was left hurt" with it. He further took a dig at Anupam Mittals Shaadi.com and compared its 125,000 followers on social media to his 8-month-old brands 127,000. The rules of entrepreneurship are evolving. Maybe its time to explore and break traditional moulds," he wrote. Who Is Gaurav Taneja? Gaurav Taneja is a 38-year-old YouTuber from Kanpur and has been living in Delhi for quite some time now. Taneja, who reportedly attended Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, holds a Bachelors degree from IIT Kharagpur. He is married to Ritu Rathee, and they have two daughters, Kiara and Pihu. He began his career with Gurugram-based airline IndiGo, where he served as both a first officer and a captain. Flying Beast later joined Malaysian airline AirAsia as a pilot but was suspended for standing up for the safe operations of an aircraft and its passengers". Taneja is also a certified nutritionist and professional bodybuilder who creates content related to fitness and nutrition on YouTube. He currently runs three YouTube channels: Flying Beast," Fit Muscle TV," and Rasbhari Ke Papa". First Published: January 21, 2025, 12:57 IST Sky Force: Akshay Kumar And Veer Pahariya Along With The Producers Host Screening For NCC Cadets In Delhi Curated By : Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 19:43 IST Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya hosted a special screening of Sky Force for NCC cadets in Delhi. The film, based on the 1965 Sargodha airstrike, honors Squadron Leader A.B. Devayya and releases January 24, 2025. Akshay Kumar, Dinesh Vijan and Veer Pahariya in Delhi. Sky Force actors Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya, who will be seen essaying the role of Air Force officers in the film, hosted a special screening for NCC cadets in Delhi yesterday. The event was also attended by films producers, Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik. Special thanks to Lieutenant General Gurbirpal Singh and Disha Cell of the Indian Air Force. The NCC, the youth wing of the Indian Armed Forces, brought infectious energy to the screening. The cadets were visibly captivated, reacting with awe and admiration to the films powerful and emotional moments. related stories Following the screening, the Sky Force team engaged in an interactive session with the cadets, discussing their training experiences, the films theme, inspiration, and the spirit of service and patriotism. Adding a dash of fun to the evening, Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya sang a song from the film for the cadets, which made their evening even more special. Sky Force is based on the 1965 Sargodha airstrike, Indias first deadly air combat mission, and honours the bravery of Squadron Leader A.B. Devayya. The film is set to release this Friday, promising a thrilling tribute to the valor of the Indian Air Force. Meanwhile, as Republic Week nears, the upcoming film Sky Force is all set to honour Indias brave soldiers with a new version of the iconic song Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon." Produced by Jio Studios and Maddock Films, the movie is scheduled for a grand release on January 24, 2025. This reimagined version of the timeless classic reflects the films patriotic spirit, saluting the courage and sacrifices of the armed forces. Originally sung by Lata Mangeshkar, with lyrics by Pradeep and music by C. Ramchandra, the song has been revamped by Tanishk Bagchi under Saregamas banner, blending modern elements with its original emotional depth. The film sheds light on the untold story of Indias first and deadliest airstrike, showcasing a gripping tale of bravery, strategy, and sacrifice. First Published: January 21, 2025, 19:43 IST TMKOC Team Dials Gurucharan Singh But Offers No Financial Support: 'Nobody Asked If...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 10:38 IST This comes days after Bhakti Soni also revealed that Gurucharan Singh needs to repay a loan of Rs 1.5 crore. Gurucharan Singh played the role of Roshan Singh Sodhi in TMKOC. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah team recently reached out to Gurucharan Singh amid reports that the actor has been facing financial strains. In a recent interview, the actors friend, Bhakti Soni, claimed that even though Singh received a call from TMKOCs publicist team, they offered no financial to him. Nobody asked if he needed any financial support," Bhakti told ETimes. He does not need financial support, but work is what he needs the most. And I have managed to get him work," she added. related stories However, Bhakti also revealed that Gurucharan has secured a branded deal, which will pay him Rs 13 lakh. For the same, the actor will soon travel to Mumbai for a shoot. This deal, the friend shared, will help Singh in repaying his debts. I have got Gurucharan Singh a brand deal of 13 lakh, which has been given to him. After that, he agreed to break his fast. He will be coming to Mumbai by the end of the month to shoot for the same," she shared. This comes days after Bhakti Soni also revealed that Gurucharan Singh needs to repay a loan of Rs 1.5 crore. She also claimed that nobody, including Singhs family, was helping him during this difficult time. He had a debt of about Rs 1.2 crore. However, his father owns a property worth 55 crore. Unfortunately, there is an ongoing dispute as the tenants are not vacating the property. If the matter gets resolved and the property is sold, he should be able to clear his loan," Bhakti told ETimes. Gurcharan Singh played the role of Roshan Singh Sodhi a fun-loving man who is always in party mode and never shies away from expressing love for his wife. He was one of the popular characters on the show, and also a founding cast member. Gurcharan, however, left the show in 2012 only to return next year due to public demand. After his exit in 2020, he was replaced by actor Balwinder Singh Suri. First Published: January 21, 2025, 10:38 IST Yash's Toxic In Trouble? Makers Get Notice Over Illegal Felling Of Trees On Forest Land During Shoot Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 09:10 IST In October 2024, Khandre alleged that hundreds of trees were illegally cut down on forestland within the HMT premises in Bengaluru, during the filming of Toxic. Yash's Toxic will hit theatres in December 2025. Looks like Yashs upcoming movie, Toxic, has landed in big trouble. The makers of the film have been issued a show-cause notice in connection with the illegal felling of trees case on forest land during the shoot. On Monday, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre confirmed that a notice has been issued a notice to the makers and shared that action would be taken after reviewing their replies. The minister claimed that the officials had (falsely) claimed, in an Interlocutory Application (IA) filed in the Supreme Court in 2020, that the forest land in Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) possession had lost its forest status. He also alleged that they sought denotification approval without obtaining Cabinet permission. related stories It has already been suggested to withdraw this IA. In the last Cabinet meeting, ex-post facto approval was given to withdraw the IA," the minister said as quoted by PTI. In October 2024, Khandre alleged that hundreds of trees were illegally cut down on forestland within the Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) premises in Peenya, Bengaluru, during the filming of Toxic. Following his visit to the site, the minister instructed Forest Department officials to take immediate legal action against those involved in the tree-cutting. This is a serious violation. Hundreds of trees have been removed without permission, and we are seeking strict legal repercussions," he said. Yashs Toxic is one of the most awaited films. Jointly produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups" has been directed by Geetu Mohandas. The first teaser of the film was released recently in which Yash was seen in his bold and unconventional avatar. He was seen dressed in a crisp white suit, fedora and holding a cigar, making a star-like entrance in a club, which has an ambience pulsating with extravagance. Toxic will hit theatres in December 2025. (With inputs from PTI) First Published: January 21, 2025, 09:10 IST Opinion | 'America First': What US-India Relations Will Look Like In Trump 2.0 Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 19, 2025, 11:14 IST President-elect Donald Trump's renowned deal-making instinct and result-driven pragmatism will find more opportunities for the US and India, with synergy between 'America First' and 'Viksit Bharat' approach President-elect Donald Trump's second term promises a refreshed approach to India-US ties. (Image: AFP/File) Florida Senator Marco Rubio has promised to implement President-elect Donald Trumps America First" vision as secretary of state, vowing in his confirmation hearing that the incoming administration will forge a new path by placing American interests above all else". Placing our core national interests above all else is not isolationism," he told the senate foreign relations committee. It is the commonsense realisation that a foreign policy centered on our national interest is not some outdated relic." related stories Any foreign policy decision by America will weigh in the following does it make America safer, does it make America stronger, and does it make America more prosperous. Indias foreign policy is driven by the vision of Viksit Bharat laid out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that proposes to turn India into a developed country by 2047, to coincide with the centenary of Independence. Given the America First approach by Trump and Modis Viksit Bharat vision, what trajectory will US and India relations take in the Trump 2.0 administration? The India-US diplomatic relationship is a transformational story of the 21st century. Significant milestones were achieved under Trump 1.0 defence ties witnessed several concrete steps forward such as the creation of the tri-service exercise Tiger Triumph, concluding negotiations on defence interoperability agreements, and relaxing defence export controls through steps like moving India to Tier 1 of the US Department of Commerces Strategic trade authorization licensing list. Trump renamed the Hawaii based US-Pacific command as Indo-Pacific command recognising the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean and revitalised the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) to promote stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific region. Four key pillars have defined US engagement with India in the last decade: Indias status as the worlds largest democracy; Indias rise in Southeast Asia to counter Chinas dominance and threat to the Indo-Pacific region; Indias potential as an engine of global growth; and a robust people-to-people interaction between the two countries. If officials and analysts are to be believed, the ideological glue of the India-US relationship lies in their shared values" as the US State Department puts it of a commitment to democracy and upholding the rules-based international system". Today, both countries see their bilateral partnership and commitments to the Quad a grouping of India, US, Australia and Japan as counterweights to Chinas growing influence, and their increasing convergence in Indo-Pacific strategy. Indias economy is expected to grow rapidly through 2024 and reach $7 trillion by 2030, making it the worlds third-largest economy. This growth is expected to be driven by domestic demand, investment in human capital, and innovation. Indian-Americans are the second-largest immigrant group in the US. As the number of Indian-origin residents in the country has swelled north of 4 million, the communitys diversity has grown as well. My personal journey along with many fellow Indian-Americans is testament to the fact that there is so much common between being a good Indian and a good Indian-American because of the shared values between the two countries. The ideological alignment and preference for a democratic world, as evidenced from the public surveys, can explain the overwhelming approval of India the worlds largest democracy" in the US. Gallups annual world affairs survey shows India is perceived by Americans as their sixth favourite nation in the world, with 77 percent holding a favourable view in 2022, even above Israel (71 percent). Indias rise is more recent but, at the same time, the rise of Asia is not a collective peaceful rise. Rising Asia cannot by itself maintain order in Asia. It needs the US as a key partner on economic, trade and, especially military, as only the US has the core power and bases in the region to deter China. India requires a solid partnership with the US if it is to fulfil its massive domestic development needs and manage its external challenges with its neighbours effectively. At the same time, the US needs a democratic, economically buoyant India to craft a stable regional order in the Indo-Pacific. Despite the deepening of US-India relations over the past decade or so, some aspects of it remain challenging including disagreements over trade practices, S-400 deployments, and responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. India has been the only major democracy not to directly condemn the invasion, retaining its commercial and defence procurement partnership with Russia. India is a member of alternative non-western groupings like the BRICS, and it remains outside bodies central to US diplomacy like the UN Security Council and the G7, but India in recent years has been leaning towards issues-based alliances with other nations, and recognising the need to develop closer relationship with US. Trump has pushed for an end to the war in Ukraine and is known to favour diplomacy rather than military confrontation with Russia an approach that India has been in alignment with. There are likely to be greater convergences on US foreign policy relating to Ukraine, Middle East and Iran with Indias foreign policy under the new administration. India is supportive of ending war in Ukraine, a friend of Israel, and not supportive of Iran to be a nuclear state. Bilateral trade has grown tenfold since 2000, to $191 billion in 2022, and India became the ninth-largest US trading partner in 2021. Exports were $73.0 billion, while imports were $118.8 billion. The US goods and services trade deficit with India was $45.7 billion in 2022. Trump has repeatedly mentioned major tariffs on imports from a range of countries. Beijing bore the brunt of his attention, but India was a major target, too he described the country as a major charger" of tariffs and promised to offset domestic tax cuts by imposing higher tariffs on imports. This needs to be worked out on both sides by give and take" transactional approach and find grounds for a win-win strategy. In 2020, China was the largest oil export destination for the US, while India stood at fifth place; in 2021, the roles have been reversed, with India taking the top spot and China going down to the fifth. There were various factors leading to it, including China imposing tariffs on US imports, US ban on investments in Chinese energy firms, and growing demand for LNG in India. As Indias economy grows, the demand for energy increases exponentially and the import of petroleum, thus, remains an indispensable part of Indias near future. Smart US economic engagement with India can help India wean itself off China while also creating new market opportunities for American firms in different sectors such as emerging technologies, hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals, healthcare among others. Though long-standing economic gripes persist, meriting 13 pages in the 2023 Foreign Trade Barriers report from the US Trade Representative, Indias role in the fast consolidating Quad" consultation has brought shared purpose to Washington and New Delhi, both of which harbour concerns about China. Today, diplomacy is largely conducted on an interpersonal basis at the highest level. Trump is highly popular in India, as people intrinsically seem to relate to what he stands for. The 1,25,000-strong crowd that had gathered to welcome him on his first visit to India in 2020 alongside the Prime Minister, at a rally dubbed Namaste Trump, after a spectacular event with 50,000-plus crowd in Houston, Texas, not only clearly demonstrated his popularity among Indians and Indian-Americans but also the enthusiastically friendly relationship of Modi and Trump. America loves India, respects India," said Trump as he stepped out to address the rally, to roars of approval. India gives hope to all of humanity." The past decade has seen a fundamental transformation in US-India relations. Trumps second term promises a refreshed approach to India-US ties. His renowned deal-making instinct and his result driven pragmatism are going to find more opportunities for the US and India. There are natural synergies between America First and Viksit Bharat approach of both countries. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In the words of external affairs minister S Jaishankar, there is structural soundness in the India-US relationship", and it is certainly proofed against political check". The PMs good relations with Trump will help take US-India relations to a new level in the coming years. (Jiten Agarwal is a self-made entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist who has created several successful, socially responsible businesses. He is the founder of some technology firms, investor in private equity and advisory board member of several non-profits in the US. He has a keen understanding of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and US-India relations. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views) First Published: January 19, 2025, 11:14 IST The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to restrain the offensive of the Russian occupiers and are taking the necessary measures to prevent the enemy from advancing deep into Ukrainian territory, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on the Telegram channel on Tuesday. In total, 55 military clashes were recorded on the front line as of 16:00. The occupiers are attacking most actively in Pokrovsk direction: here the occupiers made 33 attempts to oust the Defense Forces from their positions, 24 enemy attacks were repelled, and nine clashes are still ongoing. In Toretsk axis, the enemy attacked the positions of our troops five times, and three clashes are still ongoing. Four assaults by the invaders were stopped in Kupyansk axis. Since the beginning of the day, there have been four clashes in Lymany direction, of which one is still ongoing. In Kramatorsk area, the Defense Forces are repelling three enemy attempts to advance while the fighting continues. In Kursk axis, the invaders attacked the Ukrainian Defense Forces twice, in addition, the enemy launched 11 air strikes, dropping 17 bombs on the territory of the Russian Federation. Single combat operations were noted in Dniprovsk, Novo-Pavlivsk, Siversk and Orikhove directions. There were no significant changes in the situation in other areas. Opinion | Big Fines, Temple Reclamation, Bulldozers, Arrests: Yogi Doubles Down After Sambhal Violence Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 17, 2025, 18:35 IST With two more years to the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, CM Yogi Adityanath's aggressive and uncompromising cultural reclamation push could decide the colour the polls will take Instead of meek compromise or backing off, the Yogi Adityanath administration has stormed Sambhal with wider surveys and crippling penalties against encroachers and usurpers. (Image: PTI/File) Politicians temper down some of their more audacious campaigns when outcomes turn ugly. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath doesnt seem to belong to that species. After the Islamist mob violence in Sambhal on November 24 that claimed five lives, triggered by a court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid supposed to have been built by destroying a temple Yogi Adityanath has doubled down on rescuing heritage premises from takeover and ruin. related stories Instead of meek compromise or backing off, Yogis administration has stormed Sambhal with wider surveys and crippling penalties against encroachers and usurpers. State teams have broadened the scope of surveys statewide. The state government has also been taking unprecedented actions to speed up cultural reclamation. This uncompromising model of governance is a novelty. How this plays out will be interesting to watch. Flying under the radar for years, Sambhal had become a swamp of religious extremism. The November 24 violence has blown the lid open. Recently, a viral video has emerged of a young Sambhal mans conversation with a maulana in Pakistan, in which he describes those killed in the violence as martyrs". The indoctrination runs deep. But the UP police and other agencies have cracked down hard, arresting at least 60 rioters and instigators. Besides, more than 1,400 FIRs have been filed under Section 135 of the Indian Electricity Act for power theft in Sambhal. Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq, 16 mosques and two madrassas are among those booked. The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has imposed Rs 11 crore in fines, of which Rs 20 lakh has already been collected. The Yogi administration has issued notices to houses near Rani Ki Bawdi in Sambhal, as they squat on land earmarked for excavation. Illegals housed around the Sati Math temple were cleared using bulldozers. Yogi has made Sambhal a test case for the discovery of destroyed, occupied or shut temples. After unearthing the Shiv-Hanuman temple in Sambhal, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has conducted surveys of multiple sites, restoring koops (wells) and bawdis (stepwells). A locked temple in Sambhals Muslim-majority Hayat Nagar area was reopened for daily prayers. On that very day, another closed temple in Varanasis Muslim-majority Madanpura area was reopened, with regular worship resuming. On December 18, another dormant temple in Aligarh was unlocked, pujas started. A temple locked for 44 years was reopened in Moradabad, a Shiv temple in Muslim-majority Rasoolpur of Firozabad was thrown open for worship after more than 60 years. In January, a 10,000-square-foot plot was returned to a Hindu family who had abandoned it during the 1978 riots. Some Muslims had occupied it. The lands owner, Balram Mali, was killed in the riots, forcing his widow and three sons to flee for Chandausi. Bulldozers have swooped down on 12 shops illegally built on that land. The shop owners, who used to pay rent to the mosque committee, have been served notices to vacate. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all With two more years to the UP assembly elections, Yogi Adityanaths aggressive and uncompromising cultural reclamation push could decide the colour the polls will take. There is already a profusion of saffron beginning to be visible on the palette. (Abhijit Majumder is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views) First Published: January 17, 2025, 18:27 IST Opinion | Lets Build An Alliance of Conservatives Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 19, 2025, 08:58 IST The US is witnessing the inauguration of Donald Trump as the next President, and this is an opportune moment to build the International Conservatives Alliance The team he has declared to date clearly indicates that the Trump administration will have zero tolerance towards Wokeism, illegal migration, expansionist China, and Radical Islam. (File pic/Reuters) When culture, schools and universities openly teach that our country is racist, our heroes are villains, humanity is killing the Earth, you are what you desire, diversity is theology, boundaries are tyranny and self-restraint is oppression, is it any wonder that mental health conditions, self-harm and suicide, and epidemic levels of anxiety and confusion characterise the emerging generation?" These words of UK MP Miriam Cates resonated around the world, particularly in the West, where wokeism (Cultural Marxism) is influencing both classrooms and living rooms and robbing youth of the hope for a better future. related stories Maos Cultural Revolution survivor Lily Tang Williams voiced her concerns in May 2024 about the emergence of neo-Marxist tendencies in American education institutions. She noted that student-led actions are like the zeal of Chinas Red Guards, especially anti-Israel and anti-American protests. Radical Islamist movements are on the rise in different parts of the world, where young Muslim youth are joining and endorsing Islamic State. Black flags are popping up with shahadahthe core tenet of Islam, which means There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God". In Brazil, there was a case of a 44-year-old man connected to ISIS for recruitment and training of young people with explosive materials. In an interview in August 2024, US scholar Daniel Pipes noted that Western civilisation is considered the main adversary of both Radical Islamists and Cultural Marxists. Pipes underlined the challenges these ideas posed on college campuses, where debates over free speech and intellectual freedom have intensified. These are just a few examples of how educational institutions, families, and national borders have been adversely affected by radical ideologies in recent years. Those who support the ideology of Wokeism and Radical Islam also endorse or keep mum over expansionist China and illegal migration. These forces can be billed as the Red-Black Alliance that poses a great threat to civilisational values, faith, nationalism, and, above all, humanity as a whole. There is a need to counter the Red-Black Alliance by unfolding an umbrella that brings together individuals, institutions, political parties, and governments who believe in the idea of family, faith, tradition, and patriotism. Conservatism is that set of ideas that can counter the challenges of Wokeism, Radical Islam, expansionist China, and illegal migration, and secure families, national boundaries, traditions, and above all, the childhood of our young who are falling into the trap of misplaced priorities. To create an alternative space to counter this Red-Black alliance, theres a need for an International Conservatives Alliance, as Conservatism is the best bet to counter the forces of Radical Islamism and Cultural Marxism. Conservative governments can learn from each others experiences. On campuses, Conservative Guilds could be formed that could conduct workshops, talks, and other activities and give a chance to students to voice their opinions in an alternative sphere. Think tanks of the Conservative-leaning can engage with each other and share knowledge. A group of scholars from think tanks in the United States visited India recently on a study tour facilitated by the India Foundation. They met with ministers and scholars and visited specific sites in India. They shared their experiences related to the American public discourse. They were curious about the rise of Conservative politics in India, Indias relationship with China, and increasing Wokeism on Indian campuses. Through several rounds of discussions during the roundtable and beyond, it emerged that Conservatism works as a counter-balancing ideological force in the United States of America. The ideas and institutions around Conservatism unapologetically challenge forces like Radical Islam, expansionist China, and Wokeism, at a time when liberal Democrats have fallen into the trap of Leftists and Radical Islamists. This is a functioning example of how such engagements can strengthen the Conservative network, help nations come together, deliberate contemporary issues of relevance, and create a public space for Conservative ideas to flourish. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The US is witnessing the inauguration of Donald Trump as the next President, and this is an opportune moment to build the International Conservatives Alliance. The team he has declared to date clearly indicates that the Trump administration will have zero tolerance towards Wokeism, illegal migration, expansionist China, and Radical Islam. Swadesh Singh is a Distinguished Fellow and Chitra Shekhawat is a Research Fellow with India Foundation, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: January 19, 2025, 08:58 IST Opinion | Sharad Pawar Praising RSS Should Be A Wake-Up Call For Congress Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 19, 2025, 19:42 IST Its time for the Congress to come out of its comfort zone and realise that the momentum it gained after the Lok Sabha elections is over NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawars statement is more directed towards the ally Congress. (File image) On January 9, former Union minister and veteran leader Sharad Pawar, who heads the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) or NCP(SP), praised the cadres of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for showing unwavering loyalty to the organisations Hindutva ideology and not deviating from the path at any cost. He credited the organisational activities done by the cadres of the RSS to spread the Hindutva ideology resulting in the huge victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Maharashtra elections held last year. Is NCP(SP) joining NDA? related stories Notably, Pawars praise of the organisation the ideological parent of the BJP comes at a time when there have been speculations of his party joining the saffron party-led by the NDA. Pawar doesnt make any statement without any strategy in mind. No wonder his statement has assumed political significance. Remarkably, a few days ago, his daughter and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule had praised Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has emerged as the popular BJP leader of the state. While it is true that such statements give strength to speculations of the NCP(SP) joining the NDA, it is still immature to predict the political moves of Sharad Pawar, known for keeping cards close to his chest. Though there are reports of a section of NCP(SP) preferring to join the NDA government of the state, Pawar, as of now, is unlikely to formally join the NDA. However, it is also true that he wants to secure the political future of his daughter, Supriya Sule. After the excellent performance of the NCP led by nephew Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar is left with few options. There is buzz that Sharad Pawar wants a Union cabinet berth for his daughter Sule in the Modi government. It has to be mentioned that in the undivided NCP, Sharad Pawar gave the affairs of the state to his nephew Ajit while his daughter Sule remained busy in parliamentary affairs of the party in the corridors of Delhi. Anything is possible in politics as lets not forget that it was Sharad Pawar himself who had offered the support of undivided NCP to the BJP after the latter didnt get majority in the Maharashtra state elections in 2014. It was also Sharad Pawar who played the crucial role to bring Hindutva undivided Shiv Sena away from the NDA in 2019 to form the MVA, which then included the Congress and the undivided NCP. Importantly, he also shares a cordial relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Whether the NCP(SP) joins the NDA or not, the statement indicates Sharad Pawars intentions to maintain cordial relations with the BJP and by praising the RSS, he is trying to build bridges directly with the Sangh Parivar, which has regained its strength following the BJPs below expected performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, followed by the saffron partys victories later in Haryana and Maharashtra elections. A hidden message for the ally Congress Given the current national scenario, Sharad Pawars statement is more directed towards the ally Congress, which is the senior partner of the Opposition Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). The grand old party, after being able to increase its seats to 99 in the last Lok Sabha elections, became overconfident and lost the Haryana state elections, despite having the momentum. Later, the party also lost the Maharashtra state elections badly. However, it hasnt been gracious enough to concede the electoral defeats. On January 15, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi raised doubts over the electoral system and alleged that something wrong happened" in Maharashtra elections. This isnt a new allegation. Since the party registered its worst performance in the Maharashtra state elections, it has been unable to deal with the shock of the setback it received. And to keep the morale of its ground soldiers high, the party seems to be following the easy route of sensationalism by casting doubt on the electoral process. Rahuls recent statement only validates this. At a time when the Congress is unable to graciously accept the electoral defeat in Maharashtra, Sharad Pawars statement accepting the role of the RSS in the saffron victory and asking his party cadres to learn the kind of loyalty and dedication shown by the RSS cadres is actually a rejection of the lazy attitude taken by the Congress high command. Pawar accepting the fact of being complacent after the Lok Sabha elections, where the Opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) bloc defeated the NDA, is a clear message to the Congress high command not to take the Narendra Modi-led BJP lightly and to remain rooted on the ground by focussing on organisational activities, rather than subscribing to sensationalism on social media platforms. Signs of uneasiness within the INDIA camp top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Remarkably, Sharad Pawars statement praising the RSS, which has been the main target of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, comes at a time when INDIA bloc constituents like Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress and SS(UBT) declared their support for Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, ignoring the Congress, which is also in the fray. The message from the allies is clear its time for the Congress to come out of its comfort zone and realise that the momentum it gained after the Lok Sabha elections is over. Sagarneel Sinha is a political commentator and tweets @SagarneelSinha. Views expressed here are personal to the author and do not reflect the opinions of News18. First Published: January 19, 2025, 19:42 IST Opinion | Two Quads, One India: Decoding Trump's Reset & Russias Invite Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 13:56 IST While some might say the whole thing looks like India indefinitely trying to balance its relations with one bloc over the other, rather, it reflects an approach to foreign policy that prioritises national interests above rigid allegiances External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during the swearing-in ceremony of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America, in Washington DC. (X @DrSJaishankar) Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the inauguration ceremony of Donald J Trump on Monday. On Wednesday, he is scheduled for a Quad foreign ministers meeting with his counterparts Penny Wong from Australia, Japanese foreign minister Iwaya Takeshi and Senator Marco Rubio, who was confirmed as Trumps Secretary of State. Before leaving for the United States, Jaishankar delivered a lecture in Mumbai where he said: Today, we may well be on the cusp of a new era. One where the United States departs from an established tradition of foreign policy and focuses on its own interests, rather than in shaping the world itself Where the focus is more on the compulsions of competition rather than on observance of regimes", subtly indicating the importance of engaging with the Trump administration bilaterally and multilaterally. related stories Simultaneously, another diplomatic overture has cast its shadow or perhaps, offered a different kind of spotlight. Sergei Lavrov, Russias seasoned foreign minister, has publicly advocated for Indias inclusion in the Afghan Quad a grouping comprised of Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan. The sheer audacity of this suggestion, presented while India prepares for a crucial meeting with the US and its allies, cannot be understated. These two Quads", sharing little beyond nomenclature, represent vastly different geopolitical objectives and power dynamics. Yet, at the center of both lies India, a nation suddenly finding itself pulled in seemingly opposing directions. This isnt merely a matter of scheduling conflicts; it speaks to the heightened strategic importance India now holds, and the complex balancing act that comes with it. The Quad and a Re-Emerging America The Quad, comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, is seen as a counterbalance to Chinas growing influence. The timing of this meeting, right after Trumps inauguration, suggests a renewed focus on the Indo-Pacific region. This is in stark contrast to the Biden administration, which seemed to downplay the Quads importance by postponing meetings. A Quad meeting in Australia was ultimately relegated to the sidelines of a G7 gathering in Japan, a move that perhaps spoke volumes about its perceived priority. In 2024, the Biden administration stepped up its game and in a move to shape his legacy through the Quad, switched schedules with India to host Quad leaders in his place of residence, Delaware. He famously said that the Quad is here to stay, dispelling doubts about its relevance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the same words. Note that the Biden administration was aggressively focused on a different theatre Europe Specifically the NATO vs Russia proxy war on the battlegrounds of Ukraine. Now, with the ascension of Donald Trump, a leader who wants to see the war end soon, and focus on the China challenge, the Indo-Pacific will regain attention. The convening of a Quad foreign ministers meeting a mere day after his inauguration is not merely symbolic; it is a blatant declaration. Following a decade of dormancy, the Quad was brought back to life during Donald Trumps first term in 2017, signaling a renewed focus on the Indo-Pacific. China was left watching then, mocking; Quad move will dissipate like sea foam", Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi had quipped. China will undoubtedly be watching these developments closely again. The Quad serves as a critical block to meet new economic and security challenges, and a meeting sends a strong signal to China. China Watching From Beijings perspective, this reinvigorated Quad meeting will be observed with hawkish intensity. China views the Quad with suspicion, perceiving it as a thinly veiled attempt to contain its rise. Indias integral role within this grouping amplifies this perception. India is the only major power to have banned TikTok and Huawei, a response well attuned to halter Chinas aggressive technological encroachment. Furthermore, the very real, and at times bloody, confrontations along our shared Himalayan border have demonstrated Indias willingness to stand its ground against Chinese aggression. The fragile peace that currently holds is a testament to Indias resolve. Moreover, the seating arrangements at Trumps inauguration would certainly have caught Chinas attention. Jaishankar was sitting right in front, next to the Danish President. This is the kind of signalling which, in terms of foreign policy, showcases Indias importance at the global stage and also demonstrates the strength and importance of US-India relations. Its also important to note that the Trump-Modi bonhomie goes way back and will be a driving force for the Quad. While Japan and Australia have seen transitions to new leaderships, Prime Minister Modi has held onto power for a third term, with this being his 11th year in office. PM Modi knows the Quad journey in and out and will play a pivotal role in its functions. The Other Quad The Afghan Quad, consisting of Russia, Iran, and two of Indias regional adversaries/rivals, has a different focus: stabilising Afghanistan. Lavrovs invitation for India to join this group reflects Russias recognition of Indias influence and its constructive role in the region. Russias invitation to India is not just for being a responsible regional power, but as potential counterweights to the dominant influence of China and Pakistan within that grouping. For India, this forum allows it to further its trade ambitions through initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), of which the Chabahar port in Iran is a vital component. A stable and cooperative Afghanistan is essential for this trade route to flourish, reducing Indias reliance on Pakistan for overland access to Central Asia and beyond. Indias recent engagement with the Taliban, including agreements to promote trade through Chabahar, demonstrates a pragmatic approach to securing its economic and strategic interests in the region. This is not about ideological alignment; it is about realpolitik. Any potential future participation by India in both these Quads", while seemingly paradoxical, is a reflection of its complex geopolitical reality. For India, this is not about playing a neutral role, but rather about strategically engaging on multiple fronts to secure its national interests. Is This Risky? Of course, it is risky, but New Delhi has a proven track record of navigating complex geopolitical landscapes, balancing competing interests within forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which includes both China and Pakistan. Indias history demonstrates a capacity to engage with rivals, leveraging these platforms to advance its own strategic objectives. Furthermore, Indias unique position as a US Major Defence Partner, while simultaneously continuing to import significant defence equipment from Russia, exemplifies its adeptness at managing relationships. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While some might say the whole thing looks like India indefinitely trying to balance its relations with one bloc over the other, its far, far away from it. Or that India, at any given time has its foot in two different boats. Rather, it reflects an approach to foreign policy which has been missing for a long time, one that prioritises national interests above rigid allegiances. India is at a juncture in global politics which has laid bare the many possibilities and rewards in front of it. However, such is the nature of realpolitik that it is almost never a zero-sum game. The two Quads, while not vying for influence, are a sign of the emerging multipolar world order after decades of bipolar and unipolar structures. As global power dynamics shift, India will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of both the Indo-Pacific and the Eurasian landmass. The decisions India makes in the coming months and years will have far-reaching consequences, not only for the region but for the world. First Published: January 21, 2025, 13:56 IST CAG Flags Irregularities In PPE Procurement By Kerala Govt During Covid-19 Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 23:36 IST The CAG also found that undue favour was shown to Maharashtra-based San Pharma with the KMSCL providing it 100% of the purchase value of the PPE kits as advance in violation of the norms The CAG report comes as a blow to Kerala's LDF government led by CM Pinarayi Vijayan. (Image: PTI/File) Flagging an additional expenditure of Rs 10.23 crore in March and April 2020, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India reported irregularities in the procurement of personal protective equipment by the Kerala government during the Covid-19 pandemic. This comes as a blow to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The findings were tabled in the Kerala assembly on Tuesday. related stories WHAT DOES THE REPORT SAY? In March 2020, the Kerala government accorded special sanction to KMSCL (Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd) to procure PPE (personal protective equipment) kits, N95 masks, and other similar commodities to manage Covid pandemic. The Kerala government had in March 2020 prescribed unit rates for PPE kits at Rs 545 with a view to effect price control of essential commodities," stated the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), on Keralas public health infrastructure and management of health services. The CAG report further stated that four firms, including three regular suppliers to KMSCL had offered rates to supply PPE kits during March 2020. These were within or slightly higher than government-approved rates, it said. It stated that despite offers at a lower price from regular suppliers as well as in local markets, procurements were made from five firms in March and April 2020 at much higher rates as high as 300 per cent above the unit rate or previous purchase made. It said this resulted in additional expenditure of Rs 10.23 crore on the PPE kits procured during that period. The report further stated that on March 28, 2020, Anitha Texcot (India) Pvt Ltd offered to supply PPE kits at Rs 550, which was close to the unit rates prescribed by the government at Rs 545. Even though the KMSCL offered to procure 25,000 PPE kits from this firm, purchase orders were issued for the supply of 10,000 only while the ordered quantity ranged from 15,000 to two lakh in respect of other firms that quoted rates ranging from Rs 800 to Rs 1, 550 per unit. On receipt of supply of 50 per cent of the ordered quantity within 18 days of issue of order, it was cancelled on April 15, 2020, stating the reason that supply order was less," the report said. It added: It is evident that KMSCL excluded a firm that was supplying PPE kits at a lower rate in order to purchase the item at higher rates from other vendors". According to the report, the Kerala government said the central government had issued special instructions on March 27, 2020, in view of the urgency involved in the procurement of medical and other essential supplies, for permitting procurement from more than one source. The KMSCL was authorised to buy variants of PPE kits as available in the market, based on necessity and criticality of the situation. The report said though the procurement was made in an emergency scenario, it does not justify cancelling POs that were economical to the government. Thus, the purchases made from suppliers who were new in the market, at significantly higher rates, resulted in extra expenditure of more than Rs 10.23 crore. UNDUE FAVOURS The CAG also found that undue favour was shown to Maharashtra-based San Pharma with the KMSCL providing it 100 per cent of the purchase value of the PPE kits as advance in violation of the norms. It said the company offered to supply PPE kits at the highest rate of Rs 1,550 per unit, as 100 percent purchase value was paid as advance to this company. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In a statement issued by opposition leader VD Satheeshan, he said the CAG report confirms the corruption allegations made by the opposition. The corruption took place with the knowledge of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and former Health Minister KK Shailaja. The first Pinarayi Vijayan government carried out this massive looting during the pandemic when people were scared. Beyond saving the lives of the people, the government saw the Covid pandemic as a golden opportunity to fill its own pockets," he said. He said the CAG report also highlights the massive corruption involved in purchasing PPE kits from Maharashtra-based San Pharma at three times the price. It was decided to buy PPE kits from San Pharma for Rs 1,550 on the same day that three companies offered PPE kits for less than Rs 500. Former health minister KK Shailaja later revealed that this contract was with the chief ministers permission. The CAG report also contains shocking information that the contract given to Anitha Testcot for Rs 550 was cancelled and the contract was given for Rs 1,550. The report also confirms the oppositions allegations that 100% advance was given to San Pharma illegally," he added. First Published: January 21, 2025, 23:36 IST Arvind Kejriwal's Remarks On Ramayana Sparks Row, BJP Calls Him 'Chunavi Hindu' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 15:38 IST Kejriwal on Monday compared the BJP to 'Ravana', claiming he kidnapped Goddess Sita in the form of a 'golden deer'. His remarks drew the BJP's ire as the party accused him of misquoting Ramayana. AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal (File photo: YouTube/AAP) Ahead of Delhi polls, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) became embroiled in another fresh feud after former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal misquoted Ramayana by comparing BJP to Ravana". Speaking on Monday, Kejriwal stoked another controversy while addressing the slum clusters of Vishwas Nagar, when he recited an incident from the Ramayana where Goddess Sita fell victim to Ravanas golden deer tactics. The AAP national convenor compared the BJP to the golden deer" and warned Delhiites to not fall in their trap". related stories Lord Ram was exiled for 14 years, so one day he went to the forest to arrange for food, left Mata Sita in the hut and told Laxman that you will protect Sita Maa, meanwhile, Ravana came in the form of a golden deer. Sita said to Laxman that I want this deer Laxman went and Ravan kidnapped Sita Maa, these BJP people are also like that golden deer, do not get involved in their trap," Kejriwal said. #WATCH | Delhi: I want to warn the slum dwellers that these days they (people of BJP) are staying in slums, they do not love you, they love your vote and will sell all your land after the elections. Lord Ram was exiled for 14 years, so one day he went to the forest to arrange pic.twitter.com/tknCh28vT5 ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2025 Kejriwals remarks drew the ire of the BJP, who accused him of insulting Sanatan Dharma and misinterpreting the sacred text of Ramcharitmanas, labelling him a Chunavi Hindu". Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva said Kejriwal only remembers temples when elections are approaching. The way Arvind Kejriwal has misinterpreted Shri Ramcharitmanas and has tried to insult the Sanatana, this is not the first time. These people are Adharmi. I dont know what his Nani (grandmother) recited to him, but he (Arvind Kejriwal) used to say that the Ram Temple should not be built. Now that the elections are coming up, he is remembering Ram Temple and all the other temples," Sachdeva told news agency ANI. Kejriwal Is Chunavi Hindu: BJP BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari launched a scathing attack on Kejriwal, calling him a Chunavi Hindu" for misquoting Ramayana and said his true face had been exposed in front of the people of Delhi and the country. Bhandari remarked that appeasement runs in the veins of Kejriwal and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and that the AAP supremo was irritated" with the slogan of Ek hain toh safe hain and Lord Shri Rams temple in Ayodhya and wants to give lands of Delhi to Waqf. Another BJP spokesperson Ajay Alok lamented that Kejriwal did not even know the Ramayana despite being an educated man and an IIT graduate. Party leader Tarun Chugh said Kejriwal finally started remembering Lord Ram as he feared defeat in the upcoming polls. The people of Delhi are now alert to save themselves from Arvind Kejriwals web of lies. The people are asking what he did in 10 years People are opposing and boycotting him. People have decided Bye Bye Kejriwal," he said. BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat said Kejriwal himself played the role of Ravana by destroying Delhi. BJP leader Manoj Tiwari also reacted by saying, " am not at all surprised by his statement because we know that during elections Arvind Kejriwal tries to be a Chunavi Hindu. All those things he said yesterday prove that he has no connection with the Hindu religion and Sanatan." Swati Maliwal Reacts, Kejriwal Hits Back Reacting to Kejriwals remarks, rebel AAP MP Swati Maliwal slammed the former CM and echoed BJPs accusations that Kejriwal turned Hindu only when elections were near. When Shri Ram went to the forest to look for food, Ravana came in the form of a golden deer- in which Ramayana is this written @ArvindKejriwal ji? In Ramayana, the demon Marich had come with Ravana and had taken the form of a golden deer. Sita Mata had asked Shri Ram to bring the golden deer, not Lakshman Ji," she said in a post on X. You become a Hindu as soon as elections come, today you made a small mistake in memorising," she added. However, Kejriwal later shot back at the criticism over his remarks on Ramayana, calling BJP demonic" for admiring Ravana. Yesterday I said that Ravana came as a golden deer and Mother Sita wanted that deer. They are saying that it was not Ravana (who came as a deer) but it was demon Marichi instead," he said in a presser on Tuesday. The entire BJP is protesting outside my house and asking why I insulted Ravana. They love Ravana so much. They are of a demonic nature. I want to warn the people living in slums and poor sections of Delhi that these people will gulp you down like demons if they come to power," he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all #WATCH | Delhi: On his remark regarding the Ramayana, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal says, Yesterday I said that Ravana came as a golden deer and Mother Sita wanted that deer. They are saying that it was not Ravana (who came as a deer) but it was demon Marichi instead. pic.twitter.com/TCQO3P0ujo ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2025 AAP leader Manish Sisodia came out in support of his leader and said that the BJP immediately came out in defence of Ravana, as if they themselves were descendants of Ravana". BJP leader Amit Malviya reacted by saying only Arvind Kejriwal can have so much respect for demons, again calling him Chunavi Hindu". First Published: January 21, 2025, 15:04 IST Guardian Minister Row: NCP MLA Raises 'Outsider' Angle To Target BJP's Girish Mahajan Published By : PTI Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 23:30 IST Manikrao Kokate said if an "outsider" is made the guardian minister of a district not nurtured by him, such arrangement creates hurdles in resolving local issues. NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate | File Image NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate on Tuesday said if an outsider" is made the guardian minister of a district not nurtured by him, such arrangement creates hurdles in resolving local issues. The remarks of Kokate, believed to be close to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, came amid a tussle between Mahayuti allies Shiv Sena and BJP over holding the guardian ministership for Nashik district. related stories Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had to stay the appointment of BJP leader Girish Mahajan and NCP MLA Aditi Tatkare as guardian ministers of Nashik and Raigad districts, respectively, due to opposition from Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena leaders Bharat Gogawale and Dada Bhuse are reportedly keen to hold the position of guardian ministers for Raigad and Nashik districts, respectively. It is the prerogative of the chief minister to allot the positions of the district guardian minister. However, when a minister gets the guardian ministers post in his or her district, it becomes smoother for the party workers and supporters to get their work done. Having an outsider as a guardian minister creates hurdles in addressing local issues and maintaining proper communication," Kokate told reporters when asked about Shiv Sena ministers expressing their disappointment over the distribution of guardian minister responsibilities. Kokate hails from Sinnar in Nashik district, while Mahajan is an MLA from the neighbouring Jalgaon district. The guardian ministers post for Nashik district has become a flash point among Mahayuti allies. Sources said Fadnavis decision to appoint his close confidante Girish Mahajan as the guardian minister for Nashik didnt go down well with Sena and NCP as both parties have more MLAs than BJP in this north Maharashtra district, which will host Kumbh Mela in 2027. Commenting on the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh mela to be held in Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, Kokate asked, What is the role of ministers during events like Simhastha Kumbh Mela? Most of the work is done by officials". The district guardian minister oversees the distribution of funds and execution of various government schemes in particular region. Meanwhile, sources indicated that the BJP is firm on retaining the Nashik guardian ministership and discussions are being held among senior BJP leaders. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Fadnavis is likely to personally discuss the matter with Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar once he returns from Davos, sources added. Shinde, who denied that he was upset with the distribution of district guardian minister posts, had told reporters that a person winning elections for several years has the right to stake a claim for a district guardian minister post. Location : Maharashtra, India First Published: January 21, 2025, 23:30 IST Samsung Could Bring ChatGPT Features To Your Smart TV: Know More Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 08:00 IST Samsung already has a slew of smart features packed into its big screen with Tizen and Gemini but ChatGPT could add a different layer. Samsung could bank on OpenAI to add more smartness and AI to its TVs Samsung is reportedly looking to integrate ChatGPT features into its Smart TV lineup. According to a report by Tech Radar, referencing a Korean publication, the South Korean tech giant could join hands with OpenAI to develop an AI-powered TV. This collaboration aims to help Samsung maintain its dominant position in the TV market, where it has been the leader for the past 19 years. As per the report, ChatGPT might help Samsung provide real-time audio and subtitle translations, as well as allow customers to request personalised healthcare advice. Besides controlling TV settings, users may be able to instruct OpenAI's chatbot to record a program or find something on a streaming service. related stories As you might know, Samsung smart TVs currently run on TizenOS and offer a variety of AI features including AI upscaling, AI Sound and the recently introduced AI Vision, which can do live translation and see what dish is on the screen, find the recipe and share a link to the Samsung food app. This news comes after Googles move to integrate Gemini AI into its Google TV operating system, which will allow you to talk to your TV without the need for a remote. The next-gen Google TV with Gemini AI features is set to arrive in the global market by the end of 2025, therefore, Samsung is also expected to launch its ChatGPT-integrated Smart TV during a similar timeframe. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In other news, Samsung has announced its Galaxy Unpacked event which is scheduled to be held on January 22. This highly anticipated event is expected to unveil the latest innovations in Samsung's Galaxy S series, along with significant advancements in AI technology. The highly anticipated event is expected to showcase the most recent developments in Samsung's Galaxy S series, as well as significant advances in AI technology. The company is said to unveil its much-awaited Galaxy S25 series including the S25, S25 Plus and the S25 Ultra. These are said to come with Android 15-based One UI 7.0 version. First Published: January 21, 2025, 08:00 IST Chinese Influencer Dupes Elderly Woman Of Rs 66 Lakh By Emotional Manipulation Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 18:38 IST The Chinese influencer began addressing the elderly woman as "mum" and they started chatting daily. The influencer was sentenced to a 10-and-a-half-year jail term. (Representative Image/Shutterstock) A Chinese influencer was arrested for manipulating" an elderly woman into transferring 560,000 yuan (approximately Rs 66 lakh) by pretending to be her son and fabricating emotional stories. The influencer, who gained the womans trust over time, deceived her using moving tales and false identities. According to the report in South China Morning Post (SCMP), the 70-year-old woman, identified as Tang from Shanghai, lived alone and had no children. In 2022, Tangs niece, Jiang, noticed that she had been sending a significant amount of money to an unknown individual. related stories The arrested man, identified as Mao from Shaanxi province, first appeared as someone helping peasants sell slow-selling products and assisting those in need. Jiang, taken in by his apparent kindness," was later tricked into purchasing illegal health products. In 2021, the influencer began addressing Tang as mum" and they started chatting daily. Then, he began asking her for money for emergencies. Maos list of excuses included claiming he had early-stage stomach cancer, his father was critically ill and his girlfriend needed an abortion." Tang believed his every story and even borrowed money to send to him. To reassure her, Mao also took an extraordinary step as he travelled more than 1,000 km to meet her. During the visit, he filmed their interaction and used music that praised mothers love. Tangs relatives noticed the suspicious transactions. However, Tang, desperate to support her son," threatened to jump off the building," when they suggested reporting the situation to the police. But soon enough Tang grew suspicious when Mao began to reach out less frequently. He then accused her of not trusting him and demanded that she stop contacting him. This behaviour finally led Tang to contact the authorities by the end of 2023. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered that Mao had used four separate accounts, each pretending to be a different person, to maintain his deception. However, it was a small detail that led to his capture. Tang had taken a photo of his cars license plate during his visit which eventually helped investigators track him down. After gathering the evidence, the police arrested Mao in Shanghai and he was charged with defrauding Tang out of 560,000 yuan for two years. The court handed down a sentence of 10 and a half years in prison along with a fine of 100,000 yuan (around Rs 11 lakh). top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As per the report, Tang, who lived alone on a pension of 4,000 yuan (approximately Rs 47,000) per month, fell into deep debt due to Maos scam. She owed more than 70,000 yuan (around Rs 8 lakh) and was required to pay 3,000 yuan (nearly Rs 35,500) each month to repay her debt. Despite the court offering assistance for her financial struggles, Tang chose to decline their help. Her niece revealed that the emotional toll of the situation was so severe that Tang lost 10 kgs in just six months. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 21, 2025, 18:38 IST 'City Of Love': This Rajasthan Town Is Seeing A Surge In Couples Seeking Police Protection Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 12:04 IST Interestingly, while love blossoms in Churu, many couples choose to marry outside the district. Popular destinations for tying the knot include Arya Samaj temples in Ghaziabad, adjacent to Delhi, or courts in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner Love knows no caste, creed, or economic status, and in Churu, this sentiment is gaining momentum, despite societal challenges. (Shutterstock) While cities like Paris and Agra are known as the City of Love for their historical and cultural allure, there is another city in Rajasthan carving a name for itself as a City of Love, albeit for a different reason. Churu, a small town in Rajasthan, is now making headlines for the rising number of couples and love marriages. According to local reports, it has become commonplace to see couples seeking assistance at the Superintendent of Police (SP) office in the district every day. related stories Falling in love is a universal emotion that transcends boundaries, restrictions, and conventions. Love knows no caste, creed, or economic status, and in Churu, this sentiment is gaining momentum, despite societal challenges. The city, though small and less modern compared to larger urban centres, is not untouched by changing times. Love in Churu, But Marriage Elsewhere Interestingly, while love blossoms in Churu, many couples choose to marry outside the district. Popular destinations for tying the knot include Arya Samaj temples in Ghaziabad, adjacent to Delhi, or courts in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner. The reasons, often rooted in societal pressures encompassing caste, religion, wealth disparities, or age differences, forcing couples to seek refuge in other cities to solemnise their unions. However, their struggles do not end with marriage. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Upon returning home, these couples often face fierce resistance from their families, ranging from threats of violence to the risk of honour-based harm. Many find themselves at the Churu SP office, seeking police protection. However, this struggle between couples and traditional societal norms has transformed Churu into a city where love battles convention, earning it the title of Rajasthans unique City of Love. Location : Churu, India First Published: January 21, 2025, 12:04 IST Elise Stefanik, a candidate for the post of permanent representative of the United States to the United Nations, said that if appointed, her priorities would be to "put America first" and "reform the United Nations" by promoting "peace through strength." If confirmed, I will work to ensure that our mission to the United Nations serves the interests of the American people and represents President Trump's America First peace through strength foreign policy, Stefanik said during a hearing in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, according to CBS. She stressed that at a time when the world is "facing crisis after crisis," it is important for the United States to take a leadership position, including through force. She also stressed the importance of maintaining an ally in Israel. As a Member of Congress, I also understand deeply that we must be good stewards of U.S. taxpayer dollars. The U.S. is the largest contributor to the U.N. by far. Our tax dollars should not be complicit in propping up entities that are counter to American interests, antisemitic, or engaging in fraud, corruption, or terrorism, Stefanik said. She called for investments in programs that strengthen U.S. national security, as well as reforms that enhance the effectiveness of UN programs. If confirmed, I will be the first UN Ambassador in over two decades to come directly from Congress, and I have a deep respect and understanding of the oversight and appropriations role of the legislative branch. And I look forward to using my strong House and Senate relationships to deliver these much-needed reforms," she concluded. Stefanik defended Trump's "America First" message and agenda, insisting that the U.S. needs to focus its spending, energy, and attention on issues directly affecting the United States. Although Stefanik has supported military aid to Ukraine in the past and voted for sanctions against Russia before Russia expanded its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, she opposed recent additional aid. In April 2024, she was one of 112 Republicans who voted against a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine. When Trump announced her as his candidate for the post of representative to the United Nations, Stefanik stated that she was ready to assist in the restoration by President Donald Trump of the world, based on the principle of "America first", through strong leadership on the world stage from the first day. Flying Beast Gaurav Taneja Slams Anupam Mittal After Shark Tank Snub: My Startup Has More Followers Than Shaadi.com Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 14:55 IST Flying Beast Gaurav Taneja compared his brand BeastLife and Anupam Mittal's Shaadi.com in a LinkedIn post after he faced rejection on Shark Tank India. Anupam Mittal (left) and Gaurav Taneja (right). YouTuber Gaurav Taneja, popularly known as Flying Beast, recently appeared on season 4 of Shark Tank India where he pitched his supplement brand BeastLife. He was accompanied by his business partner Raj Vikram Gupta. The duo valued the company at Rs 100 crore and sought Rs 1 crore in exchange for a one per cent equity stake in the startup. However, their pitch was turned down by the sharks, who raised concerns about Tanejas divided focus due to his involvement in other ventures and the brands fragmented equity structure. Notably, Gupta holds only an 11 per cent stake, while Taneja and Varun Alagh control 40 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively. Anupam Mittal, Shaadi.com founder and one of the sharks, criticised Taneja, calling him a good influencer" but a terrible entrepreneur". You are a good influencer, but you cant outsource entrepreneurship," Mittal told Taneja. He added, You cannot allot a set time in start-ups; you have to be available all the time." related stories This didnt go down well with Taneja took to LinkedIn to defend his brand and compare it to Mittals company. For perspective: Shaadi.com IG distribution (since April 2015): 125K followers. 8-month-old BeastLife: 127K followers and growing. Shaadi.com might have spent millions to create this distribution," Taneja wrote on LinkedIn. Read| On Shark Tank India Season 4, Gaurav Taneja AKA Flying Beasts Pitch Rejected He added, With over 8 years of digital marketing experience, I understand the power of organic reach and audience trust. Were already EBITDA positive, and because of the distribution weve built, we save nearly 90 per cent of our total expenditure on marketing. Thats a huge advantage." He even shared one piece of advice that he received on the show: Shut down YouTube and go all in one business. He also mentioned what Mittal told him on the show. During the pitch, one of the sharks asked if I would continue YouTube. Without a blink of an eye, I confidently said, Yes. He didnt seem too happy with my response and remarked: Aap ka focus nahi hoga, aap wahan se paisa bana loge." Gaurav Tanejas inspiring journey Speaking to the sharks on Shark Tank India, Gaurav Taneja shared his inspiring journey: I was born in Kanpur and completed my schooling there. After that, I pursued engineering at IIT Kharagpur. My father wanted me to do a masters in civil engineering. However, I had no interest in it. So, I left for the US to pursue flying. After completing my training, I worked as a flight instructor. In 2010, I started flying as an airline captain." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He continued, I was passionate about working out when I was in college. In 2013, I went to watch a bodybuilding show. There, I saw people walking onto the stage and receiving applause from an audience of around 5,000 people. I wanted to experience that feeling. I promised myself that the following year, I would compete in that show. I prepared for it, and when I went on stage the next year, I won the title of Mr Delhi. After that, I participated in competitive bodybuilding for four years." When Vineeta Singh, CEO of Sugar Cosmetics, asked if he had to quit his job for bodybuilding, Taneja explained that he balanced both. Later, I began my journey as a fitness influencer and started my YouTube channel FitMuscle TV. After making videos for a year, I realised that only fitness enthusiasts were watching my content. I started thinking about how to attract a broader audience. Thats when I ventured into lifestyle vlogging because I travel a lot, and our journey began in December 2017. Currently, my YouTube channel, Flying Beast, has over 9.5 million subscribers, and I have more than 3.7 million followers on Instagram." First Published: January 21, 2025, 14:30 IST Is Democracy Broken? This Philosophy Professor Believes Plato's Work Might Have A Solution Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 17:38 IST Platos critique isnt just an indictment of Athenian democracy but a challenge to democratic systems in general. Platos timeless ideas in The Republic could shed light on the challenges of democracy. (Pexels/Representative Image) Nothing is perfect, not even democracy. Like any other human institution, its riddled with flaws, from systemic inefficiencies to injustices. For instance, elections can be swayed by misinformation, governments often struggle to act decisively and voter apathy undermines the democratic process itself. Despite these imperfections, democracy remains a cherished ideal for much of the world. But what if there was a way to refine it? Matthew Duncombe, Associate Professor in Philosophy at the University of Nottingham, suggests that an ancient philosopher might have some answers. Duncombe explores how Platos timeless ideas in The Republic could shed light on the challenges facing democracy today. related stories Plato, a name synonymous with classical Greek philosophy, wrote The Republic around 375 BC. This text, a cornerstone of Western political thought, continues to shape debates about governance and justice. Greece, celebrated as the cradle of democracy," gave the world its first democratic system in Athens. Even the word democracy originates from the Greek demos (people) and kratos (rule). Ironically, Platos The Republic presents a scathing critique of democracy. In his article for The Conversation, Duncombe writes that this paradox may seem surprising, especially to those of us raised to see democracy as the gold standard of governance. After all, nearly every Western nation operates under some form of democracy. In the United States, the last election saw both Trump and Harris supporters passionately asserting their roles as defenders of democracy. Across the Atlantic, the UKs Labour government has even proposed lowering the voting age to 16, further expanding democratic participation. So why did Plato take issue with democracy, and could his critique help explain the modern-day erosion of trust in democratic institutions? Platos Case Against Democracy In The Republic, Platos criticisms are voiced by Socrates, his mentor and a central figure in the dialogue. However, its important to note that the democracy Socrates critiques differs vastly from todays representative systems. Athenian democracy in the 5th and 4th centuries BC was a direct democracy where male citizens voted on laws and policies. Leadership roles were often assigned by lottery, and vast segments of the populationwomen, enslaved people, and foreignerswere excluded from the process. This system, thought to be groundbreaking for its time, had significant flaws. It made devastating decisions, such as exiling citizens annually through popular vote or sentencing Socrates himself to death. Yet Socrates doesnt focus on these moral failings. Instead, his argument rests on a broader principle: governance is a skill and not everyone possesses it. To illustrate, imagine boarding a plane where passengers vote to decide who should pilot. A qualified, experienced pilot might argue their case, but what if someone else persuaded passengers they could fly the plane despite lacking training? They might spread false claims about pilots being disconnected from everyday passengers" or bribe voters for support. Would you feel safe? This analogy, adapted from The Republic, raises a stark point: democracy doesnt necessarily ensure capable leaders. Socrates takes it further, arguing that governance, like piloting a plane, requires expertisea skill that the majority of people lack. Therefore, in a democracy where the majority rules, we risk being led by the unskilled. Unpacking the Argument Platos critique isnt just an indictment of Athenian democracy but a challenge to democratic systems in general. However, its not without its flaws. Here are three key issues: Is ruling truly a skill? Plato believed skilled governance required knowledge of that which is truly good." This abstract notion doesnt resonate with modern political realities. What exactly constitutes this skill, and how do we measure it? Are most people unskilled in governance? There are skilled decision-makers across various fields, not just politics. Moreover, collective decisionsdrawing from diverse perspectivesmight be more effective than those made by a select few. Should we exclude the majority? Even if most people lack political expertise, theres value in including them. Participation can foster learning and engagement, and fairness in decision-making often outweighs the pursuit of perfection. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A Modern Take on Platos Ideas Plato was right to highlight democracys vulnerabilities, such as the risk of electing unqualified leaders. However, his solutionreplacing democracy with rule by the skilled"isnt necessarily the answer. Instead, we might focus on nurturing political skills across society. By educating citizens, fostering dialogue, and emphasizing fairness, we can preserve democracy while addressing its weaknesses. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 21, 2025, 17:34 IST Kindergarten Kids, Who Played Husband And Wife In School Drama, Get Married 20 Years Later Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 15:37 IST As per the reports, the man, surnamed Zheng and his wife (identity not disclosed) got married on January 7 in Chaozhou, Guangdong province. The pair attended the same kindergarten in different grades. (Representative Image) Another touching tale of love has the Internet in awe. In a delightful twist of fate, a pair who performed together as husband and wife" in a kindergarten play 20 years ago, recently tied the knot turning into a real-life couple. The wholesome union of the Chinese couple and their special connection from the past caught the Internets attention. Many of them showered wishes on them, pouring in congratulatory messages for them on social media. As reported by South China Morning Post (SCMP), the man, surnamed Zheng and his wife (identity not disclosed) got married on January 7 in Chaozhou, Guangdong province. In an intriguing scene, the couple had once attended the same kindergarten in different grades, also posing as newlyweds while at the school gala two decades ago. related stories A video clip from the kindergarten performance showed the younger version of them dressed as a bride and groom. While the girl wore a dazzling wedding dress, the boy rocked a suit. Both sported heavy makeup and were joined by other children dancing and performing as bridesmaids and groomsmen. The animated representation of a boy and girl holding hands in the background adds to the lively performance. Reportedly, the duo lost contact as they attended different primary schools after graduating from kindergarten. Moving forward to 2022, the duo reunited after footage of the old performance resurfaced among Zhengs classmates from kindergarten. It was on Zhengs mothers suggestion that he decided to track down the woman to check if they could date. Zheng, at that time, was single one of the reasons why his parents were concerned. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Upon her mothers insistence, he sought help from a kindergarten teacher and successfully managed to contact his now wife who was also single. The two felt bad for not meeting earlier and immediately fell in love. Soon, they decided to take the plunge and this year, the duo began the year by entering this magical phase of life called marriage. Ever since being shared, the video has been going viral on Chinese social media, clocking millions of views and comments on social media. As SCMP also covered the unique story, people were intrigued by their reunion after 20 years. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 21, 2025, 15:37 IST Man Claims IndiGo Left His Luggage Behind Due To Lack Of Space, Airline Responds Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 15:27 IST A man travelling from Doha to Hyderabad on an IndiGo flight claimed that passengers were informed about the missing luggage only after arrival. The man also shared photos related to the incident. (Photo Credits: LinkedIn) A passenger on an IndiGo flight endured a sad experience after the airline allegedly left his luggage behind due to lack of space. Madhan Kumar Reddy Kotla, a Project Manager at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), spoke about the worst experience" in a LinkedIn post. The incident occurred during his journey from Doha to Hyderabad on January 11. I had a worst experience in travelling with IndiGo from Doha to Hyderabad on 11th Jan, when the IndiGo staff left our baggage in Doha and the reason they told us is very unbelievable The flight is full and couldnt fit the luggage"," Madhan wrote. related stories He added that passengers were not informed about the missing luggage during the flight but were only notified upon arrival in Hyderabad. Madhan continued, Once on arrival in Hyderabad when passengers were looking for their baggage, most of the passengers baggage was missing. When approached, the IndiGo staff said that the baggage would arrive within the next 24 hours and asked all passengers to report to the 14th baggage belt and provide their details." Madhan further mentioned that the staff was very rude" and uncooperative in handling the situation. There are around more than 20+ passengers, and for each passenger, they are taking more than 20 minutes to collect the address," he added. Madhan claimed that the staff manager, Gurtala Jagath Sai, was shouting at passengers, many of whom were anxious because their relatives were waiting outside the airport. Madhan claimed that his luggage arrived on January 14. He also claimed that some items were missing. You wont believe how the luggage was delivered to the passengers it was in an auto and a few items, including a watch, were missing from my baggage," Madhan wrote. Madhan urged IndiGo to review the CCTV footage for verification and also shared photos related to the incident. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all IndiGo has assured Madhan they would look into the matter. In an official statement, the airline said, A customer traveling from Edinburgh to Hyderabad via Doha raised concerns regarding their checked-in luggage. While the luggage underwent routine procedures during transit, the matter was thoroughly reviewed upon arrival in Hyderabad. Our team promptly reached out to the customer to ensure the bag was delivered and the customer is assisted at all times. At IndiGo, we remain dedicated to providing seamless travel experiences and unwavering support to our customers at every step of their journey." Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 21, 2025, 13:02 IST Man Stumbles Upon Abandoned Fridge In Forest, Dials 911 Immediately After Opening It Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 15:25 IST John Tyrrell was walking through the Belleplain State Forest in Cape May, New Jersey, when he came across the fridge. Upon opening it, he discovered a rotting corpse inside John Tyrrell discovered the rotting corpse in the fridge while traveling on a forested road on December 22, 2024. (Representative image/News18 Hindi) What would you do if you spot an abandoned fridge in the middle of a forest? Would you open it or be on your way? John Tyrrell faced this dilemma in New Jersey while traveling on a forested road on December 22, 2024. Tyrrell had stumbled upon an abandoned fridge in the middle of the Belleplain State Forest in Cape May, New Jersey. Curiosity got the better of him and he ended up opening it. What he saw inside made him break into a sweat, prompting him to immediately call the police. related stories According to The Daily Star, Tyrrell discovered a rotting corpse inside and promptly contacted the police, who launched an investigation. Two days later, the jewellery and tattoos helped identify the body as that of 50-year-old Laura Hughes who had been missing for months. The body had been tied up in a sleeping bag and wrapped in a carpet and yoga mat. According to The Daily Mail, Lauras 45-year-old boyfriend, Christopher Blevins, allegedly dumped her body in the forest on July 24, 2024. In July, CCTV footage captured Christopher carrying what appeared to be a fridge. Shortly after, he fled to Mexico. Christopher later told police he had been involved in a bar fight in New Jersey, claiming someone may have died during the altercation. Despite this, he was released, and Laura remained missing for four months. Search On For Christopher No direct connection between Christopher and Lauras death has yet been established. However, after the discovery of the fridge, police began treating Christopher as a suspect. A search of his home uncovered blue stripes, a gun, and other evidence linking him to the crime, indicating he may have disposed of his girlfriends body in the forest. Christopher remains on the run, and police are actively searching for him. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Authorities have shared Lauras photo on Facebook, asking the public for help in locating Christopher. Laura was previously married and had two daughters, and was divorced from her husband at the time of her disappearance. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 15:25 IST Terrible Taste: At Donald Trumps Inauguration, Jeff Bezos' Fiancee Lauren Sanchez Steals The Thunder With Her OOTD Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 11:08 IST The US Capitol was abuzz, not just with the swearing-in ceremony of the 47th president but also with comments pouring in about Lauren Sanchezs unconventional attire. Dressed in a crisp white blazer and trousers, Lauren added a touch of boldness with a lacy corset. (Photo Credits: X) In a moment that quickly became the talk of the internet, Lauren Sanchez, fiancee of Amazons founder Jeff Bezos, raised eyebrows with her daring outfit at Donald Trumps inauguration. Dressed in a crisp white blazer and trousers, Sanchez added a touch of boldness with a lacy corset underneath, a choice that sparked several reactions about its appropriateness for such a historic event. The US Capitol was abuzz, not just with the swearing-in ceremony of the 47th president but also with comments pouring in about Sanchezs unconventional attire. Critics on social media didnt hold back. Jeff Bezos future wife Lauren Sanchez is incredibly inappropriately dressed for a state occasion. Someone should have told her that having her white lace bra out on display is not acceptable," wrote Brittany Gadoury on X, capturing the sentiment of many who felt the look clashed with the formality of the event. related stories Jeff Bezos future wife Lauren Sanchez is incredibly inappropriately dressed for a state occasion. Someone should have told her that having her white lace bra out on display is not acceptable. pic.twitter.com/MvwyvuI6R3 Brittany Gadoury (@brittanygadoury) January 20, 2025 Other users echoed this sentiment, labelling her outfit out of place", disrespectful" and Terrible Taste". One particularly scathing comment read, Lauren Sanchezs outfit for the inauguration of the President of the United States is downright appalling. A white suit paired with a lingerie overload lace bodysuit is not only inappropriate but outright disrespectful for such a monumental and historically significant event." As Sanchezs outfit continued to dominate online discussions, Donald Trump was gearing up for his historic moment. On a chilly day in Washington, DC, the Republican leader arrived at the Capitol alongside his future cabinet members to take the presidential oath. Due to the biting cold, the ceremony was moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda, a decision that reminds one of the 1985 inauguration. The days events began with a church service, attended by an impressive roster of world leaders and business icons. Among those spotted were Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, and Amazon magnate Jeff Bezos himself. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As the clock ticked closer to the moment of swearing-in, all eyes turned to the Capitol. Incoming Vice President JD Vance was set to take his oath first, paving the way for Donald Trump to officially assume the presidency. Representing India at the event was External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, underscoring the global significance of the occasion. While the spotlight was firmly on Donald Trumps inauguration, Lauren Sanchezs choice of attire ensured she, too, left a lasting impressionthough perhaps not for the reasons she intended. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 21, 2025, 10:44 IST Theo Von's 'Embarrassing' Fall At Donald Trump's Oath Ceremony Captured On Camera Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 11:20 IST Logan Paul, who appeared to be busy filming speeches, also captured Von's hilarious fall. ''Make Chairs Great Again'', Logan Paul captioned the viral video. (Photo Credits: X) Donald Trump took the oath of office as the 47th president of the United States, marking his return to the White House after four long years. The event, forced indoors due to the frigid weather conditions, saw many including business leaders, industrial barons, politicians, foreign diplomats and tech billionaires, in attendance. Among all, podcaster Theo Von managed to make his presence felt, but how? A video going viral on the Internet shows Theo Von having an embarrassing yet hilarious accident, something he is likely to bring up in his next podcast episode. Von, who was a part of Trumps second inauguration, was seated right in front of Logan Paul when his chair collapsed, making him fall directly into the latters lap. Logan, who appeared to be busy filming moments from the speeches at the Capitol building, also captured Vons hilarious fall. related stories The cause of the podcasters sudden fall remains unclear, but it appears that his unexpected tumble occurred while turning around, catching everyone off guard. Witnessing the incident, including Pauls brother, Jake Paul, was visibly shocked. Logan Paul, having assisted in securing another seat, checked in to see if he was okay, later remarking that he had a feeling something like this might happen. Referring to the MAGA movement, he captioned the video, MAKE CHAIRS GREAT AGAIN." Theo Von also re-shared the video on his X handle with the comment, Thought we were past the pranks boys." Users were left in splits as they witnessed an unexpected incident. One wrote, 1 of 100 funny things that happened today," while another added, Theo turning into Jerry Lewis out there." Theo always funny without trying," another comment read. A user anticipated the story on Vons next podcast and added, This is one of those stories he tells that no one believes: Yeah man this one time I fell out of my chair at the presidential inauguration.'" top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A user made a snide remark, On Theos next podcast, hes gonna talk about how he was almost assassinated at Trumps inauguration by Kamala chairs." A section of users also described the accident as a prank by the Paul brothers. Following his much-awaited oath ceremony, Donald Trump also delivered his inaugural address on Monday, including plans for the next four years. The moment was witnessed by the members of the President-elects family along with his allies. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 21, 2025, 11:20 IST This Mysore Cafe In Japan Will Make Your Tastebuds Sing Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 12:17 IST The viral video shows a woman enjoying South Indian dish lemon rice at Mysore Cafe in Tokyo, Japan. The cafe is located in Nakano Sakaue, Tokyo. (Photo Credits: Instagram) When travelling abroad, stumbling upon restaurants that serve authentic Indian cuisine can be a delightful surprise. A video that is recently gaining attention online captures this exact moment. In the clip, a woman visiting Japan expresses her excitement upon discovering Mysore Cafe" in Tokyo. The video, shared by Instagram user Shwetha Aradhya, shows her joy as she indulges in traditional Karnataka cuisine at the cafe which is located in Nakano Sakaue, Tokyo. It also shows how the chefs at Mysore Cafe skillfully prepare these traditional dishes, keeping the essence of Karnatakas cuisine. Reportedly, the Japanese owner, inspired by a trip to Mysuru, chose to introduce the flavours of Karnataka in the capital. related stories The video shows Shwetha savouring South Indian dishes like lemon rice accompanied with the steaming cup of Chikmagalur coffee. She describes the cafes ambiance as welcoming which creates a homely vibe perfect for enjoying these traditional flavours. She shared her experience in the caption, noting, Mysore Cafe is an absolute gem for South Indian cuisine lovers. From the moment I walked in, the aromas transported me back home. I savoured their lemon rice, a delightful blend of tanginess and traditional spices, paired perfectly with a steaming cup of Chikmagalur coffee." The ambiance is warm and inviting, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy authentic flavors. Whether you miss South Indian food or want to try something unique, Mysore Cafe is a must-visit destination for foodies in Tokyo," she added. The video gained significant attention online as it was also shared on X. The comment section drew varied reactions from social media users. One user commented, Woah! I usually order office lunch on Uber from this restaurant. I thought the restaurant was run by a fellow Kannadiga. Authentic taste. More love to them now." Another shared, I will surely visit on my next trip. Thank you and respect to these cafe owners." Wow, thats so well presented and I am sure it would taste great too!" an X user expressed. We need to salute this hotel in Japan. Really great," one remarked while another added, Thank you so much for introducing us to this special place." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A commenter said, Good to know that Japanese like our Karnataka dishes." Since being shared, the video has amassed more than nine lakh views. Location : Delhi, India First Published: January 21, 2025, 12:17 IST 5 Viral Moments From Donald Trumps Inauguration Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 21:18 IST Donald Trump Inauguration: While some moments left the Internet thoroughly creeped out, others served as fodder for memes. Donald Trump took oath as the 47th US President on Monday. (Reuters) From Donald Trumps awkward kiss with First Lady Melania Trump to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg seemingly ogling Lauren Sanchezs cleavage to Democratic Senator John Fetterman unapologetically dressed in shorts and a sweatshirt, Trumps swearing-in as the 47th President of the United States was a goldmine of unforgettable moments. While some of these moments left the Internet thoroughly creeped out, others served as fodder for memes. related stories Donald Trump, Melania Trumps kiss-miss moment Before making his way to stand next to JD Vance for the oath, Donald Trump walked up to his wife Melania to kiss her. However, as they leaned towards each other, Melanias oversized hat got in the way. The couple ended up exchanging a kiss in the air. Read| Donald Trump And Melanias Awkward Kiss Moment At Oath Ceremony Goes Viral | Watch Eyes off, Mark Zuckerberg! Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who attended the inauguration with his wife Priscilla Chan, was recorded seemingly ogling Lauren Sanchezs cleavage. The video captures the Meta CEO stealing a quick peek at Jeff Bezoss fiancee before looking away with a smile that sent the Internet into a frenzy. Read| Mark Zuckerberg Stares At Lauren Sanchezs Cleavage During Donald Trumps Inauguration? Sundar Pichai, Elon Musk spotted checking crypto portfolios At Donald Trumps inauguration, tech moguls Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk were spotted using their phones. While Pichai holds a Google Pixel phone, Musk appears engrossed in his iPhone. Fans on social media offered playful theories, with many speculating that they were checking their crypto portfolios, considering Trumps pro-crypto stance. Read| At Donald Trumps Inauguration, Elon Musk And Sundar Pichai Use Phones: Checking Crypto Portfolio John Fetterman shows up in signature shorts, hoodie Democratic Senator John Fetterman attended Donald Trumps inauguration in his signature hoodie and shorts. He completed his look with sneakers. Many disapproved his choice of clothes for a formal event, with some calling it wild". Read| Hoodie & Shorts: US Senator Ditches Formal Inaugural Dress Code At Trumps Swearing-In | Watch Elon Musks gestures Elon Musk gave an enthusiastic thumbs up after the newly sworn-in US President, Donald Trump, announced plans to send astronauts to Mars in his inauguration speech, a moment that quickly went viral on social media top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Read| Trump Vows To Plant Stars And Stripes On Mars, Gets A Thumbs Up From Elon Musk | Watch In yet another video, he was seen tapping the left side of his chest with his right hand and then extended his arm with his palm open a gesture many termed as a Nazi salute". Musk, however, brushed off the criticism, saying, Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is so tired." First Published: January 21, 2025, 21:17 IST Could Indian-American Usha Vance Lose Her US Citizenship After Trump's Order? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 22:54 IST President Donald Trump announced plans to end birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants or those whose mothers were in the country legally but temporarily. Usha Vance attends Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony | Image/AP After stepping into office, President Donald Trump announced plans to end birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants or those whose mothers were in the country legally but temporarily. The proposed order has sparked concerns about Vice President JD Vances wife, Usha Vance, with social media users speculating that she might lose her citizenship because her parents were not US citizens at the time of her birth. related stories Krish and Lakshmi Chilukuri, Ushas parents, moved to the United States from Andhra Pradesh, India, in the 1980s. However, it is unclear from publicly available information when they acquired US citizenship. Both have achieved notable success in their careers. Krish is an aerospace engineer and lecturer at San Diego State University, while Lakshmi is a biologist and serves as the provost at the University of California, San Diego. MAGA and libertarians will die on the hill of protecting 1st and 2nd amendments but 14th amendment is where they draw the line. If you are clarifying 14th then clarify the status of Usha Vance or Vivek Ramaswamy also. https://t.co/dT2GssJBHf athreya (@athreya49) January 21, 2025 Could Usha Vance Lose Her US Citizenship? The order which is yet to be signed by Donald Trump reads: Among the categories of individuals born in the United States and not subject to the jurisdiction thereof, the privilege of United States citizenship does not automatically extend to persons born in the United States: When that persons mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth, or When that persons mothers presence in the United States at the time of said persons birth was lawful but temporary (such as, but not limited to, visiting the United States under the auspices of the Visa Waiver Program or visiting on a student, work, or tourist visa) and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth. Another clause mentions that the measure shall apply only to persons who are born within the United States after 30 days from the date of this order. Therefore, Ushas citizenship would remain unaffected. New Orders Impact On Indian Diaspora The new order, which ends automatic birthright citizenship for children of certain non-immigrant visa holders, has shocked many families. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This significant change in US immigration policy affects children born to parents on temporary visas, such as H-1B, H-4, or F-1 visas, if neither parent is a green card holder or US citizen. This decision directly impacts over one million Indians awaiting employment-based green cards, many of whom face decades-long backlogs. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 22:35 IST There are already quite good contacts at informal levels with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and the administration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the Presidents Office. "At informal levels, there are already quite extensive, good contacts at the level of Mr. Trump's administration and Mr. Zelenskyy's administration. There were even formal contacts, phone calls were immediately made between Trump and Zelenskyy after Mr. Trump won the race," Podoliak said on the air of the national telethon on Tuesday evening. He noted that the position of Trump and his team regarding the rapid end of the war has changed, as the new administration understands what Russia is. "They got access to information about the internal state of Russia, about Russia's motives, and so on. You see a change in the positions of Mr. Keith Kellog, the special representative for Ukraine and Russia. These are completely different positions. These are positions that relate specifically to the realization that it will not be easy with the Russian Federation," the adviser to the head of the Presidents Office added. Watch: Donald Trump's 'Biblical Error' During His Oath As US President Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 09:32 IST Trump held two Bibles in his hand one used by Abraham Lincoln for his inauguration in 1861 and another given by his mother - during his swearing-in as the 47th US President. Donald Trump took oath as the 47th US President on Monday. (Reuters) Donald Trump Presidential Inauguration: US President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term in the White House in a packed Capitol building due to the severe cold outside. Soon after taking oath, he signed a record number of executive orders, including issuing pardon for the Capitol rioters. However, Trump made an error during his oath-taking as President. While taking the presidential oath, he did not place his hand on a bible or the US Constitution. Its uncertain whether he broke protocol or forgot about it. related stories I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States," Trump said as he was administered the oath by Chief Justice John Roberts in the presence of former US presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George Bush and Bill Clinton along with his family. As he took the oath, Trump held two Bibles in his hand one used by Abraham Lincoln for his inauguration in 1861 and another given by Trumps mother in 1955. He had used the same two bibles when he took oath for his first term in 2017, his inaugural committee said. Donald J. Trump Sworn In as the 47th President of the United StatesAmerica is BACK. pic.twitter.com/Fi7k78Gnp1 The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 20, 2025 The second bible other than the one used by Lincoln is a 1953 Revised Standard Version edition that Trumps mother Mary Anne MacLeod Trump gave to him after his graduation from a Sunday school in 1955 when he was just 9. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The team said that Trumps message behind using the bible is that he is swearing to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States". Trumps name is carved in the front of the Bible and the inside cover is signed by church officials, according to the inaugural teams statement. In his inauguration speech said Americas golden age" has begun on Monday as he made a return to the White House. He said that the decay of America" comes to an end with his ascent to the Oval Office. He said his inauguration is a new liberation" for the US. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 09:32 IST 'Wanted Her As VP...': Donald Trump Heaps Praises On Usha Vance, Says 'She's Smarter' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 09:49 IST Donald Trump took the oath as US President and JD Vance as his deputy on Monday. Trump lauded the Vice President and his wife Usha and termed her "smarter than him". US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance (Reuters Image) US President Donald Trump has revealed that he would have chosen Usha Vance, JD Vances wife, as his Vice President candidate, however, added that the line of succession didnt work". Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, while JD Vance took an oath as his deputy. related stories The 78-year-old Republican addressed the attendees of his inauguration ceremony. Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Elon Musk, and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar were among the leaders in attendance. Following his inaugural address, he left the Capitol Rotunda and greeted others inside the building. There were several young people in the crowd who Trump lauded as being more energetic" than those he addressed inside the Rotunda. Trump Praises JD Vance And His Wife Usha Addressing the crowd, Trump heaped praise on JD Vance for his re-election and said that he had endorsed him for Senate campaign for Ohio. I have watched JD over a period of time. I endorsed him in Ohio. He was a great senator and a very, very smart one. The only one smarter is his wife," Trump said. His remarks made everyone in the hall laugh, including Vance and his wife. Trump looked back at Vance and said, I would have chosen her but somehow the line of succession didnt work that way, right?" Vance broke into laughter and nodded in affirmative. She is great and he is great. This a great, beautiful couple and an unbelievable career," Trump said while lauding them further. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On Monday when JD Vance was being sworn in, Usha won the hearts of users on social media as she proudly watched her husband take the oath of office while holding their daughter close to her. She watched JD Vance with a smile on her face and did not take her eyes off him as he swore on the Bible during the swearing-in ceremony. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 09:49 IST Donald Trump Withdraws From Paris Climate Agreement And WHO: 'Unfair One-Sided' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 08:04 IST Donald Trump said that US- worlds second biggest emitter- was leaving the agreement owing to the unfair one-sided Paris climate accord rip off. Donald Trump signs an executive order at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC. US President Donald Trump moved to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement for a second time as he put the United Nations on notice. Donald Trump said that US- worlds second biggest emitter- was leaving the agreement owing to the unfair one-sided Paris climate accord rip off". He also signed a letter to the United Nations giving it notice- starting the formal process of withdrawal from the climate agreement which has been the main global effort to mitigate global warming. The withdrawal will be formalised in about a year following which the US will join Iran, Libya and Yemen as the only countries outside the global agreement. related stories Donald Trump said, The United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity." Following the announcement, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he is confident US cities, states and businesses will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs." In 2021, Joe Biden had rejoined the Paris agreement after Donald Trump confirmed he would exit it in his first term in 2017. Donald Trump exits from World Health Organization Donald Trump also said that the United States will exit the World Health Organization (WHO) saying the global health agency mishandled the Covid pandemic, among other international health crises. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all WHO failed to act independently from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states" and required unfairly onerous payments" from the US that are disproportionate to the amount provided by other countries, he said. The decision- which would cut off WHOs largest funding sources- was called a big one" by Donald Trump but is a severe blow to the health agency which is currently responding to health emergencies including outbreaks of cholera, dengue, mpox and Marburg virus throughout the world. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 07:57 IST 'Everyone Is Hitler': Elon Musk Responds As His 'Nazi Salute' At Trump Rally Sparks Row Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 10:32 IST Elon Musk, who has posted a dozen times on his social network X since making the gesture, did not immediately react to the swirling controversy. Viral Photo At Donald Trump Rally: Elon Musk tapped the left side of his chest with his right hand and then extended his arm with his palm open. A video showing US tech billionaire Elon Musks one arm extended with open palm gesture at a Donald Trump rally on Monday has sparked controversy, with some calling it a Nazi" or fascist" movement. The X, SpaceX and Tesla chief appeared on stage at the Capital One Arena in Washington, where supporters of the newly inaugurated president had gathered for to celebrate his inauguration. related stories Upon thanking the crowd for returning the 78-year-old Republican to the White House, Musk tapped the left side of his chest with his right hand and then extended his arm with his palm open, repeating the gesture for the crowd seated behind him. DO NOT BELIEVE THE MEDIA The media is misleading you. Elon Musk never did a Nazi salute. Watch the full video: He simply gestured and said, Thank you, my heart goes out to you." pic.twitter.com/e3vBaLoVqx DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) January 20, 2025 Claire Aubin, a historian who specializes in Nazism within the United States, agreed Musks gesture was a sieg heil," or Nazi salute. My professional opinion is that youre all right, you should believe your eyes," Aubin posted on X, aligning with those who found the gesture was an overt reference to Nazis. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a historian of fascism, also found the gesture was a Nazi salute and a very belligerent one too," she said on X. Democratic Party members also quickly responded with alarm. Congressman Jimmy Gomez reacted to the moment by posting on X: Well, that didnt take long." Musk, however, dismissed the criticism. On his social media platform X, Musk wrote, Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired." One attendee at the rally was quoted by news agency AFP as saying he thought Musk was making the gesture as a joke. Hes very humorous, and he uses a lot of sarcasm. So when he did that on the stage, I dont think he meant it," said Brandon Galambos, a 29-year-old pastor and tech worker. Reports by Wired and Rolling Stone magazines said far-right personalities in the United States were celebrating the move, like the writer Evan Kilgore, who called the salute incredible." Musk has also made several statements in recent weeks in support of Germanys far-right AfD party and British anti-immigration party Reform UK. The Anti Defamation League (ADL), an organization founded to combat anti-Semitism which has criticized Musk in the past, defended his actions this time around. It seems that Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute," the organization said in a statement posted on X. Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez blasted the ADLs reaction, saying on X: Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity." Another historian, Aaron Astor, also rebuffed accusations of Musks Nazi emulation. I have criticized Elon Musk many times for letting neo-Nazis pollute this platform," he wrote on X, adding: But this gesture is not a Nazi salute." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This is a socially awkward autistic mans wave to the crowd where he says my heart goes out to you.'" In 2021, Musk announced he had been diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome, a form of autism. (With inputs from AFP) Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 08:42 IST 'He Can Call It Whatever He Wants': Mexico's President Amused By Trump's Order To Rename Gulf Of Mexico Published By : Associated Press Last Updated: January 22, 2025, 00:04 IST Sheinbaum on Tuesday had been working through the raft of executive orders from Trump that relate to Mexico. He says that he will call it the Gulf of America on its continental shelf, Sheinbaum said. (Image: Reuters file photo) Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has an answer for US President Donald Trump about his idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America:" he can call it whatever he wants on the American part of it. Sheinbaum on Tuesday had been working through the raft of executive orders from Trump that relate to Mexico, emphasising Mexicos sovereignty and the need for dialogue, but when she got to the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, she couldnt help but laugh. related stories He says that he will call it the Gulf of America on its continental shelf," Sheinbaum said. For us it is still the Gulf of Mexico, and for the entire world it is still the Gulf of Mexico." Trump said in his inaugural address Monday that he will change the name, an idea he first brought up earlier this month during a news conference. A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America," he said. Hours later he signed an Executive Order to do it. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sheinbaum projected on a large screen at her daily press briefing Trumps order called Restoring Names that Honour American Greatness." The order says that within 30 days, the US secretary of the interior will rename the US Continental Shelf area bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba." Americans and Mexicans diverge on what to call another key body of water, the river that forms the border between Texas and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. Americans call it the Rio Grande; Mexicans call it the Rio Bravo. The first time Trump mentioned the idea of changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico, Sheinbaum responded sarcastically suggesting instead renaming North America as America Mexicana" or Mexican America." This time, she just briefly insisted: For us and for the entire world it will continue to be called the Gulf of Mexico." Location : Mexico City, Mexico First Published: January 22, 2025, 00:03 IST 'Hoodie & Shorts': US Senator Ditches Formal Inaugural Dress Code At Trump's Swearing-In | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 11:17 IST Fetterman, 55, did not mind the severe cold outside Capitol Rotunda as he arrived at Trump's inauguration in a black hoodie, grey shorts and sneakers. Democratic Senator John Fetterman at the 60th presidential inauguration. (Reuters) In a display of cold defiance, Democratic Senator John Fetterman arrived at US President Donald Trumps inauguration in a black hoodie, grey shorts and sneakers braving the cold temperatures outside and standing in contrast to others who were dressed in formal attire. Temperatures in the nations capital hovered around 20 degrees with a wind chill in the teens, as the senator entered the Capitol. Notably, the Inauguration Day on Monday was the first to be held indoors in 40 years due to the Arctic cold outside. related stories However, this did not deter Fetterman, 55, who has a long history of attending black tie dinners and other formal public settings in a hoodie and shorts. The hoodie and shorts had become somewhat of a signature look for the senior leader. Senator John Fetterman shows up to Trumps inauguration in gym shorts and a Carhartt sweatshirt.Wild.pic.twitter.com/1iwyqhaZfH Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 20, 2025 Senator John Fetterman has just arrived at President Trumps inauguration and hes wearing shorts and a hoodie.Yes, really. pic.twitter.com/RFvzkkpdYD Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) January 20, 2025 As the Capitol Rotunda was filled with guests anticipating a transfer of power and Trumps return to the White House, Fetterman was seen in the front row sitting comfortably with his legs stretched out. He is one of the most Trump-friendly Democratic Senators and recently met the newly sworn-in President at Mar-a-Lago. Although known for his casual fashion, Fetterman has been forced to actually dress like a senator sometimes, including when he presided over Senate proceedings, according to During the visit with Trump last week, the 6-foot-8-inch Senator said, Im not just a Senator for Democrats Im a Senator for all Pennsylvanians." Trump also praised Fetterman as a commonsense person" in an interview with the Washington Examiner. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Senator has also signalled openness to crossing party lines and backing some of Trumps picks for his cabinet and other key administration roles. Donald Trump was sworn in for a historic second term as president following which he announced a series of measures including invoking national emergency at southern border and renaming Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 11:17 IST I Have A Very Tall Son: Barron Wows Everyone At Inauguration, Including Donald Trump Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 08:28 IST Donald Trump said, I have a very tall son named Barron has anyone ever heard of him? as the attendees broke into loud cheer. Barron Trump was seen surveying the crowd, smiling and waving to an unseen audience member like a politician in waiting. US President Donald Trumps youngest son Barron Trump became a crowd favourite at his fathers inauguration ceremony. The 6-foot, 7-inch Trump scion was seen behind the podium bearing the presidential seal, as he donned a dark tailored suit complete with an American flag lapel pin. Barron is the US Presidents only child with his wife Melania. In videos shared widely on social media, the 18-year-old was seen surveying the crowd, smiling and waving to an unseen audience member like a politician in waiting. Social media users said that the visual indicated Barrons potential future, even though he wont be eligible to run for US President for another 17 years. related stories What US President Donald Trump said about his son Barron Donald Trump said, I have a very tall son named Barron has anyone ever heard of him?" as the attendees broke into loud cheer. He added, He knew the youth vote. We won the youth vote by 36 points. He was saying Dad, you have to go out and do this one or that one. We did a lot of them. He respects them all, he understood them very well." LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Barron Trump revs up the crowd at the inaugural parade as supporters gather to celebrate the start of the new Trump era. pic.twitter.com/EYoqpigV13 Fox News (@FoxNews) January 21, 2025 Earlier, Melania Trump said in an interview about her son, Im very proud of him for his knowledge, even about politics and giving advice to his father. He brought in so many young people. He knows his generation because, nowadays, the young generation, they dont sit in front of the TV anymore. Theyre all on tablets, phones, podcasts, and streamers. He was very vocal, and he gave advice to his father. It was incredible how he contributed to the campaigns success because he knew exactly who his father needed to connect with." Barron meets Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Barron Trump was praised for his politeness as he was seen extending a courteous handshake to outgoing US President Joe Biden and former Vice-President Kamala Harris following his fathers swearing-in. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Barron Trump shaking hands with Biden and Harris is a very classy act. pic.twitter.com/33cbx4HLui Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) January 20, 2025 Lip reader Jeremy Freeman revealed that the 18-year-old greeted Joe Biden with Gday to you sir", before turning to Kamala Harris when he said, Maam, good day". Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 08:28 IST Indian American-Led Group Among Those Suing Trump Admin Over Order Ending Birthright Citizenship Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 22:55 IST Aarti Kohli, executive director of the Asian Law Caucus, said Trumps playbook is served by mayhem and panic. Aarti Kohli, executive director of the Asian Law Caucus, along with ACLU and SDDF are challenging Trumps EO revoking birthright citizenship. (IMAGE: X) A lawsuit challenging the Executive Order (EO) signed by President Donald Trump revoking birthright citizenship was filed in a court in the US state of New Hampshire, according to the Times of India. One of the plaintiffs is Aarti Kohli, the executive director of the Asian Law Caucus (ALC). related stories Kohli had earlier, in a statement released by the ALC shortly after Trumps inauguration, said the US President has vowed to dismantle our constitutional rights" and that there is an aggressive, extremist campaign against immigrants, refugees, working people, union members, LGBTQ+ communities, and people of color". Automatic US citizenship to people born in the country is enshrined in the Constitution and news agencies had said that Trumps action is certain to face a legal challenge. Immigrants rights advocates including the American Civil Liberties Union, Asian Law Caucus, State Democracy Defenders Fund, and others are those challenging the EO. They filed a lawsuit against the EO in a US district court (District of New Hampshire). The lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of ignoring the Constitution, congressional intent, and long-established Supreme Court rulings. The plaintiffs argue that birthright citizenship is the principle that every baby born in the US automatically becomes an American citizen. The 14th Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees citizenship to all children born in the US, except for children of foreign diplomats. It states, All persons born or naturalized in the US, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the US and the state where they live." The Trump EO mandates that one of the parents has to be a US citizen or green card holder at the time of the childs birth and says that the childs is ineligible for birthright citizenship when the mother is either unlawfully present in the US, and the father is not a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder) at the time of the childs birth, or when the mother is lawfully but temporarily in the US (on a visa), and the father is neither a US citizen nor a green card holder at the time of the childs birth. If youre born here, you are a citizen period. No politician, including President Trump, can decide who is American and who is not," Aarti Kohli, executive director of the Asian Law Caucus (ALC), was quoted as saying by Times of India. This order seeks to repeat one of the gravest errors in American history, by creating a permanent subclass of people born in the US who are denied full rights as Americans," Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), told Times of India. Trump acknowledged the inevitability that the move to reverse a right enshrined in the US Constitution will face stiff legal challenges. I think we have good grounds, but you could be right," he said when asked about the pushback. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, said the 14th Amendment was crystal clear" in granting citizenship to anyone born in the United States with the exception of children of foreign diplomats. We have had birthright citizenship for centuries, and a president cannot take it away with an executive order," he told news agency AFP. We expect rapid court challenges". Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 22:14 IST 'Legacy Media Is Pure...': Musk Responds To Backlash Over 'Nazi Salute' Gesture At Trump Event Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 22, 2025, 00:19 IST Elon Musk faced backlash after making two consecutive hand gestures during an event celebrating Trump's inauguration, which drew comparisons to a Nazi salute. Elon Musk during his speech at Trump rally | Image/Reuters After Elon Musks one-armed gesture at a Donald Trump rally sparked controversy, with many comparing it to a Nazi salute, the tech billionaire hit back at legacy media, accusing it of spreading pure propaganda." Musk faced backlash after making two consecutive hand gestures during an event celebrating Trumps inauguration, which drew comparisons to a Nazi salute. related stories Taking to social media X, Elon Musk replied to a post, which shared a collage of former US President Barack Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris and other prominent figures doing the same one-armed gesture. Can someone direct me to the articles where the media expressed outrage over this? Cant find any," the post reads. Musk wrote: The legacy media is pure propaganda. You are the media now." He didnt only call out the legacy media platforms but also reiterated his view that X is the new news media. The legacy media is pure propaganda.You are the media now. https://t.co/lgkIbzcAZP Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025 Musk At Trump Rally This was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road of human civilisation. This one really mattered. Thank you for making it happen. Thank you," Musk said, slapping his right hand on his chest, while his fingers were spread wide. Musk then extended his arm upward, palm down, and fingers together. He turned around and made the same gesture to the crowd behind him. My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilisation is assured," he added. Many on X, the social medial platform he owns, have compared the gesture to a Nazi salute. In response, Musk posted on X: Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired." While some social media users lashed out at the Tesla CEO, others defended him. The Anti-Defamation League, a New York-based nonprofit, said the gesture was not a Nazi salute". It seems that Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge," the organisation said. It defines the Nazi salute as raising an outstretched right arm with the palm down." Musk And Legacy Media: The Criticism This is not the first time Musk has called out legacy media on X. Novak Djokovic defeated Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round of the Australian Open 2025, but faced crowd disruptions and later snubbed Jim Courier for a courtside interview. Following the match, Elon Musk retweeted Djokovics video, criticising legacy media" and suggesting its better to speak directly to the public than through the medias negativity. He wrote: Its way better just to talk to the public directly than go through the negativity of filter of legacy media." Earlier week, Musk launched a scathing attack on legacy media over their coverage of the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on New Years Day. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He accused outlets of spreading misinformation, misleading audiences into believing the Cybertruck malfunctioned and exploded. He also called the Associated Press (AP) Associated Propaganda." One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, Media headlines are misleading audiences, suggesting the Cybertruck caught fire or exploded due to a malfunction. The truth is that explosives were placed in the back and intentionally detonated, likely as part of a terrorist act." Musk replied, You dont hate the legacy media enough." Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: January 22, 2025, 00:19 IST Oaf Schitz: Musk Takes Aim At Scholz After He Slams Billionaire For Backing Extreme-Right Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 22:54 IST The feud between billionaire Elon Musk and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz began following the Magdeburg Christmas market terror attack. Elon Musk gestures at the podium inside the Capital One arena on the inauguration day of Donald Trump's second presidential term, in Washington, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Oaf Schitz: Musk Takes Aim At Scholz After He Slams Billionaire For Backing Extreme-Right Davos, Switzerland related stories The feud between billionaire Elon Musk and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz began following the Magdeburg Christmas market terror attack. SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk called Olaf Scholz Oaf Schitz" on Tuesday after the German Chancellor criticised Elon Musks support for extreme-right positions" after the tech mogul backed Germanys far-right AfD party and sparked criticism with a gesture some likened to a Nazi salute. Shame on Oaf Schitz! https://t.co/xtdW8D6FTo Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025 We have freedom of speech in Europe and in Germany," Scholz told the World Economic Forum when asked about Musk, who made the gesture at an event marking US President Donald Trumps inauguration. Everyone can say what he wants even if he is a billionaire. What we do not accept is if this is supporting extreme right positions." Elon Musk and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have clashed over Scholzs policies and over hot button issues like immigration and woke culture. Musk quickly fired back on his social media platform X, writing above a post about the chancellors remarks: Shame on Oaf Schitz!" Schitz" has no meaning in German. The worlds richest man has sparked widespread anger in Germany with his backing for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead of snap elections on February 23. Earlier this month Musk hosted Alice Weidel, the AfDs candidate to be German chancellor, for a wide-ranging livestream chat on X. He has previously attacked Scholz on X, labelling the chancellor a fool" after the implosion of the centre-left leaders three-party coalition in November. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Scholz for his part earlier accused Musk of endangering the democratic development of Europe" with his support for the far right. (with inputs from AFP, Reuters) Location : Davos, Switzerland First Published: January 21, 2025, 22:54 IST President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have discussed in Davos coordination with partners to achieve a just peace. "I met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Davos. The main subjects of our discussion were continued support for Ukraine and coordination with partners for achieving a just peace," the Ukrainian head of state said on the Telegram channel Tuesday. Zelenskyy thanked Germany for all of its assistance to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. "We appreciate Germany's leadership in strengthening Ukraine's air defense and its contribution into saving thousands of lives," he said. According to the presidential press service, Germany ranks second in terms of the volume of assistance provided to Ukraine, which has exceeded EUR 37 billion since day one of the Russian full-scale invasion. "A separate topic of the discussion was cooperation between Germany and the Ministry of National Unity of Ukraine. The parties talked about specific steps for creating unity centers in Berlin," it said. Scholz, for his part, posted the following message on the X social network following the meeting with Zelenskyy: "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine." Tanzania Confirms Deadly Marburg Virus Outbreak, WHO Issues Warning Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 18:47 IST The Marburg virus, a deadly relative of Ebola, has resurfaced in Tanzania, infecting nine and killing eight. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has issued a travel warning. No vaccine or specific treatment exists. Marburg virus disease presents a serious threat due to its haemorrhagic nature, sharing similarities with Ebola. (Representative/AP File) The Marburg virus, a close relative of Ebola, is a deadly disease that causes haemorrhaging and has a high mortality rate. This virus has recently resurfaced in Tanzania, infecting nine people and claiming the lives of eight. World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed concern over the Marburg virus disease outbreak and issued an immediate warning to people travelling to Tanzania. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for the disease. Of significant concern is the high risk the virus poses to healthcare workers, who are vulnerable to infection when treating infected patients. related stories 9 deaths in Tanzania since January 11 According to a Daily Mail report, the World Health Organisation has assembled a team to address the outbreak of this disease in the north-eastern Kagera region of Tanzania. All cases thus far have originated in this area. Doctors are advised to exercise extreme caution when treating patients. Similar warnings have been issued by medical professionals in Tanzanias neighbouring countries, Rwanda and Burundi. Local authorities have recently issued a warning about Marburg following a reported outbreak. Six people in the area reportedly contracted the virus, resulting in five fatalities. Experts confirmed these deaths from Marburg after a preliminary investigation. WHO officials stated that since 11 January, nine people have been infected with Marburg, and eight of them have died. Marburg Virus: A Haemorrhagic Threat Marburg virus disease presents a serious threat due to its haemorrhagic nature, sharing similarities with Ebola. This virus causes haemorrhagic fever, characterised by fever accompanied by bleeding from bodily orifices. Notably, blood often flows from the eyes, nose, and mouth. Initial symptoms encompass fever, severe headache, cough, muscle pain, throat pain, and skin rashes. Following a brief respite of a day or two, patients experience stomach and chest pain, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, and dizziness. Ultimately, the disease progresses to bleeding from bodily orifices. How does this disease spread The Marburg virus is present in all bodily fluids of an infected individual. Transmission occurs when a healthy person comes into contact with the bodily fluids or contaminated belongings of an infected person. Bodily fluids include blood, faeces, urine, saliva, breast milk, semen, and vaginal fluids. These fluids can contaminate surfaces and clothing, posing an infection risk. Consequently, healthcare workers and those in close contact with infected individuals are particularly vulnerable to contracting Marburg disease. How has it originated The origins of Marburg disease are still debated, but the first identified outbreaks occurred in 1967 simultaneously in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia). These outbreaks were linked to laboratory work with African green monkeys imported from Uganda. While the initial transmission was from animals to humans, subsequent spread occurred through human-to-human contact. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all WHO states that Marburg disease has a case fatality rate of up to 88%, meaning that approximately nine out of ten infected individuals may succumb to the disease. Although Rwanda recently declared an end to its Marburg outbreak, neighbouring Tanzania is now facing a concerning situation. In Rwanda, 66 people contracted the virus, with healthcare workers accounting for 80% of the cases. Although an older disease, Marburg has resurfaced in 2023. Previous outbreaks highlight its severity: in Uganda in 2012, the disease claimed 15 lives. Between 2004 and 2005, Angola experienced a significant outbreak with 252 cases and 227 fatalities. The Democratic Republic of Congo also battled the disease between 1998 and 2000, resulting in 128 deaths. The initial outbreak in 1967 resulted in 31 fatalities across Germany and Yugoslavia. Location : Tanzania First Published: January 21, 2025, 18:45 IST 'Bad Abuser': Trump Threatens 25% Tariffs On Mexico, Canada From February 1 | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 09:16 IST Trump brought forth a slew of executive orders aimed at everything from regulations to free speech to immigration, which also included an 'America First' trade policy. US President Donald Trump signs documents as he issues executive orders. (Reuters) US President Donald Trump, in his first day at office, threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada from February 1, particularly labelling Ottawa as a very bad abuser" in terms of facilitating illegal immigration and the supply of the deadly drug fentanyl. Were thinking in terms of 25% (levies) on Mexico and Canada because theyre allowing a vast number of people," he said, calling Canada a very bad abuser" and setting a target date for the tariffs on February 1. related stories President Trump: 25% tariffs on each of Canada and Mexico beginning February 1st. pic.twitter.com/ncfBmMI242 Stephen Taylor (@stephen_taylor) January 21, 2025 The remarks were made to members of the press as the newly minted chief executive offered a slew of executive orders aimed at everything from regulations to free speech to immigration. Trump reportedly has been considering a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, part of plans to impose 10% duties on all countries that could escalate over time. Such a move against Canada would hit its economy hard considering the two nations do in excess of half a trillion dollars a year in trade. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Trump outlined his broader trade policy for his second term in an executive action on Monday, pushing for an America First approach. The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall assess the unlawful migration and fentanyl flows from Canada, Mexico, the PRC, and any other relevant jurisdictions and recommend appropriate trade and national security measures to resolve that emergency," the order read. Sources described the action as a placeholder" to CNN which did not include the sweeping global tariffs that Trump promised on Day One. Before his White House return, Trump vowed to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, and an additional 10 percent on Chinese goods, if they did not do more about illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the United States. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 07:56 IST US Immigration Crackdown Starts As Donald Trump Announces Emergency At Mexico Border Published By : AFP Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 10:44 IST Donald Trump declared that he will send troops to the US-Mexico border and attempt to end birthright citizenship. Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border and used a careening press conference in the Oval Office. President Donald Trump announced severe new restrictions on immigration and asylum in the United States hours after taking office Monday, declaring that he will send troops to the US-Mexico border and attempt to end birthright citizenship. Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border and used a careening press conference in the Oval Office to announce the controversial order seeking to revoke the right of US nationality to anyone born in America. related stories Thats a big one," he told reporters. The move to reverse a right enshrined in the US Constitution will face stiff legal challenges, an inevitability the president acknowledged. I think we have good grounds, but you could be right," he said when asked about the pushback. Another executive order declared a national emergency on the US-Mexico border. Im fine with legal immigration. I like it. We need people, and Im absolutely fine with it. We want to have it," he said. But we have to have legal immigration." Earlier, in his inaugural speech, he announced he would be sending troops to the US-Mexico border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country." All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came," he said. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly announced earlier that the administration would end the practice of granting asylum. Appointments Canceled The first effects of Trumps stance became apparent minutes after his inauguration when an app unveiled under president Joe Biden to help process asylum seekers went offline. US media reported 30,000 people had appointments scheduled. Trumps key adviser and noted immigration hardliner Stephen Miller took to social media to announce that the doors were shut. All illegal aliens seeking entry into the United States should turn back now," he wrote. Anyone entering the United States without authorization faces prosecution and expulsion." Kelly said the administration would also reinstate the Remain in Mexico" policy that prevailed under Trumps first administration. Under that rule, people who apply to enter the United States at the Mexican border were not allowed to do so until their application had been decided. On the US-Mexican border, there was despair. Since we are here, please let us in," said Yaime Perez, a 27-year-old Cuban. Please, after all the work we have put in to get here, let us enter your country, so that we can better ourselves in life and be somebody," she said. Court Challenges Kelly said Trump would seek to use the death penalty against non-citizens who commit capital crimes including murder. This is about national security. This is about public safety, and this is about the victims of some of the most violent, abusive criminals weve seen enter our country in our lifetime, and it ends today," she said. Many of Trumps first-term executive actions were rescinded under Biden, including one using so-called Title 42, implemented during the Covid pandemic preventing almost all entry to the country on public health grounds. The changes under Biden led to an influx of migrants, with images of thousands of people packing the border area. Trump frequently invoked dark imagery about how illegal migration was poisoning the blood" of the nation, words that were seized upon by opponents as reminiscent of Nazi Germany. Analysts say any effort to alter birthright citizenship will be fraught. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, said the 14th Amendment was crystal clear" in granting citizenship to anyone born in the United States with the exception of children of foreign diplomats. We have had birthright citizenship for centuries, and a president cannot take it away with an executive order," he told AFP. We expect rapid court challenges." Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 10:44 IST Marco Rubio, Who Backed India Against Pak Terrorism, Confirmed Secretary Of State In Trump 2.0 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 10:51 IST Marco Rubio was confirmed the Secretary of State of the United State in the new Donald Trump administration on Monday. He is seen as a backer of US-India ties. US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (AP File Image) US President Donald Trumps pick for the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is considered an India-backer and a China hawk, was unanimously confirmed for the job on Monday, marking him as the first appointment in the new administration. All 99 senators, including Rubio himself, who were present voted to confirm his position. With the resignation of Vice President JD Vance from his Ohio seat, the Senate presently has one vacancy. related stories Who Is Marco Rubio, Trumps new Secretary Of State? Marco Rubio, who represented Florida in the Senate since 2011, has had a tough stance on China and has been sanctioned by the Asian country twice. He was born in Miami to Cuban immigrants and has long been into foreign affairs. Rubio had previously introduced a bill seeking to treat India as a key ally of the United States in matters of technology transfers and security. Japan, Israel, South Korea, and NATO members are key allies of the US. He had also sought sanctions on Pakistan for unleashing terrorism against India. The bill sought to block Pakistan from getting US security assistance if it was found to sponsor terrorism against India. Rubio is the first Latino to serve as the Secretary of State in the US. He was lauded by Senate leaders for being well-qualified for the crucial job. Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer backed Rubios confirmation despite holding disagreements on some issues with him. Senator Jim Risch, head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, welcomed Rubios appointment, stressing the need for a strong and active diplomat to handle global challenges like those from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Rubio has been an India-backer and has batted for strong India-US ties. Senator Chuck Grassley praised him for his intelligence" and deep knowledge of American foreign policy. According to ABC News, Trump was considering Rubio for the Secretary of State post besides Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Marco Rubios Views On Russia-Ukraine War top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Rubio has said in the past that Ukraine needs to seek a negotiated settlement with Russia rather than being odcused on regaining all territories that Russia has taken control of in the last decade. He was among the 15 Republican senators who voted against a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, passed in April. Im not on Russias side but unfortunately, the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement," Rubio told NBC in September. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 10:51 IST 'Hope They Come Out Tonight': Trump Pardons Capitol Rioters Soon After White House Return Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 07:53 IST Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th US President on Monday. Soon after taking oath, he signed a record number of executive orders, including issuing pardon for the Capitol rioters. US President Donald Trump signs pardon for Capitol rioters (Reuters Image) In his first official action after taking charge at the White House, President Donald Trump issued pardons for his supporters who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, attempting to help him overturn the election results. He signed pardons for nearly 1,500 rioters, including those convicted of assaulting the police. He also commuted the sentences of around 14 people. related stories Donald Trump Signs Executive Orders Donald Trump signed a large number of executive orders publicly within hours of taking oath as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, including withdrawal from the Paris Accord and issuing pardon for Capitol rioters. He further signed many more orders after taking over the White House. Soon after his inauguration at the Capitol, attended by several personalities from the US and abroad, Trump delivered an inaugural address in which he announced a record number of executive orders for the first day of his second presidency. Trump Signs Pardons For Capitol Rioters He signed as many as 80 executive orders, reversing several decisions by the previous Biden administration, including those relating to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, global warming, and sanctioning Israeli settlers involved in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. He took charge at the Oval Office and signed pardons for the rioters. So this is January 6th, these are hostages. Approximately 1,500 for pardon. Full pardon. We hope they come out tonight," Trump said while signing full pardon for nearly 1,500 rioters at the Oval Office. JUST IN: President Trump pardons 1,500 Jan. 6 prisoners in the Oval Office as one of the first actions of his second term. We hope they come out tonight," Trump said. pic.twitter.com/jGZgpXiIzk Fox News (@FoxNews) January 21, 2025 The pardons were issued for people who were charged with participating in the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol. They were protesting against the results of the 2020 presidential polls in which Biden defeated incumbent Trump, calling the election rigged". While issuing pardons, Trump said he was pardoning 1,500 defendants and issuing six commutations. With this, Trump fulfilled his promise to release his supporters who attempted to help him overturn the election results four years ago. In 2020, he was voted out of the White House after an economic collapse caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As Trump denied his defeat and attempted to cling to power, he directed his supporters to march on the Capitol while the lawmakers were certifying the poll results. The development sparked a riot that dented the US tradition of peaceful transfer of power. What Did Trump Say In His Inaugural Address? Trump, in the presence of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Elon Musk, and several others from the US and around the globe, including External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, said that he would sign executive orders to bring back free speech" to the country. After years and years of illegal and unconstitutional federal efforts to restrict free expression, I also will sign an executive order to immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He vowed to also restore law and order in the cities and said that he will not allow the weaponisation of state power to prosecute political opponents. Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents something I know something about. We will not allow that to happen. It will not happen again. And we are going to bring law and order back to our cities," Trump added. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 07:25 IST Vast Majority Arent Criminals: Bishop Urges Trump To Have Mercy On Immigrants | Video Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 22, 2025, 00:01 IST Washingtons Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde made the request at the interfaith Service of Prayer for the Nation at the Washington National Cathedral. US President Donald Trump stands near Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde as he attends the National Day of Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the bishop of Washington, pleaded to US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance to have mercy on immigrants during the interfaith Service of Prayer for the Nation at the Washington National Cathedral. They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation but the vast majority are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbours, they are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues and temples," Bishop Mariann said. related stories They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals".Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde pleads to President Donald Trump to have mercy upon the US people as he begins his second term in office.https://t.co/BJ3puFcbYY pic.twitter.com/UigIiVYhXB Sky News (@SkyNews) January 21, 2025 I ask you to have mercy, Mr President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing warzones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here," she said. She further added that God teaches its followers to be merciful to the stranger, and asks that God grant us the strength and courage to honour the dignity of every human being". Trump and JD Vance, sat in the front row, listened on without any expression on their faces. Broadcaster Sky News said that when a reporter asked him what he thought about the sermon, Trump replied, What did you think? Not very exciting." He added, They couldve done a better job." The bishop also some LGBT+ Americans currently fear for their lives. The remarks come a day after Trump signed various orders aimed at reshaping how the United States manages immigration and citizenship. One declared a national emergency at the southern border. Trump also promised a mass deportation operation involving the military, which he says will target those he called criminal aliens." In the Oval Office, Trump also signed an order revoking birthright citizenship. He repealed various executive orders promoting diversity programs and LGBTQ equality, in line with his promised attack on woke" culture. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He overturned decrees promoting diversity and equality in the government, businesses and healthcare, as well as the rights of LGBTQ Americans. Trump said that moving forward the US government will only recognize two genders, male and female". Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 21, 2025, 23:58 IST Why Did Vivek Ramaswamy Quit DOGE In Trump 2.0? Report Points To Elon Musk, H-1B Visa Link Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 18:30 IST Vivek Ramaswamy is quitting the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to focus on his plans to run for Governor of Ohio in 2026, a formal announcement of which is awaited. A file photo of Vivek Ramaswamy in Washington (PTI) Vivek Ramaswamy is no longer part of the newly-established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), officials confirmed hours after US President Donald Trump took office Monday. The development comes as Ramaswamy prepares to run for the Governor of Ohio, thus leaving billionaire Elon Musk to run the cost-cutting operation alone. Ramaswamys departure from DOGE was confirmed by the Indian-American entrepreneur-turned-politician in an X post, in which he wrote, It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. Im confident that Elon and his team will succeed in streamlining government." related stories Ill have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Most importantly, were all-in to help President Trump make America great again!" he added. Ramaswamy also posted a picture with Elon Musk and captioned it a new dawn". One of the worlds wealthiest millennials, Ramaswamy made a fortune in biotech before turning his attention to politics. He rose to prominence on the right as a fierce critic of identity politics and programs that advance diversity, equity and inclusion. He has positioned himself as a thought leader of Trumps populist Make America Great Again" movement. He endorsed Trump in the GOP primary after finishing fourth in Iowas leadoff caucuses. Clash Over H-1B Visa Stance (Rant)? A report by Politico said that his rant on X on H-1B visas led to his exit. Even though in December it appeared that both Musk and Ramaswamy were backing the H-1B visa, while accepting the system was broken. The Politico report said that people from Trumps inner circle and some of the MAGA personalities around the US President were irked with Ramaswamy regarding the H-1B visa issue. The report said the rant" hastened" his demise. Everyone wants him out of Mar-a-Lago, out of DC. He just burned through the bridges and he finally burned Elon," a Republican strategist close to Trump advisers told the news outlet. In late December, Ramaswamy criticized American culture, claiming tech companies hire foreign workers partly due to a national mindset that venerates mediocrity over excellence." They wanted him out before the tweet but kicked him to the curb when that came out," another person familiar with the developments told the news outlet. A DOGE insider told the news outlet that Musk considered it unfeasible for Ramaswamy to campaign for office while serving in the organization. Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE," AP quoted Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the commission, as saying. He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE, based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last two months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again," the spokesperson said. Though Ramaswamy is still mulling over the exact date to formally announce his Ohio Governor run, which is slated to be in 2026, his announcement may come as early as next week. If elected, he would be the first Indian American Governor of Ohio. The Indian American had an unsuccessful run during the Republican presidential primary. Later he endorsed Trump and quickly emerged as his close confidant. So far only three Indian Americans have been elected as a governor of a US State. The first was by Bobby Jindal in Louisiana, followed by Nikki Haley in South Carolina. Both of them are from the Republican party. Republican lawmakers serving in the United States Congress were also bashing Ramaswamy, the report claimed. It said that a meme showing Elon Musk removing Ramaswamy from history was shared privately by junior staff in House Speaker Mike Johnsons office. The meme compared Musk to Soviet leader Josef Stalin and Ramaswamy to a Soviet secret police chief who was later executed and erased from photos. The report said that House Speaker Mike Johnsons office denied any such thing had happened. THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY Soon after his stunning victory in the November 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump announced to create DOGE and tasked Tesla owner Elon Musk, and Ramaswamy to head this new agency. Later, the White House appreciated the role of Ramaswamy in the creation of DOGE. DOGE, a nongovernmental task force, was assigned with the task of finding ways to fire federal workers, cut programs and slash federal regulations all part of what the new president calls his Save America" agenda for his second term. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Musks involvement in particular has raised ethics concerns because SpaceX, the company he founded and led, has massive defense contracts and competes for business from NASA. His Tesla electric-car company and other business interests could also benefit from Trumps decisions in office. Ambitious efforts to reduce the size and scope of the federal government historically have run into resistance when the public is confronted with cuts to trusted programs that millions of Americans depend on for jobs, health care, military security and everyday needs. First Published: January 21, 2025, 08:09 IST 'We Don't Want To Be Americans': Greenland PM To Trump Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 21, 2025, 23:08 IST Greenland's PM also said that Greenlanders do not want to be Danish either, while Denmark said no country can just help themselves to Greenland. Greenland PM Mute Egede said Greenland belongs to the people of the island-nation and lashed out at Trump over his desire to bring it under US control. (IMAGE: REUTERS/NASA) Greenlands prime minister said Tuesday the Danish autonomous territory wanted to stake out its own future and did not want to become American, following US President Donald Trumps renewed remarks about taking control of the island. Trump, who took office on Monday, set off alarm bells in early January by refusing to rule out military intervention to bring the Panama Canal and Greenland under US control. related stories While Trump didnt mention Greenland in his inauguration speech on Monday, he was asked about it by reporters in the Oval Office afterwards. Greenland is a wonderful place, we need it for international security," Trump responded. Im sure that Denmark will come along its costing them a lot of money to maintain it, to keep it," he added. But Greenlandic and Danish officials on Tuesday defended the Arctic islands right to self-determination. We are Greenlanders. We dont want to be Americans. We dont want to be Danish either. Greenlands future will be decided by Greenland," Prime Minister Mute Egede told a press conference. Our country and our people will decide what happens to Greenland," he said. Noting that the country was facing a difficult situation", Egede reiterated that Nuuk was open to talks with Washington to safeguard US interests in the Arctic, at a time when rivalries with China and Russia in the region are growing. The United States has an active military base in the northwest of Greenland, which has a strategic location in the Arctic as ice melts due to climate change and opens up new shipping lanes. The worlds largest island whose capital Nuuk is closer to New York than Copenhagen also holds massive untapped mineral and oil reserves, although oil and uranium exploration are banned. We have cooperated with the US on security issues for more than 80 years," Egede recalled. He said officials were working to organise a meeting with the US to explain Greenlands position". Cant just help themselves Egede acknowledged that Trumps recent remarks were worrying" and had caused concern among Greenlanders. But it is important to remain calm." Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said earlier Tuesday that no country should be able to simply help themselves to another country. Of course we cant have a world order where countries, if theyre big enough, no matter what theyre called, can just help themselves to what they want," Lokke told reporters. Greenland is scheduled to call elections before April 6, where the question of independence is expected to top the agenda. Economically, Greenland depends on subsidies from Copenhagen equivalent to a fifth of its GDP, and on its fishing sector. Despite its autonomy, Copenhagen is in charge of judicial affairs, monetary policy, foreign affairs, defence and security policy in Greenland. On Monday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a post to Instagram that Europe would need to navigate a new reality" with Trump as president. While noting the Greenlandic peoples right to self-determination, the head of government also stressed the need for Denmark to maintain its alliance with the US which she described as Denmarks most important since World War II. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A number of Danish party leaders were called to the prime ministers office on Tuesday to be briefed on the situation. We have to recognise that the next four years will be difficult years," Pia Olsen Dyhr, leader of the Green Left, told reporters after meeting with Frederiksen. Location : Copenhagen, Denmark First Published: January 21, 2025, 23:08 IST BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Today, the next hearing commenced in the criminal case regarding crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the conduct of aggressive warfare, genocide, forced population relocation, persecution, torture, robbery, and other illegal acts committed by Armenia and its armed forces, as well as the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" created by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Judge Zeynal Agayev of the Baku Military Court is leading the court's preparatory session at the Baku Judicial Complex. The preparatory session began on January 17. The defendants are provided with Armenian-language interpreters and defense attorneys. The prosecution is represented by six prosecutors, while the Azerbaijani government is represented by Rufat Mamedov, head of the Cabinet of Ministers' office, as the victim on behalf of the Azerbaijani state. Notably, there are more than 531,000 victims and their representatives in this criminal case. Based on the collected credible evidence, 15 individuals have been charged for crimes committed by the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia and illegal armed formations in a total of 2,548 incidents. The accused are Ghukasyan Arkady Arshaviri (Arshavirovich), Harutyunyan Arayik Vladimiri (Vladimirovich), Sahakyan Bako Sahaki, Ishkhanyan Davit Rubeni, Babayan Davit Klimi (Klimovich), Mnatsakanyan Leva Genrikhi, Manukyan Davit Azati, Martirosyan Garik Grigori, Pashayan Melikset Vladimiri, Allahverdyan Davit Nelsoni, Stepanyan Gurgen Gomerosi, Balayan Levon Romiki, Babayan Madat Arakeli (Arakelovich), Beglaryan Vasili Ivani, and Ghazaryan Erik Roberti. They face charges under several articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, based on the periods of their involvement in criminal acts. The charges include crimes such as planning, preparation, initiation, or waging an aggressive war (Article 100); attacks on internationally protected persons or institutions (Article 102); genocide (Article 103); destruction of population (Article 105); slavery (Article 106); deportation or forcible transfer of population (Article 107); persecution (Article 109); forcible detention (Article 110); deprivation of liberty contrary to international law (Article 112); use of torture (Article 113); mercenarism (Article 114); violations of laws or customs of war (Article 115); violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflict (Article 116); war theft (Article 118); willful killing (Article 120); illegal entrepreneurship (Article 192); terrorism (Article 214); financing of terrorism (Article 214-1); organization of a criminal association (Article 218); illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, or possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and explosive devices (Article 228); acts threatening aviation security (Article 270-1); attempts on the life of a statesman or public figure (Article 277); violent seizure or retention of power, violent change of the constitutional order (Article 278); and the creation of unauthorized armed formations or groups (Article 279), among other offenses. The preparatory hearing in the case of Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian citizen facing charges under Azerbaijans Criminal Code for torture, mercenarism, violations of war laws, terrorism, financing terrorism, and other offenses, is set to continue on January 27. Although Vardanyan was provided adequate time during the preliminary investigation to review case materials in a language he understood and prepare his defense, the court, considering his request, granted an additional 10 days for him to familiarize himself with the documents. A final indictment has been issued against him under various articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, or waging an aggressive war), Article 107 (deportation or forcible transfer of population), Article 109 (persecution), Article 112 (unlawful deprivation of liberty in violation of international law), Article 113 (torture), Article 114 (mercenarism), Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of war), Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict), Article 214 (terrorism), Article 214-1 (financing of terrorism), Article 218 (establishment of a criminal organization), Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, or carrying of firearms, their components, ammunition, explosive substances, and devices), Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security), Article 278 (forceful seizure of power and its forcible retention, forceful alteration of the state's constitutional order), Article 279 (creation of armed groups and units not provided for by law), 318 (illegal crossing of the state border of Azerbaijan). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. As the trial for war crimes of Armenians begins in Baku, Le Figaro Magazine finds itself embroiled in a scandal of its own making. By providing a platform to Mourad Papazian and Ara Toranian - figures with deep ties to Armenian extremist groups - the French weekly has cemented its role as a mouthpiece for nationalist propaganda, abandoning even the pretense of journalistic integrity. In its scathing critique, La Gazette du Caucase tears apart the ethical and factual foundations of Le Figaro Magazine's editorial choices. According to La Gazette, the publication has devolved into a bastion of "opinion journalism", shamelessly promoting sensationalist and one-sided narratives that cater to the Armenian diasporas most radical factions. Central to the criticism is Le Figaro Magazines regurgitation of Armenian nationalist talking points, described by La Gazette as "propaganda in its purest form". During the decades-long conflict, Azerbaijanis suffered atrocities such as the Khojaly massacre in 1992 and the 2020 bombing of Ganja - heinous acts widely documented and condemned. In stark contrast, there is no evidence of Azerbaijani forces targeting Armenian civilians during this period. Yet, Le Figaro allows its pages to be used for narratives that rewrite history, portraying Azerbaijan as the aggressor and whitewashing decades of Armenian occupation and ethnic cleansing. Adding insult to injury, La Gazette highlights the absurdity of presenting the recent liberation of Azerbaijani territories as an act of "ethnic cleansing". The so-called "republic of artsakh" has never been recognized, not even by Armenia itself. Yet for nearly 30 years, Armenian forces unlawfully occupied these regions, displacing close to a million Azerbaijanis. Describing the peaceful liberation of Khankendi as a violent purge, La Gazette argues, is both "laughable and tragic", an insult to the victims of genuine ethnic cleansing who still await justice. The authors of the incendiary statement, Mourad Papazian and Ara Toranian, are not innocent commentators but deeply compromised figures with long-standing ties to extremist organizations. Papazian, a senior member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnak Party), is notorious for his advocacy of violence to achieve political aims. Toranians record is equally damning. A former leader of the Armenian National Movement, the political wing of the terrorist group ASALA, Toranians past includes involvement with an organization responsible for deadly attacks, including the 1983 Orly Airport bombing in France. While he later distanced himself from ASALA, La Gazette points out that his extremist views remain intact, and his influence has only grown through close ties to French political elites, including President Emmanuel Macron. By giving space to figures like Papazian and Toranian, Le Figaro Magazine has willfully abandoned journalistic principles. La Gazette specifically calls out Jean-Christophe Buisson, deputy editor-in-chief of the magazine, for transforming the weekly into what it terms a "propaganda outlet". Buissons history of supporting far-right and nationalist agendas only deepens the concerns, as he leverages his editorial position to legitimize Armenian separatist narratives while marginalizing opposing voices. The publication of this inflammatory statement in Le Figaro Magazine is a glaring example of how low some corners of French journalism have sunk. By aligning itself with extremists and peddling distorted narratives, the magazine not only betrays journalistic ethics but also undermines efforts for peace and reconciliation in the region. As La Gazette du Caucase aptly concludes, the degeneration of French journalism deserves nothing but contempt. MDC leader Douglas Mwonzora has warned the campaign for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to have an extended presidential term risks making him an international laughing stock, further undermining Zimbabwes democracy and isolating the country. Mwonzoras remarks come amid heated discussions about the alleged 2030 proposal, which allegedly seeks to prolong President Mnangagwas term by two years to 2030 or even allow for an additional third term, potentially keeping him in power until he is 91 years. President Mnangagwa swore to uphold and defend the constitution, Parliament also swore to do the same. After the 2023 elections, we heard some people within Zanu PF talking about 2030, indicating they wanted an extension of term for President Mnangagwa by two years from 2028. This involves asking the president to go back on his word, he said, accusing Mnangagwa of risking his credibility. When interviewed by Christiane Amanpour (Chief International Anchor for CNN) in the US, Mnangagwa made it clear the term limits was a provision he was going to respect. In China, the president said he was going to respect term limits. He said he is a constitutionalist and lawyer. If you renege on that, you are making the president an international laughing stock, who says one thing and practices another. Mwonzora underscored the significance of Zimbabwes 2013 Constitution, describing it as a product of national consensus, which includes term limits for the presidency to prevent prolonged rule. The MDC has made its position clear that it does not support the desecration and wanton change of the Constitution, which is self-serving, he said. In 2013, Zimbabweans across political divides concluded a Constitution-making process and came up with a people-driven democratic Constitution. 93 percent of Zimbabweans voted in favour of this constitution. The Constitution, Mwonzora emphasised, retained the executive presidency and agreed a president will serve for five years and seek re-election for another five years. This was a national consensus, even Zanu PF agreed to it. At that time, Zimbabweans were clear they wanted to avoid the long periods of rulership experienced under President Robert Mugabe, who ruled for over 30 years, said the MDC leader. To safeguard the dignity of former presidents after their stay in office, Mwonzora said the constitution guarantees their benefits. To make sure we didnt prejudice the president, we went on to say the former president would earn the same as a sitting president, so their conditions of service remain the same, he noted. However, Mwonzora expressed dismay at the post-2023 election discussions within Zanu PF about extending Mnangagwas term. After the 2023 elections, we started hearing some people within Zanu PF talking about 2030, indicating they wanted to extend the presidents term by two years from 2028 or add another term, he said. Their logic was the president has done very well and there was an outright demand for an extension of term, adding another term so that the president holds office for 15 years. We are fundamentally opposed to this move. The MDC leader questioned the logic of extending President Mnangagwas term, given his advanced age. Lets look at the realities of our president. President Mnangagwa is 82 years old. At the time he concludes his term in 2028, he will be 86 years old. If we give him another five years, he will be 91 years at the time he completes that term. There is no justification why we should extend a term for a person who is of that age, Mwonzora said. After the completion of his (second) term, of course the president must go home and write memoirs, reflect and rest. Zimbabwe is not short of manpower to run the affairs of this country. We need fresh blood in that regard. Mwonzora also warned amending the constitution in this manner would set a dangerous precedent. This creates a dangerous precedent today we are saying lets extend by one term or by two years because Mnangagwa has done well. Next time we will say lets extend for Douglas Mwonzora for life because he has done well and there will be no end, he said. We will be sliding more and more into the political abyss and this opening of dangerous precedence is unwelcome. The opposition leader argued extending Mnangagwas rule would undermine the Constitution and international best practices. Constitutions are built out of the distrust of politicians, Mwonzora said. The fundamental principle is a president is elected and holds office for a limited term after which they can serve the nation in other capacities other than president but also international best practice is such that where there are term limits, they are respected. Look at (former US president, Barack) Obama. He was a very popular president, but when his eight years expired, he went away. Bringing this amendment will make us go against fundamental constitutional principles and international best practices and convention. Mwonzora further warned any such amendment would deepen Zimbabwes international isolation, noting the country is already under international isolation due to governance issues. He added how the Commonwealth, which Zimbabwe wants to be readmitted into, has raised concerns about these proposed constitutional changes. Mwonzora concluded by warning against returning to Zimbabwes past. Zimbabweans have rejected long term rule as a result of their experiences under the so called First Republic and this amendment is going to return us back to the situation that was there before or during the expiry of the First Republic and there is no reason why we should do that, said the MDC leader. CITE The latest talks between Nicos Christodoulides, Cyprus' Greek Cypriot president, and Ersin Tatar, leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots, ended without progress. Held under the auspices of the UN in Nicosia, discussions aimed to enhance trust by opening new crossing points along a buffer zone. Although both leaders released a joint statement underscoring the importance of such initiatives for boosting economic ties and facilitating communication, no specific agreement was reached. The primary stumbling block was disagreement over the locations of the proposed crossing points along a 120-mile buffer zone that cuts through the island. After the meeting, Christodoulides highlighted that Tatar was "not ready" to endorse a comprehensive set of trust-building measures, including joint committees on youth and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Currently, eight crossing points enable daily commutes, which many, especially Turkish Cypriots, rely on for work. Many on both sides want these expanded for smoother travel across the island's dividing line. A deal on crossings could have rejuvenated stalled UN-led peace talks, which have been inactive for seven years. However, hopes for reunification remain bleak due to Turkey and Turkish Cypriots' push for a two-state solution, contrary to a UN-backed federation model. Greek Cypriots resist any proposal that might formalize division or permit a lasting Turkish military presence. Upcoming discussions in Switzerland with the island's guarantorsGreece, Turkey, and the UKwill seek to revive negotiations, but divisions over key issues persist. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) In a change that could affect health care for transgender and other patients and be fought in court, one of President Trump's new executive orders says the government now will recognize biological sex, rather than a person's expressed gender identity if it's different. He declared in his inaugural address Monday that it will be "the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female," the Wall Street Journal reports. The order directs the government to use "sex" instead of "gender," per NBC News , and "ensure that official government documents, including passports and visas, reflect sex accurately." Trump planned to sign the order before the day is out. One legal advocate for LGBTQ+ people said she expects lawsuits from organizations like hers. "The president can't, with a wave of a pen, change the reality of who people are and the fact that we as a community of people exist," said Jennifer Pizer of Lambda Legal. Another legal expert said the Trump administration can go ahead with some changes. Prisons, migrant shelters, and rape shelters could start moving transgender people into spaces aligned with their birth sex, for instance. So trans women detained in women's prisons might soon be transferred to men's prisons. Changes in other areas, such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development's protections for trans people facing evictions, could take longer because they require a multistage process. Lawsuits could result in courts issuing injunctions to block a change, per NBC. Or the courts could let the executive order take effect while it's being challenged. At the moment, Americans can select "X" as their gender marker on passports, and it doesn't have to agree with the gender marked on citizenship documents or a photo ID, per CNN. "We promote the freedom, dignity, and equality of all peopleincluding LGBTQI+ individuals," the State Department's website says. (More Trump inauguration stories.) Two people who showed up in a Palisades fire evacuation zone over the weekend in a fire truck claimed to be volunteer firefighters from the Roaring River Fire Department in Oregon and they were arrested after authorities determined that the department doesn't exist. Police say Dustin Nehl, 31, and his wife, Jennifer Nehl, 44, had helmets and radios and were wearing fire gear with Cal Fire shirts underneath, ABC News reports. They were arrested Saturday on suspicion of impersonating firefighters and unauthorized entry of an evacuation zone. A law enforcement source tells the Los Angeles Times that a firefighter at a checkpoint noticed that there was "something off" about decals on the full-size fire truck and asked deputies to check the driver's ID. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says deputies determined that the department didn't exist and that the decommissioned fire truck had been bought at an auction. Dustin Nehl "has a criminal history in Oregon for criminal mischief and arson," the sheriff's department said, per CBS News. "Neither have a criminal history in California." In 2017, Dustin Nehl was sentenced to five years in prison for setting a series of fires in Woodburn, Oregon. It's not clear why they were in the evacuation zone, but tools that could be used by burglars were found in the fire truck, according to the Times' source. The source says Dustin Nehl posed as a firefighter to get a free room at a local Holiday Inn Express. Last week, police said a man impersonating a firefighter had been arrested on suspicion of looting homes in the Palisades area. Prosecutors said Ivan Cedric Reed, 34, was charged with receiving stolen property, impersonating a firefighter, unlawful use of a badge, and unauthorized entry of a closed disaster area, per the Times. (More California wildfires stories.) A pair of siblings, ages 8 and 9, were found in Iceland on January 10, two and a half months after they were reported missing in Ohio. The unnamed siblings' mother went off her mental health medication and the kids stopped attending school in October; their apartment was also abandoned, News 5 Cleveland reports. A family member reported them missing to local police, who eventually involved the US Marshals, the State Department, Interpol, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and authorities in England and Iceland, NBC News reports. Their 34-year-old mother had taken them all over the United States before heading overseas to London, then an island in the English Channel, then a remote Icelandic fishing village; they were ultimately found in Reykjavik. "The children were placed in the care of Iceland social services until a trusted family member could get them. The mother was placed in a hospital where she will remain until she is well enough to travel back to the US," the Marshals Service says in a statement. Adds a US Marshal who was involved in the case, "Sometimes we're able to find [missing children] in a couple hours, a couple days, sometimes a couple counties over, a couple states over, but this is the first time we've been able to find missing kids as far away as Iceland." (More Iceland stories.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The newest installment of the analytical video series "Dialogue with Tofig Abbasov" hit the airwaves on the expert platform Baku Network, showcasing the outstanding jazzman, Peoples Artist of Azerbaijan Salman Gambarov, as the featured guest, Trend reports. According to him, at the edge of sounds and words, where languages can fall short, the magic of music takes flight. "It is an invisible thread that connects peoples, cultures, and souls," he said. Gambarov is more than a musician; he embodies the spirit of a generation, blending the lessons of yesteryear with a quest for future harmony. His words carry deeper meanings beyond mere musings on music. They serve as a declaration aimed at the peoples of the South Caucasus: music has the potential to span the divide created by political, historical, and national disputes. "Music unites people by breaking down the walls of misunderstanding. It robs prejudices of their power, making people listen and feel, without translators or intermediaries," he mentioned. This concept is not merely a philosophical concept for him; it is a lived actuality. Gambarov was a member of an international ensemble that performed at the "Caucasus Jazz" festival in Tbilisi in 2010. The ensemble consisted of musicians from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, and Turkey, and their collaboration resulted in a dialogue that transcended music. "We were one team: an Armenian saxophonist, a Georgian drummer, a Turkish bassist, and I, an Azerbaijani pianist. We performed in Tbilisi, Vilnius, and then this project ended because we regained our lands, and suddenly it turned out that friendship is possible only under certain conditions. It's painful and wrong," he explained. However, this pain, according to Gambarov, is not a reason for despair but a call to action. For him, music is a tool to fight against lies. He sharply criticizes attempts to attribute an Armenian composition to Fikrat Amirov, calling it "absolute vulgarity". "Amirov was a genius, and his son Jamil continues his work. Culture is our identity, and if we allow lies and mediocrity to fill it, we will lose ourselves," Gambarov said. Remembering the past, Gambarov reflects on the events of 1987 when he participated in a music festival in Dilijan. He remembers the use of music as a tool for nationalist propaganda. Gambarov believes that the creative elite can become the engine of change, but for this, they must free themselves from the fear of public opinion and take steps toward one another. Music, as Gambarov asserts, has the power to restore the lost trust in the South Caucasus. This is not just nostalgia for the past; it is a striving for a future where generations will live in peace, creating a new culture. "We must look forward, not backward. Young generations are waiting for an example from us, and our task is to give them a peace built on dialogue and mutual understanding. Music can save us, but only if we want it," he concluded. President Trump on Monday night said he was pardoning about 1,500 of his supporters who have been charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US. Capitol, using his sweeping clemency powers on his first day back in office to dismantle the largest investigation and prosecution in Justice Department history. The pardons were a campaign promise, part of Trump's yearslong campaign to rewrite the history of the riot that left more than 100 police officers injured and threatened the peaceful transfer of power. Yet the scope of the clemency still comes as a major blow to the Justice Department's effort to hold participants accountable, the AP reports. "These are the hostages," Trump said as he signed executive orders in the Oval Office, per CNN. "Approximately 1,500 for a pardonfull pardon." Trump said he was also commuting the sentences of six defendants, though the White House did not immediately provide details. Trump had suggested in the past few weeks that he would consider the Jan. 6 defendants on a case-by-case basis. Roughly 1,000 of the riot defendants were charged with low-level offenses, per the New York Times, and another 600 or so were also charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement. An attorney for a former Proud Boys leader convicted of seditious conspiracy in the attack told NBC News that his client was being processed for release Monday from a medium-security federal prison in Louisiana. Enrique Tarrio has been serving a 22-year sentence. Tarrio had said he asked Trump for a pardon. His lawyer said Monday he wasn't sure whether Tarrio had been pardoned or his sentence commuted; CNN reports that Trump is commuting the sentences of the top leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. (More Trump inauguration stories.) The Brutalist, a Brady Corbet film expected to be among Oscar nominees announced Thursday, is facing criticism after its editor admitted to using artificial intelligence. David Jancso told Red Shark News that AI was used to enhance the accents of lead actors Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones when they are speaking Hungarian and to create architectural drawings and buildings attributed to the lead character. Brody plays an architect who survives World War II in Europe, then starts over in America. After taking home several Golden Globes , The Brutalist is considered a frontrunner for the best picture Oscar, while Brody's performance is expected to nab a nomination for best actor . At TheGamer.com, Stacey Henley acknowledges AI is probably "an inevitable part of our creative future," but considers The Brutalist's use of the technology as "grounds for disqualification from the two major categories it is considered a possible frontrunner for." She notes the "accent work had previously been praised as one of the core pillars of Brody's performance," but "that Brody only reached this level with the aid of AI means the performance is not him." She adds the use of AI to create drawings and buildings "seems to get in the way of [the film's] own messaging," given that The Brutalist is "about the value of hand-crafted artistry." Jancso, a native Hungarian speaker, said Brody and Jones "did a fabulous job" on the language, but filmmakers "wanted to perfect it so that not even locals will spot any difference." He said the use of an AI tool developed by Ukrainian software company Respeecher mainly involved "replacing letters here and there" in post-production. Though he said AI was also used to create "a series of architectural drawings and finished buildings in the style of" Brody's character, director Corbet has denied that was the case, per NBC News. The criticism isn't just for The Brutalist. Emilia Perez, another contender, used Respeecher technology to blend the singing voice of actor Karla Sofia Gascon with that of French pop star Camille, the Guardian reports. (More artificial intelligence stories.) As more details on the Israeli hostages released by Hamas over the weekend continue to trickle out , one "undoubtedly bizarre" revelation has come to light, per CNN . The three womenEmily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecherwere set free on Sunday under the terms of a new ceasefire, but before they climbed into a Red Cross SUV in Gaza to head home, they were each handed a "gift bag" by Hamas militants. The parting package, seen being given to the hostages in propaganda footage released by Hamas, consisted of a paper bag with the logo of the Qassam Brigades (Hamas' military arm) on it. Inside the bags, per a rep for Gonen's family: a "release" certificate, a necklace, and photos. Haaretz reports that a map of Gaza was also included. Local media report that the photos were of the women's time in captivity. The Gonen family spokesperson told CNN that the bags had been confiscated by the Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet. The news outlet notes that at the stunt's center "is an attempt by Hamas to present itself as an undefeated, serious governing body," as "Hamas knew this would be a big moment for the militant group." The Times of Israel has deemed the bags "mementos of hellish captivity." An Israeli security official called the move a "cynical and psychological exploitation of women who were deprived of their freedom by monsters," per Ynet, via Haaretz. Other Israel supporters online called the gift bags "sadistic," with one writing, "Like they were on a student exchange from Hell." Many Palestinians, meanwhile, "view Hamas' gesture ... as a symbol of power, a clever publicity stunt, or even a humorous and random act," notes Haaretz. So far, there's been no official word from Israel on the bags. The women were the first of 30-plus Israeli hostages set to be released under the terms of the new ceasefire. (More Israel-Hamas war stories.) A US Border Patrol agent was fatally shot Monday on a highway in northern Vermont south of the Canadian border, authorities said. The death was confirmed by the FBI and Benjamine Huffman, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, the AP reports. In a statement, the FBI said that in addition to the agent, a suspect in the shooting was killed and a second suspect was injured and taken into custody during the encounter on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 20 miles from the Canadian border. The FBI said there was no ongoing threat to the public. Huffman said the death occurred "in the line of duty." The identity of the agent, who was assigned to the US Border Patrol's Swanton Sector, was not immediately released. The sector encompasses Vermont and parts of New York and New Hampshire. Federal authorities did not provide additional details but said they would be released as they became available. A portion of Interstate 91 was closed in both directions for about two hours afterward. The northbound lane reopened just after 5pm. Besides federal authorities, the Vermont State Police was also investigating. The FBI responded from the office in Albany, New York. Huffman said the death would be "swiftly investigated." (More US-Canadian border stories.) Colombian President Gustavo Petro plans to declare a state of emergency following intense guerrilla attacks in the country's northeast, which have claimed dozens of lives and displaced thousands. On the social media platform X, he announced his intention to invoke a "state of internal commotion," a measure allowing the executive to enact legislation without congressional approval for three months, pending approval by Colombia's constitutional court. This move comes as the government grapples with escalating violence initiated by the National Liberation Army (ELN). Tensions with the ELN have reached a critical point, as the armed group unleashed a wave of attacks in Catatumbo, killing at least 80 people. The president, a former guerrilla member, attempted peace talks with the ELN in 2022, but negotiations have faltered. Accusing the ELN of adopting methods akin to notorious cartel leader Pablo Escobar, Petro has suspended peace talks and vowed military retaliation. The ELN's attacks have largely targeted civilians suspected of aiding the rival FARC-EMC group, prompting thousands to flee amid fears for their safety. The United Nations reports around 18,300 people have been displaced amid this violence, creating a potential humanitarian crisis. Many affected are seeking refuge in surrounding urban centers such as Tibu, Ocana, and Cucuta. Community members face threats from the ELN, and many, including former FARC members, have been forced to flee. As Sandra Tijaro, a farmer, noted, civilians "end up carrying the burden of this conflict," pointing to the dire impact on rural communities. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Melania Trump made an elegant sartorial statement on Inauguration Day, donning a navy wide-brimmed hat by American designer Eric Javits. Javits described dressing the first lady as "one of the greatest honors" of his career. The hat shielded her eyes as her husband was sworn in and caused those who embraced her to navigate around it; when Trump moved to kiss her at one point, he ended up air kissing her instead due to the hat. Melania Trump eschewed her previous inauguration's sky-blue Ralph Lauren outfit for a sophisticated navy ensemble by Adam Lippes, featuring a silk wool coat, skirt, and an ivory blouse. Lippes stated it embodied "the beauty of American democracy." He highlighted the craftsmanship of the outfit, reinforcing the patriotic theme of the event. While fashion has been a focal point during such ceremonies, it has also sparked debate. In 2017, some designers refrained from dressing Melania Trump, with social media calls for boycotts of Ralph Lauren, who dressed her then. Now, Ralph Lauren was chosen by outgoing first lady Jill Biden for her monochromatic purple attire. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) A Missouri woman was allegedly so infuriated after a bar in Puerto Rico kicked her out that she burned it down, along with an adjacent, fully booked hotel. Danielle Bertothy, 36, was arrested Thursday in Missouri, where she allegedly fled hours after the fire in the seaside town of Cabo Rojo. Bertothy had booked an Airbnb in the town from Dec. 30 to Jan. 11, per the Washington Post . When she arrived at Bar Marea around 8:30pm on New Year's Day, witnesses said she was already intoxicated. Denied alcohol, she became "belligerent and argumentative," making comments about Puerto Ricans, and was asked to leave, according to court documents. She allegedly refused. The bar owners called police, who escorted Bertothy back to her Airbnb. But she allegedly returned as the bar was closing and acted "more aggressively," prosecutors say. Around 12:25am, surveillance video showed a woman matching Bertothy's description at the bar pouring liquid from a red container. According to prosecutors, the owner of Bertothy's Airbnb had given her the red government-issued gas can to fuel a generator during an island-wide blackout. A subsequent fire burned down the bar and an adjacent restaurant, gift shop, and hotel, where 31 guests were staying, per the AP. All escaped with their lives owing to what prosecutors say were "skilled firefighters and luck," per the Post. But "a whole community was scarred by her actions," prosecutors say. "That lady, without any reasonrevenge, I don't knowburned our place and turned our small piece of paradise into hell," hotel owner Angel Luis Marrero tells KTVI. Though she'd planned to stay in Puerto Rico for another 10 days, Bertothy left for the airport hours after the blaze. Questioned by police in St. Peters, Missouri, on Jan. 3, she admitted she "did some things that were out of character for her" but claimed not to know anything about a fire, per court documents. She was later indicted on an arson charge by a federal grand jury in Puerto Rico. Facing five to 20 years in prison if convicted, she remains in custody ahead of a Wednesday bail hearing, per the Post. (More Puerto Rico stories.) Two Americans held in Afghanistan were released in the final hours of President Biden's tenure in exchange for a Taliban member serving two life sentences in the US. Family members confirmed Ryan Corbett, 42, who was detained in August 2022, was "back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives." Some media outlets reported William McKenty, 69, was also released. In a statement , the Taliban described the release of Khan Mohammed, 55, held in California. He was arrested decades ago in the Afghan province of Nangahar and later convicted of narcoterrorism and distributing drugs, per the Washington Post . Corbett lived with his family in Afghanistan for more than a decade up until the Taliban returned to power in 2021. He was arrested when he returned to the country on a business trip related to the micro-lending consultancy he founded, USA Today reports. The US State Department considered him "wrongfully detained." Less is known about the case of McKenty, who "reportedly asked the US government to help maintain his privacy," per USA Today. "While we would not do the deal that the Biden administration did at the end, we are always happy to have two Americans home," a senior Trump administration official told CNN. Corbett's family thanked Biden and Trump for assisting in the prisoner swap. They also expressed regret that two other Americans held in Afghanistan were not included. Mahmood Habibi was working for Kabul-based telecommunications company when he was apparently arrested in August 2022, shortly after the US strike that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri, according to the FBI. George Glezmann, a mechanic for Delta Air Lines, was also detained in 2022 while visiting Afghanistan as a tourist, per WSB. Held in the same Kabul facility as Corbett, he'd sent an audio message to Biden through his wife late last year, saying, "I cannot do another year." (More prisoner swap stories.) Authorities in Houston, Texas, are looking to destroy long-held evidence that has spawned "drug-addicted rats" in police storerooms. At a Friday press conference, Houston police chief J Noe Diaz described "over 1.2 million pieces of evidence" held by the city's police, including notes from a 1947 homicide and "kilos of cocaine" from 1990s drug cases, in which the culprits have already served prison sentences and been released, per the Guardian . "We've got 400,000 pounds of marijuana in storage that the rats are the only ones enjoying," says Mayor John Whitmire. Officials also described rats getting into packages of magic mushrooms, per KHOU . Peter Stout, head of the Houston Forensic Science Center, said exterminators have struggled to get rid of rats and other pests attracted to the "tasty" drugs. "They're drug-addicted rats. They're tough to deal with," he said, per the Washington Post. Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare noted "it costs a lot of money to destroy illicit narcotics and so the DA's office is going to utilize funds that we control to help the city with this immediate problem." Teare said narcotics evidence obtained prior to 2015 would now be destroyed. The DA's office completed its first burn of some 15,000 pounds of narcotics on Thursday, the Post reports. Though critics say certain evidence could be key in the future, stressing its role in overturning wrongful convictions, the DA's office said it would hire a prosecutor to determine the pieces of evidence which it no longer makes sense to keep. The hired prosecutor will also be tasked with setting parameters for how best to store and maintain evidence to keep rats at bay. (More Texas stories.) In Brunswick, Georgia, over 200 potential jurors have been summoned for questioning in advance of the trial of Jackie Johnson, a former prosecutor accused of obstructing police investigations into the 2020 death of Ahmaud Arbery. Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was killed by three white men, leading to their conviction for murder in 2021. The trial is set to unfold in the same courthouse as the initial convictions. Rebecca Walden, the Superior Court Clerk, issued 500 jury duty notices; over 200 have responded with completed questionnaires. Due to the case's high profile, jurors will be closely examined for any preconceived beliefs about Arbery's death or Johnson's alleged misconduct. Jury selection is expected to take up to a week, as officials aim to secure an impartial panel of 12 jurors and alternates. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's office is handling the prosecution, which asserts that Johnson, then district attorney, shielded the McMichaels, two of the convicted men, from arrest for months. Greg McMichaels had formerly worked as an investigator for Johnson's office. Johnson faces charges of violating her oath of office and hindering law enforcement. She denies wrongdoing, claiming she referred the case to another prosecutor due to the conflict of interest and attributes her electoral defeat in November 2020 to public response over Arbery's murder. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan DAVOS, Azerbaijan, January 21. On January 21, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Edgars Rinkevics, President of the Republic of Latvia, at the latters request in Davos, Trend reports. Edgars Rinkevics fondly recalled his previous meetings with the Azerbaijani President. The President of Latvia stated that today's meeting provided an excellent opportunity to discuss bilateral relations. Edgars Rinkevics expressed his condolences to President Ilham Aliyev for those who lost their lives in the plane crash. The President of Azerbaijan expressed his gratitude for the condolences. President Ilham Aliyev, in turn, emphasized the importance of today's meeting in terms of discussing the prospects for bilateral cooperation. In a landmark move, Thailand is poised to recognize same-sex marriages on Thursday, granting LGBTQ couples the same legal rights as heterosexual partners. Danaya Phonphayung and Sunma Piamboon, a couple for over 13 years, are eagerly preparing to formalize their bond. "I'm so happy. It's something that was more than I could've dreamed of," said Danaya, reflecting on the forthcoming official recognition of their union. The new law will afford them previously inaccessible legal protections and financial rights. The marriage equality law, passed amid Thailand's generally conservative climate, marks a significant shift towards inclusivity. This change positions Thailand as the first Southeast Asian nation and the third in Asia, following Taiwan and Nepal, to legalize same-sex marriage. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emphasized the significance, noting, "It's very important that the world notice us." The law's implementation has been supported by workshops to educate officials on handling marriage registrations with sensitivity and respect toward gender diversity. To celebrate the legislation's enactment, more than 300 couples are expected to register their marriages on the first day. Ann Waaddao Chumaporn, a leading gender equality activist, said the law "is about returning our dignity." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Southern California remains on high alert as fierce Santa Ana winds, with speeds reaching 100 mph in certain mountain areas, exacerbate fire risks across the region. The National Weather Service warned of a "particularly dangerous situation" in Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Diego counties due to low humidity and extreme gusts. Multiple small wildfires have ignited, including the Lilac Fire in San Diego County, prompting evacuation orders as firefighters work to contain the flames. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband visited Los Angeles to support firefighters and community members affected by the fires, notably the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have claimed 27 lives and ravaged over 14,000 structures since early January. Despite some progress, with the Palisades fire 61% contained and the Eaton fire 87% contained, concerns persist about the potential for new fires. Meanwhile, President Trump, who criticized the response to the wildfires during his inaugural address, has said he will travel to Los Angeles on Friday. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has an answer for President Trump about his idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America:" he can call it whatever he wants on the American part of it. Sheinbaum on Tuesday was working through the raft of executive orders from Trump that relate to Mexico, emphasizing Mexico's sovereignty and the need for dialogue, but when she got to the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, she couldn't help but laugh. "He says that he will call it the Gulf of America on its continental shelf," Sheinbaum said, per the AP . "For us it is still the Gulf of Mexico, and for the entire world it is still the Gulf of Mexico." Trump said in his inaugural address Monday that he will change the name, an idea he first brought up earlier this month during a news conference. "A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America," he said on Monday. Hours later he signed an executive order to do it. Sheinbaum projected on a large screen at her daily press briefing Trump's order called "Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness." The order says that within 30 days, the secretary of the interior will rename the US "Continental Shelf area bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba." Americans and Mexicans diverge on what to call another key body of water, the river that forms the border between Texas and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas. Americans call it the Rio Grande; Mexicans call it the Rio Bravo. The first time Trump mentioned the idea of changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico, Sheinbaum responded sarcastically suggesting instead renaming North America as "America Mexicana" or "Mexican America." (More Claudia Sheinbaum stories.) In one of his many executive orders Monday, President Trump ordered federal employees to return to the office five days a week, ending remote work arrangements for many workers. "Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis," the order states, adding that department and agency heads "shall make exemptions they deem necessary." The order won't cover all federal workers immediately, reports Reuters. Around a quarter of them are unionized, with agreements that cover remote work, though administration officials have suggested the deals could be undone. After the Social Security Administration agreed to a five-year extension of remote work arrangements last month, Trump said it was a "very terrible" move that he would go to court to reverse, the New York Times reports. "If people don't come back to work, come back into the office, they're going to be dismissed." he said. In another order Monday, Trump removed protections from tens of thousands of government workers, CBS News reports. The order, which reinstates a 2020 directive reversed under Joe Biden, makes it easier to fire senior employees, something the White House says is necessary to remove "deep state" workers who oppose Trump's policies. It states that federal employees are required to "faithfully implement administration policies to the best of their ability, consistent with their constitutional oath and the vesting of executive authority solely in the President." The National Treasury Employee Union sued Trump in federal court Monday in an effort to block the order, reports Reuters. (More federal employees stories.) TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com MP Jalal Kadhem has submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister of Finance and National Economy, seeking detailed insights into the voluntary early retirement programme introduced in Bahrain. This inquiry reflects a broader interest among lawmakers in assessing the effectiveness and ramifications of such initiatives on the public sector workforce. In his question, MP Kadhem requests comprehensive data on the number of participants in the programme since its inception. He seeks to ascertain the total number of public sector employees who have retired under this scheme, stressing the necessity for a detailed breakdown of this figure by ministry and specialisation. Such information is vital for understanding which sectors have been most affected and how the programme aligns with government workforce management strategies. Furthermore, the MPs inquiry aims to evaluate the programmes impact on the state budget, specifically questioning whether it has successfully achieved the anticipated savings in salary expenditures. This aspect is crucial for fiscal planning and ensuring that the programme contributes positively to the national economy. Additionally, the question extends to the number of Bahraini public sector employees registered with the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) since the programmes launch, again with a detailed breakdown by ministry and specialisation. The same request is made for non-Bahraini public sector employees, highlighting the programmes broader implications on the labour market. Overall, MP Kadhems question underscores the growing interest in understanding the effectiveness and impact of the voluntary early retirement programme on the Bahraini public sector, as lawmakers seek to ensure that such initiatives are beneficial for both employees MP Jalal Kadhem and the economy. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com Engineering costs squeezing low-income families and drawn-out permit approvals stirred sharp criticism of the Benayat building system during the Muharraq Municipal Council meeting yesterday. Officials presented a review of the systems performance in 2024, with councillors raising concerns over fairness and the strain on residents. The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture revealed that 1,533 permit applications were processed last year, with 1,781 permits issued for new construction covering 1,728,000 square metres. Workload Engineer Najma Abdulredha, who heads the Building Permits Control Section, explained that the workload is spread across Bahrains municipalities. The Northern Municipality saw the highest activity with 578 applications, followed by the Southern Municipality at 438, Muharraq Municipality at 296, and the Capital Secretariat at 221. Applications were largely residential, making up 70 per cent of the total. Investment projects accounted for 4.4 per cent, while industrial and agricultural requests stood at 1.5 per cent and 0.3 per cent respectively. Regulatory requests A further 1.5 per cent was for public benefit projects, and 22.3 per cent fell under special or regulatory requests. Processing times, Abdulredha explained, ranged from one to five days. Our department handles applications in a maximum of five days, she said. If there are delays, theyre usually from engineering offices, not us. Records show that 427 applications were completed within a day, 639 in two days, 377 in three days, and 85 in four days. Five applications required the full five-day period. Certificates Councillor Fadhel Al Oud zeroed in on a 2024 rule requiring engineering certificates for construction under 50 square metres. He said the certificates, which start at BD50, unfairly burden families already struggling to make ends meet. This rule was introduced to help those with limited means, but the certificate costs have made things harder for them, he said. Abdulredha defended the rule, explaining its importance for safety. Confirmation We only ask for confirmation from an engineering office to show that extra work wont compromise the structure, she said. Its about ensuring lives arent put at risk, especially with repeated additions to existing buildings. The discussion turned to broader concerns about the affordability of engineering services and the time taken for approvals. Councillor Abdul qader Mahmoud argued that Bahrain lagged behind other countries where permits are approved within hours. Here, the process drags on for days, he said. Property owners are kept waiting, and theres no oversight on engineering office fees, which are often inflated. Abdulredha acknowledged the frustrations but pointed out that engineering offices operate independently. Theyre private businesses, so we have no control over their prices, she said. Weve already asked the ministerial committee to look into reducing costs for permits and certificates. Planning phase She added that efforts are already moving forward to cut the planning phase for building permits from 60 working days to just 10. Were working on this with the ministerial committee to make the process more efficient, she said. The Benayat system played a major role in construction across Bahrain last year, but ongoing complaints about fees and delays leave officials grappling with how to balance efficiency, safety, and affordability for residents. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The 16th meeting of the Joint Economic Commission between Iran and Azerbaijan began today (January 21) in Tehran, Iran, Head of the International Affairs Center of the Ministry of Transport and Urban Development Amin Taraffo told the Iranian media, Trend reports. Taraffo stated that after a three-year hiatus, the first day of the meeting will involve specialists and experts from both countries discussing various sectors, including economy, trade, culture, transport, tourism, electricity, energy, and other areas of economic cooperation. The official added that a memorandum of understanding will be signed following the conclusion of the experts meeting on January 22, which will be attended by Irans Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, and Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister, Shahin Mustafayev. Taraffo expressed hope that the meeting would yield significant outcomes for the development of relations between the two countries. The official highlighted that one of the key projects to be discussed during the meeting is the development of the Araz Corridor, which connects Azerbaijan to Iran and Nakhchivan via road and railway. The construction of new border terminals and bridges will also be on the agenda. Taraffo emphasized that the joint borders between Iran and Azerbaijan within the North-South International Transport Corridor are of great significance for freight transportation in the region. He expressed optimism that potential obstacles to cooperation would be addressed during this meeting and the necessary measures would be taken to further develop transport relations between the two nations. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com A proposal to limit the Social Insurance Organisations (SIO) charges on pension replacements to BD150 is heading to Parliament for debate today. The suggested change, designed to lessen the financial load on pensioners, has been backed by the Services Committee, which argues that it reflects the need to adapt to social and economic shifts. The proposal, put forward by MP Mohammed Al Maarafi, seeks to amend Article 77 of Bahrains 1975 law governing pensions and retirement benefits for government workers. Under current rules, the SIO provides cash replacements for pension rights based on the applicants age, health, and a set calculation in the law. Ceiling However, no ceiling exists on the amount the organisation can collect as returns. The proposed amendment introduces a cap to make the system fairer and reduce the strain on pensioners. The Services Committees report, submitted on 28 January, emphasises that the amendment is in line with Bahrains Constitution, which obliges the state to ensure social security for its citizens in times of need, such as old age or illness. Financial burden The report argues that the uncapped returns currently charged by the SIO create an unnecessary financial burden for many beneficiaries. Concerns, however, have been raised by the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, which warns that the cap could cut into the SIOs revenue from replacement schemes. These schemes already charge lower rates than private banks, and any drop in revenue could impact the financial health of the pension fund. Warnings The SIO has echoed these warnings, noting that it relies on income from replacement programmes to support the funds sustainability. It highlighted that reforms passed in 2022 were intended to extend the funds lifespan by balancing costs and income. The organisation argues that limiting returns would undo these efforts and reduce its ability to meet obligations now and in the future. Funds The organisation also pointed out that returns from replacement schemes compensate for investment income lost when funds are withdrawn. Additionally, they cover losses incurred when borrowers pass away before repaying, as remaining instalments are written off in such cases. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, emphasized that purposeful art in poetry, singing, and composing, when dedicated to serving national principles, reflects the historical and cultural identity of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He noted that art serves as a vital tool for preserving and documenting the achievements realized during the comprehensive development journey initiated 25 years ago under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, with the support and guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. His Excellency highlighted that art, in its various forms, is an integral part of cultural development, which Bahraini artists embody through their creative works that are passed down through generations. Over time, these works have become a lasting legacy in Bahrain's national memory, encompassing values and meanings that strengthen unity and national belonging. This statement came during a meeting held by His Excellency at Gudaibiya Palace this morning, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Information, and several senior officials. The meeting brought together a group of Bahraini art pioneers, where His Excellency expressed pride in the invaluable contributions of these artists throughout their careers. Their dedication to preserving Bahrain's authentic identity and heritage, and their role in enriching the literary and cultural landscape, has been pivotal in shaping the artistic movement in Bahrain, which continues to receive significant support and care. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com n the wake of a tragic fire at a hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort in Bolu Province, northwest Turkey, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain has expressed profound sympathy and solidarity with the Republic of Turkey. The devastating incident, which has resulted in the loss of lives and injuries to several individuals, has deeply moved Bahrains leadership and citizens. In an official statement, the Ministry conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Turkey, as well as to the families and loved ones of the victims affected by this painful event. The Kingdom of Bahrain stands with Turkey in this time of sorrow, sharing in their grief and offering our sincere prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured, the statement read. This expression of solidarity underscores Bahrains commitment to fostering close ties with Turkey and offering support during challenging times. The tragedy at the Kartalkaya Ski Resort has sent shockwaves across the region, with international condolences pouring in for the victims and their families. Authorities in Turkey are currently investigating the cause of the fire, while emergency responders continue their efforts to assist those affected and mitigate the damage caused by the incident. The Kingdom of Bahrains message of support is a testament to the spirit of compassion and unity that defines its foreign relations, reflecting the shared humanity that binds nations in moments of adversity. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to US President Donald Trump on the occasion of the beginning of his activity as the 47th President of the United States, Trend reports. "Dear Mr. President, I am pleased to extend my sincere congratulations to you on the commencement of your term as the 47th President of the United States and wish you success in your forthcoming, responsible state endeavors for the well-being of the friendly people of America. I am confident that your future actions will play a significant role in promoting global peace and strengthening international security. Azerbaijan and the United States have consistently cooperated closely based on their national security interests in addressing global challenges and threats, including the fight against international terrorism and its various manifestations. I highly appreciate our cooperation, which serves to ensure the energy security of the U.S. allies, is based on positive traditions in the energy sector, and is built on solid foundations. I would like to especially emphasize the continuous support you have provided for our country's energy policy. We are determined to continue our active and productive collaboration with the United States in both traditional and new areas of cooperation, based on mutual trust and confidence, and we look forward to working closely with you in these spheres. I believe that during your new presidency, the friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America will be further strengthened and enriched with new content. Once again, I sincerely congratulate you and wish you good health, happiness, success in your endeavors, and everlasting peace and prosperity for the friendly people of America," the letter reads. MISSISSAUGA, ON, Jan. 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Walmart Canada today announced Venessa Yates would become its new President and Chief Executive Officer, in the coming weeks and pending authorizations. "Venessa is a tremendous retail leader with experience in multiple countries and functions," said Guilherme Loureiro, Regional CEO, Walmart Canada, Chile, Mexico and Central America. "She is the right person to continue to drive Walmart Canada's growth trajectory and its transformation to become the country's leading omnichannel retailer." Venessa Yates appointed as President and CEO of Walmart Canada (CNW Group/Wal-Mart Canada Corp.) Steve Schrobilgen is joining Walmart Canada as Chief Operating Officer, End to End, overseeing Operations, Supply Chain, Real Estate and Format, pending authorizations (CNW Group/Wal-Mart Canada Corp.) Yates has worked with Walmart since 2016. Most recently, she served as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Walmart+, the company's membership program. With a wealth of retail experience, Venessa has assumed various leadership positions at prominent retailers worldwide, such as Walmart, Woolworths, and ALDI Stores. "I'm thrilled to be joining the Walmart Canada team," said Yates. "The Canadian business, with its 100,000 associates and impressive 30-year history, has always been a source of pride. We're currently in growth mode and I'm excited about our future." The company announced that after a long and impressive 25-year career at Walmart, Gonzalo Gebara, the current Walmart President and CEO, will be leaving the company at the end of February in order to return to Argentina to be with his family and pursue other interests. During his time with Walmart Canada, Gebara has played a critical role in accelerating Walmart Canada's transformation towards becoming the leading omnichannel retailer in the country. "I want to personally thank Gonzalo and his family for their 25 years of service," said Loureiro. In addition to Yates, the company announced that Steve Schrobilgen is joining the company as Chief Operating Officer, End to End, overseeing Operations, Supply Chain, Real Estate and Format, pending authorizations. Schrobilgen currently serves as the Senior Vice President, Business Unit Leader for Walmart in the Western U.S., a role he assumed in 2023. Over his 35-year career with Sam's Club and Walmart, Schrobilgen has demonstrated exceptional leadership and operational expertise. His commitment and results-driven approach propelled him through a series of increasingly senior roles at Sam's. Since joining Walmart U.S. in 2023, Steve continues to lead with a focus on driving operational excellence, developing high performing and energetic teams while delivering financial results across key areas of the business. Known for his integrity and high standards, he fosters trust and credibility while inspiring associates to embrace growth and innovation. About Walmart Canada Walmart Canada operates a chain of more than 400 stores nationwide serving 1.5 million customers each day. Walmart Canada's flagship online store, Walmart.ca is visited by more than 1.5 million customers daily. With more than 100,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada's largest employers and is ranked one of the country's top 10 most influential brands. Walmart Canada's extensive philanthropy program is focused on supporting Canadian families in need, and since 1994 Walmart Canada has raised and donated more than $750 million to Canadian charities. Additional information can be found at walmartcanada.ca and on Walmart Canada's social media pages Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn. SOURCE Wal-Mart Canada Corp. Media contact: [email protected] Lithium-sulfur battery and supermaterials firm Lyten is seeking a US$650 million loan from the US import-export bank EXIM to scale up manufacturing and meet BESS orders from the Caribbean region. Lyten has received letters of interest (LI) from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) in support of the financing package, it said this week (18 December). The financing would support the scale-up of Lytens manufacturing capabilities, including a planned 10GWh gigafactory in Reno, Nevada, and a manufacturing plant in California recently acquired from European lithium-ion battery firm Northvolt. An LI is not a commitment to finance a transaction or project, but an indication of financing terms EXIM is prepared to consider based on a limited review of a transaction or project, the bank says on its website. A standard LI from EXIM is followed by an enhanced LI, which includes a loan officer who has the authority to underwrite the proposed transaction. A Preliminary Commitment (PC) is a preliminary offer of financing terms based on a credit evaluation and policy review while a Final Commitment (AP) is an authorisation of EXIM Bank financing. Lyten didnt say whether its LI was standard or enhanced. EXIM and Lyten are also working together to finalize the financing terms to support multiple Lyten memorandums of understanding (MOU) to supply battery energy storage systems (BESS) to customers in Trinidad and Tobago and other countries in the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) region. CARICOM has 20 member and associate states, mainly island states in the Caribbean and a few in Central and South America. Those orders would be served from the San Leandro, California acquired from Northvolt, which recently entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Lithium-sulfur batteries Lyten said its BESS solution will use what it claimed are unique properties of lithium-sulfur battery technology, including a superior temperature range, low self-discharge rate and ultra lightweight characteristics. It has claimed its batteries weigh 60% less than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, the dominant chemistry in the BESS industry. Lithium-ion does not perform well in hot conditions making it challenging to deploy in tropical regions, the firm claimed. Lithium-sulfurs performance actually improves in hot conditions, making it a perfect solution for energy storage in the global south, claimed Celina Mikolajczak, Lytens chief battery technology officer. Lyten is targeting the transportation, aerospace, space, consumer electronics and BESS markets with its technology. However, its focus on cylindrical and pouch formats to-date implies BESS is less of a priority, with prismatic being the form factor of choice for that industry. Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have uncovered how a molecule found on certain bacteria may drive blood clotting in sepsis, a life-threatening condition that causes about 8 million deaths per year. The team in the cardiovascular engineering lab at OHSU has focused on the role of specific blood clotting mechanisms in sepsis, with hopes of improving treatments for critically ill patients. The teams newest study, published in this months issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, focused on lipopolysaccharide, or LPS, a molecule found on the surface of certain bacteria like E. coli. The researchers found that LPS can directly activate proteins in the blood that trigger clotting, which can block blood flow and damage vital organs. This process, known as the contact pathway, involves a chain reaction where proteins in the blood work together to form clots. The researchers showed that one specific type of LPS, called O26:B6, is particularly good at setting off this reaction, making it more likely to cause clotting problems. Sepsis is a dangerous condition where the bodys response to an infection spirals out of control, leading to widespread inflammation, organ failure and problems like excessive blood clotting. Gram-negative bacteria, such as E. coli, are common culprits in sepsis because they release LPS when they invade the bloodstream. These antibodies, created at OHSU, have already been tested in early stage clinical trials and animal models. Weve seen promising results, Lira said. The antibodies seem to stop the clotting caused by certain bacterial infections without harming the patients ability to heal. Shatzel said the need for new therapies for sepsis is critical. The disease kills millions of people annually, and little progress has been made on treatments. The mortality rate of sepsis in the United States can be as high as 50%, and there havent been major breakthroughs in decades, he said. Were still treating it with antibiotics, supportive care, maybe steroids to modulate the immune system, but it is not developed like oncology. We dont have targeted therapies that really improve outcomes. This research could be a game-changer. Abstract Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the primary pathogenic factor in Gram-negative sepsis. While the presence of LPS in the bloodstream during infection is associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation, the mechanistic link between LPS and blood coagulation activation remains ill-defined. The contact pathway of coagulationa series of biochemical reactions that initiates blood clotting when plasma factors XII (FXII) and XI (FXI), prekallikrein (PK), and high molecular weight kininogen interact with anionic surfaceshas been shown to be activated in Gram-negative septic patients. In this study, using an in vivo baboon model of Gram-negative Escherichia coli sepsis, we observed activation of the contact pathway including FXII, FXI, and PK. We examined whether E.coli LPS molecules could bind and activate contact pathway members by quantifying the interaction and activation of either FXII, FXI, or PK with each of the three chemotypes of LPS: O111:B4, O26:B6, or Rd2. The LPS chemotypes exhibited distinct physicochemical properties as aggregates and formed complexes with FXII, FXI, and PK. The LPS chemotype O26:B6 uniquely promoted the autoactivation of FXII to FXIIa and, in complex with FXIIa, promoted the cleavage of FXI and PK to generate FXIa and plasma kallikrein, respectively. Furthermore, in complex with the active forms of FXI or PK, LPS chemotypes were able to regulate the catalytic activity of FXIa and plasma kallikrein, respectively, despite the inability to promote the autoactivation of either zymogen. These data suggest that the procoagulant phenotype of E.coli is influenced by bacterial strain and the physicochemical properties of the LPS chemotypes. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Today I am participating in the trial against Armenians accused of war crimes as an injured party, Suleyman Heydarov, a victim of a landmine explosion in the Aghdam district, told Trend. As a victim, I can note that Armenians accused of crimes against our people have been brought to trial in Azerbaijan. I have no doubt that the rule of justice will be ensured and the accused will be held responsible for their deeds, he said. The next hearing of the criminal case on crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including waging a war of aggression, genocide, forced displacement of population, persecution, torture, robbery, and other illegal acts committed by the State of Armenia and its armed forces, as well as the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic established by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and its illegal armed formations against Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people, began today. The undersigned persons are Harutyunyan Arayik, Ghukasyan Arkady, Saakyan Bako, Ishkhanyan David, Manukyan David, Babayan David, Mnatsakanyan Levon, Beglaryan Vasily, Ghazaryan Eric, Allahverdiyan Davit, Stepanyan Gurgen, Balayan Levon, Babayan Madat, Martirosyan Garik, and Pashayan Melikset, who are charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan according to the periods of their participation in criminal acts: Article 100 (planning, preparation, unleashing or waging a war of aggression), 102 (attack on persons or institutions which enjoy international protection ), 103 (genocide), 105 (destruction of population), 106 (slavery), 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible detention of a person), 112 (deprivation of liberty in violation of international law), 113 (torture), 114 (mercenarism), 115 (violation of the laws or customs of war), 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflicts), 118 (war looting), 120 (premeditated murder), 192 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218 (organization of a criminal association (criminal organization), 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation or carrying of firearms, components, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices), 270-1 (acts endangering aviation safety), 277 (attempt on the life of a state or public figure), 278 (forcible seizure of power or forcible retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional order of the state), 279 (creation of the constitutional order of the state not provided for by the legislation of the Russian Federation), 278 (forcible seizure of power or forcible retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional order of the state), 278 (forcible seizure of power or forcible retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional order of the state). BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. France still doesn't recognize the colonial status of lands owned by it, founder and editor-in-chief of the French news portal "Musulmans en France" and editor-in-chief of the Paris-based online newspaper "La Gazette du Caucase," Jean-Michel Brun said at an international conference titled "Independence of Reunion: A Look at France's Colonial Legacy and the Path to Sovereignty" today, with the organizational support of the Baku Initiative Group, Trend reports. He noted that French colonialism is characterized by a policy of assimilation. "France imposes its culture and history on colonial territories. In Reunion, however, assimilation took on a special form. There were many ethnic groups there previously, but France tried to suppress all these ethnic cultures so that only French culture remained. This led to catastrophic consequences for Reunion. Our current discussions must be heard in the right places so that we can achieve results," Brun added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has extended condolences to Turkiye following the tragic fire at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in the Turkish province of Bolu, which resulted in casualties and injuries, the ministry's publication on the social network "X" said, Trend reports. We are deeply saddened by the news of fatalities and injuries in the fire at the hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, Bolu province, Turkiye. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, to friendly and brotherly Turkiye, and wish a swift recovery to the injured. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A South Jersey resident faces a half-decade in prison after admitting to shooting a man on the Atlantic City boardwalk in what police in 2023 described as a targeted attack outside one of the resorts casinos, authorities said Tuesday. Jahlil Boston, 34, of Egg Harbor City, pleaded guilty on Friday to first-degree aggravated manslaughter in the death of 34-year-old Eric Wynn, who was killed outside of Ballys Atlantic Citys entrance on the boardwalk, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said. Boston faced nine charges, including murder, when he was arrested within minutes of the shooting. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 12. Bostons attorney did not immediately return a request for comment on Tuesday. Atlantic City police found Wynn shot to death in the 1900 block of the boardwalk near the Johnny Rockets restaurant on the boardwalk at the casino March 18, 2023. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Minutes later, Boston was arrested with a semi-automatic gun. The prosecutors office previously described Boston and Wynn as acquaintances. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. Hey there New Jersey! Heres your audio update highlighting the looming deadline for Real ID, a beloved comic book store closing and a scratch-off lottery ticket worth $2 million sold in New Jersey. Plus well tell you about a New Jersey city honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday. Listen by clicking the play button above. This audio presentation is an editorially-curated selection of stories, selected by an editor, and then summarized and read aloud by artificial intelligence. Some variations in pronunciation, tone or diction may result. We want to know what you think! All feedback is valuable. After youve listened, take our 3-question survey here to let us know what you think. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. In his recent column, With my layoff looming, a final word on Gov. Phil Murphy, Tom Moran (the Star-Ledgers editorial page editor) asserts that Phil Murphy has been an inconsequential governor. But Moran omits among Murphys accomplishments the implementation of legal adult-use cannabis in New Jersey. During his eight years as the previous governor, Chris Christie did everything he could to avoid making medicinal marijuana available, even though legislation legalizing it had been signed by Christies predecessor, Jon Corzine. In his 2017 campaign to replace the term-limited Christie, Murphy promised to get the dispensaries open, while his Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, opposed that. Murphys 2021 opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, said he might slow down the rollout of the enabling regulations. By expanding the medical program and legalizing recreational use, Democrat Murphy transformed hundreds of thousands of New Jersey cannabis users from criminals to law-abiding, marijuana tax-paying citizens. That probably would not have happened under a Republican governor. Now that the states legal cannabis industry has matured to the point of doing $1 billion in yearly sales, it is time for Murphy to enhance his legacy by asking state Senate President Nick Scutari to advance S-1393, Sen Vin Gopal and Troy Singletons bill to authorize home cultivation of medical-use cannabis. Real and beneficial reforms like this help individuals, society and the states economy, and can hardly be called inconsequential. Neil Vincent Scheck, Belmar Coverups still haunt Catholic church Concerning the Star-Ledger editorial, Why is Seton Hall hiding this sex abuse report?, which questioned why the university hired as its new president a priest who had been accused of covering up such abuse by other clergy in the Archdiocese of Newark: As a proud and grateful alumna of Seton Hall, and also as a weekly Mass attendee, I am weary, angry and sad that sexual abuse and its coverup continue to hobble and embarrass the Catholic church. The first two sentences of its mission statement read, Seton Hall University is a major Catholic university. In a diverse and collaborative environment it focuses on academic and ethical development. Really? Those within both the archdiocese and the Seton Hall administrations should be held to a high standard of ethics and accountability: Please move beyond obfuscation, and clean up another mess of your own making. Margaret OHara, West Orange New president, new push on climate action After inaugurating a new president, we can all come together on one issue that most of us agree on. Yes, it is climate-change concerns. In the most recent polling from the Yale Climate Opinion survey, a large majority of us agree climate change is a concern, a larger percentage of concern than for most policy issues. Almost 75% of us agree that Global warming is happening, and the same percentage agree that Global warming will harm future generations. And, 58% say they think global warming is already harming citizens in the United States. Plus, 79% agree that schools should teach about global warming. Let us encourage our elected officials to move ahead with renewable energy, along with reductions in greenhouse gases. Mark Thompson, Bernardsville Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Armenian military forces and their militant groups have caused significant suffering to the Azerbaijani people, a victim from the city of Fuzuli, Vidadi Aliyev, told Trend. Aliyev, who participated as a victim in the court hearing involving individuals of Armenian descent accused of war crimes, shared his painful experience with our agency. "The difficulties we faced arose because of those individuals currently facing charges. Armenian soldiers and their bandit gangs destroyed my beautiful home," he said. The victim emphasized that these actions had caused immense suffering to the Azerbaijani people and insisted that those responsible for the crimes should face the appropriate punishment. Today, the next hearing commenced in the criminal case regarding crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the conduct of aggressive warfare, genocide, forced population relocation, persecution, torture, robbery, and other illegal acts committed by Armenia and its armed forces, as well as the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" created by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Judge Zeynal Agayev of the Baku Military Court is leading the court's preparatory session at the Baku Judicial Complex. The preparatory session began on January 17. The defendants are provided with Armenian-language interpreters and defense attorneys. The prosecution is represented by six prosecutors, while the Azerbaijani government is represented by Rufat Mamedov, head of the Cabinet of Ministers' office, as the victim on behalf of the Azerbaijani state. Notably, there are more than 531,000 victims and their representatives in this criminal case. Based on the collected credible evidence, 15 individuals have been charged for crimes committed by the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia and illegal armed formations in a total of 2,548 incidents. The accused are Ghukasyan Arkady Arshaviri (Arshavirovich), Harutyunyan Arayik Vladimiri (Vladimirovich), Sahakyan Bako Sahaki, Ishkhanyan Davit Rubeni, Babayan Davit Klimi (Klimovich), Mnatsakanyan Leva Genrikhi, Manukyan Davit Azati, Martirosyan Garik Grigori, Pashayan Melikset Vladimiri, Allahverdyan Davit Nelsoni, Stepanyan Gurgen Gomerosi, Balayan Levon Romiki, Babayan Madat Arakeli (Arakelovich), Beglaryan Vasili Ivani, and Ghazaryan Erik Roberti. They face charges under several articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, based on the periods of their involvement in criminal acts. The charges include crimes such as planning, preparation, initiation, or waging an aggressive war (Article 100); attacks on internationally protected persons or institutions (Article 102); genocide (Article 103); destruction of population (Article 105); slavery (Article 106); deportation or forcible transfer of population (Article 107); persecution (Article 109); forcible detention (Article 110); deprivation of liberty contrary to international law (Article 112); use of torture (Article 113); mercenarism (Article 114); violations of laws or customs of war (Article 115); violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflict (Article 116); war theft (Article 118); willful killing (Article 120); illegal entrepreneurship (Article 192); terrorism (Article 214); financing of terrorism (Article 214-1); organization of a criminal association (Article 218); illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, or possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and explosive devices (Article 228); acts threatening aviation security (Article 270-1); attempts on the life of a statesman or public figure (Article 277); violent seizure or retention of power, violent change of the constitutional order (Article 278); and the creation of unauthorized armed formations or groups (Article 279), among other offenses. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A Passaic County man was sentenced last week to 69 years in state prison for sexually assaulting a child multiple times over nearly seven years. Sergio Bernal, 36, formerly of Passaic, was arrested after detectives received a report on Aug. 5, 2020, that a 16-year-old had been sexually assaulted in the city. An investigation revealed Bernal sexually abused the victim from October 2013 to August 2020 in multiple homes in Passaic. After his arrest, Bernal attempted to bribe witnesses so they would recant their statements, prosecutors said. President Donald Trump thinks they could have done it much better. The new president was in Washington D.C. for church services Tuesday when Bishop Mariann Budde, born in New Jersey, asked Trump during the service to have mercy on undocumented immigrants and other marginal groups, which Trump has spoken critical of during his campaign. Millions have put their trust in you, Budde said. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. She continued: There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives. And the people, the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and who work the night shifts in hospitals. They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. In a tweet, Meidas Touch, an anti-Trump media company, admired her courage: Wow. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde fearlessly calls out Trump and Vance to their faces. This is heroic. Asked later by reporters what he thought of the service, Trump replied: What did you think? Did you like it, did you find it exciting? Not too exciting, was it? I didnt think it was a good service. No. Thank you very much. They could do much better. To be clear, you're calling for a New Jersey-born bishop to be deported because you don't like that she exercised her First Amendment right by delivering a sermon in accordance with her faith imploring Trump to show empathy to people? https://t.co/BySS0O7UWF Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) January 21, 2025 Trump rolled out a blueprint to beef up security at the southern border in a series of executive orders that began taking effect soon after his inauguration Monday, making good on his defining political promise to crack down on immigration and marking another wild swing in White House policy on the divisive issue. Some of the orders revive priorities from his first administration that his predecessor had rolled back, including forcing asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico and finishing the border wall. Others launched sweeping new strategies, like an effort to end automatic citizenship for anyone born in America and ending use of a Biden-era app used by nearly a million migrants to enter America. Actual execution of such a far-reaching immigration agenda is certain to face legal and logistical challenges. But in a concrete sign of how the changes quickly played out, migrants who had appointments to enter the U.S. using the CBP One app saw them canceled minutes after Trump was sworn in, and Mexico agreed to allow people seeking U.S. asylum to remain south of the American border while awaiting their court cases. I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places in which they came, Trump said in his inauguration speech to thunderous applause. The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Donald Trump has called Jan. 6, which was marked by a violent assault on the U.S. Capitol, as a day of love. Not for former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell. Gonell shared photos of his injuries from rioters with The Bulwarks Sam Stein Tuesday after Trump pardoned and commuted the prison sentences or vowed to dismiss the cases of all of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. Betrayed yet again, Gonell texted Stein, according to a social media post. Trump only pardoned them because they committed crimes under his banner and his behalf. They (Trump and the republicans DO NOT stand with the rule of law and have lost their claim to having more high ground when defending our system of governance, the constitution and supporting police, Gonell said. i asked him last night about Trump's decision to pardon virtually everyone who participated in the riot. here is what he texted back. "betrayed yet again" pic.twitter.com/PulyVAr9iH Sam Stein (@samstein) January 21, 2025 The pardons are a culmination of Trumps yearslong campaign to rewrite the history of the Jan. 6 attack, which left more than 100 police officers injured as the angry mob of Trump supporters some armed with poles, bats and bear spray overwhelmed law enforcement, shattered windows and sent lawmakers and aides running into hiding. While pardons were expected, the speed and the scope of the clemency amounted to a stunning dismantling of the Justice Departments effort to hold participants accountable over what has been described as one of the darkest days in the countrys history. Trump also ordered the attorney general to seek the dismissal of roughly 450 cases that are pending before judges stemming from the largest investigation in Justice Department history. Former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who lost consciousness and suffered a heart attack after a rioter shocked him with a stun gun, appeared taken aback to learn from an Associated Press reporter that those who assaulted police officers are among the pardon recipients. This is what the American people voted for, he said. How do you react to something like that? The Associated Press contributed to this report. Prepare for more of it, JD Vance. Thats the message from longtime Republican turned never-Trumper Sarah Longwell, who shared a video fo a TV interview Vance did with Fox News where he said people who committed violence during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol obviously wouldnt receive a pardon from President Donald Trump. Trump had campaigned on pardoning his supporters who clashed with police and broke into the Capitol after Trump refused to concede to Joe Biden. Trump didnt specify who he would pardon, so it was a question for the incoming vice president. But he got it wrong. Trump pardoned and commuted the prison sentences or vowed to dismiss the cases of all of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, including people convicted of assaulting police officers, using his clemency powers on his first day back in office to undo the massive prosecution of the unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy. Get used to Trump humiliating you like this JD, Longwell posted to X, along with the clip of Vance being asked, Where is the line drawn and who will and will and wouldnt be considered for a pardon? Get used to Trump humiliating you like this JD. (And also all the other Trump apologists who said he wouldnt do the things he kept saying he would do). https://t.co/AFx4nagSiX Sarah Longwell (@SarahLongwell25) January 21, 2025 Vances response: I think its very simple. Look, if you protested peacefully on Jan. 6 and you had Merrick Garlands Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned. If you committed violence on that day, obviously, you shouldnt be pardoned. And theres a little bit of A gray area there, but were very much committed to seeing the equal administration of law. Trumps action, just hours after his return to the White House on Monday, paves the way for the release from prison of people found guilty of violent attacks on police, as well as leaders of far-right extremist groups convicted of failed plots to keep the Republican in power after he lost the 2020 presidential election to Biden. The pardons are a culmination of Trumps yearslong campaign to rewrite the history of the Jan. 6 attack, which left more than 100 police officers injured as the angry mob of Trump supporters some armed with poles, bats and bear spray overwhelmed law enforcement, shattered windows and sent lawmakers and aides running into hiding. While pardons were expected, the speed and the scope of the clemency amounted to a stunning dismantling of the Justice Departments effort to hold participants accountable over what has been described as one of the darkest days in the countrys history. Trump also ordered the attorney general to seek the dismissal of roughly 450 cases that are pending before judges stemming from the largest investigation in Justice Department history. Former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who lost consciousness and suffered a heart attack after a rioter shocked him with a stun gun, appeared taken aback to learn from an Associated Press reporter that those who assaulted police officers are among the pardon recipients. This is what the American people voted for, he said. How do you react to something like that? The Associated Press contributed to this report. Bill Spadea, a Republican candidate for New Jersey governor, is set to leave his much-debated job as host of the morning talk show on the states largest radio station later this month. A state agency decided last June that Spadea could keep his decade-old drive-time show on New Jersey 101.5 FM at least temporarily after announcing his campaign, even though opponents said that gave him an unfair advantage over opponents in the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. Now, Townsquare Media, the stations parent company, confirmed to NJ Advance Media on Monday that Spadea will depart the show next week. Bill will be going off air at the end of the month, company spokesman Brian Lang said in a statement about the change, first reported by Politico New Jersey. Eric Scott, a longtime broadcaster and the stations political director, will temporarily take over as host, Lang added. A spokesman for Spadea did not immediately return a message from NJ Advance Media seeking comment Monday. Spadea, a supporter of President Donald Trump, was in Washington, D.C., this weekend to see Trump sworn in to a second term. Spadea will appear at a campaign breakfast scheduled Jan. 30 to celebrate his departure, according to Politico. He is one of four major Republicans running for the partys nomination in Junes primary and is considered one of the leading candidates. Spadeas show has given him a big platform as he has boosted his profile in recent years as a media personality and influential figure in the Garden States conservative circles. Spadea often talks politics on air, has interviewed Trump on the show, and sometimes drawn controversy for comments about COVID-19 and other topics. Critics, meanwhile, note Spadea criticized Trump in the past despite now running a pro-Trump campaign. When Spadea announced his campaign last year, Townsquare Media said he would stay on the station until he becomes a legally qualified candidate. That, the companys attorneys said, was when Spadea formally files nominating petitions to run. The station also said it would impose guidelines to ensure that Bills on-air presence over the coming months ... are in accordance with New Jersey election law. Still, some critics and opponents argued that effectively gave Spadea hours of free political advertising each day that his opponents would otherwise have to pay the station to receive. They noted it amounted to an in-kind campaign contribution from the station that exceeded the legal limit because of the exposure the show gave the host. The state Election Law Enforcement held a hearing on the issue days after Spadeas launch and determined the host benefits politically from the show but said it would take no action against him and allow him to stay on air, vowing to monitor his comments closely instead. This years gubernatorial race to succeed Murphy is a crowded and heated one. Also running for the Republican nomination are state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, and former state Sen. Ed Durr. Running for the Democratic nod are Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @johnsb01. President Donald Trump wasted no time in criticizing former GOP Reps. Liz Cheney (Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) on Monday. Trump took aim at the two former lawmakers hours after former President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. I was going to talk about the things that Joe did today with the pardons of people that were very, very guilty of very bad crimes, like the unselect committee of political folks, Trump said at remarks at the Capitol after the inauguration ceremony. He then took a shot at Milley, as well as Cheney and Kinzinger, who were the only two Republicans to serve on the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. Why are we trying to help a guy like Milley? Why are we doing Milley?...Why are we helping we helping some of the people? Why are we helping Liz Cheney, I mean, Liz Cheney is a disaster. Shes a crying lunatic and crying, crying, Adam Kinzinger. Hes a super cryer. I never saw the guy not crying. Hes always crying, he added. Trump: Why are we trying to help a guy like Milley? Why are we doing Milley? He was pardoned. What he said.., Why are we helping Liz Cheney? Shes a crying lunatic. Crying Adam Kinzinger. Hes a super cryer pic.twitter.com/m7ocPspIx7 Acyn (@Acyn) January 20, 2025 Kinzinger and Cheney are frequent critics of Trump, especially since he first left office four years ago. Trump has vowed to go after his political opponents during his second term in office. In a joint statement on behalf of the Jan. 6 committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Cheney thanked Biden for the pardon. On behalf of the Members of the Select Committee on the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, we express our gratitude to President Biden for recognizing that we and our families have been continuously targeted not only with harassment, lies and threats of criminal violence, but also with specific threats of criminal prosecution and imprisonment by members of the incoming administration, simply for doing our jobs and upholding our oaths of office, the joint statement read. We have been pardoned today not for breaking the law but for upholding it, it continued. The decision Monday by Biden came after now-President Donald Trump had warned of an enemies list filled with those who have crossed him politically or sought to hold him accountable for his attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss and his role in the Capitol siege four years ago. Trump has selected Cabinet nominees who backed his election lies and who have pledged to punish those involved in efforts to investigate him. The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense, Biden said in a statement. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country. The prospect of such pardons had been the subject of heated debate for months at the highest levels of the White House. Its customary for a president to grant clemency at the end of his term, but those acts of mercy are usually offered to Americans who have been convicted of crimes. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Donald Trump signed more than 100 executive orders starting Day One of the new administration, in what amounts to a shock-and-awe campaign on border security, deportations and a rush of other policy priorities. Trump told Republican senators about the onslaught ahead during a private meeting on Capitol Hill earlier this month. Trump began his first day as the 47th president of the United States with a dizzying display of force, signing a blizzard of executive orders that signaled his desire to remake American institutions while also pardoning nearly all of his supporters who rioted at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Heres a partial list of those executive orders, as compiled by ABC News: - Reinstating the name Mount McKinley - Renaming Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America - Designating Cartels as foreign terrorist organizations - Ending diversity, inclusion, and equity hiring in the federal government - Temporary withdrawal of all areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from Offshore Wind Leasing - Revocation of any active or current security clearances held by the former intelligence officials involved with inappropriate political coordination with the 2020 Biden presidential campaign and John R. Bolton - Granting pardons for January 6 rioters - Reevaluating United States foreign aid - Declaring a national energy emergency - Restoring accountability for career senior executives - Promoting beautiful federal civic architecture - Restoring the death penalty in the US - Routing more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to other parts of California - Securing the United States borders - United States citizenship does not automatically extend to those born in the United States - Realignment of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program - Unleashing Americas affordable and reliable energy and natural resources - Clarifying the militarys role in protecting the US borders - America First trade policy that benefits American workers, manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses - Resolving the backlog of security clearances for Executive Office of the President - Restoring accountability to policy-influence positions within the federal workforce - Withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization - Delaying TikTok ban for 75 days - Putting America First in international environmental agreements - Deliver emergency price relief to the American people - Hiring freeze for federal civilian employees (does not apply to military personnel of the armed forces or to positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety) - Regulatory freeze pending review - Restoring freedom of speech and ending federal censorship - Recissions of dozens of executive orders and actions from Biden administration - Ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government - Only two sexes, male and female, to be recognized by the federal government - Department of Government Efficiency to implement the presidents DOGE Agenda - Putting American and its interests first in foreign policy - Protecting US citizens from terrorist attacks and threats - Tapping into the vast natural resources, energy, and seafood in Alaska - Ensuring the federal government carries out United States immigration laws - Pulling the US from the Paris Agreement - Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border of the United States - Pulling the US out of the global corporate tax deal secured by Biden - Organization of the National Security Council and subcommittees The Associated Press contributed to this report. One of President Donald Trumps first orders of business this week was to retaliate against more than four dozen former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter saying that the Hunter Biden laptop saga bore the hallmarks of a Russian information operation. His strike came in the form of revoking security clearances. ... At least 51 former intelligence officials coordinated with the Biden campaign to issue a letter discrediting the reporting that President Joseph R. Bidens son had abandoned his laptop at a computer repair business. Signatories of the letter falsely suggested that the news story was part of a Russian disinformation campaign, reads Trumps executive order. The action is an early indication of Trumps determination to exact retribution on perceived adversaries and is the latest point of tension between Trump and an intelligence community of which he has been openly disdainful. The sweeping move, announced via executive order Monday, also sets up a potential court challenge from ex-officials seeking to maintain access to sensitive government information. The list includes prominent officials like James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence under President Barack Obama and John Brennan, Obamas former CIA director. Also targeted is John Bolton, who was fired as Trumps national security adviser during his first term and later wrote a book whose publication the White House sought to block on grounds that it disclosed national security information. At issue is an October 2020 letter signed by former intelligence officials who raised alarms about the provenance of emails reported by The New York Post to have come from a laptop that President Joe Bidens son, Hunter, had dropped off at a Wilmington, Delaware, computer repair shop. The newspaper said it had obtained a hard drive of the laptop from longtime Trump ally Rudy Giuliani, and the communications that it published related to Hunter Bidens business dealings in Ukraine. It was not clear how many of the former officials still maintain security clearances. The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Donald Trumps executive order calling for an end to birthright citizenship in the U.S. is illegal, unconstitutional and will wreak havoc on hundreds of thousands of families, said state Attorney General Matthew Platkin, who announced New Jersey and 17 other states just sued to stop the order from taking effect. Birthright citizenship was established after the Civil War under the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which says: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. (People admitted to the country legally are considered naturalized.) The president cannot with a stroke of a pen write the 14th amendment out of existence, Platkin told reporters at a press conference Tuesday in Newark to announce the lawsuit. Trumps order would only affect children born after the executive action goes into effect in 30 days, according to the document the Republican signed Monday shortly after taking the oath of office. Platkin said he and his staff anticipated the attack on birthright citizenship and have been working for weeks to prepare the challenge. We know that the order would wreak havoc and chaos on hundreds of thousands of children who are born in this country to non-citizen parents each year will suddenly have an uncertain, legal status. Thats at least 420 children born every single day if this order were to take effect, said Platkin, the attorney general appointed by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. The states ability to safeguard their well-being to provide basic services like health care and special education needs would be thrown into disarray, he added. The White House said its ready to face the states in court and called the lawsuits nothing more than an extension of the Lefts resistance. Radical Leftists can either choose to swim against the tide and reject the overwhelming will of the people, or they can get on board and work with President Trump, White House deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said in a statement. Trumps order says the federal government will not recognize children as U.S. citizens if their mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the persons father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident. Babies would not be considered citizens even if their mothers presence in the United States was lawful but temporary and the persons father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth," the order said. Platkin called the order extreme and warned that if it is allowed to stand, it will rewrite the Constitution for the first time in our nations history. New Jersey is joined as plaintiffs in the case by California, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, the District of Columbia and the City of San Francisco. The case was filed in Massachusetts federal district court. Later Tuesday, attorneys general from Arizona, Illinois, Oregon and Washington announced their own lawsuit against the order. An estimated 6,200 babies in New Jersey and 150,000 nationally are born to parents who are not in the country legally, according to the lawsuit. The leader of the ACLU of New Jersey praised the states' lawsuit. Last night, shortly after the executive order was issued, the ACLU and our partners went to court to challenge the Trump administrations blatant disregard of the Constitution, ACLU-NJ Executive Director Amol Sinha said. Today, were grateful that New Jersey Attorney General Platkin is leading a group of 18 states in filing suit to stop the unlawful order from taking effect. Its clear that New Jersey will not be intimidated by authoritarianism, Sinha added. Instead, our state will lead by example in defending civil rights and liberties for all who call it home. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on X @SusanKLivio. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The avenues of the quaint yet internationally celebrated and prestigious Swiss town of Davos have once more transformed into a theater for grand aspirations and profound anxieties. The World Economic Forum (WEF), which began yesterday and runs until January 24, brings together global leaders, business giants, and public figures, symbolizing not only global dialogue but also a reflection of humanity's most pressing issues. At the heart of the forums discussions are ongoing wars, climate catastrophes, and the promises and perils of artificial intelligence, alongside key political developments like the return of Donald Trump to the political scene. This years forum, held for the 55th time, takes place amid ongoing global upheaval, with military conflict in Ukraine, challenges in the Middle East, and the escalating climate crisis. Yet, despite these crises, Davos remains a space for searching for solutions, even when they may seem utopian. The forum's opening coincided with Donald Trump's inauguration, a moment of significant importance. The U.S. president addressed participants online, with his words expected to be analyzed for their prophetic implications. Trump's return to the White House represents a resurgence of chaotic populism, with promises to restore protectionism, ramp up pressure on both allies and competitors, and reassess global trade rules, which have sparked immediate concerns in the business community. Davos participants are trying to predict how Trump's policies could affect the global economy. Preliminary estimates suggest that his approach could reduce global economic growth by four-tenths of a percentage point, placing additional burdens on economies like Germany and China, which are already facing challenges. Germany, China, and other emerging economies are already assessing the potential impact of Trump's trade policies, with significant losses on the horizon. Meanwhile, investors are scrambling to adapt to a new reality, where shifting U.S. priorities could once again disrupt the global trade balance. Trumps first term led to increased trade and investment, but the current situation is much more complicated. Protectionism could become an obstacle, not a stimulus, for the global economy, World Economic Forum (WEF) President Brge Brende noted. Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director of the WEF, emphasized the need to rethink economic growth, stating, "We need growth that prioritizes people's well-being. Its not just about GDP figures; its about quality of life, fighting inequality, and addressing environmental challenges." These statements resonate like a manifesto for a new era, where economic success is no longer just about export volumes and productivity, but also about the worlds commitment to the planet and the people who inhabit it. The release of a report on global risks ahead of the forum prompted deep reflection. Experts ranked interstate armed conflicts as the top threat, emphasizing that the war in Ukraine is not just a regional issue but a warning for the entire world. Following this are extreme weather events and a growing geo-economic conflict, which are impacting both wealthy and impoverished nations alike. Risks are no longer a distant concernthey are quickly becoming a harsh reality. While Davos may not have all the answers, it remains a crucial space to confront these challenges and begin the search for solutions. As these discussions unfold, a key theme of the forum is the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), a technology that has already transformed the world by creating millions of new jobs but also rendering many professions obsolete. Davos offers a platform to view this as a challenge, suggesting the need for retraining, adaptation, and helping people find new roles in this new reality. According to a study by the American company Workday, creativity, empathy, and the ability to make ethical decisions are set to become the most valuable skills in the labor market. The key question remains: are governments and companies ready for these changes? Davos 2025 represents a critical turning point in the world's transformation. The central question is whether we dare to face these challenges head-on and turn them into opportunities. The year 2025 brings with it a sense of alarming uncertainty. Global divisions are widening, geopolitical alliances are shifting, and economies are grappling with stagnation, rising debt, and escalating global inequality. The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos is putting pressure on political and business leaders to find a way out of this relentless cycle. Forum President Brge Brende captured the essence of the situation: "This is happening against the most challenging geopolitical and geoeconomic backdrop in decades." Elections in several key countries, including the United States, have revealed a growing disillusionment with traditional elites, with voters increasingly favoring those promising radical change. This shift sends a clear message: the world is weary of the status quo. But the pressing question remainshow can we find a path forward without escalating conflicts or dismantling international cooperation? While Davos may not offer a full resolution to these crises, it serves as an essential space for understanding their complexities and beginning the search for viable solutions. This forum, where the most difficult issues are debated and solutions sought, has the potential to guide humanity toward a future course of action. The 55th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos has once again captivated global attention. From January 20 through 24, government officials, leaders of major corporations, and representatives of civil society organizations gathered in the iconic Swiss city to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. On the agenda are critical issues such as revitalizing global economic growth, tackling climate change, managing the effects of the technological revolution, and navigating the consequences of ongoing global conflicts. For Azerbaijan, Davos is not just another international event but an important opportunity to strengthen the countrys global position, attract investments, and build strategic partnerships. The forum also addresses conflicts that continue to shake the international community. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has returned to Davos, underscoring the ongoing war in Ukraine. Simultaneously, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and growing tensions in the Middle East remain at the forefront of discussions. According to the WEF's report, interstate armed conflicts and geo-economic tensions are among the top global threats in 2025. This stark reality highlights the deep divisions within the global system and challenges forum participants to take decisive steps in mitigating these risks. Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies are dramatically reshaping the world. Projections suggest that by 2030, these innovations will create 170 million new jobs. However, they will also render 92 million existing professions obsolete, highlighting the disruptive potential of this technological revolution. Davos discussions not only center on the risks posed by global changes, but also on the opportunities they present. A major topic is how to adapt education systems and retrain millions of workers to navigate the labor market of the new era. The forum is examining ways to equip people with the skills needed for an increasingly digital and automated world. Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director of the WEF, underscored the profound opportunity the technological revolution offers humanity. "The era of technology demands a new level of cooperation. This is not just about economicsit is a matter of human survival," he noted. His words emphasize the critical need for collective action in facing the challenges posed by technological advancement. For Azerbaijan, Davos provides a unique platform to advance its non-oil sector, focusing on opportunities in green energy, transit potential, and technological innovations. Azerbaijans strategic vision, particularly regarding the transformation of Karabakh and the Eastern Zangezur Economic Zone into a green hub, is attracting growing international attention. In 2024, Azerbaijan signed landmark agreements with ACWA Power (Saudi Arabia) and Masdar (UAE) for the construction of solar and wind power plants with a combined capacity of 700 megawatts. Davos 2025 offers an ideal setting for showcasing these projects and securing further investments. Azerbaijans strategic location along the Middle Corridor positions it as a vital transit hub connecting Europe and Asia. The country's growing importance is heightened by the sanctions placed on Russia, which further solidify Azerbaijans role in regional and global trade routes. Projections indicate that Azerbaijan could see a 20 percent increase in transit revenues over the next three years. Davos provides a favorable environment for advancing discussions and forging new agreements with key partners, including China, Kazakhstan, and Turkiye. For Azerbaijan, addressing climate change is of paramount importance, both from a strategic and economic standpoint. The ongoing decline in the Caspian Sea's water levels, recurring droughts, and soil degradation are all having a profound impact on the countrys agricultural sector, which remains a vital part of its economy. Azerbaijans active participation in climate change discussions at Davos creates valuable opportunities for collaboration with international organizations. By partnering with institutions like the Green Climate Fund, Azerbaijan can initiate and implement projects focused on reforestation, sustainable water management, and combating desertification. Davos is not just a venue for dialogue; it is a powerful platform for Azerbaijan to demonstrate its growing potential to the worlds leaders. At this forum, the country can highlight its achievements in green energy, transit infrastructure, and technological innovation, while simultaneously strengthening its geopolitical and economic standing. Davos 2025 represents a pivotal moment for Azerbaijana forum not only for international cooperation but also a gateway to the realization of its long-term strategic goals. The initiatives launched at this global event will undoubtedly contribute to the further development of Azerbaijan and enhance its role on the global stage. More than just a gathering of world leaders, Davos 2025 marks an important turning point for Azerbaijan. It presents a unique opportunity to solidify the countrys position as a key player in the fields of energy, logistics, and technology. By advancing national interests and attracting strategic investments, Azerbaijan has the potential to leverage this platform as a catalyst for its sustained growth and development. In a world marked by global upheaval and uncertainty, Azerbaijan proves that even a relatively small nation can make a significant impact on the international stage. The key to this success lies in its ability to adapt, innovate, and focus on the future. Davos is not just a venue for dialogue; it is an exceptional opportunity to turn national ambitions into global achievements. Amidst ongoing global conflicts, Azerbaijan has showcased its peacekeeping potential. The countrys successful reintegration of Karabakh, the rebuilding of war-torn infrastructure, and its active promotion of peace initiatives have set a powerful example for others. Azerbaijans involvement in mediation efforts, such as providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and contributing to the restoration of conflict-affected regions, further bolsters its role in international diplomacy. In addition to its diplomatic strides, Azerbaijan is enhancing its position in the global energy security landscape. The Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), which exported 12 billion cubic meters of gas in 2024, has become a key instrument in reducing the European Union's reliance on Russian energy. New agreements under discussion in Davos could not only increase Azerbaijans gas exports but also expand the range of its energy partnerships, solidifying the country as an indispensable energy partner for Europe. Davos also presents Azerbaijan with a unique opportunity to forge stronger ties with leaders from developing regions in Asia and Africa. In 2024, Azerbaijan already signed agreements with Indonesia and Pakistan to supply agricultural products. This forum offers an ideal setting for further negotiations that could enhance Azerbaijans reputation as a reliable and vital exporter. As the WEF noted, extreme weather events and climate change will be among the primary global threats in 2025. These issues are especially pressing for Azerbaijan, where droughts and desertification pose significant risks to the agricultural sector. Davos provides a crucial platform for attracting international investment in climate-related projects. Engaging with the Green Climate Fund could facilitate the implementation of initiatives such as forest restoration and water management in regions like Karabakh and Shirvan. At the same time, Azerbaijan can play a pivotal role in regional environmental efforts, such as the protection of the Caspian Sea ecosystem and the sustainable management of transboundary water resources. By doing so, Azerbaijan can further enhance its international standing as a responsible and proactive environmental leader. Davos is not merely a venue for discussion; it is a powerful platform for Azerbaijan to showcase its potential and deepen its international alliances. By emphasizing its advancements in green energy, transit, and technology, Azerbaijan is strengthening its position on the global stage. As the world gathers at this hub of global cooperation, Azerbaijan's active participation in Davos 2025 provides crucial opportunities for the country to achieve its strategic goals. The initiatives presented at this forum will not only drive Azerbaijans economic growth but also bolster its standing in international affairs. Beyond discussions of geopolitical and economic issues, the Davos Forum offers Azerbaijan an invaluable opportunity to present its rich cultural heritage to the world. Showcasing the countrys national art, music, cuisine, and other traditions helps cultivate a positive image on the international stage. These cultural initiatives do more than enhance diplomatic ties; they elevate Azerbaijan as a growing cultural and tourist destination. The revival of Azerbaijans ancient culture, especially amid the restoration of Karabakh, positions the country as a regional leader with a rich, historical legacy. Davos 2025 provides Azerbaijan with the opportunity not only to adapt to rapidly shifting global dynamics but also to leverage these conditions to strengthen its role. Leadership in energy, environmental responsibility, successful reintegration of Karabakh, and expanding partnerships with Asia, Africa, and Europe set the foundation for long-term success. By fully engaging with the forum, Azerbaijan is prepared to present itself as a reliable partner and regional leader. The country is not just solving its challenges; it is demonstrating its capacity to contribute to global stability and prosperity. Davos 2025 marks a pivotal moment for Azerbaijan to showcase its readiness to step up and demonstrate its capability to guide the world through this time of significant change. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaija BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. On January 21, an operational meeting of the Land Forces was held under the leadership of Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense. The meeting was attended by Deputy Ministers, Commanders of types of troops (forces), Chiefs of Main Departments, Departments and Services, as well as Land Forces headquarters and army corps Commanders. "The operational meeting commenced with commemorating the memory of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the Martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. The Minister of Defense delivered to the meeting participants the tasks assigned to the Azerbaijan Army by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev. The meeting also discussed measures for combat training of military units and the state of military discipline. The minister gave relevant instructions on improving the service-combat activity of military units, increasing vigilance, as well as on the accurate and timely execution of upcoming tasks. The significance of prioritizing all supplies for units performing combat duties in challenging terrain and high-altitude environments, as well as enhancing their moral and psychological training, was emphasized. In the end, the importance of focusing on the high-quality implementation of the measures was noted," the ministry added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A series of hospital building projects in England face significant delays, with some not commencing for up to 14 years, the government has confirmed. Among the affected sites is North Devon District Hospital (NDDH), which will now see construction work postponed until 2035 at the earliest. The plans, part of a 2019 Conservative election pledge to build 40 new hospitals by 2030, have been deemed unaffordable, according to Health Secretary Wes Streeting. On Monday, January 20, the government announced an additional seven projects had been prioritised, with building work slated to begin by 2029. However, 18 other projects will be delayed further, with construction starting in phases from 2032 and 2035. For some, the timeline could extend as far as 2039. North Devon MP Ian Roome expressed disappointment at the decision, describing it as a "devastating blow" to the local community. Mr Roome, a Liberal Democrat, has been a strong advocate for the redevelopment of NDDH, which he emphasised is critical due to the hospitals status as mainland Englands most remote district general hospital. According to Mr Roome. the New Hospital Programme in North Devon already had a delivery partner already on board and was going through final business case approvals. In Parliament on the evening of Janaury 20, Mr Roome reiterated the urgency of the situation, highlighting the severe risks posed to patient safety by the delay. He also called on Health Ministers to visit North Devon to witness the challenges firsthand; a request Wes Streeting agreed to. Mr Roome did not hold back in his criticism of the former Conservative government, accusing it of breaking its promise to the nation. The MP for North Devon, Ian Roome, called it a devastating decision. Mr Roome told the Gazette that he had been campaigning for the funding since first being elected in what Health Secretary Wes Streeting deemed a dogged pursuit of health and care investment in North Devon. Mr Roome said NDDH faces unique challenges as mainland Englands most remote hospital, and highlighted the risks posed by the condition of critical infrastructure, particularly in theatres and critical care. Mr Roome added: The New Hospital Programme in North Devon already had a delivery partner on board and was going through final business case approvals, so this will be a bitter disappointment to all involved. Ian Roome MP also called on the government to release its impact assessment into what the delays to the project would mean for patients in North Devon. He said: This is a devastating decision. Patient safety here in North Devon is at risk and we have been desperately let down. We simply cant wait any longer for North Devon District Hospital to be rescued. The Conservatives broke their word to our community and now this government has kicked the issue into the long grass. The neglect of NDDH will have a ripple effect on the entire Devon healthcare system. Both the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and Derriford Hospital already face serious pressure on service delivery, and confronting NDDHs patient load would be catastrophic. It could also translate to the local population having long travel times to the next nearest hospital at our site in Exeter, he added. The Health Secretary must immediately publish the impact assessment of what the delays to completing North Devon District Hospital will mean for people here in North Devon and how much longer we will have to suffer with not fit for purpose local health services. I will continue fighting for our community day in and day out until we get the commitments we need. I am furious at the former Conservative government for misleading our nation. We were promised transformative change, only to see it discarded and delayed. This is unacceptable, and we will not let it go unchallenged. The new timetable set out by the government promises construction to start from 2032 on: Leeds General Infirmary Sutton Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (London) Whipps Cross Hospital (London) Princess Alexandra Hospital (London) Watford General Hospital Leicester General Hospital Kettering General Hospital (Northants) Musgrove Park Hospital (Somerset) Torbay Hospital (Devon) Then from 2035 on: BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. A memorandum was signed between the Azerbaijani Baku Initiative Group and Reunion Islands "Ka Ubuntu" independence movement organization, Trend reports. The memorandum was signed by Abbas Abbasov, Executive Director of the Baku Initiative Group, and Romain Katambara, Chairman of the Ka Ubuntu movement organization, at an international conference in Azerbaijans Baku titled "Reunion's Independence: A Look at France's Colonial Legacy and the Path to Sovereignty." The memorandum outlines practical cooperation between the two organizations. Notably, Reunion is the 11th region with which the Baku Initiative Group has formed a partnership. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) officials announced a $10,000 cash reward for information regarding a wolf poaching incident on private property in Morrow County. The Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) has a standing reward of $10,000 for wolf poaching in that area, raising the reward total to $20,000. Photo provided by istock.com//AB Photography Wildlife officials discovered the carcass of a gray wolf, identified as OR 159, on November 8. The wolf was on private land, about 20 miles south of Heppner, and law enforcement officials were quick to announce rewards for information leading to an arrest or citation in the case. Reporting parties can choose to remain anonymous and may opt for five ODFW hunter preference points instead of cash rewards. The incident is a reminder that protected species like wolves draw significant interest and corresponding high dollar rewards when they are poached. Rewards stand at $12,100 or five ODFW hunter preference points for information related to poachers shooting a yearling wolf south of Prairie City in Grant County, on or about May 19, 2024. ODFW biologists and OSP F&W Troopers located the carcass on private property, about 11 miles SE of Prairie City, adjacent to County Road 62. Officials believe the yearling male wolf died between late evening on May 18, and early morning on May 19, after being shot from the roadway. OWC is offering $11,500 and Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) is offering an additional $600. Rewards stand at $38,700 for information related to the poisoning deaths of three gray wolves and two golden eagles in the Snake River Wildlife Management Unit and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, about 11 miles northeast of the town of Imnaha. From February through March 2024, OSP F&W Troopers located the remains of a female gray wolf, a male gray wolf, a juvenile gray wolf, two golden eagles, a cougar, and a coyote in the Lightning Creek drainage, which is a tributary to the Imnaha River. Testing and examinations conducted by the Clark R. Bavin National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory determined all seven animals died from poison. Wallowa County is located east of Highway 395 where gray wolves are not listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act but are protected by Oregon state law. Eagles are federally protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. USFWS is offering $25,000, OWC is offering $12,500, OHA is offering $1,200, or a reporting party may opt for up to eight ODFW hunter preference points instead of cash for information that leads to an arrest or citation in the case. Rewards stand at $60,000 for information regarding the deaths of three endangered gray wolves east of Bly in southern Oregon. The deaths occurred in an area of known wolf activity, as defined by ODFW, across portions of Klamath and Lake counties. On December 29, 2023, OSP F&W Troopers and an ODFW biologist discovered three wolf carcasses. The wolves were identified as the adult breeding female OR115 and the subadult OR142 from the Gearhart Mountain Pack. The third wolf was also a subadult. Anyone with information about any of these cases should call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (503) 682-6131, or the Oregon State Police Dispatch at (800) 452-7888, or the Turn In Poachers TIP Line at *OSP (*677), or email [email protected]. Sisters was certified as an International DarkSky Community this month by DarkSky International, making the city the second community in Oregon to be so designated (Antelope announced their designation several weeks ago). Sisters is the sixth International DarkSky Place in Oregon, joining such places as the Oregon Outback to the east and Oregon Caves National Monument. Photo by Brian Jennings The designation is the culmination of many years of dark sky advocacy by the Sisters community to help bring about awareness of the importance of preserving our nighttime skies for current and future generations to experience its wonder and to protect the wildlife that depend on darkness. It is also an opportunity to further that education and to retrofit poor lighting, ensure responsible lighting going forward, and market the related tourism benefits the designation brings to a largely tourist-dependent community. Bill Kowalik, PhD, chairperson of DarkSky Oregon, issued the following statement: "The City of Sisters has now set a community standard for responsible outdoor lighting in Oregon. It's a standard that benefits residents, visitors, and the surrounding wild environment. This international certification brings recognition to Sisters, known to visitors for culture and arts, and now globally, for environmental protection of dark skies, too." The effort to protect the night skies over Sisters began over 20 years ago, started by members of the Sisters Astronomy Club and the students in the astronomy program at Sisters High School, led by science teacher Rima Givot. Efforts included: Education through city newsletters and website, social media, newspaper articles, and flyers placed at public buildings and community events. Recent, wholesale update to the City's Dark Skies Outdoor Lighting Ordinance incorporating the required elements to apply for DarkSky certification. Establishment of astronomy curriculum education in the high school and formation of an Astronomy Club for students and adults. Commitment from the Sisters City Council to explore replacement or retrofit of publicly owned lighting that does not conform to the lighting ordinance. City staff ensuring compliance of new public and private lighting with the recently updated outdoor lighting ordinance (designed to comply with all DarkSky requirements). Regular collection of data and readings on outdoor lighting levels and monitoring of the impact of sky glow on our community. Letters of support from the Mayor, Oregon Chapter of the International DarkSky Association, and multiple local business owners and residents. Photo by Jarod Gatley Members of the Sisters Dark Sky Committee who worked to earn the international certification include: Scott Woodford, community development director; Rima Givot, Sisters High School science teacher; Scott Humpert, executive director of Explore Sisters; Ron Thorkildson, Sisters Astronomy Club; and Sue Stafford, freelance writer. Many other people made valuable contributions over the years to this effort including Mel Bartels and Barbara Bajec, amateur astronomers, other members of Sisters Astronomy Club, local photographers, City staff, past Sisters City Councils, and numerous local citizens who encouraged the efforts. High school science teacher Givot expressed her appreciation for the community's desire to protect the night sky over Sisters: "Being able to gaze at an infinite sea of stars and feel our place in the universe has been an integral part of living in Sisters. The community values caring for and connecting with the natural world and came together to make sure the legacy of our starry skies continues. The DarkSky community certification will ensure that we can continue to feel wonder as we gaze at the Milky Way on a clear night over the mountains and feel our sense of place and connection." According to Community Development Director Woodford, "With the recent adoption of the City's Dark Skies Outdoor Lighting Ordinance and this designation as an International DarkSky Community, next will be a big push in the community for education - both on the benefits of preserving the dark skies and how residents and business owners can help achieve that with retrofits of non-compliant lighting. This will be done with articles in the local newspaper, community events such as star gazing parties, and providing funding assistance to the community to change out old lights." Former Mayor of Sisters Michael Preedin has been a staunch advocate for securing the DarkSky certification and had this to say: "Way to go Sisters! I am proud to announce that Sisters is officially a DarkSky certified city! We tried really hard to become the first City in Oregon with the designation, but alas, Antelope became the first city just weeks ago, so we will take pride in being the second. This is another accomplishment that the Sisters community can proudly enjoy. Fostering our local environment by removing light pollution is something that helps all of humanity, not to mention, hello, astro-tourism. What a great accomplishment! "We all need to thank people that have been working on this for years before the City and the rest of the community joined the movement, namely the Sisters Astronomy Club. They created the momentum to see this through. We sure do punch above our weight! "Moving forward, expect guidance on how the community can join in getting dark-skies ready. We plan on helping guide businesses and residences to changeout existing non-compliant light fixtures and help those that may need more assistance. We will also keep you informed of what the City and other public entities will be doing to also comply, as we are all in this together. "Keep being Sisters!" Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a non-regulatory and voluntary program encouraging communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe. Sisters now joins more than 230 places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution. For more information, visit https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/. The mission of DarkSky is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. Learn more at http://www.darksky.org, where the entry describing Sisters can also be found. Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan DAVOS, Switzerland, January 21. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Henrik Poulsen, Chair of the Supervisory Board of Carlsberg Group, and Jakob Aarup-Andersen, Chief Executive Officer, on January 21 in Davos at the companys request, Trend reports. Henrik Poulsen highlighted his companys successful operations in Azerbaijan and expressed satisfaction with the countrys investment climate. He particularly praised the framework provided by Azerbaijan for protecting property rights and thanked President Ilham Aliyev for the favorable conditions created for foreign investors. The head of state was informed about Carlsberg Groups plans to increase the level of localization of its products manufactured in Azerbaijan and expand its operations in the country. The meeting touched on cooperation between Azerbaijan and Carlsberg Group. Trump took office, vowing Americas decline is over Donald Trump completed his remarkable return to power yesterday as he was sworn in as the 47th U.S. president. The golden age of America begins right now, Trump declared in his Inaugural Address delivered at the Capitol, shortly after he took the oath of office. Much as he did eight years ago, Trump painted a grim portrait of a country on its knees that only he could revive. From this moment on, Americas decline is over, he said. Follow our live updates from Inauguration Day. In his address, Trump vowed to immediately declare a national emergency at the border with Mexico and send the military to guard it. (More on that below.) He said he would end government programs promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. At 12:01 p.m. Eastern today, Donald Trump was sworn in as president of the United States. His return to the White House for a second term caps a political comeback unlike any other in U.S. history. He was voted out of office, impeached, indicted and convicted of 34 felonies. Now, Trump is leading the country again. Cold weather in Washington caused the inauguration to be moved inside the Capitol Rotunda, the capacity of which narrowed the crowd to several hundred V.I.P.s. There, Trump delivered an inaugural speech vowing to save the U.S. from decline. Read an annotated version, and see the words he used most. The golden age of America begins right now, Trump declared. My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all these many betrayals that have taken place and give people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy and indeed their freedom. In his address, Trump largely dispensed with the broad unifying strokes that most presidents have turned to on the occasion. One of the things that was striking about his speech was how much it was about him and his journey as much as it was about the country, our chief White House correspondent Peter Baker told me. He said that God saved him from an assassins bullet so he could save the country. And, he said, We arent going to do the wind thing. Mr. Trumps dramatic pivot to fossil fuels comes after the hottest year in recorded history and as scientists say the world is running out of time to keep global warming at relatively low levels. Last year, emissions from burning coal, oil and gas helped push average global temperatures past 1.5 degrees Celsius, or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, above preindustrial levels. Scientists have said that every fraction of a degree of warming above that level brings greater risks from deadly heat waves, wildfires, drought, storms and species extinction. Many of Mr. Trumps energy policies cannot be achieved with the mere stroke of a pen because some would require action by federal agencies or Congress and others could face legal challenges. He also could not, by fiat, rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, or Denali in Alaska, the highest mountain peak in North America, to Mount McKinley. Mr. Trump promised to do both. But taken together, the declarations underscore how Mr. Trump views the world: oil and gas are symbols of strength and power, and plentiful fossil fuels will ensure that the United States is able to dominate allies and rivals alike. Unspoken was the fact that the country is historically the biggest source of the greenhouse gases that are dangerously heating the planet. Instead, Mr. Trump said the United States had the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on earth, and we are going to use it. We will bring prices down, fill our strategic reserve up again, right to the top, and export American energy all over the world. The remarks earned a standing ovation in the Capitol Rotunda, where Mr. Trump spoke, and applause at the Hay-Adams hotel in downtown Washington, where some of the countrys leading oil and gas executives popped champagne and ate mini Pop-Tart pastries with Mr. Trumps image. The party was sponsored by Harold Hamm, the billionaire founder of Continental Resources, an oil company, who helped raise millions of dollars for Mr. Trumps campaign. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov has sent a letter of condolences to Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz on January 21, Trend reports. Asadov noted that with deep sadness he received the news about human casualties and victims of the fire in a ski center in the Turkish province of Bolu. In connection with this tragedy, he expressed deep condolences to the Vice President of Turkiye, families, and relatives of the victims, and the brotherly people of Turkiye, and wished recovery to all the wounded. To note, the fire started last night at around 03:30 local time on the fourth floor of the 11-story hotel building. 30 fire engines and 28 ambulances were sent to the scene. According to the latest data, 66 people died in the fire and 51 people were injured. New Jerseys Democratic governor, Philip D. Murphy, asked President Trump on Monday to re-examine New Yorks congestion pricing program, which is charging drivers $9 to enter Manhattans central business district and which his state had unsuccessfully sued to block. Mr. Trump has already declared his distaste for congestion pricing. He called the plan, which New Yorks Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul, rushed to implement right after he won the election, the most regressive tax known to womankind, and warned that it would put New York City at a disadvantage over competing cities and states, and businesses will flee. In a letter on Monday, Governor Murphy reminded Mr. Trump, on his first day in office, of his comments, adding, I welcome any opportunity to work with you and your administration where we can find common ground. One area where I believe our priorities align is congestion pricing. Echoing some of Mr. Trumps language, he declared New Yorks plan a disaster for working- and middle-class New Jersey commuters and residents. New Yorks congestion pricing program, the first of its kind in the nation, was decades in the making and withstood lawsuits, including from New Jersey officials who argued that it was an unfair tax on residents and would also increase traffic and pollution in their state. The toll charges most drivers to enter Manhattans central business district, below 60th Street, from morning until night. For four years, he has tried to stage-manage the erasure of his role in inspiring the assault. It was only hours after the attack that his allies in the House and on Fox News began sowing doubt about the motivation for the rioters, claiming it was organized by leftists masquerading as Trump supporters. By 2022, when he was under investigation by the House Jan. 6 committee, he began referring to the rioters as political prisoners persecuted by Democrats and openly suggesting that the F.B.I. had helped stage the attack. By the time his presidential campaign was in full swing last year, he had completely transformed the days monstrous bloody fury into what he called a day of love and insisted falsely that none of his supporters had carried guns to the Capitol. But Mr. Trumps dense fog of misinformation cant change what really happened on that terrible day, which, as the Times editorial board wrote at the time, touched the darkest memories and fears of democracies the world over. It was a sentiment in the early aftermath of the attack echoed even by senior Republicans, some of whom would go on to vote to impeach Mr. Trump for his role in instigating it. At least 20 people who joined the attack did carry firearms onto the Capitol grounds, including Christopher Alberts, who wore body armor containing metal plates and carried a 9-millimeter pistol loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition, along with a separate 12-round holster that included hollow-point bullets. He was sentenced to 84 months in prison after a jury convicted him of nine charges, including assaulting law enforcement officers, but received a full pardon on Monday. More than 140 police officers were assaulted that day; Brian Sicknick, a Capitol Police officer, was killed, and other officers were smashed in the head with weapons; they were bruised, burned and lacerated; four later died by suicide. My concern is that people are going to believe that if they attack me or members of my family physically that Donald Trump will absolve them of their acts, Michael Fanone, a former police officer attacked by the crowd on Jan. 6, told The Times. And who is to say he wouldnt? For many of the officers who were pepper-sprayed or hit with two-by-fours or beaten that day, the thought that the nations chief executive would forgive such actions is despicable. Releasing those who assaulted us from blame would be a desecration of justice, Aquilino Gonell, a former Capitol Police sergeant who suffered lasting injuries in the riot, wrote in a Times Opinion guest essay this month. If Mr. Trump wants to heal our divided nation, hell let their convictions stand. President Trump announced on Monday that he would sign an executive order renaming the tallest mountain in North America as Mount McKinley, undoing a 2015 decision that had restored the peaks Alaska Native name, Denali. The decision appears to reflect Mr. Trumps increasingly public admiration for William McKinley, the 25th president. In the final months of the campaign, Mr. Trump invoked Mr. McKinley and his support of high tariffs, calling him a a great but highly underrated president. The name change is likely to face some pushback in Alaska, where politicians and Alaska Natives alike have long favored calling the mountain Denali. The name, given by the Koyukon Athabascans, translates to the great one or the high one. Mr. McKinley first championed tariffs as a member of the House of Representatives in the late 19th century. He also oversaw the expansion of American territories, including through the forced annexation of Hawaii, as well as the empowerment of wealthy industrialists. Former Vice President Kamala D. Harris left Washington on Monday the way she entered her role on the same day four years ago: making history. After President Trumps inauguration, Ms. Harris headed to Joint Base Andrews to take her last official flight home to California, supported by an all-female U.S. Air Force crew the first time such a crew has operated a C-32 aircraft for the military branch, according to an aide. It was a fitting end for a barrier-breaking vice president who rarely presented herself as such, a subtle nod to her historic ascendancy to the second-highest office in the nation. When she arrived in California, Ms. Harris will visit a fire station to thank firefighters who have been on the front lines of the wildfires that have torn through Los Angeles, putting even her own home in danger. She will also join the staff of the World Central Kitchen charity in distributing food to communities affected by the blazes. President Biden commuted the prison sentence of Leonard Peltier, an imprisoned Native American rights activist, using his final minutes of presidential power on Monday to free a man who has spent nearly 50 years in federal prison after he was convicted of murder in connection with the killing of two F.B.I. agents. Supporters of Mr. Peltier, who include tribal leaders, lawmakers and global figures, have long pushed for his release, arguing that he was unjustly convicted after an unfair trial. But former and current F.B.I. officials, including Christopher Wray, the agency director, resisted the commutation as a betrayal of the dead officers. Mr. Peltier, 80, is in poor health and partially blind, after suffering bouts of Covid-19, an aortic aneurysm, diabetes and a stroke. The commutation, Mr. Biden said in the grant issued shortly before President-elect Donald J. Trump took his oath of office, will allow Mr. Peltier to serve the remainder of his sentence in home confinement. If there were ever a case that merited compassionate release, Leonard Peltiers was it, said Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, the top Democrat on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, who has long championed a pardon for Mr. Peltier. President Biden did the right thing by showing this aging man in poor health mercy and allowing him to return home to spend whatever days he has remaining with his loved ones. Passage in the Senate came after Republicans and Democrats spent last week debating changes to the bill, a process that exposed deep divisions among Democrats over immigration as some in the party move to the right following their partys electoral losses in November. The bill was the opening legislative move for Republicans in a broader push to crack down on immigration and significantly step up deportations, a promise that Mr. Trump made a centerpiece of his campaign. The legislation instructs federal officials to detain unauthorized immigrants arrested for or charged with burglary, theft, larceny or shoplifting, expanding the list of charges that would subject migrants to detention and potential deportation. Senators added assaulting a police officer and crimes that result in death or serious bodily injury to the expanded list. Republicans teed up the measure as the first of several border bills they hope to revive and enact now that they have cemented their governing trifecta with Mr. Trumps inauguration. A similar measure passed the House last year but died when the Democratic-led Senate declined to take it up. The G.O.P. also wants to resurrect measures to increase deportations, hold asylum seekers outside the United States and strip federal funding from cities that restrict their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies. Today, we honor Laken, Senator Katie Britt of Alabama, the lead co-sponsor of the bill, said on the Senate floor before the vote. Now is the time to return to common sense. Now is the time to return to law and order. We are a proud nation of immigrants. We are also a nation of laws. And the lawlessness ends today. The acting head of the U.S. immigration court system and three other top officials were fired on Monday soon after President Trump took office, according to three people familiar with the matter, in a purge of the top echelon of a critical part of the governments immigration system. The abrupt removals signaled that the Trump administration wants to remake the immigration court system, which is housed under the Justice Department, as part of a broader immigration crackdown that Mr. Trump began within minutes of being sworn in for his second term. Immigration judges oversee an essential part of the system: granting asylum to migrants whose claims pass muster and ordering the deportation of those whose cases do not. Tom Jawetz, a senior lawyer in the Homeland Security Department in the Biden administration, said the move suggested that Mr. Trump would try to insert loyalists who could undermine veteran career officials into key roles, as he did during his first term. President Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday, invoking special presidential powers that allow him to unilaterally unlock federal funding for border wall construction and potentially to deploy the military and National Guard to the border. Mr. Trump took a similar step during his first term as a way to circumvent Congress and access billions of dollars that lawmakers refused to approve to build a wall along the border with Mexico. He once again empowered the military to support the Border Patrol with logistical planning, drone support and help procuring detention space. But in a separate order, Mr. Trump appeared to go further by giving the military a specific responsibility over immigration enforcement. During Mr. Trumps first term, the military only supported immigration authorities but did not apprehend migrants. Mr. Trump now directed the Defense Department to come up with a plan in 30 days to seal the borders and maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States by repelling forms of invasion, including unlawful mass migration, narcotics trafficking, human smuggling and trafficking, and other criminal activities. While details on the exact plans remained unclear, the directive for the military could run afoul of laws that limit the use of regular federal troops for domestic policing purposes. As Donald J. Trump raised his right hand to take the oath of office as president on Monday, his left stayed at his side. Although his wife, Melania Trump, held two Bibles, Mr. Trump did not put his hand on either. The longstanding tradition of taking the presidential oath with one hand on a Bible stretches back to George Washington and was observed by Mr. Trump in 2017. But doing so is not a requirement. The reason Mr. Trump did not place his hand on either of the Bibles Mrs. Trump was holding a family Bible and a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln was not immediately clear. The White House did not immediately return a message seeking comment. At his first inauguration, George Washington used the altar Bible from a nearby Masonic Lodge, and kissed it after taking the oath. President Donald J. Trump, in one of his first official acts, issued a sweeping grant of clemency on Monday to all of the nearly 1,600 people charged in connection with the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, issuing pardons to most of the defendants and commuting the sentences of 14 members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers militia, most of whom were convicted of seditious conspiracy. Mr. Trumps moves amounted to an extraordinary reversal for rioters accused of both low-level, nonviolent offenses and for those who had assaulted police officers. And they effectively erased years of efforts by federal investigators to seek accountability for the mob assault on the peaceful transfer of presidential power after Mr. Trumps loss in the 2020 election. As part of his pardon order, Mr. Trump also directed the Justice Department to dismiss all pending indictments that remained against people facing charges for Jan. 6. Sitting in the Oval Office, Mr. Trump said he hoped that many of the defendants could be released from prison as early as tonight. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. As previously announced, the open preparatory court session on the criminal case on crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including waging a war of aggression, genocide, forced displacement of population, persecution, torture, robbery, and other illegal acts committed by the State of Armenia and its armed forces, as well as the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic established by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and its illegal armed formations, continued on January 21, Trend reports. The hearing, held at the Baku Military Court located in the Baku Judicial Complex, was presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with the participation of Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev. The defendants were provided with interpreters in Armenian, as well as lawyers. The trial was attended by 350 people out of more than 531,000 people recognized as victims. The defense motions were considered during the court hearing. The lawyers of the majority of the accused requested to change the measure of restraint in the form of arrest against the persons they are defending to house arrest. The prosecutor defending the state prosecution expressed his reaction to the motions and requested to keep the measure of restraint in the form of arrest unchanged, taking into account that the identity of the accused, the gravity and nature of the acts of which they are accused, as well as the replacement of arrest with house arrest, would prevent an objective trial. Then the representatives of the victims and the aggrieved persons, including the head of the Cabinet of Ministers Apparatus, Rufat Mammadov, who acted as a victim on behalf of the Azerbaijani state, begged not to satisfy the petitions and leave the accused under arrest. The representative of the victim, Arzu Javadov, noted that there are enough qualified doctors in the isolators, there is no shortage of medicines, medical assistance is provided promptly, and there are no procedural grounds for changing the preventive measure. Their state of health is under the control of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Therefore, I ask the court not to grant the petitions filed, he said. The representative of the victim, Shahin Huseynov, noted that it should be taken into account that the defendants are charged with grave and especially grave crimes. The victims have the same rights as the accused. Here we are talking about protecting the rights of thousands of victims. The petition for house arrest is unfounded. I request not to grant these petitions, he said. The representative of the victim, Javanshir Mammadov, noted that the defendants were detained while trying to leave the country. There remains a threat that they will abscond from the court, evade justice, he said. Judge Zeynal Aghayev gave each of the accused the floor in connection with the motions. Defendant Arayik Harutyunyan noted that, unlike the other defendants, he did not request house arrest either on behalf of his lawyer or himself, nor did he have any health complaints. If there are health problems, they are solved in the isolation center. In general, however, I have not heard any complaints from other defendants about their health, he said. Defendants Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Saakyan, Melikset Pashayan, and David Allakhverdiyan requested that the motions be granted and transferred to house arrest. Other defendants left the issue of motions to the discretion of the court. The next court hearing will be held on January 27, during which the decisions on the motions will be announced. To note, the 15 persons are accused of crimes committed by the Republic of Armenia and its armed forces, including the illegal "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" created by Armenia and its illegal armed formations. The following individuals: Harutyunyan Arayik, Ghukasyan Arkady, Saakyan Bako, Ishkhanyan David, Manukyan David, Babayan David, Mnatsakanyan Levon, Beglaryan Vasily, Ghazaryan Eric, Allahverdiyan Davit, Stepanyan Gurgen, Balayan Levon, Babayan Madat, Martirosyan Garik, and Pashayan Melikset are charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan according to the periods of their participation in criminal acts: Article 100 (planning, preparation, unleashing or waging a war of aggression), 102 (attack on persons or institutions which enjoy international protection ), 103 (genocide), 105 (destruction of population), 106 (slavery), 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible detention of a person), 112 (deprivation of liberty in violation of international law), 113 (torture), 114 (mercenarism), 115 (violation of the laws or customs of war), 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflicts), 118 (war looting), 120 (premeditated murder), 192 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218 (organization of a criminal community (criminal organization), 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation or carrying of firearms, their components, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices), 270-1 (acts endangering aviation security), 277 (encroachment on the life of a state or public figure), 278 (forcible seizure of power or forcible retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional order of the state), 279 (creation of armed formations or groups not provided for by law) and other articles. President Trump moved quickly on Monday to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization, a move that public health experts say will undermine the nations standing as a global health leader and make it harder to fight the next pandemic. In an executive order issued about eight hours after he took the oath of office, Mr. Trump cited a string of reasons for the withdrawal, including the W.H.O.s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the failure to adopt urgently needed reforms. He said the agency demands unfairly onerous payments from the United States, and complained that China pays less. The move was not unexpected. Mr. Trump has been railing against the W.H.O. since 2020, when he attacked the agency over its approach to the coronavirus pandemic and threatened to withhold United States funding from it. In July 2020, Mr. Trump took formal steps to withdraw from the agency. But after he lost the 2020 election, the threat did not materialize. On his first day in office, Jan. 20, 2021, former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. blocked it from going into effect. With powerful winds sweeping through Southern California again, top Los Angeles officials said they were prepared to handle yet another period of extreme fire danger in the city. Chief Kristin Crowley of the Los Angeles Fire Department acknowledged at a news conference on Monday that vegetation in the region, parched from months of drought and dried out even more by the wind, could be powerful fuel for extreme fire behavior. But she said that federal, state and local crews and equipment were in place to respond if new fires break out. Additional resources are in the region now, she said, compared with on Jan. 7, when the Palisades and Eaton fires erupted. On that day, Chief Crowley said, the department had about 14 engines stationed ahead of time to respond to the particularly dangerous situation that the National Weather Service had warned about. On Monday, in preparation for similar conditions, the department had 30 engines, as well as a larger number of extra crews, stationed in areas like the vicinity of the Palisades fire, which was still only about 59 percent contained. Tactical task forces of three engines were ready at four fire stations around the city, along with strike teams at other locations, she said. Everyone needs to be on high alert, Mayor Karen Bass said at the news conference. We ask Angelenos to be prepared, in case they need to evacuate. Wind gusts of 50 to 70 miles an hour were expected in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties starting Monday afternoon and extending into Tuesday, with falling humidity levels. If it is ignited, extreme fire weather and behavior is probable, Chief Crowley said. The Los Angeles Fire Department has faced criticism that it did not deploy sufficient resources two weeks ago to prepare for the unusually dangerous conditions the National Weather Service had forecast. On Jan. 7, the department called up about 100 firefighters for overtime and positioned nine trucks in high-risk areas, but none of those trucks were sent to Pacific Palisades, where a fire quickly grew out of control and devoured thousands of structures. Last week, Chief Crowley defended the departments decisions, saying it had followed the system in place. Of course, theres always lessons learned, she said. Kate Selig and Emily Cochrane contributed reporting. On a recent trip to Tokyo, I stopped at a suburban McDonalds and spoke with a few older patrons. I was interested in their memories of the brands Japanese debut in 1971. Between sips of coffee, a man in his 70s told us that he remembered it vividly: It was around the time that Yukio Mishima, then the nations most celebrated writer and a champion of Japanese imperialism, committed suicide after a failed coup. One era was ending, another was beginning, and the transition was marked by the arrival of an American restaurant radically different from anything they had ever seen. Like so many of my fellow Westerners, Ive felt the urge to eat the way locals do while traveling abroad. In a city like Tokyo, theres an array of sushi bars and noodle shops to choose from, tucked away down the narrowest side streets and waiting for the adventurous traveler. Theyre all the rage on Instagram, where those eager to prove theyve indulged in an authentic eating experience post images of their latest discoveries. Yet as fond as I am of the hidden gem, I have another, less conventional way to gather insights into local life: I go to fast-food restaurants. Sitting on the hard seat of a Burger King, chicken sandwich in hand, I feel welcome but not intrusive, surrounded by locals as they go about their lives no differently than they would have if I hadnt shown up at all. If Im feeling really ambitious, I might ask the group at a table next to mine what I should order here the next time and see where the conversation leads. Im looking for a very specific encounter with normality. I want to see people living as I do, under global capitalism. I tend to think the search for authenticity in a new country is rooted in a desire for something we find missing at home. To live almost anywhere in the United States is to be surrounded by brand names. The supposedly authentic foreign experience is perhaps a sense of life untainted by the influence of global brands. Traveling abroad, we may find it only natural to dismiss anything else as less than the real version of whichever country were visiting. Yet brands like KFC or McDonalds are just as ingrained in the fabric of everyday life in Dublin, Paris or Tokyo as a given pub, bistro or noodle shop. A new proposal to ease New York Citys housing crisis would make way for nearly 10,000 apartments in parts of Midtown Manhattan that do not currently allow new residential construction, a shift officials hope will reinvigorate an area that has come to represent economic challenge. The plan, which city officials introduced at a Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, seeks to change the zoning for 42 blocks of the neighborhood. That would allow for some 9,700 additional homes, including 2,900 designed to be affordable for moderate- or lower-income New Yorkers. Its unfathomable that in an area this central, with a housing crisis this dire, that if you wanted to build housing here, our own rules would simply not allow it, said Dan Garodnick, the head of the Planning Department. The plan must be approved by the City Council, which is expected to vote on it this year. It is likely to pass because it has the support of the two Manhattan councilmen, Keith Powers and Erik Bottcher, who represent the area, which has struggled to recover from the depths of the coronavirus pandemic. That was kind of odd, Shelest said when Trump finished his speech. I am confused by the emphasis on sovereignty. Is anyone threatening the sovereignty of the United States? Its particularly odd watching this from Ukraine, where we are actually fighting for our sovereignty. It has a way of diminishing our struggle. She was a little surprised that Trump didnt mention Ukraine, though he had previously promised to end the Russian-Ukrainian war within 24 hours. One might assume that Trump was referring to Ukraine when he complained that the Biden administration had given unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders. She said a probably unintended effect of not mentioning Ukraine by name was that Japan and Taiwan, for example, as well as military contractors, were put on notice. And Panama! she added. What did calm, peaceful Panama do? To me, all of this sounded familiar. As Russias president, Putin spent many years trafficking in imagined grievances and illusory threats to Russian sovereignty. As it often has been in history, this language was a prelude to launching his ruthless wars. Even Trumps language about the Panama Canal, which he called a foolish gift that should have never been made, was a direct reprise of Putins statements on Crimea, which he repeatedly described as having been a gift to Ukraine from Nikita Khrushchev in the 1950s. As is his way, Trump is moving faster than his role model. No sooner had he introduced the idea of wounded sovereignty than he promised that the United States will once again consider itself a growing nation one that increases our wealth, expands our territory. Totalitarian leaders, leaders who want to stay in power forever, undertake expansionist wars. This axiom of totalitarianism makes it unlikely that Trump will be able to deliver on his promise to end the war in Ukraine. Putin needs this war. Putin also wants a summit with Trump, which appears to be on track to happen this year. A meeting with the U.S. president would signal an end to the period of international isolation Russia entered after it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Donald Trump won the White House twice on a promise to close the border. Now he waxes poetic about reopening the frontier whose spirit, he said in his second Inaugural Address, is written into our hearts. This month, he talked about buying Greenland from Denmark, annexing Canada, retaking the Panama Canal and renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. What a beautiful name, Mr. Trump said, pronouncing the phrase with a decided stress on its last syllable: A-mer-i-CA, not A-MER-i-ca. This expansionist turn is surprising for a politician best known for wanting the nation to hunker down behind a border wall. But Mr. Trump is smart. He knows, it seems, that the angry, inward-looking nationalism that first won him office can be self-destructive, as it was during his besieged first term. These calls, then to make America not just great but also greater in size tap into a more invigorating strain of patriotism: a vision of a United States that is forever growing, forever moving outward. Mr. Trumps recent remarks have electrified his base, with MAGA enthusiasts using social media to circulate battle plans to seize Canada and maps of a United States that stretches from the Arctic to Panama. But Mr. Trump is also harking back to the founders, many of whom similarly thought the United States had to expand to thrive. Extend the sphere, wrote James Madison in 1787; increase the extent of territory, and youll diffuse political extremism and stave off class warfare. The larger our association, said Thomas Jefferson in 1805, speaking of his Louisiana Purchase, the less will it be shaken by local passions. In the years that followed, the United States moved across the continent with dizzying speed, citing the doctrine of conquest as it took Indian and Mexican land, reaching the Pacific and then seizing Hawaii, Puerto Rico and other islands. But stumbling down the path to this kind of personalistic economic policymaking is much more possible than many Americans, accustomed to the usual ebb and flow of our politics, seem prepared to recognize. What is undeniably novel here is the rapidity with which Mr. Trump seems to be changing the relationship between business and government to one that is personal and transactional. He has never been shy about telling his perceived enemies that they should face (or at least fear) punishment and retribution and that they can avoid it by behaving in more compliant ways. Corporate America is responding in kind. Over the next four years, political connections, more than economic efficiency, may have a bigger hand in policymaking. If policy favors those who are in cahoots with the government, as opposed to focusing on the most productive use of resources, the country risks economic stagnation. The most recent Nobel in economic science was awarded for work in part delineating how prosperity suffers when economic policy is geared to the interests of a narrow political elite. Knock-on effects can amplify the damage. Businesses will devote effort and resources to cultivating political connections. Individuals will also respond to those incentives. The best and brightest will become lawyers and lobbyists rather than scientists and engineers, as thats whom businesses will be most motivated to hire and compensate generously. Everyones efforts and talents will be focused on cultivating political connections, at the expense of developing better products and services. These dynamics could also bleed into our politics. If other business titans follow the lead of Mr. Musk and throw the weight of their economic might behind Mr. Trump (and whoever his successor might be), we face the possibility of turning into what the political scientists Steven Levitsky and Lucan A. Way call competitive authoritarianism: a country whose elections are genuinely competitive but in which a single party or faction uses its dominance of the media and financial resources, as well as its existing control of the government, to create an uneven playing field in favor of the incumbent. Just look at TikTok. Mr. Trump moved to ban the video-sharing app in his first term, only to change his mind after meeting with a Republican megadonor heavily invested in the company and eventually with its chief executive. Now Mr. Trump has declared he will delay the ban. SAVE TIKTOK! he posted. In turn, the highly influential app, which is particularly popular with young people, is responding in kind. As a result of President Trumps efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! declared a pop-up message on Sunday to its tens of millions of users. In July 2023, Google said it would no longer restrict advertisers from using trademarks that belong to other organizations. That change quickly became a headache for nonprofits that buy Google search ads to find donors. Other outfits, they discovered, were using their trademarks in order to draw internet traffic. Samaritans Purse, a nonprofit that aids victims of natural disasters, found itself with new competition in the split-second auctions that determine which ads appear atop Google search results. St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital competed with obscure search engines eager to bring more users to their sites. And misleading ads about U.N.H.C.R., the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, proliferated on Googles search results, according to data from SpyFu and Semrush, two sites that track digital ads. The pattern illustrated the unintended effects of Googles policy changes and how obscure changes made to its advertising rules can have outsize repercussions on groups dependent on the worlds biggest search engine. In this case, nonprofits were forced to compete with companies that could better afford Googles ad rates. Three brush fires broke out early Tuesday in the San Diego area, forcing evacuation orders as Southern California continued to grapple with dangerous fire conditions. The Lilac fire, which broke out south of Pala Mesa, Calif., near Old Highway 395 and Lilac Road around 1:20 a.m. Pacific, prompted a mandatory evacuation order and warnings for residents to leave their homes. The fire had burned about 80 acres and was 10 percent contained by Tuesday morning, according to Cal Fire. The Bonsall Unified School District announced its schools would be closed on Tuesday because of the evacuation orders, according to the San Diego County Office of Education. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, another vegetation fire, the Pala fire, broke out north of Interstate 15 and Highway 76, according to Cal Fire. An evacuation order was briefly put in place for an area north of Pala Mesa, but was lifted after 4 a.m. The Pala fire burned about 17 acres, and its progress had been stopped by firefighters, Cal Fire said. Firefighters were also at the scene of a third vegetation fire, named Riverview, according to Cal Fire. That blaze, which had burned about one acre, was located near east Mission Road and Riverview Drive in the community of Fallbrook, officials said. San Diego County Fire said on social media that firefighters had stopped the fires progress. A fire chief was fatally shot after he and a driver who had hit a deer on a rural road in Alabama came under fire as they approached a house to ask for help, the authorities said. Sheriffs deputies responded around 5 p.m. on Sunday to a report of a traffic accident involving a deer near the Georgia border, the Chambers County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. They found three men with gunshot wounds. James Bartholomew Cauthen, 54, a battalion chief with Coweta County Fire Rescue in Newnan, Ga., was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, whose name was not released, and a man identified as William Randall Franklin were flown by helicopter to a hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds, the sheriffs office said. Mike Segrest, the district attorney for Alabamas 5th Judicial Circuit, said in an email on Tuesday that Mr. Franklin had been charged with murder. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The open preparatory court hearing on the criminal case on crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including waging a war of aggression, genocide, forced displacement of population, persecution, torture, robbery, and other illegal acts committed by the State of Armenia and its armed forces, as well as the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic established by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and its illegal armed formations, continued on January 21, Trend reports. The hearing, held at the Baku Military Court located in the Baku Judicial Complex, was presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with the participation of Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev. The defendants were provided with interpreters in Armenian, as well as lawyers. The trial was attended by 350 people out of more than 531,000 people recognized as victims. The defense motions were considered during the court hearing. Davit Babayan's lawyer made a motion in court. He asked to appoint a confidential meeting with the person, whose defense counsel he is. The prosecution did not object to the motion. The judge granted the lawyer's motion and declared a break in the court session for a confidential meeting. Following the recess, the attorneys for the majority of the defendants requested that the measure of restraint in the form of arrest against the persons they were defending be changed to house arrest. The prosecutor defending the public prosecution expressed his attitude to the motions and asked to keep the measure of restraint in the form of arrest unchanged, taking into account the identity of the accused, the gravity and nature of the acts of which they are accused, as well as the replacement of arrest with house arrest, which would prevent an objective trial. Representatives of the victims and injured persons, including the head of the Cabinet of Ministers Apparatus, Rufat Mammadov, who acted as a victim on behalf of the Azerbaijani state, requested not to satisfy the petitions and leave the accused under arrest. The representative of the victim, Arzu Javadov, noted that there are enough qualified doctors in the isolators, there is no shortage of medicines, medical assistance is provided promptly, and there are no procedural grounds for changing the measure of restraint. Their state of health is under the control of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Therefore, I ask the court not to grant the petitions filed, he said. The representative of the victim, Shahin Huseynov, noted that it should be taken into account that the defendants are charged with grave and especially grave crimes. The victims have the same rights as the accused. Here we are talking about protecting the rights of thousands of victims. The petition for house arrest is unfounded. I ask not to grant these petitions, he said. The representative of the victim, Javanshir Mammadov, noted that the accused were detained while trying to leave the country. There remains a threat that they will abscond from the court, evade justice, he said. Judge Zeynal Aghayev gave each of the defendants the floor regarding the motions. Defendant Arayik Harutyunyan noted that, unlike other defendants, he did not apply for house arrest either on behalf of his lawyer or himself, and he has no complaints about his health condition. If there are health problems, they are solved in the isolation center. In general, however, I have not heard any complaints from other defendants about their health, he said. Defendants Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Saakyan, Melikset Pashayan, and Davit Allakhverdiyan requested that the petitions be granted and transferred to house arrest. Other defendants left the issue of motions to the discretion of the court. The next court hearing will be held on January 27, during which the decisions on the motions will be announced. To note, the 15 persons are accused of crimes committed by the Republic of Armenia and its armed forces, including the illegal "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" created by Armenia and its illegal armed formations. The following individuals: Harutyunyan Arayik, Ghukasyan Arkady, Saakyan Bako, Ishkhanyan David, Manukyan David, Babayan David, Mnatsakanyan Levon, Beglaryan Vasily, Ghazaryan Eric, Allahverdiyan Davit, Stepanyan Gurgen, Balayan Levon, Babayan Madat, Martirosyan Garik, and Pashayan Melikset are charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan according to the periods of their participation in criminal acts: Article 100 (planning, preparation, unleashing or waging a war of aggression), 102 (attack on persons or institutions which enjoy international protection ), 103 (genocide), 105 (destruction of population), 106 (slavery), 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible detention of a person), 112 (deprivation of liberty in violation of international law), 113 (torture), 114 (mercenarism), 115 (violation of the laws or customs of war), 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflicts), 118 (war looting), 120 (premeditated murder), 192 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218 (organization of a criminal community (criminal organization), 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation or carrying of firearms, their components, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices), 270-1 (acts endangering aviation security), 277 (encroachment on the life of a state or public figure), 278 (forcible seizure of power or forcible retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional order of the state), 279 (creation of armed formations or groups not provided for by law) and other articles. It was our hope that Ryan, George and Mahmood would be returned to their families together, and we cannot imagine the pain that our good fortune will bring them, a family statement said. Biden officials wanted Mr. Glezmann and Mr. Habibi to be included in a trade and were disappointed when they were not, two former senior officials said. But the administration did not want to pass up the chance to bring home the two other men, one of the officials said. Biden officials had made multiple proposals to the Taliban to secure all the hostages, but those offers were rejected. Mr. Habibis location remains unknown, and the Taliban have claimed they did not know what happened to him. Qatar helped negotiate the final deal and provided logistical support for the exchange, according to one of the former officials. In all, the Biden administration secured the release of more than 80 hostages and other wrongfully detained people around the world, officials said. Mr. Mohammed was convicted in 2008 and was one of several people whom the Taliban government wanted freed. The administration, which has promised the largest deportations in American history, was said to be starting them as soon as Tuesday. In his inaugural speech on Monday, Mr. Trump promised to begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. Mr. Navarros situation provides a glimpse into what mass deportations could mean in Latin American countries at the other end of the deportation pipeline. Officials there are preparing to receive significant numbers of their citizens, though many governments have said that they had not been able to meet with the incoming administration about its deportation push. Mr. Rubio was sworn in as secretary of state at 9:30 on a frigid Tuesday morning by Vice President JD Vance. He arrived at the flag-festooned entrance hall of the State Department at 1 p.m. to applause, as hundreds of employees strained to get a glimpse of him and his wife, Jeanette Rubio, and their four children. Lisa Kenna, a career diplomat who is serving as Mr. Rubios executive secretary, as she did for Mike Pompeo in the first Trump administration, introduced the new secretary. Mr. Rubio thanked the many diplomats working overseas, then laid out Mr. Trumps foreign policy goal: That mission is to ensure that our foreign policy is centered on one thing, and that is the advancement of our national interests, which they have clearly defined through his campaign as anything that makes us stronger or safer or more prosperous, he said. There will be changes, but the changes are not meant to be destructive, theyre not meant to be punitive, he added. He said that things are moving faster than ever around the world, and that the department had to act at the speed of relevance. We need to move faster than we ever have because the world is changing faster than we ever have, he said, and we have to have a view that some say is called look around the corner, but we really need to be thinking about where are we going to be in five, seven, 10 or 15 years. A small contingent of Republicans in Congress on Tuesday criticized President Donald Trumps pardons of more than 1,500 people charged for their actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, including rioters who violently attacked police. I just cant agree, Senator Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina, told reporters on Capitol Hill early Tuesday, adding that he would propose new legislation to tighten penalties for violent actions against law enforcement officers. Im about to file two bills that will increase the penalties, up to and including the death penalty, for the murder of a police officer and increasing the penalties and creating federal crimes for assaulting a police officer, Mr. Tillis told a crowd of reporters gathered outside his office. Members of Congress ran in fear of their lives from the Capitol four years ago as it was besieged by a pro-Trump mob, and many Republicans made strong statements in the immediate aftermath of the attack that violent rioters must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. But on Tuesday, few spoke up to object to Mr. Trumps pardons, and many Republican lawmakers said it was time to move on. After President Trump signed a blizzard of executive orders, many directed at her country, President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico put on a show of her own on Tuesday morning. Its important to always keep a cool head, she told reporters during a news conference. Ms. Sheinbaum said that Mexico would support its nationals in the United States, calling them heroes and heroines of the nation. She said the country would act within the Mexican Constitution and laws. And she sent a message to those watching: May they know that the president of the republic will always defend Mexico, above all else. Ms. Sheinbaum then displayed the five executive orders that Mr. Trump announced on Monday that directly involved Mexico, addressing each one. President Trumps return to the White House on Monday was a historic political comeback. Before frigid temperatures in Washington forced officials and revelers inside, nearly 150 news photographers were lined up to document what would have been an outdoor ceremony at the Capitol. Eight news photographers were allowed in the Rotunda, but the New York Times photographer Doug Mills was the only one who captured Mr. Trumps entire day on camera. Here is a look at the first day of Mr. Trumps second term, in nine images: 7:45 A.M. John Durham, a veteran federal prosecutor on Long Island, will lead the U.S. attorneys office in Brooklyn. Mr. Durham is the son of John H. Durham, the former special counsel who investigated possible government misconduct in previous inquiries into President Trump. And in Washington, officials announced that Ed Martin, a conservative activist lawyer, would be in charge of that U.S. attorneys office, which has overseen the 1,500-plus prosecutions related to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. Mr. Trump granted clemency in nearly all of those cases on Monday. Mr. Martin has served on the board of a group that advocated and raised money for Jan. 6 defendants. In his first official act in the U.S. attorneys office, he filed a motion to dismiss all of the Jan. 6 cases still pending. Typically, when a new president is elected, most of the 93 U.S. attorneys from the previous administration resign and, until a replacement is nominated and confirmed by the Senate, their deputies serve in an acting capacity. That changeover period can last months. In this instance, however, the Trump administration seems determined to quickly place its picks in key posts. The New York and Washington federal prosecutors offices tend to handle a host of politically sensitive cases. Current and former law enforcement officials said the new approach came as a surprise to Justice Department veterans and called it a significant shift from previous transitions because deputies are traditionally moved into those interim positions. The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave the only woman on death row in Oklahoma a fresh opportunity to challenge her sentence and conviction, saying that prosecutors may have violated her right to a fair trial by introducing lurid evidence about her sexual activities. The woman, Brenda Andrew, was convicted of murdering her husband. Her trial was tainted, the majority said in an unsigned opinion, by evidence about Andrews sex life and about her failings as a mother and wife. Among other things, the opinion added, the prosecution elicited testimony about Andrews sexual partners reaching back two decades; about the outfits she wore to dinner or during grocery runs; about the underwear she packed for vacation; and about how often she had sex in her car. During closing arguments in 2004, a prosecutor dangled Ms. Andrews thong underwear before the jury. She had packed the undergarment for a trip to Mexico a few days after her estranged husband was killed. Its so outlandish that its almost assured to be struck down, predicted Akhil Reed Amar, a professor at Yale Law School, who expressed shock at the orders breadth. Even someone like former Vice President Kamala Harris, whose mother was a foreign student when she was born, might be impacted in the future. The person who drafted this order was not doing Donald Trump any favors. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Mr. Trumps order would mean that more than 20,000 newborn children would lose their citizenship each year in his state alone. Mr. Trump is trying to keep a promise that he made during the campaign, Mr. Bonta said. Were trying to keep a promise to uphold the law. A spokesman for Mr. Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment. There are signs the judiciary could be divided on the issue. Judge James C. Ho, whom Mr. Trump nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, has been more sympathetic to some of Mr. Trumps arguments, likening unauthorized immigrants to an invading army. That comparison has also been made by lawyers for the State of Texas and another declaration by Mr. Trump that illegal crossings at the southern border amount to an ongoing invasion. Still, that appeals court does not hear cases originating in Massachusetts, and other courts are unlikely to even consider the Trump administrations arguments about constitutional interpretation without a new law from Congress, said Gerard Magliocca, a professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He cited recent cases where the Supreme Court ruled that the executive branch cant single-handedly address the biggest political controversies, known as major questions. If thats true of student loans or Covid-19 rules or whatever, youd think it would be true of citizenship as well, he said. The states are right and the courts are probably going to agree with them. What happens when arctic cold air blasts the coldblooded alligators of the Florida swamps? They go underwater. As a rare Southeastern winter storm gripped the Gulf Coast on Tuesday, experts said that while some wildlife, like alligators, can adapt to the extreme cold, the longer a cold spell, the more hazardous it can be, particularly for marine life. That was the case for the 60 to 70 manatees huddling together in the spring waters of the Wakulla Springs State Park, near Tallahassee, Fla., as snow and sleet fell on Tuesday. Many manatees died during a 2010 freeze. Scott Rylance, a senior maintenance mechanic at the park, said the coldblooded gators who live there also escape the bitter cold by hunkering down in warm spring waters. It could be 10 degrees out here, and that water is still going to be 70 degrees, said Mr. Rylance, who was running the ranger station. Alligators, which generally slow down in winter, adapt to cold weather by seeking heat in the water, said Frank J. Mazzotti, a professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Florida. Even if ice covers a body of water, gators can survive in the water below, sometimes by sticking their snouts through the ice to breathe, he said. Its like having a snorkel, Dr. Mazzotti said. Manatees may head to warm spring waters, but prolonged exposure to extreme weather can be deadly, Dr. Mazzotti said. In a statement on Tuesday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission warned that sea turtles can become cold-stunned when water temperatures drop to 50 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Cold-stunned sea turtles might float listlessly in the water, on or near shore, the agency said, advising residents to report any injured, distressed or dead sea turtles. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries also warned that the cold blast may result in potential fish kill in the states coastal areas because of freezing water temperatures. The spotted seatrout and red drum, both coastal species, can experience problems when the water temperatures dip below certain levels, Jason Adriance, a fisheries biologist with the department, said in news release earlier this month. The rate at which the water cools is also important, Mr. Adriance said. If fish have a chance to acclimate and move, the potential for survival is higher. One of the biggest threats wildlife face during bouts of extreme weather is from people concerned about the animals survival, said Tommy Tuma, a wildlife administrator with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. For example, residents may see more wildlife out searching for food underneath the snow and want to help, Mr. Tuma said. But Mr. Tuma and the department warned residents against taking in wild animals during the storm. Wild animals are intuitive, he said, and they can detect when a weather event is imminent. They know its coming, and they know how to deal with this kind of stuff, he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, received the Azerbaijani delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev who is visiting Iran to co-chair the 16th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Trade, and Humanitarian Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran, Trend reports. The discussions revolved around the current state and future prospects for development of the Azerbaijan-Iran relations, with the sides stressing the importance of bolstering cooperation across economic, transport, energy, trade, investment and humanitarian domains and ongoing joint projects. The meeting also discussed regional issues and matters of mutual concern. Snowfall is expected to begin tapering off in Texas Tuesday morning as the storm shifts east along the coast toward Florida and the Carolinas. A wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain will coat the Florida Panhandles white sand beaches in cities like Pensacola and Panama City Tuesday evening and overnight. The very cold and rare air dipping into the Gulf Coast causes this coastal storm to behave a little more like a noreaster, which draws ocean moisture into frigid air to create winter hazards in the Northeast. Though residents of Mid-Atlantic and New England States are used to this kind of weather, people in the South, often a haven for snowbirds looking to escape the cold months in the North, are not. In New Orleans, the snowfall should subside through the afternoon, and the system will continue along Interstate 10, which hugs the Gulf Coast into Florida. The snow should stay contained to Floridas Panhandle as rain hits the peninsula farther south. By Tuesday afternoon, snow will most likely begin falling across southern Georgia, with heavier snow falling south of Atlanta, where schools were closed Tuesday out of an abundance of caution and because of very cold temperatures. The storm will spread over the Carolinas, creating a range of winter weather with the heaviest snow staying south of Interstate 20, which runs through Atlanta and Columbia, S.C. By late afternoon and evening, a wintry mix of snowy weather is expected to arrive in the coastal towns of Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C. It was there that between 1947 and 1954, after an uprising, an estimated 30,000 people were killed by police officers, soldiers and anti-Communist vigilantes, with the tacit backing of the U.S. military. About a third of the victims were women, children or elderly people. In We Do Not Part, the protagonist, Kyungha, a writer who is tormented by a recurring nightmare after publishing a book about a city called G, plods her way through heavy snow engulfing Jeju, on a journey that leads to revelations about multiple generations of a family afflicted by the massacre. Writing about deeply individual encounters with some of South Koreas painful moments, Ms. Han said, left her feeling profoundly connected to the experiences of victims of atrocities everywhere, and to the people who never stop remembering them. Its pain and it is blood, but its the current of life, connecting the part that could be left to die and the part that is living, she said in Korean in a video call from her home in Seoul. Connecting dead memories and the living present, thereby not allowing anything to die off. Thats not just about Korean history, I thought, its about all humanity. Others could stomach Hamass survival if it led to the release of all the hostages still held by the group in Gaza. But the compromise reached by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, only guarantees the release of a third of them. Even those will be freed at a high price in exchange for prisoners convicted of some of the most notorious terrorist attacks in Israeli history, in addition to scores of women and minors held without charge. There is an extreme version of ambivalence we feel two contrary emotions, powerfully and simultaneously, a combination of extreme joy and extreme fear, said Micah Goodman, an Israeli philosopher. That fear takes two forms, depending on ones political outlook, Mr. Goodman added. Many on the Israeli left fear that the truce will collapse before every hostage is freed. And many right-wing Israelis worry that the truce will become permanent, preventing Hamass complete defeat. There isnt an Israeli I know who wasnt extremely taken by the images of our sisters coming home, said Mr. Goodman, the author of several books on Israeli identity. But the Israeli left fears that we might lose the opportunity to bring the rest of the hostages home, he added. And the Israeli right fears that, if the war ends with Hamas still standing, we may have lost the war. The long-awaited trial in Prince Harrys lawsuit against Rupert Murdochs London tabloids for unlawful gathering of information opened on Tuesday. But it was immediately adjourned and lawyers later said that the two sides were engaged in a last-minute settlement negotiation. It was a trademark move for Mr. Murdoch and his companies, which have avoided many courtroom showdowns, on phone hacking charges and other allegations, by offering expensive settlements. This time, a lawyer for Harry petitioned the judge for an hour, before asking for yet another delay, until 2 p.m. London time, and then for two more hours, as the lawyers conferred with their clients in faraway time zones. Both sides pleaded with the judge not to force them to begin making arguments, saying that would jeopardize a resolution that could avert weeks of costly litigation. During a day of frantic filibustering, the lawyers huddled in the hallways of the High Court, which swarmed with journalists gathered to cover a trial that was expected to be the last major legal reckoning for victims of the phone hacking scandal that tarnished Britains news media more than a decade ago. As Donald J. Trump took the oath of office in Washington on Monday, the crowd at a jam-packed party held by Ukrainian business groups in Davos, Switzerland, intently watched the ceremony on huge screens. The event, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forums annual conference, seemed to be a display of enthusiasm for the returned American president. Speakers praised Mr. Trump and predicted that he would be a valuable partner for Ukraine in its war against Russia, despite his criticism of U.S. spending on the military effort. Waiters served mini cheeseburgers on red-and-blue buns (American food, attendees whispered). A few people applauded at the end. Yet the apparent optimism was a thin veneer over deep uncertainty. We expect President Trump to surprise us, but we do not know what the surprise will be, Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, said at the party. Mr. Trumps return to the White House has plunged Europes business leaders and policymakers into a precarious era, and officials have been bracing for it behind the scenes. The European Commission the European Unions executive arm formed a never-officially-announced group, sometimes colloquially referred to as a Trump task force, which spent much of 2024 working on possible responses to changes to American trade and foreign policy. The teenager had become increasingly withdrawn, even from his family. He rarely left his home, a red brick house on a quiet cul-de-sac in the village of Banks, near the west coast of England. Alone with his thoughts, he scrolled endlessly through online images and descriptions of war, torture and death, feeding an obsession with genocide and killing. And then, on a bright morning last summer, Axel Rudakubana took a taxi to a childrens dance class in Southport, England. Knife in hand, he rampaged through a crowded room where girls on their summer break had gathered to dance to Taylor Swift and make friendship bracelets. He murdered three of them, and he wounded eight other children and two adults. In the months since the July 29 attack, the police and prosecutors have worked to retrace the steps leading up to the killing spree, which horrified Britain. They interviewed witnesses, examined hours of CCTV and reviewed thousands of documents, downloads and messages from Mr. Rudakubanas devices. Britain faces a new and dangerous form of extremism, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday, warning that loners and misfits were being radicalized by a tidal wave of violence freely available online. In a speech at Downing Street, Mr. Starmer said that unlike the terrorist threat posed by organized groups like Al Qaeda, where a clear ideology could be identified, some young people were becoming fixated on extreme violence for its own sake. He compared the brutal murder of three girls at a dance class last July in Southport, England, to some of the school shootings seen in America. On Monday, Axel Rudakubana, 18, admitted to murdering three girls in the coastal town of Southport and to attempting to kill 10 other people. The attack last summer prompted rioting in several towns and cities across England and in Northern Ireland. Serena Kennedy, the chief constable of Merseyside Police, the force that covers Southport, said in a statement on Monday that Mr. Rudakubana had an unhealthy obsession with extreme violence, as evidenced by a trove of documents, images, videos and texts about violence, conflict and genocide that he had viewed on his digital devices. Facing growing public pressure to address concerns over military leadership on the front as Ukrainian forces lose ground daily to Russian attacks, Ukraine said it had detained three former commanders that it blamed for the loss of territory last spring. Ukraines security service said late Monday that the three former commanders two generals and a colonel had been accused of failing to protect the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine from the advance of Russian forces last year. The security service, known as the S.B.U., did not name those detained, giving only their ranks and the units they commanded at the time. The former commanders are accused of failing to build adequate fortifications or to properly equip defensive positions, along with other mistakes that led to the seizure of part of the territory of the eastern region of Ukraine, where fierce fighting is currently ongoing, the security service said in a statement. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday that it was time for Europe to stand strong and remain united as the United States installs a new president skeptical of global alliances and continued aid to Ukraine. Europe must shape history for itself and its allies, he said in a speech to dozens of government leaders at the annual Alpine summit in Davos, Switzerland. Mr. Zelensky spoke less than 24 hours after President Trump was sworn into office for the second time. But already, he said, most of the world is thinking, what is going to happen to their relationship to America. While America remains an indispensable ally that can help bring an end to Russias war of aggression, Mr. Zelensky warned European leaders that they do not have the luxury of an ocean separating them from the revanchist regime in the Kremlin. Israeli security forces on Tuesday embarked on a military operation in Jenin, a Palestinian city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as Israel turned its focus to an area seen as a hotbed of militancy just days after a temporary cease-fire took hold in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said in a statement that the operation, the latest in a string of West Bank raids over the past year, was aimed at eradicating terrorism and would be extensive and significant. The Palestinian Authoritys health ministry reported that eight people had been killed and at least 35 injured during the first hours of the operation. For Mr. Netanyahu, the operation in the West Bank could serve as a distraction from Gaza, where Hamas gunmen paraded through the streets even before the cease-fire started on Sunday, a show of force signaling that it had survived the 15-month war despite Mr. Netanyahus vows to destroy it. But with its strength severely diminished in Gaza, Hamas has intensified its efforts to arm militants in the West Bank to open another front against Israel, analysts said, making an Israeli offensive there almost inevitable. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 22. A footage dedicated to President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Switzerland was posted on his official social media accounts, Trend reports. The post reads: "President Ilham Aliyevs visit to the Swiss Confederation (20-21.01.2025)". BGR Government Affairs has agreed to provide strategic counsel and outreach for US government officials to Panama as president Trump vows to take over its canal. The one-year contract, which went into effect on Jan. 15, carries a fee of $205,714 for the Republican-connected firm founded by Haley Barbour. Hes a former political advisor to president Reagan, chair of the Republican National Committee, and two-time governor of Mississippi. Trump said US ships and naval vessels are treated very unfairly at the Panama Canal. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didnt give it to China, we gave it to Panama. And were are taking it back, said Trump in his inaugural address. BGRs team reports to Panamanian foreign minister Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez. Maya Seiden and Lester Munson, co-heads of BGRs international & trade policy group; David Urban, former executive VP-for North American corporate affairs at Chinas ByteDance; and Manuel Ortiz, Democratic strategist and founder of Vantage Knight consulting firm, head the effort for Panama. Jared Nelson In 2025, multinational companies will confront an increasingly complex landscape of societal, political and geopolitical challenges. A hyper-polarized U.S. populace, escalating regional tensions and the rapid rise of AI are among the forces creating no-win situations that pit values against profit, forcing leaders to prioritize competing business objectives and stakeholders. With an organization-wide perspective, the modern chief communications officer is uniquely positioned to align values and strategy, making them indispensable in mitigating todays heightened risks. Beyond addressing reputational challenges, CCOs are increasingly tackling broader business problems. As we begin 2025, heres our perspective on the critical issues CCOs should help leadership teams proactively address. Continued momentum against DEI Walmart, Lowes, Molson Coors, Harley-Davidson, John Deere and Ford are just a few U.S. companies publicly scaling back diversity, equity and inclusion commitments. While these companies made their decisions in the face of pressure from conservative activists, many organizations that havent yet been targeted are quietly considering whether current commitments make them vulnerable to criticism. Meanwhile, left-leaning stakeholdersand corporate employees, in particularare sensitized to any perceived retreat and empowered to call out corporate leaders for failing to live up to stated values. Globally, DEI dynamics differ, with some regions tightening quotas and reporting mandates while others face cultural or political resistance. This disparity adds complexity to multinational DEI strategies. This article is featured in O'Dwyer's Jan. '25 Special Issue on Crisis Communications Beyond simply scenario planning for pressure from Robby Starbuck, companies should audit their DEI commitments, prioritizing those aligned with their mission and values while weighing the risks of maintaining or ending them. Clear communication strategies also need to be developed for DEI, covering the annual ESG or Social Impact reports, publicly available information and engagement with employee resource groups. Regardless of adjustments to commitments, embedding DEI in corporate narratives, amplifying diverse voices and maintaining an inclusive culture remain critical to reputational resilience. Heightened geopolitical tensions Dubbed the year of the election, 2024 saw over half of the worlds population voting for their head of state. While elections brought some certainty to key markets, they also spotlighted rising geopolitical hotspots driven by autocratic aggression and nationalism. Strategic economic competition and escalating trade wars add further complexity, pressuring executives to reconsider market footprints and supply chain dependencies. Many companies were caught off-guard by the Russia-Ukraine war and the October 7th terror attack in the Middle East. Misinformation and missteps sparked boycotts of major brands, underscoring the need for proactive planning. Companies cant afford to react slowly next time. With risks of flashpoints like a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, organizations must scenario-plan communications strategies to own narratives and counter misinformation. Key components of these strategies should also include high-touch government relations in relevant markets and close coordination with physical security teams to keep employees safe. Looming trade wars President Donald Trumps vows of sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China could trigger economic shocks and raise consumer prices. Whether used as a bargaining tactic or policy directive, companies must prepare for scenarios ranging from status quo to full trade wars with key economic partners. Proactive steps such as stockpiling inventory and recalibrating supply chains are already underway. However, companies also face tough decisions about passing tariff costs onto consumersas some well-known brands have suggested they wouldrisking reputational damage, especially given the record profits many are experiencing. Businesses should engage policymakers to influence trade policies, conduct consumer surveys to gauge reactions and closely monitor competitors strategies. The AI arms race Across industries, companies face mounting pressure to leverage AI and machine learning to innovate, grow revenues and boost efficiency. This rush has led some to release half-baked products or overlook unintended consequences while others risk falling behind competitors by failing to adopt AI effectively. Whether AI is central to growth or limited to internal use, companies must articulate how they leverage technology to benefit employees, customers and investors. Companies should also scenario plan for backlash from direct or indirect consequences of their AI use, including concerns about layoffs or changes to roles, cybersecurity and privacy and algorithmic discrimination or bias. More sophisticated, costly cyber threats Despite years of prioritization, cybersecurity remains a moving target. Last year, two-thirds of global organizations were impacted by ransomware, with the average cost of a successful breach nearing $5 million. As cybercriminals grow more sophisticated, so must defense strategies. Resilience against software supply chain attacks, like those that hit SolarWinds and MoveIT, is critical. Companies must also deploy AI technologies to combat deepfakes and flag these threats. Staying ahead of cybersecurity regulations, which are tightening globally, will also be essential for compliance. In the face of these diverse challenges, CCOs have an opportunity to further redefine their role as strategic partners who drive alignment between organizational values and actions. By taking a proactive stance on risks, collaborating across leadership and shaping narratives that resonate with stakeholders, CCOs can help their companies navigate uncertainty, protect their reputations and seize opportunities in an increasingly complex world. *** Jared Nelson, Associate Partner at DGA Group, specializes in crisis management and geopolitical risk. He has led high-stakes responses for companies of all sizes facing data breaches, product recalls, executive transitions, misconduct allegations and active shooter events. Motorists and road users across the country are being urged to exercise caution overnight and early tomorrow morning due to 'potentially hazardous travelling conditions'. Met Eireann, which has issued a second status yellow warning in less than 24 hours says the fog will linger in places, leading to impaired visibility. "Areas of dense fog developing, leading to impaired visibility and potentially hazardous travelling conditions," states the warning which is valid from 8pm this Monday until 11am on Tuesday. READ ALSO: Serving member of the Defence Forces jailed for raping colleague at Dublin hotel Gardai and Road Safety Authority are appealing to those who are driving in areas impacted by the fog to be careful when travelling. **UPDATE** Fog warning extended across Ireland until Tues 21st, 11am. https://t.co/zNWKEZeG1T RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) January 20, 2025 Separately, MET Eireann is warning that very strong winds are likely across the country later this week with the potential for damaging wind gusts and disruption in places. The forecaster says a powerful low-pressure system is expected to hit Ireland on Thursday night and into Friday, bringing very strong winds with a potential for damage to be caused in places. High waves and heavy rain are also forecast for coastal areas. Met Eireann, which is closely monitoring the situation, has issued an advisory for all of Ireland and says it will issue official weather warnings in the coming days once the forecast and path of the low-pressure system becomes clearer. This advisory, which was issued this Monday afternoon, is valid until midnight on Saturday (Friday night). BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. An international conference titled "Independence of Reunion: A Look at France's Colonial Legacy and the Path to Sovereignty" is taking place in Azerbaijans Baku on January 21, with the organizational support of the Baku Initiative Group, Trend reports. According to the report, the conference focuses on Reunion Island, which remains under French colonial rule. The event is attended by representatives of the people of Reunion, who are fighting for independence, as well as leaders of organizations engaged in anti-colonial activities, human rights defenders, heads of non-governmental organizations, experts, and decolonization researchers. The conference will talk about efforts to get international organizations to recognize the right of the people of Reunion to self-determination. It will also talk about international legal mechanisms that can be used in this situation. Notably, the island of Reunion was discovered by Portuguese explorers in the early 1500s. It was captured by the French during the reign of Louis XIV in 1642 and was initially named Bourbon Island. Three years later, the first permanent colony was established. On Reunion Island, the legacy of colonialism continues to impact the economic, political, and social spheres. France's dominant position on the island and its powerful mechanisms of influence create significant obstacles for the local population's efforts to achieve political and economic independence. Economically, this is reflected in the island's high dependence on France in terms of foreign trade and investment, the weakening of local production, and a high unemployment rate. Politically, France's models of governance and institutional mechanisms limit the right of the people of Reunion to self-determination and minimize their participation in the decision-making process. This event will serve as a platform to call for international support regarding the importance of the people of Reunion determining their own future. Will be updated BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan Fuad Muradov has met with the Azerbaijani community in the Turkish Igdir city, a source in the committee told Trend. The meeting, held at the House of Azerbaijan, featured the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Turkiye. Muradov provided detailed information about Azerbaijan's diaspora policy, delivered a report on long-term projects implemented by the committee, discussed the Houses of Azerbaijan abroad, coordination councils, Sunday schools, the V Congress of the World Azerbaijanis in Shusha, and other important areas of diaspora activities. He also thanked the community members for their contributions to the work of the diaspora. The committee head emphasized that the diaspora policy, established by national leader Heydar Aliyev, has been significantly expanded and elevated to a new level by President Ilham Aliyev, and that every Azerbaijani living abroad is under the attention of Azerbaijan. Consul General of Azerbaijan in Kars Zamin Aliyev highly appreciated the organized meeting with the community and expressed satisfaction with the close acquaintance with fellow countrymen. He underscored that the consulate's doors are accessible to all Azerbaijani individuals. The head of the House of Azerbaijan in Igdir Ziya Zakir Ajar gave a report on the activities of the House, noting that the House of Azerbaijan has become a home for both Azerbaijanis and the local community, and expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani government for the opportunity created and the attention shown. The meeting progressed with a dialogue of perspectives and responses to inquiries. Azerbaijanis living in Igdir shared their achievements, expanded opportunities for community activities, and also voiced their concerns and difficulties. They expressed gratitude for the open and sincere discussion. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The II meeting of the chairs of the TURKPA (Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States) Member Countries' Parliamentary Committees on Health Issues will take place in Baku, Trend reports. The meeting will feature a discussion of the topic Climate change and health: Responses to the impact of climate change on health in legislation. The event will be held in the Parliament of Azerbaijan. To note, the I meeting of the mentioned committees was held on September 17, 2020. The Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) was founded through an agreement signed by the Heads of Parliaments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkiye on November 21, 2008, at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Turkiye. On September 29, 2009, the inaugural plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States, previously referred to as the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Speaking Countries, convened in Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Rules of Procedure of TURKPA, the Regulations of the Secretariat, and the Baku Declaration were ratified during the Plenary Session. The TURKPA Secretariat will be permanently situated in Baku. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The investigation into the presence of Azerbaijani citizens among the dead and wounded in the fire in the hotel of the ski resort Kartalkaya in the Turkish province of Bolu is underway, Aykhan Hajizada, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan told Trend. To note, a strong fire broke out in the hotel located in the ski resort "Kartalkaya". The fire started last night at about 03:30 local time on the fourth floor of the 11-story building. As many as 30 fire engines and 28 ambulances were dispatched. The incident left at least 10 people dead and 32 injured. Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin indicated that the cause of the fire remains undetermined, yet he conjectures that it originated on the floor housing the restaurant. At the time of the occurrence, there were 234 guests in the hotel. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Rector of Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), Professor Adalat Muradov, held a formal meeting with members of the Union of Azerbaijani Scientists Worldwide (UASW). The event, conducted on a virtual platform, was moderated by UASW Chairman Professor Masud Afandiyev, the first Azerbaijani scholar to receive the prestigious Humboldt Award and a Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. The meeting was attended by Azerbaijani scientists residing and working across various continents. Professor Adalat Muradov extended a warm welcome to the participants, underscoring that the primary objective of the meeting was to enhance the standing of Azerbaijani science and education within the global education market and scientific community. He emphasized the critical role that Azerbaijani scientists worldwide could play in advancing these goals and promoting the countrys scientific achievements at an international level. In his remarks, Professor Masud Afandiyev commended UNECs initiative, expressing his belief that it would serve as a vital bridge in showcasing Azerbaijani science and education on the global stage. He noted that the meeting provided a valuable platform for the exchange of expertise and ideas within the realms of science and education. During the session, Azerbaijani scientists from the United States, Canada, Russia, South Korea, Germany, France, Turkey, Austria, and other countries presented proposals for potential collaboration. Key suggestions included the implementation of joint research projects, the co-authoring of scientific publications, the establishment of academic journals, the organization of international scientific conferences, and research initiatives focusing on the economics of education. Additionally, participants advocated for mentorship programs to support the development of young scientists, strategies to enhance the quality of academic articles, identification of priority research topics, and facilitating participation in international conferences. Further recommendations addressed the strategic management of scientific projects, the integration of soft skills in science, the involvement of young scientists in international organizations, and efforts to achieve international accreditation. It was also decided to designate country-specific coordinators to foster networking and ensure effective collaboration among Azerbaijani scientists. Concluding the meeting, Rector Adalat Muradov announced the launch of two initiatives at UNEC: Popularizing Science and Science is Beautiful: From School to Science. He extended an invitation to Azerbaijani scientists to actively participate in these initiatives, urging them to contribute to the advancement of Azerbaijani science and to support educational outreach efforts aimed at highlighting the significance of science in schools. Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. The elections to the 20th German Bundestag were held on 26 September 2021. Germans did not appreciate Chancellor Olaf Scholz's management style and results. The Federal Chancellor called for a vote of confidence in the German Bundestag, which he lost on 16 December 2024. As a result, the Federal President dissolved the German Bundestag on 27 December 2024. The Federal President ordered new elections to the 21st German Bundestag on 23 February 2025. In Germany, the political parties are tightly run organizations that finance election campaigns, nominate candidates, exact membership dues from their members, and subject members in Parliament to strict caucus rules. The parties receive government funds and are subject to some not very onerous disclosure requirements. The individual candidates or members of Parliament are minor players in these systems. State laws limit campaign advertising in radio and television to a few spots that are allotted in the month preceding the election. By an agreement among the states, the political parties may not purchase any advertising time on radio or television, and are thereby limited to the few officially granted campaign spots. But there is power that even such country cannot resist. It is third-party influence. This is political influence from abroad. It should be said that the EU really is trying to deal with this phenomenon. In March 2024 the EU introduced new rules on transparency and targeting of political advertising. click here Under the new rules, to prevent foreign interference, there is a ban on the provision of advertising services to third-country sponsors three months before an election or referendum. The issue of interference and transparency of election process is wildly discussed in Europe. But it is almost unclear whether, for instance, world influencer's words and statements could be regarded as interference or violations and political advertising. Thus, recently Elon Musk has been outspoken on German politics on social media. The tech-billionaire owner of X has called Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz an "incompetent fool" and urged him to resign. Musk used his platform to host Alice Weidel, the head of Germany's far-right, anti-immigrant AfD, for a lengthy chat. For many European politicians it smacks of political interference, with the AfD running second in the polls ahead of federal elections on 23 February. Although some of Europe's leaders, notably Italy's Giorgia Meloni, have found favour with Musk, others are finding it hard to ignore him, as he ventures into their domestic politics ahead of a new role of adviser to the incoming US President Donald Trump. There is no answer to this question yet. The world is transforming and politics is transforming either. The matter is the European criteria of interference in elections are changing lower than appearance of new types of penetrating. There are no transparent elections left. And we cannot ignore this fact. Proposal for C2y WG14 3317 Title: Essential Effects for C Author, affiliation: Alex Celeste, Perforce Date: 2024-08-19 Proposal category: New feature, discussion Target audience: Compiler implementers, users Abstract In this discussion proposal we suggest that C would be improved by extending the core type system into a type and effect system, that forces functions and blocks to declare which classes of effects will result from their evaluation. We show how this can be used to improve composability in metaprogramming, and can be used to define MISRA-style restrictions more easily through signatures expressed in the core language. The extended notion of type allows us to model C's primitive language constructs as operators with a checkable signature. We only propose effect tracking and effect checking, and not to introduce dynamic effect handling at this time. Essential Effects for C Reply-to: Alex Celeste (aceleste@perforce.com) Document No: N3317 Revises: N/A Date: 2024-08-19 Summary of Changes N3317 original proposal to WG14, but a previous version of this document was submitted to the MISRA C WG's document log. Introduction A formalized effect system keeps track of the side effects of expressions and statements in a program at a finer level of granularity than usually expressible in C. An effect system is usually combined with a type system, so that the side effects potentially involved in the production of a value are tracked, alongside the type of the result value. Effect systems may be either fully static, or partially value-dependent. A conventional notation for the type-and-effect of a value-producing expression is: expr: type ! { effect } region where expr is the object or expression being typed, type is its in-language or dialect type (such as the C Standard language type or the MISRA essential type), { effect } is a union of all effects triggered by the evaluation of expr , and region is the name of a category of objects or memory to which those effects may apply. By encoding the actions available to a function into the type system as effects, it is possible to statically ensure that specific effects do or do not occur in certain places, that callbacks or library functions are safe to use for sensitive tasks, and that effects that do occur are handled so that they do not escape to the wider calling context (which can even imply static verification of resource management). Effect systems generalize the C23 features of [[reproducible]] and [[unsequenced]] attributes for functions, which guarantee that the annotated functions are free of certain effect classes. Proposed application The proposal is that every statement, expression, subexpression and complete function body in a TU has a type-and-effect. For the purposes of the combined type-and-effect, the type component of the type-and-effect of a non-expression statement is defined as void . The effect of an expression or statement is the (counted) union of the effects of all subexpressions syntactically included in the construct. Therefore, this proposal is for a complete static, non-value-dependent effect system that does not consider reachability or symmetric operations. Objects do not have an effect, only a type, though their initialization expression will have a (possibly-empty) effect. Some operations introduce a new explicit effect by themselves. For instance, the assignment operator = introduces a write effect. When the effects of an operation and its operands are combined, the result effect counts the number of sub-effects as well as their classes. For instance, a binary operation with a write effect in both the lhs and rhs operands contains two write effects in addition to any others that may be introduced. Explicit regions are not currently proposed. Instead, the model proposes that all effects have an implicitly global region. Finer granularity is achieved by splitting the effect classes themselves (i.e. separation of local and non-local writes into different effects). Note that an expression with no traced effects is a distinct concept from a constant expression, as it may still involve "pure" reads from non-constant objects, which are not recorded. This is captured by the [[reproducible]] attribute added to C23. List of proposed effects The proposed "essential" effects are broken into three major groups: Local: mut : local write or assignment, countable vol : volatile access (should this be persistent?), countable Persistent: write : non-local write or assignment, countable, implies mut mem : memory manipulation (allocation or free) lock : exclusive lock acquire or release file : external resource manipulation errno : sets errno (or other named out-of-band flags?), implies write system : hosted os state manipulation (? out of scope? usefully distinct from file ?) Control: jump : non-local control transfer (signal, noreturn call, longjmp , panic) Any: the wild effect to explicitly indicate unknown / any action the none effect is a name for the empty set of effects Regions could also be used to express parts of this hierarchy: for example, mem and file could be viewed as applications of a single resource effect over two regions indicating internal-to-program and external-to-program resources. Similarly, mut and write could be viewed as two separate applications of a single assignment effect to local and non-local object regions. However, it is proposed that splitting the effects as a whole is simpler than using explicit regions. Question: which other explicit effect classes would be useful? e.g. thread creation? Question: are there other useful major groups? Question: are there any effect classes other than write for which we might prefer regions to allow combined counting? (in the current proposal we need these classes to be separate so that mut can be discarded, see below) Segfaults, floating point exceptions, non-volatile reads, etc. may have observable effects within the program but are not proposed as useful to track on this level. A concrete notation for annotating effects is not part of this proposal. A proposal for notation in attributes will follow if the core concept is adopted. Comment-based pseudocode is used in this document. Propagation Within a scope block, all effects of subexpressions and nested statements unconditionally propagate to their containing expressions and statements. For example: extern int x; void f1 (int k) { // TE: void ! write if (0) { // TE: void ! write x = k; // TE: int ! { mut | write } } volatile j = 0; int y = // TE: int ! { mut | vol } (x == 1 // TE: int ! none ? k = 1 // TE: int ! mut : j > 0); // TE: int ! vol } At the function boundary, effects in the Local group are discarded, as this group signifies effects that are primarily of interest w.r.t correct ordering. As shown above, some operations can introduce two effects at once: a write to a non-automatic lvalue introduces both the mut effect (to count assignments) and the write effect to the containing function. Similarly, a write to a volatile -qualified lvalue would introduce both the mut and vol effects to the result expression. A write to a non-local volatile -qualified lvalue would introduce all three in a single operation. When two effects are combined that contain the same class, if the effect class is "countable", the number of occurrences in each sub-effect are summed: void f2 (int k, int j) { int x = 0; // TE: int ! none x = k; // TE: int ! mut x = ( // TE: int ! mut(2) j = k // TE: int ! mut ); x = ( // TE: int ! mut(2) k = 1, // TE: int ! mut j = 2 // TE: int ! mut ); x = ( // TE: int ! mut(2) k == 1 ? j = 0 // TE: int ! mut : j = 2 // TE: int ! mut ); (x = 1) && (j = 1); // TE: int ! mut(2) (x = 0) && (j = 1); // TE: int ! mut(2) // (unconditionally) volatile a = 0; x = false // TE: int ! vol ? a > 1 // TE: int ! vol : j > 1; // TE: int ! none x = false // TE: int ! vol(2) // (unconditionally) ? a > 1 // TE: int ! vol : a < 1; // TE: int ! vol } This illustrates some asymmetries between effect and type, for instance, we introduce a concept of effect magnitude, and the effect of a subexpression is not lost even when its value (and therefore its type) is discarded or converted in such a way that it does not contribute to the expression's result value. The summing is one-directional - this mechanism would not allow resource-class effects to "cancel out" (which is why they are not marked as countable above): void f3 (int sz) { // TE: void ! mem void * p = malloc (sz); // TE: void * ! mem free (p); // TE: void ! mem } The above function is not "pure", and by not allowing effects to subtract, this is communicated. A memory operation happened, and then another memory operation happened - correct resource handling is a separate concern from immediate effect tracking, i.e. even though the function correctly disposed of the resource, the effect communicates that it relies on a working malloc implementation. The effect of an external function whose body is not visible, and whose effects are not otherwise specified to the system, is assumed to be a union of all effects listed in the Persistent and Control groups: extern int action (int); void f4 (int k) { int x = action (k); // TE: int ! { write | mem | lock | file | errno | jump } AKA int ! wild } The wild effect signifies that an action is a total unknown. Note: resource matching could be communicated by an effect system, but it would need to be both dependent and heavily region-annotated (as found in Deputy for C). A simplified version that simply tried to "decrement mem on free " would not be able to statically prove that the right resources are released, only that some resource was released. Therefore this method of effect combination/propagation is completely flow- independent, including in the case of completely linear control flow. An effect with more classes or a higher count for a given class is stronger than an effect with fewer classes or a lower count. Analogous to qualification, every effect class within the effect must be stronger for the whole effect to be considered stronger. An effect can be implicitly converted to a strictly stronger effect (see below), so for instance mut can convert to { mut | vol } ; like with qualifiers, if the target effect is not strictly stronger the effect cannot be converted ( mut cannot convert to vol in the same way that T const * cannot convert to T volatile * - implicitly adding the vol or volatile qualifier is fine, but losing the mut or const is not). Effect signatures vs type signatures An effect signature is similar in concept to a type signature but the resulting effect does not describe quite the same thing. Roughly, a function signature describes a mapping from input types to an output type: add :: (num, num) -> num It can be polymorphic or dependent, in which case when applied the output is affected by the input: map :: (('a -> 'b) , ['a]) -> ['b] alloca :: (int 'A) -> int(*)['A] Because effects describe actions rather than values, an effect signature for any given entity class is similar to the type signature for the entity class one level "down": void objects and values have a value type, and an effect of none because they don't "do" anything because they don't "do" anything first-order functions have a type that maps an input value to an output value, and an atomic effect because they only have one "action" in the body; the arguments are values, and therefore don't contribute to the effect at all higher-order functions have a type that maps a function type to value types; if they run the function, its effects form part of the result effect, so these have an effect that resembles a signature built-in language constructs like the operators, if , etc. have an effect signature that resembles the type signature of a higher-order function, because they accept one or more fragments, with an effect, as their operands, and execute them somehow to produce a combined effect Therefore, the effect of most functions is "value-like" in the sense of being shaped like the type of an object: extern int x; // foo :: (int) -> int ! write int foo (int y) { return (x += y); } // type is (int) -> int // effect is !write - NO arrow If foo is called like: foo (++x); // TE: void ! write foo (--local); // TE: void ! { write | mut } the effects of the arguments don't contribute to the effect of foo . They instead contribute to the effect of the () operator, which is polymorphic. In the effect system, foo has a signature "like" a value and () and other operators have signatures "like" functions. All of this is important in two ways, one of which is that we need to distinguish two different kinds of effect annotations: descriptive signatures, which capture the entire polymorphic effect of an entity effect checks, which do not describe the resulting effect but instead place a constraint on the inputs and outputs Effect checking If we want to restrict which effects can appear in the arguments to a function, or operands of an infix operator, this is a different annotation (at least in any readable format) from describing the full polymorphic signature of the operator; so we need a second kind of signature. In an effect check signature, the effects specified in the parameter and result positions designate a "maximum" effect rather than a concrete effect: // op :> (int ! mut(1), int ! mut(1)) -> int ! mut(1) This is the effect check signature for an operator that specifies that at most one mut effect may occur as a result of evaluation: the effect of the left operand will match mut(1) if it is none , because of the rule that an effect is implicitly convertible to a stronger effect. This also specifies mut(1) for the result check: this is also a maximum strength rather than a specification of what the result will be, that checks the actual result effect and specifies it must be no stronger than mut(1) , not that it actually is mut(1) . (It relies on the separate definition of the polymorphic effect of the operator as composing its left and right effects.) Therefore, an operand checks that its type-and-effect has no effects that are not specified for that operand, or if a magnitude is specified, not more than that magnitude. If an expression contains an effect class that is unspecified, or a specified effect class but with a magnitude higher than one explicitly-specified, a constraint is violated. (Generally we only care about a magnitude of 1, for mut / vol .) The result effect is the propagated effect of the operands plus any other effect the operation is specified as introducing in its descriptive signature. For instance, we might propose that arithmetic operations may only evaluate pure values and sequence-independent volatile accesses: int a, b; volatile c, d; int e (int x, int y) { return x + y; } int f (void); // + :> (int ! vol(1), int ! vol(1)) -> int ! vol(1) a + b; // OK, int ! none a + c; // OK, int ! vol(1) c + d; // Error: int ! vol(2) a + e(a, b); // OK, int ! none a + e(c, b); // OK, int ! vol(1) d + e(c, b); // Error: int ! vol(2) a + f(); // Error: int ! Persistent The effect annotation allows a maximum vol of 1 in either operand of + , but also allows a maximum vol of 1 for the entire expression, which means that at most one operand can have the vol effect at all. (It doesn't specify that the result has vol(1) if neither operand does.) (note: not actually proposing this restriction!) We could also provide specified effect checks for known functions, such as malloc - say we wanted to ensure that the size property was always pure (again, not proposing we do so), as well as refining the effect on the (system, opaque) malloc implementation to just mem : // malloc :> (int ! none) -> mem void * p = NULL; p = malloc (6); // OK, parameter is int ! none p = malloc (d); // Error: parameter is int ! vol p = malloc (sizeof (int) * e(a, b)); // OK p = malloc (sizeof (int) * (a = b)); // Error: int ! mut p = malloc (f ()); // Error: int ! Persistent Proposed recommended practice With the above, we can provide a table of recommended practices, analogous to the operator table for MISRA's essential types. Question: what are the permitted effects for each category of operator? We can generalize effect rules across expression statements and controlling expressions so that we do not need special-case rules for where certain operations can appear. Proposal: every expression statement, operand, and controlling expression should be recommended to the effect magnitudes 1 for the mut and vol classes (i.e. the effect signature of every expression should either not include mut or vol , or only include them as mut(1) or vol(1) respectively). This removes the need to ensure that assignments, modifications and volatile accesses are fully-sequenced (even if we fix evaluation order), making them much easier to read and reason about. Proposal: initializers, function calls, and arithmetic operators should not include the mut effect class in the the type-and-effect of their operands, with a recommendation to diagnose: // +, *, - etc. :> (int ! vol(1) // , int ! vol(1)) -> int ! vol(1) Or alternatively, to ensure readability and understand-ability without needing to rely on strict order of evaluation, allow only one mut so that its order is less important: // +, *, - etc. :> (int ! { mut(1), vol(1) } // , int ! { mut(1), vol(1) }) -> int ! { mut(1), vol(1) } For control structures, specifying an effect check for the operand expressions is analogous to specifying a type for a function's parameters and would indicate a maximum recommended effect (not the same as the "operator signature" for the control structure itself, see below): // for-clause-1 :> T ! { Local | Persistent } // for-clause-2 :> T ! vol(1) // for-clause-3 :> T ! { Persistent | Local(1) } // alternatively // for :> (!{ Local | Persistent } // ignores type component , !vol(1) , !{ Persistent | Local(1) } , !wild) // effect of the secondary-block is part of the signature! -> void ! wild Recommendations like these incorporates some notions about readability. Other generalizations are possible. Specifying type-and-effect checks for various functions (library and standard) allows a finer grain on restricting permitted use patterns and may be useful to ensure arguments are consistent or results are not used improperly. Polymorphic effect signatures In contrast to a check which imposes constraints on operands and result, a signature describes what the effect of an entity is directly. This is where a distinction creeps in between C functions, which will mostly have an atomic effect, and C operators, which are polymorphic because an operator is a higher order entity: // add :: int ! none int add (int x, int y) { return x + y; } add ((ext = v), ++ errno); // add still has effect none // it's operator() which has to deal with the nonsense In contrast to add , which is a function from two values to a result value, an operator like + takes two expressions to produce a combined expression i.e. it works on program fragments. This is therefore more analogous to a higher-order function: (ext = v) + (++ errno); // is more like add2([]{ ext = v; }, []{ ++ errno; }); // add2 :: (int ! 'a, int ! 'b) -> int ! { 'a | 'b } // + :: (T ! 'lhs, T ! 'rhs) -> T ! { 'lhs | 'rhs } (This shows that a useful syntax for generalized operators needs to be able to express dependence on the effects of the operands through effect variables) Note that all binary operators in C have a very similar effect signature (the difference is only in the type part): // && :: (T ! { 'lhs }, T ! { 'rhs }) -> int ! { 'lhs | 'rhs } The effects of the right hand operand are part of the signature regardless of whether it is evaluated or short-circuited. The assignment and unary increment operators can be specified as introducing the mut effect class: // =, +=, etc. :: (T ! 'lhs, T ! 'rhs) -> T ! { 'lhs | 'rhs | mut } // ++, -- :: (int ! 'a) -> int ! { 'a | mut } Finally, this allows us to define type-and-effect signatures for the language's primitive control operators and model them as operators as well: // if :: (int ! 'cond) -> (void ! 'blk) -> void ! { 'cond | 'blk } Although not useful by itself, this then makes it easier to define control operators in terms of the existing operators with more refined effect types: // my_if :: (int ! Local) -> (void ! Local) -> void ! Local #define my_if(COND) if (COND) /* */ The above macro defines a new control structure my_if which is typed as only permitting local ( mut and vol , uncounted) effects within its condition and its secondary-block. The signature defines the control structure a a curried operator, which takes a single expression argument and then the result of that operation is a second operator which takes a secondary-block as its operand: my_if (a == b) { something (); } my_if (a == b) // <- application 1 { something (); } // <- application 2 This is distinct from the signature // my_if2 :: (int ! Local, void ! Local) -> void ! Local #define my_if2(COND, STMT) if (COND) { STMT } which has different compositional properties; we can imagine a higher-order control structure that would accept the result of the first application of my_if : // my_control :: ((void ! Local) -> void ! Local // <- signature of `my_if(a == b)` // , int ! None // , int ! None) -> void ! Local #define my_control(OP, X, Y) do { OP { work (X, Y); } } while (0) my_control treats OP as an operator and gives it the "operand" of { work (X, Y); } . This allows us to make control fragments composable in (the beginnings of) a typed fashion, with many potentially useful applications. Prior Art Effect systems generalize a concept which is repeatedly reinvented, e.g. as "cone of evaluation", or even constexpr , and which could benefit by being integrated into the type system of the base language instead of existing implicitly as an ad-hoc. Effect systems are deployed in a number of languages to great effect. The guarantee from a function's type that it will or will not behave in a certain way, as a binary flag, is well-attested in every language from Java (as checked exceptions) through to systems based on algebraic handlers like Koka. A number of projects have also added effect systems to C such as Deputy, though these are generally far more complex than the proposal here. In languages with richer type systems like OCaml, it is possible to encode effects and their handlers using existing language features as a library feature, which is simpler overall that introducing a parallel type system; the language infrastructure to do this in C simply isn't there, though. An alternative approach would be to build towards having a type system rich enough to encode effects in a similar way. An effect system is implemented in QAC and is used in several analyses. The system we use is mostly additive, as for resource tracking we prefer to rely on full flow analysis; however, it is capable of the operations described above to both count and cancel-out, and thus handle effects "algebraically" as well. Impact At the moment we propose that this feature should be provided through attributes, and therefore any implementation that does not wish to implement effect checking is free to simply not do so. Actually implementing effect tracking and checking is not onerous, but adding the attribute notation to the parser may represent a meaningful amount of effort for some tools. Future directions A concrete notation for effect annotation based on attributes can be specified either resembling the notation in the examples above, or with a different appearance. This proposal composes well with N3316 The void -which-binds, in that the same annotation system used to indicate that functions are polymorphic over types can be reused to indicate polymorphism over effects. Effect polymorphism is essential for giving higher-order functions useful effect signatures without blowing up the signature or having every complex operation fall back to wild . An advantage of using attributes to declare effect signatures is that if attribute syntax is integrated into the preprocessor, it will become possible to give macros effect signatures and, in particular, to give function-like macros effect signatures on each parameter: // safe to repeat operands in the definition, // because they aren't allowed to be non-repeatable! #define MAX(X [[effect(none)]], Y [[effect(none)]]) ((X) > (Y) ? (X) : (Y)) // macro that accepts a statement operand // which operates on files but not on memory #define FILE_OP(STMT [[effect(file)]]) do { STMT } while (0) We can later generalize this into a description of the C control structures as analogous to higher-order operators accepting actions as their operands, which has many useful properties for metaprogramming and program construction and allows us to define "types" for what are currently language fragments like do or if . This makes development of staged programming environments that embed C a much more consistent and attractive proposition and has many interesting future applications in offloading more advanced type checking to a first-stage metalanguage. Generalized effect handlers as seen in Koka are a powerful tool for encapsulating work, but for the time being we only propose tracking-and-checking as being more compatible with the aims and spirit of C, i.e. a C program should prefer to disallow effects from occurring in specified regions at all rather than encapsulating them and having to provide failure strategies. An effect handler in Koka, Ocaml, etc. is allowed to not invoke the continuation, which means that it needs to be able to compile as a jump-out; this would risk introducing more opportunities for poor structure and generally favours writing new code rather than annotating existing code. It may also be unnecessary if it becomes easier to use C as the embedded language in a staged programming system, in which case the handlers can be expressed as operators in the first-stage language and do not need to be included as first-class C features. Proposed wording No concrete wording is proposed at this time. Questions for WG14 Would WG14 like to formalize an effect system for C2y along the lines of the system proposed by N3317? Would WG14 like to codify the effect system in the core language instead of in the attribute language? References Jaipur, India - 21st Jan 2025 - Texaura, an innovative brand rooted in sustainability and craftsmanship, proudly announces its launch, offering a curated range of organic bed and bath essentials. With a focus on minimalist design, fine craftsmanship, and eco-conscious living, Texaura introduces a new category of organic blankets and throws, transforming how customers experience home luxury. Market Opportunity Supported by Growth Insights The global home textiles market, valued at over $117 The cannabis store manager accused of killing an 18-year-old and a 20-year-old who attempted to rob the North Portland store at gunpoint will remain in custody without bail until the case reaches trial, a judge ruled Friday. A Thursday morning bail hearing provided the most detailed look in the states first-degree murder case against Jason Steiner, who was the lone employee working at the La Mota pot shot in the St. Johns neighborhood when three people in masks burst in on Oct. 3, 2024. A federal jury in the District of Columbia was set to start deliberating Tuesday morning after Bend resident Jared Lane Wises nine-day trial wrapped up last week on civil disorder and five other charges in the Jan. 6 takeover of the U.S. Capitol. Instead, the prosecutor and Wises public defender moved to dismiss the indictment, citing President Donald Trumps executive order pardoning or commuting the sentences of defendants in the Jan. 6 attack, as well as dismissing all pending indictments against others stemming from the takeover. Trump issued the executive order Monday, shortly after he was sworn in as the nations 47th president. A lawsuit by several demonstrators against the U.S. government alleging officers used excessive force and illegally detained them during Portland protests in 2020 has been settled for undisclosed amounts, their attorneys confirmed Tuesday. The joint suit was filed by Mark Pettibone, Fahiym Acuay known as Mac Smiff, Andre Miller, Nichol Denison, Maureen Healy, Christopher David, Duston Obermeyer and James McNulty. A former Oregon Department of Education employee hired to manage the implementation of a 2023 law that makes it harder for school districts to consign high-needs students to less than a full day in school says the agency has mishandled some of the $3.1 million in state funding tied to the new rules. In a lawsuit filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court Wednesday, Allison Watkins says she repeatedly tried to alert her supervisors that the funds were being mismanaged, because she and her team who were tasked with helping school districts comply with the new law, set by Senate Bill 819 were being diverted to other unrelated projects. After nearly two decades at KOIN-TV in Portland, anchor Jenny Hansson has left the station and taken a new position as communications director for Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield. On Friday, Jan. 17, during her final 4 p.m. news broadcast, Hansson was saluted by some of her colleagues, including Jeff Gianola, Josh Cozart, Ken Boddie, Elizabeth Dinh, and more. Hansson had been at KOIN since 2006, and was a familiar presence to viewers, thanks to her stints as an anchor for the morning news show, as well as the noon and 4 p.m. broadcasts, and her work covering a variety of stories. Hundreds of people gathered Monday for the 40th annual Martin Luther King Jr. tribute to hear speeches from community leaders and activists, see music and dance performers and shop at local vendors. But most noticeable were the constant shouts of Hello Sir! and How you doing?!, the handshakes and hugs from old friends and mentors, the children running through the hall signs of a community coming together, especially during a politically challenging time. Keep Alive the Dream, put on since the 1970s by the World Arts Foundation, seeks to celebrate and preserve African-American contributions in American culture. It has been recognized as the largest long-standing community cultural event of its kind in Oregon. This year, organizers held it at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Northeast Portland in recognition of their many community volunteers, said Donny Adair, an activist and radio personality who helped organize the event. MLK is still an icon for us in the struggle for equality. By celebrating this day, were acknowledging the barriers and discrimination that still exist in America today and throughout the whole world, Adair told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Adair, who came to the event with his grandson, said challenges such as lack of affordable housing, poverty and food insecurity were critical to overcome for Black and other communities of color. There are forces at work that want to spin the clock back. We havent gotten to free at last, free at last still, he added, quoting the ending of Kings famous I Have a Dream speech. It wasnt lost on attendees that this years event was held at a swank hotel in Albina, Adair said. The neighborhood was once part of the historical Albina district, a thriving community where many Black families had bought homes, built churches and ran businesses. Those homes were razed in the 1950s and 1960s to make way for public works projects and other new buildings. Other Black families moved away as the neighborhood disintegrated, including the mother of Narvy James Jr., a musician and business owner who has come to the event for years. In the past, people lived across the street from each other, everybody watched each others kids, we closed the streets to have BBQs now, theres no sense of community, except for the churches, James Jr. said. Thats why Keep Alive the Dream has been so important for the community, he said, offering a space for people to gather, long-time friends to reconnect and to teach the next generation about the importance of Kings fight for equal rights. We grew up here in the Albina community, and because of the struggles we went through, its necessary to keep the legacy going, James Jr. said. We have to encourage young people to get involved. Former state Sen. Margaret Carter, the first Black woman elected to the Oregon Legislature, took the stage at the event to a standing ovation and exhorted people to keep fighting. Most of us are sitting back saying, Oh, theyre going to do it, let somebody else do it, she chided the crowd. Stop being lazy! People responded with Tell it like it is, Margaret! Carter, speaking only hours after President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term in office, decried Trumps intentions to remove diversity and inclusion mandates, dismantle policies supporting LGBTQ communities and destroy health care. Get your muscles ready, get your legs going, because were going to be very darn busy in terms of fighting for the American way, that we too are Americans, she said. Carter said every American should get involved in working for equality. The fight isnt just about Black people. You cant have justice, you cant have freedom until all of us are free, she said Too many of our people have lost their lives and we must not allow their fighting to have been in vain. Carter then led the crowd in a chant of We are not hopeless. Other speakers included Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, activist S. Renee Mitchell and Portland City Councilor Loretta Smith. The event also included performances by the Papalotl Mexican Ballet and Joe Bean Keller. State Sen. Lew Frederick, D-North and Northeast Portland, who met King in Atlanta during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, said King told him to not let hate and bitterness into his heart, but instead to use those emotions to focus on peaceful, constructive work. Decades ago, Dr. King would tell us, before we headed off to the marches, that if we wanted to do well, we should not let hate, anger or fear develop, because even small amounts of it will create further problems, Frederick told the crowd. Weve earned the right to be angry, but only if we channel and translate it to keep up the good fight and the good trouble. Gosia Wozniacka covers environmental justice, climate change, the clean energy transition and other environmental issues. Reach her at gwozniacka@oregonian.com or 971-421-3154. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. We are lawyers who represent homeowners shortchanged by property insurers after disasters like fires, treefalls or burst pipes. If our cases dont settle, they proceed to jury trial to hold insurers accountable. Lawyers often take such cases on contingency, because under Oregon law, a recovery in any amount obliges insurers to pay policyholders attorney fees. Much ink has been spilled about Luigi Mangione, whose manifesto savages health insurers and their unfair coverage denials. But the debate omits a key issue. The problem is: you cant sue these insurers in state court. Most Americans get health insurance through their job, meaning their health insurance plans are subject to the federal ERISA statute. Under ERISA, health insurers cannot be sued in state court. And before they can sue an ERISA health insurer in federal court, consumers must first exhaust all administrative remedies available from the same health insurer that denied their claims. This process is a minefield of arcane rules calculated to extinguish the insureds right to sue. Even if consumers clear that hurdle, their claims will be decided, not by a jury, but by a federal judge whose only function is to determine whether the insurers denial was rationally based a very low threshold. If there was any rational basis for the insurers decision, the consumers claims will be dismissed. The remedy: scrap ERISA and allow consumers to take lawsuits against health insurers to a jury. Consumers lawyers will function as a legion of private attorneys general, and bring recalcitrant health insurers to heel. Robert E.L. Bonaparte, Portland Stephen D. Leggatt, Portland To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. Oregon on Tuesday joined a growing list of Democratic-led states suing the Trump administration over its efforts to roll back birthright citizenship in the country. Attorney General Dan Rayfield said he and attorneys general from Washington, Arizona and Illinois filed a lawsuit to challenge President Donald Trumps executive order calling for an end to birthright citizenship, which Rayfield said violates the constitutional rights all children born in the U.S. are entitled to. Separately, a coalition of 18 Democratic-led states, the District of Columbia and the city of San Francisco also filed a lawsuit in federal court in Boston on Tuesday, where officials argue the Trumps administration effort to end birthright citizenship is a flagrant violation of the U.S. Constitution. The administrations attempt to sidestep the Fourteenth Amendment is a clear violation of the United States Constitution. If allowed to stand, this order would break decades of established law that has helped keep kids healthy and safe, Rayfield said in a statement. While the President has every right to issue executive orders during his time in office, that power does not extend to instituting policies that infringe on our constitutional rights. Trump issued a series of executive orders hours after his inauguration Monday, including the one that would end birthright citizenship. Several are part of his promise to carry out a massive immigration crackdown. Birthright citizenship is automatically granted to individuals born in the U.S. under the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. Birthright citizenship dates to 1898 when the Supreme Court confirmed the principle in a case that clarified children born in the U.S. to immigrant parents are citizens, regardless of their parents immigration status, according to the American Immigration Council. In Oregon, an estimated 2,500 U.S. citizen children were born to mothers who lacked legal status, and another estimated 1,500 children were born to two undocumented parents in 2022, alone, according to the lawsuit. The estimates in the other plaintiff states Washington, Arizona and Illinois are higher. Nationally, the suit says, some 255,000 children were born to undocumented mothers, and about 153,000 children were born to two undocumented parents in 2022. Using these numbers, likely more than 12,000 babies born in the United States each month who are entitled to citizenship including more than 1,100 babies born each month in the Plaintiff states will no longer be considered United States citizens under the Citizenship Stripping Order and will be left with no immigration status, the lawsuit reads. These are conservative estimates, and the actual number of those impacted is likely higher, according to the lawsuit. Babies born in the country and stripped of their citizenship would essentially be citizens of no country at all, according to the lawsuit, and would be subject to detention or deportation. Elizabeth Wydra, president of the Constitutional Accountability Center, during a recent call with reporters said one of the reasons why birthright citizenship exists in the U.S. Constitution is so it isnt subject to the whims and winds of political favor as they change. An executive order that purports to change the meaning of the Constitution is obviously not constitutional, you need a constitutional amendment to do that, she said. The lawsuit has been filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington and seeks to invalidate the Trumps administration executive order. The plaintiff states have requested immediate injunctive relief to prevent the executive order from taking effect through a temporary restraining order. Washington is leading the effort. The effects of a citizenship stripping effort would be felt beyond those directly impacted and would lead to financial losses to states where the impacted individuals live, the lawsuit contends. More states and immigration advocacy organizations are also expected to sue the Trump administration over birthright citizenship. Legal fights on that issue and other Trump priorities ultimately may end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Elizabeth Wydra. She is only the president of the Constitutional Accountability Center. The story has been updated. -- Yesenia Amaro is an investigative reporter with a focus on social issues and communities of color. Reach her at 503-221-4395; yamaro@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com In a few weeks, it will be time to spring forward once again. Daylight saving time will begin at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Most devices these days will update automatically to the daylight saving time, but traditional clocks will need to be manually adjusted forward by one hour. Despite some recent efforts to end seasonal time changes, we will continue to spring forward in March and fall back in November for the foreseeable future. In 2024, an effort to place Oregon on year-round standard time died in the legislature. Oregon Senate Bill 1548 passed the Senate but was not sent to the Oregon House of Representatives, effectively killing the measure. Daylight saving time will end on Sunday, Nov. 2, when we will fall back to standard time once again. Julie Evensen covers trending topics and popular culture. She can be reached at jevensen@oregonian.com or @juliecevensen on Twitter and @julieevensen on Threads. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. It was the early morning on Jan. 10, Oregon firefighters first day on the line fighting the massive Palisades fire in Southern California that went on to burn thousands of acres, scorch countless buildings and kill nearly a dozen people. The Douglas County strike team, assigned to extinguish hotspots in the Palisades neighborhood on the western edge of Los Angeles, made its way through deserted streets. The team part of the 370 firefighters sent from every corner of Oregon to California didnt know what to expect, having driven down in their rigs from Oregon the night before. Lawmakers have filed a number of measures that seek to alter Oklahomas election processes. Senate Bill 129, by Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, and Senate Bill 273, by Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, would increase the number of days for in-person absentee voting. Senate Bill 129 would increase in-person absentee voting to 14 days. Independent local journalism for OU and Norman since 1916 Students pay about $14 in annual fees that support the Daily. If you are not a student and find value in our work, please match or exceed that if you can. MAKE A ONE-TIME OR RECURRING DONATION Borens bill adds Wednesday for any election and Saturdays during the three weeks preceding the general election, primary, runoff or presidential primary elections. Kirt said there arent enough early voting days. People need access, she said. She said long lines during early voting in the last election cycle discouraged people from casting ballots. State leaders need to prioritize making it easier for people to cast a ballot without it being a hassle, she said. Senate Bill 329, by Boren, would require notice to those voting absentee if a ballot is rejected and give the voter an opportunity to remedy the defective paperwork. If that ballot was rejected three weeks before the election, I could have gone in and voted in person if I had known, Boren said. Other states tell people what they need to fix. We dont give that option when a ballot is rejected. She said a scriveners error should not negate a persons right to vote. House Bill 1692, by Rep. Ronald Stewart Jr., D-Tulsa, would make any day in which a general election is held a state holiday. The measure would increase voter participation, he said. In the 2024 general election, the percentage of Oklahoma eligible voters who cast ballots was among the lowest in the nation, experts said. House Bill 1985, by Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, would end straight-party voting. It is one of the issues that continually came up on the door steps when she was campaigning, she said. Ranson said it would require people to vote for the candidate and not the party. I think it encourages voters to educate themselves on who is running, Ranson said. House Bill 1712, by Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, would require a political party that holds a closed primary or runoff primary to repay the cost of the election. Bennett said his bill serves as a financial incentive to open up the process. Elections are funded by the taxpayers, he said. Democrats currently allow independents to vote in primaries and runoffs, but Republicans and Libertarians do not. Supporters of open primaries have indicated they are circulating an initiative petition to get the issue, in the form of State Question 836, on the ballot. House Bill 1515, by Rep. Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle, would require registered voters seeking an absentee ballot to provide a statement declaring why they are unable to vote either early in-person absentee or on election day due to work, school or travel. Senate Joint Resolution 5, by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, would require initiatives, referendums and Constitutional amendments sent to voters to be approved by at least 60% of voters rather than a majority. The measure would have to be approved by a vote of the people to become law. Lawmakers return Feb. 3 to the Capitol. Oklahoma Voice is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a nation 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and donations focused on delivering state government news. The Voice maintains full editorial independence. For more stories by Oklahoma Voice go to oklahomavoice.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The open preparatory court hearing on the criminal case on crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including waging a war of aggression, genocide, forced displacement of population, persecution, torture, robbery, and other illegal acts committed by the state of Armenia and its armed forces, as well as the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic established by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and its illegal armed formations, continued on January 21, Trend reports. The trial, held at the Baku Military Court, located in the Baku Judicial Complex, presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev and composed of Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev, provided the defendants with interpreters in Armenian, as well as lawyers. The trial was attended by 350 people from among the victims, totaling more than 531,000 people. This time the defense motions were reviewed during the trial. The next court hearing is scheduled for January 27, at which decisions on the motions will be announced. To note, the 15 persons are accused of crimes committed by the Republic of Armenia and its armed forces, including the illegal "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" created by Armenia and its illegal armed formations. The following individuals: Harutyunyan Arayik, Ghukasyan Arkady, Saakyan Bako, Ishkhanyan David, Manukyan David, Babayan David, Mnatsakanyan Levon, Beglaryan Vasily, Ghazaryan Eric, Allahverdiyan Davit, Stepanyan Gurgen, Balayan Levon, Babayan Madat, Martirosyan Garik, and Pashayan Melikset are charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan according to the periods of their participation in criminal acts: Article 100 (planning, preparation, unleashing or waging a war of aggression), 102 (attack on persons or institutions which enjoy international protection ), 103 (genocide), 105 (destruction of population), 106 (slavery), 107 (deportation or forced resettlement of population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible detention of a person), 112 (deprivation of liberty in violation of international law), 113 (torture), 114 (mercenarism), 115 (violation of the laws or customs of war), 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflicts), 118 (war looting), 120 (premeditated murder), 192 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218 (organization of a criminal community (criminal organization), 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation or carrying of firearms, their components, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices), 270-1 (acts endangering aviation security), 277 (encroachment on the life of a state or public figure), 278 (forcible seizure of power or forcible retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional order of the state), 279 (creation of armed formations or groups not provided for by law) and other articles. An important part of the Interpreter Foundations effort to support the early portion of this years Come, Follow Me curriculum is our calling renewed attention to the short-video features that we created in connection with the Witnesses film project. Here is todays offering: Episode 9: Is the Spaulding Argument Valid? Witnesses of the Book of MormonInsights: Through the years, much has been made of the argument that a man by the name of Solomon Spaulding (or Spalding) wrote a manuscript that was used by Joseph Smith as his source for the Book of Mormon. Is there any validity to these claims? This is Episode 9 of a series compiled from the many interviews conducted during the course of the Witnesses film project. . . . These additional resources are hosted by Camrey Bagley Fox, who played Emma Smith in Witnesses, as she introduces and visits with a variety of experts. These individuals answer questions or address accusations against the witnesses, also helping viewers understand the context of the times in which the witnesses lived. This week we feature Gerrit Dirkmaat, Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. For more information, go to https://witnessesofthebookofmormon.org/. Learn about the documentary movie UndauntedWitnesses of the Book of Mormon at https://witnessesundaunted.com/. Another important part of our effort is that, as I announced here yesterday, we have now made the docudrama Undaunted available for streaming at no charge: See the entry for it at The Witnesses Initiative. In other movie news, I continue to accumulate interesting specimen from media coverage of the current Netflix hit miniseries American Primeval. Here is a critical response, roughly nine minutes in length, from a believing Latter-day Saint: A Thoughtful Faith: A Bigoted Fantasy: Why American Primeval IS NOT History. (You have to admit that the woman who shows up at approximately 1:08 seems to be a very careful, meticulous, and discerning scholar of history.) A quibble: As the speaker himself indicates in a postscript, what he says about the relative roles of Indians and Latter-day Saints in the podcast is not quite accurate. He was relying upon the late Leonard Arrington, a preeminent Latter-day Saint historian and (among other things) a biographer of Brigham Young. But we know more about the tragedy at Mountain Meadows now than we did when Professor Arrington wrote his biography. As Ive already observed here, the best treatments of the Mountain Meadows Massacre now in print are Ronald W. Walker, Richard E. Turley, and Glen M. Leonard, Massacre at Mountain Meadows (Oxford University Press, 2011) Richard E. Turley and Barbara Jones Brown, Vengeance Is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath (Oxford University Press, 2023) Janiece Johnson, Convicting the Mormons: The Mountain Meadows Massacre in American Culture(The University of North Carolina Press, 2023) And, if you really, really, want to get into the subject, another important scholarly reference publication that serves as a basis for at least the latter two books is Richard E. Turley Jr., Janiece L. Johnson, and LaJean Purcell Carruth, Mountain Meadows Massacre: Collected Legal Papers, 2 vols. (University of Oklahoma Press, 2017). But its time to go from serious history to, well, whatever it is that Hollywood and its devotees are serving up: The following two quotations come from a site called The Manual (From Deadwood to Yellowstone: 8 movies and shows like American Primeval to binge next: These movies and shows will quench your thirst for more of the Wild West). The first of them is about American Primeval itself. The second refers to the earlier Hulu hit miniseries Under the Banner of Heaven: American Primeval is the latest big Netflix series and it gives great insights into the ways the Mormon religion gained footing in Utah during the Mormon War throughout 1857 and 1858. Conventional historians have imagined that the Mormon religion had gained footing in Utah commencing with the arrival of the first pioneer company in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake during the summer of 1847 and with the subsequent founding, to the north and to the south, of cities and towns such as Salt Lake City (1847), Bountiful (1847), Ogden (1848), West Jordan (1848), Kaysville (1849), Provo (1849), Manti (1849), Tooele (1849), Parowan (1851), Brigham City (1851), Nephi (1851), Fillmore (1851), Cedar City (1851), Beaver (1856), Wellsville (1856), and Washington (1856). The Manual apparently thinks that the Mormon religion gained footing in Utah via military conquests in the Mormon War throughout 1857 and 1858. A subtle difference, perhaps, but undoubtedly very helpful for outsiders trying to understand the faith of their Latter-day Saint neighbors. Under the Banner of Heaven is set in Utah just like American Primeval. It examines the influence of the Mormon religion on a pair of murderers who take out a mother and her daughter in the name of the Church. While not a traditional Western, this miniseries is a thorough interpretation of what the people who go to the LDS Church are capable of when they use religion for evil instead of good. Hmmmm. Did the Lafferty brothers go to the LDS Church? Were Ron and Dan Lafferty members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in good standing? Are my Latter-day Saint neighbors likely to murder me any time soon? Inquiring minds want to know! This presentation might help concerned citizens find answers to questions that trouble them about the potentially lethal presence of Latter-day Saints in their communities: Was the Early Mormon Church Really a Violent Faith? | American Primeval Finally, in closing, I offer a couple of links that might shed light on the direction that leaders of the Church are providing for Brigham Young University. Some critics have sought to portray the University as entering a dark and oppressive age of theocratic thought control. I, on the other hand, am happy and enthusiastic about the very intentional way in which Church and University leadership are acting. Of course, much depends upon the manner in which principles are implemented. I hope that application will be intelligent, charitable, and kind, but also that mercy will not rob justice. I strongly support the principles: Stewardship to God is a necessary component of religious freedom, Elder Gilbert says: The Churchs education commissioner tells J. Reuben Clark Law Society that religious freedom, institutional governance and stewardship to God all work together to create correct condition for religious expression BYU, other Latter-day Saint schools will not drift from church governance, leader says: Elder Clark G. Gilbert, commissioner of education for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says hiring policy is one way church and schools will remain aligned Lenovos iconic crimson red TrackPoint nub, which has been going strong for three decades, is a staple of ThinkPad laptops. However, this year at CES, Lenovo announced that its ditching the nub on the ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition laptops. Its a surprising move and although Lenovos not removing the nub on every single laptop at this time, who knows what the future holds. Its entirely possible Lenovo may completely phase out the TrackPoint nub in the next couple of years. So, as a way to celebrate the nub, lets dive into its long and sometimes complicated history. Further reading: Lenovos newest ThinkBook laptop unrolls for extra screen space The TrackPoint served as an alternative to the traditional mouse The TrackPoint burst onto the scene in 1992 with the release of the IBM ThinkPad 700C laptop, which was originally designed as a data entry tablet for hospitals and health care workers. The nub, which sits in the middle of the G, H, and B keys, allows you to move the cursor on your screen without ever having to lift your hands off of the keyboard. Essentially, its a joystick that sits in the middle of the keyboard. It works by applying direct pressure with a fingertip the more pressure you apply, the faster the cursor moves. Computer scientist Ted Selker originally developed the pointing-stick technology for IBM, which later became known as the TrackPoint. This was innovative at the time because trackpads werent invented yet, so computer users were still relying on traditional mice to navigate the content on their screens. Not only did the pointing stick reduce wrist strain, but it also saves the user 0.75 seconds (according to a study from Selker), which is the time it takes to shift from the keyboard to the mouse. Nowadays, trackpads are the norm on laptops. While TrackPoint technology still exists, theres a steep learning curve. Personally, I find that I have better control over the cursor with the trackpad than with the TrackPoint nub. That said, theres a whole Reddit community of true TrackPoint fanatics if youre looking to find your people. IBM adds negative inertia to the TrackPoint The TrackPoint underwent a couple of different revisions under IBM. However, the most notable revisions arrived in the third and fourth iteration of the nub. IBM added negative inertia to the TrackPoint III, which increases accuracy by counteracting the positive inertia with applied force, making it feel less sluggish. The fourth iteration, dubbed the TrackPoint IV, had a press-to-select feature that allowed you to select items on the screen by pressing down on the pointing stick. These days you can disable the TrackPoint altogether if you prefer to use the trackpad. The TrackPoint is also compatible with other operating systems (including Windows and Linux), and you can adjust the cursor speed and acceleration. The nub and its various designs The TrackPoints crimson cap went through a series of changes, too. In the above interview with Laptop Retrospective, former IBM designer David Hill explains the evolution of the iconic red cap. The original TrackPoint had a smooth rubber red cap that was dome-like, but it was prone to wear and tear and it had poor traction. The Cat Tongue nub, on the other hand, exhibited excellent traction but it was a dirt magnet. It also felt a bit like sandpaper and was uncomfortable to use. Hill even experimented with a design that resembled a bicycle seat in shape. The idea behind this design was to increase the diameter of the nub, but there were concerns that it would hinder the users typing experience. Though the design never came to fruition, its still an interesting little tidbit of information. Speaking of interesting tidbits of information, the blood red red cap that we know and love almost didnt happen! IBMs product safety division had a lot of power at the time. In fact, they said the color red was reserved for the emergency button on their mainframe computers, so it couldnt be used for the TrackPoint. You want to know how ThinkPad designer Richard Sapper got around this? The nubs red color was altered slightly and called magenta. However, when the first batch of ThinkPad laptops shipped, the engineers made the TrackPoint more crimson in color. Talk about a loophole, yeah? Lenovo acquired the TrackPoint brand from IBM in 2005 Lenovo purchased IBMs PC division in 2005 for approximately $1.75 billion, thus acquiring the ThinkPad brand of laptops and the TrackPoint technology that came along with it. This was a big deal at the time because, according to this article from PC Mag, no Chinese company had acquired a major U.S. company up until that point. It turns out that Lenovos acquisition was pretty damn lucrative. As of October 2022, Lenovo has sold over 200 million ThinkPads. IBM sold its PC division to shift focus from hardware to software. The company was also up against some pretty stiff competition and profits from the PC division were declining; selling off the PC division helped improve its financial situation. Lenovo removed the TrackPoint nub from the ThinkPad 11e in 2014 Lenovo removed the TrackPoint from the (now discontinued) ThinkPad 11e back in 2014, which was a surprising move from the company. However, the reasoning was perfectly sound (at least in my eyes!). The ThinkPad 11e was designed for the education market, so the company didnt want to risk including the TrackPoint nub because it posed a potential choking hazard for younger PC users. Of course, die-hard fans werent happy about the missing TrackPoint on the ThinkPad 11e, but the thing that really pissed them off was the removal of the left and right mouse buttons at the top of the touchpad on the X1 Carbon model. This design choice caused a rebellion so great that Lenovo quickly changed course and permanently brought back the left and right mouse buttons on the second generation of the X1 Carbon. Wild, right? The takeaway nobody asked for The TrackPoint is something of a legacy item, a beloved relic of the past. While it was innovative at the time, Im not sure itll survive the rising tide of modern laptop technology and design. Though long-time fans will likely raise their pitchforks and torches at Lenovos TrackPoint-less Aura Edition laptops, I cant help but wonder is this a glimpse into whats to come? Will Lenovo finally ditch the TrackPoint nub for good? Its likely. Very likely. If youve been trying to somehow avoid the Windows 11 2024 Update, those days are over. Microsoft is now saying that mandatory Windows 11 24H2 updates have begun and the installation is lengthier than prior updates, so plan accordingly. Microsofts status updates were made public on its Windows 11 known issues and notifications page, where the company said that it had reached a new stage in the roll out of the Windows 11 2024 Update. We have reached a new stage in the phased rollout of version 24H2. Eligible devices running Home and Pro editions of Windows 11, versions 23H2 and 22H2 will be gradually updated to version 24H2, Microsoft says, as noted by Bleeping Computer. This automatic update targets only devices that are not managed by IT departments. get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Early adopters have had the chance to opt in to receive new updates almost as soon as theyre out, but this new stage has moved on to mainstream users. You still will be able to schedule the updates for outside of your working hours. If you do, simply make sure that your documents are saved and youre not in the middle of an online process (such as shopping or possibly a license renewal at the DMV) that will be interrupted by the upgrade. Youll also have the option to postpone the update altogether, but only for a short time. (On my system, only a one-week delay is available.) As noted in a link above, there are some fairly fundamental changes coming to Windows as part of Windows 11 24H2, including support for USB4s 80Gbps option, Bluetooth LE Audio for hearing aids, Energy Saver controls, and more with some optional changes dropping this spring. Those are the benefits, however. Any longtime Windows user will also recall videos taken by users whose Windows updates happened at inopportune times such as in the middle of TV broadcasts. Windows 11 24H2 is what Microsoft describes as a full code swap. When I upgraded four different notebooks to Windows 11s 2024 Update, each of the updates took over an hour. In other words, if youve become used to simply taking care of an update while you bought a cup of coffee, think again. I really havent noticed many major changes or bugs inside Windows 11 24H2, but it certainly pays to wait while Microsoft fixes them. That time is over and you should schedule an hour or two for Microsofts latest major feature update. OLED monitors are all the rage for PC gamers right now. But even if youre ready to dive in with an upgrade, you dont want to spend more money than you have to, right? Well, set your sights on this Samsung Odyssey OLED G8, a 34-inch ultrawide thats going for just under $640 on eBay thats almost half off its original $1,200 price. At 34 inches and a semi-standard 34401440 resolution with 175Hz of refresh, the curved OLED G8 LS34DG856SNXZA is neither the biggest nor the fastest OLED monitor on the market, but its a great size for anyone who wants an upgrade over standard 1440p without pushing their graphics card to the breaking point. While this screen does support AMD FreeSync and standalone Wi-Fi-connected apps (a la Samsungs smart televisions), note that it doesnt support USB-C video. Youll have to make do with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort. According to the eBay listing (from BuyDig, a reliable seller if youre wondering), using the coupon code SAVEBIG20 takes an additional 20 percent off the $799 sale price, bringing the final price down to just $639.20. Dont forget to apply the code at checkout because it isnt automatic. With free 2-to-3-day FedEx shipping and Pennsylvania state sales tax, Im seeing an out-the-door price of $687.14. This deal isnt lighting up the eBay sales charts, as we saw deeper discounts on Black Friday and over the holidays. If youve waited this long to jump up to OLED, you can probably wait a little longer but if youre itching to upgrade, this is a pretty darn good deal. Get a Samsung 34-inch OLED ultrawide gaming monitor for $640 Were getting used to Netflix hiking its prices on a regular basis, and this time, its raising the price on nearly all its plans, including a first-ever price increase for Netflixs newest tier. Starting now, Netflix Standard with ads will cost new subscribers $7.99 a month in the U.S., a buck-a-month increase over its previous $6.99/month level, according to Deadline. This is the first time Netflixs Standard with ads plan has gotten a price hike. Thats not all. The ad-free Standard plan is also getting a price hike to $17.99 a month, up from $15.49 a month, while the 4K-enabled Premium plan will now be a whopping $24.99/month, a $2-a-month increase over the tiers former $22.99/month price. The only Netflix plan that isnt going up is Netflixs extra member offering, which lets you share your account with someone outside your household for $6.99 a month, Deadline notes. The last time Netflix raised U.S. subscription prices was in October 2023, when it hiked Premium prices to $22.99 a month (a $3-a-month increase) but left its Standard and Standard with ads plans alone. Besides the U.S., Netflix is also raising prices in Canada, Portugal, and Argentina, according to Deadline. Originally called Basic with ads, Netflix rolled out its Standard with ads tier back in 2022, as the streamer was struggling to come back from a spate of subscriber losses earlier that year. The launch price for Standard with ads was $6.99 a month, a bargain compared to the rapidly increasing prices of its ad-free tiers, particularly the Premium plan. While todays price increase for Standard with ads marks the first price hike for the plan, it surely wont be the last. Netflixs regular price increases might be grating for subscribers, but Netflix itself is making a killing. Reporting its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings on Tuesday, Netflix said it had snared a record number of subscribers for the period, thanks in no small part to the new season of Squid Game, as noted by Bloomberg. Also helping Netflixs bottom line is the streamers crackdown on password sharing, which has been so successful that its being copied by Netflixs biggest competitors, including Disney+ and Max. Rage Against the Machine has responded to former President Joe Bidens pardon of Leonard Peltier. While each band member has posted their own reaction, the caption of a video published to Rage Against the Machines shared Instagram account following the news read: Anger is a gift. Leonard Peltier to be freed. Loudwire reports how Peltier a Native American activist and member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) who was sentenced to life in prison after two FBI agents and one Native were killed during a firefight between the group and the agents was the subject of Rage Againsts the Machines video for their song, Freedom. The video was a push for Peltiers release, with witnesses claiming they had been strong-armed by feds to give damning testimonies that resulted in Peltiers sentencing. Now over three decades following the video first aired Rage Against the Machine has gotten what they asked for. LEONARD PELTIER IS GOING HOME!!! wrote guitarist Tom Morello on Instagram. For almost 5 decades human rights organizations, Native American activists, average everyday people and bands like RATM have lobbied for the release of political prisoner Leonard Peltier. Leonard has become a friend over the years and I am so glad at 80 years old and in poor health he will be able to spend his remaining years with family and friends. After almost 50 years of unjust incarceration, clemency was finally granted to Leonard Peltier! said drummer Brad Wilk via the platform. He added: Unreal Feels bittersweet but clemency will finally be served for Leonard Peltier." ISLAMABAD (AP) A prisoner swap between the United States and Afghanistans Taliban freed two Americans in exchange for a Taliban figure imprisoned for life in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges, officials said Tuesday. The deal came as Joe Biden, who oversaw the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, handed power over to returning President Donald Trump. The Taliban praised the swap as a step toward the normalization of ties between the U.S. and Afghanistan, but that likely remains a tall order as most countries in the world still dont recognize their rule and another two Americans are believed held. The Talibans Foreign Ministry in Kabul confirmed the swap, saying two unidentified U.S. citizens had been exchanged for Khan Mohammed, who was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment in 2008. The family of Ryan Corbett, one American held by the Taliban, confirmed he had been released in a statement. Corbett, who had lived in Afghanistan with his family at the time of the 2021 collapse of the U.S.-backed government, was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 while on a business trip. This family photo shows Ryan Corbett holding rabbits with his daughter Miriam and son Caleb in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2020. He's reportedly been freed from the Taliban. (Anna Corbett via AP, file)AP Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryans life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives, the familys statement said. They thanked both Trump and Biden, as well as many government officials, for their efforts in freeing him. Corbetts family also praised the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar for their vital role in facilitating Ryans release, and for their visits to Ryan as the United States Protecting Power in Afghanistan. Energy-rich Qatar has hosted negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban over the years. A statement later from the Qatar Foreign Ministry acknowledged the countrys role in the swap, saying all those traded passed through Doha on their way to their own countries. Qatar hopes that this agreement would pave the way for achieving further understandings as a means to resolve disputes through peaceful means, the statement said. Both CNN and The New York Times, relying on anonymous U.S. officials, identified the second American released as William McKenty, though no other details have emerged about his identity or what he was doing in Afghanistan. Officials in Washington did not respond to requests for comment early Tuesday after Trumps inauguration the day before. Mohammed, 55, was a prisoner in California after his 2008 conviction. The Bureau of Prisons early Tuesday listed Mohammed as not being in their custody. Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, a Taliban Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson, said Mohammed had arrived in Afghanistan and was with his family. Photos released by the Taliban showed him being welcomed back in his home province of Nangarhar, in the countrys east, with multicolored garlands. Mohammed told Taliban-controlled media he had spent time behind bars in Bagram and also Washington, D.C. Its a joy seeing your family and coming to your homeland. The greatest joy is to come and join your Muslim brothers, he said. He was detained on the battlefield in Nangarhar and later taken to the U.S. A federal jury convicted him on charges of securing heroin and opium that he knew were bound for the United States and, in doing so, assisting terrorism activity. The Justice Department at the time referred to Mohammed as a violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker who sought to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan using rockets. He was the first person to be convicted on U.S. narco-terrorism laws. Ahmed Rashid, the author of several books about Afghanistan and the Taliban, described Mohammed as the biggest drugs smuggler the U.S. had to deal with and key funder of the Taliban. Before Biden left office, his administration had been trying to work out a deal to free Corbett, as well as George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi, in exchange for Muhammad Rahim, one of the remaining detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, was taken by the Talibans intelligence services in December 2022 while traveling through the country. Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman who worked as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecommunications company, also went missing in 2022. The Taliban have denied they have Habibi. Habibis family welcomed the exchange and said they were confident the Trump administration would make a greater effort to free him, expressing their frustration with the Biden team. We know they have evidence my brother is alive and in Taliban hands and it could have been influential in encouraging the Taliban to admit they have him, Habibis brother Ahmed said in a statement shared by the nonprofit Global Reach. Biden officials refused to use the evidence, he claimed. We know Trump is about results and we have faith he will use every tool available to get Mahmood home. By SUZAN FRASER, The Associated Press ANKARA, Turkey (AP) A fire raged through a 12-story hotel at a popular ski resort in northwestern Turkey early Tuesday during a school holiday, killing at least 76 people at least two of them when they jumped from the building to escape the flames, officials said. At least 51 people also were injured in the fire at the Grand Kartal hotel in Kartalkaya, in Bolu provinces Koroglu mountains, some 300 kilometers (185 miles) east of Istanbul, said Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The fire occurred near the start of a two-week winter break for schools, when hotels in the region are packed. Our hearts are broken. We are in mourning, " Yerlikaya told reporters outside the hotel. But you should know that whoever is responsible for causing this pain will not escape justice. Atakan Yelkovan, a hotel guest staying on the third floor, told the IHA news agency there was chaos on the upper floors as other guests tried to escape, including by trying to climb down from their rooms using sheets and blankets. People on the upper floors were screaming. They hung down sheets. ... Some tried to jump, Yelkovan said. Firefighters work to extinguish a fire in a hotel at a ski resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, in northwest Turkey, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (IHA via AP)AP Firefighters work at the scene after a fire broke out at a hotel in the ski resort of Kartalkaya, located in the Bolu province, northwest Turkey, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Mert Gokhan Koc/dia Photo via AP)AP Yerlikaya said 45 of the 76 people killed have been identified, while efforts to identify the other victims were continuing.y. Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said at least one of the injured was in serious condition, while 17 other people were treated and released. The hotel had 238 registered guests, Yerlikaya said. The fire was reported at 3:27 a.m. and the fire department began to respond at 4:15 a.m., he told reporters. The government appointed six prosecutors to lead an investigation into the blaze, which is believed to have started in the hotels restaurant section. Nine people have been detained as part of the investigation into the fire, Yerlikaya said. Earlier, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said the hotels owner was among the people detained for questioning in the probe. At least two of the victims died when they jumped from the building in panic, Gov. Abdulaziz Aydin told the state-run Anadolu Agency earlier. Those killed included Nedim Turkmen, a columnist for Sozcu newspaper, his wife and two children, the newspaper announced. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a day of national mourning to be observed on Wednesday. All flags at government buildings and Turkish diplomatic mission abroad would be lowered to half-staff, he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Azerbaijani citizens are not among the dead and injured in the fire that occurred in the ski center Kartalkaya in Turkiye's Bolu province, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Aykhan Hajizada told Trend. To note, the death toll from the fire reached 66 people, while 51 others were injured. The fire started last night at around 03:30 local time on the fourth floor of the 11-story hotel building. Thirty fire engines and 28 ambulances were dispatched to the scene. Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin stated that the cause of the fire is still unknown, but the fire is believed to have started on the floor where the restaurant was located. At the time of the incident, 234 guests were in the hotel. An investigation into the fire has been launched. By Mark Price, The Charlotte Observer (TNS) A woman out on bond for drug trafficking was rearrested days later after deputies found her carrying meth in a tote bag labeled: Definitely Not a Bag Full of Drugs, according to Florida investigators. The discovery was made during a traffic stop in Brevard County, about 10 days after the woman was released from jail, the Brevard County Sheriffs Office said in a Jan. 19 news release. Deputy Lexi Gordon made the discover when her K9 partner took an interest in a few bags belonging to a passenger in the vehicle, officials said. The driver granted permission for a search, stating nothing illegal should be inside, the sheriffs office said. Well unfortunately for (the driver), this is the part you just cant make up, (his passenger) had a few bags with her and one of them had the words Definitely Not a Bag Full of Drugs printed on it! The bag was filled with ... drugs, the sheriffs office said. Deputy Gordon located methamphetamine, needles, Narcan, digital scales, small baggies, cut straws and other items associated with drugs. The 31-year-old woman was arrested and charged with felony possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture and deliver, felony amphetamine/methamphetamine trafficking, and misdemeanor possession/use of drug paraphernalia, jail records show. Those are the same charges the woman faced when arrested 10 days earlier, records show. Brevard County is about a 40-mile drive east from Orlando. A homeless man was pronounced dead two days after he was found in critical condition following a tent fire in Harrisburg last week, according to city officials. The man died Jan. 18 after canned fuel gel he was using to generate heat inside his tent caused a fire on Jan 16 around 7:30 a.m. at the homeless encampment on the 900 block of South Front Street, according to Harrisburg fire chief Brian Enterline. Enterline said the fire was ruled accidental, as the man was using the canned gel fuel, also widely known as a Sterno can, to stay warm in frigid temperatures. After the fire, the man was airlifted to Bayview Medical Center in Maryland where he later died, Enterline said. He was taken to the burn unit in Maryland because of the severity of his injuries. His name and age have not been released. Enterline said the fire burned about 60% to 70% of the mans body, in some parts down to the bone. During a city press meeting, the fire chief said the wounds were among the top five worst hes seen. A woman who lives at the homeless encampment said the canned gel fuel may have fallen on something in the tent before the fire started. The fire damage was contained to the mans tent, Enterline said. A Bradford County teacher and her daughter were killed in a house fire on Monday. The fire was reported at 4:22 a.m. at a home in Herrick Township, according to the Rocket-Courier. Both Ashley Roehrig, a teacher at Wyalusing Valley Elementary School, and Avery Roehrig, a third-grader at that school, were trapped in a room on the first floor of the home and perished, the county coroner said. Other members of the family were able to exit the house. They were treated at a local hospital and released. The house was destroyed, news reports said. We are heartbroken by the recent tragedy that has deeply impacted the Roehrig family and our entire community, a post on the Wyalusing Area School Districts Facebook page said. Together, we will navigate this challenging time as a united community. The Wyalusing Area School Board president has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the Roehrig family. So far over $81,000 has been raised. By William Bender, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) When Philadelphias police union was negotiating its last contract in 2021, calls to abolish and defund the police still echoed across the city. The national reckoning over police brutality in the wake of George Floyds murder had not yet stalled. City Council voted 16-1 in May of that year to create a new civilian watchdog group to investigate police misconduct. Even so, the resulting police contract that summer included significant raises for Philly cops with only modest changes to the officer disciplinary process. Now, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 is returning to the negotiating table with a new wish list for 2025: More money, less oversight. In addition to standard contract requests such as pay raises and a more favorable vacation policy the police union is seeking to roll back transparency and accountability measures that predate the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest of 2020. Hundreds of Philadelphians came out to protest police brutality and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. While many protesters were peaceful, others lit cars on fire, vandalized the statue of former mayor Frank Rizzo and looted shops. Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com The FOP, for instance, wants to end the police departments nearly 10-year-old policy of releasing the names of most officers involved in shootings. It also wants to prevent the Citizens Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) from investigating police misconduct. And it wants to restrict outside access to currently available records such as those detailing how fired officers return to the force through the once-secretive grievance arbitration process. Roosevelt Poplar, president of the FOP in Philadelphia, told his members last month that the package of proposals fairly compensates you for your stellar job performance and accurately reflects the sacrifices that you and your families make on a daily basis, according to a statement posted on the unions website. The FOP also wants officers to be able to live in New Jersey and Delaware, and for the city to provide a 10-year, $100,000 interest-free loan to any officer who purchases a home in Philadelphia. For each year of service, the city would forgive $10,000 of the loan, the union has proposed. For its part, city officials want all new officers to live in Philadelphia; give CPOC the power to conduct independent investigations of officers; and make changes to the Heart and Lung disability program that has been widely abused by police officers and was the subject of an Inquirer investigation. Police are now working under a one-year extension to the 2021 contract. The extension included a 5% raise and runs through June 2025. Both the FOP and city officials declined to comment on negotiations. FILE - In this June 1, 2020 file photo, police detain protesters in the aftermath of a march calling for justice over the death of George Floyd on Interstate 676 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)AP The FOP will likely have more leverage this year than in 2021 because the department remains understaffed and cannot afford to lose more officers: It is funded for about 6,380 officers but only employs about 5,000. The local and national political environment is also more favorable to police today, with the 2023 election of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, who ran on a law-and-order platform, and police reform initiatives around the country having largely fallen short. Advocates for stronger police oversight in Philadelphia are concerned that the FOP is seeking to push its advantage to chip away at public transparency requirements. On the one hand, they got to represent their membership and push as far as they can. But at the expense of what? asked Michael Mellon, colead of the Police Accountability Unit at the Defender Association of Philadelphia. Its at the expense of transparency and the public knowing whats going on with the police department and its officers. Keeping records in the dark Under the privacy and family safety section of the FOP proposals, the union is seeking to prevent the city from releasing police personnel records that are otherwise covered by an exemption in the Right-to-Know Law. In 2019, The Inquirer obtained 170 previously confidential police arbitration opinions and settlements through that state public records law. The newspapers Fired, then rehired investigation showed that the FOP had been successful in overturning or reducing police discipline about 70% of the time since 2011. City lawyers stated then that such records are exempt from disclosure under the Right-to-Know Law, but that then-Mayor Jim Kenneys administration agreed to waive the exemption because there was a strong public interest in disclosure. FILE - Philly Boricuas, a local Puerto Rican community and activism group, rallies in support of Eddie Irzarry in Philadelphia on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. Officer Mark Dial who shot and killed a driver who was sitting in his car turned himself in Friday, Sept. 8 to face criminal charges.(Charles Fox/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)AP Today, the city routinely releases those arbitration records. But the FOP is seeking to stop the city from waiving those exemptions. If successful, Mellon said, that could mean a return to the days when problem cops fired by the police commissioner sometimes repeatedly were quietly reinstated with no explanation. No one knew what was happening or the reasoning, Mellon recalled. The FOP also wants to stop the police department from providing officer disciplinary records to any outside entity, including the District Attorneys Office and any civilian review board or commission without new standards approved by the union. The identities of police officers involved in shootings would remain confidential unless they are charged criminally, under the FOPs contract proposals. That would reverse a policy that then-Commissioner Charles Ramsey instituted in 2015 under which the names are typically released within 72 hours. Devontae Torriente, a legal fellow at the National Police Accountability Project who has researched Philadelphia police reform efforts, said some of the unions proposed restrictions around public records would amount to setting us back decades. The public cant effectively oversee and provide accountability to the police department if it doesnt know whats going on, he said. Its a critical part of the understanding to know what offenses and patterns exist. Fear of losing more police Last week, 10 City Council members sent a letter to Parker urging her administration to enshrine CPOCs investigatory power in the new FOP contract. The letter called the citizen commission essential to addressing generations of eroding trust around the police department. But Joseph Giacalone, a retired New York Police Department sergeant and adjunct criminal justice professor at Penn State Lehigh Valley, said Council members need to acknowledge that the FOP has the upper hand. If they didnt watch the last presidential election closely, where blue cities turned purple, I think theyre in for a rude awakening, Giacalone said. Giacalone said the next FOP contract needs to be generous enough to prevent more officers from leaving. He also questioned the effectiveness of citizen oversight boards, which have a mixed record around the country. Many members, he argued, dont have the law enforcement or tactical experience to effectively investigate police officers. Theyll ask why you had to shoot him in the chest, and why didnt you shoot him in the leg, Giacalone said. They watch too many episodes of CSI: Miami. Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., who authored the CPOC legislation and signed the letter last week to Parker, said he was open to compromise. A police officer walks away from the scene where two officers were injured while responding to reported standoff in East Lansdowne, Pa., on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)AP Jones said he considered the current FOP leadership under Poplar to be more flexible than in the past. It was not unreasonable, Jones argued, for the union to want to shield the identities of officers involved in shootings while they are under investigation. They have a job to do to defend their members, Jones said. We cant be overly harsh, but we cant live in a society that does not have consequences. As for giving CPOC the power to investigate cops, Jones told a Parker administration official at a Council hearing in November that it is nonnegotiable and needs to be included in the FOP contract. Dont come back here without that, he said. CPOC now has a seat at the contract negotiating table, said agency executive director Tonya McClary. While negotiations have just begun, McClary said the FOPs s initial proposals represent a significant step back for police reform initiatives, some of which had already been litigated years ago. It really does undermine transparency, she said. To be honest with you, its a little alarming. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The Inquirers journalism is supported in part by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism and readers like you. News and Editorial content is created independently of The Inquirers 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. 2025 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit www.inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. By Sharon Sedlar As families across the commonwealth increasingly demand greater control over their kids education, kids needs must be prioritized. By Rob Tornoe and Julia Terruso, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) Sen. John Fetterman, D- Pa., shot down rumors he plans to jump to the Republican Party after meeting with President Donald Trump. Its not going to happen, Fetterman told Semafor on Monday night. And even if I wanted to do that, that is a rocket sled to Palookaville to try to switch. I would make a pretty bad Republican. Rumors have swirled due to Fettermans outreach to Republicans, including becoming the first sitting Democratic senator to visit Trump at Mar-a-Lago. He also called for Joe Biden to pardon Trump in his New York hush-money case. Fetterman, who attended Mondays inauguration wearing his trademark shorts and hoodie, sent a fundraising email out shortly after Trump took the oath with the subject line my non-negotiables. Even though Donald Trump is officially back in the White House, Im not backing down from fighting for whats right, the email read. He listed three somewhat vague categories: the union way of life needs to live on, leave LGBTQ+ people ... alone, and Governments job is to make your life easier, not take away your rights. On Monday night Fetterman was one of 12 Democrats to vote in favor of the GOP-backed Laken Riley immigration bill, which he also cosponsored. The bill passed the Senate with several GOP amendments and now heads back to the House for final passage. By MATTHEW LEE, AP Diplomatic Writer WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending all U.S. foreign assistance programs for 90 days pending reviews to determine whether they are aligned with his policy goals. It was not immediately clear how much assistance would initially be affected by the Monday order as funding for many programs has already been appropriated by Congress and is obligated to be spent, if not already spent. The order, among many Trump signed on his first day back in office, said the foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values and serve to destabilize world peace by promoting ideas in foreign countries that are directly inverse to harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries. Consequently, Trump declared that no further United States foreign assistance shall be disbursed in a manner that is not fully aligned with the foreign policy of the President of the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing last week that every dollar we spend, every program we fund, and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous? he said. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., approved as secretary of state, attends the inauguration Jan. 20. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)AP The order signed by Trump leaves it up to Rubio or his designee to make such determinations, in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development are the main agencies that oversee foreign assistance. Trump has long railed against foreign aid despite the fact that such assistance typically amounts to roughly 1% of the federal budget, except under unusual circumstances such as the billions in weaponry provided to Ukraine. Trump has been critical of the amount shipped to Ukraine to help bolster its defenses against Russias invasion. The last official accounting of foreign aid in the Biden administration dates from mid-December and budget year 2023. It shows that $68 billion had been obligated for programs abroad that range from disaster relief to health and pro-democracy initiatives in 204 countries and regions. Some of the biggest recipients of U.S. assistance, Israel ($3.3 billion per year), Egypt ($1.5 billion per year) and Jordan ($1.7 billion per year) are unlikely to see dramatic reductions, as those amounts are included in long-term packages that date back decades and are in some cases governed by treaty obligations. Funding for U.N. agencies, including peacekeeping, human rights and refugee agencies, have been traditional targets for Republican administrations to slash or otherwise cut. The first Trump administration moved to reduce foreign aid spending, suspending payments to various UN agencies, including the U.N. Population Fund, and funding to the Palestinian Authority. However, the U.S. previously under Trump had already pulled out of the U.N. Human Rights Council, with its financial obligations, and has been barred from funding the the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, by a bill signed by former President Joe Biden last March. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a loan of 225 million euros to support the construction of energy-efficient homes in Malmo, Sweden, Trend reports. The loan will fund the creation of 1,547 apartments across 13 residential buildings, with completion expected by 2029. The project aims to help Sweden meet its energy-efficiency goals while contributing to the European Unions broader climate objectives. Malmos municipal housing company, MKB Fastighets AB, will lead the development, ensuring that the new apartments surpass Swedens energy-efficiency standards. The construction will occur in phases, with the buildings being spread across various locations in the city, offering mainly one- to four-room apartments. EIB Vice-President Thomas Ostros emphasized the bank's commitment to supporting sustainable urban development: "This investment helps cities like Malmo tackle climate change while enhancing the quality of life for residents." Malmo, Sweden's third-largest city with a rapidly growing population of 360,000, is an economic hub with strong links to Denmark, particularly through the Oresund Bridge and collaboration with Copenhagen. Marie Thelander Dellhag, CEO of MKB Fastighets AB, highlighted the importance of climate-conscious development, stating that the EIB financing affirms the project's alignment with Swedens environmental standards. This loan marks the EIB's seventh collaboration with Malmo since their partnership began in 1995 and continues the bank's support for sustainable infrastructure projects in the city. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. The New PartyPoker Tour Set to Hit the United Kingdom From April Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link PartyPoker last ran a live event in November 2023 when The Irish Poker Festival MILLIONS took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin. PokerNews is delighted to report that the popular online poker room is starting a new live tour, The PartyPoker Tour, with the first of five scheduled events coming in April. 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We already prepared the program how to increase climate finance contributions to $1.3 trillion, said Azerbaijans Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, President of COP29 Mukhtar Babayev, as he addressed the World Economic Forum (WEF) session themed "Road to COP30", Trend reports. In his speech, Babayev praised the outcomes of COP29, especially the historic agreement for countries to contribute $300 billion for the developing world. "This is a great success for all the world, for all the world community," he emphasized. "Before, we didnt have any document or any agreement between the countries with strong intentions and pledges to contribute to the climate agenda". He also outlined the next phase of progress, stressing that efforts are now focused on increasing contributions to a total of $1.3 trillion. "We already prepared the program how to increase the contributions to $1.3 trillion and invite the MDBs, private sector, and all other possible stakeholders to contribute to the climate agenda," he added. Looking ahead to COP30, Babayev expressed optimism, noting the critical opportunity to work closely with the Brazilian team. "We are planning to work very closely with the COP30 team, with the Brazilian team, to support them," he said. "Yes, there are new challenges, but there are also opportunities. Let's think positive. We need to use these opportunities". Babayev also addressed the progress on carbon markets, a major topic of discussion at COP29. "The huge agreement regarding Article 6, after 10 years of discussions, was finally achieved in Baku," he said. "Countries agreed regarding the carbon markets, registrations, authorization, and all other issues. Now, we have opened the door for the private sector to perform huge projects in green transition areas and climate projects". Another key achievement highlighted by Babayev was the operationalization of the loss and damage fund. He thanked all participating countries for their hard work and consensus in reaching an agreement. "Thanks to all the countries, all the participants for hard work and for readiness for consensus to the agreement, and we made this big work in Baku," he said. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 72F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 51F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. COP29 has become an inspiration for Brazil in hosting the next conference, said Helder Barbalho, Governor of Para, as he addressed the World Economic Forum (WEF) session on "Road to COP30", Trend reports. Barbalho underscored the significant role that Brazil will play in the upcoming COP30, which will be hosted in the Amazon region, the largest tropical forest in the world. He emphasized that the success of COP29, which has set the stage for global climate discussions, is a source of inspiration for Brazils leadership in environmental affairs. "We have been working so that Brazil can lead by example and can play its environmental leadership role around the world," Barbalho said. He pointed out that Brazil's unique environmental conditions, with its diverse biomes, and particularly the Amazon, make the country a natural leader in the climate agenda. The governor expressed optimism that COP30 would foster a constructive debate, involving a broad range of stakeholders, including scientists, public institutions, private companies, and especially the First Nations and traditional peoples who have lived in the Amazon for generations. "We wish that this COP, with its symbolism, may help us foster a constructive debate," he said. He also highlighted the potential of COP30 to leave a lasting legacy, particularly in terms of bioeconomics and the continued implementation of Article 6, which aims to regulate the carbon market. "We hope that COP30 in the city of Belem may be an opportunity to leave a legacy for the forest," Barbalho said. "By regulating the carbon market, we may start using a new world commodity." In discussing Brazil's approach to achieving emission neutrality, Barbalho emphasized the importance of investments and energy transitions. "The world is seeking to neutralize emissions, and we see two pillars to achieve this goal," he explained. One of these pillars, according to Barbalho, is the transition away from fossil fuels. He pointed out Brazil's role as a major player in this transition, especially due to its promotion of biofuels and sustainable aviation fuels. Brazils commitment to renewable energy was also a key point in Barbalho's speech. "Brazil positions itself as a major player because it encourages biofuels and safe aviation fuels in this transition," he said. He added that the countrys hydropower resources enable it to generate more than 80% of its energy from renewable sources. Renowned scholar and academic, J. A. Akinyanju, a professor, will be celebrated Wednesday, with a festschrift in his honor. The event, taking place in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, will bring together an assembly of distinguished scientists, friends, family, and mentees to pay tribute to his remarkable contributions to academia and the advancement of critical thought. The event will be chaired by Omotoye Olorode, another professor and esteemed scientist and academic, who shares a legacy of intellectual rigoru and public engagement with Mr Akinyanju. Mr Akinyanju, a retired professor of Microbial Physiology and Industrial Microbiology, has left an indelible mark on his field. His research spans a range of areas, including fermentation studies, industrial enzymes of microbial origin, and probiotics. Over the decades, his work has been instrumental in shaping the scientific communitys understanding of these vital areas. Beyond his academic achievements, Professor Akinyanju is widely recognised for his leadership within the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and his role in provoking critical leftist interventions and discourse. His intellectual pursuits and activism have cemented his reputation as a public intellectual whose influence transcends the laboratory and lecture halls. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Now in his eighties, Mr Akinyanjus legacy continues to resonate, as evidenced by the outpouring of admiration from those gathering in Ilorin. The festschrift celebrates not just his contributions to science but his enduring impact on education, mentorship, and advocacy for societal change. This recognition marks yet another milestone in the storied career of a man who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of society through science and critical engagement. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print US President Donald Trump says he has pardoned defendants involved in the 6 January 2021 attack on the Capitol building in Washington. Mr Trump signed a corresponding order in the White House in Washington just hours after his inauguration on Monday. It was initially unclear how many people were affected and for which crimes those pardoned had been convicted. Confidants close to Trump, including his Vice President JD Vance, had previously said that no one who had become violent would be pardoned. Mr Trump, on the other hand, had not wanted to commit to any details before his inauguration. According to US Department of Justice figures, more than 1,488 individuals have been charged for crimes related to the breach of the US Capitol. On 6 January 2021, supporters of Mr Trump violently stormed the US Congressional seat in Washington, where the Republicans election defeat to Joe Biden was to be certified at the time. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later A crowd incited by Mr Trump, who held a rally to promote baseless claims of election fraud, violently entered the building, killing five people. (DOA/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Donald Trump, hours after taking office as US president on Monday, said 25 per cent tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico could be introduced as early as February. Speaking at the White House while signing various orders shortly after his inauguration, Mr Trump said, Were thinking in terms of 25 per cent on Mexico and Canada because theyre allowing vast number of people to come in. I think well do it February 1, Mr Trump added, referring to the potential start date for the tariffs. Earlier on Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Mr Trump did not intend to impose tariffs on trading partners like Canada, Mexico, and China. Instead, he planned to instruct the authorities to assess trade relations with China and its neighbours on the North American continent, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a summary of a planned memorandum and Mr Trumps advisers. Shortly after winning the November election, President Trump threatened to impose tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China. There are also fears in the EU that Mr Trump could impose new tariffs. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Tariffs are a type of surcharge on imported goods. They are paid as goods enter the country. Mr Trump imposed a range of tariffs on imported goods during his first term in office from 2017 to 2021. (dpa/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print US President Donald Trump on Monday took gigantic steps to revoke immediate past US President Joe Bidens policies by signing executive orders. Mr Trump signed a few other executive orders in front of the crowd at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, just a few hours after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, including the revocation of nearly 80 executive orders from the Biden administration. Im revoking nearly 80 destructive radical executive actions of the previous administration, Mr Trump told the crowd at the signing ceremony. Mr Trump signed an executive order to delay the TikTok ban imposed by the Biden administration by 75 days to permit my Administration an opportunity to determine the appropriate course of action with respect to TikTok. He also signed an executive order that will let the United States withdraw from the World Health Organisation. Mr Trump also declared a national energy emergency in an executive order with an eye on driving down energy costs. As the first of this kind declared by the US federal government, the emergency is expected to enable the government to crank up energy production by tapping emergency powers. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The United States is the largest producer of both crude oil and natural gas in the world and is also the top exporter of liquified natural gas (LNG) globally. The incoming US president also signed an executive order to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. The move means the United States will pull out of the Paris climate accord for the second time. During his inauguration speech, Mr Trump, who has long regarded clean energy as expensive and wasteful, also vowed to redouble the efforts to extract and utilise fossil fuels. I will also declare a national energy emergency. We will drill, baby, drill, he said. We have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, Mr Trump claimed. And we are going to use it. Adopted in December 2015, the Paris Agreement is an international endeavour to tackle human-caused global warming and related crises, which the United States formally joined in September 2016. The first Trump administration officially let the United States, one of the worlds top emitters of greenhouse gases, exit the Paris climate accord in November 2020, dealing a major blow to international efforts to combat the climate crisis. The latest executive order, among many others by Mr Trump, will mark another round of back-and-forth moves regarding the US commitment to dealing with climate change on the global stage. Joe Biden, who succeeded Mr Trump to become the 46th U.S. president in 2021, signed an executive order on 20 January 2021 his first day in office to bring the United States back into the Paris climate accord. (Xinhua/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print If youre on the hunt for a trusted gift card trading platform in Nigeria, look no further than NGCard. As a fully registered Nigerian company with CAC certification, NGCard offers a safe and reliable way for users to exchange their gift cards for cash. With a simple and fast trading process, competitive rates, and the added convenience of a user-friendly website and mobile app, NGCard is the ideal solution for Nigerians looking to sell their gift cards quickly and easily. What NGCard Buys At NGCard, they offer a wide range of popular gift cards, making it easy to trade a variety of cards. Some of the most commonly accepted gift cards include: Whether youre looking to sell iTunes cards or convert Amazon gift cards to cash, NGCard makes the process smooth, efficient, and rewarding. 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Follow NGCard for More Updates Stay connected with NGCard for exciting updates and special offers by following them on Instagram at @ngcard.store. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Get Started with NGCard Today! Dont let your unused gift cards go to waste. NGCard offers the best rates, fast payments, and a trusted service for Nigerians looking to trade their gift cards. Visit www.ngcard.store or download their app from the Google Play Store to start trading today. NGCard is the easiest and most secure way to sell gift cards in Nigeria! Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. As the debate rages over Pete Hegseth's nomination to become President re-elect Donald J. Trump's Secretary of Defense, the former soldier and broadcaster's critics still claim that he is a closet white nationalist. Hegseth's foes get jumpy over a tattoo on his chest. The Jerusalem Cross that Hegseth's jackets and ties cover is, indeed, a Christian symbol just like every cross. This large cross surrounded by four smaller ones might be five times "too much" Christianity for some people. Hegseth's "detractors have said the Jerusalem Cross is an indicator of extremism, White supremacist, and Christian nationalist sentiment," wrote FoxNews.com's Peter Pinedo. "Some have even mistaken it for the Nazi swastika." Like every other rock that the Hegseth haters hurl at him, this one bounces right off. As Hegseth explains in his manifesto for Pentagon reform, The War on Warriors, the Jerusalem Cross forced him out of uniform. "As a member of the DC National Guard, our unit was tasked with supporting...the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden" in January 2021, Hegseth wrote. But things suddenly changed. "Just one day prior to reporting for duty out of the blue I received a call from my unit leadership that I was to 'stand down' and that I was 'not needed,'" Hegseth elaborated. Feeling betrayed, he soon became disenchanted with the Army. After 14 years of service, March 31, 2021, was his final day in camouflage. While researching his book, Hegseth probed the genesis of his "stand down" orders. He pressed a unit leader for answers. "You were not brought to the inauguration because...they dubbed you as a white nationalist and an extremist," the senior officer revealed. Two soldiers found a shirtless photo among Hegseth's social media. "And the tattoo was what they flagged you on." "It's a Jerusalem Cross!" Hegseth recoiled. "Did they even google it?!" The fantasies of Hegseth's enemies notwithstanding, this emblem is not the brainchild of Dr. Joseph Goebbels. "This was part of the coat of arms after the year 1203 and the 104-year reign of the Jerusalem Kingdom," Hegseth's book details. "I got it after I saw it on a church while walking the streets of Jerusalem." "The laughable ignorance of so many on the subject of the Jerusalem Cross reminds one of how impoverished education is these days," Manhattan-based Father George Rutler told me. The retired Catholic priest and member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre added: "A professor friend of mine was astonished when a freshman at Harvard College asked him if the term 'World War II' means that there was a First World War." "Many Christians who visit Jerusalem get the cross tattooed on their bodies during their pilgrimage, including world leaders," the Washington Examiner's Timothy Nerozzi recalled. "Multiple male members of the British royal family have received Jerusalem cross tattoos while visiting the Holy Land, beginning with the future King Edward VII in 1862." Anyone itching to see a Jerusalem Cross need not talk the raiment off of a duke at Windsor Castle. Among many places, it is built into a mosaic at Washington, D.C.'s Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America. It's also on their website. The late President Jimmy Carter's casket at Washington's National Cathedral sat atop a wood-inlaid floor bearing none other than the Jerusalem Cross. Far more conspicuous was the program for the 100-year-old chief executive's January 9 memorial service. Right on the cover, in black and white, was you guessed it the Jerusalem Cross. So, either Pete Hegseth follows Jimmy Carter's example of devoted white supremacy, or this entire bogus controversy is not even skin deep. Even a committed heathen like me, who cannot stand tattoos, can see just how fake this nonsense is. The United States Senate should get on with it and send the overly inked, but otherwise visionary and highly qualified, Pete Hegseth to the Pentagon, so he can terminate the Biden Administration's War on Warriors. 2025 Deroy Murdock BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. It is important that the global community considers increasing contributions to climate finance, said Azerbaijans Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, President of COP29 Mukhtar Babayev as he addressed the World Economic Forum (WEF) session on "Road to COP30", Trend reports. Babayev acknowledged the ambitious expectations from developing countries, stating, "The expectations are trillions, but we have decided to put on paper the figures and consider how to increase them." He highlighted the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders to meet these challenges, adding, "It is very important that all parties are ready to consider any possibility to increase these contributions." Discussing the challenges of 2024, Babayev noted, "Imagine elections in 60 countries, 52 conflicts around the world, and all the risks that come with them." He also emphasized the growing impacts of climate change, which affect both developed and developing nations alike. "The frequency of weather events and climate change impacts are increasing, not only for the developing world but for all countries," he said. Looking forward to 2025, Babayev expressed optimism about the opportunities ahead, urging action. "We need to think about how to make these pledges and ensure that we act on them," he said. He called for continued collaboration to support the COP30 team and progress on vital climate initiatives, such as national adaptation plans, new NDCs, and BTRs for 2024-2025. Babayev concluded by stressing the importance of collective efforts: "We have a lot to do, and we will work together to support COP30, its Secretariat, and all stakeholders in this climate agenda." The police in Rivers State have confirmed the death of two adults and a toddler following the capsizing of a passenger boat on Sunday evening in the state. Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson in Rivers, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that 19 passengers were rescued from the tragic incident. According to her, the boat was traveling from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers, when a sudden ocean storm caused high waves, resulting in the mishap. There were 22 passengers on board the ill-fated boat, but unfortunately, three individuals lost their lives. The bodies of the three victims, including a young girl, have been recovered, she said. Describing the incident as tragic, Ms Iringe-Koko, a superintendent of police, said that 19 passengers were rescued. The accident occurred near the Yellow Platform close to Bonny, she added. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The spokesperson said that the police have launched an investigation into the matter. The Chairperson of Bonny Local Government Council, Anengi Claude-Wilcox, also confirmed the incident in a statement issued by the Council Secretary, John Gabriel-Pepple. Mr Claude-Wilcox said the councils preliminary investigation revealed that the boat captain lost control after a sudden rise in the oceanic storm. The incident claimed the lives of two adults and a toddler, while 19 survivors were immediately taken to the hospital at the expense of the Bonny Council. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims, the chairperson said. Mr Claude-Wilcox further disclosed that the council was collaborating with the police to investigate the involvement of another passenger boat reportedly present at the scene. Information reaching the council indicates that the passenger boat refused to assist in rescue efforts while the passengers from the capsized boat struggled to survive at sea. READ ALSO: Police confirm killing of Celestial prophet during church service in Ogun We call on anyone with useful information about the driver of that boat to contact the council secretary, he said. The council chairperson urged both travellers and boat operators to exercise caution during travel and adhere strictly to safety protocols to prevent future occurrences. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) decision to approve the increase in tariff prices dominated headlines today, occupying the front pages of many Nigerian newspapers. The approved increase in call tariffs, following appeals from network operators citing current market conditions, is expected to raise the average cost of calls to N16.5 per minute. According to the 2023 national telephone traffic data, this tariff hike could generate over N6.74 trillion in revenue for telecom operators by 2025, assuming call volumes remain consistent. 50% tariff hike Nigerians may spend N6.74tn on calls, Punch Newspaper reports. Nigerian News Directs front page read, Telcos get 50% tariff hike approval from NCC. Blueprint Newspapers reported the tariff increase under the headline, Telecoms subscribers kick as NCC approves 50 per cent tariff hike. The Daily Independent reported that NCC Okays Tariff Increase For Telcos, Caps Hike At 50%, while The Point Newspaper wrote that Despite agitation, NCC approves 50% tariff increment for MTN, Glo, Airtel, others. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Also, Donald Trumps return to the White House as the 47th president of the United States is one of todays major headlines. Daily Trust Newspaper reported that Trump inaugurated, declares mass deportation, says only 2 genders in US. Trump Returns As 47th US President, Vows Sweeping Changes On Gender, Immigration, Energy Policy, Platform Times headline read. Highlighting one of the executive orders which ended diversity, equity and inclusion programmes, The Guardian newspaper wrote, Anxiety as Trump returns to power, recognises only two genders. I was saved by God to make America great again -TRUMP, Vanguard reported. Tribune, on its front page, wrote, Another Trump era begins Trump returns as 47th US President rejects transgender, illegal immigration, Punch reported Trump @swearing in: God saved me from assassins bullet, This Nigeria newspaper paper. Meanwhile, The West Newspaper reported that New Lagos speaker pledges harmony with Sanwo-Olus government. The Matrix, on its front page, also wrote that Finance Minister tips rate to drop to 15% In 2025. N46bn budgetary allocation insufficient for Labour Ministry Minister berates NASS, Nigerian News Direct reported. Wike accuses Fubara of ignoring Tinubus peace peal, rules out reconciliation, a Platform Times headline read. Another reads as PDP slams Abioduns security plans, accuses gov of passive response to rising crime. The Hope Newspaper also reported that EFCC arraigns ex-AMCON MD, four others. Solid minerals: NASS doubts FGs commitment to diversify economy, Tribune reported. The Daily Sun wrote, Military kills Turjis son, several other terrorists. Reps advocate more funding for MDAs, The Daily Times reported. Other major headlines are; FG re-awards Abuja-Kaduna highway contract to inactive company, reported by Daily Trust. Court condemns media trial, denies ElCC arrest warrant request; says Otudeko, others not properly served, The Nation reported. Wike commissions 5km Abaji road, promises another, a This Nigeria front page headline read. Court adjourns Dangote refinerys N100bn suit, Punch Newspaper wrote. Kemi Badenochs criticisms of Nigeria wont affect investors Presidency, Salient Times reported. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Two days after scores of people were burnt to death or injured when a fallen petrol tanker exploded in Niger State, another tanker fell in Bida town of Niger State on Monday. However, Fatimah Mohammed, a resident of Bida, told PREMIUM TIMES that the tanker was carrying groundnut oil. It fell around AYM Shaffa filling station yesterday, she said, adding that residents stole huge amounts of the groundnut oil dripping from the tanker. People were not even afraid, another resident, Yinusa Jiya, said. Earlier, we thought it was petrol. This came two days after the deadly tanker explosion that killed about 98 people around Dikko Junction, Gurara LGA, Niger State. The Saturday tanker explosion also injured about 55 others. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said on Sunday that 86 bodies were given a mass burial while the injured were receiving treatment in various hospitals. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Authorities have blamed citizens for the devasting loss of lives and injuries in the explosion, saying the fire was ignited by those trying to scoop fuel. Such incidents are common in Niger State. On 8 September 2024, more than 50 travellers died in a midnight tanker explosion along the Agaie-Badeggi road. In 2022, another petrol-laden tanker exploded at Badeggi village near Bida. Although there were no casualties from the incident, the fire gutted two other vehicles. Earlier in 2019, there was a fatal accident involving a petrol-laden tanker. The truck rammed into a tree and caught fire, touching other trailers carrying goods. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Tech billionaire Elon Musk caused controversy at the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on Monday with a gesture that appeared similar to a Nazi salute. Mr Musk, one of Mr Trumps closest advisers, was among the speakers on stage before Mr Trumps arrival at the Capital One Arena in Washington. Mr Musk thanked supporters, then placed his right hand on his heart and quickly extended it upwards. My heart goes out to you, Mr Musk said, before repeating the gesture. Users on Mr Musks online platform X noted that the gesture resembled a Nazi salute. US broadcaster CNN replayed the footage multiple times during its programme, with a presenter stating viewers were smart enough to form their own opinions on the matter. Initially, Mr Musk did not provide an explanation for the action. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later READ ALSO: Trump pardons January 6 Capitol rioters However, he shared footage of his remarks and the gesture, via X. Ahead of Mr Trumps swearing-in, Mr Musk enthused about the Return of the King, sharing a screenshot of Mr Trumps once-banned Twitter account alongside the official presidential profile. Twitter banned Mr Trump in the wake of the 6 January 2021 riots, before Mr Musk reinstated the account when he purchased the social media platform in 2022. (dpa/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government has appointed Kevin Okonna as the acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron in Akwa Ibom State. The appointment takes immediate effect following the resignation of the former rector, Duja Effedua, from the academy. This is contained in a statement issued by the Head of Public Affairs of the Academy, Domo Umoekpe, in Uyo on Monday. Mrs Umoekpe said the appointment was conveyed in a letter issued by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on behalf of the federal government. She said the minister urged Mr Okonna to bring his extensive wealth of experience in the maritime sector to bear on his new role. She added that with the appointment of the acting rector, the academy would continue to contribute effectively to the realisation of the ministrys vision and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. Okonna is a distinguished maritime scholar with about three decades of dedicated service to the Academy. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He holds impressive educational and professional credentials from recognised national and international institutions, including world maritime university, Malmo Sweden. Having risen through the ranks, he has served the Academy in various capacities. These include being pioneer Head of Maritime Safety Department, pioneer Director of the defunct MAN Consultancy Services, pioneer Director of Strategy and Research and Development Directorate. Also, (he has served) as a distinguished member of the Nautical Institute (NI), UK, and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), she said. She added that Mr Okonna had contributed immensely to the development of the Academy. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) said that the fire incident at its Buguma wellhead 008, operated by its subsidiary, NNPC Eighteen Operating Ltd (NEOL), was directly caused by the activities of pipeline vandals. The company said the vandals attempted to steal crude oil, resulting in a devastating fire that also severely damaged the wells back pressure valve. Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of NNPC Ltd, disclosed this in a statement on Monday night. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) reports that the fire incident at its Buguma wellhead 008, operated by its subsidiary, NNPC Eighteen Operating Ltd (NEOL), was directly caused by the activities of pipeline vandals attempting to compromise the Christmas tree and steal crude oil. This unfortunate act of sabotage, which also resulted in severe damage to the wells back pressure valve, reflects a disturbing pattern of repeated attacks on wellheads in the zone, Mr Soneye said. He said since March 2023, crude oil theft on this asset has been persistent, with criminals now resorting to extreme measures, including the use of dynamite to destroy installations and illegally access hydrocarbons. He explained that NNPC Ltd remains committed to combating these fires and mitigating the financial losses associated with these criminal activities, which place a significant burden on the nations economy. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The company is working closely with relevant security agencies to put an end to these acts of vandalism. Additionally, NNPC Ltd reaffirms its commitment to supporting communities affected by these destructive activities and will continue to provide necessary relief efforts to mitigate the impact on those affected, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A group, Ex-cellence Project, has backed two Nigerian Catholic priests who quit the priesthood and got married. Ex-cellence Project is an initiative that provides psycho-social support to former clerics who are non-religious in Africa. The two Nigerian priests, Daniel Oghenerukevwe and Echezona Obiagbaosogu, recently quit priesthood. Mr Obiagbaosogu, from Anambra State in South-east Nigeria, has since confirmed quitting the priesthood. He also confirmed that he had switched to the African Traditional Religion and also gotten married to his heartthrob. Although Mr Oghenerukevwe from Delta State in south-south Nigeria has yet to speak publicly, the church said he married in the US on 29 December without permission. The now former priest was said to have initially asked to be released from all canonical obligations and responsibilities as a Catholic priest. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later On Thursday, the Catholic Bishop of Warri Diocese in Delta State, Anthony Ewherido, announced that Mr Oghenerukevwe had been suspended for his actions. Catholic priests voluntarily submit themselves to an oath of celibacy, which forbids them from sex and marriage. The South-eastern and south-southern parts of Nigeria are predominantly Christian regions with a high Catholic population. Catholic priesthood not by force Leo Igwe, the coordinator of the Ex-cellence Project, responded in a statement that Messrs Obiagbaosogu and Oghenerukevwes decision to quit the priesthood was a welcome development. In the statement forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, Mr Igwe also said their exit from the priesthood was an expression of self-authenticity. He hailed the former priests for their courage and thoughtfulness in taking the decision. The Ex-cellence Project congratulates them on the brave decision to leave the priesthood and pursue their personal choices and different life pathways. Priesthood should be a matter of preference and choice. Priesthood should not be by force. Celibacy should not be by force. Nobody should be compelled to live as a priest, a celibate priest, or a Catholic, he said. The group coordinator criticised the Catholic Church for often insisting that their clerics must remain priests forever and unmarried. He said it is also improper that the Catholic Church often blocks priests from resigning or embracing another faith, accusing it of holding its priests hostage socially and psychologically. This position of the Catholic church is mistaken and unhealthy. The Catholic expectation is damaging the lives of many priests and causing them to lead inauthentic lives. Some priests secretly marry and have children. They secretly practice other faiths or remain privately nonreligious and nontheistic, he said. As demonstrated in the cases of Obiagbaosogu and Oghenerukevwe, many priests want to leave the priesthood. Many priests want to marry and have children. Many priests subscribe to other faiths and philosophies. Mr Igwe urged the Catholic Church to make a departure from priesthood easy for clerics and provide a severance package for ex-priests based on their years of service. This package will enable them to continue their lives. Those who resign from the catholic priesthood should be celebrated, not condemned or stigmatised, he stated. He regretted that many priests remain in the profession because of lack of support and limited means to address post-exit needs and challenges. The coordinator asked priests to exercise their rights and freedoms, including the freedom to marry and have children and the freedom to embrace other professions. A Catholic priest is not a priest forever unless he chooses to be so. A Catholic priest is not a celibate priest forever unless he freely chooses to. A priest can exit or resign at any time. A priest can marry at any time. A priest can embrace other faiths or no-faith ideologies without any impediment. Priesthood is a profession. A priest, like every individual, can change his career or profession, he said. More importantly, those who exit the priesthood and clerical work can excel and realise better, happier, and more meaningful lives. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, on Monday, launched the rehabilitation and retrofitting of 200 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the state within 100 days. In a speech at the ceremony held at the Ngwu PHC in Uzuakoli, Bende Local Government Area of Abia, Mr Otti said that building an effective healthcare system in the state remained central to his governance agenda. He said the government would renovate and provide operational infrastructure to the selected 200 PHCs, and the project would be executed within 100 days. He said that the initiative, tagged Project Ekwueme, would be replicated in all the PHCs in the state and used to improve access to quality healthcare, especially in rural communities. The governor also said that the initiative would help reduce exposure to quacks and fake drugs and effectively improve peoples good health and longevity. He further said the facilities would have an independent power supply from renewable energy sources, an efficient water supply system, and other support infrastructure. He said this would improve the operational environment, preserve drug supplies and medical consumables, and save cost. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We are committed to the use of high-quality and durable materials for every step of the construction process because this is our own. We shall not tolerate any form of mediocrity as every contractor would be required to provide post-delivery infrastructure maintenance services at the facilities for at least five years. Community leaders and other stakeholder groups are encouraged to be part of the project monitoring and evaluation efforts. All acts of sabotage or attempt to steal from the facilities shall attract very severe consequences by the Government with the cooperation of our people. The security agencies have also been mandated to keep their eyes on what goes on across the 200 project sites and use every legitimate tool available to them to frustrate any effort to scuttle our programme, Mr Otti said. He said that the government was prepared to welcome productive partnerships that help to combat the multiple health threats facing the states various demographics. He also said that training programmes would be offered for healthcare professionals to equip them with the evolving trends and new ideas in their operational areas. Governor Otti expressed the State Governments resolve to prioritise the transformation of the health sector to improve the socio-economic reality of the citizens. Cost of project In a speech, the state Commissioner for Health, Enoch Uche, described the project 200 PHCs in 100 days as a vehicle for delivering democracy dividends. This project, with a whooping cost of N10.78 billion, covers sites that are identifiable when you move around Abia, clearly making the state a healthcare construction site, said Mr Uche, a professor. He said that the project would contribute to addressing the core objective of the third Sustainable Development Goal. According to him, the governments primary objective in embarking on the project is to bring healthcare closer to the people. In a remark, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Ngozi Azodo, said that the Project Ekwueme had been designed to have three phases. Project Ekwueme has three components, which include 200 PHCs in 100 days, the proof of concept for Abia Medical City, and the transitioning to the college of medicine. For this 200 PHCs in 100 days, we have several phases, which are the remodeling, the equipping and, of course, human resources for health, Mrs Azodo said. She also said that every political ward in the state would get a functional PHC under the programme. In separate speeches, the lawmaker representing Bende South State Constituency, Emmanuel Ndubuisi and the Chairperson of Bende LGA, Uwabunkeonye Bassey, thanked the government for the initiative. According to them, it will improve access to quality healthcare services and reduce the mortality rates in the area. Appeal for intervention against activities of herders Also, the President-General of Uzuakoli Development Association, Prince Okechukwu, appealed to the government to evolve programmes and policies to boost agricultural productivity. Mr Okechukwu also called on the government to rehabilitate the rural roads in the community so that farmers can easily access their farmlands. He also called for governments intervention in the constant destruction of crops and farm produce allegedly by cattle herders in the area. READ ALSO: Gov Otti commends IGP for contributing to peace in Abia Earlier, the Health Officer in Charge of Ngwu PHC, Ihuoma Kalu, described the project as a dream come true because the facility had been in a state of disrepair for a long time. I came to this facility on 8 February 2024 and was dismayed by its awful state, the building was nothing to write home about, Mrs Kalu said. She expressed delight over the imminent renovation of the centre and thanked the government for changing the story of Ngwu PHC for better. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has lauded the exceptional quality of work on the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport in Ado-Ekiti, hailing its runway as truly world-class. Arriving at the airport at 5:15 p.m. on Monday to a ceremonial water salute, Mr Keyamo emphasised the facilitys significance, stating his visit was a critical fact-finding mission. On arrival, he told journalists that the airport was ready and that virtually all the facilities needed for a standard airport had been provided. The minister said the delay in commencing commercial flight operations at the airport is to allow for non-scheduled flights, which is the standard procedure worldwide. Mr Keyamo said the agro-allied airport had been on the Ministry of Aviations radar for a long time, and it was time it commenced operation. Well, I am here on a fact-finding mission. The Ekiti Agro-Allied Airport has been on our radar for a long time, and we felt it was time for us to start operations here. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later What we have approved for now is for the first six months for us to conduct non-scheduled flights. In other words, we will not have big commercial airlines coming in with plenty of passengers now, but it is ready for the private jets to come in now to test the facilities here. Its not because it is not ready, but that is actually the standard procedure all over the world that you start with non-scheduled flights and test the facilities before bringing a lot of passengers here. I can see that the aeronautical side is absolutely ready; the aeronautical side is where you have a runway, and I am sure you have seen the quality of the runway. This quality of the runway you see here can be compared to any runway in the world, Mr Keyamo added. The Aviation Minister said the airport is long overdue, considering the huge agribusiness in Ekiti State. He also expressed optimism that the airport would compete favourably with similar airports worldwide. READ ALSO: NAMA begins calibration of landing equipment at Ekiti Airport The minister was received at the airport by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Oyeniyi Adebayo; Commissioner for Transport, Kolawole Ajobiewe; Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun; Special Adviser Media, Yinka Oyebode; and Technical Adviser to the Governor on Airport Project, AVM Sunday Makinde (rtd), among others. The visit comes a week after the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) began calibrating the airports landing equipment. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Board has issued a deadline of January 31 for intending pilgrims to settle their Hajj fare payments in full. The directive was announced in a statement released Monday by the boards Public Relations Officer, Yunusa Abdullahi. According to Mr Mohammed, intending pilgrims from Kaduna State will pay N8,457,685.59 (eight million, four hundred and fifty-seven thousand, six hundred and eighty-five Naira, fifty-nine kobo) for the 2025 Hajj, as announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Monday. He also revealed that NAHCON has allocated 6,679 Hajj seats to the state for the 2025 pilgrimage. READ FULL STATEMENT Kaduna Announces 2025 Hajj Fare Kaduna State intending Pilgrims for the year 2025 hajj are to pay N8, 457,685.59 (eight million, four hundred and fifty-seven thousand, six hundred and eighty-five Naira fifty-nine kobo) as announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON today. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later A statement signed by the agencys Public Relations Officer, Yunusa Muhammad Abdullahi, explained that the intending pilgrims are expected to complete payment of the hajj fare by 31 January 2025 in order to remit all deposits to NAHCON on time. The statement urged all intending pilgrims who had earlier made deposits with the Agency to complete payment and warned that defaulters risk forfeiting their chances to embark on the journey to the Holy Land because NAHCON has also fixed a deadline for remitting the hajj fares. The registration process is ongoing at the Agencys headquarters and in all 23 Local Government Areas across the state. All intending pilgrims are expected to obtain a customised bank teller at their respective local government registration centres before making the payment said the statement. The statement assured the intending pilgrims of the Agencys commitment towards providing good services in order to attain an acceptable hajj by all the pilgrims from the state. READ ALSO: NAHCON announces 2025 Hajj fare for Nigerians The Executive Chairman of the Agency, Malam Salihu Abubakar commended the state government for its support toward ensuring the success of this years Hajj operation. The NAHCON has allocated 6,679 Hajj seats to Kaduna State for the 2025 pilgrimage. Signed Yunusa Muhammad Abdullahi Public Relations Officer Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 21. Automobile checkpoints on the border with China will not operate from January 27 through February 1, 2025, Trend reports with reference to the State Revenue Committee of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstans State Revenue Committee informs that due to the Spring Festival in the Peoples Republic of China, from 8:00 PM on January 27, 2025, until 8:00 AM on February 1, 2025, the movement of people, vehicles, and cargo through automobile checkpoints at the Kazakhstan-China border will be suspended. To note, railway checkpoints at the Kazakhstan-China border will continue to operate as usual. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON, has issued a deadline of 31 January for intending pilgrims to pay their 2025 Hajj fare in full. The Chairperson of the commission, Abdullahi Usman, issued the deadline in an audio broadcast in Hausa monitored by PREMIUM TIMES. According to Mr Usman, intending pilgrims who fail to complete their payment before the deadline will not be eligible to participate in the Hajj. The Saudi government has made it clear during our several meetings. The said deadline for all intending pilgrims stands on 31 January. And we have listened and assured them of our compliance. So, I am urging all Intending pilgrims to make or complete their payment before the deadline. We cannot assure any intending pilgrim who could not complete his payment of any extension. It is either you pay or forfeit the 2025 Hajj. That is the warning we also got from Saudi authorities, he said. Mr Usman also urged state pilgrims boards to ramp up their awareness campaigns, ensuring intending pilgrims are informed and prepared to meet the 31 January deadline for completing their Hajj fare payments. Fare Mr Usman, in a statement on Monday by NAHCON spokesperson, Fatima Usara, announced the Hajj fare for the 2025 pilgrimage. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said while intending pilgrims from Southern states would pay N8.7 million, those from the Northern Zone would pay N8.4 million. However, intending pilgrims from Borno and Adamawa Zone are to pay N8.3 million. The NAHCON boss described the fare regime as a product of extensive collaboration with stakeholders. He appreciated the presidency and the Forum of Executive Secretaries of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, agencies, and commissions for their support for the commission. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ebonyi Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) sealed an illegal mining site at Ameka in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Tuesday. It also sealed an illegal gas refilling plant at 135 Junction in the Ezzangbo community of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, located in a densely populated residential area. The NSCDC state Commandant, Francis Nnadi, who led the operations, told reporters in Abakaliki that the action was in line with the corps mandate. Mr Nnadi said that those who engaged in illegal mining activities were robbing the state and federal governments of legitimate revenue and thereby, committing economic sabotage. The NSCDC chief assured that the command would ensure that illegal mining and other criminal economic activities are checked. There was a complaint about an illegal mining site located at Ameka in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state. I moved in with my men to condone off the place. The suspects in the illegal mining operation, Messrs Udoka Obaji 40, Azubuike Nwinyi 46 and Monday Nweke, all from the Ameka community, are in our custody. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later I want to use this opportunity to warn those who are into illegal mining in Ebonyi to stay clear because a new NSCDC has come out to enforce the law and to make sure that economic sabotage is nipped in the bud with other relevant agencies. These are places where the state and federal governments generate revenues. We will not allow people to keep tapping from our natural resources illegally, Mr Nnadi said. He urged mining and quarry operators to ensure that they backed up their activities by obtaining a mining licence and relevant documents and papers duly approved by relevant authorities. Sealing of gas refilling station The commandant said that the illegal mini-cooking gas refilling station at 135 Junction at Ezzangbo in Ohaukwu was shut down because its location was in clear breach of extant laws. He said that the 2.8 tonnes of gas plant was situated in a densely populated residential area, and the lives, safety, and property of the residents were being endangered. The gas plant is located in a residential area where the people cook with firewood and even children play around in the area. We need to let the public know the hazardous nature of this business and the danger inherent in sitting it in a residential area. The suspect has no requisite documentation to permit him to go into this kind of business in this kind of area. I want to use this opportunity to warn against engaging in such practices. We should remember the wildfire in Los Angeles in the United States. This is more hazardous than wildfire, he said. Mr Nnadi said that the sealing of the illegal mining site and the gas plant would remain in force until the end of the investigation and assured that suspects would soon be arraigned at the end of the investigation. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Abia State Government says it will employ 2,500 teachers to address the teacher shortage and ensure adequate staffing across primary and secondary schools in the state. The state Commissioner for Basic Education, Goodluck Ubochi, made this known on Tuesday at a press conference on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia. Mr Ubochi said the initiative would be a valuable tool for improving the quality of education in the state. We are embarking on massive employment of teachers. We will employ 2,500 teachers to make sure we cover the gap that has been bothering us in the system. There is no way you can talk about quality education without teachers, and in our schools, we dont have sufficient teachers to handle most of the subjects. People have been speculating that we heard you are employing teachers; within the week, we are going to make public the modalities, he said. Mr Ubochi said that applications for the job would be processed online to ensure transparency and accessibility. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He also said that the details of the application process would be made public by Friday. Mr Ubochi said, It is not going to be a process where you bring your application to the ministry or to anybody, because we are going to have a platform where you will do it online. So if you have people, let them just keep their ears to the ground between now and Friday, and the announcement will go forth. Enforcement of free education The commissioner said the government had established a task force named Education Marshalls to drive the enforcement of its Free and Compulsory Basic Education programme. Mr Ubochi said the task force would ensure that all school-age children in the state would be in school during school hours. According to him, children found loitering during school hours would be taken to the nearest school, and their parents or guardians would be contacted to address the situation. We dont need to have any child that is of school age to be outside the school environment during school hours. The ministry established what we call Education Marshalls; they would work like the task force but not in the same modality. The reason for setting up this group is for them to move around during school hours. Any child of school age that is seen around would be picked up not to be beaten or embarrassed, but to be taken to the school nearest to him. But before he or she is taken to the school, we would use the child to locate the parents or guardian, and we will be able to pick up the person and know the reason for keeping the child from going to school, he said. Mathematics Clinic He said the government is to begin a programme known as Mathematics Clinic scheduled to be held from 7:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. daily for Junior and Senior Secondary School 3 students. READ ALSO: Abia govt set to boost oil production capacity Mr Ubochi said the classes had been designed to strengthen the confidence and competence of the students in mathematics. He further said that seasoned teachers would lead the teaching sessions, with principals ensuring effective implementation. He explained that there would be additional teaching sessions from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., focusing on key subjects like physics, chemistry, biology, and English for JSS3 and SS3 students. Mathematics is a subject that cuts across the board and is a major challenge to our students. We are working out to have teachers who are seasoned in place to make sure that this is carried out. Before the announcement I made, we had a meeting with school principals because they would be the drivers of this initiative, and they promised they would do it. At least, when they are drilled for 40 to 45 minutes, they should be able to build up the confidence and be competent in handling mathematics. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senate Committee on National Identity and Population has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider conducting a national census this year for accurate planning. The committee made the call on Tuesday when the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Kwarra, appeared before it to defend the commissions allocation in the 2025 budget. During the budget defence session, the committee members expressed concerns over Nigerias dependence on estimated population data. They advised that the country must not lag when other countries already use advanced technology to conduct a census. Plateau Central Senator Diket Plang expressed disappointment that Nigeria still depends on estimated figures for planning. I feel bad that Nigeria is still using estimated data. Theres no way you can plan and dont know what youre planning. Theres no way a father would not know the number of his children, he said. Mr Plang, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), called for immediate steps to ensure Nigerians are counted accurately. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He urged the Nigerian government to prioritise conducting a census before the end of this year. We want to know the exact number of Nigerians. Nigerians should be counted. Can we agree that by 2025, Nigeria will be able to have a population? If we do that, it will be good for us. I hope that in 2025, youll be able to give demographic data of Nigerians, he said. Mr Plangs submission resonated with Bauchi Central Senator Abdul Ningi, who emphasised the security implications of not having up-to-date population data. I believe that well have a census this year. I know the implications of not having a census, especially when were battling with insecurity, he said. Mr Ningi, the committee chairman, said the lawmakers will formally engage President Tinubu through the office of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to discuss plans for the census. The committee will have to write the president through the office of the Senate President to know his view about the plan to conduct the census. We are not going to rest on our oars until this census takes place, he stated. Nigeria, Africas most populous nation and the sixth largest globally, has a rapidly growing population estimated at 218.5 million. Despite high birth rates over the past five decades, the country lacks accurate population data. The last official census was conducted in 2006. Since then, the government has relied on foreign estimates for planning, while controversies and political disputes have marred past censuses. Under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the government budgeted N532.7 billion for the census in 2023, but the census was not conducted. Dependence on foreign data is unacceptable Also contributing to the discussion, Osun West Senator Oyewunmi Olalere warned the government to desist from depending on foreign estimates for national planning. Mr Olalere, the deputy minority leader of the Senate, also called for proactive measures to secure President Tinubus attention and conduct a census before the end of the year. We need to urgently talk to the leadership of the nation on the urgent need of conducting a census. We cannot continue to depend on foreign data because people will think that we are not serious. You have to find a way of getting the presidents attention. Use the National Assembly to get the presidents attention. We have to let the government know that this thing is very important, he said. The lawmaker, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urged his colleagues to push for the census this year because the upcoming election cycle could further delay the process. This is a very big country, and for the past 20 years, we are still using estimated data. So, how do we plan for our children? This is the year we have to do (a) census. By next year, we are moving towards the election, so you have to do anything to get the presidents attention this year, he added. Sokoto South senator Aminu Tambuwal also emphasised the need to conduct the census. Mr Tambawal, a former governor of Sokoto State and member of the PDP, assured the NPC of the Senates support in ensuring the census becomes a reality. You cannot plan without data. You have our support, he said. Responding, Mr Kwara explained that he had already taken steps to engage President Tinubu. He disclosed that the president wanted to conduct a biometric-based census to enhance accuracy and security. Sir, I have written to see Mr. President so that I can brief him. My briefing alone is not sufficient. If I go with your support, with your backing, Im quite sure were going to succeed. Why I need to brief him is that he himself has indicated he wants the census to be conducted with biometrics because of the prevailing situation in the country, security otherwise, he said. The commission chairman acknowledged past criticisms, such as allegations of counting non-human entities in certain regions. He assured the lawmakers that a biometric system would address these issues. And we dont want to also be accusing the riverine people of counting fishes and counting of cows. So, if we do a census with biometrics, you can be sure that people are enumerated. And not just enumerated, but also their biometrics have been collected, and this biometric is both the face, the fingerprint, and the voice. Thats what were working on, he added. Mr Kwara further told the committee that the NPC had developed software for the census and was integrating biometric components. He said, We already have the software for the census. We are trying to integrate the biometric component into it, and Ill do some piloting to see how it works. Once it works, thats when well come back to you and make this presentation to you. If you see it and are impressed with what we have, you will look for money anywhere for us to do the census. So thats just an approximation. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, has called for increased education sector funding to tackle the menace of Almajiri and out-of-school children in Nigeria. Mr Alausa made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the 2025 budget defence session of the National Assembly Joint Committees on Tertiary Institutions, TETFund, and Education. Almajiri is a local bastardisatiion of the Arabic word Al-Muhaajirun meaning Immigrants. A report by UNICEF said there are about 9.5 million Almajiri children in Nigeria, 72 per cent of the nations out-of-school children. It also said the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria is 18.3 million, estimating that one in three children in Nigeria are out of school. Most of the Almajiri children are in Northern Nigeria. The Almajiri schools were constructed by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, but successive governments have failed to maintain the operation. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later During the budget defence session, Mr Alausa expressed concern over the countrys alarming number of out-of-school children. The funding of the Almajiri and out-of-school commission is not enough. We need more funding in this regard, the minister said. Only few Almajiri schools operational Mr Alausa noted that only a few of the over 100 schools of the almajiris in Northern Nigeria are still operational. He lamented the systems neglect but assured the Tinubu government would revive the almajiri education. Of the over a hundred of the schools built for out-of-school children, only a few are operational, he said. He highlighted the urgent need to invest in human capital development, noting that Nigerias low human capital index threatens national progress. We want them to develop. It is the best part of any society. Without education, we cant survive as a society. And if you look at the human capital index, Nigeria has one of the lowest human capital index in the world, he added. Collaborating with state governments Mr Alausa also said the federal government has intensified efforts to address Nigerias growing out-of-school children crisis by working closely with state governments to find lasting solutions. So, were working together on this. It now has to be a collaborative effort on what we have to do. The number of out-of-school children is mind-boggling and disturbing. It is not in just one geopolitical region. It is everywhere. We need to confront it; otherwise, we will be consumed by it. We have to engage with our governors, and we have held meetings with the Nigerian Governors Forum on how to collaborate on this. We are also working with all the 36 commissioners for education, including that of the FCT. Responding, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Muntari Dandutse, backed the collaboration, highlighting the need for efficient resource allocation to bridge gaps in the education sector. As lawmakers, we have a constitutional responsibility to ensure that resources allocated to this critical sector are strategically planned and utilised, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerian authorities have secured the conviction of over 100 terrorist financiers within the last two years, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume said on Tuesday. The SGF said this during the National Anti-Money Laundering, Combating Terrorism Financing and Counter Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) Compliance Summit iheld at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The event was organised by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). We have made progress to tackle the threats of terrorism and other violent crimes through the gallant action of our frontline troops and our security agencies, he said, adding that, However, in line with the National Counter-Terrorist Financing Strategy, we have also enhanced our abilities to identify and pursue those individuals that finance these violent acts. Through the efforts of the office of the National Security Adviser and the Attorney-General of the Federation, we have prosecuted and convicted over 100 terrorist financiers in the last two years, Mr Akume noted. The SGF highlighted the successful prosecution as part of the administration of President Bola Tinubu. He added that by taking away the funds, resources and material support behind Boko Haram and ISWAP, the government denied them the ability to inflict terror on Nigerian communities and citizens, and created an environment for rural areas to thrive once again. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Akume further revealed that the approach of targeting finance and following the money is recognised as the best global practice in combatting serious crime. It is an approach that we are utilising as a fundamental component of our national strategies to combat serious criminal offences. Beyond terrorist financing, we are effectively targeting the illicit proceeds of criminal activity, he said. Although the SGF did not provide the details of the over 100 convicted terrorism financiers, not all those arrested and detained for terrorism financing were charged to court. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the government detained many suspects for about 16 months without trial for allegedly financing terrorism. The report detailed how many of the suspects, mostly bureau de change operators, were arrested in Kano and later transferred to Abuja where they were detained in inhumane conditions without trial. The government kept mum about the situation even after this newspaper revealed the atrocity. Nigeria on grey list Also speaking during the event, the chief executive officer of NFIU, Hafsat Bakari, called on stakeholders to collaborate with the organisation to succeed in mitigating risks and safeguarding Nigerias financial system. The fight against financial crimes is not one that any single entity can win alone. It requires the collective strength and commitment of our political leaders, regulators, financial institutions, law enforcement and security agencies, and international partners. Collaboration must be at the heart of our approach if we are to succeed in mitigating risks and safeguarding our financial system, she said. She said the presence of such a diverse and distinguished group of stakeholders in the public and private sectors here today is a testament to the power of collaboration. Lamenting the 2019 Mutual Evaluation Report conducted by the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) which brought to light areas where Nigeria needed to strengthen its AML/CFT/CPF regimes, she regretted that the country was placed on grey list due to the deficiencies identified. As a result of the deficiencies identified, Nigeria was placed under enhanced monitoring by the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) process otherwise known as the so-called Grey List, an outcome that has amplified both the urgency and importance of our collective response. The NFIU, in collaboration with our partners, has worked tirelessly to address these findings and implement far-reaching reforms, she said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Donald Trump, the 47th president of the United States, signed several executive orders hours after his inauguration on Monday, including one that withdraws the US from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Some of these orders will severely hamper global efforts and have drawn criticism from leaders, experts, and stakeholders worldwide. Justifying the withdrawal from the WHO, Mr Trump cited what he called the inappropriate political influence of member states on the global body that is about 20 per cent funded by the US. Oooh, thats a big one, he said as he signed the document. This is President Trumps second attempt to pull the US out of the United Nations health agency, which focuses on coordinating international responses to health emergencies across the world Mr Trump criticised the Geneva-based institution for how it handled COVID-19 and, in 2022, began the process of pulling the US out of it. His successor, Joe Biden, later reversed that decision. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In his executive order on Monday, hours after he was sworn in for a second term, Mr Trump again cited how the WHO handled the COVID-19 as a reason for his decision. The organisations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states is the reason for US withdrawal, the executive order states. Paris climate agreement Mr Trump has, for the second time, directed the US to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. He signed the executive order to withdraw the country from the 2015 agreement on Monday. According to him, the Paris accord is among several international agreements that do not reflect US values. The agreement only steers American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people. Instead of joining a global agreement, the United States successful track record of advancing both economic and environmental objectives should be a model for other countries, Mr Trump said. Mr Trump, in 2017, issued a similar directive and announced that the US would abandon the global Paris accord, a pact is aimed at limiting long-term global warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels or, keeping temperatures at least well below 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels. Mr Biden reversed that earlier decision. Migration policies The new US president also issued a directive to declare a national emergency on the US southern border while also signing an order that suspends the countrys refugee resettlement programme for four months, He also signed an order against automatic citizenship for US-born children of immigrants who entered the country illegally. As part of his migration policy, Mr Trump also shut down a major immigration pipeline which was initiated under Bidens administration. It is a sponsorship initiative that allowed up to 30,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to fly to the US. According to the Biden administration, the policy, known as CHNV, was initiated and designed to lower illegal border crossings. Mr Trump, who earlier vowed to initiate the largest deportation programme, has also issued an executive order stopping the catch and release policy. The US policy allowed migrants to live in US communities while they waited for their hearings. The new president also plans to end a long-time policy that stopped federal immigration authorities from conducting raids on churches and schools. Foreign assistance Similarly, President Trump has also signed an executive order to stop all US foreign assistance programmes for 90 days. These programmes will be on hold pending reviews to determine if they are aligned with his policy goals or not. He has also directed that no United States foreign assistance should be disbursed in a manner that does not align with the countrys foreign policy. Foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values, the executive order reads. It serves to destabilise world peace by promoting ideas in foreign countries that are directly inverse to harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries. No further United States foreign assistance shall be disbursed in a manner that is not fully aligned with the foreign policy of the President of the United States. Gender President Trump also signed an executive order declaring that the US will only recognise the male and female genders. These genders, he said, are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality. He had earlier noted during his inaugural speech that his administration would recognise only the male and female genders. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female, he had said. The move, seen as an attack on the LGBTQ community, is expected to draw widespread criticism from rights groups globally. In the same executive order, Mr Trump ended all government programmes, policies, statements and communications that promote or support gender ideology. In a separate one, he ended the US diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes. This executive order is called ending radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, said that he would not join issues with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his alleged denigrating media comment on him. Mr Wabara, the chairperson of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said this during a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Monday. During a live interview on national television over the weekend, Mr Wike said that if Mr Wabara were his father, he would disown him. Responding to a question on the leadership crisis rocking the PDP, the FCT minister said, Its unfortunate they have a man they said is a former Senate president. If that man was my father, I would have disowned him. If he was my father or related to me, I would have disowned him. He doesnt qualify to be. No wonder President Olusegun Obasanjo made a presidential broadcast under his tenure about corruption. Thats the man leading PDP BoT. Reacting to the outburst, Mr Wabara said that as an elder statesman who had been privileged to be Nigerias Number three citizen, it would not be dignified for him to begin to trade words with Mr Wike. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Wabara, however, said that he had expected the FCT minister to refrain from unguarded utterances, at least as a mark of respect for his position. The former Senate president, who distanced himself from corruption, said, I will expect a man of his (Wike) calibre and status to mind his language and words. He should be sure of his facts, but I dont want to join issues with Wike and dignify him. Frankly, for a son to disown his father, his father must have wronged him terribly. Can Wike please tell the world what it is I did wrong to him? Talking about corruption, Nigerians know those who are corrupt, and I can proudly say and beat my chest that Im not one of them. I, Adolphus Wabara, Im not corrupt and wont be joining issues with people who have no respect for elders, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print At least seven traders were confirmed killed in an armed robbery incident that occurred on Monday at Ngalda Market in the Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State. The police said three of the attackers were killed by the traders, and a prime suspect in the robbery incident was arrested. The police spokesperson in the state, Dungus Abdulkarim, in a statement to reporters, said the traders had resisted the attackers, mobilised, and killed three of them. Mr Abdulkarim said the group of six armed robbers, led by one Datti Alhaji-Dadji of Ngalda town, attacked three shops at the market. The incident resulted in seven fatalities and eleven injuries. The robbers made off with approximately sixteen million five hundred thousand naira. In response, the people of Ngalda Town mobilised and killed three of the robbers, while three others escaped with injuries. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) led a team of patrol officers to Alhaji Dadjis house, where they recovered a locally made pistol with three cartridges. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Alhaji Dadji was arrested and is currently in police custody, facing interrogation as the investigation unfolds, the police spokesperson said. The police spokesperson added that the victims and corpses were evacuated to the General Hospital Fika for medical treatment and autopsy. The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and called for calm. READ ALSO: Police confirm killing of Celestial prophet during church service in Ogun He tasked personnel to arrest fleeing syndicate members and urged the public to assist the command with credible information. The Command commiserates with the victims families and assures that the criminals will face the full wrath of the law, Mr Abdulkarim said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias climate change projects are severely deficient in gender considerations, an Oxfam report has said, raising questions about the countrys commitment to using its international climate finance to address the peculiar problems of women, who are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. The report, Fact sheet: The state of climate finance in Nigeria, launched by Oxfam in partnership with Connected Development (CODE) in Abuja on Monday, stated that Nigeria received $4.93 billion in international climate finance between 2015 and 2021. Henry Ushie of Oxfam who presented the report said 69 per cent of the 828 projects for which Nigeria received the climate finance fund did not incorporate gender considerations. Only 16 per cent of the projects included gender as a key objective and a mere 1 per cent prioritised gender equality as the main goal. Experts stated that it raises concerns about Nigerias commitment to addressing the disproportionate impact of climate change on women, who remain underrepresented in decision-making processes related to climate action. Women in rural Nigeria, especially those in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors, face the harshest effects of climate change. Referencing the report, Mr Ushie said these sectors received $1.5 billionor 30 per centof total climate finance during this period. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later However, he said, without gender-sensitive policies, investments are unlikely to resolve womens specific challenges, such as limited access to land, credit, and climate-smart technologies. Debt-driven climate strategy with gender blind spots The report said Nigeria has received concessional loans from multilateral organisations such as the World Bank, which make up 64 per cent of total climate finance. While these funds support critical climate initiatives, the growing debt burden raises concerns about future budgetary constraints on social programs benefiting women and marginalised communities. A large portion of the funding came in the form of concessional loans, adding pressure to Nigerias already burdensome debt portfolio. While key sectors such as agriculture, energy, and water have benefited from international support, there are gaps in mobilising domestic resources and ensuring effective governance at both national and sub-national levels, the report said. The report explained that top donors include the World Bank, France, the European Union, the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank. However, their investments often lack explicit gender-focused components, limiting opportunities for women-led climate adaptation initiatives and economic empowerment. Absence of domestic gender-focused financing The report stated that Nigerias domestic contribution to climate finance remains marginal, with only 4.7 per cent of funding between 2020 and 2023 coming from government sources. The lack of climate budget tagging makes it difficult to track how much of these funds, if any, are allocated to gender-sensitive programmes. Only 4.7 per cent of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) funding came from Nigerias government budget during this period; 4.1 lines of credit, 1.7 from financial support, the report noted. The 2021 Climate Change Act, which established the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and the Climate Change Fund (CCF), was expected to address these gaps. However, implementation challenges and governance concerns have stalled efforts to maintain gender-responsive climate action. Nigeria faces growing wealth inequality A second report launched on Monday by Oxfam, titled, Takers, not Makers, stated that the wealth of the worlds billionaires increased by $2 trillion in 2024, three times faster than the previous year, which has shown growing disparity between the ultra-wealthy and the global population facing economic hardship. It also explained that in Nigeria, the wealth gap is widening, with the richest Nigerians accumulating billions while millions continue to live in poverty. To address climate financing and inequality gaps in Nigeria, members of the panel, including Hamzat Lawal, Regina Afiemo, Hussaini Abdul, Otegu Ikoli, and Ifeoma Malo, said that Nigerias wealthiest individuals often acquire their fortunes through inheritance, monopolistic practices, or cronyism rather than innovation or earned income. The panelists said a significant portion of Nigerian billionaires wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, further exacerbating the countrys inequality. They pointed out that the richest 1 per cent in Nigeria controls an overwhelming share of the nations wealth, contributing to a growing divide between the elite and the impoverished majority. According to them, Nigerias extreme wealth inequality is tied to systemic issues rooted in historical colonialism, which laid the foundation for todays economic disparities. They said there was the need for urgent government intervention, including raising taxes on the wealthy, reforming the tax system, and addressing the impact of colonial-era economic structures. They also called on the Nigerian government to increase social sector spending, especially on health, education, and agriculture, to help reduce the wealth gap and alleviate poverty. They also suggested that global tax reforms are essential in ensuring the wealthiest individuals and corporations pay their fair share to combat inequality in Nigeria. As Nigeria looks towards 2025, experts warn that unless comprehensive measures are taken to address the countrys wealth inequality, the divide between the rich and poor will continue to widen, worsening social and economic conditions. ` Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Azerbaijan and Harvard University discussed further steps on joint initiatives, the countrys Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on his X page, Trend reports. The discussion was held during a meeting that took place between Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Shahmar Movsumov, Executive Director of the State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) Israfil Mammadov, and Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov with the Director of the "Growth Lab" at Harvard University Ricardo Hausmann. "We discussed the productive collaboration between the Ministry of Economy and Harvard University as part of COP29, the importance of ongoing research in advancing a sustainable economy," the minister added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed regret over the United States decision to withdraw from the organisation following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The global health body has called for constructive dialogue to preserve their decades-long partnership since 1948. In a statement shared on its X account on Tuesday, WHO highlighted its pivotal role in protecting global health and security, including within the US, through efforts to tackle disease outbreaks, strengthen health systems, and respond to emergencies in challenging environments. Mr Trump signed the executive order on Monday, directing the United States to withdraw from WHO. He claimed that the United States was paying far more to the UN body compared to China, and accusing the WHO of being biased. World Health ripped us off, he remarked during an address at the White House. Recurring development This marks the second time Mr Trumps administration has sought to cut ties with WHO. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later During his first term, the US issued a similar notice, citing alleged mismanagement during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. That decision was reversed under former President Joe Biden, who reengaged with the WHO and initiated the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy to tackle global infectious disease threats. However, Mr Trumps new executive order not only halts US funding and support for the WHO but also directs government agencies to identify alternative partners to undertake activities previously managed by the organisation. The administration also announced plans to review and rescind Mr Bidens global health strategy as soon as practicable. The organisations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states is the reason for US withdrawal, the executive order states. WHO response In its response, the WHO stressed the contributions of the US as a founding member since 1948, citing collaborative achievements such as the eradication of smallpox and near-eradication of polio. It also highlighted the mutual benefits of the partnership for American institutions. The WHO said With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past seven years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. This work continues. We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe, it noted. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Authorities in the United States have auctioned a luxury wristwatch and a necklace owned by Abidemi Rufai, a former Ogun State official who served a jail term in the U.S., PREMIUM TIMES can exclusively report. The United States District Court for Western Tacoma in Washington jailed Abidemi Rufai on 26 September 2022 for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. With the stolen identities, he attempted to steal nearly $2.4 million from the United States government, including approximately $500,000 in pandemic-related unemployment benefits, court documents said. Mr Rufai, who pleaded guilty to the charges, succeeded in defrauding 12 US agencies of $600,000 paid into bank accounts controlled by him. Based on his plea agreement with the prosecution, Mr Rufai agreed to pay the defrauded agencies the full restitution of $604,260. The U.S. government has now sold two valuable items recovered from him during his arrest a Cartier watch and a gold chain necklace. The sale was made in December 2022, but PREMIUM TIMES has just become aware of the development. The Judgment entered in this case directed the United States to sell in a commercially reasonable manner a Cartier watch and a gold chain necklace that it seized from Defendant Abidemi Rufai during his arrest and apply the net proceeds to Defendants $604,460 judgment debt, Nicholas Brown, a U.S. Attorney, said in a court filing. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The United States sold the watch and necklace via online auction through Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers, Appraisers, and Realty. The winning bids for the watch and necklace were $4,720.00 and $3,160.00, respectively. After payment of $64.41 shipping expenses and $728.90 (9.25 per cent) sales commission, the net proceeds were $7,086.69. As instructed by the U.S. Attorneys Office, Gaston & Sheehan sent the net proceeds to the Clerk of this Court via cheque. The Clerk received and processed the payment on December 20, 2022, applying $200.00 to Defendants special assessment and $6,886.69 to his restitution balance. After deducting that sum from his restitution payment, Abidemi Rufai remains indebted to the U.S. government for $597,573.31. The former Ogun State official was released from prison in mid-November 2024, but his whereabouts remain unknown. He will most likely be deported to Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Tuesday condemned the looting of property by some individuals during a fire outbreak in Igede Ekiti, which destroyed multimillion-naira property. The governor vowed to investigate those responsible for the looting and ensure they are brought to justice. Speaking during a visit to the scene of the fire, which engulfed two buildings housing six shops and residential apartments, Governor Oyebanji, represented by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, sympathised with the victims and pledged government support to alleviate their losses through the provision of relief materials. The fire, which began around 1:30 a.m., caused significant damage before being controlled by the Ekiti State Fire Services. He, however, thanked God that no life was lost during the midnight conflagration that destroyed the two buildings and many shops. The governor noted that the inferno may have been caused by an electrical spark resulting from high voltage and melting wires, emphasising the importance of shop owners switching off their lights at night to prevent such incidents. Commenting on the reported cases of looting during the fire outbreak, he condemned the act as an extreme display of wickedness. He stated that such behaviour has no place in a civilised society. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The Governor also visited the palace of Onigede of Igede Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru, to sympathise with the monarch on the highly painful occurrence and promised that his government would swiftly commence enumeration of the property lost for intervention. I want to believe that the fire must have surged from an electricity spark. The government has been crying and warning our people to always [put] off their lights while not at home. Those who left their shops and refused to [put] off the lights caused this, and it was painful. The wires must have melted when the high voltage electricity came resulting in fire that spread across the two buildings. Try and heed the governments advice on how we can effectively use our electricity. We sympathise with you. The news about these losses was not pleasurable to our governor. But we are assuring you that we will intervene. The operatives of the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency will soon come to do the enumeration of the victims and the estimate of the losses incurred. On the looting, the governor said, I am not really happy that some people were looting property when they were supposed to help safeguard the situation. This is bad and wicked. We are going to investigate this, and whoever is indicted shall be arrested and prosecuted accordingly, he vowed. One of the victims, Chinedu Nbamu, appreciated the governors visit and urged that those who looted property be investigated and arrested to serve as a deterrent to others. Mr Nbamu, who described the incident as worrisome and painful, added that no one could ascertain the source of the inferno while debunking the claim that the fire surged from his multimillion-Naira shop. Expressing grief over the occurrence, the Onigede of Igede Ekiti, Oba Aladesuru, appreciated the governor for displaying compassion and empathy at this highly excruciating time for the victims. The monarch appealed to the government to act swiftly and start offering the victims palliatives so that they could return to their businesses as soon as possible. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO), Canada, to train Nigerian nurses on the best practice guidelines of the profession. The programme tagged Best Practice Spotlight Organisation (BPSO), training the trainers is aimed at providing a structured pathway to adopt and implement best practice guidelines. At the launch of the programme on Monday in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, said with the training, nurses would be equipped to deliver evidence-based, culturally sensitive and patient-centred care. Ms Kachollom, who was represented by the Director, Food and Drug Services, Olubunmi Aribeana, said the approach would undoubtedly contribute to the realisation of the ministers four-point health agenda and global sustainable goals. She said Nigeria is the first country in Africa to identify with RNAO, becoming the first BPSO designated host. This, for us is remarkable as we recognise the place of nurses to achieve the mandate of the Nigeria healthcare system, she said. As the ministry emphasises on improving the population health outcomes and unlocking healthcare value chains, the Nigerian BPSO initiative is a step forward in fostering a healthcare system that prioritises the highest standards of care, she said. She added that the training is a critical component of the ministrys ongoing efforts to enhance the skills and expertise of nurses and other healthcare workers, equipping them with the tools needed to meet the evolving challenges in healthcare delivery. The permanent secretary also said that as a host, the ministry would be responsible for training, mentoring, and overseeing the nursing services delivery of the Federal Tertiary Health Institutions (FTHIs). Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later It would also support them in the implementation of RNAOs Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs). The Director, Hospital services, Jimoh Salaudeen, noted that the partnership underscores the growing importance of global collaboration and knowledge exchange in improving healthcare systems. Mr Salaudeen was represented by the Director, Regulatory Bodies and Professional Schools Division, Okpikpi Okpako. According to him, by adopting best practices, not only would healthcare services be enhanced, healthcare professionals would be empowered with the knowledge and skills necessary to uphold international standards. Undoubtedly, this will definitely reduce medical tourism as well as stem the threat of healthcare professionals migration. Furthermore, this collaboration provides an invaluable opportunity for exchange of knowledge as both countries will certainly learn some cultural properties to caregiving, he said. Through this exchange, our nurses will foster a deeper understanding of evidence-based practices that will benefit the patients and communities they serve, he said. ALSO READ: Groups demand release of Lagos nurse allegedly arrested over comments against police Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, RNAO, Doris Grinspun, said the partnership would improve health outcomes in Nigeria at the individual, organisational and health system levels. Ms Grinspun noted that the RNAO team would guide and monitor the implementation of four best practice guidelines such as transitions in care and services, person and family-centred care, diabetic food asset and pressure injury management. These evidence-based guidelines will provide recommendations to nurses and to the inter-professional teams, educators, leaders, and also policymakers, she said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four-day training programme will involve teams from 15 selected FTHIs across the six geopolitical zones of the country, including a district hospital in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A coalition of civil society organisations in Niger Delta has opposed the federal governments plan to resume oil production and exploration in Ogoniland. In a statement on Tuesday, the groups condemned the invitation extended to some selected Ogoni leaders from the region by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to attend a private meeting in Abuja. It is, however, insensitive for this administration to open any form of discussion with a handpicked group of Ogoni leaders for such talks, noting that the overall will of the majority of Ogonis is -paramount in this matter. The groups expressed their unequivocal condemnation of the planned resumption of oil exploration and production activities in Ogoniland, the statement noted. The groups, which referred to themselves as concerned civil society organisations, issued the statement at the end of their meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The organisations, which signed the statement, include Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative, Ogoni Solidarity Forum-Nigeria, South South Youths Initiative, Peoples Advancement Centre, Environmental Rights Action, Kebetkache women development centre, Social Action, Lekeh Development Centre, Rainbowwatch Development Centre. Others include Kalop Environmental Centre, Pilex Centre, HOMEF, CAPPA, We the People, and HEDA Resource Centre. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The coalitions said Mr Ribadus meeting with select Ogoni leaders discussed the proposed resumption of oil activities in the area after many decades of destruction caused by the exploration. However, the groups said that the meeting excluded the broader Ogoni community and failed to address long-standing grievances over environmental degradation. The Ogoniland in Rivers State has grappled with environmental devastation from decades of oil production, destroying farmlands and aquatic lives depriving the people their means of livelihood. Environmental concerns The coalitions statement noted the environmental damage caused by decades of oil extraction, referencing the 2011 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, which documented severe pollution of Ogonilands land, water, and air. They noted that poor remediation efforts have left the region in a state of ecological crisis, impacting livelihoods and public health. The statement expressed disappointment over the slow implementation of the UNEP recommendations and accused the government of neglecting its responsibilities toward the cleanup. Demands The group demanded the suspension of all oil extraction plans until full environmental remediation is completed. They also requested a $1 trillion fund for the cleanup and compensation of affected communities and the exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni activists executed in 1995. The statement called for the release of the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Bus sculpture, which has been held by the Nigeria Customs Service since 2015. The groups also demanded a full implementation of the UNEP report and increased funding for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the transition to renewable energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. They also called for an end to the harassment of environmental activists and the demilitarisation of the Niger Delta, arguing that ongoing intimidation undermines efforts for justice and sustainable development. Call for dialogue The statement urged the government to engage in transparent discussions with Ogoni stakeholders to address their concerns and ensure their free, prior, and informed consent before any further oil activities. Any attempt to impose extractive activities without addressing these historical injustices will only deepen the mistrust between the government, oil companies, and local communities. The resumption of oil activities in Ogoniland is not only a betrayal of the Ogoni struggle but also a threat to the environment and future generations and a false hope that colonial extractivism promotes positive development. We stand in solidarity with the Ogoni people in their fight for justice and sustainable development. The resumption of oil production without proper consultation and remediation will only deepen the mistrust between the government and the people, the statement added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian government has expressed confidence that the new Donald Trump administration in the US will create new opportunities to enhance bilateral relations. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, the government congratulated Mr Trump for his successful inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. The ministry stated that Nigeria looks forward to collaborating with the US administration on addressing pressing global challenges. The ministry said Nigeria and the United States of America have a long-standing partnership that could be strengthened. It said this partnership covers diverse areas such as good governance, sustainable development, and the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. The Federal Republic of Nigeria congratulates President Donald Trump following his successful inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America. Nigeria and the United States of America have enjoyed cooperation in diverse areas of mutual interest, especially in promoting good governance, sustainable development, and the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Nigeria, therefore, looks forward to further strengthening our historic, strong, and vibrant strategic partnership for the benefit of all our people, the statement read. Mr Trump, who won the 2024 general election by defeating former Vice President Kamala Harris, was sworn in as president at the White House on Monday. READ ALSO: WHO calls for dialogue over US intention to withdraw membership At the inauguration ceremony, President Trump told Americans he was optimistic that his administration would usher in a new era of growth and national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country, Mr Trump said. The golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer, he added. Hours after his inauguration, Mr Trump signed several Executive Orders including those to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organisation and the Paris climate agreement. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, said on Tuesday that President Bola Tinubu had steered the economy in the right direction and was determined to stay the course. The minister spoke during the defence of his ministrys financial estimates before the National Assembly Joint Committees on National Planning in Abuja. He said the Tinubu administrations economic reforms were working, and the economy was on the path to full recovery. President Bola Tinubu has steered the economy in the right direction, and we are determined to stay the course, Mr Bagudu told the federal legislators, led by Yahaya Abdullahi, a senator and Isiaka Ibrahim of the House of Representatives. Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, and with your support, our economy has turned the bend and facing the right direction. The Renewed Hope Agenda Strategy of once and for all confronting our decades of underinvestment is working, and the positive trajectory is being sustained, he said. He pointed out that GDP growth of more than three per cent for three successive quarters, compared to less than one per cent in industrialised countries, evidenced the increasingly positive impact of the administrations reforms. Mr Bagudu, a former governor of Kebbi State, listed other positive impacts, including recovery of the economy, deficit reduction, and non-recourse to ways and means beyond legal limits from over 6.1 per cent in 2023 to less than four per cent in 2024, which he said global business leaders and rating agencies had acknowledged. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The reform strategy has enhanced the liquidity of the sub-nationals: States and Local Governments. FAAC allocations to all tiers of government are on the increase. With the elimination of FOREX and fuel subsidies, among other reforms, the increase shall be sustained, he told the legislators. The minister assured the legislators that the Tinubu administration would generate the funds to finance the 2025 financial plans through innovative financing and line budget allocation. To this end, he explained that President Tinubu had charged the petroleum, solid mineral, and creative industry sectors with developing their potential. Mr Bagudu emphasised that with the help of the National Assembly, his ministry, which he said was the chief marketer of Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda and Agenda 2050 strategies, would implement innovative financing measures to expand economic activities and generate substantial revenue to fund ongoing critical infrastructures. As the chief marketer of the Renewed Hope Agenda and Agenda 2050 strategies, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is poised to intensify its innovative financing to take forward the delivery of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure, including housing, roads and railway. We shall more aggressively to raise funding for our creative and high-impact programmes, including Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, Consumer Credit, National Agriculture Development Fund, Mortgage Fund, CNG Energy transition, Student Loans Fund, and support to NANO and MSMEs, he said. He explained that, in addition to the funds that would accrue from maintaining fuel and removing forex subsidies, the administration was determined to increase crude oil production beyond the estimated 2.06 barrels per day at a lower cost. The minister said more funds will flow into the national treasury as the Crude Oil Theft Committee ramps up its activities to contain crude theft. Our ministry and agencies are leading many engagements to get more resources to finance critical infrastructures in your constituencies, Mr Bagudu told the legislators, explaining that there would be more spending with more revenues. He urged legislators to pass the tax reform bills, saying their passage would smoothen the governments path to achieving its 18 per cent revenue-to-GDP target, assuring them that the Tinubu administration remained focused on achieving a higher growth rate that would include all this year. Mr Bagudu, a former senator, also spoke about the ministrys bilateral and multilateral coordination mandate and said the economic reforms earned the appreciation and respect of the nations development partners. He said many countries, including China, had comprehensively scaled up their relations and partnerships with Nigeria. He emphasised that the ministry signed many high-impact agreements on behalf of the country last year, including five with China and six with the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. He recalled that Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German president, and Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, visited Nigeria. At the same time, President Bola Tinubu visited several countries in the preceding year to project the stabilising effect of the economic reforms on the nations economy. Our country has done well. President Bola Tinubu is leading the country in the best of ways. He has charged all of us, his ministers, to work for excellence and do everything we can to ensure that the nation generates a higher level of growth that will include all. We will, Mr Bagudu stated. He thanked the National Assembly for its budgetary approval of his ministrys four parastatals, which he said helped the agencies deliver their mandates maximally. The minister highlighted the critical roles of the parastatals in the nations social and economic growth and development and said the ministry supported them in guarding their independence jealously to sustain their credibility. He said the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), led by Adeyemi Adeniran, consistently and timely released statistics on the nations economic activities despite the paucity of funds. The agency is concluding its work on rebasing the GDP using 2019 prices. He revealed that the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), headed by Antonia Simbine, a professor, was in the process of organising the Renewed Hope Agenda Lecture Series, which, he explained, would be a performance-tracking and measuring mechanism for the agenda. Mr Bagudu commended the hard work of the Tanimu Yakubu-led Budget Office, which produced the 2025 estimates with several defining features that ensured transparency and guaranteed that the nations resources would be channelled to its critical needs. He pointed out that the Centre for Management Development (CMD), under the leadership of Bistros Chinoko, continued to be a world-class management development institution that sets standards for excellence in management development and economic administration. Messrs Abdullahi and Ibrahim, the co-chairpersons of the committee, commended Mr Bagudu for the helicopter-view presentation and urged him to ensure a more appreciative implementation of the capital component of the 2025 Budget. The minister was accompanied to the budget defence by the Permanent Secretary, Vitalis Emeka, ministry directors, and chief executives of its parastatals. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print While Olagunjus article sheds light on Nigerian history and identity complexities, I disagree with him on teaching compromised narratives to appease ethnic loyalties. This trend is becoming increasingly prevalent among contemporary historians in politics, academia, and the media, especially among Nigerians. I believe history should remain true to its essence not a collection of convenient stories but a dedicated pursuit of truth. Let me start by acknowledging that storytellers increasingly seek to replace historians in shaping narratives. While anyone can become a storyteller, not everyone can be a historian. Storytelling involves crafting real or fictional narratives designed to entertain, educate, or inspire, often without strict adherence to factual accuracy. History, by contrast, is a meticulous record of past events, rooted in evidence and striving for objectivity and understanding. While storytelling prioritises creativity and emotional resonance, history demands scholarly rigour and factual analysis. Stories may incorporate history, but not all stories are historical. History remains history even in todays climate, where Western and Eastern media often compromise journalistic ethics, favouring partisanship over accuracy and truth. This is evident in their coverage of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where some outlets prioritise one-sided narratives, forsaking fairness and balance. Once respected for their integrity, many international media platforms now align themselves with the interests of patrons and sponsors, abandoning independence and impartiality. This brings me to a recent article by award-winning columnist Lasisi Olagunju of the Nigerian Tribune titled Fulani, Hausa, and Yoruba Truths. In his piece, Olagunju explores Nigerian history, ethnicity, and identity complexities. While he challenges Northern scholars narratives about the origins of the term Yoruba, his focus heavily skews toward Yoruba history, leaving the other two ethnic groups mentioned in his title Fulani and Hausa largely unexamined. The article appears to be a reaction to an announcement by Minister of Education Tunji Alausa about reintroducing History as a subject in Nigerian primary and secondary schools. In his characteristic fashion, Olagunju highlights the contradictions in the accounts of three historians on Yoruba history, including comments by Kemi Badenoch, a Yoruba woman and leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom. Badenoch controversially stated, Being Yoruba is my true identity, and I refuse to be lumped with northern people of Nigeria, who were our ethnic enemies, all in the name of being called a Nigerian. According to Olagunju, Atanda writes that Sultan Bellos account of the origin of the Yoruba people drew inspiration from an old Arabic text, Azhar al-Ruba fi Akhbar Bilad Yoruba, written by Dan Masani, a noted Katsina scholar who lived in the seventeenth century and died in 1667. These references highlight the involvement of non-Yoruba scholars, predominantly from the north or Arabian backgrounds. Therefore, the argument by the writer cannot effectively challenge the central premise of Kperogis argument or provide conclusive evidence for his claims. This statement provoked a satirical response from the Nigerian-American professor, Farooq Kperogi, who argued that the Yoruba ethnic group owes its name and much of its history and language to northern Nigeria. Kperogi cites Songhai scholar, Ahmad Baba, who, in his 1613 essay Al-kashf wa-l-bayan li-asnafmajlub al-Sudan, first referenced the Yoruba as Yariba. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Olagunjus article counters Kperogis claims, particularly the argument that the name Yoruba originated from Northern Nigerias Baatonu (Bariba) people. He draws on Yoruba historians to offer alternative explanations for the terms origin, but his rebuttal lacks consistent reliance on verifiable sources. For instance, he cited the response of Moyo Okediji, a Nigerian-American Art history professor at the University of Texas at Austin, who publicly commended Badenoch for distancing herself from northern Nigeria due to concerns about terrorism in the region. However, rather than citing credible sources, Okediji offered his own interpretation of the origin of the name Yoruba, claiming that his (own) grandmother had told him it is a shortened form of A yo oru ba won dana omo tuntun. He suggested it is a panegyric phrase referring to both Osun and Oya, particularly Osun. Unfortunately, he did not provide the year of his grandmothers birth to lend credibility to his assertion. While colourful, the professors interpretation is unsubstantiated and anecdotal, and lacking the academic rigour necessary for historical discourse. Olagunju also speculates on the term Yoruba, suggesting it may have existed long before the Bariba and the Yoruba had cause to meet. Yet, like Okedijis claims, this assertion lacks substantial evidence or authority. Some references cited by Olagunju include Richard Smiths The Alaafin in Exile: A Study of the Igboho Period in Oyo History, published in The Journal of African History, March 1965, and Professor JA Atandas The Historian and The Problem of Origins of Peoples in Nigerian Society, published in December 1980. According to Olagunju, Atanda writes that Sultan Bellos account of the origin of the Yoruba people drew inspiration from an old Arabic text, Azhar al-Ruba fi Akhbar Bilad Yoruba, written by Dan Masani, a noted Katsina scholar who lived in the seventeenth century and died in 1667. These references highlight the involvement of non-Yoruba scholars, predominantly from the north or Arabian backgrounds. Therefore, the argument by the writer cannot effectively challenge the central premise of Kperogis argument or provide conclusive evidence for his claims. Does history hold significance when tribal and ethnic sentiments distort narratives, overshadowing fact and truth? How can we cite the personal impressions and perceptions of politicians and historians who demonstrate apparent bias towards specific ethnic groups? Educated individuals must refer to reputable resources that substantiate their claims. Olagunju also mentions Samuel Johnson in his work, The History of the Yorubas, as one of the most famous figures in Yoruba history. Still, he did not provide the publication date, which may be deliberate. Samuel Johnson (1846-1901), an Anglican minister and historian, wrote a seminal history of the Yoruba people. Although the publisher lost his manuscript, it was reconstructed from his notes by his brother after his death. First published in 1921, this foundational work remains a standard reference for Yoruba history, despite some inaccuracies acknowledged by scholars. Olagunju appears primarily concerned with countering Kperogis claim about the influence of the Bariba in Yoruba land. He cites Professor Banji Akintoye, who claims in A History of the Yoruba People (published in 2010) that most of the greatest warriors in Yoruba history were produced by the Oyo Empire. Olagunju mentions one such warrior, Iba Magaji, who served Obalokun and Ajagbo as Basorun and played a key role in early campaigns that conquered parts of the Nupe and Bariba countries. This raises the question: is Magaji a Yoruba or Hausa name? Yet, this rhetorical flourish does little to resolve the broader debate. Does history hold significance when tribal and ethnic sentiments distort narratives, overshadowing fact and truth? How can we cite the personal impressions and perceptions of politicians and historians who demonstrate apparent bias towards specific ethnic groups? Educated individuals must refer to reputable resources that substantiate their claims. Reliance on reliable and unbiased sources is paramount if history is to be taught in Nigerian schools. Documented evidence and peer-reviewed publications should serve as essential reference materials. While Olagunjus article sheds light on Nigerian history and identity complexities, I disagree with him on teaching compromised narratives to appease ethnic loyalties. This trend is becoming increasingly prevalent among contemporary historians in politics, academia, and the media, especially among Nigerians. I believe history should remain true to its essence not a collection of convenient stories but a dedicated pursuit of truth. Yushau A. Shuaib is the author of Strictly Personal: Writings for the Media www.YAShuaib.com, yashuaib@yashuaib.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print With hearts heavy with grief, we honour and remember the beautiful soul of our beloved son, brother, and father, Oluwakayode Solomon Ojewale, who tragically passed away on 6 July, 2024, at the age of 40. His untimely death has left an indescribable void in our lives, and the pain of his absence is something we carry with us every day. Friday, 17 January, 2025 would have been Kayodes 41st on earth! It has been over six months since you left us, and every day feels like eternity without you. I find myself searching for available words to express the depths of the pain and sorrow were enduring. The world feels different now, quieter in a way that makes your absence painfully loud. We never imagined wed have to say goodbye to you so soon, not at 40, not in the prime of your life, with so much still to offer. But life has a way of surprising us with harsh realities, and now we must learn to live with this deep ache in our hearts. I think back to the memories we shared, and its hard to grasp that those moments are now forever in the past. We fought, we laughed, we shared secrets and dreams. You were my brother, my confidant, and even in the tough times, I always knew that you were there to offer those soothing words to me, just as I was there for you. You had this gift of bringing light into any room you entered, always with that genuine smile, full of warmth and kindness. Even though our lives were sometimes busy, with our own jobs and responsibilities, I could always count on you to be just a call away at any time of the day. Oluwakayode, known to us all as Kayode, was a man whose warmth, kindness, and generosity touched everyone he encountered. As a son, brother, father, husband, and friend, his love and dedication to his family were unparalleled. His presence was a constant source of joy and comfort, a beacon of light to those fortunate enough to know him. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later I will remind the world of the incredible person you were. Though our time together was far too short, the impact you had on all of us will last a lifetime. The love you gave, the lessons you taught, and the faith you lived by will continue to echo in our lives. He was deeply loved by his immediate family his parents, siblings, and extended family who will forever cherish the countless memories of laughter, support, and unconditional love. He was a caring and loving brother, a protector, and a confidant. His relationship with his family was a true reflection of the bond he held so dear to his heart. Beyond his immediate family, Kayodes affection and care extended to his church, family, friends, and colleagues. He was known for his deep faith, and his commitment to the church was evident in his actions, whether through service, prayer, or offering a listening ear to those in need. He had a way of making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued. His church community in Lagos will forever remember him as a man who lived his life with purpose and compassion. Kayodes colleagues at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) were truly blessed to have worked alongside such a dedicated and compassionate soul. His unwavering professionalism, paired with the warmth and camaraderie he brought to the workplace, left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of working with him. The impact he had on his coworkers cannot be measured, and his absence is felt deeply by each of them. But it wasnt just at work where his light shone brightly. His college friends Hammed, Fisayo, Yemi, Sunday, and so many others speak with such admiration and love for the incredible person he was. Their words of praise echo the same kindness and generosity that defined his life. Kayode touched every life he encountered, leaving behind a legacy of love, loyalty, and unforgettable memories. Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of his untimely passing is the fact that his son, Oluwalonimi, who is almost a year old, will never experience the unparalleled love and affection of his father. As we watch his son grow, we are reminded of all the milestones and moments of joy that Kayode will not be there to witness. It is a sorrow that words cannot fully express, knowing that his son will have to grow up without the nurturing presence of his dad. Life has not been the same since Kayodes departure. The world feels dimmer without his infectious smile, his reassuring words, and his comforting embrace. His absence has created a void that can never be filled. Yet, as we mourn, we also find solace in the love he gave us and the memories we shared. We carry his spirit with us every day, knowing that though he is no longer physically with us, his love and legacy live on in our hearts. I am proud of you, Kayode. Proud of the man you became, proud of the father you were, proud of the Christian example you set. You fought the good fight, and now you rest in the arms of a loving God, waiting for us to join you one day. Until that day comes, know that I love you, and I miss you deeply. And though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that you are at peace. As we remember Oluwakayode Solomon Ojewale, we celebrate the life he lived and the love he shared. We are grateful for the time we had with him and for the lessons he imparted through his kindness, humility, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. Rest in peace, dear Kayode. You will forever be missed, but never forgotten. Rest in Gods eternal love, and may your soul continue to shine brightly, lighting the way for all of us who remain. I will carry your memory with me forever, and I will hold on to the hope of seeing you again one day. With all my love, always, Olanrewaju Ojewale is Kayodes elder brother. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print More effort and investment must be directed toward international cross-border initiatives such as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which serves as a potent means of adapting military efforts to the cross-national and ever-evolving nature of security threats in the region, ensuring the growth and development of all countries involved. The Sahel is one of the most challenged regions in the world, facing devastating multidimensional crises like famine, drought, insecurity, and extremism. The area, spanning from Senegal to Eritrea and nestled between the Sahara Desert to the north and the African tropics to the south, has had its multifaceted challenges greatly exacerbated by the emergence of violent extremist organisations. These organisations thrive on the decline of central government institutions in the region. Emboldened by fleeting international counterterrorism support, non-state actors have held Sahel countries hostage, quite literally, threatening the long-term viability of the Westphalian concept of statehood in the affected countries. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in its humanitarian overview of the Sahel, as of 1st December 2024, 5.6 million people in the region were internally displaced, and 2.1 million were refugees. The UN agency further states that almost 33 million women, children, and men in Burkina Faso, Cameroons Far North, Mali, Niger, northeastern Nigeria, and Chad need humanitarian assistance and protection services. While external support in the form of donor funding has been helpful in alleviating the burden on the people of the Sahel, it will ultimately take the effort of domestic governments in the region to find a long-lasting solution and ensure peace and stability, according to Nigerias Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Yusuf Tuggar. While the persistent growth and dominance of violent non-state actors seem largely confined to countries squarely situated in the Sahel, such as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad, neighbouring Nigeria and Cameroon have had their internal security and stability severely threatened by the influx of immigrants, weaponry, munitions, and extremist ideologies from the embattled region. For example, the rise of Boko Haram in Nigerias North-East is largely attributed to activities affecting the Sahel, such as the breakdown of law, order, and state institutions, which create an environment of chaos that is ripe for bad actors to operate freely and effectively. Consequently, foreign policy officials in Sahels environs have acknowledged and emphasised the importance of joint and cooperative efforts to address the numerous challenges bedevilling the West African region. One such official is Tuggar, who has noted that instability in the Sahel exacerbates insecurity in Nigeria a country that borders various Sahelian nations, such as Niger, Mali, and Chad, which are hotspots for violent extremism. Nigerias top diplomat further stated that the unconstitutional changes of government in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso brought about by military coups that ousted democratically elected governments further complicate efforts geared towards cooperative security initiatives. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Stakeholders and international affairs commentators often argue that Nigeria need not meddle in, nor concern itself with, the internal affairs of other nations, citing international law and norms as the basis for this assertion. This argument has fuelled undue criticism of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administrations foreign policy towards the suspended ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) member states. It should be recalled that sanctions were placed on Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso in 2023 by the Nigeria-led ECOWAS, with conditions for lifting the said sanctions being a clear timetable for a return to constitutional government by the junta-led countries. Despite this being a collective and unanimous decision taken by ECOWAS leaders, it was widely implied that this was President Tinubus prerogative to achieve a certain agenda. Meanwhile, Tuggar has succinctly debunked these claims in several ways. First, Nigerias constitution extols guidelines by which the nations foreign policy is to be conceptualised and actualised by every administration. According to him, Nigerias five foreign policy objectives include the promotion and protection of the national interest, African integration and support for African unity, promotion of international cooperation for peace and mutual respect, respect of international law and treaty obligations, and the promotion of a just world economic order. Seen from this perspective, Nigerias foreign policy and its aims can be easily understood in tandem with its diplomatic stance towards other countries. Nigerias national interest remains its preeminent foreign policy objective, which includes maintaining internal and external security and stability. The activities of various armed groups and militias, north of Nigerias borders, have egregiously impacted the humanitarian conditions of Nigerias citizens, particularly in the North-East, where extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) have established strongholds and severely disrupted the central governments ability to maintain law and order. A significant portion of these groups support financially, ideologically, and militarily is largely sourced from more powerful organisations in the Sahel seeking to extend their influence. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unequivocally demands international cooperation between Nigeria and its allies to achieve peace and security. This task has become exponentially difficult since the ousting of constitutional governments in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Despite this hindrance, Tuggar has engaged diplomatically without pause, proposing personal visits and inviting senior government officials and representatives. Unfortunately, the response by the junta-led countries has not indicated any interest in future collaboration to ensure peace and security throughout the region. Nonetheless, Nigerias Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its commitment to continued diplomatic relations with Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Furthermore, detractors also point to ECOWASs hardline stance towards the three suspended member states as proof of clandestine objectives by ECOWAS leaders. It should be recalled that membership and by extension, treaties, protocols, and responsibilities has always been voluntary for prospective member states. All current members of ECOWAS are signatories to certain charters and treaties that oblige them to meet laid-out requirements. The current debacle stems from the military leaders reluctance to abide by previously signed treaties prohibiting unconstitutional changes of government to ensure a healthy political climate in the region. Despite this codified statute, the Tinubu administration has spearheaded the extension of a prolonged grace period, after which the junta-led regimes must return to constitutional government. Unfortunately, the reaction to this olive branch included agenda-laden accusations by Nigers military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, alleging Nigerias involvement in an international conspiracy with France to destabilise his country. Nigeria has no logical incentive to destabilise Niger Republic or any of its neighbours, as this would result in further irregular migration toward Nigerias border towns, severely impacting an already devastating humanitarian crisis. Historically, Nigeria has done the opposite of what it is being accused of. It has always been the front-runner in financial, technical, infrastructural, and military support for the West African region. Nigeria has consistently committed to promoting the interests and development of Africa, particularly West Africa, in line with its constitutionally embedded foreign policy principles. This commitment includes advocating for Africas representation as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, leading efforts to establish an ECOWAS standby force to achieve sustainable peace and security, mobilising troops for peacekeeping operations in Guinea Bissau and The Gambia, and supporting the establishment of a logistics base in Lungi, Senegal, among other efforts. Security in the Sahel, one of the worlds most dynamic regions, requires concerted effort by all concerned countries. Alienating and castigating the hegemon power in the region will certainly not help achieve this. The junta-led states must set political agendas aside in favour of shared historical, present, and future interests of peace, security, and stability. More effort and investment must be directed toward international cross-border initiatives such as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which serves as a potent means of adapting military efforts to the cross-national and ever-evolving nature of security threats in the region, ensuring the growth and development of all countries involved. Umar Farouk Bala is a graduate of Political Science and International Relations from Nile University of Nigeria. He is a PRNigeria Fellow, umarfaroukofficial@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias acceptance into the BRICS club as a partner country is a slap in the face for Nigerian leaders, the foreign policy establishment and citizens who believe that Nigeria is a powerhouse in Africa and can play a big role in world affairs. In years gone by, Nigerian leaders projected an active foreign policy that not only made Africa the centrepiece of the countrys foreign policy but also branded Nigeria as the lead voice on the global stage for matters pertaining to Africa. The announcement by Nigerias Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the country has been admitted into the BRICS club, which seeks to challenge Western hegemony in the world economy, as a partner country, raises unsettling questions. It suggests how low perceptions of Nigeria have been as a key player in African and global geopolitics in recent years by world leaders. How can Ethiopia (which has a smaller GDP than Nigeria), and Egypt and South Africa (which only leapfrogged Nigeria on the GDP metric in 2024 after the massive devaluation of the naira in 2023) be full members of BRICS and Nigeria confined to the status of a partner country? This, surely, must be insulting to many Nigerians. It seems that Nigerias dysfunctional domestic politics has affected the foreign policy establishment and weakened its posture on the global stage. The statement from the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accepting the BRICS offer reads like Nigerias foreign policy has become largely transactional, without any lofty ideals, vision or strategic goals. It sees the BRICS as a unique platform for Nigeria to enhance trade, investment, and socio-economic cooperation with member countries. How a second tier membership role in an organisation like BRICS will impact Nigerias aspirations for regional power status and global influence is not addressed. If Nigeria cant gain full or permanent membership of BRICS, why should it expect to be granted permanent membership of the UN Security Council?a long-standing position it has canvassed for Africas voice in world affairs. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The Love Affair With Macron and the Tragedy of ECOWAS In November last year, Nigerias president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, visited Emmanuel Macron, the French president, in Paris, and was given a lavish welcome. That visit rattled the leaders of Niger, Burkina Faso and Malithe so-called Alliance of Sahel States (AES)who have withdrawn their countries from the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS). Niger even accused Nigeria of working with Macron to send troops to Nigeria and invade Niger. The secretary general of the civil society organisation, Citizens Alternative Spaces in Niger, Moussa Tiangari, who around the same time attended a symposium in Abuja on the life and times of a friend and public intellectual (an event that I also attended), Jibrin Ibrahim, was detained when he returned to Niger, on suspicion that he was part of the plot to attack Niger. It is clear that the AES leaders do not trust Nigerias deepening alliance with France, whom they perceive as a mortal enemy. These leaders have kicked French troops out of their countries and are fiercely opposed to what they correctly brand as French neocolonialism. French troops have also been evicted from Chad, and have been given notice to withdraw from Senegal and Cote dIvoire. The Ivorian quit notice announced by Alhassan Ouattara, however, is dubious, because hes well embedded in French governmental networks and played a big role in pushing ECOWAS to threaten to invade Niger in 2023. Analysts believe hes asked French troops to leave his country to placate the anger of Ivorian youth, whore also opposed to French neocolonialism and French troops in their country. Critics surmise that he doesnt want the controversy over French troops in Cote dIvoire to be an issue in the forthcoming Ivorian national elections in which he has hinted to run for a fourth term. The AES leaders are jittery about Nigeria and Tinubus close ties with Macron, especially in light of the aggressive posture Tinubu, who, as Chair of ECOWAS, adopted when the organisation threatened to invade Niger and imposed some of the most punitive sanctions in Africa ever on the country, including cutting off electricity supply and trade relations, and blocking financial transactions between ECOWAS and Niger. Macron, the EU and the US were fully behind ECOWAS in the objective of either reversing the military coup by force or making life terribly uncomfortable for Nigeriens, who, they hoped, would rise up against the regime and topple it, or force the regime to relinquish power. That ill-judged and disastrous policy has cost ECOWAS dearly. The three countries, which account for more than half of the ECOWAS land area, are determined to remain outside the organisation and deepen economic and political ties within the AES. According to ECOWAS rules, their membership should expire on 29 January. The organisation has, however, given the three countries an extended exit date of six months (up until 29 July), hoping that negotiations between ECOWAS and the AES would resolve the problem and the AES countries would return as full members. As Chair of ECOWAS, and instigator of the conflict with the AES leaders, one would have thought that Tinubu and his foreign policy establishment would spend more time rebuilding the damaged relations with the AES leaders than cozying up to Macron, a hated figure in not only the AES countries, but in West Africa generally. Theres no significant economic or geostrategic value in deepening ties with France, unless if one adopts a simplistic transactional view of international relations. France has had a strategic interest in weakening Nigeria since its independence in 1960. It views Nigeria, which accounts for about half of West Africas population and more than 60 per cent of its GDP, as a threat to Frances neocolonial designs in the Francophone West African countries. It doesnt want the Francophone countries, which it considers its sphere of influence, to be lured by, and deepen their ties with, a powerful Nigeria. Instructively, France doesnt have the power resources that define the status of a great power to merit a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. Its project of holding on to its former colonies by constructing debilitating patron-client monetary and military relations with them is to bolster its image as a world power. If France is stripped of its military bases and neocolonial power in its former colonies, which are largely in Africa, and we judge it solely on the basis of the size of its economy, India deserves to replace it in the UN Security Council, especially as India is also a nuclear power. France supported the breakup of Nigeria during the Biafra war in the 1960s, and has been implacably opposed to the ECOWAS monetary integration plan, which seeks to create a single West African currency, the eco. In December 2019, following growing opposition to the monetary arrangements that underpinned the CFA franc in West Africa, and fears that the proposed ECOWAS eco currency would end the CFA franc as a currency and French economic influence in the region, Macron and Ouattara hurriedly announced new rules for the CFA franc and renamed the currency eco clearly challenging ECOWAS and making it difficult for ECOWAS to forge ahead with its eco plan. As France faces unprecedent opposition in its former colonies , one would have thought that Nigeria would be in the drivers seat in protecting these countries from French attempts at destabilising them. Instead, it has projected an image of a willing enabler of French and Western neocolonial interests in its backyard. That is not the hallmark of an aspiring great power. The perception by the AES leaders that France and Nigeria want to invade their countries endangers the democracy project in those states. It forces the leaders of those states to prioritise their survival over demands for the restoration of democratic forms of government. The struggles against neocolonialism and the laudable campaign for democracy are currently at a stalemate. How to support the popular movement unfolding against French neocolonialism in West Africa and at the same time back demands for democratic rights and institutions is very taxing. Yusuf Bangura writes from Nyon, Switzerland; E-mail: Bangura.ym@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has expressed profound grief over the devastating tanker explosion that occurred recently at Diko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, Niger State. The tragic incident claimed over 80 lives and left numerous others with severe injuries. Governor Radda, on behalf of the Government and the people of Katsina State, extended his deepest condolences to Governor Muhammed Umaru Bago, the Government, and the people of Niger State during this period of loss. Every life lost in this horrific incident represents a family torn apart and communities left in mourning, the Governor stated. Governor Radda further emphasised that this tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety measures and the need for joint vigilance and response to prevent such harsh incidents. Mr Radda further called for strengthened emergency protocols and enhanced safety regulations for fuel tankers operating on Nigerian highways. Mr Radda prayed that Allah grant the departed souls Al-Jannatul Firdaus and give their families the strength to bear the loss. He equally prayed for quick recovery for those injured in the accident. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda has announced the release of N3 billion to kick-start Community Development Programme (CDP) across all 361 electoral wards in the state. Governor Radda made the announcement during a two-day sensitization programme for Local Government Chairmen at Comfort Hub Hotel, Kano. In his keynote address, Governor Radda unveiled plans to establish ward-level accounts with Ten Million Naira each, while emphasising community ownership of local infrastructure projects. The Governor noted that the initiative will utilise existing television viewing centers as coordinating offices. He added that the community development committees will submit project proposals before funding could be made. This programme represents our commitment to grassroots development and transparent governance, Governor Radda stated. We are also investing in agricultural sustainability with the procurement of six tube well drilling machines and dredging equipment to support year-round farming activities. The governor, however, assured committees that the state government would be steadfast in providing necessary support through finances, technical expertise and capacity building opportunities. Governor Radda also directed the creation of a bilingual website to document the history of the Community Development Programme from its inception till date. He added that the documented information must be in both English and Hausa for the benefits of those willing to know more about the initiative. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In his remarks, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bashir Tanimu Gambo, noted that the programme aims to empower communities to identify and prioritise their development needs. He urged council chairmen to actively participate in the CDP implementation. Speaking further, the Programme Consultant, Haruna Abba, outlined the CDPs objectives, underlining its role in promoting inclusive governance and responsive government intervention. Dr Abba stressed that the programme would serve all community members regardless of political affiliation, particularly in annual budget considerations. In his contribution, the National President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Bello Lawal Yandaki said the workshop would equip the local government chairmen with the processes and procedures of the community development programme in the state. Mr Yandaki who is also the Chairman of Kaita Local Government Area of Katsina State, said that the CDP will simplify service delivery to the people of the state and allow residents to decide critical projects and needs for government action. The event was attended by key government officials, including the Chief of Staff to the governor, AbdulKadir Mamman Nasir and the Principal Private Secretary to the governor, Abdullah Aliyu Turaji. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has authorised the commencement of the payment of the N80,000 minimum wage to the states civil servants. According to a press release issued in Uyo on Tuesday by Mr Enos spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, 45,000 verified civil servants in Akwa Ibom will get their new minimum wage from the end of this January, but backdated to November 2024. Mr Udoh stated that the governor disclosed this when he received the report by the Committee on the Implementation of the New Minimum Wage/Personnel Verification, headed by the Head of Service, Effiong Essien. Read the press release below: PRESS RELEASE GOVERNOR UMO ENO AUTHORIZES THE COMMENCEMENT OF PAYMENT OF 80 THOUSAND NAIRA MINIMUM WAGE THIS MONTH, EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 2024 Following the submission of the report by the Committee on the Implementation of the New Minimum Wage/Personnel Verification, headed by the Head of Service, Elder Effiong Essien, Governor Umo Eno, PhD, has authorized the commencement of the payment of the new minimum wage of 80 thousand Naira to 45 thousand duly verified public service workers, beginning at the end of this month but backdated to November last year, as he had promised. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Receiving the report at Government House, Uyo, Governor Eno thanked the Committee for the great work they did and requested the Committee to extend similar work to the retired workers Pension Schemes. Let me thank the Committee for taking the time to deliver on this assignment. As I receive this report today, my understanding is that before now, we had a staff strength of 55,120. Out of that, 52,177 persons turned out for the verification exercise, so we still have an outstanding of 2,943 personnel who did not show up while 6,193 have issues with their verification. Having received this report today, I will be signing this off to the Office of the Accountant General, Auditor General, and the Director of Budget to come up with the memo that they are ready to implement. For those who have been clearedabout 45,984 of themwe should be ready to pay the minimum wage at the end of this month, effective from November 1, 2024. The Civil Service forms a critical mass of employees in our state government. Since we came on board, their welfare has remained a key priority, and we will continue to do so. I believe this will help ameliorate the harsh economic environment we have found ourselves in, and I hope, by the grace of God, slowly, we will find our way out of it very soon. For the people who are yet to be verified, we will give another 30 days. After that, we will end the exercise. If they dont show up within the time specified, we will take it that they are not civil servants, and their salaries will be stopped. We want to extend our hand of fellowship to the organized labour in the state and ask them to work with the government, as we all have a responsibility to Akwa Ibom State. We have done a lot to engender good government-labour relations. Since we came on board, we have paid over 47 billion in gratuities from the over 97 billion backlog we met since 2012, as well as several palliatives to the workers and people of Akwa Ibom State. The Governor said he has accepted the recommendation of the Committee that the verification exercise should be done on a yearly basis. I have received your recommendation that this exercise should be done on a yearly basis, and I think we will do so. Another area we will run verification is the pension payments. If what we uncovered can happen with serving personnel, then you can imagine what may be happening where people have unfortunately passed and are still being paid. We need to quickly carry out the verification exercise in that area too. So I am not dissolving the Committee now; we will extend the life of the Committee for another month. The Implementation Committee on the Minimum Wage was set up by Governor Eno last December to ensure a smooth rollout of the newly announced 80 thousand minimum wage. It had as Chairman, the Head of Service; Chairman, Civil Service Commission; Chairman, Local Government Service Commission; Permanent Secretaries; Ministries of Finance; Department of Establishments, Labour, and Manpower Planning; Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Permanent Secretary and Accountant General; Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission; Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service; Director of Budget; State Chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council; Secretary, Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council; State Chairmen, Nigerian Labour Congress; and State President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). Ekerete Udoh Chief Press Secretary to the Governor January 21, 2025 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State swore in six new commissioners into the State Executive Council on Tuesday and assigned them portfolios. This is contained in a statement in Benin, by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Umar Ikhilor. According to the statement, Paul Ohonbamu is assigned to the Ministry of Information and Communications, while Washington Osifo will take charge of the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy. Dr Emmanuel Iyamu is assigned to the Ministry of Education, Dr Lucky Eseigbe to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Andrew Ijegbai to the Ministry of Mining. Similarly, Olabisi Idaomi will lead the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. All commissioners are expected to resume duties in their respective ministries immediately, he said. (NAN) Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service has arrested 90 illegal immigrants for cybercrimes allegedly perpetrated to swindle innocent Nigerians. Following credible intelligence, the suspects were arrested in collaboration with other Nigerian security agencies at their hideout in Rivers State. The Rivers State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, YI Abdulmajeed, said 94 suspects were arrested. According to their profiling, 85 are Cameroonians, five are Chadians, and four are Nigerians. Of the 94 suspects, 74 are males, while 20 are females. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that all 90 foreigners entered Nigeria through unauthorised entry points, and none presented residence cards or travel documents during interrogation. Two other Nigerians from Rivers State, who provided accommodation and have been their landlord, have also been arrested. Mr Abdulmajeed disclosed that the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, has ordered that the foreigners be repatriated to their countries of origin. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Rivers State have arrested five suspects linked to the murder of 34-year-old Rowland Horsefall, who was declared missing on 10 September 2024. The suspects are Endurance Thompson, 23, Moses Benjamin, 29, Emmanuel Aniete, 32, David Ishaku, 34, and Boma Otonye, 41, all male. Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson in Rivers, told journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that the suspects were arrested after an intensive manhunt. Mrs Iringe-Koko, a superintendent of police, alleged that the suspects abducted Mr Horsefall near the Slaughter Market area of Port Harcourt and later killed him after receiving a ransom. This tragic case began on 1 November when we received a distress call from one Gloria Iyenemi, a resident of Peace Valley Estate, Woji Town, reporting the abduction of her son, Mrs Iringe-Koko stated. According to the spokesperson, Mr Horsefall left home around 3:30 p.m. on 10 September to attend meetings at Dr Peter Odili Road and the Government Reserved Area in Port Harcourt. She said that Ms Iyenemi attempted to contact him later that evening when he failed to return home. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Horsefall answered his mothers call around 9 p.m., assuring her he was on his way home. However, after a prolonged wait, Iyenemi tried calling again, but all attempts to reach him were unsuccessful, Mrs Iringe-Koko said. The spokesperson said that the following morning, at 5:05 a.m. on 11 September, Ms Iyenemi received a call from Mr Horsefall, informing her that he had been abducted. She said the kidnappers later demanded a N2.5 million ransom, but Ms Iyenemi could only send N300,000. Subsequently, the kidnappers sent pictures and voice messages to Horsefalls girlfriend, threatening to kill him unless she transferred an additional N300,000 to his bank account, which she promptly did. However, Horsefall was not released, she said. Mrs Iringe-Koko said that following the report of the crime, the police launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of one of the suspects, Mr Thompson. During interrogation, Thompson confessed to kidnapping Horsefall behind the Port Harcourt Zoo in the Trans Amadi Industrial Area. He revealed that after receiving ransom payments, the gang beat the victim to death and dumped his body along Queens/Kings Bakery at Abuloma Road, Mrs Iringe-Koko said. The spokesperson said the suspects would be charged to court, while the police are looking for other members of the gang. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu assured Ogoni leaders that his administration would prioritise peace, justice, and sustainable development in the area. Mr Tinubu, who gave the assurance at a meeting at the State House in Abuja, urged the Ogoni people to set aside historical grievances and work together to achieve peace, development and a clean environment. We cannot in any way rewrite history, but we can correct some anomalies of the past going forward. We cannot heal the wounds if we continue to be angry, he said. The president directed Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, to coordinate the negotiations as he called for inclusive consultation and mutual understanding. He commended the delegation for embracing the federal government-led dialogue and emphasised the need for collaboration, trust, and inclusiveness to resolve lingering issues in the region. We must work together with mutual trust. Go back home, do more consultations, and embrace others. We must make this trip worthwhile by bringing peace, development, and a clean environment back to Ogoniland, Mr Tinubu said. He asked ministers, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd, and the Rivers State Government to cooperate with the Office of the National Security Adviser to achieve this mandate. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later It is a great honour for me to have this meeting, which is an opportunity to dialogue with the people of Ogoniland. It has been many years since your children and myself partnered to resist military dictatorship in this country. No one dreamt I would be in this chair as President, but we thank God. Many of your sons present here were my friends and co-travellers in the streets of Nigeria, Europe, and America. I know what to do in memory of our beloved ones so that their sacrifices will not be in vain, the president said. What Fubara said at the meeting Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State thanked the president for his support of the Ogoni people and for welcoming an all-inclusive representation of the people to the Presidential Villa. Mr Fubara said the meeting was a follow-up to an assignment the president gave him through the national security adviser. Emphasising the importance of resuming oil operations in Ogoniland, Governor Fubara pledged the delegations commitment to adhering to the presidents instructions and providing the necessary support to achieve the governments objectives. What we are doing here today is to concretise the love and respect we have for the president for being behind this meeting. READ ALSO: Senate panel urges Tinubu to consider conducting census in 2025 We will go back and continue the consultations with a timeline so that the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland will commence, he said. The national security adviser commended the Ogoni people for their trust in President Tinubu and for embracing dialogue as a path to meaningful progress and enduring solutions. Guided by Mr Presidents vision that every voice is heard and every interest is considered, my office, the DSS, the government of Rivers State and the Minister of FCT embarked on a diligent and consultative process to assemble this delegation, Mr Ribadu said. He noted that the over 50-member delegation that met with the president reflected the rich diversity of Ogoni society, representing various constituencies, interests, and viewpoints. The presence of this delegation is a testament to the Ogoni peoples readiness to engage constructively in the pursuit of peace, justice, and sustainable development, he said. Festus Gberesaako XIII, the Gberemene of Gokana Kingdom, expressed the community leaders willingness to find lasting solutions to the lingering challenges in Ogoniland. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Abia State Government has expressed its readiness to boost the oil production capacity of the state to develop its industrial base. The Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Joel Ogbonna, said this on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia. Mr Ogbonna, a professor, expressed the governments resolve to facilitate industrialisation, economic transformation and job creation through opportunities in the petroleum and minerals sector. He said that in line with the governments development agenda, over 1,000 hectares of land had been acquired in Owaza, in Ukwa West Local Government Area, for Abia Industrial Innovation Park because of the oil and gas deposits there. So we want to take advantage of that resource to be able to develop fertiliser companies, petrochemical, modular refineries and such sectors. We needed to make sure we paid the compensation, which may have delayed whatever we wanted to do. So we went ahead and did the enumeration on 23 December and we went to the villages at the community there, did sensitisation programme. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later By 31st of December, we commenced payment of compensation to those who signed the indemnity certificate, Mr Ogbonna said. He expressed the readiness of the government to commence real business with the involvement of HSI Refine and Petrochemical, one of the key players driving the establishment of the modular refinery in the state. Mr Ogbonna said that the groundwork laid by the government had created an enabling environment for businesses like HSI Refine and Petrochemical to thrive. He also said that the company adhering to due process and leveraging the states strategic initiatives, had positioned itself to contribute meaningfully to the states economic and industrial goals. Over 100 capped oil wells Mr Ogbonna said over 100 capped oil wells in Abia had remained untapped since 1960 and that the government had taken steps to activate them. We did an enumeration and found out opportunities and the local players of oil and gas companies, PETAN came to the government and said look lets take advantage of this wealth buried under the ground for years to boost your oil productivity. We have established Special Purpose Vehicle where the government owns 40 per cent, PETAN group 25 per cent and if you like you can be part of the 35 per cent remaining. You can see the opportunity this would create if we have some modular refineries and some marginal fields, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of massive rigging in last Saturdays local government election. Meanwhile, the Ondo Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) has declared the APC victorious, winning all 18 chairmanship seats and the 203 councillorship positions. SDP chairperson Gbenga Akinbuli said the election should be cancelled based on lack of credibility, non-provision of Form ECA, writing of so-called election results on a sheet of paper by ODIEC officials at Odigbo and Ile Oluji, ballot stuffing, and police partiality. The SDP has also accused a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Ore Division of facilitating thuggery by the APC and orchestrating the unwarranted arrest of SDP candidates who opposed what they termed election robbery by the ruling party. Mr Akinbuli further alleged that a shortage of Nigerian Police Force personnel during the election created opportunities for the APC to intimidate opposition members. In response, the APC denied the allegations, insisting its victory was secured through the ballot following effective campaigns across the state. The election was peaceful, free, and fair. Anybody saying otherwise is just making noise to be heard, said APC chairperson Ade Adetimehin. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Adetimehin lauded ODIEC and other stakeholders for their efforts, adding, You were on the field that day. Where did you see any form of manipulation? The process was well organised, and I commend everyone involved for a job well done. While declaring the results in Akure, the ODIEC chairperson, Joseph Aremo, explained that 12 political parties keenly contested the election, as the PDP withdrew 48 hours before the election. READ ALSO: Heavy security as Ondo LG election commences peacefully He explained that the contest for chairmanship and councillorship seats was held in the 18 local government areas and 203 wards. Mr Aremo commended Ondo State residents for upholding the tenets of the rule of law and for coming out to vote for the candidates of their choice. Meanwhile, ODIEC has scheduled the presentation of certificates of return to the winners for Tuesday. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The signing ceremony of the agreement on the opening of the Trade House of Kyrgyzstan in Azerbaijan was held within the framework of strengthening trade and economic cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan, Trend reports. According to information, the document was signed by the Kyrgyz Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Maksat Mamytkanov, and the Director of Ocuklu Holding Company, Ilmas Ocuklu. The Trade House will become a key platform for promoting Kyrgyz goods to the Azerbaijani market, as well as for strengthening ties between the business communities of the two countries. The main objective of the new center is to promote the development of Kyrgyz exports, including organic agricultural products, textiles, handicrafts, and other high-quality products that are already in demand in the region. The Trade House will start its work in the coming months, providing services in logistics, product promotion, and finding new markets. This innovation is expected to become a driver for increasing mutual trade and attracting investment. The Osun States Amotekun Corps is set to significantly expand its ranks by recruiting 1,000 new operatives. Commander Isaac Omoyele announced this move, which aims to bolster the security outfits personnel and enhance its ability to gather intelligence and proactively address criminal activities in the state. Mr Omoyele also maintained that establishing state police in the country is long overdue. He disagreed with some stakeholders, who claimed that politicians would abuse or compromise state police for their interests when established. He stated, We are starting with the recruitment of 1,000 personnel now, and with that figure added to 320 operatives already working, we are getting there. Probably before the end of the year, when we are doing a passing-out parade for the recruits, we will employ more operatives. With Governor Ademola Adelekes educational background in criminology, he knows more about security and its role in fostering peace and socioeconomic development of any society, and that is why he has given approval to recruit more operatives for Amotekun in Osun State. Amotekun is only complimenting the efforts of the police to rid the state of criminal elements. Where there are lapses, we are going to be there to fill in the gap, Omoyele remarked. While commenting on the proposed establishment of state police, he allayed the fears in some quarters that it will be abused by politicians when established by the federal government. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He averred, When people are talking about state policing, what comes to the mind of the people is when they form state police, politicians will be using them. Like I said, that is absurd. How will you now say the state police will be used by politicians? That is not possible because they will have laws that will regulate their activities. I think state policing should be the best when the people will look at it. We have federal courts, and we have state courts, and all of them know their jurisdiction. I dont think there is reason to say we should not have state police in Nigeria, Mr Omoyele posited. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Just 10 days after receiving a pardon from the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, a 27-year-old man, Adebayo Sunday, is facing fresh charges. Mr Sunday, whose name appeared on the governors 24th December pardon list, was arraigned in an Osun State Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing a plasma television valued at N600,000. The alleged theft occurred on 3 January 2025 in Osogbo. Mr Sunday was among 53 individuals granted clemency, with some having their death sentences commuted to pardons. The charge sheet obtained by Premium Times, titled The Commissioner of Police vs Adebayo Omisakin Sunday M Age 27 years, details the following accusation: Count 1: That you, Adebayo Omisakin Sunday, on the 3rd day of January 2025, at approximately 12:00 p.m. at Al-Medinat Area, Iludun, Osogbo, in the Osogbo Magisterial district, did break and enter the house of one Shittu Damilare and steal one plasma TV valued at the sum of N600,000, thereby committing an offense punishable under section 411 (1) (2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34 Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002. The Police prosecutor, Adeoye Kayode added, Count II: That you Adebayo Omisakin Sunday M and on the same date, time, and place in the Aforementioned Magisterial District did Steal one Plasma TV valued at the sum of N600,000 only property of one Shittu Damilare M and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383 and punishable under 390 (9) of Criminal Code Cap 34 Voi.ll laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002. However, his application for bail was refused by the court, which adjourned the matter to 10 January. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later But when the matter came up on January 10, Magistrate Adeyeba ordered that the suspect be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print IRVING, Texas, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In support of its ongoing commitment to build thriving communities, the 7-Eleven Cares Foundation, proudly supported by 7-Eleven, Inc., today announced the launch of its revamped Project A-Game youth education and development program. This long-term initiative will now be anchored by a new, signature relationship with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, aiming to empower youth across the country through hyperlocal, community-based engagement. As part of this initiative, the company will re-launch the program with franchise owners of 7-Eleven stores beginning this month. Franchise owners will be invited to apply for a $1,000 matching grant funded by the 7-Eleven Cares Foundation, supported by 7-Eleven, Inc., to fund their local Boys & Girls Club or another eligible youth education organization. This will help support the development of impactful programs for young people in the local community. "Collaborating with Boys & Girls Clubs of America strengthens our ability to create a lasting positive impact in the communities where we operate," said Marissa Jarratt, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer at 7-Eleven, Inc. "By working alongside one of the country's most respected organizations, we can help local store operators make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people, promoting academic success, community engagement and personal growth." Boys & Girls Clubs of America serves over 3 million youth across more than 5,400 Club facilities nationwide. Their proven programs foster improved school attendance, positive behavior, higher graduation rates and increased civic engagement. Since the inception of Project A-Game, 7Eleven, Inc. has awarded nearly 5,700 grants, a community investment of nearly $4 million. This relationship marks the next step in the company's ongoing efforts to invest in youth education and create opportunities for young people in local communities. By working together with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the company looks forward to driving positive, measurable outcomes for youth across the nation. To learn more, please visit https://corp.7-eleven.com/corp/project-a-game. About 7-Eleven, Inc. 7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name in the U.S. convenience-retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 13,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to 7-Eleven stores, 7-Eleven, Inc. operates and franchises Speedway, Stripes, Laredo Taco Company and Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits locations. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee, Big Bite and Big Gulp, 7-Eleven has expanded into high-quality sandwiches, salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings and mini beef tacos. 7-Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products at outstanding value. Customers can earn and redeem points on various items in stores nationwide through its 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards loyalty programs with more than 80 million members, place an order in the 7NOW delivery app in over 95% of the convenience retailer's footprint, or rely on 7-Eleven for other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7-eleven.com. About 7-Eleven Cares Foundation Guided by the goal to positively impact its communities, the 7-Eleven Cares Foundation works to serve neighbors' needs so together, we can build a better tomorrow. Across the United States, the 7-Eleven Cares Foundation invests in health, safety and opportunity to support our communities' overall health and wellbeing, make our neighborhoods stronger and safer, and ensure all residents have access to opportunity and the resources needed to realize their full potential. The 7-Eleven Cares Foundation, representing the philanthropic efforts of 7-Eleven, Inc., was founded in 2017 and is a registered 501(c)(3). To learn more about our positive impact, visit https://corp.7-eleven.com/corp/see-us-in-action. About Boys & Girls Clubs of America For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,400 Clubs serve more than 3 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and X. SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc. Showcased at Staccato's booth at SHOT Show, the new Staccato HD P4 Handset enhances Ace Virtual Shooting's simulator with a precise replica of the latest law enforcement and carry focused handgun LAS VEGAS, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ace Virtual Shooting , the leading virtual reality handgun shooting simulator and Staccato, collaboratively unveil the all-new Staccato HD P4 Handset for the Ace Virtual Shooting platform. Developed under license with Staccato, this exciting new handset debuts alongside the just-unveiled Staccato HD P4 handgun. Demonstrable in Staccato's booth at SHOT Show 2025 (Booth: 12211 ), the new HD P4 Ace Handset is meticulously crafted to serve the needs of law enforcement and everyday carry consumers. By using the Staccato HD P4 Handset, Ace members can safely and conveniently replicate the experience of this cutting-edge firearm from the comfort of home. The Ace Virtual Shooting platform combines a virtual reality app with a realistic handset to deliver limitless dry-fire training in a fun and compelling package. Compatible with Meta Quest 2 and 3/3S VR headsets, Ace enables users to shoot 100+ stages, compete live, customize their virtual guns, and receive real-time analytics on accuracy, speed, and precision across various shooting scenarios. "Introducing the Staccato HD P4 Handset reflects our dedication to unlocking incredible shooting experiences for our members," said Conor Donahue, CEO of Ace Virtual Shooting. "We share Staccato's commitment to service and passion for excellence. This collaboration furthers our aim to be the premier virtual shooting simulator for enthusiasts worldwide." The Staccato HD P4 Handset is engineered to replicate key features of the real firearm, including: Authentic Trigger Feel: Delivers a roughly 4-4.5 pound trigger pull weight with tactile and audible break and reset, simulating the actual feel of the Staccato HD P4. Delivers a roughly 4-4.5 pound trigger pull weight with tactile and audible break and reset, simulating the actual feel of the Staccato HD P4. Functional Mag Release Button: Allows users to practice reloading mechanics and build muscle memory during various scenarios. Allows users to practice reloading mechanics and build muscle memory during various scenarios. Precise Ergonomics: Emulates the ambidextrous controls and forward-mounted iron sights of the Staccato HD P4, providing a realistic grip feel. Emulates the ambidextrous controls and forward-mounted iron sights of the Staccato HD P4, providing a realistic grip feel. Realistic Size and Weight: Weights approximately 2 pounds with a Meta Quest controller installed on the handset, replicating the weight balance of the actual firearm. Weights approximately 2 pounds with a controller installed on the handset, replicating the weight balance of the actual firearm. Toolless Installation: Features a spring-loaded rear hook point for quick installation and removal of Meta Quest controllers. Proudly made in Texas, the Ace Virtual Shooting Staccato HD P4 Handset is constructed with durability in mind, using high-quality materials to provide a realistic user experience and ensure long-term reliability. The Ace Virtual Shooting Staccato HD P4 Handset is available immediately, starting at $199. Paired with an Ace Club Membership, it can be used on all shooting stages available on the Ace Platform. For more information about the Staccato HD P4 Handset or Ace Virtual Shooting, please visit www.acexr.com . Click HERE for the press kit. About Ace Virtual Shooting Ace Virtual Shooting offers skill-building, fun, and competition to enthusiasts around the globe. Combining a virtual reality app with over a hundred shooting stages and a realistic physical handset, it makes dry-fire training convenient and enjoyable. Ace Virtual Shooting unlocks the thrill of shooting for people of all ability levels from the comfort of their homes. To learn more about Ace Virtual Shooting, explore its virtual shooting offerings, or to join the Ace Community, visit www.acexr.com . Press Contact: Kristina Diodati Lightspeed PR/M [email protected] SOURCE Ace Virtual Shooting Win one of two $110,000+ high-stakes packages to South Korea through ACR Poker's Main Satellite this Sunday SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following last year's unforgettable poker experiences in world-class locations, ACR Poker is raising the stakes once again with its first High Stakes Adventure of 2025, offering players a chance to compete against poker's biggest names during the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series on Jeju Island, South Korea. Jeju Shinhwa World is a world-class resort located on the South Korean island of Jeju. It offers an impressive array of luxurious hotels, theme parks and exquisite dining options. It also has the famous Landing Casino where you'll compete against poker's elite. The High Stakes Adventure: South Korea guarantees two exclusive packages during ACR Poker's Main Satellite on Sunday, January 26th at 2:05pm ET. Each package, valued at over $110,000, includes tourney buy-ins / entry fees for the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series on Jeju Island (taking place from February 26th to March 14th), plus business-class airfare, and 5-night luxury accommodation. "In 2024, our High Stakes Adventures brought players incredible poker experiences in iconic destinations like Montenegro and Monte Carlo," said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker, winner of the $25K buy-in event at the 2024 Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in Montenegro. "We're excited to kick off our first High Stakes Adventure of 2025 with the exotic Jeju Island in South Korea, and look forward to another year of unforgettable high-stakes poker adventures. Don't miss your chance to take on some of the world's best poker players for huge rewards." Alongside luxury travel perks, package winners will have the flexibility to use their $110,000 tournament buy-in budget across multiple events or go all-in on a single high-stakes tournament. Set against the backdrop of South Korea's stunning Jeju Island, ACR Poker's next High Stakes Adventure offers players the ultimate high-stakes poker experience alongside various ACR Pros, Stormers and iconic poker players. Beyond the tables, players can enjoy the island's unique culture, exquisite dining options, beautiful beaches, and scenic attractions. Players can buy-in for the High Stakes Adventure: South Korea Main Satellite for $2,650 or qualify for less. They can enter two 3-Seat GTD Super Satellites this Sunday at 12:30pm ET with buy-ins of $630 or $290. Players can also buy-in to the Hyper tourney for $31.50 at 10:30am ET that day, which guarantees three seats to the $290 Super Satellite. They can also earn their $31.50 Hyper buy-in via the All-In or Fold (AIOF) Freeroll at 9:45am ET that day, with six seats guaranteed. For more details on the High Stakes Adventure: South Korea, visit the promo page at ACRPoker.eu. About ACR Poker Formerly known as Americas Cardroom, ACR Poker joined the Winning Poker Network in 2011. The Winning Poker Network has been dealing cards since 2001 and continues to be one of the most trusted names in the industry. Rated first place for payment processing and cashout reliability repeatedly over the last few years, ACR Poker offers outstanding customer service and a friendly environment for all poker players around the world. Media Contact: Adam Neal +447845582487 SOURCE ACR Poker LONDON, Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In anticipation of the World Economic Forum's 2025 Annual Meeting in Davos this week, themed Collaboration for the Intelligent Age, a new interview series has just gone live. The series, produced by Acumen Media & hosted on CBS News online, features conversations with influential business leaders who are driving meaningful impact in alignment with the shared goals of governments and organizations worldwide. Davos Interviews 2025 Trailer Through these candid discussions, the series explores how businesses are tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our timesustainability, technological innovation, and social equity. Each leader sheds light on their organisation's strategies, achievements, and collaborative efforts to create a more intelligent, interconnected, and equitable future. "This year's Davos theme is a call to action," said Paolo Emilio Zanini, CEO of Acumen. "Our interview series showcases the power of collaboration in navigating the complexities of today's world while laying the foundation for transformative solutions." The series, now available on CBS News, provides actionable insights into how industries are aligning with global priorities to advance innovation and drive sustainable development. Join the conversation and be inspired by the leaders shaping the Intelligent Age. Watch the full series on https://www.cbsnews.com/video/playlist/davos-interviews/ Acumen Media stands as a leader of insightful storytelling, shaping narratives that resonate and inspire. Known for its meticulous attention to detail, the company blends creativity with purpose to deliver content that not only informs but captivates. With a deep commitment to authenticity and innovation, Acumen Media crafts compelling stories that connect with audiences across cultures and industries. Through its visionary approach, Acumen Media continually pushes the boundaries of what content can achieve, setting a standard for excellence and leaving an indelible mark on the media landscape. Learn more about our projects and campaigns on: Acumen Stories Watch 'The Davos Interviews' series cbsnews Watch our other series on YouTube Visit Acumen Media's LinkedIn CONTACT: Jack Boyson, [email protected] Video: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2601615/Acumen_Media_Davos.mp4 SOURCE Acumen Media A New Frontier in Fitness Amped Fitness is more than just another gym; we're launching a complete fitness revolution. Rather than the standard HVLP gym-model, our facilities are designed to be more than a place to work out: Experience-Design-Low-Price (EDLP). There are dynamic spaces where top-tier fitness meets an energizing atmosphere, built to inspire, empower, and bring out the best in every member. State-of-the-Art Amenities Each Amped Fitness location in Arizona will feature our full suite of amenities that our members love. From our cutting-edge equipment in expansive workout areas to the welcoming and empowering vibe of the exclusive women's-only space The Babe Cave, "The World Is Yours" functional zone, and our Revamped Recovery zone with cold plunges, infrared saunas, and recovery modalities. Amped Fitness is built to provide a fitness experience that meets every need and inspires confidence at every step. Additionally, our locations will include The Gauntlet, an athletic ground where your inner-athlete can reach peach performance. Cultivating Community and Culture At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to cultivating a culture that thrives on community. Amped Fitness is dedicated to creating a culture that puts community first. Our gyms are more than just places to exercisethey're environments where people come together to connect, grow, and strengthen both mind and body. Eager to Meet the Arizona Community We are thrilled about the opportunity to meet and serve the vibrant communities in Arizona. Each Amped Fitness center will be a lively, welcoming space where everyone, from beginners to seasoned athletes, can find their place and pursue their fitness goals with the support of a passionate team and like-minded peers. Join Us on This Exciting Journey As doors open to our new locations across Arizona, we invite everyone to come and experience what makes Amped Fitness a leader in the fitness industry. Join us as we embark on this exciting westward expansion, bringing a new level of fitness and community engagement to Arizona. Welcome to the new era of fitness with Amped Fitnesswhere every workout is an experience, and every experience makes you stronger than yesterday! For more information, please visit our website at www.ampedfitness.com . For leasing inquiries, please contact us at [email protected] . SOURCE Amped Fitness BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and the American company Planet Labs PBC were discussed, Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on his official X page, Trend reports. "During a meeting with Ashley Johnson, the financial and operational director of the American company Planet Labs PBC, as part of President Ilham Aliyev's participation in the Davos Economic Forum, we noted the importance of optimizing resources through the use of innovative solutions in energy, ecology and other areas, and also discussed prospects for cooperation with the company, the post reads. PUNE, India, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Size Overview of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) The market for Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) is experiencing significant growth. Valued at USD 17,581.25 million in 2023, it is anticipated to reach USD 30,988.25 million by 2032. This growth reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.43% from 2024 to 2032. ASICs continue to gain traction across diverse applications due to their efficiency, customization, and performance benefits, positioning the market for sustained expansion over the forecast period. Market Drivers of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) The market for Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) is propelled by several influential drivers, primarily rooted in technological evolution and growing industry-specific demand. The customization and optimization capabilities of ASICs allow for high performance and efficiency, making them essential in applications requiring precision and speed. Technological Advancements Breakthroughs in semiconductor technology have significantly enhanced ASIC design and functionality. These developments enable reduced power consumption, higher processing speeds, and miniaturization, making ASICs ideal for compact electronic devices and advanced industrial equipment. For example, emerging nodes like 5 nm and 3 nm facilitate greater density and performance, supporting demanding applications like artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G networks. The transition to these advanced nodes has been driven by the need for improved power efficiency and performance, with 5 nm nodes offering up to 15% speed improvement and 30% power reduction compared to their predecessors. Preview the report with a detailed sample and understand how it can benefit your business strategy. Request a free sample today - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/application-specific-integrated-circuits-asics-market Growing Demand in Industry Applications ASICs are pivotal in the rapid evolution of AI and machine learning. Their ability to perform specific tasks with high efficiency makes them indispensable in training AI models and real-time data processing. The global AI market, which heavily relies on ASICs, is projected to grow from $189.72 billion in 2023 to $1689.3 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 27.5%. Similarly, the automotive sector relies on ASICs for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous driving, and electronic control units. The global adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) further underscores this trend, as ASICs play a crucial role in battery management and powertrain control systems. IoT and 5G Expansion With the Internet of Things (IoT) growing at an unprecedented speed, ASICs ensure seamless connectivity and device functionality. The number of IoT devices worldwide is forecast to almost double from 15.9 billion in 2023 to more than 32.1 billion by 2030. Combined with the rollout of 5G, ASICs support ultra-reliable and low-latency communications, strengthening their market presence across telecommunications and consumer electronics. The 5G chipset market, which includes ASICs, is projected to grow from $39.03 billion in 2023 to $457.5 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 35.9%. Growth Opportunities in the Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) Market The ASICs market presents substantial growth opportunities, particularly through innovations in AI, IoT, and 5G technologies. These technologies demand ASICs for their high efficiency and specialization. Businesses can leverage these opportunities by focusing on creating chips tailored for AI applications, such as neural network acceleration or real-time data analysis. The expansion of IoT devices requires low-power, high-performance ASICs for seamless connectivity across smart homes, industries, and wearables. Additionally, the global adoption of 5G networks invites investments in ASICs that optimize network infrastructure and mobile devices. Companies positioned to align their products with these trends will gain a competitive edge. Preview the report with a detailed sample and understand how it can benefit your business strategy. Request a free sample today - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/application-specific-integrated-circuits-asics-market Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) Market Segmentation Type of ASIC : Full Custom ASICs Semi-Custom ASICs (Standard Cell ASICs) Programmable ASICs (FPGA-based ASICs) Application: Telecommunications Consumer Electronics Automotive Industrial Automation Medical Electronics Aerospace and Defense Data Centers and Cloud Computing IoT (Internet of Things) Blockchain and Cryptocurrency AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine Learning By Region North America US Canada Mexico Europe Germany France UK. Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea South-east Asia Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa & GCC Countries South Africa Rest of Middle East and Africa Regional Analysis of the Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) Market North America North America holds a significant share of the ASICs market, driven by the robust presence of key semiconductor manufacturers and tech giants. High investments in R&D for AI, machine learning, and autonomous driving technologies propel demand. For instance, the U.S. government has implemented various initiatives to support AI and autonomous driving research. Additionally, the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and advancements in 5G infrastructure amplify the need for customized ASIC solutions in this region. The U.S. has nearly 50,000 EV charging stations, and significant investments are being made in 5G infrastructure. Europe Europe's ASICs market growth is fueled by innovations in the automotive and industrial sectors. The strong focus on electric and autonomous vehicles drives ASIC deployment in ADAS and battery management systems. The European automotive industry, which employs over 14 million people and contributes about 7% to the region's GDP, is a major driver of this demand. Industries aiming to modernize production processes with industrial automation also leverage ASICs for high precision and optimized performance. Europe is home to leading companies in analog, mixed-signal, and high-voltage ASIC design. Asia-Pacific Asia-Pacific dominates the ASICs market, attributable to its massive consumer electronics and semiconductor manufacturing hubs, particularly in China, South Korea, and Taiwan. China alone produces over 70% of the world's smartphones. The region's leadership in 5G deployment and the rapid expansion of IoT devices create substantial opportunities. Asia-Pacific countries are expected to add almost $130 billion to their economies through 5G by 2030. Growing EV adoption in countries like China and India further accelerates ASIC demand, particularly for energy-efficient designs. China is a global leader in EV production and adoption. Other Regions Regions such as Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa exhibit steady growth potential, driven by increasing telecommunications infrastructure and IoT adoption. The development of smart cities and digitization initiatives also open doors for ASIC manufacturers to tap into emerging markets. Each region's unique focus areas and demand drivers collectively shape the global ASICs market, fostering growth and innovation. Tailor the report to align with your specific business needs and gain targeted insights. Request customization now - https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/application-specific-integrated-circuits-asics-market Top Companies Broadcom Inc. STMicroelectronics Faraday Technology Corporation Comport Data FUJITSU Infineon Technologies AG Intel Corporation ASIX Electronics OmniVision Technologies, Inc. Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC Seiko Epson Corporation DWIN Technology Socionext America Inc. Tekmos Inc. Others Latest Developments: October 2024 : OpenAI, an artificial intelligence company, partnered with Broadcom Inc., a provider of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), to develop an AI chip aimed at improving the efficiency of AI model inference. : OpenAI, an artificial intelligence company, partnered with Broadcom Inc., a provider of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), to develop an AI chip aimed at improving the efficiency of AI model inference. July 2024 : STMicroelectronics launched the world's largest cinema image sensor, specifically designed for large-scale cinema applications, underscoring its advancements in sensor technology and innovation in the imaging market. : STMicroelectronics launched the world's largest cinema image sensor, specifically designed for large-scale cinema applications, underscoring its advancements in sensor technology and innovation in the imaging market. February 2024 : Broadcom Inc. reported record revenue of USD 13,072 million for Q3 2024, a 47% year-over-year increase, driven by robust demand for AI-related products and innovations in 5G and networking. : Broadcom Inc. reported record revenue of for Q3 2024, a 47% year-over-year increase, driven by robust demand for AI-related products and innovations in 5G and networking. July 2023 : Faraday Technology Corporation launched its SerDes total solution, featuring SerDes IP design on UMC 28nm and the corresponding IP Advanced (IPA) service. This solution is designed to accelerate customer integration. : Faraday Technology Corporation launched its SerDes total solution, featuring SerDes IP design on UMC 28nm and the corresponding IP Advanced (IPA) service. This solution is designed to accelerate customer integration. September 2023 : Intel announced plans to create an ASIC accelerator to minimize performance overhead in Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE). The company also revealed its intention to release a beta version of an encrypted computing software toolkit for developers. : Intel announced plans to create an accelerator to minimize performance overhead in Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE). The company also revealed its intention to release a beta version of an encrypted computing software toolkit for developers. September 2023 : Infineon Technologies AG launched a new line of OptiMOS power MOSFETs to enhance efficiency and performance in power management applications. : Infineon Technologies AG launched a new line of OptiMOS power MOSFETs to enhance efficiency and performance in power management applications. August 2022 : Broadcom Inc. introduced the StrataXGS Tomahawk 5 switch series, offering 51.2 terabits per second of Ethernet ASIC switching capacity in a single, monolithic device. : Broadcom Inc. introduced the StrataXGS Tomahawk 5 switch series, offering 51.2 terabits per second of Ethernet switching capacity in a single, monolithic device. April 2022 : Intel unveiled the Intel Blockscale ASIC , a result of extensive R&D. This ASIC provides efficient hashing for proof-of-work consensus networks. : Intel unveiled the Intel Blockscale , a result of extensive R&D. This provides efficient hashing for proof-of-work consensus networks. July 2022 : Faraday Technology Corporation introduced its FPGA-Go- ASIC prototyping platform, enabling customers to accelerate circuit creation and verification processes, enhancing its ASIC design services. : Faraday Technology Corporation introduced its FPGA-Go- prototyping platform, enabling customers to accelerate circuit creation and verification processes, enhancing its design services. February 2022 : MIT researchers developed an ASIC chip designed to defend IoT devices against power-based side-channel attacks. The chip employs threshold computing, splitting data into random components for secure processing. : researchers developed an chip designed to defend IoT devices against power-based side-channel attacks. The chip employs threshold computing, splitting data into random components for secure processing. March 2021 : Intel and the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) initiated a three-year collaboration under the SAHARA project (Structured Array Hardware for Automatically Realized Applications) to advance domestically produced structured ASIC platforms with cutting-edge security countermeasures. : Intel and the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) initiated a three-year collaboration under the SAHARA project (Structured Array Hardware for Automatically Realized Applications) to advance domestically produced structured platforms with cutting-edge security countermeasures. February 2021 : Renesas Electronics Corporation acquired Dialog Semiconductor Plc, a provider of power management, charging, AC/DC power conversion, and ASICs, in a deal valued at approximately USD 5 billion . : Renesas Electronics Corporation acquired Dialog Semiconductor Plc, a provider of power management, charging, AC/DC power conversion, and ASICs, in a deal valued at approximately . June 2021 : Taiwan -based IC design houses expressed optimism for increased shipments in Q3 2021 due to the rollout of 5G-enabled smartphones by Chinese brands. They anticipated over 10% sequential growth in order volumes, driven by higher quotes for 5G chips compared to 4G applications. Reasons to Purchase this Report: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the market through qualitative and quantitative analyses, considering both economic and non-economic factors, with segmentation and sub-segmentation details provided in terms of market value (USD Billion). Identify regions and segments expected to experience the fastest growth or dominate the market, with a detailed analysis of geographic consumption patterns and the factors driving or hindering market performance in each region. Stay informed about the competitive environment, with rankings of major players, recent product and service launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions from the past five years. Access detailed profiles of major market players, including company overviews, insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis, to understand competitive advantages and market positioning. Explore the present and forecasted market landscape, with insights into growth opportunities, market drivers, challenges, and constraints for both developed and emerging regions. Benefit from Porter's Five Forces analysis and Value Chain insights to evaluate various market perspectives and competitive dynamics. Understand the evolving market scenario, including potential growth opportunities and trends expected in the coming years. Preview the report with a detailed sample and understand how it can benefit your business strategy. 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The company is a market research and consulting firm serving governments, non-legislative associations, non-profit organizations, and various organizations worldwide. We help our clients improve their execution in a lasting way and understand their most imperative objectives. Contact Us Mitul Dean Tower C-1105 , S 25, Akash Tower, Vishal Nahar, Pimple Nilakh, Haveli, Pune 411027, India [email protected] www.credenceresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2562161/Credence_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Credence Research Inc. CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America Corporation announced today that it will redeem on February 5, 2025, all $1,500,000,000 principal amount outstanding of its Floating Rate Senior Notes, due February 2026 (CUSIP No. 06051GHB8) (the "Notes"), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date of February 5, 2025. Interest on the Notes will cease to accrue on the redemption date. Payment of the redemption price for the Notes will be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is the trustee and paying agent for the Notes. Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with 3,700 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 58 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC). Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of future results or performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions difficult to predict or beyond our control. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should consider the uncertainties and risks discussed under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in any of our subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statement was made. For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts. www.bankofamerica.com Investors May Contact: Lee McEntire, Bank of America Phone: 1.980.388.6780 [email protected] Jonathan G. Blum, Bank of America (Fixed Income) Phone: 1.212.449.3112 [email protected] Reporters May Contact: Jocelyn Seidenfeld, Bank of America Phone: 1.646.743.3356 [email protected] SOURCE Bank of America Corporation WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Beacon Global Strategies (BGS) is proud to announce that Senior Vice President Ivan Kanapathy has been appointed as Senior Director for Asia at the National Security Council. In this role, Ivan will serve as the White House lead and interagency policy coordinator on East Asia security issues, advancing U.S. interests and values in the region during a consequential moment in global affairs. "Ivan has been an invaluable member of the BGS team, bringing unmatched expertise in Indo-Pacific security and diplomacy," said BGS Managing Director Eric Sayers. "We are confident Ivan will make a significant impact in his new role, and we wish him great success as he continues his service to the nation." At BGS, Ivan supported the firm's Indo-Pacific Practice and led the Taiwan Analysis Center, providing clients with strategic guidance on regional security challenges and opportunities. Prior to joining BGS, Ivan served as Deputy Senior Director for Asian Affairs and Director for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia at the NSC, where he advised the President and National Security Advisor while leading interagency policy development across diplomatic, military, and economic domains. A former Marine Corps officer and military attache, Ivan has over two decades of distinguished experience in Indo-Pacific affairs, including extensive work on U.S.-Taiwan relations and cross-Strait security. About Beacon Global Strategies Founded in 2013, Beacon Global Strategies is a strategic advisory firm specializing in geopolitical risk analysis, national security, and defense advisory services. BGS helps clients navigate global security challenges through tailored solutions that operate at the intersection of policy, technology, and defense. SOURCE Beacon Global Strategies WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriage rates are at historic lows, and modern dating is dominated by ghosting and swipe-right culture. A recent Bumble survey revealed that 72% of singles want long-term relationships in 2025, yet many feel unequipped to navigate today's dating environment. In Relationship Road Map: Step-by-Step Directions to Finding Your Spouse (WaterBrook), national bestselling author, pastor, and trusted voice to nearly one million followers, Stephen Chandler , provides practical, counter-cultural strategies to help singles move from single to spouse. National Best-Selling Author and Pastor Stephen Chandler Relationship Road Map: Step-By-Step Directions to Finding Your Spouse by Stephen Chandler As the senior pastor to one of America's fastest-growing churches, Chandler has helped thousands of singles cut through the noise and find their partner. His latest book offers a biblically grounded, step-by-step guide to dating intentionally. "Many singles today feel stuck, discouraged or completely lost in their relationship journey," Chandler says. "This book is designed to help them unpack their past, invite God into the process, and date with clarity, character and confidence." With a mix of storytelling, humor, and biblical wisdom, Chandler shares practical advice for: Healing from past wounds to build healthy relationships. Seeking accountability from trusted mentors and counselors. Dating with integrity and avoiding common pitfalls. Chandler challenges readers to reject the culture's shallow approach to romance and instead find their identity in Christ. Relationship Road Map equips readers to navigate modern dating with purpose and find the partner they'll spend their life with. Chandler is available for interviews. About Stephen Chandler: Stephen Chandler is the national bestselling author of Stop Waiting for Permission and senior pastor of Union Church in Maryland, one of the fastest-growing churches in America. Under his leadership, Union Church has grown from 50 people to tens of thousands attending in person and online weekly. A sought-after international speaker, Stephen equips singles to navigate dating and build God-honoring marriages. With nearly one million followers, his teachings have garnered national attention, including appearances on Good Morning America and top-charting podcasts. Stephen's latest book, Relationship Road Map: Step-by-Step Directions to Finding Your Spouse (January 21, 2025), provides practical, biblical advice for modern dating. Connect with him on social media or at www.stephenrchandler.com . SOURCE Union Church The addition of Welch expands the firm's existing sector coverage in ADGS CLEVELAND, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL), a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Meghan M. Welch as a new Managing Director within its Aerospace, Defense & Government Services (ADGS) investment banking team. Meghan joins a fast-growing ADGS team at BGL that brings extensive expertise across the industry's subsectors. Post this Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL), a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Meghan M. Welch as a new Managing Director within its Aerospace, Defense & Government Services (ADGS) investment banking team. Meghan has more than 15 years of mergers & acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring, and capital-raising advisory experience, exclusive to the Aerospace & Defense sector. Throughout her career, she has advised Fortune 500 and international companies, small-caps, and private equity owners, and her clients have included some of the world's leading aerospace and defense contractors and next-generation technology solution providers. Prior to joining BGL, Meghan was a Managing Director at KPMG Corporate Finance where she led investment banking activities for the firm's ADGS sector. Prior to KPMG, she was a partner at AGC Partners, where she established and co-led its Aerospace, Defense & Government Services Technology practice. Meghan's investment banking experience also includes ADGS-focused roles at Houlihan Lokey and Harris Williams & Co. Meghan earned a bachelor's degree in finance and marketing from Boston University. "Meghan has an impressive track record executing transactions in the Aerospace & Defense sector," said Andrew K. Petryk, Head of BGL's Industrials investment banking vertical. "Her addition to the industrials investment banking team will enable us to further build upon our existing critical relationships and industry expertise within the sector and will accelerate the strong momentum we have across our broader Industrials Group." "We are excited to add someone of Meghan's caliber to the team. She has an impressive network of industry relationships that stretches across strategic companies as well as financial sponsors," said Bill Farmer, who leads BGL's ADGS investment banking practice. From January 21-24, 2025, Meghan will be attending her first industry event with BGL in Las Vegas, NV at the NSSF's Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show, meeting with industry leading manufacturers of firearms and defense equipment and systems. Meghan joins a fast-growing ADGS team at BGL that brings extensive expertise across the industry's subsectors, including aerospace technology, manufacturing, defense, space, government technology, and commercial aerospace. "BGL has demonstrated impressive growth over the past several years," said Welch. "I look forward to helping the firm continue to strengthen its ADGS platform and leveraging my experience and relationships on behalf of BGL's clients in the sector." Meghan's addition to the firm is the latest in its significant growth trajectory. Since 2022, BGL has increased its Managing Director ranks by over 90%, adding more than a dozen new sectors to its industry coverage and expanding its complementary product offerings in private capital advisory across equity, debt, and other financial advisory services including fairness opinions, valuations, and restructuring. About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructurings, business valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and New York, and real estate offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and San Antonio. The firm is also a founding member of REACH Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisitions, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 30 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com. Industry Contacts: Andrew K. Petryk Managing Director Head of Industrials [email protected] 216.920.6613 Meghan M. Welch Managing Director Aerospace, Defense & Government Services [email protected] 216.727.3609 Media Contact: Kaylyn R. Hlavaty Communications Specialist 216.920.6622 [email protected] SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & Company "We are committed to investing in our North American market to ensure workers have the tools they need to be successful," said Robert Hesse, Regional President of Bosch Power Tools in North America. "World of Concrete is the perfect place to announce our upcoming tool offerings as well as tease our new brand campaign that showcases how powerful tradespeople feel when they use our products." In addition to new products, the brand will introduce elements of its new, multi-year creative campaign, which will include the brand's first-ever ad spot that will air during this year's Big Game. The campaign, which boasts the tagline, "The more you Bosch, the more you feel like a Bosch," will incorporate larger-than-life characters to demonstrate the feeling that happens when a worker picks up a Bosch tool. The tool transforms and empowers the worker, helping them to feel invincible enough to conquer the job at hand. "To break new brand ground and breathe new life into our iconic Bosch identity, we have partnered with the Bosch Home Appliance division to show America how they can "Feel Like a Bosch" in every aspect of their life," said Allison Fishman, Vice President of Marketing at Bosch Power Tools. "Leveraging powerful characters perfectly sums up how Bosch Power Tools makes workers feel on the jobsite. They know that the moment our tool is in their hand, they feel the power of what they can do and are confident that nothing will get in their way." Unveiling more than 15 new cordless products to kick off 2025, Bosch Power Tools will debut a wide range of new tools including: Demolition Hammer PROFACTOR 18V SDS-max Demolition Hammer (GSH18V-5L) Kit Execution: GSH18V-5L212 (2) CORE18V High Power 12 Ah Battery, (1) Turbo Charger PROFACTOR performance delivers 6.3 Ft.-Lbs. of impact energy (EPTA) for maximum performance in concrete Lightweight, compact design weighs 11.7 Lbs. allows for use in downward, horizontal and horizontal over-shoulder applications for greater versatility Anti-vibration system helps reduce vibration to promote comfort on the job Saws 18V Brushless 9 In. Cutoff Saw (GCS18V-230) Kit Execution: GCS18V-230N212 (2) CORE18V High Power 12 Ah Battery, (1) Turbo Charger 9 In. Cutting Wheel for large, efficient cuts with a depth of up to 3.3 inches Spindle Lock Lever easily locks the wheel for fast and easy wheel swaps with the on-tool wrench Spring-Assisted Battery Removal System provides quick and easy removal of battery from enclosed compartment PROFACTOR 18V 7 In. Rear Handle Circular Saw (GKW18V-26) 2-5/8 In. Cutting Capacity to cut through "two-by" materials with ease Reduced Weight and Improved Balance for easier downward cutting and less fatigue on the job Left Blade Orientation allows for better blade line visibility for right-handed workers PROFACTOR 18V 1-1/4 In. Reciprocating Saw (GSA18V-126) KickBack Control helps stop the blade and reduces the risk of sudden tool reactions in bind-up situations Six Speed Settings help tailor performance to the task at hand End of Cut Detection stops the tool once the blade exits the material to help prevent accidental material cuts 14 In. Cutoff Saw (GCO15-14) Robust Power System powerful 15 Amp motor for fast cutting performance with higher overload capacity to help prevent tool damage 5 In. Capacity to cut through larger ferrous metal work pieces with ease Adjustable Fence with Miter Angle Adjustment provides 3 mounting locations with the ability to perform cuts from 1 45 left PROFACTOR 18V 7-1/4 In. Circular Saw with Track Compatibility (GKS18V-25G) PROFACTOR Performance delivers corded performance from an 18V cordless 7-1/4 In. saw 2-1/2 In. Cut Capacity allows for easy cutting through 2X material across the entire bevel range One-Touch Depth Adjustment allows quick, accurate changes with one hand 18V Brushless Top-Handle Jig Saw (GST18V-37) Brushless Motor delivers up to 3,300 SPM of speed Four-Stage Orbital Action delivers varied blade strokes and gives workers greater cut versatility and control Variable Speed Dial controls the operating speed for more controlled cutting Oscillating Multi-Tool 18V Brushless StarlockMax Oscillating Multi-Tool (GOP18V-40) Brushless Motor delivers up to 20,000 OPM with six speed settings 4 Oscillating Angle provides faster, more aggressive cuts and efficient material removal Auto-Stop halts the tool once it reaches the end of the cut to help prevent damage to the workpiece Mixer 18V Brushless In. Chuck Mud Mixer (GRW18V-120) Brushless Motor delivers up to 650 RPM for steady mixing power Variable-Speed and Reversing Switch tailors the speed to the application for more controlled mixing Soft-Start Technology helps prevent splashing at startup KickBack Control helps protect against unexpected movement when mixing tough materials Router 18V Laminate Trim Router (GLF18V-25) Brushless Motor delivers 0.8 HP corded equivalent power with a variable speed of 10,000-30,000 RPM Drop Detection shuts off the router if a fall is detected Restart Protection prevents the router from accidental startup when switching batteries Joiner 18V Brushless Biscuit Joiner (GFF18V-086) Ergonomic, Slim Grip with a handle circumference of only 6.14 In. and a large auxiliary handle for enhanced tool control, ensuring both comfort and precision during extended applications Adjustable Fence five positive lock-in detents for enhanced versatility (0, 30, 45, 60 and 90) Depth Selection Knob easier adjustment between #0, #10, and #20 biscuits (biscuits sold separately) Joining Biscuit Accessories (GFF100, GFF110, GFF120) Quantity includes 50 biscuits made of beech wood per bag Joining Biscuits ideal for edge-to-edge, face-to-face and miter joints Application Material intended for use with wood and wood byproduct, puch as ply, chipboard and MDF Lasers 12V Plane Laser (GLL330-42CGL) Power Flexibility powered by a rechargable 12V Max battery or AA batteries (sold separately) for less downtime on the job Jobsite Tough Construction IP65 rated (tool only), for dust-tight and water-resistant durability in tough jobsite conditions Bluetooth Connectivity allows for set-up of the laser from across the room and power saving mode activation with the Bosch Leveling Remote App 12V Combination Laser (GCL165-82CGL) Power Flexibility powered by a rechargable 12V Max battery or AA batteries (sold separately) for less downtime on the job Jobsite Tough Construction IP65 rated (tool only), for dust-tight and water-resistant durability in tough jobsite conditions Bluetooth Connectivity allows for set-up of the laser from across the room and power saving mode activation with the Bosch Leveling Remote App Camera Cables GIC-CC5-8, GIC-CC5-8D, GIC-CC11-8 and GIC-CC5-4 High-Resolution Camera for an in-depth inspection IP67 Rating delivers enhanced durability in tough applications Versatile Cables for Various Applications four cable options tailored to various needs, including a 5 Ft. cable with a bright LED light, an 11.5 Ft. extended-length cable, a dual-camera head cable and a 3.9 mm camera head cable Accessories 1-1/8 In. HEX Floor Scraper (HS2118 and HS2118RK) 7.5 In. Wide Blade for fast, efficient removal of tile, grout, laminate, glue and other stubborn flooring material GHT130 Floor Cart Compatibility for making quick work of large floor removal jobs with less fatigue HS2118RK Replacement Kit (sold separately) includes replacement blade, bolts, nuts and washers for easier maintenance of HS2118 Bosch Hex Floor Scraper Batteries & Chargers 18V Starter Kit with (1) CORE18V 12 Ah High Power Battery and (1) 18V 16 Amp Battery Turbo Charger (GXS18V-32N112) Cutting-Edge Battery Design includes copper end plates, power rails and a flexible circuit board, offering reduced resistance and increased efficiency Battery Efficiency features three layers of enhanced 21700 cells for greater battery efficiency High-Power Battery Turbo Charger provides fast, Power Boost and long life charging with integrated Mode button 18V Starter Kit with (1) CORE18V 8 Ah High Power Battery and (1) 18V 16 Amp Battery Turbo Charger (GXS18V-30N18) Cutting-Edge Battery Design includes copper end plates, power rails and a flexible circuit board, offering reduced resistance and increased efficiency Battery Efficiency features two layers of enhanced 21700 cells for greater battery efficiency High-Power Battery Turbo Charger provides fast, Power Boost and long life charging with integrated Mode button 18V Non-Connected Lithium-Ion 16 Amp Battery Turbo Charger with Mode Button (GAL18V-160) Active Air-Cooling uses two fans to cool battery, optimizing charging time while helping to protect batteries from overheating Integrated Mode Button Power Boost and Long Life modes can be selected directly on the charger (Standard Charging Mode is the default mode ) Power Boost Mode boosts electrical current charging to 50% in the shortest time Long Life Mode provides a gentle charge up to 80% battery capacity, prolonging service life In addition to these latest product launches, the brand will also increase its network of AMPShare-Powered by Bosch partners, adding MESTO and Leister tools to its compatibility lineup. With a new total of 33 global partners, the AMPShare platform will now expand its trade capability to power the work of both painters and welders. AMPShare-Powered by Bosch remains dedicated to simplifying workflows by enabling professionals to power multiple tools across brands with a single battery system. The addition of MESTO and Leister reinforces the platform's mission to drive efficiency and innovation across diverse industries. For more information on the new Bosch Power Tools products, visit the Press Room at pressroom.boschtools.com or connect with Bosch Power Tools on Facebook and Instagram. About Bosch Having established a presence in North America in 1906, today the Bosch Group employs 42,000 associates in more than 100 locations in the North American region (as of Dec. 31, 2023). Bosch generated consolidated sales of $16.5 billion in the U.S., Mexico and Canada in 2023. For more information visit www.bosch.us, www.bosch.mx and www.bosch.ca. The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 429,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2023). The company generated sales of $99 billion in 2023. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. With its business activities, the company aims to use technology to help shape universal trends such as automation, electrification, digitalization, connectivity, and an orientation to sustainability. In this context, Bosch's broad diversification across regions and industries strengthens its innovativeness and robustness. Bosch uses its proven expertise in sensor technology, software, and services to offer customers cross-domain solutions from a single source. It also applies its expertise in connectivity and artificial intelligence in order to develop and manufacture user-friendly, sustainable products. With technology that is "Invented for life," Bosch wants to help improve quality of life and conserve natural resources. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 470 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch's global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. Bosch's innovative strength is key to the company's further development. At 136 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 90,000 associates in research and development, of which nearly 48,000 are software engineers. Exchange rate: 1 EUR = 1.0818 About MESTO MESTO is the specialist in portable sprayers, Made in Germany, and the first choice for efficient spraying of all kinds of liquids. Our sprayers are highly efficient, robust, and durable, backed by a 20-year availability guarantee on spare parts. We offer various retrofit options for additional applications and a dedicated repair service. At MESTO, resource conservation and repairability are core values. The right sprayer means applying less material. Spray Smart, Save More with MESTO Sustainable Solutions. About Leister The Leister brand stands for more than 70 years of worldwide market and innovation leadership in plastic welding. The product offering for plastic welding includes hot-air hand tools, extruders and welding machines, including a wide range of accessories for construction and Industrial markets. SOURCE Bosch Power Tools DUBLIN, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BrowserStack, the world's leading software testing platform, and Bitrise, the leading mobile DevOps platform, today announced a strategic partnership to revolutionize mobile app quality assurance. Through this partnership, existing Bitrise users will receive free exclusive access to BrowserStack App Automate, enabling comprehensive testing across BrowserStack cloud hosting over 20,000 real devices. Similarly, existing App Automate users signing up for Bitrise will be eligible for 15,000 free credits. As mobile apps grow complex, development teams face challenges maintaining test coverage across thousands of devices, OS versions, and configurations. This fragmented nature of testing forces teams to juggle multiple solutions, compromising velocity and quality. BrowserStack App Automate solves this by enabling development teams to execute thousands of tests simultaneously across multiple devices, ensuring faster releases without compromising on quality. "In today's fast-paced mobile app development landscape, teams need unified, reliable testing solutions," said Nakul Aggarwal, CTO and Co-founder of BrowserStack. "Our partnership with Bitrise is a key step in delivering a comprehensive test platform that integrates with modern workflows." "This is a rare opportunity to partner with a brand that shares our commitment to helping teams improve the mobile experience," said Barnabas Birmacher, Founder and CEO of Bitrise. "By combining our CI/CD expertise with BrowserStack's testing capabilities, we're setting new standards for mobile app quality and development efficiency. We're delighted to be working with BrowserStack and look forward to delivering value to our community together." Through the combined power of BrowserStack App Automate and Bitrise, development teams can deliver high-quality apps faster. About BrowserStack BrowserStack is the world's leading software testing platform powering over two million tests every day across 19 global data centers. BrowserStack helps Amazon, NVIDIA, MongoDB, Microsoft, X, and over 50,000 customers deliver quality software at speed by moving testing to their Cloud. BrowserStack's platform provides instant access to 20,000+ real mobile devices on a highly reliable cloud infrastructure that effortlessly scales as testing needs grow. With BrowserStack, Dev and QA teams can move fast while delivering an amazing experience for every customer. Founded in 2011, BrowserStack is a privately held company backed by Accel, Bond, and Insight Partners. For more information, visit https://www.browserstack.com. About Bitrise Founded in 2014, Bitrise is the leading mobile DevOps platform that empowers over 8000 brands worldwide, including Reddit, Shopify, Tripadvisor, Buzzfeed and more. Bitrise provides a full-stack, vertically-integrated mobile DevOps platform that unites the tools, processes and testing frameworks engineering teams need to build best-in-class mobile experiences. Over 400,000 developers use Bitrise's platform and its products: Bitrise CI, Build Cache, Release Management and Insights. The company is backed by leading investors Insight Partners, Open Ocean, Fiedler Capital, Y Combinator and more. Visit bitrise.io for more information. Media Contact Press Relations Team [email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2490455/4878503/BrowserStack_Logo.jpg SOURCE BrowserStack WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - The prospect of a 25% tariff on Canada is at stark odds with the USMCA, which was negotiated and signed just a few short years ago. This crucial agreement has led to the growth of businesses and the creation of jobs on both sides of the border. Officials in both the United States and Canada should focus their energy in the coming days on finding ways to work together on driving mutual prosperity for both Americans and Canadians instead of putting up more barriers and costs for people and businesses on both sides of the border. We call for a collaborative approach that actually strengthens the vital economic ties between our nations. Canada as a key partner in helping the new administration address the "American Energy Emergency" is but one of many examples where our two countries can and must work together for the benefit of all. The CABC will continue to engage from this vantage point with our partners on both sides of the Canada-US border, and we call on others to do the same. About the CABC: Established in 1987, the Council is the leading non-profit, non-partisan, issues-oriented organization dedicated to fostering dialogue between the public and private sectors in Canada the US. Members are key business leaders and stakeholders from both sides of the border ranging from entrepreneurs to best name brands in the world. Collectively, CABC members employ about two million people and have annual revenues of close to $1.5 trillion. For more information about the CABC and its leadership team, please visit our Who We Are section. SOURCE Canadian American Business Council Celebrating excellence in bold flavors, timeless craftsmanship and unique immersive experiences BARDSTOWN, Ky. , Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Cock Whiskey's Circa 1856 is proud to announce the brand home has joined the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail program as an official distillery destination. Located in one of the oldest homes in the middle of historic downtown Bardstown, Circa 1856 is an ode to the brand, featuring a micro-distillery, upscale bar, and curated retail space. At Circa 1856, visitors are invited to enjoy a premium whiskey experience, sampling Chicken Cock's award-winning spirits while exploring its rich history and forward-looking vision. The brand's newest accolade comes from the 2024 America's Best Beverage Awards. Small Batch Bourbon has earned the highest accolades across state, regional, and national levels. This exceptional whiskey has solidified its place as a leader in the small batch category, demonstrating the brand's commitment to bold flavors and superior craftsmanship. 2024 America's Best Beverage Award Highlights: Chicken Cock Small Batch Bourbon Regional Award (South): Double Gold National Award: Double Gold Additional Award: Best in Show State, Region, and Category (Whiskey - Small Batch) Chicken Cock's Small Batch Bourbon, a testament to meticulous blending and craftsmanship, emerged as the ultimate champion, achieving Best in Show honors at every level: state, region, and category. Its superior quality and bold flavor profile make it a standout among small batch whiskeys. These honors underscore Chicken Cock Whiskey's legacy as one of America's premier whiskey brands. As the Small Batch Bourbon continues to delight whiskey enthusiasts, its success at the America's Best Beverage Awards highlights its exceptional craftsmanship and bold character. Guests can sample Small Batch along with Chicken Cock's everyday line up and annual limited releases at Circa 1856. See HERE for images. Chicken Cock Whiskey's Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon is matured to the peak of perfection and ranges from 7-12 barrels per batch. Small Batch (SRP: $69.99) is available for purchase online at select retailers and in stores where Chicken Cock Whiskey core products are sold. For more information please visit https://chickencockwhiskey.com/. About Chicken Cock Whiskey Founded in 1856 by James A. Miller in Paris, Kentucky, Chicken Cock Whiskey has a rich legacy rooted in the success of Miller's earlier venture, J.A. Miller's Old Bourbon, which dates back to the late 1830s. Known for its exceptional quality, Chicken Cock Whiskey quickly gained national recognition and became the first brand from Bourbon County to ship whiskey internationally. In 2012, Matti Anttila, Grain & Barrel Spirits CEO, revived the historic brand, restoring its reputation for excellence. Today, Chicken Cock Whiskey has become one of the most rapidly growing whiskey brands, celebrated for its award-winning Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Kentucky Straight Rye., The brand also offers multiple highly sought-after limited releases, crafted in partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Company as part of its collaborative distillation program. In 2024, Chicken Cock Whiskey opened its brand home, Circa 1856, offering visitors a multi-faceted immersive experience in one of the oldest historic homes in the Bourbon Capital of the World, Bardstown, Kentucky. Press: Eliza Williams Colangelo & Partners [email protected] SOURCE Chicken Cock Whiskey WAYNE, Pa. and ORMOND BEACH, Fla., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Command Medical Products (Command) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Fitzgerald as Executive Chairman of its Board of Directors. Command, a portfolio company of Argosy Healthcare Partners (AHP), specializes in contract manufacturing services for single-use disposable medical devices, serving global OEMs and life sciences companies. Command Medical Products Jim Fitzgerald is an accomplished leader with extensive experience in medical device contract manufacturing. He previously served as CEO of Flexan, a Linden Capital Partners portfolio company, where he successfully led the company through significant growth and its acquisition by ILC Dover, owned by New Mountain Capital. Jim's prior experience includes senior executive positions at MRP Solutions, ITxM, Vesta, and Cardinal Health. Jim began his career at Baxter Healthcare. Jim Carnall, Command's CEO, expressed enthusiasm about Jim's appointment, noting, "We are excited to welcome Jim to our Board as Executive Chairman. His vast experience in scaling private equity-backed medical device contract manufacturing businesses will be instrumental as we accelerate our growth. Jim's leadership at Flexan, particularly through its expansion and successful exit, uniquely positions him to help guide Command through its next phase of evolution." Jim Fitzgerald shared his excitement, saying, "I am thrilled to join Command at such a pivotal moment in the company's growth. With its strong legacy of serving OEM and life sciences customers for over 40 years, Command is uniquely positioned to build on its foundation and continue to expand." Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Ormond Beach, Florida, Command provides specialized manufacturing services, including tube extrusion, RF welding, heat sealing, and cleanroom assembly. The company operates two FDA- and ISO-certified facilities in Florida and Central America. Command Medical Products Command provides world-class contract manufacturing for the medical device industry, supporting OEMs and life sciences companies with high-quality, single-use disposable devices. For more information, visit www.commandmedical.com. Argosy Healthcare Partners Argosy Healthcare Partners ("AHP") is a lower middle market private equity firm dedicated to healthcare. AHP partners with founder owned healthcare businesses anywhere in the US with $1.0 $3.0 million of EBITDA and executes control transactions. AHP is a platform built for founder-owned companies to support their culture, reinvest in their business, and help accelerate growth. Contact: Command Medical Products Jim Carnall, CEO [email protected] Argosy Healthcare Partners Paul Barrett, Managing Partner [email protected] SOURCE Argosy Healthcare Partners BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) consortium (TAP AG) has received the results of first tests on pipeline materials for hydrogen transportation, TAP AG consortium told Trend. "TAP's ambition is to develop the asset to allow transportation of hydrogen. We have outlined a roadmap to prepare for the medium/long-term transport of natural gas and hydrogen blends, as well as renewable gases. In 2021, an initial study on hydrogen readiness verified TAP's potential to transport hydrogen blend in the future. We are currently conducting tests on pipeline materials in an international laboratory. The results for first tests were received in Q4 2024 and they are currently being assessed. The next tests have already started, with results expected in 2025," said the consortium. TAP AG said that the required modifications can only be defined once the suitability of the existing pipeline and other equipment has been fully assessed. "Once the material testing is complete, the results will need to be thoroughly assessed. In addition, the suitability of other equipment required for hydrogen transport must also be evaluated, and those results will need to be considered. Only after these assessments are complete can TAP's readiness for hydrogen transportation be more accurately understood," said the consortium. TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 877 km long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy. TAP facilitates gas supplies to Southeastern European countries through existing and prospective interconnectors. TAP is connected to Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB) which started its commercial operations in October 2022, providing Caspian gas to Bulgaria, thereby enhancing the security of energy supplies in one more European country. TAPs exit points in Greece and Albania, together with the landfall in Italy provide multiple opportunities for further transport of gas from Azerbaijan to the wider European markets. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn NORWALK, Conn., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the United States faces an ongoing crisis of substance use and substance use disorder (SUD), Shatterproof represents a coalition of experts, advocates, and families calling on the new administration and Congress to take immediate, comprehensive action. With overdose deaths reaching historic highs in the past four years, 49 million Americans living with addiction, and the economic and social impacts continuing to grow, lawmakers should address this urgent public health crisis immediately. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that nearly 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2023. And while overdoses have dropped 17 percent in the past year, they are still alarmingly higher than before the pandemic and by any historical perspective. This staggering number is driven in part by the widespread availability of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, which are devastating communities across the nation. A recent report from the Commonwealth Fund highlights that the U.S. has the highest death rates of overdose in the world. The opioid crisis is only one aspect of a larger epidemic that impacts individuals, families, and entire communitiesregardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status. "Substance use disorder is a complex, multifaceted issue that affects millions of Americans and costs our economy billions of dollars each year," said Kevin Roy, Chief Public Policy Officer of Shatterproof. "Congress has the power to implement policies that can save lives, reduce the economic burden, and provide the care and resources that individuals and families need to overcome addiction. This health crisis has evolved and continues to grow." A Call to Action: Key Areas for Congressional Intervention Experts and advocates agree that addressing substance use disorder requires a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach. In particular, Congress must focus on prevention, access to quality care, and recovery strategies to save lives and support those in need of treatment. Saving Lives Through Prevention Prevention is a critical element in reducing the long-term impact of substance use disorder on individuals and society. Congress must take action to fund education and anti-stigma campaigns that provide young people, caregivers, and the public with the information and tools they need to prevent drug use and addiction. Key actions include: Funding Public Education and Anti-Stigma Campaigns : Public education initiatives are essential to changing the cultural narrative around addiction, providing accurate information on the risks of substance use, and offering resources to reduce stigma and encourage treatment. By educating communities and fostering empathy, these campaigns can encourage earlier intervention, give hope to those contemplating treatment, and help reduce the impact of addiction. : Public education initiatives are essential to changing the cultural narrative around addiction, providing accurate information on the risks of substance use, and offering resources to reduce stigma and encourage treatment. By educating communities and fostering empathy, these campaigns can encourage earlier intervention, give hope to those contemplating treatment, and help reduce the impact of addiction. Investing in Evidence-Based Programming for Youth : Effective programs that help young people build resilience and life skills are crucial in preventing substance use disorder. Congress should invest in these programs, which have proven effective in reducing the likelihood of substance use later in life. : Effective programs that help young people build resilience and life skills are crucial in preventing substance use disorder. Congress should invest in these programs, which have proven effective in reducing the likelihood of substance use later in life. Reducing the Supply of Harmful Substances : Enhanced border surveillance technologies and improved screening policies and processes can help reduce the illegal flow of fentanyl and other dangerous substances into the country. Congress must increase efforts to stop the influx of these harmful drugs, which are contributing to rising overdose deaths. : Enhanced border surveillance technologies and improved screening policies and processes can help reduce the illegal flow of fentanyl and other dangerous substances into the country. Congress must increase efforts to stop the influx of these harmful drugs, which are contributing to rising overdose deaths. Expanding Access to Harm Reduction Tools: Harm reduction strategiessuch as access to opioid overdose reversal drugssave lives. Expanding access to the tools available can help mitigate the risks associated with addiction and reduce the number of fatalities caused by overdoses. Ensuring Quality Care for All No one should have to choose between addiction treatment and other healthcare needs. Congress must work to ensure that addiction treatment is treated with the same urgency and importance as physical health care. Key priorities include: Ensuring Addiction Care is Covered by Insurance : Addiction treatment must be covered by insurance policies the same way physical health services are. It's essential that individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorder have timely access to affordable, high-quality care that can help them recover. : Addiction treatment must be covered by insurance policies the same way physical health services are. It's essential that individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorder have timely access to affordable, high-quality care that can help them recover. Educating Healthcare Providers : Following the passing of the MATE Act, healthcare professionals must be trained to identify and treat substance use disorders. Congress should ensure that all healthcare providers are equipped with the knowledge to address addiction effectively in compliance with the law. It should also explore ways to incentivize use of evidence-based models that improve outcomes and reduce costs, such as the Collaborative Care Model. : Following the passing of the MATE Act, healthcare professionals must be trained to identify and treat substance use disorders. Congress should ensure that all healthcare providers are equipped with the knowledge to address addiction effectively in compliance with the law. It should also explore ways to incentivize use of evidence-based models that improve outcomes and reduce costs, such as the Collaborative Care Model. Screening and Treatment in the Criminal Justice System : Too many individuals with substance use disorders are incarcerated without receiving the care they need. Screening all individuals entering the criminal justice system for SUD, providing evidence-based treatment during incarceration, and connecting individuals to care and support services upon reentry into society are vital steps to breaking the cycle of addiction and incarceration and reducing recidivism over time. 65% of those in prison are substance dependent. : Too many individuals with substance use disorders are incarcerated without receiving the care they need. Screening all individuals entering the criminal justice system for SUD, providing evidence-based treatment during incarceration, and connecting individuals to care and support services upon reentry into society are vital steps to breaking the cycle of addiction and incarceration and reducing recidivism over time. 65% of those in prison are substance dependent. Expanding Access to Treatment Information: Websites like TreatmentAtlas.org provide essential resources to help individuals and families find transparent information on quality and evidence-based addiction treatment. Expanding and promoting access to these resources will help more people access the care they need. It also has the prospect of saving billions of dollars in federal spending as quality treatment can reduce the overall cost of health care for those dealing with substance use challenges. The Economic and Moral Imperative for Action According to the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University, Substance abuse is a preventable and treatable condition that imposes tremendous financial and social costs. Societal costs of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use are nearly 6 percent of the nation's income over $532 billion a year. However, studies show that every dollar spent on addiction treatment saves multiple dollars in healthcare costs and lost productivity, making it a smart, long-term investment for the nation. "Substance use disorder is not just a personal health issueit's a national emergency in terms of lives and economic cost," said Roy. "The time to act is now, and Congress has the ability and obligation to solve this crisis through policy reform and targeted investments." A National Call for Change The crisis of substance use disorder is one of the most pressing challenges facing our nation today. Congress must act swiftly to pass comprehensive legislation that addresses prevention, ensures access to high-quality care, and promotes a culture of recovery. By doing so, lawmakers can save lives, improve public health, and strengthen the nation's economy. "Every day, lives are lost, families are torn apart, and communities continue to suffer," said Roy. "It's time for Congress to prioritize substance use disorder and take the necessary steps to address this crisis with the urgency it deserves." We urge Americans to go online and send a message directly to their Member of Congress. About Shatterproof Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the addiction treatment system in the U.S. Shatterproof is focused on guiding society, especially families, through the complexities of a substance use disorder; informing the public on prevention, treatment and recovery from addiction; and educating the public to reduce addiction stigma to ensure that people who use substances or have a substance use disorder can live healthy and fulfilled lives. Find Shatterproof on Facebook, X and YouTube: @ShatterproofHQ or follow them on Instagram at @weareshatterproof. To learn more, visit www.Shatterproof.org. SOURCE Shatterproof BOSTON, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Console Connect, PCCW Global's on-demand platform and automated network for intelligent data movement, announced today its collaboration with Connectbase, the global ecosystem for buying and selling connectivity. This strategic initiative expands Console Connect's presence across the global connectivity marketplace as a leading network-as-a-service (NaaS) provider while enhancing Connectbase's capabilities in providing high-performance networking solutions. It brings Console Connect's comprehensive suite of connectivity services, including Layer 2, Layer 3 and IP transit, to the Connectbase ecosystem, simplifying solutions for businesses building and navigating complex cloud environments. For enterprises seeking seamless hybrid and multi-cloud networking, Console Connect offers dedicated, on-demand access to over 1,000 cloud and data centre locations worldwide from edge devices or company premises. As a platform provider, Console Connect is uniquely positioned alongside PCCW Global's private network infrastructure to deliver assured quality of service, enhancing network speed, security and flexibility through a single access port. Michael Glynn, SVP of Digital Automated Innovation at PCCW Global, said, "We are delighted to bring our extensive range of on-demand connectivity services to Connectbase's rich ecosystem, improving the efficiency, scalability and agility of data movement for enterprises while expanding their reach to strategic locations worldwide." Ben Edmond, CEO and founder of Connectbase, said, "We are excited to welcome Console Connect to our ecosystem. Their innovative NaaS platform and commitment to simplifying enterprise connectivity align perfectly with our mission. This partnership will significantly enhance our platform's capabilities, offering our users more flexible and efficient ways to manage their global connectivity needs." For more information about Connectbase and its ecosystem members, please visit www.connectbase.com. About PCCW Global PCCW Global is a leading international communications service provider, offering the latest mobility, voice and data solutions to multinational enterprises, telecommunications partners, cloud and application service providers. With a network footprint reaching over 3,000 cities in 160+ countries across five continents, our truly global coverage combined with local on-the-ground knowledge has helped us build best-in-class global connections linking Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Our network supports a portfolio of integrated communications services including connectivity, applications, and tailored solutions integrated and orchestrated by the Console Connect on-demand digital Software Defined Interconnection platform, one of the first global platforms to fully automate switching and routing of all communications for seamless interconnection. To learn more about PCCW Global, please visit www.pccwglobal.com. About Console Connect Console Connect is PCCW Global's on-demand platform, API community and automated network for intelligent data movement. The platform helps businesses easily, quickly and securely connect and move their data between clouds, data centres, office locations, apps, devices and more, whenever and to wherever they need it most to add value. For more information, visit www.consoleconnect.com. About Connectbase Connectbase is the global ecosystem for buying and selling connectivity. Designed to streamline interactions between buyers and sellers across the globe, Connectbase offers a dynamic and comprehensive ecosystem for all connectivity stakeholders. The Connected World platform serves over 400 providers globally, profiling 2.7 billion locations across more than 150 countries. Visit Connectbase at connectbase.com and follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/connectbase-us/. For media enquiries, please contact: Console Connect Alex Hawkes Email: [email protected] Connectbase James Grant Tel: +44 7960 495453 Email: [email protected] Issued by HKT Limited. HKT Limited is a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability. SOURCE Connectbase LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Constellation Real Estate Group, a leader in real estate technology solutions, announced today the appointment of four new executives to its leadership team. These hires are part of the company's strategy to further enhance its suite of industry-leading products and services for real estate professionals and follows the strategic unification of all real estate businesses announced last month. Scott Petronis , Senior Vice President of Product, brings over 25 years of experience in the real estate and technology sectors. Prior to joining Constellation1, Scott served most recently as Chief Product and Chief Technology Officer in both real estate technology and brokerage companies including eXp Realty, Inside Real Estate and Onboard Informatics. With extensive background in building modern platforms that support consumers, agents and brokerages, he will bring that experience to bear across the Constellation1 portfolio. , Senior Vice President of Product, brings over 25 years of experience in the real estate and technology sectors. Prior to joining Constellation1, Scott served most recently as Chief Product and Chief Technology Officer in both real estate technology and brokerage companies including eXp Realty, Inside Real Estate and Onboard Informatics. With extensive background in building modern platforms that support consumers, agents and brokerages, he will bring that experience to bear across the Constellation1 portfolio. Mark Mathis , Senior Vice President of Enterprise Sales, has extensive experience in sales leadership, particularly in real estate technology. Previously, Mark served as Vice President of Sales at Homes.com, LoopNet and Realtor.com where he drove revenue growth and expanded key client relationships. , Senior Vice President of Enterprise Sales, has extensive experience in sales leadership, particularly in real estate technology. Previously, Mark served as Vice President of Sales at Homes.com, LoopNet and Realtor.com where he drove revenue growth and expanded key client relationships. Greg Beckman , Senior Vice President of Technology, has a proven track record in leading engineering teams and delivering innovative solutions. Recently, Greg was Vice President of Product and Technology at CARFAX Canada where he led product development and cloud transformation efforts. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing the modernization, performance, and speed of delivery of the Constellation1 product suite. , Senior Vice President of Technology, has a proven track record in leading engineering teams and delivering innovative solutions. Recently, Greg was Vice President of Product and Technology at CARFAX Canada where he led product development and cloud transformation efforts. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing the modernization, performance, and speed of delivery of the Constellation1 product suite. Elisha Elliott , Senior Vice President of Customer Experience, will serve as the voice of our customersensuring every interaction is exceptional and outcomes-driven. She has held senior leadership roles at leading tech companies, with a proven track record of consistently building customer-centric environments that fuel engagement, satisfaction, and retention. By collaborating across teams, she will champion a company-wide culture of customer success, ultimately driving loyalty and strengthening partnerships. Driving Growth, Innovation and Customer Success With these appointments, Constellation1 is poised to accelerate its growth trajectory, continuing its focus on comprehensive technology solutions that help real estate professionals succeed in a competitive market. Constellation1 will continue to enhance its portfolio with robust front-office tools, CRM systems, marketing automation, lead management, and more. Additionally, the company's enhanced back-office solutions and data-driven products will help real estate professionals streamline operations and improve client engagement. Brant Morwald, President of Constellation Real Estate Group, said, "We have a strong portfolio of products that support consumers, agents, teams, brokerages and brands. These new leaders are a crucial and strategic investment in our mission to create a more seamless, efficient, and frictionless real estate ecosystem, and I couldn't be more excited to have the right team in place to drive it forward." About Constellation1 Constellation1 is a long-term partner to the real estate industry and leading provider of software and data solutions for the real estate industry. Through its innovative products and platforms, the company empowers real estate professionals, brokerages, and technology partners to succeed in a competitive and rapidly evolving market. Constellation1 is a division of Constellation Web Solutions Inc., and its subsidiaries, and is part of Constellation Real Estate Group. For more information, visit constellation1.com. For more information, please visit: Constellation1 SOURCE Constellation1 U.S. auto dealers will see new technology and solutions from Cox Automotive during the 2025 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show, taking place Jan. 23-26 in New Orleans . in . Cox Automotive will showcase the latest improvements to its key retail solutions, including Deal Central, Xtime, vAuto and Autotrader. In wholesale, Manheim kicks off its 80th anniversary with investments in support of used EVs and more; the company's industry-leading logistics brand, Central Dispatch, unveils all-new Market Intelligence capabilities. ATLANTA, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Automotive, the world's largest automotive services and technology provider, will showcase new retail and wholesale solutions designed to fuel the future of car buying and selling during NADA Show 2025, the National Automotive Dealers Association's annual convention, opening later this week in New Orleans. Cox Automotive, the largest exhibitor at NADA 2025, will feature solutions in the "Cox Automotive Village," which covers more than 23,000 square feet and includes more than 180 demo stations. Additionally, Cox Automotive's thought leaders will support the company's presence (schedule here). "We are heading into NADA with tremendous optimism," said Steve Rowley, president of Cox Automotive. "The automotive market is poised to continue its strong momentum in 2025, even as it is being transformed by EVs, GenAI, computer vision and other technologies. The Cox Automotive booth in New Orleans will be buzzing, as usual, with conversations about these topics and all the tools and solutions we're providing to ensure that our clients can thrive in 2025 and beyond." Based on Cox Automotive's unmatched access to first-party data, the outlook for the auto industry in 2025 looks promising. The Q4 2024 Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index (CADSI) revealed renewed optimism among U.S. automobile dealers. Further, according to Cox Automotive's 2024 Car Buyer Journey Study, new car and EV sales satisfaction is the highest on record. As noted in its forecast for 2025, Cox Automotive is expecting further industry growth in the year ahead. Retail Innovation Cox Automotive is helping dealers achieve new-vehicle sales and customer experience goals with several significant updates to its retail solutions: Deal Central Enhancements With robust AI and automation, dealers can create a deal and sell vehicles not yet in their current inventory, such as vehicles in their order pipeline or in transit, opening new opportunities for buyers and keeping consumer satisfaction high. Additionally, dealers can streamline in-person or online purchases with new features, including Digital Deal Jacket, which brings all of a shopper's data and documents together into one deal experience, and Print Proposal, which enables dealers to print critical documents related to their vehicle purchase more easily. With robust AI and automation, dealers can create a deal and sell vehicles not yet in their current inventory, such as vehicles in their order pipeline or in transit, opening new opportunities for buyers and keeping consumer satisfaction high. Additionally, dealers can streamline in-person or online purchases with new features, including Digital Deal Jacket, which brings all of a shopper's data and documents together into one deal experience, and Print Proposal, which enables dealers to print critical documents related to their vehicle purchase more easily. Xtime Adds New Features Dealers need help to meet customer expectations, streamline service operations, boost fixed operation revenue, and maximize customer lifetime value. Xtime has simplified service lane reporting, enhanced workflow efficiencies, and added seamless new Dealership Management System (DMS) integrations along with two new communication enhancements to further modernize the customer experience. Enhanced texting communications use a new messaging center to interact with customers and prospects, meeting their evolving expectations. Bulk communications reduce dealer effort, ensure timely and effective interactions with consumers, and improve customer satisfaction. Enhanced video capabilities , including noise cancellation, higher resolution images, subtitles, and branded multi-point inspection videos, drive technician efficiency and elevate the customer experience. Dealers need help to meet customer expectations, streamline service operations, boost fixed operation revenue, and maximize customer lifetime value. Xtime has simplified service lane reporting, enhanced workflow efficiencies, and added seamless new Dealership Management System (DMS) integrations along with two new communication enhancements to further modernize the customer experience. vAuto Enhancements At NADA 2025, Cox Automotive will be showcasing two new innovations to vAuto's industry-leading solutions, ProfitTime GPS and Provision: Centralized Inventory Management to support dealer group oversight and a new appraisal experience, which will help dealers win more trade-ins in a supply-constrained used-vehicle market. Centralized Inventory Management vAuto's Centralized Inventory Management solution unlocks greater efficiency, consistency and visibility across all dealership locations. The new tool optimizes vehicle management, enabling dealers to align decisions with enterprise-wide strategies and maximize vehicle ROI across all locations. Key features include: Enterprise Transfer Portal: Optimizes every car across all of a dealer's locations with centralized actions. Dealers can quickly identify inventory issues, transfer vehicles where they're needed, and optimize retail potential across all locations. C-Suite Reporting and Actionable Insights : Delivers a clear, real-time view of performance at both the individual location and group level. Dashboards: Dealers can track performance and drive accountability across their group, keeping everyone aligned on goals and outcomes while improving consistency and transparency across locations. New Appraisal Experience Typically, a difference of over $1,000 exists between estimated and actual reconditioning costs for 39% of vehicle identification numbers (VINs). vAuto's new appraisal tool addresses this challenge by minimizing costly mistakes, ensuring consistent and transparent offers that build consumer trust, and by helping dealers acquire vehicles aligned with their inventory strategy. Notable features include: Mobile Capture App: The mobile-friendly capture feature enables dealers to capture high-resolution, 360-degree vehicle images and document damage for seamless handoffs to appraisers, even while on the go. More Precise Reconditioning Estimation Tools: Calculate each vehicle's unique reconditioning costs using advanced tools that integrate with OBDII to improve accuracy and reduce errors. Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer: Dealers can now access Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer branded offer report within their appraisal screen detailing the offer amount and how it was generated. Customers have access to clear, transparent appraisals backed by trusted Kelley Blue Book data to connect the online valuation experience with the on-the-lot valuation process to enhance their trust and confidence in every transaction. At NADA 2025, Cox Automotive will be showcasing two new innovations to vAuto's industry-leading solutions, ProfitTime GPS and Provision: Centralized Inventory Management to support dealer group oversight and a new appraisal experience, which will help dealers win more trade-ins in a supply-constrained used-vehicle market. EV Battery Health on Autotrader Now available on Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book listings, Cox Automotive launched EV battery health scores to provide industry-leading confidence to consumers shopping for used EVs. This VIN-level data offers a detailed analysis of battery health with battery capacity as the critical factor. Between the deep expertise in its EV Battery Solutions team and the vast number of EVs coming into the Manheim Marketplace, technology across Manheim's 75 auction locations, and OEM relationships, Cox Automotive has an unmatched understanding of batteries across the industry. In 2024, 106K EVs were sold through Manheim versus 51K in 2023, a 108% increase. "According to our recent Car Buyer Journey Study, dealership satisfaction rates are at 81%, which is an all-time high," stated Lori Wittman, president, Retail Solutions at Cox Automotive. "These new retail enhancements emphasize our commitment to keeping dealers happy and competitive. Over the past year, we've launched the Retail360 ecosystem to support seamless omnichannel car buying and enhanced our AI and automation capabilities to elevate dealer and consumer experiences. Looking ahead, we're raising the bar by delivering the most advanced automotive retail solutions available, equipping dealers with the tools they need to thrive in 2025 and beyond." Wholesale, Inventory and Logistics Innovation At NADA 2025, Cox Automotive will be showcasing investments across its Inventory Solutions division that will drive further confidence across the wholesale ecosystem. Manheim, which operates the world's largest wholesale marketplace, is kicking off its 80th anniversary in 2025 with even more capabilities to support clients' increasing needs for used EVs with a Manheim Location EV Certification Program. Additionally, Cox Automotive's industry-leading logistics brand, Central Dispatch, is debuting all-new Market Intelligence capabilities for shippers, brokers and carriers. Manheim Location EV Certification Program : An industry-first initiative exclusive to Manheim, this program is designed to formalize auction location preparedness for supporting the unique needs of used EVs at scale today and tomorrow. As more used EVs come into the wholesale market and client needs evolve, Manheim is setting a new standard for EV safety, storage, and logistics creating a safer work environment for team members and unmatched solutions for clients. The program offers three distinct levels of location certification, each building on the capabilities and expertise of the previous level. The first of its scope in the industry, the Manheim Location EV Certification Program underscores Manheim's leadership in advancing innovation, safety, and efficiency in EV servicing. : An industry-first initiative exclusive to Manheim, this program is designed to formalize auction location preparedness for supporting the unique needs of used EVs at scale today and tomorrow. Suite of Market Intelligence Solutions from Central Dispatch: Cox Automotive fuels more vehicle moves than anyone in the industry over 16 million in 2024 alone. That rich data is fueling Central Dispatch's new Market Intelligence a suite of solutions that give clients and the industry unmatched, actionable insights that help move their businesses forward. This suite includes: Market Intelligence Report : This data-driven report highlights key logistics trends and their real-world impacts. Currently focused on pricing and distance, it is designed to become the go-to resource for the transportation industry, with additional metrics being added in Q1. Price Check Plus : Combining Cox Automotive's superpowers in AI with Central Dispatch's trove of first-party data, Price Check Plus actually predicts the price at which vehicle will move and gives clients additional insights that can help them make more confident decisions. Based on millions of real transactions, Price Check Plus is unmatched in its ability to give shippers, carriers and brokers the information they need to price vehicle moves more efficiently and profitably. Market Intelligence API : This new API enables clients to integrate Central Dispatch's pricing insights directly into their own systems. That way, they can maintain a seamless workflow while benefiting from this powerful suite of data-driven insights. Enterprise Data File : Select Enterprise clients with in-house data scientists can inquire about receiving the Market Intelligence data file directly on a monthly basis. Cox Automotive fuels more vehicle moves than anyone in the industry over 16 million in 2024 alone. That rich data is fueling Central Dispatch's new Market Intelligence a suite of solutions that give clients and the industry unmatched, actionable insights that help move their businesses forward. This suite includes: Grace Huang, president of Cox Automotive Inventory Solutions, added: "We have been investing and innovating across our leading marketplaces for years to deliver clients more AI, more confidence and more solutions that can move their businesses forward. With the pace of innovation in EVs, AI and beyond, these next five years will be some of the most exciting the wholesale industry has seen and we look forward to showing clients what we have in store." Dealers interested in speaking with Cox Automotive at the 2025 NADA Show, Jan. 23-26, about these new auto retail and inventory solutions enhancements can visit the Cox Automotive Village at NADA or request a meeting through the Cox Automotive NADA Hub. About Cox Automotive Cox Automotive is the world's largest automotive services and technology provider. Fueled by the largest breadth of first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year, Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, auto manufacturers, dealers, lenders and fleets. The company has 29,000+ employees on five continents and a portfolio of industry-leading brands that include Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, vAuto, Dealertrack, NextGear Capital, CentralDispatch and FleetNet America. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately owned, Atlanta-based company with $22 billion in annual revenue. Visit coxautoinc.com or connect via @CoxAutomotive on X, CoxAutoInc on Facebook or Cox-Automotive-Inc on LinkedIn. SOURCE Cox Automotive Senior policy executive further deepens firm's global bench of trade and supply chain experts amid rising client demand in these areas WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Crowell Global Advisors (CGA) announced that Dr. Monica Gorman, a senior White House official under former President Joe Biden, has joined CGA as a managing director. Gorman brings over 20 years of policy and executive management experience across public and commercial supply chains, international trade, compliance, and sustainability. Monica Gorman, Managing Director, Crowell Global Advisors Gorman joins CGA during a critical time as companies across the globe navigate new geopolitical risks, disruptions, and opportunities in international trade. Utilizing her deep government and corporate experience, Gorman will further expand CGA's team of supply chain and geopolitical policy experts to help clients and partners adapt to the unique and changing demands facing a wide range of industries. "We are very excited to add Monica to the CGA team at a time of heightened geopolitical risks, especially in the area of global trade," said Geralyn Ritter, president and CEO of CGA. "Monica's extensive experience in global supply chains, trade, and compliance will be a tremendous asset to our team and clients as they navigate a rapidly evolving trade landscape, and her practical guidance will be crucial for clients across industries, including sustainability, healthcare, and technology. We are confident that Monica's insights and leadership will help our clients better anticipate challenges, seize opportunities, and thrive in today's complex global environment." Prior to joining CGA, Gorman served in the Biden Administration since 2021 as special assistant to the President for manufacturing & industrial policy and deputy assistant secretary of commerce for manufacturing. During her time in the administration, she chaired the White House Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force and spearheaded the creation of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience. Gorman previously held senior global compliance positions in the commercial sector for New Balance, American Eagle Outfitters, and Gap Inc., managing issues such as fair and forced labor policies, tariffs, counterfeit and unsafe goods, sustainability, and supply chain resilience. Throughout her career, Gorman served on a number of boards focused on leadership collaboration and responsible governance, including the Fair Labor Association, the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation, and the United States Footwear Manufacturers Association. She is a 2020 Presidential Leadership Scholar, a bipartisan initiative led by the George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson presidential centers that produces bold and principled leaders who are committed to solving the world's greatest challenges. "I have dedicated my career to advancing responsible, ethical business practices on a global scale while shaping public policies that benefit Americans, global citizens and businesses," said Gorman. "From addressing supply chain disruptions to promoting fair labor policies and strengthening international collaboration, I've seen the transformative impact that leading companies and strong coalitions can have. I'm excited to join my new colleagues at CGA to help our clients navigate complex global challenges and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world." Since appointing Ritter as president and CEO in March 2024, CGA has expanded its team with a dozen advisors and consultants at all levels across the firm's core focus areas of global health, digital policy, and international trade. Gorman's addition further strengthens CGA's industry expertise, supporting the firm in providing clients with strategic counsel tailored to today's complex global landscape. About Crowell Global Advisors Crowell Global Advisors helps clients navigate global business challenges, unlock new opportunities and deliver on their promises to customers. CGA is the global policy consulting firm affiliated with Crowell & Moring LLP. Since 1987, public and private organizations around the world have turned to CGA's team of former C-Suite executives, senior government officials, and industry leaders to solve their most complex problems. With offices in Washington DC, Singapore, and Hong Kong, CGA takes a mission-driven approach to ensure that today's commercial breakthroughs improve lives, strengthen economies, and drive meaningful, lasting impact for a more sustainable future. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Crowell Global Advisors CTA Construction Managers recently completed the town of Stoughton's new 25,145 square-foot fire station STOUGHTON, Mass., Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CTA Construction Managers celebrates the grand opening of the town of Stoughton's new state-of-the-art fire station, a 25,145-square-foot, two-story facility designed to enhance public safety services and accommodate the growing needs of the community. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held earlier this year, with local officials, project partners, and community members in attendance. CTA Construction Celebrates the Grand Opening of Stoughtons New Fire Station The modern fire station, located on Prospect Street, was designed by Dore & Whittier and constructed by CTA Construction Managers. "The facility features enhanced operational spaces, updated technology, and improved accommodation for first responders, enabling the Stoughton Fire Department to better serve residents," said Donald Walter, lead architect and Principal at Dore + Whittier. "This new facility represents our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community," said Fire Chief Michael Carroll. "We are excited to begin operating from a station designed to meet the current and future needs of Stoughton." The previous Fire Station 1, built in 1926 will now undergo a complete gut renovation project to repurpose the building as the Fire Department headquarters, which will house Fire Department Command Staff & Administration, Public Health offices, meeting rooms, and training center. Designed to support the health, safety, and operational readiness of Stoughton's firefighters and EMS providers, the new Fire Station 1 enables a modified operational model to enhance emergency response capabilities for the Town. The new facility features five double-deep apparatus bays, an oversized attached maintenance bay, dorms for 8-12 staff for each 24-hour shift, and a large kitchen and day room. An adjoining training deck overlooks the rear of this site that provides a welcoming environment for technical training and other activities. CTA previously built the Stoughton Department of Public Works facility two decades ago, highlighting its continued partnership with the town. CTA Construction Managers also has a long-standing relationship with Dore & Whittier, having successfully completed several high-profile projects, including Weston High School, Park Avenue Elementary School in Webster, and the Scituate Public Safety Building. "Working alongside Dore & Whittier and the Town of Stoughton has been an exceptional experience," said Lyle Coghlin, Principal, CTA Construction Managers. "This fire station reflects a shared vision of providing a facility that supports emergency services and community safety for decades to come." The grand opening of the new station was held sooner than originally planned to accommodate an earlier move-in due to a water main break affecting the previous station building. The project was overseen by Pomroy Associates, serving as the Owner's Project Management Firm (OPM). "We are very happy with the entire project team's efforts in bringing this project to life and ability to respond quickly to accommodate the early move-in to ensure no disruption in services for the town," said Taylor MacDonald, Partner, Pomroy Associates. About CTA Construction Managers LLC CTA Construction Managers is an award-winning construction management and general contracting firm specializing in municipal, academic, multi-family residential, commercial, and senior care facilities. Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, CTA Construction's portfolio of projects total over $1.7 billion. Founded in 2000, CTA has awarded over $100,000,000 in contracts to certified small, disadvantaged, minority, and women owned partners. CTA is a leader in green building, helping numerous clients build sustainably and meet LEED and MA-CHPS standards. For more information, please visit: https://ctaconstruction.com/ Press Contact: CTA Construction Managers 781-786-6600 https://ctaconstruction.com/ SOURCE CTA Construction Managers LLC CALABASAS, Calif., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Curbit, the first AI-powered kitchen capacity management solution for the restaurant industry, is pleased to announce a partnership with Equator Coffees, a renowned specialty coffee roaster and retailer. This collaboration aims to optimize Equator Coffees' digital ordering system by integrating Curbit's dynamic order throttling capabilities with Olo (NYSE: OLO), a leading restaurant technology provider, enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Equator Coffees, established in 1995, has built a reputation for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and social responsibility. With eleven retail locations and a robust online presence, the company sought to address challenges related to static quote times in its digital ordering process. These challenges often led to inefficiencies in kitchen operations and customer dissatisfaction due to inaccurate order readiness estimates. To resolve these issues, Curbit recommended the adoption of Olo's online ordering solution. Through their integration with Olo, Curbit is able to dynamically update a brand quote times based on real-time kitchen capacity. Equator Coffees can now provide customers with precise promise times during the ordering process in addition to real-time updates on order progress via SMS. This implementation ensures minimal wait times while improving the overall guest experience. "Partnering with Curbit and Olo has enabled us to streamline our digital ordering process, providing our customers with accurate information and timely service," said JP Lachance, CEO of Equator Coffees. "This collaboration aligns with our commitment to excellence and innovation in serving our community. In fact, our customer community has already provided us with much positive feedback on our improved takeout experience." Curbit's strategic partnership with Olo, established earlier this year, has been instrumental in delivering this integrated solution. Recognized as a Gold Partner in Olo's Connect program, Curbit leverages real-time operational intelligence to manage kitchen capacity effectively, ensuring that guests and delivery drivers receive accurate promise times and order progress updates. "We are excited to extend our capacity management solutions to Equator Coffees, a brand that shares our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction," said Scott Siegel, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Curbit. "Through our collaboration with Olo, we are confident that this integration will significantly enhance Equator Coffees' digital operations and guest experience." This partnership exemplifies Curbit's mission to revolutionize restaurant capacity management, enabling establishments like Equator Coffees to handle digital delivery and takeout orders efficiently. By providing innovative solutions that streamline kitchen operations, Curbit helps restaurants deliver on their promises, reducing customer frustration and enhancing the dining experience. For more information about Curbit's capacity management solutions, visit curbit.com. About Curbit Curbit is an AI-powered, real-time kitchen capacity management solution that helps restaurants handle their omnichannel orders intelligently. Curbit optimizes kitchen operations and the guest experience with a focus on dynamic order throttling, messaging real-time order progress to guests and delivery drivers, and actionable speed-of-service and guest sentiment insights. To learn more, visit www.curbit.com . About Equator Coffees In 1995, Equator Founders Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell began their values-driven path, roasting coffee in a Marin County, CA garage. Possessing an obsessive commitment to green coffee sourcing and unparalleled roasting expertise, Helen and Brooke have committed over 29 years to sustainable and fair trade coffee practices all in the name of creating a remarkable coffee experience for consumers. Today, Equator Coffees is a retail and wholesale coffee roaster and coffee farm owner with eleven retail cafes throughout Californiafrom Marin County to San Francisco to Oakland and beyond. Throughout the years, Equator Coffees has spearheaded industry-leading sourcing and roasting practices, and has forged progressive partnerships with Michelin-starred chefs, specialty grocers, tech campuses, and more. Women-owned, LGBTQ-founded and an early adopter of Fair Trade certification, Equator Coffees is the first California coffee roaster to achieve B Corp Certification. https://www.equatorcoffees.com . About Olo | Hospitality at Scale Olo (NYSE: OLO) is a leading restaurant technology provider with ordering, payment, and guest engagement solutions that help brands increase orders, streamline operations, and improve the guest experience. Each day, Olo processes millions of orders on its open SaaS platform, gathering the right data from each touchpoint into a single sourceso restaurants can better understand and better serve every guest on every channel, every time. Over 700 restaurant brands trust Olo and its network of more than 400 integration partners to innovate on behalf of the restaurant community, accelerating technology's positive impact and creating a world where every restaurant guest feels like a regular. Learn more at olo.com . Media Contact Paul Molinari [email protected] +1-781-733-0592 SOURCE Curbit The Target-MRD blood test uses a combination of tumor-informed and tumor-agnostic molecular features for personalized, accurate and more effective monitoring of molecular residual disease. LONDON and MUNICH and NEW DELHI, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Datar Cancer Genetics (DCG) today announced the launch of Target-MRD, an advanced molecular residual disease (MRD) monitoring blood test for solid organ cancers. Target-MRD is a blood test based on tumor-agnostic next-generation sequencing (NGS) and customized, tumor-informed droplet digital PCR (dd-PCR) assay. Blood Test to Accurately Detect Circulating Tumor-Related Mutations In patients who undergo initial anticancer treatments, a small number of tumor cells can survive and persist in the body. This low 'disease burden' is capable of leading to a relapse, which can remain undetectable by traditional genomic and imaging methods. Timely detection of this 'minimal residual disease' is now considered critical towards mitigating risks of recurrence. Target-MRD offers personalized, ultra-sensit ive detection and monitoring of residual disease at the molecular level, if any, to assist oncologists to intervene early, well before the disease gets out of hand. Target-MRD combines tumor-agnostic (to detect tumor evolution) and tumor-informed (specific to a patient's cancer) biomarkers thus offering a comprehensive and ultra-high sensitivity solution for more effective disease management. Dr. Timothy Crook, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Cromwell Hospital, London, said, "Monitoring the slightest recurrence of cancer in patients after treatment is critical to enable timely interventions before the disease gets out of hand. The dual approach of Datar's MRD is a significant step forward in non-invasively detecting the earliest signs of residual disease. It has the potential to change how we manage cancer patients." "This novel MRD detection approach, combining tumor-informed and tumor-agnostic strategies, represents a significant advancement in oncology diagnostics. This innovative methodology enhances our ability to deliver truly personalised care to cancer patients. Its sensitivity and precision offer clinicians invaluable tools for tailoring treatments, improving recurrence detection, and optimising long-term patient outcomes. This is a transformative step toward truly personalised cancer care," said Dr. Ashok Kumar Vaid, Chairman, Medical Oncology, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram. Advancing the Future of Oncology "Target-MRD reflects DCG's commitment to safe, reliable and accurate technologies. It is the next generation test that has the potential not only to detect recurrence earlier but to adapt itself to each patient's individual requirements and helps to personalise cancer management decisions," said Dr. Darshana Patil, Senior Director, Global Strategy and Medical Affairs at DCG. "With its ability to sensitively detect minimal residual disease, Target-MRD empowers clinicians with the information they need to make timely, data-driven decisions, improving patient outcomes and ultimately transforming the way cancer is managed." Datar Cancer Genetics is a global oncology research and applications company that is spearheading the development of non-invasive technologies for improved detection, treatment and management of cancer. The Company's state-of-the-art cancer research centre is NABL, ISO and CAP accredited. The Company serves cancer patients in the UK, European Union, United States, GCC, and India, and has modern cancer research facilities in the US, UK, and India. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2602389/DGC_Blood_Test_Mutations.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2602388/Datar_Cancer_Genetics_Logo.jpg Leading dairy dip brand introduces Creamy Dill and Jalapeno Popper classic dips and new Cantina Dairy Dip sub-line featuring three varieties CHICAGO, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dean's Dip, the trusted dairy dip brand best known for its original and irresistible French Onion Dip, is launching five new flavors to give foodies and snackers something exciting and delicious to enjoy. In addition to extending its classic offerings to include two new SKUs Creamy Dill and Jalapeno Popper the brand is debuting a new Cantina Dairy Dip sub-line featuring three varieties, Mexican Street Corn Dip, Fiesta Taco Dip and Guacamole Flavored Dip. The five new, great tasting products have the same incredibly rich and creamy texture that Dean's is known for not too thick and not too thin perfect for ultimate dip-ability, leaving no chips left behind. Dean's new innovation line. "Dean's has always been known for its consistently delicious, flavor-forward dips, from its category-leading French Onion Dip to these new and tasty flavors," says Kelly Hansen, Vice President of Marketing for West Madison Foods, maker of Dean's Dip. "No matter how you enjoy them dip, dunk or spread, our new flavorful dips offer tremendous versatility and promise to elevate any snacking or entertaining occasion!" Dean's new dip lineup includes: Creamy Dill This cool and creamy dip features bold and delicious, dill and garlic flavor. For consumers looking for the perfect pairing, this on-trend flavor goes well with potato chips, crackers and veggies! Available in a 16 oz. tub This cool and creamy dip features bold and delicious, dill and garlic flavor. For consumers looking for the perfect pairing, this on-trend flavor goes well with potato chips, crackers and veggies! Available in a 16 oz. tub Jalapeno Popper Cheesy, spicy and totally irresistible, this new dip adds a fun and spicy kick to the party, and it especially hits when paired with tortilla chips, potato chips with ridges or even pizza crust. Available in a 16 oz. tub Cheesy, spicy and totally irresistible, this new dip adds a fun and spicy kick to the party, and it especially hits when paired with tortilla chips, potato chips with ridges or even pizza crust. Available in a 16 oz. tub Dean's Cantina Dairy Dips Available in a 12 oz. tub Mexican Street Corn Inspired by the festival favorite, this creamy dip has real bits of corn, a cheesy kick and just the right texture for easy dipping Fiesta Taco Dip This tastes just like your favorite taco! Scoop it with tortilla chips or add to nachos, quesadillas or tacos for a flavor-packed bite Guacamole Flavored Spicy, smooth and velvety, this creamy dip pairs perfectly with tortilla chips or as a dollop on nachos, tacos and salads Available in a 12 oz. tub The five new dips (MSRP: $3.49 each) are now available at major grocers nationwide. For more information about Dean's products, visit DeansDip.com or follow along on Instagram and Facebook. About West Madison Foods West Madison Foods, based in Chicago, IL, was formed by Brynwood Partners in July 2023 to acquire a portfolio of brands from Ventura Foods. The portfolio includes the exclusive U.S. rights to the iconic Dean's brand's dairy dips and Marie's category-leading salad dressings, dips and spreads. For more information on West Madison Foods, please visit www.westmadisonfoods.com. SOURCE Dean's Dip NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global defense IT spending market size is estimated to grow by USD 26.01 billion from 2025-2029, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period. Development of autonomous systems is driving market growth, with a trend towards adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). However, issues related to digital sovereignty poses a challenge. Key market players include Accenture PLC, Amazon.com Inc., BAE Systems Plc, CRON AI, Cubic Corp., CyAmast Pty Ltd., Dell Technologies Inc., General Dynamics Corp., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Holo Light GmbH, International Business Machines Corp., Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc., Leidos Holdings Inc., ManTech International Corp., Microsoft Corp, Northrop Grumman Corp., Oracle Corp, Palantir Technologies Inc., Pennant International Group PLC, and Science Applications International Corp. Inc. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Defense IT Spending Market 2025-2029 AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Defense IT Spending Market Scope Report Coverage Details Forecast period 2025-2029 Base Year 2024 Historic Data 2019 - 2023 Segment Covered Type (Service, Software, and Hardware), Application (Cyber security, IT infrastructure, Logistic and asset management, and Others), Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America), and Force. Region Covered North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Key companies profiled Accenture PLC, Amazon.com Inc., BAE Systems Plc, CRON AI, Cubic Corp., CyAmast Pty Ltd., Dell Technologies Inc., General Dynamics Corp., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Holo Light GmbH, International Business Machines Corp., Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc., Leidos Holdings Inc., ManTech International Corp., Microsoft Corp, Northrop Grumman Corp., Oracle Corp, Palantir Technologies Inc., Pennant International Group PLC, and Science Applications International Corp. Inc Key Market Trends Fueling Growth Defense IT spending continues to grow as Defense Forces and Homeland Security agencies prioritize modernization of their IT systems. Key areas of focus include Cybersecurity to protect against cyberattacks on National defense data, Communication Systems for secure communications, and Intelligence Technologies for data analytics and decision-making. IT Infrastructure, Cloud Computing, and Software solutions are essential for Defense operations. Geopolitical Tensions fuel the demand for advanced Military Capabilities, driving IT Spending on hardware like Unmanned Systems, Smart weapons, and Sensor systems. Government Policies and Defense Modernization initiatives are accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous systems, and Digital Transformation. IT Solutions in Healthcare, VR/AR technology, and Flight simulators are also gaining importance. Defense IT systems require IT Infrastructure, including Network centric environments, Battlefield management systems, and Decision science platforms. IoT analytics, Actuators, Control systems, and Military infrastructures are also crucial components of Defense IT spending. Overall, Defense IT spending is a significant market, driven by the need for advanced IT technologies to enhance Military capabilities and respond to emerging threats. The global defense IT spending market is witnessing significant growth in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies. These advanced technologies are increasingly being recognized by governments and defense organizations for their potential to enhance military capabilities, improve decision-making processes, and bolster national security. One key area of application is the development of autonomous systems, such as robotic systems, unmanned vehicles, and drones, which can be powered by AI and ML algorithms. These systems can perform critical military duties, including target detection, surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat operations, without human intervention. This not only reduces the risk to human life but also increases operational efficiency. Additionally, AI and ML can analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, providing valuable insights for strategic planning and tactical decision-making. Overall, the integration of AI and ML in defense IT spending is a game-changer, offering significant benefits in terms of enhanced military capabilities, improved decision-making, and increased operational efficiency. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges Defense IT spending continues to grow as Defense Forces, Homeland Security, and Paramilitary Forces invest in advanced IT solutions to enhance their capabilities. Challenges include securing national defense data from cyberattacks, ensuring secure communications, and upgrading defense IT infrastructure. Defense IT systems require the latest software, hardware, and services to support military operations and decision-making in a network centric environment. Cybersecurity, communication systems, intelligence technologies, and IT infrastructure are top priorities. Cloud computing, data analytics, and digital transformation are driving innovation in defense IT, with 5G, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems at the forefront. Geopolitical tensions and military capabilities necessitate continuous IT spending. Defense modernization includes investment in smart weapons, battlefield management, and digital transformation. IT spending covers IT solutions for healthcare, sensors, VR/AR technology, and IoT analytics. Military actions require reliable IT technologies, such as actuators, control systems, and military infrastructures, to execute effectively. In today's digital age, defense organizations prioritize data privacy and cybersecurity as critical concerns, given the increasing use of advanced technologies like augmented reality in defense systems. However, the need to maintain digital sovereignty by keeping vital defense data within national borders poses challenges for international defense IT spending. Many defense companies rely on foreign technology providers for their IT systems and infrastructure, which can limit ownership and control over military capabilities and potentially compromise digital sovereignty. Developing domestic defense IT capabilities is essential to maintain digital sovereignty, but it requires a significant investment of time and resources. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This defense it spending market report extensively covers market segmentation by Type 1.1 Service 1.2 Software 1.3 Hardware Application 2.1 Cyber security 2.2 IT infrastructure 2.3 Logistic and asset management 2.4 Others Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 APAC 3.3 Europe 3.4 Middle East and Africa and 3.5 South America Force 1.1 Service- The global defense IT spending market encompasses various service segments catering to the unique needs of defense organizations worldwide. These segments include Consulting Services, Systems Integration, Application Development and Maintenance, Managed Services, Cybersecurity Services, Training and Support Services, and Data Analytics Services. Consulting Services offer counsel and direction on digital transformation, cybersecurity, data analytics, and technology adoption. Systems Integration ensures seamless communication and interoperability by integrating different defense IT systems, tools, and software. Application Development and Maintenance creates and manages specialized software applications for defense firms. Managed Services contract outsourced IT tasks, providing cost savings, increased productivity, and continuous availability. Cybersecurity Services secure crucial infrastructure and military data through vulnerability assessments, threat intelligence, incident response, security audits, and managed security services. Training and Support Services offer user training, technical support, helpdesk services, system maintenance, and repair services. Data Analytics Services extract valuable insights from data through predictive analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data visualization tools, enabling informed decisions, pattern identification, anomaly detection, and operational efficiency improvement. These essential service segments enable defense organizations to meet their specific IT requirements, adapt to evolving technology landscapes, and enhance their overall defense capabilities, driving the growth of the defense IT spending market. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2025-2029) and historic data (2019 - 2023) Research Analysis The Defense IT Spending market is a significant and continually evolving sector, focusing on supplying advanced technologies to Defense Forces, Civilian Forces, Homeland Security, and other government agencies. This market encompasses various domains, including Cybersecurity to safeguard sensitive information, Communication Systems for secure and reliable data transmission, Intelligence Technologies for data analysis and processing, and IT Infrastructure and scalable systems. Moreover, the market incorporates emerging technologies such as Cloud Computing for flexible and efficient data storage, Data Analytics for actionable insights, and 5G for high-speed connectivity. Additionally, it covers cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Systems, Digital Transformation, and Internet of Things (IoT) Analytics to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. Furthermore, the Defense IT infrastructure supports advanced capabilities such as Smart weapons, Battlefield management, Network centric environment, Decision science platform, and Healthcare systems. Other essential technologies include Sensors for real-time monitoring, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology for training and simulation, and Flight simulators for pilot training. Market Research Overview The Defense IT Spending market is a critical segment of the global IT industry, focusing on providing advanced IT solutions to Defense Forces, Homeland Security, and Paramilitary Forces for enhancing military capabilities and ensuring national security. This market encompasses various IT sectors including Cybersecurity, Communication Systems, Intelligence Technologies, IT Infrastructure, Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, and more. Cybersecurity plays a pivotal role in safeguarding national defense data from cyberattacks. Communication Systems enable secure communications, while Intelligence Technologies offer real-time data analysis for effective decision-making. IT Infrastructure supports Defense operations through reliable hardware and software solutions. Cloud Computing offers scalability and flexibility, while Data Analytics helps in predictive analysis and pattern recognition. The market also includes IT Spending on 5G, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Systems, Digital Transformation, and other Cutting edge technologies. Defense IT systems are integral to Military Capabilities, with IT Solutions providing Smart Weapons, Battlefield Management, and Network Centric Environment. The market also covers Decision Science Platforms, Sensor Systems, Actuators, Control Systems, and Military Infrastructures. Geopolitical Tensions and Military Actions necessitate continuous Defense Modernization, driving IT Spending. The market caters to various sectors, including Healthcare, Sensors, VR/AR technology, Flight Simulator, IoT Analytics, and Unmanned Systems. Overall, the Defense IT Spending market is a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape, driven by Government Policies and the integration of advanced IT technologies. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Service Software Hardware Application Cyber Security IT Infrastructure Logistic And Asset Management Others Geography North America APAC Europe Middle East And Africa South America Force 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Azerbaijan's role in ensuring global energy security was highlighted during the session titled "Leaders Circle: Financing the Energy Transition A New Horizon," the country's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov said in a post on his X page, Trend reports. "As part of President Ilham Aliyevs participation in the Davos Economic Forum, we attended the 'Leaders Circle: Financing the Energy Transition A New Horizon' session. We engaged in valuable discussions on the key opportunities and challenges for a successful energy transformation, as well as the financing of the energy transition. We also exchanged views on Azerbaijans active initiatives in ensuring global energy security and reliable energy supply as a trusted partner, maintaining a fair approach, advancing the #greenenergy transition strategy, and the results achieved at COP29, which was hosted by our country," the publication reads. Will be updated LONDON, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DeFinity Markets, the first full-stack institutional digital asset matching and settlement platform for fiat and digital assets has become an EY client and completed the EY FinTech growth programme, aimed at supporting the most promising scaling FinTechs in the UK. After a rigorous selection process, participants were invited to engage in sessions and cover crucial topics for scaling companies including tax, regulation, international expansion, and fundraising, delivered by EY professionals. These are designed to help companies grow smarter and connect impactfully. EY believes the companies have what it takes to scale exponentially and shape the UK FinTech and Financial Services sector in the years ahead. Tom Bull, EY FinTech Growth Leader comments: "EY is committed to helping founders of start-ups and scale-ups as they advance in the FinTech industry. The UK's FinTech sector is a source of exceptional talent and innovative businesses, including those we've welcomed into our fourth cohort. We're proud of the potential within this group and look forward to providing the support they need to grow and succeed. I'm personally excited to collaborate with these companies and see how they will shape the future of FinTech." Having achieved it's Jersey VASP status recently, DeFinity Markets has all the elements of its innovative market leading solution in place and is now going live with its full operating model. This delivers a fit for purpose solution catering to the need of the Institutional Markets. Chris Park, Chief Risk Officer of DeFinity Markets, said "We are delighted to be part of this exciting program and we believe being an EY client can help fully prepare our organization for the next stage of growth. The path of development for the digital asset markets is strong and exciting for our business which is laying the foundations for asset class expansion." DeFinity Markets has worked with the world's leading Financial Institutions, Regulators and Financial Institutions since inception to help create an ecosystem to accelerate the adoption of digital assets. The opportunity to engage with EY is another exiting step on this path towards series A and a focused global expansion. About DeFinity Markets DeFinity Markets is the Institutional Standard in Digital Assets Trading and fiat rails. DeFinity is built on institutional-grade technology offering unprecedented digital assets market access to globally leading Financial Institutions seeking to diversify their portfolio. The DeFinity management team has applied decades of knowledge of traditional financial markets to create the DeFinity ECN with direct market access. Platform participants can transact fiat FX trades with the digital asset's component completed on the DeFinity ECN. The ECN is custody-agnostic and provides FIX API access, a standardized rulebook powered by an embedded AML/KYC framework. We aggregate quotes from market makers on which qualified clients can transact digital assets. DeFinity offers access to liquidity across all major digital assets, including stable coins. The DeFinity ECN supports fiat currencies including GBP, EUR, USD crosses supported by an integrated fiat on and off-ramp gateway. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE DeFinity Markets Chief Operating Officer Kevin Kramer to Oversee Operations for Ignition Dealer Services DELAVAN, Wis., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Delavan Holdings, a holding company servicing Kunes Auto & RV Group and several other area businesses, is pleased to announce Kevin Kramer as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ignition Dealer Services, one of its subsidiaries. "We are thrilled to welcome Kevin Kramer to the Delavan Holdings leadership team as COO of Ignition Dealer Services," said Jennifer Myers, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Delavan Holdings. "His innovative approach and leadership will drive growth and success in this essential business offering." Kevin Kramer, Chief Operating Officer of Ignition Dealer Services Kramer brings extensive experience in the automotive and warranty industries, with a career including deep industry knowledge and operational experience. Raised in southern Wisconsin and with roots in Birmingham, Green Bay and Chicago, Kramer has excelled in various leadership roles. His career highlights include recruiting and managing top-performing teams and optimizing finance operations. Since rejoining the automotive sector in 2022 with Kunes Auto Group, he has focused on improving sales processes and compliance programs. "I am honored to step into the role of COO," said Kramer. "We've built a powerful team and bringing in new processes and approaches has already amplified the business. At a time where warranty services are more essential than ever, we're ready to elevate and redefine industry standards." Delavan Holdings oversees a diverse portfolio of businesses, including Lake Lawn Resort, Geneva10 Fulfillment, Camp Timber-lee and Kunes Auto & RV. Ignition Dealer Services provides comprehensive solutions to the automotive industry, specifically in warranty and financial services. Kramer's leadership is set to reinforce Ignition Dealer Services' reputation as a trusted partner to its clients, enhancing the company's operational capabilities and impact across the automotive industry. About Delavan Holdings Delavan Holdings is the umbrella company servicing Kunes Auto Group, G10 Fulfillment, Lake Lawn Resort, Camp Timber-Lee, Kunes RV Group, Ignition Dealer Services and others. Headquartered in Delavan, Wisconsin, the company provides support services to its affiliates. By focusing on operations, Delavan Holdings enables its partners to succeed in their missions and positively impact the communities they serve. About Ignition Dealer Services Ignition Dealer Services has a highly skilled team of agents with deep automotive retail experience. With a fully customizable suite of services, Ignition Dealer builds programs that can be tailored to meet specific business needs and wants. Ignition Dealer Services prioritizes delivering exceptional service to its Dealer Partners and their customers, offering top-notch training and service to strengthen dealerships' F&I departments. Media Contact Ryann Checchi Interdependence Public Relations [email protected] (708) 420-4776 SOURCE Delavan Holdings Energy in Focus e-book helps energy professionals and investors navigate pivotal trends and opportunities in coming year AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Enverus, the most trusted energy-dedicated SaaS company that leverages generative AI across its solutions, is releasing its 2025 Global Energy Outlook, an e-book focused on pivotal North American and international energy landscape trends and opportunities expected this year. Enverus Intelligence Research (EIR) experts believe the intersection of power and gas will drive the North American energy narrative in 2025, pushing oil production to the back seat. Power is not only influencing the natural gas sector but is permeating every aspect of the energy landscape. The race for artificial intelligence dominance has escalated into a global security issue, raising the stakes for all market participants as they balance volatile commodity prices, possible trade wars, uncertain demand, environmental pressure and investors' demands for capital discipline. Key issues and themes to watch in 2025: U.S. Data Center Boom, LNG Growth and Regulatory Changes to Reshape Energy Markets: Data centers are driving U.S. load growth, while rising LNG exports are projected to lift Henry Hub prices to $4 /MMBtu, spurring increased gas rig activity. Globally, LNG supply growth will test market absorption, while President-elect Trump's policies may threaten critical tax credits for hydrogen and geothermal technologies. Data centers are driving U.S. load growth, while rising LNG exports are projected to lift Henry Hub prices to /MMBtu, spurring increased gas rig activity. Globally, LNG supply growth will test market absorption, while President-elect Trump's policies may threaten critical tax credits for hydrogen and geothermal technologies. Momentum Builds for Key Transition Technologies: Battery storage will continue to reshape U.S. power markets while renewable natural gas, sustainable aviation fuels, and U.S. CCUS projects gain traction. In the Asia-Pacific region, energy security and climate goals will drive new investments. Battery storage will continue to reshape U.S. power markets while renewable natural gas, sustainable aviation fuels, and U.S. CCUS projects gain traction. In the region, energy security and climate goals will drive new investments. Cautious Resource Expansion Amid Oil Price Volatility: Brent is forecasted to average $80 /bbl, with attention on OPEC+ and China . Global exploration remains dominated by supermajors and NOCs, while U.S. resource expansion focuses on the northern Delaware Basin. Smaller, less economic acquisitions are expected in the U.S. and Argentina's shale growth will begin to turn heads. Brent is forecasted to average /bbl, with attention on OPEC+ and . Global exploration remains dominated by supermajors and NOCs, while U.S. resource expansion focuses on the northern Basin. Smaller, less economic acquisitions are expected in the U.S. and shale growth will begin to turn heads. Upstream Industry Focuses on Efficiency: U.S. well costs are stabilizing as efficiency gains counter tariff pressures, with 4-mile laterals expanding. Permian productivity holds steady, while Haynesville shows improvement. Download the Enverus 2025 Global Energy Outlook About Enverus Enverus is the most trusted energy-dedicated SaaS company, with a platform built to maximize value from generative AI, offering anytime, anywhere access to analytics and insights. These include benchmark cost and revenue data sourced from more than 95% of U.S. energy producers and more than 40,000 suppliers. Our platform, with intelligent connections, drives more efficient production and distribution, capital allocation, renewable energy development, investment and sourcing. Our experienced industry experts support our customers through thought leadership, consulting and technology innovations. We provide intelligence across the energy ecosystem: renewables, oil and gas, financial institutions, and power and utilities, with more than 6,000 customers in 50 countries. Learn more at Enverus.com. SOURCE Enverus SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Callan, a leading institutional investment consulting firm, announced today that Eugene O'Neill, CFA, joined the firm's Fund Sponsor Consulting team as a senior vice president and investment consultant. Mr. O'Neill brings nearly two decades of expertise in institutional consulting and equity portfolio management. He is based in San Francisco and reports to Greg DeForrest, executive vice president and head of Callan's Fund Sponsor Consulting group and the West Coast consulting team. "I'm thrilled to join such a dedicated team," said Mr. O'Neill. "The wealth of experience and workplace culture at Callan were a big draw for me, and I'm excited to collaborate with the team to deliver exceptional results for our clients." Most recently, Mr. O'Neill worked at investment consulting firm Alan Biller & Associates, where he delivered tailored asset allocation strategies and investment solutions as a senior consultant to clients, such as Taft-Hartley and public plans. Prior, he was a senior equity portfolio manager for Canada Life Investments in the U.K. and an assistant fund manager for Depfa Bank in Ireland. Mr. O'Neill earned an MS in financial mathematics from King's College London and a BS in financial mathematics and economics from University College Galway. He is a holder of the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, and is a member of CFA Institute and CFA Society San Francisco. "We're excited for Eugene to join the Callan team," said Mr. DeForrest. "With his years of experience in institutional consulting and investment management, he will be a great asset to Callan and our clients." About Callan Callan was founded as an employee-owned investment consulting firm in 1973. Ever since, we have empowered institutional investor clients with creative, customized investment solutions backed by proprietary research, exclusive data, and ongoing education. Today, Callan provides advisory services to institutional investor clients with more than $3 trillion in total assets, which makes it among the largest independently owned investment consulting firms in the U.S. Callan uses a client-focused consulting model to serve pension and defined contribution plan sponsors, endowments, foundations, independent investment advisers, investment managers, and other asset owners. Callan has six offices throughout the U.S. Learn more at callan.com. Media Contact: Elizabeth Anathan [email protected] 415-274-3020 SOURCE Callan LLC Nearly Two-Thirds of Gen Z College Students Earn Money, but only 10% Can Pay Their Own Rent, Highlighting the Urgent Need for Financial Solutions NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fizz, the leading money app for students, today released a report examining how college students earn income and manage financial responsibilities. The findings reveal not only the growing role of traditional employment and gig economy platforms in students' lives but also the pressing need for financial literacy and tools to help young adults build and maintain credit. "Gen Z college students are resourceful and creative in finding ways to support themselves, but the journey to financial independence is a big challenge for most," said Scott Smith, Co-founder and COO, Fizz. "These findings emphasize the importance of giving students the tools and knowledge they need to navigate their financial journeys, from building credit to making informed financial decisions." Key findings include: Most College Students Earn Income: 64% of students report earning money during college, highlighting their dual focus on work and academics. 64% of students report earning money during college, highlighting their dual focus on work and academics. Traditional Jobs Dominate: Of the students earning income, 45% rely on full-time or part-time jobs as their primary source of earnings. Of the students earning income, 45% rely on full-time or part-time jobs as their primary source of earnings. Gig Work is still Gaining Momentum: 19% of students report earning income from gig economy platforms like Uber, DoorDash, and similar services, showing the appeal of flexible, on-demand work. 19% of students report earning income from gig economy platforms like Uber, DoorDash, and similar services, showing the appeal of flexible, on-demand work. Few Achieve Full Financial Independence Early on: Only 10% of Gen Z students report paying their own rent while in college, demonstrating the financial hurdles many still face. For the full report and insights on how Fizz is helping Gen Z build financial independence, visit the report page. About Fizz Fizz is the leading money app for students, offering a seamless way to build credit and manage finances through a free download. With features like credit score checks, personalized spending insights, and engaging money courses, Fizz helps students at over 1000 universities, including Michigan State, UCLA, and Harvard, take control of their financial futures. The Fizz debit card, which builds credit without interest or overspending thanks to daily autopay and SafeFreeze, has become a go-to financial tool. Founded by Harvard and Cornell dropouts Carlo Kobe and Scott Smith, the company is backed by prominent investors like Kleiner Perkins and Y Combinator, and competes with major credit cards such as Discover, and tools like Rocket Money, and Credit Karma. Fizz is powered by a team of experts from Meta, Microsoft, Snackpass, and Amex. SOURCE Fizz The Foundation recognizes Aran Zakeri, Erin Nagai, Nathaniel Blackshear, and Nikita Nimmagadda who are ardently pursuing degrees in the healthcare field. We hope this scholarship opens new doors and empowers them to achieve extraordinary heights MIAMI, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future ("For A Bright Future") ("FABF"), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of underrepresented and underprivileged children through education, healthcare, the arts, and youth leadership development, awarded its 2024 Veterans & Families Scholarship to Aran Zakeri, 20, of California; Erin Nagai, 18, of California; Nathaniel Blackshear, 19, of Texas; and Nikita Nimmagadda, 18, of Alabama. Aran Zakeri is seeking a degree in Human Biology at the University of California, San Diego, where he maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA. Born and raised in Iran before immigrating to the United States, Aran faced homelessness and rejection due to his sexuality. Despite these hardships, he is committed to learning everything he can in the field of healthcare. Aran has volunteered at various clinics and founded UMPS, a student organization which advocates for healthcare professionals. "Getting this scholarship for the second time means a lot. I can now expand my nonprofit Undergraduate MD/PhD Society (UMPS) 501(c)(3) to empower more underserved students to pursue MD/PhD careers," said Aran Zakeri. Erin Nagai is pursuing a degree in Psychology and Pharmacology at Brown University, where she has earned a weighted GPA of 4.75. As a caregiver to her autistic brother, Erin has also overcome personal trauma, including domestic violence. A champion athlete and volunteer, she is dedicated to one day making a meaningful impact in her community. "Appreciation, joy, and motivation. I am honored to be receiving this scholarship as it will help me further my academic education and career goals," said Erin Nagai. Nathaniel Blackshear is seeking a degree in Nursing at Texas A&M University, where he maintains a 4.0 GPA. Despite facing the tragic loss of his mother and living as an unaccompanied homeless youth, Nathanial has been an active leader in music and healthcare clubs. He aspires to become a Nurse Anesthetist and help others with his passion for care. "The Healthcare Scholarship Award is paramount for my academic and career goals, pushing me a few steps towards providing equitable health services for underserved communities," said Nathaniel Blackshear. Nikita Nimmagadda is pursuing a degree in Pediatrics at New York University. Growing up in Alabama in a single-parent household, Nikita knew from a young age that her main priority would be to be able to take care of her mother and brother who are both on the spectrum. She views medicine as a field that also helps patients maintain their autonomy and aspires to major in Public Policy related to healthcare so that she can one day help in shaping a better healthcare system for the American people. "With the FABF Healthcare Scholarship, I am able to pursue my goal of making a positive impact in treating rural and underserved areas through the support of my capabilities from the FABF Foundation," said Nikita Nimmagadda. For A Bright Future Foundation was founded by Louis Hernandez, Jr., CEO of Black Dragon Capital, a multi-phased investment firm focused on advanced technologies in high-growth segments that strengthen economic stability within communities. Committed to illuminating the path to success, the foundation provides scholarships emphasizing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), financial technology, healthcare, and education. These opportunities are tailored to uplift students from underserved demographics, including single-parent households and families with military backgrounds. The 2024 Healthcare Scholarship For A Bright Future supports and inspires exceptional students to pursue impactful careers in healthcare. We hope this scholarship opens new doors and empowers them to achieve extraordinary heights. For A Bright Future empowers underserved communities by championing equal access to education. In 2024, the Foundation received nearly 6,000 applications, underscoring the critical need for educational support. Through rigorous evaluation by expert reviewers, scholarships are awarded to exceptional students who excel academically and demonstrate a passion for community impact, creating a new generation of leaders and changemakers. We extend our deepest appreciation to our esteemed Scholarship Committee leadership: Chairwoman Susie Hernandez and Vice-Chairwoman Jennifer Oddo, for their unwavering dedication to our cause. In addition, we are grateful to the Healthcare Scholarship selection team: David Dame, Partner at Sorenson Capital Partners; aJane Buckingham, Retired Therapist. Our thanks also go to the For A Bright Future operational team under the leadership of Gina Rogoto, SVP of Operations and Programs. We have been able to discover exceptional students deserving of a brighter future due to their steadfast facilitation of the scholarship process. Contact: Gina Rogoto, SVP of Operations & Programs , For A Bright Future Email: [email protected] About Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of underrepresented and underprivileged children through education, healthcare, the arts, and youth leadership development. Our initiatives provide equal opportunity for all children to have the tools and opportunities to fulfill their life goals and become constructive members of our global community. To learn more or support For A Bright Future educational programs, please visit our donation page at www.forabrightfuturefoundation.org. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram. SOURCE Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future Peter D. Leary to Join Firm's White Collar Litigation and Investigations Practice ATLANTA, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Peter D. Leary, former U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, has joined Troutman Pepper Locke's White Collar Litigation and Investigations Practice in Atlanta. Leary began serving as U.S. Attorney in 2020 and was responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the Middle District of Georgia, including Albany, Athens, Columbus, Macon, and Valdosta. Peter Leary, partner, Troutman Pepper Locke "Having had the privilege of working closely with Peter in the past, I am thrilled to welcome him to our team and look forward to collaborating with him once again," said Charlie Peeler, managing partner of Troutman Pepper Locke's Atlanta office, who served as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia from 2017 to 2020. "Peter's deep understanding of both criminal and civil government enforcement actions, combined with his established relationships within the Georgia business, legal, and law enforcement communities, will undoubtedly be a tremendous asset to our clients, our investigations practice here in Atlanta, and across the firm." As the chief federal law enforcement official for a district encompassing 70 counties and a population of approximately two million people, Leary was instrumental in leading high-profile investigations and prosecutions. Additionally, he was an active member of several Attorney General Advisory Committee (AGAC) subcommittees, contributing in areas such as cyber and intellectual property, terrorism and national security, violent and organized crime, and environmental justice. "Peter's background in high-stakes litigation and government processes will enhance our firm's capabilities in defending clients against criminal liability and navigating complex legal challenges," said Allison O'Neil, leader of Troutman Pepper Locke's White Collar Litigation and Investigations Practice. "His experience in cybercrime and incident response, particularly his work as the U.S. Attorney Office's Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property prosecutor and National Security Cyber Specialist, makes him a critical asset to our cybersecurity and data breach efforts." Before becoming the U.S. Attorney, Leary served as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney from 2018 to 2020, managing the office's criminal, civil, appellate, and administrative divisions. He began his career with the Department of Justice in 2007 as an Honors Program trial attorney in the Civil Division's Federal Programs Branch, where he defended executive actions and the constitutionality of acts of Congress. Leary's extensive experience also includes serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the criminal division, where he led prosecutions in cases involving computer crimes, fraud, firearms, drugs, and terrorism. Leary earned both his J.D. and his bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia, where he was a Jefferson Scholar. "I am thrilled to become part of Troutman Pepper Locke's White Collar Litigation and Investigations team," Leary said. "With my background in both criminal and civil enforcement actions, I am committed to providing our clients with the highest level of legal representation and strategic counsel. I look forward to leveraging my government experience to help clients navigate complex enforcement actions and investigations." Troutman Pepper Locke's White Collar Litigation and Investigations Practice Group includes former government prosecutors, in-house compliance counsel, and seasoned white collar defense attorneys who resolve sensitive government investigations and proceedings. The team has decades of experience handling high-stakes civil and criminal government investigations throughout the U.S. and are able to respond quickly to minimize risk. Troutman Pepper Locke Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com . SOURCE Troutman Pepper Locke LLP Leading Physical Therapy Franchise Finished the Year with 80 Openings and 620 Total Clinics; Celebrates Accolades from Entrepreneur Magazine, Franchise Business Review and Inc.com SARASOTA, Fla., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers , the country's fastest-growing FYZICAL therapy franchise, is celebrating an outstanding 2024 with the opening of 80 new clinics and 57 new franchise agreements signed throughout the year. Clinic openings in Boise, ID, Cypress, TX, Sparks, NV, and Escanaba, MI, among other markets, have propelled the brand to 620 total locations, bringing the company's innovative and personalized approach to patient care to dozens of new communities across the country. The 57 new agreements, comprising 124 new units sold, also prime the company for a successful 2025, as franchise partners develop locations in territories such as Idaho, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Missouri. Among these new owners are Darshan Mukeshbhai and his wife Stuti Sunikumar Mehta, who are opening three locations around Lansdale, PA; Mike Badino and his wife Heather, developing three clinics around Charleston, SC; and Demir Devecigil and Pinar Aypek Turker, slated to open three locations in St. Charles, MO. "The demand for physical therapy will continue to rise as patients discover its wide range of benefits, from rehabilitation to improved performance to overall better quality of life. With FYZICAL's expertise in balance therapy, fall prevention, and pelvic health, along with everything else, we are excited to see the brand growing so rapidly," said Brian Belmont, CEO of FYZICAL. "We are extremely proud of the accomplishments we made in 2024, and could not have done it without the hard work of our talented franchise partners, physical therapists, staff, and the thousands of patients who trust our personalized approach to care day in and day out." FYZICAL's innovative approach to physical therapy, dedication to balance and fall prevention, and its comprehensive franchise business model have resulted in a slew of new accolades for the brand in 2024. These awards include Franchise Business Review's Top 100 Best Franchise Culture and Top Recession-Proof Franchise rankings, which are based on franchisee satisfaction surveys. Most recently, the brand was ranked at #192 on Entrepreneur's coveted 2025 Franchise 500 list, ranking #1 in the Physical Therapy category. The Franchise 500 list is widely regarded as a premier benchmark in the franchise industry, ranking brands based on its 46-year-old rigorous evaluation criteria. These include costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial performance. As FYZICAL looks to 2025, the brand is actively seeking qualified franchisees and area representatives in Palm Beach County, FL, Kansas City, MO, Cleveland, OH and more. Individuals with a genuine passion for making a positive impact on others' lives are encouraged to explore the opportunity, regardless of experience in the industries of physical therapy or business ownership. FYZICAL is proud to offer the Partnership Advantage Program, which connects licensed physical therapists with aspiring entrepreneurs to build, establish, and grow FYZICAL clinics together. To learn more about franchising opportunities with FYZICAL, visit fyzicalfranchise.com. To schedule an appointment at a clinic near you, visit fyzical.com. About FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers: FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers stands at the forefront of the health and wellness industry as the nation's fastest-growing physical therapy franchise, boasting an extensive network of over 620 locations that span across 46 states. Committed to a holistic approach, FYZICAL provides top-notch, personalized care plans to treat patients of all ages experiencing muscle, joint, and neurological conditions including balance and vestibular issues. As an advocate for patient choice and direct access, FYZICAL empowers individuals to take control of their well-being to achieve optimal physical health and balance. For more information about FYZICAL or to find the nearest location, visit fyzical.com. Media Contact: David Robertson, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] SOURCE FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers Dr. Raymond Miller, Head of Corporate Communications at GenScript, officially opened the forum with a keynote focused on the advancements and future of human cell therapeutics. His remarks highlighted significant progress in gene therapies for Type 1 diabetes, referencing FDA-approved treatments like Lantidra, and new approaches in clinical evaluation including Sana Biotechnologies new islet replacement therapy. The FDA has approved 42 gene and cell therapies to date, addressing various diseases. Investment in gene therapies reached $10.9 billion in the first half of 2024, signaling a promising future for the industry. The featured speaker, Thomas Whitehead, President and Co-founder of the Emily Whitehead Foundation, delivered a powerful speech about his family's journey with CAR-T cell therapy. He shared the story of his daughter, Emily, who became the first pediatric patient to receive CAR-T cell therapy at the age of five after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Following 22 months of unsuccessful chemotherapy, Emily's CAR-T treatment led to remission in just 23 days, and she has been cancer-free for over 12 years. Now, the Emily Whitehead Foundation, along with other organizations, supports CAR-T therapy through various initiatives. They work to improve global cell therapy accessibility by sharing personal stories and advocating for better access to advanced therapies worldwide. Dr. Carl June, Professor of Immunotherapy in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, detailed the evolution and advancements in CAR-T cell therapy. His discussion covered early trials in the late 1980s leading to FDA approval in 2017. Key milestones include the first patient treated in 2010, the development of efficient T-cell culture systems, and the use of lentivirus for gene transfer. Over 1,000 trials are ongoing, with significant progress in treating blood cancers. CAR-T cell therapy has treated about 50,000 patients so far. Dr. June then expanded on the future forms of CAR-T cell therapies including dual CARs and T-cell redirected cytokine killer (TRUCK) cells, which showed promising results in relapsed lymphoma and glioblastoma. He also discussed the potential expanded use of CAR-T cells in treating autoimmune diseases and additional cancers. Dr. Peter Marks, Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), discussed the agency's efforts to advance the development of gene therapy. His discussion focused on advancements in COVID therapy and gene therapy at the FDA. Key points included the approval of 22 CAR-T cells, with refined box warnings indicating a low risk of secondary T cell malignancies. Decentralized manufacturing of CAR-T cells is gaining traction, facilitated by automated systems. CRISPR's role in enabling multiple gene edits in allogeneic CAR-T cells was highlighted, potentially reducing costs and improving efficacy. The FDA is exploring accelerated approval pathways and international regulatory harmonization to expedite gene therapy development. Platform technologies and synthetic biology are seen as key to scaling gene therapy production and reducing costs, with a vision of addressing many rare diseases in the future. Following the keynote speeches, GenScript's event featured multiple panel discussions that delved into the future of cell and gene therapy, biomanufacturing, and CAR-T development. In the first discussion, led by Dr. Vincent Xiang of 7G BioVentures, experts shared optimistic visions for 2025, highlighting global innovation, particularly from China and Japan, and the invaluable contribution of patient data to advancing therapy effectiveness. Despite technical and market challenges, panelists emphasized a steadfast commitment to making therapies safe and accessible and stressed the importance of communicating the transformative power of these innovations to the public and investors. The expert panelists included Alan Bash, Bin Li, Joshua Resnick, Caroline Stout, and Yan Zhu. During the second panel discussion led by Dr. Matthew Pillar, Chief Editor of Bioprocess Online, experts dove deep into the future of biomanufacturing. They highlighted several key points: automation and robotics are set to revolutionize the manufacturing of advanced therapies, enhancing efficiency and precision; the promising potential of in vivo development of CAR-T cells, which could transform treatment paradigms; a strong emphasis on building robust infrastructure to expedite high-quality product delivery to patients while reducing costs; and the expanding reach of cellular therapies beyond cancer to tackle autoimmune diseases, necessitating innovation in manufacturing processes to meet rising demand. The panelists included Jason Bock, Jonathan H. Esensten, M.D., Ph.D., Rey (Reut) Mali, Hari Pujar, Michael Vreeland, MS, and Hing W. The third panel discussion on CAR-T cell development were shared under the expert guidance of BioSpace's Lori Ellis. Industry leaders discussed how these therapies are reshaping the field of cell and gene therapy, addressing diseases at their source, and offering hope to many patients. They emphasized the critical role of innovation and creative problem-solving in overcoming current obstacles, and considered the potential expansion of CAR-T applications beyond cancer. The discussion also touched on bedside manufacturingproducing CAR-T cells on-site to improve patient care and outcomesand the importance of fail-safe technologies to enhance treatment reliability. Throughout the conversation, the panelists underlined the necessity of a patient-centric approach, valuing the insights of patients, doctors, and payers as essential for the future development of cell therapies. GenScript's successful 2025 JPM Global Forum brought together experts who shared critical insights and strategies to advance the fields of cell and gene therapies. GenScript looks forward to next year's event, anticipating strong interest and continued discussions on advancements in the industry. About GenScript Founded in 2002 in New Jersey, GenScript Biotech Corporation accelerates innovation in healthcare and consumer goods by providing researchers and companies with the building blocks needed to develop groundbreaking treatments and products. Guided by its mission to make people and nature healthier through biotechnology, and its role as a trusted global leader, GenScript has a team of over 5,000 employees and has served more than 200,000 customers across 100 countries. Learn more here. Media Contact: Michelle Simayi 732-427-2987 [email protected] SOURCE GenScript Biotech Corporation Verified Market Research a leading provider of business intelligence and market analysis is thrilled to announce the release of its comprehensive and authoritative report on the, "Geriatric Care Services Market Size and Forecast," Designed for industry leaders, healthcare providers, and senior care innovators. The report provides in-depth insights into the market dynamics, emerging trends, and growth drivers shaping this critical industry. LEWES, Del., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Geriatric Care Services Market Size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.98% from 2024 to 2031, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 1.10 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 2.03 Billion by the end of the forecast period. The global geriatric population is growing rapidly, according to a World Health Organization report published in September 2024, the global population aged 60 and up is expected to double from 1 billion in 2020 to 2.1 billion in 2050. This demographic shift is fueling demand for tailored care services, creating lucrative opportunities across the healthcare, insurance, and caregiving sectors. Key Insights of the Report Include: Market Size & Forecast : Detailed analysis of the current market valuation and projections through 2024 to 2031, helping businesses strategize their long-term plans. : Detailed analysis of the current market valuation and projections through 2024 to 2031, helping businesses strategize their long-term plans. Trends & Innovations : Exploration of technological advancements and service innovations driving growth in geriatric care. : Exploration of technological advancements and service innovations driving growth in geriatric care. Segment Insights : Comprehensive breakdown of market segments, including home care, institutional care, and adult day care services. : Comprehensive breakdown of market segments, including home care, institutional care, and adult day care services. Regional Analysis : Deep dive into growth patterns across North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and other key regions. : Deep dive into growth patterns across , , , and other key regions. Competitive Landscape: Profiling of leading players and an analysis of strategies that give them a competitive edge. Why This Report Matters? Healthcare Providers seeking to expand their service offerings. seeking to expand their service offerings. Senior Care Innovators aiming to align with consumer preferences and market demands. aiming to align with consumer preferences and market demands. Investors and Venture Capitalists evaluating high-potential growth sectors. evaluating high-potential growth sectors. Government Agencies planning infrastructure and policy frameworks for aging populations. Stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving Geriatric Care Services Market. For more information or to request a sample copy of the report, please visit: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample/?rid=30804 Browse in-depth TOC on "Global Geriatric Care Services Market Size" 202 - Pages 126 Tables 37 Figures Report Scope REPORT ATTRIBUTES DETAILS STUDY PERIOD 2021-2031 GROWTH RATE CAGR of ~7.98% from 2024 to 2031 BASE YEAR FOR VALUATION 2024 HISTORICAL PERIOD 2021-2023 FORECAST PERIOD 2024-2031 QUANTITATIVE UNITS Value in USD Billion REPORT COVERAGE Historical and Forecast Revenue Forecast, Historical and Forecast Volume, Growth Factors, Trends, Competitive Landscape, Key Players, Segmentation Analysis SEGMENTS COVERED Product Type Service Application REGIONS COVERED North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa KEY PLAYERS Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., AstraZeneca PLC, Pfizer, Inc., Allergan, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., AstraZeneca PLC, Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Octapharma AG CUSTOMIZATION Report customization along with purchase available upon request Global Geriatric Care Services Market Overview Rapidly Aging Global Population: The growing older population worldwide is a major driver of the Geriatric Care Services Market. With the number of people aged 60 and older predicted to exceed 1.5 billion by 2050, the demand for specialized care services is increasing rapidly. This trend opens up lucrative potential for suppliers of home care, assisted living, and institutional care. Organizations that invest in scalable and creative solutions will profit from robust growth, placing themselves as leaders in a rapidly expanding market. Rising Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: The rising prevalence of chronic disorders such as Alzheimer's, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease among the elderly is driving up demand for geriatric care services. This tendency demands comprehensive medical and non-medical support systems, which promote innovation and collaboration throughout the healthcare ecosystem. Stakeholders in the Geriatric Care Services Market who match their services to address these needs will gain market share and drive long-term profitability. Advancements in Home-Based Healthcare Technology: Remote monitoring, telemedicine, and wearable gadgets have transformed the Geriatric Care Services Market. These advances improve care accessibility and efficiency while lowering costs, establishing home-based care as a viable alternative to traditional institutional settings. Companies that integrate these technologies into their service portfolios are poised to attract a bigger consumer base and achieve sustained growth in a tech-driven environment. To Purchase a Comprehensive Report Analysis: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/select-licence/?rid=30804 Market Restraint: High Cost of Geriatric Care Services: The rising cost of geriatric care services presents a considerable barrier, especially for low-income households. Institutional care, in-home services, and specialized therapies are frequently out of reach for the average consumer, restricting market penetration. To overcome this hurdle and drive market expansion, players in the Geriatric Care Services Market must address cost-effectiveness through novel pricing structures and insurance agreements. Workforce Shortages in Senior Care: A key constraint in the Geriatric Care Services Market is a lack of skilled caregivers. The growing demand for aged care exceeds the supply of skilled experts, resulting in service gaps and quality concerns. Companies that engage in worker training, development, and retention methods can alleviate this difficulty, assuring consistent service delivery and promoting themselves as trustworthy partners in senior care. Limited Awareness and Accessibility: Limited knowledge of geriatric care services and limited infrastructure in rural and disadvantaged areas impede market expansion. Many families are unaware of creative alternatives or lack access to the essential resources. Organizations in the Geriatric Care Services Market must focus on outreach, education, and regional expansion to bridge these gaps, boosting market reach and consumer engagement. Geographical Dominance North America dominates the Geriatric Care Services Market due to its aging population, strong healthcare infrastructure, and widespread awareness of elder care services. Europe follows suit, with considerable government funding for elderly welfare. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific is experiencing significant expansion, fueled by a large senior population and more healthcare investment. Regional dominance influences competitive strategy, with significant firms focusing on specialized offers to fulfill various demographic and economic needs. Key Players The "Global Geriatric Care Services Market" study report will provide a valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., AstraZeneca PLC, Pfizer, Inc., Allergan, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., AstraZeneca PLC, Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Octapharma AG. Geriatric Care Services Market Segment Analysis Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented market into Product Type, Service, Application and Geography. Geriatric Care Services Market, by Product Type: Housing & Assistive Devices Pharmaceuticals Geriatric Care Services Market, by Service: Homecare Institutional Care Geriatric Care Services Market, by Application: Respiratory Diseases Diabetes Osteoporosis Heart Diseases Geriatric Care Services Market, by Geography North America U.S Canada Mexico Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific ROW Middle East & Africa Latin America Browse Related Reports: Global Topical Pain Relief Market Size By Distribution Channel (Pharmacies and Drug Stores, E-commerce), End-User (Opioids, Non-Opioids), Gender (Women, Men), Conditions (Acute Pain, Chronic Pain), Formulation (Cream, Gel), Age Group (Adults (18-64 Years), Geriatric (65 Years And Above), By Geography, And Forecast Global Cardiovascular Information System Market Size By System Type (CVIS, Cardiology PACS), By Applications (Catheterization, Echocardiography, ECG Studies/Holter monitoring, Electrophysiology, Pacemaker/ICD, Nuclear Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Center, Heart Failure Centers), By Components (Software, Services), By End-User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers), By Geography, And Forecast Global Point-Of-Care Molecular Diagnostics Market Size By Product & Service (Assays & Kits, Instruments & Analyzers, Software & Services), By Technology (RT-PCR, INAAT), By Application (Cancer, Infectious Diseases, Hematology, Endocrinology), By End-user (Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic Centers), By Geography, And Forecast Global Healthcare Facilities Management Market Size By Type (Waste Management, Security Services, Catering Services, Cleaning Services), By End-User (Hospitals and Clinics, Long-term Healthcare Facilities), By Geography, And Forecast Top Consumer Healthcare Companies improving consumer lives pole to pole Visualize Geriatric Care Services Market using Verified Market Intelligence -: Verified Market Intelligence is our BI Enabled Platform for narrative storytelling in this market. VMI offers in-depth forecasted trends and accurate Insights on over 20,000+ emerging & niche markets, helping you make critical revenue-impacting decisions for a brilliant future. VMI provides a holistic overview and global competitive landscape with respect to Region, Country, Segment, and Key players of your market. Present your Market Report & findings with an inbuilt presentation feature saving over 70% of your time and resources for Investor, Sales & Marketing, R&D, and Product Development pitches. VMI enables data delivery In Excel and Interactive PDF formats with over 15+ Key Market Indicators for your market. About Us Verified Market Research stands at the forefront as a global leader in Research and Consulting, offering unparalleled analytical research solutions that empower organizations with the insights needed for critical business decisions. 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This approach allows for actionable insights to be furnished by seasoned analysts, equipping clients with the essential knowledge necessary for critical revenue decisions across these varied and vital industries. Verified Market Research is also a member of ESOMAR, an organization renowned for setting the benchmark in ethical and professional standards in market research. This affiliation highlights VMR's dedication to conducting research with integrity and reliability, ensuring that the insights offered are not only valuable but also ethically sourced and respected worldwide. Contact Us Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Verified Market Research US: +1 (650)-781-4080 US Toll Free: +1 (800)-782-1768 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/ Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2483702/Market_Research_Intellect_Logo.jpg SOURCE Verified Market Research BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $750,000 in technical assistance to assess the wind potential for renewable energy development in Turkmenistan, Trend reports via ADB's technical report "Evaluation of Wind Potential for Renewable Energy Development". According to the information, the technical assistance is aimed at supporting the government of Turkmenistan in the development of wind energy in order to diversify the energy balance and reduce dependence on natural gas. Moreover, the technical assistance will focus on creating an enabling environment for wind energy development by providing advice on policy, legal, and regulatory reforms; developing a wind energy development plan; confirming the availability of wind resources; and preparing up to six pre-feasibility studies, including two commercial projects. In addition, the technical assistance will provide the Ministry of Energy with tools to strengthen the management and implementation capacity of wind energy projects. This will contribute to Turkmenistan's transition to sustainable development and fulfillment of renewable energy targets. "Turkmenistan has the fourth largest natural gas reserves in the world, and the country's energy sector is highly dependent on gas as the main fuel for electricity generation. In 2023, electricity production totaled more than 31.0 terawatt hours, of which 9.3 terawatt hours were exported. However, dependence on gas limits the diversity of the energy mix and makes the country vulnerable to changes in global gas markets. It also makes it difficult to meet Turkmenistan's climate commitments. Turkmenistan has significant potential for renewable energy, especially solar and wind energy. However, these opportunities remain unrealized. Low prices for electricity from natural gas hinder the attraction of private investment and the implementation of renewable energy projects. The development of renewable energy sources, especially wind and solar, is a priority for Turkmenistan. However, the country still lacks clear targets in this area. Political and regulatory support is needed to create an environment conducive to private sector participation," the information says. ADB emphasizes that the technical assistance supports the bank's 2024-2028 strategy in Turkmenistan, as well as Turkmenistan's national renewable energy strategy until 2030. "It contributes to the fulfillment of national commitments under the Paris Agreement. Building on ADB's experience in implementing renewable energy projects, the technical assistance will apply successful practices in scoping studies, capacity building, and grid integration assessment. The technical assistance complements other ADB initiatives in Turkmenistan, including energy efficiency improvements and low-carbon transition. The data and technical knowledge generated will support the country's transition to sustainable energy. Through technical assessments, feasibility studies, policy recommendations, and capacity building, the technical assistance will provide the government with tools for wind energy development, laying the foundation for long-term energy sustainability," the information notes. The objective of the technical assistance is to diversify and sustain Turkmenistan's energy mix by integrating wind energy. The expected result is increased readiness to implement wind energy projects. "The preparation of a national wind energy development plan includes analyzing the current energy mix and wind potential, identifying targets and capacity by 2030 or 2040, and developing a legal and regulatory framework to attract investment and private sector participation. The total cost of the technical assistance is $750,000, which is financed on a grant basis from ADB. The Turkmen government is providing support in the form of staffing, office space, and transportation. DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Commercial Vehicle Outlook 2025, Global medium & heavy commercial vehicle sales were 3.3 million units in 2024 and are projected to be 3.5 million units by 2025, witnessing a YoY growth of 4.4% from 2024 to 2025, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growth of commercial vehicle sales is influenced by various factors, such as the Integration of Autonomous Technologies, Advancements in Energy Storage Systems (ESS), the emerging concept of Second Life Battery, and advancements in electrification and battery technologies. Countries such as China, Brazil, South Korea, and India have increased their investments in the development of the automotive industry including commercial vehicles due to their growing urban population and economies. Due to such investments, the demand for commercial vehicles will be higher during the forecast period. Download an Illustrative overview: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=260284800 Browse in-depth TOC on "Global Commercial Vehicle Outlook 2025" 42 - Tables 42 - Figures 42 - Pages Hydrogen propulsions are anticipated to witness significant growth in 2025 Strong growth is anticipated in the hydrogen propulsions in the upcoming years in the commercial vehicles sector. In 2025, fuel cell technology and hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2ICE) will drive a shift in the commercial vehicle market towards sustainable mobility, supported by major investments from companies like Volvo, Stellantis, Tata Motors, Reliance, Cummins, Deutz, PACCAR, and MAN. Government policies and infrastructure developments, such as India's Green Hydrogen Mission and California's renewable hydrogen initiatives, are estimated to further accelerate the adoption of the technology. For instance, Volvo plans to launch hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine trucks with High-Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) technology by the end of this decade and will begin on-road tests in 2026. Increasing focus on EV Infrastructure to propel the demand for BEVs There have been significant investments in the EV infrastructure which are expected to propel the market for Battery electric trucks and buses. A few developments in the sector include the EU AFIR mandates for at least 350 kW HDV chargers every 60 km on the TEN-T network by 2025, resulting in boosting infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles. Nearly USD 4.2 billion in the US was spent as a private investment to support the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy for utility and regulatory planning including HDV charging infrastructure. ZF introduced the CeTrax 2 dual electric central drive in September 2024, enabling OEMs to produce electric heavy-duty trucks (up to 44 tonnes) with minimal platform changes. All these developments to improve the global charging infrastructure will boost the market for battery electric commercial vehicles. Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest market in 2025 Asia Pacific region holds the major share in the sales volume of CV. The major factor is the intensive manufacturing and export of vehicles in China combined with the recent developments focused on EV charging technologies and technologies for battery swapping for EVs. A few advancements in the region include, CATL launching its new Tectrans series of batteries for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, offering supercharging, long-life, and long-range, Axrad Renew Power Agri Machine's (India) development of an electric self-charging commercial vehicle (E-SCV) featuring a Sodium-ion battery, solar panels, and lightweight composite materials. In China, battery swapping is emerging as a key trend, with Nio and CATL expanding their networks to address range anxiety and lower EV costs for urban and fleet users. China is the most dominant country in the commercial vehicle industry in terms of sales and supply of raw materials and components. The country also has a well-established supply chain of Electric commercial vehicles and their batteries, due to which over 60-65% of them are manufactured in China. With these developments in alternate powertrain technologies, domestic players are expanding their network in neighboring Asian countries and other worlds. Furthermore, India is another promising market that showed significant uptake of ICE as well as electric CVs in 2024. This is mainly due to domestic public transportation which continued to add electric buses onto their fleet. Japan, South Korea, and other South Asian countries are following a similar trend, which supports the dominance of the Asia Pacific region in 2025 for the commercial vehicles segment. Key Market Players Global Commercial Vehicle Outlook 2025: The top commercial vehicle OEMs in the market are TATA Motors (India), AB Volvo (Sweden), Daimler AG (Germany), PACCAR Inc. (US), HINO (Japan), IVECO S.p.A (Italy), MAN (Germany), and Ashok Leyland (India). The other companies that support the automobile industry with technology development are CATL, Robert Bosch, ZF, and others. These companies adopted new product launches, acquisitions, partnerships, collaborations, and other key strategies to gain traction in the commercial vehicle market. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=260284800 This report provides insights on: Analysis of key developments in 2024 and 2025 (electrification and advancements in battery technology, advanced energy storage systems (ESS)/ second life battery, fleet management & connected services, integration of autonomous technologies, impact of geo-politics on the CV industry, reshoring, and nearshoring). Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, research & development activities, and new product & service launches in the commercial vehicle market Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets the report analyses the commercial vehicle market across varied regions Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about the diversification of supply chains, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the commercial vehicle market Competitive Assessment: Assessment of key players, their sales in 2024, and future growth possibilities in ICE and electric vehicle segments inclusive of fuel-cell and battery electric heavy commercial vehicles. Related Reports: Electric Commercial Vehicle Market Electric Bus Market EV Charging Station Market Get access to the latest updates on Global Automotive Industry Outlook Companies and Global Commercial Vehicle Outlook 2025 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets Inc. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets First of a kind high-performance, mass-market Short-wave Infrared (SWIR) solution to accelerate next generation imaging, sensing, and computing. BOSTON, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- InPHRED, a pioneer of advanced semiconductor technologies, announced the world's first cost-effective, mass-market Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) today. This groundbreaking milestone sets a new standard for SWIR VCSELs, opening up transformative possibilities in a range of industries, including consumer 3D and AR/VR sensing, industrial and biomedical sensing, autonomous vehicles, telecommunications, and defense. The first SWIR VCSEL sensor (the SA-series) is currently available at 1,380nm (custom wavelengths between 1,300nm and 2,200nm available upon request), with mW operating power and peak conversion efficiency (PCE) over 27%. "Achieving this level of power efficiency is a game-changer," said Jacob Tarn, CEO of InPHRED. "Our SWIR VCSELs are now ready to enable advancements in applications that require high precision and reliability, at commercial scale, and meeting industrial and environmental qualifications." Industry Impact For the past 30 years, the semiconductor industry has sought an affordable and manufacturable SWIR VCSEL to enable high-speed, high-resolution imaging and sensing in the eye-safe, high-resolution, and biologically-sensitive SWIR emission range. However, previous technologies have faced limitations of achievable power efficiency and commercial scalability. By developing a simple, scalable manufacturing process for InP VCSELs emitting between 1,300-2,200 nm wavelengths, InPHRED is poised to lead the market in delivering high-performance, commercially-viable SWIR VCSELs. This breakthrough addresses the critical needs of automotive, biomedical, industrial, defense, and data communications applications, where robust, high-precision sensing capabilities are essential. Applications InPHRED's sensor combines the high imaging clarity and resolution of SWIR wavelengths with the superior efficiency, modulation speed, and manufacturability (yield, cost, scale, integration) of VCSELs. Consumer & Mobile : SWIR VCSELs enable consumer and mobile 3D sensing, Augmented/Virtual Reality, proximity sensing, biometric identification (FaceID) and more, with under-display integration, lightweight form factor, and low power consumption. : SWIR VCSELs enable consumer and mobile 3D sensing, Augmented/Virtual Reality, proximity sensing, biometric identification (FaceID) and more, with under-display integration, lightweight form factor, and low power consumption. Biomedical Sensing : SWIR VCSELs unlock affordable, externally wearable, non-invasive sensors to monitor many biomolecules (e.g. blood glucose, blood oxygen, cortisol, etc.) that are optically responsive in the SWIR wavelength range. : SWIR VCSELs unlock affordable, externally wearable, non-invasive sensors to monitor many biomolecules (e.g. blood glucose, blood oxygen, cortisol, etc.) that are optically responsive in the SWIR wavelength range. Autonomous LiDAR : SWIR VCSELs uniquely provide eye-safe, high-depth, high-quality 3D object imaging and mapping for automotive and industrial LiDAR (> 200m range)even in adverse low-light environmental conditions such as ran, fog, and dust, where traditional camera vision fails. : SWIR VCSELs uniquely provide eye-safe, high-depth, high-quality 3D object imaging and mapping for automotive and industrial LiDAR (> range)even in adverse low-light environmental conditions such as ran, fog, and dust, where traditional camera vision fails. Industrial Sensing : SWIR VCSELs offer enhanced precision for material inspection and quality control in a range of agricultural, manufacturing, and environmental settings. : SWIR VCSELs offer enhanced precision for material inspection and quality control in a range of agricultural, manufacturing, and environmental settings. Data Communications: SWIR VCSELs have low divergence, high optical output, and can attain high modulation speeds, making them well-suited for optical interconnects. About Us InPHRED commercializes next-generation semiconductor solutions based on Yale University technology, and the SWIR VCSEL joins their existing product portfolio, which also includes blue (470-490nm) and green (550nm) Resonant Cavity Light-Emitting Diodes (RC-LEDs). Representatives will be attending the SPIE Photonics West exhibition (January 27-30, 2025) in San Francisco, USA, at the Moscone Convention Center. To schedule a meeting, or for all other business or product inquiries, please contact [email protected]. SOURCE INPHRED HOUSTON, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IntelliGenome, an innovative molecular diagnostic solutions provider, is pleased to announce that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Device Designation to its CRISPR-Tuberculosis (TB) Blood Test. This test is the first qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to combine CRISPR technology, designed to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) cell-free DNA in human serum and EDTA plasma. To detect low-abundant CfDNA of Mtb in blood samples by using the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) diagnostic technology, is the culmination of over a decade of research by Professor Tony Hu's research group at Tulane University. Building on this innovation, IntelliGenome has developed the world's first molecular diagnostic platform capable of detecting low-abundance target nucleic acids in blood. This platform allows for highly precise detection of disease-specific cell-free DNA (cfDNA), making it ideal for early disease diagnosis and public screening. The CRISPR-TB Blood test is suitable for all patient groups and provides accurate, rapid, and cost-effective diagnosis of both pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). Intended for use in CLIA-certified laboratories, the test's highly sensitive platform directly identifies species-specific TB cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequences from blood samples. By eliminating the need for sputum collection, it overcomes challenges in diagnosing vulnerable populations, including pediatric, geriatric, and critically ill patients. "The FDA's recognition of IntelliGenome's CRISPR-TB Blood Test as a Breakthrough Device is a testament to the transformative potential of CRISPR-based diagnostics. It's rewarding to see innovative science like this making a tangible difference in healthcare." Professor Tony Hu, Tulane University. "The FDA's Breakthrough Device Designation for our CRISPR-TB Blood Test is a significant milestone for IntelliGenome. This recognition highlights our commitment to advancing innovative, accessible solutions for tuberculosis diagnosis and improving patient outcomes." Wilson Zhang MD MSc, CEO of IntelliGenome. The FDA Breakthrough Devices Program aims to expedite the development, evaluation, and approval of innovative technologies designed to address irreversibly debilitating conditions effectively. With FDA guidance and the Breakthrough Device Designation secured by the end of 2024, IntelliGenome is well-positioned to accelerate its multicenter clinical study, with sites in the United States, Mexico, Germany in 2025. About IntelliGenome IntelliGenome is a Houston-based molecular diagnostic solutions provider founded in July 2022. The mission is to advance disease detection and treatment by commercializing the CRISPR detection platform technology. The advanced platform facilitates precise direct measurement and quantification of active disease elements, offering healthcare providers essential insights for treatment monitoring and the optimization of drug efficacy. By harnessing the power of CRISPR technology, we are revolutionizing the field of disease diagnostics. For more information, please visit: www.intelligenome-us.com Business Contact: Jack Davis Email: [email protected] Website: www.intelligenome-us.com Media Contact: Krystal Tu Media Contact Email: [email protected] SOURCE IntelliGenome GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Minesto, leading ocean energy developer, welcomes stakeholders, authorities, business community as well as the public and media to a seminar on the Faroe Islands' opportunity to reach 100% renewable energy by unlocking the power of the Faroese tides. The seminar will take place on 3 February 2025, 16.30-18.15 at the Nordic House in Torshavn, Faroe Islands. Warm welcome to the Nordic House to take part in Minesto's afternoon seminar on the Faroe Islands' opportunity to reach 100% renewable energy by unlocking the power of the Faroese tides. The program includes an introduction of the company and the technology, and how the Faroe Islands is pioneering tidal energy, evolving into a role model for islands and ocean economies around the world in the global energy transition. Minesto's CEO Dr Martin Edlund will present a 200MW buildout ambition. To follow, an invited panel will discuss the advantages and challenges ahead. Light refreshments will be provided. The event is open to the public and free-of-charge to attend. The presentation and discussions will be held in English. Please register your attendance here prior to the event: Registration for Minesto Seminar 3 February at Nordic House "Our vision for a sustainable energy system in the Faroe Islands - unlocking one of the world's most valuable tidal resource": Date: 3rd February 2025, Monday Time: 16.30-18:15 Venue: Nordic House, Torshavn Address: Norari Ringvegur 14, 100 Torshavn CONTACT: Press contact Cecilia Sernhage, Chief Communications Officer +46 735 23 71 58 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/minesto-ab/r/invitation-to-minesto-seminar--3-february-2025-at-nordic-house-in-the-faroe-islands,c4094174 The following files are available for download: Special Pricing of $99 is a Sweetheart of a Deal FRANKFORT, Ky., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gifting your valentine their very own custom bourbon just got a little easier with J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery's custom bourbon experience, available online or in person at its distillery in Kentucky. Choose your own bottle, and have it filled with J. Mattingly 1845's double-staved bourbon or rye. Choose your wax colors for the bottle's seal. Then romanticize your personal message for the bottle label. The J. Mattingly 1845 cupids will hand bottle it to your custom specifications and have it shipped to your sweetheart's door just in time for Valentine's Day. Empty old wooden table background with valentines day theme in background Named one of Maxim.com's Top Bourbons of 2024 , J. Mattingly 1845's double-staved bourbon and rye whiskey are created using a proprietary method that adds additional charred oak staves to each barrel at just the right moment in its aging cycle to coax out extra flavor. These custom bottles are made using the same double-staved process, resulting in the same superior taste that whiskey reviewers are praising with descriptions such as "a real bourbon-lovers bourbon" and "thoroughly original and highly flavorful." "The popularity of personalized gifts is on the rise, with 80 percent of consumers believing they are more thoughtful," said Harry Richart IV, president of J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery. "Our personalized bourbon experience, which allows you to choose everything down to what the label will say and the color of the wax on the top, ensures you'll give a gift that is both thoughtful and appreciated." J. Mattingly 1845 Bourbon and its custom bourbon creation experience are available online at jmattingly1845.com and in person at its Distillery in Frankfort, KY. Orders placed by Feb. 3 are guaranteed to arrive by Valentine's Day. Gift cards are available for the online custom bourbon experience and make a perfect date night experience for couples looking for an interactive activity. Prices for the online bottles start at $99 for a 750 mL bottle, a sweetheart of a deal, considering they are usually $155. Shipping is available to 46 U.S. States. About J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery The Mattingly family has been synonymous with distilling in Kentucky for more than two centuries, having a hand in the development of at least nine separate distilleries in the Commonwealth. In 2010 Jeff Mattingly took up the family mantle and started his own craft bourbon business. Today, Jeff's son Cameron has joined the team as Vice President of Production, continuing the legacy into the latest generation for J. Mattingly Distillery 1845 in Frankfort, Kentucky. Together, father and son offer their proprietary double-staving process as well as a custom bourbon blending experience unparalleled in the spirits industry, available on-site in Frankfort or online at www.jmattingly1845.com Media Contact: Amy Preske Booze PR [email protected] SOURCE J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Consulting firm expands Executive in Residence Program to empower colleges and universities MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Attain Partners, a leading management and technology consulting firm, announced today that Jason Belland will join the company to serve as Higher Education Executive in Residence. Mr. Belland joins nonprofit expert Sterrin Bird as part of the firm's Executive in Residence program, which enhances Attain Partners' extensive strategy, management, and technology expertise with real-world tested insights from industry leaders. Mr. Belland is an experienced leader known for his work leveraging cutting-edge technologies to foster student success at both public and private higher education institutions. He will be collaborating closely with Doug Barrow, Managing Director and Higher Education Lead at Attain Partners. Mr. Barrow and his team are part of the Attain Digital practice, led by Reshma Patel-Jackson, Partner, which houses the firm's strategy and technology offerings under one collaborative structure, creating a unique value proposition of holistic support for our clients. Mr. Belland is an expert in his field and a passionate advocate for education as a pathway to opportunity for all. Post this "Jason is not only an expert in his field, but also a passionate advocate for education as a pathway to opportunity for all," said Reshma Patel-Jackson, Partner and Attain Digital Practice Leader. "Leveraging his extensive industry experience, Jason has a unique ability to create tailored solutions to support students by leveraging the power of technology to play a key role in creating access to opportunity. I am thrilled to see the positive impact he will create for our higher ed clients in his new role with Attain Partners." Mr. Belland brings over 20 years of experience in higher education, spanning roles ranging from online learning and instructional design to marketing and CRM, bringing together innovative ideas with new technologies to support student success. His career in higher education began at the University of Massachusetts, Boston and Baruch College, where he collaborated with educators to transform their curriculums to include digital assets and on-demand access increasing accessibility for all students. Mr. Belland then took on a role at Columbia Business School, where he led efforts to modernize and reimagine marketing and CRM strategies for the Executive Education program, implementing one of the first Salesforce solutions at a business school. This groundbreaking work inspired other institutions to leverage Salesforce technology for admissions and marketing. "I've had the privilege of collaborating with Jason, and he is the perfect addition to our team of higher education all-stars," said Doug Barrow, Managing Director and Higher Education Lead. "Jason's infectious passion for education, equity, and student success, combined with his extensive industry experience, enables him to evaluate the business problems of institutions while also applying a lens of empathy and understanding that only an industry insider can bring." Following his success working on college campuses, Mr. Belland became the first higher education product manager for Salesforce, eventually rising to Vice President of Go-To-Market for Education Cloud. Over his eight-year tenure, he led teams that developed solutions enabling colleges and universities to engage, retain, and support learners throughout their educational journeys. "Student success is paramount, especially in today's rapidly evolving higher education landscape," said Greg Baroni, Founder and CEO. "The products and solutions created under Jason's tenure at Salesforce have been implemented by thousands of colleges and universities globally and set the foundation for today's Salesforce Education Cloud. With his deep understanding of the challenges higher education faces, Jason is uniquely equipped to develop outcome-driven solutions that care for the student journey over a lifetime of learning. We are thrilled to welcome Jason to Team Attain as we expand our groundbreaking Executive in Residence program at Attain Partners and look forward to his continued contributions to the higher education community." About Attain Partners Based in McLean, Va., Attain Partners is a leading management and technology consulting firm delivering services and solutions to advance client missions across the education, nonprofit, healthcare, and state and local government landscapes. For more information, please visit attainpartners.com. SOURCE Attain Partners JERICHO, N.Y., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On the first day of the new presidential administration in the United States, global consulting firm J.S. Held unveils its annual report focused on critical areas impacting industries and economies worldwide. Explore the 2025 J.S. Held Global Risk Report here. The 2025 J.S. Held Global Risk Report presents actionable insights that support strategic business decision-making. Post this The 2025 J.S. Held Global Risk Report provides insight into cutting-edge and high-stakes issues facing businesses this year. In the video, Executive Vice President Greg Esslinger shares more about the risks and opportunities covered in the report to help clients anticipate, adapt, and advance in 2025. In an increasingly uncertain and volatile global landscape, businesses, governments, and investors face a growing array of challenges that demand immediate attention and innovative solutions. The 2025 J.S. Held Global Risk Report explores five interconnected topics that organizations must consider in managing risk and opportunity in the year ahead. These include: Sustainability Investments & Headwinds: With various ESG regulations across jurisdictions and increasing scrutiny over corporate environmental and social practices, experts explore how organizations can align with evolving frameworks while driving innovation. Global Supply Chain Challenges: From geopolitical conflicts to climate disruptions, the report analyzes how companies can build more resilient and sustainable supply chains. Crypto & Digital Asset Intensification: As the crypto landscape transitions through regulatory shifts and technological advancements, the report highlights both the risks and opportunities for businesses and investors. Artificial Intelligence, Data & Digital Regulatory Response: With Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems reshaping industries, experts examine the regulatory, ethical, and operational challenges, as well as the competitive advantages for organizations that harness this transformative technology responsibly. Cybersecurity Complexities: From AI-powered cyberattacks to evolving data protection laws, the report provides insights into how organizations can safeguard operations and maintain customer trust in a rapidly shifting digital environment. The 2025 J.S. Held Global Risk Report includes an analysis of these categories of risk and actionable opportunities for companies to gain a competitive edge while addressing critical vulnerabilities. "The 25 technical, scientific, financial, and strategic advisory experts who contributed to the J.S. Held Global Risk Report have collaboratively parsed not only each risk independently but also at their unique points of intersection to create a framework to support business decision-making," noted Greg Esslinger, Executive Vice President and Global Investigations Practice Leader. "Our experts' deep understanding of the external factors related to the topics that keep CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CLOs, and Boards of Directors up at night drives the curated insights shared in the report and helps clients navigate risks and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the year ahead," adds John Peiserich, Esq., Executive Vice President and Environmental, Health, & Safety Practice Leader. The depth and breadth of J.S. Held's work in the insurance market provides a strong foundation in risk assessment, data analysis, global awareness, regulatory compliance, technological adaptability, and risk mitigation. Collectively, these skills better equip the firm's experts to assess business risk across diverse geographies, geopolitical landscapes, compliance frameworks, and digital advancements. "In a world where uncertainty is the only constant, there is a need for something solid you can hold onto," observes J.S. Held Chief Executive Officer Jonathon Held. "Our name is our promise," he adds. "Our role as strategic advisor is emblematic of this promise, even in the face of the most daunting risks, clients have the expertise and guidance to act with confidence." "Agile, collaborative, and creative client-centric teams provide solution-forward advisory to our clients across the globe, no matter the scope or complexity of a project; the J.S. Held Global Risk Report is reflective of the trusted advisor role we have earned over the last 50 years," noted J.S. Held President and Chief Operating Officer Lee Spirer. J.S. Held's expertise in strategic advisory is built upon five decades of experience in the most rigorous venues state, federal, and international courts and spans more than 150 different industry segments. If you have any questions or would like to further discuss the risks and opportunities outlined in the report, please email [email protected]. About J.S. Held J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations. More than 1,500 professionals serve organizations across six continents, including 81% of the Global 200 Law Firms, 70% of the Forbes Top 20 Insurance Companies (85% of the NAIC top 50 Property & Casualty Insurers), and 65% of the Fortune 100 Companies. J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not certified public accounting firm(s) and do not provide audit, attest, or any other public accounting services. J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not law firms and do not provide legal advice. Securities offered through PM Securities, LLC, d/b/a Phoenix IB, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC or Ocean Tomo Investment Group, LLC, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC. All rights reserved. Media Contact Kristi L. Stathis, J.S. Held, +1 786 833 4864, [email protected], JSHeld.com SOURCE J.S. Held Watson previously served as chief operating officer. OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente has announced that Wendy Watson has been named president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of the Northwest effective February 16, 2025, as Jeff Collins retires from the organization. As regional president, Watson will lead the organization's focus on providing integrated, high-quality health care and coverage for more than 612,000 members in Oregon and southwest Washington as well as dental care and coverage for more than 285,000 members. Wendy Watson Watson is a 32-year veteran of Kaiser Permanente of the Northwest, serving the region most recently as chief operating officer. She joined Kaiser Permanente in 1993 and has held a variety of leadership roles across the spectrum of operations, care delivery, and hospital administration, including vice president, Ambulatory Care and Clinical Services; senior director, Primary Care and Behavioral Health; senior director, Resource Stewardship; and Hospital Planning director. "Throughout her distinguished career with Kaiser Permanente of the Northwest, Wendy has exemplified an unwavering commitment to our mission, driving operational and clinical improvements that enhance care and service for our members at every touchpoint," said Janet Liang, executive vice president, group president, and chief operating officer of care delivery for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals. "Her dedication to exceeding member expectations and ensuring high-quality care for total health is truly remarkable." Watson holds a bachelor's degree in molecular biology and a master's degree in public health from Portland State University. She also completed an advanced fellowship with the Health Care Advisory Board in Washington, D.C., and an executive fellowship with the Baldrige Foundation. She is a member of the board of directors for the Hospital Association of Oregon. Watson was named Executive of the Year by the Portland Business Journal in 2022 and has been honored with the Patriot Award by the U.S. Army for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. About Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve nearly 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Kaiser Permanente LIMA, Peru, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kallpa Generacion S.A., a sociedad anonima incorporated under the laws of Peru (the "Company") today announced that it has commenced a cash tender offer (the "Offer") for any and all of its outstanding 4.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (the "Notes"). The Offer is subject to certain conditions, as set forth in the offer to purchase, dated January 21, 2025 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase") and the related Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Notice of Guaranteed Delivery"), including the consummation of the Financing Transaction (as defined below), but is not contingent upon any minimum principal amount of Notes being tendered. Subject to applicable law, the Company may amend, modify or terminate the Offer at any time in its sole discretion. Information related to the Notes and the Offer is listed in the table below. Notes CUSIP / ISIN Nos. Outstanding Principal Amount of Notes(1) Tender Offer Consideration(2) 4.875% Senior Notes due 2026 Rule 144A: 48344F AA8 / US48344FAA84; Reg S: P6040K AB3 / USP6040KAB37 U.S.$350,000,000 U.S.$1,001.50 ____________________ (1) As of the date of the Offer to Purchase. (2) The amount to be paid for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted for purchase (excluding Accrued Interest (as defined below)). Accrued Interest will be paid in addition to the Tender Offer Consideration on the Settlement Date (as defined below). The Tender Offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 27, 2025, unless extended or earlier terminated by the Company in its sole discretion, subject to applicable law (such time and date, as the same may be extended or earlier terminated, the "Expiration Date"). In order to be eligible to receive the Tender Offer Consideration, holders must validly tender (and not validly withdraw) or deliver a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery for their Notes on or prior to the Expiration Date. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Company of all conditions to the consummation of the Offer, payment for the Notes (i) validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Expiration Date (other than Notes tendered in reliance upon the Guaranteed Delivery Procedure (as defined in the Offer to Purchase)) and (ii) with respect to which a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is delivered at or prior to the Expiration Date and, in each case, that are accepted for purchase is expected to be made on the "Settlement Date", which is expected to be on or about January 30, 2025. Holders will receive accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes tendered and accepted for payment in the Offer from and including the last interest payment date up to, but excluding, the Settlement Date (such unpaid interest, together with additional amounts thereon, the "Accrued Interest"). If holders tender their Notes on or prior to the Expiration Date (or the Guaranteed Delivery Expiration Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) for Notes delivered through the Guaranteed Delivery Procedure), they will be eligible to receive the Tender Offer Consideration, plus any applicable Accrued Interest. Notes may be withdrawn any time (i) prior to the earlier of (x) the Expiration Date and (y) in the event that the Offer is extended, the tenth business day after commencement of the Offer, and (ii) after the 60th business day after commencement of the Offer if for any reason the Offer has not been consummated within 60 business days after commencement (such date in clause (i) or (ii), the "Withdrawal Date"), but not thereafter, except as may be required by applicable law. Concurrently with the Offer, the Company is offering (the "Financing Transaction") senior notes (the "New Notes") pursuant to separate documents in a transaction that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Company intends to use a portion of the proceeds from the Financing Transaction to fund the Offer and to pay related fees, premiums and expenses. Neither the Offer to Purchase, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery nor this press release is an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the New Notes. Moreover, on the date hereof and concurrently with the Offer, the Company issued a conditional notice of redemption to Holders of Notes that remain outstanding following the Offer (the "Redemption"). The Redemption is conditioned upon completion of the Financing Transaction. The Company intends to use the remaining net proceeds from the Financing Transaction to fund the Redemption. The Company intends to redeem the Notes that remain outstanding following the Offer at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture governing the Notes. However, no assurance is made herein that the Redemption will be consummated following the Offer, and the Holders are granted no rights hereunder in connection with the Redemption. The Offer does not constitute a notice of redemption or an obligation to issue a notice of redemption. The terms and conditions of the Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. Holders are encouraged to carefully read the Offer to Purchase and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. The Company has retained Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Santander US Capital Markets LLC to act as Dealer Managers for the Offer. D.F. King & Co., Inc. is the information agent (the "Information Agent") and tender agent (the "Tender Agent") for the Offer. Holders who would like additional copies of the Offer to Purchase or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may call or email the Information Agent at (888) 628-9011 (toll-free) or (212) 269-5550 (for banks and brokers) or at [email protected]. Copies of the Offer to Purchase and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery are also available at the following website: www.dfking.com/Kallpa. Questions regarding the Offer should be directed to Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. at (866) 627-0391 (toll free) or (212) 250-2955 (collect), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC at (866) 846-2874 (toll-free) or (212) 834-7279 (collect) or Santander US Capital Markets LLC at (855) 404-3636 (toll-free) or (212) 350-0660 (collect). This press release is for informational purposes only. None of the Offer to Purchase, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery nor any related documents have been filed with or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country, and the Offer to Purchase, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or any related documents have not been reviewed or approved by the Peruvian Superintendency of Securities (Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores), the Lima Stock Exchange (Bolsa de Valores de Lima) or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (Bourse De Luxembourg). No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer to Purchase, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or any related documents, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary. The Offer is being made solely on the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. This press release is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to purchase with respect to any Notes or any other securities. The Offer is being made solely pursuant to the terms of the Offer to Purchase and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. The Offer is not being made to holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. None of the Company, the Dealer Managers or the Information Agent makes any recommendation as to whether holders should tender or refrain from tendering their Notes. Holders should carefully read the Offer to Purchase, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and the related materials, because they contain important information, including the various terms and conditions of the Offer. Holders must make their own decision as to whether to tender Notes and, if so, the principal amount of the Notes to tender. Forward-Looking Statements This document may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are not based on historical facts and are not assurances of future results. These forward-looking statements are identified by terms and phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "continue," "should," "could," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "will" and similar expressions and include references to assumptions and relate to the future prospects, developments and business strategies of the Company. These statements include but are not limited to forward-looking statements about the planned Offer, including whether the Offer is consummated in whole or in part. These estimates and forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and estimates on projections about future events and trends, which affect or may affect the Company's businesses and results of operations. Although the Company believes that these estimates and forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, they are subject to several risks and uncertainties and are made in light of information currently available to the Company. Estimates and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and the Company's future results may differ materially from those expressed in these estimates and forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and you should not place reliance on any forward-looking statement contained in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason. SOURCE Kallpa Generacion S.A. PAYSON, Utah, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Safe proudly announces the addition of the Pro Flex Modular Shelving System to its Colonial Series gun safes, offering customers unparalleled customization and storage versatility. Designed for people seeking superior security and flexibility in their safe, the Colonial with Pro Flex allows for nearly endless shelving configurations to meet a variety of storage needs. Liberty Colonial with Pro Flex "Our Pro Flex modular shelving system gives you the ability to customize your safe," said Dave Foley, Liberty Safe CEO. "Whether you're securing firearms, documents, or other valuables, you can adjust the layout of the shelves to fit your specific needs." The Colonial Series is built in the USA, and delivers 75 minutes of Cool Box fire protection at 1200 F, with a heat-activated door seal to protect contents from smoke and heat. Security features include ultra-strong Solid State locking bars, a Dual Fusion 12-gauge folded steel frame for added rigidity, and a triple-hardened steel plate to resist drill attacks. Each safe includes a UL-listed SECURAM Backlit electronic lock and re-locker mechanisms for enhanced protection. Available in textured, marble, and gloss finishes, the Colonial's stylish exterior complements its highly functional interior. The Pro Flex Modular Shelving System, offered as an optional interior for all Colonial sizes, enhances organization and adaptability. The Colonial Series also includes factory-installed door storage panels and an electrical outlet kit for added convenience. Proudly made in the USA, the Colonial Series reflects Liberty's commitment to quality and craftsmanship, providing customers with best-in-class protection for firearms and valuables. The Colonial Series with Pro Flex Modular Shelving is now available through authorized Liberty Safe dealers. For more information, visit www.libertysafe.com. About Liberty Safe Liberty Safe is the leading manufacturer of safes in the United States, offering a wide range of products renowned for their security, quality, and reliability. They offer gun safes, vault doors, home safes, and handgun vaults engineered to fit a variety of needs. Their 300,000 square foot facility can produce over 800 safes a day at peak capacity. Liberty Safe currently employs nearly 400 skilled Americans in their Payson, Utah facility, and they support hundreds of independent Liberty Safe dealers throughout the USA. For more information, visit www.libertysafe.com. SOURCE Liberty Safe BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Portugals energy transition is the cornerstone of its economic strategy, attracting investments through affordable renewable electricity and hydrogen, said Maria da Graca Carvalho, Portugals Minister of Environment and Energy. She addressed the Geoeconomics of Energy and Materials panel during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Trend reports. We achieved 71% renewables in electricity production last year, including 28% hydro, 27% wind, 10% solar, and 6% biomass. Our ambition is to reach 93% renewables in electricity production and 51% in overall energy consumption, Carvalho said. The minister emphasized the importance of renewable energy in attracting investments and building energy independence. We are focusing heavily on grids, storage, and hydrogen production to enhance competitiveness. Additionally, our collaboration with Spain for an integrated Iberian energy market is key to reducing reliance on external sources, she added. Portugals progress in reducing its dependency on Russian gas was also highlighted. In 2021, 15% of our gas imports came from Russia, but by 2023, this figure dropped to 5%. Our primary suppliers are now Nigeria and the United States, Carvalho noted. Acknowledging the challenges in transport and building energy transitions, Carvalho underscored Portugals commitment to overcoming these hurdles. We aim to implement this transition swiftly and sustainably while further decreasing our reliance on external energy sources, she concluded. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn TSX: MFI www.mapleleaffoods.com MISSISSAUGA, ON, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. ("Maple Leaf Foods" or the "Company") (TSX: MFI) announced today that it will be participating in the 28th Annual CIBC Western Institutional Investor Conference being held in Whistler, British Columbia from January 22 24, 2025. Curtis Frank, Chief Executive Officer and President of Maple Leaf Foods, and Dennis Organ, President, Pork Complex and incoming CEO of Canada Packers, will participate in a Fireside Chat moderated by CIBC analyst, Mark Petrie, beginning at 2:05 p.m. PST (5:05 p.m. EST) on Thursday, January 23, 2025. An audiocast of the Fireside Chat can be accessed through https://cibcvirtual.com/cibcwestern2025ps at the scheduled presentation time. A replay of the audio from the Fireside Chat will be available within 7 days of the event on the Events and Presentations section of the Maple Leaf Foods website at https://www.mapleleaffoods.com/investors/events-and-presentations/. About Maple Leaf Foods Inc. Maple Leaf Foods is a leading protein company responsibly producing food products under leading brands including Maple Leaf, Maple Leaf Prime, Maple Leaf Natural Selections, Schneiders, Mina, Greenfield Natural Meat Co., LightLife and Field Roast. The Company employs approximately 13,500 people and does business primarily in Canada, the U.S. and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario and its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI). SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc. Private family company founded by Frank McCourt will join project with $100M CAD lead investment NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- McCourt Global is proud to announce a strategic partnership with O'Leary Ventures to accelerate the development of Wonder Valley, the groundbreaking AI data center industrial park located in the Greenview Industrial Gateway (GIG) in the MD Greenview Alberta, Canada. McCourt Global has deep experience in developing infrastructures, both digital and physical, including through McCourt Partners, a full-service real estate development, investment, and management firm with a diverse portfolio of large-scale and complex projects. Through this collaboration, MG's long-standing expertise will be leveraged and combined with O'Leary Ventures' innovative vision for the largest AI data center industrial park in the world. Wonder Valley represents a transformative step forward in the global data infrastructure landscape, with plans to deliver 7.5 GW of low-cost power over a phased development. The partnership with McCourt Global aligns two forward-thinking organizations to optimize capital formation, project execution, and to ensure long-term economic impact for Alberta and Canada. Kevin O'Leary, Chairman of O'Leary Ventures, emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration: "Partnering with McCourt Global is a milestone for Wonder Valley and a testament to the shared vision we have for transformative projects. Their expertise in large-scale infrastructure and development will mitigate execution risk and help us accelerate our project timeline and ultimately our speed to market. This project will position Alberta and Canada as a global leader in the AI revolution." Frank McCourt, Executive Chairman of McCourt Global, highlighted the alignment of values and ambitions: "We share Kevin's forward-thinking vision and are eager to collaborate by leveraging our unique expertise in infrastructure, technology, and real estate development to help build a global center of technological excellence in Alberta. We look forward to working with cutting-edge tech companies who will inevitably want to be a part of the project. Most importantly, we are excited to work with the MD of Greenview as well as the local communities to demonstrate that social impact and financial results should go hand-to-hand." Paul Palandjian, CEO of O'Leary Ventures, spoke about the long-term benefits of the alliance: "Frank McCourt is a titan of industry and a real estate legend. We are thrilled to have him on board, shoulder to shoulder with us as we assemble an A-team for the project. His commitment to the project validates our macro thesis that these lands offer an unparalleled opportunity to offer off-grid, clean, low-cost energy to innovative tech companies at a massive scale." The project is still in its early stages and the partnership looks forward to working together with the local indigenous communities as the process moves forward. With shared commitments to innovation, sustainability, and community engagement, O'Leary Ventures and McCourt Global are set to redefine what is possible in large-scale industrial projects. About O'Leary Ventures O'Leary Ventures is an asset management platform with a diverse team of investment experts with backgrounds as operators, investors and fiduciaries across a broad spectrum of industries ranging from technology, science, consumer goods, real estate, and beyond. Because of the history and breadth of its investment portfolio, O'Leary Ventures has a proprietary network and an operational ecosystem that continually works to support O'Leary Ventures' portfolio companies. Unlike other generalist venture capital investment firms, O'Leary Ventures is more than just a platform. It's a Wonderful family. About McCourt Global McCourt Global (MG) is a private family company focused on building for tomorrow through its work across real estate and infrastructure, sports, technology and media, capital investment and social impact. Led by founder and Executive Chairman Frank McCourt, a civic entrepreneur and fifth-generation builder, and an international leadership team, MG extends the McCourt family's 132-year legacy of developing infrastructure and merging community and social impact with financial results an approach that began when the original McCourt company was launched in Boston in 1893. SOURCE McCourt Global NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global metalworking fluids market size is estimated to grow by USD 2.09 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period. Increasing industrialization in emerging economies is driving market growth, with a trend towards emergence of bio-based metalworking fluids. However, environmental impact of metalworking fluids poses a challenge. Key market players include Quaker Houghton, Exxon Mobil Corporation, BP p.l.c., TotalEnergies SE, FUCHS, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., Chevron Corporation, Chem Arrow Corporation, LUKOIL, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC), Valvoline Inc., Houghton International, Blaser Swisslube AG, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Metalworking Fluids Market 2024-2028 Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Metalworking Fluids Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.2% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 2089.3 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 3.1 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 39% Key countries US, China, Germany, UK, and Japan Key companies profiled Quaker Houghton, Exxon Mobil Corporation, BP p.l.c., TotalEnergies SE, FUCHS, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., Chevron Corporation, Chem Arrow Corporation, LUKOIL, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC), Valvoline Inc., Houghton International, Blaser Swisslube AG, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Market Driver Metalworking fluids, also known as MWFs, are essential in various industries for cooling, lubrication, and corrosion prevention during metalworking processes. The market for MWFs is witnessing significant growth due to increased demand from sectors like automotive, aviation, construction, and heavy industry machinery. Agricultural equipment and agricultural sector are also adopting MWFs for high-yield production. The chemical composition of MWFs is crucial for effective heat reduction, tool efficiency, and workpiece quality. Base oils, such as crude oil, form the foundation of MWFs. The demand for high-performance MWFs is increasing due to consumerism and connectivity, leading to advancements in MWF chemistry. Machining processes like bending, forming, forging, and grinding require MWFs for metal surface deformation and metal removal. The market for industrial lubricants, including MWFs, is expected to grow due to the increasing demand for infrastructure construction, transportation equipment, and marine applications. Environmental issues and health concerns are driving the need for eco-friendly and non-hazardous MWFs. The market for MWFs is also influenced by trade relations, worker health concerns, and product visibility. The future of MWFs lies in their ability to enhance process productivity, tool wear, and workpiece surface finish. The global metalworking fluids market is witnessing a significant trend towards the adoption of eco-friendly, bio-based solutions. Companies are increasingly producing metalworking fluids derived from renewable materials, such as vegetable oils, esters, and plant extracts. These fluids offer several advantages, including a lower environmental impact and improved worker safety. For instance, Exxon Mobil and BASF are among the leading companies offering bio-based metalworking fluids that provide effective lubrication and cooling while meeting stringent environmental standards. As sustainability becomes a priority, the demand for these bio-based fluids is expected to grow, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and emissions. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The Metalworking Fluids market encompasses a wide range of industries, including automotive, aviation, construction, and heavy industry machinery. Key challenges include the agricultural sector's demand for high-performance metalworking fluids for agricultural equipment and the need for corrosion prevention in aircraft parts and aircraft manufacturing. In the automotive industries, assembly lines require lubrication for machinery and components, while consumerism drives the demand for better coolants and connectivity in industrial printers. Heavy machinery manufacturing sectors, such as construction and infrastructure, require metalworking fluids for drilling, bending, forming, and machining. Environmental issues and hazardous waste disposals are concerns, as are health issues for workers. The industrial lubricant market includes gear oils, motor oils, and metalworking fluids for various applications, such as metal cutting, metal forming, and metal treatment. The chemical composition of MWFs (Metalworking Fluids) is crucial for heat reduction, tool efficiency, and workpiece quality. Exporters of automobiles, helicopters, and other transportation equipment face trade relations challenges, while the infrastructure construction sector requires metalworking fluids for large construction vehicles and iron structures. The marine and railroad industries also utilize metalworking fluids for their equipment. The demand for metalworking fluids continues to grow due to population growth, increased consumerism, and the need for process productivity and product visibility. The market for MWFs is diverse, serving various industries and applications, from metalworking in automotive and aviation to metal treatment in construction and infrastructure. In the global metalworking fluids market, manufacturers encounter a significant challenge in creating high-performing, eco-friendly formulas that comply with stringent environmental regulations. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role in regulating the use of hazardous substances in these fluids, necessitating continuous research and development efforts. To meet both operational and regulatory demands, companies invest in creating advanced, low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) formulations. Balancing performance, environmental impact, and worker health requires ongoing innovation, rigorous testing, and substantial investments. This delicate equilibrium is essential for reducing emissions and waste without compromising machining quality. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This metalworking fluids market report extensively covers market segmentation by End-user 1.1 Construction 1.2 Automobile 1.3 Aerospace 1.4 Electrical and power 1.5 Others Product 2.1 Mineral 2.2 Synthetic 2.3 Bio-based Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 North America 3.3 Europe 3.4 Middle East and Africa and 3.5 South America Application Industrial End-use 1.1 Construction- The global metalworking fluids market is primarily driven by the construction industry, which utilizes these fluids for various applications such as machining, cutting, and shaping metal components. In construction, cutting and grinding fluids are used for metal fabrication in processes like cutting steel beams and grinding concrete surfaces. Hydraulic fluids are essential for heavy machinery like excavators and bulldozers, ensuring efficient operation and preventing metal component wear and tear. Lubricants are used to minimize friction and extend the life of gears, bearings, and other metal parts in construction machinery. With urbanization in India, the construction sector is expected to house 40% of the population and generate 75% of the country's GDP by 2030. This expansion of infrastructure projects in India, including bridges, buildings, and roadways, will significantly increase the demand for metalworking fluids and drive market growth during the forecast period. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The Metalworking Fluids Market encompasses a wide range of lubricants and coolants used in heavy industry machinery during manufacturing processes. These fluids are essential for reducing friction, heat, and wear in various industries, including construction, transportation, and manufacturing. The market's growth is driven by the increasing demand for machinery in primary ferrous and non-ferrous industries, as well as in aviation and marine sectors. The use of crude oil as a base for these fluids contributes to their production costs. Consumerism and population growth also play a role in boosting demand. Product visibility and connectivity are key factors influencing market trends. Infrastructure development and trade relations are also important considerations, as the availability of roads and transportation networks impact the distribution of metalworking fluids. The industrial lubricant market, which includes motor oils and other lubricants, is closely related to the metalworking fluids market. Overall, the market is expected to grow significantly due to the increasing demand for efficient and high-performance machinery in various industries. Market Research Overview Metalworking fluids, also known as MWFs, are essential liquids used in various industries for metalworking processes such as machining, forming, and fabrication. These fluids help reduce heat, prevent corrosion, and improve tool efficiency. The demand for metalworking fluids is driven by the increasing use of heavy industry machinery in sectors like construction, automotive, and aviation. In the agricultural sector, high-yield agricultural equipment requires metalworking fluids for efficient manufacturing. The chemical composition of MWFs can vary, with base oils derived from crude oil being a common choice. However, environmental concerns and health issues have led to the development of biodegradable and synthetic fluids. The industrial lubricant market, which includes metalworking fluids, is expected to grow due to the increasing demand for process productivity and product visibility in manufacturing. Infrastructure construction and transportation sectors also rely heavily on metalworking fluids for the production of construction equipment, roads, railroads, and transportation equipment. MWFs are also used in the production of consumer goods, such as integrated circuits and automobile parts, as well as in heavy machinery manufacturing for industries like mining and oil drilling. Metalworking fluids are also used in the production of metal mountings, metal treatment, and metalwork for various applications in construction, aviation, and marine industries. The use of metalworking fluids in the production of metal chips and metal surface deformation during machining and forming processes can lead to hazardous waste disposals. Proper disposal methods and regulations are essential to mitigate environmental issues. Additionally, worker health concerns and workpiece quality are critical factors in the selection and use of metalworking fluids. In summary, metalworking fluids play a crucial role in various industries, from agriculture and construction to automotive and aviation. Their use helps improve process productivity, tool efficiency, and workpiece quality while reducing heat and preventing corrosion. However, environmental and health concerns necessitate the development of eco-friendly and safe metalworking fluids. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation End-user Construction Automobile Aerospace Electrical And Power Others Product Mineral Synthetic Bio-based Geography APAC North America Europe Middle East And Africa South America Application Industrial End-use 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With Finland's signing of the Artemis Accords on Tuesday, NASA celebrates the 53rd nation committing to the safe and responsible exploration of space that benefits humanity. The signing ceremony took place on the margins of the Aalto University's Winter Satellite Workshop 2025 in Espoo, Finland. Credit: NASA "Today, Finland is joining a community of nations that want to share scientific data freely, operate safely, and preserve the space environment for the Artemis Generation," said NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free, who provided pre-recorded virtual remarks for the ceremony. "By signing the Artemis Accords, Finland builds on its rich history in space, excelling in science, navigation, and Earth observation. Forging strong partnerships between our nations and among the international community is critical for advancing our shared space exploration goals." Wille Rydman, Finland's minister of economic affairs, signed the Artemis Accords in front of an audience of Finnish space officials and workshop attendees. "Finland has been part of the space exploration community for decades with innovations and technology produced by Finnish companies and research institutions," said Rydman. "The signing of the Artemis Accords is in line with Finland's newly updated space strategy that highlights the importance of international cooperation and of strengthening partnerships with the Unites States and other allies. We aim for this cooperation to open great opportunities for the Finnish space sector in the new era of space exploration and in the Artemis program." NASA and Finland have a long history of collaboration, and most recently, Finland is contributing to the upcoming Intuitive Machines-2 delivery to the Moon under NASA's Artemis campaign and CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative. Intuitive Machines will deliver a lunar LTE/4G communications system developed by Finnish company, Nokia. Its U.S. subsidiary, Nokia of America, was selected as part of NASA's Tipping Point opportunity through the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate, to advance a lunar surface communications system that could help humans and robots explore more of the Moon than ever before. The Finnish Meteorological Institute also provided the pressure and humidity measurement instruments for the Environmental Monitoring Station instrument suite aboard the Curiosity Rover, operating on Mars now. In 2020, the United States, led by NASA and the U.S. Department of State, and seven other initial signatory nations established the Artemis Accords, a set of principles promoting the beneficial use of space for humanity. The Artemis Accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements including the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices for responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data. Learn more about the Artemis Accords at: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords/ SOURCE NASA Research conducted in partnership with Ipsos introduces a new paradigm in leveraging psychographic insights to influence consumer financial behaviors. NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The financial services industry is experiencing a transformation, thanks to a recent study by Psympl, conducted in partnership with Ipsos. This research has introduced psychographic profiling into the realm of financial decision-making, offering a fresh perspective on consumer behavior beyond traditional demographic and socioeconomic analysis. Traditionally, financial advisors and wealth management firms have relied on quantitative metrics like income levels and asset sizes to tailor their services. However, Psympl's study suggests that understanding psychological driverswhat the firm refers to as psychographic datacan lead to more nuanced and effective marketing and client engagement strategies. "Traditional metrics tell us what a client's financial picture may look like, but not why they make the choices they do," said Ran Mullins, Co-Founder and CEO of Psympl. "Our Psychographic AI technology dives deeper, uncovering motivations behind financial decisions, which allows for more personalized and resonant advice." This research has significant implications for wealth managers and financial advisors seeking to enhance marketing, client relationships, and retention. The insights from the study allow for the creation of more personalized content and messaging, potentially leading to greater client acquisition, satisfaction, and loyalty. The study's release is timely. As financial firms are projected to increase their digital advertising spend to nearly $43 billion in 2025, understanding how to effectively target and engage clients is more critical than ever. Psympl's findings could help these firms allocate their marketing resources more efficiently, ensuring that their messages reach the most receptive audiences. Brent Walker, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Psympl, emphasized the broader industry impact: "This research marks a significant advancement in the financial sector's approach to client engagement. By integrating psychographic insights, financial services can foster deeper connections and more meaningful interactions with their prospects and clients." As financial institutions continue to adapt to a rapidly changing economic landscape, the insights from Psympl's research offer a competitive edge by enhancing how financial behaviors are predicted and understood. Psympl is syndicating this market research to help inform financial services and wealth management firms' marketing and client engagement strategies. For further details on Psympl's research and the potential applications of Psychographic AI in financial services, visit www.psympl.ai . About Psympl Founded by Ran Mullins and Brent Walker, Psympl is a B2B2C marketing platform that pioneers the use of Psychographic AI to revolutionize customer engagement. By offering advanced psychographic insights and AI-driven strategies, Psympl empowers businesses to deliver personalized, data-driven campaigns that go beyond traditional marketing approaches. Contact Information: Ran Mullins +1 917 740 6648 [email protected] SOURCE Psympl AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Existing and expected utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage projects will contribute over $20 billion in total tax revenue and pay Texas landowners $29.5 billion over the projects' lifetimes, according to new data released by Advanced Power Alliance (APA), Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation (CTEI), the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and the Texas Solar + Storage Association (TSSA). "The Economic Impact of Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Investments Across Texas" authored by leading energy expert Dr. Joshua Rhodes, a Research Scientist at The University of Texas at Austin and Chief Technology Officer of energy consulting firm IdeaSmiths LLC includes 2024 investments and finds that current and expected renewable and energy storage projects are expected to pay nearly $50 billion in lifetime landowner lease payments and local taxes. Over 75% of Texas counties are expected to receive tax revenues from either wind, solar, or energy storage projects. "In many cases, the long-term revenue streams renewable energy and energy storage lease agreements provide are helping rural Texans hold on to land that has been in their families for generations," said Dr. Rhodes. "And this comes at a time of tremendous growth in electricity demand when we need every new megawatt we can generate, so renewable energy and energy storage projects have the added benefit of helping to increase the state's electric grid reliability." "Dr. Rhodes' report provides an in-depth look at the substantial economic benefits that solar and energy storage projects deliver to Texas. Landowners who exercise their private property rights by hosting solar and storage projects are receiving stable, reliable, multigenerational income for their families," said Mark Stover, executive director for TSSA. "And, project communities are enjoying new tax revenue for schools, infrastructure, and services. The continued growth of solar and energy storage is important from an economic standpoint, as well as a grid reliability standpoint." Additional findings from the report include: Landowners, local elected officials, and community leaders find renewable energy projects favorable for the stability that comes with consistent long-term revenue streams; Landowners who exercise their private property rights by hosting renewable energy and energy storage projects are receiving stable, reliable, multigenerational income for their families; The continued growth of renewable energy and energy storage is important for both the state economy and grid reliability; and Renewable energy and energy storage projects, individually and co-located, offer predictable, affordable power for Texas homes and businesses. The full report and an interactive map showing project size, tax, and landowner payment data per county and legislative district the only data breakdown of this kind can be accessed at https://www.txrenewables.net/ INDUSTRY VOICES Judd Messer, Texas Vice President, Advanced Power Alliance: "Renewable energy projects continue to benefit all corners of Texas by offering affordable power that drives down consumers' electric bills, more megawatts to enhance grid reliability and unique economic development opportunities, especially in rural areas that could otherwise not attract significant investment. Texas will continue to realize these benefits so long as policies work to maintain a competitive market and promise non-discriminatory treatment of all resources contributing to our grid." Matt Welch, State Director, Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation: "Texas' record growth is continuing across all energy sectors, especially utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage. This report confirms the tremendous economic impact clean energy projects continue to have across every region of Texas." Daniel Giese, State Director, Solar Energy Industries Association This report helps explain why polls show the vast majority of Texans support solar energy development, think solar is good for the economy, and believe that landowners should be able to do what they want with their land. The solar and storage industry is continuing Texas' legacy as an energy leader and proud that tax revenue generated by solar energy and storage projects are helping local governments better serve Texans all across the state." LOCAL VOICES Michael Looney , the VP of Economic Development at San Angelo Chamber of Commerce and volunteer fireman: "The western part of the county is challenging, even for grazing, given the lack of water, trees, and how rocky the terrain is. However, we have three massive solar farms that have been able to make it work." , the VP of Economic Development at Chamber of Commerce and volunteer fireman: "The western part of the county is challenging, even for grazing, given the lack of water, trees, and how rocky the terrain is. However, we have three massive solar farms that have been able to make it work." Justin Risner, Superintendent of the Central Independent School District (whose motto is "All In") where the [Azalea Springs Solar Park] is located explains his proactive approach: "I knew they were going to build the project, and I wanted our community to benefit from it." He praised the developer for their collaborative efforts, noting that the company has returned several times to ask what investments would best serve the community. Dr. Michael Davis , former Superintendent for Cushing ISD in neighboring Nacogdoches County and now a school finance specialist with the Region 7 Education Service Center, applauded the growth of renewables in East Texas . "It's great to see these types of projects coming to our region," he said. "For smaller, rural schools, the added revenue can make a significant difference especially for funding enrichment and construction projects that might otherwise be out of reach." , former Superintendent for Cushing ISD in neighboring and now a school finance specialist with the Region 7 Education Service Center, applauded the growth of renewables in . "It's great to see these types of projects coming to our region," he said. "For smaller, rural schools, the added revenue can make a significant difference especially for funding enrichment and construction projects that might otherwise be out of reach." Allen Gully , who farms over 3,000 acres on the edge of San Angelo , the county seat of Tom Green County , was proactive in getting a 160 MW solar farm set up on 620 acres including two of his neighbors. He said that ... "[t]he truth is that the sheep that graze on the grass that grows under the solar panels are more agriculturally productive than the dryland cotton I used to run on it!" About TSSA: The Texas Solar+Storage Association (TSSA) is the statewide association dedicated to the expansion of solar power and energy storage technologies in Texas. Our member companies are engaged in the development, installation, and operations of utility-scale, industrial, commercial, and residential solar and energy storage facilities and products, serving wholesale and retail customers with predictable, affordable, clean power. Media Contact Lillian Hodges, [email protected], 512-810-0417 SOURCE Texas Solar + Storage Association Company to Build on Industry Leadership Established Through Market-Leading Growth Achieved During Partnership with NexPhase NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NexPhase Capital, LP ("NexPhase" or "NPC"), a thematically driven and operationally focused private equity firm, today announced the sale of SYNERGY HomeCare ("SYNERGY" or "the Company"), a leading provider of in-home care services to seniors and individuals of all ages, to Levine Leichtman Capital Partners ("LLCP"). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, SYNERGY provides a full suite of personalized services, including non-medical personal care, companion care, specialized care for various disabilities and disease states, as well as hospital-to-home care, focused on enhancing health, independence, and support for clients within the comfort of their homes. SYNERGY's differentiated franchise-first culture and hyper-local approach to care has underpinned the Company's rapid expansion. Today, SYNERGY has approximately 550 territories in 42 states across the United States. "Over the past four years, SYNERGY has been the fastest growing franchisor in the home care industry based on territory growth, and we are grateful to our partners at NexPhase for helping us bring our care and service offerings to an expanded base of clients across the country," said Charlie Young, Chief Executive Officer of SYNERGY. "With NexPhase's support, we have advanced our mission to deliver personalized, high-quality care to those who need it most, and we look forward to building on our success to date with LLCP in our next phase of growth." Since partnering with NexPhase in 2018, SYNERGY has made significant investments in its people, processes, and infrastructure, while continuing to ensure the highest level of care for clients and their families. The Company has also executed on a number of long-term strategic initiatives including enhancing its operations and infrastructure, and creating national partnerships with leading service providers to further position SYNERGY as the home care provider-of-choice for franchisees, caregivers, clients and their families, and referral sources alike. "We are grateful to Charlie, the entire SYNERGY team, and the Company's founder Peter Tourian, who entrusted us with helping advance their vision to become a leading in-home care services provider," said Andy Kieffer, Partner and Head of Healthcare at NexPhase. "Together, we have supported the Company's significant growth efforts while expanding access to SYNERGY's leading care and services. We are proud of what we accomplished together and look forward to seeing what the incredible SYNERGY team achieves next." SYNERGY was advised by Houlihan Lokey, Baird, McDermott Will & Emery, and Lathrop GPM. Honigman LLP and DLA Piper served as legal counsel to LLCP. About NexPhase Capital NexPhase Capital is a thematically driven and operationally focused lower middle-market private equity firm that makes control investments in growth-oriented and capital-efficient companies within three distinct industry verticals: healthcare, software and consumer. NexPhase partners with companies that have reached a growth inflection point and are seeking a value-added partner to help navigate the company's "next phase." The NexPhase team has extensive industry and operational experience and NPC's Partners have invested together for over 15 years. NexPhase has completed over 100 investments, including add-ons, and targets control equity investments between $40 million and $150 million. Since inception, NexPhase has raised and managed approximately $2.6 billion of capital. For more information, please visit www.NexPhase.com. About SYNERGY HomeCare With over 25 years of brand equity, SYNERGY HomeCare is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors of in-home senior care services with over 240 franchises operating in approximately 550 territories nationwide. The Company provides a range of services to the senior population including non-medical personal care, companion care, and specialized care for individuals who are physically or developmentally disabled, living with chronic health conditions or recovering from illness or surgery. Contacts Media: Kate Thompson / Erik Carlson Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher 212-355-4449 SOURCE NexPhase Capital SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PowerSchool, which provides cloud-cased software solutions to schools, was sued in Federal Court in Sacramento alleging the company negligently allowed a data breach that compromised the data of 60 million students, as well as educators, administrators and others. On December 28, 2024, PowerSchool was infiltrated by cybercriminals who accessed highly sensitive information of both students and educators. The information exposed included names, addresses, contact information, social security numbers, medical date and more going back almost 20 years. According to the complaint, PowerSchool's lack of robust authentication and access control security measures allowed these cybercriminals to steal information. And, the complaint alleges PowerSchool failed to notify any of the impacted students or educators of the date breach. Instead, the company only notified the school systems, leaving many families unaware and many schools in the difficult position of communicating the company's failure. "PowerSchool's failure not only allowed this breach, but could very well allow continued data breaches of those students, teachers and administrators," said attorney Kiley Grombacher of Bradley/Grombacher. "PowerSchool behaved in a reckless manner as they were made aware of the potential issues with their system but ignored it time and again." The case is Jaclyn Brooke Faircloth et al. v. PowerSchool Group LLC, PowerSchool Holdings, Inc., USDC, Eastern District of California Sacramento Division, Case No. 2:25-at-00109. About Bradley/Grombacher LLP When you find yourself in need of taking legal action against another party in a dispute, turn to the attorneys at Bradley/Grombacher for help. Our lawyers have more than 50 years of combined experience that can be put to work to help you get the fair and just compensation you deserve in a dispute involving employment law, consumer law, and personal injury law. SOURCE Bradley/Grombacher NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Revman International, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a license agreement with Tommy Hilfiger a wholly owned subsidiary of PVH Corp. [NYSE:PVH], for the development, manufacturing and distribution of new home accessories in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The new TOMMY HILFIGER home collection will launch in Spring. The agreement's initial term is through 2029. "We are extremely pleased to be the new home fashion products licensee for Tommy Hilfiger," said Rich Roman, President and CEO of Revman. "We believe that the TOMMY HILFIGER brand is the epitome of iconic American style. The brand reflects the optimism of the American spirit which has become so popular throughout the globe. Revman's collaboration with the very talented team at Tommy Hilfiger is sure to become a great success not only for both our businesses but more importantly for the customers we serve." "We're thrilled to partner with Revman on our new collection of home essentials," said Karina Spar, Executive Vice President of Licensing at PVH. "As a leading provider of lifestyle bed and bath products, their expertise will help to reinforce the TOMMY HILFIGER brand in the home category through an elevated and expanded consumer offering." Crafted from the highest quality materials, the new TOMMY HILFIGER home collection offers an elevated selection of essential home goods, including fashion bedding and bath products, that celebrate the brands Classic American Cool heritage. "Our collaboration with the talented Tommy Hilfiger team focuses on creating elevated essentials for the modern American lifestyle," said Revman's VP of Product Development and Merchandising Laurie Sages. "Inspired by coastal prep, the collection features crisp cottons, signature embroideries, and rich textures, complemented by classic yarn dyes. Each piece showcases thoughtful details and embodies a calm, optimistic spirit that is unmistakably Tommy." The new TOMMY HILFIGER home collection will launch in Spring 2025. It will be distributed through all major levels of retail distribution in the United States as well as retailers in Canada and Mexico. About TOMMY HILFIGER TOMMY HILFIGER is one of the world's most recognized premium lifestyle brands, uplifting and inspiring consumers since 1985. The brand creates iconic style, which comes alive at the intersection of the classic and the new, co-created with people who are shaping culture around the world. TOMMY HILFIGER celebrates the essence of classic American style with a modern twist. Tommy Hilfiger offers premium quality and value to consumers worldwide under the TOMMY HILFIGER and TOMMY JEANS lifestyles, with a breadth of collections including men's, women's and kids' sportswear, denim, accessories, and footwear. Tommy Hilfiger has an unwavering commitment to sustainability and inclusivity. Global retail sales of TOMMY HILFIGER products were $9 billion in 2023 and the brand is powered by more than 16,000 associates worldwide present in 100 countries and more than 2,000 retail stores, including its largest global flagship store at tommy.com. PVH acquired Tommy Hilfiger in 2010 and continues to oversee a focused approach to growing the brand's worldwide relevance, presence, and long term growth. About PVH Corp. PVH is one of the world's largest fashion companies, connecting with consumers in over 40 countries. Our global iconic brands include Calvin Klein and TOMMY HILFIGER. Our over 140-year history is built on the strength of our brands, our team, and our commitment to drive fashion forward for good. That's the Power of Us. That's the Power of PVH. About Revman Revman headquartered in New York, is a leading provider of high-quality lifestyle bed and bath products. Revman maintains unique licensing arrangements with an impressive portfolio of internationally recognized designer brands including Nautica, Vera Wang, Tommy Bahama, Wrangler, Marimekko and Laura Ashley, among many others. Their products are available through all major levels of retail distribution in the United States as well as retailers in Canada, Mexico, and South America. For more information, please visit www.revman.com. SOURCE Revman NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of Western Asset Management Company mutual fund investors resulting from allegations that Western Asset may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. So What: If you purchased Western Asset mutual funds 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=31956 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 November 25, 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued a press release entitled "SEC Charges Ken Leech, Former Co-Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset Management Co., with Fraud." This press release stated that Leech had been charged with fraud "for engaging in a multi-year scheme to allocate favorable trades to certain portfolios, while allocating unfavorable trades to other portfolios, a practice known as cherry-picking." 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 achieved 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. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. "It's the goin' thing!" That's the phrase my late mother merrily exclaimed every time she got the opportunity to inform me of some quasi-trend she had discovered via "Good Morning America" or a similar program. Alas, I am waist-deep in merchandise that is definitely not the goin' thing. In my role as an inventory control clerk, I've just received a lengthy email list of "dead inventory" (in our case, products that have not sold at all in two years or more), replacing any daydreams of a tropical vacation with thoughts of being stranded on the Island of Misfit Toys. As you probably realize, dead inventory is anathema for retailers because it ties up funds, occupies space that could be used for a product with a faster rotation and let's face it sets a bad example for employees who move even more slowly. Whence cometh dead inventory? It can be a combination of overly optimistic purchasing decisions, inept marketing, bad reviews or societal shifts. (I just read that the once-thriving bourbon industry is in decline, at least partly because of dire medical warnings and competition from new nonalcoholic beverages. And the fear of triggering people to type phrases like "whence cometh.") Dead inventory can sneak up on stores if they're juggling thousands of items or wrestling with endless HR issues. Or if someone in the organization is infected with the attitude that makes homeowners maintain drawers full of orphaned electrical cables. ("I hate to mark down these deck chairs designed for the Titanic. They might need them someday!") (On a positive note, dead inventory can be one of the major unifying forces in our troubled nation. You know the expression "One woman's trash is another woman's treasure"? Imagine those two women linking arms and giggling, "What made those losers think they needed 250 gross of turnip spice lipstick?") Slick-talking vendor reps have saddled many a businessperson with products they didn't remotely need. One wonders how these hucksters sleep at night. (Probably atop a mound of "Re-elect President Bernie in 2020" throw pillows that an even slicker-talking rep stuck THEM with.) Employees seeing their raises and bonuses devoured by sedentary inventory find themselves asking two pertinent questions: "Who is the complete idiot who ordered all this junk?," followed by "Yikes! And will that unfairly maligned visionary let me carry my belongings out of my office without an armed escort?" Finding rhyme or reason in unsellable items can be maddening. Even if you have an essential product at a competitive price with a flawless advertising campaign, the fickle public may greet it with a thunderous round of "Meh." One entrepreneur decided to get to the bottom of this behavior and learned that 37 percent of the time, John Q. Public's explanation is "I held off buying because I thought my Aunt Bernice might get me one for my birthday and then I remembered I don't have an Aunt Bernice, so your guess is as good as mine." Retailers may eventually do something drastic, like bribing "Good Morning America" meteorologist Ginger Zee. ("The National Weather Service calls for at least six snowflakes to fall in the Southeast, so be sure to hit the stores for bread, milk, toilet paper and metric free-range pukey purple thingamajigs.") (COMMENT, BELOW) Controversial author Harlan Ellison once described the work of Mr. Tyree as "wonkily extrapolative" and said his mind "works like a demented cuckoo clock." Tyree generated a particular buzz on the Internet with his column spoofing real-life Christian nudist camps. A lifelong small-town southerner, he graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 21. Kyrgyzstan has approved an agreement with Azerbaijan on cooperation in the field of migration, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz presidential administration. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov signed a law amending the country's legislation in connection with the ratification of the agreement on migration cooperation with Azerbaijan. The document was signed between the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and the government of Azerbaijan on April 24, 2024, in Baku. The law was approved by the Kyrgyz parliament on December 11 last year. The agreement between the two countries envisages active cooperation in the field of migration, the protection of the rights of citizens of one country residing in the territory of the other, as well as the exchange of information and experience within the framework of national legislation and international obligations of the parties. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. ("JinkoSolar" or the "Company") (NYSE: JKS). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether JinkoSolar and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On January 17, 2025, JinkoSolar issued a press release reporting "estimates for certain preliminary unaudited financial results" for 2024 for "its majority-owned principal operating subsidiary, Jinko Solar Co., Ltd." Among other items, JinkoSolar estimated 2024 net income in the range of 80 million yuan to 120 million yuan ($10.92 million to $16.37 million), equating to a decline of more than 98%. JinkoSolar also expects to report full-year preliminary unaudited net loss attributable to shareholders excluding extraordinary gains and losses in the range of 750 million yuan to 1.05 billion yuan, representing a decrease of 100.8% to 115.2% On this news, JinkoSolar's American depositary receipt ("ADR") price fell $2.30 per ADR, or 9.77%, to close at $21.24 per ADR on January 17, 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 billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Rentokil Initial plc ("Rentokil" or the "Company") (NYSE: RTO). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] 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 Rentokil and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until January 27, 2025 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Rentokil 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 October 12, 2022, Rentokil announced its completed acquisition of rival pest control company Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. ("Terminix") in a transaction valued at $6.7 billion. On April 18, 2024, Rentokil announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2024, disclosing that organic revenue growth in North America increased by only 1.5% year-over-year, below prior guidance of 2% for the first quarter and 2% to 4% for the full year. During a subsequent conference call to discuss these results, analysts expressed concerns that Rentokil's integration of Terminix may be negatively impacting organic growth in North America, despite assertions by the Company's Chief Executive Officer to the contrary. On this news, Rentokil's American depository share ("ADS") price fell $2.64 per ADS, or more than 9%, to close at $25.61 per ADS on April 18, 2024. Then, on September 11, 2024, Rentokil issued an unscheduled "Trading Update," disclosing that the Company now anticipated only 1% organic revenue growth in North America for the second half of 2024, well below the Company's prior guidance, citing "some modest disruption to organic growth from branch integration." During a related conference call held later that day with analysts, Rentokil's management indicated that execution challenges in connection with the Terminix acquisition were negatively impacting the Company's results. UBS analysts subsequently noted that "Rentokil is facing challenges in restructuring its [North American] Pest network post-Terminix while trying to reaccelerate organic growth." On this news, Rentokil's ADS price fell $6.65 per ADS, or more than 21%, to close at $24.95 per ADS on September 11, 2024. The Pomerantz Firm, 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, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, the Pomerantz Firm 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.pomerantzlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Visa Inc. ("Visa" or the "Company") (NYSE: V). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] 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 Visa and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until January 20, 2025 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Visa 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 September 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") filed an antitrust lawsuit alleging that Visa has abused its dominant position in the debit card market to force businesses to use Visa's network instead of competitors' and to prevent new alternatives from entering the market. On news of the DOJ's lawsuit, Visa's stock price fell $15.85 per share, or 5.49%, to close at $272.78 per share on September 24, 2024. 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 billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP New Investment Product Debuts in Private Wealth Channels January 2025 SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stockbridge, a leading real estate investment management firm, announces the launch of its Private Wealth business to focus on securing capital from individual investors and their wealth advisors across a variety of private wealth channels including independent broker-dealers, registered investment advisors, wirehouses, private banks and family offices. "Since Stockbridge's inception, we have had a strong track record among institutional investors but had not previously identified the right opportunity to expand into private wealth," said Kristin Renaudin, Chief Financial Officer at Stockbridge. "As we look to the continued strategic growth of the firm over the next few years, expanding into this space will allow us to tap into a broader range of capital sources and create greater investor diversification across the firm." Stockbridge has worked closely with Robert A. Stanger & Company, a nationally recognized investment bank with deep expertise in alternative investment products, to identify opportunities in the private wealth sector. In June 2024, Stockbridge hired industry veterans Vere Reynolds-Hale and Chris Lundberg to anchor its Private Wealth team. Prior to joining Stockbridge, Reynolds-Hale and Lundberg were previously with Apollo Global Management (which acquired Griffin Capital Securities in December 2021), where they helped accelerate Apollo's U.S. wealth market growth plans. At Griffin, the sales team raised over $16 billion of investor equity across a platform of alternative investment solutions. Together, Reynolds-Hale and Lundberg bring a combined average of 22 years of experience in the industry. Stockbridge is continuing to build a team of professionals dedicated to the Private Wealth business, including approximately 20 client-facing distribution professionals and several operations support staff. The internal sales team and operations professionals will be based in Phoenix, AZ, with regional sales directors and consultants located throughout the country. "Bringing Vere and Chris on board was consistent with Stockbridge's commitment to backing strong teams with deep experience and a long history of working together, and we look forward to working closely with them through the expansion of the Private Wealth offering," said Renaudin. Stockbridge will offer various real estate investment products for sale in U.S. private wealth channels over the next few years, focusing initially on investing in the residential rental sector, including traditional multifamily assets, as well as certain specialty property types, such as single-family build-to-rent communities. Mark Alfieri will serve as Chief Operating Officer for the Firm's initial private wealth residential investing platform. "We are seeking to acquire these assets with the primary objective of supporting sustainable shareholder distributions over the long term, while also achieving appreciation in the value of our properties, resulting in appreciation in the shareholder value," said Alfieri. Stockbridge Overview Stockbridge is a real estate investment management firm led by seasoned senior professionals averaging 25 years of real estate industry experience. The firm was founded in 2003 and manages real estate equity investments across the risk spectrum within a variety of investment structures on behalf of U.S. and foreign institutional investors, family offices and high net worth individuals. Stockbridge has approximately $33.9 billion of assets under management (as of September 30, 2024) spanning all major real estate property types, and certain specialty property types with an emphasis on residential and industrial space throughout the U.S. The firm has offices in San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix. For more information, visit www.stockbridge.com. SOURCE Stockbridge Partnership to Support Building a Sustainable Railroad Infrastructure with Composite Railroad Ties Made from Recycled Plastics NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sumitomo Corporation (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer: Shingo Ueno), through its subsidiary Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (collectively referred to as the "Sumitomo Corporation Group"), has announced a strategic investment in Evertrak, a U.S.-based manufacturer of composite railroad ties (*1) for the North American railroad industry. This partnership aims to reduce environmental impacts and build a more sustainable railroad infrastructure in North America. Evertrak Wood Decay Zones in the United States Sustainable Solution Initiatives in the North American Railroad Industry In High Decay Zones, primarily located in the southeastern United States, heat and high humidity accelerate the early decay of wood railroad ties, posing challenges from both cost and environmental perspectives. To address these issues, the North American railroad industry is increasingly adopting composite railroad ties as a sustainable alternative. Made from recycled plastics and fiberglass, composite ties offer numerous advantages, including superior environmental performance, extended durability, and long-term cost savings. In addition, composite ties are 100% recyclable after use. Market Overview: North American Railroad and Composite Ties Railroad ties replacement demand: ~20 million ties annually Composite tie opportunity: ~6 million ties annually (High Decay Zone) Evertrak: Pioneering Durable and Sustainable Composite Tie Solutions Founded in 2017 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Evertrak is a leading manufacturer of composite railroad ties. The company's flagship product, the "Evertrak 7000," offers an unparalleled lifespan of over 50 years in High Decay Zones, compared to the average 8-12 years of wood railroad ties. The North American railroad industry has been considering the adoption of composite railroad ties since the early 2000s, but achieving the required cost competitiveness and quality for mass production has been a significant challenge. Evertrak overcame these barriers with the Evertrak 7000, which is now being adopted by Class 1 railroads (*2), offering significant long-term cost and environmental advantages. Established Initiatives in the North American Railroad Industry and the Background of the Investment Sumitomo Corporation Group, primarily through its Steel Group, has been instrumental in supporting North American freight railroad infrastructure by exporting rails from Japan and manufacturing and selling tie plates, wheels, and axles in North America. The decision to invest in Evertrak stems from a shared vision to build sustainable railroad infrastructure and the opportunity to create synergies with Sumitomo Corporation Group's existing businesses. This strategic partnership will enhance Evertrak's production capacity and accelerate the development of competitive and sustainable product solutions. Future developments North American freight railroad is one of the environmentally friendly transportation modes, with low CO2 emissions and the ability to handle long-distance, large-scale transport. Sumitomo Corporation Group is committed to contributing to the development of sustainable railroad infrastructure in the North American railroad industry, the world's largest railroad freight market, through the provision of railroad products and other solutions. Reference Information Overview of Evertrak Company Name Evertrak Established 2017 CEO / Founder Tim Noonan Headquarters St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. Manufacturing Facilities 1 (St. Louis) Business Manufacture and sale of composite railroad ties Website https://evertrak.com/ (*1) Primarily manufactured from recycled plastics and fiberglass, these ties are recyclable at the end of their lifecycle, providing a sustainable alternative to wood railroad ties. (*2) In the North American railroad industry, Class 1 refers to the seven major freight railroad companies operating in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This classification is established by the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (STB) based on the annual revenue of railroad companies. About Sumitomo Corporation Sumitomo Corporation (TYO: 8053) is an integrated trading company with a strong global network comprising 128 offices in 66 countries and regions. The Sumitomo Corporation Group consists of approximately 900 companies and 80,000 employees on a consolidated basis. The Group's business activities are spread across the following nine groups: Steel, Automotive, Transportation & Construction Systems, Diverse Urban Development, Media & Digital, Lifestyle Business, Mineral Resources, Chemicals Solutions and Energy Transformation Business. Sumitomo Corporation is committed to creating greater value for society under the corporate message of "Enriching lives and the world," based on Sumitomo's business philosophy passed down for over 400 years. About Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Sumitomo Corporation of Americas is the largest subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation, an integrated trading company with a strong global network comprising 128 offices in 66 countries and regions. The Sumitomo Corporation Group consists of approximately 900 companies and nearly 80,000 employees on a consolidated basis. The Group's business activities are spread across the following nine groups: Steel, Automotive, Transportation & Construction Systems, Diverse Urban Development, Media & Digital, Lifestyle Business, Mineral Resources, Chemicals Solutions and Energy Transformation Business. Sumitomo Corporation is committed to creating greater value for society under the corporate message of "Enriching lives and the world," based on Sumitomo's business philosophy passed down for over 400 years. For more information, please refer to our website at www.sumitomocorp.com. SOURCE Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Findings from a newly published Weed Science Society of America research article demonstrates an efficient, mechanical way to control herbicide-resistant weeds WESTMINSTER, Colo., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently published research in the journal Weed Science shows promise for controlling herbicide-resistant weeds in soybean fields by using a seed impact mill at harvest. When installed on a combine, this harvest weed-seed control system (HWSC) mechanically damages weed seeds as they move through the mill to render them non-viable. Recent research shows promise for controlling herbicide-resistant weeds, such as waterhemp, in soybean fields by using a seed impact mill at harvest. Photos by Ramawatar Yadav, Ph.D. Iowa State University Researchers Alexis Meadows and Ram (Ramawatar) Yadav conducted seed impact mill field experiments during 2021 and 2022 on a commercial farm near Gilbert, Iowa. "Altogether, impact mill treatment reduced the number of germinable seeds by 87% compared with the noimpact mill treatment," says Yadav, a Ph.D. Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) member, and a specialty crop weed science assistant professor at The Ohio State University. "These results indicate that seed impact mills can be a useful tool in soybean production to help manage multiple herbicideresistant waterhemp populations." The HWSC technology used for the study was a Redekop Seed Control Unit, mounted on the rear of the combine. "Although the impact mill did not severely damage all of the waterhemp seeds, moderate damage to seeds was effective in reducing seed germination and viability in controlled conditions," notes Yadav. "Furthermore, seeds with moderate damage are less likely to persist in the soil seedbank due to increased seed mortality." Ongoing research shows that multiple herbicideresistant weed populations continue to grow in scope in Midwestern U.S. production fields. Thus, keeping their seedbank density low is critical for future herbicide-resistance management. By adding seed impact mill technology to current weed-control practices, researchers estimate future herbicide-resistant populations could be delayed by five to eight years. "Mainstream weed management programs for U.S. soybean production typically do not include a late-season weed-control strategy," points out Yadav. "As a result, weed escapes/survivors are the primary source of seedbank replenishment. Implementation of seed impact mills in the current system would diversify the weed-control strategies in use and might delay the development of herbicide-resistant populations." However, Yadav cautions that this technology is not the sole answer to herbicide-resistant waterhemp management. "Implementation of HWSC methods in Iowa cropping systems is not a replacement of existing weed control tactics but rather an expansion of the weed management toolbox," he says. "All weed control tactics have limitations, and overreliance on a single tactic may increase weed control failures. It is likely that overreliance on HWSC methods will lead to the selection of early seed-shattering weed biotypes." The good news is that other non-chemical weed control tactics can also work in tandem with herbicide treatments, in addition to seed impact mills, to effectively manage herbicide-resistant waterhemp, says Yadav. Other effective non-chemical weed control tactics include implementing a cereal rye cover crop and narrow-row soybean production systems, he adds. "These practices have shown to be effective in managing herbicide-resistant waterhemp in soybean and therefore should be used in conjunction with HWSC methods to spread the risk of weed control failures," he says. "Future research should focus on the long-term impact of integrating HWSC methods on waterhemp life-history traits, including its seedbank persistence." This project was led by Alexis Meadows, a former M.S. student in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University. To learn more, contact Yadav at [email protected], 330-263-8063. More information is also available in the article, "Using a seed impact mill to limit waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) seed inputs in Iowa soybean." The research is featured in Volume 72, Issue 6 of Weed Science, a Weed Science Society of America journal, published online by Cambridge University Press. About Weed Science Weed Science is a journal of the Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit scientific society focused on weeds and their impact on the environment. The publication presents peer-reviewed original research related to all aspects of weed science, including the biology, ecology, physiology, management and control of weeds. To learn more, visit www.wssa.net. Media Contact: Jo Skelton Cambridge University Press Senior Brand and Partner Communications Manager [email protected] 01223326165 SOURCE Weed Science Society of America Summit M64 Delivers Advanced PCI Express 6.x, CXL 3.x, and NVMe Capabilities in a Unique Design MILPITAS, Calif., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Teledyne LeCroy, the worldwide leader in protocol test and measurement solutions, introduces the Summit M64, a PCI Express (PCIe) protocol analyzer/exerciser to their product lineup. This cutting-edge system captures and generates PCIe 6.x, CXL 3.x, and NVMe 2.x traffic at speeds up to 64 GT/s with x4 link widths. The Summit M64 features a groundbreaking design that integrates a flexible host emulator adapter directly into the platform, eliminating the need for a separate test platform. Teledyne LeCroy will demonstrate its Summit M64 at the PCI-SIG Developers Conference on February 17 -18, 2025 in Taipei, Taiwan. Summit M64 Protocol Analyzer and Exerciser The Summit M64 addresses the complexity of modern PCIe, CXL, and NVMe design and testing with a comprehensive range of capabilities: Combined Protocol Analyzer and Exerciser: Operates with the integrated host emulator adapter or with direct connect device emulator card. Operates with the integrated host emulator adapter or with direct connect device emulator card. Full Exerciser functionality: Generates high performance 64 GT/s traffic for devices with link widths up to four lanes and includes standardized compliance test suites. Generates high performance 64 GT/s traffic for devices with link widths up to four lanes and includes standardized compliance test suites. Versatile Analyzer Operation: Supports a range of Interposers for PCIe form factors, including Card Electromechanical (CEM), M.2, and Enterprise Datacenter Standard Form Factor (EDSFF)/Open Compute Project Network Interface Card (OCP NIC). Supports a range of Interposers for PCIe form factors, including Card Electromechanical (CEM), M.2, and Enterprise Datacenter Standard Form Factor (EDSFF)/Open Compute Project Network Interface Card (OCP NIC). Advanced Software Application: Controls the protocol analyzer to acquire, record, decode, analyze, and display complex high-speed PCI Express I/O streams, and features Teledyne LeCroy's industry standard analyzer CATC Trace hierarchical display, real-time statistics, protocol traffic summaries, detailed error reports, powerful scripting, and user-defined test reports. Controls the protocol analyzer to acquire, record, decode, analyze, and display complex high-speed PCI Express I/O streams, and features Teledyne LeCroy's industry standard analyzer CATC Trace hierarchical display, real-time statistics, protocol traffic summaries, detailed error reports, powerful scripting, and user-defined test reports. Realistic Traffic Generation: The same software application controls the protocol exerciser to provide realistic traffic, including programmable error injection, to devices under test and can also emulate complex host- or device-side traffic. "With this introduction of the Summit M64, Teledyne LeCroy reinforced its industry leadership by providing a powerful platform to develop and troubleshoot the next generation of high performance PCIe devices" said Joe Mendolia, Vice President Marketing, Protocol Solutions Group, Teledyne LeCroy. "We are working closely with the computer industry to provide the analysis features companies need for PCIe storage, HPC and AI technology development. We are confident that engineers transitioning to PCIe 6.x will appreciate the rich library of decodes and analysis capabilities available on all of Teledyne LeCroy's PCIe test tools." Availability All products are orderable today. For more information on The Summit M64 PCIe 6.x Protocol Exerciser/Analyzer and PCIe 6.x Interposers please contact Teledyne LeCroy at +1 (800) 909-7211 or visit our PCI Express landing page. About Teledyne LeCroy Teledyne LeCroy is a leading manufacturer of advanced oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, and other test instruments that verify performance, confirm compliance, and debug complex electronic systems quickly and thoroughly. Since its founding in 1964, the Company has focused on incorporating powerful tools into innovative products that enhance "Time-to-Insight". Faster time to insight enables users to rapidly find and fix defects in complex electronic systems, dramatically improving time-to-market for a wide variety of applications and end markets. Teledyne LeCroy is based in Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. For more information, visit Teledyne LeCroy's website at teledynelecroy.com. 2025 by Teledyne LeCroy. All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice. PCIe and PCI Express are registered trademarks of PCI-SIG. Compute Express Link and CXL are trademarks of the CXL Consortium. The NVM Express and NVMe trademarks of NVM Express, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Technical contact: Gordon Getty Senior Product Marketing Manager 408-273-5673 Customer contact: Teledyne LeCroy PSG Customer Care Center 800-909-7211 Website: https://teledynelecroy.com SOURCE Teledyne LeCroy TUALATIN, Ore., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, James E. Davison, DC is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member for his contributions to Chiropractic Care and Community Outreach. James E. Davison, DC Dr. James E. Davison, DC, is a dedicated chiropractor renowned for his gentle adjustments and comprehensive care approach, specializing in treating patients who have sustained injuries from auto accidents and workers' compensation cases. Operating from his private practice, he combines chiropractic treatment with physiotherapy, equipped with a fully stocked exercise facility to aid in his patients' recovery. Dr. James Davison also is proud to provide a very popular & affordable Self Pay Plan. This in turn motivates patients to utilize Chiropractic care much like a dental check-up. "Don't wait until pain occurs to brush your teeth." Keeping your back and neck and other joints of your body mobilized and functioning optimally is the PRIMARY FOCUS AND GOAL of Dr. James Davison. This commonly entails a treatment plan of one treatment every 4-6 weeks. With a strong commitment to community service, Dr. Davison actively participates in outreach programs aimed at underserved populations. He earned his Associate of Science in Arts and Sciences from Brigham Young University North in Idaho, followed by a two-year mission with the LDS Church, during which he became fluent in Spanish. Dr. Davison furthered his education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, for his prerequisite studies before obtaining his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the University of the Western States. He is a member of the Oregon Chiropractic Society and dedicates his volunteer efforts to the American Tourettes Syndrome Association. One of Dr. Davison's significant career accomplishments includes the successful launch of a Hispanic Community Outreach program in Gresham, Oregon, which provided essential chiropractic care to low-income patients while fostering collaboration with other healthcare professionals, such as the Dental School of OHSU mobile medical units. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Davison is the author of The Tortured Soul: A Journey of Acceptance, where he shares his personal insights and research on Tourettes Syndrome, offering valuable perspectives on the condition. Dr. Davison's unwavering dedication to both his patients and the community underscores his philosophy that quality care should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. As he continues to provide exceptional chiropractic services, he aims to further expand his outreach initiatives, making a lasting impact on the health and wellness of those he serves. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle Saxton to lead strategic initiatives, focusing on building upon the industry's best solutions, by incorporating new franchise business systems and industry-leading technology to align brand, marketing, coordination and innovation. DENVER, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (the "Company" or "RE/MAX Holdings") (NYSE:RMAX), parent company of RE/MAX, one of the world's leading franchisors of real estate brokerage services, and Motto Mortgage, the first and only national mortgage brokerage franchise brand in the U.S., today announced Travis Saxton has joined the Company as Executive Vice President of Strategy. Saxton, a veteran of the residential real estate technology sector, will report directly to CEO Erik Carlson and serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team. In this role, he will guide real estate strategy and technology innovation with a focus on integrating solutions to optimize operations and support affiliate growth. Travis Saxton Saxton brings over two decades of expertise in residential real estate technology, digital marketing and management consulting, including his most recent position as Executive Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at T3 Sixty where he led all technology initiatives for the company. His career also includes executive positions with RealTrends and BombBomb where he helped elevate tech integration and content strategies to improve business outcomes. He has worked closely with real estate brokerages across the U.S. and Canada, including many of the RE/MAX network's largest and most successful brokerages, helping them refine, innovate, and leverage technology for growth and efficiency. "Travis is a major addition to the team," said Erik Carlson, CEO of RE/MAX Holdings. "His technology experience and deep understanding of real estate operations will be invaluable as we continue to execute our vision for the Company. Directly or indirectly, his knowledge, insights and forward-thinking mentality will help shape our systems and offerings across all our brands." As EVP, Saxton is committed to ensuring affiliates are equipped with the best tools to grow their businesses, enhance productivity and deliver superior service to clients. "I'm excited to join RE/MAX Holdings and collaborate with such a talented and passionate group of leaders," said Saxton. "I've had the privilege of working with RE/MAX brokerages and teams over the years, and I have always been impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit of the network and the Company's commitment to innovation. My goal is to help bring even more intelligent, strategic change to the Company, ensuring that we leverage the power of technology to maximize business outcomes for everyone in our network." Saxton's appointment comes on the heels of the recent hiring of Chris Lim as Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer for RE/MAX, LLC, further strengthening the leadership team at Headquarters. Carlson added, "Bringing on Travis and Chris is part of our broader strategy to enhance the services and resources available to our network. Their collective expertise and vision position us to continue redefining what it means to be a global real estate leader while driving innovation to meet the evolving needs of our affiliates and their clients." Saxton added, "After working with numerous brokerages, agents and teams over the years, RE/MAX Holdings is where I want to be. Erik has a unique vision and forward-thinking approach, and I'm fully aligned with his plans for the future. RE/MAX is a highly trusted and visible brand in real estate, and I'm excited to bring the vision to life and create lasting value for the network." About RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RMAX) is one of the world's leading franchisors in the real estate industry, franchising real estate brokerages globally under the RE/MAX brand, and mortgage brokerages within the U.S. under the Motto Mortgage brand. RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, with an innovative, entrepreneurial culture affording its agents and franchisees the flexibility to operate their businesses with great independence. Now with more than 140,000 agents in nearly 9,000 offices and a presence in more than 110 countries and territories, nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX, as measured by total residential transaction sides. Dedicated to innovation and change in the real estate industry, RE/MAX launched Motto Franchising, LLC, a ground-breaking mortgage brokerage franchisor, in 2016. Motto Mortgage, the first-and-only national mortgage brokerage franchise brand in the U.S., has grown to over 225 offices across more than 40 states. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as "believe," "intend," "expect," "estimate," "plan," "outlook," "project," "anticipate," "may," "will," "would" and other similar words and expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking statements include statements related to incorporating new business systems and technology, equipping affiliates with the best tools to grow their businesses, enhancing productivity, delivering superior service, and driving innovation. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily accurately indicate the times at which such performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, (1) changes in the real estate market or interest rates and availability of financing, (2) changes in business and economic activity in general, (3) the Company's ability to attract and retain quality franchisees, (4) the Company's franchisees' ability to recruit and retain real estate agents and mortgage loan originators, (5) changes in laws and regulations, (6) the Company's ability to enhance, market, and protect its brands, (7) the Company's ability to implement its technology initiatives, (8) risks related to the Company's leadership transition, (9) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, (10) the nature and amount of the exclusion of charges in future periods when determining Adjusted EBITDA is subject to uncertainty and may not be similar to such charges in prior periods, and (11) those risks and uncertainties described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and similar disclosures in subsequent periodic and current reports filed with the SEC, which are available on the investor relations page of the Company's website at www.remaxholdings.co and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances. SOURCE RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. Recognized for innovative ammonia manufacturing technologies using low-temperature, low-pressure tech and renewable energy YOKOHAMA, Japan, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tsubame BHB Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Yokohama, Kanagawa Pref.; Representative Director and CEO: Koji Nakamura), which strives for the social implementation and commercialization of distributed ammonia production plants, has been named on Cleantech Groups. This annual 2025 Global Cleantech 100 list, now in its 16th year, showcases the most promising private cleantech companies making significant contributions to sustainable innovation. 2025 Global Cleantech 100 Tsubame BHB was established in 2017 as a venture company originating at the Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly the Tokyo Institute of Technology) with a Vision of "Tackle social issues, including environmental and food problems, using our unique state-of-the-art technologies." Its goal is to contribute to the on-site production of ammonia at distributed plants, using technologies that synthesize ammonia at low temperature and low pressure. Tsubame BHB uses electride catalyst technologies developed by Professor Emeritus Hideo Hosono and is focusing its efforts on the overseas deployment of these technologies, mainly in North and South America, Australia, and Africa. With the recent selection, the company was recognized for its innovative technology that enables the manufacture of ammonia at low temperature and low pressure, and which reduces environmental impact in comparison to conventional technologies. Ammonia, in addition to applications in fuel and chemical fertilizers, has gained attention as an important material for achieving a carbon neutral society. Through technical innovations in this field, Tsubame BHB will continue to work toward the further realization of environmental value and a carbon neutral society by incorporating manufacturing processes that utilize renewable energy. Tsubame BHB's main achievements Last year, Tsubame BHB welcomed its first overseas investors, and procured capital totaling approximately 5.3 billion yen in a Series C round of financing. It has gained increasing attention from overseas, for example becoming the only Japanese company to be selected for the "Startup Scale Program" in Germany. Recently, CEO Martins Brinins of MP INDUSTRIES, a green hydrogen project developer in Estonia, came to visit Tsubame BHB. In addition, a group representing PT PLN, an Indonesian government-owned power company, visited Tsubame BHB's pilot plant. This is an indication that various countries are showing an increased interest in the company's technologies. In Japan as well, the company has received an order for a second unit to be installed as a small industrial ammonia manufacturing facility, and this year, ammonia production is scheduled to begin at Tsubame BHB's first commercial unit in a small ammonia synthesis facility, which is being introduced for comprehensive verification tests in the manufacture and use of blue hydrogen and ammonia. About Global Cleantech 100 (https://www.cleantech.com/the-global-cleantech-100/ The Global Cleantech 100 program has been running since 2009 by Cleantech Group. Cleantech Group is a research-driven company that helps corporates, public sector, investors and others, identify, assess, and engage with the innovative solutions and opportunities that are related to the world's massive, and growing, environmental and climate challenges. Their insights and expertise are delivered to clients all over the world through our Research, Consulting, and Events. The cleantech theme is poised for pivotal milestones in 2025 as market forces intensify and innovation accelerates. Continuing trends from 2024, including policy uncertainty, groundbreaking first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects, and the surging demand for climate adaptation technologies, will emphasize the importance of product and project economics. "2025 will be remembered as a transformative year for cleantech. The bar has gone up for what kind of level of potential novelty, uniqueness, and cost improvements might be attractive," said Richard Youngman, CEO of Cleantech Group. "The Global Cleantech 100 highlights innovators who are building the foundation for a sustainable and economically viable future." About Tsubame BHB (https://tsubame-bhb.co.jp/ ) Tsubame BHB is a deep tech company with a Vision of "tackling social issues, including environmental and food problems, using our unique state-of-the-art technologies." Its goal is to contribute to the on-site production of ammonia at small-scale, distributed plants, using technologies that synthesize ammonia at low pressures and low temperatures. Established in 2017, Tsubame BHB utilizes electride catalyst technologies developed by Tokyo Tech's Professor Emeritus Hosono, and is currently strengthening the overseas deployment of these technologies, mainly in North and South America, Australia, and Africa. In 2023, the company was invited by the Japanese government to set up a booth at the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai. We are the only Japanese company to have been selected for the Startup Scale Program in Germany in 2024, and we are currently promoting collaborations with companies mainly in the EU. Company overview Name: Tsubame BHB Co., Ltd. Representative Director and CEO: Koji Nakamura URL: https://tsubame-bhb.co.jp/ Head office: 2-3-12 Shin-Yokohama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Pref.Shin-Yokohama Square Building, 6F Established: April 2017 Outline of business: R&D, sales, and facilities maintenance related to on-site ammonia supply systems R&D, manufacturing, and sales involving synthetic ammonia catalysts Manufacturing and sales of ammonia and ammonia-related products SOURCE Tsubame BHB Co., Ltd. Photo: Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 21. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan, the Public Interest Foundation International Manpower Development Organization of Japan, and the Kyrgyz State University (KSU), Trend reports. According to the Kyrgyz ministry, the agreement, designed to prepare specialists for employment in Japan, is expected to address the growing labor demand in Japan while providing Kyrgyz citizens with new job opportunities. The MoU is set to pave the way for training qualified personnel, gearing them up for a smooth transition into Japan's workforce. Kyrgyz Minister of Labor Ravshanbek Sabirov emphasized the significance of the partnership, stressing the role it will play in professional development and enhancing Kyrgyz citizens engagement in the global community. In turn, President of the Public Interest Foundation International Manpower Development Organization, Hitoshi Kanamori, expressed Japans commitment to supporting human capital development and fostering cultural ties with Kyrgyzstan. Moreover, Rector of the Kyrgyz State University Aygul Abdrayeva reaffirmed KSUs readiness to take on the responsibility of training the specialists needed for this initiative. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- United Western Group, a Washington, D.C. based private equity firm, is pleased to announce that it has been named to Inc. Magazine's 2024 list of Founder-Friendly Investors. The list recognizes the top 269 Private Equity and Venture Capital firms that support founder-led businesses to not only provide capital, but to work closely with founders and management teams to help them accelerate growth. All firms on the list have successful track records of collaboration and remaining actively involved with the businesses they invest in. Jacob Atkinson, Managing Partner at United Western, commented, "We are honored to be recognized by Inc. for our dedication of fostering strong, trust-based relationships with the founders of companies we invest in. We take pride in our unwavering commitment to partnering with entrepreneurs, supporting their growth journeys not only through capital but also by offering strategic resources that drive success." "It has been a complicated few years for growth companies and the companies that fund them," said Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. "So, we are happy to share with our readers the best, latest guidance on which venture capital firms, private equity firms, and growth-capital lenders have the track record and reputation of being especially good partners to founders and CEOs." To compile the 2024 Founder-Friendly Investors list, Inc. went straight to the source: entrepreneurs who have sold to private equity and venture capital firms. Founders completed a questionnaire about their experiences partnering with private equity, venture capital, and debt firms and shared data on how their portfolio companies have grown during these partnerships. To see the complete list, go to: https://www.inc.com/founder-friendly-investors/2024. About United Western Group United Western Group is a private equity firm based in Washington, D.C. that partners with managers and entrepreneurs to invest in strategically viable, market-leading companies across a wide range of industries. United Western employs a collaborative value creation model through organic and inorganic growth strategies. United Western seeks investment targets in North American companies with $20 to $500 million in revenue. For more information on United Western Group, visit www.unitedwestern.com. About Inc. Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community. Inc.'s award-winning work achieves a monthly brand footprint of more than 40 million across a variety of channels, including events, digital, print, video, podcasts, newsletters and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since its launch as the Inc. 100 in 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE United Western Group The innovative new railing system combines sleek design, effortless maintenance, and easy installation, catering to dealers and contractors aiming to meet today's demand for enhanced outdoor spaces. YORK, Pa., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolf Home Products, a PrimeSource Building Products brand and leader in premium outdoor living and building solutions, is proud to announce the launch of Gallery Railing, a versatile new product line designed to transform outdoor environments. Featuring a modern, slim-profile aluminum design and available in a contemporary horizontal cable look or the classic appeal of square balusters, Gallery Railing transforms balconies, decks, and patios into spaces that seamlessly blend style and safety. This railing offers a durable, low-maintenance solution that enhances views and creates versatile outdoor environments. Post this The innovative new Gallery Railing system combines sleek design, effortless maintenance, and easy installation, catering to dealers and contractors aiming to meet todays demand for enhanced outdoor spaces. Launched nationwide on January 20, 2025, through PrimeSource Building Products authorized dealers, Gallery Railing caters to dealers and contractors looking for reliable, easy-to-install solutions to satisfy their customers' evolving preferences. "With Gallery Railing, we're empowering our dealer and contractor partners to deliver the modern outdoor living spaces their customers demand," said Mark Simmers, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Product, and Market Development at Wolf Home Products. "As trends shift toward contemporary, streamlined designs, this railing offers a durable, low-maintenance solution that enhances views and creates versatile outdoor environments." The key features and benefits of Gallery Railing include: Modern Design with Unobstructed Views: Horizontal cable infill made from 316 Marine-grade stainless steel offers clear sightlines, while black square balusters provide a timeless alternative, catering to a variety of aesthetic preferences. Horizontal cable infill made from 316 Marine-grade stainless steel offers clear sightlines, while black square balusters provide a timeless alternative, catering to a variety of aesthetic preferences. Durable Construction: Crafted from AAMA 2604 powder-coated, extruded aluminum, the system resists rust, corrosion, and weathering, ensuring years of beauty without the need for painting or staining. Crafted from AAMA 2604 powder-coated, extruded aluminum, the system resists rust, corrosion, and weathering, ensuring years of beauty without the need for painting or staining. Customizable Heights and Sizes: Available in 36" and 42" heights with 6' and 8' sections for horizontal cables, offering flexibility for a wide range of applications. Available in 36" and 42" heights with 6' and 8' sections for horizontal cables, offering flexibility for a wide range of applications. Easy Installation: Templates and tension-fit balusters simplify installation, and horizontal cables require no special tools, ensuring quick and straightforward setup. Templates and tension-fit balusters simplify installation, and horizontal cables require no special tools, ensuring quick and straightforward setup. Safety and Compliance: Engineered to meet IBC/IRC safety codes, providing peace of mind without compromising style. The growing popularity of aluminum railings stems from their slim profiles and contemporary look, perfectly reflected in Gallery Railing's streamlined design. Wolf Home Products offers a suite of resources to support the launch of Gallery Railing, including installation guides, videos, and dealer tools available on its website. Dealers and contractors should contact their local PrimeSource or Wolf sales representative for more information about Gallery Railing. Gallery Railing is distributed exclusively through PrimeSource Building Products in select markets. For more details on Gallery Railing and Wolf Home Products' full suite of outdoor living solutions, visit WolfHomeProducts.com or contact the media relations team at 312-565-0044 ext. 1136. About Wolf Home Products Wolf Home Products is an innovator in the building products industry. Transforming homes for more than 180 years, Wolf Home Products has been the preferred home building products brand by families across North America who value the importance of their home and time together to build lasting memories in the spaces they enjoy most. With a vast inventory of kitchen and bath, outdoor living and building products, Wolf Home Products delivers orders in a fraction of the time, ensuring unparalleled value when and where customers need it. Wolf stands behind its service, cultivated with years of business experience into a total satisfaction guarantee. About PrimeSource Building Products PrimeSource Building Products is a specialty branded building products company with a portfolio including fastening solutions, building materials, and outdoor living products serving residential and commercial new construction and remodeling customers. Home to the Grip-Rite, Pro-Twist, Wolf Home Products, and other premier building products brands, PrimeSource leverages worldwide sourcing capabilities and fulfillment centers nationwide to supply products for construction, including: collated fasteners, tools and accessories, hand-drive screws and nails plus insulation, roofing and gypsum materials, perimeter security accessories, decking, railing and trim, among others. For more information, please visit www.primesourcebp.com or call (800) 676-7777. SOURCE Wolf Home Products ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wynk , a leading brand in hemp-derived THC-infused beverages, is expanding into Florida, marking an exciting milestone in its growth across the Southeast. After successful launches in Texas and Georgia, Wynk is thrilled to introduce its light, social THC seltzers to Floridians. From Jacksonville to Miami, Wynk is now available in hundreds of retail locations across key metros, offering consumers a refreshing way to experience the perfect balance of THC and CBD. Wynk Hemp-Derived THC Seltzer Florida's burgeoning interest in hemp-derived products reflects the growing demand for innovative ways to enjoy THC, especially as infused beverages become more accessible to adults. With a 1:1 THC to CBD ratio, Wynk delivers a consistent, feel-good buzz that's ideal for social settings, making it a standout choice in Florida's dynamic cannabis market. "Florida presents a fantastic opportunity for Wynk, and we're thrilled to bring our THC-infused beverages to the state," said Phil McFarland, General Manager of Wynk. "We've witnessed strong demand for cannabis beverages, and Florida's market is prime for products like Wynk." As demand for cannabis-infused beverages and alcohol alternatives continues to grow, Wynk's expansion into Florida is set to provide an enjoyable and accessible option for consumers. With the help of the leading beer distribution network in the state, including North Florida Sales, Daytona Beverage, Wayne Densch, Carroll Distributing, City Beverage, and Tri Eagle Sales. Wynk's signature THC seltzers will be available across a wide range of retail locations in regions such as Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, and beyond. Wynk's cannabis beverages will be available in bars, restaurants, liquor stores, convenience stores, and Total Wine & More locations statewide, ensuring that consumers have easy access to the brand. Floridians can find Wynk's refreshing flavors, including Black Cherry Fizz, Lime Twist, Juicy Mango, and Tangerine at retailers throughout the state. For a full list of retail locations, visit https://drinkwynk.com/find-in-stores . With a growing national presence, Wynk continues to lead the charge in cannabis beverages. The company's commitment to quality, transparency, and innovation makes it the go-to brand for consumers seeking a light and enjoyable alternative to alcohol. About Wynk Founded in 2021, Wynk is a leading brand in the rapidly expanding cannabis-infused beverage space. Known for its refreshing and balanced THC-infused seltzers, Wynk combines a 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD with high-quality manufacturing standards. Available in 7.5 oz cans (2.5mg THC & CBD) and 12 oz cans (5mg THC & CBD), Wynk offers a variety of flavors, including Black Cherry Fizz, Lime Twist, Juicy Mango, and Tangerine. Wynk is available online for purchase in 37 states and sold in retail locations in 12 states. For more information, visit https://drinkwynk.com . SOURCE Wynk TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 21. Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover amounted to $65.9 billion in 2024. The data obtained by Trend from the country's Statistics Agency shows that this figure increased by 3.7 percent year-on-year ($63.5 billion in 2023). In 2024, Uzbekistan's exports hit $26.9 billion, whereas imports climbed to $38.9 billion. During this period, the lion's share of trade turnover was logged with China, reaching a whopping $12.4 billion. Russia took the silver medal with a turnover of $11.6 billion, while Kazakhstan secured the bronze with a figure of $4.2 billion. When it comes to the regions of the country, Tashkent city led the pack with a whopping trade turnover of $25.3 billion, leaving the Tashkent region in its dust at $5.8 billion and the Andijan region trailing behind at $4.1 billion. To note, Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover amounted to $59.37 billion from January through November 2024. This figure has increased by 3.6 percent compared to the same period last year ($57.31 billion in January-November 2023). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 21. Uzbekistan's natural gas production totaled 44.5 billion cubic meters in 2024. The data obtained by Trend from the country's Statistics Agency shows that this figure is 4.9 percent less compared to the same period last year (46.7 billion cubic meters in 2023). Furthermore, the volume of gas condensate produced in 2024 reached 1.21 million tons, up 1.6 percent compared to the same period last year (1.19 million tons). Meanwhile, Uzbekneftegaz (Uzbekistans oil and gas company) plans to increase the volume of gas production in the country. The company intends to intensify geological exploration. Detailed surveys will begin at 15 promising sites, and seismic exploration will cover an expanded area of 6,500 square kilometers. In 2025, a program for geological development and the exploration of new fields developed with international experts will also be launched. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here New York, Jan 21 : In his final moments in office, US President Joe Biden issued pre-emptive pardons for his brothers, sister, and other relatives to shield them from possible prosecutions under the incoming administration of Donald Trump. Their pardons came on top of a pardon he granted his son Hunter last month. On his final day in office on Monday, he also issued a slew of pardons including to Anthony Fauci, who led the campaign against the Covid pandemic, and others who might become targets of prosecutions. Unlike Biden's son Hunter, who had been convicted of gun charges and was awaiting prosecution on tax evasion charges, his other relatives have not been charged. The relatives getting his clemency were brother James Biden and his wife Sara Jones Biden, another brother, Francis Biden, and sister Valerie Biden Owens and her husband John Owens. Announcing the pardons, Biden said, "My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me -- the worst kind of partisan politics." He added, "Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end." "Even when individuals have done nothing wrong -- and in fact have done the right thing -- and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances," he said. Republicans in the House of Representatives interviewed James Biden in preparation for impeaching his brother, but the move did not pan out. They said they were examining if James Biden benefitted financially in foreign dealings because of his brother's influence. Monday's wide-ranging pre-emptive pardons also covered former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, and the members and staff of the Congressional panel that investigated the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Trump had targeted some of them personally, and others as a group during his campaign for President. He will also announce his own set of pardons after assuming the presidency. He has said that he would pardon those convicted or facing trial for their actions during the January 6 riots. It is up to those Biden pardoned to accept or reject the reprieve and some may refuse them as they may view getting the pardon as an admission of guilt. Fauci, who stood at the side of Trump during the pandemic giving updates and directing the action, said, "Let me be perfectly clear: I have committed no crime and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me." But, he said, "the mere articulation of these baseless threats, and the potential that they will be acted upon, create immeasurable and intolerable distress for me and my family." Trump broke with Fauci under pressure from an extreme right-wing of his base that opposed the lockdowns and the vaccine mandates and Trump accused him of misleading the nation and cast his research institution's scientific cooperation with Chinese counterparts in a sinister light. Trump said that Milley should be "executed" for speaking to the Chinese military chief after the January 6 episode. The General had reportedly warned China against exploiting it. Biden's pardons covered Liz Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, who broke with Trump citing his role in the riots and his character and was the only Republican lawmaker to serve on the panel investigating the attack. The pardons were also extended to the police who were involved in enforcing the law on January 6 and testified before the Congressional panel. Trump had earlier pardoned his son Hunter who was facing sentencing after conviction on gun charges and trial on tax evasion charges. He also pardoned about 2,500 people convicted of drug charges. In keeping with his personal belief against the death penalty, he commuted the sentences of those on federal death row. In December, Biden issued pardons to about 1,500 people convicted of non-violent offences and they included four Indian Americans. Washington, Jan 21 : Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum congratulated her US counterpart Donald Trump on his inauguration on Monday and called for "dialogue, respect and cooperation" between the closely connected countries. "On behalf of the government of Mexico, I congratulate Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America. As neighbours and business partners, dialogue, respect, and cooperation will always be the symbol of our relationship," she wrote on X. In his first speech as President, Trump said he "will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came". Trump vowed to reinstate "Remain in Mexico", a policy from his first administration requiring anyone seeking to enter the United States through Mexico to remain in that country. He also promised to "send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country". But ahead of Trump's inauguration, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and members of her Cabinet expressed their disagreement with his plan to revive the "Remain in Mexico" policy and the "unilateral deportations" of Mexican nationals living in the US. "If they reinstate it, this is something we donat agree with. We have a different focus. We want to adjust it," Juan Ramon de la Fuente, Mexico's secretary for external relations, said in a news conference on Monday morning. But ultimately, "the desire is to keep the same policies as now," he added. De la Fuente described the "Remain in Mexico" policy as a "unilateral" one, meaning that it "does not require the assistance of other countries" to put it in place. While the policy does not obligate Mexico to process US asylum requests, de la Fuente said, "We can come to some agreements and find a way to operate." Sheinbaum said she and her administration "insist that there is a possibility to get asylum, not only from the border in person but from a distance in the southern part of the country or in other countries". "Thatas what weare working on," she added. Sheinbaum also insisted that the CBP One app, which allowed migrants seeking asylum to be prescreened before reaching the US, should be kept. According to her, "This will help alleviate the tension in the northern border of Mexico and the southern border of the US." However, the website for the CBP One app said on Monday noon that it "is no longer available, and existing appointments have been cancelled". Earlier, US President Trump said on Monday that he would change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America today as he highlighted the several actions he will immediately take. "America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth -- inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world," Trump said. "A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America." Mexico's Interior Secretary Rosa Icela RodrAguez on Monday announced a project called "Mexico Embraces You", providing support for Mexican citizens who could be deported from the United States after Donald Trump takes office. "Mexico will do everything necessary to defend, care for, and allocate what is needed to receive those who are repatriated in order to achieve their reincorporation to their native country," RodrAguez said during a press conference on Monday morning. Through the "Mexico Embraces You" plan, the country's National Migration Institute will be in charge of receiving Mexicans from abroad, processing their repatriation, and supporting transfers to their places of origin, the Secretary said. The government said Mexican citizens will be given 2,000 Mexican pesos (about $100) upon arrival to use during their transfer to their place of origin. RodrAguez added that the National Population Registry -- which is similar to the US Social Security number system -- will process identity documents if necessary. The Interior Secretary said that the government has been working and developing the plan since Trump pledged to carry out mass deportations. The plan was developed in coordination with international organisations, including the International Organisation for Migration, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and Unicef. Mexican President Sheinbaum said that she would try to communicate with Trump's team after the inauguration, and she asked Mexican citizens living in the US to remain calm. Dubai, Jan 21 : Arab Gulf leaders, the king of Jordan, and Palestine's President have congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 47th President of the US. The leadership of the UAE, including President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai; and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the Presidential Court, each sent a congratulatory message to Trump on Monday. Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq expressed his wish for Trump's success in his second term as US President. Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa expressed his wishes for Trump's good health, happiness, and success in his role, highlighting his pride in the relations and close partnership between the US and Bahrain. Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, affirmed in his message to Trump the aspiration to strengthen the well-established relations between the two countries. Jordan's King Abdullah II said on X that Jordan highly valued its partnership with the US and was committed to working with Trump toward a peaceful world. In his speech at the Capitol Rotunda, Trump said he wanted to be a "peacemaker and unifier" while mentioning the recently released hostages in a deal between Hamas and Israel which brought a ceasefire to the Gaza Strip this week. Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority (PA), said in a message that the PA was ready to work with Trump to achieve peace during his administration, based on the two-state solution. President Mahmoud Abbas extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Donald Trump on his inauguration and for taking the constitutional oath as President of the United States of America. In his message, President Abbas emphasised, "We stand ready to work with you to achieve peace during your tenure, guided by the two-state solution based on international legitimacy. This vision seeks the establishment of the State of Palestine and the State of Israel living side by side in peace and security." President Abbas further highlighted the importance of collective efforts to foster security and stability in the region and across the globe, expressing his hope for fruitful collaboration in pursuing these shared goals Washington, Jan 21 : The Senate Foreign Relations Committee late Monday approved Marco Rubio's nomination unanimously to serve as Secretary of State, and a floor vote on his confirmation is expected later in the night. Rubio, the outgoing senior Senator from Florida, had bipartisan support from his colleagues on the Foreign Relations Committee, where he was previously a senior member of the panel. The vote was 22-0. His nomination is the first to be approved by a Senate committee and is expected to be the only one to get a floor vote on Inauguration Day. Rubio is among the least controversial of Trump's nominees and the Florida Republican could be the first to be confirmed. Another pick, John Ratcliffe for CIA director, is also expected to have a swift vote. Two other nominees for top positions on Trump's national security team, Pete Hegseth for defense secretary and Kristi Noem for homeland security secretary were also expected to be approved by committees on Monday evening. President Trump, soon after taking his oath of office, formally submitted a slate of his top nominees to the Senate on Monday noon. "Marco Rubio is a very intelligent man with a remarkable understanding of American foreign policy," Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the senior-most Republican, said as the chamber opened. Grassley said he expects Rubio will receive "an overwhelming vote for his confirmation". It's often tradition for the Senate to convene immediately after the ceremonial pomp of the inauguration to begin putting the new President's team in place, particularly the national security officials. During Trump's first term, the Senate swiftly confirmed his defence and homeland security secretaries on day one, and President Joe Biden's choice for director of national intelligence was confirmed on his own Inauguration Day. With Trump's return to the White House, and his Republican Party controlling majorities in Congress, his outsider Cabinet choices are more clearly falling into place, despite initial skepticism and opposition from both sides of the aisle. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Monday evening he expects voting to begin "imminently" on Trump's nominees. Democrats have calculated it's better for them to be seen as more willing to work with Trump, rather than simply mounting a blockade on his nominees. They're holding their opposition for some of his other picks who have less support, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary. Senate committees have been holding lengthy confirmation hearings on more than a dozen of the Cabinet nominees, with more to come this week. And several panels are expected to meet late Monday to begin voting to advance the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senate Intelligence Committee are all planning evening meetings to advance the nominations of Rubio, Hegseth, and Ratcliffe. Rubio, a well-liked senator and former Trump rival during the 2016 presidential race, has drawn closer to the President in recent years. He appeared last week to answer questions before the Foreign Relations Committee, where he has spent more than a decade as a member. As Secretary of State, Rubio would be the nation's top diplomat, and the first Latino to hold the position. Born in Miami to Cuban immigrants, he has long been involved in foreign affairs, particularly in South America, and has emerged as a hawk on China's rise. During his confirmation hearing last week, Rubio warned of the consequences of America's "unbalanced relationship" with China. While he echoes Trump's anti-globalist rhetoric, Rubio is also seen as an internationalist who understands the power of US involvement on the global stage. Rubio is likely to win bipartisan support from both Republicans and Democrats. He would take over for outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has said he hopes the Trump administration continues Biden's policies in the Middle East to end the war in Gaza and to help Ukraine counter the Russian nomination. With the Senate split 53-47, Republicans need almost all every party member in line to overcome Democratic opposition to nominees. Objection from any one Senator, as is expected with Hegseth and several other choices, would force the Senate into procedural steps that would drag voting later into the week. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Washington, Jan 21 : The Senate voted on Monday to confirm Marco Rubio as President Donald Trump's Secretary of State, the first high-level Cabinet official for the new administration to be approved by the Chamber, media reported. The confirmation vote took place just hours after Trump was sworn in as President, CNN reported. Rubio has served as a Republican Senator from Florida since 2011, and his nomination drew strong support from several Senate Democrats, who called their colleague highly qualified for the role. Rubio went from Trump's adversary to ally in recent years in a remarkable political turnaround. Now, he will play a key role as a high-ranking official in Trump's new administration, CNN reported. After his failed GOP presidential primary bid in 2016, Rubio sharpened his foreign policy credentials as the leading Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, while building relationships in his party and across the aisle. Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has named state Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill the seat set to be vacated by Rubio. Rubio's nomination received a warm reception from many Senate Democrats. During his confirmation hearing, New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called Rubio "well-qualified to serve as Secretary of State". During questions from Senators, Rubio voiced his support for NATO -- as well as a bipartisan law he co-sponsored that states that the US cannot withdraw from the alliance without Senate approval or an act of Congress. Rubio also talked about the need for the US to take a strong stance with respect to China during his confirmation hearing, calling the Chinese Communist Party a "potent" and "dangerous" adversary. "They're a technological adversary and competitor, an industrial competitor, an economic competitor, geopolitical competitor, a scientific competitor now, in every realm, it's an extraordinary challenge and one that I believe will define the 21st century," Rubio said. "We've allowed them to get away with things, and frankly the Chinese did what any country in the world would do given these opportunities, they took advantage of it, so now we're dealing with the ramifications of it," he said. "Much of what we need to do to confront China is here at home. It's not just abroad, it's also here at home," he said. "We have to rebuild our domestic industrial capacity, and we have to make sure the United States is not reliant on any single other nation for any of our critical supply chains." In response to questions about Russia's war against Ukraine, Rubio said it's "unrealistic to believe"aUkraineacan push Russian forces back to where they were before the 2022 invasion and that the official US position should be that the war should end, CNN reported. Rubio added he and Trump agreed that the war needed to end and criticised the Biden administration for not setting a clear "end goal" for the war. "What (Russian President) Vladimir Putin has done is unacceptable, there's no doubt about it, but this war has to end, and I think it should be the official policy of the United States that we want to see it end," he said. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 21. Uzbekistan's Oliy Majlis (Parliament) approved a bill in its third reading to join the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), Trend reports. The bill was approved at a regular meeting of the Legislative Chamber of the Parliament of Uzbekistan, marking the countrys intention to become a member of EDB. The move is part of Uzbekistans broader strategy to diversify long-term investment sources in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and industry while enhancing the financing opportunities necessary for the development of the national economy. By joining the EDB, Uzbekistan aims to tap into new avenues for funding large-scale projects and drive its economic growth forward. The Eurasian Development Bank, with a charter capital of $7 billion, plays a crucial role in financing investment projects across its member states. It focuses on areas such as green economy, transport and logistics, alternative energy, digital transformation, and agriculture. Since its inception in 2016, the bank has allocated $15 billion in funding to various projects. Additionally, the EDB has implemented a system for conducting transactions in the national currencies of its member countries, a move that further facilitates trade and investment in the region. Earlier, the Chairman of the Management Board of the EDB, Nikolai Podguzov, said that the bank hopes Uzbekistan will officially join the bank in early 2025. Washington, Jan 21 : US President Donald Trump has criticised former President Joe Biden's pardons for family members, which he issued as his last act before leaving office on Monday. President Trump hit out at Biden for an 11th-hour clemency announcement offering preemptive pardons to members of his family during remarks from the Capital One Arena on Monday. "Did you know that Biden, while I was making my speech, pardoned his whole family?" Trump said. "The brother, the whole deal, was pardoned. Can you imagine that, while I was making my speech? Did everybody hear my speech? Did you like my speech? Thank you." Trump said that aides stopped him from making his inaugural address more "tough", urging him to avoid including remarks about Biden's decision to pardon family members or about planned pardons for January 6 defendants. But moments later, he seemed to contradict himself, telling supporters he didn't find out about the pardons until after he finished his remarks. "Can you believe it? He's pardoned a" you know why he did it while I was speaking? Because that way I couldn't speak about it," Trump said. "I was speaking, I didn't know he (Biden) did it. I finished my speech, and they said, 'Sir, he pardoned his whole family.' I said, 'Oh can I go back out there and talk about it?'" "Somehow, that wouldn't be very elegant," he added. "Our first lady would say, 'Please don't do that.' We have plenty of time to talk about it, and we will." During an appearance to sign executive orders, President Trump said Biden's pardons were "unfortunate," but said he wouldn't discuss them further yet. "We won't discuss it now. There's plenty of time to discuss it," the President said. In the last hours of his presidency, Biden issued pardons for Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley and members of the House January 6 investigative committee, as well as for James B. Biden (Biden's brother), Sara Jones Biden (Biden's sister-in-law), Valerie Biden Owens (Biden's sister), John T. Owens (Biden's brother-in-law), and Francis W. Biden (Biden's youngest brother). "I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics," Biden wrote, but said that the pardons were needed because of the risk of "baseless and politically motivated investigations" that could "wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families". Former President Biden also pardoned his son Hunter Biden in December of 2024, writing at the time that Hunter had been targeted because he was the President's son. That decision drew criticism from lawmakers and from then-President-elect Trump, who called that pardon an "abuse and miscarriage of Justice" and questioned why President Biden hasn't pardoned any of the "hostages" who were imprisoned following the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Washington, Jan 21 : India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar joined international and US leaders and tech titans at the inauguration of President Donald Trump at the Capitol, taking a prominent seat. This was the first time international leaders were invited to attend the inauguration of a US President. EAM Jaishankar, who came as India's Special Envoy, was given a place of honour, seated on the first seat on the first righthand row at the swearing-in ceremony on Monday. Earlier in the day, he attended the prayer service at the St. John's Episcopal Church where the day's events began. Foreign Ministers Penny Wong of Australia, and Takeshi Iwaya of Japan, whose countries with India and the US make up the Indo-Pacific group, the Quad, were also there. Wong said the invitation to the Quad Ministers affirmed Trump's "iron-clad commitment" to the Indo-Pacific region. The technology leaders drew the most attention at the ceremony, which was moved indoors because of the freezing weather with the thermometer at a"8 degrees Celsius. Elon Musk, the owner of X and founder of Telsa and SpaceX, who has emerged as a close confidant of Trump, Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, CEOs Tim Cook of Apple, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta/Facebook, and Sundar Pichai of Google, rubbed shoulders with politicians. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Presidents Javier Milei of Argentina and Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, and China's Vice President, Han Zheng attended the inauguration. The invitation list reflected Trump's ideological bent sideling most of the elected officials in favour of Opposition figures like Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage, France's Reconquete Party President Eric Zemmour, Belgium's nationalist Vlaams Belang Party boss Tom Van Grieken, and former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was invited but could not come because of court orders relating to allegations that he was involved in a coup plot. He sent his wife Michelle to represent him. Among the domestic leaders, it was the two who did not attend who made waves. While former President Barack Obama was there, his wife Michelle stayed away and gave no reason. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had a rancorous relationship with Trump also did not attend. At one of Trump's State of the Union speech, she tore up the text of his speech from the podium. Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton attended with their spouses. Trump's appointees to Cabinet and senior positions like Tulsi Gabbard named as Director of National Intelligence and Kash Patel as Federal Bureau of Investigation were there. Trump had boycotted the inauguration of Joe Biden in 2021, but the Bidens graciously came to Trump and his wife to the swearing-in after hosting the couple at the White House for traditional tea. At the church, EAM Jaishankar was seen in conversation with Vivek Ramaswamy, who ran for the Republican Party presidential nomination but dropped out to support Trump. Ramaswamy is reported to be considering a run for Governor of Ohio. Washington, Jan 21 : President Donald Trump on Monday slammed China as the reason for his withdrawal of the US from the Paris Climate Accord in a significant departure from his announcement in his first term in 2017 when he also blamed India. "I'm immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris Climate Accord rip off the United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity," Trump told supporters at a sporting arena where they had waited for his speech all day. They had come to the capital from all over the country to participate in the inauguration that has traditionally been held outdoors at the US Capitol. This time, the event was moved indoors and the supporters were moved to the sporting arena to watch the event on giant TV screens. "You know, China, and look, they use a lot of dirty energy, but they produce a lot of energy, and when that stuff goes up in the air, you know, it doesn't stay there. It's not like you have a wall. We love walls that way. Not like you have a wall around and it just doesn't. It floats into the United States of America after three and a half to five and a half days, it floats across the oceans, and it comes right over your neighborhood, and it falls into your neighborhood. So they all say we have to fight for cleaner air, but the other dirty air is dropping all over us. So what the hell are they talking about? Unless everybody does it. It just doesn't work." So the US is out of the Paris Climate Accord once again. Trump announced the withdrawal as he got down to work even before the celebration had ended by signing executive orders rescinding a large number of regulations of the Biden administration in full view of cheering supporters who had waited all day for it at the sporting arena. The President is "signing the rescission of 78 Biden-era executive actions, executive orders, presidential memoranda, and others", the announcer said at the President's prompting, who had signed the order at a stable set up for him at the arena with the presidential seal. Washington, Jan 21 : Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who once was tapped to lead the new government efficiency office within the White House, will no longer take on the role as he prepares a run for Governor of Ohio, a White House official said. This leaves the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, now under the purview of Elon Musk, who was spotted arriving at the White House on Monday noon. An official said Musk had received a White House pass and was expected to work out of the West Wing. "Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE," Trump-Vance transition spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement to the media. Kelly cited Ramaswamy's interest in running for Governor of Ohio as the reason he's departing the committee tasked with exploring ways to trim the size of the federal government. "He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE, based on the structure that we announced today," she said. "We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last two months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again." After his departure, Ramaswamy called it an "honour" to have been a part of DOGE and teased an announcement about his political future. "It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE," he wrote on X. "I'm confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government." "I'll have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Most importantly, we're all-in to help President Trump make America great again!" he added. Ramaswamy and SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk were selected by President Trump last November to head up the new initiative, which is expected to work in tandem with the White House and its Office of Management and Budget. The 39-year-old former Republican presidential primary candidate was criticised by several in MAGA circles last month over a social media post in which he argued that American "culture" was celebrating "mediocrity". "The reason top tech companies often hire foreign-born & first-generation engineers over 'native' Americans isn't because of an innate American IQ deficit (a lazy & wrong explanation). A key part of it comes down to the c-word: culture," Ramaswamy wrote in a lengthy post on X in support of foreign worker visas. The Roivant Sciences founder went on to make the case that popular American culture has favoured "the prom queen over the math olympiad champ" and "the jock over the valedictorian" -- putting the US behind other countries in terms of developing engineering talent. Ramaswamy went noticeably quiet on social media after the immigration post, leading some to speculate about his status in Trumpworld. The Ohio native was rumoured as a possible pick to replace Vice President J.D. Vance in the US Senate before Buckeye State Governor Mike DeWine tapped Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted for the role. When a Ramaswamy parody account on X fooled several users into thinking he was launching a gubernatorial campaign in Ohio, the real Ramaswamy responded: "Not a bad idea, though." Ramaswamy attended the 78-year-old President's swearing-in ceremony at the US Capitol on Monday. New York, Jan 21 : President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is withdrawing the US from the World Health Organisation, a significant move cutting ties with the United Nation's public health agency on his first day in office. Trump has long been critical of the WHO, and his administration formally withdrew from the organisation in July 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic continued to spread. The text of the executive order cites the "organisation's mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states," as reasons for the US withdrawal. "That's a big one," Trump told an aide as he began to sign the executive order, pointing to his 2020 decision and his belief that the US was paying too much money to the organisation compared to other countries. The order also said that the WHO "continues to demand unfairly onerous payments" from the US. The plan, which aligns with Trump's longstanding criticism of the UN health agency, would mark a dramatic shift in US global health policy and further isolate Washington from international efforts to battle pandemics. Trump has nominated several critics of the organisation to top public health positions, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic who is up for the post of secretary of Health and Human Services, which oversees all major US health agencies, including the CDC and FDA. Trump initiated the year-long withdrawal process from the WHO in 2020 but six months later his successor, President Joe Biden, reversed the decision. The US President has argued that the agency failed to hold China accountable for the early spread of Covid-19. He has repeatedly called the WHO a puppet of Beijing and vowed to redirect US contributions to domestic health initiatives. A WHO spokesperson declined to directly comment but referred to the media's comments by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a press briefing on December 10 in which he was asked whether he was concerned that the Trump administration would withdraw from the organisation. Tedros said at the time that the WHO needed to give the US time and space for the transition. He also voiced confidence that states could finalise a pandemic agreement by May 2025. Critics warn that a US withdrawal could undermine global disease surveillance and emergency response systems. Jammu, Jan 21 : The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Cabinet has increased the monthly honorarium of special police officers (SPOs) and also cleared key several key administrative proposals during its meeting chaired by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, officials said on Tuesday. Jammu, Jan 21 (IANS) The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Cabinet has increased the monthly honorarium of special police officers (SPOs) and also cleared key several key administrative proposals during its meeting chaired by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, officials said on Tuesday. In a decision of far-reaching consequences, J&K Cabinet on Monday evening decided to increase, with immediate effect, the monthly honorarium given to SPOs. A freshly recruited SPO will now get Rs 12,000 per month, those with five years of service will get Ra 18,000, those with 10 years will get Rs 24,000 and those with 15 years will get Rs 30,000 per month. This decision of the J&K Cabinet is a forward step towards the recognition of services rendered by the SPOs. In addition to the discharge of routine duties, SPOs have made sacrifices and remained at the forefront of the fight against terrorists. During the heydays of terrorism in J&K it was decided to recruit SPOs for augmentation of the J&K Police personnel and to give gainful employment to local youth so that these are not lured by the terrorists to join their ranks. The Cabinet has also recommended that the session of the J&K Assembly should be convened in the first week of March. "Cabinet has cleared the revision of dearness allowance rates payable to government employees, pensioners, and to those getting family pension. The revision will be effective from July 1, 2024." "Cabinet approved proposals relating to grant of administrative approval for key proposals mooted by the Housing and Urban Development Department. The proposals included dumpsite remediation through bio-mining/bio-remediation of 11 lakh MTs of legacy waste at Achan dumping site, Srinagar, at an estimated cost of Rs 60.5 crore (Rs 33 crore from 14th Finance Commission and Rs 27.5 crore from Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0), pollution abatement and conservation of River Jhelum at Chuntkul and Gawkadal areas in Srinagar, at an estimated cost of Rs 6445.68 lakh (Rs 6380.68 lakh under the National River Conservation Plan) and pollution abatement and conservation of River Banganga at Katra town, at an estimated cost of Rs 92.1 crore under the National River Conservation Plan." "Cabinet has approved the implementation of a three-tier faculty structure in Government Dental College, Srinagar, and Indira Gandhi Government Dental College, Jammu, as per the norms of the Dental Council of India on staffing patterns." "Construction of new hospital block for the emergency operation theatre at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, was also cleared." "It also cleared the proposal on dispensing with oral tests/interviews for posts in pay level-6, as recommended by the J&K Service Selection Board." "The amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, were also cleared by the cabinet," officials said. Havana, Jan 21 : Cuba's President Miguel DAaz-Canel has condemned US President Donald Trump's decision to put the island back on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, calling Trump's actions "an act of arrogance and disregard for the truth". "President Trump, in an act of arrogance and disregard for the truth, has just reinstated the fraudulent designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism," DAaz-Canel wrote on Monday on X. "This is not surprising. His goal is to continue strengthening the cruel economic war against Cuba for the purpose of domination." "The result of the extreme economic siege measures imposed by Trump has been to cause shortages among our people and a significant increase in the migratory flow from Cuba to the United States," the Cuban President said in a separate post. Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez also issued a scathing response to the decision. "Drunk with arrogance, President Trump decides without reason that Cuba sponsors terrorism. He knows that he is LYING. His determination is to increase the punishment and the economic war against Cuban families. It will cause harm, but it will not break the firm determination of our people. We will win," Rodriguez said in a post on X. The Biden administration announced on January 14 that it would remove Cuba from the state sponsor of terrorism list. Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism in January 2021, saying at the time that Havana was "providing support for acts of international terrorism in granting safe harbour to terrorists" after refusing to extradite leaders of a Colombian guerrilla organisation who were in Havana for peace talks when a deadly bombing took place in the South American nation. Cuba has been one of just four nations designated as state sponsors of terrorism, along with North Korea, Iran, and Syria. Cuban officials have advocated for their country's removal as a state sponsor of terror, which triggers stringent economic sanctions in addition to more than the six decades-old US embargo. President Donald Trump on Monday revoked Biden-era executive actions that withdrew Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terror, that applied sanctions on Jewish settlers in the West Bank, and that sought to reduce the risks of artificial intelligence. The rescinded orders were part of a mass reversal of Biden-era policies that Trump signed at Capital One arena following his swearing-in as the 47th President of the US. Biden only recently removed Cuba from the terror list. The list of revoked orders Trump signed on Monday did not specify individual reasons for reversing Biden's decision. Biden applied the sanctions on certain Jewish settlers accused of fomenting violence in the West Bank in February 2024. And his 2023 AI order aimed to monitor and regulate the risks of artificial intelligence. New Delhi, Jan 21 : Delhi woke up to poor air quality on Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 319 at 6 a.m., according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The city remains engulfed in a toxic haze, worsened by shifting regulations under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), leaving residents confused as authorities alternate between withdrawal, imposition, and reimposition of Stages I, II, III, and IV. As of 6 a.m. today, the AQI levels reported by CPCB in various parts of the city were: Okhla Phase 2 (320), Alipur (300), Rohini (332), ITO (318), Ashok Vihar (322), Shadipur (257), Mundka (343), Wazirpur (338), Jahangirpuri (318), Narela (305), R.K. Puram (314), Pusa DPCC (316). Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 345, while DTU had the lowest at 233. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts cloudy skies over Delhi on January 22 and 23, with a 2 degrees Celcius rise in minimum temperature recorded over the past 24 hours. A thin layer of fog was also observed in parts of Delhi-NCR, adding to the challenges posed by the ongoing cold wave. Earlier on Friday the Centre's air quality panel revoked restrictions under Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi and neighbouring areas as air quality improved in the city. The move comes a day after the Commission for Air Quality Management rolled back GRAP 4 following a dip in air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. The CAQM said in a statement that its sub-committee on GRAP conducted its meeting on Friday and reviewed the air quality scenario in the region as well as the IMD/IITM forecasts. "As per the Air Quality & Weather forecast provided by IMD/ IITM, there is a likelihood of the AQI of Delhi to remain in the lower end of 'Very Poor' category in the coming days owing to favourable meteorological conditions and strong wind speeds," the CAQM said in the statement. Authorities urge citizens to limit outdoor activities and adopt pollution control measures wherever possible. Washington, Jan 21 : As he promised, US President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive action that delays enforcement of the TikTok ban for 75 days. Trump's order directs his Attorney General to not levy fines against app stores and service providers that continue helping TikTok stay up. Trump will also order his administration to "issue a letter to each provider stating that there has been no violation of the statute and that there is no liability for any conduct that occurred". Experts and some Republican lawmakers have said the measures could be legally dubious. Signing the order on his first day was a theatrical snub to Republican China hawks who have maintained the app must be sold over concerns that TikTok's Beijing-based owner ByteDance poses a threat to national security. Earlier on Monday, TikTok CEO Shou Chew attended Trump's inauguration, seated next to Tulsi Gabbard, who is nominated to serve as director of national intelligence. The company also sponsored a Washington party to celebrate the inauguration. The executive order capped off a tumultuous weekend. The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the sell-or ban law. Then TikTok pre-emptively shut down on Saturday, despite not being required to under the ban. It restored service to US customers a day later after Trump promised he would pass a executive order to save it. Trump had vowed to intervene to save TikTok, and over the weekend proposed in a post on Truth Social a "joint venture" in which "the US gets a 50 per cent stake". On Monday, Trump reiterated his idea for partial government ownership of TikTok, saying: "If I do the deal for the United States, then I think we should get half." The action directs the US Justice Department not to enforce the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which passed with broad bipartisan support in Congress and was signed in April by former President Joe Biden. The law required that starting January 19, TikTok be banned in the US unless it sells to a buyer from America or one of its allies. The law gives the President broad discretion on how to enforce the ban. Trump's promise in a Truth Social post that he would sign an executive action on Monday so that the law will not be enforced served as a sufficient enough pledge that TikTok, which took itself offline for more than 12 hours Saturday night into Sunday, went back online Sunday noon. But TikTok's ultimate fate in America remains in doubt. It's unclear that TikTokas China-based owner, ByteDance, would want to sell to a buyer, even if it were a deal brokered by Trump. From the Oval Office, Trump told reporters on Monday that he changed his mind on TikTok because he "got to use it". "And remember, TikTok is largely about kids, young kids. If China is going to get information about young kids out of it. To be honest, I think we have bigger problems than that," Trump said in the Oval Office. He also told reporters the action that he signed on TikTok gave him the right to either "sell it or close it". "I have the right to either sell it or close it, and we'll make that determination," Trump added. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Srinagar, Jan 21 : For the first time after December 3, 2024, the minimum temperature rose above the freezing point in Srinagar on Tuesday while Jammu city weather improved. The city recorded 26.2 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature on Monday. The Meteorological (MeT) Department officials said that for the first time this season, after December 3, 2024, the minimum temperature rose above the freezing point in Srinagar city. Srinagar recorded 1 degree Celsius, Gulmarg minus 3.2 and Pahalgam minus 2.2 as the minimum temperature. Jammu city recorded 9 degrees Celsius, Katra 10.8, Batote 5.2, Banihal 1 degree and Bhaderwah 2 degrees as the nightas lowest temperature. The MeT department forecast said, aOn January 21, possibility of light rain/ snow at scattered places. On January 22, generally cloudy sky with the possibility of light rain (plains of Jammu) and snow at scattered places. On January 23, possibility of very light rain (plains of Jammu)/ light snow at isolated places of Jammu Division. From January 24 to 28, generally dry weather. Between January 29 and 31, generally cloudy sky with light rain/ snow at isolated places." The MeT Department issued an advisory saying that the tourists/travellers/transporters are advised to follow the administration/traffic advisory." A 40-day-long period of intense winter cold called the aChillai Kalana started on December 21 and will end on January 30. During these 40 days, locals wear loose tweed overgarments called the aPherana under which they hold a firepot woven in a willow wicker basket called the aKangria. These two together, form an ideal combination for instant heat for the locals. Doctors have cautioned people, especially, children and elders to avoid long exposure to cold as this results in myocardial infarction, which becomes the reason for constriction of blood vessels. Constricted blood vessels lead to heart failure and heart attack. Due to a shortage of finances, the government is not able to provide a 24/7 electric supply to locals and in addition to scheduled power cuts, the breakdown of systems often leaves the Valley in darkness for hours together. New Delhi, Jan 21 : Targeting nine key health conditions may be crucial for women's health and add the equivalent of 2.5 healthy days per woman per year, according to new research released at the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) on Tuesday. The new report shows that compared to men, women live one-fourth more of their lives in poor health. Focussing on the nine conditions, categorised as lifespan and healthspan conditions may be key to boosting their lives and health. "The nine conditions are divided into lifespan conditions, related to the total number of years lived (maternal hypertensive disorders, postpartum haemorrhage, ischemic heart disease, cervical cancer, and breast cancer) and health span conditions, related to how many of those years are healthy (endometriosis, menopause, migraine, and premenstrual syndrome)," said the report, published in collaboration with the McKinsey Health Institute (MHI). The report noted that targeted action around these nine key health conditions may help cut down the global disease burden by 27 million disability-adjusted life years as well as add the equivalent of 2.5 healthy days per woman per year. It also highlighted the vast economic opportunities of investing in women's health. Targeting the nine conditions also has the potential to transform millions of lives and unlock $400 billion in global GDP annually by 2040, said the report. "Measuring progress is essential for driving meaningful change and developing effective healthcare strategies tailored to women," said Shyam Bishen, Head of the Centre for Health and Healthcare and member of the Executive Committee, WEF. "Despite the opportunity to add 2.5 additional healthy days to women's lives, they are often overlooked due to a lack of sex-specific research -- only 10 per cent of clinical trials for ischemic heart disease and migraine report such data," she added. As part of this initiative, the Forum, in collaboration with MHI, launches the Women's Health Impact Tracking (WHIT) -- a publicly accessible tool designed to measure and address global health gaps and promote equitable, scalable solutions worldwide. By providing data-driven insights on health outcomes and economic opportunities, the platform highlights the urgent need for investment in three underfunded conditions: menopause, premenstrual syndrome, and migraine, representing a $315 billion GDP opportunity. Globally, there have been critical disparities in women's health outcomes, driven by gaps in data collection, research funding, clinical practice guidelines, and healthcare delivery systems. Notably, while 54 per cent of the women's health burden occurs in low- and middle-income countries, only 23 per cent of clinical trials focus on these regions. The report emphasised that improving data accuracy, increasing research funding for women-specific conditions, and enhancing sex-based clinical guidelines could significantly reduce these disparities. "It is time to count women, study women, care for women, invest in women, and include all women," said Lucy Perez, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and Co-leader of the McKinsey Health Institute. "Addressing these nine conditions can not only improve the lives of millions of women and unlock $400 billion of economic uplift -- but it also provides a blueprint for scaling and tracking progress to close the broader women's health gap," Perez added. The WEF Annual Meeting 2025 is being held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from January 20 to 24. Global leaders are deliberating various issues under the theme 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age'. Chennai, Jan 21 : With many families yet to collect the Pongal gift hampers, the Tamil Nadu government has announced that eligible ration card holders can collect these until January 25. While 2.2 crore ration card holders, including those in Sri Lankan refugee camps, are eligible for Pongal hampers,1.87 crore have so far collected these. Taking this into account, the government has extended the distribution of gift hampers till January 25. Chief Minister M.K.Stalin inaugurated the Pongal gift hamper distribution on January 9. A workforce of 50,000 ration shop employees has been mobilized to ensure smooth distribution. Each Pongal gift hamper includes one kilogram each of raw rice and sugar, a sugarcane, a dhoti, and a saree. Additionally, the hampers contain a package of 21 essential items required for the festival. The initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on families, enabling them to celebrate Pongal without additional expenses. The state government has allocated Rs 249.76 crore for the distribution. This year, the Pongal hampers did not include a cash component, which had been a part of the initiative for over a decade, except in 2017, 2018, and 2022. The cash gift started at Rs 100 in 2014 and increased to Rs 1,000 in 2019 and Rs 2,500 in 2021. In January 2022, the DMK government excluded the cash component as cardholders had already received Rs 2,000 (as part of Covid-19 relief) in November 2021. Instead, the government provided hampers containing 16 grocery items valued at Rs 1,400. The sarees and dhotis distributed this year were produced through state-run cooperative societies. Beneficiaries also included those under the Old Age Pension Scheme. For the 2025 Pongal festival, the Tamil Nadu government ordered the production of 1.77 crore dhotis and an equal number of sarees. This marked a significant increase from last yearas production of 1 crore dhotis and 1.24 crore sarees. An additional 77 lakh dhotis and 53 lakh sarees were produced for this yearas distribution. The Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles, and Khadi Department allocated Rs 100 crore for procuring yarn and paying weavers. The production employed 63,000 power looms across the state, using cotton yarn for the 2024-25 cycle. A shift to polyester yarn is planned for the 2025-26 cycle, reflecting the governmentas commitment to supporting traditional industries. Pongal, also referred to as Thai Pongal, is a multi-day Hindu harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu. It is observed in the Tamil calendar month of Thai, typically falling on January 14 or 15 in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is a time to thank the Sun, cattle, farmers, and their produce. It corresponds to Makar Sankranti, a similar Hindu observance celebrated across the Indian subcontinent under various regional names. Pongal celebrations span three to four days, with Bhogi Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kanum Pongal observed consecutively. Washington, Jan 21 : US President Donald Trump attended the Commander-in-Chief inaugural ball, the first of three events scheduled after his swearing-in ceremony, where he expressed gratitude to service members and highlighted plans for military strength and national security. Joined by First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Usha Vance, Trump danced on stage in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Addressing the attendees, he said, "Today, we celebrate the enduring strength and resilience of our glorious Republic. It is highly appropriate that we honour the men and women who keep us safe. Your bravery inspires us, your service unites us, and your sacrifice protects us all." Trump took the opportunity to praise Pete Hegseth, his nominee for Secretary of Defence. "Under the leadership of our next Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth -- who I just saw and is fantastic -- we will again build the most powerful military the world has ever seen," he stated. Referring to his previous term, Trump said, "We did that four years ago, and then it dissipated a little, but we're going to do it again -- much bigger and stronger than ever before." He assured the crowd that the military's sole focus would be on defending the nation. "You do not have to worry about political agendas. There is only one focus: defeating America's enemies. We are not going to be defeated or humiliated; we are only going to win." The President also emphasised economic strength and national security. "The economy is going to be strong; we are not going to let our friendly and unfriendly nations push us around from many standpoints, including the economy because we have something that we do not have. We have the power that they don't have. We will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars we end and, perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into; it's called peace through strength. We don't have to fight the wars if we can do it without fighting," Trump said. Trump predicted a renewed global reputation for the United States, saying, "Our friends will respect us, our enemies will fear us and the world will admire the unrivalled greatness of the US military." "This is going to be a golden age of America," he added. During the event, Trump spoke via video with troops stationed in South Korea, addressing the situation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "Hello everybody, how's Kim Jong Un doing?" Trump asked sarcastically before commenting, "He's a tough cookie, but I developed a pretty good relationship with him. How's it going over there?" The evening concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony featuring the Trumps and the Vances before they left to attend the Liberty Inaugural Ball. Kolkata, Jan 21 : While the West Bengal government is sticking to its stand that the doctor's negligence was the reason behind the death of one woman and a newborn baby at a state-run hospital in West Midnapore district earlier this month, an expert committee of the state health department has not ruled out the possibility of adverse impact of injection of essential liquids like Ringers' Lactate and oxytocin triggering the mishaps. Kolkata, Jan 21 (IANS) While the West Bengal government is sticking to its stand that the doctoras negligence was the reason behind the death of one woman and a newborn baby at a state-run hospital in West Midnapore district earlier this month, an expert committee of the state health department has not ruled out the possibility of adverse impact of injection of essential liquids like Ringersa Lactate and oxytocin triggering the mishaps. Currently, two parallel probes into the matter are going on, one by an expert committee of the state health department and the other by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the state police. Sources aware of the development said the expertas committee in its report has not ruled out the adverse impact of the administration of Ringersa Lactate and oxytocin behind such mishaps. The committee had also said that the batch of Ringersa Lactate and oxytocin have been forwarded for more sophisticated clinical examination. The committee, sources added, has also advised that till the report on this count arrives it is advisable to avoid the use of such clinical liquids of the same batch. Earlier this month, five women had fallen sick at the said state-run hospital in West Midnapore allegedly after being administered with expired Ringersa Lactate. One of the five women, Mamoni Ruidas died first and thereafter the newborn of another affected woman, Rekha Shaw, also died. Thereafter the entire state was on the boil following allegations of administration of expired Ringersa Lactate supplied by an entity, Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Private Limited, which was first blacklisted by the Karnataka government and subsequently by the West Bengal government. However, recently Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced at a press conference that doctoras negligence was the main reason behind the mishap and she also announced the suspension of 12 doctors, six seniors and six juniors, including the medical superintendent- cum- vice principal (MSVP) and the resident medical officer (RMO) of the hospital. The junior doctors of the hospital are on partial cease-work there which has not affected the medical services since normal functioning is on both at the emergency department as well as the out-patient department (OPD). Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 21 : The Kerala Police on Tuesday began a probe into a complaint that medicines, a woman got from a state-run hospital in the capital city suburbs at Vithura, contained a pin in a capsule. The Kerala State Health Department has already brought this issue to the attention of the state police chief and suspected foul play. Meanwhile, the Vithura Police, based on a complaint from a public activist, have decided to intensify the probe. The Health Department suspects it to be a foul play to tarnish its image by vested interests. Last week, after collecting her medicine from the pharmacy attached to the Taluk hospital, the woman found a pin in the capsule. Soon this issue and the video about it turned viral on social media, and the Health Department stepped in and conducted an inquiry. Preliminary findings revealed that the claim was untrue and soon they brought this to the attention of the state police chief. Incidentally, state-owned Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) supplies medicines to state-run hospitals and clinics. However, the present allegation of the pin in the capsule is seen as a ploy by vested interests after the Kerala Health Department launched an aggressive campaign against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. Around 30 per cent drop in antibiotics' usage was seen since the initiative began in October last year. The Health Department has also ensured that all hospitals in the state are turned into antibiotic-smart hospitals. Besides, there should be no sales of antibiotics through medical shops without a prescription from doctors, it said. This campaign is to confront antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the top global public health and development threats as misuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and plants are the main drivers in drug-resistant pathogens' development. Another step that has been initiated is that antibiotics would have to be given in a blue cover and a doctor's prescription will be compulsory for people when they buy it from medical shops. Washington, Jan 21 : Hours after President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship in the United States, a coalition of civil rights and immigration groups filed a lawsuit challenging the move, setting the stage for a major legal battle. The executive order, signed Monday night, directs federal agencies to deny recognition of US citizenship for children born on American soil to parents who are in the country illegally or on temporary visas unless one parent is a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. It states that children born under these circumstances will not be eligible for US citizenship, including passports, starting 30 days from its signing. The order, which contradicts a long-standing legal consensus that the 14th Amendment of the Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship, has drawn immediate backlash. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), several of its state chapters, and other organisations have filed a 17-page lawsuit in federal court in New Hampshire on behalf of immigration rights groups, arguing the order is unconstitutional and illegal. "For plaintiffs -- organisations with members impacted by the order -- and for families across the country, this order seeks to strip from their children the 'priceless treasure' of citizenship, threatening them with a lifetime of exclusion and fear of deportation from the only country they have ever known," the lawsuit states. "But that is illegal. The Constitution and Congress -- not President Trump -- dictate who is entitled to full membership in American society." The lawsuit seeks to have the court declare the executive order unlawful and issue both temporary and permanent injunctions to block its enforcement. Trump's order argues that the federal government should not "issue documents recognising United States citizenship" to children born on US soil to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily in the country. It specifies that the policy will apply to children born 30 days after the order's signing. The ACLU's lawsuit warns that the order could render affected children stateless and create widespread fear and uncertainty. Attorneys for the coalition pointed out that some of the immigration groups' members are currently expecting children who could be impacted by the order. The move aligns with Trump's immigration agenda but faces significant legal hurdles, as the 14th Amendment explicitly states, "All persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." The battle over the order is expected to escalate to higher courts, potentially reaching the Supreme Court. New Delhi, Jan 21 : As construction for a bridge is underway over the Basantar river that will connect two blocks of Jammu and Kashmir's Sambha directly to the city, its residents thanked the Modi government for fulfilling their 50-year-old demand. This vital project will benefit the residents of Block Sumb and Block Nud. The bridge, once completed, is expected to not only ease transportation but also play a crucial role in the region's overall development. Residents expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing their long-pending demand. Sohan Lal Sharma, a resident, shared his joy, stating, "This bridge has been our long-standing demand, and now it's finally becoming a reality. It will significantly benefit our blocks. I thank the central government for initiating this project. The bridge will open doors to better education, healthcare, and business opportunities." Another resident, Ashok Kumar, said, "We are elated about the bridge's construction, which we've been demanding for years. Previous governments ignored our pleas, but the Narendra Modi government has addressed our needs. This bridge will ease travel, especially during the monsoon when the area becomes muddy and inaccessible." Construction is expected to be completed within five to six months. Samba Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma emphasised the project's importance, stating that the bridge will eliminate challenges faced during rains, including severe flooding. Residents hope the bridge will transform their lives, boosting connectivity, local development, and the region's economy. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a nationwide plan to provide good all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages. The Union Government has been striving to establish high and uniform technical and management standards and facilitate policy formulation and planning at the state level to ensure sustainable management of the rural road network. Chennai, Jan 21 : Actress Pragya Jaiswal, who plays the character Kaveri in director Bobby Kolli's 'Daaku Maharaaj', which has now emerged a success, has told actor Balakrishna that he was her lucky charm and not the other way around as some others believe. Taking to Instagram to express her gratitude to the whole team of Daaku Maharaaj, Pragya Jaiswal wrote, "As our film completes eight days in theatres today (breaking all past records), I was reminiscing the journey of being the fierce and determined KAVERI, a character I'll always hold close to my heart." In particular, she thanked the film's lea actor Balakrishna saying, "Thank you Balakrishna sir for the most incredible experience of working with you. They say I'm your lucky charm but truly it's the other way around." Stating that she always knew Daaku Maharaaj was going to be special, Pragya said, "From the time I got a call from @director.bobby (while I was in Tirupati) I knew it was special. Followed by an immediate look test, to being Kaveri on sets each day, till the last day of shoot, this journey has been nothing short of exhilarating." Thank you director Bobby for his vision, she said, he was one of the finest directors she had worked with. The actress also thanked cameraman Vijay Karthik Kannan for "bringing that vision to life so beautifully and relentlessly", stunt master Venkat for making the fight scenes effortless for her and dance choreographer Shankar for "the beautiful moments" in the song She also expressed gratitude to her team saying, "And a humungous thank you to my AMAZING team @makeupbymadhushreeganapathy @chinnahairstylist @hairbyvenky for believing in Kaveri & bringing her to life. And THE best @visioncelebhub @mnpk288 @mahesh_anapagaddi for all that you do each day to make everything happen for me." -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Kolkata, Jan 21 : The West Bengal government on Tuesday approached the Calcutta High Court, challenging the special court's verdict sentencing Sanjay Roy, convicted in the rape and murder of a junior doctor of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, to life imprisonment. State Advocate General Kishor Datta has approached the division bench of Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi seeking a "death penalty" for the convict. The division bench has admitted the petition from the state government. After the court pronounced the quantum of sentence, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Monday evening that the state government would approach the Calcutta High Court challenging the verdict. She also said the state government will be seeking the "death penalty" for the convict. "I strongly feel that it is a heinous crime that warrants capital punishment. We will plead for capital punishment of the convict at the High Court now," the Chief Minister said in a statement. According to her, she was deeply shocked at the judgment of the special court which did not consider the crime as the "rarest of rare". "I am convinced that it is indeed a rarest of rare cases which demands capital punishment. We want to insist upon the death penalty in this most sinister and sensitive case," the Chief Minister said in a statement. "Recently, in the last 3/4 months, we have been able to ensure capital/ maximum punishment for convicts in such crimes. Then, why, in this case, has capital punishment not been awarded?" the Chief Ministeras statement added. "We demanded the 'death penalty' for the convict. I don't know howa.Had the case been in our hands (read state police or Kolkata Police), the death sentence would have been pronounced much earlier," the Chief Minister said. While pronouncing the quantum of sentence, special court judge Anirban Das said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s contention that Roy's offence in the matter was "the rarest and rare crimes" was not tenable. Washington, Jan 21 : US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to restore the name of North America's tallest peak to 'Mount McKinley,' reversing the decision made by former President Barack Obama to rename it 'Denali.' However, the surrounding national park will continue to be called 'Denali National Park and Preserve,' according to the order signed on Monday. Announcing the decision during his inaugural speech on Monday, Trump stated, "We will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs." The executive order was championed by Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who played a key role in the effort to make the name change official. "This order honours President McKinley for giving his life for our great nation and dutifully recognises his historic legacy of protecting America's interests and generating enormous wealth for all Americans. Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall reinstate the name 'Mount McKinley'," the order read. "The Secretary shall subsequently update the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) to reflect the renaming and reinstatement of Mount McKinley," the order added. The 25th President of the United States, William McKinley, never visited Alaska or had any direct connection to the mountain, which was named in his honour in 1917. In 2015, Obama officially renamed the mountain to 'Denali,' which is the name used by Alaska Natives for centuries and translates to "the High One" in the Koyukon Athabaskan language. The mountain, towering more than 20,000 feet, holds cultural and historical significance for the Indigenous people of Alaska. The decision to revert the name has sparked controversy, particularly among environmental and cultural groups. Athan Manuel, director of the Sierra Club's land protection program, criticised the move, saying it disregards Alaska Natives' long-standing traditions and the preferences of many Alaskans. "The Koyukon people have known this mountain as 'Denali' for centuries, and even the state's elected officials oppose this attempt to rename it. It's clear that Donald Trump is more interested in culture war stunts than addressing the concerns of the American people," Manuel said. In a separate announcement from his inauguration stage, Trump also revealed plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." "The Gulf will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America's future and the global economy, and in recognition of this flourishing economic resource and its critical importance to our nation's economy and its people, I am directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America," Trump's executive order declared. Both decisions have drawn widespread criticism and are expected to fuel debates about cultural identity, historical legacy, and environmental policy in the coming months. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Iran is ready to revive negotiations with the US on lifting sanctions and for this US President Donald Trump should express such intention, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazem Gharibabadi, said on a local TV channel, Trend reports. Iran, as before, is ready to start negotiations on the issue of lifting sanctions or resuming the talks process. If the other side expresses such a desire, negotiations will take place, he added. To note, the United States imposed new sanctions on Iran related to its nuclear program in November 2018. Throughout this period, sanctions have targeted Irans oil exports, more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Mumbai, Jan 21 : Filmmaker-writer Tahira Kashyap, who turned 42 on Tuesday, said that every year, her birthday feels special as she gets to spend some memorable time with friends and family. Tahira said: "Every year, my birthday feels unique and special! Three years ago, it was a safari trip with friends to Gir. Two years back, it was an all-girls trip to Dubai. Last year, it was a serene celebration in Goa with a classical performance and just family." "I feel incredibly blessed to have such thoughtful friends and family who plan something different and memorable every time. As adults, we often feel it's odd to get excited about birthdays, but my loved ones never fail to make mine extraordinary," she added. The wife of actor Ayushmann Khurrana is looking forward to this year's celebration as well. "But more than anything, I'm grateful that each year, I get to spend my special day with my close ones in the most heartwarming way. Truly, I couldn't ask for more!" she added. Last week, Tahira shared a heartwarming recollection of celebrating her first Lohri as a newlywed ahead of the festival. Talking about the experience, Tahira said, "In Punjabi culture, the first Lohri after marriage is celebrated with a lot of fervor. My in-laws hosted a party to celebrate us, the newlywed couple. There was dance and music, and the married couples would go in circles around the bonfire. We enjoyed gajak (chikki), peanuts, and popcorn, which were also thrown into the bonfire". She further mentioned, "Needless to say, the chants of 'Sundar Mundriye' filled the air. The last two lines of the song made me laugh. It literally translates to, 'Give us Lohri, long live your pair, whether you cry or bang your head later.' That's quite a disclaimer young Punjabi couples get from their elders". Meanwhile, her husband, Ayushmann is shooting for his upcoming film 'Thama', which is touted to be a 'bloody love story', and belongs to Maddock's blockbuster horror comedy universe. The film promises to be a gripping love story, set against a bloody backdrop and brings together an impressive cast with Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead, along with Paresh Rawal, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The film is helmed by Aditya Sarpotdar of 'Munjya' fame, and is written by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew and Arun Fulara, and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Jan 21 : The PM CARES for Children Scheme, launched in 2021 to support children orphaned during the Covid-19 pandemic, has reportedly spent Rs 346 crore on the welfare of 4,543 children, according to the latest audited statement of the fund for 2022-23. The Scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 29, 2021, aimed to support children who had lost both their parents, legal guardian, adoptive parents, or surviving parent to the Covid between March 11, 2020 and May 5, 2023. It aims to ensure comprehensive care and protection of children in a sustained manner, enable their well-being through health insurance, empower them through education, and equip them for a self-sufficient existence with financial support on reaching 23 years of age. The scheme supported children from 558 districts in 31 states in the country. The majority were from Maharashtra (855), followed by Uttar Pradesh (467), Madhya Pradesh (433), Tamil Nadu (426), and Andhra Pradesh (351), according to media reports. The scheme provides financial support of Rs 10 lakh for all children, support for boarding and lodging to ensure rehabilitation of all children, admission in schools, educational loans for higher education, health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh, and a scholarship of Rs 20,000 per child per annum for all school-going children from Class 1 to Class 12. The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on children, ranging from loss of routine life, inability to go to school, and facing anxiety to loss of loved ones to Covid-19. Many children were reported to have lost both parents to the pandemic. The PM CARES scheme offers comprehensive support for proper education, a monthly stipend till the age of 18 years, and a lump-sum amount of Rs 10 lakh on turning 23 years of age. The welfare of children comes under the ambit of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD). Thus, the responsibility of anchoring the PM CARES for Children scheme, in collaboration with stakeholder ministries, states, and district administration lies with the WCD. Melbourne, Jan 21 : World No. 2 Alexander Zverev secured a thrilling 7-6(1), 7-6(0), 2-6, 6-1 victory over Tommy Paul on Tuesday for his third Australian Open semifinal. Melbourne, Jan 21 (IANS) World No. 2 Alexander Zverev secured a thrilling 7-6(1), 7-6(0), 2-6, 6-1 victory over Tommy Paul on Tuesday for his third Australian Open semifinal. The German saved a set-point in both of the first two sets and denied Paulas attempts to serve them out on Rod Laver Arena. Despite a strong comeback from Paul in the third set, Zverev responded with a dominant fourth to seal the win. This marks Zverevas ninth Grand Slam semifinal appearance, where he will await the winner of the evening match between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. Both semifinals are scheduled for Friday, giving Zverev and his opponent two days to rest. Zverev claimed his first victory in three meetings with Paul, largely thanks to his sharp play in the key moments. The German capitalised on crucial errors by Paul late in the opening two sets, taking full advantage of second chances. In the first set, the competitors exchanged breaks from 5-5, with Zverev saving a set point at 6-5 on Paulas serve before dominating the tie-break. In the second set, Paul broke early but faltered, hitting three consecutive forehand errors, which allowed Zverev to break back and later save another set point at 4-5. Zverev then won 11 straight points, sealing the set 7-0 in a tie-break after holding serve at 5-6. The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both players broken four times, but Zverev took control in the final set. Though Paul fought off two break points to avoid a 6-0 scoreline, Zverev eventually wrapped up the match 6-1. With his 30th Australian Open win, Zverev surpassed Boris Becker to set the all-time record for most singles victories by a German man at the event. Paul, who reached the semifinals at the 2023 Australian Open, was aiming to become the second active American player (after Frances Tiafoe) to make multiple Grand Slam singles semi-finals. Another American, Ben Shelton, will look to achieve the same feat on Wednesday against Lorenzo Sonego. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 21 : Tensions flared in the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday morning as Leader of Opposition (LoP) V.D. Satheesan lost his temper amidst heated proceedings. The turmoil began when opposition MLA Anup Jacob sought leave for an adjournment motion regarding the alleged abduction of Kala Raju, a CPI-M councilor, reportedly orchestrated by her own party members in the Koothattukulam municipality last week. Jacob criticized Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his lenient stance toward the police, accusing them of being mere spectators as CPI-M workers allegedly assaulted Raju, tore her saree, and forcibly took her away in a car. Jacob challenged Vijayanas claims of Kerala being a safe state for women, asking pointedly if this was the "famed safety net" the Chief Minister often touted. As the debate intensified, Satheesan was repeatedly interrupted by treasury bench members. With Speaker A.N. Shamseer expressing his inability to maintain order, Satheesan lost his composure. In a dramatic display of frustration, he threw away his papers and pointedly criticized the Speaker for his inaction. The uproar escalated as opposition legislators stormed the well of the House, shouting slogans against the governmentas handling of the police. However, these protests were not broadcast, as the Kerala Assembly TV, the sole channel covering House proceedings, muted such segments -- a practice now routine during legislative disruptions. The alleged abduction of Raju occurred when she publicly expressed dissatisfaction with her party and indicated her intent to vote against CPI-M directives in a municipal vote. Following this, she was reportedly assaulted and forcibly taken away while she was attempting to participate in the voting process. Public backlash against the CPI-Mas actions has been mounting. Although four arrests have been made in connection with the incident, Jacob alleged in the Assembly that the key perpetrators -- influential CPI-M leaders in the area -- remain untouched. He claimed those arrested were habitual offenders often used by the CPI-M to execute such acts. Meanwhile, CPI-M state secretary M.V. Govindan accused the opposition Congress-led UDF of orchestrating Rajuas abduction and dismissed media questions with visible irritation. Raju, on her part, has gone on record stating that her modesty was outraged by CPI-M workers and lamented the lack of action against the true culprits. The police have also registered cases against Jacob and UDF workers for protesting in front of the Koothattukulam police station. Phnom Penh, Jan 21 : Cambodia's trade volume with its fellow ASEAN member states reached $15.69 billion in 2024, up 12.4 per cent from 13.96 billion dollars in the year before, said a Ministry of Commerce's report on Tuesday. The kingdom exported products total worth 5.07 billion dollars to other ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries last year, up 7.6 per cent from 4.71 billion dollars a year earlier, the report said. Meanwhile, the country's total import from its fellow ASEAN countries amounted to 10.62 billion dollars, up 14.8 per cent from 9.25 billion dollars, it added. Cambodia's trade volume with the ASEAN accounted for 28.3 per cent of the kingdom's total trade volume of 55.3 billion dollars in 2024, the report said. Cambodia's top five trading partners in ASEAN during the above-mentioned period were Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, Xinhua news agency reported. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has said that the country stood as a vibrant partner within the ASEAN, adding that made-in-Cambodia products, such as garments and bicycles, were recognised in ASEAN and worldwide for their quality and competitive pricing. "Cambodia's strategic membership in key regional and global trade agreements, including ASEAN and the World Trade Organization (WTO), positions it as a highly integrated player within the dynamic global market," he said. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Additionally, Cambodia exported garments, textiles, footwear and travel goods worth $13.92 billion in 2024, up 23 per cent over a year earlier, the ministry said. Garments exports stood at 9.79 billion dollars last year, a year-on-year increase of 24 per cent, the report said, adding that textiles worth 499 million dollars were shipped to international markets, up 17 per cent. Also, 1.68 billion dollars worth of footwear was exported, up 23 per cent, while travel goods equivalent to 1.95 billion dollars were sold to international markets, up 19.6 per cent, the report added. Hoe Ee Khor, chief economist of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), said the garment, footwear and travel goods sector remained one of the key drivers for Cambodia's economic growth. "Growth in the sector rebounded steadily in 2024, driven by stronger demand for consumer goods in major advanced markets," he wrote to Xinhua in a recent e-mail. The industry is the largest foreign exchange earner for the Southeast Asian country. The sector currently consists of about 1,538 factories and branches, employing approximately 913,000 workers, mostly women, according to the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training's latest report. Seoul, Jan 21 : South Korean detained President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday to attend a trial deliberating his impeachment over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Yoon left the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, just south of the capital, in a convoy escorted by the Presidential Security Service and entered the court through an underground parking lot, out of view of the public. At 2 p.m., he entered a courtroom dressed in a suit to attend the third hearing of his trial, where he is expected to defend his December 3 declaration of martial law. Yoon is the first President to attend his or her own impeachment trial as former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye were absent from theirs. Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly on December 14 and remains suspended from duty while an investigation is underway into charges he led an insurrection and abused his power through declaration of martial law. The Constitutional Court has 180 days from the day it received the case on December 14 to uphold the impeachment and remove him from office or dismiss the impeachment and reinstate him, Yonhap news agency reported. If Yoon is ousted, the country will be required to hold a snap presidential election within 60 days. Hundreds of people gathered outside the court to show their support for the President, holding up signs that read "Impeachment Invalid." Police surrounded the court's perimeter and beyond, and parked buses along sidewalks to prevent any violence among protesters. Yoon's appearance at the court was the first time he appeared in public since the day he imposed martial law. Meanwhile, South Korea had been thrust into a period of political uncertainty following Yoon's short-lived martial law declaration on December 3, 2024, and his subsequent impeachment on December 14, 2024. Kolkata, Jan 21 : Two persons were arrested by the West Bengal Police, on Tuesday, in connection with the suspected gang-rape and murder of a minor girl at Basanti in South 24 Parganas district. The naked body of the girl was recovered from a field adjacent to her residence on Monday evening. The body was found buried under the soil in the field; and was recovered on Monday evening just hours after a special court in Kolkata sentenced Sanjay Roy, the sole convict in the rape and murder of a woman doctor of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, to life imprisonment. The two arrested persons have been identified as Dipen Kayal and Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. Sources from the district police said that after the recovery of the body of the victim girl, a minor, the cops started investigating the matter and questioned the people of the locality. In the course of questioning of the local people, the names of the two arrested surfaced as suspects. The police, thereafter, interrogated them and after finding lots of inconsistencies in their statements ultimately arrested them on Tuesday morning. The arrested duo will be presented at a district court at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district in the afternoon. The public prosecutor will seek his police custody. The minor girl, a Class 8 student, had been missing since January 9. The victim's family members registered the missing case three days later on January 12. The victim's parents claimed that their daughter went out of the house on the afternoon of January 9 after being called by a local youth. "She has been missing since then. We suspect that she was gang-raped first and then her body was buried. We demand the culprits be tracked and punished severely," said a member of the family on Monday evening after the recovery of the body. New Delhi, Jan 21 : A senior Maoist leader, Jayaram Reddy, also known as Chalapati, who carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore, was among 14 Maoists killed in a fierce encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district. New Delhi, Jan 21 (IANS) A senior Maoist leader, Jayaram Reddy, also known as Chalapati, who carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore, was among 14 Maoists killed in a fierce encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarhas Gariaband district. Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the operation as a "major success," calling it another significant blow to Naxalism. The exchange of fire took place on Monday night in a forested area near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, in the Kularighat reserve forest, located just five kilometres from Odisha's Nuapada district. The operation was carried out by a joint team of security forces, including the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA from Chhattisgarh, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) from Odisha. The encounter that was launched based on Intelligence inputs about Maoist presence, led to the recovery of a large cache of firearms, ammunition, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and a self-loading rifle. A massive search operation is currently underway in the area. HM Shah, who has committed to eradicating Maoism by March 2026, praised the success of the security forces, stating, "Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat." He added, "With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today." Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also lauded the security forces, emphasising that under the BJP-led government, both at the Centre and in the state, the mission to rid Chhattisgarh of Maoists is progressing swiftly towards the March 2026 target. The operation is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate Maoist activity in Chhattisgarh, with over 40 Maoists killed in separate encounters this year alone. Chalapati, a key figure in Maoist operations in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, had recently relocated near the Odisha border to avoid the increasing frequency of encounters in his previous base. In 2024, security forces killed over 200 Maoists in Chhattisgarh, including 217 from the Bastar region. The year also saw the arrest of over 800 Maoists and the surrender of approximately 802 others. Despite these successes, the ongoing conflict has resulted in the loss of 18 security personnel and 65 civilians. Jaipur, Jan 21 : Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, who was rushed to the medical facility after he experienced chest pain, is scheduled to undergo angiography on Tuesday at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur. Deepak Maheshwari, Principal of SMS Medical College and a senior cardiologist, stated that Devnani, 77, will be discharged if the angiography results are normal. Maheshwari added, "Angiography will help determine if there is any cardiac issue. Devnani's health has significantly improved since Monday night, but he remains under observation in the ICU." State Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar visited SMS Hospital around 10 a.m. on Tuesday. He went to the ICU to meet Devnani, enquired about his health, and spent 15-20 minutes discussing his condition with the doctors. Devnani had travelled to Patna to attend the two-day All India Presiding Officers' Conference, inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. During the conference, Devnani suddenly complained of chest pain and was taken to the Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). Tests, including an ECG and 2-D Echo, were conducted. Although angiography was recommended, Devnani declined, saying that he underwent a similar procedure last year. Upon learning of Devnani's condition, the Rajasthan government dispatched a special charter plane to Patna. It carried Deepak Maheshwari, another doctor, nursing staff, and members of Devnani's family. They accompanied the Minister back to Jaipur late on Monday evening. On arrival at Jaipur airport, Devnani was transported directly to SMS Hospital and admitted to the Medical ICU for further treatment. On Monday, Khinvsar said, "Vasudev Devnani has always been proactive about his health. He walks five kilometres daily and often encourages others to maintain an active lifestyle. He had no prior illness." Earlier, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma enquired about Devnani's health. Mumbai, Jan 21 : Boney Kapoor recently took to his official Instagram post and dropped a string of throwback photographs with his late wife Sridevi The filmmaker posted a picture where he can be seen hugging the late superstar. In the other two photos, he and Sridevi are seen being all lovey-dovey amidst a beautiful backdrop. Boney Kapoor's latest Insta post was captioned, "Romancing in Alaska amongst the glaciers & the fall season which arrives early September there," along with three heart emojis. Netizens jumped to the comment section of the post and mentioned remarks such as "Very buetyfull Jodi mashallha". Another one penned, "Glamorous couple". Meanwhile, several other Insta users shared red heart emojis as comments. A couple of days ago, Boney Kapoor shared some pictures on Instagram from his 2012 vacation to Japan with late wife Sridevi, and his daughters Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor. The first picture in the post was a mushy couple click, embracing his better half. He also shared a family picture where all three ladies were seen wearing kimonos while holding the uchiwa and sensu hand fans. This was followed by a close-up of the girls in the traditional Japanese attires, as they smiled ear to ear. Next was the still of late Sridevi receiving a bouquet of flowers from Akie Abe, late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's wife. The superstar further met the then-Indian ambassador to Japan, Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa during the premiere of "English Vinglish" in Tokyo. Boney Kapoor captioned the post, "Jaaaapaaana.aLOVE in TOKYO a Our Tokyo visit for the premiere of English Vinglish . Then indian Ambassador Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa & wife of the then prime minister late Shinzo Abe." Boney Kapoor and Sridevi tied the knot on 2nd June 1996 in a simple temple wedding. The couple has two daughters, Jhanvi and Khushi Kapoor. Before this, the producer had two kids, Arjun and Anshula Kapoor from his first wife Mona Kapoor. Sridevi was found dead in her guest room at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai on 24th February 2018. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Iran's Foreign Investment Board held a meeting in which 70 applications for foreign investments, totaling $650 million, were reviewed and approved, Trend reports via the countrys Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance and Chairman of Iran's Investment, Economic, and Technical Assistance Organization, Abolfazl Koudei, members of the Foreign Investment Committee; representatives of various ministries, and other relevant authorities. The meeting also included an examination of the applications of 73 foreign investors. Foreign investments were approved in a variety of economic sectors, including oil and gas, renewable energy, automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food products, construction, tourism, electronics, transportation, the steel industry, services, and agriculture. Iran's Investment, Economic, and Technical Assistance Organization hosts monthly meetings of the Foreign Investment Committee to streamline and accelerate foreign investment processes. The meeting did not reveal details about the foreign investors' countries. To note, for several years, foreign investors have not shown interest in investing in various projects in Iran. This is because, in 2018, the US withdrew from the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, UK, France, US, and Germany) on Iran's nuclear program. The US's withdrawal from this plan led to the imposition of new sanctions against Iran. Major companies refused to operate in Iran as sanctions affected many industries. This led to various problems in Iran's economy. Iran is now encouraging foreign companies to work there again to achieve economic growth. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New Delhi, Jan 21 : With an eye on Hindu voters, the ruling AAP and the Opposition BJP on Tuesday crossed swords over characters of the 'Ramayana', with the latter accusing the former Chief Minister of disrespecting Hindu deities. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva visited the Hanuman Temple at Connaught Place to offer prayers to Shri Ram Darbar, Lord Hanuman, and Sant Tulsidas and told Kejriwal to stop playing with Hindu sentiments. He sought forgiveness for Kejriwal who, according to Sachdeva, recently shared a misrepresentation of the Ramayana, thereby disrespecting Lord Sitaram and hurting the sentiments of millions of Hindus. Sachdeva also decided to observe a symbolic fast on Tuesday as an act of prayer while continuing with his regular activities. Kejriwal countered by accusing the BJP of possessing traits like demon king Ravana and warned slum dwellers and the poor in Delhi not to trust the BJP. "If the BJP comes to power, it will swallow the poor like a demon," he said, addressing a press conference. He said the BJP leaders were holding a protest outside his house because he had described the golden deer central to 'Sita Haran' in Ramayana as Ravana. "They say the deer was not Ravana but Mareech and I have disrespected Ravana by calling him the golden deer. I am shocked to see the BJP leaders' love for Ravana. I guess, it is so because they themselves have traits like demon king Ravana," said Kejriwal. He also hit out at the BJP's Sankalp Patra Part-2 and warned poor families in Delhi that the BJP may stop free education for all in government schools and free treatment in Mohalla Clinics, adding that a withdrawal of welfare schemes will burden each family with an expenditure of Rs 15,000 a month. The BJP accused Kejriwal of spreading lies and reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantees of giving houses to slum dwellers and continuing all free welfare schemes, along with Rs 2,500 per month to women, when its government comes to power after the February 5 Assembly election. Earlier, during Sachdeva's temple visit he was accompanied by Member of Parliament Yogender Chandolia, Media Head Praveen Shankar Kapoor and Vikram Mittal. While addressing journalists after the visit, Sachdeva said that it is unfortunate that 'political Hindus' like Kejriwal, out of ignorance, "narrate false stories during election campaigns, hurting religious sentiments and disrespecting the sanctity of our deities." Sachdeva also reminded people of Kejriwal's election speeches from 2015 to 2023, in which he shared stories of his grandmother expressing sorrow over the Babri structure's demolition and his opposition to temple construction. "This is the same Arvind Kejriwal who will forever be remembered for his suggestion to replace temples with hospitals, as part of his anti-temple rhetoric," he added. Prayagraj, Jan 21 : Gautam Adani, the Chairman of the Adani Group along with his wife Priti Adani made a heartfelt visit to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Tuesday, to participate in the 'Ganga Puja' and 'Mahaprasad Seva'. Gautam Adani immersed himself in the sacred rituals of Maha Kumbh, the world's largest religious gathering and offered prayers. The billionaire also participated in a host of rituals at the Mela ground, including preparation of the aMahaprasada (sacred meal) and distributing it to the Kumbh pilgrims. After offering prayers, Gautam Adani was also seen eating prasad along with his family members. As Gautam Adani along with his wife reached the ISKCON tent in Sector 18 this morning, they were welcomed with garlands and greeted with the outpouring of warmth from hundreds of devotees. Adanias visit to Maha Kumbh underscores the deep connection between faith and service, as has been underlined in unique initiatives by the Adani Group like aMahaprasad Sevaa and copies of aAarti Sangraha to devotees. An integral part of the Adani Groupas contribution to the Kumbh Mela is its collaboration with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for distributing Mahaprasad to the millions of pilgrims. Devotees at Maha Kumbh are continuously praising Gautam Adani for his role in supporting this monumental event. The overwhelming response to the initiative reflects the spiritual and humanitarian impact of Adani Group's contribution. The Mahaprasad will be offered for the entire duration of the fair i.e. till February 26. Adani Group has also collaborated with Gita Press for a free distribution of 1 crore copies of "Aarti Sangraha" among the devotees at Maha Kumbh. Meanwhile, the spirit of devotion remained unshaken at the Mela ground despite the challenges posed by the chilly winter weather and dense fog. On the ninth day of the Maha Kumbh, over 1.59 million devotees braved the freezing temperatures to bathe at the Triveni Sangam. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, by January 20, more than 88.1 million devotees had already visited the Sangam, making the Kumbh Mela one of the largest gatherings of humanity in the world. The Maha Kumbh Mela, held once every 12 years at four rotating locationsa"Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjaina"continues to be a beacon of faith and devotion for millions of Hindus around the world. The event holds immense significance, offering an opportunity to cleanse one's sins and seek spiritual renewal. Seoul, Jan 21 : Thousands of supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol gathered near the Constitutional Court on Tuesday under a heavy police presence as the detained president appeared for his impeachment trial for the first time. Around 4,000 people joined a conservative rally near the court in central Seoul, while some 200 others gathered separately in support of Yoon around Anguk Station nearby, according to police estimates as of 2 p.m. The rallies took place as Yoon appeared at the Constitutional Court for the third hearing of his impeachment trial, just days after his formal arrest over his short-lived imposition of martial law, Yonhap news agency reported. Police deployed 192 police buses to form barricades in the area for crowd control and installed a 4-meter-high fence near the court, putting the compound out of sight for Yoon's supporters. Police in riot gear also stood guard in the area to prevent a possible escalation of the situation after a group of Yoon's supporters stormed a Seoul court on Sunday when it issued a warrant for his formal arrest. Shortly after Yoon arrived at the court just past 1 p.m., a middle-aged woman was taken into custody for assaulting a police officer as she tried to get past police near Anguk Station. Some supporters, carrying South Korean and US flags, protested why she was being taken away, arguing that she was peacefully protesting. Meanwhile, police only allowed members of the media and court officials to enter the court, warning protestors to turn away from the restricted area. In response, protestors chanted, "ensure the citizens' right of passage." Some left-leaning YouTubers were seen swearing at large speakers installed in the area but there were no major clashes due to police presence. Earlier in the day Yoon appeared at the Constitutional Court to attend a trial deliberating his impeachment over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Yoon left the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, just south of the capital, in a convoy escorted by the Presidential Security Service and entered the court through an underground parking lot, out of view of the public. At 2 p.m., he entered a courtroom dressed in a suit to attend the third hearing of his trial, where he is expected to defend his December 3 declaration of martial law. Davos, Jan 21 : Global leaders must urgently prioritise and work to provide access to new long-acting HIV prevention -- and potentially treatment -- medicines in all low and middle-income countries, to help end AIDS by 2030, said the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting here on Tuesday. Two drugs have in the recent past shown potential against HIV: Lenacapavir and Cabotegravir. Lenacapavir, produced by Gilead Sciences, has proved to be more than 95 per cent effective in preventing HIV with just two doses a year. The company is now conducting trials of once-yearly shots. ViiV Healthcare has the injectable medicine Cabotegravir, administered once every two months to prevent HIV. It is already being used in some countries. While these new medicines are not a cure or a vaccine, they could halt the HIV pandemic. Other tools to fight HIV include month-long vaginal rings -- currently in use -- and longer-acting pills and vaginal rings -- under trial. "These new technologies offer us a real shot at ending AIDS by 2030," said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under-Secretary-General of the UN, at the WEF. "But it comes with a caveat -- only if pharmaceutical companies, governments, international partners, and civil society unite around HIV prevention and treatment revolution, can we use these medicines to their full potential and end AIDS much sooner than we previously thought," she added. The breakthrough long-acting medicines could stem new HIV infections and are already being used to suppress the virus for some people living with HIV. But their potential can't be unlocked unless everyone, everywhere who could benefit has access. UNAIDS urged pharmaceutical companies to move faster and ensure "affordable pricing and generic competition" in the market for the new HIV medicines, Byanyima said. While UNAIDS applauded Gilead and ViiV's move to license generics manufacturing to several countries, it said they are moving too slowly. As a result, generics aren't expected until next year, and many countries have been left out. Nearly all of Latin America, a region of rising HIV infections, has been excluded. In addition, Gilead has licensed just six companies to make generic versions of the medicine -- with no producer in sub-Saharan Africa. To make these medicines widely available and affordable, more generic production is needed, the agency said. Byanyima called for action against AIDS similar to the method that was used to roll out contraceptives and Covid-19 vaccines. "Science has delivered a miraculous new tool: medicines that prevent HIV infection with injections just twice a year and which could work for treatment too," said Byanyima. "We must do better this time. Either companies step up, or governments step in. This is our shot to end AIDS and we cannot afford to miss it," she added. The WEF Annual Meeting 2025 is taking place in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland from 20 to 24 January. Global leaders are deliberating various issues under the theme 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age'. New Delhi, Jan 21 : With just a fortnight to go for the Delhi Assembly elections, the ruling AAP and Opposition BJP have been latching on to every controversy to step up offensive against each other. The latest issue of sparring between the rivals is AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal's reference to the 'Raavan as golden deer' remark, which the BJP claims is an insult to the Hindu epic and Sanatan Dharma. In a recent election rally, Arvind Kejriwal cited an incident from Ramayan and claimed that Raavan disguised himself as the golden deer and then conspired to abduct Sita. BJP took objection to his 'wrong' utterances on the Hindu epic and accused him of insulting Ramcharitmanas, for the sake of votes. Addressing an election rally, Kejriwal said, "Lord Ram went to the jungle to arrange food after asking Lakhsman to look after Sita. Then, Raavan came in the disguise of a golden deer." Narrating this episode from Ramayan, Kejriwal asked the electorate to not fall into BJP's trap and claimed that 'BJP leaders were like that golden deer'. BJP leaders took strong exception to Kejriwal's remarks, accusing him of 'exploiting' the Ramcharitmanas to gain political advantage. A group of party workers also assembled outside Kejriwal's residence today to lodge a protest against his derogatory remarks. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva tore into Kejriwal and called him 'poll Hindu'. He said that Kejriwal's obsession with gold is not over despite vacating the 'Sheesh Mahal' and his insulting remarks show his disregard for Ramayan. "Kejriwal said that Raavan came in the guise of a golden deer. When did that happen, we won't let him insult Ramcharitmanas," he told newsmen and also informed that he was fasting today for this. He also demanded that Kejriwal apologise for insulting remarks. AAP leaders, including Kejriwal himself as well as Manish Sisodia hit back at the BJP, questioning the latter's 'love' for Raavan. Speaking to reporters, Kejriwal said, "BJP men are sitting outside my home because I insulted Raavan. They love Raavan so much. I am warning the people of Delhi that if these people come, they will swallow you like demons." According to Ramayan also, Kejriwal's claims about Raavan disguising himself as a golden deer are untrue. According to Ramcharitmans, "It was Maricha, a demon who transformed into golden deer. When Sita saw it, she was so enamoured with it that she asked Lord Ram to get it for her. When Ram didn't return for some time, she sent Lakshman to look for him. When both Ram and Lakshman were gone, Raavan came and abducted Sita." Amaravati, Jan 21 : A delegation of the Andhra Pradesh government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the World Economic Forum in Davos has urged Mittal Group to set up its petrochemical hub in Bhawanapadu in the state The delegation which includes Information Technology and Electronic Minister Nara Lokesh met Mittal Group Chairman Lakshmi Mittal. Lokesh said they also invited Mittal Group to set up a proposed solar cell manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh. The delegation assured all possible help and cooperation on behalf of the state government. Lokesh posted on 'X' that Lakshmi Mittal responded positively to the state government's proposals. He thanked Lakshmi Mittal for coming forward for huge investments in the state on this occasion. ArcelorMittal CEO Aditya Mittal, Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, State Industries Minister TG Bharat, and Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board CEO Saikanth Verma participated in this meeting. CM Naidu noted that ArcelorMittal/Nippon Steel recently made a landmark investment of Rs 1.4 lakh crore for a 17.8-million-ton integrated steel project in Anakapalli. This initiative stands out as one of the largest greenfield projects in recent times, he said. Meanwhile, Lokesh also participated in the inaugural ceremony of the World Economic Forum Summit at the Davos Congress Center along with Union Minister Rammohan Naidu. The Andhra Pradesh Lounge was inaugurated on this occasion. The state minister shared that he along with Chief Minister Naidu attended the networking dinner organized to discuss investment opportunities and potential collaborations with industrialists attending the World Economic Forum Summit from all over the world. The delegation led by the Chief Minister explained the favourable conditions for investment in the state to the industrialists. Earlier, addressing a meeting of the Telugu Diaspora at Zurich, Lokesh stated that the NRIs not only have an emotional link with the state but they are also playing a key role in Andhra Pradesh's economic development. Citing the 2023 data of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the minister mentioned that NRIs from Andhra Pradesh sent Rs 40,000 crore in remittances, which was the highest in the country. New Delhi, Jan 21 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing till January 22 on a plea filed by Tahir Hussain seeking interim bail for campaigning ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. The Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has fielded former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Councillor Tahir Hussain as a candidate from the Mustafabad constituency. A Bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Ahsanuddin Amanullah sought Delhi Police's response observing that Tahir Hussain's incarceration of over four years on the charge of being an instigator during the 2020 riots in the national Capital would entitle him to regular bail. "Suppose we are satisfied on merit that a ground is made for considering regular bail, why should we not grant him? We can't shut our eyes to that," the Justice Mithal-led Bench told the Delhi Police. Ultimately, the apex court posted the matter for hearing on January 22, saying that "time for interim bail is expiring" and counsel for the Delhi Police will have to come prepared. In no immediate relief to Tahir Hussain, the top court on Monday adjourned hearing on his petition seeking interim bail. The Justice Mithal-led Bench could not take up Tahir Hussain's Special Leave Petition for hearing due to paucity of time but listed the matter for hearing on January 21. When mentioned for urgent hearing, the apex court remarked: "It is easy to win elections sitting in jail. All such persons should be barred from contesting elections." Last week, the Delhi High Court turned down Tahir Hussain's plea for interim bail but granted him parole to enable him to file nomination papers for the upcoming Assembly polls. As per the order of the Delhi High Court, Tahir Hussain, while out on custody parole, will not have any access to the phone or Internet, will not interact with any person except the officials concerned in the nomination process, and will not address the media. Further, family members of Tahir Hussain may remain present, but they would not be permitted to click photographs of the filing of the nomination or to post the same on social media, the court order had said. Disposing Tahir Hussain's plea for interim bail, a Bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna ruled, "Merely because the applicant/petitioner had earlier been a Municipal Councillor, cannot be a peculiar circumstance entitling him to grant of Interim Bail. "Considering the antecedents, nature of allegations and having regard to the totality of circumstances, he (Tahir Hussain) is granted Custody Parole for subscribing the oath and to complete the formalities in respect of filing his Nomination Papers." On January 14, the Justice Krishna-led Bench reserved its decision after hearing the arguments raised by senior advocate Rebecca John, representing the former Councillor, and Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, who appeared on behalf of Delhi Police. Opposing Hussain's interim bail plea, ASG Sharma said that the AIMIM candidate, facing "gruesome allegations", may file his nomination papers from Tihar jail or under custody parole. Sharma added that there is no fundamental right to contest elections and if released on interim bail, Hussain may influence witnesses. "We are conceding that custody parole be granted to facilitate him to file nominations. Like others he can also contest," he said, referring to Tahir Hussain's involvement in several criminal cases, including under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act). On the other hand, senior advocate John pleaded that Tahir Hussain be released on interim bail, from January 16 to February 9, for filing nominations and for the election campaign. John repeatedly laid emphasis that Tahir Hussain be temporarily released for campaigning. Tahir Hussain's counsel argued that the former AAP Councillor should be released on interim bail since he needed to file nomination papers physically and give a true account of his assets. The counsel cited the interim bail granted to Jammu and Kashmir leader Engineer Rashid, accused in a terror funding case being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), for election-related purposes. Ahmedabad, Jan 21 : Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) on Tuesday said it has won a Rs 25,000 crore Bhadla (Rajasthan)-Fatehpur (Uttar Pradesh) high voltage direct current (HVDC) order, its largest-ever order win to date. his prestigious win takes AESL's under-execution order book to Rs 54,761 crore and transmission network to 25,778 circuit kilometres (ckm) and 84,186 megavolt-amperes (MVA) transformation capacity. "By enabling efficient evacuation of renewable energy from some of the most inhospitable regions of the country and connecting them to the national grid, AESL is playing its role in India's decarbonisation journey," said Kandarp Patel, CEO, AESL. "We will be deploying the latest technology and practices to deliver the project in time and with minimal environmental impact," Patel added. AESL, India's largest private transmission and distribution company and part of the globally diversified Adani portfolio, won the project under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mechanism and REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) was the bid process coordinator. The project SPV was formally transferred to AESL on January 20, 2025. Called "Transmission system for evacuation of power from REZ in Rajasthan (20 GW) under Phase-III Part I", the project includes the establishment of a 6,000 MW HVDC system between Bhadla to Fatehpur (2,400 ckm) along with 7,500 MVA transmission capacity. According to the company, the project will help evacuate 6 GW of renewable energy from various REZs in Rajasthan beyond Bhadla-III to the demand centres in North India and the national grid. AESL will deliver the project in 4.5 years. AESL is the only player in the private sector to own an HVDC asset, which is preferred for long-distance power transmission. The Bhadla-Fatehpur project is AESL's third HVDC project, after the delivered Mundra Mahendragarh project and the under-implementation Aarey-Kudus Project (being done by subsidiary AEML). AESL has a cumulative transmission network of 25,778 ckm and 84,186 MVA transformation capacity. In its retail electricity distribution business, as of now, AESL serves approximately 13 million consumers in metropolitan Mumbai and the industrial hub of Mundra SEZ. Hyderabad, Jan 21 : BJP MP Eatala Rajender slapped a real estate agent in the Medchal-Malkajgiri district on Tuesday for "exploiting" the poor people by encroaching on their lands. The Lok Sabha member from Malkajgiri slapped the man in Ekashila Nagar under Pocharam Municipality on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Alleging that the real estate agent was exploiting the poor by encroaching on their lands, the former minister physically confronted him during a heated argument. Emboldened by Rajender's action, his supporters and others accompanying him also thrashed the agent. The man was not identified and it was immediately not clear if he would approach the police over the assault. The MP told the media that the BJP will stand by the poor people. He alleged that some officials have also colluded with real estate brokers to encroach on the land of the poor. The BJP leader said he spoke to the District Collector and Police Commissioner about the land issue. He stated that poor people in Narapalli and Korremula villages bought lands and built homes in 1985. He said 149 acres of unused land were resold multiple times, causing untold suffering to rightful owners. Eatala claimed that false documents were created with the collusion of officials to encroach on the lands of the poor. He demanded action against officials who helped brokers. The MP also claimed that some police officers also colluded with the agents. He plans to take up the issue at the highest level. Eatala also slammed the state Congress government, saying it was targeting only the houses of the poor by taking up demolitions at different places. Eatala Rajender was earlier with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). He joined the BJP after he was dropped from the Cabinet in 2021 by then-chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao following allegations that he grabbed the lands of some farmers. The former minister was re-elected to the Assembly from the Huzurabad constituency in 2021 by-election on a BJP ticket. He could not retain the seat in the 2023 Assembly elections but was elected to Lok Sabha from Malkajgiri last year. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 21 : Tensions flared outside the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday as Youth Congress workers protesting the state government's decision to grant a brewery license to a controversial firm embroiled in the Delhi excise case, clashed with police. The firm in question, Oasis Commercial Pvt Ltd, whose top official was previously jailed in the Delhi Excise policy case, received approval to establish multiple facilities in the water-scarce district of Palakkad. These include an ethanol plant, a multi-feed distillation unit, an Indian-made foreign liquor bottling unit, a brewery, a malt spirit plant, and a brandy/winery plant at Kanjikode on a 26-acre plot purchased two years ago. Leading the protests was Rahul Mamkoothathil, newly elected legislator from the Palakkad constituency and state Youth Congress president. "We will continue our agitation until the license is revoked. The Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet's decision is nothing but a favour to a controversial firm that allegedly funded the CPI-M campaign during the Palakkad by-election," Mamkoothathil stated. He also announced plans for a long march and further protests at the proposed brewery site. The controversy also sparked debate inside the Assembly, with senior Congress leader and former state Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakarishnan reminding CM Vijayan of a decision he took when he was a Minister. "This decision contradicts the Left government's earlier policy of not granting new brewery licenses," he said, adding, "At least you should show justice to your poll manifesto when you said your liquor policy is towards abstinence from liquor and here you are giving sanction to new firms to produce liquor." The opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Congress, has been vocal against the license grant, accusing the government of corruption and neglecting environmental concerns. Meanwhile, State CPI-M Secretary M.V. Govindan defended the decision, stating, "The firm will produce ethanol, not liquor. The Congress' narrative has shifted from corruption allegations to groundwater depletion concerns. It appears these protests may have silent backing from other private spirit manufacturers." The brewing controversy continues to dominate political discourse in Kerala, with protests and counterclaims further intensifying the debate over the government's liquor policy and environmental impact. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. There are favorable opportunities for lifting sanctions against Iran and reaching an agreement concerning its nuclear program, the countrys Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, told reporters, Trend reports. In an interview with Iranian media, Gharibabadi stated that Iran considers restarting negotiations as acceptable to reach an agreement. He further added that, just as before, Iran is ready to begin talks aimed at lifting sanctions imposed on the country. Of course, if the other parties show willingness to engage in discussions, the negotiations will start and lead to results, he pointed out. The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that if the other parties demonstrate differing positions during the negotiations, Iran will adjust its policies accordingly. To note, the US imposed new sanctions on Iran related to its nuclear program in November 2018. Throughout this period, sanctions have targeted Irans oil exports, more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. To note, on January 16, 2016, the JCPOA came into force between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) regarding Irans nuclear program. However, on May 8, 2018, the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany) and imposed new sanctions on Iran starting from November 2018. By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement. Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent. Iran has officially affirmed that its strategy is not to pursue the development of an atomic bomb and that it does not support the production of weapons of mass destruction. Dhaka, Jan 21 : US policies concerning Bangladesh may undergo significant changes in the coming days, fear several analysts in Dhaka as Donald Trump returned to the White House for a historic second term as the 47th President of the country, on Monday. The interim government in Bangladesh led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus is already on back foot internationally for targeting minorities in the country, especially Hindus, since coming to power in August 2024. During the Presidential election campaign, Trump had condemned the growing attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. In a strongly-worded post on X, Trump, while extending Diwali greetings to Hindu Americans, slammed Bangladesh, a country which he said "remains in a total state of chaos". "I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos," Trump wrote on October 31. "It would have never happened on my watch... We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi," he added. While, last month, the Yunus government tried to extend a hand of friendship to the incoming administration in Washington and asserted that the five-decade relationship will remain unchanged after Trump begins his second innings, even local experts reckon that a tough road lies ahead for Dhaka. "Dhaka should establish specialised units within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to monitor US policy developments and coordinate lobbying efforts," Rakib Al Hasan, founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Partnership Initiative, wrote in 'Daily Star' on Tuesday. Citing that the country's involvement in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has already drawn scrutiny from Washington, Hasan states that a more assertive Trump presidency could compel Bangladesh to make difficult choices. The United States not only provides approximately $200 million annually to Dhaka in development assistance but is also Bangladesh's single largest export market, especially in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector that accounts for over 80 per cent of exports to the US. The prospects for new US investments in Bangladesh and increased bilateral trade "appear limited", mentions a report 'How Bangladesh may be affected by Trump's policies' that appeared in Dhaka Tribune on Tuesday. "Existing investors are scaling back, while potential investors are adopting a wait-and-see approach. Even after a new government comes into power, prospective investors may observe the situation for some time before making decisions," the newspaper quoted a former Bangladeshi diplomat as saying. Interestingly, Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, currently ChargA d'affaires (ad interim), at the US Embassy in Dhaka has been holding a series of crucial meetings after assuming duties on January 11. Jacobson met Yunus on Monday with the Embassy stating that the meeting focused on the United States' support "as Bangladesh works toward a stable and democratic future for its people". Earlier, in her first engagement with the interim government, Jacobson had a "productive discussion" with Bangladesh's Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Advisor, Asif Nazrul, "on labour rights, judicial reform, and counter-terrorism", on January 16. The meeting took place as Washington seemed unhappy with the recent reports which revealed that the Bangladesh's interim government has set in motion the process to acquit Syed Zia-ul Haque, a sacked Major of the Bangladesh Army who is linked to Al Qaeda and is desperately wanted by the United States. On January 19, a day before she met Yunus, the new Charge d;affaires met with Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain and Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin, indicating Washington's proactive diplomacy ahead of Trump Inauguration. Hyderabad, Jan 21 : The India Pavilion at the World Economic Forum in Davos was inaugurated jointly by Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Skill Development Jayant Chaudhary, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, state IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu, and Kerala State Minister for Industries and Law P. Rajeev. Hyderabad, Jan 21 (IANS) The India Pavilion at the World Economic Forum in Davos was inaugurated jointly by Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Skill Development Jayant Chaudhary, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, state IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu, and Kerala State Minister for Industries and Law P. Rajeev. They together also formally declared open the Telangana Pavilion, followed by an intense discussion on various projects where the state could set an example for India. The two Union Ministers also promised maximum support for various state initiatives in skills development and food processing, according to the Chief Ministeras Office (CMO). In the first meeting at Telangana Pavilion Tarek Sultan, Chairman, Agility met IT & Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu. The Minister said that the governmentas focus is on farmers and increasing their income in a sustainable manner. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is leading the state delegation at the 55th annual meet of the World Economic Forum. The discussions at the three-day meet this year are being held under the theme aIndustries In Intelligent Agea. Round table meetings and seminars are organised with the theme of changing industrial strategies in accordance with scientific and technological advances and meeting the growing energy needs. Delegates from various countries and states, experts from various fields and industrialists are among the 3,000 people participating in the event. According to the CMO, leading companies from India and abroad are showing keen interest in the clean and green energy policy that came into force recently, the incentives provided by the government for renewable energy and pumped storage power generation. In addition to energy production, the development of Fourth City in Hyderabad, expansion of AI-based IT services and investment in setting up state-of-the-art data centres are being discussed. For the second day, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Minister Sridhar Babu and officials will hold discussions with the CEOs of various companies in Davos. Meetings with representatives of companies such as Amazon, Unilever, Skyroot Aerospace, and Sify Technologies are scheduled for later in the day. The Chief Minister will meet representatives of various companies and industrialists under the aegis of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The TelanganaRising Team will hold discussions to attract investments mainly in IT, data centres and the clean and green energy sector. Several agreements are likely to be signed on this occasion. The state government says last year it secured an investment of Rs 40,232 crore at Davos and it expects to attract higher investment this time. New Delhi, Jan 21 : Former MP and Dalit leader of the Congress, Udit Raj, has dismissed the BJP's promises of free education from KG to PG for underprivileged students, a Rs 1,000 monthly stipend for SC students, and one-time assistance for UPSC and competitive exam aspirants as mere 'jumla' and "nothing more than an election slogan." Speaking to IANS, Udit Raj criticised the Central government's approach to education, stating, "On one hand, the cost of education is rising, and on the other, you offer just one thousand rupees. This is just an election slogan. If you don't follow through, thatas another matter, but the backward and poor communities have been increasingly excluded from education. Since the Modi government took power, education has been privatised, and it has become unaffordable." Raj further reacted to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwalas promise to create a welfare board for the Dhobi community in the national Capital if the AAP wins the upcoming Assembly elections. "Why now? Why wasnat this done earlier?" the Congress leader questioned and added, "They had promised to provide concrete houses to the Balmiki community, but now they say they will give fifty thousand houses, even though many are already vacant. Why werenat these given over the last eleven years? This is just another election stunt. They had promised to build 500 schools and open 20 colleges, but not a single school or college has been built. Similarly, this too will remain unfulfilled." In response to remarks made by AAP leader Rituraj Jha, who criticised Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri over alleged connections to Bangladeshi and Rohingya communities, Udit Raj accused the AAP of attempting to create division. "They are trying to pit Hindus against Muslims to distract the public from the main issues. Itas a war of words, and they want to keep people divided," Raj said. Earlier in the day, the BJP released Part II of its Sankalp Patra, announcing another set of poll promises if the party is voted to power in the upcoming Assembly elections. The big poll sops include free education from KG to PG for underprivileged students in government schools, a Rs 1,000 monthly stipend for SC students, and one-time assistance for UPSC and competitive exam aspirants The announcements were made by former Union Minister Anurag Thakur during a press conference, during which he highlighted the Central government's schemes for street vendors and unveiled the second part of the Sankalp Patra, loaded with sops and bonanza for students. He also accused the AAP government of failures on multiple fronts and claimed that the party rose to power by befooling the people of Delhi and after grabbing power, it left them in the lurch. New Delhi, Jan 21 : In an interim order passed on Tuesday, the Supreme Court shielded Congress Rajya Sabha MP and poet Imran Pratapgarhi from arrest in connection with an FIR registered against him for allegedly disturbing social harmony. The case dates back to January 3, 2025, when a complaint was filed at Jamnagar police station by an advocateas clerk. The complaint alleged that a video posted by Pratapgarhi on Instagram, which featured a poem, was inciting unrest and harming social peace. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued notice on the special leave petition filed by the Congress leader and posted the matter for further hearing on February 10. In the meantime, the apex court ordered that no coercive steps would be taken against Imran Pratapgarhi in any manner on the basis of the impugned FIR. Last week, the Gujarat High Court had turned down Pratapgarhi's plea to quash the FIR lodged against him. In its order, the Gujarat HC stated that as a lawmaker, Pratapgarhi must act responsibly and respect the legal process. It further directed him to submit an affidavit clarifying the origin of the poem used in the video. Pratapgarhi was asked to specify whether the poem was written by him or sourced from elsewhere, and if so, provide the details of its author. During the hearing before the Gujarat High Court, Pratapgarhi claimed that the poem in question was either written by renowned poets Faiz Ahmed Faiz or Habib Jalib. He stated that he had found the poem through online sources, including internet forums and chat rooms, but could not provide a definitive source. Pratapgarhi presented screenshots from an AI tool (ChatGPT) to support his claims. He argued that the poem, which promotes love and non-violence, was harmless and did not constitute a criminal act. However, the prosecution disagreed, asserting that as a Parliamentarian, Pratapgarhi had a responsibility to act with caution and not to incite public unrest through social media. The police had issued a notice to Pratapgarhi on January 4, asking him to appear on January 11, but he failed to cooperate with the investigation. The case is still in its early stages, and the investigation is ongoing. The Gujarat High Court highlighted that Pratapgarhi's action could not be defended simply based on his status as a public figure. His failure to appear before the authorities and his lack of clarity about the origin of the poem were key factors in turning down his petition. The Gujarat HC ultimately dismissed Pratapgarhi's plea, reinforcing that lawmakers must uphold the law and act responsibly. New Delhi, Jan 21 : The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday expressed regret over the decision of US President Donald Trump to walk out of the global health body, and hoped the administration will reconsider it. "The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization," the WHO said in a statement. The agency noted that it "hopes the US will reconsider" the decision, "for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe". Shortly after his inauguration to a second term, Trump signed the executive order on the withdrawal stating that the WHO mishandled the Covid pandemic and that the agency required "unfairly onerous payments" from the US that were disproportionate to the sums provided by other, larger countries, such as China. The WHO said it played a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world's people, including Americans. This was achieved by targeting "the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing, and responding to health emergencies". Notably, the US was a founding member of WHO in 1948. The country is an active participant in the World Health Assembly and Executive Board, alongside 193 other Member States. The WHO noted that in the last 70 years, "WHO and the US have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats". "Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication," the health agency said that American institutions have both contributed and benefited from membership of the WHO. "With the participation of the US and other Member States, WHO has over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. This work continues," the UN health body said. Meanwhile, several global health experts have expressed their concerns about the executive order by Trump to withdraw from the WHO. This means "all personnel and contractors will be stopped. Withdraw from the pandemic treaty negotiations. Anyone cheering this has no idea of global health," said Dutch virologist Marion Koopmans, from the Erasmus University in the Netherlands, in a post on social media platform X. Vaccine researcher Prof Peter Hotez called the decision "disappointing". "This will weaken our nation's biosecurity/pandemic preparedness at a time when pathogens like H5N1, SARS-like CoVs, dengue/arboviruses accelerating because of climate change/urbanisation," said Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center, on X. Mumbai, Jan 21 : Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who suffered an injury following a knife attack at his house, has now been discharged from the hospital after he underwent the medical procedures, and made a recovery. Earlier, in the day, the actoras wife Kareena Kapoor Khan was seen arriving at the Lilavati Hospital in the Bandra area of Mumbai prior to the discharge presumably to execute the discharge process and sign off the documents. She left hospital in few hours after completing the process, and was seen in a tense mood while talking on her phone inside her car. Saif was accompanied by his daughter from the first marriage, Sara Ali Khan, and his wife Kareena. Earlier, a document pertaining to the insurance claim made by the actor went viral. It showed an initial requested amount of Rs 35, 98, 700 against an approved amount of Rs 250, 00, 000. The document stated that the actor suffered an injury to an unspecified region. However, it should be noted that the document has not been verified by the hospital authorities, and has been doing rounds on social media. Saif was reportedly attacked by an assailant who barged into his Bandra house through his youngest son, Jehas room during the wee hours of Thursday. As per media reports, doctors removed the 2.5 inches of knife from his wound. The actor, who underwent a surgery, has now been shifted to the ICU and is said to be out of danger. The actor was stabbed multiple times in an attempt to fight off a burglar during the wee hours of Thursday. The actor sustained six stab wounds, two of which are said to be serious as they are closer to his spine. The incident took place at 2:15 am when the burglar allegedly barged into their Bandra home, and attacked their house help and then Saif when he intervened. Saif was woken up by the commotion in his son Jehas room. He went inside the room to see the culprit arguing with their house help, looking at this, Saif intervened to save the house help with bare hands to fight off the intruder. Mumbai, Jan 21 : Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who suffered an injury following a knife attack at his house, has now been discharged from the hospital after he underwent the medical procedures, and made a recovery. Earlier, in the day, the actoras wife Kareena Kapoor Khan was seen arriving at the Lilavati Hospital in the Bandra area of Mumbai prior to the discharge presumably to execute the discharge process and sign off the documents. She left hospital in few hours after completing the process, and was seen in a tense mood while talking on her phone inside her car. Saif was accompanied by his wife Kareena. Earlier, a document pertaining to the insurance claim made by the actor went viral. It showed an initial requested amount of Rs 35, 98, 700 against an approved amount of Rs 250, 00, 000. The document stated that the actor suffered an injury to an unspecified region. However, it should be noted that the document has not been verified by the hospital authorities, and has been doing rounds on social media. Saif was reportedly attacked by an assailant who barged into his Bandra house through his youngest son, Jehas room during the wee hours of Thursday. As per media reports, doctors removed the 2.5 inches of knife from his wound. The actor, who underwent a surgery, has now been shifted to the ICU and is said to be out of danger. The actor was stabbed multiple times in an attempt to fight off a burglar during the wee hours of Thursday. The actor sustained six stab wounds, two of which are said to be serious as they are closer to his spine. The incident took place at 2:15 am when the burglar allegedly barged into their Bandra home, and attacked their house help and then Saif when he intervened. Saif was woken up by the commotion in his son Jehas room. He went inside the room to see the culprit arguing with their house help, looking at this, Saif intervened to save the house help with bare hands to fight off the intruder. Mumbai, Jan 21 : Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Tuesday appealed to the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to undertake a thorough audit of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants across the state. In a letter to the Chief Minister, he suggested that strict action be taken against staffing agencies which fail to verify documents before giving jobs to individuals. His letter comes in the wake of the arrest of a Bangladeshi immigrant in connection with the attack on Saif Ali Khan. "The recent tragedy involving Saif Ali Khan highlights the urgent need to address this issue. Maharashtra's safety and security must come first," said Deora. He further added that in light of the recent tragic incident involving Saif Ali Khan, which has sparked widespread concern across Maharashtra, 'I am writing to draw your attention to an urgent issue that demands immediate action.' "It is imperative that the state government conducts a comprehensive audit of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants residing and working in Maharashtra. This initiative should involve district collectors, local municipalities and law enforcement agencies working in coordination to identify, verify and act against undocumented individuals," he added. Deora argued that equally important is the need to hold staffing companies accountable for their role in employing and placing illegal immigrants without verifying their documentation. He has therefore urged that the state government should implement stringent regulations mandating staffing agencies to verify the authenticity of all documents before giving jobs to the individuals. "Further, there is a need to introduce penalties for non-compliance including fines and cancellation of licenses for agencies found guilty of neglecting this responsibility," he wrote. He has also called for conducting regular inspections to ensure compliance with these regulations. "Maharashtra has always been a beacon of opportunity and inclusivity but it is critical to balance these values with the necessity of ensuring safety, security and legal accountability. A concerted effort to address this issue will not only bolster public confidence but also safeguard the interests of law-abiding citizens and businesses in our state," said Deora. On Sunday, the BJP leader Kirti Somaiya visited the Labour Camp at Kavesar Thane, where Mohammad Shehzad was staying for three months and demanded that the Thane Police Commissioner conduct the combing operation. Seoul, Jan 21 : South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday denied that he ordered troops to "drag out" lawmakers from the National Assembly after declaring martial law last month, in his first appearance at his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court. Yoon was asked by acting court President Moon Hyung-bae whether he had ordered military commanders to drag out lawmakers to stop them from voting down his December 3 martial law decree. "No," he replied. "(A parliamentary vote) is not something that can be blocked by blocking or delaying it." The president denied that he gave a note to Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok on the day of the martial law imposition to ask him to draw up a budget for an "emergency legislative body." He also sought to clarify claims that election fraud was a key reason for his declaration of martial law, saying he simply gave orders to screen the computer servers of the National Election Commission amid suspicions about fair elections. Yoon arrived at the court in a convoy escorted by the Presidential Security Service from the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, just south of the capital, where he has been held in custody since last Wednesday. At 2 p.m., he entered the courtroom, dressed in a suit and red tie, and sat waiting for the eight justices to arrive for the third hearing of the trial deliberating his impeachment over his declaration of martial law. "It's my first time attending today, so I will speak briefly," Yoon said while seated after asking Moon for a chance to speak. "Since coming of age, I have lived with a firm belief in liberal democracy until this very day, and especially during my time in public service," he said. "As the Constitutional Court is an institution that exists to defend the Constitution, I ask the justices to consider me favourably in various respects." Yoon is the first president to attend his or her own impeachment trial as former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye were absent from theirs. Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly on December 14 and remains suspended from duty while an investigation is underway into charges he led an insurrection and abused his power through his declaration of martial law, Yonhap news agency reported. The Constitutional Court has 180 days from the day it received the case on December 14 to uphold the impeachment and remove him from office or dismiss the impeachment and reinstate him. If Yoon is ousted, the country will be required to hold a snap presidential election within 60 days. During the hearing, which lasted 1 hour and 43 minutes, Yoon's legal team denied he had any plans to execute the martial law decree under which all political activities were banned, and all media and publications were subject to the control of the martial law command. "The decree was drafted by (then Defence Minister) Kim Yong-hyun, and reviewed and revised by the defendant in order to satisfy the outward appearance (of martial law)," Chah Kee-whahn, one of the lawyers, said. "Strictly speaking, the decree was aimed at prohibiting illegal acts by the National Assembly and not at all at dissolving the Assembly or prohibiting its regular activities," he said. Yoon has justified his short-lived imposition of martial law as an "act of governance" meant to defend the country from "anti-state forces" and warn the opposition party against abusing its legislative power. Chah said the deployment of troops to the Assembly during the six-hour enforcement of martial law was aimed at informing the public of parliament's "dangerous behaviour" and preparing against a sudden surge of people there. He flatly denied allegations Yoon ordered the arrest of prominent politicians and judges, including then-ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon and Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik. Outside the court, hundreds of people gathered to show their support for the president, holding up signs that read "Impeachment Invalid." Police surrounded the court's perimeter and beyond, and parked buses along sidewalks to prevent any violence among protesters. One woman was apprehended after assaulting a police officer. In a neighbourhood across the road from the court, 4,000 people attended a conservative rally in support of the president. Yoon's appearance at the court was the first time he appeared in public since the day he imposed martial law. Mumbai, Jan 21 : Paresh Rawal has delivered numerous powerful performances during his career spanning over four decades, Now, the acclaimed actor and entertainer has launched a groundbreaking "Chetana" Education OTT platform. The platform has been designed to empower students and parents with quality learning resources. Sharing his excitement about being a part of such an initiative, Paresh Rawal was quoted saying, "I am very happy to be part of such a noble, meaningful, and nation-building initiative. As an entertainer and a film actor, I have been associated with many mediums, but this Chetana Education OTT platform is dedicated to shaping the future of children and building the nation's future, which makes me extremely happy. This is a truly remarkable idea, and I sincerely thank everyone involved. I believe everyone should support this initiative. I have been informed that it is connected to more than 35 schools, which is a big achievement. Huge congratulations!" The latest initiative by Paresh Rawal is a major step forward towards digital education accessibility. It will significantly help foster a love for learning among students throughout the country. The 'Hera Pheri" actor even urged parents, educators, and institutions to embrace this platform as a valuable tool for shaping the leaders of the future. On another note, Paresh Rawal has an exciting lineup for 2025. He will be seen playing a crucial role in Priyadarshan's forthcoming horror-comedy "Bhooth Bangla". The core cast of the flick will also include Akshay Kumar, Tabu, and Wamiqa Gabbi, among others. In addition to this, Paresh Rawal will also be a part of the latest installment in the 'Welcome' franchise, "Welcome To The Jungle". Made under the direction of Ahmed Khan, the project enjoys an ensemble cast with Akshay Kumar, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Lara Dutta, Raveena Tandon, and Arshad Warsi. He further has Aditya Sarpotdar's "Thama", alongside Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Ayushmann Khurrana in his kitty. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Turkiye could host talks between "major players" on its territory and end the Ukrainian conflict, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico said after talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Trend reports. Fico stressed that Bratislava is not seeking to organise a high-level meeting, but is holding peaceful events at lower levels. The Slovak Prime Minister said that high-level peace talks should take place in a country that is completely neutral on this issue and has no connection to the International Criminal Court. Tripoli, Jan 21 : The Libyan Coast Guard said on Tuesday it had rescued 88 migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the Coast Guard said its vessel Wadi Kaam 300P "managed to rescue 88 illegal migrants of different nationalities" off the Libyan coast after receiving a report that their boat had broken down. The migrants were disembarked at Tripoli port, the statement said. "Legal measures were taken against them and they were handed over to the Illegal Migration Control Department after they received the proper medical care, in the presence of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)," it added. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), as many as 493 migrants were rescued off the coast of Libya between January 5 and January 11. The migrants included 47 women and 17 children, IOM said, noting that three bodies of migrants were also retrieved. In 2024, 21,762 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, while 674 died and 1,015 went missing on the Central Mediterranean route, including those departing from Libya and other countries. Since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the ensuing insecurity and chaos in Libya have prompted many migrants, primarily from Africa, to attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach European shores, Xinhua news agency reported. Last month, Libya deported a group of migrants to Niger by land, the first such deportation in years. The department said in a statement on its Facebook page that the deportation took place in the presence of Niger's charge d'affaires to Libya. The migrants were deported across the land border with Niger "for violating applicable Libyan laws" after completing necessary procedures, the statement said. It added that deportations of migrants from Libya to their countries of origin would continue. The IOM estimates that there are 787,326 migrants in Libya, with 41 per cent of them reporting they experienced shocks such as environmental, political, or economic hardship before migrating to Libya. Mumbai, Jan 21 : Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday after he underwent the medical procedures, and made a recovery, was seen arriving at his house in the Bandra area of Mumbai. The actor was dressed in a white shirt and a pair of denims, and was seen shaking hands with friends and neighbours, as he walked towards his den. The dressing on his neck was also visible through his collar. Earlier, a document pertaining to the insurance claim made by the actor went viral. It showed an initial requested amount of Rs 35, 98, 700 against an approved amount of Rs 250, 00, 000. Saif was reportedly attacked by an assailant who barged into his Bandra house through his youngest son, Jehas room during the wee hours of Thursday. The actor reportedly went to the hospital on his own, and was accompanied by his son Taimur. As per media reports, doctors removed the 2.5 inches of knife from his wound. The actor, who underwent a surgery, has now been shifted to the ICU and is said to be out of danger. The actor was stabbed multiple times in an attempt to fight off a burglar during the wee hours of Thursday. The actor sustained six stab wounds, two of which are said to be serious as they are closer to his spine. The incident took place at 2:15 am when the burglar allegedly barged into their Bandra home, and attacked their house help and then Saif when he intervened. Saif was woken up by the commotion in his son Jehas room. He went inside the room to see the culprit arguing with their house help, looking at this, Saif intervened to save the house help with bare hands to fight off the intruder. Mumbai, Jan 21 : Actor Kashyap Shangari, who is known for 'The Fame Game', 'Made In Heaven' and 'Sheher Lakhot', is gearing up for his Hollywood debut with 'Inheritance'. The actor has now opened up about his unique experiences on set. .He also shared his experience of working with actress Phoebe Dynevor of 'Bridgeton' fame. Talking about the same, the actor said, "The process was breezy. It was a pleasure to work with someone who is so well-versed and so well-prepared with the craft. She brought fresh energy on set and I felt I was with another actor who is excited about the project and not a huge international star". The actor also expressed his admiration for Neil Burger's directorial style, and said that his directorial style is empowering and nourishing for actors. He also heaped praise on the vision of both Neil Burger and Olien Steinhauer in putting together a thriller that transcends geographical boundaries and focuses on the intricacies of human nature. He said, "When a director is as invested as Neil is to empower two actors in a scene to bring the right beats and nuancesit is the most enabling and nourishing set an actor can be on. I am truly grateful". Talking about the most memorable scene from the film, he shared, "The scene in the restaurant with Phoebe was exciting as it was the first time I was being shot on an iPhone amplified with the most sophisticated lens technology one is still to witness in our setup here. The technical dynamics are different from shooting with a regular camera". This novel approach added an extra layer of excitement and challenge to his performance, showing his adaptability and eagerness to embrace innovative techniques. Los Angeles, Jan 21 : American socialite Paris Hilton has shared that her son Phoenix wants to be a good samaritan when he grows up. Speaking during a new interview, Hilton, 43, revealed that her 2-year-old son wants to be a firefighter in the future amid her losing her Malibu home in the Los Angeles wildfires, reports 'People' magazine. She told TMZ, "He said he wants to be a fireman". The reality TV star went on to share that she was "heartbroken for everybody who has lost everything" following the devastation caused by the fires. "The families, the children, the animals, it's just been heartbreaking to see what's happened to California", she told the outlet. As per 'People', Hilton also discussed fostering a dog named Zuzu, whom she previously revealed she had taken into her home after the pooch's family "unfortunately had to surrender her after their home was destroyed in the wildfires". "We love Zuzu", Hilton told TMZ as she looked at her son Phoenix. The mother of two shared that Zuzu's owners lost their home in Altadena in the fires and she and her family have been fostering him for the past week. "We've all just fallen in love with him", she added, before revealing that the family is now going to adopt the dog. As for whether or not she is planning to rebuild her home, Hilton said her husband, Carter Reum, is "dealing with all that". Hilton's comments come just over a week after she revealed the burnt remains of her Malibu home after it was destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fire. I'm standing here in what used to be our home, and the heartbreak is truly indescribable", Hilton wrote alongside the footage shared on Instagram. "When I first saw the news, I was in complete shock, I couldn't process it. But now, standing here and seeing it with my own eyes, it feels like my heart has shattered into a million pieces". She added, "This house wasn't just a place to live, It was where we dreamed, laughed, and created the most beautiful memories as a family". Morena, Jan 21 : Farmers in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district on Tuesday carried out a tractor-march to protest against the auction of a portion of land earlier given on lease to a sugar mill, which had been lying defunct since 2011. Hundreds of farmers drove tractors towards the sugar mill in Morena to oppose the auction process at the mill premises. The protest named 'Jail Bharo Aandolan' was supported by Congress as tractors rolled on Morena's road bearing the party's flag. To ensure law and order in the city, Morena District Police has put up barricades to stop protesters from entering the mill's area, during which, heated arguments were exchanged between protesters and police personnel, according to the report. Congress MLA from Joura Assembly seat in Morena, Pankaj Upadhyay told media persons that the auction process was put on hold following the protest. "Morena district administration has assured that the sugar mill will be revived and made functional again. The administration will carry out the auction process later," he added. The Morena sugar factory, also known as the Kailaras sugar mill, was established in 1973 but closed in 2010-2011 due to relentless revenue loss. It is said that the factory was closed due to a shortage of sugarcane and working capital. Notably, the state government has planned to revive the Kailaras Sugar Mill, and for this purpose, a revival plan was made, which includes the sale of around 27 hectares of land to clear the debt owed to farmers and workers. The task of initiating bids and selling the land has been assigned to the Department of Industry. Interestingly, the increasing use of ethanol as an alternative to petroleum products has brought new hope to the sugar industry. Many sugar mills in states like Uttar Pradesh and across the country, which had been shut down for years, are now being reopened, with the rising demand for ethanol playing a key role in their resurgence. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 21 : Comptroller and Audit General (CAG) report which was placed before the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday revealed that during the Covid time, the Kerala government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sold the PPE kit at exorbitant prices. The report revealed that the PPE kit - which was available for Rs 550 - was not purchased and was purchased at a cost of Rs 1550 which caused a loss of Rs 10 crores. In March 2020, the first COVID-19-positive case in the country was reported in Kerala. Kerala Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the then Health Minister K.K. Shailaja were the prime culprits in this massive fraud while the CPI-M dismissed it as nothing but political witch-hunting by the Centre. "We had brought up this issue already and now the CAG has endorsed this massive scam. We will take this up as we did back then. At present there is a case to this effect going on. Shailaja cleared the order for PPE kits after getting the green signal from Vijayan," said Satheesan. He added that three companies had agreed to supply one PPE kit for Rs 500, but the order was given to San Pharma at Rs 1550 per PPE kit. "Shailaja herself in the past had admitted that the order was given on Vijayan's directions. Importantly, a 100 per cent advance was paid to San Pharma. What we raised in 2021-22 has now been proved right by the CAG," added Satheesan. However, by dismissing the scam as political witch-hunting, CPI-M leader K. Anilkumar said where were these people (CAG) all this while. "The Centre is using organisations to haunt the CPI-M government and this is the latest example," said Anilkumar. S.S. Lal an accomplished health expert who worked with the WHO said this is nothing but blatant day-light robbery on the part of the Kerala government. "The Health Department is a gold mine for those who are engaged in purchases. Even though I have my own politics, in this aspect I am speaking as a health expert. The CAG has come out correctly against the Kerala government," said Lal who was the Congress candidate at the 2021 Assembly polls. --IANS sg/dan New Delhi, Jan 21 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers and volunteers are being abused, intimidated and threatened with consequences by the BJP workers in Kalkaji's Govindpuri area, Delhi Chief Minister and party nominee Atishi said in her complaint to the Election Commission officer. She also demanded the deployment of security forces in her Kallkaji constituency to ensure the safety and security of the AAP volunteers. In a letter to the Returning Officer on Tuesday, Atishi flagged recent incidents of 'verbal abuse and physical altercation' directed at the AAP workers by BJP men in her constituency and demanded that the poll body acts swiftly to rein in the 'hooligans' for maintaining a safe atmosphere ahead of polls. "BJP workers are openly threatening AAP volunteers without any fear. It is alarming that if these workers are getting so aggressive with AAP, then one can imagine the kind of influence it would have on voters in these areas," she wrote in the letter. Atishi also dragged BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri's name in her complaint over the latter's 'insulting and derogatory' remarks against her. She also claimed that BJP nominee Ramesh Bidhuri has gone 'unpunished' despite his abusive slurs and this was sending a signal to BJP workers to get more brazen. Giving details of verbal and physical 'assault' on AAP workers, she informed that volunteers like Rakha Bassi, Sanjay Gupta, Aradhna, Sumita Pandey, Sher Singh and Hari Shankar Gupta were among others who found themselves at the receiving end of BJP's hooliganism. She claimed that BJP men grabbed them by the collar, hurled abuses and threatened them with physical harm. In an incident, a few days ago, an AAP worker was slapped by BJP counterparts during a door-to-door campaign, she said in her complaint. Atishi said that the current atmosphere was a threat to free and fair elections in the Kalkaji constituency and hence it's imperative that security forces are deployed in the area for the safety and security of AAP workers. Mahakumbh Nagar, Jan 21 : Overwhelmed with the cleanliness and uninterrupted flow of pilgrims at the sacred Triveni Sangam during the ongoing Mahakumbh, Shipra Pathak, the 'water woman of India,' on Tuesday applauded UP CM Yogi Adityanath for his sustained efforts. Shipra Pathak leads the 'Ek Thali, Ek Thaila' campaign for water and environmental conservation at Mahakumbh. Under her stewardship, lakhs of eco-friendly bags and plates have been distributed at Mahakumbh with the support of various organisations. Praising the cleanliness across the Kumbh, including the Triveni Sangam, she said, "The level of cleanliness here is extraordinary. This beautiful arrangement is the result of efforts by a leader who, besides being a Chief Minister, is also a Sadhak, Yogi, and Sanyasi. The Kumbh is very close to his heart, and no one could have managed it better than him." Shipra described Yogi Adityanath as the most popular CM and also shared an experience from her journey. "In November last year, I walked from Ayodhya to Rameswaram. When I told people in Karnataka that I came from Ayodhya, their response was, 'That's Yogi's Uttar Pradesh.' The fact that the largest state in India is identified with Yogi Adityanath even in a small village in Karnataka, speaks volumes about his service, and commitment, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari." Shipra Pathak has walked 13,000 kilometres to promote water and environmental conservation. Her organisation, Panchtatva, has 15 lakh members and has facilitated the planting of 25 lakh saplings along riverbanks. At Mahakumbh, she is actively raising awareness about cleanliness through her campaign. She explained, "To ensure a clean Kumbh, we distributed bags, plates, glasses, and spoons to Akharas. If we noticed a devotee carrying a plastic bag, we handed them an eco-friendly alternative. While we strive to keep our rivers clean, it is essential to preserve our culture. Rivers can be cleaned with machines and commercialisation, but without cultural preservation, there will be no Mahakumbh on the riverbanks in the future." Shipra Pathak, who left her business and job to dedicate herself to saving rivers and forests, spoke about the profound significance of Mahakumbh. "It is not just an ordinary festival or occasion. People from all classes, communities, and ideologies come together to take a dip at the Triveni Sangam, creating a unique and powerful vibration. Taking a dip here is not my sole focus. For the past year, we've been working to ensure that those who come to take a dip in the Sangam find clean and uninterrupted water. Through environmental conservation, we've united 100 organisations that support this mission," she remarked. Reflecting on her journey to becoming the 'Water Woman,' Shipra shared, "Since childhood, I've had a deep connection with water. My parents named me Shipra, after the river. While travelling abroad for work, I noticed how clean the rivers there were, despite not being worshipped as goddesses. It made me wonder why our rivers couldn't be the same." She added, "The Narmada Parikrama was a turning point for me. I observed that where Maa Narmada flows cleanly and uninterrupted, people's finances, health, and development thrive. But where the river is polluted, lives are adversely affected. This realisation led to my renunciation. I travelled along the Shipra, the Gomti, and journeyed from Ayodhya to Rameswaram. Our aim is not to imagine a new India, but to preserve the essence of ancient India and pass our cultural heritage to the next generation." She concluded, "Snan in the Triveni Sangam not only offers salvation but also promotes physical health. A healthy body is essential to achieving salvation, and preserving our rivers ensures a healthy future for all." Ankara, Jan 21 : At least 66 people have died and over 51 others injured in a fire that erupted at a hotel in Turkey's northwestern Bolu province on Tuesday. According to the local authorities, the fire broke out at a hotel in the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort post midnight on the restaurant floor. Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin stated that fatalities also resulted from individuals jumping from the building in panic. He mentioned that the cause of the fire, that broke out around 3:30 am local time (0030 GMT), remains unclear and the flames rapidly engulfed the hotel situated at the summit of the Koroglu Mountains. Upon receiving the alert, fire crews, search-and-rescue units and medical teams were dispatched from the city centre, surrounding districts, and nearby areas. Turkey's Anadolu Agency reported that authorities evacuated around 230 guests from the hotel as firefighting efforts continued. "Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said a judicial investigation was initiated by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, with six public prosecutors assigned, and a five-person expert committee formed," the report detailed. Kartalkaya in the province of Bolu is one of Turkey's premier winter tourism destinations, attracting thousands of visitors during the ski season. The hotel's website mentions it as one of the top destination for Turkish Skiers since 1978. The resort enables direct access to 23 slopes with a total length of 20km belonging to the hotel. Bolu is a city in northern Turkey, and administrative centre of the Bolu Province and of Bolu District, located on the highway between Istanbul and Ankara. Located at the top of the Koroglu Mountains, 38 km from Bolu city centre, 180 km from Ankara and Istanbul, the ski and mountain hotel is spread over an area of 60,000 square metres. Mumbai, Jan 21 : Amid rift among the MahaYuti partners over the appointment of district guardian ministers, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP on Tuesday targeted Shiv Sena and warned that it would not tolerate personal attacks and criticism against state unit chief Sunil Tatkare and Women and Child Welfare minister Aditi Tatkare. Responding to the criticism levelled by the Shinde faction after Aditi Tatkare was appointed as the Guardian Minister of Raigad, the NCP chief spokesman Anand Paranjpe defended the decision. He, however, expressed serious displeasure over the personal attack by a couple of Shiv Sena leaders including Bharat Gogawale and Mahendra Thorve. "The language used against MP Sunil Tatkare, Minister Aditi Tatkare and their family was inappropriate, condemnable, and disgraceful. Such actions tarnish the alliance's sanctity. Every political party has the right to express its opinions in a democracy. If there are disagreements over a decision, it should be discussed with the party leaders. The Guardian Minister's decision rests entirely with the Chief Minister. Such statements could be an attempt to create unrest and trouble the Chief Minister," he claimed. Paranjpe condemned the manner in which the Shinde faction activists staged protests against the appointment of Aditi Tatkare as the Raigad district guardian minister. He further stated: "For the past two days, inappropriate incidents in Raigad have been condemnable. Minister Bharat Gogawale and Shiv Sena leaders like Mahendra Dalvi and Mahendra Thorve should have expressed their concerns about the Guardian Minister appointments to their party leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde or Devendra Fadnavis. Instead, they chose to make personal attacks on Sunil Tatkare and Aditi Tai Tatkare, which will not be tolerated under any circumstances." Paranjpe advised Shiv Sena minister Bharat Gogawale with a constitutional position not to disrupt law and order by organising roadblocks or burning tires as it discredits the Chief Minister who also oversees the state Home Ministry. He said that the government has already stayed her appointment and also of Girish Mahajan as Nashik district guardian minister after Shiv Sena's objection. Paranjape said that Aditi Tatkare as a minister has served the people of Raigad during natural calamities by working tirelessly among the public. "During the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, she performed commendably. Under the leadership of Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, the Mahayuti government announced the 'Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana,' ensuring a monthly benefit of Rs 1,500 directly deposited into the bank accounts of women. The effort benefited 2.35 crore women, and Minister Aditi Tatkare's dedication played a key role in its success," he added. Paranjpe clarified that once the Chief Minister returns from Davos, NCP's National President and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will discuss the matter with him. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. France, the former colonial empire, continues to spark controversy and condemnation for its historical and contemporary presence in Africa. Despite the decolonization of the mid-20th century, many African countries claim that France maintains neocolonial methods, using economic, political, and military mechanisms to control its former colonies. According to the Algerian Radio Tindouf station, decolonization did not rid Africa of dependency. "This is about France, which granted these countries independence but continued to remain present in them, exploiting their resources, such as Chad's oil, Niger's uranium, Mali's gold, Mauritania's phosphates, the Ivory Coast's ivory, and others," the station said. Algeria continues to demand that France acknowledge its responsibility for the nuclear tests carried out in the Reggan region. The newspaper El Bilad describes their consequences: "When you came, we were four million Algerians. When you left, after a century and a half, we barely counted nine million. This statistic is an indisputable fact, reflecting the suffering of generations." Moreover, the radio station El Bayadh emphasizes the need for compensation: "France must acknowledge the criminality of its actions, apologize, and compensate Algerians for all the harm caused by one of the harshest colonial eras in history." These words highlight that the ecological damage and health issues caused by the tests remain pressing concerns. Senegalese Pikinediasporaradio station accuses France of maintaining control through manipulation of the political system and supporting elites loyal to Paris. "France, with the support of African collaborators, keeps us in a state of perpetual poverty, manipulating international institutions, organizing coups, and political assassinations," the station noted, specifically mentioning financial control through the CFA franc. "France steals 69 percent of our currency in exchange for a monkey currencythe CFA franc, which implies 'French colonialism in Africa", the station added. The ElwataniaTV channel also voices criticism of France's foreign policy. "France believes it has the right to exploit the resources of African countries, leaving their populations in poverty. However, now that Rwanda, Mali, and Niger have begun to free themselves from France's influence, its presence in Africa has significantly decreased," the channel said. French colonialism and neocolonialism remain painful issues that continue to fuel controversy. African countries insist on acknowledging historical injustices, offering apologies, and providing compensation for the resulting harm. The question is whether France is ready to reconsider its approach to its colonial past and take steps toward genuine, equal cooperation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Davos, Jan 21 : European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that the first trip of her new team will be to India to boost ties with the world's largest democracy which has succeeded in lifting millions of people out of poverty. "Together with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi we want to upgrade the strategic partnership with the largest country and democracy in the world," von der Leyen told the Davos World Economic Forum. "As supply chains went global, hundreds of millions of people were lifted out of poverty, especially in India," she said in her address. She also warned that a 'sea-change in global affairs' had taken place in the past 25 years. The cooperative world order we imagined 25 years ago has not turned into reality. Instead, we have entered a new era of harsh geostrategic competition. The world's major economies are vying for access to raw materials, new technologies and global trade routes. From AI to clean tech, from quantum to space, from the Arctic to the South-China Sea the race is on. "As this competition intensifies, we will likely continue to see frequent use of economic tools such as sanctions, export controls and tariffs that are intended to safeguard economic and national security. But it is important that we balance the imperative to safeguard our security against our opportunity to innovate and enhance our prosperity," von der Leyen stated. "In this spirit, we will need to work together to avoid a global race to the bottom. Because it is in no one's interest, to break the bonds in the global economy. Rather we need to modernise the rules to sustain our ability to produce mutual gain for our citizens," the European Commission President said. She explained that, on the one hand, since the year 2000, the volume of global trade has doubled, although trade within regional blocs is now expanding faster than trade between them. It is common that a chip is designed in the United States, built in Taiwan with European machines, packaged in Southeast Asia, and assembled in China. On the other hand, last year alone, global trade barriers have tripled in value. International trade institutions have often struggled to address the challenges posed by the rise of non-market economies that compete by a different set of rules. Innovation continues to flourish, with advances in AI, quantum computing and clean energy poised to change our way of life and work, but technology controls have also quadrupled in recent decades. "Our supply chain dependencies are at times weaponised, as shown by Russia's energy blackmail, or exposed as brittle when global shocks, such as the pandemic, emerge without warning. And the very interconnectors that bring us together, like undersea data cables, have become targets from the Baltic Sea to the Taiwan Strait," she said. Chennai, Jan 21 : The Madras High Court has issued a notice to AIADMK leader and former minister Rajenthra Bhalaji in connection with a job racket case dating back to his tenure as a minister. The single judge Bench of Justice P. Velmurugan of the Madras High Court on Tuesday directed Bhalaji to respond to the notice within four weeks. The notice was issued following a petition filed by K. Nallathambi from Virudhunagar, who alleged that Tamil Nadu Police failed to promptly and effectively investigate his complaint against the former minister. The petitioner sought a directive from the court to the Inspector General (South Zone) to expedite the investigation and file a final charge sheet in the case. Senior counsel R. Sankarasubbu, representing Nallathambi, submitted that the petitioner had impleaded Bhalaji in the current case as per the courtas orders. The counsel argued that the former minister had violated the Supreme Courtas conditions for interim bail. It was pointed out that on January 6, the court had transferred another job fraud case against Bhalaji, filed by complainant S. Ravindran, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). However, Justice P. Velmurugan declined to consolidate Nallathambias petition with Ravindranas case and instructed Bhalaji to file his response within four weeks. It may be recalled that in 2021, Nallathambi lodged a complaint with the Virudhunagar District Crime Branch (DCB), accusing Bhalaji of collecting approximately a3 crore in bribes from various individuals in exchange for promises of government jobs. However, none of the promised jobs materialised. Based on this complaint, the DCB registered a case and arrested Bhalaji. In November 2022, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Bhalaji, imposing conditions that included surrendering his passport and cooperating with the investigation. In a parallel case filed by S. Ravindran from Sattur, it was alleged that the former minister had accepted a30 lakh through AIADMK functionary K. Vijaya Nallathambi for securing an Aavin District Manageras position for his nephew. The DCB had registered an FIR against both Bhalaji and Nallathambi based on Ravindranas complaint. Despite the courtas directive to complete the investigation promptly, progress remained slow. On November 15, 2024, Justice Velmurugan disposed Ravindranas plea after the governmentas advocate submitted that the investigation was complete, but the sanction to prosecute the accused was pending. The judge directed the DCB to obtain the required sanction without delay and file the charge sheet. When the matter was listed again on January 6, 2025, the government counsel requested two additional days to secure the sanction. Displeased with the delay, Justice Velmurugan remarked that the state police seemed unable to comply with court orders and transferred the investigation to the CBI. Kolkata, Jan 21 : The trial process in the multi-crore coal smuggling case in West Bengal started from Tuesday afternoon at a special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at Asansol in West Burdwan district in the state. On Tuesday the trial process started with the recording of statements of two top officials of public-sector Coal India Limited (CIL). A total of 12 officials of Eastern Coalfield Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CIL, were framed as accused by the central investigative agencies in the case, out of whom CIL gave permission to initiate a trial process against nine. Besides the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the investigation arm of the Union ministry of finance, had also been conducting a probe in the coal smuggling case. The matter will be heard again at the same court on February 21. A total of 50 individuals and corporate entities have been named in the charge sheet filed by the CBI in the case. However, the trial process has started against just 49 of them since a prime accused in the case, former youth Trinamool Congress leader Vinay Mishra is currently absconding and is believed to have taken shelter at Vanuatu Islands by taking citizenship there. Vinayas brother Vikash Mishra is another prime accused in the case. In the charge sheet, the CBI had claimed that the accused in the case were involved in theft and smuggling of 36 lakh metric tonnes of coal, resulting in a government revenue loss to the tune of Rs 1,340 crore. As per the charge sheet, the theft and smuggling took place between 2015 and 2020. The CBI took over the investigation in the year 2020. Besides, CIL and a number of officials of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is in charge of the safety of the state-run coal mines in the country, were also under the CBI scanner. Arup Majhi a.k.a. Lala, who is currently released on bail, is another prime accused in the case. New Delhi, Jan 21 : BJP leader and Vice-Chairman of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Kuljeet Singh Chahal on Tuesday hit out at AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal for ignoring problems of New Delhi's voters, partially, by not taking oath as a member of the civic agency. Chahal pointed out that despite being the elected MLA of New Delhi in 2020, former Chief Minister Kejriwal has not taken oath as a member of the NDMC yet. Chahal said, "The people of New Delhi have elected him three times, but Kejriwal has continuously avoided his responsibilities. He has neither raised the issues related to the welfare of NDMC employees, nor taken any concrete steps for their benefit." Chahal highlighted that under Kejriwal's tenure, the residents of NDMC area have faced several problems related to basic amenities. "Despite being the MLA of New Delhi, Kejriwal showed no concern for the essential services that should have been provided to the people. For example, there has been no clear resolution for issues like water supply, waterlogging, and pollution, which have deeply affected the public," he said. He said former Chief Minister Kejriwal attended only 53 per cent of Council meetings during his MLA tenure. "Which reflects his careless and indifferent attitude towards New Delhi and its residents," he said. Chahal informed that from 2014 to 2024, a total of 126 NDMC council meetings were held, of which Kejriwal was a member in 122 meetings but participated in only 65. Kejriwal missed 57 meetings during his 10-year tenure, Chahal said, adding that the former Chief Minister of Delhi was either absent from the meetings or, when he did attend, he left midway. He further said, "Despite being an NDMC member, Kejriwal's reluctance to take oath for this position has raised serious concerns among the people of New Delhi. The public has the right to know how dedicated and serious their elected representatives are in serving them." Chahal stressed that with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, 4,500 NDMC employees were regularised, ensuring job security for them and their families. However, under Kejriwal's Delhi government, many employees are still waiting for regularisation. He further claimed that Kejriwal neglected the needs of New Delhi and obstructed the work of the NDMC. "Important projects, such as the 24x7 water supply initiative, have remained incomplete due to the lack of cooperation from the Delhi government, causing significant inconvenience to the public," he said. Davos, Jan 21 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday highlighted India's evolution as a global economic powerhouse that is expected to contribute the highest incremental global GDP in the world by 2027. Addressing a CII special session at the World Economic Forum meeting here, the Chief Minister said "In the early 90s, when the internet was invented, India launched economic reforms in 1991. From then onwards, we started working on second-generation reforms. Today, Indian entrepreneurs, especially those from Andhra Pradesh, are making their mark globally. We have the first-mover advantage in technology, demographic dividend, and entrepreneurial skills. We are also one of the most acceptable communities globally." He added, "By 2047, India will be the number one or number two economy globally, and Indians will lead in creating wealth and serving the global community. Recent assessments also project that by 2027, India will contribute the most to the incremental global GDP." N Chandrasekaran, Executive Chairman, Tata Sons elaborated on the Swarna Andhra Pradesh plan, stating, "This 2047 plan focuses on developing Andhra Pradesh through the Government's 4P model public, private, people, partnerships. The plan will include multiple components, with a specific focus on certain sectors to drive economic growth and job creation." During the session, the CII Centre for Global Leadership on Competitiveness (GLC) was announced, and a brochure on the same was launched by the Chief Minister. Highlighting the significance of this initiative, CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said, "Moving forward, we are privileged to work with the State Government to establish the Global Leadership Centre (GLC) in Amaravati. This transformative initiative aims to foster value-based leadership, enhance corporate governance, and nurture global leadership competencies." The CII Centre for Global Leadership on Competitiveness, which would be completely industry-led, and industry-managed, will have a clear focus on enhancing the competitiveness of industries, both at the national level and within Andhra Pradesh. The session also witnessed an Exchange of Letter of Intent between CII and the IMD Business School, Switzerland the first such agreement with an international institution for the Centre for Global Leadership on Competitiveness. The discussions transitioned into the session on 'Pathway to India's Green Industrialisation: From Green Hydrogen to Green Manufacturing', organised by CII in association with Ernst & Young. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reiterated the state's commitment to becoming a hub for green energy and green hydrogen, emphasising the state's focus on sustainable energy and green manufacturing. Rajiv Memani, president-designate, CII, and Chairman and CEO, EY India underlined the criticality of green energy for India's growth aspirations. He stated, "If India has to achieve its growth aspirations by 2047 and increase per capita income by 5 or 6 times, the country's total energy consumption would need to reach 370 billion gigajoules. Today, India imports 40 per cent of its energy. For India, green energy is not only a necessity but a critical enabler of our growth ambitions." The sessions were also addressed by Sajjan Jindal, Chairman, JSW Group, David Bach, president, IMD Business School, Switzerland, G B S Raju, Business Chairman Airports, GMR Group, Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty, Chief Executive and Managing Director, Greenko Group and Hans-Olav Raen, Chief Executive Officer, Yara Clean Ammonia. Seoul, Jan 21 : South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday visited a hospital in central Seoul for medical treatment after making his first appearance at his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court, his lawyer said. Yoon and his escort vehicles departed from the court at 4:42 p.m. and traveled to the Armed Forces Seoul Capital District Hospital. The president returned to the Seoul Detention Centre at 9:09 p.m. where investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials are waiting to conduct further questioning. "Yoon's doctor recommended medical treatment a month ago, which could no longer be delayed, so he received it today," Yoon's lawyer Yun Gap-geun told reporters, while declining to provide further details. The justice ministry also confirmed Yoon's trip to the hospital, noting the president had undergone a medical examination by the detention centre's medical staff on the previous day, who recommended his visit to an external medical institution, Yonhap news agency reported. The ministry declined to provide further details of Yoon's treatment, citing concerns over personal information. Earlier in the day, Yoon Suk Yeol denied ordering troops to "drag out" lawmakers from the National Assembly after declaring martial law last month, during his first appearance at his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court. Yoon was asked by acting court President Moon Hyung-bae whether he had instructed military commanders to remove lawmakers in order to prevent them from voting down his December 3 martial law decree. Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly on December 14 and remains suspended from duty while an investigation is underway into charges that he led an insurrection and abused his power through his declaration of martial law. The Constitutional Court has 180 days from the date it received the case on December 14 to either uphold the impeachment and remove him from office or dismiss the impeachment and reinstate him. If Yoon is ousted, the country will be required to hold a snap presidential election within 60 days. New Delhi, Jan 21 : The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Heavy Vehicles Factory, a unit of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited, for the procurement of 47 Tank-72 Bridge Laying Tanks (BLT) for the Indian Army at a total cost of Rs 1,560.52 crore. The contract was inked by the senior officials of MoD and HVF/AVNL in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi. The BLT is a critical equipment which is employed to launch bridges during offensive/defensive operations by mechanised forces. It provides the integral bridging capability to the tank and armoured vehicle fleet enhancing battlefield mobility and offensive capability. The present case being a Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) will give impetus to the Make-in-India initiative in defence. This project will also play a pivotal role in boosting the overall economy and increasing employment avenues in the country. On January 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated three frontline naval combatants INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer to the nation. "It is for the first time that a destroyer, a frigate, and a submarine - all three - are being commissioned together. Above all, these frontline platforms are Made in India products," he said. "The commissioning of three frontline naval combatants underscores India's unwavering commitment to building a robust and self-reliant defence sector," he said. The PM added that the commissioning of three naval combatants was a significant step towards empowering the Indian Navy of the 21st century, especially, when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gave new strength and vision to the Navy. The Prime Minister said that enhancing the nation's military capabilities to align with the demands of the 21st century remains a key priority for India. "Whether it is land, air, water, the deep sea, or outer space, India is steadfastly safeguarding its interests across all domains. To achieve this, continuous reforms are being implemented. The establishment of the Chief of Defence Staff was a significant step in this direction. Additionally, efforts are underway to strengthen our armed forces through the development of Theatre Commands," he said. New Delhi, Jan 21 : An AAP leader who stood surety for Arvind Kejriwal while seeking bail in the excise policy case joined the BJP on Tuesday, said Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly and BJP candidate from the Rohini constituency Vijender Gupta. Gupta, along with Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, and Kuldeep Mittal, a former AAP candidate for the Rohini municipal election, into the BJP at a press conference held at the Delhi BJP office. Introducing Mittal, Gupta mentioned that he is a well-known AAP leader from the Rohini area who was also a strong contender for the AAP ticket in the current Assembly elections. Addressing the media on this occasion, Gupta also expressed deep anger over Kejriwalas alleged remarks regarding an episode from the Ramayana. He demanded that Kejriwal apologise to the entire Hindu community, stating that his comment had insulted Lord Ram and Goddess Sita. Gupta said it is unfortunate that a former chief minister of Delhi has shown such ignorance regarding the Ramayana, exposing the hypocrisy of his supposed love for Sanatan Dharma. He said that Kejriwal misrepresented an episode known to every child in India, making a disgraceful mockery of the faith of millions of Hindus. Criticising Kejriwal, he added that someone who opposed the construction of the Ram Temple should know that Lord Ram is the central figure of faith for millions of Hindus. Kejriwalas statement, aimed at electoral benefits and appeasing a particular community, is shameful. He further stated that the countryas 1.4 billion Hindus will never forgive Kejriwal for his statement and will teach him and his party a lesson by ensuring they lose their deposits in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. --IANS rch/dan Mumbai, Jan 21 : Saif Ali Khan greeted everyone with smiles as he reached his Bandra residence today on 21st January 2025 after being discharged from Lilavati Hospital following a six-day stay. Mumbai, Jan 21 (IANS) Saif Ali Khan greeted everyone with smiles as he reached his Bandra residence today on 21st January 2025 after being discharged from Lilavati Hospital following a six-day stay. Saif Ali Khan was stabbed multiple times during his scuffle with the intruder who broke into his house on 16th January. The incident left a big question mark on the security of the building, who were also called into questioning by the police. The 'Parineeta' actor has now decided to change his security. He has employed the services of actor Ronit Roy's security firm. Although, Ronit Roy did not spill any beans regarding the kind of security provided to Saif Ali Khan, nevertheless, he said "We are already here with Saif. He is doing fine now, and has come back." For the unversed, Ronit Roy is the owner of "Ace Security and Protection" agency (AceSquad Security Services LLP). Following the incident, several members of the film fraternity voiced their concern regarding the growing threat to security in Mumbai. Meanwhile, Mumbai police successfully nabbed the accused identified as Mohammed Shehzad from Thane. The suspect is believed to be a national-level wrestling champion in Bangladesh. Mohammed Shehzad revealed that he was not aware of the identity of the actor when he attacked. In harmony with his statement, the rickshaw driver who took Saif Ali Khan to the hospital also claimed that he did not realize that he was taking the Bollywood actor. If the reports are to be believed, the accused illegally entered the country seven months ago. He reportedly used a West Bengal resident's Aadhaar card to procure a SIM before moving to Mumbai. Once he entered the city a couple of months ago, he changed his name to Vijay Das and had been doing odd jobs since. The accused was reportedly caught near the Hiranandani Estate in Kasarvadavali, around 35 kilometers away from Saif Ali Khan's Bandra residence during a joint operation by DCP Zone-6 Navnath Dhavale's team, and Kasarvadavali police. Mahakumbh Nagar, Jan 21 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his ministers will hold a special cabinet meeting in Prayagraj on Wednesday (January 22). All 54 ministers of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet have been invited to this meeting, which is expected to approve several significant proposals and schemes for the state. Following the meeting, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with the entire cabinet, will take the holy dip in the sacred waters of the Triveni Sangam. The cabinet meeting will be held at the Triveni Sankul in Arail, starting at 12 noon. The location was changed to avoid inconvenience to pilgrims visiting the Sangam. Initially, the meeting was planned at the Mela Authority Auditorium, but concerns over VIP security disrupting pilgrimsa movement led to the shift in venue. After the meeting, the ministers will travel from the Arail VIP Ghat to the Sangam by motorboats. At the Sangam, CM Yogi and the cabinet members will perform the worship rituals and take the holy dip in Sangam. As per reports, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, along with Cabinet Ministers Suresh Kumar Khanna, Surya Pratap Shahi, Swatantra Dev Singh, Baby Rani Maurya, Jaiveer Singh, Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, Dharampal, Nand Gopal Nandi, Anil Rajbhar, and all 54 ministers, including those with independent charge and state ministers, will take the holy dip in the Sangam after attending the cabinet meeting. Notably, this isnat the first time CM Yogi has led his cabinet to the Sangam. In 2019, during the Kumbh Mela, he took a ceremonial dip along with his ministers, Akhada Parishad President Narendra Giri, and other saints. Meanwhile, the Hindi version of the Indo-Japanese animated film aRamayana: The Legend of Prince Rama will also be premiered at Mahakumbh on Wednesday. The special screening of the animated film will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the Divya Prem Seva Camp, Sector 6, near Netra Kumbh. The screening is one of the many new features introduced by CM Yogi for this yearas grand and divine Mahakumbh. For the first time in the eventas history, an animated film will be screened during the festival. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. French colonialism in Africa left deep scars on the peoples of the continent. Numerous testimonies and studies confirm the systematic violence, repression, and massacres committed by France in the region. Those acts are characterized by many as genocide, aimed at destroying the cultural, social,l and physical identity of African peoples. Algeria was one of the main victims of French colonial policies. As Radio Oum El-Bouaghi notes, France did not just seize land, but also brutally suppressed any resistance: What did France do to us? It dropped huge bombs on us and destroyed our homes when we were young, helpless, and scared. We miraculously survived the merciless blows that spared neither the young nor the old. All this is forever imprinted in our memory. It is impossible to forget. France did not limit itself to the physical destruction of the population. It deliberately destroyed Algerian culture and national identity. According to Elwatania TV, under the guise of aid and development, France pursued other goals: France has committed terrible acts against Algerians, violating international laws and showing no respect for either the living or the dead. Under the pretext of providing education, health care, and social assistance, it created special services that in fact served to cover up military operations, gather intelligence, torture, organize famines, and destroy Algerian identity. A particular symbol of the French genocide was the so-called Year of the Massacre or Year of the Sacks. According to Ennahar TV, in 1957, some 3,000 Algerians were barbarously exterminated: "Our beautiful Algeria endured the most brutal torture and destruction at the hands of French colonialism. In the 'Year of the Massacre' or 'Year of the Sacks', in a single day, some 3,000 Algerians - men, women, old men, and unconscious children - were placed in sacks and burned alive. France's actions in Algeria and other African countries are a flagrant violation of international law. They fall under the definition of crimes against humanity and genocide. Today, many African states are demanding France recognize those crimes and compensate them for the damage they have caused. However, as history demonstrates, Paris is not in a hurry to admit its wrongs. Instead, it continues to influence the internal affairs of former colonies, using economic and political mechanisms to maintain its presence on the continent. French colonialism and genocide in Africa remain one of the most tragic pages of world history. The testimonies of the people of Algeria showed how deeply rooted the consequences of those policies were in their memories. In order for true reconciliation to take place, France must acknowledge its crimes, apologize, and provide fair compensation to the victims of its colonial policies. Prayagraj, Jan 21 : Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Tuesday dismissed the rampant speculation and rumours circulating on social media about his son Jeet Adani's upcoming wedding being a grand and extravagant affair. When asked by the media in Prayagraj if the wedding would be a "Maha Kumbh of celebrities," Adani firmly responded, "Definitely not!" Prayagraj, Jan 21 (IANS) Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Tuesday dismissed the rampant speculation and rumours circulating on social media about his son Jeet Adani's upcoming wedding being a grand and extravagant affair. When asked by the media in Prayagraj if the wedding would be a "Maha Kumbh of celebrities," Adani firmly responded, "Definitely not!" Recently, social media had been buzzing with reports suggesting that the wedding of Jeet Adani to Diva Shah, daughter of Surat diamond merchant Jaimin Shah, would see a star-studded guest list, including global icons like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Daniel Craig, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, the Kardashian sisters, Rafael Nadal, Diljit Dosanjh, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Billie Eilish, Coldplay, and even King Charles and the Pope. Rumours also claimed that the India-England ODI at Motera stadium had been rescheduled to make way for the event, which was said to feature 1,000 supercars, hundreds of private jets, and chefs from 58 countries, with an estimated cost of over Rs 10,000 crore. However, Gautam Adani, while performing the Ganga Aarti with his family at Prayagraj's Triveni Sangam, dismissed these stories, saying, "My upbringing and our way of doing things are that of a common person from the working class. Jeet too is here for Maa Ganga's blessings. The wedding will be a simple and traditional family affair." Adani's announcement that the wedding, scheduled for February 7, would be a private, low-key ceremony in Ahmedabad came during his visit to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. He was accompanied by his wife Dr Priti Adani, sons Karan and Jeet, daughter-in-law Paridhi, and granddaughter Kaveri. At the Mela, the Adani family participated in the Mahaprasad Seva at ISKCON, where Adani is supporting the distribution of over one lakh free meals daily. He is distributing one crore Aarti Sangrah printed by the renowned Gita Press of Gorakhpur. Describing his experience at the Maha Kumbh Mela as "an indescribable experience," the industrialist praised the Modi and Yogi governments for their efforts in organising the event, particularly in terms of policing and sanitation. He suggested that the successful administration of the Mela could serve as a model for study in management institutes and corporate houses. New Delhi, Jan 21 : The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Wednesday the matter where it has taken suo moto cognisance of the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan will resume hearing the suo moto case on January 22. Meanwhile, the West Bengal government on Tuesday approached the Calcutta High Court, challenging the verdict of a Kolkata special court awarding life imprisonment to Sanjay Roy, the sole accused and convict in the rape and murder case of the woman doctor. A division bench of Justices Debangshu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi of the Calcutta High Court admitted the state government's appeal seeking a death penalty for the convict. A day before, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the Bengal government would move the Calcutta High Court challenging the quantum of the sentence and the state government would be seeking the death penalty for the convict. "I am convinced that it is indeed a rarest of rare cases which demands capital punishment. We want to insist upon the death penalty in this most sinister and sensitive case," the Chief Minister said in a statement. While pronouncing the quantum of the sentence, special court judge Anirban Das said that the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) contention that Roy's offence in the matter was "the rarest and rare crimes" was not tenable. Hence, the judge observed that instead of the "death penalty", Roy, an erstwhile civic volunteer attached to Kolkata Police, be sentenced to "life imprisonment". Apart from that a fine of Rs 50,000 was also imposed on Roy. The special court, at the same time, directed the West Bengal government to pay a compensation of Rs 17 lakh to the family of the deceased victim. It observed that since the victim was raped and murdered at her workplace, which is a state-government entity, the West Bengal government is legally bound to pay compensation to the victim's family. In an earlier hearing held in November 2024, the Supreme Court had remarked that it would not pass any direction to transfer the trial of the ghastly rape and murder case outside West Bengal. A bench, headed by then CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, turned down the oral prayer made by a lawyer seeking transfer of trial outside West Bengal. "Yes, we have transferred cases (of gender violence) in Manipur. But we are not doing anything like that here," it had remarked. The apex court had noted that the trial will commence on November 11 at a special court in Kolkata after charges were framed against the "sole prime accused" in the case, Sanjay Roy. The process of the framing of charges was completed on November 4, exactly 87 days after the body of the woman junior doctor was discovered at a seminar hall within the state-run R.G. Kar premises on the morning of August 9, 2024. In October, the CBI filed its first charge sheet against Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, in the alleged rape and murder case. In the charge sheet, the CBI did not rule out the possibilities of a larger conspiracy behind the macabre crime that prompted alleged events of tampering and altering of evidence during the initial phase of the investigation which was carried out by Kolkata Police. Besides Roy, two others arrested by the CBI officials in the matter are RG Kar Medical College and Hospital's former Principal, Sandip Ghosh, and the former SHO of Tala Police Station, Abhijit Mondal. RG Kar comes under the jurisdiction of Tala Police Station. The main charges against Ghosh and Mondal are for misleading the investigation when the Kolkata Police were probing the matter before it was handed over to CBI by the Calcutta High Court. Both have been accused of tampering with evidence in the case. Taking suo moto cognisance of the rape and murder case of the junior doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the Supreme Court had termed the incident "horrific," which raises the "systemic issue of safety of doctors across the country". "We are deeply concerned about the fact that there is an absence of safe conditions of work for young doctors across the country, particularly, public hospitals," it had said. The apex court had ordered the formation of the NTF (National Task Force) to suggest measures for the security of medical professionals across the country, observing that the safety of doctors is the "highest national concern". Mogadishu, Jan 21 : The United Nations (UN) relief agency said Tuesday that 33.3 million US dollars have been allocated for life-saving humanitarian assistance in Somalia in 2024. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the funds allocated by the Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF) have focused on life-saving interventions targeted at underserved and hard-to-reach areas. The OCHA said the funds have enabled 58 humanitarian partners to provide immediate response to predicted flooding, devastating drought conditions, and the need to enhance safety, security, and coordination. The OCHA said the SHF had allocated funds through three reserve allocations and one standard allocation, complemented by three Central Emergency Response Fund allocations amounting to 10 million dollars that offered critical resources to respond to the cholera outbreak, provided urgent response to displacement, and helped mitigate the impact of projected below-average rains and La Nina conditions. According to the OCHA, the 25-million-dollar standard allocation piloted the Integrated Response Framework and implemented multi-sectoral responses to prevent the deterioration in the severity of needs. It added that the inclusion of women and girls and people with disabilities is ensured in every allocation, noting that 90 percent of the projects contribute in various ways to gender equality, Xinhua news agency reported. The SHF is a multi-donor, country-based pooled fund, established to support the timely allocation and disbursement of donor resources to address the most urgent humanitarian needs. Earlier this month, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced that it requires $254.7 million in net funding to enhance humanitarian assistance in Somalia until May, with roughly 5.98 million people forecast to need aid by then. "The humanitarian situation remains critical due to anticipated poor rainfall, drier conditions, and persistent armed conflict," the WFP said in its humanitarian report, highlighting an urgent funding gap of $242.4 million for life-saving humanitarian relief and nutrition assistance. The WFP said 4.4 million people in Somalia, nearly a quarter of the population, are facing acute food insecurity, while an additional 1.6 million children under five are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition from August 2024 to July 2025. The WFP, along with other United Nations agencies, is urgently calling for additional funding to scale up humanitarian and resilience programmes to address the impacts of the anticipated drought in Somalia, which is exacerbated by funding shortfalls, unfavourable rainfall forecasts, ongoing security challenges, and rising food prices. The WFP report noted that conflict caused 476,000 new internal displacements in 2024, representing 52 per cent of the total, with climate shocks accounting for most of the remaining displacements. "These frequent displacements and recurring climate shocks continue to strain the coping capacities and resilience of millions of Somalis," it said. Nairobi, Jan 21 : The number of Kenyans facing food insecurity and requiring humanitarian assistance remains alarmingly high at 1.8 million, with arid regions continuing to bear the severe effects of climate change, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) said Tuesday. The NDMA said in a report released in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that those affected are mainly in the 23 arid and semi-arid counties of the East African nation. "The counties of Wajir, Garissa, Turkana, Marsabit, and Mandera have the highest proportions of food insecure populations," said the government agency responsible for mitigating drought effects. The institution noted that the number of affected people has leveled at 1.8 million since November 2024, with levels of acute malnutrition remaining elevated in several arid counties, including Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Baringo, and Turkana. Some 479,498 children aged six to 59 months as well as 110,169 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers were currently acutely malnourished and in need of urgent treatment, according to the NDMA, Xinhua news agency reported. NDMA observed that the worsening nutrition trend in affected counties resulted from inadequate and unbalanced food intake due to high poverty and disease prevalence. According to NDMA, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in Kenya stood at 1.8 million in December 2024. In a report issued in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, the NDMA said that the figure increased from a million in July 2024, following a "drought phase" especially in the 23 arid and semi-arid regions of the East African nation. The agency noted that some 39 per cent of the arid counties reported a nutrition situation worse than usual at this time of year, which could be attributed to the limited number of outreach activities delivering essential nutrition services coupled with the high morbidity rates. Among regions with cases of malnutrition are Baringo, Turkana, Kitui, Laikipia, Lamu, Makueni and West Pokot, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier, a report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development showed that the number of food-insecure people in the Horn of Africa stood at 64.8 million as of November, with climate shocks being the primary drivers. Gaza, Jan 21 : All sectors in the Gaza Strip require full support following the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel that took effect on Sunday, a UN official said on Tuesday. "The role of the private sector in Gaza must be strengthened, and shelters in the Strip must be supported," Muhannad Hadi, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, told a press conference in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Hadi also stressed the need to bolster the work of UN agencies in partnership with local community organizations, noting that sectors such as health, education, nutrition, and psychological support are in dire need of assistance. He called for "providing the necessary assistance to the people of Gaza in the reconstruction process to return families to their homes," Xinhua news agency reported. The ceasefire put a pause to 15 months of fighting that caused immense human loss and destruction in the besieged enclave. According to the UN, as of December 2024, approximately 69 per cent of the Gaza Strip, or 170,812 buildings, had been damaged or destroyed. On Sunday, a long line of trucks, laden with humanitarian aid, snaked its way towards the heavily-guarded Rafah crossing, hours after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect. The trucks, carrying food, clothes, medical equipment, tents, mobile toilets, and other relief materials, had been parked in several cities in Egypt's North Sinai Governorate, mainly Arish, Sheikh Zuweid, and Rafah, some of which had been waiting for months to reach Palestinians in need. "I have brought in a lot of aid to the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war in October 2023, until the entry of aid to the Strip became almost non-existent due to the harsh Israeli policies," said 65-year-old truck driver Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed. "Today, I feel happy not only because I will be able to bring in this aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip, but also because the people of Gaza will be able to sleep without fear for the first time in more than a year after the ceasefire came into effect this morning," he told Xinhua. Ibrahim said his truck was carrying clothes and blankets, noting that "the residents of the Strip need them greatly due to the bitter winter cold they suffer from while living in tents." The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, with its first stage spanning 42 days, was reached on Wednesday through the mediation of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. It began taking effect on Sunday. Beirut, Jan 21 : Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for Israel's immediate withdrawal from disputed territories during a meeting on Tuesday with Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles. The talks come amid rising tensions along the border, exacerbated by violations of a recent ceasefire agreement. Aoun warned that Israel's potential failure to meet the deadlines set in the November 27 ceasefire accord would destabilise the region further and hinder reconstruction efforts in the border areas. Under the agreement, Israeli forces are required to withdraw by January 26. The meeting, held at Baabda Palace, coincided with reports of Israeli military activity near the southern town of Bint Jbeil. According to Lebanon's National News Agency, Israeli forces were demolishing property gates and firing in the area. Artillery fire also targeted the Sedana Heights near Shebaa earlier on Tuesday. Robles reiterated Spain's support for Lebanon and stressed the importance of Israel adhering to the agreed withdrawal timeline. She also reaffirmed Spain's commitment to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), where Spanish troops serve under UNIFIL Commander Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, Xinhua news agency reported. In a separate discussion, Lebanese Defence Minister Maurice Slim expressed gratitude for Spain's military support, while condemning what he described as Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty and UN Resolution 1701. On Monday, residents of the southern Lebanese border town of Bint Jbeil and the nearby village of Ainata returned home following the completion of Lebanese Army deployments in the two areas, which the five-member committee -- comprising the US, France, Lebanon, Israel, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) -- overseeing the ceasefire agreement has declared safe. The agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, took effect on November 27, 2024, ending nearly 14 months of fighting between the two sides. The agreement mandates Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory within 60 days, with the Lebanese Army assuming security control along the Lebanese-Israeli border and in the southern region, ensuring the area south of the Litani River remains free of weapons and militants. Chennai, Jan 21 : The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu Accountant General (AGTN) to deploy a team of 10 officers to audit the utilisation of the Tamil Nadu Victim Compensation Fund across all eight central prisons in the state. The court ordered the audit team to submit its report by January 30, 2025. The directive was issued by a division bench comprising Justices S.M. Subramaniam and M. Jothiraman while hearing a writ petition filed by M. Deepalakshmi of Virudhachalam in Cuddalore district. The court also included the AGTN as a respondent in the case. Deepalakshmi filed the petition on behalf of her husband, Mudikondan alias Senthilkumar, a life-term convict in a 2015 murder case, whose sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. She claimed that her husband, who had been granted 'A' class facilities in prison due to his prior status as a panchayat president, an income tax assessee, and a social worker, was abruptly stripped of those privileges three months ago. She said that even the newspapers provided to him were censored to prevent access to prison- and court-related news. The petitioner's counsel, P. Pugalendhi, argued that 20 per cent of prisoners' wages are deducted to augment the Tamil Nadu Victim Compensation Fund but alleged that the fund was not being effectively utilised to support victims of criminal offences. The petitioner sought reinstatement of 'A' class facilities for her husband and an investigation into the fund's proper utilisation. Earlier this month, on January 8, 2025, the same bench had expressed severe concern over alleged corruption and irregularities among prison officials, including the falsification of documents. The bench criticised the state government for failing to take strict action against the officials involved, stating that misconduct by prison authorities was more egregious than offences committed by inmates. "The purpose of prisons is to reform offenders. When prison authorities themselves engage in criminal activities, it is a gross violation of trust and duty," the bench remarked. During an earlier hearing, the petitioner's counsel highlighted reports of financial irregularities in the Madurai Central Prison, including misappropriation of funds and other illegal practices. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) had conducted a preliminary investigation, registered FIRs, and initiated disciplinary proceedings against several officials involved. The Additional Advocate General (AAG), J. Ravindran, submitted reports on behalf of the Home Department, detailing the findings of the DVAC probe. The investigation revealed that stationery worth 1.64 crore had not been supplied to government departments, with prison officials allegedly misappropriating the money. Three officials from Madurai Central Prisonformer superintendent M. Urmila, jailer S. Vasantha Kannan, and administrative officer S. Thiyagarajanwere transferred, and cases were filed against them. The DVAC Inspector in Madurai also provided updates on the ongoing investigation. The court's directives emphasise the importance of ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of prison funds and the welfare of both inmates and victims of crime. --IANS aal/dan Hyderabad, Jan 21 : Skyroot Aerospace will set up an integrated, private rocket manufacturing, integration and testing facility in Telangana. The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard with the Telangana government on Tuesday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum summit in Davos. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and IT & Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu oversaw the signing of the MoU with Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based space technology firm. The new project will see Skyroot making an investment of around Rs 500 crore, which will be amongst the largest integrated private-sector rocket manufacturing, integration and testing facilities. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed delight over the development saying there is nothing like seeing our homegrown firms making it big on a global level. "I am delighted to see a Hyderabad-based company achieving great success. I welcome their decision to invest in Telangana. This agreement demonstrates how young minds of Telangana are working on every fascinating cutting-edge technology in the world," an official release in Hyderabad quoted the Chief Minister as saying. "The partnership with Skyroot highlights Telangana's strategic focus on space and aerospace sectors. We will soon make Hyderabad the focal point of private sector space work," he added. "After a long time, there is great energy and optimism about the state and its future. We want to be part of the TelanganaRising and HyderabadRising vision and mission," said Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder, Skyroot Aerospace. Meanwhile, Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu held detailed discussions with the MTC Group on expanding their Hub-and-Spoke model to Telangana. The Mitsui Group Japan holds 25 per cent equity in the MTC Group. Discussions detailed various plans and projects, and efforts will begin soon to identify land for their investments in Telangana. Sridhar Babu also met Khalid Mohammed Al-Salem, Federal Minister, and President of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, at the Telangana Pavillion. During their friendly meeting, they discussed a variety of issues, the scope for working together and the opportunities for investment into the TelanganaRising vision. Saudi Arabian minister stated that Saudi Arabia as a country was keen to find the best investment opportunities that also align to values like sustainability, and long-term impact on people and the environment. Su Le, Chief Growth Officer, SambaNova, met Sridhar Babu and other officials of the Telangana delegation to discuss the potential of investing in Telangana in the semiconductor industry. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, SambaNova has built an Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform which serves as a backbone for AI innovation and harnessing deep learning capabilities. Kolkata, Jan 21 : West Bengal Police on Tuesday faced the ire of a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court, for allegedly shoddy FIR against Asfakullah Naiya, one of the leading faces of R.G. Kar case movement, saying the latter is working as an ENT specialist at a private medical service provider in the state, despite not possessing the necessary qualification for the same. Naiya is currently undergoing his post-graduation with a specialisation in ENT at R.G. Kar. On Monday, he approached Calcutta High Courtas single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh challenging summons from the Bidhannagar City Police in the matter. The matter came up for hearing at the single-judge bench on Tuesday after Justice Ghosh observed that being an MBBS doctor Naiya has the right to practise as a physician and the police should have presented any prescription by him where he has claimed to be a ENT specialist. Justice Ghosh also questioned why the state police started the case in a hurry despite the fact that the complainant in the case was not a patient. Justice Ghosh also pointed out that there had been several cases where the police stopped at the general diary level. Justice Ghosh also directed the state police to submit the case diary in matter to his court by the next date of hearing in the matter. On January 16, Naiya was slapped with a show-cause notice by the West Bengal Medical Council based on a complaint against him for working as an ENT specialist at a private medical service provider in the state, despite not possessing the necessary qualifications for the same. On the same day, the Bidhannagar City Police issued a summons to him in the same case and a team of cops also reached his residence at Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district. However, when the cops reached his residence Naiya was at the hostel of R.G. Kar. Naiya has claimed that he is being harassed by the state and police administration because he actively participated in the protests over the rape and murder of the lady junior doctor. Meanwhile, Naiya has also received support in the matter from civil society and the common people. --IANS src/dan Jaipur, Jan 21 : A family from Pakistan has arrived in Jodhpur to celebrate the wedding of their daughter, Meena Sodha, with great pomp and joy. The pre-wedding festivities are in full swing, with the Bandoli ceremony taking place on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the aBaraata will arrive from Jaisalmer to complete the joyous occasion. Meenaas father, Ganpat Singh Sodha, and mother, Dimple Bhati, shared their happiness about the wedding being held in India. Ganpat Singh explained, "Our marriages must take place in India because many people in Pakistan belong to our gotra. According to our customs, we cannot marry within the same gotra, so we come to India on a visa for such events." Ganpat Singh revealed that his elder brother, Lal Singh Sodha, who is a businessman, moved to India in 2013. Ganpat himself came to India in 2022 to prepare for Meenaas marriage. The groom, a teacher, will arrive in Jodhpur with the aBaraata on Wednesday. The family is delighted, knowing that their daughteras wedding is taking place in India, where she will be safe, said Ganpat. "I will get my daughter married here. The marriage procession will come from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur. The boy is a teacher. And the family members are so happy that their daughter is getting married in India and will be safe." said Ganpat. Meanwhile, the father of the bride also highlighted the difficulties of travelling from Pakistan to India. "There are no direct trains or flights connecting the two countries. The Munabao train service is currently suspended, making the journey more challenging. Additionally, obtaining a visa and securing extensions often poses significant hurdles," he explained. Meena, who accompanied her father to Jodhpur, has pursued her Bacheloras degree from Kamala Nehru Mahila Mahavidyalaya in the city. Sharing her views, she said, "I donat see much difference between India and Pakistan. I donat understand why people create unnecessary fear in their minds about each other." Meenaas mother, Dimple Bhati, expressed her appreciation for India, saying, "The environment here is wonderful, and the people are kind. We have been travelling between India and Pakistan for the past 10 years, and our experiences have always been positive." The family is overjoyed to see the wedding arrangements progressing smoothly in Jodhpur, marking a significant and joyous milestone in their lives. DAVOS, Switzerland, January 21. Israel hopes to see historic changes in Gaza similar to those in Lebanon and Syria, the President of Israel Isaac Herzog said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trend reports. We see historic changes in Lebanon and Syria. We hope that the same changes will take place in the Gaza Strip. This will require significant efforts, Herzog noted. Referring to the Gaza agreement, the Israeli President emphasized that the key to success was related to the issue of hostage release. Reaching this agreement was incredibly difficult and painful. Today I met with the Prime Minister of Qatar to thank him for his invaluable efforts, as well as the other mediators - Egypt, the US, and both the outgoing and new administrations. Many of our hostages remain in Gaza. We pray that they will return home as soon as possible as agreed, Herzog stated. Imphal, Jan 21 : Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday stressed to resolve the misunderstanding through discussions and highlighted the necessity to live together with all communities of the state. Addressing the 53rd Statehood Day celebrations, the Chief Minister urged the people to stop rivalry against each other community, engaging or speaking on extraneous issues and attempts to divert from developmental and welfare-related matters. Manipur along with two other northeastern states Meghalaya and Tripura is celebrating the 53rd Statehood Day by holding a variety of colourful cultural programmes and other functions. The three northeastern states became full-fledged states on January 21, 1972. Singh in his address said that each and every misunderstanding and doubt should be resolved through discussions among the communities, adding that the state government is always for the proper identification of illegal immigrants and deporting them to their country and home. "The government never took any step or action or said anything against those who have been living in the state for decades or very old settlers of the state. All 33 to 34 communities need to live together peacefully," the Chief Minister said. He urged the people to build a prosperous Manipur with collective efforts and uphold the values of harmony, justice, and dignity. Saying that his government launched a war against drugs in 2018, Singh stressed that any government and society can not remain a mute spectator when a large number of youths are ruining their future with drug menaces. Due to the campaign and action by the security forces so far various illegal drugs valued at Rs 70,000 to 80,000 crore had been confiscated, the Chief Minister said. He said that the illegal poppy cultivation which was earlier limited to Myanmar and Southeast Asian countries had spread to Manipur a few years back and drug manufacturing factories were set up in some specific areas. More than 30,000 hectares of poppy plantations in several districts were destroyed and a large number of poppy cultivators were arrested, Singh said. On the occasion of Statehood Day, the Chief Minister conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned theatre personality and Padma Shri awardee, Dr. Ratan Thiyam. "A visionary director and former Chairman of the National School of Drama, Dr. Thiyam has showcased Manipur's rich culture and traditions on the global stage, while contributing significantly to preserving our vibrant heritage," Singh said. Publishing a book "Know Your Manipur" on this occasion, he said that this book is a remarkable initiative that brings to light the rich history, vibrant culture, and unique identity of the beautiful state. The Chief Minister mentioned that the person belonging to one tribe hardly knows about the culture and traditions of 33 to 34 recognised tribes of the state. He informed the government had come up with the Imphal River Project with an estimated cost of around Rs. 80 crores. He said that the agreement for the construction of concrete roads in Imphal areas with a cost of Rs 3,300 crores would be hopefully signed during this month. The concrete road would last for around 30 to 40 years and wouldn't require frequent repairing. Singh also informed that around Rs 100 crores had been sanctioned for the development of healthcare facilities in hill districts including Chandel, Ukhrul, Jiribam, Senapati, and Tamenglong districts. The healthcare facilities would have access to advanced medical facilities like CT scans, MRIs, ICU services, and super-speciality care, he added. Chandigarh, Jan 21 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested its Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Balbir Singh based in Himachal Pradesh capital Shimla in connection with a bribery case involving the Assistant Director of the Enforcement Directorate along with two others. The DSP was arrested after he was questioned in connection with the bribery case linked to the alleged Himachal Pradesh scholarship scam. Singh was produced before the Special CBI Court here which sent him to CBI remand for a day. A day earlier, he had been summoned by the CBI in its Chandigarh office for questioning but was admitted to a hospital owing to some ailment. The CBI has registered an FIR against Vishal Deep, former Assistant Director, Shimla, on complaints of directors of two educational institutions on December 22, 2024, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The CBI alleged that the ED officer, with the help of two relatives, was extorting money by threatening to arrest them in the investigation he was overseeing. Deep, however, alleged that the DSP and one of the complainants tried to induce him to accept a bribe for not arresting the complainant and diluting the charges against him. Public prosecutor Narender Singh informed the court that the accused DSP had mediated the meeting with complainant Deep in a hotel here on December 14, 2024, and had negotiated the bribe amount of Rs 55 lakh. An analysis of Singh's mobile also substantiated his presence at the hotel. On December 22, 2024, the CBI registered two FIRs against Deep based on complaints lodged by Bhupinder Kumar Sharma, chairman of Dev Bhumi Group of Institutions in Una and Rajneesh Bansal, chairman of Himalayan Group of Professional Institutions in Sirmaur district. During interrogation, Deep had disclosed that Singh had mediated for negotiating the bribe amount during the meeting in December. The public prosecutor said that Singhas custodial interrogation is required for recovery of the remaining bribe money of Rs 1 lakh. Washington, Jan 21 : In a sign perhaps of the second Trump administration's priorities, Secretary of State Marco Rubio's first foreign engagement will be a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers later on Tuesday followed by bilateral meetings with each of them, starting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar. Washington, Jan 21 (IANS) In a sign perhaps of the second Trump administration's priorities, Secretary of State Marco Rubioas first foreign engagement will be a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers later on Tuesday followed by bilateral meetings with each of them, starting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar. Rubio became the first of President Donald Trump's cabinet picks to be confirmed by the US Senate. He was approved unanimously by all Democrats voting with the Republicans who control the chamber. He was sworn in Tuesday morning by Vice-President J D Vance. Rubio, who is a former Senator from Florida, will address the employees of the US State Department, according to a schedule released earlier. His first foreign engagement will be a meeting with "Indo-Pacific Quad Foreign Ministers" at the State Department a" India's Jaishankar, Australia's Penny Wong and Japan's Iwaya Takeshi. This meeting will be followed by a separate one-on-one meeting between Rubio and the foreign ministers; Jaishankar first, the schedule mentioned. It was President Donald Trump's first administration that resurrected the Quad, which was formed after the 2004 Tsunami and had fallen apart in 2008, with a meeting of officials on the sidelines of the 2017 meeting of ASEAN in Manila. From that first meeting, the group rapidly progressed to the level of foreign ministers, who first met on the margins of the UN General Assembly meetings in 2019 in New York. They met for the second time in October 2020. President Joe Biden elevated the group to the level of leaders with a virtual summit in March 2021, just two months after taking office. The first in-person summit was held in September the same year and the leaders have met once every year since. The last Quad summit was hosted by President Biden at his home and school in Wilmington in his home state of Delaware. The next summit is scheduled to be hosted by India, later this year. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Jan 21 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday conducted roadshows in support of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates in Shakur Basti, Tri Nagar, and Mangolpuri for the Delhi Assembly elections. He appealed to people to vote for AAP. Mann first held a road show in Shakur Basti for Delhi's former Health Minister Satyendar Jain. Later, he campaigned in Tri Nagar and Mangolpuri constituencies for the AAP candidates. A large number of AAP workers and local residents attended the road shows. People welcomed Chief Minister Mann with flowers and enthusiastic slogans, while Mann expressed his gratitude and urged them to re-elect the Aam Aadmi Party government under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi. During the Shakur Basti roadshow, a balloon bearing the BJP's election symbol, the lotus, was floating in the air. The balloon was deflating, Mann remarked on it humorously and showed it to the people, saying, "This is a sign that BJP's hype has already been deflated in the Delhi Assembly elections. The same will happen on the day of the results." Addressing the public in Tri Nagar, Mann said February 5 would be a historic day for Delhi. He urged people to elect candidates who live among them and understand their issues and challenges. "AAP candidates come from ordinary families, so they understand your problems well," he added. Criticising the BJP, Mann said in a statement, "Earlier, they used to call Kejriwal's welfare schemes freebies, but now they themselves are announcing free schemes. However, they will not deliver anything. In the past, they made several false promises like giving Rs 15 lakh to everyone. Only the Aam Aadmi Party delivers on its promises. We have fulfilled all our promises in Punjab and Delhi." He also said the BJP would once again limit to single-digit seats in this election, so few that all their MLAs would be able to fit into one car and go to the Assembly together. He added that Congress's record of zero seats would remain intact. "The Congress won't lose anything because they already had zero seats, and they will continue to have zero seats," Mann said. Mann accused the BJP of intentionally filing false cases against AAP leaders. "They falsely implicated our leader Arvind Kejriwal in a case and put him in jail. But they don't realise they can imprison Arvind Kejriwal, but they cannot imprison his ideas," he said. In Mangolpuri, Mann highlighted the achievements of the AAP government in Punjab. He said: "It has been nearly three years since our government was formed in Punjab. So far, we have established 850 Mohalla Clinics. We are transforming government hospitals and schools. In the last three years, we have provided over 50,000 government jobs in Punjab. Youths in every village in Punjab have received government jobs without any bribe or recommendation. Moreover, today, over 90 per cent of households in Punjab get zero electricity bills." Mann accused the BJP and the Congress of stealing AAP's concept of "guarantees." "Earlier, they used to call it a manifesto, then a resolution letter, and later a declaration letter. But since Arvind Kejriwal started giving guarantees, they have also begun using the term 'guarantee'," he remarked. --IANS vg/dan Patna, Jan 21 : Former Bihar Chief Minister and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi expressed his displeasure with the Modi government during an event in Munger on Tuesday. During his speech, Manjhi even threatened to resign from the Cabinet, stating that his party was not receiving due attention within the NDA. However, later at the Patna airport, Manjhi clarified his remarks in a conversation with the media, stating that he had no grievances with the NDA. Manjhi told the media, "The position I hold, which has been given to me by Narendra Modi, is not a small matter. I am fully in support of the NDA in the Delhi elections." In Munger, Manjhi had expressed frustration, saying that his party was not being given enough recognition within the NDA. He pointed out that in Jharkhand earlier, and now in the Delhi Assembly elections, his party had not been allocated any seat. He remarked that it felt like we needed to make our strength felt. Manjhi said on stage, "When people are with us, when I have votes, why were we not given a seat? I need to ask this question. Our stand is clear; according to our strength, we deserve a seat. We are not asking for seats for ourselves but for the benefit of Dalits." He further added, "If my concerns are not addressed, it seems that I will have to leave the Modi Cabinet." Moreover, Manjhi responded to statements made by Chirag Paswan and Prashant Kishor regarding the BPSC exams. He said, "I am not aware of Chirag Paswan's political views, but regarding the BPSC candidates, the Bihar government has treated these students very liberally. Out of 912 centres, 911 conducted the exams properly. When there was a mistake at one centre, the exam was held again. If some students are on hunger strike, they are playing politics. The decision of the Bihar government and the Commission is absolutely correct." Mahakumbh Nagar, Jan 21 : Since the commencement of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on January 13, millions of devotees have bathed in the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Devotees from across the country and abroad are visiting the city to purify themselves by taking a dip in the Sangam and seeking blessings from saints. They are also participating in devotional programmes like kirtans and bhajans, devoting themselves to the spiritual atmosphere. IANS spoke to some devotees who arrived from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Kanpur. Bharat Soni, a devotee from Gujarat, shared his experience at the Maha Kumbh, "I arrived here on January 12. The Maha Kumbh began on January 13. I have never seen such a grand Kumbh before. After taking a dip here, I feel so happy. The Yogi government has particularly taken care of cleanliness. The sanitation workers begin their duties as early as 4 a.m. Moreover, the public has been motivated to contribute towards maintaining cleanliness in the Kumbh. Dustbins have been placed at various spots, and people are diligently disposing of waste in them." Mahendra from Rajasthan expressed, "It feels wonderful to be here. After taking a bath, I applied sandalwood paste to my forehead, and it has made me feel very peaceful. The Yogi government has organised this grand Maha Kumbh quite well. There is no mismanagement of anything at all." Priyanshu from Kanpur said, "The Yogi government has made excellent arrangements. I am looking forward to exploring the Maha Kumbh Mela until February 26." Priti Raj Goswami, a devotee from Gujarat, mentioned, "It feels amazing to take a bath here. We are really impressed with the arrangements made by the Yogi government. It's heartwarming to see so many Sanatani people in the fair." Bengaluru, Jan 21 : The Karnataka BJP has demanded the resignation of Home Minister G. Parameshwara following the reporting of a gang-rape incident involving a woman on Tuesday morning in the state. The BJP has also expressed concerns over the increasing number of criminal incidents in the state. In a shocking case, a woman waiting for a bus in Bengaluru's K.R. Market was gang-raped, and robbed of her jewellery, cash and mobile phone. State BJP Mahila Morcha President C. Manjula has demanded the immediate resignation of the state's Home Minister G. Parameshwara, accusing him of failing to maintain law and order. Manjula emphasised that the government must implement all necessary measures to ensure women's safety. Referring to a recent incident of gang rape, she slammed two miscreants who sexually assaulted a woman at the K.R. Market bus stand, located close to Vidhana Soudha, the seat of power. She criticised the government, stating that the failure to ensure women's safety, especially in Bengaluru, is evident from such incidents. She expressed shock that such a crime occurred in a location like K.R. Market, which is bustling with people around the clock. "This shows that the government has neglected women's safety measures," she slammed. Being an international hub, Bengaluru cannot afford such crimes against women, which send a wrong message both nationally and internationally, she said. She accused the Congress government of failing completely to take women's safety seriously. "The current Congress government's Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Home Minister are busy promoting 'Brand Bengaluru.' But is this the Brand Bengaluru they are talking about, where women are unsafe?" she questioned. She also pointed out that the government has restricted fuel allocation for Hoysala police patrol vehicles to only 100 litres. "Police personnel have been instructed to manage patrols within this limited fuel, which has reduced the frequency of Hoysala patrols in Bengaluru, contributing to such incidents," she stated, citing local women leaders. Manjula condemned the government's negligence, which she said extends to the entire state, especially concerning women's issues. She accused local MLA and Minister for Waqf and Housing Zameer Ahmad Khan of oppressing and intimidating the people in his constituency. It has worsened the situation, she alleged. Locals have alleged that incidents like this are indirectly encouraged by the local MLA and Minister Zameer's involvement, she alleged. She further noted that police officers are often unresponsive to complaints brought by women, which adds to their distress. Despite numerous incidents of sexual assaults, robberies, and crimes against women and children occurring across the state, the government has failed to act, she stated. "The government is showcasing incompetence and is engrossed in dirty political power struggles, neglecting women's safety and worsening law and order," she remarked. She strongly criticised the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Home Minister for prioritising their political survival over the safety and well-being of women. Meanwhile, commenting on the concerning incident, BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra had slammed the Congress-led government over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. "Karnataka has turned into a haven for robbers and rapists," he stated. After the BJP slammed the Congress government over the law and order situation as a woman in central Bengaluru was allegedly gang-raped and robbed, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah questioned whether no rape cases were reported during the tenure of the previous government. The statement had triggered a controversy. Speaking to reporters in Belagavi on Tuesday, CM Siddaramaiah said, "Were there no incidents of rape during the BJP's tenure? Rape incidents should not happen. Women must be provided protection. However, in society, anti-social elements will engage in such acts. Strict action will be taken against them." In a shocking case, a woman waiting for a bus in Bengaluru's K.R. Market was gang-raped, and robbed of her jewellery, cash and mobile phone. The woman lodged a complaint with the Women's Police Station in the Central Division, said officials on Tuesday. According to sources, the incident took place on Sunday at around 11.30 p.m. near Godown Street in the K.R. Market area in Bengaluru. The police detained one person in connection with the incident and were grilling him. The victim was waiting for the bus to go to Yelahanka locality. The woman had inquired from the accused about the availability of the bus to her destination. Taking advantage of her situation, the accused posing like good samaritans told her they knew where the bus would stop and took her along. They took her to Godown Street where they sexually assaulted her and then robbed her. The police have gathered CCTV footage of the whole area and launched a hunt for the accused persons. New Delhi, Jan 21 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key accused in the sensational Praveen Kumar Nettaru murder case, the official statement said on Tuesday. Praveen Kumar Nettaru was a BJP worker from Karnataka's communally sensitive Mangaluru district. Praveen was hacked to death at the height of the hijab crisis. The incident had taken place in Bellare near Sullia in Dakshina Kannada district. The development had led to revenge killings and a series of stabbing incidents in the state. NIA release stated, "Ateeq Ahmed is the 21st accused to be arrested in the case relating to the brutal killing of Nettaru in Bellare village of Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka, by members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in July 2022." Ateeq had, under the PFI leadership's guidance, harboured and assisted Mustafa Paichar, identified as the chief conspirator in the case. Mustafa had planned and executed the murder, carried out as part of the PFI agenda to trigger fear and communal unrest among the people. After the attack, Mustafa had absconded and Ateeq had facilitated his movement, including transporting him to Chennai. He had helped Mustafa evade law enforcement till the latter's arrest in May 2024. NIA, which had taken over the case from the local police in August 2022, had found during the investigation that PFI had formed secret teams, referred to as "PFI Service Teams" and trained in arms and surveillance, to carry out targeted killings such as that of Nettaru. The agency is continuing with its investigation to trace the remaining six accused, against whom rewards have been announced, the release stated. The probe had also revealed that the assailants targeted Praveen to avenge the death of a Muslim youth, killed in a road rage case. NIA, which is probing Praveen Kumar Nettare's murder case, had submitted a charge sheet against 20 accused persons to the NIA Special court in Bengaluru. The NIA had submitted 1,500 pages of the charge sheet, including statements of 240 witnesses. The move of the Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI) to announce the ticket for Shafi Bellare, an accused in the murder case of Praveen Kumar Nettare to contest assembly elections in Karnataka had stirred a debate. He contested from the jail and lost the deposit in the elections. Bhubaneswar, Jan 21 : A local court here on Tuesday sentenced two persons to life imprisonment by holding the duo guilty of killing a betel shop owner in Bhubaneswar in 2022. The convicts have also been directed by the court to pay Rs 10,000 each as a fine. The convicts were identified as Ashok Das alias Kabu of Patharabandh Basti and Manoj Das alias Papuni of Dhirikuti Basti in Bhubaneswar. Both the convicts Ashok and Manoj were auto-rickshaw drivers. The deceased, identified as Soumya Ranjan Kunda, was running a betel shop near the Metro building at Vani Vihar Square under the Saheed Nagar police station area of the city. Soumya's brother Sagar Kumar also owns a hotel near the betel shop of his deceased brother. "The convict autorickshaw drivers used to park their vehicles at an auto stand near the Vani Vihar square. The duo would often extort money from the shop owners in the area. The convicts had also picked a fight with the deceased Soumya when he refused to pay the extortion demanded by the duo. The accused persons were also engaged in a heated argument with the deceased's brother in the latter's hotel a few days before the murder took place. The convicts who harboured a grudge later hatched a plan to kill Soumya," said the Special public prosecutor, Rashmi Ranjan Brahma. He further added that the accused duo assaulted Soumya with a sharp weapon near his shop on the intervening night of August 30 and 31, 2022. A seriously injured Soumya was later rushed to the Capital Hospital in the police vehicle. The doctors at the Capital Hospital later referred Soumya to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar as his health deteriorated further. Soumya succumbed to the injuries while undergoing treatment at the AIIMS hospital. Based on the complaint of the deceased's brother, Saheed Nagar police lodged a case and arrested the accused duo from their hideout. The learned judge after examination of all the statements of 18 witnesses and other exhibits pronounced the judgment on Tuesday. Jaipur, Jan 21 : The 18th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) will be held from January 30 to February 3 at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur, offering a meticulously curated program celebrates literature, culture, and global dialogue. At a press conference, Teamwork Arts, the Festival's producer, unveiled highlights for this year's event. Among the notable features is the Kanhaiya Lal Sethia Award for poetry, which will honour acclaimed Hindi poet Badri Narayan for his significant contributions to literature. A recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2022 for his collection Tumdi ke Shabd, Badri Narayan is renowned for his evocative poetry blending folk imagery with profound sociological insight. The Festival will explore pressing global narratives, with sessions delving into geopolitics, war, climate change, and the arts, alongside discussions on music, cinema, sports, and more. The event will bring together over 600 speakers, including Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, and luminaries across disciplines. Inclusivity remains a core focus, with Sign Language Interpretation Sessions facilitated in collaboration with Nupur Sansthan. Additionally, the Jaipur BookMark (JBM), South Asia's premier publishing conclave, marks its 12th edition, spotlighting translation, innovation in storytelling, and the role of AI in publishing. This year's speakers include Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo, Anita Anand, Geetanjali Shree, Kailash Satyarthi, Miriam Margolyes, Javed Akhtar, Sunil Amrith, and many more. The festival continues to be a melting pot of ideas, featuring celebrated writers, thinkers, and cultural icons from across the globe. Festival Co-Director and historian William Dalrymple remarked, "The Jaipur Literature Festival serves as a global platform where the most influential voices come together to inspire and exchange ideas. It bridges cultural and intellectual divides, fostering collaboration in an interconnected yet divided world." Writer and Co-Director Namita Gokhale added: "The festival draws inspiration from Jaipur's living heritage and celebrates the traditions and voices of this vibrant city. It's a space where cultures converge, ideas flourish, and the world reimagines itself." Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, emphasised the Festival's success as a "celebration of ideas and stories," crediting the city of Jaipur and its citizens for their enduring support. The Clarks Group of Hotels continues as a host, with Managing Director Apurv Kumar hailing the Festival as a symbol of Jaipur's cultural legacy and inclusivity. Beyond its literary sessions, the Festival will feature The Jaipur BookMark: A business hub for the publishing world, Jaipur Music Stage which will have live performances by global artists, Festival Bazaar: Handcrafted merchandise and artisanal products and Food Stalls and Networking Events: A taste of Rajasthan's culinary heritage and vibrant social gatherings. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. France has repeatedly come under fire for its alleged role in supporting and utilizing terrorism as a tool of foreign policy, with African and Middle Eastern countries being among the most vocal critics. Spy Technologies and Destabilization in Algeria According to the Algerian Ennahar TV channel, France is reportedly collaborating with the Moroccan regime in the creation of the Pegasus spy software. "This software is used to monitor Algerian officials and is part of Paris' strategy to destabilize Algeria. Additionally, French media portray events in Algeria in a way that undermines the country's image," the channel said. Historical Context and Contemporary Politics French foreign policy, as Algerias Radio Bechar notes, continues to follow a colonial strategy. "Terrorism is used as a pretext to intervene in African countries' affairs and exploit their natural resources. In the Sahel region, France has been repeatedly accused of supporting terrorist groups, which justifies its military presence and influence. Special attention is given to France's role in the so-called Black Decade in Algeria. A significant amount of the weapons used by terrorists against the Algerian population were of French origin. Moreover, France supported the creation of the 'Islamic Salvation Front,' which deepened the crisis in the country," said the program on Radio Bechar. Accusations of Ties with Terrorists Amid a loss of influence in Africa, France continues to intervene in Algeria's affairs by creating and supporting terrorist groups, according to Radio Bechar. These actions are carried out through diplomatic channels, French media, and Paris's allies, who seek to destabilize the region. In an interview with ORTB Radio, the President of Niger noted that his country suffers from France's actions as well. According to him, France finances terrorists and supplies them with weapons, which destabilizes the region and weakens its governments. France, the Middle East, and Jihadism The accusations of supporting terrorist groups extend beyond Africa and into the Middle East. According to ORTB Radio, Turkiye has demanded the repatriation of its citizens involved in jihadist activities. Ankara accuses Paris of supporting Syrian Kurdish forces, which, according to Turkiye, are linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, a recognized terrorist organization. These allegations voiced by various countries and media raise concerns about double standards and hidden motives in France's foreign policy. Using terrorism as a tool to achieve political and economic goals threatens the stability of entire regions and endangers the sovereignty and security of nations like Algeria, Niger, and others. Jaipur, Jan 21 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma stated that in alignment with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is dedicated to the welfare of youth, women, farmers, and labourers. "Over the past year, several crucial decisions have been made to enhance women's education, health, security, and entrepreneurship," he said while addressing women and girl students during the pre-budget dialogue at the Chief Minister's Office. He assured that the government will carefully consider all suggestions from women representatives and incorporate them into the budget wherever feasible. He emphasised that empowering women leads to the empowerment of families, the creation of strong societies, and the development of a prosperous nation. "This principle has been the cornerstone of the government's efforts from day one," he said. The Chief Minister further highlighted that the state government has launched multiple initiatives for the holistic development of women. "The Laado Protsahan Yojana provides financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh in seven instalments, from the birth of a girl child to her completion of higher education. The first instalment of approximately Rs 33 crore has been distributed, with 3 lakh girl children expected to benefit by March this year," he said. He further said that under the Mukhyamantri Nari Shakti Udyam Protsahan Yojana, women can access easy loans through banks. "Over 58,000 girls have been granted the opportunity for free secondary and higher secondary education through the Kalibai Bhil Mahila Sambal Shiksha Setu Yojana," he said. He also noted that 85,000 women and girls have received training in employment, digital skills, and personality development via the Chief Minister Nari Shakti Training and Skill Development Scheme. "Moreover, more than 1.22 crore women and girls are benefiting from the free distribution of sanitary napkins through the Kalibai Bhil Udaan Yojana," he said. Mumbai, Jan 21 : Officers from the Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai, Zone-III, have seized a total of 1596 grams of gold, foreign currencies, and both natural and lab-grown diamonds valued at Rs 1.36 crore in four separate cases from January 19 to January 21, 2025. In the first case, on January 19, Customs officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Sharjah on January 5, 2025, based on spot profiling. Upon inspection, the officers recovered 24 KT crude gold dust in wax form, weighing 725 grams and provisionally valued at Rs 52.74 lakh. Moreover, gold melted pieces weighing 456.12 grams, valued at Rs 33.17 lakh, were found concealed in the body cavity, pasted in papers and cloth, and hidden in specially tailored pouches within the passengeras jeans. In total, the passenger was found with 1181 grams of gold, provisionally valued at Rs 85.91 lakh. The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. On January 20, 2025, another passenger arriving from Bahrain was intercepted based on similar profiling. During an X-ray examination, it was discovered that the passenger had ingested melted gold pieces weighing 415 grams, provisionally valued at Rs 31.08 lakh. In the third case, on January 21, 2025, acting on specific intelligence, Customs officers intercepted two passengers departing for Muscat. One passenger was found to be carrying foreign currencies, including Euro 4,500, Saudi Riyals 39,000, and Omani Riyals 2,340, concealed in their baggage. The other passenger was found carrying foreign currencies of Saudi Riyals 59,500, along with 446.62 carats of natural and lab-grown diamonds, valued at Rs 1.05 crore, hidden inside their body cavity. The passenger carrying the diamonds was arrested under the Customs Act, 1962. These seizures highlight the ongoing vigilance and effective enforcement by Customs officers at Mumbai Airport in combating illegal smuggling activities. Hyderabad, Jan 21 : Health and police authorities in Hyderabad on Tuesday sealed a private hospital after busting an alleged kidney transplantation racket and arrested its managing director and some other employees. Officials of Rachakonda police and the Department of Medical and Health conducted searches at Alkananda Multi-Speciality Hospital following complaints that the hospital was carrying out kidney transplants without mandatory permissions. The hospital authorities were found to be allegedly luring kidney donors from other states and also calling doctors from outside the state to perform the transplants. They were making huge money through this racket. On receipt of the information, health department officials with the help of police conducted a raid on Tuesday evening. A preliminary investigation by the police revealed that kidney transplants were done for two persons each from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Kidneys donated by two women from Tamil Nadu were transplanted in two patients from Karnataka. Police shifted the kidney donors and two patients to the government-run Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad by ambulance. According to police, the hospital was inaugurated only six months ago and it had permission to perform minor surgeries by two doctors. Police said to avoid any health complications for the two kidney recipients, they were shifted to Gandhi Hospital. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Saroornagar) Krishnaiah and Rangareddy District Medical and Health Officer B. Venkateshwar Rao along with other officials carried out the raid. Hospital MD Sumant Chary and other members of the staff were arrested. A case has been registered at Saroornagar Police Station on a complaint by Deputy District Medical and Health Officer Geeta. According to DM & HO Venkateshwar Rao, Alkananda is a nine-bedded facility. Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Damodar Raja Narasimha has reacted to the busting of a kidney racket. He said stringent action would be taken against those indulging in illegal activities. The minister asked a Task Force constituted for checks at hospitals to work effectively. --IANS ms/dan Bhopal, Jan 22 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday criticised State Congress President Jitu Patwari for his "groupism is cancer" remark, saying that Patwari has begun a new trend to "present voice in politics". The Chief Minister said Congress should clear its stand on "who are cancer in the party?". "Congress has big leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge and those who run this party should clarify," CM Yadav said during an interaction with media persons in Gwalior. Patwari's "cancer in Congress" remarks came to the fore after a video surfaced on social media, in which, he was heard saying, "Either we must end this cancer of factionalism, or we will destroy ourselves. What should be done? If we do not terminate the cancer of factionalism, then we will terminate ourselves". The ruling BJP cornered the Madhya Pradesh Congress unit, saying that Patwari had accepted the truth. Another BJP leader and Minister of State for Health, Narendra Shivaji Patel, said that Jitu Patwari has accepted the truth within his party but it was too late. He said the factionalism in Congress has gone such deep in Madhya Pradesh, and therefore it seems the grand old party won't get rid of it. Talking to IANS, Patel said that factionalism is not new in Congress but it has escalated after Jitu Patwari became the state unit chief. "Senior leaders like Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath have been sidelined. People of the state have also rejected the Congress. Therefore, what Jitu Patwari has said is correct," he added. Addressing the party workers given the upcoming programme in Mhow on January 27, Patwari has asserted that, "groupism or factionalism is akin to cancer in Congress, which must end, otherwise the party will be finished". However, after the criticism from the ruling BJP and also within the Congress, Patwari rejected the notion that his party is divided in Madhya Pradesh. The State Congress President instead blamed the BJP, saying it is brokered by BJP's IT cell to spread wrong information but he will "deal with it". Patwari was speaking to media persons on Monday when he was asked about his comments suggesting that "factionalism is cancer in Congress". Patwari blamed the BJP's public relations department and said that the "BJP's media cell issues its agenda to the media houses". "Whatever may have to be done to end factionalism in our party, I will do it and we will end it with courage and unity. We will make repeated efforts for this and will shake the foundations of BJP," Patwari said on Monday. Lucknow, Jan 22 : The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday posted several Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, who have been promoted to the post of Secretary, in various significant departments, officials said. Lucknow, Jan 22 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday posted several Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, who have been promoted to the post of Secretary, in various significant departments, officials said. This decision has been taken by the state government to promote administrative reforms and efficiency. The IAS officials have been assigned new responsibilities, which is expected to give further impetus to the progress of various government departments. IAS officer Nitin Bansal has been appointed as the Uttar Pradesh Commercial Tax Commissioner, who was earlier posted as the State Commercial Tax Commissioner In-charge. IAS officer Bhanu Chandra Goswami has been posted as the new State Relief Commissioner, Consolidation Commissioner and Revenue Department Secretary. He was earlier the State Relief Commissioner In-charge, Consolidation Commissioner In-Charge and Special Secretary, Revenue Department. IAS officer Rakesh Kumar Mishra has been appointed to the post of State Milk Commissioner He was earlier the State Milk Commissioner In-Charge. IAS officer Ramakant Pandey has been given the responsibility of Managing Director of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Urban) from Managing Director In-Charge of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Urban). Apart from this, IAS officer Markande Shahi has been appointed to the post of State Labour Commissioner. He was earlier posted as the State Labour Commissioner In-Charge. The appointment of Markande Shahi is considered significant for improving the welfare of workers and compliance with labour laws. IAS officer Avinash Krishna Singh has been appointed as the new Director General of Technical Education from Director General In-Charge of Technical Education. Along with this, IAS officer Rajesh Prakash has been made the Director General of the State Fisheries Department. He earlier served as the Director General In-Charge of the State Fisheries Department. Meanwhile, IAS officer Manvendra Singh has been appointed as the Director General of the State AYUSH Department. He was earlier the Director General In-Charge of the State AYUSH Department. It is expected that administrative efficiency will increase with the deployment of these officers. By promoting these IAS officers, their working style and experience will make the development work of the state government more effective. --IANS psk/akj-khz Gariaband : , Jan 22 (IANS) At least 14 Maoists, including six women, have been killed in the ongoing encounter with the security personnel in Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh since last week as the search operation continues, a top police official said. All the bodies of the deceased Maoists have been recovered. Raipur Inspector General of Police (IGP), Amresh Kumar Mishra, gave information about the encounter through a press conference on Tuesday. He said that this encounter took place in the dense forests of Bhalu-Diggi located at Kulhari Ghat in Gariaband district, which started on the night of January 19 and is still underway. The Raipur IGP said, "Information was received about the presence of Maoists in the area following which security personnel were sent to the spot. As many as 14 Maoists have been killed in the last two days. Apart from this, a huge quantity of weapons has also been recovered from the spot during the search operation, including INSAS rifle, SLR, revolver, and cartridges. Other materials have also been recovered." The operation was launched on Monday night following specific intelligence inputs. It was a joint effort by security forces from Chhattisgarh and Odisha, including Operation Group E30 of Odisha Police, the 207th battalion of CRPFas CoBRA unit, CRPFas 65 and 211 Battalions, and SOG Nuapada. IGP Mishra added that a search operation is being conducted in the dense forests of Bhalu-Diggi. Security personnel were also deployed in the area on Tuesday night as well. The encounter is underway with intermittent firing between security personnel and the Maoists. According to official sources, more than 50 Maoists were present in the area, against whom the search operation is underway. Security forces have started searching every corner of the forest. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai praised the security forces for successfully neutralising the Maoists and congratulated them. He said, "I congratulate our security forces very much. Their courage deserves the utmost praise. This operation proves that we are continuously succeeding against the Maoists." Earlier on January 16, 17 Maoists were killed in an encounter with the security forces in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, and a large cache of weapons was also recovered. The joint operation marks a significant success for security forces in their ongoing efforts to curb Maoist activity in the region. DeTect's state-of-the-art MERLIN True3D bird radar is the most widely used system for commercial airport and military airfield bird-aircraft strike risk management. PANAMA CITY, Fla., Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- DeTect, Inc. (DeTect) is shipping a MERLIN True3D Bird Detection Radar (BDR) to Hanseo University's Flight Education Center in South Korea with the system to be installed and operational in mid-February. The system will be used to support flight safety for pilot training and for research, providing real-time bird and drone tracking and strike risk alerting to air traffic controllers and airfield management. DeTect and Hanseo entered into an agreement in June 2024 to deploy the MERLIN system at the training centre airstrip in Taean. "The system will be installed adjacent to the runway and will provide 24-7 real-time information on aircraft, bird and drone activity in support of flight safety" said Gary Andrews DeTect CEO. "The radar detects out to 11 kilometres around the airfield with live displays and risk alerts in the Air Traffic Control tower and other user locations." On January 20, hours after President Donald J. Trump was inaugurated, thousands of readers lined up for one of the 1,100 midnight release parties held across the country for Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros. The book, which is the third in the TikTok-beloved Empyrean series, received a 2.5 million copy first print run, with one million copies preordered, according to the books publisher, Entangled Publishing. Today, many in the industry are wondering: will we see its like again? Last Friday, the Supreme Court upheld the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), the law signed by President Joseph R. Biden in 2024 that effectively bans the social media app TikTok in the United States until it is sold by its Chinese corporate parent. As a result, TikTok was shut down in the U.S. for 14 hours, before returning after the company was assured by President Trump that he would take action to delay the ban shortly after he was inaugurated. On Monday evening, Trump signed an executive order instructing the U.S. attorney general not to enforce the law for 75 days, giving the government an opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward. (TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was among the numerous tech CEOs and billionaires who attended yesterday's inauguration.) Whether the ban later comes into effect still remains to be seen. With more than 170 million users in the U.S., TikTok has served as an important marketing channel for books in recent yearsarguably the most important. By the end of 2024, the #BookTok hashtag had more than 42 million posts and 200 billion views, helping turn backlist titles into bestsellers and turbocharging the careers of such megaselling authors as Yarros, Sarah J. Maas, and Colleen Hoover. Approximately 59 million print book sales in 2024 could be tied to BookTok-related influencers or content, according to Circana Bookscan. Leading book business figures have praised the app for providing a means to directly address readers en masse and create a new class of fans and influencers in an eroding book media landscape. In an era where traditional marketing methods are evolving, said Leigh Marchant, SVP and chief marketing officer at Hachette Book Group, BookTok has been an amazing marketing tool for encouraging genuine, organic conversations, and has given us real-time insights into what resonates with audiences, leading to increased visibility and buzz for our books. James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble, noted that fiction continued to be the big sales driver for B&N, helped in no small way by the publicity given to books backed by BookTok influencers. The industry has been bracing for the possibility of a shock to the BookTok system since last spring, when PAFACA was passed. While acknowledgment of the platforms marketing and publicity power is overwhelming, many also assert that any concern over a drop in sales is overblown. It's not like BookTok invented great books, though it does provide a great platform to find them, said Daunt. While he would love for BookTok to continue, he added, he is confident that another social media platform would come along to fill any BookTok-sized hole. He noted that, throughout his bookselling career, young people have always been a core buying group, pointing to the reading hysteria after Harry Potter was first released in the U.K. in 1997 and the enthusiasm for reading that occurred during the pandemic. Michael Zuccato, chief marketing officer at Sourcebooks, emphasized that success on social media isn't about traditional marketing: It's not talking to, it's not marketing to, it's a conversation and a discussion with. The question, then is where those conversations might go should the ban go into effect and TikTok go dark. It creates a vacuum in the market, but nature abhors a vacuum, Dominique Raccah, CEO of Sourcebooks, told PW regarding the possible ban. Weve been through platform shifts before. The need to connect remains. Well go where the readers and fans are. I remain belligerently optimistic. Talk Talk The conversational approach to marketing spurred by social media has proven particularly valuable for smaller publishers, especially on TikTok, where its recommendation algorithm has been effective for targeted audience engagement. Hannah Moushabeck of the Norhampton, Mass.based Interlink Publishing, which describes itself as the only Palestinian-owned publisher in the U.S., emphasized how the platform favors genuine spontaneity and authenticity. One of our first viral posts was completely organic, she said. I went for a walk to clear my head and I noticed that all of the surrounding houses had put outside facing our building signs that said Free Palestine. To have all of our neighbors show this sort of subtle solidarity with us was just so special. Moushabeck took a video of the scene and posted it to the platform, and the impact from just that one clip, she said, has been profound: A lot of people will place orders on our website and say, I saw the TikTok video and it really touched my heart and I wanted to support you all. TikTok's effectiveness extends beyond sales, Moushabeck noted. Whenever we used the term Palestine on other platforms, it would often be a problem, she explained. On TikTok, as we were more open about who we are, the algorithm targeted us at people who believe in collective liberation and at people who identify as anti-Zionists. Once that happened, it was like a waterfall. Suddenly, we had people coming to our events from Boston, or Maine, or New York City, because they had never been to a Palestinian-owned book company before. Independent bookstores saw similar success. Christina Pascucci-Ciampa, founder of All She Wrote Books, a queer, feminist bookstore in Somerville, Mass., emphasized the platform's authenticity. What I like about TikTok is the ability to be raw, she said. BookTok users, she added, are people that just love books, love what they're reading, and want to talk about it. Pascucci-Ciampa emphasized the platforms particular importance for LGBTQ+ book discovery and community building, explaining that TikTok has helped to center and elevate queer stories and create connections between booksellers and readers. The app, she explained, often directly helped to drive in-store traffic and sales: People will place orders specifically saying I saw that video of you talking about this book. I need to read it, she said. TikTok proved even more transformative for the bookstore during a critical moment: When All She Wrote Books was displaced from its original storefront, a viral TikTok video by creator Mercury Stardust helped the store raise $30,000 in three days for its relocation. The Sourcebooks executives noted that TikToks relationship-building impact extends past the business-consumer communityauthor-reader relationships, too, flourished on the platform. Authors can come onto TikTok and be their true selves and they step off their pedestal, Raccah said. And readers really got a sense of their author icons becoming their friends, becoming part of their community. Garrett Perkins, chief revenue officer of Givington's, agreed. The direct-to-consumer book fulfillment company, which is based in Fayetteville, Ark., works with a wide range of authors, including Seth Godin and Lysa Turkeurst, bringing in $1215 million in annual sales. Perkins cautioned against over-reliance on social media as a community, advocating instead for what he called a three-legged stool approach, emphasizing content and commerce alongside community. Having a large following on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube subscribersthat's not a community, that's a platform, he explained. When your content is only on a platform, the people that'll pay you are paying you sponsored adsthey're paying for your eyeballs. He pointed out that no tool is perfect, underscoring that true community requires direct connection: "If you don't have their email address or anything to contact them directly, then you're not in community with them." Tick, Tick, Tick Even with an executive order keeping the lights on for TikTok in the U.S. for a little while longer, change looms for the platform nonetheless. And the book business is preparing for it. It comes down to what is more of a long-term approach, said Pascucci-Ciampa. While the social media platforms that currently existTikTok, Instagram, and otherscontinue to power connections between the book business and its readers, the big question, she explained, is, How do we still do that in ways that we have the ability to kind of control? Moushabeck agreed, noting that Interlink is pivoting more toward our email list and even more in-person events, without any kind of algorithmic interference. Perkins sees the situation as an opportunity for evolution in author-reader relationships. Those who arent looking to have millions of followers but looking to have 30,000 will start moving to platforms that provide better ability to build a business, he predicted. Whether that be through a digital app experience, whether that be through a newsletter, whether that be through selling directly to them, whether that be just providing value to them directly, nothing can replace that, because no one sits in between. The publishing world, Perkins continued, already has access to third-party platforms that do a better job at creating direct relationship and community building, citing Patreon and Substack as examples. Where authors connecting directly with readers via such methods, are concerned, he added, we continue to see them not just do well at the moment, but for the long-term." As for the future of TikTok, Soucebooks's Zuccato was confident that even if a ban does come fully into effect, a new technology or platform or tool would come along to fill in the void. Smart tech will always catch up with what the community wants, he said. Hachette's Marchant concurred. Its really all about user-friendliness, she said. The thing about TikTok is that it makes it so easy to make videos. So whatever platform that fosters that ease of use is going to be the one that wins out. I feel real hopeful that there will continue to be platforms and technologies that enable people to discover and share books. Four international publishing consultants have formed Alpine Global Collective, a Geneva-based consulting group. The consultancy aims to provide publishing industry clients with cross-border expertise and market knowledge. The consortium emerged from discussions between Cameron Drew, former director of global content acquisition at Rakuten Kobo, and Carlo Carrenho, audio ambassador at the 2023 and 2024 Frankfurt Book Fairs, before expanding to include Marcus Stober and Camila Silfvenius. "The publishing and content industry has become increasingly global, yet the nuances of local markets remain crucial," Carrenho said in a statement. "Through the Collective, we can offer clients unprecedented insights into emerging opportunities in audiobooks and digital content across the globe, while drawing on our partners' expertise in other regions and specialties." The group's structure allows clients to access regional expertise across multiple markets. "Traditional consulting models often face limitations in time zones, geography, and specialized knowledge," Drew added. "By working as a unified team, we can provide clients with seamless access to expertise across multiple markets and sectors, particularly in the content and digital spaces." Silfvenius, who previously held leadership positions at Bonnier, Storytel, and Nextory, will contribute expertise in the Nordic publishing market, which she said "has unique characteristics and opportunities." The consortium's services include strategic advisory, content strategy, business intelligence, and international growth consulting. Stober, who has extensive experience in France and Ukraine and focuses on European business development and government affairs, said that the Geneva location was key. "It provides us with a strong foundation in one of the world's key business hubs," he said. "This strategic location, combined with our members' diverse expertise, allows us to offer unparalleled support for cross-border initiatives and regulatory navigation." BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The annual conference of ambassadors was held in Paris on January 6, 2025, where French President Emmanuel Macron made several harsh statements that resonated widely in African countries. Macron demanded the immediate release of Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who was detained at Algiers airport in November. In his speech, he claimed that Algeria, which he loves and whose past he shares, was involved in a dishonorable case and that Sansal's detention was preventing his access to medical treatment. These remarks by Macron drew heavy criticism in the African media. Algerian broadcaster ElwataniaTV described the French president's words as shameful and unacceptable, noting that France, led by Macron, has become hostage to anti-Algerian currents that are permeated with racism and Islamophobia. Questions about France's colonial past and its failure to take responsibility for its historical heritage were also raised. The Moroccan station Atlantic Radio emphasized that Macron's statements about supporting African security and sovereignty are not taken seriously because France has neither the capacity nor the legitimacy to play this role. Members of the Chadian government expressed a similar position, labeling the president's remarks as a disregard for African states. Lebanon's Al Mayadeen TV drew attention to Macron's attempt to correct his image by focusing on France's policy in Africa, but the speech drew condemnation from Chad and Senegal. Senegal's RTS2 emphasized that modern African states have long since built their independent foreign policies and France has lost much influence on the continent. BurkinaInfoTV directly blamed Macron's colonialist views, noting his sarcastic statement that Africans are supposedly ungrateful. The media accused the French president of failing to see Africans as equal partners, emphasizing that Africa's resources are no longer prey to European countries. Its Tuesday once again, and that means another look at one of our visits to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. We resume the action at Damems, where we see 45596 Bahamas arrive with a service to Oxenhope, this loco is owned by the Bahamas Locomotive Society and was wearing their headboard for this service. We then head see 5820 Big Jim and 43924 arrive and depart from the station. Both of these locos are not in services at the moment due to awaiting an overhaul. We also see the duo between Ingrow West and Damems at a lineside location. Not long after we got back to the station did we find 45596 Bahamas returning from Oxenhope, along with visiting GWR Prairie No. 4144. This locomotive was visiting the railway from the Didcot Railway Centre. Ingrow West is home to the Bahamas Locmotive Society and Vintage Carriages Trust, both of which have a museum to visit that is free with a rover ticket. Next, the shuttle to Keighley shunted out of the sidings, with Standard 2 78022 in charge. WIth the shuttle back at Keighley, it would allow 43924 to pass through Ingrow West with a freight train, bound for Damems. On the rear of the freight train was Standard 2 No. 78022, which would haul the return train back to Keighley. In quick succession was 4144, which was hauling the afternoon express train. This wooshed through Ingrow West non-stop, making for an excellent view. We then head down to Keighley, where we see 45212 departing with the shuttle to Ingrow West. On the rear of the shuttle was 43924. The next part of the video will be live next Tuesday President Bidens pardon of Dr. Anthony Fauci may protect the former National Institutes of Health official from immediate criminal prosecution, but some critics say he is not completely out of legal jeopardy and that public sentiment might still condemn the man who became known during the COVID-19 pandemic as Mr. Science. In the days before Biden offered the pardon to Fauci, along with other critics of Donald Trump, some experts who have followed Faucis career and handling of the pandemic, as well as members of the Trump transition team, reiterated their assertion that Fauci perjured himself on several occasions during the pandemic especially regarding his agencys links to the lab in Wuhan, China, that might have created the virus that causes COVID-19. The pardon addresses any COVID-related offenses, and is backdated to 2014the year a U.S. ban on so-called "gain of function" virus research took effect -- research Fauci is accused of outsourcing to China. Despite reporting that Trump is bent on revenge, the appetite among MAGA appointees for holding Fauci accountable hasnt been particularly vocal. But former Senate investigator Jason Foster, who now runs the whistleblower nonprofit Empower Oversight, says that Bidens pardon creates new legal jeopardy for Fauci. Sen. Rand Paul has vowed to continue investigating the COVID origins question, and sources tell RealClearInvestigations that Sen. Ron Johnson and House Republican investigators plan to do so as well. When testifying in those inquiries or answering written depositions, Fauci will be unable to dodge questions by invoking his Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination. They can ask him if he lied before, replough old ground, Foster said. And if he lies about any prior lie, he can be prosecuted for that or held in contempt. Andrew Noymer, associate professor of population health and disease prevention at the University of California, Irvine, said such hearings are necessary for scientific and historical reasons. Im hopeful that he will now come clean about everything he knows about the origins of the virus, Noymer said. For the sake of public trust in science explaining what killed 20 million people that a complete account is much more important than speculation about what criminal penalties he may have avoided. These pardons will not stop Department of Justice investigations, said one adviser to the Trump transition team, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. We expected this and look at it as a predicate to get truth from people who can no longer use the Fifth Amendment. Now we can bring every one of them in front of a grand jury. Deception Legacy media outlets promoted Fauci throughout the pandemic. There is no consensus on Faucis handling of the pandemic. Legacy media outlets have promoted Fauci throughout the pandemic as Americas doctor who sticks to the facts and applauded him as the nations top infectious disease expert. When he retired from the NIH after five decades in 2022, the New York Times granted him space on its opinion page to advise the next generation of scientists, citing his own accomplishments. Numerous social media outlets have provided a polar opposite perspective. Several X accounts have uploaded videos that show Faucis inconsistencies. For example, Fauci claimed in early 2022 interviews that he never recommended lockdowns, but later said he recommended shutting the country down. Independent journalist Matt Orfalea circulated another set of clips that show Fauci claiming he kept an open mind about how the pandemic started while alleging in others that the evidence points against a lab accident and strongly in favor of a natural spillover. As Faucis flip-flops generated attention in Republican circles and on social media, he charged that such criticism was totally preposterous, adding, Attacks on me, quite frankly, are attacks on science. Faucis many contradictory statements even caught the attention of a New York Times contributing opinion writer, Megan K. Stack, who chastised Fauci for the largely one-sided nature of his public remarks about the possibility the pandemic started from an accident at a lab his agency had helped fund the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Initially, Fauci dismissed as a conspiracy theory the possibility of a Wuhan lab accident on a Feb. 9, 2020, podcast hosted by Newt Gingrich. Afterward, Fauci reversed himself, stating in several interviews that he had always kept an open mind. Later reports zeroed in on Faucis secret involvement in prominent March 2020 research, called the proximal origin paper, that turned public and scientific sentiment against the possibility of a lab accident. Our analyses clearly show that SARS-CoV-2 is not a laboratory construct or a purposefully manipulated virus, the paper concluded, adding, We do not believe that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible. Published in the prestigious Nature Medicine journal, proximal origin is the most-cited scientific paper of 2020. Subsequent emails showed that Fauci helped guide the proximal origin paper to publication, as congressional probers found, without revealing that he had been involved with its creation and had even, according to the emails, given it his approval. Distancing himself from his own emails, Fauci later told the Times that he wasnt sure he even got around to reading the paper. But the House later released a multi-day deposition of Fauci where he was asked about his involvement in the proximal origin paper. Under oath, Fauci admitted to having received and read several drafts of the paper. But while dissembling to the media is not a crime, lying to Congress is illegal. And the Department of Justice has two referrals from Congress already requesting that Fauci be prosecuted for lying under oath. Lies as Legal Jeopardy Fauci and Sen. Rand Paul, facing off in the public arena. He definitely misled the senator, said the ex-head of the CDC. Faucis habit of bending the truth, as some see it, was notably on display at a July 2021 Senate hearing when Rand Paul, the Kentucky Republican, bore into the funding Fauci approved for gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. While Fauci attempted to downplay his financial involvement with the Chinese government lab, reports were already percolating. In April 2020, Newsweek reported that Fauci had approved a grant for risky gain of function virus research at the Wuhan lab. The Washington Post editorial board in March 2021 then called for an independent investigation into EcoHealth Alliance, a nonprofit funded by the Fauci-run National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases. With this grant, EcoHealth subcontracted research to the Chinese, the Post noted, to do experiments involving modifying viral genomes to give them new properties, including the ability to infect lung cells of laboratory mice that had been genetically modified to respond as human respiratory cells would. Fox News reported Sunday that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has barred EcoHealth Alliance Inc. and its former president, Dr. Peter Daszak, from receiving federal funds for five years. EcoHealth allegedly failed to report dangerous gain-of-function experiments to the government, which eventually led to the five-year ban. A month prior to Faucis hearing with Paul, Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs confirmed that U.S.-funded research at the WIV consisted of gain-of-function virus research that could have started the pandemic. [I]t is clear that the NIH co-funded research at the WIV that deserves scrutiny under the hypothesis of a laboratory-related release of the virus. At that time, Dr. Sachs led a commission formed by a British medical journal, The Lancet, to investigate how the pandemic began. But when Paul began grilling Fauci about these details and called him out for what he characterized as evasive answers, Fauci pointed the finger back at Paul. If anybody is lying here, senator, it is you, Fauci said. Paul then sent a criminal referral to the Department of Justice requesting they investigate whether Fauci had committed perjury. He definitely misled the senator, said former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield. When Redfield looked at all the evidence, including still-classified information, he said the weight falls in the direction of a lab accident. Fauci manipulated the public to believe there was only one possible cause for the pandemic, a natural spillover. Months after Pauls referral to the Justice Department, liberal news nonprofit ProPublica released new documents confirming the Wuhan lab had conducted such studies. Grant money for the controversial experiment came from the National Institutes of Healths National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which is headed by Anthony Fauci, ProPublica reported on September 9, 2021. NIH admits funding risky virus research in Wuhan, Vanity Fair reported a week after ProPublica, referencing a letter NIH sent to Congress. Paul sent a second referral to the Department of Justice in July 2023, reiterating his demand that Fauci be investigated. At that time, House investigators released emails showing that, in early 2020, Fauci admitted that scientists were concerned the COVID virus had been engineered and researchers in Wuhan were engaged in gain-of-function research. Everything he has been telling us from the very beginning has been a lie, Sen. Paul told Fox News. We have documented its a lie and its a felony to lie to Congress. Bidens pardon negates the two Senate referrals for criminal activity. But future hearings could still require Fauci to respond to evidence that he might have perjured himself, and open him up to future prosecution if he stands by statements that can be proven to be false. Hiding Use of Private Email Fauci is said to have communicated over a back channel about controversial beagle research. Another area of potential inquiry is Faucis congressional testimony last summer denying his use of private email to conduct official business, Let me state for the record that to the best of my knowledge I have never conducted official business via my personal email, Fauci wrote in his sworn statement to Congress. This testimony seemed to contradict evidence in a 35-page memo compiled by Republican investigative staff. One email showed Faucis second-in-command, Dr. David Morens, suggesting someone speak with Fauci through an unofficial, private channel. In another email, Morens wrote that he would contact Fauci on Gmail. After Faucis testimony, the writer of this article reported in the DisInformation Chronicle that Morens had connected KFF Health News reporter Arthur Allen with Fauci on Faucis private email back in May 2021. The NIH did not respond to comment about Faucis use of private email to conduct government business with reporters. In a second example, the New York Post reported that the watchdog group White Coat Waste Project accused Fauci of lying to Congress about his private email use after they released documents showing Fauci was backchanneling with a Washington Post reporter on his private email. I will send you an e-mail via my gmail account, Fauci wrote in an email dated Oct. 29, 2021, to Washington Post reporter Yasmeen Abutaleb. Faucis lawyer told the Post that Fauci was discussing a personal matter with the Washington Post reporter, although he did not explain what this personal matter was. Justin Goodman, senior vice president at White Coat Waste Project, said the evidence is clear that Fauci contacted the Washington Post about issues regarding his NIH work and then denied it to Congress. He should be prosecuted, not pardoned. Follow the Money This misleading article helped to absolve Fauci of funding research that led to the pandemic, for a time. See center paragraph from its abstract on "strong evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is not the product of purposeful manipulation." Congressional hearings might also delve into Faucis involvement in research misconduct with the proximal origin paper and a grant he approved for the papers lead author, Scripps Research Institutes Kristian Andersen. There needs to be a criminal investigation of this grant and paper, said a former law enforcement official who has worked with congressional staff investigating Fauci and his grants. Nobody inside the executive branch has taken ownership of this. Shortly after the COVID virus outbreak, Fauci began discussing with several virologists, including Andersen, how the pandemic started. In a Feb. 1, 2020 email, Andersen wrote to Fauci that he had analyzed the COVID virus genetic sequence and some of the features (potentially) look engineered. Andersen added that, while opinions could change, he and other virologists felt the virus was not natural or consistent with expectations with evolutionary theory. Later that same day, Fauci held a phone call with Andersen and other virologists and then emailed that the scientists were suspicious that a mutation was intentionally inserted into the virus. Other emails show that Fauci was concerned that his funding for research in China may have led to the COVID virus. Despite their initial suspicions, Andersen and other virologists reversed course six weeks later and published the proximal origin paper on March 16, 2020, that absolved Fauci of funding research that led to the pandemic. Fauci then promoted the Andersen proximal origin paper to reporters at a White House briefing on April 17 without disclosing that he had helped marshal the study into publication. A month later, Fauci signed off on an $8.9 million grant to Kristian Andersen. Both Andersen and Fauci have denied the grant was quid pro quo for Andersen publishing the proximal origin paper that absolved Fauci, but the group Biosafety Now has called twice for the paper to be retracted. It is imperative that this clearly fraudulent and clearly damaging paper be removed from the scientific literature, reads an online petition signed by over 5,000 scientists. Richard Ebright, a professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Rutgers University and co-founder of Biosafety Now, said that Fauci should have been prosecuted for criminal conspiracy for his secret involvement in the proximal origin paper. Ebright added that the grant Fauci gave to Andersen after he published the paper likely also involved criminal behavior. With Republicans running both the Senate and House, investigations of Fauci will likely continue as members resume digging into any NIH culpability in funding research that started the pandemic. Trumps CIA nominee, John Ratcliffe, told House members during a 2023 hearing that classified intelligence points toward a lab accident. Ratcliffe is likely to be confirmed, and a Trump transition team source said he would likely then declassify that information, further undermining Faucis claims that the pandemic started from a natural spillover. Ongoing investigations of Fauci, RCI has been told, will only further erode his credibility, even if criminal charges can no longer be filed. This pardon means he can no longer be brought to justice, said an adviser to the Trump transition team. But it guarantees he will be further exposed. I trusted everything Fauci said during the pandemic, and I did everything he told me, said Bri Dressen, a former preschool teacher in Saratoga Springs, Utah. I masked, wiped down my groceries with alcohol, kept my kids away from other kids so they wouldnt catch the virus, and then I got vaccinated. Dressen ended up injured by AstraZenecas vaccine as a volunteer in the companys clinical trial, and founded React19.org, whose 36,000 members advocate for victims of COVID vaccine harm. It was the steepest learning curve in my entire life. The people in authority like Fauci are the ones I shouldnt have trusted, Dressen said. Its been a huge paradigm shift to see a hero actually turn into a villain. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate Check out a few of our highlights from the first day of SHOT Show 2025! Spandau S2 This is a sweet little package waterfowlers will appreciatethe Spandau S2. Delivering all the features and performance of a high-end inertia-driven shotgun, the S2 comes with a price tag anyone can afford. Dressed in Realtree Max-7 or APX, the 12-gauge comes at a forgiving $499. It has a few tricks up its sleeves making it all the more useful in the duck marshes. Fluting makes the bolt lighter, thus less punishing for those heavy flights with a lot of shots. An oversized charging handle eliminates fumbling around to get or keep the gun in action. And most nuanced, but maybe the best asset, an enlarged and chamfered loading gate eliminates any pinch when topping off the magazineplus makes it very friendly to gloved hands. Overall, it is a solid and economical option for duck or goose season. Diamondback SDR 3 Oh yeah, size mattersparticularly with the .357 Magnum. The legendary defensive round is fairly neutered coming out of a snubbie revolver, resulting in more muzzle blast and knuckle pain than velocity downrange. Diamondback Arms has cooked up a new addition to its concealable SDR line of revolvers, now offering a 3-inch barreled model. The wheelie remains highly concealable but gives the magnum enough bore to get the performance most look for out of the cartridge. To boot, it also has a bit more sight radius to improve its accuracy potential. What struck us at range day about the gunand its predecessor 2-inch barreled modelis its silk and stageable trigger. Its also a looker with a full integral lug. For $837, its a pretty tough little revolver to beat. KelTec PR57 In typical KelTec fashion, the companys latest design has been turning heads and forming long queues at its SHOT Show debut. Not because its the best gun out here, but one could certainly make the argument that its the most different and interesting. The stats already looked impressive on paper, but its hard to convey just how light and slim the PR57 is without holding one yourself. It feels like a toy in hand, but putting some 5.7x28mm through it quickly reminds one that its anything but. Despite the guns light weight, its a smooth shooter too. Were definitely keeping this little stripper clip-fed pistol on our radar and will hopefully conduct a full review in the future. Biofire Smart Gun Sure to be a divisive product, Biofire is a biometrically locked smart gun that uses fingerprints and/or facial recognition to allow access only to a limited number of users. We first looked at the pistol in 2023, but this year the company is ready to start shipping units to backers, media, and customers. Getting first shots with it at SHOT Show Range Day 2025, the pistol isnt what you probably expect. Bulky and strange looking, it actually shot remarkably well for the 15 or so rounds we shot it for. Well withhold judgment until we can get one in for a full and detailed review. MSRP: $1,499 We Traveled to Texas to Train with XRay Alpha and Put the New SureFire XC3 to the Test When it comes to weapon-mounted duty lights for law enforcement and military professionals, the SureFire X300U is considered by many to be the gold standard. However, SureFires forays into the compact weaponlight segment havent always been as successful. Back in 2015, the company launched the XC1, a AAA-powered light with 200 lumens and a 1.5-hour runtime. Over the next few years, they revised this series with an optional laser and improved 300-lumen output. More recently, there was the XR1, which offered 800 lumens with dual LEDs powered by a rechargeable battery. But each of these designs required proprietary holster fitment and relied on atypical batteries, so they didnt achieve the same level of widespread adoption as the full-size X300 series. SureFire XC3 Specifications Lumens: 550 Candela: 7,200 Max. Runtime: 1.75 hours Battery Type: CR123A Rail Compatibility: Universal handgun or Picatinny rail (adapter included) Switch Type: Ambidextrous, momentary or constant-on MSRP: TBD ABOUT THE SUREFIRE XC3 These days, if youre looking for a compact weaponlight, most people will recommend Streamlights TLR-7. SureFire aims to change that with the release of its all-new XC3, which it calls the new standard in duty-grade compact weaponlights. Unlike previous models, the XC3 uses a front-loaded CR123A battery and fits into a variety of existing holsters (the same ones designed for the aforementioned TLR-7). Output is a healthy 550 lumens and 7,200 candela, making it far more usable at intermediate ranges than the wide, unfocused beam of the old XC1. Its described as a Hybrid beam pattern, with a strong central hotspot as well as wide spill to illuminate the targets surroundings. Were also pleased to see that SureFire went back to the drawing board for its ambidextrous switches, which now have a tactile click for constant-on or can be held down for momentary use. The pivot point for the switch is high on the lights anodized aluminum housing, allowing easy activation with the shooters thumb or index finger. In order to prevent inadvertent activation while the gun is packed in a bag or case, the lights bezel can be loosened to a lockout detent position, temporarily disabling the switches. As with all SureFire illumination products, the XC3 is made in the USA. Final pricing is still to be determined, but were told MSRP will be under $350. HANDS-ON AT THE TEXAS SHOWDOWN A few months ago, SureFire invited us out to Texas for a sneak peek at the XC3. The event dubbed the SureFire Texas Showdown took place at the Staccato Ranch in Florence, TX, and allowed a handful of media members to test XC3 prototypes on the range. SureFire also brought out Matt Pranka, a former Delta Force operator, current USPSA Grandmaster, and founder of the firearms training company Xray Alpha LLC. Over the course of three days, Pranka ran us through drills that ranged from pistol fundamentals through weaponlight implementation, target transitions, and movement. Rather than just watch a Powerpoint presentation about the new light, we actually learned how to use it effectively through challenging drills. As a SureFire rep explained, Having the right tool is half of the equation, the other is proper training. Supporting Gear Each attendee was provided with a Vertx 50-liter duffle bag full of range gear for the course. This included a Safariland competition belt and mag pouches, a QVO Tactical Kydex OWB holster, a Tenicor IWB holster and inner belt, Oakley SI shooting glasses, and reduced-scale dry fire targets from Ben Stoeger Pro Shop. Since we were at Staccato Ranch, former Recoil staff member Tom Marshall got us set up with loaner Staccato 2011 pistols, each equipped with a red dot and a SureFire XC3 light. Staccato also provided 136gr OTM 9mm match ammo, which made our already smooth-shooting C and C2 pistols even smoother. RED DOT PISTOL FUNDAMENTALS Training began during the daylight hours in order to familiarize each shooter with the XC3-equipped Staccato pistols. Unlike many instructors, Pranka didnt want us to show proficiency by stacking rounds on top of one another at 5 yards. He explained that an extremely tight group indicates youre not stressing yourself to the point of making mistakes, which means youre probably not learning anything. Instead, he recommended working on keeping about 90 percent of shots inside the A zone thats an indicator that youre pushing yourself a little, but not so much that youve lost control. Regarding distance, Pranka believes that true training happens at 12 yards or more, so many of our drills took place between the 15 and 25 yard lines. As for speed, we were told to train fast as a baseline, since most defensive shootings happen faster than the pace of typical range training. Pranka recommends a warmup at 70 percent of maximum speed, practice between 80 and 90 percent, and gradually pushing the limit up to 100 percent until the wheels fall off. Once that happens, back off to normal practice speed and repeat. I always want to be ready to shoot sooner so I dont have to shoot faster, Pranka said. Each shooter was reminded of the importance of a solid support hand grip in order to maintain stability. Pranka uses liquid chalk the same type rock climbers apply to keep his grip locked in and eliminate the effects of sweaty hands. While this is common in competitive shooting circles, Pranka says he also used it during his military career, applying a little as part of his pre-mission prep routine. SIGHT PICTURE AND CONFIRMATION LEVELS A heavy emphasis was placed on the visual aspect of shooting with a red dot namely remaining target-focused rather than chasing the dot with your eyes. Pranka said, When Im target-focused I feel like Im not aiming enough, and that my mistakes are worse than they really are. He also reminded us of an analogy used by his friend Ben Stoeger: the red dot is like the beautiful woman who walks through the restaurant while youre eating dinner with your wife. Its OK to be aware of her presence, but if your eyes lock onto her, youre going to get into trouble. As another rule of thumb, if your red dot looks like a crisp red dot, youre probably focused on it too much. Most of the time my dot looks like a slash or a blur of bright color, not a dot, Pranka explained. Given this statement, Pranka bases all shooting on three levels of confirmation: Target visible through optic housing This is essentially an emergency sight picture that can be used as a last resort. This is essentially an emergency sight picture that can be used as a last resort. Flash of color While focusing on the target, you become aware of the bright red color of the dot crossing into your line of sight. This is used in most situations. While focusing on the target, you become aware of the bright red color of the dot crossing into your line of sight. This is used in most situations. Dot looks like a dot For especially challenging shots, you may want more precise awareness of the dot, so a higher confirmation level is necessary. However, still avoid focusing on the dot! To practice color confirmation, we fired six rounds each at 5, 10, 15, and 20 yards. While our vision never switched away from target focus, we slowed down our splits between shots as distance increased. Resisting the urge to chase the red dot produced measurable improvement for each shooter. LIGHTS OUT According to Pranka, who relied on low-light shooting skills extensively during his special operations career, shooting at night is actually easier in some regards. Theres less visual noise in your peripheral area, and your eyes are naturally drawn to the target thats lit up by your weaponlight. The biggest challenge is to become proficient with activating the light in the desired mode while drawing and manipulating the gun, which Pranka calls switchology. Since a Staccato 2011 has a manual safety that must be deactivated on the way up to the target, activating a weaponlight at the same time offers some dexterity challenges. While some shooters preferred to activate the light with their index finger before moving to the trigger, most found it more natural to sweep both thumbs down along the side of the gun while building their grip. This way, the dominant thumb clicks off the safety, and the support thumb clicks on the light. At this point, we experienced a hiccup with our prototype XC3s. After hundreds of draws from our tight new Kydex holsters, many of the 3D-printed prototype switches had dragged on the inside of the holsters enough to become dislodged and damaged. These things happen sometimes with pre-production products. Thankfully, SureFire immediately made its engineering team aware of the issue, and the switches and backplate on the production version of the XC3 are now made of much more rigid glass-filled polymer to prevent it from happening in the future. Although we werent able to spend as much time illuminating targets with the XC3 as wed hoped due to the aforementioned issue, we saw enough for a good first impression. The beam pattern is much more comparable to a full-size X300U than we anticipated given the XC3s size. Its certainly a drastic improvement over SureFires previous compact weaponlight offerings. Compared to the Streamlight TLR-7 a light that currently resides on this authors carry pistol the XC3 offers slightly more lumens with substantially higher candela (44 percent more than the TLR-7s 5,000 rating). The Streamlight also produces cool white light, whereas the SureFire appeared noticeably warmer. Streamlight recently released an HL-X variant of the TLR-7, which offers 500 lumens and 11,000 candela with a CR123A battery, but it does so at the expense of a longer light bezel that prevents it from fitting most standard TLR-7 holsters. The intense hotspot of the SureFire XC3 allows it to perform more like a full-size weaponlight without sacrificing its compact dimensions, and were confident its going to give Streamlight a real run for its money in this segment. CLOSING THOUGHTS After three days on the range and a variety of drills, the SureFire Texas Showdown culminated with a competition stage. To up the ante, each shooter ran the stage first thing in the morning with no warm-up and was scored based on hit factor. While none of us performed flawlessly, Pranka reminded us that everyone has to start somewhere, and that shooting matches follows a gradual progression: Just dont get disqualified at your first match. Avoid taking any penalties (i.e. missing targets entirely). Dont shoot any rounds in the D zone. Dont shoot any rounds in the C zone. Once you can do all of the above, then youre ready to work on speed. The winner of the competition was presented with a 3D-printed, gold-painted trophy depicting a Staccato pistol with an XC3 light. As we write this article, were awaiting a final production sample of the XC3, but our initial impressions during this event were positive. Aside from the prototype switch problem, which were told has been entirely resolved for the final production version, the XC3 was easy to use and produced plenty of light for fast target identification. While it cant compete with the long-range throw of SureFires X300 Turbo, we may be switching a few of our X300U-equipped guns over to the XC3 in the near future. The balance of versatile performance and IWB comfort seems hard to beat. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. The European Commission to present its new Competitiveness Compass next week, said President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen with her special address during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trend reports. She pointed out that the cooperative world order we imagined 25 years ago has not turned into reality. Instead, we have entered a new era of harsh geostrategic competition. The world's major economies are vying for access to raw materials, new technologies, and global trade routes. From AI to clean tech, from quantum to space, from the Arctic to the South China Sea, the race is on. As this competition intensifies, we will likely continue to see frequent use of economic tools such as sanctions, export controls, and tariffs that are intended to safeguard economic and national security. But it is important that we balance the imperative to safeguard our security against our opportunity to innovate and enhance our prosperity. In this spirit, we will need to work together to avoid a global race to the bottom, because it is in no one's interest to break the bonds of the global economy. Rather, we need to modernize the rules to sustain our ability to produce mutual gain for our citizens, said the Commissions president. She went on to add that for Europeans, the race begins at home. Europe has a unique social market economy. We have the second largest economy and the biggest trading sector in the world. We have longer life expectancy, higher social and environmental standards, and lower inequalities than all our global competitors. Europe is home to immense talent, along with a proven ability to attract ideas and investment from across the world. Our capacity to invent and create is underappreciated. Europe's global share of patent applications is on par with the U.S. and China. But the world is changing. So must we, said Ursula von der Leyen. She recalled that for the last 25 years, Europe has relied on the rising tide of global trade to drive its growth. It has relied on cheap energy from Russia. And Europe has too often outsourced its own security. But those days are gone. To sustain our growth in the next quarter of a century, Europe must shift gears. And this is why I asked Mario Draghi, President of the European Central Bank, to deliver a report on European competitiveness. And on that basis, next week the European Commission is presenting our roadmap, the Competitiveness Compass, which will drive our work for the next five years. The focus will be increased productivity by closing the innovation gap, she said. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn Porterville, CA (93257) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. Heavy downpours are possible. High 53F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low around 40F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Over the past few weeks, I have felt sickened and saddened by the wildfires raging through Los Angeles. Ive seen countless videos and photos of people forced to abandon their homes, pets and memories as they escape. The contrast between what I saw outside with the snow falling and what I saw in those videos was stark. It would be a challenge to India's policy makers how to deal with Trump so that mutual economic growth remains sustained and mutual understanding on global issues are not hampered, observes Dr Rajaram Panda. IMAGE: US President Donald J Trump holds former president Joe Biden's letter on the day he issued executive orders and pardons for January 6 defendants in the Oval Office at the White House on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters Donald Trump was making news even before assuming the presidency. This is not surprising because he is known for his mercurial and unpredictable stances on many global as well as bilateral issues. Trump has already indicated that he will revisit many international agreements he says are not serving America's interests. He has also threatened to increase tariffs in imports from many countries that are against America's economic interests. Such tough decisions could damage America's relations with its trading partners. But that is Trump for the world to understand and learn to deal with. Even before taking office on January 20, Trump threatened to seize the Panama Canal, revived calls to buy Greenland and even spoke about annexing Canada. Experts believe Trump's rhetoric could be a 'message' for China, which has increased its influence in Latin America and the Arctic. By such pronouncements, Trump even before returning to the Oval Office challenged the sovereignty of some of America's closest allies, thereby underscoring his credentials as a global disrupter-in-chief. Analysts have begun to interpret that Trump would be harsher on America's friends than on adversaries like Russia and China. Greenland issue Trump has floated the idea of the US buying the vast strategic island Greenland, a Danish territory, which he also had stated during his first term in office. He repeated the idea when naming PayPal Co-Founder Ken Howery as his ambassador to the kingdom of Denmark and said, 'Ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity' for US national security. Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede said the resource-rich island was 'not for sale'. Trump's proposal to buy Greenland in 2019 had triggered tensions between the US and Denmark. Then Denmark prime minister Mette Frederiksen had described Trump's proposal as absurd and made it clear that Greenland was not for sale. There are mercantile considerations, of course, behind Trump's temptation to grab Greenland which has plenty of copper. In any such land transaction, the consent of the people is a must. With a positive intent, such transactions could make the world more prosperous and habitable for humanity. IMAGE: Donald Trump Jr, the American president's eldest child, visits Nuuk, Greenland, January 7, 2025. Photograph: Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters There are several critical raw materials Europe needs for its industries. In 2023, the European Union signed an MoU with Greenland to develop sustainable raw materials value chains. Greenland also has large deposits of rare earth metals key to the production of energy transition tech and batteries. Trump is clearly eyeing these. At this point Denmark is not willing to make a sale. But it is not like Greenland has been theirs from time immemorial. European invaders occupied many parts of the world and claimed as their own over time. Likewise, when Tsar Alexander II of Russia sold Alaska to the US, the uncivilised tribes were handed over as objects. Similarly when Napoleon sold Louisiana, he was not concerned about the local population either. But such issues are perceived and seen differently in modern times. Trump can have his way if the majority of Greenland's population -- of which 96 per cent are Inuit -- endorse such an idea. Such a transaction would be perfectly legitimate in international law. Here, there is some similarity in what Chinese President Xi Jinping has been pursuing and what Trump intends to do. In principle, both men are expansionists. While Xi has been doing so in total disregard of international law and under threat of the use of force, Trump wants to pursue his proposals through diplomacy. Even before assuming the presidency, Trump sent his eldest son Donald Trump Jr to Greenland to sell the idea of Greenland being a part of the US. But the people of Greenland scoffed at the proposal. 'Greenland is not for sale and will never be for sale,' they declared. While Xi's long term goal is to restore China's status of what it was once the Middle Kingdom, Trump seeks a 'Greater America' in his pursuit of 'Make America Great Again' goal. MAGA is a geographical and cartographic entity that began to take shape after Trump urged Canada to merge with the US and renewed the idea of buying Greenland from Denmark. IMAGE: An effigy depicting Donald Trump burns during a march in Panama City, Panama, January 9, 2025, in remembrance of the Panamanian students who lost their lives during the 1964 riots over the US control of the Panama Canal. The incident, known as Martyr's Day in Panama, played a significant role in leading to the signing of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties in 1977. Photograph: Aris Martinez/Reuters Panama Canal Issue In his inaugural speech on Monday, January 20, 2025, Trump spoke about unfair fees for US ships passing through the Panama Canal and threatened that the US would take bacl control of the Panama Canal. When Jimmy Carter was US president, he and Omar Torrijos, the then leader of Panama, had signed a treaty obliging the US to surrender control of the Panama Canal by 1999, settling a longstanding point of friction between the two countries. Carter saw the move as an overdue show of American resolve to deal with the developing nations of the world on the basis of mutual respect and partnership. Conservatives denounced the treatY as a giveaway. Gallup then noted that 78 per cent of Americans opposed the treaty. The Panama Canal was built by the United States in 1914 to link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It was returned to Panama under a 1977 deal. Is Trump's comment on buying Greenland a subtle message to China, presently America's biggest adversary. This is because Trump feels that Beijing has been incrementally spreading its influence in Panama. Trump is equally concerned about China's growing presence in the Arctic and China's growing ties with Russia. Trump may be sending a message to Denmark not to be too cosy with China. However, any US plan to 'buy' Greenland would be unfeasible not just in international law but more broadly in the global order that the US has been trying to uphold. Trump has not ruled out military or economic action as part of his avowed desire to have the US take back control of the Panama Canal and acquire the Danish territory of Greenland. IMAGE: Donald and Melania Trump pay their respects to former US president Jimmy Carter at his funeral in Washington, DC, January 8, 2025. Photograph: Marko Djurica/Reuters Renaming Gulf of Mexico Trump's expansionist pitch does not stop with Greenland and the Panama Canal. n Monday, he announced that he would rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Trump forgets that naming the sea Gulf of Mexico predates the formation of the United States of America. The Times of India rightly editorialised: 'Grandstanding that borders on the comic has been a part of Trump's disruptive style aimed at unsettling political rivals.' 'This seemingly isolationist policy now seems to be making way for American exceptionalism and expansionism that threatens to redraw boundaries,' the newspaper noted. Trump's second term will be disruptive for the world in many ways. IMAGE: Trump and Prime Minister Narendra D Modi arrive for a media interaction after bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, February 25, 2020. Photograph: Al Drago/Reuters Future of Ties with India During the Biden administration, the India-US relationship grew strong on many fronts, including strategic, defence and economy. There are fears that some of these ties will be undermined during the Trump 2.0 presidency as Trump has threatened reciprocal tariffs with many countries, including India, with which the US has a trade disadvantage. Trump has called India's tariffs 'very high'. Broadly, Trump has hinted that US policy during his second term would be isolationistic. Optimists say that the India-US relationship built over the past 25 years is now a cornerstone of both nations' foreign policy agenda. The breadth of cooperation spans defence, trade, energy, technology, education, and counterterrorism. This is not to say that trade and tariffs could pose an immediate challenge under Trump's renewed leadership. Trump has been critical of what he perceives as imbalances in trade with India, particularly India's high tariffs and the trade deficit. This was a priority during Trump's first term and will likely dominate the agenda in the early days of the second term. For Trump, addressing the tariff issue not only with India but with other trading partners with which the US has an imbalance of trade is a priority. He seeks a level of reciprocity. Trump is likely to focus on sectors like energy, where US exports could meet India's rising demand, and services, where greater collaboration could enhance trade relations. It would be a challenge to India's policy makers how to deal with Trump and his negotiators so that mutual economic growth remains sustained and mutual understanding on global issues are not hampered. Dr Rajaram Panda is former Senior Fellow at Pradhanmantri Memorial Museum and Library, and MP-IDSA, New Delhi. He is also former ICCR Chair Professor at Reitaku University, Japan. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. It is time to complete Europes energy union, said President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen with her special address during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trend reports. She recalled that Before the start of the war in Ukraine, Europe got 45% of its gas supplies and 50% of its coal imports from Russia. Russia was also one of our largest oil suppliers. Our gas imports from Russia went down by roughly 75%, and now we import from Russia only 3% of our oil and no coal at all anymore. But freedom came at a price. Households and businesses saw sky-high energy costs, and bills for many are yet to come down. Now our competitiveness depends on getting back to low and stable energy prices. Clean energy is the midterm answer, because it is cheap, it creates good jobs here in the European Union, and it strengthens our energy independence, she said. Ursula von der Leyen noted that already today, Europe generates more electricity from wind and solar than from all fossil fuels combined. But we still have lots of work to do to feed through these benefits to companies and people. Not only must we continue to diversify our energy supplies and expand clean sources of generation from renewables, and in some countries also from nuclear, we will have to invest in next-generation clean energy technologies, like fusion, enhanced geothermal, and solid-state batteries, said the Commissions president. She believes that Europe must also mobilize more private capital to modernize its electricity grids and storage infrastructure. We must remove the remaining barriers to our energy union, and we must better connect our clean and low-carbon energy systems. All of this will be part of a new plan that we will present in February. It is time to complete our energy union so that clean power can run freely across our continent and bring prices down for all Europeans. This is our plan, and the next few years will be vital to stay in the race of clean and disruptive technologies. Europe has everything it needs to make it happen, said Ursula von der Leyen. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn Fourteen Maoists, including a top Communist Party of India-Maoist leader who was carrying a reward of Rs 1 crore, were killed in a joint operation by central and state police forces along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday termed the encounter as "another mighty blow to Maoists and asserted the Narendra Modi government's resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of the security forces to eliminate the menace from the country. Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district superintendent of police Nikhil Rakhecha said of the deceased, one has been identified as Ramachandra Reddy alias Jairam alias Chalpati, a central committee member of the CPI-Maoist, who was carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore. He hailed from Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The identity of the remaining cadres was yet to be ascertained. Inspector general of police, Raipur Range Amresh Mishra told PTI that 14 Maoists were killed during the operation and intermittent exchange of firing was still underway in the area and more details are expected on Wednesday. On Monday, a CoBRA commando was injured, while a jawan belonging to the SOG of Odisha Police sustained injuries on Tuesday, Mishra said. Both injured personnel have been admitted at a hospital in Raipur and their condition was reported to be stable, he said. Shah wrote on X: "Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Maoist-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Maoism is breathing its last today." Giving details of the incident, police said two women Naxalites were killed during a joint operation on Monday along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. A large cache of firearms, ammunition and IEDs, including a self-loading rifle, were recovered from the encounter site. A fresh exchange of firing took place late Monday night and it continued till early hours of Tuesday in a forest under the Mainpur police station areas (Chhattisgarh) along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, in which 12 more Naxalites were gunned down. With this, the total number of Maoists killed in the operation went up to 14, the police said. The number of Maoist casualties may increase, they said. A joint team of security personnel from the District Reserve Guard of the Chhattisgarh Police, CoBRA commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force and Special Operation Group personnel from the Odisha police were involved in the operation. The operation was launched on the night of January 19 based on intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoists in the Kularighat reserve forest of Chhattisgarh, just 5 km from the border of Odisha's Nuapada district. Hailing the security forces, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said under the BJP-led double-engine government, the state will get rid of the menace by March 2026. He said strengthening the resolve of Prime Minister Modi and the union home minister to end Naxalism in the country by March 2026, the security forces have been continuously achieving success and moving rapidly towards fulfilling the target. "This success of the soldiers is commendable. I salute their bravery," he said. According to a press release of Odisha Police, two Maoist women cadres were neutralised in the operation on Monday. Further exchange of fire continued on Tuesday and which 12 Maoists -- nine male and three women -- have been killed. Massive amount of arms, ammunition and IEDs have been seized. These include one SLR, two 303 rifle, 1 INSAS, 4 magazines, 8 country made weapons, 10 live rounds etc and other incriminating articles, the release said. Forty Maoists have been killed in separate gun fights in Chhattisgarh this year. On January 16, as many as 12 Naxalites were killed by security forces in Bijapur district. Later, Maoists, in a statement, admitted that 18 cadres were killed in the January 16 gunfight. Last year, 219 Naxalites were neutralised by security forces in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh. In Odisha, in 2024, six Maoists were killed, eight have been arrested and 24 Maoists have surrendered. According to the home ministry data, so far this year, 48 Naxals were killed in all Maoist-affected states, 290 killed in 2024 and 50 in 2023. The government has also established 290 camps of security forces in Naxal affected areas since 2019 and 88 more are proposed to be set up in 2025. The Bangladeshi national arrested for the January 16 knife attack on Saif Ali Khan entered the country illegally seven months ago and used a West Bengal resident's Aadhaar card to procure a SIM card before moving to Mumbai, the police said on Tuesday. Photograph: Sahil Salvi for Rediff.com IMAGE: Mohammad Shariful Islam Shahzad, the prime accused in the Saif Ali Khan attack case being taken to a Mumbai court. The police arrested the accused, Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir (30), on Sunday from neighbouring Thane city for the stabbing incident at the Bollywood star's residence in Bandra. According to the police, Fakir, who changed his name to Vijay Das, crossed the Dawki River to enter India illegally seven months ago. An official said the accused stayed for a few weeks in West Bengal and used the Aadhaar card of a local man to procure a SIM card before moving to Mumbai in search of a job. He said the preliminary probe revealed that the SIM card used by the accused was registered in the name of one Khukumoni Jahangir Sekha of West Bengal. The official said Fakir also tried to get an Aadhaar card for himself but failed. He said in Mumbai, the accused chose to work at places where he didn't need to furnish documents, and labour contractor Amit Pandey helped him get housekeeping work in pubs and hotels in Worli and Thane. On examining Fakir's cellphone, the police found he had made several calls to Bangladesh and used mobile applications to make calls to his family in the neighbouring country. Khan (54) was stabbed repeatedly by the intruder inside his 12-floor apartment in the building on January 16, necessitating surgery. The metropolitan magistrate's court in Bandra has remanded the accused in five-day police custody. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said that judging by US President Donald Trump's initial statements, there is never going to be a dull moment during his presidency, and expressed hope that the Indo-US ties are in a "good shape". IMAGE: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor speaks to the media at Parliament during the Winter Session, in New Delhi, December 13, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo In a remarkable comeback to power, Donald Trump Monday took oath as the 47th president of the US and immediately promised a blitz of executive orders as he announced the beginning of a "golden age" of America. In a fiery inaugural address, 78-year-old Trump laid out his vision for the next four years, described January 20 as the "liberation day" for the US and declared that "America's decline is over" as he will bring changes "very quickly". Asked about Trump taking over as the 47th president, Tharoor told PTI Videos, "I think judging by his initial statements, there is never going to be a dull moment while he is president. It is going to be a very interesting time. All of us who follow world affairs, will have a lot to be kept on our toes." "As far as India is concerned, I think basically the relationship is in a good shape. The two countries had a very good relationship during his first administration with one or two negatives, mainly to do with trade," the former minster of state for external affairs said. "There is already a rumour that he might be coming to India on a visit possibly as early as April. If that happens, that will obviously be a very positive sign," he said. Tharoor said that on the question of his overall policy that will affect Indians, one area is definitely going to be trade. "I think there will be pressure on India to either remove tariffs on American goods or suffer high tariffs on Indian exports to America. That is an important consideration for us to worry about," he said. The Congress leader also said there are concerns about illegal migration in America. "There are Indian legal migrants which should not be affected but there are also a lot of illegal migrants who could be victims of a serious bid by Trump to expel these people," he said. Tharoor said the other concern is the rupee depreciating in the last few weeks. "The only advantage for India would be if our exports increase. But if exports are affected by new tariffs, we will have a cheaper rupee and at the same time no increase in exports, and that would be a calamity," he said. Asserting that the RG Kar incident was a "rare, heinous and sensitive crime," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee on Tuesday said if someone gets away after committing a crime, he will again do it and "it is not our job to give him protection." IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a programme titled 'Government aid and monetary help to poor and underprivileged people,' in Malda, January 21, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Expressing dismay once again over the Sealdah court's decision to award life imprisonment till death to Sanjay Roy, the sole convict in the rape-murder of an on-duty doctor at the state-run hospital in Kolkata, Banerjee said she has been seeking capital punishment for him. "If someone is so demonic and barbaric, how can society remain humane? We passed the Aparajita Bill, but the Centre is sitting on it. We have included the death penalty in that Bill and we want it to become a model for the country," Banerjee said at a public meeting in Malda. On Monday, Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction with the court's decision and said the investigation was "forcibly" taken away from the state police. She claimed that if the police had handled it, they would have ensured death penalty. Banerjee said, "If someone is given life imprisonment, then the person can get parole. If someone commits a crime, should we forgive him? We have encountered cases where people have gone out (of prison) within three months and even on parole. I am really very shocked by the judgment. I was once a lawyer and fought several cases. The Sealdah court judge said it was not the rarest of rare cases and could not award capital punishment. If this is not the rarest of rare cases then what is?" The Aparajita Bill passed by the West Bengal Assembly in September 2024 seeks capital punishment for rape convicts if their actions result in the victim's death or leave her in a vegetative state and stipulates life sentence without parole for other perpetrators. In a post on X, Banerjee said the state government would challenge the Sealdah court's verdict and move Calcutta High Court. Meanwhile, the Calcutta high court on Tuesday granted permission to the West Bengal government to file an appeal against the Sealdah court order. Advocate General Kishor Datta moved a division bench presided by Justice Debangsu Basak to file the appeal to seek death penalty of Roy, the sole convict in the case. Dr Jaishankar is expected to discuss the dates for the fifth Quad leaders' summit in India later this year. IMAGE: US President Donald J Trump signs executive orders and pardons for January 6 defendants in the Oval Office at the White House on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters A day after Donald Trump took charge as the 47th president of the United States, his Secretary of State pick Marco Rubio may sit down with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and their ministerial counterparts from Japan and Australia on Tuesday. The EAM is expected to discuss the dates for the fifth Quad leaders' summit in India later this year, sources said. While an official confirmation is awaited from all sides, an informal meeting of the four Quad foreign ministers has been signalled by both the US and India. On Monday, Jaishankar held meetings with his counterparts from Australia and Japan. Revived by a Trump-led US in 2017, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) grouping is more strategically aligned than ever before and is delivering enduring impact for the Indo-Pacific, a joint declaration by the nations had claimed after the leaders' summit in Delaware in the US in September last year. As a result, experts believe President Trump will keep his focus on Quad in his second stint. "We have to remember our recent history. Quad got the first fillip under President Trump when the first meeting of the foreign ministers of Quad nations took place. Once the new administration settles down, they will start work on strengthening the partnership," Rajiv Bhatia, a former ambassador and distinguished fellow at Gateway House pointed out. In his second term, Trump would likely maintain his preference for more transactional and bilateral engagements, as seen during his first term, experts believe. While he did support the Quad as a strategic counter to China's growing influence, Trump's broader foreign policy was often focused on 'America First', with less emphasis on institutionalised multilateral cooperation. Ensuring the Quad grouping continues its technology partnerships to build resilient and secure supply chains under Trump, especially for semiconductors, telecommunications, and other critical technologies, remains a primary focus for India. New areas of cooperation opened up under President Joe Biden -- such as the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) framework -- will remain a key facet of bilateral relations, Bhatia said. Trump may seek to give his own touch to the framework, which has been a brainchild of the Biden administration. In 2022, Biden launched the 14-nation Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) bloc that aims to keep supply chains free of disruptions and frame trade rules, including for data localisation, e-commerce, and labour standards. Experts remain divided over whether Trump, known for his isolationist rhetoric, would continue to support the initiative. In the realm of defence, the Quad has expanded the security partnership among the nations through military and naval exercises, high profile visits, and consolidation of operation in the Indo-Pacific region. An initiative bringing together the coast guards of member nations for joint operations is expected to go live this year. A new regional Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), to enable maximisation of monitoring the waters, is also set to begin. India will host the inaugural MAITRI workshop in 2025. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com US President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order that extended the operations of TikTok, the Chinese controlled video short sharing platform, by 75 days, during which he plans to pursue a resolution that protects national security while saving a platform used by 170 million Americans. Photograph: Kind courtesy Kon Karampelas/Pixabay.com. "I am instructing the attorney general not to take any action to enforce the Act for a period of 75 days from today to allow my Administration an opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans, said the executive order signed by Trump. Signed into law by Joe Biden in April last year, the bill passed by wide bipartisan majorities in the House and the Senate gave TikTok's parent company ByteDance 270 days to divest from the app or face a ban from US app stores. January 19 was the last date for this. The popular video sharing app went dark on January 18, but it restored its services after Trump promised to extend its deadline a day later. During this period, the department of justice shall take no action to enforce the Act or impose any penalties against any entity for any noncompliance with the Act, including for distributing, maintaining, or updating (or enabling the distribution, maintenance, or updating) of any foreign adversary controlled application as defined in the Act, said the executive order. Trump, in his executive order said, he has the unique constitutional responsibility for the national security of the United States, the conduct of foreign policy, and other vital executive functions. "To fulfil those responsibilities, I intend to consult with my advisors, including the heads of relevant departments and agencies on the national security concerns posed by TikTok, and to pursue a resolution that protects national security while saving a platform used by 170 million Americans. "My Administration must also review sensitive intelligence related to those concerns and evaluate the sufficiency of mitigation measures TikTok has taken to date," Trump said in the executive order. "The unfortunate timing of section 2(a) of the Act one day before I took office as the 47th President of the United States interferes with my ability to assess the national security and foreign policy implications of the Act's prohibitions before they take effect," he said. "This timing also interferes with my ability to negotiate a resolution to avoid an abrupt shutdown of the platform while addressing national security concerns," he added. -- Lalit K Jha in Washington, DC Just a few hours after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump granted pardons and commutations to about 1,500 of his supporters who have been charged in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump shows a signed executive order during a rally on the inauguration day of his second Presidential term, inside Capital One, in Washington, DC on January 20, 2025. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters According to the statement, 14 individuals were granted commutation of sentences related to events of January 6, 2021 and granted "a full, complete and unconditional pardon" to all other individuals convicted of the offences on that day. "Commute the sentences of the following individuals convicted of offences related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, to time served as of January 20, 2025: Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson, Thomas Caldwell, Jessica Watkins, Roberto Minuta, Edward Vallejo, David Moerschel, Joseph Hackett, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, Dominic Pezzola, Jeremy Bertino," the statement read. "Grant a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offences related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021," it added. They were also part of an organisation called the "Oath Keepers and Proud Boys." Casting the rioters as "patriots" and "hostages", Trump claimed they were unfairly treated by the Justice Department that also charged him with federal crimes in two cases he contends were politically motivated. Meanwhile, the White House statement further stated that the attorney general will administer and effectuate the immediate issuance of certificates of pardon for the individuals who were granted the full pardon and were immediately released from prison. In 2021, thousands of angry Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol and clashed with police, resulting in multiple injuries and forcing a delay in the constitutional process to affirm Joe Biden's victory in the presidential election. More than 1,200 people have been convicted in the riot, including approximately 250 people convicted of assault charges. United States President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order to withdraw from the ambitious Paris Agreement on Climate Change, a fulfilment of a campaign promise. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump throws a pen after he signed executive orders on the inauguration day of Trump's second Presidential term, inside Capital One Arena, in Washington, DC on January 20, 2025. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters I am immediately withdrawing from the unfair one-sided Paris climate accord, Trump said before signing the executive order at an inauguration event at Washington's Capital One arena. Notably Trump had withdrawn from the Paris Agreement immediately after his first inauguration in January 2017. Joe Biden reversed that decision later. Trump also signed an executive order beginning the process of withdrawing America from the World Health Organisation, the second time in less than five years that the US has ordered to withdraw from the world body. The World Health Organisation (WHO) came under intense criticism from Trump in 2020 for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which grew into a worldwide health crisis during the final year of his first term. The Paris Agreement places unfair economic burdens on American workers, businesses, and taxpayers. It hampers the economic and national security of the United States while allowing the world's leading polluters such as China to continue to pollute, according to the Trump team. Describing it as a one-sided agreement, Trump said the United States will not sabotage its own industries while China pollutes with impunity. China, I mean, look, they use a lot of dirty energy, but they produce a lot of energy and when that stuff goes up in the air, you know, it doesn't stay there, he said. It's not like you got a wall. We love walls, don't we? Not like you have a wall around and it floats into the United States of America after three and a half to five and a half days. It floats across the oceans and it comes right over your neighbourhood and it falls into your neighbourhood. So, they all say we have to fight for cleaner air, but the other dirty air is dropping all over us, so what the hell are they talking about, Trump said. Unless everybody does it, it just doesn't work. We had the cleanest air and the cleanest water that this country has ever had under the Trump administration, and we didn't do anything to stop jobs and stop production, he added. The executive order says that the United States Ambassador to the United Nations shall immediately submit formal written notification of its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The US will consider its withdrawal from the Agreement and any attendant obligations to be effective immediately upon this provision of notification. It is the policy of my Administration to put the interests of the United States and the American people first in the development and negotiation of any international agreements with the potential to damage or stifle the American economy. These agreements must not unduly or unfairly burden the United States, the executive order says. Observing that the US must grow its economy and maintain jobs for its citizens, the executive order said over decades, with the help of sensible policies that do not encumber private-sector activity, the United States has simultaneously grown its economy, raised worker wages, increased energy production, reduced air and water pollution, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The United States' successful track record of advancing both economic and environmental objectives should be a model for other countries, it said. In recent years, the United States has purported to join international agreements and initiatives that do not reflect our country's values or our contributions to the pursuit of economic and environmental objectives. Moreover, these agreements steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people, said the executive order. PTI LKJ This is Trump's second attempt to withdraw the US from the WHO. In July 2020, he sent a letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus notifying him of the US intention to withdraw within a year. Trump accused the WHO at the time of helping China mislead the world about the spread of Covid-19. But Trump was defeated in that year's election, and when President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, he reversed Trump's decision. This time, Trump will still be in office when the withdrawal would go into effect. The Executive Order also calls for establishing directorates and coordinating mechanisms within the National Security Council apparatus as he deems necessary and appropriate to safeguard public health and fortify biosecurity. -- By Lalit K Jha Washington, DC US President Donald Trump has said that he would have chosen Usha Chilukuri Vance, JD Vance's wife, as his Vice President as "she is smarter but the line of succession did not work that way". IMAGE: US President-elect Donald Trump greets US Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance at a service at St John's Church ahead of the inauguration of his second presidential term, Washington, DC, January 20, 2025. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters Usha, 39, on Monday, became the first Indian-American and Hindu Second Lady after her husband JD was sworn in as the 50th Vice President of the US. At the inauguration ceremony, Usha in a pink coat, held the Bible in one hand and their daughter Mirabel Rose in the other, as Vance placed his left hand on the religious text, and raising his right hand took the oath of office. As a lawyer who is the daughter of Indian immigrants -- her parents' ancestral village is Vadluru in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh -- Usha is also one of the youngest second ladies assuming the position. She is the youngest second lady since 38-year-old Jane Hadley Barkley, the wife of former President Harry Truman's Vice President Alben Barkley. After Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States with JD as his deputy, the 78-year-old Republican addressed a crowd in the overflow room, calling them "beautiful". Trump praised his team, especially JD, for his successful re-election bid. "I watch JD over a period of time. I endorsed him in Ohio. He was a great senator and a very, very smart one," said Trump, but added, "The only one smarter is his wife". This reference made everyone around the hall laugh. Trump then looked at JD and said, "I would have chosen her but somehow the line of succession didn't work that way, right?" But, Trump did not elaborate on the "line of succession" comment. "She is great and he is great. This a great, beautiful couple and an unbelievable career," he continued. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a mentor to Usha, administered the oath to her husband JD. Usha had clerked for Supreme Court justices Kavanaugh and John Roberts. Her rise as second lady comes as Indian Americans have become more politically active during recent election cycles and have stood as candidates on the national stage, including several who ran for president in 2024, the Hill reported. "My background is very different from JD's," she said at the Republican National Convention in July. "I grew up in San Diego, in a middle-class community with two loving parents, both immigrants from India, and a wonderful sister. That JD and I could meet at all, let alone fall in love and marry, is a testament to this great country." Usha is Hindu, raised by Indian immigrant parents in California. Her husband credits her with helping him return to his faith. Vance told the Megyn Kelly Show podcast in 2020: "If I maybe get a little bit too cocky or a little too proud, I just remind myself that she is way more accomplished than I am. People don't realise just how brilliant she is." Usha and Vance met at Yale Law School while studying and later married in 2014 in Kentucky. The ceremony was blessed by a Hindu priest at a different event, according to a New York Times profile. The Vances have three children: sons Ewan and Vivek, and a daughter named Mirabel. After Vance was chosen as Trump's running mate, Usha's Hindu roots soon became the talk of the town. Vance has said on several occasions that his wife is not a Christian but was very supportive of deepening his faith. Asked about the challenges of an interfaith marriage, Usha said, "There are a lot of things that we just agree on, I think, especially when it comes to family life, how to raise our kids. And so I think the answer really is, we just talk a lot." BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. We need a European arms industry which is able to develop major projects together as it is already done in the field of battle tanks and fighter jets, Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germany, said in his special address during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trend reports. It is my objective that every European procurer can enter existing contracts and the development of arms needs to be pursued together, he said. Scholz went on to add that isolation comes at the expense of prosperity. We are going to defend the free trade as a basis of our prosperity together with our partners. We discussed this with our partners in the European Union and the European Commission and tomorrow I will travel to Paris to talk to Emmanuel Macron. Europe relies and focuses on a free, fair, global trade and we're not alone. The fact that the negotiations between the EU and the states of the Mercosur about a free trade agreement have come to a conclusion after 25 years and this underlines this message. Just like the political conclusion of the modernized agreement with Mexico last Friday was a success for Europe and for Mexico. Less tariffs, that means more trade, more competition and lower prices, said the German chancellor. Speaking of competition, Scholz said that Europe and Germany have to make an effort to become more competitive and not solely as a reaction to development in China or the presidential elections in the US. No, because the world and globalization as a whole have changed fundamentally. We've seen the rise of serious competitors in all parts of the world, in Asia, Africa and the South of America. That doesn't mean that we should engage to undercut competition according to the motto who pays the lowest wages or who has the lowest environmental and social standards. But if we want to preserve as Europeans, if we want to preserve our prosperity, we need to keep the technological edge and establish it anew. Quantum, semiconductors, pharma, bio and climate technologies, these are key technologies and sectors that are needed in Germany being an industrialized nation, he added. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn BRATTLEBORO Voters may be asked to weigh in on hosting an overdose prevention center in town, and if ordinances should be created on acceptable community conduct and recouping costs from owners of properties requiring a high level of response from law enforcement. On Tuesday, Jan. 21,Today, the board will consider warnings for annual Town Meeting on March 4 and Representative Town Meeting on March 22. A special meeting may be held Jan. 28 to approve the warnings. Jill Stahl Tyler, a candidate for Select Board, circulated a petition for a community-wide vote on whether to advise the Vermont Legislature that "any establishment and/or operation of any safe injection site in the town of Brattleboro be subject to an affirmative vote by the town of Brattleboro voters." At deadline Thursday, the petition lacked the number of signatures needed to require the board to include the article on the warning. The board still has the option to include the article on the March 4 warning. Earlier this month, Stahl Tyler asked the board to put the item on the ballot. "They did not take it up immediately, but could take it up at the next meeting," she said in an email to the Reformer. She spoke in support of the article at the Real Progress meeting at the American Legion hosted by Hank Poitras of "Planet Hank." To get it on the ballot, 464 signatures were needed. Stahl Tyler said law passed in Vermont in June states what an overdose prevention center is, and "lays out legal immunity; gives funding to Burlington; establishes what must be reported back out from the center statistically; says that existing needle exchange sites can become overdose prevention centers." "While I do not interpret the law as many do that 'only Burlington' can have a safe injection site without more legislation the fact still remains that the state of Vermont has passed a law to establish this in Burlington," she said. "I spoke with a lot of people about this, and the first thing everyone said was, 'Well, the town always gets to tell the state no; its in the law.' That phrasing is not in the law. It was in the law in the first iterations. It disappeared in the last version that was passed." Stahl Tyler said a new section in the bill appeared suddenly, stating that any existing needle exchange program can become an overdose prevention center as long as it follows rules established in the law. She noted Brattleboro has a needle exchange. "Towns should have the right to choose whether their communities have safe injection sites in them," she said, adding that her "request does not even pass judgement on whether a safe injection site is good or bad. I am only asking that we, as voters, get to tell the state what we think." Sen. Nader Hashim, D-Windham County, said a few senators want to see towns have an opt-in option available when it comes to determining if an overdose prevention center will be established in their boundaries. "The research I've looked at has stated that town buy-in and support is an important component when considering the establishment of an OPC, so I do support having the opt-in option," he said in an email response to the Reformer. "I've received various reports about what the current law does or doesn't allow, so a clarification will be introduced to make sure the policy is clear and we can hopefully move on." Representative Town Meeting rescinds Acceptable Community Conduct Ordinance BRATTLEBORO In a 76-55 vote, Representative Town Meeting rescinded the Acceptable Communit Board members also will discuss if they should seek feedback on two items that were repealed when the acceptable community conduct ordinance was overturned at a special Representative Town Meeting in December. One potential article seeks to advise the board about "voter interest in an ordinance that defines acceptable conduct in the downtown," the memo states. Another "seeks the same for properties in town with a high level of enforcement response, excluding domestic violence response. This pair of articles is provided for consideration in response to a request from a Select Board member." Another potential article requested by a board member could ask voters to advise RTM to "consider reducing human services funding." Another asks about potentially reducing the item for fiscal year 2026 contribution from "up to 2 percent ($461,276) to up to 1 percent ($230,638) of the FY25 budget, and to include the same amount ($230,638) as guidance for the FY27 budget." Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Now, its been 15 years. Most of the girls that are coming in here today dont know anything about Jessica, said Debbie Bolognani. But, she BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. Russia is prepared to provide the necessary assistance to normalize relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, said Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Trend reports. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. "Regional security plays a significant role in our actions regarding the South Caucasus direction. We are ready to assist in the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan across all tracks, in line with the bilateral agreements reached between the leaders of the three countries in the years 2020 to 2022. We believe these agreements remain relevant, especially in light of the current situation in the region," stated Lavrov. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Yasaman crossed more than half a dozen countries on foot, bus, and boat and paid thousands of dollars to smugglers to reach Mexico. Yasaman, an Afghan woman whose name has been changed to protect her identity, believed she was within touching distance of realizing her dream: entering the United States. But her hopes came crashing down on January 20, when new U.S. President Donald Trump declared an emergency on the southern border with Mexico as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration. As part of the executive order, U.S. authorities shut down the CBP One mobile app -- the only legal way for migrants to make an appointment with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, request asylum, and enter the country legally. "I don't know what to do now," said Yasaman, who arrived in Mexico in November 2024. "I'm waiting [for] what Trump will decide next about migrants." Yasaman, speaking by telephone from Mexico, said she received a notification on January 20 that read: "Existing appointments scheduled through CBP One are no longer valid." The shutdown of the app will affect thousands of migrants, including Afghans, hoping to enter the United States legally. Around 1 million appointments had been scheduled through CBP One since it was introduced in January 2023. Not Happy In Brazil Mexico has been a relatively new route for thousands of Afghan migrants seeking a new, better life in the United States. RFE/RL contacted the United Nations refugee agency and the Mexican migration authorities to find out how many U.S.-bound Afghan migrants are currently in Mexico. We have not received a response. An Afghan migrant who spoke to RFE/RL from the southern Mexican city of Tapachula estimated there were up to 1,500 people from Afghanistan in that city alone. Karimullah, whose name has been changed over privacy concerns, said Afghan migrants live in rented apartments, relying on the "limited amount of money" they have brought from Afghanistan or borrow from their relatives abroad. "Families go hungry for days while waiting for money from relatives," he said. A former civil rights activist, Karimullah fled Afghanistan after the hard-line Taliban returned to power in August 2021. After running out of money to pay for food and rent and as she was still waiting to get an appointment through CBP One, Yasaman got a job as a kitchen helper at a restaurant in the capital, Mexico City. Like many other Afghan migrants in Mexico, both Karimullah and Yasaman had already been offered asylum in other safe countries -- in their case Brazil, which has issued thousands of humanitarian visas for Afghan nationals since 2021. Asked by RFE/RL why they didn't want to stay in Brazil, where they had been given free accommodation and food, both Karimullah and Yasaman said they did not see a "good future" there due to a lack of jobs and other opportunities. Instead, many Afghans pay money to people-smugglers to take them through Bolivia, Peru, Equador, Colombia, Panama, and other countries to reach the U.S.-Mexico border. 'Life For Immigrants Not What It Used To Be' Some cross the border illegally. Ehsan Khan, a 26-year-old former driver from Kabul, entered the United States illegally in November 2024, hoping to get settled in the country before Trump closes the U.S. borders. After spending two months at an immigration detention facility, Khan was released on January 11 with an electronic ankle bracelet for authorities to monitor his movements. Speaking from San Diego by phone, Khan told RFE/RL that Afghan migrants should think twice before coming to the United States, because "the life in America for immigrants is not what it used to be." Khan did not give details of his new life in the United States but said it isn't worth the traumatic journey he had through Honduras and Guatemala, where he said he "was beaten by thieves who demanded money" and witnessed his best friend drown in the sea. "I saw my friend screaming for help as he drowned and I looked helplessly. I wanted to jump into the water, but I knew I couldn't swim. His parents often call me from Kabul and ask about him, and we cry," Khan said. Back in Mexico City, Yasaman is determined to enter the United States "by any means, legally or illegally." "I don't have a life or home in Afghanistan to go back to," Yasaman said. "I see my future only in America." Russian forces have carried out more than 2,100 aerial strikes on Ukraine over the past week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on March 9, as Russia has stepped up attacks on its neighbor and reported battlefield gains ahead of Kyiv's high-stakes talks with US representatives in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine Invasion: News & Analysis RFE/RL's Ukraine Live Briefing gives you the latest developments on Russia's invasion, Western military aid, the plight of civilians, and territorial control maps. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. It comes as US President Donald Trump questioned the long-term viability of Ukraine itself. When asked in a Fox Business TV interview whether he was worried that decreased US support for Ukraine could endanger that country's survival, he responded: "Well, it may not survive anyway." "But, you know, we have some weaknesses with Russia -- you know, it takes two," Trump added. Zelenskyy said in a social media post that Russian forces this week deployed 1,200 guided aerial bombs, nearly 870 attack drones, and more than 80 missiles of various types. The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, announced the recapture of several villages and towns on March 9 in its Kursk region -- as well as new settlements in eastern Ukraine -- with unconfirmed reports that thousands of Ukrainian troops risk being encircled by Russian forces. It comes a day after Russian air strikes killed at least 50 people in the eastern Donetsk region, according to local officials, with at least 11 deaths reported in the city of Dobropillya. "Such strikes show that Russia's goals are unchanged," Zelenskyy wrote on social media late on March 8. "Therefore, it is very important to continue to do everything to protect life, strengthen our air defense, and increase sanctions against Russia. The series of strikes and battlefield pressure represent another setback for Kyiv ahead of crucial talks with the United States next week in Saudi Arabia, where Ukrainian officials will meet with their US counterparts for negotiations around how to end the three-year war. The Institute For The Study of War, a Washington-based think tank that tracks battlefield developments, said Russian forces have "intensified their multidirectional campaign to eliminate the remaining Ukrainian salient in Kursk" in the last two days. According to DeepState, an open-source military tracker linked to the Ukrainian Army, the Russian moves followed a "breach" in Ukrainian defense lines near the town of Sudzha, which remains under Kyiv's control but is facing growing pressure from Russian units. Pro-Russian war bloggers who closely track frontline developments in the war also reported that Russian special forces walked inside a gas pipeline to strike Ukrainian units from the rear in Kursk late on March 8 to gain a foothold outside of Sudzha. According to the reports, the pipeline was used to surprise Ukrainian units and cut off their supply lines as the Kremlin pours more manpower into kicking Kyiv out of Russian territory. RFE/RL was not able to independently verify the accounts, but Ukrainian officials confirmed that Russian "sabotage and assault groups" used the pipeline to get access to Sudzha. "At present, Russian special forces are being detected, blocked, and destroyed. The enemy's losses in Sudzha are very high," Ukraine's General Staff said in a Telegram post on March 8. Ukraine aimed to hit back by launching a drone overnight at an industrial facility in the Russian region of Chuvashia, some 1,300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The strike is one of the deepest yet into Russian territory by a Ukrainian drone, and it hit its target but caused no casualties, according to Russian authorities. Ousting Ukrainian forces from Kursk with the talks in Saudi Arabia approaching looks to be part of Moscow's strategy. In August 2024, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers seized roughly 1,300 square kilometers of Russia's western Kursk region, a move which Kyiv later characterized as an attempt to gain a bargaining chip for future negotiations and draw Russian troops away from the front line in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces have managed to claw back large chunks of territory in Kursk, but Ukraine has retained a foothold that now risks being shrunk down further leading into the key talks. Ukraine 'Fully Committed' To US Talks With his attention fixed on the upcoming talks, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is "fully committed" to having a constructive dialogue with US representatives in Saudi Arabia next week over a potential peace settlement. "Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war. Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively," he posted on X. The Ukrainian president said he will travel to Saudi Arabia and meet with Saudi Prince Muhammad bin Salman on March 10. Afterward, a delegation of Ukrainian diplomatic and military representatives will stay for a March 11 meeting with a US negotiating team. "On our side, we are fully committed to constructive dialogue, and we hope to discuss and agree on the necessary decisions and steps," Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy will not be part of the US-Ukraine talks, which will instead be done by a delegation including Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. They will meet with a US delegation that will reportedly include Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and national-security adviser Mike Waltz. Rubio departed for Saudi Arabia late on March 9, the State Department said. In remarks late on March 9, Trump told reporters he expects results from the Saudi talks. "We're going to make a lot of progress, I believe, this week," Trump said. The upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia are the culmination of weeks of tough diplomacy and negotiations spearheaded by Washington since it met with a Russian delegation in Riyadh in February. US-Ukraine ties have since frayed, with tensions culminating in an Oval Office argument in late February between Zelenskyy, Trump, and US Vice President JD Vance that saw the Ukrainian president leave the White House without signing a crucial minerals deal with Washington. Since then, the Trump administration has paused military shipments and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. The full extent of the intelligence cutoff is unclear, but it has sparked fears that it could lead to Ukrainian setbacks on the front lines as Russia looks to press for the advantage. In his March 9 remarks to reporters, Trump said he believed Ukraine would eventually sign a minerals deal with the United States. But -- amid reports he would want even more actions out of Kyiv -- Trump added that "I want them to want peace. They haven't shown it to the extent they should." European countries like Britain and France have stepped up to provide more intelligence sharing with Ukraine but are reportedly still not able to replace the full scope of US capabilities. Waltz suggested on March 5 that Trump may lift the pause on military aid once peace negotiations are arranged and confidence-building measures take place. When asked on March 9 whether he would end the suspension of intelligence-sharing with Kyiv, Trump said, without elaborating, that "we just about have. We just about have." In the days leading up to the talks, Trump offered criticism of Moscow's increased attacks on Ukraine in the lead up to talks and mentioned potential sanctions against the Kremlin. But he also said Russian President Vladimir Putin was doing what anybody would do" and he told reporters in the Oval Office on March 7 that he finds it "easier" to work with Russia than Ukraine and that Putin "wants to end the war." Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods. I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I'm assessing the chances that Transdniester could abandon Russia and rejoin Moldova. The Briefing: Is It Time For Transdniester And Moldova To Reunite? What You Need To Know: When speaking to European officials and diplomats about predictions for 2025, there has been one rather surprising forecast that keeps popping up. And that is the possibility of the reintegration of the breakaway region of Transdniester with Moldova. The EU's optimism is broadly due to three factors: EU enlargement, the war in Ukraine, and Russia's flagging interest. Officials from Moldova, however, are still decidedly cautious given that the separatist enclave on the left bank of the Dniester River has around 1,500 troops with Russian passports on its soil and has governed its own affairs, with Moscow's backing, since the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s. In fact, officials in Moldova, across the Dniester, are more concerned that the ongoing energy crisis currently affecting the enclave will lead to a more Kremlin-friendly government in Chisinau later this year, allowing Russia to consolidate its military presence there. Following the suspension of Russian natural gas supplies on January 1 due to the expiration of a contract with Ukraine, Moldova and Transdniester have had to cope without gas, heating, and hot water. Deep Background: It is clear that Moldova is edging closer to the EU. There are high hopes, both in Brussels and Chisinau, that accession talks on up to seven policy chapters -- the areas of EU law that must be aligned before a country can join the bloc -- out of 33 can start in the coming months. Last week, the new EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said that she believed that up to three EU candidate countries could be ready for membership by 2029. Moldova is almost certainly one of those three. Many officials in Brussels are incredibly eager that at least one eastern country joins the bloc, if only to keep the enlargement fire burning. With Georgia backsliding politically and Ukraine still grappling with war, and with the EU still needing to undergo painful reforms in order to accept a large new member, Moldova appears to be very well positioned for now. In Moldova's favor, there is also the fact that no other EU member states have voiced any opposition to the country joining, unlike, for example, Slovak and Hungarians qualms about Ukraine. Then there is the war in Ukraine. Although Russia is continuing to make progress in its war there, its forces are severely stretched. Some of its troops in Transdniester might be needed elsewhere for the Kremlin's war effort. (One caveat is that Russian troops in Transdniester tend to be locally recruited and thus potentially reluctant to fight for Russia.) And does Russia even want to hang on to Transdniester? After the havoc in Romania in November 2024, when an alleged Russian influence operation led to the first round of the presidential election being annulled, the question is if it wouldn't make sense for Moscow to let Transdniester rejoin the rest of Moldova. If Transdniester was absorbed, the 350,000 Russian-speaking and Russia-leaning people would most likely tilt the scales away from the current, razor-thin pro-Western consensus in Moldova. The thinking here, according to officials and diplomats I spoke to in Brussels, is that it simply would be cheaper and more efficient for Moscow to destabilize Moldova this way than the burden of financing and propping up the breakaway region. Drilling Down The main test now for all sides is the gas crisis. Russia maintains that Moldova owes it more than $700 million in unpaid gas debts, whereas Chisinau has countered that it doesn't have any outstanding payments to make and that the whole issue is a "false trigger." Speaking to international media earlier this month, including RFE/RL, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean noted that Russia wanted "to artificially create a humanitarian crisis in the region by instability and eventually influence the parliamentary elections in Moldova later this year." The question now is which narrative will prevail in Transdniester, with Russia pushing the view that Chisinau, Ukraine, and the West are responsible for the energy shortages. For Transdniestrians, the crisis could convince them that Moscow isn't particularly interested in their well-being. Moreover, the swift Russian abandonment of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria could sound the alarm that Moscow's allies can be dispensed with rather quickly. Understanding how people in Transdniester view the current geopolitical situation is not easy, with Moldovan officials admitting that it is difficult to "penetrate" the information space in the breakaway region. And Russia could still emerge as the savior if it decided to resume gas flows soon. The leader of the breakaway region has been in Moscow recently and promised people in Transdniester that limited "humanitarian deliveries" will start soon -- and, crucially, not via Ukraine. What isn't clear, though, is how Russian gas would get to Transdniester. If it doesn't come through Ukraine, then it has to go via Moldova proper. The most likely alternative route for Russian gas would be via Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, and then Moldova. Such a route would also give Moldova the upper hand, not only in terms of potential earnings from transit fees but also giving it the ability to control gas flowing to the left bank. Romania is also a key player here, indicating that it is against allowing Russian gas through its territory. If Moscow wants to be Transdniester's savior, it might, in the end, be forced to buy gas on the EU market, which could prove costly. The latest from Transdniester is that the region's de-facto leadership is ready to get gas from Chisinau. It is not clear, though, when such deliveries could happen or who will pay. Another option to alleviate the energy crisis is not gas but coal, a solution that wouldn't be particularly beneficial for Russia. The coal used by power plants in Transdniester comes from eastern Ukraine, largely from an area which is now under Kremlin control. The heavy fighting in the area has made mining considerably more difficult, and it could take a while to get exports going. Plus, EU sanctions imposed on Moscow might mean that importing coal from Russian-controlled Ukraine is not even possible. What could convince Transdniestrians that they're better off aligning with Moldova is the fact that, so far, Chisinau has managed to avoid any power cuts. It largely did that by reducing its dependence on the Kurchugan power plant in Transdniester, which was operating on Russian gas, and, instead, importing electricity and gas from Romania. While that will cost the Moldovan government more, it is being helped by a 1.8 billion euros ($1.8 billion) financial aid package from Brussels. In a January 6 briefing for foreign media, Prime Minister Recean confirmed that these subsidies will cover the coldest period, from January to March, for residents of Moldova. In his comments to the press, Recean reiterated Moldova's long-standing objective of the "full reintegration of the country through peaceful means." Moldovan officials have repeatedly noted that reintegration can only start with the withdrawal of Russian troops and the introduction of an UN-mandated civilian peacekeeping mission. In Moldova, any possible reintegration remains a highly sensitive topic due to what are likely to be tightly contested parliamentary elections in the summer. But with the issue being discussed, it does offer Chisinau the opportunity to test the waters of reintegration. More people in Transdniester than ever before benefit from Moldovan pensions, schooling, and medical assistance, and there has also been an uptick of labor movement across the Dniester. It is also worth noting that the alignment of Moldova's and Transdniester's fiscal and customs policies has meant that 70 percent of the breakaway region's foreign trade is with countries of the EU -- and that could only increase if Moldova moves closer to the bloc. Looking Ahead The European Parliament plenary session begins this week and the chamber is expected to debate issues such as the geopolitical implications of the new U.S. presidency of Donald Trump, the latest developments in Georgia, the damage to Baltic Sea underwater cables, the alleged spying by the Hungarian government on EU institutions, and the continued crackdown on opposition and civil society activists in Belarus. That's all for this week! Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on Twitter @RikardJozwiak, or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org. Until next time, Rikard Jozwiak If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition subscribe here. TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Attacks on strategic undersea telecom cables off the coast of Taiwan are not new, but when one was suspected of being severed off its northern coast by a Chinese-owned ship in early January, it fit a growing pattern. Just a few weeks earlier, a Russian-flagged ship had cut an electricity cable running between Finland and Estonia in the Baltic Sea. That followed several similar developments in the Baltic involving Chinese-flagged ships harming undersea infrastructure, including severing fiber-optic cables in November and damaging a gas pipeline in October 2023. For Gabrielius Landsbergis, who served as Lithuanias foreign minister until December, the string of incidents highlights how the dividing lines between simmering tensions with the West and Russia over the war in Ukraine are blurring with Chinas aggression in the South China Sea as it claims the self-ruled island of Taiwan as its own. There shouldnt be any doubt that Russia is behind these incidents in the Baltic, Landsbergis told RFE/RL in an interview as he visited Taiwan. For China, there is no clear attribution, but if it wanted to build up pressure on Taiwan through a shadow war by cutting cables, there are lessons to learn about that from Moscow. While China has supported Russia diplomatically since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, helped its economy, and bolstered its war effort by supplying dual-use technology for the battlefield, the prospect of growing coordination between Beijing and Moscow represents a new challenge for the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. "China is trying to create a new normal around Taiwan, Chiu Chui-cheng, the minister of Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council, the body that spearheads relations with Beijing, told RFE/RL. Beijings goal is to shrink the buffer zone between us and make it that much easier for it to escalate, if it decides to. The recent cable incident is the latest of what Chiu says has been a steady uptick in such events -- ranging from new military exercises intended to simulate a blockade of the island to a threefold increase in suspected Chinese espionage cases -- meant to lay the groundwork for future moves against Taiwan. We dont see these as accidents, we see them as strategy, he said, referring to an increase in incidents targeting undersea infrastructure around Taiwan in recent years. Living In The 'Gray Zone' Fears over a potential Chinese invasion are far from the surface of everyday life in Taiwans lush, urban capital. But the realities of these shifting dynamics are also setting in. During his campaign, Trump said that Taiwan doesnt pay enough for its own defense and raised doubts over the level of U.S. support in the event of a Chinese invasion. For the islands policymakers, thats raised concerns that severing underseas cables as part of so-called gray zone operations -- the term often used by Taiwanese officials to refer to the hybrid tactics used to intimidate the island but which remain below the threshold for war -- will make it harder to defend against Chinese aggression should it escalate to an outright attack. China has denied involvement in the January cable damage in Taiwan and investigations into the incidents in the Baltic Sea are still under way. While these cable episodes highlight the vulnerability of crucial offshore infrastructure and the difficulties in prosecuting sabotage, analysts say that they are part of a worrying new security climate in frontline areas near Ukraine and Taiwan that could easily escalate in the coming years as Trump takes office. These hybrid tactics that were seeing from China and Russia are meant to create favorable conditions for them if an opening presents itself to carry out a larger move, Sari Arho Havren, an associate fellow at London's Royal United Services Institute, told RFE/RL. It seems there is also a desire to signal some red lines to Washington as Trump comes into office. A New Normal While Trump has vowed to quickly end the war in Ukraine, the risk of tensions between Beijing and Taipei escalating into a conflict appears to be rising. U.S. officials have warned in recent years that China is preparing for a potential invasion of Taiwan, a call echoed by Senator Marco Rubio, Trumps pick for secretary of state, during his January 15 U.S. Senate confirmation hearing. We need to wrap our head around the fact that unless something dramatic changes, like an equilibrium [between China and Taiwan], where they conclude that the costs of intervening in Taiwan are too high, we're going to have to deal with this before the end of this decade," Rubio said. Added to the rise in hybrid encounters and growing tensions is stepped-up military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow. Recently, Chinese and Russian bombers have flown exercises near Alaska, conducted naval drills together off the coast of South Africa, and carried out live fire exercises in the South China Sea. The joint war games are part of a pattern of more than a decade of enhanced military coordination and one of the more visible expressions of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinpings alignment, which is held together by a shared desire to counterbalance the United States. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based think tank, has recorded 102 joint war games, multilateral military drills, or patrols from 2003 to the end of July 2024. Since then, an additional four exercises involving China and Russia have occurred. According to CSIS data, their militaries held at least four and as many as 10 joint drills each year between 2014 and 2023. The two countries carried out 11 exercises together in 2024. U.S. policymakers have repeatedly warned in recent years about the risks posed by China and Russias growing partnership -- from economic support to growing military cooperation -- with one congressionally mandated report describing China and Russias deepening alignment as the most significant strategic development in recent years. As a military planner, you need to prepare for the worst-case scenario, which is Russia and China teaming up in a major way, said Elizabeth Wishnick, a senior researcher at the Center for Naval Analyses who studies Chinese foreign policy. Taken together, the trend raises difficult questions for the Trump administration and other U.S. policymakers who have long factored how to deal with each nuclear-armed power separately, but now must plan for the risk of dealing with both, especially how China and Russia could act together in any potential future conflict in Europe or the Asia-Pacific. Its still unclear how this would all play out and this isnt a true military alliance, said Wishnick. But within the contours of where Beijing and Moscow like their cooperation to be, its growing. Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, pledging to be a "peacemaker." "We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into," he said. The remarks address hopes and fears in the world's biggest conflict zones. For Ukrainians, enduring a third year of brutal conflict following Russia's full-scale invasion, peace is sorely desired. Likewise, across the Middle East, there will be many people hoping for an end to conflict. But Trump did not provide any details of how peace will be achieved and maintained. Ukraine Reaction Congratulating Trump on social media, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote that Trump's "peace through strength policy" was a chance to "strengthen American leadership and achieve a long-term and just peace, which is the top priority." This is how Zelenskiy would like to frame Trump as peacemaker: enabling Ukraine to enter talks from a position of U.S.-supplied strength. But in his address, Trump voiced criticism of the previous administration for "unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders." Trump: 'That's What I Want To Be: A Peacemaker And A Unifier' No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:42 0:00 There's concern in Ukraine that Trump's arrival could weaken Ukraine by withholding military support and force it into a peace on unfavorable terms. "Everyone is very tired of [the war], but I don't really expect him to be a magician and turn it all into a fairy tale," a woman in Zaporizhzhya told RFE/RL a few hours before the inauguration. Putin: Open To Dialogue Comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin underlined these fears. Speaking at a meeting of his National Security Council, Putin said he was open to dialogue with the new U.S. administration on ending the Ukraine conflict, based on a lasting peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people. These words will ring hollow in Ukraine, where Putin launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. He still lays claim to huge areas of Ukrainian territory, including parts that his forces have not occupied. In the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted Trump's inauguration by voicing hope that "we will complete the defeat of Iran's terror axis." Trump Is Sworn In No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:58 0:00 Trump's comments about being a peacemaker were accompanied by a reference to the war in Gaza. "I'm pleased to say that as of yesterday, one day before I assumed office, the hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families," he said. This was the first stage of the cease-fire deal that brought a pause to 15-months of conflict between Israel and Hamas, listed as a terrorist organization by Washington. It's unclear whether the shaky deal will hold. Likewise, it's unclear how the new administration will approach further planned talks. On this, as on Ukraine, Trump did not add any details. But this was an inaugural address, not a policy statement. The days and weeks that follow may put flesh on the bones. For now, Trump has offered a first glimpse of how he intends to redefine U.S. foreign policy. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 21. One-day national mourning has been declared in Turkiye, the President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said at a press conference following a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, Trend reports. The head of state expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the fire. To note, the death toll from the fire has reached 66 people, while 51 others have been injured. The fire occurred last night at about 03:30 local time on the fourth floor of an 11-storey building. Thirty fire engines and 28 ambulances were dispatched to the scene. According to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin, the cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but it is believed that the fire broke out on the floor where the restaurant was located. At the time of the incident, 234 guests were in the hotel. An investigation has been launched into the fire. Among those detained are the hotel owner and three employees. Staff shortages and waiting lists remain a feature of early years and school age care settings in County Roscommon, which cater for 2,800 children, according to Early Childhood Ireland. The latest Pobal Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey revealed that in County Roscommon there were 46 children under the age of 1 on creche waiting lists and no places available for them; 160 children aged 1-2 years on waiting lists and just one place available; and 162 children aged 2-3 years on waiting lists and 20 places available. Early childhood Ireland is calling on the Government to address these challenges with the first step being to set a date to bring early years and school age care graduates into the public pay system. Recruitment and retention of staff continues to be one of the main issues faced by the organisations 51 member settings in County Roscommon. The latest available data shows that the average staff turnover stands at 16.4%. We welcome the focus on access to early years and school age care for all children, but without proper pay and conditions for staff, there simply will not be enough educators available to care for those children, said Frances Byrne Director of Policy at Early Childhood Ireland. Ms Byrne continued: Guaranteeing parity of pay and conditions for graduates will not only offer staff deserved recognition but also go a long way to alleviating the capacity issues in the system, and ultimately support affordability for parents in Roscommon. According to the organisation, a five-year plan and a new investment target is also crucial to building a system that is of high quality, sufficient capacity, and that is inclusive of all children. Ms Byrne said: There is broad political support for increased investment. With a new five-year programme being shaped, now is the time for the incoming government to propose a plan which outlines the level of funding which will be made available each year, along with clear annual priorities. Early Childhood Ireland is calling on the next government to build on the progress made in the last five years by putting in place the steps needed to guarantee access to a high-quality, equitable system for every child in every family in Roscommon. The World Econonic Forum (WEF) got underway on Monday and Donald Trump, who has been sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, will address the meeting virtually on Thursday. However, the Irish Governments attendance at the annual summit in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos will be lighter than usual because of the busy political schedule at home. While Taoiseach Simon Harris is on the official list of attendees of the WEF, Wednesdays Dail vote for a new taoiseach will preclude him from attending. Up to 50 top executives are, however, expected to attend the IDA-hosted dinner in the Grischa hotel on Wednesday evening. Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke will lead the IDA engagement with global chief executives of existing multinationals already in Ireland, as well as meet with bosses of potential future FDI companies and international leaders. Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Burke said he wanted to highlight the Irish economy as "strong and vibrant" and one that is "well placed to manage external shocks." He added: "I welcome the opportunity to engage with leading multinational companies, as well as leading policymakers and influential economic thinkers at the World Economic Forum in support of retaining and growing the FDI base across Ireland, and driving further innovation across our island. "In particular, I will be highlighting how our educated and talented workforce can make a unique contribution to innovation and development." Meanwhile, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy will also attend Davos and give a speech on Tuesday, according to the WEF organisers. Advisers to Trump concede that the Ukraine war will take months or even longer to resolve, Reuters reported on Wednesday, a sharp reality check on his pledge to strike a peace deal on his first day in the White House. Among other global leaders due to attend the Davos meeting are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. Syria, the "terrible humanitarian situation in Gaza" and the potential escalation of the conflict in the Middle East will be a focus at the gathering, according to WEF president and chief executive Borge Brende. CCTV: It was reported that in a speech on January 18, Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said that India-China ties bear on the larger prospects of both nations and of the global order. More thought needs to be given to the longer-term evolution of ties and Indias approach can be summed up in terms of the three mutuals, i.e., mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests. He also said that the emergence of a multi-polar Asia is an essential pre-requisite for a multi-polar world. Right now, India-China relationship is trying to disentangle itself from the complications arising from the post-2020 border situation. Clearly, India has to prepare for expressions of Chinas growing capabilities, and a more rapid development of Indias comprehensive national power is necessary. What is Chinas comment? Guo Jiakun: As two major time-honored civilizations, developing countries and emerging economies, China and India need to focus on development and engage in cooperation. This serves the fundamental interests of over 2.8 billion people of the two countries, meets the common aspiration of regional countries and peoples, goes along with the historical trend of the Global South growing stronger, and is conducive to peace and prosperity of the region and the wider world. The two sides need to earnestly deliver on the important common understandings reached between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in their meeting in Kazan, including that China and India are each others development opportunity rather than threat, and cooperation partner rather than competitor. We need to view and handle the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, bring the relations back to the track of healthy and stable development, and find the right path for big, neighboring countries to live in harmony and develop side by side. In global affairs, the two sides need to remain committed to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, practice true multilateralism, advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and make greater contribution to world peace, stability, development and prosperity. NBC: Marco Rubio has been confirmed as the next secretary of state under the Trump administration. Mr. Rubio was sanctioned by China in 2020. Given the obvious complications or impediment that this could pose to a meaningful US-China bilateral relationship, will China consider dropping the sanctions against Secretary of State Rubio? Guo Jiakun: China will firmly defend national interests. In the meantime, it's necessary for high-level Chinese and American officials to maintain contact in an appropriate way. Prensa Latina: US President Donald Trump returned Cuba to the list of countries sponsoring terrorism just hours after taking office. What is your opinion? Guo Jiakun: Weve noted that. Repeatedly using the so-called list of state sponsors of terrorism to impose unilateral sanctions against Cuba is completely groundless. It fully exposes the USs hegemonic, domineering and bullying nature. The US removed Cubas designation and then reinstated it just six days later, as if it were something to be toyed with. It makes people question the credibility of the US as a country. The USs full blockade on Cuba over the past six decades or so seriously violates international law and basic norms governing international relations, and has wreaked havoc on Cubas economy and peoples livelihood. China opposes the US interfering in Cubas internal affairs in the name of freedom, democracy and counterterrorism, and once again urges the US to lift its blockade against Cuba at once, remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and act in the interest of improving US-Cuba relations and keeping the Western Hemisphere peaceful and stable. The New York Times: President Trump said that he would order federal agencies to conduct a study of trade issues, but he has not immediately imposed any new tariffs on trade with China. What is Chinas reaction? Guo Jiakun: Economic cooperation and trade between China and the United States benefit both sides. Keeping business ties sound and stable serves the fundamental interests of both countries and both peoples, it is also conducive to global economic growth. China stands ready to follow the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, strengthen dialogue and communication with the US, properly manage differences, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation. We hope the US will work with us to promote the steady, sound and sustainable growth of bilateral trade and economic ties. Financial Times: Trump has told ByteDance it must hand over half of TikTok to US company or Trump will levy 100 percent tariffs on China. What is your response to that? Guo Jiakun: TikTok has operated in the US for years and been very popular with American users. It has played a positive role in boosting US employment and consumption. We hope the US will earnestly listen to the voice of reason and provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for market entities from all countries. When it comes to actions such as the operation and acquisition of businesses, we believe they should be independently decided by companies in accordance with market principles. If it involves Chinese companies, Chinas laws and regulations should be observed. Reuters: Has China invited Trump for a visit, as he said earlier today? And secondly, how important would such a visit by Trump be? Guo Jiakun: Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state and based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, China is ready to work with the new US government to maintain communication, strengthen cooperation, properly manage differences and achieve greater progress in China-US relationship from a new starting point. RT TV: On Saturday, Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar mentioned three principles of Indias approach for a balanced and constructive relationship with China: mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest. What does China think about this approach? Guo Jiakun: Your question is the same as the first question, which I answered just now. The New York Times: The White House said today that the United States would withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change. What is Chinas response? Guo Jiakun: China is concerned over the USs announcement of withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Climate change is a challenge facing all humanity, and no country can stay insulated. Chinas resolve and actions to actively respond to climate change will remain unchanged. China will work with all parties to actively address the climate challenge and promote a global green and low-carbon transition for the shared future of humanity. The New York Times: The White House also said today that the United States will withdraw from the World Health Organization. With that withdrawal, the United States also complained that China is not paying nearly as much in contributions to the World Health Organization. What is Chinas response on the US withdrawal and also on Trump administration stating that China is making a disproportionately small contribution to the World Health Organization budget? Guo Jiakun: As the authoritative and professional international organization in global public health, WHO plays a central role in coordinating global public health governance. Its role should only be strengthened rather than weakened. China will, as always, support WHO in fulfilling its duty, deepen international cooperation in public health, advance global public health governance, and promote the building of a global community of health for all. AFP: Trump also talked about the Panama Canal recently. He said that China was effectively operating the canal and he vowed to take it back into US ownership. Does the Ministry have a response to Donald Trumps comments about China with regard to the Panama Canal? Guo Jiakun: Chinas position is consistent and clear on questions related to the issue of the Panama Canal and I have nothing more to add. Bloomberg: Im wondering what the Chinese Foreign Ministrys reaction to the investigation by Trump on whether China complied with the phase-one trade deal and does China see the fact that Trump refrains from threatening China with tariffs by February 1 as a positive sign? Guo Jiakun: I answered relevant question. China-US economic and trade cooperation benefits both sides. It is also an important issue of our mutual interest. Despite all the differences and frictions, the two countries enjoy tremendous common interests and space for cooperation. The two sides can strengthen dialogue and coordination to this end. The New York Times: As a follow-up on the TikTok question, does China believe that a sale of TikTok to an American company or to a joint venture could be allowed to include the specific algorithms of TikTok, the transfer of these algorithms, to a joint-venture American company? Guo Jiakun: When it comes to actions such as the operation and acquisition of businesses, we believe they should be independently decided by companies in accordance with market principles. If it involves Chinese companies, Chinas laws and regulations should be observed. One of the most famous winners of the Miss Ukraine beauty pageant, who won the title in 2001 and represented our country at Miss World, Oleksandra Nikolaienko, was spotted at the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump. She is married to Trump's longtime friend and business partner, 89-year-old billionaire Phil Ruffin. ADVERTISIMENT The couple were honored guests at his inauguration, which took place in the Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C. On January 20, journalist Ira Solomko Bonenberger, as well as a number of other media outlets, published photos of them at the event. For the ceremony, Oleksandra chose a grey checkered outfit with a cape jacket and complemented the look with a black turtleneck, a wide belt and leather gloves of the same color. Odesa native Nikolaienko represented Ukraine at Miss World 2001 and was among the top 10 finalists. Later, she won the Miss Ukraine Universe 2004 and represented Ukraine at an international pageant in Ecuador. ADVERTISIMENT Participation in the pageant brought her into the circle of Trump, who was the owner of Miss Universe at the time. It was he who introduced Ruffin to Nikolaienko. The couple married at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's private estate in Palm Beach,in 2008. Today, the businessman is 89 years old, and his wife is 42. They have two children: son Richard William Ruffin (2010) and daughter Malena Ruffin (2013). Phil Ruffin owns the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino and Circus Circus Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, as well as other hotels, casinos, race tracks, oil and real estate, and has long been a friend of Trump's. According to the NYP, in 2018, the businessman helped Trump pay legal bills arising from the investigation into Russian interference in the US presidential election. The billionaire also financed Trump's campaign for the 2020 presidential election. His contribution amounted to $1.5 million. In April 2023, Ruffin donated $2 million to Make America Great Again. Nikolaienko herself owns an elite spa at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Paradise, which belongs to Ruffin. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Punjab '95 Release: Diljit Dosanjh's Controversial Film Faces Another Indefinite Delay Diljit Dosanjh addressed the setback via Instagram on January 20. Punjab '95 Release Latest News Today, Diljit Dosanjh Controversial Film Postponed: The much-anticipated release of Punjab 95, starring Diljit Dosanjh, has been postponed yet again, despite earlier plans for an international release without cuts on February 7, 2025. This biographical film, based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, has been embroiled in controversy and delayed for years due to significant hurdles, primarily involving the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Diljit Dosanjh addressed the setback via Instagram on January 20, stating, "We are sorry and it pains us to inform you that Punjab 95 will not release on 7th Feb due to circumstances beyond our control. The ongoing delays stem from the CBFC's request for nearly 120 cuts to the film, which delves into the alleged extrajudicial killings of Sikh youth by the Punjab Police during the 1990s. Advertisement The film's trailer, which garnered over 300,000 views within 20 hours of its release, was abruptly removed from YouTube in India, adding fuel to the controversy. Viewers attempting to access the trailer in the country were met with a message stating it was unavailable, highlighting the escalating censorship issues. Adding to the complexity, Paramjit Kaur Khalra, the widow of Jaswant Singh Khalra, has strongly opposed the CBFC's demands for edits, asserting that the film should remain unchanged to preserve the authenticity of her husbands story. The biopic portrays Khalras relentless fight to uncover the truth about the disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Punjab, as well as his eventual abduction and murder in 1995topics that have struck a sensitive chord with authorities. (For more news apart from Punjab '95 Release Latest News Today, Diljit Dosanjh Controversial Film Postponed, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Donald Trump Ushers in Sweeping Changes on Day One as President Among the most notable moves were the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO and the Paris climate accord. Donald Trump Latest News: On his first day as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump signed a record number of executive orders, underscoring a dramatic policy overhaul in areas ranging from health, energy, and immigration to international relations. Among the most notable moves were the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris climate accord. Major Orders Signed on Day One: Advertisement Exit from WHO : Trump criticized the disproportionate U.S. funding compared to Chinas contributions, formalizing the countrys withdrawal from the United Nations health agency. : Trump criticized the disproportionate U.S. funding compared to Chinas contributions, formalizing the countrys withdrawal from the United Nations health agency. End to Remote Work : Federal employees will now be required to work in person, as the president ended work-from-home policies introduced during the pandemic. : Federal employees will now be required to work in person, as the president ended work-from-home policies introduced during the pandemic. Immigration Reform : Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, deployed troops, and proposed ending birthright citizenship as part of stricter immigration measures. : Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, deployed troops, and proposed ending birthright citizenship as part of stricter immigration measures. Capitol Riot Pardons : In a controversial move, Trump pardoned 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. : In a controversial move, Trump pardoned 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Energy Expansion : A "national energy emergency" was declared to facilitate the expansion of oil drilling, aiming to boost U.S. energy exports globally. : A "national energy emergency" was declared to facilitate the expansion of oil drilling, aiming to boost U.S. energy exports globally. Cultural and Social Policies : Trump repealed diversity and LGBTQ-focused policies, affirming that the government will recognize only two genders. : Trump repealed diversity and LGBTQ-focused policies, affirming that the government will recognize only two genders. Foreign Relations: Sanctions on Israeli settlers accused of abuses were lifted, and Cuba was removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. While supporters hailed the orders as decisive and in line with Trumps promises, critics expressed concerns about the implications of these policies, particularly on diversity, environmental protections, and global alliances. Trumps presidency begins with a clear signal of his intent to reshape Americas direction on multiple fronts. Athlete of the Week Motorcyclist Emanuel Gyenes has been designated Athlete of the Week by Radio Romania International Emanuel Gyenes Photo: facebookManiGyenes@Bogdan Buda) Florin Orban, 21.01.2025, 13:45 A new edition of the Dakar Rally came to an end in Saudi Arabia and Romania has made its presence felt in the competition this year as well. In the car race, the Romanian carmaker, Dacia, came fourth with driver Nasser Al-Attiyah at the steering wheel. The Qatari driver was pleased with the Dacia Sandrider, which enabled him to win a leg in the prestigious competition. At his 15th participation in the motorcycle section, biker Emanuel Gyenes came 20th in the ranking. He has again compelled recognition in the Original by Motul, section where participants compete without technical assistance and for his remarkable performance Radio Romania International has designated him Athlete of the Week. Emanuel Gyenes rode a KTM motorcycle during the competition and slept in a tent while temperature dropped under 10 Celsius at night. He would wake at 4 in the morning have breakfast and get his bike ready for the race. In the all-out ranking he came 20th, five hours, 16 minutes and 50 seconds after the winner, Daniel Sanders of Australia. In the Original by Motul category, before the last leg, the Romanian came one minute after Benjamin Melot of France. He managed an exceptional performance during the final race though and has added a second title after the one he secured five years ago. Emanuel Gyenes was born in Satu Mare, northern Romania on March 3rd 1984. He made his debut in the 2007 Dakar Rally, when he came 47th. He secured his best performance in the 2016 edition, when he ranked the 14th, which was also the best performance of a Romanian in the aforementioned race. After his performance in Saudi Arabia, he told the journalists in Bucharest that he would like to compete in the car section of the prestigious competition in the future. (bill) Old Rite Holidays In this country, over 1 million followers of the Orthodox Christian Church celebrate Christmas in the old rite Old Rite Holidays Ana-Maria Cononovici, 21.01.2025, 13:25 In this country, over 1 million followers of the Orthodox Christian Church celebrate Christmas in the old rite, mainly Lipovean Russians, Ukrainians, Moldovans, and Serbs. In several areas of the country, Christmas and New Year are thus organized in the old style, on the dates of 7 and the night of 13 to 14 January, respectively. The traditions and customs observed in celebrating Christmas in the old rite have many similarities with those in December. Believers dress in traditional costumes and go caroling. The family gathers for the holy supper, an important moment of the holiday. Paul Condrat, a Lipovaan from Jurilovca, told us about the holidays, as they are organized by the Lipovan community, with some Russian words scattered throughout: Lipovans are ethnically Russian, but confessionally Orthodox of the old rite. It is archaic, original Orthodoxy. The difference from the rest of Orthodoxy is not only in the calendar, namely Julian, Gregorian, new old. There are also some differences in worship. Traditions are still respected to a fairly large extent.The holidays are a little different, namely these holidays, the Nativity of the Lord, the New Year, are celebrated rather in the family, in small, limited parties. The evening of Christmas Eve is a quiet evening, without a party. On the evening of Christmas Eve, the older children, the young ones, sing carols. On New Years Day, the first day of the year, the caroling is done by the smallest children. There are many elements in common with the Plugusorul carol. It is a single carol, it begins with the words: The Lord walked the Fields, it is not a very appropriate translation, it is a word-for-word translation, but this is how the transition to the New Year is marked. A new year is wished new luck, a new chance! We asked Paul Condrat if there are specific dishes meant to bring this new luck, contained in the wish: Not particularly, but somehow words from the carol are also found on the table. I would recall a cake, a dessert, actually a kind of biscuit, with a shape close to walnuts (n.r. dessert made of a dough shell that imitates the shape of walnuts), but without any cream. A simple and good dough. Beyond tradition, these old-style celebrations have become a good excuse for partygoers of other faiths to continue the fun. What are the temptations prepared for tourists, we asked Paul Condrat: Traditional local fishing gastronomy and of course, on the occasion of the winter holidays, in the offer of local guesthouses, we also have traditional pork dishes: stuffed cabbage, pork in aspic, or, from among the traditional fish dishes, the fishermans borscht is the star, it cannot be missing from any meal, and then other dishes: fish snacks, smoked fish, caviar, various variations of marinated fish, fish meatballs. In the Ukrainian community in northern Romania, for example, housewives prepare the 12 dishes of fasting for the Christmas Eve meal, using mushrooms, beans, flour, cornmeal, potatoes and sauerkraut. In order to have the 12 dishes, some are made with the same ingredient. A specific dish is white flour dumplings, filled with jam, nuts, or sauerkraut, to taste. Sauerkraut soup and stuffed leaves with pea are dishes that are also not missing from any household. For the Ukrainians from Maramures, tradition requires that nine dishes be placed on the Christmas table, symbolizing the wealth of the year. The most important dish is hrebleanca, a dish made of mushrooms cooked with cabbage juice. Also, boiled wheat, a symbol of rich harvests, or fish, cannot be missing from the table. Another custom specific to the area is that the legs of the table are tied with a chain that remains like this until the Epiphany in the old style, there being a belief that this way the good omens will remain in the house. Among the traditional Ukrainian Christmas desserts, boiled wheat with walnuts or poppy seeds is distinguished, everything being sweetened with honey, but also donuts filled with jam. As for the Serbian community in Banat, they welcome Christmas with fish dishes, piglet on a spit and a pie called cesnita, with lots of walnuts and honey, so that the coming year will be sweet and gentle. Before baking this pie, two coins are placed inside it, there is a belief that those who find them will have luck all year. Paul Condrat, from Jurilovca, concluded with a wish, said in Russian: Our New Years Wish: () (translated: a new year and with new luck, a new chance)! A new year and with new luck, a new chance! May it be so for all of us, whether we started the year now or earlier! A new term for Donald Trump at the White House Romanian politicians hail the return of Donald Trump as president of the United States Donald Trump (sursa foto: facebook.comDonaldTrump Bogdan Matei, 21.01.2025, 14:00 Nobody was left indifferent by the Republican Donald Trump getting back the role he loves so much and which he missed for four years: president of the United States and, implicitly, the most powerful man on the planet. Politicians in Bucharest were no exception and hurried into congratulating Trump for his return at the White House. According to the acting president, Klaus Iohannis, Romania, a close strategic partner of the United States, wishes the American leader the best of success for this important new mandate. We need a strong and vibrant transatlantic link, to the benefit of our joint security, wrote Iohannis on the X platform. The second most powerful figure in the Romanian state, according to the constitutional architecture, the Liberal Speaker of the Senate, Ilie Bolojan, wished President Trump success in his new mandate and expressed his belief that the friendship between the two countries would get stronger. His return to the White House is a historic moment, which will have positive echoes as far as Romania is concerned, both in terms of security and major investments, stated in turn the Social Democratic Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. From the opposition, the leader of the Save Romania Union (USR) Elena Lasconi, has stated that a new chapter begins in the history of the United States, and America is to Romania an element of support in terms of national security. Beyond the unanimously festive messages conveyed by the Romanian politicians, the Bucharest press notes that the only domestic party leader invited to the ceremonies in Washington was the president of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) (nationalist, in opposition), George Simion. He went there as vice-president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR), a political family linked to the American Republicans through certain ideological affinities. Otherwise, commentators say, Romania would have no reason to worry about the new Donald Trump era, because the two countries are allies in NATO and have a bilateral strategic partnership that they can develop. Analysts also recall that, during Trumps first term, Romania was among the first allied countries to align with the White House leaders requirement to increase defense spending to 2.5% of the GDP. As an added advantage, Romanias military purchases are made predominantly from the United States. Moreover, Bucharest has signed a loan agreement of 920 million dollars to modernize its military capabilities, and part of this money will go to armament factories in Romania, which will become the only producer in Europe of ammunition for Abrams tanks. (MI) January 21, 2025 UPDATE A roundup of local and world news Newsflash Newsroom, 21.01.2025, 20:00 ELECTIONS The Permanent Electoral Authority in Bucharest said political parties may begin to collect signatures for the candidates they will support in the presidential elections in May. The signatures can be collected only in physical format and a voter can support more than one candidate. The ruling coalition comprising the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, is yet to kick-start the election period and to officially endorse the former Liberal leader Crin Antonescu as their joint candidate in their respective leadership bodies. The Social Democratic leaders met on Tuesday and in principle endorsed Crin Antonescu as their presidential candidate in May, and decided to hold a party congress on 2nd February to give the final vote on his candidacy. ECONOMY Romanias fiscal structural plan has been approved by the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), along with the plans of 20 other member states, the Romanian minister of investments and European projects Marcel Bolos announced on Tuesday. The decision comes as several countries, including France, Spain, Italy and Finland, are facing similar challenges and have requested an extension of the fiscal adjustment period from 4 to 7 years, until 2031. Marcel Bolos explained that for the business environment, the fiscal plan protects the flat tax rate, with the European Commission agreeing that governments should not overtax economic success. He also said that thanks to the plan, European funding is protected, because failure to comply with the fiscal treaty would have led to its suspension. On the other hand, the Romanian official also points out, this plan preserves the countrys international credibility, as non-compliance with fiscal commitments would have led to a decrease in the countrys rating, which would have made loans more expensive and more difficult to access. The plan also secures support for investments, including for SMEs in Romania through state aid schemes for small and medium-sized enterprises operating especially in the manufacturing sector, which will create new jobs and stimulate economic growth. EUFOR The Romanian defence ministry announced on Tuesday that Romania has taken over the command of the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR). With the command of EUFOR, the largest multinational operation in the Western Balkans conducted under the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), Romania currently exercises command of 2 of the 9 military operations and missions under the flag of the European Union, to which it contributes troops and military equipment, the same source mentions. After Brigadier General Ovidiu Lungu successfully completed his term as Chief of Staff of EUFOR ALTHEA between May 2023 and May 2024, the Romanian Army increased its representation within the operation by taking over the leadership of the most important multinational force in the Western Balkans. The stability of the region is a priority for Romania, and it has strategic importance for European and Euro-Atlantic security, the defence ministry points out. CONGRATULATIONS Romanias acting president Klaus Iohannis has congratulated the new White House leader Donald Trump on his investiture. Romania, a close strategic partner of the US, wishes you the best of success for this important new mandate. We need a strong and vibrant transatlantic link, to the benefit of our joint EU-US security and prosperity, president Iohannis posted on social media. The leaders of Romanias biggest parties also congratulated Donald Trump on the inauguration of his second term in office on Monday. DONALD TRUMP A few hours after taking office, Donald Trump pulled the US out of the World Health Organisation and the Paris Agreement on climate. He also signed an executive order on an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development global tax arrangement and asked the Department of Energy to resume processing export applications for liquefied natural gas. He declared an energy emergency in the US and revoked a number of orders introduced by the Biden administration, including one on the risks of artificial intelligence. Trump also lifted the sanctions imposed by Biden on the Jewish settlers who committed violence against the Palestinians in the West Bank. He instructed the Justice Department to dismiss the cases connected to the attack on the Capitol, pardoned 1,500 of his supporters who took the building by storm in 2021, and reduced and commuted the sentences of others. Trump declared the illegal immigration on the border with Mexico as a national emergency and the drug cartels as terrorist organisations, and signed a document affecting the granting of birth-right citizenship. Donald Trump also suspended refugee programmes for 4 months, which led to the cancellation of flights to the US for over 1,600 Afghans, including relatives of US soldiers. FESTIVAL The 27th edition of the George Enescu International Festival will place special emphasis on cultural events and concerts all across Romania and for all Romanians to enjoy, the festivals artistic director, the Romanian conductor Cristian Macelaru told a press conference on Monday in Bucharest. He said this years edition will see a number of special events, including the commemoration of 70 years since the death of George Enescu. The festival will take place between 24th August and 21st September and will feature 80 symphonic, chamber, choir and instrumental ensemble performances from 28 different countries. Preparations for the 2025 George Enescu Festival This year's edition of the prestigious international festival of classical music George Enescu is going to be a special one Photo: facebook.com/enescu.festival/ Stefan Stoica, 21.01.2025, 13:50 The International Classical Music Festival George Enescu is this year expected to be a genuine reference point for the classical music. The 2025 edition to be held between August 24 and September 21 will be a special one as it is going to commemorate 70 years since the great composers passing into eternity. Every edition and the creation of the festival per se has been meant to render Enescus work more visual and globally emphasize his music and genius and we are carrying on in this direction. We are going to have more of Enescus compositions this year. A series of novel things are going to be presented during the festival regarding Enescus compositions, of course, conductor Cristian Macelaru, the Festivals artistic director says. According to him the festivals 17th edition focuses on cultural events and concerts, to be staged in great numbers all over the country. This edition will also focus on anniversaries and commemorations: 50 years since the death of Dmitri Shostacovich, 150 years since the birth of Maurice Ravel, 100 years since the birth of Romanian conductor Marin Constantin, founder of the Madrigal choir, 100 years of activity for the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, 45 years since the foundation of the Bremen Philharmonics and 70 years since the foundation of the Transylvania Philharmonics Orchestra in Cluj Napoca, western Romania. The George Enescu Festival is an international landmark in artistic excellence, says the Culture Minister Natalia Intotero. She believes the festival is much more than a mere artistic event, being also a symbol of Romanian cultural value, an opportunity of celebrating the legacy of a classical music genius. The Culture Minister has voiced satisfaction for the educational activities devoted to students and young artists this edition includes such as internships programmes, sessions of training and masterclass. The mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, says it is with great joy that Bucharest hosts the aforementioned event. It is one of our concerns to stimulate cultural, academic, sporting events so that Bucharest may become a brand for this type of activities. Romanias cultural landscape needs the Enescu Festival as it imposes a certain standard and makes the other cultural operators comply with this standard, the mayor went on to say. The 17th edition of the Enescu festival seems to be one of the most challenging from the organizational point of view: 80 symphonic and chamber concerts, choirs, music groups, ranging from two to ten musicians from 28 countries, are going to come to Romania and to Bucharest; out of these 18 are local, 9 from Germany, 6 from various European projects, others will come from France, Britain, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Poland, Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania or Latvia. 50 concerts and recitals are expected to take place during the festival in Romania alone. (bill) The song Lusterka, with which the Polish duo Sw@da x Niczos submitted to the National Selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, provoked a wave of online quarrels. The fact is that when writing the song, the artists used a rather uncommon regional language, the Podlasie dialect, which is a Ukrainian dialect. ADVERTISIMENT Some netizens argue that this is one of the Polish dialects, while others claim that they are residents of Podlasie and no one speaks this way in this area. However, despite the controversy, Lusterka has already become a real hit, as the band's YouTube channel has received almost 165 thousand views in the few days since its release. One of the users of the social network X posted a post with the track on his account, saying: "The song at the Polish National Selection for Eurovision is in Podlasie. It is spoken by residents of the southern part of Podlasie. It can be classified as a Ukrainian or Belarusian dialect. Lusterka performed by Sw@da and Niczos is an absolute hit." ADVERTISIMENT This publication caused a rather mixed reaction. A small number of people noted that this dialect is a Polish dialect. "This is neither a Ukrainian dialect nor a Belarusian one. It is Polish, combining words from Poland and neighboring countries." "In fact, it is a separate language, it was even once officially recognized in Poland, but recently, unfortunately, it has been ignored and called a dialect." "This is not something Ukrainian or Belarusian, but a so-called 'local language'. "Tutejszy is a Polish microlanguage." ADVERTISIMENT However, according to the residents of Podlasie, they have never heard such a dialect in their lives. "What is this? I'm a resident of Podlasie who lived near the border with Belarus as a child. This is the first time I've ever heard it. Is it Belarusian or Ukrainian? Don't tell me it's my dialect." "Is this the language of Podlasie? I have half of my relatives from there, but I have never heard such gibberish in my life." "I used to live in that neighborhood. This is complete nonsense." The Podlasie dialect is one of the dialects of the Ukrainian language, the name of which comes from the phrase "under the lachs," i.e. near the Poles. The dialects are widespread in the east of modern Poland, and in some places they can be found in Volyn and Beresteishchyna region. ADVERTISIMENT What is known about Sw@da x Niczos The members of the duo are natives of Podlasie, so they have always wanted to popularize the culture of their region not only in Poland but throughout Europe. That's why Sw@da x Niczos decided to compete for the opportunity to represent their country on the international stage with the track Lusterka. "This is a story about an inner critic. It's about how we gradually "milk" ourselves in different situations. In fact, we are the biggest critics of ourselves, not the people around us," the artists commented on the meaning of the song. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Australian stock market halved its early gains in mid-market trading on Tuesday, but still extending the gains in the previous session, following the broadly positive cues from European and lack of cues from Wall Street overnight. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index is moving to near the 8,400.00 level, with gains in mining and financial stocks partially offset by weakness in energy and technology stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index is gaining 44.70 points or 0.54 percent to 8,392.10, after touching a high of 8,453.30 earlier. The broader All Ordinaries Index is up 46.90 points or 0.55 percent to 8,641.30. Australian stocks closed notably higher on Monday. Among the major miners, BHP Group and Fortescue Metals are edging up 0.5 percent each, while Mineral Resources is losing more than 2 percent. Rio Tinto is flat. Oil stocks are lower. Origin Energy and Santos are losing more than 2 percent each, while Beach energy is down almost 1 percent. Woodside Energy is flat. Among tech stocks, Afterpay owner Block and Appen are edging down 0.2 to 0.4 percent each, while WiseTech Global Xero is losing more than 1 percent. Zip is gaining almost 2 percent. Gold miners are higher. Gold Road Resources and Resolute Mining are gaining almost 2 percent each, while Evolution Mining is adding more than 1 percent and Newmont is edging up 0.4 percent. Northern Star resources is flat. Among the big four banks, Commonwealth Bank and Westpac are gaining more than 1 percent each, while National Australia Bank is adding more than 2 percent and ANZ Banking is up almost 2 percent. In other news, shares in Hub24 are jumping more than 12 percent after the wealth platform reported record quarterly platform net inflows of $5.5 billion. Shares in Liontown Resources are soaring almost 12 percent after the lithium miner delivered a three-fold increase in spodumene concentrate output following ramp up at Kathleen Valley Lithium Operation. Shares in Novonix are tumbling almost 8 percent after the battery materials and company's CEO Chris Burns decided to step down from the role. Shares in Yancoal Australia are surging more than 5 percent after reporting a 5 percent increase in saleable coal production to 36.9 million tonnes, in line with targets. In the currency market, the Aussie dollar is trading at $0.625 on Tuesday. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis The UK unemployment rate rose slightly in the third quarter and wage growth remained high but falling vacancies signals a decrease in pay pressures, official data showed on Tuesday. The unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent in the September to November period, as expected, from 4.3 percent in the three months to October, the Office for National Statistics revealed. Average earnings excluding bonuses grew 5.6 percent in three months to November from a year ago, slightly faster than the forecast of 5.5 percent. Earnings including bonuses also climbed 5.6 percent annually, which was in line with expectations. The claimant count held steady at 4.6 percent in December. The number of people claiming unemployment benefits increased 7,000 from November. Payrolled employment decreased by 47,000 from the previous month and fell 8,000 on year to 30.3 million in December. In the December quarter, the number of vacancies decreased 24,000 on the quarter to 812,000. Vacancies declined for the 30th consecutive period. ING economist James Smith said plenty of evidence shows that the jobs market is continuing to cool down. It looks like policymakers are on course to continue gradually taking rates lower and probably more rapidly than now expect, the economist added. British Chambers of Commerce Deputy Director Public Policy Jane Gratton said the labour market continues to be challenging for many businesses, with wage growth continuing to rise as firms compete for skilled workers. "This is a concern as they face a significant rise in employment costs in April," said Gratton. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Slovenia's producer prices continued their declining trend in December, though at the slowest pace since the current sequence of decline began at the start of the year, figures from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia showed on Tuesday. Industrial producer prices dropped 0.2 percent year-on-year in December, slower than the 0.4 percent decline in November. The prices of products for sale on the domestic market decreased 0.1 percent, and those on non-domestic slid by 0.2 percent. Among the main sectors, prices in the manufacturing and mining and quarrying sectors dropped 0.3 percent in each case compared to last year. Meanwhile, prices in the electricity segment showed an increase of 1.8 percent. On a monthly basis, output prices edged up 0.1 percent versus a 0.5 increase in November. During the year 2024, the total producer price index declined 1.7 percent compared to 2023. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The UK government will launch a Grain Verification Scheme to track grain stolen from occupied areas of Ukraine, as part of its recently launched 100-year partnership with the war-torn country. Using cutting-edge science to determine where grain has been grown and harvested, the UK has developed a database to support Ukraine's efforts to trace and stop grain theft from occupied regions. The scheme will strengthen the food security of Ukraine and also ensure the country remains a major supplier of agricultural produce worldwide, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said in a press release. Meeting at the Global Forum for Food & Agriculture in Berlin, UK's Food Security and Rural Affairs Minister Daniel Zeichner signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Vitaliy Koval, the Ukraine Minister of Agrarian Policy, and Food ahead of the scheme's launch. The stolen grain resource database will be handed over to Ukraine in the coming weeks. Daniel Zeichner, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, said the Grain Verification Scheme will support Ukraine's essential food supply and helps guarantee their security in the face of Russian aggression. "Using the latest science, we can track grain to its source - identifying stolen grain to help Ukraine take back what's theirs." The Grain Verification Scheme was developed after Ukraine requested support from G7 countries in tracing grain stolen from territories under Russian control and sold on the international market. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Hancock Whitney Corp. (HWC) announced Tuesday that Hancock Whitney Bank, its wholly owned bank subsidiary, entered into an agreement to acquire the non-depository trust company, Sabal Trust Co., based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction will expand Hancock Whitney's wealth and asset management group within the high-growth Florida market. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to adjusted EPS excluding one-time costs and meets or exceeds the Company's minimum thresholds for Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC). The being acquired has four locations within the greater Tampa, Florida and Orlando, Florida metropolitan statistical areas, and would build the Company's market share of investment management and trust business in these high-growth markets. The transaction, expected to close during the second quarter of 2025, is subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has reinforced its dedication to Indias Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives by achieving significant milestones in localization. With an indigenization roadmap in place, HMIL has localized over 1,200 key components and commenced the local assembly of EV battery-packs at a state-of-the-art facility in Chennai. These efforts have resulted in up to 92% localization in manufacturing and forex savings of over US $672 million (Rs 5,678 crore) since 2019. Local Assembly of EV Battery-Packs In collaboration with Mobis India Limited, Hyundai has inaugurated a battery-pack assembly plant within its Chennai facility. In its first phase, the plant boasts an annual capacity of 75,000 battery-packs, capable of assembling NMC (Lithium-Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt Oxide) and LFP (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate) battery types. Hyundai Creta Electric will be the first model equipped with locally assembled battery-packs, marking a key milestone in Hyundais EV journey in India. This facility is a game-changer for Hyundais EV roadmap, enabling optimized battery costs and streamlined availability for locally produced EVs. Localization Achievements With a dedicated localization team engaging with over 194 vendors, Hyundai has localized 1,238 parts at its Chennai manufacturing plant. Key components such as alternators, alloy wheels, disc brakes, catalytic converters, and reverse parking assist sensors have achieved 100% localization. For the first time in India, advanced parts like Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), panoramic sunroof, and NOX sensors have been successfully localized. Economic and Employment Impact HMILs localization strategy has not only reduced reliance on imports but also created over 1,400 direct employment opportunities. By tapping into Indias skilled workforce and engineering resources, Hyundai continues to support the nations economic growth while enhancing its manufacturing capabilities. Hyundais focus on indigenization will extend to its upcoming manufacturing plant in Talegaon, Maharashtra. The company aims to deepen its localized supplier network to further align with the governments self-reliance initiatives. Statement from Hyundai Leadership Commenting on HMILs commitment towards localization, Mr. Gopalakrishnan Chathapuram Sivaramakrishnan, Whole-time Director and Chief Manufacturing Officer HMIL said, HMILs indigenization efforts are deeply in sync with Government of Indias Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India initiatives, and our localization strategy strives to constantly leverage Indias rich resources, skilled workforce and advanced engineering prowess, to develop world-class technology domestically. Commissioning of the HMIL and Mobis India Limiteds battery-pack assembly plant is a key milestone in our localization and EV roadmap. The Hyundai CRETA Electric becomes the first Hyundai EV manufactured in India to come equipped with battery-packs assembled at this very plant, making it a true game-changer. Tata Motors has just pulled off an impossible stunt with their new Curvv compact SUV. Called Act 01, this stunt is likely to be the beginning of a series. With Act 01, Tata has demonstrated the strength and performance of Curvv Hyperion (Turbo GDI) 6-speed Manual powertrain variant by pulling three trucks with a total combined weight of 42,000 kg! Tata Curvv Pulls 3 Trucks (42,000 Kg) Taking a glimpse from the past, Tata Motors is no stranger to demonstrate the strength of their vehicles. We have seen a Tata Hexa pulling a Boeing 737-800 airplane. One quick Google search reveals that Boeing 737-800 has an operating empty weight of 41,140 kg. So, a tough SUV built on a heavy-duty ladder frame chassis powered by a 2.2L Diesel engine is already impressive. Now, Tata is demonstrating chassis strength and integrity of Curvv by pulling 42,000 kg. This might be even more impressive than Hexas already-impressive feat considering this particular Curvv unit is underpinned by a mainstream monocoque chassis and is powered by a 1.2L Petrol engine, not known for torquey pulling power. In the video posted by Tata Motors on their social media handles, we can see a Curvv Hyperion (Turbo GDI) Manual variant pulling three trucks that weigh a total of 42,000 kg. Basically, more than what the Hexa pulled. This particular Tata Curvv is seen with a custom rear hook where the heavy chains are connected. It is obvious that this heavy duty hook is directly connected to Curvvs platform (skateboard) and is not part of standard equipment. All three trucks are connected with chains and are hooked on to this particular Curvv. What does this stunt achieve? With a stunt like this, Tata Motors is demonstrating the strength and structural integrity of their vehicles underpinnings. This is a shiny example of the engineering aspects where FOS (Factor Of Safety) is well above 1. For FOS to be equal to 1, this Curvv had to perform as advertised after towing its rated capacity, which is not likely to be more than 2,000 kg. Also, this stunt demonstrates the performance of Tatas new Hyperion motor. Usually, petrol engines are not considered for stunts like this as Diesel bears the obvious torque and pulling power advantage. This 1.2L Hyperion GDI engine is capable of generating 125 PS of peak power and 225 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox in this stunt. Tatas Act 01 with Tata Curvv is likely to generate a lot of positive affiliations with buyers towards the brand. Demonstrating its strength and engineering prowess, Curvv aims to increase its sales potential against established rivals from rival brands like Hyundai, Kia and more. Also read Production-spec Tata Harrier EV and Safari showcased The Russians have been having sky-high dreams about the arrival of the actor and musician of the rock band 30 Seconds to Mars, Jared Leto, in Russia for two years. Now they are convinced that the artist is having a secret affair with a Russian woman. ADVERTISIMENT According to the Russian media, he is allegedly planning to come to Moscow to meet her. The Russians are convinced that Jared Leto allegedly met his chosen one at Paris Fashion Week in France back in 2023 and have been developing a relationship since then. It is interesting that the "couple" say nothing about their relationship, and information about the romance can be found only in the Russian media. The woman, whose name is Yana, has recently started making music under the pseudonym "Ya". Of course, she doesn't say anything about her secret relationship, although a photo of them together, taken at a concert, is being spread in the Russian information space. "Jared has promised Yana that he will come to visit her in Moscow in the near future, around April," an anonymous source told the Russian media. They even claim that during one of 30 Seconds to Mars' performances, the woman received a personal invitation to the stage and danced in front of the audience. Then she allegedly went with the musician to the dressing room. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Russian man who killed a woman next to the car of actor and traitor Gosha Kutsenko, a native of Zaporizhzhia, and threw her body into the car, asked to go to war to atone for his actions. He immediately confessed to the crime, but due to other numerous court cases, the suspect offered to send him to the "SVO" to kill Ukrainians, not Russian civilians. ADVERTISIMENT The stabbed woman had 12 stab wounds on her body, so the court decided not to let the suspect go unpunished. According to the Russian media, the man was given a preventive measure in the form of arrest for only 2 months. However, a criminal case was opened against him, which provides for up to 15 years in prison. During the trial, the suspect hid his face from prying eyes, but journalists managed to spot a piece of paper in his hands with a plea to be sent to war. "Your Honor! I do not intend to hide from the investigation and the court. I repent of my actions. I apologize to the victim's relatives. I filed a petition to join the Armed Forces to atone for my guilt," the letter read. ADVERTISIMENT It turned out that the man had returned from the so-called "illegal armed groups" a year ago. According to the suspect, he was convicted of murder back in 2019 but later managed to sign a contract with the army and avoid punishment. He resigned from the service in February 2024. As a reminder, the suspect killed a woman with a knife. He stabbed her 12 times, causing her death. Then the man dragged her to a Zaporozhets car parked nearby, which belonged to Gosha Kutsenko. He decided not to flee the scene of the murder, so he sat next to the woman for more than 3 hours. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! On January 20, Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States of America, was inaugurated in Washington, DC. Many world-famous personalities and business tycoons, including Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Meta, attended the official ceremony. ADVERTISIMENT After the event, the 40-year-old entrepreneur quickly became a meme, as a rather interesting photo of him went viral. One X user posted it, where the Facebook creator was caught staring at the cleavage of billionaire Jeff Bezos' fiancee, Lauren Sanchez. Mark Zuckerberg attended Trump's inauguration ceremony with his wife, philanthropist Priscilla Chan. The founder of the online retailer Amazon appeared with his girlfriend, journalist Lauren Sanchez, as well. At the event, the couples sat next to each other, and the programmer found himself between the two women. ADVERTISIMENT Jeff Bezos' bride chose a slightly revealing monochrome look for the official ceremony. She opted for a white classic suit and a lace corset with an open neckline under her jacket. The journalist had to face a wave of criticism because of her outfit, but very quickly the attention of netizens was drawn to a photo with Mark Zuckerberg looking at her. The image instantly went viral and garnered a large number of comments. "Poor Zuck. Now an immortal meme template. And I expect trouble at home as well." "This can't be real." "Zuck taking a peek." "New meme format just dropped." Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Scientists have asked the UN to help solve the problem of space debris on Earth. With the rapid increase in the number of satellites, the amount of debris is growing sharply too. ADVERTISIMENT Experts believe that lessons learned from marine debris management can help prevent "another planetary crisis before it is too late." An international group of researchers is calling on the UN to include the protection of the Earth's orbit in the organization's sustainable development goals, Space.com reports. Scientists led by experts from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the University of Plymouth in the UK, and the University of Texas at Austin believe that adding space to the UN's Agenda for Sustainable Development will strengthen the case for space, which has become a hot topic in recent years. According to the scientists, the emergence of megaconstellations - fleets of hundreds or thousands of small vehicles that provide Internet connectivity - has led to a rapid increase in the number of satellites. 15 years ago, there were no more than a thousand satellites orbiting our planet, but since then, this number has increased more than tenfold and continues to grow every day. ADVERTISIMENT Experts emphasize that when satellites reach the end of their missions, they turn into dangerous debris that can collide with other orbiting objects, creating masses of junk. "Space is no longer a limitless frontier; it is a finite resource under increasing pressure from human activity," said Melissa Quinn, general manager of Slingshot Aerospace, which is part of this initiative. It is known that for many years, space experts have been sounding the alarm about the growing amount of space debris flying around the Earth. According to the European Space Agency, there are currently about 40,500 fragments of space debris that are out of control. ADVERTISIMENT Scientists say this debris is orbiting the planet at a speed of almost 8 kilometers per second, threatening to destroy everything in its path. Some experts have already warned that a dangerous phenomenon known as "Kessler syndrome" - an unstoppable cascade of collisions in which each impact creates fragments that damage spacecraft - is already at work. "The rapid rise in satellite deployments has led to an increasing risk of collisions and debris. With over 12,500 spacecraft now orbiting our planet, including more than 3,300 inactive satellites, we need urgent, coordinated global action to ensure space is safe, sustainable, and secure," said Melissa. "A dedicated Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) would catalyze the global cooperation needed to meet this challenge head-on," the expert added. In addition to the space debris problem, atmospheric researchers are also concerned about the potential impact of satellite re-entries on the Earth's atmosphere. Atmospheric combustion of satellites during their fall to Earth produces aluminum oxide, which can destroy atmospheric ozone and the ability to reflect sunlight, experts say. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Budget car manufacturer Dacia proved to be really popular in 2024. These cheap cars broke the brand's sales record. A great prospect for 2025. ADVERTISIMENT According to the manufacturer on its website, Dacia's sales in 2024 amounted to 676,340 cars. This result is 2.7% higher than in 2023. The Romanian brand has a very strong portfolio today, with new promising models coming soon. The new Dacia Bigster 2025 is being prepared for the market, which was fully declassified recently. With a body length of 4.57 m, it is the company's largest car. And the price of up to 25 thousand euros makes the new car stand out from the competition. But the manufacturer is preparing several more cars in new formats. There are no specifics about them yet, but there are a few hints. Probably, Dacia is considering a hatchback as an alternative to the Renault Megane with an internal combustion engine (this famous model has already turned into an electric car). A few other options are a coupe-like crossover, a large station wagon, or even an inexpensive pickup truck. Indonesia is an island nation with more than 13,600 islands, each with unique natural and cultural attractions. From majestic volcanoes and beautiful coral reefs to ancient megalithic ruins and mysterious lakes, Indonesia offers many travel opportunities. ADVERTISIMENT Indonesia is a country that impresses with its natural beauty and cultural diversity. Whether you're looking for volcano adventures or want to explore ancient ruins, there's something for every traveler. If you want to experience the country's diversity, Lonely Planet has detailed 11 places to visit for an unforgettable Indonesia experience. Walk with dragons in Komodo National Park Komodo National Park is home to Indonesia's most famous predators, the Komodo dragons. These huge lizards, which can reach 3 meters in length, live on several islands in the park, including Komodo and Rinca. Visiting these islands will allow you to see these amazing creatures in their natural environment. Rinca, a less popular island, is famous for its aggressive dragons, making it an ideal destination for extreme adventure lovers. ADVERTISIMENT Volcanoes of Java Indonesia is known for its volcanic activity, as a third of the world's active volcanoes are located here. Mount Gunung Bromo in Java is often visited by tourists to watch the sunrise from its top. In addition to Bromo, you should also see the huge volcanoes Anak Krakatau and Kawa Ijen. The latter is known for its unique river of blue fire created by burning sulfur. Sumba's megalithic culture The island of Sumba, which is almost never visited by tourists, impresses with its megalithic culture. Here you can see large stone tombstones created several centuries ago, as well as take part in traditional ritual horse battles held during the Pasola festival. This place gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of ancient culture. ADVERTISIMENT Mystical Kelimutu Lakes in Flores The Kelimutu Lakes, located on the island of Flores, have the ability to change their color within a few days. This phenomenon has a deep significance in the local culture, as the lakes are believed to be the habitat of demons and spirits. It is best to visit this place early in the morning when the fog has not yet descended and you can see these unique bodies of water at their best. Coral Triangle Indonesia is part of the Coral Triangle, the world's largest marine biodiversity center. Here you will find the best diving spots, particularly in the Raja Ampat and Wakatobi regions, where you can find whale sharks and manta rays. These are ideal places for those who want to dive into waters with an incredible variety of marine species. ADVERTISIMENT Surfing in Bali Bali, while popular with tourists, has regions where you can enjoy some tranquility. For example, Medewi on the west coast of the island is a great surfing spot where there are no crowds and no noise. Quiet black sand beaches and a traditional fishing fleet make this place ideal for relaxing in the shade of palm trees. Architecture of Tana Toraja in Sulawesi The center of Sulawesi is a place where you can see the unique architectural styles of local peoples. The Tana Toraja houses with roofs in the shape of buffalo horns or spaceships are one of the most striking cultural attractions in Indonesia. In addition, the place is known for its luxurious funeral rites of great cultural value. ADVERTISIMENT Borobudur Temple Java is home to one of the greatest architectural wonders of the world - Borobudur Temple. This Buddhist temple is more than 1200 years old and is a symbol of spiritual power. It is best to visit it at dawn, when you can see the unsurpassed panorama of Java volcanoes. Traveling around Sulawesi by pinisi Pinisi schooners are traditional vessels used to travel around the Indonesian archipelago. They have become part of the cultural heritage and a symbol of maritime traditions. Sailing on a pinis will allow you to explore remote islands such as Sumbawa and Komodo and see nature in its purest form. Orangutans in Sumatra ADVERTISIMENT Gunung Loizer National Park in Sumatra is home to the rare and endangered Sumatran orangutans. Watching these animals in their natural environment is an unforgettable experience. Also worth visiting is the Kerinci Seblat National Park, where you can see rare tigers. Danau Toba and the Batak Highlands Danau Toba Lake is the largest crater lake in the world, and Samosir Island is the largest freshwater island. This place is not only a natural beauty, but also a cultural center of the Batak people, who are famous for their hospitality. Rent a house on the lake and enjoy the tranquility, hot springs and local traditions. Only verified information is available in our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Stay up to date with the latest events! Investors' focus on Tuesday would be on the latest UK employment figures. At 0700 BST, the Office for National Statistics was scheduled to publish the November employment report. The report was expected to reveal an acceleration in the year-on-year rate of growth in average earnings, including bonuses, from 5.2% to 5.6%. "There appears little sign that [wage growth] is set to slow down markedly in the months ahead with this weeks numbers not expected much in the way of comfort to those who might be hoping for multiple rate cuts from the Bank of England in the coming months," said City analyst Michael Hewson. No major economic reports were scheduled in the US. In the euro area, at 1000 BST the ZEW Institute would release its closely followed gauge for economic confidence in Germany covering the month of January. In the background, investors in the States would be reacting to a raft of executive orders signed by the new US president. They would also be keeping tabs on what the multitude of captains of industry assembled in Davos, Switzerland, had to say. Tuesday 21 January INTERIMS Ilika TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS Premier Foods, Marshalls, W.A.G Payment Solutions, Kier Group AGMs Honye Financial Services Limited (DI) UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Claimant Count Rate (07:00) Unemployment Rate (07:00) INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS ZEW Survey (GER) - Current Situation (10:00) ZEW Survey (GER) - Economic Sentiment (10:00) ZEW Survey (EU) - Economic Sentiment (10:00) The US president said that he is aiming to levy 25% tariffs on imports from and Mexico by 1 February. Donald Trump made the remarks from the Oval Office, in response to journalists' questions, as he was signing a raft of executive orders. In separate remarks, Trump said that he was not yet ready to put in place a universal tariff on all countries. During the election, the president had indicated that he would place a universal tariff of at least 10%. Shares in car finance providers rallied on Tuesday, after the government reportedly intervened in favour of the under-pressure industry. According to the Financial Times, citing a government submission made to the Supreme Court, the Treasury believes a landmark mis-selling case has the potential to cause "considerable economic harm", as well as impacting both the availability and cost of motor finance. Accusations of mis-selling have sent shockwaves through the car finance industry. In October, the Court of Appeal ruled it was illegal for banks to pay commission to a car dealer without the customers informed consent. The Financial Conduct Authority is also investigating, and is expected to establish a major compensation scheme in light of the ruling. Analysts at HSBC believe the total cost could reach 44bn, although others have put the likely final bill closer to between 20bn and 30bn. Around 80% of new vehicles in the UK are bought on finance. Lloyds Banking Group - which owns motor finance provider Black Horse - has already set aside a 450m provision, while in November, the British arm of Spains Santander blamed a slide in third-quarter profits on its own 295m provision. Close Brothers and South African lender FirstRand are challenging Octobers ruling in the Supreme Court, however, with the case due to be heard in early April. In its submission to the Supreme court, the Treasury warned that the case could "generate a perception that regulation in the UK is uncertain", the FT said. The submission also noted that if liability was established, the Treasury would seek to persuade the court that remedies were proportionate to losses actually suffered, to "avoid conferring a windfall". One government insider told the newspaper: "The chancellors concerned that the judgement risks using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. That would be bad for consumers and bad for the industry." As at 1000 GMT, shares in Close Brothers had soared 22% at 297.8p, while Lloyds put on 4% at 61.28p and FirstRand was trading 2% stronger in South Africa. Only Santander failed to benefit, with its London shares softening 1% and the Madrid stock down 2%. Official bodies can apply to the Supreme Court, the UKs highest, to intervene in any case it hears. Permission is only granted if the court believes the intervention will offer "significant" assistance to its judges. Discount shoe retailer Shoe Zone posted a drop in full-year profit and revenue on Tuesday as it said the second half of the year was hit by weakening consumer confidence and unseasonal weather. In results for the 52 weeks to 28 September 2024, the company said pre-tax profit fell to 10.1m from 16.2m on revenue of 161.3m, down from 165.7m. Digital revenues rose 13.9% to 35.2m, driven by an increase in conversion, due to the introduction of free next day delivery on all shoezone.com orders and strong Amazon sales. Meanwhile, store revenue fell 6.5% to 126.1m, with the retailer trading out of 26 fewer stores. Shoe Zone said it had been a year of two halves. The first six months saw strong and consistent trading followed by disappointing store sales, due to the weakening of consumer confidence and unseasonal weather conditions, particularly during peak summer. "That said, the key back to school trading in the second half was positive, and ahead of the previous year, as were digital sales, which had strong growth for the full period," it said. Shoe Zone said that the 2.5p a share interim dividend paid in August last year would be the final dividend paid for the year ended 28 September 2024, as "the board deem it prudent from a cash management perspective, and continue to pursue a progressive dividend policy for future years where deemed appropriate". At 1010 GMT, the shares were down 5% at 95p. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "Shoe Zone seems like it has been stumbling around with its laces undone for a while and full-year results have done nothing to dispel this notion with the company not paying a final dividend. "Shoe Zones value credentials should have stood it in good stead during a period of economic uncertainty but that hasnt proved to be the case. Rising costs have been a headwind thanks to global supply chain issues - particularly as the company sources from China - and the impact of Budget changes. "One crumb of comfort is these numbers are about as good as could have been expected based on a dire pre-Christmas profit warning." Donald Trump signed a memorandum on inflation and multiple orders aimed at lowering energy prices, but the incoming presidents advisers offered few details on the policies, raising serious questions about whether the new administration will be able to address one of Americans most pressing concerns. During a press call on Monday morning, incoming White House advisers pledged that Trump would pursue an all of government approach to bringing down costs for American citizens but they declined to outline concrete steps that the administration would pursue to lower prices. Guardian Santander has rushed out a note to senior managers after it emerged that the lenders Spanish owner is reviewing the future of its UK business amid mounting frustrations over regulation. The chief executive of Santanders UK corporate and commercial bank, John Baldwin, sent out a memo outlining how to respond to clients and its 21,000 UK staff, who have been rattled by news that the bank could be put up for sale. Guardian More than three quarters of a million low-paid hotel and restaurant workers will be dragged into the National Insurance system under Rachel Reevess regressive changes. The Chancellors decision to lower the threshold for employer National Insurance (NI) contributions means 774,000 hospitality sector workers will be newly eligible for the tax, according to UKHospitality. Telegraph Rachel Reeves is set to back a third runway at Heathrow as Labour steps up efforts to boost economic growth. The Chancellor is preparing a sweeping endorsement of airport expansion as the government seeks to bolster its pro-growth credentials in the face of a stalling economy. In addition to providing support for the troubled effort to build a third runway at Heathrow, the government is understood to be poised to approve a second runway at Gatwick and greenlight an application for a near doubling of capacity at Luton. Telegraph Global chief executives have ranked the UK the second most important market for international investment, beaten only by America. The UK rose two places in the annual global CEO survey by PwC, the accounting and consulting firm. It is the highest position secured by Britain in the 28-year history of the survey. The Times Londons FTSE 100 was flat at 8,525.54 in afternoon trade on Tuesday. Lloyds Banking was the top gainer on the index following reports that Chancellor Rachel Reeves has launched a bid to protect car-loan providers from multibillion-pound payouts in a landmark mis-selling case. Lloyds owns motor finance provider Black Horse. According to the Financial Times, the Treasury has sought permission to intervene in the Supreme Court. Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the UK governments backing in the motor finance case is a clear positive for Lloyds, which is the bank most exposed to the issue. "By urging the Supreme Court to adopt a fair and measured approach, the Treasury is helping to ease fears of hefty penalties, potentially softening the financial blow for lenders. While Barclays has less exposure and NatWest none, the governments bank-friendly stance should help lift confidence across the sector," he said. Property portal Rightmove was under the cosh after a downgrade to underperform at Jefferies, while Anglo American fell after a downgrade to hold at SBG Securities. Primark owner Associated British Foods was also weaker after a downgrade to underweight at Morgan Stanley. FTSE 100 - Risers Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 61.02p 4.02% Games Workshop Group (GAW) 13,780.00p 1.70% Airtel Africa (AAF) 125.80p 1.62% Ashtead Group (AHT) 5,388.00p 1.09% AstraZeneca (AZN) 10,906.00p 1.04% Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 792.40p 1.02% Admiral Group (ADM) 2,638.00p 0.88% Kingfisher (KGF) 250.00p 0.85% Beazley (BEZ) 840.50p 0.84% Scottish Mortgage Inv Trust (SMT) 1,051.00p 0.82% FTSE 100 - Fallers Rightmove (RMV) 642.40p -3.31% Anglo American (AAL) 2,568.50p -1.98% Associated British Foods (ABF) 1,964.00p -1.90% Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 260.00p -1.81% Haleon (HLN) 367.50p -1.58% Glencore (GLEN) 381.95p -1.36% British Land Company (BLND) 353.20p -1.34% SEGRO (SGRO) 701.40p -1.32% Mondi (MNDI) 1,208.50p -1.31% Unite Group (UTG) 824.00p -1.20% Dancing has always fascinated audiences, and its emotional expressiveness and incredible energy make dance films one of the most popular in different eras. From classical ballet performances to modern hip-hop, this genre knows no limits. ADVERTISIMENT Films with dance as the main theme combine fascinating stories, amazing choreography and spectacular performances. Each generation will find its own special movie that will inspire, amuse and even teach. In this selection, OBOZ.UA has gathered the best dance films that will be a real treat for everyone who loves the art of movement. Shall We Dance (2004) A touching romantic comedy that tells the story of John, a successful lawyer who feels trapped in a routine. When he sees a beautiful woman in the window of a dance studio, he is inspired to change his life. The decision to start dancing becomes the beginning of a journey of self-discovery for John, which brings him not only new skills, but also new friends and love. The movie is a great example of how it's never too late to change your life and follow your dreams. ADVERTISIMENT Step Up (2006) An energetic musical drama that tells the story of two young people from different worlds who are united by their love of dance. Tyler, a rebel with a complicated past, and Nora, a talented ballerina from a privileged background, find common ground on the dance floor. Their partnership becomes not only a chance to win a prestigious dance competition, but also an opportunity to change their lives. The movie impresses with dynamic dance numbers, a touching love story and teenage maximalism. ADVERTISIMENT Footloose (1984) A 1984 American musical film that has become a true movie classic. The film tells the story of a young boy, Ren, who moves from a big city to a small town where dancing and rock music are banned under penalty of death. The White Crow (2019) A biographical drama that tells the story of the life of Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev. Director and screenwriter Ralph Fiennes describes Nureyev's journey from his childhood in the USSR to becoming one of the greatest emigrants in the ballet world. ADVERTISIMENT The film is based on his decisive decision to leave the Soviet Union during a tour in Paris in 1961, which was a real act of rebellion against the totalitarian system. The film depicts Nureyev's internal conflict, his struggle for freedom and his desire to find his place in the big world of art. The acting performance of Alexei Moshkov, who plays Nureyev, is powerful and emotionally intense. The White Crow not only shows an important part of ballet history, but also highlights the human struggle for individuality and freedom. Billy Elliot (2000) A British drama about a working-class boy who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. The film focuses on the struggle of 11-year-old Billy to pursue his right to dance, despite the opposition of his father, who wants his son to box, and the social restrictions imposed by his family and environment. ADVERTISIMENT The confrontation between family traditions and his passion for ballet creates a dramatic tension in the film. Actor Jamie Bell, who plays Billy, has received wide acclaim for his heartfelt performance. The film touches on important themes such as self-expression, fighting for your dreams and accepting your own identity. With its great music, dance numbers and emotional depth, Billy Elliot has become a cult film that inspires generations of people to follow their passions. Saturday Night Fever (1977) ADVERTISIMENT A 70s movie icon that captivated the world with its energetic dancing and John Travolta's unsurpassed charisma. The film tells the story of Tony Manero, a young man from Brooklyn who finds solace and recognition on the dance floor. Through dancing, he tries to escape from his boring job and gray reality. The film has become a cult favorite thanks to the Bee Gees' catchy rhythms, stylish costumes and legendary dance scenes that still inspire. The film not only entertains, but also explores the themes of youth culture, social issues and self-discovery. Black Swan (2010) A psychological thriller that explores the themes of obsession, ambition and inner conflict through the story of ballerina Nina Sayers. Nina, played by Natalie Portman, is cast in the lead role in a production of the ballet Swan Lake, where she will perform both the white and black swan. ADVERTISIMENT As she immerses herself in her role, Nina faces an increasing number of psychological problems that threaten her mental health. The film skillfully combines elements of classical ballet and psychological thriller, emphasizing the drama of the heroine's inner world. Portman won the Oscar for Best Actress for her incredible performance, which combined tenderness and madness. Black Swan makes us think about the limits people are willing to go to in order to achieve perfection, and shows how the blurred line between reality and imagination can lead to tragedy. Dirty Dancing (1987) A cult musical drama that tells the passionate love story between a young girl Jennifer, played by Jennifer Grey, and a dancer Johnny (Patrick Swayze), who works as a dance instructor at a resort hotel. They meet during a summer vacation, and they develop not only romantic feelings but also a passionate passion for dancing. The film covers the themes of social relations, class differences and self-discovery, showing how the characters change their lives through dance. ADVERTISIMENT The dance choreography, in particular the iconic final number, gained great popularity and became part of the culture of the 80s. The musical score, in particular the song "I've Had The Time of My Life," became a hit, adding a special emotional depth to the film. "Dirty Dancing continues to be a favorite movie for many, inspiring freedom of expression and following your feelings. Magic Mike's Last Dance (2023) This is the third movie in the series that concludes the story of Mike Lane, the character played by Channing Tatum. In the new installment, Mike decides to return to the dance world when he is offered a lucrative deal in London, where he meets a charismatic woman who becomes his partner on stage and in life. The movie combines elements of drama, romance and dance, and focuses on the hero's struggle with his inner demons and his desire to find a new meaning in life. The dance numbers that are characteristic of the previous parts of the film take on a new intensity in this one, becoming even more emotionally charged. The plot explores the themes of self-expression, relationships and passion, with a special focus on how dance can be a way to escape from the difficulties of life. "Magic Mike's Last Dance" completes a trilogy that has left a significant impact on popular culture with its emotional depth and breathtaking dance performances. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. Gofundme campaigns have been launched for at least three booksellers who lost homes in the Los Angeles wildfires two weeks ago. One is for John Evans and Alison Reid, who for many years owned Diesel Bookstores in the Bay Area and Southern California and now own Camino Books in Del Mar. (When they sold the Diesel store in Brentwood last year, they changed the name of the Del Mar store to Camino Books.) Their home in Pacific Palisades was lost, and the campaign, organized by PRH sales rep Tom Benton, aims to raise $10,000. Benton wrote in part, "Alison and John have enhanced their communities with each of the Diesel Bookstores and now Camino Books in Del Mar. In fact, wherever they are, you'll find community--of books, ideas, and friendship.... I have been friends with Alison and John for decades, and I know there are many people in the book community who can say the same. "Many of us have shared a drink, a meal, or even a concert (countless Springsteen shows for me) with Alison and John. While we are so grateful for their friendship and the good times, we now look to help them in this hardest of tasks, reconstructing all that they have lost. Please support them if you can as they travel the difficult road ahead." Evans wrote to Shelf Awareness, "FEMA and our insurance company seem to be acting in good faith, with lots of paperwork, along with all else leaving us dazed and confused.... I take great strength from all the heartfelt kindnesses of people on the street, local media, FEMA workers, firefighters, volunteer aid workers. It's a wonder to see." Another Gofundme campaign has been set up for Tom Rogers, owner of the Book Alley, a used bookstore in Pasadena, whose home in Altadena was destroyed. Organized by Bea Goodwin, a Book Alley bookseller, the campaign plans to raise $70,000 to help the family "towards rebuilding their lives--clothing, furniture, housing, you name it." She called Rogers "a charismatic, compassionate boss and loving father to two boys who work at our store" and noted that "the Rogers family selflessly used the last moments they could helping neighbors evacuate and took nothing with them but their vehicles and husky." Rogers wrote: "Thank you so very much to everyone who has contributed here, known and unknown to me. It is deeply appreciated. I, and my family, are sincerely touched by this help at this time and the expressions of affection for our book store, Book Alley. The contributions will help us keep the store functioning as well as increasing the likelihood that we are able to return to beautiful Altadena and be part of its rebuilding." Kateryna Hornostai's documentary "The Time Tape" has been selected for the main program of the Berlin International Film Festival 2025. The film, which is in competition for the Golden Bear, immerses viewers in the realities of school life in Ukraine during the war. ADVERTISIMENT The full list of the festival's participants is available on Variety's website. "The Time Tape has a special significance for Ukraine, as the last time Ukrainian films were included in the main program of the Berlinale was more than 25 years ago. "Our film does not aim to tell the stories of its protagonists: it does not contain stories about them or interviews. Instead, "The Time Tape" will immerse the viewer in the life of Ukrainian schools during the ongoing war for an hour and a half," the filmmakers told Suspilne Culture. The project was initiated by the Osvitoria NGO, which became the executive producer of the film. The film was created by 2Brave Productions. ADVERTISIMENT "We want to remind the world that the war in Ukraine is ongoing, and its children and teachers are paying an excessive price for the opportunity to enjoy the basic human right to education," said Zoya Lytvyn, founder of Osvitoria. Kateryna Hornostai, the film's director, admits that getting into the main competition of the Berlinale is a great responsibility, but also a dream for the filmmaker. "It's a great challenge that we are facing now. I'm scared because this is a platform where our film is among world-class names, it's very responsible," she added. The film shows how the educational process continues in different parts of the country from Cherkasy and Kharkiv to Borodianka and Bucha. However, the story is mostly built around a funeral in the town of Romny in Sumy region, where a school was destroyed by a direct hit and its staff was killed. This project also won the Eurimages New Lab Outreach Award 2024. Thus, the team managed to win 30 thousand euros. The Berlin International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious in Europe, and in 2025 it will take place from February 13 to 23. This is Kateryna Hornostai's second film to participate in the Berlinale her previous work, "Stop Earth," won the Crystal Bear Award in 2021. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! In an attempt to further infuse new life into the telecom sector, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) submitted the telecom industry's recommendations to the Ministry of Finance for the upcoming Union Budget 2025-26. Since the TSPs need to invest much more capital today, particularly on 5G deployment, COAI suggested that the levy on the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) be withdrawn altogether. Alternatively, the government may consider the suspension of the USO contribution of 5 percent of AGR, till the existing USO corpus of over Rs 86,000 crore is exhausted, said the apex telecom industry body. COAI also requested that the license fee be reduced at an urgent need from 3 per cent to 1 per cent so that it just covers the administrative cost by the DoT/government, thereby relieving the TSPs of additional financial burden. The present definition of Gross Revenue (GR) is a matter of concern for the industry also, as this covers revenue of all telecom activities. COAI further suggested that the definition of GR be crystallized by providing an opinion that no revenue from the activities for which no license is required should form a part of GR. "Further, we strongly believe that large traffic generators (LTG) should take the responsibility of participating in the development of telecom infrastructure as they ride on the networks created by telecom companies, earn profits, but don't pay anything for creation of the infrastructure", said the COAI. It recommended that LTGs should pay to USO fund/Digital Bharat Nidhi Fund and thereby contribute to the Indian digital economy. Owing to the intense price competition in the market, the telecom industry in India has consolidated from over 10 companies in 2017 to 3 private and 1 public sector company, which is an optimal structure and encourages healthy competition. "On top of all this, the cash flow and projections of a few players of the telecom sector have also come under pressure due to the impact of the Ruling of 2019 delivered by the Supreme Court, particularly with regard to the computation of AGR in such a manner as to require a longer period to pay additional dues on account of the revised computation by the telecom operators", said COAI. COAI also urged the government to clarify that service tax is not payable on incremental License Fees (LF) and Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC) arising from the Supreme Court's AGR ruling. the telecom companies and significantly impacts the rollout of 5G services in India. For the last 5 to 6 years, the government has gradually increased customs duty on telecom equipment to 20 percent, which imposes a huge financial burden onand significantly impacts the rollout of 5G services in India. COAI has requested for an exemption from the levy of BCD to be granted on telecom equipment under CTH 8517 that has been increased from October 11, 2018, which will ease cost challenges associated with installing this very essential infrastructure. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently announced that ArcelorMittal/Nippon Steel is planning to invest a whopping Rs 1.4 lakh crore for a 17.8-million-ton integrated steel plant in Anakapalli. He made the announcement while attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Naidu shared the news on X, stating, "ArcelorMittal/Nippon Steel has recently made a landmark investment of Rs 1.4 lakh crore for a 17.8-million-ton integrated steel project in Anakapalli. This initiative stands out as one of the largest greenfield projects in recent times! #InvestInAP". Accompanied by Ministers Nara Lokesh and T.G. Bharat, Naidu met Lakshmi Mittal, the Executive Chairman of the Mittal Group, and Aditya Mittal, CEO of ArcelorMittal, to take stock of the integrated steel plant. The delegation underlined Andhra Pradesh's investment-friendly ecosystem and strategic advantages while inviting further industrial collaborations. State Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, was of the view that Bhavanapadu also had great scope to emerge as a world-class petrochemical hub, exploring which was discussed with Mittal. Lokesh mentioned port capacity of 83.3 MTPA and robust infrastructure while stating the hub's closeness to the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy in Vizag for R&D, manufacturing, and logistics of petrochemicals and green energy. manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh, which would provide 2,000 jobs. Mittal agreed, with support from the government. In return, Lokesh offered Rs 3,500 crore investment through HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL) on a 2 GW solar cell, which would provide 2,000 jobs. Mittal agreed, with support from the government. The CEO of ArcelorMittal further briefed on the group's green initiatives, where they have tied up with Greenko to establish 975 MW of solar and wind energy. Clean energy generated by this source will power Anakapalli steel plant and offset carbon emission worth 1.5 million tonnes every year. Mittal further announced the launch of 1 MT green ammonia at Kakinada, supporting the sustainable energy initiatives of Andhra Pradesh. Donald Trump's historic return to the White House has sent ripples of anxiety through the undocumented immigrant community in the United States, including an estimated 7,25,000 Indians, as he unveils a sweeping nativist agenda to crack down on illegal immigration. During his inaugural address, Trump escalated the hardline tone and revealed several executive orders as he sought to combat what he claimed was a national crisis. "We will stop illegal immigration once and for all. We will not be invaded, occupied, overrun, or conquered. We will be a free and proud nation once again, starting tomorrow at 12 o'clock", he declared. Trump's agenda promises the most aggressive immigration enforcement efforts in U.S. history. His initial focus will be on deporting the 655,000 undocumented immigrants with criminal charges or convictions. He plans to target 1.4 million individuals who have received final deportation orders. Despite the logistical hassles of such measures, Trump is undeterred. Deporting just the 40,000 individuals currently in custody would require around 150 flights, while addressing the broader 1.4 million deportation cases would necessitate over 5,000 flights. humanitarian parole from countries such as Afghanistan and Ukraine, and 540,000 recipients of DACA. According to a report by The Times of India, Indians are the third-largest group of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., after Mexico with 4 million and El Salvador with 7,50,000. This anxiety is not restricted to those who have final orders; millions are now on high alert, among them 2.6 million asylum seekers, 1.1 million under temporary protective status, 850,000 undersuch as Afghanistan and Ukraine, and 540,000 recipients of DACA. Trump's speech struck home his intentions to pursue multiple avenues to end the crisis. "All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens to the places from which they came", he declared. He went on to say that he planned to reinstate the politically contentious 'Remain in Mexico'policy, end the procedure known as 'catch and release', and position troops at the southern border. He also signed orders to classify drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to empower federal and state law enforcement to eliminate foreign gangs and criminal networks. "As commander-in-chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I am going to do", Trump affirmed. For others, this measure is just one step forward toward curbing illegal immigration, and the issue at hand has much to do with the humanitarian problems of mass deportations, given the complexity in implementing it. Most of the 11 to 14 million undocumented or temporarily documented immigrants in the U.S. enjoy existing protections due to previous administrations. With Trump's second term already reshaping the immigration landscape, the fear and uncertainty among undocumented communities, including hundreds of thousands of Indians, are palpable. As the administration moves forward, the world watches closely to see how these sweeping policies unfold. With over 20 years of experience in technology and consulting, Omkar Nisal has led digital transformations across sectors. His strategic vision and technical expertise will drive Wipro's growth and success in the competitive European market. Omkar Nisal has been appointed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wipro's (NSE: WIPRO) Europe Strategic Market Unit (SMU). This role is crucial for the company as it strengthens its presence in the competitive European market. Nisal will join Wipros executive board alongside this responsibility, further solidifying his role in shaping the company's strategic direction in Europe. Nisal brings over two decades of experience in the technology and consulting industries. His career at Wipro began in 2012, and since then, he has held various leadership roles, significantly contributing to the company's growth. He served as senior vice president and managing director for Wipro's UK and Ireland operations, managing a regional profit and loss (P&L) exceeding $1 billion. As CEO of Wipro's Europe SMU, Nisal drives the company's strategic direction and overall performance across key European markets, including the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and Northern and Southern Europe. He will manage the regional P&L and ensure that Wipro continues to deliver high-value solutions to clients. Nisal also serves as a member of Wipro's Culture Council, where he plays an integral role in shaping the company's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) agenda. His involvement in this initiative underscores his commitment to building a strong organisational culture that values inclusion and collaboration, further enhancing Wipro's position as a forward-thinking company in the global market. Before joining Wipro, Nisal worked at global organisations such as Capgemini (EPA: CA) and Infosys (NSE: INFY), where he gained experience working with clients across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. His work primarily involved driving digital transformation initiatives, focusing on customer experience redesign and AI-led automation. His expertise in enterprise transformation, particularly in the banking and financial services sectors, has made him a recognised leader. A key strength of Nisal's leadership is his deep technical expertise. He holds a first-class honours degree in Computer Science and has completed an executive leadership program in Leading Global Businesses from Harvard Business School. Nisal has also demonstrated his innovative mindset by applying for patents in critical areas such as channels, anti-money laundering (AML), and fraud detection. These patents showcase his ability to lead technological advancements that solve pressing challenges in the business world. Nisal has a well-rounded approach to life, and leadership allows him to maintain a healthy work-life balance. His understanding of the European market positions him well as a guide for Wipro's continued success in the region. Nisal's strategic vision and technical expertise will drive the companys growth while ensuring the company remains competitive in an increasingly digital world. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Advance Auto Parts, which announced in November that it planned to close 523 corporate and 204 independent locations as part of what it called a strategic plan to improve business performance, has begun to downsize its store footprint. The automotive parts retailer has hired Hilco Real Estate, a division of Hilco Global, to manage the sale of real estate assets both owned and leased spanning 46 states, including New York. The company has two stores on Staten Island, located in Port Richmond and Great Kills. According to a public listing on Hilcos website, the disposition of over 200 leased and 24 owned locations will be handled in the coming weeks. An initial bid deadline has been set for March 13. Hilco did not respond to questions regarding the status of the Staten Island sites. Founded in 1929, Advance Auto Parts Inc. is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installers and do-it-yourself customers. According to the companys website, as of Oct. 5, 2024, Advance operated 4,781 stores primarily within the United States, with additional locations in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company had been working to return its business to profitability and reverse falling sales, several publications have reported. In November, it completed the sale of automotive parts wholesaler Worldpac to global investment firm Carlyle for $1.5 billion as part of a simplification of its business model. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. At the first Community Board 1 full board meeting of 2025, Staten Island residents and officials discussed a range of issues affecting the borough, including a proposed cannabis business at 755 Forest Ave., crime plus new initiatives to support youth and improve public safety. The full meeting can be viewed here in an hour-long presentation filmed and edited by Jamie Hixson. It took place starting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at St. Marys Episcopal Church at 347 Davis Ave., West Brighton. In a nutshell, several residents expressed opposition to a proposed legal cannabis business at 755 Forest Ave., citing proximity to parks, schools, and a childcare center, as well as potential negative impacts on the community. The District Attorney also vehemently opposes the opening of the cannabis shop and is willing to write a letter against it if the board votes against the proposal. Other issues discussed included veteran homelessness, a new climate resilience initiative called Community Climate Core, and the role of the Independent Budget Office in providing data-driven insights into NYCs operations, services, and budget. The meeting also addressed administrative matters such as the treasurers report, the addition of a new executive member, and concerns about a requirement to purchase new garbage cans by 2026. Funny but not funny: Shake Shack put in its own two cents on Congestion Pricing with a deal worth $9 no tolls included. (Shake Shack)silvestri ROLL CALL A roll call of elected officials and/or their reps was requested during the meeting. Present were city and state elected reps from the offices of NY State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D) 23rd Senate District, NY State Senator Sam Pirozzolo (R) 63rd Assembly District, NYC Council Member David Carr (R) District 50 and NYC Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks (D) District 49. Additionally at the meeting were spokespersons from Borough President Vito Fossellas office and District Attorney Michael McMahons office. There was no representation from the offices of either NY State Assemblyman Charles D. Fall (D) 61st Assembly District or Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis of the 11th Congressional District. Both were asked via email as to why there was no rep present for this first full board meeting of the year. A spokesman for the Assemblyman declined to comment. Malliotakis Chief of Staff Natalie Baldassarre responded, The Congresswoman was in Washington for votes on Tuesday. Our office attends CB1 meetings when there are areas of concern that fall under federal jurisdiction, otherwise we receive a full briefing from the boards leadership to ensure we are apprised of any significant developments and concerns from the community. As described by CB 1 on its Facebook page, Community Boards have an important advisory role in dealing with land use and zoning items, the City budget, municipal service delivery, and many other matters relating to the welfare of their district. CB 1 can be found at 1 Edgewater Plaza, Room 217 and can be reached on weekdays during business hours via 718-981-6900. The website which updates meeting times can be found at Nyc.gov/html/sicb1. In the following summary of the Tuesday, Jan. 14 meeting, Generative AI was used to draft the bulleted version of a recorded presentation provided by CB1. It was reviewed and edited by Staten Island Advance. See the Advance Local Guide to Disclosing Use of AI. Staten Island Ferry SSG Michael H. Ollis sails out of New York Harbor Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024(Staten Island Advance/Paul Liotta) Cannabis Discussion At A Glance: Cannabis Business Concerns Vincent DAntuono of Pastosa Ravioli in West Brighton expressed opposition to a proposed legal cannabis business at 755 Forest Ave., citing proximity to parks and schools and potential negative impacts on the community. District Attorneys Opposition The District Attorney opposes the opening of the cannabis shop and is willing to write a letter against it if the board votes against the proposal. Laura McCarthy Represented the Forest Regional Residence Civic Association and objected to the proposed cannabis license for Victory Bank on Forest Ave. Cited concerns about proximity to a childcare center, increased traffic, and the presence of middle school children in the area. CB Agenda (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri In other matters: Introduction of New ADA: Agnes McBeth introduced Denise Trerotola, a new Assistant District Attorney (ADA) at the Richmond County District Attorneys office. Trerotola started in September and handles low-level crimes and misdemeanors. Crime Statistics: Crime numbers in Staten Island are down, making it the safest borough in NYC and the safest community of its size in the country. However, misdemeanors are up by 20% citywide. There are currently 750 officers on Staten Island, down from 1,000 in the 1990s and 2000s. Youth Programs: Emphasis on investing in youth and families, highlighting the Saturday Night Lights program, which provides sports and mentoring to build relationships between youth and officers. Law Enforcement: Despite fewer officers than in the past, the current force is praised for their effectiveness. There was a mention of a tragic stabbing in West Brighton, highlighting the need for more investment in youth and family resources. Programs and Initiatives by the DAs Office: Saturday Night Lights: A mentoring program for youth. Discovery Reform: The DA is prioritizing changes in the discovery statute. Antonio Wade Case: Wade was sentenced to 10.5 years in prison for assault. Community Engagement: Makeda Campbell from Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spantons office discussed mobile offices that address community concerns and announced a Black History Month celebration on February 13th at Port Richmond High School. Legislative Efforts: Support for discovery reform and addressing mental health issues to improve community safety. Lifeguard Training Bill: Mike Arvenites from Councilwoman Kamillah Hankss office announced a new bill allowing high school students who take lifeguard training to skip PE classes. Congestion Pricing and Bus Service: Via Arvenitess speech, congestion pricing has started, but only one bus line on the North Shore received additional buses. A survey on bus service is being conducted to address these issues. Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB): Prince Cobbina from CCRB reported on police misconduct complaints. In 2024, there were 5,709 complaints, with 31% related to excessive use of force and 28% to abuse of authority. Staten Island had the fewest complaints among the boroughs. Cannabis Business Concerns: At this point in the meeting, Vincent DAntuono of Pastosa Ravioli in West Brighton expressed opposition to a proposed legal cannabis business at 755 Forest Ave., citing proximity to parks and schools and potential negative impacts on the community. (See above text for details.) Veteran Homelessness: DAntuono also highlighted the issue of homeless veterans, urging action to support the 40,000 homeless veterans in the country. District Attorneys Opposition: With a pounding of a fist on the dais, Agnes McBeth said emphatically that the District Attorney opposes the opening of the cannabis shop and is willing to write a letter against it if the board votes against the proposal. Community Concerns: Makeda Campbell from Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spantons office discussed mobile offices that address community concerns and announced a Black History Month celebration on Feb. 13 at Port Richmond High School. She also mentioned legislative efforts to support crime victims and those with severe mental illnesses. Breast Cancer Awareness: A mobile van will offer free mammograms on February 13th. NYC Parks: Nicole Brooks announced lifeguard recruitment for beaches and pools, with qualifying tests on February 2nd and March 10th. NYPD Citizen Academy: Jermaine Williams promoted a six-week program for citizens to learn about police work. Congestion Pricing: Efforts to manage parking issues related to congestion pricing were discussed. Port Richmond news: Mario Buonviaggio announced the fifth annual project on Richmond Ave for the class of 2025. Expressed concerns about a new homeless shelter in Port Richmond, criticizing Project Hospitalitys management. Called for community action and support from the Community Board and elected officials to oppose the shelter. Community Climate Core: Robert Rosso announced a new initiative called Community Climate Core focused on climate resilience. The initiative will target neighborhoods vulnerable to flooding and heat, such as Port Richmond and West Brighton. It aims to raise awareness, set up projects, distribute resources, and bring community groups together to prepare for natural disasters. Forest Regional Residence Civic Association: Laura McCarthy represented the Forest Regional Residence Civic Association which objected to the proposed cannabis license for Victory Bank on Forest Ave. She cited concerns about proximity to a childcare center, increased traffic, and the presence of middle school children in the area. IBO (New York City Independent Budget Office): Xin-rui Lee came from theIndependent Budget Office (IBO) Manhattan office to explain the role of the IBO Ibo.nyc.ny.us in providing data-driven insights into NYCs operations, services, and budget. She mentioned that IBO publishes mandated reports and accepts research requests from the public and other city agencies. She highlighted the availability of budget training sessions and presentations on various reports. Here is her direct email address for further correspondence from the community xlee@ibo.nyc.gov. General Meeting Notes: The meeting included roll call attendance and a discussion on the Pledge of Allegiance. Plans for a steering committee meeting involving the chairs, executive board, and representatives from the Office of Cannabis Management were mentioned. The meeting will be virtual if representatives from Albany cannot attend in person. Treasurers Report: The treasurers report is included in the meeting packet. Appreciation was expressed for condolences received for the speakers mother. New Executive Member: Catherine Sheer Volume was added as a new parliamentarian to help with compliance on letters, including an upcoming cannabis letter. Garbage Cans Issue: Discussion on the requirement to purchase new garbage cans by 2026. A motion was made to write a letter to the Department of Sanitation to exempt Staten Island from this requirement. Concerns were raised about fines for non-compliant garbage cans and the confusion surrounding the new regulations. Committee Updates: Waterfront Committee: Next meeting on January 28th to discuss Staten Island Ferry schedules and other issues related to the Manhattan ramps. Public Service: Sanitation has been proactive with snow preparation, but any issues should be communicated. St. George area meeting: There are ongoing issues with the train station ramp due to drug paraphernalia and homelessness. A meeting is planned to address these concerns. General Meeting Notes: Plans for a steering committee meeting involving the chairs, executive board, and representatives from the Office of Cannabis Management were mentioned. Pamela Silvestri can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com. She is the Advance/Silive.com food editor. For questions or concerns on this summary, always reach out at the aforementioned email address. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York Blood Center (NYBC) has declared a blood emergency due to an alarming 30% drop in blood donations following the holiday season. The numbers are concerning as blood is critical for emergencies, surgeries and trauma care, and 6,500 fewer donations have crippled the regions blood supply, according to NYBC leaders. All types needed Donations of all blood types are urgently needed -- especially Types O- and B-, which are down to dangerously low one- to three-day supply, according to NYBC. Blood donations typically decrease during the holiday season, but January poses additional challenges, including: inclement weather and frigid temperatures; flu, COVID-19 and RSV reducing donor eligibility; schools and workplaces hosting fewer drives during holiday breaks. These factors have strained an already fragile blood supply, Blood Center executives said, making it extremely difficult for patients and hospitals to manage chronic illnesses. Hospitals and patients depend on a steady stream of volunteer donors, yet the past few years have seen persistent, nationwide blood shortages. Several Staten Island blood drives are planned between Jan. 21 and Jan. 28, and the Staten Island Donor Center in New Springville accepts donations on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday each week. To make an appointment at any local drive, visit the New York Blood Center Donor Center website at donate.nybc.org. The months following the holiday season are always a difficult time for the blood supply, with an increase in seasonal illness and inclement winter weather impacting donations, said Andrea Cefarelli, senior vice president at New York Blood Center. The drop in donations serves as a critical reminder of the fragility of our nations blood supply. Were urging all eligible New Yorkers to start the new year by saving lives -- schedule a donation today and bring a friend to double the impact! New York state is facing a critical blood shortage, and the need for donors has never been more urgent, said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. A blood donation helps patients undergoing surgeries, trauma care and treatments for chronic illnesses. Please roll up your sleeve and help your community during this blood emergency your donation can save lives, he explained. Northwell Health is deeply grateful to partner with New York Blood Center to support the urgent needs of the blood emergency, said James Martone, assistant vice president, clinical laboratory operations, transfusion medicine for Northwell Health Laboratories. We thank and encourage all community blood donors to roll up their sleeves to meet our patients' transfusion needs now and throughout the year. Countless lives are saved thanks to the selfless generosity of these individuals. Donating blood is safe and convenient for those who are in good health. Donors should be 17 years or older (16 with a parent or guardians written consent). If you are 76 years of age or older, NYBC requires written consent from a doctor. Please bring a copy of the letter to your donor appointment. This letter will remain on file with NYBC as your proof of eligibility to donate. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds (donors aged 16-18 have additional height and weight restrictions). If you have been sick, you must be symptom-free for at least 72 hours following cold or flu. In addition, some medical conditions/medications, recent tattoos, piercings, or travel may impact eligibility. Learn more about common reasons people cant donate. January is National Blood Donor Month, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and recognize the lifesaving impact of voluntary blood donors. Proclaimed by President Richard Nixon in January 1970, this annual observance remains vital to raising awareness and strengthening the blood supply during a critical time of year. Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org. The Staten Island Blood Center, at 2791 Richmond Ave., New Springville, accepts donations on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday each week. To schedule an appointment, visit https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/center/38, or call 800-933-2566. Upcoming Staten Island blood drives: Tuesday, Jan. 21: 123th Police Precinct, 116 Main St., Tottenville, noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23: 120th Police Precinct, 78 Richmond Terrace, St. George, noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25: St. Christophers Church Community Center, 136 Midland Ave., Grant City, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28: College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Blvd, 1 C - Campus Center, Willowbrook, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cant donate blood? You can still make a lifesaving impact by supporting NYBCs mission through financial contributions or volunteering your time. Click here to learn more. Founded in 1964, New York Blood Center (NYBC) has served the Tristate area for more than 60 years, delivering 500,000 lifesaving blood products annually to more than 150 hospitals, EMS and health-care partners. An Upstate New York man has been freed by Taliban after more than two years. The family of Ryan Corbett, a U.S. citizen from the Livingston County village of Dansville, confirmed Tuesday that he was one of two Americans released in a prisoner exchange between the United States and the Talibans Foreign Ministry in Kabul. Corbett, who was living in Afghanistan with his family at the time of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, had been held hostage since being detained on a business trip in August 2022. Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryans life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives, Corbetts family said in a statement. The family thanked Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, as well as other U.S. government officials and the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar, for their roles in securing Corbetts release. WHAM reports Corbett first moved to Afghanistan in 2010 to work with NGOs and later started his own business there. His family safely evacuated Afghanistan in 2021, according to WROC, but he continued to return to the country to renew his visa and pay his employees. According to the Associated Press, Corbett and another American were released in exchange for Khan Mohammed, a Taliban figure who had been imprisoned for life in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges, officials said Tuesday. The Justice Department referred to Mohammed in 2008 as a violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker who sought to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan using rockets. The second American released was identified as William McKenty, according to CNN and The New York Times. No other details about McKenty were immediately available. The AP reports the Taliban called the deal, reached Monday, a step towards the normalization of ties between the U.S. and Afghanistan though most countries still dont recognize the Talibans rule. Before Biden left office, his administration had been working on the deal to free Corbett as well as George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi in exchange for Muhammad Rahim, one of the remaining detainees at Guantanamo Bay. While we begin the healing process with Ryan by our side, we remain mindful of the many families who are still waiting for their loved ones to return, including the families of George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi, Corbetts family said. It was our hope that Ryan, George and Mahmoud would be returned to their families together, and we cannot imagine the pain that our good fortune will bring them. We recognize the immense privilege of our familys reunion today, and pledge to keep praying and fighting for George and Mahmouds swift release. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A crowd gathered at the OToole Familys Eltingville tavern to watch as Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. All six televisions surrounding the bar were tuned to the inauguration, where patrons lining the bar cheered and clapped in unison to the guests at the inauguration. IN CLASS: This feature is part of an ongoing education column highlighting the various activities that engage school communities. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Staten Island middle school students recently joined forces with their teachers and other school staff to help stock their schools food pantry and clothing and toiletry supply. Taryn Volpe, Bryana Souvenir and Stephanie Gonzalez, teachers at Markham Intermediate School (I.S. 51) in Graniteville, started a community service club in October 2023. The idea came about after the educators recognized there were many students in the school who needed basic supplies, like food, clothing and toiletries. Students stock the school's food pantry. (Courtesy/Taryn Volpe)Taryn Volpe Students involved in the club give up one to two lunch periods per week to join their teachers in stocking the pantry and clothing and toiletry supply. They even worked to provide food for those during the holiday season distributing 24 Thanksgiving meals to families in the school, which served more than 150 people. Last month, the club began its Operation Secret Elves initiative to give more than 100 children a Christmas and holiday season to remember. Staff members in the school sponsored families and donated toys, clothing and other essentials, as well as monetary donations. Students work at a gift-wrapping station as part of the service club's Operation Secret Elves" initiative. (Courtesy/Taryn Volpe)Taryn Volpe Most of the families who received this assistance are in temporary housing, and have fallen on hard times, explained Volpe, who added that the club is able to collect donations thanks to the support of its school families and staff, as well as from Principal Nicholas Mele. SEASON OF GIVING Integration Charter Schools gave out 1,500 presents to students across its schools on Staten Island during the holiday season, with support from the Teddy Atlas Foundation and Amazon. (Courtesy/Integration Charter Schools)Integration Charter Schools More than 1,500 students on Staten Island received a present for the holiday season thanks to a heartwarming tradition by Integration Charter Schools (ICS), which operates Lavelle Preparatory Charter School, New Ventures Charter School, The Richmond Preparatory Charter School and the Early College Charter School on Staten Island. ICS schools are public schools, which means they are tuition-free and open to all students. Every year, ICS gifts presents to its student body, ensuring that each child experiences the joy of giving and receiving. Many of these gifts were made possible thanks to the support of the Teddy Atlas Foundation and Amazon. This year, the presents were given out during a special morning event, which was filled with excitement as students opened their gifts, fostering a sense of unity and joy within the ICS community. The initiative also highlights the importance of community partnerships and the power of generosity -- especially the spirit of giving during the holiday season, according to ICS. Integration Charter Schools operates Lavelle Preparatory Charter School, New Ventures Charter School, The Richmond Preparatory Charter School and the Early College Charter School on Staten Island. Integration Charter Schools SEND US YOUR STORIES Do you have a story idea for the In Class education column? Email education reporter Annalise Knudson at aknudson@siadvance.com. By Nazrin Abdul The Ministry of Energy hosted the next meeting of the Technical Committee on the standardization of "Electric Power and Renewable Energy" in a hybrid format. The Ministry announced that the meeting covered three key draft standards: AZS EN 30-2-1:2024 - Gas-Fired Household Kitchen Appliances - Part 2-1: Energy Efficient Use - General, AZS EN 15218:2024 - Steam Cooling for Space Cooling with Condenser and Electric Portable Compressor Air Conditioners and Liquid Chillers - Terms, Definitions, Test Conditions, Test Methods, and Requirements, and AZS IEC 62512:2024 - Household Electric Washing Machines with Drying Function. These were discussed in terms of efficiency measurement methods. Khalida Masimova, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Ministry and Chairwoman of the Technical Committee, opened the meeting by discussing the contributions of standardization to the economy, particularly in the energy sector. She emphasized that applying standards is crucial for ensuring the quality of equipment, household products, and services, while also protecting consumers' rights. Elman Alikhanov, an employee of the Strategic Planning and Coordination Department of the Azerbaijan Standardization Institute, then gave a detailed presentation on the final versions of the three standard drafts. The meeting concluded with the technical committee members offering additional proposals and recommendations, and it was agreed that the three draft standards would be improved and accepted in a timely manner. On his first day in office, Donald Trump set about reforming the US immigration system. In particular, he limited the right to birthright citizenship. ADVERTISIMENT Previously, children born in the United States were granted US citizenship by birthright (with the exception of children of diplomatic personnel). According to information obtained by CNN, Trump's executive order prohibits federal agencies from issuing documents in certain cases. The order is to be applied when parents are in the United States illegally, in situations where the mother is temporarily in the United States, for example, on a visa, the father is not a citizen, etc. The document relies on the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction of the 14th Amendment" of the Constitution. Earlier, legal experts told CNN that they were skeptical that this wording would be accepted in court. According to the lawyers, this phrase is more applicable to children of foreign diplomats or situations where a foreign country has invaded and occupied a part of the country. "Trump's allies and officials are well aware that this move is likely to face legal challenges and eventually reach the Supreme Court," the journalists believe. As reported by OBOZ.UA: The inauguration of the 47th American leader took place on January 20. The new head of the United States signed a decree on the withdrawal of the state from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization. He also suspended US foreign aid programs. According to CNN, Trump instructed his aides to organize a phone call with Putin in the first days after his inauguration. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Tesla billionaire Elon Musk has hit back at critics who accused him of giving a Hitler salute during inaugural festivities for President Donald Trump. The moment came during a speech by Musk at Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C. The BBC reported that Musk thanked the crowd for making it happen, placed his right hand over his heart and then thrust the same arm out straight in front of him. Musk turned and repeated the action to those sitting behind him. My heart goes out to you, Musk told the crowd after making the gesture. And its thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured. Critics on social media, including Musk-owned X, were quick to liken the gesture to the Heil Hitler salute of Nazi Germany. Responding on the same platform, Musk said his critics need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired, Musk wrote. Claire Aubin, a historian who specializes in Nazism within the United States, told the BBC that Musks gesture was a sieg heil, or Nazi salute. My professional opinion is that youre all right, you should believe your eyes, she posted on X, referring to those who believed the gesture to be an overt Nazi reference. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a history professor at New York University, said: Historian of fascism here. It was a Nazi salute and a very belligerent one too. But the Anti-Defamation League, founded to battle anti-Semitism, defended Musk, the Hill reported. This is a delicate moment. Its a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety, the group wrote on X. It seems that Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute. But again, we appreciate that people are on edge. Donald Trump did not place his hand on the Bible while taking the oath of office as the 47th president of the United States on Monday. While presidents traditionally place their left hand on the Bible as they take the oath of office, there is no constitutional requirement that they do so. Trumps wife, Melania Trump, had two stacked Bibles at the ready for Trump. One was gifted to Trump by his mother, while the other was the same Bible that Abraham Lincoln used when he was sworn into office for the first time in 1861. Trump had placed his hand on those same Bibles when he took the oath of office as the 45th president in 2017. Some Trump supporters blamed Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts for the Bible snafu on Monday. They said that Roberts didnt give Trump and his family members enough time to settle themselves before administering the oath, Newsweek reported. With the incoming first family scrambling to get into place, Chief Justice Roberts began reciting the oath before President Donald Trump could even put his hand on the Bible, radio host Terry Meiners posted on X. Roberts muffed when administering the oath to Barack Obama in 2009. Roberts stumbled over some of the words while giving the oath to Obama, Reuters reported. That made Obama mix up some of the words as well. To silence any doubts that Obamas swearing-in was legitimate, Roberts met Obama in the White House the next day and went through the correct, constitutionally mandated oath of office word for word. Trump isnt the first president who didnt place his hand on a Bible while taking the oath, according to ABC News. John Quincy Adams took the oath in 1825 while reading a law book. Theodore Roosevelt did not use a Bible when he was sworn in following the death of President William McKinley in 1901. Lyndon Johnson had his hand on a Catholic missal, or prayer book, when he took the oath aboard Air Force One after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. And Calvin Coolidge said that his mothers Bible was at hand when he took the oath of office at the family home in Vermont after the death of President Warren Harding in 1923. But the Bible wasnt used in the ceremony, Coolidge wrote in his autobiography, because it was not traditional to do so in Vermont or Massachusetts while administering an oath. Article 2 of the U.S. Constitution lays the presidential oath of office: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per week Premium Includes: -- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! Trumps foreign policy combines theatrics with threats. The theatrics include treating Canada as the 51st state and referring to its prime minister as Governor Trudeau. And the threat centers on taking back control of the Panama Canal a vital waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, saving ships an additional 8,000 miles around the perilous tip of South America. The 51-mile-long canal cuts through central Panama, a country straddling the isthmus between Central and South America. Approximately 5% of global trade flows through the canal, and the United States as its biggest customer, accounting for 74% of the cargo, followed by China at 21%. For Panama, the canal is a goldmine. It generates around $4 billion annually, with $2.5 billion going directly to the government. This waterway serves as the backbone of a nation growing at an extraordinary annual rate of 6.5%, supported also by its financial services, tourism, trade, construction, and transport sectors. But Trumps memory is sharp. In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, nearly 10,000 ships traversed the isthmus, carrying 423 million tons of food, minerals, and manufactured goods. Over 40% of the consumer goods traded in 2023 between Northeast Asia and the U.S. East Coast passed through its locks. In response to recent droughts, Panamas president, Jose Raul Mulino, announced a rate hike for this year a move that provided the perfect trigger for Trumps fury over what he called ridiculous fees levied on both commercial and military vessels. Trump also voiced complaints about Chinas growing influence in canal operations, declaring that if Panama ensure the secure, efficient and reliable operation of the channel, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question. Mulino, in response, argued that Panamanian sovereignty is non-negotiable and that control of the canal has come at the cost of blood, sweat, and tears. The story goes that the United States took over construction of the Panama Canal in 1904 after aiding Panama in gaining independence from Colombia. The canal was inaugurated in 1914, marking one of the greatest logistical revolutions of the 20th century. Decades of tension between the United States, which administered the canal, and Panama came to a head on January 9, 1964. A massive protest erupted, resulting in 28 deaths during the subsequent repression by authorities. Under growing international pressure, U.S. president Jimmy Carter (19242024) and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos (19291981) signed two treaties in 1977 to gradually transfer control of the canal to Panama. In 1999, after the U.S. helped overthrow military leader Manuel Noriega, Panama officially assumed control of the canals operations and infrastructure. Trump knows the canals history and fits it seamlessly into his America First campaign. Its a matter of tariffs: if he manages to lower transportation costs, he can reduce the prices of goods entering the country, benefitting industries and farmers, and, in doing so, deliver on his electoral promises, says Emilio Blasco, a researcher in International Relations at the University of Navarra in Spain. If Trump excels at anything, its bending his interests to appear as inevitable realities. It will not fall into the wrong hands, he warned a direct message to China. The Hong Kong-based company Hutchison Ports PPC, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings, controls two of the five ports near the Panama Canal. While direct Chinese investment in Panama amounted to a modest 0.8% in 2023 (compared to 3.6% from Spain and 19.6% from the U.S.), Trumps often unpredictable worldview perceives Chinas involvement as a national security threat. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega also wants to build a 276-mile canal connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean as an alternative to the Panamanian one. Meanwhile, the Panama Canal has faced a 29% drop in ship traffic over the past fiscal year due to a severe drought. From October 2023 to September 2024, only 9,944 ships traversed the isthmus, a stark decline from 14,080 the previous year. These figures could justify higher tolls or perhaps the opposite. Imposing sanctions or bans on shipping companies using the canal, assuming rates were not reduced, would backfire on the United States, notes Roberto Scholtes, head of Strategy at Singular Bank. The countrys port systems, as well as road and rail freight infrastructure, are already under strain, facing shortages of truck drivers and stevedores. The consequence? Redirecting Asian traffic to the East Coast by land would only drive up costs. After enduring several years of severe drought (notably in 1997, 2016, and 2023), the Mulino government has announced plans to expand the Panama Canals basin to reduce water consumption per ship crossing by 12%. Each year of scarce rainfall results in losses of around $1 billion. However, droughts often alternate with floods, creating a precarious balance. The greatest risk facing canal operations is the increasing variability in rainfall, warns Steven Paton, a professor at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). He underscores the danger, adding: The canal area has seen numerous rainfall records over the last two decades, including a higher frequency of unusually dry years and large storms. One such storm, La Purisima in 2020, was the most intense ever recorded in the region, coming very close to causing catastrophic damage and halting operations for an entire day. Amid these climatic challenges, Panama is pushing to raise tariffs, despite opposition from Trumps administration. Yet, in the discourse, farmers appear to be an afterthought. They contribute only 3% of Panamas GDP but account for 30% to 40% of jobs, relying on water for their livelihoods in much the same way they did centuries ago. A rookie in charge Donald Trumps latest move has left Panama uneasy. The president-elect has chosen Kevin Marino Cabrera as ambassador to the country a decision widely seen as a provocation. Cabrera, 34, has no prior experience in international diplomacy. Until now, he served as a commissioner for Miami-Dade County and is known primarily as a staunch supporter of Trumps MAGA agenda and a close ally of the president. Panama is also grappling with a growing migration crisis. In 2024, more than 500,000 migrants mostly from Venezuela and Colombia crossed its borders. This unprecedented influx poses serious risks to the delicate ecosystem of the famous Tapon del Darien forest, a critical natural barrier between Central and South America. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Pope Francis kisses a wooden statuette of the infant Jesus at the end of a mass in St Peters Basilica at the Vatican on New Years Day in 2025. Credit: AP The others have all been the focus of hot debate and criticism. This is part of what makes Pope Francis autobiography, Hope , such a pleasant surprise. There are no profound revelations. Many of the stories he recounts here are already familiar, even from his own writings. The best pope of my lifetime was John Paul I. He only lasted 33 days before he died. This meant he made virtually no mistakes, appointed no inappropriate people and issued no controversial statements. He had an unblemished record. For example, his role in Argentinas so-called dirty war is a bone of contention. In Hope, he writes about his relationship with Esther Ballestrino de Careaga, with whom he worked in a laboratory when he was a budding scientist, one of the thousands who were captured and murdered. He had already written about her in Life: My Story Through History, published just last year. He also repeats his account of the speech he gave to the other cardinals before the conclave in 2013 which saw him elected. That speech certainly influenced their decision. In it, he touched on some of the themes that have come to define his papacy: a rejection of an inbred church that exists only for itself and a call to thrive at the margins. He condemns theological narcissism. Dont expect any great revelations from the Popes autobiography. Dont come to this book expecting scandal or even much in the way of fresh disclosures. It is curious to read a memoir by somebody who is uncomfortable in the limelight, doesnt like parties, and hasnt watched TV since 1990. Despite the often-crazy diatribe against him from the right wing of the church, especially in the United States, there isnt a hint of vindictiveness or retribution. That is part of what makes it so uplifting. In the face of some dark situations, both inside and outside the church, the pope is endlessly positive. He always prefers vulnerability to defensiveness. He does not believe that differences need to make divisions. He far prefers to remember grassroots workers he has met along the way and seldom speaks about world leaders or cardinals. The only reference to George Pell is an expression of gratitude for how Pell was able to sort out Vatican finances. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The buzz around Nicole Kidmans sex-drenched drama Babygirl in which she plays a CEO whose life unravels after she has an affair with a young intern has everyone asking: is the erotic thriller finally back? Its the question you hear whenever high-profile actors sign up for something both steamy and dread-inducing: Florence Pugh in Dont Worry Darling, Sydney Sweeney in The Voyeurs, Ben Affleck in Deep Water. Yet none of these lusty efforts have rekindled a genre forever associated with one decade. The erotic thriller was bedded and beheaded in the 1990s. For the uninitiated, the classic erotic thriller follows a standard template: a man (often played by Michael Douglas) gets involved with a sexually voracious workmate/intern/nanny/suspect who quickly reveals a more unhinged and eventually murderous streak. Its the formula behind hits (Fatal Attraction, Body Heat) and misses (Body of Evidence, Color of Night). Like nun-based comedies or films starring Pauly Shore, erotic thrillers were box-office catnip one minute and a punchline the next. Basic Instinct (1992) earned $US352 million worldwide. Three years later a string of high-profile flops had critics declaring the genre dead. Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct (1992). There have been attempts to jumpstart it. You wont have heard of them. Who remembers Obsessed, the 2009 Fatal Attraction clone starring Beyonce and Idris Elba? Or Femme Fatale (2002) with Antonio Banderas and Rebecca Romijn? What about Rachel McAdams and Noomi Rapace in Passion (2012)? Why did our appetite for sexy murder dry up at the turn of the millennium? The glib answer is that Michael Douglas got married. The real reasons are more nebulous: the proliferation of internet porn, a surge of Christian conservatism in the US, the tsunami of straight-to-video slop that brought disrepute to the whole genre. Advertisement A look at the period in which they flourished suggests more. The early 90s were weirdly horny. This was the era of Madonnas Sex book and Enigmas sexy Gregorian chant-songs. Even Prince Charles was getting jiggy, as evidenced by leaked sex banter between the man who would be king and his then-lover, Camilla Parker Bowles. For all the talk about sex, baby, this was also a time when some men felt hot and bothered for other reasons. As writer Beatrice Loayza puts it, by the late 1980s, the good old days of horny-bastard-style seduction (ie. harassment) seemed to be under attack. Stiletto-clad screen killers were particularly well-suited to an era characterised by a sharp increase in wounded male egos. Its hard not to see how misogynistic so many of the classics are. Fatal Attraction saw an ambitious, powerful woman (Glenn Close) grow increasingly obsessive over a colleague (Douglas). The films original ending was sympathetic to her loneliness, but test audiences demanded she be punished, and a new, more violent climax was filmed. Journalist Susan Faludi described audiences at early screenings: some men screamed kill the bitch! and punch the bitchs face in, while women sat in uncomfortable silence. Fatal Attraction didnt invent this particular spin on male paranoia, but its $US320 million box-office haul spawned countless imitators that cleaved to its psychosexual hang-ups. This was a moment when culture was awash with hand-wringing over women in the workforce, the death of the nuclear family and masculinity in crisis. Fear of women wasnt subtext: 1994s Disclosure sees Douglas rejecting sexual advances by his boss (Demi Moore), who then publicly accuses him of sexual assault. Unsurprisingly, the film ends with him back at the top of the tree. There were exceptions to these dynamics. Single White Female (1992) and The Hand that Rocks the Cradle (1992) involved one woman terrorising another. In Sleeping with the Enemy (1991), a woman (Julia Roberts) hooking up with a violent man is less titillating and closer to a horror flick. Then there are films that keep the tropes intact but leave us firmly on the side of the villain. Basic Instinct (1992) ostensibly follows a burnt-out cop on the tail of an omnisexual sociopath, but Sharon Stones wicked performance is so much more engaging than Douglas bulldoggy perma-pout that its impossible not to cheer her on. Spoiler alert: she wins! Advertisement Two years later, The Last Seduction gave us an even more ruthless figure in the form of Linda Fiorentino (Bridget Gregory), frequently named as one of cinemas greatest femme fatales. Every scene seems designed to illustrate just what a moral vacuum this human is. But we dont love her despite her sins. We love her for them. For all the talk of their supposed demise, perhaps the erotic thriller never really left us. Look at TV: recent years have seen reboots of Fatal Attraction, Presumed Innocent and American Gigolo. In Europes arthouse cinemas, the stream of erotic thrillers never came close to drying up. Loading Even Babygirls Kidman is proof that the genre has always had legs for all the icy roles she often plays, shes also starred in a string of sexy thrillers, including Malice, Eyes Wide Shut and Dead Calm (the UK Telegraph this month anointed her Hollywoods most sexually daring star). If there is a widespread revival of the erotic thriller, it might be Kidman we can credit. When Amazon Studios boss Jennifer Salke was a week into her job, Kidman asked her where are the movies like Basic Instinct and Cruel Intentions and No Way Out, those movies that you want to watch at home? Salke took heed, and began commissioning what she calls sexy date night content. The next year has plenty that fits the bill: this months Companion, the date-gone-wrong thriller Drop, James Wans Soulm8te. Basic Instincts director is back in the saddle too, developing the erotic thriller Young Sinner. And with nun comedies having another moment in the sun (Sister Act 3 is out this year), were only some sexy monks and Pauly Shore short of a full-blown 90s flashback. Babygirl opens on January 30. Advertisement Erotic thrillers its OK to love: Bound Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon in Bound. Before The Matrix put them on the map, the Wachowskis (sisters Lana and Lilly) debuted this impressive crime caper. Its often named the best erotic thriller of all time, and despite the tiny budget it oozes the style and original vision that would go on to become their trademark. The plot a mob wife tries to screw over the mafia with the help of her lover is knotty and rewarding; it has also been lauded for depicting a lesbian relationship that isnt pandering to the male gaze. In the Cut In The Cut starred Meg Ryan in a role that upended her status as Americas sweetheart. Jane Campions take on the genre is a sweaty, feverish affair that makes a bunch of bold choices not least the against-type casting of Meg Ryan as a writing teacher with a turbocharged libido (the role was originally created for Nicole Kidman). The film is lurid, bloody and highly sexed, but its also home to tiny rewarding flourishes a toddler playing on the floor of a strip club; a bridal party waiting for a subway train. It was also the trigger for a famously tense interview between Ryan and Michael Parkinson. Advertisement Blue Steel Jamie Lee Curtis and Ron Silver in Blue Steel. Jamie Lee Curtis plays a rookie cop who begins to suspect her new Wall Street broker boyfriend is a stone-cold sociopath. Kathryn Bigelows third feature is both a tight thriller and a vibes piece theres only a little explicit raunchiness but theres no denying the sexual tension that infuses every frame. Underrated at the time, the film is now regularly taught in cinema courses. Basic Instinct Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone play a cop and killer in Basic Instinct. Credit: Getty As he does in Starship Troopers and Robocop, director Paul Verhoeven serves up genre cliches only to undermine them. The sex and gore is turned up to 11, but what distinguishes the film is how meta it gets. Sharon Stones Catherine Tramell is an erotic thriller author whose latest book is based on the detective investigating her for the murder of her previous lover (whose death was predicted in her last book). Confusing? Thats just the first act. Wild Things Advertisement NSW Premier Chris Minns has called the arrest of a man who allegedly tried to burn down an inner Sydney synagogue a big breakthrough in police efforts to track down those responsible for a spate of antisemitic attacks. But the premier also slammed a 10-month jail sentence handed to one of the men involved in a separate fire at a Bondi brewery in October last year, saying it sent the wrong message and revealing NSW Police would appeal the sentence. The string of antisemitic attacks in Sydney have sparked a national crisis and posed a major challenge for the NSW government and police as it seeks to reassure the citys Jewish community. The 33-year-old arrested on Wednesday is the ninth person charged under Strike Force Pearl, which is investigating the spate of incidents. Police are still searching for the second person allegedly involved in attempting to set the Newtown Synagogue alight. An independent inquiry will be launched into Queenslands child protection system after significant failures were identified in the case of one of Australias worst paedophiles. The Blue Card system, which assesses the suitability of people to work with children, will be closely examined in the inquiry, to be headed by Luke Twyford from the Child Death Review Committee. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said many parents and families had been let down, and she raised the case of horrific childcare rapist Ashley Paul Griffith, and the murder of Tiahleigh Palmer by her foster father. Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington speaking on Tuesday. Credit: Cloe Read Premier David Crisafulli highlighted the need to shine a spotlight on what he described as a broken system. A five-year-old boy who was crushed by a disused old parking meter at Bunbury Museum last week has died from his injuries. The incident unfolded just after 10.30am on Wednesday, January 15. Paramedics rushed the boy to Bunbury Regional Hospital before he was airlifted to Perth Childrens Hospital. The incident happened at 10.30am on Wednesday at the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre. Credit: City of Bunbury A police spokesperson said the boy died from his injuries two days later. On Tuesday, a fundraising campaign launched by friends of the boys family had raised more than $17,000. Parts of Western Australia came close to 50 degrees on Monday and there was little reprieve overnight, with temperatures dropping to a minimum of 27.8 degrees in Perth around 2.30am. Pressure on the power grid resulted in 12,000 homes losing power. Geraldton Airport hit 49.3 degrees its equal hottest on record while in Perth, the mercury rose to 43.6 degrees, hitting the peak at 3.51pm. The suburb of Pearce was the metropolitan areas hottest suburb, reaching 45.5 degrees. Paul acknowledged his frustration, but he was more concerned about winning only one point in two tie-breakers, putting Zverev on the road to victory. I mean, I was already down, like, 4-1 in the breaker. I think maybe double mini-break, said the world No.11. I hit a serve, and it was a let, but the chair didnt see it. I just didnt know that there was no automatic whats it called let machine here. It is what it is. That didnt lose me the match or anything. It wasnt the only moment at Melbourne Park this fortnight where the let protocols have left a player baffled. New Zealand doubles player Erin Routliffe blew up during her third-round match on Margaret Court Arena on Monday, a match that Routliffe and Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski won in three sets. Routliffe was incredulous after chair umpire Julie Kjendlie missed a let call decision as Routliffe, who was returning, struggled to put her racquet on the serve. I didnt hear it, Kjendlie said on court. I dont have a machine. Im calling it myself, and I didnt hear it. But Routliffe couldnt believe the circumstances. Oh, my god, exclaimed the 29-year-old. Oh my god, we have robots everywhere and we dont have them for the net. Paul, who reached the semis in Melbourne two years ago, lamented his high error count in the four-set defeat. There were 56 unforced errors on Pauls racquet, while Zverev committed 36. My unforced error count was just too high today, said the 27-year-old Paul. I was looking at it. They had all the stats during the match up on the screen. I looked up and saw, like, 40-something unforced errors after, like, two sets or two and a half sets. You cant have that when youre playing guys who are No.2 in the world at slams. Zverev knew hed dodged a bullet by getting past Paul, who was found wanting at vital moments. I feel like I stole both of those sets in a way because he was playing better than me, and he was serving for both of those sets, said the German. In the tie-break I played quite well. He maybe missed a little bit more than he should have. Yeah, Im happy that I won in four sets because this was a difficult one. It was a match where the margins were wafer-thin. It took close to three-and-a-half hours for the world No.2 to overcome Paul, even though Zverev raced to a 5-0 advantage in the fourth set before Paul rallied late. The German summed up his fortunes immediately afterwards. Asked how he pulled out the win, Zverev said: I dont know, myself, to be honest. Its not an understatement to say that Zverev has flown under the radar in reaching the pointy end at another major. Tuesdays contest against Paul on centre court was his first day match across 10 days at Melbourne Park. The 27-year-old has only dropped two sets en route to a showdown against either Novak Djokovic or Tommy Paul. Make no mistake, he wont be hiding in the shadows in his next contest. Zverev conceded hes pleasantly surprised to be in the final four. Pre-tournament, last years Roland-Garros finalist admitted he wasnt sure how hed fare as he battled an injury and pulled out of the United Cup teams event ahead of Germanys quarter-final. I was very uncertain coming into this tournament, I had an arm injury, Zverev said on court. I didnt have the preparation that I wanted. Alexander Zverev shows a feather to the umpire. Credit: Getty Images Zverev admitted that day timeslots arent his preference. I absolutely love playing night matches here. I really do. I dont know why. I feel the ball better on my racquet, he said. Earlier, Zverev was perplexed by falling feathers in the swirly conditions, including one moment when the umpire stopped play ironically calling a let. Ive never had that before that we stop a point because of a feather, he said afterwards. That was new to me. Not sure it was a hindrance to anybody. Its not like a hard object. Like, even if the tennis ball hits the feather, it doesnt really change anything. It doesnt change the trajectory of the ball, or the bounce of the ball, or anything like that. Maybe the umpire did the right call, and maybe not. I have no idea. But it was a bit frustrating because obviously Tommy then would get a first serve, and he won the point with that serve as well. I got a warning after that. In keeping with one of the key points of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, and despite logistical challenges, the volumes of essential supplies flowing into Gaza since Sunday are far higher than before the truce, which is seen as key to beginning to alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis in the Strip. However, humanitarian agencies warn that the needs among the population are enormous and that the more than two million inhabitants of Gaza are in a situation of great vulnerability. On the first day of the ceasefire, Sunday, more than 630 aid trucks entered Gaza, according to UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher. Of these, at least 300 headed north, to the most devastated area of the Strip. Another 915 trucks managed to enter on Monday, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) late in the day. This is the largest daily volume that has entered the Strip since the start of the war in October 2023. Until now, the largest flow recorded was on May 3, 2024 when 340 trucks arrived. Although there is no exact record, it is likely that a significant number of these trucks are those that Egypt has allowed to pass, although not directly to the Strip, because Israel prohibits it, but via an Israeli crossing. The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, also said Monday morning that aid and some commercial supplies were flowing without problems. Much of the focus is now on food aid agencies, as nearly all of Gazas population faces high levels of food insecurity and some areas may have already crossed the threshold of famine. The UNs World Food Programme (WFP) said it has been sending aid convoys from Egypt and Israel into the Strip through the border crossings of Karam Abu Salem in the south, and Zikim in the north, since Sunday. The agency says it aims to deliver at least 150 truckloads of food a day to begin flooding the Strip with supplies. As well as delivering prepared aid across Gaza, WFP is also trying to replenish local bakeries and provide nutritional supplements to thousands of malnourished children, and the agency says it will begin providing vouchers and cash to vulnerable families as more commercial supplies arrive. This is a vital first step, but the needs are immense, said Executive Director Cindy McCain, who said it was crucial that all border crossings remain open and functioning efficiently, effectively, and reliably. Another major challenge for humanitarian agencies is trying to quickly rehabilitate Gazas health system, which has been devastated by the Israeli offensive. It is estimated that at least 110,000 people have been wounded in the war, with thousands more contracting infectious diseases or suffering from malnutrition. However, only half of the Strips 36 hospitals are still partially functioning, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which, along with other organizations, has also begun sending medical supplies to try to cover the most urgent needs. One of the countries making the greatest effort to increase the flow of aid to Gaza is Egypt, the only country with which the Strip shares a border apart from Israel. During the first two days of the truce, the Arab country has allowed the passage of 650 trucks of aid, of which 323 were sent on Monday, including 13 loaded with fuel, according to figures provided by local authorities. However, so far Egyptian trucks are not able to enter Gaza through the Rafah border crossing, which directly connects the two territories, due to inspection requirements by the Israeli authorities and the destruction of the Palestinian terminal at the crossing. Therefore, Egyptian convoys must first be diverted to Israel and it is not known how much of their cargo is already inside the Strip. Qatar, which along with the United States and Egypt led the mediation efforts that led to the Hamas-Israel ceasefire agreement, announced on Monday that it would finance a land bridge to supply Gaza with 12.5 million liters of fuel during the first 10 days of the truce. The first shipment was transported to the Strip on Monday by 25 trucks that entered through the Karam Abu Salem crossing in the south and is expected to supply electricity to hospitals, shelters for displaced people, and other basic services. At least 600 truckloads of aid are expected to enter Gaza each day during the first phase of the ceasefire, with UNRWA sources telling this newspaper that 200 of these are expected to come from Egypt, although the country has the capacity to send more. In the four and a half months before the ceasefire, Israeli authorities allowed only a tenth of that aid in, according to estimates based on UN data. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Jerusalem/Ramallah: Israeli security forces backed by helicopters have raided the volatile West Bank city of Jenin, killing at least nine Palestinians in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a large-scale and significant military operation. The action, launched a day after US President Donald Trump declared he was lifting sanctions on ultranationalist Israeli settlers who attacked Palestinian villages, was announced by Netanyahu as a new offensive against Iranian-backed militants. Medics evacuate a wounded man during an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, Credit: AP We are acting systematically and resolutely against the Iranian axis wherever it extends its arms in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Judea and Samaria, Netanyahu said. Judea and Samaria are terms Israel uses for the occupied West Bank. It was also announced that Israels top general had resigned, taking responsibility for security failures tied to Hamas surprise attack that triggered the Gaza war and adding to pressure Netanyahu, who has delayed any public inquiry that could potentially implicate his leadership. Palo Alto, the small Californian town which spawned Stanford University, Silicon Valley and the so-called broligarchy, used to boast that it was home to more billionaires than anywhere in the world. Home might be too strong a word. Local legend had it that in this dull suburban sprawl, inside the underwhelming ranch houses were freshly minted Millennial millionaires who spent nights alone in their empty rooms on their computers. Speaking at a presidential rally in Washington, Musk twice extended his arm out with his palm facing down, drawing comparisons to the Nazi salute. Credit: NYT Daytime was no better. The one main strip was dotted with soulless coffee shops full of nerdy young white men, or occasionally nerdy young Asian men, sitting by themselves on their then ubiquitous white Apple laptops. Hey, at least the geeks were out of their garages. It was while I was doing a year-long Knight Journalism Fellowship at Stanford in the late noughties that I decided what these blokes could do with was a good session at the pub with a few mates. If they had any. There were no pubs either. Strap in. Day one of Donald Trumps second term as president of the United States was by turns fascinating, funny and frightening: the 21st centurys foremost political showman has given us a good glimpse at the next four years. He spoke of planting a US flag on Mars but failed to plant a kiss on his first ladys cheek, thanks to the interference of his wifes strangely funereal hat, and rambled for hours from behind the Resolute desk about his journey back to power and his immediate plans to remake America in his own image. Certainly, he has a mandate to do so: unlike after his previous election victory, he was sworn into office with the support of a clear majority of US voters. The inauguration made for compelling theatre, but it was with pen in hand in the Oval Office that Trump made the first of the political earthquakes felt with a series of executive orders. Prime among them was a full, complete and unconditional pardon to almost all those convicted of offences in the January 6, 2021, riots at the Capitol Building. What theyve done to these people is outrageous, the US president said. Theres been nothing like it in the history of our country. Even people that were aggressive ... I think they were outside agitators. PHILIPSBURG:--- The One SXM Association is renewing its appeal to the Parliament of St. Maarten for a consultative referendum on political independence following a significant development in Parliament last Friday, January 17. During a motion regarding the referendum, the vote was tied at 7-7, underscoring the importance and urgency of this national issue. In a letter dated January 13, 2025, addressed to Members of Parliament, the One SXM Association reminded Parliament of its constitutional authority under Article 92 to convene a consultative referendum. The letter, presented through Chairlady Sarah Wescot-Williams, emphasized that it has been 25 years since the last constitutional referendum and urged Parliament to allow the people to voice their opinion on whether St. Maarten should pursue independence. Since our initial presentation to Parliament in 2022, we have maintained that the democratic principle requires consulting the people on their future, said a representative of the One SXM Association. We believe the time has come to ask a new generation of voters whether they wish to remain part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands or transition to a sovereign Caribbean nation. The Association proposed a resolution for Parliament to adopt, including clear timelines and a straightforward referendum question: Independence: Yes or No? It also referenced the United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, which asserts that the inadequacy of political or economic conditions should not hinder independence efforts. The One SXM Association actively promotes and encourages independence for the entire island through its weekly radio program, The One SXM Radio Show, aired on My88.3FM every Saturday from 5 PM to 7 PM. This program serves as an independence platform, advocating for the complete administrative unification of the island under the guiding principle: One St. Martin, One Island, One People, One Destiny. The tie vote in Parliament reflects the ongoing debate surrounding this pivotal decision. The One SXM Association remains steadfast in its belief that St. Maartens people deserve the opportunity to determine their future in a fair and transparent manner. The Association encourages citizens, civil society, and political stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue about the referendum and the broader implications of independence for St. Maarten. For more information or to support the efforts of the One SXM Association, please contact via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on facebook at www.facebook.com/onesxm PHILIPSBURG:--- For the first time in history, all the countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands have an ombudsman, and for the first time, they convened in Aruba. Since 2015, the ombudsmen of the countries in the Kingdom of the Netherlands have met annually. Until 2024, these gatherings included the Ombudsman of Curacao, Keursly Concincion, the former Ombudsman of Sint Maarten, Dr. Nilda Arduin, and since 2019, the present Ombudsman, Gwendolien Mossel, as well as the National Ombudsman, Reinier van Zutphen. However, in October 2024, the fourth country in the Kingdom, Aruba, appointed its first ombudsman, Jurima Bryson. Ms. Bryson faces the formidable task of establishing the ombuds institution from the ground up, a challenge she will undertake with the support of her counterparts across the Kingdom. The nature of this collaboration, along with other matters pertinent to the ombuds institutions, was a key focus of their annual meeting. Topics on the agenda included migration, the rights of children, and the further development of childrens ombudsman services a shared priority for all four institutions in the years ahead. As it currently stands, Sint Maarten is the only country in the Kingdom without a dedicated Childrens Ombudsman. The group also discussed the right to clean water, a particularly pressing issue for small island states where access can be at times a significant challenge. Notably, Arubas ombudsman legislation stands as the most advanced within the Kingdom. The Ombudsman of Aruba has the unique authority to investigate services of general interest provided by private entities with public authority, in accordance with Article 13 of the Venice Principles. To mark the importance of the establishment of an ombuds institution in Aruba a well-attended public meeting was held at the University of Aruba, in which each of the ombudsmen spoke on the topic of the role and task of the institution. The ombudsmen also had the opportunity to meet with the Governor of Aruba, His Excellency Alfonso Boekhoudt and the Deputy Prime Minister Xiomara Maduro. SMART Technologies and the University of Melbourne s collaborative research promise impactful ways to engage neurodivergent students. SMART Technologies, a global leader in interactive education technology, has partnered with the University of Melbourne to launch the first-of-its-kind research initiative exploring how classroom environments can better support neurodivergent learners. The study identified key strategies and tools that promote engagement, reduce barriers, and empower these students to succeed. By bringing the voices of neurodivergent students to the forefront, SMART is fostering inclusive classroom practices and developing research-backed technology that facilitates authentic inclusion. It s estimated that over 20% of the global population is neurodivergent, but traditional classrooms often exclude these students by prioritizing norms designed for neurotypical learners. These environments create significant challenges, forcing neurodivergent students to expend energy masking their differences rather than focusing on learning. This research tackles these barriers head-on, reshaping how we think about inclusion and engagement for all. A learning space where everyone feels safe, happy, and part of the communitythat s the vision of Matt Harrison, lead researcher at the University of Melbourne and co-founder of the University of Melbourne Neurodiversity Project. Identifying a significant gap in education, Harrison s collaboration with SMART set out to amplify the voices of neurodivergent students. Our extensive literature review found that only a very small number of studies actually included the voices of neurodivergent students. By engaging directly with these learners, we gathered authentic insights into strategies and tech tools that make a real difference, said Harrison. This groundbreaking, student-centered approach delivers unparalleled data to empower educators with evidence-based solutions for fostering inclusive classrooms. The research identified 36 actionable recommendations tailored for education leaders and teachers. These insights provide a roadmap for implementing technology and designing inclusive spaces that support diverse student needs. From specific tech tools to enhancements of existing classroom practices, the findings offer practical, scalable steps that educators can use immediately to increase inclusion and engagement. Among the actionable steps emerging from this research are: Transforming Engagement: Adopt specific EdTech tools that affirm student voices, identities, and self-identified needs. Empowering Student Voice: Involve students as collaborators in choosing and implementing tools and other classroom options. Child-Centered Practices: Shift away from traditional behavior-based approaches and focus on each student s strengths and needs. This research highlights technology s transformative role in creating equitable learning environments in classrooms around the world. These recommendations offer educators and education leaders a clear pathway to designing classrooms that prioritize inclusivity, said Jeff Lowe, SMART Technologies Executive Vice President. By listening to the voices of neurodivergent students and understanding their needs, we can ensure our technology considers those needs, creates meaningful change and success for all students. For SMART, inclusion has always been a priority. This collaboration not only validates the positive impact of its current products but also drives future innovations designed to meet the needs of all learners. By incorporating neurodivergent perspectives into future product design and development, SMART is setting a new standard for inclusive technology that supports every student s success. SMART is showcasing this groundbreaking research and technology to support neurodiverse learners for the first time at Bett 2025 in London. Educators and school leaders are invited to visit SMART s block party launch event at Stand SP20 at 11:00 am on day one of Bett to take a session with Tisha Poncio to explore the findings and experience the technology, including an informative session. Plus, join Katie Novak and Anthony McGeeney at the SEND Village for a deep dive into the recommendations for ensuring neurodivergent student success. To explore the full findings and begin implementing these strategies in your school or classroom, access the research report here. (https://go.smarttech.com/en/inclusive-impact) About SMART Technologies SMART Technologies is a pioneering force in the development of interactive technology solutions. Renowned for SMART Board interactive displays and comprehensive software offerings, the company is dedicated to creating engaging and collaborative learning and working environments, creating connections that matter for users worldwide since 1987. With a focus on quality, innovation, and inclusion, SMART Technologies continues to drive advancements in education and business technology worldwide. To learn more, visit www.smarttech.com. About the University of Melbourne As a place of discovery and enquiry, the University of Melbourne s purpose is to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Established in 1853, it is one of Australia s oldest universities and the first in Victoria. Today, the University s vibrant community comprises over 53,000 students, including 45 per cent international students from more than 150 countries. Our students are supported by over 10,000 academic and professional staff, who play a vital role in fulfilling the University s mission. The University s commitment to excellence has earned it its place among the world s best universities, delivering education and research that are global in reach, ambition and impact. Photo https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2601691/SMART_Research.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/university-of-melbourne-and-smart-technologies-partner-in-groundbreaking-global-research-on-technology-supports-for-neurodivergent-learners-302355251.html Contact: smarttech@thephagroup.com Original-Content von: SMART Technologies, ubermittelt durch news aktuell Infosys CEO Salil Parekh is the No.1 IT services CEO, for the second year in a row, in the Brand Guardianship Index 2025 Infosys (https://www.infosys.com/) (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced that Brand Finance (https://brandfinance.com/), the world s leading brand valuation firm, has recognized the company as a Top 3 IT services brand and the fastest growing IT services brand globally, with a CAGR of 18% over 5 years in its Brand Finance Global 500 2025 report (https://brandirectory.com/reports/global). Infosys brand value has grown to over US$16 billion in 2025, and Infosys is ranked as #132 most valuable brand in the world. Infosys Chief Executive Officer, Salil Parekh, for the second year in a row, tops the IT services ranking in Brand Finance s Brand Guardianship Index (BGI) 2025 for the role of CEO as brand custodian and steward of long-term shareholder value. Over the last four decades, brand Infosys has been nurtured by our founders and our leadership, carefully balancing purpose, promise and performance. This relentless focus is reflected in the brand s leadership and steady gains in brand value over the years, said Sumit Virmani, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Infosys. We are delighted with Brand Finance s recognition of Infosys continued brand momentum and differentiated value creation for businesses in an AI-first world, he added. Brand Finance has positioned Infosys among the world s top 3 most valuable IT services brands for the fourth consecutive year. This is a testament to Infosys deep relevance and leadership in a world where companies are looking to digital and enterprise AI solutions to solve tough business challenges. Infosys has earned a brand reputation for tackling critical IT challenges, while upholding ethical standards, fostering trust and inclusion. This is enabled through continued investments in sub-brands like Infosys Topaz (https://www.infosys.com/services/data-ai-topaz.html) its generative AI-powered solutions and Infosys Cobalt (https://www.infosys.com/services/cloud-cobalt.html) the industry s first ever cloud services brand. David Haigh, CEO and Chairman at Brand Finance, commented, Infosys has demonstrated remarkable growth over the past five years, achieving the fastest CAGR among IT services brands. The company has strategically prioritized innovation and emerging technologies, with a strong focus on generative AI. Infosys has also consistently leveraged high-profile sponsorships and strategic partnerships, intensifying its brand visibility and market presence in recent years. This commitment to technological innovation and strategic brand positioning has not only enhanced Infosys brand value growth but has also strengthened its brand on the global stage, reflected in an enhanced brand strength score and an impressive AAA rating. Even as brand Infosys has evolved to remain relevant to the shifting needs of stakeholders and to help them navigate their next, it remains unchanging in its commitment to live its purpose amplifying human potential and creating the next opportunity for all. With the work of Infosys Foundation, the brand continues to create positive impact in healthcare, education, sustainability, and women empowerment. The Infosys Springboard initiative helps build digital skills by providing free learning programs to 12 million people around the world. As an environmentally conscious global enterprise, Infosys continues to be carbon neutral. The brand was recognized by Ethisphere, once again, in 2024, among the world s most ethical companies. About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace. Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, increased competition for talent, our ability to attract and retain personnel, increase in wages, investments to reskill our employees, our ability to effectively implement a hybrid work model, economic uncertainties and geo-political situations, technological disruptions and innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, and cybersecurity matters. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/4364085/Infosys_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/infosys-leads-the-industry-with-the-fastest-growing-cagr-in-brand-value-of-18-over-5-years-maintains-leadership-as-a-global-top-3-it-services-brand-302356026.html Contact: PR_Global@Infosys.com Original-Content von: INFOSYS, ubermittelt durch news aktuell For just one day, Odalys Fundicheli and her granddaughter Lia have been trapped in a limbo from which almost no one yet knows how to escape. Fundicheli, 62, comes from Cuba and had an appointment to cross the border into the United States through Tijuana this Tuesday. On the other side, her family was waiting for her. But CBP One, the application that the U.S. government opened to manage entries in a regulated manner, has ceased to exist after the inauguration of Donald Trump. One day before her turn, everything has collapsed and all appointments have been canceled. We feel very frustrated and helpless, says Fundicheli, while her 14-year-old granddaughter cries next to her. We were going to meet up with my daughter who lives in Dallas, but they say the application is canceled. I dont know what will become of us, it is the first time we have left Cuba. Like them, thousands of people have been left stranded since Monday on the border between Mexico and the United States. Trump was still speaking during his inaugural address when on the other side of the border the future of thousands of migrants was evaporating. The president made good on his threats to eliminate CBP One and the asylum request systems before even finishing the presentation of his new government. Thousands of people have thus seen their American dream end before it even begins. All of them are now left in a defenseless situation in Mexican territory, where some have permission to transit the country for 20 days, and many others not even that. Odalys Fundicheli and her relatives on the street while waiting for information. Roberto Antillon Only a few hours made the difference. Early Monday morning, the last groups of migrants under the Biden administration crossed into the United States. Jose Louiza was on the next shift, the 1 p.m. shift. He lined up with his wife and 13-year-old son. They had a printed confirmation of their appointment, and each one, a cloth backpack. They waited patiently and quietly in the sub-zero cold of Ciudad Juarez while the hours passed. A little before 11 a.m. the notice arrived: The existing scheduled appointments for CBP One are no longer valid. After reading it, his wife threw herself desperately to the ground, in a gesture that captures the helplessness behind nine months of travel, the effort of crossing a jungle and six countries, to be just one step away: It is not human, summarizes Louiza, who was a fisherman in Venezuela. The collapse of this system has been a blow to the spirit of migrants. Thousands of people entered the application every day hoping to be chosen for an interview at one of the eight border crossing points. With that hope they endured extortion and kidnappings, precarious, poorly paid jobs, hunger, cold, and fear. With that hope they also avoided illegal crossings and paying coyotes to help them enter the U.S. without papers. Crime is going to benefit from all this, without a doubt, sums up Juan Fierro, pastor of the El Buen Samaritano shelter in Ciudad Juarez. In the border town, everything was calm until today, when a sadness descended on migrants. The groups are splitting up, some going to churches and soup kitchens, others to the checkpoints on the bridges. The plea is the same: Excuse me, we are looking for guidance. No one knows for sure what options they have left. For the moment, there are very few. Trump has announced that he is going to reestablish the Remain in Mexico (MPP) program, which forces migrants to wait on Mexican soil for an appointment to continue their asylum process. It is a long and costly process that already resulted in problems in 2019 and with which Claudia Sheinbaums government has not yet said it agrees. A migrant receives news of the closure of CBP One, in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, on January 20. Nayeli Cruz With this measure, Trump thus transfers the management of the migration crisis to the Mexican government, which will also have to deal with the waves of Mexican deportees (it remains to be seen what will happen to migrants from other countries). The new president added fuel to the fire Monday, when he declared a national emergency on the southern border to, among other measures, reinforce it with the presence of the army. Entire families thought that on Monday, they would still have a chance to get to the other side. This was the case of Giovanni, 38, and his wife Narkys, 37, originally from Venezuela. The couple were waiting in front of the entrance to the El Chaparral border crossing in Tijuana. Right now you feel so many things, Giovanni said with resignation and great sadness. If you knew everything we went through to get here He and his wife left Caracas over a year ago and were waiting in Tapachula for their appointment. It was scheduled on January 20 at 1 p.m. We just got an email saying that all the appointments were canceled. They still dont know what they will do, because they spent all their money to travel to the border. The same scene of desolation was repeated Monday from Tijuana to Matamoros, at the eight points of entry where the 1,450 daily CBP One appointments were processed. Deported people leave the El Chaparral checkpoint. Roberto Antillon Trumps MPP proposal was previously implemented in 2019. During the time it was active, until Joe Biden ended it in 2022, more than 71,000 migrants were forced to stay on Mexican soil until they received a response to their asylum application, according to data from the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). That influx of migrants was handled in a very precarious manner by Mexico, with overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and insecurity for thousands of people. [The implementation of MPP] is a unilateral decision that they have made, we do not necessarily share it and we have a different approach, but we are finding the adjustment mechanisms, of course it does not imply obligations for Mexico, some agreements can be reached, said Foreign Secretary Juan Ramon de la Fuente at a press conference Monday. In addition to this measure, the Mexican government will have to deal with the mass deportations announced by Trump. The incoming president has threatened to deport millions of undocumented people to Mexico. I am afraid of what could happen now, says Father Pat Murphy, director of the Casa del Migrante in Tijuana. The shelter currently has a maximum capacity of 180 people, but he fears that there will soon not be enough space: People keep coming from the south and they are going to deport a lot of people from the north. I fear that there will be a migration crisis worse than the one we are already experiencing. Migrants wait at the border crossing in Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua). Nayeli Cruz The Mexican government has assured that it is preparing for the massive arrival of migrants. However, local authorities are concerned. The city of Tijuana issued an alert last week: We have to take Donald Trumps threats seriously and take the necessary measures, Jose Luis Perez Canchola, head of Immigration for the Tijuana City Council, told EL PAIS. He insists on coordinated work with federal authorities. In Tijuana there are 44 shelters, most of them run by churches of different faiths, with total capacity for about 5,000 people. The municipal government is opening a new shelter with space for another 3,000 people. In Ciudad Juarez, Enrique Serrano, general coordinator of the State Population Council, is committed to seeking dialogue with the U.S. side: There is no official information on a deportation schedule. We know it will happen, but we dont know when, where, or how many. We hope that Mexican diplomacy will come to an agreement with the U.S. government to carry out scheduled deportations agreed upon with the Mexican government, so that we can attend to that population. For the time being, a camp with tents will be built on land near the wall that separates the country from El Paso, Texas, to accommodate 5,000 people. For its part, Sheinabums government will launch the Mexico embraces you plan, which will offer comprehensive care to Mexican migrants arriving from the United States. The president assured her compatriots that they are not alone. When they arrive in Mexico, there is a program that includes support from the Welfare Department, admission to the IMSS (social security system), support for employment, transportation so they can get to their places of origin, and a small initial grant if they arrive without resources, the president explained on Monday. Hundreds of migrants wait in El Chaparral, in Tijuana. Roberto Antillon Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Fears of fighters loyal to IS linger near DR Congo-Uganda border Beni, DR Congo, Jan 21 (AFP) Jan 21, 2025 A mosque and military headquarters once teeming with fighters loyal to the Islamic State group lay empty in a desiccated field near the Democratic Republic of Congo's border with Uganda. The two abandoned buildings are a distant reminder of the presence of the ADF, an armed militia with Ugandan origins that for years has plagued the DRC's east with its bloody attacks. Over the last year the surrounding area in North Kivu province has become safer in the wake of a joint military offensive, dubbed operation "Shujaa", launched by Kinshasa and Kampala in late 2021. Herds of cattle and lorries can now travel peacefully along the key commercial axis to Uganda, guarded by trucks from both countries' armies. But that peace has not come without a cost -- and the fear of the fighters' return lingers. Shujaa has pushed the ADF, or Allied Democratic Forces, into remote and inaccessible areas across North Kivu and neighbouring Ituri. There, far from Ugandan and Congolese capitals, civilians have been left at the mercy of the ADF's violent methods. - 'Lull must continue' - Near the Ugandan border, Bulongo's mayor Jean-Paul Katembo spoke of "the ordeal" that the town went through, with at least 28 ADF attacks between 2021 and 2024. With the increased security, a sense of business of usual has returned to Bulongo. And the local economy, largely dependent on agricultural exports to Uganda, has likewise bounced back. "This lull must continue so that the population is comfortable," Ricardo Rupandi, civil society president in the neighbouring town of Mutwanga told AFP. Rupandi said that people now return to the fields to work, but "still don't have the courage to sleep there" like they used do. The region has previously seen ebbs in the clashes. But these have always been followed by renewed violence, with civilians mostly bearing the brunt. Several hundred people were killed in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces in 2024. Meanwhile the Ugandan soldiers taking part in operation Shujaa, said to number between 2,000 and 4,000, do not have the means to maintain a presence everywhere they have recaptured. - 'Psychologically disturbed' - Since their arrival in the DRC's restive northeast in the mid-1990s, the ADF's fighters have killed thousands of civilians. In 2019 the ADF pledged allegiance to IS, which trumpets them as its Islamic State Central Africa Province. Because of operation Shujaa, local army spokesman Colonel Mak Hazukay warned the ADF are "always on the move" and "don't spend more than two or three days in one place". That itinerant existence has made them hard to pin down and root out. Meanwhile in Beni, thousands of people displaced by the violence are still crowded into camps or living with host families. "Here everyone is psychologically disturbed," said Clara Kahindo Horove, who fled her village two years ago. The men plan to return to the village soon but "we (the community) are afraid of dying on the way", the woman in her 60s said. "When the institutions (and) schools re-open, (and) the houses are rebuilt, we can speak of a definitive restoration of peace," Beni civil society member Richard Kirumba told AFP. - Uganda's 'hidden agenda' - But distrust between the DRC and Uganda lingers despite their joining forces against the ADF and the good understanding their soldiers have displayed on the ground. For Kampala, Shujaa is primarily aimed at securing the export of mining and agricultural resources from the DRC's mineral-rich east, according to a report by the Congo Studies Group based at New York University. Meanwhile Kampala's past interference in its neighbour's affairs meant the DRC "hesitated" to expand Shujaa's area of operations "fearing a hidden agenda from Uganda", according to a United Nations expert report published in January. In 2005 Uganda was condemned by the UN for violations of the principle of non-interference while its troops were deployed in neighbouring Ituri province. Twenty years later, Kampala continues to support armed groups there, according to the UN experts. The Ugandan army sometimes appears to act without any real control from the DRC, according to the UN report. ADF fighters captured by Ugandan soldiers are usually transferred to Uganda without going through the Congolese justice system, according to UN experts. "There is a kind of undue trust from the Congolese government" towards the Ugandan side, confirmed Beni's Kirumba. clt/cld/keo/sbk EU pledges 60 million euros in aid for Lebanon military Brussels, Belgium, Jan 21 (AFP) Jan 21, 2025 The European Union on Tuesday announced a 60 million euro ($62 million) support package for Lebanon's armed forces, as the crisis-hit country seeks to implement a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the aid came "at a critical juncture for the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel". The Lebanese armed forces "are essential to regional and domestic stability, and deserve all our support in performing their critical mission", she said. Under the ceasefire deal Beirut said Israel must withdraw from the south of the country by January 26, with the Lebanese military then set to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers. At the same time, Hezbollah is required to dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south and pull its forces back north of the Litani River, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border. The EU aid is the latest from the West aimed at bolstering Lebanon's military, with the US last week saying it would donate more than $117 million in security assistance. During a visit to Beirut on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Paris would soon host an aid conference to help rebuild Lebanon after the Israel-Hezbollah war. Lebanon has struggled for years to finance its public institutions including the army following a 2019 economic crisis. It now also faces the challenge of reconstruction after more than two months of war between Hezbollah and Israel ended in November. The militant group had initiated fighting over the Gaza conflict. Gabon adopts new electoral code in key step towards polls Libreville, Jan 21 (AFP) Jan 21, 2025 Gabon's transitional national parliament has adopted a new electoral code, a key step towards re-establishing civilian rule following a coup that ended decades of rule by the Bongo dynasty. Transitional president General Brice Oligui Nguema has vowed a return to civilian rule after a transition period with a presidential election slated for August, two years on from the ruling junta seizing power. A group of 168 lawmakers and senators approved the electoral code text late Monday after examining the 383 articles drawn up by a national commission in early December. The central African country, which had been under the rule of the Bongo family for 55 years, adopted a new constitution in a November referendum. It provided for a maximum of two seven-year presidential terms, no prime minister and no dynastic transfer of power. According to local media, the new electoral text allows magistrates and members of the military to stand in elections under certain conditions -- a measure that opponents say would allow Oligui to participate in the presidential race. Oligui, who swiftly took over as leader of the oil-rich country after the coup, has made no secret of his presidential ambitions. The new code also gives two lawmaker seats to Gabonese abroad and allows individuals with dual nationality to run for election -- although not as president -- without having to give up their other citizenship. Jean-Francois Ndongou, president of the transitional national assembly, welcomed "significant progress in the process of transition," which "aims to durably strengthen the transparency, fairness and credibility of Gabon's electoral and referendum process". "The ultimate objective is to be able to organise perfect elections, unquestionable, free, transparent and democratic," Ndongou said in his closing speech after examination of the new code, according to a copy seen by AFP. So far the timetable for the transition period has been respected, with the interim parliament approving the constitution text in September and the referendum two months later cementing adoption. Zelensky urges 'united' European defence policy at Davos Davos, Switzerland, Jan 21 (AFP) Jan 21, 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that Europe should develop a joint defence policy and be willing to increase spending to guarantee its own security from emerging threats. His comments to the World Economic Forum in Davos came a day after the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who has demanded NATO members raise their defence spending and boasted he can end the war in Ukraine, without offering a clear roadmap. Zelensky said Europe needed to be ready to stand on its own feet and must work to remain relevant as a "strong global" player and "indispensable" on the global stage. "We need a united European security and defense policy, and all European countries must be willing to spend as much on security as is truly needed," Zelensky argued in his address to the WEF. "Europe must be able to guarantee peace and security for itself," he added. He evoked the Kremlin's deployment of North Korean troops to western Russia to illustrate what he said were growing threats to European security. "European leaders should remember this -- battles involving North Korean soldiers are now happening in places geographically closer to Davos than to Pyongyang," he said. And he pointed to a recent pact between Russia and Iran boosting their economic and military cooperation, saying the accord was an example of a changing landscape that was a threat to Europe. "Whom do they make such deals against? Against you, against all of us," he said. "Such threats can only be countered together," he added. Zelensky also questioned whether Trump was committed to NATO and European security, claiming that Washington has openly indicated their security priorities lie in the Middle East and in the Asia-Pacific region. "Will President Trump even notice Europe? Does he see NATO as necessary? And will he respect EU institutions?" Zelensky asked. France's first woman general Valerie Andre dies at 102 Paris, Jan 21 (AFP) Jan 21, 2025 Valerie Andre, the first French woman to be promoted to the rank of general in an armed forces career that saw her deployed as a doctor, parachutist and helicopter pilot died on Tuesday aged 102, the defence ministry said. "A very great lady has left us," defence spokeswoman Olivia Penichou said in a social media post. Andre, who was born on April 21, 1922, obtained her parachutist diploma in 1948 and worked both as military doctor and a helicopter pilot. "When I was 10 I told my parents that I would be an aviator," she once told an interviewer. "They thought I would outgrow it." But she didn't and started taking flying lessons at 17 in her home city of Strasbourg, eastern France. After joining the military, she was deployed in France's war in Indochina, where she stayed for four years, and then in Algeria, flying wounded combatants to hospital. "You can learn anything," she said. "If you're motivated enough, everything seems easy. I think the boys found that I was probably an OK pilot." In 1976, she was promoted to general physician in the health service of the armed forces -- an equivalent rank to general -- the first time a woman had climbed this high in France's military hierarchy. Not everybody in the military was happy about a woman rising this far. "There was opposition. It wasn't the done thing. But then suddenly it was. Of course it was exhilarating," she said. Five years later, she received a third star, taking her to the rank of Major-General. By the time she retired in 1981, Andre had won several decorations including the Cross of War, totalled 4,200 flying hours, undertaken more than 100 medical evacuations and flown 496 combat missions. "I've had an extraordinary life," she said. Andre campaigned for more women to be promoted in the armed forces -- during her service time as well as later -- helping to place the French military among the world's armies employing the most women. In 2022, the Paris heliport in the city's southwest was named after her. As expected, Melania Trump has become one of the stars of the inauguration ceremony of the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump. The Slovenian-born First Lady chose blue as the main color of her outfit. The presidents wife opted for a not-very-well-known American designer, Adam Lippes, a favorite of hers, to create a simple outfit that she complemented with an unexpected accessory: a wide-brimmed hat. To combat the freezing weather in the nations capital, Melania Trump wore a dark blue mid-calf coat with a white trim; a white scarf or blouse collar could also be seen. In addition to sheer tights and matching high heels, as well as black leather gloves, the First Lady wore a Cordova-style hat, also designed by Lippes. Melanias is custom-made, but the average price of Lippes coats is between $4,500 and $5,000, according to the designers website. Second lady Usha Vance and first lady Melania Trump are seen as her husband President Donald Trump addresses guests and supporters in an overflow room in Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol for his Inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Monday, January 20, 2025. Greg Nash/Pool via REUTERS Greg Nash (via REUTERS) But it was the hat, in navy blue with a white ribbon, that became the star. For one, it helped hide the gaze of the First Lady, who, apart from a few polite smiles, remained serious and expressionless, as usual, throughout the ceremony. In addition, the hat also prevented her from kissing her husband after the inauguration. Although it might have seemed that they did from the television images, where she was seen from behind, a front shot revealed that they actually kissed each other in the air. The hat acted as a stopper. And, as expected when someone deviates even slightly from the established script (the last time a First Lady wore a hat to an inauguration ceremony was Hillary Clinton in 1993), the original piece has become the stuff of memes. It has been compared to a pizzeria slogan or a cartoon character. In a statement picked up by Vogue magazine, Adam Lippes explained that the tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy and today we had the honor to dress our first lady, Mrs. Melania Trump. Mrs. Trumps outfit was created by some of Americas finest craftsmen and I take great pride in showing such work to the world. This is not the first time Lippes has dressed Melania Trump, who wore his outfits during her husbands first term, but also in the intervening years she has spent outside the White House. For Sunday night, when there were also inaugural events, the First Lady opted for Christian Dior, a French firm of which she is a regular client. But it is commonplace and logical for first ladies to opt for American designers such as Lippes, especially when the new presidents speech is especially patriotic (although the First Ladys wardrobe, loaded with international brands, has not always been so). Eight years ago, Melania Trump also opted for blue, but in that case of a lighter shade. Back then she was dressed by Ralph Lauren. This Monday, the Bidens wore clothes by Lauren, to whom the president also recently awarded the Medal of Freedom, the first designer to receive it. Usha Vance, wife of Vice President J. D. Vance, in Washington at the inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2025. Jeenah Moon (REUTERS) Another designer who was very much present at the ceremony was Oscar de la Renta. Usha Vance, wife of Vice President J. D. Vance, wore a pink cashmere coat with a matching scarf (and a matching dress underneath) for the presidential inauguration. She also wore De la Renta to the vice presidents dinner, wearing a strapless black dress. For the Sunday dinner in honor of her father, Ivanka Trump, the presidents daughter, also wore a white dress with floral motifs made with thousands of crystals. The choice of Oscar de la Renta (Dominican by birth, but settled in the United States until his death in 2014) is usual for evening or long events. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Iraq parliament adopts revised bill after outcry over underage marriage Baghdad, Jan 21 (AFP) Jan 21, 2025 Iraq's parliament passed into law on Tuesday a revised bill that had sparked outrage over fears it rolled back women's rights and permitted underage marriage. The parliament said on its website that it had adopted "the proposal to amend the Personal Status Law", as well as "the second amendment of the general amnesty law". The amendment to the 1959 Personal Status Law allows people to choose between religious or civil regulations for family matters such as marriage, inheritance, divorce and child custody. An earlier version of the amendments faced a backlash from feminists and civil society groups over fears it would lower the minimum age for Muslim girls to marry to as young as nine years old. But a revised version reinstated clauses of the old law that set the age of marriage at 18 -- or 15 with the consent of legal guardians and a judge, MP Mohamed Anouz told AFP. Under the new amendment, couples can opt for Shiite Muslim or Sunni Muslim rules, and clerics and lawyers will have four months to establish community-specific regulations. In October, Amnesty International warned the amendments could strip women and girls of protections regarding divorce and inheritance. The parliament also passed a general amnesty law that had sparked disagreements between political blocs. The law grants retrials to those convicted of a number of crimes. The Taqadom party, the most influential Sunni bloc, welcomed the adoption of the amnesty law. Iraq's Sunni community has been the main proponent of revisiting the law, pushing for it to include a full review of all convictions on terror charges. The law excludes convictions for "terrorist crimes" that resulted in the death of a person or "permanent disability", or that involved fighting the Iraqi security forces or "sabotage of institutions", according to Anouz. But it does allow the judiciary to reopen investigations and start new trials for those who say they confessed "under torture" or were convicted based on "information provided by a secret informer", Anouz explained. In recent years, Iraqi courts have ordered hundreds of executions in terror cases, proceedings that rights groups say often lack due process or in which confessions suspected to have been extracted through torture are admissible. In a country plagued by endemic corruption, those accused of embezzling public funds can also benefit from the amnesty law if they repay the stolen money, Anouz said. A previous 2016 amnesty reportedly covered 150,000 people. The new amnesty law excludes rape, incest and human trafficking. The laws passed Tuesday, each endorsed by the Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish communities, were adopted in one package, with political parties agreeing to avoid any blockage. But several lawmakers denounced irregularities in the voting process, with some threatening to go to court to have Tuesday's session invalidated. MP Nour Nafe claimed the parliament passed the personal status law and the general amnesty "without a vote". The MPs "did not raise their hands", she said on X, adding that some lawmakers had left the room in response to the "farce". but-tgg/rh/smw Trump tests whether bulldozer can also be peacemaker Washington, Jan 21 (AFP) Jan 21, 2025 President Donald Trump has vowed to be a peacemaker in his new term, but his aggressive early actions threaten to alienate US friends in a way that could hinder his ambitions, experts say. In an inaugural address on Monday, Trump said that his "proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and a unifier" and pointed to his support for a new ceasefire in Gaza. Speaking to reporters as he returned to the White House after four years, Trump also suggested he would press Russia to make a deal to end its three-year invasion of Ukraine, quipping that President Vladimir Putin -- with whom he had famously warm relations in the past -- knows he is "destroying" his own country. But in the throwback to the bedlam of his 2017-2021 term, Trump's return was also consumed by rage over grievances at home, and the most memorable foreign-policy line of his inaugural address was a vow to take back the Panama Canal, which the United States returned in 1999 but where Trump charges that China has gained too strong a foothold. Trump has also spoken of seizing Greenland from NATO ally Denmark, moved to send the military to the Mexican border to stop migration, vowed tariffs even against close allies and announced the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization and Paris climate accord, both home to almost every other country. "Trump's worldview seems to be contradictory. He has a streak that is pro-peace and another streak which seems more confrontational and militarist," said Benjamin Friedman, policy director at Defense Priorities, which advocates restraint. During his first stint in power, Trump ordered a strike that killed senior Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and vowed confrontation with China, although he also boasted of keeping US troops out of new wars and sought diplomacy with North Korea. "In the first term, the more confrontational and militarist streak won out more often than not" on tension spots such as Iran, Friedman said. This time, he said, at least on Ukraine and the Middle East, Trump appears to have shifted to a more progressive stance. But on Latin America, and in his selection of aides with hawkish views on China, Trump remains hawkish, Friedman said. He said that Trump essentially had a 19th-century philosophy in line with populist president Andrew Jackson, feeling a comfort with threatening the use of force to achieve national interests. Such a way of thinking, for Trump, "isn't consistent necessarily with being a peacemaker or a warmonger" but rather is a mix. - Lesson from China? - Trump made no clear mention of US allies on his inaugural day. In the past he has described NATO allies as freeloaders and pushed them to pay more for their own security. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was meeting Tuesday with counterparts from Japan, India and Australia -- the so-called Quad of democracies which China sees as an effort to contain its rise. Jon Alterman, a senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that Trump should be mindful of lessons from China, whose assertive "Wolf Warrior" diplomacy brought together a number of Asian countries on the receiving end. "It would be a profound shift if the United States went from being seen as the principal provider of security to being the principal source on uncertainty," Alterman said. Trump, as he seeks to negotiate deals, "has an interest in keeping friendly countries on his side," Alterman said. Kori Schake, who served in senior defense planning roles under former president George W. Bush, said it was too early to tell the impact of Trump's "chaos" on peacemaking and said that early actions could have been even more severe. "But the actions he did take are still damaging. Withdrawing from the World Health Organization will give us less warning of emergent disease," she said. "Antagonizing Panama is counterproductive and will fan anti-Americanism throughout the hemisphere," she said. I'm sorry, but ADHD has become a scam that is wildly overdiagnosed and an excuse for poor behaviour I'm sorry, but ADHD has become a scam that is wildly overdiagnosed The contrast with Trumps first presidency could scarcely be more vivid. In 2017, Zuckerberg was squarely on the defensive, as Russia was accused of exploiting Facebook on an industrial scale to promote Trumps chances of defeating Hillary Clinton. Musk told CNBC in November 2016 that Trump doesnt seem to have the sort of character that reflects well on the United States. When he first pulled the US out of the Paris climate change agreement as he did again by executive order last night Musk resigned in protest from two presidential advisory councils. An entity without a face but full of good intentions. An oracle to guide one through the tangled webs of the mind. An ethereal companion that never interrupts and always finds the right words. Eternally available, free of judgment, and just a download away at little to no cost, or even free. Since their emergence in the late 2010s, therapy bots virtual entities powered by artificial intelligence (AI) for psychotherapeutic purposes have steadily gained ground in mental health services. A utopia brought to life or a chilling dystopian reality depending on your perspective. Two pressing questions surround these psychobots a term coined to suit our cultural lexicon. The first addresses their ability to adapt often with unpredictable outcomes to the unique idiosyncrasies of each individual through the use of generative AI. The second delves into deeper philosophical territory: is it ethical for these bots to emulate human qualities? Creating emotional intimacy by making a machine simulate empathy or compassion is manipulating people, argues Jodi Halpern, who leads a group on ethics and technology at the University of California, Berkeley, speaking via video conference. A third question also looms over the debate: could these intangible tools ever replace flesh-and-blood psychologists? In a patchwork landscape of poorly regulated services, mental health startups now coexist with generalist chatbots that, like loyal confidants or tireless companions, show equal enthusiasm for your latest appointment as they do for congratulating you on passing an exam. Along the way, they also offer advice on managing anxiety spikes or breaking free from depressive cycles. Wysa belongs to the first category. This chatbot focuses on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the most widely used approach in psychological practice. Tested by EL PAIS, Wysa a bot already recommended by the U.K. public health system guides users to reframe cognitive distortions and manage distressing emotions through structured techniques. Its tone is neutral, almost clinical, and its therapeutic approach feels notably rigid. As soon as someone veers off track whether in describing how they feel or articulating their thoughts the bot is programmed to redirect them to the predefined path of the clinical tools we provide, explains John Tench, the companys global director. The experience with Pi is markedly different. Pi belongs to a category of relational or conversational bots Replika and Character.ai being two of the most prominent examples that rely on advanced language models, a cornerstone of generative AI, to create interactions that feel strikingly real. In other words, deeply human. During the test, the bot ventured to speculate that a supposed lack of self-esteem might stem from an unhealthy mother-child relationship. It persisted in offering support, peppering its responses with an overabundance of hyperbolic expressions of affection, and reassuring the user that it was always happy to help whenever needed. In the divide between bots that navigate the intricacies of CBT with a do-it-yourself approach and those that improvise a form of boundless psychological treatment, the boundaries are anything but clear. This ambiguity extends not only to how they operate the level of generative AI they employ but also, and more critically, to the claims they make to attract users. According to Halpern, companies like Pi and Replika sidestep accountability by asserting that they are not mental health experts. Yet, as far as she knows, their advertising targets individuals who openly share on social media that they are struggling with severe depression or anxiety. Meanwhile, among companies that explicitly claim to be on a psychotherapeutic mission, there are many gray areas and half-truths. Some openly declare that they do not aim to replace human psychologists, while others exaggerate their capabilities and downplay their limitations, says Jean-Christophe Belisle-Pipon, a researcher in ethics and AI at Simon Fraser University in Canada. Last year, he published an article in Frontiers with an unambiguous title: Your Robot Therapist is Not Your Therapist. On its website, Youper another startup offering services similar to Wysa describes itself as an empathetic psychobot. And Woebot, a competitor in this rapidly expanding market, also leaned into this inherently human concept until last year, when Halpern and others publicly criticized its misleading use of the term in major outlets like The Washington Post. Belisle-Pipon contends that such misrepresentations often tolerated in the advertising of other technologies, such as cars that promise freedom or smartphones that claim to unlock happiness have no place in the realm of mental health. Not only does it risk causing serious misunderstandings among vulnerable individuals, but it also undermines the complexity and professionalism of true psychotherapy. True therapy is nuanced, deeply contextual, and fundamentally relational, he emphasizes. Better than nothing? Miguel Bellosta Batalla, a Spanish psychoanalyst who has extensively studied the importance of the professional-patient relationship in psychotherapy, admits that he is scared by services that dehumanize a genuine encounter. He says that research has consistently shown the most critical factor influencing the success of psychological treatment is, precisely, the therapeutic bond between two individuals who share fundamental human experiences, such as the fear of death, the search for meaning, or the responsibility that freedom entails. Even with an approach like CBT generally considered more structured and guideline-driven than psychoanalysis or humanistic therapies Bellosta Batalla argues that therapy sessions always involve unforeseen events that, if well managed, can profoundly impact the patient. Belisle-Pipon, meanwhile, highlights qualities that he believes no machine could ever replicate: the subtlety to read non-verbal language, the ability to understand subjective experiences, or moral intuition. Despite their relative novelty, robot therapists have already been the subject of substantial studies aiming to evaluate their effectiveness. A meta-analysis published in 2023 in Nature reviewed findings from 15 studies, examining both bots powered by generative AI and those with more predictable response systems. The authors noted the challenges of analyzing such a diverse and rapidly evolving field but concluded that, overall, these tools provide short-term relief for psychological discomfort without substantially improving long-term well-being. In other words, they offer temporary relief but fail to establish a solid foundation for a healthier mind. Similarly, another meta-analysis published in ScienceDirect in August 2023 offered cautious conclusions. It identified a modest positive effect on individuals with depressive symptoms, but only a negligible impact on those suffering from anxiety disorders. Millions of individuals are unable to access a psychologist, primarily due to economic reasons. And in the absence of viable (read: human) alternatives may ask themselves, people struggling with mental health issues may ask themselves: are therapy bots better than nothing? The global director of Wysa acknowledges that while the company does not aim to replace psychotherapy between people, it can help individuals understand and process their emotions in a space free from stigma and completely anonymous. Belisle-Pipon considers this a valid, though complicated, question with no easy answer. First, because, in many cases, relying on a psychobot could worsen symptoms if the advice it provides is inappropriate. Second, because allowing machines to play a larger role in such a sensitive domain could pave the way for a two-tiered mental health landscape, normalizing low-quality services instead of pushing for more equitable access to real psychotherapy. In this scenario, accredited professionals would be available to those who can afford them, while others are left to seek help from impersonal voices. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Vivek Ramaswamy, the millionaire financier who had been tapped to work at DOGE with Musk, has already been ousted quicker than you can say Anthony Scaramucci (he lasted 11 days as Trumps communications director in 2017). Ramaswamy was never going to survive a job share with a fellow egomaniac like Musk. Although he has swallowed his disappointment with bold talk about running for Ohio governor in 2026, Ramaswamys political prospects have plunged after he criticized US workers for being lazy in a row over granting H-I1B talent visas to foreigners. If its cheap airfares and the promise of unique culture that youre after this year, book a return to historic Sarajevo asap. Skyscanner reports a 45 per cent price drop over the past year to the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, thanks to new routes. The London Standard contributor Suzanne Moore has long been fascinated by the Jerusalem of Europe, which she calls a a crucible of history. It is known for its long and storied past of religious and cultural diversity, and is famously the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, which led to the First World War. But it has much more to offer than remnants of the past. Go for its incredible people. Go to understand the siege and what people lived through. Go to watch the moon rise over the mosque. Go for its wonderful little sausages (cevapi). Go to smoke shisha in the old town. Go drink a cocktail in a trendy bar. Go for its amazing soul, implores Moore. This isnt a place known for its luxury hotels, but all the better for travellers on a budget. Isa Begov Hamam Hotel offers rooms from 100 and has a tranquil hammam. Hayley Spencer Minutes before he left home to travel to the dance class, it is understood the teenager searched social media for the Mar Mari Emmanuel stabbing, which led to a video of the stabbing of the Bishop Emmanuel and five others during a sermon at church in Sydney in April 2024. It comes ahead of the third anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine on Friday, with much of the exercise taking place in Romania, which sits on the Ukrainian border. Addressing all the MPs in the room, Sir Roger said: We are going to spend quite a lot of time together and I think it would be helpful if, reflecting the tone of the debate that took place on the floor of the House, we were civil and courteous to each other. Its about whats good for the people that we serve. Whats important for us is about what that engagement means for us in terms of economic investment and yet to be seen in terms of the economic policies of this new president. Theres been a language barrier, but you get that wherever you go, even if you go on holiday youll get that language barrier, but you always find the way around it. I have huge affection for both Oxford and Stanford. I was fortunate enough to study at both, they shaped my life and career, and I look forward to contributing to their world-leading research in the months and years ahead. Donald Trump began to shape his administration minutes after taking office. In his first speech as president, the Republican revealed some of the executive orders he promised for the first day of his second term. A dozen of these are intended to repel the disastrous invasion of our country. As announced in his campaign, the president is tightening the requirements to become an American citizen, is aiming to mobilize troops to the border with Mexico, to declare a national emergency to reduce illegal immigration, and will designate Mexican drug cartels and criminal gangs such as Tren de Aragua as terrorist organizations. These are just a handful of measures in an offensive described by the president as the revolution of common sense. Some of Trumps announcements are expected to generate strong opposition and be taken through the courts, so they will not come into effect immediately. Trump said anyone who enters the country illegally will be immediately detained and deported. All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came, said the president, who will end the policy known as Catch and Release, which allows immigration authorities to release a migrant in a community while their process is carried out in immigration courts. The announcement prompted a standing ovation from members of the Republican-dominated Congress present at the ceremony. The president has revived legislation from 1798, enacted when the United States was on the verge of war with France. The four Federalist Party laws, collectively known as the Alien and Sedition Acts, toughen the treatment of foreigners in the United States. The requirements for obtaining residency would be raised from five years of living in the country to 14. The text also gives the executive branch full power to arrest and deport non-citizens. These laws were very unpopular when they came into force in the early 19th century and helped bring down the Federalist John Adams in the elections of 1800. Change begins today and it begins very quickly, Trump said in his speech. The president intends to end the right to asylum for immigrants, one of the fundamental pillars of the United States and which had already been severely limited during the Biden administration. The Republican has also proposed pausing the relocation to U.S. soil of refugees or displaced persons due to international conflicts for four months. This began to be noticed in the very first moments of his administration: Some 20,000 migrants who followed their immigration process through the CBP One application saw the tool stop working on their cellphones. The presidents advisers have also not ruled out that, in the coming weeks, there will be an attempt to set up obstacles to the entry of some nationalities into the United States, a reissue of the controversial veto on Muslim countries in 2017. The new Republican administration also wants to revive the controversial Remain in Mexico program, which affected 75,000 immigrants seeking to reach the United States and forced them to wait several months in Mexican territory while their cases moved through the courts. The program generated friction with the Mexican government during the first Trump administration. Tensions will surely resurface with the return of the controversial measure, which had come to an end under Biden in 2022. This will not be the only flashpoint between Trump and his Mexican counterpart, Claudia Sheinbaum. The U.S. president has also issued an executive order to designate cartels as terrorist organizations, which is being interpreted in Mexico City as a measure that points to an eventual U.S. military intervention on Mexican soil. The executive order also triggers a series of federal laws that can be used by Washington to combat drug-trafficking criminal organizations on several fronts. The 10 measures dedicated to the border will allow Trump to show a heavy hand in managing migration. However, the new government will receive the lowest numbers from the southern border in three years, when the coronavirus health emergency caused a collapse in irregular immigration. In December, fewer than 100,000 border crossings were recorded for the first time, something not seen since January 2021. Bidens final six months in office also recorded a 70% drop in irregular crossings compared to the same period in 2023, according to the final figures from the Democratic mandate. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Harry had reported rejected previous attempts to settle the case out of court, burning through millions in legal costs as the case crawled through the High Court, and in December he said in New York that he is seeing truth and accountability. I do get strange looks at times from people, he also said. It is old school, but you know, its how I was brought up, Ive tried to pass it on to my kids, my kids do it they dont always do it. The Reach hit-maker has now given an insight into her new life after making the move with her partner, Adam Thomas, and their two daughters, aged five and three. One of Donald Trumps first actions as the new President of the United States was to end the operations of CBP One, an application with which migrants could apply for asylum. Not only will it stop operating as of Monday, but all appointments that were already booked have been canceled, meaning that thousands of applicants have been left without the possibility of applying for asylum and reaching the United States through one of the ports of entry at the southern border. In 2023, the administration of former president Joe Biden made the CBP One application developed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) the only way to apply for asylum at the southern border. The program has allowed more than one million people seeking protection from violence, poverty, or persecution to legally enter the U.S. with the ability to work. Remain in Mexico Besides ending the use of CBP One, Trump announced that he would reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy, established in 2018 during his first administration by then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Under the policy, individuals who entered the U.S. illegally or entered without proper documentation and sought asylum would be sent to Mexico to await resolution of their immigration proceedings. What has Mexico said? Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed her disagreement with the policy and unilateral deportations of Mexican nationals living in the United States, and stated that her administration is already working on an option to be able to request asylum from anywhere in the country and from other states. Juan Ramon de la Fuente, Mexicos Secretary of Foreign Affairs, expressed a desire to adjust policies and reach agreements with the new administration. What are the alternatives for migrants? Prior to Trumps announcement, asylum seekers in the United States had several alternatives to using the CBP One application, although it is not yet clear whether they will be viable under the new policies. Asylum seekers could present themselves at a U.S. port of entry and declare their intent to apply for asylum, which involved wait times or detention, depending on the circumstances. They also could be processed directly by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at border crossings or checkpoints. Those already in the United States had the option of filing Form I-589 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This asylum application was to be filed within one year of arrival, barring exceptional circumstances. However, Trump could impose a policy of zero tolerance for illegal migrants and deport them without them being able to file the form. Among the alternatives available to some migrants (depending on their country of origin) is to apply for humanitarian parole for urgent cases or to attempt to enter the United States with a valid visa. Humanitarian parole is a temporary immigration status granted by the U.S. government to individuals who need to enter the country for urgent humanitarian reasons or for significant public benefit. It is typically used in emergency cases for a critical humanitarian purpose, such as medical treatment, family reunification, or the need for essential assistance in disaster relief efforts, among other situations where denial of entry would cause hardship to the applicant. Asylum seekers could also seek assistance from legal aid organizations and NGOs, which offer guidance, legal advice and help with the application process. Similarly, it is recommended to consult an immigration lawyer to navigate the complex legal landscape and choose the best path based on individual circumstances. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition KYODO NEWS - Jan 21, 2025 - 13:44 | All, Japan Cargo weighing 400 to 450 kilograms dropped from a U.S. military Osprey aircraft was blown off course and ended up in waters near a small island in Okinawa in southern Japan, a prefectural government official said Tuesday. The MV-22 transport plane was trying to drop the cargo onto an airfield in Ie Island during a drill on Thursday, but the 1.3 square meter container was blown off course by an unexpected shift of wind, the official said, citing an explanation from the Defense Ministry's local bureau. U.S. forces searched the surrounding waters but the container has not been found. The MV-22 is the variant of the tilt-rotor aircraft used by the Marine Corps. In Tokyo, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told a press conference that the incident is "truly regrettable," saying that the government has urged the U.S. side to ensure safety and take preventive measures. Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki told a separate news conference that it was "just one step away from a serious accident and provokes concerns among residents," urging the U.S. military to investigate the cause. Related coverage: Top court nixes Okinawa Pref.'s last appeal over U.S. base landfill U.S. Ospreys resume flights in Japan after halt over safety concerns Japan government ordered to pay damages over noise at Atsugi air base By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - Jan 22, 2025 - 02:35 | All, World Donald Trump, who took office for his nonconsecutive second term as U.S. president on Monday, stands ready to rekindle negotiations with North Korea, hoping to tap into his personal ties with the country's leader Kim Jong Un. Trump's choosing of several figures involved in talks with North Korea while he was previously in office for roles in his new administration reflects his great desire for another shot at meeting with Kim and spearheading diplomacy toward a historic deal. Regardless of the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, China and North Korea remain the two most serious, unavoidable challenges for U.S. interests in Asia. Moreover, in comparison with the global situation during Trump's first four-year term through 2021, these challenges have grown far more complicated. Many foreign policy experts say it is harder in North Korea's case than with China to predict the prospects for increased or decreased tensions in the months ahead. Unlike China, with which the second Trump administration is almost sure to dial up tensions on multiple fronts, it remains uncertain if any noticeable developments concerning North Korea will be seen in the short run. Trump's new team of officials in charge of North Korean issues includes his deputy national security adviser Alex Wong, a former diplomat who handled talks with Pyongyang during his first presidency. Still, whether his aides can pave the way for reopening behind-the-scenes contacts anytime soon seems to be largely dependent on North Korea, given that it is in a markedly different diplomatic position from where it was before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Suzanne DiMaggio, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said the "chances are high" that Trump will seek to revive communications with Kim. "This might prove to be a challenge, as normalizing relations with the United States hasn't been a priority for Kim since the failed Hanoi summit in 2019," she added. So far, North Korea has not signaled any willingness to reengage with the United States. Kim was quoted by his country's official media as saying in a November speech after the U.S. presidential election, "We already did everything possible in the bilateral negotiations with the United States, and what we were eventually convinced of was not the superpower's will to co-exist with us." North Korea's deepening alliance with Russia has especially emboldened Kim and will complicate any U.S. efforts to negotiate with him. North Korea has offered both weapons and troops to Russia for its war in Ukraine. Most observers believe that North Korea, in return, will or has already started to receive economic and military aid from Russia. The burgeoning relationship between the two countries is likely to last for a while, even if the nearly three-year-old war comes to an end in the foreseeable future. With Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kim signed a comprehensive strategic partnership accord last year that includes a clause for mutual assistance in the event of an attack on one of them. "If Trump is able to persuade Kim that resuming talks could result in attractive benefits, Trump should be prepared to encounter a different Kim this time around," said DiMaggio, who is known for her longtime involvement in informal discussions with North Korea that helped secure Pyongyang's official engagement with the first Trump administration. "Kim is far less isolated today," she said, pointing out that he has been bolstered by his relationships with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping as leaders of countries aligned against a U.S.-dominated global order. "The basis for this strategic bond is likely to have staying power for some time, as the drivers for the alignment are amplified by Russia's grinding war in Ukraine and intensifying U.S.-China strategic competition," she said. Nonetheless, Trump's confidence in his personal rapport with Kim has not faltered. On the campaign trail ahead of the Nov. 5 election, he repeatedly boasted of his skills as a dealmaker and his friendship with the North Korean leader. Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to meet with a North Korean leader when he shook Kim's hand in Singapore in 2018. He held two more rounds of talks with Kim in the following year, but both sides ultimately returned home empty-handed, with North Korea rapidly advancing its missile and nuclear capabilities. Despite his stated ambitions, Trump has yet to articulate his approach to North Korea. Speculation abounds that Trump may shift his North Korea policy toward seeking to induce Kim to freeze further development of Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs, rather than trying to convince him to dismantle its nuclear arsenal completely. Such an approach would be a departure from the long-standing goal of Washington and its allies to denuclearize North Korea, a move that could fundamentally reshape the security landscape in Northeast Asia. Jenny Town, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, said she does not expect that Trump will accept North Korea as a nuclear state, although it is unclear what "acceptance" would mean. In any case, Town said, it is "an oversimplification to pose denuclearization as an either-or approach. There is no realistic opportunity for a quick or everything-up-front approach to denuclearization." "It has to start somewhere and will have to be addressed in phases," said Town, who heads the Washington-based think tank's Korea Program and 38 North project, noting that the lack of an agreement over a "good enough" starting point has been one of the biggest problems. No matter who heads the U.S. administration, she said Washington needs to reframe how it handles North Korea issues -- that denuclearization can or should still be part of the agenda, but the approach should be framed around the larger question of "to what end?" In other words, she said, the real question that needs to be answered is, "What is the point of trying to improve relations with North Korea?" "Focusing only on the nuclear issue will continue to constrain how we approach North Korea and the tools we have for engagement," she said. Related coverage: Trump sworn in as U.S. president with vow to usher in "golden age" Trump invited to Hiroshima for 80th anniversary of atomic bombing China's Xi, Trump hope for "good start" to ties The Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) strongly condemns the refusal of the Social Democratic Party - National Liberal Party - Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (PSD-PNL-UDMR) parliamentary majority to place on the agenda of the Senate plenary session AUR's request for the convening of an extraordinary session of Parliament, asking it to exercise its fundamental role, as "representative forum of the Romanian people.", informs Agerpres. "AUR strongly condemns the refusal of the PSD-PNL-UDMR parliamentary majority to introduce on the agenda of the Senate plenary session our request for the convening of an extraordinary session of Parliament, essential for the return to a legitimate constitutional framework. The representatives of PSD, PNL and UDMR voted against AUR's request in the Senate's Standing Bureau," according to AUR. The alliance claims that the current government resorts to institutional blockages against the opposition on the subject of the November 24 2024 presidential election having been annulled. "The annulment of the presidential election has created an unprecedented political and constitutional crisis, and the blocking of this approach shows the contempt of the three ruling parties for the rule of law and the will of Romanians. Instead of allowing, through debate, a democratic solution to this situation, the current government resorts to institutional blockages against the opposition. We ask the majority to renounce these anti-democratic practices and allow Parliament to exercise its fundamental role, as a representative forum of the Romanian people." Defence Minister Angel Tilvar said on Tuesday in an interview with AGERPRES that he estimates that the contract for the PATRIOT missile-defence system which will replace the one Romania transferred to Ukraine last year will be signed this February, informs Agerpres. "I want to welcome the fact that, at the end of 2024, the American government made the decision to approve the delivery to Romania of three PATRIOT systems, which were in the program. In addition to these three systems, as concerns the one we donated, which costs approximately 300 million... three fellow NATO states have already contributed financially, with Romania only paying for the transport and probably the VAT for this equipment. We expect the contract-signing for this system to take place in February," the minister said, noting that things are moving quickly, in line with the authorities' estimates when they made "the Parliament-backed decision to make this donation". DefMin Tilvar explained that the transfer of a PATRIOT system to Ukraine "was a country decision". The defence legislation brings more accuracy to the role that the various bodies of the Romanian state have to play, Defence Minister Angel Tilvar told AGERPRES in an interview on Tuesday, informs Agerpres. He mentioned a bill on the control of the use of national airspace and a bill on the conduct of military missions and operations on Romania's soil in peacetime - both sent to Parliament for approval - and also a national defence bill and a bill on preparing the public for defence - with these two being in the stage of seeking approval. As for the defence of the national airspace, the minister said that debris of drones that were hit by the anti-aircraft defence of Ukraine fell on January 17 in Romania. "There have been several events of this kind. Each time, we activated the procedures we have in such situations and from situation to situation, we took all the necessary measures, which is why you probably know that last year, when we had a similar incident, NATO Secretary General himself, Mr [Mark] Rutte appreciated the way in which Romania together with its allies act in such situations," the minister said. Tilvar estimated that the two bills in the process of approval "at the beginning of this session will also find their place in the Romanian Parliament". "Together they make sense, because each of these bills brings new elements to round up this legislative framework that is needed and which does nothing but specify and bring more accuracy to the role that the different bodies of the Romanian state have in such situations, because the Army is only a component of the way in which a country defends itself, including in such situations." Tilvar added that there has never been a question of Romania shooting down drones in Ukraine's airspace. "Such discussion does not exist at this moment and the issue has never been raised, because it is a decision that we will obviously take within the allied framework, taking into account the fact that Romania benefits, it is a security donor in its turn, but Romania benefits at this moment by belonging to the strongest military political alliance in the history of humankind. Romania is part of the Alliance, and the decisions we take in such situations, for logical reasons, for reasons of complementarity, if you will, are decisions that we take together with our allies." The minister believes that the new legislative framework "will mark the end of a period in which, indeed, greater precision was needed." The bill controlling the use of the national airspace is designed to establish a new framework for cooperation and coordination at the level of authorities and bodies with a jurisdiction over the management and monitoring of the national airspace. The new perspective on controlling the use of the national airspace takes into account the realities of the current and future security environment. As a result of the illegal war unleashed by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, a country with which Romania shares a border of significant length, it has become apparent that the scope of risks and threats to national security, the integrity of national airspace and aviation safety, the life and health of persons and property must be extended to include the new types of means of attack used. The new piece of legislation will regulate the measures that Romania will be able to take to control the use of the national airspace, while establishing the authorities and bodies with a jurisdiction over taking measures to prevent and counteract the use of the national airspace, not only by aircraft, but also by unmanned aircraft systems - known in the public space by the generic term of drones - as well as other aerial vehicles that could be used in the future. Through the additions and new provisions included, the bill will adapt the legislative framework at the disposal of the relevant authorities in order to ensure increased efficiency in terms of compliance with the rules of use of the national airspace, which will contribute to increasing aviation safety and security, including in situations such as those recorded in the last year, in which drones used by the Russian Federation in illegal attacks carried out against the Ukrainian civilian port infrastructure on the Danube or fragments thereof fell on Romania's soil, as well as for the cases of small unmanned aircraft that flew over the national territory for certain periods of time. Speaking on Tuesday in an interview with AGERPRES, Defence Minister Angel Tilvar said that the F-16 pilot training center in Romania has become permanent following Romania and the Netherlands' signing in December 2024, in The Hague, of a Letter of Intent to expand the training facility, and confirming that it will continue to operate and will be open to pilots from other NATO and partner nations as well, including Ukraine. The minister noted that through the training provided to Romanian pilots, the facility benefits Romania too, because the F-16 aircraft that will be delivered to Romania need very well-trained pilots, informs Agerpres. "The fact that we have this center in Romania allows us to have pilots trained for the F-16 or for those who already operate the F-16 to upgrade their training, and I think it is a very good thing for Romania to host such a center, something that our colleagues also highlight at our ministerial meetings. The F-16 training center, along with the Black Sea Mine Clearance Initiative are two elements Romania's name is closely linked to," Tilvar said, adding that things are working according to the program at the center. He also spoke of the allied military exercises scheduled for this year in Romania, of which Dacian Spring is the most prominent and which will see the Cincu battle group raised to brigade status. Dacian Spring will have a participation of approximately 4,000 troops, the DefMin said. "In addition to these exercises, you should know that Romania will host military drills the entire year, and we will also deploy troops to other areas in order to take part in military exercises," Tilvar said. "We estimate that 14 - 15,000 personnel will participate in these exercises, giving us the opportunity to ascertain a specific level of preparation and a level of defense that allows for a normal life in Romania. Actually this would also be our purpose, to ensure a normal life for Romanians," the Defence minister said. As military exercises are tightly linked to the problem of transport infrastructure, the Defence minister spoke about the mobility corridors, stating that "towards the end of 2024, on the sidelines of a meeting with the other EU and NATO Defence ministers, I had the honor to sign on behalf of Romania for the creation of a mobility corridor that will begin in Greece, cross Bulgaria and end in Romania, for a harmonized mobility option of a corridor coming from Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and connecting to one coming from Italy, across Slovenia and through Romania, because the seamless mobility of equipment and troops is as important as anything else in the way armies are organized. So from this point of view, too, the Defence Ministry anticipated things and is putting in the necessary efforts to make this happen. All these corridors have civilian use too, they are not only for military use, so this infrastructure will also serve the civilian area of society." Speaking of infrastructure, Minister Tilvar also mentioned the fact that the Kogalniceanu Air Base will be expanded. "It is a project that will involve 2.5 billion worth of funding. Also, there are things to do at Deveselu and Cincu, where the multinational battle group with France as a lead nation is headquartered, and where certain elements of infrastructure are in our attention and subject to improvement," the Defence minister concluded. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday rejected the request of Calin Georgescu on imposing provisional measures in the case in which he contests the annulment of the presidential elections in Romania, informs Agerpres. Georgescu had requested the adoption of provisional measures, in particular that the decision of the Constitutional Court be suspended and the electoral process be resumed with the second round. The ECHR rejected the request for provisional measures, as being outside the scope of Article 39 of the Regulation of the Court (provisional measures)", reads an ECHR press release. The Court imposes such provisional measures only in exceptional cases, when the plaintiffs would otherwise be exposed to an imminent risk of irreparable harm, the press release added. According to the ECHR, this decision does not influence a subsequent decision on the merits of the process. On November 24, 2024, the first round of the presidential elections in Romania took place, the second round of voting being scheduled to take place on December 8, 2024. Calin Georgescu ran for these elections and qualified for the second round of voting. On December 6, 2024, pursuant to Article 146 f) of the Romanian Constitution, the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) annulled the entire electoral process. The CCR then decided that the elections for the President of Romania should be resumed in full and reorganized by the Government at a later date. By Akbar Novruz Azerbaijan's contribution to global energy security was emphasized during the "Leaders Circle: Financing the Energy Transition A New Horizon" session at the Davos Economic Forum, as highlighted by Mikayil Jabbarov, the countrys Minister of Economy, in a post shared on his X page. As part of President Ilham Aliyevs participation in the Forum, Jabbarov attended the session, where he took part in discussions on key opportunities and challenges for successful energy transformation, including the financing of the energy transition. The Minister also highlighted Azerbaijans proactive role in ensuring global energy security and providing reliable energy supply as a trusted partner. He stressed the importance of maintaining a fair approach, advancing the country's green energy transition strategy, and reflecting on the outcomes of COP29, which was hosted by Azerbaijan. KYODO NEWS - Jan 21, 2025 - 20:31 | World, All A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck southern Taiwan shortly after midnight Monday, damaging buildings and injuring at least 44 people, according to the island's authorities. The focus of the temblor, which jolted the island at 12:17 a.m., was located in Dapu Township in Chiayi County at a depth of 9.7 kilometers, the fire agency said. There were no immediate reports of deaths. Multiple aftershocks hit the area early Tuesday morning. One of the hardest-hit areas was Tainan's Nanxi district, where a local official said about 100 households suffered damage to their homes, with electricity and water supplies suspended in some areas. A 51-year-old Nanxi resident said, "I woke up after a sudden big jolt and smelled gas that may have leaked. I don't know what to do." A wall of the resident's three-story house had collapsed with broken glass pieces scattered across a room. An 87-year-old evacuee at a local shelter said, "I'm scared because of continued aftershocks. I don't want to return home." Authorities have called for vigilance, warning that major aftershocks may occur over the next three days. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world's largest contract chipmaker, said it had temporarily evacuated its employees from several factories in central and southern Taiwan following the powerful quake. All TSMC sites later resumed normal operations, the company added. Related coverage: Chance of Japan's Nankai Trough megaquake raised to 80%: government panel M6.8 quake rocks China's Tibet region, nearly 130 dead The Administration of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (ARBDD) has sent local authorities a series of measures to be taken to limit the damage caused by the golden jackals and has started the procedures for authorizing new actions for the extraction of these wild mammals, given that in recent years the population has complained of numerous damages caused by the species. According to an ARBDD address published on the website of the Tulcea City Hall, animal breeders must guard their herds with dogs, fence their farms and equip them with light devices, guard the females when they are about to give birth and notify the authorities immediately after they register damage to their farms, Agerpres. ARBDD also urges local authorities to build animal shelters to protect the animals during the night or when the attacks of the golden jackals multiply, to control the management of animal waste, but also of stray dogs, in conditions where "many potential attacks attributed to golden jackals have been carried out by dogs". "We are in the process of reissuing the authorization for the extraction of the golden jackals from the Reserve, so that the remaining 170 or so specimens of animals can be extracted by the County Hunters' Association, according to the opinion received from the Romanian Academy," the governor of the Reserve, Bogdan Bulete, told AGERPRES. The extraction of the species from the Reserve is conducted under the supervision of ARBDD representatives, as hunting in the Delta is forbidden. The golden jackals are wild mammals that have been present in Romania for almost 50 years, they feed on small animals and carcasses and play an important ecological and sanitary role in the Danube Delta ecosystems, according to the ARBDD address published on the Tulcea City Hall website. Finance Minister Tanczos Barna will participate in Brussels on Tuesday in the meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, according to ministry representatives. According to information published on the European Council's website, on this occasion, the Polish Presidency will present its work programme in the economic and financial affairs area for the first semester of the year, said Agerpres. Additionally, the ministers will take part in an orientation debate on ensuring a globally competitive business environment in Europe through simplification, streamlining, and reducing the regulatory burden. They will be invited to provide the Commission with information on the planned "omnibus" regulation proposal, which aims to streamline and reduce the regulatory burden on businesses. The ministers will also exchange views on the current situation regarding the economic and financial impact of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, based on updated information presented by the Commission. During the ECOFIN meeting, the Council is set to adopt recommendations regarding the medium-term budgetary-structural plans within the framework of the implementation of the economic governance framework. At the same time, the Council is expected to adopt recommendations for member states currently under an excessive deficit procedure, urging them to take effective corrective measures within a certain timeframe. Continuing the work on the 2025 European Semester, the Commission will present the 2025 Alert Mechanism Report and the draft recommendation of the Council on the economic policy of the Eurozone. The presentation will be followed by an exchange of views. According to the quoted source, the ministers will also review the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (RRM), and the Council will adopt implementation decisions to approve the revised recovery and resilience plans presented by some member states. Furthermore, the Presidency will present the current status of legislative proposals in the area of financial services. Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) leader Kelemen Hunor on Tuesday said that U.S. President Donald Trump's second term will be stronger than his first, wondering whether the European Union has a plan in place for partnership with the new American administration. The UDMR chairman argued that if the European Union is not prepared for a partnership with the U.S. and the new Donald Trump administration, every member country will lose. Neither Trump nor the U.S. administration will wait until the EU is ready, he added. According to Kelemen Hunor, after Donald Trump's inauguration as U.S. president, things will change, and America's interests will be prioritised. "Donald Trump enters office, and from today, things will change. Both sympathies and friendships will matter, but America's interests will come first in all the decisions the Trump administration will make. This should be evident when we talk about trade relations, transatlantic relations between Europe and the U.S., and when we discuss U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, but also regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine," said Kelemen Hunor on Antena 3 CNN. In his opinion, the U.S. president is "much stronger than he was in the first term." "It will be a different term than the first one for Trump, and certainly, the U.S. president is much stronger than he was in his first term. I am convinced that Trump's team will dominate the U.S. administration, which did not happen last time, neither in foreign policy nor in trade policy. My question for us, in Romania and the EU, is whether we are all prepared for a partnership with the U.S., whether the EU leadership currently has a worthy plan and knows how to convince the American administration that the relationship between the U.S. and the EU must be extremely important because we will be stronger together. Of course, this involves economy, trade, security, and everything that means the reshaping of international relations. If the EU is not prepared, we will all lose, because neither President Trump nor the U.S. administration will wait for us to get ready and make our plans," Kelemen Hunor stressed. According to him, "the question is whether Europeans are aware that Donald Trump will pursue U.S. interests as long as he is the U.S. president, not the EU president." "His priority will be to place U.S. interests first regarding internal relations, immigration, economy, tariffs, and security issues. That should be our primary concern - competitiveness, energy, trade, customs tariffs, plus transatlantic relations and everything that means Europe's security. When Trump calls for defence investments, he is saying something predictable; he's not saying this for the first time, he said it in his first term as well. To receive security guarantees from the U.S., you have to put money on the table because no one has said that until the end of the world, U.S. defence will be free," said the UDMR leader. He warned that "defence services cost every state and the U.S." and estimated a percentage between 2.3 - 2.5% of GDP for defence, a large sum for each EU state, including Romania. "We need to know that defence services cost every state and the U.S. If we cannot see the big picture, we will lose, categorically," Kelemen Hunor pointed out. Asked about the potential role of Hungary's prime minister in finding a balance in how the EU should work with Donald Trump, the UDMR leader said that Viktor Orban has "a vision for everything related to the future of the EU." "Some criticise you, which is fine, it depends on who criticizes you. Orban has tried to push relations toward finding a peace solution as quickly as possible without saying how peace should look, that cannot be done without the Ukrainians. Hungary, like Romania and the states in this region, as an economic force, political force, and demographic force, are too small. [...] This relationship between Trump and Orban will not disappear, it will remain and will count to some extent, but no one should expect that Orban will solve the EU's problems alone. Those who lead the EU should be aware that without a partnership with Trump's administration and the U.S., they will not overcome this competitiveness crisis. We will not solve the problems in Ukraine and Russia's aggression war on our own. Without the U.S., these things cannot be solved, and therefore, both the EU and the European Commission president and EU leaders must be aware that something new is coming, something different," explained the UDMR chairman. Romania has received a signal of confidence from the EU Council on the gradual fiscal consolidation it needs and the draft budget to be adopted by the end of the month will reflect an approach by which we undertake the reforms and the investments foreseen in the budget-structural plan for the medium term, the Minister of Finance, Tanczos Barna said in a press release, informs Agerpres. Romania's Budget-Structural Plan and the corrective trajectory within the Excessive Deficit Procedure were approved on Tuesday in the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), which took place in Brussels. According to the Ministry of Finance, the meeting also adopted the recommendations regarding the medium-term budgetary-structural plans for 20 member states. In the case of Romania, which was represented at the meeting by Tanczos Barna, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, it was considered that the requirements of the EU Regulation on economic governance (2024/1263) were met and the adjustment path was accepted for a period of 7 years, such as the proposed reforms and investments. "Romania has received a signal of confidence from the EU Council regarding the gradual fiscal consolidation that it needs. Setting the adjustment over a period of 7 years will allow the Romanian economy to maintain an adequate level of public investments, by avoiding imbalances and by ensuring the premises for sustainable economic growth. The draft annual budget to be adopted by the end of the month will reflect this approach, through which we undertake the reforms and investments foreseen in the medium-term budgetary-structural plan. We welcomed the way in which the European Commission and the EU Council approached these recommendations, understanding that, in the current difficult economic and geopolitical context, it is important to fully capitalize on governance framework and implement it in such a way as to ensure sustainable economic growth, as well as reforms and investments necessary," said Tanczos Barna. According to the the finance minister, the fiscal budget plan aims to stabilize Romania's public debt in a context where Romania continues to be in the first place in the EU, in terms of public investment - over 7% of GDP, reducing the budget deficit to below 3% during the period 2025-2031 and creating the prerequisites for the sustainability of public finances. Romania received recommendations to maintain expenses within the foreseen limits (the annual ceiling on the annual increase in net expenses being 5.1% in 2025, 4.9% in 2026, 4.7% in 2027, 4.3% in 2028, 4.2% in 2029 and 3.9% in 2030) and the end of the procedure of excessive deficit until 2030. The Defence Ministry on Monday reported that Romania has taken over the command of the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR). In the presence of senior official for defence policy, planning and international affairs Simona Cojocaru, and Chief of Defence Gheorghita Vlad, Major General Florin-Marian Barbu took over the command of the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina - EUFOR today, January 21, during a ceremony that took place in Camp Butmir, Sarajevo. By taking over the command of EUFOR, the largest multinational operation in the Western Balkans carried out under the aegis of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), Romania currently exercises command of two of the nine military operations and missions under the flag of the European Union, to which it contributes troops and military equipment. "Romania's operational involvement in EUFOR ALTHEA, which command will be exercised by Major General Barbu, is proof of our firm commitment to the Western Balkans," Cojocaru is quoted as saying in a press statement released on Tuesday. After a successful term of Brigadier General Ovidiu Lungu, between May 2023 and May 2024, as Chief of Staff of EUFOR ALTHEA, the Romanian Army increased the level of representation in the operation by taking over the leadership of the most important multinational force in the Western Balkans. The exercise of the EUFOR command is said to strengthen the prestige and consolidate the respect enjoyed by the Romanian military within the Euro-Atlantic community. "By taking over the command of EUFOR, Romania reaffirms its status as the main contributor to the multinational stabilisation force deployed by the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina," Vlad is also quoted as sya9ing in the statement. Romania will provide several essential functions, including the command of the multinational battalion, which can react "firmly", depending on the needs, in support of the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to maintain a safe and secure climate. "The stability of the Western Balkans region is a priority for Romania, which is of strategic importance for European and Euro-Atlantic security," says the ministry. At the same time, starting Monday, the Romanian Air Force Detachment joined the EUFOR ALTHEA operation, with the main responsibilities related to medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), in 24/7 regime and the transport and research missions under the command of EUFOR. For the next four months, four IAR 330 helicopters of the Romanian Air Force will perform specific transport, research and medical evacuation missions under the command of EUFOR. Thus, the Romanian Air Force returned after a period of 20 years within the EUFOR ALTHEA operation. Operation EUFOR ALTHEA was launched on 2 December 2004, under a mandate of the UN Security Council (Resolution no. 1575/2004), and aims to support the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina maintaining a safe and stable environment. At present, 24 nations are present in the operation, including EU and non-EU member states. AGERPRES ST. LOUIS Investigators are trying to find the cause of a raging fire that destroyed a vacant church building on Monday in the Hyde Park neighborhood. The 164-year-old brick building is at the corner of 19th Street and Newhouse Avenue, just north of Old North St. Louis. The fire gutted the interior, leaving behind a brick hull, charred wood and twisted metal. Its at least the fifth church to burn down in the city in as many years. The loss of these buildings is devastating to the cultural heritage of our community, said Andrew Weil, executive director of Landmarks St. Louis, which advocates for historical preservation in the region. Arguably more important, these major fires put our firefighters and first responders at risk. St. Louis firefighters started battling the three-alarm blaze about 11:30 a.m. Monday. At about 2 p.m., the Fire Department reported on social media that crews had it under control. The sprawling church partly collapsed, and crews had worked from the streets outside of the collapse zone to try to contain the fire. Their fight included using five waterways from aerial fire trucks. No injuries were reported. Four vacant buildings near the main structure sustained minor fire damage, the Fire Department said. 810A reports: #Fire is under control. Defensive ops ongoing; five aerial waterways & one hand line working. All members operating exterior & outside the collapse zone. Four vacant exposure bldgs sustained minor #fire involvement; extinguished. No injuries immediately reported. pic.twitter.com/Ue2GTLFacE St. Louis Fire Dept (@STLFireDept) January 20, 2025 Investigators were back at the charred remains Tuesday to try to determine what sparked the fire. The city planned to demolish one remaining wall that officials worried could collapse. Squatters had been reported in the building since it was vacant. The English Gothic-style church was built in 1861 for the Friedens United Church of Christ, which served German congregants. The organization occupied the property until about 2009 when it sold the property to Cephas Christian Church. That group later sold the church to a community organization called Ladies of Peace Unlimited in 2020, but the group never occupied the building. The organization was trying to get a grant to run an outreach center but ran into title issues. City records show officials condemned the property in 2023 due to structural problems. Ladies of Peace Unlimiteds president, Esther Noldon, said Tuesday that the building had no electricity. It had been boarded up yet burglars still managed to gain entry, she said, to take stained glass windows. Im just trying to figure out how they got in, because it was boarded up. I guess, where theres a will, theres a way, she said. If they used it for a warming place, there are so many shelters. Theres no reason for that. No reason. A neighbor notified Noldon recently that a man was seen taking gutters off the building. News of the fire, she said, was a jolt. I was just whew I was speechless, Noldon said. I couldnt believe it. Noldon said the organization was looking to get a grant or a loan to rehab the building for community outreach, to help people with food and utilities. Apartment buildings on church land could be used to house people in transition, and the church could be for townhall meetings, church services or other events. One of the plans, she said, was to bring in washers and dryers so people could do their laundry. Mondays fire was at least the fifth to hit a prominent church in St. Louis. Last year, St. Augustine Catholic Church on Lismore Street was demolished after three fires. Preservationists there raced to save historic stained glass windows made by artisan Emil Frei. In 2023, a church near Allen Avenue and South 13th Street in Soulard burned. It remains closed today. In 2021, a fire damaged a bell tower in the historic Holy Corners district in the Central West End. Notably, in 2023, a four-alarm fire engulfed the former St. Liborius, a towering historic church that had been converted into an indoor skatepark called Sk8 Liborius at Hogan and Market streets in north city. Sk8 Liborius, which provided a gathering place for skateboards, artists and others, said it plans to rebuild. Weil, the preservationist, urged city officials to crack down on illegal trespassers and squatters that, he said, lead to such fires. Until city leaders are willing to allocate sufficient resources toward enforcing building codes, intercepting and prosecuting trespassers and thoroughly investigating and prosecuting these fires as arson when appropriate, he said, we are going to continue to see large fires that erase our heritage and put our emergency workers at risk. KYODO NEWS - Jan 21, 2025 - 19:26 | World, All China said Tuesday it is willing to work with U.S. President Donald Trump's new administration to manage differences and promote stable economic and trade relations, while South Korean and Taiwanese leaders congratulated him on his return to the White House. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a press conference in Beijing the essence of Sino-U.S. economic and trade cooperation is "mutual benefit and win-win" and that maintaining stable bilateral relations is "in the fundamental interests" of the two countries and conducive to the development of the global economy. Trump has said his administration plans to impose much higher tariffs on China but did not immediately levy any new duties on Chinese imports on the day of his inauguration. Guo also said Beijing is concerned over Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement aimed at curbing global warming. "Climate change is a challenge facing all humanity and no country can stand aloof or unaffected," he said, adding China is "firmly resolved" to address the issue. China and the United States are the world's two largest emitters of carbon dioxide. South Korean Acting President Choi Sang Mok said, "Based on the strong South Korea-U.S. alliance, we will make every effort to ensure that economic, diplomatic and security cooperation between the two countries enters a new phase." He added he will arrange phone talks with Trump in the near future. Choi, deputy prime minister, is the second acting president after President Yoon Suk Yeol's authority was suspended following the passage of an impeachment motion against him over his short-lived martial law declaration in December. Prime Minister Han Duck Soo became the first acting president, but an impeachment motion against him was also passed. "The government has systematically and thoroughly prepared to respond" to the possible impact on the South Korean economy that Trump's policies may pose, Choi said, apparently referring to Trump's planned expansion of tariffs and strengthening of protectionism. Trump has urged South Korea to pay higher defense costs during his first term in office and last year's presidential campaign. In Taiwan, leader Lai Ching-te said he looks forward to working with the Trump administration to continue progress in Taiwan-U.S. relations, jointly safeguard democracy and freedom, and promote global prosperity amid increased pressure from China on the island, which it regards as its own territory. The Taiwanese president added in a social media post that he had asked the island's delegation led by Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu to Trump's inauguration ceremony to convey the "firm commitment to democracy" of the Taiwanese people. The United States, which switched its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, maintains substantive though unofficial relations with Taiwan and supplies the island with arms to ensure its self-defense capabilities. Related coverage: China's Xi, Trump hope for "good start" to ties Japan working toward Ishiba-Trump meeting in U.S. before mid-February The union representing St. Louis teachers is calling for State Board of Education member Kerry Casey to resign after she pushed earlier this month for St. Louis Public Schools to be stripped of its accreditation status. Casey, who could not be reached for comment, was a founding board member of KIPP charter schools in St. Louis. She was appointed to the board in 2021 by former Gov. Mike Parson. American Federation of Teachers St. Louis, in its letter calling for Caseys resignation, questioned whether she could be impartial in her assessment of public schools. She seems predisposed to lowering the accreditation of public schools while protecting and advancing charter schools, teachers union leaders wrote. It just seems like shes more of a school privatizer than a public-school advocate, Byron Clemens, spokesman for AFT St. Louis, told The Independent. The State Board of Education does not control the classification of charter schools, but it does hear proposals for new charters and has other oversight tasks. When asked about Caseys connection to charter schools and whether it helps the board, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education spokeswoman Mallory McGowin said members have a wide range of professional experiences and personal interests that inform their various perspectives during their time on the board. St. Louis has been fully accredited since 2017, following a decade in unaccredited and provisionally accredited status with efforts to improve the districts academics, facilities and academics. During the State Board of Education meeting earlier this month, Casey said media reports of dysfunction within St. Louis Public Schools made her question why it wasnt part of the shortlist of districts in consideration for provisional accreditation status. She made a motion to downgrade the districts accreditation but didnt receive support from other members to bring the issue to a vote. Department officials showed Casey that St. Louis Public Schools met the checklist to maintain full accreditation. Current decisions are focused on superintendent qualifications and financial status, rather than annual performance reports, as the department is waiting until it has more data using a new set of standards. The department also gave Casey reassurance that state staff have been working with the district. McGowin told The Independent that the agency began its assistance last summer. Thus far, that assistance has included conversations with the appropriate (department) personnel regarding a number of items, including transportation, school finance, educator certification, federal programs and literacy, she said. Caseys push to downgrade the district fell flat among her fellow board members and the education department. But she is not without her supporters. Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Cindy OLaughlin, a Republican from Shelbina, shared a photo on Facebook of her with Casey and expressed her appreciation for what she was trying to do. (Casey) is a respected state board of education member who recently called for the St. Louis Public School system to have their rating downgraded, OLaughlin wrote. This has long been needing to happen but for some reason hasnt. OLaughlin criticized AFT members for their letter against Casey. I would suggest the teachers union should be figuring out how to improve student outcomes rather than point fingers at those who actually do care and want improvement, the post continued. St. Louis Public Schools annual performance report score increased this year, with improvement in academic performance and growth in multiple subject areas based on the scoring system. A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., parks on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 15, 2025. (Robert Trujillo/U.S. Air Force) U.S. Air Force bombers from South Dakota are back in the Western Pacific for the regions first bomber task force mission of the year. At least two B-1B Lancers assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., arrived Jan. 15 at Andersen Air Force Base, according to photos published Friday by the 28th Bomb Wing. The long-range, heavy bombers are slated to participate in Bomber Task Force 25-1, part of an ongoing series of training missions intended to showcase the Air Forces ability to deter, deny and dominate any influence or aggression from adversaries or competitors alongside allies and partner forces, according to photo captions published to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Squadron spokeswoman 2nd Lt. Alejandra Angarita acknowledged an email request for additional information on the deployment but was unable to provide a response by Tuesday afternoon. The day of their arrival, at least one of the Lancers completed an aerial refueling over the South China Sea with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to 909th Air Refueling Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, according to a separate series of photos posted Thursday on Facebook by the 18th Wing. Also that day, a pair of Lancers were escorted in an airpower demonstration over the Sea of Japan, or East Sea, by South Korean F-15K Slam Eagles and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Mitsubishi F-2 fighters, the first overflight by U.S. allies of the new year. The Air Force did not identify the Lancers home station. The Air Force routinely deploys Lancers, B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit bombers to Guam and elsewhere around the world on task force missions, which began in January 2018 and have continued regularly since 2020. Plans call for replacing the Spirits with the B-21 Raider being developed by Northrop Grumman. While the missions for each BTF may vary, the overall goal remains the same: assure allies and deter adversaries, the Air Force Global Strike Command website states. From Nov. 8 to Dec. 13, four B-52s assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., deployed to Englands Royal Air Force Fairford base. The bombers participated in nine operations with NATO and partner nations, including the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Italy, Lithuania, Morocco, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, according to a Dec. 13 news release. The last task force mission based out of Guam, Bomber Task Force 24-6, concluded June 25 and included B-1Bs from Ellsworths 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, according to a July 5 news release from the 28th Bomb Wing. Sailors prepare for flight operations on the deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson on Jan. 12, 2025, in the South China Sea. The Vinson is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Jordan/U.S. Navy photo ) ARLINGTON, Va. Projections by Navy leaders that the U.S. could be at war with the Chinese by 2027 is driving the sea service to revamp how it repairs and upgrades ships and train crews so more of the fleet is ready for a potential fight. We cant continue to do things the way we have been, Vice Adm. Brendan McLane, commander of Naval Surface Force Pacific Fleet, said last week during the Navy Surface Warfares 37th National Symposium. In recent years, the Navy has been plagued with monthslong construction delays on new shipbuilding programs, as well as maintenance woes on aging ships that threaten deployment schedules. The longstanding issues have caused a backlog of ships going in and out of shipyards. The Navy was on track for a 67% on-time maintenance completion rate across the fleet in 2024. That comes after a 36% completion rate in 2022 and a 41% completion rate in 2023. Meanwhile, deployable ships are spending additional time at sea, and in the case of West Coast ships, have been pulled from one area of operations to another. The backlogs coupled with an increased operational tempo have led to concerns about how many U.S. ships are ready to fight and a possible conflict with a growing Chinese navy. The U.S. Navy is structured to have 1/3 of the fleet in maintenance, 1/3 in training and 1/3 on or ready for deployment. But persistent delays across all phases of a ships lifecycle could mean ships are not ready for a fight. To address this, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations, put forth in the fall an initiative in her 2024 Navigation Plan for the Navy to have 80% of the fleet ready for a possible fight with China by 2027 what she described as a stretch goal. We need a bigger fleet, every study weve done since 2016 shows that, but it will take years and significant resourcing to expand our traditional industrial base to produce the platforms, the munitions, and the capabilities at the scale we need. And our entire Navy team is committed to working with all of our stakeholders, industry, Congress, and [the Office of the Secretary of Defense] to pull every lever to put more players on the field, Franchetti said during the symposium. Navy leaders gathered at the symposium to offer calls to action that they said could help propel Franchettis plan. Vice Adm. Brendan McLane, commander of Naval Surface Forces, delivers an update on the status of the force on Jan. 14, 2025, at the Surface Navy Associations 37th National Symposium in Arlington, Va. The symposium brings together experts and decision-makers in the military, industry, and Congress to discuss how the surface force is a critical element of national defense and security. (Claire M. Alfaro/U.S. Navy) McLane showcased updates to Surface Warfare: The Competitive Edge, a strategic document released in 2022 that outlined the steps the Navy should take to improve the combat capabilities of its ships. The document was updated to bring it in line with the Navys 2024 Navigation Plan goal of having 80% of its ships ready for combat by 2027. The update put the Navy on notice to shorten its basic phase, tier one training certification from 15 weeks to an average of 10 weeks by June 2026. Being certified in tier one means the ship has completed the initial level of readiness and is considered combat ready. The phase is meant to take 10 weeks but has stretched to an average of 15 weeks because the Navy hasnt stocked ships with spare parts necessary for at-sea, sailor-led maintenance. In stocking ships was just in case spare parts, McLane said, the ships will spend less time waiting for parts to arrive and more time on task. Additionally, the Navy wants 71% of major repairs and overhauls completed on time, and to keep delays to less than 1,714 days. Those maintenance periods are meant to be finished between 180 days and about 1,100 days, depending on the complexity of the work. In line with this effort, Naval Sea Systems Command released a five-part plan this week that includes getting new ships in the water on time while also creating more maintenance opportunities for existing ships. The command is responsible for designing, building and maintaining Navy ships and combat systems. What we are not doing is deferring maintenance, Vice Adm. James Downey, commander of Naval Sea Systems Command, told reporters last week. Rather, the command is working to shave months off a ships time in dry dock scaling it back from one year to about five months. Downey said the new strategy is the result of an enterprise-wide, self-assessment process that will make the organization better over time. Nothing was off the table when we started this process last May, and since then, weve realigned departments, merged similar functions, and streamlined command operations to enable greater focus on these lines of effort, he said. The Navy should focus on designing its future ships with an eye on simplicity, according to Dan Grazier, a senior fellow for the National Security Reform Program at the Stimson Center, a Washington think tank. Simplicity and ease of maintenance should be top design requirements, he said. Back in the 1940s, the Navy was able to turn heavily combat-damaged ships around in a matter of weeks get them back into the fight. That is an impossibility today. But the maintenance backlog is not a problem that will likely be solved by 2027, Grazier said. It is an opinion that was shared during the Navy symposium by Adm. Daryl Caudle, U.S. Fleet Forces commander. We know our force structure will certainly not change between now and 2027 and will not significantly change over the next decade, he said. Bottom line: We must be constantly making ready ships not in depot or currently deployed. At any given time, the Navy has about 100 ships deployed around the globe, 100 in lengthy maintenance depots and 100 that are between deployment and maintenance depot. Caudle said the Navy is targeting the 100 that are not deployed or in depots and working to train them to be certified for a combat surge. This would mean the ships receive a formal designation that the platform and crew are ready and able to fight at a moments notice. But those ships might have to surge into combat with less capabilities. I need more ordnance, I need more parts, and I need more ships. But I have to fight with the Navy Ive got, Caudle told reporters. The strategy that Caudle highlights is theoretically achievable, but its success will depend on the risk that Navy leaders are willing to take in certifying ships are combat ready despite missing a capability or two, according to Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, another Washington think tank. If you want to have more ships ready to deploy in 2027, then you would logically have to give up some longer-term capabilities in order to make that happen. It is all about tradeoffs, he said. Grazier echoed Cancian, but noted while the plan is viable, it is a slippery slope that could result in ships needing an unanticipated capability during combat. But I think its the only option the Navy has right now, he said. I think they are kind of out of options to meet the 2027 goal. It is really breathing down our necks. KYODO NEWS - Jan 21, 2025 - 20:08 | All, Japan, World Survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Tuesday expressed concerns that the return of U.S. President Donald Trump could result in a setback for efforts to abolish nuclear weapons. The inauguration of Republican Trump as the 47th president of the United States comes amid fears of nuclear weapons being used again, as geopolitical tensions intensify, particularly in Russia's war against Ukraine. "I'd like him to attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima on Aug. 6 and visit the museum to see the reality of being exposed to atomic bombs," said Toshiyuki Mimaki, who heads the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations. The 82-year-old participated in the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo last month after Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's leading group of atomic bomb survivors, won the prize for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. Masao Tomonaga, chairman of the Hibakusha Community Center in Nagasaki Prefecture, who was also present at the event in the capital of Norway, said Trump "did not say anything about world peace or nuclear weapons during his inauguration speech." "He has a nuclear button, and I can't imagine how he might handle it," the 81-year-old added. U.S. atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the final days of World War II in August 1945, killing an estimated 214,000 people by the end of the year and leaving numerous survivors grappling with long-term physical and mental health challenges. Related coverage: Trump invited to Hiroshima for 80th anniversary of atomic bombing Ishiba hopes to work closely with Trump for robust Japan-U.S. ties "Japan First" mindset key for Ishiba in dealing with Trump: ex-aide Detective-turned-tour-guide Dennis OLeary stands in front of Johns of 12th Street in New York, one of Manhattans oldest red-sauce joints. Just outside is where Lucky Luciano shot Umberto Valenti. The Italian restaurant is a stop on OLearys mafia walking tour. (Bryan Anselm/for The Washington Post) NEW YORK The mafia walking tour starts at Johns of 12th Street, one of Manhattans oldest red-sauce joints. Just outside, our guide informs us, is where Lucky Luciano shot Umberto Valenti. Dennis OLeary begins the tour by showing us his official NYPD badge. The retired detective, 62, has seen his share of murders, but he conducts the tour with a light and friendly tone. Just about everyone in Little Italy seems to know him; he will happily give guests his cellphone number if they need help securing a reservation at Johns. As we meander down the streets of the East Village, into Little Italy and then to Chinatown, he gives us the scoop on New York Citys underbelly of organized crime. There is a stop at the Ravenite Social Club, which acted as the headquarters of the Gambino crime family. We gather near the old Milo Printing, where OLeary says fake stocks and bonds were printed for the mafia. Remember Goodfellas? The two characters who killed Joe Pesci in the movie had a favorite haunt. We visit that, too. A 2024 poll from YouGov showed that 57% of U.S. adults consume true-crime content and that 5% do so every day. Podcasts, documentaries and streaming series are wildly popular. The travel industry is responding with an influx of macabre tours: true-crime tourism, if you will. OLearys mafia tour began in 2017 as a way to bring people into his beloved neighborhood; he touts himself as someone who will cut the BS and give you an insiders perspective. The bulk of people are interested in true crime, he says, adding that any new media like a documentary or podcast and especially the Academy Award-nominated movie The Irishman can give his business a boost. Mob bosses used to dine at Johns of 12th Street in New York. (Bryan Anselm/for The Washington Post) Following killers and victims In Milwaukee, a walking tour for the Cream City Cannibal follows serial killer Jeffrey Dahmers footsteps. A Chicago Crime Tour takes place in an air-conditioned bus. French Quarter Phantoms tells the story of colorful characters such as the never-apprehended Axeman of New Orleans, an unidentified serial killer who went on a rampage in the early 20th century and who, like Jack the Ripper, had a penchant for mocking the media. Art Markman, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas, Austin, says that humans have an inherent interest in true crime because stories like these enable us to be transported into situations that we wouldnt find ourselves in normally, and that we can experience extreme emotions that go beyond our daily lives. We love reading crime stories, whodunits, police procedurals and other genres for that reason, he says. True crime adds the additional component that the story itself is true, which can heighten the creepiness, fear or sense of injustice, depending on the nature of the story, he added. Kim Cooper, 57, co-owner of Esotouric Tours Into the Secret Heart of Los Angeles, says their business, established in 2007, stemmed from their true-crime blog. Now, their tours blend historic crime stories with a mix of culture, history and architecture. They offer two purely true-crime tours in downtown Los Angeles: the Real Black Dahlia and Human Sacrifice. Cooper notes that a lot of new visitors have come to Los Angeles to learn about the infamous Cecil Hotel after the death of Elisa Lam, the 21-year-old Canadian student who was visiting the city and whose body was found in a water tank on the roof of the hotel 19 days after she was first reported missing. True crime is pretty consistently a draw for our guests, Cooper says, and even if theyre not familiar with the lesser-known cases we cover, they are interested in the topic. Detective-turned-tour-guide Dennis OLeary lights a candle that has been burned since 1920 and that was used during Prohibition to signal whether Johns of 12th Street in New York was serving alcohol. (Bryan Anselm/for The Washington Post) The popularity of podcasting True-crime podcasts and dramas have exploded in popularity, satisfying consumers hunger for in-depth storytelling on a platform that is easily binge-worthy. Serial got people talking about the genre, and it seemed to explode from there with entries such as Dr. Death and Crime Junkie. The Hulu series Only Murders in the Building is built around a fictional true-crime podcast produced by the main characters, with an arc built around a podcast host played by Tina Fey. Markman says that true crime requires resources to investigate and that an investigation may not pay off depending on what the investigator finds. He believes that podcasting changed this. Podcasting, in particular, lowered the overhead necessary to distribute content, which made it easier for people to engage in an investigation in the hope that it would lead somewhere interesting enough to hold an audience. According to a 2024 poll from YouGov, 61% of women said they consume true-crime content, compared with 52% of men, and more than 60% of adults between 30 and 64 said they tune in. Americans are split as to whether the genre is acceptable from a moral perspective. More people say it is ethical (50%) to consume true-crime content than say it is unethical (16%). And 38% say it is ethical to make true-crime content. Ryan Murphys hit Netflix show Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story received significant backlash from families of Dahmers victims, who called the show such things as greedy and retraumatizing. Im the writer and host of a popular true-crime podcast about my hometown in the Ozarks, and I have spent the past three seasons working to navigate the growing appetite for true crime while ensuring the story is told accurately and respectfully toward the victims and their families. However, that doesnt mean the podcast is void of well, voyeurs. Beyond tours, armchair detectives are choosing travel based on specific cases. Hello, armchair detectives Kevin Allen, 54, a software executive from Raleigh, N.C., said he travels specifically for true crime. Allen became interested in several cases, including the Springfield Three, and thinks of them as a puzzle, waiting to be solved. I found Allen in a private Facebook group that is devoted to the case, which involves three women from the Ozarks who went missing in 1992 and have yet to be found. The group has more than 3,000 members, with people constantly sharing information, theories and tips about the case. This isnt in any way meant to minimize the real violence and impact on the victims and their families, many of whom I have spoken with and gotten to know, he said. And if I can be any part of that effort, I want to do so. Allen drove to Springfield, Mo.., to visit the sites connected with the Springfield Three case, and he went directly to the possible scene of the crime: a residential home where the three women were probably taken from. He walked around the entire block of the house, and he even met up with a local armchair detective whom he met via Facebook. These cases take on a whole new meaning when you put yourself at the scene of the crime. You get a feel for the setting, the dimensions and the feel of the area, Allen said. It really makes a difference in the way you think about these cases, and I find it very helpful as you try to get into the head of the perpetrator, he added. Armchair detectives such as Allen might add a new layer to the onion in hopes to peel back parts of a case. But what happens when internet sleuths descend upon a location in hopes to solve a mystery? OLeary, who previously worked in law enforcement, said armchair detectives can actually find new information and be a new set of eyes. As long as they dont interfere with the investigation, which would be illegal, he said, they can be an asset in fact-finding. Its then up to the police to see whether theres credence to any findings. Media attention and ethical concerns Media coverage or even tourism can help to bring attention to a case. Podcasts such as Up and Vanished and Your Own Backyard have helped to uncover crucial evidence that aided in cracking real crimes. Ive realized I enjoy unsolved cases much more. With an unsolved case, a podcast can at least bring more attention to it, and potentially help generate tips, Allen says. But are true-crime tours and travel sensationalizing the crimes? As in, can you be sensitive to victims while charging money for a tour? Markman points out that, if you are a public figure, you can reasonably expect a certain amount of scrutiny of your life and habits. A celebrity having a meal may get asked for a picture or autograph, and reporters may pry into the details of a famous persons life. But the victim and family of a victim of a crime did not sign on for notoriety, he says. Markman suggests that tour operators should tread lightly when it comes to engagement with the family of a victim. After all, they may be grieving. When I pose this question to Cooper, she says: There is always a danger of sensationalism, and it comes down to who is giving these tours, their motivation and their knowledge of the material. When guides are hired to work from a script, if that script is exploitative, the tour will be, too. Her tours visit the outside of the Cecil Hotel (which now serves as supportive housing) rather than going in because thats peoples home. Cooper is not only a horror-history aficionado but also a champion for Los Angeles storytelling. She says that true crime is a special niche and that the crossover between it and LA is special. People are interested in this, but when it happens in your own hometown, there are places that hold the echoes, she says. A crane floats on Oura Bay at the site of a future U.S. Marine Corps runway at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, July 9, 2024. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes) Japans Supreme Court recently denied Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamakis final legal challenge to stop construction at a future Marine Corps airfield in the islands north. The Tokyo court on Thursday rejected an appeal in a lawsuit filed by Okinawa prefecture in September 2022 seeking to block changes to construction permits required by Japans Ministry of Defense to finish the project, according to the prefectures website. The lawsuit was originally dismissed by a three-judge panel in Naha District Court in November 2023 after oral arguments in February, April and July that year. The prefecture appealed to the Fukuoka High Court, which also dismissed the case on Sept. 2. The airfield is under construction at the Marines Camp Schwab on land reclaimed from Oura Bay to replace Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in densely populated Ginowan city. The U.S. and Japanese governments agreed to move the base in 1996, but the prefectural government has repeatedly delayed construction. It is extremely regrettable that the Supreme Court dismissed us without any concrete judgment, since we had expected them to make a fair and neutral judgment based on the essence of local autonomy guaranteed by the Constitution, Tamaki wrote in a statement posted Monday on the prefectures website. However, as the governor, who has been entrusted by the citizens, my position against the construction of the new base in Henoko has not changed in the slightest, he wrote. The construction zone is divided into two main sections: 279 acres on Schwabs north side and 91 acres in the south. Work on the Oura Bay side, or north side, had been on hold since April 21, 2020, when Tamaki, citing safety and environmental concerns, refused to approve design changes meant to solidify the seabed. He filed, and lost, three lawsuits, with defeats at the Supreme Court in August and September 2023. Tetsuo Saito, at the time the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, approved the construction permits on Dec. 28, 2023, after Tamaki ignored a deadline from Fukuoka High Court. Construction in Oura Bay resumed on Jan. 10, 2024. On Dec. 28, contractors hired by the Okinawa Defense Bureau, an arm of Japans Ministry of Defense, began ground improvement work to drive sand piles to ensure stability for the airfield, the bureau announced in a news release the previous day. Construction on the project is expected to take until at least 2033 and cost the Japanese government nearly $6 billion, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said at a news conference Jan. 10. The airfield may be ready for use by 2036, he said. The most recent dismissal ends a series of 14 construction-related lawsuits filed by both sides since Nov. 17, 2015. The prefecture lost 10 lawsuits, settled three and withdrew one, according to the prefectures website. Japanese troops removed and defused this U.S.-made, World War II-era shell at a construction site in Naha city, Okinawa, Jan. 19, 2025. (Naha city) Japanese troops removed and defused an American shell believed to be from World War II from a construction site in Okinawas capital city over the weekend. Five members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces 101st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit on Sunday moved the 5-inch shell by crane into an explosion-proof container and defused it, a spokesman for the citys Disaster Prevention and Crisis Management Division said by phone Tuesday. The shell was discovered Nov. 28 in the Matsuyama district of Naha city. About 60 people from 30 households and nine businesses were asked to evacuate during the removal, according to the citys website. The operation began at 9:28 a.m. and concluded ahead of schedule at 9:55 a.m., the spokesman said. Traffic was restricted to a radius of about 80 feet beginning at 7 a.m. and lifted after the removal. The shell was taken to a prefecture-managed warehouse to be detonated later, he said. Some Japanese government officials speak to the press only on condition of anonymity. The discovery is the latest at Naha construction sites. Another 5-inch, U.S.-made shell found in October was removed from the Uebaru district and defused in December. The Japanese government has been ramping up searches for similar ordnance at airports across the country. The government began surveys in October at Miyazaki Airport on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four main islands, after a World War II-era bomb exploded that month. Magnetic surveys began in December at Naha Airport, along with airports in Sendai, Matsuyama and Fukuoka. Crews disposed of nearly 22 tons of unexploded ordnance leftover from WWII on Okinawa between April 1, 2023, and March 31. President Donald Trump with former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in the Oval Office in 2019. Now NATOs secretary-general, Rutte said Jan. 20, 2025, that the alliance will turbocharge defense spending during Trumps second term. (Alex Brandon/Associated Press) STUTTGART, Germany NATO countries are ready to turbocharge defense spending, the alliances top official said this week as the security bloc prepares for President Donald Trumps anticipated push to get European militaries to do more. Secretary-General Mark Rutte, in a statement Monday shortly after Trump was sworn into office, made the American presidents top NATO issue his own. With President Trump back in office, we will turbocharge defense spending and production, Rutte said, adding that Trumps often-stated mantra of peace through strength can be achieved through NATO. The return of Trump will once again put European defense spending levels at the center of the United States approach to NATO. Over the past several years, NATO members have boosted investments, with about 20 out of 32 members hitting the alliances benchmark of spending 2% of gross domestic product on defense. The gains, some of which came during Trumps first term, picked up momentum after Russias 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, numerous countries still dont have a plan for immediately hitting the 2% target, let alone getting to Trumps more recent demand that the minimum spending level be elevated to 5% of GDP. Its unclear what the consequences could be should allies resist Trump, who in the past has indicated an openness to quitting the alliance if they dont shoulder more of the security burden. Lithuania, a Baltic state especially worried about Russian aggression, already has decided to ratchet up its spending level to between 5% and 6% of GDP. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Friday announced the decision, which puts the country in line with Trumps preference. The Baltic countries and Poland, are among the top NATO defense spenders on a per-capita basis. Warsaw said last year that it aims to get to the 5% level in 2025. Poland has been on a weapons buying binge and over the weekend received its first batch of M1A2 Abrams battle tanks purchased from the U.S. However, not all allies are on board. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said last week that going to 5% would only be possible with massive tax increases or massive cuts to many things that are important to us. Still, other leaders in Germany, where federal elections are slated to take place next month, say Berlin needs to invest beyond the 2% of GDP level. Last year, Germany met the 2% threshold for the first time. How Germany manages the defense spending debate with Trump could factor into White House calculations about the future of the American military presence in Europe. At the end of Trumps first term, he sought to remove about 12,000 troops from Germany in connection with his complaints about the chronic low levels of domestic spending on defense by successive German governments. French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking one hour before Trumps inauguration Monday, said European countries should prepare in the event the White House reduces its commitments in Europe. What will we do in Europe tomorrow if our American ally withdraws its warships from the Mediterranean? Politico quoted Macron as saying. What if (the U.S.) switches its fighter planes from the Atlantic to the Pacific? These are all scenarios we need to prepare for. Afghan refugees step off a C-130J Super Hercules on Sept. 6, 2021, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, during Operation Allies Welcome. (Reilly McGuire/U.S. Air Force) Scores of Afghan relatives of American service members who are awaiting relocation are now stuck in Afghanistan amid President Donald Trumps halt to the nations resettlement program, according to a Reuters report confirmed by refugee advocates. Shortly after taking office Monday, Trump signed an executive order barring all refugees from entering the United States for at least 90 days starting Jan. 27. Nearly 1,660 Afghans cleared to resettle in America have already had their flights canceled, with 200 family members of active-duty U.S. personnel among them, Reuters reported. The number was confirmed by Shawn VanDiver, a veteran and president of the #AfghanEvac coalition, a nonprofit group that has been leading the charge to resettle Afghans. VanDiver and an unidentified U.S. official told Reuters that the Afghans approved to resettle as refugees were being removed from the manifests of flights they were due to take from Kabul between now and April. The United States is suspending refugee resettlement, after communities were forced to house large and unsustainable populations of migrants, straining community safety and resources, the White House website said about the move. VanDiver had been urging Trumps team to make an exception for those facing significant danger under Taliban rule because they fought for the former U.S.-backed government of Afghanistan. The truth is this is about loyalty, whether theyre service member families or another refugee thats in danger in some way because of their association to the United States, he told Stars and Stripes on Tuesday. Theyve been loyal to us, and we owe them that same loyalty. The Taliban regained power in a stunningly swift takeover of the country in the summer of 2021 while U.S. forces were withdrawing. Since the withdrawal, the U.S. has been working to evacuate Afghans and their families who served alongside American forces in both military and diplomatic roles over the course of the nearly 20-year war. Through special immigrant visas and refugee status, the U.S. has evacuated more than 180,000 Afghans, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last month. The executive order was part of a sweeping set of immigration reforms during Trumps first hours in office. It stipulates that in 90 days, the secretary of state must issue a report about whether resuming the program would benefit the interests of the United States. That has advocates worried about an indefinite pause to refugee entry. We warned (Trumps transition team) that this was going to happen, but they did it anyway, VanDiver told Reuters. We hope they will reconsider. KYODO NEWS - Jan 21, 2025 - 13:00 | All, World, Japan The mother of Megumi Yokota, a symbolic victim of North Korea's abduction of Japanese nationals, said Tuesday she hopes U.S. President Donald Trump's return can reinvigorate efforts to solve the abductee issue via another U.S.-North Korea summit. "I want President Trump to urge North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to realize the rescue and return of the abduction victims," said Sakie Yokota, 88, whose daughter was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13 from Niigata on the Sea of Japan coast. Trump met Kim three times during his first four-year term as U.S. president from 2017, including in a first-ever U.S.-North Korea summit in Singapore in June 2018. He brought up the abduction issue at the behest of Japan during the dialogues. Trump has also met families of abduction victims, including Sakie Yokota in 2017 and 2019 when he visited Japan, and pledged efforts to address the issue, while also sending a letter of condolence to her when her husband Shigeru died in 2020 at age 87. Although no tangible progress was made, Trump had pledged to work toward resolving the matter, such as when he cited the kidnapping of Megumi to condemn North Korea's human rights record in his address at the U.N. General Assembly in September 2017. "Mr. Trump is a person who can talk with Mr. Kim Jong Un," Yokota said, expressing hope that Trump's return to the White House might prove a catalyst to Tokyo and Pyongyang organizing a leaders' summit. Such a meeting has not been held for over 20 years. The aging of the abductees' families increases the urgency for the government of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to make progress on the issue. However, North Korea's continued pursuit of expanded nuclear and missile programs makes diplomacy and outreach difficult. Of the 17 people Japan lists as having been abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, five returned to Japan in 2002. Yokota and Akihiro Arimoto, 96, whose daughter Keiko was taken in 1983, are the only surviving parents of the remaining 12. Japan suspects North Korea's involvement in many more disappearances. Related coverage: Mother of iconic North Korea abductee says faith helped her survive Mother despairs over North Korea-abducted daughter who would turn 60 Mother urges reunion with North Korea-abducted daughter in Tokyo adverts Engineers from the Texas National Guard construct concertina wire barriers on the bank of the Rio Grande in support of Operation Lone Star in May 2023. (Savion Johnson/U.S. Army) President Donald Trump on Monday ordered defense officials to come up with a security plan that could include deploying more troops and drones and building up more barriers, such as the border wall. Trump signed a string of executive orders in the Oval Office hours after his inauguration commencing his second term as president. Among them was a handful of border-related orders, including Trump declaring a national emergency at the southwest border and calling for U.S. Northern Command to be assigned the mission within 10 days to provide steady-state southern border security, seal the border, and maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States by repelling forms of invasion, including unlawful mass migration, narcotics trafficking, human smuggling and trafficking, and other criminal activities. Military leaders can deploy as many units or members of the armed forces, including the Ready Reserve and the National Guard deemed necessary to support the Department of Homeland Security, according to the order. The defense secretary will have 30 days to report on what has been done to secure the southern border. The Senate could vote later this week on the nomination of Pete Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News personality, to be the next defense secretary. Any newly deployed troops would join about 2,500 National Guard members now at the border, according to the Pentagon. Those troops work a support mission that includes detection and monitoring, data entry, training, transportation, vehicle maintenance, warehousing and logistical support. This includes helicopter support for aerial reconnaissance in support of Customs and Border Protection personnel on the ground. The new orders also direct the Pentagon to provide a report on conditions within three months and make any recommended changes to the plan, including whether to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, which allows the president to deploy the military domestically for civilian law enforcement. This use of troops is limited by an 1878 law known as the Posse Comitatus Act. Mondays executive orders are in line with promises Trump made on the campaign trail and comments he made during his inauguration speech. I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country, Trump said during his inaugural address from the U.S. Capitol. As commander in chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I am going to do. We will do it at a level that nobody has ever seen before. The orders return many policies and measures taken by Trump in his first term as president, including involving the military in border wall construction. He first deployed the National Guard to the southwest border in April 2018, then supplemented them with active-duty troops seven months later. The use of troops was later criticized by the National Guards top officer as having no military training value. Meanwhile, he diverted more than $10 billion from the Defense Department, including money flagged for military construction projects, to build a wall along the border. When Joe Biden took office in 2021, he halted most border wall construction and rescinded the national emergency. However, Biden kept the National Guard working along the border The federal troops are part of a mission separate from a state-sponsored deployment of the Texas National Guard, which has roughly 4,700 troops working alongside state police to deter criminal activity at the border. The mission, known as Operation Lone Star, began in 2021, and Trump praised Texas Gov. Greg Abbott during inauguration events Monday morning for his work at the border. We probably should have received more money after what we went through, but all that matters is we won Three tenants who have been pursuing controversial landlord Marc Godart for thousands of euro in compensation after he illegally evicted them have received their money following a two-year battle. Francesca Gubellini, Manav Sarvaiya and Sarah Edwin were awarded damages of 3,000, 3,000 and 4,000 respectively by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) in 2023 over their eviction from an apartment on Reuben Street, Dublin. After Mr Godart failed to pay their awards, they registered judgments against him and later pursued legal action. The matter was due to come before Dublin District Court on Tuesday after the tenants solicitor issued a summons requiring Mr Godart to file a statement of means and to attend court to be examined about his finances. The summons sought payment of the compensation plus 2,460 for costs and expenses. On Monday morning, the tenants were notified by their lawyer, Eoghan McMahon of McGrath Mullan Solicitors, that Mr Godart had paid the compensation in full. In total, he paid 12,710 which included the RTB awards and costs. Ms Gubellini (44) said the news came as a huge relief. She encouraged other tenants who were illegally evicted by Mr Godart to be persistent and stand up for your rights. Manav Sarvaiya was illegally evicted from his home. Photo: Mark Condren The tenants were evicted in 2022 after the Luxembourg national served a notice of termination because he claimed he intended to sell the building. They were given until August 2022 to leave. However, some disputed the validity of the notices and could not find alternative accommodation. Before they left, their belongings were removed from the property and they lost valuable personal items. It transpired that Mr Godart did not sell the property - but instead rented it out on Airbnb. The tenants subsequently lodged successful cases with the RTB and were awarded 10,000 between them in January 2023. I was anxious about going to court, but I was so happy to receive an email saying he decided to pay, Ms Gubellini said. We probably should have received more money after what we went through, but all that matters is we won. I hope he learns his lesson, but I dont think he will. Former tenant of Marc Godart, Francesca Gubellini from Bologna in Italy. Photo: Steve Humphreys The thing is, he was probably hoping that we would give up because of money and time, but we supported each other and continued. We didnt want to give him what he wanted. Its important that tenants have as much proof as possible so that the RTB can see when a landlord is in the wrong. Mr Godart has been ordered to pay thousands of euro in compensation to other tenants over illegal evictions and deposit retention. Last year, he was hit with fines of more than 25,000 by the RTB for failing to register tenancies and giving false reasons for evictions. The sanctions were issued against his company, Green Label Property Investments Ltd. In another District Court case, Mr Godart was ordered to pay five tenants 51,000 over an illegal eviction from a property in Windsor Terrace, Fairview. The hearing was adjourned until next week as the judge wasn't available. It is expected that the tenants will now be seeking to have the application struck out. KYODO NEWS - Jan 21, 2025 - 18:33 | World, All, Japan Japan's government said Tuesday it will ensure close coordination with the United States in coping with North Korea's missile and nuclear development, after new U.S. President Donald Trump, in a rare move, called Pyongyang a "nuclear power." Japan's top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi did not directly comment on Trump's use of the term or the prospect of a U.S.-North Korean dialogue. He instead stressed the importance of joint efforts to urge North Korea to "completely abandon" its nuclear and missile development, which threatens regional peace and security. Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions and repeated firings of ballistic missiles have raised regional concerns. Japan, for its part, also prioritizes resolving the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s. "Coordination with the United States and the broader international community is essential to deal with North Korea's abduction, nuclear and missile issues," Hayashi said at a regular press briefing. "We will continue to work closely with the U.S. administration." Washington has long maintained its position of not officially recognizing North Korea as a nuclear weapons state. Trump, who returned to the White House on Monday, said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un should be happy to see him come back as president, as they "got along very well" last time. They held a historic summit in Singapore in 2018 during Trump's first term. Related coverage: Ishiba hopes to work closely with Trump for robust Japan-U.S. ties South Korea, Taiwan congratulate Trump on inauguration The pair were described as being involved in major drug deals, bank raids and burglaries as CAB sought to take assets belonging to Kelly. Mobster Pascal Kelly and self-declared mediator Jonathan Gill controlled a crime gang involved in major cocaine deals and bank robberies, according to legal documents obtained by the Sunday World. The alleged links between veteran Kelly and businessman Gill have been laid bare in a High Court case brought by the Criminal Assets Bureau. The pair were described as being involved in major drug deals, bank raids and burglaries as CAB sought to take assets belonging to Kelly. Kelly is one of the countys most infamous criminals and is currently serving an 18-year sentence for a 92,000 post office robbery and tiger kidnapping. However, now a case brought by CAB has alleged Kelly was part of an organised crime gang along with North Dublin native Jonathan Gill. Jonathan Gill Unlike Kelly, Gill has no serious criminal convictions and openly runs a mediation service where he offers to sort out disputes for a fee outside of the courts system. Gill previously told the Sunday World his company was very efficient at solving disputes and has been hired by couples who are separating but want to avoid going to court. When asked what he would say to people who claim he is involved in organised crime, he answered: Id say, prove it. However, as part of the original evidence highlighting Kellys gangland background during the 90s and 2000s, CAB have described Gill as a close criminal associate of the caged criminal. A massive 1.3 million haul of cocaine seized at an apartment in Donabate 20 years ago was linked to their organised crime gang, according to the Bureau. It is believed the drugs captured belonged to the criminal gang over which Pascal Kelly and Jonathan Gill exert substantial control. It was also claimed the apartment in question was being used to cut up, mix and compress cocaine and officers from Coolock found 19 kilos of the drug. Three men wearing white facemasks were able to escape from the apartment, it was stated in a witness affidavit. Jonathan Gill with Martin The Viper Foley One set of fingerprints found at the scene was identified as belonging to Patrick Lawlor who went missing 10 days later and has never been found. Both Kelly and Gill were also stopped by gardai in each others company along with other gang members on various occasions. Gill was in a car he had rented and was being driven by Kelly when stopped by gardai in 2008 in Coolock, according to the affidavit. An officer took a suspicious device from the car which later turned out to be a GPS blocker. It was stated in evidence that the location of this device on persons strongly suspected of involvement in serious criminal activity highlights the extent that they are willing to go to avoid surveillance and to utilise electronic surveillance methods for their own benefit. Both men were later prosecuted for separate tiger kidnap robberies for which Kelly was jailed and Gill had charges against him dropped over a 2011 robbery. Pascal Kelly During one bail hearing before his trial it was alleged by gardai that Gill was one of top criminals in the country. Gill had been accused of kidnapping a postal worker, his partner and their 10-week-old daughter before robbing 660,000 from the mans work. He denied the charges. He was also a target for the Criminal Assets Bureau himself and a judgement for 559,000 was registered against him in 2016 In 2023 Gill had teamed up with veteran gangster Martin Foley in a apparent debt collection enterprise. They were observed together at a location in the midlands where they had called to a property It also emerged in the evidence that Kelly twice escaped attempts to kill him in the 1990s including one attack when he was shot in the face with a shotgun. This week saw a High Court to allow CAB take control of 20,234 from the sale of the targeted assets which included property, cash and vehicles. It was heard that Gill had been directed to pay 11,000 as a result of a vehicle being moved to Spain in contravention of a court order. The Sunday World previously reported how Kelly had indicated he had no interest in contesting the case when served legal notice in prison. He is serving an 18-year sentence for a botched tiger-kidnap robbery in 2014.He previously served 10 years for a post office robbery in 1997 and another four for a robbery in 1989. The 15-month sentence handed down to a Ukrainian refugee who was caught with a suitcase packed with 500,000 in crime cash while in "desperate circumstances" was too lenient and should be increased, the State has told the Court of Appeal. Liudmyla Budash (46), a Ukrainian national of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in July 2024 to a single offence of money laundering having been sent forward on a signed plea. In passing sentence, Judge Elva Duffy set a headline term of three and a half years before reducing this to two years. She suspended a further nine months after mitigating factors in the case were taken into consideration. Detective Garda Susan Plunkett told the hearing that on April 12, 2024, members of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau acting on confidential information apprehended Budash in Temple Bar with a suitcase containing 491,955 in cash. The cash had been vacuum packed into individual bundles and bound by elastic bands. Budash was arrested and made certain admissions in interview. The hotel where she was staying at the time was searched and a vacuum packing machine along with elastic bands were found at the address. Det Gda Plunkett told the court that Budash had entered Ireland the day before for the sole purpose of collecting and moving the cash. Under cross-examination it was accepted that Budash, a mother of three, is from Ukraine and was living in France at the time of the offence having fled from Ukraine at the start of the conflict in February 2022. In bringing an undue leniency appeal before the Court of Appeal today, Miska Hanahoe BL, for the State, argued the headline sentence of three and a half years set by the sentencing Judge Elva Duffy was too low and said too much credit had been afforded to the mitigating factors in the case. Nearly 500,000 in cash was seized She said the maximum sentence for money laundering offences is 14 years and the DPPs view was that the headline sentence in this case was out of sync when compared with other, similar sentences. She said the judge had found that this was a relatively sophisticated operation, that Budash was not simply moving money from one place to another and that it involved a criminal gang. Counsel said a key factor in the case was that Budash had an active role in the operation and the amount of money involved, half a million euro, brought the offence into a very serious category. She said another important factor was the intention to assist a criminal gang which was clear from the circumstances of the case. Dominic McGinn SC, representing Budash, said the sentence imposed did not represent a substantial departure from what would be appropriate. The court might view it as being lenient, but it is not, in my submission, unduly lenient, he said. Counsel said the headline sentence might perhaps be on the low side but was not out of kilter with the appropriate band. He said some discretion also had to be given to the sentencing judge, adding that the mitigation in this case was significant. He said Budash has no previous convictions and was a refugee who was acting in desperate circumstances at the time. It is unusual at the very least that someone of Ms Budashs background and education would become involved in this level of offending, he said. When one adds that she is a displaced person as a result of conflict, in my submission that is significant. He said the fact she had been sent forward on a signed plea of guilty should also be given some additional weight. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said the court would reserve judgement in the matter and hoped to deliver their ruling in early February. Once a close pal of Martin The General Cahill and an armed robber in his younger days, the self-described criminal passed away last year A Dublin tattoo artist has revealed the James 'Jaws' Byrne tattoo he has created for a punter, adding that he was grateful to the client for letting him do it. A post on the Instagram page of Willos Tats shows the before and after work featuring an image of the self-described criminal who passed away last year. Once a close pal of Martin The General Cahill and an armed robber in his younger days, Crumlin man James, also known as Jemmy, was father to Kinahan Cartel lieutenant Liam Byrne who was recently released from a UK prison just three months after being jailed for five years for a weapons plot. His late son, David, was murdered in the Regency Hotel, but not before he rose through the ranks in the violent Kinahan Cartel. His nephew, Fat Freddie Thompson, is serving life in prison for murder. The tattoo artist wrote about how proud he was to have worked on the freshly done, beautifully done portrait of Jemmy Byrne for a new client. Turned out amazing, he enthuses, the redness will go down in a few days and come out into a soft light greys. I honestly love the trust when clients let me do something of this level that's near and dear to someone, thanks again pal, for letting me do it. There were several appreciative comments left under the video including one that reads: Superb, family will be proud. James 'Jaws' Byrne and his wife Sadie Jaws Byrne died in Tallaght Hospital following a long illness in September of last year. He was also well known for involvement in fraud and counterfeiting and was targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) and Revenue around the turn of the millennium. His funeral took place in St Catherines Church on Meath Street in September where Lee Byrne was one of the chief mourners alongside his grandmother Sadie. He read out a message on behalf of his then-jailed father Liam who described his late father as his hero. Speaking about his father, Liam, son Lee told mourners: My Da has asked me to say these few words, as you all know how close they both were. I even get a little jealous sometimes. "They had a bond that could never be broken. They were inseparable. Hes so sorry he can't be here today, especially to support my nanny who he also adores. Addressing his grandmother Sadie, he said: My Da has asked us to stand up and do a minutes silence, and later, we'll raise a toast to the man we loved the most your husband, Jemmy. This is from my dad. He said: 'You're my hero. Love you always. To Jemmy Byrne You'll never walk alone. Just days after his father was laid to rest in Dublins Mount Jerome, Liam was due to go on trial in the UK alongside his brother-in-law Bomber Kavanagh. He was released from a UK prison earlier this year, just three months after being jailed for five years for a weapons plot. Gang boss Byrne was granted early release from Belmarsh Prison in London and placed under strict house arrest. In October, Byrne (44) was sentenced to five years in prison his first lengthy prison term in nearly two decades for his role in a firearms plot. However, he had served nearly 18 months in custody after he was arrested in Spain in June 2023 and extradited to the UK last December. Cartel chief Bomber Kavanagh hatched a plot where he hoped that by leading the National Crime Agency (NCA) to a buried stash of 11 weapons, he could get a lower sentence in a multimillion-pound drug smuggling case. Running the plot from prison, Kavanagh used his son, Jack, as well as his brother-in-law, Liam Byrne, and associate Shaun Kent in the plan. In May 2021, Thomas Kavanagh provided information to the NCA which led them to a field in Newry, Northern Ireland, where two holdalls were unearthed. They contained seven machine guns, three automatic hand guns, an assault rifle and ammunition. The plot was foiled after the NCA uncovered incriminating messages on encrypted EncroChat which had been cracked by French counterparts. Byrne pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges, alongside Bomber Kavanagh - who is considered the head of the UK wing of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group. Kavanagh was sentenced to six years, a sentence he will serve consecutively to his existing 21 year sentence for drug trafficking offences. A third man, Shaun Kent also received a sentence of six years at the Old Bailey in London. "At the instruction of their leader Thomas Kavanagh, Shaun Kent and Liam Byrne orchestrated a cynical and dangerous plot to plant a cache of weapons so Kavanagh could direct the NCA to them and reduce his time in prison, NCA Branch Commander Ty Surgeon explained. "These weapons were viable and deadly weapons that were in the hands of a criminal gang, loaded and ready for use in criminality. What this group didn't know is their Encrochat messages had been unveiled for law enforcement to see, showing every detail of their plan. Byrne had previously been described in the High Court as the leader of the Byrne Organised Crime Group, effectively the Dublin branch of the Kinahans international network, while his brother David was shot dead in the Regency Hotel attack in 2016, which sparked the Hutch/Kinahan feud. We tracked the 52-year-old down ... A disgraced former director at RTE, Justin Greene, is lying low at an address in Enfield, Co Meath following his release from prison for possession of child-abuse images. We tracked the 52-year-old down to the property where we pictured him taking receipt of a delivery of food from a local Tesco. When our reporter called to the property, a dishevelled looking Green responded: No, no thank you, when asked if he was willing to discuss his crime. Greene was jailed for a year in May last year after hed earlier pleaded guilty at Trim Circuit Criminal Court to one count of possessing six images at his home on May 15, 2022. At his sentencing hearing, the court heard that six images classed as child pornography under the legislation were found after gardai seized Greenes phone at his home. The court heard the offence involved graphic sexual images of teenage girls aged between 12 and 15 years old. Justin Greene Greene worked as a studio director in RTEs News and Current Affairs division. The criminal complaint originated from the US and concerned Greenes use of the social media platform Kik where images were being shared. Authorities in the US alerted the Garda Child Exploitation Unit and local gardai were then informed. Prosecuting counsel, Carl Hanahoe, told the sentencing hearing that Greene had co-operated with gardai. Defence lawyers said that Greene had downloaded the material in November and December 2021 and thought he had deleted all the images in January 2022. Our reporter Patrick OConnell at the property Justin Greene takes in a Tesco delivery at the house The offences had taken place at a difficult time in his life during which Greenes online activities led to a fascination with teenage girls, the court was told. Lawyers for the defence told Judge John Martin that Greene had invested heavily in a career path that was now at an end. He was absolutely ashamed and remorseful the court was told, and had sought counselling after his arrest. Judge Martin sentenced him to 18 months in prison but he suspended the final six months on condition that he co-operated fully with the probation service and attended courses and counselling recommended by the service during his sentence. He said Greene would be subject to the sex offenders register. Greene cried as the sentence was imposed. In a statement issued after Greene was jailed, RTE said he did not have an allocated RTE phone. RTE said Greene had resigned unexpectedly in mid-March of last year around the time he had pleaded guilty to the offence. Mr Calvert, a father of 15 from his first marriage, who formerly lived at Fairview Crescent, Limerick, has 91 convictions The High Court has found a house, a former shop premises, car and cash seized from a convicted drug dealer and members of his family were funded by the proceeds of crime. Mr Justice Alexander Owens was satisfied the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) had established, on the face of it, that each of the items was under the control of Dermot Calvert (53), his wife Martina Harty (37), his daughter Stacey Calvert (31), or by one of more of them. Mr Calvert, a father of 15 from his first marriage, who formerly lived at Fairview Crescent, Limerick, has 91 convictions, mostly road traffic related, but of which four relate to the sale and supply of drugs, the CAB told the court. The CAB applied to the court for proceeds of crime orders over a house at Singland Crescent, Garryowen, Limerick, which is owned by Stacey and at the back of which is an apartment where her father and Ms Harty lived. Dermot Calvert The application also related to a former shop at Cloughan Court, Garryowen which is being converted into a residence. It also relates to 17,145 cash and some sterling seized from Singland Crescent in June 2019 and another 5,680 from the same property in June 2021. There was also a 171 D VW Passat motor car seized. The Singland Crescent house was bought in a derelict state for 17,250 in 2014 with the money paid directly to the vendor and at what the CAB said was a significant undervalue and sourced from illegitimate funds. Social welfare payments to Mr Calvert, Ms Harty and to Stacey did not not explain the sources of the money. Grainne O'Neill BL, for the CAB, told the court Mr Calvert was a career criminal who has associations with prominent criminals and has no visible source of legitimate income. He received social welfare payments for most of the time from 2002 to late 2017, much of which he was not entitled to. He has signed numerous social welfare assessments that were false. When asked how he funded the 2019 purchase of a 7,000 van, he said it was a few scams, tomo jobs and window cleaning, she said. He also denied that the Singland Crescent house, which had the apartment added to it later, and is now valued at 170,000, was renovated using criminal monies. In his judgment, Mr Justice Owens said there was no acceptable evidence to rebut evidence of a prima facie probability that the cash seized by Gardal in the apartment at Singland Crescent in June 2019 and June 2021 was drug dealing money. There was also no basis on which he could be satisfied that the making of proceeds of crime orders in relation to Cloughan Court and the seizing of the two amounts of cash or the VW Passat would result in a serious injustice, he said. The position in relation to Singland Crescent was a little more complex, he said. While it is owned by Stacey Calvert, its current condition has been subsidised by her father's proceeds of crime. Her only contribution to this property was a payment of 14,000 at a time when Singland Crescent was virtually valueless, he said. She depended on her father to pay for her motor cars and to put this property into a condition which enabled her to live there. She has had a very bad break in life in that she has two young daughters with cystic fibrosis, he said. However, he said she chose to benefit from proceeds of crime by accepting the benefit of Singland Crescent prior to suffering her current misfortune. While the State will have to eventually rehouse her when Singland Crescent is sold by the State, the judge noted CAB, in the special circumstances of this case, will allow her and her children to continue to reside in Singland Crescent for seven years from the date of the court's order relating to this property. This will give Stacy Calvert and her children the advantage of being allowed to reside rent free in property which they do not own and which must eventually be disposed of for the benefit of the people of Ireland, he said. He said it was also necessary to make some allowance to compensate Ms Calvert for her 14,000 contribution to the purchase of this property and he proposed declaring she has a 20pc equitable lien on the sale proceeds. . Gardai arrested a further four men, including a juvenile, two men aged in their 20s, and one in his 30s, in connection with the investigation Forensic investigators at the scene where William Moorehouse was killed in Bray on Sunday evening. Photo: Collins Four more men have been arrested as part of the investigation into the death in Bray of Willie Moorehouse on Sunday. It follows the arrests of two men, aged in their 20s and 40s, last night. In an update this afternoon, gardai said they had carried out seven searches under warrant. They have arrested a further four men, including a juvenile, two men aged in their 20s, and one in his 30s, in connection with the investigation. The arrested males are currently detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, at garda stations in the Wexford/Wicklow Division, a Garda spokesperson said. William Moorehouse The Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) is assisting with this investigation. .Mr Moorehouse (36) was found with apparent stab wounds near a playground behind a community centre in the Ballywaltrim area of the Co Wicklow town on Sunday evening. Efforts to revive him were in vain and he was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination is due to take place today by the State Pathologist, Dr. Sally Anne Collis at the morgue in Whitehall, Dublin. Gardai are now investigating whether Mr Moorehouse (36) was murdered after arranging to meet an individual for a pre-arranged fight known as a straightener. Its understood that a number of armed men jumped out of a vehicle and pursued Mr Moorehouse before he was fatally attacked on Sunday night. Gardai believe Mr Moorehouse knew his attackers and tried to escape from them before he was attacked and stabbed close to a playground off Boghall Road, Bray, Co Wicklow. One line of inquiry is that the victim had arranged to meet with someone for a fight, but was then confronted by a number of men, armed with various weapons. His attackers fled the scene. Garda search teams recovered a number of knives in bushes close to the scene yesterday. Mr Moorehouse, a father of six who lived at the Half Moon halting site at Windgate, just outside the town, was discovered by locals just after 6pm. Emergency services were called, but efforts to resuscitate Mr Moorehouse failed and he died at the scene. His sister said he was due to become a father again and was also to marry his fiancee later this year. She said his death is the third in their family after two of her brothers took their own lives. He was due to be a dad in four months time and he has other children, she told the Sunday World. This is my third brother gone. Willie was harmless and nice. He was very, very funny. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He was well known in Bray. Everyone knew Willie as Willie Pop. He was a very close brother of mine and its sad to see this. He was 36 years of age. Mr Moorehouses sister said she heard the news after someone phoned her and told her people in the park were working on her injured brother. I came straight here. I thought hed be all right and they were exaggerating, that hed be fine and when Id get here Willie would be sitting, laughing... but no, not this time. They told me he was dead, and I said, please, just let me go down and see my brother. All I could see was his body laid out there, and his shoes and everything just sitting there. He didnt do any wrong. Its a big loss to the family, there was nine of us. He was taken too young. A woman who knows Mr Moorehouses family described how she came upon him being treated on the ground as she went to look for her dog. There had been an argument at the community centre, and I heard shouting, but I dont know if Willie was involved in that, she said. Then, a short while later I went looking for our dog and I came across a lad doing CPR on Willie on the ground and we tried to help. I could see he had a head injury, but then when the paramedics came and were working on him I could see he had been stabbed in the stomach. She described Mr Moorehouse as being a great father to his six children. He was going to be a father again. Were just shocked by this. I cant believe it, she said. Mr Moorehouses body was located in an area behind the community centre that adjoins Bray community playground, close to St Fergals Church in Ballywaltrim. This is not a wider feud situation at the moment All entrances to the area were sealed off yesterday by gardai, pending the forensic examination. Members of the garda technical bureau carried out an extensive search of the scene. Gardai are trying to establish a motive for the murder, with sources describing the dispute as very localised and confined to the Bray area. There is an extensive network of CCTV cameras in the area, and it is expected that footage from these will be looked at as part of the investigation. A source said: This is not a wider feud situation at the moment, but very localised disputes have their own policing difficulties as well with people living in close proximity to each other. The playground and the general locality where the murder took place has been the scene of serious anti-social behaviour in recent months, with gardai being alerted to open drug dealing in front of children as well as incidents of intimidation. The court heard that when drug dealer Morrison arrived at Mr. Keatings door carrying the imitation firearm he threatened him he would get a bullet in the head. Popstar Rihannas former bodyguard Geoff Keating has said he believes lies told by a convicted drug dealer who tried to extort 30,000 from him have put an underworld target on his head. Mr. Keating, who was blasted in the back of the head with a shotgun before Christmas, spoke out after criminal Alan Morrison was jailed by Judge Elva Duffy in connection with an unrelated and botched attempt to extort 30,000 from him at his home. Morrison (45) of Whitestown Avenue, Mulhuddart, Dublin, was sentenced to three years in prison on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to the possession of a realistic imitation firearm outside Geoffs home address in Finglas, in Dublin on December 6, 2023. Geoff Keating, pictured with Rihanna The court heard the criminal - who has 67 previous convictions had made the demand of Mr Keating after falsely claiming he was some way responsible for the discovery by gardai of a quantity of drugs in a field to the rear of his and his neighbours homes. But Garda Jamie Greville of Finglas Garda station told the court this was untrue, and that Mr. Keating had never had any involvement in drugs and had nothing to do with the discovery of the drugs as Morrison had claimed. The court heard that when Morrison arrived at Mr. Keatings door carrying the imitation firearm he threatened him he would get a bullet in the head. However, the court heard prosecutors had consented to charges including making unwarranted demands with menaces and with making a threat to kill being taken into consideration after Morrison agreed to plead guilty to possession of an imitation firearm. Geoff after he was shot in the back of the head last December Possession of an imitation firearm carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison while the charges on which he did not face prosecution carry maximum sentences of 10 and 14 years in prison. Speaking with the Sunday World last Thursday evening, Mr Keating said he wanted to thank the gardai, the judge and victim services for how they had dealt with him throughout the case. But he said he was extremely unhappy that Morrison had not stood trial on the more serious charges of demanding money with menaces and the threat to kill. I dont have any issue with the judge and I have no issue with the gardai. For me, the issue is with the DPP. Alan Morrison The DPP allowed Morrison to plead guilty to the least of the charges he was up on and there was no consultation with me whatsoever on that decision. None, so I am very unhappy about that. Mr. Keating also hit out at the reasons Morrison gave for having called up to his house that night to extort 30,000 from him had put a target on his head. It came out today from the guard under oath that I had nothing at all to do with any drug seizure, it was a lie. And I believe that is the reason events that subsequently transpired took place. Asked whether he was referring to his being shot in the back of the head while out walking near his home on December 18, he replied: Exactly! Father-of-six William Moorehouse (36) was found with serious wounds Forensic investigators at the scene where William Moorehouse was killed Two men have been arrested as part of the investigation into the death in Bray of Willie Moorehouse on Sunday. Mr Moorehouse (36) was found with apparent stab wounds near a playground behind a community centre in the Ballywaltrim area of the Co Wicklow town on Sunday evening. Efforts to revive him were in vain and he was pronounced dead at the scene. As part of the investigation into the death, two individuals, both males, aged in their 20s and 40s, were arrested for serious offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 yesterday evening in the Bray area, a garda spokesperson confirmed. "Both are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in County Wicklow. A post-mortem examination is due to take place today by the State Pathologist, Dr. Sally Anne Collis at the morgue in Whitehall, Dublin. "Results of the post-mortem will assist investigating Gardai in determining the course of this investigation, they added. Gardai are now investigating whether Mr Moorehouse (36) was murdered after arranging to meet an individual for a pre-arranged fight known as a straightener. Forensic investigators at the scene where William Moorehouse was killed in Bray on Sunday evening. Photo: Collins Its understood that a number of armed men jumped out of a vehicle and pursued Mr Moorehouse before he was fatally attacked on Sunday night. Gardai believe Mr Moorehouse knew his attackers and tried to escape from them before he was attacked and stabbed close to a playground off Boghall Road, Bray, Co Wicklow. One line of inquiry is that the victim had arranged to meet with someone for a fight, but was then confronted by a number of men, armed with various weapons. His attackers fled the scene. Garda search teams recovered a number of knives in bushes close to the scene yesterday. Mr Moorehouse, a father of six who lived at the Half Moon halting site at Windgate, just outside the town, was discovered by locals just after 6pm. Emergency services were called, but efforts to resuscitate Mr Moorehouse failed and he died at the scene. His sister said he was due to become a father again and was also to marry his fiancee later this year. She said his death is the third in their family after two of her brothers took their own lives. He was due to be a dad in four months time and he has other children, she told the Sunday World. This is my third brother gone. Willie was harmless and nice. He was very, very funny. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He was well known in Bray. Everyone knew Willie as Willie Pop. He was a very close brother of mine and its sad to see this. He was 36 years of age. Mr Moorehouses sister said she heard the news after someone phoned her and told her people in the park were working on her injured brother. I came straight here. I thought hed be all right and they were exaggerating, that hed be fine and when Id get here Willie would be sitting, laughing... but no, not this time. could see he had a head injury, but then when the paramedics came and were working on him I could see he had been stabbed in the stomach They told me he was dead, and I said, please, just let me go down and see my brother. All I could see was his body laid out there, and his shoes and everything just sitting there. He didnt do any wrong. Its a big loss to the family, there was nine of us. He was taken too young. A woman who knows Mr Moorehouses family described how she came upon him being treated on the ground as she went to look for her dog. Stabbing victim William Moorhouse There had been an argument at the community centre, and I heard shouting, but I dont know if Willie was involved in that, she said. Then, a short while later I went looking for our dog and I came across a lad doing CPR on Willie on the ground and we tried to help. I could see he had a head injury, but then when the paramedics came and were working on him I could see he had been stabbed in the stomach. She described Mr Moorehouse as being a great father to his six children. He was going to be a father again. Were just shocked by this. I cant believe it, she said. Mr Moorehouses body was located in an area behind the community centre that adjoins Bray community playground, close to St Fergals Church in Ballywaltrim. This is not a wider feud situation at the moment All entrances to the area were sealed off yesterday by gardai, pending the forensic examination. Members of the garda technical bureau carried out an extensive search of the scene. Gardai are trying to establish a motive for the murder, with sources describing the dispute as very localised and confined to the Bray area. Garda forensic officers at the scene where the body of William Moorehouse was discovered in Bray, Co Wicklow. Photo: Stephen Collins / Collins There is an extensive network of CCTV cameras in the area, and it is expected that footage from these will be looked at as part of the investigation. A source said: This is not a wider feud situation at the moment, but very localised disputes have their own policing difficulties as well with people living in close proximity to each other. The playground and the general locality where the murder took place has been the scene of serious anti-social behaviour in recent months, with gardai being alerted to open drug dealing in front of children as well as incidents of intimidation. Police have so far held only one man a 32-year-old from the Czech Republic who was bailed by a judge on January 10 and told he was being investigated as an alleged accomplice An international arrest warrant has today been issued by Spanish authorities for the man suspected of murdering Belfast resident John George. Police have so far held only one man a 32-year-old from the Czech Republic who was bailed by a judge on January 10 and told he was being investigated as an alleged accomplice over the grisly Costa Blanca homicide. Today, Spanish authorities confirmed three separate arrest warrants were now out for the individual suspected of carrying out the killing. The warrants were issued by a judge at the court probing the crime Torreviejas Court of Instruction Number Two on the request of prosecutors. An official at the Valencian Communitys High Court said this afternoon: The magistrate heading up Court of Instruction Number Two in Torrevieja, following receipt of a report from the public prosecution service, has today issued three orders against the alleged material author of the death of the British citizen whose body was discovered in Rojales near Torrevieja earlier this month. That suspects whereabouts is currently unknown. The three court orders are an international search and arrest warrant, a European arrest warrant and a national search and arrest warrant. Court officials said they could not offer any details about the wanted mans age or nationality at this stage. John vanished on December 14 and relatives reported him missing when he failed to catch a scheduled flight home four days later after what was meant to be a short holiday. By December 23 his family had launched a GoFundMe campaign to aid a search, voicing concerns he had been the victim of a crime. Johns brother Darren travelled to Alicante to help in the search with their parents, Billy and Sharon, and sister Courtney and Caitlin, along with up to 50 friends and wider family from Northern Ireland. Members of K9 Search And Rescue NI, a volunteer canine search team, also spent several days assisting with the wide-scale operation to find the missing man. His decomposing body was discovered on January 7, hidden under overgrown lemon trees around five miles from the town of Rojales near Torrevieja. A man arrested later the same day on suspicion of homicide was hauled to court on January 10 after nearly 72 hours in police custody. He told the judge he was being scapegoated because Johns family had named him on social media as one of the suspects. His Costa Blanca-based defence lawyer Manuel Ramon Rives also attributed the decision to detain him to his recent friendship with a man he said police were hunting as the alleged perpetrator. The lawyer told local media after his release on bail there wasnt a single incriminating piece of evidence against his client and insisted: He isnt involved in this. Torreviejas Court of Instruction Number Two confirmed afterwards: The judge is currently attributing to him a crime of homicide as an accomplice or by aiding and abetting the crime. His bail conditions include the obligations to sign on at court every fortnight and hand in his passport and he is also banned from leaving Spain. The court will continue with investigations with the intention of fully solving this case. At the weekend Johns family said they believed he had been assassinated in a premeditated killing. His brother Darren told Sunday Life his sibling was shot dead after refusing to work for a crime gang after being effectively trafficked from Northern Ireland and having his passport taken off him on arrival. Hundreds of Johns family and friends attended a vigil in his memory at St Lukes Church in Twinbrook on the outskirts of west Belfast on Sunday where lanterns were released into the sky in his memory. A day earlier Mr Georges family announced his funeral, which had been due to take place last Friday, had been delayed. His sister Courtney posed on social media: All funeral arrangements cancelled until further notice due to circumstances beyond our control. Updated arrangements will follow in due course. Zaras campaign caused massive anger and concern that Max, who was found stray in Dundonald at the start of last month, could have been put to sleep at any moment Dog lover and campaigner Zara Duncan is trying to save the life of a death row dog Max Unless the council changes its mind or has it changed in court, Maxs days could be numbered The woman behind the campaign to save death-row dog Max says shes devastated wardens still want to put him down but has vowed not to give up. Zara Duncan raised the alarm back on December 9 after she was told she wouldnt be allowed to take Max home as wardens at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) had deemed the then six-month-old pup as a pit bull terrier under controversial Breed Specific Legislation (BSL). Without the Ballymena dog lover whos been involved in animal rescue for 15 years raising that alarm, Max would almost certainly have been put down by the council before Christmas. Zaras campaign caused massive anger and concern that Max, who was found stray in Dundonald, Co Down, at the start of last month, could have been put to sleep at any moment. Dog lover and campaigner Zara Duncan is trying to save the life of a death row dog Max That public outcry even saw Maxs case being raised by Johnathan Buckley MLA in the Assembly and campaigners say it has exposed flaws in BSL which they say is not fit for purpose. And yesterday hundreds of dog lovers, including Zara, took part in a protest outside the LCCC offices in Lisburn after, they claim, the council reneged on a promise to work with the USPCA and instead made moves which makes it more likely that Max is put down. I was devastated to receive the update after the USPCA meeting with the council on Wednesday, Zara told the Sunday World. We held out genuine hope that LCC would uphold the wishes of councillors and the public, to work in partnership with the USPCA to select an independent third party assessor for Max. This was the first time the council had met with the USPCA to discuss Max since before Christmas. The agenda for the meeting included discussion of assessors which the USPCA had worked diligently to provide a list of independent, third-party assessors. These individuals had no affiliations with any enforcement organisations, making them truly independent. With no explanation, the council rejected these assessors. To make matters worse, we found out the following day that on the same afternoon that the council first met with the USPCA they also performed Maxs additional assessment. I wont use the word independent as this is not what the council performed. Gary Hynds with Max After Zara and the USPCA got involved in December and started a social media campaign and petition to save Maxs life, the council backed down and with the support of councillors agreed to work with the USPCA to appoint an independent assessor to see what breed Max actually is. Thats after Maxs breeder and original owner came forward to give details of Maxs parents which showed they were a French bulldog and a Staffordshire Terrier both legal breeds. Zara had been supposed to foster him over Christmas and she has got a forever home lined-up for the pup who has shown no dangerous characteristics demonstrated on multiple accounts by veterinary professionals who cared for Max and even by some councillors having their pictures taken with Max on their knee last week. Max has spent the last six weeks in kennels at the expense of ratepayers but this week the council reneged on an agreement to work with the USPCA and instead got their own assessor from Merseyside Police who agreed with their wardens assessment that he was of a pit bull-type breed. Now Zara and the USPCA have consulted a Belfast lawyer who helped in a previous similar case and within hours raised more than 10,000 to help with the legal costs of fighting the council. The council have continued to show a lack of transparency and collaboration around this whole process which has called for many to doubt any credibility of the council, claimed Zara. Many councillors were only made aware that the council had proceeded to the assessment via my social media post that evening. Zara says something doesnt add up. At this late stage we are still openly calling for LCCC to appoint an independent third-party assessor from the list shared by USPCA. As Maxs story grows, it will for many be the first time that the pain and cruelty of Breed Specific Legislation will be coming to life for many people in Northern Ireland but the truth is that for years, councils have been euthanising hundreds of dogs just for their physical appearance. And right now, there are many more like Max sitting in Northern Ireland council pounds waiting for the same ultimate fate of euthanasia. Regardless of the assessment outcome, Max will always be an innocent dog in my eyes. Max is a mixed breed dog, with proven parentage from two perfectly legal breeds. How can we assess Max as a banned breed but yet share photos of him sitting on councillors knees, giving kisses? If there was ever an example to bring to life how this legislation does not work, its Max. Last week LCCC environment committee chairperson Pat Catney from the SDLP was able to inspect Max and his living conditions at Nutts Corner Boarding Kennels where has been since December 9. Deputy environment chairperson Gary Hynds also visited the kennels and tweeted a picture saying he hoped the council would work with the USPCA. After the council announced they were planning to go ahead with their plans to put Max down, Councillor Hynds issued a highly critical response. He tweeted on X: Feeling very let down and very misled currently regarding young Max. Transparency is non-existent once again. I have done absolutely everything I could to ensure the right thing is done here, but have been met with nothing but false commitments, nonsense after nonsense, a pretty determined, self-inflicted PR disaster from the council and pure stubbornness USPCA CEO Nora Smith said: The lack of consultation and failure to follow through on their public commitment to elected representatives to work with the USPCA is deeply disappointing. A spokesperson for Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council said: Following significant public concern, council agreed that no further action would be taken until an additional, independent assessment could be conducted to provide further assurance in relation to the breed of the dog. An independent and highly experienced Dog Legislation Officer from the Merseyside Police Service conducted the independent assessment on Wednesday, January 15. The outcome confirmed the results of the initial assessment and determined the dog as a Pit Bull Type. Elected Members were briefed at a meeting on January 16. It was agreed that no further action would be taken until clarification was sought on a related legislative matter. Unless the council changes its mind or has it changed in court, Maxs days could be numbered. PHNOM PENH, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A comprehensive survey discovered the presence of a vast array of threatened species in Cambodia's Virachey National Park, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment said on Tuesday. Khvay Atitya, who is also an undersecretary of state for the Ministry of Environment, said the survey found a number of threatened species, such as the red-shanked douc langur, Sunda pangolin, clouded leopard, dhole and sun bear. "It also recorded a number of species for the first time in Cambodia, including the critically endangered large-antlered muntjac, two bat species, a species of glass lizard, and a gecko," he said. First established in 1993, Virachey National Park, situated in northeast Cambodia, is one of the largest protected areas in the Southeast Asian country. It is a relatively untouched haven for biodiversity with an area of approximately 332,500 hectares and is home to a vast range of species found nowhere else in the world, many of which are yet to be discovered. "The data we have collected is critical to a better understanding of what species live in the park and where, and what the current threats to them are," Atitya said. The survey was conducted in 2021 and 2023 by Fauna & Flora in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and local communities. A total of 153 cameras were deployed across the park, detecting a total of 89 species, including 20 globally threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, according to the survey report. It was breath-taking, and for me at the time, the experience definitely lifted something from my grief. The loss of her father marked a dramatic and life altering change in direction for Deepa Mann-Klier. She was plunged into grief in 2016 but in coming to terms with it and dealing with her loss it led her to experiencing something that changed everything and set on the path to a whole new career. On a trip to Iceland with her husband they went to an immersive interactive show featuring the music Icelandic superstar Bjork. My husbands a big Bjork fan and this immersive adventure featured eight of her songs, and ended with us dancing with a Bjork avatar. It involves wearing a VR headset and taking the wearer on an immersive journey of colour and sound. It was breath-taking, and for me at the time, the experience definitely lifted something from my grief. She was hooked. She formed her own company and in recent years has taken immersive shows all over the world, places like Los Angeles, Brussels, and across UK. Now as Director of the XR Festival she brings In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats, to Belfast. The internationally acclaimed, award-winning interactive VR adventure transports you into the heart of the Acid House movement is coming to the iconic Carlisle Memorial Church. The experience will take audiences back in time to the beginning of the Acid House movement and the creation of UK rave culture telling a multicultural story of collaboration and unity that celebrates music, friendship, and the joy of youth. Visitors will be fitted with a VR headset and a haptic vest to enhance the feeling of actually being there. The experience of tracking down and arriving at an all-night illegal warehouse party at the height of the rave scene in Coventry, 1989 puts audiences into the shoes of rave culture pioneers. Viewers are taken on a multi-sensory joyride into the past, bringing to life the stories of the promoters, police officers, pirate radio stations, and secret warehouse rave-goers, whose rivalries and relationships drove a revolution in music and society. It is like nothing people will be experienced before, said Deepa. 90pc of the population will never have experienced this kind of immersive show so it will be completely new to everybody who goes and it will blow their minds. There is a scene when youre standing in a car with your head out of the sun roof and you can actually feel the wind blowing through your hair! Youll feel the beat of the music on your chest, you will feel you are actually flying, it is completely liberating. She said people lose all inhibitions, by the end of the show, she guarantees everybody will be dancing. It is visionary and sensory experience on a grand scale, surrounding you with sounds and senses and the thrill of being young again. The film features euphoric rave anthems such as Chime by Orbital and Energy Flash by Joey Beltram. Belfast XR Festival has been working for over a year now to bring In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats to Belfast. The show celebrates a unique moment in music cultural history that has a particular resonance for audiences locally. When I talk about Beats being an experience - it really is that - so from the moment you enter Carlisle Memorial Church, you'll feel the same excitement and trepidation of entering a rave. You will walk through a neon graffiti rave corridor, where you can hear the dhum dhum dhum of the bass; to then entering a blue lit, stained glass interior of the Church where you are taken back to a very particular moment in time where you will dance with other people. And finally we have a surprise, which we really don't want to spoil for you. This is really a one of a kind sensory experience that will linger." Beats has travelled on the international festival circuit and was seen by audiences across the globe at festivals such as BFI London Film Festival, South by Southwest Festival, Austin; Melbourne International Film Festival; IDFA Amsterdam and Geneva International Film Festival. The creative team behind Beats spent time making the experience fully accessible to wheelchair users with a seated version and d/Deaf audiences with subtitles, Haptics (vibration), Access Packs, VR Explainer and scene descriptions and Touch Tour. In Search of Repetitive Beats will be at the Carlisle Memorial Church for 30 days, opening on Monday 24 February and running until Wednesday 26 March 2025. Tickets are now on sale now from https://www.belfastxrfestival.com Terminally ill dissident still going strong despite diagnosis Dissident republican Brian Shivers continues to defy the medics as he looked fit and healthy as he attended the funeral of convicted terrorist and Hooded Man Kevin Hannaway. Shivers is terminally ill and in 2011 during his first trial for the Real IRA double murder of two soldiers in Antrim it was claimed in court he would only live for another four or five years. But despite battling the debilitating condition cystic fibrosis, 58-year-old Shivers is alive and well 14 years later. He had been convicted of murdering sappers Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey outside Masserene Army Barracks as they collected a pizza before they were due to be deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, but he was later acquitted at the Court of Appeal after a retrial which came about after fresh evidence undermined the Crowns case against him. Sappers Patrick Azimkar (left) and Mark Quinsey His terminal condition was revealed during his 2011 trial for involvement in the attack when his barrister told the court: The life expectancy of Mr Shivers in the opinion of the most eminent expert in the field is four to five years. This means effectively Mr Shivers will never see the outside of prison, except for when he needs hospital treatment or the possibility of compassionate leave. During that trial it was reported in the press that his illness was causing him visible pain including his back. He whimpered from the pain in his back and had to be excused to walk around to relieve his suffering mid-trial, one court reporter wrote. Even before that, Shivers was convinced he was not long for this world, telling the police officers who arrested him for the attack: I had nothing to do with the murders of the two soldiers or any other offences. I am not and never have been a member of the Real IRA. I am engaged to get married to my fiancee and plan to have children. I spend most of my time looking after my health. I am not going to spend whatever years I have left doing anything other than enjoying life with my fiancee. But since being acquitted of the murders Shivers has been seen at various events including several funerals where he was able to carry the coffins of fellow republicans. He was pictured carrying the coffin of former leading Provo and founder of the New IRA Tony TC Catney in 2014 and last year he carried the coffin of Hooded Man Joe Clarke. He also carried the coffin of Guildford Four victim Gerry Conlon in 2014 and attended numerous republican parades throughout Ireland and even the 2016 jailhouse wedding of Continuity IRA killer Brendan McConville. Last Saturday Shivers was spotted paying his respects at the funeral of Hooded Man Kevin Hannaway. Wearing a blue jacket and shirt, he was seen chatting with other republicans near the graveside at the west Belfast cemetery as anti-terror police remained in the area and were accused of harassing mourners. Brian Shivers father Pat was one of the Hooded Men. He died in 1985 at the age of just 54 but his family say the civil servant was haunted by what had happened to him. Kevin Hannaway, who buried at Milltown Cemetery last week, was another one of the 14 Catholic men who were subjected to state-sanctioned torture when they were interned in 1971. During interrogation the men were hooded, beaten, deprived of sleep, food and water, forced to stand in the stress position and thrown out of helicopters. Hannaway funeral In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that the methods used would be characterised today as torture. None of the Hooded Men were convicted of any wrongdoing. However, in 2018 Kevin Hannaway was jailed for his part in helping the IRA interrogate other IRA members as the terror group sought to uncover a police informant. In June 2023 the PSNI apologised to the Hooded Men over the treatment they received more than 50 years ago the apology coming just in time for another Hooded Man Joe Clarke to receive it on his deathbed. At last weeks funeral fellow Hooded Man Jim Auld lambasted the British government who, unlike the police, have not apologised for the way the men were treated. Jim says he spoke to Kevin privately before he died and what was said would remain private but he did say the fight for justice would continue. Brian Shivers mum Betty has also been a prominent campaigner trying to get the British government to apologise. Brian Shivers, at the funeral of Kevin Hannaway Betty Shivers (83) called on the Irish government to pursue an apology from the British government following the PSNI apology two years ago. Its now up to the British government and MOD to follow suit, she said at the time. The Irish government needs to call them out on it. In 2014, Betty told RTE that the torture of her husband took over his mind and his life. She said that afterwards, he went through the motions of life, but you could see the fear in his eyes, and the horror of it, and thats how Pat lived his life until he died. It is a year today that the prime suspect in the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier died suddenly from a heart attack Ian Bailey's ashes are to be scattered in west Cork at a special memorial service in the next few months. The event is being organised by his sister Kay Reynolds and his long time lawyer Frank Buttimer. It is a year today that the prime suspect in the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier died suddenly from a massive heart attack outside his home in Bantry, Co Cork. The 66 year old Englishman had been suffering from a severe heart condition and had been in and out of hospital for a couple of months beforehand. Doctors couldn't operate on him because he was too weak and told him he would not survive major heart surgery. Bailey, who was arrested twice over the murder but never charged, always denied killing the French beauty and he reaffirmed his innocence in a series of interviews in the weeks before he passed away. Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Photo: Patrick Zimmermann Bailey was cremated at his sister's Kay's request within 48 hours of his death and nobody apart from the undertakers attended his funeral. His sister was concerned the event would become a media circus. Yesterday Frank Buttimer confirmed that a memorial service for Bailey would be held for his family and friends in the next few months. He said; " His ashes are still here in Ireland and are being kept for his sister Kay in a secure place. "She was over here recently and we both agreed that we should organise some sort of a memorial ceremony for him. Ian Bailey arrives at the Four Courts in Dublin during his damages case in 2015 with his sister, Kay Reynolds. Photo: Collins Courts " Ian always maintained his innocence and despite everything that happened he still had a lot of friends here who would like to pay their last respect to him. " It was his lifelong wish that when he died he wanted his ashes scattered in west Cork. It is a place he loved and lived for most of his life. " We will ensure that happens and his close friends will all be invited to the ceremony." Mr Buttimer also said he had not heard from Gardai carrying out a cold case review into Sophie's murder. Frank Buttimer with Bailey He stated; " I suppose at the end of the day Ian is dead and this case has nothing to do with me anymore. " His sister Kay is a lovely woman and she wants to do the right thing by him." Bailey was found guilty by a French court of Sophie's murder in absentia in 2019. He refused to attend and claimed it was a kangaroo court which permitted hearsay evidence that would never be allowed in an Irish court of law. The former journalist and poet was found guilty and sentenced to 25 year jail. But he never did a day behind bars because the Irish courts refused to extradite him because they had doubts about the integrity of the trial. Charles Dooher received a brutal beating when a gang of five hooded men broke into his Lifford home yesterday Charles Dooher is fighting for his life after the attack at his home The mother of a young Co Donegal man fighting for his life has appealed for people to keep him in their prayers. Charles Dooher received a brutal beating when a gang of five hooded men broke into his Lifford home yesterday morning. Charles and his father were both badly beaten at the house by the men at Coneyburrow Road close to the border with Co Tyrone at around 10.30am. Charles, who is in his 20s, was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for emergency surgery on a serious head injury. His father, who is also named Charles and in his 60s, suffered less severe injuries and is being treated at Letterkenny University Hospital. Charles Dooher Mrs Annmarie Dooher has pleaded with family and friends to send prayers for her son's recovery as she began a bedside vigil at her son's hospital bed. She pleaded with friends on social media I am asking for prayers for my beautiful, brave son who fought off five men with steel batons who broke into our family home and left my son laying for dead. My poor son is fighting for his life and needs your prayers. Please pray for my son, please pray for his recovery. She added: I sit here desperate with my sons life in Gods hands. I am asking you to join your hands together for my son and pray for his recovery. Pray for his healing. Pray for my son, my beautiful, wonderful son. Mrs Dooher added that her son did not deserve what happened to him. She added "My son is a good man, a strong man, a hard working man but he is still my baby. Because of these evil people, my son, my brave son is fragile and fighting for his life. Please, please pray for him." A full Garda investigation has been launched into the brutal attack. The Dooher house on the main N15 road is still sealed off by Gardai while CCTV footage from the surrounding area has been harvested as part of the investigation. Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward. A spokesperson said: Any persons who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from Coneyburrow Road, Lifford, between 10am and 11am, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 9167100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. The shamed UFC star was asked about Robinson who is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court while visiting Washington DC The shamed UFC star was asked about Robinson who is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court while visiting Washington DC for the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump. A reporter said he wanted to talk to McGregor about how Ireland is having a problem with illegal immigration, just like America (and) just like the UK. One of the leading voices in the UK, a guy named Tommy Robinson, who also happens to be part Irish is locked up right now (for) bringing attention not only to immigration and to the rape of Britain but also for exposing trouble with refugees, the reporter states. What do you think about Tommy's predicament right now in the UK and the fact that he's locked up for playing the documentary film? McGregor replies in the encounter that was filmed: For the life of me I cant understand why we wish to hide these horrific crimes and shield them from light. Light is the best disinfectant and light is needed so for anyone that sheds light on this they do not deserve to be turned on in society, they deserve to be praised. So, you know, I pray for more light on the bad things that happen. Trumps right-hand man, Elon Musk, has previously called for the release of Robinson while accusing Keir Starmer of failing to prosecute child rapists in Oldham in Greater Manchester. The new presidents billionaire pal pinned a message at the top of his X feed in recent weeks, stating Free Tommy Robinson! Tommy Robinson As well as a number of messages in support of Robinson, Musk posted several times about rape gangs in Rochdale and Oldham, while attacking the prime minister and the safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, over their responses to the scandal. McGregor attended a ball ahead of Trumps inauguration as the 47th president of the United States on Sunday night just days after a judge ordered him to pay Nikita Hand 100,000 of her 250,000 damages and 200,000 of her expected 1.3m legal costs. Last November a jury found McGregor had assaulted Ms Hand in a civil case she took against him over an alleged rape in December 2018. "Amazing to be here. I'm very excited. Very optimistic about the future," McGregor declared. And it's a good time here in the United States. I was here the last time Donald Trump became president in 2016. And the energy and the response is night and day, which is a testament to how he's done as a president, his last run, and how he's handled himself since." McGregor in Washington When asked about the difference this time, McGregor said it felt like more Americans are in Trumps corner. "Lessons learned. Hard lessons learned," he said. "And a backing of his country now. I feel the people are backing him. And I'm excited to see him go do it. I hope he does, and I wish him all the best." McGregor also hailed Americas standing in the world after Trumps victory, claiming it is the superpower of the world. "Long may it continue," he added. "We love America in Ireland. I have as much love for America as I do for my country of Ireland. It has much ripple effect for the entire free world, the entire Western world. "And Ireland is going through its own issues at the moment and this tenure here that Donald Trump is about to undertake, will have big effects in Ireland." McGregor also appeared to indicate that he might run for President of Ireland during an exchange with a fan at a party which was caught on video. Asked, Are you gonna make Ireland great again? McGregor answered, Yes which some American news sites suggested was a declaration of his intention to run for president, which he has previously expressed an interest in. McGregor with Nigel Farage McGregor was also pictured alongside Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, at a pre-inauguration rally held on Sunday. The 36-year-old posted the snap to his 10.6 million X followers with the caption, We are so back!. The Crumlin native posted a message to his followers saying, A whole imperial army couldnt do it, you think a bunch of weaklings importing a bunch of wasters can do it? Adding, Think again. IRELAND FOREVER #VoteMcGregor. The previous week he tweeted that it was time to talk about Ireland leaving the European Union. However, Farage has since faced condemnation for posting a photo to social media smiling alongside the MMA fighter. The Reform UK leader, who captioned the photo, We are so back, can be seen shaking McGregors hand in the photo, taken at a victory rally for Donald Trump in Washington on Sunday. The image sparked outrage from MPs in Britain with Tory MP Mims Davies, shadow minister for women, accusing Mr Farage of using the MMA fighter as social media camera fodder. She told The Independent: Mr Farage is clearly not choosy about the company he keeps on social media if it suits him personally to get some likes. Fashion journalist Darren Kennedy writes about living in the shadow of the LA wildfires and living moment to moment Darren has seen his adopted city of Los Angeles destroyed Sharing his time between his native Dublin and LA, the podcaster says the disaster has brought a sense of community to neighbourhoods considered famously detached. Ive witnessed extraordinary acts of humanity. The people of Los Angeles have rallied together in ways that defy the citys stereotyped reputation for aloofness, said Darren. Being in Los Angeles for work these past few weeks has been a surreal and sobering experience. Words like devastation, displacement, and loss spring to mind, but so does gratitude. Thankfully, I have not been directly affected by the wildfires, but I have friends whove lost everything: their homes, their belongings, their lives as they knew them reduced to ashes. Where do you even begin to rebuild from there? I dont have an answer. Darren has seen his adopted city of Los Angeles destroyed Im in West Hollywood, about 15 miles from Pacific Palisades, which became the epicentre of one of the largest and most ferocious fires in California history. For those unfamiliar, Pacific Palisades is a stunning neighbourhood that exudes a town-like charm. Think of Malahide in North Dublin: a vibrant community, affluent yet welcoming, with a bustling town centre, schools, shops, and cafes. Today, much of that is gone reduced to smouldering rubble. People have likened the devastation to the aftermath of a bomb, and its no exaggeration. Last week, I could see the fires burning in the hills, their orange glow stark against the night sky. The following day, smoke plumes partially obscured the sun, turning what should have been a bright Californian January day into one cloaked in eerie grey. Firefighters tackle one of the blazes After a very tense 24 hours, in search of some distraction, I went to see a movie, hoping for a momentary escape from the grim reality outside. When I came out two hours later, the car park was emptying at an alarming pace, and the streets were clogged with traffic. In that short time inside, another fire had broken out this one far closer, in the Hollywood Hills. Dubbed the Sunset Fire, it crept to within two miles of where I was staying. My block narrowly escaped the mandatory evacuation zone, but smoke and ash was in the air and the tension was palpable. I stayed up that night, watching the updates and offering shelter to friends whose home lay in the fires path. Thankfully, their house survived, and everyone I know is safe. The toll these fires is taking on communities is unprecedented. It seems like one of those situations where survival and recovery are managed moment by moment. Burnt-out cars line the street after the disaster Yet, amid the destruction, Ive witnessed extraordinary acts of humanity. The people of Los Angeles have rallied together in ways that defy the citys stereotyped reputation for aloofness. Restaurants are providing meals for fire and rescue workers, neighbours are opening their homes to the displaced, people are volunteering at rescue centres, animals are being cared for. Essential supplies are being collected and distributed by locals determined to help. Theres a quiet resilience here thats both humbling and inspiring. People often say Los Angeles lacks a sense of togetherness, but this crisis has proven otherwise. Angelenos are showing the strength that comes from unity. Its a lesson in humanity that even on the darkest days, hope will prevail. The future use of Rotoruas remaining two non-contracted emergency housing motels hinges on local demand, as the Government exits the last of its contracted motels this year. At the peak of the Governments controversial emergency housing response in Rotorua, it was using 62 motels and hotels, including 45 non-contracted, and 13 contracted with resource consents until December 2024. Two non-contracted motels remain in use, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Developments just-granted resource consent extensions for the last seven contracted motels will gradually expire this year. In his decision granting the consents, independent commissioner David Hill criticised the ministrys exit strategy, saying it rested on assumptions about new builds and affordable rentals. He said there were 135 resident whanau in contracted motels as of October and an average of 24 referrals a month 324 a year. The anticipated pipeline of 350 new social housing units would only be sufficient if the 50% of exits to social or whanau housing continued. Hill had seen no actual evidence to back up the ministrys confidence it would be able to house all tenants - a concern community submitters shared. He had no material indication from Kainga Ora as to how advanced its construction programme is or how the units would be allocated to those in the contracted motels. To address this concern, Hill required all new referrals to stop by June 30, which he expected would limit whanau in contracted motels to about 162 - a perhaps more realistic number. Independent commissioner David Hill at the resource consent submission hearing in November. Photo / Laura Smith Kainga Ora Bay of Plenty regional director Darren Toy told Local Democracy Reporting about 325 new social houses were planned in Rotorua, with 230 to be delivered this year and 95 next year. The pipeline number had dropped from 350 as projects were completed. Ten planned developments totalling 64 houses were still being reviewed to ensure value for money and consider if there were better options for the sites. MHUD has said it was confident it could exit the contracted motels in line with the consent deadlines. Residents of Apollo Hotel, to be exited by March 3, had all moved to suitable alternative accommodation. In response to further Local Democracy Reporting questions, a spokesperson said about a third of contracted motel residents moving last year went to social housing. Others went to transitional housing, private rentals or whanau. Asked how the anticipated housing pipeline would impact motel exits and to respond to Hills comments, they said the ministry was doing all it can to support contracted emergency housing residents into suitable alternative housing. This included Kainga Ora or community housing provider social housing, transitional housing and private rentals. If residents could not be placed, it would find other solutions case-by-case. All residents in [contracted emergency housing] will be supported into some form of housing, with emergency housing remaining available to those who are eligible if required. Fewer households in non-contracted motels The MHUD spokesperson said contracted emergency housing in motels was focused on supporting families with children, and included wrap-around support. Non-contracted emergency housing was also accommodation for those in urgent need, but was funded through Ministry of Social Development [MSD] emergency housing grants. MSD housing group general manager Karen Hocking said as of December 31 fewer than 15 households were living in two non-contracted Rotorua motels, down from 52 households the year before. It was working to get them into sustainable, longer-term housing. Local Democracy Reporting asked if the two non-contracted motels were accepting new tenants, if they would stop being used when the contracted motels did and how emergency housing would work when the contracted motels closed. Hocking said any remaining non-contracted emergency housing in Rotorua would depend on local demand. While emergency housing will continue to be available for eligible clients in Rotorua, we will work with any clients to move them into more suitable housing. As in other regions, people meeting certain criteria will have their options assessed. People need to exhaust all other options including staying with family or friends, seeking private rentals, or accepting other MSD support. Emergency housing is a last resort. The ministry could help pay rent arrears or bonds, negotiate with landlords to retain tenancies, and explore private rental options or transitional housing. If people have a genuine housing need and continue to meet their responsibilities, they will continue to be eligible for emergency housing support. This will continue to be the case in Rotorua. Public housing eligibility may also be assessed. Housing providers such as Kainga Ora matched candidates to homes based on their priority rating and suitability for the homes on offer among other factors. Families with children in emergency housing more than 12 weeks took top priority under the rating system introduced by the Government last March. Local Democracy Reporting asked both ministries if the use of non-contracted motels would increase if other housing options were exhausted as the contracted motels closed. MHUD referred the query to MSD, which did not respond. Consent decision a huge win - mayor Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell said the council was working to invest in infrastructure to unlock housing opportunities, and support community housing providers and developers to build affordable homes and rentals. Tapsell said she and housing minister Chris Bishop discussed the need to support opportunities for a locally-led housing plan, which was being prioritised. Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell. Photo / Laura Smith Its a huge win to have turned Rotorua around and have certainty now that contracted emergency housing motels will soon be a problem of the past. Tapsell said she and the community fought really hard to stop the motel use. Weve already reduced all types of emergency housing motels by around 80% and are grateful to the independent commissioner for his recent decision to ensure all contracted motels are gone by the end of this year. She also thanked those who made submissions, and said the council looked forward to continuing positive progress on emergency housing in Rotorua. Ignacio Lillo Malaga Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 09:33 Compartir Storm Garoe's arrival in Spain, the first major weather event to hit Malaga this year, is set to be followed by a series of others this week bringing widespread rain to the province. However, it will be less than in Andalusian provinces, such as Huelva and Seville, where the Junta has already activated its emergency plan due to a risk of flooding. Rain has been falling across the Serrania de Ronda since Monday 20 January, as well as the westernmost part of the Costa del Sol, with up to 30mm expected to be collected, while Antequera is expected to benefit from a second wave. Only light showers are forecast for the rest of the province and Malaga city. Storm Garoe has been skimming the Spanish mainland, where successive fronts have been crossing from west to east, since yesterday afternoon. It is therefore expected to hit once it's weakened. Downpours were "locally moderate" in the far west (Serrania de Ronda and Estepona area), according to Spain's state weather agency director in Malaga, Jesus Riesco. 30 mm are expected in the Serrania de Ronda and the westernmost tip of the Costa del Sol. Antequera will also benefit from a second wave. The Guadalhorce valley can expect some 15-20mm. By yesterday evening, some 15mm had been collected in the Guadalteba river area and parts of the Serrania de Ronda; and 10mm in Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja (Estepona) and in the upper Guadalhorce (Ardales). However, rain continued to fall at least until the early hours of this Tuesday morning. Temperatures rise this week Temperatures are expected to rise this week and will reach levels above normal for this time of the year. This is due to the Atlantic flow and winds which will carry a warmer air mass. In Malaga city and along the Costa del Sol, the maximum temperatures will rise to 20-21C from this Tuesday, while the minimum will be around 12 to 14 degrees, "significantly above normal". The maximum in the province (probably one of the highest in Spain) will be in Velez-Malaga, where it could reach 22 degrees. These warmer temperatures will also be noticeable inland. In Ronda, the maximum will reach 16-17C, with equally high minimums (8-10). And in Antequera, it will reach 18-19C during the day and 8-10 degrees at night. Local weather expert Jose Luis Escudero, head of the SUR blog Tormentas y Rayos, predicts 10-15mm of rain will fall in Malaga city, the Guadalhorce valley and Greater Malaga area. He predicts between 20-30mm in the Serrania de Ronda and the western Costa del Sol. "With the winds to come these days it is possible that a little more will be collected," he said. Meanwhile, in Huelva and Seville, more than 200mm is expected to fall. New storms This Tuesday, Malaga province will remain outside the area where the storms are meant to hit as they cross Andalucia further north with the main beneficiary provinces being Huelva, Seville and Cordoba. On Wednesday, it could fall lightly in inland Malaga, especially in Antequera. 22 degrees C will be the maximum temperature forecast by Aemet from Wednesday in Velez-Malaga, as well as 20-21 in Malaga city and the Costa del Sol, well above average for this time of the year. Antequera and Ronda will also experience unusually high temperatures. Other storms will also pass through during the week, especially at the end of the week, when Jesus Riesco forecasts that a "fairly deep" storm will move in, which could bring new rainfall between Sunday and Monday. "By next weekend, another storm will probably move closer to the San Vicente cape, but there are still many days to go," Escudero added. It will offer a new opportunity for the water levels in the reservoirs to be boosted, which, although much better than last year, are still far from an optimum level, with a total of 169 million cubic metres, at 27.6% of capacity. Rest of Spain Samuel Biener, weather expert at Meteored (tiempo.com), also said that several very active fronts will arrive and rain will fall over much of Spain in the coming days, although with significant differences. A so-called 'atmospheric river' arriving from the Caribbean will bring intense rain between Monday and Tuesday in the western part of Andalucia and in Extremadura. Some storms are also expected in Galicia and around the Gulf of Cadiz. According to Meteored predictions, very heavy rainfall will be recorded until Thursday night in the provinces of Huelva, Bajo Guadalquivir, Seville, western Cordoba and southern Badajoz. These areas will locally exceed 150mm, and may even exceed 200mm. More than 100mm are also expected in areas of the mountains of Toledo, western Galicia and some regions of Extremadura. Some rivers will experience a considerable increase in their flows. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Syracuse, N.Y. A man admitted Tuesday in court that he strangled a woman and hid her body in the woods in a nearby park. Jhon Moises Chacaguasay-Ilbis, 21, pleaded guilty to the murder of Joselyn Jhoana Toaquiza, 21, at a party for her 21st birthday. He also pleaded guilty to concealing her corpse in Lincoln Park. Chacaguasay-Ilbis, of Ecuador, admitted that on June 18 he used a ligature to strangle Toaquiza to death and then hid her body under sticks and leaves in a shallow grave. In exchange for his plea, Judge Ted Limpert promised the man a sentence of no better than 22 years to life and no worse than 25 years to life in prison. Second-degree murder typically carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Police officers search Lincoln Park near the corner of Hawley Avenue and Mather Street in Syracuse on Saturday, June 22, 2024. The body of Joselyn Jhoana Toaquiza, 21, was found in the park in a shallow grave.Fernando Alba | falba@syracuse.com Surveillance footage showed Chacaguasay-Ilbis carrying Toaquiza on his back. In the video, she appeared limp and not moving. Chacaguasay-Ilbis carried her to the park and left her in a shallow grave. Chacaguasay-Ilbis and Toaquinza came to the United States from Ecuador. The two knew one another in school when they were younger. Chacaguasay-Ilbis traveled to the United States last year and surrendered himself at the border before being released, prosecutors have said. He was awaiting an immigration hearing. He wished to enter a guilty plea Tuesday because he wanted to take responsibility for the crime, his defense attorney told the court. Prosecutor Rob Moran said that the family understood the judges decision, but no sentence would be enough to heal their wounds. Toaquiza left Ecuador in search of a better life. She crossed part of the Amazon on foot with family and made it through Mexico before reaching the United States border seeking asylum. She ended up in Syracuse in search of stable work. When she did not show up for her shift as a housekeeper at the Hotel Concord on Carrier Circle, her managers said they knew something was wrong. On the day she was killed, she was celebrating her 21st birthday. Chacaguasay-Ilbis came from Baltimore for the celebration. At his arraignment, he told the judge he had been too drunk to remember what happened. He is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 14. Joselyn Jhoana ToaquizaProvided photograph Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com. WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump signed on Monday, Day One of his second presidency, a record number of executive orders spanning border security, immigration, energy, government efficiency, pardons for Jan. 6 rioters, pausing the TikTok ban and rescinding 78 Biden-era executive actions. On international affairs, Trump signed orders to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement, to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America," and to pause foreign aid for 90 days pending review. The global impact has already been felt as Trump returned to the White House on his first day of office. In response to the drastic U.S. policy changes, the international community has expressed deep worry, regret and even readiness to take counter-measures to hit back. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that her country "does not have to bow its head" to the United States, and urged the public "to remain calm." "We are a great country, a cultural power, and Mexicans are a hard-working, honest people, who are fraternal, supportive, and have a lot to boast about to the entire world. So, the relationship with the United States has to be between equals," the president said during her usual morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City. Regarding Trump's threats to begin deporting undocumented migrants en masse, Sheinbaum unveiled a program called "Mexico embraces you," which aims to offer deportees help and orientation. "Mexicans are very important to the economy in the United States and the Trump administration knows that. In the event of deportations, which would be a unilateral measure on their part, in addition to defending them in the United States through the consular network and the support of lawyers and other schemes, when they arrive in Mexico there is also a comprehensive program," she said. The program establishes protocols at border crossings and airports for receiving those being repatriated, including offering "admission to the Mexican Social Security Institute, employment, transportation, so they can get to their places of origin, and a small initial support" should they arrive with no money, she said. Some 38.4 million people of Mexican descent reside in the United States, including 11.5 million first-generation Mexican-Americans, with 4.8 million lacking documents, according to official data. As for the U.S. exit from the Paris Agreement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on her X account that "All continents will have to deal with the growing burden of climate change. Its impact is impossible to ignore." "The Paris Agreement continues to be humanity's best hope. Europe will stay the course. And we'll keep working with all nations that want to stop global warming," she said. On Monday, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the United States to remain a leader on global environmental issues after Trump announced the withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. "The Paris Agreement was adopted by all the world's nations in 2015 because they recognize the immense harm that climate change is already causing and the enormous opportunity that climate action presents," the spokesperson said in a written statement. "The last ten years have been the hottest in recorded history. We have to look no further than Los Angeles to see this human, ecological and economic disaster play out. The collective efforts under the Paris Agreement have made a difference, but we need to go much further and faster together," the statement said, urging world leaders to seize opportunities in this critical decade for climate action. Despite the U.S. withdrawal, the UN chief "remains confident that cities, states and businesses within the United States -- along with other countries -- will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership" by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs and markets, it said. "It is crucial that the United States remains a leader on environmental issues," the statement stressed. The first Trump administration officially let the United States, one of the world's top emitters of greenhouse gases, exit the Paris climate accord in November 2020, dealing a major blow to international efforts to combat the climate crisis. Joe Biden, who succeeded Trump to become the 46th U.S. president in 2021, signed an executive order on Jan. 20, 2021 -- his first day in office -- to bring the United States back into the Paris climate accord. As Trump was sworn into office on Monday, dozens of anti-Trump protests broke out across the United States. In Washington D.C., several hundred protesters braved the frigid temperatures to hold a rally at Malcolm X Park in the northwest of the city as Trump was being sworn into office and moved to Dupont Circle by Monday afternoon, crying against what they called "Trump's billionaire agenda." "A lot of people are feeling a lot of fear today and feeling kind of just like they want to give up. And so a lot of us were out here today to show people there are other organizations that are doing things that can get involved, and they're not alone in how they feel," one attendee told FOX 5. In downtown Chicago, thousands of protesters marched toward Trump Tower on Monday, carrying signs "Stop the Trump agenda", "Free Palestine Now," "Keep immigrant families together," etc. In Manhattan, New York City, thousands marched along Sixth Avenue, demanding a free Palestine, calling for the protection of immigrant families, and honoring Martin Luther King Jr. About 80 cities across the United States held anti-Trump protests during his inauguration on Monday, according to media outlet KSHB affiliated with NBC. Syracuse, N.Y. The first concert in eight years at the Central New York Regional Markets F Shed will be an R&B show scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22. The headline act is a tribute to R&B legends Frankie Beverly and Maze, performed by the group We Are One X-perience, from the Baltimore-Washington D.C. area. Also performing are the Jones Girls from Atlanta. The Syracuse R&B band Stroke will open the show. Tickets through EventBrite are $55, or $110 for a VIP that includes food and a meet-and-greet. All tickets are general admission (standing room only). Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m. 'A Tribute to Frankie Beverly' is scheduled for the F Shed at the CNY Regional Market on Feb. 22.SYR Beverly, who died last fall, was known for such hits as Before I Let Go and Joy and Pain. Its definitely a throwback kind of show, said Kilo Thompson, the operator of Syracuse-based Harlem Knights, which is promoting the concert. The show is significant because it marks the return of live music to the F Shed for the first time since 2017. The shows hosted by the market at 2100 Park St. were stopped after complaints about noise levels in the surrounding neighborhood. Regional Market CEO Bill Fisher said officials are interested in returning shows and events to the F Shed. But, he said, theyre taking it step by step to ensure that shows do not create a problem for the neighborhood. For now, the Feb. 22 concert is the only confirmed event. The market is holding open other dates later in the year but will wait to see if this one is successful, Fisher said. Its really a bit of an experiment, said Fisher, who took over as CEO of the markets governing body, the CNY Regional Market Authority, last year after a state audit found fault with its financial management. We want to make sure we have everything right, have the logistics right, before we move forward. The F Shed opened in 2013 and is primarily used to house stalls during the the weekly seasonal farmers market. It has recently hosted other events, such as a Halloween-themed Spooky Harvest Fest last fall. For about four years after it opened, the F Shed was a major local concert venue. It hosted jam bands and indie rockers such as moe., Umphreys McGee, O.A.R., and Young the Giant. In later years, it moved more heavily into DJ-led EDM shows like Skrillex. But it has what Fisher called a unique fabric roof that can make it difficult to contain sound. The market is working on the concert set-up to contain the sound as much as possible. Fisher said the goal of hosting concerts and similar events is partly to raise new revenues for the market. But he also hopes such events can showcase and highlight the facility and all it has to offer. The markets primary mission remains to support local farmers and agriculture, he said. The market was connected to Thompson and his Harlem Knights promotion business with help from Jason Smorol, general manager of the Syracuse Mets, who play in the adjacent NBT Bank Stadium. Its cool that we get to be the first show back there, said Thompson, who also runs the Harlem Knights night club at the corner of South Salina and Ballantyne Road on Syracuses South Side. I think it will be a really good time. Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. A member of a legendary hip-hop group is coming to Syracuse for a concert, but it wont start at a typical time. Masta Killa will perform at the Westcott Theater on April, 20, 2025. And because its a 420 Party, the show will begin early at 4:20 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $41.98 (yes, almost exactly 42 dollars and 0 cents) at thewestcotttheater.com. Meet and greet packages are also available for $146.15. We expect these to go fast, get em early while you can, the venues official Facebook page said. Masta Killa, also known as Jamel Irief, is a New York rapper best known for his work as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, including on Da Mystery of Chessboxin from their 1993 debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The collective, whose hits include Protect Ya Neck, C.R.E.A.M. and Triumph, is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip-hop groups of all time. Masta Killa has also released four solo albums and contributed to many Wu-Tang projects over the past three decades, including group albums, side projects and collaborations with Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, RZA, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Killah Priest, Cappadonna, U-God and the late Ol Dirty Bastard (ODB). April 20, or 4/20, is considered an unofficial holiday for cannabis and marijuana, which has been legal in New York for recreational use since 2021. Weed Day reportedly began with a group of California teens who would meet outside their high school at 4:20 p.m. to smoke up together in the 1970s. Known as The Waldos, they used 420 as a code to discuss it without teachers or parents knowing, and the terms popularity spread. Syracuse, NY -- Upstate University Hospital would get $200 million for a new emergency room and other facilities under Gov. Kathy Hochuls proposed budget, Assemblyman Al Stirpe confirmed to syracuse.com. But thats less than half of the $450 million that Upstate officials -- and Central New Yorks bi-partisan state delegation -- had pushed for. Town of Scriba The Oswego County Health Department has issued an order saying customers in the towns of Scriba, New Haven and parts of Volney should boil water used for drinking and cooking. The Town of Scriba Water District lost pressure because of two water main breaks, health officials said Tuesday. Such breaks can let contaminants get into the water. One of the breaks was off City Line Road and the other was off county Route 4. Around 4,000 customers are affected by the boil water order, according to the Scriba supervisor Kelly Lagoe. The town is working to restore service as soon as possible, Kelly Jordal, a county spokesperson said in a news release. Repairs are currently being made to the water mains and samples will be collected to confirm there is no contamination in the distribution system. The boil water order is likely to remain in effect until at least Friday after system pressure is restored and testing confirms there is no contamination, Jordal said. The health department will notify residents when they no longer need to boil their water. Residents are advised to bring tap water to a rolling boil, boil for one minute and cool before using. They can also use bottled water. Health officials said boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice. Buffalo, N.Y. Two girls walked out of a group home Monday evening in Buffalo and started to walk down the snowy, frigid streets. It was 9 degrees outside, with a bitter wind chill of -2. And as temperatures continued to drop, the girls disappeared. As drones, K-9s and patrol officers searched for the missing girls, the Buffalo Police Department asked the public for help. About 15 hours later, acting Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon shared good news with the worried public: Nova Rayne Lilley and Ariyah Brown had been found. The two young girls who went missing yesterday have been located safely and are currently being evaluated for any possible injuries, Scanlon said in a news release. The girls were found in an apartment on Langfield Drive, police told The Buffalo News. Detectives are speaking to two people about the incident, the newspaper reported. Nova Rayne, 7, and Ariyah, 12, live in the Child & Family Services home on Delaware Avenue, Buffalo Polices Chief of Detectives Craig Macy said during a news conference livestreamed Tuesday morning on Facebook. The girls left the home Monday evening, he said, and were last spotted by a private surveillance camera walking near Utica and Main streets around 6:30 p.m. The search for Nova Rayne and Ariyah started at 7:14 p.m. when a 911 caller reported them missing. The dangerously cold temperatures in Upstate New York made it even more urgent to find the girls. Youre talking about a 7-year-old and a 12-year-old. Obviously everyone knows the concerns that can arise with them being unsupervised roaming the streets, Mayor Scanlon said. I have an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, so it hits home with me. It did not appear the girls had planned to run away, Macy said. One of the kids has exhibited runaway behavior before, but that does not mean we are any less concerned, he said. The news conference about the missing girls was held at 9:41 a.m. Within the next hour, the girls were found. Washington President Donald Trump on Monday evening pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than 1,000 people, including some residents of Central New York, who had been convicted in the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Thousands of people stormed the Capitol that day in an effort to prevent Congress from completing the normally underwhelming task of counting each states Electoral College votes, which would have formalized Joe Bidens win over Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Five people died in the attack, including a police officer, and hundreds were injured. A bipartisan U.S. House committee held months of hearings and placed blame for the attack on Trump. A special prosecutor had indicted Trump over his efforts to interfere with the lawful transfer of power following the election; the case was dropped after he won the 2024 presidential election. Gov. Kathy Hochul will unveil a $252 billion state budget proposal today that offers free tuition to students seeking community college degrees to work in the semiconductor industry and other in-demand jobs. Hochuls plan is aimed at boosting the supply of trained workers for Micron Technologys planned $100 billion complex of computer chip plants in the town of Clay and chip companies expanding across Upstate New York. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed carving out $13.5 million in this years budget to help schools restrict smart phones during class time. Hochul plans to restrict smart phones and other devices throughout the school day, she announced during her executive budget announcement Tuesday. The governor did not provide any more details about the restrictions or how schools may use the money. The policy would create distraction-free learning environments and help improve student mental health and academic performance, Hochul said. Some schools in central New York already implemented cellphone bans in classrooms, cafeterias and hallways. The New York teachers union has also supported restrictions, saying it will help students focus in class. Some parents, on the other hand, worry it will prevent them from reaching their children during emergencies. New York will join 19 other states that have already enacted policies banning or restricting cellphone use or recommending that local districts enact their own bans, according to an Education Week analysis. Maggie Hicks covers education, including the Syracuse City School District and Syracuse University. She can be reached at mhicks@syracuse.com or follow her on X @maggie_hickss. By Niagara Gazette | Niagara Falls New York forest rangers are in California to help fight wildfires. Gov. Kathy Hochul said a team of 10 Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers traveled to California to support ongoing efforts to contain wildfires raging in Los Angeles. The forest rangers flew out of Albany Thursday morning for what is expected to be a two-week assignment, according to Hochuls office. When other states and nations ask for New Yorks help, we are always prepared to send assistance, Hochul said. New Yorks expert wildland firefighting forest rangers were eager to answer the call and will do what they can to help in response to the extraordinary devastation in and around Los Angeles. I thank them for their bravery and look forward to their safe return. New York state regularly deploys highly trained wildland firefighters to help battle fires in other states and nations as part of interstate and international firefighting compacts, the release stated. In Southern California, the fires have killed an estimated 25 people to date, burned more than 40,000 acres, and destroyed more than 12,000 structures. The fires started on Jan. 7, fueled by Santa Ana winds. DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, DECs Forest Rangers are highly trained wildland firefighters who are prepared to use their expertise to assist communities in need whenever they get the call. I appreciate the Rangers stepping up to run toward danger and bolster the efforts of firefighters from across the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and other nations to battle these destructive wildfires. According to the release, New York sent its first firefighting crew to assist western states with large wildfires in 1979. On average, one or two crews are deployed as needed to assist with wildfires every year. In addition to helping contain wildfires and minimize damage to people and property, these crews gain valuable experience that will be utilized fighting wildfires and managing incidents in New York, the release stated. All personnel and travel expenses for the New York crews are either paid directly by the U.S. Forest Service or reimbursed to New York state based on a mutual aid agreement between states and federal land agencies, according to the release. Attorneys general from 18 states, including New York, sued Tuesday to block President Donald Trumps move to end a decades-old immigration policy known as birthright citizenship guaranteeing that U.S.-born children are citizens regardless of their parents status. Trumps roughly 700-word executive order, issued late Monday, amounts to a fulfillment of something hes talked about during the presidential campaign. But whether it succeeds is far from certain amid what is likely to be a lengthy legal battle over the presidents immigration policies. Heres a closer look at birthright citizenship, Trumps executive order and reaction to it: What is birthright citizenship? Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen, regardless of their parents immigration status. People, for instance, in the United States on a tourist or other visa or in the country illegally can become the parents of a citizen if their child is born here. Its been in place for decades and enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, supporters say. But Trump and allies dispute the reading of the amendment and say there need to be tougher standards on becoming a citizen. What does Trumps order say? The order questions that the 14th Amendment extends citizenship automatically to anyone born in the United States. The 14th Amendment was born in the aftermath of the Civil War and ratified in 1868. It says: All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Trumps order excludes the following people from automatic citizenship: those whose mothers were not legally in the United States and whose fathers were not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; people whose mothers were in the country legally but on a temporary basis and whose fathers were not citizens or legal permanent residents. It goes on to bar federal agencies from recognizing the citizenship of people in those categories. It takes effect 30 days from Tuesday, on Feb. 19. What is the history of the issue? The 14th Amendment did not always guarantee birthright citizenship to all U.S.-born people. Congress did not authorize citizenship for all Native Americans born in the United States, for instance, until 1924. In 1898 an important birthright citizenship case unfolded in the U.S. Supreme Court. The court held that Wong Kim Ark, who was born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrants, was a U.S. citizen because he was born in the country. After a trip abroad, he had faced denied reentry by the federal government on the grounds that he wasnt a citizen under the Chinese Exclusion Act. But some advocates of immigration restrictions have argued that while the case clearly applied to children born to parents who are both legal immigrants, its less clear whether it applies to children born to parents without legal status. What has the reaction to Trumps order been? Eighteen states, plus the District of Columbia and San Francisco sued in federal court to block Trumps order. New Jersey Democratic Attorney General Matt Platkin said Tuesday that presidents might have broad authority but they are not kings. The president cannot, with a stroke of a pen, write the 14th Amendment out of existence, period, he said. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a U.S. citizen by birthright and the nations first Chinese American elected attorney general, said the lawsuit was personal for him. The 14th Amendment says what it means, and it means what it says - if you are born on American soil, you are an American. Period. Full stop, he said. There is no legitimate legal debate on this question. But the fact that Trump is dead wrong will not prevent him from inflicting serious harm right now on American families like my own. Not long after Trump signed the order, immigrant rights groups filed suit to stop it. Chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts along with other immigrant rights advocates filed a suit in New Hampshire federal court. The suit asks the court to find the order to be unconstitutional. It highlights the case of a woman identified as Carmen, who is pregnant but is not a citizen. The lawsuit says she has lived in the United States for more than 15 years and has a pending visa application that could lead to permanent status. She has no other immigration status, and the father of her expected child has no immigration status either, the suit says. Stripping children of the priceless treasure of citizenship is a grave injury, the suit said. It denies them the full membership in U.S. society to which they are entitled. In addition to New Jersey and the two cities, California, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin joined the lawsuit to stop the order. PHNOM PENH, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's trade volume with its fellow ASEAN member states reached 15.69 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, up 12.4 percent from 13.96 billion dollars in the year before, said a Ministry of Commerce's report on Tuesday. The kingdom exported products totally worth 5.07 billion dollars to other ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries last year, up 7.6 percent from 4.71 billion dollars a year earlier, the report said. Meanwhile, the country's total import from its fellow ASEAN countries amounted to 10.62 billion dollars, up 14.8 percent from 9.25 billion dollars, it added. Cambodia's trade volume with the ASEAN accounted for 28.3 percent of the kingdom's total trade volume of 55.3 billion dollars in 2024, the report said. Cambodia's top five trading partners in ASEAN during the above-mentioned period were Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, the report added. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has said that the country stood as a vibrant partner within the ASEAN, adding that made-in-Cambodia products, such as garments and bicycles, were recognized in ASEAN and worldwide for their quality and competitive pricing. "Cambodia's strategic membership in key regional and global trade agreements, including ASEAN and the World Trade Organization (WTO), positions it as a highly integrated player within the dynamic global market," he said. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. WASHINGTON (AP) Rep. Elise Stefanik is likely to face questions at her confirmation hearing on Tuesday to become the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations about her lack of foreign policy experience, her strong support for Israel and her views on funding the U.N. and its many agencies. Harvard-educated and the fourth-ranking member of the U.S. House, the Upstate New York representative was elected to Congress in 2015 as a moderate Republican and is leaving a decade later as one of President Donald Trumps most ardent allies. She embraced Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol as he denied he lost the election to Joe Biden. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres looks forward to working again with President Trump on his second term, U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Monday. When Trump announced her appointment, his former national security adviser, John Bolton, told The Associated Press that he sees Stefanik as the new version of Trumps U.N. ambassador in his first administration Nikki Haley. Haley went on to challenge him, unsuccessfully, for the GOP nomination last year. Stefanik wants to run for president in 2028, said Bolton, who also served as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. in the Bush administration. She realizes she has no foreign policy experience, so what better way than to become U.N. ambassador. She stays two years, and then away we go. When she appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Stefanik is likely to be grilled about her views on the wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere as well as the North Korean and Iranian nuclear programs all issues on the U.N. agenda. The United States pays about one-fifth of the U.N.s regular budget, and she is expected to be questioned about her comments on cutting the U.N. budget and continuing support for its multiple agencies. They tackle everything from health, education and migration to reproductive rights and nuclear proliferation. Stefanik saw her profile rise after her aggressive questioning last year of a trio of university presidents about antisemitism on their campuses, leading to two of their resignations a performance Trump repeatedly praised. She has been very vocal about supporting Israel, especially since the Hamas cross-border attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, in which militants killed about 1,200 people and took some 250 hostage. It led to the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza, where a ceasefire that the U.S. helped broker has taken hold. Stefanik has accused the U.N. of being a den of antisemitism for criticizing Israels air and ground attacks on Gaza, which have resulted in more than 46,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health officials. They do not distinguish between civilians and militants but say women and children make up more than half the dead. If confirmed, Stefanik said she plans to confront what she says is antisemitism at the world body. Her limited foreign policy experience is almost certain to come up among senators. She recently served as a member of the House Armed Services Committee and on the coveted House committee that oversees national intelligence. Born and raised in upstate New York, Stefanik worked in then-President George W. Bushs White House on the domestic policy council and in the chief of staffs office. She was the youngest person in her freshman class in Congress just 30 and ascended to the House leadership team in 2021, becoming the only woman. Unlike Sen. Marco Rubio, who is expected to glide through Senate confirmation to be secretary of state, no Democrats have publicly backed Stefaniks confirmation thus far. But like Rubio, she is benefiting from being considered by the Senate at the same time as several of Trumps controversial Cabinet picks. Albany, N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday evening declared a state of emergency across much of Upstate and Western New York as a lake effect snowstorm and frigid arctic air arrive. The emergency declaration is for Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Niagara, Oneida, Orleans, Oswego and Wyoming counties, according to a news release from the governors office. Two to three feet of lake effect snow is expected to fall in the Tug Hill plateau area, according to the National Weather Service. One to two feet is projected for the Buffalo region. Arctic air will settle deeper into the region over the next few days, the weather service said, with much colder temperatures and dangerous wind chills. Negative wind chills are expected through Wednesday night in Syracuse. Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Firefighters work at a fire site in Kartalkaya Ski Resort in Bolu, Turkiye, Jan. 21, 2025. The fire broke out at a hotel in the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort around 3:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT) on the restaurant floor. So far the fire has killed 66 people. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) ANKARA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the northwestern Turkish ski resort in Kartalkaya, Bolu Province, early Tuesday killed 66 people and injured 51, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. The fire broke out at 3:27 a.m. local time (0027 GMT) in the 12-story hotel, which was hosting more than 230 guests during a busy holiday period. "Firefighting teams had to approach from the sides and front of the building due to the terrain," Yerlikaya told a press briefing at the scene. He added that authorities had detained four individuals following the fire. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has vowed that those responsible for the fire would be held accountable. Initial investigations suggest the fire started in the fourth-floor restaurant area before spreading upwards, according to Bolu Provincial Governor Abdulaziz Aydin. Footage circulating on social media showed what appeared to be guests using bed linen to escape from windows. Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said one of the injured remains in critical condition, while the others are expected to be discharged soon. "Medical teams are providing the necessary support, and we are closely monitoring the situation," he said. Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said the hotel underwent fire safety inspections in both 2021 and 2024 and had all necessary certifications. Kartalkaya is a popular ski resort in the Koroglu mountains, some 300 kilometers east of Istanbul. Firefighters work at a fire site in Kartalkaya Ski Resort in Bolu, Turkiye, Jan. 21, 2025. The fire broke out at a hotel in the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort around 3:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT) on the restaurant floor. So far the fire has killed 66 people. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) Firefighters work at a fire site in Kartalkaya Ski Resort in Bolu, Turkiye, Jan. 21, 2025. The fire broke out at a hotel in the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort around 3:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT) on the restaurant floor. So far the fire has killed 66 people. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) Firefighters work at a fire site in Kartalkaya Ski Resort in Bolu, Turkiye, Jan. 21, 2025. The fire broke out at a hotel in the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort around 3:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT) on the restaurant floor. So far the fire has killed 66 people. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) vattyboy BHPian Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Udaipur, Surat Posts: 380 Thanked: 3,152 Times View My Garage Z-Morh / Sonmarg Tunnel | I went to Z Morh Tunnel and what a piece of art it is! For security reasons of PM Modi ji, Sonamarg was closed from the 11th till the 13th of January ( got to know this just after landing in Srinagar) my stars were aligned so well that by luck I placed Sonamarg after Pahalgam and Gulmarg in my itinerary and priorly booked hotels for stay in Sonmarg on the 14th and 15th of January 2025. I was among the first people who drove through this beautiful tunnel just after its inauguration. I rented a self-drive Macho Scorpio Classic just after landing at Srinagar Airport. The fun of self-driving a big black SUV on Kashmir roads and through this beautiful tunnel was something else! The quantity and quality of lights used inside the tunnel is very good. Speed limit is set at 50 kmph. As a civil engineer, I can vouch about the quality of Tunnel, was is no leakage of moisture or water in the entire tunnel. Here are some videos - Daytime approach ( Direction Sonamarg to Srinagar) https://youtube.com/watch?v=8NFr3DqS...0SCPCgQG-RTrma Night approach ( Direction Srinagar to Sonamarg) In this direction, this tunnel has an approach of 3-4 km's. https://youtube.com/watch?v=gUa_qZeb...OF1w9GGHUO3fYI Some Details about this tunnel - - The Sonamarg Tunnel, previously known as Z-Morh Tunnel, is a 6.5 km long 2-lane road tunnel between Gagangair and Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is named after the Z-shaped stretch of road that the tunnel has replaced (Z-Morh translates to "Z-turn" in English). The road used before was avalanche-prone and used to get blocked during the winter months due to heavy snowfall, but the Z-Morh tunnel provides all-weather connectivity to the Sonamarg tourist town.[2] It takes only 15 minutes to travel the 6.5 km long tunnel compared to hours over the previous zig-zag road. - Together with the adjacent Zoji-La Tunnel, this geostrategically important tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh national highway provides year-round all-weather connectivity to Baltal (Amarnath cave), Kargil and other places in Ladakh, enhances Indian military logistics and boosts tourism and local economy. It is one of 31 road tunnels, 20 in J&K and 11 in Ladakh, constructed at a combined cost of INR1400 billion (~US$17.5 billion). The tunnel lies near Gagangir in the Ganderbal District of the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and has great strategic importance for India as it will provide quicker and year-long access to Zoji-la. The older road without this tunnel is vulnerable to dangerous snowfall and avalanches, which necessitates its closure for several months in a year. The Z-Morh Tunnel, along with the Zoji-La Tunnel, located 325km west towards Leh, will ensure uninterrupted connection between Srinagar and Kargil. The completion of the Z-Morh tunnel will also significantly reduce the travel time between Srinagar and Leh as commuters will no longer need to stay overnight in Kargil to compete the trip. - The tunnel will increase social and economic development throughout the region and boost tourism in Sonamarg, which boasts attractions including the Thajiwas Glacier and activities such as whitewater rafting on the Sind River. - The Z-Morh tunnel is a two-lane bi-directional road tunnel between Gagangir and Sonmarg starting at 69.5 km stone and ending at 81.3 km stone on NH 1. - The tunnel itself is 6.5 km long and the length of the approach roads between the tunnel portals and NH 1 is 6.05 km for both ends. - The tunnel is 10 m wide with a 7.5 m wide parallel escape tunnel to be used both in an emergency and as the railway tunnel. - The tunnel is designed for the flow of 1,000 vehicles an hour at an approved maximum speed of 80 km per hour. - The tunnel is located at an elevation of 2,637 meters (8,652 ft) above sea level. The total capital cost of the project was approved at 27 billion in July 2012. This includes 36.48 crore for the cost of land, resettlement, rehabilitation, and other pre-construction activities. - The tunnel will help keep the highway open the entire year. Source- Wikipedia PM Modiji inaugurated this beautiful 6.5 km's long tunnel on 13 January 2025 by luck, I was in Kashmir on a winter vacation trip from 11th January to 17 January.For security reasons of PM Modi ji, Sonamarg was closed from the 11th till the 13th of January ( got to know this just after landing in Srinagar) my stars were aligned so well that by luck I placed Sonamarg after Pahalgam and Gulmarg in my itineraryand priorly booked hotels for stay in Sonmarg on the 14th and 15th of January 2025.I was among the first people who drove through this beautiful tunnel just after its inauguration.I rented a self-drive Macho Scorpio Classic just after landing at Srinagar Airport. The fun of self-driving a big black SUV on Kashmir roads and through this beautiful tunnel was something else!The quantity and quality of lights used inside the tunnel is very good. Speed limit is set at 50 kmph.As a civil engineer, I can vouch about the quality of Tunnel, was is no leakage of moisture or water in the entire tunnel.Here are some videos -Daytime approach ( Direction Sonamarg to Srinagar)Night approach ( Direction Srinagar to Sonamarg)In this direction, this tunnel has an approach of 3-4 km's.- The Sonamarg Tunnel, previously known as Z-Morh Tunnel, is a 6.5 km long 2-lane road tunnel between Gagangair and Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is named after the Z-shaped stretch of road that the tunnel has replaced (Z-Morh translates to "Z-turn" in English). The road used before was avalanche-prone and used to get blocked during the winter months due to heavy snowfall, but the Z-Morh tunnel provides all-weather connectivity to the Sonamarg tourist town.[2] It takes only 15 minutes to travel the 6.5 km long tunnel compared to hours over the previous zig-zag road.- Together with the adjacent Zoji-La Tunnel, this geostrategically important tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh national highway provides year-round all-weather connectivity to Baltal (Amarnath cave), Kargil and other places in Ladakh, enhances Indian military logistics and boosts tourism and local economy. It is one of 31 road tunnels, 20 in J&K and 11 in Ladakh, constructed at a combined cost of INR1400 billion (~US$17.5 billion).The tunnel lies near Gagangir in the Ganderbal District of the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and has great strategic importance for India as it will provide quicker and year-long access to Zoji-la. The older road without this tunnel is vulnerable to dangerous snowfall and avalanches, which necessitates its closure for several months in a year. The Z-Morh Tunnel, along with the Zoji-La Tunnel, located 325km west towards Leh, will ensure uninterrupted connection between Srinagar and Kargil. The completion of the Z-Morh tunnel will also significantly reduce the travel time between Srinagar and Leh as commuters will no longer need to stay overnight in Kargil to compete the trip.- The tunnel will increase social and economic development throughout the region and boost tourism in Sonamarg, which boasts attractions including the Thajiwas Glacier and activities such as whitewater rafting on the Sind River.- The Z-Morh tunnel is a two-lane bi-directional road tunnel between Gagangir and Sonmarg starting at 69.5 km stone and ending at 81.3 km stone on NH 1.- The tunnel itself is 6.5 km long and the length of the approach roads between the tunnel portals and NH 1 is 6.05 km for both ends.- The tunnel is 10 m wide with a 7.5 m wide parallel escape tunnel to be used both in an emergency and as the railway tunnel.- The tunnel is designed for the flow of 1,000 vehicles an hour at an approved maximum speed of 80 km per hour.- The tunnel is located at an elevation of 2,637 meters (8,652 ft) above sea level.The total capital cost of the project was approved at 27 billion in July 2012. This includes 36.48 crore for the cost of land, resettlement, rehabilitation, and other pre-construction activities.- The tunnel will help keep the highway open the entire year.Source- Wikipedia https://search.app/cdc3MXVtFaeLxZoG8 Last edited by Aditya : 21st January 2025 at 22:05 . shankar.balan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,654 Thanked: 26,143 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (4) Re: Drive 'EV'erywhere | Electric-friendly routes from Bangalore I too used to be skeptical about EVs as I can sense many people here are, from the tone and manner of the posts on the thread. I used to say (in a jocular vein) that EVs are the work of the Devil. I used to constantly banter in a sarcastic manner with good friends like @cooldube and all, about EVs. And so on. But then, as I have described a year ago in various EV test drive threads, I was very impressed and happy with all the electric vehicles that I test drove last year. These experiences caused me, after three months of consideration and testing and thinking, to put my cash down and buy a Hyundai Kona EV which I love for various reasons, all described on multiple threads, especially the 1000kms thread owned by my other friend @GKR9900. It is perfectly easy to drive an EV for a medium-long distance. And I have done it a few times in the last one year of EV ownership - Bangalore-Mysore, Bangalore-Ooty via Mysore, Bandipur and the Sigur Ghat and back via Gudalur and Mysore, Bangalore- Mysore-Wayanaad and back, etc. It works well for me on the specific routes that I regularly use. One has to change ones thinking and recalibrate ones driving behaviour to factor in a charging stop ir two, depending on the distance planned to be covered, combined with rest breaks. And that is not a bad thing. An EV, because of its silent yet explosive power delivery can be very very enjoyable. More importantly, the silence allows one to enjoy music and conversation more than say in a growly petrol car. In my case, my growly petrol car automatically causes me to focus on the growl and (in my head at least) makes me make brrm brrm noises and pretend to be an reincarnation of Paddy Hopkirk. My tiny off roader causes me (in my head) to think I am Indiana Jones. But the smoothness and comfort of my EV changes everything. One is seized with a certain, rather wonderful sense of calm and a warm glow of contentment. My head becomes bathed in a halo of peace. And I lose myself in my Spotify lists. It is perfectly ok to drive more sedately. No longer is it necessary to keep on at the frenetic pace of life, on the road too, in order to rush madly from point to point. It is ok to stop and charge now and then and sip some coffee or eat some food and generally look around. It induces an earlier start which allows one to experience less traffic on the highways. And, considering Southern India, there is plenty of charging infrastructure available. As another positive side effect, one also learns the virtue of patience, which in turn keeps the blood pressure under control. I am now firmly one of those oddballs who loves both Petrol / ICE vehicles as well as EVs. There is nothing wrong with that, so no apologies. Life does not have to be a 0-1 game in these matters. And for all those experiencing range anxiety, I too used to. But it is easy to get rid of that fear with just a little planning and by being sensible. And now, one year later after I bought my EV, the sheer choices that are available to the consumer, which promise absolute miles of range, can only make things better. Forget all the virtue signalling and green talk and touting those environmentalist cues. Just enjoy the feel, the cost savings and the silence. EVs are simply here to stay, because they are of their own merit, extremely viable alternate fuelled vehicles. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by shankar.balan : 22nd January 2025 at 07:03 . In context: Nvidia's GeForce Now cloud gaming service is facing an unprecedented surge in demand, leading to a shortage of available subscription tiers. This development has left many potential customers unable to access the service and has sparked discussions about the exact cause of the platform's capacity issues. Currently, five out of eight subscription tiers for GeForce Now are unavailable, including all Day Passes, Free, and Performance tiers of the 1-month plan, as well as the Free tier of the 6-month plan. This shortage appears to be a global issue, affecting users across multiple regions. The unavailability primarily impacts new users, particularly those seeking free-tier access. Nvidia told the German publication ComputerBase that it is restricting supply to ensure existing users continue to enjoy a seamless experience, prioritizing premium subscribers over new free-tier customers. GeForce Now typically offers three main subscription levels: Free (Basic Rig with Ads, FHD resolution), Premium (GeForce RTX, 1440p resolution), and Ultimate (GeForce RTX 4080, 4K HDR, 240 FPS, DLSS 3). These plans are available in various durations, including Day Passes (24-hour access), one-month, and six-month memberships. In late 2024, Nvidia announced a change to its GeForce Now cloud gaming service, implementing a monthly playtime cap of 100 hours for both Performance and Ultimate subscription tiers. This limit translates to approximately 3.3 hours of daily gameplay. Users who exceed this threshold will have the option to purchase additional gaming time. For Ultimate tier subscribers, 15 extra hours will cost $5.99, while Performance tier members can acquire the same amount of additional playtime for $2.99. While Nvidia attributes the current unavailability to high subscriber demand, the exact cause remains unclear. Some speculate that the servers may be at full capacity, unable to accommodate the influx of new users. However, the uniform nature of the outage across different regions has led to alternative theories. One possibility is that Nvidia might be upgrading its underlying hardware while maintaining existing services in parallel. Another theory involves a potential restructuring of the service offerings, possibly including the implementation of a new GeForce RTX 50 subscription with DLSS 4. Some users on social media platforms have linked the surge in demand to the release of Marvel Rivals in December, though this remains unconfirmed. Nvidia did not provide specific details about the current bottlenecks in server resources. This is not the first time GeForce Now has faced such challenges. Similar issues arose in 2020, suggesting that this may be a temporary setback. Industry observers expect Nvidia to resolve the problem in due course, possibly by upgrading existing infrastructure to accommodate more users. What just happened? Newly inaugurated President Donald Trump has carried out his promise to issue an executive order essentially delaying the ban on TikTok. For the next 75 days, the Justice Department will not enforce the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, giving owner ByteDance extra time to reach a deal that will allow its US operations to continue. It's been an eventful few days for TikTok. After failing to divest its US operations as required by the act, the app blocked access for US users on Saturday, hours before it was banned. TikTok fans didn't have to endure the blackout for long, though. The app's services began returning on Sunday, for which the company thanked Trump. "As a result of President Trump's efforts, TikTok is back in the US," it wrote in a message. Those efforts refer to Trump's promise to delay the TikTok ban for up to 90 days. On his first day in office yesterday, the president issued an executive order telling the DoJ not to enforce the Act or to punish those who violate it for 75 days "to allow my Administration an opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward in an orderly way." The order essentially stops American companies like Google and Apple from being fined if they work with TikTok. The Attorney General is directed to "issue a letter to each provider stating that there has been no violation of the statute and that there is no liability for any conduct that occurred." TikTok is still not available for download from the US Google Play and Apple App Stores at the time of writing the app was removed from the stores over the weekend. The companies could face fines reaching up to $850 billion for violating the law, which was recently upheld by the Supreme Court, and likely don't want to risk facing these penalties if state and federal agencies, along with private entities, go to court over the ban not being enforced. Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton, a Republican senator from Arkansas, wrote that any company that helps TikTok stay online, such as Google or Apple, would be breaking the law and face enormous fines. Any company that hosts, distributes, services, or otherwise facilitates communist-controlled TikTok could face hundreds of billions of dollars of ruinous liability under the law, not just from DOJ, but also under securities law, shareholder lawsuits, and state AGs. Think about https://t.co/XamZ1qAk2K Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 19, 2025 It's also been noted that Trump's order says it's "not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States." Trump said he intends to review sensitive intelligence related to TikTok's national security concerns and evaluate the efficiency of the mitigation measures the app has taken to date. He previously mentioned a plan in which the US government owns 50% of the company, but it's still unclear how such an arrangement would work. Soon after TikTok went offline in the US, a Wisconsin teen burned down an office building leased by US Representative Glenn Grothman, one of the Republicans who voted in favor of the law forcing TikTok to sell its US operations or be banned in the United States. Geneva, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed regret over U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of withdrawing the country from the organization. It hopes the U.S. government will reconsider this decision. In a statement released on Tuesday, the WHO also said it looks forward to maintaining its partnership through constructive dialogue. It reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the root causes of diseases, strengthening health systems, and detecting, preventing, and responding to health emergencies, such as disease outbreaks. The organization emphasized its crucial role in safeguarding global health and safety, including the well-being of the American people. The statement highlighted that the United States has been a founding member of the WHO since 1948 and has played a vital role in shaping and governing the organization with other 193 member states, actively participating in the World Health Assembly and the WHO Executive Board. The WHO acknowledged the contributions of American institutions to its mission and the mutual benefits derived from the U.S. membership. The statement also underscored the historic reforms undertaken by the WHO over the past seven years developed collaboratively with the United States and other member states. These reforms aim to enhance the organization's accountability, cost-effectiveness, and global impact, with ongoing efforts to strengthen these achievements. In context: If you've stepped foot in your local Walgreens at any point over the past several years, there's a good chance you witnessed a technological innovation that's now at the center of a messy legal dispute. The pharmacy chain started testing digitized refrigerator screens from a startup named Cooler Screens at select stores in early 2019. The idea is simple enough: replace the clear glass doors in the freezer section with digital displays, sensors, and cameras that can be used by marketers to serve targeted ads to shoppers based on factors like age or gender. The pilot was successful enough that the two sides entered into a multi-year contract, but the story doesn't end there. Cooler Screens ended up suing Walgreens for $200 million in June 2023, prompting the pharmacy chain to countersue for monetary damages. According to Bloomberg, Cooler Screens had already installed 10,000 smart doors at Walgreens locations across the country and had plans for 35,000 more when the pharmacy chain tried to back out over claims of faulty hardware and software. The publication notes that the screens often flickered, crashed, or showed the wrong products. Some units even reportedly caught on fire. At one point, Cooler Screens went so far as to cut the data feed to screens at 100 stores in the Chicago area. As a result, shoppers at those locations saw blank screens. Walgreens argued that it may have impacted their sales for that quarter. A spokesperson for Walgreens told Fortune they were disappointed in the company's attempt to interfere with their customers' experience in certain stores. Cooler Screens CEO Arsen Avakian, however, claimed they cut the feed to get Walgreens to respond to overdue invoices for the tech. "I got to tell them once, twice, three times, five times, 'Guys, you got to pay the f ing bill!'" Avakian told Bloomberg. For now, the legal dispute remains ongoing. Cooler Screens, meanwhile, has undergone several rounds of layoffs, and even rebranded as CoolerX. The company is now focusing on software than can be installed and run on existing platforms rather than also having to supply its own display hardware. The Chinese and American governments may not be on good terms regarding the many restrictions, but about the TikTok sale, the East Asian superpower is open to having ByteDance sell its precious global app. Initially, it was thought that ByteDance's sale of TikTok to the United States would have to pass through the eye of a needle because of its Chinese roots, but apparently, the government is not against it. That being said, President Donald J. Trump already expressed his support for the previously banned and recently reinstated app, but TikTok's return still has the clock ticking for an American acquisition that only requires 50-50 ownership. China Green Lights US TikTok Sale For ByteDance China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning shared a new statement via a press conference where she expressed the Chinese government's stance on ByteDance's sale of TikTok to a US-based company. According to Mao, China believes that it is the companies' discretion if they are to sell or merge their properties to other entities or countries, based solely on their "independent decision." The recent statement made by China's Foreign Ministry is timely as TikTok's sales are on the line, particularly as ByteDance is now scrambling to cut a deal with an American company to continue TikTok's operations in the country. That being said, Mao regarded that Chinese laws and regulations "should be observed" when engaging on these types of deals, but all-in-all, it is still a green light for ByteDance to sell TikTok in the US should they adhere to the law. President Trump Only Requires 50-50 Ownership President Trump is now the savior of TikTok, and his previous statement (via Engadget) regarding the Chinese social media app's shutdown where he expressed support for the platform has given them the blessing to restore their services. However, it is only borrowed time as Trump still wants ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American buyer, but is only requiring a 50% US ownership of the platform, with the other half remaining to its original owners. TikTok's Mighty Return: Sale Still Asked by Trump The biggest news of the week is how TikTok gave 170 million Americans a mini heart attack when it shut down its operations in the country as part of the Foreign Adversary Act, leading to one of the biggest bans against social media platforms of all time. That being said, TikTok may seem to have all the odds against it but President Donald Trump promised that he supports the platform and allowed them to reinstate their services. As much as 14 hours have passed since Saturday's shutdown from TikTok which left many users without a platform to enjoy, but the company immediately reinstated their operations in the country with an assurance from the new president. Service providers like Apple and Google were also given a pass to avoid facing fines for allowing TikTok to bring back its operations in the country. Despite all of these, President Trump only said that he would give TikTok an extension of 90 days to find an American buyer for it to continue its operations in the country, but for him, it is no longer required for the full sale of the company. President Trump is only requiring a 50-50 joint ownership of TikTok where ByteDance would still be in the future, and no matter what the outcome is, China is open to a US deal for it. Donald J. Trump was recently inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States of America last Monday, January 20, but what came after shocked the entire world as Elon Musk's short speech also saw him making the "Nazi salute." What sparked even more outrage from the public is that Musk did not only do it once, but twice, which made it so that he intended to deliver this kind of message. Now, the internet is both blasting and defending Musk because of his recent portrayal of what is known and considered a hate crime gesture, with many being concerned that the upcoming Trump administration is set to focus on fascism. Elon Musk Sparks Controversy with 'Nazi Salute' on Trump Rally After President Trump was sworn in as the current leader of the country, one of his closest colleagues was brought on stage to deliver a speech for the new administration which turned out to be one of the biggest controversies surrounding his run. It is because Elon Musk was seen making a Nazi-like salute during his speech, and the executive did it twice, with the other one expressed to the people behind him. It has since been the talk of the town following Trump's inauguration, particularly as many found this action to beoffensive, and many are blasting the executive yet again in a new controversy surrounding his beliefs. Moreover, it also dragged the name of the latest President as both are known to be close allies. That being said, some supporters defended Musk, saying that the gesture of putting one's right arm to their chest and then extending one's arm forcefully with all fingers pointing upwards is the 'Roman salute.' However, Phillip Bump of the Washington Post claimed that this so-called "Roman salute" has already changed meaning after 1945, claiming that its association is clearly with the Nazis. Public Concerned on Trump's Fascism Is Coming Soon With this, there are now massive concerns that Musk's display of the alleged Nazi salute has massive precursors to President Trump's leadership, particularly as both are known to be close. Many are already claiming that fascism is on its way from Musk and Trump, with the public fearing that this may be the start of a different regime. Elon Musk and His 'Pro-Nazi' Controversy The recent Trump rally was not the first time that Elon Musk was the center of controversy on pro-Nazi campaigns, particularly as back in 2023, the renowned tech executive saw many advertisers departing the platform because of his actions. It even went as far as having the White House, under Joe Biden's administration, release a statement that denounced Musk's actions and his antisemitic posts. Many companies were previous advertisers on X that left the platform or temporarily withdrew their ads because of the antisemitism portrayed by its owner, causing the social media to lose a lot in the process. Companies like IBM, Apple, Oracle, Comcast Xfinity, Disney, Hyundai, and more have pulled out of X as they disapprove of the so-called Neo-Nazi ideology support from Musk. With this, Musk looked to renew his stance on the issue by previously visiting the Auschwitz Death Camp in Oswiecim, Poland after he was met with backlash on his previous posts on X. Now, Musk is back at it again with the pro-Nazi gestures by performing the salute twice not only in front of a crowd, but to millions watching worldwide, sparking fears on the incoming Trump administration. By Laman Ismayilova The UNESCO Community Association (UCA) has presented the exhibition La Magie des fetes dhiver (The Magic of Winter Holidays). The project was organized by the Togrul Narimanbayov Association in honor of the beginning of 2025. The main goal of the event is to promote rich Azerbaijani art in France and strengthen cultural ties between the two countries. The exhibition displayed art pieces by students of the art studios of Margarita Karimova-Sokolova (Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Germany), Leyla Aliyeva (Azerbaijan), Asmer Narimanbayova (France) in various genres and techniques, as well as photographs by Azerbaijani and Turkish authors. Togrul Narimanbayov (1930-2013) was an outstanding representative of the Azerbaijani art of painting, laureate of State Prizes of the USSR and the Republic of Azerbaijan, People's Artist of the USSR and Azerbaijan. His first painting "Dawn over the Caspian" (1957) was on display at the exhibition in Moscow. The painting fascinated art lovers with an unconventional approach to the topic of work, a romantic uplift, distinctive individual pictorial language, sincerity and intimacy of the captured images. The master of brush gained worldwide fame for his works in all genres of fine arts. His bright works created in various fields such as landscapes, portraits, monumental paintings, illustrations and theater painting are characterized by genre diversity, aesthetic perfection and a unique style. Togrul Narimanbayov loved to paint very large canvases and murals, some of which can be seen at the Baku Puppet Theater. He also designed sets for ballets by Azerbaijani composers and did a magnificent set of illustrations for a 1988 edition of the Turkic epic "The Book of Dada Gorgud". In his art, Togrul Narimanbayov brilliantly synthesized East and West. He always admired French Romanticism, while his favorite artists were Eugene Delacroix and Gustave Courbet. One can describe his drawings as a fairy tale, inviting one to a far away wonderland. Despite the pressures on Soviet artists to conform to Socialist Realism, he remained true to his own expressive, emotional style. The leitmotif of Togrul Narimanbayov's art was his great love for his native country. With special tenderness and trembling he drew the Old City, the Maiden Tower, minarets of ancient mosques. The rich traditions of Azerbaijani art, samples of antique miniatures and carpet weaving played a great role in the development of Togrul Narimanbayov, as a great master. Togrul Narimanbayov also influenced the formation of artistic and aesthetic vision of many artists. One of the biggest achievements of the artist is his contribution to the creation of Azerbaijani classical painting, helping the country to define its cultural identity and originality. The prominent artist died in 2013 at the age of 83 in Paris, leaving behind an astounding long legacy in contemporary art. The artist's daughter, Asmar Narimanbayova, also devoted herself to the art. Her art works have been showcased in many prestigious galleries and museums not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the USA, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Finland, and China. Narimanbayova's art never ceases to amaze with a riot of colors. Founded by Asmar Narimanbayova, Togrul Narimanbayova Association aims to strengthen cultural ties between Azerbaijan and France. Togrul Narimanbayov's Association is actively involved in the promotion of young talents from around the world. The association successfully cooperates with leading world organizations. VIENTIANE, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- As the 2025 Chinese New Year approaches on Jan. 29, excitement is palpable in Laos. The celebration has gained unprecedented attention, with more Lao people than ever eager to immerse themselves in Chinese customs and partake in the festivities. The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, falls on next Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. With a splash of red and gold, traditional Chinese dress Qipao, or cheongsam, take center stage. The dress has become a sought-after fashion statement among many young Lao women, adding a new layer of excitement to the celebrations. "I've always seen decorations for the Chinese New Year, it's so festive! I wanted to participate and learn more about it," Chintana, a 49-year-old mother of two, told Xinhua on Tuesday. "This year, I bought a Qipao for my daughter because I want her to experience something different while staying connected to the festive spirit. I love how the Qipao looks. It's a beautiful mix of tradition and elegance," said Chintana. A 31-year-old shop assistant selling clothes said, "The Qipao sells increasingly well each year, and I think it's because more events are being held to celebrate Chinese New Year. Many places are hosting festivities, including dragon dances, to usher in good fortune. As a result, many people buy the dress to match the events." She said that the Qipao is not only elegant but also features vibrant colors that are perfect for the celebration. The Chinese New Year celebration is also a symbol of the growing cultural ties between Lao and Chinese people. For many Lao individuals, it is an opportunity to learn more about Chinese traditions, fostering greater understanding and appreciation of China. Khampaserd, a 24-year-old student, said, "I have many friends who are Lao people of Chinese descent, and they celebrate the Spring Festival every year. They always invite us to join in the celebrations, and it's an exciting time for us. The dragon dance is so thrilling to watch -- I never get bored with it. And the food is incredible!" The celebration is not only festive but also warm, as family members come together to celebrate, share memories of a year well-spent, and wish for a good and prosperous year ahead, he added. The 2025 Year of the Snake "Happy Spring Festival" kicked off here on Jan. 17, featuring vibrant Chinese cultural performances, including dragon dances by Lao students. "I'm very excited and honored to perform the lion dance today. I hope to send my sincerest blessings to everyone," said one of the Lao students who participated in the performance. The event, decorated with zodiac lanterns and traditional Chinese New Year items, drew large crowds eager to experience Chinese culture, explore Chinese crafts and savor Chinese cuisine. The global forces sending coffee prices skyward Paris, Jan 21 (AFP) Jan 21, 2025 Climate change, political headwinds and diverging market dynamics around the world have pushed coffee prices to fresh records, jacking up the cost of your everyday brew or a barista's signature macchiato. While the current hot streak may calm down in the coming months, experts and industry insiders expect volatility will remain the watchword, giving little visibility for producers -- two-thirds of whom farm parcels of less than one hectare (2.5 acres). Meteoric rise The price of arabica beans listed in New York surged by 90 percent last year, smashing on December 10 a record dating from 1977 -- $3.48 per pound. Robusta prices have seen similar growth, though prices are lower for the less premium coffee variety. Fears of poor harvests after droughts in key producers Brazil and Vietnam, respectively the biggest and second-biggest sources of the beans, fuelled the price hike. Demand has outstripped supply for several years now, prompting a flurry of speculative buying that further drove up market prices. "And then you have the disruption of the Red Sea, which means that from Southeast Asia especially towards Europe it takes much longer, because you need to circumnavigate Africa, and often you have very long delays in the ports," said Carlos Mera, a coffee analyst at Rabobank. Traders were also anticipating the implementation of an EU law that would have banned imports of products driving deforestation -- though lawmakers recently delayed its coming into force until December 30, 2025. Donald Trump's threat of punishing trade tariffs on a range of goods adds another level of uncertainty -- a top advisor to his predecessor Joe Biden warned in December that food items like coffee would likely be affected. Nonetheless, given the recent run, "I'm thinking prices are likely or more likely to go lower than higher," Mera said. "But it's a market with very low stock, so we have to expect volatility in either way." Climate threats Arabica beans, grown at higher altitudes, are at greater risk from climate change since only a few countries, notably Brazil, could move farms further uphill as the world gets hotter. Robusta can thrive in a wider range of growing conditions but is less prized by consumers. In the 2024-2025 growing season around 175 million bags -- 60 kilogrammes (132 pounds) each -- are expected to be produced, according to the US Department of Agriculture: 56 percent arabica and 44 percent robusta. Guillaume David at France's CIRAD agricultural research and international cooperation agency, said both varieties are exposed to new risks in their intertropical growing zones such as late-season frosts, rains at the wrong time and beetle infestations. "This year we saw these risks in Brazil and Vietnam, whereas before it would be in one or the other," David said. Brazil grows 40 percent of the world's coffee, followed by Vietnam (17 percent), Colombia (7 percent), Indonesia (6 percent) and Ethiopia (5 percent). After come Uganda, India, Honduras, Peru and Mexico. Climate change could make other regions a possibility. In Africa, Togo or Ivory Coast could again start growing coffee after it was largely replaced by cocoa, or Kenya could replace part of their avocado plantations, David said. Wherever its grown, experts say growing practices for what is at heart a forest plant need to adapt, with sufficient canopy cover to protect from both sun and storms, and multi-crop farming to protect against pests and diversify revenues. New customers Demand has expanded beyond the traditional markets of Europe and the Americas to make inroads with tea-drinking Chinese. About 4.3 million bags were imported in the 2023-2024 season, Mera said, up from 1.5 million just four year earlier. "I would expect China to continue to grow in the future," he said. "Coffee in the end is addictive, right? "There is also much more visibility because there are so many more stores and not only in the big cities, but those in like second-tier cities," he said. Demand in Europe meanwhile slipped last year, with Germany for example seeing a one percent decrease. "I think in Europe, the drop in demand was mainly related to the cost of living crisis," Mera said. The industry is also keeping an eye on the growing use of weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, as some doctors caution against drinking caffeine while on the treatment. Small producers, big processors Despite the recent price surge, millions of growers cultivating coffee on small farms still live in poverty in developing countries. They have little leeway to set prices in a global commodity market dominated by a handful of multinational processors and distributors. Even fair trade programmes to guarantee a living wage affect just five percent of the market -- 80 percent of the world's coffee is bought by heavyweight brokerage firms. Experts say wild price shifts in recent years make ensuring better prices for growers, many of whom are in developing countries, even more urgent. A sharp drop in prices could lead growers to abandon their plants, jeopardising their future revenues, said Nicolas Eberhart of the French food cooperative Ethiquable. In October, the Group of 7 nations endorsed a Global Coffee Sustainability and Resilience Fund, aimed at spurring private investments to improve productivity and get more money into growers' pockets. Trump's climate retreat shines light on green leaders Paris, Jan 21 (AFP) Jan 21, 2025 The United States withdrawing from the Paris Agreement is a blow to global cooperation on climate change, but other countries are marching ahead and stepping up leadership on the issue. China is dominating the clean energy race, Brazil will be steering global climate negotiations, Denmark has approved a world-first tax on livestock emissions and Colombia is saying farewell to fossil fuels. There are fears the US retreat, announced by President Donald Trump on Monday, will hinder global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But some observers also see a chance for more ambitious countries to forge new alliances, set the agenda and champion a climate deal endorsed by nearly all nations. "It's a bigger pact than just the United States," said Frances Colon, a senior fellow from the Center for American Progress, a Washington-based policy institute. - Emerging players - One of these emerging leaders is Brazil, which this year is hosting one of the most important UN climate summits since the Paris accord was adopted in 2015. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has positioned himself as a global flag-bearer for the environment, and since taking office deforestation in the Amazon has fallen impressively. But he also wants to expand Brazil's oil exploration, complicating its image as COP30 host. Along with South Africa, which is hosting the G20 this year, Brazil is expected to shape a global reform agenda that demands climate and development goals go hand in glove. "This could be a year for Global South leadership," said Tim Sahay, co-director of the Net Zero Industrial Policy Lab at Johns Hopkins University. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December boasted of his country's "leadership" rolling out solar and wind energy. "India is setting global standards in climate action," he said on X. - Renewable power - China's economic contribution to reducing global emissions -- the chief purpose of the Paris Agreement -- is already unrivalled. The country produces more than half the world's electric vehicles, about 70 percent of its wind turbines, and 80 percent of solar panels, helping drastically cut the cost of low-carbon technologies. On Tuesday, China announced it had installed a record amount of renewable energy in 2024 and vowed to "work with all parties to actively address the challenges of climate change". As political headwinds frustrate global climate action, "China's performance in advancing and deploying green technologies might become the saving grace", said Li Shuo, director of the China climate hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute. China already flexes considerable diplomatic muscle in global climate negotiations, informally leading a major developing country bloc. At the same time, China is responsible for the overwhelming majority of the growth in planet-warming emissions since the Paris Agreement was inked. It will soon overtake the European Union as the second-largest historic polluter, behind the United States, and could feel less pressure under Trump to take more ambitious action. - Old guard - The EU has a long history of climate leadership and slashed its emissions 7.5 percent between 2022 and 2023 -- streets ahead of any other nation or bloc. The 27-nation bloc is also the largest contributor of climate finance to poorer countries, outspending all other wealthy nations. "The Paris agreement continues to be the best hope of all humanity. So Europe will stay the course, and keep working with all nations that want to protect nature and stop global warming," EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday. During the last Trump presidency, the EU and China launched a climate dialogue with Canada to ensure unwavering high-level support for the Paris Agreement while the United States was outside the process. Strong leadership will again be needed to rally momentum, said Alex Scott, a senior associate at Italian climate think tank ECCO. "The EU and China could collaboratively provide that geopolitical pole," she told AFP. But the EU is preoccupied with its own domestic problems, including political swings to anti-climate parties, while Beijing is locked in a trade spat with Brussels over its tax on carbon-intensive imports. - Green agenda - A slew of other countries, from economic giants to tiny Caribbean islands, are eager to broadcast their climate bona fides. The UK -- where Energy Secretary Ed Miliband promised in November to "make Britain a climate leader again" -- produced its cleanest electricity on record in 2024. Denmark has approved a tax on agricultural emissions, Barbados and Kenya are pushing for global financial reforms to drive investment in developing countries, and Colombia has vowed to stop extracting fossil fuels -- its largest export earner. Scott said "countries who've made a bet on investing in the economy of the future with green tech and green jobs will continue to make that bet because it's in their best interests". np/klm/gv Oil spill unchecked in Nigeria's delta region: activists Lagos, Jan 21 (AFP) Jan 21, 2025 Oil has spilled for weeks in Nigeria's delta region from a well apparently damaged by thieves and which has also sparked a fire that has yet to be contained, environmental activists said Tuesday. The Environmental Defenders Network said the spill at Buguma wellhead 008 began early in January and both were still underway as of Monday evening. "An oil spill is not supposed to last for that long," let alone "a fire outbreak that could destroy human, aquatic and wildlife in a very short period," said Chima Williams of the Environmental Defenders Network. "It is unfortunate that for the people of the localities involved, the year 2025 has started on a bad note with the disruption of the environment that sustains their livelihood," he added. Williams said authorities have yet to provide assistance to the community affected by the spill and fire, and expressed concern that if the government does not act quickly the damage could be more devastating. The well is operated by a subsidiary of the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), which blamed the accident on oil thieves. It did not provide any information about the size of area damaged by the oil leak and fire, nor when they would be contained. "Since March 2023, crude oil theft on this asset has been persistent, with criminals now resorting to extreme measures, including the use of dynamite to destroy installations and illegally access hydrocarbons," NNPCL spokesman Olufemi Soneye said in a statement on Monday. Nigeria has recently seen an uptick in its oil output after years of decline due to widespread theft from pipelines. Accidents are also frequent in the country, with more than 600 oil spills reported last year, according to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). It said the equivalent of around 96 oil tanker trucks of oil were spilled. The agency only reports figures on the size of oil spills after they are contained. Save the world's glaciers to save the planet: UN Geneva, Jan 21 (AFP) Jan 21, 2025 Saving the world's shrinking glaciers is a "survival strategy" for the planet, the UN said on Tuesday, a day after President Donald Trump announced the US would withdraw from the Paris climate accord. United Nations agencies launched an appeal to scale up efforts to rescue the world's 275,000 glaciers, which are rapidly melting away as the planet warms. The UN's educational, scientific and cultural agency UNESCO, and its World Meteorological Organization (WMO) weather, climate and water agency, pointed to the essential role these giant ice masses play, providing fresh water to more than two billion people globally. "The preservation of glaciers is essential for our ecosystems, our economies and our planetary health," the WMO's deputy chief Ko Barrett said as the agencies launched the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation. "Urgent and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are vital," she told the gathering in Geneva. "But unfortunately we are heading in the wrong direction as levels of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases continue to rise." The world's glaciers currently cover approximately 700,000 square kilometres (270,000 square miles). Glaciers and ice sheets play a crucial role in regulating the global climate and store approximately 70 percent of the world's fresh water, which is essential for billions of people, the agencies said. - 'Survival strategy' - "Preserving our glaciers is therefore not just an environmental issue," Barrett said. "It is a survival strategy for both people and the planet." But from the Alps to the Himalayas, these resources are melting away at an increasing pace under the effect of man-made climate change, sparked essentially by greenhouse gas emissions. Tuesday's launch came after Trump announced he was withdrawing the United States -- the world's second-largest emitter after China -- from the Paris Agreement. Critics warn that the move undermines global cooperation on reducing fossil fuel use and could embolden major polluters like China and India to weaken their commitments. Global average temperatures already hit record highs in 2024, while over the past two years they temporarily surpassed a critical 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold for the first time. In 2023, glaciers suffered their largest volume loss in five decades, according to WMO. "Counterfactual industries and regimes around the world would deny" climate change, John Pomeroy, a professor at Canada's Saskatchewan University, told Tuesday's event. But they "cannot deny their culpability in the destruction of glaciers that is occurring before our eyes", he said. - 'Really dramatic' - "Glaciers don't care if we believe in science. They just melt in the heat." Pomeroy warned that "restoring glaciers will take decades". To do so would require "urgent policy changes" and "expanding measurements" to swiftly detect changes and provide early warnings of droughts and floods. Stefan Uhlenbrook, head of the WMO's hydrology, water and cryosphere unit, described the situation as "really dramatic". Fifty UNESCO World Heritage sites are home to glaciers. But the agency has warned that the ice masses were expected to disappear from a third of these sites by 2050, regardless of efforts to limit temperature rise. UNESCO estimates that the remainder can still be saved, but only if long-term average global temperatures do not rise by more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. apo/nl/rjm/bc GAZA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- All sectors in the Gaza Strip require full support following the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel that took effect on Sunday, a UN official said on Tuesday. "The role of the private sector in Gaza must be strengthened, and shelters in the Strip must be supported," Muhannad Hadi, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, told a press conference in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Hadi also stressed the need to bolster the work of UN agencies in partnership with local community organizations, noting that sectors such as health, education, nutrition, and psychological support are in dire need of assistance. He called for "providing the necessary assistance to the people of Gaza in the reconstruction process to return families to their homes." The ceasefire put a pause to 15 months of fighting that caused immense human loss and destruction in the besieged enclave. The Palestinian death toll from Israeli forces since Oct. 7, 2023, has risen to around 47,000, with the tally still climbing as civil defense teams continue to recover bodies from under rubble following the Israeli withdrawal. According to the UN, as of December 2024, approximately 69 percent of the Gaza Strip, or 170,812 buildings, had been damaged or destroyed. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Government has confirmed plans to introduce digital driving licenses, accessible via a new gov.uk app launching this summer. The initiative aims to modernise access to government services and will eventually allow the public to store a range of official documents within a secure digital "wallet" housed within the app. Initially, the app will feature a veteran card, followed by a pilot programme for digital driving licenses later this year. The digital wallet will leverage existing smartphone security features, such as facial recognition, mirroring the technology used for mobile payment systems. The digital licence will be optional, with physical documents remaining valid. What is the gov.uk wallet? The digital wallet will be similar to your Apple or Google wallet and will leverage existing smartphone security features, such as face or fingerprint recognition, to keep your details safe. The veteran card will be first available to add to the wallet followed, later in the year, by a pilot programme for digital driving licences. Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said, that by the end of 2027, the Government hoped to have a range of documents available inside the wallet, including DBS checks and every other credential issued by the government. How could the wallet be used? The digital licence could be accepted as a form of ID when voting, purchasing alcohol or boarding domestic flights. Possible features include allowing users to hide their addresses in certain situations, such as in shops or bars. Mr Kyle said: Gov.UK Wallet will mean that every letter or identity document you receive from the government could be issued to you virtually. For people who choose to use Gov.UK Wallet, they will find it easier to prove theyre entitled to benefits or check their age when buying alcohol or DIY equipment, with more security and trust than ever before. Crucially, it also opens huge opportunities to make interacting with public services much easier by putting people in control of their own data. Will the app and digital licences be mandatory? Physical licences will still be issued and the new digital identities will not be mandatory. Crucially, the Government will stop short of introducing compulsory national ID cards, which were pushed for by former prime minister Tony Blair and William Hague. Nearly 50 million Britons have either a provisional or full driving licence. The photocard driving licence was introduced to the UK in 1998. It had to be used in conjunction with a paper counterpart until that requirement was abolished in 2015. When will the wallet be launched? The new app will be launched this summer with the digital driving licences pilot set to launch later in 2025. Why is the Government implementing digital driver licences? A Government spokesperson has said: This Government is committed to using technology to make peoples lives easier and transform public services. Technology now makes it possible for digital identities to be more secure than physical ones, but we remain clear that they will not be made mandatory. The French Government has introduced legislation to allow motorists to carry a valid electronic copy of their driving licence and identity card via an official mobile app. EU member states are mandated to introduce at least one form of digital ID by 2026. open image in gallery An illustration of the new digitalised driving licence in France ( AFP via Getty Images ) Keir Starmer last week unveiled plans to champion AI, describing it as a unique chance to boost growth and raise living standards. Tech entrepreneur Matt Clifford has written an AI opportunities action plan, of which ministers have accepted all recommendations. The plan is aimed at improving the UKs use of artificial intelligence technology. Sir Keir said: Harnessing AI and using it to deliver our plan for change requires ambition, purpose and focus. This is a unique chance to boost growth, raise living standards, transform public services, create the companies of the future in Britain and deliver our plan for change. Among the recommendations the Government has accepted is a commitment to set out within six months plans to improve the UKs AI infrastructure. Ministers will aim to expand the UKs sovereign, publicly owned AI capacity twentyfold by 2030, and plan to deliver a new state of the art supercomputing facility for research purposes. U.S. President Donald Trump (on the screen) attends the presidential parade at Capital One arena in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) The global impact has already been felt as Trump returned to the White House on his first day of office. In response to the drastic U.S. policy changes, the international community has expressed deep worry, regret and even readiness to take counter-measures to hit back. WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump signed on Monday, Day One of his second presidency, a record number of executive orders spanning border security, immigration, energy, government efficiency, pardons for Jan. 6 rioters, pausing the TikTok ban and rescinding 78 Biden-era executive actions. On international affairs, Trump signed orders to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement, to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America," and to pause foreign aid for 90 days pending review. The global impact has already been felt as Trump returned to the White House on his first day of office. In response to the drastic U.S. policy changes, the international community has expressed deep worry, regret and even readiness to take counter-measures to hit back. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that her country "does not have to bow its head" to the United States, and urged the public "to remain calm." "We are a great country, a cultural power, and Mexicans are a hard-working, honest people, who are fraternal, supportive, and have a lot to boast about to the entire world. So, the relationship with the United States has to be between equals," the president said during her usual morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City. Regarding Trump's threats to begin deporting undocumented migrants en masse, Sheinbaum unveiled a program called "Mexico embraces you," which aims to offer deportees help and orientation. "Mexicans are very important to the economy in the United States and the Trump administration knows that. In the event of deportations, which would be a unilateral measure on their part, in addition to defending them in the United States through the consular network and the support of lawyers and other schemes, when they arrive in Mexico there is also a comprehensive program," she said. Migrants line up at the Chaparral checkpoint in Tijuana, Mexico, Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Joebeth Terriquez/Xinhua) The program establishes protocols at border crossings and airports for receiving those being repatriated, including offering "admission to the Mexican Social Security Institute, employment, transportation, so they can get to their places of origin, and a small initial support" should they arrive with no money, she said. Some 38.4 million people of Mexican descent reside in the United States, including 11.5 million first-generation Mexican-Americans, with 4.8 million lacking documents, according to official data. As for the U.S. exit from the Paris Agreement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on her X account that "All continents will have to deal with the growing burden of climate change. Its impact is impossible to ignore." "The Paris Agreement continues to be humanity's best hope. Europe will stay the course. And we'll keep working with all nations that want to stop global warming," she said. On Monday, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the United States to remain a leader on global environmental issues after Trump announced the withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. "The Paris Agreement was adopted by all the world's nations in 2015 because they recognize the immense harm that climate change is already causing and the enormous opportunity that climate action presents," the spokesperson said in a written statement. "The last ten years have been the hottest in recorded history. We have to look no further than Los Angeles to see this human, ecological and economic disaster play out. The collective efforts under the Paris Agreement have made a difference, but we need to go much further and faster together," the statement said, urging world leaders to seize opportunities in this critical decade for climate action. Despite the U.S. withdrawal, the UN chief "remains confident that cities, states and businesses within the United States -- along with other countries -- will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership" by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs and markets, it said. "It is crucial that the United States remains a leader on environmental issues," the statement stressed. The first Trump administration officially let the United States, one of the world's top emitters of greenhouse gases, exit the Paris climate accord in November 2020, dealing a major blow to international efforts to combat the climate crisis. Joe Biden, who succeeded Trump to become the 46th U.S. president in 2021, signed an executive order on Jan. 20, 2021 -- his first day in office -- to bring the United States back into the Paris climate accord. As Trump was sworn into office on Monday, dozens of anti-Trump protests broke out across the United States. Police officers inspect a vehicle near the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) In Washington D.C., several hundred protesters braved the frigid temperatures to hold a rally at Malcolm X Park in the northwest of the city as Trump was being sworn into office and moved to Dupont Circle by Monday afternoon, crying against what they called "Trump's billionaire agenda." "A lot of people are feeling a lot of fear today and feeling kind of just like they want to give up. And so a lot of us were out here today to show people there are other organizations that are doing things that can get involved, and they're not alone in how they feel," one attendee told FOX 5. In downtown Chicago, thousands of protesters marched toward Trump Tower on Monday, carrying signs "Stop the Trump agenda", "Free Palestine Now," "Keep immigrant families together," etc. In Manhattan, New York City, thousands marched along Sixth Avenue, demanding a free Palestine, calling for the protection of immigrant families, and honoring Martin Luther King Jr. About 80 cities across the United States held anti-Trump protests during his inauguration on Monday, according to media outlet KSHB affiliated with NBC. I was a youngish reporter at federal parliament when former Treasurer Peter Costello issued his famed appeal for Australians to have more babies. You should have one for the husband, one for the wife and one for the country, he told us in a packed press conference on budget day 2004. That night Costello announced billions in new spending to support families including a maternity payment that upgraded his earlier baby bonus. Illustration by Simon Letch Credit: But Aussies never came close to heeding Costellos advice: two decades on and Australias fertility rate which measures the number of births per woman is at rock bottom. When Costello made his one for the country quip, Australias rate was around 1.8. The latest official estimate put the fertility rate at 1.5 in 2023 and analysis of ultrasound data by forecaster Oxford Economics suggests that has now fallen to just 1.4. (A fertility rate of 2.1 births per woman is needed to ensure a stable population, not including migration.) Advertisement Eating outJust open Ex-Rockpool chef brings comfort food and White Russians to Warrnambool Wood-grilled steaks and onion butter are on the menu as a chef returns to his home town (plus two more spots to try en route). Emma Breheny January 22, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Ranch dressing, White Russians and baked custard with fruit arent all that common on menus in Australia. However, Lost Cat has the trifecta. I like ranch dressing, says chef and co-owner Zac Nicholson. Thats why I put most things on the menu. Couple Jasmine Leung and Zac Nicholson have opened a restaurant in the heart of Warrnambool. Andrew Clark Lost Cat is an airy new 55-seat restaurant in Warrnambool, three hours from Melbourne. Nicholson is making his ranch with quark from nearby Schulz Dairy and serving it with crunchy crudites from a local farm. Although the chef is using tricks picked up in fine-dining, Lost Cat is all about familiarity and comfort. Its not fancy, its not stuffy, we want it to be somewhere you can come three nights a week, he says. Advertisement Nicholson opened the venue on January 2 with his wife, Jasmine Leung, after a head-spinning renovation completed in 2 half weeks. Named for their familys missing cat Larry, Lost Cat is three doors away from where Nicholson did the apprenticeship that propelled him to Rockpool Bar & Grill, where he was head chef for five years. Hatted CBD restaurant Hazel followed and, most recently, Jamsheed Wines in Preston (Syrian-Venezuelan restaurant Clara Luna is there now). Focaccia with onion butter that uses onion in three different forms. Andrew Clark Dark-gold focaccia that ferments for 48 hours is baked just before the restaurant opens, and served with a butter featuring caramelised onion, garlic powder, onion powder and fried shallots for an all-out allium assault. Everything is really full-flavoured, says Nicholson. Advertisement Perhaps its no surprise after cooking thousands of steaks at Rockpool, but Nicholson says the dry-aged scotch fillet, currently served with a kombu-rich umami butter, has been a pretty big hit. Steak with umami butter is cooked over a wood grill. Andrew Clark Wood-grilled cabbage with cashew cream, and baked custard with seasonal fruit celebrate produce from local grower Merri Banks. More local names will be added to the menu as Nicholson builds relationships in the region. Drinks cover western Victorian wines, gins and beer from locals Noodledoof, and crowd-pleasing cocktails such as whisky sours. And the White Russian? Its made with Schulz milk, of course. Lunch Friday-Saturday; dinner Tuesday-Saturday (hours change seasonally) Advertisement 69 Liebig Street, Warrnambool, lostcatdining.com The Good Food guide to eating and drinking in Torquay Nearby, Babche Wines in Timboon has opened a cellar door where Radiohead records spin while guests sip on fiano, rose and grenache. Fruit is farmed organically by Niki Nikolovski and Tim Byrne, who named their winery after the affectionate Slavic term for grandmother a nod to Nikolovskis Macedonian heritage and old ways of making wine. Snacks come from fellow mindful makers such as Apostles Whey cheesemakers and Crackling Smallgoods. 3/9 Main Street, Timboon, babchewines.com Babche cellar door in Timboon plays records and serves organic wine and snacks. Joanne OKeefe Advertisement Those road-tripping down to Lost Cat and Babche might first call into Anglesea, soon to be home to the second location of hit wine shop and deli Winespeake, founded in Daylesford by Jen and Owen Latta (Eastern Peake Vineyard). Come March, the team will bring some favourite central Victorian drops to a retail edit that will also champion locals such as Lethbridge and Bannockburn. The deli will be loaded with cheese, pate, caviar and toasties for dine-in or takeaway. 2/141 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea, winespeake.com.au Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Federal authorities have been accused of profiting off the hundreds of thousands of visitors to NSWs picturesque Jervis Bay region each year without sufficiently warning them about cancer-causing toxins in the area. Speaking at a Senate inquiry into so-called forever chemicals, members of a local Aboriginal village blamed per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) for devastating levels of sickness and death. One man revealed his body was full of tumours after playing in contaminated waters as a child. Authorities have been accused of failing to do enough to make visitors to Jervis Bay aware of cancer-causing contaminants. Credit: Rhett Wyman The inquiry travelled to the South Coast this week to examine the chemicals toll on the Aboriginal community of Wreck Bay. Wreck Bay is nestled within Booderee National Park, which sees hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Its popular Green Patch camping ground is booked out months in advance during warm weather. This undated handout photo shows a hybrid autonomous truck at the Yulong Copper Mine in Qamdo, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Western Mining Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua) by Yi Ling and Li Linhai XINING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- At the Yulong Copper Mine in Qamdo, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, perched 5,000 meters above sea level on the rugged Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, ore transport trucks glide over gravel roads, winding through snow-dusted mountains and the thinning air. Despite the harsh conditions, these trucks continue their journey unimpeded -- remarkably, without a single driver behind the wheel -- thanks to a groundbreaking autonomous driving project launched just three months ago. The initiative is part of China's ambitious drive for unmanned, eco-friendly smart mines, marking a significant leap forward in modernizing the high-altitude mining industry. By enhancing efficiency and reducing environmental impact, the project paves the way for a new era of mining in one of the world's most challenging environments. Officially launched on Sept. 29, 2024, the autonomous driving project is a collaborative effort between Xizang Yulong Copper Mining Co., Ltd. under the Western Mining Co., Ltd., China Railway 19th Bureau Group Co., Ltd., and Huawei. This is the world's first unmanned transportation system in an open-pit mine with an altitude above 5,000 meters. Zhang Yongli, president of Western Mining based in Qinghai Province, told Xinhua on Tuesday that the project has significantly enhanced operational efficiency and safety in high-altitude open-pit mining. According to the project team, the vehicles are capable of operating on mining paths that stretch for several kilometers, with a minimum width of 20 meters and an impressive maximum road gradient of 8 percent. Designed for the challenging high-altitude environment, these trucks utilize multi-sensor fusion perception technology to maintain stable year-round operations, achieving a 5 percent reduction in failure rate and an online operation rate surpassing 99 percent. The project team expects to achieve full operations for the autonomous vehicles by the first quarter of 2025, with overall efficiency projected to match that of traditional manned driving models. "In the future, we plan to use the Yulong mine as a demonstration base to expand the application scenarios of autonomous driving technology, aiming to create safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly modern intelligent mines," Zhang said. In recent years, fueled by advances in 5G, big data, and artificial intelligence, digitization and intelligent transformation have become critical to the development of the mining industry. The rapid advancement of autonomous driving technology has also emerged as a key trend in the collaborative development of mining and vehicular systems in China. "Autonomous driving technology presents new opportunities for the mining sector, serving as a pivotal step in transforming traditional mining practices into intelligent and modernized operations," Zhang added. Compared to traditional mining trucks, the most notable features of autonomous driving trucks are their high efficiency and enhanced safety, as they can operate autonomously around the clock without any human intervention, explained He Wei, an autonomous driving technology engineer at Huawei. The 90-tonne extended-range hybrid autonomous mining trucks, equipped with LiDAR, cameras, millimeter-wave radar, and integrated navigation systems, are currently deployed in mining areas with an average altitude of over 4,800 meters. By perceiving the environment in real-time and making autonomous decisions, these trucks can maintain their set speeds even at night, ensuring 24/7 uninterrupted, safe operations. This enables full automation across all stages of loading, transportation, and unloading, significantly reducing the need for two drivers per vehicle. "Such harsh natural conditions at the Yulong mine are exactly where technology should demonstrate its capabilities, helping to alleviate the challenges faced by workers," He said. "The multiple sensors function as the eyes and ears of the trucks, enabling them to 'see and hear' their surroundings. The use of algorithm-driven multi-sensor fusion perception technology effectively reduces interference from winter snow to summer dust," he explained. To further ensure safe operations, the vehicles are equipped with dynamic obstacle detection, static obstacle recognition, interference-resistant capabilities, and integrated positioning technology. This enables stable nighttime operations while minimizing human involvement, thus reducing safety risks on-site. "For example, the LiDARs mounted on the trucks can detect humans or wildlife, such as bears, horses, wolves and the iconic plateau animal, yaks. The trucks will automatically stop or navigate around them to ensure safety," He said. By optimizing driving strategies and power management, unnecessary acceleration and braking are minimized. This not only reduces costs related to vehicle maintenance, high fuel consumption, and tire damage from improper operations but also lowers energy consumption and emissions, thereby minimizing the impact on the local ecological environment, he added. To ensure the safety of autonomous driving operations, the project team developed a comprehensive management platform, built on a robust data foundation and an autonomous driving application system. This platform includes vehicle scheduling systems, monitoring systems, high-precision map services, and vehicle terminal systems. Specifically, this platform -- acting as the "brain" of the unmanned driving project -- enables the trucks to navigate dynamic mining scenarios by avoiding obstacles, docking accurately, conducting remote real-time data monitoring, making prompt stops for pedestrians, and planning vehicle paths. These capabilities streamline the processes of loading, transporting, unloading, and parking, explained Leng Ran, project manager at China Railway 19th Bureau Group. This intelligent scheduling system has also reduced the need for road maintenance and lowered vehicle repair frequencies. Compared to traditional operations, two fleets of 10 autonomous mining trucks can save approximately 6 million yuan (about 834,655 U.S. dollars) annually, according to Western Mining. To support the upload and download of various data, images, videos, and commands from onboard sensors and cloud systems, the copper mine installed five additional 5G base stations across the mining area, ensuring full 5G network coverage for both loading equipment and autonomous operating zones. "The project is a starting point, laying the foundation for achieving our goal of fully unmanned production across the entire mine," Zhang said. This undated handout photo shows hybrid autonomous trucks at the Yulong Copper Mine in Qamdo, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Western Mining Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua) This undated handout photo shows hybrid autonomous trucks at the Yulong Copper Mine in Qamdo, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Western Mining Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua) This undated handout photo shows hybrid autonomous trucks at the Yulong Copper Mine in Qamdo, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Western Mining Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua) Those concerns grew during Operation Kraken, when the AFP worked with French authorities to intercept communications and prevent 50 threats to kill or harm. Authorities believe the tactics from other cases such as using low-level criminals to firebomb tobacco shops or intimidate people are now being used to fund and organise antisemitic attacks. A key obstacle to the investigation is the challenge of tracing money when the criminal suspects use cryptocurrency, which means police cannot be sure about the size of payments or the source of funds. Another factor is the challenge of knowing whether the source of the payments is overseas or at home, making it hard for authorities to say with precision that the attacks are being ordered by foreigners or Australians. However, authorities have seen the way minor criminals have been employed in the past by organised crime or state actors overseas, given claims by French prosecutors that Russian intelligence agencies were behind antisemitic attacks in that country. Agencies in the Five Eyes security partners the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand have contributed information to the Australian investigation but some of this cannot be used as evidence in a prosecution because it comes from intelligence services. Officials within the government have cautioned against assumptions that a foreign government is paying for the antisemitic attacks or that money is coming from listed terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Authorities are looking at organised crime groups but are not ruling out the other options such as foreign states or terror groups. The AFP has about 200 staff overseas, including in Jordan and other locations in the Middle East, and it has worked regularly with authorities in Israel. Albanese said earlier that some involved in the antisemitic attacks appear to have been paid to commit hate crimes. Five Eyes are playing a role, he said. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson demanded more detail on the suggestion from the AFP that foreign actors might be behind the attacks. Paterson said it was incumbent on the government to explain any intelligence that could substantiate such serious claims of foreign interference, questioning the polices decision to float the prospect without providing evidence. It is not good enough for the federal government to disclose this with such limited information which will only further alarm a besieged community, Paterson said. Opposition home affairs spokesperson James Paterson with leader Peter Dutton. Credit: Justin McManus If a foreign government is responsible this would amount to acts of state-sponsored terror and one of the most serious national security crises we have faced in peacetime. The AFP has been under pressure to explain the lack of arrests over incidents such as the Adass Israel Synagogue firebombing. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke rebuked Paterson for demanding more information on the investigation, describing his opposition counterparts demand as naive. Loading The Australian Federal Police will have very deliberate reasons for what they put out in the public and when they do it, and they operate independently as they should, Burke said. Albanese rejected the repeated criticism from the Israeli government that Australias support in the United Nations for a ceasefire, and its criticisms of Israel, had contributed to rising antisemitism in Australia. Israels Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel on Wednesday told the ABC: The attitude of the current Australian government towards Israel is inflaming a lot of these emotions and giving, I guess, some acceptance when you do not fight it. Albanese said this criticism denies [the] agency of the actual perpetrators. It is an attempt to turn away from those people engaged in these hate crimes towards it being a political issue, he said. I tell you what should happen. Australia should come together, not look for difference. Loading So far, the arrests that have been made include a 44-year-old western Sydney man charged with making threats online to kill Jewish leaders. A 34-year-old woman from western Sydney, Tammie Farrugia, was charged after police found she allegedly sought jerrycans in the lead up to an antisemitic attack in Woollahra on December 11. On Wednesday morning, a man was charged for allegedly attempting to set fire to a synagogue in Newtown in Sydneys inner west earlier this month. ASIO raised the terror threat level from possible to probable in August based in part on tension stemming from the war in Gaza, with spy chief Mike Burgess warning of new mixes of twisted ideologies including anti-government conspiracy theories, racism, Islamist extremism and neo-Nazism blending with social media-fuelled personal grievance, intolerance, loneliness and mental ill health. Whether its a childcare centre set alight in Maroubra, a house firebombed in Dover Heights, or the steady stream of hateful graffiti, Sydneys Jewish population is being targeted by a string of hateful, intimidating attacks. The violence is becoming more frequent, more brazen. For Sydneysiders, there is a sense of disbelief. Is this really happening? In Woollahra? NSW Premier Chris Minns visits Maroubras Only About Children childcare centre, which was the target of an antisemitic attack. Credit: Kate Geraghty It is understandable then, that the premier, Chris Minns, is reaching for solutions. Minns has been a consistent supporter of the citys Jewish community, praised for his vocal condemnation of the spate of antisemitic attacks which he has described as monstrous and appalling across the eastern suburbs and inner west. But as the violence continues to escalate, it is clear condemnation isnt enough. Neither, apparently, is the deployment of significant policing resources to combat the violence. So now Minns is reaching for the law. Melbourne has undergone a hotel boom in recent years. The city has added about 9000 rooms since 2020 in response to a critical deficit, identified well before the pandemic sparked the urgent need to address the shortage. The growth represents a rise of 32 per cent in Melbournes stocks, and the city is not done yet, with a few significant hotels due to swing open their doors in coming months. Josh and Julie Niland have added 14 beautifully considered rooms above their three-hatted restaurant, Saint Peter. Credit: Christopher Pearce Sydney, too, is amid its own mini-growth spurt. Some remarkable hotels came onto the market last year, including the W Sydney, and Josh and Julie Nilands 14 beautifully considered rooms at the Grand National in Paddington, above their restaurant, Saint Peter, are available to book from January 31 (saintpeter.com.au/stay). The much anticipated opening of The Eve Hotel Sydney (theevehotel.com.au) is scheduled for February 13, as the centrepiece of the new Wunderlich Lane retail and hospitality precinct on the Redfern side of Cleveland Street. At 12.02pm in Washington DC, Donald Trump took the oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and resumed his presidency. It was an oath taken that half the country expects to be not only tested, but broken. Trumps inauguration ceremony was without the massive pomp had it been witnessed in person by hundreds of thousands of people engulfing the Mall from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Instead, it was delivered in the Capitols very rotunda that was desecrated by his armies to stop the peaceful transfer of power four years ago. Trump did not mention January 6 in this speech but none doubted he would pardon as many of the participants in the insurrection as he could reach with his pen. President Donald Trump holds up one of the executive orders he signed at the public rally in Washingtons Capitol One Arena. Credit: Bloomberg It was a dark and sombre speech, delivered with the scowl that Trump has mastered from his mug shot in Georgia when he was arraigned for trying to overturn that states presidential election in 2020, to the official portrait that every Australian will see in the immigration halls when they fly into a US airport. As was the case eight years ago, the centrepiece of this speech was immigration: the threat posed to the nation by an uncontrolled surge of vicious criminals who threaten the safety and security of the country. That issue more than the state of the economy and the squeeze on households from inflation is bedrock Trump and will, one suspects, dominate his second term. Until the end of his days, Trump will move to purge the land of the vermin aliens who are poisoning the blood of the American people. When Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States on Tuesday (AEDT), he declared, The golden age of America begins right now. We shall see. Trump took charge of the Oval Office the first time around, in 2017, on the back of the motto that cannot be measured: Make America Great Again. He then lost to Joe Biden in 2020. Now he has returned after 77 million people voted for him. It cannot be denied that victory gives him the green light to govern as he said he would during the campaign. After all, he won. Guests including Mark Zuckerberg (left), Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk at the inauguration. Credit: AP Images from his inauguration appear like a gathering of a plutocracy. There were some of the masters of the financial universe, Metas Mark Zuckerberg (worth $US212 billion, or $A340 billion), Amazons Jeff Bezos ($240 billion), Teslas Elon Musk ($434 billion) and Google CEO Sundar Pichai ($1.3 billion), all in a row. They took pride of place, ahead of members of Trumps own cabinet. This approach should not come as a surprise. Trumps America First raison detre is, by definition, a philosophy of superiority and projecting success. To effect that philosophy, the US must put its interests above all other nations. By Li Huizi, Zhang Jianhua ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A new pair of giant pandas, and the only ones in the Southern Hemisphere, made debut on Tuesday in Adelaide, capital of South Australia (SA), following their arrival from China last month. The SA government held an affectionate welcoming ceremony for the public to meet the black-and-white duo in the Adelaide Zoo, attended by Australian panda-fans, wildlife-lovers, international tourists, conservationists, officials and dignitaries from both China and Australia a week ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Going through their quarantine period, the two giant pandas, four-year-old male Xingqiu and three-year-old female Yilan, are settling in well at the bamboo forest in Adelaide, about 7,500 km from their hometown --southwest China's Sichuan Province, according to the zoo. Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said the Chinese values of harmony, inclusiveness and openness could be seen in pandas, which reflect the aspirations of the Chinese and Australian peoples for friendship and exchanges, and symbolize the profound friendship between the peoples. Amity between the people holds the key to sound state-to-state relations, Xiao said, adding he hopes the two adorable pandas will live happily here, grow their family, and become new ambassadors to carry forward the friendship between the two peoples. The pandas will spend the next 10 years at Adelaide Zoo, replacing the previous pair Wangwang and Funi, who returned to China in November 2024 after 15 years in Australia, drawing more than 5 million visitors. Wangwang and Funi brought joy to the Australian people and made significant contributions to enhancing panda conservation research and fostering closer people-to-people ties between China and Australia, Xiao said, adding the new phase of panda conservation research cooperation will further enhance mutual understanding and inject new vitality into the bilateral exchanges and cooperation. MAGNIFICENT MOMENT, ACHIEVEMENT Citing the queues around the block -- people desperate to get in to witness the pandas, Premier of SA Peter Malinauskas said, "It was a magnificent moment because it was very much a symbol, not just of the pandas and their beauty, but in many ways a representation of the importance of the relationship between Australia and China." "South Australia being home to the only two giant pandas in the southern hemisphere is an act of generosity on behalf of China," Malinauskas said, hailing "a magnificent achievement" of pandas going off the endangered list to the threatened species list as a result of "the amazing work from the Chinese government in conjunction with the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA)." He said they keenly anticipate watching the relationship of four-year-old male Xingqiu and three-year-old female Yilan unfold over the next few years, as well as the recent stabilization of the relationship between Australia and China, which continues to deliver for the two peoples respectively. 40 YEARS OF LINK At the ceremony, Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell recalled the long connection between the two countries resulting from pandas about 40 years ago, with two pandas touring to Australia after the then Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke making the first link when he went to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, in 1986. Regarding tourism, Farrell said these beautiful young pandas provide an opportunity to not only sell Australia to lots of international visitors who will want to come here to see the pandas, "but of course it's just fantastic for South Australia." CWCA Secretary-General Yan Jian told the ceremony protecting giant pandas is not only related to China's natural ecology, but also the common responsibility of all mankind, as giant panda is both a national treasure of China and an important part of global biodiversity. As a cultural symbol of China, the giant panda carries the friendship of the Chinese people and is an important envoy to promote friendly exchanges between China and other countries, Yan said. The CWCA and the Adelaide Zoo conducted the first stage of giant panda conservation and research cooperation between 2009 and 2024 when the previous pair Wangwang and Funi lived in the zoo, Yan said, adding the two sides have achieved good results in scientific research, technical exchanges and public education of endangered species. The two sides also carried out a number of scientific research in behavioral science, disease prevention and control, and popularized science in various forms, and greatly improved the coverage of public education, he said, adding it has played a positive role in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Australian peoples. Director of Adelaide Zoo Phil Ainsley said Wangwang and Funi who captured the hearts and the imagination of people around Australia for the past 15 years, had attracted more than 5.5 million visitors and over 500,000 school children. The conservation status of the giant panda being improved from endangered to vulnerable is celebrated as a "remarkable conservation effort," said Ainsley who traveled with a team from Adelaide Zoo in December to visit and spend time with Xingqiu and Yilan, learning about them with the panda experts at the Dujiangyan Panda Base in Sichuan before the pair's arrival in Australia on Dec. 15, 2024. BAGHDAD, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Three security officers were killed and four others wounded on Tuesday in an ammunition cache explosion north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the Iraqi military said. Acting on intelligence, troops were inspecting a hidden cache of old ammunition in the Tarmiyah area, some 40 km north of Baghdad, according to a statement from the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command. A technical error during the inspection triggered the blast, the statement said. Iraqi security authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, it said, clarifying that the explosion was not the result of a terrorist act or an armed clash with terrorist groups, refuting incorrect reports suggesting otherwise. 11 Ayurvedic colleges will be started in State: CM Staff R eporter : Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has emphasised that Ayurveda holds the key to achieving the goal of living a hundred years, and the principle of Jivet Sharad: Shatam (living a hundred autumns) can be realised through this ancient science. He stated that Ayurveda is the authentic path to living a better life at every stage of age. According to him, nature itself provides remedies for all ailments, and Ayurveda has the most profound knowledge and capability to apply these remedies effectively. By understanding plants and the power of yoga, individuals can follow the path to good health. Dr Yadav praised Ayurveda as a tradition that is thousands of years old, and acknowledged the global interest in this system, with India acting as its ambassador. He also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for playing a pivotal role in expanding the scope of this traditional knowledge globally. The Chief Minister invited everyone to the next Ayurveda Festival, Simhastha 2028, which will be organised in Ujjain by the State Government. Dr Yadav made these remarks during the inaugural session of the 21st Ayurveda Festival-2025 on Monday. Dr Yadav also announced the launch of 11 new Ayurvedic colleges in the State. As per the New Education Policy, the State Government has granted universities permission to offer various courses, including Ayurvedic and medical courses. The Government will also facilitate the introduction of paramedical and nursing courses in Ayurveda. The registration of Ayush-related clinics and nursing homes will be managed by the Ayush department. Furthermore, the retirement age for Ayush Department employees will be raised to 65 years, similar to the Health Department. An All-India Ayurvedic Institute will also be set up in Ujjain. The Chief Minister highlighted that the State Government will support the establishment of Ayurvedic product manufacturing units. Land will be provided to Ayurvedic institutions for permanent structures in Ujjain for Simhastha, and the state government will assist in the establishment of an international Vedic court in the city. Additionally, arrangements will be made for the teaching of Unani medicine in Hindi. Dr Yadav took pride in stating that Madhya Pradesh is the first State in the country to implement the River Linking Campaign. He emphasised the States importance as a water-rich region, being the source of several major rivers like the Narmada, Tapi, Chambal, and Ken-Betwa, which benefit other states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. He also mentioned that former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayees vision of river linking is being realised with an investment of Rs 1.75 lakh crore sanctioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ayush, Technical Education, and Higher Education Minister, Inder Singh Parmar, stated that the State Government is committed to promoting research in Ayurveda and is taking special initiatives in this regard. Bhagwandas Sabnani, a legislator, highlighted how under Prime Minister Modis leadership, India has encouraged developed nations to adopt a healthy lifestyle based on the medicines mentioned in Ayurveda. Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee Devendra Triguna suggested developing Ayurveda, Yoga, and Panchakarma centers in places like Pachmarhi and Ujjain. Vaidya Shri Manoj Nesri called for efforts to integrate technology with Ayush, while Dr Girish Chandra Verma, Director of Maharishi Vedic University, proposed developing health education systems for students from school to higher education levels. During the event, Dr Yadav honoured dedicated and proficient Ayurvedic practitioners. He digitally inaugurated the national seminar with a Dhanwantari puja and lit the lamp. The Chief Minister also released the souvenir published for the Aarogya Utsav and presented appointment letters to newly-selected lecturers by the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission. The event was attended by key officials, including Principal Secretary of Ayush, D P Ahuja, President of the Madhya Pradesh Ayurveda Conference, Vaidya Vinod Bairagi, CEO of Dhootapapeshwar Pharmaceuticals, Ranjit Puranik, and Principal of Pandit Khushilal Sharma Ayurveda College Dr Umesh Shukla. This photo taken on Nov. 13, 2024 shows the ZG-ONE electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at the low-altitude economy area of Airshow China in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin) BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- For Huang Xun, a professor at Peking University's College of Engineering, the vision of flying cars filling the sky, as seen in science fiction, may soon become a reality. He likens the shift to the transition from horse-drawn carriages to cars a century ago, noting that human beings are about to enter the "low-altitude vehicle era." More than 100 years ago, the United States seized the opportunity of automobile development to become a country on wheels. Now, China is seizing the opportunity of the low-altitude economy to become a country on wings, Huang said. However, he warned that numerous challenges must be overcome before low-altitude vehicles can be widely adopted, citing safety concerns, such as potential collisions with drones, privacy issues related to drone sensors, and environmental impacts like noise pollution. Huang's reflections were published in Nature last month, marking the first article on the low-altitude economy in the prestigious journal. In fact, over the past years, Huang and his colleagues have been focused on finding solutions to these challenges and supporting the rapid growth of the low-altitude economy. BUILD INVISIBLE ROADS With the vision of airborne vehicles coming into reality, ensuring flight safety is paramount. Chinese scientists are working to establish "invisible roads" in the airspace below 3,000 meters to ensure orderly flight. Qu Tengteng, a researcher at Peking University's College of Engineering, and her team developed a geospatial grid system to map low-altitude airspace. The system converts three-dimensional spatial coordinates into binary codes, which are loaded into computers to create a real-time dense grid of airways. These invisible roads would help prevent collisions between low-altitude aircraft and avoid buildings. "With this air road network, we can design traffic rules and add 'traffic lights' to avoid accidents," Qu said. To enhance air safety further, Li Zhongkui, a professor at the college, developed an unmanned aircraft vehicle trajectory planning system. Inspired by how birds in flocks coordinate with one another to avoid collisions, the system developed by Li uses swarm intelligence to regulate the movement of low-altitude vehicles both online and in real-time, ensuring they maintain safe distances and fly in harmony. SIZE DOWN ENGINES For long-distance air travel, low-altitude vehicles will need robust power sources. While current small drones rely on battery storage, future vehicles, which will carry heavier loads, will need more powerful engines. "A major challenge with lithium batteries is their weight, which limits low-altitude flight capabilities," said Chen Zheng, deputy dean of Peking University's College of Engineering, adding that the energy density of batteries is two orders of magnitude lower than that of liquid fuels. The team is exploring ways to miniaturize combustion engines for use in low-altitude vehicles. Wang Shengkai, an assistant professor at the college, said the goal is to develop high-power, stable combustion engines that could fit into various unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sizes. "By scaling down the engine and optimizing the combustion process, we can create efficient, long-range propulsion systems for UAVs," Wang said. The team is also looking into environmentally friendly fuels, such as hydrogen and biomass, to reduce the carbon footprint. Meanwhile, Zhao Hao, a colleague of Wang, has been working on monitoring and regulating combustion engines and power batteries for low-altitude vehicles using advanced fiber optics. Zhao explained that power safety is a major concern for these vehicles, and this innovation helps create intelligent UAVs with enhanced safety. MITIGATE NOISE POLLUTION As low-altitude vehicles proliferate, noise pollution will likely become a growing concern. To address this, Chinese scientists are working on technologies to minimize the noise generated by UAV rotors. Lyu Benshuai, an assistant professor at the university's College of Engineering, and his team developed a rapid prediction model for rotor noise. The model helps predict how different blade shapes and configurations affect noise levels, allowing for more efficient noise-reduction designs. "We can do quite a lot in aeroacoustic optimization. For example, rotors mounted at the rear of the fuselage are often much noisier than those at the front, while blades with suitable geometry and serration designs generate less noise," Lyu said. The team is collaborating with Chinese tech companies like Huawei and Ecovacs to implement these noise-reducing innovations. "We hope to bring these scientific advances to market soon," Lyu added. The low-altitude economy in China has flourished in recent years, with an increase in drone manufacturers and expanded applications. The Civil Aviation Administration of China estimates that the country's low-altitude market will reach 1.5 trillion yuan (about 209 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025 and as much as 3.5 trillion yuan in 2035. Chen revealed that their college plans to offer more practical courses related to low-altitude vehicles. These courses will include opportunities for students to design their own aircraft and collaborate with enterprises on co-designing projects. "We are planning ahead to meet the growing demand for talent in the future." "We often ask, where is the next technological revolution after the industrial revolution? I believe the low-altitude economy could be the answer," Huang added. CEC reviews Zudpi Jungle issue in Ngp Divn CEC members Chandraprakash Goyal and Sunil Limaye, Divisional Commissioner Vijayalaxmi Bidari, and Collectors at the meeting. Staff Reporter : Two-member panel meets with officials concerned; to submit report to the Apex Court in a month Pursuant to directions of the Supreme Court, a two-member Central Empowered Committee (CEC) visited the region to review the Zudpi Jungle issue. Chandraprakash Goyal and Sunil Limaye, on Monday, arrived in city and held confabulations with State Government officers on the contentious matter. A meeting was held at Divisional Commissionerate where the team took a review of the ground situation and problems affecting development due to categorisation of sparse vegetation as Zudpi Jungle. Divisional Commissioner Vijayalaksmi Bidari, officials of Revenue Department, including Collectors of all six districts in the Division along with Principal Chief Conservator of Forest were present in the meeting. The categorisation of small bushes as jungle has created several problems as this stalled the diversion of land for irrigation projects aimed at providing irrigation to lakhs of hectares of farm land in Nagpur Division. Seeking permission for using the Zudpi Jungle land has become a major hurdle as anything meaning jungle, in normal terms it means dense tree cover, leads to issue of conservation and this has resulted in status quo in respect of development initiatives of State Government. Since last seven decades, development projects were stalled in the Division due to legalities pointed out by Forest Department as it goes by the rule book ruling out any possibility of using forest land for other than plantation. This is also a major reason for irrigation backlog in Nagpur Division as it has one of the largest forest cover that is already a flash point vis-a-vis development, additional the Zudpi Jungle grounded any major project aimed at easing the lives of citizens. As the issue reached the Apex Court, it formed a CEC to take a holistic review and submit the report. The CEC as such took stock of ground situation, listened to Revenue Department officials, the Collectors also put forward their view and it was recorded by the two expert members. The CEC members also went to ground and surveyed the land that is earmarked as zudpi jungle. They are tasked with listing the problems on ground in each of the affected district of division. At the outset, Divisional Commissioner gave power point presentation to the CEC, listing the major issue being faced by administration in meeting the expectations of citizens due to inability to utilise open land with small bushes for development. The two members understood the issue in detail and they are going to submit their report within one month period. PCCF Narendra Zurmure, District Collectors Vinay Gowda (Chandrapur), Dr Sanjay Kolte (Bhandara), Avinash Panda (Gadchiroli), Prajit Nair (Gondia) and Vanmathi C (Wardha) along with Additional Collector Tushar Thombre (Nagpur) attended the meet. Chhattisgarhs load dispatch centre is best in India with 2 National Awards Staff Reporter RAIPUR, The Chhattisgarh State Power Transmission Company (CSPTCL) has received two prestigious national awards at the 25th Regulatory and Policy Makers Retreat organised by the Independent Power Producers of India in Belgaum, Karnataka. The awards were presented to Managing Director (Transco) Rajesh Kumar Shukla by the Chairman of State Power Companies, Subodh Kumar Singh, on January 15. Chhattisgarhs newly-appointed Principal Secretary of Energy, Subodh Kumar Singh, congratulated all officers and employees of the transmission company on this achievement. Out of 35 State load dispatch centres across India, including states and union territories, Chhattisgarhs State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) received the Outstanding Achievement Award and the First Runner-up Award in the Second Easiest Access to Open Access category. The award evaluation process involved submitting data related to open access applications over the past five years, including the number of applications received, accepted, rejected, pending, and processing time. Additional information on SLDC administration and self-governance, financial accounts, five-year CAPEX plans, and SCADA communication medium was also required. For the past three years, following notification from the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Chhattisgarh SLDC has used the National Open Access Registry (NOAR) portal for inter-state open access procedures. This system ensures transparent display of the acceptance process status for inter-state open access applications at various levels, including SLDC, Regional Load Dispatch Centre (RLDC), and National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC). Representatives from central and state electricity regulatory commissions, central and state-level institutions (such as the Central Electricity Authority, APTELs, CERC), load dispatch centers, state undertakings, and various private companies attended the ceremony. The Chhattisgarh SLDC achieved this recognition under the leadership of RK Shukla, Managing Director of the Transmission Company. KS Manothia, Executive Director, and Abhishek Jain, Superintending Engineer of the SLDC, received the awards on behalf of the Chhattisgarh State Transmission Company in Belgaum. CNG pipeline connection facility in city soon Business Reporter : Complementing the rapid infrastructure growth in the city, the strategically located Orange City is all set to get a convenient and hassle-free alternative to traditional LPG cylinders. With the project of laying a gas pipeline from Mumbai to Nagpur along the Samruddhi Expressway on the verge of completion, consumers in many localities are expected to receive an uninterrupted supply of compressed natural gas (CNG) directly to their homes. Consumers in many localities in the southern tip of the city like Chinchbhawan, Hingna and MIHAN will be getting piped CNG connection in the next three to four months. Deepak Sawant, President of HCG Group, told The Hitavada that over 25,000 consumers will be connected by the pipeline. In the following months, the network will be gradually expanded till Sitabuldi and within a span of eight years, it will cover the entire city. Gas consumers in Sitabuldi and other nearby places are likely to get the connection by the end of 2026. While the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) is laying gas pipeline from Mumbai to Nagpur along the 700-km Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg), HCG Nagpur Private Limited, a private player, has been developing a network for CNG distribution within the city. More than 90 per cet of work between Mumbai and Nagpur has been completed. Sawant said his company has been authorised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) to lay and operate a network for CNG distribution in the city. With an investment of Rs 1,000 crore, the company is laying a network of internal gas pipes throughout the city. HCG will receive the gas from GAIL and supply it through its own network of pipelines to domestic and commercial users. Sawant said the CNG is a clean and safe fuel for cooking. It will also be a cheaper option as compared to liquified petroleum gas (LPG), he said. Dinesh Waghmare appointed State Election Commr Staff Reporter ; Maharashtra Government as per the orders of Governor, appointed senior IAS officer Dinesh Waghmare as State Election Commissioner. Waghmare hails from Vidarbha. Presently, he is Principal Secretary at Department of Medical Education and Research. Maharashtra Cabinet had last week empowered Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to recommend candidates for this significant role. Waghmares term as State Election Commissioner will be of five years and he will handle the responsibility of supervision, direction, control of electoral roll preparation and conducting elections. His term is non-extendable which starts on January 20, 2025, or from the date he assumes office. The post was vacant after the tenure of U P S Madan came to an end last year. The appointment was made by the Governor of Maharashtra under the provisions of Article 243-K and Article 243-ZA of the Constitution of India, alongside the Maharashtra State Election Commissioner (Qualifications and Appointment) Act, 1994. The order is issued by Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar, Additional Chief Secretary and Chief Protocol Officer Waghmare did his school education in Kamptee and Wardha. He studied in Hislop College at Nagpur, earned degree in engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) (erstwhile VRCE). He pursued further education in engineering in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur. While talking to The Hitavada Waghmare expressed happiness over the appointment. Waghmare has to resign from his present post as he cant hold the office of profit while working as State Election Commissioner. Once his resignation is accepted he would take charge as SEC. Dinesh Waghmare Takes Charge as Maharashtra State Election Commissioner. Fire Goods worth over Rs 10 lakh gutted at kids clothing shop Staff Reporter : A massive fire that broke out at a childrens clothing and toy store near Vishal Megamart in Wright Town, caused extensive damage and reducing goods worth lakhs to ashes, early morning on Monday. Fortunately, the fire brigade managed to control the blaze in time and prevented a major mishap. Spokesman of Fire Department of the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC) informed that the incident occurred around 5 am when residents of nearby homes noticed smoke emanating from the Little Junction shop. The immediately informed the shop owner, Shashikant Soni. Meanwhile, people also informed the fire brigade department about the incident. After receiving the information, the Fire Department pressed as many as three fire tenders to the site. On reaching the scene, the fire-fighters attempted to extinguish the flames by entering through the back door of the shop. However, by then, the fire had already consumed goods worth more than Rs 10 lakh, including childrens clothing and toys. Likewise, electronic equipment and furniture in the shop were completely destroyed. Little Junction primarily sells essential items for children aged zero to five years, including valuable toys, clothing, prams and more. Luckily, the incident occurred early in the morning when most residents were still asleep, but timely intervention by neighbours helped avert a more significant catastrophe. Had the fire not been controlled in time, it could have spread to adjacent offices, leading to a major disaster. It may be noted that, this is the second major fire incident in two days. On Sunday, a similar fire broke out in a shop at Tebrewala Market near Karamchand Chowk, destroying goods worth lakhs of rupees. The fire brigade had also rescued four people during that incident. IIM Nagpur signs MoU with NPTI Business Reporter : The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Nagpur recently signed a MoU with the National Power Training Institute (NPTI) as part of an initiative for a strategic partnership to achieve bigger goals. Dr Bhimaraya Metri, Director of IIM Nagpur, and Dr Tripta Thakur, Director General, NPTI, signed the MoU in presence of Prof. Nikunj Kumar Jain, Associate Professor, IIM Nagpur, Col. Makarand Alur, CAO, IIM Nagpur, Dr Indu Maheshwari, Principal Director, Head of Institution, NPTI Nagpur, Dr N K Shrivastava, Director, NPTI and Dr Mudit Kulshreshtha, Faculty, NPTI. The two institutions aim to equip energy professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the dynamic energy sector by collaborating on developing both short-term and long-term academic programmes. It is a significant step toward addressing the growing need for energy and power management expertise, said Dr Metri. The MoU on several key initiatives includes Joint Executive Training Programmes tailored for senior professionals with specialised energy management and power policy training, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate industry challenges. It will also focus on the skilling programmes to develop individuals energy and power sector skillsets. They will focus on enhancing technical and managerial competencies. This partnership will also engage in policy and regulatory research, offering consultancy services to stakeholders and contributing to developing more efficient energy policies. Prof. Nikunj Kumar Jain, Associate Professor at IIM Nagpur, said, This collaboration will help bridge the skill gap in Indias power sector, promote innovation, and foster sustainable growth in energy management and policy development. ISRAELS RIGHT ISRAEL Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu has made his intentions pretty clear as the ceasefire-for-hostage deal with the Hamas militant group kicked-off in Gaza on Sunday. The PM, who is facing a widespread firestorm over the deal, has reiterated Israels right to return to war if the agreement over hostages falls apart at any point of time in the six-week window. Mr. Netanyahu has also talked about the backing of the United States to him to restart military action in such circumstances. Mr. Netanyahu can not be faulted for his apprehensions nor he can be accused of being a war-mongerer given the fragility surrounding the ceasefire deal. The world must understand the fear of Mr. Netanyahu over falling apart of the agreement between Israel and Hamas. It is a long-drawn process where the militants would release Israeli hostages in phases which will be complimented by Israel by releasing Palestinian prisoners. There is still some ambiguity over the release of hostages as there is no clear guideline over status of the people held. It can easily escalate tensions between Tel Aviv and the Hamas and if it happens then Mr. Netanyahu holds every right to act in self-defence to protect the lives of his countrymen. One peculiar thing about the entire ceasefire deal is it has been hammered out between a country and a group of extremists. The criticism Mr. Netanyahu is facing at home stems from this very fact which, many in Israel think, provides lawfulness to a militant group. The hardliners in Israel, who have seen the country deal with terrorism with an iron hand, have always considered a deal with terrorists as a cynical idea which grants legitimacy to a group of individuals that has no qualms about killing innocents. They are opposed to granting them the stature of an equal side across the table. Mr. Netanyahu had to wade through this section to strike a deal with Hamas clearly due to geopolitical pressures including the warnings by US President Mr. Donald Trump. In such circumstances, the Prime Minister is also wary of the deal going wrong and hence to assuage some hurt feelings at home the hard talk of immediate return to war. In the prevailing fear of unpredictability, the chance of the ceasefire getting violated is purely in the control of the Hamas. The group has firm backing from many radical Islamist groups in the Middle-East as well as in many other parts of the world. It was evident from the supply of weapons and funds during the 15-month war with the Israeli Defence Forces. In the euphoria of the deal, the world should not forget the fact that it was Hamas who started the war with an unprovoked missile attack on Israeli cities on October 7, 2023. Israel had to respond to the challenge and it pressed on with the military offensive to gain and secure advantage over the militants. That the deal will give Hamas a chance to regroup is a looming threat that Mr. Netanyahu realises. And the world should also keep these facts in mind if at any point Israel returns to war. The onus is, thus, on the mediators including Qatar and the United States to keep both sides committed to the ceasefire for the sake of saving human lives. The difficult part of this exercise is handling the Hamas group. Given the animus harboured by many in the Middle-East against Israel, the interested actors can easily manipulate the Hamas leadership to stoke another fire. Such a step can be disastrous for the larger region as Mr. Netanyahu would miss no chance to strike Gaza the moment he feels the agreement has been violated. And the world will also have to support Israel because use of force by a country in self-defence against a non-State actor indulging in terror acts is absolutely legitimate. The host State holds every right to defend its people even if it means an armed offensive in disputed territories. Pregnant cow beheaded, calf mutilated in Ktaka UTTARA KANNADA : MISCREANTS beheaded a pregnant cow, cut off its legs and mutilated its calf here, sources said on Monday. They took away the cows body and left behind its head and legs, and the calf. According to the police, the incident occurred at Kondakuli, Salkodu village in Honnavara Taluk of Uttara Kannada district. They said the cow belonged to Krishna Achari, who had left the animal for grazing on Sunday. On Monday, when Achari went searching for the cow, he found its head, legs and the mutilated body of the calf, they said. Police registered a case against unknown miscreants under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and started an investigation. This comes close on the heels of severing the udders of three cows in Chamarajpet in Bengaluru and injuring the tail of a cow in the temple town of Nanjangud in Mysuru. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara ordered an inquiry into the incidents of attack on cows with the BJP and Hindu organisations raising their concerns over it. We have to find a solution to this. This morning I gave instructions that we have to take this seriously and we have to identify people who have such a mindset, Parameshwara said. He further said that he has ordered the police department to find out whether such people belong to any organisation, do it individually or is there any provocation behind it. The BJP blamed the Congress Government for being lenient towards the fanatic elements. Party State president B Y VIjayendra said the Honnavara incident has made everyone hang their head in shame. Yet, the Home Minister is pretending that the law and order situation is good here. The Siddaramaiah government is showing a soft corner for these anti-nationals, who have no fear. The State government and the Home Minister should have woken up by now, he stated. Alleging that the law and order is deteriorating, he said a communal atmosphere is being created in the State. RG Kar rape-murder case Sanjay Roy sentenced to imprisonment till death KOLKATA : A KOLKATA court sentenced Sanjay Roy to imprisonment till death on Monday after he was convicted of the rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at the State-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Anirban Das, the Additional District and Sessions Judge in Sealdah court, had on Saturday held Roy guilty of the crime committed against the postgraduate trainee doctor at the hospital on August 9 last year, which sparked unprecedented and prolonged nationwide protests. Judge Das said the crime did not fall under the rarest of the rare category, which justified not imposing the death penalty on the convict. Roy, a former civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was found guilty under Sections 64 (rape), 66 (punishment for causing death), and 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The judge stated that under Section 64, life imprisonment is being awarded, along with a fine of Rs 50,000. An additional five months of imprisonment will be imposed upon non-payment of the fine, he added. Under Section 103(1), Roy has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a Rs 50,000 fine, and another five months in jail if the fine remains unpaid. Additionally, under Section 66, he has been sentenced to life imprisonment till death, the judge said. All the sentences will run concurrently, Judge Das said. The CBI prayed for the death penalty. The defence lawyer prayed that a jail term be given instead of the death penalty this crime does not fall under the rarest of the rare category, the judge said. The court also directed the State to pay compensation of Rs 17 lakh to the family of the deceased doctor. Since the victim died while on duty in the hospital, her place of work, it is the responsibility of the State to pay compensation to the family of the doctor Rs 10 lakh for the death and Rs 7 lakh for the rape, Das said. The judge told Roy that he had the right to appeal against this decision before the Calcutta High Court and that he would be provided legal aid if needed. The sentence was passed after the judge heard the final statements of the convict, his defence counsel, the victims family, and the CBI. Earlier in the day, Roy claimed in court that he was innocent and had been wrongly held guilty. I am being framed and have not committed any crime. I have not done anything, and still, I have been held guilty, Roy told the court ahead of sentencing in the case. During the proceedings, the CBI lawyer and the counsel for the victims parents pleaded for the highest penalty for the convict, calling the crime rarest of the rare. Three times faster Billionaire wealth soarsby $2 tn in 2024: Oxfam DAVOS : BILLIONAIRE wealth across the globe surged by USD 2 trillion in 2024 to USD 15 trillion at a rate three times faster than the previous year, a study showed on Monday here as the richest of the world began to assemble for their annual jamboree in this ski resort town. In its flagship inequity report released every year on the first day of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Oxfam International contrasted the huge jump in the billionaire wealth with the number of people living in poverty barely having changed since 1990. Wealth of billionaires in Asia increased by USD 299 billion in 2024, Oxfam said while predicting that there will be at least five trillionaires within a decade from now. The year 2024 saw 204 new billionaires getting minted -- an average of nearly four every week. Asia itself got 41 new billionaires in the year. In its report titled Takers, not Makers, Oxfam said, the richest 1 per cent in the Global North extracted USD 30 million an hour from the Global South through the financial systems in 2023. It further said that 60 per cent of billionaire wealth is now derived from inheritance, monopoly power or crony connections, showing that extreme billionaire wealth is largely unmerited. The rights group urged governments across the world to tax the richest to reduce inequality, end extreme wealth, and dismantle the new aristocracy. It also sought that the former colonial powers must address past harms with reparations. Oxfam Internationals Executive Director Amitabh Behar told PTI here that the new inequality report shows there is an enormous explosion in the billionaire wealth and this is more worrisome due to the growing number of people living with hunger. This only flags the issue of modern day colonialism in the form of multinational corporates grabbing a huge portion of wealth being created, he said. Behar said Oxfam is strongly pitching for taxing super-rich more and welcomed the growing traction across the world for taxing the wealthiest more. Even bodies like IMF and World Bank are expressing concern about this level of inequality, he added. On the inauguration of the second presidency of Donald Trump, he said it is a wake-up call that a billionaire President is coming in with the worlds richest person as his top advisor. It will also be the richest cabinet in the history of the US with as many as 13 billionaires and expectations for the rich getting benefits are adding to the concerns, he added. On India and his expectations from the union budget, he said the government must try to address the issue of inequality including by way of much more progressive taxing and more investments in education, among other measures. A lot of people believed that colonialism ended long back but the fact is it is thriving even today in the form of wealth going out from Global South to the richest of the Global North. The billionaires wealth grew in 2024 at an average of USD 5.7 billion a day, while the number of billionaires rose to 2,769, from 2,565 in 2023. The wealth of the worlds ten richest men grew on average by almost USD 100 million a day even if they lost 99 per cent of their wealth overnight, they would remain billionaires, Oxfam said. Oxfam, whose annual inequity report is debated extensively at WEF Annual Meeting, said that contrary to the popular perception, billionaire wealth is largely unearned -- 60 per cent of billionaire wealth now comes from inheritance, monopoly power or crony connections. Unmerited wealth and colonialism -- understood as not only a history of brutal wealth extraction but also a powerful force behind todays extreme levels of inequality -- stand as two major drivers of billionaire wealth accumulation, it said. The capture of our global economy by a privileged few has reached heights once considered unimaginable. The failure to stop billionaires is now spawning soon-to-be trillionaires. Not only has the rate of billionaire wealth accumulation accelerated by three times but so too has their power, Oxfam International Executive Director Amitabh Behar said. The crown jewel of this oligarchy is a billionaire president, backed and bought by the worlds richest man Elon Musk, running the worlds largest economy. We present this report as a stark wake up-call that ordinary people the world over are being crushed by the enormous wealth of a tiny few, he said. Oxfam calculated that 36 per cent of billionaire wealth is now inherited. It said that the research by Forbes found that every billionaire under 30 has inherited their wealth, while UBS estimated that over 1,000 of todays billionaires will pass on more than USD 5.2 trillion to their heirs over the next two to three decades. Many of the super-rich, particularly in Europe, owe part of their wealth to historical colonialism and the exploitation of poorer countries, Oxfam said. It cited the example of the fortune of billionaire Vincent Bollore, who has put his sprawling media empire at the service of Frances nationalist right, which was built partly from colonial activities in Africa. Calling it modern day colonialism, Oxfam said vast sums of money still flow from the Global South to countries in the Global North and their richest citizens. The richest 1 per cent in Global North countries like the US, UK and France extracted USD 30 million an hour from the Global South through the financial system in 2023, Oxfam said. Global North countries control 69 per cent of global wealth, 77 per cent of billionaire wealth and are home to 68 per cent of billionaires, despite making up just 21 per cent of the global population, the study said. Behar said the money desperately needed in every country to invest in teachers, buy medicines and create good jobs is being siphoned off to the bank accounts of the super-rich. This is not just bad for the economy, it is bad for humanity, he said. Oxfam cited the World Bank data that the actual number of people living on less than USD 6.85 a day has barely changed since 1990. Citing Forbes data, it said the largest annual increase in billionaire wealth occurred in 2021 at USD 5.8 trillion, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and termed the USD 2 trillion surge in 2024 as the second highest. It said that 60 per cent of billionaire wealth is either from crony or monopolistic sources or inherited -- 36 per cent inherited, 18 per cent from monopoly power, and 6 per cent from crony connections. Oxfam further cited ILO to say that women in the informal economy are more often found in the most vulnerable situations, for instance as domestic workers, home-based workers or contributing family workers, than their male counterparts. ILO data also shows that migrant workers in high-income countries earn about 12.6 per cent less than nationals, on average, Oxfam said. The pay gap between men nationals and migrant women in high-income countries is estimated at 20.9 per cent, which is much wider than the aggregate gender pay gap in high-income countries (16.2 per cent), it added. People await the arrival of a tram decorated to celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year in downtown The Hague, the Netherlands, on Jan. 21, 2025. A tram decorated to celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year has debuted on the busiest urban tram line in The Hague, the Netherlands, bringing the festive spirit of the Spring Festival to local residents. (Photo by Sun Jingjing/Xinhua) THE HAGUE, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A tram decorated to celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year has debuted on the busiest urban tram line in The Hague, the Netherlands, bringing the festive spirit of the Spring Festival to local residents. Themed for the Year of the Snake in the Chinese lunar calendar, the tram operates on The Hague's tram line 1. Its front displays the message "Hello, China," while the body features a vibrant red background adorned with cheerful cartoon snake designs and the phrase "HAPPY YEAR OF THE SNAKE." Line 1, the longest urban tram line in the capital, stretches 24 km from the Scheveningen beach through The Hague's city center to the historic city of Delft, serving nearly 30,000 passengers daily. The festive tram will run until Feb. 20, offering tens of thousands of passengers the opportunity to experience a touch of Chinese culture and the Lunar New Year cheer. This special tram also kicks off the "Happy Chinese New Year" celebrations across The Netherlands, involving a series of events. Highlights of the festivities include the annual Spring Festival Gala hosted by the Chinese community in Rotterdam, a lion dance event at The Hague's ice rink, a New Year concert in Amsterdam, a zodiac-themed paper-cut art installation, and hand-painted fan workshops in Rotterdam. Additionally, Chinese students in the Netherlands will organize a student-led Spring Festival gala. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Spring Festival falls on Jan. 29 this year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake. In traditional Chinese culture, the snake symbolizes agility, wisdom, and vitality. A tram decorated to celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year is pictured in the center of The Hague, the Netherlands, on Jan. 21, 2025. A tram decorated to celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year has debuted on the busiest urban tram line in The Hague, the Netherlands, bringing the festive spirit of the Spring Festival to local residents. (Photo by Sun Jingjing/Xinhua) A tram decorated to celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year is pictured in the center of The Hague, the Netherlands, on Jan. 21, 2025. A tram decorated to celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year has debuted on the busiest urban tram line in The Hague, the Netherlands, bringing the festive spirit of the Spring Festival to local residents. (Photo by Sun Jingjing/Xinhua) A tram decorated to celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year is pictured in the center of The Hague, the Netherlands, on Jan. 21, 2025. A tram decorated to celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year has debuted on the busiest urban tram line in The Hague, the Netherlands, bringing the festive spirit of the Spring Festival to local residents. (Photo by Sun Jingjing/Xinhua) Unnao rape: Delhi HC refuses to extend Sengars interim bail NEW DELHI : THE Delhi High Court on Monday refused to further extend the interim bail granted to expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar on medical grounds in the Unnao rape cases. The politician, who was directed to surrender on January 20, failed to secure the relief from a division bench in the main rape case, after it was noted that his application seeking extension was not supplied to the survivor. Take him into custody. This application has not been served, said a bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur. The counsel for the rape survivor alleged that he was only given an application seeking an early hearing. Subsequently, in the case pertaining to the custodial death of the survivors father, Justice Vikas Mahajan observed that in view of the stand taken by the division bench, extending the interim relief in this case would serve no purpose. If the division bench has refused, it would not serve any purpose. You surrender, the judge said. The senior counsel appearing for Sengar told Justice Mahajan that he would surrender before the authorities in the evening. Today, he is surrendering at 5:30 (pm), he said. The senior lawyer, however, argued on the issue of suspension of the 10-year jail sentence in the custodial death case, saying Sengar has already undergone a substantial period in prison during the pendency of his appeal against the conviction. Only one year and 10 months remain, he said, adding that denying the relief in the case would be a travesty of justice. ATHENS, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- US-based energy company Chevron has expressed interest in hydrocarbon explorations in Greece, the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy announced on Monday. The ministry welcomed Chevron's interest, describing the development of a new exploration area as part of Greece's national strategy to enhance energy independence and reduce energy costs. A relevant international tender will be launched soon. "Chevron's interest, combined with the fact that ExxonMobil is already active in our country, marks the simultaneous presence of two energy giants," the ministry noted in its statement. ExxonMobil has been conducting hydrocarbon explorations in an offshore area southwest of Peloponnese and west of Crete since it secured rights via an international tender in 2014. The new marine area for Chevron's interest is adjacent to these plots. Following the energy crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine, the Greek government has set the goal to accelerate the exploration of domestic hydrocarbon reserves to achieve energy security. According to studies by the Hellenic Hydrocarbon Resources Management and the Institute of Energy for Southeast Europe, Greece's hydrocarbon reserves are estimated to be worth 250 billion euros (about 258 billion U.S. dollars). (1 euro = 1.03 U.S. dollars) SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the constitutional court's hearing of his impeachment trial on Tuesday, denying all charges relevant to his martial law imposition. Yoon entered the courtroom at around 2:00 p.m. local time (0500 GMT) before leaving some 100 minutes later. It marked the first time in the country's modern history that an impeached president appeared in the court hearing in person. Asked during the third formal hearing about whether he ordered military commanders to drag out of the National Assembly chamber the lawmakers who gathered to lift his martial law imposition, Yoon briefly said "No." Yoon, who was named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader on an insurrection charge, declared martial law on the night of Dec. 3 last year, but it was revoked by the National Assembly hours later. The country's liberal opposition bloc, including the Democratic Party, won a landslide victory with more than three-fifths of 300 National Assembly seats in last April's parliamentary elections. After the end of the hearing, Yoon moved to an Armed Forces hospital near the constitutional court, which is dedicated to treating former and incumbent presidents and their families as well as soldiers in the capital region, according to multiple media outlets. Yoon was expected to come back to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, some 30 km south of the court later. Next hearings were scheduled to be held on Thursday this month and on Feb. 4, Feb. 6, Feb. 11 and Feb. 13. A warrant to extend the detention of the arrested Yoon for up to 20 days was granted by a Seoul court early Sunday. Yoon appeared in the four-hour warrant hearing on Saturday to explain the legitimacy of his martial law declaration and restore his reputation. The impeachment motion against Yoon was passed in the National Assembly on Dec. 14 last year and was delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power is suspended. To oust Yoon from office, at least six justices of the court are required to uphold the impeachment. If the impeachment is upheld by the court, a snap presidential election will be held within 60 days. Discover the New York Workers Circle School, a progressive, secular Jewish school rooted in social justice. We are a secular, progressive Jewish Sunday school focused on cultural heritage, social justice, and community building. Our program includes Yiddish language, Jewish traditions, activism, a Bnei Mitzve program, family trips, and more. Our learning program digs deep into cultural roots, values children as change makers and cultural creators, and centers voices often marginalized in Jewish life. We are a welcoming community of multifaith, multiracial families with diverse gender identities, family structures, and Jewish journeys. Join us at our upcoming open houses! The New York Workers Circle School in Brooklyn is hosting an Open House on Sunday, January 26, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Flatbush Jewish Center (327 East 5th St, Brooklyn, NY). To RSVP, visit www.circle.org/events/openhousebrooklyn. The New York Workers Circle School in Manhattan is hosting an Open House on Sunday, February 2nd, from 10:45 AM to 1:00 PM at the 6th Street Community Center (638 E. 6th St). To RSVP, visit www.circle.org/events/openhousemanhattan. *This is a paid advertisement. By Mazahir Afandiyev The region's locomotive state, Azerbaijan, is currently forging connections with Georgia in a number of areas in the South Caucasus. Georgia's geopolitical significance in the region has grown, especially as a result of the situation around the nearly 30-year conflict with Armenia. The strong historical ties that have developed between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Georgia, who have lived peacefully in the South Caucasus for centuries, as well as relations in the fields of security, defense, economy, trade, energy, transport and logistics, tourism, culture, and other areas, are based on mutual respect and equal friendship. The wise peoples of Georgia and Azerbaijan have a long history of friendly relations. Our relationships' past experiences demonstrate how similar and intertwined our futures are. Due to this historical experience, cooperation is required in order to maintain regional independence, peace, and security as well as to integrate into the civilized world. Establishing close relations with neighboring countries and preserving South Caucasus security was one of Azerbaijan's primary objectives following its second independence in 1991. Thanks to his friendship with Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, which dates back to the Soviet era, Great Leader Heydar Aliyev was able to further strengthen good-neighbourly relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan when he announced the country's foreign policy priorities in 1993. He did this by drawing on his experience and making effective use of the opportunities that were available. Activities were so conducted as to avoid conflict hotspots in the South Caucasus and to further strengthen the historical linkages between our peoples. In addition to being friends and neighbors, Azerbaijan and Georgia are now significant strategic partners. The Republic of Azerbaijan and Georgia signed the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation, and Strengthening Mutual Security on March 8, 1996, which established the framework for our strategic partnership. More than 125 documents have been signed between our nations throughout the past time, and multiple high-level reciprocal visits have been conducted. Azerbaijan has consistently supported Georgia's development, prosperity, and stability. Taking good-neighbourly and cordial relations between our countries to the next level, perhaps an alliance, assures regional stability and security. Azerbaijan has made 3.6 billion dollars in economic investments in Georgia as a result of years of productive cooperation. Furthermore, the world's most notable example of active partnership is the carrying out of significant energy and transportation projects that benefit both nations greatly. The ever-evolving collaboration between Azerbaijan and Georgia which serves as a link between Europe and Asia, advances not only the political and economic climate in the region but also the worldwide economy. Notably, our nation presently exports natural gas to eleven other nations via Georgian transit, and productive work on the Middle Corridor project, which spans a large geographic area, continues. Over the past few years, the customary gatherings between Georgia and Azerbaijan have helped to strengthen our friendship and bring our two countries closer together. Following Georgia's parliamentary elections, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze made his first trip to Azerbaijan on January 17, 2025, which further demonstrated the strong bilateral ties between our two nations. "Georgia-Azerbaijan relations are progressing successfully in all areas. I believe that our political relations can serve as an example for all our neighbors, President Ilham Aliyev told the press following the meeting between the two leaders. This is an indicator that our political and economic ties will continue to develop in the future, and important joint energy, transit, and logistics projects in the South Caucasus will be successfully implemented, based on an approach based on modern challenges. In addition to the economic sphere, Azerbaijan and Georgia have developed cooperative ties within the framework of international organizations, and several significant projects that support regional security and peoples' well-being have been carried out. Among these initiatives was the South Caucasus Antidrug program (SCAD), which was carried out by the United Nations Development Program and supported by the European Union. It brought together the governments of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. In addition to covering topics like border integration, education, healthcare, security, and legislation, this project has made sure that a system for collaboration and the execution of coordinated joint operations has been established. Thus, the cordial interactions we witness and the traditional meetings we organize open up new vistas in the South Caucasus' sociopolitical life while also contributing to the effective continuance of excellent work for the benefit of the people. Azerbaijan liberated its territory after 30 years of occupation and now is on the verge of achieving regional security. We are confident that, like Azerbaijan, other South Caucasus nations will see the momentous chance to secure a shared future under a new political structure founded on contemporary issues and that a fully secure, tranquil, and affluent existence will be guaranteed throughout this region. Mazahir Afandiyev, the author is a member of the Azerbaijani Parliament Li Jian (2nd R) and Chen Ling (1st R) work on optimizing the three-dimensional paper-cutting models based on the Chinese zodiac animals in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Jan. 7, 2025. TO GO WITH "" (Xinhua/Liu Hai) YINCHUAN, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- As the Chinese Year of the Snake approaches, Fu Zhao'e has been spending her days cutting and folding red paper to create snakes, numbers and other decorative designs, immersing herself in the joy of her craft. The 65-year-old is a native of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and a practitioner of the paper-cutting craft of the Hui ethnic group, which is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. When she spoke with Xinhua, she completed a snake paper cutting in celebration of the upcoming Year of the Snake, one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac that record the years and reflect people's attributes. "The snake symbolizes intelligence and versatility in the Chinese zodiac. Recently, I have been crafting various snake-themed paper cuttings to express my Spring Festival wishes," said Fu, who has been practicing the art form for five decades. The Chinese folk art of paper cutting, or "jianzhi," is traditionally a craft mastered by women and used in ritual or home decoration. The art form has gained increased attention in recent decades and was included on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. In 1960, Fu was born into a farming family in Ningxia's Haiyuan County. Her mother and grandmother were well-known local practitioners of paper cutting. During difficult times, they created window decorations in exchange for daily necessities. "My grandmother passed down her paper-cutting techniques to my mother, and my mother to me," Fu said. "During Spring Festival, every household puts up window decorations of various motifs. When I was still learning, whatever my mother cut, I would follow suit." After graduation from senior high school, Fu opened a small restaurant to earn a living. Despite her busy schedule, paper cutting remained her greatest passion. After one of her paper cuttings was published in a local newspaper in 1983, Fu began submitting her paper cuttings for publication more frequently. Each piece that was published earned her a small supplementary income. She also participated in exhibitions and competitions, winning numerous awards. In 1997, she was invited to showcase her paper-cutting techniques to tourists at the Zhenbeibu film studio, a tourist destination in the regional capital city of Yinchuan. She was soon able to create a paper cutting of a tourist within three minutes, and has made 100,000 such portraits over more than 20 years. Fu narrates stories through her paper cuttings, including stories from mythology, Chinese literature classics and everyday life. "Making paper cuttings allows me to express the things I see and the thoughts in my heart," she said. Under Fu's influence, her three daughters have mastered paper-cutting techniques and chosen art-related majors at university. Her second daughter, Li Jian, is the fourth generation of the family to practice the craft. "My mother's generation stuck to craftsmanship, creating many meaningful works. As inheritors of the craft, our generation has the duty to preserve it, pass it down and carry it forward," Li said. After graduating from university, Li returned to Ningxia to establish a cultural and creative studio, focusing on the industrial development of the art. She has since incorporated her mother's paper-cutting techniques into various cultural products, including wall calendars and silk scrolls. Within a few years, she had developed the workshop into a cultural enterprise with annual sales reaching millions of yuan (1 million yuan is equivalent to about 139,464 U.S. dollars), training more than 1,000 women from rural areas to boost their incomes. Recently, Li has been busy collaborating with a team led by Chen Ling, an associate professor of animation at Ningxia's North Minzu University, to optimize three-dimensional paper-cutting models based on the Chinese zodiac animals. The products are expected to hit the market before the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year that falls on Jan. 29 this year. "Our intention is to bring paper cuttings to life. By integrating industry, academia and research, we aim to develop cultural and creative products such as blind boxes, promoting outstanding traditional culture in forms more appealing to modern audiences," Li said. Li's son, 11-year-old Guo Zhongyao, has been learning paper cutting from his grandmother since he was 3 years old. He has been making paper cuttings inspired by the Year of the Snake in recent days, preparing for a family talent competition during the eight-day Spring Festival holiday. "If someone is willing to learn, I am willing to teach," Fu said. "I will keep making paper cuttings, promoting the art form not only in China, but also to the world." Fu Zhao'e shows her paper cutting work themed the Year of the Snake in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Jan. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Hai) TOKYO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Japanese automakers are set to enhance collaboration in the competitive fields of electric vehicles (EVs) and automotive software, focusing on foundational technology development to maintain their global competitiveness. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) has outlined its "JAMA Vision 2035," which addresses the industry's challenges over the next decade. In the EV sector, Japanese automakers plan to collaborate on developing next-generation charging technologies to reduce charging times. They will also work on standardizing semiconductor and battery specifications and designing recyclable batteries to support sustainability. In the software domain, seen as a critical battleground for next-generation vehicles, the focus will be on unifying specifications for in-car operating systems and sharing data on advanced driver-assistance systems technology. The report highlights the rapid advancements made by emerging Chinese manufacturers, which have significantly disrupted the competitive edge of Japanese companies, according to a report from the national broadcaster NHK. The automotive industry is undergoing a once-in-a-century transformation, and many challenges can not be overcome by individual companies alone, the association noted, stressing that enhancing collaboration will be essential to bolster the competitiveness of Japanese automakers. SINGAPORE, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- As part of a broader multi-ministry health initiative launched on Tuesday, Singapore will roll out personalized Health Plans for children in Primary 1 to 3, starting in 2025. Each child will receive a Health Plan that includes a lifestyle prescription, health screening results, vaccination records, and referrals to healthcare services if needed, according to a joint statement by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Social and Family Development. At the start of the school year, parents will receive a pre-screening lifestyle questionnaire to gather information about their child's habits. Healthcare personnel will engage with each student to discuss potential lifestyle changes based on their health status, habits, and areas identified for improvement in the questionnaire. After the screening, parents can access their child's Health Plan and explore additional resources, including healthy living tips and personalized recommendations. The Ministry of Health is also introducing a new Childhood Health Behaviours Checklist to identify children at risk of developmental delays who may require early intervention. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education are working with healthcare clusters to make healthier food options more appealing in school canteens and expand the variety of healthy recipes available. These measures are part of Grow Well SG, a new national health promotion strategy launched by the three ministries. The initiative focuses on promoting healthier lifestyles and preventive care for children, with an emphasis on improved nutrition, sleep habits, learning experiences, and physical activity. The initiative's target includes children aged 12 and under, with plans to extend to older age groups in the future. DAMASCUS, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Syria's interim Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, announced Tuesday that he will represent his country for the first time at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2025. "We will share Syria's developmental vision and the aspirations of our great people with the world," al-Shibani said on the social media platform X. This marks the first time in Syria's history that its leadership has been invited to participate in the annual summit in Switzerland, a sign of Damascus's expanding international engagement following the recent change in government. No additional details were provided regarding the Syrian delegation or the agenda for the global economic gathering. However, the new administration has consistently emphasized reconstruction and development in its diplomatic efforts since assuming power late last year. The World Economic Forum in Davos typically draws leaders in politics, business, and civil society to address global economic and social challenges. BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping talked with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a video meeting on Tuesday, saying China and Russia should jointly defend the UN-centered international system and the outcomes of World War Two (WWII) victory. Xi noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victories of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN). China and Russia should take this as an opportunity to jointly defend the UN-centered international system and the victory of WWII, promote all countries' adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, uphold the universally recognized basic norms governing international relations, and practice true multilateralism, Xi stressed. Body of a missing minor girl, suspected to be a victim of rape and murder, was recovered from a field at Basanti in South 24-Parganas district on Monday evening. According to the district police superintendent Palash Chandra Dhali, the minor girl, an eighth-standard student, had been missing since 9 January. Advertisement The victims family members, according to him, registered the missing case three days after, on 12 January. Advertisement Now the body has been recovered. The police are investigating the matter on the basis of the complaint of the victims parents. The body has been sent for post-mortem, he said. Sources said that since the missing report was registered by the parents of the victim, the cops started looking for her. Finally, on Monday evening we received information that the victim was hidden somewhere in a field near her residence, they said. They added that finally, the body was recovered after digging out a portion of the field. The victims parents claimed that their daughter went out of the house on the afternoon of 9 January after being called by the local youth. She has been missing since then. We suspect that she was gang-raped first and then her body was buried. We demand the culprits be tracked and punished severely, said a member of the family. Tension is still prevailing in the area following the recovery of the body of the victim. The local people also staged protests against the police over the matter after the recovery of the body. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is gearing up to take a tougher position against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Madurai party congress. The conference, scheduled for 2-6, April, is expected to finalise significant political strategies, including decisions on aligning with the Congress in the run-up to the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The CPM recently concluded its three-day Central Committee meeting at a banquet hall in New Town, Kolkata. According to sources, politburo coordinator Prakash Karat has urged the party to focus on strengthening its grassroots organisation while maintaining active engagement in street-level struggles. Karat emphasized that internal discussions must continue alongside external mobilisations. Advertisement Observers believe this marks the beginning of the end of the Sitaram Yechury era, with the party leaning towards the Kerala model of governance and strategy. The CPM leadership has also highlighted the rise of the RSS as a major threat, insisting that the partys primary objective should be to fortify its own ranks before making electoral alliances. A senior leader from the state echoed this sentiment, stating, We have spent too much time discussing seat-sharing agreements with the Congress and neglected the task of strengthening the party. This directive is timely and necessary. Advertisement The fate of the opposition INDIA bloc remains uncertain, with party insiders hinting that the Madurai congress will address these questions. A draft resolution outlining the partys political roadmap will be published on 1 February for internal discussions at all levels. The central committee will meet again on 22-23 March to finalise the draft ahead of the Madurai congress. In a press briefing on Sunday at Alimuddin Street, Prakash Karat and state secretary Mohammed Salim revealed that the central leadership has discussed a broad political draft. The CPM also welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement in Gaza and reiterated its opposition to the BJPs constitutional amendments, temple-mosque controversies, UGC draft policies, agricultural marketing reforms, and changes to the Election Commissions regulations. As the CPM prepares for a decisive year, the political dynamics within the opposition and its strategy against the BJP will come under sharper focus in the weeks leading up to the Madurai congress. BEIRUT, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for Israel's immediate withdrawal from disputed territories during a meeting on Tuesday with Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles. The talks come amid rising tensions along the border, exacerbated by violations of a recent ceasefire agreement. Aoun warned that Israel's potential failure to meet the deadlines set in the Nov. 27 ceasefire accord would destabilize the region further and hinder reconstruction efforts in the border areas. Under the agreement, Israeli forces are required to withdraw by January 26. The meeting, held at Baabda Palace, coincided with reports of Israeli military activity near the southern town of Bint Jbeil. According to Lebanon's National News Agency, Israeli forces were demolishing property gates and firing in the area. Artillery fire also targeted the Sedana Heights near Shebaa earlier on Tuesday. Robles reiterated Spain's support for Lebanon and stressed the importance of Israel adhering to the agreed withdrawal timeline. She also reaffirmed Spain's commitment to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), where Spanish troops serve under UNIFIL Commander Aroldo Lazaro Saenz. In a separate discussion, Lebanese Defense Minister Maurice Slim expressed gratitude for Spain's military support, while condemning what he described as Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty and UN Resolution 1701. According to a report by World Data Lab, India is projected to account for 16% of global consumption at purchasing power parity (PPP) by 2050. This will be up from 4% in 1997 and 9% in 2023. World Data Lab, a McKinsey Global Institute analysis has released a report on Dependency and Depopulation: Confronting the Consequences of new Demographic Reality. Advertisement It highlighted that only North America, with a 17% share in 2050, will have a higher consumption share. Advertisement In the next quarter century, later-wave countries and regions, including emerging Asia, Latin America and the Carribean, West Asia and North Africa, India, and Sub-Saharan Africa will account for more than half of the global consumption. This will be due to the fast-growing young population and increasing incomes. Later-wave countries and regions are those that have seen fertility rates fall later than advanced countries. During the same period, advanced Asia, North America, Greater China, Western Europe, and Central and Eastern Europe could account for just 30 per cent of the worlds consumption in 2050, down from 60% in 1997. The World Data Lab report points out the shift of balance of population due to sharp declines in fertility rates by 2050, only 26% of the world population will live in first-wave regions compared to 42% in 1997. The rest will be in later-wave regions and Sub-Saharan Africa. PPP is a way to compare the value of different currencies by adjusting for price differences between countries. The report, interestingly, also highlighted that Indias share of world population, which was 23% in 2023, will fall to 17% in 2050. It will go down further to 15% by 2100, when it will hit 1,505 million, a growth of 5% from 2023. The research says that the demographic dividend added 0.7% on average to the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) per capita growth between 1997 and 2023. Indias coffee exports have almost doubled in the last four years to touch $1.29 billion in FY 2023-24 from $719.42 million in 2020-21 with the country becoming the seventh-largest coffee producer globally, according to a statement released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Monday. In the first half of January 2025, India exported over 9,300 tonnes of coffee with top buyers including Italy, Belgium, and Russia. The countrys coffee exports have grown significantly due to the increasing global demand for its rich and unique flavors. Advertisement Approximately three-fourths of Indias coffee production consists of Arabica and Robusta beans. These are primarily exported as unroasted beans. However, there is a growing demand for value-added products like roasted and instant coffee, further fuelling the export boom. Advertisement Due to the rise of the cafe culture, higher disposable incomes and a growing preference for coffee over tea, coffee consumption in India is also steadily increasing. This trend has been observed particularly in both urban and rural areas. Domestic consumption has increased from 84,000 tonnes in 2012 to 91,000 tonnes in 2023. This surge reflects a broader shift in drinking habits, as coffee becomes a staple in daily life, the statement said. Indias coffee is primarily grown in the ecologically rich Western and Eastern Ghats, areas famous for their biodiversity. Karnataka leads in production, contributing 248,020 MT in 2022-23, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu. These areas are home to shaded plantations that not only support the coffee industry but also play a vital role in preserving the natural environment, helping to maintain the ecological balance of these biodiversity hotspots. To enhance coffee production and meet growing domestic and international demand, the Coffee Board of India has launched several important initiatives. Through the Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP) the focus is on improving yields, expanding cultivation in non-traditional regions and ensuring the sustainability of coffee farming. These measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen Indias coffee industry, increase productivity and improve its global competitiveness, the statement said. A prime example of the success of this is Araku Valley, where nearly 150,000 tribal families in collaboration with the Coffee Board and the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) have increased coffee production by 20 per cent. This achievement is backed by loans from the Girijan Co-Operative Corporation (GCC). It shows how coffee farming empowers communities and supports the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. These initiatives, combined with export incentives and logistical support, are playing a crucial role in expanding Indias coffee industry. They help improve both domestic production and global competitiveness, firmly establishing India as a leading player in the global coffee market, the statement added. Interestingly, Indias journey with coffee began centuries ago, when the legendary holy saint Baba Budan brought seven Mocha seeds to the hills of Karnataka in the 1600s. His simple act of planting these seeds in the courtyard of his hermitage in Baba Budan Giri unknowingly set in motion the rise of India as one of the worlds prominent coffee producers. Over the centuries, the cultivation of coffee in India has evolved from a humble practice to a thriving industry with the countrys coffee now widely loved across the globe. The direct selling industry in the Northeast has achieved 16% growth with the total sales crossing Rs 1,854 crore in 2022-23, according to the Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA). Assam leads the region, contributing Rs 1,009 crore in sales and a 4.7% national market share, supported by 2.4 lakh direct sellers, IDSA said in an interaction with the media here.. Advertisement The remaining seven states collectively contributed Rs 845 crore, with Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim showing notable growth rates of 31%, 22.7%, and 25%, respectively. Advertisement Forty-five women entrepreneurs from the region were honored for their contributions to the sector. IDSA Chairman Vivek Katoch highlighted the regions potential, calling it a key market for direct selling in India. The region, which accounts for 8.7% of the Rs 21,282 crore national turnover of the direct selling industry (DSI), provides self-income opportunities to over 4.2 lakh direct sellers, the IDSA said. Assam, being the 9th largest direct selling market in the country, rules the roost with Rs 1,009 crore in sales, 13% YOY growth, and a4.7% national market share, supported by over 2.4 lakh direct sellers. Combined, the other seven states contribute Rs 845 crore: Nagaland Rs227 crore, Mizoram Rs 156 crore, Arunachal Pradesh Rs 78 crore, Tripura Rs 72 crore, Meghalaya Rs 19 crore, and Sikkim Rs 5 crore. Notable growth rates were seen in Mizoram (31%), Sikkim (25%), Nagaland (22.7%), and Manipur (20%). In a bid to further revitalise the telecom industry, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) on Monday released the telecom industrys recommendations for the upcoming Union Budget 2025-26 to the Ministry of Finance. Considering the huge capital that Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have to invest in the current scenario, especially for the deployment of 5G, COAI recommended that the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) levy be abolished. Advertisement Alternatively, the government may consider the suspension of the USO contribution of 5 per cent of AGR, till the existing USO corpus of over Rs 86,000 crore is exhausted, said the apex telecom industry body. Advertisement COAI also recommended that the license fee be urgently reduced from 3 per cent to 1 per cent, so that it just covers the administrative costs by the DoT/government, thereby relieving the TSPs from additional financial burden. The industry is also concerned over the present definition of Gross Revenue (GR), as it covers revenue from all telecom activities. The COAI also recommended that the definition of GR be made precise, stipulating that the revenue from activities for which no license is required should not be a part of GR. Further, we strongly believe that large traffic generators (LTG) should take the responsibility of participating in the development of telecom infrastructure as they ride on the networks created by telecom companies, earn profits, but dont pay anything for creation of the infrastructure, said the COAI. It recommended that LTGs should pay to USO fund/Digital Bharat Nidhi Fund and thereby contribute to the Indian digital economy. Owing to the intense price competition in the market, the telecom industry in India has consolidated from over 10 companies in 2017 to 3 private and 1 public sector company, which is an optimal structure and encourages healthy competition. Further to the above, cash flow and projections of some of the players in the telecom industry have also been adversely impacted post the Supreme Court Ruling of 2019, in the context of calculation of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), whereby telecom operators are required to pay additional AGR dues basis the revised computation, over a longer period of time, said the COAI. COAI also requested the government to clarify that service tax is not payable on incremental License Fees (LF) and Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC) arising from the Supreme Courts AGR ruling. Over the past 5 to 6 years, the government has gradually increased the customs duty on telecom equipment to 20 per cent, adding a significant financial burden on telecom companies and significantly impacting the rollout of 5G services in India. COAI has requested for exemption from the levy of BCD be granted on the telecom equipment under CTH 8517, which has been increased from October 11, 2018, which will alleviate the cost challenges associated with deploying this critical infrastructure. A total of 699 candidates were left in the fray today after the withdrawal of nominations in the Delhi assembly elections slated for February 5. After the last date of withdrawal of candidature, nominations of 699 candidates have been accepted. January 17 was the last date for filing nominations while the nominations were scrutinized on January 18, and the last date of withdrawal of candidature was on January 20, according to Election Commission official. Advertisement The highest number of candidates is in the New Delhi assembly seat where 23 candidates are contesting while the lowest number of candidates is in Kasturba Nagar and Patel Nagar seats, where only five candidates each are contesting. Advertisement The high profile New Delhi assembly is seeing a triangular contest with AAPs Arvind Kejriwal, who is seeking is his fourth term from here,pitted against BJPs Pravesh Verma and Congress Sandeep Dikshit, both former MPs. Meanwhile, for the Kalkaji seat, a total of 13 candidates are in the fray. The notable among them include Chief Minister Atishi who is pitted against BJPs Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress Alka Lamba. Out of the 70 constituencies, 38 have fewer than 10 candidates. Assembly constituencies like Tilak Nagar, Mangolpuri, and Greater Kailash each have six candidates each , while Chandni Chowk, Rajendra Nagar, and Malviya Nagar have seven each. Delhi will go to polls in a single phase on February 5, with a fierce triangular contest among the AAP, BJP and Congress. The results will be announced on February 8. In the last assembly polls, the AAP had won 62 out of 70 seats while BJP won 8 seats and Congress drew a blank. Earlier on January 6, ECI had released the final electoral roll according to which, the total number of registered voters stands at 1,55,24,858, out of which 83,49,645 are male, 71,73,952 female and 1261 third gender voters. Delhis Bijwasan assembly is in for an interesting political battle with AAP candidate Surender Bharadwaj set to take on his partys two former colleagues, BJPs Kailash Gehlot and Congress Devinder Sherawat. Located in South West Delhi and divided by Delhi-Gurugram highway, the seat has been won by the AAP twice and once by the BJP in the last three elections. The constituency came to light in 2020 as AAPs Bhupinder Singh Joon won it by a narrow margin of 753 votes by defeating his BJP rival Sat Prakash Rana. Advertisement In the 2015 elections, AAP candidate Devinder Sehrawat won the seat. He polled 65,006 votes against BJP candidate Sat Prakash Ranas 45,470 while Congress candidate Vijay Singh Lochav could manage only 5, 258 votes. Advertisement This time around, the BJP has denied a ticket to Rana and the AAP replaced incumbent MLA B S Joon. Interestingly, Sherawat is now a Congress nominee and Gehlot the nominee from the saffron party, both belonging to the Jat community that holds a position in deciding the fate of the candidates on this seat. There are 11 villages, of which eight are Jat majority, two Yadav, and one Brahmin majority village. In addition, it has a mixed population of migrants from Purvanchal and Uttarakhand among others. The issues here, like all other parts of Delhi, are poor roads, and inadequate connectivity of DTC buses. Moreover, the villages in the assembly constituency face lack of adequate infrastructure. The villagers had vowed to boycott the assembly elections during Gaon Dehat Bachao Yatra under the banner of Palam 360 khap leader Surender Chouhdary. The candidates here, especially the BJP and the AAP, are banking on the manifestos of their respective parties. For the AAP, the biggest challenge arose from the denial of ticket to its incumbent MLA, BS Joon, and fielding a Brahmin face who does not fit in the caste equation here. However, Bhardwaj is sticking to the development works accomplished by the AAP government in the city for votes. Kailash Gehlot, the BJPs parachute candidate, depends on Sat Prakash Rana, who pledged support to him after the last election losing narrowly, and the saffron partys attack on the AAP for its misdeeds. Congresss Sherawat, on the other hand, is contesting the election by highlighting his development works as MLA from here from 2015 to 2020. Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra on Tuesday accused the AAP-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) of involvement in an alleged scam related to the sale of vehicles seized by the police or civic body in the national capital. Addressing a press conference, Malhotra stated that before 2021, 45 vehicles were auctioned, with bids reaching as high as Rs 21 lakh. However, after the AAP assumed control of the MCD in 2022, 609 vehicles were identified for auction in 2023-24. Advertisement Of these, 281 vehiclesincluding cars, scooters, three-wheelers, and Vikram autoswere reportedly sold directly for just Rs 2.3 lakh, pricing each vehicle at an average of Rs 800. Advertisement Malhotra alleged that 328 vehicles were declared missing and raised concerns over the lack of accountability. He criticized AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, highlighting his 2022 MCD election promise to clean up Delhis garbage. Instead, Malhotra claimed, the administration has reduced the citys dignity to garbage by recklessly selling vehicles and allegedly siphoning off crores of rupees. The minister further explained that vehicles seized by the police or MCD are typically auctioned periodically to free up parking spaces. Such auctions are conducted for vehicles with no ownership claims. Malhotra questioned the rationale behind selling entire vehicles for Rs 800, emphasizing that scrap iron itself is sold by weight and would fetch much higher prices. He expressed astonishment over the missing record of 328 vehicles and the lack of information on their whereabouts. Malhotra also alleged that this issue concerns only the Shahdara zone, where Kejriwal and his team are accused of perpetrating a scam worth crores of rupees. He suggested that similar irregularities might exist in the other eleven zones under the MCD. AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal announced on Tuesday that his party would form Dhobi Samuday Welfare Board if it returns to power following the Delhi assembly polls. He said the board would address the longstanding issues of washermen in the national capital. Advertisement Acknowledging the contribution of the Dhobi community to Delhis economy and their struggles with systemic challenges, Kejriwal unveiled Seven Guarantees to boost their livelihoods, ensure access to basic services, and ensure their socio-economic welfare. Advertisement The guarantees include the regularisation of press stands, revival of the licensing process for Dhobis, charging electricity and water at domestic rates, quality education, scholarships, and skill training opportunities for their children. The AAP chief made the announcement during a meeting with the representatives of the Delhi Dhobi Mahasabha, who had come to express their gratitude and extend their support to his party. Stating that the seven guarantees would have a transformative impact on the lives of thousands of people belonging to their community, Kejriwal said, As the national convenor of the AAP and a chief ministerial candidate, I accept the demands of the Dhobi community and announce that if our government is formed, we will establish a Dhobi Samuday Welfare Board. Kejriwal further said, Dhobis are generally underprivileged. They collect clothes from households, wash them, press them, and return them. They earn very little money from this work, which has to cover household expenses, school fees for their children, and medical expenses in case of illness. With such low earnings, it is challenging to manage these costs. On the occasion, Ravi Kumar, president of the Delhi Dhobi Mahasabha, said there had been discussions on establishing a board for the Dhobi community for a long time. We face numerous challenges but none of the government departments heed to our grievances. Despite making significant efforts to build press stands across Delhi we always face obstacles in our way. Our children have to struggle for scholarships. With the establishment of the Dhobi Samuday Welfare Board, we will have a single-window system to resolve our grievances, he added. Actor Randeep Hooda is all set to make his mark in Hollywood once again. The star has reportedly flown to Budapest to begin filming his next international project. This marks his return to Hollywood after his role in Extraction, where he shared the screen with Chris Hemsworth. The Netflix action-thriller, released in 2020, showcased Hoodas ability to shine on a global platform. Advertisement According to media reports, Randeep is excited about the new venture. While the details are still under wraps, insiders hint that the actor will be seen in a completely new avatar. The shoot is likely to commence later this week, and fans are already speculating about what surprises the actor has in store. Advertisement Randeeps schedule has been packed with back-to-back projects. He is currently working on Jaat, a film where he stars alongside Sunny Deol under the direction of Gopichand Malineni. The movie is set to release later this year, adding to the actors impressive lineup. Meanwhile, his recent portrayal of Veer Savarkar in the biopic Swatantrya Veer Savarkar has earned widespread acclaim. The film, based on the life of the revolutionary freedom fighter, has been shortlisted as a contender for the Oscars 2025. Competing with other Indian films like Kanguva, The Goat Life, and Girls Will Be Girls, the biopic has gained significant recognition since its premiere at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Randeep has also been making waves on social media. Earlier this month, he shared a series of bold monochrome pictures on Instagram, posing shirtless in denim while shaving. The post, captioned Getting ready for the weekend, left fans swooning. Since his debut in Monsoon Wedding in 2001, Randeep Hooda has consistently delivered memorable performances in films like Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Sarbjit, Kick, and Sultan. The arrested accused in the stabbing attack on actor Saif Ali Khan was taken to different locations by the Mumbai police as part of the investigation to recreate the crime scene. On early Tuesday morning, police officials, along with the accused, identified as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, visited several locations to recreate the crime scene. The accused was first taken to Saif Ali Khans Bandra residence, where the attack took place. The police team then moved to the National College bus stop. The team was also seen leaving from the railway station in a police jeep and returning to the Bandra Police Station. Advertisement The attack occurred last week when the intruder entered the actors home with alleged intentions of theft. Saif, attempting to intervene during a confrontation between the intruder and his housemaid, sustained stab wounds to his thoracic spine. Advertisement As per the police statement, various investigation teams were formed to probe the crime, and a case has been registered under sections 311, 312, 331(4), 331(6), and 331(7) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Further, according to the police, the accused was about to flee to his native village when he was detained at Hiranandani Estate in Thane. It was revealed that the accused is a native of the Jhalokati district in Bangladesh, according to the police. The accused was sent to five-day police custody by the Bandra Holiday Court on Sunday. Meanwhile, Saif Ali Khan is being treated at Lilavati Hospital and is reportedly recovering well. BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) should be strengthened, not weakened, and that China will continue to support WHO in fulfilling its duties. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks in response to a query regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order on Monday to withdraw the United States from WHO. Guo said that, as an authoritative international organization in the field of global public health, WHO plays a central coordinating role in global health governance, and its role should be strengthened, not weakened. China will, as always, support WHO in fulfilling its duties, deepen international public health cooperation, strengthen global health governance, and promote the building of a global community of health for all, Guo added. Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has been discharged from Mumbais Lilavati Hospital after suffering severe injuries in a knife attack at his Bandra residence on January 16. The incident unfolded during an alleged robbery attempt when an intruder broke into the actors home in the early hours. Advertisement Saif, who stepped in to protect a housemaid during a confrontation with the intruder, sustained multiple stab wounds, including a critical injury to his thoracic spine. Advertisement The actor underwent two major surgeriesneurosurgery and plastic surgeryto treat his injuries. A 2.5-inch knife blade lodged in his spine was successfully removed during the procedures. Doctors have confirmed that Saif is now out of danger and recovering steadily. He has been moved from the ICU to a regular room, with medical staff closely monitoring his condition. Saifs wife, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and daughter, Sara Ali Khan, were seen visiting him at the hospital, providing support during his recovery. Following the attack, security measures at Saifs Bandra residence have been enhanced. CCTV cameras are being installed to ensure the safety of the actor and his family. Footage has shown technicians working to mount cameras on the balcony and ceiling of the property. The Mumbai Police have arrested the accused, identified as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a native of the Jhalokati district in Bangladesh. Authorities revealed that the suspect had planned to flee to his hometown but was apprehended at Hiranandani Estate in Thane on February 19. He has been remanded to five days of police custody by the Bandra Holiday Court. Investigators have registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including those pertaining to theft and grievous injury. To reconstruct the sequence of events, police officials conducted a crime scene recreation on Tuesday morning. The accused was taken to Saifs residence, the National College bus stop, and a railway station as part of the investigation before being brought back to the Bandra Police Station. The attack reportedly occurred around 2:00 AM when the intruder entered Saifs home with the intent to steal. During the altercation, Saif intervened to protect his staff, resulting in the injuries that required immediate medical attention. Francisco San Martin, best known for his role as Dario Hernandez in the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives, has tragically passed away at the age of 39. According to the Los Angeles County Coroners Office, the actor died by suicide at his Los Angeles home on January 16. Advertisement San Martins time on Days of Our Lives spanned six months in 2011. He initially portrayed a petty thief, only for his character to later reveal himself as an officer investigating a cold case. Advertisement Eventually, his character moved to Argentina after a promotion, with actor Jordi Vilasuso later taking over the role from 2016 to 2017. Beyond his work on Days of Our Lives, Francisco San Martin appeared in other notable projects, including a recurring role on Jane the Virgin. He starred opposite Gina Rodriguez in seasons three and four, portraying a character who shared a tumultuous relationship with Jane. His acting credits also include appearances in Behind the Candelabra and The Bold and the Beautiful. The news of his passing has sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Camila Banus, who played his on-screen sister Gabi in Days of Our Lives, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram. Pepe, what can I say but I love you and rest in peace, my friend, she wrote, adding, Love you mucho mucho mucho; I wish I had told you more. San Martins journey into acting began in childrens theater productions in Montana, where he grew up. As a teenager, he returned to Madrid, where he worked as a model and began honing his craft through acting classes. He eventually graduated and gained recognition in Spains stage, television, and film industries. Fans and colleagues have been mourning his loss, sharing memories and heartfelt condolences. Many have praised his talent and the joy he brought to those who watched his performances. After several trials and tribulations, Kangana Ranauts Emergency finally hit theatres on January 17 but it is still not out of troubled waters; the film is facing protests in the UK. Amid the films ban in Punjab, Sikh communities in the UK are disrupting the films screening calling it Anti-Sikh. The Sikh Press Association (PA) group revealed on social media that people are viewing the film as Anti-Sikh. Now, the protests are causing the cancellation of the screenings in Birmingham and Wolverhampton, in the West Midlands region of England. Meanwhile, Community organisation Insight UK also posted a video on X revealing the protesters interrupting a screening of the film at a cinema in Harrow, north-west London. The insight states, Pro-Khalistan extremists storm Harrow cinema and attempt to stop the screening of Emergency. Advertisement Previously, the Sikh PA released a statement about the protests against the politically-charged film. It stated, UK Sikhs are protesting at cinemas across the UK regarding todays release of the film Emergency, a biopic of former India Prime Minister Indira Gandhi considered anti-Sikh propaganda. It adds, The film stars and was created by Kangana Ranaut, a notorious actress/politician in India, who pushes bigoted rhetoric about the minority Sikh-Punjabi community. Indira Gandhi was the PM who initiated the #SikhGenocide before her assassination. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kangana Ranaut (@kanganaranaut) Emergency chronicles the politically turbulent atmosphere of the 1970s Emergency period in India. It seeks to offer a view of a defining moment in the nations socio-political history. The title was initially going to release on September 6, 2024. However, it attracted trouble for a long time. The film didnt receive the certification initially and attracted backlash from several Sikh organisations for its portrayal of the community. Apart from headlining the film, Kangana Ranaut is also serving as the director and co-producer of Emergency. Meanwhile, recently the actress expressed her disappointment over the films ban in Punjab and reception by Sikhs abroad. In a video shared online, she stated, On behalf of Zee Studio, Manikarnika Film, and all the members of Ease My Trip, I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You all gave so much love and respect to our film. We dont even have words to express our gratitude. Also Read: R Madhavan reveals two most horrifying days of his career Continuing, she said, But, I still have some pain in my heart. Punjab. In the industry, it was said that my films perform the best in Punjab. And today is a day when my film is not even allowed to be released in Punjab. In the same way, some attacks are being carried out on people in Canada and Britain. Some people, some small-minded people have set this country on fire. And you and I are burning in this fire. Security forces have dealt a significant blow to the Maoist insurgency in the dense Dandakaranya region along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. In a meticulously coordinated operation, forces from both states neutralized over 14 Maoists, including Jayaram alias Chalapathi, a Central Committee Member and one of the most wanted insurgents, carrying a Rs 1-crore bounty. Advertisement The encounter began on Sunday evening in the Kulhadighat area under the jurisdiction of Mainpur police station in Chhattisgarhs Gariaband district. It remains ongoing with sporadic exchanges of fire. Advertisement The casualty tally in the Maoist camp is expected to rise. We will confirm the final count only after our personnel return from the mission, Gariyaband SP Nikhil Ashok Rakhecha told The Statesman. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai lauded the security personnel for their courage and commitment, stating, This success strengthens the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to eradicate Maoist insurgency by March 2026. The dedication and bravery of our security forces are exemplary. I salute their valiant efforts. He also expressed confidence that the double-engine government would ensure Chhattisgarh is Maoist-free by the deadline. The elimination of Jayaram marks a significant milestone in the fight against Maoist insurgency. Known for orchestrating several high-profile attacks in the region, his death is expected to create a leadership vacuum within Maoist ranks. While over 14 bodies have been recovered so far, security forces are continuing to comb the area in an effort to track down any remaining insurgents who may have fled during the gunfight. Personnel from the Gariband Operation Group E30, COBRA 207, CRPF Battalions 65 and 211, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) from Odishas Nuapada participated in the operation. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the forces launched an offensive in Kulhadighat, a Maoist stronghold, on January 19. Several senior Maoist cadres are believed to have been neutralized in the operation, delivering a significant blow to the insurgent hierarchy in the region. The recovery of sophisticated weaponry, including automatic SLR rifles, ammunition, and intelligence materials, underscores the scale of the Maoist network. With the elimination of key Maoist leaders, security forces are now focusing on consolidating their gains and intensifying counter-insurgency operations. The intelligence materials recovered from the site will be thoroughly analyzed to further dismantle Maoist networks, a senior police officer stated. Additionally, heightened surveillance in bordering regions is being implemented to prevent cross-border insurgent movements, particularly from Odisha and neighboring states. Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh government is intensifying developmental initiatives in Maoist-affected areas to curb recruitment and foster public trust in state institutions. Priority is being given to infrastructure development, education, and livelihood programs to address the socio-economic vulnerabilities often exploited by insurgents. Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh police have shot dead 4 dreaded criminals during a late night encounter in the forest of Udpur village of Jhinjhana. Among the dead was Arshad of Mustafa gang, carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, and his three associates. All four died on the spot. Police Inspector Sunil Kumar was injured after being shot by the miscreants, whose condition was considered serious and was referred to Gurugram hospital . Advertisement According to sources here on Tuesday STF Meerut received information that miscreants were going to Jhinjhana area of Shamli with the intention of robbery. STF reached the spot as soon as the information was received. Advertisement STF sources said that an attempt was made to stop a car near the brick kiln of Udpur. It is alleged that meanwhile the car riders started firing on the STF team. Firing continued from both sides for a long time. Arshad, a resident of Gangoh in Saharanpur carrying a reward of one lakh and a members of Mustafa alias Kagga gang, was injured by the bullet. He died on the spot. The dead include, Arshads friend Manjeet of Sonipat and Satish of Madhuban, Haryana and one other unidentified.Pistols have also been recovered from the miscreants. According to STF, Manjeet of Sonipat has been sentenced to life imprisonment in some case. He was out of jail on parole. After coming out, he was committing crimes. Now the miscreants were planning to commit some major crime in Jhinjhana area. According to STF, apart from Shamli, cases of robbery, murder and other cases are also registered against Arshad in Saharanpur, Panipat of Haryana, carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh. Congress leader Udit Raj on Tuesday alleged that AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal refused to meet a delegation of Buddhist monks and priests from Guru Ravidas and Valmiki temples, exposing what he claimed to be Kejriwals anti-Dalit stance. This statement followed Rajs demand to include Buddhist monks and priests from Guru Ravidas and Valmiki temples under the Pujari-Granthi scheme announced by the AAP government, which provides an honorarium of Rs 18,000 per month. Advertisement Addressing a press conference, Raj said, I led a delegation of monks and priests to meet the AAP National Convenor at his residence, but instead of greeting them, he called the police, and we were detained at the Mandir Marg police station. Advertisement Raj further claimed that he had requested Kejriwal to include Dalits in the Delhi governments senior citizen pilgrimage scheme, but the proposal was never accepted. Kejriwal only sheds crocodile tears for Dalits to play vote-bank politics but is not genuinely concerned about their plight. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 57 Dalit sanitation workers died while on duty, protecting the lives of Delhiites. However, they have yet to receive the compensation of one crore rupees promised to COVID warriors who died in service, he alleged. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is set to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, marking a decade of relentless efforts to protect, educate, and empower the girl child in India. This milestone aligns with Indias vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047 and the global shift from Womens Development to Women-Led Development, a priority championed during Indias G20 Presidency and now adapted by Brazils G20 Presidency. Advertisement The inaugural event will be held tomorrow at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. It will be graced by the Union Minister of Health and Family Affairs J P Nadda. Advertisement The event will witness the participation of women officers from the armed forces, paramilitary forces, and Delhi police. Furthermore, women officers of Deputy Secretary and above levels from central ministries will be joining the event in Vigyan Bhawan. Additionally, girl students (My Bharat volunteers), Anganwadi supervisors/workers and representatives of states and districts have been invited to participate in the event. The event will also be attended by representatives from international organizations such as UNICEF, UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA, World Bank and The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The tenth anniversary celebrations will span from January 22-March 8, culminating on International Womens Day. The opening event at Vigyan Bhawan will include an oath-taking ceremony and the launch of a compendium of best practices. The event will also showcase the launch of Mission Vatsalya and Mission Shakti portals. Similar events will be organised at state and district levels, with special programs on January 22, January 26, and March 8. Activities will feature rallies, cultural events, felicitation ceremonies, and campaigns under SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women, engaging diverse stakeholders, including schoolgirls, women achievers, and community groups. Throughout the celebration, nationwide campaigns through print, digital, and social media will amplify the schemes message. In alignment with sustainable practices, a plantation drive will also be conducted. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was launched on 22 January, 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Panipat, Haryana, as a response to the critical issue of gender imbalance and the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) in India. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao emerged in response to alarming trends of gender imbalance and declining child sex ratios, transforming from a policy initiative into a national movement. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme has mobilised government agencies, civil society, media, and the public to address gender discrimination and foster a cultural shift toward valuing the girl child and ensuring her rights and opportunities. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday accused former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal of depriving the poor people of the national capital of basic amenities. In the last 10 years, Arvind Kejriwal has played with the emotions of the poor people and has exploited them, the Haryana Chief Minister said. Advertisement Kejriwal talks about improving education but opens liquor stores on every street. He (the AAP chief) has deprived the poor people of Delhi of basic amenities. This is the first time in history that a Chief Minister and several of his ministers have gone to jail, the Haryana Chief Minister said. Advertisement This has never happened in any other state. Now, people have lost trust in him (Arvind Kejriwal). The people of Delhi are waiting for February 5; on February 8, the Lotus government will be formed, Saini said. He (Arvind Kejriwal) didnt even provide roofs for the poor but built a Sheesh Mahal for himself. The people of Delhi understand everything, the Haryana Chief Minister said. Saini exuded confidence in the BJP winning the Delhi Assembly polls and said that on February 8, the BJP government will be formed in the national capital. Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saini said the PM has provided Ayushman Card to the poor which provides treatment of up to Rs five lakh. Prime Minister Modi has provided a Rs five lakh Ayushman Card to poor individuals, which allows them to get treatment in any hospital. In Haryana, people are benefiting from this scheme, but the people of Delhi and Punjab are not receiving this benefit as they have the AAP government, he said. The Delhi Assembly elections are going to take place on February 5, with counting of votes scheduled for February 8. India and France have agreed to expand bilateral partnership in the areas of high-end technology sectors. In addition, the two countries have decided to expand their cooperation in areas like environment, climate change and health, the Indo-Pacific, trilateral dialogues, and joint development projects in third countries. Advertisement The two countries discussed international issues and crises such as those concerning the situation in West Asia and the Russia-Ukraine conflict at the foreign office consultations held on Monday in Paris. The meeting was co chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ms. Anne-Marie Descotes. Advertisement During the meeting, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the progress made in various facets of bilateral cooperation, as outlined in the India-France Horizon 2047 Roadmap. The discussions encompassed key areas of bilateral cooperation including defence, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital, AI, institutional dialogue mechanisms, and initiatives fostering people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties. Meanwhile, the seventh India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 14 January. It was co-chaired by Mr Pavan Kapoor, Deputy National Security Advisor, National Security Council Secretariat, India, and Ms. Alice Rufo, Director General for International Relations and Strategy, Ministry for the Armed Forces, France. Both sides discussed enhancing their cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region and reaffirmed their shared vision for maritime security, a key element of the India-France Strategic Partnership. The two countries reiterated their strong commitment to upholding international law, supporting multilateralism, including through regional organisations, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protecting freedom of navigation. Recalling their vision for a free and open Indian Ocean Region, first expressed in the Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region in 2018, India and France agreed to support free and secure access to sea lanes of communications through collaboration between their maritime assets and organisations. France welcomed the participation of the Indian Navy in the Combined Maritime Forces and looks forward to Indias leadership of the appropriate Combined Task Forces. India and France agreed to develop a joint assessment of the threats to maritime security in the region; to counter illicit maritime activities, including piracy and armed robbery, maritime terrorism, contraband smuggling, Illegal Unreported and Unregulated fishing; hybrid as well as cyber security threats and marine pollution. During a comprehensive review of preparedness of security forces along the Indo-Pakistan border, J&K Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat on Tuesday stressed the need for a holistic approach combining technology, manpower, and community engagement, to strengthen the security grid further and necessary support and resources to facilitate their operations effectively. DGP Nalin Prabhat along with Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu Zone, Anand Jain, and senior officials including Inspector General BSF, IG CRPF, DIG JKS Range, SSP Kathua, and SSP Samba, last night visited the border areas of Samba-Kathua belt to assess the preparedness of security forces and to address infiltration challenges. Advertisement The DGP called for heightened vigilance in light of the evolving security scenario and a commitment to safeguarding the borders and ensuring the safety of citizens. Advertisement The DGP along with senior officers toured several forward posts along the International Border (IB) and held in-depth discussions with field officers and troops to evaluate the operational readiness and effectiveness of deployed security measures. The review aimed to ensure that the security grid remains robust and capable of thwarting any infiltration attempts. Critical areas of concern, including border fencing, patrolling mechanisms, surveillance equipment, and coordination between multiple security agencies were examined. The DGP emphasized the importance of synergy and swift communication among all stakeholders to maintain a foolproof security apparatus. The ADGP Jammu zone highlighted the significance of proactive measures, such as increased night patrolling and real-time intelligence sharing, to prevent infiltration attempts and cross-border threats. The delegation also interacted with the troops, commending their dedication and resilience while guarding the borders under challenging conditions. IG BSF briefed the team about the latest developments, including the use of advanced surveillance systems and ongoing operations to plug any potential gaps in border security. DIG JKS Range, along with SSPs of Kathua and Samba, shared insights on recent trends in cross-border activities and steps being taken to ensure the safety of civilians residing in border areas. During the return journey late at night, the DGP accompanied by senior officers visited multiple camps of the Special Operations Group (SOG) in close proximity to the border. NEW DELHI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Indian security forces shot dead at least 14 armed rebels called "Naxals" in the country's central state of Chhattisgarh, confirmed federal Home (Internal Security) Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday. The encounter between the security personnel and the Naxals took place in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district located along the inter-state border with the neighboring state Odisha. All the 14 dead bodies had been recovered from the site of the encounter. A search operation was being carried out in the area to look out for more dead bodies. According to media reports, around 40 Naxals have been killed by Indian security forces so far this year. In another encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district 12 Naxals were killed on Jan. 16. Chief Minister Hemant Soren presided over an important Jharkhand Cabinet meeting here on Tuesday in which 18 key proposals, including health insurance policy for state employees and pensioners, were approved. The meeting marked significant progress in various sectors, with decisions aimed at enhancing healthcare, legal services, and welfare programs across the state. A major highlight of the meeting was the approval of the revised health insurance policy for state employees and pensioners. The scheme will provide financial coverage of up to Rs five lakh annually for common illnesses and Rs 10 lakh for critical illnesses. Although the initial resolution for the scheme was issued on July 31, 2023, its implementation was delayed due to certain errors. These issues have now been resolved, and the updated file has been submitted to the Cabinet Secretariat. The government is also considering extending the deadline for beneficiaries whose bank accounts are not linked with Aadhaar, as payments to such individuals have been halted since January. Advertisement In collaboration with Tata AIG General Insurance Company, the government has decided to extend better medical facilities to about 1.5 lakh pensioners and their family members. Pensioners, who earlier had limited benefits compared to state employees, will now receive comprehensive coverage. The scheme will be implemented with a Rs150 crore budget, of which Rs 100 crore will be utilized for immediate execution, while Rs 50 crore will be reserved as a buffer stock under the Jharkhand Aarogya Societys trust. So far, around two lakh state employees and pensioners have registered under the scheme, which requires an annual premium of Rs 6,000 from each beneficiary. Advertisement The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a special court in Chatra, aimed at expediting legal proceedings and improving access to justice in the region. In another welfare initiative, Rs 12 crore was allocated for the Jharkhand Advocates Welfare Fund, providing much-needed support to legal professionals. Meanwhile, the Gyanodaya Scheme also received a boost with the approval of a proposal to introduce computer education in middle schools, ensuring technological literacy for students across the state. In the healthcare sector, the Cabinet approved the formation of the Jharkhand Paramedical District-Level Cadre (Recruitment, Promotion, and Other Service Conditions) Rules, 2025. This decision is expected to streamline the recruitment process and improve the working conditions of paramedical staff. Among other decisions, the Cabinet gave its nod for regular flights from Dumka Airport by approving a Memorandum of Understanding with the Airport Authority of India. Investigating officers will also be equipped with mobile phones to assist them in their duties. Additionally, a disciplinary penalty imposed on former Block Development Officer Kumkum Prasad was lifted, withdrawing the previous order to halt her increment. However, the proposal to hire highly skilled professionals as advisors-cum-special secretaries on a contractual basis was rescinded. The meeting highlighted the governments commitment to addressing healthcare, education, and welfare needs while also focusing on administrative reforms. With these decisions, the Hemant Soren-led government has taken crucial steps toward ensuring development and inclusivity across the state. Jharkhand hosted a state-level workshop on Assessing Vulnerability and Climate Risks in Ranchi, bringing together policymakers, scientists, and experts to address the states climate challenges. Aboobacker Siddiqui, Secretary, Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, emphasised aligning efforts with the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) and called for collaborative solutions. Satyajit Singh, PCCF & HoFF, highlighted the Forest Departments key contributions like afforestation and water conservation, while Susheela Negi of DST praised Jharkhands proactive integration of national programmes. Advertisement Discussions covered climate vulnerability assessments, capacity building, climate finance, and pathways to carbon neutrality. Experts from institutions like IIT Mandi, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and NABARD provided insights to shape future strategies. Advertisement The workshop concluded with a commitment to innovation and collaboration, positioning Jharkhand as a model for climate resilience in India. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf Amendment Act 2024 was held on Tuesday in Lucknow. Suggestions and objections were sought from Muslim religious leaders and organizations regarding the bill. A total of 11 members, including JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal and member Asaduddin Owaisi, participated in the meeting. Prominent attendees included Shia Sunni Central Waqf Board Chairman Ali Zaidi, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali, Maulana Sufiyan Nizami, representatives of Jamaat-e-Islami, Milli Council, and officials from other organizations. Advertisement This marked JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pals second visit to Lucknow. During his earlier visit, he met with Muslim community leaders and intellectuals. Sources revealed that Pal held extensive discussions with Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali and Maulana Saif Abbas about the bill. Advertisement Speaking to reporters after the meeting, JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal said, This law is being introduced for the betterment. Today was our last meeting in Lucknow. Earlier, similar meetings were held in various states. In todays discussion, we also consulted Minister Danish Azad Ansari, Minister OP Rajbhar, and the Shia Sunni Central Waqf Board. During the meeting, the Uttar Pradesh government claimed that out of 14,000 hectares of land in the state, 11,000 hectares are government land. The Bada Imambara, Chhota Imambara, and Bahu Begum tomb in Ayodhya have not been considered as Waqf property by the government, revealed AIMIM National President and MP Asaduddin Owaisi. Owaisi alleged that the new law aims to undermine Waqf properties. He added, How can there be a non-Muslim member in the Waqf Board? All power will be transferred to the collector, who will function according to the government. The bill has many shortcomings, which is why it is facing opposition. The Uttar Pradesh government defended its position, stating that a comprehensive survey of Waqf properties had been conducted. Officials noted that there had previously been no data on Waqf properties in the state, including registration details or figures on confiscated land. The government cited findings from the Sachar Committee, which identified 60 properties as government-owned. JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal emphasized the productive nature of the meeting, stating that discussions were held in a constructive atmosphere. He noted that complaints are frequently received about the misuse of Waqf properties and cited examples of vast land holdings, such as 5,000 acres in Pilibhit and 70,000 acres in other areas, that require proper management. The Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday urging the Centre to immediately withdraw the draft University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations of 2025 and come up with a new set of regulations after holding extensive discussions with state governments and academic experts. The resolution was passed in the wake of concerns raised by state governments and academic experts. Advertisement Moving the resolution in the House, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the assembly was of the clear opinion that the draft UGC regulations do not reflect the spirit of the Constitution. Advertisement The UGC draft regulations undermine the constitutional values and ideals that are entrusted in the constitution of the country. We have decided to take up the matter with all non-BJP states and thereby hold a meeting with the state education ministers and then decide on the further course of action, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. He said universities across the country operate in line with the laws passed by their respective state legislative assemblies, and any move to impose central regulations without proper consultation would undermine the federal structure of India. The draft UGC regulations can only be seen as an attempt to wreck democratic values in the higher education sector and to enable people who propagate communal ideas to control the sector, the resolution said. Noting that up to 80% of the funds for running universities and higher educational institutions were being spent by state governments, the resolution pointed out that states have a major role in maintaining and improving the quality of universities. The resolution also expressed concern over the exclusion of state governments in vital appointments like Vice Chancellor positions and teacher qualifications. The Assembly is of the view that the stance of the Centre and UGC to exclude state governments from important matters, pertaining to the selection of Vice Chancellors and the service and pay conditions of teachers, is undemocratic and should be corrected, the resolution further says The Tamil Nadus assembly passed a similar resolution earlier this month, calling for the withdrawal of the UGC draft regulation of 2025. Reiterating its demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Manipur, the Congress party, said on Tuesday that this is the very least he could do to show his concern, if he has any, for the strife-torn state. It may be mentioned here that the ethnic clashes that erupted in the state of Manipur on May 3, 2023 have since continued unabated. Scores of people have lost their lives while thousands have been forced to take refuge in relief camps. Advertisement Congress has been attacking the prime minister for not visiting the state to assuage the pain of the embattled people there. Advertisement Taking a jibe at the prime minister on the Statehood Day of Manipur, Congress general secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh said, The formerly non-biological and now suddenly human prime minister has just sent greetings to the people of Manipur on their Statehood Day through social media. Yet, he has stubbornly refused to visit Manipur even briefly ever since its agony began on May 3, 2023. The Congress MP said Modi has travelled all over the world but couldnt find time nor does he have the inclination to reach out to the people of the state in Imphal and other places. Modi has stubbornly refused to meet MLAs of his own party in the state. He has not had a one-on-one meeting with the Chief Minister, nor has he met with MPs, political leaders, and civil society organisations of the state. His Statehood Day greetings are hollow and reflect his hypocrisy which knows no limits, he wrote on X. Ramesh , who has been criticising Modi over the Manipur issue, said, Congress demands that he visit Manipur immediately. This is the very least he can do to show his concern if he has any. Outsourcing Manipur to the Union Home Minister is an abdication of Prime Ministerial responsibility and has proved disastrous. Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, met with the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Foreign Trade, Bernard Quintin, in Brussels on the sidelines of World Economic Forum (WEF). Both the leaders highlighted that the emerging sectors such as renewable energy, life sciences, infrastructure, digital technologies, and food products as key areas of collaboration. Advertisement Belgium recognized the importance of engaging with India as a strategic partner to diversify its trade relationships. Advertisement Regulatory barriers, particularly in the approval processes for pharmaceuticals and agri-products, were also discussed, with both sides agreeing to tackle these challenges through continuous dialogue. Notably, India-Belgium trade is estimated at over US$ 15.07 billion in 2023-2024 while Foreign Direct Investments from Belgium into India was estimated at over US$ 3.94 billion. The meeting reinforced the longstanding relationship between India and Belgium, built on shared values of democracy, rule of law and independent judiciary. Both the leaders discussed ways to expand economic cooperation, and explored new avenues to advance this partnership. Recognizing the potential of trade as a cornerstone of their partnership, both the leaders emphasized the importance of diversifying trade relations and deepening economic diplomacy to achieve sustainable growth. The meeting concluded with a commitment to establish stronger mechanisms for resolving trade issues. They affirmed their dedication to fostering a robust and mutually beneficial trade partnership. At his visit to Brussels, Piyush Goyal also interacted with European business leaders, representatives of diamond industry and investors in areas of maritime services, solar energy, clean technology, waste treatment and green hydrogen. Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan on Tuesday reached his residence at Satguru Sharan apartment complex in Bandra West after being discharged from Lilavati Hospital. The Mumbai police recorded the actors statement about the attack on him at his residence, five days ago. Advertisement While the actor returned to his residence in a car, a large number of people including his fans and media persons gathered outside his residence, where he was stabbed by an intruder five days ago. Advertisement Earlier on Tuesday, his wife Kareena Kapoor had reached the Lilavati Hospital to accompany him home after his discharge. She was accompanied by security and police personnel. A panel of four doctors who cleared the actors discharge has recommended that he must continue resting for several more days to ensure a full recovery. The medical panel said that while he is able to walk and talk, his complete recovery and healing will take about a month, especially the area on his back where he was stabbed. A portion of the knife with which he had been stabbed by his attacker had broken inside and got lodged in his body, before he underwent surgery to get it removed. The actor also underwent cosmetic surgery on the affected region, and it will take about a month for it to heal completely, according to the medical panel. The medical panel of doctors which allowed his discharge has advised the actor to avoid lifting heavy weights, going to the gymnasium for workouts, or returning to film shoots, underlining the need for complete rest. The actor has also been told to stick to a list of medications which has been prescribed by the Lilavati Hospital medical team. Khan will need to undergo regular check-ups with a general surgery physician to monitor the healing progress of his wound, the Lilavati Hospital medical panel has recommended. After his recovery, the actor and his wife Kareena Kapoor have decided to move back to their previous residence at Fortune Heights in Bandra West along with their children, Taimur and Jeh. The relocation to Fortune Heights is intended to enable a more secure environment for the family during the actors recovery process. The relocation will be supported by enhanced security measures, including 24/7 surveillance by the Mumbai police. Asking why Tahir Hussain now a AIMIM candidate from Mustafabad assembly constituency has been denied bail in a single case, relating to February 2020 North-East Delhi riots, when he has been granted bail in nine other similar cases, the Supreme Court on Tuesday posted for tomorrow (Wednesday January 22) for hearing his plea for interim bail so that he could campaign in the ongoing Delhi assembly election. Posting the matter for Wednesday after a brief hearing on Tuesday, a bench of Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah asked Delhi police to come prepared with its submissions on Hussains plea for interim bail for his election campaign. Advertisement Asking why Hussain has been denied bail in a single case related to February 2020 Delhi riots when he has been granted bail in nine other similar cases, the bench said, In all other 9 cases where he faces same allegations, he has been granted bail and then why not in this one. Advertisement The bench also asked senior advocate Sidharth Aggarwal, appearing for Tahir Hussain, as to why Hussain was pressing for interim bail, instead of a regular bail. Why are you insisting on interim bail as if elections are the only thing left to be done in life? the bench said in an observation. Telling the bench that the regular bail plea of Hussain was pending before the Delhi High Court and the Delhi police did not even file a reply to it, senior advocate Aggarwal told the bench that the main assailants in the case had been granted regular bail. Hussain, a former Aam Aadmi Party councilor, was granted custody parole by the Delhi High Court on January 14 for filing his nomination from the Mustafabad assembly constituency. He has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Courts order denying him interim bail to campaign in the upcoming Delhi election. In the high court, the Delhi Police had opposed Hussains plea for interim bail citing the gravity of allegations and stating that he was the main perpetrator in the violence, resulting in the death of several persons. The high court had said about 11 FIRs were registered against Hussain in connection with the riots and he was admittedly in custody in a related money laundering case and UAPA case. Hussain was booked in the murder case of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. Violence broke out in North-East Delhi on February 24, 2020, leaving 53 dead and several injured. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday lauded the security and border forces after 14 Maoists were killed in an encounter in the dense Dandakaranya region along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. CRPF, SoG Odisha and Chhattisgarh police neutralised 14 Maoists in joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, he said in a post on X. The home minister called the operation a mighty blow to Naxalism as the security forces achieved success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. Advertisement With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and joint efforts of security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today, he added. Advertisement An official said the Maoists were killed in a fresh exchange of fire that took place late Monday and early Tuesday morning in a forest under the Mainpur police station area along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also lauded the security personnel for their courage and commitment, stating, This success strengthens the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to eradicate Maoist insurgency by March 2026. The dedication and bravery of our security forces are exemplary. I salute their valiant efforts. He also expressed confidence that the double-engine government would ensure Chhattisgarh is Maoist-free by the deadline. Personnel from the Gariband Operation Group E30, COBRA 207, CRPF Battalions 65 and 211, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) from Odishas Nuapada participated in the operation. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the forces launched an offensive in Kulhadighat, a Maoist stronghold, on January 19. Several senior Maoist cadres are believed to have been neutralized in the operation, delivering a significant blow to the insurgent hierarchy in the region. The recovery of sophisticated weaponry, including automatic SLR rifles, ammunition, and intelligence materials, underscores the scale of the Maoist network. With the elimination of key Maoist leaders, security forces are now focusing on consolidating their gains and intensifying counter-insurgency operations. The intelligence materials recovered from the site will be thoroughly analyzed to further dismantle Maoist networks, a senior police officer stated. Additionally, heightened surveillance in bordering regions is being implemented to prevent cross-border insurgent movements, particularly from Odisha and neighboring states. Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh government is intensifying developmental initiatives in Maoist-affected areas to curb recruitment and foster public trust in state institutions. Priority is being given to infrastructure development, education, and livelihood programs to address the socio-economic vulnerabilities often exploited by insurgents. Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana has reiterated the state governments commitment to the welfare of farmers and strengthening the agriculture sector. He said on Tuesday that the double-engine government led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will focus on the welfare of farmers in the upcoming Budget. Advertisement Rana said the Chief Minister had organised a pre-Budget consultation meeting at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, for the financial year 2025-26. Advertisement In this meeting, discussions were held with farmers, agricultural scientists and representatives of farmer producer organisations. More than 52 suggestions were shared by farmers and experts during the meeting. These included inputs from members of farmer associations, farmer producer organisations and federations. The Chief Minister assured in the meeting that the government is working on a special strategy to increase the income of farmers and improve their economic condition. The Agriculture Minister said the Chief Minister recently held detailed discussions with farmers to understand their problems. He assured that steps would be taken to resolve these problems in the upcoming Budget session. Referring to the joint initiatives of the central and state governments, Rana said the farmers of Haryana are getting the benefit of schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Soil Health Card Yojana, e-NAM (National Agriculture Market), Mera Pani-Meri Virasat, Kisan Mitra Yojana, and Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana. He said these schemes promote water conservation, crop diversification and ensure economic security of farmers. He claimed that Haryana is the only state in the country which procures all 24 crops at the Minimum Support Price fixed by the central government. The Agriculture Minister also mentioned the approval of a one-time special package on Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser by the central government. He said a subsidy of Rs 3,500 per tonne has been given under this package with a financial provision of Rs 3,850 crore. Due to this, farmers are getting DAP fertiliser at cheaper rates despite fluctuations in the global market. JAKARTA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is encouraged to strengthen its partnerships with South Africa and Brazil as part of its membership in the BRICS economic group, an expert said on Tuesday. "Indonesia, South Africa, and Brazil have similar products, and logistics are costly due to the significant geographical distance," said Bhima Yudhistira, director of the Center for Economics and Law Studies, highlighting the challenges of Indonesia's cooperation with these two countries. Bhima noted that Indonesia has opportunities to collaborate with South Africa on managing vital mineral resources and energy transition funds. Both nations are recipients of energy transition funding under the Just Energy Transition Partnership. Meanwhile, Brazil, which is set to host the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference, and Indonesia, both tropical nations, have the potential to work together on sustainable forest management and related initiatives. "If BRICS is used to expand the market to South Africa and Brazil, that is something that must be encouraged," he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will chair an all-important special meeting of the state cabinet in the Mahakumbh area on the Sangam banks here on Wednesday. In the meeting, several important proposals from across the state, including Prayagraj, will be passed. After the cabinet meeting , the chief minister, along with his ministerial colleagues, will take a dip in the holy Sangam and before having a darshan (visit) and worship at Akshayvat, Saraswati Kupa, Patalpuri, and Bade Hanuman Temple. Thereafter, all ministers together will have prasad or Lunch. Advertisement The meeting will now be held in the temporary circuit house at Triveni Sankul located in Arail on the banks of Sangam at around noon. Advertisement Earlier, the cabinet meeting was scheduled at the Integrated Control and Command Center of Prayagraj Fair Authority located at the Parade Ground but now it has been shifted from there in view of the problems of the devotees. Mahakumbh Mela Officer Vijay Kiran Anand said here on Tuesday that the meeting of the state cabinet would be held in the temporary circuit house Triveni Sankul located in Arail. The government has taken this decision for the convenience of the devotees. All 54 cabinet ministers and ministers of state with independent charges have been invited to the meeting. Most of the ministers will reach the Sangam by this evening while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will arrive on Wednesday morning. During the Kumbh in 2019, a Cabinet meeting approved the Ganga Expressway, which is near completion. The Ganga Expressway will start from Meerut and will end near Prayagraj. Earlier too, a special cabinet meeting was held on December 16, 2021 at Kashi Vishwanath Dham and another cabinet meeting was held on November 9, 2023 before the Pran Pratistha ceremony in Ayodhya. Important proposals to be approved in the special cabinet meeting include the important religious circuit of Kashi, Prayag, Ayodhya, Chitrakoot and Vindhyachal. Bridge on Ganga and Yamuna and expansion project of Bundelkhand Expressway can also be included in the proposal. Prayagraj could also get an elevated flyover from Naini Central Jail to BPCL and in Sulemansarai. On Army Day the Ministry of Defence launched a portal on battlefields. The portal, released by the defence minister, has details of how to visit various well-known battlefields and war memorials, and where visitors can pay homage to those who laid down their lives. The regions being opened include Kibithoo (for the battle of Walong) and Bum La in Arunachal Pradesh, Rezang La, Pangong Tso and Galwan in Ladakh and Cho La and Doklam in Sikkim. Some features in Kargil, Batalik or Drass may also be opened for climbing enthusiasts to experience the heights at which the battles of the Kargil war were fought. These are in addition to places which are already open for tourism in Punjab, Nathu La in Sikkim and parts of Arunachal including Zemithang. Battlefield tourism is just one part of what the government needs to do to change the pattern of livelihood of residents in villages close to the borders. The regions most impacted by shifting populations are Himachal and Uttarakhand, rather than Ladakh and Arunachal. It is these regions which need government emphasis. The army chief had stated in September last year that the army has contributed to building model villages in border regions as also developing infrastructure. He sought a whole-of-government approach towards addressing this issue. The Prime Minister had visited Mana in Uttarakhand in October 2022 and declared it as the first village of India, instead of the last village as it was previously termed. Advertisement Uttarakhand alone has over 200 ghost villages mostly in border regions, which need to be developed and repopulated, if India is to continue exerting its claims. PM Modis visit to Mana was more than just a coincidence. In August last year, PM Modi had launched the Vibrant Village Programme in his Independence Day Speech. In addition, the government also has the Border Area Development Programme. The aim of both these programmes is to develop border villages by improving the quality of life for residents. Most villages in remote regions are being abandoned by the younger generation, who are unwilling to continue with the traditional methods of livelihood including rearing animals and limited agriculture, in regions where there are few facilities. They seek improved infrastructure as also better avenues of employment, as available in larger cities. Advertisement Hence, population in these villages is receding with the youth migrating. The government has earmarked funds for both these programmes. However, they fail to make much headway mainly due to different political parties at the state and Centre and the apathy of the bureaucracy. There has been little to no monitoring from the Centre. The army and other security forces, mainly the ITBP, are the only troops in the region and in close contact with the residents, but have limited access to funds. They are doing their bit but with restricted support there is little progress. Unless they are provided funds and given authority, these schemes are unlikely to succeed. The army is already involved in development of these regions under its sadbhavana projects; it however lacks resources. Additional Central government allocations would add to their efforts. Battlefield tourism is one of the options to re-create job opportunities for the region. More important and essential for enhancing livelihoods is promoting trekking, conducting camps, enhancing agriculture opportunities and opening of basic mountaineering institutes. Most border regions have pristine scenic beauty and would be a draw amongst the national populace, if advertised and promoted. Repopulation of villages, enhanced by regular visits and employment for a few months in a year, would go a long way in convincing the local population to stay firm. The government is also attempting to build homestays in remote villages but these would only be successful provided these sectors are opened for tourism. The government is aware of benefits of involving residents of villages in enhancing national security. The villagers know the terrain and are able to identify infiltrators and other illegal activities by the enemy. It was shepherds who first identified the infiltrators in Kargil. Secondly, they are useful guides for army patrols, being hardy and knowledgeable. Thirdly, they are a ready workforce for developmental projects and finally are a strategic asset for surveillance. Well populated border regions also enhance Indias claims over disputed territory. The Chinese have constructed border villages termed as Xiaokang Villages. These have been populated by forcibly moving nomadic Tibetans into them. They have dual purposes. Apart from reinforcing their claims on the region these villages also house regular troops and during operations would serve as both monitoring stations and potential military outposts. About 600 such villages have been constructed close to international borders, some even in Bhutanese and Nepalese territory. India, as a democracy cannot ape the Chinese model. It has to provide an avenue for livelihood as also facilities including education, water and communication for ensuring that the region remains populated. The problem with government programmes is that these are implemented in villages which are already populated rather than in those which need to be populated or are sparsely populated. A major stumbling block remains the Inner Line Permit system. This makes tourism and trekking in the region difficult as permits need to be obtained from district authorities located at a distance. Removing this restriction, mainly in Uttarakhand and Himachal, would be a major boon. Helipads constructed in link up with nearby airports would be a boon, as would provision of mobile and digital connectivity as also 24X7 electricity. Border regions are ideal for trekking and this should be encouraged. It is important that all measures, battlefield tourism, trekking activities and visits by Indian tourists to border regions must be encouraged, not only in Ladakh and Arunachal but also in other states, mainly Himachal and Uttarakhand. The intent, apart from highlighting Indias claims, would also provide employment opportunities to the local populace. Simultaneously, it would result in development of infrastructure. Finally, if border regions need to be developed and outlying villages repopulated, the lead agency must be the army, which has the largest presence and contact with locals. The state bureaucracy cannot do much on its own. (The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.) The recent conclusion of the worlds largest sustainable development summit ~ COP 29 ~ in Baku (November 2024) marked a watershed moment in global water management. The COP 29 Declaration of Water for Climate Action recognizes that water is at the heart of climate change with the majority of climate impacts experienced in the country through floods, droughts, glacial mass loss, landslides, water contamination, sea level rise, water scarcity and changing water availability as well as other substantial changes in the water cycle at global and regional scales. COP 29 also noted with alarm that 2.2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water and about half of the world population is currently subject to severe water scarcity. These challenges require composite efforts, dialogues and actions, at various levels. Back home in India, in a significant move, the government has proposed a comprehensive draft model Bill (2024) to establish a State Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Authority, similar to the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), being a regulator in the electricity sector. This initiative represents a crucial step toward streamlining water management by consolidating various existing frameworks. In the draft Bill, the provisions relate to institutional frameworks for state water resource management, water resource management plans, matters relating to groundwater protection zones, floods plane zones and river conservation plans, water tariff, enforcement of a grievance redressal mechanism, power of IWRM Authority and Governments power to issue directions to the Authority. This consolidation will address one of the long-standing challenges in Indias water sectors, the multiplicity of regulatory authorities. At the apex of the institutional structure, a State Water Resource Management Council would provide overall guidance on water management, while a State IWRM Authority would oversee technical, planning, and regulatory aspects. Advertisement The framework water councils extend down to District, Block Municipal, and Village level, each with specific responsibilities for planning and management within their jurisdictions. The Authority is given the power to set water tariffs for the states elucidating its principles for tariff fixation etc. This approach aligns with recommendations from recent research, notably the discussion paper on Climate Resilience in Water Resource Management in India (TERI-MGC, 2024). The paper emphasizes that IWRM requires coordinated efforts acr oss sectors, regions, and governance levels to build resilience against climatic shocks. However, the success of the governments current initiative hinges on addressing several critical challenges. Effective water resource management requires robust data on both supply and demand sides, particularly considering various climate change scenarios, which is currently absent. The data management system must function as a two-way process: collecting current water demand and availability data at local levels while simultaneously incorporating forecasted basin and sub-basin data under different climate scenarios. This necessitates a comprehensive training and capacity building programme for data collection and utilization at district, municipal, and village levels. Advertisement This comprehensive data approach can enable the development of targeted solutions on multiple fronts. It could facilitate the creation of effective regional water plans that reflect both current realities and future projections. It could also support the development of water demand management strategies, including detailed water accounting and budgeting based on accurate demand and availability assessments. Armed with this information, IWRM authorities can then develop and implement viable pricing mechanisms tailored to different hydrological units. This data-driven approach would enable the design of targeted awareness campaigns for different sectors and stakeholders, ensuring that conservation efforts are aligned with the specific needs and challenges of each hydrological unit. Second, the complexity of water management extends beyond administrative boundaries. River basins often span multiple states, requiring inter-state coordination. While State Water Councils are essential, regular meetings of the National Water Council become crucial for coordinating basin-wide planning and management. Third, global initiatives like the Baku Dialogue call for strengthening scientific evidence on climate changes impact on water resources, Indias move towards integrated water management becomes even more relevant. The Baku Dialogue also calls for the integration of water-related mitigation and adaptation measures in national climate policies, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). This integration provides clear targets and direction for water management efforts. In this context, TERI (2024) recommends granting legal sanctity to the Bureau of Water Use Efficiency. The National Water Missions goal of improving water use efficiency by 20 per cent could be incorporated into Indias NDC, providing a measurable target for water conservation efforts. Furthermore, the enactment of a National Climate Change Act would provide crucial legal backing for both adaptation and mitigation measures, ensuring their effective implementation and monitoring. To meet NDC goals, use of advanced technological interventions like Artificial Intelligence (AI), geospatial mapping, and decision-support systems can transform water management for India. These IoT enabled tools can help in optimizing water use, monitor groundwater levels, predict flood risks and many more critical things enabling better planning and response. Fourth, since water resources are be coming more and more susceptible to extreme weather events, watershed management is essential for adapting to climate change. A key element of climate adaptation methods includes effective watershed management that guarantees the long-term availability of clean water, promoting biodiversity, and increasing community resilience to climate-related difficulties. Additionally, adoption of nature-based solutions (NbS) offers sustainable alternatives to traditional infrastructure and helps in mitigating urban flooding which is a common phenomenon with erratic rainfall and concretization. India can replicate such models, adapting them to local contexts. Fifth, in economic terms, India needs to encourage investment in climate resilient infrastructure and adoption of blue-green infrastructure. It will not only enhance climate resilience but will also ensure economic development of the nation. There have been many instances where community participation has played a critical role in climate resilient water management. Thus on the social front, engaging with the community, users and managers is equally important to reap benefits of IWRM in the water sector. Besides this, effective water demand management is a must. Finally, enhancing innovative water related climate policy actions, strengthening the generation of scientific evidence on causes and impact of climate change on water resources and promoting dialogue and partnerships among countries should be adopted. These are critical for India to achieve not only its targets for SDG 6 relating to water and sanitation but many other targets of various SDGs by 2030. The writers are, respectively, the Managing Director of Mu Gamma Consultants, Gurgaon, and a Distinguished Fellow, TERI, New Delhi who served as Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States as during the 60th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. US Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump. Prior to Trumps swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn-in as US Vice-President. Earlier, Trump alongside outgoing US President Joe Biden arrived at US Capitol from White House for the swearing-in ceremony. Earlier Vice President Kamala Harris accompanied VP elect JD Vance to the Capitol. Advertisement Donald Trumps wife, Melania Trump, arrived at Rotunda along with Vances wife, Usha Vance. Bidens wife, Jill Biden and Kamala Harris husband, Doug Emhoff, arrived ahead of them. Trumps cabinet nominees took seats ahead of his inauguration. Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and tech billionaire Elon Musk, the co-chairs of the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency, also attended the ceremony. Former US Presidents and First ladies, including Bill Clinton and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, George Bush and Laura Bush attended Trumps inauguration. Former US President Barack Obama was also present during the ceremony. Advertisement Donald Trumps children Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Tiffany Trump, Eric Trump and Baron Trump were present in US Capitol to attend his inauguration. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Google CEO Sundar Pichai attended the ceremony. After the swearing-in, President Trump will take part in the signing ceremony in the Presidents Room, a tradition that began in 1981 with President Ronald Reagan. This event marks one of the first official actions of the newly sworn president, where he signs nominations and various memorandums or proclamations. Following the signing, a luncheon will be held, and Trump will take part in the review of the troops before heading to Capitol Hill to join the inaugural parade. Later, Trump and his wife will participate in a signing ceremony at the White House and deliver remarks at the Convention Centre. The evening will conclude with the first dance at the Liberty Ball, followed by participation in the Commander-in-Chief Ball and the United Station Ball. The day will end with Trumps return to the White House. Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora on Tuesday wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding a thorough audit of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants across Maharashtra and act against them, in the wake of the recent attack on actor Saif Ali Khan. Earlier, the police had claimed that the actor was attacked by an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh. Advertisement Deoras letter on Tuesday has drawn the attention of CM Fadnavis to the urgent issue of Bangladeshi immigrants and their unchecked employment across various sectors of the states economy. Advertisement It is imperative that the Government of Maharashtra conducts a comprehensive audit of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants residing and working in the state. This initiative should involve district collectors, local municipalities, and law enforcement agencies, working in coordination to identify, verify and act against undocumented individuals, according to Milind Deoras letter to CM Fadnavis. Deora has stated in his letter to CM Fadnavis that staffing and recruitment companies must be held responsible and they must be penalised if they were found getting jobs for illegal immigrants without verifying their documents like Aadhaar cards. I strongly urge the Government of Maharashtra to implement stringent regulations mandating staffing agencies to verify the authenticity of all documents before placing individuals in jobs. There is also a need to introduce penalties for non-compliance, including fines and cancellation of licenses for agencies found guilty of neglecting this responsibility. There is a need to conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance with these regulations, Deoras letter to CM Fadnavis stated. Maharashtra has always been a beacon of opportunity and inclusivity, but it is critical to balance these values with the necessity of ensuring safety, security, and legal accountability. A concerted effort to address this issue will not only bolster public confidence but also safeguard the interests of law-abiding citizens and businesses in our state, Deoras letter to CM Fadnavis stated. US President Donald Trump attended the Commander-in-Chief inaugural ball, the first of three events scheduled after his swearing-in ceremony, where he expressed gratitude to service members and highlighted plans for military strength and national security. Joined by First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Usha Vance, Trump danced on stage in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Advertisement Addressing the attendees, he said, Today, we celebrate the enduring strength and resilience of our glorious Republic. It is highly appropriate that we honour the men and women who keep us safe. Your bravery inspires us, your service unites us, and your sacrifice protects us all. Advertisement Trump took the opportunity to praise Pete Hegseth, his nominee for Secretary of Defence. Under the leadership of our next Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth who I just saw and is fantastic we will again build the most powerful military the world has ever seen, he stated. Referring to his previous term, Trump said, We did that four years ago, and then it dissipated a little, but were going to do it again much bigger and stronger than ever before. He assured the crowd that the militarys sole focus would be on defending the nation. You do not have to worry about political agendas. There is only one focus: defeating Americas enemies. We are not going to be defeated or humiliated; we are only going to win. The President also emphasised economic strength and national security. The economy is going to be strong; we are not going to let our friendly and unfriendly nations push us around from many standpoints, including the economy because we have something that we do not have. We have the power that they dont have. We will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars we end and, perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into; its called peace through strength. We dont have to fight the wars if we can do it without fighting, Trump said. Trump predicted a renewed global reputation for the United States, saying, Our friends will respect us, our enemies will fear us and the world will admire the unrivalled greatness of the US military. This is going to be a golden age of America, he added. During the event, Trump spoke via video with troops stationed in South Korea, addressing the situation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Hello everybody, hows Kim Jong Un doing? Trump asked sarcastically before commenting, Hes a tough cookie, but I developed a pretty good relationship with him. Hows it going over there? The evening concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony featuring the Trumps and the Vances before they left to attend the Liberty Inaugural Ball. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, greeted the people of Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura on their 53rd Statehood Day. Expressing pride about the role played by the people of Manipur in the development of India, Modi greeted the people of Manipur on their Statehood day. Advertisement In a post on X, the prime minister said, Greetings to the people of Manipur on their Statehood Day. We are incredibly proud of the role played by the people of Manipur towards Indias development. My best wishes for the progress of Manipur. Advertisement Greeting the people of Meghalaya on their Statehood day, he said in a post on X, On Meghalayas Statehood Day, I convey my best wishes to the people of the state. Meghalaya is admired for its natural beauty and the industrious nature of the people. Praying for the continuous development of the state in the times to come. Greeting the people of Tripura, the prime minister remarked that the state was making noteworthy contributions to national progress. His post on X read: Best wishes to the people of Tripura on their Statehood Day. The state is making noteworthy contributions to national progress. It is also known for its rich culture and heritage. May Tripura continue to scale new heights of development. Meanwhile, Mizoram Governor General V K Singh (retd) called on the Prime Minister Modi. The Prime Ministers Office handle on X said, Governor of Mizoram, @Gen_VKSingh, met PM @narendramodi. Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur separately celebrated their 53rd Statehood Day by holding a variety of colourful cultural programmes and other functions. Following the enactment of the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura became individual states in 1972. North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971 reorganised the states in the strategic northeastern region of the country. Under this Act, Manipur and Tripura were granted statehood on January 21, 1972; whereas the state of Meghalaya was carved out from Assam due to its distinct terrain from the rest of Assam. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday his country is open to dialogue with the new US administration over the Ukraine crisis. The most important thing is to eliminate the root causes of the crisis, Putin said during a meeting with members of the countrys Security Council, according to a statement from the Kremlin. Advertisement He reiterated that a potential resolution of the Ukraine crisis should not involve a temporary truce to regroup forces for further conflict but long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all countries in the region. Advertisement The assumption is that dialogue will be built based on equality and mutual respect, considering the important role that our countries play concerning the key issues, including strategic stability and security, Putin said. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow has never rejected dialogue and has always been open to cooperation with any U.S. administration. Meanwhile, Putin congratulated Trump on his inauguration, Xinhua news agency reported. During the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that Moscow is prepared for contact with the new US administration and other Western leaders. Also, on Monday, the Russian foreign ministry said that Moscow would be ready to resume dialogue with Japan if Tokyo took concrete steps to abandon its unfriendly policies. Russia is ready to consider Japans initiatives to resume dialogue, given that they are backed by practical steps from Tokyo that demonstrate a rejection of unfriendly policies, the ministry said in a statement issued in light of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Russia and Japan. Russia believes there are sensible politicians and public figures in Japan who recognize the harmful impact on the Japanese people of the anti-Russian discourse of official authorities, it added. The Supreme Court on Tuesday protected from any coercive action, the Congress Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi, accused of allegedly promoting communal disharmony by posting a video clip on his social media handle X with a poem ae khoon ke pyase baat suno running in the background. Pratapgarhi has approached the apex court against Gujarat High Courts January 17 order refusing to quash the FIR, observing that there was need for further investigation and that he had not cooperated with the investigation process. Advertisement Directing the Gujarat police that no step shall be taken in pursuance to the FIR registered against the Congress Rajya Sabha member, a bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan issued notice to state government and others on Pratapgarhis plea challenging Gujarat High Court order refusing to quash FIR against him. Advertisement At the outset of the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for Imran Pratapgarhi told the bench, What have we come to? The court has to say something. The order was passed on the first day itself, even without notice. Justice Oka said, We heard the poem also. Issue short notice. Returnable on February 10. No step shall be taken in pursuance to the FIR registered. The Jamnagar police on January 3 booked Pratapgarhi the national chairman of Congress minority cell allegedly for promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of religion, race, statements prejudicial to national integration, insulting religious group or their beliefs, abetting the commission of an offense by the public or by a group of more than ten people, among other charges. The FIR says that the Congress Rajya Sabha MP was booked after he posted the 46-second video clip on December 29 on X handle with a poem ae khoon ke pyase baat suno running in the background. A Jamnagar resident filed an FIR alleging that Pratapgarhi used a song which was provocative, detrimental to national integrity and hurt religious sentiments. Thereafter, the Congress MP moved the High Court for quashing the FIR, saying that the poem, based on which the FIR was filed, is a poem spreading a message of love.He stated that reading of the song poem, it is a message of love and non-violence. In a strategic move to bolster the longstanding alliance with the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, on Tuesday declared its support for BJP candidates in the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections. The partys Delhi Pradesh Chief Sandeep Chaudhary officially handed over the letter of support to Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva. Advertisement This decision reflects the Shinde-led Shiv Senas commitment to preserving unity within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and ensuring effective governance for Delhi. The partys senior leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasised the necessity of avoiding vote division to secure a decisive victory for the alliance. Advertisement For more than three decades, the SS-BJP alliance has stood as a powerful force in Indian politics, sharing common ideals of Hindutva and good governance. Their recent victory in the Maharashtra state elections underscores the strength of this partnership. Delhi, as the nations capital, requires a corruption-free and efficient government, said Shinde. Shiv Sena, as a loyal NDA ally, is dedicated to supporting BJP to ensure that Delhi benefits from stable and effective governance, similar to the Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership. Under Modijis guidance, India has emerged as the worlds fifth-largest economy, and a BJP-led government in Delhi will further contribute to the vision of Developed India, Developed Delhi, he said. Chaudhary echoed these sentiments, expressing confidence in BJPs ability to drive progress and prosperity in Delhi. He criticized the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for their alleged failures in governance and corruption over the past three decades. He emphasised the need for a double-engine government to propel Delhis development, citing the successes seen in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh under BJP leadership. The Delhi Assembly elections are going to be held in a single phase on February 5, with counting to be done on February 8. U.S. President Donald Trump late Monday signed an executive order to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. #XinhuaNews Former minister and BJP MP Eatala Rajender on Tuesday slapped a real estate broker in his constituency after locals complained about land encroachment and harassment. The incident occurred at Ekashila Nagar in Pocharam municipality of Medchal district, near Hyderabad. In a video clip that went viral, Rajender was seen slapping the broker, after which several party activists also manhandled him. Advertisement The BJP MP was visiting his constituency when local landowners complained that their plots were being encroached upon through collusion with corrupt officials. Enraged by their grievances, Rajender took immediate action. Advertisement Later, the MP stated that his party would stand with the poor who were struggling to protect the land they had purchased with their hard-earned money. Rajender said he had lodged complaints with the district collector and the commissioner of police. He alleged that forged documents were being used to illegally seize these plots and demanded strict action against the officials involved in such malpractices. He also criticized the Congress government, accusing it of focusing on demolitions instead of addressing the plight of the poor, who are allegedly being threatened and harassed by brokers. Rajender labeled the accused real estate broker a gunda and slammed the government for failing to protect its citizens. People are complaining that their plots are being taken away, and gundas are breaking into their homes, threatening them if they even build a compound wall, said Rajender, alleging a nexus between officials and brokers. He added, If the Congress government cannot take action, tell meBJP will stand by the poor. Interestingly, Eatala Rajender is rumoured to be a frontrunner for the position of the next BJP president, though the partys central leadership has delayed the decision for months. Rajender, who was previously a senior minister in K Chandrasekhar Raos government, had a fallout with the BRS leadership. When he parted ways with the BRS, Rao had accused Rajender of land grabbing under the pretext of expanding his hatchery business. Hours after President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship in the United States, a coalition of civil rights and immigration groups filed a lawsuit challenging the move, setting the stage for a major legal battle. The executive order, signed Monday night, directs federal agencies to deny recognition of US citizenship for children born on American soil to parents who are in the country illegally or on temporary visas unless one parent is a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. Advertisement It states that children born under these circumstances will not be eligible for US citizenship, including passports, starting 30 days from its signing. Advertisement The order, which contradicts a long-standing legal consensus that the 14th Amendment of the Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship, has drawn immediate backlash. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), several of its state chapters, and other organisations have filed a 17-page lawsuit in federal court in New Hampshire on behalf of immigration rights groups, arguing the order is unconstitutional and illegal. For plaintiffs organisations with members impacted by the order and for families across the country, this order seeks to strip from their children the priceless treasure of citizenship, threatening them with a lifetime of exclusion and fear of deportation from the only country they have ever known, the lawsuit states. But that is illegal. The Constitution and Congress not President Trump dictate who is entitled to full membership in American society. The lawsuit seeks to have the court declare the executive order unlawful and issue both temporary and permanent injunctions to block its enforcement. Trumps order argues that the federal government should not issue documents recognising United States citizenship to children born on US soil to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily in the country. It specifies that the policy will apply to children born 30 days after the orders signing. The ACLUs lawsuit warns that the order could render affected children stateless and create widespread fear and uncertainty. Attorneys for the coalition pointed out that some of the immigration groups members are currently expecting children who could be impacted by the order. The move aligns with Trumps immigration agenda but faces significant legal hurdles, as the 14th Amendment explicitly states, All persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States. The battle over the order is expected to escalate to higher courts, potentially reaching the Supreme Court. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is withdrawing the US from the World Health Organisation, a significant move cutting ties with the United Nations public health agency on his first day in office. Trump has long been critical of the WHO, and his administration formally withdrew from the organisation in July 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic continued to spread. Advertisement The text of the executive order cites the organisations mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states, as reasons for the US withdrawal. Advertisement Thats a big one, Trump told an aide as he began to sign the executive order, pointing to his 2020 decision and his belief that the US was paying too much money to the organisation compared to other countries. The order also said that the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the US. The plan, which aligns with Trumps longstanding criticism of the UN health agency, would mark a dramatic shift in US global health policy and further isolate Washington from international efforts to battle pandemics. Trump has nominated several critics of the organisation to top public health positions, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic who is up for the post of secretary of Health and Human Services, which oversees all major US health agencies, including the CDC and FDA. Trump initiated the year-long withdrawal process from the WHO in 2020 but six months later his successor, President Joe Biden, reversed the decision. The US President has argued that the agency failed to hold China accountable for the early spread of Covid-19. He has repeatedly called the WHO a puppet of Beijing and vowed to redirect US contributions to domestic health initiatives. A WHO spokesperson declined to directly comment but referred to the medias comments by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a press briefing on December 10 in which he was asked whether he was concerned that the Trump administration would withdraw from the organisation. Tedros said at the time that the WHO needed to give the US time and space for the transition. He also voiced confidence that states could finalise a pandemic agreement by May 2025. Critics warn that a US withdrawal could undermine global disease surveillance and emergency response systems. Outgoing President Joe Biden welcomed President-elect Donald Trump to the White House on Monday morning for a traditional tea ceremony with two words: Welcome home, according to media reports. Biden and first lady Jill Biden received President-elect Trump and Melania Trump for a brief ceremony after which they would leave together for the US Capitol where the incoming President will be administered the oath of office by Chief Justice John Roberts. Advertisement Guests for the swearing-in had begun arriving at the Capitol Rotunda where the ceremony will take place; indoors instead of the traditional venue outside. This will only be the second instance of the swearing-in taking place indoors; the last time was in 1985 when President Ronald Reagan took the oath for his second term. Advertisement Trumps return to the White House is also only the second time for an American President to serve two non-consecutive terms. The first was Grover Cleveland at the end of the 19th century. The swearing-in will be attended by Trumps nominees to the cabinet such as Marco Rubio, for secretary of state, who is expected to be the first to be confirmed, as early as Monday. President-elect Trump started Mondays inauguration proceedings by attending a private service at St Johns Church with the incoming first lady Melania Trump, Vice-President-elect JD Vance and wife Usha Vance and some members of the cabinet. No TV cameras were allowed inside but the Trump inauguration team released pictures from inside that showed other attendees including Trumps sons Barron Trump, Don Trump Jr, Eric Trump and his wife Lara Trump, Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner. Also among Trumps guests were Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazons Jeff Bezos, Apples Tim Cook, Tesla and Space Xs Elon Musk, and Googles Sundar Pichai. They would go on to also attend the swearing-in ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda. Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, former President George W Bush and his wife Laura Bush, and former President Barack Obama minus his wife Michelle Obama will attend the oath-taking ceremony as is the tradition, which was broken by President Trump who skipped Bidens inauguration in 2021. As the ceremonies and partying continues into the evening and night, Trumps aides were working on a spate of executive orders implementing some of the President-elect election promises, including immigration. The President-elect told guests at a dinner on Sunday night that there are close to 100 such orders. Ten of them will be about immigration and among others one will rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. CHENGDU, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A higher court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence for Wang Haowen, who was convicted of trafficking children. The higher court in southwest China's Sichuan Province heard his appeal and decided to reject it, maintaining the original verdict. The ruling will be referred to the Supreme People's Court for final approval. Court documents showed that Wang, either acting alone or in collaboration with accomplices, abducted 14 children from regions including Hubei and Sichuan and sold them in regions such as Shantou in Guangdong from 2001 to 2014. In May 2024, an intermediate court in Sichuan sentenced Wang to death for child trafficking, stripped him of his political rights for life, and ordered the confiscation of all his personal assets. Wang appealed the decision after hearing the ruling. New Delhi, (January 17, 2025): The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) announced the launch of its Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme. This program aims to build awareness and develop expertise in internet governance (IG) among Indian citizens. The program was launched by Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Govt. of India and Chairman, NIXI. This program aims to equip participants with the knowledge to effectively engage in global internet governance processes with I-Star organisations like ICANN, ISOC, IEEE, IETF and collaborate closely with leading experts in the field. It will nurture a pool of domestic talent who can deeply engage with emerging internet governance issues and contribute to their resolution. The program offers a bi-annual internship with two parallel tracks: a six-month program and a three-month program. Each intern will be mentored by subject matter expert from international organizations like ICANN APNIC or APTLD, members from Special Interest Group, high ranked retired government official and faculty advisors from recognized institutions/universities. A fixed stipend of Rs. 20,000/- per month will be provided to interns along with support to conduct mandatory outreach programs. Shri. S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, GOI and Chairman, NIXI, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the internship, he said, We need people from different fields who can dedicate time to internet governance and represent the real concerns of our society. Our goal is to inspire young minds to learn, grow, and use their knowledge to make a positive impact in their organizations and communities, helping the internet grow in a fair and inclusive way. The scheme is set to shape the next generation of tech policy leaders & Internet Governance experts. Today's generation values experience over traditional stable jobs. NIXIs Internet Governance Internship is a great opportunity for youth passionate about digital policy, providing global exposure. On this occasion Shri. Bhuvnesh Kumar, Additional Secretary, MeitY, GOI, emphasized that this internship provides an opportunity to engage in global Internet Governance, fostering practical understanding and valuable exposure. Mentors play a pivotal role in shaping future leaders in Internet Governance. By guiding young talent, it will ensure that the current generation is ready to address the global challenges and drive digital transformation. Dr. Devesh Tyagi, CEO, NIXI. emphasized that this program is a crucial step towards empowering Indian citizens to contribute meaningfully to the global internet governance ecosystem. By building next generation of internet governance experts, NIXI is paving the way for a more inclusive and accessible digital world. For more information on the NIXIs Internet Governance Internship Scheme, please visit: https://nixi.in/scheme About NIXI: Set up on 19th June 2003, the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is a not-for- profit (Section 8) company under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. It is tasked with increasing internet penetration and adoption in India by facilitating various infrastructure aspects to enable the internet ecosystem to be managed and used by the masses. The four services under NIXI include: Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) for building Internet Exchange Points, .IN Registry for building the .in domain digital identity, IRINN for IPv4 and IPv6 addresses adoption. Pakistan Navy is all set for a major power upgrade as eight Hangor-class submarines built by China will soon be part of its fleet. Chief of Pakistan Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf recently said Hangor-class submarines, an export variant of China's Type 039A Yuan class, specifically designed for Pakistan, will significantly boost the naval capabilities of Pakistan. The project is proceeding as per the timeline. We expect that these submarines will join the Pakistan Navy fleet very soon, Global Times quoted him as saying. Pakistan had placed an order for eight air-independent propulsion (AIP)-equipped submarines from China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co. Ltd (CSOC) in 2015. Four of these were to be manufactured at Karachi Shipyards and Engineering Works while the rest in China. ALSO READ: MoD seals Rs 2,960 crore missile deal for Indian Navy with BDL According to Admiral Ashraf, these submarines, equipped with the latest weapons and sensors are expected to enhance the stealth, maneuverability and firepower of the Pakistan Navy. Capable of reaching speeds up to 20 knots underwater, the use of AIP will help the submarines to stay underwater for a longer period of time, making them tough to detect. There has been some delay in the delivery of these submarines as Pakistan was to get the first batch by 2023. Media reports suggest that one of the reasons for the delay was Germany's refusal to approve export licenses for MTU 396 diesel engine of the submarines. It is not clear if the export licence was eventually cleared. China has become the primary supplier of military equipment to Islamabad, including fighter jets like the JF-17, naval vessels, and missile technology even as China and Pakistan have agreed to continuously elevate cooperation in areas of joint training, exercises and military technology. Donald Trump reiterated his commitment to defend the country and also play the role of a peacemaker and "unifier" as he assumed charge as the Commander in Chief of the US forces. The president of the US is the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy and of the Militia of the several States. "As commander in chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I am going to do," Trump said during his inauguration address as the nation's 47th president. America will soon be greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before, Trump said, and added that he is returning to presidency "confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success." ALSO READ: US has 400 nuclear warheads on ICBMs, 970 on submarines, 300 on bombers "A tide of change is sweeping the country. Sunlight is pouring over the entire world, and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before." We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into, Trump said, adding, "My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier." The statement of Trump calling himself to be a peacemaker could be in the context of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement in which he is said to have played a major role. Trump's designated Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, played a crucial role in the negotiations to bring an end to the conflict by convincing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the deal. The cultural diversity and military prowess of India will be on full display at the Republic Day Parade 2025 in which President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest. There will be a special focus on the 75 years of enactment of the Constitution during the event. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said a 160-member marching contingent and 190-member band contingent from Indonesia, along with the contingents of the Indian Armed Forces, will take part in the parade at Kartavya Path on January 26. The event will begin with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. President Droupadi Murmu will arrive at Kartavya Path in a ceremonial buggy and take the salute during a ceremonial march past. ALSO READ: Rajnath Singh recalls Major Sandeep Unnikrishnans sacrifice during 26/11 Mumbai attacks in his message to NCC cadets Units from the Armed Forces, Para Military Forces, Auxiliary Civil Forces, NCC, and NSS will be part of the march past. #WATCH | Delhi | Parade rehearsal of defence personnel for the 76th Republic Day is underway at Kartavya Path. pic.twitter.com/ozhycUo5AP ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2025 Thirty-one tableaux, with the theme Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas from states/Union territories, Central government ministries, Departments, and Organisations will participate in the Republic Day Parade. As 75 years of enactment of the Constitution is the focus of Republic Day celebrations, two tableaux during the parade will be related to the theme. To make it easy for people to get information and gain access to watch various events on Republic Day, a comprehensive mobile app (on App Store and Msewa) and portal Rashtraparv Portal has been developed. This will serve as a focus point for all the details relating to events like the Republic Day Parade and Beating Retreat, according to a release from the ministry of defence. US President Donald Trump issued an executive order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization, citing the "organizations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic", its "failure to adopt urgently needed reforms", and its "inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states". The executive order also claims that the WHO "demands unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries assessed payments", as another reason for the withdrawal. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Dr S.S. Lal, an internationally acclaimed public health expert, discusses the far-reaching impact of Trumps decision on global health. Dr Lal is currently the Asia-Pacific director of an international health organisation and professor of public health. He is also a former National Professional Officer (NPO) for WHO in India and served as an International Officer in East Timor. Lal has held senior positions with the UNEP, Global Fund, Wadhwani Foundation, FHI360, and PATH, implementing large-scale public health programmes across 25 low- and middle-income countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Edited excerpts: Q/ Donald Trump has withdrawn the US from WHO, which means the organisation will lose a significant source of funding, as the US is its largest contributor. Given your experience working in low- and middle-income countries and your understanding of the ground realities, what do you think will be the consequences for global public health programmes? What changes or challenges can we expect to see over the next four years with the US out of WHO? A/ People like Donald Trump lack the ability to grasp that infectious diseases affect everyone. These diseases cannot be confined; most cannot be restricted by geographical borders. For example, only 8,000 people contract tuberculosis (TB) annually in the USjust 8,000. In contrast, India records 27 million cases. However, 80 per cent of TB cases in the US are linked to migrants, and the country cannot eliminate migrants. NEWS: President Trump withdraws United States from the World Health Organization @WHO! Of all the Executive Orders he signed today, I consider this one of the most important. It will be much harder to launch another scamdemic, with Influenza H5N1 or otherwise, without the US. pic.twitter.com/gbasLT8opg William Makis MD (@MakisMD) January 21, 2025 Consider the workforce in the US: doctors, nurses, IT professionalsmany of these individuals come from other countries, including Asia and Africa. These regions have higher disease burdens, and their migrants inevitably bring some of these diseases with them. Infectious diseases know no borders; they are a shared global challenge. The problem is that many countries lack the resources to manage their health crises effectively. Until recently, India was in a similar position, relying heavily on loans and funding. Even now, India receives substantial support from organisations like the Global Fund, the worlds largest health fund. India remains one of its biggest beneficiaries due to having the highest TB burden and being among the top for HIV cases. If countries like the US withdraw support from organisations like WHO, India might manage to survive using its domestic resources. However, many nations without such resources would face severe disruptions to their health programmes. Even today, India receives grants from the World Bank and other international organisations, including the US, to run its health initiatives. Developed nations fund health programmes in other countries not purely out [of philanthropy] but also because these global efforts benefit everyone. For example, imagine living in a well-maintained colony, but the neighbouring area is impoverished, and people there lack basic facilities like toilets. To protect your own colony and city, you might build toilets for themnot necessarily to help them, but to safeguard your own environment. This same principle applies globally. Americans won't avoid tuberculosis if TB exists outside the USits as simple as that. Trump might argue that people shouldnt come to the US, but people will inevitably travel. Ministers from other countries may visit, some of whom might carry TB. Trade and tourism also bring people across borders. As long as international travel continues, infectious diseases cannot be entirely stopped. Another critical point is that funding health initiatives brings political influence. For example, the US gains significant political power by contributing to global health programmes. In Africa, you will often see vehicles donated by the US, specifically for public health implementation. Through organisations like USAID, WHO, and the Global Fund, the US plays a substantial role in supporting health programmes worldwide. A large portion of WHO and Global Fund money comes from the US, and a withdrawal will severely impact poor and developing countries, particularly in Asia and Africa. Africa faces challenges due to limited capacity and resources, while Asia struggles due to its massive populations. India, despite being just one country, demonstrates the scale of the issue. Systems in African nations are even less equipped, which will lead to significant suffering if such funding is reduced or withdrawn. This is going to completely tilt the balance of control. WHO and similar organisations anticipated that such a situation might arise, so they have been preparing for it. Q/ What is meant by preparation? A/ Many positions at WHO rely on annual contract renewals. However, over the past two years, this process stalled because of uncertainty, with people fearing Trump might return. As a result, many lost their jobs. This job loss doesn't just impact individuals; it also means the system is losing valuable experts. These are significant challenges, and they will affect the entire world, not just America. In fact, America is also going to suffer. Q/ You mentioned that the US has been funding organisations whose money supports programmes in places like Africa. Do you think this situation presents an opportunity for a country like China to step in and directly fund these projects? Considering their existing efforts to create a Sino-centric world, could this be part of their strategy? They are already heavily investing in infrastructure and other initiatives in Africado you think they might use this as a chance to expand their influence further? A/ To some extent yes. However, China is not as prepared as the US in this regard. For the US, this has been a long-standing practice. They have the resources, dedicated funding, and established budgets for such initiatives, making it an ongoing process. Additionally, the US enjoys greater acceptance compared to China. When China approaches countries like India or Bangladesh with financial aid, these nations often decline, despite China's financial capability. Acceptance is a significant challenge for China. Moreover, China lacks the mechanisms the US has in place. The US government operates through embassies and organisations like USAID. For example, in India, the USAID office within the Delhi embassy has a substantial number of staff dedicated solely to health programmes. Many large-scale projects in India are supported by US funding through USAID. For an average American, the idea might seem simple: "Well save our money and use it here." But the truth is, by cutting funding, the US will essentially be importing diseases. These effects wont be immediately visibleperhaps not in a year or sobut over time, they will disrupt the balance that has been carefully established over the last several decades. Its important to recognise that Americas wealth wasnt built in isolation. Consider prominent figures like Sundar Pichai and others in leading tech companies like Google. America's prosperity isnt solely due to its native-born population. After all, almost all Americans, including Trump, are descendants of immigrants. In recent years, many top positions in the US have been occupied by people from other countriesnot as a gesture of representation, but because they are exceptionally talented. Disrupting this balance will not only impact health but also have serious political ramifications. Q/ When Trump made this declaration, he pointed out that a country like China contributes significantly less to WHO. He framed this as an unfair burden on the US. Do you think this narrative holds weight? Should other countries, particularly rising economic powers like China, contribute more to organisations like WHO? A/ Theres no doubt about that. But it depends on the situation. For example, when you need moneywhether for political parties or festivalsyou go to people who have a history of giving. The wealthiest individuals may not always contribute because you dont approach them. Its as simple as that. The US had a culture of contributing, which inspired others to follow suit. In terms of global influence, the US has always played a significant rolewhether you call it global police or something else. Their soft power was immense. The US would say, "We contribute this much, and India should contribute too." This kind of influence was key. China doesnt have that level of influence. India, on the other hand, is contributing to 40 or 50 countries, but the scale is smaller. This shift was inevitable, as America cant continue to carry the burden forever, and changing political dynamics would have brought this situation eventually. However, the abruptness of it is going to be a big blow. WHO and other organisations were anticipating this for the last two years and were preparing, but still, it will be a significant setback for global health. Theres no doubt about that. NAIROBI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The number of Kenyans facing food insecurity and requiring humanitarian assistance remains alarmingly high at 1.8 million, with arid regions continuing to bear the severe effects of climate change, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) said Tuesday. The NDMA said in a report released in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that those affected are mainly in the 23 arid and semi-arid counties of the East African nation. "The counties of Wajir, Garissa, Turkana, Marsabit, and Mandera have the highest proportions of food insecure populations," said the government agency responsible for mitigating drought effects. The institution noted that the number of affected people has leveled at 1.8 million since November 2024, with levels of acute malnutrition remaining elevated in several arid counties, including Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Baringo, and Turkana. Some 479,498 children aged six to 59 months as well as 110,169 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers were currently acutely malnourished and in need of urgent treatment, according to the NDMA. The agency observed that the worsening nutrition trend in affected counties resulted from inadequate and unbalanced food intake due to high poverty and disease prevalence. Security has been beefed up at Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khans residence in Mumbai's Bandhra area following an attack by an intruder who entered his home with the intent of theft in the early hours of Thursday, January 16. More CCTV cameras are being installed at the 12th-floor residence of the actor who suffered multiple stab injuries in a clash with the intruder. According to reports, Saif has hired an agency, Ace Security and Protection, owned by actor Ronit Roy for the enhanced security of his family. The agency has previously given security to various high-profile actors including Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. On Tuesday, as Saif was discharged from the private medical facility, Ronit Roy was seen speaking to police personnel outside Saifs home in Bandra. He was also present at the hospital. The actor was discharged five days after the attack that sent shock waves across Bollywood and the state, with questions being raised from several quarters, including from the opposition, over the safety of people in Mumbai. Saif underwent surgery at the hospital where doctors removed a sharp object from his spine. Mumbai Police has arrested a Bangladeshi national in the case. The accused, identified as Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir (30) was held in neighbouring Thane district on Sunday, January 19. According to police, Fakir illegally entered India seven months ago and used a West Bengal resident's Aadhaar card to procure a SIM before moving to Mumbai. He changed his name to Vijay Das and had been residing in Mumbai for over five months, working odd jobs and associated with a housekeeping agency. The investigators zeroed in on the accused after an extensive examination of CCTV footage, which showed him riding a motorcycle on January 9, a week before the violent attack. The metropolitan magistrate's court in Bandra has remanded the accused in five-day police custody. On Tuesday, police took Fakir to Khans residence and recreated the crime scene. A team of 20 officials reached the Satguru Sharan building in four police vans around 5.30 am and were on the premises for an hour. During an administrative outreach programme at Maldas DSA stadium, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to the people of Malda district to avoid confrontation with Bangladeshis along the border on Tuesday. The comment comes amidst tension in the border district where the BSFs efforts to secure unfenced stretches of the Indo-Bangla border have faced resistance from the neighbouring country. Do not engage in riots. There are ongoing issues in Bangladesh, but securing the border is the BSF's responsibility. If any injustice happens, we will address it, said Banerjee. If such situations arise, I direct the police to announce on loudspeakers, asking Indians to step back. The administration will handle the rest, the chief minister added. The chief minister, who is on a three-district tour, arrived in Malda from Murshidabad on Monday. She will next travel to Alipurduar district. The border spans over 2,200 kilometres in West Bengal. In January, at Sukdebpur in Maldas Kaliachak, the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) opposed fencing work by Indias Central Public Work Division (CWD). Reportedly, common citizens living on the other side of the border in Bangladeshs Chapai Nawabganj district also raised slogans demanding that India stop its fencing work, while Indian villagers countered with slogans supporting fencing. On January 18, tensions rose as Indians accused Bangladeshis of crossing the border to loot crops. In response, Bangladeshis allegedly gathered near the border and threw stones. Banerjee hoped for the betterment of relationships between Indians and Bangladeshis but also alerted the crowd about anti-social elements and terrorists crossing the border illegally. She emphasised that such individuals must not be allowed to establish a foothold in the area, adding that peace is essential for development to thrive. The chief minister once again spoke about the court verdict on the RG Kar rape and murder case, calling it a "rare, sensible and very very heinous crime". She reiterated her stance of capital punishment for Sanjay Roy, the guilty in the case. "If someone is so brutal, monstrous, can society be humane," the CM asked in Malda. "We passed the Aparajita Bill in the assembly with death penalty. But the central government is sitting on it. We want this bill to be a model." The Election Commission's duty is to conduct free and fair elections, but the current approach of the commission raises questions about its credibility. The BJP and the Election Commission have undermined democracy by manipulating votes during the Assembly elections, said Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole. He said that in order to protect democracy, and safeguard voter rights, the Congress party will organize a statewide agitation on January 25, National Voters Day, at district and taluka levels to raise awareness. Key state leaders will also participate in the agitation, he said. Speaking at a press conference at Tilak Bhavan, Nana Patole alleged massive irregularities during the Assembly elections. How did 50 lakh voters increase in six months after the Lok Sabha elections? and how did 76 lakh votes increase after 5 PM on election day?, he asked. The Congress leader said the party had asked the Election Commission for evidence, but the data has not been provided. Furthermore, the BJP-led central government has passed a law preventing the commission from sharing such information. This law, according to Patole, is an attempt to hide the electoral fraud orchestrated by the BJP and the Election Commission. Patole sought to know who had ordered the Badlapur fake encounter. Congress had earlier said that Akshay Shinde, arrested for sexual assault on schoolgirls in Badlapur, was killed in a fake encounter. The High Court has now confirmed this and ordered action against the involved police officers. While action against the officers is necessary, those who ordered this encounter from the ministry and police headquarters must also be held accountable, demanded Patole . Similarly, in Parbhani, Somnath Suryawanshi died due to police assault during a combing operation. He was taken into custody and beaten, leading to his death. However, CM Fadnavis falsely stated in the Assembly that Suryawanshi died due to asthma. A privilege motion will be introduced against this misinformation, and an inquiry into the combing operation and responsible officials is necessary, said Patole. On the issue of murder of Santosh Deshmukh in Beed, Patole said that Mafia rule in Beed is supported by those in power. Deshmukh, a sarpanch in Beed, was brutally murdered, reflecting the rising crime, extortion, kidnapping, and corruption in the district. Patole claimed that the mafia activities in Beed are flourishing under the patronage of a minister in power. Even a ruling party MLA has openly revealed information about Beeds mafia rule. However, the governments efforts appear to be a facade, aimed only at retaining power. Speaking about controversy about appointment of guardian ministers, the Congress state president said that the disputes over the chief ministerial position, cabinet expansion, and portfolio allocation were followed by a guardian minister row. Even while on a foreign tour, the chief minister had to put the appointments of Nashik and Raigad guardian ministers on hold. The creation of co-guardian minister positions seems to serve personal interests rather than public welfare, he alleged. Patole alleged that a crop insurance scam worth Rs 350 crores has been uncovered in Beed, where insurance was claimed for barren lands. While insurance companies and government officers benefited, farmers did not receive compensation. Patole described the scam as looting farmers money in the name of crop insurance, a blatant betrayal of their rights. The Election Commission has finalised the final list of candidates for the Erode East bypolls and there are 46 candidates in fray. With key opposition parties boycotting the election, Seemans Naam Tamilar Katchi has emerged as the key opponent for Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam this time. While there were 47 candidates in the final list, N.Manish, Returning Officer for the Erode East Assembly seat rejected the candidacy of a woman candidate on Monday after it was found her name was in Karnatakas voters list. As per the rules, only the residents of Tamil Nadu could contest assembly elections in the state. The ruling party has fielded V.C. Chandhirakumar from the seat, while NTK has fielded M.K. Seethalaksmi for the polls scheduled for February 5. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of former legislator and Congress leader E.V.K.S. Elangovan in December. The Congress is part of the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu. Elangovan himself became a member of the state assembly after winning the bypolls held following the death of his son E. Thirumahan Everaa. The NTK emerged third largest party during the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and the party gained about 7 per cent vote share of the total votes polled. During the 2021 assembly polls, the party, which advocates Tamil nationalism, came third in six seats and gained over 5 pc votes in 159 constituencies. NTKs leader Seeman was recently in the news for his remarks against Periyar, a social reformer hugely revered by the state. Seeman is strong critique of the policies of the current ruling government and is anti-Dravidian politics. The bypoll contest is likely to help the party gain more vote share and visibility in Tamil Nadu politics. The Indian Secular Front (ISF), the only party besides the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP with representation in the West Bengal Assembly, held its fifth foundation day rally in Kolkata. Notably, the event took place without the participation of its founder, Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui, or its chairman, Pirzada Nawsad Siddiqui. While Abbas seems to have distanced himself from active politics and party matters, Nawsad, the ISFs sole MLA, was barred by the Calcutta High Court from attending the rally. Despite his absence, the Bhangar legislator addressed attendees at the Sahid Minar ground through a telephonic speech. After the police denied permission for the event, citing past disruptions to law and order during a 2023 meeting in the same area, the ISF approached the Calcutta High Court. The police had previously registered multiple FIRs against 19 individuals, including Nawsad, for their alleged involvement in the 2023 incident. The Calcutta High Court overturned the polices decision, granting the ISF conditional permission to hold the rally. The court set specific restrictions, including restricting Nawsads attendance, limiting the event's duration from 12 pm to 4:30 pm, and capping the maximum crowd size at 3,000 people. In his speech, the 31-year-old leader sharply criticised both the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP for ignoring the struggles of Muslims, Dalits, Adivasis, and other marginalised communities. Suvendu Adhikari and Sukanta Majumdar consistently make anti-Muslim remarks without facing any restrictions from the state government. Meanwhile, I am obstructed at every step because I strive to bring people together, said Nawsad, a descendant of Mohammad Abu Bakr Siddique, Islamic scholar and first Pir of Furfura Sharif. He also accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of remaining silent on allegations branding the states Madrasas as hubs of terrorist activity. Nawsad asserted that, as the states guardian, she has a duty to safeguard Madrasas. Additionally, he called on the state government to clarify the source of funds used to pay allowances to imams and muezzins. He alleged that an RTI inquiry revealed the annual income of the West Bengal Auqaf Board to be less than Rs 1 crore. How can the Auqaf Board then disburse Rs 150 crore in allowances to over 43,000 imams and muezzins? he questioned. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India's (CAG) latest report highlights irregularities in the Kerala governments procurement of PPE kits during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an additional expenditure of Rs 10.23 crore. The report also observes that undue favours were extended to certain suppliers of essential COVID-19 management items. According to the CAG, in March 2020, the Kerala government granted special sanction to the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) to procure PPE kits, N95 masks, and other COVID-related commodities for healthcare institutions. Given the emergency and scarcity of supplies, exemptions were provided from tender and quotation formalities. KMSCL, a government-owned entity, is responsible for supplying healthcare services across the state. The report notes that the government had set a unit rate of Rs 545 for PPE kits in March 2020 to regulate prices. However, despite four firms offering rates within or marginally above this limit, the government procured PPE kits from five other firms at rates significantly higherup to 300% above the approved price. This resulted in additional expenditure of Rs 10.23 crore on the PPE kits procured during the above period, says the report. San Pharma, A&A Trading Ventures Pvt Ltd, Innov Quotient Pvt Ltd, BNS Health Aids Pvt Ltd, and Kitex Garments are the five firms identified in the CAG report, whose procurement by the Kerala government led to excess expenditure. The report also notes that the State Level Crisis Management Group had authorised Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited to pay up to 50% of the purchase value as an advance to suppliers of COVID-19 management items. However, this guideline was violated, as 100% advance payment was made to San Pharma, a firm that offered PPE kits at the highest rate of Rs 1,550 per unit. The firm was issued orders to supply 15,000 PPE kits at Rs 1,550 per unit for which KMSCL paid an advance amount of Rs 2.32 crore (March 2020) which was the total value of the supply order and the supply was effected in May 2020, says the report. The state government argued that the advance payment of Rs 2.32 crore was made against the Letter of Intent (LoI) quantity of 50,000 PPE kits and amounted to only 29% of the total purchase value of Rs 9.35 crore. However, the CAG report refutes this claim, noting that while the LoI specified 50,000 kits, orders were placed for the immediate supply of only 15,000 kits, as the company was new and its product had not yet been verified. The report further highlights that, as per the purchase file, a decision was made on March 31, 2020, to procure only 15,000 PPE kits initially. Therefore, the CAG concluded that the governments justification for the advance payment based on a $50,000 kit quantity was not valid. The irregularities highlighted by the CAG are likely to put the state government on the defensive. In 2022, the opposition had already raised allegations of misconduct in the procurement of PPE kits and other medical equipment. Congress MLA P.C. Vishnunadh had, in fact, accused the government of awarding contracts to paper companies at prices significantly higher than market rates and claimed that the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) was involved in a scam amounting to over Rs 1,600 crore in the purchase of PPE kits, gloves, and infrared thermometers during the early phase of the pandemic. The opposition leader has already stated that the irregularities highlighted by the CAG have tarnished the "pandemic PR" image of Pinarayi Vijayan's first term. It is certain that the CAG report will provide ample ammunition for the opposition in the assembly debates in the coming days. THE WEEK reached out to former health minister K.K. Shailaja for her response, but she was unavailable for comment. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that the cause of 17 unexplained deaths in Budhal village, Rajouri district, remains unknown. Speaking to reporters after visiting the area, Abdullah stressed the government's focus on preventing further fatalities. "Our priority is to ensure that this cycle of deaths stops and does not exceed 17," he said. He said that since the deaths were first reported, the health department, in coordination with other agencies, has been actively investigating the cases. "Tests confirmed that no bacterial or viral infection caused these deaths," he noted. The deaths occurred within three families, but the exact cause remains unclear. "Since it is not linked to a disease, the police have been involved, and a dedicated team is investigating the matter," Abdullah said. He said a central government team is assisting with the inquiry. "Together, we aim to uncover the root cause of these tragedies," he said. In response to the incident, the Union Home Ministry has formed a high-level inter-ministerial team to investigate the deaths. This team, comprising experts from various ministries and top medical institutions, visited the village on January 19 to collect samples and recommend preventive measures. During the investigation, a well in the village was sealed after its water tested positive for traces of pesticides. Residents are now being provided with drinking water via tankers. The deaths, which began in December 2024, were first reported in a family where several members, including children and their father, exhibited symptoms such as fever, vomiting, dehydration, sweating, and loss of consciousness before dying under mysterious circumstances. Another family in the same village later experienced similar fatalities. After a 40-day gap, the tragedy resurfaced when six members of the deceased father's sister's family fell ill and died after consuming food during a gathering to mark his death's 40th day. Despite investigations by experts from the Pune Institute of Virology, DRDO, and Jammu Medical College, the exact cause of the deaths remains unknown. In a massive anti-Naxal operation in Chattisgarh, 12 Naxalites were killed by security forces in forest areas of Chhattisgarhs Gariaband district during the early hours of Tuesday. A security personnel got injured in the exchange of fire, a senior police official said. According to Chhattisgarh police, at least 12 Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district. Security forces gunned down two women Naxalites on Monday and a CoBRA jawan got injured in the encounter, police added. Based on an intelligence tip-off, security forces launched search operation in the Kularighat reserve forest of Chhattisgarh, just 5km from the border of Odisha's Nuapada district. Exchange of fire took place between security forces and Naxals late on Monday night and early Tuesday morning in a forest under the Mainpur police station area, police said, adding 12 Naxalites got killed in the operation. According to police, the death toll may increase. In the operation on Monday, security forces recovered a large cache of firearms, ammunition and IEDs, including a self-loading rifle from the encounter site. A joint team of security personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA from Chhattisgarh and Special Operation Group (SOG) from Odisha were involved in the anti-Naxal operation, PTI reported. Security forces have intensified anti-Naxal operations in the region after the death of eight security personnel in a recent Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh. Naxalites blew up a vehicle of security forces while they were returning from a search operation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had vowed Naxalism will be wiped out of Chhattisgarh by 2026. The analysis of samples collected from the body of the murdered female doctor at R G Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata showed samples of female DNA along with that of convict Sanjay Roy, according to a report. This was mentioned in the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) report submitted to the local court that heard the matter, according to Hindustan Times. The report said that female DNA was found in a "very poor percentage". "From the analysis of the nipple swab [collected from the victims body], it appears that it contained [a] 100 per cent DNA profile of the accused Sanjay Roy and there was obviously full DNA profile of the victim. But in the... nipple swab, [the] very poor percentage of another female DNA was found," the report quoted from the 172-page court order. This has raised doubts about whether another woman was involved in the crime or whether the autopsy was contaminated. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which conducted a probe into the incident, told the court that there was a probability that the swab was contaminated. The claim was seconded by a CFSL scientist. The lawyers of the victim's father argued that the contamination was carried out with a malafide intention to make the accused appear clumsy and to shield the others. Another female DNA was found in the anal swab, nipple swab, and vulvar mop collected at the time of post-mortem. The court report noted the argument raised by the complainant that some other female was involved in the crime but was kept behind the curtain intentionally. They pointed out this as a reason for reinvestigation. However, the court was also shown an autopsy video wherein other female bodies were seen lying on the floor of the room. The lawyers argued that the table where the autopsy was being carried out was not properly sterilised before the autopsy. The court concluded that the concerned assistant did not change the gloves or apron before taking the swab. It said the video proved that the knives and scissors used for post-mortem were not sterilised. No proper protocol was followed and the doctors who conducted the examination had no other option but to do their duty in such poor infrastructure, the court added. The Union Home Ministry stated that one of the 16 Naxalites killed on Monday night and Tuesday morning was carrying a Rs 1 crore bounty. The Naxal leader was identified as Chalapati aka Jayaram Reddy. He and 19 other Maoists were eliminated in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh. Who was Chalapati? Chalapati, 60, hailed from Chittoor's Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh. He was a Central Committee member of the banned CPI (Maoist). Since he was part of the key panel making decisions about sensitive operations, he had a bounty of Rs 1 crore. He also enjoyed protection of several personal guards. Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 21, 2025 The operation comes after the forces received information on Maoist presence in the Kularighat reserve forest bordering Odisha's Nuapada district and Chhattisgarh's Gariabandh district. The encounter was carried out by a joint team of personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force, Chhattisgarh's CoBRA commandos, Odisha's Special Operation Group and the District Reserve Guard. A CoBRA personnel was was wounded in the gunfire. Two of the Maoists killed on Monday were women. The identities of the remaining Maoists were yet to be ascertained. A large cache of weapons, including self-loading guns, ammunition and IED bombs, were recovered from the site. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the operation was major success, saying it was a step towards a "Naxal-free India". At least 40 Maoists have been killed so far in 2025. On January 16, at least 18 red rebels were killed in Bijapur district. Around 220 Maoists were killed in Chhattisgarh in 2024 among whom a majority are from the Bastar region. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that under the double-engine government, the state will eliminated left-extremism by March 2026. TOKYO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Financial Services Agency plans to issue business improvement orders to Toyota Mobility Tokyo, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, and leading used car dealer Goodspeed, local media reported Tuesday. The move follows findings that the companies allegedly conditioned car price discounts on the purchase of specific insurance policies, according to national broadcaster NHK. The agency found that the sales practices employed by Toyota Mobility Tokyo and Goodspeed made it difficult for customers to exercise choice in insurance purchases. In response, the agency plans to demand both companies establish appropriate governance structures and implement measures to prevent future occurrences. The agency has been conducting on-site inspections of car dealerships and used car companies that also serve as insurance agents, aiming to identify and address industry-wide irregularities. Soon after swearing in for a second term on Monday, Donald Trump inked several documents that could have geopolitical implications. He also commented on improving ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, rebuilding Gaza and chances of Hamas res Israel and Saudi Arabia normalisation soon? Talking about the diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Trump said a normalisation deal could be signed by the two countries soon if not by the end of 2025. 'Gaza ceasefire may not last' President Trumps Celebratory Victory Rally https://t.co/MCKNpDh8kG Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2025 The US president said that he is not confident whether the Gaza ceasefire deal will complete the three phases. "It is not our war, it's theirs. I'm not confident but I think they are weakened on the other side (Hamas)," he added. 'Hamas cannot rule Gaza' When asked who will govern Gaza after war, the Trump said it cannot be Hamas as they failed to run the government and most of the militants are dead. Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouk earlier said it is ready for dialogue with the US and credited Trump for ending the war. Rebuilding Gaza Trump pointed out that Gaza is in a phenominal location in the Mediterranean, saying the exclave is now "like a massive demolition site". He said might help rebuild the Strip and that "beautiful things could be done". Sanctions on Israeli settlers revoked Trump has also revoked sanctions imposed by Biden last year on violent Israeli settlers in West Bank. Among those sanctioned include 17 people and 16 entities. The move comes amid fresh violence by settlers in the Al Funduq village in West Bank. Foreign aid to Palestine paused Trump has also ordered a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance. This move could impact US aid to Palestinians just like Trump did in his previous term. A North Korean soldier captured by Ukrainian forces from Kursk has revealed the details of how they ended up in Russia with no knowledge of who they would be fighting against. A video posted by Ukraine on Monday shows a North Korean soldier answering questions from Ukrainian intelligence officers via a translator. To the questions from Ukrainian authorities, the soldier said he arrived in Russia along with around 100 fellow North Koreans by ship. They were later transported by train. On the training process, the soldier said while some of his compatriots received training to operate heavy Russian military equipment, he did not. Ukraine is continuing to interrogate two North Korean soldiers captured as prisoners of war in the Kursk region. Authorities said one of them has expressed a desire to stay in Ukraine, while the second one wants to return home. pic.twitter.com/XQdaVfM5e0 DW News (@dwnews) January 14, 2025 The soldier, whose identity is not clear, said he joined the North Korean army at the age of 17 as a conscript. He claimed he had no idea he would be sent to fight in Russia, adding that his family had no information about his whereabouts. On whether the North Korean army lost soldiers, he said, "There were many casualties in the battles". The soldiers said he had "very little" information about the world outside North Korea. On whether he knew anything about South Korea, the soldier replied: "All I know is that South Korea has fewer mountains than North Korea." The soldier is likely one of two North Korean military personnel captured by Ukraine from Kursk Oblast on January 11. Though Russia has never confirmed the presence of North Korean soldiers, Ukraine has released a video showing their operatives capturing and transporting a North Korean soldier. There are also allegations that the Kremlin was issuing identity cars in the name of a real person from Russian republics for the North Korean soldiers. The Ukrainian soldiers discovered an idea of a person from the Russian republic of Tyva (Tuva). According to reports, Ukraine has formed a special unit to capture North Korean soldiers. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has opted out of the Department of Government Efficiency of which he was the co-leader along with tech tycoon Elon Musk. He will quit the project as he plans to run for the governor of Ohio, said reports. His exit was confirmed by the White House, which thanked Ramaswamy for playing a critical role in helping create DOGE. Anna Kelly, a spokeswoman for the White House, said "We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last two months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again!" Though there was no official confirmation from the side of Ramaswamy, sources close to him told The New York Times that he would begin a bid in Ohio later this year. Though he didn't plan on quitting immediately, Ramaswamy "recently came to see the idea of co-leading the efficiency effort and running for office at the same time as unworkable," the source added. However, a report that appeared in Politico hints that Ramaswamy was booted out of DOGE. And, it was none other than Elon Musk who helped his departure. Musk is said to have made his displeasure about Ramaswamy vocal in private conversations and wanted him out. Sources close to Musk told Politico that an ill-received holiday rant on X by Ramaswamy about H-1B visas hastened his exit. A Republican strategist close to Trump's advisers told Politico that Ramaswamy "just burned through the bridges and he finally burned Elon." "Everyone wants him out of Mar-a-Lago, out of D.C.," he said. When the issue of H-1B visas came up, Ramaswamy tweeted: "The reason top tech companies often hire foreign-born & first-generation engineers over 'native' Americans isn't because of an innate American IQ deficit (a lazy & wrong explanation). A key part of it comes down to the c-word: culture," Ramaswamy wrote. "A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers ... If you grow up aspiring to normalcy, normalcy is what you will achieve." His tweet drew a backlash from MAGA supporters. "They wanted him out before the tweet but kicked him to the curb when that came out," Politico quoted one of the three people familiar with his departure. Musk also felt it was not feasible for him to campaign for office while working on DOGE. Sources close to Ramaswamy believe they are still on good terms but "the reality is that it wasnt possible" to run for governor and co-lead DOGE together. Meanwhile, a meme portraying Musk erasing Ramaswamy from history was privately shared by junior staff in House Speaker Mike Johnsons office. It depicted Musk as Josef Stalin and Ramaswamy as the chief of the Soviet secret police who was later executed and removed from photos, according to the report. On the first night of his second presidency, Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders, rescinding 78 Biden-era executive actions, including environmental regulations and racial and gender diversity initiatives. The President also pardoned about 1,500 of his supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol four years ago. Trump also commuted the sentences of nearly all 1,270 people convicted in the January 6 attack, including those associated with the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. However, Trump did not take immediate action to raise tariffs, which he promised he would do on day 1. But he said he could apply new 25 per cent duties tariffs on Canada and Mexico on February 1. Trump also rescinded an interagency task force set up by former President Joe Biden to reunite migrant families separated by the Trump-era zero-tolerance policy. He also issued an order declaring illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border a national emergency, designating criminal cartels as terrorist organisations and initiating steps to block #WATCH | Washington, DC: US President #DonaldTrump flings his pens into the crowd after signing Executive Orders, at Capitol One Arena. People seen clicking selfies with the pens. (Source: US Network Pool via Reuters) pic.twitter.com/XU4Xk3DHHC ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2025 citizenship for children of immigrants in the U.S. illegally. Soon after this, the U.S. border authorities said they had shut down outgoing President Joe Biden's CBP One entry program, which had allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. legally by scheduling an appointment on an app. He also revoked Biden-era executive actions that withdrew Cubas designation as a state sponsor of terror and signed an executive order to keep TikTok operating for 75 days. Another major order signed by Trump is regarding the withdrawal of the US from the Paris Climate Agreement. Trump also signed a letter to the United Nations, explaining the withdrawal. He also signed a regulatory freeze, that will prevent bureaucrats from issuing any more regulations until the Trump officials take full control of the government. There will be a freeze on federal hiring, except for the military and several other categories, until Trump officials are in full control. Trump also announced he is withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization. "World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It's not going to happen anymore," Trump said at the signing. The President alleged that WHO succumbed to the "inappropriate political influence of WHO member states" and took "unfairly onerous payments" from the US, which was disproportionate to the sums levied from countries like China. He also revoked the security clearance of 51 former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter arguing that emails from a laptop belonging to Hunter Biden. Trump also signed an order that lets the Energy Department restart reviews of applications for approvals of liquefied natural gas export projects. US President Donald Trump on Day 1 took to his Truth Social account to announce that four senior government officials have been fired. The four officials were appointed during the Joe Biden administration. Trump warned that more such dismissals will follow. Why did Donald Trump fire officials? "Our first day in the White House is not over yet!" Trump said. He warned that his Presidential Personnel Office will vet remaining appointees of Joe Biden and remove more than a thousand of them if they are against his administration's policies. President Trumps Celebratory Victory Rally https://t.co/MCKNpDh8kG Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2025 In Truth Social, Trump said his post should be considered as the Official Notice of Dismissal. Who are the 4 officials fired by Trump? Declaring "You're fired", Trump named four officials, including Jose Andres (President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition), Mark Milley (National Infrastructure Advisory Council), Brian Hook (Wilson Centre for Scholars) and Keisha Lance Bottoms (President's Export Council). Trump also ordered a regulatory freeze, stopping officials from bringing up regulations until the new administration takes assumes full control. Another move by the president was to issuing orders to roll back work from home, requiring federal bureaucrats to come to office full-time. On January 20, immediately after taking the oath of office for his second term, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders that have the potential to reshape American society and politics. Among the most controversial is an order targeting the reinterpretation of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, particularly its guarantee of birthright citizenship. This principle, which grants citizenship to nearly all individuals born on American soil, has been a cornerstone of American citizenship law since the amendments ratification in 1868. Trump's executive action has reignited debates about immigration, constitutional interpretation and the meaning of American identity. The 14th Amendment emerged in the transformative post-Civil War era, addressing the citizenship status of formerly enslaved individuals. Prior to its ratification, African Americans were often denied citizenship. The amendments framers sought to dismantle this exclusionary system, declaring that "all persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." This established the principle of jus soli, or citizenship by birthplace, with narrow exceptions for children of foreign diplomats, enemy soldiers or those aboard foreign ships. Legal scholar Cristina Rodriguez has described the 14th Amendment as Americas constitutional reset button, aimed at eradicating entrenched systems of caste and subordination. By guaranteeing equal treatment under the law, the amendment laid the foundation for dismantling societal hierarchies based on race or background. Its implications extended beyond civil rights, shaping immigration and citizenship policies in the decades that followed. The 14th Amendments guarantee of birthright citizenship was clarified in the landmark Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898). Wong, born in California to Chinese immigrant parents who were ineligible for naturalisation, was denied re-entry to the United States after a visit to China. The Supreme Court ruled in his favour, affirming that the 14th Amendment guaranteed citizenship to all individuals born on US soil, irrespective of their parents immigration status. Justice Horace Gray, writing for the majority, emphasised that removing birthright citizenship would undermine the foundational principles of American democracy. He noted that the phrase subject to the jurisdiction thereof was intended to exclude only a limited group, such as children of foreign diplomats or enemy soldiers and not the children of immigrants. This ruling set a critical precedent during a period of mass immigration. Between 1870 and 1900, approximately 12 million immigrants, primarily from Europe, arrived in the United States. The decision in the Wong case reinforced the inclusive principle of birthright citizenship, solidifying the USs identity as a nation of immigrants. Subsequent cases, such as Plyler v. Doe (1982), further extended protections to children of undocumented immigrants, underscoring the enduring relevance of the 14th Amendment. Despite its historical significance, birthright citizenship has faced sustained opposition. During the early 20th century, American women who married foreign nationals could lose their citizenshipa law in effect from 1907 to 1922. Indigenous Americans, similarly excluded, only gained citizenship through the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. In the modern era, the debate has centred on the children of undocumented immigrants. In the 1980s, Yale professors Peter H. Schuck and Rogers M. Smith argued that the 14th Amendment might not apply to these children. Although their argument was primarily academic, it gained traction among conservative politicians. In 1991, Republican Congressman Elton Gallegly of California introduced legislation to limit the scope of birthright citizenship, citing its alleged strain on public resources. While the proposal failed, it popularised terms like anchor babies and inspired further efforts to reinterpret the amendment. During his first term, Trump repeatedly criticised birthright citizenship, calling it ridiculous and advocating for its termination. His 2018 proposal to end it via executive order faced widespread legal criticism, with scholars arguing that such a move distorted the 14th Amendments original intent. The Congressional Research Service reaffirmed that birthright citizenship is constitutionally guaranteed, citing over a century of legal precedent. Birthright citizenship is increasingly rare among developed nations. Of the worlds 20 most advanced economies, only the United States and Canada still uphold jus soli. Countries like the UK, Australia and Ireland have shifted to ancestry-based citizenship laws, often citing concerns about immigration and national identity. These shifts reflect broader anxieties about demographic change and cultural integration. With record migration levelsover two million annual encounters reported along the Mexican border in recent yearsthe US is grappling with similar challenges. Trumps executive order taps into these concerns, but its legal viability remains uncertain. Efforts to alter birthright citizenship face significant hurdles. A constitutional amendment would require approval by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the statesan unlikely scenario in the current political climate. Legal experts argue that executive actions attempting to redefine citizenship are likely to be struck down by the courts. Overturning the Wong decision would not only defy longstanding precedent but also challenge fundamental principles of American democracy. Critics of Trumps order have vowed to fight its implementation. We are prepared to sue, and so are many others, said Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLU Immigrants Rights Project. Democratic attorneys general are also preparing for a legal showdown. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin spoke to CNN about his personal stake in the battle, noting how Trumps executive action could affect his wife, the daughter of Chinese immigrants born in Philadelphia. California Attorney General Rob Bonta dismissed Trumps arguments as extremist and legally baseless. The debate over birthright citizenship cuts to the heart of Americas identity as a nation of immigrants. While Trumps executive order has energised conservative efforts to reinterpret the 14th Amendment, it faces formidable legal and political challenges. Advocates for birthright citizenship argue that the historical context, constitutional text, and legal precedent are unequivocal. "The historical context is clear. The constitutional text is unambiguous. The longstanding precedent is irrefutable, said Wofsy. We are confident that, in the end, the constitution will prevail, and all individuals born here will continue to enjoy recognition as US citizens. A wide-ranging series of steps that President Donald Trump has promised to take to beef up security at the southern border began taking effect soon after he was inaugurated Monday, making good on his defining political promise to crack down on immigration. Some of the moves revive policies from his first administration, including forcing asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico, cracking down on asylum access and finishing the border wall. But others will mark sweeping new strategies, like an effort to end automatic citizenship for anyone born in America, pulling the military into border security and ending use of a Biden-era app used by nearly a million migrants to enter America. Actual execution of such a far-reaching immigration agenda, expected under several executive orders, is certain to face legal and logistical challenges. And few details have been released so far. But in a concrete sign of how the changes were already playing out, migrants who had appointments to enter the U.S. using the CBP One app saw them canceled minutes after Trump was sworn in, and Mexico agreed to allow people seeking U.S. asylum to remain south of the American border while their court cases play out. I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places in which they came, Trump said in his inauguration speech to thunderous applause. The CBP One app disappears The online lottery system gave appointments to 1,450 people a day at eight border crossings to enter on parole, which Joe Biden used more than any president. It was a critical piece of the Biden administrations border strategy to create new immigration pathways while cracking down on people who enter illegally. Supporters say it brought order to a chaotic border. Critics say it was magnet for more people to come. By midday Monday, it was gone. A notice on the Customs and Border Protection website emphasized the app was no longer being used. Migrants who had scored coveted appointments weeks ago found them canceled. That includes Melanie Mendoza, 21, and her boyfriend. She said they left Venezuela over a year ago, spending more than $4,000 and traveling for a month, including walking for three days. We dont know what we are going to do, she said in Tijuana, Mexico, just on the other side of the border from San Diego. Mexico agrees to take back migrants The Trump administration will reinstate its Remain in Mexico policy, which forced 70,000 asylum-seekers in his first term to wait there for hearings in U.S. immigration court. Mexico, a country integral to any American effort to limit illegal immigration, indicated Monday that it is prepared to receive asylum-seekers while emphasizing that there should be an online application allowing them to schedule appointments at the U.S. border. Immigration advocates say the policy put migrants at extreme risk in northern Mexico, where they were easily recognizable to cartels, who kidnapped them and extorted their families for money. This is deja vu of the darkest kind, said Krish OMara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Global Refuge. She said policies like Remain in Mexico have exacerbated conditions at the border, stoked fear within U.S. communities, and undermined our global humanitarian leadership role while doing little to address the root causes of migration. Aiming to end the constitutional right to birthright citizenship Anyone born in the United States automatically becomes an American citizen, including children born to someone in the country illegally or in the U.S. on a tourist or student visa. Its a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 in the wake of the Civil War and assured citizenship for all, including Black people. That effort is certain to face steep legal challenges, and a White House official previewing the executive orders on the condition of anonymity provided no information on how Trump intends to carry it out. Migrants fear promised mass deportations The orders previewed were less specific about how Trump will fulfill his pledge of mass deportations of at least 11 million people already in the country illegally. One edict will equip immigration officers with authorities needed to enforce the law. Trump and his aides have repeatedly said they would scrap Bidens deportation priorities, which focused on people with criminal records or national security threats, to include all people without legal status. Erlinda, a single mother from El Salvador who arrived in 2013, signed over legal rights to her U.S.-born children, ages 10 and 8, to Nora Sanidgo, who has volunteered to be guardian for more than 2,000 children in 15 years, including at least 30 since December. I am afraid for my children, that they will live the terror of not seeing their mother for a day, for a month, for a year, said Erlinda, 45, who asked to be identified by first name only due to fears of being detained. Plans for deportation arrests appeared to be in flux after news leaked of an operation in Chicago this week. Trumps border czar Tom Homan said on Fox News Sunday that Chicago was not off the table, but were reconsidering when and how we do it. He said the leak raised concerns about officer safety. A bigger military role in border security Trump will order the government, with Defense Department assistance, to finish construction of the border wall, though the White House official didnt say how much territory that would cover. Barriers span about 450 miles (720 kilometers), slightly more than one-third of the border. Many areas that arent covered are in Texas, including inhospitable terrain where migrants rarely cross. The official did not say how many troops Trump was planning to send, saying that would be up to the secretary of defense, or what their role would be when they get there. Sending troops to the border is a strategy that Trump and Biden both have used before. Historically, troops have been used to back up Border Patrol agents, who are responsible for securing the nearly 2,000-mile border separating the U.S. from Mexico and not in roles that put them in direct contact with migrants. Critics have said that sending troops to the border sends the signal that migrants are a threat. Cartels as foreign terrorist organizations The Trump administration also intends to designate criminal cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and specifically aims to crack down on the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and remove its members from the U.S. The homegrown street gang was born in Venezuela but has become a menace even on American soil and exploded into the U.S. presidential campaign amid kidnappings, extortion and other crimes throughout the Western Hemisphere tied to a mass exodus of Venezuelan migrants. Pausing permission for refugees He also intends to suspend refugee resettlement for four months, the official said. For decades, the program has allowed hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war and persecution around the world come to the United States. Trump similarly suspended the refugee program at the beginning of his first term, and then after reinstating it, cut the numbers of refugees admitted into the country every year. Under Biden, the program was rebuilt to the point that last year about 100,000 refugees were resettled in America marking a three-decade high. What else is Trump planning? The incoming administration also will order an end to releasing migrants in the U.S. while they await immigration court hearings, a practice known as catch-and-release, but officials didnt say how they would pay for the enormous costs associated with detention. Trump plans to end asylum, presumably going beyond what Biden has done to severely restrict it. It is unclear what the incoming administration will do with people of nationalities whose countries dont take back their citizens, such as Nicaragua and Venezuela. (AP) French President Emmanuel Macron called on Europe Monday to wake up and spend more on defense in order to reduce its reliance on the United States for its security, in a speech to the French military as Donald Trump returns to power. Macron referred to expected changes in Washingtons foreign policy, especially regarding the war in Ukraine, saying it was an opportunity for a European strategic wake-up call, in his New Years speech to the military at the Army Digital and Cyber Support Command based in western France. What will we do in Europe tomorrow if our American ally withdraws its warships from the Mediterranean? If they send their fighter jets from the Atlantic to the Pacific? he asked. Trump has criticized the cost of the war in Ukraine for U.S. taxpayers through major military aid packages and has made it clear that he wants to shift more of the fiscal burden onto Europe. He has vowed to bring the conflict to a swift end, voicing hope that peace could be negotiated in six months. France and Europe need to adapt to evolving threats and changing interests, Macron said. Who would have thought a year ago that Greenland would be at the center of political and strategic debates? Thats the way it is. He said providing lasting support to Ukraine is key so that Kyiv is in a strong position when engaging in any future peace negotiations. Ukraine must receive guarantees against any return of the war on its territory when hostilities cease and Europe must take play its full role in the process, he said. Last week, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he discussed with Macron about the possibility of Western troops deploying in Ukraine to safeguard any peace deal ending the nearly three-year war with Russia. As one of these guarantees, we discussed the French initiative to deploy military contingents in Ukraine, Zelenskyy said. Potentially sending European troops as peacekeepers to Ukraine is fraught with risk. Such a move may not deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again in the future, which is the fear of Ukrainian officials, and could drag European countries into a direct confrontation with Moscow. That, in turn, could pull NATO including the United States into a conflict. (AP) In yet another antisemitic incident in Australia, a Sydney daycare center was set on fire overnight Monday and an outer wall was sprayed with antisemitic graffiti. The building was badly damaged but fortunately, no one was injured. Security camera footage revealed two masked men, one pouring flammable material and igniting it and the second man spray-painting graffiti. The daycare center is not a Jewish-affiliated institution but is near the Marouba Shul and an Orthodox Jewish school. Due to the antisemitic graffiti, the police is investigating the incident as a hate crime. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the site on Tuesday morning and convened Australias national cabinet to discuss the surge of antisemitic attacks. This was the second antisemitic incident in Sydney this week and the latest in a series of antisemitic arson attempts and acts of vandalism in the city. Melbourne has also suffered numerous antisemitic incidents, including the firebombing of the Adass Israel shul last month, which is being investigated as a terror attack. However, according to Simone Abel, the head of the legal department at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alabanes announcement is too little and too late. Unfortunately, we havent seen the kind of response that weve needed to see earlier on, she said, calling the incident a wake-up call for the country. Antisemitism is a disease, and it spreads, Abel said. [These attacks] are a prelude of whats to come. The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) responded to the daycare fire by blaming the liberal Labor government. For the first time ever, Australia has a widespread, evil, out-of-control campaign of antisemitic violence, AJA stated. This past Friday, the Sydney home formerly owned by Alex Ryvchin, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, was vandalized along with four nearby cars. Two cars were set on fire, the others were damaged and one was spray-painted with offensive anti-semitic graffiti. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, addresses the 2025 Thailand-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum and the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo Thailand Roadshow in Bangkok, Thailand on Jan. 21, 2025. A delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs visited Thailand from Saturday to Tuesday to promote practical cooperation between businesses of the two countries. The delegation, led by Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, took the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand as an opportunity. During the visit, the delegation had extensive exchanges with Thai officials and business representatives, and attended the 2025 Thailand-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum and the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo Thailand Roadshow, as well as the Thailand-China Business Roundtable. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong) BANGKOK, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs visited Thailand from Saturday to Tuesday to promote practical cooperation between businesses of the two countries. The delegation, led by Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, took the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand as an opportunity. During the visit, the delegation had extensive exchanges with Thai officials and business representatives, and attended the 2025 Thailand-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum and the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo Thailand Roadshow, as well as the Thailand-China Business Roundtable. In his speech, Ren introduced China's high-quality development to promote the Chinese path to modernization and its adherence to high-level opening up. He stressed that China would make greater efforts to promote practical cooperation between businesses of the two countries, and welcome Thai businesses to actively participate in the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo to deepen the cooperation in the industrial chain and supply chain. The enterprises and institutions from both sides have conducted multiple business negotiations and exchanges, achieving fruitful results. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) blasted President Joe Biden for taking credit for the ceasefire/hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, asserting that if Biden, a weak and failed president, had properly supported Israel, there wouldnt still be over 100 hostages in Gaza, including seven Americans. Following the announcement of the deal, Cotton wrote: Why is lame duck Joe Biden trying to cram down a bad deal on Israel on his way out the door? The only deal should be unconditional surrender by Hamaswhich is already nearly destroyedand return of ALL hostages. Instead, we hear reports that Biden is demanding that Israel withdraw from key terrain in Gaza, release dozens of hardened terrorists for every one hostage, and get back only SOME hostages? Speaking with Mark Levin on Fox News over the weekend, Cotton said: We shouldnt negotiate with terrorists. We shouldnt ask Israel or any other country to negotiate with terrorists. We didnt negotiate with Japan after Hiroshima and Nagasaki we said unconditional surrender and release the 40,000 Americans you hold, and thats what they did. We wouldnt be in this position here in January of 2025, if thats the position Joe Biden had taken in October 2023we should have simply backed Israel from the beginning of the war, provided it with the weapons it needed when it needed them, and not exerted political and diplomatic pressure on Israel to sign bad deals. Blinken admitted that every time international pressure was exerted on Israel, it caused Hamas to to walk away from the table or make unreasonable demands because they thought that Joe Biden or European leaders would put the pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu that Hamas couldnt on the battlefield. So the reason were in this position, where there are still almost a 100 hostages left in Gaza, seven of whom are Americans, is because Joe Biden has been a weak, failed president who hasnt backed Israel. Mark Levin said that hes sick and tired of all the attacks on Netanyahu and of the constant pressure on Israel, forcing it to always give in to terror regimes such as Iran and Hamas. Cotton pointed out that the attacks on Israeli figures are not limited to politicians on the right, indicating that protesters are against Israel as a country. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A tragic accident occurred in the Shomron on Monday evening when a Border Police officer accidentally shot two Israeli settlers involved in riots in an Arab village in the Shomron, wounding one critically and one seriously. The incident occurred on Route 55 between Kadumim and Karnei Shomron near Ramat Gilad. MDA paramedics and medics provided medical treatment at the scene to the two settlers, both about age 20, and evacuated them, one in critical condition and one in serious condition, to the Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba. Dozens of Israeli settlers had entered the nearby village of al-Funduq, set vehicles on fire, and rioted in the area. IDF and Border Police forces entered the area to disperse the rioters. The circumstances of the serious incident are still under investigation but it is believed that the settler youths were wounded after one Border Police officer shot his gun in the air as a warning after the youths sprayed pepper spray on him. The IDF spokesperson had stated that IDF and Border Police forces have arrived at the Funduq area of the Ephraim Brigade in the last hour following reports of public disturbances and are currently working to disperse them. The background for the riots is likely the terror attack that occurred in the village of Funduq about two weeks ago, during which three Israelis were killed. The terrorists who committed the attack have not yet been caught. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) In a powerful and emotional moment during Donald Trumps inauguration celebration, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff took the stage as the sole speaker, delivering a message that underscored the high stakes of international diplomacy and personal sacrifice. Witkoff began his remarks by crediting Trumps leadership for the recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release deal, emphasizing that such a breakthrough would have been impossible without the former presidents efforts. Then, in an unexpected and poignant gesture, he invited families of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza to join him on stage. The audience fell silent as Trump himself approached, shaking hands with each family member. The interaction brought their plight to the forefront of the event, transforming the inauguration into a platform for their cause. Trump then proceeded to speak at the event completely unrelated to Israel but continued to have the families of hostages stand behind him for the duration of the address. If the pro-terror Arabs thought they might have an ally in the White House, Donald Trump put any questions of his allegiances to bed tonight. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi on Tuesday notified Defense Minister Yisrael Katz that he intends to resign on March 6. I informed the Minister of Defense today that in light of my recognition of responsibility for the failure of the IDF on October 7th, I wish to conclude my role by March 6, 2025, Halevis statement said. In the remaining time, I will complete the investigations [on Oct. 7] and prepare the IDF for security challenges. I will transfer command of the IDF in a comprehensive manner to my successor. I have sent a letter to the Minister of Defense and the Prime Minister regarding this matter. The report comes after Defense Minister Betzalel Smotrich demanded that Halevi be dismissed as part of his conditions for his party to remain in the government despite its opposition to the ceasefire/hostage release deal. Halevis letter stated: In the last four decades, the mission of defending the security of the State of Israel has been a mission of my life. From a young soldier and commander to Chief of Staff, I found pride in my affiliation with the IDF. I saw it as a model organization and felt a heavy responsibility as one of the defenders of the State of Israel and its citizens. I knew well that upon taking command of the IDF, I bore the great responsibility of ensuring that the IDF would be ready to stand the ultimate test of war, know how to deter its enemies, and where it had not neutralized a threat in advance know how to separate enemies from civilians. On the morning of October 7th, the IDF under my command failed in its mission to protect the citizens of Israel. The State of Israel paid a heavy and painful price in human lives, in hostages, and injuries to bodies and souls. The acts of daring heroism by many security forces, IDF soldiers and commanders, and brave civilians were not enough to prevent the heavy disaster. My responsibility for this terrible failure accompanies me day by day, hour by hour, and will continue for the rest of my life. The IDF knew how to rise from a very difficult starting point to intense fighting, for more than a year and three months, in seven different combat arenas. The military achievements of the IDF changed the Middle East. The IDF inflicted very severe damage on the military wing of Hamas and created the conditions for the return of hostages, caused an unprecedented blow to the Hezbollah terrorist organization, and significantly weakened Iran and its regional activity. The IDF defends the residents of the Golan Heights from the Syrian buffer and succeeded in destroying the main capabilities of the Syrian army. In the Yehuda and Shomron sector, the IDF operates daily and nightly on effective counter-terrorism missions. These achievements are far above any achievement discussed with the political echelon for each of the arenas, and this significance is stronger in light of the connection of the arenas. These achievements belong first and foremost to the commanders and soldiers of the IDF. My troops, IDF fighters in regular service and reserves, from all parts of Israeli society, stood up for the just war, fought bravely and selflessly, and won every encounter with the enemy. We achieved these accomplishments at a heavy price. We suffered losses of our best fighters, the bereaved families expanded, and the war left wounds and scars among many. The IDF will forever be committed to the families and the memory of the fallen. The objectives of the war have not yet been fully achieved. The IDF will continue to fight for the dismantling of Hamas and its governing capabilities, for the return of all hostages, and will strengthen the security conditions created to complete the safe return of residents of the south and north to their homes. The IDF initiated and implemented an unprecedented and comprehensive investigation process during the war, for the purpose of learning and improvement, strengthening combat and defense capabilities, and as part of the commitment to the bereaved families, to the hostages and their families, and to the public as a whole. In light of my recognition of my responsibility for the failure of the IDF on October 7 and at a time when the IDF recorded exceptional achievements and restored the deterrence and strength of the State of Israel, I wish to conclude my role on March 6, 2025. I made this decision long ago. Now, when the IDF is dominant in all combat arenas and an additional hostage return agreement has been put into action, the time has come. In the remaining time, I will complete the investigations and continue to strengthen the IDFs readiness for upcoming challenges. In doing so, I will pass command of the IDF in a qualitative and orderly manner to my successor. I will always be a soldier of the State of Israel. Following Halevis announcement, Maj.-Gen. Yaron Finkelman, the commander of the IDFs Southern Command, also submitted a letter of resignation to Katz. In his resignation letter, Major General Finkelman wrote: On October 7, I failed to defend the western Negev and its beloved and heroic residents. By my conscience and the guiding values that guide me, I have decided to end my role as Commander of the Southern Command and my service in the IDF. This failure is engraved in me for all my life. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A chassidish bochur davened every day for the release of the hostages in Gaza but mentioned specifically the name of British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, who bchasdei Hashem was released on Sunday together with Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher. The story, as reported by Kikar Shabbat, was told over by the sons father. Our son, a yeshiva bochur, returned from Israel to London after Sukkos. When he boarded the plane, he noticed that his seat was assigned next to a woman. My son politely asked her if it was okay for her to move to sit in a nearby seat next to another woman so that he could sit next to a man. But the woman reacted angrily, belittled him for even asking, and of course refused to move. The bochur didnt respond to her, but when he couldnt find another seat, he remained standing, at a loss of what to do. Suddenly, a secular woman approached him and told him that his sincerity in keeping halacha had deeply moved her, and she was willing to exchange places with him she would sit next to the woman, and he would sit next to a man. But it didnt end there. The woman who agreed to swap places asked him for something else I have a daughter who was abducted to Gaza. Please I want you to daven for her every day that shell come out from there healthy and whole. That woman was Mandy Damari, who was born and raised in the UK and made aliyah in her 20s, where she married and raised four children on Kibbutz Kfar Azza. Since then, the bochur has davened daily for Emily Tehilla bat Amanda Francis Emily Damari to be released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, until he was informed at the beginning of the week together with all of Am Yisrael that she was being released along with two other women. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Hamas announced Tuesday that it will release four Israeli female hostages on Saturday as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Israel, which also includes the release of Palestinian security prisoners. Taher al-Nunu, a senior Hamas official, confirmed the upcoming release but did not disclose the names of the hostages. The terms of the agreement require Hamas to provide the names at least 24 hours in advance, though the terrorist group missed this deadline for earlier releases. Seven female hostages remain from the original list of 33 slated for release in the first phase of the deal. This group includes two civilians and five female soldiers. Among them are Arbel Yehud, 29, and Shiri Silberman Bibas, 33, the latter of whom remains captive with her two young sons, Kfir and Ariel, who were 9 months and 4 years old, respectively, at the time of their abduction. There are also several young female IDF soldiers still in captivity: Liri Albag, 19, Karina Ariev, 20, Agam Berger, 21, Danielle Gilboa, 20, and Naama Levy, 20. For each soldier released, Israel will free 50 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom have been convicted of terrorism. The hostage release on Shabbos will follow Sundays exchange, where three Israeli civilian hostages Romi Gonen, 24; Doron Steinbrecher, 31; and Emily Damari, 28 were freed in return for 30 Palestinian prisoners per hostage. The deal is unfolding amid complex negotiations involving multiple parties, including Russian Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov, who announced that Russian-Israeli hostage Sasha Trufanov is expected to be freed within weeks. Trufanov, injured during his abduction, is reportedly in stable condition. The ceasefire, now in its third day, also includes measures to allow displaced Palestinians to gradually return to northern Gaza. By the seventh day, unarmed civilians will be permitted to cross specific roads without inspections, while the IDF maintains strategic positions. Meanwhile, Israeli intelligence officials are meeting with Egyptian counterparts in Cairo to discuss security arrangements, signaling cautious optimism that the ceasefire will hold long enough to facilitate further hostages release and humanitarian relief efforts. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Rachel* had diligently saved her Nectar points throughout 2024 and was looking forward to spending them on a bottle of Remy Cognac for herself at Christmas. By chance, the tipple was on offer in her local Sainsbury's meaning her 10,000 points, worth 50, would have covered the full cost. But just days before Christmas, she noticed that her entire Nectar balance had been used in a store hundreds of miles away from her home. Unfortunately, Rachel is not alone. During the course of December, This Is Money heard from nearly 100 readers who had their Nectar balances emptied ahead of Christmas. Now we can reveal that 12million points worth more than 60,000 have been stolen from our readers in the past year, ranging from small amounts worth 2.50 up to 1,000. Sainsbury's, which owns Nectar, has thankfully refunded stolen points in most cases Christmas shop ruined by thieves Rachel celebrated her birthday on 17 December but it took two days for her to realise that the criminals had done their own celebratory shop. She received three emails that showed nearly 10,000 points had been spent in Stanmore, nearly 200 miles from her home in Yorkshire. After she got in touch with Nectar to alert them of the theft, her card was swiftly blocked but it meant that she was left without any points just days before Christmas. Her points were refunded on Christmas Eve but by that point, Rachel says, she had gone to see her sister and she was unlikely to receive the replacement Nectar card. It meant that she could not use the 50 worth of points she had saved and instead opted to shop at Tesco. Rachel says that while she won't stop shopping in Sainsbury's, the saga has caused unnecessary stress. 'My husband died in 2022, he'd not been well for quite a few years. I kind of ran the house and took a lot of the decisions and I ran the finances. 'But now I'm on my own, it takes away my confidence,' she says. 'What worries me now is how my Nectar points were stolen.' During December it appears criminals ramped up their spending in the run up to Christmas using ill-gotten Nectar numbers. Christine, who lives in Nottingham, said she discovered 500 points worth 2.50 had been spent in Birmingham just two days before Christmas. Three hours after she alerted Nectar, she discovered a further 39,500 points worth 197.50 had been spent in Taplow. 'Needless to say I was extremely upset, this was my Christmas shopping money,' she says. Christine had been saving the points for 'well over a year' and had previously bought plenty of higher value items, including a vacuum cleaner with her points. 'I do save them for that purpose to buy something I really want, and this year I had saved them for my Christmas shop.' Nectar refunded Christine's points within a week, but it meant that she had to forego the 200 she had expected to save on her Christmas shop. Readers lose THOUSANDS to criminals Rachel and Christine represent just a number of Nectar customers who have had their points stolen, and not just at Christmas. This is Money first wrote about the recent spate of Nectar point theft in January 2024, after a reader contacted us to say that they had had lost 74,000 points, worth 370, to scammers. James* said his account showed two small transactions in Hackney, east London, and three larger ones in a petrol station in Enfield despite living in Gloucester, and not being in London that day. It prompted hundreds more readers to write in with similar thefts, including some readers who were told to report it to the police, despite it not being a recordable crime. Sainsbury's, which owns Nectar, has thankfully refunded points in most cases, although there have been circumstances where it has taken longer because the theft has happened in their local store, after which Nectar has apologised. Over the course of the year, our investigations have revealed worrying patterns that have made it easier for criminals to continue to steal points. As a result, our readers have lost a cumulative 12,532,655 Nectar points between January 2024 and the first week of January 2025, equivalent to 62,663.28. Some 11.3million of those occurred between August 2024 and the first week of January 2025 according to our heaving inbox. Many question the lack of security or authentication for Nectar cards, meaning criminals can theoretically duplicate a card's bar code. Similarly, there is no cap on the amount of points that can be spent at any given time or authentication needed. It's understood that Nectar has systems in place to detect unusual activity, which it says can pre-emptively block redemptions. It also says it requires photo ID for all Nectar redemptions over 50 in Argos stores. We also discovered evidence of secret groups trading Nectar customers' reward points. The Nectar Facebook group is also littered with customers who have had points stolen, and they are often the most liked comments on posts made by the loyalty scheme. The most recent came from a customer who had their points stolen before Christmas and said Nectar took 'way too long' to refund. 'It appears it is a lucrative business, stealing points and selling them openly on the internet, which shows how little security is applied to our accounts!' they added. We have asked Nectar multiple times to explain what is happening and whether the security system should be overhauled to better protect customers. In response to our questions about customers who lost out ahead of Christmas, a spokesman said: 'The security of our customer accounts is our highest priority and we have a range of measures which detect, and in many cases prevent, fraud. 'Nectar is one of the UK's biggest loyalty schemes, with over 23 million members, and the proportion of those impacted by fraud each year is small. 'For any customers who suspect they may have been a victim of fraud, we aim to put it right as soon as it's brought to our attention. 'We told the two customer examples shared with us by This is Money how sorry we were for the inconvenience this caused them and their missing points were returned quickly, including on the same day on Christmas Eve in one case.' Have you had your Nectar points stolen? Get in touch editor@thisismoney.co.uk Mortgage brokers may be steering borrowers towards two-year fixed rates rather than five or more, which allows them to collect commission more often, a Bank of England study shows. The study, which covers the period 2013 to 2020, says those going through a mortgage broker are more likely to opt for a shorter-term fix than those who apply direct to the lender. Mortgage brokers are paid commission by the lender, which is typically about 0.35 per cent of the total mortgage value. Some brokers also charge the borrower fees which are often between 500 and 1,000. According to the Bank of England report, this creates an incentive for mortgage brokers to steer households towards a mortgage with a shorter fixed term. Two-year fixes are popular at the moment, in part because some borrowers think mortgage rates will go down in the near future. Shorter deals: A higher proportion of customers fix for two years when using a broker compared to those that go direct to the lender, according to the Bank of England Santander recently said almost two thirds of its customers were opting for two-year fixes, with just over a quarter choosing to fix for five years. The Bank of England study also found that regions in which brokers were more commonly used, saw a slight increase in the proportion of mortgages with a short fixed term. This suggests that brokers play an active role in steering households towards mortgages with a short fixed term. The study concluded: 'Our results suggest that brokers encourage households to choose short fixed-term mortgages. 'Households who choose a mortgage with a shorter fixed term are more exposed to risks affecting mortgage rates. 'Hence, an increase in the share of mortgages with a short fixed term transfers risks concerning the future level of the base rate from lenders to households, who are less able to hedge against and manage these risks.' Most mortgage brokers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Britons prefer two-year mortgages While this evidence suggests that some brokers might steer households into mortgages with a shorter term fix, there are other factors at play. The Bank of England also suggests that less financially sophisticated people are more likely to choose a short-term fixed mortgage, and also more likely to seek help from a broker rather than go directly to a lender. Two-year fixes were also typically cheaper than five-year fixes between 2013 and 2020, and borrowers who stuck to shorter fixed rate deals would have saved money in many cases. Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, says: 'It may be a little too simplistic to suggest brokers are only thinking of themselves and a refinance two years down the road. 'Even the authors of this study find it inconclusive - it refers to "suggestive evidence that brokers may steer households into mortgages with a short fixed term" but we cannot confidently conclude that this is the case. 'There are many reasons why a shorter-term product is selected, including personal or financial events, budgetary requirements, borrower expectations and so on.' Mark Eaton, chief operating officer of lender April Mortgages says the narrow range of mortgage options in the UK might be to blame. 'Brokers are limited to the range of products available to them, which has historically been dominated by two- and five-year deals,' he said. 'To truly serve borrowers' best interests and help them plan for the long term, lenders must step up by introducing more diverse, longer-term options with fairer early redemption penalties and a balanced fee structure. 'This is a standard practice across much of Europe, where short-term mortgage products are far less common. He also suggests that brokers could be given more commission for selling longer-term mortgages. 'Brokers need to be fairly compensated for considering these modern, long-term alternatives,' says Eaton. 'Offering the same commission for both short- and long-term products fails to incentivize brokers to give equal weight to longer-term fixed-rate solutions that can offer greater value and security to borrowers.' SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Vehicles carrying President Yoon Suk-yeol departed for the constitutional court to attend a hearing of his impeachment trial, TV footage showed Tuesday. BERLIN, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Germany's automotive industry is grappling with critical challenges and needs substantial reform to retain its international competitiveness, according to Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). Speaking at the VDA's annual press conference, Mueller stressed that 2025 must serve as a crucial turning point for change, urging a shift in both policy and mindset to ensure Germany's economic growth, climate objectives, and job security. "The goal is clear, to produce the best digital and climate-neutral mobility products in the world," Mueller stated, emphasizing the global prestige of German automotive brands. Mueller called for a bold agenda centered on innovation, growth, reduced bureaucracy, and job creation, cautioning that incremental measures would be inadequate. From 2025 to 2029, German automotive companies are projected to invest approximately 320 billion euros (329.6 billion U.S. dollars) in research and development, along with 220 billion euros in plants and equipment. However, Mueller noted a concerning trend: a growing share of these investments is flowing abroad, endangering Germany's domestic economy, where 70 percent of automotive jobs rely on exports. She highlighted the urgent necessity of lower energy costs, pointing out that Germany's electricity and gas prices are higher than those in China and the United States, placing German companies at a competitive disadvantage. Mueller also called for an overhaul of Germany's hydrogen policy, citing excessive regulations that hinder the development of this vital technology. On the digitalization front, Mueller stressed that Germany's infrastructure and regulatory environment are lagging behind global competitors. She called for faster, more flexible decision-making, particularly with regard to artificial intelligence, which she identified as a key technology for the automotive sector. Furthermore, Mueller criticized the high tax and bureaucratic burden on businesses, advocating for the abolition of the solidarity surcharge, improved depreciation rules, and streamlined bureaucracy, particularly at the EU level. Looking ahead, the VDA projected modest growth in the German passenger car market, with sales expected to rise by 1 percent to 2.8 million units - still 25 percent below the pre-crisis levels in 2019. Meanwhile, electric vehicle (EV) registrations are expected to increase by 53 percent to 873,000 units, with domestic production of EVs to rise by 24 percent, helping Germany maintain its position as the world's second-largest EV producer. Mueller expressed optimism about Germany's ability to regain its competitive edge with the right policies. "Germany has the talent, innovation, and potential to lead, especially in fields like AI. What is needed now is political action to unlock this potential," she said. (1 euro = 1.03 U.S. dollar) The number of people in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) at the end of 2023 increased by 42%, with more than 2,000 applicants not offered accommodation on arrival. European Migration Network (EMN) Ireland has published its annual review of migration and asylum in Ireland. The report shows continuing challenges and developments in migration to the country. These include continued forced migration flows, limited processing and accommodation capacity for international protection, continued labour market shortages and the expansion of sectors eligible for employment permits. Figures show that immigration increased by 5% in the year to April 2024, which remains slightly lower than the peak in 2007. Immigration from outside the EU or UK made up 58% of this, including Ukrainians. While applications for international protection in 2023 reduced by 3%, challenges with processing capacity led to 21,850 applications pending at the International Protection Office (IPO) at the end of the year, a 47% increase compared with 2022. This was despite a 90% increase in decisions made by the IPO, the report stated. The need for increased capacity to decide on appeals was clear from the report, with a threefold increase in such hearings in 2023. While decisions in the tribunal increased by 22% and median processing time reduced to 5.5 months from 10.2 months, the scale of the increase in appeals taken meant there were 359% more applications being dealt with at the end of 2023 compared with 2022. The continued international protection flows also led to challenges with reception accommodation. Meanwhile, efforts continued to be made to progress implementation of the White Paper to End Direct Provision, including inspections by the Health Information and Quality Authority of IPAS accommodation centres. The introduction of local authority integration teams, and funding for Children and Young People Services Committees and family support practitioners to support international protection applicants represented significant progress in support for those living in IPAS accommodation. The figures showed there had been a 24% increase in all valid residence permits, which are issued to non-EEA citizens, excluding beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine, in 2023. Some 30% of these were for employment, 21% for education, 19% for family, 27% for other reasons, and 3% for international protection. The overall increase in all valid permits was not reflected in first permits issued, which increased by 3% in 2023. By contrast, employment permits issued in 2023 decreased by 29% from 2022, although at just under 31,000 the number issued was still high compared with previous trends. The most common sectors for employment permits were health and social work activities (32%) and information and communication activities (16%). Almost 34,000 PPS numbers were allocated to arrivals from Ukraine in 2023, almost half the 2022 figure (around 67,000). Similar to 2022, women made up 48% of arrivals, and children 28%. Keire Murphy, an author of the report said: The 2023 report shows that while challenges in reception and processing for international protection as well as displacement from Ukraine continued, most migration is still for employment, education and to join family. Dervla Potter, an author of the report, said: 2023 saw significant migration and asylum developments, in a changing wider context of labour market shortages, increased cost of living, housing crisis and increase in anti-migrant sentiment. The report underscores the challenges faced in responding to these developments and highlights the need for preparation and planning to ensure Ireland has the infrastructure for an increasing population. BUJUMBURA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Burundian government and the World Bank have signed agreements on three grants totaling 168.3 million U.S. dollars to finance a climate resilience project and two energy projects. The agreements were signed in Bujumbura, the economic capital, by Burundian Finance, Budget and Economic Planning Minister Nestor Ntahontuye and Hawa Cisse Wague, the World Bank representative to Burundi. They were in the presence of Burundian Hydraulics Energy and Mining Minister Ibrahim Uwizeye and Emmanuel Ndorimana, permanent secretary at the Burundian Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock, which will implement the projects. "We're glad to have signed these three financial agreements. They are indeed in line with the country's National Development Plan and the vision of an emerging Burundi in 2040 and a developed one in 2060," said Ntahontuye, the finance minister. The climate resilience project, which has a budget of 88.3 million dollars, is aimed to boost the productivity of fragile lands in Burundi's targeted hills. The project will be implemented for six years. "The other two financial agreements come as additional supports to two existing energy projects that have not been completed," Ntahontuye said, referring to one aimed to boost energy services to villagers living outside Bujumbura and the other that helps build the Jiji-Murembwe hydropower dams. The Jiji-Murembwe dams, expected to be completed in June 2026, have a power generation capacity of 49 megawatts. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Adviser for Foreign Affairs of the Interim Government of Bangladesh Touhid Hossain in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on China and Bangladesh to consolidate traditional cooperation, expand emerging fields, successfully hold the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and Year of People-to-People Exchanges to push forward bilateral ties. Wang made the remarks during a talk with Touhid Hossain, Adviser for Foreign Affairs of the Interim Government of Bangladesh on Tuesday in Beijing. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh and the Year of People-to-People Exchanges, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said there are new opportunities in the development of bilateral relations. China is willing to work with Bangladesh to continue the traditional friendship, strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation, and jointly promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to advance the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, said Wang. China supports Bangladesh in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and national dignity, and exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, respects the choice of the Bangladeshi people, and stands ready to continue to provide assistance for Bangladesh's economic and social development, said Wang. China is further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization, which will generate more opportunities for the rest of the world, especially its neighbors, Wang said, adding that the two sides should coordinate the promotion of major landmark projects and "small but beautiful" livelihood projects. As developing countries, China and Bangladesh share broad common interests and need to strengthen solidarity and coordination in international and regional affairs and work for a more just and equitable global governance system, Wang added. Friendly relations with China are a cross-party consensus of Bangladesh, which has been supported by successive governments and all people, said Touhid. Bangladesh is committed to deepening cooperation with China in such fields as politics, economy and trade, infrastructure, medical care, water conservancy and human resources development, as well as strengthening people-to-people and governance exchanges, Touhid said, adding that Bangladesh looks forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with China and pushing bilateral relations to a new level. Touhid said that Bangladesh firmly upholds the one-China principle, adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, and resolutely defends the authority and effectiveness of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. Bangladesh attaches great importance to the three global initiatives and is willing to support each other on international occasions, strengthen coordination in regional affairs, be partners in promoting connectivity and regional economic integration, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, Touhid added. Also on Tuesday, Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met with Touhid in Beijing. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Adviser for Foreign Affairs of the Interim Government of Bangladesh Touhid Hossain in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) VIENTIANE, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of Energy and Mines, along with other stakeholders, has been discussing plans to improve investment quality and effectiveness in mining projects for 2025. Ministry officials, key stakeholders, provincial leaders, and representatives from relevant ministries and mining companies gathered in the capital Vientiane from Monday to Tuesday to review progress in 2024 and plans for 2025. The meeting identified successes and challenges. Additionally, the participants discussed ways to enhance coordination among ministries, departments and local authorities, according to Lao National Radio. Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Phoxay Sayasone highlighted challenges faced by the mining sector in 2024, including economic difficulties, fiscal constraints, rising fuel prices, fluctuating exchange rates and project delays. He said that despite these obstacles, the mining sector achieved significant progress. BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- China created 12.56 million new urban jobs in 2024, hitting the annual target, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said on Tuesday. In 2024, China's surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent, 0.1 percentage points lower than the previous year, according to the ministry. The country has set an annual target of creating more than 12 million new urban jobs in 2024 and it also aimed to keep the surveyed urban jobless rate at around 5.5 percent for the year. "The employment situation remained generally stable," said Lu Aihong, spokesperson of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, at a press conference. By the end of 2024, over 33.05 million people who had been lifted from poverty were employed, Lu said. China's social security card holders reached nearly 1.39 billion by the end of last year, including 1.07 billion digital social security card users, the spokesperson said. Social security cards are divided into physical cards and digital cards. Many people hold both types. Lu said that the ministry has also strengthened the standardized management of vocational competence assessment, with over 12 million individuals obtaining vocational skill-level certificates or professional qualification certificates last year. The ministry announced that in 2025, a targeted employment support program for key sectors, industries, urban-rural grassroots, as well as micro, small and medium-sized enterprises will be implemented, establishing a mechanism for collecting and releasing information on job positions related to major projects. The ministry will also accelerate the research and formulation of relevant policies and measures to further enhance the appeal of the private pension system. By the end of 2023, there were 70,000 human resource service agencies across the country, employing 1.06 million people, according to Zhang Wenmiao, an official with the ministry. He added that throughout 2023, these agencies provided services to 300 million workers and 55.99 million employers, with approximately 40 percent of these employers in the manufacturing sector. The ministry said that this year it would introduce a youth job creation program, including measures to boost employment for college graduates. Youth employment, particularly for college graduates, remains a top priority for the ministry, said Chen Yongjia, an official with the ministry, adding that throughout 2025, the ministry will organize a series of activities to promote employment and entrepreneurship among young people. Beautiful flowers of pink trumpet trees attract citizens and tourists in Xiamen, SE China's Fujian People's Daily Online) 15:14, January 20, 2025 Tourists enjoy leisure time amid blooming pink trumpet trees in Xixi village, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo) Pink trumpet trees planted on over 200 mu (about 13.33 hectares) of land are currently in full bloom in Xixi village, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province, creating a magnificent spectacle. A local villager surnamed Huang mentioned that the area was once a barren mountain but has now been revitalized by the vibrant flowers. Previously a fruit orchard destroyed by a typhoon, the villagers transformed it into a cultural and tourism project in 2019 by planting pink trumpet trees on the mountain. The pink trumpet trees have become a popular attraction for both locals and tourists. The area was opened to visitors in 2023, and now boasts over 6,000 of the trees. The flowering season of the trees lasts about two months, making the upcoming Spring Festival an ideal time to enjoy the beauty of the flowers. Aerial photo shows blooming pink trumpet trees in Xixi village, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo) Citizens stroll along a path amid blooming pink trumpet trees in Xixi village, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo) Photo shows blooming pink trumpet trees in Xixi village, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo) Citizens stroll along a path amid blooming pink trumpet trees in Xixi village, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo) A tourist takes pictures of a card hanging on a branch of a blooming pink trumpet tree in Xixi village, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo) A woman plays a musical instrument amid blooming pink trumpet trees in Xixi village, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zhang Xiuyun) Tourists enjoy leisure time amid blooming pink trumpet trees in Xixi village, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo) Tourists enjoy leisure time amid blooming pink trumpet trees in Xixi village, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo) Photo shows blooming pink trumpet trees in Xixi village, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo) Photo shows blooming pink trumpet trees in Xixi village, Xiamen city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Chen Bo) (Web editor: Chang Sha, Du Mingming) BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai-based family travel influencer Kong Tong has been following the news about mainland group tours to Taiwan in recent days. Kong hoped that she and her son would be part of the first mainland tourist group to land on Taiwan should the ban on mainland resident visits to the island be lifted. The ban was put in place by the Taiwan authorities in 2020, cutting off visits to the island of mainland residents. On Friday, the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced that group tour services to Taiwan would soon be resumed for Fujian and Shanghai residents. The announcement marked a major move in restoring normal interactions between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, which have long faced obstructions from Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities. "I have bought my son many books and cultural products depicting the beauty of Taiwan, and he is so curious about the island," Kong said, noting that her son is especially eager to visit the Taipei Palace Museum, one of Taiwan's most-visited attractions among mainland tourists. Kong, who shares her travel experiences on social media, is excited about the prospect of an upcoming trip to Taiwan, which would enable her fans on the mainland to explore the sights and get a feel for the island through her lens. Like Kong, others involved in the mainland tourism industry have been looking forward to returning to Taiwan, which was one of the most accessible and familiar destinations for mainland tourists before the ban by the island's DPP authorities under the pretext of COVID-19 restrictions. "Tourism professionals on both sides of the Strait have long anticipated this resumption," said Zhou Weihong, deputy general manager of Shanghai-based travel agency Spring Tour, adding that the company has been planning to design travel products and train the guides to meet the new market demand. Within three hours of the announcement on Friday, searches for "travel to Taiwan" jumped significantly on Ctrip, China's leading online travel platform. Qunar, another major travel platform, has also reported an obvious surge in searches for flights to Taipei from Shanghai and Fujian's major cities including Fuzhou and Xiamen. According to Luo Ying, marketing director of Xiamen Airlines International Travel Service Co., Ltd., traveling to Taiwan is particularly appealing for people from Fujian due to the proximity and cultural affinity between the province and the island. Luo noted that the company, which had been operating group tours to Taiwan since 2008, is now actively collaborating with its partners in Taiwan to develop new tourism products. Many mainland scholars say the announcement of group tour resumption is a goodwill sign responding to the Taiwan tourism industry's expectations for the return of mainland tourists. Wang Zhenwei, a senior researcher at Xiamen University's Graduate Institute for Taiwan Studies, noted that Taiwan has more than 4,000 travel agencies, most of which operate tourism-related businesses with the mainland. The mainland has shown sincerity in promoting the peaceful, integrated development of the two sides of the Strait, and its goodwill has been welcomed by tourism professionals in Taiwan, Wang said. Zhu Songling, a Taiwan studies professor at Beijing Union University, said that the upcoming return of mainland tour groups to Taiwan aligns with the island's mainstream public opinion, which is geared toward seeking peace, development, exchange and cooperation. He highlighted that the most important thing now is whether the DPP authorities can acknowledge that mainstream public opinion and the strong appeals from Taiwan's tourism industry, actively respond to the mainland's goodwill, and promptly remove the various barriers and restrictions on cross-Strait people-to-people exchange and cooperation. Earlier in the year the KCMO homicide pace continues to move at a rate faster than the previous four years. Here's the report of police responding to a desperate call amid arctic temperatures. Check-it . . . Homicide 56th and Westridge This evening, at 7:30 PM, officers were dispatched to 56th and Westridge on a reported shooting. Upon arrival they were directed to a residence near the intersection. In the yard they located a male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. Several witnesses were rendering aid to the victim as officers arrived. Officers took over life saving measures and ordered EMS. The victim was transported from the scene with life threatening injuries. Several hours later the victim died at the hospital. This is being investigated as a homicide and no one is in custody. Detectives and crime scene personnel are working to determine what led up to the incident. They are gathering witness statements and processing any available physical evidence. If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline. We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency. We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents. ################# Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Kansas City police investigating deadly shooting at 56th and Westridge Kansas City police are investigating a fatal shooting at 56th Street and Westridge Road. Man dies in shooting Monday night in Kansas City, police say A man died in a shooting Monday night in Kansas City, Missouri, police said. The shooting happened at a home near east 56 Street and Westridge Road. Developing . . . This one is just for the news junkies as share some of the more important local links along with national news distractions for the plebs . . . Caveat . . . We'll double post any thoughtful comment from our night owl & early bird readers. Check TKC news gathering . . . Locals Track MAGA 2.0 KC groups, lawyers watching Trump immigration action, promises The incoming Trump Administration wasted no time sticking to core campaign issues on Inauguration Day Arctic Blast Sorta Sparks Fires Kansas City firefighters work through frigid weather; homeless community seeks warmth KCFD Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins said KCFD battles 200 to 220 fires at empty structures each year. Today's Cowtown Tribute Community leaders, students recognized for carrying Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy The NAACP of Olathe, Overland Park and Leawood hosted the 21st annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Awards and Scholarship celebration Tough Circumstances Confront Suburban Old School Long road ahead for tenants without heat at Raytown senior living apartments Step inside the 10-story Bowen Tower apartments in Raytown and you'll feel the chill. Artsy Dedication Cont'd Kansas City artist adding to his popular Chiefs display ahead of AFC Championship Local artist Jeff Parson, or "Fearless Jackrabbit', has been putting larger-than-life displays outside his home for years. Good Life Always Triumphs Emily Ratajkowski flaunts her sizzling bikini body The 33-year-old DKNY model had on a scarlet red two piece swimsuit that made the most of her very toned tummy and generous cleavage. The busty brunette was posing just so. Tesla King Couldn't Possibly Be This Stupid?!?! Elon Musk's gesture at Trump rally draws scrutiny He made the gesture while thanking supporters for contributing to Trump's victory. In Defense Of Elon Musk ADL defends Elon Musk over 'awkward gesture' at Trump inauguration: 'Not a Nazi salute' The Anti-Defamation League defended Elon Musk on Monday after the billionaire tech mogul thanked supporters of President Trump with a gesture that some left-wingers on social media referred to as a fascist salute. Comment On Outrage From Tech Dork . . . Elon Musk Comments on Controversial Clip of Him Giving a Nazi-Like Salute The billionaire sparked heated debate over a gesture he made at a rally celebrating Trump's Inauguration. Gamer-Gate Part Deux?!? Elon Musk Finally Admits To 'Path Of Exile 2' Account Boosting In DMs Elon Musk Finally Admits To 'Path Of Exile 2' Account Boosting In DMs The saga of Elon Musk secretly account boosting Diablo 4 and/or Path of Exile 2 accounts may be o... Ruling Class Stays Winning Five people are now expected to become trillionaires within 10 years, says Oxfam Tesla CEO Elon Musk is widely expected to be the first person to hit trillionaire status, alongside Jensen Huang and Mark Zuckerberg. New Boss Confronts Legal Fight Elon Musk's DOGE to be sued minutes after Donald Trump's inauguration National Security Counselors, a public interest law firm, plans to file the lawsuit shortly after Trump's noon inauguration. Tech Oligarchs Rise For MAGA Trump, a populist president, is flanked by tech billionaires at his inauguration Some of the most exclusive seats at President Donald Trump's inauguration were reserved for powerful tech CEOs who also are among the world's richest men. Upscale Fashion Win For All Jeff Bezos' fiancee Lauren Sanchez sparks backlash at Trump inauguration with lingerie-inspired outfit Lauren Sanchez skipped a traditional blouse and opted for a lacy white bustier to complete her white blazer and trousers by Alexander McQueen. She was accompanied by Jeff Bezos. Big Picture Native View Opening the door to greater visibility, understanding and respect - KC STUDIO Kansas-based Native filmmaker Rebekka Schlicting sheds a light on Native stories. Temps Drop After Dark FIRST WARN FORECAST: Record lows to start Tuesday A First Warn Weather Day is in effect through noon Tuesday due to dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills. This is the OPEN THREAD for right now. The pivotal role of tourism in driving economic diversification will take center stage at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos this week. Saudi Arabias Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, will participate in the WEF Annual Meeting as part of the Saudi delegation led by Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and will lead the discussion showing how travel & tourism is critical to economic growth and prosperity. "The Travel and Tourism sector is a cornerstone of global economies and, as we convene in Davos for the WEF Annual Meeting 2025, acknowledging the importance of the sector in discussions is vital," said Al-Khateeb. "I am honoured to be invited to the WEF Annual Meeting and underscore tourism's potential as a catalyst for inclusive global economic transformation through sustainability, innovation, and collaboration. Saudi Arabia remains committed to strengthening international cooperation and promoting sustainable growth in tourism," he said. In collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism with expert input from Minister Al-Khateeb, the WEF has released a new briefing paper on The Future of Travel and Tourism: Embracing Sustainable and Inclusive Growth exploring transformative trends of the sector, destination readiness and the importance of cross-sector collaboration. This paper will help drive travel and tourism discussions across the WEF Annual Meeting agenda in livestreamed sessions including: Travel and Tourisms role in Building Trust; Tuesday, January 21, 9 am CET Scaling Sustainable Tourism: Connecting People and Places; Tuesday, January 21, 4.40 pm CET The Way We Will Travel; Wednesday January 22, 11.30 am CET The kingdom has also released an Investor White Paper highlighting Vision 2030 initiatives that are transforming the tourism sector. The paper highlights the significant strides made in developing state-of-the-art tourism infrastructure, drawing international visitors, and offering unique cultural experiences. As a result, Saudi Arabia has rapidly become one of the world's fastest-growing tourism destinations, surpassing its 2030 goal of 100 million tourist arrivals in 2023. Strategically located within a six-hour flight of 40 per cent of the worlds population, Saudi Arabia is poised to be a global tourism hub. The WEF Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos marks a significant moment in the trajectory of global tourism, and emphasises Saudi Arabia's dedication to fostering cross-sector partnerships and driving economic growth through tourism. Minister Al-Khateeb's active participation will pave the way for new partnerships and initiatives aimed at leveraging tourism for global economic development, said the statement. The kingdom remains committed to sharing its vision for a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for the tourism industry, ensuring perpetual growth and innovation, it said. In addition to participation in official WEF engagements, Minister Al-Khateeb will represent the kingdom in dialogues aimed at fostering pathways to drive Africas development through investment, the role of women leaders in global economies, and strategies to scale sustainable tourism and will engage with key policymakers and influential leaders across both the private and public sectors. - TradeArabia News Service JERUSALEM, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi resigned on Tuesday, citing the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) failure to prevent Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that triggered the Gaza war. Halevi, 57, is the most senior official to step down over the security lapse, which saw thousands of Hamas-led militants and Gaza civilians breach the border fence in a coordinated land, air, and sea assault, overrunning military bases and communities in southern Israel. The attack resulted in Israel's single deadliest day: some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. As of Tuesday, more than 90 hostages still remain in Gaza, with about a third presumed dead. "Under my command, the IDF failed in its mission to protect the citizens of Israel," Halevi wrote in his resignation letter. He said his resignation would take effect on March 6, adding he had made the decision "a long time ago." "Now, as the IDF maintains the upper hand on all fronts and another agreement for the return of hostages is underway, the time (for my resignation) has come," he wrote. Shortly after Halevi's announcement, Yaron Finkelman, the commanding officer of the Southern Command, also said he would leave the IDF. Israel's security forces have faced criticism for failing to anticipate the unprecedented attack and for delays in mobilizing reinforcements to southern communities to counter Hamas forces. Israel's security forces have come under heavy criticism for failing to foresee the unprecedented attack and for delays in deploying reinforcements to southern communities to repel Hamas forces. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Halevi after the resignation was announced, thanking him for his long service to the country. Following the resignation, opposition leaders in the Knesset called for Netanyahu to follow Halevi's lead and resign. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid tweeted, "I saluteHerzi Halevi. Now let the prime minister and his entire disastrous government take responsibility and resign." MOSCOW, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A recent bill approved by the Armenian government to initiate the country's European Union (EU) accession process does not specify any concrete timelines, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said on Tuesday. "The bill is a public document; it does not include concrete timelines or specific mechanisms," Mirzoyan explained during a press briefing following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow. The Armenian cabinet approved the bill on Jan. 9, marking the formal start of the EU accession process. The bill, introduced to parliament by the Eurovote civic initiative following a petition, is expected to pass with the support of the ruling majority. For his part, Lavrov said Moscow is continuing its efforts to normalize relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. "We are ready to provide the necessary assistance to facilitate the normalization of ties between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Lavrov said, emphasizing the relevance of the trilateral agreements reached in 2020 and 2022 in the current regional context. facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter Published January 21, 2025 MONROE, LA University of Louisiana Monroe President Dr. Ron Berry has announced that he will be stepping down as president and returning to his role as a professor. Berry made the announcement in an email to ULM employees on Tuesday, January 21. It has been an honor and privilege to serve ULM in an administrative and leadership capacity for the past 25 years. My leadership journey has been extremely rewarding, professionally and personally, with the last four and a half years as president being particularly so, stated Berry. This last semester, I had the opportunity to teach a class of first-time freshmen and was reminded of why I entered higher education over 30 years ago. Serving as president has been remarkable, but I cant think of a more rewarding experience than working with students one-on-one to help them achieve their best life possible. This is how I want to finish my career, he added. Berry has served as the ninth president of ULM since September 2020. During his time as president, Berry has overseen the creation of a strategic plan, the building of the HUB, and the acquisition of the Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus, a gift from Lumen Technologies. Berry was also instrumental in the creation of the Centennial Scholars program, an initiative created to improve literacy among local elementary students and to invest in the future of ULM by granting a $500 scholarship to students who will become the incoming freshman class of 2031, which will mark the Universitys 100th anniversary. Along with First Lady Dr. Christine Berry, President Berry created the Opportunity Fund, a fund designed to support a wide variety of activities and projects not typically funded through traditional budgetary means. The Opportunity Fund has awarded over $100,000 since its inception. Dr. Ron Berry is a two-time alumnus of ULM, earning a B.B.A. in 1988 and an M.B.A. in 1990. He earned a Doctor of Business Administration from Mississippi State University in 1995. He has served at ULM in various roles since 1995, including Department Head of Computer Information Systems and, prior to his hiring as president, Dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences. Berry will continue to serve as President of ULM until a new president is hired and in place. Details about the search process and timeline will be forthcoming from the University of Louisiana System. KIEV, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's military attacked a Russian aviation plant in Smolensk region in western Russia, said Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, on Tuesday. Kovalenko said the plant participates in the production of military aircraft, particularly Su-25 attack aircraft, and is also involved in the overhaul and maintenance of aviation equipment. "This plant is closely connected to other enterprises of the Russian defense industry, supplying components or participating in cooperation to create modern aviation systems," he said. Kovalenko did not disclose the means used in the attack. Separately, drones attacked an oil depot in Russia's western Voronezh region on Monday night, the Ukrayinska Pravda media outlet reported. DOHA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al Ansari confirmed on Tuesday that the next round of hostage exchanges is set to proceed as scheduled this weekend, highlighting ongoing efforts to finalize the details through close coordination and the exchange of name lists between the involved parties. During the ministry's weekly media briefing, Al Ansari expressed optimism about the process, stating, "We believe the upcoming exchange will proceed more smoothly." Regarding the second phase of the agreement, he noted, "We are withholding technical details regarding the implementation until it occurs to ensure its success. However, I can confirm that all details are currently being discussed in the operations room between the parties involved." He reaffirmed that the ceasefire agreement remains in place as long as negotiations continue, stressing that the primary responsibilities lie with the parties involved. "That being said, we have observed positive implementation on the ground, including the delivery of over 900 aid trucks and the successful prisoner exchange. This gives us confidence that the implementation of the agreement is being carried out positively," he added. On Qatar's stance regarding normalization with Israel, Al Ansari reiterated, "Normalization with Israel must align with a permanent solution to the Palestinian issue, which can only be achieved through a two-state solution." (@ChaudhryMAli88) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, during his visit to Cambodia, extended his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister, Samdech Hun Manet for the warm hospitality extended to the Pakistani delegation. This visit marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, focusing on strengthening trade, investment, and diplomatic cooperation, said a press release issued here on Tuesday. Minister Jam Kamal Khan emphasized the immense potential for collaboration between Pakistan and Cambodia, particularly in trade and investment. He stressed the need to enhance business-to-business (B2B) interactions as a foundation for building robust economic ties. Minister also invited Prime Minister Samdech Hun Manet to visit Pakistan at his convenience and underscored the importance of establishing a Cambodian resident mission in Islamabad to deepen diplomatic and economic relations. Prime Minister Samdech Hun Manet welcomed the Ministers visit and expressed appreciation for the successful signing of the agreed minutes of the first Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting between the two nations. He highlighted promising areas for collaboration, including textiles and healthcare, proposing that these sectors be prioritized in the initial phase of cooperation. The prime minister also acknowledged the global shifts in trade and investment, pointing to opportunities arising from businesses relocating to new regions. He underscored Cambodias interest in fostering stronger defence cooperation, referencing the recent visit of a high-level Cambodian defence delegation to Pakistan. He further assured the Minister that the process of opening a Cambodian resident mission in Islamabad is underway, which will strengthen bilateral ties and promote people-to-people connections. This landmark interaction reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Cambodia to advancing mutual interests and exploring new avenues for collaboration. Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to deepen partnerships and unlock untapped potential in trade, investment, and other strategic sectors. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) The inaugural session of the Pakistan-Cambodia Joint Trade Committee (JTC) marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, as both nations explored avenues to enhance trade, investment, and cooperation in various sectors. Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, highlighted Pakistans strategic location, growing economy, and investment-friendly policies, inviting Cambodian businesses to explore opportunities in agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and tourism, said a press release issued here on Tuesday. The Minister emphasized Pakistans efforts to improve the ease of doing business and its potential as a gateway to key markets in South Asia, Central Asia, and the middle East. Co-chaired by Ms. Nasir Hameed, Additional Secretary of Commerce from Pakistan, and Pich Rithi, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia, the session included detailed discussions on mutual interests, including trade, health, banking, agriculture, aviation, and customs. The Cambodian Minister for Commerce highly valued and appreciated the first JTC meeting, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral engagements and ensuring they occur more frequently. She expressed keen interest in visiting Pakistan for the second JTC meeting in Islamabad, following the formal invitation extended by Minister Jam Kamal Khan. She also highlighted Cambodias extensive market access within the ASEAN region, encouraging the exploration of joint ventures to leverage regional opportunities. Both ministers were present at the signing ceremony of the agreed minutes of the first JTC meeting, underscoring the significance of this historic collaboration. The two sides agreed to appoint focal persons to expedite negotiations for Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and enhance cooperation. They resolved to share trade-related information, organize trade delegations, and facilitate direct engagements between the business communities of both countries. The Cambodian side showcased its robust market access through free trade agreements (FTAs) and preferential trade treatments, offering opportunities for Pakistani businesses to tap into regional and global markets. The agreed minutes of the JTC highlighted plans for collaboration in ICT, e-commerce, agriculture, and the health sector. Both countries also expressed interest in MoUs for aviation, banking, and customs cooperation. With bilateral trade currently valued at $45.5 million, both sides acknowledged significant untapped potential and committed to building stronger ties. The session concluded on a positive note, laying the groundwork for deeper economic and cultural partnerships. The next JTC session will be held in Pakistan, with dates to be decided by mutual consultation. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA), Tuesday, urged on framing pro-business Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) and Textile and Apparel Policy for the next five years along with effective implementation procedures KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA), Tuesday, urged on framing pro-business Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) and Textile and Apparel Policy for the next five years along with effective implementation procedures. During the visit of PHMA delegation to KCCI, President KCCI Muhammad Jawed Bilwani and Central Chairman PHMA Muhammad Babar Khan highlighted the urgency of refining these critical policies in consultation with key stakeholders, including KCCI, PHMA, and various export associations, to ensure comprehensive and effective frameworks, said a statement issued here. Central Chairman PHMA Babar Khan noted that EUs GSP Plus status has been instrumental in improving competitiveness of Pakistan in multiple product categories while it has ensured a steady flow of business from the EU to Pakistan, with over 50 percent of Pakistans exports directed to the EU since the grant of GSP Plus status. He also stressed on fulfilling international commitments and obligations under the human rights convention and all other conventions to which the country is a signatory. He also sought KCCIs support in addressing common challenges, including gas, electricity, and water issues affecting cost of doing business, and pledged PHMAs full support and cooperation with KCCI in all future initiatives aimed at creating an enabling business environment and reducing longstanding hardships faced by the business community. Additionally, he requested the inclusion of PHMA representatives in the KCCI Exports Subcommittee and other important subcommittees, noting that PHMA represents the largest export share of the country. President KCCI Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, while recognizing PHMAs contributions to promoting Pakistans exports globally, invited PHMA to submit its budget proposals to KCCI for inclusion in the KCCI Budget Proposals 2025-26. While reiterating KCCIs commitment to supporting PHMA in addressing longstanding challenges faced by its members, Bilwani highlighted the critical role of textiles and apparel in Pakistans economic stability and growth, urging the government to prioritize this sector in policy-making and resource allocation. Highlighting textile sector's significant contribution in economy, exports and job creation he underscored the need of sustainable and inclusive policies that address the sectors challenges, from infrastructure issues to international compliance. He also emphasized the need for improved collaboration among industry players to ensure the sector remains competitive globally. The meeting concluded with both organizations reaffirming their dedication to fostering a collaborative environment for the betterment of Pakistans textile and export sectors. The participants agreed that achieving a unified vision and concerted efforts would lead to sustainable growth and prosperity for the industry. Zonal Chairman (South) PHMA Faisal Arshad Sheikh, Senior Vice President KCCI Zia ul Arfeen, Vice President KCCI Faisal Khalil Ahmed, Former Chairman PHMA Abdul Jabbar Ghajian, Zonal Vice Chairmen (South) PHMA Bashir Ghaffar and Salman Ishaq and KCCI Managing Committee Members, along with other PHMA delegates were also present at the meeting. (@ChaudhryMAli88) (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 21st Jan, 2025) SHARJAH, 21st January, 2025 (WAM) Sharjah Executive Council (SEC) held its regular meeting, chaired by H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Executive Council, in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council on Tuesday at the Ruler's Office. The council reviewed Sharjahs development plans and ways to implement them, emphasising the importance of collaboration among various organisations and partners to meet the emirates strategic objectives of improving quality of life and ensuring social stability. SEC also reviewed plans from the government focused on improving public services. Focus was directed towards optimising processes, utilising contemporary and effective techniques, and fulfilling the needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders. The council reviewed amendments proposed by the Sharjah Consultative Council, which included updates to the law regulating police and security forces in the emirate, as well as revisions to the 2021 human resources law for military personnel in official entities. The council directed that both draft laws should be submitted to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for final approval. ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 21st Jan, 2025) President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received His Excellency Sirajuddin Haqqani, Afghanistans Minister of Interior. During the meeting, held at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, the two sides discussed recent developments in Afghanistan and explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation to serve the mutual interests of both nations, particularly in development-related areas. They also reviewed efforts to support Afghanistans reconstruction and stability, aiming to foster development and prosperity for the Afghan people. The Afghan Interior Minister praised cooperation between the UAE and Afghanistan and commended the UAE's humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Deputy Chairman Senate, Senator Syedaal Khan, on Tuesday met the former Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, to extend condolences on the passing of his younger brother, Javed Zafar Jhagra. Expressing profound sorrow over the loss, the Deputy Chairman offered his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. He prayed for the forgiveness of the departed soul and said, In this moment of grief, we stand in solidarity with the grieving family. He further prayed, May Allah Almighty grant forgiveness to the departed, elevate his ranks in the hereafter, and provide the family with the strength and patience to bear this irreparable loss. APP/zah-sra ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Experts call upon the private sector to act on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), which together is a key component of achieving sustainable development and a fundamental aspect of the global sustainable development goals. Speaking at a policy dialogue organized by WaterAid Pakistan in partnership collaboration with the Sustainable Development Policy (SDPI), they suggested removing lacunas in the existing policies and encouraging private sector to harness the full potential of utilizing Public-Private Partnerships for WASH, said a press release issued here on Tuesday. The event brought together experts, policymakers, and practitioners from the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector to provide policymakers and policy influencers with evidence to make informed decisions about the public-private partnership (PPP) in the WASH sector. The situation in Pakistan has revealed that the WASH sector faces serious constraints amid climate change, population growth, and urbanization. The public sector has played a major role in promotion of WASH, but recently the private sector has complemented the efforts of the former. However, their contributions are somewhat limited due to regulatory hurdles, lack of coordination, and alignment with public sector programs and strategies. Awais Umar emphasized the importance of establishing appropriate and targeted policies and standards for water quality, sanitation, and hygiene to meet WASH benchmarks in the private sector. The WASH policies and plans should prioritize monitoring and evaluation, staff training and awareness, and information sharing among stakeholders. He highlighted the necessity of ensuring quality and sustainable WASH services as Pakistan works towards achieving the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals. Muhammad Khaliq, provincial manager WaterAid for Sindh and Balochistan, highlighted the organizations decentralized approach, which aligns its 2023 country strategy with Pakistan's devolved governance framework. Provincial offices in Lahore and Karachi now oversee operations in Punjab, KP, Sindh, and Balochistan. "Our five-year strategy treats WASH as a crosscutting issue intertwined with climate change," Khaliq stated, adding that WaterAids efforts include dignified access to womens hygiene management, clean drinking water, and sanitation initiatives. Stressing the significance of private sector partnerships, he remarked, "Without private sector support, bridging the demand-supply gap in WASH is impossible." Dr. Bisma Imran, Health and WASH specialist Expert at WaterAid, emphasized the need for the private sector to share its practices and evidence with academia. "Credible research and evidence are essential for informed decision-making," she noted. Dr. Surraya Jabeen from the University of Karachi urged universities to undertake WASH-focused research projects to uncover cost-effective solutions. She stressed sustainability in private sector contributions, stating, "CSR activities without long-term financial and environmental considerations cannot yield lasting results." Dr. Kamaran Somroo, Principal Scientist at PARC, called for sustainable, low-cost technologies to cater to Pakistans vast population of 230 million. "Behavioural change is key to enhancing ownership and effective implementation of WASH initiatives," he added. Abdullah from the Laar Humanitarian and Development Programme criticized the lack of prioritization of WASH in private sector CSR initiatives, calling for a dedicated focus. Similarly, Dr. Naveed Bhutto, Nutrition Advisor for the Government of Sindh, urged a united effort from the private sector, academia, civil society, and government to tackle WASH challenges. Private sector representatives proposed exploring water credits, akin to carbon credits, to incentivize sustainable water use. Enhanced advocacy and mass awareness campaigns were identified as crucial to driving behavioural change and fostering community ownership of WASH initiatives. The dialogue participants concluded with a consensus on the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration, evidence-based policymaking, and innovative solutions to secure sustainable access to WASH services in Pakistan. (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Governor Punjab, Sardar Saleem Haider, visited the official residence of the Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, in Islamabad and discussed various inter-provincial issues. The two leaders discussed a range of issues including the countrys political situation, inter-provincial harmony, and other significant matters. They emphasized the need for joint efforts to ensure political stability and agreed on the importance of maintaining better communication between the Federal government and provinces for resolving public issues. The meeting also touched on economic challenges, public welfare projects, and measures to promote national unity. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to working together for the well-being of the people and the country's prosperity. APP/ash/ This photo taken on Jan. 20, 2025 shows the HY100 large civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the delivery site in Shihezi City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Gou Lifeng) URUMQI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A batch of independently developed large civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) rolled off the production line on Monday in China. Three of these large UAVs were delivered to customers for use in various fields such as agricultural and forestry protection and aerial logistics transportation. The UAV model, named HY100, developed by Ursa Aeronautical, is a fixed-wing large UAV with a maximum takeoff weight of 5.25 tonnes and a maximum payload capacity of 1.9 tonnes. It boasts a maximum range of 1,800 kilometers, an endurance of up to 10.6 hours, and is capable of maintaining stable long-endurance flight at altitudes of 4 meters. Compared to other types of drones, large UAVs have a greater payload capacity, a wider operational range, and more flexible flight altitudes, enabling them to complement other low-altitude aircraft, such as small drones. "For instance, when deployed for pesticide spraying, the HY100, with a wingspan exceeding 18 meters, can cover up to 240,000 mu (approximately 16,000 hectares) in a single day," said Yu Yang, general manager of Ursa Aeronautical. A large UAV is an unmanned aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 150 kilograms. It has a wide range of applications, including agricultural and forestry protection, logistics transportation, aerial delivery, emergency rescue, and airborne communication relay. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Violent protests orchestrated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have caused over Rs 450 million in financial losses to law enforcement agencies, along with significant human casualties, according to data compiled by the Islamabad Police regarding major protests on three different occasions. According to a report compiled by the office of the Inspector General (IG) police, on Tuesday, three major protest eventson May 9, 2023, October 4, 2024, and November 26, 2024resulted in extensive destruction to police infrastructure, vehicles, and public property, severely impacting their operational capabilities. The report revealed that the May 9, 2023 protests left 82 police officers injured, with serious injuries among them. Damage to police buildings amounted to 30 million rupees, while 12 police vehicles were destroyed, causing a loss of 4.5 million rupees. A major blow came with the destruction of 367 Safe City surveillance cameras, incurring a replacement cost of 251.37 million rupees. Similarly, the protests on October 4, 2024, resulted in the martyrdom of one police officer and injuries to 42 others. Damage to 13 police vehicles added 2.7 million rupees to the losses. Additionally, 221 Safe City cameras were destroyed, costing 63.64 million rupees. The November 26, 2024 protests were the most violent, leading to the martyrdom of four Rangers personnel and injuries to 103 police officers, including 27 with firearm wounds. Destruction of 246 Safe City cameras caused a financial loss of 87.03 million rupees, while damage to 43 police vehicles resulted in an estimated loss of 10.7 million rupees. In total, the violent protests have resulted in the martyrdom of five law enforcement personnel and injuries to 227 police officers. The destruction of 834 Safe City cameras alone has accounted for over 402 million rupees in damages, undermining public safety and surveillance measures in the capital. Officials condemned the targeting of police assets and vowed to take strict action against those responsible for orchestrating the violence. Islamabad Police emphasized that these repeated attacks not only disrupt law enforcement operations but also erode public trust in state institutions. APP-rzr-mkz ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Federal Minister for Energy and Petroleum Division Dr Musadik Malik emphasized that, following the 18th amendment, the distribution of water between provinces is managed by the respective provincial governments, with no intervention from the federal government. Responding to the adjournment motion moved by Senator Sherry Rehman, the minister clarified that while the federal government provides support to provinces when requested, the decision-making power regarding water usage lies with the provinces themselves. The minister Musadik further explained that various projects, including those related to the Sutlej River and Cholistan areas, are being implemented with necessary certifications and water usage agreements from the relevant provinces. Musadik reassured the Senate that the projects are aligned with existing water treaties, ensuring that water usage and distribution concerns are addressed within this framework. Musadik also discussed the role of provinces in managing water flows efficiently and highlighted the federal government's efforts to enhance water monitoring through a telemetry program, aimed at improving data accuracy and effective management. The minister Musadik acknowledged the concerns about water shortages in regions like Sindh and other provinces, stating that these issues are being addressed through careful planning and coordination between federal and provincial governments. He invited suggestions from the relevant Senate committee, emphasizing the importance of inter-provincial collaboration for sustainable water resource management. (@FahadShabbir) Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, convened an important meeting with Japanese Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi here on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the quest to fortify bilateral ties and unlock new avenues for economic cooperation ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, convened an important meeting with Japanese Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi here on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the quest to fortify bilateral ties and unlock new avenues for economic cooperation. As the two dignitaries engaged in a comprehensive dialogue, they underscored the vast potential for mutual growth and development, said a press release. Pakistan and Japan have been economic partners for a long time, and now is the perfect opportunity to renew their relationship in economic terms, according to Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain. The Minister emphasized the need for cooperation in technical assistance and proposed starting a joint technical college in Pakistan to equip the young generation with skills tailored to the Japanese market. Chaudhry Salik Hussain welcomed Japanese companies to Pakistan to train locals according to Japanese market demands. He also highlighted the importance of technical assistance and training programs, such as the Technical Intern Training Program and the Specified Skilled Workers Program. The Minister noted that Japan is known for its strict adherence to rules and regulations, and therefore, Pakistan wants Japanese expertise to train its human resources and establish testing facilities in Pakistan. He also mentioned that Pakistan is working with South Korea on similar grounds and has seen significant success, with the number of Pakistanis going to South Korea increasing from 1,500 to around 5,000, and for the first time, around 20 to 30 workers from Balochistan will also go to South Korea. Almost 700,000 people are going abroad for jobs, and out of these, only a few are going to Japan. This number can be increased by establishing testing centers in Pakistan. Mr. Muhammad Tayyab, DG BE&OE, said that if they get the testing facility, the OEPs (Overseas Employment Promoters) are set to give the training, which will increase the number of Pakistanis going to Japan. Last year, around 1,500 Pakistanis went to Japan, and around 1,100 went in 2023, and around 900 in 2022. Mr. Naseer Khan Kashani, Managing Director, OEC, told that they have also sent Assistant Language Teachers to Japan, and some are completing the process to go to Japan, with their number being around 67. The Japanese Ambassador, in his remarks, lauded Pakistan's resilience and determination, acknowledging the country's immense potential for growth and development. He reiterated Japan's unwavering commitment to supporting Pakistan's economic trajectory, underscoring the importance of human resource development, education, and vocational training in driving sustainable growth. The Ambassador also expressed Japan's interest in collaborating with Pakistan to establish vocational training institutes, designed to equip Pakistani youth with the skills required to succeed in Japan's highly competitive job market. Both Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain and the Japanese Ambassador concurred that the trajectory of Pakistan-Japan relations is poised for a significant upswing, with a renewed focus on economic cooperation, human resource development, and mutual growth. Deputy Secretary OP&HRD, Mr. Tahir Mehmood Qureshi was also present in the meeting. Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Tuesday said that South Sudan holds a significant position within Africa, and parliamentary diplomacy can play a pivotal role in bringing people of both nations closer ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Tuesday said that South Sudan holds a significant position within Africa, and parliamentary diplomacy can play a pivotal role in bringing people of both nations closer. He also said that Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize South Sudans independence in 2011. He also underscores the potential for closer trade and economic collaboration. In a gesture of goodwill, Ayaz Sadiq offered free training opportunities for South Sudanese legislators at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS). The initiative aims to enhance the capacity of South Sudans lawmakers and facilitate the exchange of knowledge between the two parliaments. Deputy Speaker Kornelio Kon Ngu lauded Pakistans contributions to global peace and security, particularly commending the role of Pakistani peacekeeping forces in the United Nations mission in South Sudan. Pakistans peacekeepers have done a commendable job in contributing to stability in our region. South Sudan deeply values its relationship with Pakistan, he remarked, calling for enhanced collaboration between the parliaments of the two countries. He also expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended to the South Sudanese delegation, describing the visit as a reflection of the strong bond between the two nations. APP/zah-sra Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to supporting the Palestinian people, assuring maximum contribution to the reconstruction phase of Gaza following the 42-day ceasefire ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to supporting the Palestinian people, assuring maximum contribution to the reconstruction phase of Gaza following the 42-day ceasefire. The prime minister, in his televised opening remarks at the meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by him, said that the ceasefire followed the killing of over 50,000 Palestinian people including men, women, and children, and the destruction of cities. He prayed that the temporary 42-day ceasefire turned into a permanent truce and recalled that Pakistan sent relief goods for the Palestinian people despite immense difficulties and challenges. He told the cabinet members that the Gwadar International Airport had started its operations on Monday as one of Pakistan's biggest facilities has been completed with $230 million in funding by China. He said that Gwadar Airport could bring about immense benefits to the people of Balochistan as well as the whole country, if run on commercial lines. "But those who are poised to hurt Pakistan and continue to kill people, are not just going against the people of Balochistan but also showing their animosity against the entire Pakistan... We should value this Chinese gift to Pakistan. Gwadar Airport will prove to be a milestone for Pakistan's development," he remarked. Referring to the 10-Year Country Partnership Framework for Pakistan announced by the World Bank, he said Pakistan would get $20 billion in loans intended to develop multiple social sectors and infrastructure. He urged the relevant ministries to make swift and collective efforts to achieve the objectives of the Framework and overcome the hiccups in the process. Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed his pleasure over the record increase in IT exports to the highest-ever $348 million in December 2024 and also showed satisfaction over the constant surge in the country's overall exports and improving economic indicators. Lauding the performance of Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the relevant federal secretary, and others, he called for further efforts to increase IT exports further. He viewed that only serious and sincere efforts and teamwork could guarantee the promotion of Pakistan's economy and bring about progress. He expressed the hope that the upcoming Hajj would be comfortable for the pilgrims vis-a-vis their stay and other facilities in Makkahtul Mukarramah and Madinatul Munawwarah as the minister concerned and his ministry was making efforts in this regard. The prime minister said that the nation owed to the security forces for their immense sacrifices to ensure the country's development and prosperity. He said that the people of Pakistan highly revered the sacrifices of the security personnel who orphan their own children to save the future of millions of others in the country. (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives in a deadly fire incident in a hotel in Turkiye. "Deeply saddened to learn of the fire in a hotel in Kartalkaya ski resort in Northern Turkiye," the prime minister said in a post on social media platform X. He extended his heartfelt condolences to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish nation, especially, the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this accident. He also prayed for the swift recovery of those injured in the incident. Secretary Irrigation Sindh, Zarif Khero on Tuesday visited Sukkur Barrage to inspect the ongoing rehabilitation work SUKKUR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Secretary Irrigation Sindh, Zarif Khero on Tuesday visited Sukkur Barrage to inspect the ongoing rehabilitation work. Accompanied by officials, Khero expressed satisfaction with the progress, stating that the project is on track to meet its deadline. According to Khero, the replacement of 18 gates at the barrage is expected to be completed by May 2025, after which the water flow will be restored. The secretary emphasized the importance of the project, which aims to ensure the barrage's stability and efficiency. The rehabilitation work is part of a larger effort to upgrade the country's irrigation infrastructure. With the project's completion, the barrage is expected to regain its original capacity, benefiting agriculture and the local economy. PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) At least two children and a woman were killed when roof of their house collapsed in Khwazakhela tehsil of Swat district, police informed on Tuesday. According to information, the incident occurred in Shalpin, a village in the Khwazakhela tehsil, where the roof of a mud house caved in. As a result, a woman and two children were buried under the debris and lost their lives. Police confirmed the incident, while local residents removed the rubble and recovered the bodies, which were later transported to the hospital. APP/vak University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar as the premier engineering university of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is progressing rapidly towards implementation of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Student Lifecycle Management Systems (SLCS) PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar as the premier engineering university of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is progressing rapidly towards implementation of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Student Lifecycle Management Systems (SLCS). A progress review meeting in this regard was held here Tuesday to assess status and address challenges to ensure timely and successful launch in near future. Prof. Dr. Qaisar Ali, Vice Chancellor UET Peshawar while chairing the meeting said that it was an honor for UET Peshawar to be selected by HEC for this project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and vowed to launch the initiative with full capacity. He expressed satisfaction on the completion of student and employee data and urged the concerned departments to provide necessary data on university assets as well. He said, this initiative was part of UET Peshawar vision to modernize its academic and human resource operations. Prof. Dr. Misbah Ullah, project lead of ERP SLCS gave a detailed presentation. He said, the initiative with the financial support of the World Bank aims to introduce ERP SLCS in 25 public sector universities across Pakistan gradually. He said, for the first phase, UET Peshawar and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University for Women have been selected while other public sector universities will also be included in subsequent phases. He said, through his programme, Pakistani universities will witness revolution in academics, research and development which will significantly improve the quality of education. The meeting was attended by Deans, Registrar and Directors of various sections. APP/vak Taipei, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) A 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, injuring 27 people, triggering landslides and causing ceilings of homes to cave in according to local authorities. An AFP journalist in the capital Taipei felt tremors for nearly a minute as the shallow quake struck shortly after midnight. The epicentre was recorded 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) north of Yujing, a mango-growing district in southern Taiwan, the USGS said. Firefighters rescued three people including a child who were trapped in a collapsed house in nearby Nanxi district, video posted on Facebook and verified by AFP showed. Elsewhere, authorities said a person was injured by falling debris while two people were rescued from elevators. More than 50 aftershocks have been recorded, said Taiwan's Central Weather Administration which reported the initial quake at magnitude 6. 4. The ceilings of several homes collapsed, while roads were blocked by falling rocks and landslides, the National Fire Agency said. But the agency reported "no major damage" from the quake, which injured 27 people according to the health ministry. The aftermath saw classes and office work cancelled in Nanxi district as well as Dapu Township in mountainous Chiayi County, north of the epicentre. Some roads in Dapu were "damaged and impassable", and water and electricity supplies affected, Chiayi County chief Weng Chang-liang said. Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC said it evacuated workers from some of its central and southern factories when the quake struck. U.S. President Donald Trump shows an executive order he signed at Capital One arena in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 20, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump late Monday signed an executive order to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. The move means the United States will pull out of the Paris climate accord for the second time. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump late Monday signed an executive order to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. The move means the United States will pull out of the Paris climate accord for the second time. During his inauguration speech, Trump, who has long regarded clean energy as expensive and wasteful, also vowed to redouble the efforts to extract and utilize fossil fuels. "I will also declare a national energy emergency. We will drill, baby, drill," he said. "We have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have -- the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth," Trump claimed. "And we are going to use it." Adopted in December 2015, the Paris Agreement is an international endeavor to tackle human-caused global warming and related crises, which the United States formally joined in September 2016. The first Trump administration officially let the United States, one of the world's top emitters of greenhouse gases, exit the Paris climate accord in November 2020, dealing a major blow to international efforts to combat the climate crisis. The latest executive order by Trump will mark another round of back-and-forth moves regarding the U.S. commitment to dealing with climate change on the global stage. Joe Biden, who succeeded Trump to become the 46th U.S. president in 2021, signed an executive order on Jan. 20, 2021 -- his first day in office -- to bring the United States back into the Paris climate accord. Trump also signed a few other executive orders in front of the crowd at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., just a few hours after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, including the revocation of nearly 80 executive orders from the Biden administration. "I'm revoking nearly 80 destructive radical executive actions of the previous administration," Trump told the crowd at the signing ceremony. Davos, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) EU chief Ursula von der Leyen declared Tuesday that Europe was ready to negotiate with US President Donald Trump but the bloc will also seek to improve ties with China and other nations as global competition heats up. Von der Leyen insisted that the United States remains an important partner, taking a conciliatory tone in a speech to the annual meeting of global elites in Davos, Switzerland. The EU's "first priority will be to engage early, discuss common interests, and be ready to negotiate" with Trump, she said. "We will be pragmatic, but we will always stand by our principles. To protect our interests and uphold our values," she said. Trump returned to the White House on Monday, bringing with him fears he will deliver on promises to slap heavy tariffs on China and US allies including Canada and the European Union. After his inauguration, Trump said he may impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico as early as February 1. Strasbourg, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jan, 2025) How to deal with Donald Trump's disruptive return to the White House and the tempestuous forays of his billionaire ally Elon Musk into European affairs? From one lawmaker clad in stars and Stripes to celebrate, to a colleague warning Europe was acting like Trump's "doormat", the EU's divisions on the matter were on ample display Tuesday in the bloc's parliament. The 27-nation EU has been walking a fine line between guarding its interests and avoiding the ire of the mercurial US leader -- a conciliatory stance that has frustrated advocates of a firmer approach. "The European Union is becoming the doormat of the United States, Donald Trump and Elon Musk," the left-wing French lawmaker Manon Aubry charged at the debate in Strasbourg, a day after Trump was sworn in. Yet others, like Romania's Luis Lazarus who won a rebuke for sporting a sweater emblazoned with the American flag, are delighted to see the Republican septuagenarian back in office. Since Trump's victory, European Union leaders have sought to project confidence, insisting the bloc had learned how to deal with the Republican and was prepared for his comeback. Threats to slap tariffs on US allies, halt aid to Ukraine -- or even annex Greenland -- have barely elicited a reaction as Brussels insisted it was ready, come what may. But as Trump's outbursts piled on, some lawmakers have grown impatient with the EU's wait-and-see attitude. "Europe has to stand up, defend our values, and let us make Europe the leader of the free world", said Valerie Hayer, head of the centrist group Renew. Denmark's hard-right lawmaker Anders Vistisen put it more bluntly, declaring: "Mr Trump, Greenland is not for sale" -- and driving home his point with a four-letter expletive. - 'Control the voters' - High on the agenda Tuesday was the accusation of "interference" by the world's richest man in European politics -- after Musk publicly backed a far-right party in Germany's upcoming elections. Lawmakers have upped the pressure on the European Commission -- the EU's executive body -- to crack down on social media, including Musk's X, if found in breach of EU digital rules. But unlike many national assemblies, the EU parliament holds little real power, particularly on foreign policy. And the power duo have plenty of supporters in Strasbourg too. A dozen lawmakers travelled to a freezing cold Washington to participate in the festivities linked to Trump's inauguration, as did Italy's hard-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Far-right lawmakers, whose influence has grown following June European elections, have rejected calls for the commission to firmly apply the Digital Services Act -- the EU's landmark rules tackling illegal and harmful activities online -- which could place Musk at risk of copious fines. "When the left dominated social media, deciding who could speak and what could be said, they saw no need for debates like this. Now, as their grip slips, they suddenly demand action," said Nicola Procaccini of the hard-right ECR group. "This is not to protect European consumers, but to control the voters' ballot paper," echoed lawmaker Virginie Joron, of France's far-right National Rally. Melbourne, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Coco Gauff's dreams of a first Australian Open title were crushed in the quarter-finals by Paula Badosa before Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz face off in a duel for the ages on Tuesday. The winner of that blockbuster clash plays world number two Alexander Zverev, who was ruffled by a stray feather but refocused to beat American 12th seed Tommy Paul and reach the Melbourne semi-finals. An "emotional" Badosa stunned women's world number three Gauff 7-5, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena and will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. It is the 27-year-old Spaniard Badosa's first Slam semi-final. "I'm a bit emotional," said Badosa. "I'm a very emotional person. I wanted to play my best game. I think I did it. "I'm super proud of the level I gave today." It caps a remarkable comeback for the 11th seed, who was ranked outside the top 100 a year ago after a stress fracture in her back. "I mean, a year ago, I was here with my back that I didn't know if I had to retire from this sport, and now I'm here playing against the best in the world," said Badosa. Third-seeded American Gauff had been unbeaten in nine matches this season, but she more than met her match in the Spaniard. The 20-year-old former US Open champion was put under pressure immediately in the first set by the aggressive Badosa, which set the tone. Gauff described herself as "disappointed but not completely crushed". World number one and two-time defending champion Sabalenka plays Russia's Pavlyuchenkova, who at 33 is enjoying a late-career renaissance and is the oldest remaining woman in the draw, later on centre court. - Prime-time - In hot and windy conditions, Germany's Zverev defeated Paul 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/0), 2-6, 6-1 to step up his quest to win a Grand Slam for the first time. The 27-year-old was distracted at one point by a feather which floated across court on Rod Laver Arena as he threatened to lose his cool. The umpire called for a replay due to the feather drifted in front of the German as he played a shot on break point. "C'mon, that is unbelievable on break point," he shouted, before taking out his fury on Paul by breaking to love. But Zverev was decisive in the tiebreaks and, after suffering a wobble in the third set, sealed the deal by racing through the fourth. Zverev will be among the many tuning in when Alcaraz, 21, and Djokovic, 37, meet in a heavyweight late-night clash on Rod Laver Arena. Djokovic is looking for his 100th tournament title and a record 25th Grand Slam crown. He refused to do a routine on-court interview on Sunday in protest at a tv presenter with host broadcaster Channel Nine, who he accused of "insulting and offensive comments". Djokovic has a 4-3 edge in matches with Alcaraz and beat the Spaniard in the Paris Olympics final in their last meeting. But Alcaraz won their last two Slam encounters, the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon finals, and is already a four-time major winner. He has never gone beyond the Australian Open quarter-finals however. Djokovic said he was expecting a "big battle" against the heir to Spanish legend Rafael Nadal. "We had some long battles, long exchanges. The kind of matches that I played against him remind me of my match-ups versus Nadal in terms of the intensity and the energy on the court," said the Serb. Alcaraz is wary that there is still life in the ageing Djokovic yet, on the veteran's favourite court where he has lifted the trophy 10 times. "When we are seeing him playing, he seems like he's young again, it's unbelievable," said Alcaraz. Cairo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Hamas official Taher al-Nunu told AFP on Tuesday that four Israeli women hostages will be freed in return for Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, in the second such release under a ceasefire deal. Nunu said the Palestinian Islamist group would release "four Israeli female detainees in exchange" for a second group of Palestinian prisoners. Three Israeli women were freed Sunday in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners, as a ceasefire began in the Israel-Hamas war. During the first phase of the ceasefire, a total of 33 hostages are to be returned from Gaza in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinians. The initial 42-day phase should see a surge of aid as Israeli forces leave some areas of Gaza. The details of the second phase are still being negotiated, with mediation from the United States, Egypt and Qatar. Since Russia stopped delivering gas to Moldova, Valera Alexandru Sava only heats the ground floor of his two-storey house and often wears a coat and hat inside Cocieri, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) Since Russia stopped delivering gas to Moldova, Valera Alexandru Sava only heats the ground floor of his two-storey house and often wears a coat and hat inside. But like other villagers in Cocieri, he does not want more expensive energy from Europe and is eager for Moscow to turn the tapa back on. While Cocieri is under the control of Chisinau, it is located just inside Transnistria, a slither of separatist territory between the Dniester river and the eastern border with Ukraine, and where Russian troops are stationed. While the rest of the country weaned itself off Russian gas after Moscow invaded Ukraine, state giant Gazprom continued to provide energy to its ally Transnistria. But at the beginning of the year, Gazprom stopped deliveries to Transnistria due to a financial dispute with Chisinau. Moldova's pro-European President Maia Sandu has denounced the halt in supply as a fresh attempt by Moscow to destabilise the country of 2.6 million ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for this autumn. - 'Difficult and expensive' - Sava, a 61-year-old army veteran, uses an old stove for heating and lights it before his wife, an educator at the local play school, arrives home. "You can't manage without a stove," he told AFP. Around 900 homes in Cocieri do not have enough wood for heating during the winter, according to local authorities. Like Cocieri, around a dozen other Moldovan municipalities are directly connected to Transnistria's grid and, like the rest of the separatist enclave, are suffering from energy shortages. On Monday, Transnistria said it was ready to buy gas from Moldova, but Sava fears the increased costs. His daughter, who lives in the capital Chisinau, pays seven times more than him for the non-Russian gas she receives in her a small apartment, he said. Oleg Serebrian, Moldova's deputy prime minister in charge of the reintegration of Transnistria, told AFP that it was "regrettable" that Soviet-era energy distribution schemes persist. The government has promised to connect the dozen villages in Transnistria under Chisianu's control that have faced gas or electricity problems to Moldova's network, but obstacles remain. "It's a huge investment. Technically it's a bit difficult, it's very expensive," Cocieri official Ivan Mitcul said, but added that "the situation is critical". - 'Stone Age' - Farther south, the town of Copanca -- which used to receive its electricity from a gas-fired thermal power station in Transnistria -- faces five-hour-long rolling blackouts. But dozens of villagers protested last week when an electricity supplier began work in the area to connect it to the Moldovan grid. "We didn't ask for help... Leave us as we are!," they shouted. And when President Sandu visited the area a few days earlier, they told her they would rather remain in the dark than face "European prices". After Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022, Chisinau turned to neighbouring EU member Romania for its electricity supply, but the costs have doubled. Serebrian accuses "an external influence" of being behind the protesters, which he described as "orchestrated, paid, in order to create a situation of confusion, chaos, to once again jeopardise the image of the Moldovan government". Moscow has rejected the allegations against as "propaganda attacks". While Moscow and Chisinau blame each other for the situation after the gas cut, many of the affected inhabitants view themselves as casualties of political games. "All of them are guilty. No one wants to bow their head," Sergiu Sava, a 55-year-old bank guard from Cocieri, told AFP in front of his house, complaining that it was "a bit cold inside". Meanwhile, in the Moldovan village of Varnita, another one of those affected by blackouts, people walk around with lanterns in their hands, while only a few shops on the main street remain lit with the help of humming generators Valentina Gora, 65, sells eggs and bread to customers using a torch and the flashlight from her telephone. "We are in the Stone Age. Yes, we want to be with Europe, but not under these conditions," she said. "I don't care which side solves it, as long as it's solved." BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) China initiated over 60,000 urban renewal projects in 2024 as part of its ongoing efforts to transform cities into more resilient and intelligent areas that are desirable to live in, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development said on Tuesday. These projects drew a total investment of 2.9 trillion Yuan (about 404.4 billion U.S. Dollars) and have begun to show significant results, according to the ministry. Local governments have intensified support for urban renewal by introducing measures in areas such as land use and planning, along with fiscal, tax and financial assistance, the ministry said. For instance, 12 provincial-level regions have issued nearly 100 billion yuan in special bonds to fund urban renewal, while 28 cities have allocated dedicated funds for the initiative. Various localities have also explored ways to attract social capital participation, such as government-enterprise cooperation, franchising and enterprise contracting, the ministry added. Earlier this month, an executive meeting of China's State Council outlined the latest priorities for urban renewal, urging governments at all levels to focus on renovating old neighborhoods and factories, as well as transforming shantytowns. The meeting also emphasized the importance of upgrading urban infrastructure, restoring urban ecosystems and preserving urban historical and cultural heritage. (@FahadShabbir) Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jan, 2025) The United States withdrawing from the Paris Agreement is a blow to global cooperation on climate change, but other countries are marching ahead and stepping up leadership on the issue. China is dominating the clean energy race, Brazil will be steering global climate negotiations, Denmark has approved a world-first tax on livestock emissions and Colombia is saying farewell to fossil fuels. Some observers see the US retreat as a chance for more ambitious countries to forge new alliances, set the agenda and champion a climate deal endorsed by nearly all nations. "It's a bigger pact than just the United States," said Frances Colon, a senior fellow from the Center for American Progress, a Washington-based policy institute. YANGON, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar government has sent back a total of 55,711 people to their respective countries between Oct. 5, 2023, and Jan. 13, 2025, the state-run daily Myanma Alinn reported on Tuesday. Investigations revealed that most foreigners who entered Myanmar illegally used neighboring countries as transit points for personal gain, the report added. Although they were illegal migrants, the government conducted investigations in accordance with the law and returned them to their respective countries out of consideration for humanitarian reasons and international friendship, it said. The report added that many of the illegal migrants were involved in online fraud and gambling in border areas. The government, in cooperation with international organizations, has been actively exposing and taking action against illegal migrants involved in online scams and gambling. Regional organizations and citizens are also urged to cooperate in this regard, it added. U.S. President Joe Biden used his constitutional power Monday to preemptively pardon several individuals, including some of his relatives, just minutes before Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. Without naming Trump or the incoming administration, Biden said in a statement that he believes in the rule of law but warned about the threat of partisan politics and pointed to possible retribution as the main concern behind his decision to grant the preemptive pardons. I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics, Bidens statement read. But these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing. Among those granted pardons is Trumps former Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired General Mark Milley. Political differences between Trump and Milley that both men vented in public during Trumps first term in office led to Trumps supporters branding Milley as disloyal. Milley has reportedly referred to Trump as a fascist. Citing ongoing threats and intimidation for faithfully discharging their duties, Biden extended pardons to members and staff of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. That includes former Republican Representative Liz Cheney. Biden also preemptively pardoned the U.S. Capitol and Washington police officers who testified before the committee. The Select Committee fulfilled this mission with integrity and a commitment to discovering the truth, Biden said. The statement continued, Rather than accept accountability, those who perpetrated the January 6th attack have taken every opportunity to undermine and intimidate those who participated in the Select Committee in an attempt to rewrite history, erase the stain of January 6th for partisan gain, and seek revenge, including by threatening criminal prosecutions. Biden also preemptively pardoned his former chief medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, who retired in December 2023. Fauci and his family have received threats from those who opposed his approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the issuance of mask mandates. Theres a history of U.S. presidents pardoning family members for specific criminal convictions. Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden in December for gun and tax offenses as well as for any offenses he may have committed from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024. But on Monday, Biden also pardoned other relatives who arent under investigation, including his brother, James Biden; James Bidens wife, Sara Biden; his sister, Valerie Biden Owens; Valerie Owens husband, John Owens; and his brother, Francis Biden. My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me the worst kind of partisan politics. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end, Bidens statement said. The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that they engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense." Bidens preemptive pardons contradict the stance he publicly shared on the matter on December 3, 2020, shortly before he took office. CNN anchor Jake Tapper asked Bidens opinion on Trump's reported consideration of a wave of preemptive pardons before exiting the White House. Well, it concerns me in terms of what kind of precedent it sets and how the rest of the world looks at us as a nation of laws and justice, Biden replied. He further underscored that his administration wouldnt approach pardons in that way. Trump has himself promised to pardon many of his supporters who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021. He has characterized those arrested as patriots who were wrongly prosecuted. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. A British student who did a year abroad at Bowling Green State University in Ohio talks about adjusting to life in America in a TikTok video, Newsweek magazine reports. Among the biggest surprises? Portion sizes, jaywalking laws and dorm room beds. Read the full story here. (December 2024) Twenty-two Democratic-led U.S. states sued Tuesday to try to block President Donald Trump from ending birthright U.S. citizenship for the children of undocumented migrants living in the country. The suit by the states, joined by the city governments in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, are among the first filed by those opposing Trump's executive orders, which he signed in the immediate hours after his inauguration Monday. The U.S. Constitution guarantees citizenship to those born in the country, and court rulings have made only small exceptions, such as rejecting citizenship for the offspring of foreign diplomats born in the U.S. Presidents cannot unilaterally change the Constitution, which instead must be accomplished through large majorities of lawmakers in Congress or wide state legislative action. But Trump, as part of his crackdown on 11 million or more undocumented migrants living in the U.S., signed one executive order directing U.S. agencies to stop handing citizenship documents to the offspring of undocumented migrants. The Republican president's order directed federal officials, starting Feb. 19, to not recognize U.S. citizenship for children born in the United States to mothers who are in the country illegally or are in the U.S. only temporarily, such as visa holders, and whose fathers are not citizens or lawful permanent residents. Trump's nascent administration is moving quickly to deport such migrants back to their home countries, even if they have lived in the U.S. for years, paid taxes and assimilated into American life. Trump's immigration agents are first targeting undocumented migrants who have been convicted of crimes. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a statement, "State attorneys general have been preparing for illegal actions like [Trump's no-citizenship edict], and today's immediate lawsuit sends a clear message to the Trump administration that we will stand up for our residents and their basic constitutional rights. The White House did not immediately comment on the suits, three of which were filed in Boston, Massachusetts, and Concord, New Hampshire. Four states filed a separate lawsuit in Washington. Democratic-led states and advocacy groups have immediately challenged two other Trump executive orders, one creating the Department of Government Efficiency a nongovernmental advisory panel overseen by billionaire Trump supporter Elon Musk and another weakening job protections for government civil servants to make it easier for the Trump administration to fire them and replace them with Trump loyalists. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said that if Trump's no-citizenship order is allowed to stand, it would mean more than 150,000 children born annually in the United States would be denied the right to citizenship. "President Trump does not have the authority to take away constitutional rights," she said in a statement. One of the plaintiffs challenging the order is a woman living in Massachusetts identified only as "O. Doe." She is in the country through temporary protected status and is due to give birth in March. The temporary protected status immigration designation is available to people whose home countries have experienced natural disasters, armed conflicts or other extraordinary events and currently covers more than 1 million people from 17 nations. U.S. birthright citizenship was enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in the aftermath of the Civil War in the early 1860s and ratified in 1868. It says: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." Platkin, the New Jersey attorney general, said Tuesday that presidents might have broad authority, but they are not kings. "The president cannot, with a stroke of a pen, write the 14th Amendment out of existence, period," he said. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a U.S. citizen by birthright and the nation's first Chinese American elected attorney general, said the lawsuit was personal for him. "The 14th Amendment says what it means, and it means what it says if you are born on American soil, you are an American. Period. Full stop," he said. "There is no legitimate legal debate on this question. But the fact that Trump is dead wrong will not prevent him from inflicting serious harm right now on American families like my own." Chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts along with other immigrant rights advocates have also filed suit to block Trump's action. Their suit asked a court to rule that Trump's order is unconstitutional. It cites the case of a woman identified as "Carmen," who is pregnant but is not a U.S. citizen. The lawsuit says she has lived in the United States for more than 15 years and has a pending visa application that could lead to permanent resident status. She has no other immigration status, and the father of her expected child has no immigration status either, the suit says. "Stripping children of the 'priceless treasure' of citizenship is a grave injury," the suit said. "It denies them the full membership in U.S. society to which they are entitled." Some material in this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press. Donald Trump has taken the oath of office and says that Americas golden age begins today; he called for a revolution of common sense in his inaugural address on Monday. Trump signed numerous executive orders intended to change American policy on issues such as transgender rights, energy, immigration and more. Reaction from Kyiv as Trump takes charge amid Russias war of aggression. Plus, the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas appears to be holding, but is it enough? Indonesias admission this month to the BRICS developing-country bloc, started by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, marks an expansion of the group to Southeast Asia. Jakartas admission, which follows last years addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, was announced January 6 by Brazil, the groups presiding member. In October, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam became partner countries meaning they are interested in becoming BRICS members but have not yet been accepted for full membership. Indonesia is the only Southeast Asian country that has been accepted as a full member. Teuku Rezasyah, a professor of diplomacy and foreign policy at Indonesias Universitas Padjajaran, said membership will allow Indonesia to work with other influential countries with substantial populations to reform multilateral organizations such as the United Nations. Currently, Russia and China are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. However, BRICS has become a strong foundation for Indonesia to generate support from countries like India, Brazil and South Africa in order to push through reforms of the U.N. Security Council, he told VOA January 15. Rezasyah said there have not been significant structural changes in the United Nations for 80 years. The Security Councils five permanent members China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States have veto power and they are mostly Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian civilizations, he said. The worlds first and fourth largest country by population which is India and Indonesia, who represent large Hindu and Muslim populations, are not always represented well in the Security Council, he said. Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Roy Soemirat pointed to areas in which Jakarta would like to see changes at the U.N. "Indonesia continues to push for revitalizing the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. There need to be changes in the working methods, limited use of veto power, and improve the issue of representation at the Security Council. The Security Council was last expanded from 11 to 15 countries in the 1970s. As more countries join the United Nations, the composition of the Security Council needs to change, he told VOA January 18. He added that Indonesia has been active in U.N. working groups on U.N. reforms, particularly as a nonpermanent Security Council member from 2019 to 2020. The United Nations unanimously agreed to push for improving regulations on using veto power in 2015. Along with France and Mexico, Indonesia has urged Security Council countries to be more transparent and voluntarily explain their reasons for a veto, Roy added. Aspirations to reform the United Nations Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono, in his annual address January 10, cited a lack of respect for international law and the U.N. Charter, saying the global economic architecture does not meet the modern challenges and needs most countries face. Indonesia was one of the first countries to call for U.N. reforms, in a 1960 speech to the General Assembly by then-President Sukarno. Mohammad Faisal, executive director of the Center of Reform on Economics, a Jakarta research group, said it will "still be a long way to truly reform the United Nations, but that "the growing power of the emerging countries, including those under BRICS, will at least, make it more balanced. So, the voices of the emerging and developing countries can be heard more optimally in the global arena, he said. Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, a foreign Spokesman of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, was quoted by Antara wire service that he believes that the U.N. Security Council reform is essential because can make decisions that all member states must follow. However, there is no agreement among U.N. member states on a system for change. Some member states propose changing the veto right, while others propose permanent or semipermanent member status. Dinna Prapto Raharja, senior policy advisor at Synergy Policies - a public policy consulting firm - and a tenured Associate Professor in international relations noted developing countries various positions on U.N. reform. Everybody has their own champion of who should be the new permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, for instance. How the U.N. Security Council veto can be ended and who should get veto power. Thats why I think Indonesia has to come up with an idea for U.N. reform that is really feasible to achieve, she said. The foreign affairs ministry emphasized the importance of BRICS as a platform for voices of the Global South. BRICS is an important platform for Indonesia to strengthen South-South cooperation, ensuring that the voices and aspirations of Global South countries are heard and represented in the global decision-making process. We are fully dedicated to working together with all BRICS members, or with other parties, to create a just, peaceful, and prosperous world. the ministry said in a January 7 press statement. There are also concerns among members of the House of Representatives, Indonesias unicameral national legislature, and international relations analysts, that by joining BRICS, Indonesia is drawing closer to Russia and China while distancing itself from Western powers such as the United States and the European Union. Vinsensio Dugis, head of the ASEAN Studies Research Center at Universitas Airlangga in Indonesia, said he is concerned that Western countries consider BRICS to be a forum led by China and Russia to oppose Western political and economic interests, which could cause Western countries to withhold future investment in Indonesia. Combined, BRICS has a population of 3.5 billion people or 45% of the global population. Not including Indonesia, the economies of BRICS countries account for around 28% of the global economy. It is often perceived as challenging the political and economic dominance of rich and powerful countries in North America and western Europe. Apart from reforming the United Nations, Indonesia said it is ready to send more peacekeeping forces to Gaza. Soemirat, speaking before a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect Sunday, called the prolonged conflict in Gaza an example of the U.N. Security Councils failure to quickly fulfil its mandate to maintain international peace and security based on the U.N. Charter. Sugiono, in a January 16 posting on X, expressed hope that the ceasefire agreement that had been reached could be a momentum to push for peace in Palestine. M23 rebels seized the town of Minova in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a key supply route for the provincial capital, Goma, authorities said Tuesday. The move led to an exodus of people in the face of a new offensive by the rebel group, which has taken several strategic towns in recent weeks. The provincial governor of South Kivu, Jean-Jacques Purusi, confirmed the capture of Minova, adding that the rebels have also taken the mining towns of Lumbishi, Numbi and Shanje in the same province and the town of Bweremana in neighboring North Kivu province. Congo's military said in a statement Tuesday that the rebels made "breakthroughs" in Minova and Bweremana. It did not confirm whether M23 captured the towns. M23, or the March 23 Movement, is a militant group composed of ethnic Tutsis who broke away from the Congolese army just over a decade ago. The group rose to prominence in 2012 when its fighters seized Goma, the capital of North Kivu province and eastern Congo's largest city, on the border with Rwanda. M23 is one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo, in a decadeslong conflict that has created one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced. Congo, the United States and United Nations experts accuse neighboring Rwanda of backing M23. Rwanda denies the claim. M23 has been making significant advances in eastern Congo in recent weeks. The rebels captured the key mining town of Masisi in North Kivu earlier this month, another key supply route for Goma. Minova is a strategically important port on the shores of Lake Kivu and a transit point for many agricultural goods heading to Goma, about 45 kilometers away. More than 237,000 people have been displaced by the fighting in eastern Congo since the beginning of this year, the U.N. refugee agency said in a report Monday. Donald Trump called for a revolution of common sense in his inaugural speech Monday. The swearing in of the 47th president of the United States marked his remarkable return to power since losing his second term bid to Joe Biden in 2020. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report. Over 20 people were killed and more than 10 others wounded during two days of fighting between Islamic State fighters and security forces from Somalias Puntland region, officials said Tuesday. In an interview with VOAs Somali Service, a spokesperson for Puntland security operations, Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, said that 15 Islamic State militants and seven Puntland soldiers were killed in the clashes Sunday and Monday. Ahmed said IS fighters used improvised explosive devices to protect their hideouts near the Ufeyn area. As soldiers were clearing landmines, one of the devices exploded, killing six soldiers and wounding three, he said. The spokesperson said that during the operation, soldiers killed eight Islamic State militants. Ahmed said the latest military operation, which centered around the Cal Miskat mountains in the Bari region, continued through Monday. On Monday, our soldiers encountered the terrorist fighters around Laba-Afle area, killing seven of them. One of our soldiers was also killed and four others injured, he said. Residents, who requested anonymity fearing for their lives, told VOA they saw the bodies of militants strewn along the roads leading into the Cal Miskat mountains. Puntland began a military offensive last month against extremist groups in the region following months of preparations. The regions leader, Said Abdullahi Deni, appealed to the public to support the operation, which he said is aimed at dislodging the Islamic State militants from their hideouts in mountainous areas. Puntland has endured terrorist attacks perpetrated by al-Shabab and Islamic State militants, but the ongoing military operation appears to be focused on IS. The group has a relatively small presence in Somalia compared to the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, but experts have warned of growing activity. U.S. military officials and Somali security experts reported that IS increased its membership numbers in Somalia last year. The group was previously estimated to have between 100 and 400 fighters, but Somali security and intelligence experts estimate their current numbers to be 500 to 600 militants. Most of the newcomers are said to be from the Middle East and eastern and northern Africa. IS in Somalia was formed in October 2015 by a group of former al-Shabab fighters led by the cleric Sheikh Abdulkadir Mumin, who reportedly pledged allegiance to the late IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Mumin appears to have survived a U.S. airstrike on May 31, 2024. A United Nations counterterrorism official last year warned of increased attacks by Islamic State affiliates in Somalia, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived at the State Department on Tuesday to a warm reception, marking his first visit since being sworn in as the United States top diplomat. Rubio wasted no time hosting his counterparts from Australia, India and Japan a move analysts say signals a focus on China. Addressing hundreds gathered at the department's formal entrance, Rubio emphasized his commitment to a foreign policy centered on U.S. national interests. Anything that makes us stronger, or safer or more prosperous will be our mission, Rubio said, adding that the U.S. will strive to avoid conflicts, while never compromising national security or sacrificing core values. Rubio acknowledged that changes are inevitable but assured the crowd that there will be changes, but the changes are not meant to be destructive. They're not meant to be punitive. The new secretary of state expressed gratitude to the American foreign service workforce and his desire to do something special in his new role. I want to thank you all those who are serving overseas and abroad, some in places that are strong and stable, and others that are more tenuous and dangerous. ... I want to also thank the locally employed staff, the nationals of those countries who work with us, Rubio said. Following his debut at the State Department, Rubio met in the afternoon with foreign ministers from the Indo-Pacific Quad on Tuesday afternoon, including Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi. The foreign ministers of Japan, Australia and India were in Washington to attend President Donald Trumps inauguration. Later, Rubio and his counterparts released a statement. Our four nations maintain our conviction that international law, economic opportunity, peace, stability and security in all domains including the maritime domain underpin the development and prosperity of the peoples of the Indo-Pacific. We also strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion, it said. We are committed to strengthening regional maritime, economic, and technology security in the face of increasing threats, as well as promoting reliable and resilient supply chains, it added. Some analysts say that while there are concerns about the perceived "retrenchment" from international affairs and "isolationism" in U.S. foreign policy under Trump, there is also some confidence that the U.S. will remain committed to regional frameworks with its allies and partners. I think this meeting among the four ministers of the Quad countries is a clear signal that the U.S. is not abandoning its regional coalition of allies and partners in countering Chinas rise, Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, told VOA on Tuesday. Others noted that Rubio's views on China differ from Trump's expectations. They said that, as secretary of state, Rubio will need to navigate how to engage with the Beijing government. "Marco Rubio has a much larger track record of opposing China, not dealing with China and supporting human rights around the world," William Pomeranz, a senior fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center, told VOA. "I think that China will basically try to reengage with Donald Trump, but not with Marco Rubio." Earlier on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a video call in which they discussed how to foster ties with Trump, prospects for a deal to end the war in Ukraine, and Moscow's support for Beijing's stance on Taiwan further solidifying a strategic partnership between Russia and China that continues to raise concerns in the West. Neither Rubio nor his Quad counterparts responded to shouted questions about China or the virtual call between Putin and Xi. Rubio was unanimously confirmed as secretary of state on Monday, becoming the first member of Trump's Cabinet in his second administration. During his confirmation hearing last Wednesday, Rubio outlined key foreign policy challenges, including threats from the Chinese Communist Party, along with mass migration, fentanyl and violent criminals in the Western Hemisphere. He also warned of dictators in Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang spreading instability, while aligning with and funding radical terror groups. ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced plans to mobilize immediate support to help Tanzania combat its latest Marburg virus outbreak. In a statement issued Monday, the Africa CDC confirmed the deployment of a team of 12 public health experts within the next 24 hours. This followed Tanzania's declaration of an outbreak in the northwestern Kagera region, with one confirmed case and 25 suspected cases reported. The multidisciplinary team will include epidemiologists, risk communication specialists, and experts in infection prevention, control, and laboratory diagnostics. Their mission is to assist in surveillance, diagnostics, case management, and community engagement efforts to curb the spread of the highly infectious and often fatal disease. The Africa CDC emphasized its collaboration with Tanzanian authorities to ensure coordinated efforts and to secure high-level political commitment for the response. Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said the continental public health agency is committing two million U.S. dollars to bolster Tanzania's immediate response measures, which will be used to deploy experts, enhance diagnostic capabilities, and support case management systems. "Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment. Building on Tanzania's commendable response during the 2023 outbreak, we are confident that swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control," Kaseya said. The latest outbreak marked the East African nation's second encounter with the deadly virus, following a previous outbreak in March 2023 that resulted in nine cases and six deaths, according to the Africa CDC. Marburg virus disease is a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic illness transmitted from fruit bats to humans. Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids or contaminated materials. There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for the virus. Infection prevention and control protocols similar to those used for Ebola are essential to limiting its spread. The Senate quickly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state on Monday, voting unanimously to give President Donald Trump the first member of his new Cabinet on Inauguration Day. Rubio, a Republican senator from Florida, is among the least controversial of Trump's nominees, and the vote was a decisive 99-0. Another pick, John Ratcliffe for CIA director, is also expected to have a swift vote. Action on others, including former combat veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, is expected later in the week. "Marco Rubio is a very intelligent man with a remarkable understanding of American foreign policy," Senator Chuck Grassley, the senior-most Republican, said as the chamber opened. It's often tradition for the Senate to convene immediately after the ceremonial pomp of the inauguration to begin putting the new president's team in place, particularly the national security officials. During Trump's first term, the Senate swiftly confirmed his defense and homeland security secretaries on his first day in office. Former President Joe Biden's choice for director of national intelligence was confirmed on his own Inauguration Day. With Trump's return to the White House, and his Republican Party controlling majorities in Congress, his outsider Cabinet choices are more clearly falling into place, despite initial skepticism and opposition from both sides of the aisle. Senate Majority Leader John Thune moved quickly Monday, saying he expected voting to begin "imminently" on Trump's nominees. Democrats have calculated it's better for them to be seen as more willing to work with Trump rather than simply mounting a blockade to his nominees. They're holding their opposition for some of his other picks who have less support, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said his party would "neither rubber-stamp nominees we feel are grossly unqualified, nor oppose nominees that deserve serious consideration." Rubio, he said, is an example of "a qualified nominee we think should be confirmed quickly." Senate committees have been holding lengthy confirmation hearings on more than a dozen of the Cabinet nominees, with more to come this week. And several panels were expected to meet late Monday to begin voting to advance the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced Rubio's nomination late Monday. The Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee, respectively, advanced the nominations of Hegseth and Ratcliffe. Rubio, a well-liked senator and former Trump rival during the 2016 presidential race, has drawn closer to the president in recent years. He appeared last week to answer questions before the Foreign Relations Committee, where he has spent more than a decade as a member. As secretary of state, Rubio would be the nation's top diplomat and the first Latino to hold the position. Born in Miami to Cuban immigrants, he has long been involved in foreign affairs, particularly in South America, and has emerged as a hawk on China's rise. During his confirmation hearing last week, Rubio warned of the consequences of America's "unbalanced relationship" with China. While he echoes Trump's anti-globalist rhetoric, Rubio is also seen as an internationalist who understands the power of U.S. involvement on the global stage. Rubio will take over for outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has said he hopes the Trump administration continues Biden's policies in the Middle East to end the war in Gaza and to help Ukraine counter Russian nomination. The Senate is split 53-47, but the resignation of Vice President JD Vance drops the GOP majority to 52 until his successor arrives. Republicans need almost every party member in line to overcome Democratic opposition to nominees. Objection from any one senator, as is expected with Hegseth and several other choices, would force the Senate into procedural steps that would drag voting later into the week. Kurdish groups in Syria are expressing hope for continued support from the United States as President Donald Trump begins his second term in office. Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have been a key U.S. partner in the fight against the Islamic State terror group, also known as IS or ISIS. Supported by a U.S.-led global coalition, the SDF runs a large territory once controlled by IS in northeastern Syria. Mazloum Abdi, general commander of the SDF, congratulated Trump on Monday after he was sworn in. "We look forward to continuing cooperation in achieving stability, defeating terrorism, and supporting peace in Northeast Syria," Abdi said in a post on the social media platform X. Following the fall of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad last month, U.S.-backed Kurdish forces have been under mounting pressure by both the new authorities in Damascus and the Turkish government to disarm. Turkish-backed Syrian armed groups also have been in daily clashes with the SDF in parts of northern Syria. Ankara views the SDF as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, considered to be a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union. The U.S. has about 2,000 troops in Syria as part of the anti-IS mission, according to the Pentagon. Asked during a Jan. 7 press conference whether he would keep the same troop capacity in Syria, Trump said he wouldn't comment on a military strategy. With regards to tensions between the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian Kurds, Trump said he is friends with Erdogan. "He's a guy I like and respect. I think he respects me also," Trump said during the same press conference. "He's the one that didn't go after certain people after I requested that he not, you know what I'm talking about, the Kurds. I don't know how long that's going to [hold] because they're natural enemies. They hate each other, but he didn't do that yet, and he didn't do it in the past also. He started, and I said please don't do that, and he didn't do it," Trump added. Trump was referring to discussions he had with the Turkish president in 2019 during the former's first term in office. Following a partial U.S. troop withdrawal from northeast Syria in October 2019, the Turkish military and their Syrian proxies carried out a major ground offensive against Syrian Kurdish forces. Turkey ended its campaign after several ceasefire agreements brokered separately by the U.S. and Russia. Newly appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during his Senate confirmation hearing last week that it was important to continue supporting Syrian Kurdish forces. "We need to recognize that there are implications to abandoning partners who have a great sacrifice and threat, actually jailed the ISIS fighters," Rubio said, referring to the thousands of IS foreign fighters who are held in Kurdish-run prisons and camps in northeast Syria. "One of the reasons why we were able to dismantle ISIS, because they [Syrian Kurds] were willing to host them in jails, a great personal threat to them, and obviously that situation is very tenuous," he said. Rubio noted that it was in the U.S. national interest "to have a Syria that is no longer a playground for ISIS, that respects religious minorities, ranging from Alawites all the way to Christians, that protects the Kurds, and at the same time it is not a vehicle through which Iran can spread its terrorism to Hezbollah and destabilize Lebanon." The new authorities in Syria are led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist group that is a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. Some experts, like Brussels-based Kurdish affairs analyst Hosheng Ossi, argue that the U.S. and its regional partners, such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, should view the SDF and Syrian Kurds as a strategic safeguard to prevent Syria from being entirely controlled by a radical group like the HTS. "Washington has invested in the SDF for more than a decade, and it would be a strategic blunder to let the SDF in the eastern Euphrates area face an enemy that is even more dangerous than Daesh," Ossi told VOA, using an Arabic acronym for IS. He said for the Trump administration to have a successful approach toward the Kurdish situation in Syria, it "could seriously and firmly seek to separate the SDF from the PKK." Suleyman Ozeren, a professorial lecturer at American University in Washington, said the U.S. remains the only viable mediator between Turkey and the SDF. "If President Trump intends to fully withdraw from Syria, he may need to apply pressure on both Turkey and the SDF to find a resolution," he told VOA. "However, the SDF will likely face significant pressure to make concessions, while Ankara may achieve favorable compromises." "Any agreement would also need to involve HTS, which presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Ankara, as HTS itself seeks improved relations with the United States," he said. This story originated in VOA's Kurdish service. Taliban authorities in Afghanistan announced Tuesday the release of two American nationals as part of a prisoner exchange for one of their members, who was held in the United States on narcotics-terrorism charges. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul identified the freed Afghan as Khan Mohammad and described him as a mujahid, a term the Taliban use for their fighters. The statement said that the man was arrested nearly two decades ago in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar and subsequently extradited to the U.S., where a federal court convicted him, resulting in his imprisonment for life in California. The de facto Afghan government did not name the two freed American citizens or specify how many had been freed, but U.S. officials and relatives identified them as Ryan Corbett, 42, and William Wallace McKenty, 69. We celebrate the release of Ryan Corbett and William Mckenty, who will soon be reunited with their families and loved ones, and also thank the government of Qatar for their assistance, National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said in Washington. "The Trump Administration will continue to demand the release of all Americans held by the Taliban, especially in light of the billions of dollars in U.S. aid theyve received in recent years, Hughes said. Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryans life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives, his family stated Tuesday. Limited public information is available about McKenty as his family reportedly requested U.S. authorities to maintain his anonymity. The prisoner exchange was in the making for many months and reportedly occurred during Democratic President Joe Bidens final hours in office before Republican President Donald Trump was inaugurated on Monday. Corbett's family statement praised both the Trump and Biden administrations for their efforts to facilitate the prisoner exchange. A Trump administration official said that it was informed by the Biden administration of the prisoner exchange deal. The Taliban said Tuesday that Qatar played an effective role in facilitating the agreement. U.S. officials and relatives have reported that two other American captives, George Glezmann, a former airline mechanic, and Mahmood Habibi, a naturalized American, remain in Taliban custody in Afghanistan. Habibi and Glezmann were apprehended shortly after a U.S. drone strike in July 2022 killed fugitive al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri in his hideout in an affluent Afghan capital neighborhood. Glezmann, 65, was lawfully visiting Kabul as a tourist when he was seized by the Talibans intelligence services without charge, his relatives said. Habibis family says he was arrested by the Taliban, along with 30 other employees of the company he worked at, following the U.S. drone strike. While his co-workers were released, Habibis whereabouts remain unknown, and Taliban officials have refuted claims that he is in their custody. It was our hope that Ryan, George, and Mahmoud would be returned to their families together, and we cannot imagine the pain that our good fortune will bring them, Corbetts family stated Tuesday. Habibi's relatives welcomed the reunion of Corbett and McKenty with their families, confident the Trump administration will intensify efforts to secure his freedom from his wrongful detention. We have reason to be confident Mahmood is alive and in Taliban custody, despite their hollow denials of holding him, his brother Ahmad Habibi said. Global Reach, a nonprofit organization working with the family of Mahmood Habibi since his arrest, shared the family statement with VOA via email. While we are happy for Ryan and William, we are disappointed that Mahmood was not included in the deal, said the organization's CEO, Mickey Bergman. Conservatives across Africa applauded U.S. President Donald Trumps executive orders Monday regarding gender and diversity, while gay rights activists and the LGBTQ community on the continent are expressing deep concern. On his first day as the 47th U.S. president, Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders, including some that reversed policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden. These included orders revoking some protections for transgender people and defining the sexes strictly as male and female. Trump's actions sparked a mix of reactions throughout Africa. Some, like Bishop John Praise Daniel, vice president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, welcomed Trumps moves. "I'm very excited, he said I think Donald Trump has just done what is right, because how can some young persons wake up and say, I don't feel like being a girl, I want to be a boy, and their sexes will be changed. We don't need that confusion. Bringing back righteousness, order and sanity to society." But while many in Africas conservative societies are in support, LGBTQ activists strongly opposed the decision, calling it a setback after years of progress and advocacy. Frank Ejiogu, founder of Creme de la Creme, a Nigerian LGBTQ advocacy group, warned of serious consequences. "We know this will have ripple effects that might catalyze violence against LGBTQ community members in the Global South, which will boil down to discrimination, assault, and a lot of [restrictive] policies that governments will start enacting," he said. Ejiogu said LGBTQ activists already are planning how to resist such measures. Were strategizing on how to stand firm on what we believe in and for the community, he said. [Trump] can only be there for four years. The only thing we promise ourselves all over the globe and in the Global South is to making sure that we fight back against the policies against LGBTQ communities all around the world." Members of the LGBTQ community already face harsh penalties in many African countries. In Nigeria, same-sex relationships are punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Ugandas constitutional court upheld a life sentence for homosexuality offenders last year, while Malis junta criminalized homosexuality with imprisonment in December. On the historic first day of his second term in office, President Donald Trump laid out his vision for a bolder and larger United States. "The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations, and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons," he said in his inaugural address Monday. "And we will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars." Then he got to work signing a stack of executive orders. He said they included a declaration of a national emergency at the southern border that would allow the deployment of troops, and a national energy emergency that would allow more domestic oil and gas extraction. He also declared that there are only two genders, male and female, and said he would order that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. Historians say that Trump made history on his second Day 1 by using what is historically a unifying speech to portray a future that many Americans may disagree with. "Donald Trump did not do that. This was one of the most partisan presidential inaugural speeches it was less an inaugural speech and more a State of the Union. He just listed a series of bullet points of projects he wanted to undertake, from deporting immigrants to seizing back the Panama Canal," said Jeremi Suri, a history professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Shortly after his inaugural speech, Trump spoke to a smaller group of supporters at the Capitol and reiterated claims that the 2020 election was "totally rigged" a claim without proof. He also pardoned some of those convicted over the violent events of Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters attempted to disrupt the certification of the election Trump lost. "I think this was a better speech than the one I made upstairs, OK?" Trump said. Some of Trump's powerful supporters expressed their joy. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was among the billionaires who packed into the Capitol for the ceremony and hailed Trump's victory. After Trump was sworn in, Musk took to the stage of the rally at Capital One Arena to praise him. "This was no ordinary victory," he said. "This was a fork in the road of human civilization." Consumer advocacy groups are sounding alarms about some of the new president's quieter moves, ones they say seek to loosen regulations and benefit the extremely wealthy. "When we think about why the incoming Trump administration wants to freeze regulations and halt public protections wholesale, it is at the behest of the wealthiest among us, corporate special interests," said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of the nonprofit consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen. "They are who benefits when we don't have guardrails on the books." Trump did not, on Monday, directly address foreign policy concerns such as Ukraine and competition with China but Suri said his expansionist rhetoric sent a message. "It's hard for the United States to tell [Russian President] Vladimir Putin or [Chinese President] Xi Jinping that they should not seek expansion when our president is talking about expansion, but insofar as we don't follow through on that rhetoric, we still are on very strong ground to say that invading your neighbor, as Putin has in Ukraine, or as China might potentially do in Taiwan, that is verboten, that crosses the line, so long as it's just words from us," he said. "If we were to go to war to try to seize the Panama Canal, that would certainly give a kind of carte blanche to Putin and Xi Jinping, because they make the same arguments for Ukraine and Taiwan." U.S. President Donald Trump issued a series of executive actions after taking office Monday, including moving to withdraw from international health and climate bodies and directing a suspension of U.S. foreign aid. A set of orders focused on immigration, such as declaring an emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border, ending asylum and halting birthright citizenship for some children born in the United States. Trump also ordered vetting and screening to the maximum degree possible all those who want to enter the United States, and for the government to identify countries that may have screening procedures deficient enough to warrant blocking their nationals from entering the United States. In his first term in office, Trump pursued an America First form of foreign policy, and an order he signed Monday directs new Secretary of State Marco Rubio to focus State Department efforts on that mission. From this day forward, the foreign policy of the United States shall champion core American interests and always put America and American citizens first, the order said. Trump ordered the United States to withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate accord, a repeat of a move he also made in his first term. Trump said the U.S. has a successful record of advancing both economic and environmental objectives that should be a model to other countries. Nearly 200 countries signed the agreement aimed at limiting global warming with each country providing its own plan for limiting greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. In another repeat from his first time in office, Trump ordered the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization due to complaints that the agency mismanaged the COVID-19 pandemic and gets too much funding from the U.S. WHO said in a statement Tuesday it regrets Trumps announcement and that it looks forward to constructive talks to maintain a partnership with the United States for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe. For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats, WHO said. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO. Calling U.S. foreign aid not aligned with American interests, Trump issued an order to pause foreign development assistance for 90 days and for the programs to undergo reviews. Funding for many programs has already been appropriated by Congress, so it was not clear how much aid would be initially affected by the order. Trump also reversed an order signed by former President Joe Biden last week that had removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terror. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel responded to Trumps move Monday by calling it an act of arrogance and disregard for the truth. On trade, Trump issued an order calling for a review of a number of trade agreements, including one with China and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. He also specifically called for an assessment of unlawful migration and fentanyl flows from Canada, Mexico and China. Ahead of taking office, Trump said those countries would need to act on those areas in order to avoid tariffs on goods sent to the United States. In response to a law passed during Bidens term that would have blocked TikTok in the United States in connection with national security concerns, Trump signed an order telling the Justice Department not to enforce that ban until his administration can determine the appropriate course forward. The law directed a TikTok ban unless its China-based parent company sold it to an approved buyer. U.S. officials promoting the ban expressed concerns that the Chinese government could obtain Americans digital data. Trump himself tried to carry out a similar ban during his first term, but in recent weeks has championed keeping TikTok available to U.S. users, including the potential for the U.S. government to acquire a stake in the company. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters On the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump announced a series of executive actions addressing immigration and border security. Signing orders his officials called "common-sense immigration policies," the actions included declaring a national emergency at the U.S. southern border, deploying armed forces, finishing border wall construction, and ending asylum and birthright citizenship. We have a government that has given unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders, but refuses to defend American borders or more importantly, its own people, Trump said during his inaugural address. In a call with reporters earlier in the day, Trump officials outlined the administration's plans to tackle what it describes as a "national security and public safety crisis" at the U.S.-Mexico border. President Trump was elected by a resounding mandate to carry out the promises he made on the campaign trail, that includes his pledge to secure the southern border and carry out the largest deportation of migrant criminals in history, an incoming White House official said, speaking on background, a method often used by U.S. officials to remain anonymous. Officials also emphasized the administration's commitment to implement what they call the largest deportation of migrant criminals in U.S. history. Here are some of the administrations plans. National emergency at the border Trump said he will deploy the military to the U.S.-Mexico border, including the National Guard, to assist existing law enforcement officers. Officials emphasized that border security is national security, and the administration is committed to securing the border through use of the military. What this action does is it deploys armed forces [and] erects physical barriers by directing [Department of Defense] and [Department of Homeland Security] secretaries to finish the wall along the border. We're going to reinstate the Remain in Mexico [policy], the official said. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, wrote on X that without Mexicos permission, the promise to bring back Remain in Mexico is just words on a paper. The Remain in Mexico policy, created during the first Trump administration, requires some asylum-seekers at the southern border to wait in Mexico until their hearings in U.S. immigration court. Juan Ramon de la Fuente, Mexico's secretary of external relations, said in a news conference Monday morning that if "they reinstate [Remain in Mexico], this is something we dont agree with. We have a different focus. We want to adjust it. ... The desire is to keep the same policies as now." When asked about the number of troops expected to be deployed to the border, Trump administration officials said that decision would ultimately be made by the secretary of defense. The administration is also rescinding the Biden administration border policies by giving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents expanded enforcement authority and establishing federal task forces to work with state and local law enforcement in deportation efforts. Mass deportations Another announcement centers on undocumented immigrants across the country. The Republican president repeatedly promised during his campaign to carry out mass deportations, targeting at least 11 million undocumented individuals. In the press call with reporters, the Trump officials said the administration will provide immigration officers with the necessary "authorities" to enforce existing laws. In his campaign, Trump vowed to eliminate President Joe Biden's deportation priorities, which targeted individuals with criminal records and those considered national security threats, and instead to expand enforcement to include all undocumented immigrants. Stephen Yale-Loehr, a retired professor of immigration law at Cornell Law School, wrote in an email to VOA that mass deportation efforts and raids may get the most attention, but deportations will not increase rapidly right away. If a person already has an outstanding order of deportation, they can be deported immediately. But that is a relatively small number. Most people picked up will be put into deportation proceedings in immigration courts. Those courts already have a backlog of over 3.8 million cases. Given that backlog, it will be years before many people will find out whether they will be deported or allowed to stay based on asylum or some other form of protection, he wrote. Release of migrants The incoming administration also announced an end to the practice of releasing migrants into the U.S. while they await their immigration court hearings, commonly known as "catch-and-release." The Trump officials did not explain how they would handle an increase in immigrant detention. Refugee program Trump is also ending the refugee resettlement program. During his first administration, he progressively lowered the annual ceiling for refugee admissions to a historic low of 15,000 for fiscal 2021. Refugee advocates said at the time the reductions marked a departure from the United States long-standing role in global refugee resettlement. Erol Kekic, senior vice president of programs at Church World Service, wrote in an email to reporters that his group is urging President Trump to reconsider. Church World Service is one of the nine national refugee resettlement agencies authorized by the federal government to assist refugees in starting new lives. Even a brief pause in the program can have a devastating impact; on those displaced by violence and persecution, families separated by oceans and continents, and our communities who embrace the spirit of welcome inherent to our great nation, he wrote. Ending asylum and CBP One app One of Trumps orders calls for the immediate deportation of migrants who crossed the border illegally without a chance to plead their case to an asylum officer. Shortly after Trump's inauguration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted a notice on its website saying the agency was no longer using the CBP One app, which had facilitated the legal entry of nearly 1 million people into the United States with eligibility to work. The app allowed migrants to apply for an appointment to come to the border and apply for humanitarian parole or other forms of legal processing. The use of parole under the CBP One system was part of the Biden administration's broader efforts to manage migration flows and provide legal pathways to entry, rather than having individuals cross the border illegally. However, parole granted through CBP One did not guarantee permanent legal status; it typically allowed individuals to stay temporarily and, in some cases, apply for work authorization while their immigration status was being reviewed. The notice by the CBP One app also confirmed that all existing appointments had been canceled. Birthright citizenship Finally, Trump signed an order to eliminate birthright citizenship. Birthright citizenship grants automatic U.S. citizenship to anyone born on American soil, a right established by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. On Tuesday, a coalition of 22 Democratic-led states, the District of Columbia and the city of San Francisco filed a lawsuit in federal court in Boston. The lawsuit contends that Trump's attempt to eliminate birthright citizenship violates the U.S. Constitution. This lawsuit was filed after others were filed by immigrant organizations and an expectant mother. The American Civil Liberties Union also filed a suit challenging the constitutionality of this executive order. Legal experts argue that the order violates the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment and referred to the U.S. Supreme Court's 1898 ruling in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which affirmed birthright citizenship. Harrison Fields, White House principal deputy press secretary, told VOA: "Radical Leftists can either choose to swim against the tide and reject the overwhelming will of the people, or they can get on board and work with President Trump to advance his wildly popular agenda. These lawsuits are nothing more than an extension of the Left's resistance and the Trump Administration is ready to face them in court." A recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research said most Americans think increasing security at the U.S.-Mexico border should be at least "a moderate priority" for the federal government. Cody Wofsy, deputy director of ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project and lead attorney in the ACLU case, wrote to reporters that the order seeks to create a permanent subclass of people born in the U.S. who are denied full rights as Americans. "Every child in the United States should be born with the same rights as every other child," he wrote. "No politician gets to decide who among those born in our country is 'worthy' of citizenship." President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations told senators at her confirmation hearing Tuesday that she will promote his doctrine of "peace through strength" on the world stage if she is confirmed. "It is imperative to ensure strong American leadership at the United Nations," Elise Stefanik told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "I share President Trump's vision of a U.N. reformed by strong America First peace through strength and return to this founding mission of promoting peace and security around the world." Stefanik, 40, from a rural New York district, has been in Congress for a decade and has served on national security related committees. As chair of the Republican Conference since 2021, she is the fourth-ranking House Republican but will have to step down if she is approved. She appeared to have bipartisan support, with Democratic legislators largely posing standard foreign policy questions and avoiding partisan attacks. China's influence China's growing influence within the United Nations was at the top of lawmakers' concerns. "China has used its malign influence to block attempts to discuss the Chinese government-sponsored genocide against the Uyghurs, and they have blocked our ally Taiwan from fully participating in the U.N.," committee chair Jim Risch of Idaho said. He also criticized Beijing for pushing its nationals into U.N. system jobs to serve its national interests. Stefanik agreed that Beijing has made "significant inroads" at the world body and said Washington needs to push back on it with a "long-term strategy." "Working closely with our allies and our partners, both at the most junior levels and at the more senior levels within the U.N., we need to make sure that we are running candidates either American or allied nations in the election process for key leadership posts within the U.N. system," she said. Stefanik said efforts should focus on technical organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) both organizations that until recently had been under the leadership of international civil servants from China. And she warned that the United States must be vigilant in protecting its ethical standards related to the use of artificial intelligence. The United States is the single largest financial contributor to the United Nations, and several senators questioned whether U.S. taxpayers are still getting their money's worth from the organization. The nominee said she would seek to do an agency-by-agency audit of what U.S. funds are spent on and press for reforms including more transparency and accountability. She also had praise for agencies led by U.S. appointees, including the World Food Program and the U.N. children's agency, UNICEF. "Stefanik's remarks signaled that the U.S. is going to be tough on the U.N., but not walk away from the organization altogether," said Richard Gowan, U.N. director for the International Crisis Group. "I actually think that quite a lot of her lines about the need to ensure the U.N. offers value for money will play well with other big donors to the organization, who are keen to control costs." One of Trump's first executive orders on Monday was to notify the World Health Organization of his intention to withdraw the United States from the body and with it the hundreds of millions of dollars it contributes to WHO's budget. Stefanik said she supported the move. "WHO failed on a global stage in the COVID pandemic for all the world to see," she said. Stefanik was most passionate about "our most precious ally" Israel and defending it from what she called "antisemitic rot" and bias at the United Nations. "We need to be a voice of moral clarity on the U.N. Security Council and at the United Nations at large, for the world to hear the importance of standing with Israel, and I intend to do that," she said. Asked by Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen about her vision for "the day after" in Gaza, she said Trump is "uniquely positioned" to bring peace to the region, to eradicate Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, and protect Israel's national security. Van Hollen pressed further, asking if she supports the view of far-right Israeli legislators who say Israel has a biblical right to the entire West Bank. Stefanik replied "yes." Crisis Group's Gowan said that last comment might fuel "nervousness" among U.N. members that Trump could endorse an Israeli effort to annex parts of the Palestinian territories. But overall, he thinks international diplomats will have found her testimony reassuring. "Especially after the whiplash effect of Trump disowning the Paris [climate] deal and World Health Organization during his first afternoon in office," he said. No vote has been scheduled yet in the committee on her nomination. If Stefanik passes that hurdle, and she is widely expected to, then her nomination would go to the full Senate for a final vote. The atmosphere was celebratory outside the Central Detention Facility prison in Washington late Monday night. Just hours after taking the oath of office, U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned about 1,500 people who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, during which Trump supporters tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Many of them were held in the Central Detention Facility in southeast Washington. Despite the frigid cold, their supporters gathered outside the building, looking forward to what they told VOA they hoped would be their speedy release. Two were released shortly before midnight. The police presence outside the prison was substantial throughout the night. So, too, was the media presence. And even though supporters at one point briefly rushed the prison entrance, only to be blocked by police, they still told VOA that the gathering was joyous and patriotic. While brandishing an American flag, Ben Pollock told VOA that two of his children Olivia and Jonathan were jailed for taking part in the attack. He said he himself was present that day, too, but that he didnt enter the Capitol Building. Pollock, from Florida, said he was ecstatic, praising God that his children would be released soon. Its been such a spiritual journey. Former fugitives Olivia and Jonathan Pollock are charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, as well as theft of government property, according to media reports. The latter is accused of grabbing an officer by the waist and pulling the officer down a set of stairs and punching another officer in the face. Their father cried as he talked about Jan. 6 not because he regretted that day, which he didnt, but because he said he felt so deeply that those who were jailed for participating in the attack had been unfairly prosecuted. Its broken my heart for four years. Ive cried and cried and cried over these families, Pollock said. Today is their day of freedom. Pollock and others who spoke with VOA said they felt like Trumps executive order meant that they were finally getting vindication for Jan. 6. For them, Trumps pardon confirmed their belief that the 2020 election was rigged, they told VOA. It also represented the fulfillment of a promise that Trump had made during his campaign to absolve those who took part in the attack, they said. Numerous reports and investigations have shown that the 2020 election was not stolen. Election officials have confirmed the election was secure, and Trump and his allies have failed to produce any evidence to substantiate the allegations of fraud. Despite the evidence that the election was not stolen, several people outside the prison told VOA that Trumps pardon reinforced their belief that it actually had been. The election was stolen. We all see it. The whole world saw it, Stephanie Liu of New York told VOA. Liu, who was present at the Capitol on Jan. 6, said she has come to the prison every month for the past 2 years to visit the imprisoned Jan. 6 rioters. Political prisoners should not exist in this country, said Liu, who is originally from China. Helena Gibson, from the U.S. capital, made a similar point: This has been four long years of these Jan. 6 political hostages. That language echoes Trump, who calls those who stormed the Capitol hostages and unbelievable patriots. One day after the attack, Trump said that those who broke the law during the riot would pay. But defending them ended up becoming a significant component of his 2024 presidential campaign. Tom Jeffries of Virginia said he was somewhat disappointed that Trump didnt mention the Jan. 6 defendants during his inaugural address. But knowing him, I knew that he hadnt forgotten about it. He was waiting for the right time to do it, Jeffries told VOA. That was my hope, and God granted my wish. Trumps decision to pardon those who took part in the attack was met with swift condemnation from Democrat lawmakers such as Senator Chris Murphy. By pardoning the rioters, Trump has transformed American democracy, Murphy said in a post on X. Political violence is now mainstream. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also said those who invaded the Capitol should not have been pardoned. Trump is ushering in a Golden Age for people that break the law and attempt to overthrow the government, Schumer said in a statement. Ukrainian officials said Tuesday that Russian drone attacks damaged residential buildings in several parts of central and southern Ukraine. The attacks were part of an assault that Ukraines military said involved 131 Russian drones and four ballistic missiles. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 72 of the drones, the air force said. Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysask said on Telegram that Russian attacks damaged houses and a warehouse, injuring one person. Cherkasy Governor Ihor Taburets reported Tuesday that falling drone fragments damaged four residential buildings, a school, a shop and a power line. Poltava Governor Filip Pronin said on Telegram that a drone fell on a house in his region, sparking a fire, while pieces of destroyed drones damaged six residential buildings. Russias Defense Ministry said Tuesday it destroyed 55 Ukrainian aerial drones, mostly in regions along the Russia-Ukraine border. Russian air defenses knocked down 22 of the drones over Bryansk, 12 drones over Rostov and 10 over the Smolensk region, the ministry said. Other intercepts took place over Voronezh, Saratov and Kursk. Smolensk Govenror Vasily Anokhin said on Telegram that drone debris damaged several residential buildings, while Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said a drone attack on a car injured two people. Some information for this report was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters. People run to take cover during an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Jan. 21, 2025. Six Palestinians have been killed and 35 others injured in a major Israeli military operation launched Tuesday in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to Palestinian health officials in Ramallah. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Six Palestinians have been killed and 35 others injured in a major Israeli military operation launched Tuesday in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to Palestinian health officials in Ramallah. The operation, dubbed "Iron Wall" by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), has triggered clashes with Palestinian militants and drawn condemnation from Palestinian factions. The IDF said the operation aimed to thwart "terrorist activities" in Jenin, with Israeli media cited military sources indicating the operation could last several days. Palestinian security sources said Israeli forces entered Jenin and its adjacent refugee camp with a large number of vehicles, coinciding with drone strikes and helicopter fire. Eyewitnesses reported heavy clashes between Israeli forces and armed Palestinian factions. Hamas called for intensified fighting against Israel in response to the raid. The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, claimed to have repelled the Israeli advance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was "another step in achieving the goal we set, strengthening security" in the West Bank. Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported that Israel had asked the Palestinian Authority security services to withdraw from Jenin prior to the operation. Tensions in the West Bank have escalated since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, more than 800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank since then. In August 2023, Israel conducted a large-scale military operation in the northern West Bank called "Summer Camps," which it said aimed to arrest wanted individuals and prevent attacks against Israel. An Israeli military vehicle is seen during an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Jan. 21, 2025. Six Palestinians have been killed and 35 others injured in a major Israeli military operation launched Tuesday in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to Palestinian health officials in Ramallah. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Jan. 21, 2025. Six Palestinians have been killed and 35 others injured in a major Israeli military operation launched Tuesday in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to Palestinian health officials in Ramallah. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) An Israeli military vehicle is seen during an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Jan. 21, 2025. Six Palestinians have been killed and 35 others injured in a major Israeli military operation launched Tuesday in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to Palestinian health officials in Ramallah. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) United Nations agencies say the imminent U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization and Paris climate agreement will have serious consequences for global health and efforts to slow down climate change. The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the organization, the WHO said Tuesday in response to U.S. President Donald Trumps declaration Monday that he intends to quit the U.N. health agency. WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the worlds people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go, it stated. In explaining his decision, Trump accused the agency of being subject to inappropriate political influence from other member states. World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. Its not going to happen anymore, he said in signing an executive order Monday, hours after his inauguration. In responding to the allegations, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic told journalists at a briefing in Geneva Tuesday that the United States, which was one of the founding members of WHO in 1948, had over seven decades together with the WHO, saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication, he said. The United States is the WHOs single largest donor. It contributed $1.284 billion or 18 percent of the agencys 2022-2023 budget. Jasaravic said the U.S. decision was not unexpected and the WHO was now analyzing the exact details of Trumps executive order to see how this will play out and to see what will be the consequences. He noted that the United States can formally leave the WHO and stop financing the organization one year after the United Nations receives official written notice of U.S. withdrawal. He said the WHO hopes the United States will reconsider its decision and maintain the U.S.-WHO partnership for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe. At the same time, we will continue to work in the worlds most difficult places, including countries in conflict, so we can protect the most vulnerable and be where people need us the most, he said. The world lives longer, healthier, perhaps a little bit happier because of WHO, which goes to places where others cannot go, including Gaza, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Sudan, Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, said in support of the beleaguered agency. In the meantime, U.N. officials have called the U.S. decision to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement a major disappointment, noting that the worlds nations had adopted the accord because they recognized the immense harm that climate change is already causing and the enormous opportunity that climate action presents. Antonio Guterres, the U.N. secretary-general, said that it was crucial that the United States remains a leader on environmental issues in this critical decade for climate action. The World Meteorological Organization has warned that climate change is playing out, on an almost daily basis, through more extreme weather. A recent WMO report finds the last 10 years have been the hottest in recorded history, and that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with temperatures at about 1.55 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial era. Every fraction of a degree of global warming has an impact on our economies and our lives, Clare Nullis, WMO spokesperson said, adding that The U.S. accounts for the lions share of global economic losses from weather, climate and water-related hazards. According to the non-profit USAFacts, nearly 40 percent of the billion-dollar climate events that have hit the U.S. since 1980 happened between 2017 and the present day. The data-gathering organization says that 2023 had the most billion-dollar natural disaster events of any year to date." Nullis pointed out Tuesday that the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires are estimated to be the most costly U.S. disaster on record. Not all of these weather-related disasters, you know, have a connection with climate change. We are not saying thatbut climate change is an aggravating factor. It is making our weather much more, much more extreme, she said. So, you know, the need for the Paris Agreement is pretty obvious. Ahead of the U.S. presidential inauguration, the controversial video-sharing platform TikTok announced on Sunday it would cease services for American users. However, the platform resumed operations just 12 hours later after U.S. President-elect Donald Donald Trump pledged to suspend enforcement of a ban on TikTok. This move drew significant attention from Chinese state media and netizens, with some commentators interpreting it as a strong signal of Trumps willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation with China. Click here for the full story in Mandarin. In a statement, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino rejected the comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who during his inaugural address again criticized the performance of the Panama Canal and assured that his country will recover the infrastructure. Click here for the full story in Spanish. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that if a ceasefire deal were enacted with Russia, "at least 200,000 European peacekeepers" would need to be on the ground in Ukraine to defend the Eastern European country against a possible attack by Russia. Zelenskyy, speaking a day after Donald Trump's return to the U.S. presidency, said Europe must "take care of itself." He said 200,000 peacekeepers from European countries would be the minimum number of peacekeepers required, "Otherwise, it's nothing." "Let's not forget, there is no ocean separating European countries from Russia," Zelenskyy said in his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Ukraine's president said Russia's demand that Ukraine reduce its army to one-fifth of its current size of 800,000 is not an option. Ukraine's best defense during a ceasefire deal, Zelenskyy said, would be its membership into NATO. While most European countries support Ukraine's entry into the alliance, Germany and the U.S. oppose it. Hungary and Slovakia, which are pro-Russia governments, also oppose Ukraine's entry into NATO. Zelenskyy also called on European nations to consider Trump's recent call for NATO members to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP. "If it takes 5% of GDP to cover defense, then so be it, 5% it is." Zelenskyy said Europe needs to create a united security and defense policy. Meanwhile, Ukraine is seeking a meeting with Trump, who had promised before the U.S. election that he would bring a swift end to the war between Russia and Ukraine if he won the American presidency. It has never been clear, though, how he would accomplish that. Ukrainian officials said Tuesday that Russian drone attacks damaged residential buildings in several parts of central and southern Ukraine. The attacks were part of an assault that Ukraine's military said involved 131 Russian drones and four ballistic missiles. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 72 of the drones, the air force said. Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysask said on Telegram that Russian attacks damaged houses and a warehouse, injuring one person. Cherkasy Governor Ihor Taburets reported Tuesday that falling drone fragments damaged four residential buildings, a school, a shop and a power line. Poltava Governor Filip Pronin said on Telegram that a drone fell on a house in his region, sparking a fire, while pieces of destroyed drones damaged six residential buildings. Russia's Defense Ministry said Tuesday it destroyed 55 Ukrainian aerial drones, mostly in regions along the Russia-Ukraine border. Russian air defenses knocked down 22 of the drones over Bryansk, 12 drones over Rostov and 10 over the Smolensk region, the ministry said. Other intercepts took place over Voronezh, Saratov and Kursk. Smolensk Governor Vasily Anokhin said on Telegram that drone debris damaged several residential buildings, while Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said a drone attack on a car injured two people. Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters. By Nellie Peyton JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A suspected gang leader known as "Tiger" escaped with the help of South African police after being pulled from an illegal gold mine last week where at least 78 miners died, the police said on Monday. The Lesotho national resurfaced from the deep mine shaft in Stilfontein while officers had it surrounded, and was supposed to be escorted directly to the nearest police station for detention, said national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe. But during a routine inspection, a senior officer noticed "Tiger" was not in the holding cells, she told public broadcaster SABC. "The only logical conclusion is that someone let him free," she said. "Preliminary investigations indicate that he was let go between Shaft 11 and the police station." The police said in a statement that they had launched a manhunt and were investigating who within their forces might have assisted "Tiger." Three other suspected ringleaders are in custody, Mathe added. Police were widely condemned for their months-long siege of the illegal gold mine, in which they cut off food and water in an attempt to force the miners out and arrest them. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said the state should not be held responsible for the deaths. "You have got people who voluntarily entered mines and did some illegal activities and in the process died inside those mines. To then come back and say the state is going to take the blame for that, in my view, is misplaced," he told Reuters at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The standoff culminated in a state-sponsored rescue last week in which 246 survivors were retrieved from the mine, many emaciated and weak from hunger. Police have cited miners as saying there was food underground, but that the gang leaders kept it for themselves. Thousands of people are believed to be mining gold illegally in abandoned industrial mines in South Africa. The operations are thought to be run by Lesotho-based gangs, and police say some of the workers are illegal immigrants recruited from neighboring countries without knowing what they have come to do. (Reporting by Nellie Peyton;Additional reporting by Brad Haynes in Davos and Sfundo Parakozov in Johannesburg;Editing by Alexander Winning, Bernadette Baum and Kevin Liffey) By Liam Scott The atmosphere was celebratory outside the Central Detention Facility prison in Washington late Monday night. Just hours after taking the oath of office, U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned about 1,500 people who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, during which Trump supporters tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Many of them were held in the Central Detention Facility in southeast Washington. Despite the frigid cold, their supporters gathered outside the building, looking forward to what they told VOA they hoped would be their speedy release. Two were released shortly before midnight. The police presence outside the prison was substantial throughout the night. So, too, was the media presence. And even though supporters at one point briefly rushed the prison entrance, only to be blocked by police, they still told VOA that the gathering was joyous and patriotic. While brandishing an American flag, Ben Pollock told VOA that two of his children Olivia and Jonathan were jailed for taking part in the attack. He said he himself was present that day, too, but that he didnt enter the Capitol Building. Pollock, from Florida, said he was ecstatic, praising God that his children would be released soon. Its been such a spiritual journey. Former fugitives Olivia and Jonathan Pollock are charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, as well as theft of government property, according to media reports. The latter is accused of grabbing an officer by the waist and pulling the officer down a set of stairs and punching another officer in the face. Their father cried as he talked about Jan. 6 not because he regretted that day, which he didnt, but because he said he felt so deeply that those who were jailed for participating in the attack had been unfairly prosecuted. Its broken my heart for four years. Ive cried and cried and cried over these families, Pollock said. Today is their day of freedom. Pollock and others who spoke with VOA said they felt like Trumps executive order meant that they were finally getting vindication for Jan. 6. For them, Trumps pardon confirmed their belief that the 2020 election was rigged, they told VOA. It also represented the fulfillment of a promise that Trump had made during his campaign to absolve those who took part in the attack, they said. Numerous reports and investigations have shown that the 2020 election was not stolen. Election officials have confirmed the election was secure, and Trump and his allies have failed to produce any evidence to substantiate the allegations of fraud. Despite the evidence that the election was not stolen, several people outside the prison told VOA that Trumps pardon reinforced their belief that it actually had been. The election was stolen. We all see it. The whole world saw it, Stephanie Liu of New York told VOA. Liu, who was present at the Capitol on Jan. 6, said she has come to the prison every month for the past 2 years to visit the imprisoned Jan. 6 rioters. Political prisoners should not exist in this country, said Liu, who is originally from China. Helena Gibson, from the U.S. capital, made a similar point: This has been four long years of these Jan. 6 political hostages. That language echoes Trump, who calls those who stormed the Capitol hostages and unbelievable patriots. One day after the attack, Trump said that those who broke the law during the riot would pay. But defending them ended up becoming a significant component of his 2024 presidential campaign. Tom Jeffries of Virginia said he was somewhat disappointed that Trump didnt mention the Jan. 6 defendants during his inaugural address. But knowing him, I knew that he hadnt forgotten about it. He was waiting for the right time to do it, Jeffries told VOA. That was my hope, and God granted my wish. Trumps decision to pardon those who took part in the attack was met with swift condemnation from Democrat lawmakers such as Senator Chris Murphy. By pardoning the rioters, Trump has transformed American democracy, Murphy said in a post on X. Political violence is now mainstream. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also said those who invaded the Capitol should not have been pardoned. Trump is ushering in a Golden Age for people that break the law and attempt to overthrow the government, Schumer said in a statement. Photo: Bleeker Street/Youtube Call me Mike. Thats what Mike Leigh, the 82-year-old director of such classics as High Hopes, Secrets and Lies, Topsy-Turvy, Career Girls, and Mr. Turner says when a journalist meeting him for an interview addresses him as Mr. Leigh. He is leaning on a cane, which he must use because he has myositis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes muscle inflammation and weakness. I have to lean on this stick and ask people to help me stand up, he says. But I can get around all right. Leigh is standing near the elevator bank in a hotel lobby in the Flatiron district, doing one last round of pre-Oscar promotion in Manhattan for his latest movie, the domestic drama Hard Truths. Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Oscar-nominated co-star of Secrets and Lies, plays the heroine, a woman named Pansy whose bitterness and belligerence have turned her husband, Curtley (David Webber), and her son, Moses (Tuwaine Barrett), into nearly mute witnesses to their own lives and made Pansys only sister, Chantelle (Michele Austin), and her two adult daughters (Sofia Brown and Ani Nelson) worry that shes cratering. Leigh and Jean-Baptiste have been nominated for many awards for Hard Truths and won the New York Film Critics Circles prizes for Best Actress and Best Screenplay. But Leigh says Hard Truths still faces an uphill battle for Oscar recognition because its a small film that lacks the bravura displays of scope, expense, and storytelling pyrotechnics that often mark a film as Oscar-able. This is mainly the story of a family, he tells me as we step into an unpopulated lounge in the lobby. A publicist helps Leigh settle into a plush chair and brings in a tray with a tea set. The tea sits untouched through the first part of the interview. Leigh bats the first two questions down like shuttlecocks. Theres a scene in Hard Truths where Pansy and Chantelle are in the cemetery visiting their mothers grave and Pansy breaks down. Its a very emotional scene, and at the end of it, Chantelle says, I dont understand you, but I love you. I wonder if thats any sort of guiding principle for you, in terms of presenting a best-case scenario of how humans might live together. I dont think so! [Pauses, thinks some more] No, its not. In all honesty, first of all, I dont think in conscious terms. There is no guiding principle for me. Now of course I have a feeling about life and ongoing preoccupations, which obviously motivate and drive what I make. So in that sense, of course, there is a consistency, yes, because at the most fundamental level, the films do come from my feelings about and view of life as we live it, including the historical films. But theres nothing conscious on my part about ongoing preoccupations or consistencies or running themes or any of that. I certainly never think about my other films at all. When Im making a film, I dont reference my other films in any way, any more than I make movies that reference movies, which obviously I dont do. Having said that: It may well be that what youre saying is true, though in a way thats for you to spot and identify. If you made me and youre not going to! just go through all of the relationships in all of my films, I guess we could dig out very good examples of what youre talking about. But equally, there would be other kinds of relationships where you really couldnt do that. A whole lot of people have said that they feel like there is a connection between this film and Happy-Go-Lucky, down to the main character of this one being named Pansy and the one in Happy-Go-Lucky being named Poppy, but that never occurred to me. But can you see why viewers might assume a connection between a sour woman in one of your films and a cheerful one in another because they both have flower names that are five letters long? Never occurred to me! Its funny, you know people say, Ah, obviously this is Pansy, the flip side of Poppy. But its rubbish, really. A writer of the character expresses something about her energy by naming her Poppy. When we christened Mariannes character Pansy, there was something ironic about it, something kind of well, contradictory. Those are really two different kinds of decisions. I bet that if Poppy encountered Pansy during her travels, she might be the only person whod know how to talk to her. Oh, true! Thats not in question. If we put them together, Pansy would give Poppy a hard time, but shed laugh it off or let it pass while having learned something about Pansy. Hard Truths director Mike Leigh. Photo: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images Have you ever said to yourself, These two characters in these two films of mine seem linked in some important way? After making Happy-Go-Lucky, I realized that there was a similarity between characters in two of my films: Poppy in Happy-Go-Lucky and Johnny in Naked. Theyre both idealists, but hes a frustrated idealist, a disappointed idealist. Poppy is an idealist who meets a situation and deals with it and acts on it and who is able to. But each film is its own thing, and each character their own thing. Its an ongoing investigation. I first interviewed Marianne 23 years ago, when she was working on Without a Trace, and I asked her about your process. She said, Mike grows a film. What do you think of that? First of all, you should go ahead and have some tea. [Indicates the teakettle] Yes, sir. Painters paint pictures. Novelists write novels. Poets write poems. I embark on this journey of discovering what a film is through the course of making it. So yes to that description. Growing a film? Yeah. I mean It does all start with, in principle, nothing: some loose ideas, possibilities. Sometimes I know more about what we have in mind than other times. Then we react to it and then it grows. Thats really how it works. If youre growing a film, what is the seed? There are different kinds of answers for different films. For example, if you like, lets take Secrets and Lies and Vera Drake. Secrets and Lies very specifically arose from the fact that there were couples in my family who adopted kids. So I thought, Im going to deal with this, actually. When I started to look at it, I realized that I wasnt going to make a film about people who adopt, but a baby thats been given away and finally meets the birth mother. So that was the starting point for that film. There were other things I then discovered, such as: In the 1960s, a lot of white working-class girls gave away mixed-race babies. What was the seed for Vera Drake? Vera Drake started from the fact that Im old enough to remember what it was like in the U.K. before the 1967 Abortion Act, when people had unwanted pregnancies and had to go to illegal abortionists. I sat on the idea for 40 years or so. So I do have, sort of, I guess, ongoing preoccupations, and I have certain kinds of notions, and they can be a starting place. But to start to really answer your earlier question: I start with the casting. In the case of this film, Marianne, as you know, lives in Los Angeles, but weve kept up, and we see each other from time to time when shes in London. Working together again sounded appealing, and we really felt we had to do it. We were actually going to do the film in 2020, but COVID scuttled that. But Marianne was the first. What about everyone else? All the actors I work with are, and have to be, consummate character actors. By character actors, I mean: This is not the business of people coming in and just being themselves. Then following on from that, we thought, Lets see if we could get Michelle Austin, because Michelle and Marianne have been a duo before and have a good dynamic, and its time to give Michelle a bigger slice of the pie than shes had in several of my other films. What is the process like, devising characters and a story in collaboration with actors? I always start by individually asking the actors I work with to make a comprehensive list of all the sorts of people they know. We then talk about those and then pick some, and we distill those into a character. One difference on this film is although I had Black characters dotted around the movies over the years, it was a given that if we were to make a film that focused more specifically on Black people than I had in the past, everything would need to be accurate. Potential names always have to be specific for the cultural background of a character. Pansy and Chantelle and indeed most of the other names in the film, such as Curtley and Moses are all names that are accurate for people from a British Jamaican background. Parallel to that, as you know, I am consciously and subconsciously tapping into ongoing preoccupations. I mean, most people who have seen the film and this may include you, I dont know will say to me, I know a Pansy. What we didnt do was set out to make a difficult person, because, quite frankly, I wouldnt know what the fuck that would have meant! I know a Pansy. I bet everyone does. Absolutely, there you go. And I know a Pansy. So you start to resonate with that, you know? But as for the process of growing a film, how many novelists have said, of the process of writing one of their novels, I didnt know what was going to happen next but then I realized it was this? All of them. Thats what happens when youre interacting with material. Where our types of films are concerned, theres an element of discovery, of not knowing, just as if youre just sitting down at the typewriter or the computer. You dont know where the story is going to go until youve gotten there. When I talk to film students, they say, What do you think about the three-act structure? I say, Well, actually, I dont think anything about it. Why, because its too limiting? No, because you cant help but have a three-act structure, whatever you do! In any kind of storytelling, the steps are: You establish a thing, you challenge it, and you resolve it. Thats a three-act structure! Its organic. Theres a point in our process where the story assumes that structure. On this film, for example, we had 14-week session of creating the characters and investigating and building their relationships and doing research and working with the production designer and the costumer to plan how things will look, and at the end of all that, I then sit down and write a sort of three-page potential structure. Sort of a blueprint. What was the very first step? Marianne made a long list according to my instructions of real people, women, that she knows and has known not necessarily women that shes known well, just various people. Then with Marianne, and all the main actors, we did one-on-one sessions, with nobody else there, and worked on all the character lists individually some more. Then I said, of the lists of various people, Lets get rid of her and Lets get rid of her. Through this process, we arrive at usually, and in this case a list of three people. And then, by means of some esoteric process, we meld them together. And that gives us a jumping-off point, a source character, an embryo character. So were making the characters by talking them into existence and also by doing some actual, practical, physical acting work to make the basis for the character. As we start to build it and grow it, we start to make decisions about all kinds of other things: real life decisions, character decisions, relationship decisions. And its then you give birth to Chantelle and you start to put her and Pansy together. We explore their relationship pretty much from the point when Chantelle was born, because thats where you have to start the story, logically. If you want clues to what Im talking about, theyre revealed in the cemetery scene. The part about their childhood, and their dad leaving the family? Yes. Then we get to the stage where, through rehearsal, we are scripting and deciding exactly what we then have. What was the most enjoyable part of the character-shaping process for Pansy? Marianne and I had a ball building up Pansys invective. And of course, this is a woman who says very funny things but has no sense of humor. Marianne and I have an enormous shared sense of humor. And Marianne couldnt do that character if she wasnt a really funny woman herself, and very perceptive and sensitive to life. What we didnt do was set out to make a difficult person, because, quite frankly, I wouldnt know what the fuck that would have meant! And even if a screenwriter sat in a room and made that decision first, theyd still have to do the thing of creating an organic character, with nuances and levels. I have a question about the improvisational development process in your historical films. When your actors are in a period film, do they improvise in rehearsals based on historical research? By which I mean, does every ad-lib have to be footnoted, in a sense? On the historical films, yes, everybody does a lot of research. Topsy-Turvy was like a mini-university. Everybody, not just the actors, had to research the period, not just Victorian theater, music, culture, but politics, religion, you name it. People read Victorian newspapers of the period. We had ample supplies of back numbers of Punch magazines from that period, so that people could get their heads around the language. I had a chopping trolley with me all the time, loaded with various texts and pictures. Similarly enough, I think the volume I referred to more than any other in fixing the dialogue was the Savoy operas by W.S. Gilbert, because the approach to the phraseology and the irony was very much laced into that. At one point we had etiquette workshops. The processes were the same on Mr. Turner and Peterloo. Incidentally, on Peterloo, where the actors were going to have to play working-class northern characters, I made a very strict decision beforehand that I would not cast an actor who wasnt from the north of England. We found a volume written at the beginning of the 19th century that was a dictionary of Lancashire working-class dialect, and it became a bible. You can do anything as long as you approach it and research it. I wanted to go back to the comment you made about the three-act structure. Yes, I can see a three-act structure in all of your films, to some extent. But they dont adhere to the idea that every moment must further the plot. Weve never met Maurices ex-partner in Secrets and Lies until the scene where he shows up at the photography studio to talk to Maurice and we see what a train wreck he is, yet you give that guy a spotlight for several minutes. I loved it, but as you know, there are people who think that scene is a tangent that should have been cut for time. Our French backers wanted us to cut the scene you mention, and also the scene with Hortense and her friend, because they thought they were both irrelevant. We fought a massive battle with them. We won the battle. They didnt want us to go to Cannes, but we went to Cannes. And we won the Palme DOr with those scenes in the movie. The scene is important because you see Maurice dealing with this guy. If you didnt have that scene, there would have been no other opportunity to see Maurice dealing with somebody, and with issues, in a way thats important to know about when you finally get to the end of the film and a revelation comes. So the scene has a function on that level as much as any other. But what youre also talking about, and there are plenty of examples of this in Hard Truths, is the importance or the bonus, if you like of seeing absolutely rounded, three-dimensional portraits of very minor people who, on the whole, would otherwise appear to have nothing to do with the case, really, like the girl in the furniture shop, and the guy in the car park, and the people in the supermarket. And the customer who cant get through a hairdressing appointment without taking a cigarette break. Absolutely. And the earlier customer whos just been on night duty and saw somebody die, you know, and has got problems with their elderly husband screwing young ladies and all the rest of it. Those latter two examples are, of course, the same as the scene in Secrets and Lies about Maurice dealing with that guy. Both those scenes in the hair salon are about Chantelle and her generosity and her ability to listen to people and care about the stuff theyre going through. The scenes are multilevel in their function. I briefly thought about Maurice while watching the cemetery scene in Hard Truths. After the sisters father ran out, Pansy was forced to take on responsibilities she wasnt ready for. If Maurice had kept going down that road of trying to be the glue holding his extended family together, might he have ended up as bitter as Pansy? I dont know about that. I would have personally thought that Maurice is naturally disposed to be generous, and I cant really see that in Pansy. But trying to answer that kind of question is like when people get to the end of the movie and ask me, All right, but what actually happened? Thats over to you. What is it? Why? Can you explain why Curtley throws the flowers out? No. Thats over to you. Im not in the business of doing that. Its over to you, the audience. I cant recall any movie of yours where youre flat-out telling people what to think. But I can think of some of your films that are more straightforwardly political than others. Peterloo, for sure. And Naked. On Naked: Thats your prerogative to see it that way. I made three films consecutively which I then realized were more overtly political in certain kinds of subtle ways than any others, and they were made consecutively. Theyre in the Criterion Collection now. One is Meantime, which came from the conditions of unemployment under Thatcher. The second is Four Days in July, which is about Northern Ireland and therefore implicitly political. And the third is High Hopes, which deals with the thing, apart from the other things its about, where you have to cope with your conscience about whether to act on what you really think. Thats what the sexual character Cyrils dilemma is. Having said all that, the only film of mine that is more obviously concerned with the political is Peterloo, by definition. Lets talk about the filmmaking! Did you know that Dick Pope, who shot most of my films, has died? Yes, sir! I wrote an obituary for him. Oh, you did? Yeah I think I read that, actually. Massive loss. He was a great guy, you know, and a great, great artist, a great collaborator: I would say irreplaceable. But wherever he is, hes sending a message saying, You got to find somebody else. And I will. But its a tough proposition. What did you learn from working with Dick Pope? We learnt from each other. I first worked with him on Life Is Sweet in 1990, and he shot everything Ive done ever since, including minor stuff. Id already worked with other cinematographers, including Roger Pratt, who also died recently, on the first of January. The way we shot Life Is Sweet was pretty straightforward. But the next film was Naked, and I sort of said to him, and to the designer, I think this is about a guy on a lone journey. Its perhaps nocturnal, maybe its monochromatic. Knowing that we were going to shoot on Eastman film stock, Dick shot tests. He came up with this idea of doing a bleach bypass, which misses a little bit of the process in the lab. It was a great idea that was perfect for the movie because it gave it a grayness. From then on, in every film that we made, his preparation consisted of experiments, to the extent of finding a company that would manufacture Victorian theater light bulbs for the shooting of Topsy-Turvy. When we got to that stage with Happy-Go-Lucky, I said, You know, its somehow primary colors. He said, Okay, Ill think about that. And a few days later, by coincidence, there was an annual film-industry market in London. Fuji had a stand, and they had a new stock called Vivid for primary colors. And Dick said, This is amazing. Im making a film with Mike Leigh, and they were so amazed to find anybody who wanted their stuff that we got it for free! Another interesting thing about Dick, which youve written about, is that for long stretches of time before we met in the early days, he shot World in Action documentaries in obscure parts of the world. He took hidden cameras into dangerous places. He shot in the Far East. He shot in the desert. And he also famously shot music videos for big stars. But the documentary thing is important, because Dick had a real sense of real shooting in the real world. It would have been inappropriate for a cameraman, a cinematographer, to approach the kind of material in my work with documentary naturalism, so its heightened and distilled. But he was absolutely on the case. Do you often have to cut scenes from your movies for pacing or running time or other reasons after youre finished shooting? Or have you mapped things out so thoroughly beforehand that you know what you need before you get on set, and youre mainly executing a plan? For the most part, what we take to the cutting room is pretty well organized and distilled. We cut two scenes from Topsy-Turvy because it was running very long, and there was a big battle about it. Those scenes are tacked on as extras on the Criterion version of Topsy-Turvy. And there are scenes which you finally get to the editing and go, Actually, you know what? The movie is better without this scene. When we shot Secrets and Lies, and we were doing the research for Maurice, Timothy Spall and I spent a whole day with a High Street photographer working a wedding. We were very taken with the whole possibility of that, so there is a scene in the film where you very briefly see Maurice in a church. But there was also a whole other sequence where hes going around a house with the bride and the bridesmaids. In the cutting, when it came down to it, we realized, This is a red herring. I wanted to ask you about your blocking of your actors, particularly in scenes with lots of characters packed into the same frame. For example, in the cookout scene from Secrets and Lies. Thats the famous, big one, it is. The way that you and Pope position the actors in the frame, we can see everybody, but somehow it doesnt feel like its blocked. Well, thats exactly the objective. If you said, Well, lets just let this happen, very natural, as if its all going on, it would be an absolute fucking mess. So we spent days rehearsing that scene to make it look natural. Hardly anybody in the scene overlaps the dialogue, but when it happens, its a deliberate thing. Maurice is doing the barbecue and his wife, Monica, is serving up. Once she gets up, she sits down, they pass the salt. And at the same time, you wonder whats going to happen. Is something going to spill the beans about why Hortense is there? All that is going on. But its absolutely all controlled, rehearsed very thoroughly except that you cant direct a steak. Steaks have a will of their own and may jump off the plate. But were talking about something thats very straightforward. Its about rehearsal. Its about just painstakingly, meticulously building it and getting it right and never compromising the actors in character or their motivations. The whole process starts with improvising, so by the time we shoot a scene like the cookout, the actors are all naturally where they need to be, in terms of the character work. So my main job is to say, Youve got to be over there and youve got to be over here, because otherwise we cant see you both in the frame at the same time. But the blocking is never unmotivated. In Hard Truths, the Mothers Day scene in the kitchen after the cemetery scene is a bit like the cookout scene, in that way. The actors are close together and carefully blocked. Its a powerful scene, both for your leading actors performance and the wordless reactions of the others as Pansy implodes. The moment where Pansy suddenly breaks out into mirth which turns into tears could not come into existence by any means other than really grounded, thorough, motivated improvisations. I couldnt sit in a room and write that in a zillion years. Nor could Marianne and I sit in a room and talk it into existence. Nor was there any precedent for that at any stage prior to that moment when we were building the sequence. But when it happened, it was dynamite! The motivation was so dense and complex. Why does this movie have two identically framed lateral tracking shots in front of the house where Pansy and her family live, at the beginning of the story and also pretty close to the end? The honest answer is that it just seemed the natural thing to do, you know: In the first of those shots, you follow Curtley, whos a contractor, and Virgil, the guy who works for him, as they get into the van and drive off down the road. And then what? We move back toward the house. What were saying there is Those two have left the house, and now we need to go back to this house and hold on it, because obviously somethings going to happen inside, and thats exactly what occurs. Thats the motivation for that first shot. At the end, Virgil comes out and gets into the van and drives off. We are referencing that earlier shot. Thats because we know Pansy and Curtley are inside and that shes upstairs and hes downstairs. Were doing the same thing with the camera: By moving back toward the house, were saying again! I wonder whats going to happen when we go inside. And then we go inside and find out. And inside the house, everything has changed. I want to tell you something interesting about those two shots of the front of the house. When we shot the earlier one toward the beginning of the shoot, early in the schedule, there was a big tree in the shot as the van drove up. Before we did the second one, we had to go to another location, and while we were away, the council came around and chopped the tree down. So that tree isnt in the second shot! When we did the second shot, somebody asked me, Should we add the tree back digitally? I said, No ones ever gonna notice. I bet somebodys gonna write a thesis about the hidden meaning of the missing tree. I look forward to not reading it! DOHA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday the successful facilitation of a detainee swap between the United States and Afghanistan. The Gulf state facilitated the release of two American citizens detained in Afghanistan in exchange for an Afghan citizen detained in the United States, a statement quoted Minister of State at the ministry, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, as saying. He stressed that all individuals involved in the exchange arrived safely in Doha, where Qatar facilitated the necessary arrangements for their return to their respective countries. Al Khulaifi also expressed Qatar's gratitude to both the Afghan caretaker government and the U.S. government for their positive response and cooperation in the detainee swap process. Move follows Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza. ITA Airways on Monday said it will resume flights between Rome's Fiumicino and Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airports from 1 February, after the ceasefire in Gaza came into force. The Italian flag carrier will initially offer one daily flight in both directions, with night flights scheduled to resume from 16 February. The move comes as German airline Lufthansa, which last week acquired a minority stake in ITA Airways, said it would also resume flights to and from Tel Aviv on 1 February. Photo credit: alexanderon / Shutterstock.com. BERLIN, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Germany's Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economics Robert Habeck has warned that Germany is prepared to impose retaliatory tariffs if the United States proceeds with new import duties on German products. Speaking at the Handelsblatt Energy Summit in Berlin on Tuesday, Habeck emphasized the need for an independent approach to U.S. trade relations under President Donald Trump. Habeck said Germany should approach the new U.S. government with "an outstretched hand" but not allow the hand "slapped away without limits." "We should not crawl in submissiveness," he added. Habeck outlined Germany's readiness for potential tariff measures, noting that the country is fully aware of the steps required should such action become necessary. "We don't want to take that step, as it would harm our bilateral relationship and threaten economic prosperity," he said. President Trump, in his second term, has intensified pressure on key trading partners, reassessing global trade relationships. While threats of new tariffs have been issued, no formal measures have yet been introduced. Habeck, also the minister in charge of Germany's climate action, took the opportunity to address the broader implications of Trump's climate policies. He criticized the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement during Trump's first term, calling it "fatal" to global climate efforts. Habeck urged Germany and Europe to continue the leadership in developing low-carbon energy technologies, despite the challenges posed by the U.S. administration. Court halts referendum on regional autonomy. Italy's constitutional court on Monday gave the green light to a referendum that aims to make it easier for foreigners to claim Italian citizenship, a move opposed by the right-wing government. The final approval from the consitutional court came a month after the court of cassation ruled in favour of the referendum bid which was the result of an online petition that surpassed its goal of half a million signatures. Riccardo Magi, leader of the centre-left +Europa party, who was the driving force behind the referendum bid, hailed Monday's ruling as "an immense joy". "This is a first victory for democracy and participation" - Magi wrote on X - "a historic step for an Italy that recognises the rights of those who live, love and build it every day." Declaring that it is time "to say YES to a fairer Italy", Magi said: "In the spring we will be called to vote to give voice to hundreds of thousands of people who, even without citizenship, are already Italian." Una gioia immensa! La Corte Costituzionale ha dichiarato ammissibile il quesito sul #ReferendumCittadinanza! Questa e una prima vittoria della democrazia e della partecipazione: un passo storico per unItalia che riconosca i diritti di chi la vive, la ama e la costruisce ogni pic.twitter.com/4T9YX57YzP Riccardo Magi (@riccardomagi) January 20, 2025 The referendum, set to be held between April and June, aims to reduce from 10 to five the number of years of continual legal residence in Italy required to apply for Italian citizenship which, once obtained, would automatically be passed on to the citizen's children. Under the current legislation, which dates to 1992, non-EU nationals are required to be legally resident in Italy for 10 years before they can apply for citizenship, and children born in Italy to foreigners cannot apply for citizenship until they turn 18. Differentiated autonomy Also on Monday the constitutional court ruled against a proposed referendum to repeal a 'differentiated autonomy' law for the devolution of powers to individual regions, declaring it inadmissable. This means that the referendum will not be held. The court, which stated that the referendum's "object and purpose are not clear", is expected to clarify the reasons behind its ruling in the coming weeks. The move comes after the constitutional court in November declared the proposed regional autonomy referendum partly illegitimate, however in December the cassation court, Italy's highest court, gave its approval to the referendum. The controversial law, passed by Giorgia Meloni's government in June, gives regions greater control over how they spend their tax revenues however it has been criticised for potentially widening the north-south gap and leading to poorer public services in the south. A judge has jailed a man who sexually abused his young child, describing his actions as the most vile, confusing, terrifying behaviour. The Central Criminal Court previously heard gardai recovered a draft letter by the man to Tusla in which he acknowledged some of the abuse and said he'd studied paedophilia. The court also heard that the man was separately convicted in 2023 of breaching court orders after he posted online describing sexual acts with the victim, implying they were consensual. The 41-year-old man pleaded guilty to 11 sample counts including nine of sexual assault, one of rape and one of oral rape. The offending took place between 2016 and 2018 at locations in Monaghan, Waterford and Portugal. The victim was between nine and 11 years old at the time. On Tuesday, January 21, the man received a 13-year sentence with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. The abuse started with open-mouthed kissing and included inappropriate touching and forced masturbation. He also showed the girl pornography. The abuse escalated after the family moved to Portugal. The girl's mother walked in while her husband was abusing their daughter. After this, she spoke to the girl, who outlined further abuse. The family later returned to Ireland, where the abuse continued. The mother made a disclosure to a counsellor, who then notified Tusla. A number of devices were seized following a search of the man's home in 2019. An analysis later recovered a deleted file named Tusla doc', which was a draft letter covering some of the allegations. In this letter, the man said he had studied paedophilia, and also referenced classical literature, including societies where relationships with children were acceptable. He also acknowledged the inappropriate touching of the victim. The court heard the man also outlined his own background in the letter, including a number of adverse sexual experiences when he was younger. The investigating garda agreed with Colman Cody SC, defending, that the man stated in the letter that his behaviour was illegal, immoral and deviant. The man has a number of convictions, which post-date these incidents, and relate to breaches of court orders. The Central Criminal Court heard he was on bail for this sexual offending when he posted online, in 2023, describing a sexual act between him and the victim, which implied it was consensual and initiated by the victim. Copies of the messages were handed to the court, but not read aloud. In an impact statement, the now 18-year-old said speaking about the abuse could be painful as they feel their body tighten up and freeze. The statement outlined feelings of anxiety, and a lack of self-worth and self-esteem. The victim said they push away negative feelings and memories, trying to convince themselves the abuse didn't happen. However, they said they have come to terms with their story as they've grown up and know now that it was never my fault. They said it took a long time to understand how wrong it was and they knew what he done was terrible. Referring to the criminal process, the victim said they felt unsupported and asked to make adult decisions while being treated as a child: I never felt taken seriously in anything I said, yet it felt like any decision I had to make was the most important in the world. The court previously heard the family moved to Portugal in 2017, where the abuse escalated. In December 2017, the girls mother walked in on the man, while he was naked and abusing the victim. The family returned to Ireland in 2018, where the abuse continued. The court previously heard the girls mother confronted the man, who replied: Its not what it looks like. When she confronted him a second time, he said it was consensual and he never did anything that the victim didnt want to do. She later spoke to the victim, who said it felt consensual and normal, but she was a child. Following the victim's mother making a disclosure to a counsellor in 2019, and the subsequent referral to Tusla, the victim met specialist garda interviewers in 2019 and 2020, but didnt feel comfortable making a statement on camera. She made a written statement in 2021, when she was 14, which outlined the extent of the abuse. The man was interviewed by gardai in 2021, but nothing of evidential value was obtained. He made a general denial when asked about the rape. In a victim impact statement, the now 18-year-old outlined that nothing that happened changed how we work as family, but brought new adult topics into conversation and everything relating to their father was uncomfortable. The victim said they have feelings of resentment when a sibling would talk about missing their father or speak well of him. They are now processing those feelings as they are older. They said they wondered why they were upset after visiting their father, but think fondly of some of these visits. They said their siblings were there 'cos they wanted to see Dad. I was there because I felt I owed it to someone to be there. They said it was not a shock when life flipped. I was now a case, a crime scene" and it took a long time to realise what he did was wrong and not my fault. The victim said they felt their mother deserved more support from the authorities, particularly after their father left the home and the impact this had on the familys finances. Mam was abandoned by everyone. A probation report, a psychological report and a letter from the man were handed to the court. Mr Cody suggested the court may have concerns about the mans insight into his offending, given his online posts and different conclusions of the reports. He said the report raised concerns that his client had little insight into his offending, minimised his actions and didnt fully accept his wrongdoing. He outlined that his client told a probation officer that he had an abnormal set of views of the parent-child relationship due to his own experiences, but did not speak openly about this. Mr Cody said his client was more open with a psychologist, outlining that his mother left the family home when he was very young and alleging that she initiated a sexual relationship with him after contact was re-established when he was a young adult. The man also told the psychologist that he grew up in a dysfunctional and sexualised environment, in which he was exposed to pornography by his father. Mr Cody suggested these experiences had a distorting effect on his client, who acknowledged his wrongdoing, but expressed in these reports the troubling view that the victim was willing to engage in the abuse. Defence counsel said his client expressed sorrow for his actions and their impact, in his letter to the court. He suggested this letter was the first coherent acknowledgement of what he has done and his client was beginning to recognise the impact of his offending. He asked the court for as much leniency as possible for his client and to construct a sentence that encouraged his rehabilitation and the development of a healthier attitude to sex and parent-child relationships. Imposing sentence on Tuesday, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said the impact statement was a testament of the difficult journey the victim has had to make and will continue with into the future. The judge said the statement also indicated the physical and mental burden and toll of telling this appalling story. He said the victim's candour was in stark contrast to the accused, who pleaded guilty two years after the case first entered the Central Criminal Court's list. The judge said the aggravating features included the young age of the victim and that the abuse escalated to the point that the victim thought it normal. He said dealing with that abuse has been a dominating feature of the victim's childhood and adolescence. He also noted that the victim was defenceless and vulnerable and that the abuse took place in her home where she should have felt safe and secure. The judge said the parent-child relationship was also an aggravating factor, noting that the victim was abused by a person from whom she was entitled to expect the greatest care, nurturing and respect. He said the victim faced the most vile, confusing, terrifying behaviour by a father who did whatever he wanted to her when he wanted and the man had violated the trust of his child, wife and of society. The judge noted that the contents of reports and a letter from the man which was a late but welcome acknowledgement of wrongdoing. However, Mr Justice McDermott said the messages posted online by the man which suggested the victim was responsible somewhat undermines his acceptance of responsibility. The judge said the man's warped and dangerous attitude to offending detracts to a degree from the sincerity of his current position. Mr Justice McDermott set a headline sentence of 16 years, which he reduced to 13 years having considered the mitigation and the man's personal circumstances. The judge suspended the final 12 months on strict conditions including that the man have no contact with the victim and no unsupervised contact with any child under 18. He further imposed a seven-year post-release supervision order and backdated the sentence to July. Referring to the victim impact statement, Mr Justice McDermott said the statement was deeply open and honest about how a child faced with the awful realisation that their father had been committing crimes against them suffers and what it is like to be plunged into the very adult process of criminal investigation and trial. Mr Justice McDermott said the impact statement outlined the difficulties faced by any young person who has to face into the rigours of the criminal justice system. That insight is valuable and should be valuable to anyone engaged in cases of this kind whether in practice, investigation or presiding over criminal trials," he said. The judge said the statement underlined the importance of criminal processes involving children being speedy and that the overhanging shadow of court proceedings should be removed as quickly as possible from any child drawn into them. He noted a probation report concluded that the man acknowledged his wrongdoing, but demonstrated little insight into the impact on the victim. The judge said a psychological report stated the man expressed remorse, guilt and shame, and referred to his negative early experiences. Mr Justice McDermott said the man's letter to the court outlined some insight into his offending, but was somewhat self consumed and demonstrated the necessity for the man to engage in victim-focused work. Storm Eowyn is due to hit Waterford on Thursday night into Friday, Met Eireann has forecast in a national weather advisory. The storm, caused by a deepening low-pressure system, is expected to bring high seas, spells of heavy rain, and damaging winds. Storm Eowyn (pronounced AY-OH-WIN) may also cause "transitory falls" of sleet and snow, Met Eireann has forecast, though notes these conditions are likely to be concentrated across west and northwest counties. Waterford is expected to face "very strong to gale force winds" which the national forecaster noted may have the potential for "damaging wind gusts and disruption in places." Met Eireann said it is "continuously monitoring the evolving situation and weather warnings will be issued as confidence in the forecast track/intensity of the Low-Pressure system improves." Weather warnings are typically issued within two days of a weather event when it enters into the forecasters' "high-resolution model". The forecaster has warned that the storm will begin to be felt overnight on Thursday into Friday. Dangerous travelling conditions, fallen trees, power outages and surface water flooding are among the most serious impacts that Met Eireann has advised could hit the country this week. Relevant to coastal areas of Waterford, it is expected that wave overtopping may occur at high tide due to the strong on-shore winds likely to be caused by the storm. Storm Eowyn will bring wet and very windy conditions on Friday, especially in the west and northwest," said Met Eireann's Deputy Head of Forecasting, Liz Coleman, "The very strong southwest winds with damaging gusts will start to be felt late on Thursday and will cause dangerous travelling conditions on Friday, with the likelihood of trees down and potentially power outages." "Wave overtopping is also expected at high tide. There could be localised flooding further into Saturday associated with the heavy rain and to the snow melt." The forecaster "will issue warnings as Met Eireanns high-resolution model, which provides information two days ahead, comes into play. "There will be a short respite from the weather on Saturday as Eowyn moves away, but we are also watching a different low-pressure system, forecast to bring impactful winds and further rain on Sunday. However, in this case, the situation is still too uncertain; we will provide updates as the week progresses. The national forecaster has urged the public to keep abreast of further forecasts and any weather warnings to be issued by using the Met Eireann smartphone app or by checking the met.ie website in the coming days. The advisory is now in effect and will end at midnight on Saturday when the forecaster expects the storm to have dissipated. The storm was named Eowyn by the UK Met Office and is the fifth named storm of the 2024-2025 season. Waterford councillor Damien Geoghegan has accused telecommunications companies of engaging in sharp practices. He said at this months sitting of Dungarvan-Lismore District Council that companies were using 254 licenses to avoid the planning permission process. His comments were in relation to An Bord Pleanala's decision to overturn the local authoritys refusal for a licence for an 18m mast close to Waterford Greenway. The reason they are going down the 254 route is because if they went down the actual route for normal planning, they would certainly that permission would not be forthcoming - thats the reality. "There is a loophole here, said Cllr Geoghegan. The councillor said that the use of Section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 means the public cannot make submissions, and the development does not have to come before councillors. The councillor said 254 licenses were for things like street furniture, not masts. Its an unsatisfactory situation at the moment, and I think that telecommunications companies are engaging in sharp practices, and I dont think it is acceptable, said Cllr Geoghegan. The Director of Services for Planning, Corporate, Culture, HR & IS Ivan Grimes said he agreed with Cllr Geoghegan. I would agree with Cllr Geoghegan on the use of 254 processes in respect of telecommunication infrastructures. In my opinion, it is entirely inappropriate, said Mr Grimes. QUESTIONS The issue was first raised by Cllr Thomas Phelan, who said locals had held a meeting to discuss the development and asked him to put some questions before the council. On behalf of the locals, Cllr Phelan asked if the consent of the council as the landowner was required for the development to progress. He asked if consent had been given and if it could be revoked. And if it is not required and the council cannot act, could the relevant legislation be cited? Cllr Kate OMahoney asked if the council could take a judicial review of An Bord Pleanalas decision. Cllr Joe ORiordan asked the council to commit to taking the judicial review to vindicate and stand up for its decision to refuse the licence. A BETTER WAY Mr Grimes asked that councillors give him time to research response options before he answers their questions. What I would say is certainly, if the council owns the land, then our consent is required for the use of the land and I have asked our property management section to review the files and see if any contact has been made by this company and if consent was given prior, said Mr Grimes. The planning director went on to say that there was nothing preventing them from taking a judicial review, but judicial reviews are expensive, and he believes there is a better way. Im not committing to do that here for the simple reason that I have to look further into the files. "And I would say this morning, I received the legal bill from the other side of another judicial review that we lost last year and it's well in excess of six figures. Its an extremely expensive process, said Mr Grimes. Mr Grimes said that ultimately, An Bord Pleanala are the final decision makers in planning. But if council consent is required to use the land, then that would be a much cheaper option. "A judicial review might not be the most optimal way of dealing with this issue, said Mr Grimes. DEVELOPMENT The contentious development consists of an 18m telecommunications mast and associated works on the Clonea Road, Skehacrine (Humble) in Dungarvan. Emerald Tower Limited applied for a licence under Section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Section 254 is usually for the licensing of appliances and cables on public roads. Waterford City and County Council refused the licence in September 2023 on the basis that the site in question was close to the greenway, a tourist amenity that should be protected. The council concluded that the development was highly obtrusive and would have an adverse visual impact on the area. Emerald Tower Limited appealed the decision, but the council came to the same conclusion. The company then appealed with An Bord Pleanala in October 2023. An Bord Pleanala overturned the planning authoritys decision in December 2024. Former TD Matt Shanahan, who set up the Hand On Heart initiative to demand 24/7 cardiac care for Waterford and was a driving force behind the campaign in 2016, said he was "delighted that finally, after so much waiting, that the 7-day service is going to be implemented soon." "It couldn't come soon enough after the last number of months in which we have had a significant number of cases requiring transport to Cork at the weekend," he said, before adding: "Even over Christmas, I heard of a family friend whose father passed away and should have had access to the cath lab [in UHW] but unfortunately didn't make it. We need to stop that happening, so I welcome this news that everyone has worked so hard to achieve. It's a big step forward, for sure." While Mr Shanahan was pleased that the 7-day cardiac service at UHW was set to begin, he emphasized that the community needs to fight to build on this success: "We need to build from here, people do not feel safe. We still need round-the-clock cardiac coverage in Waterford" He said the resistance from the Government on the issue is "purely about resourcing - the hospital meets all the requirements for the round-the-clock coverage." The current Seanad candidate vowed to keep up the pressure on the Government, whether he is in the Seanad or not, on the issue of the cardiac day-ward to ensure that there is sufficient bed-space and resources for patients admitted into the cardiac ward. Mr Shanahan said that the issue would "come under more pressure now once the weekend service is in place". The former TD said that having a 7-day cardiac service in operation at UHW had been a goal: "Going back to 2004, when the cath lab really started operating at a good level, so we're talking 20 years." He praised the work of Dr Paddy Owens, commenting: "I would absolutely congratulate the work of Dr Paddy Owens in particular, who has led from the front for many years on the cardiac service." "We need the cardiac day beds, we need the additional nursing staff and in the future we have to build on this - we do need round-the-clock cardiac services," he said. "No one should present in Waterford and not get access to a cath lab - it doesn't happen in any other region in the country except here. Read more on this story here Id seen the haka on television, but when it actually happens in front of you, to you, and you are the focus of that, that was very moving, Margolyes says. I didnt know anything about Maori people, but I do now, and I felt so honoured. I felt ashamed, also, when they did me that honour. It was really something. It wasnt while meeting a member of the Mongrel Mob bikie gang in a Wellington cafe. Nor while watching rugby, an ugly, violent sport she has long loathed. It was the students at a Maori-language high school in Panguru, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, performing the haka at morning assembly, that so affected her. There is a moment in Miriam Margolyes two-part tour of New Zealand, on which the British-born Australian actor embarked to understand more about the country where she is filming Holy Days a movie about three road-tripping nuns co-starring Judy Davis and Jacki Weaver that she found heart stopping. The famously outspoken, and by her own admission potty-mouthed, 83-year-old is furious about New Zealand MP David Seymours proposed changes to the Treaty bill: What an arsehole! While she believes the Commonwealth has, on the whole, been a force for good, she is a Republican, something she would have no issue telling King Charles III, whom she knows and believes is a wonderful man. I feel that its time for Australia and New Zealand to be independent countries, says Margolyes. [The King] would listen. He is an immensely driven servant for the future and for the wellbeing of his nations around the world, just as his mother was but I think he has more heart than she did. As with her three series about Australia (the most recent, Impossibly Australian, is nominated for an AACTA award), her mode of transport in the ABCs Miriam Margolyes in New Zealand is a campervan, despite her aversion to van life. Traversing both islands visiting protesting cattle farmers; a refugee centre; the scene of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings; the birthplace of the nations union movement in Blackball; a patriotic pavlova queen; and the Hobbiton village Margolyes, whose mobility issues require a walker, walking poles and a scooter, is seen cheerfully at the wheel, her feet barely reaching the pedals. That is really a kind of a fiction because I dont live in the van, she says. I would live in it if I could reach the beds, but theyre up ladders. I dont drive more than two hours a day. One of the things that really pisses me off is that they never acknowledge that there is a camera crew with me. There are six people with me and I get help, so its slightly unreal, that part of it But I think its good for other disabled people to see that you can climb up into the car if youve got your stool and your sticks. Lara Wood brought her five-year-old son Jonah, who has been attending the centre for the past year, to assess the damage. She lifted him onto her shoulders to get a better view. I explained to him what happened. He said he was scared but wanted to come to see for himself, she said. Lara Wood took her five-year-old son Jonah Wood to assesses the damage at his child care centre. Credit: Kate Geraghty Jonah said he could see three broken windows from his vantage point. He is due to start primary school this week, but many families have been left scrambling to find alternative care. Only About Children chief executive Anna Learmonth confirmed the centre would remain closed until further notice. Were shocked and horrified to see the damage thats occurred, she said. The entire community is on alert. Catch the bastards There have been at least nine major antisemitic incidents in Sydney since the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks. Three attacks one in Dover Heights on Friday, and two incidents in Woollahra, have involved cars being doused in flammable liquid before being set alight. An accelerant was also used in an attack on a Newtown synagogue. In October, two buildings at Bondi Beach, including a kosher restaurant, were also set alight. The Maroubra centre was visited by the NSW premier and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday morning. Minns said antisemitic attacks in Sydney were becoming more sophisticated and dangerous. It is completely disgusting, and these bastards will be rounded up by NSW Police, he said. It breaks your heart that we have animals in our city that are prepared to burn down a childcare centre to make this point. He said police would consider designating the incident as a terrorist offence if extra resources and power were needed to investigate it. Police will not hesitate to make that designation if they believe its appropriate to conduct the investigation, he said. The prime minster said he utterly condemned this evil hate crime. Childcare centres are places of joy and harmony what we saw overnight, in the middle of the night, with this attack, is the latest in a series of antisemitic hate crimes, Albanese said. This is a place for children and families, and it should never have been denigrated by this despicable and horrifying crime. Police Commissioner Karen Webb announced an additional 20 investigators for Strike Force Pearl in response to the attack, effectively doubling their number. Pearl was set up to investigate rising cases of antisemitic attacks in Sydney. Loading Patrols around significant Jewish sites and place of worship across Sydney had also been stepped up, she said. Wake-up call Rabbi Goldstein from the Maroubra Synagogue couldnt say whether his nearby synagogue was the intended target of the attack. He said the community refused to be scared, and would come together to support the centre and each other. Were not terrified, were just saddened that this can happen in such a peaceful and beautiful part of Sydney. Many people ... have young families here and young children to go to the schools here, and its just so shocking that it would happen in such a peaceful area, he said. We as Jewish people ... show strength and courage in the face of darkness and hatred, we bring light, peace and love, and we join together as a community. Members of Fire and Rescues investigation unit with an accelerant detection dog at the Only About Children childcare centre. Credit: Kate Geraghty However, head of legal at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry Simone Abel had no doubt the attack on the multifaith daycare centre was a case of mistaken identity. Its a wake-up call to the Australian community at large because, unfortunately, antisemitism is a disease, and it spreads, she said. [These attacks] are a prelude of whats to come. She said the council welcomed the news of a national cabinet, announced by the prime minister on Tuesday morning in response to the attacks, but said there was a sense of frustration it had taken so long. We havent seen the kind of response that we needed to see earlier on, she said. NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said the incident was the latest in a domestic terrorism campaign. These depraved and cowardly terrorists need to be swiftly apprehended, or we will continue to see an escalation of these acts of terror. Loading Last week, the former home of prominent Jewish Australian Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin was targeted in a firebombing. Two vehicles were set ablaze, multiple vehicles were painted with antisemitic graffiti, and the Dover Heights home was splashed with red paint. Upon seeing images of the burnt-out childcare centre on Tuesday morning, Ryvchin said families may no longer feel safe sending their children to daycare. To plan and execute the firebombing of a childcare centre requires a depth of savagery that is difficult to imagine. Today, families will be having conversations about whether its safe to send their children to the places where they should be safest, he said. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The citys most exclusive members-only clubs remain a mystery to everyday Melburnians. In this series, The Age uncovers the secrets and politics unfolding behind closed doors and the moment of reckoning these institutions are facing. See all 8 stories . Behind the dull red doors of a heritage-listed building in Melbournes CBD, one of the nations oldest private clubs is quietly grappling with an existential crisis. For 130 years, the Melbourne Savage Club has proclaimed itself a haven for bohemian gentlemen, basing membership on good-fellowship, as well as related interests in the spheres of literature, music, drama, art or science. Prime ministers, painters, actors, legal eagles and corporate heavyweights have rubbed shoulders, recited poetry and quaffed fine wines in the clubs dining room renowned for its mechanical punkah a series of curtain-like fans adopted from colonial India that sway back-and-forth from the ceiling. Sir Robert Menzies, pictured with Queen Elizabeth in 1954, was the Savage Clubs longest-serving president. Credit: Fairfax photographic Sir Robert Menzies was the clubs longest-serving president, from 1947 to 1962, when he made regular trips from the Lodge to wine committee meetings and long lunches. Comedian Barry Humphries was another prominent patron of the secretive club named after 18th-century English poet Richard Savage, along with renowned painters Sir Arthur Streeton, Sir John Longstaff, Tom Roberts, Fred McCubbin and William Dargie. Liberal party powerbrokers Michael Kroger, John Elliott and Ted Baillieu were regular attendees of the clubs Bank Place base, which is adorned with Indigenous art and other artefacts of dubious provenance, including a 2000-year-old Egyptian human skull. Advertisement In 2005, Elliott forced the clubs hierarchy to defy its motto of Harmonia et Sodalitas which translates to Harmony and Brotherhood when his membership was abruptly cancelled following bankruptcy and his dramatic fall from grace. Former senator George Brandis, KC, was mocked in parliament over his membership and asked to sing the club song and demonstrate the club initiation ceremony to the chamber. But the notion of good fellowship has never been extended to more than 50 per cent of the population by the clubs exclusively male patronage, who refer to each other as Brother Savages. The Savage Club facade on Bank Place. Credit: Penny Stephens While women are permitted to enter as guests at certain times and can attend private functions, the Savages have stridently opposed any push to admit women on an equal basis. Membership has slumped to less than 500, down from 580 in 2017, with almost 70 per cent of the men now aged over 60. The clubs finances are a black hole, rather than opaque, aside from a rare leak in 2017 that revealed a loss of $114,900, but $1.6 million in the bank and almost $800,000 in reserve. Advertisement But while cultural and social institutions around the globe have embraced inclusiveness by actively targeting a younger and more diverse crowd, the Melbourne Savage Club has steadfastly resisted change. Even Londons famed Garrick Club founded in 1831 with a similar ethos to the Savage Club voted for the first time in May to accept women. UK actress Dame Judi Dench was fast-tracked membership in July. The Age requested an interview with Savage Club president David McCubbin, who did not respond. The club and its members have observed a long-held convention not to discuss its affairs with the media, despite having several current and former journalists and media executives among its ranks. The Age has seen a recent members satisfaction survey, previously reported by The Guardian, which underscores the clubs staunch commitment to the status quo. The findings of the survey conducted between December 2023 and January 2024 were circulated among members by McCubbin last May and revealed only 183 card-carrying savages responded from the clubs 458 members. Advertisement Just four respondents supported women being admitted as members. While many favoured welcoming more women as guests, the majority of respondents were opposed to granting women access to the bar, while most also opposed a relaxation of the clubs strict dress code. Loading In the correspondence sent to members, McCubbin stated he was determined to ask members their satisfaction with the club and what changes, if any, they would wish to see. We should consider setting aside the room next to the [Third World Bar] for mixed dining when not in use for private functions. This would enliven the use of the club more often, one respondent said. Encourage younger members to dine with their lady guests. A relatively little used basement known to all as the Yorick Tavern could also be opened to women guests, according to another member. Advertisement Some suggested tweaks to the clubs lunch menu of traditional English fare, including having an international dish available. A Chinese or Indian would be popular, one wrote. Comedian, writer and artist Bryan Dawe has been a member of the Savage Club for decades. The 76-year-old concedes the menu could use an overhaul, but argues theres still a place for private clubs for men, or women. Bryan Dawe is a member of the club. Credit: Arsineh Houspian Men need to talk to each other, and its always been a place where you could do that. Youre forbidden from discussing business, and youre not permitted to use phones ... its an earlier version of the mens shed, Dawe said. I really only have good things to say and good memories of the place. He cites a recent meeting with a prominent surgeon in the clubs dining room, where the pair discussed a heart attack Dawe suffered while living in Morocco, requiring triple bypass surgery. Advertisement Loading I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success, he declared. A tide of change is sweeping the country. The world put on notice Trump sent a warning to the world that he would once again pursue an America First agenda but with even more vigour than during his first presidential term. He did not mention taking control of Greenland or turning Canada into the 51st American state but insisted his administration would be taking back the Panama Canal, the crucial trade passage the United States handed over to Panama in 1977. Trump said the US had been treated very badly by Panama, and that American ships were being severely overcharged. Donald Trump signs documents in the Presidents Room at the US Capitol. Credit: AP He added: And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didnt give it to China; we gave it to Panama, and were taking it back. Trump also vowed to use tariffs on foreign goods to boost the American Treasury, including by setting up an External Revenue Service to raise funds from overseas. Tearing up the Biden era Trump revealed he would sign a blitz of executive orders to quickly establish his presence in the White House and sweep away key policies from the Biden administration. In particular, Bidens focus on green energy and tackling climate change is being speedily dismantled. Trumps declaration of a national energy emergency will encourage fossil fuel companies to expand oil and gas extraction that is to drill, baby, drill in Trumps words. Trump also revealed he would scrap Bidens electric vehicle mandate, a rule that required car manufacturers to cut greenhouse gas emissions by half in new light- and medium-duty vehicles from 2027. The White House also confirmed that Trump would, as he did in his first term, withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, the global pact to fight climate change. An end to wokeism in the White House Incoming presidents usually use their inaugural addresses to deliver a unifying and uplifting message. Trump, however, was determined to touch upon the hot-button social and cultural issues that have made him a hero to conservative Americans and reviled by progressives. His message: the White House is no longer woke. Loading This week, I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life, Trump said. We will forge a society that is colour-blind and merit-based. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female. A rare moment of unity The Democrats who attended Trumps inauguration including outgoing president Joe Biden and his deputy, Kamala Harris largely stayed stuck to their seats during his address as Republicans leapt to their feet to applaud. That changed when Trump turned to the Middle East and celebrated the return of Israeli hostages who had been held in Gaza for over a year. Biden, Harris and other Democrats stood up to applaud, reflecting the fact the incoming and outgoing administrations had worked together on the ceasefire deal. Trump has vowed to stop foreign wars and celebrated his role in helping implement a ceasefire in Gaza. A peacemaker and a unifier, thats what I want to be, Trump said. A second speech For a president who loves the spotlight, one inauguration speech was not enough. After delivering his official speech, read from a teleprompter, Trump gave an off-the-cuff speech to supporters in Emancipation Hall. Donald Trump, flanked by J.D. Vance (left) and House Speaker Mike Johnson, gave a second, edgier speech to supporters in Emancipation Hall. Credit: AP JERUSALEM, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- China kept its position as Israel's largest source of commodity imports for the fifth consecutive year in 2024, according to data issued by Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday. Israeli imports from China reached a record high of 13.53 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, a 19.8-percent increase from the 11.29 billion dollars in 2023. In December, Israeli imports from China nearly doubled year-on-year, reaching 2 billion dollars, up from 1.12 billion dollars in December 2023. The United States is Israel's second-largest source of imports, supplying commodities worth 9.22 billion dollars in 2024. Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands followed in the rankings. Israeli imports from the United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, totalled 2.75 billion dollars in 2024. On the other hand, Israeli imports from Turkiye dropped by about 56 percent year-on-year in 2024, primarily due to mutual trade restrictions imposed amid escalating tensions between the two countries over the Israel-Hamas conflict. For the same reason, Israeli exports to Turkiye are expected to drop by 61 percent in 2024. The United States remains the largest recipient of Israeli exports, totaling 17.2 billion dollars. Ireland follows with 3.23 billion dollars, and China ranks third with 2.81 billion dollars. The Netherlands, Germany, and India followed in the rankings. Under the framework of the EU-WCO RoO Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, the World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the German Alliance for Trade Facilitation, through GIZ, held a national Training of Trainers workshop on Rules of Origin for Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). The workshop, which also saw the participation of the Posta Corporation of Kenya, was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 13 to 17 January 2025 with the objective to assist Kenya in enhancing its knowledge and application of preferential Rules of Origin and contribute to a seamless implementation of the AfCFTA and other relevant FTAs. The workshop was conducted as part of a comprehensive technical assistance and partnership with KRA and GIZ and builds on the acquis from intermediate and advanced trainings conducted since 2023. The support provided under the RoO Africa Programme allows for the deployment of wide-ranging capacity building activities, to enhance the infrastructure and capacity of KRA on Rules of Origin. The workshop provided participants with an opportunity to refine their knowledge of Rules of Origin, while also enhancing their skills in designing and delivering effective training sessions. The workshop offered the participants a unique opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of origin-related topics through group and individual presentations, incorporating facilitation and communication skills acquired from WCO experts. At the conclusion of the workshop, the WCO experts offered constructive feedback to participants, highlighting areas for improvement and praising their success in applying newly acquired skills to develop training materials and deliver a training session. The EU-WCO HS and RoO Africa Programmes will continue their work with Kenya Customs to equip Customs officials and relevant stakeholders with extended knowledge for efficient implementation and application of Rules of Origin. For further information please contact EU-WCORoOAfrica.Program@wcoomd.org Chinese doctors led by Professor Pan Xiangbin (2nd R) of China's Fuwai Hospital, together with their Tanzanian colleagues, perform a cardiovascular surgery on a child at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) by Hua Hongli, Lucas Liganga DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tears of joy flowed freely as Husna Shabaan Kingwande learned that her three-year-old son Ikram's heart surgery had been a success. The procedure at the Chinese-built Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Dar es Salaam, a major city on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast, marked a significant step in introducing advanced Chinese medical technology to Tanzania. Ikram was one of five children, aged between three and seven, who underwent cardiovascular surgeries using the PAN-Procedure, a minimally invasive technique pioneered by Professor Pan Xiangbin of China's Fuwai Hospital. This revolutionary procedure, which relies on ultrasound imaging rather than traditional fluoroscopy, treats cardiovascular diseases through peripheral blood vessels without requiring open-heart surgery or radiation exposure. The surgeries were conducted by a team of five Chinese medical experts, six Tanzanian specialists from the JKCI, and one member of the 27th Chinese medical team stationed at the institute. For Kingwande, a 22-year-old native of Tanzania's Coast region, her son's successful operation means a brighter future for the boy, who was diagnosed nine months ago. "I wholeheartedly thank the Chinese doctors and their Tanzanian counterparts for giving my son a new lease on life," she said, tears streaming down her face. Her gratitude was echoed by Ajili Anthony Msunza, a father of two from the Mbeya region, whose five-year-old daughter Noreen was among the young patients. "This new technology has rekindled hope for heart patients in Tanzania," he said. Violet Samuel Mkonwa, a 40-year-old mother from Shinyanga, northern Tanzania, expressed relief that her five-year-old son Emmanuel could now look forward to attending school without health complications. The PAN-Procedure represents a significant advance in interventional cardiology. During a training session at the JKCI, Pan explained that the technique allows patients to remain conscious during treatment, eliminating the need for radiation-intensive catheter labs. "This procedure is not only safer and more effective but also makes cardiac intervention accessible in community clinics," he said. The training session attracted about 50 Tanzanian cardiologists, including Theophylly Ludovick, a pediatrician at the JKCI who was recently trained in China on PAN-Procedure techniques. Ludovick emphasized the procedure's potential in addressing Tanzania's significant burden of cardiovascular diseases, with one in 100 children suffering from congenital heart defects. "This collaboration between China and Tanzania is a vital step in saving lives and strengthening bilateral ties," he said. Peter Kisenge, the executive director of the JKCI, highlighted the institute's longstanding partnership with China, formalized through a memorandum of understanding with Fuwai Hospital. The agreement includes screening and treating children with congenital heart diseases and advanced training for JKCI staff. Over 1,000 children have since been screened, with several undergoing successful PAN-Procedure interventions. Kisenge said the new technology could significantly boost the institute's capacity, increasing the number of annual procedures from 783 to over 2,000. "This innovation not only addresses the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases but also strengthens the bond between China and Tanzania," he said. Since its establishment in 2013, with support from the Chinese government, the JKCI has become the largest and most advanced cardiovascular treatment center in East Africa. The introduction of cutting-edge technology like the PAN-Procedure continues to build on its legacy, offering hope to thousands of Tanzanian families and fostering a deeper connection between the two nations. Chinese doctors led by Professor Pan Xiangbin (4th R) of China's Fuwai Hospital, together with their Tanzanian colleagues, perform a cardiovascular surgery on a child at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) A young Tanzanian father holds his daughter before her heart surgery at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) Husna Shabaan Kingwande, mother of Ikram, speaks with Xinhua after her child's successful heart surgery at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Flight AT230, operated by Royal Air Maroc, arrived at Beijing Daxing International Airport at 11:55 a.m. on Tuesday, marking the resumption of the direct air route linking Morocco's Casablanca and Beijing. According to staff of Royal Air Maroc, which is headquartered in Morocco, the direct route will be operated three times a week. It was originally launched in January 2020 but suspended just a few weeks later. Flights departing from Casablanca will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 4:20 p.m. local time, arriving at Beijing Daxing International Airport at 11:55 a.m. (Beijing Time) the following day. Flights from Beijing will depart on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 1:55 p.m. (Beijing Time), arriving in Casablanca at 8:10 p.m. local time the following day. "We are thrilled to resume the first direct route connecting Morocco and China. The Casablanca-Beijing flight is instrumental in boosting Moroccan tourism, with 80 percent of the traffic expected to consist of international tourists. This route will also help further strengthen the economic and trade ties between our two countries," said Abdelhamid ADDOU, chairman of the board and CEO of Royal Air Maroc. JUBA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Two United Nations agencies on Tuesday expressed concern about the increase of people arriving in South Sudan in need of protection and assistance, which worsened the ongoing humanitarian and displacement crisis sparked by nearly two years of fighting. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that more than one million people have so far arrived in South Sudan, having fled the conflict in Sudan which began in mid-April 2023. UNHCR South Sudan Deputy Representative Sanaa Abdalla Omer said the arrival of over a million people into South Sudan is a stark and sobering statistic and truly shows the increasing scale of this crisis. "Every day more families are still being forced to make the difficult choice to flee the violence in Sudan and seek safety across the border," Omer said in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, during the launch of new data published by the two UN agencies. "We urge the international community to step up support and ensure that both displaced families and host communities receive desperately needed support," the UNHCR official added. According to the UN report, most of the one million who have arrived are South Sudanese nationals who had been living in Sudan, many of whom had previously fled South Sudan's civil war and sought refuge in Sudan. It noted that thousands of Sudanese nationals displaced for the first time by the ongoing violence, along with nationals from other countries residing in Sudan, have also sought safety in South Sudan. IOM South Sudan Chief of Mission Vijaya Souri said the UN agency is committed to addressing the urgent needs of those forced to flee into South Sudan and stands ready to scale up its response as the crisis in Sudan continues to unfold. The UN agencies expressed grave concern over this new displacement threshold in the crisis and have ramped up lifesaving humanitarian interventions since the war broke out. "The scale of displacement triggered by the war in Sudan, which is not decreasing but increasing highlights the urgent need for more humanitarian support and funding." Concurrent enrollment gives Weber State student two-year head start on goal to become attorney January 21, 2025 OGDEN, Utah Georgia Fox is kind of in her first year at Weber State University, but officially has more than two years under her belt. Fox graduated high school with both a diploma and an associates degree from WSU thanks to concurrent enrollment. She attended the Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering & Science, better known as NUAMES, which has classroom space on both the WSU Ogden and Davis campuses. Thats where she developed a love for history and political science. Id been taking a history class from a teacher whos also a Weber State professor with a masters in political science, Fox said. After that class, I looked up what kind of careers you can have in political science. On a list that included lobbyists and congressional aids, Fox zeroed in on law. There was definitely an aha moment. I realized law school is something I could do. Today, 19-year-old Fox is studying political science with a minor in legal studies, a common path to law school. She said concurrent enrollment gave her a huge head start. Im so glad I took advantage of that opportunity, she said. Switching from NUAMES to Weber State was super easy, and there were so many perks to staying at Weber. Weber State is home to over 16,000 concurrent enrollment students more than any other college in Utah. Nationally, WSU ranks highest in CE students among four-year colleges, according to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Fox said her professors are super engaging. Her favorite class this semester is Legal Environment of Business, taught by a professor whos also an attorney. As part of her 16-credit course load, Fox is also taking a ballet class, which she hopes will refine her skills in figure skating a hobby she adopted last year. Shes currently gearing up for her first competition in February. The Davis County native said she expects to graduate again from WSU in 2026, this time with her bachelors degree. Then, because she loves cold weather, shed like to go to law school in either Utah or Canada. Im open to possibilities, she said. Id like to be either a copyright attorney or a civil attorney who deals with things like divorce cases. BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- It's necessary for high-level Chinese and American officials to maintain contact in an appropriate way, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Tuesday. The spokesperson made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked if China will consider dropping the sanctions against Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was sanctioned by China in 2020 and has been confirmed as the next secretary of state under the Trump administration. "China will firmly defend national interests," Guo said, noting that in the meantime, it's necessary for high-level Chinese and American officials to maintain contact in an appropriate way. Gardai are continuing to investigate a serious incident of criminal damage that occurred at the former Sisters of Mercy Convent in Ballina. A spokesperson for the Garda Press Office said last Friday around 8.35pm, they received a report of criminal damage to the premises located at Convent Hill. Multiple windows in the property were damaged in the incident, many of which were designed and built well over a century ago and the incident has been strongly condemned in the local community. Local councillor and chairman of the Ballina Convent Regeneration Mark Duffy said the incident was disheartening but the community will not stop in their efforts to restore the historic building which was built in 1867. Its disheartening to see vandals damage a building that volunteers from the community are spending thousands of volunteer hours to save it from ruin, he told the Western People. We will not be deterred from our efforts in saving one of the most historically and culturally significant buildings in Ballina from decline. Cllr Duffy said a lot of false information has been spread online about the Convent revival, conflating the community-led project with unconfirmed rumours of an International Protection Applicants (IPAS) centre being set-up at the site of the former St Marys Secondary School nearby. A Section 5 Planning Application to accommodate IPAS was approved for the St Marys site late last year, however the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth told the Western People last month they are not currently considering using this site for accommodating IPAS. Furthermore, the St Marys site is currently in private ownership and has no connection to the Sisters of Mercy Convent, which was handed over to the community last year. Since then, an intensive renovation process has been underway that has seen the roof of the building saved from collapse as well as works carried out to arrest wet and dry rot that threatened the future of the building. Disinformation and agitation for political purposes online in portraying the community led project as something other than for the benefit of Ballina is extremely harmful and risks destroying a wonderful project, said Cllr Duffy. We implore the Ballina community to support the project and reject bad faith actors who have used images of the convent to create confusion about its purpose. We are also let down by a complete lack of communication from department officials in relation to proposals for the St. Marys Secondary school, he added. Garda enquiries into the incident at the Sisters of Mercy Convent are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact Ballina Garda Station at 096 20550. A Mayo TD has said the home insurance 'rip' off of homeowners in the county must be tackled. Mayo homeowners pay the third highest level of home insurance in the country, just behind Leitrim and Roscommon. Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway-Walsh said the costs are unfair and unjustified. This makes no sense on a number of fronts. Firstly, how can a home valued over 1 million in Dalkey have an average insurance cost of 537 while a 275,000 home in Mayo be charged 694. Surely, replacing the Dalkey home would cost more than the Mayo Home. Secondly, Insurance companies continue to announce massive increases in their profit margins. The promised reform is of no use to policy holders unless their insurance costs are reduced. The purpose of any reform in the insurance sector should be to reduce costs for consumers, not to bolster the profits of the insurance industry. Sinn Feins Judicial Council (Amendment) Bill would hold the industry to account and put pressure on insurers to lower prices by requiring them to disclose how they have or have not passed on the savings made by the personal injuries guidelines to their customers euro for euro," said Deputy Conway-Walsh. Insurance Ireland and the insurance companies must now come before the Finance Oireachtas Committee to explain the discrepancies between counties as well as the overall cost of home insurance. The raw data the insurance companies are using to demand extortionate prices from home owners must be made available and must be explained," the Erris-based TD added. A new storm could bring snow and damaging winds to parts of Ireland later this week. Storm Eowyn is forecast to track across the country on Thursday night and Friday, with forecasters warning that its ultimate path remains to be seen. The deepening low pressure system is expected to bring very strong to gale force winds across the country, Met Eireann said. Met Eireann said the storm, which has been named by the UK Met Office, has the potential for damaging wind gusts and disruption in places. It added: Transitory falls of sleet and snow are expected too, especially across west and north-west counties. High seas and spells of heavy rain are expected also. Met Eireann said it was continuously monitoring the evolving situation and that weather warnings will be issued as confidence in the forecast of the storm improves. The UK Met Office has issued a Yellow Wind warning for Northern Ireland due to Storm Eowyn. It said the storm is expected to pass close to or across the north-west of the UK on Friday, before clearing to the north-east on Saturday. Whilst there is some uncertainty in the track of Eowyn, a spell of very strong winds is likely, initially south-easterly before turning westerly, with peak gusts of 60-70 mph inland and 80-90 mph along some coasts and hills (perhaps even higher in a few locations). A Garda car passes cleared snow and ice on Slade More Road in Co. Dublin earlier this month (Brian Lawless/PA) The warning for Northern Ireland is in place for all of Friday, and comes with the advisory that power cuts are likely to occur. It is also likely to affect road, rail, air and ferry services. The Met Office said there is a chance that there could be some damage to buildings or that power lines may come down. It added: Injuries and danger to life could occur from flying debris, as well as large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties. Earlier this month, tens of thousands of people were left without access to electricity and power amid a cold snap on the island of Ireland. Plummeting temperatures and icy travel conditions resulted in transport disruption, the closure of some schools, and curtailment of certain healthcare services. Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin via video meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said he is willing to work with Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue guiding bilateral relations towards a new height in the new year. Speaking with Putin in a video meeting, Xi called for coping with uncertainties of the external environment with the stability and resilience of China-Russia relations, jointly promoting the development and revitalization of the two countries, and upholding international fairness and justice. The two heads of state exchanged festive greetings for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. Xi recalled the three meetings he had with Putin last year, which led to a range of important common understandings. He also said last year marked the 75th anniversary of the China-Russia diplomatic relations, which feature permanent good-neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation, and have become increasingly dynamic. Xi also mentioned various activities held as part of the China-Russia Years of Culture, as well as steadily progressing pragmatic cooperation and growing bilateral trade. The close coordination between the two countries on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations (UN), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS has provided more positive energy for the reform and development of the global governance system, Xi said. He called on the two sides to continue deepening strategic coordination, firming up mutual support, and safeguarding the legitimate interests of the two countries. China and Russia should consolidate and expand bilateral relations and push for in-depth development of practical cooperation, Xi added. He noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victories of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. China and Russia should take this as an opportunity to jointly defend the UN-centered international system and the outcomes of victory in World War II, promote all countries' adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, uphold the universally recognized basic norms governing international relations, and practice true multilateralism, Xi stressed. He said as the rotating chair of the SCO, China is willing to work with Russia and other member states to usher in a new phase of the SCO featuring higher-quality development and greater responsibility. Xi also called on the two countries to jointly advance greater BRICS cooperation and write a new chapter of unity and self-improvement for the Global South. Putin said that Russia and China have always provided each other with trust and support, and treated each other as equals. Cooperation between the two sides is in the interests of the two peoples and has been unaffected by changes in the international landscape. He expressed satisfaction with the sustained positive momentum in bilateral trade and energy cooperation, the constant increase in mutual visits by people of the two countries, and the close communication and collaboration between the two sides on multilateral arenas. Putin said Russia firmly upholds the principle that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and resolutely opposes "Taiwan independence" in any form. He noted that 80 years ago, the Russian and Chinese people resisted aggressors with their blood and lives, safeguarding their national sovereignty and dignity. He said that this year, the two sides will jointly commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and defend the outcomes of World War II. Russia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China on multilateral affairs, and play a positive role in promoting world peace and development, Putin added. The two heads of state also engaged in in-depth discussions on international and regional issues of common concern, and agreed to maintain strategic communication in the new year. Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin via video meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin via video meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin via video meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIRUT, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Mohammed Hammadi, a senior Hezbollah official, was assassinated on Tuesday afternoon in Lebanon's Western Bekaa region, according to a source in the Lebanese Internal Security Forces. The source told Xinhua that "unidentified gunmen, traveling in two vehicles, opened fire at Sheikh Mohammed Hammadi while he was standing outside his home in the town of Machghara, eastern Lebanon." Hammadi sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to a hospital in the nearby town of Sohmor, where he succumbed to his injuries, the source added. In response, Lebanese army units swiftly cordoned off Machghara, setting up fixed and mobile checkpoints across towns in Western Bekaa and launching a wide-scale manhunt for the assailants. Hezbollah has yet to issue an official statement regarding the assassination. According to security sources, Machghara, located in Lebanon's Western Bekaa, still suffered from Israeli airstrikes despite the ceasefire agreement. ALGIERS, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Algerian Defense Ministry announced late on Tuesday the reception of a Spanish hostage who had been kidnapped in the south of the country, near the border with Mali. The ministry said in a statement that army security services received Spanish citizen Gilbert Navarro, and confirmed that he was safe and sound. Navarro, who was on a tourist trip, was abducted on Jan. 14 in the Algerian-Malian border region, within Algeria's 6th Military Region, by an armed group of five individuals, the statement said. Navarro's release was announced earlier Tuesday by the Azawad Liberation Front, a coalition of Tuareg separatist groups in northern Mali. Following his release, Navarro was flown from the Tin Zouatin Airport in southern Algeria on a private aircraft to the Boufarik military airbase, 40 km south of Algiers, according to the ministry. KIGALI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Health experts and researchers attending the second International Conference on Neglected Tropical Diseases Research in Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, on Tuesday called for effective collaboration and strong investments to eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Africa. Speaking at the conference's formal opening, Noella Bigirimana, deputy director of the Rwanda Biomedical Center, emphasized the need for multi-sectoral collaboration through a One Health approach to eliminate NTDs. "I call for strengthened multi-sectoral collaboration through the One Health Approach, which will not only contribute to the elimination of NTDs but also help achieve the World Health Organization (WHO) NTD Roadmap targets, the Sustainable Development Goals, and other continental and global strategic objectives," she said. John Amuasi, executive director of the African Research Network for NTDs, highlighted that NTDs continue to pose significant threats to rural communities across Africa, perpetuating cycles of poverty and hindering socioeconomic development. He said that these diseases, often overlooked and underfunded, disproportionately affect vulnerable populations in remote and underserved areas with limited access to basic healthcare, sanitation, and clean water. Patrick Lammie, director of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center, underscored the importance of a multi-faceted approach to eliminate NTDs, involving strong collaboration, robust research, and sustained investment. "Collaboration is crucial at all levels, from international partnerships and governmental initiatives to community engagement and local healthcare delivery," he said. The conference, which brought together over 500 researchers, academics, and policymakers, aimed to explore innovative strategies to bridge the gap between research and implementation. It sought to ensure that knowledge translates into impactful solutions to combat NTDs. Running from Jan. 20 to 22 under the theme "Partnering to Eliminate NTDs," the conference focuses on showcasing research that enhances NTD program implementation, prioritizing operational research to drive targeted funding and policy action, and fostering partnerships between African researchers and global stakeholders. Speaking at the event, Mosoka Papa Fallah, acting director of Science, Research, and Innovation at the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, commended Africa's progress in eliminating NTDs. "When a country has a clear target, a dedicated government approach, and robust collaboration mechanisms, we can successfully eliminate these diseases," he said, emphasizing the critical role of national targets, strong governmental leadership, and effective collaboration in achieving elimination goals. The three-day conference features plenary sessions, technical symposia, breakout discussions, workshops, an innovation lab, and a poster tour. Areas of focus include integrating NTD programs for sustainability, advancing trachoma and onchocerciasis elimination, research on skin-related NTDs like Buruli ulcer and leprosy, a One Health approach for human and animal health, and leveraging geostatistical tools and artificial intelligence for better surveillance and intervention. NTDs are a diverse group of conditions prevalent in tropical areas, thriving among impoverished communities. Caused by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and toxins, NTDs have devastating health, social, and economic consequences, according to the WHO. Significant progress has been made over the past decade. The population requiring NTD interventions decreased 31 percent between 2010 and 2023, from 2.19 billion to less than 1.5 billion. By the end of 2024, 54 countries had eliminated at least one NTD, according to the WHO. Israeli police work at the scene of a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 21, 2025. Four people were injured late Tuesday in a stabbing attack in central Tel Aviv. The attacker, identified as a Moroccan-born U.S. permanent resident, was shot and "neutralized." (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) JERUSALEM, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Four people were injured late Tuesday in a stabbing attack in central Tel Aviv. The attacker, identified as a Moroccan-born U.S. permanent resident, was shot and "neutralized." Police Spokesman Aryeh Doron said the assailant, trying to flee the scene, was shot by a civilian passerby, and was "neutralized." Meanwhile, Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported that the suspect was killed and published photos of documents found on his body. The documents indicated he was born in Morocco in June 1995 and had held U.S. permanent resident status since September 2022 -- an uncommon profile among individuals involved in attacks targeting Israelis. The suspect had entered Israel three days before the attack. Eli Bin, director-general of the Magen David Adom rescue service, said two people sustained moderate injuries and two others were lightly injured. All four were taken to a hospital for treatment. The attack comes after a similar incident on Saturday, when a knife-wielding Palestinian man from the occupied West Bank city of Tulkarm carried out a stabbing attack in southern Tel Aviv, seriously injuring a 28-year-old Israeli man. That assailant was shot and killed. The attack occurred just hours after the military announced the launch of a "significant" operation in Jenin, a Palestinian city in the northern West Bank. At least eight people were killed, according to Palestinian health officials, two days after a ceasefire agreement took effect in Gaza, which ended 15 months of Israeli military operations in the enclave. Israeli police and security personnel work at the scene of a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 21, 2025. Four people were injured late Tuesday in a stabbing attack in central Tel Aviv. The attacker, identified as a Moroccan-born U.S. permanent resident, was shot and "neutralized." (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) The body of the attacker is transferred to a vehicle at the scene of a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 21, 2025. Four people were injured late Tuesday in a stabbing attack in central Tel Aviv. The attacker, identified as a Moroccan-born U.S. permanent resident, was shot and "neutralized." (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) Israeli police stand guard at the scene of a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 21, 2025. Four people were injured late Tuesday in a stabbing attack in central Tel Aviv. The attacker, identified as a Moroccan-born U.S. permanent resident, was shot and "neutralized." (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) Israeli security forces work at the scene of a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 21, 2025. Four people were injured late Tuesday in a stabbing attack in central Tel Aviv. The attacker, identified as a Moroccan-born U.S. permanent resident, was shot and "neutralized." (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) DOHA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A Qatari Armed Forces plane carrying 28 tons of humanitarian aid, including essential food supplies, landed in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Tuesday, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The aid, part of Qatar's ongoing air bridge initiative to support the Syrian people, is provided by the Qatar Fund for Development, a government entity focused on improving global livelihoods, the ministry said. It marks the seventh aid plane to land at Damascus International Airport and the 12th dispatched under the Qatari air bridge initiative, the ministry said. According to a report by Syrian state television, Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani arrived in Damascus on Thursday, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations since the fall of the previous Syrian government in December 2024. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, takes part in an annual gathering with non-CPC personages ahead of the Spring Festival at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 20, 2025. The event was also attended by Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee. Both are also members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. [Xinhua/Yan Yan] BEIJING, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday extended festive greetings to people from non-CPC political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), personages without party affiliation, and other members of the united front ahead of the Spring Festival. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, sent the greetings when he took part in an annual gathering with non-CPC personages at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Jan. 29 this year. Reviewing the achievements of 2024, Xi said that China had overcome difficulties to forge ahead, accomplishing the year's major objectives and tasks for economic and social development. "We have guided all sectors at all levels to correctly grasp favorable conditions and handle unfavorable factors, maintained strategic resolve, and strengthened our confidence in victory," he said. Xi noted that China had effectively implemented various policies, introduced a package of incremental measures, and steadily promoted high-quality development. The economy has shown signs of recovery, achieving a 5-percent GDP growth, he added. A series of new breakthroughs have been made at the forefront of science and technology, significantly driving the development of new quality productive forces, Xi observed. He highlighted efforts in further comprehensively deepening reform, maintaining world peace and stability, promoting human development and progress, and improving Party and government conduct. Xi also emphasized the robust development of the cause of multiparty cooperation. Xi said China will implement more proactive and impactful macro policies, focus on high-quality development and promote greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology to maintain sound momentum for social and economic development in 2025. Xi called on non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC, and personages without party affiliation to focus on the central tasks, serve the overall interests of the country, and leverage their respective strengths to more broadly rally support, build consensus, and pool wisdom and strength. He stressed that efforts should be made in 2025 to successfully accomplish the targets set in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and lay a solid foundation for the next five years. Xi expressed the expectation that non-CPC personages will pool all positive elements to advance development, and actively contribute to further deepening reform comprehensively, promoting high-quality development and formulating the proposal on the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). He also emphasized focusing on critical and difficult problems when engaging in the supervision of the protection of the Yangtze River ecosystem. The ACFIC should guide the private sector to maintain their enthusiasm for entrepreneurship, bolster confidence in development, and establish and improve the modern corporate system with distinctive Chinese features, Xi said. The event was also attended by Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee. Both are also members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Lei Yang Weather Alert ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 1 AM CDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From 1 PM Friday to 1 AM CDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. && BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- China opposes the U.S. interfering in Cuba's internal affairs in the name of freedom, democracy and counterterrorism, and once again urges the U.S. to lift its blockade against Cuba at once, remove Cuba from the list of "state sponsors of terrorism" and act in the interest of improving U.S.-Cuba relations and keeping the Western Hemisphere peaceful and stable, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Tuesday. The spokesperson made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on U.S. President Donald Trump returning Cuba to the list of countries sponsoring terrorism just hours after taking office. "We've noted that," Guo said, adding that repeatedly using the so-called list of "state sponsors of terrorism" to impose unilateral sanctions against Cuba is completely groundless. It fully exposes the U.S. hegemonic, domineering and bullying nature. Guo added that the U.S. removed Cuba's designation and then reinstated it just six days later, as if it were something to be toyed with. It makes people question the credibility of the U.S. as a country. "The U.S.'s full blockade on Cuba over the past six decades or so seriously violates international law and basic norms governing international relations, and has wreaked havoc on Cuba's economy and people's livelihood," Guo said. Just days after the October 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian militants, the Israeli press, amplified by the mainstream international media, was publishing horrific stories of the mass and systematic rape and sexual abuse of Israeli women. There were even claims that the Palestinians had been given explicit orders to carry out rape. This was alongside lurid and mendacious claims about the slaughter, beheading, and, in one instance, cooking in an oven of babies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu utilised the claims to denounce Hamas savagery and justify Israels war of annihilation against the Palestinians in Gaza. Palestinians look for survivors following Israeli airstrike in Nusseirat refugee camp, Gaza Strip, October 31, 2023. [AP Photo/Doaa AlBaz] Now after 14 months of appeals for witnesses and evidence, Israeli prosecutor Moran Gaz has admitted her department has no evidence of any rapes or sexual assaults and is not filing any such cases for prosecution against the Palestinian attackers held in Israeli jails. Until recently, Gaz headed Israels Southern Prosecutors Office and was a member of the team investigating the militants arrested during the attack. Speaking in an interview at the end of last month with the Israeli online daily Ynet, Gaz said that despite all their investigations, In the end, we have no complainants. No one came forward to give evidence. We contacted womens rights organizations and asked for cooperation. They told us that they [those allegedly abused] simply did not contact them. Apparently, no one came forward to give evidence, even confidentially. Gaz said that in such circumstances, it would be very difficult to obtain justice, particularly for sexual offenses, and asked the public to lower their expectations. She said that the vast majority of them will not be able to meet the threshold of proof in court, and the criticism will ultimately come to the prosecutors officeunjustly. Coming from someone like Gaz who believes that the Palestinians detained by Israel during the October 7 attack have no right to live, this can only mean that Israel does not have one iota of evidence to substantiate the rape or sexual abuse claims. Once again, Israels propaganda about Hamas savagery, rape, mutilations and beheaded babies that it put out to justify the slaughter and maiming of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians has been revealed as a tissue of lies. But there has been little or no mention of Gazs admission in the mainstream media. There was no forensic examination of the October 7 victims by the Israeli authorities. They were buried immediately, making it impossible to determine whether they had been subjected to abuse, how they had died or at whose hands. The United Nations panel, led by Pramila Patten, that looked into the rape allegations last March stated explicitly that as far as the first day of the raid was concerned (the raid and the Israeli response lasted from early Saturday morning till Monday evening), they had been unable to verify any sexual violence. Three of Israels claims were positively disproved and the rest were unverified, with many based on the inaccurate and unreliable claims of a group of people who didnt know what they were talking about. Furthermore, without forensic evidence and survivor testimony, it was impossible to determine the scope and veracity of other claims of sexual violence. There were lurid claims of rape and sexual violence at the Nova rave and on the way back to Gaza. These had earlier been shown to be nonsensical given the timing of events, the known movements of the victims and the constant firing by Israeli helicopter gunships. Such was the firepower that around 360 of the Israeli victims were felled by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), not Palestinian fighters. Furthermore, the original Israeli death toll was reduced to around 1,140 when more than 200 burned corpses were found to be Palestinian not Israeli. The site of a music festival near the border with the Gaza Strip is seen on Thursday, October 12, 2023. [AP Photo/Erik Marmor] The UNs report, cited by the international media as evidence of Hamas rape and sexual abuse, was the outcome of a fact-finding mission to verify information. But without a mandate or resources to carry out a full and legal investigation, it was unable to substantiate the allegations beyond reasonable doubt. It is telling that just last week Israel blocked a request from the UN panel to carry out a further probe of the October 7 rape allegations, reportedly to avoid any scrutiny of rape and other abuse committed by Israeli forces against Palestinians languishing in Israeli jails, typically without charge. It prompted Israeli womens rights groups to warn that this could lead to Israel, instead of Hamas, being added to the UNs sexual violence blacklist. According to a report in Haaretz, in addition to investigating alleged sexual violence by Hamas, Patten had demandedand was refusedaccess to Israeli prisons to investigate sex crimes allegations against the IDF. The report by the Israeli human rights group BTselem, Welcome to Hell: The Israeli Prison System as a Network of Torture Camps, has documented in great detail Israels systemic policy of abusing and torturing thousands of Palestinians in its custody. The Israeli prosecutors acknowledgement that there is no evidence of rape and sexual abuse comes after Al Jazeera demonstrated that the lengthy report in December 2023 by the New York Times and similar media outlets of sexual abuse that garnered massive publicity was based on false or unreliable sources. But the lack of evidence did not stop Netanyahu and his fascistic cabinet colleagues parroting the claims, or the media continuing to give them ample coverage. Israels entire narrative surrounding the events of October 7 has been shown to be a pack of lies. First of all, far from being unprovoked and coming out of the blue, the attack by Hamas militants was itself the product of countless deliberate provocations aimed at inciting retaliation, as then occurred on October 7. Al-Aqsa Flood provided the casus belli for a pre-planned campaign of mass murder and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians beginning with Gaza and then moving on to the West Bank and including Israels two million Arab citizens. Palestinians bury people murdered in the Israeli bombardment who were brought from the Shifa hospital, in a mass grave in the town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. [AP Photo/Mohammed Dahman] Secondly, there is mounting evidence that Netanyahus government and Israels army and security services knew a military incursion was about to happenEgypt and Israeli soldiers have stated so quite explicitlyand that these warnings were ignored and the security forces stood down. Once the attack took place, large numbers of Israeli casualtiesat least 360resulted from a massive military operation carried out by the IDF that lasted several days, using its infamous and secretive Hannibal Directive. But the exact number can only be confirmed by releasing the results of autopsies that would show the type of bullets used. The Directive, formulated during Israels occupation of southern Lebanon in 1986, aims to prevent the capture of Israelis by enemy forces, even at the cost of their lives. It implies the IDF should kill Israelis rather than allow them to fall into the hands of Hamas. The IDFs massive deployment of firepowerthat included helicopter gunships, tanks, heavy weaponry, hand grenades and armed troopskilled Palestinians, Israeli civilians, hostages and security personnel alike, and caused massive destruction of buildings in towns and villages in southern Israel. Another lie, soon exposed, was that Hamas had planned to attack the Nova music festival, where the largest number of deaths occurred364 people, including 17 police officersand where 40 people were taken hostage. This was impossible as the festival organisers switched sites just two days earlier after the original location fell through. Palestinian fighters only found out about it by accident after the festival was then extended by a day at short notice, even though Israel had received warnings that an attack was imminent. US President Joe Biden had famously to walk back his claim, featured on the front pages of Western newspapers, that he had seen pictures of beheaded children following Hamass attack. White House officials said, The president based his comments about the alleged atrocities on the claims from Netanyahus spokesman and media reports from Israel. Washington, London, Paris and Berlin have regurgitated Israels lies and propaganda aimed at legitimising its mass murder and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians to further their own plans to control the resource-rich Middle East, as part of a global war against Iran, Russia and ultimately China. Netanyahu has reluctantly agreed to a ceasefire and a hostage and prisoner exchange as a result of pressure from incoming President Donald Trumpamid increasing unease among Washingtons Arab allies whose restive populations are seething over the scale of the death and destruction engulfing Gaza. But there is no reason to believe that such a ceasefire will hold. Lebanon has witnessed hundreds of Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement between those two countries since the end of November: including incursions, artillery and tank shelling, the demolition of homes and the flying of drones and warplanes. Furthermore, the IDF has failed to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon as required by the terms of the agreement. There is enormous worldwide opposition both to Netanyahu and his fascist allies horrific war in Gaza and to workers own rotten governments internationally over their collusion with the Zionist butchers. But it needs a political perspective. An end to the genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians requires the repudiation of Zionism and the Jewish apartheid state and the establishment of a multinational state with full equality for its Palestinian and Jewish citizens as part of a United Socialist States of the Middle East. ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A total of 20 Ethiopian migrants, including nine women and 11 men, were killed when their boat capsized off southern Yemeni coast over the weekend, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Tuesday. The vessel, carrying 35 Ethiopian migrants along with a Yemeni captain and his assistant, reportedly departed from the Hammarta area in Djibouti and capsized on Saturday night "amid strong seasonal winds" near Al-Hajjajah in Dubab District, Taiz Governorate, the IOM said in a statement, adding that the survivors have successfully reached the shore. "This tragedy is a grim reminder of the treacherous conditions migrants endure in their search for safety and a better life," the statement quoted IOM's Chief of Mission in Yemen Abdusattor Esoev as saying. "The international community must strengthen its resolve to address the root causes of irregular migration and prioritize the protection and dignity of migrants," Esoev said. Yemen's coastal waters are among the world's most dangerous. According to IOM statistics, more than 60,000 migrant arrivals in Yemen were documented in 2024 alone. Since 2014, 3,435 deaths and disappearances have been recorded along the Eastern Route, including 1,416 lives lost to drowning. On Tuesday, a Yemeni government official, speaking to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, confirmed that "the incident occurred days ago" and said that dozens of people had died, without providing specific casualty figures. The police crackdown on Saturdays national Gaza demonstration in London underscored the need for a political perspective which can animate a mass movement against British imperialism at home and abroad. Jeremy Corbyn speaking in front of the stage banner at the March for Palestine rally, January 18, 2025 But workers and young people could find nothing of the sort from the organisers, the Stop the War Coalition (STWC) and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). Throughout the last 15 months of Gaza protests in the UK, the message from the platform has been the same: that pressure must be placed on the blood-soaked British governmentfirst of Rishi Sunak and now Sir Keir Starmerto withhold support from Benjamin Netanyahu. This Saturday was no different, with protesters encouraged to hold Downing Street and Washington to account over support for a ceasefire which in no way ends the illegal Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and the brutal apartheid regime. Stop the War Coalition leader Lindsey German declared: The ceasefire is only the beginning of justice for the Palestinians. Its only the beginning of what is required. We will keep demonstrating. We will keep protesting. We will hold Starmer and [UK Foreign Secretary David] Lammy to account. Donald Trump is in the White House on Monday and he neednt think that hes going to get a free pass either. Lindsey German speaking at the London protest, January 18, 2025 Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn stated that the demands that weve been making constantly in all these demonstrations are of course in solidarity with the Palestinian people, but there are also demands on the government of this country. He repeated his call for the UK to stop supplying arms to Israel, pleading, Yes, you can if you want to do it. Jeremy Corbyn speaking at the March for Palestine rally, January 18, 2025 Summing up, Ben Jamal of the PSC said the ongoing and primary task is that we end the complicity of our government, our public bodies, our corporations with this genocide and with Israels decades-long oppression of the Palestinian people. This did not begin on October the 7th. So we demand that our government act to ensure that the ceasefire is implemented. Members of the Socialist Equality Party attended the march to speak with protesters, distributing leaflets with material from the World Socialist Web Site and selling literature including Sounding the Alarm: Socialism Against War and The Logic of Zionism: From Nationalist Myth to the Gaza Genocide. Reporters for the WSWS discussed the genocide, the ceasefire and the Labour government with demonstrators. Jacob told our reporters, Today Im here as part of the Jewish bloc and its particularly important to show up today given the reasons theyve tried to cancel the march, which in my eyes are spurious. Id say that if we tie the fate of the Jewish people to the fate of the state of Israel, then we are putting an ancient people and an ancient religion and an ancient culture in a very, very, very dangerous position. If you care about keeping Jewish culture, religion and everything going, then we need to think about detaching that from what is inherently a settler colonial project. And its not just Jewish people. In order to achieve liberation, we all need to be able to step outside of our own narrow identities and be able to look across and say thats what solidarity is. Jacob said of the Labour government, The British state will do what the British state does until we organise to change the nature of what that state is. I dont expect anything from Starmer. My focus is on organising and building power and pushing people to do things that we need them to do. The Labour government, I wouldnt even say theyre a disappointment because I expected nothing from them. Geoff explained, Im here today to show my solidarity with the people of Palestine, to call for an end to the slaughter of Palestinian people, to call for the originators and perpetrators of the genocide in Gaza and the ongoing ethnic cleansing in the West Bank to be dealt with in The Hague by the International Criminal Court. Geoff with homemade placard reading "We are governed by war criminals" Of the ceasefire, Geoff said, I dont trust the Israeli government. I dont trust those who are supposed to be overlooking things, particularly the United States. I note that more than 100 people have been slaughtered even since the soon-to-be ceasefire was announced officially on Thursday. I note that there has been a ceasefire for nearly 60 days in Lebanon, which has seen Hezbollah not use its weapons and Israel continue bombing and shelling and killing people. So, its a potential first step. Am I optimistic? No, Im not. I want to see long-term peace in Palestine. I think its for Palestinians to decide what form of state they would wish to have. Personally, I like the ideas of Jeff Halper, an Israeli Jewish sociologist, who has written a wonderful book about decolonizing Israel. I think his idea of one state, multi-ethnic, all people with the same rights, no system of apartheid, is what I would love to see ultimately. But I think were a long way from that, obviously. Harriet, a journalist, told our reporters she was here today because although a ceasefire has been announced, Palestinians in Gaza continue to be killed by Israeli forces. We need the genocide to end. We need the apartheid to end. We need the occupation of Palestinian territories to end and the Israeli blockade on Gaza to end as well. Harriet They are suppressing any opposition, any voice coming from that area in Gaza. They are not allowing the journalists to go and cover the events. Even the journalists who are covering, like Al Jazeera, have been killed over the last period. A state that kills journalists wants to suppress the truth. When journalists from international media are finally allowed into Gaza, we do not know what horrors they will uncover. A placard at the London protest reading "205 journalists murdered by Israel", January 18, 2025 I feel sad and ashamed that so many British journalists have not spoken out for their brother and sister journalists in Palestine being murdered by the IDF. Harriet continued, I have no time for the Labour Party of Keir Starmer. I think they are Tories in red ties, quite frankly. I think they are on the side of the Israelis. All they talk about is Israels right to defend itself. What about the Palestinian right to freedom, right to life, right to dignity? Starmer never mentions that. He downplays Palestinian deaths and suffering. He never contextualises the conflict. The past 76 years never happened. Shafiq, an IT worker, said of the ceasefire, Its not over yet. Palestine is still occupied. America is still giving arms to Israel. Britain is still giving arms to Israel. The occupation still continues. Gaza will still be under a blockade, the West Bank will still be gradually occupied, and more and more settlements will be created. Israel still occupies the Golan Heights. Weve still got an expansionist agenda. Lebanon, South Lebanon is still invaded by Israel. Shafiq May, part of Anti-sweatshop Activists Against Apartheid, explained, We want to show people that our work we do on colonialism and the textile sector is intrinsically linked to the occupation in terms of challenging colonialism, challenging capitalism. All of this intertwines. We need the occupation ended; we need the end of capitalism. Speaking about the ceasefire, she said, I think were all just concerned about whats to come, when the ceasefire will be actually implemented what that looks like in the next few days, let alone months. Theres a lot of uncertainty. After WSWS reporters raised the threat of wider wars, including against Iran and Russia, May said, I mean, this is all geopolitical, right? Gazans are pawns in a bigger picture of, like you said, imperialism I think its just sad that Gazans are in the middle of this bigger picture of what were seeing with the UK and the US. Their lives dont matter; theyre disposable. Natalie told our reporters of the ceasefire, We know this is more about strategy than anything to do with helping or caring about Palestinian life. Its completely a military strategy. So we know and we can anticipate something worse is about to happen We all need to stand behind Palestinians because they represent so much of what is happening everywhere in the world. Kris and Natalie with their placards Answering a question about the war in Ukraine, she said, Theyre all proxies. I think the thing here is that theres numerous countries being used as proxies for bigger powers who are having their geopolitical wranglings for power and dominance. But the main reason were here is because the human crisis in Gaza is unlike anything weve witnessed this level of asymmetrical warfare against an unarmed population is just beyond anything. And to watch the complicity, the hypocrisy of our governments, Western governments, is beyond anything we could have ever comprehended. So, I think thats why were still here, because were making a point to our governments that you did not represent us and we wont stop until theyre in the Hague, alongside Netanyahu and everyone directly involved. Weve found out very clearly that the government is not here to serve in our interest. The only hope we have of overcoming this is by class, I think, class solidarity, and understanding the way these bigger systems disadvantage all of us and connecting the dots in a way that we might not have before. The WSWS interviewed Annie after police began arresting scores of protesters. She responded, Its a peaceful march. Theres no reason for this. People are not causing a problem; the police are causing the problem. Theyve been mobilised from all over the country to come here today on overtime to intimidate us. Theyre not meant to be a political force, but theyve been turned into a political force. One of the arrested protesters in London, January 18, 2025. They have these new powers. They can stop a protest whenever they deem its too noisy. These are dangerous powers. People have a right to protest. Asked about the Labour government, Annie said, No one in this country supports them. The minority of people who put these people into power, theyre seeing what the reality of it is now. Theres no one in that parliament, it doesn't matter if you go blue, red, yellow, whatever party, theres no one of any standing who actually is for the people anymore. Now theyve signed some hundred-year pact with Ukraine or whatever to give three billion pounds every year. And Im like, what about the people in this country who are starving, who are hungry? And how much has this cost today with police coming from all over the country to intimidate us? Its like an army of people against us. The government is pitting itself against the people. The NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board (ICB), currently facing a financial deficit, is undertaking a programme to cut jobs among National Health Service (NHS) employees, regardless of the impact this may have on patient care and treatment. NHS workers across all organisations in Dorset have received emails about a Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS). All employees with more than one year of service have been invited to apply. These job losses will impact several trustsUniversity Hospital Dorset (UHD), the Dorset Health Care University NHS Trust, and Dorset County Hospital NHS Trustbetween them running three major hospitals and several small community hospitals. NHS workers in Dorset were only told about the job loss plan in December, with an email claiming, This is a resignation scheme, not a voluntary or compulsory redundancy scheme. The fact is anyone applying to the scheme faces the outcome of losing their job. Part of the communication sent to thousands of NHS Dorset workers informing them of the "Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme" [Photo by NHS Dorset employee] The MARS application process opened on January 6 and will close on January 24. NHS organisations have stated that the purpose of the scheme is to support a reduction in our non-patient-facing workforce and to help achieve our financial plan. None of the NHS trade unions, Unison, Unite, GMB, the BMA, and the Royal College of Nursing, have uttered a word in opposition. Just in the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Trust alone, around 9,000 staff received the email calling for them to consider resigning and taking redundancy. Many workers with years of experience will be dismissed, receiving a relative pittance as severance payments, which are capped at a maximum of 80,000. A worker with more than 24 years of continuous service will receive just 12 months basic salary, while those with 10 years and six years of uninterrupted service will receive five months and three months basic salary, respectively. It appears that the Dorset NHS organisations are currently targeting ward clerks, clerical staff, IT and logistics staff, housekeeping staff, secretaries, personal assistants, education and training officials, and HR workers. The email sent out to staff states that the scheme will be open to all employees who have 12 months continuous service with UHD [University Hospitals Dorset]. However, applications are unlikely to be supported for colleagues in a patient facing role. However, regardless of which staff are laid off, the already stretched and overwhelmed clinical and patient-facing teams will inevitably bear the costs of these cuts. Smooth and risk-free delivery of patient care and treatment relies heavily on the support provided by non-patient-facing staff, including those in IT, logistics, clerical roles, and health and safety, who operate behind the scenes. Consultants and clinicians are burdened with an excessive amount of non-clinical paperwork due to a shortage of support staff, exacerbating the strain on frontline services. There is already a significant recruitment and retention crisis in the NHS, driven by unbearable workloads and the erosion of pay, terms, and conditions. In England alone, there are 100,000 vacancies, including 32,000 unfilled posts for nurses. NHS organisations in Dorset are grappling with these shortages. For example, University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) is heavily reliant on agency and locum staff to fill gaps for nurses and doctors. At the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, only five out of the nine required phlebotomists and three out of the eight needed histopathology consultants are in place. The plan to slash staff also comes at a time when its hospitals are under enormous pressure due to the burden of COVID-19, norovirus, flu, and RSV cases. Bed occupancy in Dorset hospitals has reached dangerously high levels. Ambulances queuing to handover patients to the Emergency Unit of Royal Bournemouth Hospital, September 2021 Many patients are languishing in hospital for weeks, if not months, despite being clinically ready for discharge, due to a lack of social care. According to NHS Dorset ICBs latest annual report and accounts, its submitted plans for the 2024/25 financial year indicate a deficit of 21.3 million. ICBs were established in 2022 under the Health and Social Care Actintroduced by the Conservative government of Boris Johnsonto accelerate the privatisation process within the NHS. They often allocate substantial amounts of money to purchase care from any qualified provider, often in the private sector, undermining NHS-operated services. Cash-strapped NHS trusts and ICBs across the country have been running MARS programmes to cut staff and save money since early 2024. The full impact of these harmful policies remains to be seen but will play out in the next months and years. The financial deficits faced by NHS organisations nationally are a direct result of years of underfunding by successive governments. The Labour governments allocation of 22 billion in additional funding for the NHS this year, for already overstretched services, falls significantly short of what is needed and a large portion of this money will be raked in by private sector groups. According to NHS Englands Financial Performance Update in December 2024, the organisations combined overspend for the first seven months of the 2024/25 financial year stands at 725 million. The update notes that to support the overall financial position, NHS England is making further cuts to offset system overspends, and we are continuing to bear down on system spending. The Financial Performance Update also notes that tighter cash-borrowing controls have been introduced since the start of the year to help ensure that spending remains in line with the plan. To meet the financial targets set by NHS England, all NHS systems are required to deliver cost improvement plans totalling 9.3 billionequivalent to 6.9 percent of their total allocation. NHS Dorsets attacks on jobs are part of this broader, ongoing dismantling of care and treatment services in the county. The planned job losses will have a severe impact on the local population of around 800,000 which relies on the services the Trusts provide, and which have already been affected by cuts. The predecessor to the Dorset ICBthe Dorset Clinical Commissioning Groupunveiled a Clinical Services Review (CSR) in 2017 aimed at slashing services to address a financial deficit projected to reach 158 million by 2021. The main entrance of Poole Hospital, May 2024 The CSR, implemented after a flawed consultation process and in the face of massive public opposition, led to the closure of three community hospitals. It also resulted in Poole Hospital losing its maternity, stroke, and emergency units, and the controversial merger of Poole Hospital with the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals to form the UHD. For further information contact NHS FightBack, established by the Socialist Equality Party and affiliated to the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. An ad for the German military Germanys ruling class is systematically pushing ahead with its military buildup and war preparations in the federal election campaign. On 11 January, the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) announced the establishment of a new homeland security division. According to an army spokesman, it will consist of reservists and active-duty soldiers. It is to be placed under unified command and will become operational on 1 April 2025. The formation of the new division is aimed at a massive expansion of the armed forces. Currently, the army consists of three divisions, each with around 20,000 soldiers. The fourth major unit is now being added for homeland security. It will initially comprise 6,000 soldiers but will gradually be increased to at least a high five-digit number. The division will combine the existing homeland security regiments and companies. In 2021, Home Guard Regiment 1 was set up in Bavaria, followed by Home Guard Regiment 2 in North Rhine-Westphalia in 2022, Home Guard Regiment 3 in Lower Saxony in 2023 and Home Guard Regiment 4 with companies from Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein, and Home Guard Regiment 5 in Hesse in 2024. Preparations are currently under way to set up further regiments, including Home Guard Regiment 6 in Berlin. The creation of the new division is part of the structural reform of the Bundeswehr that Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (Social Democrat, SPD) launched last April. After two devastating defeats in the 20th century, it aims to re-equip Germany with a war army appropriately structured and led under the slogan Bundeswehr of the Future. The armed forces new target structure is significantly less top-heavy than the status quo and is clearly geared towards operational planning and command in an emergency, according to the reforms adopted a year ago. The aim is to establish a war-ready command structure and to create the conditions for consistently strengthening the troops. On the reorganisation and restructuring of the homeland security forces, the military states: The homeland security forces will be transferred to the army sector, according to the principle of organize as you fight, after they have been fully established, because in an emergency they will be deployed in country. The homeland security forces will follow the task of coordinating the recruitment and training of reservists. This is unequivocal. In line with the goals set by Pistorius and the entire ruling class to make Germany war-ready (kriegstuchtig) again, all military and civilian organisational areas will be directly aligned with the maxim organize as you fight and will grow massively. As early as April 2021, the then-federal coalition of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and SPD introduced so-called voluntary military service in homeland security. The Ministry of Defence is currently working on the reintroduction of compulsory military service. In a full-scale war against Russia, which the NATO powers are actively preparing and provoking through their constant escalation of the war in Ukraine, the homeland security division would play a central role. According to a report by the Bundeswehrverband (German Armed Forces Association), in the event of war, the domestic security forces are to protect ports, railway facilities and goods transshipment points, as well as pipelines, roads for troop deployment, bridges, transport hubs and digital infrastructure. They are thus also to secure Germanys role as a NATO base of operations and hub. The secret Operation Plan Germany (OPLAN DEU), which is more than 1,000 pages long and has been developed and continuously updated by the Bundeswehrs Territorial Command since March 2023, underlines how concretely these plans are being worked on. The OPLAN is a blueprint for the total mobilisation of society for war. In an overview brochure published by the Bundeswehr, the following is stated about the plans objectives: It brings together the central military components of national and alliance defence in Germany with the necessary civilian support services in an operationally executable plan. It thus provides for the planning so that in the event of a crisis or conflict, after a political decision has been made, targeted action can be taken. It defines procedures, processes and responsibilities for protecting and defending Germany together with other state and civil actors... and for ensuring the deployment of allied forces across and through Germany to NATOs eastern flank. The aim is to be able to act quickly across all departmental and national borders. Last year, homeland security forces were involved in NATOs Steadfast Defender manoeuvres for the first time in this context. With around 90,000 troops, more than 50 warships, including aircraft carriers and destroyers, 80 combat aircraft, helicopters and drones, as well as over 1,000 armoured vehicles, it was NATOs largest military manoeuvre since the end of the Cold War. The exercise took place in Scandinavia and the Baltic states, went as far as Poland, Romania and Germany, and simulated a military buildup against Russia. The WSWS wrote in an article: This is not just a training exercise, but the escalation of NATOs war with Russia in Ukraine into a world war that encompasses the whole of Europe. Leading NATO officers do not mince their words. In Brussels, the chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, called for a reshaping of NATOs warfare. It cannot be taken for granted that we live in peace, Bauer said. In the event of war, he added, the whole of society will be involved, whether we like it or not. Since then, the militarisation of society demanded by the ruling class has been pushed forward ever more aggressively. In a keynote speech on 12 December, the new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said, It is time to switch to a war mentality. And to get our arms production and defence spending into high gear. It was clear that much more than two percent of GDP had to be spent on defence, which meant less spending on other priorities such as pensions, health and social security systems. In Germanys federal election campaign, parties and politicians are outdoing each other with their demands for ever higher military spending. For example, the Green Partys chancellor candidate Robert Habeck has spoken in favour of increasing the regular military budget to 3.5 percent of GDP, which would correspond to a tripling, or increase to 150 billion. The chancellor candidate of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Alice Weidel, spoke recently in favour of an increase to 5 percent of GDP. That would amount to well over 40 percent of the current federal budget. In a recent interview with the Suddeutsche Zeitung, Defence Minister Pistorius made it clear that these war-mongering plans are shared by the SPD. Two percent will not be enough, he said. Whether the mere quota lies at two-and-a-half, three-and-a-half or five percentas Donald Trump demandsis not the only decisive factor. It was just as important that we have sufficient capabilities to meet NATO requirements. Germany will have to bear a large share of this, and that will cost many billions of euros extra each year, Pistorius continued. In case of doubt, we will have to talk about three percent rather than two percent. We need to rethink external security. He added that he was speaking about next generation security. More appropriate would be next generation world war. Even if Pistorius claims that the additional billions cannot be paid from the current budget, at least in the first few years, it is clear that nothing will be left of workers democratic and social rights when it comes to the plans for rearmament. In this respect, too, the establishment of the homeland security division is a warning. According to the Bundeswehr Association, the homeland security forces can be deployed in peacetime ... to provide assistance in the event of serious accidents, terrorist attacks or pandemics. This means nothing less than the unconstitutional deployment of the Bundeswehr domestically, including to suppress strikes and revolutionary struggles by the working class. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the November 11, 1975 dismissal of the Australian Labor government of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by Governor-General John Kerr, the official representative of the British monarchy. Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam speaking after the dissolution of parliament in November 1975. [Photo: National Museum of Australia] Kerr used the royal reserve powers embedded in the 1901 Australian Constitution to remove an elected government at a time of acute global geo-strategic and political crisis, tearing aside the facade of parliamentary democracy. The political lessons of the Canberra Coup and what it revealed about the real anti-democratic calculations and machinations in ruling circles are more important than ever today as the capitalist class turns increasingly to authoritarian and fascistic forms of rule, spearheaded by the Trump White House. 2025 opened with the January 2 publication of extracts[ 1 ] from an article by academic and Whitlam biographer, Professor Jenny Hocking, drawing attention to three seemingly crucial sets of documents about the Canberra Coup that have apparently inexplicably disappeared.[ 2 ] These murky disappearances add to the already-existing evidence of high-level involvement by the political establishments and intelligence apparatuses in the US, UK and Australia in the orchestrated removal of a government under conditions of explosive international and domestic turmoil. One of the reportedly missing documents is a file kept on Whitlam by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the countrys political surveillance agency, which works closely with its American and British counterparts. Another set is the Government House Guest Books for the months leading up to the dismissal, which could reveal the visitors who personally advised or conspired with Kerr inside his official Canberra residence. The third is an archive of correspondence between Kerr and his now known prominent supporters, notably Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was a pivotal member of the British royal family, a former head of the UK armed forces and a man who had intimate connections with the US intelligence apparatus, as did Kerr himself. Hocking was informed that the ASIO file on Whitlam was purportedly culled by the National Archives of Australia (NAA) only weeks before her formal request for access to them. She was also told that the Government House Guest Books for 197475 were nowhere to be found, while the archive correspondence between Kerr and his supporters was accidentally incinerated. February 15, 1974 edition of The Bulletin The global context To understand the significance of the culling, disappearance or incineration of these documents, all in violation of legal archival protocols, it is necessary to first place the events of 1975 in their historical context. The Whitlam governments removal was not simply an Australian experience. It was part of the response in the ruling class internationally to the global upsurge of the working class and potentially revolutionary struggles that erupted with MayJune 1968 general strike in France. That upheaval was followed by: A near-general strike in Australia in May 1969 over the jailing of a trade union leader The Hot Autumn of workers strikes in Italy in 1969 The 1970 election and 1973 CIA-backed overthrow of the social democratic Allende government in Chile A wave of struggles in Britain, culminating in the bringing down of the Heath Conservative government in 1974 The downfall of the Nixon administration in the US in 1974 and the final defeat of the American military in Vietnam in April 1975 The ousting of dictatorships in Portugal, Greece and Spain in the period 197476. Whitlams government was removed because it had failed to contain the powerful movement of the working class that had brought the Labor Party to office in 1972, after 23 years of conservative party government. There were related concerns in Washington over Labors inability to stem the popular opposition to the US military alliance, triggered by the atrocities of the Vietnam War, and the presence of the key US satellite spy base at Pine Gap in central Australia. Whitlam, like the Labor Party as a whole, was firmly committed to the US military and strategic alliance, no less than his Labor prime ministerial successors, Hawke, Keating, Rudd, Gillard and Albanese. Whitlam was not an opponent of the Vietnam War, let alone of Washington. But popular opposition to the war, and to the conscription of 20-year-olds to fight it, had grown rapidly since the late 1960s as the massive scale of the US bombings and killings in Vietnam became more widely known. In order to prevent that movement, which erupted largely outside the control of the Labor Party, from challenging the parliamentary order itself, Labor promised to end conscription and withdraw Australian troops from Vietnam, subject to consultation with the White House. Whitlam and Nixon in the White House, July 1973. [Photo: Richard Nixon Library and Museum ] These policies were, in fact, in line with those of the Nixon administration, which sought unsuccessfully to hand the war over to its South Vietnamese puppet regime before the ultimate defeat in 1975. In the Nixon Library in 2012, Vietnam War-era records revealed that by the time Whitlam was granted an audience with Nixon, in Washington in late July 1973, the Australian prime minister had done everything he could to prove that he could be relied upon to back US imperialism, including by backing away from advocating a grouping of non-aligned nations in Asia and a supposed zone of peace in the Indian Ocean. The tapes showed that Whitlam had also assuaged American concerns that a Labor government would rescind the agreements over Pine Gap and other US installations in Australia. But anxiety continued in Washington about the Whitlam governments capacity to contain the discontent. Just a month before the Watergate affair forced Nixon from office in August 1974, the US president ordered a secret study of American relations with Australia, exploring options for relocating US intelligence facilities elsewhere. Whitlam had led the Labor Party to electoral victory in 1972 on a program of limited social and economic reforms, such as a medical insurance scheme and abolition of university fees. However, the formation of a Labor government triggered pent-up working-class demands for higher wages and better conditions. In response, Whitlam called a 1973 constitutional referendum to hand the federal government the power to control wages (prices and incomes), only to suffer a resounding defeat. The following year, 1974, saw the greatest levels of strikes since 1919, resulting in the largest wage rises in Australian history. In the midst of this turmoil, and facing a disastrous defeat in Vietnam, the Nixon administration dispatched Marshall Green as the US ambassador to Australia. Green had a record with US-backed coups, including while he was the US ambassador to Indonesia during the CIA-backed military coup of 196566 that massacred up to one million workers and peasants and brought General Suharto to power. Under Greens command, State Department and CIA officials at the US Embassy in Jakarta provided the Indonesian armed forces with shooting lists bearing the names of thousands of local, regional and national leaders of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). (See: Fifty years since the Indonesian coup). There is no doubt that Green, the White House and the CIA had a hand in the destabilisation of the Whitlam government that preceded its dismissal. That included businessmen with various intelligence connections embroiling the government in a scandal involving overseas loans. This loans affair provided the pretext for the Liberal Party opposition to block the governments 1975 budget in the Senate, potentially depriving it of funds. That in turn became the justification for Kerr to sack Whitlam, with the support and encouragement of the British royal establishment. Lord Mountbattens authorised biography later recorded him writing to Kerr days after Whitlams dismissal to congratulate Kerr on his courageous and correct action. During the same period, Mountbatten was heavily involved in parallel operations in Britain, including a potential military dictatorship, for similar reasons, to overturn Prime Minister Harold Wilsons 197476 Labour government. That eventually led to Wilsons sudden unexplained resignation in 1976. In 2006, it was revealed that Mountbatten, a relative and mentor to both Queen Elizabeth and her son (now King) Charles had been engaged with other senior military figures in the CIA and MI5-backed plots against Wilson. The Palace letters The latest revelations of missing 1975-related documents further point to anti-democratic machinations at the highest levels. In 2020, after a four-year legal battleall the way to the High Court, Australias supreme courtProfessor Hocking finally secured the release of correspondence between Kerr and the Queens Palace showing how closely Kerr conspired with the monarch and her senior advisers in the British ruling establishment in executing Whitlams removal. John Kerr [Photo: Australian Government] Between 15 August 1974 and 5 December 1977, Kerr exchanged an extraordinary total of 212 letters with the Queen through her official private secretary, Sir Martin Charteris, a former high-ranking military officer. Kerr, in the manner of an intelligence officerwhich he had once beensupplied the palace with detailed briefings, complete with newspaper clippings, on the political crisis wracking the Labor government, including the loans affair. In this correspondence Charteris gave the green light for the dismissal, and assured Kerr of the Queens support if Whitlam tried to head off his sacking by asking her to dismiss the governor-general instead. Nervous of the response in the working class, however, Charteris advised Kerr to time his coup carefully and to claim that he acted as a last resort and without the palaces knowledge. Kerr, in turn, reassured Charteris that Whitlam would seek to prevent a general strike. A mass political movement of workers, students, youth and professional people had erupted against the Liberals blocking of supply, but the entire Labor Party and trade union leadership, notably the Labor lefts and Stalinists of the Communist Party of Australia, worked to stifle it. Throughout his letters, Kerr referred to the threat posed by the working class, while reporting that Whitlam was doing his best to prevent a revolt. On October 17, for example, he informed Charteris: The prime minister [Whitlam] appealed to the trade union movement not to stage a general strike. When it was finally carried out, the dismissal sparked days of mass strikes and huge protests. Once again, Whitlam and the union bureaucrats, under the leadership of then Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) president Bob Hawke, blocked demands for a general strike, paving the way for the anti-democratically installed Liberal-Country Party government to call and win an election in December 1975. Whitlams culled ASIO file In her latest article, Hocking reported that 20 years ago she stumbled across a reference, in an unrelated document, to Whitlams ASIO file, which clearly would be a critically important historical record. However, four months later, the National Archives, the official repository of all such government records, informed her that, having maintained this security file for nearly 40 years, it had been destroyed in a routine culling, just weeks before I requested it. The NAA told Hocking that, according to ASIOs records, the destroyed file contained material of a vetting nature onlyas if such intelligence agency vetting of a prime minister was perfectly acceptable! Hockings request for access to the ASIO documents referred to in this response went unanswered. Despite NAA legislation and protocols requiring such records to be collected and preserved for history, the NAA had issued an authorisation for ASIO to destroy Whitlams security file within weeks of Hockings request to view it. This is doubly significant because ASIO played an active role in the coup. Most prominently, a negative ASIO dossier on then Deputy Prime Minister Jim Cairns was sensationally leaked to a right-wing media magazine, the Bulletin in June 1974. That fed the destabilisation operation against the government, which ultimately involved Whitlam sacking Cairns in July 1975 an unsuccessful bid to save his own post. The lost Government House guest books In her article, Hocking reported that in 2010, she first requested access to the Government House guest books held by the NAA, which provide the official details of visits and visitors to governors-general. The catalogue listed 29 files, enumerated consecutively, constituting visitor books from May 1953 to February 1996, but there was a gap, covering two consecutive file numbers, from July 1974 until December 1982. In June 2023, the NAA submitted an application to Government House requesting the delivery of the guest books for 197475. Government House replied that it does not hold any guest books, visitor books, guest registers or visitor registers from 1975 as defined by the Archives Act 1983. Government House is required under that Act to place the guest books as Commonwealth records in the NAA archives. There has been longstanding speculation that security and defence officials, including the Chief Defence Scientist Dr John Farrandssupposedly the recognised authority on Pine Gap and the other US bases in Australiahad briefed Kerr about military and intelligence concerns that Whitlam planned to divulge information about CIA agents working at Pine Gap. Vice-regal Notices show that Farrands met Kerr on 28 October 1975. Much more collaboration is likely to have taken place. Kerr regarded himself as the military commander-in-chief, as specified in the 1901 Constitution. He had direct relations with military commanders and is known to have also had consultations with at least two High Court judges before removing the government. The burnt archive of Kerrs prominent supporters In 1978, soon after Kerr left office, a cache of letters of outstanding value to Kerr was supposedly accidentally reduced to ashes inside the Government House. Kerrs official secretary, David Smith, wrote to Kerr expressing his dismay at having carelessly left this box of significant letters unattended in the photocopying room. According to Smith, a cleaner then inadvertently threw the entire contents into an incinerator. Kerr had apparently sought these congratulatory letters for use in his forthcoming autobiography Matters for Judgement. Among his correspondents was Mountbatten, along with a former Governor-General and distant royal relation, Viscount De LIsle, and other prominent figures supporting Kerrs removal of the government. From the letters finally released in 2020 following the High Courts ruling in Hockings case, we know that the future King Charles was one of those hailing Kerrs action. Charless letter to Kerr, written in similar terms to Mountbattens, stated: What you did [] was right and the courageous thing to do. Conclusion Together with the bloody CIA-backed military coup in Chile in September 1973, the Labor governments dismissal was one of the first moves in what became an international counter-offensive against the working class, fronted by figures such as Reagan in the US and Thatcher in Britain. The role of Whitlam and the union leaders, like their counterparts internationally, in suppressing the opposition of workers and youth encouraged the capitalist class worldwide to go on the attack. A tank in support of Augusto Pinochet approaches the government palace during the 1973 coup. [Photo by @goodvibes11111 / CC BY-SA 4.0 Today, the economic and political situation is even more unstable and explosive. As this years World Socialist Web Site New Year statement explained, the unprecedented oligarchic and fascistic character of the Trump administration, marks a violent realignment of the state to correspond with the nature of capitalist society itself, and not just in the United States. The worlds richest individuals and corporations control resources on an unfathomable scale, producing immense class tensions. Outlining the revolutionary content of the decade of the 2020s, the statement explained: Across the world, capitalist governments are staggered by massive political crises, confronting popular opposition and increasingly turning to authoritarian measuresThe past five years have been dominated by the response of the ruling class to the capitalist crisis. The next five years will be dominated by an explosive eruption of the class struggle, which is already under way. Workers throughout the world confront an escalating global war; an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, along with the emergence of new pathogens like H5N1 bird flu and mpox; a coordinated assault on basic democratic rights and a massive increase in exploitation and social want. The tearing aside of the veneer of parliamentary democracy in 1975 is a warning that Australia is no exception to the readiness of the capitalist class internationally to again resort to dictatorial measures to suppress the rising struggles of the working class. The experience of 1975 also demonstrates the willingness of all the political elites, including Labor governments and union bureaucrats, to acquiesce in authoritarian forms of rule. There is only one way forward to defend fundamental democratic rights. The stranglehold of the billionaire oligarchs over society must be broken through the expropriation of their wealth and the socialist reorganisation of economic life on the basis of social need, not private profit. South Central Correctional Center in Licking, Missouri [Photo: Missouri Department of Corrections] On Saturday December 28, 35 year-old Robert Wallace was pronounced dead around 3 a.m. at the South Central Correctional Center (SCCC) in Licking, Missouri. Wallace was the 19th inmate to die in 2024 at the facility located in the rural southern Ozarks region of the state. Reports indicate that local authorities are expected to conduct an autopsy. On January 12, another inmate was reported dead, 34-year-old Blake Selby, the first known death in the prison in 2025. The last three inmates to die in that prison were in their 30s. According to the Missouri Independent, the states prison system saw 139 deaths in 2024, which is two more than the 137 recorded by the states Department of Corrections in 2023 and 2022. It is the fourth year where prison deaths have averaged 10 or more a month. Earlier this month, the SCCC warden and a supervisor were removed from their positions in the facility, ostensibly due to allowing in contraband. The Missouri Department of Corrections reports that the 19 inmate deaths in 2024 at Licking broke down into the following: four accidental deaths, nine natural deaths, one suicide, and five pending autopsy results, which can take up to 100 days to be released. Facing increased scrutiny, the department sought to blame inmates themselves in a recent statement, claiming that in-custody fatalities are mainly due to natural causes among an aging, sicker prison population. The state of Missouri executed four inmates in 2024, including Marcellus Khaliifah Williams, a man known to be innocent of the crime of which he was convicted. The WSWS reported at that time that the Missouri Attorney Generals Office is notorious for its zeal in executing inmates. In 2003, Attorney General Jay Nixon argued that Joseph Amrine, a death row inmate fighting to prove his innocence, should be executed in the face of exonerating evidence. Amrine was eventually exonerated and released. Conditions in the states prisons are hellish. Reports indicate that inmates are routinely denied access to needed medications. In addition to violence, inmates are also subjected to unbearable heat in at least half of the states 20 prisons, which have no central air conditioning. A warden was forced to resign and multiple corrections officers at the Jefferson City Correctional Center were charged in the 2023 murder of Othel Moore, who was restrained and pepper-sprayed by several officers and left in a hood to die over a period of about 30 minutes. Coinciding with the dramatic increase in prisoner deaths in recent years at the SCCC facility has been a number of overdoses, facilitated at least in part by staff members bringing drugs into the facility. Former corrections officer Paige Cook, fired for allegedly attempting to bring drugs into the prison, said, [T]here are most definitely other officers bringing the stuff in there. While employees bringing in drugs to prisons is not unusual, the presence of potent narcotics in the toxicology reports of deceased inmates with no history of such substance use has raised questions for inmates families. He did tell me. He called me one day and was like ma, theres a lot of guys in here passing away. Theyre dying, Mary Harris, whose son, 39 year-old Alan Lancaster, was found unresponsive in solitary confinement early in 2023, told KY3. He was serving a 20-year sentence for burglary, robbery, assault and kidnapping. According to Harris, she reassured her worried son by telling him, I said, well, you dont have that long. You dont affiliate with them. Harris simple yet poignant words notwithstanding, the medical examiner closed Lancasters case as overdose by fentanyl and xylazine. If they told me he died from somebody stabbing him, okay, said Harris, reflecting the trauma of a person who has come to expect a measure of brutality from society that even allows room for the hypothetical, horrific stabbing death of her son in prison. But for him to have this type of drug in his system? Alan didnt do drugs, said Harris. Harris attempts to get more information so that she can try to make sense of it all have been frustrated. They say they dont know. Nobodys talking, explained Harris. Even so, Lancasters death was ruled a homicide, so his mother has a point when she concluded, Somebodys responsible. A 2019 report from the Prison Policy Initiative identified Missouris prisons as among the most dangerous in the US: The lack of air conditioning in Southern prisons creates unsafeeven lethalconditions. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause dehydration and heat stroke, both of which can be fatal. It can also affect peoples kidneys, liver, heart, brain, and lungs, which can lead to renal failure, heart attack, and stroke. States and counties that deny air conditioning to incarcerated people should understand that, far from withholding a luxury, they are subjecting people to cruel and unusual punishments, and even handing out death sentences. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are seated before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. [AP Photo/Saul Loeb] In his final hours as president, Joe Biden issued a flurry of unprecedented pre-emptive pardons in an attempt to shield members of his family, political allies of both parties, and even top military officers from incoming President Donald Trump, who has pledged to go after the enemy within. With less than 30 minutes remaining in his presidency, Biden granted a pre-emptive pardon to five members of his own family, including his brother James Biden; his sister-in-law Sara Jones Biden; his sister Valerie Biden Owens; his brother-in-law John T. Owens; and another brother, Francis Biden, for any nonviolent offenses they may have committed or taken part of between January 1, 2014 through January 20, 2025. This is the second time in two months Biden has granted a sweeping pardon to members of his own family. Last month, prior to the sentencing of his son Hunter, convicted of illegally purchasing a gun and tax evasion, Joe Biden issued a blanket pardon for Hunter. That pardon not only swept away Hunters conviction, but, in similar fashion to Mondays pardons, wiped the slate clean on any other offenses over the last decade. This is not insignificant, as both Hunter and James Biden have been credibly accused of trading on their family name for profit. Both have participated in business deals, Hunter in Ukraine and James in China, that have been subjected to years of Republican investigation and innuendo. Of course, none of the alleged or convicted crimes perpetrated by Hunter or James hold a candle to the decades of war crimes carried out by the outgoing or incoming president. In a statement briefly posted on the official White House website Monday, Biden wrote that his family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt methe worst kind of partisan politics. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end. In a head-spinning contradiction, Biden wrote that while he believed in the rule of law and that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics, the threat of baseless and politically motivated investigations weighed heavily on him. Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage their reputations and finances, Biden wrote. In other words, while Biden claims to believe in the rule of law, in practical terms he will exercise the extraordinary and fleeting power of the presidency to circumvent it. That Biden felt he had to issue these pardons on his way out of office completely undercuts the claims by him and the Democratic Party as a whole that American democracy has been vindicated by the peaceful transfer of power to the aspiring dictator Trump. The Democrats and Biden, as Bidens own actions reveal, know that the 47th president is intent on waging political warfare against all political opponents in a completely dictatorial manner. Trumps return to the White House is the inflection point of a social counterrevolution aimed at rolling back any and all gains won by the working class over previous decades in the service of expanding the wealth and political power of the financial oligarchy and waging global imperialist war. It is notable that despite Trumps incessant threats to launch the largest mass deportation operation in US history, Biden did not issue any pardons for Dreamers or other undocumented immigrants. This will leave millions of people, including as many as 3.6 million Dreamers, who in many cases have no conscious memory of living anywhere else besides the US, subject to attacks by the Trump administration. Revealing the extreme fragility of the current social and political system in the heart of world imperialism, Biden, in addition to pardoning members of his own family, issued pardons for current and former members of the House who participated in the Select Committee on the January 6 attack, including former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney and current Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson. Cheney, an arch war-monger like her war criminal father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, served as vice chair of the committee which was nominally led by Thompson. While the committee uncovered some damning factual details concerning the coup, its main purpose was to whitewash and obscure the immense support Trumps plot had and retains within pillars of capitalist rule, including the Republican Party, the Supreme Court, the Pentagon and federal and local police and intelligence agencies. In a statement issued by both Thompson and Cheney on behalf of the committee following the pardon announcement, the pair expressed their: gratitude to President Biden for recognizing that we and our families have been continuously targeted not only with harassment, lies and threats of criminal violence, but also with specific threats of criminal prosecution and imprisonment by members of the incoming administration, simply for doing our jobs and upholding our oaths of office. We have been pardoned today not for breaking the law but for upholding it. They added: These are indeed extraordinary circumstances, when public servants are pardoned to prevent false prosecution by the government for having worked faithfully as Members of Congress to expose the facts of a months-long criminal effort to override the will of the voters after the 2020 elections, including by inciting a violent insurrection to thwart the peaceful transfer of power. Former member of the committee and recently elected senator from California, Adam Schiff (Democrat), released a statement after the pardon was issued calling it unnecessary and unwise but adding he understood why President Biden believed he needed to take this step in light of the persistent and baseless threats issued by Donald Trump and individuals who are now some of his law enforcement nominees. Biden also issued pre-emptive pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci and retired Gen. Mark Milley. He said both were dedicated selfless public servants who, nevertheless, have been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation for faithfully discharging their duties. Responding to the pardons, Trump texted NBC News that they were disgraceful and that Many are guilty of MAJOR CRIMES! Finally, Biden commuted the sentence of Leonard Peltier, a now 80-year-old Native American political prisoner who was framed for the deaths of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 1975. For decades, activists, socialists and people of conscience have been fighting for the release of Peltier. He has spent over 50 years in the American prison system even though it has been known for decades that FBI agents threatened and coerced witnesses into changing their testimonies in order to convict Peltier. Native American Leonard Peltier, shown in prison, in Feb. 1986. [AP Photo/Cliff Schiappa] Peltier suffers from a number of medical conditions, including diabetes, and has repeatedly been infected with COVID-19 while incarcerated. Bidens commutation noted that Peltier was not receiving a pardon. Instead, he will be subject to house arrest for the rest of his life. Pacific Palisades residents went to the Westwood Recreation Center in West Los Angeles for temporary shelter (cots), food, clothing, etc. Kaiser Permanente set up a trailer to provide healthcare. Hundreds of people came donating supplies and services The Palisades and Eaton fires, which continue to ravage large parts of the Los Angeles area, serve as stark reminders of the systemic failure of disaster prevention and recovery under capitalism. More than two weeks after the fires first emerged they continue to threaten residents and produce dangerous smoke. Containment levels are at, respectively, 59 percent and 87 percent. More than 12,000 structures, mostly homes, have been damaged or destroyed since the fires broke out earlier this month. On Monday, gusty Santa Ana winds returned to southern California, prompting the National Weather Service to warn of a particularly dangerous situation for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Tuesday morning, when gusts are expected to reach 70 miles per hour along the coast and up to 100 miles per hour through the mountain passes. In addition to the immediate danger from the flames, the fires have forced thousands into shelters, where reports of a rapidly spreading stomach flu highlight the authorities neglect of basic sanitary measures. This situation echoes the disastrous response to COVID-19, where the government negligence at every level has worsened suffering and increased the loss of life. Evacuation shelters, intended to offer safety, have instead turned into breeding grounds for viral infections. An outbreak of gastrointestinal illnesses caused by the highly contagious norovirus among evacuees in Pasadena shelters was both foreseeable and avoidable. Despite clear evidence from past disasters emphasizing the need for strict sanitation protocols, authorities failed to take necessary preventative actions. This neglect leaves evacuees at risk for the spread of other viruses, including respiratory infections like COVID-19, RSV and influenza, which thrive in crowded environments. The apathy of officials toward these conditions is not coincidental; it reflects a broader attitude aimed at evading responsibility. By portraying the outbreak as an unfortunate but unavoidable result of displacement, authorities divert attention from their failure to take proactive measures. This pattern was also evident at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the lack of preparation and resources was rationalized by appeals to individual responsibility rather than systemic accountability. Once again, those most affected are left to shoulder the consequences of systemic neglect. The crisis is compounded by the reality that these shelters are only temporary, leaving thousands of evacuees facing an uncertain future without homes to return to. The Palisades and Eaton fires have wiped out entire communities, and the rebuilding process is expected to be slow and insufficient. Meanwhile, evacuees are forced to deal with a dire situation and no clear way forward. Adding to the controversy are reports indicating that the fires might have been sparked by the electrical grid. Residents in Altadena have reported seeing electrical sparks just before the fires broke out. These accounts correspond with data showing a significant rise in power grid faults leading up to the fires. If verified, these findings would confirm the responsibility of the utility companies, as their negligence has often played a role in Californias wildfires. Yet, these corporations refuse to adequately upgrade their infrastructure and continue to operate without consequence, protected by both major political parties and a regulatory framework that prioritizes their profits over public safety. Rather than tackling these systemic issues, officials have shifted the blame onto individuals, perpetuating the false narrative that better brush clearance around homes could have averted the fires. This claim was recently challenged by fire ecologist Alexandra Syphard, who pointed out that clearing brush would have had little to no impact on preventing these fires. Despite this evidence, figures like newly inaugurated President Donald Trump persist in spreading misleading assertions that place responsibility on residents while overlooking the underlying structural problems, including inadequate infrastructure and climate change. The Palisades and Eaton fires are not just isolated events; they reflect a larger issue of neglect in disaster response across the United States. The failure to maintain power grids and the absence of effective evacuation and shelter plans highlight the responsibility of those in power for this crisis. As evacuees face illness and uncertainty, it becomes evident that systemic change is urgently needed. This change involves not only holding utility companies accountable but also adopting a response that prioritizes public health and safety over profits. Without a systemic change, disasters like the Palisades and Eaton fires will continue to reveal and worsen the dangerous cracks of a failed system. Altadena residents have spoken to the WSWS, expressing resentment against a system that has failed the working population. Valentino, a survivor and evacuee who lost the home where he lived for 35 years explained, They say they are going to help the people, the tenants, with $700. And they will help the owners of the houses with $10,000. Even $10,000 is just the rent for half a year for a single apartment! He elaborated on the $770 offered by the Biden administration: Well, its nothing, you know, maybe only for food for maybe three weeks. But you know, there are many people with families, with children, with a wife, what are they going to do? Reflecting on the class divide, Valentino commented: I heard that in Pacific Palisades all those lands are going to be bought by some super big powerful real estate companies. And they are planning to build a city of the future there. You know, the best apartment, the best houses for the super-rich, a city of the future. Wow. Okay, thats good for them. But how about the common people? Valentino emphasized the extreme level of systemic crisis: This capitalist country is going down. This is still the most popular country on earth, but its going down very fast, he said. Capitalism is going down in history like the monarchy in Europe. [The aristocracy] were the richest. Then the industry came and the industrialist people became richer than the monarchy. Now the capitalists are going down. So now a world government is coming. Some kind of socialist [system]. Because thats the best for most of the people. The workers produce everything. Its not fair that most of the money is in the hands of a few. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump stand as Christopher Macchio performs "The Star-Spangled Banner" after Trump is sworn in during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. [AP Photo/Saul Loeb] The inauguration of Donald Trump will be remembered in history as an obscene fascist spectacle, in which the incoming president delivered a vile, hate-filled diatribe against the outgoing administration, immigrants, broad swaths of the US population that he views as enemies, the people of Latin America and, finally, the worlds population beyond the Western Hemisphere. In a grotesque example of life imitating political fiction, Trump himself appeared as the incarnation of President Buzz Windrip, the brutal media con man and demagogue imagined by the great American writer Sinclair Lewis in his anti-fascist novel It Cant Happen Here. Lewiss dystopian novel was published in 1935 and was intended as a warning against the rise of fascism in the United States. In defense of a crisis-torn capitalism and in pursuit of profits and unlimited wealth, the American ruling class would place in power its own national version of Germanys Hitler. Ninety years later, the grotesque inaugural ceremony of January 20, 2025 has vindicated Lewiss warning. Trump made no attempt to conceal the fascist inspiration of his inaugural diatribe. The speech was explicitly modeled, in both tone and content, on the first radio speech given by Hitler on February 1, 1933, two days after being elevated into the post of German chancellor. Hitlers speech was devoted to a venomous denunciation of the Weimar Republic and its leaders, whom he accused of betraying the mythical German Volk. All the traitors would be swept away, and Germany would be restored to greatness. Trump has appropriated Hitlers perspective of the Thousand-Year Reich and rebranded it as his promised Golden Age of America. However, it will be golden only for Trump and the other billionaire oligarchs who were seated in attendance at his inauguration, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, the three richest Americans. They were joined by Trumps international fascist allies like Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Argentinas President Javier Milei. Past and present leaders of the Democratic Party, including the departing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, former presidents Clinton and Obama, and congressional leaders like Charles Schumer, Bernie Sanders and Hakeem Jeffries attended the ceremony as well. They listened quietly and respectfully as Trump publicly berated and denounced them. None of them had the political courage, let alone sense of history and commitment to democratic principles, to walk out of the proceedings and publicly denounce the installation of a fascist president. Instead, they joined in hailing a peaceful transfer of power to the most reactionary government in American history. Trump reiterated his plans for American expansionism, saying his government would take back the Panama Canal. He said he would issue an executive order designating criminal gangs in Mexico, El Salvador and Venezuela as foreign terrorist organizations, a status similar to that of ISIS and Al-Qaeda, which would provide a pseudo-legal justification for US attacks on those countries. Trump hailed the record of President William McKinley (1897-1901), who seized Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines in the Spanish-American War, and vowed to restore McKinleys name to Denali in Alaska, the highest mountain in North America. He also called for renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, while leaving unspoken (but clearly implicit) his calls in recent weeks for the US takeover of Greenland and annexation of Canada as the 51st state. Trump announced that he would immediately sign executive orders declaring a national emergency on the US-Mexico border and deploy the military to repel what he has repeatedly depicted as an invasion of the United States by a foreign enemy. This is part of a package of anti-immigrant orders which will include reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy, which violates international law by expelling all asylum claimants, and ramping up the police-military apparatus to carry out an escalating series of raids against immigrant neighborhoods and job sites. This could lead to the round-up of hundreds of thousands, and ultimately millions of working people. This assault on democratic rights will soon extend to the entire working class, native-born as well as immigrant. Trump seeks to outlaw all opposition, let alone resistance, to his sweeping program of cutting social benefits to finance both an extension of his 2017 tax cuts for the richset to expire this yearand a further massive expansion of the US military machine. Trump declared that he would make use of the Alien Enemies Act, an infamous measure enacted in 1798, as the basis for his plans for mass detentions and deportations, portraying millions of immigrants fleeing war and poverty as though they were an invading army. The law was last invoked during World War II to violate the democratic rights of German, Italian and Japanese immigrants residing in the United States. Under the act, these individuals were subjected to registration, surveillance, relocation or internment, depending on the perceived threat level. The purpose is to terrorize immigrant communities and divide the working class, creating the conditions for further repression against all opposition. The dictatorial character of this program is the subtext of Trumps self-description in explicitly messianic terms, claiming that he escaped an assassins bullet last summer because he had been saved by God to make America great again. The pomp and ceremony of the inauguration was suffused with religious and militarist rhetoric and symbols, in keeping with the presentation of Trump as a Christian nationalist chosen by God. Trump even proclaimed the manifest destiny of the United States to send the first astronauts to Mars and plant the American flag on another planet. There is no doubt that governments around the world will take note of this language, particularly in Latin America and Canada. The slogan of Manifest Destiny, suggesting a God-given right of the United States to expand at the expense of weaker neighbors, was first put forward by the Democratic Party, then dominated by the Southern slaveowners, in the election of 1844. Manifest Destiny was the justification for an aggressive US position on the boundary dispute with Canada in the Pacific Northwest, then the annexation of Texas in 1845 as a slave state, and finally the war of 1846-1848 in which the US seized and annexed half of Mexico. Abraham Lincoln repudiated that slogan as the war cry of the expansionist slave power. Trump embraces it as the war cry of the capitalist oligarchy. The self-glorifying character of Fuhrer Trumps inaugural address was unmistakable. He framed himself as the directing power, announcing sweeping measures to be implemented unilaterally under the guise of declarations of national emergency. Unlike Roosevelts 100 Days, which consisted of proposals to Congress for legislation which were enacted into law as the New Deal, Trump calls for 100 orders, issued on his own authority. His speech made no reference to Congress or even to the Republican Party, emphasizing instead his unique and singular role. But for all the nationalistic bluster, and the cowardice and complicity of the Democrats, Trumps speech vastly overestimated the power of American imperialism and underestimated the resistance which the fascist program of Trump and the Republicans will provoke, both within the United States and on a global scale. Trump may hail William McKinley, but McKinley was president from 1897 to 1901, at the beginning of the imperialist epoch, when the United States was a rising global power. Trumps presidency comes as capitalism has reached a dead end, both in the US and internationally. If any other world leader had delivered a speech in 2025 promising such a grandiose program of international aggression and global dominance, their remarks would be viewed as calling into question not just their judgment but their sanity. Trumps perspective is a delusion, but it is no less dangerous for that. His government will respond ruthlessly and violently, both against the inevitable opposition he encounters from other capitalist governments pursuing the interests of their own ruling classes and, above all, against the resistance of masses of working people at home and abroad. The Democrats are well aware of the dangers. In his final hours in office, President Biden issued pardons to members of his own family and figures like retired General Mark Milley, former public health official Dr. Anthony Fauci, and the members and staff of the House committee that investigated Trumps attempted coup of January 6, 2021. He expressed concern that the Trump administration would carry out its threats of revenge prosecutions against its political opponents. The Democrats are concerned about protecting themselves from the wrath of Trump, but they have not lifted a finger to protect millions of immigrants and others in the working class now facing attack by a fascist president. Nor will they. Trump is reentering the White House as the representative of a money-mad oligarchy, whose staggering wealth is in inverse proportion to its real social base. The venue of the ceremony, inside the Rotunda rather than outside the Capitol in the presence of the public, exemplified the real isolation of the ruling elite. Elon Musk, unable to control himself, celebrated Trumps installation with two wild Hitler salutes. But the oligarchs enthusiasm for dictatorship is not shared by the working class. The real significance of January 20, 2025 is that it has inaugurated an era of irrepressible class conflict of a magnitude and intensity without precedent in American history. The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature Latin America Argentine health workers demand the release of cancer medication Hundreds of health workers from various trade unions protested on January 14 demanding medications for cancer patients. The protest was triggered by the announcement that over 60 patients have died in cancer clinics for lack of medications previously provided by government funds. The Milei administration has cut medications and other health subsidies as part of its austerity policies. The protest took place at the Government Health Ministry in Buenos Aires. At the rally the health workers demanded that the government immediately provide medications to all patients in need, including those suffering from cancers. The demonstrators also demanded an end to the brutal austerity cuts being imposed on public health. In 2024, over 1,000 patients were denied critical cancer medicines and more than sixty patients died from lack of government-provided cancer medications. The health workers also denounced the elimination of health agencies involved in treating patients with HIV, tuberculosis, leprosy and hepatitis. Two-day general protest strike rocks Bahamas On Monday and Tuesday January 13 and 14, Bahama workers carried out a 48-hour strike, including the closure of schools and hospitals in this Caribbean nation. On January 15, the Supreme Court declared the strike illegal. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) called the strike over the failure of the government to act on promises made in a memorandum of understanding three years ago, promising higher pay and settlement of industrial agreements. The TUC is a collection of 14 trade unions, including those that represent health and education workers. As my mother used to say, a promise is a comfort to a fool. Well, we are not fools, and we say enough is enough! declared TUC leader Obie Ferguson. Bahamas other labor federation, the NCTUB (National Congress of Trade Unions-Bahamas) did not participate in the strike. Bahamas is an archipelago of several hundred islands south and east of the US state of Florida. It has the highest socioeconomic inequality in the Caribbean, and high rates of poverty (60 percent with 15 percent living under the poverty line of US$2.15 a day) and high unemployment. Protests in Sao Paulo over increased transit fares On the evenings of January 9, 15 and 16 hundreds of students protested in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil against the rise in fares for municipal trains, subways and buses. The demonstrators marched through the citys downtown and rallied at the Municipal Theatre in downtown Sao Paulo. The right-wing municipal authorities responded with a massive police mobilization, hoping to intimidate and corral the demonstrators. While Metro and rail tickets went up from R$ 5.00 to R$5.20 (4 percent), bus fares increased by 13.6 percent (from R$ 4.40 to R$ 5.00), the largest fare increase in 10 years. The Student Union of Sao Paulo indicated the increase in fares was the largest in history while the transit service is deteriorating more and more. United States Teamsters union warns of warehouse and drivers strike at Sysco Texas distribution facility The Teamsters union warned January 13 that the giant food service distributor Sysco is pushing workers at its distribution center in Houston, Texas, towards a strike. Without the possibility of a fair collective bargaining agreement, Sysco Teamsters will have no choice but to walk off the job, stated a press release by Local 988. The 430 drivers, warehouse workers and mechanics want the same wages, benefits and work rules as Sysco workers at other locations across the country. In all, the Teamsters represent some 10,000 Sysco workers. In 2022 there were strikes in Boston and Syracuse and in 2023 a set of strikes broke out in Indianapolis and Louisville. In these past contract negotiations, the Teamsters have been able to contain the rank-and-file workers while still feeling compelled to dispatch roving pickets to other facilities, feigning support for an all-out strike. In the current Houston contract struggle Sysco has reacted to verbal threats by the Teamsters bureaucracy to expand pickets to other distribution centers by declaring, Their actions harm our colleagues, their families, and our community partners, including hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. Local 988 and Sysco have been in negotiations for months. The old agreement covering the Houston Teamsters expired January 17. Canada Alberta school support worker strikes spreading Strikes for decent wages amongst school support workers could spread to another 7,000 education assistants, librarians, cafeteria workers, school nurses and administration staff over the next 10 weeks as the right-wing government of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith continues to starve the provincial education system of funding. School support workers across the province are members of various locals of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). About 40 union locals could find themselves in a strike position by early spring. Striking Alberta educational support workers picket January 17, 2025 [Photo: CUPE Alberta] Already, on January 7, about 1,000 public and Catholic school workers in Fort McMurray walked out on a full-time strike after intermittent, rotating job actions begun last November failed to move forward negotiations for decent wages and working conditions. The Fort McMurray workers first took job action on November 13 after rejecting the recommendations of a disputes inquiry board appointed by the province. Then on January 13, 3,000 public school support workers in Edmonton and 200 more in the outlying Sturgeon school district began job action to pursue demands for a significant wage increase, better education funding and additional classroom support. Already, about 200 educational support assistant jobs remain unfilled, placing additional stress on the remaining staff and special needs children. To begin the Edmonton strike CUPE officials have limited picketing to only three schools. In the Sturgeon public school district, which covers the surrounding towns from Redwater to Morinville to St. Albert, the union has limited job action to rotating strikes and a work-to-rule. Schools remain open although services, particularly for special needs students, have been curtailed. School boards have begun hiring strike-breaking substitute teachers at wages higher than the striking workforce earned. Union officials have said the average support worker in Alberta earns $34,500 per year. However, the education assistantswho make up the lions share of the support workforce earn on average only $26,400. The union is being offered a paltry 3 percent wage increase that is to be spread out over four years. Education assistants are expected to support special needs children through their training and knowledge of a variety of diverse skills including speech and language training and movement and physical therapy knowledge. Their duties also include close personal care that can involve health and sanitary interventions that the strike-breaking substitute teachers refuse to perform. Parents of children who wear diapers or who have other close-care issues have been advised to keep their children at home. Section of the sparsely attended event in Washington, D.C. On Saturday, groups affiliated with the National Womens March held a series of sparsely attended protests across the country in opposition to the incoming Republican Trump administration. The protests, which were organized in dozens of cities, with the main event held at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., paled in size compared to the massive rallies held in response to the first Trump administration coming to power in January 2017. At the time, the 2017 event constituted one of the largest single day protests in world history, as more than 500,000 people protested in Washington D.C. alone the day after Trumps first inauguration, in anticipation of the anti-democratic attacks his administration was planning to let loose on the public. Across the country, nearly 4.6 million protested Trumps first inauguration. Eight years later, Trumps fascistic agenda has only intensified. He has threatened, among other things, to mobilize the United States military against immigrants and workers by sending troops to suppress protests, as well as to forcibly annex entire countries, as his government, stocked to the hilt with fascists, billionaires and sworn enemies of government social programs, prepares to launch an all out assault on the population at home and abroad. These concerns were evident among people with whom the World Socialist Web Site spoke. Ive put in eight applications for Medicaid in the past year alone. Its been denied to me each time even though I am below the income level, stated Aubrey, expressing fear that as a transgender person she would be particularly targeted by the Trump administration. Two protesters at the People's March in Washington, D.C. Aubrey on the left. Many protesters sported a kaffiyeh scarf, signaling their opposition to the US/Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people. Many young people approached representatives of the Socialist Equality Party to discuss their perspective on the political crisis in the US and the necessity of building an anti-war, anti-capitalist movement within the working class as the way forward. Despite the stakes, the Womens March, Democratic Socialists of America and various other Democratic Party-affiliated groups struggled to assemble even a fraction of the crowd that attended previous protests. This is the outcome of their channeling of protests by millions over the past year against the genocide in Gaza behind appeals to the Biden administration and the Democratic Party. In Washington D.C., event organizers had projected a crowd of 50,000 people, or 10 percent of the total from 2017. In Los Angeles, where uncontrollable urban wildfires which Democratic Party-led governments have failed to prepare for have left over 200,000 people homeless, barely 500 people turned out to the Peoples March event. In 2017, the city had 750,000 protesters. In Chicago, a few hundred protested in single-digit temperatures Monday, while New York City, whose event in 2017 saw over 200,000 protesters, struggled to bring out a few thousand, according to local reports. The failure to mobilize significant popular protest against the incoming Trump regime comes as the Democratic Party has all but abandoned any opposition following the November 5 election. Trump was able to appeal to the working classs hostility to the Democratic Biden administration, which combined indifference to the hardships of the working population at home with a homicidal focus on imperialist war against US targets abroad. Even the New York Times, which wrote glowingly of the Saturday marches, was forced to admit that the events paled in comparison to the Womens March eight years ago. The politically bankrupt perspective was directly expressed in the events on Saturday. Despite one of Saturdays themes being anti-militarism, no speaker dared criticize the Biden administration over its US/NATO war with Russia in Ukraine or the Gaza genocide. Instead, speaker after speaker urged support for the Democratic Party. In Washington D.C., former Democratic vice president and 2000 presidential candidate Al Gore called for the days protest to translate into action at the ballot box, apparently unaware that the protests small size would hardly be enough to turn an election. Appeals of this sort were interspersed with mindless chants that We will win. Events held independently of the Womens March by various pseudo-left and protest groups were even more sparsely attended. The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, an assortment of pseudo-socialist and left protest groups which has been lead organizer of a number of pro-Palestine marches over the last year, barely drew 1,000 people at its protest in Washington D.C. on Monday. The organization, which is politically directed by the pseudo-left Party for Socialism and Liberation, reprised its role as an auxiliary prop of the Democratic Party, combining left and socialist protest slogans with political support for the Democrats. In Washington D.C., this was highlighted by the organizations embrace of the Democratic Partys D.C. statehood campaign at its protest on Monday. The effort, which is being engineered as a way to create an additional Democratic Party-controlled state and give the party more seats in Congress, has nothing to do with genuinely advancing the democratic rights of the people of the District, as the World Socialist Web Site has written. The adoption of the demand would do little more than hand the city over to the Democratic administration of Muriel Bowser, who has met personally with Trump to discuss collaboration. In December, the mayor wrote on X that she had a great meeting to discuss our shared priorities with the then president-elect. NEW YORK, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Just over half of the hedge fund industry's total gross performance was eaten away by fees over the past two decades, The Wall Street Journal has cited LCH Investments. That compares to about 30 percent between 1969 and the early 2000s, said the company, which manages and advises on investments in hedge funds on behalf of investment firm Edmond de Rothschild and other investors. "This increase in the proportion of gross gains being paid away in fees is clearly not to the advantage of investors," said Rick Sopher, chairman of LCH. Viewed another way, hedge funds have earned 3.72 trillion U.S. dollars since the late 1960s -- and kept nearly 1.8 trillion dollars of that in fees, said the report. "The worsening ratio of fees to gains reflects how hedge-fund returns have moderated in recent years, while fees, especially fixed management charges, have crept higher," it added. Guests, including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool) [Photo by AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool] The wealth of the worlds billionaires increased by more than $2 trillion in 2024, according to the anti-poverty charity Oxfams annual report Monday. Oxfam warned that global society is increasingly dominated by an aristocratic oligarchy. The charity reported that the wealth of the worlds billionaires grew from $13 trillion to $15 trillion in 2024, a rate that is three times faster than in 2023. The wealth of each of the richest 10 individuals grew by almost US$100 million a day in 2024, on average. The number of billionaires grew by 204 to 2,769. Collectively, their wealth grew by about $5.7 billion each day, and there were on average four new billionaires created per week. In its report, Oxfam predicted that the world would have five trillionaires by the end of the decade, compared with its estimate last year that there would only be one. The capture of our global economy by a privileged few has reached heights once considered unimaginable, said Oxfam International Executive Director Amitabh Behar. The failure to stop billionaires is now spawning soon-to-be trillionaires. Not only has the rate of billionaire wealth accumulation acceleratedby three timesbut so too has their power, he said. The worlds richest individuals are Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, with a net worth of $449 billion; Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, with a net worth of $245 billion; and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, with a net worth of $217 billion. The inauguration of Donald Trump prominently featured the attendance of five of the worlds 10 wealthiest people, including Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg, Frances Bernard Arnault and Google co-founder Sergey Brin. What youre seeing at the moment is a billionaire president taking oaths today, backed by the richest man, Behar said, referring to Trump and Musk. So this is pretty much the jewel in the crown of the global oligarchies. Its not about one specific individual, he added. Its the economic system that we have created where the billionaires are now pretty much able to shape economic policies, social policies, which eventually gives them more and more profit. The massive enrichment of the financial elite comes amid a spiraling cost-of-living crisis for the vast majority of humanity. While the richest 1 percent of society owns almost 45 percent of all wealth, 44 percent of humanity is living below the World Banks poverty line of $6.85 per day. The Oxfam report also points to the increasingly entrenched character of what it calls an aristocratic oligarchy. The report states, The idea that extreme wealth is a reward for extreme talent is pervasive and strongly reinforced in our media and popular culture. But this perception is not rooted in reality. It continued: In 2023for the first timemore new billionaires got rich through inheritance than through entrepreneurship. All of the worlds billionaires younger than 30 inherited their wealth. The report includes statistics making clear that the wealth of these financial oligarchs is indeed unfathomable. It noted, Even if you saved US$1,000 daily since the first humans, 315,000 years ago, you still would not have as much money as one of the richest ten billionaires. It added, If any of the richest 10 billionaires lost 99 percent of their wealth, theyd still be a billionaire. The report related the growth of social inequality to the increasing monopolization of industry. As monopolies tighten their stranglehold on industries, billionaires are seeing their wealth skyrocket to unprecedented levels. Monopoly power is escalating extreme wealth and inequality worldwide. Monopolistic corporations can control markets, set the rules and terms of exchange with other companies and workers, and set higher prices without losing business. As an example, the report noted the staggering figure that Amazon [owned by worlds second-richest man, Bezos] accounts for 70 percent or more of online purchases in Germany, France, the UK and Spain. In a speech upon leaving office over the weekend, US President Joe Biden warned of an oligarchy taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence. The Oxfam report makes clear, however, that this oligarchy is not merely taking shape, it has vastly grown its wealth and power under the Biden administration. Biden took office at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the central domestic focus of his administration was bailing out Wall Street and driving workers back to workplaces that were hotbeds of infection, with the aim of reducing costs for major corporations. As a result of its policies, workers share of national income fell to the lowest level in decades. This financial oligarchy uses its control of both political parties to expand its wealth and power at the expense of the working class, whose exploitation forms the basis of their wealth. The incoming Trump administration is a government, as the World Socialist Web Site has explained, of, by and for the oligarchy. Oxfams report was published ahead of the annual gathering of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. While the report presents powerful and undeniable data about the growth of inequality, it argues that the increasing grip of the financial oligarchy can be broken by ensuring corporations and the super-rich pay their fair share of taxes. It does not explain how this is to be accomplished under conditions in which the financial oligarchy controls all of the levers of power. But as the World Socialist Web Sites New Years statement explained, The fight against the oligarchy is by its very nature a revolutionary task. Its wealth must be expropriated and its stranglehold over economic and political life abolished. This requires the mobilization of the working class, on a world scale, to take political power, establish democratic control over the process of production, and reorganize society on the basis of socialismthat is, on the basis of social need, not private profit. Like its counterparts internationally, the Australian Labor government is practically falling over itself to align with the new Trump administration and to normalise its fascistic agenda. Amid Trumps declarations that he will immediately carry out mass deportations and other dictatorial measures, seize whatever territories and even countries he wishes and abolish virtually all social programs, not a single Labor MP has issued a word of criticism or warning. Instead, with an Australian election due by May, Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been in a competition with opposition leader Peter Dutton over who would work best with Trump. Albanese has touted his role in the militarisation of Australia, as part of US-led plans for war with China. Dutton has presented himself as a strong man with ideological affinities with Trump. In two interviews yesterday, hours before the inauguration, Albaneses remarks effectively welcomed the Trump regime. Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Albanese recalled his very constructive discussion with the incoming President when I wished him well on his election. Asked about the potentially disastrous global economic implications of Trumps trade war program, Albanese responded: I made the point to President Trump that the United States has enjoyed a trade surplus with Australia since the Truman Presidency. He noted that the US is a major investor here in Australia So, Im very confident that we will work these issues through because theyre in the interests of both Australia and the United States. That was essentially a pitch for Australia, a close US military ally, to be welcomed into Trumps Fortress America, as he threatens economic warfare and even military conquest against friends and foes alike. US President Donald Trump and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong [AP Photo/Alex Brandon / Hamish Blair] Labors Foreign Minister Penny Wong was at Trumps inauguration today, along with former Labor prime minister and current Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd. The two sat politely through the degraded spectacle of reaction, with Wong then giving comments to the media positive of Trump. President Trump has made it very clear hes going to do things differently, Wong told ABC radio this morning. Hes made it clear hes going to implement an America first agenda and we should be realistic about that. And, Wong said, We should also be confident in who we are, in our values, our place in the world. Were Wong transported back to 1933, perhaps she might have said Chancellor Hitler has made it very clear hes going to do things differently. Hes going to implement a Germany first agenda, etc. That is hardly an exaggeration. Wong had just participated in an event where Trump hailed as heroes the insurrectionists who attempted to overthrow American democracy on January 6, 2021, at his behest, and said that he would begin mass roundups of immigrants immediately. The implications were made clear by Elon Musk, the richest man in the world and a central figure in the new administration, who repeatedly performed a Nazi salute to applause at a Trump rally after the inauguration ceremony. Wong told the ABC: It was an honour and a privilege for me to be there, as you say, the first time the Australian Foreign Minister has been invited and I was very honoured to represent our country at such an important event, the peaceful transfer of power in this great democracy. Wongs grovelling adulation of the new fascist president must be a warning to the Australian working class and the working class throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Trumps program of social counter revolution at home and war abroad is not an American phenomenon only. It is one that is increasingly being adopted by governments globally including in Australia. For more than a year, Wong, as foreign minister, along with Albanese, has been most directly responsible for Australias unwavering support of the Israeli genocide of Palestinians. That has included spearheading a fraudulent campaign, conflating all opposition to the war crimes with antisemitism. But here was a fascistic figure, Trump, giving a speech clearly modelled on those of Adolf Hitler. And Musk had delivered his Nazi salute, before Wongs media interviews. By participating in the inauguration and not raising a critical word afterwards, Wong was complicit in genuine antisemitism. One of the few questions she received from the ABC, pointing to Trumps fascist rhetoric, raised his comments about seizing the Panama Canal. The interviewer noted that Trump had claimed China was taking over the canal, and the US would not allow that. Wong, a colourless bureaucrat, replied in her droning tone: Well, I think that that is an expression of his view, and the Presidents view, and the approach that they will take vis-a-vis China. And I think that is an unsurprising approach given what has been said during the campaign in relation to China. That is, she effectively endorsed Trumps hysterical anti-China demagogy, as well as his naked threats of imperial plunder. Wong, like Albanese, touted US investment in Australia. And she raised the other central preoccupation of the government, the AUKUS war pact with the US and the UK, directed against China, under which Australia is acquiring nuclear-powered submarines as part of a massive militarisation. Wong was confident AUKUS would persist under Trump, and she is meeting his incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio tomorrow, to discuss deepening the anti-China push. Labors welcoming of the Trump regime is bound up with the fact that dominant sections of the ruling elite view the interests of Australian imperialism, including in the South Pacific, as being served by the US war drive targeting Beijing. But more generally, the response is part of a far-reaching normalisation of fascistic and authoritarian rule. Amid a breakdown of capitalism, growing social opposition and war, there is a sense in ruling circles that Trumps dictatorial, militaristic and anti-working class agenda advances their interests. That has found expression in the media reaction too. The Murdoch-owned Australian has hailed Trumps inauguration, including by presenting him as a saviour of AUKUS. But the erstwhile liberal publications have essentially taken the same position. The Sydney Morning Herald uncritically cited CNNs description of Musks Nazi salutes as odd-looking salutes. Their hack reporters have been centrally involved in the demonisation of the pro-Palestinian movement, finding antisemitism, where there was none, in countless protests and anti-war events, but now they seem not to know what a Sieg Heil signifies. The Herald also published an annotated copy of Trumps address, that was uncritical, bordering on adulatory. For instance, in response to Trumps Hitlerian declaration that For American citizens, January 20, 2025, is Liberation Day, the Heralds analysts wrote: Of all the American values, liberty is probably the most compelling, and this declaration is both Churchillian and weirdly filmic. And where Trump said, Many people thought it was impossible for me to stage such a historic political comeback, the Herald commented Aint that the truth. To be fair, Trump has earned his triumphalism here. The WSWS has characterised Trumps ascension as the rule of the oligarchy. That this is not only a US phenomenon was expressed in the decision by Australias richest individual, Gina Rinehart, to take out a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal hailing his victory. Fellow Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt did the same in the New York Times. Rinehart, a mining magnate with a fortune estimated at $A47.3 billion, gushed Like many all over the world we salute your leadership President-elect Trump. In ads that she took out last month, Rinehart, who has met repeatedly with Trump, pointed to the reasons for that support. He was an Outstanding Leader, Who understands that high government tape, regulation and taxes do nothing to encourage investment. Rinehart has become increasingly politically active. In August, she called for the introduction of compulsory military training and the construction of an Israel-style Iron Dome missile defence system in northern Australia, as part of the confrontation with China. Rinehart has called for sweeping tax cuts and the establishment of special economic zones, that would fuel business and billionaire profits. In 2012, Rinehart caused widespread anger with a video noting that workers in African mines were willing to labour for $2 a day. Australian workers would need to be more productive to compete, she said. These are the social interests represented, not only by Trump, but by capitalist governments around the world, including Albaneses Labor administration. Vice President JD Vance greets President-elect Donald Trump after Vance was sworn in during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. [AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson] Donald Trumps second term began with his signing the first in a series of unprecedented executive orders aimed at restricting immigration and democratic rights. Trump signed an initial set of orders in front of a crowd of supporters chanting USA! USA! USA! at an arena in Washington D.C. and returned to the White House where he signed further orders. Included among those signed are a ban on birthright citizenship. Trump presented himself as a peacemaker during his inaugural address, but the policies he announced amount to a declaration of war against the worlds population. He denounced immigration as an invasion and said his executive orders were aimed at bringing about a revolution that will halt all immigration at the southern border, require mass detention for immigrants without criminal records and deploy the US military domestically in some form. The president lacks the power to issue executive orders that contravene constitutional provisions like the 14th Amendments guarantee of birthright citizenship, but that did not stop Trump. Many of the orders will be challenged in court, but the far-right-dominated Supreme Court will have the final say on their legality. I will declare a national emergency at our southern border, Trump said during his inaugural speech earlier in the day, adding that all illegal entry will immediately be halted. And we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. The claim that there are millions of criminal aliens is a bald-faced liethose without documentation have committed no criminal offense and it has been shown that immigrant workers commit substantially less crime than US citizens. Trump also said he would designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, a measure that paves the way for potential military action in Mexico and Central America and which gives federal authorities the power to criminally prosecute individuals for material support for terrorism if they, for example, pay extortion fees to gangs against their will. When asked last night during an impromptu oval office press gaggle whether this designation meant Trump might launch military operations in Mexico, Trump said, it might. Stranger things have happened. Trump also said during his inaugural speech that he would be invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, the same provision of law invoked by John Adams, as well as by presidents Wilson and Roosevelt to detain immigrants and many US citizens during the First and Second World Wars. The law gives the president the ability to detain and deport individuals without due process. Trump also indicated his operations would target major population centers, stating the administration will use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks bringing devastating crime to US soil, including our cities and inner cities. As he signed the first of the orders, Trump told the crowd at Capitol One Arena that they were aimed at stopping millions of immigrants pouring into our country from jails, prisons, mental institutions and insane asylums. It stops as of 1 oclock this afternoon. He told his supporters that they would be happy reading the newspapers in the coming days as they learn about the contents of the executive orders directed against immigrants. As he signed the orders, the New York Times reported that Trump had ordered the firing of a number of officials in the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), the agency which oversees the immigration court system. Trumps new Acting EOIR head, Sirce Owens, is a far-right-wing judge at the Board of Immigration Appeals and former Immigrations and Customs Enforcement attorney. This move indicates Trump and his aides are preparing to speed up removal proceedings by enforcing significant restrictions on due process. Trump also pledged to reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy launched in 2019 during his first term; however, it will have a vastly changed character since migrants will not be waiting for their immigration cases to be considered. Under Biden, asylum seekers were already being compelled to wait in Mexico for months for asylum hearings through the CBP One mobile app, but now such requests have been suspended indefinitely. As yesterdays events transpired in Washington, scenes of immense suffering took place at the border crossing between El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez. Thousands of migrants waiting along the border began crying in near freezing temperatures as their CBP One afternoon appointments were immediately canceled. Nearby, lines of anti-riot police temporarily shut down the port of entry as a threat against any protests among the gathered migrants. An estimated 270,000 migrants were waiting to get an appointment through the app when it was shut down. To an even greater extent than during his first term, Trump will rely on the collaboration of the Mexican government now led by pseudo-leftist President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has verbally denounced the return of the Remain in Mexico policy while remaining open to receiving deportees and those rejected at the border. Sheinbaum said Monday that she hopes to convince Trump to maintain access to CBP One applicants in southern Mexico, where they will become an extremely vulnerable source of cheap labor, especially after facing systematic extortion by gangs and security forces. The orders will impact the lives of millions of people and will generate immense opposition in the population. Already, concerns over mass deportations led many schoolteachers and business owners to report on social media that immigrants were staying home rather than leaving for work, school or errands. The World Socialist Web Site will continue to report on the content of the executive orders as they are made available to the public. Protesters hold a rally at Mariachi Plaza as they rally for immigrant rights, the Israel-Hamas war, women's reproductive rights, racial equality and others, on the day of President Donald Trump's Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in the Boyle Heights district of Los Angeles. [AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes] Responding to widespread public concern over President Donald Trumps threats to quickly begin mass deportations of 13 million undocumented immigrants following his inauguration Monday, California Democrats have approved $50 million in state funding for immigrant services. Last week State Senate Budget Committee Chair Scott Wiener announced he would amend legislation to provide $25 million to legal aid for Californians at risk of deportation, detention and wage theft. The bill comes after a special legislative session was announced last month by Governor Gavin Newsom to supposedly Trump-proof the state from federal intervention. The Senate Democratic Caucus also authorized another $25 million to the California Department of Justice to supposedly fight the federal administration in court. The funding is a cynical maneuver on the part of the Democratic Party to assuage widespread fear among millions of immigrants and their families and friends, while deflecting attention from its own horrendous record on deportations and its decades- long assaults on immigrants. Moreover, the $50 million is a pittance compared to the tens of billions or more that will be spent on carrying out the Trump administrations mass detention and deportation of millions of immigrants and their families. Significantly, the announcement also comes during the midst of the catastrophic fires in Los Angeles in which the Newsom administration has clashed with Trump over the botched state handling of the crisis. The Republicans, led by Trump, have gone so far as to threaten to withhold disaster relief if California Democrats do not cooperate in their deportation of immigrants. Wiener described the threats as inhumane and said that California would be a bulwark against Trumps extremist agenda. Despite any posturing about the fate of immigrants, Biden promised the smoothest transition to Trump, who has declared among his highest priorities the deportation of millions of workers and their families, dismantling birthright citizenship. In recent days it has been reported that Trump plans to begin with mass raids in the Democratic Party stronghold of Chicago, the third largest city in the United States. The Democratic Party is not a constituency for either the defense of immigrants or of democratic rights, and cannot be entrusted to wage any significant struggle against the assaults which are forthcoming. The Democrats policy on immigration Democrats have been at the forefront of a massive and brutal assault on immigrants which has been escalating for decades. The administration of Bill Clinton (1993-2001) was critical in militarizing the border from San Diego to El Paso with Operation Hold the Line in 1993, Operation Gatekeeper in 1994, and Operation Rio Grande in 1997. The operations were tasked with showing force, adding miles of new fence and expanding technology to hunt and find immigrants, employing stadium lighting, infrared night-vision scopes and buried seismic motion sensors. Under Clinton, the number of immigration agents more than doubled, from 3,400 to 7,700. Would-be immigrants were forced to cross the inhospitable deserts of the American southwest, killing an estimated 27,000 people since 1994. The Democratic Party under President Obama (2008-2016) also holds the notorious record of the most deportations of immigrants, even more than Trump. The Obama administration deported 2.7 million people, earning him the epithet of Deporter-in-Chief. Under Obama, a vast network of concentration camps were established to detain, process and deport millions. The so-called Secure Communities Program was re-christened the Priority Enforcement Program, allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to cooperate with local police. Obama also expanded the bed mandate, essentially a quota system requiring ICE to hold an average of a given number of immigrants every day. Obama expanded the mandate from 28,450 to 36,000, an enormous gift to ICE. In 2010, Obama signed a bill giving $600 million to militarize the border even further, hiring thousands more border agents, deploying 1,600 National Guard troops and flying Predator drones in the sky. As a result, spending on detention soared under the Obama administration, to $2.6 billion a year, twice what it was in 2006 Obama was also notorious for spearheading brutal crackdowns on migrants fleeing Central America, with the Programa Frontera Sur in 2014. The administration, working with Mexico, set up checkpoints and conducted raids on its southern border with Guatemala to intercept refugees before they reach Mexico. This had the desired effect of axing the right to asylum, forcing migrants to go back to the very countries they were trying to escape from in the first place. The record and rhetoric of the Biden-Harris Administration towards immigrant rights is completely in line with the fascistic attacks by Trump. The last administration infamously upheld Title 42, a COVID-19 era ban on immigrants, and then imposed a new ban on refugees seeking asylum at the border. The images of refugees languishing at the border under freeway underpasses in Texas and being corralled by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents on horseback will forever taint the Biden-Harris years. In 2021, Harris also infamously told would-be migrants from Central America seeking refuge in the US, Do not come If you come to our border, you will be turned back. In her failed presidential bid, Harris pledged $20 billion to border security, including $8 billion to ICE and $3 billion to expand the detention camps to house up to 50,000 people. She also pledged to give CBP another $7 billion, including $723 million to hire more agents. On the campaign trail, Harris attacked Trump from the right, saying, Donald Trump doesnt want to fix the problemhe talks a big game about border security, but he doesnt walk the walk. The stage was already set for Trumps mass raids by one of the final actions of the outgoing Biden Administration, with raids by CBP in Californias Central Valley region of Kern County, the largest dragnet of its kind in years. Officials arrested at least 78, primarily agricultural workers, and terrorized entire towns where residents locked themselves in their homes for days. The massive assaults on free speech and democratic rights on college campuses across the country, particularly in states which are run from top to bottom by the Democratic Party, are one expression of the hostility of this capitalist party towards the working class and immigrant workers. Widespread protests have erupted on college campuses since the start of the ongoing Gaza genocide. Students in the thousands have faced arrest, criminal prosecutions, and administrative and punitive actions by university officials that threaten their schooling and future. Among the most vindictive was the persecution of Momodou Taal, a British-Gambian student at Cornell University in New York, who was threatened with deportation for engaging in peaceful protests that were aimed at Boeing and L3Harris, two companies that profit from US and NATOs imperialist wars, including Israels genocide on Gaza. Taals persecution was led entirely by the Democratic Party which controls both the university and the state government of New York. The assaults on students at thousands of high school and college campuses for engaging in protests against the genocide were aimed at silencing free speech and opposition ot the Israeli-US backed assault. The crackdown on University of California campuses, particularly at UC Los Angeles, where university officials and police stood by for hours as the protest encampment was attacked by far-right and Zionist elements, is another clear example of the disdain of the Democratic Party for the most basic democratic rights. From their inception in the middle of the 1980s, so-called sanctuary cities or distinctions as a City of Refuge, were and have continued to be largely symbolic. In general this has referred to pledges by county or city ordinances of local governments to order some limit on complying with federal immigration agents. This can encompass numerous aspects, from withholding information to prohibiting the use of city funds and resources for federal immigration enforcement. Since 2017 eleven states have defined themselves as Sanctuary States, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Utah. Despite their designation as such, federal immigration authorities have not been hindered or prevented from carrying out mass raids and deportations. According to the organization Freedom for Immigrants, California has the third-largest number of immigrants held in detention centers, 90 percent of whom are held in privately-run immigrant detention centers. Eighty percent of those detained are kept in detention centers controlled by three main companies, CoreCivic, GEO Group, and Management and Training Corp. Sweeping measures are expected this week by the new Trump administration, led by border czar Tom Homan, measures which have been outlined in recent weeks. Trump plans to build a vast network of immigrant jails, family tent detention centers, which include transit routes for trains, buses and military aircraft, to facilitate mass deportation on an unprecedented scale. The plan is expected to cost at least $86 billion, an enormous sum to be paid for by the working class, and relies on the employment of the Alien Enemies Act and Insurrection Act, which would place the country under martial law. The response of Biden and the Democrats has been to collaborate with Trumps attack on immigrants. Democrats have rubber stamped critical legislation backed by Trump including the Laken Riley Act, which provides the pretext for the vast expansion of the immigrant prison network by requiring that the Department of Homeland Security detain immigrants who have been arrested for minor offenses such as burglary, theft, shoplifting or larceny. The law is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was killed last February in Georgia by an undocumented immigrant previously arrested for shoplifting. Trump and the far right have seized on the murder and exploited details of her tragic death to promote his anti-immigrant agenda. Forty-eight Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to support the bill on January 9, essentially giving Trump and the new fascist administration a blank check. This reactionary legislation provided political cover to the Democrats, who in large measure support mass detentions and deportations, though they are careful to couch their support in a supposed fight against criminals. In every city across the country, as the crackdown on immigrant workers unfolds, workers, teachers, nurses, students, railroaders, auto workersall industries of workers and young peoplewill come into direct struggle against these anti-democratic measures. Their unions, where they exist, tied as they are to the Democrats, will refuse to carry out mass struggles. The working class must understand that the defense of immigrants cannot be entrusted to the Democratic Party or the nationalist trade union apparatus. As the WSWS has explained, the anti-immigrant measures which the fascistic Trump administration is preparing are a precursor to the measures which will aim at the entire working class, as it enters into struggle against imperialist war, the domination of society by a parasitic financial oligarchy, and for the struggle for the socialist reorganization of society. CAIRO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Egypt sent at least 260 trucks of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing on Tuesday, the third day of a truce between Israel and Hamas, Egypt's state news agency MENA reported. The convoy included 23 trucks carrying fuel, MENA said. A total of 680 aid trucks have crossed into Gaza from Egypt since the start of the ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States. This included 330 trucks (20 with fuel) on Sunday and 350 (14 with fuel) on Monday, according to MENA. The Rafah crossing is a vital entry point for aid destined for Gaza from Egypt, other countries, and international organizations. Israel has controlled the Palestinian side of the crossing since May 2024 and reopened under the terms of the ceasefire. MOGADISHU, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) relief agency said Tuesday that 33.3 million U.S. dollars have been allocated for life-saving humanitarian assistance in Somalia in 2024. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the funds allocated by the Somalia Humanitarian Fund (SHF) have focused on life-saving interventions targeted at underserved and hard-to-reach areas. The OCHA said the funds have enabled 58 humanitarian partners to provide immediate response to predicted flooding, devastating drought conditions, and the need to enhance safety, security, and coordination. The OCHA said the SHF had allocated funds through three reserve allocations and one standard allocation, complemented by three Central Emergency Response Fund allocations amounting to 10 million dollars that offered critical resources to respond to the cholera outbreak, provided urgent response to displacement, and helped mitigate the impact of projected below-average rains and La Nina conditions. According to the OCHA, the 25-million-dollar standard allocation piloted the Integrated Response Framework and implemented multi-sectoral responses to prevent the deterioration in the severity of needs. It added that the inclusion of women and girls and people with disabilities is ensured in every allocation, noting that 90 percent of the projects contribute in various ways to gender equality. The SHF is a multi-donor, country-based pooled fund, established to support the timely allocation and disbursement of donor resources to address the most urgent humanitarian needs. ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- China and Africa have enjoyed remarkable achievements in their diplomatic and economic relations amid deepening collaboration in international and regional affairs, Chinese and African Union (AU) officials have said. They made the remarks Monday at the new compound of the Mission of China to the AU in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, where a gala is held to celebrate the start of Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival. The Spring Festival falls on Jan. 29 this year, ushering in the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. Hu Changchun, head of the Chinese Mission to the AU, told the event that the overall characterization of China-Africa relations has been elevated to an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era. "No matter how international and regional circumstances change, China is always Africa's most reliable friend, the most reliable partner in African pursuit of development, and Africa's strongest supporter on the international stage," he said. The Chinese government is committed to working with African friends to implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit, carry out the "10 partnership actions," and work together on the path toward modernization, Hu said. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, deputy chairperson for the African Union Commission, said AU-China cooperation has achieved gratifying and fruitful results during the previous years, noting China's 35-year-long tradition of dispatching its foreign minister to Africa on their first overseas trips at the start of a year. "In recent years, the political mutual trust between the African Union and China has continued to deepen, and the two sides have closely cooperated in international and regional affairs," Nsanzabaganwa said. She noted that China has always firmly supported Africa's struggle against colonialism, power politics and racial discrimination, for which the African Union is deeply grateful. According to Nsanzabaganwa, 2025 marks the first year for the implementation of the outcomes of the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, and the AU is committed to strengthening the deep synergy of development strategies with China and working together to set a benchmark for international cooperation. Monday's event, which attracted the representatives of the AU and the Chinese community in Addis Ababa, featured Chinese foods and traditional performances from both China and Africa, among others. CAIRO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, discussed on Tuesday over phone regional developments, especially the situation in the Gaza Strip. Sisi reviewed the efforts made by Egypt since October 2023 in partnership with Qatar and the United States to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement. Sisi emphasized the recently-reached Gaza ceasefire-for-hostage release deal is the main pillar for restoring calm in the region, highlighting ongoing Egyptian efforts to ensure its implementation and facilitate the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza in sufficient quantities, the statement noted. He stressed the importance of concerted international efforts to ensure the implementation of the agreement, leading to the launch of a political path based on the two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, which is the only path towards sustainable security and stability in the region, it showed. For his part, Putin stressed his constant keenness to communicate and coordinate with Sisi, appreciating Egypt's pivotal role in reaching the ceasefire agreement and its constant efforts to maintain regional stability and security, the statement added. According to the statement, the two leaders also discussed the situation in Syria, where Sisi stressed Egypt's keenness to preserve the unity of Syria, the integrity of its territories and the security of its people, as well as the need for regional and international efforts to restore stability in Syria. They also addressed developments in Lebanon, efforts to restore stability in Sudan and Libya, and developments in the ongoing Ukraine crisis, according to the statement. At least one person has died as a result of freezing temperatures across the state, according to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. GEMA Director Chris Stallings joined Governor Brian Kemp and other state officials for a news conference on Tuesday morning ahead of a winter storm. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Stallings says a critical needs patient got hypothermia on Monday night and died. He did not clarify where that person lived or what led up to his or her death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz says temperatures will stay near or below freezing for the next several days. Stallings went on to ask Georgians to give them space to work, making sure roads are treated and safe for drivers. RELATED STORIES: Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry confirmed that crews have been working since Sunday to make sure most of the interstates and heavily-trafficked roads are pretreated. Because the latest forecasts show heavier snowfall in central and south Georgia, tankers are being repositioned further south before the winter storm moves into the state. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) One person was hospitalized and traffic is blocked Tuesday morning because of downed utility lines after a single-vehicle crash on N. Kings Highway, Horry County Fire Rescue said. The crash happened along N. Kings Highway near Cove Drive, HCFR said. All lanes of traffic are currently blocked because a severed pole and utlity lines are in the roadway. Crews responded at 10:15 a.m. Horry County Fire Rescue / Facebook Horry County Fire Rescue / Facebook The road is expected to be blocked for an extended period of time. Utility crews are working to fix the damaged lines and pole. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating. The Myrtle Beach Fire Department is assisting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 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 WBTW. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Kansas Highway Patrol said a 29-year-old Lost Springs, Kansas man was killed in a head-on crash Monday. The crash happened around 1 p.m. on U.S. Highway 56 just north of 270th Road in Marion County. The KHP said a Ram truck driven by Kendall L. Harding was heading north when he somehow went into the southbound lane, striking a semi head-on. Dangerous cold through Tuesday morning, mainly dry Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harding was pronounced dead at the scene. The 36-year-old driver of the semi wasnt injured. The KHP report says Harding wasnt wearing a seatbelt. Copyright 2025 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 KSN-TV. MINNIE, Ky. (FOX 56) One man has died following a three-vehicle crash Friday afternoon in Floyd County. According to Kentucky State Police, the crash happened at 2:24 p.m. at the intersection of Kentucky Route 1103 and Kentucky Route 680 near the Minnie community. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Initial investigations showed that Terry Samons was trying to merge onto KY 680 when he was hit by a vehicle driven by Elsie Watts. Samons vehicle then crashed into another vehicle driven by Elizabeth Isaac. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Floyd County Coroner declared Samons dead at the scene. The KSP crash reconstruction team is investigating the collision. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. There is one month left to apply for a scholarship from Jacksonville-based personal injury law firm Farah & Farah. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The Empowering Greatness scholarship helps five Florida high school seniors, covering two full years of tuition at a Florida university, college, or trade school. A scholarship committee will use a rubric to rank all completed applications. The top 10 percent of applicants will advance to a judges panel for review and final selections. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Students can submit their applications through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida online application portal, which is now open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deadline is Feb. 18. For more information, visit click here. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Jan. 20The 107th Attack Wing recently enlisted its 108th recruit of 2024 (between fresh recruits and prior service) just before the close of the year, an achievement that has only been accomplished twice before in the past 20 years. This string of enlistments marks a considerable increase from 2023, during a prolonged period of challenges and obstacles shared by U.S. military recruiters across the country, say the recruiters of the 107th. Recruiting into the military has always had its highs and lows, especially present day as any recruiter will echo. Ashish Vazrani, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, stated in a December 2023 article that during fiscal year 2023 the US military collectively missed recruiting goals by about 41,000 recruits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks to 107th recruiting efforts the wing currently stands at 740 of 779 authorized personnel (100% manning). The lowest the wing has ever been since being assigned the MQ-9 Reaper in 2014 was 708, only 90%. Tech Sgt's Ken Chudoba and Thomas Viau, 107th Recruiting Flight Chief and Production Recruiter respectively, cite medical waivers (most commonly), and a general lack of public awareness of guard opportunities, as common obstacles to recruitment. "A lot of people we talk to, including active-duty personnel, don't even realize the Air National Guard was even an option," Chudoba said. "Once they hear of the benefits of local service, they get super intrigued. It's our job as recruiters to break down those information barriers and let people know they can do this." "The vast majority of applicants I speak with have a positive attitude towards the military and military service. I struggle with getting them qualified to join," Viau added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each state is responsible for meeting its own recruiting quota; as of February 2024, Tennessee Air National Guard maintains the highest end strength in the country at 107%, while DC held the lowest at 82%. The recruitment pool for the seven Airmen assigned to 107th Recruiting is from their backyard in Niagara Falls to Rochester, and south to Jamestown. According to Viau, some of the most challenging careers to recruit into are Public Affairs, largely because the field requires a comparatively high initial entrance testing score (the ASVAB), and Medical Officers, where professional degrees are required before the applicant is even considered qualified. "In my experience the easiest posts to recruit to are in Civil Engineering, because they are mostly construction trade and have a lot of on and off base application, or security forces," Viau said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite challenging recruiting times, only the Marine Corps and the Air National Guard met or exceeded their recruiting goals, according to a January 2023 Department of Defense press release. "Bonus Incentives- Having the option of giving out bonuses from $50,000 for National Bonuses and $25,000 for Local Bonuses greatly assisted us with closing enlistments," said Chudoba. "We've also changed our marketing strategies, focusing on new markets and messaging and long-term return on investment." The 107th Recruiting Team remains positive they can keep their momentum into 2025. "The team is energized, and laser focused on exceeding 2024's efforts", said Lt. Col. Kiley Hand, 107th Force Support Squadron commander. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We were able to gain an additional $88,000 this year to upgrading and outfitting our trailer, we're all excited show it off," Viau added. This article originally appeared on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Tuesday about Floridas State of Emergency, which was issued due to approaching winter storms. DeSantis spoke from the states Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. WATCH THE FULL NEWS CONFERENCE HERE: Governor DeSantis Provides Updates on Winter Storm from Tallahassee https://t.co/sycgbmF676 Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 21, 2025 DeSantis said the expected conditions in North Florida are projected to constitute a major disaster. Watch: Winter storm systems bring cold, rain and wind to Central Florida That includes hazardous driving conditions across Tuesday night and into Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Central Florida, a light mix of freezing rain and sleet is possible in parts of Marion County, where a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect. Read: DeSantis declares State of Emergency as Florida braces for arctic blast Parts of Floridas Panhandle could receive 2 to 4 inches of snow. Channel 9 will provide continuing coverage of the winter storms on Eyewitness News. Watch: Matthews Hope: Central Florida nonprofit helps community stay warm and fed during winter storms Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Eleven Wisconsin residents, including one man from Milwaukee, are among the hundreds of Americans to receive pardons for their involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection, a result of President Donald Trump making good on a campaign promise hours after being sworn into office. The pardoned Wisconsin residents were found guilty in federal court of felonies and misdemeanors associated with storming the Capitol four years ago. Their convictions ranged from charges of violent entry and disorderly conduct on the grounds of the Capitol, obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon. Riley Kasper of Iron County is among the Wisconsin residents who received a pardon. Kasper pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. Afterward, Kasper wrote on Facebook, I pepper sprayed 3 cops so bad they got undressed and went home, according to the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of the 11 men Paul E. Kovacik of Milwaukee and Kevin Loftus of Eau Claire either fled the country or attempted to leave the country to avoid sentencing. Kovacik was living in Ireland but returned to the United States because he was "homesick," according to court records. Loftus was apprehended at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Oct. 28, 2024, while attempting to board a flight headed to Tbilisi, Georgia. At the time, he was living in Dallas. Loftus told agents he was headed to Russia to become a member of the Russian military, according to court records. Trump on a day the 47th president referred to as "liberation day" during his inauguration speech issued a proclamation, pardoning the nearly 1,600 people who were charged in the riot by the fourth anniversary Jan. 6, according to the Justice Department. About 1,270 people have been convicted from charges associated with the riot. More than 1,000 pleaded guilty and 260 were convicted at trials. The guilty pleas included 327 people admitting felonies and 682 people admitting misdemeanors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These are the hostages, approximately 1,500 for a pardon. Full pardon," Trump said in the Oval Office, according to USA Today. "We have about six commutations in there where we're doing further research. This is a big one. We hope they come out tonight. Kevin Loftus, Eau Claire Kevin Daniel Loftus of Eau Claire was arrested Tuesday by the FBI. He was being sought in connection with illegally entering the U.S. Capitol during the riot on Jan. 6. Kevin Loftus, of Eau Claire, was charged with the following: Illegally entering either house of Congress, or adjacent areas. Violent entry and disorderly conduct on the grounds of the Capitol. Case status: In October 2021, Loftus pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. He was later sentenced to three years probation, 60 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $500 restitution. On Oct. 31, 2024, Loftus was arrested in Iowa for violating his probation by traveling without notifying his probation officer. Loftus, who was living in north Texas, attempted to board a flight to Istanbul, Turkey, in late October with the eventual goal of joining the Russian military, according to court records. He was denied boarding when his name flagged a security alert at the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then drove north, leaving Texas and violating his probation. Though he was arrested in Iowa, Loftus told officials he had intended to visit his son in Chippewa Falls. On Dec. 16, his probation was revoked, and he was sentenced to six months in jail. He was subsequently apprehended attempting to leave the country and fly Georgia to join the Russian military. More: Lawsuit over Wisconsin's fake Trump electors will proceed to trial David Mish, West Allis David Mish, of West Allis, was charged with the following David Mish of West Allis appears in a still of a video taken by another man who entered the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Mish is seen as the mob of rioters is being pushed out of the building after police fatally shot a woman. Unlawful entry on restricted grounds. Violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Case status: Mish pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, and the other charges were dismissed. He was sentenced in November 2021 to 30 days in jail and ordered to pay $500 restitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court records, Mish contacted the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department the day after the attack and said he had information about the death of Ashli Babbitt, an insurrectionist who was shot by an officer as she tried to climb through a broken window into the Speaker's Lobby. Michael Fitzgerald, Janesville Federal prosecutors say this man is Michael Fitzgerald of Janesville, seen inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Michael Fitzgerald, of Janesville, was charged with the following: Obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder. Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority. Violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Case status: Fitzgerald pleaded not guilty to all charges. After delays in his hearing due to health reasons, the court dismissed the obstruction charge in November 2024. In a June 2023 interview with the Janesville Gazette, Fitzgerald said he had been diagnosed with stage four colon and liver cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the attack, Fitzgerald was in the in the front of a crowd that pushed into the south entrance to the U.S. Senate around 2:47 p.m. More: Nearly a dozen Wisconsinites were convicted in Jan. 6 riots. Here's what happened to them Abram Markofski and Brandon Nelson, La Crosse Brandon Nelson, left, and Abram Markofski, right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abram Markofski and Brandon Nelson, both of La Crosse, were charged with the following: Entering a restricted building. Disruptive conduct in a restricted building. Parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Case status: Both Nelson and Markofski pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. They were sentenced to serve two years probation and ordered to pay $500 restitution. Ahead of the Jan. 6 attack, Markofski and Nelson drove together to Washington, D.C., from Wisconsin, and surveillance cameras showed they spent about 40 minutes inside the Capitol. Markofski was also a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard, having enlisted in 2019 and holding the rank of private first class at the time. Riley Kasper, Saxon Riley D. Kasper outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 Riley Kasper, of Saxon, was charged with the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil disorder. Assaulting, resisting or impeding officers while armed with a dangerous weapon. Engaging in violence in a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon. Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon. Committing acts of physical violence on Capitol grounds. Case status: Kasper pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, and the other charges were dismissed. He was sentenced on Feb. 6, 2024, to 37 months in prison and two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. Videos of the Jan. 6 attack show Kasper spraying officers with bear repellent. Afterward, Kasper wrote on Facebook, I pepper sprayed 3 cops so bad they got undressed and went home, according to the FBI. Paul Edward Kovacik, Milwaukee Paul E. Kovacik, wearing the Trump sweatshirt, seen inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2020. Milwaukee resident Paul Edward Kovacik was charged in May 2022 with entering and remaining in a restricted building. He was also charged with the following: Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds. Disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. Parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Case Status: Kovacik pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building and was initially sentenced in June 2023. However, he fled the country and claimed to be living in Ireland seeking asylum and international protection with the Irish government. He withdrew his asylum claim and returned to the United States voluntarily because he felt "homesick." He was arrested and sent to a federal prison in Chicago. Conlin Weyer, Plover Conlin Weyer, of Plover, was charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds in May 2022. He was also charged with the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds. Disorderly conduct in a Capitol Building or grounds. Parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Case Status: Weyer pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. He was sentenced Oct. 5, 2023, to 18 months of probation, 30 days location monitoring, $25 special assessment, $500 restitution and $500 fine. Joshua Munn, Melrose Joshua Munn, of Melrose, was charged with the following in 2021: Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without authority. Disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. Case Status: Munn pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating, or picketing a capitol building, and the other charges were dismissed. On Oct. 12, 2022, he was sentenced to 36 months probation, $10 special assessment, $500 restitution and 60 hours of community service. Joseph Cattani, Colgate Video shows Joseph Cattani grab the face mask of an officer inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Joseph Cattani, of Washington County, was charged with civil disorder and assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers. He was also charged with the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil disorder. Entering and remaining in a restricted building. Disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. Parading, picketing and demonstrating in a Capitol building. Case Status: Cattani pleaded not guilty to all charges. An open-source video showed Cattani pulling an officers face shield up and down as the officers head twists and turns. He then pushed his way into the Capitol building. He has a jury trial scheduled for July 7, according to court records. Charles Walters, Sparta Charles Walters, of Sparta, was charged in a criminal complaint filed in Washington, D.C., with one felony offense of destruction of government property in 2023. He was also charged with the following: Entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds. Disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds. Disorderly conduct in the Capitol grounds or buildings. Parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Case Status: Walters pleaded guilty to entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds and pleaded not guilty to the remaining charges. During a bench trial on Sept. 17, 2024, he was found not guilty of the felony offense of destruction of government property, but found guilty of the misdemeanor offense. He is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 7. According to court records, Walters kicked through fencing surrounding the Capitol, yelled at and confronted police inside the Capitol throughout the afternoon and early evening of Jan. 6, and only left the grounds at dusk when forced to by police. USA TODAY contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump pardons 11 Wisconsin residents who were charged in Jan. 6 attack NAIROBI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is on high alert after neighboring Tanzania confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the northwestern Kagera region, a health official said Tuesday. While Kenya has no reported cases, the country remains at high risk due to significant cross-border movements from Tanzania and other neighboring nations, said Mary Muthoni, principal secretary for public health and professional standards in the Ministry of Health, in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. "The Ministry of Health remains committed to protecting the health and safety of all Kenyans. Consequently, preparedness is being enhanced in the country through the development of a Marburg virus disease preparedness and response plan," she said. The statement was issued after the Marburg virus outbreak was confirmed in Tanzania's Kagera region on Monday, with one positive case detected during investigations into suspected infections. Tanzania reported that a total of 25 suspected cases have been identified as of Monday. All of them have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up. Tanzania previously reported an MVD outbreak in March 2023, the country's first, in the Kagera region, during which a total of nine cases and six deaths were reported, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Muthoni said surveillance has been enhanced countrywide in all counties and at all points of entry to curb the outbreak of the serious disease, which often leads to death. "We strongly advise the general public to follow public health measures and seek medical attention at the nearest public health facility if you experience any Marburg virus disease-like symptoms," Muthoni said. The Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials, according to the WHO. In Africa, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda. After 130 years of developing in Cincinnati, Al. Neyer is changing its name and rethinking its future. The design-build firm will now be called Merus a combination of the words "merit" and "us" and an ode to the fact that the company has been 100% employee-owned for 10 years. In 2022, The Enquirer featured it as one of the city's top workplaces, according to employees. You have probably seen some of the firm's more contemporary projects or driven by new construction going up now: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Urban Sites, Merus transformed an old Kenton County administration building and jail into The Hayden at Roebling Point a mixed-use building with 133 apartments. It's one of the newest additions to the city's skyline. The company helped construct The Blonde Apartments @ 8th and Main, a 125-unit luxury complex with micro and studio units in downtown Cincinnati for North American Properties and NorthPointe Group. The Point is a new 55-unit student housing community rising on William Howard Taft Road near the Corryville Kroger. Developed by Uptown Rental Properties and built by Merus, it was named as one of The Enquirer's top 10 Greater Cincinnati projects to watch. Merus is also known for its development work in logistics and distribution: In Lebanon, Tennessee, Merus has been lauded for its energy-efficient warehouse for REI Co-op. In Fairfield, the firm developed a 1.4 million-square-foot industrial project that's set to house over 700 jobs. Merus was responsible for other notable buildings in Cincinnati like Medpace's headquarters in Madisonville, the Madtree Brewing campus in Oakley and Cincinnati Children's Medical Center in Avondale. The company's former CEO Don Neyer died in September 2023. "Cincinnati has been our home for 130 years, and its where weve built deep connections and a strong legacy," said John Bumgarner, senior vice president and Cincinnati Market Leader at Merus. "Were committed to creating spaces that make a real impact on how people live and work, and were excited to continue growing alongside this incredible city." Merus doesn't just work in the Greater Cincinnati region. It also has offices in Nashville, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Raleigh, North Carolina. With its new name, the company plans to expand throughout the Southeast and Midwest. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Meet Merus: Formerly Al. Neyer, Cincinnati developer rebrands BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) Police were called to a hotel in the 7300 block of Tiffany South just before 1 a.m. Sunday to investigate after receiving reports of teens in the hotel making noise and banging on doors. Read next: Cold snap could fry your furnace A hotel manager told police multiple hotel residents called to complain about loud noises and teens running up and down the hallway, stating he believed multiple teens were staying in the room without an adult. The manager requested the teens be removed from the room since there were no adults and it was over the rooms maximum four occupants, reports state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As officers made their way to the room, they noted numerous teens in the hallways. Eventually, after some hesitation from those involved, police discovered there were 15 teens staying in the room, ranging from ages 12-17, reports state. Because the teens were all out past curfew without their guardians, police searched them before they left the hotel. During the search, one 14-year-old was discovered to have a handgun in the waistband of her jeans and attempted to grab the gun when officers tried to confiscate it, reports state. She is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, obstructing official business and resisting arrest. Reports state another gun was thrown out of the hotel rooms window, along with an empty bottle of tequila. Another empty tequila bottle was found inside the bathroom, according to reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another 16-year-old teen was arrested for obstructing official business after reports state she was dishonest with police about not calling her mother for a ride. All of the teens were released into an adults custody. Copyright 2025 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. DENVER (AP) A second group of wolves has been released in Colorado as part of a controversial, voter-driven initiative to reintroduce the predators to the state. Fifteen gray wolves from Canada were set free in the central mountains over three days last week, but state wildlife officials did not announce the operation until Sunday, a day after it was completed. Colorado Parks and Wildlife noted in its announcement that its offices had been watched and that staff safety had been at risk, noting threatening phone calls and social media posts. In addition, a female and four pups previously released elsewhere in Colorado were also moved to the same region as the Canadian wolves Eagle and Pitkin counties, the agency said. The region is home to ski resorts and vast amounts of public land used for recreation. The five relocated wolves were part of a pack captured in August after a male that was part of the group repeatedly killed local livestock in Grand County, northwest of Denver, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Canadian wolves seven males and eight females were captured in the central interior of British Columbia in coordination with local authorities in an area where wolves are sometimes culled to help revive the caribou population, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. It has been an honour to work with Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff to support their conservation priority. It is a great example of collaboration and the connections we have in the large landscapes of North America," Hillary Ward of the B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship said in a statement included in the Colorado announcement. Colorado residents largely in cities voted to reintroduce wolves in 2020, clashing with those in rural areas who feared attacks on their livestock. The first 10 wolves were released just over a year ago, and since then, there have been over two dozen claims of depredations when wolves kill livestock or working dogs. Two of the 10 wolves introduced in December 2023 were illegally shot, according to Parks and Wildlife. Colorado officials have said they anticipate releasing 30 to 50 wolves within the next five years with the goal of filling one of the last major holes in the Western U.S. for the species, which in years past has ranged from northern Canada to the desert Southwest. Four years after federal authorities began rounding up suspects in the Jan. 6, 2021, attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, President Donald Trump cleaned the slate with a sweeping clemency order, with at least 16 Central Floridians among the hundreds affected. Over 1,500 people across the nation charged with crimes related to the violent attempt to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election were either pardoned, had their sentences commuted or will have their cases dismissed entirely with the stroke of Trumps pen hours after his return to office. Florida had the most arrests of any state with 153 people suspected of taking part in the riot, which sparked the largest federal investigation in U.S. history. Those living in Central Florida who were arrested and convicted, like their counterparts elsewhere, come from a variety of backgrounds but many have close ties to extremist groups. Of the individuals identified in an NPR database as living in Greater Orlando, nine of them were connected to such organizations, including local Proud Boys leader Arthur Jackman and fellow Proud Boys and former cops Kevin and Nathaniel Tuck, who had traveled together to Washington, D.C. Four people from Osceola County Leslie Gray, Luis Hallon, Traci Isaacs and William Isaacs had ties to the Oath Keepers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian Preller, of Mt. Dora, is referenced in federal records as a self-described member of the militia group known as B Squad, a Three Percenter group responding to what its members believed was a call by Trump to intervene after his 2020 election loss. Another local man, William Bierbrodt of St. Cloud, who went viral online as the #CrowBarBeardGuy, was not affiliated with a specific group, but prosecutors said he wrote in a post on conservative social media site Parler: All the Obama cronies should be taken, stacked and shot in the head. Bierbrodt died before he could be tried. The Tucks, a father-son duo who respectively worked at the Windermere and Apopka police departments received pardons from President Trump mere days after being sentenced as part of their guilty pleas to entering a restricted building. Nathaniel Tuck, the son, had received a yearlong prison sentence for additionally admitting to civil disorder while Kevin Tuck was sentenced to six months behind bars. William Shipley, the Tucks lawyer, said the two were allowed to surrender themselves but, with the pardon, they will not be serving any time in custody. Jackman, a vice president of the Proud Boys whose role in the riots sparked outrage after his marriage to an Orange County deputy was revealed, was slated to be sentenced Jan. 29 after also pleading guilty late last year. On Tuesday, federal prosecutors representing Trumps new administration filed a motion to dismiss his case along with those for other Proud Boys who were waiting for proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clemency, Trump wrote in his order, will end a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation. Trump long vowed to support the J6 rioters ahead of his return to office, referring to them as hostages and patriots as he looked to rewrite the narrative surrounding the largest attack on U.S. democracy in its history. Trump had started spreading false claims of election fraud following his loss to former President Joe Biden in 2020, and many of the rioters claimed to be inspired by his words. Though widely expected, clemency for the J6 rioters went unmentioned in Trumps inaugural address to the nation, in which he vowed to restore fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law. And we are going to bring law and order back to our cities, he said to applause. Even some on Trumps team, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi, had suggested in recent days that rioters convicted of violent acts would not be freed, but in the end Trump took more sweeping action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fourteen people, mostly Florida-based leaders of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, received commutations in their sentences rather than pardons. Joseph Biggs, who led the Florida Proud Boys out of Ormond Beach, was sentenced in 2023 to 17 years for seditious conspiracy, among the most serious of his charges after he was accused of planning an insurrection in an effort to overthrow the federal government for Trump. He left prison Tuesday as did one of his co-defendants, Enrique Tarrio of Miami, who received a 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy, the longest sentence among the J6 defendants. Tarrio received a pardon. Also accused in the apparent plot was Trump himself, indicted by a federal grand jury for allegations that he led a criminal conspiracy to overturn the election results. That case was dropped Nov. 25, weeks after Trump won the most recent presidential election. Orlando Sentinel wire services contributed to this report. Eighteen states sued to block Donald Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship. The lawsuit claims Trump's order violates the 14th Amendment. Ending birthright citizenship could affect thousands of US-born children. Attorneys general from 18 states, along with the top law enforcement officers of Washington, DC, and San Francisco, sued President Donald Trump on Tuesday to block his executive order to end the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. Trump's move to abolish birthright citizenship a policy that guarantees citizenship to anyone born on US soil is a "flagrantly unlawful attempt to strip hundreds of thousands American-born children of their citizenship based on their parentage," the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts, says that the "principle of birthright citizenship has been enshrined in the Constitution for more than 150 years" and that Trump's order "expressly violates" the 14th Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's order targeting birthright citizenship, titled "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship," was signed shortly after Trump was sworn into office for a second presidential term on Monday. It is scheduled to take effect 30 days after its signing. Under the order, federal agencies are barred from issuing documents recognizing the citizenship of babies born in the US to parents who are in the country unlawfully or in cases where the mother was in the country legally, but temporarily, and the father was not a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. "President Trump's public statements make clear that he wishes to end birthright citizenship purely as a policy tactic to purportedly deter immigration to the United States," the lawsuit says. "Despite a President's broad powers to set immigration policy, however, the Citizenship Stripping Order falls far outside the legal bounds of the President's authority." The lawsuit, filed by the group of states which includes New Jersey, New York, California, and Massachusetts, adds that if the "unprecedented executive action" moves forward, "both Plaintiffs and their residents will suffer immediate and irreparable harm." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every year, thousands of children are born in Plaintiffs' jurisdictions to parents who lack legal status or have a lawful status on a temporary basis," the lawsuit says. The Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Business Insider on Tuesday. The executive order, if put into effect, would likely impact thousands of children in every corner of the US. The ACLU lawsuit brought on Monday, similar to the attorneys general suit, said that at least 150,000 children whose parents lacked legal status would not receive citizenship. Using data from the 2022 American Community Survey, the most recently available data, the Pew Research Center calculated that among the 22 million people in households with an immigrant living in the US illegally, 1.3 million are adults born in the US to such immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Pew found that about 4.4 million people under the age of 18 who were born in the US live with a parent living in the US illegally. Over 8% of households in Nevada, California, New Jersey, and Texas are inhabited by at least one immigrant in the US illegally. Future generations of children could be substantially impacted by the abolition of birthright citizenship. A Pew analysis from 2018 using 2016 Census data found that about 6% of births that year were to immigrant parents living in the US illegally, or about 250,000 babies. This was down from about 390,000 babies in 2007 but still significantly higher than 30,000 in 1980. When expanding the scope to foreign-born mothers, about 843,200 births in 2023 were to foreign-born mothers, or about 24% of all births, per the Annie E. Casey Foundation. This percentage is relatively in line with the past two decades. The executive order targeting birthright citizenship was joined by other immigration- and deportation-oriented executive orders including declaring a national emergency, removing the CBP One app allowing migrants to submit information to seek asylum, and instructing federal agencies to select countries from which to suspend migrants if their governments fail to provide detailed information about their citizens. Read the original article on Business Insider A new $2.5 billion plan will modernize public universities and colleges across Massachusetts, Gov. Maura Healey said Tuesday. An Act to Build Resilient Infrastructure to Generate Higher Education Transformation, known as The BRIGHT Act, will modernize the UMass system, state universities, and community colleges. It will create approximately 15,000 construction-related jobs, Healey said in a statement. The $2.5 billion bond bill represents the largest proposed investments in capital improvements in Massachusetts public higher education system in decades, Healey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor announced the bill at Bridgewater State University after touring the schools Cyber Range where students learn cybersecurity skills. Our public university and college campuses have suffered from historic underinvestment since they were built in the 1970s. We refuse to kick the can down the road any longer when it comes to educating our kids and training our workers of tomorrow, Healey said in a statement. With these transformative infrastructure investments, we will give students a cutting-edge education in our affordable public universities and colleges, create thousands of good-paying jobs for our workers and keep our state economically competitive for years to come, Healey said. The bond bill will leverage Fair Share surtax to unlock significant new funding for capital improvements, officials said. The investments will help modernize campuses, including new labs, classrooms and improved mental health facilities in Massachusetts public higher education system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bond bill meets the moment. Enrollment at our two and four-year institutions is surging after years of declines, Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega said in a statement. This historic investment will transform our public campuses and ensure students and faculty have the absolute best environments to learn, grow and thrive. UMass President Marty Meehan said that he looks forward to working with state officials and legislators to secure this critical funding which will help us continue to provide world-class facilities for our students and faculty, pursue our sustainability and energy efficiency goals, and address our deferred maintenance backlog for the long-term fiscal health of the university. Healey said the planned improvements will include: Infusing new resources into proven programs that address deferred maintenance, modernize and decarbonize facilities, and construct major capital projects. Creating labs, classrooms and training facilities that meet the needs of todays research and applied learning methods, such as web development, robotics and automation, advanced manufacturing, construction management and building trades. Improving facilities for student health, mental health, wellness, and safety. Encouraging regional secondary and higher education partnerships that strengthen the workforce. Incentivizing technology capital projects, such as improvements in online or hybrid workspaces. Continuing the successful Workforce Skills Capital Grants program. Supporting housing development by providing for higher education institutions costs associated with the disposition of land and buildings. Healey said much of the infrastructure on public higher education campuses in Massachusetts was built in the 1970s and is increasingly unable to meet the evolving needs of students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet addressing this aging infrastructure is increasingly expensive given rising construction costs, decarbonization mandates, regulatory requirements, labor shortages and material price increases, Healey said. As a result, campus infrastructure needs are growing well above what traditional capital funding sources can accommodate. Healeys forthcoming House 1 budget proposes to leverage $125 million in Fair Share revenues from Fiscal Year 2026 to support an estimated $2.5 billion in new borrowing for higher education infrastructure over the next 10 years, Healey said. The BRIGHT Act works in tandem with this proposal, authorizing up to $3 billion in investments for campuses to address public higher education capital needs, Healey said. Our proposed strategy to borrow against Fair Share revenues is modeled on an approach we have successfully deployed in the transportation sector through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund, Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill we are filing today puts these new resources to work to ensure our campuses can address their significant deferred maintenance backlogs and decarbonize their infrastructure while also modernizing to meet the needs of todays students and workforce, Gorzkowicz said. I am grateful to the Higher Education Working Group for their guidance as we developed this strategy. Bridgewater State University President Frederick Clark said hes grateful for Healeys capital bond bill for deferred maintenance on our public campuses. Although we work hard to address the need as best we can by utilizing student fees and modest state funds, BSU alone still has more than $200 million in deferred maintenance, Clark said in a statement. State support to modernize campus facilities is absolutely critical to enhance affordability, accessibility, and academic excellence for the students we are privileged to serve. The BRIGHT Act is informed by a report from the Higher Education Capital Working Group that was established in Massachusettss Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report, which is being released in tandem with the filing of the BRIGHT Act, summarizes the capital needs of the public higher education institutions and confirms the viability of leveraging Fair Share revenue to unlock new capital dollars. The report, and additional information on the BRIGHT Act can be found here. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Ryan Corbett, an American held in Afghanistan since 2022, has been released from Taliban custody in a prisoner swap, according to his family. The Talibans foreign ministry confirmed the swap in their own statement, saying Corbett and another American national were exchanged for Khan Mohammad. Mohammad was sentenced to life in prison in 2008, two years after his arrest near Jalalabad, Nangahar Province, Afghanistan, according to a 2008 release from the Department of Justice. He had been extradited to the U.S. and convicted on narco-terror charges, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker, Khan Mohammed sought to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan using rockets," Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Matthew Friedrich said in a statement at the time. "Today's life sentences match the gravity of the crimes for which he was convicted." MORE: GOP probe details deadly Afghanistan withdrawal, finds no direct role by Harris The Corbett family gave credit for the prisoner exchange to both the Trump and Biden administrations. Corbetts wife had a call with former President Joe Biden recently and also met with members of the incoming Trump administration. "The countless hours of negotiations, unwavering support, and determination demonstrated by all involved have not gone unnoticed, and we will forever hold this kindness in our hearts," the Corbett family said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least two other American nationals are still detained in Afghanistan. U.S. officials say the Biden administration had explored freeing at least one prisoner held in the Guantanamo Bay detention facility as part of an exchange with the Taliban but ultimately decided it would be too complicated. 2 Americans freed from Afghanistan in prisoner swap, family and Taliban say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com (WKBN) Ten Valley residents are among the 1,500 being pardoned by President Trump for the January 6th attacks on the U.S. Capitol. Read next: Extreme cold warning issued for local counties Two were released from custody as of Tuesday. Kenneth Thomas, of East Liverpool, was serving a 58-month sentence for multiple counts, including assault. Investigators say he led attacks on five officers during the riots. Thomas was in the Memphis, Tennessee Federal Correctional Institution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rachel Powell, of Sandy Lake, was in the D.C. Detention Center. She was serving a 57-month sentence for using a battering ram and bullhorn to urge others to join her. Copyright 2025 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. NAIROBI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's business process outsourcing (BPO) sector has created over 40,000 jobs recently, driven by the entry of new investors attracted by an enabling policy and regulatory environment, senior officials said on Tuesday. John Tanui, principal secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, said that Kenya is leveraging its skilled workforce and supportive infrastructure to spur the growth of the BPO sector and generate employment opportunities for the youth. "As an emerging space for our country, BPO is providing opportunities for digital workers. We have multinational companies that have set up shop here, and we expect to see increased demand for BPO services in the near future," Tanui said. He made the remarks in Nairobi during the launch of a policy briefing on revitalizing the digital economy, an event attended by senior policymakers, industry leaders, regulators and founders of technology start-ups. According to Tanui, Kenya is among Africa's leading economies, including South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria, that have developed vibrant BPO industries to combat youth unemployment and boost foreign exchange earnings. The government has amended existing legislation to enhance the welfare and safety of local youth employed by multinational firms investing in outsourcing services, he added. Highlighting major companies like Teleperformance, CCI and Samasource as key investors in Kenya's BPO sector, Tanui said that the government aims to create 500,000 jobs in this sector in the near future. Dennis Itumbi, head of creative economy and special projects at the Executive Office of the President of Kenya, said that state interventions to stimulate the BPO sector's growth include governance reforms, skills development and improved access to electricity, computers and high-speed internet. Additionally, the government has increased investments in digital hubs, introduced zero-rating for imported computers, and eliminated bureaucratic barriers to facilitate investments in the sector, which promotes remote work opportunities for the youth, Itumbi said. He said that a presidential roundtable on accelerating BPO growth will be held in the first quarter of the year. The Kenyan government is also reforming the tax regime and investing in training on emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to promote online work opportunities, Itumbi added. According to the North Carolina State Climate Office, 2024 was the second warmest year on record for the state (behind 2019) and tied 1990 for the warmest year on record for Charlotte. Thats based on the average year-round temperature which was 2.6 degrees warmer than the 30-year average. Carolinas lead the country in green energy investments, according to new book Most of those warmer-than-average temperatures came in spring and fall rather than summer, with November and February deviating the most from average. This matches statewide trends toward warmer temperatures as 11 of the warmest 15 years on record occurred in the past 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can definitely detect a warming trend since the mid-to-late 1960s is another way that I always look at this graph is just say, take any of these years in the past decade, superimpose them on each of those years back in the 20th century, and you can see how out of place that historically, Corey Davis, the assistant state climatologist. Its just commonplace now. As for precipitation trends, 2024 had slightly above average rainfall, but the climate office reports that is largely due to a few major rain events rather than steady rain throughout the year. In fact, for nearly all of 2024, at least some portion of North Carolina was experiencing drought conditions. Spring rain meant some farmers couldnt get their crops in on time and then in early summer, drought hit the states corn crop hard. As hurricane season took off, three major tropical systems caused flooding across the state, the costliest of which was Helene. After that, came a dry fall, which led to heightened fire risks in the mountains. Davis said its a part of an emerging pattern of weather whiplash, a pattern of switching back and forth between major dry periods and big rain events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the planning side, thats, I think, one of the most concerning parts, he said. Folks cant look three months down the line and say, you know, were expecting might have a hot, dry summer, because you may have a hot, dry part of summer by a really wet flooding part of summer. As for 2025, Davis said weve started the year in a weak La Nina pattern, which typically means warmer and drier conditions in North Carolina, but this January has been off to a chilly and wet start. Kathie Dello, the state climatologist, expects January to be one of the coolest months the state has seen in about two years, but as the year goes on, they anticipate a trend of warmer weather to win out. The planet is warm again, and we would expect that 2025 will fall also in the top 10 warmest years on record, she said. VIDEO: LA Fires have multiple causes, but scientists say climate change helped fuel them BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Birmingham Police Department announced Monday the arrest of a 21-year-old man in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred Friday. Amonte Demond Jones, of Birmingham, was arrested after BPD detectives obtained warrants for discharging a firearm into an occupied or unoccupied dwelling, second-degree assault and murder. Jones is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail. 1 dead, 2 injured in Birmingham shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers found two adults suffering from gunshot wounds in the 600 block of 26th Street Southwest on Friday. A man was found lying in the roadway and pronounced dead at the scene. A woman was taken to the hospital for not life-threatening injuries. The deceased victim was identified as Jeshaun Chambers, 24, of Fairfield. While on the scene, officers were alerted that a third victim had arrived at a hospital suffering from a not life-threatening gunshot wound. According to the BPD, at least two of the victims were acquaintances. Police believe that a verbal altercation preceded the shooting. During the investigation, the BPD determined Jones was the third person injured during the shooting and was a suspect. He was taken into custody after receiving medical treatment for his injury. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) A traffic stop in Danville led to the arrest of a 21-year-old man, after police found an illegal gun in his possession. Around 9 p.m. on Friday, members of the Danville Police Department Community Housing Unit and Problem Oriented Policing Unit stopped a car with an expired registration plate near Harmon and Townsend Streets in Danville. UPDATE: Champaign Co. Coroner IDs 20-year-old woman killed in crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anthony Gouard of Danville was identified as the driver, according to Danville police. Gouard stopped the car, got out and began to walk away. Eventually he was taken into custody and during a police search, officers found an illegal firearm. Gouard was brought to the Vermilion County Public Safety Building and is facing charges for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon. The Danville Police Department said that everyone who is arrested is presumed innocent until proven guilty. And, anyone with more information about this incident can call them at 217-431-2250. To make an anonymous tip, call the Vermilion County Crimestoppers at 217-446-TIPS (8477), visit their website or use the P3TIPS mobile app. Copyright 2025 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 WCIA.com. Attorney General Nick Brown signs his election certificate after being sworn in Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard) This story first appeared in the Washington State Standard. Twenty-two states states sued the Trump administration Tuesday over the presidents executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship. Washington Attorney General Nick Browns lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Seattle comes just 24 hours after President Donald Trump took office for a second time Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic attorney general, who took office last week, announced the litigation Tuesday in a news conference in Seattle. Oregon, Arizona and Illinois joined the lawsuit. Brown said he would be filing an emergency motion to block federal agencies relying on the order to deny citizenship to babies born in our state. An attorney generals office spokesperson added the order will seek to stop enforcement of the order in its entirety. On Monday, one man, the president, said that the citizenship of millions of Americans born to immigrants in this country means less, Brown said, that the children of immigrants born into citizenship dont have as much value in this country as others. He is wrong. Attorneys general from 18 other states also sued over the order in federal court in Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown noted his lawsuit is similar, but said he felt Washington should lead a separate case because of specific and unique harms that are brought here. He also said that we have a very good set of judges in our bench here in Washington, so I feel like this is the right place. A group of advocacy organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, has also filed a legal challenge on the birthright citizenship order. Trumps executive order, signed in the opening hours of his presidency, would block citizenship for children born to mothers who are in the United States illegally and whose fathers are not lawful permanent residents. It would also affect children born to mothers in the country temporarily, such as on student, work or tourist visas. State House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary, of Auburn, told reporters Tuesday morning he hadnt seen the executive order or lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We got elected to solve state issues, not federal issues, Stokesbary said. I really like Nick Brown, but I would caution him the same way. He was elected to represent Washington and protect Washington state interests. Brown responded by saying he took an oath last week to defend the state and U.S. constitutions. I would think that everyone in the legislature, regardless of party, would want me to uphold my obligation, and it is in my judgment and the judgment of this team that the presidents order violates the law, he responded. So I do not think that my friends in the legislature of any party would want me to simply ignore that. Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, said in a statement the attorney generals office will have the full support of my administration. Precedent The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution codified birthright citizenship in 1868. It begins: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order, set to go into effect in 30 days, focuses on the subject to the jurisdiction thereof phrase. The Fourteenth Amendment has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States, Trumps order reads. The Fourteenth Amendment has always excluded from birthright citizenship persons who were born in the United States but not subject to the jurisdiction thereof. The lawsuit states, in 2022, about 255,000 children were born to undocumented mothers, including 7,000 in Washington state. About 4,000 were born to two parents without legal status. The lawsuit, which calls Trumps order the Citizenship Stripping Order, argues those affected would lose access to numerous federal benefits. And states where they reside would lose federal funding because theyre no longer citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monica Mendoza-Cawthon, a Kent resident from the immigrant rights organization OneAmerica, was born a U.S. citizen in King County after her parents, who were undocumented farmworkers, immigrated from Mexico. She went on to graduate from college and law school. Unfortunately, we are in a dark time in our national government, where the dreams of my parents are threatened to be taken away for so many people in the future, she said at Tuesdays news conference. Legal experts have said Trumps plan wont hold up in court. In 1898, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed birthright citizenship when it ruled a person born in San Francisco to Chinese parents was a U.S. citizen. Brown called that ruling plain on its face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My hope is that every level of court, the district court, the court of appeals, and if we go to the Supreme Court, would rule unanimously because of the well-established precedent, the attorney general said Tuesday. Trump has eyed ending birthright citizenship since his first term. After signing the order Monday, he acknowledged to reporters the policy could face legal hurdles. I think we have good grounds, but you could be right, Trump said. Well find out. Laying the groundwork In an interview last week, Brown highlighted birthright citizenship as a potential battleground with the Trump administration. There have been proposals to end birthright citizenship, for example, or at least attempt to, despite its real, solid constitutional Foundation, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump issued dozens of executive orders on his first day focused on immigration and other areas. On Monday night, Brown described these as gravely concerning. We will carefully analyze the orders and determine what legal action is appropriate, Brown said in a statement. Some examples, such as the presidents attack on birthright citizenship, are not only unconstitutional on their face, but simply un-American. Brown said he will continue to evaluate the presidents other executive orders for potential legal challenges. Washingtons House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, of Tacoma, said Tuesday that Brown called her about the lawsuit Monday night and that she supports it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to be as proactive as we can be and not be reactive, Jinkins told reporters. Brown is no stranger to legal clashes with the Trump administration. As former Democratic Gov. Jay Inslees legal counsel in 2017, he helped draft the administrations opposition to the federal ban on travel from predominantly Muslim countries. In the days after the November election, Ferguson said his team had been preparing for a year for a second Trump presidency. This included reading all of Project 2025, the 1,000-page playbook for conservative policy. As attorney general, Ferguson sued the federal government dozens of times during Trumps first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Brown thanked his predecessor for the preparation. Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit news organization. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Attorneys general from 22 states sued Tuesday to block President Donald Trumps move to end a century-old immigration practice known as birthright citizenship guaranteeing that U.S.-born children are citizens regardless of their parents status. Trumps roughly 700-word executive order, issued late Monday, amounts to a fulfillment of something hes talked about during the presidential campaign. But whether it succeeds is far from certain amid what is likely to be a lengthy legal battle over the presidents immigration policies and a constitutional right to citizenship. The Democratic attorneys general and immigrant rights advocates say the question of birthright citizenship is settled law and that while presidents have broad authority, they are not kings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Prepared for all conditions, race fans and drivers gear up for the 63rd running of Rolex 24 The president cannot, with a stroke of a pen, write the 14th Amendment out of existence, period, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said. The White House said its ready to face the states in court and called the lawsuits nothing more than an extension of the Lefts resistance. Radical Leftists can either choose to swim against the tide and reject the overwhelming will of the people, or they can get on board and work with President Trump, White House deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a U.S. citizen by birthright and the nations first Chinese American elected attorney general, said the lawsuit was personal for him. The 14th Amendment says what it means, and it means what it says - if you are born on American soil, you are an American. Period. Full stop, he said. There is no legitimate legal debate on this question. But the fact that Trump is dead wrong will not prevent him from inflicting serious harm right now on American families like my own. Read: ARCTIC BLAST: Winter storm systems bring cold, rain and wind to Central Florida What is birthright citizenship? At issue in these cases is the right to citizenship granted to anyone born in the U.S., regardless of their parents immigration status. People in the United States on a tourist or other visa or in the country illegally can become the parents of a citizen if their child is born here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, supporters say. But Trump and allies dispute the reading of the amendment and say there need to be tougher standards on becoming a citizen. The U.S. is among about 30 countries where birthright citizenship the principle of jus soli or right of the soil is applied. Most are in the Americas, and Canada and Mexico are among them. Most other countries confer citizenship based on whether at least one parent jus sanguinis, or right of blood is a citizen, or have a modified form of birthright citizenship that may restrict automatic citizenship to children of parents who are on their territory legally. What does Trumps order say? Trumps order questions that the 14th Amendment extends citizenship automatically to anyone born in the United States. Ratified in 1868 in in the aftermath of the Civil War, the 14th Amendment says: All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps order asserts that the children of noncitizens are not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. It excludes the following people from automatic citizenship: those whose mothers were not legally in the United States and whose fathers were not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, and people whose mothers were in the country legally but on a temporary basis and whose fathers were not citizens or legal permanent residents. It goes on to bar federal agencies from recognizing the citizenship of people in those categories. It takes effect 30 days from Tuesday, on Feb. 19. Its not clear whether the order would retroactively affect birthright citizens. It says that federal agencies shall not issue citizenship documents to the people it excludes or accept other documents from states or local governments. Read: Central Florida counties open cold weather shelters this week What is the history of the issue? The 14th Amendment did not always guarantee birthright citizenship to all U.S.-born people. Congress did not authorize citizenship for all Native Americans born in the United States until 1924. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1898 an important birthright citizenship case unfolded in the U.S. Supreme Court. The court held that Wong Kim Ark, who was born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrants, was a U.S. citizen because he was born in the country. After a trip abroad, he had faced denied reentry by the federal government on the grounds that he wasnt a citizen under the Chinese Exclusion Act. But some advocates of immigration restrictions have argued that while the case clearly applied to children born to parents who are both legal immigrants, its less clear whether it applies to children born to parents without legal status. The issue of birthright citizenship arose in Arizona one of the states suing to block Trumps order during 2011 when Republican lawmakers considered a bill that would have challenged automatic birthright citizenship. Supporters said then that the goal wasnt to get every state in the nation to enact such a law, but rather to bring the dispute to the courts. The bill never made it out of the Legislature. What has the reaction to Trumps order been? In addition to the states, the District of Columbia and San Francisco, immigrant rights groups are also suing to stop Trumps order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts along with other immigrant rights advocates filed a suit in New Hampshire federal court. The suit asks the court to find the order to be unconstitutional. It highlights the case of a woman identified as Carmen, who is pregnant but is not a citizen. The lawsuit says she has lived in the United States for more than 15 years and has a pending visa application that could lead to permanent status. She has no other immigration status, and the father of her expected child has no immigration status either, the suit says. Stripping children of the priceless treasure of citizenship is a grave injury, the suit says. It denies them the full membership in U.S. society to which they are entitled. In addition to New Jersey and the two cities, California, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin joined the lawsuit to stop the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona, Illinois, Oregon and Washington filed a separate suit in federal court challenging Trumps order as well. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. (KTLA) Authorities in San Bernardino County arrested two men, detained 33 others and seized more than 200 fighting roosters, U.S. currency and dozens of firearms, officials announced Monday. According to a news release issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, deputies were dispatched to an address in the 32000 block of Avenue E in Yucaipa on reports of an illegal cock fighting operation at the property. An estimated 50 vehicles were on the property when deputies arrived, with many of the occupants attempting to flee the area, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one instance, a suspect, later identified as 33-year-old Riverside resident Jose Adame, accelerated toward a SBSD patrol unit, narrowly missing a deputy who then initiated a pursuit when the 33-year-old failed to pull over. Adame eventually stopped his vehicle near 16th Street and Yucaipa Boulevard where he and three passengers were taken into custody. A rooster is seen in a pen in this file photo. (Getty Images) A cockfighting spur is shown. (Getty Images) A single rooster stands in a field at a property where hundreds of other roosters were rescued during a warrant search in the Antelope Valley(Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department) An LASD image shows birds seized at an illegal cockfighting ring in Val Verde on May 15, 2017. Inside the vehicle, which was later impounded, deputies recovered six live roosters in the rear cargo area, the release noted. An additional 33 people identified as spectators of the illegal operation were detained at the property where authorities found 250 roosters, a fighting ring with a scoreboard and steel talons, typically placed on roosters claws during the illegal fights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Infamous Southern California art dealer jailed, ordered to pay nearly $13M An SBSD aerial unit also located a suspect, later identified as 35-year-old Perris resident Carlos Romero, hiding in his truck with seven live roosters inside boxes. The 35-year-old, who was taken into custody was found to be in possession of a large sum of U.S. currency and a Ruger semi-automatic handgun hidden in his truck. SBSDs Rural Task Force responded to the area to execute a search warrant at the property. Additional steel talons were located and approximately 24 firearms were seized from a large safe, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Personnel with animal control located an estimated 17 dead roosters, eight live roosters and tagged another 61 boxes of roosters, while inspectors with Yucaipa Code Enforcement red tagged several buildings, including a trailer on the property. Both men were booked at the Central Detention Facility, with Adame facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon, failure to yield and animal cruelty. Romero faces charges of animal cruelty. Authorities did not say if the spectators detained during the incident were cited and released. Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to contact SBSDs Yucaipa Station at 909-918-2305. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the We Tip Hotline at 888-78-CRIME. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. An accounting of the damage of the Eaton fire is still ongoing. Since starting in early January, it has burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in Altadena and, as of Friday, killed 16 people. Now that the fire is 65% contained, we can begin to examine the damage and trail closures in the surrounding mountains as well. The fire is believed to have started in Eaton Canyon, a beloved hiking area, before spreading east and west into Angeles National Forest. More than two dozen trails, many of them popular, interconnected day hikes, appear to have also burned. Many of them were favorites among locals who could walk a short distance from their homes in Altadena to the trailheads. Last week, I visited Eaton Canyon and observed the blackened manzanita and other chaparral. Even though the Eaton Canyon Nature Center burned down, the oaks and sycamores around it appear to have survived, some only singed from the fire. The Rubio Canyon trail was burned in the Eaton fire. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) To better understand where you can hike responsibly (and what areas you must avoid), I constructed the list below. To put together a better picture of the damage, I consulted mapping tool CalTopo, cross-referencing its maps and the fire footprints with lists of local hiking trails to determine which routes were in the burn area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That said, just because a trail is in the burn area doesnt mean it was destroyed. Well learn more about specific conditions of each trail in the coming months. Trails burned in wildfires often stay closed for several months to years to allow for the forest to recover and for trail maintenance crews to repair routes and infrastructure. Read more: These 28 hiking trails burned in the Palisades fire Keep in mind that hiking (and any other activity) is temporarily prohibited in Angeles National Forest through Friday, even outside the burned trails listed below. Officials said this measure to temporarily close the forest was necessary because the fire risk is at "critical," the highest level of danger in the graduated scale used by the U.S. Forest Service. The 700,000-acre area is set to reopen at midnight Saturday unless officials extend the closure. The trails below will likely remain closed even when Angeles National Forest remains open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Mapping the damage from the Eaton and Palisades fires Trails burned in the Eaton fire Part of the Eaton Canyon trail after the Eaton fire. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Burned cacti along the Eaton Canyon trail. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Eaton Canyon as seen from the Eaton Saddle Trailhead in 2021. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up for The Wild newsletter to get weekly insider tips on the best of our beaches, trails, parks, deserts, forests and mountains. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Around 280 trucks delivered additional humanitarian aid and fuel from Egypt to the Gaza Strip so far on Tuesday, the third day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Trucks first enter the Palestinian territory via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. They are then directed to the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing on the Israeli border, where the cargo is inspected and cleared for distribution within Gaza. Among the trucks to enter on Tuesday were 25 carrying fuel, a representative of the Egyptian Red Crescent told dpa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the ceasefire began on Sunday, more than 1,700 aid trucks have crossed from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, according to the representative. Approximately 4,000 additional trucks are ready to gradually enter the area. For the first time in 270 days, ambulances are also waiting to transport injured Palestinians. Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry Majed Al-Ansari said Qatar has launched an iniative to supply the Gaza Strip with fuel. He said that 25 trucks loaded with fuel arrived in the Gaza Strip on Monday. "We are satisfied with the level of implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza," al-Ansari said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the mediators, among them Qatar, have confidence in the commitment of both sides to adhere to the terms. Al-Ansari said the second exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners will take place over the weekend. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Two 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old were arrested Sunday after a series of violent crimes, with charges including attempted murder, aggravated robbery and carjacking. They were found after two separate chases and a search by police in Cooper-Young, where police say they abandoned a stolen vehicle and fled. Police say the first incident happened Dec. 18 at Mings Chinese Cuisine on Semmes Street, where two males pointed a handgun at a man, robbed him and took his Toyota 4Runner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police search for carjacking suspects in Midtown Suspects were seen getting out of this Toyota Avalon abandoned in Cooper-Young. The same night, two people were robbed, and shots were fired at victims, at a coin laundry on Getwell. The next morning, another man was robbed of cash at a gas station on Getwell. In both cases, the suspects got away in the 4Runner. Police say the same suspects were responsible for a carjacking at a gas station on Lamar on Jan. 18 this year. The suspects fled in the victims Toyota Avalon. They were also connected to a carjacking on Southlawn Avenue on Jan. 19, police say. At 1 p.m. on Jan. 19, a white Ford Mustang was stolen from Guatemala Supermarket on Getwell. Road. The armed suspects got out of a Toyota Avalon. They got away in the Mustang, with the Avalon trailing them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Avalon was spotted Sunday by officers in Cooper-Young. They chased it to East Parkway and Sam Cooper where the vehicle wrecked, but they then lost sight of it. A few minutes later, three armed males were seen getting out of a damaged Avalon at Cooper Street and Elzey and running. The crime spree came to an end around 4:15 p.m. when officers saw a white Ford Mustang on Summer Avenue that had been stolen in a carjacking hours earlier. Officers chased the Mustang when it refused to stop, but it crashed into a guard rail at White Station and Macon. The three suspects were found in the backyard of a house on McCrory in the Berclair area, and taken into custody. Police say one suspect had a stolen gun in a backpack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 15-year-old male was charged with four counts of Aggravated Robbery (4X), Carjacking (4X), Attempted First Degree Murder, Employment of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony (4X), Attempted Aggravated Robbery (2X), Reckless Endangerment (3X), and Evading Arrest on Foot. A 16-year-old male was charged with Aggravated Robbery (4X), Carjacking (4X), Attempted First Degree Murder, Employment of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony (4X), Attempted Aggravated Robbery (2X), Reckless Endangerment (3X), Evading Arrest on Foot, Evading Arrest in a Vehicle, Reckless Driving, No Drivers License, Financial Responsibility, Drivers to Exercise Due Care, and Theft of Property less than $2,500 to wit Handgun. A 15-year-old male was charged with Carjacking, Attempted Aggravated Robbery, Employment of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, and Evading Arrest on Foot. Copyright 2025 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 WREG.com. This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com As Donald Trump repeatedly promised throughout his 2024 campaign, the president issued pardons Monday for approximately 1,500 people convicted or criminally charged in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as Congress convened to certify Bidens 2020 victory over Trump. Thirty of the people previously prosecuted for the Jan. 6 attack, now pardoned by Trump, either live currently or lived in Washington including Ethan Nordean, an Auburn resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nordean was a former leader and Seattle-area chapter president of the Proud Boys far-right extremist group who was previously sentenced to 18 years in prison one of the longest sentences handed down in addition to 36 months of supervised release for his role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Prosecutors claimed Nordean, 34, was the undisputed leader on the ground for the Proud Boys far-right group on Jan. 6 leading the crowd to assault police officers. According to court documents from the Department of Justice obtained by MyNorthwest, Nordean and other co-defendants served as members and leaders of a special chapter of the Proud Boys known as the Ministry of Self-Defense. More background coverage on Nordean: Ex-Proud Boys leader from Auburn sentenced to 18 years in prison This group established a chain of command, chose a time and place for their attack and recruited others who would follow their top-down leadership and who were prepared to engage in physical violence if necessary, according to court documents. Nordean, Pezzola and others gathered at the base of the concrete stairs that led to the doors and windows of the Capitol with many of their co-conspirators and other men they had led to the Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group again surged toward the Capitol and overwhelmed officers who had been battling the crowd for nearly an hour. Pezzola smashed open a window, allowing the first rioters to enter the Capitol at 2:11 p.m., according to The Associated Press. However, during Trumps first day back in office, he called Nordeans pardoning, among the other 1,500 approximate pardons, the beginning of a process of national reconciliation. What theyve done to these people is outrageous, Trump said to reporters during his first day back in office. These people have been treated so badly. Its never happened before. Theres no word whether Nordean has been released from prison, as of this reporting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump inaugural speech: President rips past leaders, makes promises; KIRO hosts react Trump cites CHOP as reason for Jan. 6 pardons Trump referenced the Capitol Hill Occupation Protest (CHOP) several times when he was issuing pardons for the approximate 1,500 people who were implicated in the Jan. 6 attack. Trump told reporters he thinks what happened during the CHOP protest was far worse than what happened regarding the Capitol riots in Washington D.C. What happened in Seattle, where they took over a big portion of the city? Trump asked reporters rhetorically. What happened in Portland, where they burned down the city every day and people died? Nothing happened to anybody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a presidential debate in September, Trump previously cited CHOP as an example of failed crime policy under the Biden administration in liberal-leaning cities, falsely claiming protesters took over a significant portion of the city. When are the people that burned down Minneapolis going to be prosecuted, or in Seattle? Trump asked rhetorically during the September presidential debate. They went into Seattle, they took over a big percentage of the city of Seattle. When are those people going to be prosecuted? Trump on Seattle: What Trump said about Seattle during presidential debate Separately, Trump ordered an end to federal cases against political opponents of the Biden administration, claiming he wanted to end the weaponization of federal law enforcement. Contributing: The Associated Press HANOI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed that cross-border e-commerce enterprises doing business in Vietnam must register for an operating license, local media reported Tuesday. According to the draft law on e-commerce, which calls for open opinions and feedback, cross-border e-commerce enterprises must also establish an office, or appoint a legal entity as a representative, as per authorization in the country. Cross-border e-commerce platforms will be banned from selling goods or providing services if they have not completed the compliant procedures with the e-commerce regulatory authorities. The value of Vietnam's e-commerce market surpassed 25 billion U.S. dollars last year, up nearly 20 percent compared to 2023, said the ministry. NEW JERSEY (PIX11) A winning lottery ticket worth $32 million was sold in New Jersey, officials said Tuesday. A jackpot-winning Pick-6 ticket won $32 million in Mondays drawing. The winning ticket was sold at Quick Mart at 665 Bennetts Mills Road in Jackson in Ocean County, according to the New Jersey Lottery. More Local News The winning numbers for the Jan. 20 drawing were 04, 11, 12, 15, 27 and 39. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congratulations to our latest Pick-6 winner! This marks the first Pick-6 jackpot of 2025, said James Carey, the executive director of the New Jersey Lottery. Quick Mart in Jackson will also receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket, according to lottery officials. The next Pick-6 jackpot will reset to $2 million for the next drawing on Thursday. Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than six years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 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 PIX11. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested a man after a woman was found dead Saturday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Around 10 a.m. a person walking in the area near South Chickamauga Creek off Emberson Drive in Ringgold found a womans body down the embankment. The woman was later identified as 37-year-old Jamie Lauren Wiley of Ringgold. Authorities identified the victim through her fingerprints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the GBI, Wiley was a victim of a homicide. TRENDING STORIES: On Monday, around 6:30 p.m., Joseph Shannon Mays, 34, of Locust Grove, was identified as the suspect in the case. He was arrested and charged with one count of malice murder. Mays was booked into the Catoosa County Jail. No bond has been set. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Four people have been arrested in connection with a fire at a ski resort in northwestern Turkey that reportedly killed at least 76 people and injured at least 51 early on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The owner of the 12-story Grand Kartal Hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya is one of the four arrested, Turkish Minister of Justice Ylmaz Tunc announced on X. The blaze started at around 3:30 a.m. local time Tuesday morning at the establishment in Bolu provinces Koroglu Mountains area, the Associated Press reported, citing local authorities. Evrim Aydin/Anadolu via Getty Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center Witnesses and officials described a horrific scene of people jumping out windows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I saw a father with his baby in his arms asking for pillows so he could throw down his son," a hotel employee told the news agency IHA, per CBS 19. "Luckily he waited for the emergency services who saved them." The employee, who did not provide his name, said two women on the top floor, which was hosting students, jumped out and died. My wife smelled the burning. The alarm did not go off, Atakan Yelkovan, a guest at the hotel told the news agency IHA, per the AP. We tried to go upstairs but couldnt, there were flames. We went downstairs and came [outside]." People on the upper floors were screaming. They hung down sheets ... Some tried to jump, Yelkovan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: 66 People Killed, 51 Injured in Hotel Fire at Popular Ski Resort: Reports Eylem Senturk, another guest, said she was able to escape with her daughter but her husband was stuck, CBS 19 reported, citing an interview with the Anadolu news agency. He was reportedly able to jump from the window to a safety roof. The hotel had more than 230 guests at the time of the fire, Minister Ali Yerlikaya said, per the AP. It wasn't immediately clear if any U.S. citizens were at the resort or were affected by the fire. The U.S. Consulate in Istanbul did not mention any such information in its latest statement, posted on Tuesday evening, where the office expressed its condolences for the incident and victims. 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. A cause for the fire has not been announced as of the publishing of this report. Bolu governor Abdulaziz Aydin said it likely broke out in the restaurant section and spread, the BBC reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The distance between the hotel and the city center, as well as the frigid weather, slowed the firefighters' response to the scene, Bolu said. Nearly 270 emergency services personnel reportedly came to the scene. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced a national day of mourning for Wednesday, while reiterating that those responsible will be held accountable. "Every stage of the investigation is carried out with great care and sensitivity," justice minister Tunc said. Read the original article on People A 4-year-old is dead after she was shot while sleeping in her home. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The shooting happened in the 8000 block of Beardsley Avenue around 4:30 a.m. in Franklin County, according to CBS affiliate WBNS. Franklin County deputies told WBNS that multiple shots were fired into a home on the street. TRENDING STORIES: A 4-year-old girl was upstairs sleeping when a bullet hit her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. Deputies told WBNS that the shooting was targeted but did not provide further information. Several other people were inside the home but no other injuries were reported. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations is helping with the investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] TOPEKA (KSNT) The Salvation Army is asking for locals to pitch in and help its organization reach a major fundraising goal. Major Tom McDowell with the Salvation Army shared a press release with 27 News on Tuesday, Jan. 21 on the Red Kettle Campaign. He said the organization has collected a little more than $360,500 for its 2024 fundraising effort but is looking to raise an additional $124,000 before the end of the month to meet the $485,000 goal. Thousands of Topeka residents gave to our Red Kettles this season, McDowell said. We also want to thank our volunteers who gave of their time to ring. We were closed for two days following the 14 snowfall but in spite of the weather, we served lunch to 74 residents who braved the cold to come and eat. If you believe your local Salvation Army should be there in times of need, give as you are able. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement K-State issues warning on red meat allergy spread by ticks People were asked to help complete the fundraising goal for the Salvation Army last year by donating around $100,000 to the organization in mid-January. The Salvation Army managed to raise $462,000 last year, receiving a $40,000 donation in the final hours of the campaign but missing the overall fundraising goal by around $2,000. There was a significant gift right at the last minute, McDowell said when talking about the 2023 Red Kettle Campaign. McDowell said a 5% increase was implemented for the 2024 campaign. He said he is trying to stay positive about hitting the larger goal this year as the money will help cover utility and operational costs and give staff pay increases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We really need the increase in funding, McDowell said. Kansas named best state to drive in nationwide: study McDowell said people who want to help donate to the Red Kettle Campaign can mail a check to 1320 Southeast Sixth Avenue in Topeka or click here. You can visit the Salvation Army of Topekas website by clicking here. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 KSNT 27 News. FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) Five teenagers believed to be responsible for an attempted burglary that occurred at a Franklin gun store Monday morning are in custody, officials said. The Franklin Police Department said the incident took place around 4 a.m. at Arms and Ammo along Beasley Drive. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Authorities said five teenagers tried to plow their vehicle through the gun store, but were not able to make entry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All five teens were reportedly taken into custody with assistance from the Brentwood Police Department and the Williamson County Sheriffs Office after their vehicle was found on Concord Road. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee According to police, the teens were charged with burglary, evading arrest, vandalism, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, minor in possession of a handgun, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a stolen vehicle. Officials added the suspects were between 13 to 15 years old. No additional details were immediately released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. At least 66 people have died after a fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the ski resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, Turkey in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday, Jan. 21, it's been reported Authorities confirmed 51 people had been injured in the blaze, with at least one person in a serious condition There were thought to have been 234 guests staying at the hotel when the fire occurred, per the Associated Press At least 66 people have died after a fire broke out at a popular ski resort in northwestern Turkey, it's been reported. The blaze started at around 3:30 a.m. local time on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 21 at the 12-story Grand Kartal Hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu provinces Koroglu Mountains area, per the Associated Press. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters, "We are in deep pain. We have unfortunately lost 66 lives in the fire that broke out at this hotel," per Turkish outlet Daily Sabah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outlet stated that a further 51 people had been injured in the fire. Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said that at least one of the injured was in serious condition, confirming that 17 people had been discharged from the hospital so far, per the publication. Mehmet Emin Gurbuz/Anadolu via Getty The Grand Kartal Hotel is seen on fire The Grand Kartal Hotel is seen on fire The Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Health said in a translated Instagram post that 34 injured people were still being treated in hospitals. "May God have mercy on the citizens who lost their lives and we send our condolences to their relatives. We wish a speedy recovery to our injured," the message added. Bolu governor Abdulaziz Aydin suggested the blaze broke out in the restaurant on the hotel's fourth floor, reported the BBC. IHA via AP A fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the early hours of the morning on Jan. 21, 2025 A fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the early hours of the morning on Jan. 21, 2025 Aydin told reporters that due to the hotel's location, as well as the freezing weather conditions, it took fire engines over an hour to arrive, per the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor told local media that at least two of the victims had "died after jumping from the building in a panic," per the AP. He confirmed that there were 234 guests staying at the hotel at the time of the fire, the news agency added. SAKARYA FIRE DEPARTMENT HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Grand Kartal Hotel Grand Kartal Hotel In images taken at the location, white bed sheets were seen dangling from windows as guests tried to escape, per the Daily Sabah. A judicial investigation is being led by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to determine the cause of the fire, the outlet reported. Evrim Aydin/Anadolu via Getty Grand Kartal Hotel Grand Kartal Hotel Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, per the publication, Every necessary step is being taken and will continue to be taken to clarify the incident and hold those responsible accountable fully. Bars Salgur, who works at a hotel nearby, told reporters, "I saw people shouting for help from the windows. We brought ropes, pillows and quilts. Before firefighters arrived, two women jumped from the upper floors," according to the Daily Sabah. The country's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, was among those sending their condolences to those impacted on X, writing in a translated post, "I wish God's mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives in the fire that broke out in Bolu Kartalkaya and offer my condolences to their families and loved ones. I hope that our injured citizens will regain their health as soon as possible." Mehmet Emin Gurbuz/Anadolu via Getty An inside area of the Grand Kartal Hotel An inside area of the Grand Kartal Hotel Ersoy told reporters that the hotel had undergone inspections in 2021 and 2024, and no negative situation regarding fire competence had been reported by the fire department, the AP stated. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The hotel didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for an update. Read the original article on People The Village of Middleport was recently awarded $74,150 in funding for dockside amenities that could increase boater stopovers along the Erie Canal. The grant from the New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corp. will be used to upgrade electrical services and pedestal-mounted connection boxes to give boaters 50-amp and 30-amp connections. It also includes new potable water service at each tie-up location, new concrete pads for picnic tables, and exterior light fixtures. This is going to allow us to have the larger boats that need more power, said Mayor Daniel Dodge. The boat tie-ups in the project are located along the south side of the Erie Canal just west of the Main Street lift bridge. According to Middleport Village Coordinator Bryan Bobbitt, who oversees parks and infrastructure,12 electrical boxes made with marine-grade stainless steel will be installed, with water connections at each. Bobbitt said that currently, with boaters sharing water connections, their hoses create tripping hazards. The village has a number of features that appeal to boaters, Bobbitt said. With the police department being right here, the boaters feel very comfortable. We always get compliments that everything is clean. However, Bobbitt said if electrical connections didnt work, boaters would move on. Police in Clarke County are investigating a deadly crash involving a 78-year-old man and a teenager. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to police, the crash happened Friday, just before 10:30 p.m. in the area of N. Thomas Street and E. Washington Street. Officers said the driver, 31-year-old Heather Turner, of Hoschton, Ga. failed to yield and hit two people. Guy Jones, 78, of Woodstock, died from his injuries on the way to the hospital. Sean Helms, 18, of Woodstock had visible injuries and was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No word on Helms current condition. TRENDING STORIES: Clarke County officials said Turner was uninjured. Turner was arrested and charged with two counts of failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and one count of homicide by vehicle (second-degree). The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call Sen. Ofc. Joey Lewis at 762-400-7169 or via email. This is the second deadly crash in Athens-Clarke County in 2025. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] As the Utah Legislatures 2025 general session begins, Utahs Democratic lawmakers plan to oppose the Utah Fits All education voucher program, as well as making sure students in higher education are getting what they need, providing affordable energy and standing up for the safety and rights of everyone in Utah. On Tuesday, the first day of Utahs legislative session, the House minority leadership held a press conference to announce their priorities for the session. Later in the day the Senate minority caucus held their own press conference to share their focuses for the session. The House minority caucus has divided their priorities into five issue areas: sustainability, health and well-being, education, good governance, and inclusion and representation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Democrats used the tagline back to basic to introduce their session priorities. Their focuses divided into three different unique categories: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The House Minority Caucus opposes the Utah Fits All voucher program Rep. Sahara Hayes, D-Salt Lake City, emphasized opposing the Utah Fits All voucher program as one of the caucus top focuses for education during this session. We do not believe that public dollars should be ever used to fund private businesses, particularly when its a lot of money, Hayes said. Weve put $80 million into that program so far, and theres no accountability metrics built in. She said this is especially a problem when that money could go to bolstering public education. The representative shared that she sat with a group of teachers earlier this month who were pleading for better resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They do not have the tools that they need right now to support their students, and it is hard for them, and it is hard for the students, and they need an increased (weighted pupil unit) in order to do the job that they are given, Hayes said. Sen. Kathleen A. Riebe, D-Salt Lake City, when speaking about the Senate minoritys focus on the pursuit of happiness, said that the schools in Utah are some of the happiest places in the state. But, she said teachers are struggling and work needs to be done to make sure that schools can be a better and happier place. House Democratic Whip Jennifer Dailey-Provost speaks as members of the Utah House Democratic Caucus talk about their priorities during the legislative session as part of a press conference held at the Utah Capitol on the first day of the legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News The House Democrats concerns over cutting higher education funding The legislators shared their concerns with the majority partys plan for 10% across the board cuts to higher education funding. Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost, D-Salt Lake City, said there is value in looking into programs at universities to see what can be changed. But, she said, it is most important to keep students needs at the center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the day, we need to focus on whats best for students, and the fact that higher education is a critical place for students to learn critical thinking skills to make them ready, not just for the workforce, but to take on the world in general, Dailey-Provost said. House Minority Leader Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, added that while we do need to open additional seats in programs like nursing and mental health, it is important that the state still allows students to have their own academic freedom to study whatever they want for however long they want. So Im just really, really, really concerned about what is the true agenda? Romero said. The Senate minority caucus wants to keep energy clean, reliable and affordable for everyone Sen. Nathan Blouin, D-Millcreek said As we talk about how everyone is benefiting from these policies, we need to be thinking about everyone, not just these big corporations, as we talk about providing data centers and artificial intelligence the energy they need, we need to keep energy clean, reliable and affordable for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about the majority partys push for Nuclear energy, Blouin said it really comes down to cost. He said that these nuclear energy projects need to be proven to be technologically and commercially feasible. He also emphasized that until nuclear power plants can be built at an affordable rate on a time frame that actually works, it shouldnt be a focus. The state is talking about putting $20 million into nuclear energy initiatives, but Blouin said with how expensive nuclear is thats just a tiny little drop in the bucket. House Democrats will work on LGBTQ+ issues in Utah When asked about the caucus strategy to approaching proposed restrictions to the LGBTQ+ community, Hayes said they are focused on stopping bills as they come up, but that often does not work. The next step is to talk with the speaker, with the sponsors, trying to convey why there are problems with the bill or problematic language. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Romero emphasized that the caucus is going to stand up and fight for the rights and protections of everyone in Utah. Were not going to discriminate against somebody because of who they are, Romero said. Speaker Mike Schultz speaks in the Utah House of Representatives chambers as part of their opening session on the first day of the legislative session held at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News House Democrats are concerned about the tone used when talking about immigration Romero said she is concerned because from a national level and on a state level as well, immigration is being equated with public safety. The caucus is concerned about public safety and believes in holding criminals accountable for the crimes they commit. But, Romero said, they dont care what their immigration status is, if theyre committing crimes they need to be held accountable no matter what. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerns about public safety should not justify criminalizing an entire community, Romero said. There is a tenor to the conversation that seems to insinuate that immigration and criminal behavior is the same thing, and they are not, Dailey-Provost said. As a part of the House minority caucus focus on health and well-being they will work in improve housing in Utah One of the critical ways that health and safety manifests is being safely housed and having a home, Dailey-Provost said. The caucus wants to make sure that all individuals and families in the state have access to housing. To do this and to address the states growing homelessness crisis the caucus is working with partners to decrease building costs, increase housing supply, implementing common sense density policies and address issues with institutional investors which contribute to increasing home prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The representatives will also work to protect unsheltered people from being targeted by organized crime. By providing safe housing, mental health support and addiction services, we can reduce their vulnerability and improve their safety, Dailey-Provost said. Senate Democrats say homelessness is a statewide issue Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, spoke about the plans and policies being made in Salt Lake City around homelessness, but said that there also needs to be plans made for the whole state. Homelessness is not a Salt Lake City issue, Escamilla said. Its a state issue. She said that individuals are experiencing homelessness all around the state of Utah, so it should be a shared responsibility to make sure resources are available across the whole state. Affordable health care and mental health care services is a focus of Senate Democrats Part of the Senate minority caucus focus on life is prioritizing health for those around the state. This includes helping communities and individuals be healthier, protecting their health and encouraging their health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An element of this is to guarantee affordable healthcare and mental health care services and resources. I think its really important that we focus on not going back. Weve made some strides on providing care and services to community members, said Sen. Jen Plumb, D-Salt Lake City. Its very important to us that we protect those and we dont go backwards. She also said she wants to focus on food security, making sure that everyone in the state, especially children, has access to nutritious meals. A vehicle carrying arrested President Yoon Suk-yeol arrives at the constitutional court in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 21, 2025. Vehicles carrying arrested President Yoon Suk-yeol arrived at the constitutional court in Seoul for the hearing of his impeachment trial, TV footage showed Tuesday. The convoy, escorted by police and presidential security service, filed into the court after leaving the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, around 30 km south of the court, about 20 minutes earlier. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Vehicles carrying arrested President Yoon Suk-yeol arrived at the constitutional court in Seoul for the hearing of his impeachment trial, TV footage showed Tuesday. The convoy, escorted by police and presidential security service, filed into the court after leaving the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, around 30 km south of the court, about 20 minutes earlier. Yoon was scheduled to appear in courtroom for the third formal hearing of his impeachment trial at 2:00 p.m. local time (0500 GMT). It would mark the first time in the country's modern history that an impeached president attended the court hearing in person. An impeachment motion against Yoon was passed by the National Assembly on Dec. 14 last year and delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power is suspended. Yoon, who was named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader on an insurrection charge, declared a martial law on the night of Dec. 3 but it was revoked by the National Assembly hours later. Police are seen on duty in front of constitutional court in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 21, 2025. Vehicles carrying arrested President Yoon Suk-yeol arrived at the constitutional court in Seoul for the hearing of his impeachment trial, TV footage showed Tuesday. The convoy, escorted by police and presidential security service, filed into the court after leaving the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, around 30 km south of the court, about 20 minutes earlier. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) Police are seen on duty in front of constitutional court in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 21, 2025. Vehicles carrying arrested President Yoon Suk-yeol arrived at the constitutional court in Seoul for the hearing of his impeachment trial, TV footage showed Tuesday. The convoy, escorted by police and presidential security service, filed into the court after leaving the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, around 30 km south of the court, about 20 minutes earlier. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) Police are seen on duty in front of constitutional court in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 21, 2025. Vehicles carrying arrested President Yoon Suk-yeol arrived at the constitutional court in Seoul for the hearing of his impeachment trial, TV footage showed Tuesday. The convoy, escorted by police and presidential security service, filed into the court after leaving the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, around 30 km south of the court, about 20 minutes earlier. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) (KRON) An 8-year-old boy was swept into the ocean near Half Moon Bay while big waves pounded the shoreline on Sunday afternoon, officials said. A Cal Fire battalion chief said the boy was swept in at Cowell Ranch State Beach and an adult tried to save him. When state park lifeguards arrived at 3:13 p.m. Sunday, they found the 39-year-old man and the young boy still in the water, parks officials said. Both victims were pulled onto a harbor patrol boat by lifeguards, and they were rushed to Stanford Medical Center. The boy and man were later pronounced deceased, state parks officials said Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite life-saving efforts, the individuals passed away. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family for this devastating loss, California State Parks spokesperson Jorge Moreno wrote. Officials waiting for Moss Landing Power Plant fire to burn out Officials did not release the relationship between the two victims. The National Weather Service Bay Area issued a Beach Hazards Statement between Sunday and Monday for dangerous swimming and surfing conditions. NWS forecasters said there was a moderate to high risk for sneaker waves at all Northern California beaches. Copyright 2025 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. Deputies in central Georgia are searching for the person who shot nine puppies on Christmas Day. Houston County Sheriff Matthew Moulton says on Christmas night, nine five-month-old puppies were piled into a kennel in Kathleen, Georgia and shot. Of those nine, only one of them survived. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Sheriff Moulton says he is personally offering a $500 reward for tips that can help them find the person responsible for this type of savagery. The sheriff says tips can be placed anonymously. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Key City came together for a morning of reflection and unity. The day began with a prayer breakfast, where pastors and residents gathered to pray, share a meal, and hear from guest speaker Pastor Matthew Lubin Sr., who emphasized the importance of recognizing our shared humanity. Following the breakfast, the community participated in the annual march at the Woodson Center for Excellence, celebrating Dr. Kings legacy and continuing the call for racial equality. Abilene volunteers honor MLK Day with cleanup of historic building Early Monday morning, Hardin-Simmons University hosted a prayer breakfast, where pastors and residents from the Key City gathered to pray and share a meal. Guest speaker Pastor Matthew Lubin Sr. reminded attendees that the day is about remembering we are all created equal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really wanted to put forth a cultural shift in the way we think about race, that we dont have a whole bunch of races. We really only have about one race that does have diversity. But that diversity isnt predicated upon skin color, explained Lubin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Lubin acknowledges that there is still work to be done in addressing racism in our country, he believes that teaching younger generations about its history is key to making progress and creating a better future. Reminding our young people of what Dr. King stood for and the things he fought against so that our country could be better that could be what we say: one nation under God, indivisible. I think thats a lesson we need to continue teaching to the younger generation, shared Lubin. Black History in the Big Country: From Stamfords All-Black school to Abilenes forgotten football team Celebrations continued into the afternoon, with dozens gathering in the Woodson Center for Excellence parking lot to participate in the annual march. Attendees heard speeches from organizer Michael T. Royals, former Mayor Anthony Williams, and others. For McMurry University senior Dontre Sinegal, attending the march has become a priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being able to have all of them come out and celebrate something as one makes us feel like a family. I love the community. You can come out here and celebrate. Just have fun. I recognize what we all can come up from, added Sinegal. Overall, the day brought together people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate Dr. Kings legacy. Sinegal encouraged others to volunteer and raise awareness about racial equality in preparation for next years celebrations. Copyright 2025 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the local non-profit Let Us Breathe invited volunteers to help clean up the historic 6th Street Center in Abilene Monday morning. Volunteers gathered early to reflect on MLKs legacy while restoring a building of cultural significance to the African-American community in the Key City. LIST: Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with events across the Big Country Courtesy of Andrew Penns 6th Street Center, formerly known as the Wilson Hotel. 2025 The 6th Street Center, originally known as the Wilson Hotel, was the first African-American hotel in Abilene in the early 1900s. It once housed a diverse range of shops, including a record store owned by the well-known Abilenian and African-American historian Reverend Andrew Penns. Fabian Newton, a volunteer for the MLK cleanup, shared, I think this place in Abilene itself has a lot more to it than people think. And just helping out in the community, no matter how small it may be, is a big step to making it better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black History in the Big Country: From Stamfords All-Black school to Abilenes forgotten football team President of Let Us Breathe, Shawnte Fleming-Lewis, spoke about the rich African-American history in downtown Abilene, hinting at upcoming announcements and a new vision for the area. So much of our Black history and culture is right here in the heart of it. How do we restore that? How do we save it? How do we tell that story? So in the next month, youll be seeing us tell the story of this area and what is to come and our vision that we want to see for this area, Fleming-Lewis shared. Abilene reverend reflects & rejoices in personal connection with Juneteenth holiday Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This cleanup is just the beginning of a larger plan to refurbish the 6th Street Center. Once the renovations are complete, the community will be invited to experience the rich history and stories of the African-American community in Abilene. Fleming-Lewis emphasized that this day symbolizes service, honoring Martin Luther King Jr.s legacy through action. Copyright 2025 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) They came from Haiti, Venezuela and around the world, pulling small rolling suitcases crammed with clothing and stuffed animals to occupy their children. They clutched cellphones showing that after months of waiting they had appointments finally to legally enter the United States. Now outside a series of north Mexico border crossings where mazes of concrete barriers and thick fencing eventually spill into the United States, hope and excitement evaporated into despair and disbelief moments after President Donald Trump took office. U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced Monday that the CBP One app that worked as recently as that morning would no longer be used to admit migrants after facilitating entry for nearly 1 million people since January 2023. Tens of thousands of appointments that were scheduled into February were canceled, applicants were told. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was it. There was no way to appeal, and no one to talk to. In Tijuana, where 400 people were admitted daily on the app at a border crossing with San Diego, Maria Mercado had to work up the courage to check her phone. Tears ran down her cheeks after she finally looked. Her familys appointment was for 1 p.m., four hours too late. We dont know what we are going to do, she said, standing with her family within view of the United States. She left Colombia decades ago after it was overrun by drug cartel violence, heading to Ecuador. When cartels besieged her new homeland, the family fled again, in June, this time to Mexico, hoping to reach the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not asking the world for anything only God. Im asking God to please let us get in," she said. Immigrants around her hugged or cried quietly. Many stared ahead blankly, not knowing what do. A nearby sign urged people to get the CBP One app. This will facilitate your processing, it said. CBP One has been wildly popular, especially with Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians and Mexicans. Now, they were stranded at the U.S. border or deeper in Mexico. Jairol Polo, 38, tried getting an appointment for six months from Mexico City before snagging one for Wednesday in Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas. The Cuban man flew Monday from Mexicos capital to learn at the Matamoros-Brownsville border crossing that his appointment was canceled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imagine how we feel, he said dejectedly while smoking a cigarette. People with morning appointments got through on schedule. Andrum Roman, a 28-year-old Venezuelan, was in the last group to cross the border with the CBP One in Ciudad Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas. We are a little safer now because we are here, he said just before handing over his documents to U.S. authorities. But you still dont know whats going to happen, he said. Another Venezuelan, Rober Caruzi, entered El Paso right behind him. I reached the border twice and I was returned twice, but I didnt lose hope, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By afternoon, the app was down. CBP One is effectively a lottery system that give appointments to 1,450 people a day at one of eight border crossings. People enter the U.S. on immigration parole, a presidential authority that former President Joe Biden used more than any other president since it was introduced in 1952. Its demise follows Trumps campaign promises, and will please its critics, who see it as an overly generous magnet attracting people to Mexicos border with the United States. Despite a glitchy launch in January 2023, it quickly became a critical piece of the Biden administrations border strategy to expand legal pathways while cracking down on asylum for people who enter illegally. Supporters say it brought order amid the tumult of illegal crossings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many migrant shelters in Mexico are now occupied largely by people who tapped their phones daily hoping for an appointment. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says about 280,000 people try daily for the 1,450 slots. The demise of CBP One will be coupled with the return of Remain in Mexico, a remnant of Trump's first term that forced about 70,000 asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court. Matthew Hudak, who retired last year as deputy chief of the Border Patrol, said the demise of CBP One could encourage people to cross illegally. To be effective, it must be coupled with something like Remain in Mexico," he said. The message with CBP One being shut down is basically, Hey were not going to allow you to show up; the doors are not going to be open. For that to be meaningful, there has to be some level of consequence if you bypass any lawful means and youre doing it illegally, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News of CBP One's abrupt end shocked migrants across Mexico. Juan Andres Rincon Ramos, a 19-year-old Venezuelan, cried with joy in early January when he got an asylum appointment through CBP One after months of trying. It was a lurch of hope after five years living in Peru and seven months in Mexico struggling to reach the U.S., where his brother lives in Pittsburgh. In the makeshift Mexico City migrant camp where he lives, the fantasy of a life he dreamed for himself evaporated when he got the notification that his appointment had been canceled. "It was a moment of hope, but it didnt last, he said. Everyone trusted in the American dream, but we were all wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ Janetsky reported from Mexico City. Associated Press journalists Tim Sullivan in Minneapolis, Elliot Spagat in San Diego, Valerie Gonzalez in Matamoros, Mexico, and Martin Silva in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, contributed. HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) A new art exhibit at Holyoke Community Colleges Taber Art Gallery invites viewers to rethink domesticity, gender roles, and the consumption of the human body through humor and food. Springfield, Chicopee awarded grants for new firefighter equipment Texas artist Sheryl Anayas exhibit, Absurd Appetites (Table for Two) opened on Tuesday and will run through March 13. The gallery will host an opening reception on Thursday, January 23, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., featuring an artists talk at 6:00 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exhibit features a surreal mix of imagery and objects: salami spread on baguettes in a bathtub, pears wearing aprons, hot dogs encased in gelatin, and mens work shirts transformed into quilted table linens. Tables for two, set with bread-filled stacks containing mini projectors, display videos of Anaya making sandwiches in unexpected and unconventional settings. Courtesy of Holyoke Community College. Absurd Appetites distorts the norms of a typical dining experience, Anaya said in her artists statement. Considering the deconstruction and consumption of the body, absurd actions surprise and set the tone for examining our roles within gendered labor, sexuality, and domestic space. Humor tempers the seriousness of these topics to avoid confrontation at the dinner table. Courtesy of Holyoke Community College. The exhibit builds on a theme Anaya explored in her masters thesis, which centered on the story of St. Agatha, a third-century Christian martyr and patron saint of bakers and breast cancer patients. Inspired by Sicilian pastries made in honor of St. Agatha, Anaya delves into the metaphorical and literal consumption of womens bodies. My original piece was a 20-by-8-foot table, Anaya said. Absurd Appetites turns that into a more intimate experience, leaning into the absurdity of some of the food items. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anaya, a queer Puerto Rican artist and educator based in Fort Worth, Texas, holds a master of fine arts in studio art with an emphasis in sculpture from Texas Christian University and a bachelor of fine arts from Texas Womans University. Her work examines identity and empathy through intimate relationships, nostalgia, and universal human experiences. The Taber Art Gallery is located off the lobby of the HCC Library on the second floor of the Donahue Building. Admission is free, and the gallery is open Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., during regular school sessions. You can visit their website for more information. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Disgraced reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley portrayed themselves as real estate tycoons on their hit show "Chrisley Knows Best. Years later, they had their assets frozen and life was anything but a glamorous set. Chrisley Knows Best followed their tight-knit, boisterous family and the Chrisleys' lavish lifestyle in Atlanta and Nashville. The show drew in more than 2 million viewers by its eighth season and inspired spin-offs such as "Growing Up Chrisley" and "According to Chrisley." But on Jan. 17, 2023, the Chrisleys traded their luxurious lifestyle for prison time, turning themselves in to their respective prisons. Prosecutors said the reality TV couple was driven by greed as they engaged in an extensive bank fraud scheme and then hid their wealth from tax authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While in prison, the famous couple still made headlines. Below is a timeline of Todd and Julie Chrisley and their road from reality TV success to prison. When did reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley go to prison? Todd and Julie Chrisley timeline 2014: Todd and Julie Chrisley portray themselves as real estate tycoons, gaining fame with their USA Network reality show "Chrisley Knows Best." The docuseries followed their tight-knit, boisterous family and the Chrisleys' lavish lifestyle in the Atlanta suburbs. Season four documented the Chrisleys' move from Atlanta to Nashville. 2017: Todd Chrisley made headlines after he addressed speculation that he's gay. "Chrisley Knows Best" was renewed for a sixth season, and USA Network orders eight episodes of an aftershow program called "According to Chrisley." The aftershow followed a late-night talk show or variety show format with Todd Chrisley as host. Chrisley interviewed celebrities like actress Ali Landry, Christina Milian, Carmen Electra ("Baywatch"), Nicole Sullivan ("King of Queens," "Sex Lives of College Girls") and wrestler Chris Jericho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2018: During the seventh season of "Chrisley Knows Best," USA Network announced the spinoff, "Growing Up Chrisley." That show focused on Chase Chrisley and Savannah Chrisley as they road trip from Nashville to Los Angeles and attempt to break out on their own in the big city. 2019: Todd and Julie Chrisley were indicted on tax evasion charges in Georgia. The 12-count indictment accused Todd and Julie Chrisley of bank fraud and wire fraud conspiracy. Accountant Peter Tarantino was also charged for conspiring and aiding the filing of a false tax return. Despite the Chrisleys' legal troubles, "Chrisley Knows Best" continued to air on USA Network. 2022: "Chrisley Knows Best" was picked up for a 10th season, while "Growing Up Chrisley" was renewed for a fourth. E! also announced the franchise was moving forward with a new dating series, "Love Limo," hosted by Todd Chrisley, days before the trial was set to begin. All three shows involving the Chrisley family were canceled. The disgraced reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley were found guilty in June 2022 of tax evasion and defrauding community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans, which funded their luxurious lifestyle. Julie Chrisley was additionally convicted of obstruction of justice and wire fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was originally set to serve her time in the federal prison camp in Marianna, Florida, about two-and-a-half hours away from Pensacola. For reasons unknown,Julie Chrisley was reassigned from the Florida prison to a federal medical center in Kentucky. 2023: The Chrisleys traded their luxurious lifestyle for prison time, turning themselves in to their respective prisons Jan. 17, 2023. Julie Chrisley is serving her prison sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. According to a Federal Bureau of Prisons records search on Jan. 20, 2025, Julie Chrisley's prison release date is March 23, 2028. Todd Chrisley began serving his 12-year sentence at Federal Medical Center Pensacola. Records show his prison release date is May 27, 2032. 2024: After 18 months, Julie Chrisley's prison sentence was thrown out when federal judges ruled her case had insufficient evidence, according to a June 25, 2024, story in USA TODAY. In June 2024, judges from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the judge in Julie Chrisley's 2022 trial miscalculated her sentence and did not find evidence proving her full involvement in the bank fraud scheme for which she was sentenced, according to documents obtained by USA TODAY. The court of appeals upheld Chrisley, her husband Todd Chrisley and their accountant Peter Tarantino's convictions. She was held responsible for the entire fraud scheme, which began in 2006. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July 2024, Savannah Chrisley gave a speech for Donald Trump, using the platform to address prison reform and her famous parents. For about a month, Julie Chrisley was in the custody of U.S. Marshals as she traveled to and from her Sept. 25, 2024, resentencing hearing in Atlanta. In October 2024, Julie Chrisley returned to Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. About the same time, Todd Chrisley was fired from his prison job. Jay Surgent, who represents Todd and Julie Chrisley, told NBC's "Today" show that Todd Chrisley was removed from his job at Federal Prison Center Pensacola. Todd Chrisley had volunteered "as an assistant to the chaplain at FPC Pensacola for nearly two years and oversaw the setup of Christian, Jewish and Muslim services," Surgent said in an Oct. 25, 2024, today.com story, adding his client was "disappointed and emotionally offended." Surgent told media outlets that Todd Chrisley was "removed from his position because he was 'communicating with people that had been admitted into' the prisons Residential Drug Abuse Program," adding "no 'real reason' for the dismissal was provided, but they believe dismissal came because RDAP participants have 'access to the outside.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) announced in December 2024 that it would permanently close multiple federal prisons across the country, including FPC Pensacola, where Todd Chrisley is an inmate, due to "critical staffing shortage, crumbling infrastructure, and limited budgetary resources," according to the Associate Press. In a release sent to the USA TODAY Network's Pensacola News Journal, FBOP said FPC Pensacola, which is a minimum security male prison located on Saufley Field, would be deactivated as a prison to "maximize resources and mitigate safety concerns." 2025: Two years after turning themselves in, the 52-year-old Julie Chrisley and 56-year-old Todd Chrisley continue to serve time at the FMC Lexington in Kentucky and FPC Pensacola in Florida, respectively. Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Chrisleys in prison: When will Julie and Todd Chrisley be released? President Donald Trump this week issued an executive order barring birthright citizenship to children of undocumented residents. Here, Trump speaks during a Get Out The Vote campaign rally at Coastal Carolina University on Feb. 10, 2024, in Conway, South Carolina. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) This story was updated on Jan. 21 at 6:08 p.m. to reflect that the ACLUs lawsuit was filed on Monday, not Tuesday. Hours after President Donald Trump issued an executive order Monday barring birthright citizenship to children of undocumented residents, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire sued in the U.S. District Court of New Hampshire to block its implementation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And theyre using a New Hampshire couple to make the case. Gail and Thomas, pseudonyms used in court documents to protect the couple, are members of New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support. Neither are documented; both are seeking asylum. They are expecting a baby in February, according to a legal filing by the ACLU and other organizations. But on Monday, Trump signed an order seeking to end the right to U.S. citizenship for all children born to undocumented immigrants after Feb. 19. If their baby is born after then and is not considered a U.S. citizen, Gail and Thomas will lose out on key Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits that would be necessary for their child, the ACLU argues. Being an asylum seeker is very difficult, obviously, but on top of that, the uncertainty of the citizenship status of their expected child, that becomes another burden for their emotion and distress, said SangYeob Kim, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of New Hampshire, in a conference call with reporters Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plaintiffs in the ACLUs lawsuit argue the presidents executive order is unconstitutional. Birthright citizenship was established by the 14th Amendment, passed after the Civil War. The 1898 U.S Supreme Court opinion in United States v. Wong Kim Ark held that that birthright meant children born in the U.S. to noncitizens are automatically U.S. citizens. And in 1940, Congress passed a law codifying the birthright doctrine into federal statute, which exists today. Now, the ACLU of New Hampshire is asking Judge Joseph LaPlante to issue preliminary and permanent injunctions against the new order, to clarify that the Trump administration cannot enforce it. The ACLU of New Hampshire is joined by the ACLU of Maine, the ACLU of Massachusetts, the national ACLUs Immigrants Rights Project, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the State Democracy Defenders Fund, and the Asian Law Caucus. Together, the legal groups represent three parties: New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support, which is based in Dover and has 2,000 members in the state; Make the Road New York, an immigrants rights group with 28,000 members in New York State; and League of United Latin American Citizens, a national organization with 325,000 members across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MRNY and LULAC each mentioned members of their own who would be affected by the executive order if it takes effect next month, and each member was also given a first-name pseudonym. The groups say removing U.S. birthright citizenship would be devastating for undocumented families. It would mean families would lose out on benefits, such as Medicaid and SNAP in Gail and Thomas case. Their children would not receive passports and could be deported at any time. And because they were born in the U.S., their children might not receive citizenship in the country they are deported to, effectively making them stateless, the plaintiffs argue. Its going to cause them immense fear, as well as exposing them to immigration enforcement, to stigma, denying them educational and professional opportunities, and denying them access to early life nutrition and other vital services, said Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLUs Immigrants Rights Project, on the Tuesday call to reporters. Trumps executive order argues that undocumented families are not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and that their children are thus exempted from receiving automatic citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLUs lawsuit was filed the same day 22 attorneys general from Democratic states filed their own lawsuit against the presidents executive order. That lawsuit was filed in Federal District Court in Massachusetts. Because the lawsuits were both filed in the same appeals court jurisdiction, it is possible they could eventually be combined in the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. For now, the representatives of the ACLU lawsuit say they are hoping for a quick injunction. Jan. 21The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine has joined a lawsuit against the Trump administration over an executive order seeking to deny citizenship status for children born in the United States to non-citizens. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in New Hampshire by a group of civil rights and immigrants' rights advocates, accuses the Trump administration of flouting the Constitution, congressional intent and longstanding U.S. Supreme Court precedent with the executive order the president signed Monday saying the government will no longer issue citizenship documents to the U.S.-born children of people who are in the U.S. either temporarily or unlawfully. The order would effectively end birthright citizenship, which is the longstanding principle that every child born in the U.S. is a citizen, for certain children. It relies on a different interpretation of the Constitution's 14th Amendment, which says: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump's executive order says citizenship is not automatic if a child's mother was not lawfully present. The order is not retroactive and applies only to persons who are born within the United States after 30 days from the date of the order. "Denying citizenship to U.S.-born children is not only unconstitutional it's also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values," said Anthony Romero, executive director of the ACLU and lead attorney in the case, in a written statement. "Birthright citizenship is part of what makes the United States the strong and dynamic nation that it is. This order seeks to repeat one of the gravest errors in American history, by creating a permanent subclass of people born in the U.S. who are denied full rights as Americans. We will not let this attack on newborns and future generations of Americans go unchallenged." The ACLU, state chapters in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, the Asian Law Caucus, State Democracy Defenders Fund and the Legal Defense Fund, joined with the ACLU of Maine in filing the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship was among dozens that he signed after being sworn in as president Monday. The order follows up on a key promise Trump made during his campaign. Other legal challenges to the order are also expected as experts have disputed whether Trump has the authority to unilaterally change the policy. This story will be updated. Copy the Story Link Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Monday night challenging President Donald Trump's controversial executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship, a long-held right granted by the U.S. Constitution. The executive order was among the first actions by Trump after being inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States. The order states that a child born in the United States is not granted citizenship if their parents were "unlawfully present" in the country or if their presence was lawful but temporary -- such as those on work or student visas -- at the time of the child's birth. Trump had vowed during his campaign to end birthright citizenship on his first day in office, despite legal experts questioning his ability to do so. Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which grants citizenship to anyone who is born in the United States, regardless of their parents' legal status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire by the ACLU, accuses Trump and his administration of violating the Constitution with the executive order. "Denying citizenship to U.S.-born children is not only unconstitutional -- it's also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values," Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement. "Birthright citizenship is part of what makes the United States the strong and dynamic nation that it is. This order seeks to repeat one of the gravest errors in American history, by creating a permanent subclass of people born in the U.S. who are denied full rights as Americans." The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 following the Civil War, was intended to grant citizenship to people who were born in the United States, including children of formerly enslaved Black people. That principle was confirmed by the landmark 1898 Supreme Court decision that stated children born in the United States to immigrants were entitled to U.S. citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU filed its lawsuit on behalf of immigration rights groups whose membership includes soon-to-be parents in the United States with a variety of immigration statuses, including some who have been in the country for more than a decade. Stripping their future children of birthright citizenship is "a grave injury," the lawsuit argues, that would create a subclass of people born in the United States but lack fundamental legal recognition. "By attacking the principle that all children born in this country are citizens, the order will invite persistent questioning of the citizenship of children of immigrants -- particularly children of color," it states. Once deemed noncitizens, the children will be denied their right to vote in federal elections and subjected to immigration enforcement, including arrest, detention and deportation to countries they have never been to, the lawsuit continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Improperly threatening children with arrest, detention and deportation and forcing them to grow up in fear of immigration enforcement, imposes harms on those children and their parents," it states. "That fear is multiplied for parents who face further concern that their baby's removal would be to a country where their lives or freedom would be in danger." The lawsuit ask the court to declare the executive order unconstitutional and enjoin the Trump administration from enforcing it. After Trump announced the executive order, several Democratic governors came out against it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a brief statement, California Gov. Gavin Newsom simply said, "This is unconstitutional." Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker warned, "this is only the start of attempts to undermine the rule of law, and Illinoisans can count on me to stand against unconstitutional actions." And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said that they are reviewing the order and will take action to ensure those born in the state "have all the rights and protections that prior generations of new Americans have been granted." NICOSIA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus achieved a new tourism milestone in 2024, attracting visitors numbering four times its population of just under one million, Deputy Minister for Tourism Costas Koumis announced on Tuesday. Citing newly released figures by the Statistical Service (Cystat), Koumis said 4.04 million tourists visited Cyprus last year. This marks a 5.7 percent increase over the previous record set in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic when 3.977 million tourists were recorded. The 2024 figure also represents a 5.1 percent rise compared to 2023, the second-best year for tourism, which saw 3.846 million arrivals. Speaking to the CyBC state broadcaster, Koumis emphasized the significance of this achievement for the economy, especially considering challenges such as conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Travel and tourism contributed approximately 21 percent to the eastern Mediterranean island's annual gross domestic product (GDP), which stood at about 33.88 billion euros (35.32 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024. BOSTON (WWLP) The Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) announced the launch of their 2025 Acts of Service Campaign on Monday, a year-long statewide initiative that will focus on community projects intended to benefit veterans and their families. Cooley Dickinson Hospital awards $100K to agency supporting youth mental health The campaign was launched to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and provide support for Massachusetts veterans. EOVS is partnering with non-profit organizations and agencies based in Massachusetts and specializing in veteran services to reach communities across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Kings vision for equity and service continues to inspire us all, said Secretary Jon Santiago. At the Executive Office of Veterans Services, we regularly hear stories about incredible individuals and organizations performing community service. This campaign shines a light on these unsung heroes and fosters a spirit of unity across Massachusetts. Service opportunities will be available both in person and digitally. A statewide day of service will also be held during EOVS annual Veterans Week celebration in November. During this week, a Volunteer Recognition Ceremony will be held and significant contributions will be celebrated. The campaign website allows participants to submit their acts of service to share with others and recognize veterans throughout the year. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Jan. 20Monongalia County Schools just warmed up its safety net for every student, in every classroom, in the district. Four new safety officers were recently hired and their job description is a notch above those of the district's current cadre of school resource officers, who have long been a presence in the hallway and on school grounds across Morgantown and Mon. The difference between the two sets of officers, Superintendent Eddie Campbell Jr. said, is that the new hires are licensed to use force to neutralize the worst-case scenario of an active shooter in a building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Said officers are deputized and authorized to carry concealed weapons in their charge, he said. "They operate under the auspices of the sheriff's department, " the superintendent said. "They would be allowed to respond as appropriate." Their addition ensures that every high school, middle school and elementary school in Mon will now have a safety presence, which Campbell and Sheriff Todd Forbes himself a former resource officer in the district also hope will be preventative one, as well. Students at Morgantown High, University High and Clay-Battelle already walk through weapons detectors on their way to class every morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The high-tech devices are portable and have been deployed at sporting events and graduation exercises across the district. Steve Ford, Curt Thomas, Randy Stockett and Justin Lawless, the new hires, will be in buildings across the district to introduce themselves, once the weather breaks and students are back in school, Campbell said. Ford is backed up by 25 of years of experience in his new job. That's how long he served as an officer in the Morgantown Police Department. Thomas is a former deputy who served 20 years in the Monongalia's County Sheriff's Department. Stockett was also a Mon deputy for 15 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a 15-year hitch in the U.S. Marine Corps, Lawless retired from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Forbes praised the officers for their commitment to protect and serve a particularly vulnerable population. "Each brings a wealth of experience and dedication to ensuring the safety of our students and staff, " the sheriff said. Their hiring also reflects a new reality in schools nationwide in the 21st century where gun violence is now an inevitability, rather than an anomaly. In 2024, gunfire crackled in the hallways of 36 schools across the U.S., with seven children listed among the 16 fatalities. A total of 50 people were also wounded in such incidents over the same year. The most recent came this past Nov. 18 in a high school parking in Memphis, Tenn., where a student was shot and survived his wounds. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Homeless advocates in the Kansas City metro are prioritizing visits to homeless camps amid this current drop in temperatures. When the thermometers show extreme cold temperatures, concern for the homeless grows. Providing services, resources and shelter becomes a top-of-mind items for those who advocate for the unhoused. Homeless advocates at KC Heroes regularly visit at least 20 homeless campsites, many of which are in areas like East Kansas City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4 Jennifer McCartney, who founded KC Heroes 10 years ago, dedicates her life to tending to Kansas Citys homeless community. During these cold months, McCartney and other generous hearts often load up their cars with donated items meant for unhoused people. On Monday afternoon, KC Heroes visited three homeless camps where they distributed thermal gloves, hand warmers and guidance toward securing more permanent housing. McCartney and others also hope to steer the homeless away from their tents and into warming shelters, but some are determined to stay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People lose the will to fight. People say get a job. Gosh, why dont you go do something when youre totally down and out and have no faith and no hope and no support, McCartney told FOX4 on Monday. Kansas City-area school delays, closings Tuesday due to dangerous cold weather McCartney knows homeless people whove died in cold conditions like these, and others whove lost fingers and toes to extreme cold. Every Tuesday evening, KC Heroes hosts a picnic for the groups homeless friends at Washington Square Park, where food and other resources are distributed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. TUPELO Tupelo advocates are gearing up for the annual survey of the homeless population in the region. They are expecting a higher count than last year according to their unofficial count last fall. In the upcoming point in time count, an annual census of the homeless population in the state, Tupelo Homeless Task Force Chair Hannah Maharrey said the officials expect to find more than 80 individuals, up from last years 64 unhoused individuals. The PIT count is not for the faint of heart, she said, noting the cold temperatures and invasive questions surveyors have to ask. Do it as a service, not as tourism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every January, the Mississippi Balance of State Continuum of Care Director, alongside other advocacy groups, performs a Point-In-Time count, which is a census meant to give a snapshot of homelessness within the 71 counties in which the organization operates. The count is important to nonprofits and advocacy groups because an accurate census of the homeless population gauges the efficacy of programs and helps to determine need when applying for grant sources. Salvation Army Captain LeeAnna Marion said the organizations shelter currently has 56 individuals in routine residence, plus 23 additional individuals sheltered specifically from the cold during recent freezing events, bringing the shelter up to 79 individuals during the peak. Those interested in volunteering for the count can visit msbos.org/pit and begin the process. To participate, participants must watch resource videos and take a required quiz. Once complete, a volunteer will receive an email with a link to the CoCs app made for the survey. The count will begin at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at All Saints Episcopal Church during Saints Brew where those conducting the survey will count those unsheltered people before breaking into two teams and scouring the citys known encampments. Mississippi United to End Homelessness North Mississippi Team Lead Kerrie Hamby said it will take about four hours to do the bulk of the census. Pete Hegseth has denied their was physical abuse in his second marriage. Associated Press Senators have reviewed an affidavit containing new alcohol abuse and domestic abuse allegations against Trumps defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth the same week that Hegseths nomination could go before the entire Senate. The existence of the new affidavit, which contains sworn testimony from Danielle Hegseth, the ex-wife of Hegseths brother, was first reported by NBC News and has been independently verified by HuffPost. According to the affidavit, Danielle Hegseth said that Pete Hegseths second wife, Samantha Hegseth, repeatedly feared for her safety during their marriage. Samantha Hegseth even once described hiding from her husband in a closet, the affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As I told the FBI, I believe Hegseth has an alcohol abuse problem and was abusive to his ex-wife Samantha, Danielle Hegseth said, adding that Pete Hegseth regularly abused alcohol to the point of passing out at family gatherings. Both Hegseth and his second wife denied there was physical abuse in their marriage, which lasted from 2010 to 2018. The two had three children together. Sam has never alleged that there was any abuse, she signed court documents acknowledging that there was no abuse and recently reaffirmed the same during her FBI interview, Hegseths lawyer, Tim Parlatore, told NBC. Danielle Hegseth also wrote in the affidavit that she heard Hegseth say that women should not have the right to vote and that they should not work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the Senate Armed Services Committee advanced along party lines Hegseths nomination to the full Senate for a vote that could happen as soon as this week. Theres likely to be a partisan battle over the nomination, but so far no Republican has said they wont back him for defense secretary, a role overseeing millions of personnel across every branch of the armed forces. It seems like there are conflicting accounts, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who is undecided on the nomination, told reporters on Tuesday after briefly looking over the affidavit. Danielle Hegseths sworn statement was in response to a request from Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, seeking information about Pete Hegseths fitness for the role of the nations top military official, NBC reported. Senate Democrats have complained the FBI neglected to interview key witnesses about allegations of sexual assault, financial mismanagement and excessive drinking in Hegseths past. Danielle Hegseth was reportedly interviewed by the FBI in late December but the substance of that interview was not shared with high-ranking members of the Armed Services Committee ahead of last weeks confirmation hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth, a former Fox News host and one of Trumps most controversial Cabinet picks, denied the earlier claims of abuse in his confirmation hearing last week, but vowed, if confirmed, not to drink on the job. Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat on the Armed Services committee, told HuffPost the latest allegations are very significant and that they contradict Hegseths testimony. Already there was enough in the record, in my view, to defeat his nomination. The question now is really whether Republican colleagues could be swayed by this additional evidence, Blumenthal said. But Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the chairman of the committee, said he had grave doubts as to the substance of the new allegations even though he said had yet to read the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will look at that, I think she has an ax to grind, Wicker told reporters on Tuesday. He added, I think the nomination is going to go forward. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Related... Washingtons new Attorney General Nick Brown filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging President Donald Trumps executive order on birthright citizenship. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, was joined by Oregon, Arizona, and Illinois. The presidents Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship order states that a child born in the U.S. must have at least one parent who is either a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to automatically become a U.S. citizen. The presidents campaign statements made clear this order was intended to curb illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, if the order is allowed to stand, The Attorney Generals office worries it could cause thousands of newborns and children in Washington to lose their ability to fully participate in society. Unlawfully stripping U.S. citizens of their right to citizenship will impact their ability to vote, travel abroad, secure housing, access health care, seek employment, run for public office, serve on juries and, more generally, participate fully in American society, a news release from the AGs office states. The right to citizenship by birth was established under the 14th Amendment, and the AGs office claims that President Trumps executive order to abolish it is a violation of the U.S. Constitution and the federal Immigration and Nationality Act. Washington is seeking an emergency court order preventing any federal agency from relying on the order to deny the privileges of citizenshipincluding passports, social security numbers, health care benefits, and more for the states included in the lawsuit. Most of President Trumps initial executive orders signed in his first day in office were about immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border. He has said he will follow through with mass deportations of illegal immigrants, resume building a border wall, and slow the spread of drugs coming into the country. Jan. 20HARRISBURG Attorney General Michelle Henry this week announced that a Luzerne County judge's ruling on a lawsuit against a local contractor will ban the contractor from working in home improvement in Pennsylvania and will result in $79,000 in restitution payments to consumers who were harmed. Vincent Vince, owner of Independent Construction Builders LLC, was also ordered to pay $12,000 in civil penalties to the Commonwealth for violations of Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. The court's ruling follows a three-day trial regarding the lawsuit that alleged Independent Construction Builders LLC violated the Pennsylvania Consumer Protection Law and the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act by failing to complete contracted work, performing unprofessional work, and failing to provide refunds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Vincent Vince and his company were required to play by the same rules as all other home improvement contractors in Pennsylvania, but he betrayed consumers who paid substantial amounts of money for jobs, then turned his back when they asked for refunds," Attorney General Henry said in a news release. "This ruling provides a repayment order to harmed consumers and ensures that Mr. Vince will no longer have the opportunity to deceive consumers in Pennsylvania." Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Tina Polachek Gartley issued the ruling. Judge Gartley found in favor of the Commonwealth and against Independent Construction Builders on all four counts in the lawsuit. Seven consumers testified during the trial. According to Judge Gartley's decision, "the court finds that Defendants acted deceptively and fraudulently in the representations of the work they promised to perform, the materials they promised to use, and in their course of business." This case was litigated by Deputy Attorney General Matthias Conaty and Senior Deputy Attorney General James Wise. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. The Supreme Court heard arguments last week in a case that seeks to challenge a Texas state law requiring pornography websites to confirm a users age before allowing them to view adult content, either by uploading a photo of their government-issued ID or allowing their face to be scanned. Such laws, which have been passed in a total of 19 states since 2023, are intended to protect minors from a variety of harmful effects that, studies have found, online pornography can have on underage viewers, including increased misogyny, sexual aggression, mental health issues and unsafe sex. But critics argue that the laws threaten to undermine the rights of adults who use these sites. The Free Speech Coalition, the nonprofit behind the lawsuit challenging the Texas law, argued before the Supreme Court on Jan. 15 that the law does little to protect minors while violating U.S. law that categorizes adult content as protected speech under the First Amendment and posing a serious threat to users privacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think it is telling that Texas has not considered the possibility of educating parents, encouraging parents, Derek Shaffer, an attorney representing the Free Speech Coalition, told the court. I think that their interest is a broader anti-porn interest in preventing willing adults from accessing this content. And they want to make it more difficult. They want to make it costlier. They want to make it chilling. Aaron Nielson, the Texas solicitor general, argued at the Supreme Court hearing that Age verification today ... is simple, safe and common, including non-identifying means. Petitioners don't dispute that their websites are not meant for children, that they harm children and that children are watching, Nielson said. We've tried content filtering for decades, and the problem has only gotten worse. Justice Amy Coney Barrett noted that adults must show identification in order to enter a movie theater that displays pornographic movies and asked how age verification laws for online pornography were any different. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Shaffer argued in response that being asked to quickly flash your identification at a store or movie theater is less burdensome and less permanent than uploading and submitting that information online. The privacy concerns associated with these age verification laws have led Pornhub, the worlds largest pornography website, to block the site in nearly all of the U.S. states that have implemented such rules, meaning it is now unavailable in more than a third of the country. In a statement provided to Yahoo News, Aylo, Pornhubs parent company, said that the company supports protecting underaged users from inappropriate content but believes that any law to this effect must preserve user safety and privacy. Aylo also argued that in order to avoid sharing their highly sensitive personal information with websites like Pornhub, users will simply access noncompliant sites or find other methods of evading these laws. After Louisiana enacted its age verification law in 2022, Pornhub was one of the few adult content sites to comply, only to see its traffic from the state drop 80% immediately after, according to Aylo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They just migrated to darker corners of the internet that dont ask users to verify age, the statement from Aylo said, referring to Pornhubs Louisiana user base. In practice, the laws have just made the internet more dangerous for adults and kids. Critics of the age verification laws also point out that anyone who wants to circumvent these restrictions can easily do so by downloading a virtual private network (VPN), a service that can encrypt internet traffic and hide IP addresses. We consistently see significant spikes in VPN demand when access to popular online platforms or websites is restricted, and this situation is no different, Lauren Hendry Parsons, a privacy advocate at ExpressVPN, said in a statement to Yahoo News. We know that when legislators restrict consumer access to services like porn, citizens still find a way to access it. While ExpressVPN could not share download numbers with Yahoo News, the company noted that after Floridas age verification law went into effect on Jan. 1, ExpressVPN saw a 99.24% increase in web traffic from Florida users to its website compared with the previous week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vera Eidelman, a senior staff attorney with the Speech, Privacy, and Technology project at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), told Yahoo News that, because laws like the one considered by the Supreme Court this week dont apply to social media, they actually do little to prevent minors from seeing explicit content online. At the same time, the Texas law makes it harder for adults to access sexual content they have every right to see because it forces people to transmit their government ID, bank or mortgage records, or other transactional data online to prove their age, Eidelman said. That exposes people to privacy and security risks. Supporters of the Texas law and others like it, such as the American Principles Project, were outside the Supreme Court last week to argue that such laws are no different from regulations requiring age verification to purchase alcohol or gamble online. Groups like the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank most recently known for its involvement in creating Project 2025, call the age verification laws constitutional and a straightforward solution to the competing interests of what some adults want and what all children need. The Heritage Foundation has also argued that sites like Pornhub are against age verification laws because, as was the case in Louisiana, they result in a decrease in traffic, and fewer viewers means less money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the high court isnt expected to issue a decision on the Texas law until the summer, the justices appeared to lean in favor of upholding the law. Do you dispute the societal problems that are created both short-term and long-term from the rampant access to pornography for children? Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked. In a now-viral question, Justice Samuel Alito seemed to dismiss the value of websites like Pornhub, asking, What percentage of the material on [Pornhub] is not obscene? Is it like the old Playboy? You have essays on there by the modern-day equivalent of Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley Jr.? SACRAMENTO, United States, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- A surprising wave of replies from Americans, many identifying as "TikTok refugees," has struck a chord with Chinese netizens. These responses aren't just casual notes. They are heartfelt replies to letters written by Chinese students in the persona of "Li Hua," a fictional character once used in English assignments. These unexpected exchanges emerged on RedNote, a digital platform that has surged in popularity as many American users saw it as an alternative platform for TikTok after it suffered a ban and outage in the United States. "It's been a long time since we've written to one another, and I wanted to check in and see how you were doing," begins a heartfelt video message from a U.S. user known as "when_music" on the Chinese social media. "How's life? How's your family? How are your friends? Did you accomplish all of your dreams? Are you still practicing English?" "I think about the letters that we used to write to each other. You told me about your favorite books, your favorite food, your favorite traditions, your favorite bands, and all the things you were doing during the day. Do you still love those things? Do you love new things? Do you love new people, new family, new cats?" said the U.S. user. In letters and videos posted online, these U.S. users apologized for their "delayed responses" while celebrating this unexpected re-connection with their Chinese "pen pals." These newcomers began crafting responses to the hypothetical letters written by Chinese students over the years. The hashtag #LiHua has garnered over 4.1 million views and 60,000 comments on RedNote, sparking heartfelt exchanges of greetings that transcend borders. "Dear Li Hua, I have just learned that you have written many letters over the years without reply. I am so pleased that I can finally write back to you now," a handwritten letter from a U.S. user, Ernest, read. "I would love to hear what your life has been like since you last wrote, did you achieve your dreams or make new ones? Have you kept in touch with your old friends?" His letter concluded with a touching promise to learn Chinese for future correspondence. Under his post, a Chinese user replied: "The countless 'I look forward to your reply' that I wrote at the end of my letters has finally become a reality. My life has gone through many changes, and my dreams have changed along with it. I've made new friends and lost touch with some old ones, but I understand that this is all part of growing up." Another Chinese user commented: "Such simple words, yet they strike straight to the heart." Another user added with playful joy, "After more than 20 years, I finally know what my pen pal looks like." These exchanges have touched hearts on both sides of the Pacific. An American user named "tracecode" shared her emotional response in a video that garnered 35,000 likes and 5,000 comments within one day. "It really struck me how much we can all connect as people. Just seeing the way that people were so appreciative of people writing back to Li Hua really got me, because I haven't felt like we're, as Americans, worth being appreciated in a long time," she said, adding that seeing everyone feeling the same way makes her "really hopeful." For millions of Chinese and Americans, these virtual "reunions" have blossomed into exchanges of hope and encouragement between users in both countries. This sentiment is perhaps best reflected in the final words of "when_music" to Li Hua: "You may feel older, you may see the lines in your eyes, you may see the lines in your cheeks, but you're still young, and there's still time. Remember that you can accomplish anything. I remember, so don't forget me." MERCER, Pa. (WKBN) A Mercer County couples years-long battle with PennPower and how they say their smart meter racked up thousands of dollars in bills has come to an end. Read next: Tenor Health founder says Sharon Regional should open in two weeks Brett and Donna Schroyer have come to an agreement with the utility following a hearing earlier this month. The terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, but the issue has been settled, according to a certificate of agreement filed with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Schroyers brought their case before the Pennsylvania PUC after negotiations with PennPower were not successful. They say their usage and utility bills skyrocketed following the installation of a smart meter. After a couple of years, the Schroyers convinced PennPower to change it out. After that meter was changed out, the Schroyers said their bills went down substantially. However, the Schroyers said PennPower told them they tested that old smart meter in a lab and it worked as designed and did not have any malfunctions. Was it the meter, the Schroyers usage or some other reason there were spikes in the bill? That answer is not clear, but the couple was battling PennPower over what amounted to about a $10,000 bill, racked up over several years. The Schroyers said during our initial report that their advice to all utility customers is to pay attention to your usage not just the amount of the bill. Know that usage and create a baseline so that when the bill changes, you have a better understanding as to why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utility companies can provide this information to you, and they keep records of usage over long periods of time. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that the average U.S. household usage is between 800 and 1,000 kilowatts per month or about 10,791 per year. Many factors can impact the cost of your bill such as the provider you choose, seasons, and any additional or extra usage from new or malfunctioning appliances. The best thing to do is keep track of your bill and begin investigating right away when something doesnt seem right. Copyright 2025 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. Air defence systems in the Ukrainian capital were responding to Russian drones on the evening of 21 January. A Russian UAV was downed in the sky over Kyiv. Source: Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on social media Quote: "On the left bank of the city, air defence forces are engaging enemy UAVs. Stay in shelters!" Details: Shortly afterwards, Klitschko reported that the threat of drones extended to the right bank of the city as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian Air Force also urged Kyiv residents to remain in shelters, stating: "An enemy attack drone is over the city," in a social media post. Ukrainian military reported that strike drones were also spotted in several oblasts in the east and north of Ukraine. As of 20:45, the all-clear was given in the capital, but the air-raid warning was still in effect in Kyiv Oblast and northeastern regions of the country. At 21:20, Kyiv City Military Administration reported that debris from the downed drone fell into a body of water in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv. Early reports indicate no fires or casualties and that there is currently no ongoing threat. Support UP or become our patron! Major airlines are delaying and canceling fights in preparation for a wintery blast that could bring snow and ice to the Gulf Coast, disrupting travel from Texas to North Carolina. With heavy snow and ice forecast for eight states from late Monday into Wednesday, winter storm warnings, watches and advisories are in play across a 1,500-mile stretch. Travel advisories are already in play due to frigid weather in the northeast, and as a winter storm approached the Gulf Coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Airlines waived fees and posted travel alerts for 38 cities along the Gulf Coast, while Breeze Airways had a travel waiver in place on Monday for Portland, Maine, and New Hampshire's Manchester airport. Breeze also has travel waivers in place for Tuesday in four cities: Gulfport, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama; New Orleans; and Pensacola, Florida. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday declared a state of emergency ahead the storm. Delta Air Lines has a Gulf Coast winter weather advisory through Wednesday, saying 17 airports in eight states could be impacted, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JetBlue is waiving change/cancel fees and fare differences for customers traveling Monday and Tuesday to and from eight cities in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas. United posted a Gulf Coast weather alert through Wednesday for airports in nearly 30 cities. Southwest also said scheduled flights could be delayed, diverted or canceled through Wednesday along the Gulf Coast. As of 4:15 p.m. EST Monday, more than 1,600 flights scheduled for Tuesday had already been canceled, according to FlightAware, a flight-tracking service. Three Houston airports George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Hobby Airport and Ellington Airport have announced plans to close down operations at midnight Tuesday. Trump signs executive orders after inauguration Former Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama arrive for Trump inauguration Sen. Deb Fischer speaks at Trump inauguration MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) Alabama leaders in Washington said the city was very patriotic leading up to the inauguration of Donald Trumps second term as president Monday. As [U.S. Sen.] Eric Schmitt [R-MO] always says, America is so back,' said U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL). You could feel it, and its exciting. She described what it was like sitting in the rotunda for todays inauguration. Britt said Alabama can be confident in a safer future. The Laken Riley Act was passed in the Senate on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will be the very first bill that President Trump signs, and I think that is what Americans can look at because theres going to be more of that coming your way, Britt said. Former Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill watched the inauguration from Capital One Arena. He said people were lined up for hours to get inside. They spent the night outside, so they could be a part of this event today, Merrill said. Its just been an unbelievable event. You can hear people chanting USA! USA! USA!' Trump completes historic comeback, vowing to turn around nation in decline Other Republican leaders said the inauguration is a new beginning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just think its a sense of renewal, said state Sen. Keith Kelley (R-Anniston). Its a strong feeling of renewal that were experiencing here, and its so widespread. Its across different ethnic groups. Its like were coming together as one again. Its going be good for agriculture, too said Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate. Trumps been a real friend to the farmers, so I expect good things for the next four years. Well, starting today, really. Alabama Democrats showed concern for whats ahead. I am very congratulatory for the new administration, said state Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile). But I want them to stand for those things that will bring us together and not divide us, and I want them to stand for truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same God that kept us and has kept us through all those generations will be the same God that will keep us through the Donald Trump administration, said state Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham). Thats my take on it. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey congratulated Trump in a statement. She stated Alabama stands ready to support his mission to foster a stronger than ever America. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a 10-year security cooperation agreement on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 21. The wide-ranging agreement includes cooperation between the two countries in areas including defense, intelligence sharing, cyber security, nuclear safety, as well as mutual support for each others accession into the European Union, among other topics. "Albania reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders as of 1991," the agreement reads, adding that the document does not "substitute for Ukraines future membership in NATO." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Albania has been providing military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion and it will continue its support throughout the ten-year term of the agreement," Zelensky wrote on X. "I am grateful to Albania for supporting our European integration path, strengthening our positions on the battlefield, and bringing us closer to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine." As Albania's military support for Ukraine continues, the agreement notes that Albania will "continue to support Ukraine in the same way as in 2022-2024." The agreement also committed Albania into its participation in the fighter jet coalition, an allied initiative helping Ukraine acquire U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets and the necessary training. "Albania will make its contribution to the fighter jet coalition by providing English language training for Ukrainian pilots and technicians," the agreement reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albania, a member of NATO, previously signed a joint cooperation agreement with Ukraine in February 2024. A few days prior on Jan. 19, Tirana opened its first embassy in Ukraine, establishing the country's first permanent diplomatic mission in Kyiv since the two countries entered into diplomatic relations in 1993. Read also: Ukraine-Russia peace deal would require at least 200,000 peacekeepers, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Jan. 20An Albert Lea ministry that makes do-rags and bandanas for cancer patients and the homeless across the country is working with two rescue missions in the Los Angeles area to help residents who lost their homes in recent fires. Richard Miller of the Ministries of Project Happiness said a few weeks ago he shipped a box of 600 bandanas and do-rags to the Midnight Mission in Los Angeles. After he saw news of the fires, he contacted them again, and they are working with the organization, which has been a designated shelter for fire victims, to send more as they expected a "multitude" from homeless who live outdoors already and families who have lost their homes and are coming to their shelter from around the area. A representative from the shelter told them they would be reaching out to people they never would have seen during normal times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller said he also received a message from another mission in Los Angeles that also wanted more bandanas. Included with each bandana and do-rag is a card that has the ABCs of salvation. "We need prayer for those who receive the 'ministries in a bag' to turn to Christ and accept his free gift of salvation," Miller said. "We also need sheets, cloth, cardstock, zip-top sandwich bags, dye and money for thread." Miller and his wife, Jane, have had the ministry for about 10 years, providing bandanas and do-rags to rescue missions in 48 states. Jane has made 108,000 bandanas and do-rags from discarded hotel sheets and other donated cloth, and Miller ships them out to the homeless missions. He said people are welcome to donate any of the needed items at their home at 807 S. Newton Ave. in Albert Lea or at their thrift store location from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1521 E. Hawthorne St. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Students at the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by getting out and serving the community. Six students from the ASLAs Beautification Program got their hands dirty doing yard work for a resident in the Los Griegos neighborhood. Albuquerque hosting job fair for youth seeking summer jobs School officials said the day can help students follow in MLK Jr.s footsteps by working to make the world a better place. The clean-up is part of the schools day of service while also teaching students landscaping skills. The school said other students brought donations to Roadrunner Food Bank, the University of New Mexico pediatric unit, and Casa Esparanza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. The wife of retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman said no pardons were offered or discussed only a few hours before President Trumps official return to the White House. Whatever happens to my family, know this: No pardons were offered or discussed. I cannot begin to describe the level of betrayal and hurt I feel, Rachel Vindman said in a Monday morning post on the social platform Threads. Alexander Vindman, alongside his brother Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-Va.), blew the whistle on the 2019 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that led to Trumps first impeachment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former President Biden announced pardons to people including Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), all of whom have been targets of Trumps ire in the past, on Monday. In November, tech billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk suggested that Alexander Vindman committed treason and will pay following the whistleblower accusing him of being unknowingly used by Russia. Vindman is on the payroll of Ukrainian oligarchs and has committed treason against the United States, Musk said on the social media platform X, in response to Vindman making comments in an interview on Musks reported talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Alexander Vindman replied to Musk on X at the time, saying his comments were false and completely unfounded accusations. He stated that he had never had money from Ukrainian oligarchs, noting his involvement in a nonprofit aiding Ukraines defense versus Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You, Elon, appear to believe you can act with impunity and are attempting to silence your critics. Im not intimidated, Vindman said on X. The Hill has reached out to the White House and former President Biden for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The recent strike by Park City, Utah ski patrollers has spurred conversations and movements across the ski industry, specifically within other ski patrol units. Several mountain's patrol units, both Vail Resorts-owned and not, publicly showed their support for the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA) throughout the strike. PCPSPA came to a contract agreement with Vail and patrollers have returned to work, but the greater conversation about how ski patrollers are compensated continues. More patrol units are voting to unionize and working to negotiate contracts that reflect their value as mountain employees. Most recently, Arapahoe Basin's Ski Patrol voted to unionize and have joined the CWA 7781 United Mountain Workers, which represents a dozen unionized patrol units and lift maintenance teams across the country. Arapahoe Basin, known commonly as A-Basin, is located in Summit County, Colorado and is a favorite of Colorado skiers because of it's long season, proximity to the front range, and steep terrain. In November of 2024, A-Basin was sold to Alterra Mountain Co by Canadian real estate company, Dream Unlimited Corp. Although it wasn't entirely unrelated, Arapahoe Basin's patrollers decision to unionize had less to do with the sale of the mountain, and more to do with continuing to make patrolling a sustainable, long-term career both for current and future generations. In similar sentiments to those given by Park City patrollers, third-year Arapahoe Basin patroller Kali Flaherty expressed that the mountain's patrol unit cares deeply about the mountain, and the work they do to provide a positive ski experience to mountain guests. Arapahoe Basin Ski Patrol (ABSP) is smaller than others units in the country. For ABSP, collaboration amongst their team, with mountain management, and Alterra is essential to being able to provide medical coverage for the mountain, perform avalanche mitigation, set up infrastructure, train rescue teams, and so on. Arapahoe Basin lies right on Highway 6, near Loveland Pass and is part of the Ikon Pass. Photo: Arapahoe Basin/Ikon Pass Media Assets The process of unionizing was not a quick one for Arapahoe Basin patrollers. After meeting with a representative from United Mountain Workers over the summer, ABSP polled their staff to see if unionizing would be a good fit. A petition to unionize was officially filed on November 18th. Members leading the campaign hosted multiple town halls, and met with representatives from other unionized patrol units in order to answer questions as it pertained to unionization. In an effort to get the entire unit to vote, two voting opportunities were provided overseen by a representative from patrol, upper management at A-Basin, and Mountain Workers United. The votes were tallied on January 11 in favor of the unit unionizing, and ABSP announced on January 12, that following approval from the National Labor Relations Board, they would form a union. While 75% of the patrol unit voted in favor of the union, Alterra was not open to recognizing the union, or in other words, having the union represent all employees in collective bargaining, as opposed to just those in the union. An Arapahoe Basin ski patroller rewards an avalanche rescue dog after a successful training session. Photo: Hyoung Chang/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images Like Park City patrollers, Arapahoe Basin patrollers hope to negotiate a contract agreement that raises the minimum wage for patrollers, addresses wage compression for more experienced patrollers, and discusses merit-based increases. Arapahoe Basin patrollers currently have health insurance as part of their employment, which they hope to preserve in their contracts moving forward as a union. The patrollers leading the effort to unionize consulted other unionized patrol units from mountains such as Solitude, Park City, Breckenridge, Keystone, Aspen, and Loveland Ski Area leading up to the vote. Flaherty also noted that ABSP has a very positive relationship with their Senior Leadership Team. Since the vote, neither Alterra or Arapahoe Basin's management have discouraged any members of patrol from joining the union. "Many are excited for the future of ABSP and encouraged us to chat with one another to keep an open line of communication between those that voted no and those that voted yes," she said in an email. Related: Arapahoe Basin Ski Patrol Votes to Unionize Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the worlds best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed. Amazon has paid more than $100 million to purchase two parcels of land for data centers in Fayette County next to Honda and LG's battery plant. Amazon Data Services Inc. purchased 243 acres of land for $60.2 million just outside Jeffersonville, according to records filed with the Fayette County Auditor. Amazon also purchased 346 acres for almost $42.2 million, records show. The property for the data centers sits just next to and between Interstate 71 and Honda and LG's battery factory, which plans to begin producing batteries this year. An outlet mall sits just across U.S. 35 from the future data center location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: Google wants to bolster Ohio's power grid as it expands in the state: Here's how Construction on the data centers is expected to begin early this year and Amazon plans to spend $5 billion in Fayette County alone by 2030 on new data centers, a spokesperson for the company told The Dispatch. The Fayette County site, which will be the company's first data center site outside of central Ohio, is expected to create more than 100 Amazon jobs and support thousands of others across supply chains. An unmarked data center and electric substation are under construction April 20, 2024. Amazon reccently purchased property in Fayette County where it plans to begin building data centers this year. The Fayette County location is next to Interstate 71 and Honda and LG's battery plant, records show. The parcels bought by Amazon represent the first site of Amazon Web Service's planned $10 billion investment in data centers by 2030 across Ohio. Amazon Web Services plans to expand its statewide footprint in up to eight new locations in Ohio, according to the company. "As AWS continues to invest in Ohio, we are grateful to the local leadership in Fayette County who support our ability to grow and innovate on behalf of our customers," Roger Wehner, Vice President of Economic Development at Amazon Web Services said in a prepared statement. "We look forward to leveraging our strong public and private partnerships to extend the impact of our investment across the state, and bring new educational and workforce opportunities to the next generation of tech talent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, Google and Amazon added nearly 400 megawatts of data center capacity around the greater Columbus area. It was the most capacity added to any city in the United States, Bloomberg reported at the time. As data centers have popped up throughout the region, they've brought with them concerns about electric use. The surge in data centers means Ohio is expected to eat up so much electricity that demand for power in the region will be similar to all of Manhattan by 2030, according to American Electric Power. As of May, AEP's transmission system in central Ohio was serving about 600 megawatts of load from data centers. By comparison, that's enough to power as many as 250,000 homes, according to the company. mfilby@dispatch.com @MaxFilby This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Amazon spends $102 million in Fayette County for data center land WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump late Monday signed an executive order to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. The move means the United States will pull out of the Paris climate accord for the second time. Los Angeles might have a bad rap when it comes to commute times, but new data from GPS technology experts TomTom found its not even the worst city in the U.S. when it comes to bumper-to-bumper traffic. TomTom broke down traffic figures into several data points to come up with its worst traffic list, which includes the average amount of time it takes to travel six miles, how much time is lost in rush hour traffic per year, and how much of that additional drive time is affected by congestion. In the overall traffic index, Los Angeles landed all the way outside of the top 10 at no. 14, faring better than big cities like Philadelphia, Chicago and Washington D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The worst offender in the U.S.? For the second time in as many years: New York City. New Yorkers lost 94 hours of their lives in rush hour traffic last year, and it takes them an average of more than 30 minutes to travel only six miles. Perhaps thats reason enough for the city to institute congestion pricing for those entering the city. In at second was L.A.s northern sister city San Francisco, up one spot from the previous year. San Francisco drivers lost 81 hours in rush hour last year, and it takes them more than 25 minutes to go six miles. In this Nov. 12, 2020, file photo, traffic moves on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File) Honolulu, Hawaii landed at No. 3, shooting up to the podium after falling outside the top 10 last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metrolink poised to add morning commuter train to Santa Barbara While Los Angeles fared (relatively) well in some categories, It wasnt all good news. L.A. had the worst congestion level percentage, defined as the average additional time lost to traffic as compared to free-flowing conditions, among all cities in the U.S. That means that Angelenos probably could get to where they want to be even quicker, but congestion stifled their ability to do so. Los Angeles ranks high for congestion because its dynamic factorslike peak-hour traffic and high vehicle densitycreate significant delays, a TomTom spokesperson told KTLA. However, its average travel time is also influenced by static factors such as the citys infrastructure and road network design, which allow for relatively efficient travel times overall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New York, where congestion might not be as bad, the citys denser layouts and low-capacity roadways make driving slow going, officials said. Commuters wait to drive through the Holland Tunnel into New York City during morning rush hour traffic in Jersey City, N.J., on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. While New York and San Francisco were tops among the national leaderboard, they werent even among the ten worst traffic cities in the world, according to TomTom. Los Angeles to San Diego by train is about to get easier Mexico City was the worst traffic offender in North America, landing at No. 17 globally. The most populous city on the continent also had the worst congestion ranking in the world. But the worst traffic city was Barranquilla, Colombia, with drivers losing 126 hours in 2024 stuck in traffic and requiring 34 minutes and 51 seconds to travel six miles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three cities in India Kolkata, Bengaluru and Prune were 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Last years inauspicious champion, London, came in at No 5. While lower on the congestion scale than other major metropolises, it takes Londoners and average of 32 minutes and 8 seconds to travel six miles. So the next time someone tells you Los Angeles has the worst traffic in the world, you can look them confidently in the eye and say, Actually, it has the 329th worst traffic TomTom said so. For the complete interactive data pool, and to read more about the methodology used by TomTom in its annual rankings, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. The American flag above the White House has been lowered once again after the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Monday, Jan. 20. Following the death of former President Jimmy Carter on Dec. 29, former President Joe Biden ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff for one month in accordance with the U.S. flag code, which stipulates that "all federal buildings, grounds and naval vessels" will fly at half-staff for 30 days after the death of a president. Despite the order from Biden, 82, both Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and now-President Trump, 78, fought to have the flags raised for the inauguration, which fell within the 30-day mourning period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: American Flags Raised to Full-Staff for Trump Inauguration Despite Jimmy Carter's Mourning Period Michael M. Santiago/Getty; ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson, Donald Trump Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson, Donald Trump The Democrats are all giddy about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at half mast during my Inauguration, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Jan. 3. They think its so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they dont love our Country, they only think about themselves. Look at what theyve done to our once GREAT America over the past four years - Its a total mess! He added, In any event, because of the death of President Jimmy Carter, the Flag may, for the first time ever during an Inauguration of a future President, be at half mast. Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Lets see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer. Trumps post, which falsely claimed that flags "may" fly at half-staff for the first time ever during a presidents inauguration despite flags having been lowered for the death of President Harry S. Truman during Richard Nixons second inauguration prompted a response from Johnson, 52, on Jan. 14. The house speaker, who oversees flag protocol at the Capitol, announced that he would ensure flags were raised on Jan. 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the flag code is part of the law, there is no punishment for breaking its guidelines. Related: Texas Orders Flags to Be Raised for Donald Trump's Inauguration Despite Jimmy Carter's Mourning Period AP Photo Half staff to honor the late President Harry S. Truman as President Richard Nixon is sworn in for a second term Half staff to honor the late President Harry S. Truman as President Richard Nixon is sworn in for a second term On Monday, as promised by Johnson, American flags at the U.S. Capitol and White House were raised to full staff. According to the Associated Press, the president later "signed an executive order requiring that flags at federal facilities always fly at full staff on Inauguration Day." Per the AP, "Trumps order said flags would be lowered again after his inauguration and continue flying at half-staff through Jan. 28, or the end of the mourning period for Carter." As of Tuesday, the flag above the White House had been lowered, the outlet confirmed. Read the original article on People From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch Inauguration Day always leaves the losing side feeling queasy. One can swallow only so many sour grapes before the stomach rebels. But the upset evoked by Donald Trumps inaugural is different because Trump is different. Even by the standards of presidents beginning their second term, its unusual for so many Americans to feel fatigued on Day 1. Im already confused and exhausted on his very first day in office, Matt Yglesias complained a few hours before Trump was sworn in. Exhaustion appears in a lot of post-election commentary, as well as in a notable Associated Press story published last month about weary Americans disengaging from political news. Everyone knows what is coming and we are just taking some time off, one Democrat interviewed for the piece said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone knows whats coming, yet no one knows whats coming. That was the thesis of Yglesias piece, that apart from immigration no one has any idea what Trump will do with policy. Although weve all seen this movie before, somehow its impossible to predict the next scene. Power grabs, bullying, demagoguery, corruption, personnel chaos, rule-by-whim, and carnival-barker social media antics are assured, but the particular form they take will be a matter of daily suspense for the next 1,460 days. If you follow political news closely and fear postliberalism, youll spend every one of them simultaneously bone-tired and on high alert. Four years of vertigo: How does your stomach feel? The other source of unusual inaugural queasiness is the fact that Trump and his movement are grotesque. Theres no other word for it, and theres no precedent for it in my lifetime, at least among mainstream political coalitions. His operation, especially in its current mature form, is a sick-making carnival of malevolent goblins. At the center is Trump himself, a lifelong con artist and recently convicted criminal who plainly feels more kinship with foreign strongmen than with the framers of the American experiment. Around him is a motley coterie of tech oligarchs, boorish yes-men, authoritarian ideologues, and preposterous grifters, all jockeying to assert themselves. Beyond that lies a ring of servile Republican mandarins who dislike him and his politics but are too cowardly to do anything but kowtow. And beyond that extends the great mass of MAGA fanatics, ever eager to validate any impulse he might have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part mafia, part circus, part cult, part scam: Ive written more than 400 columns for The Dispatch, most of them on this subject, but Ill never do justice to how comprehensively grotesque Trump and his movement are. At noon today he smarmily swore an oath of office to defend the Constitution in the same building that his goons attacked four years ago, to his delight, in hopes of installing him in power unlawfully. If you watched it and your stomach didnt lurch then youre well and truly boiled. These four years are going to be worse than even I expected. And thats not just the usual pessimism talking. Personal corruption. Trumps last weekend before the inauguration seemed designed as a warning to his critics about how unrestrained his term will be. There were so many postliberal pathologies packed into it that if you werent queasy already at the thought of him returning to office, you should be now. First came extreme corruption. On Friday night, days before he took charge of the Treasury and Justice Departments, Donald Trump launched his own cryptocurrency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within 36 hours, the value of each $TRUMP token had soared from $7 to $72. (It stands at $45.45 as I write this on Monday.) Eighty percent of those tokens were owned initially by a subsidiary of the Trump Organization, which means the new presidents net worth rose overnightliterallyby tens of billions of dollars. Jimmy Carter famously placed his peanut farm in a blind trust before becoming president, so sensitive was he to perceptions that his financial interests might influence his policy decisions. Trumps ethical impulse in his final hours was precisely the opposite: Because he would soon be in a position to influence crypto policy, he wanted his personal stake in crypto to be as vast as possible. His conflict of interest is so outlandish that analysts struggled for words to describe it. It is literally cashing in on the presidencycreating a financial instrument so people can transfer money to the presidents family in connection with his office, one ethics expert told the New York Times. It is beyond unprecedented. Crypto enthusiasts arent known for their scruples but even they couldnt hide their horror. One self-described Trump supporter in the industry described the new currency to Politico as absolutely preposterous. Theyre plumbing new depths of idiocy with the memecoin launch. After two days of criticism, the first family responded to the controversy by launching a Melania Trump crypto token. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I knew his presidency would be corrupt, but I didnt foresee him devising his very own payment system in TrumpBucks to facilitate bribery from anywhere in the world. A less imaginative kleptocrat would insist on fat envelopes under the table, in secret, but Trump has always had a canny understanding that people are less likely to recoil from corruption when it occurs out in the open. Foreign policy perversions. Over the weekend came the next pathology, treating enemies as allies and allies as enemies. Columnist Anne Applebaum reported Saturday that she had been in Denmark on the day that Trump and his team held high-level talks with the Danish government about Greenland. After their phone call, she said, the vibe among local diplomats had changed suddenly and dramatically; privately, sources described the conversation to her as rough and even threatening. Trump himself cannot articulate, either at press conferences or, apparently, over the telephone, why exactly he needs to own Greenland, Applebaum went on to say, but ownership is evidently what hes demanding. Offers by Denmark to give the U.S. a greater economic or military presence on the island havent satisfied him. Rough and threatening is how he treats a NATO member whose soldiers fought and died with U.S. troops in Afghanistan. He reserves congeniality and compromise for more trusted allies, like the Chinese Communist Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, his last full day as a private citizen, Trump awoke vowing to SAVE TIKTOK! Hours later he announced his plan to extend the deadline by 90 days for TikToks Chinese parent company to sell the platform to an American entity and declared, cryptically, that he would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture with the current owners. No one knew what he meant. Does he want a U.S. company or the U.S. government to hold that 50 percent stake? How exactly would a joint venture with a ChiCom propaganda tentacle work? Why does he think he has legal authority to extend the ban deadline by 90 days when he clearly doesnt? It will be fun watching Republicans in the House or Senate wrestle with those questions but for now its enough to note how completely perverse Trumps approach to the two countries is. Perhaps its a matter of him feeling greater affinity for a totalitarian regime like Chinas than a liberal government like Denmarks and treating them accordingly. Or perhaps its a question of pure power, with Trump bullying a small country that can be pushed around and accommodating a large one that cantnever mind how pathetically weak he must seem to Beijing to be straining so hard to rescue their disinformation platform. However you slice it, his ongoing effort to transform Americans sense of whos on their side and who isnt is fully in motion. If you couldnt understand during his first term why Trump seemed excited to meet Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un while appearing to merely tolerate NATO summits, hes going to give you many more opportunities to try to make sense of it. America doesnt have allies anymore, especially not ones to whom it is bound chiefly by a commitment to liberalism. It has only interests now, and its interests are Trumps interests, as his embarrassing salvage operation for his new favorite social media platform has made clear. Civic disasters. By this time tomorrow, President Trump will likely have pardoned some or all of the January 6 hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hostages is his term, of course, not mine. He used it Sunday at his pre-inauguration rally, assuring the crowd that theyll be very, very happy with what he ends up doing. None of that is surprising, but the lack of surprise shouldnt inure us to how frightening it is to have an unabashed sociopath brandishing the power to free his own henchmen from legal accountability. That practice has a long, dismal history abroad, democracy activist Grant Tudor noted recently for The Bulwark: For authoritarians, placing oneself and ones supporters above the law is generally the point. But pardons establish a special pact between the pardoner and the pardoned. In her survey of authoritarians across the twentieth century, the historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat observes how pardons are used to indebt individuals to the leader and make blackmailers, war criminals, and murderers available for service. Ben-Ghiat means this in the literal sense: authoritarians engaging in a transactional exchangeof escape in exchange for service. Right, thats one downsideespecially in an America where, thanks to the Supreme Court, the president is now entitled to abuse the pardon power as corruptly as he likes without fear of criminal consequences. It is a very real possibility that the man overseeing the Justice Department will induce cronies inside and outside the government to commit federal crimes on his behalf with promises to shield them the same way he freed the hostages. Freeing the J6ers is itself an act of inducement, frankly. But clemency for the J6ers will send other civic signals. It will foster the sense that the rightness and wrongness of trying to overthrow Americas constitutional order depends entirely on whether you get away with it. On Election Day Trump got away with trying, ergo his foot soldiers did nothing that they should have to pay for. As with history, it seems, morality is written by the winners. It will also encourage the perception that federal law is, well, optional, something that will or wont be enforced depending on how Caesar feels about it. Trump isnt the only president to issue corrupt pardonslook no further than Joe Bidens sleazy final act this morningbut doing favors for your relatives is less ominous than doing favors for people willing to commit political violence in your name. Freeing the J6ers is Trump declaring that, by showing him enough loyalty, literally any accused criminal might soon find himself beyond the laws reach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And dont think its gone unnoticed. Trump as the ultimate arbiter of all federal justice is the logical endpoint of the cult of personality hes been building for the last decade. There were some lavishly repulsive examples of that on display this weekend too. At his rally on Sunday night, for instance, two speakers who gave the benediction inserted his name in the Lords Prayer. His new national security adviser has gone from calling TikTok a spyware app last year to a fantastic app now, a party-line turnabout that would have made Stalin blush. Elsewhere, Trump crony Rep. Byron Donalds celebrated the return of stability under Trump (stability?!) by declaring, Daddys back. From dont tread on me broadsides against the nanny state 10 years ago to pitiful authoritarian bootlicking of a daddy president today. Grotesque doesnt do it justice. The past and the future. If all of this is what Trump was up to in the days before taking office, imagine what his presidency will be like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will soon be overwhelmed by the extent and variety of his corruption, I suspect, and probably by design. Public exhaustion is useful to him; fairly quickly, the only way most of us will be able to cure the chronic nausea will either be by going numb to it or by disengaging from politics entirely. Watching American exceptionalism take a beating this savage, day after day, will be so traumatic as to be unbearable. One has to turn away to cope. Right now American politics occupies a liminal space in which no ones sure exactly how much ground liberalism has lost and how much postliberalism has gained. I think that explains why Barack Obama and Joe Biden have behaved so cordially toward Trump recently. Its not that they dont believe hes a fascist, its that theyve fallen back on traditional American civic norms (and basic social manners) in their confusion about how to navigate the moment. Maybe liberalism will reassert itself eventually? Maybe Trump will be less authoritarian and more transactional than he seems? If Americans have decided that reelecting him is normal, shouldnt they treat him normally tooif only to help keep a cold peace between left and right? America is changing but theres no you are here map. The next four years will provide one. I dislike nostalgia. Those who celebrate the past and denigrate the present are usually selling something dubious and callous. But it is very hard to believe that in 25 years America wont be meaner, more ruthless, more ignorant, more civically corrupt, and generally more diminished than it is now. Trump is as much a symptom of that trajectory as a causehis cronies in Silicon Valley may be more to blame than he isbut its impossible that a politics as grotesque as his will lead us to a better place. If I turn out to be wrong in my pessimism, its only because the cultural reaction to what hes about to do will have been more virtuous than I anticipated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lately Ive thought of my friends who have children, specifically whether they realize yet that those children will grow up in a different country from the one they did. Times always change, of course, but liberalism was a tie that bound my generation to the ones before and after mine. For the youngest Americans, coming of age in an America thats normalized Trumpism, that tie will fray. My friends can and will do their best to raise their children right, Im sure, but its the rare parent who succeeds in planting a civic commitment so deep that it cant be uprooted by a rotten culture. When this is over, the only thing Never Trumpers will have been wrong about is that we werent alarmed enough. Let no one forget that they were warned. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. The U.S. secured the release of two Americans held in Afghanistan in former President Joe Bidens final hours in office in exchange for the release of an Afghan Taliban member in U.S. custody, two sources with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to NBC News. Though the agreement with Afghanistans Taliban rulers was reached while Biden was in the White House, Americans Ryan Corbett and William McKenty were not released until early Tuesday local time after President Donald Trump had been sworn in. There are differences of opinion as to the reason for the unexpected delay in the Americans release, one of the sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Taliban had earlier confirmed that they were holding Corbett, an American arrested in Afghanistan in August 2022 and whom the State Department had classified as wrongfully detained. "Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryans life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives," his family said in a statement on their website early Tuesday. Taliban officials said two unidentified U.S. nationals had been released in exchange for Khan Muhammad, who was arrested in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar about two decades ago and who had been serving a life sentence in California. The two sources with direct knowledge of the deal also said that Muhammad had been released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the U.S. Justice Department, Muhammad was convicted in 2008 on narcoterrorism and heroin distribution charges. It said Muhammad had sought to acquire rockets for attacks on Americans and their allies in Afghanistan, and purchased opium meant to be converted into heroin and sent to the United States. The Corbett family thanked both Biden and Trump, as well as members of their teams including their national security advisers, Jake Sullivan and Mike Waltz, and their special envoys for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler and Roger Carstens. The Trump administration did not respond to a request for comment. Negotiations have been ongoing for two years, a third diplomat with knowledge of the release said, with several rounds of talks between the U.S. and Taliban mediated by the Qataris in Doha. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Qatar played a sizable role in facilitating the Americans release, one of the sources with direct knowledge said, adding that Carstens, who led the negotiations for the U.S., was in Doha for the exchange. Both the Corbett family and the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed thanks to the government of Qatar for its mediation efforts. Ryan and Anna Corbett in Puget-sur-Argens, France, in September 2021. Corbett, a longtime resident of Afghanistan before the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces in 2021, was visiting the country at the time of his arrest. He was said to be experiencing declining health during his detention. Less is known about McKenty, whose family had kept his case private. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Corbett family said they were thinking of those still waiting for the return of other Americans held in Afghanistan, including the families of George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi, whose release has recently been reported as a possibility. "It was our hope that Ryan, George and Mahmoud would be returned to their families together, and we cannot imagine the pain that our good fortune will bring them," they said. "We recognize the immense privilege of our familys reunion today, and pledge to keep praying and fighting for George and Mahmouds swift release." The Taliban had said the accusations against the three Americans included spying and preaching Christianity in Afghanistan, which the Taliban rules according to Islamic law. Biden spoke with family members of Corbett, Glezmann and Habibi this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his four years in office, Biden brought back more than 75 American citizens and residents detained around the world, including in prisoner swaps with China and Russia. Jennifer Jett reported from Hong Kong, Abigail Williams from Washington and Mushtaq Yusufzai from Peshawar, Pakistan. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Organizers are aiming to have a constitutional amendment ready for ratification by next year, the 250th anniversary of American independence. (Getty Images) Early in 2017, I watched a livestream of a U.S. Senate vote on a bill to lower the costs of pharmaceuticals. The bill wasnt likely to pass, but I was interested in seeing who voted for this bill, and who didnt. To my shock, a senator from another state, who had claimed to support the bill, voted against it. He voted against his own stated beliefs, and against the interests of his constituents. What was going on? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A quick search revealed a likely explanation: This senators state is home to many pharmaceutical companies, and those companies had contributed heavily to his reelection campaign. Elections are expensive and politicians feel pressure to keep big donors happy. This senator is not alone, unfortunately. Thanks to a series of Supreme Court decisions over the past 50 years, money has flooded into our political system, allowing large corporations and wealthy individuals to have louder voices and more influence than you and I do as citizens. One of these troubling decisions, Citizens United, was handed down 15 years ago, on Jan. 21, 2010. Its impact is vividly clear from charts showing the influx of money into U.S. politics increasing dramatically at every level in the years since. Money impacts all races, from local school board and statehouse races to federal races. This flood of money is drowning out the voices of most Americans, and it has undermined the vision of the founders of our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Constitution states in Article 1 that decisions about how to choose our representatives should be made by Congress and by the states. However, when the Supreme Court decided Citizens United, it overturned the laws of 24 states that regulated money in politics, allowing wealthy donors and organizations to overwhelm voters voices. There are supporters in all 50 states and across the full spectrum of American political life. Twenty-two states and counting have already called on Congress to propose the amendment, and active work is happening in a dozen other states right now. In 2024, more than $20 billion was spent on federal and state campaigns. A record-shattering $4.5 billion of that was money from outside the control of the candidates. Over $1 billion was dark money. We dont know where the dark money came from, who gave it, or how much influence those entities have over candidates they supported. In the 2023 Kentucky gubernatorial campaign, the two nominees campaigns and outside groups together spent $65 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Think about that think how far $65 million would go toward meeting the needs of Kentuckians. Think how much our infrastructure and our schools would benefit from the money currently poured into campaigns. In 2023, running in the Republican primary to challenge Gov. Andy Beshear, candidate Kelly Craft donated $10 million of her own money to her campaign. How many of us have the kind of money that would allow us to spend $10 million seeking public office? These numbers are so overwhelming that it can feel impossible to address this problem, even though a large majority of Americans and, according to a 2023 Citizen Data Poll, 73% of Kentuckians support limiting money in our campaigns and elections. However, a few years ago, a group of concerned citizens took action. They formed American Promise, a nationwide, cross-partisan organization committed to a simple and powerful goal: ratifying an amendment to the United States Constitution that would empower the states and Congress to restore reasonable limits on money in our campaigns and elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The For Our Freedom constitutional amendment proposed by American Promise would restore the ability of state legislators and Congress to put limits on election spending. This would increase the political representation of ordinary Americans, free states and communities from outside influence, and stop foreign interests and anonymous donors from interfering in U.S elections. The For Our Freedom amendment has momentum. There are supporters in all 50 states and across the full spectrum of American political life. Twenty-two states and counting have already called on Congress to propose the amendment, and active work is happening in a dozen other states right now. The goal is to have Congress call for the amendment with a two-thirds vote, and states to ratify the amendment by 2026, the 250th anniversary of American independence. Today, the legitimacy of our system and the rule of law are at risk. Hard-working Americans who cant afford to participate in pay-to-play politics are angry. They see their representatives listening to their wealthy donors much more than to their constituents. We can change this. We can reclaim an equal voice in our democracy. The power lies where it always has: with us, with the people. You can learn more about the For Our Freedom amendment at americanpromise.net. AMES, Iowa The Ames Police Department has released the name of the man who died after being shot over the weekend. At around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday officers with the Ames Police Department responded to an apartment in the 200 block of South 5th Street. When first responders arrived on scene they found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to an Ames hospital where he later died from his injuries. Even colder air then a chance for snow in the weather this week in Central Iowa Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the police department identified the victim as 25-year-old Parker L. Stoneburner of Boone. An autopsy has been scheduled. Police said no arrests have been made in the case. The police department is asking residents in the area to review doorbell or surveillance video for any suspicious activity from around 6 to 7 p.m. on Saturday night. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact police at (515)239-5133 or anonymously at (515)239-5533. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa at (515)223-1400 or online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. By James Oliphant WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In his inaugural address, President Donald Trump promised a new golden age, casting himself as a uniter. But for a speech that heralded a bright future, it often echoed the past. Much of Trumps rhetoric mirrored his words eight years ago, when he was first sworn in as president and spoke about a country with a failing economy and cities torn apart by crime. On Monday, he portrayed himself as a victim of a weaponized justice system under Democratic former President Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said he had a mandate to carry out his vision for the country after winning the popular vote in an improbable political comeback that culminated in his taking the oath of office in the very building his supporters stormed four years ago in a failed attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss. "From this moment on, America's decline is over," Trump said, speaking in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. "Our golden age has just begun." He promised to be "a peacemaker and a uniter." Trump, however, then swiftly announced sweeping policy changes on issues that have divided the country. He vowed to end federal diversity initiatives and said he would sign an order declaring that there are only two genders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called for a revolution of common sense on gender and racial diversity issues as he defines it, one that includes some and excludes others. He thanked the Black and Hispanic voters who supported his campaign and in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day said he wanted to make the slain civil rights leader's dream a reality. Trump's idea of that dream appears to be what he referred to as a "colorblind" America that is a pure meritocracy. Despite a close popular vote in the 2024 election of just over one percentage point, Trump suggested his victory gave him license to pursue his hard-right policies, while adding that he believes the attempt on his life last year was a matter of divine intervention that further fueled his resolve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was saved by God to make America great again, Trump said. After contentious elections, new presidents often moderate their campaign-style rhetoric and drop attacks on their political adversaries. Not Trump. With Biden seated nearby, Trump tore into the outgoing president's policies on everything from immigration to foreign affairs. He argued that his win had given him a "mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal." "It was a campaign speech," said Lindsay Chervinsky, a historian and executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library. "He blames the same people for the same things. It's the same grievances." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than detail a list of lofty objectives for his administration, much of the near-term agenda Trump outlined involved simply reversing Biden-era policies. Trump did, at times, speak in aspirational terms, referring to the country's "manifest destiny" and suggesting that he sought to expand its territory. Trump also called for unity when he first took office in 2017. His subsequent presidency, however, was marked by divisiveness, both in rhetoric and policy. To move forward, Trump may need to demonstrate in the coming weeks and months that he can let go of the grievances that have fueled him for so long - his two impeachments and his 2020 loss to Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past eight years, I have been tested and challenged more than any president in our 250-year history, Trump said. And Ive learned a lot along the way. Trump didn't say what he had learned, but in his inaugural speech and two more he gave to supporters over the course of the day, he sounded like the same aggrieved Trump that Americans have come to know well over the years. (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Howard Goller) By Sarah Kinosian MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - On Monday night, President Donald Trump called for the State Department to label Mexican cartels as "foreign terrorist organizations," a move that increases the reach of U.S. law enforcement over the criminal groups but risks complicating international business, restricting asylum claims, and straining relations with Mexico, analysts say. The move targets two key Trump promises to tackle migration and drug traffickingand looks to put cartels like Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation on a par with others on the U.S. list of designated terrorist organizations, like Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, Hezbollah, and the Islamic State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts interviewed by Reuters said the designation is unlikely to be a game changer in the war on drugs and does not dramatically alter existing powers bestowed on U.S. authorities to go after the cartels. The Kingpin Act which dates back to the 1990s allows for international sanctions and the prosecution of Americans who help the cartels, for example. But it does throw a wider net for the prosecution of people or groups suspected of assisting the crime syndicates, analysts said, as well as make it easier to target cartel members operating abroad under U.S. law. "The U.S. already has a lot of tools to go after the cartels," said Maria Calderon from the Washington D.C.-based Wilson Center's Mexico Institute. "But the 'material support' clause does open up the door to more possible prosecutions." The designation does not from a legal perspective - facilitate military action in Mexico, but some analysts said it could serve as a political stepping stone towards some form of military intervention by helping to build a rationale for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's nothing in the language of the law behind an FTO designation that authorizes any kind of military action," said Elisabeth Malkin, deputy program director for Latin America at International Crisis Group. "But it could change the mindset in Washington." White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement in response to Reuters' questions that, "Beyond the additional tools this designation provides President Trump and his administration, it sends a clear message to the cartels who threaten American citizens." Mexico has long opposed the move, arguing the cartels are not motivated by political ends like others on the terror list, but by profit. On Tuesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum adopted a less confrontational tone, saying the two countries needed to work together while respecting Mexican sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We all want to combat the drug cartels, that is evident. So what does one have to do? One has to join forces, collaborate with them (the U.S.) in their territory, us in our territory," she said during a regular morning press conference. The order could also affect migrants, who are regularly shaken down for protection money or forced to pay kidnap ransoms by human smugglers, as 'supporting' a terrorist organization, effectively barring them from claiming asylum in the United States. "It makes it virtually impossible to get asylum for any migrant who is forced to pay any kind of fees, including ransom, to the cartels," said Vanda Felbab-Brown, an expert at the Brookings Institution. Mexican cartels make millions in the profitable business of human smuggling. They control swathes of territory at the border and along the migrant trail, areas where they often require payment to cross and routinely kidnap migrants for ransom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could also have the opposite effect, because fleeing U.S.-designated terrorist organizations in certain cases could strengthen migrants' claims for asylum, Brown and other observers noted, adding how it is interpreted will depend on political will. BUSINESS RISK A designation could also affect trade, experts say. Under U.S. law providing material support for such organizations can lead to asset seizures, criminal charges, and substantial fines. U.S. and multinational businesses operating in many parts of Mexico often pay extortion and other payments to cartel-affiliated people to be able to produce, transport and sell goods. This designation, analysts say, could complicate trade, and make compliance harder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It could have a chilling effect for U.S. businesses across Mexico," said Brian Philips, a Mexico security expert at the University of Essex, but added, "we will have to see if U.S. authorities really go after companies for paying extortion." A 2024 study from the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico of 218 companies showed 45% had received demands for protection payments and 12% said that organized crime had "taken partial control of the sales, distribution and/or pricing of their goods." The designation could also complicate compliance for money transfer companies that process payments across borders and operate in cartel-controlled areas, Philips and other analysts added. The initial plan to designate Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations arose from Trump's promise to "wage war" on Mexican cartels in an effort to curb the fentanyl crisis ravaging U.S. communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But perhaps more importantly, some say, is the increased leverage over Mexico's political class. "A large number of people in positions of power in Mexico corrupt governors and mayors, members of the security forces, bankers are going to be prosecutable or at least untouchable (to work with) for the U.S. government," said Adam Isacson, director of Defense Oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America. (Reporting by Sarah Kinosian in Mexico City, additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick in Washington DC, editing by Stephen Eisenhammer) Jan. 20ANDERSON Despite frigid temperatures, a crowd of several hundred gathered Monday for Anderson's 45th annual celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Those in attendance at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Anderson were entertained by the Anderson University and MLK Community Choir, Emilee Dixon and the William Harvey Dance Academy. "We need to celebrate our young people," Donald Martin said following the performance by the students. "These are young people that want to respect their elders and make Anderson a better community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald and Kimberly Martin of People Rich Comedy served as masters of ceremony. Keynote speaker Bishop Andrea Williams, senior minister of Ebenezer International Ministries in Fishers, called on those in attendance to celebrate their dreams and the possibilities for the future. "We can begin to build a better world together," Williams said. She said when King made his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, he was advocating for a dramatically different world. Noting that King called for everyone to move forward, Williams challenged the audience to make "impossible" promises to change the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Dreams inspire us; promises require action," Williams said. "Impossible promises can change the world." She said King promised to fight for freedom and kept his promise. "You have to believe that we all have a part to play to make things better," Williams said. "We have to stand up for what is right. We need to refuse to accept things as they are." Williams said King urged everyone to take the next step toward freedom and to bring an end to discrimination. "Dr. King stepped forward, and the world followed," she said. Rain Wilson, who introduced Williams, urged Anderson residents not to be timid and to work toward a change in the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Dr. King fought for lives to be changed," she said. "We can be the new hope in Anderson to bring change." Wilson said King's words continue to inspire people to make the world a better place. "Let us usher in a new day in Anderson," she said. James Dixon, who was scheduled to join Williams as keynote speakers, was unable to attend the event because his flight was delayed. Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863. WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday revoked nearly 80 of the Biden administration's executive actions at a signing ceremony held at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., just a few hours after he was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Anne Clay Scott-Howell was born February 3, 1935, in Sylvania, Georgia to the union of Warren Scott, Sr. and Julia Coleman. After a remarkable journey spanning nearly nine decades, Anne transitioned into eternity on Friday, January 17, 2025, leaving behind a rich tapestry of memories woven with love, laughter, and service. A dedicated social worker, Anne spent her career with the Youngstown Area Community Action Council, now known as the Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership, where she worked tirelessly to uplift the lives of others until her retirement in September 1981. Her passion for helping those in need shone brightly through her rolesoffering job placement and readiness training, managing the senior services program, and serving as an outreach coordinator for the Home Energy Assistance Program. She was truly a beacon of hope for many, embodying compassion and grace in every interaction. Find obituaries from your high school Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside of her professional endeavors, Anne found joy in the little thingscollecting knick-knacks, indulging in flea markets, and seeking out antiques that held stories of their own. She often tried her luck with the numbers, adding a dash of excitement to everyday life. Anne embraced and exercised her faith in both in word and deed. A devout Catholic, she was a member of Saint Angela Merici Parish and a lifetime member of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliar. As the cherished matriarch, Annes legacy which is interlaced with love, compassion, and unwavering strength has been entrusted to her beloved children, Vernon (Michele) Howell of Stafford, Virginia, Beverly (Lennard) McMillan of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Rhonda Howell of Cleveland, Ohio, Willetta (Barry) OConner of Long Beach, California and Mark Howell of Youngstown. Annes siblings which include Juanita (George) Thorpe of Atlanta, Georga, Patty Jenkins of Atlanta, Georgia, Barbra Simmons of Jacksonville, Florida, Warren Scott of Richmond, Virginia, Michael Scott of Jacksonville, Florida and Tony (Tammy) Scott Lithonia, Georgia, will remember Anne for her unwavering spirit and love. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her legacy is emboldening her grandchildren, Brandin Howell, Jeffrey Howell, Quentin Howell, James Howell, Maya Howell, Dominique Howell, Sierra Howell and Carla Howell, to carry forth the ideals of family with dignity and integrity. Annes light will illuminate the paths of her great-grandchildren, Sincere Howell, Jada Howell, Javion Howell, Nadia Howell, Aria Howell and Mikel Holland, as they carry forward the values she instilled in them. Her great-great-grandson, Jeremiah Joseph Lewis, who enjoyed precious moments with her, represents the hope of all future generations, along with a score of other relatives and friends. As Anne crossed the celestial sands, she accepted her ancestral calling to be reunited with those who preceded her into eternity which included her parents; husband, Carlwyn Howell; daughter, Linda Howell; son, Maurice Howell and brothers, Warren Scott, Jr. and Carl Scott. In the quiet embrace of a life well-lived, while we mourn Annes passing, we celebrate the liberation of her radiant soul. Join the Howell family in honoring a life well-loved that touched countless hearts and left a legacy of kindness and love. Annes life will be celebrated on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Jaylex Event Center, 2110 Glenwood Avenue, with public viewing starting at 9:00 a.m. and the Celebration of Life service following at 10:00 a.m. where Rev. Lewis W. Macklin II will preside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the committal ceremony, Anne will be laid to rest at Belmont Park Cemetery. In these moments of reflection, we find solace in the memories she gifted us, and we carry her spirit forward in our actions, ensuring that her light will never dim. At this time of intimate need and personal loss, the beloved family Anne Clay Scott-Howell elected to entrust the Ministry of Comfort & Care, along with Transitional After-Care Arrangements to the J. E. Washington Funeral Services, 2234 Glenwood Avenue, Youngstown Ohio 330.782.8500. Send flowers to the service of Anne Clay Scott Howell. A television tribute will air Wednesday, January 22 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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. SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia has been grappling with a spate of antisemitic attacks on synagogues, buildings and cars since the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war in late 2023. Authorities have designated some of the incidents as terrorism and vowed to crack down on the perpetrators amid concerns of further escalation, with half a dozen incidents occurring across Sydney in the past month alone. Police in the state of New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital, have arrested forty people for antisemitic offences and eight in relation to arson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are some key events: May 25, 2024: Australias largest Jewish school graffitied in Melbourne. Oct 13: Antisemitic graffiti on Jewish bakery in Sydney, with note left for owner reading "be careful". Nov 21: Cars torched, buildings vandalised in Sydney's east, an area with a large Jewish population. Dec 6: Adass Israel Synagogue torched in Melbourne's south, treated by police as a suspected terror attack. Dec 7: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says antisemitic attacks in Australia linked to the government's position at the United Nations on Palestine. Dec 9: Federal police taskforce on antisemitism launched. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dec 11: Cars torched, buildings vandalised in Sydneys east. Jan 7, 2025: Man charged after allegedly threatening worshippers near the Chabad North Shore synagogue in Sydneys north. Jan 10: Allawah Synagogue in Sydney's south graffitied with swastikas. Jan 11: Graffiti and attempted arson of the Newtown Synagogue in Sydneys west. Jan 11: Cars and house vandalised with antisemitic graffiti in Sydneys west. Jan 12: New South Wales Premier Chris Minns calls Jan. 11 synagogue attack an escalation in antisemitic crime. Jan 16: Federal antisemitism taskforce makes first arrest, charging a Sydney man over alleged death threats and vandalism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jan 17: Cars torched, building formerly owned by a Jewish community leader vandalised in Sydneys east. Jan 19: Minns announces laws to strengthen hate speech laws and ban protests outside places of worship. Jan 21: Childcare centre set alight and graffitied in Sydneys east. Police charge woman over the Dec. 11 attack. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces a national cabinet meeting in response to an escalation of antisemitism. Jan 29: New South Wales police say they found a caravan filled with explosives in Sydney's north-west on Jan. 19. Minns says it was intended to be used in a "mass casualty" terror attack. (Compiled by Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Alasdair Pal, Michael Perry, and Saad Sayeed) Construction crews work on new apartments in Salt Lake City in January. Utah is one of the mostly Sun Belt states where new apartment construction is driving rents lower for a second straight year after dramatic surges earlier in the decade. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Read more Stateline coverage of how communities across the country are trying to create more affordable housing. A historic rate of apartment building is starting to make a difference in Sun Belt rents, but most tenants are still paying way more than they did earlier in the decade and rents are still rising in many Northeast and Midwest states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that rents are starting to drop as more apartment supply comes online, yet still remain perilously high for most low- and moderate-income renters, is new fodder for the debate over how to help more people afford the escalating costs of housing. Increasingly, states see new apartments and other housing construction as the answer, though experts disagree on how much more is needed and where as supply begins to outstrip demand in some areas. New construction is also expensive, given todays inflated material and labor costs, and doesnt tend to produce much housing that is affordable to people with lower incomes, though it can prevent gentrification of existing affordable areas. When you dont allow enough homes to get built in high-income neighborhoods, higher-income people tend to move into lower-income areas, said Alex Horowitz, who directs the Housing Policy Initiative at the nonprofit Pew Charitable Trusts. Then lower-income people have nowhere to go. Nationally, December rents dropped slightly in 2024 for the second straight year, according to an Apartment List analysis of lease transactions. December rent peaked at a median $1,394 in 2022 and is now down slightly, about 2%, to $1,373 as of last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest two-year decreases were in Sun Belt states that experienced apartment building booms: Rents in Arizona, Georgia and Utah dropped 6%, and those in Texas and North Carolina fell 5%, according to a Stateline analysis of data from Apartment List, a company that posts rental listings online. Alabama, Colorado, Florida and South Dakota saw decreases of about 4%. The new housing in mostly Sun Belt states has led to a drop in the national median rent, but rents in 32 states plus the District of Columbia have been on an upward trajectory since 2022. Those states include North Dakota (up 14%), Alaska (up 13%), Connecticut and Wyoming (each up 9%) and Kansas (up 8%). Vermont and West Virginia are not included in the analysis because Apartment List did not have enough information on leases from those states, though both states have large shares of renters paying excessive rent compared to income. Austin housing boom Austin, Texas, with the highest rate of new construction in recent years, appears to be a prime example of the effect of more construction: Recent social media posts show young renters celebrating their lower payments. In a January TikTok video she titled jaw on the floor, 27-year-old Becca Flores said, I just got my lease renewal offer on my apartment in Austin in Texas and it was down almost $200. That has, like, never happened to me in my life, she said in the video. Many of the hundreds of comments relayed similar stories of unexpected rent drops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Renters in the Northeast and Midwest have not been so lucky. In New Jersey, which has seen an influx of new residents that began with people fleeing New York City during pandemic lockdowns, median rent has increased 3% to $1,885 since 2022. State efforts to force more city-by-city apartment construction have run into local opposition. Palisades Park, a majority Korean American borough of about 21,000 people in New Jersey a few miles from Manhattan, has been overwhelmed by developer proposals to build more apartments, said Democratic Mayor Chong Paul Kim. The borough settled recent lawsuits by developers partly by agreeing to allow accessory dwelling units, known as ADUs, which can help some cost-stressed homeowners by letting them earn rent from ADUs on their property. We wanted to do something that would benefit current residents, Kim said. Residents are saying its a good move to reduce the [apartment] developments. The judge said we cant slide, we have to comply with the state law. Were trying to head off a concentrated influx of developments coming all at once we dont have the public services to support it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another New Jersey mayor, Republican Mike Ghassali of Montvale, calls the state law forced urbanization. Ghassali led 26 municipalities in a court challenge last fall. Rents escalated dramatically in 2021 and 2022 and havent come back down to what they were before that period in any state: Rents are up from 12% in Minnesota to 42% in Wyoming since December 2020, when they declined early in the pandemic. But a few fast-building metros have seen drastic drops: The median rent in the Austin area has dropped by 13%, or $199, to $1,362, since 2022. In Atlanta; Jacksonville, Florida; Phoenix; and Raleigh, North Carolina, the median rent has declined by 7%. Austin was cited in a separate Apartment List analysis in June, showing that rents had begun to drop amid the largest rate of apartment construction in the nation. Building permits for about 10 units per 1,000 residents were issued in the Austin metro area between 2021 and 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By comparison, Northeast and Midwest metros with little construction in that time saw rents rise instead of drop. Cleveland, Milwaukee and Providence, Rhode Island, had some of the largest increases and lowest construction rates: less than one unit permitted per 1,000 residents. Vermont and West Virginia are not included in the Apartment List data, but in both states nearly half of renters pay more than 30% or more of their pre-tax incomes for rent and utilities, an amount deemed excessive under federal standards. How big is the gap? Apartment building reached a historic peak last year, with 67,000 units finished in August, the highest number on record for a single month since October 1974, with total housing units nearing an annual construction rate of 1.7 million a year. Estimates of the national housing shortage vary widely, from 1.5 million houses and apartments to 20.1 million. Most experts estimate a shortage of 1.5 million to 5.5 million, according to Daniel McCue, a senior research associate at the Joint Center For Housing Studies of Harvard University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freddie Mac, a federal agency that buys home loans to support the housing market, estimated the shortage at 3.8 million in 2020, and said in November that the gap was 3.7 million as of the third quarter of 2024, despite all the recent construction. While the U.S. added 5.8 million housing units since our previous estimate, we also added 6.3 million households, Freddie Macs deputy chief economist, Leonard Kiefer, said in a statement, adding that there are another million families that would rent or buy if they could, but have been priced out of todays market. But not everybody believes there is a shortage. Kirk McClure, professor emeritus of urban planning in the School of Public Affairs and Administration at the University of Kansas, published a paper last year arguing that the nation built too many homes and apartments in the bubble years of the late 2000s, and that between 2000 and 2020, home construction exceeded the number of new families by 3.3 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were still, to this day, trying to absorb that excess supply, McClure said. Prices would drop if we built millions of new homes, he added, but we dont want to go back to 2008, when housing prices collapsed in the Great Recession. Instead, McClure said, the answer is to put more money into the pockets of lower-income people. What we need to do is raise peoples incomes, McClure said. Ive often said the best housing program out there is the minimum wage. When income reaches $20 an hour, the affordability problems start to fade. For affordability to improve, housing has to be built in the places people want to live. Rob Warnock, senior research associate at Apartment List The problem, McClure said, is that people want to live in specific places and bid up the prices in those areas, not there is a national housing shortage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My colleague lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, which is just a wonderful part of New York City, but I think we all agree that its expensive and New York doesnt want to build hundreds of thousands of apartments there, McClure said. The truth of it is, even in the New York area, which deems itself to have a housing shortage, there are units waiting for you in New Jersey if youre willing to commute. But Rob Warnock, an Apartment List senior research associate, said that suburban and exurban building will never make up for lack of housing in popular cities. For affordability to improve, housing has to be built in the places people want to live, Warnock wrote in an email. Stateline originally published this article. Like the Alaska Beacon, Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Jan. 20One man is in custody and three others remain at large after Albuquerque police officers were shot at during a traffic stop in Southeast Albuquerque Monday morning. Joeray Newson, 35, of Albuquerque is charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer, shooting at/from a motor vehicle, great bodily harm, felon in possession of a firearm, tampering with evidence, criminal damage over $1,000 and concealing his identity. Newson was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center Monday afternoon. It is unclear who his attorney is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newson is on federal probation for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos said. Police were able to identify Newson through video surveillance before a drone tracked him down hiding in a backyard, according to a criminal complaint filed at Metropolitan Court. At 3:54 a.m., officers attempted a traffic stop on a white Acura without a license plate at Tennessee and Trumbull. After the vehicle fled, officers unsuccessfully used StarChase, a GPS tracking device fired onto a moving vehicle, according to police. An officer said he then heard "loud pops" and "loud hissing" before seeing "muzzle flashes" and hearing gunshots, the complaint states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the officers avoided getting shot by "hugging the left side of the roadway," police said. The officer then tried following the vehicle until it turned south onto San Mateo, clipped the rear driver's side of the car, causing it to spin, slide then hit a tree, according to the complaint. No officers were hit by bullets, Gallegos said, but an officer suffered a minor laceration when he crashed his vehicle. The other vehicle continued before stopping outside the Wells Fargo at San Mateo and Zuni, where the occupants including Newson got out and ran, Gallegos said. Officers later found two firearms in the yard of a home in the 700 block of Truman, less than half a mile away from the bank, the complaint states. A drone found Newson hiding in the backyard in the 4900 block of Inspiration, less than a mile from the Wells Fargo, police said. Newson initially identified himself with another name before police learned he was Newson, the complaint states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three of the suspects have yet to be found, Gallegos said. APD is working with federal law enforcement and the U.S. District Attorney's Office on getting a warrant regarding Newson's probation violation and on federal charges related to Monday's shooting, he said. Leaders and monarchs across the Arab world have sent their congratulations to Donald Trump as his second term as president of the United States begins. Syria's new administration said in a statement it was looking forward to improving relations with the US. "We have faith that, with this administration, the United States and Syria will take the opportunity to form a partnership that reflects the aspirations of both nations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's election was testament to the trust placed in his leadership by the American people, the statement added. "The past decade has brought immense suffering to Syria, with the conflict devastating our nation and destabilizing the region. We are confident that he is the leader to bring peace to the Middle East and restore stability to the region." Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces Mazloum Abdi sent his congratulations via X. "We look forward to continuing cooperation in achieving stability, defeating terrorism, and supporting peace in Northeast Syria. Together, we can build a better future for our peoples," he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun sent Trump a telegram to pass on his congratulations. "You stood by Lebanon and continued to assist in establishing stability, asserting sovereignty, and achieving recovery," it read. "Your country played a prominent role in transitioning to new horizons of safety and reassurance." Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi said cooperation between the US and Egypt strengthened security and stability in the region and the world. Egypt is an important mediator in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, along with Qatar and the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I wish President Trump all success and prosperity," he added. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also sent his congratulations to Trump. Palestine was "ready to work with you to achieve peace during your era, according to the two-state solution based on international legitimacy, the State of Palestine and the State of Israel living side by side in security and peace, and to achieve security and stability in our region and the world." Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the US, Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud, who attended the inauguration, passed on the kingdom's congratulations. "The relationship between our two countries is historic and we look forward to continuing our work together for the benefit of both our peoples, our region and the world." Archaeologists believe theyve fully excavated eight rooms carved from stone, which were used for ritual practices during the eighth century B.C. Evidence shows that the use of the rooms was discontinued during that time, which fits with a Biblical account of King Hezekiahs reign. The site is just a few hundred feet from the original Temple Mount. King Hezekiah may have put an end to ritualistic worship outside the temple in the City of David in the eighth century B.C., but if so, he didnt manage to erase all evidence of its existence. Archaeologists working with the Israel Antiquities Authority recently uncovered what they believe to be a site of ancient ritualistic worship for the first time in Jerusalem. The team of archaeologists, working along the eastern slope of the city within the Jerusalem Walls National Park, uncovered eight rooms carved from rockeach seeming to have served a distinct purpose for the residents who made use of the site in ancient Judah. Those purposes were likely religious in some way, especially as the site sits just a few hundred feet from the Temple Mount. In a study published in the journal Antiqot, the researchers highlighted how, since 2010, they have excavated a site that was originally discovered in 1909 by a British explorer searching for the Ark of the Covenanta site which had not previously been fully explored. They wrote that this new discovery is the only known ritual structure from the period of its origin discovered in Jerusalem, and one of very few ever found in Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The space, which spans a total of 2,350 square feet, features eight distinct rooms with specific uses like producing oil or making wine. One room also features a drainage channel, which could have been used as an altar. Mysterious V-shaped marks carved on one rooms floor led excavator Eli Shukron to suggest it served as a base for some sort of ritualistic installation. An additional cave carved into the edge of the structure housed objects also dating to the eighth century B.C., including cooking pots, jars with ancient Hebrew inscriptions, loom weights, scarabs, stamped seals with decorative motifs, and grinding stones used for crushing grains. The study authors believe that the site was used while the kings of Judah ruled in the eighth century B.C. The structure ceased to function during the eighth century B.C., possibly as part of King Hezekiahs religious reform, the study authors wrote. According to the Bible, Hezekiah sought to centralize worship at the temple in Jerusalem, abolishing the ritual sites scattered across the kingdom. The Bible describes how, during the first temple period, additional ritual sites operated outside the Temple, and two kings of JudahHezekiah and Josiahimplemented reforms to eliminate these sites and concentrate worship at the temple. Theres a key clue that supports the theory. When we began excavating the City of David in 2010, we discovered that the site had been sealed with fill from the eighth century B.C., indicating it had fallen out of use during that time, Shukron said in a statement. The standing stone we uncovered remained upright in its original place, and the other rooms in the structure were also well-preserved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres plenty to learn from the site and its artifacts. This unique structure uncovered in the City of David is an exciting testimony to Jerusalems rich past, Amichai Eliyahu, Isreals minister of heritage, said in a statement. Such discoveries make our connection and historic rootsgoing back thousands of yearstangible in Jerusalem and other sites were the Jewish culture and belief system emerged. You Might Also Like The improper thawing of a chemical resulting in a violent chemical reaction caused a two-alarm fire Tuesday morning at a northwest Charlotte warehouse, officials with the Charlotte Fire Investigation Task Force said. The Charlotte Fire Department received several calls around 7:20 a.m. about some sort of explosion heard near Toddville Road, Battalion Chief John Lipcsak told Channel 9. ALSO: Cause of house fire in west Charlotte under investigation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after, CFD arrived at the scene of the fire at a nearby chemical exchange facility on Tar Heel Road. The fire was breaking through the roof. It was a tanker inside the facility that was on fire, Lipcsak said. At this time, we know that some type of chemical exchange took place and some type of explosion took place. The cause is under investigation. The blaze that broke out at about 7:30 a.m. was under control by 8:02 a.m. Charlotte Fire conducted thorough air and water quality monitoring out of an abundance of caution, officials said. Results were negative and there was no danger to the public from smoke or runoff, CFD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire department did not issue an evacuation order, however, Allenbrook Elementary School was briefly evacuated. There were no reported injuries. Our firefighters quick response and coordination ensured the fire was contained rapidly, and extensive monitoring confirmed there were no public health risks, said Fire Chief Reginald Johnson in a post on X. We are proud of the diligence and professionalism our team demonstrated in protecting the community. The estimated property and content loss was $425,000, Charlotte Fire said. Crews will remain on the scene to ensure everything is safe. Mecklenburg County Environmental Protection Agency is assisting in the ongoing investigation. This is a developing story. Check wsoctv.com for updates. (WATCH BELOW: Fire at south Charlotte Harris Teeter intentionally set, firefighters say) Jan. 20Several area schools have preemptively opted to call off school Tuesday ahead of the extremely cold temperatures expected early Tuesday morning and throughout the day. Those schools include: Austin Public Schools, Pacelli Catholic Schools (Shamrock Zone will be open), Grand Meadow Public School, Lyle Public School, LeRoy-Ostrander Public School, Southland Schools and the Southern Minnesota Education Consortium. The Mower County Senior Center will also be closed, something they do automatically when APS closes for inclement weather. An extreme cold weather warning will be issued at 6 p.m. tonight and will go until noon on Tuesday. Wind chills could dip as far as -40 during the early morning house Tuesday. Add Arizona to the growing number of states and groups challenging President Donald Trumps plan to ban birthright citizenship. Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes announced on Tuesday that she has joined with the states of Washington, Oregon and Illinois in contesting Trumps executive order. No executive order can supersede the United States Constitution and over 150 years of settled law, Mayes said in announcing the lawsuit, which was filed in Seattle. Advertisement Advertisement While Mayes defends future babies born to immigrants who are here illegally, not a word has been heard from the candidate she defeated two years ago to become AG a man born to immigrants who were here illegally. Mums the word from newly sworn-in U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, who enjoys U.S. citizenship despite the fact that his Syrian parents were undocumented at the time of his birth, having overstayed their visas the previous year. Supreme Court must weigh in on Trump's order Trump on Monday titled his executive order Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship. Yet he endorsed Hamadeh both for attorney general in 2022 and Congress in 2024. which seems odd given his apparent view that Hamadehs citizenship somehow devalues American citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Trumps order decrees that no longer will babies born in the U.S. get automatic citizenship if neither parent is a U.S. citizen. It also denies citizenship to the U.S.-born children of people who are in the country on temporary visas. Itll be up to the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether 14th Amendment the part that says All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States applies to the children of undocumented and visiting immigrants. Trump and other immigration hardliners contend they are not subject to the jurisdiction thereof, and thus the 14th Amendment doesnt apply to their children. Others contend the phrase refers to foreign diplomats stationed on U.S. soil. We should fix the border, not blame babies It seems galling that somebody can break into the country or, as the elder Hamadehs did, simply refuse to leave when their visas expired and be rewarded with our greatest prized possession: citizenship for their children. Advertisement Advertisement But rather than focusing on stripping newborns of their constitutional rights, we should instead focus on the real problem, which is a poorly controlled border not babies. And our lousy system of tracking visas not babies. And our unwillingness to create an immigration system that actually works. Not babies. Trump claims that the U.S. is the only country in the world that offers birthright citizenship. Doesn't Rep. Hamadeh have something to offer? In fact, 33 countries still offer citizenship to those born on their soil, but even if no other country did, its one of the things that makes America great. That a baby born here to parents who arrived yesterday has the same rights, the same opportunities and the same obligations as a baby whose relatives came over on the Mayflower. Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: Force Hobbs to deport migrants? That's almost funny That a guy like Abe Hamadeh, born to parents who had no legal right to be here, can grow up to become a member of the United States Congress. Would anyone besides Trump, that is argue that Hamadeh shouldnt rightly be a U.S. citizen? Or that he doesnt have something to offer America? MAGA will love it, but careful what we wish for Trumps executive order, if it stands, will play well with the MAGA Nation. It also will give us a permanent, growing underclass of people who can never become citizens people who must pay for the sins of their fathers and grandfathers and great grandfathers. Advertisement Advertisement Generation after generation of families with no allegiance to this country and no stake in what happens here. People who are told to go back to where they came from, even when where they came from is here. It is all the rage right now for Republicans to revel in Trumps ascendency, to applaud his every action on what they believe is the road to making America great again. But in our zeal to crack down on illegal immigration, we should be very careful what we ask for. Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @LaurieRobertsaz, on Threads at @LaurieRobertsaz and on BlueSky at @laurieroberts.bsky.social. Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Trump's birthright citizenship order creates an underclass | Opinion KABUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan caretaker government and the United States have exchanged prisoners, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Afghan caretaker government said in a statement on Tuesday. According to a statement released by the ministry, "Following extensive and productive discussions between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the United States, an Afghan detainee, Khan Mohammad, has been released from custody and was sent to the country in exchange for American citizens." The statement said Mohammad was apprehended nearly two decades ago in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, where he was serving his life sentence received from U.S. courts in California. The government views this exchange as a positive illustration of addressing challenges through dialogue and expresses deep appreciation to the friendly nation of Qatar for its significant contribution to this endeavor. Arizona politicians quickly reacted Monday to President Donald Trump's sweeping plans to overhaul the federal government after he took the oath of office to become the 47th president of the United States. Trump's provisions included eliminating diversity inclusion, while enforcing strict immigration and energy policies. Alongside widespread Republican support, some Arizona politicians voiced initial support coupled with skepticism, while others strongly condoned the president's pending economic decisions and his relationship with some of the nation's most powerful billionaires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what Arizona politicians had to say about the changes expected under the new presidency. Newly sworn-in Congress member denounces 'America's oligarchy' Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., newly sworn-in U.S. House Representative from Arizona, decided to skip Trump's inauguration in favor of a of Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration in downtown Phoenix. She used the caption "America's oligarchy," to describe a photo posted on X of some of richest people in the world attending the inauguration. "Nothing to see here just Donald Trump's inauguration front row featuring the richest men on Earth excited to get even richer at the expense of working people," wrote Ansari, describing a photo key figures from Meta, Amazon, Google and Tesla at the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another member of the House, Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., chose to attend the inauguration. He emphasized that he would remain loyal to the "fundamental freedoms" of Arizonans. "As President Trump retakes office, heres my promise: I'll work to find common ground when its in Arizonas best interest," Stanton said in a written statement. Republicans support Trump at his inauguration and online Reps. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., and Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., were in attendance at the inauguration event and posted photos throughout. Ciscomani posted photos from inside the Capitol rotunda during the swearing-in ceremony, and later. Crane also posted from inside and said he was "thankful to all of the Arizonans that put in the work to get to this moment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freshman Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz., was interviewed by Newsmax alongside unsuccessful Senate candidate Kari Lake. Hamadeh said, "we will pass President Trumps America First Agenda as quickly as possible. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., posted a simple headshot of the president with the numbers 47 superimposed over his face. "Hail to the Chief,' Biggs said on X. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., described the inauguration as a "new day in America." "Our long nightmare is soon over," Gosar wrote on X. Arizona's longest serving congressmember comments on Trump inauguration Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., the senior member of Arizona's U.S. House delegation, went on the social-media platform X to label Trump's presidency a threat to the economy and called upon his fellow Democrats confront the incoming Republican administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Democrats must stand up to Trumps worst impulses and grifting tendencies if we are to come away from this a stronger, more prosperous nation," Grijalva said in the post. Grijalva also criticized Trump for launching a cryptocurrency before the inauguration, which he described as "brazen and unethical money grab." Grijalva incorrectly stated Trump launched the coin on Sunday before the inauguration, but the cryptocurrency was released late Friday, according to USA TODAY. "This presidency is already putting the needs of Trump himself and his billionaire tech friends ahead of the American people. Instead of making a plan to drive down housing, health care, and grocery costs for those who elected him, he is focusing on lining his own pockets," read the post. Arizona's senators voice support, remain cautious of Trump Both of Arizona's U.S. senators released statements after the inauguration ceremony to express their support for the new administration but also saying they would put Arizona interests first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., attended the inauguration and released a written statement after in which he vowed to address Arizona-specific challenges tied the economy, immigration and the border. Today, our country witnessed the peaceful transfer of power, a cornerstone of our democracy. ... I'm committed to working with the new administration when we agree and standing up for whats right when we dont," he said. Newly sworn-in Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said on X that he would call out efforts he believed would harm his home state. "Arizonans sent me to Washington to work with both parties, lower costs for families, secure our border, and fight for immigration reform. ... With this new administration, I will do everything I can to deliver for AZ and speak out against any efforts to harm hardworking Arizonans," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reach the reporter, reynaldo.covarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona politicians react to Trump's first speeches, executive orders MEMPHIS, Tenn. An Arkansas man could spend 70 years behind bars after he was convicted for a 2022 murder, according to a press release. Keyonte Wilbourn was convicted of First Degree Murder for the 2022 shooting death of 20-year-old Brandon Wilson in Jonesboro. According to the Office of State Prosecuting Attorney Sonia F. Hagood, on the morning of July 24, 2022, just before 5 a.m., Wilbourn lured Wilson to the Cedar Park Apartments, where Wilbourn fatally shot him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South. Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. He then fled to Chicago, where he was taken into custody by the Great Lakes U.S. Marshals Task Force. Reports say that due to a serious prior felony conviction in Missouri, Wilbourn faced an enhanced sentencing range. The jury recommended a 55-year sentence for the First-Degree Murder conviction and a 15-year sentence for the use of a firearm to be served consecutively for a total of 70 years in prison. Because of his criminal history, Wilbourn will not be eligible for parole and must serve 100% of his sentence on the First-Degree Murder conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case was challenging, as no eyewitnesses came forward, but powerful forensic evidence provided the foundation for this conviction, said Prosecuting Attorney Sonia F. Hagood. Copyright 2025 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 WREG.com. NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day and members of a state organization that focuses on his legacy say they hope more people will serve after attending several of their events. Walter Washington with the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr Commission says theyre hosting several events. We are having a candlelight vigil and a firework extravaganza to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King, Washington said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas city renames bridge in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. He said celebrations have a deeper meaning. Its important because if we dont, history has a way of going away without us having an opportunity to celebrate it and present it to all generations to all citizens and all Arkansans, Washington said. Washington said the first time they put on these events were in 2023, and this year they expect more 100 people at the River Front Park and more will be watching around the area. The mission tonight is to come together to remember, serve and act, Washington said. Local organizations to hold events in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The act of service is exactly what they hope attendees will be inspired after Monday night when going to their events. So we do have a platform on Engage Arkansas where were asking all young Arkansas to go on that platform to look up the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission and pledge your commitment to serve, Washington said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. BAXTER COUNTY, Ark. Arkansas State Police troopers are investigating after a man was shot and killed in Baxter County on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. According to ASP officials, officers with the Gassville Police Department responded to a shooting on Mountain Loop Road Monday. After arriving, officers said they found 32-year-old Ian Lapio, who had been shot. Little Rock police investigating deadly shooting on tire shop Asher Avenue Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives said they took a person into custody for questioning, and according to witnesses, the two men had a disagreement before the shooting. Lapio was taken to a hospital where he died from injuries sustained in the shooting. His body was taken to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to determine the cause and manner of death. Arkansas State Police arrest Newton County man accused of making threats & damaging homeowner property This is an ongoing investigation. Special agents will present a case file to the 14th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney to determine if criminal charges will be filed once the investigation is complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. First Lt. Manfredo Martin-Michael Madrigal III photographed as a staff sergeant in 2018. Madrigal pled guilty to making false statements and destroying U.S. Army materials. (Army) A former Army Ranger and military attorney was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison after lying to investigators about making contact with the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and deleting national security materials, according to the Department of Justice. First Lt. Manfredo Martin-Michael Madrigal III, 38, pled guilty in July 2024 to three counts of making false statements and one count of destroying U.S. Army materials. Madrigal was assigned in February 2022 to work at the Judge Advocate Generals Legal Center and School, known as the JAG School, where he was given a security clearance. He worked in the Training Developments Directorate, a wing tasked with creating training materials for the JAG Corps and Army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While assigned to the school, he was placed under investigation for failing to report a previous DUI arrest. The federal prosecution team alleged Madrigal began to unravel then. Madrigal filmed himself on late February 6 and early February 7, 2022, accessing the JAG Schools national security training module, court documents read. Madrigal uttered derogatory, profane remarks toward the Army during the video and deleted online JAG training materials. He then placed a two-and-a-half minute call to the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., according to court documents. I am going to teach them a lesson, he told a witness at the time. Russia has reached out to me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Army lawyer pleads guilty to destroying government property On Feb. 22, 2022, Madrigal was discharged from the JAG School and falsely claimed in exit paperwork that hed never contacted a foreign national, despite having done so a few weeks prior. He repeated the same lies when he was interviewed by the FBI several months later. Madrigal was arrested in August 2022 for cyberstalking an ex-girlfriend by accessing personal information stored in her apps, sending her threatening messages and threatening her in person while possessing a firearm, according to court documents. A supporting affidavit also cited false statements Madrigal had made to the FBI regarding the Russian Embassy contact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was indicted in September 2023 for one count of willfully injuring U.S. property, four counts of making false statements to a U.S. agency, two counts of witness tampering and one count of cyberstalking. Madrigals defense team argued the charges against him stemmed from romantic relationships and therefore, the proceedings should be held in state court instead of federal. The defense also argued that the materials Madrigal destroyed were benign and redundant electronic PowerPoint slides. In a rebuttal, prosecutors painted Madrigal as both a national security threat and a danger to witnesses, whom hed harassed and intimidated. [I]f I wanted to kill you, I would figure out a way to figure out when youre going to be home, and I would come and kill you, if thats what I wanted to do, Madrigal said to a witness, according to court documents. GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) An arrest has been made after a deadly shooting at a motel. The Greenville County Sheriffs Office arrested 36-year-old Sterling Vernard Antwan Harmon early Sunday morning for the murder of 42-year-old Quintin Lamar Mitchell, of Greenville. On Saturday, authorities received a call shortly after 7:30 p.m. regarding a gunshot victim at the InTowne Suites Extended Stay Hotel at 2504 Wade Hampton Boulevard. Upon arrival, the Greenville County Coroners Office located Mitchell with at least one fatal gunshot wound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the course of the investigation, investigators learned Harmon and the victim got into an argument inside a motel room when Harmon reportedly shot the victim, resulting in his death. Harmon was arrested and transported to the Greenville County Detention Center, where he remains on no bond according to the sheriffs office. The homicide remains under investigation by the GCSO. Copyright 2025 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Eight residents died and seven others were injured by an early-morning fire at a nursing home in Belgrade, Serbia, that local police suspect was started by one of the residents. The fire broke out at 3:30 a.m. local time at the nursing home in the rural Barajevo area of Belgrade and spread quickly before firefighters could put out the conflagration, the Serbian Times reported. First-responders received a call reporting the fire at 3:32 a.m., but the fire was blazing when firefighters arrived at the nursing home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thirteen residents were evacuated from the Ivanovic Nursing Home, which had a valid license and fully complied with fire safety requirements, Minister of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs Nemanja Starovic told Serbian media. The evacuated residents are being housed in emergency accommodations, Starovic said. A police officer sets up tape near the Ivanovic nursing home in Belgrade, Serbia, which has become a crime scene after eight died in a nursing home from a fire suspected of being set intentionally early Monday morning. Photo by Andrej Cukic/EPA-EFE He said the seven residents harmed by the fire and its smoke are being treated at the Military Medical Academy and the Emergency Center for treatment. Local authorities have reason to believe one of the deceased residents intentionally set the deadly fire. Forensic officers remove a body bag from the Ivanovic nursing home in Belgrade, Serbia, on Monday after eight people died in what police suspect was an intentionally set fire early in the morning. Photo by Andrej Cukic/EPA-EFE "An autopsy of the fire victims has been ordered, and all the circumstances of this care are being determined, after which [the prosecutor's office] in Belgrade will decide on further steps," chief public prosecutor Nenad Stefanovic told the Serbian Times. The nursing home housed 30 residents when the fire occurred and destroyed more than a third of the facility that is located in a rural area far from the center of Belgrade. Toni Boucher threw up the first time she saw the charred remains of her home and neighborhood after this months deadly Los Angeles-area wildfires. Now she wonders if its worth it to go back to sift through the ashes and try to find her grandmothers wedding ring. Its not just that shes worried about the trauma she experienced from seeing the destruction in Altadena, where Boucher, 70, has lived for decades. She is also concerned about possible health risks. They talk about asbestos and theyre talking about lead and theyre talking about all of the things that have burned in the loss of the homes and the danger of that, Boucher said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts warn that the blazes unleashed complex chemical reactions on paint, furniture, building materials, cars, electronics and other belongings, turning ordinary objects into potentially toxic ash that requires protective gear to handle safely. The ash could include harmful lead, asbestos or arsenic, as well as newer synthetic materials. Ash is not just ash. Go back to the garage or whats in your home. What is your furniture made out of? What are your appliances made out of? What is your house made out of? asked Scott McLean, a former deputy chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's communications bureau. A lot of its petroleum product and different composites that are extreme hazards due to fire when they combust." That is especially a problem when people start to sift through fire damage. Studies show that people involved in recovery in ash-affected areas could face health risks from breathing in whatever is there. Even safe chemicals commonly found in household materials such as titanium dioxide in paint or copper in pipes can form compounds that are more reactive after a fire, said Mohammed Baalousha, a professor of environmental health sciences at University of South Carolina, who studies ash samples to better understand what materials are present and how they change in the wake of wildfires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists are still trying to understand exactly what those chemical changes do to human health, not just in California but in places such as Maui and other areas scarred by wildfire. Maui residents were kept out of contaminated areas for nearly two months, but they still worry about long-term health impacts. In California, officials aren't letting residents return to many locations, likely for at least a week, while they restore utilities, conduct safety operations and search for people, according to Los Angeles County's recovery website. Some chemicals are linked to cardiovascular disease and reduced lung function. Other adverse health effects might arise from inhaling more mobile and toxic forms of arsenic, chromium and benzene. Exposure to magnetite, which can form when fire burns iron, has been linked to Alzheimer's disease, for example. It really could take a long time to tease out all of the potential health effects of these particles because of how many complex chemical reactions are going on and how many substances still remain to be studied, Baalousha said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Researchers point to the variety of health problems potentially linked to dust from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. I always kind of reminded myself of all the people that ran into the World Trade Center on 9/11, and were really there for not that long of a period of time in terms of their total exposure, said Jackson Webster, who studies fire aftermath as a professor of civil engineering at California State University, Chico. But there is increased cases of all kinds of different illness, sickness. Baalousha added that scientists also worry about where all the waste will go. Some potentially hazardous materials could end up in drinking water or even flow into the ocean, adversely affecting marine life. That's something experts in Hawaii are studying after the deadly fire in Maui last year. While researchers continue their work, people returning to their homes in California should put their safety first, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know its a lot of emotions and feelings going on that you can put down your guard, but you shouldnt do that, Baalousha said. Just be safe. Be careful. Put all the gear you can at least an N95 mask, gloves and stay safe. Because you lost your property. But you dont want to damage also your health in the longer run. ___ Associated Press reporter Alexa St. John contributed from Detroit. ___ Follow Melina Walling on X @MelinaWalling and Bluesky @melinawalling.bsky.social. Follow Alexa St. John on X @alexa_stjohn and reach her at ast.john@ap.org. ___ The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Frigid weather can make for the most stunning ice halos. The Arctic blast pouring into West Michigan was ideal for a spectacular display Monday morning for many catching a break from lake-effect snow bands. A photo of a sundog in Battle Creek. (Courtesy Cassidy Hart) A photo of a sundog in Sebewa Twp., Michigan. (Courtesy Krista & Amara McNeil) A photo of a sundog in the Rockford/Cedar Springs area. (Courtesy Kristen) A photo of a sundog in Trufant, Michigan. (Courtesy Wendy Wood) A photo of a sundog in Sebewa Twp., Michigan. (Courtesy Krista & Amara McNeil) A photo of a sundog in Three Rivers. (Courtesy Mark Saganski) A photo of a sundog in Middleville. (Courtesy Karen Raterink) Why is very cold weather ideal for halos? Cold, unsaturated air is ideal for ice halo formation due to the type of snowflake that airmass will produce. Frigid wind chills, lake-effect to continue into Tuesday Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For ice halos to fully form, flat plate snowflakes and ice crystals are necessary. Snowflakes vary in size and structure based on how cold the air is and how much water content is available. For flat plates, the air must be very cold and not quite saturated. Temperatures between -10 and -30 Fahrenheit through a deep level of the atmosphere are required for these flat plate crystals to form. When the plates are similar in size and shape, they will refract and reflect sunlight in a special way, revealing ice halos and other spectacular phenomena. The more uniform the ice crystals are in size and shape, the more optical features appear. The first to show are usually sun dogs, splashes of color on either side of the sun with rainbow-like properties. From there, a full halo, sun pillar, secondary halo and even possibly a Circumzenithal Arc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. With the stroke of a pen on Monday, President Donald Trump completely upended the Justice Departments four-year effort to arrest, prosecute and punish the people who attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. It was the largest criminal probe in American history, those who heeded Trumps call in 2021 to come to Washington and try to stop Congress from certifying his 2020 election defeat. More than 140 police officers were injured during the seven-hour siege, which also led directly or indirectly to the deaths of four Trump supporters in the mob and five police officers. Trump on Monday pardoned nearly every single convicted January 6 rioter, and at his direction, the Justice Department is also beginning to ask the federal court in Washington, DC, to dismiss pending cases with prejudice, meaning charges cannot be brought again at a later date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presidential proclamation Trump signed in the Oval Office said this action of mass clemency ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people. Trumps pardons make no effort to distinguish between people who engaged in violence that day compared with those who were charged or convicted of nonviolent offenses. For instance, the pardons include the men who viciously beat DC police officer Michael Fanone and pepper-sprayed US Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who died the next day. Six individuals who assaulted me as I did my job on January 6 will now walk free, Fanone told CNNs Anderson Cooper on Monday. Six individuals who threatened my life and threatened my family members My family, my children and myself are less safe today because of Donald Trump and his supporters. Heres what to know about the pardons: Pardons for virtually all January 6 convicts The proclamation Trump signed grants a full, complete and unconditional pardon to virtually everyone who was convicted of January 6-related crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That covers approximately 1,250 people, the vast majority of whom pleaded guilty and admitted in court that they broke the law. There was no differentiation between people convicted of violent felonies versus nonviolent misdemeanors, as Trumps allies have signaled in recent weeks. Instead, the blanket pardon covers hundreds of felony rioters who were guilty of assaulting police officers, attacking members of the media, obstructing police during a riot, and destroying government property. Stunningly, the pardon includes Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the far-right Proud Boys, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 22 years in prison. Among the other pardon recipients: Devlyn Thompson, who hit a police officer with a metal baton, and Robert Palmer, a Florida man who attacked police with a fire extinguisher, a wooden plank and a pole. Commutations for leaders of extremist groups Trumps proclamation singled out 14 members of far-right extremist groups, like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, who received commutations instead of pardons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means theyll be freed from federal prison but wont have their civil rights restored, as happens with a full pardon, which paves the way for a recipient to get back their right to own a gun or their right to vote. However, Trump said his administration will be reviewing these cases to see if pardons are appropriate in the future. These people were charged in the most high-profile seditious conspiracy cases most were found guilty, though some were acquitted of that charge while being convicted on other felony charges. The clemency for people convicted of seditious conspiracy is a stunning move. Those defendants were seen as among the worst of the worst, largely because prosecutors proved that unlike many of the other Trump supporters who breached the Capitol that day these people had a specific plan to violently subvert the government. The commutations covered Oath Keepers associate Thomas Caldwell, who was acquitted of seditious conspiracy but found guilty of obstructing an official proceeding for stashing weapons at a nearby Virginia hotel for his allies to potentially use on January 6. Kelly Meggs, leader of the groups Florida chapter, was sentenced to a decade in prison for his seditious conspiracy conviction. And Proud Boys leader Joseph Biggs will also be released from prison, where hes serving his seditious conspiracy sentence for leading a throng of Proud Boys into the Capitol. Dismissing all pending prosecutions The vast majority of January 6 cases have already been resolved in court, leading to guilty pleas or trial convictions. But the final part of Trumps proclamation directed the approximately 300 pending cases to be dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 60% of those cases are felony cases involving violent attacks against police, according to Justice Department statistics. Some charges were filed as recently as last week as part of the ongoing investigation that is all but over now. The proclamation says the attorney general should pursue dismissal with prejudice for all pending indictments related to January 6. With prejudice means the charges cannot be refiled in the future. It will take some time, perhaps a few days or weeks, for federal prosecutors to file motions in court to dismiss these cases. Technically, it will be up to a judge to formally dismiss the cases, and judges have very little discretion to stop it from happening if thats what the Justice Department asks for. There were fewer than 10 people deemed by a judge to be too dangerous to let out of federal custody before their trial. Once their cases are dismissed, they will also be released. Trump went further than anyone expected During and after the 2024 campaign, Trump kept the door open to pardoning every defendant. But he also hedged at times. In recent weeks, Trumps allies signaled that pardons would be restricted to nonviolent defendants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President JD Vance said this month, if you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldnt be pardoned, and House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that peaceful protesters should be pardoned, but violent criminals should not. Trump adviser Jason Miller echoed this in an interview Monday morning with CNNs Jake Tapper before Trump was inaugurated. President Trump has said were going to look through each of the cases individually, Miller said. Weve also said that, definitely, we do not support in any way, shape or form, anyone whos been violent towards law enforcement or things of that nature. But there have been a lot of people whove been treated unfairly, so theyre going to look on a case-by-case basis. But there was no case-by-case review, as Trump aides promised. Instead, Trump granted maximum clemency by ending all of the prosecutions, freeing everyone from prison and pardoning about 98% of the convicted rioters. He did precisely what his staunchest supporters in the January 6 community were calling for blanket clemency for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal official involved in January 6 cases told CNN that they felt disappointed but not surprised and deflated but not defeated by the mass clemency. They believe Trumps pardons send a signal to the country and to the world, that we now need to reckon with. This pardon and specifically the blanket nature of the pardon sends the message that so long as your candidate wins, partisan violence against law enforcement in the seat of our nations government is acceptable and can be an effective tool to accomplishing political ends, the source said. Justifying the pardons with lies Throughout the day, Trump justified the pardons with the same series of lies and false claims that he has used for years to whitewash the violence, deflect blame and rewrite history. He falsely claimed the Capitol mob was filled with outside agitators and that the FBI was involved in stoking the violence. These lies first cropped up in far-right circles in 2021 and were eventually embraced by Trump, who has peddled these claims at many of his rallies and media interviews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were some FBI informants in the crowd, but no undercover FBI agents. And the informants did not instigate the violence, were not authorized to break the law that day, and were not part of a deep state effort to frame Trump supporters for the violence. He also claimed Monday that people charged in January 6 cases end up in shackles almost immediately. But the overwhelming majority of the 1,600 people charged were released almost immediately after their initial arrest. And about 40% of convicted rioters were sentenced to probation and didnt serve any time behind bars after their case. During the inaugural parade in the Capital One Arena before signing the proclamation, Trump brought on the family members of Israelis taken hostage by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, attacks. Then he proceeded to talk about the relief needed for January 6 hostages the euphemism he uses to describe people who were convicted in a court of law and sentenced to prison by a judge. The mass pardons also highlight Trumps 180-degree reversal on the topic of January 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isolated within the Republican Party and facing a bipartisan impeachment in the final weeks of his first term in January 2021, Trump said he was shocked and deeply saddened by what happened. He said rioters who breached the Capitol defiled the seat of American democracy. One day after the insurrection, Trump said, to those who broke the law, you will pay, and later vowed that those who engaged in the attacks last week will be brought to justice. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Devan Cole and Katelyn Polantz contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday issued a barrage of executive orders, rolling back his predecessor's policies ranging from immigration to climate agenda. "I'll revoke nearly 80 destructive and radical executive actions of the previous administration (of former U.S. President Joe Biden)," Trump told cheering supporters at a signing ceremony held at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., just a few hours after he was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. WHAT'S BEING REVERSED? The Biden-era actions being reversed include the TikTok ban and executive orders aimed at tackling the climate crisis. Trump signed an executive order to delay the TikTok ban by 75 days. "I guess I have a warm spot for TikTok that I didn't have originally," Trump said at the White House while signing executive orders. The popular app went dark on Saturday after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law forcing TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app to an American company or face a nationwide ban starting on Sunday, just one day before Trump's inauguration. According to the White House, another two executive orders were signed to exit the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement on climate change. During his inauguration speech, Trump, who has long regarded clean energy as expensive and wasteful, vowed to redouble efforts to extract and utilize fossil fuels. "I will also declare a national energy emergency," he noted, which will lift previous restrictions on mining projects like drilling in Alaska. "We will drill, baby, drill," Trump said. "We have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have -- the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth -- and we are going to use it." He also initiated an immediate review of all federal regulations that impose an "undue burden" on the development or use of energy sources, particularly oil, natural gas, coal, hydropower, biofuels, critical mineral, and nuclear energy resources, said the White House. In addition, Trump revoked a non-binding executive order which aimed to get half of all new vehicles sold by 2030 electric, calling it an "electric vehicle mandate." WHAT'S BEING INITIATED? Trump signed an order declaring a national emergency at the southern border and an end to birthright citizenship. The order specified that the United States would no longer recognize the citizenship of a child when "that person's mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person's birth," or "when that person's mother's presence in the United States at the time of said person's birth was lawful but temporary." Trump also revived priorities from his first administration that Biden had rescinded, including forcing asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico and finishing building the border wall, suspending the Refugee Admissions Program "until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States." Meanwhile, Trump pardoned about 1,500 people charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and changed the sentences of a few individuals. With his taking office, Justice Department investigations into the Capitol riot are expected to cease, said the Guardian. Among his other executive actions, Trump signed an order to freeze federal hiring, seeking to reclassify federal workers, making it easier to fire them. He also ordered to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America," noting that the water body "has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America." At The Takeout, we're not unfamiliar with long-forgotten yet beloved beverages of decades past, from Coca-Cola's discontinued TAB soda to Fruitopia, the drink that ruled the '90s and which remains available at some McDonald's locations in Canada. Tang, a vitamin C-packed beverage mix, has been linked to astronauts and NASA's space program since it was included on an Earth orbiting mission in 1962 and is still enjoyed at the International Space Station. Tang was originally launched in 1957 and promoted as a breakfast drink because of its vitamin content and powdered format, though it was also available in liquid form. William A. Mitchell, the inventor of Tang, is also responsible for creating other convenient popular treats like Cool Whip, Pop Rocks, and the great mystery that is Jell-O. Despite its "healthy" persona, the main ingredients of Tang are sugar and fructose. Tang was made and sold by General Foods, which at the time had a deal with the military to provide shelf-stable food products like instant coffee. Tang fit that bill because it could be made by just adding water, and led to NASA including it on its 1962 Mercury Mission. After this mission, General Foods began advertising Tang as the official beverage of astronauts, who referred to it as "orange drink." Considering the popularity of American space exploration in the 1960s, this was a smart move on the parent company's part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tang held both NASA and the American public's attention for more than a decade. The brand even sponsored ABC's broadcast of the Apollo 8 mission in 1968. However, in 2013, Buzz Aldrin, the second man to ever step foot on the moon, admitted that he disliked the taste of Tang. As he put it, "Tang sucks." Read more: Once Popular Ice Cream Flavors You Hardly Ever See Anymore Where Is Tang Now? Boxes of Tang drink pouches sit on a shelf - Jenari/Shutterstock Even without the endorsement of a former man in space, Tang lives on today, both at NASA and on shelves. The drink mix is sold in around 35 countries and is most popular in Brazil, the Philippines, and Argentina. Kraft Heinz, which merged with General Foods in 1985 after the Philip Morris Company purchased both companies, distributes the drink globally through Mondelez International. Nowadays Tang can be found in a wide variety of flavors, including lime, peach, strawberry, mango, lemon, and passion fruit. Many of these newer tropical flavors can be found in South America or on Amazon.com. The drink mix is also popular in the Middle East during Ramadan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though NASA was the first to appreciate Tang for its crystalized format, some home cooks over the years have found ways to incorporate the mix into recipes. These include a Tang creamsicle pie, Tang beer, and even a takeout-style orange chicken made with Tang. So the next time you look up into the night sky and wonder what kind of infinite knowledge other worldly beings and vast universes beyond ours might have in store for us, remember: We can offer them some Tang in return. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. Atlanta police want to identify a man who is suspected of stealing a cell phone from an employee of a vape store. On Wednesday, Jan. 8, police met with an employee of Vapor Hub at 590 Piedmont Avenue, reporting that the man came into the store and stole his phone. The man can be seen on surveillance camera grabbing the phone when the employee turned their back. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] If you can identify the man, police ask that you call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477 and submit a tip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can also submit a tip through www.StopCrimeAtl.org or by texting CSGA and the tip to #738477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today that she, along with the Attorneys General of 16 other states, plus Washington D.C. and the City of San Francisco, are challenging Donald Trumps executive order attempting to limit birthright citizenship. The Michigan Attorney Generals Office says that this executive order violates the constitutional rights to which all children born in the United States are entitled. The executive order, issued by President Trump following his inauguration, told federal agencies to halt the issuing of citizenship documents to U.S.-born children of undocumented mothers and mothers in the country on temporary visas if the father is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birthright citizenship is a basic right granted to all Americans born on United States soil with historic roots and long-lasting implications for the states and their residents, said Attorney General Nessel in a news release sent to 6 News. The Citizenship Clause has stood as constitutional law in this nation for more than 150 years and has twice been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. It is disappointing that in the first hours of this incoming administration, the first perceived enemy President Trump has struck against is the U.S. Constitution, said Nessel. Attorney General Nessel is filing suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, seeking to invalidate the executive order. The Executive Order does not remove citizenship from those already born in the U.S. and will go into effect in 30 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Constitution lays out the steps to alter an amendment unequivocally and clearly, and those steps do not include an executive order on the first or any day of a presidential term, said Nessel. Attorneys General for the states joining Nessel in todays filing include: California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Hawaii Maine Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York Rhode Island Vermont Wisconsin Washington D.C. City of San Francisco. Copyright 2025 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 WLNS 6 News. (Bloomberg) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has held a meeting of state and territory leaders to tackle a wave of antisemitic attacks across the country, the latest involving the suspected firebombing of a childcare center in Sydney. Most Read from Bloomberg Albanese convened the National Cabinet on Tuesday afternoon following weeks of appeals by members of the Jewish community for the prime minister to take steps to counter the growing number of antisemitic incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A childcare center in Sydneys east was set on fire and sprayed with antisemitic graffiti in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The prime minister visited the site hours later, describing it as a hate crime when he spoke with reporters. How you could think that something like this would advance any alleged cause that people might have? The only objective which will be achieved by this crime is the fulfillment of these people being caught, charged and facing the full force of the law, Albanese said in Sydney. In a statement after the meeting on Tuesday evening, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the agency was investigating whether overseas groups had paid for local crime organizations to carry out the attacks, possibly paid in cryptocurrency. Australias state and territory leaders agreed to put together a national database of information on antisemitic attacks at Tuesdays meeting, which they said in a statement would better inform and coordinate responses to the incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australia has faced mounting social tensions since Oct. 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas operatives crossed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250. Israel responded with a punishing assault that has killed more than 46,000 people in the Gaza Strip, according to Hamas authorities, and laid waste to vasts stretches of the region. Australia has a large Jewish community and many citizens from Middle East nations including Lebanon, which was also caught up in the conflict. Albanese has appointed national envoys to combat both antisemitism and Islamaphobia in the wake of the tensions. However, the rising number of attacks on Jewish-affiliated institutions and properties in Sydney and Melbourne, where the community is concentrated, has increased pressure on him to do more to protect it. Recent antisemitic attacks have included: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne on Dec. 6, which was labeled a likely terrorist incident Anti-Israel graffiti and cars vandalized in central Sydney on Dec. 11. A woman has since been charged with alleged involvement An attack on the former home of a Jewish leader in Sydney in early January that included antisemitic graffiti and cars torched Australias center-right opposition has called for a national cabinet meeting on antisemitism for weeks, though until now Albanese had resisted such a move. Read: Gaza Challenges Mount as Hostages and Prisoners Walk Free The meeting comes two days after a ceasefire began in Gaza. Its due to last six weeks and see 33 hostages freed and the release of 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, as well as Israeli forces withdrawing to the outskirts of the strip. (Updates after meeting of Australias national cabinet.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Authorities on Tuesday identified a man who died in a two-alarm fire in New Bedford on Monday that may have started from smoking materials and electrical issues, officials said. Alfred Martin, 88, of New Bedford, died in the fire that injured four other residents, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a joint statement with New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger, New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira, and State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. Martin, who lived on the first floor, was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy will determine the cause and manner of his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin is the first fire death in Massachusetts in 2025, Davine said. In 2024, smoking was the leading cause of residential fire fatalities in Massachusetts. On behalf of the New Bedford Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Martins family, Kruger said. Our thoughts are with them, and also with the residents who lost their home. This is a terrible loss for them and the community. Around 1 p.m. Monday, firefighters responded to reports of a fire at a two-family house at 24 Cotter St. When firefighters arrived, they saw heavy fire coming from the first- and second-floors and going through the roof. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using a ladder truck, firefighters rescued one resident from the second floor, Kruger said. Three other residents escaped on their own. A total of four people were taken by ambulance to area hospitals for smoke inhalation. Their conditions were not known on Tuesday. The fire quickly went to two alarms and destroyed the building, which was left charred and blackened. Firefighters brought the fire under control in about an hour and a half. Preliminarily, the fire does not appear suspicious, officials said. Investigators determined that the fire began near a couch in the first floor living room, near the front left of the home. They found smoking materials and an electrical outlet in this area but have not reached a determination as to the exact cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by New Bedford Fire, New Bedford Police, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshals office, and State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorneys office. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The Minnehaha County Sheriffs Office is asking for help from the public regarding the death of a 35-year-old woman just west of Sioux Falls. Daktronics to move jurisdiction to Delaware According to Capt. Josh Phillips, authorities found the body of Cassandra Shields laying in the middle of the road on Madison Street in between Ellis Road and La Mesa Drive at 9:43 p.m. Sunday. The location is in Minnehaha County, north of Family Park in Sioux Falls and its a low maintenance road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phillips said the cause of death was exposure to the cold temperatures. Sioux Falls had temperatures below 0 degrees and a high temperature in the single digits Sunday. Phillips said Shields was not homeless and was wearing winter clothing, but it wasnt enough to be outside for that long. Authorities believe Shields had been in the road only since sometime Sunday, Phillips said as of Tuesday. Officials are asking for help about where she was Friday until Sunday. To help us fill in that void, Phillips said. It was very cold. Phillips said people should contact authorities or crimestoppers with any information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 KELOLAND.com. Democratic strategist David Axelrod knocked President Trump for not placing his hand on the bible when taking the oath of office on Monday. Its curious that Trump, who spoke about his near-death experience after being targeted by an assassins bullet as divine intervention, neglected to put his hand on the Bible when he took the oath, Axelrod said in a post on X. I can only imagine the torrent of comment if @BarackObama had done the same, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was sworn into office for the second time on Monday, taking his oath of office at a ceremony held in the Capitol Rotunda. During his swearing in, Trump appeared not to have his hand placed on either of the bibles that his wife, first lady Melania Trump, was holding beside him. Whether or not Trumps hand rested atop the bibles as he took his oath of office has no bearing on the legitimacy of the oath. In his inauguration speech, Trump said he was saved by God to make America great again after he survived a shooting at a campaign rally last year. Trump survived two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign, including in July when a gunman shot him during an outdoor rally in Pennsylvania. Trump clasped his ear when shots were fired, and with blood on his face and ear, he pumped his fist in the air as Secret Service surrounded him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He recalled that moment in his inauguration speech. Just a few months ago in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassins bullet ripped through my ear, but I felt then and believed even more so now that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again, he said. Copyright 2025 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. BAKU (Reuters) - Seven people went on trial in Azerbaijan on Tuesday in the latest of a series of cases against staff of independent news media, prompting accusations of a crackdown on the press. Six of the defendants are affiliated with Abzas Media, an independent outlet focused on corruption and human rights in the South Caucasus country, which ranks 164th of 180 countries in Reporters without Borders' (RSF) World Press Freedom Index. The seventh is a reporter with the Azeri language service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), a U.S.-government funded outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International press freedom groups have demanded the release of the Abzas staff, casting their arrest as an attempt by the authorities to silence their anti-corruption reporting. President Ilham Aliyev has rejected criticism over the arrests of journalists and said Azerbaijan has "a free press and a free internet." "We must protect our media landscape from external negative influences, just like any other country," he said during a visit to Germany last year. The first arrests in the case were made in November 2023 after authorities said they had found 40,000 euros ($41,000) in cash in Abzas Media's Baku offices. The defendants face up to 12 years in prison if convicted on charges of smuggling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those on trial include the organisation's editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi, director Ulvi Hasanli, translator Mahammad Kekalov, staff journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova, and freelance journalist Hafiz Babali. They all deny the smuggling charges. Hasanli said in court on Tuesday that investigators had themselves planted the money in Abzas' offices during the search. "I demanded the banknotes be examined to determine whether they had my fingerprints on them," he said. "But (investigators) refused to conduct the examination because they knew they weren't there." A journalist for RFE/RL, Farid Mehralizada, is also on trial related to the Abzas case. In a statement, RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus called the charges against Mehralizada "baseless" and said the journalist had never worked for Abzas Media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial is set to resume on Feb. 11. Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month urged Azerbaijan to release several human rights advocates, government critics and journalists, including Vagifgizi. At least 20 independent media professionals are currently behind bars there, according to RSF. ($1 = 0.9666 euros) (Reporting by Nailia Bagirova in Baku; Writing by Lucy Papachristou in London; Editing by Mark Trevelyan) Abacus Worldwide has appointed Ana Carolina Born from Brazilian member firm Born Auditores Associados, as the new co-chair of its Audit Special Interest Group (ASIG). In the new role, Born will work alongside Yeong Seng Lim from Singaporean member firm KLP LLP Chartered Accountants. Together, they will lead the global group, guiding members from various countries in their collaborative efforts. A global group of independent accounting, consulting and legal firms, Abacus Worldwide provides them with resources to thrive in the current complex business landscape. The association's goal is to help member firms expand their services both locally and internationally by linking them with the appropriate partners in strategic locations. The ASIG, a key component of the international association of independent accounting, consulting, and legal firms, is dedicated to fostering technical discussions among members. These ASIGs hold quarterly meetings both online and in person, offering a platform for members to delve into more technical topics. They focus on tax, audit, mergers and acquisitions, and legal issues. In addition, the groups engage in ongoing knowledge sharing through Abacus Connect, the association's online member portal. The latest move follows the addition of AFC Chartered Accountants, an Afghan accounting firm based in Kabul, to Abacus Worldwides international association of independent accounting, consulting, and legal firms. AFC provides audit, tax, and accounting services, as well as customised financial solutions. Additionally, Abacus Worldwide added CharterGroup, a UK-based alliance of independent chartered accountants and professional service firms, as a new member. In June 2024, Paraguay accounting firm Jacquet & Asociados joined Abacus Worldwide. "Abacus Worldwide appoints new co-chair for audit special interest group" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) On Tuesday, Backus Hospital celebrated the grand opening of a new retail pharmacy. Hartford HealthCare will be offering new pharmacy offers and seamless access to medications and top notch care for patients. Brianne Nichols, director of retail and specialty pharmacy at Hartford HealthCare joined Good Morning Connecticut at 9 a.m. to discuss. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Most of Maryland is under a cold weather advisory through Thursday as temperatures plummet into the single digits in the region in the wake of the weekend snow. The National Weather Service, which issued the advisory, is forecasting overnight lows in the low teens and daytime highs of 10 degrees below freezing through Thursday. [ Get the latest weathercast from FOX45 News ] That could also mean some flurries in the Baltimore area isolated snow showers Tuesday night, according to the weather service. And with temperatures barely budging above freezing in the past several days, snow from last week has stuck around and turned to ice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harford County Public Schools and Carroll County Public Schools will both open two hours late Wednesday after the inclement weather closed Harford and Howard schools Tuesday . Baltimore City and County schools opened two hours late Tuesday. Baltimore County Public Schools will also have a two-hour delay Wednesday, with morning prekindergarten classes canceled. The Baltimore City Health Department also declared a Code Blue, a determination intended to reduce hypothermia deaths by homeless people, older adults and other groups who are vulnerable to extreme cold. It triggers several public safety initiatives, including a free program of hot beverages at the Salvation Army. The Code Blue took effect Sunday night before a body was pulled from a burning and vacant home on North Avenue and is scheduled to remain in effect through Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the Mayors Office of Homeless Services has extended its Code Purple winter shelter activation through Thursday at 9 a.m., extending the hours of city-run shelters. Residents in need of emergency shelter should call the Baltimore City Shelter Hotline at 443-984-9540. As happened earlier this month, this latest cold snap comes from a disruption in the polar vortex, the ring of cold air usually trapped around the North Pole. This is a pretty strong one in terms of how cold it has become. Were not breaking any daily records, but its definitely shifting temperatures to being well below normal, said weather service meteorologist Brendon Rubin-Oster. Temperatures have been between 10 and 20 degrees below average, he said. As the jet stream that brought snow to Louisiana relaxes this week, the Baltimore area should return to normal temperatures, Rubin-Oster explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesdays forecast calls for sunny skies with a high of around 21 with wind chills of up to 8 below. Low temperatures Wednesday night will be around 15 degrees. Thursday will be a bit warmer with a high of about 32 and a low of around 19, the weather service said. That slight warming trend is expected to continue Friday, when high temperatures reach around 33, while lows remain in the upper teens. Saturday will see highs in the mid-30s, with lows in the mid-20s, and on Sunday, the high temperature could climb to a more seasonal 40 degrees for the first time all week, the forecast says. Have a news tip? Contact Mary Carole McCauley at mmccauley@baltsun.com and 410-332-6704. Contact Dan Belson at dbelson@baltsun.com, on X as @DanBelson_ or on Signal as @danbels.62. EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) Singing in front of a crowd can be stressful let alone having to sing the national anthem. But thats exactly what two local girls did recently in our state capital. Poised and pitch-perfect, Cadence Kline helped kick off the 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show by singing the national anthem. The Mahanoy Area third grader earned the opening day star-spangled banner singing spot by winning a state social media contest called Oh, say can you sing? She proved she could with her patriotic performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was very exciting and I was just a teensy bit nervous at the start, said 9-year-old Cadence Kline. Cadence is not the only Mahanoy Area student who sang the national anthem at the state farm show. Philanthropic high school students making a difference 14-year-old Alexandra Ally Bet says she loves performing the Star Spangled Banner even though it is a difficult song to sing. Im really just looking at the flag and remembering the words. This is the second time the Barnesville teen earned the singing honor as a contest finalist. She was just nine when she first performed here. I was very young when I sang the first time so I didnt really get to experience as much as I did now and really remember it, explained Bet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time both Ally and Cadence got to really experience what this storied farm show is all about. It was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed seeing the animals and seeing the horses and the food was great, stated Bet. What got these girls to the farm show in the first place is something both will never forget. It was really good when I was doing it, and I was like, Oh, this is so exciting,' said Kline. Heres to you Cadence and Ally! Both girls have a lot of time to decide their futures, but Cadence says she might like to become a music teacher. Meanwhile, Ally says she is considering singing or nursing as a possible career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you know someone you believe would make a good Heres to You Kid candidate, let us know under the NEPAs Children First on our website. Copyright 2025 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 PAhomepage.com. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) As President Donald Trump was being sworn into office, Governor Jeff Landry flew the Make America Great Again flag over the mansion in Baton Rouge. Some members of the local NAACP came out to condemn the move. Landry encouraged Louisianans to fly the MAGA flag over their homes on inauguration day to show their support for the new president. He pointed out in his proclamation that millions of Americans voted to support President Donald Trump in 2020 and 2024. He received more votes, more support from Louisiana voters than anyone who has ever been on the ballot in the state of Louisiana, Landry said. And when you look at the amount of votes that hes received in the nation over an eight-year period, no one has accumulated 210 million votes over an eight-year period. That means that Americans and Louisianians are ready for a change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baton Rouge NAACP President Jarret Luter said the flag is partisan and does not represent all Louisianans. The local chapter wrote a letter to the governor asking him to reconsider the move as it will be flying on not only Inauguration Day but on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In the letter it states, The decision to raise a partisan symbol on this day undermines the spirit of inclusion and respect that Dr. King dedicated his life to advancing. A small group of the chapter gathered outside the governors mansion to look at the flag and show their displeasure. If you voted for Donald Trump or not, this is the peoples house, so you should have the general goodwill of all of the citizens of Louisiana, Luter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Jeff Landry talks about winter storm bringing snow, freezing weather to Louisiana They talked about mobilizing voters to learn about how the state and country are changing and be involved in the democratic process. Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Baton Rouge Police Department identified the person who was shot and killed at McDonalds, 6910 Airline Highway on Monday, Jan. 20. DShawn Brown, 22, was found close to his vehicle with apparent gunshot wounds, BRPD said. Officers responded around 3:53 p.m. and initiated an investigation. They said homicide detectives were subsequently notified and came to the scene of the deadly shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation remains ongoing and more information will be shared as it becomes available. If you have any information that could help investigators, call the Violent Crimes Unit at 225-389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867. Man arrested after argument leads to shooting in Baton Rouge Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. (KRON) The biggest tech leaders of Silicon Valley got a front-row seat at President Donald Trumps inauguration on Monday. There has been a sudden support this administration has gained from the tech industry. The emerging relationship between tech leaders and President Trump was on full display at the inauguration. These Bay Area CEOs got to sit right behind Trumps family in front of Trumps cabinet nominees. Canada-based Asian grocery chain to open first CA location in San Jose From left, Priscilla Chan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk attend the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP) Guests including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool) Tech and political experts tell me this may foreshadow their potential hand in his administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you like Game of Thrones, what you saw was the bending of the knee to Donald Trump, said political analyst Michael Yaki. Front and center at the inauguration of President Trump were tech moguls from Silicon Valley. You have the 10 richest people on the planet sitting in one place, San Jose State engineering professor Ahmed Banafa said. In the second row next to SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk were Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Amazon Executive Chair Jeff Bezos and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Each of these tech billionaires donated $1 million to the Trump inaugural fund as they aim to win favor over Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political analyst Michael Yaki says this is unprecedented. Yaki has attended several inaugurations and says he was surprised. Seeing the tech execs up there with the cabinet and ex-presidents, Yaki said. Thats never been done before, never been seen before, and Im sure it was not unnoticed by everyone in the room. Banafa says this group of big tech billionaires would have been unlikely in Trumps previous term. The relationship was actually not good, Banafa said. There was a lot of back and forth, Silicon Valley stayed away from politics. Now its really in the middle. They understand that regulations are very important to keep technology rolling, especially for AI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banafa says a lot of this has to do with the influence of Musk who has become a close ally of Trump and the new chair of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Elon Musk spoke the tech language to the CEOs and they understood it, Banafa said. Thats why theres a famous picture of all of them sitting in the same row. This is all about people like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg saying dont regulate us. Just let us do our thing. Dont make us fact-check or determine if someone is a real person or not just let us make money, Yaki said. Also in attendance was the CEO of TikTok. The app came back online over the weekend after Trump extended a federal ban. He has proposed the U.S. have a 50 percent stake in the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local LGBTQ+ advocates react to Trumps wholesale attack policies on gender identity TikTok is worthless if I dont approve it, Trump said. If I do approve the deal its worth maybe a trillion dollars. A trillion! If I do a deal for the United States I think we should get half. Banafa says American users generate a majority of the apps profits, but it all comes down to TikToks Chinese parent company ByteDance and the Chinese government. Because the Chinese government has rules that you cannot sell algorithms like TikTok without their permission. ByteDance did the same thing: they dont want to sell it. Ill give you some numbers here, Banafa said. In 2024, TikTok made a total of $18 billion and 11 from the U.S. alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CEO of Open A.I. Sam Altman was also spotted at the inauguration. Banafa tells KRON4 companies like that will be working to ensure Trump doesnt push any harsh regulations on them. Copyright 2025 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. BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Bentonville Public Schools students in the Ignite Professional Studies Programs aviation branch are getting an exciting opportunity. The 40-student, two-year program is building an RV-12 airplane that will be inspected and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. The skills used in this program are designed to help steer the students in the right direction to set them up for an aviation career. One of the biggest things for us is to be preparing students for what is next for them, Jessica Imel, the director of Ignite Professional Studies, said. If we can pull projects into our classroom that allow students to basically fast forward into a future career, develop some professional skillsets along the way, start to meet some people in that industry, that helps them make that more-informed decision after they leave high school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bentonville museum nominated for USA Today award For half of the students school day, theyll drive from Bentonville High School to Thaden Field for the aviation class. The students learn aircraft manufacturing skills, how to plan flights while accounting for weather and how to use a flight simulator. Im very much a visual person, so its hard to sit in a classroom and just listen for lectures for me, Will Bollinger, a senior at Bentonville High School and a member of the aviation program, said. Thats why I like coming here for half my school days. I get to stand up. I dont have to sit for two hours. I get to walk around and work on an airplane. Will Gunselman is the instructor for the Ignite Aviation program. He said the students get independence and freedom to figure things out on their own, saying hes more like a peer than an instructor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tango Flight is partnering with the school system to provide the curriculum and the kit to build the plane. The students receive the parts, open the manual and begin building, Gunselman said. He said the workload is distributed evenly between himself and the students. Every single day I leave just so proud of every person in this strand, Gunselman, whos been with the program for a year and a half, said. The A-ha moments are really what can make you emotional sometimes is when they hear a guest speaker and they say, Thats what I want to do.' The Bentonville City Council approved an ordinance to lease a building at Bentonville Municipal Airport Thaden Field to the school system to use for the aviation programs studies. The school system will pay a total of $96,726 over the next 10 years to use the building. After successfully building the plane and having it approved for air travel by the FAA, the school system intends to sell it and use the revenue from the sale to buy more parts for the next batch of program students to build the next RV-12 plane, Imel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ignite Professional Studies Program has been around for 10 years, adding the aviation strand three years ago. Students go through an application and interview process to be accepted into the Ignite program. Aviation is one of 10 domains students can enroll in, joining construction management, culinary arts, digital media, education innovation, engineering-industrial design, global business, health sciences, law-public policy and technology. Im going to remember this program for the rest of my life, Bollinger, who hopes to attend the Air Force Academy after high school, said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. BERKELEY, Mo. Voices were lifted Monday at Berkeley City Hall for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Day of Service in celebration of the civil rights leaders life and enduring legacy. We have to keep his legacy and message moving forward into the next generation and the next future, Berkeley Chief of Police Art Jackson said. Things like todays program is just a testament to him and what he meant to the people of the United States. Berkeley Councilman Theodore Hoskins, Ward 3, served as emcee for the gathering inside Berkeley City Hall in front of a responsive, packed crowd that overflowed into the hallways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News King was responsible for the voting rights act, Hoskins said. The Voting Rights Act increased participation and allowed a number of residents to voice their opinions of the candidates of their choice and that was significant. Through steps and songs, the celebration served as a day to honor the slain civil rights leader, the group working to continue his important efforts in the civil rights movement. Important for me, because King was the leader of my youth, Hoskins said. He motivated us to give attention to the things in our community to succeed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. https://www.tipranks.com/news/the-fly/knightscope-reports-four-asr-subscription-agreement-renewals-seven-deployments Jefferies analyst Omar Nokta downgraded AP Moller Maersk (AMKBY) to Hold from Buy with a price target of DKK 11,500, down from DKK 15,000. The firm says that while Maersk remains its favored name in the shipping sector, it sees the shares remaining range-bound due to the uncertainty ahead. The Israel-Hamas ceasefire suggests safe passage through the Red Sea is on the horizon, though plenty of uncertainty remains on Houthi intentions, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Invest with Confidence: Follow TipRanks' Top Wall Street Analysts to uncover their success rate and average return. Join thousands of data-driven investors Build your Smart Portfolio for personalized insights. Published first on TheFly the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See the top stocks recommended by analysts >> Read More on AMKBY: The Bible that Vice President JD Vance used in his sworn in ceremony on Monday belonged to his great-grandmother, who once lived in Kentucky. Vance was sworn in as the 50th vice president of the United States alongside President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. The ceremony was more intimate than initially planned: Trump moved inauguration festivities indoors because of cold weather in Monday's forecast. Here's what you need to know about the Bible used by Vance: Bible used by JD Vance sworn has ties to his family Jan 20, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Vice President JD Vance takes the oath of office with his hand on a Bible that once belonged to his great-grandmother and held by his wife Usha Vance during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Vance and President Donald Trump took the oath of office during a ceremony inside the U.S. Capitol due to the danger of extreme cold weather. Mandatory Credit: Chip Somodevilla-Pool via Imagn Images The Bible is deeply rooted in Vances family. His grandmother Bonnie Vance known to him as Mamaw gave it to him when he left home in 2003 for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in South Carolina. According to Politico, his "Mamaw" and Jim Vance, his "Papaw," moved from Jackson, Kentucky, to Middletown, Ohio, in the 1940s. Advertisement Advertisement The Bible is a King James version published by Thomas Nelson and Sons. The new vice president didnt have a straightforward faith journey. Vance was baptized as Catholic in 2019 at a Cincinnati-area church. Before that, he occupied the uncomfortable territory between curiosity about Catholicism and mistrust, he wrote in a 2020 column for The Lamp. He recalled arguing about religion with his Mamaw and considered himself an atheist for years. As he neared his decision to convert, he wrestled with whether the Catholic Church was a safe place for his children amid the clergy sex abuse crisis. In the end, Vance said Second Lady Usha Vance, who is Hindu, told him converting would be good for him. Advertisement Advertisement I realized that there was a part of me the best part that took its cues from Catholicism, Vance wrote. It was the part of me that demanded that I treat my son with patience, and made me feel terrible when I failed. That demanded that I moderate my temper with everyone, but especially my family. That demanded that I care more about how I rated as a husband and father than as an income earner. That demanded that I sacrifice professional prestige for the interests of family. Is Vice President JD Vance from Middletown, Ohio? JD Vance's political website at vance.senate.gov states he was born and raised in Middletown, Ohio. Was JD Vance born in the Breathitt County, Ky., county seat of Jackson? In his best-selling 2016 memoir, Vance mentioned growing up in Jackson, Kentucky and Middletown, Ohio. He described a childhood consumed by both poverty and abuse. Vance's mother struggled with drug addiction, so he spent many of his formative years with his grandmother known to him as Mamaw. Advertisement Advertisement Vance's grandparents left Kentucky for Ohio motivated by economic opportunity and a pregnancy scandal, Vance writes in his book and briefly lived in Dayton before setting in Middletown. He spent much of his childhood in Middletown, but also lived in Preble County and other parts of Ohio. Vance's grandparents lived in Jackson before moving to Ohio, and Vance spent his summers visiting his extended family there. What is JD Vance's 'Hillbilly Elegy'? "Hillbilly Elegy" is a book written by Ohio Senator JD Vance in 2016. There were mixed responses to the book and his memoirs were turned into a movie. How to watch 'Hillbilly Elegy' movie "Hillbilly Elegy" was made into a movie by Netflix, and is only available through the streaming platform. The service offers three subscription options: Advertisement Advertisement Standard with ads: $6.99 per month Standard without ads: $15.49 per month Premium without ads: $22.99 per month. Was JD Vance a marine in the US military? Yes, JD Vance joined the Marines Corp in 2003 after high school and served in Iraq as a public affairs Marine, according to USA Today. In fact, he would be the first veteran to be on a major party ticket since John McCain in 2008 and first post-9/11 veteran to ever do so. He'd also be the youngest vice president since the Civil War. Who is JD Vance's wife? JD Vance's wife is Usha Vance a litigator for a law firm based in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The couple met at Yale Law School and married one year after graduating in 2014. Does JD Vance's family include children? Yes, JD Vance has three young children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel. Who are JD Vance's parents? Who is his mom? JD Vance's parents are Beverly Vance and Donald Bowman, according to his memoir. They are from Jackson, Kentucky, a city of around 2,100 people in the Appalachian region. Vance's mother struggled with drug addiction, so he spent many of his formative years with his grandmother known to him as Mamaw. Advertisement Advertisement His mom is 10 years sober, according to Vance. What is JD Vance's religion? JD Vance was baptized into the Catholic Church about 5 years ago, according to USA Today. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: JD Vance's Bible has ties to family who lived in Kentucky A prayer for Leonard Peltier is sung to a drumbeat on June 20, 2024, outside the federal courthouse in Fargo, North Dakota. Demonstrators were calling for the release of Peltier, who was convicted at a trial in Fargo for the deaths of FBI agents in South Dakota in 1975. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor) Former President Joe Biden on Monday commuted the sentence of Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist who was serving life in prison after being convicted of killing two FBI agents 50 years ago on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Peltier, 80, is a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidens order as he leaves office is to take effect Feb. 18. A statement from Biden said Peltier should serve the remainder of his life sentence at home. NDN Collective, an Indigenous rights organization in Rapid City, issued a news release Monday celebrating Peltiers commutation. The release included a quote attributed to Peltier: Its finally over Im going home. I want to show the world Im a good person with a good heart. I want to help the people, just like my grandmother taught me. Peltiers sister, Betty Ann Peltier, welcomed the news. I am going to cook him the biggest meal I can, she said. Fry bread and foods he hasnt eaten for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her brother is suffering from the effects of diabetes, has heart trouble and uses a walker. There has been a home waiting for him on the Turtle Mountain Reservation, she said, but she hopes he will stay with her in Fargo, North Dakota. She had yet to communicate with her brother as of Monday morning. According to the FBI, in 1975, agents Ron Williams and Jack Coler were attempting to arrest a robbery suspect on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The agents pursued a vehicle, with Peltier among the people inside. A fatal shootout ensued, with the two agents and Joseph Stuntz, a member of the American Indian Movement, killed. Peltier has maintained that he is innocent. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said in a statement his office strongly opposes any change to Peltiers sentence, calling the deaths of the agents cold-blooded murders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That conviction has been reviewed and upheld by no fewer than 22 federal judges since then, Jackley said Monday. Tracey Wilkie of Fargo grew up on the Turtle Mountain Reservation and said she was raised hearing the story of Leonard Peltier. She called herself a lifetime supporter and organizer for his freedom. She helped lead a rally for Peltier last year when he was up for parole, which was denied. The rally was on the steps of the federal courthouse in Fargo where Peltier was convicted. So many people have been working behind the scenes, Wilkie said. Its going to give a lot of people hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peltier has been serving two consecutive life terms in prison, most recently in Florida. According to Bidens statement, tribal nations, Nobel Peace laureates, former law enforcement officials including the former U.S. attorney whose office oversaw Peltiers prosecution and appeal and human rights organizations support granting Peltier clemency. They cite Peltiers advanced age, illnesses, his close ties to and leadership in the Native American community, and the substantial length of time he has already spent in prison. A statement from the White House indicates that Bidens action does not pardon Peltier from his crimes, but will allow him to spend his remaining days at home. North Dakota state Rep. Jayme Davis, D-Rolette, a Turtle Mountain citizen, is among Peltiers supporters. She said her father attended school in Belcourt with Peltier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its fabulous, Davis said from the North Dakota legislative session in Bismarck after hearing the news. I was in committee when I heard the news and almost screamed out loud. Nick Tilsen, founder and CEO of NDN Collective, credited 50 years of intergenerational resistance, organizing and advocacy for winning the commutation. Leonard Peltiers liberation is our liberation we will honor him by bringing him back to his homelands to live out the rest of his days surrounded by loved ones, healing, and reconnecting with his land and culture, Tilsen said. North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer and South Dakota Searchlight staff contributed to this report. North Dakota Monitor is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: info@northdakotamonitor.com A prayer for Leonard Peltier is sung to a drumbeat on June 20, 2024, outside the federal courthouse in Fargo, North Dakota. Demonstrators were calling for the release of Peltier, who was convicted at a trial in Fargo for the deaths of FBI agents in South Dakota in 1975. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor) President Joe Biden, as one of his last acts on Monday, commuted the sentence of Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist who was serving life in prison after being convicted of killing two FBI agents 50 years ago on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Peltier, 80, is a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidens order was to take effect Feb. 18. A statement from Biden said Peltier should serve the remainder of his life sentence at home. NDN Collective, an Indigenous rights organization in Rapid City, issued a news release Monday celebrating Peltiers commutation. The release included a quote attributed to Peltier: Its finally over Im going home. I want to show the world Im a good person with a good heart. I want to help the people, just like my grandmother taught me. Peltiers sister, Betty Ann Peltier, welcomed the news. I am going to cook him the biggest meal I can, she said. Fry bread and foods he hasnt eaten for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her brother is suffering from the effects of diabetes, has heart trouble and uses a walker. There has been a home waiting for him on the Turtle Mountain Reservation, she said, but she hopes he will stay with her in Fargo, North Dakota. She had yet to communicate with her brother as of Monday morning. According to the FBI, in 1975, agents Ron Williams and Jack Coler were attempting to arrest a robbery suspect on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The agents pursued a vehicle, with Peltier among the people inside. A fatal shootout ensued, with the two agents and Joseph Stuntz, a member of the American Indian Movement, killed. Peltier has maintained that he is innocent. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said in a statement his office strongly opposes any change to Peltiers sentence, calling the deaths of the agents cold-blooded murders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That conviction has been reviewed and upheld by no fewer than 22 federal judges since then, Jackley said Monday. Tracey Wilkie of Fargo grew up on the Turtle Mountain Reservation and said she was raised hearing the story of Leonard Peltier. She called herself a lifetime supporter and organizer for his freedom. She helped lead a rally for Peltier last year when he was up for parole, which was denied. The rally was on the steps of the federal courthouse in Fargo where Peltier was convicted. So many people have been working behind the scenes, Wilkie said. Its going to give a lot of people hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peltier has been serving two consecutive life terms in prison, most recently in Florida. According to Bidens statement, tribal nations, Nobel Peace laureates, former law enforcement officials including the former U.S. attorney whose office oversaw Peltiers prosecution and appeal and human rights organizations support granting Peltier clemency. They cite Peltiers advanced age, illnesses, his close ties to and leadership in the Native American community, and the substantial length of time he has already spent in prison. A statement from the White House indicates that Bidens action does not pardon Peltier from his crimes, but will allow him to spend his remaining days at home. North Dakota state Rep. Jayme Davis, D-Rolette, a Turtle Mountain citizen, is among Peltiers supporters. She said her father attended school in Belcourt with Peltier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its fabulous, Davis said from the North Dakota legislative session in Bismarck after hearing the news. I was in committee when I heard the news and almost screamed out loud. Nick Tilsen, founder and CEO of NDN Collective, credited 50 years of intergenerational resistance, organizing and advocacy for winning the commutation. Leonard Peltiers liberation is our liberation we will honor him by bringing him back to his homelands to live out the rest of his days surrounded by loved ones, healing, and reconnecting with his land and culture, Tilsen said. EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated with reaction since its original publication. North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer and South Dakota Searchlight staff contributed to this report. The North Dakota Monitor, South Dakota Searchlight and the Nebraska Examiner are part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and donors as a 501c(3) public charity. The North Dakota Monitor and South Dakota Searchlight maintain editorial independence. Contact Monitor Editor Amy Dalrymple or Searchlight Editor Seth Tupper for questions at info@northdakotamonitor.com or info@southdakotasearchlight.com. Jan. 20In the final weeks of Joe Biden's presidency, a push to declare the Caja del Rio a national monument swelled. Dozens of faith, spiritual and tribal leaders in the state urged designation, joining local officials, members of New Mexico's congressional delegation and the All Pueblo Council of Governors. But come Inauguration Day, those calls went unheard. The 107,000 acres of mostly federal land west of Santa Fe did not receive additional protections by the end of Biden's term at noon Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the lack of action, community advocates aren't done pushing for protections. "We don't know what's going to happen," said Jim James, an attorney for the Pueblo of Tesuque. "Everybody has an idea that this administration is going to look at public lands a little bit differently than the last one did, and especially the expansion or designation of public lands as national monuments." Regardless, James said, there's momentum he thinks should be put to use during a new administration. Tesuque Pueblo will reach out to the new secretary of the Interior Department, continue working with the state's congressional delegation and work to bolster public support, he added. Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum was tapped by President Donald Trump to lead the Interior Department, a role previously held by New Mexico native and Laguna Pueblo member Deb Haaland. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a confirmation hearing for Burgum last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a very unique and special landscape that needs protection, better protection than it has right now," James said of the Caja. "And so I think that the story doesn't change much. The audience is changing a little bit. ... We've got to wait a little bit and see who the players are going to be." Push for monument status Pleas for protection of the Caja del Rio intensified after the federal government proposed an additional power transmission line for Los Alamos National Laboratory, part of which would cut through the beloved lands. Still, other problems threatening the area defacement of petroglyphs, illegal shooting and littering existed long before the power line project was pitched. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National monument designation can "elevate" the area's profile and allow for more resources and funding to clear litter and prevent illegal shooting and dumping, James said. Monument status also could eventually increase visitation, he added, so work would have to be done to clean up the area and make sure it stays clean. National monument designation doesn't have to be "one size fits all." James noted there could be provisions limiting access, for instance. Meanwhile, the push against the power line will continue, said Joni Arends, executive director of Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her organization will develop fact sheets about the project, known as the Electrical Power Capacity Upgrade, ahead of hearings that begin next month for the National Nuclear Security Administration's environmental impact statement for continued operations at LANL. The environmental review addresses energy needs at LANL and the potential impact of power line construction. "We'll probably do some trainings ... to educate people about about how to participate in an effective way, and then prepare for the public hearings," Arends said. 'Missed opportunity' There was some interest from the Obama administration in declaring the area a national monument, said Rev. Andrew Black, the public lands field director for the National Wildlife Federation and founder of Earth Keepers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the 10 years Black has been involved in efforts to protect the Caja del Rio across three presidential administrations the timing has never been quite right. Black, a member of the Caja del Rio Coalition, said in 2015 there was overwhelming support to protect the area but also disagreement about what those protections should look like. More recently, he's seen greater consensus making it a "missed opportunity" for the Biden administration. "We've got traditional tribal leaders sitting down next to land grant heirs and traditional land users and sportsmen and faith leaders and conservationists all coming together across different cultural, historical, partisan lines to really find common ground on this landscape," Black said. He added, "That's really the biggest missed opportunity, is that it's not just about the land and the water and the wildlife, but it's about what the Caja has always done, which has found different and unique ways to bring cultures and histories and peoples together." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Nature gap' Former Santa Fe city councilor Carmichael Dominguez became interested in efforts to protect the Caja del Rio while representing the city's south side. He's long been interested in green space and equity and sees the Caja as part of the conversation. That piece of land is at risk, though, from illegal shooting and dumping, Dominguez said. He called it "heartbreaking" to see the continuous buildup of trash. Over the past four years, volunteers have removed 32,000 pounds of illegally dumped trash from the area. "Six months after you did one cleanup, it was just as bad or worse than the last time," Dominguez said. "That kind of stuff gets pretty frustrating." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local actions, like enforcement of illegal shooting ordinances and efforts to decrease dumping, could be helpful alongside federal protections, Dominguez said. "The south side basically represents what the nature gap really is in our country," Dominguez said. "Without having open lands like that, public lands available to folks who are young and [at a] level of poverty, then it just makes their quality of life even harder." When President Biden walked through the Capitol on Monday with mere minutes left in his presidency, a reporter asked how he was feeling. Well, he replied as he made his way through the corridors together with his predecessor and successor, Donald Trump, the man he has repeatedly said is a danger to democracy. Aides and longtime allies said the soon-to-be former presidents face and demeanor told a much different story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes clearly the opposite of well, said one longtime aide who reluctantly watched Mondays inauguration, like a mandatory trip to the dentist. Anyone who has worked with President Biden knows that this was a painful moment for him, the aide said. But he did it because he loves this country. The aide and others interviewed for this story explained that the day was tough to stomach on a few different levels. For starters, the last thing Biden wanted was to see Trump return to the White House, even as he offered a welcome home greeting to his rival when he entered the residence on Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, one of his last actions as president was to proactively pardon five members of his family, including his siblings. The pardon highlighted the immense suspicion Biden harbors against Trump. And he said he sought to prevent the baseless and politically motivated investigations against his relatives. He knows what this man is capable of doing, the aide said. Its not lost on him. Biden also issued a pardon for members of the House panel that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, another statement of sorts by an exiting president about his successor. Still, Monday was also particularly agonizing for Biden because he wholeheartedly believes he could have defeated Trump again, as he has told allies privately and journalists publicly in recent days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And he hasnt been able to entirely shake the feeling that he was betrayed by leaders in his party, including Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), whom he had considered an old friend. He believes that if not for the party acting the way they did, he would be in his second term, another ally said. He hasnt gotten over that entirely, and Im sure hes thought about it today. We will hear about this moment in the memoir of his post presidency, the ally said. In an interview with The Washington Post last week, former first lady Jill Biden also acknowledged her regret about the way the situation turned out for her husband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets just say I was disappointed with how it unfolded, she said in an interview. I learned a lot about human nature. Allies say Biden was faced with those same emotions in the final weeks of his presidency. It isnt just that its the end of his life of public service, the first ally said. It was an abrupt ending and one they wouldnt have seen coming a year ago. On Sunday, the day before he left office, Biden spent the day in South Carolina along with Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), who helped him win the state during the 2020 primary that would ultimately catapult him to the presidency. Im not going anywhere, he told a congregation at a local Baptist church in the state as they applauded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steve Schale, a longtime ally who ran a pro-Biden superPAC, predicted that the entry to private life for Biden who has served the country for more than 50 years, beginning as the youngest senator to serve would be tough. Its hard on everyone, even those who are grounded, Schale said. Coming to D.C. as Americas youngest senator and leaving as its oldest president is one heck of a run. Hes human like all of us and I suspect hes spending a lot of time just thinking about that arc. At the same time, Schale said, Hes such a big believer in fate that I suspect while reflective, hes also seeing it in that way. Copyright 2025 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. WASHINGTON, D.C. (WWLP)Just hours before now-President Donald Trump was sworn into office, outgoing President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons for several government officials who could be considered Trumps enemies. Throughout Trumps third presidential campaign, he promised retribution for those involved in investigating the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol. This riot, which Trump encouraged after losing the 2020 presidential election, resulted in several deaths, both of rioters and first responders. Trumps Inaugurations: 2017 v. 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The members of the committee in charge of investigating Trumps culpability are included in Bidens blanket pardon, including Liz Cheney, who Trump has said should be sent to jail. Capitol police officers and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the committee were pardoned as well. Retired General Mark Milley was preemptively pardoned. The United States withdrew from Afghanistan under his leadership as chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2021. After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our Nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights, said Milley in a statement. Biden also pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led the countrys Covid-19 response, which Trump has heavily criticized. Fauci told reporters that he has not committed any crimes, but this pardon serves as peace of mind for his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political opinion on Bidens blanket pardons is mixed. One member of the January 6th committee, Senator Adam Schiff, says this move sets a dangerous precedent. Biden says despite longevity concerns, this move comes out of unique circumstances and necessity, and he could not in good conscience do nothing. Trump told NBC News in a text that Bidens pardons are disgraceful and that many of the individuals who received pardons have committed MAJOR CRIMES. These pardons come just over a month after Bidens controversial pardon of his son, Hunter, who faced drug and firearm charges. Biden also preemptively pardoned several members of his family in his last minutes in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Just minutes before leaving office, Joe Biden announced a set of sweeping preemptive pardons to members of his family, including his two brothers and his sister, after some on the right suggested the Biden family should face prosecution. The announcement came as Biden attended the inauguration ceremony for Donald Trump, who was sworn in as the 47th president on Monday. My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me the worst kind of partisan politics, Biden said in a statement. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pardons quickly drew claims of hypocrisy from Republicans. Alex Pfeiffer, a Trump team spokesman, noted on X that Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer warned Trump against pardoning his children in 2020 before leaving office. At the time, Schumer likened preemptive pardons to an abuse of power. Biden already pardoned his son, Hunter, of federal gun and tax charges after he and his White House repeatedly said he would not take such an action. That move did not sit well with many Democrats. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., recently told USA Today that Bidens pardon of Hunter was a very ill-considered decision. On Monday, Biden also pardoned Schiff, who has been targeted by Trump and his allies after serving on the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol. I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage their reputations and finances, Biden continued in his statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidens pardons for five family members were among a slew of preemptive pardons he issued as he left office Monday, including for Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, other members and staff of the committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack, and Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before it. Then-Vice President Joe Biden and his sister, Valerie Biden Owens, walk off Air Force Two in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 2012. That is why I am exercising my power under the Constitution to pardon James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden, Biden said in a statement. The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that they engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com WASHINGTON (AP) Joe Biden on Monday wrapped up a more than 50-year political career, but promised that we're not leaving the fight, as he bid farewell to the presidency and flew to California to unwind with his family and ease back into private life. Biden spoke not long after watching his successor, Republican President Donald Trump, pledge during his inaugural address to "completely and totally reverse everything that his Democratic predecessor did. In the final hours before the noontime transfer of executive power, Biden extended courtesies to the man he had turned out of the Oval Office four years ago. Trump denied losing the 2020 election and refused to offer similar niceties to Biden upon his inauguration in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bitter cold day opened with Biden and his wife, Jill, receiving Trump, and his wife, Melania, for a traditional Inauguration Day meet-and-greet over tea at the White House. Welcome home, Biden told Trump. Afterward, the rivals who share a history of political animosity rode in a limousine to the Capitol where Trump was sworn in as the 47th president. Our recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal," Trump said about the work of the Biden administration. Biden sat expressionless in the front row. As Trump gave his address, the residence staff at the White House got to work clearing out the remainder of Biden's belongings so they could move Trump and his family back in. The work of turning over the White House includes redecorating the Oval Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walls in the press offices that were bare in the morning after most of the staff had ended their government service were decorated by midafternoon with fresh photographs of Trump. After Trump's address, the new president and his wife walked the Bidens outside to a Marine helicopter that had been waiting on the Capitol grounds to fly them to Joint Base Andrews for a farewell event with his staff. We couldn't have done anything we did without you," Biden told them. No president gets to choose the moment they enter history, but they get to choose the team they enter history with and we chose the best damn team in the world." Even though they may feel knocked down by the turn of events, he said what was important was how quickly they get back up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We're leaving office. We're not leaving the fight, Biden said, urging them to stay engaged. And he appeared to joke about Trump's speech, chuckling as he said, we heard the inaugural address today. We got a lot more to do. Biden then made the sign of the cross and everyone laughed. He and the first lady then walked across the tarmac to the familiar blue-and-white Air Force plane he flew on as president for the flight to Santa Ynez, California. Joe Biden left some of Donald Trumps biggest enemies off of his pardon list. The new president often talks about getting revenge on his foesand has called for many to be arrested after they have crossed him. Left out of Bidens saving grace include Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and the judges who handled Trumps civil and criminal cases. But one of the most notable adversaries who didnt get a preemptive pardon may be former special counsel Jack Smith, who pushed a Department of Justice investigation against Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smiths report, which was partially released this month after the presidents legal team tried to block it, would have convicted Trump if he did not win re-election. The prosecutor resigned after he submitted the case against Trump, although the president has said he wouldve fired him regardless. Trump has attacked Smith for years, calling him mentally deranged, saying he should be kicked out of the country, and sharing posts calling for his prosecution. The new president has also called Justice Juan Merchan, who handled his hush money case, corrupt, and said Justice Arthur Engoron, a New York state judge who presided over a civil business fraud case against him, should be arrested. In the final day of his presidency, Biden gave sweeping pardons to certain public figures he believed Trump would go after, including Anthony Fauci, Mark Milley, and the Houses Jan. 6 investigation committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his presidencys final minutes, Biden also pardoned his own family: Hunter Biden, James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden. These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing, Biden said. Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. Although none of the people left off the pardon list have asked publicly for a pardon, they have proved to be some of Trumps biggest adversaries. Only time will tell if he plans to seek retribution. Property & casualty (P&C) insurer AXA XL has partnered with London GreenCity, a UK-based accelerator for climate tech entrepreneurs, to provide insurance and risk management expertise. The London GreenCity accelerator focuses on a range of climate technologies addressing the causes and impact of climate change in sectors such as renewable energy, battery storage, transportation, agriculture and the built environment. The accelerator's London campus provides a space for early-stage climate tech ventures to flourish, offering essential facilities and tools for product development. The collaboration aims to enhance the development of technologies that combat climate change and its effects. The partnership also grants London GreenCity members access to machinery and resources through a memorandum of understanding with UK universities. AXAL XL UK & Lloyds CEO Sean McGovern said: Insurance is an enabler of the energy transition, and we are delighted through our partnership with London GreenCity to be able to provide our risk management expertise and to support the unlocking of finance to power the growth of these exciting early-stage climate tech businesses. London GreenCity general partner and co-founder Laith Anezi added: AXA XLs belief in our mission to be the largest, development-stage climate tech accelerator in the UK is not just a testament to its leadership in sustainability, it is a powerful step towards driving the global clean energy transition. Together, we can make a difference that will resonate for generations to come. London GreenCity has a network of investor contacts and potential financing parties, to include relationships with family offices, sovereign wealth funds, government agencies, venture capital funds, banks and other financial institutions. AXA XL is the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA and offers a range of insurance and risk management products and services. "AXA XL collaborates with UKs first climate tech accelerator " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. President Joe Biden has officially passed the reigns to President Donald Trump and he leaves office with a tarnished legacy, according to a recent poll. In Bidens final months, he commuted thousands of sentences and issued dozens of pardons, most notably for his son, Hunter Biden, who faced jail time for gun and tax charges, a move that was slammed by critics on both sides of the political aisle. With Trump now moving into the White House for his second term in office, two in three Americans believe that Biden will be viewed as a failure, according to a Prolific poll exclusively for The Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poll of 1,938 U.S. adults, taken one week before the inauguration, found that 67 percent of respondents think that history will look back on Biden as a failure. Just 33 percent believe that Biden will be seen as a success. Even among Democrats, only a small majority (58 percent) believe that Bidens presidency will be seen as a success, while 42 percent think the opposite. The data related to the American publics view of Bidens presidency paints a fairly clear view of both the polarization that defines American politics today, and also the changing public perception of Joe Biden, said Andrew Gordon, researcher at Prolific. US Vice President JD Vance, US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Barron Trump attend the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington, D.C. (AFP via Getty Images) Even among Democrat voters, some perceive Bidens presidency as a failure, potentially highlighting his failure to secure the Democrats in the White House for the next four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unsurprisingly, nine in 10 Republicans think that Bidens presidency will go down in history as a failure, while eight in ten independent voters also think the same. African Americans were the most likely to view Biden as a success (54 percent), followed by young people under 24 years old (39 percent). This division might not be just about Biden as a president its likely a reflection of broader trends in American politics, where party affiliation increasingly determines how voters perceive leadership and policies, added Gordon. Biden to Trump: fear and hope Overall, Bidens net favorability has tanked since the election, sitting at a low of -19 percent. His public perception has been negative on average since September 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the entirety of Bidens presidency, Trumps public perception was also consistently unfavorable. But Trump overtook Bidens popularity in November 2023, and his favorability has soared since being elected in November 2024. Looking forward to the next four years, slightly more Americans are fearful on average (46 percent) than hopeful (41 percent) about Trump coming back into office. Already on his first day back in office, Trump is planning to usher in over 200 executive orders covering everything from immigration to trans rights. The vast majority of Republicans are hopeful about Trumps second term, while most Democrats are fearful of the next four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Independent voters have more complex feelings. Though the majority (79 percent) believe Biden will go down as a failure, these non-partisan voters are more likely to be afraid (42 percent) rather than hopeful (28 percent) of how Trumps second term will play out. In addition, minorities are more concerned than average over Trumps return to the White House. Hispanic Americans are the most fearful (61 percent), followed by Asians (53 percent) and African Americans (46 percent). Former US President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris listen as President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) At Mondays inauguration, President Trump gave a nod to minority voting groups, whom he credited with breaking records in support, saying: To the Black and Hispanic communities, thank you for the trust and love you gave to me, adding, I will not forget it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump also used the inaugural address to double down on a wide range of anti-immigration executive orders, declaring a national emergency at the Southern border, reinforcing his Remain in Mexico policy, and pledging to return millions of illegal migrants. These front-and-center policies are likely to be augmenting concern among ethnic minority groups, explains Prolific researcher Andrew Gordon. Hispanic and Asian Americans in particular express significantly higher levels of fear about Trumps presidency, likely reflecting concerns over policies and rhetoric perceived as exclusionary or harmful such as Trumps pledge to deport immigrants and close the border, Gordon told The Independent. This is a fairly stark illustration of how race and ethnicity shape perceptions of leadership. The polarisation across both partisan and ethnic lines suggests that Trump may have considerable difficulty in fostering any sense of unity in a deeply divided nation. Donald Trumps second inaugural address decried the vicious, violent, and unfair weaponisation of the Justice Department. Now that hes back in the White House, Trump is gearing up to issue a lot of pardons. That immediately included some 1,500 pardons of January 6 defendants. Democrats will howl. And they will have a point. But Joe Biden has cut their legs out from under them. And they havent yet done enough to get clear of responsibility for their role in enabling Bidens sins. They defended him at every turn for four years. They knew the Frankensteins monster they were creating. It requires more than amnesia to absolve that. A complete amnesty from Trump for the vast majority of the January 6 convicts and criminal defendants is a terrible idea. An attack on the state like January 6 required exemplary punishments in order to deter a repetition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres surely a case that the massive federal dragnet after the Capitol riot went too far, as was predictable from the outset. But you dont get a riot without rioters. Many of the people who got stiff jail sentences assaulted police officers. Quite a few of those were men with their own military or law enforcement training. They knew what they were doing. But Bidens sweeping, pre-emptive pardons for his family and his political allies have fatally compromised Democrats moral standing to make that argument. That is, this compromised them if they werent already compromised when they went easy on the George Floyd rioters and raised money to bail them out of jail (as Kamala Harris did), or when Bill Clinton and Barack Obama pardoned Left-wing terrorists and made them friends and mentors. On his own way out the door, Biden released from prison Leonard Peltier, a radical Native American activist who murdered two FBI agents in 1975. Biden handed out blanket pardons to people on his political side without even specifying what crimes he was supposedly forgiving. That included Dr Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and the membership and staff of the House January 6 Committee. Then, he topped that by pardoning five members of his own family (including his three siblings). Like the pardon of his son Hunter, the pardons of the Biden Five reach back to the start of 2014 and extend to every non-violent federal crime under the sun. The whole point appears to be to pardon corruption at the highest levels of government, of the highest levels of government. Pardons in advance also thwart investigators from even documenting what happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These pardons shatter previous norms and stink to high heaven. They would never have happened if Democrats hadnt spent years building a fortress of impunity around Biden and his family. That included hectoring people to quell their consciences about Biden on the theory that Our Democracy was at stake if he didnt beat Trump. The culture of denials and coverups around Biden extended to his age-related decline. It also extended to concealing the origins of Covid and the role of Dr Fauci and others in financing risky coronavirus research in China. At some point, hiding the truth and resisting accountability goes from being a strategy to being a habit. If Democrats in Congress want to make a clean break, regain their moral bearings, and get credibility with the public in criticising Trump for abusing the pardon power, they should drop their defences of Biden and support a full and unblinking congressional investigation of the recipients of Bidens pardons that is likely to make everyone in his circle politically radioactive for life. They also need to admit how far their party has gone to excuse political violence and conceal government malfeasance. Until then, they should not be surprised if their crocodile tears are met with scorn. Dan McLaughlin is a senior writer for National Review Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. In the last 24 hours of his presidency, Joe Biden issued presidential pardons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley and members of the congressional committee established to investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Just minutes before Biden's successor, Donald Trump, entered the Capitol rotunda for his swearing-in ceremony, the White House announced Biden would also pardon several family members. These pardons were all preemptive, meaning nobody who received a pardon had been accused of committing a crime. After the pardons were announced, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky both Republicans posted to X claiming that issuing pardons to Fauci, Milley and others implied they were guilty of a crime, as did other right-leaning accounts on the platform. Biden pardons for Mark Milley, Anthony Fauci, the members of the Jan. 6 committee and the cops who testified before the committee because they are GUILTY OF CRIMES. Never forget what the Democrats have done. The mask is completely OFF. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) January 20, 2025 However, Biden saw this argument coming and provided a defense via a statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country. Trump previously expressed the desire to prosecute members of the Jan. 6 Committee, who he alleged committed "treason." He also suggested Milley could be executed for calling a Chinese general to warn against taking advantage of the chaos on Jan. 6, 2021. While Trump hasn't called for Fauci's prosecution directly, his allies have. In his statement, Biden said he was issuing the pardons because he felt that group of people might unjustly face prosecution under the incoming Trump administration. Biden was not the first president to issue a preemptive pardon according to the White House Historical Association, Abraham Lincoln issued preemptive pardons for Confederates before the end of the Civil War. Similarly, Jimmy Carter's executive order pardoning Vietnam draft dodgers applied to those officially charged with evading the draft and those who weren't charged. However, whether receiving a pardon implies guilt or not is still an open question. In 1913, a newspaper in New York published an article claiming that someone with political connections was smuggling jewels into the country, information that could have come only from the U.S. Customs Service. The Justice Department, wondering whether the paper had obtained the information via bribery, subpoenaed two editors, George Burdick and William Curtin. Both refused to reveal the information, citing their Fifth Amendment right to not self-incriminate. President Woodrow Wilson then issued them a pardon since the Fifth Amendment does not apply if someone is immune from prosecution, the men would have to reveal the sources. In response, Burdick refused the pardon and was jailed for failing to respond to the subpoena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case eventually rose all the way to the Supreme Court, which decided in 1915 that someone must accept a pardon before it takes effect. Following Burdick, any of the individuals Biden pardoned can refuse his pardon. That might come into play, especially given posts from Paul and Rep. Chip Roy calling for the pardoned to testify before Congress. The Burdick decision claims a pardon "carries an imputation of guilt; acceptance a confession of it," but it did so in commentary that was not legally binding. That was good enough for President Gerald Ford. After his controversial pardoning of his predecessor, Richard Nixon, Ford reportedly carried around a copy of the passage that he would read to people in case anyone asked him about the pardon Nixon accepted the pardon, therefore Nixon was admitting guilt, according to Ford. But, again, that text in the decision an aside. Twelve years later, the Supreme Court flipped, ruling in Biddle v. Perovich that an act of clemency could take effect without it being accepted by the person receiving it, finding that "the public welfare, not [an individual's] consent, determines what shall be done." Sources: Baker, Peter, and Michael D. Shear. "Biden in Final Hours Pardons Relatives and Others to Thwart Trump Reprisals." The New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/us/politics/biden-pardons-fauci-milley-cheney-jan-6.html. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Biddle v. Perovich, 274 U.S. 480 (1927)." Justia Law, https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/274/480/. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025. "Biden Pardons His Siblings and Their Spouses on His Way out of the White House." AP News, 20 Jan. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/biden-pardons-family-trump-white-hous-caee326c4723a4ba6d972f7daf750a0b. Breuninger, Kevin. "Biden Pardons Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Milley, Jan. 6 Committee Members." CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/20/biden-pardons-fauci-milley-j6-committee.html. ---. "Biden Pardons His Family in Final Minutes in Office." CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/20/biden-pardons-family-members.html. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Burdick v. United States, 236 U.S. 79 (1915)." Justia Law, https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/236/79/. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025. Cooper, Helene. "Wars, Pandemic, Insurrection, U.F.O.s: Gen. Mark Milley's Term Had It All." The New York Times, 27 Sept. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/27/us/politics/general-mark-milley-trump-biden.html. Elkind, Elizabeth. "GOP Lawmakers Pledge to Investigate Biden's Last-Minute Pardons: 'Call Them All before Congress.'" Fox News, 20 Jan. 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-lawmakers-pledge-investigate-bidens-last-minute-pardons-call-them-all-before-congress. "EX PARTE GARLAND." LII / Legal Information Institute, https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/71/333. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klaas, Brian. "Trump Floats the Idea of Executing Joint Chiefs Chairman Milley." The Atlantic, 25 Sept. 2023, https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/09/trump-milley-execution-incitement-violence/675435/. Raymond, Nate. "Ex-Soldier's Acceptance of Trump Pardon Didn't Constitute Confession of Guilt, Court Rules." Reuters, 23 Sept. 2021. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/ex-soldiers-acceptance-trump-pardon-didnt-constitute-confession-guilt-court-2021-09-23/. Saenz, Kevin Liptak, Arlette. "Biden Issues Preemptive Pardons for Trump Critics and Biden Family Members | CNN Politics." CNN, 20 Jan. 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/20/politics/joe-biden-preemptive-pardons/index.html. Sentner, Irie, et al. "Biden Issues Preemptive Pardons for Fauci, Milley, Jan. 6 Committee and Others." Politico, 20 Jan. 2025, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/20/biden-pardons-fauci-milley-jan-6-committee-00199244. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith, Rasheeda. "Power of the Pardon." HistoryNet, 15 Dec. 2017, https://www.historynet.com/presidential-pardon-power/. "The History of the Pardon Power." WHHA (En-US), https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-history-of-the-pardon-power. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025. "The Nixon Pardon in Constitutional Retrospect | Constitution Center." National Constitution Center Constitutioncenter.Org, https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-nixon-pardon-in-retrospect. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025. Weiland, Noah, and Maggie Haberman. "Trump Plans to Sign 'Close to 100' Executive Orders: Follow Live." The New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/20/us/trump-executive-orders. Donald Trump has ordered the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), triggering a potential funding crisis for the UN health agency. Mr Trump accused the WHO of ripping off the United States, bungling the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and being beholden to other member states, as he gave notice of Americas departure. His executive order, issued soon after he took office, is the second time in five years Mr Trump has vowed to quit the worlds main international health body, and would deprive the agency of its biggest donor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sudden removal of American money and expertise would jeopardise international health programmes, experts said. During the first Oval Office appearance of his second term, Trump signed the order laying out the 12-month withdrawal process. Ooh, the 47th president said as he was handed the order to sign. Thats a big one! World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. Its not going to happen anymore. Credit: C-Span/X The order repeats his 2020 vow to quit the body, when during his first term in office he accused the WHO of aiding Chinas efforts to mislead the world about the origins of Covid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe Biden reversed that order before the process was complete, when he became president. Mr Trumps latest order said the WHO had failed to act independently from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states and required unfairly onerous payments from the US that are disproportionate to the sums provided by countries such as China. The WHO denies being beholden to China and says it is still pressing Beijing to share data to determine whether Covid emerged from human contact with infected animals in a livestock market, or might have escaped from a research laboratory. The WHO said in a statement that it regrets Mr Trumps decision and hopes he will reconsider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said: For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO. We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe. Exit makes world far less healthy and safe Americas withdrawal requires a 12-month notice period and needs to be approved by the Republican-controlled Congress. However while signing the document, Mr Trump also appeared to open the door to negotiation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They wanted us back so badly so well see what happens, he remarked, according to the BBC. America is by far the WHOs biggest donor, contributing around 18 per cent of its overall funding. The next-largest donors are the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the global vaccine group Gavi, followed by the European Commission and the World Bank. The next-largest donor state is Germany, which contributes around three per cent of the WHOs overall funding. A US withdrawal from WHO would make the world far less healthy and safe, said Lawrence Gostin, director of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Global Health Law at Georgetown University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would make it more likely that we could see novel diseases spinning out of control, crossing borders, and potentially sparking a pandemic, he said. Dr Pete Baker, policy fellow and deputy director of global health policy at the Centre for Global Development, said: The decision by the Trump administration to withdraw from WHO is highly regrettable. It undermines global health security and risks progress on critical issues like pandemic preparedness and antimicrobial resistance. However he said US funding was highly restricted in its uses. If other member states or philanthropists step up and provide more flexible funding even if its less than the US provides this could help WHO be more agile and focused in delivering its mandate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the announcement, China immediately vowed to continue supporting the WHO. The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened, a foreign ministry spokesman said. China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities... and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. BIG SPRING, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) The Big Spring Police Department and Crime Stoppers are asking for assistance in locating a disabled veteran who was reported missing last year. According to Crime Stoppers, 52-year-old Steven Rodriguez has been missing since July 11, 2024, when he was last seen near the 18th Street DK store. Rodriguez was described as having brown hair and brown eyes, about five-foot-ten-inches tall, and weighing about 175 pounds. The family told officers that Rodriguez suffers from Bipolar disorder and that they are extremely worried for his wellbeing. Big Spring Police said officers followed up with several leads but have been unable to locate Rodriguez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact Crime Stoppers at 432-263-TIPS or through P3 Tips mobile app and reference case number 2-24-03664. You can also contact Detective King directly at 432-264-2555 or Big Spring Police Dispatch at 432-264-2244 or 432-24-2550. Copyright 2025 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 Yourbasin. WASHINGTON DC The dais behind newly re-elected President Trump was filled with the biggest names in Big Tech on Monday at the inauguration to the point where it would be easier to name the CEOs who were not in Washington, D.C. than those who were. Prominently seated behind President Trump at the U.S. Capitol were: X and Tesla boss Elon Musk, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Google chief Sundar Pichai. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew whose app thanked Trump after it was revived following a brief shutdown on Sunday and OpenAI chief Sam Altman were also spotted. Their smiling faces as the president took the oath of office signaled how monumentally the tech zeitgeist has shifted in the four years since Trump was last in the White House. A once-combative relationship between Big Tech and Trumps Make America Great Again movement has apparently blossomed into a love affair, or at least a transactional crush. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But outside at the frigid U.S. Capitol, where giddy-but-shivering Trump supporters celebrated his return to the White House, skeptics of the budding tech-MAGA alliance were easy to find. Only Musk who backed Trump with more than $277 million in the 2024 presidential campaign and publicly campaigned for him in key swing states was given a widespread pass from the attendees. I think they shouldve supported him sooner, because it seems a little bit disingenuous now, Matthew Palmer, a Gen Z Trump supporter from Ohio who was donning a black MAGA cap, told TheWrap. Not Elon, though. Maybe Zuckerberg. The crowd, facing south from the U.S. Capitol, minutes before Trump was sworn in (Sean Burch) That sentiment was the norm, not the exception on Monday. I cant speak to Musk, but I think Zuckerberg, Tim Cook I think its all just to kiss Trumps ring, Lou Johnston, who traveled from Hawaii for the inauguration, said near The National Archives. I dont think theyre in his corner, for sure and he should be careful with who he aligns himself with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The optimism Trumps supporters felt on Monday was matched by the tech execs in attendance. Musk, notably, took the stage at Capital One Arena following Trumps inauguration and told the 20,000 attendees he was fired up for the future. Thank you for making it happen, Musk said about Trumps White House comeback. My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured. He then pounded his heart and gave what appeared to be a Nazi salute, which led to a wave of shock and criticism online. (Musk has denounced claims hes an anti-Semite previously, telling CNBC in 2023, Im a pro-Semite, if anything.) Elon Musk salutes as he speaks during the inaugural parade inside Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images) Mark Zuckerberg and Lauren Sanchez at Trumps inauguration (Getty Images) Of course, the day was also filled with its fair share of bizarre tech storylines. Zuckerberg, who runs Instagram and Facebook as part of his Meta empire, was the subject of many punchlines on X, after he was seemingly caught on camera looking at the cleavage of Bezos fiancee, Lauren Sanchez. (In fairness, she was criticized for wearing a plunging neckline and peekaboo lingerie underneath.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From a macro standpoint, the pro-Trump optics and gestures from the major tech execs stands in stark contrast to the climate that existed when he left office in 2021. Following the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot, Trump was removed from every major social platform in the U.S., including Twitter, which permanently banned his account. (Trumps account was later reinstated after Musk bought the platform in 2022.) Zuckerberg did something similar by indefinitely banning Trump from Facebook and Instagram, saying at the time the risks of keeping him on the platforms were simply too great. Now, many of those same CEOs who once criticized Trump are cozying up to him. Trumps supporters saw through the pivot. They are sucking up to Trump, said a an attendee named Steven from Utah who declined to give his last name. They didnt think hed be back in office. Now that he is, they have to play nice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MNSBCs Rachel Maddow, meanwhile, was alarmed by the sight of the tech elite literally backing up Trump on Monday. How is this happening? Why are people with tons of money up on the dais with cabinet nominees and family members? she asked during the networks inaugural coverage. Its one of the few topics on which Maddow could find common ground with members of the MAGA crowd. And their cynicism is not unfounded; each of the major tech executives in Washington on Monday stands to gain from maintaining a good relationship with the president. One of many Trump T-shirts being sold by street vendors near the U.S. Capitol (Sean Burch) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meta which recently drew the ire of many left-leaning pundits for the decision to end its third-party fact checking system will face an antitrust lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission in April. And the U.S. Justice Department is currently pushing for a breakup of Google, after a federal judge ruled last summer the company held an illegal monopoly in the online search market. Still, not every MAGA fan at the Capitol looked at Big Techs sudden change of heart towards Trump with a jaundiced eye. I think its important that the tech companies and Trump work together moving forward, Derek Stuart, who traveled to Washington with his wife and daughter from Delaware, told TheWrap. TikTok in the Spotlight The other major tech storyline on Monday was the future of TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By days end on Monday, Trump had signed an executive order to block the implementation of a law banning the social media app. Owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, TikTok was set to be banned from the U.S. starting on Sunday. Last April, President Biden signed a law banning new downloads of the app and prohibiting it from being carried by Apple and Googles app stores, unless ByteDance sold its American business. Trump supporters waiting in lines with the hopes of seeing the presidential motorcade head towards Capitol One Arena (Sean Burch) The main concern U.S. lawmakers had with TikTok is that it could easily double as a spyware app for the Chinese Communist Party. ByteDance, if asked by the CCP, is compelled by Chinese law to share user data, including what users type on their phones and their location. Reagan Smelkinson, a 24-year-old Virginia native who dressed up as a Revolutionary War-era founder on Monday told TheWrap that possibility does not concern him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not worried about the Chinese. Not at all, Smelkinson said, while waiting to see the presidential motorcade drive past the crowd lining Constitution Ave. The people who pose more of a threat to us are the United States government and Israel. He added that he was happy Trump was going to sign an executive order granting TikTok an extension to make a deal. TikTok would ideally enter a joint venture in which the U.S. owns a 50% stake in the company, Trump said on Sunday. That plan was met with overwhelming support from Trumpers, both on Sunday night at a TikTok-sponsored party in Washingon, D.C. and on Monday at the Capitol. Im definitely glad that Trumps saving it, 18-year-old MaKinley Stuart said. I like that hes trying to put our national security ahead and hes going to try and fix that with his 90-day extension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stuart, who was sporting a pink Trump 2024 hat, added that Trumps about-face on TikTok he initially supported banning the app during his first term, before saying last year he wants to save it helped him win over a large swath of young voters. A Tufts University exit poll found Trump won 46% of voters 18-29 in the 2024 election, compared to 36% from that same cohort in 2020. He got on the platform last summer and gained a bigger, younger audience there, Stuart said. MaKinley Stuart (center) and her parents, Derek and Tenice Stuart, in Washington, D.C. for the Inauguration (Sean Burch) Others, like a 35-year-old man from upstate New York who only identified as Mike, said they supported keeping TikTok around on First Amendment grounds. Im very happy to hear Trump is working to keep TikTok around, he told TheWrap. There are some national security concerns. However, it is very important that we still exercise our right to free speech I believe that President Trump will make things right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was the same argument TikToks lawyers made before the U.S. Supreme Court an argument that was unanimously shot down last Friday. But when it comes to tech, the MAGA faithful on Monday said they trust that Trump will make sharp decisions during his second term. In their eyes, though, whether he should trust Big Tech is broadly seen as another matter even with the top CEOs behind him. The post Big Tech Goes to Washington to Kiss Trumps Ring But MAGA Fans Remain Skeptical appeared first on TheWrap. On Sunday, TikTok and some US tech companies ignored a TikTok-ban law at the urging of Donald Trump. Trump wasn't president at the time. Once he became president, he signed an order to put the ban on hold. Does Trump have that power? It's unclear. That's a problem for tech companies. Here's a 2025 conundrum for Big Tech companies: Do they follow the president's orders? Or do they follow the law? That's what the likes of Apple, Google, and Oracle are grappling with following a chaotic weekend that saw TikTok voluntarily shut itself down in the US, then restart less than a day later, claiming that "President Trump" said it was OK to do so. A couple of problems with that argument: Donald Trump wasn't president of the United States this weekend Joe Biden was still in the White House. And yes: Trump immediately signed an executive order after he once again became president on Monday telling TikTok and other tech companies to ignore a law that says TikTok can't operate in the US while it's owned by a Chinese company. But it's far from clear how much weight Trump's order holds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So in the very near term, attorneys and executives at tech companies need to decide whether they're willing to take Trump's word, or if they need additional assurances. At the moment, it looks like Oracle, controlled by Larry Ellison, a Trump backer, is going with Trump's assurances and is providing cloud services that are keeping TikTok running in the US. Apple and Google, which used to distribute TikTok via their app stores, don't seem convinced: TikTok disappeared from their stores on Sunday and has yet to return. That means US users can have all the TikTok they want, but it prevents TikTok from updating the app for maintenance and repairs something that could eventually cause problems. (I've asked Oracle for comment. Google declined to comment, and Apple didn't respond to requests for comment.) One possible out for Google and Apple: Trump has ordered his attorney general, who seems likely to be Pam Bondi, to send letters to Apple, Google, and other providers giving them the all clear to ignore the law. But Bondi isn't attorney general yet, and even when Apple et al. get that letter, it's not clear whether it will be enough to satisfy them. I'm not going to get into the weeds about the nature of executive orders vs. laws or whether Trump's claim that he can at least temporarily override a law because of national security concerns would hold up in court. Suffice it to say that there isn't any clarity about any of this: Even Trump allies like Sen. Tom Cotton and House Speaker Mike Johnson have put out statements that seem to conflict with Trump's statements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The point is that no one can say, with a straight face, that they have 100% confidence about whether the law, passed overwhelmingly by Congress last year and upheld by a unanimous Supreme Court decision last week, is binding. That's an astonishing place for us to be. It's also not one that we can pin completely on Trump. In his last days in office, Biden also said he wouldn't enforce the law he signed last year though he did it via anonymous officials speaking with reporters, and eventually his press secretary, and not via an official order. At the same time, some Democrats who voted for the bill in the spring, like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, spent the past few days arguing that the ban in the sell-or-ban law they approved should be delayed. But Trump is taking the uncertainty and supercharging it: In social media statements and a press conference he held Monday, he seemed to suggest that the US government itself might end up owning TikTok. Or that maybe it would be American companies that own half the operation. He also argued that TikTok's Chinese ownership really doesn't matter, since the US already uses lots of other stuff made in China, like "telephones." And that even if China is snooping on US users, that probably also doesn't matter because TikTok is mostly used by kids, and, "If China's going to get information about young kids I dunno. To be honest, I think we have bigger problems than them." It's worth watching all three minutes of this White House press conference clip, just to get a sense of how off-the-cuff Trump seems to be treating the whole thing. Imagine running a trillion-dollar company and being forced to decipher this: We have been here before, of course. America and the rest of the world spent much of the first Trump administration trying to figure out whether Trump really meant what he was saying, or if he could actually act on what he was saying, and whether he'd change his mind a little while later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One big difference this time around: Tech executives, along with many other US leaders, are scrambling to tell Trump how supportive they are of his presidency this time. But it's one thing to praise Trump, or cut him a check, or to be conspicuously on camera during his inauguration. Trusting that his say-so is good enough to get you out of trouble for violating a law if that's what actually happens is brand-new ground. Read the original article on Business Insider It is a victorious day for the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. Some 14 members of the right-wing extremist groups who faced the most serious charge to emerge from the events of Jan. 6, 2021 seditious conspiracy including former Oath Keepers leader Elmer Stewart Rhodes and former Proud Boys leader Henry Enrique Tarrio will now walk free because President Donald Trump commuted their sentences or pardoned them Monday. Tarrio and Rhodes were released from prison Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commutations were part of a sweeping executive order the president signed hours after taking office, in which he also granted a full pardon to the more than 1,500 people who have been charged with crimes connected to the attack on the U.S. Capitol including those convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers. A pardon removes the record of a conviction, while a commutation reduces a persons sentence but does not remove their conviction record. Individuals who saw their sentences commuted by Trump will not have all of their civil rights restored, including rights to own a firearm or vote. Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in May 2023 after a jury found him guilty of conspiring to stop the transfer of power and other charges. In September 2023, Tarrio, who asked Trump for a full pardon on the fourth anniversary of the insurrection, was sentenced to 22 years. Tarrio was not among the people on Trumps list of commutations. However, the executive order states it grants a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 meaning he has been pardoned. Trumps clemency list specifically commuted Proud Boy Jeremy Bertino. Bertino pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy and admitted on the stand that when Proud Boys were storming the Capitol, he was in a back channel urging those on the ground to form a spear and drive your way through a crowd if you need to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Bertino hadnt yet been sentenced. Most of the people who stormed the Capitol were not members of the Oath Keepers, Proud Boys or other extremist groups. But there was a sprawling constellation of far-right groups and affiliates who descended on the Capitol that day, including Three-Percenters, members of the QAnon conspiracy movement and state militia groups, according to the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. As prosecutors proved to jurors at trial, however, the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys were instrumental in coordinating and executing the attack as Congress met to certify the results of the 2020 election. Pardon Power Michael Bloch is a New York litigator with experience handling cases involving white supremacists and extremist ideology he represented civil rights groups and activists when they sued organizers of the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and neo-Nazi groups like Identity Evropa and Vanguard America. He told HuffPost earlier this month that there was no question a sweeping pardon of Jan. 6 defendants would embolden extremists throughout America in the same way that white supremacists have been emboldened by Trump and his supportive rhetoric for the last eight years. The pardon power is intended to be an exercise in mercy and used appropriately, Bloch said. It really is an important power that frankly should be used more often. I think whats different about this case is twofold: First, for Trump to exercise blanket pardon power for Jan. 6 defendants, [he] would be doing it to reward those who are loyal to him, and [second], hes also doing it in a scenario where he was actively involved in the crime itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pardons are not meant to be a reward for political loyalists, Bloch said. There are people serving extraordinarily excessive sentences for crimes who may be more deserving of being pardoned, but Bloch said now hes worried Trumps abuse of the pardon power may cause the general public to disapprove of using the practice at all. Bloch also worries that newly pardoned Jan. 6 rioters, especially those who were part of extremist movements or displayed unique acts of violence, will take the news of their pardon as yet more proof that Trump approves of their actions. Evidence at Jan. 6 trials showed defendants expressly viewed themselves as Trumps army and talked about committing an all-out war to keep Trump in power, Bloch said. If any pardoned Jan. 6 rioters go on to commit other criminal offenses, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1914 that their pardoned offense could still be weighed by courts under something known as habitual offender laws. The high court ruled in Carlesi v. New York that while a pardon may effectively wipe away a federal crime, that criminal record can still be considered if there is recidivism going forward. The Oath Keepers And The Proud Boys After Jan. 6, so many Oath Keepers were charged with seditious conspiracy that they could not all physically fit in the courthouses chamber at the same time. Instead, over a dozen Oath Keepers accused of a variety of crimes including seditiously conspiring to stop the transfer of power, obstructing Congress, assaulting and impeding police and tampering with evidence were tried in batches over a series of weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jurors reviewed a vast trove of Oath Keepers text messages and forensic data. They listened to phone calls and voicemails and watched extensive video footage of the attack. They listened to firsthand accounts from Oath Keepers who said the group was ready to go to war to overturn the election, and they heard from FBI special agents as well as former and current members of the group. Rhodes took the stand at one point, offering defiant testimony in which he painted himself as the savior of a movement to keep Trump in power and to keep Trumps supporters safe. Under cross-examination, Rhodes told prosecutors he wanted Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act because, he believed, only then could the president expose the election fraud and leak sensitive data, including information he believed would out government officials as pedophiles. Trump, Rhodes said, had a constitutional duty, just like Lincoln, to overturn the 2020 election results. Rhodes associate and Oath Keeper Florida chapter leader Kelly Meggs was sentenced to 12 years for seditious conspiracy and other charges. Rhodes and Meggs co-defendants at trial included Oath Keeper and former founder of the Ohio Regular Militia Jessica Watkins, Florida Oath Keeper Kenneth Harrelson and Thomas Caldwell, a veteran Navy intelligence officer. They were acquitted of seditious conspiracy but convicted on other charges. Watkins led fellow Oath Keepers in an aggressive push through the Capitol, recruited new members and communicated with Oath Keepers leadership about an arsenal of weapons stashed just outside Washington, D.C., known as a quick reaction force. At trial, she tearfully declared to jurors that she was just another idiot running around the Capitol, but she was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harrelson received a four-year sentence after he was convicted for obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging duties, and tampering with documents or proceedings. A federal judge ruled that the 53 days Caldwell spent in detention after he was first arrested in 2021 was sufficient for his conviction on a single count of tampering with evidence, according to CBS affiliate WUSA9. The other Oath Keepers convicted of seditious conspiracy and who prosecutors said helped oversee the weapons arsenal were: Roberto Minuta of Texas, Joseph Hackett and David Moerschel of Florida, and Edward Vallejo of Arizona. Minuta was sentenced to just over four years in prison; Hackett was sentenced to just over three years; and Moerschel and Vallejo were each sentenced to three years. All of their sentences were commuted. Other Oath Keepers found guilty of conspiring to stop police or of obstructing an official proceeding were Connie Meggs, wife to Rhodes seditious conspiracy co-defendant Kelly Meggs; another husband-and-wife duo, Sandra and Bennie Parker; and Oath Keepers William Isaacs and Laura Steele. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early on in the Justice Departments probe of Jan. 6, Oath Keepers Brian Ulrich and Joshua James pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy and cooperated extensively with investigators. Both James and Ulrich admitted that on Jan. 6, they were willing to use lethal force against anyone who would dare keep Trump from the White House, despite his 2020 electoral defeat by Joe Biden. James, who was tapped as Roger Stones security guard on Jan. 6, admitted to prosecutors that even after Oath Keepers had failed to stop the transfer of power, he and Rhodes kept amassing guns and more tactical equipment ahead of Bidens inauguration in 2021. As for the Proud Boys, Tarrio, who at the time was the leader of the self-proclaimed western chauvinist group, and chapter leaders, including Joe Biggs, Ethan Nordean and Zachary Rehl, were all convicted of seditious conspiracy. Their co-defendant at trial, Dominic Pezzola, was charged with seditious conspiracy but was the only member of the group acquitted on that count. Prosecutors and the judge in Pezzolas case saw his use of a stolen police riot shield to smash open a window and let rioters stream inside the Capitol as an integral spark to the chaos and violence of Jan. 6. Tarrio was not on Capitol grounds on Jan. 6 after developing what prosecutors said was a useful alibi for his whereabouts. Instead, Tarrio watched the violence unfold from a hotel room in Maryland as he cheered on his boys on social media. He took credit for the destruction in chat messages with Jeremy Bertino, a former Proud Boys member who pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy before Tarrios trial ever got underway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Supreme Court decision in June to narrow the meaning of a charge applied in dozens of Jan. 6 cases obstructing an official proceeding theoretically benefited many Oath Keepers, Proud Boys and individual rioters. But the Justice Department reported in January that just six defendants had received a sentencing reduction because of the Supreme Courts decision. Tarrio, according to CBS News, was expected to be reunited with his family in Miami on Monday. An attorney for Tarrio expressed gratitude to Trump, saying it marks a pivotal moment in our clients life, and symbolizes a turning point for our nation. We are optimistic for the future as we now turn the page on this chapter, embracing new possibilities and opportunities, attorney Nayib Hassan said. Retribution And Betrayal Police officers like Michael Fanone who were brutalized by rioters expressed a profound sense of betrayal upon learning about the pardons. Fanone told CNNs Anderson Cooper on Monday that he, his children and his family are less safe because of Donald Trump and his supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden issued preemptive pardons to members of the Jan. 6 congressional committee, investigators and police officers who defended the Capitol out of an abundance of concern that they would be targeted by punitive litigation from the incoming Trump administration. Former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn said he wished Bidens pardon wasnt necessary but unfortunately, the political climate we are in now has made the need for one somewhat of reality, he said in a statement to HuffPost. Dunn said he was just doing my job and upholding my oath that day. Former U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell also told HuffPost on Monday: I cant believe I need a pardon for doing the right thing while the person who set Jan. 6 in motion is inaugurated. I did not seek a pardon and I did nothing wrong, Gonell said. American citizens attacked the Capitol, injuring me and my colleagues. We protected all elected officials, regardless of political party. I, an immigrant, nearly lost my life defending the Constitution and the rule of law in the building where President Trump was inaugurated. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) One lawmaker is hoping to cap the length of trains to prevent safety and traffic issues through new legislation. They dont have the infrastructure to withstand the length of these trains that they have, said Rep. Ty Burns, R-Morrison. Representative Burns filed House Bill 2830 or the Train Length Bill. The goal is to cap the length of trains at 8,500 feet, which is about 120 carts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Train-Length-BillDownload Some of these trains are getting up to 15,000 feet, which youre getting to the three miles, said Burns. Burns said when trains are that long and pull into rural rail yards in Oklahoma, they cant fully get off the tracks to let other trains pass. So, thats getting backed up in the yards where theyre going. And Ive talked to people in these yards and it becomes a huge safety factor, said Burns. Republican Representative reintroduces bill that would drop legal age limit for gun ownership to 18 In the metro, drivers can often find routes to avoid trains or cities can build a way around it like the James Garner Corridor in Norman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, in rural Oklahoma, a short cut isnt always easy to find or build. The representative said it creates a safety risk for emergency vehicles and traffic. Theres farmers and ranchers out here. They get stuck for hours, ultimately just walk home two miles home because theyre sitting there for three or four hours, said Burns. Burns said the railroad companies are also constitutionally protected because of interstate commerce. Theyre going to come at this big time, said Burns. In a statement sent to News 4, the Oklahoma Railroad Association did not mention being protected by the Constitution. The full statement can be read below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Railroads have safely increased train length over the past several decades while improving our overall safety record. Since 2000, there has been a 42% drop in mainline accident rates for Class I railroads, and in Oklahoma in particular, derailments are down 30% over the last decade. Railroads carefully consider several factors when determining train length, such as terrain, placement of loaded versus empty containers, and the type of commodity being moved. Thanks to infrastructure enhancements, training programs and technological advancements for modeling and predictive analytics, great strides have been made in safely transporting the goods communities rely on. In 2023, the median length of a train on Class 1 railroads was 5,300 feet. Just 10% of trains were longer than 9,600 feet. Railroads want to keep trains moving and clear crossings as quickly and safely as possible so we continue efficiently serving our customers in Oklahoma and beyond who rely on rail transportation. A state regulation that requires reconfiguring trains once they cross state lines will result in inefficient service to Oklahoma industries and choke points in the nations supply chain. It will also result in more trains traveling over crossings and more public interaction. This bill will hurt Oklahoma businesses and consumers. We look forward to working together collaboratively with local and state partners to keep trains moving safely through communities and address longer-term infrastructure issues that can be mutually beneficial to the communities where we operate. Lori A. Kromer Peterson Executive Director Oklahoma Railroad Association Being a little more efficient, I think its not a hard thing to ask. I dont think, said Burns. Burns said Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas have already passed a similar bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Students in a classroom. (Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images) Lawmakers are pushing to delay Virginias revised school accountability system, claiming it was rushed and lacks clarity. On Monday, a Senate subcommittee advanced legislation to postpone the system, which was revamped by the Board of Education under Gov. Glenn Youngkins direction to better measure school quality and student learning outcomes. The revised system, known as the School Performance and Support Framework, aims to address learning loss and ensure schools foster effective educational programs rather than relying solely on accreditation to drive improvement. The U.S. Department of Education recently approved Virginias amendments to the plan, allowing full implementation next year to meet high expectations for students and support learning loss recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, some educators and lawmakers argue the framework was adopted too quickly, without sufficient input from stakeholders. Accountability is absolutely essential to improve schools, to support students and get the resources that they need, Senate Education and Health Committee Chair Ghazala Hashmi, D-Richmond, said at Mondays meeting. But we have to get it right. Key issues with the system include unclear data projections, unidentified resources for schools labeled off track or needs intensive support, and limited preparation time for English language learners ahead of assessments. We cant move forward with an accreditation and accountability system that is going to continue to perpetuate issues and concerns that have faced us, Hashmi said. Taking another pause and having an opportunity to take a look at the proposed system, making the necessary changes is necessary so that we can actually move forward and do it right, so that were doing the best for all of our students, as well as our schools. Hashmis Senate Bill 979, proposes delaying the implementation of the new school accountability system by one year. During this time, the Board of Education would be tasked with forming a stakeholder advisory committee to gather input and ensure the system delivers fair, transparent, and actionable results aimed at improving student growth and learning outcomes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A companion measure, House Bill 2118, introduced by Del. Karen Keys-Gamarra, D-Fairfax, is awaiting consideration and had not been heard as of Tuesday morning. Todd Reid, a VDOE spokesman, told The Mercury in December that any changes to the system would require a regulatory overhaul by the board, a process he described as lengthy. On Monday evening, Andy Armstrong, associate superintendent of programs for VDOE, argued against the measure. With this legislation, the General Assembly would be directing the VDOE to withhold federally required information from parents, educators and communities on how their childrens schools are performing academically, Armstrong said. The system strategically targets resources and supports to the kids who need it the most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Armstrong also defended the framework as a state of the art accountability system that will be a model for the rest of the nation, and we look forward to ensuring our kids get the support they need now, and not in a year. Hashmi acknowledged concerns from the administration that delaying the frameworks implementation could jeopardize federal funding and compliance with federal guidelines. To address these issues, Hashmi said an amendment accepted by the subcommittee would require the VDOE to apply for a revision to the state plan if the legislation is enacted. Representatives from Northern Virginia school divisions and the Virginia Education Association spoke in favor of the delay. Keys-Gamarra, whose district includes school boards advocating for the postponement, said the framework needs clearer definitions for its measures and specific support plans for schools identified as needing improvement. Opposition to the bill also emerged. Melody Clarke, speaking on behalf of Virginia Institute Action, argued the delay would undermine support for students learning English as a second language and shift priorities away from measuring academic growth under the Board of Educations new system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new accountability system is taking full effect next fall, providing much needed transparency to Virginia communities, parents and students, Clarke said. But only if our Virginia Democrats unite with Republicans and put our Virginia students first. Youngkins proposed budget includes $50 million for schools that need support the most, part of $1 billion in new education funding. Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, who chairs the subcommittee and is a public school teacher, abstained from the vote. But he expressed concern over the frequent changes to the states accountability framework, noting the instability it has caused for schools. I think some certainty around what were doing and the next steps forward are important, because weve had three accountability systems in 10 years, and that hasnt been great for schools, VanValkenburg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that while some issues can be attributed to the current administration, consistency is critical for moving forward. Im not sure what that means for my vote at the end of the day, but for today, its going to be an abstention, so I can ponder more. The bill now moves to the Senate Health and Education Committee for further consideration. Sens. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, and Christie New Craig, R-Chesapeake, voted against the measure but did not comment during the hearing. More proposals Additional legislation seeking to make changes around how schools are being measured and students are being assessed has been introduced by lawmakers this session. Some of the legislation includes making more languages available for the state assessments, minimizing the impact on a students attendance record and school performance measurements, making changes to how students are tested. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (Bloomberg) -- Billionaire Elon Musk has already secured a White House email address and office space, clearing the way for him to launch the cost-cutting effort hes called the Department of Government Efficiency. Most Read from Bloomberg President Donald Trump set a formal structure to that effort Monday, signing an order renaming the US Digital Service which currently exists as an in-house technology think tank within the presidency as the US DOGE Service. That office will staff Musks group, which will be a temporary organization authorized to recruit outside volunteer experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOGE will have an office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, within the White House complex. Trump said Musk is getting an office for about 20 people were hiring to make sure these get implemented. The order also set up DOGE teams of at least four people at each federal agency to implement the program. But Trumps executive order also suggested a narrower role for the office than Musk had envisioned. The order said the mission would make the government more efficient by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity. Theres no explicit mention of budget-cutting or deregulation, two areas that Trump highlighted when he first put Musk in charge of it after the election. Musks email is available as part of the Executive Office of the President, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. Musks White House email address was first reported by The Hill. Musk, the worlds richest person, is one of Trumps most prominent supporters and has been chosen by the president to head the effort intended to reduce government spending. A brainchild of Musk, DOGE aims to deliver on what has long been a top Republican priority: Shrinking the size and scope of federal agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has said the group would work with the White House Office of Management and Budget to identify spending cuts and finish its recommendations by July 4, 2026. Earlier: Washington Lobbyists Turn to Musks DOGE to Influence Trump Musk poured millions of dollars into Trumps presidential campaign and emerged as one of his closest advisers. He and his companies, including Tesla Inc. and SpaceX, have benefited from government contracts and spending and are subject to regulation raising questions about potential conflicts of interests and his ability to recommend which agencies should see funding cuts. Musk said on his X platform in November that he would not be paid for leading DOGE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biotech entrepreneur and onetime Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was also selected to lead the effort alongside Musk. Ramaswamy, however, will not join DOGE, the White House said on Monday, as he readies a campaign for governor of Ohio. Ramaswamy in a post on X Monday said it was an honor to help support the creation of DOGE. Im confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government. Ill have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio, he added. The Trump administration has already been sued over the DOGE cost-cutting effort by a union representing hundreds of thousands of federal employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- A whos who of the worlds wealthiest people surrounded President Donald Trump as he took the oath of office gathering a combined net worth exceeding $1.3 trillion for the occasion. Most Read from Bloomberg Seated prominently behind the Trump family for Mondays swearing-in were the top three individuals on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. Also spotted inside the Capitol Rotunda for the inaugural ceremony were LVMH Chief Executive Officer and Frances richest man, Bernard Arnault, Alphabet Inc. co-founder Sergey Brin and Las Vegas Sands Corp. majority owner Miriam Adelson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a telling gesture, the tech billionaires were seated in front of Trumps nominated Cabinet. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth had to crane past Musk and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai to watch the proceedings. Its important to bring some of the brightest minds in the world together, Donald Trump Jr. said when asked after the ceremony about the presence of tech billionaires. The phalanx of deep-pocketed attendees highlighted a surge in support for Trump from Silicon Valley, Wall Street and other industries following his comeback victory in Novembers election. At stake for many of their businesses is the promise of relief from US regulations and the hope of a boost to their corporate bottom lines from Trumps pledge to spur investment. Others are hoping to avoid the worst of the fallout from tariffs that the president has vowed to use as an instrument of economic policy. Embracing Trump marks a turnabout for some business leaders, who had recoiled from him four years ago following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by hundreds of his supporters. Yet Trumps pariah status faded as odds increased toward his election on a business-friendly message that included an extension of tax cuts enacted in 2017 during his first term in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Out of all those present, Musk has put perhaps the most into Trumps return to the White House. The Tesla Inc. CEO spent more than $200 million of his personal fortune on the presidents campaign, quickly emerging as an influential adviser to Trump and taking a role as head of a government-efficiency initiative. Musk also has a lot at stake with the new administration, with reducing government regulation and boosting access to space contracts key for his businesses. After hearing Trump invoke plans during his inaugural address to send US astronauts to Mars, the SpaceX CEO pumped his fists in the air. Colonizing Mars has been a longtime ambition of Musk. Present in the crowd as well were hedge fund billionaire John Paulson, conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch and Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook, who enjoyed a cordial relationship with the president during his first term. On Sunday, during a rally at Capital One Arena on the eve of Trumps swearing-in, Cook received a shout-out from the incoming president, who said Apple had planned an unspecified investment in the US. The billionaires waited in line along with lawmakers and other top officials to head into a celebratory post-inaugural luncheon at the Capitol. At one point, Bezos emerged with his fiancee Lauren Sanchez. Asked for his thoughts on Trumps speech, Bezos responded: Oh, I dont know, Im looking for a restroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the luncheon, Cook was seen seated next to incoming Attorney General Pam Bondi, while Bezos sat with Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia got a photo of herself with Metas Zuckerberg. Since the election, Zuckerberg has openly pivoted the social-media giant to align more closely with Trump and the new Republican majorities in Congress. Hes dropped a third-party fact-checking system in the US, following conservative complaints about censorship, and abandoned many of the companys diversity and inclusion efforts. Another closely watched guest was TikTok CEO Shou Chew, whose companys fate rests in Trumps hands. The president has promised to issue an executive order sparing the app from a ban that was to have taken effect on Sunday over the refusal by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance Ltd, to divest. Trump, who initially sought to ban TikTok in his first term, has since found the social media platform to be an effective conduit to young voters and vowed to find a way to cut a deal that would keep it alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Billy House. (Updates with quote in fourth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Some Kentucky Democrats want to expand access to marijuana for the state's residents, but the road to making that happen won't be an easy one. Following the legalization of medical marijuana on Jan. 1, state House and Senate Democratic lawmakers have filed bills to legalize possessing and growing small amounts of marijuana for personal use in the commonwealth. Some of the bills are proposed as constitutional amendments, which would give the choice to Kentuckians on the next general election ballot in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two similar bills filed as Senate Bill 36 and House Bill 105 in the first week of the 2025 legislative session would ask Kentucky voters if they want to add a new section to the state constitution that would let individuals 21 and older "possess, use, buy, or sell one ounce or less of cannabis" without facing criminal charges. The bills would also ask voters to let individuals 21 and older cultivate, harvest and store up to five cannabis plants for personal use. Louisville Sen. David Yates, who sponsored SB 36, said with proper oversight, accountability and taxation, recreational marijuana could be transformative for Kentucky. "It's also taking a plant that is already very much here, most likely our number one cash crop, and having it in a way that's safer and utilized those tax proceeds to benefit the people," Yates said. Senator David Yates of District 37 raises his hand as he and other senators take the oath during the first day of the 2025 General Assembly at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort. Jan. 7, 2025. Yates added that proposing the measure as a constitutional amendment allows Kentuckians to voice their opinions, which he called one of the most "democratic forms of government." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It also gives some of those politicians cover if they need it," Yates said. "They get to say that they're not going to make a decision on (the bills), but they're going to let their constituents vote, and I think that may be a faster way to be able to move forward." Yates is also the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 33, which would decriminalize marijuana by removing penalties for "possession, cultivation or trafficking of up to eight ounces or five plants of marijuana." Republicans hold a supermajority in the House and Senate, and the legislation would need widespread Republican support to pass. In a statement to The Courier Journal, Republican Senate Majority Floor Leader Max Wise said he opposes legalizing and decriminalizing recreational marijuana, and "it is unlikely that there is a significant appetite within the Senate Republican Caucus to support legislation aimed" at those goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Kentuckys medical cannabis program is barely off the ground, and many lawmakers who supported Senate Bill 47 (in 2023) did so with reservations, viewing it as a potentially risky step toward recreational legalization," Wise said. "Moreover, the potential adverse health effects of marijuana remain a concern, particularly in Kentucky, which ranks last nationally for lung cancer rates." Sen. Max Wise looks at Sen. Reginald Thomas while the Senate was in session on the first day of the 2025 General Assembly at the Kentucky State Capitol. Jan. 7, 2025. He also added "any bill proposing such a substantial policy shift will undergo rigorous scrutiny, and it remains the responsibility of sponsors to build support and navigate the legislative process." In 2023, the state legislature passed a bipartisan bill to legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky, beginning Jan. 1, 2025. In recent months, the state Office of Medical Cannabis held several lotteries to award licenses to cultivators and dispensaries statewide. When asked whether he would support recreational marijuana in an interview last year, Gov. Andy Beshear said "we've got to prove that we can safely provide medical marijuana before we consider that step." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rachel Roberts, a former Democratic state representative and executive director of the Kentucky Cannabis Industry Alliance, said she believes legalizing recreational marijuana is "the way the state should head," because it's an economic development issue. "We've got several other states that we can look at as an example of how that has worked," Roberts said. "Just from a personal standpoint, living in Northern Kentucky, where people can cross the river to Ohio so easily, we're seeing money leave the state that could stay here." In Ohio, recreational marijuana became legal in December 2023, with sales launching in August 2024. Roberts added she sponsored legislation that would legalize marijuana when she represented House District 67. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's always important to continue the conversation, and that's what some of these bills do, right?" Roberts said. "... I think it's really important that these bills are filed each year and that conversation continues." Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky bills aim to legalize small amounts of recreational marijuana By Tom Polansek CHICAGO (Reuters) - An outbreak of bird flu in poultry in the U.S. state of Georgia, the nation's biggest chicken producer, is set to trigger trade restrictions from major meat importers, an industry group said on Tuesday, warning of a move that could financially harm farmers and processors. A flock of 45,500 breeder chickens tested positive last week in Elbert County, Georgia, near the border with South Carolina, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It was the state's first confirmed case in a commercial poultry operation, Georgia's agriculture department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case comes as food producers worry that President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on goods from trading partners, such as China and Mexico, will lead to retaliation that could also hurt U.S. agricultural exports. An outbreak in a commercial flock typically triggers trade restrictions on poultry products from the county or state where the infected farm is located. The restrictions expected on Georgia's poultry threaten producers and processors, such as Pilgrim's Pride. Initial losses for exports could be about $34 million, the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council said. Mexico, the biggest importer of U.S. poultry products, will likely halt purchases from Georgia for about two to four weeks, until it revises the ban to apply to the county, the industry group said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiwan, the third-biggest importer of U.S. poultry, will block poultry imports from Georgia for six to eight months, the export council estimated. South Korea will likely impose a ban on Georgia's poultry that should be lifted 28 days after the virus has been eliminated, a process that will likely take three to four months, the council said. USDA had no immediate comment on potential trade restrictions. More than 138 million U.S. chickens, turkeys and other birds have died from bird flu or been culled to contain the disease since 2022. About 930 dairy herds and 67 people, mostly farmworkers, tested positive since 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a serious threat to Georgia's No. 1 industry," Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said in a statement. China has blocked Georgia's poultry since 2023, when a commercial flock of waterfowl tested positive, USDA records show. (Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Rod Nickel) Amidst an onslaught of executive orders that President Donald Trump issued on his first day back in the White House was one ending automatic citizenship for U.S.-born children of immigrants in the country illegally, fulfilling a vow he made during his campaign. "The federal government will not recognize automatic birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens born in the United States. We are also going to enhance vetting and screening of illegal aliens," said a Trump official in a briefing on Monday. Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Can Trump just change it? Can Trump end birthright citizenship with an executive order? That depends on how the legal battle(s) shake out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attempt to change the existing amendment can only be done through a new constitutional amendment, which requires either a joint resolution passed by two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or a convention called by Congress in response to two-thirds of state legislatures requesting one. However, Trump's order doesn't change the wording. Instead, it attempts to reinterpret a clause in the amendment to no longer apply to large numbers of people that it used to. The Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment states, simply: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Previously, "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" was interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court to mean that children of "citizens or subjects of foreign states" were not eligible for citizenship. Under Trump's order, this would now also include people born in the U.S.: When that persons mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth, or When that persons mothers presence in the United States at the time of said persons birth was lawful but temporary (such as, but not limited to, visiting the United States under a Visa Waiver Program or on a student, work, or tourist visa) and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth. Immigrant and civil rights advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union, filed a lawsuit against the order almost immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denying citizenship to U.S.-born children is not only unconstitutional its also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values. Birthright citizenship is part of what makes the United States the strong and dynamic nation that it is," Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement. "This order seeks to repeat one of the gravest errors in American history, by creating a permanent subclass of people born in the U.S. who are denied full rights as Americans. Even Trump previously admitted the executive order might not work. In a wide-ranging interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" last month, he talked about his desire to mass deport huge numbers of people in the country illegally and said he planned to ban "birthright citizenship" through executive order on his first day in office "if we can. "We'll maybe have to go back to the people," he said. "But we have to end it. We're the only country that has it, you know." Currently, 65 countries have some form of birthright citizenship and 33, including the U.S., have unrestricted birthright citizenship, according to worldpopulationreview.com, When would birthright citizenship end under Trump's executive order? According to the order, it would apply to people born in the United States after 30 days from Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. Is Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship retroactive? No, although Trump may also issue further orders in the future. Would ending birthright citizenship affect Barron Trump? Social media posts wondering if the executive order would also kick the president's son Barron out of the country have gone viral since November, along with concerns about three more of Trump's five children. Don Jr, Ivanka and Eric were all born before their mother Ivana became a U.S. citizen in 1988. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Trump was a U.S. citizen at the time of all of his children's births, the changes to birthright citizenship would not apply. Would ending birthright citizenship affect Kamala Harris? The executive order is not retroactive and is not seeking to remove existing citizenship status. However, under Trump's order, someone born in the same circumstances that former Vice President Kamala Harris was born in after February 19, 2025, might not be a naturalized U.S. citizen. Harris was born in 1964 in Oakland, California to parents from Jamaica and India. Her birth certificate does not note her parents' citizenship status at the time, Reuters reported. If neither of them were citizens at her birth, then under this order she would not have been a citizen either. What is birthright citizenship? Birthright citizenship means anyone born in a country is automatically a citizen of that country. Such people are called "natural citizens." Different countries with birthright citizenship laws may have different restrictions for eligibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birthright citizenship was part of English common law and referred to as jus soli ("right of the soil"). Does the United States have birthright citizenship? Yes. It's enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. What does the 14th Amendment say about birthright citizenship? The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed in 1866, less than a year after the end of the Civil War. Among other things, it overruled the previous Dred Scott ruling stating that enslaved people, even if born here, could never become citizens of the United States. The very first sentence of the amendment is the Citizenship Clause: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rest of the first section grants citizenship to all persons "born or naturalized in the United States," including formerly enslaved people, and provides them with "equal protection of the laws" while preventing states from passing laws to deprive them of it. Without that guarantee, Black Americans would not have had the right to own property or move freely around the U.S. Other sections in the 14th Amendment regulate how representatives are apportioned; block anyone who has engaged in insurrection against the U.S. from being a senator, representative, president or vice president; assert that the validity of the country's public debt shall not be questioned; and provide Congress with the power to enforce the rest of it. Has the Supreme Court ruled on birthright citizenship? Yes, in two notable cases. In 1898 the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, after the U.S.-born Wong took a trip to China and was refused re-entry to the United States after a trip to China. Up until 1882, there were no immigration laws in the U.S. so it hadn't been an issue before, but the Chinese Exclusion Acts restricted Chinese immigration and prohibited Chinese immigrants from becoming naturalized citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty-five years earlier, in a series of cases called the "Slaughter-House Cases," the Supreme Court had clarified that the citizenship clause did not apply to children of "citizens or subjects of foreign states." The district attorney for the U.S., in this case, claimed this meant Wong was therefore not a natural-born citizen under the 14th Amendment. In a 6-2 ruling that has stood the test of time, the court determined that because he was born on U.S. soil and his parents were not "employed in any diplomatic or official capacity under the Emperor of China," Wong was a U.S. citizen. The court ruled again in 1982 when Texas attempted to withhold education funds for the children of undocumented immigrants. In Plyler v. Doe, the court reasoned that undocumented immigrants are people "in any ordinary sense of the term" and are consequently afforded 14th Amendment protections. Who is not a citizen even if they're born in the United States? According to the American Immigration Council, before the executive order American birthright citizenship was available to anyone born in the U.S. except for: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children of foreign diplomats Children born to soldiers considered enemy invaders during a hostile occupation of the U.S. People born in American Samoa's unincorporated territories Indigenous peoples born in the U.S. were excluded until the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. Do any other countries besides the U.S. have birthright citizenship? Currently, 33 countries, including the U.S., and two territories have unrestricted birthright citizenship, according to worldpopulationreview.com, and another 32 have some sort of restricted birthright citizenship. Nearly all of them are in North, Central, or South America, possibly due to colonizing European countries who were hoping to entice settlers to the New World with relaxed, immigration-friendly laws. What countries have birthright citizens? Trump seeks to eliminate it in some circumstances What has Gov. DeSantis said about birthright citizenship? "This idea that you can come across the border, two days later have a child and somehow that's an American citizen, that was not the original understanding of the 14th Amendment and so we'll take action to force a clarification of that," Trump's former opponent Gov. Ron DeSantis said in June, criticizing what he described as "birth tourism." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is consistent with what he said on the gubernatorial campaign trail five years ago when asked about Trump's plan to end birthright citizenship, although he was less confident then that an executive order would pass. In a 2018 FOX News interview, DeSantis said he didn't think birthright citizenship was a good idea but didn't think courts at the time would uphold an executive order banning it. "The way the courts have ruled on it," he said, "I think there's a question about, can you do an executive order? Can you do legislation? Do you need an amendment?" DeSantis went into more detail when asked about it at a Manatee County rally in 2018. Ive typically viewed it as probably the courts werent going to reevaluate it and so when weve discussed should we bring this up in Congress and vote on it Im like: Look I dont really want birthright citizenship but I think it would get struck down, he said, pointing out that the makeup of the Supreme Court has changed a lot in just a few years. "So I think the president could you do this by executive order and have it upheld? I dont know that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before he dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, DeSantis campaigned with a similarly aggressive attitude against immigration after a new state law last year imposed harsher penalties and new restrictions on undocumented immigrants in Florida. It was called one of the toughest anti-immigration laws in the country. DeSantis also vowed then to end birthright citizenship. Contributors: Allie Feinberg, Arizona Republic; John Kenney, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida Capital Bureau; Zac Anderson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump ends birthright citizenship by executive order. Can he do that? During his 2024 presidential campaign, President Donald Trump stated he wanted to end birthright citizenship and on Inauguration Day he signed an executive order to do just that. But can he? The executive order was just one of a slew of measures the returning president sat down to sign just hours Monday after taking the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. This one specifically aims at ending automatic citizenship for U.S.-born children of immigrants in the country illegally. It's another tool for Trump's administration to target immigrants and ties into another campaign promise of mass deportation of immigrants who are in the United States illegally. "The federal government will not recognize automatic birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens born in the United States. We are also going to enhance vetting and screening of illegal aliens," said a Trump official in a briefing on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it may have fulfilled one of his campaign promises, it may not be able to stand. Why? Because birthright citizenship is enshrined in the Constitution. What is birthright citizenship? Is it in the Constitution? Birthright citizenship grants automatic citizenship for U.S.-born children of immigrants in the country and is enshrined in the 14th Amendment. Here's how Section 1 of the 14th Amendment reads, according to constitution.congress.gov: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Can Trump end birthright citizenship with an executive order? It comes down to how the legal battle(s) turn out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While birthright citizenship is part of the Constitution and an amendment can only be changed through a new constitutional amendment. To do that either a joint resolution passed by two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or a convention called by Congress in response to two-thirds of state legislatures requesting one is required. Trump's executive order doesn't look to change the 14th Amendment, but to reinterpret it so that a large part of the people it once applied to would not be granted citizenship under it. It comes down to a specific line, "subject to the jurisdiction thereof," which was interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court to mean that children of "citizens or subjects of foreign states" were not eligible for citizenship. Under Trump's order, this would now also include people born in the U.S.: When that persons mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth, or When that persons mothers presence in the United States at the time of said persons birth was lawful but temporary (such as, but not limited to, visiting the United States under a Visa Waiver Program or on a student, work, or tourist visa) and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth. Have any lawsuits been filed against Trump's executive order? Yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Civil Liberties Union, along with other immigrant and civil rights advocates, have already filed a lawsuit challenging the executive order. Additionally, a coalition of 18 states sued Trump in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts over the measure. Denying citizenship to U.S.-born children is not only unconstitutional its also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values. Birthright citizenship is part of what makes the United States the strong and dynamic nation that it is," Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement. "This order seeks to repeat one of the gravest errors in American history, by creating a permanent subclass of people born in the U.S. who are denied full rights as Americans. Even before Trump signed the order, he knew that it might not be possible to get rid of birthright citizenship through the executive order, according to statements made during NBC's "Meet the Press" interview last month. Which states are suing Trump over birthright citizenship? The plaintiffs against Trump's birthright citizenship executive order include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey Massachusetts California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Hawaii Maine Maryland Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Mexico New York North Carolina Rhode Island Vermont Wisconsin Do other countries have birthright citizenship? Trump has claimed that the United States is the only country that has birthright citizenship. "We'll maybe have to go back to the people," he said during the "Meet the Press" interview. "But we have to end it. We're the only country that has it, you know." This is not true. Currently, 65 countries have some form of birthright citizenship and 33, including the U.S., have unrestricted birthright citizenship, according to worldpopulationreview.com. C.A. Bridges of The Palm Beach Post contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What is birthright citizenship? Can executive order get rid of it? The bishop leading the inaugural prayer service on Tuesday urged President Donald Trump to "have mercy" on his constituents, specifically naming LGBTQ people and immigrants. The sermon by the Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, was part of a larger post-Inauguration Day interfaith ceremony at Washington National Cathedral. Trump was seated in the first row alongside first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance during the service, a tradition undertaken by presidents of both parties. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now, said Budde, who was looking directly at the president. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families. Some who fear for their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added: "They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues." The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde at the national prayer service at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday. When Budde finished her sermon, Trump leaned over to say something to Vance, who shook his head in response. Later, as Trump was walking through the White House colonnade with his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, reporters asked him what he thought of the sermon. He asked the group, Did you like it? Find it exciting? He then added that he didnt think it was a good service, no and said they could do much better. Early Wednesday morning, Trump responded to the sermon in a post on Truth Social, where he called Budde a "so-called Bishop" and "Radical Left hard line Trump hater." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way, Trump said. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. A spokesperson for the Trump administration did not return a request for additional comment. The Trumps and the Vances at the national prayer service. In an interview with ABCs The View on Wednesday, Budde said she wanted Tuesday's sermon to serve as a call for national unity. I wanted to emphasize respecting the honor and dignity of every human being, she said. I was trying to counter the narrative that is so divisive and polarizing and in which real people are being harmed. Budde's sermon came a day after Trump was sworn in and signed roughly 100 executive actions, some of which included policies affecting LGBTQ people and immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regarding LGBTQ people, Trump signed a sweeping executive order proclaiming that the U.S. government will recognize only two sexes, male and female, and a second order ending radical and wasteful diversity, equity and inclusion programs inside federal agencies. The Trump administration also removed LGBTQ resources from government websites, including a page formerly on the State Department's website dedicated to advancing LGBTQ rights around the world. On immigration, Trump signed a flurry of executive actions, including ones that sought to end birthright citizenship, halt all refugee admissions and send the military to the southern border. Several of Trump's orders are likely to be subject to extensive legal battles. A coalition of over a dozen Democratic attorneys general sued Tuesday to block the birthright citizenship order, which critics have said violates the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration also discontinued functionalities of a government app, CBP One, used by migrants to submit their information and schedule appointments at southwest border ports of entry, according to a statement posted on the Customs and Border Protection website. It is unclear if that change will be permanent. Tuesday's sermon was not the first time Budde, the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, has criticized Trump. In June 2020, she wrote an op-ed for The New York Times criticizing the then-president for clearing Lafayette Square, near the White House, amid the George Floyd protests and then posing for photos on the grounds of nearby St. John's Church while holding a Bible. "The God I serve is on the side of justice. Jesus calls his followers to emulate his example of sacrificial love and to build what he called the Kingdom of God on earth," she wrote in the op-ed. "What would the sacrificial love of Jesus look like now?" This article was originally published on NBCNews.com UPDATE (Jan. 22, 2025, 8:07 a.m. ET): President Donald Trump lashed out at the Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde in a Truth Social post early Wednesday morning over her pointed remarks to him at a national prayer service a day earlier. "She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!" he wrote. Before dozens of attendees at a national prayer service in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington directly addressed President Donald Trump in her sermon, urging him to reconsider his attacks on marginalized communities. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now, the Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde told Trump as he sat in the front row at the Washington National Cathedral. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children, and Democratic and Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Budde made her plea on behalf of undocumented immigrants who work jobs, pay taxes and live among others, as well as refugees who come to the United States in search of safety and a better life. I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities these children fear that their parents will be taken away, she said. And that you help those that are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands find compassion and welcome here. Buddes remarks came the day after Trump signed a raft of executive actions on his first day in office, including orders cracking down on immigration and rolling back protections for transgender Americans. Some of his executive orders like his effort to roll back birthright citizenship are already facing legal challenges. Budde delivered her sermon at a national prayer service that newly-inaugurated presidents attend as part of a longstanding tradition. He was accompanied by his family and Vice President JD Vance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unusual for a president to be confronted so directly in such a setting. Some praised Budde for her courage to publicly address Trump on his policies, while some of the presidents MAGA allies criticized her. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., for example, inexplicably called for Budde, an American citizen, to be added to the deportation list. Trump did not appear to take Buddes words to heart. Upon his return to the White House, Trump told a reporter that the service was not too exciting. I didnt think it was a good service, he added. They can do much better. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Many south and southwest suburban school districts Tuesday switched to remote learning due to the extreme weather, coming a day after schools were closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. With Tuesdays high temperature expected to register barely above zero, and the wind making it feel well below that, schools opted to forgo in-person teaching. Arctic air was smothering the eastern two-thirds of the country, with a storm system bringing snow to areas of Texas and Gulf Coast towns such as Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida, where forecasts said 4 or more inches of snow were possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locally, the brutal cold was expected to ease by Wednesday, with temperatures in the low to mid-20s, and the Chicago area seeing the low 30s by Saturday. The Cook County medical examiners office reported the death Monday of an 88-year-old Palos Heights woman was due in part to exposure to the cold. Communities including Flossmoor, Oak Forest and Orland Park reported no major problems due to the weather. Tim Kristin, Oak Forest city administrator, said crews were out Tuesday morning taking care of a couple water main breaks, but that nothing out of the normal was reported due to the extreme cold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pat Carr, village manager in Tinley Park, said a few water main breaks sprang up Tuesday, but nothing that has really impacted operations. He said there had been no ambulance calls related to the cold or people coming to the villages warming center. Matteson reported a watermain break that was expected to be fixed by sometime Wednesday. Some high school districts shifted to remote learning, including Thornton Township 205, High School District 218 in Blue Island and Palos Heights, Bremen High School District 228 and Orland Park High School District 230. Elementary districts that opted for e-learning Tuesday included Oak Lawn-Hometown District 123, Cook County School District 130, which operates schools in Blue Island and Crestwood, Orland School District 135, Kirby School District 140 in Tinley Park and Dolton West School District 148 in Dolton and Riverdale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools that were teaching remotely had also canceled after-school activities Tuesday. In some instances, students took part in classroom instruction remotely, or receiving assignments online to complete at home. Some districts were giving students additional time to complete e-learning courses to accommodate any technology or internet issues the weather may have caused. Lockport Township High School District 205 drew some criticism from parents for deciding to have in-person classes Tuesday, notifying families of the action Monday. In a message to families Tuesday, District 205 Superintendent Robert McBride said the decision was made because most of the elementary districts that feed into the high school were also having students report to class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will County Elementary District 92 in Lockport was conducting in-person learning, while another Lockport elementary district, Fairmont, had opted for remote learning. McBride told families the National Weather Service had forecast wind chills in the Joliet area at 17 below for Tuesday morning, and that his district generally doesnt switch to e-learning unless wind chills are at least 25 below zero. The Reko Diq mine is expected to produce $74bn in free cash flow over the next 37 years, according to Barrick Gold CEO Mark Bristow. Barrick Gold holds a 50% stake in the mine, while the governments of Pakistan and Balochistan own the remaining stake. The mines development is expected to significantly impact Pakistan's economy, according to a report by Reuters. Barrick Gold considers Reko Diq one of the largest under-developed copper-gold areas globally. The project, which has been delayed due to a dispute resolved in 2022, is expected to start production by the end of 2028. The first phase will produce 200,000 tonnes of copper annually, with an estimated cost of $5.5bn. This phase is set to be completed by 2029, according to Bristow. The second phase is projected to double the production, with an estimated capital cost of $3.5bn. Mine reserves are estimated to last up to 37 years, but Bristow noted that upgrades and expansions could potentially extend its lifespan. According to the report, the $74bn in free cash flow could generate substantial dividends, royalties and taxes for Pakistan, which currently holds approximately $11bn in foreign reserves. Barrick Gold is engaging with railway authorities and infrastructure providers to modernise the coal terminal at Port Qasim, near Karachi. This development will enhance infrastructure for copper transport within the country and for export. Bristow confirmed that the project is moving forward as planned, with the fencing, accommodation and surveys completed. Additionally, Saudi Arabian mining company Manara Minerals may invest in the Reko Diq mine in the next two quarters, as stated by Pakistani Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik. Executives from Manara visited Pakistan in May last year for discussions about acquiring a stake in the project. Malik also mentioned that Pakistan is in talks with other Gulf countries regarding mining opportunities. "Barricks Reko Diq mine in Pakistan to generate $74bn over 37 years" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Welp... its official. President Donald J. Trump celebrated his second term doing exactly what he promised he would do. Among a series of executive orders signed by the president, Trump most notably either pardoned, commuted the prison sentences, or vowed to dismiss the cases of all roughly 1,500 people charged with crimes connected to the infamous Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, according to the White House. Don Lemon, the television and social media journalist, outlined Trumps orders on TikTok and noted the stark hypocrisy between Trumps pardons and his treatment of the now Exonerated Five. Trump did not have that same energy for the Central Park Five, Lemon said. As we all remember, Trump took out ads demanding the death penalty for the five Black and Hispanic teens who were wrongfully convicted of a heinous crime. Trump has yet to apologize to those men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement tiktok-7462188733740125470 Responses to Lemons video were mostly filled with users in complete awe of Trumps wave of pardons. @ymalemon2, said Wow this is crazy. Another user, @angelaneugebauerp, recognized the irony of it all, saying a felon issuing pardons... Friend: Donald just pardoned the Jan 6 rioters! Me: Well surely, he probably just pardoned a few of them, and people are just hyping it up. He's not dumb/wild enough to blatantly excuse violent attackers of LEO's () that we all watched happen on video Google: pic.twitter.com/Ep0BoBgXPg Kyland Young (@kylandyoung) January 21, 2025 On X, many Black folks shared similar confusion like user @kylandyoung. Friend: Well surely... Hes [Trumps] not dumb/wild enough to blatantly excuse violent attackers of LEOs that we all watched happen on video, he posted. But to many peoples disgust, the president did just that. C O R R U P T I O N https://t.co/Xk3IKboFwY marvel jesus (@H0MOSEXCHA) January 21, 2025 But while some were stuck in confusion, other X users like @H0MOSEXCHA summed up Trumps actions by spelling out C O R R U P T I O N. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement User @CharlitKae said these pardons means theres Absolutely no accountability. And shes not the only one that thinks so. @yjeanwrites wrote how Trumps orders makes it legal to overrun the capitol now. it's legal to overrun the capitol now https://t.co/bYDHwkHseq Yannise Jean (@yjeanwrites) January 21, 2025 Lets not forget this is the first thing Trump did just hours after being sworn into office. The president is clearly wasting absolutely no time passing laws and signing orders to justify criminalization on his behalf, and X user @belihlex said because of that, we should all be scared. so much has happened in these past 48 hours, were so so cooked guys https://t.co/siTthzjo4L Luba (@belihlex) January 21, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So much has happened in these past 48 hours, were so so cooked guys, she wrote. New: I just spoke with the brother of fallen Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick by phone. Craig Sicknick tells me President Trump's pardons for January 6thrioters are a "betrayal of decency. "We now have no rule of law, he said & called President Trump "a poor excuse of a Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) January 21, 2025 Rachel Scott, senior congressional correspondent for ABC News, said she spoke to the brother of Brian Sicknick, the Capitol Police officer who died the day after the Jan 6. attack, on the matter. We now have no rule of law, Sicknicks brother told Scott. He even went as far as to call Trump a poor excuse of a man. For many Americans, Trumps actions are a clear representation of how the next four years will go. But user @Tamantha_5 said she found a way to get through it all. U just really have to laugh, she wrote. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus holds a news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. From left: Reps. Vanessa Summers, Robin Shackleford, Earl Harris Jr., La Keisha Jackson, Ragen Hatcher, John Bartlett and Cherrish Pryor. There are 16 members. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Indianas Black Legislative Caucus on Tuesday condemned Gov. Mike Brauns anti-diversity moves as benefiting only those who feel attacked. Braun last week signed an executive order replacing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) throughout state government policies and programming with merit, excellence and innovation (MEI). It also closed the Office of the Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Officer created by his predecessor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diversity, equity and inclusion is not about giving any group a handout, said Rep. Earl Harris Jr., the caucus leader. Its about giving everyone access by expanding opportunities for even more talented and qualified individuals, regardless of their identity. Who does this benefit, other than folks who baselessly feel attacked by the mere mention of diversity in our workforce? asked Harris, D-East Chicago. He spoke before reporters at a Statehouse news conference. He said the executive order was distracting from caucus priorities like maternal health coverage, housing affordability and water safety education. The 16-member caucus of Black legislators also denounced targeted cuts proposed last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brauns two-year budget, presented to lawmakers Thursday, would eliminate funding for the Indiana Commission for Women and the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission. It would slash Indiana Civil Rights Commission funding by more than 15% about $750,000 over the biennium. Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis, speaks during an Indiana Black Legislative Caucus news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Rep. Cherrish Pyror, who sits on the budget-building House Ways and Means Committee, said the budget reflects state leaders priorities. So when youre cutting programs that affect minorities and women, Latinos, Native Americans, African Americans, when youre not supporting disparity studies, that is the priority of that administration, said Pryor, D-Indianapolis. What the administration is saying is, Youre not important to us. Youre not welcome. We dont want there to be diversity. We dont believe in equality, and we will not welcome inclusiveness.' Brauns DEI rollbacks echo national moves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump issued an executive order repealing his predecessors immoral discrimination programs, including terminating all related employees, contracts, action plans and performance requirements. Harris called the order disheartening for both Indiana and for the country. The caucus says online that it hopes to achieve greater economic, educational and social opportunities for all Hoosiers; close educational achievement gaps; push policies addressing minority resident concerns over crime, gun violence and domestic violence; provide targeted assistance to families struggling with basic needs; improve health care access and decrease health disparities. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Photo: Kenny Holston-Pool (Getty Images) Everyone is hitting the binternet to try to figure out what the word oligarchy means. In his final address, President Joe Biden warned of America becoming an oligarchy of tech billionaires, and this sent the interwebs into a frenzy. Many Americans immediately googled the question what is an oligarchy trying to make sense of what the president said. We got you. Sit down and grab a cup of coffee because we going to school. Todays subject? Oligarchy. It may sound boring, but, trust me, you need to know what it is. And more importantly, you need to know how it might impact Black folks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a nutshell, an oligarchy is a system of government in which an elite (those on the top of the food chain) few control the governments actions. China is an oligarchy. Russia is one. France doesnt know what it wants to be, but it has flirted with it from time to time. Now, the way oligarchs (the elites) get that power can vary. Maybe they are born with it like Maybelline. Maybe there is a military coup. Or, perhaps, there are very wealthy people who pull the strings of government behind the scenes. Thats what Biden was talking about. When he gave that final address and set the internet on fire, this is what he was warning us about. Yeah, he is concerned about what President Donald Trump might do, but what troubles him more are the people who surround the commander in chief. Elon Musks super PAC spent 200 million to help get Trump elected. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg cohosted an inaugural reception for the incoming president. Even Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and owner of the Washington Post (a man we all thought opposed Trump) was looking mighty cozy at the inauguration. This shows us that there are a group of very wealthy people who have the ear of the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats the danger. Thats why people are concerned about America turning into an oligarchy. Trump did not surround himself with people from the economic class of the folks who stormed the capital on January 6. There were not many farmers or coal workers invited on stage with him when he was sworn in inside the United States Capitol Rotunda. No, there were billionaires. So many in fact, that some news publications jokingly called it the billionaires row. This would be detrimental for folks who look like us. There are not many Black billionaires running around. Of the 3,000 people in the world who can claim to own that much money, only 16 are Black. This means that if the 47th President is only really listening people in that tax bracket, he certainly will not hear from anyone who has our interests in mind. Whats even more concerning is the fact that, historically, Oligarchies tend to be quite brutal to those who would oppose them. Black folks specialize in opposing corruption in government. Martin Luther (the) King, the man that America claims to love, did it in the 60s, and the FBI unleashed COINTELPRO on him. The Black Panthers did it in the 70s, and they murdered Fred Hampton in Chicago. Angela Davis did it, and they tried to send her to jail for the rest of her life. If America does indeed become an oligarchy, that means that anyone who dissents could be in real danger. Lets be clear. America is not a full oligarchyyet. But we must fight to make sure it does not. I thought Public Enemys song Fight the Power would one day no longer be relevant. I was wrong. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Newly inaugurated President Donald Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including those from Connecticut. He briefly said Monday night that he granted full, complete and unconditional pardons for those charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. There have been 1,583 total defendants charged. What theyve done to these people is outrageous, Trump said while signing various orders from the Oval Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump pardons nearly all Jan. 6 rioters on first day of presidency Among the Connecticut residents who have been convicted or charged in cases related to Jan. 6 include: Jeremy K. Baouche Victoria Bergeson James Roe Cleary Benjamin Cohen Richard Crosby Jr. Gino DiGiovanni Jr. Michael Kenny Thomas Kenny Carla Krzywicki Jean Lavin Richard Markey Patrick McCaughey III Mauricio Mendez These mass pardons are sickening the ultimate disrespect for police officers who were assaulted brutally by criminal rioters, suffering lasting injuries, & death in some cases, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said. Trump also ordered his Justice Department to take steps to throw out all pending indictments against Jan. 6 defendants whose cases have not yet been fully adjudicated a decision that would shut down roughly 470 ongoing cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. This post contains graphic images and/or details. Reader discretion is advised. WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) Officials with the West Valley City Police Department held a press briefing on Monday to provide more details about a double homicide on Jan. 1, 2025, that led to an officer-involved shooting. On Jan. 1, officials found two bodies of the residents of a home on Enterado Street in West Valley City. The couples adult son was identified as the suspect and killed by police at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roxeanne Vainuku, the deputy communications director for West Valley City, said during the Jan. 20 briefing that the department was not choosing to release the video, but was required to do so under open records laws in Utah. This video captures a suspect in the act of committing a homicide, and when you see this video, youre going to wonder why would we release such a disturbing incident for the public to view, Vainuku said, addressing the public. We are compelled by our states open records laws to release any records that we create, and body-worn camera footage is considered a record. PREVIOUS STORY: Police fatally shoot man suspected of killing parents in West Valley City home One clip that was released can be viewed in the video player at the top of this story. The camera was worn by the officer who shot and killed the suspect during the incident. Viewer discretion is advised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although graphic images have been blurred, the content of the clips has not been altered in any way, Vainuku said in a presentation video shared Monday. Deputy Chief Mike Fossmo said in the presentation that the dispatcher who heard the original 911 call was unable to hear any details, but heard a commotion and dispatched officers to the scene of what was classified as an unknown problem. Once at the scene, officers are seen in the bodycam footage walking around the front of the house. They make their way to the side of the house, where they can see an entrance to the basement. After appearing to see something suspicious, officers run down the stairs and enter the basement. The suspect, who can be seen kneeling down, repeatedly stabbing one of the victims ignored officers commands to show his hands and drop his weapon, Fossmo said. He continued stabbing the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was shot twice by one officer. After shouting further commands at the suspect, officers concluded that he was dead. The involved officer has been placed on leave, per protocol. After the presentation video concluded, Chief Colleen Jacobs said officers had been to the home before the incident on Jan. 1. I see a tragedy, Jacobs said of the bodycam footage. A very tragic incident that happened with the parties involved, and for the officers involved as well. West Valley City police respond to a 911 call on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, locating the bodies of a male and a female who lived at the residence. (Credit: West Valley City Police Department) West Valley City police respond to a 911 call on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, locating the bodies of a male and a female who lived at the residence. (Credit: West Valley City Police Department) West Valley City police respond to a 911 call on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, locating the bodies of a male and a female who lived at the residence. (Credit: West Valley City Police Department) West Valley City police respond to a 911 call on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, locating the bodies of a male and a female who lived at the residence. (Credit: West Valley City Police Department) The Salt Lake City Police Department is investigating the incident. SLCPD will be analyzing forensic evidence and interviewing witnesses, among other investigative duties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After that investigation is complete, the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office will review the investigation and determine if the officers use of force was justified. We also dont conclude whether the officers actions are consistent with our policy and the law until all the facts are known and the investigation is complete, Vainuku said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. MUMBAI (Reuters) - Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan left a hospital in India's financial capital Mumbai on Tuesday, less than a week after he suffered knife injuries in a scuffle with an intruder at his house, local media reported. Khan, 54, was stabbed six times by the intruder during an attempted burglary at his home after midnight on Thursday. He had surgery after sustaining stab wounds to his spine, neck and hands, doctors said. Khan was discharged from hospital on Tuesday afternoon. He smiled at TV cameras from his car and waved his bandaged hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, police arrested a man, thought to be a citizen of Bangladesh, in connection with the attack and were continuing to investigate the crime. The suspect, arrested on the outskirts of Mumbai, was using the name Vijay Das, but is believed to be Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, who was working with a housekeeping agency after having come to the city five or six months ago, Dikshit Gedam, a deputy commissioner of police, told a press conference. The attack on Khan shocked residents of Mumbai as well as fellow Bollywood actors, especially because it took place in an upscale neighbourhood of the city, in an apartment block that is strictly guarded. (Reporting by Shilpa Jamkhandikar; Editing by Sharon Singleton) WASHINGTON, D.C. (KNWA/KFTA) Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton both praised the passage of the Laken Riley Act. The legislation, which passed with a 64-35 vote in the senate, would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants who commit theft, burglary, larceny or shoplifting offenses. It would also require ICE to arrest illegal immigrants accused of assault on a law enforcement officer or any crim resulting in death or serious injury to another person. The bill is named for Laken Riley, who was a nursing student at the University of Georgia. She was killed in February of 2024. Undocumented immigrant Jose Antonio Ibarra was found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole in November of the same year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This commonsense legislation will help safeguard our communities and prevent other families from becoming future victims of the unimaginable tragedy experienced by Laken Rileys loved ones, Boozman said. The bipartisan support for this measure is welcome and sends a clear signal that our country will no longer tolerate the consequences of lawless, open-border policies. I encourage our colleagues in the House of Representatives to approve and send this bill to President Trumps desk quickly. The bill would also give states the right to bring civil action against any federal official who breaks immigration law, or refuses to enforce it. Americans elected Republicans to deliver safety and the Laken Riley Act will ensure these criminals are detained. This is a welcome and crucial first step for delivering on our promise to make America safe again, Cotton said. The bill will now head back to the House of Representatives for consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. A U.S. Border Patrol agent was shot and killed in northern Vermont on Monday afternoon, the FBI said in a statement. The shooting took place on Interstate 91 in Coventry, roughly 20 miles south of the U.S.-Canada border, according to The Associated Press. The FBI is investigating the incident as an alleged assault on a federal officer in connection with a fatal shooting, according to the FBI Albany statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement indicated that, along with one agent, one subject was killed and a second subject was injured and is in custody. The FBI said there is no ongoing threat to the public but that the investigation is active, and that officials would notify the public of more details as they became available. The FBI said it was working with Border Patrol officials and Vermont State Police to investigate the case. Benjamine Huffman, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, confirmed the agents death in a statement, the AP reported. Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harms way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure, Huffman said in a statement, describing the death as occurring in the line of duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vermont Congressional delegation Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), Sen. Peter Welch (D) and at-large Rep. Becca Balint (D) issued a statement offering condolences to the agents family and to the Border Patrol. They thanked the first responders and emergency medical service providers who responded to the scene. Border Patrol agents do important work protecting our borders. They deserve our full support in terms of staffing, pay and working conditions, they wrote in the statement. We look forward to working with the agency to make sure that they have all the resources they need to do the enormously important work that is their responsibility. Together, we must do everything possible to prevent future tragedies like what happened today, they continued. Copyright 2025 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. South African biotech Afrigen Biologics has secured a $6.2m grant from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop the first mRNA-based vaccine against Rift Valley fever. The funding will see Afrigens researchers work with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to advance the mRNA candidate through preclinical testing and into a Phase I clinical trial in humans. The trial will either be conducted in South Africa or another country affected by an outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease. Rift Valley fever was first identified more than 90 years ago in Kenya. The disease occurs in humans after contact with infected animals, meaning pastoral farmers are commonly affected due to frequent interactions with livestock, though bites from infected mosquitoes can also transmit the virus. Whilst there are vaccines approved for animal use, none are yet marketed for human use. Around 1%-2% of infections are haemorrhagic, which can cause blindness, convulsions, encephalitis and bleeding. This more severe form of the disease has mortality rates in humans of around 50%. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported outbreaks in Egypt, Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania in the 20th century, however, Rift Valley fever cases occurred outside Africa for the first time in September 2000, following livestock trade to the Middle East. Similar to malaria, there are concerns that Rift Valley fever rates could increase due to it being a climate-sensitive disease. CEPI stated the need for a new vaccine is due to the risk of the disease spreading to new areas or increasing in frequency or size due to changing weather events. WHO made Afrigen Biologics its mRNA Hub to scale mRNA vaccine development and production in low-income and middle-income countries. These regions are more adversely affected by infectious disease outbreaks, especially from mosquito-borne viruses. CEPIs CEO Dr Richard Hatchett said: A safe and effective Rift Valley fever mRNA vaccine made in Africa, for Africa, raises the bar in our response to future Rift Valley fever outbreaks, and paves the way to make rapid response mRNA vaccines against similar viruses that could emerge on the continent or in other low- and middle-income countries. Although Afrigens candidate is the first mRNA-based vaccine for Rift Valley fever funded by CEPI, the organisation has previously funded further research. This includes a candidate developed at the University of Oxford, which will be evaluated in a Phase II clinical trial in Kenya, with CEPI providing $3.7m in funding for the study. New England Patriots Foundation President Josh Kraft plans to challenge Boston Mayor Michelle Wu in the citys election this fall, according to two people who have spoken with him recently, and is eyeing early February for an official announcement. A spokesperson for Kraft declined to comment. Kraft, the son of billionaire business mogul and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, has been weighing a challenge to Wu for months, but Boston City Councilor Ed Flynns decision to forgo his own bid for the seat his father, Ray Flynn, once held cleared the lane for him. Kraft advisors were spotted looking at office spaces in Bostons Nubian Square to serve as a home for the campaign, according to one of the people. Kraft, 57, already has some ties to the Roxbury neighborhood: the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, where Kraft serves as board chair, is headquartered there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wu swept into office in 2021 on the promise of progressive change, and shattered a few glass ceilings on the way becoming the first woman and first person of color to be elected mayor in Boston. She recently notched another first, becoming the citys first mayor to give birth while in office. She welcomed her third child, a daughter, earlier this month a day before she turned 40. Taking on Wu, a Democrat, in the citys nonpartisan election this fall will be no small feat. Wu has kept her political operation sharp since she took office. She helped usher allies onto the City Council in 2023, making it easier to push her agenda. Last fall, she earned another victory in a race for a typically little-watched court position that became a proxy-battle between Wu and her more moderate critics on the council. Wu also has the power of incumbency in a city that hasnt ousted an incumbent in decades. She already has endorsements from a handful of unions, including Laborers Local 223, Unite Here Local 26, SEIU Local 888 and AFSCME Council 93 and $1.7 million in her campaign coffers at the end of last month. But City Hall watchers expect Kraft could have access to near unlimited funds. And unlike most first-time candidates, he already has some name recognition both among Patriots fans and as a philanthropist with ties to Bostons Black community and as the former head of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Wu is currently mired in a few battles that Kraft could try to wield on the campaign trail: pending school closures, a costly overhaul of White Stadium thats drawn a few very vocal critics and a lawsuit, her recent struggle to push her property tax shift bill through Beacon Hill (now headed for a round two) and harrumphing from developers unhappy with Wus way of doing business in the city. This story first appeared in Massachusetts Playbook. Sign up today to get the top news from the Bay State delivered to your inbox every weekday. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Police are seeking help from the community locating a missing at-risk woman who was last seen in Oildale last Wednesday, according to Bakersfield police. Angie Prado, 26, was last seen in at the Wendys on the intersection of Bedford Way and N Chester Frontage Ave. on Jan. 15. around 11:30 a.m. BPD say shes considered to be at-risk due to medical conditions. Temperatures will be warming up, with rain and snow arriving this weekend Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department says Prado is five-feet, six-inches tall and weighs around 200 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. Angie Prado, was last seen in at the Wendys on the intersection of Bedford Way and N Chester Frontage Ave. on Jan. 15. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage Prado was last seen searing black pants, black long sleeve shirt and was carrying a pink backpack. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call BPD at 661-327-7111. Copyright 2025 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 KGET 17 News. BRANFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Dozens gathered to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a breakfast fundraiser benefitting the community. Thats what Dr. Kings real effort was all aboutbreaking down the barriers and getting us to the mountain top, Ray Anderson, vice president of MLK Heritage Foundation in Branford, said. On Monday, Dr. Martin Luther Kings life and legacy at Stanford Public Schools and the MLK Jr. Heritage Foundation hosted the 40th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day breakfast. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025: Connecticut honors civil rights leader Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have the culinary program here at Branford High Schoolthey are providing the food. Were gunna have a full breakfastpancakes, eggs, grits, toast coffee, Anderson said. Back with a very special emcee, you may recognize. Ive been lucky to be involved for a lot of years, going back to the pandemic. It really is an event that means a lot to me. Its great to speak about non-violence, the message of Dr. King that often times gets lost on a day-to-day basis, Kountz said. The event kicked off at 10 a.m. Monday and featured music, food and special guest speakers, including Pulitzer prize-winning author, Dr. Jeffrey C. Stewart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Im going to be talking about is the issue of non-violencewhich tends to not be something people talk about much with him, Dr. Jeffrey C. Stewart, Pulitzer Prize winner and guest speaker, said. It seems like were in an increasingly violent world and Id like to remind us that he says theres an alternative to that. In addition to honoring MLK day, it will also benefit local high school students. Proceeds from Mondays breakfast will fund several scholarships. We look for civic contributions from the students. The academics are kind of a given but we want people who really embody and embrace the spirit of Dr. King, Anderson said. And that spirit, his message, forging ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think we have a moral obligation to try to make it a more perfect union. And he as trying to do that, Stewart said. This really gets the focus of the community back on the message Dr. King, non-violence, and everyone being equal in society. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Brexit has been blamed for ruining the plans of Britons looking to move to Spain, following an announcement by the countrys prime minister that he is looking to ban property purchases by those from outside the European Union. The move by Pedro Sanchez is an attempt to curb rising housing prices. We will propose to ban these non-EU foreigners who are not residents, and their relatives, from buying houses in our country since they only do so to speculate, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that non-EU residents represent about 23,000 of almost 700,000 homes bought and sold every year in Spain. Of all foreigners buying property in the country, British buyers lead the way with almost 10 per cent of transactions. A group that advocates for Britons in Spain believes the UKs withdrawal from the European Union is the root cause of distress for those who had been hoping to move to sunnier shores. Many British nationals on lower incomes, who had hopes of retirement on the Costas, have already had their dreams shattered [by Brexit], said Sue Wilson, the head of Bremain in Spain, a group with 6,000 members, told The Times. These new measures assuming they are passed by parliament will only add to the barriers we face in Europe as non-EU citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spain has seen a surge in overtourism protests in some areas over the past year, many focusing on the impact holiday rental properties have on the lack of housing in their area. A mounting housing crisis for permanent Spanish residents has left some feeling they have been locked out of the housing market exacerbated by short-term holiday rentals. Tens of thousands in Barcelona protested in November over the increasing prices of renting an apartment in an area that has become such a popular tourist destination. Demonstrators in Barcelona protesting the rising cost of renting (The Associated Press) At the protest, people held up signs in Spanish reading: Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living" and The people without homes uphold their rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, Barcelonas town hall pledged to eliminate the citys 10,000 so-called tourist apartments by not renewing any licences after they expire in 2028. On 13 January, Mr Sanchez unveiled a proposal that would see property taxes for non-EU citizens in Spain be equivalent to 100 per cent of the value of a home. Mr Sanchez said: The tax rate that non-Europeans who do not reside in our country must pay when buying a home in Spain will be increased to 100 per cent, prioritising that the available homes are for residents. One in five homes sold in Spain is bought by foreigners, with many of them non-residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, the tax rate for non-residents of the EU is around 24 per cent of the price of the house, depending on location. A source close to Mr Sanchez played down the suggestion of a ban to Reuters, saying the plan remained to discourage acquisitions through increased tax rates. Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent, said: Spain has some serious stresses in its property market, but to appear to blame British buyers for the number of Airbnbs in Barcelona looks wide of the mark. The prime minister is relying on the time-worn strategy of blaming greedy foreigners for domestic problems. But by choosing to leave the European Union, the UK opted to be out in the cold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The British demand to be limited to a maximum of 90 days stay during the winter means there are far fewer buyers, and an exodus of long-stay property owners could lead to a slump, he adds. Many other southern European nations recognise the value of long-stay British visitors, and I foresee an arms race as countries compete for the winter-sun pound. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast Britain should pay reparations to India, an Oxfam International report has suggested. It argued that former colonial powers should pay reparations to former colonies to compensate for the transfer of wealth it claims took place under imperial rule. It cited analysis that showed that between 1765 and 1900, Britain extracted $64.82 trillion (52.58 trillion) from India. This is to cover the area of London in 50 notes almost four times over, the report said. Brutally enslaved It said: Reparations must be made to those who were brutally enslaved and colonised. Our modern-day colonial economic system must be made radically more equal to end poverty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cost should be borne by the richest people who benefit the most. Reparations to the victims must be made to ensure restitution, provide satisfaction, compensate for damages incurred, ensure rehabilitation and prevent future abuses. The cost of reparations should be borne by the richest, who benefited the most from colonialism. It is the first time the charity has called for such a move. The report proposed that Western countries commit to paying former colonies a minimum of $5 trillion (4 trillion) annually in reparations and climate debt the amount of money Western countries are said to owe poorer ones to account for the costs of climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taxes on the richest and corporations should rise to pay for the transfers, the report suggested. The figure of $64.82 trillion was not a calculation made by the reports authors but was attributed to two Indian economists based in Delhi, Utsa Patnaik and her husband, Prabhat, who describe themselves as Marxists. In 2018, they estimated that Britain had drained India of approximately $45 trillion (36.5 trillion), which was based on a slightly different period 1765 to 1938 from the Oxfam timeframe. According to the charity, the $64.82 figure is an update to an analysis published in 2021. Critics questioned the method that produced that figure. Mindless illiteracy Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Tirthankar Roy, professor in economic history at the London School of Economics, said: Oxfam joins the display of mindless illiteracy with which Leftist activists discuss [the] impact of the British Raj. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The core of the claim of extraction is a net flow of money from India to Britain from the late-18th century (decades before most of India was colonised) to the 1920s. This outflow is blown up by activists posing as scholars using dishonest tools posing as methods. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The chairman of Britains competition regulator has been ousted and replaced with a veteran Amazon executive as Donald Trump threatens a trade war with countries that seek to curb US tech giants. Ministers last night appointed Doug Gurr, who ran Amazons UK arm for nine years until 2022, as interim chairman of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). He will replace Marcus Bokkerink, who is leaving just three years into a five-year term at the watchdog, after an intervention from Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Government said the change came after a meeting last week in which regulators including the CMA were asked to tear down the barriers hindering business and refocus their efforts on promoting growth, indicating ministers had been unhappy with the CMAs proposals. It is understood his exit is intended to signal that the Government is serious about its efforts to unlock growth, as the CMA has in recent years been attacked for attempting to halt a wide range of deals. This includes an effort to block Microsofts $69bn (56bn) takeover of gaming company Activision in 2023, which led to the formers boss Brad Smith claiming his confidence in the UK had been left severely shaken. Meanwhile, under Mr Gurr, Amazon accused the CMA of a speculative effort to block a minority investment in the UKs Deliveroo in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five years later, Will Shu, Deliveroos chief executive, claimed the watchdog was trying to kill companies. Industry sources said the decision to remove Mr Bokkerink, a former consultant at Boston Consulting Group, could serve to reassure the technology sector and say were taking growth seriously. However, they also pointed to the fact that Sarah Cardell, the CMA chief executive, has ultimate day-to-day responsibility for the regulator, raising questions over how she will collaborate with Mr Gurr. Sarah Cardell will retain overall responsibility for running the CMA - Betty Laura Zapata/Bloomberg Late on Tuesday, Mr Bokkerink defended his work and said that Parliament had pushed for more aggressive competition enforcement when they introduced new competition regulations last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reduced choice, constraints on fair competition, monopolisation of markets, consumer and competition authorities vulnerable to short term expediency or vested interests dont work at least not for growing the economy overall and over the long term, he wrote on LinkedIn. These are choices. Parliament knew what they were choosing in strengthening the UKs competition and consumer protection laws, he added. Clash with White House The unexpected departure of Mr Bokkerink comes as Britain risks a clash with Mr Trumps new White House regime over its stance on global competition rules. The CMA has already announced an investigation into Google over its search dominance this year, while The Telegraph understands it also has been preparing a second probe into the power of Apple and Google over smartphone app stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marc Andreessen, who donated to Mr Trumps campaign, last week said there were enormous challenges in the UK on competition rules, claiming they were extremely draconian, anti-tech, anti-business, anti-American policies. Brussels regulators have reportedly put major decisions on investigations into Apple, Meta and Google on hold in part to assess the temperature of the Trump administration. Cristina Caffarra, a competition economist, said: If anyone tried anything that had the potential to make real change, we now know there would be unknown retribution as Trump has indicated he would protect American platforms from Europe, and they bent the knee. There were four men [Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai] in the front row [at Mr Trumps inauguration] worth nearly a trillion dollars. Its very clear he will protect them in some way. Tech bosses Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk at Donald Trumps inauguration - Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, said that Labours decision to appoint Mr Gurr in the name of growth seems odd when they are simultaneously appointing their trade union and party donors elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, it comes as the Government faces calls to refer the attempted takeover of The Telegraph by an Abu Dhabi fund to the CMA as a breach of legislation banning foreign state ownership of newspapers. An investigation of the potential threat to press freedom was paused last year to allow RedBird IMI, which had acquired an option on ownership, to secure an onward sale. The process has failed to deliver a transaction, chiefly owing to Abu Dhabis price expectations, and RedBird IMI recently urged Telegraph executives to make job cuts and abandon editorial investments prompting a demand for action this week from Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader. He accused the Government of foot-dragging because they dont want to upset the UAE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A request for the CMA to complete the investigation could allow Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, to order The Telegraphs independent directors to sell the company at a market price to any acceptable buyer. The Financial Times first reported the decision to remove Mr Bokkerink. A government spokesman declined to comment. The CMA was contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Britons could be banned from buying homes in Spain under new proposals made by the countrys Left-wing prime minister. Pedro Sanchez said he would propose to ban purchasers from outside the European Union from buying properties, as the government seeks to curb rising housing prices, which have become an increasing source of friction. We will propose to ban these non-EU foreigners who are not residents, and their relatives, from buying houses in our country since they only do so to speculate, Mr Sanchez said at a political rally in Plasencia, in western Spain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move would be a blow to British expatriates, who are already facing a new tax of up to 100 per cent on property purchases in the country. Real estate purchases in Spain are currently subject to 10 per cent tax on newly built homes and six per cent on old properties. Housing has become a major issue in Spain as it struggles to balance promoting tourism, a key driver of its economy, with concerns over high rents caused by gentrification and landlords shifting to more lucrative, short-term tourist rentals, especially in urban and coastal areas. House prices in Spain increased by an annual average of 8.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Sanchezs plan includes several measures to reduce the impact of holiday rental apartments on the property market, after resident protests against the effects of overtourism. There will also be a clampdown on fraudulent seasonal holiday lets to lessen the impact of tourism on small Spanish towns. There are too many Airbnbs and not enough homes, Mr Sanchez said. Either potential change would need to pass the lower house where Mr Sanchezs minority government faces a constant struggle to pass any bill. Either way, there will be damage to Spains reputation, said real estate company CBRE. Paloma Relinque, the CBREs executive corporate director for Spain, said: All factors related to regulatory and juridical changes are discouraging investors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countrys Central Bank recently estimated there could be a deficit of half a million houses in Spain by the end of this year. Targeting non-resident foreigner buyers, who tend to buy second homes particularly in beach resorts, would have a limited effect on the housing market as a whole, a spokesman for real estate developer Gilmar said. Non-EU residents represent about 23,000 of the almost 700,000 homes bought and sold every year in the country, Mr Sanchez said during the rally. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Former Georgia Rep. Doug Collins will appear before the U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs committee for his confirmation hearing on Tuesday. The Senate committee originally scheduled for Collins, who is President Donald Trumps nominee to be secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department, to testify last week. However, the FBI hadnt completed its customary background check yet and the committee postponed the hearing. Collins will begin testifying at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. If he is confirmed, Collins would lead the Veterans Affairs Department in the new Trump administration. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] For his military background, Collins served as a U.S. Navy chaplain for two years in the 1980s. He later joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a chaplain in wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. He remains a colonel in the Air Force Reserve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins political career began in 2007 and served three terms in the Georgia State House until 2013. He later won his seat in U.S. Congress in 2012 and represented Georgias 9th Congressional District until 2021. During his time in Congress, Collins became the House Republican Conferences vice chair and a ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. TRENDING STORIES: Collins has been an ally for Trump since his first term as president. Collins defended Trump during special counsel Robert Mullers investigation and during Trumps impeachment hearings. He even wrote a book , The Clock and the Calendar, in support of Trump and argued that Democrats were impeaching the president to get revenge for his 2016 win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump meanwhile pushed for Collins to be appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2019 when former Sen. Johnny Isakson stepped down for his health. Collins ran for Senate and finished third in special election for the Republican nomination. The Associated Press contributed to this report. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Chile's Codelco is reportedly in discussions with Saudi Arabia about potential joint investments in copper. Codelco chair Maximo Pacheco emphasised the mutual interest between Codelco and Saudi Arabia in adding value through joint ventures (JVs), according to a report by Reuters. Pacheco stated that the company's production for 2025 is expected to increase by approximately 70,000 tonnes, reaching around 1.4 million tonnes (mt). "We would be very open to considering joint investment opportunities," he said after attending the Future Minerals Forum in Saudi Arabia. Pacheco mentioned his meetings with Saudi mining minister Bandar al-Khorayaf and representatives from Manara Minerals, which is a JV between Saudi Arabian Mining Company and the kingdom's $925bn Public Investment Fund, the report said. An announcement from these discussions is anticipated in the coming months. He also discussed technology transfers, highlighting Saudi Arabia's expertise in desalination and the potential introduction of technologies such as AI in mining. While Saudi Arabia has shown interest in Chile's lithium assets, Codelco is seeking partners for a lithium project in the Maricunga salt flat. Pacheco noted that Saudi companies are not on the shortlist, with a board vote on the project expected in March. Codelco is striving to boost production from 25-year lows, overcoming challenges such as declining ore grades and construction mishaps. The company aims to meet its 2024 target of 1.328mt. Saudi Arabia is actively seeking critical minerals such as copper and lithium to develop its battery and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing sector, aligning with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's vision to diversify the economy away from oil. The country is forming partnerships with foreign miners, including Canada's Barrick Gold, Brazil's Vale, and India's Vedanta Resources, to establish a metals and mining hub. Manara Minerals, state miner Maaden, and Saudi Arabias Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources have engaged in talks with Zambia, Africas second-largest copper producer, for closer collaboration, according to a separate report by Bloomberg. "Codelco and Saudi Arabia discuss copper investment opportunities" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) After the Palisades Fire, many people were surprised to see areas where a single house was still standing after others around it had been reduced to ash. Cal Fire says in the case of one Malibu home it was thanks to home hardening, and now theyre launching a pilot program to do the same here in San Diego County. When a wildfire tears through a community, theres little time to pack up and get out. Thats why Cal Fire is encouraging people to prepare their properties ahead of time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We havent had any precipitation in the last few weeks, months, so all that fuel is extremely dry out there, said Mike Cornette, a Cal Fire captain. Evacuations ordered as crews battle brush fire near homes in Poway The home hardening initiative, part of the California Wildfire Mitigation Program, is running a pilot program in Dulzura in hopes of getting ahead of the next wildfire. This is one part of it and its a very crucial part to make sure that were doing the best we can at protecting the residents of San Diego County, said Cornette. The program provides necessary funding to create defensible space and retrofit homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve sealed all of the access points into the under spaces of the house into the attics with fine mesh, said Cornette. The process is done to ensure embers will not enter the attic or crawl spaces. They also created defensible space using river rock and retrofitted fire-resistant siding. Its tested to resist embers and wildfire, Cornette explained. A resident at a Dulzura property that is one of the hardened homes which completed the pilot program showed us the updates. He did not have time to talk on camera because he said he had just been notified his power might be shut off and he was busy preparing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county said the program will be made available to other areas of San Diego County and the state soon. Homeowners in Dulzura are invited to apply for the program on the countys website rental properties are also eligible, but the legal homeowner needs to apply. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. LOS ANGELES (KTLA) California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with 18 state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Trump administration, challenging President Donald Trumps executive order to stop recognizing birthright citizenship of children born to parents who are not lawful residents. Bonta pointed to the case of Wong Kim Ark, a San Francisco-born son of Chinese immigrants, who sued all the way to the Supreme Court in 1898 when his citizenship was challenged when he tried to return home from a trip abroad. Newsoms office refutes President Trumps claims that California is without a token of defense amid wildfires Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That case set a precedent for establishing birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. California condemns the Presidents attempts to erase history and ignore 125 years of Supreme Court precedent, Bonta said in a statement. We are asking a court to immediately block this order from taking effect and ensure that the rights of American-born children impacted by this order remain in effect while litigation proceeds. The president has overstepped his authority by a mile with this order, and we will hold him accountable. Trumps order would end the policy of automatically granting citizenship to people born in the U.S., a move he promised to make on the campaign trail. The order would also cause several states to lose federal funding for programs like Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program since the money received is based on the number of eligible recipients, according to Bonta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California lawmakers hold special session to Trump-proof state policies He also warned that Trumps order could cause irreparable harm to the states and their residents by not allowing them to work legally, vote, and obtain passports and social security numbers. The lawsuit filing requested a preliminary injunction to prevent the executive order from taking immediate effect. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. The Palisades Fire destroyed thousands of homes in Los Angeles as high winds stoked wildfires throughout the city. Many private insurers recently dropped coverage in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, forcing residents to seek coverage from the states last resort FAIR Plan. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.) In the months before thousands of Los Angeles homes went up in flames, property insurance companies dropped coverage in many neighborhoods of the city, citing the growing wildfire risks caused by climate change. As a result, a fast-growing number of California residents have switched to a state-backed last resort insurance plan. That plan has taken on policies covering billions of dollars in some of the neighborhoods hardest hit by the fires, which have engulfed more than 12,000 structures and prompted staggering loss projections. Some experts think the plans reserves wont be enough to cover the damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre not going to have enough money to pay these claims, said Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, a nonprofit that advocates for insurance customers. If that happens, it will trigger an assessment on every home insurance policyholder in the state to cover the outstanding claims. Its a mechanism available under some state-backed insurance plans one thats known in Florida as the hurricane tax. Now, for the first time, Californians may be hit with the wildfire tax. A single wildfire disaster could impose a surcharge of close to $1,000 on every Californian with home insurance coverage, Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit advocacy group, told state lawmakers in March. Some experts fear its just the beginning of a vicious cycle in states across the country. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of disasters, experts predict, insurance companies will stop offering coverage to vast swaths of the country. State-backed last resort plans will take on an ever-growing number of the highest risk properties. And homeowners everywhere will get stuck with the bill when disaster strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were all going to be paying for the insurance industrys unwillingness to serve in those communities, said Doug Heller, director of insurance with the Consumer Federation of America, a research and advocacy nonprofit. The private companies are getting all the best risk [policies] and the public holds the bag for the worst risk. Insurance companies have lobbied state regulators for more flexibility in setting rates and faster approvals of rate hikes. They say the market needs to keep up with the ever-growing risks caused by climate change for their business to be viable. The American Property Casualty Insurance Association did not grant an interview request by publication time. FAIR Plans State-backed insurance plans, known as FAIR Plans or Citizens Plans, were set up starting in the 1960s to provide coverage for homeowners who couldnt find policies on the private market. The plans are managed by state governments, but backed financially by a pool of the private insurers doing business in that state. Today, 35 states and the District of Columbia offer FAIR Plan policies to high-risk property owners. In many cases, those plans often designed to cover a handful of outlier properties are insuring hundreds of thousands of homes valued at billions of dollars. California, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts and North Carolina all have more than 100,000 policies insured by their state plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationwide, these state-backed plans cover nearly 3 million properties Californias alone provides nearly half a million policies with an exposure exceeding $1 trillion. Those numbers are only likely to grow. [The Los Angeles fires] will be a giant I told you so from insurers, Bach said. This proves our point, and we just cant continue to do business in this market. Thats going to be a big blow to the FAIR Plan. State Farm, Californias largest insurer, said last year that it could drop more than 1 million policies in the state over the next five years a signal that private insurers retreat from the market could accelerate. This months wildfires are likely to hasten that exit. Because the FAIR Plan pools the private insurers doing business in California, any companies withdrawing from the market also weaken the safety net thats meant to cover the absence of private plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plans first big stress test is likely to be in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, which was devastated by the fires. The FAIR Plan provides nearly $6 billion of wildfire coverage in that area, among the highest totals in the state. At present, the California plan has about $377 million available to pay claims, with another $5.75 billion in reinsurance, The New York Times reported. In a news release, FAIR Plan officials said it was too early to calculate loss estimates from the Los Angeles fires and whether the plan would have to use payment mechanisms to cover its claims. Until last year, the plans pool of insurance companies would have been required to cover the balance of outstanding claims, based on their market share in the state. But a policy announced last July by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, a Democrat, allows insurers to surcharge their policyholders directly to cover losses over $1 billion in an extreme worst case scenario. Consumer advocates say that policy was among a series of concessions made by Laras office, meant to induce insurance companies to continue providing policies in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was supposed to be in return for a guarantee that insurers come back to the market, but that guarantee has not played out, said Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit advocacy group. If the insurance industry has their way, one half of California will no longer be covered, and we will get to that point quickly. Balber noted that FAIR Plan policies still have expensive premiums and provide minimal coverage compared with private plans. Laras office did not grant an interview by publication time. Insurance company concerns While advocates lament the increased risk borne by the public, insurance industry leaders say they cant continue to cover disaster-prone areas without damaging their companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [In 2023], insurers paid $1.11 in claims and expenses for every dollar in premiums collected, Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications with the Insurance Information Institute, said in an interview with Stateline last year. If insurers continue to see significant underwriting losses year after year, thats going to be a determining factor in where they want to write policies. Meanwhile, two California lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow the state to issue catastrophe bonds to help the FAIR Plan cover shortfalls to its reserves. Insurance experts agree that the industry is grappling with the failure of public officials to stop the worst effects of climate change and limit development in areas prone to disasters. Land use decision-making has been outsourced to the insurance industry, said Heller, of the Consumer Federation of America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Private insurers are likely to continue pulling back as climate change worsens, and state-backed plans are not equipped to handle the extra risk, said Dave Jones, a former California insurance commissioner who is now director of the Climate Risk Initiative at the University of California, Berkeleys Center for Law, Energy & the Environment. He is advocating for a federal program to provide reinsurance a type of insurance purchased by insurers themselves to hedge against large claim payouts for state FAIR Plans, which would provide an important backstop as private reinsurance becomes more expensive. Were marching steadily toward an uninsurable future, because were not dealing with the root cause of climate change, Jones said. Private insurers are going to act economically rationally in the face of these losses. A vicious cycle California isnt the only state facing pressure on its last resort insurance plan. Florida covers nearly 1 million households on its Citizens Plan, making it the largest property insurer in the state. The state was hit by hurricanes Helene and Milton last year, which caused billions of dollars in damage across the southeastern U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lori Medders, a professor at Appalachian State University and a longtime expert on Florida insurance, said its unclear whether the claims paid out to hurricane survivors will require Citizens Plan to issue a hurricane tax on the states policyholders. This assessment was previously triggered after the hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005. She said state-backed plans even those charging massive rates rarely collect premiums matching their exposure. Its incomprehensible to charge those people the rates you need from them to cover their risk, she said. The more insurance [state plans] have and value at risk they have, the more exposure they have to losses. If you exacerbate that with climate change, you are putting a market problem on top of a market problem. Medders said increasing disasters could create a vicious cycle where private insurers cover fewer and fewer homes, forcing state plans to step in and hit residents with assessment on top of assessment on top of assessment to cover their losses. Heller said governments may need to rethink insurance as a system akin to a utility, if the market approach can no longer sustain an industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The private sector approach to property insurance is starting to crack under the weight of climate change and the public cant fill in the gaps under the existing structure, he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE California, a coalition of other states and the city of San Francisco sued the federal government Tuesday over President Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship via executive order calling it an unconstitutional directive that flies in the face of long-standing legal precedent. "I have one message for President Trump: I'll see you in court," California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said during a morning news conference calling the order "unconstitutional and quite frankly un-American." The lawsuit asks the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts to block Trump's order from taking effect which it is meant to do in less than 30 days and to "ensure that the rights of American-born children impacted by this order remain in effect while litigation proceeds," Bonta said. "The president has overstepped his authority by a mile with this order, and we will hold him accountable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bonta said Trump's order would affect more than 20,000 babies born in California each year. He noted the state is home to some 11 million immigrants, who make up almost 30% of the state's population and a third of its taxpaying workers. "I want to be clear that this isn't some theoretical legal disagreement I have with the president," he said. "If allowed to stand, this order would endanger thousands of U. S. citizens who will be born in the next year real children and families just trying to live their lives at peace." Read more: Trump said he would revoke birthright citizenship. It hasn't worked in the past California is leading the litigation along with New Jersey and Massachusetts, where the lawsuit was filed, Bonta said. Also joining those states and San Francisco as plaintiffs are the states of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit is a first for California against the new Trump administration, but likely not the last. The state sued the first Trump administration more than 100 times often successfully and Bonta said his office was reviewing other orders by Trump and considering additional litigation. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution ratified in 1868 states that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." In addition to the 14th Amendment, Bonta noted that the Supreme Court later affirmed the right in 1898, after a San Francisco-born Chinese American named Wong Kim Ark sued to have his own citizenship recognized. Congress also codified birthright citizenship in the Immigration and Nationality Act, the states argue in their lawsuit which calls Trump's order an "executive fiat." Children of foreign diplomats are considered a narrow exception to the rule, but children of undocumented immigrants have not historically been excluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has lambasted birthright citizenship, saying it acts as a magnet for immigrant women to illegally cross into the United States in order to have a child here and to then use that child's citizenship as a means of gaining legal status in the country themselves. On the campaign trail, Trump promised that he would immediately end birthright citizenship by advising federal agencies that they had been misinterpreting U.S. law for years. Read more: Trump immediately flexes presidential powers: 1,500 pardons and a raft of executive orders Trump's order, one of many he signed following his inauguration Monday, did just that, arguing that the 14th Amendment "has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States," and "has always excluded from birthright citizenship persons who were born in the United States but not 'subject to the jurisdiction thereof.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That includes a child born in the United States when their mother was "unlawfully present in the United States" or had "lawful but temporary" status in the country, such as through a visa waiver program or under a student or tourist visa, and their father is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The order said that, moving forward, no federal agency may issue documents recognizing U.S. citizenship to such children. It said the order shall apply to any child born within the United States after 30 days from Monday. He ordered all federal agencies including those within the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to respond with guidance on how it would implement the order within 30 days. In addition, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a separate lawsuit challenging the same order late Monday, with Executive Director Anthony D. Romero calling it "unconstitutional" and "a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values." "Birthright citizenship is part of what makes the United States the strong and dynamic nation that it is. This order seeks to repeat one of the gravest errors in American history, by creating a permanent subclass of people born in the U.S. who are denied full rights as Americans," Romero said. "We will not let this attack on newborns and future generations of Americans go unchallenged. The Trump administration's overreach is so egregious that we are confident we will ultimately prevail." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bonta said he has been thinking about how to protect immigrant families in California for months, that he was not surprised by Trump's decision to go after immigrant children on his first day in office, and that he is encouraged by the coalition that has come together to fight back. "I feel fantastic about the fact that we have like-minded other states who are in this fight, committed to the rule of law, committed to uplifting constitutional rights and protecting them from the attacks of a president who is violating the law," Bonta said. "This moment calls all of us into action and into service and it means that we need to stand up together and support one another." San Francisco City Atty. David Chiu, who joined Bonta at the news conference, called Trump's order a "tragedy" that must be stopped. "Immigrants have made our country great, are crucial to our economic success, are central to our nation's social and cultural fabric," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigrant advocates also joined Bonta and Chiu in denouncing Trump's order, including Larry Yee, a longtime community activist and child of immigrants. Yee, a member of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Assn. in San Francisco, said the organization fought on Ark's behalf more than 120 years ago, and isn't about to give up defending birthright citizenship now. "Whatever Trump says, we need to fight it and fight it to the max," Yee said. "Birthright is our right. It's our civil right. It's our economic right. And we'll continue to fight this." Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A California woman was sentenced to 25 years to life for the fatal shooting of a teenager in October 2021. Jessica Yesenia Quintanilla, 24, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of 19-year-old Leilani Marie Beauchamp inside a Fairfield, Calif. home in November 2024, KSBW reported. Her siblings will now not know what their lives could have been without their big sister by their sides, and they are tremendously grieving her loss, Beauchamps grandmother Lourdes Giovannini said before sentencing on Friday, Jan. 17, per the Vacaville Reporter. Leilani was my first grandchild. I was in the delivery room when she took her first breath of life. The pain from her loss its unspeakable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quintanillas attorney, William Welch, tells PEOPLE that the mother of two is devastated" about the sentence in Solano County Superior Court and is "hoping that the appeal will ultimately wind up in her favor and that she can get a new trial. Beauchamp, a college student, was last seen leaving a Halloween Party in Sacramento with Travis Air Force Base Airman Juan Parra-Peralta and another airman in the early morning of Oct. 30, 2021. Prosecutors alleged Beauchamp was lying in bed with Parra-Peralta when Quintanilla, who had previously dated Parra-Peralta, shot her before 9 a.m. that same morning. Prosecutors alleged that Quintanilla was furious to see Beauchamp, who she asked Parra-Peralta not to hang around with, per the Vacaville Reporter. Related: 2-Year-Old Girl and Mom Murdered, and 2 Other Children Injured, After Father Shoots Them in Family Home 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. Quintanilla claimed she stopped by Parra-Peraltas home to pick up her clothing after she broke up with Parra-Peralta the night before. She also stated the shooting was accidental, alleging the gun went off after Parra-Peralta confronted her in the bedroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She described a struggle with her boyfriend that he pulled a gun on her as she was trying to exit the bedroom, says Welch. She was taking her belongings and about $5,000 that was hers. He pulled out a gun, tried to stop her, and in the struggle, the gun went off and a single shot penetrated the skull of Ms. Beauchamp resulting in death." According to testimony, Quintanilla allegedly threatened Parra-Peralta with her handgun and made him drive to Salinas where he dumped Beauchamp, whose remains were later found wrapped in a blanket down a hillside on Oct. 31, per the Reporter. Parra-Peralta was granted immunity for his testimony, according to the Reporter. Quintanillas older brother, Marco Antonio Quintanilla, was sentenced to four years for being an accessory after the fact, per the Vacaville Reporter. Read the original article on People (WHTM) Camp Hill High School was open for the National Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The school districts community advisory committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion teamed up with the Camp Hill Borough for this inaugural volunteer fair. The high school cafeteria hosted todays activities and opportunities. Over 30 groups were showcased, ranging from Susquehanna service dogs to environmental groups, allowing students and the community to help out non-profits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest Me and my grandmother are working at the craft table for Caitlins Smiles to make cards and for people who are severely sick, said Matilda Smith, a fourth grader at Camp Hill. The help and support that these cards can make [can help] them feel a little more joy and light in their life. His legacy is really about service and giving back to the community and being one with the community, said Saba Dickinson, the Vice Chair of the Community Advisory Committee. A donation drive at the event collected new hygiene products for the Earl Besh Lions Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Secondaries manager Coller Capital has expanded its global footprint by establishing a new office in Singapore, aiming to meet the needs of the institutional and private wealth investor bases in Southeast Asia. Peter Wu takes on the role of head of product management, private wealth, joined by two local investor relations colleagues, collaborating with the private wealth secondaries solutions (PWSS) team. Wu, who earlier worked at Partners Group and BDO, will be based in the city-state for the new role. Coller Capital's Singapore team will focus on marketing funds to institutional and private wealth investors through licenced intermediaries such as private banks. The firm's PWSS team was launched in 2023 to provide wealth investors with access to a diversified portfolio in the private equity and private credit secondaries market. Coller Capital Asia and RMB head Peter Kim said: The Southeast Asian market presents significant opportunities for our business, with a growing appetite for secondaries among institutional LPs and private wealth investors. Our expansion into Singapore will allow us to meet this strong demand for investment solutions that offer enhanced liquidity, risk mitigation and diversification. The Singapore location marks Coller Capitals fifth office in the Asia Pacific region, joining existing offices in Beijing, Seoul, Melbourne, and Hong Kong, the last being the regional hub since 2012. Coller also operates offices in London, New York, Luxembourg, Zurich, and Montreal. Globally, Coller Capital manages $36bn in assets. In October 2024, Coller Capital launched Coller Private Credit Secondaries (CollerCredit), a Luxembourg-domiciled private credit SICAV fund for qualified private wealth investors outside the US. "Coller Capital launches new office in Singapore" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. (KRON) One of the more established Asian grocery chains in Canada is coming to the Bay Area. T&T Supermarket is opening its first California location in San Jose this fall, the retailer announced in a press release. T&T Supermarket will be at the Westgate Center on 1600 Saratoga Ave. It takes over the former space of a Walmart that opened back in 2012. T&T will be located between Ross and Target at the shopping center with the 49ers Fit gym adjacent. No target opening date has been announced, a T&T Supermarket spokesperson told KRON4. Although the opening is still some time away, T&T plans to launch an online shopping service in California for select products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement T&T Supermarket will sell a wide selection of authentic Asian products, a full-service meat counter, live seafood tanks and a variety of ready-to-eat items, the press release states. Food options include a BBQ counter, noodle station, dim sum, a bakery and a made-to-order Chinese crepe station. Opening of highly-anticipated Korean supermarket in Daly City delayed Rendering of the upcoming T&T Supermarket in San Jose (Image courtesy: T&T Supermarket) Popular designer brand to close downtown San Francisco store The decision to open in San Jose stems, in part, from T&T Supermarket CEO Tina Lees ties to the Bay Area. Lees aunt lives in nearby Saratoga and has spent many summers in the South Bay. The area brings back great memories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We aim to create a destination, Lee said in the press release. We want to evolve our grocery store beyond the functional we want to be the place where people want to go, not just need to go. We cant wait to share that with the people of the Bay Area. San Jose is a very special place to me. My aunt lives in Saratoga, and I have spent many summers there. It brings back great memories. This store is for her. T&T Supermarket location in Canada. (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via Getty Images) The San Jose T&T Supermarket will create close to 200 jobs locally, according to the press release. Other recent businesses to open at Westgate Center include Mendocino Farms, which opened this month, and a Shake Shack that opened last October. T&T Supermarket is referred to as Canadas favorite Asian grocery retailer, the press release states. The supermarket says it is the largest Asian grocery store chain in Canada. It was founded in 1993 in Vancouver and now operates more than 33 stores across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. The two other locations in the United States are both in Washington: Bellevue and Lynnwood. The former opened at the end of 2024, and the latter is set to open sometime this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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. (Bloomberg) -- Canadas prime minister said its in the interest of Canadians as well as Americans to strengthen border security and raised concern about the rising volume of illegal guns and drugs flowing north from the US. Most Read from Bloomberg Justin Trudeau made the comment the day after US President Donald Trump threatened again to put 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods, citing the flow of undocumented migrants and fentanyl across the borders from two of the USs closest neighbors and singling Canada out as a very bad abuser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trudeau said Canada has its own beefs about the border. Data from the Canada Border Services Agency show that some 2,000 of 7,700 prohibited weapons and firearms seized at ports of entry between January and October last year came from the US. In fact, guns used in the countrys worst mass shooting were smuggled into Canada from Maine. During the same period, Canadas border agents also seized more than 25,600 kilograms of illegal drugs both inbound and outbound, and fentanyl made up less than 1% of that volume. Some 84% of the 4.9 kilograms that were seized were headed for the Netherlands, and Canada was a negligible source of illicit opioids to the US. US border officials encountered 169,474 people attempting to cross the border from the northern nation into the US who were inadmissible or expelled in the first 10 months of last year. Most of those were people who went through a regular border crossing but were denied entry. The number trying to sneak into the US was 21,155. At the same time, Canadas border agency identified some 34,000 foreign nationals seeking to enter Canada from the US through a port of entry whom officers believed to be inadmissible. The agency said thats an increase of about 30% from last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trudeaus government unveiled a C$1.3-billion ($907 million) plan to strengthen border security in December in an effort to address Trumps concerns and avert tariffs. The prime minister said Tuesday that the package was yes, about the American incoming administration, but its also about Canadians being safe in a more uncertain world. His chief rival, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, called on Trudeau to reconvene Parliament to pass new border controls, as well as agree on trade retaliation and prepare a plan for Canadas economy. Trudeau requested the suspension of Parliament on Jan. 6, when he announced he would resign pending a race to replace him as Liberal leader and prime minister. Liberals have shut Parliament in the middle of this crisis. Canada has never been so weak, and things have never been so out of control. Liberals are putting themselves and their leadership politics ahead of the country, Poilievre said in a statement Tuesday. Trudeau can implement retaliatory tariffs without legislative approval. Parliament is set to resume March 24, and soon after the Conservatives and other main opposition parties are expected to vote non-confidence in the government, triggering an election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also on Tuesday, the Toronto Police Service said it had seized C$83 million of cocaine that originated in Mexico and came through the US. The force called the seizure its largest-ever cocaine bust and arrested six people, including two Mexican nationals. (Adds statement from Conservative leader in paragraphs eight-10.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. The search is continuing Monday for Shuefaub Xiong, the 42-year-old Domino's delivery driver who went missing last week after failing to make four scheduled deliveries. The investigation into Xiong's whereabouts began Tuesday, Jan. 14 after the missed deliveries. According to the Apple Valley Police Department, the last confirmed sighting of Xiong was at Target in Richfield on Jan. 14. Authorities also believe Xiong was in Golden Valley sometime after leaving Domino's in Apple Valley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation developed further over the weekend when a witness told police they spotted Xiong in his vehicle around 4 p.m. Saturday in Superior, Wisconsin. Authorities recovered Xiong's unoccupied vehicle in Superior, around 170 miles north of Apple Valley, on Sunday. However, those searching for Xiong have reason to believe he made it back to the Twin Cities after being in Superior. According to police, an acquaintance of Xiong said they spoke in Roseville around 8 p.m. Saturday just hours after he was reportedly seen in Superior. "We are unsure how Mr. Xiong traveled or if he has obtained another vehicle," Apple Valley police said Monday. Shuefuab 'Shue' Xiong. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. "Investigators now believe that Mr. Xiong might be experiencing a mental health crisis," police continued. "Given the cold temperatures and uncharacteristic behavior, investigators are continuing to follow up on any leads, as it is critical he is located and provided care." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, police said there is no indication that Xiong is a threat to others, however, he is known to carry a firearm and has a permit to carry. Anyone with information regarding Xiong's whereabouts is asked to call 911 or (952)-953-2700. Xiong is an Asian male, 58 tall, weighing 215 pounds with brown hair and eyes. He was driving a red Toyota Camry with Minnesota plate CWT-545. (FOX40.COM) A vehicle crash in South Sacramento on Tuesday morning may be related to a vehicle chase that ended a shooting, according to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office. Around 4:30 a.m., a pickup truck crashed into the rear of a semi-truck near the intersection of 47th Ave and Sampson Boulevard. Infant dies after drunk father falls asleep on baby, Northern California police say After the crash, a person from an unknown third vehicle ran out and fired one gunshot at the pickup truck before fleeing, according to deputies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pickup truck driver gave information to deputies indicating that they were being chased by another vehicle when they crashed into the rear of the semi-truck. A passenger in the pickup truck also fled from the scene and has not been located by deputies. No information has been shared on the suspected shooter or about the chase that preceded the crash. Copyright 2025 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 FOX40 News. RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) One person was hospitalized after a two-vehicle accident led to a car hitting a home in Rantoul on Monday. Rantoul Police said that two cars were driving southbound on Tanner Street around 1:10 p.m. 28-year-old Pedro Ixcotoyac-Martinez of Urbana was in front of 46-year-old Santos Acosta III of Chicago. UPDATE: Second person dies after crash in Urbana, police seeking tips Ixcotoyac-Martinez tried to turn left, and Acosta did not slow down in time. Acosta struck the other car and continued onto a lawn on Tanner Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rantoul Police said he damaged trees, landscaping, and hit the front porch. However, the police said the house did not appear to be damaged from the accident. Acosta was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was ticketed for driving an uninsured motor vehicle and failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Although both cars were damaged, the other driver wasnt hurt. Copyright 2025 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 WCIA.com. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) Care facility advocates are educating nursing home residents about their rights. Carolyn Torres, the managing local ombudsman in the Basin, shared how she is working to educate and support people living in care facilities. My goal as the ombudsman is to educate families and residents that they have a right to speak up and they have a right to speak up without that fear of retaliation, Torres said.. Torres said her long-term goal is to improve the relationship that community members have with care facilities and nursing homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I go to all the assisted living and nursing homes in the Permian Basin and I visit residents, I visit staff, administrators, and I do a lot of educating on what residents rights are, Torres said. If residents have concerns and if they want to talk about them to me I can, but if they want me to advocate on their behalf, they have to give me permission. So, I always have to have their consent. Torres is committed to supporting residents in care facilities by educating facilities about residents rights and advocating for them through visits and calls. Her phone number and contact can also be found in all the nursing homes and facilities. You may click here for more information. On the flipside, though I also want to educate the facilities to not take it as a criticism or negative but as an opportunity to learn, she said. Many times Torres encourages care facilities to try and understand where residents are coming from when they ask for adjustments in their care or are asked for change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we can come together and work together as a community to make things better for the resident I think it would make everything positive for everyone involved, she said. Residents and families would feel safe and secure knowing they can bring concerns. Copyright 2025 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 Yourbasin. For all their charm, the pristine beaches of the Caribbean have always been slightly at odds with the reality of life in the region. This situation is helped by the fact that tourism remains the lifeblood of local economies and is typically insulated from the high crime rates, civil unrest and political instability. Could that be about to change? Over the past year, a rising tide of experts and law enforcement agencies have been sounding their alarms about a surge in violent crime across the Caribbean, including in countries usually regarded as tourist paradises. In response to the violence, some governments are resorting to dramatic moves to restore order. Just last week, the government in Trinidad and Tobago extended its state of emergency which grants extra powers to police in order to stem gang violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt the first time the region has seen instability, with previous waves doing little to dent tourism. So are tourists at risk? Heres our guide to what you need to know. Homicide rates have risen by more than 60 per cent in St Vincent and the Grenadines - getty What is happening in the Caribbean? Given that the Caribbean comprises 33 separate political entities (13 of which are sovereign states), any assessment is always going to involve a degree of oversimplification. Yet several authoritative measures point to a general increase in violence across the region particularly in concentrated urban areas. The problem has been acknowledged by Caribbean leaders themselves. Last year, several government heads issued a joint statement warning about increased levels of crime fuelled in part by firearms and ammunition trafficking, transnational criminal networks, and a deterioration of social structures. Judging by the official indicators, they are right to be concerned, with countries across the region reporting a spike in homicides. Of the 20 countries with the highest murder rates, 12 are Caribbean islands. In the Turks and Caicos Islands and St Vincent and the Grenadines, the number of killings in 2023 was 50 per cent and 63 per cent higher, respectively, than in 2019. In St Kitts and Nevis, the murder rate has soared by 121 per cent over the same period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most extreme example is Haiti, where tourists are advised not to travel by the FCDO. Here, a dramatic escalation in gang violence has challenged the very foundations of the state. Last year, more than 5,600 people lost their lives (a homicide rate of 48 deaths per 100,000 people), with one million having to flee their homes. Given the severity of the situation, Caribbean governments are doing their best to fight back, in particular by ramping up policing resources. So-called state of emergency measures were put in place in parts of Jamaica last summer and are now being used across the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Is the Caribbean becoming unsafe for tourists? Even those charting the shocking rise in violence appear to agree that it is unlikely to have a direct impact on tourists, even if the situation may be concerning on a humanitarian level. In the countries that have seen an increase in gang crime including Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago almost all of the violence is concentrated in urban areas which are never going to be on the typical tourist itinerary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course it helps that much of the Caribbean tourist ecosystem is made up of all-inclusive resorts, which are usually in relatively isolated locations and take their security extremely seriously. It is still extremely rare for tourists to be targeted in Jamaica, as it is in much of the Caribbean, says Professor Anthony Clayton, a regional expert living in Kingston and based at the University of the West Indies. He says that much of the crime wave relates to rival gangs, who have no motivations to target outsiders. Whats more, the gangs also know that any violence against tourists is likely to draw an extreme response from the authorities. What is the official advice? With the exception of Haiti, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) doesnt currently name any of the Caribbean countries or territories on its red or orange lists (do not travel and essential travel only) nor is there any recent precedent of doing so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FCDO has updated its more detailed safety advice on Trinidad and Tobago to take into account the state of emergency. It says that travellers should expect to see a heightened police presence on the islands, but it doesnt suggest this will pose any danger to tourists. The advice on Jamaica remains unchanged, with the guidance encouraging visitors to be cautious in inner-city areas. It also advises tourists to be careful when it comes to withdrawing money from ATMs (a good bit of life advice in general). As for Turks and Caicos, the FCDO notes that levels of overall crime are relatively low. While they note that the islands of Providenciales and Grand Turk have seen a spike in gun crime, they say that the risks are generally lower in tourist areas. As always, its worth acquainting yourself with the current advice for your destination before you set off. Has it affected tourism? At present, there are no signs that worries about crime are discouraging tourists from visiting the Caribbean. Last year, Jamaica welcomed more than four million tourists an increase of 25 per cent from two years earlier and close to its pre-pandemic figure of 4.3m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We havent had so much of a murmur about the situation in Trinidad and Tobago, says Paul Cleary, founder of the high-end travel provider Caribtours though he adds that the country isnt as popular with British travellers as other destinations. There was a situation in Jamaica in 2018 which was slightly closer to the resort areas. There was certainly a sense that more of our customers were aware of that, but it wasnt deterring them from travelling. In 2018, Jamaica declared multiple states of public emergency, but tourists were not deterred - Getty Jo Plummer, founder of tour operator Travel Breeze, agrees that travellers arent panicking about negative headlines. The Caribbean is very diverse and people understand the differences between the islands, she says. Our advice to customers is to behave as they would at home, think about where you are going and take advice from the hotel staff before venturing out to an area you dont know. Can I get a refund for my trip? The standard guidance from the travel association ABTA, which sets standards for tour operators, is that its members should offer refunds only if the FCDO adds a country to its red or orange lists. With the exception of Haiti (which was added to the red list last summer) that doesnt currently cover any of the Caribbean territories. This means youre unlikely to be entitled to a refund. However, its worth speaking to your travel company if you have concerns they may let you switch to another destination, or postpone your trip. Where are the safest islands? The travel advisory website Travel Safe Abroad collates data on a wide range of crimes (including muggings, violent crimes, and vehicle thefts) to rank countries based on their safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the various Caribbean islands, those with the highest safety scores are Aruba and the British Virgin Islands. Perhaps the most popular spot near the top of the list is Barbados, which currently enjoys a safety score of 80 out of 100. Of course, no country is completely crime-free, and the FCDOs more detailed advice presents a more nuanced picture. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Montana state capitol pictured after a late-night Senate vote on Jan. 9, 2025. (Micah Drew/Daily Montanan) A Cascade County District Court judge has ordered that files maintained by legislative staff that contain information related to drafting and supporting legislation will once again be immediately opened after the order was released on Tuesday morning. Cascade County District Court Judge John Kutzman made the decision that would open the legislative lawmaking files, called junque files, as they had been for a half-century, until a case involving a former state Senator and the father of the current Montana Senate president abruptly stopped the practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruling clarifies part of a decision by Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Christopher Abbott, which had temporarily caused the legislative support staff to withhold the records out of concern for a legislative privilege. However, Kutzman ruled that while the Montana Constitution makes it clear that lawmakers cannot be hauled into court or compelled to state their reasons for supporting or opposing legislation under the legislative speech-and-debate clause, that privilege applies to their time on the floor or in committee meetings of the Legislature, and not to junque files, which contain materials relating to drafting and preparing bills that could become part of Montana law. Unless Kutzmans order is appealed to the states Supreme Court, it will mean that junque files that are being used to draft legislation will become immediately open and available from the legislative services as soon as they can be processed by staff. The state could not be immediately reached about whether it planned to appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kutzman said that the two courts, his and Abbotts, are not in disagreement about the laws or the state constitution, ruling that Abbotts decision protects lawmakers speech-and-debate privilege while Kutzmans opinion protects Montanans right to inspect public documents. This case, unlike the Conservation Voters case before Judge Abbott, involves a free-standing demand to view the contents of files about proposed legislation that have been opened and maintained at public expense by public employees who do not have ongoing one-on-one confidential relationships with particular individual legislators, Kutzman said. Judge Abbott ruled correctly, in this courts view that the system cannot tolerate hauling a legislator into a deposition or court hearing to be adversely examined about the motives and factual bases for his official legislative actions, or compelling him to produce his personal documents for inspection at that deposition or hearing. It is about documents held in public files maintained on public servers by public employees at public expense. Senate President Matt Regier said that clarification by the judge was necessary to protect lawmakers, but that Republicans welcomed the open transparency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think it is a balance of a constitutional provision that legislators shouldnt be questioned, and so that part versus transparency to the public and open government, Regier said. So (were) very much for the open government, but also, theres a reason that you cant just come after a legislator because you dont like the decision. Kyle Schmauch, communications director for the senate majority added that their members had been told to expect junque files to be opened up again. So, shouldnt be surprising to anyone on the Republican side. The controversy surrounding documents that Sen. Keith Regier had was initiated by a group of citizens and the Montana Environmental Information Center, which was represented by Upper Seven Law. Later, a group of media organizations intervened for clarification about the ruling as it pertained to the junque files. That coalition of media includes the Montana Newspaper Association, the Montana Broadcasters Association, Lee Enterprises, Adams Media, the Montana Free Press and the Daily Montanan, represented by the Goetz Law firm in Bozeman. Kutzman found that valuable public information is often contained in the bills, including lobbyist support and contact information of the people who were instrumental in drafting the bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only qualification in the constitutional right to examine public documents is when the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure, Kutzman said. No one in this case suggests the case has anything to do with anyones right of individual privacy. Similarly, nothing in the constitutional language requires the person who wants to examine public documents to agree not to use that information to publicly criticize the legitimacy or validity of government action. Reporter Micah Drew contributed to this report. Writ Writ of Mandamus By Stine Jacobsen COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Shares in European wind power companies fell on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump suspended offshore leasing for wind on his first day in office, adding to pain in an industry that had turned to the U.S. to help revive its fortunes. The global offshore wind industry has struggled to play the role that many governments had envisaged in their plans to reduce carbon emissions. Escalating costs, supply chain issues and planning delays have hit the industry and led to project cancellations and delays. Former President Joe Biden's green investment policy had provided support for the sector. Trump on Monday suspended new federal offshore wind leasing pending an environmental and economic review, saying wind turbines are ugly, expensive and harm wildlife. Denmark's Orsted was the biggest decliner, plunging 17% as it took a $1.69 billion impairment charge on U.S. projects. A delay and higher costs for Orsted's Sunrise Wind project, which once completed is expected to be the largest U.S. offshore wind farm, were the main reason for the share price plunge, analysts said. The company also flagged impairments on seabed leases that could be directly linked to Trump, Sydbank analyst Jacob Pedersen told Reuters. "Orsted now has some assets in the U.S. that are worthless. If there is nothing to be built because of Trump, Orsted can neither sell nor use the leases," he said. Other companies involved in the wind industry also fell. Portugal's EDP Renovaveis shares fell by around 1.6%, Germany's RWE shed around 0.5%, Norway's Equinor dropped by 2.2% and wind turbine manufacturer Vestas fell by nearly 3% in afternoon trade. Italy's Prysmian on Tuesday said it would abandon a plan to build a plant in the U.S. to make cables for offshore wind parks. Prysmian's shares, which closed at a record high on Monday, lost around 1% on Tuesday. Stocks in nuclear companies rallied on Trump's support for boosting power supplies to meet the rising needs for data processing. Stocks of U.S.-based uranium miners like Energy Fuels and enCore Energy rose over 4%, while nuclear power companies like utility Vistra, Talen Energy and Constellation Energy were up between 4% and 8% in the afternoon trade. Trump's energy secretary pick, Chris Wright, told U.S. senators in his confirmation hearing last week that his first priority would be to expand domestic energy production including nuclear power and liquefied natural gas. RISK TO EXISTING US WIND POWER PROJECTS The U.S. has around 2.4 gigawatts (GW) of advanced-stage offshore wind developments that have reached final investment decision and are under construction. Those are unlikely to be impacted by the order, according to Rystad Energy. PALESTINE, Texas (KETK) Switch Brick-Oven Pizza & Wine Bar, a local restaurant in Palestine, was broken into at 1:03 a.m. on Saturday. Video cameras inside the restaurant were able to capture footage of the robbery taking place. The owners of the restaurant, Carmen and Regina Santore, posted the 56-second video of footage they received on their restaurants Facebook account. Along with the video, the Santores posted a statement on their Facebook urging followers to report any information they might have. Local bakery represents East Texas in Washington Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple thanked their patrons for their continued support saying, your support means everything to us, and were so grateful to be part of such a caring community. Thank you for helping us through this difficult time. Palestine PD search for suspect following robbery at knifepoint However, any credit cards that have been left at the restaurant over the years were also stolen. Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call the Palestine Police Department at (903)729-2254 or the Anderson County Crime Stoppers at (903)729-8477. . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Clark County School District could pay nearly $10 million to the family of a child sexually assaulted by a bus driver, and a million dollars to students a CCSD police officer slammed to the ground. The districts board of trustees will consider settling three lawsuits that could cost taxpayers $13 million. It is listed as a consent agenda item on the school boards agenda for Thursday, meaning trustees wont discuss it in public unless one of them motions to have the topic talked about in public. But CCSD has forked over tens of millions more in the past few months, including paying a child injured in a school bus crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 8 News Now obtained video of the school bus crash through a public records request, which occurred on Jan. 31, 2023. The school bus was driving down Lamb Blvd. filled with children, including an 8 year-old at the time. Surveillance video from inside the school bus showed the bus waiting to turn into a private road, but then makes a left turn causing a three-vehicle crash. According to court documents filed on Jan. 8, CCSD paid a student who was strapped to a wheelchair $25,000. The child went to the emergency room and was treated for minor injuries. The Las Vegas Metro Police Department cited the bus driver and said they were at fault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a $25,000 check pales in comparison to three settlements trustees will vote on Thursday. CCSDs agenda showed the district is looking to pay $9.6 million to the family of a child sexually assaulted by Michael Banco. The former school bus driver was sentenced to life in prison in 2018. The child Banco assaulted was three years old at the time. CCSD has already paid $18 million to Bancos victims. Another lawsuit CCSDs trustees will vote on involves paying a total of $1 million to two Durango High School students. Cellphone video captured a CCSDPD officer in Feb. 9, 2023 slamming a student to the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following an internal investigation, the districts police department cleared the officer of any wrongdoing and the school district later said the video showed no persons rights were violated. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, who represented the two Durango High students, disagreed. There was no firearm on any of our clients, this was a BS justification to stop and accost children, Athar Haseebullah, executive director of the ACLU, said last year. The final lawsuit trustees are looking to settle on Thursday is for $2 million. Court documents showed it has to do with a protected persons education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Administrators revealed at a school board meeting last October, CCSD had already spent $53 million in the current fiscal year to settle lawsuits. The district has a policy of not commenting on pending litigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Watching Cecile Richards exit the world after a two-year fight with brain cancer is hard: During our mutual lifetime, she helped to move feminism into the mainstream. An organizer and political strategist best known as president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America from 2006 to 2018, Richards, who died Monday morning at age 67, defined what it meant to build feminist institutions that could compete in a modern political environment. Picking up where womens liberation left off in the 1980s, Richards moved feminism into the nonprofit board room, championing institutional strategies that mobilized womens votes and dollars to defend against the Republican right. Those institutionsAmerica Votes, Planned Parenthood, Texas Freedom Network, and Supermajority, and the digital site Abortion in America (founded last year in response to the Dobbs decision)are her great legacy. Richardss vision emerges from Texass progressive and feminist history. Texas may be the land of Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton today, but it wasnt always so politically monochromatic. It is where the Colored Farmers National Alliance and Cooperative Union was born in 1876, organizing Black agricultural workers across the South in the face of brutal White repression. Under the leadership of Texas suffragist Jesse Daniel Ames, who went on to create the first white womens social movement to end lynchings, the Lone Star State became the first Southern state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment, for womens suffrage. Texas was the second state in the union to elect a woman governor, Democrat Miriam A. Ma Ferguson. In 1970, a young Dallas lawyer, Sarah Weddington, filed suit on behalf of abortion-seeker Norma McCorvey, the case decided by the Supreme Court as Roe v. Wade in 1973. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Richards household, political and social institutions made progressive ideas real. The daughter of civil rights attorney David Richards and Ann Richards, a feminist who climbed the Texas Democratic Party ladder to become the states second woman governor in 1990, Ceciles childhood in Dallas and Austin was steeped in politics and social activism. Not surprisingly, she learned to fight conservatives early, and was expelled from public school for wearing a black armband on campus to protest the war in Vietnam. My life intersected with Richardss history at two key historical moments. The first was in 1992, when Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton emerged from a packed Democratic primary field to challenge incumbent president George H.W. Bush. I sat only yards from the DNC podium as Governor Richards, wearing an AIDS ribbon on a white suit that matched her pouf of brilliant silver hair, delivered an opening line: My name is Ann Richards, I am pro-choice, and I vote! She then directed the rest of her speech to her granddaughter, Ceciles young daughter Lily, sitting with her mother in an upper deck. In a short 13 minutes, you could feel the electricity of a feminist dynasty. Not yet 40, Cecile Richards had, as former NARAL Pro-Choice America president Ilyse Hogue writes, cut her teeth on union organizing. She was a veteran of two political campaignsSarah Weddingtons successful 1973 run for State Legislature and Anns gubernatorial run in 1990as well as a stint as deputy chief of staff for future Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and she was a co-founder of her first nonprofit, America Votes. My second encounter with Richards came in 2012, when she had become a national figure at PPFA, and this one was far more personal. I wangled a press pass to a panel Richards was on at the New Yorker Festival of Ideas. Toward the end of the session, I asked why, when we talked about womens rights, the word lesbian never came up. An annoyed moderator, Dorothy Wickenden, asked what the question meant; the two conservatives on the panel (Margaret Hoover and Kellyanne Conway) looked off into a vague middle distance; and Melissa Harris-Perry tried to answer me. Richards said nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imagine my surprise when, after the session ended, Richards quickly made her way down the steps to the front row where I was seated. I cant remember precisely what she said, but it amounted to this: You asked a good question, and it deserves a conversationwhich is precisely what we had, for about 20 minutes, one that covered marriage equality, health care, reproductive rights, and economic discrimination. It was a different kind of electric moment than at the convention, which signaled a different moment in feminism: Institutions and leaders now took it for granted that combining an activist mentality with institutionalist pragmatism could crack any policy nut, no matter how tough. Looking back, I realize how close we were to an entirely new, and darker, chapter in our nations political history. There were two politicos on that stage, Conway and Richards. Only one of them would lead us into that new phase, and it wasnt the one I wanted. Now, as we enter a second Trump administration and mourn the loss of a great activist, I remind myself: The feminist institutions Cecile left us with did not fail. They were merely insufficient to the task, and had she lived, she would not have rested until she learned why. Putting those institutions back in the fight is now up to us. Cecile would demand that we do it: After all, she has showed us how. Cecile Richards addresses a crowd of demonstrators during a women's march for abortion rights outside the Texas state Capitol in Austin, on Oct. 2, 2021. Credit - Ilana Panich-LinsmanThe New York Times/Redux Ten days before the 2016 election, I was standing in a cinderblock room in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with Cecile Richards and other leaders of prominent womens groups, all of us out to make the case for Hillary Clintons historic run for President. A jubilant crowd packed the town square waiting for the show to start, but Hillary was running late. It turned out there was a good reason. FBI Director James Comey had just sent his infamous letter to Congress reopening the official investigation into Hillarys emails, throwing the election into turmoil in the home stretch. Hillary and her top advisers were huddling on the plane, trying to figure out how to weather this one last blow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mood backstage was anxiousbut not Cecile. Elegant and perfectly coiffed as always, she posed for selfies, cracked jokes, and calmed the nerves of the stream of volunteers who strained to get close enough to bask for a moment in her effervescent shine. Ceciles optimism and sense of purpose were infectious, and she saw every stop and disruption as a chance to enlist more recruits in the fight for more health care, more access to information, more freedom. Once the rally finally started, Ceciles speechpunctuated with off-the-cuff jokesdrew a standing ovation. Afterward, we all decamped to a local bar where Cecile proceeded to transform it into a war room leading the pushback against the resurfaced claims of improperly handled email servers. That was Cecile in a nutshell: equal parts beloved doyenne and four-star general inspiring the people to take on the causes she loved. Cecile, who died Monday at 67 after a battle with brain cancer, loved a lot of people, and boy, did the people love her. I first knew of Cecile Richards because of her mom. The first election cycle I was old enough to vote, I voted for Ann Richards for governor of Texas. Pulling the lever for Ann made my young Texan feminist heart flutter. Two decades later, I found myself almost speechless sitting across a table from her daughter at a downtown D.C. eatery. Cecile was the president of Planned Parenthood, and I had recently assumed the position of president of NARAL Pro-Choice America (now Reproductive Freedom for All). Cecile had taken me out to lunch to congratulate me, read the newbie into the movement strategy andas I later learnedto induct me into a sisterhood of women who left perfectly respectable careers to instead fight for abortion rights. Ilyse Hogue, left, and Cecile Richards acknowledge supporters as they leave the Supreme Court following oral arguments in the case of Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt on March 2, 2016. Saul LoebAFP/Getty Images Cecile cut her teeth on union organizing. She often spoke of cutting turfdividing up which houses to visitwith her husband Kirk, sitting at their kitchen table late at night. Cecile had worked in the legendary Nancy Pelosis office on the Hill, learning the ins and outs of legislative policy. She was the founding president of the cutting-edge civic-engagement organization, America Votes. I know from experience that at that time, with that pedigree, many would have warned Cecile off the Planned Parenthood job. Moving into womens rights, and especially abortion rights, was seen as a voluntary demotion for a powerhouse woman who could write her own ticket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cecile never flinched. She occupied the position with a zealousness of a missionary and the certainty of an oracle. Her aggressive warnings about the state of abortion care were dismissed by some as hysterical and shrill before becoming apparently prescient as the attacks on reproductive health care ramped up in President Obamas second term. Cecile had a knack for turning attacks into opportunities. When the Susan G. Komen foundation announced they would defund Planned Parenthood because it provided abortions to patients, Cecile unleashed a juggernaut of fundraising that would grow the organization's profile and bolster its resources for the wars to come. The summer I had my twins, schooled in the lead-up by Cecile who had born her own twins years prior, Cecile was hauled to testify before Congress. I remember watching on TV while feeding my babies as an always-prepared Cecile stoically answered every cynical question, defending Planned Parenthood against politically trumped-up charges of doctored video footage. In 12 hours of relentless interrogation, she became a hero in the raging war of political disinformation, refusing to yield an inch that might jeopardize patients access to life-changing care. Cecile was also complicated. We collaborated, but we also fought. Like any good warrior, she liked to get her way and didnt mind sparring to get her point across. She could dispatch an adversary with a cool glance and a shrugged shoulder. But her internal compass was always set to justice, and when the joust was over, she was likely to chuckle and invite you out for a glass of wine, her eyes twinkling as she set sights on the bigger battles that she relished. As the reality of the post-Dobbs environment settled over the country, many mourned and shrank from the Herculean task of finding ways to support people who needed abortion care in an increasingly hostile environment. Not Cecile. She doubled down developing Charley the chatbot, always ready to dispense medically accurate information. Even as her own health began to wane, Cecile was often imploring donors to give more and politicians to care more. She knew the stakes, and she would fight to the end. Cecile Richards leaves a legacy of fearless service and a shining example for future generations of young women to follow. Contact us at letters@time.com. Pamela Hanson It was a sticky June day last summer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and lifelong organizer and reproductive rights activist Cecile Richards was in her element. At an abortion storytelling event she had spearheaded in response to Louisianas near total abortion ban, she listened to, encouraged, and thanked woman after woman who shared their experiences. Richards, who had transformed Planned Parenthood during her 12-year tenure as president, also helped arrange snacks and move chairs. And when the daughter of a local activist arrived, Richards opened her arms and the girl sprinted into them, wrapping her arms around her legs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richards, who died on Monday at age 67, was a powerful champion for reproductive justice, a best-selling author, and a public thinker. She was one of the most powerful political figures in the US. But one of her greatest powersone I got to witness over four days in New Orleans last yearwas how she connected with people. She would sit chatting with a group of strangers as if they were old friends, frequently talking about her three kids and her beloved toddler grandson, Teddy. She and her husband, Kirk Adams, invited everyone involved in the storytelling project over to her house one night to eat cheese and drink wine. I only knew Richards briefly, but I will never forget her easy presence, her optimism, and her belief that the world can be better if we all work together. Back in June 2024, Glamour was invited to witness the beginning of the abortion storytelling project (now called Abortion in America) she created with her longtime collaborator, Lauren Peterson, and local abortion activist Kaitlyn Joshua (who would be named a Glamour Woman of the Year in 2024. Richards herself was honored as a Woman of the Year in 2015). Richards embarked on the project shortly after learning, in 2023, that she had glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer that has a median survival rate of less than a year. After her diagnosis Richards turned her attention to a battle with multiple fronts. Shed fly down to Louisiana for a few days to work on the abortion storytelling project, then fly home to New York for treatment. She was fighting for herself, and fighting for us. And she never stopped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During my four days in Louisiana, I had a chance to sit down and speak with Cecile Richards at length. Part of me wanted to pick her brain, to have a chance to receive some of her enthusiasm and hope by osmosis. But also to understand why, and how, in the face of a devastating diagnosis she continued to fight for the rights of others. No one would have blamed her if she had retired from public life to focus on her illness, but shed poured herself into the work with even more fervor. How did she do it? How did she keep going? Richardss answer was simple yet profound: How can we not? I feel so lucky, she said on that sweltering June day in Baton Rouge. Im fortunate to be able to do anything at this point that helps build constituencies and encourages young women. In honor of her life and legacy, here below is our full conversation, and Cecile Richards in her own words. Its been lightly edited and condensed for readability. Emily Kask Stephanie McNeal: When I got the opportunity to come report on this project, I was excited about being here in person in particular, because I wanted to witness what was happening on the ground. I think women who dont live in these places where abortion is banned, we understand it on an intellectual level, but we dont understand it on a visceral level. We cant imagine it. Cecile Richards: How could you imagine it? Right, its hard for any of us to understand. I was born and raised in California, now I live in New York. I havent experienced losing my rights. Youre someone who has split your life between New York and DC, which are blue, very progressive places, but youre from the South. You chose to move back to the South. What do you think people don't understand about this region? Theres just such a vibrant community of people who are working on making the South more progressive and are doing it in a way that is very community-based. The resilience of women to me in these parts is amazing. Theres a long history of women and fighting back. To see whats happened in Louisiana and other states; you see the doctors, and the activists, see the community leaders, and certainly the patients, and hear what they've experienced. The power of women is just undeniable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, theres disproportionately gendered representation in politics. Ive been thinking, I would just like to box up a carton of these women and their stories and have them travel the countryside because theyre so compelling. People read about it, but it certainly sometimes feels like another world. What I really feel strongly about, too, these women dont want pity, dont want to hear, Oh, bless their hearts. Theyre stronger than most people in blue states because theyre up against it. I want to see people viewing these communities as sparks of resilience and hope as opposed to people to feel sorry for because they live in the South. Id love to change that perception. Everything has become so polarized, and I feel a result of that is this feeling among coastal liberals of Who needs these red states? Lets just chop em off and start our own country. Or people who say to red state liberals, Why dont you just move out of the South? People have been here for generations. People say, Well, you can just leave and get health care somewhere else. Theres people that we are talking to whove never left the state of Louisiana or Texas, and they shouldnt have to. I think our experience has been that people are committed to the state for a reason. Its important to support them and be allied with them in the fights ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abortion rights, its just the tip of the iceberg. Now were seeing things like the 10 Commandments in classrooms, the attacks on transgender people, on LGBT folks, the criminalization of young people, and increasing incarceration. So its just one of a series of issues that we are going to have to fight back on. I keep feeling weve hit bottom, but maybe not yet. I worry we have not. Yeah, but we will. What made you buy a house in Louisiana after leaving Planned Parenthood? What is it about the South you love so much? I started out here as an organizer with my now husband. We were trying to organize hotel workers because they were paid the minimum wage, and most of them were housekeepers and women working two jobs. I saw the same fight back then as Im seeing now. Its funny, New Orleans, and Louisiana, is a place where people live and let live and have an attitude of Everythings going to be okay. Yet women in this state continually fight back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a place where it wasnt always this partisan, and its a reflection of the country writ large, similarly to Texas. Its like people have lost the ability to get information and news and hear about whats going on. And as the Republican Party, in my opinion, has just become captive to the most extreme points of view, and theyve lost their voice. I wanted to come back here because its a state worth fighting for. Its such a misunderstood part of the country. And again, as you said, people kind of dismiss it, like, What are those people thinking? Yet there are good people every day who are waking up and figuring out what they can do to make a difference. I wanted to be back at the grassroots, and I want to be back doing what I can to support people making change. Youve been working for months to find abortion storytellers, and then this week they all gathered to share what theyve been through and try to enact change. What has it been like to see this project come to fruition? On Friday night we hosted all the storytellers in a sweaty dining room in my house. There were folks from many different walks of life, but all committed to the same principles in one room. It felt like, This is what I want to be part of. If I can play any small role in bringing people together from different walks of life and lifting them upyou could just see, in that room, people feeding off of each other and feeling supported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats what organizing is. If we can do anything to give people a voice and a platform, then theyre going to get this done. That was my experience at Planned Parenthood. If you could find people that wanted to make a difference and give them support, and particularly young people like Kait [Joshua], no telling what she can do with her life. It takes all of these pieces, but that spark, you just dont know where its going to come from. [Abortion activist] Nancy Davis told me when we first started working together that most people find their calling, but my calling found me. People get energy from other people, and they are encouraged to do things that they probably never thought they could do, and who knows when the switch flips. But Ive seen it so many times. Its funny, this is unrelated, but when my mother was governor of Texas, she used to have Governor Girls School, and she invited anyone from around the country who wanted to run for office. [Cecile is the daughter of Democratic politician Ann Richards, who served as governor from 1991 to 1995.] No way. Thats awesome. It was in the 90s. But two of the women who actually came to a weekend for women leaders, one was Janet Napolitano who went on to become Homeland Security secretary and another one is Kathleen Sebelius, who became governor of Kansas. I always think of stories like that and experiences people have where theyre thrown into something just because someone said, Ive got my eye on you, and you can do all kinds of things. Speaking of your own mother, this has been a very mother-centric project. Two of our interview subjects were mom and daughter, women brought their own kids, and your own daughter, Hannah, is here working with you. I wonder if you have any reflections on that. I was really fortunate. I was raised in a family where just being part of public service was just what you did. I am extremely privileged to always have had a job and a career that I felt like was meaningful for me. Most people dont have that. In fact, I remember my first job organizing hotel workers. These women were just trying to get by, trying to support their kids. Many of them worked two jobs, and yet they were willing to risk even those minimum wage jobs to organize a union and to fight back because they wanted something different and better for their kids. And it is inspiring to be here with and to have Kait and Nancy and all these women juggling toddlers and newborns and pumping, and yet getting on a plane to wherever to tell their story. I love that we can know each others families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im incredibly lucky that my kids have all found their path. The more we can do to raise folks expectations of what they can do and support them once we push them out there is really important. To me, its the most gratifying thing. It is funny. I spent so many years at Planned Parenthood, and I always say the best thing that happened is when we got health care for women protected and made sure that birth control was covered at no cost. But secretly, the best thing has been seeing the young women that started with me at Planned Parenthood go on and lead organizations themselves, like Kelley Robinson, the now leader of HRC [Human Rights Campaign]. She was a young, feisty organizer with Planned Parenthood. That to me is so gratifying, seeing a whole new generation of young women finding their way. And thats going to happen here in Louisiana too. Theres a lot of talk about how young people are nihilistic, which makes them disengage in the political system. How do we fix that? I think particularly for young people, you cant guilt people into it. I think its listening to them and meeting them where they are. I am not surprised that young people are discouraged by politics. Thats kind of always our challenge. But I think that fighting for these issues of bodily autonomy, of the rights to make decisions about your pregnancy, to have a healthy child if you want to, these are fundamental issues that cross party lines, certainly that cross generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being able to find ways for people to get in that fight, its really important. Thats the only way we change things. Its not from the top down. Its going to be from the bottom up. And regardless of what happens in this election, which I hope goes a certain way, people in Louisiana are still not going to have access to reproductive health care. So it is not to say the election is incredibly important, but so is creating a groundswell of organizing in a state like this that begins to chip away and make a difference in how politics go. How do you keep fighting for reproductive freedom? I can imagine that it would be really demoralizing to spend your entire career and so much time on this issue, and then have Roe v. Wade fall after youve left Planned Parenthood. But youre still doing it. Youre still going. I feel so lucky. Im fortunate to be able to do anything at this point that helps build constituencies and encourages young women. If we had come down here and people had said, No way, were giving up and we dont have any stories to tell, or We dont want to tell them, I might have to rethink this answer, but it has been just the opposite. Its amazing the peoples willingness to share those stories and be public. Its like, How do you harness that and continue to provide the support? And in my mind, its not how to create interest. Its just how to sustain it and support it. Originally Appeared on Glamour PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) After a five-and-a-half-year process, Central Illinois Friends opened its community center on Monday and let members of the public take tours around the new facility. The center will be the organizations headquarters, housing a variety of resources that they offer, including sexual health care, case management, and counseling. Executive Director Deric Kimler was overwhelmed with joy, and believes the new center will be a benefit to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between health options as well as community options, as well as a library and spaces to learn and grow and meet people that dont check the boxes they check. In order to grow as a society and learn that theres nothing to fear when humanity is involved, he said. The process started in 2019 when a community survey was conducted, and it showed that people wanted a community center. Through private donations, and city and state funding, the building was eventually built. It has taken five and a half years and almost $1,000,000 to get this thing up. Its not taxpayer dollars, that is grit and a get it done attitude, Kimler said. The center will also house four partner agencies including the ACLU chapter in Peoria, PFlag Peoria, Peoria Proud, and the Acorn Equality Fund. Central Illinois Friends also has health clinics in Peoria, Galesburg, and Normal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization helps both LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ people, and Kimler said the center being opened on the same day as Martin Luther King Jr. Day was not coincidental. He said the civil rights activist surrounded himself with members of the LGBTQ+ community. He hopes to end the stigmas that people in the community have faced throughout history. These are human beings. We have a rich history of our LGBTQ+ community that has always existed, he said. Kimler estimated 200-350 people toured the facility on Monday. Central Illinois Friends has existed since 1990 and started as a resource to help those living with HIV. The organization employs 25 people, has a volunteer base of a little more than 50, and serves more than 4,000 people per year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) With President Trumps inauguration as the 47th president of the United States, the Raleigh County Republican Executive Committee counts January 20th as a win. Beware of E-ZPass text messaging scam Committee Chair, Julie Kominsky said it was a tough battle to the White House. She said she and the committee have high hopes for the next four years under President Trump. Well, I think what President Trump plans to do for Americans speaks very positively for West Virginia in so many ways. Not only just Strong America, Safe America, Prosperous America, but also his stance on energy independence just speaks very well for us here in West Virginia, said Kominsky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kominsky said she is also glad that newly inaugurated governor, Patrick Morrissey is step for step with President Trump on a variety of polices concerning the Mountain State. She said it is good to have an Appalachian in the White House as well and hopes that Vice President J.D. Vance will look favorably on West Virginia as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) A fundraiser supporting the families of fallen first responders is gearing up in Champaign. Since 2022, Champaign Firefighters Benevolent Fund has worked to aid the family members of fallen first responders, to support active and retired local firefighters and their families, and to support other firefighters in Illinois. Danville home damaged by Monday afternoon fire One of the key fundraisers for the Champaign Firefighters Benevolent Fund is Blazing Pianos. Itll take place on Feb. 21 at the City Center in Champaign. The doors open at 5 p.m. and the band starts at 7 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event will include live music, a cash raffle, silent auction, food and drinks. Heres how to protect your home from the cold: City of Sullivan If youre interested in donating or becoming a sponsor, visit the Champaign Firefighters Benevolent Fund on Facebook. To purchase tickets, click here. General admission is $50 and includes one food and drink voucher. Copyright 2025 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 WCIA.com. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Champions of Change silent auction will be held in Birmingham Jan. 25. The auction will be held at the Dannon Project on 5th Avenue North. The proceeds will go toward the Kingdom Philanthropys Educational Scholarship Program. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. (Reuters) US President Trump said on his first day in the White House that he could impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico from Feb. 1. His comments sent shares of several Asian automakers and battery firms lower in trading on Tuesday. Here are some companies outside the US that may be affected by the promised duties. AUTOMAKERS Nissan Motor Nissan Motor (7201.T, NSANY) has two plants in Mexico where it makes the Sentra, Versa and Kicks models for the U.S. market. It produced nearly 505,000 vehicles in Mexico in the first nine months of 2024. The company did not disclose how many of those were exported to the U.S. market. Stellantis Stellantis (STLA, STLAM.MI) operates two assembly plants in Mexico: Saltillo, which makes Ram pick-ups and vans, and Toluca, for the Jeep Compass mid-sized SUV. The Franco-Italian group also owns two assembly plants in Ontario, Canada: Windsor, where it makes Chrysler models, and Brampton, currently under retooling and scheduled to resume production in 2025 with a new Jeep model. Toyota Motor Toyota Motor (TM, 7203.T) builds its Tacoma pick-up truck at two plants in Mexico. It sold more than 230,000 of them in the U.S. in 2023, representing about 10% of its total sales in that market. Toyota used to produce the Tacoma in the U.S. but now ships all of them from Mexico, which accounts for most of the production at the plants. Volkswagen Volkswagen's (VOW3.DE, VWAGY) factory in Puebla is the largest auto plant in Mexico and one of the largest in the VW Group, according to the carmaker's website. Nearly 350,000 cars were made there in 2023, including the Jetta, Tiguan and Taos, all for export to the U.S. Audi Volkswagen's Audi plant in San Jose Chiapa, Mexico, makes the Q5, employing just over 5,000 people. It produced nearly 176,000 cars in 2023, its website showed. In the first half of 2024, nearly 40,000 cars were exported to the U.S., according to the Mexican Automotive Manufacturers Association. BMW BMW's bmwky (BMWKY, (BMW.DE) plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, produces the 3 Series, 2 Series Coupe and M2, with nearly all of the output going to the U.S. and other markets worldwide, according to the carmaker. From 2027, it will produce the all-electric "Neue Klasse" model line. BYD Chinese EV maker BYD (1211.HK, BYDDY) has been scouting for locations to build a plant in Mexico but has said repeatedly that the factory will serve the domestic market and not produce cars to be sold in the U.S. Honda Motor Honda Motor (HMC, 7267.T) sends 80% of its Mexican output to the U.S. market and its Chief Operating Officer Shinji Aoyama warned in November that it would have to think about shifting production if the U.S. were to impose permanent tariffs on vehicles imported from the country. A high-ranking state senator wants to undo school start time rules that the Florida Legislature imposed two years ago before they fully take effect in 2026. Calling the measure a financial and logistical challenge for school districts, Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, has filed legislation (SB 296) that would delete a requirement that middle schools begin classes no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Former House Speaker Paul Renner pushed for the law in 2023, arguing that teens deserve a school schedule that better matches their sleep patterns. Nearly half of high schools in Florida were found to start daily before 7:30 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all appreciate the goal of getting more sleep, said Bradley. But lets let the districts have discussions about this. While some districts have already shifted their schedules, several school boards have targeted the start time law for change in their legislative agendas. Many, including those in Pasco and Pinellas counties, have delayed taking substantive steps toward altering their bell times in the hope that lawmakers would reconsider the mandate. Without revision, Pinellas County officials have suggested they might need to cut busing for some choice programs or make other reductions to meet the requirements without incurring millions of dollars in additional transportation costs. School board chairperson Laura Hine said the district would prefer local control over start times. Pinellas has taken several steps to maximize efficiency in its busing, Hine said, noting actions including adoption of a new routing system and reduction of bus stops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, she added, as one of the densest counties east of the Mississippi River, Pinellas has worries about altering its start times, which likely would mean opening elementary schools earlier to accommodate for later high schools. Among those are having inexperienced teen drivers on the roads during rush hour to get to classes. I would like to accomplish getting high school to start later, said Hine, who has sat on committees reviewing the issue. But Id like Pinellas County to be able to take into account all of its characteristics and do it the best we can locally. The Florida School Boards Association has made similar arguments in advocating for an amendment to the 2023 law. Our association is asking for more flexibility, said Danielle Thomas, lobbyist for the Florida School Boards Association. We would love a full repeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bradley said that message is coming through loud and clear. My motivation is, I spend a lot of time listening. I just got through seven delegation meetings, said Bradley, whose district encompasses part of Alachua and all of Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Gilchrist and Union counties. It was a consistent theme that reinforced concerns I had when the bill passed. Specifically, she raised questions about the implications the mandate would have on districts' bus routes and driver hiring, in addition to families' child care arrangements and students' extracurricular activities, among other issues. She called the rule disruptive. This impacts a lot, Bradley said, noting the effects might differ among rural and urban communities. I think these decisions should be made locally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She expected a House companion bill to be filed but said she did not want to speak on behalf of the eventual House sponsor. She also acknowledged that colleagues who backed the 2023 measure, including sponsor Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, remain in the legislature to press their position. Burgess did not respond to requests for comment. Bradley said she had spoken with Burgess, her chairperson on the PreK-12 Appropriations Committee, where the bill is likely to be heard. She called their conversation productive, adding that Burgess certainly has heard the same concerns that I have heard. Still, Bradley would not predict an outcome for the legislation, noting that thousands of bills get filed annually and only a small percentage make their way into law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to have this discussion, she said. School districts are struggling. They need to comply, but they have real logistical and expensive challenges ahead if there arent changes. This is a developing story. Check Tampabay.com for updates. A Central Illinois man is being held after being charged with murder in the 2020 death of a Harvey woman whose partially burned body was found in a forest preserve near Midlothian. Cook County sheriffs police said Tuesday that 30-year-old Dakota Petrey, of Lewistown, was taken into custody Saturday and charged with first-degree murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault in the death of 22-year-old Vanessa Ceja-Ramirez. Her body was found Nov. 4, 2020, in the Midlothian Meadows Forest Preserve, near 15300 S. Pulaski Road, two days after she disappeared while on a walk there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ceja-Ramirez was strangled and her body partially burned, according to police, who said there was also evidence she had been sexually assaulted. She went missing following a walk with her mother and friend in the forest preserve, authorities said at the time. The 22-year-old decided to split with them at some point, but when her mother and friend returned to the car, Ceja-Ramirez was not there. A missing person flyer stated she was last seen at Bremen Grove, near 159th Street and Oak Park Avenue, roughly 4 miles west of where her body was found. Police from the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the sheriffs office and other agencies searched that forest preserve before Ceja-Ramirez was later found at Midlothian Meadows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriffs police said Tges. Lewistown is southwest of Peoria. According to sheriffs policuesday that Petrey was arrested after he was released from the Fulton County Jail in Lewistown, where he had been held since early last October on unrelated chare in that county, Petrey turned himself in after being wanted for unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle. He was ordered held following an initial court appearance Sunday at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse at 26th and California in Chicago. Sheriffs police said their investigation included the execution of dozens of search warrants and multiple pieces of evidence for DNA comparison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators learned that, at the time of the womans disappearance, Petrey lived at an apartment building in Oak Forest where the victims cellphone pinged shortly after she was reported missing by family members. Police said they were able to connect Petreys DNA and DNA recovered from the victim and the crime scene. Investigators were also able to determine that he was known to frequent Midlothian Meadows. Police said there is no indication that Petrey and Ceja-Ramirez knew each other. This heinous crime is every parents worst nightmare, Sheriff Tom Dart said in a news release announcing Petreys arrest. It took years of tireless work by our police detectives to investigate this case, but we never gave up on finding Vanessas killer and seeking justice for her and her family. CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) The Chatham Fire Department responded to a house fire with heavy smoke on Monday morning. According to the fire department, the first responders were sent to Greentrail Drive in Chatham at 10:45 a.m. Everyone living in the home was out when firefighters arrived, so crews were able to begin fighting the fire. UPDATE: Sangamon Co. Coroner IDs man who died in fatal fire Chatham Fire Department Chief Gary Self said the fire was contained to the room it started in. The first floor and the basement were damaged by smoke and water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The firefighters were able to get the fire under control by 11:15 a.m. Springfield and Auburn fire departments and the Chatham Police Department assisted. The Chatham Fire Department is still investigating what caused the fire. Copyright 2025 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 WCIA.com. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Gas prices are on the rise in Las Vegas and across the country but its still possible to fill up for under $3 per gallon, according to a weekly news release from Gas Buddy. The average price in Las Vegas jumped 3.2 cents over the past week to $3.62 per gallon, 53 cents higher than the national average of $3.09. The cheapest price in the Las Vegas area on Sunday was $2.89 per gallon, according to reports on gasbuddy.com. Two North Las Vegas stations Murphy Express at Losee Road and Tropical Parkway, and QuikTrip on Lamb Boulevard just north of I-15 had the low price, along with Loves Travel Stop (cash price), northwest of Las Vegas on I-15 at Apex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prices are expected to continue increasing in the coming weeks, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. It was only a matter of time before the national average began to rise, with oil prices last week reaching their highest level since July. Diesel prices have also jumped, driven by cold weather that has boosted heating oil demand, De Haan said. However, the current increase is not yet the traditional seasonal rise, which is also likely to push prices higher and could begin in a few weeks. But there was no mention of any price fluctuations related to the temporary shutdown of gas lines from the Los Angeles area to Las Vegas. Power to pumping stations was lost for a short time, prompting worries about shortages in Las Vegas. Those did not materialize. With President Donald Trumps inauguration on Monday, analysts were watching the markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There could be price impacts depending on the executive orders he is preparing to sign, De Haan said. Well be closely monitoring potential impacts from any orders, while the threat of tariffs and possible retribution from Canada remain top of mind. Last year, prices peaked around the April 15 tax filing deadline, hitting an average of $4.58 per gallon. The cheapest price was at its high on March 25 at $3.79. Around the state, Nevadans were paying an average of $3.59 per gallon 73 cents cheaper than Californians are paying in San Bernardino and Riverside. Gas Buddys prices are collected from a survey of 649 stations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Jorge Guzman, the James Beard-nominated chef behind Petite Leon in Minneapolis, announced over the weekend that he has left the restaurant as of Friday, Jan. 17. "I have little to say at the moment," Guzman wrote in a statement, "only that it was my decision for the well-being of myself and my family." Guzman co-founded the Kingfield neighborhood restaurant in 2020 with Ben Rients and Travis Serbus. However, he departed day-to-day operations last year after opening Chilango, his latest restaurant. Petite LeonGoogle Maps "I am feeling ALL the emotions at the moment and will just be sitting with them for some time," Guzman continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chef Ben Rockwell, who worked in kitchens at Travail Kitchen & Amusements and Tenant, took over the kitchen at Petite Leon as Guzman stepped back, reports the Star Tribune. As part of the departure, the ownership structure will change in a significant way. The shares that were formerly Guzman's will be moved into an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), the newspaper reports. It will put the possibility of profit sharing on the table for staff. Under Guzman's guidance, the restaurant received numerous awards and recognitions, including three James Beard nominations for Best Chef Midwest. Related: Pazzaluna will be revived for pop-up dinners in St. Paul Chef Jose Andres responded to a post from President Donald Trump supposedly firing him from an administration role to explain that he had already resigned from the position. The revered Spanish-American restaurateur, who was appointed to the Presidents Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition in 2022, was one of four Biden appointees who Trump claimed to be purging from his new administration in a late-night Truth Social post at the end of his first day back in power. Trumps postwhich also named Mark Milley, the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staffsaid the dismissals were the first of over a thousand Biden appointees who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again and are therefore being FIRED. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Andres claimed that was already stepping down from the job before Trumps post. I submitted my resignation last weekmy 2 year term was already up. I was honored to serve as co-chair of the Presidents Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, he wrote on X on Monday. I submitted my resignation last weekmy 2 year term was already up I was honored to serve as co-chair of the Presidents Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. My fellow council members - unpaid volunteers like me - were hardworking, talented people who inspired me https://t.co/8U1l7IoYVp Chef Jose Andres (@chefjoseandres) January 21, 2025 Andres, who founded the World Central Kitchen nonprofit, also praised his former colleagues on the council and made a plea to the president. I hope @realdonaldtrump exercises his presidential authority so the Council can continue to advocate for fitness and good health for all Americans, Andres wrote. These are bipartisan issuesnonpartisan issues. May God give you the wisdom, Mr. President, to put politics and name calling asideand instead lift up the everyday people working to bring America together. Lets build longer tables. Our first day in the White House is not over yet! My Presidential Personnel Office is actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration, who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again. Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 21, 2025 Trump has butted heads with Andres in the past. The celebrated humanitarian chef pulled out of opening a restaurant in a Trump property after Trump publicly disparaged Mexicans in 2015. The dispute led to a two-year legal battle which was eventually settled. A metro Atlanta school employee is under investigation after she was arrested for burglary and theft. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Cherokee County School District sent a letter to families of Sixes Elementary students, following the arrest of Sara Gorman. The release stated that Gorman was arrested on burglary and theft charges. School officials say the alleged incidents are unrelated to the Cherokee County School District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the district became aware of the allegations, Gorman was placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of internal and law enforcement investigations. According to the schools website, Gorman is a Kindergarten teacher. TRENDING STORIES: The school district said maintaining students and staffs safety and security is its top priority. Inappropriate conduct will never be tolerated, Cherokee County School District said. Anyone with questions or concerns can speak to an administrator or call the CCSD School Police Department at 770-704-4346. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] CHEYENNE Every year, Cheyenne and other area community members march from the Cheyenne Depot Plaza down Capitol Avenue to the Wyoming State Capitol to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Though the sub-zero temperatures and wind chills Monday prevented attendees from conducting the march, more than 100 community members still gathered inside the Cheyenne Depot to hear from guest speakers and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Rita Watson was one of the founding members of the Love & Charity Club, which began the march in 1982. Initially, the march was a protest to get lawmakers to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a state holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our (state) legislators had denied several times the bill put forth by Sen. (Harriet Elizabeth) Byrd to make Dr. Kings birthday a holiday. We had lots of naysayers telling us that our protest would not be heard, that marching would not work or be tolerated or recognized, that our Legislature would never pass the bill, Watson said. Community leaders and local church pastors would not join or support us in our march in the beginning, and they tried to discourage us. We were threatened by the Ku Klux Klan. They held a rally in Cheyenne on Jan. 15, 1996, in protest of the holiday. But we marched anyway. We resisted year after year. Watson said the march is no longer a protest, but rather a celebration. However, this doesnt mean theres no more work to be done, Watson said. She founded the Love & Charity Club in 1977 and has worked to support the community since then, particularly Cheyennes youth. While she said she has seen immense progress, she noted that there is still work to do, acknowledging the events celebrating Kings life in Washington, D.C., simultaneously with the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th U.S. president on Monday. We feel a mountain of despair, but there is still hope. ... Congress must pass legislation to protect the people, not create division, hatred, bigotry and evil, she said. I dont believe God got us this far to leave us or have us quit. If we dont give up, we will reap our harvest in due time. Let us leave a legacy for our kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheyenne Municipal Judge Ronn Jeffrey also referenced Trumps inauguration, noting that he had watched a portion of the ceremony before heading to the Depot on Monday. The words of Martin Luther King Jr. were mentioned several different times by different people, including our president. (It) was a pleasant surprise, he said. But there is a message that I would like to send to our newly elected, 47th president of the United States, and thats simply this: It is not Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s words that I want to see duplicated, its his actions. This sentiment of continued action toward equality was corroborated in the speech by guest speaker Chief Master Sergeant Nicholas Taylor. Dream, Cheyenne. Dream, Taylor said. Do not give up on your dreams. Dream, Cheyenne. Dream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor was the first Black command dhief at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, and currently serves as the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 90th Missile Wing. In his speech, Taylor referenced the words and writings of King and how they are still relevant today, frequently repeating the opening line of his speech, encouraging attendees to dream and never give up on their dream. Great citizens of Cheyenne, do not be distracted, dismayed or discouraged. Lets stand together in unity, continuing the dream work of Dr. King, he said. Lets set unified goals for our community. Lets stay focused together. Work hard, give it all we got, and most of all, we must never give up. Dream, Cheyenne. Dream. Do not give up on your dreams. His passionate speech sent a message of hope to the attendees and concluded with a call to action, noting that dreams cannot always remain dreams. He called on attendees to be involved in volunteering and giving back to their community while also respecting those in their life, even those they may disagree with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. King said, If you cant fly, then run. If you cant run, then walk, and if you cant walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward. In other words, Dr. King said, do your best, Taylor said. Following Taylors speech, Jeffrey said he took it as a message to not just dream, but to do. If you dream all the time, you sleep. You have got to wake up, Jeffrey said. So, I think the message that I heard over and over again was Dream, Cheyenne. Dream. But more importantly, Do, Cheyenne. Do. Jeffrey also read a proclamation from Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon concerning the state holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therefore, I, Mark Gordon, Governor of the State of Wyoming, do hereby proclaim Martin Luther King Jr. and Wyoming Equality Day as the day of service across Wyoming. And I call upon the people of Wyoming to pay tribute to the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King through participation in community service projects on this day and throughout this year, Jeffrey read from Gordons proclamation. Although the Love & Charity Club is no longer active, Watson said helping begin the march for Martin Luther King Jr. is one of her most proud accomplishments from her time with the club. Mercedes Brooks-Hunt, who now organizes the event, said the torch was passed down to her from people like Watson, and that she hopes to inspire the younger generation to continue to act and push for change. CHICAGO Two demonstrations opposing President Donald Trumps second stint in office unfolded in Chicago on Monday. At Federal Plaza one of two Chicago protests against a second Trump presidency, the other being Trump Tower locals braved the cold to make their voices heard. This is not our first rodeo. We all remember what the first Trump administration looked like, said Muhammad Sankari with the Arab American Action Network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump returns to power after unprecedented political comeback, emboldened to reshape American institutions About 80 groups, many of whom demonstrated during the Republican and Democratic National Conventions last year, converged to call caution on incoming policies. If Trumps rhetoric is anything to go by, he intends to double down to inflict further misery on us, but at the same time, were not afraid. It just means we have to fight back harder, said Faayani Aboma Mijana with the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression. At about the same time, in front of Trump Tower, a demonstration of the burning of the American flag by the group Revcom Corps Against Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes surrounding himself with people who literally believe that the blood of America is being poisoned by non-white people. And hell want to implement a Christian theocracy in America. But the biggest concern is how many of the decent people, who hate this and are being told to learn to live with it, said Noche Diaz with Revcom Corps for the Emancipation of Humanity. At Federal Plaza, protestors marched amid freezing wind chills, nearly a mile to Trump Plaza across the Chicago River, where a watch party for the inauguration was inside. Trump supporter Enrique Sanchez came outside to show he is backing the incoming administration. Trumps hand wasnt on the Bible during the oath of office: What does this mean? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not going to back down, Sanchez told WGN News. Faayani Aboma Mijana added: We will rise to meet this moment and we will unite and fight Trump and the racist and reactionary Republican agenda. Despite the sometimes heated rhetoric, the cold took a toll on the groups size, who elected to disband by 2 p.m. with a promise to continue their fight in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have done this before and we will survive it again, Dr. Diana Castro with the Chicago Teachers Union said. But only if we stand together. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Good morning! Chrystia Freeland is running to be Canada's next prime minister, Mark Zuckerberg reportedly blamed Sheryl Sandberg for a Meta inclusivity initiative, and Miranda Qu's Xiaohongshu app takes off with American users due to the TikTok ban. - Social media refuge. To say the rollout of the U.S.s TikTok ban has been a mess would be an understatement. After years of back and forth in Washington, the Chinese-owned video sharing app officially went dark here Saturday night. But President Donald Trump, being sworn into office for the second time today, has promised he would not enforce the bana move that seems legally dubious at bestand the company said Sunday it was "in the process" of restoring service to U.S. users. How it will all shake out is anything but clear. What is certain is that the ban will have detrimental financial effects on influencers, U.S.-based employees, small businesses, and others across the country, not to mention TikTok parent company ByteDance Ltd. But it has also had plenty of indirect beneficiaries, including one of Asias Most Powerful Women, Miranda Qu, currently No. 60 on Fortunes ranking. In 2013, Qu and partner Charlwin Mao founded the Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu, an amalgamation of sorts of Instagram, Pinterest, X, and Tripadvisor. It now has a user base of over 300 million peopleskewing young, female, and Chineseand is valued at around $17 to $20 billion. In 2024, it was on track to double profits to more than $1 billion, and is backed by the likes of Alibaba. A week ago, few people in the U.S. were aware of the app, which American users call "RedNote." But now, it has become one of the top-downloaded apps in the country as something of a protest against the TikTok ban, with some American users claiming to be there as "TikTok refugees." Qu, 40, is currently president of and owns an estimated 10% stake in the private company; Forbes estimates she has a net worth of around $1.3 billion. She grew up in Wuhan, China, and studied journalism at Beijing Foreign Studies University before working in marketing, as Fortunes Nicholas Gordon reported in October 2024. Like the TikTok ban itself, whether the American "refugees" will stick with RedNote is unclear. The app is primarily used by people who speak Mandarin; many of the features do not currently have English translations. And its not a one-to-one replacement for TikTok, though both feature influencers selling products to millions of users. Plus, if the ban really isnt enforced, Americans could be back on TikTok with no need for refuge. Conversely, RedNote itself could be banned under the same law. CHICAGO In Chicago, numerous events commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. included many community service projects. City and state leaders, along with community members, gathered at Soldier Field Monday morning for the 35th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, hosted by Push for Excellence and Rainbow PUSH Coalition. The leaders met Monday morning united in advocating for quality education, safe communities and healthy homes for kids, all in commemoration of Kings impact and vision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WATCH: CPS 4th-grade student shares part of speech that won Foleys Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day dedicated to a man and his amazing legacy. Its also a celebration of the men and women who keep the dream alive, Rep. Chris Welch (D-Cook County) said. Also over at the Washington Park Fieldhouse, nearly 150 volunteers were under the same roof, picking up meals to deliver to senior citizens throughout the city. We know its like -15 degrees outside and our seniors are most vulnerable in the Chicagoland area, so this is the right day to serve our seniors, Stephen Gilbert with My Block My Hood My City said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another remarkable show of community support was on display at Lindblom Math and Science Academy for ChiGivesBacks seventh annual MLK Jr. Day of Service. Nearly 500 volunteers worked at Lindblom, Little Angels Learning Center and Pershing Magnet School, painting hallways, creating murals and refreshing the teachers lounge. MLK Jr.s daughter: Wonderful Trump being inaugurated on day celebrating father All nationalities, ethnicities coming together and were doing just that impact in these schools, ChiGivesBack Co-Founder Sandi Robinson said. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez all joined in to help as well. These activities pay tribute to Kings commitment to service and promoting social justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today means unity. Its about coming together and making a difference and giving back to your community, Robinson said. The ChiGivesBack link is now active for nominating schools for next years MLK Jr. Day of Service. While Monday offers opportunities for people to serve and give back, organizers said not to forget that Kings legacy encourages all to embrace peace, equality and unity every single day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Chicagos Little Village neighborhood, home to a large population of Latin American immigrants, has reportedly gone quiet, as the city waits to see whether it becomes the first target of Donald Trumps plan to carry out mass deportations immediately upon taking office. Immigration czar Tom Homan said Monday that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement had pulled back a reported Chicago operation, after news of the potential plan leaked over the weekend, but that Americans will see the agency in action real soon. The looming threat of an ICE raid, whenever it comes, has already impacted the Little Village area, according to local business owners and officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The owner of multiple Mexican restaurants in the area told Bloomberg that worried employees have already begun not showing up for work. Ive been here for 25 years and Ive seen many things, but nothing like this, he said. This is about how we are going to survive this, and Im not just talking about my employees, Im talking about the whole customer base. "Now that we are on the first day or second day of the Trump administration, God knows what the enforcement is going to look like. It is that unknown that really has people worried," 22nd Ward Alderman Michael Rodriguez told ABC7 Chicago. Local leaders offered know your rights trainings and support ahead of expected ICE raids in Chicago (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Local business leaders, meanwhile, said foot traffic in the area appeared to be around 50 percent of its usual level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, officials with the Little Village Community Council passed out fliers educating constituents about their rights in the case of an ICE stop. "One of the main things is letting them know not to sign anything, not to say anything, not to answer questions, and stay quiet," Little Village Community Council president Baltazar Enriquez told CBS News. "The flyer that were giving out, it has phone numbers for the consulate the Mexican consulate, the Honduran consulate, the Guatemalan consulate, and attorneys that are willing to help them out for free." Chicago Public Schools, meanwhile, has said it has a dedicated legal team ready to assist students and their families in the face of deportation attempts. In his first moments in office, Trump made several important immigration-related actions and executive orders, including attempting to rescind birthright, declaring an emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, reinstating the Remain in Mexico program, freezing asylum claims, and shutting down a Border Patrol app regulating entry appointments to cross into the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois was one of 22 states that sued the Trump administration on Tuesday over the birthright citizenship executive order. "The language in the 14th Amendment is clear, and not ambiguous," Attorney General Kwame Raoul told CBS Chicago. "If you are born in this country, you are a citizen of this country. " ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM) A Chicago man is facing charges after police say he was found with meth and crack in Ithaca. Anthony J. Teutonico Jr., 23, was arrested after police investigated a report about a man having drugs. The Ithaca Police Department stated that someone called the department claiming that the man left a Downtown Ithaca business with a large amount of unknown drugs in his backpack on the morning of Jan. 20. Police look for Candor burglary suspect Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers went to the area of the 200 block of North Meadow Street at about 7:25 a.m. and got a description of the man, who was later identified as Teutonico. Police say the officers found Teutonico on the 100 block of West State Street shortly after, and he allegedly had about two ounces of methamphetamine and four grams of crack cocaine in his possession. Teutonico was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (a class B felony) and second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (a class A-II felony). Teutonicos charges were read in the Ithaca City Court, and he was taken to the Tompkins County Jail. He is currently being held at the jail without bail. Copyright 2025 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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. CHICAGO Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker delivered their opening salvos Monday against Republican President Donald Trump and his second term in the White House, setting a defiant tone in their defense of immigrant rights and other liberal causes over the next four years. Pritzker and Johnson did not address Trump by name Monday ahead of Trumps swearing-in as the 47th president. But during a Rainbow PUSH Coalition breakfast to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the two Democrats vigorously condemned the Republican leaders agenda and character. Their public remarks, inside a Soldier Field suite, came amid a swirl of uncertainty and fear over rumored immigration raids in Chicago and evolving updates on executive orders the president vowed to sign. The mayor sought to strike an energetic tone as he employed religious imagery in describing the challenge ahead for Chicago leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This transition that we are experiencing, you all, is only but a moment in time, Johnson said. The Bible says that before that great day, the lawless man has to be revealed first. ... What does that great day look like? It does certainly look like in the spirit of Dr. King it looks like true leadership. And true leadership, you all, is controversy. I may know a little bit about that now. Johnson, who has weathered a rocky past several months in office, finds himself in the national spotlight as Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, has called him out directly while declaring the nations third-largest city ground zero for mass deportations. The Wall Street Journal, followed by other outlets, reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids would start Tuesday in Chicago, though Homan appeared to walk that back after the reports. How the freshman, progressive Chicago mayor responds to threats against immigrants could shift the course of his political future during a moment when his leadership has come under fire by progressives and moderates alike. Throughout Trumps first term, mayors Rahm Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot pounced on opportunities to cast themselves as an urban bulwark against GOP attacks on immigrants and other groups. As the city of Chicago, we will not bow down to the oligarchs. We will not bow down to a golden calf, Johnson said, a reference to the Bibles warning against false idols. Even as the lawlessness gets revealed, so does the character of Chicago. And we are the greatest love story in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pritzker spoke in a more plain but still assertive tenor. As a new administration takes office less than two hours from now, across America our most vulnerable communities are about to contend with new uncertainty about their future, the governor said. But here in Illinois, let there be no doubt: We will not go back. To all who are being made to feel unsafe and reduced by a takeover of the federal government, by those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the good people of Illinois, we will not stand idly by. The governor was scheduled to answer questions from reporters later Monday afternoon. In Washington, D.C., Trumps team announced a host of upcoming executive orders that would end birthright citizenship and asylum protections and create a joint federal and local task force to deport criminal gang members. Many of those moves are expected to be legally challenged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After being sworn in as the 47th president, Trump rattled off a host of tactics to carry out his mass deportation plan. That included declaring a national crisis at the U.S. southern border, reinstating a Remain in Mexico policy for migrants, sending the military to the border, designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations and invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. As commander-in-chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I am going to do, Trump said. We will do it at a level that nobody has ever seen before. In Illinois, the 2017 TRUST Act restricts local law enforcement in the state from helping the federal government in immigration enforcement matters. Chicago for decades has held the designation of a sanctuary city, meaning it limits or prevents cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Johnson and the City Council have reaffirmed that commitment. As he left the MLK breakfast, Johnson did not answer a reporters questions about how he would respond to a federal task force in Chicago or on the other immigration orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, a Democrat who represents a large Mexican immigrant enclave in Little Village, remarked on the news: Its showing hate and vitriol and demonstrating that he will be a divider in chief. The Constitution has not been suspended, Garcia, who joined a group of Chicagos congressional delegation in ditching the inauguration, said at the Soldier Field event. The president cannot suspend it. And we have fought these fights before, and we have prevailed. On Sunday, the Johnson administration briefed aldermen on city preparations for potential threats to immigrants under Trump. Top mayoral deputies told City Council members that a Transition of Power task force was assembled shortly after the November election focused on three categories: community safety, infrastructure, and policy, according to several sources who attended the meetings but asked not to be identified because they werent authorized to speak on them. During the briefings, Johnsons chief operating officer, John Roberson, nodded to the possibility that GOP control of the presidency and Congress could mean Washington cuts off federal funding to Chicago or Illinois, the sources said. That concern is shared by multiple Chicago Democrats in Congress who hope to work out a plan soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear whether City Hall was in contact with Trumps team before Monday. Johnson told the Sun-Times he hopes for a meeting with the president. The mayor was in Washington this past weekend and flew back Sunday night after speaking at the U.S. Conference of Mayors. His remarks sought to cast this moment as one of Democratic leaders on the front lines of defending their cities against a new era of attacks against immigrants. Earlier Monday morning, a cadre of politicians and immigrant advocates huddled under a Blue Line stop in Avondale to pass out Know Your Rights pamphlets to people on their morning commute. Afterward, they planned to canvass businesses, laundromats, bakeries and more to inform residents on how to respond to potential ICE interactions. U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, a Democrat from Chicago, said in Spanish: We want people to know that they have rights, that they dont need to show their documentation to federal immigration officials, that they are protected by the Constitution, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if whether she supported deporting those with criminal backgrounds, Ramirez said she doesnt back policies that remove people from the U.S. who have done nothing but contribute to the economy. We need to be careful, she said. How do they define a criminal? A child who entered this country without papers thats a criminal? So we have to be very careful about how we talk about people. Graciela Guzman, a newly sworn-in state senator whose parents escaped the El Salvadoran civil war, said shes already noticed that her neighborhood is moving substantially slower than normal. Many friends, family and neighbors have shared that they are staying home from work and school, she said. How do we center human rights in this time? Guzman asked. My district deserves that. Every district across the state deserves that. Our country deserves that. The group huddled under the stations heat lamp shouted at morning commuters: Know your rights! Conoce tus derechos! ____ CHICAGO WGN Investigates has learned Chicago Police officers are being reminded about what they can and cant do if President Donald Trumps promised immigration raids happen. The directives went into effect in 2021 but have renewed importance this week. Its not just Chicago police policy but also state law that prohibits officers in Illinois from coordinating with immigration agents or even inquiring about a persons immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incoming Trump administration reconsidering mass deportation raids in Chicago, report says On the eve of potential mass deportations, Chicago officers are being reminded they cannot: Assist with enforcing immigration law. Stop, arrest or detain someone based solely on immigration status. Coordinate with the turnover of someone in custody to ICE agents. This weekend, immigrant advocates reminded those fearful of mass deportation operations of steps they can take. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to not open your door. You have the right to speak to an attorney, Erendira Rendon with The Resurrection Project said. The Illinois law that prohibits local police from detaining a person because of their immigration status was actually signed by former Republican governor Bruce Rauner during the first Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WGN Investigates: Investigating public corruption, crime & fraud I asked leaders in law enforcement, Should I veto the bill or sign this bill? Rauner said in 2017. They all said to me, Governor, this is a reasonable compromise and it will help us do our jobs better. Democrat JB Pritzker strengthened the law in 2021. Hes said hell fight to protect immigrants regardless of their status; but more recently added, Let me be clear up front: violent criminals who are undocumented and convicted of violent crime should be deported. In December, Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey, who years before rented a portion of his jail for use as an immigration detention center, said he is hoping for changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous Coverage: The impact of an Illinois law barring police from working with immigration agents I just dont believe that Illinois will ever be a safe state until our governor decides to effect policy change and I dont see him doing that, he said. Downey points to a police pursuit this fall that he says illustrated how Illinois law enforcement is handcuffed. Police say two men had three kilos of fentanyl in the car. Arrest reports say the men denied knowing about the drugs and claimed they fled in fear of being deported. A judge ordered one man detained because of his criminal record; but released the other. I cant call ICE and say, This individual is getting released tomorrow, or in three hours. I cant. So he walks out the door, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pritzker has shown no signs of a willingness to tweak the law to allow for more coordination with ICE and his statement about deporting violent criminals had the caveat that they are convicted of the crime. The full statement from CPD sent to WGN on Monday follows: In accordance with the City of Chicagos Municipal Code, which includes the Welcoming City Ordinance, the Chicago Police Department does not assist federal immigration authorities with enforcement action solely based on immigration status. Additionally, CPD does not document immigration status and does not share such information with federal authorities. CPD is prohibited by the Welcoming City Ordinance from participating in civil immigration enforcement operations or assist in the civil enforcement of federal immigration law. CPDs Responding to Incidents Involving Citizenship Status policy also states that if the Department receives a request from an immigration agency to provide assistance with a civil immigration enforcement operation, a supervisor will respond to the scene. If the request is to assist in the enforcement of civil immigration law, the supervisor will decline the request. If the request is unrelated to civil immigration law, appropriate police action will be taken. The Responding to Incidents Involving Citizenship Status policy was recently revised to require a supervisor of higher rank (a Watch Operations Lieutenant or Street Deputy) respond to the scenes of these requests, in addition to the previously required supervisor from the district of occurrence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be clear, the Chicago Police Department will not assist or intervene in civil immigration enforcement in accordance with the City of Chicago Municipal Code. As always, we will continue to enforce the law if a crime occurs, regardless of the citizenship status of those involved. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. By Christine Chen and Renju Jose SYDNEY (Reuters) - A childcare centre in Sydney was set alight early morning on Tuesday and antisemitic graffiti was sprayed on the wall, authorities said, the latest in a spate of attacks in Australia targeting the Jewish community. The childcare centre, located near a Jewish school and synagogue in the city's east, suffered extensive damage but there were no reports of injuries in the attack which occurred around 1 a.m. (1400 GMT, Monday), police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the second antisemitic attack on property in four days in Sydney, and comes amid a spate of similar crimes targeting the Jewish community in Australia's most-populous city. New South Wales state Premier Chris Minns said the perpetrators would be caught and police had put more resources into investigating hate crimes, as public frustration grows over the lack of arrests following previous antisemitic attacks. "The kind of people who would ... attack a fellow Australian whom they don't know because of their race or religion, it is completely disgusting and these bastards will be rounded up by the police," Minns said during a media briefing. Australia has seen a rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents since Israel retaliated against an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, with an assault on Gaza that has left tens of thousands of people dead. At least half a dozen incidents were reported in the last two months in Sydney alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the latest attack as "a vicious crime." Albanese is facing a national election due by May and antisemitism is shaping as a key issue, with the opposition criticising him as "weak" for not doing enough to prevent hate crimes against Jews. In response to the spate of attacks, the Australian federal police has launched a task force to investigate threats and violence against the Jewish community. A 44-year-old man was charged last week, the first by the task force, for allegedly making death threats against members of a Jewish organisation. (Reporting by Christine Chen and Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Stephen Coates) Specialized pediatric care is coming to Pasco Countys Connected City. One year after purchasing land in Wesley Chapel, Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital has unveiled plans for a 56-bed pediatric center. Construction on the new hospital is scheduled to begin this year and to take roughly two years. The project is part of push to bring care to some of the regions fastest-growing communities. The number of children in Pasco and other communities north of Tampa Bay is projected to grow by 12% over a 10-year period through 2032, according to All Childrens. Roughly 93% of patients in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties travel outside the market for pediatric specialty care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a historic time for our organization, said Alicia Schulhof, hospital president, in a statement. We are committed to filling the needs in the community and making it easier for families to access our care. Located close to Interstae 75 and Overpass Road, the facility will include a 16-room emergency department, clinic space, four imaging rooms and four operating theaters. The Connected City corridor is a 7,800-acre swath of land between Wesley Chapel into eastern Pasco intended to spur development. Plans include a high-speed internet system to support businesses that locate there. All Childrens is the second major specialty medical center to announce it is expanding into Pasco in the past few years. Moffitt Cancer Center is building a 775-acre global innovation center focused on cancer care and research in Central Pasco. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johns Hopkins All Childrens has also announced plans to expand its flagship St. Petersburg campus, to add urgent care services in Tampa and is planning clinics in other locations. There is a profound need for specialized pediatric care in this growing community. We will be their childrens hospital, said Justin Olsen, the hospitals vice president and chief operating officer, in a statement. Families in Pasco, Hernando, northern Hillsborough, Sumter, Citrus, Lake, Marion and other surrounding counties will have easier access to Johns Hopkins-level care close to home. SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) Four Chilean men have been charged in a burglary spree targeting multi-million dollar homes in Clark County. Ohio Attorney General David Yost said that a grand jury returned indictments against Jordan Francisco Sanchez, 22; Alexander Esteban Huaiquil-Chavez, 24; Bastian Alejandro Morales, 23; and Sergio Andres Cabello, 38. Each man faces the following charges: Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1) Participating in a criminal gang (F2) Possessing criminal tools (F5) The men were arrested on Jan. 10 and booked into the Clark County Jail, where they remain in custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The men were arrested as part of Yosts Southwest Ohio Burglary Task Force created in 2024 to investigate a series of home break-ins. Local, state and federal authorities participated in the task force and subsequent investigations. The investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2025 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. China criticized US President Donald Trump's executive orders directing the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the landmark Paris climate accord. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that China was "concerned" by Trump's actions, and said Beijing would work with all parties to tackle the challenge of climate change. "The role of the World Health Organization should only be strengthened, not weakened," the spokesman continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's isolationist moves on his first day back in the White House echoed his foreign policy approach during his first term, when he pulled the US from the Paris accord and began to the process to exit the Geneva-based WHO. Under Biden, the US rejoined the agreement to curb global warming. Biden also stopped the process of leaving the UN health agency, to which Washington has historically been one of the biggest funders. Trump on Monday called the Paris agreement a "rip off" that hurts US businesses and consumers. He promised during his second term the United States will "drill, baby, drill" for fossil fuels. He accuses the WHO, which combats global public health emergencies, of misusing funds and mishandling the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's executive order said that "the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries' assessed payments." It foresees the US leaving the WHO in one year's time. Contrary to what political observers had expected, Trump did not immediately impose new tariffs on China on his first day in office, but instead ordered an across-the-board review of US trade policy. "We hope that the United States and China will work together to promote a stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations," the spokesman said. DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - China is not seeking a trade surplus and is willing to import more competitive and high-quality products and services to balance trade, Ding Xuexiang, the country's vice premier, said on Tuesday. Addressing the 55th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Ding said economic globalisation was a process of mutual benefit and shared progress. "Protectionism leads to nowhere, and there are no winners in a trade war," Ding said, calling multilateralism "the right path for maintaining world peace and promoting human development". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinese policymakers are intensifying efforts to stimulate a faltering economy in the face of concerns over potential U.S. tariff hikes following President Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday. Trump unexpectedly held off from imposing tariffs on China on his first day back in the White House. China welcomed more investment by foreign companies in the country, Ding said, adding that China was willing to solve problems encountered by domestic and foreign firms. Ding is leading an official government delegation at this week's WEF, making him the second-highest-ranking Chinese official to rub shoulders with global business and political elites at the Davos summit since President Xi Jinping's attendance in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ECONOMIC OPENNESS Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the forum last year when he delivered a keynote speech that also highlighted China's economic openness and potential for foreign investment. In his speech this year, Ding said the stable and healthy development of China's economy would provide impetus for global economic development. A prolonged property crisis, high local government debt and weak consumer demand has slowed China's economic growth, and the country's exports - one of the few bright spots - could soon face U.S. tariffs in excess of 60% if Trump delivers on his campaign pledges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China's GDP grew 5% in 2024, matching the government's target, but in a lopsided fashion, with many people complaining of worsening living standards and raising concerns of deepening structural problems in 2025. Although the country is expected to maintain a roughly 5% GDP growth target in 2025, analysts forecast growth to slow to 4.5% this year and 4.2% in 2026. In addition, businesses and investors have longstanding worries about geopolitical and regulatory uncertainties. Foreign direct investment into China fell 27.1% in 2024 from the previous year to 826.3 billion yuan ($112.75 billion), official data showed. Ding, 62, is the sixth highest-ranked leader in the Politburo Standing Committee, the top governing body led by President Xi Jinping. He was Xi's chief of staff before being promoted to his current position in 2022 when Xi unveiled a leadership line-up stacked with loyalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the message on the Chinese economy, investors will be watching for any closed-door meetings on the sidelines of the event, notably between China's official delegation and global investors and business executives. WEF President and CEO Borge Brende said last week that Trump, who has twice previously attended Davos, will join "digitally" on Jan. 23, without giving further details. He said it would be a "very special moment" to learn about the Trump administration's policy priorities. Topics on the Davos agenda range from mounting global geopolitical and economic uncertainty to trade tensions, climate goals and how AI can help make lives better. (Reporting by Julie Zhu in Davos and Yukun Zhang, Ethan Wang and Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Barbara Lewis) BEIJING (Reuters) -Officials from China, Myanmar, Thailand reached a consensus on eradicating telecommunication fraud centres in Myanmar on Tuesday during a meeting in the Chinese city of Kunming, said China's national broadcaster. At the same meeting, authorities from Myanmar, China, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam agreed to arrest leaders of criminal syndicates, dismantle telecom fraud centres, and "make every effort" to coordinate the rescue of those trapped there, according to CCTV. China has recently stepped up its rhetoric on cracking down on online scams following a series of cases, including one involving a Chinese actor who went missing near the Thai-Myanmar border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Southeast Asian countries to take strong measures against online gambling and telecom fraud in a rare meeting with the region's envoys in Beijing. Since 2023, Myanmar has deported 53,388 Chinese nationals involved in online fraud without taking legal action, citing "existing friendly relations and humanitarian grounds", the country's embassy in Beijing said on Tuesday. "The Myanmar government is not encouraging online gambling businesses, but rather cracking" down on it, the embassy said in a statement, calling for collaborative efforts from neighbouring countries to eliminate scam groups. (Reporting by Xiuhao Chen, Ethan Wang and Ryan WooEditing by Bernadette Baum) (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump has held off imposing tariffs on Chinese exports while his government reviews a trade deal struck during his first term, hoping for more purchases of US oil, gas and farm products. Most Read from Bloomberg That may be easier promised than achieved. Chinas years-long push to diversify its imports in part as response to that trade war and a cooling economy have left Beijing with far less room for maneuver when it comes to opening up its market in order to shrink a gaping trade surplus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incoming administration has already focused on the gap between Chinas promises back in 2020 and reality. The worlds biggest importer ended up missing its targets under the first trade deal. Over two years blighted by the pandemic, the shortfall was most pronounced in energy. For items like liquefied natural gas, crude oil and coal, China ended up buying only about one-third of what it had promised. For agricultural goods grains, soybeans and meat it met 83% of its commitments. New Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said American LNG should be used as leverage in a new round of trade negotiations, while Treasury Secretary pick Scott Bessent has said hell push Beijing to resume its agricultural purchases and perhaps even pursue a make-up provision. But China has used the intervening years to bolster its defenses on trade, including raising production of its own food and energy to cut its import bills. Theres unlikely to be much enthusiasm in Beijing for compromising its security of supply to appease an antagonistic trading partner. Overseas sources of commodities have also been diversified. In 2016, the year Trump was first elected, the US accounted for more than 40% of Chinese soybean imports. Thats fallen to less than 20%, according to Chinese trade data covering the first 11 months of last year. Brazil in particular has picked up the slack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And since the invasion of Ukraine, China has had the added bonus of vast quantities of sanctioned commodities sitting on its doorstep in Russia, a major supplier of oil, gas and coal as well as grains and metals. LNG is a case in point. During the last trade war, US exports to China came to a juddering halt for much of 2019, but the availability of cheap Russian fuel makes that far less pertinent now. Although US sales of LNG to China surged last year, the super-chilled fuel is just one option on a menu that includes lots of cheaper alternatives. Chinese coal and gas production are at records, renewables have expanded at breakneck speed, and Russian pipelines are shipping ever more gas overland. Another factor that looms large over global commodities markets is Chinas slowing economy and faltering demand. Its crude oil imports fell last year, with purchases from the US slipping below 10 million tons from over 14 million tons in 2023. The countrys corn purchases for this season are forecast at a five-year low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, diversification away from US commodities also creates pathways to quickly boost imports if Beijing wanted. For example, some Chinese buyers with long-term contracts for US LNG have been reselling cargoes to Europe for logistical reasons. Those could easily be re-routed to China to boost import numbers. China has also sharpened its ability to mount an offense if it gets dragged into a trade war, with preemptive moves in markets where it holds an outsized role as producer or processor. Its ban in December on sales of critical minerals to the US, including gallium, germanium and antimony, was an opening salvo in export controls that could be extended to dozens of niche materials if trade frictions with Washington escalate. Crucially, these are all minerals with both high-tech civilian and military applications. --With assistance from Sarah Chen, Kathy Chen, Megan Durisin, Sing Yee Ong and Dan Murtaugh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- China indicated that sanctions on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wouldnt impact official exchanges, in a sign that Beijing seeks to negotiate with the Trump administration over trade and other disputes. Most Read from Bloomberg We believe it is necessary for high-level officials of both countries to maintain contact in an appropriate manner, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said during a regular press briefing on Tuesday in response to a question on whether China would consider lifting sanctions on the top US diplomat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio, a former Republican senator and prominent China critic, was the first of President Donald Trumps cabinet picks to be approved by the Senate on Monday. China sanctioned him twice in 2020 over his criticism of Beijings handling of Hong Kong and Xinjiang as well as his push for laws to punish the Chinese government for it. Sanctions have prevented some communications between the worlds leading powers. Chinas former Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who rose to that job while sanctioned by Washington, refused to hold talks with his US counterpart until such measures were lifted, although American officials claimed the restrictions didnt prevent such a sitdown. Rubio told Voice of America in December that he is confident in his ability to find some solution to engage with Beijing. US-China relations were off to an unexpectedly warm start after Trump avoided committing to a plan for Chinese tariffs right after his inauguration. He also threw China-owned company ByteDance Ltd a lifeline, giving it 75 days to find a US partner. Such a deal would save video app TikTok, which Trump used to reach young voters, from going dark in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Josh Xiao. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. China's leaders exhorted industry heads to turn their attention to the country's tech sector in the search for new drivers of economic growth, laying out priorities for the new year as the geopolitical landscape becomes more uncertain by the day. During a Monday gathering of members of the country's "united front" - individuals from non-communist parties and other societal groups - President Xi Jinping called for "high-level technological self-reliance and improvement" and "sound development momentum" in 2025, the last of China's 14th five-year plan. The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce - a semi-official business chamber - should guide those in the private sector to sustain their enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and enhance their confidence, Xi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. On the same day, Premier Li Qiang spoke with a group from artificial intelligence and robotics among other sectors, emphasising their potential as future sources of economic growth. He also stated - in the presence of representatives from the banking industry - the country's monetary policy should "create the necessary liquidity" to support the real economy. Both focused on domestic development in their remarks, delivered the same day as the inauguration of Donald Trump as US President - though neither mentioned foreign affairs. Referring to the country reaching its 2024 gross domestic product growth target as a "hard-won" victory, Li said China continues to face challenges, especially from an increasingly fraught external environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "By managing our own affairs well, we can promote the stable and healthy development of China's economy." So far, 31 provincial-level economies have disclosed their own GDP growth targets for 2025. Most are aiming for growth rates exceeding the 5 per cent recorded by China as a whole last year, with powerhouse regions like Zhejiang aiming for around 5.5 per cent. At the symposium Li attended, industry leaders were invited to comment on a draft of the government work report. The final version of the document, which summarises the past year's achievements and lays out benchmarks for the months to come, will be released during the annual parliamentary meetings in March. Those present for the address included notable figures from the realm of science and technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among them were Liang Wenfeng, the founder of High Flyer Quant, a hedge fund supporting the Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek; Wei Hongxing, the founder of AUBO Robotics Technology Co; and Chen Xuedong, an authority on mechatronic equipment dynamics and an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering. In the face of potential tariffs from the US and escalations of trade disputes with Europe, Li reiterated Beijing's commitment to "voluntary and unilateral opening up". The phrase, also used at the recent central economic work conference, is generally used to describe reductions to restrictions on foreign investment, cuts to tariffs, and granting visa-free access to China for citizens from an expanding list of countries. He said the country's proactive fiscal policy should be converted into actual spending in a timely manner, and capital should fuel the real economy through a "moderately loose" monetary policy - a change in rhetoric from the "prudent" stance encouraged for China's central bank since the 2008 financial crisis. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. By Julie Zhu and Elisa Martinuzzi DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with global finance and business leaders including Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon during a private lunch in Davos on Tuesday. The lunch, hosted by World Economic Forum (WEF) founder Klaus Schwab, was also attended by BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters and Visa CEO Ryan Mclnerney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Chinese government officials who are part of the country's delegation in Switzerland were also present at the event. U.S. financial firms have been keen to maintain good relations with Beijing, even as Chinese growth has waned. "All the indicators are positive, but the market is waiting to see how much conviction there is and how much follows through," an executive who attended the meeting told Reuters. "There was a determination to complete all the transformations that they (the Chinese) set out," said the executive, adding the key goals for Beijing include stabilizing the property market and stimulating the domestic demand. Chinese policymakers are intensifying efforts to stimulate a faltering economy in the face of concerns over potential U.S. tariff hikes following President Donald Trump's inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump unexpectedly held off from imposing tariffs on China on his first day back in the White House. Ding on Tuesday welcomed more investment by foreign companies in the country, adding that China was willing to solve problems encountered by domestic and foreign firms. He is the second-highest-ranking Chinese official to rub shoulders with global business and political leaders at the Davos summit since President Xi Jinping attended in 2017. (Reporting by Julie ZhuEcho Wang, Elisa Martinuzzi and Lananh Nguyen; Editing by Alexander Smith) In the midst of TikTok going dark in the U.S. (and then coming back online less than 24 hours later), users have been flocking to a similar Chinese app, whose owners are keen to capitalize on their rivals uncertain future. Xiaohongshu or RedNote or Red as it has come to be called in the U.S. (the literal translation is Little Red Book, which is the title of a book of quotations by Mao Tse-tung) has surged to the top of the App Store downloads list over the past week, accruing hundreds of thousands of users, including content creators and influencers, while TikToks Chinese owner ByteDance tussles with the United States government over national security and data-mining concerns. Currently, around 170 million Americans use TikTok roughly half of the countrys population. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 13, over 50,000 U.S. and Chinese users joined a RedNote live chat, dubbed TikTok Refugees, where longtime fans of the app in China welcomed their incoming counterparts. The hashtag #TikTokRefugee notched over 35 million views on RedNote, and Reuters reported on Jan. 14 that more than 700,000 new users had joined the app in only two days. A handful of celebrities also joined the app, including Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, Kevin Bacon and Jimmy O. Yang. Im joining Little Red Book . My dad already has 30k followers on there, Crazy Rich Asians star Yang posted on his Instagram account. I already know Mandarin so I guess Ill be teaching English on there instead. The actor has already amassed nearly 400,000 followers on RedNote, posting videos of his father teaching Shanghainese and showing off his pug for the apps so-called cat tax a wholesome trend of showing ones pet on the platform. In addition to celebs, several content creators with large TikTok followings have decided to split their content amongst several platforms, including Instagram, YouTube and RedNote. Nurse John, who has a following of 7.5 million on TikTok, posted days before the ban that he joined, urging his followers to find their favorite nurse bestie on the platform. The TikTok star is a registered nurse turned touring stand-up comedian, who built his following on the platform with humorous skits about his day job. The creator, whose real name is John Dela Cruz, says theres no other platform like TikTok, but RedNote felt similar. If you want something that looks like TikTok and is programmed like TikTok, you might need to learn a little bit of Mandarin or Chinese, but its exactly what were looking for, he tells The Hollywood Reporter, adding that he told his followers that RedNote is still going to resemble TikTok, so they should join him on the app. He said he received messages from fans around the world, not just the U.S., saying they were joining RedNote to keep following him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt and Omar, a married influencer couple who rose to prominence on TikTok for Matt, an American, introducing Omar, a Brit, to American food chains, also joined RedNote. Matt, whose full name is Matt Benfield, posted a video about Americans downloading RedNote amid the TikTok ban, alerting the couples followers that they had joined the app. Benfield tells THR that the couples reception has been great, but he heard that the app might separate foreign IP addresses from domestic Chinese ones, emphasizing that it would hurt the Chinese diaspora. This idea floated around TikTok last week, but so far no official sources have announced the change, offering a beacon of hope for those who have long used the platform to connect with Chinese culture. Its like this cultural exchange thats really beautiful in a way, Benfield says of the users from both countries getting the chance to speak with one another on RedNote. TikTok and RedNote are decidedly similar a home page with an abundance of short videos to mindlessly scroll through, each one with a like, comment and share button but they are not a one-to-one match. China has its own domestic version of TikTok, Douyin, which also hails from ByteDance and was previously strictly for those with Chinese phone numbers. On Sunday, following the removal of TikTok from the U.S. app store, screenshots floated around social media that showed international users suddenly being able to sign up for the platform. Douyin is still not in the U.S. app store, however. For fans of U.S. social media platforms, RedNote is best described as Pinterest meets Instagram with a spoonful of TikTok (the platforms user base is largely women). RedNote has become one of Chinas fastest-growing platform since its 2013 launch, with its most recent value hitting over $17 billion, according to the Financial Times. It has now raced ahead a second app, Lemon8, which is also operated by TikTok owner ByteDance and shares a strikingly similar user interface. New-user numbers swelled when the parent company linked the login functions of the two apps in November. Much like TikTok, Lemon8 went dark Saturday night, along with other ByteDance apps CapCut, Gauth and Hypic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While a number of U.S. content creators have signaled that they are open to trying new apps, many are mourning the loss of what has in recent years become the most popular app in the world. Legions of content creators and influencers have amassed millions of fans on TikTok, quitting their jobs to go full-time online. Those with the highest follower tallies can earn thousands, if not millions of dollars, thanks to the apps Creator Fund and brand deals. Im always going to say its changed our life, and Im sure youve heard that from every other creator, but it literally has changed my life financially, Benfield says. The legal rumblings around TikTok began in mid-2022 after TikTok agreed to route its U.S. user data to Oracles cloud infrastructure, which in turn allowed Oracle to vet the app to ensure the platform was free from outside influence. In February 2023, the Biden administration banned the app from federal devices. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on March 23, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a congressional hearing in March 2023, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew defended his app and downplayed its connections to China. His efforts made no impact; members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce came out in support of a U.S.-wide TikTok ban and in May, Montana became the first state to sign legislation banning the app (a federal judge blocked the ban before it took effect). A year later, in March 2024, the House of Representatives passed the TikTok bill. Fast-forward to Friday, after various appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law. The platform went dark Saturday night before coming back online Sunday morning. Donald Trump, the U.S. president as of Monday, told NBC News he would most likely give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban. Trump instead signed an executive order titled Application of Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act to TikTok on his first day in office that instructs the attorney general to not to take any action to enforce the Act for a period of 75 days. While many users were happy to have TikTok back, international user presence remains strong on RedNote. Its easy to find videos on the platform of Chinese users welcoming their new foreign friends and TikTok refugees who have stuck with the app. I just never expected it to happen because for the longest time I feel like China and the rest of the world [were] kind of separated in terms of the type of content we consume, in terms of the type of news that we get, the source of the news that we get, Angelene Sun, a Chinese influencer and businesswoman with over 600,000 followers on RedNote, tells THR. The Northwestern University graduate, who lived in the States from 2011 to 2020, says that one night she was on a livestream on RedNote when suddenly her comment section was filled with Americans. This prompted her to make a video about the experience, captioned, Guys, are we making history? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know how long this whole thing is going to last. I dont know whats going to happen, but I think humanity has yet again proven itself to be the strongest bond among people with completely different upbringings and backgrounds, Sun says in the video. Its just the first time in my lifetime that I saw Westerners actually make an effort to come into our social media platform, Sun tells THR. At first [it was] kind of a revenge on the TikTok ban, but now people are actually enjoying it. I saw so many heartwarming exchanges and just seeing people actually sharing their lives directly to each other is just beautiful. She also notes that with an influx of new members from around the world, shes been inspired to create new forms of content that can speak to both audiences. [RedNote is] a great transitional platform for people to ease into the Chinese culture, Sun says. Im also very curious to see what other new functions the platform will push out in the future. I think thats actually very essential for content creators from abroad to be here for a long time, and also just the tools for them to make money on this platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It remains to be seen whether influencers or content creators can earn money through RedNote. It has historically been a rarity for foreign users to have easy access to Chinese apps. While U.S. content creators are no strangers to pivoting their content in order to build followings on a certain platform, RedNote is different than TikTok. Sun has some advice for U.S. creators who want to build a following on the largely lifestyle-focused platform. I think the perspective you pick has to be woman focused and from a womans perspective because there are so many girlies on this platform, she says. Her second suggestion make organic content. Dont be pretentious, Sun says, adding that recently she feels even her own content has become more commercial. Im not trying to show off or anything. Im not even trying to show anything. Im just sharing. Whether or not RedNotes popularity in the U.S. will continue remains unclear. Content creators seem somewhat divided on the topic. Do I think the longevity is there? No, not really, Benfield says, but believes its an interesting cultural exchange thats happening in the midst of all of this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sun, on the other hand, remains hopeful about the situation: Im more of a optimist about having Westerners coming to our social platform, she says. I think its beautiful. We love to see it. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, and Bank of Communications (Bocom) on Monday started helping Hongkongers open mainland bank accounts remotely, the latest move in a broader effort to make it easier for city residents to cross the border to travel, live, work and retire. After opening a so-called Type II account at a designated branch in Hong Kong, customers can transfer up to 10,000 yuan (US$1,367) per day or 200,000 yuan per year to the mainland account with the same bank. Opening the account is free, and there is no minimum balance requirement. Customers can then transfer money to payment apps such as Alipay or WeChat Pay so that they can shop and dine in mainland China, according to separate statements from the three lenders. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. China has three types of bank accounts. Type I accounts are full-service accounts that must be opened in person on the mainland. But since 2019, Beijing has allowed certain local banks to offer remote account openings for Type II and III accounts, which offer different levels of banking services. The announcement by the trio of Hong Kong banks came a week after Beijing said it was adding them to the list of lenders cleared to offer attestation services, meaning the bank vouches for the identity of the person opening the mainland account. A total of eight lenders now offer such services. "With the trend to travel to mainland Greater Bay Area cities on the rise and customers' preference for payment options shifting to mobile, our new service offers a reliable and convenient way for them to manage their everyday finances with ease," said Maggie Ng, head of wealth and personal banking in Hong Kong at HSBC. Attestation service is available to customers with a Hong Kong permanent identity card or a mainland travel permit. Applicants may make an appointment at any of 22 designated HSBC branches, 22 branches of Standard Chartered or seven branches of Bocom. Guangzhou at sunset on March 12, 2024. Photo: Xinhua alt=Guangzhou at sunset on March 12, 2024. Photo: Xinhua> About two-thirds of Hongkongers said that having a mainland bank account would be convenient when travelling in China, but almost 70 per cent were unwilling to travel across the border to open an account, according to an HSBC survey of more than 500 residents in September. Standard Chartered said the Type II accounts could be set up in a few working days. Pop quiz: how many British airlines fly to the worlds second largest economy and how many cities in that country do these airlines serve? Dont be embarrassed if you guessed two British Airways and Virgin Atlantic and, say, half a dozen cities. China is a big place. The correct answers are: just one and one (or two if you include Hong Kong). British Airways is the only UK carrier serving Chinese destinations. After axing its Beijing service last year, its sole destination on the mainland is Shanghai. Services to all other cities on the mainland had already been scrapped. Virgin pulled out of Shanghai last year and abandoned Hong Kong during the pandemic. The picture from Beijing and Shanghai could not be more different. Chinas state-owned Big Three airlines Beijing-based Air China, Shanghais China Eastern and Guangzhous China Southern increased scheduled services between China and Britain by up to 50 per cent last year, compared with 2019, according to aviation consultancy Ishka. Many Chinese carriers now offer three flights a day from London to Beijing and Shanghai. Guangzhous China Southern is one of the countrys big three airlines - Alamy Overall, BA and Virgins combined share of seats between Britain and China has slumped from 54 per cent in August 2014 to less than 15 per cent today, analysts at CAPA Centre for Aviation calculate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the same story across Europe. Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, and Polands LOT have all pulled out of China or cut services, prompting Chinese carriers to fill the gap. Air China has 32 routes and 53 daily flights to Europe. China Eastern serves 19 routes across Europe with 244 weekly round-trips. China Southern serves 11 destinations in Europe. Overall, Chinese airlines now account for 77 per cent of traffic between China and Europe, up from 50 per cent pre-pandemic, according to Piotr Grobelny, an aviation analyst. Whats behind the dramatic shift? Moscow banned most European airlines from Russian airspace in 2022 in response to western sanctions imposed following Russias invasion of Ukraine, but continues to allow Chinese airlines, the Gulf carriers and Air India. Flying south of Russia adds up to 2.5 hours to western carriers flights to and from Asia it takes nearly 15 hours on the Shanghai route, compared with the usual 12.5. This drives up fuel bills and staff costs to uneconomic levels. Its not a level playing field, says Marjan Rintel, chief executive of KLM. But there are other factors at work. The Chinese government has urged Chinese airlines to expand globally to re-establish the business and tourism links that were lost during Chinas strict Covid lockdowns, kickstart the economy and burnish Beijings global standing. This year, Chinese carriers are expected to supply 63 per cent of the seats on flights to the mainland. What do all these changes mean for passengers? The reverse of what you might expect. Less competition usually means higher fares. But fares from Britain to China can be very cheap, if you shop around on the websites of Chinas airlines. A return can cost as little as 700 in economy. Overall, the big three Chinese airlines fares are five per cent to 35 per cent cheaper than those of European airlines for direct round-trip flights between China and western Europe, according to UBS aviation analyst Eric Lin. Flying south of Russia adds up to 2.5 hours to western carriers flights to and from Shanghai - iStockphoto This is not just because the flight times on Chinese carriers are shorter than on the western carriers banned from Russian airspace. The cost base of Chinese carriers is lower around one third lower than their western competitors, on average. But be prepared for fewer frills for your cash. Chinese carriers do not all offer all the classes western travellers are used to, such as premium economy or first class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will the current situation last? European airlines have complained to EU regulators that Chinese carriers have an unfair advantage. Lufthansa says European airlines are in an extremely unequal competitive position with China. The fact that Lufthansa now must remove one of its oldest routes, Frankfurt-Beijing, from its flight schedule shows how much the balance of international competition is shifting, the airline said recently in a statement. The European Commission promised in October to study competition in international air routes. But industry executives doubt Brussels will act. You could make a case that the airlines that have been impacted by the political decision should be compensated, says Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) airline lobby. But I doubt theres much appetite in the Commission or the European countries to do that. Walsh argues that the closure of Russian airspace has nothing to do with safety, nor with security. European airlines are the victims of politics. I would hope that well see an end to the war in Ukraine and that we will see a return to a more normal environment. Maybe thats wishful thinking, but I would expect thats what everybody wants to see. With Donald Trump now in the White House, Walsh and the European carriers might get their wish. Trump has made ending the Ukraine war a priority. We know now it will not be on day one, as he had promised, but diplomats say talks are likely to begin soon. BAs Beijing service might be back by year end. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. China has been decreasing coal imports from Russia despite a steady growth in domestic demand, turning instead to Australian and Mongolian suppliers, The Moscow Times reported on Jan. 21, citing Chinese customs data. This development signals another blow to the Russian coal industry, which is already facing multibillion-dollar losses and mass bankruptcies. Russias share in Chinese coal imports shrank despite the latters demand growing by 14% in 2024 compared to the previous year, The Moscow Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias coal exports to China were said to have dropped by almost 7%, with Mongolian and Australian coal export volumes growing 18% and 60%, respectively, in 2024 compared to 2023. Warnings that Russias coal industry was beginning to nosedive appeared in the second half of 2024, when AC TEK, a Russian state analytical center under the Energy Ministry, published a dire assessment. Western sanctions, insufficient transport infrastructure to the east, and Chinese tariffs levied on Russian coal are contributing to the industry's setback. Despite growing economic ties between Moscow and Beijing, the Western sanctions have presented an increasingly serious obstacle to Russian-Chinese trade relations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Chinas support for Russia falls short in replacing Western materials, media reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Jan. 21Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton said a grant received from a federal agency will help keep the Choctaw Language alive. "I've always said its mission critical. If we lose our language, we fail to exist as a tribe," Batton said in a video announcing a $261,000 grant received from the United States Department of Agriculture to help preserve the southeastern Oklahoma tribal nation's language. Batton said the money, which was awarded in November, will help provide updated equipment to 20 different schools who offers students the opportunity to learn the Choctaw Language. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anjanette Williston, Director for the Choctaw Language Program, explained the grant is "astronomical" for the future of the Choctaw Language. "It means we're going to be able to reach 39 public schools, plus Jones Academy in some instances, as well as our college level students as we continue to save our tribal language," Williston said. "Sovereignty is completely at risk here and we are on the fast track to get the language out there to anyone and everyone that's willing to learn." USDA State Director for Oklahoma Kenneth Corn said the Choctaw Nation was a "critical" partner for issues such as water and health and that preserving the nation's culture is a part of the history of Oklahoma. "It's important that we continue to let people know what type of opportunities are available and let them learn the rich history and culture of this great nation," Corn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Batton said he is thankful for his tribe's relationship with the USDA and explained out of the $20 million dollars that has been appropriated by the agency for Native American tribes across the U.S., the Choctaw Nation has received $11 million. "That helps grow our economy, but this specifically today, was for preservation of our language," Batton said. The chief said he was appreciative for his team for making the grant possible and for his tribe's relationship with the USDA. "Who would have ever thought that USDA would be in the business of protecting our language?" Batton said with a chuckle. For more information about the Choctaw Language, visit www.choctawnation.com/services/language/. State and local leaders across the country are bracing for a tidal wave of aggressive immigration policies and possible mass deportations that President Donald Trump has vowed to enact in the hours and days following his inauguration Monday. Trump pledged to issue close to 100 executive orders on Day 1 of his presidency, at least 10 of which will be related to a keystone of his campaign: immigration, an incoming White House official told CNN over the weekend. Within hours of taking office, Trump signed a slate of immigration executive actions that will prompt an immigration crackdown. They include an executive action to try to end birthright citizenship, a constitutional issue that would need to be addressed via constitutional amendment or the courts. He also signed an order declaring a national emergency at the US southern border that would trigger deployment of additional Pentagon resources and the deployment of armed forces to finish the border wall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his inaugural speech on Monday, Trump reiterated his pledge to carry out mass deportations once in office. We will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came, Trump said. The immigration actions which are almost certain to be challenged in court could create fear and confusion in cities with robust immigrant populations as everyone from school bus drivers to restaurant managers and church pastors will be left to wonder what to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement comes knocking. Indeed, within hours of Trump taking office, the American Civil Liberties Union took legal action over the new administrations decision to shut down a border app known as CBP One that allowed migrants the right to seek asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU requested an immediate status conference in an existing case against former President Joe Bidens asylum restrictions along the US southern border, saying the turning off of the app deprives migrants of that right. The ACLU, along with various civil rights and immigration rights groups, also sued the Trump administration on Monday over its attempt to end birthright citizenship, a central pillar of Trumps immigration agenda. The lawsuit argues Trumps action violates both federal law and the Constitution, and asks a federal court to temporarily and permanently block the order. Nationwide, state and city officials have been making preparations for the inevitable immigration crackdown. And while many have plans in place to support migrant communities and in some cases thwart federal immigration enforcement others have expressed enthusiastic support for Trumps planned policies. Dozens of Republican governors last month released a joint statement in support of President Donald Trumps unwavering commitment to make America safe again by addressing the illegal immigration crisis and deporting illegal immigrants who pose a threat to our communities and national security. The governors, including Floridas Ron DeSantis, Texas Greg Abbott and Nevadas Joe Lombardo, suggested they are prepared to mobilize National Guard resources to assist with enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are some of the ways that states are preparing for the looming immigration crackdown. Colorado Colorado law restricts state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials efforts to arrest, detain or gather migrants personal information. Even so, the state comprises of a patchwork of municipalities with differing stances on immigration enforcement. In the capital, Denver, which has become a divisive battleground in the immigration debate, city leaders are bracing for aggressive ICE enforcement actions. Mayor Mike Johnston, whos drawn the ire of Trump officials, said the city was the single largest recipient of migrants per capita of any city in the country last year after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began busing migrants to Democratic-led cities as an affront to the Biden administration. CNN obtained the playbook distributed to city staff in the event ICE agents attempt to enter city buildings and public spaces, such as hospitals. It lays out various scenarios and explains the steps employees should follow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seemed pretty clear this was going to be ground zero for us, Johnston previously said. According to the policy playbook, if the ICE agent becomes hostile, or threatens the employee with arrest, employees should ask for the name and badge number of the agent, call the city attorneys office and ask the agent whether the employee is free to leave. The policy clearly states an employee should not try to stop a federal agent from arresting someone. City officials have also developed a four-point plan for how to respond to anticipated ICE sweeps. The plan includes directives to collaborate with the federal government on the detention of violent criminals, similar to what was done during the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But collaboration largely stops there. Johnston said they wont aid or support ICE operations in the city, and they will take the agency to court if it targets people in sensitive locations, such as schools and churches. The Denver Police Department also has policies in place that prevent officers from asking witnesses or victims of a crime about their immigration status. Other localities, however, have expressed support for the Trump administrations planned immigration actions. In Douglas County, home to nearly 400,000 people south of Denver, the Board of Commissioners voted on a resolution last week advocating for Trumps plans to remove illegal migrants from the United States and requesting immigration enforcement be implemented in Colorado despite its reputation as a sanctuary state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not compassionate to have a huge welcome sign on our state when there really is not a place or resources to support them, Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon told CNN affiliate KMGH. Illinois Community leaders and law enforcement in Chicago are fielding concerns from migrant residents who fear they may be targeted by ICE in their places of work, school and worship. Gov. JB Pritzker expressed his support for migrant families in a social media post Monday but also shared resources about what emergency plans families should have in place. The emergency checklist included gathering vital documents and choosing a caregiver to step in if a childs parents are detained. The situation is chaos, the governor told reporters Monday, saying the federal government has not communicated its plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant stop Homeland Security from coming into the state of Illinois; they are allowed to do that, Pritzker said. Indeed, we want them to come into our state when they are doing things that are lawful, when they are doing things that are consistent with the values of the American public. We are not standing in their way. We are standing up for the people of Illinois and make sure we are not letting them be taken advantage of. Chicago Public Schools sent a letter to families reassuring them the district has policies in place to protect students and staff from immigration enforcement. That includes policies passed by the Board of Education in November that prevent schools from assisting ICE and bar ICE agents from CPS campuses unless they have a criminal warrant. The school district is providing families with Know Your Rights trainings and has shared information about legal resources available for immigrants and refugees. Sonia Rosa Sifore and other anti-Trump demonstrators gather in Chicago's Federal Plaza to rally for a number of issues, including immigrant rights, the Israel-Hamas war, women's reproductive rights, racial equality and others, on the day of President Trump's inauguration Monday. - Erin Hooley/AP Lincoln United Methodist Church, which serves a large Hispanic congregation and has been known to provide migrants sanctuary, has canceled in-person Spanish services out of fear of ICE raids, the Rev. Emma Lozano said. The Spanish services will be held virtually and English services will continue in person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Illinois Restaurant Association has been fielding calls from members worried ICE sweeps may target their kitchen and service staff. Association CEO Sam Toia called foreign-born workers the backbone of Chicagos hospitality industry and said he has encouraged businesses to ensure their workers have the proper I-9 employment eligibility forms on hand. Make sure all your folks that are working and Im sure they have have the documents in place, and if ICE inspectors come in, that you comply with them, Toia said, relaying what he is telling restaurants: Please comply with the law, just like you would if a health inspector came in. California The Trump administration is teed up for a tense clash with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state leaders who have for months been planning measures to shield the states progressive policies, including immigration protections, against the incoming president. California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Friday reiterated that his office supports immigrant communities and reminded residents that state law enforcement agencies are prohibited from investigating, interrogating, detaining or arresting persons for immigration enforcement purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In light of the president-elects xenophobic rhetoric and the uptick in hostility toward immigrant communities that we anticipate, weve issued updated guidance and resources for law enforcement, prosecutors and victims of hate crimes, Bonta said in a news briefing. California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks at a news briefing on December 17 about immigrant protects in the state. - Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images Several large California cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, have positioned themselves as sanctuaries for migrants. Both cities have ordinances in place that bar city employees from aiding ICE unless required by federal law. Just weeks after Trump was reelected, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to adopt a sanctuary city ordinance. The Los Angeles Unified School District joined, reaffirming its policy that bars school personnel from voluntarily cooperating with immigration enforcement or sharing information about the immigration status of students and families with immigration agencies. LA School Board president Jackie Goldberg, before retiring last month, also said the district will aggressively oppose any effort to create federal laws that require school districts to comply with immigration enforcement actions. We know whats coming. Theyve said whats coming, and we want to tell our students and their families and all of our personnel that you are welcome here, Goldberg said in November. Bonta has promised to challenge any federal laws or actions that his office deems unlawful. If its unlawful, well see you in court, and well stop you, Bonta said. Iowa Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Friday ordered state public safety and corrections officials to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities. In a memo Friday to the leaders of the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Department of Corrections, the Republican governor mandated the agencies assist with administrative and criminal investigations, contact federal authorities when they suspect immigration law violations, and honor detainer requests from the Department of Homeland Security. The directive also requires state agencies to facilitate custody transfers to immigration authorities. In April 2024, Reynolds signed an immigration enforcement bill into law that allows state and local police to arrest undocumented immigrants who illegally reenter the country. New York Trump and his administration may have an ally in New York Mayor Eric Adams, who has been outspoken about the citys migrant crisis and said last month he is open to working with Trump. The American people have communicated with us loudly and clearly: We have a broken system. They want it fixed. We need to fix our immigration system. We need to secure our border, Adams said. He added: Im not going to be warring with this administration. Im going to be working with this administration. Adams, who was federally indicted on public corruption charges under the Biden administration, has called for changes to the citys sanctuary policies, some of which have been in place since the 1980s. As city officials wait to see how the mayor will meet Trumps immigration mandates, New York City Public Schools have been preparing their staff for potential run-ins with ICE agents. The largest school system in the country sent a memo to school principals this month reminding staff that ICE enforcement officers are not permitted access to school grounds without proper legal authority. The letter also stressed to principals that all children in the city have a right to an education regardless of immigration or asylum status and that the system does not collect information about any students immigration status. Thousands of migrants began to arrive in New York City in the summer of 2022 after being bused north from the Texas border. Although the school system does not track immigration status, nearly 45,000 migrant children have enrolled in the citys public schools since July 2022, according to the citys Department of Education. A department spokesperson told CNN additional resources will be available to staff and families, including several Know Your Rights trainings. Migrant families come and go from the Floyd Bennett Field migrant shelter on December 25, 2024, in the New York borough of Queens. - Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis News/Getty Images Texas After bitterly feuding with the Biden administration over its policies at the US southern border, Texas officials may be emboldened by the arrival of an ally in Trump in the White House. The state, which is among the busiest regions for migrant crossings, has in recent years been overwhelmed by record surges in immigrant arrivals. In retaliation, Gov. Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in 2021 in which the state bused and flew tens of thousands of migrants to Democrat-led cities an act of retaliation against the Biden administration that drew praise from Trump. As Trump was being sworn in Monday, workers in Texas were installing more buoys along its floating barrier in the Rio Grande in an effort to prevent migrants from making water crossings. A drone view of shipping container barriers along the shore of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas, on the day of Donald Trump's presidential inauguration on Monday. - Cheney Orr/Reuters I look forward to continuing to work closely with President Trump to secure the border, Abbott said in a post on X. AMERICA IS BACK! CNNs Priscilla Alvarez, Nic F. Anderson, Nayeli Jaramillo-Plata, Kaitlan Collins, Tami Luhby, Paula Reid, Samantha Waldenberg and Artemis Moshtaghian contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Inauguration Day was a big one for Winnebago County Republicans, as about 50 people gathered Monday at Fozzys Skybox inside Mercyhealth Sportscore Two in Loves Park to watch President Donald Trump make a litany of promises while taking his second non-consecutive oath of office. Among the promises were vows take control of the Panama Canal, plant an American flat on Mars and end illegal immigration, which was a significant part of his campaign platform. The presidents plan for mass deportations has been met with significant blowback. Some say enforcement efforts are unfairly aimed at Latino communities across the country. Trump supporters, including local elected officials, say claims that Trumps immigration policy is rooted in racism are categorically false. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has nothing to do with brown, Latino, Hispanic, said Winnebago County Board Member Aaron Booker (R). We have illegal aliens from 160 different countries, from all over the world that are here illegally. Some Americans also fear that deporting large swaths of people will separate families. Republicans say while that could occur in some situations its not the presidents goal. I am the granddaughter of someone who came over from Mexico the right way, said Belvidere resident Alicia Smith. And think that everybody, if they want to be an American, stand in line. Do it the right way. Apostle Jonathan Byrd of Kingdom Center Rockford agrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think citizenship is a privilege, not a right, he said. And I think our president is going to implement that in America. Although it was a momentous day for Trump Republicans, the president continues to have his revilers, who say a second Trump term can only come with chaos. I think we should all be terrified, said Kelly Kulak, of Rockton. Its not just criminals that hes after. Hes said that himself, that he is after anyone who came here illegally and any anchor babies, as he likes to call them, that gain citizenship by being born in this country. Theyll have to leave, too. Winnebago County Republican Central Committee Paul Hofmann says Trump, whose wife is an immigrant from Slovenia, has always been a champion for legal paths to citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president has demonstrates the support through the use of H-1B visas, Hofmann said. He is not opposed to legal immigration. Hoffman added that Trumps second term is akin to when Ronald Reagan was first inaugurated in 1981. I think of the young people, the young couples that have just entered the political process, Hofmann said. This is a day that they will remembera very significant election. New enforcement efforts are expected to begin this week in cities like New York and Chicago. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. ATLANTA (WJBF) Born in Atlanta, civil rights icon and social activist, Martin Luther King Jr., made it his life mission to end segregation and fight for racial equality. He was shot and killed in Memphis at the age of 39. But today, his legacy lives on in Atlanta where the city hosted a day of services and parades to honor MLK including projects to feed the homeless. This area in downtown Atlanta is called the Sweet Auburn district. This is where Dr. King grew up. On MLK Day, you can see the momentum, and a lot happening at the King Center, a historic park nearby and services at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He would have turned 96 years old if he was here today. This is a very deeply historic area for the black community and for those who fight for freedom everyday. It represents a beginning and a rebirth of our fight rights, homeless housing, better wages and more affordable housing which we need desperately, said Elisabeth Omilami, CEO of Hosea Feed The Hungry, Atlanta. The third Monday of every January is recognized as Martin Luther King Day, after it was signed into law back in 1983 as a federal holiday. After Kings death, his wife, Coretta Scott King, established the King Center in 1968. I currently live in FL but I drove up for the King holiday weekend. This holiday is incredibly important because it not only makes us remember MLK JR and Coretta Scott King where we prioritize non violence as a way of life, said Christen Murray. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King led the civil rights movement pushing for change and equality through non violence. We are still in this movement for civil rights. We cant think everything is ok I sat in his lap as a little girl he was the kindest, and gentleman but could also turn into a tiger in front of state troopers, said Omilami. To honor him, there are so many things you can do, with people dropping off donations and others handing out free coffee, to remember what he would stand for even here today. He would want people to act. Love is a verb. He would want us to find things to act whether its senior citizen, healthcare, homelessness, or housing for the middle class that are struggling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Activists say during segregation African Americans could not go into theaters, or restaurants and faced barriers in housing, education and employment. I think the words and qualities that inspire me are looking at our personal commitment and love our neighbor and be intentional about the way we show up for one another, said Murray. His legacy continues to live with the idea of non violence, and pushing for change to create for all Americans. The King Centers theme is mission possible, protecting freedom, justice and democracy. MLKs legacy lives on today across Georgia, with streets, parks and museums named in his honor. Martin Luther King Jrs birth place home is being renovated to fix structural improvements and will reopen this November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WJBF. DENVER (KDVR) On Tuesday night, the Denver City Council will discuss a proposal to limit the number of new gas stations in the city. This is an effort by council members to address the housing crisis. The proposal would not completely ban new gas stations, but limit where new gas stations could pop up. This ordinance was passed through the Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in December. In this proposal, new gas stations would not be allowed within a quarter mile of an existing gas station or transit station, and not within 300 feet of low-intensity residential zone districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You never think its going to happen to you: Family catches home break-in on camera Council member Amanda Sawyer commented on this effort in December 2024, saying, We live in an extraordinary place, and people want to be a part of that and that is fantastic. But, weve got to be thoughtful about how we grow as a city. Two maps attached to city council documents illustrate the ordinance. The maps show the locations of current gas stations using red dots and the areas in blue show where gas stations are allowed currently and where gas stations would be allowed if the proposal passes. Current gas station locations in Denver County (Denver City Council If the proposal passes, the areas in blue are where gas stations could be built. (Denver City Council) Additionally, the city sent out postcards to 18,000 property owners and received 89 comments as of Jan. 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the citys documents, they said about 33% of people said they were for the ordinance, including the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association. They said they agreed with the effort to preserve property for other types of development, and about 43% said they were against it, citing concerns about property rights and competition. Tuesday is the first reading in the full council. If the proposal moves forward, a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The City of Plymouth is backing Plymouth Police Chief Erik Fadden after two police unions took a "no confidence" vote against him last week. Last week, the city said it received a letter regarding the vote from Police Officer Local 18 and Sergeant Union 34. The city said on Sunday its city council and city leaders are supportive of the Plymouth Public Safety Department, police department leadership and Plymouth police officers, "and this unwavering support continues." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fadden has been an officer in Plymouth for two decades and was appointed the city's chief in 2021. "Chief Faddens mission is to foster a department of mutual respect, with a dedication to teamwork and a focus on excellence in day-to-day work," the city said. Plymouth Police Chief Erik Fadden.City of Plymouth Facebook The Star Tribune reports that the letter from both unions expressed various concerns for the future, specifically the department's ability to provide superior service to the community. It also criticized Fadden's alleged "absence or ineffective leadership and decision-making," adding additional concerns over recruiting and retaining officers and a "culture of mistrust." The city said it has not been immune to challenges seen at police departments across the country when it comes to recruiting and maintaining officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Its a difficult time to be a police officer, and Plymouth is not alone when it comes to challenges with officer recruitment and retention," the city said. "The City of Plymouth has directed significant public resources toward police department employees in recent years, including market adjustments for law enforcement salaries, which were negotiated with union representatives; additional leave benefits; financial support for educational advancement; support for mental health, physical fitness and wellness initiatives/opportunities; and efforts to work collaboratively on a labor management committee." "The City of Plymouth remains committed to these efforts and looks forward to working with union bargaining groups on continued progress in these areas in order to meet the needs of the community." A viral Threads postresponding to a poster who suspected that Republicans cheated in the 2024 presidential electionclaims that Democrats won Senate races in all of the swing states in 2024. Another reason: Democratic senators won in all swing states, it reads. The claim is false. Only five of the seven swing states had senate races in 2024, and not all of them were won by Democratic candidates. During the 2024 election, seven statesGeorgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Nevadawere widely viewed as the most likely to determine whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump would win a majority of the Electoral Colleges 538 votes. Donald Trump won all seven swing states, which together offered 93 electoral votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because U.S. senators serve staggered six-year terms, only one-third of the Senates 100 seats are contested in any given federal election. Five of the seven swing statesPennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Nevadaheld Senate races in 2024. While Trump won a majority of the vote in all five of these states, the Republican Senate candidates who appeared down-ballot fared worse. In Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Nevada, Democrats defeated their Republican challengers by an average margin of 1.08 percent, leaving Pennsylvanias Dave McCormick the lone victor for the GOP. If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. A viral Instagram post with more than 94,000 likes claims that LGBT content has been banned from Chinese television. China has banned transgenders from TV including a ban on showing LGBT relationships on television, the post reads. The post is accurate, but the prohibitions it references arent new. China imposed bans on LGBT television content in 2015, and they remain in place today. In December 2015, Chinese government censors released updated regulations on several types of TV content. According to The Guardians reporting at the time, these regulations included a prohibition on media depictions of abnormal sexual relationships and behaviors, such as incest, same-sex relationships, sexual perversion, sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual violence, and so on. Content depicting activities like adultery, smoking, and drinking was also restricted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the release of the updated regulations, several popular Chinese web dramas that included vulgar language, sexual scenes, or depictions of crime were taken offline. In 2021, China extended these restrictions further, placing a ban on television content that depicts effeminate men. While China ended legal persecution of LGBT activity in 1997 and removed homosexuality from its list of mental health disorders in 2001, discrimination still occurs across the country. Same-sex marriages are not recognized in China, and LGBT activism groups, under pressure from government officials, have been forced to cease operations in recent years. If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. JAKARTA (Reuters) -Indonesia's antitrust agency on Tuesday ordered Google to pay fines of around 202 billion rupiah ($12.4 million) for unfair business practices related to its payment system services for Google Play Store, its software distribution platform. The agency launched an investigation into Alphabet Inc's Google in 2022 on suspicion it had abused its dominant position by requiring Indonesian app developers to use Google Play Billing, at higher rates than other payment systems, or face removal from the Google Play Store. The panel said in a hearing that the systems reduced developers' earnings as they led to the reduction of users, adding that Google had been found breaking Indonesias law against monopoly. The agency found that Google had charged a fee of up to 30% via Google Play Billing, the panel said. Google controlled a 93% market share in the country of 280 million people which has a fast-growing digital economy, the agency said. A Google spokesperson said on Wednesday the company would appeal the ruling. "Our current practices foster a healthy, competitive Indonesian app ecosystem," the spokesperson said, adding it was committed to complying with Indonesian law. Google has previously said it had introduced a system where developers could offer users an alternative billing option. Google has been fined more than 8 billion euros ($8.3 billion) by the European Union in the last decade for anti-competitive practices related to its price comparison service, Android mobile operating system and advertising service. (Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Alison Williams, Martin Petty, Ed Osmond and Saad Sayeed) KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Clay County Sheriffs Office has found a missing 21-year-old man who disappeared over a week ago in Liberty, Missouri. According to deputies, on the evening of Jan. 13, Aiden Page was last seen driving in a red Mercury SUV with no license plates on Highway 291 toward Excelsior Springs. However, the sheriffs office said he never arrived at his desired destination. One dead after shooting on the east side of Kansas City Monday night Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, over a week later, officers announced that Page was found safe. The Clay County Sheriffs Office thanked the public for their help in the search for Page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Of all the dark moments during Donald Trumps inauguration on Monday, the darkest may have been the moment Trump acolyte and worlds richest man Elon Musk threw up not one but two Roman salutesthe gesture most strongly associated with Nazis and the phrase Heil Hitler, but also used as a symbol of support in other fascist regimes. The gesture was shocking, and observers from the left to the racist right alike agreed on what they saw. Neo-Nazis cheered. (Holy crap did Elon Musk just Heil Hitler at the Trump Inauguration Rally in Washington DC This is incredible, one prominent Holocaust denier wrote, later adding, We are so back.) Moderates and liberals were shaken. One group, though, was unbothered: The Anti-Defamation League, which has as its mission fighting antisemitism and bigotry more broadly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge, the ADL posted on the Musk-owned X. In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Lets hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead. Musk responded Thanks guys with a laugh-crying emoji. Ha ha. The joke is on us. The entire ethos of the men and women (but mostly men) who make up the white-supremacist-adjacent fascist-friendly too-online right is one of saying what they really think with enough plausible deniability to claim its all just a big joke, and if you take offense, its because youre a triggered woke scold. Theres always a veneer of irony, a little smirk. If the story gets too big, then its yet another example of a biased media engaged in, as Musk called the latest headlines, dirty tricks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps Musk wasnt throwing up a deliberate sieg heil; he is notoriously physically awkward, throwing his limbs around in ways that are often outside of the normal range of human movement. But Musk has made a series of public posts and comments that make it awfully hard to conclude he doesnt actually harbor racist and antisemitic views, and that should at the very least make groups like the ADL think twice before extending the benefit of the doubt. He is loudly supporting a German far-right party with connections to neo-Nazis. He changed his X avatar to Pepe the Frog, a symbol of far-right racism and antisemitism. After violent anti-immigrant riots rocked the U.K. last summer, Musk sided with the rioters: He has been a vocal supporter of the British far-right hatemonger Tommy Robinson, and was incensed by the seven-year jail sentence handed down to a man who posted an image of a map with a mosque circled in red and the caption TIME FOR WARa post found to have incited some of the riots. (The mosque was indeed attacked; we started the southport and liverpool riots, all it took was a telegram and a tiktok account, the man wrote.) In 2023, after Musk allowed white supremacists to run rampant on his newly acquired social media platform, one X user posted: Jewish communties have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them. Im deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest shit now about western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing realization that those hordes of minorities that support flooding their country dont exactly like them too much. You want truth said to your face, there it is. Musk responded, You have said the actual truth. In that context, Musks hand gesture, as the press have been generously calling it, seems even more ominous. And it makes the ADLs urging of the benefit of the doubt toward Musk a bit credulous, given that he has been extended this benefit many times, and continues to raise serious doubts. And its particularly odd to see the ADL standing up for Musk. The ADL, after all, has as its national director a man who has compared wearing a kaffiyeh to wearing a swastika. The group has conflated protests against Israels war in Gaza with antisemitismand while far too many of these protests have indeed veered into the antisemitic, the ADL seems to equate just about any opposition to Israeli militarism with antisemitism, a position that has badly damaged their credibility. Its not that there is no antisemitic threat from the left; there is. Its that a sense of proportion is also necessary, and the ADL seems to believe that an encampment of kaffiyeh-wearing college kids is more dangerous than the wealthiest man in the world who owns a major communications platform and has the ear of the most powerful man in the world. This posture is a damning indictment of an organization that has a crucial mission, is being put to the test, and is badly failing. The ADLs classification of anti-Israel sentiment as pure antisemitism has been used by vindictive conservative activists and legislators to launch broad attacks on American universities and liberal arts education more broadly. Antisemitism accusations have been used as a pretext for defunding colleges, restricting their work, and targeting their employees. Conservatives have long tried to undermine public confidence in higher education, and tried to weaken educational institutions that they believe are liberalizing young people and running afoul of traditional and religious values. The ADL has too often joined forces with these same conservatives, and fed into their narrative of American colleges as hotbeds of radicalism that must be stamped out. While some campus and pro-Palestinian groups have not exactly helped themselves out heresome of them have engaged in blatant and shameful antisemitismthe ADL has been far too quick to allow its vital work to be co-opted and manipulated by a conservative, largely Christian party that now has under its umbrella unvarnished Christian Nationalists and others who have not exactly been historical friends to the Jews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As actual Holocaust survivors use their last years to fight against the reemergence of the European far right, Musk is supporting some of those same far-right parties. And as Musk yet again behaves in a way that any person with eyes might immediately see as reminiscent of Nazism, the ADL is supportingor at least excusing, and perhaps covering for, Musk. Its a shameful moment. The world desperately needs watchdog groups like the ADL that will identify, track, and fight against antisemitism in its many hideous forms. And as people, we also do need to extend each other grace, give each other the benefit of the doubt, and work together for a brighter future. But doing that work doesnt mean waving away dark acts. It means shining a light on themand calling them what they are. Climate justice protesters marched around a mural they painted in front of the New Mexico Legislature on Tuesday. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM) On the New Mexico Legislatures opening day Jan. 21, climate justice protesters blockaded the street in front of the Roundhouse, demanding state lawmakers take immediate climate action. Demonstrators parked vehicles on Old Santa Fe Trail, while a crowd of young people painted a clock on the pavement to show the urgency of the climate crisis and demand protection for stolen, sacred lands and of their futures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group escalated to a blockade after disrupting the governors State of the State address in 2024, and staging a die-in inside the capitol rotunda in 2023. Protesters included members of Youth United for Climate Crisis Action (YUCCA), Pueblo Action Alliance, Southwest Organizing Project, the Santa Fe Ad Hoc Committee on Palestine, Third Act New Mexico and students from United World College in Las Vegas, New Mexico. YUCCA Policy Campaign Manager Ennedith Lopez said since her organization was founded six years ago, lawmakers have largely ignored climate and environmental justice. Her group plans to support legislation focusing on human rights, housing, and specific proposals creating a one-mile buffer zone preventing oil and gas operations around schools, day cares, parks and playgrounds, and limiting ozone air pollution. YUCCA plans to oppose Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams strategic water supply proposal, Lopez said. That program would receive $75 million under a bill sponsored by Rep. Susan Herrera (D-Embudo) that would make the state government a middleman to solicit projects to develop treatments for salty water deep underground or oil and gas wastewater, and to create rules to regulate those projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowing that there isnt science to back safety for human consumption or even simply the Earth, its just too risky of an investment for our communities, Lopez said. Todays protest follows yesterdays executive order from President Donald Trump withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement. Gov Lujan Grisham, co-chair of the United States Climate Alliance, yesterday released a letter with Co-Chair New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change reiterating the Alliances commitment to its climate goals: This is not the first time weve responded to this challenge in the U.S, the letter noted. Our coalition was launched after the Presidents decision to withdraw our country from the Paris Agreement back in 2017. Since then, our reach, resolve, and impact have only grown. Climate change legislation during this years session includes The Clear Horizons Act, which would codify Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams 2019 executive order to reduce 2005 level emissions by at least 45% by 2030. The bill would set the goals of reducing emissions by 50% by 2040 and 100% by 2050, and charge the Environmental Improvement Board with inventorying progress towards the goals. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A home west of Colo. 125 still burns from open gas lines after the East Troublesome Fire made its way through a community in October 2020. (Thomas Cooper/Special to Colorado Newsline) This commentary originally appeared on The Conversation. The decision by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to end its fact-checking program and otherwise reduce content moderation raises the question of what content on those social media platforms will look like going forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One worrisome possibility is that the change could open the floodgates to more climate misinformation on Metas apps, including misleading or out-of-context claims during disasters. In 2020, Meta rolled out its Climate Science Information Center on Facebook to respond to climate misinformation. Currently, third-party fact-checkers working with Meta flag false and misleading posts. Meta then decides whether to attach a warning label to them and reduce how much the companys algorithms promote them. Metas policies have fact-checkers prioritizing viral false information, hoaxes and provably false claims that are timely, trending and consequential. Meta explicitly states that this excludes opinion content that does not include false claims. The company will end its agreements with U.S.-based third-party fact-checking organizations in March 2025. The planned changes slated to roll out to U.S. users wont affect fact-checking content viewed by users outside the U.S.. The tech industry faces greater regulations on combating misinformation in other regions, such as the European Union. Fact-checking curbs climate misinformation I study climate change communication. Fact-checks can help correct political misinformation, including on climate change. Peoples beliefs, ideology and prior knowledge affect how well fact-checks work. Finding messages that align with the target audiences values, along with using trusted messengers like climate-friendly conservative groups when speaking to political conservatives can help. So, too, does appealing to shared social norms, like limiting harm to future generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heat waves, flooding and fire conditions are becoming more common and catastrophic as the world warms. Extreme weather events often lead to a spike in social media attention to climate change. Social media posting peaks during a crisis but drops off quickly. Low-quality fake images created using generative artificial intelligence software, so-called AI slop, is adding to confusion online during crises. For example, in the aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton last fall, fake AI-generated images of a young girl, shivering and holding a puppy in a boat, went viral on the social media platform X. The spread of rumors and misinformation hindered the Federal Emergency Management Agencys disaster response. What distinguishes misinformation from disinformation is the intent of the person or group doing the sharing. Misinformation is false or misleading content shared without active intention to mislead. On the other hand, disinformation is misleading or false information shared with the intent to deceive. Disinformation campaigns are already happening. In the wake of the 2023 Hawaii wildfires, researchers at Recorded Future, Microsoft, NewsGuard and the University of Maryland independently documented an organized propaganda campaign by Chinese operatives targeting U.S. social media users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be sure, the spread of misleading information and rumors on social media is not a new problem. However, not all content moderation approaches have the same effect, and platforms are changing how they address misinformation. For example, X replaced its rumor controls that had helped debunk false claims during fast-moving disasters with user-generated labels, Community Notes. False claims can go viral rapidly Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg specifically cited Xs Community Notes as an inspiration for his companys planned changes in content moderation. The trouble is false claims go viral quickly. Recent research has found that the response time of crowd-sourced Community Notes is too slow to stop the diffusion of viral misinformation early in its online life cycle the point when posts are most widely viewed. In the case of climate change, misinformation is sticky. It is especially hard to dislodge falsehoods from peoples minds once they encounter them repeatedly. Furthermore, climate misinformation undermines public acceptance of established science. Just sharing more facts does not work to combat the spread of false claims about climate change. Explaining that scientists agree that climate change is happening and is caused by humans burning greenhouse gases can prepare people to avoid misinformation. Psychology research indicates that this inoculation approach works to reduce the influence of false claims to the contrary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why warning people against climate misinformation before it goes viral is crucial for curbing its spread. Doing so is likely to get harder on Metas apps. Social media users as sole debunkers With the coming changes, you will be the fact-checker on Facebook and other Meta apps. The most effective way to pre-bunk against climate misinformation is to lead with accurate information, then warn briefly about the myth but only state it once. Follow this with explaining why it is inaccurate and repeat the truth. During climate change-fueled disasters, people are desperate for accurate and reliable information to make lifesaving decisions. Doing so is already challenging enough, like when the Los Angeles Countys emergency management office erroneously sent an evacuation alert to 10 million people on Jan. 9, 2025. Crowd-sourced debunking is no match for organized disinformation campaigns in the midst of information vacuums during a crisis. The conditions for the rapid and unchecked spread of misleading, and outright false, content could get worse with Metas content moderation policy and algorithmic changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. public by and large wants the industry to moderate false information online. Instead, it seems that big tech companies are leaving fact-checking to their users. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Felonious 45/47 gathers with MAGA faithful as America awaits its fate. Present, a delegation of far-right Germans. 45/47 strolls onto a veranda in a saggy blue suit, white shirt sans tie, and his devil-red logo cap. So, wheres my German friends? he says and beckons a group of five white dudes, including Alternative fur Deutschland party candidate Phillipp-Anders Rau, and Fabrice Ambrosini, whod resigned as the youth leader of the Christian Democratic Union over allegations he flashed the Nazi salute. The Germans parrot the Fight! Fight! Fight! that 45/47 chanted after a would-be assassins bullet grazed his ear last July. He thanks his fawning guests and they give a thumbs-up sign for a group photo. This from a man whose first wife, according to Vanity Fair in 1990, revealed that he kept a book of Hitlers speeches at his bedside (a claim he didnt deny), who equivocated for neo-Nazis marching through Charlottesville, who was accused by his longest-serving chief of staff of having said Hitler did some good things. It is common to describe the Third Reich as the nefandumthe unspeakable evilto avoid mentioning the Nazis mass malevolence alongside anything else. But what of the paradox that Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Italy, and Finland of the EU have swung to hard-right governance, that for those intent on dismantling a liberal democracy, Nazi Germany is an exemplar? And what of Hitler praising Americas westward Native-annihilating expansion? Of the Jim Crow South and American eugenics inspiring the Reichs Nuremberg Race Laws? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While wholesale comparisons between the United States and Nazi Germany have often been dismissed as hasty and/or hyperbolic, rather comparing MAGA to the Third Reich aint overblown or premature or alarmistit is stock that beseeches: Just how close to them are we, really? On November 9, 1923, Hitler staged an unsuccessful coup known as the Beer Hall Putsch. Hitlers nascent Nazi party and coalition of nationalist groups were thwarted in trying to depose the German government. On January 6, 2021, 45/47 incited a failed coup at the Capitol. Hitler at least served nine months in prison for his crime, but 45/47, even as a private citizen, received no consequence for his role, facts indicative of the (ill) health of each democracys legal system at the time. Not to mention, the events demonstrate demagogues kindred in their deep irreverence for the ideal of democracy, in their capacious tolerance of if not love for violence and chaos. On February 14, 1926, a few years removed from prison, Hitler organized the Bamberg Conference in Bavaria and reunited the socialist and nationalist arms of the Nazi party. In that ominous meeting, he also established the Fuhrerprinzip, or leader principle, which demanded unquestioning obedience from party members and gave him total control. The 2024 Republican National Convention, a sycophantic spectacle, paralleled Bamberg. And it has been clear ever since that most Republicans, even those who once criticized 45/47 (see: Lindsey Graham, Tim Scott, Marco Rubio, and the rest) will comport themselves along MAGA lines. That it demands fealty to its leader above all else, even country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Post-prison, Hitler helped the Nazis become the biggest political party in Germany, prompting the powers that be to vault him into the role of chancellor. But the countrys oligarchy was wrong about its ability to control Hitler. In 1934, he purged the Nazis of several foes during the Night of Long Knives. After president Paul von Hindenburg died a month later, Hitler combined the offices of president and chancellor into a Fuhrerprinzip. He instigated the infamous Night of Broken Glass in 1938, pogroms during which 30,000 Jewish men were rounded up and sent to concentration camps, the Nazis first mass arrests of Jews for nothing more than being Jews. Americas oligarchs have leaned into MAGA rule. Elon Musk invested $277 million into reelecting 45/47. Jeff Bezos forbade his Washington Post from endorsing Kamala Harris and L. A. Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong likewised. Mark Zuckerberg announced the abandonment of third-party fact-checking across all Metas platforms, which boast 3.2 billion daily active users. Meta and Amazon and McDonalds and Walmart and Ford and umpteen conglomerates have caved to MAGAs anti-DEI campaign (more on this). Unprecedented millions have been donated to 45/47s inauguration fund. But what if the billionaires and operatives and politicos are as wrong about the efficacy of their schemes as their counterparts were during the Reich? A few months after he became chancellor, Hitler coerced the Ministry of Propaganda, which imposed control over all media, into being. That same year, the Reich instituted the New Editors Law, forcing editors to omit anything calculated to weaken the strength of Reich abroad or at home. MAGAs propagandic tools include Fox News, the Washington Examiner, Epoch Times, and Truth Social, which 45/47 founded, owns, and exploits. Quotidian: 45/47 platforming blatant mischaracterizations, incendiary speech, naked racism, and flat-out lies. Plus, his persistent portrayal of mainstream media outlets as the enemy of the people, the same exact phrase used by Hitler to target Jewish people. Add to that poisonous phrase 45/47s penchant for claiming the truth is fake news, and his first administrations admitted use of alternative facts. Plus, the omen that 45/47 received a $15 million defamation settlement from ABC after George Stephanopolous said on air that a jury had found Trump liable for rape when the judge in the civil case wrote that a jury found that Mr. Trump did exactly that. 45/47 sued the Des Moines Register for election interference for releasing a poll days before the presidential election that understated his support. In a press conference about that lawsuit, he was asked if hed pursue more defamation lawsuits against media outlets, journalists, and even influencers. I think you have to do it because theyre very dishonest. We need a great media. We need a fair media, he said. 45/47s disregard for facts and truth and integrity, the greasing of mechanisms for dis- and misinformation by outlets controlled by MAGA coconspirators, the signs that media will accede to dictatorial powerall resemble the reign of the Reich. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times first wrote about Hitler in 1922. Though the article included critique, it also said, Several reliable, well-informed sources confirmed the idea that Hitlers antisemitism was not so genuine or violent as it sounded. In 1937, Life magazine published a feature using photographs of Hitler with children shot by his personal photographer. The next year, 1938, Time named Hitler its Man of the Year (his second time covering the magazine). Time contends that all persons of the year follow the dictum of its founder, Henry Luce, who described it as not an honor but a distinction applied to the newsmaker who most influenced world events for better or worse. Hitler became in 1938 the greatest threatening force that the democratic, freedom-loving world faces today, wrote the magazine. Nonetheless, how many people read a cover story to discover it features a critique of the subject? Contrary to its founders rationale, covering of one of the most famous magazines in the world was and is laudatory. True to Luces mandate, Time distinguished 45/47 as its 2024 Person of the Year (the same man who once had a fake Time cover of himself posted in at least five of his resorts), presented him without the context of a coverline other than his name. While there is something approaching criticism in the story, Time national political correspondent Eric Cortellessa also chose to describe 45/47 as having an air of unhurried bonhomie. Despite the magazines trotting out its trusty rationale, anointing 45/47 as its 2024 Person of the Year validates him in the same vein it did a fascist for the ages almost 90 years ago. In 1933, the Reich also instituted the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service, which excluded Jews and political opponents from all civil-service positions. A parallel: One of the agendas laid out by Project 2025 is purging the U.S. government of civil-service employees who have not been vetted as loyal to MAGA. We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected, said Russell Vought, an architect of Project 2025 who ran the Office of Management and Budget during the last half of 45/47s first term. When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work because they are increasingly viewed as the villains.... We want to put them in trauma. The German parliament legislated the Enabling Act of 1933, which allowed Hitler to govern by decree, a move analogous to the reported hundreds of executive orders drafted by Project 2025 authors for 45/47 to sign ASAP. A president employing his power of executive order aint new, but a president cueing a fusillade of executive orders to gut the governments system of checks and balances and seize authoritarian control within the first 180 days of office is not only unprecedented in this tottering republic, its a perilous echo of the Reich. Pool - Getty Images 45/47 has promised to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to spur Operation Aurora and deport upwards of 11 million undocumented immigrants. Never mind this will cause manifold emotional and physical harm. Never mind there is no concrete plan for logistics, including how to house that many humans or transport them to their home countries. And should Americans protest their stark perniciousness, 45/47 has threatened to invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act, which grants the president broad power to use the military for domestic law enforcement. We want to be able to shut down the riots and not have the legal community or the defense community come in and say, Thats an inappropriate use of what youre trying to do, said Vought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Reichs Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service included removing judges who didnt comply with Nazi principles. Hitler replaced the Supreme Court with the Peoples Court, the Special Court, and later the Court of Honor, all kangaroo courts. In his first term, 45/47 reshaped the federal judiciary. Thanks to Mitch McConnell-led machinations that dated back to the Obama administration, 45/47 enjoyed the great fortune of appointing three justices to the Supreme Court, which, while not a full-on kangaroo court, yet, is looking a helluva lot like a joeyhas shown not only right-wing bias but a susceptibility to corruption. (Clarence Thomas alone accepted more than $2.4 million in gifts between 2004 and 2023, as reported by reform group Fix the Court.) Last March, SCOTUS ruled that states couldnt remove 45/47 from their ballots for his role in an insurrection. Then last July, the courts Republican-appointed supermajority belatedly and flabbergastingly ruled, a former president is entitled to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority. And despite beating two separate impeachments and all that obvious impartiality, 45/47 has been unabashed in bashing courts that havent sided in his favor. Its incontrovertible truth, in my book, that 45/47 has forged a justice system that works most of all for him. The Reichs ideal of a master race catalyzed their attempt to exterminate European Jews. Prior to that astounding inhumanity, it manifests as subjugating them to the lowest of the low in every imaginable way. On the other end of that racial hierarchy were able-bodied, straight Aryan men. A semi-subtle way the able-bodied straight white men who rule MAGA are promoting the idea of a master race is the anti-DEI movement. The tacit claim is that identity is chief in whatever a Black person (or an othered) has achieved, that Black people are unqualified no matter our resume or experience, which is to assert that we are inherently unqualified, code for genetically inferior. More upshot: Statistics prove that the greatest beneficiaries of diversity and inclusion initiatives have been white women. (According to McKinsey & Companys report Women in the Workplace 2024, white women outpace women and men of color from entry level all the way to the C-suite.) MAGAs anti-DEI crusade is apt to expel white women from the workplace, forcing many of them back into the home. Would it surprise you to learn that the Reich believed the womans place was in the home? The easier to ensure their dependency, to breed more pure Aryan babies, which by law they could not abort. Of course, a MAGA-leaning Supreme Court also ruled against a womans right to choose. All to say, MAGAs attack on DEI reaps them many benefits, not the least of which is the further entrenchment of Americas racial and gender caste. Under the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service Act, the Reich fired Jewish schoolteachers and teachers with undesirable politics and made Nazi Party membership compulsory. (More schoolteachers joined the party than any other profession.) That vetted cadre taught from new textbooks that instilled a love for Hitler, obedience to the state and military, racism, and antisemitism. Though the Reich formed schools for students hoping to become future political and military leaders (Napolas) and schools for students who desired to enter Nazi politics (Adolf Hitler Schools), the pedagogy of the Reich was at heart anti-intellectual. To further indoctrinate the Reich young, the regime mandated membership in the Hitler Youth and the League of German Girls in 1936. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MAGA doesnt demand membership in a youth group, but theyve been working overtime to program their young people. According to PEN America, there were 10,046 book bans in U.S. public schools in the 202324 school year, a 200 percent increase from the year before. The bans are part of the anti-woke movement, which, in the main, attacks efforts to educate kids on injustice as pertains to race, gender, and sex. Concomitant with that cultural ressentiment is 45/47 and his coconspirators threatening to abolish the Department of Education and return public schooling to the purview of the states. States rightsan argument used for centuries to codify American inequality, and which, in this case, would all but ensure that the curriculums of MAGA-ruled states would be censored against critical thought. The book bans, the anti-woke agitprop, the bluster to close the Department of Educationall diaphanous ploys to exert the same control over the minds of the MAGA young that the Reich sustained over its young people. A critical reminder that Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933 and killed himself in 1945, that a mere 12 years of Reich rule turned Germany into a genocidal autocracy. In addition to the unspeakable, the Reichs tactics allowed it to seize territoryit was called Lebensraum (living space)define the flow of information, suppress free speech, crush dissent, persecute and eliminate foes: all things MAGA has promulgated. And with their advanced tools (can you imagine Hitler on X?) and frightening consolidation of power, how much swifter might they achieve their darkest designs? Aims which seem prophesied on their devil-red cap: Make America Great AGAIN! As in, a return to manifest destiny and no less than Jim Crow; as in, the mass scapegoating of immigrants and an indoctrinated citizenry; as in, no one outside their Volk owning rights they must respect. How close are we to the Third Reich? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Did you see Elons Nazi salute? Try how in the world do we reverse course when we are this deep into it? You Might Also Like CMPD considers using drones in new first responders program CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers are looking at new technology to help better their responses. Its a program called Drones as First Responders. The idea is a drone would be the first on the scene to gather information for officers, so once they arrive, theyre prepared to respond. Two more suspects from SC arrested in connection to 2024 deadly shooting in south Charlotte Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This information can help officers de-escalate situations faster and lead to safer outcomes for everybody involved, said Maj. Ryan Kendall. CMPD leaders are considering using the Drones as First Responders program to reduce times, improve responses and keep the community and law enforcement safe. Drones can send visual information to our real-time crime center and allow them to communicate directly with our operations, command staff and our communicators, said Kendall. This means the first officer to arrive will have a much clearer picture of the situation before any interaction occurs. Agencies across the country have it. One of them is not far from Charlotte. The Forsyth County Sheriffs Office has been using the technology for years, almost daily. A spokesperson said its been incredibly successful, and the agency has even expanded the program. Chief Johnny Jennings said hell be looking at other departments already using the technology to lead the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are adamant that you have to have technology to help us with the response to be more efficient and effective as an agency, he said. You also have to be very responsible with that. Chief Jennings recognized people may have security concerns about unmanned aircrafts, but said policies will be put into place to protect privacy. Theyre simply going to that call for service and responding to that call for service no different than if youre driving a police car going there, he said. As of now, the program is under consideration. Its unclear when CMPD could implement it. Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. CNNs John King criticized former President Bidens last-minute pardons of his family members on his way out of the White House as unseemly in remarks Monday. In voiceover commentary on CNN, the veteran journalist recalled covering former President Clinton when he pardoned, on his last day in office, billionaire Marc Rich, whose wife had been a Democratic donor. I was covering the Clinton White House when, at the very last minute, when the then-soon-to-be former President Clinton was on his way to the Capitol, and they pardoned this billionaire Marc Rich, who was a fugitive and had violated all sorts of sanctions against Iran and other countries around the world, King said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just unseemly, he continued. If youre going to do it, have the courage to do it in the light of day and explain it to the American people. Its a stain on his legacy to do it like this. We can have an argument about, is it necessary? Has Donald Trump promised retribution? Yes, he has, King said. But, I just, if youre the president of the United States, who said that the curse of Donald Trump was that he didnt respect democracy and didnt respect norms, have the courage to look the American people the eye and explain what youre doing. Biden announced pardons for members of his family in the final minutes of his presidency Monday, a development that came as President-elect Trumps inauguration was already underway. The blanket pardons were issued to his brother, James Biden; his sister-in-law, Sara Jones Biden; his sister, Valerie Biden Owens; his brother-in-law, John T. Owens; and his youngest brother, Francis Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me the worst kind of partisan politics, Biden said in a statement. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end. Biden said the pardons do not acknowledge any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance of them be viewed as an admission of guilt. They cover any nonviolent offense from Jan. 1, 2014, to Sunday. A number of the family members previously testified before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee as it investigated both President Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, in a probe of influence peddling. The president had also given his son a similar blanket pardon last month, drawing bipartisan criticism after previously saying he would never make such a move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. After two decades at the Washington Post, veteran editor Philip Rucker is joining CNN as SVP, Editorial Strategy and News, the latest in a slew of exits from the Jeff Bezos-owned paper, CNN announced on Tuesday. In his new role at CNN, Rucker will help lead the networks coverage of President Trumps second term. Per CNN, he will also continue to break news and tell urgent, distinctive stories in engaging formats across CNNs platforms. I look forward to collaborating with the world-class journalists at CNN to help chart a new era of digital transformation, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist said in a statement. Together, we will cover the fast-paced stories that lie ahead with authority, curiosity, precision and creativity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruckers exit comes after more than 400 Washington Post journalists signed and sent a letter to owner Bezos, saying they are deeply concerned with the papers leadership as its readership continues to erode and journalistic talent bleeds out. Conservative anti-Trump columnist Jen Rubin, investigative reporter Josh Dawsey, political correspondents Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer and White House reporter Tyler Pager have all also announced their departures in 2025. Additionally, WaPo laid off roughly 100 employees earlier this month. The post CNN Nabs Longtime WaPo Editor Philip Rucker as SVP Editorial Strategy and News appeared first on TheWrap. LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) An accident in a coal mine in northeastern Slovenia killed at least one miner and left two others missing, officials said Tuesday. Water suddenly rushed into the mine in the town of Velenje on Monday evening, officials and media said. Most miners managed to escape, but three remained trapped, the STA news agency reported. The director general of the Premogovnik Velenje mine, Marko Mavec, told the agency on Tuesday that chances were slim that the two missing miners are still alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rescue efforts have been difficult because of silt and water that accumulated in the mine, STA said. It was not immediately clear what caused the accident. Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar called for a thorough investigation so that similar tragedies can be prevented in the future and the safety of all miners ensured." Coal in Velenje is extracted more than 500 meters (1,600 feet) below ground. The mine uses a method of extraction that it established in 1947 that is called the Velenje method, according to the mine's website. It includes expanding the extraction site above the protected area (above the roof supports) and thus exploiting the natural forces of breaking and crumbling of the coal layer. Two miners were killed in an accident in Velenje in 2003. A new Vermont nonprofit, Let's Build Homes, has the ambitious goal of building 30,000 units of housing across the state by 2030. This nonprofit, non-partisan alliance is working to "create a future of housing abundance for households of all background and income levels in Vermont while preserving the state's unique character and cherished landscape." They hope to do this through breaking down barriers to construction, advocating and creating flexible policies that allow communities to grow in ways that work for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization has already garnered support from over 100 Vermont businesses and hundreds of individual residents. Lets Build Homes has begun the process of organizing as a new, non-profit, 501(c)3. During the current start-up period, the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) is serving as the organizations fiscal agent. A new driveway is under construction at the northern end of a 20-unit affordable condominium project on Malletts Bay Avenue in front of Winooski's O'Brien Community Center on Sept. 26, 2021. Developed by nonprofit Champlain Housing Trust, "Butternut Station" is scheduled for completion in mid-2022. VHFA's Executive Director Maura Collins said the coalitions mission is to build more homes of all types for Vermonters of every background and income level. How will building 30,000 new homes be possible? At the Montpelier Statehouse Jan. 14, Collins was joined by steering committee members of Let's Build Homes, including former Bulington Mayor Miro Weinberger, to introduce this new initiative. While the organization is still in its early stages, they spoke about what people can expect to see from them in the coming months. Lets Build Homes will tackle the housing crisis through: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shifting the Narrative: Promoting a shared vision of Vermont as a state that welcomes new neighbors, growth and opportunity while preserving its unique character. Building a Broad Coalition: Uniting individuals, organizations, municipalities and businesses to support housing growth. Advocating for Pro-housing State Policy: Driving reform at the state level, including support for pro-housing legislation and regulatory streamlining. Engaging Local Governments: Advocating for local ordinances and other local actions that enable and promote housing growth and supporting property owners and builders in navigating complex permitting processes. Strategic Planning: Engaging in Act 250 Tier-mapping and ensuring infrastructure investments in village centers, downtowns and growth areas. More: Burlington organization opens multifamily affordable housing on Main Street The state of the housing shortage in Vermont The struggle to find affordable housing has been an ongoing issue not only in Vermont, but nationally. Collins gave the perspective that it's not an issue only lowest income earners deal with anymore, but people with degrees, in the middle of their careers are struggling when they never did decades ago. She said data shows why that is. The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development recently released a 2025-2029 Vermont Housing Needs Assessment. The comprehensive analysis is used to identity the current and projected housing needs of a region by examining population growth, household demographics and the availability and affordability of housing. Looking to the past, there was a spike in the 1980s of construction, where three times the number of houses or apartments were being built compared to current numbers. The census reports Vermont's 2024 population at 647,818, up a significant amount from 511,546 residents reported in 1985. The increase in population with a slower rate of homebuilding has left many Vermont areas with few vacancies, and even fewer affordable vacancies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assessment projects that Vermont needs 30,000 homes by the end of 2029 to achieve strong economic performance and growth that the state needs. To reach that number, the rate of production would need to be doubled. But it's a challenge Let's Build Homes says needs to be contested, and they're ready to unite Vermont businesses and people to fix the housing crisis. Collins spoke directly to Vermonters stating that without housing action, "Vermont risks becoming a playground for the rich and famous while moderate-income workers struggle to live here. Sydney P. Hakes is the Burlington city reporter. Contact her at SHakes@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Let's Build Homes launches to address Vermont's housing crisis The certification for the Interloop Kapas project was conferred by Control Union Sri Lanka after a three-year-long collaborative effort with 1,000 farmer partners. The Organic Kapas project spans 5,090 acres and has produced 7,000 bales of organic cotton. This initiative is said to not only foster environmental stewardship but also strengthen the socio-economic fabric by equipping local farmers with the requisite skills and digital tools to augment farm productivity and soil vitality while ensuring access to high-value markets. Interloop chief executive officer Navid Fazil explained: "This certification validates our approach to building resilient, transparent supply chains, where our farmers thrive amid shifting global standards. The Interloop Organic Kapas (ILOK) Project started with the goal of enhancing both farmer wellbeing and environmental sustainability. It focuses on advancing the availability and digital traceability of organic cotton while also developing the skills of female cotton pickers in optimal harvesting techniques to reduce contamination. The latest certification follows after the project secured InConversion Organic cotton (IC2) certification from Control Union Sri Lanka in 2024. This certification ensures that the integrity of the organic material is preserved from its origin at the farm right through to the final product by conducting thorough audits at each stage of the supply chain. Looking ahead, Interloop has set a target for 2025 to source 70% of its materials from sustainable origins. The company's portfolio of sustainable materials encompasses BCI cotton, organic cotton, recycled cotton, recycled polyester, and recycled nylon. Additionally, Interloop has committed to Textile Exchange's challenge to achieve 100% sustainable cotton sourcing by 2025. Interloops Looptrace is a traceability platform developed in-house that monitors the activities of 42,000 farmers to provide transparency throughout the supply chain. It was launched in September 2021. The Loopkisan is an advanced agricultural management application, initially trialled with 15 organic farmers, which facilitates direct data entry and provides instantaneous insights into farming methodologies. When integrated with Looptrace, it improves transparency. Furthering its commitment to community development, Interloop has inaugurated its third mobile health clinic in Punjab. This initiative has impacted over 35,000 individuals so far, with an emphasis on improving healthcare services for women and children within rural agricultural communities. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Lee Fagan was abruptly fired Monday by the new acting head of the Department of Homeland Security, precipitating a leadership shakeup for the force. The dismissal of Fagan, 61, was part of a flurry of leadership personnel moves by the new administration just hours after President Donald Trumps inauguration. Overnight, Trump also announced on social media he was dismissing several individuals appointed to federal panels, including removing former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. Trump promised many more firings in the near future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a message to the Coast Guard workforce Monday night, acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman who was appointed to the temporary post about five hours after Trump took office said he relieved Fagan from the top Coast Guard post and appointed Adm. Kevin Lunday to serve as acting commandant. No reason was given for the move. Biden pardons Milley in move to guard against possible Trump revenge [Fagan] served a long and illustrious career, and I thank her for her service to the nation, Huffmans message stated. Fagan had served in the leadership role since June 2022 and was the first uniformed woman to lead a military branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials told Fox News that Fagan was terminated because of a failure to address border security threats and excessive focus on diversity programs. They also cited a poor response to reports of sexual assault cases at the Coast Guard Academy. Trump and several of his Cabinet nominees have vowed to refocus the U.S. military on readiness and lethality in their operations, and to do away with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Shortly after his swearing in, Trump signed an executive order banning those practices within federal agencies. Numerous Democrats reacted with outrage on Tuesday following news of the dismissal. Firing a commandant at will by a new president sets a bad precedent, said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. The complexity of the Coast Guards diverse missions require continuity to protect lives and American interests. The Coast Guard, which has about 45,000 personnel, is a branch of the armed forces but sits within the Department of Homeland Security, rather than the Defense Department. As such, certain rules and policy changes that cover the other services do not cover the Coast Guard, and vice versa. Homeland Security officials have removed Adm. Linda Fagan from her role as the Coast Guards commandant, according to a note sent to service members the first firing of a top military officer under the Trump administration. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman, in his message, said Fagan had been relieved and Adm. Kevin E. Lunday would become the services acting commandant. The note didnt give a reason for the dismissal. But a senior DHS official said Fagan was removed for failing to address border threats, allowing delays and cost overruns in the Coast Guards icebreaker and helicopter programs, and putting an excessive focus on diversity and inclusion efforts that diverted resources and attention from operational imperatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly, said a 2020 Coast Guard report into years of sexual harassment and assaults in the services ranks which Fagans predecessor withheld from Congress underscored a leadership culture unwilling to ensure accountability and transparency in protecting service members. Fox News first reported on Fagans ouster. It came just hours after President Donald Trump targeted such diversity and inclusion programs with an executive order. Trump has repeatedly promised to get rid of so-called woke generals and military officers who champion diversity, a pledge echoed by Pete Hegseth, the administrations pick for Pentagon chief. The Defense Department, Coast Guard and National Security Council referred questions to the Department of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fagan was the first female service chief of a U.S.military branch. She faced bipartisan frustrations on Capitol Hill after criticism that that the Coast Guard had long mishandled sexual harassment and assault allegations. But Fagans firing ran into immediate protests from some top Democratic lawmakers. President Trumps unprecedented decision on day one to fire a service chief ahead of her scheduled departure is an abuse of power that slanders the good name and record of Admiral Fagan, said Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), ranking member on the House Armed Services seapower subcommittee. Courtney, contradicting government officials, said the Coast Guard had exceeded recruitment goals, intercepted $2.5 billion in illegal drugs in 2024, sped up production of icebreakers, and had tried to reverse the cover-ups of sexual misconduct. Other Democrats agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Commandant who stood up to clean up this mess instead of burying it should be rewarded, not dismissed, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) said in a statement. Firing a Commandant at will by a new President also sets a bad precedent. The Coast Guard has been under enormous budgetary pressure for years, with successive commandants pressing for more money to buy new ships and repair older ones as the service plays a greater role in global missions. Connor OBrien contributed to this report. Jan. 20The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for two commercial fishermen and will not resume it without new information, a spokesman said Monday. Maine Marine Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard were searching on Sunday for Chester Barrett and his son Aaron Barrett after family members reported them missing when they failed to return to port in South Addison. Chris Berry, operations unit controller at the Coast Guard, said the search was suspended after sunset Sunday. The Coast Guard will not pick up the search "unless we receive any information, which we have not," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Barretts were on board the scallop vessel "Sudden Impact" Saturday when family members lost contact, Maine Marine Patrol said in a statement Sunday. The boat left Cobscook Bay State Park for South Addison at around 5 a.m. Saturday, the Coast Guard said. Marine Patrol launched a search on the water and shoreline between Lubec and South Addison at around 7 p.m. Saturday, assisted by the Coast Guard and local fishermen. The search was called off due to poor visibility Saturday night and resumed Sunday morning. Copy the Story Link Even before the first snowflake falls, parents and students alike will stay glued to social media and message boards, wondering: "Will they cancel school tomorrow?" Some days, the sudden temperature drop is enough to cancel class, while other times, a forecasted snowfall may convince officials to make the call. There isnt always a specific temperature or weather benchmark that school systems use to decide when to close the doors. Instead, combining factors often leads to the decision, which may come just two hours before the first bell rings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Oklahoma City metro area school systems consider various factors, from the weather to staff impacts. There's no one-size-fits-all number. There are many factors [that we consider]. We focus on road and parking lot conditions, temperatures and wind chills, said Jeff Bardach, director of communications at Edmond Public Schools. According to local school officials, here are some factors that lead to school closures. Freezing temperatures Cold temperatures are essential for calling school in the morning, but they are often not the main reason. AJ Graffeo at Putnam City Schools and Bardach said there is no magic temperature number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, there is not a magic number, and it is dependent on several factors from wind gusts, wind chill, humidity, precipitation/chances, to road conditions and more, Graffeo said. All districts report working closely with the National Weather Service in Norman before making any weather-related calls. Impact to traffic or facilities Getting to school is often the first determining factor the schools cited as a consideration. At Oklahoma City Public Schools, they consider how the winter event impacts the daily drive for car and bus riders. School cancelation decisions are made on a case-by-case basis after district officials assess all potential impacts on district operations, said Crystal Raymond, executive director of communications at OKCPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if getting students to the building safely is possible, the building itself may not be suitable for class during inclement weather. According to Raymond, any potential impact on campus facilities should also be considered. This impact could include electricity, heat, water, internet, food services, or staff being unable to fulfill their requirements. Student safety All districts report that, ultimately, the top factor in closing their doors is the safety of their students and staff. Officials said safety questions can range from getting students to school to dismissal at the end of the day. Inclement weather days are very tough as no two decisions or situations are alike and there are a lot of opinions on the matter, but we always keep safety as our guiding principle in making these decisions, Graffeo said. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How cold does it have to be to cancel school? What OKC officials say It was an incredibly cold start to the morning across New Mexico today. Temperatures will stay frigid through the day. Northerly flow from the jet was prominent over New Mexico late last night and into this morning. This northerly flow brough down frigid arctic air into the State. This air led to bitterly cold morning lows. In fact, much of New Mexico saw record breaking low temperatures this morning. Even non-record breaking cities still saw the coldest temperatures in years. Temperatures across this afternoon will remain bitterly cold. While forecast temperatures are expected to reach above freezing, wind chill will keep the state feeling much colder. Forecast Continues Below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Temperatures will begin to gradually warm up tomorrow afternoon. However, Thursday the jet stream shifts towards northerly flow over New Mexico once again. This change in flow will bring down frigid air into New Mexico once again. Thursday afternoon will be on the colder side. Though not as cold as the temperatures we have seen today. By Saturday the jet stream will have shifted once again. Only this time the shift will be towards southwesterly flow. This new direction will be drawing in warmer air into New Mexico. This will lead to warmer temperatures over the weekend. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. (WSPA) Extremely cold temperatures have prompted multiple school districts in western North Carolina to delay, or even cancel school on Tuesday. Buncombe County Schools Buncombe County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay. The district said patches of snow and ice remain on secondary roads. There will be no buses on icy roads, a statement from the district reads. A delayed start will allow for travel after sunrise and more time for DOT crews to treat roads. Graham County Schools Graham County Schools is closed Tuesday due to road conditions. Officials said the day is an annual leave day for employees. Haywood County Schools Haywood County Schools are closed Tuesday, but is an optional teacher workday. Macon County Schools Macon County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay for Tuesday. Madison County Schools On Tuesday, Madison County Schools will have an optional teacher workday or a remote learning day for students. Mitchell County Schools Mitchell County Schools will remain closed on Tuesday, but is a teacher workday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WSPA 7NEWS. DENVER (KDVR) President Donald Trump retook the Oval Office on Monday, signing a flurry of executive orders that ranged from defining two biological sexes to declaring a national energy emergency to allow more oil and gas drilling. Among those actions were many that impacted immigration, the U.S. southern border and refugees settlement in America. Among the new executive actions, Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, where he plans to send U.S. troops to help immigration agents. Colorado lawmakers react to inauguration of President Donald Trump Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also reversed an immigration order from President Joe Bidens tenure that narrowed deportation priorities to people who commit serious crimes, are deemed national security threats or were stopped at the border. It returns the government to Trumps first-term policy that everyone in the country illegally is a priority for deportation. He also is trying to end birthright citizenship, which is enshrined as a right in the U.S. Constitution. The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition spoke to FOX31 on Monday, before many of the executive orders were signed. The organization said it is taking action to protect undocumented migrants in the community. We are building a net of support for the immigrant neighbors, both undocumented and documented, right, said Gladis Ibarra, co-executive director of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. People who have been here for decades, and people who are new arrivals. Hes also pledged to restart a policy that forced asylum seekers to wait over the border in Mexico, but officials didnt say whether Mexico would accept migrants again. And Trump is ending the CBP One app, a Biden-era border app that gave legal entry to nearly 1 million migrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump sworn in as 47th president, celebrates with supporters Weve been preparing essentially since we got the election results for the president-elect, and just understanding the base of his campaign for reelection, he really ran on this hatred for immigrants, on his plans to stop, detain, deport people in masses, Ibarra said. So, weve been through one term already, which brought us a lot of lessons, and some of those lessons include how we care and protect one another, and how it really will take all of us, regardless of immigration status, and regardless of how or when we got to this country, to really uplift the values of the place we call home and the place we want to raise our kids. Ibarra said the group has been hosting in-person and online events to inform immigrants of their rights, regardless of status, as well as state legislation. Its up to us to keep each other safe, Ibarra said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the group is using the Colorado Rapid Response Network to document and respond to where people have reported federal law enforcement in the state. The point there is essentially to keep track, she said. Because of this line, we were able to learn about some violations of rights that were happening, and we were able to use that to implement local protections here in Colorado. Ibarra also noted the Colorado law limits how local and state law enforcement can work with federal or immigration law enforcement. Trump also issued an executive order clarifying the military and National Guards role in protecting the southern border. FOX31 reached out to the Colorado Governors Office for information on how the state may respond to that order but did not receive a response by the time this report was published. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVER (KDVR) Donald J. Trump was sworn in to serve as U.S. President for the second time on Monday, Jan. 20, drawing reactions from around the world, but also from some of Colorados lawmakers. Trump named Colorado several times during his campaign for presidency, and visited Aurora in October to speak about immigration and the gang violence reported at troubled apartments in the city. Those apartments are now under an emergency closure order, and the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency said in December that 16 people arrested in connection to an armed apartment invasion were suspected Tren de Aragua members or associates. Trump orders reflect his promises to roll back transgender protections and end DEI programs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the president mentioned Colorado just hours before his inauguration, noting the gang issues. Look at whats happened with Venezuela, where theyre sending these gangs in and theyre taking over apartment complexes in Colorado and then cutting off the fingers of a man who had the nerve and desire to call the police, Trump said during his Sunday Victory Rally. Trump could have been referencing a case out of Denver in October 2024 wherein two men were arrested for holding their roommate hostage and amputating one of his fingers. Denver police told FOX31 at the time that officers were investigating to see if the incident was gang-related. Heres what Colorado politicians had to say about Trumps inauguration on Monday. Gov. Jared Polis, Democrat As Chair of the National Governors Association, alongside a national bipartisan group of Americas governors, I attended President-elect Trumps inauguration, Polis wrote on social media. The relationship between states and the federal government is critical to getting things done and delivering for Americans, and I look forward to making sure that the voice of the Governors is heard in Washington DC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polis had announced he would attend the inauguration on Sunday. He also ordered all flags to be raised to full staff on Inauguration Day and lowered again to honor the life of President Jimmy Carter on Tuesday. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, Republican The Aurora mayor took to Facebook to congratulate President Trump on his inauguration. Today, Donald J. Trump took the Oath of Office to become the 47th President of the United States of America, Coffman wrote. As the mayor of the 52nd largest city in the United States, I look forward to working with the new administration on the policies that could benefit my city, the State of Colorado, and our nation. On eve of inauguration, Trump once again connects Colorado to immigration concerns 7th Congressional District Rep. Brittany Pettersen, Democrat The inauguration marks a cornerstone of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power, Pettersen wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden said it best at (the State of the Union) You cant love your country only when you win. While this is far from what we wanted to see, I will still try to work with the new administration when possible, Pettersen said. However, I am also ready for the fight ahead to protect our freedoms, our democracy, and increase opportunity for working people. 4th Congressional District Rep. Lauren Boebert, Republican The outspoken right-wing congresswoman took to her personal X account to celebrate Trumps inauguration. Today, we become unbidened by what has been, she wrote, playing on President Joe Bidens name. The Golden Age of America begins NOW, she posted as Trump took the oath at about 10:10 a.m. MT. 6th Congressional District Rep. Jason Crow, Democrat Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy, Crow wrote in an official statement posted to his Congressional House Office website. Donald Trump won the election and is our new President. The inauguration should always represent the peaceful transfer of power between leaders, a defining tradition of our nations history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have always made it my priority to get results for Coloradans, Crow continued. With President Trump taking office, I will work to find common ground with President Trump to meet our countrys challenges. Ill also not be afraid to continue speaking up on issues that matter most to Colorado. We didnt get to go to anything: Coloradans in DC for inauguration adjust viewing plans People are working harder than ever, but feel like they cant make ends meet. As someone who worked minimum-wage jobs, construction, and joined the Army to put myself through school, I get it, Crow said. We need to make our economy work for everyday Americans, not just the billionaires, big corporations, or special interests. President Trump should work with Democrats to lower the cost of housing, gas and groceries for working people, not prioritize massive tax cuts for the wealthy and well-connected. 8th Congressional District Rep. Gabe Evans, Republican Evans, who is serving his first term as a U.S. Representative, applauded the event on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just arrived in the Capitol Rotunda for the presidential inauguration! Im so honored to be a part of a historic day for our country, Evans posted. 3rd Congressional District Rep. Jeff Hurd, Republican Hurd, who is holding a representatives office for the first time, held a live viewing party for District 3 constituents at his congressional office in D.C. We know that many you traveled far and sacrificed a lot to be here for this, so our office would like to offer you all the opportunity to witness this historic day with us in our Capitol Hill Office, the congressman said on his personal X account. Later, on his official representative X account, Hurd celebrated the constituents who came to his office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Office full of #CO03! Its a pleasure to host constituents who have traveled thousands of miles to witness President Trump take the Oath of Office, Hurd wrote, sharing photos and videos of a room filled with individuals. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. COLUMBIA, Ky. (FOX 56) An Adair County man has been charged in connection with a reported domestic incident that happened early Saturday morning. According to an arrest citation, Tyron Vanarsdale, 50, and his girlfriend, Rebecca Smith, 43, had left the Tiki Bar in Campbellsville and arrived at a home in Columbia. The two then began to argue and it turned physical. In the citation, Kentucky State Police claimed that Smith asked Vanarsdale not to leave when he put his vehicle into reverse and drug her under the vehicle, which injured her legs and ankles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KSP said that, at the scene, Smith told troopers that Vanarsdale and her were arguing at the Tiki Bar and the argument continued to her mothers house. The last thing she claimed to remember was lying on the ground and not being able to walk after Vanarsdale went to leave the home. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: She told KSP that this was not the first time Vanarsdale had been physical with her, according to the citation. Troopers at the scene noted in the citation that Smiths ankles and feet had visible lacerations and there was severe swelling to her ankle, which she attributed to being drugged on her side by the vehicle. While interviewing Vanarsdale, he confirmed their argument began at the Tiki Bar and continued to Smiths mothers home, KSP said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith told investigators that he told Smith to get out of the vehicle and she refused, leading to him admitting he slung her out of the vehicle and tried to leave the home. Vanarsdale claimed that she began beating on the window of the vehicle when he shifted into reverse. He then said he opened the passenger door, which knocked her down. According to Vanarsdale, he asked if Smith needed an ambulance but she began cussing and screaming at him before he left. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Troopers arrested Vanarsdale and booked him into the Adair County Detention Center, where he was charged with: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second-degree assault First-degree wanton endangerment Leaving the scene of an accidentfailure to render aid or assistance Hes being held on a $10,000 cash bond, according to court records. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), a Saudi Arabia-based investment business, has restarted the construction of the Jeddah Tower in the country with the ceremonial pouring of concrete. The event took place in the presence of the companys chair, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal and its CEO Talal Al-Maiman, along with representatives from various real estate and architectural companies. Construction of the Jeddah Tower began in 2013 but was halted in early 2018 following a nationwide anticorruption campaign led by the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Important figures linked with the project were consequently detained, reported Arabian Gulf Business Insight. According to a press release posted on Zawya, the Jeddah Tower is set to become the tallest building in the world, with a height exceeding more than 1,000m. Bin Talal has disclosed that the Jeddah Tower is expected to cost more than SR100bn ($26.6bn). The tower will include residential units, commercial spaces, a Four Seasons-branded hotel, and an observation deck, providing views of Jeddah and the Red Sea, according to an Argaam report. The tower is closely aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on diversifying the Saudi economy and fostering sustainable urban development. The towers construction is expected to generate a significant number of job opportunities, both throughout its construction and in the long term. In October 2024, KHC announced that Jeddah Economic Company, a subsidiary, had signed an agreement with Saudi Binladin Group to resume construction of the Jeddah Economic Company Tower project. The agreement was valued at SR7.2bn, with construction set to take 42 months. "Kingdom Holding resumes construction of Jeddah Tower" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. After more than a half-century, a southern Wisconsin Air Force veteran killed in the Vietnam War finally was reunited with his family. On Tuesday, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that Lt. Col. Donald W. Downing of Columbus, Wisconsin, who was killed at age 33, was accounted for Dec. 20. The DPAA said Downing's family recently received a full briefing on his identification. According to a newspaper clipping shared in the DPAA news release, Downing left behind a wife and four young children. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Donald W. Downing, 33, of Columbus, Wisconsin, killed during the Vietnam War, was accounted for Dec. 20, 2024. In September 1967, Downing was assigned to the 557th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 12th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force, DPAA said. On Sept. 5, he was piloting an F-4C Phantom II aircraft as the second in a flight of two aircraft conducting a nighttime armed reconnaissance mission over the then-Democratic Republic of Vietnam. While on a run to their target, the first aircraft saw a large fireball in the air. Downing's aircraft didn't respond to any radio calls. Search and rescue efforts began the next morning, but electronic and visual searches didn't find anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 28, 1978, the Air Force reported Downing as killed in action. He was later posthumously promoted to lieutenant colonel. After decades of investigation yielding no results, a recovery team found life support equipment, possible material evidence, aircraft wreckage, unexploded ordnance and possible remains at a site in Quang Binh Province in May and June 2024, the DPAA said. These remains and evidence were sent to the DPAA laboratory in June 2024. DPAA scientists used anthropological analysis and material and circumstantial evidence, and Armed Forces Medical Examiner System scientists used mitochondrial DNA and autosomal DNA analysis to identify Downing's remains. Downing's funeral will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral date hasn't been set. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Downing was born on March 17, 1934, in Columbus. He graduated from Janesville High School in 1952 and enlisted in the Air Force in November 1953. He married his wife, Marion, in 1960, and the couple shared four children: Dawn, Linda, David and Brian. The family lived in Chelmsford, Mass. A funeral was held for Downing in Janesville on June 16, 1978. Downing's name is on the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the American Battle Monuments Commission's Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Columbus pilot Donald Downing, killed during Vietnam War, found I really appreciated Monday's unexpected call for unity in the Capitol rotunda, where MAGA insurrectionists mounted a deadly attack on Congress four years ago. Unfortunately, it did not come from the petulant, vindictive President Trump, who sat on a dais crowded with Trump family members, former presidents and first ladies, and members of the new American oligarchy: tech billionaires who have bent the knee and opened their wallets to the man who has threatened to make life very, very difficult for them. Rather, the call for unity came from Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, whose stirring words should not be forgotten amid Trumps subsequent torrent of lies, threats and bravado. And although she was addressing the American people, Id like to think she was speaking directly to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Column: The Palisades fire took their classroom. Their teacher is trying to give it back to them What makes this moment more than a passing ceremony is all who are watching it across the country the people of this nation, the ordinary people doing extraordinary things, said Klobuchar, who chaired Congress bipartisan inaugural ceremony committee. President Kennedy, who at one point worked as a senator in this building and would often walk through this very rotunda, once said, 'In a democracy, every citizen, regardless of interest in politics, holds office. Every one of us is in a position of responsibility.' With that responsibility of citizenship comes an obligation not to seek out malice, as President Lincoln once reminded us, but to view others with a generosity of spirit despite our differences. Fat chance. For those of us who like to read crowds the way entomologists study insect behavior, the inauguration ceremony offered a bounty of decipherable body language and fashion choices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Abcarian: Trump's deportations are on a collision course with a California economy built on hypocrisy There was First Lady Melania Trump sporting a form of personal protective equipment: a wide-brimmed hat that absolutely screamed, Get away from my face. (Trump tried to give her a peck at one point but couldnt get within kissing distance of her cheek.) Vice President Kamala Harris, who would visit the devastated residents of fire-scorched Altadena later that day, wore a black power suit the better to mourn our democracy with some bad-ass silver zippers. (Trump, who is expected to visit Los Angeles later this week, claimed with gratuitous cruelty that the fires burned "without even a token of defense.") First Lady Jill Biden wore a tight smile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amazon founder Jeff Bezos fiancee, Lauren Sanchez, inexplicably opted for a Victorias Secret runway vibe, wearing a cleavage-baring white bustier under a white jacket. Former President George W. Bush wore his trademark smirk, winking at people as if he were in on some cosmic joke. Ditto former President Obama, who arrived stag and entered the room with his familiar swagger. Worlds richest man Elon Musk, who later appeared to give the Nazi salute (twice) at a post-inauguration rally, lolled his head around as if he had imbibed a very pleasant mind-altering substance. Some on social media joked that he appeared to be malfunctioning. Poor Kimberly Guilfoyle, conveniently exiled to Greece for an ambassadorship after her longtime partner Donald Trump Jr. took up with a Palm Beach socialite, sat scowling in the audience, not on the VIP-thronged dais. . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps speech was an echo of his first American carnage inaugural address, only with more details. Humility, a hallmark of most inaugural addresses, was predictably absent. I was saved by God to make America great again, said Trump, who survived an assassination attempt in July. If the president gets his way, hes going to make life miserable for many: people of color, people who are LGBTQ+, immigrants in search of better lives, the poor. In one of his first official acts, he reversed dozens of Biden administration executive orders designed to promote equity, protect public health and address climate change, among other aims. We will forge a society that is color-blind and merit-based, he said, a worthy goal that is undermined by his history of racist behavior and statements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My 14-year-old niece actually gasped when he announced, As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female. The world, as even an American teenager knows, has moved beyond that limited view of gender, and nothing will change that not even an order from a man who believes his presidency is divinely ordained. Later Monday, Trump took an egregious step toward undermining American democracy and the rule of law. He pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than 1,500 rioters who engaged in hand-to-hand combat with Capitol police and desecrated the halls of Congress as they tried to execute a coup on his behalf on Jan. 6, 2021. It's hard for many of us to accept that the man who incited that violence just became our 47th president. Trump's flurry of executive orders showed that he learned something even if it was the opposite of what many of us might hope from his mistakes. The American people? Not so much. Bluesky: @rabcarian.bsky.social. Threads: @rabcarian If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. By Phuong Nguyen, Francesco Guarascio and Lisa Barrington HANOI (Reuters) - China's drive to break into foreign aviation markets with its homegrown COMAC jets has intensified, with a push to persuade Vietnam to authorise its planes in the country, according to two people with knowledge of the talks and documents. COMAC's actions in Vietnam demonstrate how the state-owned firm has in the past year embarked on a more deliberate marketing approach to regulators and airlines as it seeks to compete internationally with leading Western planemakers Airbus and Boeing. After months of talks, Vietnam's top private airline VietJet was supposed to start on Jan. 15 the short-term lease for a domestic route of two C909 regional jets operated by crew from China's Chengdu Airlines, according to documents seen by Reuters that provide insight into its strategy. But Vietnam's aviation regulator has yet to authorise the deal, cautious about greenlighting a plane currently certified only by China and Indonesia, the two people and a third person said. The lease had been reported by Vietnamese media, however the approval delay, VietJet's longer-term strategy for COMAC jets and the planemaker's efforts to win regulatory approval, including offering favourable financial terms and training, have not been previously reported. The up to 90-seat C909, until November known as the ARJ21, was China's first jet engine-powered plane to reach commercial production and entered service in 2016, with around 160 delivered so far. The regional jet is not as high-profile as COMAC's more advanced narrowbody C919 plane, but it would allow the planemaker to gain a foothold in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets and boost its visibility outside China ahead of a C919 production ramp-up. It would also send a message to rivals. VietJet had been talking to a foreign lessor for months to rent two E190 regional jets built by Brazil's Embraer, the top global maker of 90-seat jets, separate sources familiar with the discussions said, with one adding pilots had been in the process of being hired for those planes. But the talks collapsed late last year, Vietnamese media reported. VietJet intended to use either the Embraer or COMAC planes to connect Vietnam's main cities to the tourist archipelago of Con Dao, where larger jets cannot land. The two people with knowledge of VietJet's talks with COMAC said the Chinese offer was under very attractive financial terms that one of the people said were "too good to resist." POTTSVILLE Bathed in the glow of a sidewalk lamppost, with the thermometer only a few degrees above zero, a solitary figure lies huddled beneath church doors marked with the symbol of Christianity. Headlights from passing vehicles expose a pile of blankets in an alcove at the doorway to a former Methodist church on South Centre Street. Though no sign of life is visible, the man lies buried beneath several layers of blankets and an old afghan covering a sleeping bag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As disturbing as it is, the scene is but the tip of the homelessness iceberg that affects a growing number of people in Schuylkill County. With a cold weather advisory in effect until noon Wednesday, agencies like My Fathers House, Servants To All in Pottsville are concerned for the welfare of homeless persons living outdoors. Heather Boher, right, talks with a man in her office at the My Fathers House Servants to All building on S. Centre St. in Pottsville, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) With wind chills forecast as low as 12 degrees below zero, hypothermia and frostbite could occur if precautions are not taken, officials warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Red Cross has issued winter safety tips, including going to a public library or shopping mall to stay warm during the extreme cold stretch this week. A persons extremities nose, fingers, ears and toes are subject to frostbite, a painful condition marked by numbness and a change of skin color. Shivering, confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech are associated with hypothermia, which can be deadly. The Red Cross advises getting out of the cold and seeking emergency medical care with either condition. The Pottsville Senior Center has implemented a Code Blue program that offers a place for the homeless to stay warm and get a hot meal during the day. Normally for persons over 60, the center has waved its age requirement and extended its hours to 6 p.m. temporarily, director Debbie Herb said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Servants To All also has declared Code Blue and will find temporary lodging for unhoused people at a motel for a brief period due to the cold snap. A growing problem Jeanette Triano-Sinn, Servants To All executive director, says homelessness has been on the rise continually in the eight years she has headed the Pottsville nonprofit, Schuylkill Countys only homeless shelter. Servants To All houses 17 homeless persons in an apartment complex in the 300 block of Market Street., and assists another 30 in finding accommodations through its street outreach program. By the federal Department of Urban Developments definition, a person has had to have slept on the street, in an abandoned building or another uninhabitable location in order to be declared homeless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Triano-Sinn says the roots of homelessness go deeper than the HUD definition. People who have no permanent home, have stayed temporarily with a friend or family member or bounce around from house to house are technically homeless, she says, though they do not fall within the HUD guidelines. Servants To All has a prevention program that works with people in such circumstances to keep them from resorting to living on the street. Most of the clients in this program are behind in rent payments and subject to eviction. To get a better handle on how many people are homeless and what made them that way, Servants to All will participate in HUDs annual Point In Time survey of homelessness on Wednesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pollsters will seek out homeless persons, record their circumstance and distribute a Schuylkill County Resource Guide with information on where to find food and emergency shelter. Resource bags sit in buckets to be distributed at assistance events, photographed Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Rachel Arndt, a Servants to All caseworker, said homeless people can be found at encampments in wooded areas, abandoned buildings and laundromats and convenience stores that are open 24 hours. The causes for homelessness, Triano-Sinn says, are complex and varied. Having outstanding criminal warrants, unwillingness to comply with regulations and substance abuse can affect eligibility for shelter, she says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 40-year-old homeless Pottsville man living in Servants To Alls apartments is working his way through a 14-month drug and alcohol rehabilitation program mandated by the Schuylkill County Drug Court. He was stealing copper wire to pay for drugs, said the man, who requested his name not be used. And, hes been drug-free for 11 months. Theres help out there, he said, but you have to want it. Some people, for whatever reason, prefer living on the street, she said. Usually, its the inability to comply with shelter regulations, such as giving up drugs and alcohol. In some cases, shelter could be found in other counties, but the homeless person does not want to relocate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 37-year-old Pottsville man sleeping in the church doorway has legal baggage that prevents him from entering a shelter, he said. Under Servants to Alls Code Blue, he has shelter in an area motel for the duration of the cold spell. Thats a short-term option, Triano-Sinn said, but the agency simply does not have the funding to support it over the long run. I was appalled to hear Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates recent remarks comparing Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez to a special education student who cannot be suspended. This statement is deeply offensive and perpetuates damaging stereotypes about students with disabilities who are disproportionately suspended and excluded from school. Students with disabilities are legally entitled to, and rely on, individualized education programs (IEPs) to make progress in the classroom educationally and emotionally. Every individual deserves respect, dignity and the opportunity to succeed. Comments such those made by Davis Gates undermine these values and reinforce harmful prejudices about students with disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades, students with disabilities have faced barriers to equal education, from physical accessibility challenges to stigmatizing attitudes. The passage of the special education law, including the mandate for IEPs, brought hard-fought legal protections and was a monumental step forward in ensuring that students with disabilities receive the tailored support they need to succeed in school and beyond. Remarks that use students with disabilities as a punchline dismiss the critical importance of these legal rights and protections and their dramatic impact on a students ability to learn. For 40 years, the organization I founded has worked to ensure the rights of people with disabilities are upheld from cradle to cane. We strive to ensure the laws that give students who receive special education services the extra support they need are upheld. After graduation, when those laws are no longer supporting youths, the Americans with Disabilities Act helps level the playing field by breaking down barriers to higher education, job training and, ultimately, career performance. While these vital laws give protections to people with disabilities, students and employees must still meet certain criteria to benefit from them. It is not a get out of jail free card as Davis Gates implied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nor are these laws guaranteed to be followed. Equip for Equality attorneys have seen time and time again how students with IEPs are failed by schools and administrations that flagrantly disregard the laws. When our attorneys get involved and help students exercise their legal rights, we see them reengage and flourish once they are given the resources they need. For example, our attorneys represented a teenage student with mental illness who was not receiving appropriate behavioral and social-emotional support in school despite her IEP stating she should have them. The school consistently disciplined her for behaviors that were clearly related to her disabilities rather than give her support that would stop the behaviors. Despite her mothers repeated attempts to work with the school, her daughter continued to struggle, and the school issued punishments instead of support. We stepped in to represent the student at legally required school meetings and ensured her school provided the support she needed instead of continuing to punish her. With this support in place, she was able to better regulate her behavior and get back on track. She graduated high school and enrolled in college to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. This is one of many students with whom we worked to ensure that they receive the services they need to finally succeed in school instead of being pushed. Contrary to Davis Gates remarks, these students are not given a free pass for their behavior rather, they are given the supports they need to learn, engage and become productive members of their communities. Davis Gates apologized for her remarks, but this incident is a stark reminder of the power of words, especially when spoken by those in leadership. As the head of the CTU, Davis Gates holds significant influence over educators and the community as she is the voice of public school teachers in Chicago. It is essential that leaders in her position set a standard for inclusion and respect of all students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This incident is not just about one ill-considered comment. It highlights a broader need for increased awareness and sensitivity regarding disability rights and inclusion. We must ensure that all educators, administrators and community leaders understand the challenges faced by students with disabilities and the vital importance of creating supportive, inclusive environments for all learners. At Equip for Equality, we believe in turning moments like this into opportunities for growth and dialogue. Let this be a call to action for all of us to do better by our students, particularly those who face additional challenges, and to uphold the dignity and humanity of every individual. ____ Zena Naiditch is president and CEO of Equip for Equality. ___ Speaker John Arch of La Vista and State Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha and Ben Hansen of Blair, from left, meet on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature. Jan. 15, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN A legislative committee considering 22 proposed rules changes to how Nebraska lawmakers debate and conduct themselves declined to take a vote Tuesday on advancing key conservative-led measures. The Legislatures Rules Committee instead advanced two relatively minor changes proposed by two committee members: State Sens. Ben Hansen of Blair and Teresa Ibach of Sumner, the chair and vice chair of the Legislatures Executive Board that oversees daily operations of the legislative branch. State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, left, leans in to listen to State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln at a legislative retreat in Kearney on Dec. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Hansens proposal, Rule Change 6, would allow all gubernatorial appointments other than for agency or department heads to be considered more quickly, in a single report by committee. That would allow the dozens of appointments that committees consider each year to go as one report, unless five or more senators request an individual nomination to be debated separately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The speaker of the Legislature would need to announce any collective reports for appointees two legislative days before they can be placed on the daily agenda. Ibachs proposal, Rule Change 21, would require statements of intent for bills to be introduced sooner in the legislative session. Currently, those statements from bill introducers must come at least three calendar days before a bills hearing. As amended and advanced by the Rules Committee, Ibachs proposal would require those statements to be filed within three legislative days after a bill has been assigned to a committee by Executive Board members thats roughly five days after the bill is first introduced. Next steps for Rules Committee State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City, chair of the Rules Committee, confirmed his committee will not meet any more this week to kick out other rules proposals, including those that would require open votes for legislative leadership, make it easier to advance legislation or shut off filibusters that stall debate. State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner, center, talks with then-State Sens. Tony Vargas of Omaha and Carol Blood of Bellevue. July 25, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Speaker John Arch of La Vista has scheduled the next three mornings for rules debate, and Lippincott said he expects the rules from Hansen and Ibach to sail through. Arch and Lippincott confirmed that lawmakers can still bring whatever rule changes they want to the full Legislature for consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked by the Nebraska Examiner whether he thought that would happen, Lippincott looked up to the ceiling and responded, Who knows? Rules debate doesnt have the same set end time as legislative bills, which senators can try to end after a defined length of debate by taking up a cloture motion to cease debate and then vote on the underlying proposal, if successful. Lawmakers would need at least 30 votes, instead of a simple majority, to end debate on any controversial rules change proposals. Open vs. secret leadership votes Lippincott did use closed-door conversations in executive session among his committee to start conversations on two rules changes that he and State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha had proposed: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opening up elections for committee chairs to be by open vote, rather than secret ballot. Changing cloture for bills from two-thirds of the 49-member Legislature, or 33 votes, to being either three-fifths 30 votes or a sliding scale based on two-thirds of how many senators were present at the time and voted yea or nay. State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City kneels down to talk to State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston. Aug. 8, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) The committee began discussing the open vote for committee chairs last week, after a public hearing, which roughly split along ideological lines on the committee. State Sens. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln and Wendy DeBoer of Omaha, both Democrats, encouraged their colleagues to consider whether the secret ballot allowed senators to vote for the best leadership candidate without influence from political parties. Ibach said shed heard from past senators who, when they lost a vote, held grudges that affected legislation as they tried to figure out who changed their vote. Hansen said he viewed the current practice as protecting the feelings of senators who couldnt confront colleagues who voted differently than they had said they might. Bostar countered and said relationships are the whole job and warned that leadership votes would ultimately fall along partisan lines if the rule changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lippincott said transparency and accountability should rank above experience. Arch, a nonvoting committee member, said the question between the two methods comes down to which would help lawmakers select the best candidate. Cloture changes State senators returned Tuesday without resuming conversation on the open vs. secret ballots. Instead, they discused the possible changes to cloture. DeBoer and Bostar raised multiple concerns about whether the Kauth sliding-scale proposal could invite more gamesmanship, such as scheduling votes when certain senators are off the floor or when weather prevents lawmakers from coming to Lincoln. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hansen repeated a suggestion he offered to Kauth in the committee hearing: limit the sliding-scale change to the third and final stage of debate (final reading). It wouldnt keep proposals alive at earlier stages of debate but could force senators to pick a side before a bill passes, or fails, at the final stage. He suggested Tuesday that senators who are excused from debate because they physically cant come to the Capitol shouldnt affect the numbers for cloture in the same way as senators who purposefully choose not to vote yay or nay. DeBoer cautioned that, too, could be gamed and senators could try to excuse themselves and leave the building. Hansen said senators would be welcome to try that public strategy if they thought it would let them escape any blame for a vote. Multiple rural senators have cautioned against changing the threshold to end a filibuster that, while it could help with certain GOP-led measures, could backfire on rural Nebraska. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One suggestion was to eliminate present, not voting when senators do not vote for or against a bill from final reading as an alternative approach. Some senators vote that way if they have a conflict of interest, real or perceived. Senators did not reach a conclusion on the cloture rules before ending the meeting. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (WFRV) Communities across northeastern Wisconsin celebrated the life and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today. The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) held its inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, where students, families, staff, and community members honored the legacy of Dr. King. This community-wide celebration had several engagements including a continental breakfast, a keynote speaker, community networking opportunities, and the recognition of the districts MLK Jr. Essay Contest winners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. King showed us that meaningful change happens when communities come together with purpose. Through this celebration, were creating a space where people of all ages can experience how his message of unity and service remains vital today. Our entire community has a role to play in advancing his vision of a better world. Anthony Miller Jr., OASD Director of Community Engagement and Equity Find Support: Navigating hard times for Wisconsins LGBTQIA+ and immigrants under the new administration The 34th Annual Fox Cities Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration also took place at Lawrence Universitys Memorial Chapel. It was a community event in celebration of MLKs legacy that included musical performances, a keynote speaker, and the recognition of winners who received The Jane LaChapelle McCarthy MLK Community Leader Award and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educator Award. The awards were presented to individuals who supported oppressed voices within their communities, making an impact, and educating students in the spirit of Dr. King. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The featured keynote speaker was Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly. She is a Black Studies scholar and author focused on political theory and economy, intellectual history, and political historical sociology. Burden-Stelly has given multiple speeches on the life and legacy of MLK. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. OVERLAND PARK, Kan. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy and Scholarships Awards Committee and the NAACP representing Olathe, Overland Park, and Leawood, Kansas, hosted the 21st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy and Scholarship Awards Dinner on Monday. Its quite a festive event, and it brings everybody together. Its the most prestigious MLK celebration in the metro area and probably been here the longest, Henry E. Lyons, the president of the NAACP Unit servicing Olathe, Overland Park, and Leawood. This years legacy award recipient was Olathe Mayor John Bacon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers say this award highlights Bacons commitment to the Olathe community and his deep passion for improving the lives of all Olathe residents. Corner Cafe staff thanks their favorite customer Each year, the NAACP recognizes people who prioritize diversity. Their devotion to equality and diversity, Lyons explained. In Mayor Bacons case, his leadership. Overland Park Police Chief Doreen Jokerst was the keynote speaker. She discussed how Martin Luther King, Jr. might view policing today. Although there would be critiques in regards to the racial injustices that still exist. Dr. King was a man of optimism, hope, and faith. And so a lot of those things will also resonate with a path forward and what we can all do to build that path together, Jokerst explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although there would be critiques in regards to the racial injustices that still exist, Dr. King was a man of optimism, hope, and a man of faith, and so a lot of those things will also resonate with a path forward and what we can all do to build that path together, Jokerst said. Dr. King really spoke about the beloved community, and the beloved community takes all of us working together and collaborating, Jokerst said. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Jokerst also spoke about the importance of innovation and transparency in law enforcement. Police departments are built on trust, and thats community trust. That takes place when there are partnerships and collaboration, Spokerst said. So to have a really great police department, it takes a holistic approach to public safety. So it takes all of us working together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the dinner, students who were awarded scholarships read the essays they submitted about Dr. Kings legacy. We want to see what the young people think. Theyre the generation thats coming up. Its very enlightening to the attendees at the dinner because they sometimes dont realize how young people think now, Lyons explained. Its good to see the transition and their thought process with diversity and equity. Students from the Blue Valley, Gardner Edgerton, and Olathe school districts submitted essays to be considered for scholarships. The NAACP also gave out Diversity Advocate Awards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX4s John Holt was named a diversity advocate in the media at Monday nights legacy and scholarship award dinner. FOX4s Kathy Quinn has also received this award in the past. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Community members in Butler County gathered to watch Middletown native JD Vance get sworn in as the 50th vice president of the United States on Monday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] News Center 7s Amber Jenkins spoke with people who knew Vance when he was a child. TRENDING STORIES: I think its finally hitting everybody, Johnni Combs said. Several Middletown residents told News Center 7 that they watched Vance grow up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a matter of fact, I drove his bus for two years, 7th and 8th grade, Connie Hamilton said. Vance is the first millennial Vice President. He graduated from Middletown City Schools in 2003. I just noticed like a week ago or, so I was in the same high school at the time he was, Combs said. The City of Middletown and Middletown City Schools congratulated Vance on social media Monday. Vances journey, from his roots in Middletown through his career as an author, veteran, and U.S. Senator, highlights the diverse potential of our students. His ascent to the vice presidency is a moment of distinction for Middletown City School District and an example that Middies will rise to achieve anything they put their minds to, the district said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A healthcare company has agreed to pay a military veteran $85,000 to resolve allegations that they discriminated against the vet for not allowing his service dog to attend his medical appointment with him. According to the settlement agreement, the veteran alleges that employees with OptumServe on Shallowford Road in Atlanta denied him access to medical services because he was accompanied by his service animal. He said they objected to the presence of his service animal in the waiting area, requested written proof of its training and licensing, and refused to allow him to see his doctor during a scheduled visit with his service animal. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] He said as a result of this, he suffered a PTSD-related anxiety attack in the waiting room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the staff did not offer medical care and he was forced to leave without receiving his scheduled medical test. During the PTSD-related anxiety attacks that the veteran suffers, he engages in behaviors where he injures himself, often hitting himself in the head and can fall to the ground. His service animal is trained to help him during the attacks and keep him safe. The dog is trained to guide him to the floor, where she places herself against his chest to prevent him from being able to harm himself until the attack is finished. The U.S. Attorneys Office investigated the complaint and determined that OptumServe violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OptumServe cooperated with the investigation and will train all current and future employees to ensure that anyone with disabilities, including those with service animals, is treated the same as anyone without a disability. They will also post a sign in the waiting room that reads, Persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal are welcome in the OptumServe Clinic. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Offer Period: From 22 January 2025 to and including 20 February 2025 at 16:30 (CET), subject to any extensions at the sole discretion of the Offeror. The Offer Period will in no event be extended beyond 16:30 CET on 31 March 2025. The offer period for the Offer will commence tomorrow, 22 January 2025, and will expire at 16:30 CET on 20 February 2025, subject to any extensions at the sole discretion of the Offeror (the Offer Period). The terms and conditions of the Offer, including procedures for how to accept the Offer, are set out in the Offer Document. The offer document for the Offer (the Offer Document) was approved by the Oslo Stock Exchange in its capacity as take-over supervisory authority today, 21 January 2025. The Offer is only capable of being accepted pursuant to the Offer Document. The Offer Document will be sent to the Company's shareholders with known addresses registered in the Company's shareholder register in Euronext Securities Oslo, the central securities depository in Norway (the VPS), as of the date hereof, in jurisdictions where the Offer Document may be lawfully distributed. Subject to regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions, the Offer Document is also available at the following webpage: https://www.abgsc.com/transactions and may be obtained free of charge during ordinary business hours at the offices of the receiving agent, ABG Sundal Collier ASA, Ruselkkveien 26, 0251 Oslo, Norway. Reference is made to the stock exchange announcement published on 19 December 2024 regarding the agreement with Blue Northern BLK Ltd (Blue Northern or the Offeror) for the Offeror to, subject to certain conditions, launch a recommended voluntary cash tender offer for all issued and outstanding shares (the Shares) in Belships ASA (Belships or the Company) at a price of NOK 20.50 per share (the Offer). The Offer is unanimously recommended by the board of directors of the Company (the Board). NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, INTO OR WITHIN CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH AFRICA, JAPAN, HONG KONG, SOUTH KOREA, OR ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. Story Continues Nordea Corporate Finance, part of Nordea Bank Abp, filial i Norge, has provided an independent expert statement in accordance with Section 6-16 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act of 29 June 2007 No. 75 (the "Norwegian Securities Trading Act"), which states that, on the basis of the fairness opinion dated 18 December 2024, the Offer is fair from a financial point of view. The independent expert statement is included in the Offer Document. Shareholders, including members of the Board and the executive management of the Company, who collectively own 172,966,654 Shares representing 68.43% of the Companys issued and outstanding share capital (excluding treasury shares owned by the Company), have given irrevocable undertakings to accept the Offer in respect of their Shares. For more information on the pre-acceptance undertakings, please refer to Section 3.4 (Pre-Acceptances) of the Offer Document. About Belships Belships was founded in 1918 and is a shipowner and operator of geared bulk carriers with a modern fleet of Ultramax vessels. Belships provides shipping transportation services in a global market with customers and partners in all parts of the world. The business is managed from the Companys office in Oslo. About the Offeror and EnTrust The Offeror is a special purpose vehicle incorporated for the purpose of launching the Offer and was formed by funds managed by the Blue Ocean maritime investment team at EnTrust Global (EnTrust). EnTrust is a global alternative asset manager with over 500 institutional clients worldwide. EnTrust is headquartered in New York and London, with 11 offices globally, and provides alternative investment solutions through commingled funds and customized funds-of-one, with a focus on opportunistic credit, transportation finance, and energy transition strategies. EnTrust's Blue Ocean maritime investment platform is one of the leading investors solely dedicated to the ocean industries, and has deployed and committed approximately $5.0 billion into credit and equity investments since inception in 2017. Advisors Fearnley Securities AS is acting as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Offer. Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS is acting as legal advisor to the Company in connection with the Offer. ABG Sundal Collier ASA is acting as financial advisor to the Offeror and its affiliates in connection with the Offer. Advokatfirmaet BAHR AS and Watson Farley & Williams are acting as legal advisors to the Offeror and its affiliates in connection with the Offer. Media Contacts: Belships Lars Christian Skarsgard, Chief Executive Officer Telephone: +47 977 68 061 E-mail: LCS@belships.no For EnTrust and the Offeror: Hiltzik Strategies E-mail: EnTrust@hstrategies.com *** IMPORTANT INFORMATION The Offer and the distribution of this announcement and other information in connection with the Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. When published, the Offer Document and related acceptance forms will not and may not be distributed, forwarded or transmitted into or within any jurisdiction where prohibited by applicable law, including, without limitation, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan, or any other jurisdiction in which such would be unlawful. The Offeror does not assume any responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of such restrictions. Persons in the United States should review "Notice to U.S. Holders" below. Persons into whose possession this announcement or such other information should come are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions. This announcement is for information purposes only and is not a tender offer document and, as such, is not intended to constitute or form any part of an offer or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the Offer or otherwise. Investors may accept the Offer only on the basis of the information provided in the Offer Document. Offers will not be made directly or indirectly in any jurisdiction where either an offer or participation therein is prohibited by applicable law or where any tender offer document or registration or other requirements would apply in addition to those undertaken in Norway. Notice to U.S. Holders U.S. Holders (as defined below) are advised that the Shares are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that Belships is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act"), and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder. The Offer will be made to holders of Shares resident in the United States ("U.S. Holders") on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other holders of Shares of Belships to whom an offer is made. Any information documents, including the Offer Document, will be disseminated to U.S. Holders on a basis comparable to the method that such documents are provided to Belships' other Shareholders to whom an offer is made. The Offer will be made by the Offeror and no one else. The Offer will be made to U.S. Holders pursuant to Section 14(e) and Regulation 14E under the U.S. Exchange Act as a "Tier II" tender offer, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Norwegian law. Accordingly, the Offer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements timetable, settlement procedures and timing of payments, that are different from those that would be applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer procedures and law. Pursuant to an exemption from Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, the Offeror and its affiliates or brokers (acting as agents for the Offeror or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase or arrange to purchase, Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such Shares outside the United States during the period in which the Offer remains open for acceptance, so long as those acquisitions or arrangements comply with applicable Norwegian law and practice and the provisions of such exemption. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Norway, such information will be disclosed by means of an English language press release via an electronically operated information distribution system in the United States or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. Holders of such information. To the extent that the Offeror discloses any information about any purchases of Shares or any related securities outside of the tender offer in Norway, it will publicly disclose the same information in the United States. If the consideration paid by the Offeror or its affiliates in any transaction after the public announcement of the tender offer is greater than the tender offer price, the tender offer price shall be increased to match that price. In addition, the financial advisors to the Offeror may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Belships, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities. Neither the SEC nor any securities supervisory authority of any state or other jurisdiction in the United States has approved or disapproved the Offer or reviewed it for its fairness, nor have the contents of the Offer Document or any other documentation relating to the Offer been reviewed for accuracy, completeness or fairness by the SEC or any securities supervisory authority in the United States. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States. The Colonial Pipeline Company is donating 30 acres of land to Mecklenburg County after one of the largest fuel spills in the country. Colonial Pipeline is now making an effort to make up for the spill by donating 30 the land. Mecklenburg County commissioners will sign off on the deal on Wednesday. PAST COVERAGE | DEQ: Colonial Pipeline leaked 2M gallons in Huntersville; largest onshore fuel spill in US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spill was found by two teenagers in 2020 in the Oehler Nature Preserve near Huntersville. The teens discovered the estimated 2 million gallons of fuel on Aug. 14, 2020, while riding ATVs through the preserve and smelled an overwhelming odor of gasoline. The initial spill estimate was 63,000 gallons of fuel. The spill was a result of failed equipment, according to the Colonial Pipeline Company. The pipelines leak detection system never caught the spill, according to the companys settlement with the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. This same system has missed pills in Virginia, Georgia and Alabama. PAST COVERAGE | Size of pipeline gasoline spill again underestimated in Huntersville Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company pleaded guilty to criminal negligence in 1999 after millions of gallons were spilled in South Carolinas Reedy River. It was fined $41 million dollars and paid $13 million in settlements. The land will go to expand the west branch of the nature preserve. WATCH BELOW: Size of pipeline gasoline spill again underestimated in Huntersville Conan OBrien is one of the lucky few whose Pacific Palisades home is still standing after the LA wildfires, but he says he knows many whove been affected by the devastation, including his podcast co-host Sona Movsesian. In the latest episode of Conan OBrien Needs a Friend his first episode since the fires broke out earlier this month OBrien opened up about evacuating, sharing that he first learned that there was a fire in his neighborhood while he was at his office meeting with writers to go over the Oscars, which hes set to host in March. And I got a phone call from my wife saying, Well, theres some smoke, he recounted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OBrien said he didnt think much of it at first. He and his family have been through this before, he said, adding that monitoring nearby wildfire smoke is part of life in the fire-prone region. His family was later put under mandatory evacuation and checked into a hotel. As of last Thursday, when the podcast episode was recorded, OBrien said that he had not yet returned home. I went to sleep that night thinking, because we live in the Palisades, I just remember thinking, Im pretty sure that our house will go, he said. His house was among those in the Palisades that did not burn down, but, he said, just the number of people Ive heard from, people I know who lost houses is stunning. Movsesian, who is also OBriens assistant and a mother of two, was among them. Movesians home burned down in the Eaton Fire, which ripped through the East Los Angeles neighborhood of Altadena. (From left) Sona Movsesian and Conan O'Brien in Los Angeles in 2022. - Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for SiriusXM Its our entire street, our whole neighborhood has just been destroyed, Movsesian said. It looks really almost apocalyptic. Theres just nothing there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several wildfires tore through Los Angeles earlier this month, with the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire being the two largest. Tens of thousands of acres and thousands of structures burned in both fires. As of Monday, 27 people have died, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner and fire officials. The Palisades Fire is the most destructive to ever occur in Los Angeles County, according to CalFire data. As of Monday, it is 59% contained and burned 23,713 acres, according to Cal Fire. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Conde Nast Traveler published this week a list of the 51 best museums to visit in the U.S., and there are several options within striking distance of Minnesota. Despite a surplus of museums in the Twin Cities, the lone Minnesota entry on the list is Paisley Park, the home and studio of the late Prince in Chanhassen. "Rooms like his former office freeze the past with a trove of unfinished projects and ongoing preoccupations," the publication said, adding: "The Purple Rain Room, once a choreography studio, feels like a womb. A projection of purple water ripples on the walls." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paisley Park opened to the general public in October 2016, about six months after the music legend's death. Tickets for The Paisley Experience tour start at a hefty $75 and have to be booked in advance. More information can be found here. GPA Archive, Flickr For those willing to go slightly further afield to find Conde Nast Traveler's favored museums, among its picks is the sprawling Milwaukee Art Museum in Wisconsin, known for its "dramatic wings and stunning dorsal fin" on the shores of Lake Michigan. "The galleries feature everything from folk art to contemporary American, across all disciplines like prints, sculptures, and paintings. Wisconsin native Georgia O'Keefe features prominently the museum owns much of her work alongside European artists Gustave Caillebotte, Claude Monet, and Joan Miro," it says. A more inexpensive experience awaits at the Enchanted Highway in North Dakota, a 32-mile stretch of road between Regent and just off I-94 near Gladstone, which features nine scrap metal sculptures by local artist Gary Greff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another inclusion from the Dakotas is The Journey Museum and Learning Center, the Rapid City, South Dakota museum that details the history of the state's famous Black Hills through three billion years of history. A popular destination for travelers from Minnesota, it's not surprise that Chicago makes the Conde Nast Traveler list. However, it's not the Field Museum or the Art Institute of Chicago that makes the cut, but The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, a hugely popular venue for families with one of its many popular exhibitions the giant model railroad that recreates The Empire Builder route between Chicago and Seattle. "Participation sells most of the exhibits here. For example, there's an authentic World War II submarine to crawl through, a coal shaft to ride down, and John Deere tractors to climb on. Science exhibits cover everything from human biology to storms and space travel (the actual Apollo 8 module is here)," the publication writes. Pertussis, or whooping cough, has been reported in the St. Paul Public School District, with at least one case confirmed as of Saturday, according to an email sent by the district to families. In the Saturday email from Central Senior High School officials, there is a confirmed case of pertussis among students, along with suspected cases. Those in the school with a cough lasting more than seven days are encouraged to be evaluated by a health care provider, according to the email. The district had cases of pertussis in the past and it can be treated with antibiotics, said Rebecca Schmidt, SPPS director of health and wellness. Parents are encouraged to keep their children home if they are showing symptoms and to notify their schools health office if their child has pertussis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools have been sending a letter to families when a case of pertussis is identified by a health care provider or the department of health, according to district officials. The district plans to send a message Tuesday on symptoms and guidance. Bacterial illness Pertussis is a bacterial illness that spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing, according to Schmidt. Infants, the elderly or those who are immunocompromised are at a higher risk of severe illness. It can be less severe in older children or adults and can be easily passed on if not recognized or treated, according to the district. There have been eight confirmed or probable cases of pertussis in Ramsey County this year as of Jan. 16. In 2024, that number was 257. Statewide, cases increased to a decade-high of 3,217 that year. The previous highest rate since 2014 was 1,247 in 2016. Early symptoms of pertussis are often similar to the early stages of a cold, such as a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever and mild cough. A persistent cough develops after a week or two and occurs in bursts that may end in a high-pitched whooping sound or vomiting. Children can appear well between coughing bursts and older children and adults may have a less typical cough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unless they have already been coughing for three or more weeks, people with pertussis should not go to school, work or other activities until they have completed five days of antibiotic treatment. A person is no longer contagious after the third week, though a cough can last up to three months. Coughing bursts can continue for four to six weeks and are more common at night. Pertussis can result in pneumonia. Vaccines There are two types of vaccines to prevent pertussis, and vaccine efficacy can wear off over time so it is recommended to contact a healthcare provider if it is out of date. Those who are vaccinated can still get pertussis but generally have a milder illness. The district has a 99% compliance rate for school-required immunizations, Schmidt said. That number includes those who conscientiously object as allowed by law. Minnesota law requires that children enrolled in child care, early education programs, or school must have received immunizations or an exemption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Families with concerns are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider or the St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Department. The Minnesota Department of Health can also be contacted at (877) 676-5414. Those wanting to access their immunization records can visit health.state.mn.us/people/immunize/miic/records.html. Related Articles Donald Trumps supporters returned to the nations capital after four years of exile emboldened, celebratory, and expecting revenge just like the incoming president himself. Its a sign of how everything and nothing has changed in the last four years that extremist Proud Boys were on the march again and January 6 protesters returned to the Capitol. It was a day of absolution for Trump and everyone in his orbit. Members of the Proud Boys gather outside the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. where Donald Trump was holding an event (Anadolu via Getty Images) Virjilio Burciaga, a 48-year-old electrician from Anaheim, California, who took part in the protest that ended in the Capitol attack, was returning to the Capitol for the first time since he joined the protests there on January 6, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point they were seeing us as insurrectionists, he told The Independent as he braced against a bitter wind in front of the Capitol building. Now its changed to were all going to get pardoned. That label has been lifted. He and his wife Clara were back and, like Trump, redeemed. All these real criminals are being pardoned by this administration and what happened to our J6ers? Clara asked. Across town, Proud Boys spewed conspiracy theories about the attack and waved flags with the words The Proud Boys did nothing wrong. Hours later the groups leader, Enrique Tarrio, who received one of the harshest sentences for the Capitol attack after being convicted of seditious conspiracy, was in the process of being released along with every other person charged in connection with the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last time this many red MAGA hats descended on Washington DC, American democracy faced a mortal threat. Four years have passed, and the same may be true again. Trump wasted no time in signing a raft of executive orders on his first day back in the Oval Office (AP) Many of those who braved the winter storm to celebrate Trumps return shared the same view, even if it wasnt their primary concern. I think that the people there on January 6, even though they couldnt know it, they got the feeling there was fraud, said Reagan Smelkinson, 24. And youve never seen punishment for a protest like that ever. They touched the hand of the king and they didnt like that so much so they brought the hammer down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps unlikely political comeback from that day is due in no small part to a reimagining of his attack on democracy and of his chaotic first term a case of history being written by the winners. His second inauguration on Monday was proof that his gambit had worked. Trumps first arrival in DC was greeted by mass protests, this time around, the nations capital seemed to give itself completely to him. A brutal winter chill emptied the streets of its residents, giving the MAGA faithful the run of the city. Red hats streamed down the citys wide avenues and packed the bars and restaurants to crowd around televisions showing ceremonies across the city. Trumps face was everywhere, his familiar droning voice, too. They cheered his lines in between nachos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stalls selling all manner of Trump schmatta were dotted along every sidewalk. Flags, pins, badges, hats all apparently designed with the singular intention of making liberals angry. One of the most popular t-shirts on sale contained only the words: Im back, bitches. Corporations were eager to pay homage, too. Crypto billboards appeared to have been strategically placed around the arena where Trump spoke; Amazon, run by the incoming presidents new friend, Jeff Bezos, purchased every other billboard in the city. Black SUVs carrying VIPs sped past on empty streets from one gilded hall to another. The billionaires and establishment figures who had stayed away the first time were back and in the front row. Power is intoxicating, and the city seemed drunk on it. Trump throws pens to fans after signing executive orders at the Capitol One Arena (Getty Images) Many of Trumps supporters were there to celebrate in any way they could. Trumps team canceled the outdoor ceremony due to the frigid temperatures, leaving many to wander around somewhat aimlessly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The entire downtown area was turned into a maze of checkpoints, only adding to the confusion. National Guard soldiers from across the country were scattered around at intersections fielding questions. Thousands lined up for hours to get into the Capitol One Arena, where an indoor parade was to replace the outdoor one. Many queued all day in the freezing cold only to be turned away. A big pile of handbags and backpacks lay outside of the main security gate to the arena, left there by rallygoers who were told they could not bring them inside the arena. A few dozen hung around in view of the Capitol rubbing their hands and staring towards to house of American democracy. Jeff Gehbauer, 64, sat in what appeared to be some kind of thermal camouflage outfit, taking it all in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im here just to celebrate this man being elected president again, really against some pretty long odds to say the least, he said. Ive been very fed up in the last four years and our country has been diminished. So we got principled leadership back in the Oval Office, he added. There were none of the same demonstrations that welcomed Trump to DC the first time around. A sole protester held up his sign outside the Capitol. Someones got to do it, said Eddy Seger, 74-year-old retired teacher and Air Force veteran. Im here to tell the truth and to give a warning. There needs to be a warning label on this inauguration and on this presidency because we know what were getting. Were getting a felon. Were getting a criminal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People have been fooled or they have sold out, so people of character have to stand up and make their voices heard, he added. What about Hillary Clinton?! a nearby Trump supporter shouted, sparking an argument that quickly devolved into allegations of pedophilia against the Democratic Party. Outnumbered and surrounded, the lone protester was asked to leave by police, and Trumps supporters had the run of the Capitol, and the capital, once more. Congress is trying desperately to undo its own TikTok ban. Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie introduced legislation Monday to repeal the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, also known as the TikTok ban. Preventing the TikTok ban has become a top priority for Donald Trump, even though he was the one who originally urged the app to shutter in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump signed an executive order Monday to delay the enforcement of the ban for 75 days, to permit my Administration an opportunity to determine the appropriate course of action with respect to TikTok. When asked why he changed his mind about TikTok, Trump said that the app was largely about kids, young kids. If China is gonna get information about young kidsI think, I think, to be honest with you, weve got bigger problems with that, Trump said. Over the weekend, TikTok preemptively locked out users in the United States, only to return hours later with a message thanking Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps sudden swerve to protect the app, which Republicans had spent months railing against, has created stark divides within the party over whether the app actually threatens national security. TikToks CEO Shou Zi Chew was seated on the dais at Trumps inauguration Monday, signaling a budding alliance with the president. Massie, the Republican who co-sponsored the bill to repeal the ban, posted a photo hed taken of Chew from the crowd on X. Tick tock, the TikTok ban is about to end, Massie wrote. Former President Joe Biden signed the TikTok ban, which passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support, less than a year ago, in April 2024. EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) Among those in attendance at President Donald Trumps inauguration was Congressman Dan Meuser from Luzerne County. He represents the ninth district which includes much of northeastern Pennsylvania and was re-elected to serve a fourth term in November. Meuser tells 28/22 News that the inauguration was high energy. Governor Shapiro speaks about Trumps second term We were instructed not to stand and give standing ovations. We couldnt help it. There was so much that was inspirational there was so much spirit so much energy. There was so much patriotism. You know, President Trump laid out the truth of our state of affairs, when he talked about how we are going to correct it, Meuser explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressman Meuser will also be a member of the GOP caucus that will work with President Trumps new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Its mission is to find and cut government waste. Copyright 2025 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 PAhomepage.com. Adm. Linda Fagan, the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, testified in Congress on July 13, 2023, about the investigation known as Operation Fouled Anchor. (Photo via C-SPAN) Connecticut lawmakers raised concerns Tuesday over the Trump administrations abrupt firing of Admiral Linda Fagan, who served as the first female commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and had more recently overseen the response to Operation Fouled Anchor. A senior official with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Coast Guard, confirmed Fagan was terminated, pointing to leadership deficiencies, operational failures and inability to advance the strategic objectives of the service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official cited several reasons for her departure: ineffective deployment of the Coast Guard to assist with border security, dissatisfaction with recruitment and retention, efforts surrounding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies and delays and cost overruns on icebreakers and helicopters used in the Arctic region. Among those concerns was also the handling of Operation Fouled Anchor, a years-long investigation into decades of sexual misconduct claims at the Coast Guard Academy in New London and past leaders decision not to disclose a report about it to Congress. Fagan did not serve as commandant during that period but has testified about it twice. She apologized for inaction and lack of disclosure until CNN broke the story in 2023. Fagan was appointed commandant in the summer of 2022, taking over from her predecessor, Karl Schultz, who retired after serving at the helm in both the Trump and Biden administrations. Fagan became the first woman to lead a U.S. military branch. Admiral Kevin Lunday, who had been serving as vice commandant since last June, will now serve as acting commandant of the Coast Guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fagans removal was the first of the Trump administration and occurred the first full day into his presidency. It received immediate pushback from some Democrats in Connecticut, including those who have scrutinized her over transparency and accountability related to Operation Fouled Anchor. U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, called the news of her termination an overreach by Trump. The congressman, whose district includes the Coast Guard Academy, pushed back on DHS assessment of Fagans tenure and cited her work on surpassing the services 2024 recruitment goal and working on production of new icebreaker vessels. Courtney pointed to a news release from the Coast Guard last September when it announced that the military branch met its recruitment goals for the first time since 2017 and recruited more than 4,400 enlisted active duty personnel. President Trumps unprecedented decision on day one to fire a service chief ahead of her scheduled departure is an abuse of power that slanders the good name and record of Admiral Fagan, he said in a statement. The Commandants outstanding record completely negates the Presidents demonstrably false claims and signals his interest to put politics over the best interest of our service members and national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courtney also commended Fagans leadership since the public became aware of Operation Fouled Anchor, saying she has worked to rebuild trust. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who has overseen one of the congressional investigations into Operation Fouled Anchor, has been critical of how the Coast Guard and Fagan have cooperated with lawmakers in providing documents and information. Blumenthal has condemned the service for having a culture of cover-up. But Blumenthal also criticized the firing of Fagan and pointed to her years of service. Prior to her appointment to commandant, Fagan served in several other leadership roles, including as vice commandant and commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area. Ive been critical of Adm. Fagan concerning the Coast Guards response to problems of sexual assault and harassment in the aftermath of a cover-up executed by her Trump-appointed predecessor, he said in an interview, referring to Schultz. But this abrupt firing certainly raises concerns about how Donald Trump intends to treat dedicated, professional men and women who have faithfully served our country for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Republicans in the Senate majority, Blumenthal is now the ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. But he anticipates a continued bipartisan approach into getting more answers and accountability regarding Fouled Anchor. Fagan first testified before the Senate Commerce Committee a month after the public became aware of the investigation through a CNN report in summer 2023. She testified again a year later before Blumenthals panel, where the senator argued that the Coast Guard still faces a present, ongoing and persistent issue with sexual misconduct. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is challenging what he calls President Donald Trumps unconstitutional executive order attacking birthright citizenship. On Tuesday afternoon, he held a press conference in Hartford to discuss the issue. You can watch his remarks in the video above. Trump signs flurry of restrictive immigration orders on Day 1 On his first day back in the Oval Office, Trump signed an executive order to have the federal government stop recognizing automatic birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens born in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tong said this directive is a war on American families waged by a President with zero respect for our Constitution. On Tuesday, he joined other attorneys general in a lawsuit against Trump. The lawsuit is seeking to invalidate the executive order and to enjoin any actions taken to implement it. The states request immediate relief to prevent the Presidents Order from taking effect through both a Temporary Restraining Order and a Preliminary Injunction. The 14th Amendment says what it means, and it means what it says if you are born on American soil, you are an American. Period. Full stop. There is no legitimate legal debate on this question. But the fact that Trump is dead wrong will not prevent him from inflicting serious harm right now on American families like my own, Tong said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connecticut attorney general vows to fight for immigrant families, reproductive rights during Donald Trumps 2nd term Trumps order disagrees, saying the 14th Amendment has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States, according to The Hill. Tong believes abolishing birthright citizenship will cause chaos across Connecticut and the United States, as babies born here will not have legal status anywhere. He also has a personal connection to the issue. My parents and grandparents ran for their lives, they fled war and hunger and ultimately made it to Connecticut with nothing. They worked until their bodies broke in the hot kitchens of Chinese restaurants so that I could become the first American born in my family- a citizen by right of my birth here in Hartford, Connecticut. My life would not be possible without birthright citizenship, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Republican Minority Leader Vincent Candelora said he supports Trumps stance on immigration policy. Our country really needs to get a hold of these individuals and figure out how to fix this whole immigration system, he said. And I think the first step certainly is to not afford people rights for not breaking the law. The order would apply to children born 30 days after the order was signed. It also would bar federal agencies from recognizing citizenship for these children. Immigration advocates like Tabitha Sookdeo, the Connecticut Students for a Dream executive director, said she knew something like this was coming, but it does cause concern. For the most part, it does bring about a good amount of anxiety, but also thinking through the ramifications for what does that mean for folks who are born here, she said. Children need to be able to get a birth certificate and have some sort of citizenship. Its important to have an identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tong said his office is looking at the other executive orders Trump signed relating to immigration. The ACLU also filed a similar lawsuit Monday. Denying citizenship to U.S.-born children is not only unconstitutional its also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values. Birthright citizenship is part of what makes the United States the strong and dynamic nation that it is. This order seeks to repeat one of the gravest errors in American history, by creating a permanent subclass of people born in the U.S. who are denied full rights as Americans. We will not let this attack on newborns and future generations of Americans go unchallenged. The Trump administrations overreach is so egregious that we are confident we will ultimately prevail, said Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Governor Maura Healey announced Tuesday a budget proposal to fund billions of dollars worth of capital projects on Massachusetts state college campuses. The Bright Act would mark the first time in decades such broad funding would target higher education. So, its a big deal. But the announcement was overshadowed to some extent by President Donald Trumps multiple executive orders on immigration, issued shortly after his inauguration Monday. Those orders include declaration of a national emergency at the border, halting refugee admissions to the U.S. and ending birthright citizenship for expectant mothers not partnered with a legal, permanent U.S. citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Golden Age of America begins right now, Trump said. We have a government thats given unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders, but refused to defend American borders. The President is also threatening to withhold aid to so-called sanctuary cities, which provide undocumented migrants protection from deportation. Massachusetts has eight declared sanctuary cities, including Boston, Cambridge and Somerville. The state is also in the midst of a migrant crisis -- with thousands of refugees fleeing to Massachusetts because it is the only state with a right to shelter law. In recent weeks, Healey and state Republicans have called for reform of the Right to Shelter law -- which was originally adopted 40 years ago as a safety net for Massachusetts residents who suddenly became homeless -- particularly families with children and pregnant women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healey said shes not going to engage in hypotheticals regarding President Trumps executive orders. We will have to review whatever comes our way, she said. One provision that has been reviewed -- and will now be litigated: the proposed end to birthright citizenship as enshrined in the 14th Amendment. Birthright citizenship is something that is in the constitution, Healey said. If youre born here, youre a U.S. citizen. But, like the states Right to Shelter law, the citizenship clause targeted not migrants from other countries -- but the children of slaves. Before the Civil War, the Dred Scott decision denied those offspring citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys General quickly pounced on the Presidents plan to deny birthright citizenship. Massachusetts AG Andrea Campbell filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday over the executive order. She was joined by at least 20 other state AGs. My colleagues and I will work tirelessly to fight to not only protect the Constitution but to thwart any order to overturn it, said Campbell. And this sham executive order is absolutely unlawful. Full stop. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW We all benefit from investing in women and their businesses, but a range of barriers currently prevent African women from unlocking broader economic gains. Women entrepreneurs are savvy and resourceful, but many have never had access to education in financial literacy, preventing them from formalizing their business plans and record-keeping. In Kenya and throughout the continent, women entrepreneurs typically lack a book of accounts, or collateral such as land or other property that banks require to take out a loan or access credit. Compounding these challenges, there are currently no policies in place to differentiate how small, informal microfinance institutions should be treated compared to large banks. These small lenders are categorized as high risk due to their lack of formal structure, leading to significantly higher costs to serve them. This, in turn, disincentivizes loans to individuals with lower incomes or less available capitalpredominantly affecting women. At a time when Africas economic growth has not kept up with its population growth, improving womens access to capital has the potential to enable women to pursue their dreams and drive incredible benefits for families, communities, and the economy as a whole. Within my community and across the African continent, entrepreneurship offers most women the greatest hope for opportunity and stability given the lack of employment options, particularly for their gender. One quarter of African women today are entrepreneurs, making them a powerful force for economic growth and social change. Yet, these women face significant barriers in accessing the capital needed to start and scale their businesses: Just a fraction of the continents available capital is granted to women. That day, as I looked into a crowd of hopeful faces filled with expectations amidst trying times, I saw former classmates who were striving to overcome daunting economic circumstances without access to financial resources. Some of them had been forced into marriage at as young as nine years old. For these women, economic survival is a daily challenge and the only way to remain valued and relevant within society. I recently returned to my village in Bungoma County, Western Kenya. I had come to speak with the communityespecially its women and girlsabout how they could succeed as entrepreneurs and start or grow small businesses. I remember having similar aspirations earlier in my own life. It was only with my fathers support (and thanks to his work as a government-sponsored news reporter for the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation) that I was able to afford tuition for high school and eventually pursue my dream of a career in finance. Story Continues There is currently a $1.7 trillion gap between the amount of capital women around the world want and the amount they receive. Closing this gap could ultimately add as much as $6 trillion to the global GDP, resulting in benefits at every level of society. Women are more likely than men to reinvest earnings into their families, building pathways for improved education and health care for generations to come. The growth of their businesses can uplift local economies by driving demand for goods and services, creating employment opportunities for other women and men. And successful women entrepreneurs set the stage for a more resilient landscape by bringing diverse perspectives to historically male-dominated industries. Small loans, big impact Business, government, and philanthropic leaders are increasingly focused on developing new tools and resources to increase womens access to capital, with exciting early results. Take for example the story of Mary, an entrepreneur from Mombasa, who owns a secondhand clothing and bags business. Mary requested a loan for 20,000 Kenyan shillings (KSh), or approximately $150, from KCB Bank Kenya, where I served as a branch manager at the time. Despite the small loan request, which most major financial institutions would have declined, we ultimately agreed that our bank had an important role to play in supporting small-scale entrepreneurs without collateral. Mary and other entrepreneurs like her inspired us to introduce a new proposition specifically for female-led and made enterprises (FLMEs). Today we offer flexible credit solutions and provide loans to over 600,000 of these clients, many of whom lack collateral and have previously struggled to access traditional banking services. In the months after receiving her loan, Mary was able to purchase bales of secondhand clothes in larger quantities, giving her access to better quality bales from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda that could be resold at a higher margin. This brought in 30,000 KSh, or $225, profit more than her initial loan, allowing her to set up a shop and employ three permanent staff and two casual workers. Bringing on those new team members enabled her to run daily operations while continuing to drive her business growth. Unlocking access to capital To date, KCB Bank has committed the equivalent of $1.9 billion to support FLME clients like Mary. With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the European Investment Bank, our FLME practice now also manages a 30 million program in Kenya to improve access to microfinance, with a requirement that 80% of the final beneficiaries will be women. Programs like these underscore the massive opportunity for different types of organizations to work together to help unlock access to capital. To maximize the economic benefits of these programs, we also need to expand educational resources for women entrepreneurs in Africa, to help them build critical skills in financial literacy and navigate interactions with financial institutions. In 2009, our bank began hosting financial literacy workshops with this goal in mind. Ive had the privilege of sitting in on some of these workshops and seeing firsthand how quickly women take to these skills and gain new confidence. That excitement is contagious. The workshops have grown exponentially in size as women entrepreneurs invite each othereven their competitorsto join them. We could all learn something from these women, who understand implicitly that investing in each other is the best pathway to shared success. As a businesswoman in Kenya, I know that making a success out of any business venture requires taking some smart risks. The entrepreneurs from my home village know the same. Failing to invest in the economic potential of these women is a far greater risk to our economy than the alternative. Read more: The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com The team of newly incumbent US President Donald Trump may hold talks with a Ukrainian delegation in early February during Ukrainian Week in Washington. Source: Interfax-Ukraine, citing a statement by Davyd Arakhamiia, leader of the Servant of the People party faction in the parliament, during the national joint 24/7 newscast Quote: "Ukrainian Week will take place in Washington at the beginning of February. I believe that the key processes and negotiations with Trump's new team will actually take place there, so we are waiting." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated: After the news was published, the press service of the Servant of the People party faction contacted Ukrainska Pravda and asked to clarify that Arakhamiia's statement was not about "talks" but about "contacts". Quote: "Active contacts between the delegation from the Ukrainian parliament and the new Trump team may begin in early February as part of the Ukrainian Week to be held in Washington. Some officials within Trumps team have already been appointed, some are still waiting. We are now working to ensure that the relevant meetings take place at the inter-parliamentary level and at other levels." Background: On 3-8 February 2025, Washington will host the annual Ukrainian Week, an event aimed at strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and the United States. The programme includes meetings, round tables, and forums where representatives of both countries will discuss key partnership issues. American senators, congressmen, and prominent Ukrainian politicians and officials are expected to participate. In autumn 2024, then-president-elect Donald Trump announced that his administration would focus on Russia's war against Ukraine. On 20 January, Donald Trump once again promised to end the war in Ukraine and instructed his team to organise a call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to arrange a meeting after his inauguration. Support UP or become our patron! President Donald Trump granted sweeping clemency hours after his inauguration Monday to more than 1,500 people charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol, including some veterans convicted of organizing the riot. Trump signed a proclamation to grant full, complete and unconditional pardons to all but 14 people who were convicted of offenses related to the attack, and he called on new Acting Attorney General James McHenry III to dismiss any remaining Jan. 6 cases going through the courts system. In addition, Trump commuted the sentences of the 14 people who didnt receive pardons and asked for their immediate release from prison. Those 14 nine of whom have military histories were members of the right-wing, anti-government Oath Keepers and Proud Boys groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This proclamation ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation, the proclamation reads. Veterans involved in Jan. 6 riot expect Trump to keep pardon promise Of the approximately 1,500 people who have faced charges for their involvement in the Capitol breach, about 230 have military backgrounds, according to the latest data from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. Many of those veterans and service members were not affiliated with any specific group, but 21 were part of the Oath Keepers and 27 were Proud Boys members. Proud Boys members celebrated the pardons on Telegram, with one chapter writing, Our brothers are coming home! According to the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, which monitors extremist activity online, the Proud Boys are now positioning themselves as enforcers of Trumps policy agenda, including aiding in deportations and escalating anti-LGBTQ+ threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extremism experts and police officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6 spoke out against the pardons and commutations. Michael Fanone, an officer who was beaten by rioters that day and has served as an unofficial spokesperson for the 140 officers who were assaulted during the riot, said Monday on CNN he was now worried for his safety and the safety of his family. I have been betrayed by my country, and I have been betrayed by those who supported Donald Trump, whether you voted for him because he promised these pardons or for some other reason, Fanone said. Tonight, six individuals who assaulted me as I did my job on Jan. 6 will now walk free. Trump says hell begin Jan. 6 pardons the first hour in office While Trump made repeated promises on the campaign trail to pardon the rioters, it wasnt certain until Monday whether he would grant clemency to the most violent offenders. Trump said during a Time Magazine interview in December that he would issue pardons within the first hour after he took office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Trump stipulated he would look at each case to determine if the individuals were nonviolent, implying that people convicted or charged with violent crimes might not receive a pardon. Im going to look if theres some that really were out of control, he said in the interview. As of August, 547 defendants had been charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding officers or employees, including 163 individuals who were charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer, according to the Justice Department. Eleven people faced charges associated with assaulting a member of the media or destroying their equipment, and 87 defendants were charged with destruction of government property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the hundreds of people who received full pardons was Enrique Tarrio, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison on charges of seditious conspiracy for his role in orchestrating the attack. Four Proud Boys members tried alongside Tarrio were included on the list of 14 people who had their sentences commuted. They are: Army veteran Joseph Biggs, Marine veterans Dominic Pezzola and Zachary Rehl and Ethan Nordean, who joined the Navy but didnt make it past basic training. Biggs, Rehl and Nordean were convicted of seditious conspiracy in 2023, and Pezzola was found guilty of other felonies. Army vet, Oath Keepers leader gets 18 years for plotting Jan. 6 attack Trump also commuted the sentence of Stewart Rhodes, an Army veteran and the leader of the Oath Keepers who was sentenced to 18 years in prison. When he founded the Oath Keepers in 2009, Rhodes recruited other veterans, service members, firefighters and police to join his cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors presented evidence of Rhodes sending encrypted messages to his membership following the 2020 presidential election, telling them to refuse to accept the results. During a call with members, Rhodes outlined a plan to stop the transfer of presidential power, which included preparations for the use of force, according to an indictment. Other Oath Keepers who received commuted sentences were Army veterans Kenneth Harrelson, Jessica Watkins and Edward Vallejo, as well as Navy veteran Thomas Caldwell. Vallejo was found guilty of seditious conspiracy, while Harrelson, Watkins and Caldwell were convicted of other felony charges. CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) Conway community members gathered in celebration of Martin Luther King Day. This year marked Conway-Horry County MLK Planning Commissions 45th MLK Be the Dream Event. The theme, mission possible, protecting freedom, justice, and democracy. Every church pew was filled at Bethel AME church Monday morning for the ceremony. People gathered to sing, praise, and read scripture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During this years event, the youth had the opportunity to participate in a science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) session. Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy was also at the honoring. He directed his activism and political philosophy boldly using non-violent resistance and non-violent civil disobedience to fight Jim Crow and other legalized discrimination, she said. In his later years, Dr. King focused on relieving poverty and ending the war in Vietnam. Blain-Bellamy finished her speech by presenting a proclamation to the MLK Planning Committee. She spoke about how King risked his life daily and was ultimately assassinated while supporting a strike. She said his final speech was Ive been to the Mountain Top at Mason Temple in Memphis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the pastor of Mason Temple in Conway was the guest speaker. He mentioned Kings good friend, Mahalia Jackson, who encouraged him to speak about his dream. What Dr. Jackson understood was that you are not just a politician, you are a prophet, and what God showed you in your dream was not simply for him not to write a speech, but for you to speak prophetically into the ears of America, pastor Elder Gary Lee said. He says Dr. King walked so people could run. His calling was far more specific; he was called to lay down his life for the redemption of humanity, Lee said. In John 18:1-7, He declares for this reason I was born and this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. He embraced the calls, yes, but he was always rooted in his calling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In participation, Horry County students are competing in an art contest, showcasing their artistic interpretations of this years theme. * * * Jackie LiBrizzi is a multimedia journalist at News13. Jackie is originally from Hamilton, New Jersey, and was raised in Piedmont, South Carolina. Jackie joined the News13 team in June 2023 after she graduated as a student-athlete from the University of South Carolina in May 2023. Follow Jackie on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 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 WBTW. An Illinois sheriffs deputy has been shot and killed while on vacation in Turks and Caicos. Cook County Deputy Shamone Duncan was fatally shot along with local resident Dario Stubbs near a restaurant on Grace Bay Road at around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) said in a news release. Preliminary investigations revealed that the Police Control Room received reports of gunfire being heard in the vicinity of a bar along Grace Bay Road, Acting Commissioner Rodney Adams said, per the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responding officers discovered three individuals injured during the shooting, one of whom succumbed to injuries at the scene while the other at the hospital. A third victim, a 29-year-old man, was also injured in the shooting and is undergoing medical treatment. Related: Virginia Realtor Killed in 'Targeted' Ambush While Celebrating His Birthday in Turks and Caicos There is no evidence to suggest that Ms. Duncan, Mr. Stubbs or the wounded victim were the targets of this incident, added police. No suspect has been found and no arrests have been made at this time. Duncan worked as deputy of the Cook County Department of Corrections for 20 years and was recently assigned to Cermak Health Services at the time of her death, per Fox 5 DC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to her family, she was killed on her second night in Turks and Caicos after vacationing there for her sister's birthday, ABC 7 Chicago reported. At the time of the shooting, Duncan was celebrating her sisters birthday at a rooftop party at Aziza Restaurant & Lounge in Providenciales. An argument occurred downstairs before gunfire was heard outside and she was hit by a stray bullet, her family said, per multiple reports. Google Maps Aziza Restaurant & Lounge in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Aziza Restaurant & Lounge in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Related: Officer Fatally Shot at North Carolina Supermarket Days Before Christmas: 'We Are Heartbroken' "People started yelling, telling people to get down, everybody got down,' and my mom got up, Payton told ABC 7 Chicago. And then, she got hit ... Bystanders came and they tried to help." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cook County Sheriff's Office said their hearts are broken for the family of Deputy Shamone Duncan, per Fox 5 DC. "It is with unimaginable sorrow that we, the family of Sheriff Shamone A. Duncan, announce her tragic passing on Jan. 18, 2025, the department said. Shamone was a proud native of Chicago, born and raised in the city she loved and served tirelessly Above all, Shamone was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Duncan is reportedly survived by her son, two daughters and a granddaughter. 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. PEOPLE has contacted the Cook County Sheriff's Office for further comment. Read the original article on People CORBIN, Ky. (FOX 56) Being prepared for disastrous scenarios helped save a womans life after her car ran out of gas on I-75. The Corbin Police Department said Tuesday on Facebook that a patrolman noticed a vehicle stopped on the shoulder of the highway. The officer initially believed the vehicle was abandoned before he said he noticed a light flickering inside the car. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: A woman was found inside crying and visibly shivering with her lips turning blue thanks to the 9-degree weather, according to the police. She told the officer she had run out of gas around two hours ago and was stranded in the freezing cold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immediately realizing the danger she was in, police said they got her into the patrol car and cranked up the heat. Read more of the latest Kentucky news The woman told police that she had called roadside assistance for aid, but they didnt answer, and she called the nearest wrecker service for help before the officer showed up. To keep warm while she waited, the woman said she covered up with a blanket, used hand warmers, and lit a small tea candle. She also said she stuffed the windows with tissue paper. Towing company aiding woman found freezing in car on side of road (Corbin Police Department) Tea candle used for warmth (Corbin Police Department) Tissue paper stuffed windows completely iced over (Corbin Police Department) She stayed warm in the police car until the towing company arrived and got her car filled up with gas and running, according to the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police noted how this close call served as a reminder of how quickly hypothermia can set in and become life-threatening. It can set in within minutes, especially for those not moving and exposed to extreme cold. Emergency shelter in Richmond opens to help combat cold Corbin police also recommend drivers always keep gas tanks full to avoid running out and carry an emergency kit with essentials like blankets, water, snacks, and a phone charger. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. The woman killed in a shooting in Riverside last week has been identified. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Shyanne Mitchell, 30, was identified on Tuesday by the Montgomery County Coroners Office. As previously reported by News Center 7, police and medics responded to the 4700 block of Opperman Avenue shortly before 3 p.m. on Friday on reports of a shooting. Major Angela Jackson, with Riverside Police, confirmed the shooting was being investigated as a homicide on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is one victim and one suspect, Jackson said. TRENDING STORIES: Online jail records show that Halle Harvey was arrested by Riverside police in the 4700 block of Opperman Avenue on suspicion of murder on Friday. Murder and felonious assault charges have been filed against her in Montgomery County Municipal Court, according to online court records. Were working to learn more about what led to this shooting. Well provide updates as we learn more. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Your local Costco location may be short-staffed or outright closed starting next month, as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents 18,000 Costco workers nationwide, is threatening a work stoppage to begin in just a matter of days. Heres what Costco shoppers in Oklahoma need to know and prepare for. Will Costco go on strike? Costco Teamsters have voted to begin a strike after the contract expires on Friday, Jan. 31. This means Costco workers in Oklahoma and throughout the region could strike as early as Saturday, Feb. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strike resulted from a disagreement between Teamsters and Costco regarding a fair contract offer that balanced the wholesalers profits. If the Teamsters go on strike, this will disrupt typical daily operations at their 624 locations nationwide. From day one, weve told Costco that our members wont work a day past January 31 without a historic, industry-leading agreement. Costcos greedy executives have less than two weeks to do the right thing," Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien said. How many Costcos are in Oklahoma? Is Oklahoma affected? Oklahoma has four Costcos, split between Tulsa and Oklahoma City metros. Oklahoma City has one on N Western Ave and one in Moore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Teamsters goes forward with the strike, employees in Oklahoma may be on strike starting Feb. 1. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Costco employees could strike soon. Will Oklahoma be affected? If an evacuation order was issued in Pierce County, a lot of people would probably go via car. Not Anne Nesbit. Shed go by boat. I live far enough down, Im not even going to attempt the road, Nesbit said. Were going to, if its a fire situation, probably hit the water because I do anticipate some rough traversing. Nesbit is the fire prevention specialist for Key Peninsula Fire, where shes worked since 2008. Shes also a longtime resident on the peninsula and the fire departments public information officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The peninsula is about 60 square miles and has several small rural commercial centers, according to a Community Plan Pierce County adopted for the area in 2007. A little over 15,000 people live on the peninsula and Anderson Island off its tip, per the 2020 U.S. Census. The devastation from the wildfires in Los Angeles County forced over 82,000 people to evacuate their homes in communities in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena, among others, and another 90,400 have been warned they may need to, as of an AP report Wednesday. A wildfire of that scale isnt impossible in Pierce County, The News Tribune recently reported. What would an evacuation look like in Pierce County, including areas like the Key Peninsula, in the event of a large-scale wildfire? The News Tribune spoke to emergency management, fire department officials and others to find out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can the LA wildfires happen in Western WA? The answer is complicated and sobering Evacuation procedures Fire personnel, law enforcement and emergency management work together in the event of an evacuation order, according to the acting director of the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, Amy Gillespie. While fire and law enforcement determine the evacuation area, Pierce County Emergency Management supports communication with residents via their emergency notification system, Gillespie said. That includes Pierce County ALERT (PCALERT), a system that sends emergency notifications to anyone who signs up and is geared toward people who live and/or work in the county. Registrants have the option to receive notifications via phone call, text, email or online, according to the PCALERT brochure. The department can also send live emergency alerts via TV and radio broadcasts, and alerts to wireless phones through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Gillespie said. First responders may also go door-to-door telling people to evacuate and send out their own media announcements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ready, Set, Go! is an evacuation campaign many agencies in Pierce County use to help people decide when to evacuate in an emergency. It breaks the evacuation process into three phases: Level 1: Be Ready Level 2: Be Set Level 3: Go Now At the Ready phase, people should be aware of danger in their area and should tune into local news, check on neighbors and prepare a plan or emergency kit if they dont already have one. At the Set phase, people should be ready to leave, and the Go phase means danger is imminent. Residents shouldnt necessarily wait to hear go to head out the door, according to Gillespie and others who spoke with The News Tribune. You should leave as soon as you feel unsafe and especially if you need extra help or time to evacuate. That includes those with disabilities, medical conditions, small children and/or large animals, according to the campaign. The Ready, Set, Go! campaign is also used by other counties in western Washington, and has been used even longer on the eastern side of the state to deal with wildfires, Pierce County Emergency Management spokesperson Mike Halliday said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pierce County firefighters are working 24-hour shifts in LA. Heres what theyre seeing Gillespie emphasized the importance of having a plan and practicing evacuation routes in advance. Asked if some areas of Pierce County are considered more challenging to evacuate than others, she said yes. Were constantly evaluating what road systems are in place, directions of travel, stoplights, stop signs where we need to have support from different agencies to make sure that we can move people throughout, she said. She didnt offer specific examples of challenging-to-evacuate areas, but said that Pierce County Emergency Management takes a holistic view of an areas geographic challenges. That could include single-lane roads, bridges or limited exit routes. Theyll share that information with on-scene incident commanders from law enforcement and fire, who decide the boundaries of the evacuation area in an emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pierce County Emergency Management also is equipped to set up an evacuation center for individuals to go to where they can meet up with family members, get updates and receive help safely retrieving items such as medication, Gillespie said. If the fire continues, theyll also set up shelters for people who cant return to their homes and then assess damages and assist with applying for federal aid grants after the fire is contained. In July 2023, Pierce County followed this process after a wildfire broke out near McKenna, according to a 2023 annual report from Pierce County Emergency Management. The department sent out a PCALERT telling residents to evacuate and worked with a local property owner to provide temporary shelter space. Geographic challenges There arent many ways onto or off of the Key Peninsula. If youre coming from Tacoma, one of the main roads in is state Route 302, which crosses into the peninsula via the Purdy Bridge. The highway merges with Key Peninsula Highway Northwest, which snakes down into the southern end of the peninsula. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The peninsula is heavily forested and has many two-way roads. Key Peninsula resident Dan Wehmeier told The News Tribune theres only one road near the city of Home. If something happened to that road, he thinks people on the south end of the peninsula would have to escape by water, via boat or swimming, he said. Just coming out here in the afternoon, just a normal day coming home from work, its backed up pretty bad, Wehmeier said. So imagine the panic youd have when everybodys trying to run from a fire. Wehmeier is also the owner of a forestry management company, Wehmeier LLC, currently working on a 76.8-acre project on the Key Peninsula to clear wildfire fuel on the peninsula. Its heavily funded through a cost share program with the state Department of Natural Resources for local forest landowners, he said. Dan Wehmeier told The News Tribune hes clearing land as part of a 77-acre wildfire fuel reduction project on the Key Peninsula through his forestry management company, Wehmeier LLC. Brush close to the ground can ignite and lead to a wildfire, he told The News Tribune. Dan Wehmeier/Courtesy James Moore, climate resiliency program manager for Pierce Conservation District, agreed that the Key Peninsula could face evacuation challenges. Part of Moores job involves helping communities prepare for wildfires with grants from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. The Key Peninsula is one of his areas of focus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any place after Home on the Key Peninsula is just one road in, one road out, he said. Trying to get someone who is needing a wheel chair or a walker or a cane onto a boat versus driving out is not going to be easy. Pierce County Emergency Management is heading the creation of a countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), which should include information about areas of the county with heightened wildfire risk, Moore said. Pierce County Emergency Management interim director Amy Gillespie confirmed that the agency is in the final stages of developing that plan. She said it wont go into the specifics of evacuation routes for different communities because wildfires are more unpredictable than, say, floods where people can take pre-mapped routes to higher ground. A lahar is another example: the county already has maps of evacuation routes for communities that could be endangered by dangerous volcanic mudflow from Mount Rainier. Wildfires are unpredictable and require more intricate route planning, Gillespie said. Emergency responders have to consider the wind direction, wildfire fuel available, humidity and other weather patterns the fire is creating to decide the safest evacuation routes. Know your routes and have a plan Key Peninsula Fire Department spokesperson Anne Nesbit said that the fire department is working on an agreement with Pierce County Emergency Management that will include information about services, transportation, shelters and possible mass evacuation routes on the peninsula. It will include pinch points where theyd advise residents to avoid, and safe places where people may be able to shelter-in-place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That agreement is in the infancy stage, and she wasnt able to provide a timeline for when it will be completed. Part of their message to residents is encouraging them to think ahead for themselves. Many residents will have to make a plan to evacuate their animals because the fire department has to prioritize evacuating people, she said. Of course (getting off the peninsula) is going to be a challenge, and thats where we ask, if you need to leave early, leave early, she said. Dont wait for the last minute. Its really sad to see these tragedies happening around us, but we can also learn a lot from them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. government maintains a website with what residents should know about emergency evacuation at ready.gov/evacuation. The state Department of Natural Resources also has a website devoted to wildfire preparedness. Washington state offers micro grants of up to $4,000 to communities looking to implement their own wildfire preparedness plan, through Firewise USA. SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Despite signing over 40 executive orders, the President has yet to take a pen to the Department of Education. On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump vowed to shut down the department. With Republicans controlling both the House and Senate, its possible, but not without significant challenges. Still some say Trumps words are already having a local impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im gonna close the Department of Education and move education back to the states, Trump said at a rally in September 2024. Its not a new idea. For decades conservatives from Ronald Reagan to Rand Paul have pushed to eliminate the department which manages a variety of programs including student aid, special education, and ensures equal access to education. Youre looking at taking away our greatest equalizer which is education from our kids who have the most challenges, Syracuse Teachers Association President, Nicole Capsello, said. Capsello does not support Trumps proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the majority of New York public schools money comes from local taxes and state governments, about 14% comes from the federal government. Its something that Capsello calls a small but important piece of the pie. Public education is supposed to be a right for all. Its not meant to be a right for those who can afford or those who live in the right neighborhood, Capsello said. Capsello said the Syracuse Teachers Association got some calls from concerned members after Election Day. In response, she sent a letter reminding members that NYSUT remains the strongest teachers union in the country, adding, Teachers in New York have some of the best protections, salaries, and benefits in the nation, and we will work to keep it that way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether or not Trump succeeds in shutting down the department, Capsello said his words are already having an impact when it comes to recruitment. It is very difficult to staff our buildings with certified teachers. And I am gravely concerned that this is going to now extend it, Capsello said. What do two of our local members of Congress have to say? It falls along party lines. Democrat Congressman John Mannion, who is also a former teacher, tells NewsChannel 9: I strongly believe that the role the Department of Education plays in funding schools and supporting students, especially those with disabilities, is so important to our countrys success that it must remain a cabinet-level agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other side of the aisle, Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, tells NewsChannel 9: Each year, we pour billions of dollars into the ineffective and often corrupt Department of Education, which continues to fail our children, adding, The future of America depends on an education system that prioritizes academic achievement, not woke ideology. Copyright 2025 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 WSYR. When people look for a home-run investment, they tend to look at the lottery ticket types -- a high-risk stock with an unproven business, hoping to get lucky and hit big. It's great if a speculative investment works out, but you might be better off heading to the nearest casino and betting it all on red or black. I think it's better to go against the crowd and identify a fantastic business the market has doubts about. Look at what Warren Buffett's investment in Apple became. Contrary to popular belief, you can strike it rich on established, high-quality companies. Today, a well-known supercharged growth stock trades at a compelling valuation due to concerns about technological threats. It seems the market has gotten overly pessimistic, creating a fat pitch that could be a multibagger over the long term. Here is what you need to know about the opportunity in Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER). The market believes autonomous vehicles will wipe out Uber Technologies Technological innovation has seemingly accelerated since artificial intelligence (AI) came into the spotlight in early 2023. The idea of autonomous (self-driving) vehicles isn't new. Tesla and Waymo (Alphabet), the perceived leaders in vehicle autonomy, have worked on the technology for years. That said, AI seems to have greased the wheels of progress. Tesla CEO Elon Musk noted in late 2023 that Tesla was converting approximately 300,000 lines of programming logic used for vehicle decision-making to a neural network, using AI and machine learning to interpret data. Tesla held a Robotaxi unveiling in October 2024 and has set goals to launch a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Texas and California this year. Waymo is even further along than Tesla. The Alphabet-owned company has launched autonomous fleets in a handful of U.S. cities. It's already operating in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, with plans to launch in Austin, Texas; Atlanta; and Miami next. Investors worry Uber won't be able to compete with autonomous fleet competitors that don't have to pay a human driver. Uber's cost of revenue (primarily driver compensation) represented 60% of total revenue through three quarters of 2024, making it the company's biggest expense by a wide margin. The argument doesn't hold up well under scrutiny The reasoning behind these concerns initially makes sense, but becomes flawed as you dive deeper. Investors could be dramatically overestimating how imminent widespread autonomous fleets are. First, the technology itself isn't close to perfected yet. Waymo has achieved SAE level 4, which qualifies for autonomous driving in some (not all) situations. Tesla's self-driving technology is still SAE level 2, requiring human supervision from the driver's seat. In addition, there are regulatory and liability issues, plus extensive testing for every state or market in which these companies hope to launch. CAMPTON, Ky. (FOX 56) The Wolfe County Sheriffs Office said counterfeit money is making the rounds again. The department said they have received multiple reports of counterfeit money being used across the community. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: In a Facebook post, the department included images of the counterfeit money along with their warning. (Wolfe County Sheriffs Office) All business owners and community members are urged to be cautious, check the serial numbers, and aware at this time. These 20s have the same serial numbers! the department wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Jan. 20A judge has rejected a request from attorneys for indicted state Supreme Court Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi to reconsider an earlier ruling denying a motion to dismiss the indictments against her and disqualify Attorney General John Formella from the case. Merrimack Superior Court Judge Martin P. Honigberg wrote in a December ruling that Hantz Marconi's lawyer, Richard Guerriero, had argued that Formella represents now-former Gov. Chris Sununu, a key witness in the case, and "cannot serve two masters" in prosecuting Hantz Marconi, asking that the AG be disqualified from the case and the indictments alleging she interfered with a criminal investigation involving her husband be dismissed. Hantz Marconi was indicted by a Merrimack County grand jury on two felony charges: attempt to commit improper influence and criminal solicitation of improper influence after she allegedly interfered with a criminal investigation involving her husband, Geno Marconi, director of the Division of Ports and Harbors in the Pease Development Authority. Geno Marconi has been on paid leave since April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hantz Marconi also was charged with five misdemeanors: criminal solicitation of official oppression, official oppression, obstructing government administration and two counts of criminal solicitation of misuse of position. Her license to practice law in New Hampshire has been suspended while she is on administrative leave from the court. The indictments claim Hantz Marconi solicited Sununu "to improperly influence a member and/or members of the New Hampshire Department of Justice regarding an investigation into Geno Marconi." In a ruling issued Dec. 17 denying the motion to dismiss, Judge Honigberg writes that "even assuming AG Formella owes much of his legal career to Governor Sununu, the Court is not convinced that such a history requires disqualification" without factual proof that Formella "has been or will be unable to perform his statutorily mandated duty to remain impartial given his personal relationship with the governor." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The court thus concludes that AG Formella's disqualification would needlessly strip him of his statutory duty to prosecute this case," Judge Honigberg writes. In a motion to reconsider the ruling, Guerriero argued that the court failed to recognize that Hantz Marconi is "protected by constitutional rights that to do not apply to civil litigants" and as a result, "improperly required a showing of actual prejudice." In a ruling dated Jan. 16, Honigberg writes the court disagrees with the defendant that it required her to show actual prejudice. "The court did not overlook or misapprehend the differences between the cited cases and this case," Honigberg writes. "Rather, the court recognized that each of the cited cases was distinguishable from this case in different ways and, given the lack of directly applicable mandatory authority ... concluded that, under the facts alleged, there was not a significant risk that the Attorney General's representation would be materially limited." A hearing in the matter is scheduled for Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. in Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord. Jan. 20Couy Griffin doesn't want a presidential pardon and will turn it down if offered, he said Monday. Instead, he wants the courts to exonerate him for his actions at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. A former Otero County commissioner and founder of Cowboys for Trump, Griffin became one of the most visible faces of the Jan. 6 attack when he stood on a terrace outside the Capitol Building and recorded videos of the raucous protest. Throughout his campaign, President Donald Trump repeatedly vowed to pardon many of the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol four years ago. Griffin is one of at least five New Mexicans who potentially could receive a pardon if Trump does so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press reported late Monday that Trump issued hundreds of pardons for participants in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol among his first acts after being sworn in as president. Griffin said Monday that he's not interested. "I want my justification to come from the courts, not a pardon," Griffin said in a phone interview. "Pardons are given to guilty people and I'm not guilty in what I've been convicted of." Griffin was convicted in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in March 2022 of entering a restricted area outside the U.S. Capitol. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden sentenced Griffin to 14 days imprisonment, but credited him for 20 days he served in jail after his arrest. McFadden also acquitted Griffin of a disorderly conduct charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Griffin's attorneys in that case called it a "foolish decision" to turn down a presidential pardon if offered. David Smith, a Virginia attorney who represented Griffin in the Capitol breach case, said Griffin is likely to receive a pardon because he did not engage in violence or even enter the Capitol Building that day. "To the extent he wants to listen to me, even though I'm not technically his lawyer anymore, I would strongly advise him to accept any pardon he receives," Smith said Monday in a phone interview. "It just seems very, very foolish to try to reject a pardon if one comes through, because that would certainly relieve him of a lot of the negative consequences of being convicted," Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griffin became a national figure during the Jan. 6 attack when he recorded videos from the Capitol terrace with hundreds of noisy flag-waving protestors standing behind him. Griffin "got up on the wall to face the crowd, and was able to borrow a bullhorn to lead the group in prayer," according to a statement written by a Washington, D.C., Metropolitan police detective. "It's a great day for America," Griffin said in the video, wearing a black Stetson and western-style shirt. "The people are showing they've had enough." Griffin said Monday that he didn't realize he was violating federal laws by standing on the Capitol terrace that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If I would have known it was restricted, I wouldn't have gone in there," he said. "I respect the law. I'm not a, not a lawbreaker." Griffin said he has appealed his District Court conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking a reversal. "Pardons are political, Supreme Court decisions aren't," he said. Griffin's federal conviction ended his career as an Otero County commissioner by a judge's order in 2022. First Judicial District Judge Francis Mathew ordered Griffin's immediate removal from office for violating a clause in the U.S. Constitution that bars people who participate in insurrections from holding public office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clause in the 14th Amendment was intended to bar former Confederates from regaining office after the Civil War. Griffin's removal from office marked the first time since 1869 the clause had been invoked. Unknown is whether Griffin would be eligible to hold office again if he received a pardon for his federal crime. Griffin said Monday he has no interest in serving again on the Otero County Commission. "There's a new commissioner in there now," he said. "The only way that I would get that seat back is if I were to run for it again and I don't see myself doing that." A Cox Communications-branded home router provides ethernet and wifi access. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) A dispute over the data used to develop Rhode Islands $108 million high-speed internet program has been dropped, though details of the compromise are still fuzzy. Cox Communications and Rhode Island Commerce Corporation in a joint statement on Friday announced their legal spat had been voluntarily dismissed, allowing the Ocean State to proceed with next steps in its Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The $42 billion program authorized under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law aims to bring high-speed internet to underserved communities nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cox in September challenged Rhode Islands plan for how to spend the states share of federal funding, contending Rhode Island Commerce relied on inaccurate and outdated broadband maps which incorrectly identified 30,000 homes statewide as underserved communities in need of a better connection. The complaint was originally filed in Providence County Superior Court. After a state judge ruled details of the federally administered program were better left to federal court, Cox appealed to the state Supreme Court. The appeal has been dropped as of Jan. 16, according to court documents. The notice to dismiss the appeal does not offer any explanation for the decision, or settlement terms. Matt Touchette, a spokesperson for Commerce, initially referred a request for comment on details of the settlement to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is overseeing the broadband rollout to states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Touchette later offered additional explanation via email. We were able to refine the identification of served, unserved, and underserved locations, as defined by the NTIA, across Rhode Island, Touchette said. Supplemental information provided by Cox allowed us to better pinpoint additional served locations, including those supported by existing networks and those that Cox has committed to build. A spokesperson for NTIA declined to comment. Cox did not respond to questions on Tuesday. However, the internet service provider hinted that it has gotten at least some of what it asked for. The finalized maps represent our network throughout Rhode Island and Coxs performance in those service areas, Stephanie Federico, a Cox spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday. Although we did not prevail on every front, the approved maps allay our concerns related to overbuilding and the creation of duplicative networks. As a result, Cox has withdrawn all legal challenges related to the states BEAD deployment plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cox is the fifth largest internet service provider and largest private broadband company nationwide, serving 7 million homes and businesses across 18 states. In Rhode Island, it competes primarily with Verizon, as local internet service providers have largely disappeared, although Block Island began its own municipal broadband service in 2023. The resolution of the legal dispute allows Rhode Island to check another box on the to-do list for the detailed federal program: the formal challenge process to its proposal. The approval of Rhode Islands BEAD Challenge Process allows us to proceed with this historic investment of $108.7 million into Rhode Island, Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner said in a statement. This federal funding is crucial for Rhode Island to remain competitive in todays fast-paced economy. Bringing high-speed internet to Rhode Island neighborhoods wont happen quickly. Rhode Island still has to seek bids from contractors interested in carrying out pieces of the multi-million dollar program, then submit those proposals to federal regulators for final approval, due no later than July 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the change in presidential administration, federal regulators announced on Dec. 23 that they were streamlining some of the requirements to help states get money out the door more quickly. How President Donald Trump might attempt to hold up the Biden-era initiative, if at all, remains unclear. Were proceeding as if everything is happening, Touchette said in an interview on Tuesday. Were watching closely. Its only day two. Updated to include additional comment from Rhode Island Commerce and a response from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX UPDATE 12:11 P.M. According to police, the car was allegedly stolen and crashed by the suspect. That suspect has been taken into custody. ORIGINAL STORY OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Emergency crews responded after a truck drove into a building in northwest Oklahoma City Tuesday morning. Officials say the collision happened near NW 10th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. The driver was taken to a nearby hospital. No other injuries have been reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police are still investigating the cause of the collision. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Crews battled a two-alarm fire at a commercial building in northwest Charlotte, according to the Charlotte Fire Department. Around 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday, crews responded to the 1700 block of Tar Heel Road about a tanker trailer on fire inside a warehouse. When they arrived, they saw fire from the roof of a chemical exchange facility. No injuries were reported, officials said. Roughly 15 minutes later, a second alarm was struck and the fire was fully controlled just after 8 a.m. CFD said there was a tanker inside the building that was on fire as a result of some type of chemical exchange and explosion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the tanker and the building were damaged in the incident. Credit: Charlotte Fire Department Credit: Charlotte Fire Department Credit: Charlotte Fire Department Credit: Charlotte Fire Department Credit: Charlotte Fire Department Investigators determined the fire was an accident caused by the improper thawing of a known chemical which resulted in the reaction. The estimated damage loss is $425,000 CFD says it conducted thorough air and water quality tests out of caution and all came back negative, confirming no danger to the public from smoke or runoff. Our firefighters quick response and coordination ensured the fire was contained rapidly, and extensive monitoring confirmed there were no public health risks, said Fire Chief Reginald Johnson. We are proud of the diligence and professionalism our team demonstrated in protecting the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Odessa Crime Stoppers, an organization dedicated to aiding law enforcement with information about crime, gave us an inside look at its history, local crimes, cold cases, and its overall mission: to help provide closure to all victims of crime. Crime Stoppers originally began in 1976 in Albuquerque, New Mexico after a young college student was murdered in broad daylight and there were no witnesses to the crime. The program was created by one detective, who partnered with the local media to reenact the unsolved homicide. Tips from that news story ultimately led to an arrest and a case closed. Five years later, the Crime Stoppers program was brought into Odessa. ABC Big 2 spoke with the Odessa Crime Stoppers CEO, Susan Rogers, who shared how far the program has come. Watch the video below to hear how far Crime Stoppers has improved over time, and the advancements that were made: Rogers said that after coming a long way in the criminal investigations field with technological advancements, detectives with the Odessa Police Department and the Ector County Sheriffs Office are not dealing with many cases that get cold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our detectives at the PD and the Sheriffs Office are so talented and good at their jobs right now that you dont have a whole lot of cases that go coldwe still have a few, but not like you did back in the 70s and 80s when you didnt have the tools that we have today. Roger said that the cases she and the organization work mainly on now are the ones from a time when technology was not as advanced as it is today. Weve got a ton of cold cases. Like I said, you know, back in the day, there wasnt the technology that we have today to solve them Rogers said. I would say theres probably at least 50, that I have in my file cabinet of things that weve kept up with. And according to Rogers, most of the cases are solvable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law enforcement agencies havent forgotten. We certainly havent forgotten and we want to keep it out there. Theres a bunch of solvable cases, Rogers said. I think the PD and the Sheriffs Office will tell you that theres cases that are solvable. We just need people to come forward and talk to us about what happened. Rogers said that over the years of working with Crime Stoppers, several cases have stuck with her. You feel their pain of not knowing what happened. On a missing person, not knowing where that person is. On a homicide, not knowing who did that. Nobodys been brought to justice for that, Rogers said. Theres several that stick with me all the time. One of them we just got an arrest made on Watch the video below to hear one case that has stuck with Rogers, and the recent arrest that was made of Jose Marcelino, the man found guilty of murdering his wife, Guadalupe Petey Paredes, and who was on the run for nearly 30 years: A wanted poster made by the father of Guadalupe Petey Paredes: He printed in English and he printed in Spanish on this side. And he would bring me a new one of these every year. To help connect the community to unsolved crimes, Rogers said the Odessa Crime Stoppers program has added some proactive measures, such as the programs very own true crime podcast, Behind the Line. Watch the video below to hear some more about the podcast, and how it helped identify people involved in local cold cases: This year, Rogers said that she hopes to get more episodes on Odessa Crime Stoppers Behind the Line Podcast, and continue making efforts to raise awareness; some of those efforts include jail playing cards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2006, we did a deck of playing cards, and those had unsolved cases, and they were missing persons, homicides, and if it was someone that had a warrant that a lot of due diligence had been done on, like Marcellino, he was on therewe took those cards, and we were able to put them inside the jail here in Ector County, Rogers said. The sheriff at the time took out the regular playing cards and put our playing cards in, so if you were an inmate back then, you played with those cards. Rogers said this year she wants to bring back the playing cards, and make them available for purchase by inmates in the commissary. Theres a lot of information in there, (jails/prisons) you know, and we want that information to come out. So we do those kinds of things, Rogers said. Overall, Rogers said all the efforts from the Odessa organization are to be more proactive, rather than reactive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know, there was a time when Crime Stoppers was always reactive, meaning that once the crime happened and the investigators had exhausted all their leads, then Crime Stoppers would get involved, Rogers said. Now we do some more proactive things. With Student Crime Stoppers, we do a shred day where people bring out their documents, those sort of things, and we shred them for them. We do that because theres a lot of fraud, theres a lot of senior fraud, and we want to get in front of thata lot of Crime Stopper Programs in the country have taken a turn to do some of those proactive tips on how to not be a victim. And so weve kind of started doing that as well. From playing cards, podcasts, and social media sharing, to community service outreach and more, Odessa Crime Stoppers is working to bring light to cases and hopefully provide closure to families. Even though Crime Stoppers has advanced a lot, we still need information from the public, Rogers said in a message to the community. You can watch the rest of her message, here: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youll find a full list of open cases and may submit tips online here. Copyright 2025 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 Yourbasin. Editors Note: The Abilene Police Department supplied the following arrest and incident reports. All information below comes from reports made by responding officers, and all suspects are considered not guilty unless determined otherwise in a court of law. Incidents 1000 block of S 10th Street Criminal Mischief A victim reported a suspect damaged her vehicle. 4400 block of Buffalo Gap Road Terroristic Threat of Family/Household A victim reported her ex-boyfriend threatened to stab her and slit her throat if she came back onto a hotel property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4500 block of S 1st Street Fraudulent Use/Possession of Identifying Information A victim stated someone used her debit card to take cash from her band account. 1500 block of Sylvan Drive Forgery A victim reported his ex-wife signed his name on a check in order to endorse it over to herself. 1900 block of Fulton Street Assault Family Violence Police took a report in reference to an assault that occurred in north Abilene. 4500 block of S 1st Street Forgery A manager of an Abilene business filed a report for forgery. 400 block of Willow Street Theft of Firearm Police took a report in reference to theft of a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 800 block of S Clack Street Theft of Property A local business reported a rental trailer was not returned. 600 block of Beech Street Assault A victim alleged someone assaulted her at her residence. 4300 block of Southwest Drive Criminal Trespass A report for criminal mischief was taken in south Abilene. 2300 block of Crown Place Terroristic Threat Reaction A report for terroristic threat was taken in south Abilene. 2500 block of Barrow Street Criminal Simulation A report for fraud was taken at a south Abilene business. 4300 block of Southwest Drive Theft of Property A suspect was identified in the theft of a laptop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3700 block of Ridgemont Drive Theft of Property A suspect was arrested for theft of property. 4300 block of Southwest Drive Theft of Property A suspect was identified as being involved in a theft. 4300 block of Southwest Drive Theft of Property A theft report was taken in south Abilene. 4300 block of Southwest Drive Theft of Property A theft report was taken in south Abilene. UNDISCLOSED LOCATION Aggravated Assault Deadly Weapon An aggravated assault report was taken in south Abilene after a victim reported a suspect pointed a gun at them during a road rage incident. 800 block of Formosa Drive Assault A suspect was arrested in south Abilene and transported to jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1800 block of Sayles Boulevard Assault Family Violence An assault family violence arrest was made in south Abilene. 3300 block of S 8th Street Assault Family Violence A victim reported her boyfriend assaulted her, causing injury. 3100 block of Orange Street Assault Family Violence A known suspect placed her hand on the chest of the victim. 400 block of Poplar Street Theft of Mail A theft report was taken in south Abilene. 2500 block of S Clack Street Burglary of Building A south Abilene citizen reported a backpack worth $175 was stolen. 2300 block of S 34th Street Burglary of Habitation A report was taken for attempted burglary of habitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4300 block of Antilley Road Theft of Property A license plate was reported stolen. 3000 block of S Willis Street Assault A victim reported she was assaulted by her daughter. 6400 block of Glen Abbey Assault Family Violence A suspect was arrested for assault family violence in south Abilene. 300 block of Kirkwood Street Accident Involving Injury 500 block of Westview Drive Criminal Trespass 1800 block of River Oaks Road Burglary of Vehicle A victim reported his vehicle was burglarized by an unknown suspect. 2200 block of Lowden Street Theft of Mail 5700 block of Lark Court Criminal Mischief A victim was held against their will by a known suspect, who did wish to press charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1100 block of Musken Road Aggravated Assault Deadly Weapon A known suspect threatened his mother with a knife. UNDISCLOSED LOCATION Criminal Mischief Police responded to a disturbance in progress where a known suspect is accused of punching a victims mirror. 1400 block of Delano Street Assault Police responded to a disturbance in north Abilene. 200 block of S Pioneer Drive Assault A victim reported a known suspect struck him with a display rack. Arrests Andrew Gagnon Building Code Violation, Possession of Controlled Substance Johnny Esparza Assault Threat/Contact Anthoni Gonzales Unlawful Restraint Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karen Redi Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Dangerous Drug, Warrant Leonardo Rangel-Rodriguez Driving While Intoxicated Alfredo Robels-Cortez Warrant Marcus Esparza Theft of Property Brandon Greer Warrant Charles Foster Driving While Intoxicated Sabrina Colson Assault Patsy Costalez Assault Family Violence Jorrian Moses Violation of Bond/Protective Order Emily Walker Assault Family Violence Billy Harbour Warrant Lauren Riggs Assault Family Violence John Guerra Warrant Eduardo Escobar Driving While Intoxicated Priscilla Esparza Driving While Intoxicated Luis Diaz Cordero Driving While Intoxicated Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tony Duarte Resist Arrest, Public Intoxicated Odelle Skinner Warrant, Failure to Identify Copyright 2025 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Donald Trump never misses a good brand opportunity. You can buy collectible Trump trading cards, limited-edition autographed Trump guitars, $499 Trump Won low-top sneakers, and Trump-endorsed Bibles. Long before he got into politics, Trump peddled liquor (Trump Vodka), education (Trump University), and meat (Trump Steaks). But Trumps latest enterprisea new cryptocurrency token named $TRUMPmight be his most brazen yet. After his team launched the token on Friday evening, the price per coin shot from $6 to more than $70 within about a day. Because two of Trumps affiliate companies own 80 percent of the total supply of the coin, Trump essentially manifested more than $10 billion in a single weekend. At one point this weekend, Axios estimated that $TRUMP momentarily accounted for about 89 percent of Trumps net worth, making him one of the richest people in the world. And last night, Melania Trump announced her own coin, $MELANIA. Throughout Trumps long history of cashing in on his personal brand, there has never been such a dramatic injection of artificial value. Both $TRUMP and $MELANIA are so-called memecoins. There are no business fundamentals under the hood, no practical use cases to speak of. Memecoins are typically spun up in a matter of minutes, whisked to massively overinflated valuations on social media, and promptly dumped on the suckers who bought in a few moments too late. Its an incredibly efficient, incredibly predictable, and incredibly predatory playbook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arc of a memecoins market cycle almost always bends toward zero: A coin inspired by the Hawk Tuah girl was worth $500 million just after it launched late last year and swiftly lost 99 percent of its value. Other silly tokens, such as the inauspiciously named $BODEN (an unofficial, unsanctioned riff on President Joe Bidens lame-duck era) have experienced similar collapses. Its the same story in each case: Insiders and early adopters turn a quick profit at the expense of latecomers. And although its definitely possible that Trumps position of global influence gives $TRUMP more staying power than the typical memecoin, its arguably even more volatile than cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, that are not exactly stable in their own right. The value of $TRUMP has already dipped by more than half and is now worth less than $8 billion. In a sense, the $TRUMP token represents a natural move for the president. He has made an enormous effort to position himself as a powerful ally of the crypto industry: Trump has said he plans to create a strategic national bitcoin stockpile and promoted another crypto business with his three sons just weeks before the election. Trump announced the coin on Truth Social on Friday night at the same time as the pre-inauguration Crypto Ball, a ritzy celebration emceed by David Sacks, a tech entrepreneur and podcast host whom Trump has tapped as his crypto czar. It was meant as a kind of debutante ceremony: After four years of what the industry has interpreted as targeted sanctions and harassment from SEC Chair Gary Gensler and other steely regulators, crypto is finally free to become the fullest version of itself. Whether memecoins are even legal is a matter of dispute. Bidens SEC regularly went after crypto companies for issuing coins that appeared to violate existing securities laws. But Trump himself is picking the next SEC chair. Theres also the question of what Trumps new tens of billions of dollars on paper end up amounting to in the real world, because most of the total token supply hasnt actually been issued, and because any attempt to start cashing out would no doubt tank the price. Still, even after Trump has promised a new golden age for crypto during his second administration, his new hypothetical billions practically cement his interest in a more hands-off approach to the industry. Keep in mind: Trump called bitcoin a scam just a few years ago, when crypto didnt seem to suit his interests. Trump is far less likely to level those kinds of judgments in the future. Another potential issue is that because memecoins are so lightly regulated, anyone can buy them, whether they are 12-year-olds with a parents credit card or North Korean hackers looking for leverage over the global economy. Some of the available supply of Trumps official cryptocurrency might already be controlled by foreign interests. Theres also the chance that Trumps memecoin gambit could inspire other world political and cultural leaders to release similar coins. (Lorenzo Sewell, the pastor who administered todays inaugural prayer, has already announced a $LORENZO coin.) If foreign actors get their hands on Trumps supposedly America-first economic initiatives, the administrations promise to turn the country into a bitcoin superpower starts to feel a little hollower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although much of the crypto world has been eagerly awaiting Trumps return to the White House, a new sense of unease has settled over some of the industrys biggest defenders, who recognize that memecoins dont exactly reflect well on crypto. Memecoins are zero-sum, the investor Balaji Srinivasan, typically aligned with Trump, reminded his followers on X over the weekend. There is no wealth creation And after an initial spike, the price eventually crashes and the last buyers lose everything. Nic Carter, a prominent crypto investor and Trump supporter, reasons that the unease is indicative of a broader panic, a slow-growing sense that Trump cant be controlled in the way the industry might want. $TRUMP exposed the worst parts of the crypto industry to the public eye in a way that really didnt need to happen, right when we were on the cusp of legitimacy, he told me today. A Trump Steak might not be the juiciest cut youve ever eaten, but at least its a piece of real meatsomething you can see and touch. $TRUMP enthusiasts wont even get that much. Article originally published at The Atlantic With wild fires raging in Los Angeles and flooding closer to home, Gov. Ned Lamont called Tuesday for measures to combat climate change in Connecticut in order to preserve property and even save lives. The state was hit by unexpected flooding in 2024 that resulted in multiple deaths as areas that were not known for flooding were suddenly inundated with fast-moving water, including Oxford and Seymour. Lamont called for increasing access to flood insurance, reducing development in areas prone to flooding, increasing state oversight in high-risk areas, and better planning for new bridges and culverts in areas that have become more prone to the environment. The measures will be included in a bill that will be unveiled next month and will be debated in the coming weeks and months by the state legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a time when state and national news show hurricanes and damaging winds, Lamont expressed concern and said it is time to take action. I dont think were winning. I think were losing, Lamont told reporters at the state Capitol in Hartford. As I look around the country, ask L.A. Ask Florida. Ask North Carolina. Climate change is real, and these extreme weather effects are costing us more and more every day. Were playing catch-up. I used to think that resiliency was all about the shoreline and rising sea levels. Then heres the Little Creek right in the middle of central Connecticut. The once-tiny waterway that caused major damage at the Klarides Plaza shopping center in Seymour is known as the Little River, which overflowed in a 1,000-year storm that dumped as much as 16 inches of rain in mere hours and caused extensive damages for roads and businesses. Residents were flabbergasted that the extensive damage came from a tiny brook that is normally only 10 feet wide and one foot deep. With the torrential rains, the brook quickly swelled to 40 feet wide and 20 feet deep. That allowed the water to rise quickly and cause major damage to more than a dozen retail outlets in the plaza Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, Lamont has announced that 278 small businesses and nonprofit organizations in multiple towns in Fairfield, Litchfied, and New Haven counties had received a combined total of nearly $6 million in emergency funding through one-time grants. The businesses reported having $38 million in damages, which does not include additional damages for roads and small bridges that were washed out in various towns. On a national level, Lamont said he was stunned by a first-day executive order Monday by Republican President Donald J. Trump. I was really dismayed that one of the first executive orders the president signed was getting us out of the Paris climate accords, Lamont said. New England produces as much C0-2 emissions in a year as China does in a day. If we cant work internationally, were going to continue losing on this. I want to make sure that the rest of the world sees that Connecticut and more importantly, America, is taking the lead and not reneging on our responsibilities. Locally, severe flooding in multiple counties caused three deaths and nearly $300 million in property damage on August 18, 2024 as Oxford and Seymour were particularly hard hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was shocked when I went down to the Naugatuck Valley after that flooding and nobody had any flood insurance, Lamont said. It wasnt in the floodplain. Were going to make sure that doesnt happen again. Under Lamonts plan, bank, insurance and mortgage companies, and insurance brokers will be required to provide details on flooding insurance to new homeowners at the mortgage signing. If the new homeowner refuses to buy flood insurance, that must be documented, officials said. Weather impacts Aside from the severe flooding in Oxford and Seymour, state officials cited instances of extreme weather that included: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heavy rain that flooded the Yantic River in Norwich in January 2024 and raised concerns about the near-failure of the Fitchville Pond Dam in Bozrah Excessive flooding that stranded families in Scotland in Windham County after two bridges collapsed in September 2023 One of the largest brush fires in recent state history that damaged acres on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin and Meriden that caused the death of a volunteer firefighter and was not extinguished for several weeks. Besides various one-time events, the year that stretched from July of 2023 to June of 2024 was recorded as the most rain in state history, while 2024 marked the warmest year ever. The summer of 2024 marked the warmest summer in the city of Hartford. Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com Tokyo-based insurer Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance is reportedly considering raising wages by an average of 5% for all of its 47,000 employees in the upcoming fiscal year starting in April, reported Bloomberg. This move comes as part of a government-led campaign to bolster wages and stimulate economic recovery. For the 11,000 internal staff members at Meiji Yasuda, who handle planning, investment and office work, this marks the second consecutive year of wage increases. The company's 36,000 sales staff will see their pay rise for the fourth year in a row. The wage plan will be finalised after discussions with the labour union, with younger employees at the company for five years or less set to receive an 8% pay hike, reported NHK World. In addition to this, Meiji Yasuda is also boosting the starting salary for new university graduates. Those joining the company from April can expect to start at a monthly salary of as much as Y332,000 (approximately $2,100). This is an increase from previous starting salaries for graduates. The company's decision aligns with the Japanese Trade Union Confederation's (RENGO) call last year for wage hikes of at least 5% by 2025, reported Reuters. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who has been in office since October 2024, has emphasised wage growth as a key element of his economic policy, aiming to support the country's tentative economic recovery. Last month, Meiji Yasuda also announced the upcoming expiration of its partnership agreement with Talanx, initially signed in 2010. The agreement will end on 31 December 2025. Meiji Yasuda agreed on the economic terms for transferring its shares in Warta Group and Europa Group, which it acquired in 2012, back to Talanx. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance was established through the merger of Meiji Life Insurance and Yasuda Mutual Life Insurance, two of Japan's oldest life insurers. According to its website, as of 1 October 2024, the company operates with 105 regional offices and market development departments, 1,033 agency offices and 19 group marketing departments. "Meiji Yasuda plans 5% wage increase for 47,000 staff " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. A Westbrook mother was arrested last week and accused of harassing a school official in a series of emails over the holiday break, referencing the officials children and a relative battling brain cancer and appearing to wish death on someone close to her. Alicia Davis, 35, turned herself in last Friday at Troop F in Westbrook on a warrant charging her with second-degree harassment and second-degree stalking, according to Connecticut State Police. The warrant affidavit supporting Davis arrest said the superintendent of Regional School District 4 contacted the Essex Resident State Trooper on Jan. 2 and reported that a school official had received multiple emails from Davis, a mother of two children in the district. The emails were described as inflammatory and disturbing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school official told the trooper that Davis had sent her at least five emails over the holiday break and a friend request on Facebook. The woman who described herself as an advocate for Davis and her children said the information in the emails was indicative of Davis doing research on her and her family, the warrant affidavit said. Ms. Davis made reference to my children and my sick (redacted), who is battling brain cancer, and seemingly wished death upon my (redacted) which was disturbing, the victim told police in a statement, according to the warrant affidavit. May the lord bless you with the year you deserve, Davis reportedly wrote in one of the emails, the warrant affidavit said. I really pray that the lord doesnt punish you by allowing your (redacted) to die because of all the harm and abuse you are willing to inflict unto other children, publicly asking for help for your family and expecting people to help meanwhile you turn your backs on other children who are also in life or death situations. I was very disturbed to find out that your family has a childhood cancer case and yet you are still so careless and reckless with other peoples lives, Davis wrote, according to the warrant affidavit. I hope the world doesnt turn your back on you and leave your (redacted) to suffer and die alone like youve all done to my kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another email, Davis allegedly demanded a reply and told the victim I hate your guts, according to the warrant affidavit. She also reportedly referenced a previous communication with her, advising her before you go crying about how you think Ill hurt you or other kids that it was a voice message that got messed up, the warrant affidavit said. Davis also allegedly wrote that once her kids were safe and out, she would get her real final (redacted) out thatll send you crying to the police, according to the warrant affidavit. The victim told police that Davis had previously told her she had researched her using Google and knew her marital status, family status and other intimate details that she does not have any reason knowing, the warrant affidavit said. According to the warrant affidavit, the trooper noted that he had previously investigated a harassment complaint involving Davis last September and that, since April 2024, she has had an extensive record of alarming emails involving other administrators. State police obtained a warrant for Davis arrest before she turned herself in. She is free on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in New Britain Superior Court on Feb. 7. Most Czech citizens are losing interest in events in Ukraine, with nearly 60% disapproving of their government's support for Ukraine in its defence against Russias full-scale aggression. Source: data from the Czech Public Opinion Research Centre (CVVM), reported by European Pravda Details: In the last quarter of 2024, 43% of respondents expressed interest in the development of the war in Ukraine 14 percentage points lower than at the beginning of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This marks the first time since 2022 that interest in Ukraine's events among Czechs has fallen below 50%. Throughout 2023, this figure hovered around 60%. Support for the Czech government's actions in aiding Ukraine stands at 36%. Meanwhile, 30% of respondents "strongly disagree" with the governments approach, and 28% "somewhat disagree". Overall, disapproval has risen by 4 percentage points over the past year, with those strongly opposing the governments actions increasing by 5 percentage points. For comparison, in 2022, immediately following the start of the Russian invasion, 58% of Czechs supported their government's assistance to Ukraine, while 35% opposed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this decline in support, nearly three-quarters of respondents believe the international community should apply diplomatic pressure on Russia. Political and economic isolation of Russia is supported by 49% of respondents, 45% agree with providing financial aid to Ukraine, 42% back the delivery of military equipment and 11% would send troops to Ukraine to participate in combat operations. The CVVM survey was conducted from 12 September to 28 November 2024, with 1,008 participants. Background: In December 2024, another survey revealed that most Western Europeans believe Ukraine's allies are not doing enough, both in terms of economic sanctions against Moscow and military and other aid to Kyiv, to prevent a Russian victory in the war. It also showed a sharp decline in Western Europes willingness to support Ukraine "until victory", despite it being a critical time for Kyiv. Support UP or become our patron! A Washington, D.C., man is facing charges in connection with a home invasion in Adamstown early Sunday. Police indicated that at least three other people might have been involved in the home invasion, but did not identify them or say whether they would be charged. According to a press release, the residents told police that two people forcibly entered their home and held them at gunpoint while demanding drugs and money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Darius Maurico Jones, 31, is facing one count each of armed robbery, use of a firearm in a violent crime, illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with a felony conviction and illegal possession of ammunition. Online court records show that he is eligible for a public defender, but no attorney was listed for him as of Monday afternoon. According to a press release issued on Sunday, deputies from the Frederick County Sheriffs Office responded to a home in the 5600 block of Doubs Road in Adamstown just after midnight on Sunday for a report of a robbery in progress. When deputies arrived, they reportedly heard gunshots coming from inside the home. Two residents of the home were found sitting in a vehicle in the driveway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not clear whether the residents were injured, but the press release says they declined medical treatment. Shortly after deputies arrived, the press release says, two people matching the descriptions provided by the residents were arrested on Doubs Court. One of the people arrested on Doubs Court was taken to a hospital for treatment after he was found to have two gunshot wounds. According to the press release, another two people believed to be connected to the home invasion were found in separate vehicles at a nearby gas station. One of those people was taken into custody and the other drove away from the scene, going from Frederick County through Montgomery County and ending in Washington, D.C., where the vehicle was found abandoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person who fled was still at large. In an email on Monday, Sheriffs Office spokesperson Katie Robine declined to share additional details about the home invasion, citing an ongoing investigation. Jones is being held at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center. A bail review hearing for Jones is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Now that he has been inaugurated anew, President Donald Trumps plans for the coming years grow more unhinged and concerning especially for those of us who work and have friends in the immigrant community. While Memphis sits nearly a thousand miles from the southern border, we will undoubtedly feel the pain of Trumps machinations, even if only a small percentage come true. While so many immigrants will suffer as a result of Trump and his policies policies we plan to address those in future columns, the fate of Dreamers weighs heavy on our minds. Congress first proposed protections for Dreamers 24 years ago In 2021, the DREAM Act was introduced by Senators Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. The bill would have offered permanent residency plus a pathway to citizenship for young people who arrived in the USA with their parents as youngsters, the so-called Dreamers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the heels of the passionate and persuasive efforts of so many young people, in late 2010, the Dream Act came up for a vote in the Senate (having passed through the House) but was killed by 41 Senators, two of whom (Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, and former Senator and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, R-Alabama) campaigned vigorously against it. Congressional inaction forced President Obama to sign an executive order called DACA Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in 2012. News story: Immigration fight could end a young career This executive action extended deferred action status (protection against deportation) to Dreamers for two years at a time along with work authorization. More than 830,000 individuals have taken advantage of DACA in the past 12 years: 99% graduated high school, 49% obtained at least some college, and 88% are currently working. Trump unsuccessfully tried to kill DACA in his first term In Memphis and throughout Tennessee, Dreamers are teachers in our schools, nurses and doctors in our hospitals, employees of St. Jude, Le Bonheur, FedEx, and IP, activists, mothers, and fathers. In short, they are Memphians, nearly 1,500 of whom currently depend on DACA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump tried to kill off DACA in his first term but due to administrative incompetence ran into court challenges, including at the highest level. The Supreme Court found that the Administration failed to go through the proper rule making procedure to eliminate DACA. Now, as darkness descends over D.C., the president has promised to deport millions of immigrants from the United States the vast majority of these people are hard-working individuals who have fled from governments that barely govern (Venezuela and Haiti come to mind) or nations that minimally protect or care for their citizens (Mexico and Honduras, for example). Memphians have a role in protecting Bluff City immigrants In a challenge pushed by Republican state Attorneys General, a federal judge in Texas ruled DACA to be illegal; he enjoined the federal government from approving new DACA petitions, but allowed the current nearly 550,000 DACA recipients to remain eligible for renewal. An appeals court recently affirmed this ruling. Once again, this case appears to be on a direct course to the Supreme Court. Bryce Ashby Trump and his new border czar now claim, despite past actions putting Dreamers in peril, that they support relief for DACA recipients, though they have failed to offer any plans for what that relief would look like. At the same time, Trump has advocated for deporting entire families including U.S. citizens if members of those families are undocumented. Such actions could swallow up most DACA recipients, 88% of whom live in mixed-status families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps verbal concessions to DACA recipients are revealing because they expose the weakness of his xenophobic movement. Mass deportations of millions of people are popular until those people have names and faces. They are popular until Americans remember that the deportees are our friends and neighbors. Even a thousand miles from the Mexican border, Memphis and Memphians will have a role to play in the coming immigration battle. We believe that this city is our home and it is here where we stake our claim. Michael LaRosa We can start by speaking out against President Trumps efforts to hurt our neighbors and their families. Demand that your Congress and Senate protect them. It is time to shed that sadness or despair that many of us have felt for the past month and begin the process of reclaiming what it means to be an American. And you can do that today. Bryce W. Ashby is an attorney with Donati Law, PLLC. Michael J. LaRosa is an associate professor of history at Rhodes College. The recently co-authored "Immigration, Policy and the People of Latin America; Seven Sending Nations" (Routledge). This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Trump in his new term turns DACA dream into a nightmare | Opinion Dangerous winds returned to Southern California on Tuesday as firefighters battled new fires amid dry conditions while two major blazes burned for a third week in the Los Angeles area. Forecasters warned that gusts could peak at 70mph (113kph) along the coast and 100mph (160kph) in the mountains and foothills during extreme fire weather that is expected to last until Tuesday morning. Wind speeds ranged from 35mph (56kph) along the coast to 63mph (101kph) at elevation overnight, according to the US National Weather Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weather service warned of a particularly dangerous situation in Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties owing to low humidity and damaging Santa Ana winds. A firefighter tackles the Lilac Fire in San Diego County - Noah Berger/AP Andrew Rorke, a meteorologist with the weather service in Oxnard, said: The conditions are ripe for explosive fire growth should a fire start. Firefighters responded to several small blazes across San Diego County. Evacuation orders were issued for the Lilac Fire, which had burned at least 80 acres (32 hectares) of dry brush and was threatening structures in the Bonsall area early on Tuesday, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, crews stopped the progress of the nearby Pala Fire, the agency said. Firefighters at the Lilac Fire in San Diego on Tuesday - Noah Berger/AP On Monday, Los Angeles firefighters quickly extinguished a small brush fire near the iconic triple-domed Griffith Observatory in a park overlooking the city. David Cuellar, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman, said that a man suspected of starting the fire was taken into custody. Firefighters also quickly extinguished a brush fire along Interstate 405 in the LA neighbourhood of Granada Hills that temporarily closed the northbound lanes. Kamala Harris, the former vice-president, and Doug Emhoff, her husband, flew to Los Angeles on Monday after attending Donald Trumps inauguration as US president and met firefighters, volunteers and victims of the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Some of the fires have now been burning for three weeks - Jae C Hong/AP We just came out to thank [the firefighters], to thank the community and just remind folks that were all in this together, Ms Harris said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the couples home in Pacific Palisades was still standing. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Santa Ana winds will continue whipping through Southern California through Thursday, sparking fears that progress made fighting wildfires that have scorched over 40,000 acres and left 28 dead could be reversed and more blazes could break out. More than 10 million people across parts of Southern California are under red flag warnings through Thursday amid gusty winds and ongoing extremely dry air, despite the expiration Tuesday of the National Weather Services Particularly Dangerous Situation warnings for parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The red flag warnings will be in place until 8 p.m. Thursday, with winds of 30 to 50 mph possible, along with isolated gusts of up to 65 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winds on Tuesday helped fuel new wildfires in San Diego County, but fire activity has already decreased significantly in the 85-acre Lilac Fire, which is now 50% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Pala Fire was stopped at 17 acres, authorities reported Tuesday, and evacuation orders were lifted, the San Diego County Sheriffs Office said. Another wildfire briefly broke out near the famed Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on Monday, but firefighters quickly put it out, with no damage to nearby structures. Small fires in the Granada Hills and Tujunga neighborhoods of Los Angeles were stopped before any homes were damaged or destroyed, and no evacuation orders were issued, LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley said Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County, which has burned 23,713 acres, was 63% contained, and LAs Eaton Fire was 89% contained at 14,021 acres as of Tuesday, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. Since the latest wind event began, hurricane-force gusts of 74 mph or more have roared over the regions mountains and valleys. Sill Hill, in the San Diego County Mountains, saw 102 mph gusts and Magic Mountain in Angeles National Forest, in the San Gabriel Mountains, had 88 mph gusts. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a windblown dust and ash advisory through Tuesday at 10 p.m. PT due to the strong winds and the particles left behind by the fires potentially impacting air quality throughout the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement unknown content item - Los Angeles bracing once again Firefighting teams pre-deployed in anticipation of the high winds and greater fire risk, officials said. The Los Angeles Fire Department has deployed all available resources and strategically positioned fire patrols and fire engines in the high-risk areas across the city of Los Angeles we are also strategically managing our emergency operations to ensure a rapid response to all new fires, Crowley said. Additionally, firefighting teams from around the region have also pre-positioned fire engines and firefighting aircraft across Southern California, according to Crowley. The Los Angeles Police Department has completed an exhaustive search for any missing persons or people who died within the Palisades Fire burn area within the city of Los Angeles, Assistant Chief Dominic Choi said Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have also established a staging area for residents of one Palisades neighborhood to be escorted safely to their properties and are working on offering more escorts as additional burn zones are deemed safe and stable enough. All of our unified commanders are doing everything they can to allow safe access to the residents in this community as soon as they can. And I thank all of you for your patience, Choi said. Residents at the staging area must provide identification or documentation proving they live in the community and will be provided with kits containing N95 masks and goggles to use in the burn zones, said Choi. Rain may be on the horizon Exceptionally dry air is expected to remain across Southern California, with relative humidity levels dropping to between 1% and 10%, but a low-pressure system expected to move into the area over the weekend could bring the first rainfall of the year so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While rainfall is not expected to exceed a half an inch, any amount is useful to help with containment and to slow the ongoing increases in drought for the area. Downtown Los Angeles last saw 0.1 inches of rainfall on May 5, 2024 258 days ago and has only seen 0.16 inches of rainfall since October 1. With no rainfall since the start of 2025, 90% of Los Angeles County is now in severe drought, according to the US Drought Monitor. But the possible rain could be a mixed blessing for a region blighted with chemically contaminated burn scars in areas prone to mudslide. Local leaders are preparing for any negative impact the rain could have on the scorched earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she issued an executive order to shore up burn areas and stem the flow of toxic debris should it rain over the weekend. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has extended an ocean advisory warning residents to avoid any contact with the water at certain beaches. Ash from the Los Angeles Fires may enter coastal water through surface water runoff and windblown ash. The ash may contain substances including arsenic, other metals, and asbestos, which can be harmful to human health, the advisory said. The advisory extends from Surfrider Beach to Dockweiler State Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I normally pray for rain. God knows we generally need it, Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park, who represents the Palisades district, said Tuesday. But right now, let me point out the obvious, the burn scar of the Palisades fire not only sits feet from the ocean itself, but already on hillsides that are already prone to slide. The City Council approved her motion instructing the Bureau of Engineering and LA Sanitation to create a comprehensive waste mitigation and slope stabilization plan, according to Park. She said the rain will spread the hazardous materials and contaminants left after the fires. When it rains, they flow into our gutters and storm drains, our creeks and waterways, and eventually, our beaches and ocean, Park said. President Trump comes to town President Donald Trump said he will visit California on Friday to survey the damage caused by the devastating wildfires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to send our love to everyone affected by the terrible wildfires raging in California, he said. Trump previously said he had not spoken to California Gov. Gavin Newsom since the outbreak of the wildfires, but has slammed the governor and other Democratic officials over the fire response and called them incompetent Meanwhile, former Vice President Kamala Harris flew to Los Angeles Monday afternoon, visited a fire station and distributed food to community members impacted by the wildfires. Harris is from California and before she was vice president served as a US senator representing California and the attorney general of the state. CNNs Robert Shackelford contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BELCHERTOWN, Mass. (WWLP) A dangerousness hearing was held for a Ware man who is facing several charges, including rape, kidnapping, and sexual contact with an animal. Multiple arrested during search warrant at Webb Court in Ware Michael Stanikmas, 34, from Ware has been found too dangerous to be released on bail following his arrest on rape and kidnapping charges. Stanikmas was arrested on January 13th after an investigation conducted by Ware detectives and troopers from the State Police Unit of the Hampden District Attorneys Office, according to the Ware Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stanikmas was ordered held without bail following his arrest earlier this month on charges including kidnapping, rape, and sexual contact with animals. The charge stemmed from a series of incidents that involved one adult victim, two victims who were minors, and two dogs. Tuesdays hearing was to determine whether Stanikmas would be eligible for bail. The prosecutor argued that the suspect has a long history of violent crime and convictions, and poses a danger to both his alleged victims and the general public. 22News obtained the court documents however due to their graphic nature, they will not be shared in their entirety. Stanikmas was charged with the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sexual contact with animals (2 counts) Domestic strangulation/suffocation Indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 Kidnapping Witness intimidation Assault and battery on family/household member Rape Assault and battery The Judge ruled in favor of prosecutors, ordering the suspect held for an additional 120 days, until May 13th. His next court hearing is set for February 26th. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A Dansville man is one of two Americans who was freed in a prisoner swap with the Taliban. The family of Ryan Corbett confirmed in a statement that he had been released. Corbett had been imprisoned in Afghanistan since 2022. Its unclear when Corbett will officially return home. The Talibans Foreign Ministry in Kabul confirmed the swap, saying the two Americans were exchanged for Khan Mohammed. Mohammed was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment in 2008. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Corbett Family evacuated Afghanistan in 2021, but he Kept going back to renew his visa and pay his staff there. His wife told News 8 that he was invited to the police headquarters and they took away his phone. During this incident, the family had few direct interactions with Corbett. The family released a statement on the website FreeRyanCorbett.com, saying they are thankful for President Trump, former President Biden, and the government of Qatar, among others, for facilitating his release. In part, the family said: While we begin the healing process with Ryan by our side, we remain mindful of the many families who are still waiting for their loved ones to return, including the families of George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi. It was our hope that Ryan, George and Mahmoud would be returned to their families together, and we cannot imagine the pain that our good fortune will bring them. We recognize the immense privilege of our familys reunion today, and pledge to keep praying and fighting for George and Mahmouds swift release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When reached for comment, a spokesperson for the Corbett Family told News 8 that they are focusing on his healing and time with family. No further statements will be made from the family at this time. Full Statement from Sen. Chuck Schumer After over two years of being unjustly and wrongfully detained by the Taliban, Ryan Corbett, praise God, is now finally on his way home. It is a blessing. In just a few hours he will be on American soil once again. I met with Ryans wife Anna and his beautiful children dozens of times, and worked alongside them to make sure everyone knew Ryans story. Building bipartisan support for Ryans release and elevating his case to the highest levels of government. Even in the darkest moments, they never gave up, never got angry, they just persisted, persisted, persisted. Thank you to President Biden, National Security Advisor Sullivan, and the bipartisan coalition that worked to ensure Ryans release. Everyone in Western NY can smile today knowing that Ryan is coming home. I look forward to welcoming Ryan back to Western New York very soon. Full Statement from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand I am incredibly grateful that Ryan Corbett has been freed and is set to be reunited with his family and friends. For years, I have been working with the Biden administration, Leader Schumer, and Ryans wife, Anna, to help secure Ryans safe passage back home. I want to thank everyone involved with this effort for their unwavering and tireless work. I wish Ryan and his family all the best as they move forward. I will continue to work to secure the release of George Glezmann, Mahmood Habibi, and all other Americans wrongfully detained across the world. Full Statement from Congresswoman Claudia Tenney After 894 long days, Ryan Corbett is finally being reunited with his family. These past nearly 900 days have been incredibly challenging for the Corbett family, yet the resilience and strength demonstrated by Anna, Ketsia, Miriam, and Caleb have been nothing short of inspiring. It has been our privilege to advocate for the Corbett family in Congress. We are especially glad that, through our efforts, the Corbetts were able to meet with National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and other members of the Trump administration even before President Trump was sworn into office. We extend our deepest gratitude to President Trump, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and the incoming Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, for their dedication to bringing Ryan home. Today is a momentous day for our community and our nation, and we are thrilled that Ryan will finally be back where he belongsat home with his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 RochesterFirst. Metros top executive will retire June 1 after 19 years with the transit agency. Darryl Haley, 65, has been CEO and general manager of Metro since 2019. His five-year contract, which provided a salary of close to $332,000 last year, was set to expire in June. Leading Metro has been the privilege of a lifetime, he said in a press release. With staff and public support, weve been able to achieve extraordinary milestones that have positioned us as a national leader in public transportation, he said. Advertisement Advertisement A search for Haleys successor will be announced in coming months, Metros press release said. Cincinnati native, UC grad Haley joined Metro in 2006 from positions in healthcare distribution and financial institutions, according to his profile on Metros website. At Metro, he held the positions of director of customer relations, executive director of development, executive vice president, chief operations officer and deputy general manager before being named interim CEO and general manager in February 2019, then landing the top jobs that November. Haley is a Cincinnati native who grew up in Evanston, graduated from Withrow High School and the University of Cincinnati, according to his bio. Advertisement Advertisement Haley also serves on the board of directors of the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments and sings in a four-man local group called The Mistics. Reinventing Metro testament to team Since 2020, Haley has overseen Reinventing Metro, a wide-ranging plan to update and expand service and connect riders to jobs. The plan was made possible after Hamilton County voters passed Issue 7 that May, enacting a county sales tax for Metro to replace the city payroll tax it used to receive. The new tax has raised about $650 million for Metro since then, with 25% earmarked for local transportation projects. With the additional funds, Metro has launched an Uber-like service called MetroNow; added routes; upgraded bus stops; and planned Bus Rapid Transit service. It will also soon reveal whether it will move downtowns Government Square Transit Center, near Fountain Square, to the Riverfront Transit Center on Second Street. Advertisement Advertisement The Reinventing Metro program, Haley said in the Metro release, is a testament to the incredible team at Metro. Metro also under scrutiny for safety Haley also grappled with two fatal bus accidents in 2024. A bus hit and killed Beverly Kinney in Hyde Park in January, and another bus hit and killed Don Williams in Westwood in June. In response, Enquirer reporting last year examined a decades worth of driver safety incidents, revealed unsettling driver trends, and explored Metro spending. Haley said some of the Enquirers coverage mischaracterized the transit agency and lacked context. To imply that Metro does not adequately prioritize safety is misleading and simply not true, he said in a guest opinion column published in August. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Darryl Haley retiring from Metro. CHIPPEWA FALLS Monday marked day 30 since an officer-involved fatal shooting in the town of Lafayette, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice still has not released the identity of the victim or the officers involved. If that seems like an unusually long time to wait for that information to become public, it is. According to Leader-Telegram records, the names of people involved in officer-involved shootings in the Chippewa Valley over the past 20 years have generally been released to the public within three to five days of the incident. The release of names generally came out in that timeframe, regardless if the person who was shot died or survived. In each of these 13 cases in Eau Claire or Chippewa counties, the officers involved were placed on administrative leave during an investigation, and in each case, the officer involved was later cleared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 24, Eau Claire police officer Ariana Down Larson shot and injured Thomas Burback. Down Larson had responded to a disturbance in the 2200 block of Second Street, and she said Burback had a revolver and pointed it in her direction. Both of their names were released May 29, just five days later. Down Larson was cleared in late July of any wrongdoing, and Burback has since been charged. His trial is slated to begin May 5. On Nov. 3, 2022, officer Kristopher ONeill shot and killed LeKenneth Q. Miller. In that case, Miller had broken into a home on the 400 block of Selma Street, stabbed a woman multiple times inside the home and a second woman fled before police arrived. When Miller charged at ONeill while still holding the knife, ONeill shot him. Their names were released Nov. 8, just five days later. Eau Claire County District Attorney Peter Rindal later cleared ONeill of any wrong-doing. On Sept. 4, 2022, Eau Claire police officers Sam Sperry and Tre Johnson shot and injured Clayton Livingston. Officers had responded to a home in the 1900 block of Declaration Drive. Livingston had pointed a gun at officers. Their identities were all released on Sept. 9, just five days later. The officers were cleared, and Livingston was later charged; he will return to court Feb. 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On July 17, 2017, Sgt. Jesse Henning shot and killed Michael Caponigro during a domestic violence incident at his residence at 4527 Woodford Court, after Caponigro fired a shotgun at officers. Their names were released July 25, just eight days later. Henning was cleared of any wrongdoing. On April 8, 2017, Eau Claire police officer Jim Konkel shot and killed 25-year-old Gregory Kever. Kever was shot outside an apartment complex in the 2200 block of Peters Drive after he failed to drop a knife and had charged at officers. Both of their names were released April 12, just four days later. Eau Claire County District Attorney Gary King determined Konkels use of deadly force was justified. On Jan. 28, 2017, police officer Kristopher ONeill shot and killed Matthew C. Zank at the Scottish Inn & Suites in Eau Claire. Both of their names were released Jan. 31, just three days later. Eau Claire County District Attorney Gary King cleared ONeill of any wrong-doing. On April 9, 2016, Lake Hallie police officer Adam Meyers shot and killed Melissa M. Abbott at the Lake Hallie Walmart, after Abbott was seen swinging an axe in the store. Both of their names were released April 13, just four days later. Chippewa County District Attorney Steve Gibbs later cleared Meyers of all wong-doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 3, 2016, deputy Dustin Walters shot and killed David Mack, a federal fugitive, outside Queens Laundromat at 2611 W. Moholt Drive. Mack armed himself with what appeared to be a Taser-like device, which he put up to the deputys chest. Their names were released April 10, seven days later. On Jan. 24, 2016, Eau Claire police officer Anthony Briski shot and injured Sol Armer during an incident in the 2700 block of Galloway Street. Armer had a knife and advanced towards several officers. Attempts to use pepper spray and a Taser had failed. Their names were released Jan. 27, just three days later. Briski was later cleared. Armer would later plead guilty, but not guilty due to mental disease or defect, of battery or threat to a police officer. On Dec. 14, 2014, Chippewa County deputy William Gray shot and killed Sharrinder Garcha. The two of them were in a vehicle together in a parking lot in the town of Lafayette, when Garcha attacked and repeatedly stabbed Gray. Gray was able to block the attacks, get his gun, and shoot and kill Garcha. Both of their names were released later that day. On Jan. 13, 2014, deputy Dustin Walters shot and injured Paul Lynch outside of Lynchs home on Folsom Street. Lynchs name was released that day, but Walters name wasnt released until March 2, when he was cleared of wrong-doing by District Attorney Gary King. Lynch was later convicted by a jury of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and was sentenced in May 2015 to 30 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 5, 2012, officer Jason Ruppert shot and killed Christian Peterson outside of the Culvers restaurant on Brackett Ave. Their names were released Oct. 7, just two days later. Eau Claire County District Attorney Brian Wright said the shooting was justified and cleared Ruppert of any wrong-doing. On Sept. 3, 2009, Eau Claire County deputies Tom Hanson and Bill Straschinske shot and injured David J. Rubitski during a standoff outside Rubitskis home. The two deputies fired at Rubitski when he pointed his rifle at one of the deputies. Sheriff Ron Cramer released the names of everyone involved on Sept. 5, just two days later. Eau Claire County District Attorney Rich White determined the shooting was justified and cleared the officers. Rubitski would later plead guilty to first-degree recklessly endangering safety, disorderly conduct, and operating a firearm while intoxicated, and was ordered to serve six months in jail. Rubitski died in his home in 2013 at age 48. Few answers in Chippewa Co. case On Thursday, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul couldnt comment on why so little information has been made public about the officer-investigation shooting on Dec. 21. His office has handled the investigation, and all area law enforcement have referred questions to Kauls office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an ongoing matter, Kaul told area media last week. Our goal is to always conduct an investigation quickly, but also fully and thoroughly. Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell confirmed to the Leader-Telegram on Sunday that he has not received any reports at this time. Sheriff Travis Hakes also didnt have any new updates when asked Monday. The man reportedly shot at officers, and was killed by officers who returned fire. The officers involved were placed on administrative leave, per agencies policies. Santos has deferred its plans for the Dorado oil and gas project in Western Australia, valued at more than A$3bn ($1.87bn), leading to a sharp decline in partner Carnarvon Energy's share price. The announcement caused a 23% fall in Carnarvon's shares as Santos reconsidered purchasing a production and storage vessel and delayed the commencement of engineering and design work. Santos, with an 80% stake in the field, saw a 2.2% drop in its share value. Carnarvon and Taiwan's state-owned CPC each own 10% of the field. A spokesperson for Santos told Reuters: After a detailed assessment of all relevant factors, Santos recommended to the joint venture that the development concept for Dorado be revisited after further evaluation of Bedout Basin resources. Santos has reiterated its commitment to prioritising shareholder returns and focusing on its key Barossa and Pikka gas projects for 2025. Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher had previously emphasised the importance of shareholder value in August 2024 and at a November investor briefing. CPC has not yet commented on the development. The Dorado project's slowdown is particularly troubling for Carnarvon, which has been under pressure from shareholders regarding its valuation. Last year, reports indicated that Carnarvon had authorised its bankers to explore potential bids for the company or its assets. Earlier month, Santos WA Northwest admitted to a condensate spill at the Varanus Island Marine Terminal. On 20 March 2022, approximately 25,000 litres of condensate leaked from a pipeline due to structural weakening caused by overbending and kinking. The company was fined $10,000, along with $9,700 in additional costs. "Santos postpones decision on Dorado Oil and Gas project, affecting partner shares" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. (Bloomberg) -- As Donald Trump was inaugurated indoors in sub-zero temperatures in Washington, over on the snowy slopes of Davos the buzziest place to be watching his swearing in was none other than Ukraine House. Most Read from Bloomberg The vodka was flowing from champagne coupes decked out with American flags. Emblazoned on the front of the building Your Country First a twist on the MAGA refrain. Inside, the ceremony was broadcast on an over-sized screen against a backdrop of blue and yellow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy along with just about every other leader from the corporate and political world has gone all in on Trump. That was the vibe in the chilly night air as things kicked off at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort town. Earlier in the day, a panel talk on Trumps triumphant return kicked off the program for the annual pilgrimage of the rich and powerful to the Swiss Alps. Another live topic was Elon Musks X platform and how its being deployed in politics. The clamor around the inauguration an ocean away shows how closely the business elite have tuned into Trump. He is due to address Davos attendees remotely later this week and organizers have made clear he and Musk are more than welcome to join in person next year. Congratulations, Salesforce Inc. CEO Marc Benioff, a Davos attendee this year and a member of the WEFs board of trustees, said in a post Monday to Trump. Godspeed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former billionaire Davos participants Mark Zuckerberg and Cantor Fitzgerald Chairman Howard Lutnick Trumps commerce secretary pick stayed in the US this year to attend the swear-in ceremony. Other US business leaders including Lazard Inc. CEO Peter Orszag and top employees from consulting giant McKinsey, however, were already on the ground in Davos by late Monday afternoon along with Saudi Arabia billionaire Lubna Olayan. Overall, business leaders and investors worth more than $120 billion are due to descend on Davos this week, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. All along the promenade, Davos delegates were tuning in. At a crowded restaurant near the main WEF building, some even huddled together around smartphones to watch. At a packed Ukraine House, attendants enjoyed canapes after the live-stream. Along the streets outside WEF buildings, scores of businesses and nations have taken over local premises for the week, trying to draw in crowds with giveaways, from Mongolian tea to green scarves and lip balm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on that first evening in Davos, the Phoenix Rising cocktail served by the Ukrainian delegation immediately after Trumps speech was the hot ticket. --With assistance from Dinesh Nair. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen declared Tuesday that Europe was ready to negotiate with US President Donald Trump but the bloc will also seek to improve ties with China and other nations as global competition heats up. Von der Leyen insisted that the United States remains an important partner, taking a conciliatory tone in a speech to the annual meeting of global elites in Davos, Switzerland. The EU's "first priority will be to engage early, discuss common interests, and be ready to negotiate" with Trump, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will be pragmatic, but we will always stand by our principles. To protect our interests and uphold our values," she said. Trump returned to the White House on Monday, bringing with him fears he will deliver on promises to slap heavy tariffs on China and US allies including Canada and the European Union. After his inauguration, Trump said he may impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico as early as February 1. He also announced the United States' withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, which the European Commission president defended as the "best hope for all humanity" and vowed "Europe will stay the course". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang -- also a member of the Chinese Communist Party's apex of power that rules the country -- will speak immediately after von der Leyen. The EU chief reiterated her commitment to free trade during her speech, pointing to recent deals with Switzerland, the Latin American bloc Mercosur and Mexico. Von der Leyen also said she and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to "upgrade" their partnership. She stressed that Europe "must engage constructively with China - to find solutions in our mutual interest" despite escalating trade tensions between the two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "2025 marks 50 years of our Union's diplomatic relations with China. I see it as an opportunity to engage and deepen our relationship with China, and where possible, even to expand our trade and investment ties," she said. China, Ukraine China is taking a cautious approach to Trump. After Chinese President Xi Jinping's conversation with Trump by phone on Friday, he said he hoped for a "good start" to relations with the new administration. Although Trump said he would undertake sweeping trade penalties against China, he has also indicated he wants to improve ties -- and even stepped in to reverse a US ban of Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok on national security grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine is also keeping a very close eye on what Trump's second mandate will involve. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to call on world leaders and company executives to maintain -- and even ramp up -- their support for his country's fight against Russia. Zelensky on Monday said he is hopeful Trump will help achieve a "just peace". European 'struggle' Embattled German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will also address the forum, likely his last as leader ahead of elections next month. Also speaking on Tuesday will be conservative leader Friedrich Merz, the favourite to succeed him as chancellor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europeans are fretting the most about Trump's return while countries from Brazil to China and India to Turkey believe he will be good for their countries and global peace, according to a survey last week from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). The report accompanying the survey of over 28,500 people across 24 countries serves as a warning for European leaders to act cautiously. "Europeans will struggle to find internal unity or global power in leading an outright resistance to the new administration," the ECFR report's authors said. 'Better understand' Trump Middle East conflicts will also be high on the agenda as Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani speak in separate sessions during the first full day of the forum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a fragile ceasefire holds in the Israel-Hamas war, the WEF will host a discussion on how to improve aid delivery to the Palestinian territory of Gaza and how to kickstart the reconstruction and recovery after heavy bombardment. Despite suggestions Trump's return would overshadow the forum that began on the same day as his inauguration in Washington, WEF President Borge Brende said the president had brought fresh interest to the gathering. "It has increased the interest in Davos because people feel they need to come together to better understand what's on its way," Brende told AFP in an interview. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Elon Musk is a lot of things, but Nazi ain't one of them: Yesterday, Donald Trump was inaugurated as president. True to form, he held a rally afterward where he signed executive orders on stage, seemingly unable or unwilling to distinguish between campaign-rally mode and actual lawmaking mode. The crowd seemed to love it. We'll get to those executive orders in a second, but first: Elon Musk spoke and made some sort of bombastic gesture, saying "My heart goes out to you" and "It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured," noting that some elections don't really matter very much but that this one did. Naturally, people are losing their fucking minds over this: Historian of fascism here. That was a Nazi salute - and a very belligerent one too https://t.co/PB9sFCVJGA Ruth Ben-Ghiat (@ruthbenghiat) January 20, 2025 "Did Elon Musk Seriously Just Do a Nazi Salute at Trump's Inauguration?" asks The New Republic. Um, no. He didn't. And it's kind of insane that the media appears to be getting ready to do this whole thing againthe one where Trump, and any Trump affiliate, gets called a Nazi over and over again. Musk was kind of just gesticulating wildly the whole time, as he does when he gets excited. And, look, you may not want to colonize Mars or have a million babies (with a vast array of gals) or replace your conventional car with an electric vehicle or drive in the tunnel under Las Vegas, but you're fooling yourself if you think Musk's pattern of behavior is consistent with that of a Nazi; ethnonationalism ain't his thing, nor is government suppression of speech, nor is rounding up political enemies and putting them in camps. Calm the hell down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump tries to end birthright citizenship: Trump's flurry of executive orders indicates all his tough talk on immigration was much more than bluster. Despite its likely conflict with the 14th Amendment, an executive order was signed yesterday by Trump that would revoke our country's longstanding tradition of granting birthright citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil. California's attorney general has already said he will challenge this order in court; expect him to be joined by many other states' attorneys general. SHOCKING but not shocking. As I predicted, Trump's birthright citizenship EO includes a Kamala Harris clause, specifically designed to deny the legitimacy of her US citizenship as the child of someone with a temporary status. This order jeopardizes the citizenship of millions pic.twitter.com/J82coOOA3b David J. Bier (@David_J_Bier) January 21, 2025 Trump also signed this executive order, which asks for deportations to happen not in order of security risk, contradicting everything J.D. Vance had been saying on the campaign trail: As I predicted, Trump has signed an order deprioritizing public safety threats for removal, requiring that DHS target anyone removable regardless of their security risk. This EO is a dangerous threat to the public, diverting resources away from critical security tasks. pic.twitter.com/4hxodOTdAR David J. Bier (@David_J_Bier) January 21, 2025 But it's even worse! Trump's order requires the attorney general to prioritize misdemeanor criminal cases for illegal entry OVER the rest of its criminal workload: terrorism, fraud, trafficking, homicides, and other crimes just got bumped down. This is insanity. pic.twitter.com/gfk4XKiPav David J. Bier (@David_J_Bier) January 21, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With yet another stroke of his pen, Trump appears to have ended the refugee program, which has resettled some 3 million people since its creation in 1980. "Nearly 1,660 Afghans cleared by the U.S. government to resettle in the U.S., including family members of active-duty U.S. military personnel, are having their flights canceled under President Donald Trump's order suspending U.S. refugee programs, a U.S. official and a leading refugee resettlement advocate said on Monday," per Reuters. This isn't altogether shocking. "Nearly 30,000 refugees arrived during the final three months of 2024, coming close to meeting Biden's annual cap of 125,000," notes the Associated Press. "Trump admitted about 11,000 during the final year of his first term, the fewest since the U.S. began resettlements." He's said he wants to "immediately end the migrant invasion of America"; it's a shame he counts thoroughly vetted refugees taking part in a longstanding, worthwhile American government program as invaders. CBP One app went dark: Meanwhile, as all this was happening, the app that would-be asylum seekers had been using to secure appointments with immigration officials to make their cases and be let into the country to await their court dates went dark. "Existing appointments are no longer valid," flashed upon the screen. The app had been used for this purpose by some 930,000 people to be let into the country; an estimated 270,000 migrants are currently waiting in Mexico, with at least 30,000 awaiting appointments which have in many cases been canceledthe rest appear to either have had further-out appointment dates or to not have scheduled them yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his inaugural address, Trump said not only that he would declare a national emergency at the border, but also that would-be asylum seekers would now be instructed to remain in Mexico while their claims are being processed, vs. being let into the country in the interim before their court dates. Asylum seekers, once let into the country, are generally allowed to apply for work permits as they await their court dates to figure out next steps. Videos of would-be migrants crying over their canceled appointments have been making the rounds on Twitter, sometimes with Trump supporters cheering in response. For those who have fled violence in places like Honduras and Nicaragua and socialism in places like Cuba and Venezuelaa not-insignificant numberthis must feel like your hopes have been cruelly dashed, like you tried to do things the right way, the legal way, the official way, and now you're right back where you started, with no prospect of a better life. Those who want a more orderly and restrictive immigration process should not celebrate these people's distress and devastation. All of this taken together indicates that the immigration crackdown in the coming days, weeks, and months will be mighty and intense. For what it's worth, I'm skeptical that cutting the refugee program, ending birthright citizenship, and doing willy-nilly deportations (vs. prioritizing those with criminal records first) are the best approaches to curbing mayhem at the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other executive orders: Trump withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization and the Paris climate agreement. He signed an executive order "promoting beautiful federal civic architecture"an odd fixation of large swaths of the online rightand transformed the U.S. Digital Service into DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency (now free of Vivek Ramaswamy, who earned Trump's scorn). He revoked all federal diversity, equity, and inclusion guidelines. Note that just signing executive orders does not mean that a) all will pass legal muster, or that b) the actions will actually happen. Note Barack Obama's 2009 noises about closing Guantanamo Bay, a base thatto this day remains open. One big symbol: The inauguration stage was festooned with one unusual force: many founders and CEOs of great American tech companies, from the aforementioned Musk to Mark Zuckerberg (who may be in trouble with his wife now) to Jeff Bezos to Sundar Pichai. Sundar Pichai is the poorest guy in this picture with a net worth of $1.3B. pic.twitter.com/X8BNbY8O9v Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) January 20, 2025 Everyone's acting in their own glorious self-interest, right? The tech overlords saw what an administration hell-bent on harassing them was like, whether by COVID-censorship demands or the new antitrust moment (which seemingly aims to punish tech companies for their sheer bigness, not even establishing any sort of consumer harm standard); now they probably see currying favor with Trump as a means of turning their fortune around. Trump probably sees Hollywood and media as staunchly opposed, but, hey, here's a wildly rich and heretofore politically untapped industry that just so happens to be into capitalism and good old-fashioned law and order. Scenes from New York: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has already been attempting to ingratiate himself with Donald Trump, hoping the newly sworn-in president will work to halt congestion pricing in Manhattan. QUICK HITS Donald Trump pardoned 1,500 January 6 rioters yesterday, on his first day in office, including the leaders of the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys. Some of those rioters, like the ones involved with the aforementioned groups, will have their sentences commuted and be freed from prison. There are also some 450 pending cases, which Trump has directed the attorney general to dismiss. The Senate confirmed Marco Rubio as Trump's secretary of state. I do think Pirate Wires' Mike Solana has some solid theories when it comes to what might be motivating Trump's TikTok play: tiktok is now operating illegally this is an unambiguous fact. yes, the company is "back," but trump can decide at any moment, and in perfect keeping with the law, to thanos snap it out of existence. in other words, it's now a hostage. and that's what we call leverage. Mike Solana (@micsolana) January 20, 2025 The pussy hat era is over, not a minute too soon. Gotta be a girl for a second and note how much I appreciate all the Oscar de la Renta from yesterday's inauguration and all the Usha Vance fanfare. The official Reason Roundup take is thatshe's a babe: Melania Trump and Usha Vance will singlehandedly turn the White House into a catwalk and I, for one, cannot wait. pic.twitter.com/PulxPywNNm Danielle Franz (@DanielleBFranz) January 19, 2025 The post Day 1 appeared first on Reason.com. President Donald Trump on Monday night issued pardons to nearly all of the Jan. 6 defendants, following through on his campaign pledge to grant clemency to those charged in the Capitol breach. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order pardoning more than 1,500 defendants and commuting the sentences of 14 members of the far-right Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. The order requires the federal Bureau of Prisons to act immediately. Trumps order, which also directs the Department of Justice to dismiss all pending cases, covers the 38 residents from Missouri and 10 from Kansas who have been charged for their actions on Jan. 6, 2021. Their offenses range from misdemeanor counts of demonstrating or picketing to felonies that include assaulting officers and civil disorder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Full pardon, Trump said as he signed the order. Of those in prison, he said, We hope they come out tonight, frankly. Theyre expecting it. Trump said that were looking at different things regarding the commutations. Maybe itll stay that way, or itll go to a full pardon. He said the defendants have been treated very unfair. The judges have been absolutely brutal, he said. The prosecutors have been brutal. Nobodys ever treated people in this country like that. When asked if the clemency included those who assaulted law enforcement officers on Jan. 6, Trump said: Well, I will say this. Theyve been in jail for a long time already. I see murderers in this country get two years, one year, and maybe no time These people have been destroyed. What theyve done to these people is outrageous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 140 law enforcement officers were injured during the Capitol siege, according to the Justice Department, making it the largest single-day mass assault of officers in the nations history. A pardon forgives a crime and restores the defendants civil rights, such as gun ownership, the right to vote, hold state or local office or sit on a jury. A commutation reduces or eliminates the sentence but does not restore civil rights, according to the Justice Department. Neither a pardon nor a commutation signifies innocence or erases a conviction. Obviously, Im totally innocent and have never been convicted of anything and would win my case if it went to trial, but its wise for President Trump to drop these cases, said William Pope, a Jan. 6 defendant from Kansas who was facing one felony charge and four misdemeanors and was scheduled for a jury trial in June. It should have happened a long time ago, said Pope, who was dressed in a tuxedo and attending the Liberty Ball in Washington on Monday night. This was an extreme use of government force against entirely peaceful Americans like me, but weve been vindicated by the American people who voted for change. Nearly 1,600 charged nationwide Of the 10 Kansans charged, nine had pleaded guilty and had been sentenced. Five received prison sentences ranging from 70 days to 4 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only Kansas case pending was Popes, which had attracted national attention over his efforts to force the government to release Capitol security footage. The Topeka man originally was charged with two felonies and six misdemeanors, but one felony and two misdemeanors were dismissed last year and he was successful in getting his trial moved until after Trump took office. Of the 38 Missourians charged, 32 had pleaded guilty or had been found guilty in a jury trial or a bench trial before a judge. Of those, 31 had been sentenced, with 15 receiving jail time ranging from 14 days to nearly six years. One-third of those prison sentences were for a year or more. Five of the Missouri defendants remain in prison. All pleaded guilty to assaulting or obstructing officers during the riot. In the four years since the Capitol riot, nearly 1,600 people have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the attack, according to the Justice Department. That figure includes more than 600 defendants charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of those charged, about 1,000 have pleaded guilty, one-third of them to felonies, and more than 250 have been found guilty at trials. About 1,070 defendants have been sentenced overall, with roughly 650 receiving periods of incarceration. The Justice Department continued to file charges through last week, including defendants from Ohio, Illinois and Arkansas arrested Thursday for offenses that include allegedly assaulting law enforcement on Jan. 6. And several defendants were sentenced to prison Friday, at least two of them for assaulting law enforcement. One, Lewis Wayne Snoots, 59, of Louisa, Virginia, was sentenced to 71 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He also was ordered to pay $2,000 restitution for damage to the Capitol and $96,927 restitution to the Metropolitan Police Department. Snoots was one of multiple rioters charged in the attack of Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who was dragged out of the Lower West Terrace Tunnel and into the mob, where he was beaten and shocked repeatedly in the neck with his own Taser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout his campaign, Trump pledged to pardon the Jan. 6 defendants, whom he has referred to as hostages, patriots and political prisoners. But the details on how he intended to accomplish that were unclear. Legal experts say issuing pardons on such a large scale is extraordinary but that as president, Trump has the authority to pardon any or all of those charged, no matter what stage their cases are. These people are terrorists Fanone spoke out against Trumps plan for pardons at a Jan. 7 news conference of the Not Above the Law Coalition. On January 6, 2021, President Donald Trump incited an insurrection, along with his fellow MAGA extremists, in order to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That day, Fanone said, I came face-to-face with the hatred and violence that MAGA extremism represents. I was beaten and repeatedly tased. I suffered a heart attack and was left with a severe concussion. I want to be clear, these people are terrorists. They use violence to achieve a political goal. Every member of Congress was in danger that day, Fanone said. Voters, he said, should have demanded that their elected officials stand against Trumps pledge to pardon the rioters. But they didnt, he said. Too many Americans failed to empathize with those of us whose lives have been destroyed by Trump and the MAGA thugs. The insurrection caucus has shown that they only care about elections when they win, and peaceful transfer of power means nothing to them. Im here today to serve as a reminder to the American people as to the reality of January 6, 2021, and to set an example of what a true American patriot looks like, because theyve clearly forgotten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the news conference, Rep. Steve Cohen, a Tennessee Democrat, described a proposal he introduced this month that would amend the Constitution to limit the presidential pardoning power. He said hes repeatedly introduced the amendment since 2017. Cohen said Trump incited the riot. President Trump, to some extent with these pardons, will be absolving himself because hes responsible for each and every one of these people going up to do what they did, Cohen said. If it werent for Donald Trump, this would not have occurred. And this is a way for him to absolve to some extent, I guess, assuming he has a conscience, to absolve his conscience by pardoning these people that are in jail because of him. A poll released last week found that most Americans in the most competitive Congressional districts did not want Trump to focus on pardons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The YouGov poll was commissioned by Protect Democracy United and conducted across the 43 most competitive Congressional districts in the country. It found that 75% of Americans opposed pardons for those convicted of using a deadly or dangerous weapon at the Capitol, including 55% of Republicans. And nearly three-fourths of Americans opposed pardons for those convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers, including 54% of Republicans. The poll also found that 56% of Americans opposed pardons for defendants convicted of organizing and directing violence on Jan. 6, 55% opposed pardons for those convicted of crimes by a federal court and 54% said that pardoning people who participated in political violence would encourage more such acts. President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order signaling his administrations opposition to gender diversity and transgender identity as a whole. Trump wants to re-establish multiple policies regarding trans Americans that were in place during his first term, including housing trans people in federal prisons based on their sex assigned at birth, while seeking to cement a broader message: In his administrations view, trans and nonbinary people dont exist. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female, Trump said during his inauguration speech. In a list of priorities published to the official White House website on Monday, the presidents wish to establish male and female as biological reality and protect women from radical gender ideology is given as an example of how Trump plans to bring back American values. While the federal government has no control over how people identify, it can control whether they have access to federal identity documents that match their gender presentation namely, passports and Social Security identification cards. This executive order directs federal agencies to revoke policies issued under the Biden administration that made it easier for trans people to update their gender markers on federal identification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inaccurate identity documents expose trans people to harassment in daily life, and it can hinder travel, especially without access to a passport that matches their actual physical appearance. It is unclear exactly how Trumps executive order will affect Americans with an X gender marker on their passport, which became available in 2022, but Trumps administration seems poised to stop issuing passports with that marker. The order also calls for transgender women to be housed with men in federal prisons and for an end to any gender-affirming care being provided to trans people incarcerated in federal facilities. The federal government has long denied transition-related surgeries to detainees, including under the Biden administration. Although Trump campaigned on ending transition care access for trans inmates, U.S. prisons offered gender-affirming care during his first term. Trump is also directing federal agencies to exclude transgender people when enforcing laws that protect against sex discrimination but this declaration does not mean that trans people are left unprotected. Federal judges across the country have found that discrimination against transgender people is a form of sex discrimination, citing Bostock v. Clayton County, the Supreme Court case that found LGBTQ+ people are protected against workplace discrimination. The Trump administration will likely run into legal trouble as it works to implement these rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order directly contradicts a 2009 law passed unanimously in Congress called the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), which provides transgender people who are incarcerated a say in where they are housed if their safety is threatened. The law is intended to apply to all facilities where people are detained, including prisons, jails and detention centers, but reporting shows it has historically been ignored. Still, PREA is more powerful than Trumps executive order, as it was passed by Congress. In 2018, the Trump administration rescinded President Barack Obamas Transgender Prison Manual, which aimed to enforce PREA in federal prisons. President Joe Biden reinstated the guidance in 2022. The Trump administration could also face legal challenges in its efforts to restrict federal identity documents. The first U.S. passport with an X gender marker was issued as the culmination of a six-year legal battle between an intersex and nonbinary Navy veteran and the U.S. State Department. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit ordered the agency to reconsider its prior refusals to issue the veteran, Dana Zzyym, an accurate passport noting that forcing intersex people to pick a male or female gender marker creates inaccurate data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps executive order could run up against the Zzyyym ruling and other laws and precedents. One such precedent is in the International Civil Aviation Organization Treaty Standards, which mandates that sex be listed on passports and that the three permissible options are M, F or X. Jennifer Pizer, chief legal officer at Lambda Legal, which fought and won Zzyyms case, said its unclear if the Trump administration can prevail in arguing any legal basis for its executive order. Pizers organization sued under the Obama administration and fought for their X gender marker through Trumps tenure. They were finally granted a passport under the Biden administration. We had multiple rounds of this litigation, and the government kept failing to be able to justify requiring somebody like Dana to be inaccurate, insisting on giving an inaccurate identity document, said Pizer I dont think theres any reason to think that the Trump administration is better suited now to justify that kind of a rule. Logan Casey, director of policy research at the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit that tracks LGBTQ+ legislation, pointed out an executive order being signed doesnt equate to immediate policymaking or new laws. Instead, executive orders typically direct federal agencies to begin changing their policies and these orders can be easily challenged in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They will issue executive orders and actions and other directives, but it will still take time before those things actually become law, if they ever actually go into effect, he said. As the second Trump administration takes shape, Maha Ibrahim, a program managing attorney at the nonprofit civil rights group Equal Rights Advocates, wants young LGBTQ+ people to continue to pay attention, demand action from their elected officials and remember that they deserve the rights that they have. Weve got a lot of students in university right now, where all of their formative years, with the exception of one small gap, were spent under an administration that was trying to erase them, she said. Im less concerned about the force of law Im more concerned about the will and the energy and belief in LGBTQIA students that these rights have been fought for for decades in their name, and that were here to continue the fight and we havent abandoned them. The post On day one, Trump pits his administration against transgender people appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. A Dearborn cleric who had been listed last week to deliver a benediction at President Donald Trump's inauguration today did not speak or appear at the event. Imam Husham Al-Husainy, who leads the Karbalaa Islamic Educational Center in Dearborn, had been seen on a program last week as one of four faith leaders to deliver a benediction after Trump's inaugural address. The program was first disclosed by the editor of the Washington Reporter, a conservative media site. The other three religious leaders listed in the program did speak, including a Michigan pastor, Lorenzo Sewell, who had hosted Trump at his Detroit church last year. But Al-Husainy was not seen and did not speak as expected. It's unclear why he was yanked from the program. A Trump campaign official in Michigan did not return an email Monday. Al-Husainy did not return phone calls or a text message Monday. He confirmed last week with a Detroit newspaper reporter he would be speaking at Trump's inauguration. Imam Husham Al-Husainy photographed at Karbalaa Islamic Education Center on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, in Dearborn, MI. U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told a reporter for the Jewish Insider on Monday that removing Al-Husainy was a no-brainer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday morning, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, posted a copy of the new program on X, which showed that Al-Husainy was no longer listed. Some reporters who attended the inauguration also posted the new program that showed the Dearborn's cleric name was not on the program as it was last week. The removal of Al-Husainy came after days of complaints from conservative pro-Israel groups and commentators who alleged he was sympathetic to Iran and Hezbollah, a Lebanese group the U.S. has labeled as a terrorist group. Al-Husainy first became known about 23 years ago as an outspoken proponent of regime change in Iraq, holding rallies in support of removing Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. At the time, his views were aligned with the U.S. government, which invaded Iraq in 2003 with the support of many Iraqi Shia Muslims, some of whom were sympathetic to Iran. Al-Husainy, a native of Iraq who is a Shia cleric, opened the Karbalaa Center in Dearborn 30 years ago. Iran is a majority-Shia nation and is often supportive of Shias in the Arab world. Al-Husainy has over the years expressed support for Iraqi Shia clerics who were supported by Iran, such as Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim, the leader of the Iraqi Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, who once lived in exile in Iran and was assassinated in Iraq in 2003 by extremists. A large painting of al-Hakim was displayed inside the Karbalaa center for years. A nephew of al-Hakim, Ammar al-Hakim, met with Al-Husainy when he visited the Karbalaa center in Dearborn in 2005; al-Hakim also met with the late U.S. Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan. In 2002, a leader with another group allied with Iran, Ibrahim al-Jaafari of the Islamic Dawa Party met with Al-Husainy in 2002 in Dearborn. Al-Jaafari later became interim Prime Minister of Iraq and was generally supported by the U.S. More: From pro-war to anti-war, Imam Al-Husainy has led a Dearborn mosque for 30 years Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al-Husainy has also organized or taken part in anti-ISIS and pro-Palestinian rallies in Dearborn over the years. He often speaks about the similarities between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In October, he came out publicly in support of Trump, expressing support for the conservative views of some Republicans on gender and marijuana. He also said Trump would more for peace than Biden was, citing his support for Israel's attacks in Gaza and Yemen. Trump won in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights as many Arab American voters rejected Kamala Harris. The controversy over Al-Husainy comes as the Republicans have been aggressively courting Muslim and Arab American voters in Michigan, a swing state. Trump visited Dearborn in November to meet with Arab American supporters. If Al-Husainy had spoken, he would have been the first Muslim religious speaker at a presidential inauguration, according to records of past inaugural events. Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Imam Husham Al-Husainy of Dearborn did not speak at Trump inauguration Investigators are releasing few answers after a man was found unconscious on a snowy North Shore street wearing just a t-shirt and shorts in bitterly cold temperatures. Ipswich police officers were called to Caroline Avenue around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday after a neighbor first spotted an unresponsive man next to a blue Jeep with apparent physical injuries to his face and legs. The 65-year-old man was transported to Beverly Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have not said if it appears to be a potential crime or an accident. He was in his shorts and bare feet and had a t-shirt on. He looked like hed been lying there for quite some time, said one neighbor. His face was all beat up, and it looked like his legs were cut up. Neighbors identified the man as a familiar face in the neighborhood who had been staying in a nearby apartment. They said the blue Jeep that was towed away from the scene belonged to him. He didnt live here. He was staying with somebody, and hes only been here a couple of months, said neighbor Diane Veno. I hope they find whoever did it or find out why it happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston 25 News spoke with a neighbor who said he saw the man Monday night around 10 p.m. He rode by me, and he would usually wave. I said he didnt wave. I didnt care because it was cold and I wanted to get back in the house, said neighbor Paul Blades. Blades is now left to wonder what happened after that and how long the man had been lying on the ground for. To come out the next day and find out, I felt bad. I said, gee, if he was getting out of the car, he mightve slipped and fell, he said. " I dont know whether I couldve done anything. Police are now waiting on autopsy results and havent said if they are looking to speak with anyone in connection with the death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mans identity has not yet been formally released by authorities. State police detectives assigned to Essex County District Attorney Paul Tuckers Office, Ipswich police, and the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating the mans death. There were no additional details immediately available. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Striking workers typically are not eligible for unemployment benefits in Washington. A bill state lawmakers are considering this legislative session would change that. Here, Boeing machinists are seen during their 2024 strike that stretched nearly two months. When workers go on strike, theyre often making a bet to temporarily lose their wages to fight for better ones. This year, the Washington Legislature is again trying to decide whether they should help offset that lost pay by extending unemployment insurance to striking workers. Those on strike typically arent eligible for this safety net benefit in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, is sponsoring Senate Bill 5041, which would change that. Inspired by his working-class district, Riccelli said he took up the legislation this year because he wants to help level the playing field for workers. The pendulum has swayed so far one way, that I think these workers are just trying to make sure that they have leverage to negotiate contracts and get good benefits and fair wages, Riccelli said. Business groups strongly oppose the legislation, and last year it failed as Republicans and some Democrats withheld support. If the bill passes, people who have worked more than 680 hours in a year would be able to access unemployment insurance starting the second Sunday following the first date of a strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill was first introduced last year in the House by Rep. Beth Doglio, D-Olympia. It passed in that chamber but died in the Senate where former senator Karen Keiser was the lead sponsor. Labor advocates say the bill would help workers during tough contract negotiations. Other states, like New Jersey and New York, already provide unemployment insurance for striking workers. Weve been really motivated to get workers like them a tool to ensure that they dont have to sacrifice the totality of their economic health, to assert their rights to form a union or to reach that all-important first contract with their employer, said Joe Kendo, chief of staff for the Washington State Labor Council. Opponents say the bill would go against federal law and put added strain on the states unemployment trust fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal law is coded [so] that workers who are not demonstrating that they plan to come back to work are not eligible for unemployment insurance, said Rose Gundersen, of the Washington Retail Association. So it really is against the basic principles in the federal law. Gundersen also argued that having access to unemployment insurance could disincentivize employees from bargaining in good faith during labor negotiations. Unemployment insurance is funded by state and federal taxes that employers pay. When the program sees surges in claims that deplete state trust funds, it can drive up tax rates. Washingtons unemployment trust fund is in good shape, according to Riccelli. And the Washington Employment Security Department estimates the bill would lead to a less than 1% increase in unemployment insurance claims when a qualifying strike occurs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A strike by Boeing factory workers last year stretched nearly two months. But labor advocates say strikes are the last resort and ones lasting for more than two weeks are rare. They also say that employers refusing to negotiate with workers is becoming a more common bargaining strategy. The notion that having a partial wage replacement through unemployment insurance would incentivize workers to not take the bargaining process seriously is just not one that I think is rooted in reality, Kendo said. Nobody goes on strike on the whim, he added. I mean, these are not decisions that are made at the snap of a finger, they are very disruptive for a familys budget. Jan. 21Frigid temperatures are sending area schools into hibernation, with classes cancelled throughout Ashtabula County today and Wednesday, as temperatures are predicted to dip below zero. Information slowly appeared on school websites Monday morning, after discussions with administrators. A-Tech Superintendent Scott Wludyga confirmed Monday morning schools were to be closed. Several extracurricular school events were cancelled Monday, and some districts cancelled sporting events for Tuesday and Wednesday, with forecasts indicating temperatures may fall to dangerous levels, putting northeast Ohio in the deep freeze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service is reporting temperatures could fall to -6 today with a high of 11 degrees, and warm slightly tomorrow, with a low of 10 degrees and a high of 14. Wind chills on Tuesday are listed as low as -22 degrees, according to the NWS. Temperatures are expected to go up later in the week, with highs around 32 degrees. However, it looks to be a good week to wear warm clothing and stay indoors as much as possible. The city of Geneva will allow people in emergency situations to warm in city council chambers. "Our safety forces are aware if they find people [in dangerous situations], they will let them know [of the option]," City Manager Joseph Varckette said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orwell Fire Chief Scott Merlino said the fire department will be open as a warming center for the next several days. In Conneaut, a warming center is available at the Rock Church on Liberty Street. City leaders are reminding citizens to open cabinets to protect areas where pipes can freeze. "Our community is blessed with a stock of older homes, many lacking insulation; it is critical to consider opening cabinets to let warmer air in to protect against freezing," Conneaut City Manager Nick Sanford said. On Monday morning and early afternoon, squalls and blowing snow made visibility challenging and Ashtabula and Conneaut harbors, where it was difficult to see during some of the wind gusts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service provides a variety of tips for extreme cold weather, including traveling as little as possible, staying inside during the worst parts of the cold weather and making sure a safety kit is in your vehicle. The safety kit should include a variety of items including several galloons of water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a first aid kit, a whistle and a local map, according to the NWS. NEW ORLEANS (AP) A rare frigid storm charged through Texas and the northern Gulf Coast on Tuesday, blanketing New Orleans and Houston with snow that closed highways, grounded nearly all flights and canceled school for more than a million students more accustomed to hurricane dismissals than snow days. The storm prompted the first ever blizzard warnings for several coastal counties near the Texas-Louisiana border, and snowplows were at the ready in the Florida Panhandle. In the Texas capital, two people died in the cold weather, according to a statement from the city of Austin. No details were provided, but the city said emergency crews had responded to more than a dozen cold exposure calls. Officials said one person died from hypothermia in Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snow covered the white-sand beaches of normally sunny vacation spots, including Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Pensacola Beach, Florida. The heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain hitting parts of the Deep South came as a blast of Arctic air plunged much of the Midwest and the eastern U.S. into a deep freeze. A powdery South made for some head-turning scenes a snowball fight on a Gulf Shores beach, sledding in a laundry basket in Montgomery, Alabama, pool-tubing down a Houston hill. One of the countrys quirkiest cities, New Orleans, didnt disappoint under the snowy spotlight. There was an attempt at urban skiing along Bourbon Street; a priest and nuns in a snowball fight outside a suburban church; snowboarding behind a golf cart; and sledding down the snow-covered Mississippi River levees on kayaks, cardboard boxes and inflatable alligators. High school teacher David Delio and his two daughters glided down the levee on a yoga mat and a boogie board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a white-out in New Orleans, this is a snow-a-cane, Delio said. Weve had tons of hurricane days but never a snow day. The nuns at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School near New Orleans encouraged their students last week to pray to saints, including Our Lady of the Snows a devotional term for Mary, mother of Jesus for the snow day they received Tuesday, said the Rev. Tim Hedrick. The priest said he invited the nuns to make snow angels, and they challenged him to a snowball fight that has since received tens of thousands of views on social media. Its a fun way to show that priests and sisters are humans, too, and they can have fun, Hedrick said. It has been more than a decade since snow last fell on New Orleans. With more than 9 inches (23 centimeters) of snow in parts of the city Tuesday, New Orleans has far surpassed its record 2.7 inches (6.8 centimeters) on Dec. 31, 1963 according to the National Weather Service. There were unofficial reports of 10 inches (26 centimeters) of snow in New Orleans in 1895, NWS meteorologist Christopher Bannan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Houston, the winter blast marks the latest dramatic fluctuation in extreme weather. Hurricane Beryl devastated the city in July, killing dozens and knocking out power to large swaths of the city. Several months later, a winter storm has dumped the most snow in decades over the Houston area. Nearly 2,000 flights to, from or within the U.S. were canceled Tuesday, with about 10,000 others delayed, according to online tracker FlightAware.com. Both Houston airports suspended flight operations starting Tuesday. Nearly every flight was cancelled at New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport, but most airlines planned to resume operations Wednesday. Alvaro Perez was hunkering down at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on Tuesday after his flight to El Salvador was canceled. His new departure is scheduled for Thursday. Ill just ride it and stay here, Perez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snow on the Gulf Coast Ahead of the storm, governors in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and even Florida the Sunshine State declared states of emergency and many school systems canceled classes Tuesday. School closures were planned in some coastal communities in North and South Carolina. The NWS said up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) of snow fell in the Houston area. Texas transportation officials said more than 20 snowplows were in use across nearly 12,000 lane miles in the Houston area, which lacks its own city or county plows. Forecasters say snowfall could stretch from north Georgia, through Atlanta, and into southern portions unaccustomed to such weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parts of the Florida Panhandle were coated white Tuesday. Tallahassee, Floridas capital, last saw snow in 2018 just 0.1 of an inch (0.25 centimeters), according to the weather service. Tallahassee's highest snowfall on record was 2.8 inches (7 centimeters) in 1958. Believe it or not, in the state of Florida were mobilizing snowplows, said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Mobile, Alabama, hit 5.4 inches (13.7 centimeters) and counting Tuesday, topping the citys one-day snowfall record of 5 inches (12.7 centimeters), set Jan. 24, 1881, and nearing its all-time snowfall record of 6 inches (15.5 centimeters) in 1895, the weather service said. The blizzard warning in effect until midday Tuesday was the first issued by the office in Lake Charles, Louisiana, according to meteorologist Donald Jones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana transportation agency workers worked through the night to prepare bridges and roadways. Nonetheless, Louisiana State Police said they have already responded to more than 50 crashes Tuesday, and pleaded for people to stay home. Return of the Arctic blast This latest cold snap comes from a disruption in the polar vortex, the ring of cold air usually trapped at the North Pole. Frigid cold persisted across the eastern two-thirds of the country as the East Coast was blanketed in snow while people from the Northern Plains to the tip of Maine shivered in bitter cold. The NWS said normal temperatures would return slowly by the end of the week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A state of emergency was declared in at least a dozen New York counties with up to 2 feet (60 centimeters) of lake-effect snow and extreme cold expected around Lake Ontario and Lake Erie through Wednesday. Wind chills are expected to reach minus 30 F to minus 50 F (minus 34 C to minus 46 C) across the Dakotas and into the Upper Midwest through Friday, the NWS warned. Subzero wind chills were forecast from the Central Plains eastward through Wednesday night. Santa Ana winds expected to return to Southern California In Southern California, where blazes have killed at least 27 people and burned thousands of homes, dry conditions and strong Santa Ana winds remained a concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ Associated Press writers Sarah Brumfield in Cockeysville, Maryland; Jack Brook in New Orleans; Sara Cline in Key Largo, Florida; Julie Walker in New York; Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut; Bruce Shipkowski in Toms River, New Jersey; Corey Williams in Detroit; Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Florida; Nadia Lathan in Austin, Texas; Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia; Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina; Charlotte Kramon in Atlanta; Safiyah Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama; Makiya Seminera in Raleigh, North Carolina; and Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed. Critics are calling out President Donald Trump for issuing pardons to roughly 1,500 rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, including many convicted of violent crimes such as assaulting police officers. I have been betrayed by my country, and I have been betrayed by those that supported Donald Trump, Michael Fanone, a former District of Columbia police officer who was attacked by the mob, said on CNN. Whether you voted for him because he promised these pardons or for some other reason, you knew that this was coming, and here we are. Other police officers also spoke out against the pardons, which Trump had repeatedlypromised in his 2024 presidential campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the scope of the pardons stunned many, especially given that even Trumps closest allies indicated the scope would be more limited. If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldnt be pardoned, Vice President JD Vance said earlier this month. Many of Trumps critics on social media spoke out against the move: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sending the dangerous message that violence has no consequences. https://t.co/J1JZ32Sbx9 Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) January 21, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a disgrace to our country that those who attacked the Capitol, assaulted officers, and tried to overturn an election arent being held accountable. So much for backing the blue. https://t.co/UAr14RrW5n Sarah Matthews (@SarahAMatthews1) January 21, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement NICOSIA (Reuters) - A military assessment team from the United States will be in Cyprus this week as part of defence upgrades, Cypriot officials said on Tuesday, following an announcement from Washington of cooperation with the Mediterranean island. The evaluation team, based in Germany, would provide know-how and recommendations on infrastructure projects to enhance interoperability with the United States and other partners, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said. "The upgrading of infrastructure, the supply of modern means and the investment in training are key pillars of our national strategy for an effective and flexible defence," Letymbiotis told a news briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assessment will take place at a military base in the western district of Paphos. Strategically perched on the edge of the volatile Middle East, European Union member Cyprus has played a central role in evacuating civilians from the region during the many flare-ups in tensions. Last year, it established a humanitarian aid corridor to Gaza, where a ceasefire deal came into effect on Sunday. Relations between the U.S. and Cyprus have grown closer in recent years and are closely followed by Turkey, which invaded Cyprus's northern third in 1974 after a brief Greek inspired coup. Both Turkey and the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state it supports in north Cyprus have criticised cooperation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the assessment will look at the potential to upgrade landing facilities at the airbase to allow for large-scale evacuation operations from the region if needed, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The source asked not to be named because they were not authorised to speak to the media. (Reporting by Michele Kambas; editing by Barbara Lewis) Prince Harrys determination to have his day in court against the British tabloid media has led to its fair share of courtroom theater already. However, today there was spectacle of a different kind as the Princes civil case against the publishers of The Sun newspaper was scheduled to begin. Photographers and TV crews were outside the Rolls Building of Londons High Court from well before 9 a.m., journalists from across the world went through security before being directed to the court itself or an overspill room next door. Lawyers for both sides took their places ahead of the anticipated 10:30 a.m. start. But in the end, the trial never got underway. The day was instead marked by a series of delays with patchy in-court explanations for the cause. The first delay came immediately, when Harrys lawyer David Sherborne stood and asked Mr. Justice Fancourt for an adjournment for an hour. At the end of this hour, a further request was made on behalf of both parties for more time. This was granted, and the court was scheduled to resume after lunch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the start of the afternoon session, Sherborne stood again and made a plea for another two hours of time. His request was echoed by News Group Newspapers lawyer Anthony Hudson KC, insisting that there had been intense negotiations and they were very close. It pointed to a settlement being imminently reached, although its not clear if this related to Prince Harry or the one other claimant, politician Lord Watson. There was some talk of time differences being particularly problematic, which immediately turned thoughts to Harry in California. But then Sherborne made it clear time differences were a factor but not the reason. Anthony Hudson KC spoke of a substantial sum being involved once the case goes to trial. In any case, the judge was having none of it. Once the lawyers had put forward their arguments, he made his. He said that the parties had had ample time to resolve their differences and that he saw no reason to change his mind and grant a third delay. He allowed a 10 minute break to prepare for the trial to start. However, when the lawyers returned to the court it was not to begin the trail but to announce that they would like to appeal the Judges decision not to allow them more time. In the event of his refusal, they have the right to go to the Court of Appeal themselves to make the request. And this is where things were left in the courtroom at around 2:30 p.m. today. Journalists covering the case scrambled to make sense of whether we were all going to be heading imminently to the Court of Appeal to follow this latest legal maneuver. However, the realization quickly dawned that the extra time the lawyers had wanted was now available and that nothing further would be happening in Mr. Justice Fancourts courtroom until tomorrow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So now it is all hinging on tomorrow, when Prince Harrys latest case against sections of the British press will either finally begin, or end before it starts with the announcement of a settlement. If the Prince does settle it may come as a surprise to many after he made it clear that he wanted to take the case all the way to court for accountability. Harry is accusing News Group Newspapers of illegal information gathering between 1996 and 2011. He has already been told by the court that he cannot include accusations of phone hacking in his claim because he is out of time. News Group Newspapers has denied the allegations and said in a statement ahead of the trial that they will be fully defended. You Might Also Like Democratic attorneys general on Tuesday filed lawsuits in Massachusetts and Washington state seeking to block President Donald Trump's attempt to revoke the right to automatic birthright citizenship. Trump on Monday signed an executive order that purports to limit birthright citizenship to people who have at least one parent who is a United States citizen or a permanent resident. The proposal faces an uphill battle and strong opposition from not just the 23 Democratic attorneys general but also civil rights groups, who have already filed their own lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a war on American families waged by a president with zero respect for our Constitution. We have sued, and I have every confidence we will win," Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said. He and 18 other attorneys general filed the lawsuit in Massachusetts federal court. Four states, Washington, Arizona, Oregon and Illinois, filed the other lawsuit. The Massachusetts lawsuit calls Trump's plan a "flagrantly unlawful attempt to strip hundreds of thousands [of] American-born children of their citizenship based on their parentage." Trump's proposal seeks to "abrogate this well-established and longstanding constitutional principle by executive fiat," the lawsuit says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit filed in Washington says the states would "suffer immediate and irreparable harm" if the measure were implemented, affecting thousands of people. Nationwide, about 12,000 babies born each month "will no longer be considered United States citizens," the lawsuit says. It has long been accepted that the Constitution's 14th Amendment guarantees the right to birthright citizenship for anyone born in the United States, except for the children of diplomats. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, the amendment says. Trump's proposal does not go into effect for a month, giving courts ample time to block it before then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both lawsuits were filed in districts within the jurisdiction of appeals courts with Democratic-appointed judges in the majority. The Supreme Court ruled in 1898, in a case called United States v. Wong Kim Ark, that a man born in San Francisco to parents who were both from China was a U.S. citizen. Many legal experts believe that the court, despite having a 6-3 conservative majority including three Trump-appointed justices, would likely reject the administration's novel interpretation of the law. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A coalition of 18 Democratic-led states, along with the District of Columbia and the city of San Francisco, sued Tuesday to block President Donald Trumps attack on the long-established principle of birthright citizenship. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, is the second major legal challenge to Trumps attempt to stop the countrys automatic recognition of citizenship for the U.S.-born children of non-citizens. Immigrant rights advocates filed a separate lawsuit in the U.S. District of New Hampshire Monday night. President Donald Trump signs an executive order on birthright citizenship in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) via Associated Press When we say well defend the rule of law, we mean it, New Jersey Attorney Gen. Matt Platkin said in a video posted to social media, in which he railed against the unlawful order [Trump] signed yesterday that rewrote the Constitution, upended centuries of precedent and denied residents of our state and across this country the right that they have in the Constitution to birthright citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both lawsuits allege that Trumps executive order flatly violates the 14th Amendment, which states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside. Overturning the 14th Amendments guarantees through an executive order threatens to deprive children of migrants of a fundamental right, the lawsuit says, and may leave some stateless. Trumps order would impact approximately 150,000 children per year, according to estimates cited in the complaint. The U.S. principle of birthright citizenship was inherited from English common law and predates the writing of the Constitution. Congress ratified the 14th Amendment in 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War, to clarify that children of formerly enslaved people were automatically entitled to U.S. citizenship. The Supreme Court ruled in the 1898 case of Wong Kim Ark v. United States, which challenged discriminatory provisions of the Chinese Exclusion Act, that a child of Chinese immigrants was a U.S. citizen by birth, despite the fact that his parents were ineligible to become U.S. citizens themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congress later passed similar language into federal statute. There is no exception to the Citizenship Clauses plain and unconditional grant of U.S. citizenship to all born on American soil and subject to the United States sovereign authority, the Democratic states complaint reads. The lawsuit alleges that Trump acted outside the bounds of his legal authority. And it argues that, by refusing to recognize the citizenship of children with immigrant parents, the order would artificially limit federal support for essential health care, special education and child welfare services, shifting that burden to states. Trump repeatedly attacked the principle of birthright citizenship on the campaign trail, pledging to end it as part of a broader attempt to crackdown on unauthorized immigration. Related... Leading candidates for the Democratic National Committee chairperson election said Tuesday's claim by front-runner Ken Martin that he has the support of 200 members is inflated and fails to paint an accurate picture of the dynamics of the race. Chair candidates need a simple majority of DNC members, or 225 votes, to win. If it holds, Martin's latest endorsement count would bring him close to victory on the first ballot. The role of the chair, who guides fundraising, recruiting and organizing efforts for Democrats nationally, holds particular importance in years when the party is outside of the White House and lacks a de facto leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whoever wins the election will have the responsibility of balancing messaging against the Trump presidency while looking to define and rebuild a party now marked by decisive losses in the executive branch and across both chambers of Congress. Typically, presidents appoint their own chairs to lead the parties they represent. Martin, the Minnesota Democratic Party chairman, announced his 200-member number in a statement Tuesday morning. "I'm honored to have gained the support of leaders from across the country," Martin said. "Our campaign is gaining momentum and we're going to continue to work hard for people's votes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teams of Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler claimed the dynamics of the race are far from locked. PHOTO: Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, discusses the 2024 Democratic National Convention during a news conference, April 18, 2024, in Chicago. (Teresa Crawford/AP) MORE: Democratic National Committee to begin its rebuilding project In a statement to ABC News, Wikler's spokesperson claimed Martin is inflating his whip count in an attempt to create "false momentum" and "lacks a clear path to victory." "Ken Martin is releasing inflated whip counts because his momentum in this race has stalled and he is seeking to create a false sense of momentum," the spokesperson said. "Our internal count has Ben within 30 votes of Ken, with a surge in support since last week's union endorsements. Ken has fewer votes than the combined support for Ben and Martin O'Malley and lacks a clear path to the majority." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement O'Malley's team swiped at Martin, claiming that the 200 figure is inflated and unsubstantiated. Pushing further than Wikler's team, O'Malley spokesman Chris Taylor told ABC News that "not a single soul" believes Martin, who he asserted is acting "beneath the seriousness of this moment." "This race isn't about inflated and unsubstantiated numbers or tricks and gimmicks," Taylor said in a statement. "It's about making the changes we need to win and rebuilding the Democratic Party for the future of our Republic. There is not a single soul running for any DNC office who believes Ken Martin's count. It's disrespectful to the 448 voting members of the DNC -- many of whom are still making up their minds -- and beneath the seriousness of this moment." In their statements, O'Malley's and Wikler's teams both pointed to their internal numbers, which they said show a much closer race. None of the leading candidates have provided a full list of names of their supporters. O'Malley's team said it has commitments from 100 members. Wikler's team declined to offer its internal count. PHOTO: Commissioner of the Social Security Administration Martin O'Malley testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 20, 2024. (Ben Curtis/AP) MORE: Democrats vie for top DNC job in first officer forum Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even still, public endorsements for Martin seem to outnumber all others. Over the past few weeks, Martin's campaign has been rolling out daily endorsements on social media. His bid boasts the support of at least 50 current state party chairs and vice chairs, including party leaders from swing-states Arizona, New Mexico and Pennsylvania, and several members of Congress, including Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, as well as leaders of the Young Democrats of America. Wikler has the support from one of the highest-ranking Democrats, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and rubber stamps from both centrist and progressive organizations within the party. Last week, Wikler won the support of four powerful public sector unions, including the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. O'Malley has also been rolling out endorsements from individual members, including current and former members of the Congressional Black Caucus, alongside former mayors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DNC has been hosting forums that function as debates between candidates for all officer positions. There are two left, one this week and one next week, a few days before the officer elections on Feb. 1. Democrats look to define dynamics of race for party chair originally appeared on abcnews.go.com NEW YORK (AP) Democrats knew this was coming. President Donald Trump promised a shock-and-awe campaign to deliver major policy victories immediately after he took office. Much of it was outlined in the Project 2025 document that Democrats predicted he would adopt. But in the hours since Trump's inauguration, Democrats are struggling to confront the sheer volume of executive orders, pardons, personnel changes and controversial relationships taking shape in the new administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In less than two days, the Republican president has moved to end diversity and inclusion programs across the federal government, withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris climate accords, blocked a federal law banning TikTok, and sought to end the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship. He has also pardoned the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and granted unprecedented access to some of the world's richest men, raising questions about his commitment to the working-class voters who enabled his election. Each of those actions enrages part of the Democratic base. Together, they make it difficult to formulate a response by an already fractured party. It is a fire hose right now. Thats what he does. He creates a ton of chaos so its hard to keep up with it, said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who instructed her staff to track Trump's executive orders, so her constituents could keep up. Everything is overload. Democrats warn of Trump's plans to screw over America Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic National Committee, under the direction of retiring chair Jaime Harrison, has been running an active rapid response this week, issuing press releases and social media posts to push back against Trumps actions. That stands in contrast to the partys operation following Trumps 2017 inauguration, which was largely dark as a far more active protest movement became the focal point of the Democratic resistance. For now, the Democratic establishment is largely focused on the prominent role of billionaires in Trumps nascent presidency, which follows Bidens farewell warning about the rise of oligarchs. The DNC shared talking points with its allies on Tuesday, encouraging them to focus on Trumps plans to screw over America. Specifically, the talking points focus on the new presidents move to rescind a Biden order designed to limit the cost of prescription drugs. The DNC guidance also seizes on ultra-wealthy tech executives like Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and Space X, and Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon and Blue Origin, who were seated in front of some of Trumps Cabinet picks during his inauguration. On Musk, the talking points accuse him of giving multiple Nazi salutes during Trumps inauguration parade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right-wing extremists are celebrating Musks straight-arm gesture during a speech Monday, although his intention wasnt totally clear and some hate watchdogs are saying not to read too much into it. The seating for some of the worlds richest men at the inauguration with big-state governors and major allies relegated to an overflow area initially offered Democrats an issue to rally around. Beyond the tech leaders featured at the inauguration, the Republican president has tapped more than a dozen billionaires for prominent roles. Democratic strategist Andrew Bates, who left his job as a White House spokesman on Friday, attacked Trumps GOP for partying with rightwing billionaires on their first day in control of Washington and plotting tax welfare for the super rich on Day 2. Republicans have revealed their establishment-bought true colors and are selling out every American except their well-connected donors, Bates said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The party remains fractured Crockett, who has become one of her party's most visible messengers on Capitol Hill, is concerned that the focus on billionaires might not resonate with average voters, who likely didnt recognize Bezos or other tech executives at the inauguration. Im not sure average people know thats not normal, Crockett said of the seating arrangement. The brilliance of Trump, if I had to give him accolades, is that he understands how much people dont understand. Even under normal circumstances, a transition to a new presidential administration would bring a flurry of executive orders and personnel changes that would be difficult to track. But little is normal about the second incarnation of President Trump, a 78-year-old term-limited outsider at the height of his political power with little regard for political norms or legal consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyones reeling and trying to process the information coming at them, said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of the progressive advocacy group Our Revolution. People are not confident that the Democratic Party knows what to do in this moment. Some prominent allies of the Democratic Party aren't especially engaged either. Billionaire businessman Mark Cuban, who was among Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris' most visible surrogates last fall, downplayed the impact of Trump's early moves when asked to weigh in. He hasnt really done anything yet, Cuban told The Associated Press. Ill pay attention to what he does. But my focus is figuring out healthcare rather than getting mad about what he does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just getting angry, Cuban continued, is not the way to go. Faiz Shakir, a candidate for DNC chair and a longtime ally of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, said he was shocked by the prominent placement of the billionaires in the nationally televised event, which he said threatened to undermine Trumps popularity with working-class voters. He has given people a window into how hes going to govern, Shakir said. Still, he acknowledged that Democrats must confront fatigue and exhaustion within their own ranks that lingers two months after Trumps victory: Theres a creeping hopelessness that needs to be fought against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crockett encouraged her party to adopt a much more organized campaign to educate the public about Trumps three most egregious moves. What are they? Shes not sure yet. But in my opinion, we cant fight it all, she said. ____ Centuries ago, Alaska's native Koyukon people settled on the name "Denali" for the tallest mountain in North America. Then, in 1896, a random European-American gold prospector decided to name it after presidential candidate William McKinley and kicked-off a controversy that has raged ever since. On Monday President Donald Trump revived that dispute when he changed Denali's name back to Mount McKinley in an executive order Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A short time from now, we will be restoring the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs," Trump announced earlier in his inauguration speech. The change is opposed by both of Alaska's Republican senators, as well as by many other Alaskans and representatives of the state's indigenous people. So why is Trump changing it, and does his plan make any sense? From Bolshaya Gora to Mount McKinley On a clear day, you can see Denali from more than 133 miles away in the Alaskan city of Anchorage. Towering 20,310 feet above sea level, it has long been a landmark to indigenous Alaskans with many names coined by different groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The name that's now most popular in Alaska comes from the Koyukon language, spoken on the north side of the mountain. It comes from deenaalee, meaning "the high one. That name wasn't well known to the Europeans who visited Alaska, though. The peak went unnamed on George Vancouver's 1794 visit, while an 1839 map by the German Russian explorer Ferdinand von Wrangel used the name coined by the nearby Deg Hitan people, who called it Tenada (or "the great mountain"). According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the Russians called it "Bolshaya Gora" (or "big mountain"), while U.S. prospectors often called it "Densmore's Peak, after a prospector called Frank Densmore who regularly raved about its beauty. Yet in 1896 another prospector named William A. Dickey visited the area, later writing an account of his trip for The New York Sun. The first news he heard from the outside world on his return trip was that former Ohio governor William McKinley had received the Republican nomination for president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apparently this excited Dickey enough to name the mountain after McKinley. According to The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, it was actually a political jab: Dickey had met many silver miners in Alaska who supported moving the U.S. dollar back to the silver standard, whereas McKinley (and presumably Dickey) favored the gold standard. The moniker might never have caught on but for McKinley's shock assassination by an Ohio anarchist in 1901. The desire to honor McKinley's memory made the name more popular, and it was officially adopted by the U.S. government in 1917 despite there being zero connection between McKinley and Alaska. A decades-long battle between Alaska and Oh Even at the time, not everyone agreed with calling the peak McKinley. Charles Sheldon, a hunter and naturalist who had spent much time in the area, had strongly campaigned for it to be called Denali, as had mountaineer Belmore Browne. "In looking backward over the history of the big mountain, it seems strange and unfortunate that the name of McKinley should have been attached to it," said Browne in 1913. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1930, Sheldon likewise noted: "The Indians who have lived for countless generations in the presence of these colossal mountains have given them names that are both euphonious and appropriate. He asked: "Can it be denied that the names they gave to the most imposing features of their country should be preserved? Can it be too late to ... restore these beautiful names?" In fact, it wasn't too late. By 1975 enough momentum had grown that Alaska's Republican governor Jay Hammond, and a majority of its state legislature, requested an official name change to Denali. Denali National Park (Shutterstock) Yet the effort failed in Congress due to the opposition of legislators from Ohio, chiefly GOP representative Ralph Regula. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names was legally forbidden from considering a name change if any laws about it were pending in Congress, which Regula exploited by filing a new law every year from 1975 until his retirement in 2009. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Alaskans continued to use "Denali" in daily life, and Alaska Republicans never gave up on the cause. Soon after Regula's retirement in 2009, GOP senator Lisa Murkowski began pushing again, and the idea gained traction. In 2015, the Obama administration finally intervened, arguing that the 40-year delay in answering Alaska's request gave the federal government the authority to settle things. On August 28, the mountain's name was changed to Denali. Uh. Nope. Its Denali Denali has been embraced by Alaska, a state with a strong tradition of independence from the "lower 49" and an unusually high proportion of native residents. "Weve been calling it Denali since I moved up here, said Alaskan conservative talk radio host Dave Stieren in 2015. "If folks in Ohio are really intent on naming Alaska places, maybe theyd let us name some of theirs? joked Anchorage's Democratic mayor Ethan Berkowitz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, some Republicans continued to oppose the former name not least of all Donald J Trump. While campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination, he repeatedly criticized the Obama administration's decision. He was joined by Regula (who claimed that Obama "thinks he is a dictator"), Ohio-born speaker of the House John Boehner, and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Trump has since returned to this theme, claiming in a speech in January 2025: "McKinley was a very good, maybe a great president. They took his name off Mount McKinley. That's what they do to people." The 47th and 25th presidents have have something in common: Tariffs. In 1890, Congress passed the Tarriff Act increasing duties on imports from 38 to 49.5 percent earning McKinley the moniker The Napoleon of Protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump promised in his speech Monday that he would restore the name of a great president where it should be and where it belongs. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent. His executive order later reviving Mt. McKinley is entitled: Restoring names that honor American greatness. It is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes, Trump wrote in the order. The naming of our national treasures, including breathtaking natural wonders and historic works of art, should honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans in our Nations rich past. Both of Alaska's Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, oppose the change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Uh. Nope. Its Denali," said Murkowski on X after Trump's speech. "There is only one name worthy of North Americas tallest mountain: Denali, the Great One." Sullivan, whose wife, Julie Fate, has indigenous Alaskan ancestry, recounted how at a meeting in 2017 both he and Murkowski had urged Trump not to change the name. "If you change that name back now," Sullivan told him, "[my wife's] going to be really, really mad. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida woman carrying a bag labeled definitely not a bag full of drugs was arrested after deputies searched it. According to Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, deputies stopped the vehicle Teryn Acri was riding in on Saturday, 10 days after she bonded out of jail on drug charges. Habitual traffic offender with 6 active warrants leads troopers on 100 mph chase on I-4 Deputies found multiple bags in the vehicle, including one that was labeled definitely not a bag full of drugs. A search of the bag (and her other items) turned up methamphetamine, needles, narcan, digital scales, small baggies, cut straws and other items associated with drugs, Ivey said. Acri was taken to jail, where she is being held without bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know there is a quote that says insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results and folks let me tell you, this is absolute insanity that we just keep letting these criminals out of jail on ridiculous bonds so they can break more laws, Ivey wrote. Often times in law enforcement we say to ourselves you just cant make this stuff up and this case is without question one of those cases, Ivey said. Copyright 2025 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 WFLA. By Elizabeth Howcroft and Susan Heavey PARIS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's launch of a crypto token shortly before his inauguration on Monday creates new conflict-of-interest concerns, ethics experts and industry insiders said. Trump has pledged to hand management of his assets to his children, but the crypto asset is raising particular concerns due to its ability to quickly attract billions of speculative dollars with little transparency. The companies behind the "meme coins" $TRUMP and $MELANIA, for first lady Melania Trump, said they are not investments or securities but are an "expression of support." The tokens follow Trump-branded non-fungible tokens, sneakers and a Bible, among other items he has launched. Ethics advisors and industry experts say this investment is different because his administration will regulate an industry in which he has a stake through the new token, and one where any value is arguably tied to his presidency. The companies behind the Trump token, CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of the Trump Organization, and Fight Fight Fight LLC, co-owned by CIC Digital, collectively own 80% of the tokens, meaning that Trump-linked businesses could have gained $8 billion worth of crypto over the weekend. Danielle Brian, head of the watchdog group Project On Government Oversight, said Trump's moves into crypto are concerning given the industry's loose oversight. Besides being "a blatant financial conflict of interest on behalf of the president ... it is deepening his engagement in a world that raises real national security concerns," she said. Trump's office did not respond to a request for comment. Prominent crypto investor Nic Carter said on social media the creation of personal meme coins "opens the door to secretive foreign buyers trying to curry influence with our leaders." Some Democratic U.S. lawmakers echoed the national security concerns and conflict-of-interest worries. "Anyone globally, even individuals who have been sanctioned by the U.S. or banned from our capital markets, can now trade and profit off of $TRUMP through various unregulated platforms," U.S. House Financial Services Committee top Democrat Maxine Waters wrote. Meme coins typically refer to small, extremely volatile, cryptocurrencies, often named after online jokes or trends. While supporters hope the tokens will rise as the memes go viral, most have little value. Both the Trump tokens websites avoid using the word cryptocurrency referring instead to fungible crypto assets and marketing them as memes. ALGANSEE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) A suspect was shot Monday following a police chase in Branch County, deputies say. It happened around 5 p.m., according to the Branch County Sheriffs Office. The office says the suspect driver did not stop for a deputy, sparking a chase in the area of Central Road and Ferguson Road in Algansee Township. At Kelley Road and Stateline Road, the suspect vehicle left the road, authorities say. Thats where the deputy tried to take the suspect driver into custody, according to the sheriffs office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was during this time that the officer-involved shooting took place, deputies wrote in a release. The suspect was shot, the sheriffs office confirmed to News 8, while a passenger in the suspect vehicle was not hurt. Deputies say the suspect, a 33-year-old Camden man, got away but was later caught in Indiana near the Ohio state line. He was taken to the hospital to be treated. State police have taken over the investigation. Charges are pending in both Michigan and Indiana, according to the Branch County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Migrants from Mexico and Guatemala are apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers after crossing a section of border wall into the U.S. on Jan. 4, 2025 in Ruby, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is praising the sweeping set of executive actions on immigration that President Donald Trump signed on his first day in office on Monday, saying they provide a great road map for Florida lawmakers to follow during a special legislative session the governor has called for next week in Tallahassee. Among the actions Trump has now put forth are declaring migrant crossings along the U.S.- Mexico border a national emergency; requiring people seeking asylum to wait in Mexico while an immigration judge considers their cases; and a bar on asylum for people newly arrived at the southern border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Trump has shut down a program that allows migrants to make advance appointments with Customs and Border Protection, ordered the military to the border, and designated drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. I mean, man if you look at those executive orders, theres a lot of really good ones but the immigration, this is really, really strong. And the president came out of the gate, very, very committed, DeSantis told reporters Tuesday during a briefing at the states Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. Ive been saying that this was going to happen. DeSantis wants the Florida Legislature to convene in a special session on Jan. 27 to pass new state immigration laws to complement the federal government, as well to pass legislation changing the citizen-led initiative process, providing hurricane relief to residents and businesses, and addressing condominium safety regulations. But his initial calls for the special session provoked a rare pushback for the DeSantis era, with Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez saying last week that it was premature to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Florida Constitution allows the governor to make such a call independently, and lawmakers are scheduled to return to the Capitol Monday for the special session. Responding to Albritton and Perezs concerns that it would be irresponsible to get out ahead of Trumps announcements, the governors office has now provided lawmakers with proposed bill language to address undocumented immigration and complicate the initiative petition process. Every tool at our disposal Describing himself as like a dog thats gotcha on the ankle when it comes to illegal immigration, DeSantis vowed he will not stand down on pushing lawmakers to move immediately to address the issue now, and not when the regular legislative session is scheduled to begin in early March. Look, if they want to go on the record and actually vote down good proposals, and then be held accountable by their constituents, thats one thing. But we are not just going to sit idly by, he said. We are going to use every tool at our disposal to be able to get the job done. The governor went on to say that the Republican-controlled Legislature could opt to meet next week and decline to pass some or many of the bills that he wants to see addressed, but that they lack a political mandate to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They ran for an election how many people won a Republican primary in the last six years saying that they were going to oppose the governor on the agenda? Zero did that. I can tell you because they asked for my picture to be in their literature. So, they ran saying, Were going to support the governors agenda. Thats just the reality. So, I have a responsibility to lead on these issues. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (Stock photo by Ronnie Chua via Getty Images) Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency ahead of the winter storm forecast to bring snow and ice storms to North Florida this week to protect the communities, critical infrastructure, and general welfare of Florida. The order empowers the Division of Emergency Management to coordinate the state and local response to the weather, expected to include up to four inches of snow in the Panhandle and one-quarter inch of ice from the eastern Panhandle through the Suwanee River Valley, auguring tree damage, downed power lines, and frozen-over roads and bridges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conditions could present a major disaster as far south as Central Florida, DeSantis said in his order. The order provides for the suspension of tolls as necessary on the states highways, eases access to utility line crews from Florida and out of state, allows the dispensing of up to 30 days emergency pharmaceutical prescriptions, establishes emergency shelters, and more. The order activates the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard to respond to the emergency and allows state agencies to close offices where necessary. Earlier Monday, legislative leaders postponed House and Senate committee hearings scheduled for this week until next week. Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a State of Emergency in Florida because of the winter storms. DeSantis said the expected conditions in North Florida are projected to constitute a major disaster. That includes hazardous driving conditions across Tuesday night and into Wednesday. Watch: Winter storm systems bring cold, rain and wind to Central Florida In Central Florida, a light mix of freezing rain and sleet is possible in parts of Marion County, where a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parts of Floridas Panhandle could receive 2 to 4 inches of snow. Watch: Winter storm warning issued for north Florida, hazardous travel expected The state of emergency will remain in place for 60 days. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) Gov. Ron DeSantis warned of potential snowfall this week, amid the freezing temperatures impacting northern Florida. The governor delivered remarks Tuesday morning from the State Emergency Operations Center, warning Floridians of severe winter weather on Tuesday and into Wednesday. Gov. Ron DeSantis declares state of emergency over incoming winter weather system He said Florida could see record-breaking weather the next two days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said North Florida could see two to four inches of snow. Those in the northeast should prepare for ice warnings. At 1 p.m. on Tuesday, all non-essential workers are dismissed for the day, and state offices will be closed on Wednesday for the wintry weather. Residents are encouraged to wear several layers to keep warm, keep pets and plants indoors, insulate water pipes and let faucets drip slightly, and use space heaters safely. Power outages are likely to happen and some schools may be closed. Floridians are encouraged to stay up to date with their local weather forecasts and emergency management websites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis also warned of the hazardous roadways as ice begins to accumulate. Drivers should remain vigilant, or just stay off the roads. Operation Safe Passage: drivers speeding in school zones will now face a fine De-icing chemicals on roadways, snow plows, and generators on roadways are just some of the preparations transportation officials have implemented to ensure safety and functionality. As of Tuesday morning, all airports and flights are operational, but there have been delays and cancellations already. WFLA live streamed the press conference, which can be viewed in the video player above. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WFLA. TALLAHASSEE For years, Floridians have used the ballot initiative process to pass popular measures that have been otherwise stymied by the states political leaders. That process is how Florida got its $15 minimum wage, medical marijuana and felon voter rights restoration. Its the reason why Floridas governor and lawmakers have term limits. But new proposals from Gov. Ron DeSantis office could make it nearly impossible for the states residents to amend their constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors office sent several proposals to Floridas legislative staff earlier this month, according to a spokesperson for the Florida Senate. Among the ideas shared was a plan to overhaul how amendment sponsors can collect petitions to get initiatives on the ballot. No longer would groups be able to use third-party organizations to collect signatures from passersby outside grocery stores or the tax collectors office. Instead, DeSantis office proposed that people could only complete a petition in person at an elections office, or by requesting a petition in a process similar to vote-by-mail. The way that they have it written, that would functionally eliminate citizen initiatives from the state of Florida, said Ben Pollara, who ran the successful 2016 constitutional amendment campaign for medical marijuana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other ideas on the governors list include requiring the attorney general to put a disclosure on the ballot about the legal effects of the amendment and creating more pathways to boot a petition off the ballot. The proposals DeSantis office shared with legislative staff are more detailed than what he has floated publicly ahead of the Jan. 27 special session. Its unclear whether legislative leadership supports DeSantis ideas. The governors website also has a link to a draft bill that includes these ideas. The House speaker and Senate president have said that changes to the petition process are complex and better suited for the regular session, which starts in March. DeSantis has cited fraud as the reason he wants to reform the initiative process, but he has also criticized Floridas ballot initiative as a path for special interests, saying that our constitution should not be for sale to the highest bidder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, the executive director of the left-leaning Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, said DeSantis proposals follow the pattern of states attempting to restrict the petition process, especially in light of many winning abortion protection measures. Other states are already looking to Floridas process after seeing its abortion amendment defeated because of the 60% required threshold, Figueredo said. If Florida were to pass more changes, other states could look to duplicate it. I think what hes proposing really clearly has nothing to do with making the process more secure, Figueredo said. It is ultimately a power grab. The ideas from DeSantis office would essentially prohibit any organized signature collection. Under the suggested change, it would be a third-degree felony for someone to collect more than two signed petition forms for the same initiative besides their own and a family members, punishable by up to five years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida is one of 24 states that allow citizens to amend their laws or constitution, and in Florida, the right to amend the constitution is guaranteed in that very document. Lawmakers have already made the process more difficult and more expensive in recent years. None of the other ideas floated by the governors office matter if the change to signature collection passes, Pollara said. If that change goes through, outside of amendments put on the ballot by the Legislature, we aint voting on ballot amendments, Pollara said. Last year, DeSantis leaned heavily on state power to combat two amendments put on the ballot through the petition process. Amendment 3 would have allowed for recreational marijuana use, and Amendment 4 would have protected abortion access both ideas that DeSantis opposes. Both amendments failed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the ideas on the governors list seem specifically targeted at any future attempt to relaunch an abortion protection initiative. One of the proposals says that the Florida Supreme Court would be required to evaluate a petition for compliance with Article 1, Section 2 of the constitution, which deals with Floridians rights to life, liberty and happiness. During arguments over whether Amendment 4 should be allowed on the ballot, some Florida justices raised the question of whether unborn children are covered in that constitutional guarantee. Michelle Morton, a staff attorney at the ACLU of Florida, said the proposal seemed like an attempt by the governor to put up another possible barrier to any future abortion amendment. The ACLU of Florida campaigned for Amendment 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unfortunate that when the governor saw that so many people want to repeal these bans, this is the reaction, Morton said. To create another avenue to try and fight any future amendments in that area. Morton noted that Floridas court has in the past upheld the ballot initiative process as a protected right for citizens. The proposals out of DeSantis office would allow a private citizen to challenge an amendments standing and would also allow the secretary of state to decertify an amendment if they determine it didnt get enough signatures. If that were law last year, it could have affected the abortion amendment. Thats because, less than a month before Election Day last year, the DeSantis administration put out an unprecedented report asserting that an estimated 16% of the amendments petitions should not have been validated due to widespread petition fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states report, which included sweeping generalizations about the petition drive without providing data to back them up, was based on a review of about 13,000 validated petitions out of the campaigns nearly one million approved signatures. Floridas report accusing the abortion amendment of fraud came months after the state had already certified it to appear on the ballot, and months after the deadline to challenge it had passed. Another idea from the governors office is to have the attorney general create more language to appear on the ballot describing the material legal effects of the amendment. Morton with the ACLU said adding more would make the ballot all the more complicated. When reasonable voters cant decipher what theyre looking at, they choose not to vote or vote no, Morton said. She thinks part of the governors plan is making these amendments look so scary that people wont vote for them. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) referred to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in an executive order Monday addressing a winter weather weather system moving into parts of the Sunshine State this week. WHEREAS, an area of low pressure moving across the Gulf of America, interacting with Arctic air, will bring widespread impactful winter weather to North Florida beginning Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the DeSantis order states. The move came hours after President Trump pledged to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America during his inaugural address, re-upping a proposal he floated during a wide-ranging press conference earlier this month at his Palm Beach resort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs, Trump said shortly after being sworn in, referring to the Alaska mountain now known as Denali. DeSantis was in Washington on Monday for the inauguration. The governor has signaled an eagerness to use his position as governor to implement Trumps agenda. Last week DeSantis called for a special legislative session in Florida in an effort to aid the administration in enacting Trumps immigration agenda. Copyright 2025 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. DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) Renderings show how a roughly 25-building development with apartments, a hotel, offices, shops and more could be built on a 43-acre site near Ohio Universitys Dublin campus. Design firm NBBJ submitted updated images to the city of Dublin for their proposed Cosgray Commons development, to be built on a vacant 43-acre property southwest of the State Route 161 and University Boulevard roundabout. If constructed, Cosgray would sit directly to the west of Ohio Universitys Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and Integrated Education Center. A rendering of NBBJs proposed Cosgray Commons development. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin) A rendering of NBBJs proposed Cosgray Commons development. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin) A rendering of NBBJs proposed Cosgray Commons development. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin) Dublins Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to review NBBJs proposal and provide non-binding feedback during a meeting on Thursday. The informal review is one of several first steps the design firm will undergo before receiving final approval and construction can begin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NBBJs proposal includes 332 apartments in four-story buildings, a hotel, mixed-use office and retail space, parking garages and townhomes. The site would be organized by a network of new streets, with several open green spaces. Amenities would include a pool, clubhouse, dog park, bike hub, walking paths and 545 surface parking spots across the development. A rendering of NBBJs proposed Cosgray Commons development. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin) A rendering of NBBJs proposed Cosgray Commons development. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin) A rendering of NBBJs proposed Cosgray Commons development. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin) Cosgray is one of several proposed large-scale developments moving through Dublins approval process, including Crawford Hoyings collaboration with Cameron Mitchell for a boutique hotel in Bridge Park. The proposal submitted to the city of Dublin says the hotel will house about 130 guestrooms with amenities including a fitness center, pool and spa within a seven-story tower. Crawyford Hoying also filed another proposal late last year build another Bridge Park expansion along Dale Drive and Bridge Park Avenue, a block occupied by parking lots and a former preschool. The development would span 5.4 acres and include office space, two condominium buildings and public green space. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. In a scene from a new documentary about spoken word poet Caleb Rainey, he reads from his poem Look, Black Boy, which also is the title of his debut book and first album. Remember, being endangered is never the fault of the hunted or haunted. You will walk with stones in your pocket. They wish to sink you, but you must keep swimming, he says. Raineys powerful, compassionate artistry and ability to foster connections between people, even in the midst of hard truths is captured in The Negro Artist, a new documentary that will be screened free at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Detroit Public Librarys main branch on Woodward Avenue. Spoken word poet Caleb Rainey in the documentary "The Negro Artist." The title refers to Raineys stage name, which is a nod to author and activist Langston Hughes' essay The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain. Through interviews with Rainey, along with his parents, friends, mentors and admirers, the film shows how he grew up facing the racism that lurked beneath the Midwest pleasantness of Columbia, Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rainey found a way to express himself and share his sometimes painful experiences through spoken word poetry, first in high school and later at the University of Iowa, where he earned a bachelors degree in English and creative writing in 2017. Since then, Rainey has accomplished more than some poets do in a lifetime of work. He has written two books and released two albums, co-founded a literary magazine, won poetry slams across the country and ranked seventh in 2023s UNESCO Slam-O-Vision global competition. An animated segment in "The Negro Artist" documentary portrays Caleb Rainey performing spoken word poetry in high school. Just as impressively, he produces events to foster a growing and inclusive poetry community in Iowa and has created a high school program, IC Speaks, to young people from all sorts of backgrounds to share their truths. The Negro Artist is the first feature-length documentary by journalist and filmmaker Nik Heftman, who, along with Rainey, will be at Wednesdays screening and post-film discussion at the Detroit Public Library. On Thursday, both men will attend a private event for students at the Detroit School of Arts and then head to Port Huron for two evening screenings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With creative flourishes like the animated segments that illustrate Raineys high school memories, Heftman takes an unblinking look at how art can confront hate. (The film opens with Rainey reciting a poem that has a racial epithet in its title and text.) In addition, Heftman's sharp eye for telling details makes the poets story come alive in ways that reflect Raineys own enthusiasm for his craft. Heftman says he met Rainey in 2022 at the Okoboji Writers Retreat in the lakes area of northwest Iowa. I learned he wasnt only talking the talk, he was walking the walk, says Heftman, who graduated from Iowa State University in 2017, of Raineys multifaceted roles as performer, community builder and educator. According to Heftman, he, like everyone at the retreat, was moved by Raineys poetry and related to his journey. For me, it was encouraging to see a guy who would stand up, quite frankly, in front of a lot of white people and talk about some of the same experiences that Id experienced, says Heftman, 30, who was deeply involved in journalism at college and formerly was an associate producer for CBS Mornings with host Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'One of Them Days': Detroit director's first movie stars Keke Palmer and SZA Heftman now heads his own production company, the Seven Times, an online platform focused on uplifting Black-owned businesses. According to Heftman, he has been contacted by people from all over the United States who want to see the movie. In December, The Negro Artist was warmly received at the Culver City Film Festival in the Los Angeles area. Next up in March is the 2025 Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival in northern California, a gathering place for many top documentary filmmakers. Filmmaker and journalist Nik Heftman, whose "The Negro Artist" documentary will be screened at the Detroit Public Library's Main Library on Jan. 22,2025, followed by a discussion. Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com. 'The Negro Artist' A documentary about spoken word poet Caleb Rainey by filmmaker Nik Heftman Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6 p.m., Wed. screening followed by discussion with Rainey and Heftman Clara Stanton Jones Auditorium at the Detroit Public Library's Main Library 5201 Woodward Ave, Detroit Free (reserve a spot at Eventbrite) Rainey also will be appearing at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at the West Bloomfield Township Library's main branch on his "A Dream Affirmed" tour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'The Negro Artist' film to screen for free at Detroit Public Library ZURICH (Reuters) - UBS Chief Executive Sergio Ermotti on Tuesday said it was currently premature for the Swiss bank to consider acquisitions as it continues to focus on the integration of Credit Suisse, which it bought in 2023. Ermotti, who was speaking to CNBC on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, also said he did not expect a lot of deregulation in the banking sector in the United States under the new Trump administration. "We will probably see more rationalization of existing regulation," he told the broadcaster. "So at least for the big banks, I think it's appropriate. I don't believe that banks should be massively deregulated." The UBS CEO said the Trump administration may help address some geopolitical issues, but noted that the prospect of trade tariffs could also create tensions. UBS acquired Credit Suisse after its longtime rival collapsed due to a string of scandals and setbacks. (Reporting by Ariane Luthi) During a speech at Capitol One Arena Monday following Donald Trumps inauguration, Elon Musk appeared to deliver a Roman salute not once, but twice. The gesture is associated with Nazi Germany, and Musk was speaking triumphantly about Trumps election victory when he made the salute. What was Musk thinking when he decided to point his arm unambiguously in a fascist symbol? It would seem that the billionaire tech CEO and major Trump backer doesnt care if he is called a Nazi or racist anymore now that Trump is officially president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just one month ago, Musk came out in full support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has been accused of neo-Nazi sympathies. Less than two weeks ago, Musk hosted AfD leader Alice Weidel in a livestream on X, where the pair dismissed Adolf Hitler as a communist. Musk has also voiced his support for British neo-Nazi Tommy Robinson in an attempt to influence politics in that country. All of these would seem to suggest that despite earlier denials, Musk does seem to harbor actual Nazi sympathies. Of course, the tech mogul is probably going to claim later that he was trolling the libs, or that the media is out to get him, or something else dismissive. He can probably count on Trump defending his gesture, claiming that he didnt see it, or having no idea what it means. After all, Trump has defended Hitler in the past. But one thing is clear: Every Nazi sympathizer who has a soft spot for Trump is probably feeling emboldened. The name we recognize today as one of the most powerful voices during the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr., was originally not named Martin Luther. His father decided to change their names when he was just a toddler. The reason why may shock you. Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. was on a multinational trip in 1934 with the Baptist World Alliance when he had the idea, according to 1517. He had joined with the Fifth World Congress of Baptist, which attracted clergy and congregations members from several countries to meet in Berlin, Germany. The event was in 1934, one year after Adolf Hitler became chancellor, per the organization. There, King Sr. learned the history of Protestant reformer Martin Luther. If you didnt know, the OG Martin Luther was the founder of the Protestant Church from where the Baptist faith was birthed years later. He was known for his criticisms of the unethical practices of the Catholic Church, per the Musee Protestant. While stirring controversy, Luthers studies in Theology led to the reformation of the Church as well as a new translation of the Bible. His ideas spread like wildfire across Europe, influencing religion and the arts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inspired by his work, King Sr. decided to take his name. See, Martin Luther King Sr. was originally Michael King Sr. [King Sr.s] mother insisted that she named him Michael, after the archangel Michael, said King scholar Patrick Parr, author of The Seminarian: Martin Luther King Jr. Comes of Age, per North Jersey.com. After adopting the name, the reverend also changed his sons name from Michael King Jr. to Martin Luther King Jr. The future rights leader was just five years old at the time. By the 1960s, in his prime, King Jr. traveled to East Berlin himself to preach and acknowledge the history of his name. Dear Christian friends of East Berlin, I come to you not altogether as a stranger, for the name that I happen to have is a name so familiar to you, so familiar to Germany, and so familiar to the world, and I am happy that my parents decided to name me after the great Reformer, he said to the crowd, per 1517. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WDTN) Vice President JD Vances journey to the White House took an unusual route, but now the Middletown native finds himself serving in the second-highest seat in the country. At just 40 years old, JD Vance is Americas third youngest vice president in history. And looking back on his life, experts say his political career took the fast track. Official portraits of Donald Trump, JD Vance are released Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It really is a remarkable story in terms of speed, said Dr. Glen Duerr, professor of international studies at Cedarville University. First known nationally just a few years ago as the bestselling author of Hillbilly Elegy, Vance is now the 50th Vice President of the United States. Vances journey from Middletown to DC shows his rapid rise in politics. Whats really remarkable about JD Vance, is not just how young he is at 40 years old, but how little experience he has, said Christopher Devine, associate professor of political science at the University of Dayton. After graduating from Middletown High School in 2003, Vance served four years in the Marines before attending Ohio State University and Yale Law School. He has several businesses and non-profit ventures before running for senate. He won the Ohio seat, taking office in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With just two years of senate experience under his belt, President Donald Trump selected Vance as his running mate, winning last November. Usually most people who get their start in local government or at the state level, work their way up, said Duerr. Usually in politics for several decades before getting to the U.S. Senate, let alone to the vice presidency. VP Vances former teacher, hometown reflects ahead of inauguration day Despite calling himself a Never Trump guy in 2016, Vance is now Trumps second-in-command. Experts say it demonstrates a shift in personal differences for Vance. The two are very, very close today, to the point where Trump picked him over some of the very capable leaders for the vice presidential nominee, said Duerr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance will now serve as vice president for the next four years. As the vice president, Vances role will be to break ties in the senate and to step in if anything were to happen to the president. He will also serve as an advisor to President Trump. But whether the role will give him a leg up for a 2028 presidential run, political scientists say well just have to wait and see. He probably has a better shot than anybody else just because of the prominent role hes going to play in this administration and already having that seal of approval, at least at this time, from Donald Trump, said Devine. Copyright 2025 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 WDTN.com. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The Ohio Lottery is urging players to check their tickets after a $1 million prize was won in a recent drawing. Winners Corner in Reynoldsburg sold an auto-pick Powerball ticket for Wednesdays drawing, the organization posted on social media. Is it yours? According to a news release, the winning Powerball numbers were 8-41-52-53-58, the Powerball number was 7 and the Power Play number was 3. Beating the odds of 1 in 11,688,054, the auto-pick selection matched all five white balls to take the $1 million prize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Top free indoor play areas for kids around Columbus and central Ohio The Powerball results website shows no one won the jackpot of $305 million or the Match 5 + Power Play worth $2 million in the Wednesday, Jan. 15 drawing. The last grand prize, $256 million, was won on Dec. 7, 2024, in New York. Winners Corner, a game store that sells board games, puzzles, playing cards and lottery tickets, is located at 2036 Baltimore-Reynoldsburg Road in Reynoldsburg. The winner will take home around $720,000 after paying the 28% tax on the prize. Powerball drawings are every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. Tickets are $2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Jan. 21By Ayanna Eckblad Riverland Community College on Monday hosted the 37th annual Martin Luther King Celebration organized by the Peace and Justice MLK Committee. The event featured a social time with refreshments followed by a program with music, speeches and presenting scholarships to local students. The program began with a welcome by Albert Lea Mayor Rich Murray. He told the story of how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had visited Mankato in 1961. Murray posed the question of whether Dr. King would be happy with what he saw if he were to visit Albert Lea today. He encouraged those gathered to show kindness, welcome others and be a good example for the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, two Albert Lea High School students received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Award. Mary Hinnenkamp, a member of the Peace and Justice Committee, presented the scholarships to the two graduating seniors, Rosa Corey-Gruenes and Vivian Nguyen. In a short speech, Corey-Gruenes shared her experience as a certified nursing assistant and how it has opened her eyes to the various needs and disparities there are in the health care system. She said she plans to continue her education to become a nurse and work to promote better policies in health care. Nguyen talked about her experience in martial arts and how it taught her about discipline, integrity and respect. She said she recently got the opportunity to teach a martial arts class and learned about the importance of being inclusive and equitable to her students, who come from various backgrounds and skill levels. Members of the ALHS clarinet choir, Ruby Mykkanen, Ingrid Peralta Linares, Maxx Richards, Evelyn Holcomb, Kuol Dual, Rice Boettcher and Gaby Tufte, performed "Eine Klin Nachtmusik" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The keynote speech for the program was given by Daniel Donnelly, an immigration attorney in Austin. Donnelly explained that he first learned about justice and equity during the farm crisis. He spoke about the importance of showing people love rather than hate. "Hate doesn't make you feel good in your heart. It may momentarily get you going and make you feel good because you can stomp down on someone who's smaller than you, someone who doesn't look like you, but at the end of the day it's not the answer. Martin Luther King knew that wasn't the answer." Donnelly explained the rewarding nature of his work as an immigration lawyer, primarily in the form of seeing the children of his clients grow up, graduate and become active members of the community. He also said there is a negative side to his work as well as setbacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I never thought I'd see a time when billionaires are emulated, and migrant women are the enemy, but here we are," he said. As a young lawyer, Donnelly said, he thought he could change the world. He learned over time that changing the world involves small steps and everyone has the potential for positive change. "Every one of you here has the opportunity to change the world ... but it doesn't happen overnight. Every day is a battle," he said. "I don't expect us all to do something big." Donnelly closed his speech by encouraging those in attendance to stand up for the values Dr. King promoted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Stand up when you can," he said. "When you see an inequality ... say something. Every one of you can make a difference, and we should make a difference." Following the keynote speech, Diane Heaney and Adele Helleksen sang "For Good," a song from the musical "Wicked" written by Stephen Schwartz, and "Sing for Justice" by Abbie Betinis. The program closed with those in attendance singing "We Shall Overcome" by Charles Tindley and Pete Seeger. Donnelly stayed after the program to do a brief question-and-answer time regarding questions people had about immigration law. Among the first on-the-ground effects of President Trumps sweeping immigration revisions was visible Monday on the Mexican side of U.S. ports of entry, where hundreds of disconsolate asylum applicants were stunned to learn of the cancellation of a program aimed at easing the process of applying for asylum. Many lined up early Monday, the day of Trump's inauguration, at the ports of entry for scheduled interviews with U.S. inspectors only to hear that their interviews had been canceled and that the cellphone application program, known as CPB One, had ended. The demise of CBP One leaves tens of thousands of migrants stranded in Mexico without potential legal pathways to enter the United States. Some have waited six months or more for their CBP One interviews. Many others were in the queue awaiting appointments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We don't know what we are going to do," said a distraught Aliana Armenta, 22, from Cuba, speaking from the Mexican side of the border bridge that spans the Rio Grande between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso. She, her husband, Fidel Jimenez, 23, and the couple's 1-month-old daughter, Karla, had a CBP One interview scheduled for Monday in El Paso. The family arrived at 5 a.m. on the Mexican side of the bridge to learn, along with other prospective asylum-seekers, that the app had been canceled, their hopes dashed. "Maybe we will go back to Mexico City," mused Jimenez, noting that they had waited in the Mexican capital for months for confirmation of their CBP One interview. "We really don't know." Hundreds of others bared their disappointments at crossing points along the border. Some cried and hugged upon learning of CBP One's cancellation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPB One was originally developed to help prevent backups of travelers entering the country legally. After downloading it to their phones and entering their passport information, foreign nationals could use the application to smooth their way through border crossings and airports. Read more: Trump is sworn in as the nation's 47th president, capping historic comeback In 2023, the Biden administration expanded use of the app in a bid to help bring order to a crush of asylum-seekers arriving at the Southwest border. CBP One has since facilitated the entry of almost 1 million people, mostly prospective asylum-seekers, into the United States via ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. The vast majority were given notices to appear in U.S. immigration courts for adjudication of their cases. The Biden administration lauded the app as part of the solution to the border crisis. Immigrant advocates complained that CBP One was glitch-prone and reduced the right of asylum to a lottery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Republican leaders denounced the app, saying it amounted to an "open borders" policy that encouraged more migrants to head for the United States without proper vetting for criminal histories. The cancellation of the program was one of several immigration-related measures announced Monday. At his swearing-in ceremony in Washington, Trump said he would declare a national emergency at the southern border and sign executive orders to combat illegal immigration. In addition, Trump said he planned to reinstate Remain in Mexico, a controversial program launched in his first administration and ended by Biden that forced asylum-seekers arriving at the Southwest border to await U.S. immigration court dates in Mexico. Critics called Remain in Mexico inhumane and a boon for drug cartels preying on stranded migrants, but supporters said it was an effective deterrent to bogus asylum claims. Special correspondents Cecilia Sanchez Vidal in Mexico City, Gabriela Minjares in Ciudad Juarez and Gabriela M. Cordova in Tijuana contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Jan. 20DIXON The Dixon City Council on Tuesday will consider approving an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for street resurfacing within Dixon's city limits. The City Council meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. at Dixon City Hall. The council will consider a resolution to allocate $146,190 in local funds for resurfacing and upgrades to traffic signals and sidewalks on U.S. Route 52 from West River Street to Route 38, on Route 26 from West Seventh Street to South Peoria Avenue and on Route 38 from U.S. Route 52 to just before Countryside Lane. In total, the project is estimated to cost $3.45 million, with a majority of the cost being covered by federal funding, according to the agenda packet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The work is being completed to ensure public safety, facilitate the free flow of traffic and meet federal Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, according to the packet. Other actions for consideration include: * A motion to contract Martin & Company for its low bid of $62,391.05 for the 2024 Dixon Drainage Improvements of the North Galena Storm Sewer Project. * A resolution to amend the fiscal 2025 city budget by increasing the amount allocated for the Dixon Police Department's overtime pay by $50,000 and decreasing the line for full-time wages by $32,000 and part-time wages by $18,000. If approved, the council would not be allocating any additional funds to the budget, but instead would move around the funds already allocated to the police department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * A resolution to extend the existing agreement between the city and Allied Waste by five years with a new rate schedule. The agreement is the city's contract for residential garbage collection services. * The reappointment of John M. Reining and appointment of William R. McWethy to the Dixon Airport Board for terms to end Dec. 31, 2027. * The appointment of Bill Bushman to the Veterans Memorial Commission for a term to end Sept. 30, 2026. The full agenda for the upcoming meeting can be viewed on the city of Dixon's website. The council meets on the second floor of city hall, 121 W. Second St. in Dixon, in the Council Chambers. The meeting will be live streamed on the city of Dixon's Facebook page. Explosions rang out in Dnipro at around 06:00 on the morning of 21 January. Source: Ukraines Air Force; Suspilne Dnipro Quote: "High-speed targets moving towards Dnipro!". Background: Earlier, at 06:00 on 21 January, an air-raid warning was issued in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast due to the threat of Russian ballistic missile attacks. Support UP or become our patron! CEDAR CITY, Utah (ABC4) On Friday, Jan. 17, a 17-year-old girl was driving in southern Utah when she was chased down by another driver and fatally shot. Family members have since identified the victim as Kaylee Dutton. ABC4.com sat down with her parents, Kimberlee and Waylon Dutton, and spoke about what her loss means to them. Shes my baby, Kimberlee Dutton, Kaylees mother, said. Our whole life was just just gone. Its not the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DETAILS: 2 arrested for murder after 17-year-old girl chased down, killed in Cedar City On Friday night, Kaylee was driving home with some friends. Authorities said another vehicle pulled alongside her truck and opened fire, shooting 12 rounds at her vehicle and striking her. Her car went off the road and crashed into a vinyl fence before coming to a stop. Despite lifesaving efforts at the scene, Kaylee died from her injuries. We didnt even know she had been hit, Kimberlee said. We got out there, and they told us that she was in the ambulance, and I just ran up to the ambulance, and they came out and they said that they were doing everything they could and my heart just sank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kimberlee said no one can fill [Kaylees] shoes. Waylon told ABC4.com that Kaylee was strong, and he was hoping she would make it. All I could think is just hold her mom, you know, just hold her so tight, Waylon said. I just prayed, I just prayed that shed pull through. Even though he said it didnt look good I just still prayed. Kimberlee and Waylon said they are still adjusting to the loss of Kaylee, and they keep thinking shell come back. We just keep thinking, maybe shes out on a ride Kimberlee said. It just doesnt feel real. And she deserves so much better than that. On Saturday, Jan. 18, four men were arrested in connection to the incident, with two of the men facing charges of first-degree murder, among other charges. The other two suspects are not facing murder charges, as they told police they were not in the vehicle at the time of the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A woman has been arrested after allegedly abandoning a puppy inside a portable toilet at a Michigan park. The Grand Blanc Township Police Department says the dog, a pitbull named Hank, was found at Creasy Bicentennial Park south of Flint earlier this month by an employee of the company that owns the port-a-potty. Judging by the amount of animal urine and feces inside, police suspect he had been trapped there for at least two days. He had a small bowl of food, no water and was freezing. Amid Arctic blast, keep your pets warm, dry and inside Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators were able to track down the dogs owner, a 25-year-old woman. She confessed to abandoning the dog because her landlord did not accept pit bulls and she didnt know what else to do. The owner is expected to face animal cruelty charges. Grand Blanc Township Chief of Police William Renye shared a video of Hank to social media to thank the volunteers who stepped up to help and to speak out against animal cruelty. Be a responsible pet owner. Remember, you chose the animal. The animal did not choose you. We will be the voice for animals who (are subjected to) animal cruelty, Renye said. Recognizing the warning signs of hypothermia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also reminded pet owners that animal cruelty includes negligence, like leaving them exposed to severe weather elements. It is a felony if you leave them outside and they end up dying due to the cold weather, Renye said. Hank is still in the care of the employee who first found him. A local animal hospital reportedly provided inoculations for Hank and will neuter him for free when he comes of age. A local PetSmart and Pet Supplies Plus also donated food to the family. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) Fire crews were sent to rescue a dog that was stranded on a beaver dam in Longmeadow on Monday. Longmeadow police arrest suspects connected with hoax bomb The Longmeadow Fire Department was called to the Meadows for a dog, Ranger, that was stranded on a beaver dam. Ranger was stranded for almost an hour while the owner tried to help. Longmeadow Fire Department Longmeadow Fire Department The owner called the fire department and crews put on their ice rescue suits to help Ranger. Crews were able to successfully rescue Ranger and returned him to his owner. Besides being cold, Ranger is okay. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Elon Musk has a new job doing something he knows a great deal about: firing people. Lots of people. Now hes about to test his axing skills on the greatest downsizing challenge in American history. Musk is the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a nongovernmental group formed in November by President-elect Trump to cut back government regulations, dismiss unneeded workers, and save money. Musk has said DOGE could cut at least $2 trillion from the $6.75 trillion federal budget. Musks original co-leader at DOGE was Vivek Ramaswamy, a former biotech entrepreneur and candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. A White House spokesperson said on Monday that Ramaswamy was leaving DOGE; sources close to Ramaswamy told the New York Times and other news organizations that he planned to run for governor of Ohio. But over the first two months of the initiative, the two have rallied tech-industry luminaries to pitch ideas for rooting out cumbersome rules and eliminating waste. Venture capital titan Marc Andreessen described himself on a recent podcast as an unpaid intern for DOGE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGEs overall ambition is staggering; its leaders most specific rhetoric, however, has focused on slashing jobs. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Musk and Ramaswamy wrote that they anticipate mass headcount reductions across the federal bureaucracy, which they said would be a primary tool for cutting costs. If thats the goal, Musk looks like the ideal man for the job. He has sacked significant numbers of workers at SpaceX and Teslahes CEO of both. For sheer exuberant terminating, nothing can match his performance at Twitter, since renamed X. When he bought the company in 2022 he began mass layoffs almost immediately, firing thousands of Twitters 8,000 workers overnight. Some got the news by email. Others could only infer they were dismissed when they couldnt log into the internal computer system. A few were even fired by accident and had to be brought back. Musk later said he had reduced staff by about 80%. Among federal employees, DOGE anxiety has been rising, enhanced by the fact that the group has shrouded its plans in deep secrecy and has been ultra-disciplined about avoiding leaks. Its easy to picture Washington trembling at the thought of being subjected to the Twitter playbook. But as other captains of industry have painfully found, government is different from the private sector in peculiar ways. Shrinking any element of itfrom headcount to the budget to the pages of rules in the Federal Registeris a thankless and often Sisyphean task. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE and the Trump transition team did not respond to requests for comment for this story. But heres what theyre up against. Dismissals and regulatory change go hand in handvery slowly. DOGEs publicly stated plan is to identify federal regulations that appear to be invalid under two Supreme Court decisions, from 2022 and 2024, that limit the rulemaking power of federal agencies. President Trump will then nullify thousands of such regulations, Musk and Ramaswamy wrote in their op-ed. Fewer regulations mean a lighter workload and fewer employees. But they also noted that to reach their goals, regulations will have to be fully rescinded. Thats a potentially multiyear process that requires explaining proposed changes and inviting public comments. Many regulations have constituencies, including in the business world, with a stake in the status quo, and any changes are subject to legal challenges even after the regulation is gone. Bottom line: Some regulations wont succumb easily. Layoffs dont save much money. Musk has emphasized that cost savings are central to DOGE's mission, but labor costs are a small part of federal spendingbetween 4% and 5% of Uncle Sams budget. Payrolls are not where the money is. If you eliminate 25% of all federal jobs, you would save roughly 1% of federal spending says Brian Riedl, a Washington-based economist who has been a Senate staffer and worked for Republican officeholders. The vast majority of government spending goes out the door in the form of benefits to votersSocial Security, veterans benefits, food stamps, and many more. All those benefits have powerful constituencies and are extremely difficult to reduce. Federal workers will fight back. About 1 million federal employees belong to unions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and they have been preparing to take on the new administration since before the election. Trump has said he will impose an employee category called Schedule F, reclassifying career civil service employees as political employees, who lack civil service protections and can be fired quickly. (On Monday, he issued an executive order to this effect.) Government unions are trying to protect their members from being classified as Schedule F by appealing to the federal Office of Personnel Management and the Merit Systems Protection Board. Even if they lose, they may throw sand in the gears. DOGE wont have the power a CEO enjoys. Musk could fire employees of his companies in an eyeblink because hes CEO (and at Twitter, majority owner). But DOGE doesnt have any power, says Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former director of the Congressional Budget Office and now president of the center-right American Action Forum. Theyre an outside advisory group who are going to generate ideas. They are essentially a very high-profile think tank. DOGEs power arises from President Trumps presumed willingness to execute its recommendations; he could ignore any or even most of them if the political price of job and spending cuts were to become too high. Momentum, as represented by Trumps decisive win in November, is on DOGEs side. History is less so. DOGE is looking broadly for ways to reduce costs. But in the past 50 years, annual federal spending has shrunk from the previous year only five times, never by more than 8%and only in the aftermath of elevated spending during the financial crisis of 200809 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Even under Ronald Reagan, who created a commission to cut costs and commanded its members to work like tireless bloodhounds, spending increased every year. The hounds of DOGE have signed up to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting, as the groups X account puts it, but their results may be similar to Reagans. Spending is in the hands of Congress, and as Musk will learn, Congress cant resist spending more. (Case in point: Congress routinely passes an annual defense spending bill that includes projects the Pentagon doesnt want.) Even as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle wring their hands about the federal governments $35 trillion in public debt, federal projects bring dollars to legislators homes, and their incentives arent likely to change. Reality may be setting in at DOGE. In a January interview, Musk allowed that his projected 30% cut in the federal budget might not be achievable. I think thats like the best-case outcome, he said. I think if we try for $2 trillion, weve got a good shot at getting 1 [trillion]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even that objective may be a reach. Social Security, Medicare, defense, and net interest on the national debt consume 59% of the federal budget. If those expenses are considered untouchable, a trillion-dollar cut would have to come out of the $2.8 trillion a year that funds all the other federal programsVeterans Affairs, Homeland Security, the federal judiciary, the Food and Drug Administration, and many more services that taxpayers rely on. Tellingly, DOGE insiders told the New York Times in January that DOGE planned to station recruits for longer stints inside federal agenciesseemingly an acknowledgement that real cost-cutting reform will require a deeper intimacy with the costs being cut. Musk and Ramaswamy said in their op-ed that their top goal for DOGE is to eliminate the need for its existence by July 4, 2026. Ostensibly that expiration date was chosen to celebrate DOGEs work as America celebrates its 250th anniversary. Practically, its to leave six months with GOP control of Congress in case its work requires legislation. Given the complexity of government and its deep roots across the country, the DOGE team is going to need every moment. Chart shows U.S. government outlays by function Portions of this article were previously published on Fortune.com This article appears in the February/March 2025 issue of Fortune with the headline "How much can DOGE do? Elon Musk and Donald Trump aim to cut as much as $2 trillion in federal spending. Itll be even harder than it sounds." This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Elon Musk has already achieved his first cut at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency: his co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy. Musk, the tech tycoon and Donald Trump confidant, made it known that he wanted Ramaswamy out of DOGE in recent days, according to three people familiar with Musks preferences who, like others for this article, were granted anonymity to discuss them. An ill-received holiday rant on X by Ramaswamy about H-1B visas apparently hastened his demise. Just 69 days after Trump announced the team, Ramaswamy is now leaving DOGE and planning to announce a run for Ohio governor next week. Musks ability to ice out Ramaswamy, who for a variety of reasons had irked some Republicans in Trumps circle, is the latest sign of his influence in the incoming administration. And it presages an encore of all of the infighting that marked Trumps first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramaswamy just burned through the bridges and he finally burned Elon, said a Republican strategist close to Trump advisers. "Everyone wants him out of Mar-a-Lago, out of D.C. One main reason for some Republicans frustration with Ramaswamy was a post he made on X during a discussion of H-1B visas. In late December, Ramaswamy criticized American culture, saying that tech companies hire foreign workers in part because of a mindset in the country that has venerated mediocrity over excellence. They wanted him out before the tweet but kicked him to the curb when that came out, said one of the three people familiar with his departure. A person close to DOGE said Musk did not think it was feasible for him to campaign for office while working on DOGE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Trump transition spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Ramaswamy, saying he played a critical role in helping us create DOGE and that his plan to run for governor requires him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure that we announced today. Ramaswamy maintained to confidants as late as Saturday evening that he was actively involved in DOGE, saying he was at work writing executive orders, according to six people who had spoken with him. But a person familiar with the arrangement said he had done almost no DOGE-related work since early December. As recently as last week, Ramaswamy was hoping to achieve some early wins at DOGE before leaving to pursue a gubernatorial bid. Now Ramaswamy and his allies are laboring to put a positive spin on his departure, coming just as Trump takes office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramaswamy declined to comment about perceived tensions with Musk. A person familiar with Ramaswamys thinking said they are now on good terms and that the reality is that it wasnt possible to run for governor and co-lead DOGE both at once. Even Hill Republicans have joined the Ramaswamy bashing. A cheeky meme portraying Musk erasing Ramaswamy from history was privately shared by junior staff in House Speaker Mike Johnsons office, a person familiar with the meme said. It depicted Musk as Josef Stalin and Ramaswamy as the chief of the Soviet secret police who was later executed and removed from photos. A spokesperson for Johnsons office denied the account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just last week, Ramaswamy was passed over by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in his pick for Ohios Senate seat, after Ramaswamy mounted a late lobbying blitz for the seat. At a rally Sunday, Trump talked about DOGE and did not indicate that any changes were imminent. He said, "We have [Musk] and Vivek and some great people working on a thing called costs. Ramaswamy attended Trumps inauguration, where he spoke to Susie Wiles, Trumps chief of staff. On Monday morning, Ramaswamy posted a photo of himself with Musk shaking hands. A new dawn, he wrote. But he was already on his way out. That same day, a person close to Ramaswamy who was granted anonymity to speak freely confirmed Ramaswamy was leaving. Specially trained dogs and their impressive noses helped a team of researchers and citizen scientists discover two new species of the truffles. The truffle dogs sniffed out Tuber cumberlandense and Tuber canirevelatum, which are native to North America. The two new species of these expensive and elusive fungi are described in a study recently published in the journal Mycologia. Truffles are some of the most mysterious and alluring fungi on the planet, study co-author and University of Florida doctoral student Benjamin Lemmond said in a statement. They live their lives underground, out of sight, but people all around the world are eager to find them and enjoy their unique culinary qualities. This study shows that there are still undiscovered truffles right under our nose, so to speak, and that without the help of dogs (and their incredible noses) we might never find them. Kentucky truffle whiskey? Tuber cumberlandense was uncovered by a truffle dog named Luca and trainer Margaret Townsend and is named for the Cumberland Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains where it was found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, T. cumberlandense has been harvested in truffle orchards and in woodlands, but was sold under other names. This new analysis showed that it is actually a distinct and previously undescribed species native to North America. Distiller Makers Mark is now trying to figure out how to cultivate this native truffle for its spirits. This particular species enjoys a symbiotic relationship with their host, white oaks, growing from their roots and providing nutrition to the trees, study co-author and Michigan State University mycologist Gregory Bonito said in a statement. Makers Mark is interested in cultivating T. cumberlandense because they store their whiskey in white oak barrels. They will be reforesting their land in Kentucky with white oaks for the barrels and hope one day to harvest truffles as well; perhaps they will even create truffle-infused whiskey. Lois Martin and Monza collecting truffles in a North American truffle orchard. CREDIT: MSU. The dog-found truffle Monza and her trainer Lois Martin discovered Tuber canirevelatum. The name means dog-found truffle, in Latin in honor of the truffle dogs. Martin sent the T. canirevelatum samples to Michigan State University since the samples didnt smell or look like anything known to grow in North America. Bonito and study co-author and undergraduate research student, Alassane Sow, analyzed DNA to place them on the fungi family tree. Receiving these samples was very exciting, especially because they looked very similar to the well-known edible European truffles Tuber macrosporumand [and] Tuber aestivum, Sow said in a statement. We hope that by describing both of these species there will be increased interest in cultivating North American truffles. Our analyses show that each has aromatic compounds found in some of the most valuable truffle species. [ Related: Youve heard of truffle pigs. Now get ready for truffle birds.] North American truffles could be big business Cultivating and selling European truffle speciesoften with the help of hogshas been the norm. However, there is a growing interest in cultivating, wild-harvesting, and selling species of truffles that are native to North America. As more people try to grow and cultivate truffles, more truffle dogs will be needed to find them underground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have $20,000 of truffles growing underground, you need to find them before they perish, so the dogs are very important, Bonito said. Truffles are expensive and highly prized in the culinary world due to their rarity. In 2023, a bidder in Hong Kong reportedly paid $141,000 for a white truffle that weighed over two pounds. Each of these new species of truffle has economic potential and produces a unique aroma. This scent is the basis for the culinary potential of trufflesand their potential value. While prices vary, white truffles can cost $4,000 per pound and black truffles range from roughly $300 to $800. The team suspects that there are other native North American tuber species just waiting to be discovered underground. Our research reinforces the importance of using trained truffle dogs in tuber research and truffle farming, Bonito said. We suspect many native tuber species remain to be discovered and described. This task will be enhanced through the continued collaboration between mycologistsscientists who study fungithe public and trained truffle dogs. A federal judge has blocked the Justice Department from showing selected lawmakers portions of special counsel Jack Smiths report on the classified documents case against Donald Trump. In a 14-page order Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, said there is no legal basis for the department to confidentially share the report with leaders of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Cannons ruling could make it easier for the Trump administration to bury the report, which recounts Smiths investigation into the classified records that Trump stored at his Mar-a-Lago home after his first term and his alleged attempt to obstruct efforts to retrieve them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the details of that criminal probe have emerged in court filings over the past two years, but the judge made clear that Smiths report is jammed with new revelations about the now-defunct case against Trump. Much of this information has not been made public in Court filings, Cannon wrote. It includes myriad references to interview transcripts, search warrant materials, business records, toll records, video footage. In the final days of the Biden administration, the Justice Department wanted to show the report to the small group of lawmakers, though not release it publicly. In recent decades, special counsels reports on their investigations have routinely been released to both Congress and the public. Trump, however, opposed any dissemination of Smiths report outside the Justice Department, even under strict conditions intended to prevent lawmakers from leaking its details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that Trump has control of the department, he is expected to oppose any release of the report, including potential future efforts to make it public under the Freedom of Information Act. Cannons ruling provides new ammunition for Trump to keep it secret, at least in the short term. A separate volume of Smiths report detailing his investigation of Trumps bid to subvert the 2020 election was made public last week. But releasing the volume on the documents case was more complicated, because the Justice Department at least under former Attorney General Merrick Garland was still seeking to revive charges in that case against Trumps two former co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira. The charges against Trump himself were dismissed in both of Smiths cases after Trump won the 2024 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In blocking lawmakers from seeing the documents report, Cannon wrote that Congress hadnt subpoenaed it, requested a confidential review or identified legislation that would be aided by accessing Smiths findings. Though the department has, in recent years, quickly shared the findings of special counsel investigations with lawmakers, Cannon said doing so in this case would result in a reasonable likelihood of public dissemination. Cannon repeatedly slammed Garland and his subordinates, saying their claims about the need to show the report to Congress dont hold water. These statements do not reflect well on the Department, she wrote of arguments the department made last week, when Garland was still attorney general. In short, the Department offers no valid justification for the purportedly urgent desire to release to members of Congress case information in an ongoing criminal proceeding. Its unclear how long Cannons block on disclosure of the report will remain in place. Last July, Cannon dismissed the classified documents case that Smith brought against Trump and two co-defendants (both of whom were accused of helping Trump obstruct justice). She concluded that Garlands appointment of Smith was illegal, even though attorneys general of both parties have used the same or similar mechanisms to appoint special prosecutors in politically sensitive cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department appealed the dismissal, seeking to restore the charges against all three men. However, after Trump won the election last November, officials dropped the effort to reinstate the charges against Trump, while continuing to press to revive the case against his two co-defendants. Trump appointees at the Justice Department are expected to drop that appeal entirely. But abandoning the case against Nauta and De Oliveira could eliminate a key legal rationale for keeping the report secret namely, the argument that releasing the report could jeopardize the ability of the two men to get a fair trial. Cannons order will also likely frustrate, for now, efforts to make the report public through FOIA. She said DOJ cannot disseminate the volume on the documents case to anyone at least until the appeal is over, and she raised the prospect that she will maintain the block even after the appeal, in order to make sure the report doesnt contain grand jury secrets or information subject to attorney-client privilege. Cannon held arguments on the issue in her Fort Pierce, Florida, courtroom on Friday. During the hearing, she signaled she was deeply skeptical of the Justice Departments request to share the report with lawmakers. By delaying her ruling until now, she essentially ran out the clock on the Biden administrations ability to appeal. COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Colleton County that stemmed from a domestic violence call. Deputies with the Colleton County Sheriffs Office were called to help a citizen with a domestic-related incident on January 11. The sheriffs office said that while one deputy spoke with the caller, a second attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the suspect as he pulled into the driveway of a Jennings Court home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect exited his vehicle and pointed a firearm at the deputy. In response, the deputy fired his weapon at the suspect through his windshield, the sheriffs office said in a news release. The suspect, Harley Alan Prater, 30, surrendered and was taken into custody. No one was injured. Officials say Prater is charged with domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, and pointing and presenting a firearm. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was asked to investigate the shooting, which is standard protocol. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. China got only one mention in US President Donald Trump's inaugural address on Monday, but the comment was threatening - especially to a country much closer to America. Suggesting that China's operations in the Panama Canal constituted a degree of ownership of the Central American waterway, Trump asserted that Panama - the country it runs through - violated the treaty that transferred the canal to it. In his address, Trump also warned generally of tariffs and the need to protect American workers, a line of attack that usually involves China. But he did so without mentioning the country or any specifics on punitive levies as he had often done during his election campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Trump's ambition for the US to regain control of the Panama Canal is an idea he has repeatedly turned to after winning re-election in November. Panama had violated "the purpose of our deal and the spirit" of the treaty that gave title to the canal and American ships are being "severely overcharged", he said on Monday - adding that China is the one profiting the most there. "And we didn't give it to China; we gave it to Panama, and we're taking it back." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US completed building the canal, a cut-through linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, in 1914 and controlled it until 1999, when it was transferred to Panama - the last stage of a 1977 treaty signed by then-President Jimmy Carter declaring it a permanently neutral international waterway. Under the treaty, both nations pledged to defend the canal's neutral status and keep it open to ships of all nations. The treaty grants the US the right to help maintain and protect the waterway's accessibility and security. Trump's team claims that Panama violated this part of the agreement by allowing Chinese vessels to operate there. Chinese involvement began in 2016 when the state-owned Cosco sent its first ship through the expanded canal. That same year, China's Landbridge Group bought Panama's largest Atlantic port on Margarita Island for US$900 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinese companies expanded their presence in 2018 when China Harbour Engineering Company and China Communications Construction Company won a US$1.4 billion contract to build the canal's fourth bridge. Today, about 70 per cent of ships that use the canal are linked to US trade. Trump has proposed buying the waterway outright or forcibly taking control of it, claiming it would strengthen US security. House Republicans have introduced legislation that would authorise Trump to purchase the canal, citing concerns about Chinese influence in Panama. During Marco Rubio's confirmation hearing for secretary of state last week, he said "an argument could be made that the terms under which that canal was turned over have been violated". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While technically sovereignty over the canal has not been turned over to a foreign power, in reality, a foreign power possesses it through their companies," Rubio said. "If [China] orders a company to shut it down or impede our transit, they will have to do so." Rubio was unanimously confirmed by the US Senate as the next secretary of state on Monday, making him the first member of Trump's new cabinet. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino criticised Trump's Inaugural Day remarks on X, emphasising that the "canal is and will continue to be Panamanian" and denied that any "nation in the world interferes in our administration", responding to Trump's allegations about Chinese influence. Mulino noted that the transfer of the canal's control to Panama resulted from "generational struggles that culminated in 1999", adding that his country had since worked to operate and modernise the canal "to serve the world and commerce, including the United States". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On potential legal action, Mulino said he would utilise "the strength of international law, which gives us a proper way to manage relations between countries and, above all, between allied and friendly countries". "The canal is and will continue to be Panamanian," Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said on social media. Photo: AFP alt="The canal is and will continue to be Panamanian," Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said on social media. Photo: AFP> Concerning tariffs - an issue that Trump raised constantly during his campaign - he vowed on Monday to impose tariffs and taxes on "foreign countries to enrich our citizens" and, without giving details, said he would "immediately begin the overhaul of our trade system to protect American workers and families". Trump was not expected to announce new tariffs immediately, multiple news organisations reported; instead, they said, he would issue a broad memorandum directing federal agencies to assess unfair trade practices and currency policies - a first step for any future tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing people briefed on the plans, The Wall Street Journal reported that federal agencies are also directed to evaluate US trade deals with its partners. Those include the "phase one" deal Trump signed with Beijing in 2020 as well as the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, his restructuring of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trucks transporting containers in Qingdao Port, Shandong province. In his inaugural speech, Trump warned generally of tariffs but did not specifically mention China. Photo: AFP alt=Trucks transporting containers in Qingdao Port, Shandong province. In his inaugural speech, Trump warned generally of tariffs but did not specifically mention China. Photo: AFP> The memo also calls for studies on counterfeit goods and the de minimis exemption for US imports with a value of US$800 or less. Nearly half of all de minimis shipments come from in China, according to a Congressional report. During his campaign, Trump repeatedly floated the idea of raising tariffs, including an additional 60 per cent or more on Chinese goods, and a 25 per cent tariff on all products imported from Mexico and Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has also been speculation that Trump would invoke the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which grants the president the power to impose duties and restrict exports, in response to threats to national security, foreign policy or the economy. Bloomberg reported last week, citing people familiar with the matter, that Trump's team is considering a schedule of graduated tariffs increasing by about 2 per cent to 5 per cent a month. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. This article was featured in the One Story to Read Today newsletter. Sign up for it here. Of all the people who might come to mind while watching Donald Trump deliver his inaugural address, the French postmodernist thinker Michel Foucault would not seem obvious. But it was Foucault who theorized about how discourse expresses power and shapes what we think of as truth. And there is no more bludgeoning use of discourse than the decision to rename the tallest mountain in America or the ninth-largest body of water in the world. Long before the French postmodernists, the Bible made clear what the act of naming could do; it literally created the world. But Foucault understood how this power was exercised in the hands of human beings as they jostled to establish whatever reality benefited them most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In our current culture wars, the left gets accused of playing loose with language that is supposedly eternal and universal, distorting the meaning of words in order to suit its ideology. Wish someone Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, and what youre really trying to do, or so Fox News would argue, is erase the birth of Christ. Ill tell you one thing: I get elected president, were going to be saying Merry Christmas again, Trump said on the stump in 2016. But if the charge against renaming Fort Bragg or the Washington Redskins is that history can not just be waved away with a wand, then its notable that Trumps first executive orders include two such discourse-altering flourishes. He is not just putting something back the way it was. He is affirming the fungibility of language, and indicating that what MAGA world wants is not so much to defund the PC police as to empower its own sheriff. A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Trump said in his speech. And we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs. These were the more obvious acts of naming; others were more subtle and also more pervasive. He asserted that there are only two genders: male and female and that he was creating an External Revenue Service, a nifty Orwellian shorthand meant to assure Americans that instead of taxing them, Trump was going to use tariffs to tax everyone else. [Read: How the Village People explain Trump] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case of Mount McKinley offers a particularly telling illustration of how power shapes languageand how Trump is not just defending tradition, but happily rewriting it. The mountain was first dubbed McKinley by a gold prospector named William Dickey in an 1897 article in The New York Sun. Dickey had a good, if selfish, reason. McKinley had just become the Republican nominee for president and supported the gold standard, which would keep the value of gold highand Dickeys prospecting lucrative. McKinley himself had never even visited Alaska. The name was made official in 1917. But the mountain already had a name, Denali, which was how the native Athabaskan people had forever referred to itDenali meaning the high one. Alaskans continued to use the old name, and in 1975 the states legislature and governor requested a change back to Denali, which the federal government denied. Forty years later, President Barack Obama decided to make Denali the mountains official name in recognition of these facts (and as a way of rewarding the Native populations in his political coalition). Now, even as Trump looks to honor one of his favorite presidents by reverting to Mount McKinley, its worth noting that the two Republican senators from Alaska are opposed. The office of Dan Sullivan, one of those senators, told a reporter that he prefers the name that the very tough, very strong, very patriotic Athabaskan people gave the mountain thousands of years ago. Whether Trump realizes it or not, with his name game, he is following the same playbook he has accused progressives of abusing when they have sought to change the record. The Gulf of America is an even more blatant example, because the new name seems to have emerged out of the whole cloth of Trumps mind (which is probably also why Hillary Clinton couldnt suppress her laughter at its mention). What could this be other than a symbolic vanquishing of Mexicoa malignant force in Trumps cosmologywithout having to do more than change one word? He is affirming the magic of language to affect perception, and he is changing perception to rearrange the truth. As Foucault put it in one of the interviews collected in the anthology Power/Knowledge, Each society has its regime of truth, its general politics of truth: that is, the types of discourse which it accepts and makes function as true. From his dais inside the Capitol, in a speech meant to set the tone for his next four years in office, Trump blew the whistle on a new phase in the culture war. He confirmed something we should already know: He is postmodern. Trump and his allies might profess an allegiance to a way of thinking that is older and more foundationally American (they say they want a return to greatness), but really he is interested in writing his own new reality, using a Sharpie to draw the lines in whatever ways rebound to his power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Trump first announced his intention to rename the gulf at a press conference earlier this month, a meme went around mocking his magical thinking with the suggested name Gulf of How Does This Lower Grocery Prices? Part of the rights anti-woke argument has always been that progressives deploy language in ways that twist natural and self-evident meaningsay, by expanding categories of gender beyond a long-accepted binary. The argument posits that this is a kind of trickery, and that people already know what they know. Trump might discover the same thing. He can call things by different names, and hope that this changes the way people think. But in the end, they know what they know. And if the price of eggs is still high, he could call it the Gulf of Oz and it wont matter a bit. Article originally published at The Atlantic President Donald Trump on Monday ordered the United States out of the World Health Organization, which plays a key role in the detection, prevention and treatment of pandemics. The directive about WHO was part of a flurry of executive orders that Trump issued on the day of his inauguration. It followed through on a promise hed made in the 2024 presidential campaign and on a piece of unfinished business that dates back to his first term in office. In 2020, as COVID-19 was first spreading across the U.S., Trump accused WHO of showing too much deference to China, where the pandemic started. He eventually ordered the U.S. out of the organization, but his administration didnt have time to complete the process, which under U.S. law takes a full year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Joe Biden rescinded the order upon taking office, halting the process of withdrawal. With Mondays directive from Trump, it will start over again. WHO is a specialized agency within the United Nations and performs a variety of functions, including facilitating the sharing of data on emerging pathogens and coordinating health assistance to areas in need. The agency has come in for criticism, as all organizations do, but the broad consensus of people working in public health including those who would like to see reforms is that it plays an essential role in promoting health and fighting threats to it. Withdrawing from the agency would weaken its ability to fight outbreaks and other threats, these experts have warned, while leaving the U.S. government without access to information that could help it protect American citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And though Trumps executive order calls for White House officials to develop new mechanisms necessary and appropriate to safeguard public health and fortify biosecurity, its not clear what that would entail or how those new mechanisms could replicate the functions WHO preforms now. WHO is in many ways the eyes and the ears for the U.S. and other countries on health emergencies, Thomas Bollyky, director of global health for the Council on Foreign Relations, told the health publication STAT in an interview. The U.S. has long been a strong supporter of the agency, and its biggest funder, too which, Trump said on Monday, was part of the problem. World health ripped us off, Trump said at a news conference announcing the days executive orders. But Trumps biggest beef with WHO has been the agencys relationship with and posture toward China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, public health experts warned that withdrawing from the agency could actually mean China has even more influence over global health policy. For the U.S., the implications are ceding that role to others China in particular and taking itself out of influencing international negotiations, Jen Kates, senior vice president and director of global health and HIV policy for KFF, a nonpartisan source on health issues, told HuffPost via email. But perhaps the biggest potential impact is when the next outbreak or pandemic hits not being part of the WHO will put the US at a disadvantage. Donald Trump has pardoned 1,500 Jan 6 rioters and commuted the sentences of 14 others who stormed the US Capitol four years ago. It means that more than dozens of people convicted of violent crimes during the riot, including the 169 people who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers, will walk free and see their convictions wiped clean. The move ends a grave national injustice and begins a process of national reconciliation, according to the text of the mass pardon Mr Trump signed on Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a ceremony in the Oval Office, Mr Trump claimed those who had been convicted and charged were hostages, having previously referred to the riot as a day of peace of love. The sweeping action issued a full, complete and unconditional pardon to anyone connected with the attack, apart from 14 several of whom were connected to the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers militia groups who saw their sentences commuted. Who are the rioters? Among those who received a pardon was Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, who is serving a 22-year prison sentence after being convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in planning the riot. Tarrio, who was not present at the Capitol for the riot, established a special chapter of the militia group which selected the time and place for the attack and recruited rioters. Enrique Tarrio has received a pardon - AFP Others include Julian Khater was sentenced to 80 months in prison after pepper spraying and causing bodily injury to US Capitol police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the officers, Brian Sicknick, died of a stroke the following day, although Khater was not charged with his death. Julian Khater had been sentenced to 80 months in prison for his part in the riots Devlyn Thompson was sentenced to 46 months in jail after pleading guilty to assaulting a police officer with a dangerous weapon. He attempted to throw a speaker at police although this actually ended up injuring a fellow rioter before swinging a metal baton at a line of officers. Devlyn Thompson pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer with a dangerous weapon Robert Palmer was sentenced to 63 months in prison for assaulting law enforcement with a series of dangerous weapons. The 54-year-old attacked officers with a wooden plank and emptied a fire extinguisher in their direction before throwing it at them. The objects were capable of inflicting serious bodily injury, the justice department noted. Robert Palmer attacked officers with a wooden plank during the riots Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the Oath Keepers militia, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy. Rhodes, who wears an eyepatch after accidentally shooting himself in the face, did not enter the Capitol but allegedly rallied followers in a plot to block the certification of Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 presidential election. Stewart Rhodes wears an eyepatch after accidentally shooting himself in the face - JIM URQUHART/REUTERS Mr Trump told NBC News last year that rioters had pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers because they had no choice, adding: The systems a very corrupt system. According to the US justice department, more than 140 police officers were assaulted when Congress was breached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the roughly 1,600 people who have been charged over the incident, 174 of them were charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing a serious injury to an officer. As of Monday, there were still 300 prosecutions still pending in court, including those accused of violent felony crimes such as assaulting police, CNN reported. JD Vance, the vice-president, said earlier this month that those convicted of assaulting police officers would not receive a presidential pardon. Speaking on Fox News, Mr Vance said: I think its very simple if you protested peacefully on Jan 6 and you had Merrick Garlands Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldnt be pardoned. And theres a little bit of a grey area there. People held placards as they gathered outside the DC Central Detention Facility on Monday, calling for Mr Trump to pardon the Jan 6 rioters - Shutterstock Mr Vance subsequently faced criticism from Right-wing commentators on social media following his interview but denied that his comments were a walk-back of Mr Trumps position. Mike Johnson, the House of Representatives Speaker and a key ally of Mr Trumps in Congress, told NBC on Sunday: Peaceful protesters should be pardoned, but violent criminals should not. Mr Trump said earlier on Monday that he did not mention the Jan 6 rioters in his inaugural address after taking the oath of office because advisers warned it would be divisive. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Donald Trump has rolled back sanctions on West Bank settlers while questioning whether the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza would hold. Following his inauguration on Monday, the president signed dozens of executive orders, which included revoking Joe Bidens 2024 sanctions on 17 individuals and 16 entities. Mr Trumps order came as dozens of masked settlers set fire to cars and tried to break into Palestinian homes in the northern West Bank village of al-Funduq. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violent settler attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank have exploded in recent years, with far-Right ministers downplaying the incidents and sometimes even defending them. The Israel Defense Forces has also been criticised harshly by human rights organisations for failing to prevent the violent rampages, often standing on the sidelines as the attacks occur. Dozens of masked settlers set fire to cars and tried to break into Palestinian homes in the northern village of al-Funduq - Nasser Nasser/AP The Israel Defense Forces have been criticised for failing to prevent violence in the West Bank, which has increased in recent years - Jack Guez/AFP Mr Trumps executive order was praised by the two far-Right parties in the Israeli government. Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister and leader of the Religious Zionism party, thanked Mr Trump and said the sanctions were a serious act of gross foreign intervention in Israels internal affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Smotrich said Mr Trumps steadfast and uncompromising support for Israel is an expression of his deep connection with the Jewish people and their historic rights in their homeland. The security cabinet member added that Israel looked forward to continuing a fruitful co-operation with the US that would enable the the expansion of settlement in all parts of the Land of Israel and enhancing Israels international status. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the leader of the Jewish Power party who resigned from Benjamin Netanyahus government on Sunday, described Mr Trumps decision as historic. This rights a great wrong that was perpetuated in recent years under a biased US policy carried out by the US administration and also on the part of some locals who were confused between those we love and our enemies, Mr Ben-Gvir said. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the leader of the Jewish Power party, resigned from Mr Netanyahus government on Sunday Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Religious Zionism and Jewish Home have long pushed for an Israeli annexation of the West Bank. Mr Bidens administration had reportedly considered sanctioning Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich but decided against it after high-level diplomatic meetings between Washington and Jerusalem. Mr Trump, who has been credited with getting Israel and Hamas over the finish line in ceasefire negotiations, said he was not sure about the prospects of it. Fragile ceasefire Asked if he thinks the ceasefire will hold, Mr Trump replied: Its not our war. It is their war. I am not confident. But I think theyre very weakened on the other side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president called Gaza a massive demolition site and said that it will have to be rebuilt in a different way than after previous wars. Gazas location is phenomenal and has the best weather, Mr Trump added. Beautiful things could be done over there, fantastic things. The US could help rebuild Gaza, he said, but Hamas can play no part in governing the enclave. He continued: You certainly cant have the people that were there. Most of them are dead. But they didnt exactly run it well. They run viciously and badly. You cant have that. Mr Netanyahu said last week that Mr Trump promised him Israel would have Washingtons backing to resume fighting in Gaza if Hamas breaks the ceasefire. Mr Netanyahu said that Mr Trump promised Washingtons backing if fighting was to resume - Ronen Zvulun /Reuters The next hostage and prisoner exchange will happen on Saturday, a senior Israeli official told The Telegraph, stressing that the agreement must be upheld. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four more female hostages will be released in the next prisoner exchange, a Hamas official said on Tuesday, according to AFP. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. President Donald Trump signed a batch of executive orders on inauguration day to begin implementing his conservative agenda but some of his most ambitious revoking birthright citizenship and denying the identity of transgender people are likely to face legal challenges. Executive orders are mandatory declarations from the president to federal agencies or the military about how they should use resources given to them by Congress or operate within the limits of the U.S. Constitution. It is typical for presidents to sign executive orders upon taking office to display an eagerness to begin working. But Trump has made it clear, he plans to utilize his presidential authority to carry out his agenda to the fullest extent possible. Already, he has set the record for most executive orders signed on the first day in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, some of his executive orders face legal challenges with lawmakers disputing Trumps scope of authority. Now, many are left wondering if there is any way to stop or challenge an executive order. President Donald Trump signed 26 executive orders on inauguration day - but is there any way to stop them? (Getty Images) Can executive orders be blocked? Like all laws, executive orders are subject to judicial review and may be blocked if they violate the Constitution or if Congress passes legislation that directly interferes with them. Executive orders do not require congressional approval but Congress can pass laws refusing to fund the order - thus thwarting its impact. For example, Congress could refuse to fund Trumps newly formed Department of Government Efficiency to stifle its authority. Congress can also pass legislation that invalidates an executive order, however, if the president vetoes the law, then the House and Senate need a two-thirds majority to override that veto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unlikely this will occur under Trump, though, because the House of Representatives and Senate are both Republican-dominated. Courts may also temporarily block executive orders from taking effect if they feel the order needs to be reviewed for constitutionality. As part of his anti-immigration plan, Trump issued a swath of executive orders that makes it difficult for those seeking asylum to come into the U.S. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Can executive orders be overturned? A president can revoke an executive order and courts can overturn an order if they find it violates the Constitution. Trump revoked several of former president Joe Bidens executive orders upon taking office on Monday including pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement, removing protections for transgender people and lifting requirements for federal agencies to promote voter registration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courts may also overturn an executive order if they determine it violates the Constitution. Trumps executive order revoking birthright citizenship for those born to immigrant parents appears to be a direct violation of the 14th Amendment that gives any person born in the U.S. citizenship status. Trumps executive orders aimed at restricting transgender identity and diversity, equity and inclusion programs are likely to face lawsuits (Getty Images) How likely will Trumps executive orders hold up? Many of Trumps executive orders particularly those aimed at restricting immigration are likely to face legal challenges from states, individuals and advocacy groups. His remain in Mexico policy faced lawsuits when it was first enacted in 2019 with federal courts pausing its enforcement while they reviewed its legality. Ultimately, Biden rescinded the policy during his administration but with Trump reinstating it it is likely to face more lawsuits. Trumps executive order determining the government may only identiy two genders is also likely to face legal pushback. Federal judges around the U.S. have determined that prejudice against trans people is a form of discrimination per Supreme Court precdent. Another gray legal area is around the order that pauses the TikTok ban from taking effect for 75 days. Congress passed the legislation that bans TikTok with the provision that the president could delay the ban 90 days so long as a viable deal was being worked out. The Supreme Court upheld the legislation making it unclear if Trump has the authority to pause the ban. UPDATED: Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office to sign a series of pardons and executive orders, including his promise to delay implementation of a law restricting TikTok. The order delays implementation of a law for 75 days, Trump said, as he said that he was determined to find a buyer and work out an arrangement in which the U.S. owns 50% of the platform. More from Deadline Trump said that the order gives him the right to sell it or close it, although he said that he may need to get an approval from China. He insisted that TikTok is worthless if I dont approve it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parent company of TikTok, ByteDance, has given no indication that it was willing to sell the social media platform since Congress passed the divest-or-be-banned law in an overwhelming bipartisan vote last week. Trump is following through on what has been described as a shock and awe series of actions to start his presidency. Trump also said he signed a pardon of about 1,500 January 6th defendants and commuting six sentences. Among those getting clemency: Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, who had been sentenced to 22 years after being convicted of seditious conspiracy. Some of those pardoned were convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers. He has called the defendants serving prison time hostages, and suggested to reporters that those involved in the attacks, who include those who committed violent acts, had already served enough time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve been in jail for a long time already, Trump said. Trump also signed orders declaring a national emergency at the southern border and clarifying the definition of birthright citizenship. The latter is likely to be challenged in court on constitutional grounds. Other executive orders were signed to withdraw from the World Health Organization, another declaring a national energy emergency and another at the federal workforce. We are getting rid of all the cancer caused by the Biden administration, Trump said. Earlier, Trump signed executive orders withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord and insituting a non-military federal hiring freeze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump signed the orders before a pool of White House reporters, and he seemed to relish answering questions in between adding his signature to the orders. Among other things, reporters asked Trump a wide range of questions, including on one of his signature priorities, tariffs. Trump said that he is planning 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, set to go into effect on Feb. 1. Trump also made a number of statements that quickly drew a fact-check from CNNs Daniel Dale. There were a lot of big lies there, Dale said, before pointing out that the president falsely claimed that China controlled the Panama Canal, among other things. At one point, Fox News Peter Doocy asked whether he had read a letter left by Joe Biden. Trump said he didnt know about it, then opened the top drawer of the Resolute Desk and found it, an envelope labeled 47. He declined to open it and read it in front of the press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point, Trump seemed to relish that his accessibility was a contrast to that of his predecessor, who took a minimal amount of questions from the pooled press in Oval Office moments. President Trump finds letter from President Biden left for him in the Resolute desk in the Oval Office. pic.twitter.com/VTEHM0fT8c CSPAN (@cspan) January 21, 2025 Former Vice President Kamala Harris, meanwhile, returned to California and stopped at World Central Kitchen to speak to volunteers helping families displaced by the Los Angeles fires. As her first stop back in Los Angeles, @KamalaHarris stops at one of the 60 @WCKitchen locations that is serving families impacted by the LA fires. (This one in Altadena) pic.twitter.com/KDEdnPfZ7m Maeve Reston (@MaeveReston) January 21, 2025 Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the time length of an extension given to TikTok to comply with a new U.S. law. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) A long day of celebrations are underway in Washington. With millions around the country and globe watching President Donald Trump was sworn into office at the U.S. Capitol. President Donald Trump is now at Capital One Arena where thousands of his supporters gathered after the cold forced celebrations inside. Trump promised to usher in a new era of American dominance and promised unity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here I am. The American people have spoken, said Trump. Trump went from twice impeached to twice inaugurated. The golden age of America begins right now, said Trump. Monday, President Donald Trump took an oath of office becoming the 47th President of the United States. The peaceful transfer of power started at the White House and concluded in the Capitol Rotunda. Former presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush attended the ceremony. Our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free, said Trump. In his inaugural address President Trump announced immediate plans to unleash American energy, deport millions of what he calls illegal criminal aliens, disband diversity equity and inclusion programs and impose tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will sign a series of historic executive orders. With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense, said Trump. Vice President J.D. Vance was also sworn in. Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. Conservative talk show host Tucker Carlson described former national security adviser John Bolton as a "bureaucratic tapeworm." Bolton, a notorious war hawk, spent much of the first Trump administration trying to prevent diplomacy with North Korea and Iran exactly when Trump was interested in negotiating with those countries. During a June 2019 standoff with Iran that nearly led to war, Carlson complained that Bolton "seems to live forever in the bowels of the federal agencies, periodically reemerging to cause pain and suffering." But Bolton won't be reemerging from any bowels now, at least not for the next four years. On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order singling out Bolton for condemnation. Because Bolton's decision to publish a tell-all memoir in 2020 "created a grave risk" to national security "for monetary gain," the order says, the administration is revoking "any active or current security clearances" held by Bolton. The next day, Trump publicly fired Brian Hook, who had been running the State Department transition team, because Hook was "not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again." During the first Trump administration, Hook helped purge the State Department of officials who were perceived as soft on Syria or insufficiently "friendly to Israel," ran an obsessive campaign to overthrow the Iranian government, and got in the way of U.S.-Iranian hostage negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first Trump administration took a highly aggressive line on the Middle Easthiring Bolton and Hook was part of that policybut his second administration may turn things around. Even before taking office this week, Trump helped broker an Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire and hostage exchange. Although Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had earlier called for a joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign to reshape the region, the Trump administration reportedly refused to commit to bombing Iran and warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to "fuck this [ceasefire] up." "We will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars that we end. And, perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into. My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier," Trump said during his inaugural address on Monday. "I'm pleased to say that, as of yesterday, one day before I assumed office, the hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families." Trump is not a principled dove, especially when it comes to the United States' immediate neighbors. He wants to escalate the war on drugs in Mexico into a counterterrorism campaign and has threatened even U.S. treaty allies such as Canada, Denmark, and Panama over territory. Most ominously, his new national security adviser, Mike Waltz, is every bit the hawk Bolton was. Joel Rayburn, another hawk from the first Trump administration who has been working closely with Hook, is expected to run the State Department's Middle Eastern bureau, reports the Saudi news outlet Al Arabiya. And Trump appointed yet another first administration veteran, Morgan Ortagus, to be deputy special presidential envoy for Middle East peace, along with a cryptic statement: "Early on Morgan fought me for three years, but hopefully has learned her lesson. These things usually don't work out, but she has strong Republican support, and I'm not doing this for me, I'm doing it for them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A big question mark looms over Trump's relationship with Iran. At his first post-inaugural rally on Monday night, Trump said that Iran was "weakened" and blamed the Iranian government for the October 2023 attacks on Israel. (Leaked documents show that Iran had given vague commitments to help Hamas in a future war with Israel, but the Iranian government seemed blindsided by the timing of the attack.) During the rally, Trump returned to an old theme: that the economic sanctions campaign of Trump's first term left Iran "broke." The key issue is over Iran's nuclear program. Although Iran hasn't decided to build a nuclear bomb, as far as the U.S. government knows, it has accumulated the materials it needs to build one quickly. And Iranian officials have hinted that the conflict with Israel or additional U.S. pressure might force them to make that decision. Trump, like every U.S. president since George W. Bush, has threatened to attack Iran if it does go for a bomb. "I am not looking to be enemies with Iran. I would love to get along with them, but they cannot have a nuclear weapon. You just cannot let them have a nuclear weapon," Trump told Fox News in September last year. "If they do have a nuclear weapon, Israel is gone. It will be gone." Vice President J.D. Vance has also said that "our interest very much is in not going to war with Iran." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told NBC last week that he "is ready to engage with a second Trump administration," though he "doubts that, even if we engage in negotiations, they are actually seeking to overthrow the Iranian government instead of resolving the issues." The last time Trump had a chance to meet directly with the Iranian government, Bolton pushed back hard. Mark Dubowitz, head of the neoconservative Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a highly influential figure during Trump's first term, is hoping that the new generation of "hawks in the administration could try to block a deal internally by framing it as 'humiliating' or 'embarrassing' to Trump personally," reports the Jewish Insider. "If the [Vance and Carlson] view trumps the views of people like [Secretary of State Marco] Rubio and Waltz and [Secretary of Defense nominee Pete] Hegseth and others, then you could see there being a deal," Dubowitz told the Insider. "The deal should be avoided at all costs because all it's going to do is put Israel in a much weaker position," he warned. The post Donald Trump Turns on His First Term's Middle East Hawks appeared first on Reason.com. JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Panelists Chris Martin, left, director of security for Hawaii Pacific University ; Reyn Tanaka of Kurisu Group ; Christine Camp of Avalon Group ; Trevor Abarzua, executive director of the Waikiki Business Improvement Association ; Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam ; and moderator Chris Fong, investment associate with Tradewind Capitol, discussed the creation of a downtown business improvement district Wednesday in Honolulu. JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Panelists Chris Martin, left, director of security for Hawaii Pacific University ; Reyn Tanaka of Kurisu Group ; Christine Camp of Avalon Group ; Trevor Abarzua, executive director of the Waikiki Business Improvement Association ; Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam ; and moderator Chris Fong, investment associate with Tradewind Capitol, discussed the creation of a downtown business improvement district Wednesday in Honolulu. If you build it, will they come ? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Downtown Honolulu, once bustling with office workers who frequented eateries at lunchtime, has seen a downturn in office space occupancy since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and needs revitalization, say businesses and developers. But even if they build change, they fear people wont come, so they would like to create a business improvement district to help with first sweeping out crime, grime and the homeless. Its first objective : Clean and Safe. Its great to have festivals and events, but they cost money, Avalon Group CEO Christine Camp said. We need to focus on cleanliness and safety. Thats what we have to start with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two hundred stakeholdersresidents, business and property owners, developers, government officialsfilled the Laniakea YWCA auditorium last week to hear panelists touting the plan, with many weighing in. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Colbert Matsumoto, head of Tradewind Group, brought a group of 40 businesses to the table, and they have come up with a plan to form a BID from Nuuanu Avenue to Richards Street (Ewa to Diamond Head ), and South Ber etania Street to Ala Moana Boulevard (mauka to makai ). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawaii Pacific Universitys head of security, Chris Martin, said at Wednesdays event, We struggle with the environment of downtown, the homelessness of downtown. Although crime is down, the real problem lies in the uncertainty of walking around downtown after 6 p.m. when it becomes different, said Martin. HPU has downsized its campus on Fort Street Mall but still remains there. The BID would initially focus on keeping public spaces clean and safe, and would require property owners to pay a fee, which could be passed on to tenants. A draft budget proposes charging what amounts to 1 to 3 cents per square foot, which would work out to roughly $30 a month for a 1, 000-square-foot space, Camp said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initial plan would be for five years, requiring the creation of a nonprofit governed by a board or committee of business owners, landowners and government representatives. It would be funded by assessments on property owners, which would be collected by the city. It could provide services such as security, maintenance and advocacy ; implement branding and marketing campaigns ; produce public events such as street events ; and make capital improvements. This would require an ordinance supported by the City Council. The initial step would be a petition signed by landowners owning lands within the proposed district that have a real property tax assessed value of at least 25 % of the total real property tax assessed value of all land in the proposed district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If 51 % of landowners object, the process stops. If it fails, it doesnt get renewed, Camp said. She said her company has already made a significant bet on downtown Honolulu by making several major purchases there in the past few years with a view to changing the face of the district. The stars are alignednot just us, but other investors are actively involved, she said. Reyn Tanaka, vice president and asset manager of WKF Inc., says he has been associated with the Fort Street Mall BID for nine years. The BID has helped to communicate with other property owners to reimagine downtown, to direct pedestrian traffic and not the lunchtime traditional hustle and bustle, then nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has opened an adult day care and the first Hawaii Paris Baguette, a South Korean-based chain of French-inspired bakery cafes, to send a message it supports the downtown revival. Waikiki BID Association President and CEO Trevor Abarzua said the Waikiki BID spends 70 % of its budget on keeping it clean and safe with 60 Aloha Ambassadors, some focused on safety and others on hospitality. He boasts the BIDs success in Waikikis reduction of crime from its first year to its second year (beginning September 2021 ), citing a 67 % reduction in drug and alcohol crimes, 35 % reduction in robberies, 32 % reduction in burglaries and 27 % reduction in criminal property damage. Its success is due to partnering with police, prosecutors, homeless outreach workers and its Safe &Sound initiative funded by grants from the Kosasa Foundation and the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waikiki has seen a 27 % reduction in homelessness, Abarzua says, and the initiative is not just to push them out ; its to get them housed, get them medication or to send them back to the mainland if thats where theyre from. Since there arent enough police to patrol closed parks at night, the city helped provide for outreach workers to help clear the beaches and those sleeping near storefronts. If (they ) dont want to keep getting poked and poked and poked, they leave ; otherwise, the workers warn they will call police, and they get up and move, he said. Moderator Chris Fong asked, Where do they go after they get poked and prodded ? Downtown ? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That drew a huge laugh from the audience. Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm said police arrested 200 in Chinatown. Were getting them assessed and addressing their behavioral health, he said. We can try to get them into treatment and out of there. Arresting can be a real answer to all of this. Those without homes who shelter in downtown are part of what some say prevents prospective residents from wanting to live there. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Dozens of flights were canceled or delayed at Charleston International Airport (CHS) on Tuesday ahead of a rare winter storm that is expected to bring snow, sleet, and ice to the area. More than 25 flights scheduled to depart after 3:30 p.m. have been canceled and several others are delayed, according to the CHS flight tracker. A similar number of inbound flights are also canceled or delayed. Heres why planes have sounded louder recently Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airport officials said they are monitoring conditions and are fully prepared to address any issues related to snow or ice. Crews have pre-treated roads leading to the airport as well as parking garages and walkways. Specialized snow removal equipment has also been prepositioned to ensure runaways and taxiways remain safe and operational. Its really the icing event is what were obviously concerned about, said Elliott Summey, Executive Director & CEO of the Charleston International Airport. Weve bought the right equipment in. Weve got the right chemical equipment as well to be able to break up that ice quickly, keep the runways open and keep the roads open. The airport said travelers should check with their individual airlines for flight updates and iflychs.com for travel advisories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Many passengers traveling in and out of Tampa on Tuesday may experience flight delays, or even cancellations, amid the wintry weather sweeping the nation. As of Tuesday evening, 27 flights are canceled and 144 are delayed at Tampa International Airport. DeSantis: North Florida could see several inches of snow These disruptions account for roughly 40% of all flights, including departures and arrivals, for the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The winter weather moving across the southeast is causing disruptions to flight schedules today, TPA told WFLA. There is a significant likelihood of more issues today as the storm heads east. Additional delays or cancelations can be expected, as freezing temperatures continue throughout the week. Earlier on Tuesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the northern parts of the state could see two to four inches of snow this week. Travelers are encouraged to check their flight status with their airlines for the most accurate and up-to-date flight information. Copyright 2025 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 WFLA. Snow flurries began to fall Monday afternoon as several people made their way into the Eldorado Community Center. Many were residents from the neighborhood, but some had traveled an hour or more to help search for 80-year-old Jose Orozco-Montijo. He was last seen around 2 p.m. Friday, walking on Torneo Road, a street near his home in Eldorado. There was still no sign of him by Monday evening, as another night of deadly cold temperatures set in, despite dozens of people joining the effort to find him. By mid-afternoon, about 50 people had volunteered to join parties searching the area for Orozco-Montijo, in addition to 45 people taking part in a mission with several New Mexico search and rescue groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Eldorado Community Center was transformed into an incident command post, with a handful of people in bright orange jackets, manning portable radios. Marco Rodriguez, a relative of Orozco-Montijo, stood over a map of Eldorado inside the center, directing a volunteer to distribute flyers along a stretch of Avenida de Compadres, to knock doors and to look in culverts and patio areas. Orozco-Montijo suffers from dementia, but he is in good physical health and only speaks Spanish, Rodriguez told the volunteer. Orozco-Montijo lives with his daughter in Eldorado, after moving from Mexico in 2017, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez and search party in Eldorado Marco Rodriguez points out sections on a map of Eldorado for volunteers to canvass Monday in the search effort for his stepfather, 80-year-old Jose Orozco-Montijo. Rodriguez said more than a dozen family members, along with many of their friends, descended on the community south of Santa Fe in recent days to join the search effort. Weve been getting a lot of people who are ready to help a lot of people who are very empathetic, Rodriguez said. Everybody is just really willing to help, and theyre not afraid that its cold outside. However, hopes among the searchers for finding Orozco-Montijo alive had receded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Monday, he had been missing for about three days, including several nights with extreme cold warnings from the National Weather Service. The low temperature forecast by the national agency for Monday night was 1 degree Fahrenheit. He was believed to be wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt when he disappeared, according to a Silver Alert issued Saturday by New Mexico State Police. Reyna Orozco, the missing mans niece, said her uncle had slipped out of the house in the past, but neighbors rerouted him home. While family members were receiving a lot of support in the search effort Monday, Orozco said they had received very little help Sunday. She asked for any volunteers who were available Tuesday to please help look. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews from eight different search and rescue groups from around the region were deployed Saturday evening and again Monday afternoon to search for Orozco-Montijo, incident commander Karl Smith said, with searchers using horses, dogs and drones. Rodriguez understood the value of people volunteering to help search. He and his wife had taken part in the search last year for an elderly woman who went missing from an senior living facility on the south side of Santa Fe. Searchers found the body of 98-year-old Esther Barnes about a half-mile from Las Soleras Senior Living in March 2024. Rodriguez contacted Tangerine Bolen who also had assisted in the search for Barnes to help organize the search for Orozco-Montijo on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolen said the volunteer search crew expanded Monday from about 15 people in the morning to 50 in the afternoon. The search response for Orozco-Montijo showed improvement over the one for Barnes, Bolen said, but she believes there should be changes made to the states Silver Alert system, to fix loopholes that create the risk of losing precious hours in a search for a missing elderly person. We need to imbue this process with a much higher sense of urgency for every family who could lose a family member like this, she said. We dont want this to happen to anyone again, and it keeps happening. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said deputies took the report for Orozco-Montijo on Saturday, and several deputies searched the area the best they could before contacting state police to issue the Silver Alert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If theres somebody missing, it is our job to do what we can search the areas, talk to neighbors, do our due diligence, and sometimes you locate them shortly after, Mendoza said. Once weve exhausted all that, the commander makes a decision to activate search and rescue, which takes a bit of time. Commanders brief state police, who then activate search and rescue crews for a search, he said. Bolen said she joined the family in calling the sheriffs office Sunday to ask for more help and for search and rescue crews to return. She noted state crews were never activated to search for Barnes last year because they didnt think they needed to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elderly people with cognitive deficits are as vulnerable as children in many ways, she said, pointing out the protocols for the Amber Alert system for missing kids are more urgent than those for the Silver Alert. I feel like were failing our elderly citizens in New Mexico, after being involved in this twice now in one year, she said. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Two warrants, served at an apartment complex in El Pasos Lower Valley, resulted in the arrests of three people on Friday, Jan. 17 after they were found in possession of firearms and cocaine, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced in a news release. Arturo Ramirez Manzano, 27, who also goes under the name of Tadeo, along with Mario Ivan Ramirez, 21, and Corina Hernandez, 30, all from El Paso, were arrested after being found in possession of firearms and cocaine, DPS said. Two rifles were seized in addition to nearly one kilogram of cocaine, DPS added. DPS said all suspects are convicted felons and are currently under federal probation. They were charged with unlawful possession of firearm by felon and manufacture/delivery of controlled substance. All were booked into the El Paso County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrests were part of an operation targeting members of a transnational criminal organization (TCO) with ties to the La Empresa cartel and Paisa prison gang who have been identified to engage in various crimes including smuggling of persons, firearm possession and drug trafficking, DPS said. DPS said Ramirez admitted to being a member of the Paisa prison gang and being a key coordinator for the human smuggling organization that is led by La Empresa and operates in the Ciudad Juarez and El Pasos border area. Ramirez was also charged with deadly conduct/discharge of a firearm after being identified in a recent shooting incident, DPS said. Copyright 2025 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 KTSM 9 News. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) As a driver was reportedly trying to flee a traffic stop on Monday, they are also accused of nearly striking a police officer. According to a Kettering Police Department spokesperson, authorities tried to conduct a traffic stop in the area of Patterson and Smithville roads in Dayton. The driver of the vehicle is accused of nearly striking a Kettering police officer while trying to leave, according to the spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple Kettering officers responded to try and find the vehicle after it allegedly fled. Copyright 2025 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 WDTN.com. (KRON) A driver was arrested for DUI after crashing his car into a tree overnight early Monday morning, the San Rafael Police Department said on social media. The crash happened just after midnight on Locust Avenue near Dominican University. The driver, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, suffered minor injuries, according to SRPD. An investigation determined that the driver was intoxicated as they took the wheel of a Toyota. Can Trump really end birthright citizenship? Expert breaks down inauguration speech promises (San Rafael Police Department) (San Rafael Police Department) Police had the driver take a sobriety test and was later determined to be under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested for DUI and later booked into the Marin County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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. Early voting began on Jan. 21 in the Belarusian presidential election scheduled for Jan. 26, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. The previous election, held in August 2020, was accompanied by large-scale voting fraud and the largest protests in Belarusian history. Most Western governments refused to recognize the 2020 election results and do not consider Alexander Lukashenko the country's legitimate leader. Lukashenko, who has been in power in Belarus since 1994, announced last year that he intended to run again in the Jan. 26 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, human rights activists call the early election procedure one of the mechanisms of vote rigging, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. background background Subscribe to newsletter Belarus Weekly Up to 40% of voters usually take part in early voting, and the executive branch determines the number of people who are supposed to participate. Early voting plans are distributed among regions and enterprises, effectively forcing citizens to vote during this period, according to the media outlet. Elections in Belarus "no longer fulfill their functions but are used by the authoritarian government to show a positive picture of general support and thus legalize the authoritarian government," Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported, citing human rights activists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lukashenko claimed victory in the 2020 presidential election, which was widely denounced as rigged in his favor. It was followed by mass protests across the country, which were brutally suppressed by the authorities. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who leads Belarusian democratic forces in exile, said she had won 60% of the vote. The Belarusian dictator is also a close ally of Russia and has backed Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, providing Belarusian territory as a staging area for Russian invasion troops in 2022. Russia has also been using Belarus to launch missiles against Ukraine. Read also: Youll die here Belarusian political prisoners recount experiences ahead of Lukashenkos reelection Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards talks about the upcoming winter weather. Edwards joined Louisiana First News Andrew Epperson and explained how this winter storm would be historic. After meeting and talking with state climatologist Jay Grymes, its happening, said Edwards. We all were hoping, Well maybe itll go a little left or right like those hurricanes, right? No, its coming and its here now. Its going to be a historic event. The snow is going to be a big thing of course, and what were getting, the models are saying everything from four inches up to eight inches is the latest we got. Once you get over four inches in our part of the state, its an issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Edwards wanted to reassure the citizens that all precautions are being taken ahead of the storm. Everything that could be done is being done, he shared. All hands are on deck and they are prepared for everything. From the snow, bitter cold, getting our roadways ready, Entergy, fire department, police department, sheriffs office, everythings ready to go. We are overprepared for this event. Gov. Jeff Landry talks about winter storm bringing snow, freezing weather to Louisiana Barricades have been put into place to protect the citizens, according to Edwards. If you see a barricade, please do not go through it, said Edwards. Its for a reason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shelters and warming stations are available to help those in need. Edwards mentioned law enforcement agencies are working to get members from homeless encampments to a warming station or shelter ahead of the weather. Our Baton Rouge Police Department has made several passes all day to the encampments and trying to pick them up, said Edwards. Were offering free rides, they can get in the police car, and theyll take them to a shelter. The sheriffs department is doing the same, they are using their vans. CATS normal holiday hours ran today, if youre going to a shelter, were not charging anybody for that. Its critical to get to warmth. Edwards emphasized that citizens do not call 911 if it is not a serious emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a serious event, said Edwards. Were hoping for the best, were in a sit-and-wait mode. We have nothing to compare this to in modern times. Unless it is an emergency, do not call 911. Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. TYLER, Texas (KETK) East Texans from Camp, Rusk and Panola county traveled to Washington for President Trumps inauguration through U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Morans ticket lottery. Pam Robertson, from Pittsburg was honored to visit the capitol during the historical event while battling stage four colon cancer. Im just feeling joyous today. This is just a day of celebration. Its a day of happiness. Its a day of peace and contentment. Im just happy to put the last four years behind us, Robertson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump sworn in as 47th president, celebrates with supporters Robertson and her friends had been planning the trip for three weeks. Her friends came up to Washington with her as a gift since they knew how much she wanted to attend. Despite the ceremony being indoors due to frigid temperatures, the group was still able to enjoy from inside the Heritage Foundation Building for a watch party. The other group from Rusk and Panola county also made the long journey to attend the inauguration. They said the energy was electrifying and very emotional when President Trump raised his hand to take the oath. To be with everyone excited about Trump being back in office and all the good things the energy was. You could feel it in the room. It was very, very powerful, very God present, registered nurse for BreedLove Medical and Wellness Jenna Paul said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Business developer for BreedLove Medical and Wellness Brittany Baton said that the group all got chills, because it was so special to be in a building where history was being made. Trump signs flurry of restrictive immigration orders on Day One Each East Texan that had the opportunity to attend said they are blessed to have made this journey and are excited for what the future holds for the U.S. under President Trump for the second time. After the inauguration, groups continued their tour of Washington and visited several of the most prized monuments before coming home to East Texas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Mayor-President Sid Edwards gave an update on the freezing weather conditions in East Baton Rouge Parish on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Edwards reminded residents that the winter weather event is still serious, adding that people should not let their guard down and stay off the roads. Road temperatures are currently in the 20s. Director of the East Baton Rouge Parish Mayors Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness Clay Reeves talked about being aware of exposure while being outside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief of Police Thomas Morse Jr. asked people to not drive around barricades. Baton Rouge Fire Chief Michael Kimble told residents to plug their electric heaters into the wall. He said there are 22 engine companies in service. Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Jeff LeDuff talked about the homeless and those without sufficient heating. He stressed that there are beds for those in need. Shelters and warming stations have opened in EBR Parish. Edwards spoke with Louisiana First News Anchor Andrew Epperson before the winter weather hit the parish. The winter weather has led to road closures in Baton Rouge and surrounding parishes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Send us your Baton Rouge area snow day photos and videos! Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. PARIS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to leave the Paris climate accord for the second time was regrettable but unsurprising, Francois Villeroy de Galhau, a European Central Bank official, said on Tuesday. "We regret Mr. Trump's announcement to leave the Paris Agreement, which was not a surprise," Villeroy, who is also the French central bank chief, said in an interview with Bloomberg TV from the annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland. Even before Trump returned to office on Monday, the U.S. Federal Reserve withdrew from the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System, a group launched in 2017 to police environmental risks in finance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Villeroy said the group, which still has more than 140 members, "is more committed and active than ever." (Reporting by Makini Brice, Editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout and Christina Fincher) WASHINGTON A conservative activist who has been on the board of a group supporting Jan. 6 defendants has been named interim U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., the position that has overseen the hundreds of cases brought in the Capitol siege investigation. Ed Martin will be the interim chief, Trump Justice Department official Chad Gilmartin told NBC News. Martin was a prominent member of the "Stop the Steal" movement. In a speech at the Capitol on Jan. 5, 2021, he called on "die-hard true Americans" to work until their "last breath" to "stop the steal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 6, Martin tweeted that he was "at the Capitol" and said the crowd was rowdy "but nothing out of hand," and he then tweeted, Like Mardi Gras in DC today: love, faith and joy. At the time of Martin's tweet, rioters had breached the building and Ashli Babbitt had been shot; on the other side of the Capitol, a Jan. 6 rioter would soon drive a stun gun into an officer's neck during the brutal battle at the lower west tunnel. Martin was on the board of the Patriot Freedom Project, which advocated for Jan. 6 defendants and held fundraisers at Donald Trump's properties, including events where Trump spoke. Last year, Martin was named deputy policy director of the Republican National Committees platform committee. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Ed Miliband has warned Donald Trump that the rise of net zero is unstoppable, just hours after the President vowed to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement. In stark contrast to Mr Trumps drill, baby, drill mantra, the Energy Secretary said the shift to clean energy is essential to reduce Britains reliance on rollercoaster fossil fuel markets. Appearing before the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee, Mr Miliband sought to downplay the impact of Americas planned withdrawal from the international climate treaty, which Mr Trump announced on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Miliband said: Other countries believed it was in their national self-interest to remain in the Paris Agreement and to continue working on these (climate) issues, because they saw both the advantages of moving forward on this and the dangers for them of not moving forward. So I think the transition is unstoppable, not fast enough, but unstoppable. Under the first Trump term, we still saw quite significant investment in renewables. And that makes me think that whatever their decisions on the Paris Agreement, there is always common ground that we can seek with the new administration. However, the differing approaches may raise tensions given Britains continued reliance on America for energy, having last year bought 12.3bn worth of US oil and 7bn of liquefied natural gas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2016 Paris deal commits countries to limiting the increase in the global average temperature to 2C above pre-industrial levels - with an aspiration to keep it below 1.5C. However, such pledges have had little effect in actually cutting the worlds annual emissions, which have risen from the equivalent of 35bn tonnes of CO2 two decades ago to 60bn tonnes today. Mr Trump, who once called climate science a hoax, also withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement during his first term in the White House in 2017, although his action was later reversed by Joe Biden in 2021. Prior to his inauguration, Mr Trump also attacked the UK Governments plan to shift away from North Sea oil and gas, describing the policy as a very big mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Mr Miliband used his committee hearing to once again reiterate the importance of Britains shift to net zero. He said: In the last few years, every family, every business in this country, has seen their energy bills rocket after Russia invaded Ukraine. This has taught us something really important about the dangers of our dependence on fossil fuel markets controlled by Petro states and dictators. The reality is that Britain is at the mercy of the rollercoaster [nature] of these markets, not just in power, but when it comes to how we heat our homes, fuel our transport and power our industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is why we are moving to clean energy because its the right choice for energy security. However, his green energy glitz has raised concerns over whether thousands of new solar panels and wind farms will ruin the UK countryside. Mr Milband sought to reject these claims on Tuesday, arguing: I believe clean energy development is absolutely compatible with nature protection and restoration. Solar farms can be compatible with rewilding and wildflower meadows. Mr Miliband also dismissed suggestions that wind turbines in rural locations were banned by the last government because they were unpopular. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They werent unpopular, he said, citing government polls showing 74pc public support for giant onshore wind turbines in rural areas. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. This video still from Jan. 6, 2021, shows Conway resident Peter Stager holding a U.S. flag. He pleaded guilty in 2023 to assaulting a police officer. He is among eight Arkansans pardoned by President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, 2025, for their roles in the 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol. (Source: Criminal complaint file, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia) On the first day of his second presidency, Donald Trump pardoned all eight Arkansans among more than 1,500 of his supporters convicted for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the nations Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among them were the states two highest-profile defendants, Richard Bigo Barnett, who became notorious for a photo taken in then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office, and Peter Stager, who admitted to beating a police officer with a flagpole. Barnett, 64, of Gravette was sentenced to 54 months in prison after a federal court jury convicted him in May 2023. He has been incarcerated in a prison in Seagoville, Texas. He wasnt scheduled for release until July 17, 2026. Stager, 45, of Conway was released from prison in October. He had been jailed since shortly after his arrest in 2021. Stager pleaded guilty in February 2023 to one count of assaulting a police officer with a dangerous weapon in exchange for additional charges being dropped. Stager beat the officer with a flagpole; the officer suffered bruises and abrasions. Richard Bigo Barnett of Gravette, Arkansas, arrives at the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington, D.C., at the start of his trial on Jan. 10, 2023, for his participation in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Barnett, 63, was sentenced in May 2023 to 4.5 years in prison after being convicted on all eight counts against him. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Other Arkansans pardoned by Trump were: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nathan Earl Hughes of Bentonville, who had not yet begun to serve a 25-month prison sentence handed down recently. Hughes pleaded guilty in August to three charges: civil disorder and aiding and abetting; assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers; and impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings. Daniel Hatcher of Searcy, who pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors. Court records show his sentencing was set for December, but theres no record of its having happened then. Further confusing the situation, a motion filed earlier this month said he was on pretrial release. David Michael Camden of Tontitown, who was sentenced to one year and one day in prison recently after pleading guilty in September to assaulting a police officer, apparently had not gone to prison yet. He is not listed on the U.S. Bureau of Prisons inmate registry. Jon Thomas Mott of Yellville, convicted of a misdemeanor, was ordered to serve 30 days in prison and given probation in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brennen Cline Machacek of Hindsville was sentenced in 2023 to 12 months probation. He had pleaded guilty to one count of parading, picketing or demonstrating. Robert Thomas Snow of Heber Springs was sentenced in 2022 to one year probation for entering the U.S. Capitol during the riots. This story first appeared on the Arkansas Times Arkansas Blog. When an extraordinary cache of love letters written by Albert Einstein to his first wife between 1898 and 1903 went up for auction last December, the historic collection was expected to fetch up to $2 million. At minimum, the Einstein letter s in which the Nobel Prize-winning physicist elucidated not only his amorous feelings for Serbian physicist Mileva Maric , but also his initial thoughts on the theory of relativity were expected to sell for at least $1.3 million, the low estimate from Christies , the esteemed auction house handling the sale. The missives have been described as the most important source for Einsteins early life and intellectual development, including the only known information about the illegitimate daughter he secretly fathered in 1902. I am more and more convinced that the electrodynamics of moving bodies, as presented today, is not correct, Einstein wrote in one . Billionaire banking heir Jacqui Safra claims Christies sold his collection of letters written by Albert Einstein at fire sale prices (AFP via Getty Images) However, the lot of 55 letters brought just $430,000 , a sum that deeply disappointed the previously anonymous seller, now unmasked in a tranche of legal documents obtained by The Independent as billionaire financier Jacqui Safra . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the filings, the Encyclopedia Britannica owner, California vineyard boss, and sometime Woody Allen film producer says Christies did not have the right to sell the Einstein letters, and further blames the auction house for sloppily offloading them at just 35 percent of the low estimate, in what he dubs a fire sale. This is not merely a case of breach of contract, states an affidavit filed Friday. Christies actions represent a systemic betrayal of trust, wherein the worlds largest auction house manipulated its power over one of the most significant private collections of art and cultural artifacts in history. An application by Safra for a temporary restraining order asking a judge to halt the upcoming sale of additional artworks from his $100 million collection $87 million of which he purchased from Christies says the 78-year-old financier trusted the auction house to be a steward of his unique works of unparalleled historical value. Jacqui Safra is suing Christies over a tranche of letters written by iconic physicist Albert Einstein over the low hammer price the items brought in (Getty Images) Instead, it alleges, Christies exploited this trust, and fabricated a deliberate strategy to suppress the value of the pieces by mismarketing, undervaluing, and systematically failing to perform its contractual obligations all while exploiting its position to siphon off fees and commissions in direct contravention of its agreements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most recent example, the application says, was Christies bungled sale of the Einstein letters. Safra says in the court filings that Christies put the Einstein letters on the auction block in spite of his objections, as they were tied to a $63 million loan he personally guaranteed, using his art collection as collateral. The items Safra pledged to secure the loan include one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture, antiques, writings, manuscripts, and Old Master paintings and drawings. To ensure that the pieces would sufficiently secure the loan, Christies assigned expert valuations to each, according to the filings. When Safra defaulted on the loan in 2022, Christies claims it was free to auction off any pieces it pleased. However, Safra argues that he had always reserved the right to decide which items would be put up for sale, and when, and that Christies knew he never wanted to sell the Einstein letters. Christies auctioned Jacqui Safras collection of art and historical objects at fire sale prices, he says in court filings (Getty Images) Christies was well aware that the Einstein Letters were of tremendous sentimental value to Mr. Safra, according to a complaint docketed alongside 28 separate court filings. Indeed, prior to Mr. Safra pledging the Einstein Letters under the Agreements, Christies had approached Mr. Safra on multiple occasions to sell the letters. Mr. Safra declined each time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Christies spokesperson on Tuesday told The Independent that the original payment to Safra in fact was not a loan, but rather, an advance on future sales. The property was sold in accordance with the agreement with Mr. Safra, the spokesperson said. As this has now moved to litigation, we do not intend to comment further. In his complaint, Safra claims that Christies, among other things, failed to put together a compelling auction catalog for the letters, failed to highlight the scientific significance of the matters Einstein discussed in those letters, and failed to even state how many letters were in the lot, according to Safras filings. When Safra brought up these issues, Christies refused to heed his warnings, he alleges. Jacqui Safra also contends that Christies lowballed the sale of a number of Old Masters artworks from his collection, according to court papers (AFP via Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Christies purposefully letting go of the Einstein letters and other pieces at bargain prices, Safra says he has not hit certain repayment thresholds that would automatically halt the sale of additional items from his collection. Instead, according to Safra, a financially struggling Christies has liquidated the works collateralizing the loan at lowball prices in order to accelerate its repayment terms and creating artificial obstacles undermining Safra, who says he has been forced to pay Christies some $8 million in additional fees not contemplated by the parties original agreements. Further, Safra claims, his missed targets allow Christies to continue improperly accruing default interest on the unfulfilled loan terms. The harm caused by Christies extends beyond financial losses, Safras complaint states. [His] collection includes irreplaceable cultural artifacts that hold historical, artistic, and personal significance. These treasures, once entrusted to Christies care, have been stripped of their rightful value and scattered in a reckless attempt to prop up Christies bottom line. Jacqui Safra is the grandson of banking tycoon Jacob Safra (in painting), and the nephew of Edmond Safra, seen here at his desk (Getty Images) The restraining order application seeks to halt the impending sale of 25 Old Master artworks from his collection on February 4 and 5, and several more on February 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In it, Safra claims there are significant errors in Christies latest catalog listings that, much like the Einstein letters, wipe out significant value from those works. Since the first auction in January 2023 of items from his collection, Christies has sold 368 of Safras pieces, for a combined 20 percent less than its own low estimates, the application states. He is demanding damages equal to the difference between the fair market value and the hammer price of the pieces sold by Christies, plus interest, punitive damages, plus attorneys fees. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) President Donald Trump was inaugurated on Monday, Jan. 20 and officially began his second term in office. He signed a slew of executive orders on his first day of his second administration, with at least 10 of those related to immigration. During Trumps inauguration, some El Pasoans gathered to protest against his proposed policies including those dealing with immigration. Hes talking about mass deportation. It is going to spread fear and panic, among those communities. But were also concerned as U.S. citizens that his talk about ignoring the 14th Amendment that guarantees birthright citizenship, and we think that is totally unconstitutional, protestor Oscar Lozano said. Others, however, were excited to see Trump back in the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Building that wall, making sure that, El Paso and all of America is safe. We are obviously a border town that welcomes individuals into our United States. We like to welcome them legally, said Robyn Cooper, a member of the State Republican Executive Committee representing El Paso County. Copyright 2025 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 KTSM 9 News. DENVER (AP) Five elephants at a Colorado zoo may be majestic but, since they're not human, they do not have the legal right to pursue their release, Colorados highest court said Tuesday. The ruling from the Colorado Supreme Court follows a similar court defeat in New York in 2022 for an elephant named Happy at the Bronx Zoo in a case brought by an animal rights group. Rulings in favor of the animals would have allowed lawyers for both Happy and the elephants at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs Missy, Kimba, Lucky, LouLou and Jambo to pursue a long-held legal process for prisoners to challenge their detention and possibly be sent to live in an elephant sanctuary instead. The Colorado court said its decision does not turn on our regard for these majestic animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, the legal question here boils down to whether an elephant is a person, the court said. And because an elephant is not a person, the elephants here do not have standing to bring a habeas corpus claim, it said in the ruling. The same animal rights group that tried to win Happys release, the Nonhuman Rights Project, also brought the case in Colorado. The group argued that the Colorado elephants, born in the wild in Africa, have shown signs of brain damage because the zoo is essentially a prison for such intelligent and social creatures, known to roam for miles a day. It wanted the animals released to one of the two accredited elephant sanctuaries in the United States because the group doesnt think they can no longer live in the wild. The zoo argued moving the elephants and potentially placing them with new animals would be cruel at their age, possibly causing unnecessary stress. It said they arent used to being in larger herds and, based on the zoo's observations, the elephants dont have the skills or desire to join one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While welcoming the Colorado court's ruling, the zoo said it was disappointed there had to be a legal fight over the issue and accused the Nonhuman Rights Project of abusing court systems" to fundraise. It seems their real goal is to manipulate people into donating to their cause by incessantly publicizing sensational court cases with relentless calls for supporters to donate, the zoo said in a statement. The Nonhuman Rights Project said the latest ruling "perpetuates a clear injustice and predicted future courts would reject the idea that only humans have a right to liberty. As with other social justice movements, early losses are expected as we challenge an entrenched status quo that has allowed Missy, Kimba, Lucky, LouLou, and Jambo to be relegated to a lifetime of mental and physical suffering, it said in a statement. WARREN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Elizabeth N. Libby Whetson, 76 of Warren passed away on Thursday evening, January 16, 2025 at St. Joseph Hospital. Libby was born on May 24, 1948 in Warren, Ohio, the daughter of Elton Pete and Dorothy Betty (Hill) Whetson. Find obituaries from your high school Libby was a 1966 graduate of Bloomfield High School, where she was the valedictorian. She went on to receive her Bachelors Degree in Education from Kent State University and later furthered her education, earning a masters and administration degree from Kent State University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Libby was a devoted teacher at North Road and Howland Springs Elementary school for 40 years. She cherished her time as a teacher and was proud of each of her students. Outside of work, Libby enjoyed shopping, attending craft shows, and traveling. She was adventurous in her travels, visiting most of the United States and countries abroad, including visiting family in England. Libbys favorite travelling experience was her trip to Ireland, where she kissed the Blarney Stone. At home, she always remained involved in the community as part of the Beta Chi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, Warren Womens Club, The Howland School Retired Personnel, Howland Scope, Trumbull Townhall, Trumbull Retired Teachers, the Uptown Association and bocce league. Libby attended North Bloomfield United Methodist Church and North Mar Church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She especially cherished the time she spent with her friends and family, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Libby will always be remembered by many devoted cousins, nieces and nephews, and many loved friends throughout the community. Family and friends may visit and pay tribute to Libby on Thursday evening, January 23, 2025 from 4:00 6:00 p.m. at the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel of Warren, 1884 North Road NE. Additional calling hours will be on Friday, January 24, 2025 from 10:00 11:00 a.m., with a funeral service following at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burial will follow at Greene Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Libbys name to the Warren Womens Club, 708 N. Park Avenue, Warren, OH 44483. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elizabeth N. Libby Whetson, please visit our floral store. A television tribute will air Wednesday, January 22 at the following approximate times: 6:47 a.m. on WYTV, 9:43 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing. Copyright 2025 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. Former Senate President Jason Ellsworth, middle, signed a $170,100 contract in the final days of 2024 that is now under investigation. On Monday morning, Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, dropped off signed termination documents at Legislative Services Division to dissolve a $170,100 no-bid contract hed signed on the last day of 2024 to award state funds to a former business associate. Ellsworth has defended the deal as above board, but news of the rushed contract, first reported last week by the Montana State News Bureau, raised questions with Republican leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The contract was inked with Bryce Eggleston of Agile Analytics to comprehensively evaluate, track, assess and report on 27 bills from the Senate Select Committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform that Ellsworth convened and chaired last year. However, Ellsworths actions flew in the face of a committee decision not to hire outside contractors to perform such work, and raised questions among GOP leadership, prompting a probe into Ellsworths actions. Agile applied for registration with the Secretary of States Office just a couple of weeks before the contract was awarded, and Eggleston has not responded to questions about the deal. Its very concerning, current Senate President Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, said Monday. A tremendous black eye to not just our party, but to the Senate and to the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regier said that he is still investigating the specifics of how the contract came together, but said a formal ethics complaint would be filed sooner rather than later to look into the matter further. As of publication time, that complaint had not materialized. ellsworth termination Speaking to the press Monday morning, Ellsworth said the contract was properly vetted and approved, he does not regret his actions, and believed he was working in the best interest of the Republican-led Senate. However, he said the contract had become a political distraction, and Eggleston no longer wished to do the work. Republicans, I believe, are united, especially behind judicial reform, Ellsworth, the former president of the Senate said. I want to continue down that path and not get distracted by something thats probably being politicized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, in a prepared written statement distributed to members of the press, Ellsworth took a harsher line, calling the probe into his actions a manufactured controversy. The attacks on the contract are a thinly-veiled political ploy, he wrote, tying it to a rift in the Senate GOP that emerged on Day One of the 69th Legislature when Ellsworth and eight other Republicans joined Democrats in a vote bucking the majoritys chosen Senate rules. Ellsworth lost his bid to stay Senate President to Regier in November. He called the attacks part of the sharp backlash, from his vote, claiming that they are about manipulating committee assignments, punishing appointees, and distracting from questionable spending proposals and inadequate meeting notices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regier said that Ellsworths moves to terminate the contract only created more questions given his earlier strident defense of it. So terminating the contract? Just more question marks. Documents show roundabout way to contract execution At the final meeting of the interim judicial oversight committee the first week of December, committee chairman Ellsworth asked about hiring outside staff to track, analyze and report back on the status of the 27 bills on a regular basis. Committee members demurred, saying legislative staff could take care of tracking and give basic reports. At the time, Ellsworth said he was fine with that decision. But on Dec. 26, Ellsworth originally submitted two contracts with Eggleston to the Legislative Services Division, one for $88,200 and one for $81,900, splitting the bills to be tracked. However, legislative staff flagged the contracts as problematic, and reached out to staff with the Department of Administration, which handles government procurements more than $100,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to emails between Ellsworth, Legislative Services and DOA, staff from both agencies worked to merge the contracts into one before the end of the year, when the funding allocated to the Select Committee would expire. The Administrative Rules of Montana state that a sole-source procurement contract that exceeds $100,000 must be publicly noticed for 10 days, but no public notice was posted by the Department of Administration. DOA staff did not respond to questions about the decision not to notice the contract due to the short timeframe, but emails show agency staff working up through mid-day on Dec. 31 to pull together the elements of the contract. It was signed that day, including by Ellsworth, a DOA procurement officer and a legal representative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regier said that the initial attempts to enter into two separate contracts, with a personal business associate, amounted to an obvious circumvention of the law. If it was a legitimate contractor on the other end, with legitimate deliverables, which Im not seeing theres multiple, deep, deep concerns with what transpired, Regier said. Regier also reiterated that the interim committee had chosen to go with a staffer instead for the scope of work. Its, I mean, utterly ridiculous for $170,000 for 27 bills, Regier said. Thats something my nephew could do. Ellsworth told reporters he viewed the committees decision as strictly about bill tracking, whereas the contract was for much more robust analysis. However, at least one other committee member, Sen. Daniel Emrich, R-Great Falls, earlier told the Daily Montanan the committee hadnt wanted to spend the funds, and he felt lied to, by Ellsworths actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, Regier said that an investigation is still underway to determine the extent of Ellsworths actions, but that many of the former presidents actions threw up red flags, and a formal referral to the ethics committee will be forthcoming. When youre doing it in the dark of night, not even telling incoming leadership not telling your committee all those are red flags, Regier said. If this was up and up, why would you not share? Were making sure that due process for everyone involved is there, and that truth comes to light, Regier said. He said the ethics complaint wont be rushed, yet it wont be delayed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Senate Rules, a senator may submit a letter of complaint alleging a violation of statute or rule to the Senate Rules Committee, which can then refer the complaint to the Senate Ethics Committee. Sen. Barry Usher, R-Billings, who served as vice chair of the judicial oversight committee, said he would absolutely welcome an ethics investigation. As of publication, no letter had been submitted to the Rules Committee, according to committee chairman Sen. Tom McGillvray. In his written statement, Ellsworth preemptively called out any potential ethics complaint as frivolous and a retaliatory tactic, though he also said elected officials should be held accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Monday morning, Jeff Essmann, a former state legislator who served as Senate president a decade ago, said on the Montana Talks radio show and wrote on social media that Ellsworth should be expelled for his actions, calling it a stain against the public trust. Eggleston, with Agile Analytics, the company registered three weeks before the contract was signed with no other digital presence, filed the first of what would have been 24 invoices for $7,087.50 on Jan. 10. Eggleston did not respond to texts or emails with questions about the contract and its subsequent termination. On Monday afternoon, Legislative Services Executive Director Jerry Howe stated that no payment had been made on the contract and the contracts cancellation was in process. Elon Musk has been accused by Olaf Scholz of supporting extreme Right positions after he performed a gesture that some likened to a Nazi salute at an inauguration event. The tech mogul twice threw his arm into the air at a rally for Donald Trump on Monday, provoking criticism from commentators who said it was a fascist gesture. My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilisation is assured, he told the audience, after giving the second one-armed salute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Scholz, the German chancellor, told the World Economic Forum that he was concerned about the billionaires politics. We have freedom of speech in Europe and in Germany, Mr Scholz, who faces a challenge at home from the far-Right AfD party, which Mr Musk has previously backed, told an audience at Davos. Everyone can say what he wants even if he is a billionaire. What we do not accept is if this is supporting extreme Right positions. Mr Musk hit back on his social media platform, X, writing: Shame on Oaf Schitz! He said that his critics need better dirty tricks than accusing him of being a Nazi, and shared images of Left-wing politicians holding their arms in the same position. The billionaire also criticised media outlets for reporting the gesture, and Wikipedia for stating that it was compared to a Nazi salute or a fascist salute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since legacy media propaganda is considered a valid source by Wikipedia, it naturally simply becomes an extension of legacy media propaganda! he said. The salute was also criticised by Yolanda Diaz, Spains minister of labour, who claimed on Tuesday that the entire world witnessed Elon Musk mimicking a Nazi salute during Donald Trumps inauguration. Karl Lauterbach, the German health minister, said that Mr Musks gesture must worry every democrat. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Left-wing Democratic US congresswoman, described the raised arm as a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jerry Nadler, another Democrat, said it was an abhorrent gesture. Mr Musk, who has been picked to head Mr Trumps newly created Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), could benefit from an executive order the president signed on Monday to speed up the security clearance process for some of his appointees. Blaming Joe Biden for a backlog in security clearances, Mr Trump said his White House counsel would compile a list of staff in the executive office of the president who should be approved without full vetting. Alice Weidel, the co-leader of AfD, was interviewed this month by Elon Musk, who declared during the broadcast Only AfD can save Germany, end of story - Fabian Bimmer/Reuters The clearances, which will give some staff access to top secret information, will be valid for six months and can be revoked at any time, the order says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doge was originally supposed to operate independently of the government, reporting to Mr Trumps staff without spending taxpayer dollars. However, it was later announced the body will be based in the Eisenhower Executive Office building adjacent to the White House. It was previously reported that Mr Musk was unlikely to receive full security clearance if he entered the government, because of his admission that he has used illegal drugs, and reports that he has been in communication with Vladimir Putin. The temporary security clearance process outlined by Mr Trump on Monday could allow Mr Musk to be given a six-month authorisation to access classified information, if he is placed on the list of approved employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House did not respond to a request for comment on whether Mr Musk was among the employees to receive clearance. Elon Musk criticised media outlets and accused Wikipedia of propaganda for reporting that his gesture was compared to Adolf Hitlers salute - Heinrich Hoffmann/Archive Photos/Getty Images Three lawsuits were launched against Doge within hours of the body being incorporated into the federal government. The legal challenges claim the department violates the 1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act, which governs the use of similar bodies. Mr Trump is accused of violating the act by creating Doge without ensuring that it will act objectively and making its proceedings accessible to the public. Its staff reportedly communicate using Signal, an encrypted messaging app. National Security Counselors, a public interest law firm that has filed one of the cases, is seeking a remedy that would halt the bodys operations until it complies with the law and ban the White House for implementing its recommendations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doge is expected to recommend that Mr Trump make swingeing cuts to bureaucracy, including reducing the number of federal agencies by more than 75 per cent. It has reportedly sent envoys into government departments to look for potential savings, in the hope of cutting public spending to reduce the federal budget deficit. Some of its staff have been recruited from the technology industry, and are working unpaid. The idea for Doge was first mooted by Mr Musk in a live interview with Mr Trump, streamed on X during the election campaign. Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur who ran for the Republican nomination last year, was announced as the bodys co-chair after Mr Trumps election victory. Elon Musk with Olaf Scholz in 2022 at the launch of the tech billionaires Tesla car gigafactory in Gruenheide, south-east of Berlin - Patrick Pleul/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he has stepped back amid reports he had been undermined by Mr Musk and clashed with other staff. He is instead expected to enter the race for the governorship of Ohio. A source close to him reportedly denied that his exit from Doge was caused by a rift with Mr Musk, and said he could not run a campaign to be governor and co-head the efficiency body at the same time. However, a source close to the Trump team told Politico that Mr Ramaswamy had angered members of the team and burned through the bridges of staff before he finally burned Elon. Everyone wants him out of Mar-a-Lago, out of DC, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, Mr Ramaswamy and Mr Musk teamed up and clashed with other Trump allies over visas for foreign tech workers, which they said were required because American corporate culture venerated mediocrity over excellence. That stance was at odds with some other Republicans, who think the US tech industry should prioritise the hiring of domestic workers. Anna Kelly, a Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman, said before Mondays inauguration that Mr Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create Doge and that his plan to run for governor requires him to remain outside of the body. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. BERLIN (Reuters) - U.S. billionaire Elon Musk called the chancellor of Germany "Oaf Schitz" on his social media platform X on Tuesday, responding to a video of the leader's comments on free speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. "Shame on Oaf Schitz!" Musk wrote in a post, after Olaf Scholz said freedom of speech should not support extreme-right views. (Writing by Rachel More; Editing bz Madeline Chambers) (Bloomberg) -- It begins, Elon Musk wrote Monday night, shortly after Donald Trumps inauguration as the 47th US President. Most Read from Bloomberg The billionaires post on his social network X referred specifically to a Trump executive order ending federal diversity, equity and inclusion mandates a longtime bugbear of the worlds richest person, who runs six companies and has railed against DEI efforts for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it also doubled as a reminder of Musks increasingly symbiotic relationship with the president to anyone still in doubt. While the bond between Musk and Trump two people known for ever-shifting personal and professional loyalties may not hold forever, the show of Musks power was on full display at the nations capitol. Among Trumps actions on Day 1: Establishing a special office for Musk inside the White House complex. On Monday, Trump said Musk and his team will have office space for about 20 people in whats been dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, in reference to Musks favored cryptocurrency. Musk now has a White House email address, and at least four people at each federal agency will help implement the cost-cutting effort. The DOGE administrator will report to the White House Chief of Staff, according to the order. There is also no question who is in charge. Vivek Ramaswamy, whom Trump had named to co-lead the effort with Musk, bowed out to focus on his own political career in Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just as quickly, groups launched court challenges targeting the DOGE. A union representing hundreds of thousands of federal employees sued the Trump administration Monday claiming that DOGE violates a 1972 US law requiring checks on conflicts of interest, ideological balance and transparency for groups with a direct line to the White House. Inaugural Exuberance Musk, 53, was the presidents only guest speaker during a rally Sunday night. Were looking forward to making a lot of changes, Musk said during an event in which Vice President JD Vance didnt make remarks. The following day, as Trump was sworn in at the US Capitol, a grinning Musk had prime seating ahead of the presidents own incoming cabinet members. Alongside billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, the tech magnates appeared in countless live shots of the transfer of power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Trumps inaugural address, Musk beamed as Trump vowed to go to Marsthe goal that has animated Musks life for decades. The billionaire was spotted by CNN entering the office building adjacent to the White House as Trump attended inaugural events. He was compared to Rosa Parks by House majority leader Steve Scalise at an inauguration luncheon at the Capitol. Before a throng of Trump supporters at Washingtons Capital One Arena on Monday afternoon, Musk then strode on stage in a fit of exuberance. This is what victory feels like! said Musk, pounding his fists on the lectern as the crowd roared. The SpaceX CEO then talked, as he often does, about Mars. Can you imagine how awesome it will be to have American astronauts plant the flag on another planet for the first time? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks first day in Trumps Washington was not without controversy. During his speech at the Capitol One Arena, Musk twice put his hand over his heart and then forcefully raised it diagonally over his head in a gesture some online observers said resembled a Nazi salute. My heart goes out to you, he then said, bringing his hand back to his heart. Historian of fascism here, wrote Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and Italian studies at New York University, on BlueSky, in response to Musks gesture. It was a Nazi salute and a very belligerent one too. The ADL, or Anti-Defamation League, a group founded to fight antisemitism, rejected the suggested link to the Nazi Sieg Heil: It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge, the group wrote on X. Musk quoted the post on X and wrote Thanks guys, alongside the crying-with-laughter emoji. Musk didnt respond to requests for further comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics also warned of Musks many potential conflicts of interest as the head of six companies including Tesla Inc., SpaceX and X, which all do business in areas regulated by the US government. Youre watching the unraveling of our democracy. Its not about to happen. It is happening right now, said Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut on MSNBC Monday. What Trump didnt mention in his inaugural address was any plan to return to the Moon, which has been the focus of NASAs Artemis program. Instead, Trump vowed to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars. Elon Musk got into this speech a commitment to go to Mars, right? Murphy said. There is a dispute inside the scientific community, inside the NASA as to whether we should be going to Mars or to the moon. It makes Elon Musk an even richer man if the choice is to go to Mars. He got that, Murphy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Elon Musk has been slammed online after his gesture at Trumps inauguration was compared to a Nazi salute. However, some of his biggest fans rushed to his defense calling it a Roman salute and trying to downplay the connection to World War II Germany. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO dismissed the comparison to the Nazi and wrote on X that his critics need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the 2024 campaign, Musk joined forces with President Donald Trump, helping him win by donating more than $250 million to the efforts to get Trump elected. Musk, who bought Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion and renamed it X, faced widespread backlash for seemingly mimicking a Nazi salute multiple times during his appearance in Capital One Arena in downtown Washington. The salute, also known as the Roman salute, involves putting your arm forward with fingers together and your palm downwards. Its alleged to have been used in ancient Rome, but theres no Roman text that describes the salute. In the 1930s and 1940s, it became associated with the Nazi party in Germany. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk gestures as he speaks during the inaugural parade. He has drawn backlash for his comments (Getty Images) The move became popularized in the 18th and 19th centuries in artworks and theatre performances, showing Romans saluting as a way of greeting each other, Newsweek noted. The salute was used as a symbol in the Neoclassical art movement to display Roman virtues such as honor, patriotism and civic duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 20th century, it was put to use by fascists in Italy and the Nazi party in Germany. Both also used a number of other Roman and Neoclassical symbols. The salute quickly became synonymous with the German Nazi party, with military staff and citizens being forced to do the salute and say Heil Hitler or Sieg Heil. Following World War II, it has been widely seen as a salute used by fascists and for symbolizing white supremacy. Doing the movement is outlawed in Germany, Austria and Slovakia and its restricted in several other countries such as the U.K. and Canada. August 1927: Austrian born German fascist dictator, Adolf Hitler, saluting the massed ranks of his party during the party congress at Nuremberg (Getty Images) Musk sparked controversy when he used the salute on Monday during Trumps indoor parade and rally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I just want to say thank you for making it happen, thank you, he said before putting his hand to his chest and extending his arm up towards the crowd, his fingers outstretched and his palm down. My heart goes out to you. Its because of you that the future of civilization is assured, he said after having done the salute. The Anti-Defamation League wrote on X in part that It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge. Thanks guys, Musk wrote in response along with a laughing emoji. Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed the ADLs response, writing, Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity. People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now. You work for them. Thank you for making that crystal clear to all. Workers in the metro Denver area will vote on whether or not to walk out and disrupt the grocer's business to get a better contract. Elon Musk has gone viral over a hand gesture he made at Donald Trumps inauguration that some critics have likened to a fascist salute. During his remarks at the Capital One Arena, the worlds richest man told the crowd: I just want to say thank you for making it happen, before beating his hand against his chest and performing a one-armed salute. The moment was quickly picked up on social media, with some accusing the Tesla chief executive of performing a racist gesture used in Nazi Germany. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharing a clip of the gesture, Republicans Against Trump, which has nearly 800,000 followers on X, posted a clip of the gesture, wrote: Wait, did Musk just do a Nazi salute? The Jerusalem Post asked, did Elon Musk Sieg Heil at Trumps inauguration? while Haaretz, another Israeli newspaper, described Mr Musk as having performed a Roman salute, a fascist salute most commonly associated with Nazi Germany. Sawyer Hackett, the Democratic strategist said: Our new co-president Elon Musk gives a Nazi salute on day one of Trump presidency. Mr Musk, who posted on his social media platform throughout Mondays events, later dismissed criticism of the hand gesture as a tired attack. Mr Musk wrote: Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo [sic] tired. Mr Musk was accused of making a fascist salute - ANGELA WEISS The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) defines the Nazi salute as raising an outstretched right arm with the palm down. But the organisation, which campaigns against anti-Semitism, put out a statement claiming Mr Musk made an awkward gesture...not a Nazi salute. This is a delicate moment. Its a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety, the NGO wrote on X. It added: It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Lets hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead. Donald Trump and JD Vance held up a fist and chanted fight, fight, fight - JIM WATSON Mr Musk, who became a close ally of Mr Trumps after he endorsed him following his first assassination attempt, played a key role in the US presidents inauguration celebrations. During his speech he said the government would take DOGE to Mars, referencing the newly created Department of Government Efficiency which he will oversee. Mr Musk also mimed US astronauts planting the countrys flag on another planet while shouting: Bam! Bam! Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. After coming under fire for making a one-armed gesture that many observers thought was a Nazi salute, Elon Musk has responded to the subsequent backlash. The billionaire was giving a speech during Donald Trump's inauguration when he made the salutenot once, but twicewhile speaking about the election's importance. This one really mattered. And I just want to say thank you for making it happen, thank you, he said. SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox Following widespread backlash comparing his gesture to a Roman salutemost commonly associated with the phrase "Heil Hitler"Musk addressed his critics in a post on X, writing, "Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not everyone was convinced by Musk's defense, however. "Historian of fascism here. That was a Nazi salute - and a very belligerent one too," New York University history professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat wrote on X. Historian of fascism here. That was a Nazi salute - and a very belligerent one too https://t.co/PB9sFCVJGA Ruth Ben-Ghiat (@ruthbenghiat) January 20, 2025 Related: Elon Musk's Ex Grimes Issues a Blunt Clarification About Their Breakup Even some of Musk's supporters believed the gesture to be intentional, as Slate reported, with one "prominent Holocaust denier" writing, Holy crap...did Elon Musk just Heil Hitler at the Trump Inauguration Rally in Washington DCThis is incredible, adding later, We are so back. This isn't the first time Musk has been accused of being anti-semitic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November 2023, Musk replied to a post on X accusing Jewish communities of pushing "hatred against whites," calling it "actual truth," according to the BBC. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said the comment was "unacceptable." "We condemn this abhorrent promotion of antisemitic and racist hate in the strongest terms," Bates declared at the time. Following the controversyin addition to a report which found that pro-Nazi content was appearing next to adsmultiple companies pulled their advertisements from X, including IBM, Disney, Comcast NBCUniversal, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Paramount Global and Apple, according to NPR. Next: Hillary Clinton's Reaction to Donald Trump Renaming the Gulf of Mexico at Inauguration Goes Viral Elon Musks one-armed salute before a cheering crowd during President Donald Trumps inauguration festivities has ignited a swirl of debate about the true meaning of the tech billionaires gesture. Many observers said that Musk appeared to be imitating the Nazi salute made infamous by Adolf Hitler (which is also illegal in some countries like Germany). But defenders pushed back, including some Jewish groups. Musk himself shrugged off the scrutiny. In a post on X, he contended that Democrats were politically motivated in fueling the discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frankly, they need better dirty tricks, he wrote. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired. (He added a sleeping emoji.) Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO was a prominent guest throughout Trumps inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Jan. 20, and was a major supporter of Trumps campaign as well as a vocal opponent of what he considers to be woke politics. ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Elon Musk Elon Musk Musk has also previously been slammed in 2023 for agreeing with a social media user who falsely claimed Jewish people stoked hatred against White people. He later apologized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was while Musk was speaking before a pro-Trump crowd on Monday that he made the one-armed salute, after he spoke about the importance of Trumps reelection. This one really mattered. And I just want to say thank you for making it happen, thank you, Musk said. Then he placed a hand over his heart quickly and saluted at an upward angle, with a small grunt for emphasis. He turned to attendees sitting behind him and repeated the gesture. My heart goes out to you, he said, putting his hand back over his chest. Growing discussion soon followed a mix of many people denouncing Musk (it wasnt a nazi salute well the nazis think it was, one X user wrote in a viral post, while another shared a side-by-side comparison of Musk and Hitler) and others saying he had been misunderstood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Historian of fascism here. That was a Nazi salute - and a very belligerent one too, a New York University history professor, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, wrote on X. In addition to Musk pushing back, others agreed with him in saying the whole situation was being blown out of proportion. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety, the Anti-Defamation League, a prominent Jewish rights group, posted on X. It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge, the group added. In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Lets hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Elon Musk Makes Rare Outing with Shivon Zilis, Mother of 3 of His Kids, as He Joins Trump in D.C. Another Musk defender, citing Musks past trip to mourn victims at a Nazi concentration camp, wrote on X that anyone trying to portray him as a Nazi is intentionally misleading the public. It was a stupid hand gesture, not an intentional Nazi salute. The Daily Shows Jon Stewart weighed in on the back and forth on his show on Monday night, quipping that s--- got weird during the inauguration. Im just going to be generous and say maybe that was Elons attempt at dabbing on the haters? he joked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the chatter has continued into Tuesday, Jan. 21, people have also been weighing in on the history of Nazi salutes and other salutes, including the so-called Roman salute that is commonly, but incorrectly, associated with the ancient Roman Empire. Before the rise of the Nazis, one-armed salutes were also used for the Pledge of Allegiance and at the Olympics. Read the original article on People Elon Musk is facing backlash after a gesture he made at President Donald Trumps post-inauguration rally drew comparisons to a Nazi salute. The controversy erupted following Musks speech at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C., where he thanked supporters for their role in Trumps re-election. Heres what happened, how different groups have reacted, and the broader implications. Elon Musks hand gesture goes viral Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, sparked widespread controversy with a salute-like gesture at a post-inauguration rally for President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While speaking at Washington D.C.s Capitol One Arena, Musk placed his hand on his chest before extending his arm outward with an open palm. The gesture, repeated while addressing the audience behind the podium, drew comparisons to a Nazi or Roman salute, causing debate across social media platforms. Historians and observers offered differing interpretations. Claire Aubin, a historian specializing in Nazism in the U.S., described the motion as a sieg heil salute (via The Australian). Another historian, Aaron Astor, dismissed the comparison, attributing the gesture to Musks social awkwardness, referencing his diagnosis of Aspergers syndrome in 2021. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) stated the movement appeared awkward but not a Nazi salute. The incident quickly gained traction online, with politicians and media outlets commenting on the event. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the ADLs defense, asserting the salute was intentional. Conversely, some rally attendees and Musk supporters dismissed the controversy, viewing the motion as unintentional or sarcastic. Musk responded to the criticisms on X, stating, The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired. Further scrutiny arose due to Musks financial contributions to Trumps campaign and his recent statements supporting far-right political parties in Europe. Reports indicated that far-right figures in the U.S. praised the gesture. Musk has not directly commented on the gestures interpretation but thanked the ADL for its support on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The debate over Musks actions underscores ongoing tensions around symbolism and political discourse in highly polarized environments. The incident highlights the broader implications of public figures gestures and rhetoric in todays global and social media-driven landscape. The post Elon Musk Salute Causes Controversy at Trump Inauguration appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Something bizarre was going on with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during Donald Trump's inaugural festivities and we're not just talking about that apparent Sieg Heil that earned him recriminations from across the world. In videos posted on X-formerly-Twitter and Bluesky, Musk was seen from multiple angles rolling his neck hypnotically and twitching his eyes during Trump's swearing-in ceremony, which took place hours before his now-infamous hand motion in the midst of his own speech later in the evening. It's worth a quick watch; something just seems off, especially given Musk's activities later in the evening. Though supporters of Musk and Trump were quick to claim the clip had been edited with AI, Futurism found archival BBC footage of the swearing-in ceremony the online player is glitchy, but find the 17:52 mark in the broadcast to see it for yourself showing that the peculiar mannerisms were entirely real. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, that BBC footage shows the moment going on for much longer than the short clips that initially made their way onto social media suggested. https://twitter.com/nooralsibai/status/1881762612519784459 Naturally, Musk's fans had new excuses for the strange motion: that he has to stretch periodically due to a neck injury, was experiencing autistic light sensitivity, or was simply self-regulating his anxiety. To be fair, any of these things could be true. And were it almost anyone else, we wouldn't bother pointing out such behavior. But Musk's ascendant political profile as a close confidante of Trump means that he now holds incredible power over the regulation, operation and spending of the federal government. And as evidenced by his Nazi hand gesture later in the evening, there are profound questions about his character and judgment. If there's something neurological underlying his strange behavior, it's imperative that the American public know an argument, it's worth remembering, that was deployed against Trump's predecessor Joe Biden to great effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's also worth noting that Musk was seen struggling through sentences during an appearance the night before. (Though it's important to be considerate of people who aren't neurotypical, Musk hasn't shown the same grace to others, showing a growing penchant for calling people "r*tards" during online disputes yet another lapse in judgment that raises questions about his cognitive acuity.) There's also the question of drug use. It's long been reported that Musk has a soft spot for illegal substances including ketamine, and as anyone who's been to a dance club late at night can attest, Musk's strange movements look a lot like those of people on higher doses of the drug: spaced out, wobbly, but ultimately in control of at least some degree of their bodily faculties. Musk has admitted that he takes the drug, which is most commonly associated with its farm animal use, to help with his depression. During an interview last May with Don Lemon, he even suggested that "Special K" is aiding Tesla's success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From an investor standpoint," he told the former CNN anchor, "if there is something Im taking, we should keep taking it." The government has long disagreed, placing Musk's rumored and professed drug use alongside his chats with Russian president Vladimir Putin as one of the key reasons he couldn't be granted a higher security clearance. Obviously, nobody can say with certainty what was going on with the multi-hyphenate billionaire during an inauguration that was broadcast on national television. But given that Musk went on hours later to give what he insists was not a Nazi salute not once but twice in front of an audience of thousands of people and cameras, we're confident that scrutiny of Musk's behavior is only going to grow. More on Musk: Donald Trump Dispatching Elon Musk's Old Buddy to Go Buy Greenland Elon Musk may be getting physically closer than ever to Donald Trump after the president reportedly grew tired of the tech mogul hanging around him. The X owner is likely getting prized office space in the White Houses West Wing after he asked officials for days about how much access he would receive, The New York Times reported on Monday. Musk, the now sole leader of the Trump-created Department of Government Efficiency, was given an all-access blue badge, according to ABC News, and an email with the EOP (Executive Office of the President) suffix, The Hill noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, who caused a stir with a much-debated salute during Trumps inauguration day, appears to be getting open arms from the president. Musks path to the inner sanctum of the Trump administration may have been smoothed by Vivek Ramaswamy withdrawing from his co-leader DOGE post to run for governor in Ohio. Musk reportedly played a part in pushing Ramaswamy out the door, Politico reported. Musk was expected to have an office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next door, outlets reported. But his reported 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue address perhaps signals an even greater alliance between the president and tech mogul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks nearness is somewhat of a surprise given previous reports leading up to the inauguration. NYT reporter Maggie Haberman said on a podcast earlier this month that Musks physical proximity was bothering Trump. The X owner lived in a cottage at Mar-a-Lago over Christmas after supposedly getting under Trumps skin for his growing influence as a shadow president as some called Musk. Related... Elon Musk sparked controversy with two hand gestures during his speech at Donald Trump's inauguration celebrations. Now, the billionaire is accusing critics of using "dirty tricks" to undermine him. Elon Musk has accused critics of using "dirty tricks" amid a debate over two hand gestures the billionaire made during his speech at President Donald Trump's inauguration celebrations. After thanking the crowd for electing Trump, Musk slapped his chest and twice lifted his right arm on an upward diagonal during his speech at the inaugurationprompting comparisons with the Nazi "Sieg Heil" salute. My heart goes out to you," he told the crowd after making the gesture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clip quickly went viral, with some quick to condemn it as an intentional fascist salute. Multiple international news outlets have reported on the gesture and questioned its similarities to the Nazi gesture. New York Congressman Jerry Nadler was among the voices condemning Musk. In a post on X, Nadler said: "I never imagined we would see the day when what appears to be a Heil Hitler salute would be made behind the Presidential seal." "This abhorrent gesture has no place in our society and belongs in the darkest chapters of human history. I urge all of my colleagues to unite in condemning this hateful gesture for what it is: antisemitism," he wrote. Right-wing extremists have also shared the gesture. Andrew Torba, founder of the far-right Christian Nationalist social media platform Gab, posted an image of the gesture to his account with the caption: "Incredible things are happening already lmao." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has responded to the controversy, sharing an X post that called the salute debate a "hoax" and part of a dirty tricks campaign against him. "Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired," Musk said in the post. Musk made an "awkward gesture" The Anti-Defamation League, which tracks anti-Semitism, has come to Musk's defense amid the online debate. In a social media post, the ADL said the Tesla CEO had made an "awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm." The ADL said the gesture was "not a Nazi salute." "In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Lets hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead," the nonprofit wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ADL's post sparked a backlash from some Democrats, including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who accused the organization of "defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity." Representatives for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fortune. Bezos praised Trumps peaceful transfer of power Trump's inauguration was a final victory lap for Musk, who has spent $277 million to back Trump and Republican candidates. The billionaire attended the President's inauguration alongside fellow tech titans Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, and Tim Cook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parade of tech CEOs also accompanied Trump to his inaugural celebrations, including a church service on Monday morning. Musk was the only major tech leader to speak at the festivities, delivering a speech he kicked off by dancing onto the stage. After the inauguration, Bezos praised President Trumps peaceful transfer of power, saying it has been "an honor to witness it up close." In a post on X following the inauguration, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders took aim at the billionaire's ringside seats. Sharing an image of Bezos, Zuckerberg, Musk, and Pichai, Sanders wrote: "When the 3 wealthiest men in America sit behind Trump at his inauguration, everyone understands that the billionaire class now controls our government." This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Donald Trump has been president for less than a day, and Elon Musk already has a White House email addressand is expected to receive office space as well. The Hill reports that the worlds richest man, who will be the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (that isnt officially a government department) already has an email address searchable by the Executive Office of the President, according to an unnamed source. It seems to confirm hes going to have an [Eisenhower Executive Office Building] office, the source said. According to The New York Times, however, Musk will likely be granted even greater access with a coveted West Wing office in the White House, where the Oval Office is located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How often Musk will actually use that office isnt clear, considering that the tech mogul also serves as the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, owns X (formerly Twitter), has 12 children with three different mothers, and spends his free time cheating in online gaming. But spending $250 million to help Trump get elected seems to buy a lot of access to the president. Earlier on Monday, Vivek Ramaswamy, who was expected to be co-chair of DOGE with Musk, was forced out of the non-department, allegedly for wearing out his welcome. This gives Musk near-total control of an entity charged with reducing the size of the federal government, where he will surely try to slash anything Trump and the MAGA right think isnt important. Less than two weeks ago, DOGE reportedly had 50 employees working out of SpaceXs D.C. offices, with that number expected to double by Inauguration Day. With his own small army in tow, it seems that Musk will have the ear of President Trump whenever he wants, only having to walk a short distance to the Oval Office if he so chooses. On Jan. 20, President Donald Trump was officially inaugurated and sworn into office. At Trump's Presidential Inauguration, Elon Musk sat front-row along with Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. After the inauguration, Musk took the stage at a post-inauguration rally and gave a speech celebrating President Trump's victory, throwing in a couple questionable arm gestures as he did so. Did Elon Musk do a Sieg Heil Salute at President Trump's inauguration? Following President Trump's inauguration, Elon Musk gave a speech to a crowd of Trump supporters at the Capitol One Arena in Washington D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A little over a minute into Musk's speech, he can be seen placing his right hand to his chest, and then extending his right arm from his chest diagonally to the front with his palm flattened. Following this, Musk turned 180 degrees and proceeded to do the gesture once more. Historians and many others have interpreted Musk's gesture as appearing alarmingly like the Sieg Heil Salute. Elon Musk takes the stage at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. What is 'Sieg Heil' "Sieg Heil" is a German phrase that translates to "Hail Victory" in English. This phrase was adopted by the Nazi Party in Germany and became a widely used, notorious slogan. The phrase "Sieg Heil" was often accompanied by the Nazi Salute, also referred to as the 'Hitler Salute' or the 'Sieg Heil Salute.' 'It was a Roman salute,' but what is a Roman salute, exactly? In an effort to defend, or deny the nature of, Musk's gesture, many have said that the gesture was a "Roman salute," not a Nazi Salute. However, when tracing roots of both the Roman and Nazi salutes, it appears that the two are similar in both gesture and ideology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The saluto romano is also known as the 'Roman' or 'Fascist' salute, and is a gesture that appropriates the propagation of totalitarian ideologies, according to "The Roman Salute: Cinema, History, Ideology" by Martin M. Winkler. The Roman salute survives as a raised-arm salute used for political purposes and in media, particularly within the 20th century as a familiar symbol of Nazism in Germany, Fascism in Italy and other right-wing or nationalist movements, says Martin M. Winkler. When executing this gesture, the right arm is extended stiffly to the front, raised roughly 135 degrees from the body's vertical axis, with the palm of the hand facing downward and fingers touching. What is fascism? Fascism is a mass political movement that emphasizes extreme nationalism, militarism and the supremacy of the nation over the individual, says CFR Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fascist regimes advocate for the overthrow of existing systems of government and the persecution of political enemies, however, these regimes are highly conservative in that they endorse traditional values. While fascist leaders often claim to support the "everyman," in actuality, their regimes typically align with powerful business interests, according to CFR Education. Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Did Elon Musk do a Sieg Heil Salute at President Trump's Inauguration? Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, sparked widespread controversy because of a gesture a raising of his right hand made during a rally following Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The gesture, captured on video, resembled a Nazi salute, prompting a wave of criticism and debate on social media and in the news. Source: Mezha.Media, an IT news platform within Ukrainska Pravda's holding company, citing Gizmodo. During his brief speech, Musk thanked Trumps supporters, saying: "This one [election] really mattered. I just want to say thank you for making it happen." Musk placed his right hand on his chest and then raised it, repeating the gesture towards the crowd behind him. He concluded his remarks with, "My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured." Video footage from the event, including clips from Reuters and Getty Images, clearly shows that Musk's gestures resembled Nazi salutes, widely known from the 1930s-40s. However, some major media outlets avoided directly labelling the gestures as a Nazi symbol. NBC News reported that Musk "forcefully touched his heart, before raising his hand and saluting supporters", while The New York Times did not mention the gestures at all, instead focusing on Musk's comments about his companies. Outrage and confusion quickly spread across social media, with many users expressing concern over the display of Nazi symbolism during Trump inauguration celebrations. And the Trump presidency begins with the richest person in the world giving a Nazi salute. pic.twitter.com/iGZtTB2UZB Mr. Beat (@beatmastermatt) January 20, 2025 Posts asking "What was that?" and sarcastic jokes about the gestures circulated widely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Famous YouTuber JerryRigEverything commented on Musks gesture, writing on his X account, "I currently own 4 different Tesla vehicles. By the end of 2025 I will own zero Tesla vehicles." I currently own 4 different @Tesla vehicles. by the end of 2025 i will own zero @Tesla vehicles. https://t.co/vlk5rgG46k JerryRigEverything (@ZacksJerryRig) January 20, 2025 Some commentators referred to the gesture as a "Roman salute", which historically predated the Nazi regime. However, since the 1940s, this gesture has been almost exclusively associated with the Nazis. Musk shared a video of his speech on X but has not commented on the controversy surrounding the gesture. The incident was praised by far-right extremist groups, who saw the gestures as intentional and in line with their ideologies. Meanwhile, critics, including human rights advocates and political commentators, expressed serious concern about the potential normalisation of fascist symbolism in public discourse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To date, Musk has not commented on his intentions or addressed the growing wave of criticism, leaving many with questions regarding the meaning behind the gesture made by one of the most influential figures in both the tech world and US politics. Support UP or become our patron! Attorneys general from 18 states, including Colorado, sued Tuesday to block President Donald Trump's move to end a decades-old immigration policy known as "birthright citizenship," which guarantees that U.S.-born children are citizens regardless of their parents status. The Anti-Defamation League, the storied antisemitism watchdog and civil rights organization, is facing backlash after it defended billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk shortly after a video of him gesturing in a manner similar to a Nazi salute circulated across social media. Musk made the gesture after he took to the stage at Capital One Arena in Washington on Monday to praise Donald Trumps inauguration. He made the first gesture after thanking Trump fans for the support, then the 53-year-old, who Trump has tasked to lead the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in his new administration, turned around repeated it to the crowd behind him. The move immediately drew online comparisons to a Nazi salute. Wait, did Musk just do a Nazi salute? pic.twitter.com/VZChlQXSYv Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) January 20, 2025 The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was among those to defend Musk, asking to give him the benefit of the doubt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge, the organization said in a post on X , the social media site that Musk purchased for $44 billion in 2022. In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Lets hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead. Musk, for his part, responded to the organization with a short thank you and a crying/laughing emoji. Musk has a rough history with the ADL, who has been critical of the tech billionaire over hate speech regulations on his social platform, X. Musk fought back in 2023 with a lawsuit against the ADL, which CEO Jonathan Greenblatt described at the time as flat out dangerous and deeply irresponsible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all were so impressed with the ADL defending Musk Monday. Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the ADL for, as she put it, defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity. People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now. You work for them. Thank you for making that crystal clear to all. Musk responded to that message, saying Ocasio-Cortez has reached Stage 5 [Trump Derangement Syndrome] fully unhinged and claimed she has just 100% lost her marbles. Mehdi Hassan, founder and editor-in-chief of Zeteo News, was also unimpressed. If Rashida Tlaib criticizes Israel, shes an antisemite per the ADL. If Elon Musk, a man with a history of antisemitic remarks, does what looks to everyone like a fascist salute, the ADL give him the benefit of the doubt and call it only an awkward gesture. https://t.co/PAY3w3zWRx Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) January 20, 2025 Trump has previously been compared to Hitler himself. In October last year, sources told The Atlantic that Trump said, I need the kind of generals that Hitler had. People who were totally loyal to him, that follow orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, hours after defending Trumps wealthiest supporter, the ADL unequivocally condemned the newly inaugurated president for pardoning almost all individuals convicted for crimes related to the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021. This decision undermines accountability & risks reinvigorating violent extremists and other insurrectionists, the organization wrote, before linking to their own research on the Proud Boys and the Oath Keeperstwo far-right organizations who had leaders convicted for their roles in the attack. The News Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made his first appearance in court Tuesday to answer questions over his botched Dec. 3 martial law declaration. The Constitutional Court will ultimately decide whether to remove Yoon from the presidency, which would in turn trigger an election. Yoon denied allegations he had ordered members of the military to remove lawmakers from parliament during the incident, while his legal team argued the martial law order was never intended to be executed. Yoons lawyers argued he had sought to draw attention to alleged abuses committed by the opposition Democratic Party. The declaration and Yoons subsequent weeks-long standoff with police has plunged the country into political crisis: Supporters of the embattled president rioted Sunday after a judge issued a warrant to extend his detention, and police surrounded the courthouse Tuesday to hold off hundreds of Yoon supporters who had gathered nearby, the BBC reported. An emergency daytime warming shelter is open in Milwaukee amid extreme cold Tuesday, according to the county Department of Health and Human Services. The Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Center, 1220 W. Vliet St., will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday for anyone who needs a warm place to shelter. Visitors should use the building's 13th Street entrance, the department said. Though the temporary shelter closes at 5 p.m., the city's seven overnight warming shelters will open as usual from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's where to find warming services in Milwaukee: Milwaukee County's Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Center, 1220 W. Vliet St., is open for emergency warming services Tuesday. Where are Milwaukee's warming shelters? Aside from the Coggs Center, all warming centers operate overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Priority placement takes place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily for individuals verified to be sleeping outdoors by a street outreach team. At 8 p.m., most of the centers open to the general public though availability varies between centers, so check the list below for more details. Also, note that some centers are only open to certain groups, such as single men or single women. Here are all the Milwaukee warming shelters open on Tuesday: Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Center , at 1220 W. Vliet St. (open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday) Guest House of Milwaukee , at 1216 N. 13th St. Open to single men. Unity Lutheran Church , at 1025 E. Oklahoma Ave. Open to singles and families. Tippecanoe Church , at 125 W. Saveland Ave. Does not accept walk-ins. Repairers of the Breach , at 1335 W. Vliet St. Open to singles. Milwaukee Rescue Mission Joy House , at 830 N. 19th St. Open to single woman and families. Milwaukee Rescue Mission Safe Harbor , at 830 N. 19th St. Open to single men after 10 p.m. St. Benedict the Moor Parish, at 930 W. State St. Open to singles. More information on cold weather safety You can visit the City of Milwaukees website for more information on cold weather safety and warming shelters. You can also visit 211s website or call 211 for more information on warming centers in the greater Milwaukee area. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee opens emergency warming shelter amid bitter cold weather DES MOINES, Iowa We began the day in the basement, with frigid temperatures as seen below, and wind chills in some cases lower than -30. Better temperatures are ahead as we move into Wednesday. Of note for Tuesday: Iowa is nearly snow-free, while Louisiana is nearly covered with snow. New Orleans saw more snowfall today than Des Moines has seen this winter. Temperatures continue to warm above Mondays (not enough!) under sunny skies. Your weather timeline takes you through Wednesday into Thursday: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Official lows Tuesday night will be in the single digits, but in reality temperatures will rise slowly overnight on south winds. As milder air pushes into Iowa Wednesday, a warm front and trough will both cross the state. These will help create lift and intermittent snow showers from early morning into the evening. We may see enough snow in spots to create slick conditions in the afternoon and evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snow estimates from one of our short-range models are below. Following that, the model snowfall graphic for Des Moines, which generally tells us to expect a quarter to a half an inch by Wednesday evening. Highs move closer to whats average for this time of year through the weekend, with a slight dip in temperatures on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for additional snowfall, the European ensemble model runs below seem to indicate we could see a couple of rounds of light snow accumulation between 1/30 and 2/4. Your WHO 13 7-day forecasts are below: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that ending the war between Russia and Ukraine is possible only if both sides are willing to make compromises. Source: Rubio during a conversation with journalists immediately after being confirmed as US Secretary of State, as reported by CNN Details: Rubio emphasised that achieving peace is a priority for President Donald Trump's administration, but the process will be challenging and require significant concessions from both sides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We want the war to end. Thats pretty clear. You saw the President talked about, he wants to be a president that promotes peace and ends conflicts, and itll be complicated as well. Those are complicated things. I couldnt put a time frame on it, other than to say that anytime you bring an end to a conflict between two sides, neither of whom can achieve their maximum goals, each side is going to have to give up something." Details: Meanwhile, Rubio refrained from specifying what exactly Ukraine might need to concede. He stressed that the key to success lies in diplomacy. Quote: "Were not going to get ahead of ourselves talking about negotiations, and what these negotiations at this level, with these sorts of stakes, are best conducted through diplomacy, and, you know, not in public forums. And obviously the countries involved, both the Russians and the Ukrainians, will have to make ultimate decisions about what they agreed to." Details: When asked about the timeline for a ceasefire, Rubio responded, "Itll be a top priority for the president, so it'll be almost immediately. In fact, some of thats already begun. You would hope that some of the groundwork has already been laid but itll be complex". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio emphasised that Russia is the aggressor in this war and insisted on the necessity of ending it. "Russia is the aggressor in this conflict, but this war needs to end. And ultimately, thats the complexity of foreign policy," he said. Background: American podcaster Lex Fridman, who recently interviewed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, believes the Ukrainian leader showed no desire for peace talks with Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine would not end "tomorrow or the day after", despite promises by US President Donald Trump to bring it to a quick conclusion. Recently, Trump's team acknowledged that this task is much more difficult and could take months to complete. During his election campaign, Trump often boasted that he could negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours. However, he now admitted that it is more challenging than he had initially claimed. Support UP or become our patron! WASHINGTON American energy production hit all-time maximums under just-departed President Joe Biden, but that is not stopping his successor from declaring an energy emergency to increase oil drilling. We will drill, baby, drill, President Donald Trump said in his inaugural speech in the U.S. Capitol. We have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on earth, and we are going to use it well use it. We will bring prices down, fill our strategic reserves up again right to the top and export American energy all over the world. Trump, who promised during his campaign to cut gasoline and electricity costs by at least half in his first year in office, Monday night signed an order that directs federal agencies to identify and exercise any lawful emergency authorities available to them to hasten energy development and transportation, including by weakening processes put in place to protect the environment and endangered species. A separate order makes available vast areas of Alaska for oil and gas drilling. President Donald Trump delivers remarks in Emancipation Hall during inauguration ceremonies Monday at the U.S. Capitol. GRAEME JENNINGS via Getty Images How much Trumps new actions will increase domestic oil production is unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because oil is traded on a global market, Trump will need the worlds largest producers in the OPEC cartel to go along with his plan and not undermine it by cutting production as the U.S. increases production, as they have done in the past. He will have to seek foreign influence from OPEC to bring down prices, and I think that is a situation that will escalate because they will resist and he will threaten them, said Matt Randolph, an oil industry executive with more than three decades of experience in the business. I cant imagine anything in an energy emergency executive order that would actually increase energy production, he added. Opening land that was closed that nobody ever drilled on, speeding up permits that arent going to be used for years anyway, none of it adds up to oil and gas being pulled out of the ground. Its most likely all performative. U.S. production of oil entered a steady decline from November 1970 until the dawn of Barack Obamas presidency in November 2008. Thanks to the advent of a new drilling method known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, the U.S. petroleum output roughly doubled from 5 million barrels per day to just under 10 million barrels by Obamas last year in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following a brief dip at the start of Trumps first term, production once again soared to about 13 million barrels per day before the COVID-19 pandemic ground the economy to a halt. With cars and factories idled, demand for oil plummeted and prices briefly fell into negative territory, forcing the booming oil fields in Texas and North Dakota to cut production. Under former President Joe Biden, oil boomed once again. Last summer, U.S. production soared past Trumps record level and continued climbing through the November election. Production of natural gas, which every U.S. administration this century has promoted as a cleaner alternative to coal, rose steadily since former President George W. Bushs second term. Instead of addressing the real emergency of the climate crisis, like the ongoing fires in California, Trumps plan to declare an energy emergency is another attempt to boost the profits of his fossil fuel donors rather than help the American people, Elizabeth Bast, the executive director of the anti-fossil fuel climate group Oil Change International, said in a statement Monday. United States production of oil and gas is already at a record high, while American jobs in oil and gas have declined and global demand for fossil fuels is expected to peak in the next five years. Enrique Tarrio, a Miami native convicted on felony charges of seditious conspiracy for his role in plotting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, has been released from a 22-year prison sentence among a sweeping declaration of pardons by Donald Trump, one of the new presidents first acts in office. In all, Trump commuted the sentences of 14 people for their role in the attack. But he then issued a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol that day, according to a copy of the executive order released by the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tarrio, 40, had been chairman of the Proud Boys when he helped plan the march on the Capitol, court records from his trial showed. The Floridian was seen by the Justice Department and the Jan. 6 select congressional committee as one of the most egregious offenders among about 1,300 individuals who were convicted over the events of that day. Trumps pardons will erase all of the Jan. 6 criminal convictions obtained by the Justice Department during the Biden administration. Tarrio, who had been living in the Southwest Miami-Dade area before his arrest in March 2022, was released from a federal correctional facility in Louisiana on Tuesday. Hes expected to arrive by plane at Miami International Airport on Wednesday afternoon. Enrique Tarrio, chair of the Proud Boys, stands in front of Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana in Miami on July 16, 2021. President Donald Trump pardoned Tarrio after he was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in plotting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. In a statement to McClatchy, Tarrios attorney extended our deepest gratitude to Trump for his timely and significant decision to issue a full and complete pardon for our client. The lawyer, Nayib Hassan, described the seditious conspiracy case against Tarrio as politically motivated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This marks a pivotal moment in our clients life, and it symbolizes a turning point for our nation, Hassan said. We are optimistic for the future, as we now turn the page on this chapter, embracing new possibilities and opportunities. We look forward to President Trumps continued leadership and his proclamation to Make America Great Again as a guiding principle for the future of our country. Other Miami Proud Boys pardoned Other Proud Boy members from the Miami area who were pardoned by Trump include: Gabriel Garcia, 43, who was active in the Miami-Dade Republican Party, received a one-year sentence in December after being found guilty of two felonies, civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding. He was scheduled to surrender to prison on Feb. 7, according to a judges order. In a video posted on Facebook Monday, Garcia was shown ripping off his electronic ankle bracelet that he was required to wear as part of his bail. He exclaimed: Free at last! Also pardoned: Gilbert Fonticoba, 50, of Hialeah, a Proud Boy member who, too, was involved in the local Republican Party. He was sentenced to four years in prison last January after being found guilty of civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding. Prison records show that Fonticoba is still incarcerated at a federal facility in Central Florida, but he will soon be released. Trump was indicted himself on charges linked to the Jan. 6 insurrection that tried to stop Congress certification of Joe Bidens 2020 presidential victory, but those charges were later dismissed by special counsel Jack Smith after Trump reclaimed the presidency in last Novembers election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps sweeping clemency order, issued after he was sworn in on Monday, began with a political message reflecting his false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him. This proclamation ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation, the order reads. Trumps order starkly contrasted with a statement by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Jan. 6, 2025, when he reflected on the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol and assaulted police officers in the aftermath of Trumps speech four years earlier on the Ellipse. Trump urged his supporters to march to the Capitol. January 6 was a violent attack on the law enforcement officers defending the Capitol, and it was an unprecedented attack on a cornerstone of our system of government the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next, Garland said two weeks ago. Tarrios case The Justice Departments case against Tarrio stuck out for one reason: the Proud Boys leader was not in Washington on Jan. 6 when other members of his group stormed the Capitol. But as the assault unfolded, Tarrio who had been ordered by a federal judge to leave the District of Columbia stemming from his arrest during a prior protest in the capital took credit for it online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Make no mistake, he wrote at the time. We did this. Rioters stand on the West front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington to protest Joe Bidens election on Jan 6, 2021. The rioters stormed the Capitol and at least five people died, including a police officer and a rioter, during or soon after the attacks. The Justice Department charged Tarrio and a handful of other Proud Boys over their effort to oppose by force the authority of the government of the United States due to their roles on Jan. 6, the original indictment reads. At least five people, including a police officer and a rioter, died during or soon after the attack. Four additional police officers defending the Capitol that day later died by suicide. Hearings from the House Select Committee on the Jan. 6 attack also highlighted Tarrios role. Committee members found that he and other Proud Boys were captured on video acknowledging that Trumps remark about their group at a 2020 presidential debate that the Proud Boys should stand back and stand by was interpreted by followers as a green light for their actions. Tarrio previously had served as Florida state director for an independent Latinos for Trump group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At an inaugural rally on Monday night, Trump did not mention Tarrio by name, but told a crowd that he planned to make good on his promise to pardon people charged in the Jan. 6 riot, referring to them as hostages. Tonight, Im gonna be signing on the J6 hostages pardons to get them out, Trump told a crowd at Capitol One Arena. Well be signing pardons for a lot of people. A lot of people. The president made the announcement while standing on a stage, in front of the families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. About 30 minutes after Trump left the rally, Tarrios mom posted on social media that her son had been released from custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Omg! Lord Thank you!!! TARRIO IS FREE!!! Zuny Tarrio wrote in a post. FROM THE ARCHIVES: Enrique Tarrios mom speaks out about Proud Boys ex-leaders 22-year prison sentence Trump said the pardons would become official through an executive order that he would sign at the Oval Office after the rally. Zuny Tarrios post came before any executive order had been released to the public. Sentences commuted for 14 others In addition to pardoning Tarrio, Trump commuted the prison sentences of 14 defendants convicted of Jan. 6 charges, including a few from Florida. While they will be released from prison, their criminal records will remain intact, unlike a pardon, which expunges a criminal record and restores voting and other rights to the person pardoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those whose sentences were commuted: Joseph Biggs, 41, of Ormond Beach, the leader of the Volusia County Proud Boys and a member of the groups Ministry of Self Defense, which spearheaded the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. Biggs was found guilty along with Tarrio and others of seditious conspiracy. Biggs was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Kelly Meggs, who led the Oath Keepers Florida chapter, was also convicted of seditious conspiracy along with the groups founder, Stewart Rhodes. Meggs, 56, of Central Florida, was sentenced to 12 years. Meggs was shown to be active in planning the events of that day in court filings, and led the physical charge into the U.S. Capitol chamber under the alias, Gator One. Kelly Meggs, leader of the Florida Oath Keepers, and his wife, Connie, were arrested in February 2021, a month after illegally breaching the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks. Kelly Meggs was convicted of sedition. Meggs was one of 14 people whose sentences were commuted by President Trump in connection to Jan. 6. In his executive order, Trump also directed the U.S. Attorney General to pursue dismissals of all pending indictments stemming from the Jan. 6 assault. More than 300 individuals were still facing charges at the time of Trumps order. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that there was an urgent need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, at a press conference on Jan. 20. He made this statement after meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. A just and lasting peace must be achieved in Ukraine as soon as possiblebefore the consequences of the war in our neighboring geography deepen even further, Erdogan said. He reaffirmed Turkey's ongoing commitment to this goal and noted his plans to discuss the matter with newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slovak Prime Minister Fico acknowledged his countrys limited influence in the outcome of the war, and noted that if the new U.S. administration can quickly end the war, it should be fully supported. Lets take off our rose-colored glasses, Fico said, saying that there was a low likelihood of Russia withdrawing from occupied territories in Ukraine. The two leaders also signed agreements elevating Turkish-Slovak relations to a strategic partnership and expanding cooperation in military, cultural, and defense industries. While Turkey is a NATO member, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has aimed to maintain positive relations with both Russia and Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey has also facilitated the flow of Russian oil to the European Union since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, enabling the Kremlin to circumvent the blocs sanctions. Read also: Macron warns of prolonged Ukraine war, urges stronger European defense strategy Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. NEW YORK Mayor Eric Adams sat for an interview with conservative provocateur Tucker Carlson, an ally of President Donald Trump Adams' latest effort to appeal to a president who has expressed a willingness to pardon him. People often say, you dont sound like a Democrat, and you seem to have left the party, Adams said in a preview Carlson shared on X Tuesday. No, the party left me, and it left working class people. The interview is scheduled to air on Carlsons network Tuesday at 6 p.m. Adams spokespeople did not promote the interview and kept it off the mayors daily public schedule. Spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus said she usually does not include interviews that run only on social media. New York City Mayor Eric Adams sat for an interview on The Tucker Carlson Show, completing his conservative evolution in desperate hopes for a pardon from President Trump. The Eric Adams interview. Out tonight Carlson posted on X Tuesday, with a teaser of said interview attached. People often say Well you know, you dont sound like a Democrat. You seem to have left the party, Adams said in the clip, with dramatic music playing in the background. No, the party left me, and it left working-class people. The Eric Adams interview. Out tonight. pic.twitter.com/KSFUrEaTxM Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) January 21, 2025 Adams went on to state that his indictment on five federal corruption charges was simply punishment for speaking out against Democrats handling of the border. He took a more Trump-adjacent tone on the matter, referring to undocumented immigrants as dangerous people who snuck in to this country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clip continues as Adams and Carlson exchange some back and forth. Carlson posits that New York may have committed an act of insurrection by declaring itself a sanctuary city. Adams noted that immigrants shouldnt be rounded up in the middle of the night but bristled at the notion of New York being a sanctuary city. Were not welcoming them; were very clear. We were getting Venezuelan gang leaders that were coming to the city creating crimes, Adams continued. And so you tell the president and his aides this, and what do they say? asked Carlson. Be a good Democrat, Eric. This interview is Adamss latest stop on his quest for a presidential pardon. The embattled mayor is doing everything he can to align himself with the MAGA right. He requested a meeting with Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, in December, met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, and was at Trumps inauguration yucking it up with Jake and Logan Paul. Colorado's second-highest court on Jan. 16 decided a Weld County judge should have instructed jurors to consider whether a man accused of murder acted in self-defense, given that some evidence at the crime scene supported that theory. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) A Wisconsin nonprofit that has spent many-an-hour lambasting Oklahoma leaders and schools for blurring the lines between church and state has hired a new regional government affairs manager from get this the ranks of our own legislators. Rep. Mickey Dollens appears to be a perfect fit for the gig, except for one little detail: the Oklahoma City Democrat plans to continue serving in the Legislature. He thinks its fine to advocate for the Freedom From Religion Foundations policy priorities while continuing to vote on legislation related to the groups mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hell be tasked with advocating in other states to stop legislative initiatives that attempt to expand Christian nationalism a noble cause. Dollens, who was first elected to the Legislature in 2016, insists that hes in no way a lobbyist. Im guessing thats because hes aware of a pesky state ethics rule that prohibits state officers and employees from engaging in legislative or executive lobbying. At first glance, lobbying seems to be exactly what hell be doing. Merriam-Webster defines a lobbyist as someone who conducts activities aimed at influencing or swaying public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless, this new alliance appears to raise really thorny ethical issues along with a troubling question about who is monitoring the side jobs our elected lawmakers accept and who gets to decide which pose clear conflicts of interest. Because other than legislators being required to self-disclose potential financial conflicts of interest, it feels a lot like nobody is watching the hen house. Ours is a part-time Legislature, meeting full-time February through May, so its not uncommon for lawmakers to hold outside jobs to supplement their annual base salary of $47,500, which is set biannually by a legislative oversight board. House and Senate leaders earn extra and legislators are also entitled to an extra $174-per-day during session to help cover the cost of accommodations and travel. We currently have legislators who own small businesses, work as farmers, pastors, attorneys, former teachers and insurance agents, according to the state senators bios, which generally contain posted, though often vague occupation listings to help the public understand what careers senators are pursuing outside of session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters, though, typically have no idea what jobs House members do unless they voluntarily disclose them or they run afoul of the law. The state House appears to be so lax that they leave it up to legislators to police themselves and make judgment calls on whether a job or a vote is a conflict of interest. Pardon me if I feel like thats a flawed strategy following the unfortunate incident involving former Republican House Majority Whip Terry ODonnell who faced criminal charges related to allegations that he misused his post to change state law to benefit his family to allow his wife to become a tag agent. While Gentner Drummond ultimately dismissed those charges, he made it clear it wasnt because he thought ODonnell was necessarily blameless, but because he believed the Catoosa Republican was unfairly targeted. Drummond wrote at the time that a constitutional ban on lawmakers having an interest in state contracts has not been aggressively or equally enforced. He warned that the law will be enforced in the future. (In response to the dismissal, ODonnell then attempted to change ethics rules to allow candidates to use campaign funds to cover attorney costs for successful defense of an investigation or prosecution.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Ethics Commission says its within Dollens right to take a second job, officials with the watchdog point out that lawmakers are governed by a series of rules, including a lobbying prohibition, impartiality requirements, and from using their position for private gain or the endorsement of any product, service or enterprise. Some lawmakers take those rules seriously. Former Republican Sen. John Michael Montgomery resigned from the Legislature in 2023 to serve as the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce president. Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, will resign her seat effective Jan. 28 to work as a director of tribal policy and partnership for newly elected Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols. Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, also resigned recently to serve as a deputy Tulsa County commissioner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even Gov. Kevin Stitt has reportedly stepped away from his mortgage business during his gubernatorial term. Its not unusual to see lawmakers take lobbying jobs or agree to head various advocacy groups when they depart the Legislature. But to have a seated lawmaker accept a government advocacy job is outside the norm. Dollens has been an advocate for educators and lower-income Oklahomans and been transparent with the media, including announcing that he took this role. We probably wouldnt even know about the new gig if he hadnt been. It would be a loss to his constituents to see him leave the Legislature to pursue another opportunity. But if he wants to work for a nonprofit advocacy organization like the Freedom From Religion Foundation thats probably what should happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And any other lawmakers that have jobs that potentially blur the lines should think about doing the same. We cant ignore the fact that the group is actively involved in litigation attempting to block state Superintendent Ryan Walters mandate to put Bibles in schools and to stop the creation of the first publicly funded religious charter school in our state. And Im certain the group will actively lobby to block proposed legislation that seeks to post the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, and restore a Capitol granite monolith honoring those directives and any other ridiculous legislation that blurs the line between church and state. There should be a divide between church and state. But there should also be a divide between advocacy work and serving in the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And there should be full transparency about what outside jobs our legislators are holding so voters can make their own judgment call on whether theres a conflict of interest. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE European Union ambassadors are expected to extend economic sanctions against Russia for another six months, and Hungary will not block this decision. Source: Rikard Jozwiak, editor of Radio Liberty Europe on X (Twitter) Details: Rikard Jozwiak reminded that the European Union should extend economic sanctions against Russia for another six months until 31 January to keep them in force. Quote from Rikard Jozwiak: "Looks like European Union ambassadors on Friday will be able to extend its economic sanctions on Russia by six months. Hungary has so far been reluctant [to vote in favour ed.] but the new US administration appears to want sanctions to continue. Deadline for EU roll-over is 31 January." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More details: The EU renews existing sanctions every six months, requiring the unanimity of the 27 member states. The extension of sanctions has been a routine decision, and usually, political decisions on this were made at the last EU summit of the year. However, at the last summit in December, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told his colleagues to wait until after Trump's inauguration. Background: Last week, the Hungarian government reiterated that the EU should decide to extend sanctions only after consulting with the new US administration. Viktor Orban himself called for "throwing sanctions out the window" and building relations with Russia. Unofficially, it was reported that the EU had already begun to consider options in case Hungary attempted to block the extension of sanctions, including using an 81-year-old law involving the Belgian king. Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- European politicians bristled as President Donald Trump announced the worlds wealthiest nation would pull out of the landmark Paris Agreement to combat climate change along with a sweeping overhaul of the US energy landscape. Most Read from Bloomberg Trump said in an executive order on Monday that the US would formally withdraw from the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The accord aims to keep global warming below 2 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Paris Agreement continues to be the best hope for all humanity, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. So Europe will stay the course and keep working with all nations that want to protect nature and stop global warming. Trumps move was no surprise since he pulled the US from the emissions-cutting pact during his first term and had vowed do to it again during his campaign. The president also moved to drive up American fossil fuels production and refill depleted American oil reserves. He also pledged to end the green new deal and said that US producers are ready to drill, baby, drill once more. Von der Leyens response was echoed by other European leaders. Germanys economy minister Robert Habeck described it was a fatal signal to the world that one of Trumps first official acts as president was to withdraw from the agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is the beginning of historic failure, he said at a conference in Berlin. Under Trumps directive, US officials will need to prioritize economic efficiency and American prosperity in all energy-related foreign policy engagements, the order said. The departure of the US from the Paris Agreement isnt expected to be immediate. Signatories to the 2015 accord can initiate a withdrawal by sending a formal notice to the UN, and then need to wait a year for it to take effect. If there is a way for European countries to face the Trump challenge its unity, firmness strength and being aware of our assets specifically the single market which is very important to the US, French Industry and Energy Minister Marc Ferracci said in a panel Davos panel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps moves come at a time when industry in Europes economy is under pressure, partly as a result of soaring energy costs. British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe said last year that Europes petrochemical industry is unable to compete with rivals in the US and Asia, citing the cost of energy. Manufacturing in Europe has been in contraction since June 2022, according to purchasing managers index data from S&P Global. It could be the wake up call needed in Europe to speed up, Svein Tore Holsether President and Chief Executive Officer of Yara International ASA, Europes largest fertilizer producer, said in an interview at Davos. Were losing our competitive edge. When the world around us changes, we need to change as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps fossil-fuel friendly approach is a boon to an oil industry that has long been under pressure to reduce its emissions and is also contending with signs of lackluster demand. Speaking in a television interview in Davos, the head of Saudi Aramco dismissed concerns about peaking oil consumption in China, the worlds biggest energy user. We still see good demand coming out of China, Aramcos Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser said. The country, along with India, make up about 40% of the rise in global consumption and, demand is increasing year on year. --With assistance from Kevin Whitelaw and Jennifer A. Dlouhy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- The European Union will raise concerns with the US over a decision to restrict the export of artificial intelligence chips from the likes of Nvidia Corp. to some of its member states, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg In one of its last moves in office, former President Joe Bidens administration introduced a three-tier system to curb sales of AI chips used in data centers. The US placed Poland and a number of its allies in the EUs east in the second-tier category of countries that face limits to the amount of computing power they can purchase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal of the measures, which companies such as Nvidia and Oracle Corp. have warned could be catastrophic for the US tech industry, is to ensure that the global development of AI aligns with American standards and relies on US technology. The rules split the globe into a group of close US allies including western European nations as well as Canada, Japan and the UK, which wont face serious restrictions. The second category that will involve caps on AI chip imports covers most of the world, while the third group involves adversaries such as China and Russia, which are effectively barred from buying the powerful semiconductors. The move goes against the EUs single market by treating member states differently, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private discussions. It would also hinder innovation in the blocs east and unfairly favor western European companies, one of the people said. Polish Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski said the White Houses decision was incomprehensible and is not based on any substantive reasons. Foreign ministers from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania said in a joint statement that it undermines the development of our national AI eco-systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Donald Trump made little specific mention of Europe in his inaugural address, he has repeatedly threatened tariffs and the bloc is bracing for the worst. If attempts to engage with the new administration on alternatives such as a common approach to China fail, the EU has already prepared lists of goods to target if Trump moves forward with tariffs. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. The EU has reduced Russian gas imports by 75%, while only 3% of its oil is imported from Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 21. The share of Russian coal in Europes imports also went from 50% before Russias full-scale invasion to zero by 2025, she said. Our gas imports from Russia went down by roughly 75% and now we import from Russia only 3% of our oil and no coal at all anymore," von der Leyen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europe began to wean itself off Russian energy commodities after Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine while Gazprom steadily reduced flows to the EU to pressure Ukraines allies. "This (Russian) energy appeared cheap, but it exposed us to blackmail. So when (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's tanks rolled into Ukraine, Putin cut us off his gas supplies, and in return, we substantially reduced our dependency on Russian fossil fuels in record time," she added. Kyiv's decision not to prolong a gas transit deal with Gazprom past December 2024 ended the supply of Russian pipeline gas to the EU. European countries continue buying Russian liquified natural gas, purchasing record amounts in 2024. Moscow and Kyiv signed an agreement in 2019 to transit 40 billion cubic meters of Russian gas annually through Ukraine to buyers in the EU. Gazprom raked in an estimated $5$6.5 billion annually from the deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of participants, including political leaders and CEOs, have gathered for the annual World Economic Forum in Davos this week. President Volodymyr Zelensky is also attending the forum and is expected to meet top political and business officials. Read also: EU plans to eliminate Russian fossil fuels, aims to end gas imports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 21, urging Europe to take charge of its own security amid escalating Russian threats. "Europe must establish itself as a strong global player," Zelensky said, adding that, while the United States remains an indispensable ally, Washington doubts Europe's ability to contribute meaningfully to global security. Zelensky highlighted the imbalance in military capabilities, noting that Russia can deploy 1.5 million troops compared to Ukraine's 800,000 and France's 200,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called on European nations to unite against Russian aggression, warning that battles involving North Korean soldiers are now geographically closer to Davos than to Pyongyang. Despite having a smaller economy than Europe, Russia outpaces European nations in ammunition and military equipment production, a disparity Zelensky urged Europe to address collectively. Zelensky also emphasized the growing strategic ties between Russia, Iran, and North Korea, describing them as threats to Europe, the U.S., and global stability. "These are their strategic priorities, and our priorities must meet this challenge in politics, defense, and economics. We can only counter such threats together," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky also said that Russia is evolving into a "North Korea-like state," where human life holds no value, but nuclear weapons and hostility toward neighbors dominate its agenda. Read also: Zelensky arrives in Davos to participate in World Economic Forum The Davos forum, themed "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," brings together nearly 3,000 representatives from over 130 countries, including 60 heads of state and government. Discussions on Jan. 21 include European defense strategy, NATO's future, and Ukraine's "Peace through Strength" approach, which advocates using military and political leverage to push Russia toward a just peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High-profile speakers include Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics. Topics range from geo-economic uncertainty to the role of artificial intelligence in shaping global collaboration. Zelensky's appearance at the forum follows his attendance in January 2024, which coincided with the fourth meeting on Ukraine's peace formula, a precursor to the global peace summit in Switzerland. Read also: EU has reduced Russian gas imports by 75%, von der Leyen says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Bloomberg) -- European natural gas jumped after Germany signaled it may subsidize the refilling of storage sites, spurring spot demand for the fuel and further driving a seasonal price spread. Most Read from Bloomberg The plan, still under discussion, suggests Germany is willing to pay to ensure that gas storage is refilled during the summer for the next winter even when market pricing doesnt encourage that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traders have been watching dwindling inventories across Europe, concerned over refills in summer for the following heating season. A gap between prices this summer and the following winter currently discourages storage injections. The summer-winter spread surged above 3 a megawatt-hour for the first time since since Jan. 7 on Tuesday as traders interpreted the plan as a signal not to hedge and buy spot gas instead, since the storage injections would be carried out regardless. Germany has the largest gas storage capacity in the European Union. Benchmark futures settled 4.5% higher at 50.03 a megawatt-hour, the highest since Jan. 2. While Europe has managed to diversify its supplies since the energy crisis three years ago, this heating season has served as a reminder of the regions vulnerability, especially given its growing reliance on volatile LNG flows. Cold weather after two relatively mild winters has led to faster-than-normal depletion of gas inventories and prices remain elevated, prolonging pain for consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Germanys plan, a subsidy would be granted on days when an injection is carried out and the price is below the offer for the strategic filling of storage, Germanys natural-gas market manager Trading Hub Europe said in a paper published Tuesday. The subsidy is being discussed with the German economy ministry and the energy network regulator. Read: EU Burns Through Gas Stocks With Some Nations to Miss Targets Meanwhile, a cold blast is endangering energy output in the US South. Flows to the countrys liquefied natural gas plants Europes key providers of the super-chilled fuel are already down nearly 6% from a week earlier, according to grid data compiled by BloombergNEF. Power supply to the Freeport LNG export facility in Texas dropped early Tuesday, indicating that all three production units could be offline, data show. The exact reason is currently unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europes LNG demand is expected to increase more than 15% in 2025 after declining last year, and the global gas-market balance is set to remain fragile, the International Energy Agency said in a report Tuesday. That means prices may stay higher for longer to attract more fuel cargoes, unless energy demand in other regions drops. There are concerns in broader commodities markets about demand and growth after tariff threats from US President Donald Trump. He signaled plans to impose previously threatened levies on Mexico and Canada and reiterated a call for the European Union to buy more American oil and gas to avoid tariffs. Germany already warned Europe against becoming overly reliant on US energy, with Economy Minister Robert Habeck urging the region to stick together in response to the new Trump administration. At the same time, buyers in Asia are looking to appease the US president with higher fossil fuel purchases. That also adds to market uncertainty. Trump also ended a moratorium on new US export licenses. Higher flows from the country could help global gas and electricity prices, which would also improve the situation in Europe, Uniper SE Chief Executive Officer Michael Lewis said Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, any impact on the market is likely to come later this decade when new projects start. President Trumps aim to unlock higher oil and gas production in the US wont change the outlook for LNG in the near term, said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Patricio Alvarez. The global LNG supply pool wont widen until late this year, suggesting competition for spare cargoes with Asia may keep upward pressure on European prices as the bloc seeks to replenish a larger storage gap this summer. Over the next four years to 2028, growth of 40% in global LNG supply should see Europe resolve much of its problems left from the crisis, with gas prices likely to halve, Citigroup Inc. said in a note. --With assistance from Priscila Azevedo Rocha and Ruth Liao. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) As expected, day two of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland witnessed strong responses to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, with European leaders stating in no uncertain terms that they will hold fort and remain a part of the global climate pact. European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday: Europe will stay the course, and keep working with all nations that want to protect nature and stop global warming. She insisted that the 27-nation bloc will stick to the landmark Paris climate accord. The Paris Agreement continues to be the best hope for all humanity, she said. The Paris accord is aimed at limiting long-term global warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) or, failing that, keeping temperatures at least well below 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minutes before von der Leyen spoke, climate activists sprung a surprise and rare action inside the normally ultra-secure venue, unfurling a banner that read: Tax the super-rich! Fund a just and green future. United Nation's climate chief, Simon Stiell speaking at a panel looking ahead to this year's upcoming climate talks in Brazil said the door remains open for the United States. The world is undergoing an energy transition that is unstoppable. Last year alone, over $2 trillion was invested in the transition (to clean energy). And that compares to one trillion in fossil fuels, he said Stiell said that there is crisis fatigue in the world now. The poly crisis environment that weve been in for the last few years, climate has been pushed down the crisis priority list, he said. However, he said that regardless of political changes, the science behind climate hasnt changed. The impacts actually have changed in that theyre simply getting worse and worse. In a session at Davos that looked at Europes transition to clean energy, Alexander De Croo, Belgiums prime minister responded to Trumps decision saying, I mean, the world is full of uncertainty after yesterday even more, and maybe tomorrow there might be even more uncertainty. Lets please, as Europeans within the European Union, not add to the uncertainty by creating ambiguity on our goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Business leaders at Davos chimed with the benefits of sticking to a global climate mandate. Jesper Brodin, chief executive officer of global furniture company, IKEA said: "For us, who have been on the bumpy train ride for a couple of years, we are discovering year by year how we actually not only can succeed to deliver to the Paris Agreement but actually how it benefits, business. Climate scientists and activists from the Global South were more critical of the U.S.'s withdrawal from the climate pact. Globally, Trump's decision undermines the collective fight against climate change at a time when unity and urgency are more critical than ever. The most tragic consequences, however, will be felt in developing countries, said New Delhi-based Harjeet Singh, of the Fossil Fuels Non Proliferation Treaty These vulnerable nations and communities, which have contributed the least to global emissions, will bear the brunt of intensifying floods, rising seas, and crippling droughts. Speaking at Davos, Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All said, Were already collaborating at a scale where no one can stop, you know, not one country, not one leader making a decision. Because its just the right thing to do globally. China also expressed concern over the U.S. move to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said: Climate change is a common challenge facing mankind, adding that "no country can be outside of it. No country can be immune to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ Sibi Arasu reported from Bengaluru, India. ___ Associated Press video journalist Helena Alves in Lisbon, Portugal and writer Chris Bodeen in Taipei, Taiwan contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Tuesday of an escalating economic conflict with the new US administration under Donald Trump. "No other economies in the world are as integrated as we are," von der Leyen said. "European companies employ in the United States 3.5 million Americans, and another million American jobs depend directly on trade with Europe," she said, speaking at a gathering of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his election campaign, Trump had mentioned plans to introduce new tariffs of 10% to 20% on imports from the EU. Trump hopes that higher tariffs on imports to the US will boost domestic industries. Von der Leyen did not mention Trump's name in her speech but stressed the deep ties between both economies. "A lot is at stake for both sides," she said, adding that trade between the EU and US is worth 1.5 trillion, which represents 30% of global trade. "Entire supply chains stretch on both sides of the Atlantic," she said. American aeroplanes and medicines are made with European materials and tools, while the EU imports many digital services and large quantities of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US, the commission president said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Von der Leyen said it was a priority for the EU to engage with the new US administration. "Our first priority will be to engage early, discuss common interests and be ready to negotiate," she said. Looking beyond tensions with the US, the economic outlook for Europe is now different than at the beginning of the century, the commission president said. "We have entered a new era of harsh geostrategic competition. The world's major economies are vying for access to raw materials, new technologies and global trade routes." She acknowledged that "Europe must shift gears" to maintain economic growth over the next decades, mentioning a series a planned reforms to cut red tape, attract more investment in European companies and bring down energy prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Von der Leyen reiterated the EU's push to diversify trading partners and appealed to other economies. "Even in a moment of harsh competition, we need to join forces. And Europe will seek cooperation not only with our long-time like-minded friends, but with any country we share interests with," she said. "Our message to the world is simple: if there are mutual benefits in sight, we are ready to engage with you." The commission president mentioned recent conclusions of talks with the four countries of the Latin American trade bloc Mercosur, as well as Mexico and Switzerland, as successes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turning to China, von der Leyen said the EU "must engage constructively" with Beijing. There is "an opportunity to engage and deepen our relationship with China and, where possible, even to expand our trade and investment ties," she said. "It is time to pursue a more balanced relationship with China in a spirit of fairness and reciprocity." Von der Leyen also announced that she will travel with her team of EU commissioners to India in the coming months "to upgrade the strategic partnership with the largest country and democracy in the world." SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Fire crews were busy battling a brush fire that broke out Tuesday afternoon off of Friars Road near the Fashion Valley Mall. The brush fire was first reported just after noon on Tuesday in the 7000 block of Friars Road near the Fashion Valley Mall and nearby homes. More than 100 firefighters, including San Diego Fire-Rescue, the City of Poway, and the City of Chula Vista, along with 20 fire engines, were battling the flames Tuesday afternoon. Air support was also called in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said at 1 p.m. fire crews were making quick work on the Friars Fire, and was asking the public to avoid Friars Road west of SR-163. Fire crews were able to stop the forward progression of the fire at around three acres by 1:30 p.m. and will stay on the scene for several hours to extinguish hot spots. Councilmember Raul Campillo posted on X that the fire may have caused some minor damage to apartments, but no structures were lost. The evacuation orders and warnings were lifted by 4 p.m. You can view a map of evacuation orders here. A resident from the apartment complex and one firefighter were taken to the hospital. It is unclear at this time the extent of their injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A temporary evacuation point was set up in Snapdragon Stadiums west parking lot for impacted residents. Evacuation notices for Fashion Valley Mall fire on Jan. 21, 2025. (County of San Diego) SkyFOX/KUSI in the SKY was over the fire Tuesday afternoon and smoke could be seen billowing from the hillside. The San Diego County Office of Education Linda Vista campus and Linda Vista Innovation Center were impacted by the evacuations and stayed closed for the remainder of the day. SDCOE Linda Vista locations will reopen for regular hours on Wednesday. A Sig Alert was issued for north and southbound off ramps from State Route 163 onto Friars Road due to the fire. Those ramps reopened to traffic just before 4:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SDG&Es outage map showed mass power outages in the area that started just after noon on Tuesday. Around 3,000 people were without power as of 12:30 p.m. Fire erupting on the hillside across from the Fashion Valley Mall on Jan. 21, 2025. (Courtesy of Chris Spade) Brush fire erupts near Fashion Valley mall on Jan. 21, 2025. (SkyFOX/KUSI in the Sky) Brush fire erupts near Fashion Valley mall on Jan. 21, 2025. (SkyFOX/KUSI in the Sky) This is developing. Check back for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Welcome to Court Crawl, Colorado Politics' roundup of news from the third branch of government. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Firefighters were busy battling a brush fire that was threatening homes in Poway Monday afternoon. Fire crews were able to stop the forward progress of a 3-acre brush fire in Poway dubbed the Ted Williams Fire that broke out just after 1 p.m. Monday near a hiking trail by the intersection of Ted Williams Pkwy and Pomerado Road, just behind the Poway Fire Department Station 3. SkyFOX/KUSI in the SKY was over the fire for about an hour and smoke and flames could be seen threatening nearby homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 2 p.m., the City of Poway and the sheriffs department announced evacuation warnings for residents on Glen Oak Road and Wilsey Way. Pomerado Road was also closed due to the emergency response. Cal Fire crews assisted at the scene and helicopters were called in to provide air support. The evacuation warning was lifted at 4:37 p.m., according to Alert San Diego. A temporary evacuation point was set up at Abraxas High School at 12450 Glen Oak Road in Poway for impacted residents. The San Diego Sheriffs Office asked the public to avoid the area while emergency crews were busy fighting back those flames. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews will remain on the scene for several hours mopping up hot spots and cutting vegetation, so the public is advised to use caution when driving in the area of Ted Williams Pkwy and Pomerado Road, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and the City of Poway. This is developing. Check back for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. TOPEKA (KSNT) On Wednesday, Evergy specialists will be at the Shawnee County Public Library to help Kansans file for the 2025 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). The event will be held from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Public Library located at 1515 SW 10th Ave. Evergy asks residents to bring proof of income for the past 30 days for all adult household members and to bring copies of current utility bills. Evergy is one of five utilities partnering with the Kansas Department for Children (DCF) and Families to help eligible Kansans receive assistance, Evergy wrote in a press release. LIEAP, administered through DCF, is a federally funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per-year benefit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To qualify, homes must have a person responsible for the heating costs of the home and the combined gross income of the home should not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Persons Living at the Address Maximum Gross Monthly Income 1 $1,882.50 2 $2,555.00 3 $3,227.50 4 $3,900.00 5 $4,572.50 6 $5,245.00 7 $5,917.50 8 $6,590.00 +1 $672.50 for each additional person For more eligibility information, click here. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 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 KSNT 27 News. Sign up for Trumps Return, a newsletter featuring coverage of the second Trump presidency. Long before Donald Trump rewarded Tulsi Gabbards loyalty with a nomination to be the next director of national intelligence, before her friendliness with Tucker Carlson, and before her association with the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, she was loyal to another charismatic leader. A man who remains mostly unknown outside Hawaii but is reputed to have a powerful hold over his followers. That leader is Chris Butler, the founder of an offshoot of the Hare Krishna movement in Hinduism, called the Science of Identity Foundation. Butlers followers know him as Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa, and Gabbard, who identifies as Hindu, has called him her guru-dev, or spiritual master. According to its website, the foundation promotes yoga meditation to achieve spiritual and physical enlightenment, but Butler, well known for his fervent and graphic sermons about the evils of gay sex, does not appear to tolerate dissent from his followers. Some former devotees have called the secretive group a cult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other than raw ambition, Gabbards adherence to Butlers foundation has been the only perceptible through line in her switchbacking, two-decade political career. First there was an astonishingly quick leap from enigmatic state lawmaker to national Democratic Party leader; then came Gabbards almost-as-quick falling-out with the party establishment; there followed an inscrutable congressional record, including a seemingly inexplicable visit with a Middle East dictator; after that was Gabbards stint as a Fox News media darling, and finally her rebirth as a MAGA Republican, nominated to be Americas next spymaster. While Gabbard awaits a confirmation hearing, even senators in Trumps party seem concerned about her suitability. Maybe they should be: Democrats figured out the hard way that they couldnt rely on Gabbard; Republicans may soon learn the same. To understand how Gabbard ended up in the middle of such a strange ideological Venn diagram, it helps to know about her early years. Born in American Samoa, Gabbard grew up in Hawaii, where she was homeschooled and spent time surfing in the blue waves off Oahu. Her father, Mike, is now a Democratic state senator, but hes done a bit of his own party-flipping; during Gabbards childhood, Mike was an independent, and later switched to the Republican Party, after leading Hawaiis movement against same-sex marriage. He launched a group called Stop Promoting Homosexuality Hawaii and hosted a radio show titled Lets Talk Straight Hawaii. In 1998, Mike Gabbard put out a TV ad featuring a teenage Tulsi and her siblings that likened marrying someone of the same sex to marrying your dog. The Gabbard family wasand, according to several Hawaii residents and people familiar with the group, still isdevoted to Butler and his foundation. The belief system was [Butlers] interpretation of the Hare Krishna belief system, plus Buddhism, Christianity, and whatever else, Lalita Mann, a former disciple of Butlers, told me. Fraternizing with outsiders was frowned upon, Mann said; complete obedience was expected: To offend him would be offending God. Gabbards own aunt once described the group as the alt-right of the Hare Krishna movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Butler had an appetite for temporal as well as spiritual power. Gabbard, a smart, good-looking girl from a political family, always appealed to him, Mann and Anita Van Duyn, another defector from the group, told me. Butler described Gabbard as a stellar pupil of his teaching. In her teens, Gabbard reportedly attended a school run by Butlers followers in the Philippines. He always wanted someone to be high up in the federal government to direct the culture toward godliness, Van Duyn told me. Trumps team rejected this characterization. This is a targeted hit on her faith, fomenting Hinduphobia, Alexa Henning, a spokesperson for the Trump transition, told me. The repeated attacks that she has sustained from the media and Democrats about her faith and her loyalty to our country are not only false smears; they are bigoted as well. (Gabbard herself did not respond to requests for comment for this story.) The Science of Identity Foundation leader was not the only person to see Gabbards appeal. The people I interviewed described the surfer cum mixed-martial-arts aficionado as shy but warm. She has a rich, low voice, and always greets people with a friendly Aloha. Her demeanor helps explain how quickly she rocketed to political success from a young age. She chooses her words carefully, and listens intently, often seeming like the most mature person in a room, even when she is one of the youngest. She cocks her head, and she pulls you in to the Tulsi hug, one Hawaii Democrat told me. Its very mesmerizing. Gabbard, in other words, has charisma. And she has always made it count. In 2002, soon after she married her first husband, Gabbard dropped out of community college and ran for a seat in the Hawaii state House. In that race, and in others that followed, a swarm of volunteers associated with Butlers group would descend on the district to knock on doors and pass out yard signs, according to someone who worked with Gabbards campaign in those early days, and who asked for anonymity to speak candidly. Back then, Gabbard shared her fathers views on same-sex marriage and opposed abortion rights, two positions that wereparticularly in recent yearspolitically risky in solid-blue Hawaii. But she was clearly struggling to form her ideology, the former campaign colleague said, and determine a political identity of her own. After one term in office, Gabbard joined the Hawaii Army National Guard, and went to Iraq as part of a medical unit, the first of two Middle East deployments. After her return, she and her husband divorced. In 2010, she ran successfully for a seat on the Honolulu city council. She was as ambitious as you could possibly be, Gabbards campaign colleague told me. And she was respected. Gabbard was racking up experiences, fleshing out her political resume. Congress was next for Gabbard, and everybody knew it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the fall of 2011, something happened that shocked politicians in Hawaii. EMILYs List, the national organization whose goal is to elect pro-abortion-rights women to Congress, announced that it was backing Gabbard. To political observers, it didnt make sense. Gabbard had a D behind her name, but was she really a Democrat? Behind the scenes, EMILYs List was wondering the same thing. Although her position on abortion had evolved in ways acceptable to the organization, Gabbard was still iffy on same-sex marriage. Her answers on the EMILYs List application had made its leaders uneasy, one former staffer told me, and that staffer was asked to call Gabbard for clarification. During their conversation, Gabbard said she didnt want the government involved in marriage. The staffer pointed out that the government was already involved in heterosexual marriage, so it wouldnt be fair to deny the same access to gay couples. Gabbard seemed not to have considered this, the staffer told me, and after only a few minutes on the phone, Gabbard declared that her position had changed. Politicians typically do some finagling to secure the support of special-interest groups, but this was different. Ive never had another conversation like that, said the staffer, who still works in Democratic politics but asked to remain anonymous in order to speak candidly. She was willing to do or say whatever. It was like she had absolutely no moral compass. I heard the same sentiment from numerous people who have worked with Gabbard, both in Hawaii and at the federal level. Gabbards leftward journey was well under way. Her second Middle East deployment, to Kuwait, had inspired a gradual metamorphosis on social issues, she told Honolulu Civil Beat in 2012, adding, Im not my dad. Im me. By the time she got to Congress, in 2013, Democrats had embraced her like a long-lost friend. Gabbard was celebrated as the first Hindu member of Congress and was eagerly welcomed in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Nancy Pelosi called her an emerging star, and House leaders gave her a seat on the prominent Armed Forces Committee. She was, to use a more contemporary comparison, AOC before Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. There was this initial huge fascination with Gabbard inside the party, a former Democratic House staffer, who requested anonymity to speak about his time working closely with Gabbard, told me. President Barack Obama himself lobbied for Gabbard to get a vice chairmanship on the Democratic National Committee, its former chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz told me. The Florida lawmaker hesitated at first. I was warned early on that she was close to extremists in Hawaii, Wasserman Schultz told me, referring to anti-gay activists. Still, she gave Gabbard the benefit of the doubt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard proved popular among the other freshmen. She was funny, she was engaging, a former House colleague and friend of Gabbards, who requested anonymity to speak candidly, told me. She ran around with a small, bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Representatives Beto ORourke of Texas, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma; some of them met for CrossFit in the mornings. But the congressional crush on Gabbard fizzled almost as quickly as it began. Wasserman Schultz told me that the DNC had a hard time getting Gabbard to show up for meetings or conference calls. When a House vote against employment discrimination came up, Gabbard was difficult to pin down, Wasserman Schultz saideven though, as a DNC vice chair, she should have been the easiest yes in the caucus. [Read: The thing that binds Gabbard, Gaetz, and Hegseth to Trump] Gabbard seemed eager to stand out in a different way. She took to sitting on the Republican side of the House chamber. Despite her DNC perch, she voted with Republicans to condemn the Obama administration for not alerting Congress about a prisoner exchange with the Taliban in 2014, and the next year criticized the Democratic presidents reluctance to refer to Islamic State terrorists as Islamic extremists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The representative from Hawaii was not facing a tough reelection, so none of these positions made sense to her fellow Democrats. Some suggested that she was a rare independent thinker in Congress; others identified in her a less virtuous strain of opportunism. Gabbard had masked herself as a progressive to gain power, Wasserman Schultz told me. After all, voters in Hawaii almost never elect Republicans to Congress. Others pointed to deeper forces. I think something happened around 2013, Gabbards campaign colleague from Hawaii told me, pointing out that, at the time, several of her original congressional staffers resigned, and Gabbard replaced them with people affiliated with the Science of Identity Foundation. In 2015, Gabbard married Abraham Williams, the son of her office manager, both of whom, the colleague told me, were involved in the group. The couples Oahu wedding was attended by several members of Congress, including thenHouse Whip Steny Hoyer, as well as a representative from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu-nationalist party. It seemed as though Butlers group had reeled her back in, the campaign colleague said. He remembers thinking, I dont know who the hell you are anymore. During the 2016 Democratic primary, Gabbard resigned from the DNC and endorsed Senator Bernie Sanderss campaign for president because, she said, Hillary Clinton was too hawkish. Sanders-aligned progressives appreciated her support, especially because the Vermont senator had just been shellacked in South Carolina. On the trail, Gabbard spoke confidently about anti-interventionism, climate change, and Medicare for All. I couldnt think of an issue then where we had any degree of separation, Larry Cohen, a union leader and the chair of the pro-Sanders progressive group Our Revolution, told me. But, in 2017, Gabbard made a move that stumped her new progressive friends, as well as most everyone else: She flew to Syria, in the middle of its civil war, and twice met with the now-deposed dictator Bashar al-Assad, who had by then already killed hundreds of his own people using chemical weapons, and who clung to power thanks to aid from Vladimir Putin. The original plan, according to a former staffer for Gabbard, had been to meet with everyday Syrians and bear witness. But as The Washington Post reported today, the trips actual itinerary deviated dramatically from the one that had been approved by the House Ethics Committee. The meetings with Assad had not been in the plan, and even Gabbards staffer, like others on her team, did not know about them until after theyd happened. You fucked us, the staffer, who also asked for anonymity to speak about confidential matters, remembers telling Gabbard later. The reason you told us you were going on this trip will never come up again. It will only ever be about you meeting with Assad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For D.C. institutionalists, Gabbards conversations with Assad broke a long-standing convention that members of Congress do not conduct freelance foreign policy. But many also saw the trip as an unforgivable swerve toward autocracy. Outside the Washington scene, Gabbards independence and charisma still counted. When Gabbard ran in the Democratic presidential primary in 2019, she could still muster an enthusiastic if motley alliance of progressives, libertarians, and conservative Hindus. She also did well among the kind of people who are fond of saying that all politicians are corrupt and neither political party is good for America. Im voting for her. I decided. I like her. I met her in person. Fuck it, Joe Rogan said on his podcast that year. Despite that glowing endorsement, Gabbard never scored above single digits in the contest, and dropped out of the race in March 2020. In the years that followed, she would pop up now and again with new and surprising takes. In December 2020, Gabbard introduced a bill to ban trans women and girls from playing womens sports, plus two pieces of anti-abortion legislation. In 2021, she left Congress altogether. The next year, when Russia invaded Ukraine, she blamed President Joe Biden and NATO for ignoring Russias legitimate security concerns. Then she turned up as a featured speaker at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference. At a late-summer conference in Michigan last year, Gabbard announced that she was supporting Donald Trump for president. She completed her political migration in October at a MAGA rally in North Carolina, when she said that she was joining the Republican Party. She praised Trump for transforming the GOP into the party of the people and the party of peace. Her message was that she hadnt left the Democrats; they had left her. People evolve on politics all the time, the former House colleague and friend told me. But thats a long way from saying Hey, the party went too far to embracing Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbards instincts are those of a moth to a flame of power, Wasserman Schultz told me. And Trumps flame is burning brightly again. But in Gabbards dogged pursuit of power, or at least of proximity to power, others see the influence not of a new guru, but of the old one: Butler. Shes his loyal servant, Van Duyn, the Science of Identity Foundation defector, said, and Gabbard regards him as possessing infallible authority. Van Duyn also told me that she has sent letters to several Democratic lawmakers, asking them to vote against Gabbards confirmation as DNI because she fears that sensitive intelligence can and will be communicated to her guru. Each of the current and former Democratic lawmakers I spoke with for this story had concerns about the Gabbard-Butler relationship. There are some very tough questions that need to be asked, Representative Jill Tokuda, Democrat of Hawaii, told me. Whos really calling the shots when it comes to what Tulsi Gabbard believes? Gabbard at the Trump campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City, on October 27, 2024 (Michael M. Santiago / Getty) Butler, who is now in his late 70s and reportedly living in a beachfront home in Kailua, did not respond to a request for comment. But in a statement, Jeannie Bishop, the foundations president, disputed the accounts of people whom the group considers to be propagating misconceptions, and accused the media of fomenting Hinduphobia. (Butlers foundation, along with a collection of 50 Hindu groups, sent out a press release last week blasting recent media coverage as Hinduphobic.) [Tom Nichols: Tulsi Gabbards nomination is a national-security risk] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of whom her opportunism ultimately serves, political opportunity has come again for Gabbard. After she hitched her wagon to Trump, he chose her to be his spymaster in chiefa position for which she does not seem remotely qualified. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed after previously serving as deputy national security adviser, deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and deputy counsel to the president for national-security affairs in the Office of White House Counsel. Gabbard has no similar background in intelligence or agency leadership. Henning, the Trump spokesperson, pointed to Gabbards endorsement from former CIA Director of Counterterrorism Bernard Hudson, who has commended Gabbards independent thinking. Gabbards Assad visit and her pro-Russian views also remain fresh in the minds of many in Congress. Nothing proves that Gabbard is a Russian asset, as Hillary Clinton once famously put it, but Moscow seems gleeful about her selection to lead the intelligence agency: The C.I.A. and the F.B.I. are trembling, the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda crowed after her nomination was announced. Another Russian state outlet called Gabbard a comrade. Judging by the congressional hearings so far, traditional expertise and credentials may not matter much to the GOP lawmakers charged with confirming Trumps picks. But the incoherence of Gabbards ideological evolution may yet count against her: Reliability could be the sticking point. Republicans should know, as well as Democrats, that shes ruthless in her pursuit of personal power, the Hawaii campaign colleague told me. Even if that means disappointing MAGA folks or Trump, its clear shed do it in a heartbeat. During her eight years in Congress, Gabbard was a fierce defender of privacy rights, something her supporters on both the right and the left long admired. In particular, she had opposed the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, legislation that permits some warrantless surveillance of American citizens. But after meeting with senators last week, Gabbard announced that the acts surveillance capability must be safeguarded. The would-be director of national intelligence had had a change of heart. Article originally published at The Atlantic LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The ex-girlfriend of Gavin Maloof who is accused in a gold-digging plot to steal close to half a million dollars from the Las Vegas businessman claimed in newly filed court documents she cannot afford an attorney for her defense. Las Vegas Metro police said Jennifer Courtemanche plotted with her friend to steal nearly $445,000 from Maloof. Courtemanche, in a financial affidavit filed on Jan. 13, said she is unemployed with no source of income and she does not have the ability to pay for an attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 8 News Now Investigators have learned, as recent as December, Courtemanches mailing address in court documents was an apartment in Marina del Rey, California. Rent for a one-bedroom unit in the building which includes a fitness center, swimming pool, and some units with ocean views, starts at more than $2,700, according to the rental propertys website. A grand jury indicted Courtemanche, and her friend Brittany Burgess, for three felony counts of theft, one felony count of launder or attempt to launder money or property, one gross misdemeanor of conspiracy to commit theft, and one gross misdemeanor or conspiracy to launder or attempt to launder money last April. According to police, Courtemanche sent the following text message to Burgess in 2017: OMG THIS IS IT he broke up with his [expletive] FINALLY and wants me to come out im not letting or anythinggggg stop me this is my chance for BOTH of us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This neeeeeds to happen. Ive been so down and out and POOR. we need to get the life weve always deserved no more struggling no more misery mental hospitals ERs etc lol Police said Burgess responded, we need plan. The first AppleCash transaction to steal money occurred in June 2021, according to police. According to an arrest warrant, there were additional text messages between the two women communicating about the scheme including the following from Courtemanche who said she was with Maloof at the time of the transaction, I was trying so hard not to laugh. Maloof had reported receiving harassing text messages and photographs. Las Vegas Metro police investigated and traced the phone numbers to Courtemanche, according to police records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courtemanche gained access to Maloofs cell phone and sent approximately $93,448 in AppleCash payments in 2021, approximately $275,600 in 2022, and approximately $75,600 in 2023, according to the criminal complaint filed by the Clark County District Attorneys office. The investigation began as a harassment case after Maloof had received the text messages and photos from multiple different Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone numbers, according to police. Las Vegas Metro police with the assistance of the Los Angeles Police Department went to Courtemanches home with a search warrant. An LVMPD detective asked Courtemanche if she had any idea why police were at her home, police said. She replied, literally none, and she was obviously stunned, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives said that it appeared that Courtemanche made an effort to conceal a phones location while they were present. Las Vegas Metro police also went to the Massachusetts home with help from Massachusetts State Police with a search warrant to seize a cell phone. Burgess kept stating how she was confused, and she felt like she was duped by her best friend, and she did not understand what was going on, the warrant stated. Burgess received nearly $12,000 through the alleged scheme while Courtemanche received nearly $433,000, according to police. Burgess had a court date scheduled for Jan. 2, according to court records. Her case remains open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courtemanches next court date is scheduled for Jan. 21. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The trial of a former Georgia district attorney charged with illegally interfering with police investigating the 2020 killing of Ahmaud Arbery begins Tuesday in Glynn County District Court. Jury selection is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Jackie Johnson made her first court appearance in December 2024 after more than three years after being indicted by a grand jury. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson spent a decade as the states top prosecutor for the coastal Brunswick Judicial Circuit. Shes charged with violating her oath of office and hindering police as they investigated Arberys death. The 25-year-old Black man was fatally shot on Feb. 23, 2020, as he ran from armed white men in a pickup truck who wrongly suspected Arbery was a thief. Greg McMichael, who initiated the deadly chase, was a retired investigator for Johnsons office. His son, Travis McMichael, killed Arbery with a shotgun. Their neighbor, William Roddie Bryan, joined the father and son in the chase recording the entire incident on his cellphone. Prosecutors for state Attorney General Chris Carrs office said in Johnsons Dec. 11, 2024 pretrial hearing that she used her position to protect Greg McMichael and to urge police not to arrest Travis McMichael. Johnson has denied wrongdoing and said she immediately recused her office from handling the case. Regardless, she was voted out of office months later amid outrage over Arberys killing. In September 2021, a grand jury indicted her on a felony count of violating her oath of office and a misdemeanor count of hindering a police officer. Jackie Johnson mugshot [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] During the pretrial hearing, lead defense attorney Brian Steel said he plans to present evidence during Johnsons trial that she was focused on seeking a high-profile indictment against a police chief when Arbery was killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She didnt know what was going on with Ahmaud Arberys case, Steel told the court. Prosecutors have said in court filings there were 16 calls between phone numbers for Johnson and Greg McMichael in the days and weeks after the shooting. Greg McMichael left Johnson a voice message the day Arbery was killed. Both McMichaels were convicted of murder and federal hate crimes in Arberys death as was Bryan, the neighbor. All three were charged after Bryans video leaked online and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case from local police. Each is serving a life prison sentence. William Roddie Bryan (left), Greg McMichael (center), and Travis McMichael (right) were convicted of murder and federal hate crimes in Ahmaud Arberys death After Johnson was charged in 2021, she reported to jail for booking and was released without having to post bond. Her attorneys waived a formal reading of the charges in court. Ahmaud Arbery [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. WASHINGTON D.C. (KNWA/KFTA) President Donald Trump announced on Monday he would pardon more than 1,500 criminal defendants charged in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. But what exactly does a presidential pardon do? The Department of Justice describes a pardon as an expression of the presidents forgiveness. Pardons are often granted in recognition of the applicants acceptance of responsibility for the crime and established good conduct for a significant period of time after conviction or completion of sentence, the DOJ notes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A pardon does not signify innocence, however, it does remove civil disabilities (such as removing restrictions on the right to vote, hold state or local office, or sit on a jury) that may have been been imposed because of the conviction. To be pardoned, a person must have been convicted in a United States District Court, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, or a military court-martial. A president cannot issue a pardon for a state conviction. Is there a difference between a pardon and a commutation of sentence? Yes. The DOJ says a commutation of sentence reduces a sentence, either totally or partially, that is then being served, but it does not change the fact of conviction, imply innocence, or remove civil disabilities that apply to the convicted person as a result of the criminal conviction. Boozman, Cotton applaud Laken Riley Act passage, bill headed to House Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike a pardon, a commutation of sentence could include the removal of any financial obligations that are imposed as part of a sentence, such as a fine or restitution, and has no effect on a persons immigration status and will not prevent removal or deportation from the U.S. Trump issued commutations of sentences on Monday for 14 members of far-right extremist groups, such as the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. What happens to the pending prosecutions? Trumps proclamation declares the nearly 300 pending cases will be dismissed, CNN reported. The proclamation said the attorney general should pursue dismissal with prejudice for all pending indictments related to January 6. If the person convicted had to pay a fine, what happens to it if they are pardoned? The Brookings Institution, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit, says whether the person gets the fine money back depends on when the pardon was issued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the fine has already been transferred to the U.S. Treasury, the pardon conveys no right to a refund, the Brookings Institution said. If a person is pardoned before the money is transferred, it will be refunded unless the conditions of the pardon preclude this. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. By Orhan Qereman HASAKAH, Syria (Reuters) - The Kurdish forces guarding Islamic State fighters at a jail in northern Syria say they are opposed to handing the facility to the new Islamist rulers in Damascus as they brace for attacks by the ultra hardline group and monitor its attempts to re-emerge. The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led force which holds a quarter of Syria, has said Islamic State (IS) has already attempted two attacks on prisons in a bid to break out their comrades since Bashar al-Assad was toppled from power on Dec. 8, as the group seeks to exploit the upheaval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a prison in the city of Hasakah, where some 4,500 IS fighters, including many foreigners, are incarcerated, a Kurdish officer predicted that the group known as ISIS would try again. "When the Syrian regime fell ... ISIS seized a lot of weapons, and they will organize themselves again to attack prisons," the officer, his identity concealed by a ski mask, told Reuters. Reuters was granted rare access to the heavily fortified prison on Saturday, speaking to three detainees - a Briton, a Russian, and a German citizen originally from Tunisia. The SDF has served as the spearhead of U.S.-led efforts to counter IS in Syria for a decade, driving the jihadists from their Raqqa headquarters in 2017 before capturing their last foothold - Baghouz - in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jails have come into focus since Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate, seized power from Assad and established a new government, aiming to restore central authority. Foreign powers are at odds over who should run the jails. Turkey, which sees Syria's dominant Kurdish factions as a national security threat, says the jails should be handed over to the new rulers, and has offered to help them. The outgoing U.S. administration indicated its support for the SDF continuing to guard them. Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Jan. 8 that a critical part of avoiding an IS resurgence was to enable the SDF to do the job "theyve been doing ... of securing the foreign terrorist fighters". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kurdish officer said he did not believe the Kurdish-led authorities would hand the jails to the new administration. "Sharing it with the new government will not be acceptable. Protecting this prison is the responsibility of the coalition and the SDF only," he said. The SDF has said jihadist fighters have been seeking to exploit lax security across much of Syria: the Kurdish officer noted images of fighters with the flag used by IS on their uniforms among fighters who seized Damascus. HTS, formerly known as the Nusra Front, has a history of conflict with IS and rejects the transnational jihad promoted by IS supporters. The new government said it thwarted an IS attack on a Shi'ite shrine in a Damascus suburb on Jan. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SDF and the new administration are at odds over how the Kurdish-led force might be integrated into Syria's new security apparatus: the SDF says it does not intend to dissolve itself, as the new defence ministry wishes. The interior ministry in Damascus did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story. REGRET The SDF says that it is guarding some 10,000 IS fighters. In addition, the SDF oversees a detention camp, al-Hol, where tens of thousands of people are held. Many are family members of suspected IS fighters. At the prison, which was attacked by IS in 2022, one detainee said he travelled to Syria from Britain in 2014 to join the group, believing "the law of God Almighty will be implemented in this land". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're six years in prison now and we dont know anything about our situation, about our wives and about our children and about our mothers," said the man, speaking through a small, barred window. Detainees could be seen sitting on mattresses in shared cells accommodating a dozen or more men. Another detainee identified as a German citizen originally from Tunisia said he had spent eight years in jail with no information about his wife and children. "Everyone regrets it, everyone knows they committed a big mistake and people honestly want to go back to their homes and families," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian detainee also expressed regret and said he hoped President Vladimir Putin would forgive him. The prison authorities withheld their names. The Kurdish officer said detainees typically express regret to visiting journalists, but that such comments were deceptive. He said the prison holds detainees who "fought the battles of Baghouz, (and) didn't surrender until the last breath". The Kurdish-led administration has long called on foreign states to repatriate their nationals, and in 2023 announced plans to start trying them itself. Rights groups say some countries have balked at reclaiming their citizens, citing security concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer said the detainees still act as militants, appointing "emirs", or commanders, planning escape attempts, and receiving religious lessons: "We've never noticed that they've abandoned their ideas." (Writing by Tom Perry, Editing by William Maclean) By Joey Roulette WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's new administration is likely to do away with the White House's National Space Council, a cabinet policy panel that lobbyists at Elon Musk's SpaceX have been pushing to axe, according to three people familiar with the plans. Trump's aides and SpaceX's top lobbyist Mat Dunn in recent months have told associates they see the space council as a "waste of time", according to the sources, stirring doubts about its fate and whether Vice President JD Vance would have an interest in chairing it as required by law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Trump's election victory, his team did not contact the space council, chaired by Kamala Harris, as it did with NASA and other agencies over transition plans, one of the sources said. The council's staff offices near the White House have mostly been emptied, the source said. Dunn, SpaceX and the heads of former President Joe Biden's space council did not respond to requests for comment. The White House's website for the council on Tuesday appeared unavailable, displaying only a "404 page not found" message. No official decision has been made yet on the council's fate, two of the sources said. Its demise would be an early indication of SpaceX's influence over space policy under Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, SpaceX's CEO who spent a quarter of a billion dollars to help Trump back in the White House, has maintained close proximity with the president and united with him on plans to send missions to Mars during his second term. Trump in December named Jared Isaacman, a Musk associate and longtime customer of SpaceX, to lead NASA. In November, Trump joined Musk in SpaceX's Texas mission control for the company's sixth Starship test launch, wooed by a Mars-tailored rocket that could play a role in potential Mars missions. Biden's administration kept the council, which hosted one public council meeting per year, as required, to focus largely on building international alliances and rules in space. In 2023, the council released a proposal that frustrated the private space industry for seeking to implement "mission authorization", which would have resulted in greater U.S. government supervision of corporate activity in space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's first administration in 2017 revived the space council, after it was disbanded in 1993, as a spearhead for the creation of the U.S. Space Force and platform to launch policies such as returning humans to the moon and reforming commercial space launch regulations. If the council is axed, two sources said, Trump's team would look to build on some of those space policy efforts from his first term while making good on a campaign promise to trim back federal bureaucracy, a key task handed to Musk's government efficiency team. Views on the space council's value fluctuate between presidential administrations, with some seeing it as duplicative of smaller space-focused White House offices while others believe it allows for quicker action on space priorities. Audrey Schaffer, former space policy chief on Biden's National Security Council, defended the space council's role in an op-ed on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Without a team dedicated to space policy," Schaffer said, "the sheer volume of issues White House staff must tackle on a daily basis quickly crowds out any space agenda." (Reporting by Joey Roulette; Editing by Joe Brock; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) (NewsNation) President Donald Trump began his presidency swiftly, signing 26 executive orders during the first day of his second term. But what exactly is an executive order? NewsNation breaks down what you need to know about executive orders and the ones Trump signed at Capital One Arena and later back at the White House. Here are all executive orders Trump signed on Day 1 Whats an executive order? Executive orders are directive documents signed by the president that outline their agenda and are a means of instituting policies and/or directives to federal agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Archives defines executive orders as official documents, numbered consecutively, through which the President of the United States manages the operations of the Federal Government. Presidents can cancel executive orders of their predecessors given their position as head of the executive branch. Is an executive order a law? Executive orders have the same effect, or force of law, according to the American Bar Association. Their impact can be felt with immediacy, as was the case Monday when Trump pardoned almost all Jan. 6 rioters and shut down the mobile app that ultimately allowed migrants to gain eventual entry into the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, there are executive orders that act as directives and, as such, may take more time to enact. An example of this could be federal agencies working toward addressing the cost of living. Trumps two sexes order to face legal challenges Does an executive order need congressional approval? No, executive orders do not require approval from Congress, but executive orders can be overturned if they are found to be unconstitutional. According to the Constitution Center, Congress can pass new laws to override executive orders. However, the president can veto those. A legal challenge from Congress may not always be able to stop an executive order, but it can delay its implementation. What executive orders has Trump signed? In totality, Trump has signed 26 executive orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Federal Register, Trumps 26 executive orders are the most signed by some distance. Former President Joe Biden had the second-most in U.S. history, signing 9 on Inauguration Day in 2021. During his first term, Trump signed 220 executive orders and only 1 on his first evening in the Oval Office. Trumps most notable executive orders signed Monday included the pardoning of Jan. 6 rioters, abolishing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the federal government, defining gender as only male and female and enforcing border security, among others. NewsNation has logged all of the executive orders signed by Trump on Day 1. What can a president do without Congress? Presidents can sign executive orders without Congress approval, but they cannot make laws, declare wars, decide how federal money is spent or interpret laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As outlined in Article II of the Consitution, The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. The Constitution also outlines other actions the president can take without congressional approval. As evidenced by former President Biden, presidents have the power to extend pardons and clemencies for federal crimes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. As President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20, he also took the opportunity to sign a host of executive orders addressing a range of topics. According to USA Today, an executive order is a signed directive by a U.S. president on how they want the federal government to operate. Using the force of the law, these orders range from federal employee holidays to major policy plans. A president may use an executive order to establish a new commission or an administration-wide policy. Here's what you need to know about how many executive orders Trump signed on Inauguration Day, as well as how they could impact Oklahoma. How many executive orders did Trump sign his first day back in office? From extending the deadline to ban TikTok, directing the sending of troops to the southern border and seeking to end birthright citizenship, Trump signed 26 executive orders on the first day of his second presidential term. That's in addition to a slew of presidential memorandums and proclamations, addressing items such as flying the flag at full-staff on Inauguration Day and implementing a federal hiring freeze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the American Presidency Project, a searchable online database of presidential documents, Trump signed a rather high amount of executive orders on his first day compared to previous presidents. Even compared to his first term, he only signed one executive order on the day of his first inauguration in 2017. The president who signed the most executive orders, by a longshot, was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who signed 3,721 executive orders in his 12-plus years as president during the Great Depression and World War II. However, Roosevelt didn't sign a single executive order until four days after he was sworn in for his first term. How do Trump's executive orders affect Oklahoma? While many of Trump's executive orders have sweeping national implications, which of them could specifically affect Oklahoma? The day-one orders that will likely have the biggest impact on Oklahoma are those focused on energy resources. One of those, titled "Unleashing American Energy," asks federal agencies to review and make plans to counter activities that burden the development of domestic energy resources, especially "natural gas, coal, hydropower, biofuels, critical mineral, and nuclear energy resources," according to a summary by TIME. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also signed an order titled "Declaring a National Energy Emergency," which calls for boosting oil and gas production across the country, despite it surging to all-time highs over the last year. The order also calls for a review of "obstacles to domestic energy infrastructure" that are a result of legal environmental protections. Another one of Trump's focus in his first-day presidential actions was immigration and the southern border. An executive order titled "Securing Our Borders," calls for anyone in violation of immigration laws to be criminally charged and deported. The order also calls for criminal charges against "those who facilitate their unlawful presence in the United States." An executive order focused on the death penalty impacts Oklahoma as one 27 states that still executes people. In addition to instructing the U.S. Attorney General to pursue the death penalty for all federal capital crimes, the order titled "Restoring The Death Penalty And Protecting Public Safety," asks the AG to encourage state prosecutors to pursue the death penalty whenever applicable and ensure states have a "sufficient supply" of lethal injection drugs. Another executive order that could impact Oklahomans, titled "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government," provides federal definitions of "women" and "girls as females and "men" and "boys" as males. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order defines male and female as biological, binary and fixed, and seeks to remove the promotion of "gender identity" and "gender ideology" from federal policies, communications, IDs and more. In the order, Trump instructed the Attorney General to "ensure the freedom to express the binary nature of sex and the right to single-sex spaces in workplaces and federally funded entities covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964." Complete list of Inauguration Day executive orders signed by Trump This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Trump executive orders: How many did he sign? Which affect Oklahoma? Members of the Colorado Supreme Court pondered on Thursday whether "personal identifying information" under the state's identity theft law only encompasses humans, or if businesses can have personal identifying information, too. By Ilze Filks DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of playing games with the West by drip-feeding releases of political prisoners ahead of an election on Sunday in which he is set to extend his 31-year rule. In an interview with Reuters at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Tsikhanouskaya condemned the election as a sham, citing the jailing of opponents and the absence of free media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What in the democratic world you call elections has nothing in common with this event in Belarus. Because it's mostly like a ritual for dictators, when they are reappointing themselves," she said. Last weekend Lukashenko pardoned the latest batch of 23 people convicted of "extremist" activity in what state media called a humanitarian gesture, bringing the number of such releases to 250 since last July. Tsikhanouskaya said he was playing his "usual game before so-called elections" of freeing political prisoners in the hope of winning concessions from the West. She said the releases, while welcome, did not represent any easing of repression because more people were being arrested all the time. "Its not a change of policy, its like testing democracy. 'Look, I release 20 people, is it enough for you? Are you ready, you know, to lift sanctions? Are you ready to recognise me? No? OK, 20 more,'" she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There should be no bargaining with Lukashenko while he continued to hold prisoners - including her husband Siarhei - as "hostages", Tsikhanouskaya said. "We need to stop repressions, we need to release all prisoners and maybe then we will talk to you," she added. PROTEST CRACKDOWN Human rights group Viasna says there are some 1,250 political prisoners in Belarus. Lukashenko says there are none. In charge of the country since 1994, he denies rigging elections and says it is the Belarusian people who have entrusted him with power. Tsikhanouskaya ran against Lukashenko in the last election in 2020 and, together with Western governments, accused him of stealing victory from her by resorting to massive vote-rigging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tens of thousands of people were arrested in the following months as Lukashenko ordered his security apparatus to crack down on mass protests. The European Union said Lukashenko lacked "any democratic legitimacy". Tsikhanouskaya said the exiled opposition was counting on further support from what she called the "democratic world" in its efforts to weaken Lukashenko and bring change to the country. "Our fight is not just only for Belarus, it's a fight against dictatorship," she said. "We need allies in this fight." She said that any forthcoming peace talks on Ukraine should also address the future of Belarus, which under Lukashenko has been a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and allowed him to attack Ukraine from its territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Belarus has historically been dominated by Russia and the longstanding fear of many Belarusians is that they risk losing their national identity and being swallowed up entirely by their much larger eastern neighbour. Tsikhanouskaya said a goal of the talks, if they happen, should be the withdrawal of Russian troops not only from Ukraine but also from Belarus, including nuclear weapons. "You know, what the Belarusian people are afraid of now is that Belarus might be given as a consolation prize to Putin," she said. "That at the moment of negotiation we might save Ukraine on some terms but Belarus will stay in the status quo and it will postpone changes in Belarus for many, many years." (Reporting by Reuters TV, writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Alex Richardson) Gov. Phil Murphy said he wants state workers to collect more while on parental leave. Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz's bill would expand that to private sector workers. (Getty Images) During his annual state of the state address last week, Gov. Phil Murphy proposed a multimillion-dollar plan to expand the amount a state worker can collect while on parental leave. But at least one lawmaker thinks all workers should benefit. Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-Union) is behind a bill that would double the amount of paid time off workers can take under the states family leave law and offer all of them more money during their leave. Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (Photo by Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) We need to make it better for everyone, not just state workers, but everyone. Because the thing is, the taxpayers will all benefit from this if theyre employees, and not just state workers, Munoz, a registered nurse, told the New Jersey Monitor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under current law, a worker eligible for family leave receives 85% of their average weekly wage, to a maximum that is set annually (in 2025, its $1,081). Munozs bill would increase the percentage to 100%, with the max being $1,544. Current law allows for 12 weeks of family leave, while Munozs bill would boost that to 24. Workers pay a tax that covers their pay while they are on leave. While Murphys plan for state workers would be included in his next budget proposal and would cost between $6 million and $12 million a year, according to NJ Advance Media, Munozs bill, called the Cradle Act, would adjust workers tax contributions to pay for higher benefits. Her bill would require labor officials to report proposed tax rates to a joint legislative budget committee for its approval, and it would mandate an annual report from labor officials on these tax rates. Munoz said she wanted this provision because of a $442 million shortfall in the state disability fund labor officials revealed to lawmakers last year. The bill would also require people to receive their benefits within 21 days of approval. Munoz said she spoke with a woman who didnt receive benefits until the second-to-last week of her leave, so her family was virtually living on one persons paycheck for that entire time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If people opt for up to 24 weeks of leave, their benefits would be a prorated amount for however many weeks they take, Munoz said. It wouldnt cost people more to take the 24 weeks, she added. Munozs bill would apply to parents of newborns and people who leave work to take care of family members who are sick or injured. She explained that as a mother of five and grandmother of five, its important for New Jersey workers to prioritize time with family and know theyre going to be fairly compensated. Im certainly aware of the world around me, and plenty of people I interact with are having children or theyre taking care of elderly parents, she said. I think we need to take a deep dive into this and see how we can make it better. There is no estimate yet for how much Munozs bill would cost to implement. If passed and signed into law, Munozs bill would go into effect immediately. A Senate companion bill has yet to be introduced. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Over the next 45 days, Utahs lawmakers will be on Capitol Hill for the 2025 Legislative Session. From Jan. 21 to March 7, Utah lawmakers will introduce, rework, and ultimately pass several bills that are likely to become new laws and policies in the Beehive State. On the day before the 2025 Legislative Session, there were over 400 bills, amendments, and resolutions slated for consideration with more in the pipeline. 10 interesting bills to check out ahead of the 2025 Utah Legislative Session Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, what can you expect to come out of the 2025 Legislative Session? According to lawmakers, a focus on education, housing affordability, energy production, and a back to basics mindset. Utah Governor Spencer Cox During his monthly press conference with reporters last week, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said his two largest priorities would be to tackle housing affordability and doubling energy production. We have an energy crisis across the nation, across most of the developed world, Cox said. Through our Operation Gigawatt, we will be working very closely with the legislation. We know we need to double the amount of energy that we are producing in the next few years and we have robust plans to do that. Cox also said he had a priority of cutting tax burdens on Utahs seniors by working to remove a tax on social security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill targets Lt. Governors election oversight with appointed executive director of elections Utah Senate Democrats in Utahs Senate are focusing their priorities on a back to basics theme. The Senate minority said they would seek to address the question of who is left behind during Utahs growth and economic success. Our caucus is committed to ensuring that every Utahn regardless of where they live or their circumstances has access to the prosperity and quality of life we are so proud of, said Sen. Luz Escamilla (D), Minority Leader. We encourage our constituents to engage with us, and we promise to work toward a bright future for the entire state, not just a select few. Senate Democrats said they will work on policy revolving around affordable housing, education, and air quality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate majority, meanwhile, said its policies will focus on powering Utahs future. Senate President J. Stuart Adams (R) said this means going beyond meeting todays demands and addressing the needs of tomorrow. Lawmakers move forward with plans to develop nuclear energy in Utah This is a future driven by purpose, anchored in values, and fueled by the determination to keep Utah the best place to live, work, and raise a family, said Adams. Utahs Senate Republicans indicated they would focus on policy aimed toward energy independence, investing in students and teachers, creating tax cuts to help affordability, and investing in infrastructure and transportation. Utah House of Representatives Utahs House Majority listed affordability in taxes and household budgets among their priorities for 2025 along with education, investments in infrastructure such as energy and transportation, and tackling fentanyl and illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We hope this policy roadmap reflects your voice and builds on Utahs rock-solid foundation as the best-managed, most philanthropic, happiest, and freest state in the nation, said House Majority Caucus. Guided by time-test conservative principals, the Utah House Majority is committed to passing a common-sense agenda that serves both this generation and the next. House Republicans said they would also focus on battling federal overreach and strengthening the states election processes. Our city is fed up: Salt Lake City mayor releases safety plan right before state deadline Utahs House Democrats said they would also be prioritizing education and good governance, adding health and wellbeing, and sustainability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minority caucuses announced they would be dedicated to advancing clean and renewable energy investments and protecting vote-by-mail in Utahs elections. They also intend to pass laws that expand funding for mental health address homelessness with resources and increase the states housing supply. In education, Utahs House Democrats said they stand firmly against diverting resources from public schools and higher education, vowing to fight efforts that expand the Utah Fits All voucher program that passed in 2023. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. By David Sherfinski RICHMOND, Virginia (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - As newly inaugurated President Donald Trump readies his immigration crackdown, his allies in his Republican Party have splintered over policies surrounding U.S. worker visas intended to go to specialty occupations like the tech industry. The row over so-called H-1B visas is pitting Silicon Valley-aligned Trump allies like X CEO Elon Musk, who favor the program, against opponents like former White House strategist Steve Bannon, many of whom want curbs on overall immigration levels - legal and illegal - with Trump's return to office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How have H-1Bs ended up in the fray? Here's what to know: What are H-1Bs and how do they differ from other U.S. work visa programs? The H-1B visa program is reserved for people from other countries who are employed in specialty occupations in the United States, frequently in the technology field. They can include software engineers, tech program managers and other IT professionals. People in the United States on H-1Bs can extend beyond an initial six-year time frame - three years plus a three-year extension - if a green card application has been filed. Under the terms of their visas, workers who are laid off face the prospect of having to leave the country within 60 days unless they can find another job or manage to change their immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other work programs include H-2A visas, which are for temporary agricultural workers, and H-2B visas for seasonal non-agricultural workers. Tahmina Watson, an immigration lawyer based in Seattle, Washington, suggested a new category for a "startup" visa for people who want to come to the country to start new companies. "The startup visa is something I have advocated for almost two decades," she said. "I do think our visa system is in desperate need of reform." What are Trump allies saying about H-1Bs? Musk has defended the program and vowed to "go to war" over it after other Trump supporters criticized the president's appointment of Indian-American entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan as a senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence and argued the H-1B program favors foreign-born workers over Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has had Trump's ear since the election and is working on the newly constituted Department of Government Efficiency to cut down on spending and perceived waste. On the other side are people like Bannon, one of the architects of Trump's 2016 campaign, who has dismissed the H-1B program as a "scam." "We're winning this round, and we're winning this round pretty big," Bannon said at a Politico event this month, referring to the H-1B fight. "I think we'll get Elon there. As soon as I can turn Elon Musk from a techno-futilist to a populist nationalist, we'll start making real progress." Watson said an important takeaway from the national debate is to recognize there is a shortage of talent in the STEM - science, technology, engineering and math fields that the country needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Recognize and acknowledge that we do not have enough domestic talent that we need, and address both at the same time by allowing skilled immigrants to come in now but also using that policy to mandate that America starts training the next generation," she said. What are Trump's views? After the initial skirmish, Trump said he favors the program. "I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I've been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It's a great program," he told the New York Post. Ahead of the inauguration, Trump's team did not respond to questions about whether he supports the program or plans to push for changes to H-1Bs or other work visa programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He sought to restrict them during his first term in office from 2017 to 2021. Who could be affected by policy changes? People from India accounted for the vast majority of approved H-1B beneficiaries in 2023, followed by China. Under the current system, those affected by layoffs in the tech sector can find themselves scrambling to maintain their legal status. Meta, for example, which has about 72,000 employees, said recently it planned to cut about 5% of its staff. Watson said people or businesses who depend on H-1Bs might be well-served to tune out the political back-and-forth. "Do not be deterred by the national rhetoric from using the H-1B if your business needs it," she said. "I say to a lot of my clients that your business success is your North Star, so do what you need to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For the employees who might be afraid, I'd say if they are working in alignment with their employers, they should not be afraid." (Reporting by David Sherfinski; Editing by Anastasia Moloney and Ellen Wulfhorst; The Thomson Reuters Foundation is the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters. Visit https://www.context.news/) By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is requiring most federal employees to return to work in person full time, a move that is likely to spark backlash and legal challenges from unions. WHAT DOES TRUMP'S ORDER DO? Trump on Monday directed the heads of all federal agencies to "take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements" and require employees to report to "their respective duty stations" full time. The two-sentence order says the directive "shall be implemented consistent with applicable law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Office of Personnel Management in a memo on Wednesday ordered agencies to update their telework policies by 5 p.m. on Friday and said it intends to fully implement Trump's order within 30 days. CAN TRUMP PROHIBIT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES FROM WORKING REMOTELY? It depends. The president has broad authority over the federal workforce, including the power to tell agencies to stop allowing remote work for employees who are not unionized. That includes supervisors and managers, who cannot join unions, and Trump could move quickly to order them back to the office. But, about 26% of federal employees are unionized and many are covered by bargaining agreements that allow for remote work or hybrid arrangements. The Trump administration will have to wait for those to expire or try to renegotiate the agreements. Bargaining agreements between federal agencies and unions can only be challenged in court if they contain illegal terms or were the product of coercion, bribery or some other wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some cases, federal agencies may also be required to allow employees with disabilities to work remotely. Federal law requires employers to grant "reasonable accommodations" to workers with chronic medical conditions as long as they can still perform their job duties. HOW MANY FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WORK REMOTELY? The Trump White House said on Monday that only 6% of federal employees currently work in person, but government data shows that remote work is more limited. About 46% of federal workers, or 1.1 million people, are eligible for remote work, and about 228,000 of them are fully remote, according to a report issued by the White House Office of Management and Budget in August. The U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs, which have far more employees than other agencies, have the most remote workers, along with the Department of Health and Human Services. For federal employees who are eligible for remote work, about 61% of regular working hours are spent in person, according to OMB. That figure excludes fully remote workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WHY DOES TRUMP OPPOSE REMOTE WORK? Trump's order may also represent an effort to encourage some federal workers to quit, opening up positions that can be filled by political loyalists. Elon Musk, who will lead a commission created by Trump to rein in government spending, said in a Nov. 20 Wall Street Journal opinion piece that federal workers should not be paid for "the COVID-era privilege" of telework. "Requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome," Musk wrote. But, agencies may be leery of engaging in a large number of firings or layoffs, especially when they involve workers who hold important roles or are difficult to replace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's agenda, including potentially repealing thousands of federal regulations, coordinating a large number of deportations and overhauling U.S. health policy, will require fully staffed agencies to execute. Experts said that in many instances, Trump will likely have to choose between culling the federal workforce and carrying out other initiatives. CAN THE PRESIDENT FIRE WORKERS WHO RESIST RETURN TO OFFICE MANDATES? The president and agency heads have broad authority to fire non-union workers for cause, which could include defying a mandate to return to the office. But federal employees must be given written notice that they are being fired at least 30 days in advance, including an explanation of the reason for their termination and an opportunity to respond. And federal workers who lose their jobs can bring a challenge before the Merit Systems Protection Board, an independent three-member panel appointed by the president, seeking to be reinstated. Employees could argue to the board that they were not fired for cause, that agencies did not follow the proper procedures and violated their due process rights or that they were targeted for discriminatory reasons. The board's decisions are binding unless they are set aside by a federal appeals court. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Lisa Shumaker and Cynthia Osterman) By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) - President Donald Trump signed an order within hours of taking office on Monday to make it easier to fire thousands of federal agency employees and replace them with political loyalists. The order, which is largely identical to one Trump issued late in his first term, is already facing a lawsuit by a major union and is likely to trigger more legal challenges. WHAT DOES THE ORDER DO? The vast majority of the more than 2.2 million employees of the federal government are career civil servants who are hired on merit and serve the government as a whole. Civil service positions do not terminate at the end of an administration and civil servants can only be fired for cause. During past presidential administrations a few thousand federal jobs have been considered political appointments. Trump's order creates a new much larger category of federal employees called "Schedule Policy/Career" who do not have the typical protections enjoyed by civil servants and can be fired at will. It applies to jobs "of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character." Trump has for years criticized the federal bureaucracy, which he calls the "deep state," claiming civil servants are unaccountable because they are insulated from losing their jobs. The new order will give Trump the power to fire as many as 50,000 of those workers and replace them with political loyalists. HOW CAN THE PRESIDENT EXEMPT WORKERS FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE? Congress gave the president the power to exempt positions from the civil service when "necessary" and "as conditions of good administration warrant." Trump in his order said creating Schedule Policy/Career was necessary to give agencies more flexibility and discretion in hiring. He said the order was a response to "numerous and well-documented cases of career federal employees resisting and undermining the policies and directives of their executive leadership." WHAT HAPPENED TO TRUMP'S FIRST ATTEMPT TO RECLASSIFY FEDERAL WORKERS? Trump first carved out the exemption in a 2020 executive order during his first administration, at the time calling it Schedule F. But Democratic former President Joe Biden rescinded the order in 2021, before any workers were reclassified. Trump's order had faced an immediate legal challenge from the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents 150,000 employees at 37 federal agencies. The case was rendered moot when Biden withdrew the order. The NTEU sued again late Monday, claiming that the new order improperly strips federal workers of their due process rights and that Trump had failed to explain why the new order was necessary, as required by federal law. By Tom Hals WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) - President Donald Trump launched his sweeping immigration crackdown on Monday which included an order reinterpreting birthright citizenship, a principle that has been recognized in the United States for more than 150 years. Below is a look at U.S. birthright citizenship and Trump's legal authority to restrict it. WHAT IS BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP? Anyone born in the U.S. is considered a citizen at birth, which derives from the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment that was added to the Constitution in 1868. The amendment states: All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 also defines citizens and includes similar language. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were an estimated 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally in January 2022, according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimate, a figure that some analysts now place at 13 million to 14 million. Their U.S.-born children are considered by the government to have U.S. citizenship. Trump has complained about foreign women visiting the United States for the purpose of giving birth and conferring U.S. citizenship on their offspring. ARE THERE EXCEPTIONS? Yes. People born in the United States to a foreign diplomatic officer with diplomatic immunity are not U.S. citizens because they are not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. WHAT DOES TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER SAY? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's order declared that individuals born in the United States are not entitled to automatic citizenship if the mother who was in the country unlawfully and the father was not a citizen or lawful permanent resident. It also declared citizenship would be denied to those whose mother was in the United States lawfully but temporarily, such as those on student or tourist visas, and whose father was not a citizen or lawful permanent resident. WHAT HAS THE SUPREME COURT SAID? The Supreme Court has not addressed whether the Citizenship Clause applies to U.S.-born children of people who are in the United States illegally. The main birthright citizenship case is from 1898, when the Supreme Court ruled that the son of lawful immigrants from China was a U.S. citizen by virtue of his birth in 1873 in San Francisco. The man, Wong Kim Ark, had been denied re-entry to the United States after a visit to China at a time when immigration from China was severely restricted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court also ruled in 1884 in a dispute over voter registration that U.S.-born John Elk was not a citizen because he was born as a member of a Native American tribe and therefore not subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Congress extended U.S. citizenship to Native Americans in 1924. WHAT IS THE VIEW OF OPPONENTS OF BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP? Some scholars argue that if lawmakers wanted all people born in the country to be citizens, they would not have added the clause to the 14th Amendment specifying that citizens "be subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States. They argue that this language excludes people who entered the country illegally and by implications, their U.S.-born children. Trump's executive order said those who were being denied citizenship were not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States due to the status of their parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most scholars are dismissive of that interpretation of the jurisdiction language. Unlike diplomats, people in the country illegally do not have legal immunity and are subject to the U.S. laws. WHAT DO THE LEGAL CHALLENGES SAY? Eighteen Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump Administration on Tuesday and asked the federal court in Massachusetts to block Trump's order. The states said Trump's order violated the Constitution's 14th Amendment, usurped the legislative power of Congress and violated immigration and administrative law. Immigration advocacy groups also sued to block the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If courts decided the Constitution protected birthright citizenship, then only an amendment could change that. A Constitutional amendment would require two-thirds of both houses and approval by three-quarters of state legislatures, a process that would likely take years. The Constitution has not been amended since 1992. (Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Editing by Marguerita Choy) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Widespread single-digit air temperatures have occurred Wednesday morning, with many areas seeing below zero feels like temperatures as well. FORECAST: Middle Tennessee & Southern Kentucky Weather Some areas this morning had low temperatures at and below zero. Here are a few spots that recorded the lowest temperatures. Want the forecast delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for the News 2 Forecast Newsletter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Temperatures will be milder by Thursday afternoon. Friday will feature more clouds and a few flurries are possible. Temperatures climb to the 40s and perhaps lower 50s by Saturday. Precipitation returns Sunday. Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Two dozen law professors from across the U.S. and Canada have written in support of a case seeking the release to sanctuary of five elephants Claim: Following the 2025 inauguration of President Donald Trump, Facebook parent company Meta forced users to follow Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Rating: Rating: False Context: Users surprised to notice Trump and Vance in their feeds already were following the official presidential and vice-presidential Facebook accounts, which were transferred from the outgoing administration to the incoming administration. Meta has not released any technical details of their account transition process, but there is no evidence that the company handled the 2025 Biden-Trump transition any differently than it did the 2021 Trump-Biden one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 20, 2025, a rumor began to circulate online that Meta, the parent company of social media platform Facebook, had forced users to follow the Facebook pages of Donald Trump and JD Vance following the pair's inauguration as president and vice president, respectively. Examples of the rumor appeared on Facebook (archived), as well as on other social media platforms including Reddit (archived) and Threads (archived). Multiple readers also wrote in and searched the Snopes website for information about the claim. (Reddit) In short, Meta did not forcibly add Trump or Vance to Facebook users' follow lists. Rather, these users had already followed the official presidential and vice-presidential Facebook accounts. These accounts use the handles @POTUS (short for "president of the United States") and @VicePresident, as the screenshots below show. Trump and Vance took control of the accounts on Jan. 20 as part of the presidential transition process. (@POTUS on Facebook) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (@VicePresident on Facebook) During the administration of former President Joe Biden, he and his vice president, Kamala Harris, had control of the same two accounts, as archived versions of those pages show. However, the accounts belonged to Biden and Harris only as long as they held the offices of president and vice president. In other words, when their terms ended, so did their control of those accounts. Trump and Vance both maintained separate Facebook pages before the Jan. 20 inauguration. The handle of Trump's account was @DonaldTrump; Vance's account was @JD-Vance. Both of those accounts were still active at the time of this writing. The @POTUS and @VicePresident Facebook accounts were not the only social media accounts that changed hands after Trump's inauguration. For example, the outgoing Biden administration also handed over control of the official presidential and vice-presidential accounts on X, which used the handles @POTUS for the president's account and @VP for the vice president's account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Reuters reported in 2020, handing over control of official social media accounts has become a standard part of the transition between presidential administrations. According to a Threads post (archived) from Katie Harbath, who worked as Facebook's public policy director from 2011 to 2021, Facebook appeared to have followed the same procedure for transitioning official accounts to new officeholders that she and her team developed in 2016. (@katieharbath on Threads) In an email, Harbath said that according to that procedure, "The followers are also copied over to the new account under the assumption that people were following the institution regardless of who is in power." Creation Dates Since the original publication of this story, numerous readers have written in to ask why the @POTUS and @VicePresident accounts on Facebook each show a creation date of Jan. 12 on the "Page transparency" line of their About sections, as can be seen in the below collage of screenshots" (Left: @POTUS on Facebook/Right: @VicePresident on Facebook) Meta has not issued any official explanation of the technical side of the account transition process (we'll update this post if they do). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harbath explained over email that, as part of the procedure her team developed, incoming administrations begin to create their pages without the official handles attached in the days or weeks before they take office, while the previous administration is still in control of the official handles. In the case of U.S. presidents-elect, that means they begin to build their official pages at a point of their choosing before Inauguration Day Jan. 20. "That gives the incoming administration time to set up the page," according to Harbath. At noon on Inauguration Day, Harbath said, Facebook removes the official handles @POTUS and @VicePresident from the outgoing administration's pages. Those pages are then renamed to signal that they are an archive of that administration's Facebook activity. Facebook then adds the @POTUS and @VicePresident handles to the pages the incoming administration prepared. Under the Biden administration, the @POTUS and @VicePresident accounts likewise showed creation dates of around a week before that administration's Jan. 20, 2021, inauguration. As can be seen in the below collage of screen grabs from versions of the administration's Facebook pages as archived in early 2021, during Biden's presidency the page transparency section of the @POTUS account said that page was created Jan. 11, 2021. While it was under Harris' control, the same section of the @VicePresident account said it was created Jan. 16, 2021. (Left: Archived version of @POTUS account About section as it appeared in 2021/Right: Archived version of @VicePresident About section as it appeared in 2021) In other words, the existence of recent creation dates on transitioned accounts was not a new development in 2025. Unfollowing and Blocking A number of readers also wrote in to ask about claims that Meta was not allowing Facebook users to unfollow or block the @POTUS and @VicePresident accounts. The same claim also appeared online in posts on social media sites including Facebook (archived) and Threads (archived). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports of technical bugs preventing Facebook users from unfollowing and/or blocking users or pages have circulated online for years. It's possible that users who continued to see posts from the @POTUS and @VicePresident accounts were experiencing this bug. Although Harbath no longer works at Facebook, she acknowledged the possibility that the unfollow/block bug was behind claims of users being unable to follow the pages. Another possibility, she speculated, was that the @POTUS and @VicePresident posts showing up in the feeds of users who had unfollowed the pages were actually suggested posts from Facebook's algorithm, which automatically shows users posts based on past activity (such as visiting a page), regardless of whether the user is following the account that made the post. As Facebook notes in its Help Center, "Content suggested for you is personalized based on what may be relevant to you and are influenced by things such as your previous Facebook activity. Content that is suggested for you can be videos, photos, or articles from Pages and groups that you don't already follow." Meta communications director Andy Stone mentioned the claims in a Jan. 22 Threads post (archived), which read in part: "It may take some time for follow and unfollow requests to go through as these accounts change hands." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (@andymstone on Threads) In summary, Meta did not force users to follow Trump or Vance. Instead, users who were surprised to see the two politicians' posts pop up in their feed already were following the official presidential and vice-presidential Facebook accounts, which have the handles @POTUS and @VicePresident. We've asked Meta about reports that some users had difficulty unfollowing or blocking the accounts, and will update this story when we have further information. Sources: Bhalla, Aakriti. "Twitter, Facebook to Hand over @POTUS Account to Biden on Jan. 20." Reuters, 21 Nov. 2020. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/article/world/twitter-facebook-to-hand-over-potus-account-to-biden-on-jan-20-idUSKBN2810LD/. Updates: Jan. 22, 2025: This article was updated to address reader questions about the @POTUS and @VicePresident Facebook accounts' creation dates, as well as reports that users were unable to follow or block the accounts. Jan. 22, 2025: This story was updated to note a Threads post from Meta's communications director addressing claims that users were unable to unfollow or block the Trump administration's Facebook accounts. Claim: Thieves operating in public places are using drug-filled perfume bottles to render their victims unconscious. Rating: Rating: False A long-standing internet urban legend claiming strangers are approaching women in parking lots and offering samples of discounted perfume as a pretext for drugging and robbing them continues to be shared widely across social media. Snopes first debunked this in June 2000, followed by the debunking of a related claim in June 2001 about women supposedly dying from smelling drugged perfume samples sent through the mail, which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control also disproved at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this, the claim continues to be popular particularly on Facebook (archived) and readers continue to reach out to learn if there's any validity to these claims. Message from a friend: THE PERFUME SHOCK IS BACK. This is the story of a real case that happened last week and that a friend is sharing. A friend was put to sleep in the bathroom of a movie theater and everything was stolen from her and she doesn't remember anything, only that a woman gave her a perfume to smell. I was also approached yesterday afternoon around 3:30 pm in the parking lot of the mall by two men who asked what kind of perfume I was wearing. Then they asked me if I would like to smell a sensational type of perfume that they were selling at a sale price. I probably would have accepted if I hadn't received this notice about THE PERFUME SHOCK. The men remained between the parked cars, I imagine waiting for someone else to show up. I stopped a lady who was walking towards them and warned her. I had been warned that in shopping malls or parking lots there are people who approach you to offer you to SMELL THE PERFUME they are selling but it is NOT actually perfume, IT IS AXTER. When you smell it you faint and they take advantage of the opportunity to steal everything of value you carry. PLEASE: copy this message and send it to your friends as they are operating everywhere. PLEASE don't be tempted to smell perfumes being peddled by strangers or by sales representatives since the "perfume" may be laced with AXTER or sleeping agent! oh, watch out, this is not a joke! one never knows" Snopes received multiple emails about this claim in January 2025 alone and nearly 1,300 emails since 2015. One email mentioned "people being approached in Canadian theater bathrooms, malls, parking lots, etc. and asked if they want to smell perfume but it's Axter. People wake up robbed." Another reader wrote, "Facebook is circulating a story about women being asked to sniff perfume that is actually Axter and they pass out and are then robbed." Somebody else sent us a note that said, "The story is going around Facebook about people stopping women to let them sniff perfume samples which knock them out so they can be robbed and raped. The stuff that they're supposedly sniffing is AXETER. The sounds like a new take on an old urban legend." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, this claim mirrors the one Snopes debunked in 2000, except the drug of choice has changed from "ether" to "Axter." Even small details like the alleged perpetrators "waiting between parked cars" for another victim are similar to the original rumor that began circulating as far back as 1999, according to Snopes' previous reporting. Snopes' research suggests "Axter" might be intended to refer to a brand name for hydroxyzine, an antihistamine the Mayo Clinic describes as a doctor-prescribed drug "used to help control anxiety and tension caused by nervous and emotional conditions. It can also be used to help control anxiety and produce sleep before surgery." However, in our research we found only one pharmacy, Frank Ross Pharmacy in India, carries a drug called Axter, which the pharmacy lists as containing hydroxyzine. However, Atarax is a more widely recognized brand name for the drug that is easy to find information about across the web. We've reached out to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clarification on whether Axter is a legitimate brand of hydroxyzine, as well as for information about the possibilities that a person could even be subdued using hydroxyzine through the methodology described in the claim. We will update this article when we receive a response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Library of Medicine lists one hazard of hydroxyzine as, "May cause drowsiness or dizziness [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Narcotic effects]." Whether or not drugging-via-hydroxyzine is technically possible, this claim is still false, simply an evolution of the same urban legend that's been circulating nearly as long as the internet has been mainstream. This claim is what's known as a copypasta, an internet phenomenon Snopes previously described as: A portmanteau of "copy" and "paste" (and a wink), copypasta is copied-and-pasted text shared online. Often its content pleads with readers to pass along some warning or advice to help others, or an offer of free cash or merchandise from some big company, when in fact it's just a bit of fiction meant to trick or embarrass the person who shares it. Some examples of shockingly effective copypasta fact-checked by Snopes years ago still pop up in our inbox almost every day. Most instances of this particular copypasta insist these are secondhand stories heard from a friend or someone they know. No reputable news outlets have reported on this claim. Further, we could not find any legitimate evidence or reports that these sorts of attacks have taken place, and certainly not at the frequency with which the claim would have you believe. An undated memo from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Police Department hosted on the UCSD website addresses this same claim. Though the page is undated, Snopes found archives of this page hosted on the Internet Archive dating back to Jan. 26, 2003. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UCSD memo reads: A number of people on campus have reported receiving an email regarding males asking females to sniff a bottle of perfume. The email claims that the perfume is really ether and anyone who sniffs it will pass out. This is an urban legend which began in late 1999 from an incident reported to the Mobile Police Department. Emails regarding this incident and several variations have been widely circulated. The details in the emails has changed over time. The emails showing up today contain the basics of the original but instead of cologne the knock out product is now perfume. Instead of an unknown, undetectable substance, the agent is identified as being ether. Most interesting of all, the moral of the story is no longer simply "beware of parking lot scammers." It has become "if not for these email warnings, I might have been a victim too." Snopes' previous reporting contributed to this article. Sources: CDC Health-Related Hoaxes & Rumors. https://webharvest.gov/peth04/20041119232407/http://www.cdc.gov/hoax_rumors.htm. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025. Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=011459. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025. ---. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=010392. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025. Frank Ross Health. https://frankrosspharmacy.com/Axter%2025%20mg%20Tablet%2010'S?varientId=35153. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Hydroxyzine (Oral Route)." Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/hydroxyzine-oral-route/description/drg-20311434. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025. Knockout Perfume Scam. https://www.police.ucsd.edu/docs/perfumescam.htm. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025. Mikkelson, Barbara. "Have Women Been Killed by Poisoned Perfume Samples?" Snopes, 3 Nov. 2001, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/poison-perfume-samples/. Mikkelson, David. "Are Robbers Subduing Victims with Perfume Samples?" Snopes, 12 June 2000, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/perfume-robbers/. PubChem. Hydroxyzine. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/3658. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025. "Viral Warning about Women Dying from Inhaling Poisonous Perfume Is False." 13newsnow.Com, 6 Oct. 2023, https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/verify/social-media/viral-warning-about-women-dying-from-inhaling-poisonous-perfume-is-false/536-84a2a494-730a-4fad-b2ba-43c8398a5b62. LONDON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is pulling the U.S. out of the World Health Organization, raising concerns about the U.N. agency's ability to fight diseases and respond to emergencies around the globe without its biggest funder. Here are facts about U.S. financing for global health and potential implications of Trump's move, which could be followed by further cuts to international contributions. BIGGEST DONOR Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. contributes about 18% of funding for the WHO, which is struggling to raise cash for health emergencies from Gaza to Ukraine. The agency's two-year budget for 2024-2025 was $6.8 billion. In that period, the U.S. financed 75% of WHOs programme for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and over half of contributions to combat tuberculosis, the agency's data showed. The U.S. is the world's top global health donor by far, giving $15.8 billion in 2022, according to Donor Tracker, a platform tracking development funding. PANDEMIC TREATY Trump is also sceptical about WHO-led negotiations for a post-COVID pandemic agreement aimed at improving global solidarity when the next health threat strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Billionaire Trump ally Elon Musk has said nations should not "cede authority" to the WHO. The U.S. will cease negotiations on the treaty while its withdrawal proceeds. GENEVA PERSONNEL Trump's order also said that U.S. staff and contractors working with the WHO would be recalled and reassigned. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has worked closely with the WHO, seconding about 30 staff to Geneva and collaborating on research and outbreaks. There are also a number of WHO Collaborating Centres in America. DISEASE SURVEILLANCE The U.S., like other WHO member states, is part of a global influenza surveillance network supervised by the WHO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among other things, the group advises on the composition of the annual seasonal flu vaccine. Beyond its work with the WHO, the U.S. also funds many other global health programmes. AIDS The U.S. is a major funder in the fight against HIV. Much of that comes from PEPFAR, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). It was only reauthorised by Congress for one year last year after conservative claims that some grant recipients promote abortion. That authorisation expires in March. ABORTION In his last term, Trump reinstated the so-called Mexico City Policy, requiring foreign charities receiving U.S. family planning funds to certify they do not provide abortions or give abortion advice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He extended the policy, known by critics as the global gag rule, by cracking down on charities that fund other groups that support abortion. Trump also cut funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which works on reproductive health. VACCINES With vaccine-sceptic Robert F. Kennedy Junior nominated as secretary of state for health, the Trump administration's approach to vaccinations both domestically and internationally is unclear. However, during Trump's last administration, contributions to the global vaccine group Gavi stayed roughly the same as under his Democratic predecessor and successor at the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funding also stayed at a similar level for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, another major global health player. RESEARCH AND RESPONSE Health agencies in the United States respond to emergencies and outbreaks worldwide, and also set norms and standards for medicines and safety through the Food and Drugs Administration and the CDC. The National Institutes of Health is one the world's leading research centres and funds global health work around the world, from efforts to fight mpox to Ebola. The global role of the U.S. in these areas under Trump is not yet clear, and will likely be led to an extent by events and priorities. For example, Trump set up Operation Warp Speed, to work on COVID-19 vaccines, during the pandemic. (Reporting by Jennifer Rigby in London and Emma Farge in Geneva; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Police in Fairfax County said an elderly man was found safe after he disappeared for several hours on Tuesday. In a post on the X platform just after 1 p.m., the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) said 82-year-old John Hampton was last seen on Jan. 21 around 9:30 a.m. in the 6800 block of Brindle Heath Way. Warming shelters open across DMV as bitter cold moves through Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FCPD described him as 5 feet 9 inches tall, with brown hair and eyes, and weighing around 140 lbs. According to the police department, he was last seen driving a Toyota Highlander. Investigators considered Hampton missing and endangered due to mental and or physical health concerns. In an update just before 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 21, Fairfax County police announced Hampton was found and was safe. Copyright 2025 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Hundreds gather at the Lied Center in Lawrence for the 2024 Justice Matters assembly. (Cuyler Dunn for Kansas Reflector) Good Faith Network is only about three years old. But the group of Johnson County religious leaders is already five years ahead of schedule. When members started pushing the Johnson County Board of Commissioners to create a crisis stabilization center before 2025, the county said it was unlikely anything would get done before 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Good Faith Network kept pushing, and the center is now slated to open soon. Thats a big victory for us, said Ali Haynes, a co-president of Good Faith Network and pastor at Indian Heights United Methodist Church. The network really helped to get that conversation going, and really pushed it and said this needs to happen. Each year across Kansas, elected officials stand on stages and pledge to implement wide-ranging policy proposals in front of thousands of religious congregants, organized as part of the DART network. DART, which stands for Direct Action and Research Training Center, has planted 31 advocacy groups across 10 states. It focuses mostly on laying the groundwork for local groups, which can choose the topics most suited to their communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are five DART organizations in Kansas: Johnson County; Lawrence; Topeka; Kansas City, Kansas; and Sedgwick County. Members come from a range of faiths and denominations. The groups have been a quiet force across the state, setting wide-ranging goals and often achieving them. The results include expansive housing projects, education initiatives, public transit upgrades and more. We are bringing proven solutions to public officials, said Emily Fetsch, lead organizer for Justice Matters in Lawrence. And the reason why were bringing it to public officials is because they are the ones who can implement things and get things funded. Tim Suttle speaks to a table of Good Faith Network leaders at a training event. Leaders said DART network groups make it a priority to get together and talk about the issues that really matter to their communities. (McKenna Parker) Advocacy to action Tim Suttle, a pastor at Redemption Church in Overland Park, helped start Johnson Countys DART group. One of its first challenges was finding the right name. The Johnson County Interfaith Justice Organization didnt roll off the tongue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group kept returning to one suggestion: Good Faith Network. It has a lot of meaning, Suttle said. Working in good faith with one another, but also good faith the best of our faith looks like this, looks like justice. DART network groups operate on a yearly cycle, starting with small meetings in which leaders listen to the concerns of congregants. Then, they form research committees that spend months diving deep into issues and connecting with experts. Our Sundays or Saturday nights look very different from each other, but its still grounded in the same value system, said Eileen Stulak, associate minister of operations at Unity Church of Overland Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, Good Faith Network has moved much of its advocacy to the same subject as many other DART groups in Kansas: homelessness and affordable housing. Homelessness has recently risen across Kansas. In Johnson County, city officials set a target of reaching functional zero homelessness by 2029. That means that cities provide services to prevent homelessness and ensure it is rare, brief and one-time in the community. Were the richest county in the state, Haynes said. And so theres absolutely no reason why anybody should go with nothing. Lawrence has spent the last few years debating how to best help a growing homeless population. Justice Matters, the DART network group in Lawrence, has been at the center of the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its initial interest was in providing a warm place for people experiencing homelessness during the winter, spurring funding for a shelter. But members knew their work needed to be broader. Justice Matters pressed city and county leaders to pledge to reach functional zero homelessness by 2028. We didnt want to just manage homelessness, said Ann Spangler, co-president of Justice Matters. We wanted to end it. After DART groups finish their research, the cycle culminates with an assembly, where members present their findings and call on those in power to make changes. This years annual gathering in Johnson County drew more than 1,500 people. Justice Together, a DART network group in Wichita, got its start two and a half years ago with a meeting of 20 congregation leaders. In May, the group held its first assembly with about 1,400 people. Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone, a Justice Together co-president, said growth has been rapid and produced real results, citing Kansas jump in rankings of mental health care access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Justice Together grows in Wichita, Pepperstone hopes to see an even bigger multi-faith coalition. DART network groups can avoid debate on more controversial issues by focusing on areas of consensus. Faith communities can broadly get behind these issues, he said. Were giving each other a lot of grace and understanding. Pepperstone said DART groups make clear to elected officials what they are researching and preparing to advocate for, trying to avoid surprises at the annual assembly. Were not coming to them protesting the problem, he said. Were coming to them with research and effective solutions. Its never going to devolve into booing or jeering. Its good. Its going to be professional and persistent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Kelly has witnessed this persistence first hand, serving as chair of the Johnson County Board of Commissioners since 2023. During his term, hes met with leaders of Good Faith Network a dozen times. He said the goals of the commission and Good Faith Network often overlapped during his term, and he appreciated its support and policy solutions as the county works to serve vulnerable populations. Kelly, who is a litigator for his day job, said he doesnt mind the direct approach but knows it has rubbed some commissioners the wrong way. He encouraged Good Faith Network to focus on the aligned goals of the two groups and continue supporting the countys work. These problems are not easy ones to solve, Kelly said. I think that recognition of the work and the passion on both sides of the issue is important when we come together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Topeka JUMP was the first DART network group in Kansas, starting 12 years ago. Co-chair Melodene Byrd said justice work has roots in her family. She is the youngest of 12 children and watched her dad fight for justice in the 1950s and 1960s. Because Topeka JUMP has been around the longest, it has tackled the most campaigns. The group has pursued multiple mental health efforts, erected housing for those battling addiction, expanded access to public transportation and provided thousands of students with mental health care access. Knowing that the work that I do is not in vain, Byrd said. Its helping others to have a better life because I believe in common unity for all in the community. Ann Spangler speaks at the 2024 Justice Matters assembly at the Lied Center in Lawrence. Justice Matters has pushed Douglas County to adopt policies aiming for functional zero homelessness. (Cuyler Dunn for Kansas Reflector) Building bridges, not divides As Suttle and other early leaders of Good Faith Network picked their name, they werent just focusing on what the group would do, but what it would stand against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite most Americans strongly favoring the separation of church and state, data from the Public Religion Research Institute says that about one-third of the country supports Christian nationalism, including about 40% of people in Kansas. Christian nationalism, the belief that the United States is inherently intertwined with the Christian religion, has become the topic of news coverage, books and documentaries tracking the rise of political movements and networks leveraging Christianity for political gain. Suttle said while Good Faith Networks focus is local issues, it offers an alternative vision of how religious groups can interact with politics. Bad faith is really, really distracting, Suttle said. I mean, look around. Bad faith is wreaking havoc on our world. And we dont want to leave the world to bad-faith actors. A documentary about really boring committee work, you know, this is never going to happen. But its happening. This is not flashy. The Mainstream Coalition is a nonpartisan political organization founded in the 1990s aiming to protect against growing extremism and uphold the separation of church and state. Laurel Burchfield, advocacy director at Mainstream Coalition, said she has seen the work of Good Faith Network in defining a view of Christianity opposed to Christian nationalism. They are people deeply in the faith community who are looking inward at the way that organized religion has and can impact our communities, she said. And theyre using that power for good to oppose the way that religion can be twisted to attack people. Both the Mainstream Coalition and the DART network are faith-based organizations encompassing multiple belief systems. Burchfield said this allows the groups to bring many perspectives to important conversations. The combination of faith and justice has shaped some of the countrys most important history. But history also highlights a tension that still exists today: Justice means different things to different people. Jesus was political, Spangler, a Justice Matters co-president, said. I think he bucked the system and held people accountable. And it made people uncomfortable. Thats the Jesus I follow, and so, therefore, were not partisan, but we are political. Christopher Koliba, a professor at the University of Kansas, has researched civil society, divisions of church and state and political accountability. He said the history of religious groups and justice movements in the United States has deep roots, reaching back to the countrys founders setting clear separation between church and state. Religious groups in the 19th Century both justified slavery and were integral to the abolition movement. More recently, religious groups have taken vastly different stands on issues such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. Koliba said he thinks climate change could be an issue that drives this tension in the future. Koliba said Christian nationalism has added a new element to the integration of politics and religion by directly promoting candidates, which many religious groups have long avoided. DART network groups do not endorse candidates. Its a wrangling within the New Testament interpretations of what Jesuss intent was in his preachings, Koliba said. So really, at the heart of this is a deeper understanding and kind of the soul of Christianity. Suttle said when he looks around at a polarized political landscape, hes comforted by the hope he feels with Good Faith Network. After spending the last few years hosting its annual assembly in Church of the Resurrections 3,500-seat sanctuary, leaders say they want to see Good Faith Network outgrow the space. Its strength, after all, comes in numbers. This is slow work and you cant always see the progress, Suttle said. So you need a network of people locking arms going, Dont give up. Were walking. Were going this direction. Lets keep making slow progress. Hundreds gather at the Lied Center in Lawrence for the 2024 Justice Matters assembly. (Photo provided by Cuyler Dunn) Good Faith Network is only about three years old. But the group of Johnson County religious leaders is already five years ahead of schedule. When members started pushing the Johnson County Board of Commissioners to create a crisis stabilization center before 2025, the county said it was unlikely anything would get done before 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Good Faith Network kept pushing, and the center is now slated to open soon. Thats a big victory for us, said Ali Haynes, a co-president of Good Faith Network and pastor at Indian Heights United Methodist Church. The network really helped to get that conversation going, and really pushed it and said this needs to happen. Each year across Kansas, elected officials stand on stages and pledge to implement wide-ranging policy proposals in front of thousands of religious congregants, organized as part of the DART network. DART, which stands for Direct Action and Research Training Center, has planted 31 advocacy groups across 10 states. It focuses mostly on laying the groundwork for local groups, which can choose the topics most suited to their communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are five DART organizations in Kansas: Johnson County; Lawrence; Topeka; Kansas City, Kansas; and Sedgwick County. Members come from a range of faiths and denominations. The groups have been a quiet force across the state, setting wide-ranging goals and often achieving them. The results include expansive housing projects, education initiatives, public transit upgrades and more. We are bringing proven solutions to public officials, said Emily Fetsch, lead organizer for Justice Matters in Lawrence. And the reason why were bringing it to public officials is because they are the ones who can implement things and get things funded. Tim Suttle speaks to a table of Good Faith Network leaders at a training event. Leaders said DART network groups make it a priority to get together and talk about the issues that really matter to their communities. (Photo by provided by McKenna Parker) Advocacy to action Tim Suttle, a pastor at Redemption Church in Overland Park, helped start Johnson Countys DART group. One of its first challenges was finding the right name. The Johnson County Interfaith Justice Organization didnt roll off the tongue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group kept returning to one suggestion: Good Faith Network. It has a lot of meaning, Suttle said. Working in good faith with one another, but also good faith the best of our faith looks like this, looks like justice. DART network groups operate on a yearly cycle, starting with small meetings in which leaders listen to the concerns of congregants. Then, they form research committees that spend months diving deep into issues and connecting with experts. Our Sundays or Saturday nights look very different from each other, but its still grounded in the same value system, said Eileen Stulak, associate minister of operations at Unity Church of Overland Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, Good Faith Network has moved much of its advocacy to the same subject as many other DART groups in Kansas: homelessness and affordable housing. Homelessness has recently risen across Kansas. In Johnson County, city officials set a target of reaching functional zero homelessness by 2029. That means that cities provide services to prevent homelessness and ensure it is rare, brief and one-time in the community. Were the richest county in the state, Haynes said. And so theres absolutely no reason why anybody should go with nothing. Lawrence has spent the last few years debating how to best help a growing homeless population. Justice Matters, the DART network group in Lawrence, has been at the center of the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its initial interest was in providing a warm place for people experiencing homelessness during the winter, spurring funding for a shelter. But members knew their work needed to be broader. Justice Matters pressed city and county leaders to pledge to reach functional zero homelessness by 2028. We didnt want to just manage homelessness, said Ann Spangler, co-president of Justice Matters. We wanted to end it. After DART groups finish their research, the cycle culminates with an assembly, where members present their findings and call on those in power to make changes. This years annual gathering in Johnson County drew more than 1,500 people. Justice Together, a DART network group in Wichita, got its start two and a half years ago with a meeting of 20 congregation leaders. In May, the group held its first assembly with about 1,400 people. Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone, a Justice Together co-president, said growth has been rapid and produced real results, citing Kansas jump in rankings of mental health care access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Justice Together grows in Wichita, Pepperstone hopes to see an even bigger multi-faith coalition. DART network groups can avoid debate on more controversial issues by focusing on areas of consensus. Faith communities can broadly get behind these issues, he said. Were giving each other a lot of grace and understanding. Pepperstone said DART groups make clear to elected officials what they are researching and preparing to advocate for, trying to avoid surprises at the annual assembly. Were not coming to them protesting the problem, he said. Were coming to them with research and effective solutions. Its never going to devolve into booing or jeering. Its good. Its going to be professional and persistent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Kelly has witnessed this persistence first hand, serving as chair of the Johnson County Board of Commissioners since 2023. During his term, hes met with leaders of Good Faith Network a dozen times. He said the goals of the commission and Good Faith Network often overlapped during his term, and he appreciated its support and policy solutions as the county works to serve vulnerable populations. Kelly, who is a litigator for his day job, said he doesnt mind the direct approach but knows it has rubbed some commissioners the wrong way. He encouraged Good Faith Network to focus on the aligned goals of the two groups and continue supporting the countys work. These problems are not easy ones to solve, Kelly said. I think that recognition of the work and the passion on both sides of the issue is important when we come together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Topeka JUMP was the first DART network group in Kansas, starting 12 years ago. Co-chair Melodene Byrd said justice work has roots in her family. She is the youngest of 12 children and watched her dad fight for justice in the 1950s and 1960s. Because Topeka JUMP has been around the longest, it has tackled the most campaigns. The group has pursued multiple mental health efforts, erected housing for those battling addiction, expanded access to public transportation and provided thousands of students with mental health care access. Knowing that the work that I do is not in vain, Byrd said. Its helping others to have a better life because I believe in common unity for all in the community. Building bridges, not divides As Suttle and other early leaders of Good Faith Network picked their name, they werent just focusing on what the group would do, but what it would stand against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite most Americans strongly favoring the separation of church and state, data from the Public Religion Research Institute says that about one-third of the country supports Christian nationalism, including about 40% of people in Kansas. Christian nationalism, the belief that the United States is inherently intertwined with the Christian religion, has become the topic of news coverage, books and documentaries tracking the rise of political movements and networks leveraging Christianity for political gain. Suttle said while Good Faith Networks focus is local issues, it offers an alternative vision of how religious groups can interact with politics. Bad faith is really, really distracting, Suttle said. I mean, look around. Bad faith is wreaking havoc on our world. And we dont want to leave the world to bad-faith actors. A documentary about really boring committee work, you know, this is never going to happen. But its happening. This is not flashy. The Mainstream Coalition is a nonpartisan political organization founded in the 1990s aiming to protect against growing extremism and uphold the separation of church and state. Laurel Burchfield, advocacy director at Mainstream Coalition, said she has seen the work of Good Faith Network in defining a view of Christianity opposed to Christian nationalism. They are people deeply in the faith community who are looking inward at the way that organized religion has and can impact our communities, she said. And theyre using that power for good to oppose the way that religion can be twisted to attack people. Both the Mainstream Coalition and the DART network are faith-based organizations encompassing multiple belief systems. Burchfield said this allows the groups to bring many perspectives to important conversations. The combination of faith and justice has shaped some of the countrys most important history. But history also highlights a tension that still exists today: Justice means different things to different people. Jesus was political, Spangler, a Justice Matters co-president, said. I think he bucked the system and held people accountable. And it made people uncomfortable. Thats the Jesus I follow, and so, therefore, were not partisan, but we are political. Christopher Koliba, a professor at the University of Kansas, has researched civil society, divisions of church and state and political accountability. He said the history of religious groups and justice movements in the United States has deep roots, reaching back to the countrys founders setting clear separation between church and state. Religious groups in the 19th Century both justified slavery and were integral to the abolition movement. More recently, religious groups have taken vastly different stands on issues such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. Koliba said he thinks climate change could be an issue that drives this tension in the future. Koliba said Christian nationalism has added a new element to the integration of politics and religion by directly promoting candidates, which many religious groups have long avoided. DART network groups do not endorse candidates. Its a wrangling within the New Testament interpretations of what Jesuss intent was in his preachings, Koliba said. So really, at the heart of this is a deeper understanding and kind of the soul of Christianity. Suttle said when he looks around at a polarized political landscape, hes comforted by the hope he feels with Good Faith Network. After spending the last few years hosting its annual assembly in Church of the Resurrections 3,500-seat sanctuary, leaders say they want to see Good Faith Network outgrow the space. Its strength, after all, comes in numbers. This is slow work and you cant always see the progress, Suttle said. So you need a network of people locking arms going, Dont give up. Were walking. Were going this direction. Lets keep making slow progress. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE One day after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas officially began, some of the families of Israeli hostages, and at least one former hostage, joined Donald Trump on stage at his inauguration event moments later, he discussed the January 6 hostages. Steve Witkoff, Trumps Middle East envoy, announced that some family members and released hostages were in attendance at the Capitol One Arena event hours after Trump was sworn in. As crowds in the arena applauded, the hostages family members stood in a line wearing yellow scarves and holding photos of their family members kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023. A terrified Noa Argamani was seen being kidnapped on the back of a motorcycle in heartbreaking footage on October 7, 2023 (Telegram) Noa Argamani, who was 25 when she was taken hostage from the Nova Music Festival by men on a motorbike, was among them. She was rescued in June 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Footage of her being kidnapped, as she yelled Dont kill me!, became one of the defining images of the terror attack, which sparked the Israel-Gaza War. Her terminally ill mother, who had appealed for her release, lived long enough to see her return after 245 days in captivity, but died three weeks later. Several of families appearing with Trump lost children and loved ones, Witkoff added. Theyre here because theyre part of an effort to retrieve their bodies so they can be buried in a proper way, he said. Others have children who are still in captivity, Witkoff added. The family members then walked onto the stage and took turns shaking hands with the newly sworn-in president. Argamani stood directly behind Trump as he spoke. Argamani with her father Yakov and family friend Nir Givon in Ramat Gan following her release from captivity (via REUTERS) So now the work begins. We won! We won! But now the work begins. We have to bring them home, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then abruptly pivoted to stating his plans to sign an executive order later on Monday regarding the J6 hostages, referring to those convicted of or charged with crimes related to the January 6 Capitol riot four years ago. Shortly after his comments, it emerged that one of the most notorious January 6 prisoners was being released. Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the neo-fascist Proud Boys gang, was sentenced to 22 years in prison after being convicted of seditious conspiracy and other crimes. Enrique Tarrio, who was jailed for 22 years for his role in the Jan 6 riot, was being released from prison, his mother said (Getty Images) Tarrios mother tweeted on Monday that her son would soon be released. His lawyer told The New York Times that he could be out of prison by as early as Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Oval Office later on Monday night, Trump pardoned roughly 1,500 defendants charged with January 6-related crimes and issued six commutations. Last week, Trump took credit for the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, which began 11:15 a.m. local time. This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies, he wrote on Truth Social. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones. Three Israeli hostages and 90 Palestinian prisoners were released in the first phase while dozens more are set to be released in the next six weeks. Relatives of four victims of a Monterey Park shooting are suing the gunman's estate and the dance studio where the attack took place, claiming wrongful death. The lawsuits were filed Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court by the relatives of Xiujuan Yu, Yu Lun Kao, LiLan Li and Mymy Nhan, who were among those killed when Huu Can Tran opened fire at Star Ballroom Dance Studio on Jan. 21, 2023. Representatives for Star Ballroom and Tran's estate could not be immediately reached for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All four lawsuits allege wrongful death, assault and battery against Tran's estate and wrongful death, liability and negligence against the ballroom. Read more: Honoring the lives lost in the Monterey Park mass shooting The lawsuits allege that the owners and managers at Star Ballroom "were negligent in failing to take reasonable steps and to employ security measures" including "security guards, video cameras and adequate lighting to protect patrons ... from the criminal acts of Huu Can Tran." They also allege that the owners and managers knew that "similar incidents of criminal activity" had occurred in and around the dance studio and failed to warn patrons of the dangers. The lawsuits do not, however, detail what these other incidents were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kevin Tang, who was wounded by Tran, is also suing Tran's estate for assault and battery, and alleges negligence and liability by Star Ballroom. Tang suffered a left femur injury as a result of the attack and had to have surgery and take time off work to recover, according to the complaint. Tran, 72, opened fire in the Star Ballroom during a Lunar New Year celebration, killing 11 people and wounding nine others. After unleashing 42 rounds, Tran went to the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in nearby Alhambra, where he was disarmed by Brandon Tsay, whose family owns the studio. Read more: Year of grief and healing: Monterey Park shooting survivors, victims' families reflect on trauma Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a standoff with police on Jan. 22, 2023. The plaintiffs in all five lawsuits are represented by attorney Danny Soong and seek unspecified punitive damages against Tran's estate and unspecified compensatory damages against the studio. Star Ballroom was a well-loved community gathering space for dance, self-expression and celebration of Chinese culture. It was located at 122 W. Garvey Ave. and did not reopen following the mass shooting, which is the deadliest in modern Los Angeles County history. I dont think I want to reopen again, owner Maria Liang told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune in May 2023. Its still difficult to return to the same spot to work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Healing a shattered community: Monterey Park shooting survivors return to dance Then-President Biden and then-Vice President Kamala Harris visited Monterey Park following the shooting and consoled the victims' families. Two months later, Biden returned to the city to unveil executive action aimed at curtailing gun violence. Biden also invited Tsay to be a guest of honor at his 2023 State of the Union address. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. ALTON, Iowa (KCAU) A family pet died and the interior is considered completely lost after a Monday night fire in Alton. According to a social media post by the Sioux County Sheriff, authorities received a report Monday at 5:26 p.m. of a structure fire in Alton in the 200 block of 10th Street. The Alton Fire Department arrived to the scene to and found heavy smoke and flames visible from the buildings front windows. The department then asked for mutual aid from area fire departments. Law enforcement told the fire department that two people were in the building and had escaped through the back entrance. The two people were checked by first responders and medically cleared them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire fighters quickly extinguished a fire in the front portion of the structure, but found another fire in the open loft area in the rear of the building, the sheriffs office said. The fire was under control at 6:48 p.m. Deep South hit with rare winter storm; historic snowfall expected Officials said no humans were injured, but a family pet died due to smoke inhalation. The interior of the structure is completely lost due to the fire. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire. Officials said that frigid temperatures made firefighting efforts extremely challenging and taxing for firefighters and responding emergency personnel. They wanted to thank all the businesses, citizens and spouses of fire personnel who helped emergency personnel by providing heaters, hand warmers, hot coffee, cocoa and food Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alton Ambulance, Orange City Fire Department, Orange City Ambulance, Sioux Center Fire Department, Orange City/Alton Police Department, Sioux County Sheriffs Office and the City of Alton assisted the Alton Fire Department. Copyright 2025 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Cecilia Bowman will never forget the phone call she received nearly 18 years ago. It was just a quick check-in like so many others with her oldest daughter. They talked about things like friends, bills and family and it ended the way most of their conversations did. "We said, 'I love you,'" Bowman recalled, "and that was it." The date also is etched on the Bloomington woman's heart: July 11, 2007. That was the last time she talked to her adult daughter Carma Purpura. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just hours later, Purpura, 31, of Indianapolis, was murdered at the Flying J truck stop on the southside of Indianapolis. "It give you peace," Bowman said of their final conversation, "having that as your last words." Early the next morning, in a seemingly unrelated murder investigation more than 300 miles away in Tennessee, police searched the cab of a semi-tractor trailer driven by Bruce Mendenhall, a long haul trucker from southern Illinois. The Nashville detectives quickly found evidence connecting Mendenhall, who had stopped in Indianapolis the previous evening, to the murders of Purpura and as many as five other women in 2007. Since then, Purpura's family has waited for answers, justice and closure. That agonizing limbo is finally coming to an end. Mendenhall a suspected serial killer already convicted for two murders in Tennessee is scheduled to go on trial Tuesday in Marion Superior Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mendenhall, who has been held at the Marion County Jail since 2021 as legal maneuvers delayed his trial, has entered a plea of not guilty. His attorney didn't respond to requests for comment. Bowman said she won't be in the courtroom. She attended one of Mendenhall's trials in Tennessee with her other daughter to show support for the victim's family. That was enough for her. "I don't want to look at her remains. I don't want to look at pictures or hear what he did to her," she said. "I don't want to remember Carma that way." Bowman said she prefers to remember her first-born as the sweet, loving and forgiving person she was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If she were alive," Bowman said, "I know she would forgive Bruce Mendenhall." Family of murder victim wants to remember her life, not death Purpura's sister, Jessica Ervin of Clayton, will represent the family at the trial. Ervin, 47, said she stepped up to help shield her parents from Mendenhall and the trial. The trial in Tennessee prepared her for what to expect from the twice-convicted killer. "He didn't show any visual signs of much empathy or anything like that. And I wouldn't expected anything different," she said. "I can't wrap my mind around anyone that could do something like that, so I won't let that get to me." Like her mother, Ervin prefers to remember all the good time they shared as sisters and best friends who grew up playing in the woods behind their home in Hendricks County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She was 21 months older than me. She got the height, like six-one, blond, tall, gorgeous," Ervin said. "She was the type of person that you walk in the room and everybody just, their jaws dropped ... She had a heart of gold. She really did." Purpura also was an accomplished artist who studied at Herron School of Art + Design after attending Cascade High School. A drawing she made in sixth grade that was selected for an exhibit in Washington, DC, now hangs on the wall in Ervin's home along with other drawings and paintings made by Purpura. After finishing school Purpura worked as a commercial artist, Ervin said. One of her projects was designing stylized images to adorn packets of plant and flower seeds. "She was fun loving, always smiling for sure," Ervin said. "And she had two gorgeous kids that are just amazing and as beautiful as she was." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Purpura's life wasn't always smooth sailing. She got pregnant in high school and later, as a single mother, struggled at times with addiction. Ervin is quick to make it clear the latter, in her opinion, had "nothing whatsoever to do with how she died." After her sister was killed, Ervin adopted Purpura's daughters. Both are young adults now. The entire family is hoping the trial resolves their many unanswered questions and lingering grief, while putting Mendenhall behind them. "This happened 17 years ago. How long can you repeat this over and over and over again?" Ervin said. "That's been the worst part for all of us. Eventually, you know, closure become very sloppy." Starts and stops on road to justice retraumatized grieving family Purpura's family has been traumatized time and time again since her death, with each new development reopening a painful, lingering wound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What an outrageous story to even fathom," Ervin said. "This has been torturous. It's been nothing less than a nightmare for 17 years." The heartache began with the unexpected call in 2007 revealing Nashville police had found items belonging to Purpura and blood in Mendenhall's truck. Even though police hadn't located her body, that evidence and statements Mendenhall made to police in Tennessee were enough for then-Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi to charge Mendenhall with murder in 2008. "Until they found her I still held out some hope," Bowman said. "But for the most part, the police told us they were certain that she was dead by the amount of blood" in Mendenhall's truck. The family finally got to bring Purpura home in 2016 after skeletal remains found along a highway in Kentucky south of Louisville were identified through a DNA match. Authorities had been holding the bones and teeth since 2011, but for some reason DNA samples the family provided shortly after Purpura disappeared had not made it into a national database. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, the family has endured another eight-year wait for Mendenhall to face justice. "Closure for me will be when we know for sure that he cannot ever get out and do this again," Bowman said. "I have forgiven him and I believe God is the ultimate judge, however, he should never be on the streets again." This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Suspected serial killer charged in 2007 Indy murder finally facing trial (Bloomberg) -- The US went to court Tuesday to argue that a sanctioned billionaire is the true owner of a superyacht it seized in 2022, as the government goes after the assets of wealthy Russians over the war in Ukraine. Most Read from Bloomberg The yacht, which costs US taxpayers almost $750,000 a month to maintain and insure, is in US custody in San Diego as the legal battle drags on. The government is seeking to make sanctioned billionaire Suleiman Kerimov forfeit it. But another Russian, who isnt under US sanctions, claims hes the owner of the boat, and hes trying to get it back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 348-foot (106-meter) Amadea, which features six decks and a helipad and is worth between $230 million and more than $300 million, was seized in Fiji at the request of the US. The legal fight springs from the work of a Justice Department task force, KleptoCapture, that targets assets including yachts, planes and luxury real estate of rich Russians sanctioned over the invasion. The case shows the legal obstacles the US and other governments can face in trying to seize and sell yachts and other luxury assets linked to wealthy Russians they say enabled Putins 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The US, UK and EU have placed sanctions on oligarchs and others accused of helping the Kremlin, and Western governments are pursuing their yachts, private planes and villas. The US claims Amadeas owner is Kerimov, the 17th-richest person in Russia, with a net worth of about $9.3 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. But Eduard Khudainatov, the former head of Russian oil producer Rosneft, argues he is the real owner. Lawyers for Khudainatov and his Millemarin Investments Ltd. claim he spent 224 million ($232 million) to build the yacht and that its been his all along. The Justice Department says Khudainatov is just a straw owner set up to disguise Kerimovs ownership of the yacht and lacks the legal standing to complain about what happens to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US District Judge Dale Ho is holding a hearing this week on Khudainatovs standing and who owns the yacht, a mini-trial with opening arguments that kicked off Tuesday afternoon. In the governments opening, Justice Department lawyer Rachael Doud told Ho the evidence will show that Khudainatov commissioned the Amadea and then sold it in 2021 to Kerimov through intermediaries, after which Kerimovs family used the yacht exclusively. The crew recognized the Kerimovs as owners, and the family had plans to refit the ship, Doud said. The Kerimovs bought the Amadea, Doud told the judge. They paid for it and they used it. Adam Ford, a lawyer for Khudainatov, argued in his opening that the US admits the actual title to the vessel is still held by Khudainatov. Ford said the government has no evidence that he is a straw owner. Khudainatov had hoped to sell the Amadea but a planned transaction fell through, Ford said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Kerimov nor Khudainatov is expected to testify. The government has told the judge it had made Herculean but unsuccessful attempts since June to arrange court-ordered testimony from Khudainatov. Ford calls the seizure unlawful and a failed political stunt. The Justice Department frequently seizes property including securities, artwork, cryptocurrency and even homes and cars that it considers the proceeds of a crime. But the Amadea presents a unique challenge, in that maintaining the value of a superyacht is an expensive business. The yacht, built in Germany with teak decks, has a swimming pool, eight suites and a VIP cabin complete with study and dressing room, according to yachtcharterfleet.com. It also features a beauty salon and a movie theater. If the US doesnt succeed in securing forfeiture of the yacht, its maintenance expenditures would be lost. So far the government has failed to win court approval to sell the boat and escape the financial risk. Adding in $5.6 million in dry dock repairs the US planned to make last year, the total cost to taxpayers was about $20 million, according to a US filing early last year, and would be closer to $30 million by now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government has not established that the Amadeas maintenance costs are excessive so as to justify the crafts immediate sale, Ho ruled in June, observing that the costs are a fraction of its value and not unusual for such a yacht. When the Amadea was seized, the US estimated its value at $300 million or more. An independent appraiser put its fair market value at $230 million. After opening statements, the judge viewed video testimony from witnesses including Dinar Khalikov, who the US claims represented Kerimov in connection with buying Amadea. Khalikov, who described the superyacht as nothing special, testified he acted only as a consultant to Kerimov and that the billionaire didnt like Amadea. What is the point of buying something you would not enjoy? Khalikov wondered. Khalikov said he advised Kerimov not to buy Amadea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you think Im stupid? Kerimov responded, according to Khalikov. The case is US v. M/Y Amadea, 23-cv-09304, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan). --With assistance from Stephanie Baker, Alexander Sazonov, Jonathan Browning and K. Oanh Ha. (Updates with testimony in 17th paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. A 15-year-old boy and his father were rescued after getting stuck in strong currents while boogie boarding in Oregon over the weekend. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a bystander spotted the father-and-son duo and reported "seeing the pair drifting north before losing sight of them" at Indian Beach. In a press release shared with PEOPLE, the Cannon Beach Fire District said that emergency crews arrived at the beach at approximately 12:30 p.m. It took roughly 12 minutes to make visible contact with the pair, who were stranded on a rock on the north end of the beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Related: Forecasters Warn of New 'Extremely Critical' Fire Risk in Southern California as Blazes Continue to Burn Due to the location of the boogie boarders and the ocean conditions, the U.S. Coast Guard was called in to assist the local fire department. The U.S. Coast Guard diverted an Air Station Astoria helicopter already in the area on a training flight to the beach to help hoist the father and son to safety. The Cannon Beach Fire District said the victims were taken to Ecola State Park, where they were evaluated for injuries. They refused further medical transportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Cannon Beach Fire District told PEOPLE that this was one of five rescues they conducted in the past week. Related: Moms Tearful TikTok About 7-Year-Old Sons Call Is Going Viral: Hope Hell Always Be This Excited to Call Me First Cannon Beach RFPD/Facebook Photo from rescue Photo from rescue The district noted in its press release that the National Weather Service issued a Beach Hazards Statement for the north coast on Jan. 19, warning of sneaker waves. Sneaker waves can rapidly pull individuals into the ocean and unexpectedly sweep them farther up the shore, including over rocks and jetties. When a Beach Hazards Statement is issued, children and pets should be kept close and away from the surf zone, the district said. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Keep off jetties, rocks and logs near the surf zone. If you see someone swept into the sea do not swim in after them. Call 911 and keep an eye on them until help arrives," the press release adds. Read the original article on People FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS) A 28-year-old man from Fayette County was sentenced to multiple prison sentences for charges ranging from drugs to child abuse. According to a release from the Fayette County Prosecutors Office, Jacob William Edward Ross, 28, of Oak Hill was sentenced to five years in prison for the felony crime of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm He was also sentenced to no less than one and no more than 15 years in prison for the felony crime of Delivery of Methamphetamine; and to no less than one or more than five years in prison for the felony crime of Gross Child Neglect Creating a Substantial Risk of Serious Bodily Injury or Death. Woman arrested after man shot in head in Greenbrier County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A guilty plea was originally entered on November 20, 2024. However, before the November 2024 plea agreement, Ross was sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The release stated that on January 11, 2024, law enforcement was dispatched to the home of Edward Ross for a welfare check regarding Ross wife, Heather. At the time of the welfare check, responding agencies also had an arrest warrant for Mr. Ross. While officers were trying to find Mr. Ross, they discovered multiple instances of drug use and distribution throughout the home. A subsequent search warrant was obtained and a handgun was also located in the home. Jacob Ross was unable to own a firearm due to a previous felony conviction from Cabell County in 2018. At a later date, on February 6, 2024, an undercover investigation was done into Mr. Ross and his activities. This consisted of an undercover informant buying drugs from Jacob Ross in his home. Another search warrant was carried out on the home, leading to more drugs being found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further investigation into Mr. Ross activities led detectives to discover that the couples children were home at different times when Jacob Ross was selling drugs. Rosss wife also admitted to knowing her husband was selling illegal drugs from their home. Former Virginia Tech professor sentenced to 5 years for possession of child pornography Jacob Ross sentences were ordered to be served concurrently with each other, but consecutive to the 20 year sentence he already received. He must serve a minimum of six years and three months in prison before he becomes eligible for parole. After Ross is released from prison and he completes parole, he must serve an additional ten years of extended supervised release due to the gross child neglect conviction. He also must register as a child abuser with the West Virginia State Police for ten years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A federal appeals court upheld the bankruptcy courts order for the former owner and President of BK Racing, LLC, and its associates to pay a $31 million fine, court records show. The appeals court affirmed the bankruptcy courts decision on Friday to issue the fine, alleging Ronald Devine and other appellants failed to comply with multiple warnings and orders from the bankruptcy court. The document alleges that the Devines attempted to obstruct and delay the bankruptcy proceedings and refused to provide information when ordered to do so. BK Racing, LLC owned and operated a NASCAR race team from 2012 to 2018. Appellant Ronald Devine and his wife Brenda Devine were indirect majority owners in the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On February 15, 2018, BK Racing filed an emergency petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. Despite this, the group failed to file the required bankruptcy schedules, meaning millions of dollars of pre-petition transfers to the appellants were concealed from the court and from creditors. Previous Coverage | Former NASCAR team owner indicted on federal charges, could spend years in prison An email from Ronald Devine revealed that the Devines did not want to disclose the transfers because they did not want to provide the enemies any more ammo. The enemies were referring to BK Racings creditors. The appellees alleged the Devines used BK Racing and the Devine Affiliates as alter egos to fraudulently siphon off approximately $6.4 million from BK Racing. They also allege that the Devines caused almost $12 million worth of debt for Devine and his other companies to accrue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May 2021, the appellee discovered another trust that the Devines formed in August 2018 and used to pay their personal expenses. Although the court ordered the Devines to disclose the trusts existence, the Devines failed to respond by the deadline multiple times. Citing the appellants numerous failures to produce requested documents and comply with the court, on December 19, 2022, the court ordered the appellants answers and defenses to be removed and entered a default judgment, authorizing the appellee to receive over $31 million in damages. Additionally, in October 2023, a Charlotte grand jury indicted Ronald Devin on four counts of failure to pay payroll taxes. The indictment stated that starting in 2012, Devine caused BK Racing to fail to account for and pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in payroll taxes. The indictment further alleged that, between 2012 and 2017, instead of using the funds held in trust to pay for payroll taxes due, Devine reportedly transferred more than $2 million to other businesses and entities that he owned and controlled and used some of the funds to pay for BK Racings expenses, such as rent, utilities, and vendor bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. A right whale is shown in the Bay of Fundy. (Photo by Moira Brown/courtesy of the New England Aquarium) This story was originally published by Grist. Sign up for Grists weekly newsletter here. Federal regulators are abandoning a proposal to expand ocean speed limits that were designed to protect North Atlantic right whales. The whales, which give birth off Georgias coast in the winter, are nearing extinction: Just 370 remain, and vessel strikes are one of their leading causes of death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marine industry groups applauded the move to abandon a rule they have criticized as overly broad, while whale advocates said they were disappointed. The whales are going to suffer because of the inaction by the Biden administration, said Gib Brogan, campaign director with the advocacy group Oceana. There are already some seasonal speed limits on large ships designed to cut down the risk of strikes during times of year when the whales are known to be in certain areas like off the Georgia coast during the winter calving season. In 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposed expanding those restrictions to include smaller boats and to apply over larger areas of the ocean for longer periods. The agency also proposed making some voluntary speed limits mandatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whale scientists and advocates had celebrated the proposal and pushed for its adoption because smaller boats can and do kill right whales. They also emphasized the urgency, as the North Atlantic right whale population numbers falter, and whale behavior shifts due to climate change. But marine industry groups fought the proposed changes, which they argued could hurt the fishing and boating industries and other related businesses. Among other criticisms, they contended that smaller boats often need the ability to move fast to respond safely to changing ocean conditions. They also said the rules would cancel or alter thousands of recreational fishing trips that are important for coastal economies. The rules many blind spots would have created dire consequences for boater safety and accessibility, the economic vitality of coastal communities and marine manufacturers, and the livelihoods of countless supporting small businesses, said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, in a statement. He added that the rule failed to distinguish between large, ocean-crossing vessels and small recreational boats, which could not be more different from each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rule was never implemented, and the agency withdrew it just days before a new administration entered the White House a move whale advocates said was political, based on its timing. Congress can review and overturn some recent actions taken by federal agencies, under a law known as the Congressional Review Act. This often comes into play when a new presidential administration and new Congress take over, because it gives them the power to rescind recent actions taken by a prior administration. With this mechanism, Congress can also block the agencies from taking similar actions in the future. Whale advocates worry thats exactly what a Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress would have done with this rule had it gone into effect within the review window: They could have overturned the rule and prevented future changes to vessel speed rules to protect right whales. So the real deadline for the Biden administration was this past summer, said Brogan. They knew that they needed to act this past summer to put durable protections on for North Atlantic right whales, but with an election and other things in play, they chose not to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whale advocates and scientists said they would continue to push for expanded right whale protections, despite what New England Aquarium conservation scientist Jessica Redfern called a serious setback in the effort to save right whales from extinction. Im gonna have hope, because I do have hope that we can save this species, she said. The aquarium maintains one of the longest-running right whale research programs in the country, and Redfern said the evidence is clear: The whales can recover, if we stop killing them. This article originally appeared in Grist at https://grist.org/oceans/federal-regulators-drop-efforts-save-north-atlantic-right-whales/. It was made possible through a partnership with Grist and WABE, Atlantas NPR station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Learn more at Grist.org SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde made a heartfelt plea to President Donald Trump during a sermon at the National Cathedral Tuesday. Budde, the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, asked the president to have mercy on immigrants and LGBTQ children during the National Prayer Service. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now, Budde said. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families. Some who fear for their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals may I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away," she continued. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde: "The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors...may I ask you to have mercy Mr. President on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away." pic.twitter.com/iXaHJrPsof CSPAN (@cspan) January 21, 2025 By the look of discomfort on faces of the Trump and Vance families, who sat in the first two rows of pews, they perhaps werent expecting a public rebuke of the presidents policies. Budde has been frank with Trump before. In 2020, during the George Floyd protests, the bishop wrote a scathing op-ed in The New York Times criticizing Trump for using tear gas on peaceful demonstrators and then posing in front of St. Johns Church for a photo-op. The President just used a Bible and one of the churches of my diocese as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that our church stands for, Budde wrote. Since 1993, the National Cathedral has hosted the prayer service the day after Inauguration Day. The multi-faith service is traditionally attended by the president and vice president. The Scoop John Fettermans seen the rumors on social media that hes going to switch caucuses. His response: Thats amateur hour shit. If they think, oh, its going to be like a Manchin or a Sinema play, thats just not true, and thats not going to happen, Fetterman told Semafor on Monday night referring to former senators from West Virginia and Arizona, respectively, who left the Democratic Party but did not caucus with Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not gonna happen, he added. And even if I wanted to do that, that is a rocket sled to Palookaville to try to switch. I would make a pretty bad Republican. The Pennsylvania Democratic senator has stirred plenty of intrigue with his recent visit to Mar-a-Lago to see President Donald Trump, his work with Republicans on the Laken Riley Act and his support for the Israeli government. Hes actively trying to change the way his party deals with Trump, urging Democrats not to freak out about the presidents controversial actions and stay open to confirming his nominees. But Fetterman said his party affiliation and place in the Senate Democratic caucus is not going to change, adding that hes privately expressed that to colleagues in leadership. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Florida Highway Patrol and other local law enforcement agencies continue to advise residents against driving in the winter conditions the majority of the Panhandle is experiencing. However, they are providing important driving safety information for those heading onto the roadways over the next few days. Local school closures ahead of winter weather conditions One of the most important things to note is ensuring your vehicle is in good driving condition, which means having a full tank of gas, ensuring your tire pressure is good, and your defroster works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You should also consider the clothing you wear, be sure not to wear things like gym shorts, t-shirts, or flip-flops even if you are just driving around the corner. Icy roadways are also a possibility due to the weather, something most Floridians are not accustomed to, so giving yourself extra time can make all the difference. If you do have to be out, just make sure youre adjusting your driving patterns accordingly, said Sgt. Nathan Russell with Florida Highway Patrol. So slowing down, allowing extra room between you and other vehicles and not doing anything sudden. Snowy and icy conditions dont like sudden movements in vehicles. Thats acceleration, deceleration, or steering. So just slow everything down and allow extra time, just be patient. The weather will also likely affect bridges and interstates, and both can become closed unexpectedly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To stay up to date on any issues affecting the roadways, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. Slovakias pro-Russian prime minister has raised the prospect of his country leaving the European Union and Nato, arguing that world events could consign them to the history books. It is true that the EU and Nato are our vital space, but no one will prevent us from warning Slovakia about various risks, Robert Fico wrote in a statement, drawing sharp condemnation from other parties in his country. Michal Simecka, the leader of the opposition, accused him of laying the ground to take the country out of the EU, and launched an attempt to dismiss the Leftist-nationalist government in a no-confidence vote on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motion was later withdrawn, but opposition parties promised to call a new no-confidence vote in the future. Mr Fico, whose anti-EU rhetoric has strained relations with Western allies, was expected to survive the vote due to his government holding a slim majority in parliament. The effort to topple the government looked doomed to fail as its slim majority in parliament was expected to back Mr Fico, whose anti-EU rhetoric has strained relations with Western allies. He has halted military aid to Ukraine and criticised Western sanctions against the Kremlin since returning to power in 2023. In December, he met Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Michal Simecka introduces his motion of no-confidence in Robert Ficos government on Tuesday as the prime minister looks on - Jakub Gavlak/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Mr Ficos intervention came after Tibor Gaspar, a senior official in his Smer party, said there had been changes in the EU and Nato since Slovakia joined. He added this meant that in future Slovakia could consider leaving, an option he called an extreme solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Fico said he absolutely agreed with Mr Gaspar, adding that just as the Warsaw Pact, the Soviet-dominated military alliance, collapsed within a year, world events can send the EU and Nato to history books. There are low levels of public support for Nato membership in Slovakia compared with other members of the alliance. High levels of Russian disinformation have been reported in the country. It joined both the EU and Nato in 2004. It is a member of the passport-free Schengen zone and uses the euro as its currency. We can only scratch our heads and wonder about Ficos plans after he Slo-evacuates the EU, one EU diplomat in Brussels told The Telegraph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will be interesting to see a country of 5.5 million inhabitants fend for itself when faced with Trump, Xi, and Putin, the envoy added. The idea of quitting the EU in a Brexit-style Slo-vacuate has been rejected by a broad swathe of Slovakian politicians. They included president Peter Pellegrini, a Fico ally, as well as opposition leaders and regional governors, Bloomberg reported. Robert Ficos tilt towards Russia, including a visit to Vladimir Putin in Moscow in December, has prompted protests in Slovakia - Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/Kremlin/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Mr Ficos anti-Western stance has triggered public protests demanding that Slovakia remain in the EU rather than tilt towards Russia. Polls have shown Mr Ficos party is now trailing the pro-EU Progressive Slovakia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The controversy erupted as Viktor Orban, another pro-Putin EU leader, said the time was right after Donald Trumps inauguration for nationalist forces to occupy Brussels. The Hungarian prime minister has clashed regularly with the EU over migration, LGBTQ rights and media freedom. A friend of Mr Trump, he also sparked European anger by meeting Putin and criticising EU sanctions on Moscow. Mr Orban wants to claw back national powers from Brussels and has formed an alliance of Right-wing Eurosceptic parties, which does not include Mr Ficos Smer. On Monday, Mr Orban said anyone with eyes could see that liberal democracy had collapsed under its own weight and the weight of its mistakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebellion against woke liberal democracy has entered a new stage. The time has come for patriotic forces to occupy Brussels!, he said as Mr Trump was sworn in as US president for a second time. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Jan. 21Sixth time's the charm? That's what advocates of a paid parental and medical leave program hope. Originally introduced as legislation in the Roundhouse in 2019, lawmakers are once again trying to get the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act to land on the governor's desk this time, for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's last 60-day session. The legislation would provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave and nine weeks of paid medical, safe or military exigency leave, which could eventually increase to 12 weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The money to pay for the leave would come from a newly created state fund, paid for by new taxes on employees and employers. Businesses with less than five more employees wouldn't have to pay into the fund. The bill is largely starting off this year where it left off in 2024, when it failed to pass the House by two votes. Three Democratic representatives who voted against the bill aren't in the Roundhouse this year, all having lost their primary election races: Willie Madrid of Chaparral, Ambrose Castellano of Serafina and Harry Garcia of Grants. Political makeup changes in the Roundhouse could help get the legislation across the finish line, said Tracy McDaniel, policy director at Southwest Women's Law Center, which has repeatedly helped craft the bill. "We're continuing this fight, and we're going to keep fighting until it's passed," McDaniel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The major concerns from Republicans who have already said they don't support the bill as it stands more moderate Democrats and some business leaders largely revolve around the tax the program would set on businesses and an inability for employers to replace workers taking paid leave. Indeed, Rep. Marian Matthews, D-Albuquerque, who introduced a much narrower alternative to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act last year, still has the same concerns with the bill she had last year. Her alternative legislation garnered support from business leaders who didn't support the original proposal, but the legislation was tabled in its first committee. "Given the number of times the bill has been introduced in the past and the opposition to it, hopefully we're at a point where there's some recognition that we need to find a meeting of the minds," Matthews told the Journal. She added that legislators who voted in favor of the bill in the past may not necessarily do the same this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation has never actually landed on the governor's desk for an opportunity to become law, and McDaniel said she hasn't heard much from the Governor's Office on the bill. Still, she said she hopes it can get done under Lujan Grisham's administration. Lujan Grisham will have another Legislature under her purview as governor, but the 2026 session, spanning 30 days and primarily focused on budgetary matters, could prove to be a lame duck session. Systemic issues Melissa Scott is the owner and director of Pando Little School in Albuquerque, a child care provider with 32 students and 11 employees. The facility offers both preschool and before- and after-school care and is funded by the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasn't until the pandemic that Scott realized "the child care industry and early childhood as a whole just wasn't able to provide for its staff." She said child care workers weren't and still aren't receiving enough time off, resulting in burnouts and attrition. Pando Little School offers state-required sick leave, which is 64 hours per year, and vacation time accrues at a rate of 1 hour for every 31 hours worked. Additionally, it has six weeks of paid parental leave and six weeks of unpaid parental leave. Even then, she has staff who are working when "they really need to be home." Her employees are paid around $18-20 an hour, and she said that, "just barely a living wage," makes it difficult to take unpaid time off. "They really need to be able to stop and take care of themselves and fully recover. And it's heartbreaking that they feel financially required to be there," Scott said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has one employee who has a hernia, but still comes in every day, "smiling with kids, holding them on her lap, changing their diapers, cleaning up their vomit, laughing with them, holding them with a hernia." The employee is waiting on a doctor's appointment to deal with the hernia and will be back to work as soon as possible after that, "when, really, what this woman needs is the opportunity to slow down," Scott said. While Scott supports the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, she acknowledges the "very legitimate concerns" people have with the program. Many of her fellow child care owners don't support the program, she said, and she can see where they're coming from in an essential service industry that's understaffed. "If this passes, small businesses and child care in particular are going to be rattled," she said. "It's going to be incredibly difficult." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's an industry Matthews said she's particularly concerned for. "You would think that if both sides would like to be able to provide some maternity leave and to help when people have to help a sick relative ... we ought to be able to figure out how to make that happen and and to do it without unintended consequences," she said. Matthews might introduce another, more narrow version of the bill this year. But that depends on "whether or not we can make some progress through the negotiation process." McDaniel said advocates don't anticipate another alternative bill will be introduced but hopes if it is, "that we can collaborate with other legislators and continue to negotiate something that will work well for everybody." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Influential business leaders in New Mexico have also disagreed with the bill. Terri Cole, president and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber "continues to oppose passage of an onerous paid family medical leave proposal." The Chamber particularly disagrees with the tax it would impose on businesses and anticipates the program would increase the cost of labor in New Mexico and make it harder for employers to find replacement workers, leading "to workplace disruptions across the economy year after year," Cole said. She said the bill "isn't business friendly because of its extreme business mandates." But McDaniel said the bill "looks a lot different than it did when we started this fight" in 2019. She added that there's a lot of misinformation about the program still and negative outcomes as a result of it, which advocates "continue to combat." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This version of the bill really reflects lots of hard work, lots of negotiation and working with the business community and other stakeholders to ensure that this really will work well for everyone involved," she said. Scott said the challenges with the bill highlight a broader systemic issue in child care. If the legislation passed, she said the state would need to increase how it funds child care facilities and allow for more flexibility in hiring and training workers. "It's short-term pain that's worth it for the long-term shift that we'll see in how we treat employees," she said. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Oregon senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Washington Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez all highlighted the peaceful change of office that occurred during President Trumps inauguration on Monday. The lawmakers remarks on the peaceful transfer of power, are a reminder of the deadly riot that occurred at the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, following the 2020 Presidential election. Pinball wizards gather at The Zed in Portland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays peaceful transfer of power to a new administration carries with it my ongoing responsibility to defend and advocate for the values that Oregonians have voted for fighting for working-class and middle-class Americans who want the glutton class to pay its fair share of taxes, for women to have access to reproductive healthcare and for people to be treated fairly without prejudice against their race, gender or sexual identity, Wyden said. Merkley and Glusenkamp Perez were in attendance as Trump was sworn in for the second time. I am attending the inauguration today to witness the peaceful transfer of power core to our democratic process, Merkley said. I am here to let the incoming President know that I will hold him accountable and fight with all I have to protect our democratic institutions. WATCH LIVE: Trump joins supporters at Capitol One Arena Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glusenkamp Perez said that many Southwest Washington residents traveled to Washington D.C. to witness Trump take office. Today, I attended the Inauguration of President Donald Trump on behalf of Washingtons Third District, and I witnessed the peaceful transfer of power that is core to our democracy, GlusenKamp Perez said. Im glad to have met many of you from Southwest Washington who traveled all the way out to our nations capital to celebrate our country. The inauguration makes Donald Trump both the 45th and 47th President of the U.S. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. What would be so bad about admitting to both the mistakes and the positive achievements of one's ancestors? A German student named Omar posed this question in the documentary "Echoes of Remembrance" shown on Sunday at the 37th annual Cross-Cultural Martin Luther King Jr. Day Program at Oklahoma Science Museum. Omar was among a group of 16 students from Berlin's Theodor-Heuss Community School who visited Oklahoma in 2023 and returned to the state on Sunday via the film that chronicled their 10-day trip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The free, cross-cultural program was hosted by Temple B'nai Israel and the Oklahoma City NAACP, in partnership with the Respect Diversity Foundation and The Rabbi Joseph & Claire Levenson Fund at Temple B'nai Israel. More: Remembrance work with difficult pasts brings Oklahomans, Germans together Karlos Hill, Ph.D., regents professor at the University of Oklahoma, answers questions during a panel discussion with Rabbi Vered Harris and Michael Korenblit at the Cross-Cultural Martin Luther King Holiday Program at Oklahoma Science Museum. Over the years, the annual program has been hosted at Temple B'nai Israel and has featured author visits, panel discussions, theatrical performances and other presentations that explore some of the themes of King's life and civil rights leadership. This year's program featured dinner and music before the highlight of the evening, "Echoes of Remembrance," was shown in the museum's auditorium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The documentary by Moritz Richard Schmidt showed Theodor-Heuss Community School educator Sabeth Schmidthals and her students as they arrived first in Texas, where they visited the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum in Dallas. More: Remembrance work with difficult pasts brings Oklahomans, Germans together The group then traveled to Oklahoma, where they were enthralled with the University Oklahoma in Norman, where they were hosted by the university and African American studies scholar Karlos Hill, who initially met Schmidthals and her students in Berlin in 2022. On Sunday, Hill, who coordinated the students' tour, said that he told them that he would make sure they visited the U.S. and they held him to the promise. The idea was to show the group from Germany the ways in which the Oklahoma City Jewish community, civil rights activists and 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre historians work to commemorate history. Hill noted that the Nazis learned much from the U.S. about racism and oppression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Oklahoma City, the school group visited Temple B'nai Israel and the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. They spoke to Rabbi Vered Harris, Temple B'nai Israel's spiritual leader; Michael Korenblit, author, co-founder of the Respect Diversity Foundation and son of Holocaust survivors; and Marily Luper Hildreth, civil rights activist and daughter of civil rights activist Clara Luper. In Tulsa, the group visited the historic Greenwood District, learned about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre from historian and Tulsa Race Massacre descendent Kristi Williams, and also participated in Juneteenth activities. During the time for questions from the audiences on Sunday, Hill, Regents' Professor of the Clara Luper Department of African and African American Studies at OU, said he arranged the students' trip to the U.S. because he was impressed with their work to commemorate an area adjacent to their school, Track 69, which was once one of the Nazis' largest deportation stations where more than 50,000 Berlin Jews were sent to concentration camps. "They worked heard to maintain Track 69," Hill said. "They make sure that history is known." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: German students' learning from Oklahomans highlighted in documentary to be shown at OU In the film, the students talked about their attempts to understand everything they saw and learned in the U.S. One girl said she was surprised to see swastikas, an ancient religious symbol adopted by Adolf Hitler to represent his Nazi regime, at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, even in a museum setting. The student's question about acknowledging the failures and flaws of one's ancestors instead of trying to bury or hide an unpleasant past seemed to arise after the group heard from Williams and learned that the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre was not talked about or acknowledged for decades. Hill said Harris made what he considered the "most powerful message" of the film during her interview in the documentary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the film, I think the core of what she talks about is we cannot have progress without remembrance," he said. "We can't have healing without remembrance." When an audience member asked what an individual could do to ensure that marginalized groups are safe, Korenblit shared several recommendations. A crowd prepares to watch "Echoes of Remembrance" on Sunday at the 37th annual Cross-Cultural Martin Luther King Jr. Day Program at Science Museum Oklahoma. "Stand up and speak out," he said. "If you want people to stand up for you, you have to be willing to stand up for them." Harris encouraged the crowd to interact with young people and support students because it is important to ensure that their minds are open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also noted that the Berlin student Omar asked why people were afraid about talking about the "sins of their our ancestors." "We have to be the people who are safe," Harris said. "We have to be able to be the people that our grandchildren won't be ashamed of. That starts with admitting our places of failure and to take responsibility for those and then do the repair work." Hill said his work with Schmidthals and her students will continue in 2025. He said he has plans to return to Berlin to visit the educator and her school group. Hill said this year he will also be leading the group from Germany to Louisiana, where they will visit a plantation once owned by Germans, among other sites. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: German students' trip to Oklahoma is shared with OKC audience in film A fire battalion chief died after an Alabama man shot him while he was trying to help a driver who hit a deer. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] James Bartholomew Cauthen, 54, served as a battalion fire chief at Coweta County Fire Rescue in Georgia, according to our sister station WSB-TV. He was an amazing, hard-working man with a gentle soul, the department said. Just like many of you, we have many questions as we navigate through this horrible tragedy. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chambers County Sheriffs Office said the incident happened Sunday night on County Road 267 near U.S. 431. Deputies responded initially to a call about a driver hitting a deer. The sheriffs office said a man who lived in the area, William Randall Franklin, shot at Cauthen and the person who hit the deer. Franklin, Cauthen, and the driver were all hurt in a shootout. Cauthen died from his injuries before deputies arrived on the scene. Deputies said they will arrest Franklin for murder once he is released from the hospital. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] SIOUX FALLS SD (KELO) The Hill City Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 21000 block of Highway 385 early Tuesday morning. Leonard Peltier is no longer in prison Video from the Pennington County Fire Services Facebook shows the structure burning with the alarm time at 2:21 a.m. The Red Cross is assisting the occupants that were inside, according to a Facebook post. There was no information about any injuries from the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 KELOLAND.com. CHAMBERS COUNTY, Ala. (AP) A man fatally shot a fire battalion chief and wounded the driver of a car that hit a deer in rural Alabama, authorities said. The Coweta County fire department is mourning the death of James Bartholomew Cauthen, 54, remembering him as an amazing, hard-working man with a gentle soul, who worked for the department for more than 24 years, according to a Facebook post. Cauthen was helping a couple whose car had struck a deer Sunday afternoon in Chambers County, Alabama, just west of the border with Georgia, the sheriff department wrote in a Facebook post. Cauthen, the battalion chief for the Coweta County Fire Rescue in Georgia, walked with the driver to a nearby property to ask for help because the couple couldn't get service, Chambers County Sheriff Department Chief Deputy Mike Parrish told WRBL. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said the property owner, William Randall Franklin, 34, opened fire on Cauthen and the driver, killing Cauthen and wounding the driver. The driver was armed and returned fire, wounding Franklin. Law enforcement then arrived and took the driver and Franklin to a hospital. The drivers wife never left the car and was uninjured during the shootout. Court records in Georgia show that Franklin was arrested on Monday afternoon on a charge of being a fugitive from justice in Alabama. He is currently detained in the Muscogee County Jail. The Chamber's County sheriff's department said that there is a murder warrant for Franklin in Alabama. There was no attorney listed to speak on Franklins behalf on Tuesday afternoon. Definitely an eerie sense of emptiness in the bay this morning," Coweta County fire fighter Cody Darracott wrote on Facebook on Monday. The post described Cauthen as the epitome of a Godly, selfless, hardworking man. ___ Associated Press writer Kate Brumback contributed to this report from Atlanta. Officials in Alabama have uncovered tragic new details in the bizarre shooting death of a fire chief who was trying to assist two drivers who had accidentally hit a deer. Coweta County Fire Chief James Bartholomew Cauthen, 54, was killed in a shootout on Sunday while attempting to help the two unidentified drivers. Investigators told WRBL News that Cauthen was tending to his land, spreading hay for his cattle, when he noticed that the car had hit a deer in the road. He approached the driver and his wife, who were unable to call 911 from their cell phones due to service issues in the area. With Cauthen also unable to get a signal, he and the male driver walked to a neighboring home to ask for assistance. Chambers County Chief Deputy Mike Parrish told the outlet that as the trio approached the home of suspect William Randall Franklin, 33, Franklin allegedly emerged from his house without warning firing a gun at the group. Cauthen and the driver were both struck; the armed driver returned fire at Franklin, who was shot. The drivers wife remained in the car during the incident and was uninjured in the shootout. Both Franklin and the driver are expected to recover from their injuries, but Cauthen tragically died at the scene before deputies arrived. Franklin is expected to be charged with murder once hes released from the hospital. Related: Deer Hunter Under Investigation After Killing Potentially Record-Breaking Buck Its not yet known what caused Franklin to allegedly open fire on the two men. Deputies are still investigating the incident, including looking into Franklins background and criminal history, with the hopes of finding some answers. Parrish told WRBL that the incident was one of the most bizarre hes encountered in his three-decade career. We lost one of our brothers, leaders, mentor, and family to a senseless tragedy, Cauthens friends and co-workers at Coweta Fire Rescue wrote on Facebook. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Cauthen family as they navigate this difficult time. A fire chief in Alabama has been shot and killed after he stopped to help a driver who had hit a deer with their vehicle, police said. The incident occurred at approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday when Chambers County deputies in Alabama were dispatched to County Road 267 near U.S. 431 in the Stroud -- located about 100 miles northeast of Montgomery -- and found three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds upon their arrival, according to a statement from Chambers County Alabama Sheriff's Office released on Monday. MORE: Woman poisoned 1-year-old girl for months to exploit her for online donations: Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the shooting victims -- identified as 54-year-old James Bartholomew Cauthen from Moreland, Georgia -- was deceased when authorities arrived. The other two were taken by helicopter to LaGrange and Columbus trauma centers, police said. Early investigation indicates that Chief Cauthen was attempting to assist individuals that had struck a deer while traveling on County Road 267, police said. Another individual (William Randall Franklin) that resided in the area opened fire on Chief Cauthen and the individual that struck the deer. All individuals were injured during the shootout. Chief Cauthen succumbed to his injuries prior to deputies arriving on the scene. MORE: 2 dead, 2 injured after man attacks group of people with a stick Police did not immediately say why Franklin may have opened fire on Cauthen and the unnamed person who struck the deer with their car, but they did say that Cauthen was a battalion fire chief with Coweta County Fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, investigators are working to piece together the events that led to this horrific scene, Chambers County Alabama Sheriff's Office said. Our hearts and prayers go out to Coweta County for his loss. MORE: Man arrested for allegedly attacking 83-year-old woman, stealing her lottery winnings PHOTO: A fire chief in Alabama has been shot and killed after he stopped to help a driver who had hit a deer with their vehicle, police said. (Facebook / Coweta County Fire Rescue) MORE: Duck hunters discover human remains deep in wooded area on hunting trip An arrest warrant for murder was issued for Franklin and police said he will be arrested upon release from treatment at Piedmont Medical Center. Coweta County Fire Rescue continues to be devastated by the tragic passing of Battalion Chief Bart Cauthen, Coweta Fire and Rescue said in a statement following Cauthens death. Cauthen has been with our department for more than 24 years. He was an amazing, hard-working man with a gentle soul. Just like many of you, we have many questions as we navigate through this horrible tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to Cauthens family, friends and our brothers and sisters in the Fire Rescue family who worked closely with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Human remains 'in various states of decomposition' found on public hiking trail Anyone with information pertaining to this case is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at Chambers County Alabama Sheriff's Office. The investigation into the shooting currently remains open. Fire chief shot and killed after stopping to help driver who hit deer with their car originally appeared on abcnews.go.com OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) With the cold weather settling in, fire officials are stressing the importance of having a plan in case of emergency. From fires to burst pipes, its a busy time of year for them and safety is key, especially after a weekend of multiple house fires with one involving a womans death. As most know, flames and freezing temperatures are never the best mix. Well, certainly the colder it gets, the more busy that we usually do stay, Chief Lance Burnett with the Oklahoma City Fire Department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of four fires from Saturday to Monday morning, one killed a woman in Spencer. A neighbor KFOR spoke with on scene said shed never seen anything like it before. As soon as I looked outside the window and came outside and saw her car was here I thought, Shes got to be dead, neighbor Ashley Ericksen said Saturday morning. Firefighters on scene said it appeared to be an accident, but there were no working smoke detectors in the home at the time. Burnett said if you need them checked, just call the fire department. Theres like a 50 percent chance greater possible to get out of the house and saving your own life by having a working smoke alarm in the house, Burnett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another fire early Monday morning near NW 36th Street and Macarthur Boulevard started in an out building before spreading to the home. Outbuilding fire spreads to house in NW Oklahoma City The homeowner said he was inside watching TV, heard a loud noise, stepped out and saw the orange, Battalion Chief Jeff Chappell said on scene. Tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher but there was too much fire. The homeowner got out safely, but a pet was missing. Crews on scene said a space heater was the likely cause. So space heaters, obviously, they need space, Burnett said. Three feet is what we say, like in every direction, maybe in a well-ventilated area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, keep them away from beds and in low traffic areas. One of the worst fires Ive ever seen because of a heater that was not placed in the right area, he said. Burnett said plugging them into the wall is also best. But if things do go south, having a plan can go a long way. We really would just hope that people would come up with a plan to help us be able to help them, Burnett said. Burnett mentioned keeping generators out from under cover and knowing how to turn off your homes water in case of a busted pipe are also things to be aware of amid this cold weather. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. 37,094 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? 37,094 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? Union member workers from King Soopers went on strike Jan. 12 many King Soopers in the Denver area. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Denver Gazette) CARMICHAEL, Calif. The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District rushed to put out a house fire on Linda Lane in Carmichael just before 2 a.m. on Tuesday. Flames quickly engulfed the single-story home. A firefighter suffered a minor burn while responding to the incident. A 94-year-old man was the only person inside the home when the fire broke out and got out safely on his own. The home suffered major damage and will not be reoccupied, according to Metro Fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While firefighters contained the fire to the home and property where it broke out, several conditions at the property caused challenges during their initial fire attack including hoarding conditions and overgrown vegetation. One of the issues that we had was there was a tremendous amount of personal property inside of the home and on the property itself and that creates a challenge for us to get where we need to go to locate that fire and to locate potential victims that are inside the building, Metro Fire Battalion Chief Parker Wilbourn said. The fire threatened dry brush and a railroad car adjacent to the home but firefighters managed to contain the fire to the property where it broke out. Vegetation around the home was so overgrown that the home was hidden behind it. One of the challenges we had was dry vegetation. There was a tremendous amount of vegetation overgrowth on this property and that really creates a safety and fire hazard for this property and the adjacent properties because fire can spread so fast on the property and throw embers cast onto additional roofs and then we have the potential for more buildings burning, Chief Wilbourn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Units were cleared from the scene by 5:30 a.m. and the home has since been boarded up. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Copyright 2025 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 FOX40 News. In a freewheeling Inauguration Day of speeches, casual remarks and formal balls, President Donald Trump wasted no time trying to shape the world in his unmistakable image. Unlike four years ago, when his term began in a flurry of unpreparedness, this time Trump let fly with a series of actions and statements that seek to scrub many of former President Joe Bidens decisions and replace them with Trump's own stark imprimatur. From tariffs, TikTok and the Middle East to the climate crisis and world health, here are the headlines of Trumps foreign policy moves during the first 24 hours of a term set to last 1,461 days and how the world reacted. Russia The president previously claimed he would end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office. This is only half a day. I have another half a day left, he said Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That idea sparked alarm in Europe, which worries that Trump could force Ukraine into a negotiation that favors Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has more recently stretched this timeline to as long as six months, which some have taken as a signal of support for Ukraine. On Monday, Trump appeared to criticize Putin one of the authoritarian leaders he has spoken warmly about in the past, saying he is not doing so well. A gaping hole in a residential building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Monday. Its not making him look very good, Trump said of how the war is going for Putin, adding that he was destroying Russia by not making a deal. When asked Tuesday about Trumps comments, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that we respect the choice of the American people and that Trump has also repeatedly given reason to say that they also respect the choice of the Russian people. Middle East On the nascent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, something his team helped broker, the president said he was not confident that the truce would last, adding: Thats not our war. Its their war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. officials credit Trump's Middle East peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, with helping get that deal over the line. On Gaza where Israeli airstrikes have displaced most of the population and killed more than 46,000 people, according to local authorities he hinted at his real estate background. Gaza is like a massive demolition site. That place has really got to be rebuilt in a different way, he said, adding that its a phenomenal location on the sea, best weather. ... Some beautiful things could be done with it. Trump also rescinded Bidens sanctions on Israel settlers in the occupied West Bank, who have been accused of violence against Palestinians. Mourners carry the body of Palestinian teenager Ahmad Rushdi, whom Israeli forces killed in the occupied West Bank village of Sebastia, during his funeral Monday. The presidents first term was characterized by a succession of pro-Israel moves, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and ditching the Iran nuclear deal. The 2020 Abraham Accords, establishing relations between Israel and several Middle Eastern and North African countries, was perhaps the first Trump administrations biggest foreign policy achievement. North Korea In South Korea, there was palpable nervousness after Trump referred to North Korea as a nuclear power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. officials have long refrained from using the phrase as it could signal recognition of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. South Korea said Tuesday that North Korea can never be recognized as such. Among the norm-busting sagas of the president's first term was his nuclear brinkmanship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. The two traded personal insults and nuclear threats, before Trump told the world that "we fell in love." China While campaigning in 2024, Trump suggested he could slap a 60% tariff on all Chinese goods, risking a rerun of the Beijing trade war he fought during his first term. Now he suggests these tariffs could be used to force through a deal in which the U.S. acquires half of the social media platform TikTok. An executive order Trump signed Monday postponed for 75 days a Biden law that requires the Chinese tech giant ByteDance to sell its stake in TikTok or see the platform banned in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. should be entitled to get half of TikTok, Trump told reporters. Asked about ByteDances close ties with the Chinese government, he said he could see a deal in which the U.S. polices it a little maybe a lot. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, center, during President Donald Trump's inauguration Monday. Trump also reiterated his comments about the Panama Canal and taking it back, claiming the key waterway was being controlled by China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a news briefing Tuesday that Beijing was willing to work with the new U.S. administration, adhering to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence perhaps hinting at past clashes. Europe's far right While U.S. inaugurations have historically been largely domestic affairs, figures on the global political right including some on its extreme hard-right populist fringes were invited to Washington on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among them were lawmakers from Alternative for Germany, a far-right nationalist party under surveillance by Berlin for suspected extremism that Trump ally Elon Musk has recently championed. Italys staunch anti-immigration Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also attended. From left: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentine President Javier Milei and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng at the inauguration Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hungary's populist prime minister, Viktor Orban, a longtime Trump ally, said Trump's inauguration would aid the far-right's political assault on the European Union's mainstream. So the great attack can start," he said at an event in Budapest. "Hereby I launch the second phase of the offensive that aims to occupy Brussels. He is an arch antagonist of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who offered her own assessment. We have entered a new era of harsh geostrategic competition, she said in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Breaking the bonds in the global economy is in no ones interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first term, Trump alarmed European leaders by suggesting he might not defend them against Russia unless they paid more toward defense. He reiterated his latest demand Monday for those countries to contribute 5% of their gross domestic products toward defense, more than double NATO's recommendation. He has also unnerved Denmark by suggesting he might take its autonomous territory of Greenland by force. Climate change As expected, one of Trumps first executive orders was to leave the 2016 Paris climate change accord, in which countries agreed to limit post-industrial temperature rises to 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius (2.7 to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). This will put the United States alongside Yemen, Iran and Libya as nonsignatories to the deal, which Trump said was a rip-off but experts say is still humanitys best hope at limiting catastrophe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, the Biden administration announced a ban which would require an act of Congress to reverse on new offshore oil and gas drilling along most of the U.S. coastline. An offshore oil platform near Huntington Beach, Calif. Even so, the Paris agreement does not "reflect our countrys values, the White House said, with Trump instead promising to "drill, baby, drill. The WHO It was likewise anticipated that Trump would junk Washingtons role in the World Health Organization. He has alleged that the global health body aided Chinese government efforts to mislead the world over Covid something both the WHO and Beijing deny. The U.S. is by far the WHOs biggest financial backer, providing 18% of its $6.8 billion budget. Signing an executive order to leave the WHO, Trump said that Chinas lower contribution but higher population seems a little unfair to me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts say that leaving the organization could undermine worldwide programs to tackle diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com (The Hill) U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, the first female uniformed leader of an Armed Forces branch in U.S. history, was ousted by the Trump administration with no explanation late Monday. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman relieved Fagan of her duties as Coast Guard commandant, noting she served a long and illustrious career, and I thank her for her service to our nation, according to a message sent to all Coast Guard members Tuesday. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan testifies during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee oversight hearing on sexual assaults in the Coast Guard on Capitol Hill Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Adm. Kevin Lunday, the former vice commandant of the Coast Guard, will take over as acting commandant, the statement notes, offering no other details of the switch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An online biography on Fagan was unavailable Tuesday morning, and the Coast Guards official website listing the services senior leadership showed a blank space under Commandant. Fagan, also the Coast Guards first female four-star admiral, had served as the military branchs 27th commandant since June 1, 2022. Pete Hegseth, Trumps nominee to lead the Pentagon, has said eliminating diversity and equity efforts in the military will be a top priority if hes confirmed. Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Pittsfield Fire Department was called to Onota Lake early Tuesday morning to assist a fisherman who had fallen through the ice. Dog stranded on beaver dam rescued in Longmeadow Pittsfield Fire Department Deputy Chief Daniel Garner said that at approximately 7:45 a.m., the station received a report about an ice fisherman falling through the ice of Onota Lake. While on their way to the lake, an initial report stated that the fisherman had gotten out of the water, but an additional update said that he had fallen through the ice again and was in distress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pittsfield Fire said that when they arrived at the lake, crews spotted two fishermen over 100 yards off the boat launch at Burbank Park, with one of the men in the water. Firefighters wore cold-water rescue suits, and as they approached the fisherman to prepare for rescue a section of ice shelf broke off. The firefighters entered the water and secured the fisherman to an ice sled brought by the Pittsfield Fire Department, and successfully removed him from the water. Pittsfield Fire was assisted by the Pittsfield Police Department, with the Berkshire County Dive Team on standby. The fisherman suffered from hypothermia as a result of the incident and was brought to Berkshire Medical Center. He is expected to make a full recovery. One Pittsfield firefighter also got hypothermia due to the failure of his cold-water rescue suit and was also brought to the hospital. He is also expected to recover. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. In the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires, Flavor Flav is using his influence and platform to assist those impacted with the launch of a fundraiser. On Monday (Jan. 20), the Public Enemy member announced the new initiative, created in partnership with GoFundMe and the Black Music Action Coalition, on social media. This is Flavor Flav in the building, the musician says a clip posted on his Instagram account. Its been inspiring to me, seeing a lot people coming together right now, lifting each others spirits. Flavor Flav attends the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 26, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Theres not enough being done for the Black families and the communities, the legendary hype-man added. Come on, yall. Lets make L.A. strong, baby. Lets help those in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York native further expressed the importance of giving back in times of adversity, noting the disparity between the assistance that has been giving to members of the Black community who have been affected by the natural disaster. Its been inspiring to see so many people come together as one to lift each other up, and I just want to highlight one aspect of the larger LA community in dire need, Flav wrote in the posts caption. Flavor Flav attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. Not enough is being done for the black families and community in the aftermath of the California fires. Ive partnered up with GoFundMe and the Black Music Action Coalition to create ONE main GoFundMe campaign to immediately help those in need. The 65-year-old called out for entertainers and celebrities to join him and others in contributing to the fund, which has raised over $35,000 as of Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 21). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I urge not only black artists and musicians and creators, but EVERYONE to come together and continue to help those in still in desperate need, he added. Flavor Flav attends the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Los Angeles wildfires first broke out earlier this month in the Pacific Palisades, quickly spreading to other parts of the city, resulting in various homes being burned down and dozens of deaths. Celebrities impacted by the fires include Chris Brown, Tina Knowles, Brittey Spears, Jhene Aiko, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Kawhi Leonard, Tyra Banks, and more. See Flavor Flavs Instagram post below and donate here. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The case of Axel Rudakubana has shone a spotlight on the Governments anti-radicalisation Prevent programme. Aged 13 and 14, Rudakubana was referred to Prevent on three occasions between December 2019 and April 2021, following evidence that he was expressing an interest in school shootings and the London Bridge terror attack, among other subjects but his case was never passed on to receive specialist support. The revelation has added to mounting concerns about Prevent, which for years has been seen as the weakest strand of the Governments anti-terrorism strategy, Contest. Launched in 2003, as Islamist terrorists were plotting strikes on UK soil after the September 11 attacks in the United States, Contest was intended to provide a framework for law enforcement agencies to deal with the threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the first strand, Pursue, police and the security agencies would work together to investigate terror suspects and take action to disrupt their activities or bring them to trial. The second element, Protect, focused on reducing the physical risk to people by bolstering security at public venues and on transport networks, while Prepare, the third part of the strategy, worked to provide responses to terror attacks and ensure that lessons were learnt. The aim of the fourth strand, Prevent, which has been revised several times over the past 20 years, is arguably the most nebulous. Its purpose is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism, as well as aiding the rehabilitation and disengagement of those already involved. Where police believe that an individual referred to Prevent is at risk of radicalisation, a Channel panel, with representatives from different agencies, will assess the case and, if necessary, agree on a tailored package of support. The process is voluntary and those involved must give their consent. But much of the work of Prevent takes place in the shadows, making it near impossible to gauge its effectiveness. Since 2015, when institutions such as schools, universities, councils and the police were legally obliged to take action to prevent radicalisation, there have been between 5,000 and 8,000 referrals to the scheme each year, with action taken by a Channel panel in only a fraction of cases 300 to 800 per year. The cases are not publicised and its impossible to quantify the number of successful interventions: who can say that someone would have gone on to commit a terrorist attack had it not been for Prevent? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The failures, however, are clearer to see and have terribly undermined confidence in the programme. The case of Ahmad Hassan, who planted a bomb on an underground train at Parsons Green, south-west London, in 2017, injuring 51 people, had been discussed by a Channel panel in the weeks leading up to the attack. Khairi Saadallah, who murdered three men at a park in Reading in 2020, had also been referred to Prevent, as had Ali Harbi Ali, who stabbed to death the Conservative MP David Amess in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in 2021. Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai had been flagged to Prevent a year before he killed a man in Bournemouth in 2022, a murder that was not classed as terrorism but which raised wider concerns about border security. Abdulrahimzai, an adult asylum seeker from Afghanistan, had entered the UK claiming to be under 18, a year after murdering two men in Serbia. Sir William Shawcross warned that Islamist extremism was not being effectively tackled by the Government - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph In January 2019, before three of the murderous attacks had even taken place, the Conservative government announced a review of Prevent but it took far too long. Two years were wasted after the first reviewer, Lord Carlile of Berriew, was removed following a legal challenge over his appointment. His successor, Sir William Shawcross, was appointed in January 2021 and then spent a further two years completing the review when greater urgency was desperately needed, as is now so apparent. Shawcross was broadly supportive of Prevent, citing the unsung and often dangerous work carried out by those working for the programme. Prevent has already done much to stop extremists, to rescue the misguided and to protect innocents, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he concluded that the scheme should focus more on the threats posed by Islamism than the far-Right. My research shows that the present boundaries around what is termed by Prevent as extremist Islamist ideology are drawn too narrowly while the boundaries around the ideology of the extreme Right-wing are too broad, Shawcross wrote. This does not allow Prevent to reflect accurately, and deal effectively with, the lethal risks we actually face. His report made 34 recommendations. Thirty have now been fully implemented, according to the Home Office, and three are in progress. The overarching theme of the proposals was that Prevent should go back to first principles and reassert its overall objective of stopping people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Shawcross said: A significant proportion of Prevent is safeguarding vulnerable individuals at risk of exploitation or abuse. However, Prevent must not overlook those perpetrating this harm, nor those who pose a terrorism threat of their own agency and ideological fervour. What Shawcross appears to have suggested, therefore, seems to be at odds with the approach taken in Rudakubanas case. The attack the teenager carried out in Southport last year was not classed as terrorism, because police could not identify a political or ideological motive, but the impact was as devastating as a terrorist attack. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced a public inquiry into the murder of three girls by Rudakubana - AFP Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, said a review of the case had found that the referrals should not have been closed. Too much weight was placed on the absence of ideology, without considering the vulnerabilities to radicalisation, or taking account of whether he was obsessed with massacre or extreme violence, she told MPs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, Prevent neglected to consider the wider issues of Rudakubanas propensity for violence and the threat he posed, regardless of ideology a fundamental weakness of the programme which the Shawcross report has not addressed and which will require another review, to be conducted by Lord Anderson KC, to remedy. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd wants the federal government to lift recently imposed restrictions on oil and gas production and the exploitation of other resources across millions of acres of public lands in Colorado and other Western states. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Airports across north Florida announced closures due to the winter weather that is bringing hazardous conditions. The winter storm that is going through Florida is expected to bring about three to six inches of snow to some areas of the Panhandle, creating visibility and driving concerns. LIVE: Snow falls in Florida Panhandle Pensacola International Airport announced it would be closed Tuesday due to the winter weather, shutting down commercial operations. Travelers were advised to contact their airlines to get updated flight schedules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay safe and warm, Pensacola! the airport wrote on social media. Tampa International Airport experiencing delays, cancellations after winter storm Meanwhile, the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport also announced it would be closed noon CST Tuesday due to the weather. However, it planned to reopen at noon the following day. As with Pensacola, travelers at the Destin-Fort Walton airport were told to contact their airlines. In Panama City, Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport said flights may be impacted by the winter storm, but only advised travelers to check with their airlines. Further east, the Tallahassee International Airport announced that all commercial flights after 3 p.m. EDT will be canceled. Airport operations will be suspended at 4 p.m. EDT with plans to reopen at noon Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jacksonville International Airport also said it will close after the last departure at about 8 p.m. EDT. It will also reopen at noon Wednesday. This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app. Copyright 2025 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 WFLA. An animal rescue in Florida has saved nearly 80 dogs from the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires and freezing weather in Texas in a valiant effort that saw their team drive across the country to help find the pups a better home. On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves, Fla. shared a press release that they stepped up to rescue a number of canines whose lives were at stake amid extreme weather and natural disaster. The organization traveled to Palm Springs, Calif., with a large bus to assist a shelter that was "overloaded with pets from the fire disaster." Once they arrived, the team picked up 48 dogs. BDRR.ORG A Big Dog Ranch Rescue representative holding two dogs A Big Dog Ranch Rescue representative holding two dogs On their drive back, the rescue received another call for help, this time from Cleveland, Texas, as the state prepares to face freezing cold weather conditions. Big Dog Ranch Rescue ended up picking up 30 more pups, writing that the "animals faced their own tragedy as temperatures drop to below freezing as the arctic cold front passes through the state this week." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Big Dog Ranch Rescue shared more about their heroic journey on Instagram, where they posted a video detailing their efforts. Both shelters who called for help, per the video, were rescue partners. Related: Precious Cat Rescued from L.A. Fires Now Recovering in Shelter: His Healing Is Coming Along Beautifully As for the canines in the Golden State, the rescue said, they were "left to fend for themselves after the destruction of fires." The dogs had either been surrendered by their owners as a result of the fires or were previously surrendered. BDRR.ORG A photo of canines rescued by Big Dog Ranch Rescue A photo of canines rescued by Big Dog Ranch Rescue Meanwhile, the dogs in Texas "would have otherwise been frozen to death" after being left to fend for themselves in the extreme weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Wherever there is a need, we always answer the call," the rescue captioned the post, adding that the pups are now "recovering at our ranch, where theyll go through a two-week quarantine before being ready for adoption." Founder and CEO Lauree Simmons said the dogs will now be well-cared for in an inspiring statement obtained by PEOPLE. Big Dog Ranch Rescue/Instagram Big Dog Ranch Rescue Big Dog Ranch Rescue "These dogs are refugees from natural disasters, some from raging fires and some from freezing cold temperatures," Simmons said. "Its fire and ice. They will all now receive the love and attention they need while in our care and will hopefully find families who will adopt them into their new forever homes." Related: Man Known as the 'Johnny-on-the-Spot' Animal Rescuer for His L.A. Community Ramps Up Efforts During Wildfires (Exclusive) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few people involved in the rescue spoke with ABC-affiliated WPBF, including bus driver Jay Caetano, who offered a unique perspective by saying, "Even when you're tired and cranky, you look at the dogs and know it's worth it." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Big Dog Ranch Rescue was founded in 2008 and saves "dogs in distress from high kill shelters throughout the country, abused dogs and dogs suffering from inhumane treatment and natural disasters," per a press release from the organization. Their efforts have saved more than 73,000 dogs, leading Big Dog Ranch Rescue to be known as the largest no-kill rescue in the United States. The rescue also aims to educate people on how to properly care for dogs once they've found their forever home. Read the original article on People The drug known as xylazine is making its way through Florida, and lawmakers now are looking to make selling it a felony. The idea is to deter drug dealers from selling the animal sedative, which can cause the rotting of skin tissue. Law enforcement and harm reduction outreach workers are seeing more xylazine, also known as "tranq," in the drug supply in different areas of the state. And it's getting mixed with other drugs, like fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. "It's a very sporadic and very unpredictable sort of drug," said Tim Santamour, executive director of the Florida Harm Reduction Collective, an organization that advocates for people who use drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mostly seen on the East Coast in places like Philadelphia, xylazine was created to be used in veterinary offices as a sedative. The drug can cause hours-long blackouts and necrosis of the skin, which can lead to amputation. And its effects can't be reversed by naloxone, a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Early sightings of xylazine were in South Florida, in cities like Miami, but now it's more prevalent in Central and Northeast Florida, law enforcement says. Ellen Deming of Deming Veterinary Services holds up a syringe containing .25 mL of Xylazine, enough to sedate a deer in Jackson, Tenn., on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. While the drug is already on the state's Schedule I list, meaning there's "high potential for abuse and ... no currently accepted medical use," there are no penalties for selling xylazine in Florida. That's why law enforcement say they've seen an increase in the drug supply drug dealers could only be charged with possession of a controlled substance if they were caught with xylazine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Rep. Rachel Plakon, R-Lake Mary, wants to change that. In early January, Plakon filed a bill to create penalties for selling xylazine or a mixture containing xylazine. Offenses Involving Xylazine (HB 57) would make trafficking an amount larger than 4 grams a first-degree felony. Plakon said her district, which includes Seminole County, has seen an increase of xylazine, and she was spurred to act after learning that someone overdosing on the drug can't be revived with naloxone: "There's no second chances with this drug," Plakon said. "It's really important that we stay ahead of it." Xylazine in Florida The drug is an animal tranquilizer that is not approved for human use but it has made its way into the illicit drug supply because it can increase the potency of the drug it is mixed with. Xylazine can be swallowed, inhaled, smoked, snorted or injected and can last between 20 to 50 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It increases the risk of overdose because it also depresses the central nervous system, which means it causes a slower heart rate and respiratory rate and will sedate the person who takes it. In Florida in 2023, xylazine was present in 550 overdose deaths, a 17% increase over the year before, and was the cause of 340 overdose deaths, a 27% increase over the previous year, state records show. The area with the most deaths was in Medical Examiner District 4, which includes Jacksonville, and the most common age of the dead person was between 35 and 50 years old, according to the 2023 Florida Medical Examiners Commission report on drugs identified in deceased persons. Duval and Sarasota counties had the highest occurrences per 100,000 people, according to the report. And in Seminole County, the sheriff's office has seen inmates with necrosis of the skin because of xylazine use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If somebody said, 'Well, that's not happening in Seminole County,' au contraire, it is," said Bob Cortes, senior administrator for government affairs for the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. "We've seen it," he added. "We've seen it in the buys that we do. We've seen it in the medical examiner's reports when they do toxicology (tests) on people who have died. We're seeing it for sure. (It) may not be in big numbers like in Tampa or in other places of the state, but it's here." A box of Xylazine test strips provided at the Butler County Health District Safer Drug Use Site in Fairfield, Ohio, on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Xylazine, an animal sedative, has been found locally in batches of Fentanyl purchased by intravenous drug users. What about xylazine test strips in Florida? While fentanyl test strips are legal in Florida, xylazine test strips are not. Santamour said decriminalizing xylazine test strips, which cost the same as fentanyl test strips (around 35 cents), would help curb overdose deaths. That's because many people don't know they're taking something mixed with the powerful animal sedative. Many states, like California, Washington, Illinois and Pennsylvania allow all drug checking equipment. In 2024, two states passed legislation to allow xylazine test strips. Wisconsin decriminalized xylazine test strips, and West Virginia excluded test strips from its definition of drug paraphernalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santamour said outreach workers with the Florida Harm Reduction Collective have seen an increase in wounds among people living in homeless encampments in the Tampa Bay area. They're not abscesses or cuts that have become infected, but rather a black, circular wound that opens up if it's not treated correctly, he said. Legalizing test strips would help, he added. It would allow people who use drugs, he explained, "to make a decision whether or not to use that substance, or maybe to finally say, 'hey, this drug market is just too risky for me, maybe I need to seek some assistance in dealing with my issues.' " For help, more information Call 988 inside the state of Florida. Managed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Florida Lifeline "is a free behavioral health support service, available 24/7, that connects Floridians experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use disorder, mental health crises, or any other kind of emotional distress to a highly trained crisis counselor in their immediate area," its website explains. Learn about the state's Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network by going to the website: https://www.flcorenetwork.com/about-core-network/. Get help here: https://www.flcorenetwork.com/get-help/. To find out how to get naloxone, go to www.nextdistro.org/florida. Ana Goni-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida xylazine bill would beef up penalties for trafficking TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Many Florida Republicans in the state legislature traveled to the nations capital for Inauguration Day events. Lawmakers like Sen. Rick Scott who works on Capitol Hill posted a video statement on X congratulating President Donald Trump. I am excited to celebrate the inauguration of my good friend, Scott said. The Florida U.S. senator also reaffirmed his commitment to backing the presidents secretary of state pick, Marco Rubio, and Attorney General Nominee Pam Bondi, who all call Florida home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As your United States senator, I will fight each and every day to confirm his cabinet nominees., Scott said. Scott is also backing the presidents agenda. Together, we will secure our border, restore our economy, bring transparency to our federal government and so much more, Scott said. Other Florida-based leaders are reacting. Pinellas County U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna posted on X. We celebrate the peaceful transfer of power and the beginning of a new chapter for our country and the world, Luna said. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who has been appointed to replace Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate, also shared her thoughts on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ready to help President Trump put America first, Moody said. USF Emeritus Political Science Professor J. Edwin Benton said Florida may benefit policy wise from the Trump administration, especially after the governor called for a special session to help one of the presidents key promises. Immigration, control of the border, thats going to be a major thing we are going to see, Benton said. Benton said the connections among politicians close to Trump who are also from Florida means there are advocates for taxpayers who live in the Sunshine State. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried doesnt want her party attacking President Trumps policies without a valid reason. I am somebody who also sees if there are good things coming from the administration, we always want America to succeed, Fried said. The top democrat admitted democrats should push back on policies when they feel they harm Americans. Also, when it comes to the cabinet, Fried hopes they put the best interest of the country before loyalty to President Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You need people in the room to counter some things that president says, whether its a democrat or republican, Fried said. Copyright 2025 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 WFLA. Former Gen. Michael Flynn departs a protest of the outcome of the 2020 presidential election outside the Supreme Court on December 12, 2020, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has asked the Florida Supreme Court to reinstate his defamation lawsuit against anti-Trump political operative Rick Wilson over comments linking him to Vladimir Putin and the QAnon conspiracy theory. A Sarasota state trial ruled the comments were protected by the First Amendment, and the Florida Second District Court of Appeal affirmed, citing the profound national commitment to the principle that debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open, and that it may well include vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 12-page brief filed Tuesday with the states highest court, attorneys for Flynn argued the lower courts misapplied Floridas law against strategic lawsuits against public participation, also known as SLAPPs, launched to discourage taking part in protected activities including public debate. Specifically, they argue the lower courts improperly required Flynn to demonstrate that the claims are not primarily based on First Amendment rights in connection with a public issue and not without merit before proceeding with the lawsuit against Wilson. The trial judge ruled that Flynn hadnt met that burden, and the Second District Court of Appeal agreed. But those conclusions clash with rulings from the Third, Fourth and Fifth District Courts of Appeal, which didnt shift the burden of proof in that way, his attorneys argue. Accordingly, Gen. Flynn seeks to invoke this courts discretionary jurisdiction to review a decision of a district court of appeal that expressly and directly conflicts with a decision of a district court of appeal or the Supreme Court on the same point of law, they wrote. Putin employee The alleged defamation arose in part from a Wilson post referring to Putin employee Mike Flynn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flynn is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general whom Donald Trump made national security adviser during his first term but fired after concluding Flynn had lied to the FBI and Vice President Mike Pence about discussing with the Russian government U.S. sanctions placed by Barack Obama on Russia before the Trump administration took office. Later, he backed out of a plea deal with the government for allegedly lying about his contacts with the Russian ambassador during the Robert Mueller investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump pardoned Flynn in November 2020. Earlier, in 2015, the state-sponsored Russia Today television network paid Flynn $45,000 to speak during a dinner in Moscow; a photo shows Flynn seated next to Putin at the event. Additionally, Wilson retweeted a social media post by podcaster Jim Stewartson reading, FYI, Mike Flynn is Q. Flynn argues that QAnon is a terrorist organization and that the reference was defamatory. However, the trial court record notes that Flynn has used the QAnon slogan, Where we go one, we go all, and WWG1WGA, and authorized sale of merchandize with those slogans. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Russian President Vladimir Putin was quick to congratulate his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, issuing a short statement before the start of the inauguration ceremony in Washington. "We were always ready to support relations of equal cooperation with any American administration," Putin told members of the country's National Security Council in a call on Jan. 20, claiming that Russia was "open to dialogue on the 'Ukrainian conflict,'" a name used by the Kremlin for the war it wages against Ukraine. Later reporting suggested that Trump's team was already preparing a call with Putin, which could take place "very quickly." On the following day, however, Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov denied any preparations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: It needs to end State Secretary Rubios position on Russias war against Ukraine Kremlin officials project caution Russian parliamentarians, whose role is diminished to approving Putin's agenda and attacking his enemies, on Jan. 20 showed signs of reserve. Trump simply "doesn't have a final stance" on the war, according to Konstantin Kosachev, the deputy speaker of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, which has little to no real power in the country. This would explain why Trump didn't mention Russia's war a single time in his inauguration speech, Kosachev argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This also means that improving Russian-American relations "will be difficult," said Leonid Slutsky, the head of the Russian Parliamentary Committee of Foreign Affairs. Slutsky, the leader of one of the country's pro-Putin political parties, blamed former U.S. President Joe Biden for the tarnished relations between the two countries. The U.S. will remain "hostile to Russia," said Russian Senator Andrey Klishas. Read also: A team of attention-seekers Ukrainians react to Trumps Inauguration speech Propaganda turns to Zelensky, spreads conspiracy theories Kremlin pundits, meanwhile, didn't turn their tune, blaming Ukraine for, well, everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olga Skabeeva, the host of a popular evening talk show, connected with Ekaterina Moore, a Washington correspondent for Russian state-controlled media, who demonstrated her invitation to Trump's inauguration on air. "They invited you, but neither (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky nor (French President Emmanuel) Macron," Skabeeva commented, passing next to the fact that Putin was not invited either. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council Meeting in Igora ski resort, north of Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Dec. 26, 2024. (Contributor / Getty Images) Zelensky, in addition, would have been desperate to receive an invitation, according to Skabeeva, who quoted Donald Trump Jr, the son of the current U.S. president, who has been actively attacking Kyiv online. Fellow pundit Vladimir Solovyev, on his end, reposted a publication on Telegram according to which "Trump mentioned democracy 637 times and Ukraine not a single time" in his inauguration speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another post, Solovyev attacked Biden, claiming that the ex-president needed to pardon former U.S. Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci because U.S. Covid vaccines had "side effects, which were ordered to stay silent on." Biden's last-minute presidential pardons were also a topic for Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who claimed that these decrees were "self-incriminating." Zakharova also welcomed Trump's executive order on the recognition of only two genders, insinuating that under Biden, the U.S. government had been actively promoting non-binary identities in the U.S. and abroad. As a result, "many people's lives were broken," Zakharova claimed. Aiming for lifting sanctions, Russian analysts believe Back on Skabeeva's evening show, Russian parliamentarian and political scientist Andrey Isayev saw this year's Inauguration Day as a "competition between Trumpists and globalists." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian propaganda's talking points have long been similar to the ones expressed by right and far-right pundits in the U.S. The first group, according to Isayev, is "obviously prevailing." However, this does not change much for Russia as "both parties fight for Western domination." With regards to Ukraine, Trump's presidency would not change much, as the new president "will not leave Europe," the Russian parliamentarian argued. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the crowd as Vice President J.D. Vance looks at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, U.S. on Jan. 20, 2025. (Bill Clark / Pool / Getty Images) Similar arguments came up on the popular pro-war Telegram channel Rybar, which called upon its readers to "judge (U.S. foreign policy) based on concrete decrees and actions in the next three months," not based on Trump's inauguration speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Kremlin-aligned economists showed hope that sanctions against Russia could be lifted, even if Trump's policies on Russia could be "tough," according to industry expert Leonid Khazanov, who was quoted by pro-Kremlin outlet Lenta. For 15 years, Lenta was one of the leading Russian independent news outlets. In 2014, months after Russia launched its war against Ukraine, the news outlet was taken over by the Russian government. Fired journalists left for Riga, Latvia, and founded the Meduza news outlet. Despite Russia's cautious optimism and lack of outright criticism of the incoming administration, Trump didn't return the favor. On Jan. 20, Trump said that Putin was "destroying Russia" by failing to reach a peace deal with Ukraine. "He should make a deal. I think he's destroying Russia by not making a deal," Trump said following his inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Putin is destroying Russia by not making a deal to end war, Trump says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesnt mean politics wont take an interest in you. Attributed to Greek leader Pericles (495-429 BC) The Utah Legislature has begun its 45-day session, where, if the recent past holds, more than 500 pieces of legislation will be passed. These laws will deal with safety at school, higher education, taxes, the environment, traffic laws and oh, so much more. If you have an interest in following and impacting Utahs legislative process, there are a number of ways you can get involved. Following the legislature Start by going to the states legislative website: le.utah.gov. This is the one-stop shop for Utah legislative news. You can find information about your legislators; you can search for bills by topic, number or legislator; and you can sign up to track bills electronically. Each time there is a change to the wording and each time it is scheduled to be discussed in committee or on the floor, the bill file will be updated. If you want email notifications of bill changes, enter your email on the bill page, on the right-hand side under Track This. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement General committee schedules can be found on the home page of the legislative website toward the bottom of the page on the left side. Specific agendas can be found on the calendar. Unless the House or Senate suspends the rules, which happens most often toward the end of the session, agendas must be posted 24 hours in advance of the committee meeting, To follow the reading calendars for the House and Senate to discuss bills on the floor, go to: http://le.utah.gov/calendar/list.html. The social media platform X is especially valuable during the session. Several legislators tweet actively, as well as @UtahHouseMajority, @UtahHouseDemocrats, @UtahSenate, @UtahSenateDemocrats and @UtahPolicy. You can also follow along by using the hashtag #utpol or #utleg. Weighing in One thing almost all legislators have in common is that they really do want to hear from you, their constituents. But they can also get hundreds to a thousand-plus emails a day during the legislative session. If you want your message to be heard, here are some tips on using email effectively: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, note that you are a constituent in the subject line and then make your subject line as descriptive as possible. Vote NO! is not actually descriptive. In addition to the bill number, include either the title or a description of the bill. With hundreds of bills to track, its hard to identify them by just a number. Please vote yes on H.B. 234 Motorcycle Safety Amendments is better. Dont mass email. Take the time to send a personalized letter to each senator/representative. It does not take that much extra time. Mass emails are a good way to guarantee your email does not get read. Please take the time to find out just a little about who you are emailing. Mistakes happen, but calling a female legislator him or calling a senator representative, or vice versa, makes legislators think that youre probably just mass-emailing everyone and that youre not actually paying attention. Remember the adage about winning friends and influencing people. Or maybe the one about looking for a win/win. Ripping on a legislator for four paragraphs and then demanding they vote the way you want them to is not usually a winning argument. Your issue is important to you, and your legislators want to hear about it. Really. They do. They are also hearing from hundreds of others who have important issues too. Be patient but persistent. (That does not mean spamming them, by the way.) If they vote differently than you would like them to, it does not mean they havent listened. Burning bridges is generally a bad idea. You may not be able to convince them this year, but if you dont burn bridges, you might next year. Also, disagreeing on one issue does not mean you will disagree on all issues. Disagreeing respectfully is a good way to gain an ally. You can also weigh in during committee hearings and you can do it in person, by coming to the Hill, or you can weigh in online, by signing up for public comment as you sign in to the committee hearing. Know that public comments might be limited in number and will be time-limited. For face-to-face time, come to the Capitol anytime during the session and send in a note letting your legislator know that you, a constituent, would like to speak to them. Showing up can carry a lot of weight. Theres always a sleeper bill some bill that suddenly takes off and gets a ton of attention. The year I was in the Legislature, it was the feral cat bill, which inspired a very funny Twitter account of a cat commenting on the session. (The bill didnt pass.) As bills move through the process of becoming law, there are often changes made. Some are substantive, while others are small. Some changes are hostile takeovers and some are considered friendly. Some changes are made in committee and others on the floor. Ive seen bills hijacked and gutted so thoroughly by a series of amendments that the bills own sponsor will kill it. Some good bills die for lack of time and sometimes due to a lack of understanding. The process of publicly vetting bills is designed to maximize the chances of passing a good bill and decrease the chances of letting bad bills become law. Of the 1,000+ bills that will be introduced this session, more than 800 will have at least one committee hearing and more than 500 will pass. Most of them will pass unanimously, or nearly so. Finally, let me plug the Utah Policy newsletter, where every weekday you will get a look at each days committee meetings, the three things I am watching for that day and news from what the Legislature did the day before. You can subscribe by going to UtahPolicy.com and signing up on the home page. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) For Will Brumleve, nothing is better than when the latest edition of the Ford County Chronicle hits the printing press. Every week that we put on edition, Im always like, Im just so happy. I smile because I like it. Its just good to see that we still have it, Brumleve said. Brumleve is a co-owner, editor-in-chief, lead ad salesman, and designer for the paper. He covers all the biggest news stories in Ford County, and his co-owner Andrew Rosten covers area sports. Together, they tackle the difficult task of putting together a full printed newspaper out every single week for the past four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foreigner to headline 2025 Gibson City Summer Bash Just because its rural America doesnt mean nothings happening, Brumleve said. And if people arent there to watch your government, people arent there to cover the accidents and crime and, you know, the the people of their communities and their stories, you know, you get all the all the history gets lost, you know, and people cant make informed decisions. The Chronicle is the last print news publication in Ford County, and every day Brumleve is fighting to make sure that next issue drops and the doors to the Chronicle on Market and State St. in Paxton stay open. Last year, Brumleve thought he was going to get a huge financial lift from the state, in the form of a first-of-its-kind tax credit for journalism outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve got to keep these papers alive. I mean, it is crucial. Its crucial to our democracy. It really is In the small towns, he said. Rockford Democrat and former T.V. news anchor Senator Steve Stadelman created the Illinois Local Journalism Task Force in 2023. Last January, it issued its final report. The report detailed the decaying state of local journalism across Illinois, citing data showing since 2005, Illinois lost more of a third of its newspapers. One of the first lines of the final report lays the problem out clearly. This isnt just a business problem its a democracy problem, too, the report read. An informed citizenry is essential to the health of our government on both the national and local levels, and reliable information is becoming an endangered resource as the news industry struggles with widespread technological and financial disruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Rose refiles bill to keep carbon storage projects away from the Mahomet Aquifer As a veteran journalist of 20 years, Brumleve is all too familiar with the anxieties of working in journalism. He was born and raised in Urbana, and graduated from the University of Illinois in 2002. He immediately started to work for what was then the Paxton Daily Record. The paper turned out daily issues, keeping the people of Paxton informed. He also helped publish the Paxton Record, a weekly edition of the paper. In 2007, the Daily Record closed, and the weekly edition was purchased and kept running by the News-Gazette. Brumleve stayed on and continued to report in Paxton. In 2015, the Gibson City Courier closed, making his paper the only one left in all of Ford County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After more ownership changes, Rosten was laid off and Brumleve quickly quit. The Record closed in 2021. Through all of that though, Brumleve and Rosten still held on to their goal of reporting in Ford County. How do you not love this community? Brumleve said. This is not a unique story. Illinois ranks in the top 10 states of journalism jobs lost since 2005, according to the task force report. To combat these trends, the state legislature passed the Local Journalism Sustainability Tax Credit. Each publication could get $15,000 per long term employee, and $10,000 for new employees under the credit. For Brumleves two-man operation, $30,000 could be a game changer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He applied as soon as he was able to, but was quickly rejected. It turns out, the Ford County Chronicle does not qualify for the credit because of how Brumleve filed taxes for the business. In order to get the credit, the Ford County Chronicle needed employees, but Brumleve and Rosten were co-owners, so they werent paid as employees. Brumleve already worked with an accountant to file his taxes as an S corporation, which will allow him to qualify for the credit next year, but he intends to keep fighting this year. We had two journalists with bylines in every single paper, multiple ones that, you know, prove that we were employed by the Ford County Chronicle. We have paychecks, you know, to ourselves. And, you know, we paid our taxes individually on those as owners of the of the paper. Brumleve said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said if the problem is that he cant prove he had employees last year through his tax filings, he will prove it a different way. I dont know what we got to do. You know, hand them 50 to a stack of 52 papers from last year and say, heres what we did, you know, whether we were employed or not, Brumleve said. The state put certain restrictions in place on the tax credit to make sure that legitimate publications were getting the money. With the rise of A.I. and Illinois history of pink slime politically-motivated newspapers, there was a concern that those operations could benefit if the state wasnt too careful, so the state made it employee-based. That decision kept The Chronicle from getting the money, but those involved say they plan to continue to adapt the program to make sure places dont fall through the cracks. Illinois could transfer land from state park to Potawatomi nation with bill on governors desk Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think thats will be one tweak moving forward to make sure these type of operations are covered, Stadelman said. But again, initially out of the gate, we want to make sure that traditional newsrooms, traditional media outlets were covered. The Illinois Press Association represents newspapers across the state. IPA President Don Craven said there are no doubt more papers in the same situation as Brumleves. Its the Will Brumleves of the world and the little radio stations and the little newspapers all over the state, that serve a tremendous purpose, Craven said. But he also said he is confident that the correct changes will be made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im as confident about that as Ive ever been about a piece of legislation in the Illinois General Assembly, Craven said. Brumleve already contacted an accountant to make the necessary changes to get the credit next year. He does not need any action from the state to loop in the Chronicle now. However, in an industry like print news, he takes little solace in a promise of next year, because he is only ever worried about getting the next issue to print. I try not to think too far ahead, just you really cant because the bank account is only so much, Brumleve said. Copyright 2025 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 WCIA.com. Chicagoans shivered through the coldest day in more than a year as the current cold spell turned dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday morning lows dropped to-13 in far western portions of the viewing area with wind chills in the -30 to -35 degree range. Despite the days sunny sky, the afternoon high temperature barely made it above zero, hitting 2-degrees. That qualified as the coldest January 21 in 142 years, since a bone chilling high of -4 degrees back in 1883. The arctic blast is impacting more than 100 million U.S. residents. Highs across the eastern two thirds of the country were as much as 30-degrees below normal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WGN Weather Center Maps & Interactive Radar Extended 7-Day Forecast Historic winter storm batters gulf coast A historic winter storm stretched across the Gulf Coast from Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and even north Florida. The wintry assault resulted in the first-ever Blizzard Warning early Tuesday across portions of Texas and Louisiana. Snowfall totals were approaching 10 inches in the New Orleans area as of the latest update, easily the biggest snow that city has ever seen in more than 140 years of weather records. Heavy snow was falling across the Florida Panhandle Tuesday evening with an almost unheard of near 6 inch tally reported in Pensacola. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below: The scene Tuesday evening from Fort Walton beach courtesy of our exclusive WGN-TV WeatherBug camera network. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. On a mid-November morning in Washington, D.C., U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride leaned into one of two oversized leather chairs in Cannon House Office Building Room 347. With studio lights glowing softly and an American flag stationed in the corner, the room felt more like a television set than a congressional space. Perhaps this was fitting for the first out transgender person elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, a history-making moment that has placed McBride in the national spotlight at a time when trans rights are in peril. Time is a finite and highly in-demand resource for McBride these days as she juggles the demands of transitioning from her role in the Delaware State Senate to Congress. She arrived flanked by aides with a short window for our interview, but she was poised and ready to reflect on her historic victory and the work ahead. Its a call she has long been prepared for. Before serving in Delaware, McBride, who had worked on President Joe Bidens late son Beaus two races for attorney general, served as an intern in the Obama White House after coming out as trans to her classmates at American University in 2012. Later, she worked at the Human Rights Campaign, where her advocacy amplified the voices of LGBTQ+ people and shaped the conversation on equality and justice. Mike Nelson @mknlsn Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, stepping into the House, McBride brings a resume that blends political savvy, policy fluency, and frontline advocacy. It had already been a whirlwind week. Shed participated in first-year orientation alongside her incoming class of representatives, many seasoned politicians, nonprofit leaders, and policy wonks. For McBride, the weight of history felt real when she stepped onto the House floor for the first time. I thought about all the history that occurred in that space, she said. She paused to absorb the enormity of it. The passage of the 13th and 14th amendments. The Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Affordable Care Act. Im truly honored to have this opportunity on behalf of Delawareans to help write this chapter in our countrys story. Pride is real for McBride in several ways. I am a proud Delawarean to the point that my friends and I invented the word 'stateriot' [a portmanteau of state and patriot] to describe ourselves, she said. Congresswoman Sarah McBride chats with Advocate senior national reporter Christopher Wiggins in the halls of the historic Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. Mike Nelson @mknlsn Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 34, McBride has entered Congress at a fraught time. The nation is polarized, and anti-trans rhetoric has reached a fever pitch. Donald Trump is returning to the White House, and all branches of government will be controlled by Republicans, many of whom have made it clear that they see her and people like her as a target. Shes undeterred. Im proud of who I am. Im proud to be who I am, she said. But I didnt run to be known just for my identity. I ran to be Delawares member of Congress, working on all of the issues that matter. Support The Advocate's journalism. Find out how you can contribute here. Delawareans, it seems, agreed. McBride won her seat decisively, earning the highest percentage of any Democrat running for a major statewide office in Delaware. Despite the fact that Delaware is in the Philadelphia media market, where anti-trans ads were playing regularly, those ads and those issues werent what I was hearing from voters on the campaign trail, she said. I was hearing that the American dream is increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible. Mike Nelson @mknlsn Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her victory hasnt gone unnoticed by those eager to make an example of her. Just days after our interview, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that bathrooms in House-controlled spaces would be restricted based on an individuals gender assigned at birth. The announcement made on Transgender Day of Remembrance, no less was as cruel as it was performative. McBride refused to take the bait. Im not here to fight about bathrooms, she said. Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. The policy sparked outrage among advocates and allies, but McBride remained steady. Her colleagues on Capitol Hill have already demonstrated solidarity, offering her their personal restrooms to circumvent the ban. The gesture speaks volumes about McBrides ability to foster relationships even in contentious environments, something she has honed throughout her career. Shes made long-lasting impressions in places like HRC. Working with Sarah at the Human Rights Campaign, her talent, motivation, and heart were undeniable, HRC Chief of Staff Jay Brown said. As our national press secretary, she was an incredible voice for our community, and I know she will continue to be an incredible voice for the people of Delaware in Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, As a trans man, she gives me hope for what is possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McBride talks with Delaware state senator Dave Sokola (left) following a press conference on the steps of Legislative Hall in March 2024. Kent Nishimura/Getty Images She is no stranger to challenging conversations or working across the aisle. In the Delaware State Senate, she built bipartisan coalitions to pass significant legislation, including paid family leave and major investments in healthcare. In 2023, McBride also moved her Republican colleagues to cosponsor a ban on the gay and trans panic defense in the state. Shes approaching her new role in Congress with the same strategy. Our job is to work with anyone whos willing to work with us to help our constituents, she said. That means working with our Democratic colleagues and yes, our Republican colleagues. But she warns that collaboration is a two-way street, and it is on my Republican colleagues to muster the same maturity that American workers muster every single day when they go into workplaces to work with people who look, think, and vote differently than they do. Still, McBride is clear-eyed about the reality of serving in a House dominated by far-right voices. There are professional provocateurs parading as public officials, she said. But part of this job is working with people who may disagree with us on every other issue. If we can find common ground on one thing, we have a responsibility to move this country forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her hope and determination are rooted not just in political conviction but in personal experience. McBride spoke candidly about her late husband, Andy Cray, who died of cancer at 28, four days after their wedding in August 2014. She recalled the words of her brother, a radiation oncologist, who told her during Andys final weeks, This is going to be incredibly difficult, but you should take stock in the acts of amazing grace that will fill your life. McBride and Katie Couric speak during the 'Feminism: A Battlefield Report' session at the Women in the World Summit in April 2019, New York City. Mike Coppola/Getty Images Those acts of grace friends organizing a wedding in five days, loved ones camping out at the hospital have shaped McBrides approach to public service. Hope only makes sense in the face of hardship, she said. For LGBTQ+ youth, McBrides election is itself an act of hope. She frequently hears from young people who see themselves in her and take pride in her journey. It gives them a little bit of comfort that the heart of this country may be big enough to love them too, she said. That they may be able to live their truth and dream big dreams all at the same time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McBrides optimism is not naive its intentional. She views this moment, with all its tension and hostility, as a potential turning point. The story of this nation has always been the dual story of progress and pain, she said. As scary as this moment may be, and frankly as dangerous as this moment may be, when the final story of this chapter is written, I believe well see that we can make this a slingshot moment. Yes, weve been pulled backward, but the tension and pressure of being pulled backward can propel us to destinations weve not yet been. Watch the latest episode of Cover to Cover with Advocate Channel correspondant Stephen Walker here: In her moments of downtime, McBride is refreshingly relatable. Shes a proud aunt to her nieces and nephews, a history nerd, a Lego enthusiast, and an unapologetic fan of what she calls bad reality TV, especially The Traitors (all versions). Its queer canon, she said with a grin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As our conversation came to an end, I asked what shed say to her younger self, the girl who might never have dreamed of a day like this. McBride didnt hesitate. Your fears are understandable, but they will prove to be unfounded, she said. Nothing is truly impossible. When Sarah McBride entered the Capitol as a member of Congress for the first time this month, she faced some colleagues who refused to acknowledge her humanity. She walked past bathrooms she was barred from using. And she walked into history not as a symbol, but as a legislator ready to deliver. For Delawareans. For everyone. Sarah McBride PHOTOGRAPHER: Mike Nelson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Raine Bascos LOCATION: Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. Editors note (February 5, 2025): Since this story was published, Jackie Johnson was acquitted of the misdemeanor count of obstructing police, and the judge dismissed the felony count of violating her oath of office, saying the indictment used to charge Johnson was flawed by technical errors. The one-time Georgia prosecutor accused of impeding the investigation into Ahmaud Arberys killers is set to stand trial more than four years after the Black 25-year-olds death, which fueled nationwide protests over racial injustice. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday in the trial of former Brunswick District Attorney Jackie Johnson, who faces charges of violating her oath of office and obstruction stemming from her alleged actions in the weeks after Arberys death in February 2020. Three White men were ultimately found guilty on state murder and federal hate crime charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those men, Gregory McMichael, had previously worked as an investigator in Johnsons office, and prosecutors have said he asked for her help when his son shot Arbery after they chased him through their neighborhood. While Johnson recused herself from the case, the Georgia Attorney Generals Office has alleged she failed to handle the case fairly and interfered with investigators, preventing the arrest of McMichaels son, Travis. Attorneys for Johnson declined to comment, citing the demands of the trial. Johnson has in the past denied wrongdoing. At a pre-trial hearing in December, her attorney said Johnson was focused on securing an unrelated indictment and didnt know what was going on with Ahmaud Arberys case, the Associated Press reported. No one was arrested until two months after Arbery was killed, when a video of the shooting emerged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arberys killing, along with those of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, was a focal point of protests that roiled the country in the summer of 2020. Opening statements in the trial will follow jury selection. Some 500 Glynn County residents received notice of jury duty a larger number than usual as the court worked to seat an impartial panel of 12 jurors plus alternates, according to the AP. Heres what we know about the case. Arberys killing Arbery was shot dead February 23, 2020, after he had gone out for a jog. When they saw Arbery in their neighborhood, the McMichaels who told police they suspected Arbery in a purported string of burglaries grabbed guns and pursued him in a pickup truck (Arbery was not accused of committing a crime). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A third man, William Roddie Bryan, also joined the pursuit and recorded the shooting on his cellphone. When that footage surfaced May 5, 2020, it showed Travis McMichael fatally shooting Arbery after a physical confrontation in which they grappled over McMichaels shotgun. The McMichaels were arrested two days after the video surfaced. Bryans arrest came two weeks later. Ahmaud Arbery's mother said he was out for a run when he was fatally shot in February 2020. - Courtesy S. Lee Merritt A third district attorneys office from Cobb County, in the Atlanta suburbs was assigned to the case two months after the shooting. Travis McMichael was found guilty in November 2021 of state charges of malice murder and felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit a felony. His father was found not guilty of malice murder but guilty on the other eight counts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryan was found guilty of felony murder, one count of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit a felony. He was cleared on the charge of malice murder, felony murder involving aggravated assault with a firearm and the count of aggravated assault with a firearm. The three men were sentenced to life in prison on the state charges. They were later found guilty of federal hate crime charges; the McMichaels received life sentences and Bryan was sentenced to 35 years. 16 phone calls with suspect It was around this time the office of state Attorney General Chris Carr requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation open an inquiry into prosecutors response to Arberys killing. Johnson had recused herself from the case the day after the shooting due to her previous connection with Gregory McMichael. But it wasnt until February 27, 2020 four days after Arbery died that she requested the appointment of a new prosecutor, the AGs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The office appointed the DA of the neighboring Waycross judicial circuit at Johnsons recommendation, the indictment says. However, that prosecutor did not disclose the fact he had already told Glynn County Police he did not see grounds for the McMichaels arrests, according to the AGs office. He, too, would later recuse after revealing his son had once worked on a previous prosecution of Arbery with none other than Gregory McMichael. The Attorney Generals Office was not aware of the prior communications with Johnson when it appointed the Waycross prosecutor, it said. Prosecutors have alleged Johnson and Gregory McMichael participated in 16 phone calls in the weeks following Arberys death, according to court records, between the day of the shooting and when the video surfaced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, McMichael called Johnson from the scene of the shooting, asking her advice, prosecutors revealed in a bond hearing for the McMichaels. Jackie, this is Greg, the elder McMichael said, according to a voicemail played in court. Could you call me as soon as you possibly can? My (inaudible) and I been involved in a shooting and I need some advice right away. Could you please call me, as soon as you possibly can? Thanks. Bye. Case exposed distrust of local justice system Carrs office announced a grand jury indicted Johnson on two counts in September 2021: violation of oath of a public officer punishable by between one to five years in prison and obstruction and hindering a law enforcement officer, a misdemeanor. In the first count, the indictment specifically references Johnsons recusal and recommendation of a new prosecutor without acknowledging she had previously asked for his assistance. The indictment alleges this amounted to a violation of her oath to fairly carry out her duties as district attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second alleges Johnson did knowingly and willfully hinder two police officers, directing them not to arrest Travis McMichael. By the time she was indicted, Johnson had lost reelection, though she insisted during the campaign she had not acted inappropriately. We did what we were supposed to, she said at a 2020 debate. The lack of trust has been the result of people with an agenda who have exploited this case and divided our community for their own purposes. But as the McMichaels and Bryan stood trial in November 2021, some Black residents in Brunswick said they felt differently. The delay in the investigation and arrests had highlighted and fueled a distrust in the local justice system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were trusting them to be enforcers of justice, a local pastor told CNN at the time. And this gross incident happens, and they turn a blind eye. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com NEW MEXICO (KRQE) A former New Mexico State Police officer from Carlsbad was sentenced to federal prison. Sammy Clouthier, 45, knowingly possessed child pornography involving a prepubescent minor between Dec. 30, 2023, and March 25, 2024. During that time, Clouthier was a sergeant with the New Mexico State Police. Story continues below Clouthier was sentenced to 85 months in prison and was also ordered to pay over $52,000 in restitution to the victims. When released from prison, Clouthier will be subject to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Disclaimer: All persons are innocent until proven guilty NATCHITOCHES, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Natchitoches police arrested a former city employee for theft. Police say detectives were contacted by the Utility Department in reference to an employee stealing motor vehicle fuel. More local news Detectives determined 21-year-old Nathan Holmes allegedly used a city issued fuel card to make several improper fuel purchases. Holmes was arrested and issued a city court summons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with additional information in regards to this investigation please contact Detective Gavin Watson at (318) 357-5609. Remember all information given shall remain confidential. Copyright 2025 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 KTALnews.com. ELBERTON COUNTY, G.A. (WSPA) A former Elberton Police officer has been arrested and charged with rape according to the GBI. 30-year-old Edar Carreon is accused of raping a woman in Elberton. An investigation was initiated on Tuesday, Jan. 14. after the victim filed a report with the Elbert County Sheriffs Office. The City of Elberton Police Department requested GBI assistance following the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation revealed that Carreon responded to the victims home on Tuesday, Dec. 17 in reference to a report connected to the victims child. The victim told the sheriffs office that the assault occurred when Carreon returned later that day. Investigators said Carreon did not have a relationship with the victim. He was booked into the Elbert County Jail according to officers. The investigation remains ongoing according to officials. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the GBI at (706) 552-2309. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. Once the investigation is complete, police said the case will be given to the Northern Judicial Circuit for prosecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WSPA 7NEWS. The first stop former Vice President Kamala Harris made after leaving office and returning to California on Monday was Altadena, where she met with volunteers and firefighters working on the Eaton fire. Hours after attending President Trump's inauguration, Harris and former second gentleman Doug Emhoff landed at Burbank Airport and headed to a former auto repair shop in Altadena. Harris and Emhoff met with volunteers working for World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit organization founded by chef Jose Andres that is distributing free meals in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Then they helped distribute meals at the start of the dinner rush. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The volunteers who were there, some of them who lost their own homes, are there doing the work of taking care of perfect strangers," Harris said. "These are folks who understand the strength and the value of community." Harris' visit came as Los Angeles County announced that all mandatory evacuation orders in Altadena had been lifted. The county also increased the estimated tally of buildings damaged in the blaze: 9,418 buildings destroyed and 1,069 damaged. One 72-year-old Pasadena resident named Ann, who said she didn't want her full name in the media, stopped by the World Central Kitchen site to pick up dinner before returning to her home near the Rose Bowl. To her surprise, the volunteer who handed the meal to her a beef and rice dish, an orange and a plastic packet of utensils was the former vice president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She set down the bag on the asphalt outside the garage and immediately called her sister, saying, "This is too fantastic." "Kamala Harris is serving the food!" she said in a voicemail message. "It's 5:15. Maybe if you hurry, you can get over here!" Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, meet with members of Fire Station 12 on Monday in Altadena. (Carlin Stiehl / For the Times) Then Harris and Emhoff visited Los Angeles County Fire Station 12 on Lincoln Avenue, where they met with firefighters who were working overnight on Jan. 7 when the Eaton fire erupted. "Moments of crisis really do reveal the heroes among us," Harris said. She said at least a dozen firefighters had lost their homes during the Eaton and Palisades fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "California firefighters, time and time again, prove themselves to be the best at the kind of work that is about dealing with these moments of unprecedented crisis and doing it with extraordinary courage and sacrifice," Harris said. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, who was among the firefighters who met Harris, said he was "so appreciative" of the federal assistance President Biden approved before he left office. That agreement will cover 100% of the cost of California's fire management and debris removal for the next six months, an increase over the usual federal share of 75%. Gov. Gavin Newsom requested the funding after meeting with Biden in Los Angeles the day after the fires started. "It was really a touching moment for me, because the federal government is going to help this area rebuild," Marrone said. "I thank them for that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WILLIAMSON, WV (WVNS) A Mingo County man and former CEO of Williamson Memorial Hospital was sentenced for a federal theft crime. According to a press release, 62-year-old Charles Hatfield, of Williamson, was sentenced on Thursday, January 16, 2025 to five years of federal probation and ordered to pay $34,872.62 in restitution and a $20,000 fine for theft or bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Woman arrested after man shot in head in Greenbrier County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hatfield revealed that he took $34,872.62 in hospital funds for his personal use without authorization when he was the chief executive officer (CEO) of Williamson Memorial Hospital. The press release stated that according to court documents, Hatfield became the interim CEO of the hospital in September 2018. The position let him have control over the bank accounts, custody and control of the hospitals checkbook, directed payments of the hospitals funds, and the finances at the hospital. In September 2019 when Hatfield was the hospitals permanent CEO when he was relieved of his position, and the hospital filed for bankruptcy on October 21, 2019. Two people arrested in connection to gas station burglary in Greenbrier County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the press release, Hatfield used $9,197.62 in hospital funds to buy a cashiers check that was made payable to a person at Venice Sands Apartments-Argus Management of Venice in Florida on May 16, 2019. Hatfield admitted to using the check with the hospital funds to settle a personal lawsuit requiring the payment of delinquent real estate taxes and homeowners fees that Hatfield owed for personal condominium property he owned in Venice. Hatfield also set up the transfer of $25,675 in hospital funds on September 25, 2019 to Mid Mountain Properties, which was a real estate property that Hatfield operated and owned. The transfer of funds happened just before the hospital filed for bankruptcy and Hatfield was removed as CEO. The press release stated that Hatfield knew that when he directed the transaction, he knew that the hospital was not able to fund the employee benefits programs, which included the hospitals healthcare and retirement plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man sentenced to life in prison in Tazewell County for crimes against children Hatfield also revealed that he told business partners that he used the money for a personal obligation payment. In addition, he acknowledged that he did not ask for or receive permission from anyone at the hospital or the hospitals board of directors to send the funds to himself. Hatfield, who was the mayor of Williamson from July 1, 2017 to May 3, 2024, resigned from the position due to the federal theft crime. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Will Thompson, who thanked the West Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Labor- Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), and the United States Secret Service for their work on the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. A Customs and Border Control agent patrols on the U.S. side of a razor-wire-covered wall along the Mexico border east of Nogales, Ariz. Jan. 21The Foundation for Building has long been at the forefront of initiatives that prioritize sustainable development, and its Build Green New Mexico program (BGNM) is a shining example of this commitment. As we move further into the 21st century, the importance of environmentally responsible construction practices has never been more apparent. BGNM is leading the charge toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient future for New Mexico. What is Build Green New Mexico? Build Green New Mexico is a program created under the Foundation's corporate mission in 2006. It was the only program the FFB had for a number of years until launching Tree Green New Mexico four years ago. The program is designed to promote and facilitate green building practices in New Mexico. As a voluntary certification initiative, it provides builders and developers with a framework to create high-performance, energy-efficient and environmentally conscious buildings. By following BGNM's guidelines, construction projects can significantly reduce their environmental footprint while enhancing the comfort, health and affordability of homes and commercial spaces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Goals and Standards of BGNM The primary goal of Build Green New Mexico is to ensure that buildings meet rigorous standards for energy efficiency, water conservation and indoor air quality. This is achieved through: Energy Efficiency: Incorporating advanced technologies and materials that reduce energy consumption.Water Conservation: Implementing systems that minimize water waste and promote efficient usage.Sustainable Materials: Encouraging the use of renewable, recycled, and locally sourced materials.Indoor Air Quality: Ensuring that buildings provide healthy living and working environments by reducing pollutants and improving ventilation. The program's certification process is based on a point system, allowing builders to achieve different levels of recognition, such as Silver, Gold or Emerald, depending on their adherence to the guidelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foundation for Building's Role The Foundation for Building plays a pivotal role in advancing BGNM's mission. By leveraging its resources, expertise and network, the Foundation actively supports builders and developers in adopting green building practices. Some key contributions include: Education and Training: Hosting workshops, seminars and training sessions to educate industry professionals about the benefits and methodologies of sustainable construction.Advocacy: Promoting policies and incentives that encourage green building practices at local and state levels.Community Engagement: Raising awareness among New Mexico residents about the value of sustainable building and how it contributes to a healthier environment and lower utility costs.Technical Assistance: Offering guidance to builders during the certification process to ensure successful project completion. The program's impact on New Mexico Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BGNM has had a profound impact on the state. Certified buildings in New Mexico have demonstrated substantial reductions in energy usage, leading to lower utility bills for residents and businesses. By minimizing waste and using sustainable materials, these projects help preserve natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The green building sector has created jobs and spurred innovation within the construction industry, boosting the local economy. The Foundation for Building is committed to expanding their reach and impact in the coming years. As climate challenges intensify, the need for sustainable building practices will only grow. Through continued collaboration, advocacy and innovation, these organizations aim to make green building the standard, not the exception, across New Mexico. By prioritizing environmental stewardship, economic resilience, and community well-being, they are laying the foundation for a greener, healthier and more prosperous state. For more information on the Foundation for Building, visit https://thefoundationforbuilding.org/. For more information on Build Green New Mexico, visit https://buildgreennm.com/. Gen Z workers are considering quitting their job or refusing roles with prospective employers because they are not ethical enough, a survey has found. More than four in 10 workers aged between 18 and 27 have turned down a job or even decided not to apply at all because they have deemed an employer to be unethical, according to Co-operatives UK, which represents the UKs 7,000 independent co-operative businesses. Almost two-thirds of Gen Z said their employers values including green credentials, honesty and social responsibility are as important as the pay packets on offer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The younger generations attachment to ethics is so strong that 42pc have considered quitting because they fret about their employers lack of social purpose. Meanwhile, nine in 10 respondents said they feel like a cog in a wheel of a faceless organisation. Rose Marley, the chief executive of Co-operatives UK, said the findings show that under-27s care more about the environment than money. She added: Gen Z wants to reshape the future of work, demanding that businesses prioritise people, planet and purpose over pure profit. Younger people want their work to be meaningful and impactful. They aspire for a better world and clearly want to do something about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our research shows that the whole ethos of a co-operative business resonates deeply with this generations vision for a fairer, more sustainable world. Gen Z said a good work-life balance, pay, employer integrity and impact on the local community as important factors when choosing a company to work for. The findings, taken from 1,000 respondents, will fuel concerns that employers will struggle further to find workers with the right combination of qualifications, experience and motivation to boost productivity and growth. It comes amid a plunge in hiring as Rachel Reevess tax raising Budget at the end of October shattered business confidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post-pandemic hiring boom is over, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. It found 1.4m jobs available in December, marking a return to pre-Covid levels as the surge in recruitment since lockdowns lifted, which made life easier for jobseekers and helped push up wages and gave applicants increased power to demand perks such as flexible working and fewer days in the office, comes to an end. Meanwhile the Bank of Englands surveys of bosses show over half of businesses expect to employ fewer people as a result of the upcoming 25bn increase in National Insurance (NI) contributions paid by employers. Industry groups have warned that the impact is likely to be particularly severe in industries such as retail and hospitality which employ large numbers of young workers. On top of the NI raid, the minimum wage is also rising again in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 13pc of 18 to 24-year-olds are now unemployed, according to official data, the highest level in almost a decade apart from during the pandemic. Unemployment covers those who do not have a job but are seeking one. Economic inactivity among young workers, meaning those who are neither in work nor looking for it, has risen to almost 33pc, or 1.9m. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The alleged burglars at Joe Burrow's have been brought to justice. Via Karin Johnson of WLWT.com, four Chilean nationals have been arrested for burglarizing a home that, based on police report, strongly suggests that the home belongs to Burrow. Per the report, Alexander Chavez, Bastian Morales, Jordan Sanchez, and Sergio Cabello have been charged with participating in a criminal gang, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, obstructing official business, and possession of criminal tools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official documents don't specifically name Burrow, explaining generally that the quartet was arrested as part of "an ongoing investigation involving burglaries of multi-million dollar-homes in multiple states" and that a search of the suspects' SUV resulted in the retrieval "an old LSU shirt and Bengals hat believed to be stolen from the December 9, 2024 burglary in Hamilton County." That's the day Burrow's home was robbed, and his home was the only multi-million-dollar home in Hamilton County that was burglarized on that day. When apprehended on January 10, the suspects provided false names. From the documents: "After the four male Chileans' true identifications were learned all four males were identified as being illegally in the country or overstayed their permissions." In an interview with police, the men said they came to Ohio for a vacation, in order to see snow. Russian forces attacked the city of Kupiansk and the village of Bilyi Kolodiaz in the Chuhuiv district of Kharkiv Oblast on 21 January, leaving four women injured. Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office Quote: "The investigators indicate that at around 09:00 on 21 January, the Russian forces attacked Bilyi Kolodiaz in the Chuhuiv district. A residential building was damaged and an 87-year-old woman suffered an acute stress reaction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, at approximately 15:00 today, the Russians shelled Kupiansk once again. Two women, aged 68 and 72, experienced acute stress reactions, while another 68-year-old woman sustained injuries. Houses and outbuildings were damaged. Early reports indicate that the city was shelled with multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS)." Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office Details: Under the procedural guidance of the Chuhuiv and Kupiansk district prosecutors offices in Kharkiv Oblast, law enforcement officials have launched pre-trial investigations into war crimes under Part 1, Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! President Donald Trumps hirer-in-chief Sergio Gor hinted that Judge Jeanine Pirro could be the latest Fox News host to land a job in his administration. At at Turning Point USAs inaugural ball on Sunday, Gor was on stage with Pirro when he teased that another big White House hire would be announced soon. Gor flashed a smile as he raised Pirros hand, suggesting that she may be the person in question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the audience cheered, a shocked looking Pirro shook her head in protest, according to a clip of the viral moment. Through a FOX News spokesperson, however, Pirro clarified to the Daily Beast that Gors remarks were made in jest, and she will not be joining the administration. Will a big role for @JudgeJeanine in the Trump administration be announced today? Thats certainly what Trumps head of personnel appears to be saying at @CharlieKNews @TPUSA Inauguration Ball last night! pic.twitter.com/MoQnpnXEPX PattyMI (@PattyLovesTruth) January 20, 2025 Trump has recruited 19 people (and counting) from the conservative network to fill his cabinet, including defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, transportation secretary nominee Sean Duffy, and surgeon general nominee Janette Nesheiwat, among others. The New York Times reported that all nominees connected to the network have been terminated from their contracts as they await confirmation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not the first time that Pirro has been eyed for a role in the Trump administrationduring his first term, Pirro expressed interest in the role of attorney general, according to a Politico report from 2018. Now that the role has gone to Pam Bondi, Pirro seems to be staying put at Fox until further notice. Although Trump has indeed recruited some of networks most well-known talent for his cabinet, president and executive editor Jay Wallace told The New York Times that it will be business as usual for the networks news coverage of his administration. When push comes to shove, we will want answers to our questions on the issues of the day, said Wallace. We dont view this coverage any differently than any other administration weve pressed for answers over the last 28 years. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) On Monday, January 20, the Franklin County Sheriffs Office was in Washington, D.C., and proudly assisted with security during the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony. On Tuesday, January 21, the FCSO said in a social media post that 20 members of the department traveled to the Capitol and were sworn in as special deputies in the District of Columbia for this historic occasion. Steadfast dedication, Roanoke Fire & EMS says thanks to Interim City Manager Dr. Lydia Patton Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a tremendous honor to support the safety and security of our nation and the Office of the President during this significant event. We are proud to represent Franklin County in service to our country. The Franklin County Sheriffs Office (Photo Credit: The Franklin County Sheriffs Office) Copyright 2025 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 WFXRtv. Yesterday, amidst the onslaught of news stemming from the second inauguration of President Donald Trump, there is one story you might have missed: Before leaving office, President Joe Biden commuted the life sentence of Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier, who will now serve the remainder of his sentence in home confinement. This is major news in the world of indigenous resistance. Peltier is one of the surviving members of the American Indian Movement of the 1960s and 70s, and his 50-year imprisonment spurred a new generation of activists. Its also a topic that is at the heart of co-directors David France (How to Survive a Plague, Welcome to Chechnya, The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson) and Jesse Short Bulls new film Free Leonard Peltier, which is slated to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Monday, January 27. The films Sundance blurb advertises that, in looking at the contentious conviction of Peltier for two counts of first degree murder, a new generation of Native activists is committed to winning his freedom before he dies. More from IndieWire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IndieWire learned that yesterday, just one week before the films world premiere, the filmmakers headed back into the editing room to change the films ending and incorporate the latest development in the finished film. Although Sundance requires filmmakers to submit their final DCPs early so they can be tested, it is not uncommon filmmakers to blow deadlines to deal with last minute technical issues and there are many a harrowing story of films being flown in at the last minute but re-opening the edit likely means the Free Leonard Peltier team has some sleepless nights ahead of them. In addition to exploring the activism surrounding the Free Leonard Peltier movement, the documentary also promises, using interviews and archival footage (including older interviews with Peltier himself), to look at the events surrounding the 1975 Pine Ridge shoot-out, where [Peltier] was convicted of killing two FBI agents a charge he has denied for 50 years. Free Leonard Peltier Courtesty of the Sundance Institute Peltiers ultimate guilt and potential wrongful conviction has long been a politically hot-button issue, which only heated up after Biden lost the 2024 election in November, and pressure mounted for him to commute the 80-year old activists conviction before leaving office. Bidens FBI director Chris Wray publicly warned the former president against commuting Peltiers sentence, saying it would be shattering to the victims loved ones and undermine the principles of justice and accountability that our government should represent. I hope these letters are unnecessary, and that you are not considering a pardon or commutation, wrote Wray. But on behalf of the FBI family, and out of an abundance of caution, I want to make sure our position is clear: Peltier is a remorseless killer, who brutally murdered two of our ownSpecial Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams. Granting Peltier any relief from his conviction or sentence is wholly unjustified and would be an affront to the rule of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The circumstances surrounding Coler and Williams deaths are not quite as black-and-white, according to many of Peltiers supporters, who see what happened at Pine Ridge as being part of the ongoing 500-year history of abuses against Indigenous people. Many have called into question the investigation itself, and there are a number of civil rights and legal experts who have called the conviction itself unjust. That was a point that was made again in a December letter, signed by 34-members of Congress, including the Indian Affairs Chairman senator U.S. Brian Schatz (Hawaii), which called on Biden to grant Peltier clemency. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. At an event honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., family and supporters of Cameron Lamb a young, unarmed, Black man killed by a white, Kansas City, Missouri police detective stood in solidarity Monday to denounce the recent release of the officer from prison, an act that they cast as an affront to civil rights, human rights and the values King fought for. We denounce Gov. Mike Parsons decision to usurp the power and the authority and the justice of the courts, and to intervene and disrupt the punishment of a police officer duly convicted and sentenced and imprisoned, the Rev. Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, told a crowd that gathered Monday evening, filling St. James United Methodist Church at 5540 Wayne Ave. Some 30 supporters that included friends, clergy and Lambs family stood in the sanctuary alongside Howard, the senior pastor at St. Marks Church, who cast the circumstances surrounding Lambs death and the commutation of former Det. Eric DeValkenaeres sentence as unspeakable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is vulgar. It is evil. It is immoral. It is unjust, Howard said. We will not be silent. We will not go away. And we will not back down. It is vulgar. It is evil. It is immoral. It is unjust, the Rev. Vernon P. Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, said of the circumstances surrounding the death of Cameron Lamb and the early release from prison of Eric DeValkenaere, the Kansas City police detective who shot and killed an unarmed Lamb in Dec. 2019. In a move on Dec. 23 fraught with controversy, criticism and racial overtones, Parson, as Missouris outgoing governor, commuted the six-year sentence of DeValkenaere, a detective who on Dec. 3, 2019 followed 26-year-old Lamb to his home on a purported traffic violation. Claiming he was threatened, he then shot and killed Lamb seconds after Lamb had backed his truck into his homes carport. At trial, Jackson County prosecutors alleged the crime scene was staged, and that police had planted a gun near Lambs body to suggest he posed a threat. Lamb had been unarmed. In November 2021, a judge found DeValkenaere guilty of second-degree manslaughter and armed criminal action. He was sentenced in March 2022 to serve six years, making him the first white police officer in Missouri sent to prison for killing a Black man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Out on bond while his case was appealed, DeValkenaere did not enter prison until October 2023. He would serve just over one year before being released. King to Cameron Lamb Prior to Mondays event, Howard told The Star that he believes the line is clear between King, Lambs death and what he sees as DeValkenaeres unjust early release. Camerons human rights and civil rights were taken, Howard said. I mean, anytime a public safety official, a peace officer, goes on your property without a warrant, approaches you, shoots and kills you for no cause, having committed no crime, this kind of human and civil rights violation compels us into this space. Dr. King in several speeches outlined the fact that police brutality was one of the most serious and ongoing occurrences that violated the civil and human rights of Black people. . . .We can go all the way back to the lynchings of Black people historically in this country, where Black people would suffer the taking of their lives without accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont forget, Dr. King, who continually promoted peace and non-violence, was a Black man that suffered the loss of his life by violence. More than 30 people gathered at the front of St. James United Methodist Church in support of the family of Cameron Lamb, 26, who was shot and killed in Dec. 2019 by white Kansas City police Det. Eric DeValkenaere. The Rev. Vernon P. Howard, was joined by Lambs family and others at an annual Martin Luther King Jr. event to denounce DeValkenaeres early release from prison in December by outgoing Missouri Gov. Mike Parson. The collective denouncement was made at a 5:30 p.m. press conference, shortly before the start of a two-hour MLK Mass Celebration that began at 6 p.m. Although Laurie Bey, Lambs mother, chose not to speak at the press conference, she spoke to The Star prior. This man was tried, she said of DeValkenaere. Several judges looked at this case. Every one of them said that this man was guilty. . . .Its just not right. Its like, when will we ever feel like were human if you continue to do things like this? Its like youre telling me that my son doesnt deserve to be here, but you have compassion for this mans (DeValkenaeres) family. The Rev. Emanuel Cleaver III, senior pastor of St. James and the son of current U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, Kansas Citys former mayor, noted that King once said that love is the only force that has the power to transform enemies into friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What does that mean? Cleaver asked rhetorically. What does that love look like in society? . . .It looks like justice and it looks like mercy. On this day, Cameron Lambs family has not received love from the governors office. The Lamb family has not received justice. There has been a long history of tension between law enforcement and the Black community. Law enforcement, unfortunately, is often viewed as the enemy. But, governor, you have an opportunity to begin to transform enemies into friends. But it requires justice and it requires mercy. Sick of it Ester Holzendorf, age 86, an evangelist representing Sankofa for Kansas City, spoke of the rule of law. I have 11 grandchildren, she said. I have seven great grandchildren and eight great, great grandchildren. We expect the rule of law to work for all of us, she said. Thats right, The rule of law supports the equality of all citizens before the law, secures a non-arbitrary form of government and, more generally, prevents the arbitrary use of power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor used his power against Cameron Lamb for a cold-blooded killer named Eric DeValkenaere who is supposed to protect and serve. Were either going to have equal justice or were not. And right now we dont have equal justice under the law. . . I didnt come here to impress anybody. I came here to tell you all Im sick of it. I dont care what we have to do. Weve got to send a message that if the law doesnt work for us, it doesnt work for anybody. The Rev. James D. Tindall, Sr., a former president of Freedom Inc., and founder of the Urban Summit, added to the call for action. Ive been in the Civil Rights struggle since I was 16-years-old, Tindall said. And I realize now, more than ever, that there are two forms of justice in America: One for the rich. One for the poor. If you dont believe me, call up Donald Trump and ask him. If youve got enough money, you can walk. Got enough money, you dont have to go to jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its time for us now to go back and protest. This is Martin Luther Kings birthday, and Im glad that we are able to visit the drum major for justice, things that he believed, things that we must carry on, things that we are still carrying on. Ladies and gentlemen, we can no longer stand by and be satisfied. Weve got to stand now. Family members of Cameron Lamb gathered in May 2020 at a Black Lives Matter peace protest in Mill Creek Park on the Country Club Plaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking prior to the event, Howard said, This situation really does question our empathy and humanity as a society, particularly related to the Kansas City community. Weve really got to ask ourselves some serious questions, he said, especially people who are in power, especially people who are white there seems to be a lack of empathy and humanity for Black life. The main part of the evening was dedicated to a King celebration, hosted by the Kansas City branch of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an activist organization based in non-violence and founded in 1957 by King and other southern ministers. The event featured music as well as a panel discussion looking to bring insight to a question asked by King in 1967: Where do we go from here? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panelists included U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II., Kansas Citys former mayor and a lead pastor at St. James for more than 30 years; Kansas City Councilwoman Melissa Robinson; The Rev. James D. Tindall, Sr.; Jennifer Collier, superintendent of the Kansas City Public Schools; Dwayne Williams, president and chief executive officer of the 12th Street Heritage Development Corp.; Ryan Sorrell, founder and publisher of The Kansas City Defender; Janay Reliford, chair of the Kansas City Reparations Coalition and Kerry Muhammad, a student minister with the Nation of Islam. Midway through the event, Lamb was honored posthumously. His family was awarded the organizations Community Service Award for their dedication and perseverance in the quest for justice for Cameron. When the Rev. Steve Holt goes big, he goes biblically epic. In a parting-of-the-Red-Sea way of making a point, the 66-year-old pastor of The Road Church at Chapel Hills in northern Colorado Springs unofficially became a new world record setter Tuesday by completing 88 pushups in a minutes time. The current Guinness World Record for 65 years and older is 61 pushups in 60 seconds. The feat happened at his churchs weekly mens prayer and fellowship breakfast, which typically draws 450 men of all ages and in the winter begins before the crack of dawn. Holts message: I feel like I need a symbol this year for all of us to have breakthrough courage, he told the crowd. I challenge you this year to slow down a little, hang out with some good men who you can be real with, men who have our backs and who wont judge us, the pastor said. What we need is acceptance, love and courage. A timer and a counter joined him near the stage as Holt tackled his longstanding personal goal. Against a backdrop of whoops, cheers and shouts of you got this, Holt pushed through the 61 needed to accomplish his self-imposed physical endurance test and kept going. As the counter announced 88 pushups, Holt gave his straining muscles a rest, yelled, glory to God and thanked the crowd for their encouragement. Begin with two to three things you need for breakthrough courage this year, Holt said to attendees. Use that as a discussion starter. Breakthrough Courage is the title of Holts new book that was released Sunday on Amazon. The subtitle is: 9 Habits to Conquer Fear and Build a Brave Heart. The habits Holt came up with pertain to mental, emotional, spiritual, relational and physical health, based on a biblical verse from Mark that advises people to love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. Its considered the first and greatest commandment in the New Testament. As a pastor, we tend to think mainly spiritual, but I tend to be more holistic, Holt said. A former college athlete in gymnastics for the University of Georgia, Holt said he learned how to improve his fitness in every way. Thats why he ushered in 2025 by challenging his nondenominational congregation of about 2,000 members to adopt resolutions not only around physical stamina but also develop resolves for spiritual power, mental toughness and relational connections, for complete growth. The method makes sense, said breakfast regular Randy Burrows, who accepted Holts WholeHARD 45 challenge in December and just completed it. In so many ways the biggest thing is the routine of actively getting in Gods word and tying it together with how were taking care of ourselves, he said. You figure out that one goes with the other. Featured Local Savings Burrows said he can tell hes grown spiritually, emotionally and physically stronger by following Holts advice to take on a breakthrough courage attitude and carry it forward. The initiative includes a daily checklist, such as doing a random act of kindness. Its made a difference in my life, Burrows said. Many people struggle with fear because of experiences endured during the COVID-19 pandemic, Holt believes. Fear bred and spread from government mandates, deaths, uncertainty, worry and isolation. Several authors in the Bible refer to the idea of being strong and courageous, when facing a river of doubt or what seem like insurmountable odds, Holt said. He quoted the late British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, who said, Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision meaning that though fearfulness is a natural human response, acting amid fear constitutes real courage. Holt examines how living an effective life is not for cowards; its for those who recognize their fears and still choose bravery. My contention is to be lion-hearted every day, Holt said, asking attendees to cultivate the nine habits he created because positive habits build new character and harness purpose. Just being a good person and a godly man is not good enough, he said. We need men wholl go to the battle with us and fight with us. Holt began working out at least 30 minutes every day during the pandemic to naturally boost his immune system and has continued the practice. Working out your problems became a chapter in his new book, which he started writing four years ago as the pandemic fully set in. Another chapter he embraced is Soulitude restoring the soul by being alone and quiet in a meditative way and letting God in. He says he saw a recent study that said as many as two out of three people struggle with fears, 90% of which are related to how people think and act in their daily routines. By the time he reached the worship centers stage Tuesday morning, Holt was fairly confident he could break the worlds record for pushups for a man of his age. When he was a kid he had tried to top the world record, which for his age bracket stood at 121 pushups at that time. I could do 119 or 120, but I couldnt break past 121, Holt said. It was always this nagging feeling. Today I wanted to encourage people to break through courage even as you get older. He applied to Guinness World Records, and a videotape of Tuesdays attempt that hell send to Guinness proves he succeeded. Holt challenges all El Paso County residents to become their healthiest self in every facet of their lives. Breakfast newbie Erik Cooper said he found the event pretty solid and inspirational for a bunch of guys. Portions of Arizona, including metro Phoenix, were under a freeze warning through Wednesday morning. According to the National Weather Service, freeze warnings were in effect from 11 p.m. on Tuesday through 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Overnight temperatures were forecast in the 20s and 30s for metro Phoenix and the lower deserts of southwest and south-central Arizona. The National Weather Service advised residents of the affected areas to protect their plants and keep an eye on outdoor pets who might not be acclimated to harsh temperatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing," the weather service said. Which parts of the state are under freeze warning? The National Weather Service issued overnight freeze warnings for parts of Arizona for Tuesday and Wednesday. Maricopa County Phoenix Sun City West Surprise Chandler Wittmann Mesa Gilbert Goodyear Queen Creek Sun Lakes Paradise Valley Avondale Tempe Peoria What to know: Should you drip or stream your faucets during freeze warnings? La Paz County and Aguila Valley Aguila Wickenburg Quartzsite Vicksburg Vicksburg Junction Salome Brenda Harcuvar Gladden Areas of Pinal County and southeast Yuma County Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Gila Bend Superior Coolidge Florence Casa Grande Tonopah Palm Canyon Cactus Forest Ligurta Arlington Sentinel Kaka Wintersburg Parker Valley and Palo Verde Valley in California Parker Blythe Ripley Palo Verde Martinez Lake Ehrenberg Map of Arizona freeze warning The National Weather Service in Phoenix shared this map of the areas under a freeze warning for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. How cold could it get in Arizona? The National Weather Service in Phoenix warned that areas in southwest Arizona near the California border could drop into sub-freezing temperatures early Wednesday morning. Temperatures in the middle to upper 20s were forecasted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overnight lows in the Valley, including major cities like Scottsdale, Phoenix and Glendale, were forecasted to reach the lower 30s. Sub-freezing temperatures in the middle 20s to lower 30s were possible in areas just south of the Valley in Pinal County and Gila River Valley. How to prepare for a freeze warning in Arizona During a freeze warning, you should bring your pets inside. There are several other necessary steps you must take to protect your home and plants during freeze watches and warnings. How to prepare pipes during freeze warning When temperatures drop to freezing conditions, pipes have the potential to burst due to the expansion of water. Burst pipes are "one of the most common causes of property damage" during freezing weather, according to Consumer Reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the American Red Cross, here is how to prepare: If there are water supply lines in the garage, keep your garage doors closed. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate closer to the plumbing. Let cold water drip from the faucet connected to pipes that are exposed outdoors or in unheated interior areas. The National Weather Service promotes covering exposed pipes. How to protect plants during a freeze warning When temperatures freeze, there is a possibility that exposed plants can be damaged. The National Weather Service recommends: Bringing sensitive plants indoors. Covering outdoor plants with different materials, such as frost cloth, blankets, towels, cardboard boxes, liquid frost protection and Styrofoam cups on cactuses. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Freeze warning in Arizona: Here's how cold it could get and when OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Another fugitive on Attorney General Gentner Drummonds 10 Most Wanted List has been arrested. Sau Tau Liu. Image courtesy Oklahoma Attorney General. According to the A.G.s Office, Sau Tau James Liu was arrested in California on January 14 by U.S. Marshals. He was wanted on a Lincoln County warrant from a November 2023 multi-county Grand Jury indictment for trafficking more than 25 pounds of marijuana. LOCAL NEWS: CAPTURED: AGs 10 Most Wanted in custody Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This arrest again demonstrates the effectiveness of our 10 Most Wanted program and the strong partnerships between state, federal, tribal and local law enforcement, said Drummond. It is important we engage with the public to ensure these individuals are held accountable for their alleged crimes. Officials say Liu was added to the 10 Most Wanted List in early January. Tips from the public helped lead investigators to Sacramento where Liu was arrested. According to the A.G.s Office, this is the eighth successful capture from the 10 Most Wanted list. To learn more, visit Oklahoma.gov. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Fulton Countys Magistrate Court says that it needs more money to hire more employees, or it risks falling behind on cases. The court hears about 80,000 cases per year. Channel 2s Michael Doudna spoke to the head of the court, who is asking Fulton County for help before they vote on their budget this week. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] There are three in-courtroom staff members currently working for the court, who have had to cut their ability to hear cases roughly in half. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court officials told Doudna that they need about $700,000 so they can hire six more employees, or else they may fall tens of thousands of cases behind. The Magistrate Court is where people handle small claims, such as evictions and some basic criminal cases, but it all adds up. TRENDING STORIES: The Magistrate Court closed 61,000 cases, Cassandra Kirk, Chief Magistrate Judge, told Channel 2 Action News. We did 35,000 arrest warrants, 5,500 search warrants and closed 13,399 writs. But after a budget cut in 2024, Kirk said they are now handling that caseload with just three courtroom support staff. If more funding isnt approved, theyll fall behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not sustainable for the staff that we have, Kirk said. It affects everyone. It affects your ability to enforce cases, and it affects families ability to file small claims. For landlord Marjy Stagmeier, the court is what she relies on for evictions processes. And she knows from experience that when the court slows down, it can put businesses at risk. Its frustrating when you have to tell your investors that you are not going to have court hearings for a year, year and a half, Stagmeier said. Right now the court has about 40,000 open cases and only hear about half of the number of cases they used to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kirk said she hopes the county approves the funding so they can hire six more staff to keep things moving. Channel 2 Action News reached out to the Fulton County Commission through multiple methods but has not heard back. The county is expected to vote on their new budget Wednesday. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] An Atlanta man suffered a medical emergency and died after confronting suspected burglars trying to break into his car. Tasha Brown, speaking to Fox 5 Atlanta, said her husband, Javon Brown, suffered a heart attack as a result of the confrontation. The Atlanta Police Department said in a statement that they responded to the incident, which occurred on Jan. 17 at 4:35 a.m. Police said the victim was found dead in his doorway, with no signs of physical trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preliminary Investigation indicates unknown suspects were attempting to break into the victims vehicle, police said. The victim confronted the suspects. The armed suspect(s) discharged a firearm towards the victim; however, the victim was not struck by gunfire. Police added that it appeared Brown died after the incident triggered a medical event. Tasha Brown told Fox 5 she and her husband when his car alarm went off at around 4:30 and heard scraping before looking out the window to see someone trying to break into his truck. Tasha said Javon grabbed his gun and went outside to try and scare the suspected attempted burglars, according to the outlet. 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. Neighbors further told the outlet that several shots were fired. Tasha reportedly said her husband was not struck by any bullets and that the suspects ran away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He was able to speak, she told Fox 5. He was not hit. But then he went into cardiac arrest over the shock. He dropped down. I did CPR. I called 911 until I couldn't feel my arms and hands, but it wasn't enough. Police have not said if the suspects have since been identified. Read the original article on People ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) A Rockford man and two teens were arrested after police responded to a reported shooting on the citys south side on Saturday. Police also said two guns, one stolen and converted into a machine gun pistol, were recovered. According to authorities, officers with the Rockford Polices Specialized Community Oriented Policing Enforcement (SCOPE) team were dispatched to the 3000 block of Horton Street around 9:40 p.m. During the investigation, police said two guns, one stolen from Dubuque, Iowa and equipped with a laser sight, extended magazine, and fully automatic switch device, were recovered. Michael Hendricks, 33, was charged with possession of a machine gun by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a gang member, and possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 17-year-old teen was charged with unlawful possession of a machine gun, possession of a stolen firearm, 2 counts of no valid firearm owners identification (FOID), and a further violation of no valid FOID from a prior case. A second 17-year-old teen was charged with no valid FOID, aggravated discharge of a firearm from a prior case, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon from a prior case. Another man, Carlos Hardt, 24, was taken into custody on outstanding warrants. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. GATESVILLE, Texas (FOX 44) Here is your chance to help a Gatesville family having to rebuild after a fire destroyed their home. According to the Forrest family, the Gatesville Fire Department got to their home on time, but nerby fire hydrants were frozen due to weather conditions. A GoFundMe has since been created to help the family. If you would like to make a donation, you can go here. The Forrest family. (Courtesy: GoFundMe) Copyright 2025 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 KWKT - FOX 44. ATLANTA (WSAV) As much of the state, including Savannah, prepares for a winter storm, the governor has issued an emergency order for Georgia. Gov. Brian Kemp signed off on the state of emergency Monday which will remain in effect until Tuesday, Jan. 28. Were going to give it everything weve got with everything weve got, he told reporters in a press conference Tuesday. Get the latest weather updates from Storm Team 3 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state or emergency ensures appropriate resources are deployed across the state. Kemp said to allow the Georgia Department of Transportation to prepare roadways and limit traffic, state offices in Atlanta are closed on Tuesday. State officials urged Georgians to prepare their homes for impacts and stay off the roads. Copyright 2025 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 WSAV-TV. A Georgia fire chief has been fatally shot after stopping to help a couple who struck a deer with their car in Alabama. Coweta County Battalion Fire Chief James Bartholomew Cauthen was found dead and two others injured with gunshot wounds in the Stroud neighborhood at around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19, the Chambers County Alabama Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Police were responding to a traffic accident involving a deer when they found the three victims, per the release. Early investigation indicates that Chief Cauthen was attempting to assist individuals that had struck a deer while traveling on County Road 267, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to authorities, per the release, local resident William Randall Franklin allegedly opened fire on Chief Cauthen and the individuals that struck the deer, injuring all three. Coweta County Fire Rescue Facebook The Coweta County community are 'devastated' by the shooting The Coweta County community are 'devastated' by the shooting Related: 5 People Injured in Shooting While Driving on Kentucky Highway, Manhunt Launched Chief Cauthen succumbed to his injuries prior to deputies arriving on the scene, the sheriffs office said. The two injured individuals were transported by helicopter to LaGrange and Columbus trauma centers in Georgia. A subsequent update from the Sheriff's Office revealed that Cauthen was 54-years-old and was from Moreland, Georgia. "Our hearts and prayers go out to Coweta County for his loss," added the authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe that Cauthen had helped the couple after noticing their vehicle and injured deer when leaving his nearby property, WRBL reported. Related: 2-Year-Old Girl and Mom Murdered, and 2 Other Children Injured, After Father Shoots Them in Family Home The fire chief and the driver, unable to call for help due to poor cell phone service in the remote area, decided to walk to the nearby home to ask for assistance, Chambers County Chief Deputy Mike Parrish said, per the outlet. He also called the incident one of the most "heartbreaking and bizarre cases in his more than 30 years of service." Related: Cop Shoots and Kills Dad Who Called 911 for Help, Instead of Home Invader: 'Fatherless for the Rest of My Life' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators allege that Franklin, 33, shot at Cauthen and the driver without warning as they approached the driveway of the nearby home. The driver was also armed and returned fire, injuring Franklin, according to WRBL. Chief Cauthen attempted to cross the street but collapsed in a ditch and succumbed to his injuries before deputies arrived, the outlet reported. Coweta County Fire Rescue Facebook Coweta County Fire Rescue Coweta County Fire Rescue Related: Dad Shot and Killed in Front of His 3 Children in North Carolina Road Rage Dispute: Police A warrant was issued for Franklin and he will be arrested upon release from Piedmont Medical Center, police said. Police are asking anyone with information relating to this case to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at (334)864-4333. 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. PEOPLE did not immediately hear back from the Chambers County Alabama Sheriff's Office when an update was requested. Read the original article on People One individual is dead following a shooting at a King Soopers parking lot in Colorado Springs Monday evening, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department. Around 4:39 p.m., police received a call for service stating one person had been shot at the King Soopers parking lot off Stetson Hills Boulevard, police told news outlets during a media briefing. Upon arrival, officers located one deceased individual inside a vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound near the gas pumps outside the grocery store. At this time, police have not located or identified a suspect and the investigation remains ongoing and active, officials said. The Colorado Springs Police Department's Violent Crimes Detectives have been notified and are responding to continue the investigation, according to officials. Police said King Soopers remains open at this time but the gas station is closed. This is a breaking story and will be updated as more details become available. Authorities in rural Alabama say they will charge a man with murder for allegedly shooting and killing a Georgia fire chief, who approached his home Sunday night while trying to assist a driver stranded in the road. The driver had hit a deer and couldn't call for help because of poor cell phone service, CBS News affiliate WRBL reported. James Bartholomew Cauthen, a 54-year-old fire chief with Coweta County Fire in Georgia, was working outside on a nearby property, which he either owned or maintained, when he noticed the stranded driver and his wife, according to the station. Seeking additional support, Cauthen and the driver decided to approach another residence in the area, WRBL reported. William Randall Franklin allegedly stepped outside that residence as Cauthen and the driver approached and opened fire on both men, the Chambers County Sheriff's Office said. Chambers County includes the remote Alabama location where the traffic accident and shooting took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All three suffered gunshot wounds in the shootout, according to the sheriff's office. The driver was apparently armed and returned fire, wounding Franklin, WRBL reported, citing investigators in the case. Cauthen had already succumbed to his injuries when deputies arrived at the scene, the sheriff said. The driver and Franklin were transported to medical centers for treatment, and WRBL reported both are expected to recover. The sheriff said arrest warrants for murder were issued Monday for Franklin, who was hospitalized and would be taken into custody once released. Coweta County Fire Rescue said they were "devastated by the tragic passing" of Cauthen, who had worked at the department for more than 24 years. "He was an amazing, hard-working man with a gentle soul," the fire department said in a statement. "Just like many of you, we have many questions as we navigate through this horrible tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to Cauthen's family, friends and our brothers and sisters in the Fire Rescue family who worked closely with him." Trump signs executive orders after inauguration Former Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama arrive for Trump inauguration Sen. Deb Fischer speaks at Trump inauguration Georgia Fire Chief James Bartholomew Cauthen was mourned Monday by his former colleagues at Coweta County Fire Rescue. Coweta County Fire Rescue James Bartholomew Cauthen, a battalion fire chief in Georgias Coweta County, was fatally shot Sunday in Alabama after leaving his residence there and helping a couple who had struck a deer with their car, the Chambers County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. Local deputies were initially responding to a traffic accident as a result of the deer collision. When they arrived on the scene on County Road 267 in the Stroud neighborhood, they found Cauthen, who owned a property nearby, dead and two other individuals injured with gunshot wounds, the sheriffs office said Sunday. The office stated Monday that nearby resident William Randall Franklin had opened fire on Cauthen and the driver when the duo approached his house for help due to a lack of cell phone reception at the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators told CBS affiliate WRBL that Franklin opened fire without warning as they approached his driveway. The driver was also armed and returned fire, injuring Franklin. The drivers wife was reportedly uninjured and remained in the car during the shootout. Chambers County Chief Deputy Mike Parrish told WRBL on Monday that it was one of the most tragic events in his decadeslong career. The outlet reported that Cauthen tried to flee but collapsed in a ditch while attempting to cross the street. The sheriffs office confirmed Monday that Franklin was transported to the Piedmont Medical Center and will be arrested upon release after being treated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cauthen had been with Coweta County Fire Rescue for 24 years, the department wrote in a post on Facebook Monday. He was an amazing, hard-working man with a gentle soul, the post read. Just like many of you, we have many questions as we navigate through this horrible tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to Cauthens family, friends and our brothers and sisters in the Fire Rescue family who worked closely with him. Related... BERLIN (Reuters) - German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, tipped to become chancellor in next month's election, said on Tuesday U.S. President Donald Trump could prove an interesting partner for Europe provided the region had a strong common negotiating position. "He is a dealmaker, so let's think about what we can offer," Merz said in a discussion at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting a day after Trump's inauguration. "For example ..., if we have to take military equipment from the U.S., why don't we combine our purchases on the European level?" said the chancellor candidate for the conservatives, speaking in fluent English. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz could run up against opposition however from Europe's other major power, France, which has a large defence industry and has often complained when other European Union members have opted to buy U.S. weapons when there are French or European alternatives. "(Trump) will be an interesting partner for us, provided we are on the European side knowing what we want in common," said Merz, who like Trump has considerable private sector experience in addition to his political career. Asked about his policy proposals for ending the war in Ukraine, Merz said he was convinced that the war could have been over already had the West supported Kyiv against Russia's full-scale invasion more decisively. When he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy later on Tuesday, however, Merz said he would tell him he could rely on Germany - even if it was unclear what the new U.S. administration would do in this critical phase. (Reporting by Sarah Marsh and Andreas Rinke in Berlin; Editing by Hugh Lawson) German centre-right opposition leader Friedrich Merz sees an urgent need for coordination among allied European countries following the inauguration of the new US President Donald Trump. "The Europeans must now sit down together quickly and discuss two major issues," Merz, who is widely viewed as the favourite to be Germany's next chancellor after upcoming February 23 elections, told Deutschlandfunk public radio on Tuesday morning. "Firstly: What are we doing for our own security? This is long overdue. This has been necessary for years. And secondly: How do we strengthen our position in trade with America?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz, the chairman of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), acknowledged that Trump appears to get along particularly well with far-right European politicians, "but that doesn't mean that Donald Trump doesn't hold sensible talks with everyone else, if it's in the American interest." Germany, together with other NATO allies in Europe and the European Union, must assume leadership responsibility, Merz said. It is important, for example, that the EU adopt the Mercosur trade agreement with several South American countries, he said. In addition, European governments should work more closely together on the procurement of military equipment, according to Merz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are many opportunities for Europeans that we are not currently exploiting," Merz said. Merz also said that the EU bloc, with its single economic market, should use its size and global heft to act together in talks with the US. "With 450 million inhabitants, [the European Union] is a market that is larger than America and Canada combined," Merz said. German centre-right opposition leader Friedrich Merz sees an urgent need for coordination among allied European countries following the inauguration of the new US President Donald Trump. "The Europeans must now sit down together quickly and discuss two major issues," Merz, who is widely viewed as the favourite to be Germany's next chancellor after upcoming February 23 elections, told Deutschlandfunk public radio on Tuesday morning. "Firstly: What are we doing for our own security? This is long overdue. This has been necessary for years. And secondly: How do we strengthen our position in trade with America?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz, the chairman of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), acknowledged that Trump appears to get along particularly well with far-right European politicians, "but that doesn't mean that Donald Trump doesn't hold sensible talks with everyone else, if it's in the American interest." Germany, together with other NATO allies in Europe and the European Union, must assume leadership responsibility, Merz said. It is important, for example, that the EU adopt the Mercosur trade agreement with several South American countries, he said. In addition, European governments should work more closely together on the procurement of military equipment, according to Merz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are many opportunities for Europeans that we are not currently exploiting," Merz said. Merz also said that the EU bloc, with its single economic market, should use its size and global heft to act together in talks with the US. "With 450 million inhabitants, [the European Union] is a market that is larger than America and Canada combined," Merz said. European allies are still heavily dependent on the US for military procurement, Merz acknowledged, but countries could negotiate better prices by jointly ordering large numbers of advanced expensive systems like fighter aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz strongly condemned a confidential analysis by the German ambassador in Washington, Andreas Michaelis, which became public and was obtained by dpa. In the document, Michaelis described in dire terms what he views as the dangers of Trump's second presidency, including warnings of "maximum disruption" and "plans for revenge." "This message from Washington is written in the language of a political activist, and it has obviously been deliberately made public. Two serious mistakes in German foreign policy," Merz said. He conceded, however, that "there are also some correct points in the analysis." German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has urged Chancellor Olaf Scholz to avoid politicizing aid to Ukraine during Germany's election campaign, n-tv reported on Jan. 20. Baerbock made the comments in Berlin, speaking alongside Lithuanias foreign minister. Times are too difficult now, Germany has too much responsibility for us all to indulge in pre-election rhetoric in the coming weeks, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baerbock emphasized that Germany has pledged to support Ukraine and its Eastern European partners for as long as necessary. "This is a crucial issue for trust in Europe, whether we are able to act in the interests of the security of all of us, our European security, she noted. Her remarks come amid reports of a growing rift in the intermin Social Democrat-Greens cabinet as Scholz is reluctant to greenlight an additional 3 billion euros ($3.1 billion) in security assistance for Kyiv. Despite Baerbock's and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius' (SPD) support for the new assistance tranche, the chancellor said he would sign off on it only if it is paid with additional borrowing, an unpopular step among other parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berlin stands as Ukraine's second largest military donor, a role of growing importance as Ukraine faces a heavy Russian onslaught in the east of the country, and the future of U.S. support appears uncertain under the incoming Trump administration. Read also: Merkel highlights NATOs role in supporting Ukraine, urges transatlantic unity, media reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the landmark Paris climate accord are a "fatal signal" to the world and the beginning of a historic failure, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Tuesday. "That is why this was not a good day for Germany and for Europe, for the global community," Habeck, a Green, said at a conference on energy in Berlin organized by the Handelsblatt business newspaper. Habeck said he woke up on Tuesday morning with a "sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This political generation will be judged on whether it has made a contribution to curbing global warming, which will be a long process, said Habeck. "But if we don't act, then we will have failed historically in the end," he said. On the day of his inauguration on Monday, Trump signed an executive order directing the US to withdraw from the Paris climate deal aimed at limiting global warming. Trump previously pulled out during his first term as well, but his successor, Joe Biden, reaffirmed US commitment to the deal. The UN agreement provides for a notice period of one year. German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach on Tuesday criticized newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump's plans to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). Lauterbach called Trump's announcement a serious blow to the international fight against global health crises. Without US contributions, it will be much more difficult to help countries affected by infectious diseases or environmental disasters, Lauterbach said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many WHO programmes aimed at responding to famines, natural disasters and wars are financed through funds from the US, Lauterbach said. He also stressed that global health security is in the interest of all countries, including the US. "Hundreds of thousands of people would be at risk, many children in particular," warned Lauterbach. He said that Germany, as a long-standing partner of the WHO, is aware of its responsibility and has increased its WHO contributions in recent years. Trump previously attempted to pull the US out of the WHO in 2020 during his first term in office, but the move was cancelled by his successor, Joe Biden, in 2021 before it took effect. In an executive order on Monday, Trump stated that the organization had reacted poorly to the coronavirus pandemic and was demanding unfair contributions from the United States. Attorneys general from 18 states, including Colorado, sued Tuesday to block President Donald Trump's move to end a decades-old immigration policy known as "birthright citizenship," which guarantees that U.S.-born children are citizens regardless of their parents status. Trump's roughly 700-word executive order, issued late Monday, amounts to a fulfillment of something he's talked about during the presidential campaign. But whether it succeeds is far from certain amid what is likely to be a lengthy legal battle over the president's immigration policies. The White House executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship is flatly unconstitutional," said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. "The idea that a president could override the Constitution with the stoke of a pen is a flagrant assault on the rule of law and our constitutional republic. The Trump administration said the Fourteenth Amendment has never been interpreted to "extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States." "The Fourteenth Amendment has always excluded from birthright citizenship persons who were born in the United States but not 'subject to the jurisdiction thereof,'" the administration said. Here's a closer look at birthright citizenship, Trump's executive order and reaction to it: What is birthright citizenship? Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen, regardless of their parents' immigration status. People, for instance, in the United States on a tourist or other visa or in the country illegally can become the parents of a citizen if their child is born here. It's been in place for decades and enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, supporters say. But Trump and allies dispute that reading of the amendment and argue there need to be tougher standards on becoming a citizen. What does Trump's order say? The order says the 14th Amendment does not extend citizenship automatically to anyone born in the United States. The 14th Amendment was born in the aftermath of the Civil War and ratified in 1868. It says: All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Trump's order excludes the following people from automatic citizenship: individuals whose mothers were not legally in the United States and whose fathers were not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; people whose mothers were in the country legally but on a temporary basis such as on a tourist visa and whose fathers were not citizens or legal permanent residents. Featured Local Savings It goes on to bar federal agencies from recognizing the citizenship of people in those categories. It takes effect 30 days from Tuesday, on Feb. 19. What is the history of the issue? The 14th Amendment did not always guarantee birthright citizenship to all U.S.-born people. Congress did not authorize citizenship for all Native Americans born in the United States, for instance, until 1924. In 1898, an important birthright citizenship case unfolded in the U.S. Supreme Court. The court held that Wong Kim Ark, who was born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrants, was a U.S. citizen because he was born in the country. After a trip abroad, he had faced denied reentry by the federal government on the grounds that he wasn't a citizen under the Chinese Exclusion Act. But some advocates of immigration restrictions have argued that while the case clearly applied to children born to parents who are both legal immigrants, its less clear whether it applies to children born to parents without legal status. What has the reaction to Trump's order been? Eighteen states, including Colorado, plus the District of Columbia and San Francisco, sued in federal court to block Trump's order. New Jersey Democratic Attorney General Matt Platkin said Tuesday that presidents don't have the authority to undo a constitutional provision. Not long after Trump signed the order, immigrant advocacy groups also filed suit to stop it. Chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts, along with other advocates, filed a suit in New Hampshire federal court. The suit asks the court to find the order to be unconstitutional. It highlights the case of a woman identified as Carmen," who is pregnant but is not a citizen. The lawsuit says she has lived in the United States for more than 15 years and has a pending visa application that could lead to permanent status. She has no other immigration status, and the father of her expected child has no immigration status either, the suit says. In addition to New Jersey and the two cities, California, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin joined the lawsuit to stop the order. Associated Press reporter David Collins in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report. DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday he does not support freedom of speech when it is used for extreme-right views, a day after a hand gesture by U.S. billionaire Elon Musk caused uproar during Donald Trump's inauguration festivities. "We have the freedom of speech in Europe and in Germany. Everyone can say what he wants, even if he is a billionaire. And what we do not accept is if this is supporting extreme-right positions," Scholz said in Davos when asked about the incident. Musk's hand gesture during a celebration of President Trump's inauguration drew online comparisons to a Nazi salute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk dismissed the criticism as a "tired" attack. "Shame on Oaf Schitz," Musk posted on X, the platform he owns, on Tuesday with a video clip shared by another user that showed Scholz speaking at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort. "Schitz" has no meaning in German. Musk has previously attacked Scholz on X, calling him an "incompetent fool" who should resign after a deadly attack at a German Christmas market. He has also used the platform formerly known as Twitter to signal his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of elections scheduled for next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk's repeated endorsement of the AfD, the party that has embraced the Trump administration most among German parties, has drawn ire in Berlin, but the German government has stopped short of unanimously leaving his platform. The European Commission said this month that it was stepping up its investigation into whether X breached European Union rules on content moderation. Musk's hosting of AfD leader Alice Weidel for a discussion on X this month was watched by the European Commission to check for any spreading of misinformation. (Reporting by Miranda Murray; Writing by Rachel More; Editing by Alexander Smith) BLACKLICK, Ohio (WCMH) A 4-year-old girl is dead after a home was shot at early Tuesday. According to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office, deputies responded to a home on Beardsley Avenue near Blacklick after reports of a targeted shooting. The shooting occurred at the Jefferson Township home around 4:30 a.m. The sheriffs office said it was a drive-by shooting and that it was not random. Incoming law allows schools to indefinitely expel students for threats, hitlists The child was reportedly sleeping upstairs when she was shot. The girl was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 5:44 a.m. NBC4 spoke with a friend of the victims family. He said they are all just in shock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors in the area say they are devastated to hear this news and are in disbelief. Oh, my goodness. I cant believe this happened, said Selena Burks-Rentschler who lives in the area. Honestly, I dont know what could have motivated someone to shoot at a residence in the middle of the night, killing a four-year-old child. Its just wrong. And I just pray that the people are caught. Surveillance video from neighboring homes caught a glimpse of a dark-colored vehicle that parked on the street before two individuals got out and walked out of frame. Approximately 25 seconds later the two individuals returned to the vehicle and flee the scene. Deputies said other people were in the home but did not report any additional injuries. They also said no one is in custody and that the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation is assisting their efforts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Da Wei is director of Tsinghua University's Centre for International Security and Strategy in Beijing. His research focuses on China-US relations and US security and foreign policy. In this interview, he discusses US President Donald Trump's inauguration speech and first day back in the White House. I'd like to start by asking about US President Donald Trump's first day in office. While he did not impose any immediate tariffs, US reports stated that he would issue a broad memorandum directing federal agencies to assess unfair trade practices by countries including China. He also mentioned China once in his inauguration speech, vowing to "take" the Panama Canal from China. Considering these early moves, how do they signal the tone and approach Trump will adopt towards China during his presidency? As you said, in his inaugural speech, he didn't mention China a lot. It's mainly about the domestic agenda like illegal immigrants, the so-called culture war, and also criticising the Democratic Party and the Biden administration, and boasting [about] the bright future of the United States. So mainly, it's not about foreign policy issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. His inaugural speech mainly focused on domestic issues, so that shows that for the early stages of his term, I think the domestic agenda will be his top priority - at least in the early phase, in the first several months. Of course, the tariff issue is still there and it's a very important topic for Trump during the campaign trail. And he did mention that he will set up the External Revenue Service, a new government agency, which I think one of its jobs ... is about raising tariffs to get more revenue from other countries internationally. So I think this is still on his agenda. I think he will do that sooner or later. He also mentioned, very interestingly, President [William] McKinley, who also raised tariffs in his term almost 130 years ago. He postponed the imposition of the tariff ... to give room to, on the one hand, his government and, on the other hand, other countries, including China, for some negotiation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, we don't know what [Chinese] President Xi Jinping and President Trump talked about during their phone call three days ago. But I think that China and the United States are now in a quite good communication process. I'm not sure if tariffs are one of those issues [discussed] but I think it would be reasonable if that's one of the topics. So postponing the imposition of the tariff, I think, gave room for future discussion and negotiation between the two countries. I think this is the reason why he didn't do that on the very first day in office. Da Wei is director of the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University. Photo: Tsinghua University alt=Da Wei is director of the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University. Photo: Tsinghua University> The White House published a list of Trump's "America first" priorities, and it included a line saying that the State Department will now have an "America first" foreign policy. Can you share what this might mean for the way Trump might approach the relationship with China or what it might mean for US-China relations? For the "America first" foreign policy, I think first it will focus on some issues that are not directly related to China. For example, the Panama Canal, and also the State Department will work with other government agencies to deal with the illegal immigrant issue. This is also a foreign policy issue with a neighbouring country of the United States. I think this is a top priority of the State Department right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, it also represents a change in style of the American policy under President Trump's leadership. An "America first" foreign policy means a kind of nationalistic approach in its foreign policy. The US will pay less attention or invest less in the multilateral institutions and focus more on so-called narrowly defined US interests. The US will show less interest in the foreign policy agenda like climate change and other global issues. These are the implications of the "America first" foreign policy. Also, interestingly, he didn't talk a lot about the US alliance system in his inaugural speech. I'm not saying that the Trump administration is going to do something very negative to the alliance system. I think we still need to wait and see, but of course obviously it's not his immediate top priority to strengthen the alliance system. That is my reading of the so-called "America first" foreign policy. Before the US election last year, you predicted that US-China relations were likely to deteriorate if Trump won as some of his potential policies, such as imposing tariffs, could send relations into a "free fall". Do you still believe this is the case? More broadly, what is your assessment of US-China relations over the next four years with Trump in the White House? Now, the situation is quite uncertain. I mean, there are different possibilities but a free fall of China-US relations is still one of the scenarios. I cannot exclude that possibility. But on the first day of the new administration, I won't say we are necessarily doomed to have a bad relationship during the Trump administration. We still need to wait and see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean, both China and the United States are communicating with each other quite smoothly. Since the presidential election in November, President Xi and President Trump have already talked twice, according to Trump. But officially, [according to] the Chinese foreign ministry, at least they have talked to each other three days before the inauguration. This time, China also sent a special envoy to the inauguration ceremony, so all of that shows that the two countries are trying to communicate and trying to at least manage bilateral relations. For that part, I think we should not be too pessimistic about bilateral relations. There are different possibilities, but at the same time, we cannot say that we exclude the bad or negative scenario. I think it's too early to say, but we do have a chance that through communication and negotiation, the two countries [will] have relatively stable relations and cooperate on certain issues that both sides feel [have] mutual benefits. Of course, we don't know yet at the current phase. Comparing with my earlier prediction, I think my view now is maybe we need to wait and see for a moment. On the campaign trail, Trump accused China of unfair trade practices and threatened to impose tariffs on Chinese goods. In his inaugural address, Trump made clear he will "tariff and tax foreign countries". How much of Trump's campaign rhetoric do you think will be translated into actual policies during his second term? And how might China respond if Trump does indeed push ahead with his threats? Generally speaking, people believe that President Trump is someone who delivers his campaign promises quite well - at least in his first term - so there's no reason to believe that President Trump will not deliver his campaign promises this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having said that, I don't think he will necessarily deliver every campaign rhetoric and promise that he has made. We don't know how many of those promises he has made will be delivered, but I will say it's a relatively high percentage compared with other US presidents. He did have a good record of delivering promises. We cannot predict if he will do this or that, particularly [as] President Trump [intentionally] wants to keep everything unpredictable. Of course, if he imposes tariffs on China, China will more or less retaliate, particularly if we believe that it is not a fair deal, [if it's done] unilaterally without negotiation with China. If the US does it in a unilateral way, my hunch is that the Chinese side will retaliate. But by retaliation, I'm not saying that we will do it in a tit-for-tat way. For example, if the US imposes a 60 per cent tariff on China, China also imposes a 60 per cent tariff on the US. I don't think we will do it that way. I guess China will, through tariffs and other economic means, show our opposition to the US side and also use some instruments to deter the US side from moving forward. I don't know at the current phase what we will do concretely and what our policy instrument is, but I think China will, by some kind of retaliation, send a signal to the American side that we oppose what they are doing and we want to stop them from moving forward further. Trump has positioned himself as a deal maker, ready to negotiate with countries including China. How do you think the Chinese leadership perceives Trump's character and his presidency, and what strategies might China adopt to navigate the Trump administration? I think Trump is a person who really wants to make deals. We've interacted with President Trump during his first term on those deals and we did reach some agreement on the economic side like the phase one [trade] agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Actually we also cooperated on some other issues, so I think there are opportunities that we can work with President Trump in his second term on striking a deal. I think it's possible. I guess the Chinese leadership and Chinese government, of course, [assign] really great importance to this possibility. We know that bilateral relations are difficult, so we want to stabilise relations through these kinds of negotiations, and President Trump provides such an opportunity. In order to strike a deal, I think the very important thing is to maintain open communication channels. This is the priority. This is the precondition of any potential deal. The two sides need to talk to each other. We need to understand each other's intentions well, and then we need maybe very hard efforts to reach a deal. I think the most important thing is the communication between the two leaders. Strategic communication between the two leaders is the most important thing because firstly, through that channel, the two sides can understand the other side's goal or intention clearly. And secondly, particularly on the US side, there are different views [within] Trump's team regarding [US] policy towards China. Of course, in China we also have different ideas regarding our US policy. So if the two presidents talk to each other and set the tone for [Trump's] second term, that will lay the foundation for the two sides to strike the deal [and] overcome or manage internally different ideas ... in the two countries. These are very critical for any potential negotiation between the two countries. You've previously argued that strategic clashes between the US and China are likely to persist in the years ahead, and that ties will remain relatively tense. Do you think the two countries can achieve a new sort of equilibrium with Trump back in the White House? The competitive or difficult relationship between the two countries will be there for quite a long time. I don't think it will change under Trump's leadership. But it's possible that the two sides can manage bilateral relations and stabilise the situation. I think now it's hard to say if we can have a long-term or new equilibrium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's too early to say because an equilibrium not only requires the two governments to talk to each other and strike deals but it also requires deeper compromise. This is a very complicated relationship because the players evolve in this relationship. An equilibrium requires the two sides to reach a point of balance in terms of, for example, their economic operating system. The two sides [have to attain] relative peace and stability in their economic relationship. Both sides [have to] feel at least accepting of their economic relationship. But at the same time, the two sides also need to reach that kind of status with their militaries - for example, [about] their nuclear capabilities and also their military relationship regarding hotspot issues like Taiwan and the South China Sea. It's too early to say if the two sides can reach a kind of equilibrium, because I think it's related to the medium term. But in the shorter term, the two governments do have the opportunity to maintain stability and short-term peace. After November 2023, the bilateral relationship has been OK. It has been quite stable. So now we may have the opportunity to have another kind of stability. It'll be a stability led by President Trump or the Republican administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe it will be very different from the Democratic one, under a Democratic White House. I think it will be very different, but it could be another kind of stability. No matter what kind of stability, if [the US] can continue the earlier stability from the Biden administration to the Trump administration, I think that will be a good way for the two countries to set up a new equilibrium and a new balance between the two countries. When Trump took office in 2017, he withdrew the US from significant global and regional agreements including the Paris Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This time, Trump will again be pulling the US out of the Paris accords and also from the World Health Organization. How will this reshape China's role on the global stage, and does it provide China an opportunity to expand its influence in international affairs? The relationship between China and the US regarding multilateral institutions is not just zero-sum [in a way that] if the US withdraws [from the institutions], China fills the vacuum. Of course China is [important] too, but the United States is the most important country in multilateral institutions and on global issues. Without US participation, those multilateral institutions will be weakened, and those global issues cannot be solved. So I think we have to admit that. When withdrawal from the US side happens, superficially you may say China's influence could grow. To some extent, it's true because China may have a bigger say or influence in the multilateral institution, and other countries in the world may think that China still adheres to multilateralism while the US is doing something irresponsible [and] undermining the multilateral institution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if we step further, we will see that China's influence could grow, but it's within a less important and less relevant multilateral institution, so it's not so meaningful. So maybe it's good for China's image, but more importantly, it's bad for the US' image. If something bad happens to the US image, I don't think it will automatically be translated into a good thing for China's image. And also, as I said earlier, if the multilateral institution becomes less relevant and less important, I don't think it can be a good venue for China or any other country to fill the vacuum to their benefit. I still hope that the Trump administration can participate at least to some extent in the more important multilateral institutions. No matter through those existing institutions or through other ways, major countries like China and the United States need to find a way to have effective global governance. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said Tuesday it was a bad idea for President Trump to pardon individuals who were convicted of assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Anybody who was convicted of assault on a police officer, I just cant get there at all. I think it was a bad idea, Tillis told a Spectrum News reporter. But Tillis defended Trumps pardon of Jan. 6 protesters who entered the Capitol illegally but didnt assault police or destroy property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of them, probably was the right thing to do. They made a bad a bad choice, he said. But Tillis said Trumps sweeping pardons and sentence commutations for more than 1,500 people convicted of Jan. 6-related crimes must be viewed in the context of former President Bidens pardon of his son Hunter, who was convicted on tax- and gun-related charges, and his pardoning of five other of his family members minutes before Trump was sworn in as president. Tillis on that point echoed Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who told reporters Tuesday that Biden had opened the door on this. We said all along that Biden opened the door on this, he said while walking to his office, followed by several television crews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told a CNN reporter Tuesday that she would be disappointed if Trump pardoned people convicted of assaulting police but said she would study the full extent of his pardons. She also cited Bidens pardons of his family members. Copyright 2025 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. FORT SCOTT, Kan. A number of area organizations didnt have the day off on this national holiday. That included the Gordon Parks Museum in Fort Scott, where it, once again, hosted a free celebration event in honor of Doctor King. Those in attendance heard from guest speaker, photographer Ann Dean, whose presentation was titled, The Power of Imagery and Civil Rights Experience. The day also included lunch, and the 1989 film, Martin, which was directed, produced, and scored by Parks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a day to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King and to continue the latest in the fight for freedom. So, yes, Martin Luther King Day is a day off for the holiday, but we consider it as a day on and not a day off, said Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Exec. Director. I teach photography at the Lawrence Arts Center in Lawrence, Kansas, and one of the first things I tell my students is, how does this image make you feel? And that can be anything from the persons facial features, what theyre doing. The environment that they might be in. How does that impact your feelings and your emotions about what you think of a certain image, said Ann Dean, Photographer / Humanities Kansas Speakers Bureau. Todays annual event also included a canned and non-perishable food drive. Those items are going to the Beacon Food Pantry in Fort Scott. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Sign up for Trumps Return, a newsletter featuring coverage of the second Trump presidency. In the hours after Donald Trump returned to power, Jacob Chansley, already in a celebrating mood, became exuberant. Chansley, who is also known as the QAnon Shaman, a nickname he earned for the horned costume he wore during the attack on the U.S. Capitol in 2021, did what any red-blooded MAGA American might have done in his situation. I GOT A PARDON BABY! Chansley posted on X last night. NOW I AM GONNA BUY SOME MOTHA FU*KIN GUNS!!! In the lead-up to Inauguration Day, Trump had spent a lot of time talking about getting revenge on his political enemies. But in one of his first moves as president, Trump decided to treat his supporters to some forgiveness. Last night, he pardoned all of the nearly 1,600 people who had been convicted for their involvement in the Capitol riots. He commuted the sentences of 14 insurrectionists who remained in prison, allowing them to go free. Paired with his order for the attorney general to dismiss all pending indictments, Trump has effectively let everyone convicted for their actions in the January 6 attack off the hook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Trumps telling, the people he pardoned were viciously and unfairly punished for what happened at the Capitol. Yesterday, he called the rioters hostages. Some of those pardoned included goofy characters, such as Chansley, who seemingly did not arrive at the Capitol intending to overthrow the government but got swept up in the moment. Chansley wasnt exactly going out of his way to avoid the chaos of the day, however: He left a note on thenVice President Mike Pences desk that said, Its only a matter of time, justice is coming. Among those pardoned was Adam Christian Johnson, otherwise known as lectern guy: On January 6, he carried thenHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosis podium around the Capitol, smiling and waving in a now-viral photo. Im ashamed to have been a part of it, he said to a judge in February 2022, before he was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and sentenced to 75 days in jail. Got a pardon now about my lectern, Johnson wrote on X before later asking Trump to free the men imprisoned for plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Among the rioters granted clemency by President Trump there are also longtime militia leaders who planned carefully for the riot. They have been implicated in actively conspiring to violently overtake the Capitol and attack police officers. Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers militia group, and Kelly Meggs, who led its Florida chapter, were among the 14 people whose sentences were commuted. Meggs allegedly participated with his wife in weapons training to prepare for the attack. Before the president intervened, both were slated to spend more than a decade in prison after being convicted of seditious conspiracy. According to the Department of Justice, Rhodes and Meggs had organized teams that were prepared and willing to use force and to transport firearms and ammunition into Washington, D.C., and tried to oppose, by force, the lawful transfer of presidential power. Of the 14 people whose remaining prison sentences were commuted by Trump, nine were affiliated with the Oath Keepers and five with the Proud Boys, another violent far-right group. At least one other militia leader was outright pardoned: Enrique Tarrio, a former head of the Proud Boys, is now free long before the end of his 22-year sentence. Though he wasnt in Washington during the insurrection, Tarrio egged on Proud Boys who entered the Capitol, posting on social media that he was proud of my boys and my country and telling his supporters, Dont fucking leave moments after rioters entered the Capitol. In private messages, he took credit for the attack: Make no mistake, he wrote, we did this. Some of the Proud Boys, including top members Joe Biggs and Zachary Rehl, went inside the Capitol, where they overwhelmed officers, according to the Department of Justice. Biggs was sentenced to 17 years in prison and Rehl to 15. Of course, it wasnt just militia members who seemingly arrived at the Capitol with violence in mind. Also among those pardoned was Eric Munchel, who was sentenced to nearly five years in prison after entering the Capitol clad in a tactical vest and carrying zip ties, with which he intended to take senators hostage, according to the judge who heard his case. The most important part of the pardons isnt specifically who is released from prison, but the meaning of Trumps gesture: Radical militias are free to act with impunityas long as theyre loyal to Trump. Should an extremist on the right break the law, he can reasonably hope for Trump to pluck him out of the justice system. This is one of the key ingredients to the perpetuation of political violence across societya belief among those who might carry it out that they can do so, and that theyll get away with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that sense, the pardons mark whats to come. The insurrection was the culmination of increased militia activity during the first Trump administration. But after the riot, as law-enforcement agencies began to prosecute those involved, the militias went underground. Groups such as the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys continued to operate while many of their leaders and members were in prison, but in a less publicly visible way than before. Even without militia groups operating at their peak levels, political violence, particularly by the right, has been ascendant over the past several years. Now, after the pardons, right-wing extremists no longer have to hide. *Lead-image credit: Illustration by Allison Zaucha / The Atlantic. Sources: Mark Peterson / Redux; Anna Moneymaker / Getty; Evan Vucci / AP; Getty. Article originally published at The Atlantic AUSTIN (KFDX/KJTL) With talks of school choice, border security, and more in this legislative session, the future of water could fly under the radar. During the 89th legislative session, lawmakers are working to make ambitious investments in the future. District 28 State Senator Charles Perry proposes dedicated annual funding for water issues. Theres no water, then weve lost Texas, Perry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Water security is a topic many Texomans know far too well. Perry hopes to address water needs in the state amid a growing shortage. January marks Human Trafficking Prevention Month Were about 10 to 12 million acre-feet short by the year 2050, Perry said. Perry cites his survey stating rural areas believe they will be out of water by 2040 or 2050. We are at a process where everything being 20 plus years to develop, Perry said. In 2023, Texans approved a billion-dollar water fund. Its a one-time investment. Perrys bill asks for annual funding and shifts policy from local to state levels. No mayor in Wichita Falls or otherwise can tell his constituency, I need to attach 25 bucks a month to your bill in order to develop a water supply that nobody can drink from for 30 years, Perry said. We just dont have that pay-it-forward mentality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House District 69 Representative James Frank shares support for the bill. I think hes got a plan that will work. We just need to be willing to fund it, Frank said. Im very hopeful that with a lot of focus, this will be the session that we do, fund that. Perrys neighboring senator, Brent Hagenbuch, is ready to push the legislation forward. I do not think that the state water plan is sufficient right now, Hagenbuch said. You have to think 20 and 50 years out and think of the next generation. I think nows the time for us to deal with this issue in Texas. Perry says there are multiple options for the state to secure water. The right one, well, its still unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Hirschi leaves behind legacy of service to Wichita Falls We will have accumulated a cash balance that could jumpstart these investments, Perry said. Thats why Im pushing so hard on [2025] to get it done because going forward, we will have a strong budget. Perry said the state is behind on its water supply. Now, lawmakers will play catch up to secure water for the future. When asked what this could mean about Lake Ringgold, Perry replied that the city should continue with its plans for now. Councilors are set to apply for federal permits this coming spring. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 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. 1 /2 OLELO COMMUNITY MEDIA GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTSER.COM Gov. Josh Green delivers his State of the State address, today, to a joint session of the Legislature in the House Chamber. 2 /2 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTSER.COM Gov. Josh Green delivers his State of the State address, today, to a joint session of the Legislature in the House Chamber. GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @STARADVERTSER.COM Gov. Josh Green delivers his State of the State address, today, to a joint session of the Legislature in the House Chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Josh Green presented his third State of the State address this morning to a joint session of the Legislature in the House Chamber. The governor outlined his administrations priorities for the coming year during the annual address, which was broadcast live on Olelo Community Medias channel 55. 0 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? . Snow covers the grounds of the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. The entire southern portion of the state anticipated record snowfall Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, and subfreezing temperatures through most of the week. (Elise Plunk/Louisiana Illuminator) Republican Gov. Jeff Landry says the president and Congress would be doing nothing wrong by placing conditions on the billions of dollars in disaster assistance it provides to states in times of crisis. Landrys comments backed up those made last week by fellow Louisianian and U.S. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, who is in a heated public debate with California Gov. Gavin Newsom over federal relief for wildfires in the Los Angeles area. I dont think that the things that Speaker Johnson is talking about are things that are new to disaster aid, Landry said at a Monday news conference focused on a severe winter storm that has since moved into Louisiana. We are used to that. FEMA, many times, adds conditions, especially to some of the relief that we get for hurricanes, like requiring us to elevate our homes and whatnot along the coast, Landry said. I think as long as what Congress puts in place is attributable to the disaster, then that certainly is reasonable, the governor added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson and President Donald Trump have repeatedly accused Newsom, a Democrat, of mishandling Californias wildfire outbreak. We are watching fires still tragically burn from weeks ago without even a token of defense, Trump said during his inauguration speech Monday. Johnson implied the fires not yet contained but already one of the largest natural disasters in the countrys history were made worse because of human error on the part of Newsom and other Democrats. Trump has leaned on disinformation to place blame on Californias governor. When state and local officials make foolish policy decisions that make the disaster exponentially worse. We need to factor that in, to any decision to provide assistance, Johnson said during a Sunday morning appearance of Meet the Press. The speaker went on to accuse Newsom of mismanaging Californias forests and reservoirs in the Los Angeles area. Making Newsom look inept in a time of crisis also has some political advantages for Republicans. The California governor is one of the most prominent Democrats in the country and a chief political rival of Trumps. California officials are expected to sue the Trump administration over several of the executive orders Trump has already signed. Some of the strings attached to Californias wildfire aid might have little to do with environmental management or Newsoms policies, however. Johnson and other Republicans have floated the idea of tying the wildfire recovery package to a congressional vote Trump and Johnson are pushing to raise the debt ceiling. Without that vote, the United States would risk default on its $36 trillion worth of debt and cause a downturn in the global economy, according to Politico. Officials who represent disaster-prone Louisiana have traditionally been more sensitive to injecting partisan politics into disaster recovery negotiations in Washington, particularly after Hurricane Katrina. It was perceived that then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco, a Democrat, didnt initially get the support she needed from then-President George W. Bush, a Republican, to deal with the Hurricane Katrina crisis in 2005 because of the two leaders political differences. But ultimately Louisiana received billions of dollars of federal Katrina assistance that lasted several years. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A shelter-in-place order was issued for an area just east of South Nevada Avenue for police activity Monday afternoon, according to Peak Alerts. At 2:11 p.m., the Colorado Springs Police Department asked residents in the area of 2039 Southgate Road to shelter in place for police activity related to a search warrant. "You are asked to stay indoors; please lock and stay away from windows and doors. Please stay out of the immediate area until further notice," the alert said. Just before 3:30 p.m., a Peak Alert was sent out giving an all-clear message to those in the area, notifying them the shelter-in-place had been lifted. LOS ANGELES (KTLA) Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Friday prohibiting landlords in Los Angeles County from evicting tenants who open their doors to wildfire victims. At a time when so many have been suddenly displaced, we need more housing and shelter than ever. Opening your place of residence to help shelter those in need is not only encouraged and generous, but deserves to be protected, Newsom said in a statement. Specifically, the order prohibits landlords from using the unlawful detainer process to evict a tenant for violating a term of their lease that would otherwise prohibit them from sheltering one or more people displaced by the recent emergency, a news release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsoms office refutes President Trumps claims that California is without a token of defense amid wildfires The order, however, doesnt prohibit landlords from enforcing other parts of a tenants lease. Local leaders in the Los Angeles City Council have also taken steps to protect residents displaced by the deadly wildfires. Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez and Hugo Soto-Martinez introduced a motion that calls for a moratorium on evictions for tenants affected by the fires and a one-year pause on rent hikes through January 2026. Under the motion, any tenant impacted by the recent wildfires couldnt be evicted, should it pass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That motion is expected to be heard by the Housing and Homelessness Committee and then returned to the City Council for a vote in the coming weeks. The governors executive order will be effective until March 8, 2025. The Palisades and Eaton wildfires have killed 27 people and damaged over 17,000 structures. As of Monday afternoon, the Palisades Fire is 59% contained, and the Eaton Fire is 87% contained, according to Cal Fire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency on Monday as a winter weather approached the state from the Gulf of Mexico, which is forecast to bring dangerously cold conditions to North Florida on Tuesday. According to the governors office, winter storm warnings were issued across the western part of the Florida Panhandle as snowfall totals of one to three inches are forecast for the region. Local totals may reach even three to four inches of snow for areas that have gotten heavy snow in the past. Florida officials react to Trump inauguration Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis order also said driving conditions will be hazardous Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday across North Florida. Because of the foregoing conditions, which are projected to constitute a major disaster, I declare that a state of emergency exists in the State of Florida, the governor wrote. Read the state of emergency order below EO-25-13Download For Tampa Bay residents, temperatures are expected to stay cold all week, with highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s until this upcoming weekend. While rain chances will increase, no snow is expected. No snow is forecast for our area, but North Florida will likely see a mix of snow and freezing rain Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, Max Defender 8 meteorologist Amanda Holly said. Temperatures will not get cold enough in Tampa for any winter weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis state of emergency will remain in place for 60 days after his order. Copyright 2025 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 WFLA. Jan. 20AUSTIN Governor Greg Abbott on Monday congratulated the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, on his inauguration. "Today marks the beginning of a new era in our nationone brimming with promise and hope," said Governor Abbott. "As President Trump takes the oath of office and assumes his responsibilities as America's chief executive, I am confident that his leadership will restore and strengthen the principles that have long defined our great nation: freedom, economic opportunity, prosperity, and the rule of law. Congratulations to President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and their families on this momentous occasion. Texas looks forward to working with President Trump and his Administration to secure the border and build a brighter, more prosperous future for all Americans." BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (WWLP/SHNS) Gov. Maura Healey announced a plan Tuesday to pump at least $2.5 billion into facilities at the University of Massachusetts, state universities and community colleges by the middle of the 2030s. The governor outlined her new plans after touring the Cyber Range at Bridgewater State University, a hands-on lab where she lamented that too many public higher education campuses dont have the proper facilities to train students for cutting-edge jobs that can keep the state economically competitive. Massachusetts owes feds $2.1 billion to resolve unemployment mistake Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healeys office is calling the planned outlay the largest proposed infrastructure investments in Massachusetts public higher education system in decades. She said her so-called BRIGHT Act (An Act to Build Resilient Infrastructure to Generate Higher Education Transformation) will modernize campuses to include labs, classrooms and training facilities that support in-demand fields like web development, robotics and automation, advanced manufacturing, and more. It will also focus on student health and wellness facilities. The construction activity spurred by the spending contemplated under the bill would create approximately 15,000 associated jobs, the governors office said. Our public university and college campuses have suffered from historic underinvestment since they were built in the 1970s. We refuse to kick the can down the road any longer when it comes to educating our kids and training our workers of tomorrow, the governor said, using the same idiom she has taken to using when talking about transportation financing. With these transformative infrastructure investments, we will give students a cutting-edge education in our affordable public universities and colleges, create thousands of good-paying jobs for our workers and keep our state economically competitive for years to come. The fiscal 2026 budget that Healey will file Wednesday will propose to use $125 million of income surtax revenue to leverage an estimated $2.5 billion in new borrowing capacity for higher education infrastructure needs over the next 10 years. The administration said the BRIGHT Act works in tandem with this proposal by authorizing up to $3 billion in investments for campuses, leaving the administration with plenty of options when it comes time to borrow and spend for public higher education capital needs in the coming years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our proposed strategy to borrow against Fair Share revenues is modeled on an approach we have successfully deployed in the transportation sector through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund, Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz said, highlighting a budgeting strategy that the Healey administration has come to rely on recently. The bill we are filing today puts these new resources to work to ensure our campuses can address their significant deferred maintenance backlogs and decarbonize their infrastructure while also modernizing to meet the needs of todays students and workforce. Under a constitutional amendment adopted in 2022, surtax revenues are supposed to be used only for education or transportation purposes. The governor has said her budget filing Wednesday will call for at least $765 million in surplus surtax revenues to be put into the Commonwealth Transportation Fund with an annual commitment to maintain inflows. The state can then borrow against that funding, estimating that it will unlock about $5 billion in bonding capacity for transportation projects over the next decade. The higher education announcement included statements of support from the presidents of Bridgewater and Salem state universities, as well as from the head of the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges. Although we work hard to address the need as best we can by utilizing student fees and modest state funds, BSU alone still has more than $200 million in deferred maintenance. State support to modernize campus facilities is absolutely critical to enhance affordability, accessibility, and academic excellence for the students we are privileged to serve, Bridgewater State President Frederick Clark said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healeys office said her bill is informed by a report from the Higher Education Capital Working Group, a group created in the fiscal 2025 budget. The groups report summarizing the capital needs of public higher education campuses confirms the viability of leveraging Fair Share revenue to unlock new capital dollars, the administration said. The report was to be released alongside the governors Tuesday morning announcement. The governors office also said the higher education bond bill will support housing development by providing for higher education institutions costs associated with the disposition of land and buildings. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. HONOLULU (KHON2) Governor Josh Green says his ultimate goal is to have this generation of keiki be able to live in Hawaii affordably. Thats why in his State of the State address Tuesday, he says hes constantly tackling the same issues. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Governor Josh Greens third State of the State address sounded similar to his previous ones. That was on purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because it doesnt just get fixed in one or two years, but over 4 or a few more years, you will see massive changes for the better, said Gov. Josh Green. Greens speech covered past accomplishments and continuing priorities including cost of living, access to health care and the on-going healthcare worker shortage, public safety, the homeless, and the lack of affordable housing for residents and native Hawaiians We definitely need to continue these problems because the amount of resources it will take to build more housing, to reduce the number of homeless in our communities, said Rep. Nadine Nakamura, (D) state House Speaker. Weve heard this all before, said Sen. Brenton Awa, (R) Senate Minority Leader. And again, I dont wanna be the guy to criticize something, but weve heard the talks every year and they always sound good, but the actions have led to where we are today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Governors State of the State Address was about 15 pages long, about 30 minutes in total. But the topic he went off-script for fireworks. He says that New Years explosion in Aliamanu is one of the handful of events that happened during his term that has affected him personally. And that helps shapes his policies to make Hawaii a better and safer place for its people. The goal is to never hear about a father taking the lives of his children because he was desperate economically, said Green. The goal is to never imagine a mass shooting cuz kids got counselling in school and maybe a psychologist and we had a gun buy back. And maybe in 2026 we will no loss of life because people go to public fireworks shows and they take a pause on buying them. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You In the short term, Green says he expects lawmakers to pass legislation this session to help ease the states skyrocketing home insurance costs as well as fire prevention measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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. TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) Governor Laura Kelly has ordered all flags in Kansas to be flown at full staff for the remainder of the day. The governors announcement came in the wake of President Trumps directive that all flags be raised. They had been ordered lowered until Jan. 28 under the Biden administration to honor former President Jimmy Carter following his death. Kansas lawmakers congratulate President Trump Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flags are to be returned to half staff starting at sunrise on Tuesday. Copyright 2025 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 KSN-TV. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Students throughout New York state might have to give up their cellphones during school hours starting next fall under a proposal announced Tuesday by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The plan, which would require legislators' approval, would take effect in the next academic year and force students to disconnect from their phones and other personal devices while at school, including in class, during lunch and in hallways. Hochul, a Democrat, has for months hinted at a potential ban and said limiting access to smartphones during school would help students focus in class and improve their mental health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We're not developing the skills we need because kids are distracted with the cellphones, Hochul said at a news conference in Albany. And how hard is it for our teachers, trying to teach algebra and geography, and they're competing with viral dances and messages from their friends and sometimes threats, bullying. How do you pay attention to the subject at hand when this is going on? At least eight states have enacted measures banning or restricting cellphones in schools, and several others have encouraged districts to enact restrictions or provided funding for equipment to store phones. At least three other governors have recently proposed similar school cellphone restrictions. In New York, schools would have some flexibility over how to implement the proposal, with districts deciding how to store students' devices and other rules, according to the governor's office. Students who need access to devices for medical reasons, to help with learning disabilities or because they don't speak fluent English would be exempt. Hochul announced the plan as part of her budget proposal for the coming year and said the state would provide $13.5 million to help schools implement the cellphone bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislative leaders in Albany appeared open to the proposal. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, and Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Democratic Senate majority leader, said students should be focused on learning and not distracted by cellphones, though both added that they understand parents want to be able to contact their children in case of emergencies. Cellphone restrictions elsewhere have often run into opposition from parents who argue that they need to be able to reach their kids during emergency situations. New York City, which has the largest school district in the country, was considering a school cellphone ban last year but abandoned the plan due to concerns from parents. Jan. 20SANTA FE The 60-day legislative session will begin Tuesday with an empty seat in the New Mexico House chamber. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Monday she has told staffers to notify county commissioners in two New Mexico counties McKinley and Cibola that she will not appoint former Rep. Harry Garcia, a Grants Democrat, to the vacant seat, even though both counties had voted to nominate him. The governor also directed staffers to ask the two county commissions to send her new names to consider for the House District 6 seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That decision came after an investigation by Attorney General Raul Torrez's office determined Garcia does not appear to actually reside at the address he's listed on his revised voter registration form. Specifically, investigators with the New Mexico Department of Justice traveled to Grants last week to visit the property Garcia has listed as his residence. They found the house was undergoing renovation work and did not contain any furniture or personal belongings. In addition, several tenants in the mobile home park adjacent to the property told investigators that Garcia does not live at the home, according to the attorney general. While the state Supreme Court in past rulings has allowed for some ambiguity in determining a candidate's official residence, Torrez said there is "insufficient evidence" to suggest that Garcia actually lives at the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lujan Grisham, who had requested the investigation, said the results indicate Garcia is not eligible to hold the vacant seat under state law. "The findings clearly demonstrate that former Rep. Garcia does not meet the residency requirements for the open legislative seat," the governor said in a statement. "Our office is committed to ensuring that legislative appointments follow all constitutional and statutory requirements," Lujan Grisham also said. "We look forward to receiving a new nomination that meets these essential criteria." Garcia, a business owner and Vietnam War veteran, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He held a different state House seat representing House District 69 for nearly eight years after being appointed in 2016. However, he was defeated in last year's primary election by fellow Democrat Michelle Abeyta. With the end of his two-year term approaching, Garcia applied for the House District 6 seat that Rep. Eliseo Alcon of Milan had held until stepping down in November due to health issues. Alcon died last week at age 74. Before applying, Garcia changed his address on his voter registration after discussing the issue with Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver. He told the Journal last month he has "always had residences in both districts" and is familiar with many of the residents and communities in the district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two House districts in question are adjacent, with the town of Grants split between them. With the session set to begin Tuesday, the governor's decision means House District 6 residents will not have a representative at the Roundhouse at least for the session's opening days. Per the state Constitution, vacancies in legislative seats that encompass more than one county are filled by the governor. However, the governor is limited to choosing from a list of names submitted to her by the local county commissions. The great-grandson of Wong Kim Ark whose landmark 1898 Supreme Court case helped establish a birthright citizenship for all children of immigrants blasted President Donald Trumps new executive order seeking to revoke the long-standing right. Norman Wong, 74, whos based in Brentwood, California, called Trumps directive troubling and said it is a move intended to fracture Americans. The executive order, titled Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship, limits birthright citizenship to people who have at least one parent who is a United States citizen or a permanent resident. Hes feeding off the American mindset, and its not a healthy one, Wong told NBC News. We cant build the country together and be against everybody. I think the best thing to do is for Americans to actually be embracing Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump transition team did not respond to NBC News request for comment. Despite having such a monumental role in establishing citizenship rules, Wong Kim Arks own son ended up being deported just over a decade later. Norman Wong said that this shows that rights are always in flux, and need to be continuously advocated for. Were going to get the world that were willing to fight for, Wong said. It starts in our hearts, what we believe If we have good thoughts and work from that, well get a better world. But its not going to be easy in this country. Trumps executive order also stipulates that those born to parents who are in the country legally, but temporarily, will no longer be automatically guaranteed citizenship. This would include children born from people on student, work or tourist visas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The directive comes well over a century after Norman Wongs ancestor waged his legal fight. Wong Kim Ark, a San Francisco-born cook, had left the country to visit China and was barred from re-entering the U.S., arrested, and confined to the ship he had traveled in upon his return in 1895. Customs collector John H. Wise refused to recognize Wongs status as an American and ordered him to be deported under the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited Chinese labor immigration. Wong Kim Ark, 1904. Wong Kim Ark was the 21-year-old son of Chinese merchants who had entered the U.S. legally. Under the Exclusion Act, the parents were not permitted to get naturalized. It was an era of rampant anti-Chinese sentiment, with violent mobs often targeting Chinese businesses, and Wongs parents eventually returned to their home country. But the younger Wong fought to stay. The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, mutual aid organizations that were often referred to as the Six Companies, stepped in to help and filed a writ of habeas corpus arguing hed been unlawfully detained as a native-born citizen under the Fourteenth Amendment. The case made its way to the Supreme Court, whose justices sided with Wong in a 6-2 vote. The amendment, in clear words and in manifest intent, includes the children born within the territory of the United States of all other persons, of whatever race or color, domiciled within the United States, the Supreme Court concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many decades later, Norman Wong himself spent his youth advocating for Asian American studies at Berkeley as well as community organizing in San Francisco. But it wasnt until he was in his 50s, he said, that he found out about his ancestors impactful legacy. He recalled his father revealing that piece of history as they flipped through old belongings. And because hes always felt like an outsider both as an Asian American and as someone of mixed Chinese and Japanese descent Norman Wong said the moment was important for him. It validated me, he said of the discovery. Wong said that the fight is far from over, however. And Wong Kim Arks story is perhaps a reminder of that. The cooks eldest son, Wong Yoke Fun, was denied entry into the U.S. and detained at Angel Island years after the Supreme Court case, as immigration authorities held that he couldnt prove his relation to Wong Kim Ark. In 1911, the China-born son was deported. Progress, Norman Wong said, is going to rely on the younger generation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres only so much fight left in me, Wong said. Our hope is in our children. the future always belongs to the children. Wong added: I just hope they do the right thing. Trumps executive action has drawn backlash from Asian American activists and lawmakers, including a legal challenge. The American Civil Liberties Union, with several other civil rights organizations including the Asian Law Caucus, filed a lawsuit Monday night accusing the Trump administration of flouting the Constitutions dictates. And a coalition of 19 Democratic attorneys general have also sued to block the order. This is a war on American families waged by a president with zero respect for our Constitution. We have sued, and I have every confidence we will win, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus, which includes the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, condemned Trumps executive order, accusing the president of violating the 14th Amendment and his oath to protect and defend the Constitution. Through the hard-fought legal battle of Wong Kim Ark v the United States in 1898, the Supreme Court upheld that birthright citizenship is a constitutionally protected right, and it is President Trumps duty, as Commander in Chief of the free world, to uphold the law, the chairs said in the statement. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com GREENE COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN) As the Miami Valley braces for this weeks single-digit weather and sub-zero wind chill, Greene County officials are reminding people to visit warming centers throughout the county to stay warm. These centers are open during regular business hours. Beavercreek Community Library, 3618 Dayton-Xenia Road. 937-352-4001 Beavercreek Senior Center, 3868 Dayton-Xenia Road. 937-426-6166 Cedarville Community Library, 20 South Miller Street. 937-352-4006 Fairborn Community Library, 1 East Main Street. 937-878-9383 Fairborn Police Department Lobby, 70 West Hebble Avenue. 937-754-3000 Fairborn Senior Center, 325 North 3rd Street. 937-878-4141 Jamestown Community Library, 86 Seaman Drive. 937-352-4005 John Bryan Community Center, 100 Dayton Street. 937-767-7202 Winters-Bellbrook Community Library, 57 West Franklin Street. 937-352-4004 Xenia Community Library, 76 East Market Street. 937-352-4000 Yellow Springs Community Library, 415 Xenia Avenue. 937-352-4003 Yellow Springs Senior Center, 227 Xenia Avenue. 937-767-5751 How does winter weather affect people with Alzheimers? Greene County Public Health reminds people to be aware of the signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frostbite will cause loss of feeling and color, primarily on the face, fingers and toes. Signs: Bodily numbness. Firm or waxy skin, turning white or grayish-yellow. Actions: Go to a warm room or soak in warm water. Only use body heat to warm to avoid shock. Hypothermia is low body temp., a body temp. under 95 degrees is an emergency. Signs: Physical shivering, exhaustion or fumbling hands. Mental confusion, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness. Actions: Go to a warm room. Warm your body up starting in the center first chest, neck, head, and groin. Stay dry and wrap yourself in warm blankets. The county also reminds people to limit their time outside, to never heat their home with a gas oven, to check on their neighbors and to bring in their pets. Are you located in a different county? Click here for Clark and Montgomery County warming centers. Copyright 2025 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 WDTN.com. The Greenlandic government is calling on the island's population and politicians to remain calm and united in the face of US President Donald Trump's renewed interest in making the territory part of the United States. The future of Greenland will be determined by the Greenlanders themselves, not by others, Prime Minister Mute B. Egede told a press conference in the capital Nuuk on Tuesday. He said that the situation is serious and that it is natural for the latest developments to cause unrest. However, the most important thing is to remain calm and to stand together, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenland is largely autonomous, but officially part of the Kingdom of Denmark. As the largest island in the world, with an important geopolitical position in the Arctic, it has sparked Trump's territorial ambitions. He has spoken of these with sometimes inflammatory language, and has not ruled out military and economic coercion to gain control of the island. Shortly after taking office, the new US president once again confirmed his interest in Greenland. "Greenland is a wonderful place. We need it for international security, and I'm sure Denmark will cooperate," Trump said at the White House. He did not give any details about exactly what he expects from Denmark. Egede and his foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, reported that they were trying to establish a dialogue with the Trump administration. The head of government emphasized that Greenland is not for sale. By Max Schwarz and Yves Herman DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) -Greenpeace activists staged a brief climate change protest just outside the main hall of the World Economic Forum's annual meeting on Thursday, as business and political leaders gathered for this week's event in Davos. Dressed in dark suits and white shirts, three protesters made it into the Congress Centre and scaled a lobby balcony before unfurling a large banner saying: "Tax the super-rich. Fund a just & green future". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security staff intervened and escorted the protesters away, shortly before the official opening ceremony and a speech by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. A source familiar with the situation said there was no security threat from the protest and that the activists had been badge-holders for the event, working for one of its providers. Greenpeace activist Clara Thompson later told Reuters that the three demonstrators had been released after they were held in a police station in Davos following the protest. "They had their ways and means, I can't say any more," Thompson said when asked how they had got inside the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WEF said in a statement that it "respects the right to peaceful expression", adding that it was reviewing the matter and placed "the highest priority on ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants and staff". Tuesday's message to business and political leaders attending the meeting in Switzerland echoed another protest by Greenpeace, during which activists blocked the Davos heliport. Security is tight for the WEF meeting, where one of the main themes for discussion this week is "safeguarding the planet". "In an increasingly polarized and fragmented world, continuing to provide a platform for such dialogue has never been more essential," the WEF said in its statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Demonstrators protesting over fossil fuel subsidies had also on Monday splattered green paint on the shop front where Amazon has set up a temporary base on the main street. (Reporting by Max Schwarz; Writing by Alexander Smith; Editing by Leela de Kretser and Alex Richardson) KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) Law enforcement officers with the Kinston Police Department arrested a Greenville man on January 17 on gun charges. Officers were called to the McDonalds on Vernon Avenue after receiving reports of a suspect pointing a gun at the restaurant. The suspect was seen fleeing the scene in a car. While officers were on their way to the restaurant, they saw the suspects car near Queen Street and attempted to stop them. The suspect tried to evade officers, while the passenger of the car exited and attempted to flee on foot. After a brief pursuit, 26 year old Joshua Wooten from Greenville was caught. Wooten, who is a convicted felon, was charged with possession of firearm by felon, carrying a concealed weapon, going armed to the terror of the public, resisting arrest and littering. He was taken to the Lenoir County Jail and given a secured bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the car, 24 year old Anthony Wooten from Kentucky, was cited for resisting a public officer, fleeing to elude while license revoked and several additional traffic violations. Copyright 2025 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 WNCT. Yet another fire broke out in Los Angeles on Monday, this time in Griffith Park. But first responders were able to quickly extinguish the fire, putting the quarter-acre blaze out in just 31 minutes. The Los Angeles Police Department told reporting media that an arson suspect was taken into custody for the event, but no charges had been made as of Monday afternoon, according to CBS News. He was found 1.5 miles from the scene, ABC7 reported. The fire began Monday afternoon around 1 p.m., and according to the Los Angeles Fire Department, it covered a quarter of an acre, burning on a slope below Griffith Observatory. Fortunately, all potentially threatened structures were successfully defended and undamaged, and no evacuations were needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Griffith Park fire came as Los Angeles remains under high alert after the massive blazes that have ravaged Pacific Palisades, Altadena and elsewhere for nearly two weeks. The area of this particular fire remains under a red flag warning from the National Weather Service until 10 p.m. PT on Tuesday, due to damaging Santa Ana winds and very low humidities. Los Angeles is currently reeling from the damage of multiple wildfires, with President Donald Trump set to visit the area in his first visit as president after being sworn into office earlier Monday. You can see more of TheWraps coverage on the Los Angeles wildfires here. The post Griffith Park Fire Quickly Extinguished in 31 Minutes, Arson Suspect Detained appeared first on TheWrap. Jan. 21U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., will serve as the new vice chairman on the powerful House Committee on Rules for the 119th Congress. Griffith, who represents Virginia's 9th Congressional District in the House, was appointed to the committee last week by House Speaker Mike Johnson. The House Committee on Rules convened for its 119th Congress Organizational Meeting last week. At that meeting, Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) announced Griffith would serve as vice chairman on the committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House Committee on Rules is amongst the oldest standing committees in the House, according to Griffith. The Committee and its members wields significant power in advancing legislation, controlling the terms and conditions of debate on a measure or matter, and contributing to the content of legislation. This is the first time Griffith has served on the House Committee on Rules. His congressional district includes most of Southwest Virginia, including Tazewell, Buchanan, Bland, Giles and Wythe counties. "I'm looking forward to working with Congressman Morgan Griffith as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee," Johnson said in a prepared statement released by Griffith's office. "I am confident in his ability to help deliver the America First agenda. The American people can trust Congressman Griffith to work tirelessly in moving legislation forward to further President Trump's priorities that will usher in a new day in America." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm pleased to appoint Congressman Morgan Griffith to serve as Vice Chair of the Rules Committee," Foxx added in a statement released by Griffith's office. "His vast experience and knowledge from his time in the Virginia House of Delegates to his current service within the People's House will have a tremendous impact in delivering upon President Trump's agenda, and the American people's mandate. I look forward to serving alongside him in this critical role and in this esteemed committee." For his part, Griffith said he was honored to be appointed to the powerful commitee by Johnson and Foxx. In addition to the Rules Committee, Griffith will continue service on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, through which he will also chair the Committee's Environment Subcommittee. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Hundreds of Rhode Islanders took to the streets of Providence Monday to protest President Donald Trumps inauguration. The demonstrators gathered at Classical High School and marched through the capital city, not only to fight back against Trumps extreme-right billionaire agenda, but also to honor Martin Luther King Jr.s legacy, according to the Party for Socialism and Liberation Rhode Island. Were concerned about the fact that Trump is trying to deport millions of our immigrant brothers and sisters, organizer Maya Lehrer said. He has claimed that this is somehow going to benefit workers. But we know that deporting immigrants is going to collapse our economy and in fact, drive our wages down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 20 organizations participated in the demonstration, which also advocated for immigrant rights, racial justice, womens rights, workers rights, LBGTQ+ rights and environmental justice. The University of Rhode Islands Student Action for Sustainability and other environmental organizations also gathered in the capital city Monday to express concern for Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, as well as other potential rollbacks on climate policies. What were going to see is this action going more and more downhill until its just going to be irreversible damage, and its the young people that are going to be fixing that not the people that are in power now, Kiersten Sundell said. But not everyone rallied against Trump, with several of his supporters gathering in Fall River to watch his inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes like, Were going to fix a lot of the things that the common average American really cares about, New England Conservative Coalitions Christopher Thibeault said. I think its super important that we recognize those things I liked what he did his last four years and Im super excited for another four. New England Conservative Coalitions Alia Verissimo-Barbosa told 12 News she feels much safer now that Trump is president again. I think that people in other countries fear him and they respect him, Verissimo-Barbosa said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. The News US President Donald Trumps executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America is already taking shape, with the Republican governors of Alabama and Mississippi referring to the waterbody by its proposed name. Meanwhile, some other Republican lawmakers are dismayed by Trumps order to change the name of North Americas highest mountain, Denali, back to Mount McKinley, Politico reported. The renaming of landmarks has long been deeply intertwined with geopolitics, and Trumps proposals have already inspired politicians abroad. A Russian politician said the Black Sea should be called the Russian Sea, citing how ancient Russian chronicles referred to it. The idea of rethinking geographical names is gaining popularity in global practice, he told a local outlet, reflecting the desire of countries to emphasize their historical and cultural identity. SIGNALS Can Trump unilaterally rename the Gulf of Mexico? Sources: The Washington Post, Associated Press Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not quite. Trumps executive order directs his interior secretary to change the name of the gulf in official communications and maps. Trumps allies in Congress are also reportedly seeking to pass a law to officially change the name and secure funding for the new maps. But that doesnt mean other countries will have to call it the Gulf of America. For us it is still the Gulf of Mexico, and for the entire world it is still the Gulf of Mexico, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday. The International Hydrographic Organization is the global body responsible for charting the worlds seas and oceans; its own documentation does include instances where countries refer to landmarks by different names. South China Sea names advance historical claims Source: The Diplomat Place names are often emblematic of local pride and ownership, and efforts to change them reflect geopolitical priorities. Countries around the South China Sea which is the name adopted by European traders have their own names that reflect the tensions surrounding who controls the crucial waterway. (The Philippines, for example, has referred to parts of it as the West Philippine Sea.) These differing names are not just semantic; they each advance a nationalist narrative and a historical claim, a Singapore-based analyst wrote in The Diplomat last year. He argued it should be renamed the Southeast Asian Sea, which is more inclusive and doesnt center China as the dominant player. India, China engaged in border region naming conflict Sources: Times of India, Tibetan Review China and Indias border conflict has also ballooned into a naming war. In 2023, Beijing issued official Chinese names for several places in an Indian state that China claims as part of its Tibet region. New Delhi rejected those claims, and in a tit-for-tat move, applied its own names to several locations in Tibet. The politically motivated decisions came amid Indias general election, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned on the strength of his strongman image, and authorized the renaming to live up to that image, an expert said. Modis move, Tibetan Review wrote, is part of a global campaign to offer a strong counter-narrative to Chinese claims. If you had to re-read that headline to this article a couple of times, youre likely not alone. The blast of Arctic air has made it all the way to the Gulf Coast today. That colder air is meeting up with a juicy coastal storm in the Gulf of Mexico resulting in a blitz of winter weather in areas where winter weather isnt all that common. Winter weather alerts extend from far southern Texas, right along the Gulf Coast states into the Panhandle of Florida, and even north across eastern North Carolina. Theres also a first of its kind blizzard warning issued for southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Its the first time a blizzard warning has ever been issued this far south. SkyTracker Meteorologist Alex Wasilenko was live on ABC22 News This Morning when the alert was issued and he could not believe it. Snowfall totals in some Gulf Coast communities like New Orleans will receive 4 to 8 inches of heavy, wet snow by the time all is said and done. The Panhandle of Florida will also pick up on some snow and sleet with minor accumulations extending to the North Carolina coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now) The Hagerstown community managed to get through the overnight snowfall greeting them to start the week. Although it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, schools and government offices were closed and many businesses were on flexible schedules. But residents were out with snow shovels and snow blowers, clearing sidewalks and driveways. Volunteers honor legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with day of service to Hagerstown community Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the YMCA on the north end of town, just getting there was an accomplishment. I made it, Vee said upon arriving at the front desk. The back roads were not done but, you know, Dual Highway, the main roads, were pretty easy to come through. I took my time. I made it here. Kyle lives on the south end of Hagerstown and said he made sure to get rid of the snow from his driveway before it froze over. Because I knew if I didnt do it last night it would turn to rock, he said. Residents are reminded to protect their pipes and keep pets indoors, use portable heaters safely and check on neighbors and friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. (NewsNation) With President Donald Trump back in the White House and Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, U.S. Rep and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is poised to take on an interesting role with Democrats moving forward. Jeffries, of New York, recently came within a few votes of becoming speaker of the House before Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, recaptured the seat. However, as Trump begins his second stint as president after being sworn in Monday, Jeffries has become his partys main attraction, Geraldo Rivera believes. He is the real future of the Democratic Party, Rivera told NewsNation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump officials shut down CBP One app for migrants Rivera said although Jeffries is a racial minority, hes definitely not an affirmative action case. Instead, Rivera described the New York Democrat as a very effective generational leader. Rivera said that Democrats will only continue to see their popularity plummet should they become the party of no when it comes to dealing with Trump. Rivera said that unless Democrats are prepared to offer much more robust alternatives to legislation being pushed by Trump, the party risks further damage. Thats where Jeffries comes into play, Rivera said, as the most vibrant and viable Democrat in Washington. Rather than Democrats putting up resistance to Trumps policies, Jeffries can, Rivera said, lead a young band of Democrats in forging a new way forward rather than continuing on a progressive path Democrats had traveled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think woke or anything DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) forget about it, Rivera said Monday, adding, Id like to see affirmative action in the real sense rather than the political sense. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Cecile Richards has passed away at the age of 67. Her family confirmed the news of her death, citing a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Renowned for her leadership at Planned Parenthood and decades of advocacy for womens rights, Richards passing has prompted widespread reflections on her transformative role in reproductive rights and social justice. Heres what we know about Cecile Richards death, her enduring legacy at Planned Parenthood, and the broader impact of her advocacy. Cecile Richards cause of death explained Cecile Richards, the former president of Planned Parenthood and a leading advocate for womens rights, has passed away at the age of 67, according to The Guardian. Her family confirmed that she died at home on Monday, surrounded by loved ones and her dog, Ollie. Richards had been battling glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, since her diagnosis in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richards, a Texas native, dedicated her life to fighting for reproductive rights and social justice. She led Planned Parenthood from 2006 to 2018, transforming it into a political powerhouse that fiercely defended abortion access amid intensifying opposition, according to CBS. During her tenure, Richards expanded the organizations influence, both legislatively and culturally, making support for abortion rights a cornerstone of Democratic policy. Her leadership was tested during high-profile controversies, including a 2015 Congressional hearing prompted by secretly recorded videos alleging misconduct by Planned Parenthood. Richards steadfastly defended the organization, countering claims that were later discredited. Her efforts fortified Planned Parenthoods role in U.S. healthcare and politics. After stepping down, Richards co-founded Supermajority, a group mobilizing women as a political force. Even as health challenges emerged, she continued her advocacy, addressing the 2024 Democratic National Convention and supporting grassroots campaigns. She created tools like Charley, a digital assistant that aids abortion seekers. She also launched the Abortion in America initiative to share stories in the post-Roe era. President Joe Biden recognized her unwavering commitment and awarded Richards the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024. Inspired by her trailblazing mother, Ann Richards, her contributions left a lasting impact on the fight for equality and justice. The post What Happened to Cecile Richards? Former Planned Parenthood President Passes Away appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Union Health is partnering with Ronald McDonald House Charities to bring comfort to patients and families. Monday, Union Hospital in Terre Haute unveiled the Happy Wheels Cart. Volunteers will take cart to the womens and childrens service units in the hospital. The cart will carry snacks and hospital items for patients and families. The items will be sponsored by the Union Health Service League and also provided by the owners of local McDonalds restaurants, Nick and Jami Kaspryk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are thrilled to bring the Happy Wheels Cart to Union Hospital, which will provide a little extra comfort and care to families during their time in the NICU and maternity ward, Jami Kasprzyk, local McDonalds owner, said. This cart represents our ongoing commitment to our neighbors, easing the stress of families and making their hospital experience just a little bit brighter. We cant wait to see the positive impact it will have. The Kasprkys donated money from their Round-up program from 10 of their McDonald locations in Terre Haute, Clinton and Rockville in Indiana, and Casey, Marshall and Paris in Illinois. How to stay safe as extremely cold weather impacts central Indiana Its hard to have a child or a baby in our Nicu, or a child on our pediatric unit, and families are away from their home, away from their work, away from things that bring them comfort. They often are very tired, going without sleep. Its a very stressful time when they have children here in the hospital and so this is just to bring them a little bit of joy, comfort, love and a smile, said Kristen Moore, Womens and Childrens Service Line Director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Happy Wheels Cart will officially go into service on Wednesday, January 22. Copyright 2025 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 MyWabashValley.com. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) Harmony House of Western Massachusetts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing compassionate hospice care, is inviting members of the community to learn more about volunteer opportunities at a recruitment event later this month. Cooley Dickinson Hospital awards $100K to agency supporting youth mental health The event will take place on January 29, from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at the Chicopee Public Library, located at 449 Front Street. Attendees will have the chance to meet current volunteers and staff, hear about their experiences, and ask questions about the various roles available at Harmony House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chicopee-based nonprofit is a social model hospice home that provides a peaceful and supportive environment for individuals nearing the end of their lives. Far from being a place of sadness, the home is described as one of joy and peace, offering dignity and compassion to its residents. Harmony House is seeking volunteers to assist in a wide range of functions, including: Caregiving: Providing hands-on support and comfort to residents Companionship: Spending time with residents to offer emotional support and reduce loneliness Household Tasks: Cleaning, outdoor maintenance, and general upkeep of the home Fundraising Support: Assisting with staging and promoting events to support the nonprofits mission Volunteers of all skill levels and availability are welcome, and the organization emphasizes that even a small time commitment can make a big difference. For those interested in becoming a volunteer, Harmony House encourages attending the recruitment event on January 29. Individuals can also complete an online volunteer application or email the organization directly at harmonyhousewma@gmail.com. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Kali Watson, attorney and Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands & Chair of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, joins producer/host Coralie Chun Matayoshi to discuss the history of Hawaiian home lands, who qualifies as a beneficiary, and why it is taking so long to get beneficiaries off of the waitlist. Q. There are over 24,000 Native Hawaiian beneficiaries still waiting for housing and 2,000 have died while on the waitlist. Give us a brief history of Hawaiian home lands and why it is taking so long? Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 after the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, about 1.8 million acres of the former kingdom land was taken without compensation. Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, considered the father of the Hawaiian Homes program and Hawaiis then-nonvoting delegate to Congress, wanted to use some of the former kingdom lands to create a land trust to protect and improve the lives of native Hawaiians. This led to the enactment of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 by the U.S. Congress which led to the creation of a Hawaiian Homes Commission to administer Hawaiian homelands for homesteads. Over 200,000 acres of land that belonged to the Hawaiian Kingdom was placed into the trust. Upon statehood in 1959, Congress transferred title to the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust to the State and reserved the right to sue the State of Hawaii for breaches of trust relating to the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust. Over 60% of the 200,000 acres of land granted long ago may never have any homes for Native Hawaiians built on it because about 60,000 acres are in conservation areas that contain endangered species and cultural resources or may be geologically unsuitable for development. Another 65,00 acres lack infrastructure needed to support homes. Hawaiian Homes Recovery Act of 1995 required the federal government to replace land that was designated for homesteads over a century ago. Even though 900 acres of federal land was transferred, the Ewa Beach parcel is the first piece of land that DHHL finds feasible to develop for homesteads, and only a third of the 80 acres can be used for housing based on current flood and projected tsunami risk and sea level rise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Class Action Kalima v. State lawsuit settlement (2020) $328 million settlement in class action lawsuit by 2,700 plaintiffs against the state for mismanaging public land trust in late 1990s. Over a third have already died. $600 million settlement in 1995 Governor Waihees administration secured a $600 million settlement from the state to compensate DHHL for misuse of trust lands in the years following statehood ($30M each year for next 20 yrs). Waitlist Reduction Act of 2022 (Act 279) the State Legislature appropriated a $600 million lump sum to provide housing to help reduce the over 29,000 applicants still on the waitlist. Q. Who qualifies as a beneficiary and why has it been so difficult to get people off the waiting list? Must be at least 18 years old and 50% Native Hawaiian and can only pass down to relatives that are at least 25% Native Hawaiian. Majority of beneficiaries on waitlist cannot afford down payment on home and dont have enough income for a mortgage. To learn more about this subject, tune into this video podcast. Disclaimer: this material is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The law varies by jurisdiction and is constantly changing. For legal advice, you should consult a lawyer that can apply the appropriate law to the facts in your case. Copyright 2025 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Hazardous conditions have forced local officials to close a portion of a road in Youngstown. Read next: 15 teens, 2 guns and empty tequila bottles found in hotel search: Report Youngstown Director of Public Works Chuck Shasho said effectively immediately, Connecticut Avenue between Dunlap and Moherman will be closed due to hazardous conditions caused by above-normal ice buildup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shasho said as temperatures increase to above 20 degrees, the Department of Public Works will work to remove the ice. Westbound traffic will be detoured along Dunlap to Mahoning Avenue. Copyright 2025 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. Shortly after being inaugurated on Monday, Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating a U.S. withdrawl from the World Health Organization, the United Nations global health body that monitors pandemics and supports vaccination efforts around the world. World Health ripped us off, Trump said in the Oval Office as he signed. Mondays action starts a one-year countdown clock until the final exit, as WHO members are required to give one years notice and fulfill existing funding obligations before leaving the group. Trump sought to withdraw from WHO in 2020, but was unable to before leaving office (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) The WHO said it regretted Trumps decision and pointed to its long history working with the U.S. on crucial issues like ending smallpox and drastically limiting the spread of polio. It also argued the body has worked with the U.S. to pursue the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe, a WHO spokesperson told The Independent in a statement. The organization issued an emergency appeal for funding last week. Trumps order cited unfairly onerous U.S. payments to the WHO and accused the organization of mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China. It also pulled the U.S. out of ongoing negotiations for a global pandemic agreement and rescinded the Biden administrations 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy, a national policy strategy calling for increased bilateral partnerships and financial investments in pandemic response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps move could cripple the organization, depriving it of major funding and scientific expertise. The U.S. helped found the WHO in 1948. Trumps executive order marks the first time a member nation has opted to leave the WHO. Experts warn pulling from WHO will cripple organization and cut off U.S. access to key pandemic data (AFP via Getty Images) Health experts warned the decision would harm both global health and U.S. interests. Tom Bollyky, director of global health for the Council on Foreign Relations, told Stat News the decision is an enormous mistake. Americans have been made less safe by the presidents action today, Bollyky said. Lawrence O. Gostin, director of WHOs Center on Global Health Law, told NPR Trumps executive order is a "grave wound to American national interests and our national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will really leave our agencies like the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and NIH [National Institutes of Health] flying blind, he added. Once the U.S. leaves the WHO, the CDC wont have access to global data on pandemics and other health issues collected by the multilateral body. The U.S. has historically been the largest financial contributor to the WHO, giving $1.284 billion in the 2022 - 2023 period, in a mixture of assessed and voluntary contributions. The U.S. dues to the WHO for 2025 are roughly $130 million, while China will pay $87.6 million. Trump attempted to pull the U.S. from the WHO in 2020, but left office before the full one-year notice ended, then saw his steps reversed under Biden. Trump, as well as his conservative allies, have criticized the WHO for its handling of the Covid pandemic, arguing the organization didnt push China hard enough for a transparent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus. DE PERE, Wis. (WFRV) As Wisconsin continues to face dangerously cold temperatures, health professionals are reminding residents to stay indoors whenever possible. Depending on how many layers you are wearing, even touching a very cold metal surface on a day like today thats in the negatives can actually cause frostbite within a few seconds, said Dr. Danielle Lorenz, an emergency medicine physician at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital. Where to stay warm: Warming shelters open during extreme cold across northeast Wisconsin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To prevent cold-related injuries like frostbite or hypothermia, experts recommend staying hydrated and taking precautions with outdoor pets. Certainly putting clothing on them, kind of dependent on what breed youre dealing with, said John Barnstorff, a veterinarian and owner of Animal Hospital of De Pere. If youve got a little tiny breed, probably a good idea to have a sweater or some sort of a coat on them when they go outside, and just probably limiting that time. When theyre outside, they may be kind of lifting their paws. Signs of frostbite include numbness and discolored fingers, while symptoms of hypothermia can include shivering or confusion. Look at your fingers and theyre maybe turning a little bit white, or even really bright red, explained Dr. Lorenz. Youll have stinging in your fingertips, burning, and maybe some numbness if youre experiencing frostbite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extreme Cold Warning: Temperatures drop even more overnight Certain groups of people are at higher risk during extreme cold. People who are having to do their work outside, like construction workers, farmers, people who are out ice fishing or hunting, and your elderly patientsso people over the age of 65, said Dr. Lorenz. About 50% of hypothermia deaths in the United States happen in our geriatric population. So make sure that youre checking on any neighbors or family members who are older. Also, babies have a much harder time regulating their temperatures. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) Thousands remain without a home after Hurricane Helene tore through western North Carolina nearly four months ago. With winter now in full swing, Gov. Josh Stein announced a two-month extension from FEMA on the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program, which currently has around 2,700 households living in hotel rooms or other housing. But some families are living in campers as they try to rebuild. Thousands remain without a home after Hurricane Helene tore through western North Carolina nearly four months ago. Lauren Brown, an Ashe County Interior Designer, has taken on a new role by furnishing those campers with brand new household items. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These people deserve a mental, physical, spiritual, everything fresh start, Brown said. One camper led to eight, she said Ive got eight more waiting. There are going to be lots more. Brown has gotten help from all over, even eight hours away in Pennsylvania after one woman saw a Facebook post about a family needing a camper and got involved. One camper led to the next, and to the next, said Bethany Fuhrman, whos helping facilitate the donation of over ten campers from Pennsylvania. A friend of ours went to his church over in Lancaster and they raised $40,000-$60,000. As the rebuilding continues, the volunteers said they want to help from near and far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My goal has always been one camper, one family, Fuhrman said. Repeat until I feel God shuts the door. The FEMA housing assistance will now last through May 26. Brown has partnered with the Ashe Food Pantry to donate supplies to families in need. You can find more information about helping out on the Ashe Food Pantry website. Copyright 2025 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 CBS17.com. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) The Madison County Coroner has identified the two people who were killed in a crash Tuesday morning. According to the Coroner, 40-year-old Danny Wright Jr. and 47-year-old Carlos McGlathery were both killed when the vehicle they were in collided with another vehicle. HEMSI spokesperson Don Webster said that the fatal crash happened on Bob Wade Lane near the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Plant on Pulaski Pike around 7:51 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Webster told News 19 that both individuals were pronounced dead on the scene. There is no further information at this time. Stay connected with News 19 as we will continue to update the story as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Sherrea Jones' 8-year-old son, Kingstyn, was used to spelling out his words when people didn't understand him. From kindergarten to second grade, words like "shovel" and "glasses" frequently tumbled out of Kingstyn's mouth sounding closer to "shovowe" and "gwasses." At parent-teacher conferences, his teachers said he was occasionally difficult to understand. During doctor's appointments, his pediatrician said it was evident Kingstyn needed speech therapy to overcome his persistent lisp. Starting in 2020, Jones began advocating for Mequon-Thiensville School District officials to grant her son speech therapy services. But with every request, Jones only received denials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At every step of the way, teachers would point out things that he was incapable of doing, but, on the opposite end, when it was time to actually advocate and say 'This child needs speech,' there was no one there doing that," she said. In 2022, a district speech therapist evaluated Kingstyn's speech and determined that his impediment could be addressed through at-home practice, Jones said. The scores from the examination were never given to the Jones family. It wasn't until two years later, when Jones requested a copy of the evaluation, that she found out her son had scored a 59 on his speech articulation test significantly lower than the 85 to 115-point average among peers of a similar age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an expert who reviewed Kingstyn's evaluation for Public Investigator, that score indicates he was potentially dealing with a speech sound disorder that, if left unaddressed, could cause increased speech challenges in the future. "If I had a child with an average of 59 on a test of articulation, I would definitely provide them with speech therapy services in school," said Lauramarie Pope, a professor and speech language pathologist at Auburn University. In Wisconsin, the special education evaluation a student is given plays a critical role in determining their eligibility for an IEP, or individualized education program. According to the state Department of Public Instruction, the evaluation must show that the student requires specially designed instruction, not just individual practice. Under federal law, school districts are responsible for ensuring any students found eligible for a special education are provided the necessary services for a free and appropriate education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, state funding does not cover the full cost of providing services to students with disabilities, according to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction spokesperson Chris Bucher. "Special education funding has been a concern for many years," he said. More: DPI proposes tying school revenue limits to inflation, increasing special education funding Molly Loucks, a spokesperson for Mequon-Thiensville School District, said the district "delivers educational services to all students, providing every student the opportunity to participate fully and access district programs and activities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said student privacy laws prohibit the district from discussing Kingstyn's case further. Last June, the district offered Jones' son a summer IEP program with a district speech pathologist, after Jones requested Kingstyn be re-evaluated. By then, Jones said, it was too late. Her trust was broken. She unenrolled Kingstyn and his brother from Wilson Elementary School shortly afterward. I'm just floored at how the sense of urgency or lack thereof is present at such an early stage of childhood development in one of the most prominent school districts in our state, Jones said. '360 degrees of neglect' Speech or language impairment is when an issue with speech, sound production, voice, fluency or language adversely affects someone's educational performance or social, emotional or vocational development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 2022-2023 school year, more than 26,000 Wisconsin public school students were identified as having a speech or language impairment, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. They made up nearly 22% of all IEPs during the academic year. Jones said every time the family got close to setting up speech therapy courses, the plans would fall through. In Kingstyn's 2022 evaluation, the district's IEP team found no evidence of speech or language impediment, a written report detailed. The evaluator also wrote that Kingstyn did not meet the criteria for an impairment in "speech sound production-articulation" the segment of the exam in which he performed significantly below average. "Kingstyn does demonstrate speech sound production errors that are documented to be delayed. However, these speech sound production errors do not impact Kingstyn's educational performance, ability to be understood, or participation in social stimuli," the speech therapist wrote based on insight offered from one of Kingstyn's teachers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But dozens of emails and correspondence between Jones and school district employees indicate that Jones communicated that her son's speech clarity and confidence in the classroom were diminishing. After school each night, Jones said, she spent hours working on speech exercises with her son, watching him grow frustrated with his inability to say certain words. Jones continued to push for an IEP due to her son's growing insecurities at home. But emails show that instead of offering IEP services to Jones, a district speech therapist instead shared private and outside therapy options and YouTube videos. Jones began to wonder if her son was being denied services due to the limited bandwidth of speech pathologists at the school rather than Kingstyn's lack of need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I'm not sure if the gatekeeping only occurs with marginalized children, or if this is a socioeconomic thing, or a who-you-know thing, but our child was not given an adequate, efficient, honest evaluation, Jones said. A 2015 report by the National Center for Health Statistics found that 3- to 6-year-old non-Hispanic Black boys were more likely to have a communication disorder than their white counterparts but were less likely to receive speech therapy services. Similarly, a 2016 study in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology indicated that Black children were half as likely to receive intervention services by the age of 5. The Mequon-Thiensville School District did not answer questions about how many speech pathologists it employs. According to the state Department of Public Instruction, there is no statutory requirement for districts to have a certain number of speech pathologists on staff. Pope, the professor from Auburn University, said Kingstyn's score for articulation was significantly below what most speech language pathologists would expect for a child of his age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If children cannot produce sounds correctly on a daily basis, it makes it more difficult for them to match letters they read to sound patterns, which impacts their ability to learn to read and write, she said. "Having difficulty producing speech that is as intelligible as your peers could lead to a child being less likely to participate in class," Pope said. "It could also impact potentially developing friendships with other children." In June 2024, Jones requested that Kingstyn be re-evaluated by a different district speech pathologist. The test assessed a variety of factors, including stimulability and intelligibility, two categories in which Kingstyn had been rated 100% competent in 2022. Stimulability is a child's ability to imitate a sound or word spoken by a speech pathologist. Intelligibility is the child's ability to be understood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results stated that, unlike the 2022 examination, Kingstyn was unable to repeat more than half of the tested letter sounds and only somewhat able to repeat a quarter of tested letter sounds. In addition, a note from his teacher featured in the evaluation stated: "At the beginning of the year, Kingstyn would refuse to write anything, as he 'couldn't think of any ideas.'" As the year went on, he slightly improved but with poor penmanship, the teacher said. How do you go from 100 to zero? I'm still waiting for that answer, Jones said. In response to new test results, the school district offered Kingstyn a series of summer speech therapy lessons. But Jones questioned why it had taken so long. For her, the normalization and broad acceptance of her son's speech challenges was proof of a lack of care by school officials. It was 360 degrees of neglect, Jones said. Struggle to get speech therapy classes came at great cost In a meeting with Superintendent Matthew Joynt and other district staff members shortly after the re-evaluation, Jones expressed her frustration with not being provided the results of Kingstyn's initial evaluation until two years later. During the meeting, which Jones recorded, an official agrees with her, stating: "You should've received that." Officials in the meeting also agreed that an investigation into Kingstyn's 2022 evaluation should occur. Later that month, Jones and her then-husband submitted a complaint to the president of the school district and the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights alleging wrongdoing by district staff and Joynt. In August, an investigator for the district concluded that the evidence did not substantiate that Joynt had violated any policies or laws. The Mequon-Thiensville Board of Education said other aspects of the family's complaint were to be "addressed separately by the districts administration." Shortly thereafter, Jones decided to enroll Kingstyn at the University School of Milwaukee. On his last day at Wilson Elementary, she said, Kingstyn cried himself to sleep. "From the time we got home to the time he went to bed, he cried. That is how much he loved his teacher," she recalled. "To rip him out of that and to have to now prepare him to go somewhere else was difficult." But soon, Kingstyn began speech pathology classes at his new school. Each week, he is granted 40 minutes of private lessons with a speech therapist. "We just knew within that week that he just overjoyed. He's always struggled with 'L' sounds but now he walks in the house after class days and will say 'Mommy, I love speech,' with an emphasis on the 'L,'" Jones said. University School of Milwaukee does not have speech therapists on staff, unlike the schools in the Mequon-Thiensville School District. As a result, Jones said, the financial burden on the family has been significant. Since moving her children to a new school, Jones now faces a $20,000 bill for tuition and $800 monthly for speech therapy lessons. Jones and Kingstyn at their home in Wauwatosa. In addition, the stress of juggling Kingstyn's academic challenges, work, her schooling and a divorce took a toll on Jones' mental health. During the four years the family advocated for an IEP for Kingstyn, Jones was pursuing a medical degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin and teaching part-time at Milwaukee Area Technical College. As a result of the stress, Jones took several leaves of absence from work and halted her pursuit of a residency match program. "This has destroyed my family, and I don't think anyone understands the magnitude of this situation," she told school district employees in the June meeting. Jones' complaint to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights was denied in December. In the letter, officials stated that the agency generally does not resolve disputes over IEPs and said her complaint would be better suited as a lawsuit. Though her son is no longer a student with Mequon-Thiensville School District, Jones said her efforts to raise awareness about her struggle will continue. I'm not going to stop, because it's not just Kingstyn, you know? How many other children have had to wait four years to be told that they are incapable? Jones said. Tamia Fowlkes is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at tfowlkes@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mequon mom fights for speech therapy for son MEMPHIS, Tenn. In less than 24 hours, Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins will find out if she will be out of a job. The school board is scheduled to discuss if it wants to fire Dr. Feagins. As the clock ticks down to the fate of Dr. Marie Feagins as superintendent being decided Tuesday night, some MSCS school board members such as Michelle McKissack are making a last-minute plea to their colleagues to extend a lifeline to the embattled school leader and save her job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What everyones been saying is, give her time. Give her time, McKissack said. Shes only worked through one full semester of a school year, so not even an entire school year yet. So, Im hopeful that they have listened to that. However, some school board members who want Dr. Feagins out said in her short tenure on the job, she has shown a pattern of failed leadership. After eight months, Dr. Feagins has not demonstrated transformational leadership critical to the success of the largest school district in Tennessee, MSCS Chair Joyce Dorse-Coleman said. The Dr. Feagins vs. the MSCS school board drama recently caught the attention of some county commissioners calling for a no-confidence vote against the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And now, a bipartisan group of commissioners wants public meetings to be held before the board makes a final decision. County OKs no confidence vote against school board Im in agreement that I think that some brakes may need to be put (on), Shelby County Commissioner Charlie Caswell said. We need to hear more, and we need to hear why. Theres been some speculation that some board members may call for the board chair to be replaced. A spokesperson for the school board couldnt confirm that but McKissack said shes heard some rumblings. Well, I have heard that, but you know, just as we dont want to give the superintendent the boot, I want to give my board chair, the opportunity to lead and to listen to the community and to respond accordingly, McKissack said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, some state lawmakers have said they could get involved, even taking over the district if Dr. Feagins is let go. Im certainly hopeful that that will not happen that theres a state takeover, so to speak, McKissack said. But what I do want to focus on is whats best for children. And its always supposed to have, you know, local leadership. Last week, WREG received documents that before a vote to terminate takes place, there will be a report by an unnamed outside counsel. School board may name interim superintendent after Feagins vote According to the school boards agenda, if necessary, the board will also select an interim superintendent after deciding if Dr. Feagins will keep her job or not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, WREG has received documents from several sources saying the principals association has sent out a survey allegedly asking school principals who theyd like the school board to appoint as interim superintendent to finish the school year. All of this as some school board members are calling for prayer. Pray for this district, this school board that you know we lead not only just with our minds, but with our hearts, and to do whats best, McKissack said. As for MSCS Board Chair Joyce Dorse-Colemans termination resolution, it claims Dr. Feagins should be terminated for cause without pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, if the district fires Dr. Feagins without cause, shell be entitled to more than $487,000 in severance and could possibly sue the district for millions more. Copyright 2025 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 WREG.com. President Trump began signing executive orders on his first day back in the White House that span from pardoning January 6 rioters to halting the TikTok ban. Trump started signing his first wave of executive orders around 7 p.m. Monday, after his swearing-in ceremony and a parade, and just before the evening's inaugural balls that stretched well past midnight. He started by rescinding 78 executive orders approved by his predecessor Joe Biden, including efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, protect federal lands from oil drilling and reduce the cost of prescription medications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also declared a national border emergency and ordered the U.S. armed forces to repel "forms of invasion" at the U.S.-Mexico border, including illegal migration and drug trafficking. The new president's moves also include halting enforcement of a ban on TikTok in the U.S. for 75 days, mandating how the U.S. government recognizes gender on federal documents and changing official names of Mount Denali in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico. Here are some of the executive orders signed by President Trump: Gulf of Mexico gets renamed to 'Gulf of America' President Donald Trump officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America" in an executive order signed Monday night. The order, part of a host of executive orders he issued in the hours after taking office, directs the secretary of the Interior to change the name of the 1,100-mile-wide gulf on official U.S. government maps and documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Trump promised he would change the name as retribution for what he calls Mexico's failure to stem illegal immigration and drugs entering the U.S. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum jabbed back the next day, sarcastically proposing the U.S. should be called "Mexican America." Inauguration Day: Mike Pence attends Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration Leaders of Oath Keepers, Proud Boys with longest sentences expecting release The two men who received the longest sentences in the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, as leaders of far-right militias Enrique Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes were each expecting reprieves Monday from President Donald Trumps proclamation pardoning nearly all defendants and shortening the sentences of others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Tarrio, who headed the Proud Boys, nor Rhodes, who headed the Oath Keepers, entered the Capitol. But each were convicted of seditious conspiracy for organizing their groups at the riot. Tarrio got 22 years in prison and Rhodes got 18 years. Rhodes was listed by name as receiving a commutation. His lawyer, Ed Tarpley, told USA TODAY he was expecting to be released Monday night. "We're excited about it," Tarpley said. This is an answered prayer and we're all very happy." Nayib Hassan, a lawyer for Tarrio, said he wasn't sure if Tarrio got a pardon or commutation, but was also expecting to be released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inauguration Day: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun was at Trump's inauguration. Here's who else was spotted. President Donald Trump pardoned about 1,500 people Monday charged in the Capitol attack Jan. 6, 2021, fulfilling a campaign pledge critics said would "endorse attacks on democracy." That figure would represent almost all of the nearly 1,600 people who were charged in the riot by the fourth anniversary Jan. 6, according to the Justice Department. About 1,270 people have been convicted of charges associated with the riot. More than 1,000 pleaded guilty and 260 were convicted at trials. The guilty pleas included 327 people admitting felonies and 682 people admitting misdemeanors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These are the hostages, approximately 1,500 for a pardon. Full pardon," Trump said in the Oval Office. "We have about six commutations in there where we're doing further research. This is a big one. We hope they come out tonight. Donald Trump issues executive order to halt TikTok ban After posting on Sunday that he would halt the ban of the social media app TikTok, President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Sunday doing so. The order halts the ban in the country for 75 days. The popular app shut down during the weekend, but the company said it was working to restore its services based on Trump's post. The app was back on Sunday, but it's still not available to download on the App Store and Google Play. "The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order," Trump promised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is TikTok actually saved? What President Trump's executive order actually means for the platform Federal employees required to return to work in-person President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday directing department heads to require federal employees to "return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis" immediately, with exemptions allowed. The American Federation of Government Employees, a union representing about 800,000 federal workers, promptly filed a federal lawsuit Monday against the Trump administration and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure they comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The lawsuit, AFGE along with watchdog groups Public Citizen and State Democracy Defenders Fund (SDDF), claim Trump and his Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) "do not represent the interests of everyday Americans... (they) will be considering cuts to government agencies and programs that protect health, benefits, consumer finance, and product safety." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Trump's return-to-office mandate was expected to get major pushback from federal workers, the president is also threatening to take legal action against the latest AFGE contract, which extended remote worker protections until 2029. AFGE will not stand idly by as a secretive group of ultra-wealthy individuals with major conflicts of interest attempt to deregulate themselves and give their own companies sweetheart government contracts while firing civil servants and dismantling the institutions designed to serve the American people, AFGE President Everett Kelley said in a statement. This fight is about fairness, accountability, and the integrity of our government. Federal employees are not the problem they are the solution. Trump takes office: What Hoosier leaders in and outside the U.S. Capitol thought of Inauguration Day President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Monday evening targeting automatic citizenship for U.S.-born children of immigrants in the country illegally, contrary to the 14th Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order was part of a flurry of executive action Trump took on the first day of his second term. "The federal government will not recognize automatic birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens born in the United States. We are also going to enhance vetting and screening of illegal aliens," said a Trump official in a briefing on Monday. Savannah Kuchar, Marina Pitofsky, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, Joey Garrison, Francesca Chambers, Erin Mansfield, Elizabeth Weise contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Executive orders signed by Donald Trump cover January 6, Tiktok and more Note: This post is an Op-Ed and shares the author's personal views. Yesterday, shortly after Donald Trump was inaugurated, the CBP One app shut down. Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images The flawed app was the only way that people at the border could get an appointment to request asylum in the US. This meant that refugees suddenly found that their appointments to legally enter the country were canceled after months of waiting. The number of appointments canceled reportedly went into the tens of thousands. As The International Rescue Committee puts it, "Asylum is a form of protection granted to individuals who can demonstrate that they are unable or unwilling to return to their country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion." The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images One such place was at the border in Ciudad Juarez, where the app had worked earlier that morning and allowed people to go through as planned. I can't stop thinking about one of the pictures that emerged from the area. It's of Margelis Tinoco, a 48-year-old Colombian migrant. Christian Chavez / AP Washington Post reporter Arelis R. Hernandez shared a video of Margelis crying and calling for God, adding, "For clarification, everyone of these folks submitted biometric, biographical & other ID info to the U.S. govt via app in order to enter the country LEGALLY through this Biden admin program that sought to cut illegals entries. They had DHS-sanctioned appointments set for today." Migrants in Ciudad Juarez who were waiting for their 1 pm CBP1 parole appointments learned 20 minutes ago that the app has shut down & those appointments are no longer valid. pic.twitter.com/F3pNrZyEBR Arelis R. Hernandez (@arelisrhdz) January 20, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twitter: @arelisrhdz Her feelings are echoed in migrant Maria Mercado's story. As per AP News, her family had an appointment for 1 p.m. just four hours too late. We dont know what we are going to do, she told reporters, after having to leave both Colombia and Ecuador because of drug cartel violence. "Im not asking the world for anything only God. Im asking God to please let us get in." A person in a hooded jacket comforts a child wrapped in a blanket on a busy sidewalk, surrounded by others clad in warm clothing People sitting together, some wearing masks and hoodies, appear concerned while looking at a phone screen inside a room with corrugated metal walls Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images, Picture Alliance / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images Around 400 people typically used the app to cross the border legally per day in Tijuana. Another person, Jairol Polo, had been able to get an appointment on Wednesday after trying for six months. He subsequently flew to the Matamoros-Brownsville border, only to find out that the appointment was canceled. "Imagine how we feel, he told AP News. Similarly, a woman tearfully told NBC News that her appointment had been canceled after a year and a half of waiting. People sitting closely together, looking somber, with heads bowed. One person is on a phone. The setting suggests a serious or reflective moment Two individuals embrace warmly, one looking directly at the camera, conveying a sense of comfort and support Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guillermo Arias / AFP via Getty Images, Picture Alliance / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images Some Trump supporters celebrated the move, falsely claiming it would halt people "breaking the law." While the path to asylum died, plenty of billionaires had a great time celebrating Trump's inauguration. Pool / Getty Images There is currently no way to appeal, thanks to a man who doesn't appear to know the difference between political and mental asylum. But that's the Trump way: misinformed and callously cruel. Two of the highest-profile Jan. 6 prisoners Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio were released from prison Tuesday following President Trumps order granting pardons or clemency to more than 1,500 rioters charged in connection to the Capitol attack of Jan. 6, 2021. Tarrio was serving a 22-year sentence after being convicted of sedition related to the attack while Rhodes was hit with an 18-year sentence on similar charges. Tarrio received a full pardon while Rhodess sentence was commuted by Trump to time served on Monday. The attorneys for both men told The Hill on Tuesday that they have been released from prison after Trumps actions signed at the White House on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our client has been released from federal custody, Tarrios lawyer said shortly after 1 p.m. Rhodess lawyer said his client was released around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Trump granted around 1,500 pardons or clemency orders for defendants who were charged or convicted for actions related to the attack on the Capitol. In total, there were 1,583 defendants charged. What theyve done to these people is outrageous, Trump said as he was signing various orders at the Oval Office on Monday night. Vice President Vance had previously suggested the pardons would not cover rioters charged with violent crimes, but Trumps order includes defendants who received multiyear sentences for attacking law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A handful of Republicans have criticized the breadth of the order, while others have pinned blame on former President Biden for lowering the threshold for pardons. During his final hours of the presidency, Biden dished out preemptive pardons to his family members, along with lawmakers and staff who were involved in running the House Jan. 6 select committee that investigated the riot. Tarrio was not in Washington while the Jan. 6, 2021, attack played out, while Rhodes was outside of the Capitol building but was not convicted of any assault counts. Tarrios attorney expressed gratitude for Trumps decision to grant a pardon to the Proud Boys leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout this journey, we have steadfastly maintained that the charges and the subsequent prosecution were politically motivated, and today, with President Trumps act of clemency, that long-fought battle concludes, Nayib Hassan, Tarrios counsel, said. This marks a pivotal moment in our clients life, and it symbolizes a turning point for our nation. Copyright 2025 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. Iowa Board of Regents and private university officials have said they're ready to work with the new higher education committee this session. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) As a new Iowa House higher education committee gets its start with the beginning of the legislative session, college and university leaders are signaling their willingness to work with lawmakers while seeking clarification about what return on investment the Statehouse is seeking. Higher education committee chair Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, said at the committees first meeting Tuesday that this is the first committee to oversee higher education in more than 50 years, with the last higher education committee meeting in 1971. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking back then, that was really at a time when our campuses were in a state of chaos, Collins said. And in my opinion, we have a different problem now, and that is a crisis of confidence in our higher education system. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Collins said the committee will explore legislation aimed at reviewing academic programs to compare them to workforce needs of the state, reforming core curriculum, controlling costs and expanding access to higher education for rural Iowans, as well as increasing intellectual diversity and proficiency in civics education on campuses and combating predatory institutional accreditors. Iowa Board of Regents prepared to work with committee The only three-letter acronym Collins said the committee would be using during the session is MEI, which stands for merit, excellence and intelligence, rather than diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State universities have already cut positions and eliminated or restructured offices related to DEI, directed to do so by the Iowa Board of Regents and legislation passed last session. Collins previously said he doesnt see a need to pass more bills aimed at DEI on college campuses, but the committee will check in to make sure the universities are following the law. Iowa Board of Regents spokesperson Josh Lehman said in an email that the board office has received several questions and requests for information from Collins, and the office is happy to work with him and other lawmakers on the committee with any questions they have. Lehman said in his email that a recent economic impact study reported that the three state universities together contributed almost $15 billion in income to the state in fiscal year 2022, or around 7% of the total gross product of the state. The universities also support close to 200,000 Iowa jobs, he said, or 1 out of every 10 jobs. We want our universities to be effective and efficient, and continue to be good stewards of the funds that are provided through appropriations and tuition, Lehman said in his email. Thousands of graduates enter the states workforce each year, filling key jobs in areas of need. Our universities have good placement rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee will also oversee community colleges and private universities, whose students benefit from the Iowa Tuition Grant program. Private universities ready for dialogue with lawmakers Gary Steinke, president of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, said he welcomes the committee and the chance it gives the association to work more closely with the Legislature and brag about the work universities are doing. I think it gives us a great chance from our private college sector to provide answers to questions that may be out there, to provide information and to talk about what private colleges are, what the money that they give the students that go to private colleges is for, Steinke said. Joel Shrock, president of Graceland University in Lamoni, said he wasnt surprised to hear about the committees formation after seeing the Legislatures interest in higher education last year, and he understands the concerns of higher education becoming politicized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dialogue is an important tool in moving forward with lawmakers, Shrock said, and in helping them understand some of the issues they see happening on college campuses across the U.S. wont be found in Iowa. We do not support one party or the other. We are not engaged in any kind of politicized attempt to indoctrinate anybody in anything, Shrock said. Were an institution of higher learning, and that means questioning and looking at all sides of an issue, and thats what we try to do. Higher education leaders have previously expressed concern about potential changes to the Iowa Tuition Grant program. Collins said in a previous interview that the committee will use data private universities collect about what degree programs grant recipients go into and whether those degrees will result in employment to decide what changes, if any, need to be made. Mark Putnam, president of Central College in Pella and chair of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities board, said applying the Iowa Tuition Grant program to high-demand degree programs and job fields has been in discussion for many years, but hes not concerned about changes like this being implemented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State lawmakers continue to show interest in enabling and encouraging students to earn the credentials they need to pursue a career, especially in industries where employers need people who can do the job. However, the state cannot repeal human development, Putnam said, and try to force a young person into making decisions that could have a large impact on their life. Putnam said he always tells families that majoring in a job title is a risky decision, as things like technology can change industries rapidly and significantly, and it would be a lot to ask a 17- or 18-year-old to make a choice for something that could look incredibly different in a few years. While encouragement to enter into high-demand careers and their education programs through incentives and opportunities make perfect sense, Putnam said, lawmakers have told him over the years that they wouldnt put the Iowa Tuition Grant program in a position of limiting student choice by narrowing what kinds of programs theyre allowed to enroll in with the grant. While the impulse is understandable, the practical reality on the ground does not support it, Putnam said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shrock said significant changes to the Iowa Tuition Grant program could have a negative impact on the private universities like Graceland, where between one-third and half of enrolled students are Pell eligible, and therefore eligible for the state grant. Higher educations return on investment Another three-letter acronym Collins used in previous interviews about the new committee is ROI, or return on investment. He said lawmakers have every right to look at the academic programs being offered at universities to see how state funds are being used and what benefits Iowa taxpayers will see from them. Putnam agreed that there should be a return on investment for every tax dollar spent, but it needs to be made clear just what kind of return the Legislature is expecting. The question of what return on investment colleges are providing is layered and multifaceted, he said, depending on the party that gets the return. For students and their families who invest time, energy and money into higher education, the return on investment could look different than the return for employers, who rely on universities to prepare students to be adaptable, able to communicate effectively and work in teams, Putnam said. This could be different still from the return the state wishes, in both wanting colleges to prepare students for the workforce and to be active citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If its support for people who have very low incomes, that are in need, then the return on investment is a better, stronger society, and people who are gaining capacity and self-sufficiency in America, Putnam said. Shrock, who was a historian before entering into higher education administration, said discussions of what kind of return on investment higher education should provide have been going on for years. Everyone can agree on the point that universities should educate their students to be successful, Shrock said, but people differ on just how that is accomplished. He said it is a universitys job to help students understand how their degree and the skills they learn in college can be applied to the workforce, whether their major was in something that translates directly into a job field or not. Weve often had this argument about, should liberal education be about uplifting humanity, or should it be about preparing people for the workforce, and I guess I dont understand why those things are mutually exclusive, Shrock said. I think education can be an intrinsic good, and I also think that it can help people develop the skills they need for the modern workforce, particularly as jobs change. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Hill Air Force Base could receive a portable nuclear reactor to provide backup power generation as early as 2028, Radiant Nuclear CEO Doug Bernauer told KSL.com. "Utah is a great place," Bernauer said in a call from a large space and defense technology investor summit at the Mar-a-Lago Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. "I think it's on the very short list of states that are very pro-nuclear from the top-down and bottom-up." The energy executive, who spent 12 years working on special projects for Elon Musk at SpaceX, the Boring Company and the Mars colony design, said he left to build Radiant "because I couldn't find any good nuclear technology companies that could build a reactor on time and on budget." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His company has seen recent breakthroughs in funding and regulatory approvals and has been working with state representatives and officials at Hill Air Force Base to study the possibility of bringing small modular reactors to the military installation. Nuclear in the West TerraPower on Tuesday received permit approval for construction to begin on its Natrium plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming, which CEO Chris Levesque called "the first state permit ever awarded to a commercial-scale advanced nuclear project." On smaller scale projects, Radiant Nuclear, based in El Segundo, California, and Westinghouse, a Pennsylvania company, are racing to test design at an Idaho National Laboratory site in Blackfoot once facility modifications are completed in 2026. The Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments test bed at Idaho National Laboratory, set to repurpose the Experimental-Breeder Reactor-II containment structure to conduct tests in 2026. | U.S. Department of Energy The building, an 80-foot-tall concrete and steel structure that will house the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments will be the first advanced reactor test bed in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bernauer says he is working to fill the niche of smaller, portable modular reactors, and leveraging connections in Utah to test. Radiant has been supported by Utah politically and through the military, according to Bernauer. "For the past couple of years (Rep. John Curtis) has supported our efforts to go and fuel a new reactor design, which is our 1-megawatt reactor, " the CEO said. "He has been very helpful in those efforts and trying to help us get access to fuel, access to those facilities, and some more priority at the (Idaho National Lab)." Former Utah Sen. Mitt Romney was also involved in talks with Radiant to bring the technology to the state. The last few months have been a whirlwind for the company. In November, it raised $100 million in Series C funding investments after it completed a passive cooldown demonstration, bringing the total funding to $160 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delegates from 47G, a statewide industrial development organization, were also at the Mar-a-Lago summit President Aaron Starks spoke on Thursday, encouraging some of the largest venture capital firms in the world to consider partnerships with Utah industries. According to Starks, "Something hindering this industry from growing up until about two years ago was that the initial investment needed to start a company in this space was overwhelming. ... It takes more capital upfront to do the research and development, to do the commercialization, and then to go to market with a prototype." "You could be hundreds of millions of dollars in before you even get to that point," Starks said. "To go from prototype to growth is a really, really hard jump that few companies can make." That environment has started to change in the past two years, according to Starks, with increased interest from venture capital firms in alternative energy projects outside the conventional solar and wind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The democratization of energy is probably the largest opportunity for us as a state and as a country," Starks said. Radiant and Hill Air Force Base Radiant began partnering with Hill Air Force Base in March 2023 to conduct a feasibility study on backup power generation at the installation. "We ended up doing this study at Hill Air Force Base, in particular, because the base energy manager there, Nick King, was in meetings with the Pentagon, raised his hand and said, 'I would love to have this technology. I would love this to be in Utah,'" Bernauer said. King said in a statement that the project helps improve the base's "ability to identify failure points and properly plan for system improvements" and could help achieve an executive order requiring 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts examined how Radiant's 1.2-megawatt reactors, called Kaleidos, could work with existing systems in long-term outage crisis scenarios. "As part of that we actually took the whole base and converted it into a computer-based model," Bernauer said, "where we could do a resilience study on it and show if any cable were to go out, what would happen to the base, what would happen to all the assets." "What we found in our study is that they could actually keep the whole base up and just cut off the noncritical loads, and then be able to recover the base without ever losing power to the critical facilities, so it would be a really big resilience improvement," according to Bernauer. Hill Air Force Base intentionally cut incoming commercial power for 10 hours at the beginning of November, partly to "identify backup power capability gaps," according to a release. Radiant says their study "helped enhance (Hill's) capability to plan and simulate this exercise." A rendering of Radiant's Kaleidos 1.2-megawatt portable microreactor. | Radiant, U.S. Department of Energy The nuclear reactors in question are small enough to be delivered on a truck or a C-17 aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our system lasts for five years, and then you shut it down and we come pick it up," Bernauer says. Radiant is on track to test Kaleidos at the Idaho National Laboratory in 2026, which would be "the first new reactor design to be operated in 50 years," according to the company. After that "we'd like to deploy at least one reactor (at Hill Air Force Base), it could be one of the first reactors, which should be as soon as 2028," Bernauer says. In the ever-changing landscape of young technology and regulation, things could easily change before then, but Bernauer is politically optimistic. "We're really excited to work with this next administration," he said, especially President-elect Donald Trump's pick for energy secretary, Chris Wright, who was confirmed on Thursday. It takes more political support, takes the government not being in the way on fuel or test facilities, and also some willingness and some contracts from the military, he said. Johnson County Historical Commission volunteers accomplished much in 2024 and look forward to new projects and challenges this year, JCHC Chairwoman Sandra Neeley said. Neeley delivered JCHCs annual state-of-the-organization presentation during the Jan. 13 meeting of the Johnson County Commissioners Court. {div class=subscriber-only}JCHC members, among other activities, oversee operation of the Johnson County Courthouse Museum, which preserves the history of Johnson County and cities within the county. They also oversee educational and preservation projects connected to historic sites and events throughout the county as well as the placement of historic plaques. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The JCHC entered 2024 with 24 appointees, volunteers appointed to the board by the Johnson County Commissioners Court. Membership sits at 16 as the new year begins. All those members are very active participants and were glad to have them, Neeley said. They are all volunteers. Many of them still work full-time jobs and many also volunteer with other groups. Neeley encouraged residents interested in volunteering with the organization to attend one of the groups monthly meeting or to visit the groups Facebook page or the Johnson County Courthouse Museum. That museum, overseen by the JCHC, relays the history of Johnson County the cities within the county. The museum was added about 20 years ago during courthouse renovations. A total of 1,189 people visited the museum last year, Neeley reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Accomplishments last year include improving guidelines by which the organization accepts donations and inventories and cares for the same, Neeley said. JCHC also received the Texas Historical Commissions Distinguished Service Award in 2024, which marks the third year in a row JCHC has received the award Were so proud of our Johnson County Historical Commission members, Boedeker said in June when county commissioners congratulated JCHC members on earning the award yet again. This award, from the state commission, honors the work they do, and it is work that we on the commissioners court recognize. You all do a lot of work and spend a lot of time toward preserving our local history. The state award, Boedeker said, honors the JCHCs well-balanced and active preservation programs and endeavors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think those are two great words to describe what you all do for our county, Boedeker said. Neeley added that JCHC volunteers contributed more than 5,500 volunteer hours to the county in 2024. Neeley spoke too of representing Johnson County last May in Franklin, Tennessee during the dedication of a monument in honor of the 1864 Battle of Franklin. Cleburnes namesake, Gen. Pat Cleburne, fell in battle that day as did five other Confederate generals. Neeley highlighted the numerous repairs, renovations and additions to the Doty House completed and ongoing. Projects Neeley said would not have happened but for support from the commissioners court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neeley discussed the Portal To Texas History, an organization that digitizes historic Texas newspapers, magazines, maps and other documents making them freely available to all. Several Cleburne and Johnson County papers have been added to the Portal in recent years with more planned in the future. Neeley said she and other volunteers spoke to numerous schools, civic groups and others last year on the importance and value of the JCHC. Commissioners also proclaimed January as Johnson County Crime Stoppers Month. The organization, which has been active in Johnson County since 1983, is a nonprofit entity funded by state probation fees and individual donations. The organization pays cash rewards for the arrest and conviction of criminal offenders and/or the recovery of stolen property or seizure of illegal drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The system allows callers to remain anonymous when reporting crimes. Last year the Johnson County chapter of Crime Stoppers received 242 tips, which led to 15 felony arrests, JC Crime Stoppers President Patty Maggard said. Tips received also led to the recovery of $2,500 worth of stolen property and seizure of $600 worth of illegal drugs, she added. The Johnson County chapter paid out $3,762 in rewards to those calling in or reporting tips, Maggard said. County commissioners also awarded length of service pins to county employees during the Jan. 13 meeting. Employees with service tenures ranging from five to 30 years received pins. All together, they represent 345 years of service and experience to the county, Commissioner Larry Woolley said. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) The latest winter storm has a different approach than most. Instead of coming from the West Coast or diving in from the northern Great Plains, this one comes from the Gulf of Mexico. I know what youre thinking: How can there be a winter storm from a place with warm moist air? The answer is that the cold air will already be in place. Its all part of the Arctic Blast that were experiencing here in Northwest Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, they wont be as cold as us, but the timing of the precipitation coincides with below-freezing temperatures at the surface and aloft. This system will arrive overnight tonight into Tuesday morning along the Texas coast. The system will move throughout Louisiana Tuesday evening into Wednesday where it will reach the Florida Panhandle. Bentonville students building airplane through Ignite program Houston could be one of the first places to see the most snow in 65 years. Valentines Day in 1865, Houston residents saw 20 inches of snow. To be honest that may never happen again in our lifetime. However, the holder for 2nd place was 4.4 inches on February 12, 1960. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This could be broken as the Houston area could receive up to 3-5. There are spots where mesoscale banding could be set up. This could bring heavy snow and drive up snow totals of 6-7 inches! Top 3 Houston 1-day Snowfall Records at William P. Hobby Airport (KHOU) aside from 1895: 4.4 February 12, 1960 3.1 January 30, 1949 2.8 January 22, 1940 The next stop for a winter wonderland is Lake Charles, Louisiana. At the official NWS site of Lake Charles Regional Airport here are the top 3 records for single-day snowfall: 4.0 January 11, 1973 2.1 December 8, 2017 1.6 February 7, 1988 Lake Charles could see about 4-5 inches of snow with this upcoming system. But in the parish where Lake Charles is located, the record is 9 inches in De Quincy. Just south of that are Cameron and Vernon Parishes where their record snowfall of 15 inches comes from that Valentines Day storm of 1985. Even New Orleans got 10 from that storm, but at the official NWS site, the record is 1 inch from December 11, 2008. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baton Rouge could also break a record for single-day snowfall at Ryan Field (KBTR). They could see anywhere from 3-7 inches. 3.5 December 8, 2017 3.5 January 23, 1940 3.2 February 5, 1988 Arkansas Department of Transportation crews to assist in Louisiana winter storm response Mobile, Alabama has a chance of seeing record snowfall as well at the Mobile Downtown Airport (KBFM). 1.6 December 31, 1963 0.5 February 23, 1968 0.3 February 24, 1968 2-3 inches of snow are possible in the Mobile area, so theres a good possibility. Just down the road, and sharing the same National Weather Service Office is Pensacola, Florida. Yes, it can snow even in Florida! The Pensacola Regional Airport could see 2-4 inches of snow. Heres where the current records stand: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2.3 March 6, 1954 1.8 February 9, 1973 1.5 January 31, 1977 The sad part is, that most of these states dont have the resources to handle these ultra-rare snow events. It makes sense, though. Why would you buy something expensive if you would only use it once or twice? In some places, they are already treating the roads ahead of the winter storm as major impacts are expected, according to the Winter Weather Severity Index Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Going into Tuesday, a very rare and disruptive snowstorm is forecast to sweep across the Southeast in many places that dont traditionally see snow, such as the Gulf Coast. Winter storm warnings are lined up from Houston to the Carolinas for the potential of a widespread swath of 3-5 inches of snow with isolated higher amounts. Here is a view at the forecast snowfall across the Gulf Coast with some places such as New Orleans and Baton Rouge getting possibly over 5 inches of snow. Mobile could see up to 3-4 inches and even Tallahassee, Florida is forecast to pick up some minor accumulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, lets take a look at some climatology just to put into perspective how rare this scenario is across this region of the world. Beginning with Houston, Texas, this particular event will not come close to rivaling its largest snowstorm in the citys history: 19 inches from the infamous Valentines Day snowstorm of 1895. As youll see, this storm holds the number one snowfall record for many major cities along and near the Gulf Coast. Its still uncommon to see accumulating snow in the Houston metro area, but this is not nearly as uncommon compared to places further east. In Baton Route, Louisiana, it has been seven years since their last measurable snow which was only a half-inch back in January 2018. Their largest snow also stems back to the February snowstorm of 1895 which dropped over 10 inches on the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moving over to New Orleans, its been even longer since their last measurable snowfall 15 years! The 1895 storm is the closest rival to this weeks storm with over 8 inches of snow recorded. However, it is appearing highly unlikely that New Orleans surpasses this number one snowfall record. Since record-keeping began in the late 1800s, the city has only seen 17 measurable snows with a third of those being in the 1800s when the local climate was much cooler than it is today. Finally, lets take a look in our state of Alabama at the city of Mobile. Since the 1895 storm that dropped 6 inches on the city, they have only seen over 3 inches snows ten times. This weeks storm wont necessarily rival the 1895 storm, but it will be a testament to how rare the city experiences snowstorms with an accumulation of three inches or greater. Be sure to follow the CBS 42 Storm Team: Follow Us on Facebook: Chief Meteorologist Dave Nussbaum, Meteorologist Michael Haynes, Meteorologist Alex Puckett, and Meteorologist Jacob Woods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. Holocaust survivor Margot Friedlander has warned of growing threats to democracy as the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp approaches. "The essential thing is that democracy remains, which unfortunately is unstable in many countries," the 103-year-old said in an interview with dpa in Berlin. Friedlander voiced concern over the growing influence of far-right parties in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't understand much about politics." she said. "But I always say: That's how it started back then. Be careful. Don't do it. Respect people, that's what's essential." She emphasized that Jews are an integral part of Germany's society, just like everyone else. "My message is: Be human," Friedlander said. "Accept others, no matter what skin colour and what religion especially. We all come into the world in the same way." Friedlander, who was born in Berlin in 1921, went into hiding in the city and was eventually sent to the Theriesenstadt concentration camp in 1944, in what was then Czechoslovakia. Her father, mother and brother were killed in Auschwitz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She and her husband, whom she met in Theresienstadt, emigrated to the United States in 1946. After he died, she started to visit Berlin in the 2000s and moved back permanently in 2010 at age 88. She has been telling young people in Germany about the Nazi time ever since. On January 27, 1945, Soviet troops liberated the survivors of the Nazi's Auschwitz extermination camp in German-occupied Poland. At the Auschwitz camp alone, the Germany murdered more than 1 million people, most of them Jews. January 27 has been observed as Holocaust Remembrance Day in Germany since 1996. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center Executive Director Heather Hole Strout shows off the sprinkler valve room where a surprise pipe leak on Monday morning, Jan. 20, 2025, made a carefully scheduled repair job take longer. 'You roll with it, because stuff happens every day,' Strout says. The center was closed for MLK Day. (Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current) Heres one way of looking at the broken pipe that interrupted Heather Hole Strouts Monday morning: Thank goodness for small blessings. Because on any other winter day, a plumbing emergency would have meant chaos for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport where the schedule must run like clockwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On other winter days, when a community room that serves as an overnight shelter for people who would otherwise sleep outside in the cold closes at 7 a.m., a custodian has only 30 minutes to clean the room before the free hot breakfast program begins promptly at 7:30. But the center was closed Monday for the holiday honoring the community centers namesake. With the breakfast program not happening, MLK staff had planned for a plumber to come back to fix a patched pipe in the boiler room, a repair that required shutting off water for four hours. When the water was turned back on, however, another pipe burst in the adjacent sprinkler valve room off an after school activities room. You roll with it, because stuff happens every day, said Strout, the centers executive director. Whether its building problems or challenges with people or trying to help somebody that you cant help the way you wish you could help them, its what my day is every day. Its my job. The state and federal holiday meant more stress for those who are living outdoors in Newport. The citys public library was closed. So was the Seamans Church Institute on Market Square. Both serve as daytime warming centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approximately 62% of lawmakers in the Rhode Island General Assembly are calling on Gov. Dan McKee to declare a state of emergency this winter for the homeless population. So far, McKee has resisted, saying an emergency declaration would not automatically make more federal funding available to provide homelessness services. The Newport campus of the Community College of Rhode Island was open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to provide a warm place for people in need. There were four people in the building around 3 p.m. Two Newport firefighters took turns so one was posted on site during the day, a Newport Fire Department dispatcher confirmed. Although the site is state property, it was not included on a list of emergency winter hubs on the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency website. It was not listed as a municipal site either. The municipal section listed the Newport Public Library as closed for the holiday but gave no indication that the Seamans Church was closed for the day. On Jan. 6, the state mistakenly listed the MLK Center among its 24/7 warming shelters. Strout only found out when she saw it on the news and scrambled to call the governors office to make a correction. The center is neither open 24/7 nor state funded. Gov. Dan McKees office sent out an updated news release before noon the following day. The overnight warming center is organized and run through a partnership the MLK Center has with CODAC, the nonprofit addiction treatment and recovery services provider, and Newport Mental Health. Funding to keep the overnight program running through March comes from a combination of sources, including in-kind donations from all three organizations, as well as grants, says Kristan McClintock, marketing and communications manager for Newport Mental Health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We got an apology from the Department of Housing office for the mistake of putting that out there, Strout said. We still dont really understand how it happened, but it happened. But the word was out for 18 hours. And as Strout feared, more people were coming to Newport seeking shelter, making it difficult to provide it for those already here. We did see a pretty large influx of people coming down from the northern part of the state down here, Strout said. So weve been at close to capacity or even a little over capacity on some nights since that happened. And Im a little worried about whats going to happen in the coming days. The corrected Jan. 7 release from the governors office stated: While the MLK Community Center is available for the Aquidneck Island community during this cold weather episode, it is not serving as a state emergency hub, as previously reported. The center was erroneously included in that category due to a miscommunication among Newport-area parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You roll with it, because stuff happens every day. Heather Hole Strout, executive director, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport Strout disputes that the miscommunication originated among Newport officials and agencies. The city of Newport received $65,854 in state grant funding for emergency hubs at the MLK Center and another location, Rhode Island Department of Housing spokeswoman Emily Marshall said. Because a city official did confirm that the MLK Center would be open during the last cold snap, Marshall said in an email Tuesday that the site was added to the statewide emergency hub listing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Housing received that confirmation and put out the release, the MLK Center reached out directly to note that they did not want to be listed as a statewide resource, Marshall said. A city representative reached out to clarify that the city only used the grant money for one of the hubs in the applicationa hub that was only open through December. As a result, we adjusted the release and will be engaging Newport to understand the use of their MHSI award. Warming centers are not funded by the state and are listed at the municipal level, Marshall added. Warming centers provide shelter options during declared weather emergencies by the National Weather Service. Maximum capacity: 25 people Up to 25 people are allowed to come inside and stay overnight in the MLK Centers community room. Each is provided with a mat to put on the floor and a blanket. Tables covered by blue vinyl tablecothes and chairs stay where they are and people find their own space to spread out. Only those 18 and older are allowed in. Many prefer a space against the wall where they are less exposed, Strout said. Doors open at 7 p.m. Lights dim at 9 p.m. Two employees of CODAC remain on site overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 55-year-old man named Mike, who is recovering from a broken arm from a fall, has been spending his nights at the MLK Center. He has been in Newport off and on since the early 1990s and says he doesnt actually sleep while hes at the overnight shelter. Youve got a mat thats 1-inch thick and one blanket, he said while sitting on the wall on Broadway in front of the Newport police station Monday afternoon. The temperature was 25 degrees but felt like 10. Mike said the staff start waking people up at 5:30 a.m. so they can have enough time to wash up in the MLK Centers restrooms and leave by 7. People can come back inside for hot breakfast at 7:30. Some of them are drunk. Some of them are high, Mike said of the others who stay overnight. The staff are nice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the rest of the afternoon, Mike will have to roll with it. In a few hours, he plans to return to the MLK Center and wait for the doors to open. He wants to get there early enough to ensure he will have a space on the floor. Before the lights dim, he can see the three dozen signs on one wall in the community room made by children enrolled in the MLK Centers afterschool program. Painted in bright colors are words like RESPECT and Kind and HUG and Love They were made especially for the holiday to mark Kings birthday. Tuesday will be a regular day and Mike and others will have more options for finding a warm place to be. The forecast calls for a high of 23 degrees in Newport. Signs made by children enrolled in the MLK Centers afterschool program hang on the doors along the wall of the community room. They were made especially for the holiday to mark Kings birthday. (Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current) This story was updated Tuesday at 1:58 p.m. to include comment from Rhode Island Department of Housing spokeswoman Emily Marshall. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Monday nights temperature in Sioux Falls is fatally frigid; its the kind of night where not having shelter can mean death, and leadership at the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House and Union Gospel Mission in central Sioux Falls each tell KELOLAND News they provide shelter to well over 100 adults every night during the cold weather months. When its super cold, people come to us in droves, Bishop Dudley Hospitality House Executive Director Madeline Shields said. They cant find another place to stay, and we could have anywhere between 150 people to 190 people. Senate panel advances Noem nomination for Homeland Security secretary Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Union Gospel Mission Executive Director Eric Weber estimates the nightly number of adults at his shelter at slightly more than 120. Both organizations have space for families as well, with the Union Gospel Mission set to open up additional space for them soon. Per the nonprofit South Dakota Housing, Sioux Falls had 610 people who were experiencing homelessness in late January of 2024; another count comes Jan. 28. And while both Weber and Shields say they have little available space, they also agree that Sioux Falls does not need another shelter. I dont think Sioux Falls needs another shelter, Weber said. What I think Sioux Falls needs is more affordable housing. I dont know that a shelter is the answer, Shields said. But I think we need to be more creative on how we use the beds that are available in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a view shared elsewhere. Kari Benz, director of human services with Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties, concurs. I dont believe we need another shelter, Benz said. Michelle Treasure, who works as the homelessness services coordinator with the City of Sioux Falls, also agrees. If I could make anything happen right now, I would help lift up some of our rural communities with services so that people can stay in their home area, cities, counties and be by their support networks rather than having to come to Sioux Falls to receive services, Treasure said. Shields says many of the guests at the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House belong elsewhere: a facility with specialized care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They need to be somewhere that has health care and health care professionals that know how to take care of their chronic illness or their chronic mental illness, Shields said. Not far from the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House and Union Gospel Mission is the St. Francis House, which offers transitional housing. Betty Sumpman has been a guest here for over a year. Theyre helping me save my money so I can try to get an apartment, Sumpman said. And she has a pretty clear idea of where shed be if it werent for this facility. Id be in the street, Sumpman said. I probably wouldnt be alive. Sumpmans story highlights how someone with specific concerns is receiving shelter in Sioux Falls. She is in her 70s and lives with anxiety and arthritis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that weve seen an influx of very challenging populations to shelter, meaning we have had an escalation in elderly and those that have complex medical issues, Benz said. Benz points out what specialized care requires. The elderly, those that have a lot of medical complexities, the shelters dont feel equipped to really help those individuals, Benz said. Predominantly because they have a lot of needs. They need assistance in doing some of their care. South Dakota winters add another layer of hardship upon the shoulders of anyone experiencing homelessness. Its life or death when the bitter cold comes, below wind chills, the wind, the snow, Shields said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bishop Dudley Hospitality House and Union Gospel Mission each offer shelter for people who might otherwise be out on the street. But Shields says her employees cant do everything. Our staff is not trained to lift people, she said. If people cant use the restroom on their own, if they cant get into bed and out of bed on their own, if they cant walk to The Banquet to get a meal, they cant stay here. We do not serve three meals a day, and so we have our own limitations. We are a temporary, emergency homeless shelter that shelters people overnight and provides a lunch. We have access to other resources such as laundry and case management and technology like computers and telephones, but we are just to bridge a quick gap and to try to get them to the people who can really help them. Shields says Sioux Falls needs specialized care for someone battling homelessness. We need alternatives for people who are mentally ill and chronically addicted, she said. Theyre the ones who are taking up the beds in the shelter. Bishop Dudley House accepts people who are under the influence and accepts people who are mentally ill. However, we are not a health care facility, and we are not equipped to deal with some of the issues and some of the medical problems that many of our guests have when they show up at our doors, and so we need to transition those people out to a more suitable place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Accessible and affordable housing is another piece of the puzzle. What we need is getting more people that want to get into housing and get into a better situation, we need a place for those people to go, Weber said. We do need transitional and supportive housing and then we need long-term permanent housing, Benz said. Shields highlights a specialized resource along Minnesota Avenue. We do have the Safe Home, and thats 33 units where people who are chronically addicted to alcohol are able to secure an apartment when there is an apartment available, Shields said. We need more places like that. We need more programs that will help people who are addicted to drugs. We need more places that are for people who suffer from mental illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the presence of available resources wont ensure theyre utilized. Its a challenge because there is a subset of individuals who have refused all care they chose not to be connected to anyone, Benz said. Obviously, we cant force people to be connected to service. We need to focus more on telling people that we have services, Weber said. Treasure says the citys resources are asked to extend beyond what its residents use. We know, and we have data to support, that not everyone that you see utilizing our emergency shelters are from Sioux Falls or even from South Dakota, Treasure said. We have data to support that people are coming from other states into South Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homelessness is a complicated challenge for any urban area. Different people who may be housed or un-housed tonight or tomorrow morning face different obstacles, but its not hard to find a common thread linking someone in a shelter or transitional housing with someone fortunate enough to count on a secure roof. For everyone, well-being is paramount. Sumpman certainly knows why hers is. I gotta keep my health cause I gotta be living for my son, she said. Copyright 2025 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 KELOLAND.com. GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Two people were shot at last week by people who were suspected to have been breaking into cars, according to the Greenville County Sheriffs Office. The sheriffs office said investigators received two reports of three people breaking into cars on Crestwood Drive on January 18. In one of those cases, a homeowner was reportedly shot at before the suspects ran away. The next day, the sheriffs office received at least eight reports of cars being broken into in Taylors. One of those incidents included a homeowner was shot before suspects fled the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The homeowner is expected to survive. Auto break-ins unfortunately do happen, but its not often that youll see people be so bold as to shoot at the homeowners, to shoot at the people confronting them. Typically theyll just take off running, said Lieutenant Ryan Flood. Its very concerning. Investigators request that anyone with information concerning these cases contact Investigator Couch at 864-501-6923 or Crime Stoppers of Greenville at 23-CRIME. The sheriffs office said suspects are considered armed and dangerous and people should not approach them. Copyright 2025 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 WSPA 7NEWS. KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A community event to honor the legacy of Doctor Martin Luther King Junior was held at the Friedman Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Kingston. They called it Blankets and Broth, where people donated blankets or soup. Instacart driver shot while dropping off groceries The items will be donated to Ruths Place, the Salvation Army Kirby Family House, as well as the Keystone Mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The JCC partnered with the ODonnell Law Firm, the Wilkes-Barre NAACP, and the Wilkes-Barre Health Department. Copyright 2025 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 PAhomepage.com. PARIS, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) According to a press release, Horizon Health will be offering a Heartsaver CPR/AED course free of charge on February 4. This class is for the community only and teaches students basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). These both can be used in life-threatening cardiac events. Vincennes University Generations gifted $5,000 grant Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though the class is free, a credit or debit card is required when registering. The card will be charged $25 to reserve a seat in the class but will be refunded after completion of the class. Students will also have the option to receive an official CPR/AED certification card from the American Heart Association for $25. The class will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Horizon Healths Education Center. To register for the class, you can visit their website. ISP Putnamville Post adds new probationary trooper Copyright 2025 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 MyWabashValley.com. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Horry County crews are hard at work preparing for a blast of winter weather, and officials are in close contact with their start partners to ensure theyre fully equipped for any situation to come over the next several days. With plenty of experience readying for hurricanes and tropical storms, challenging winter conditions are a rarity. A first major step is laying down treatment on roads to slow them from freezing over. If you can avoid going out during that period of time, we highly recommend it. Take the night in if you really can, Horry County spokeswoman Mikayla Moskov said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say theyre anticipating for an inch or less of snow across the county. Starting Monday, workers were alongside state transportation employees deploying liquid brine, salt and sand. Moskov said theres less of a focus on snow plows. In this area were primarily looking at the pretreatment and then that will melt anything away. Were not looking at the amount of snow that would necessitate something like a plow, she said. Pre-treatment will run through Tuesday, and drivers are urged to go a bit slower than usual and be on the lookout for black ice. The countys emergency operations center is running at normal levels, but that could change depending on conditions. Leaders are also in touch with state agencies that could aid in resources if needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest ones in this case would be South Carolina Emergency Management and South Carolina DOT to say, heres what we can envision needing if these worst case scenarios happened or if we werent able to get to these resources,' Moskov said. Moskov also urges people to keep an eye on their pets, plants and pipes a towel, Styrofoam and duct tape can work as insulators. As long as you have your emergency prep plan for anything that you might need to be comfortable at home for a couple of days, if necessary, things will be all right. And were here and prepared to respond if something does go wrong, she said. * * * Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also read more of her work, here. Copyright 2025 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 WBTW. The Lancaster County Coroners Office is pioneering a unique approach to rescue and recovery missions by utilizing horses. Officials in South Carolina told our partners at the Rock Hill Herald they believe it could be the first unit of its kind run by a county coroner in the nation. The initiative will see retired workhorses housed in Union County, working alongside trained riders who are skilled in locating evidence or missing persons. Once located, the riders will then alert law enforcement to take over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unit is set to collaborate with various agencies, including those in North Carolina, to navigate and search through challenging terrains. Using the unique capabilities of the horses, they hope to increase effectiveness in difficult-to-reach areas. (VIDEO: Body of man who jumped off Lancaster bridge found, coroner says) Two years ago, in an unguarded moment on a podcast with Emily Maitlis, Sir Keir Starmer revealed that he preferred Davos to Parliament. Westminster is just a tribal, shouting place, he said with the unfamiliar look of a man ambushed by his own frankness. Well, he may not have been snubbed by Donald Trump on Monday British prime ministers do not traditionally attend American inaugurations but given the dire state of the relationship, it certainly felt like it. Chin up, Sir Keir! The country may be in the toilet, but with festivities underway in the bacchanalian Alps, you still have many friends. Amid canapes, quails eggs and the whiff of illicit perfume, his doughty Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, rubs shoulder-pads with fellow travellers who put globalism first. While Starmer genuflects on the Chagos Islands and laws that prevented us from deporting a Jamaican rapist because he was bisexual, Ms Reeves shares murmured conversations about economic growth by way of relaxed borders, green jobs, unpicking Brexit and increasing Britains debt. National interest? Nope. Western decline? Oh well. Lets party like its 2007, perhaps even 1997. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enjoy it while it lasts. With the rise of The Donald and Farages pint flowing over, the age of the elites is on the wane. For decades, our rulers have steadily evolved into ideological hegemony, the differences between the parties confined to matters of style. The results we see all around us: stuttering or flatlining economies, parallel communities and grooming gangs, global instability, soaring levels of debt and plummeting national pride. People have had enough. Its not just Davos. Its not just economics. The culture of every governmental and non-governmental institution is now underpinned by insidious anti-Westernism. These are the suited companions of the keffiyeh-clad thugs on the streets. Free Palestine with a silver tongue. Take the World Health Organisation, a United Nations agency. The Director-General, Ethiopian public health official Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who won his position in 2017 with the backing of Beijing has been pushing a Sinophile agenda for years. During Covid, he presided over a shameful contagion of authoritarian lockdowns from the East and seemed singularly uncurious about Chinas complicity. Scratch the surface of anti-Westernism and what do you find? At a Covid assembly, the WHO singled out Israel Israel! as a violator of health rights. In February, an official for the World Food Programme, a sister UN agency, insisted that the Hamas health ministry had good capacity in data collection and its previous casualty reporting was well developed. In May, the same lot asserted that Gaza was suffering full-blown famine, claims that were later debunked by the UNs own researchers and doubly debunked by scenes of healthy-looking Gazans celebrating the ceasefire last weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a panel the other day, my opponent sought to undermine my defence of Israel by citing the bodies who had condemned it. International Court of Justice, check. International Criminal Court, check. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the United Nations: check, check, check. He was right, of course. But his point was not the banger he thought it was. Ever since the Cold War, when the Soviet Union unleashed the greatest anti-democratic propaganda campaign the world has ever seen, the West has been infected with a viral code for its own destruction. Universities, leftist pressure groups and international institutions were especially targeted. It should be no surprise, then, that generations of useful and educated idiots have continued the fight in those arenas. Future generations will find it hard to understand, however, why they went unchallenged for so long. Not any more. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Building construction in Richmond, Va. A shortage of new homes is driving continued high housing costs, casting doubt on Virginia's future growth. (Parker Michels-Boyce/Virginia Mercury) Amid forecasts that Virginia will see the third-highest rent increases in the nation this year, lawmakers are acknowledging the affordable housing crisis but remain divided on solutions. While the Senate Committee on Local Government advanced some bills addressing this issue on Monday, others were defeated or delayed for further deliberation. Housing policy has historically been a local issue, but it has gained attention at the federal level as well. Both former Vice President Kamala Harris and President Donald Trump highlighted housing affordability in their campaigns last year, underscoring its importance as a bipartisan concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile in Virginia, a proposal from Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, and Sen. Kannan Srinivasan, D-Loudoun, seeks to streamline the process for congregations and nonprofit organizations to use land they own to develop affordable housing. Several representatives from religious and interfaith groups voiced support for the bill during Mondays committee hearing, highlighting its potential to address housing shortages. In addition to this legislation, another affordable housing effort advanced despite challenges. A bill by Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William, that would enable localities to utilize special tax credits for affordable housing is moving forward once again after being vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin last year. If passed into law, McPikes bill would enable localities to create affordable housing programs through zoning ordinances. This includes offering developers incentives to include below-market-rate housing in new developments, potentially expanding housing options for low- and moderate income Virginians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Affordable housing initiatives in Virginia often rely on Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), which developers use when setting aside portions of their projects for housing within specific income brackets. Local governments have the authority to approve or reject these projects, but currently, only a limited number of localities in the state have that power. McPikes bill seeks to change this by granting all Virginia localities the option to implement LIHTC projects, expanding the ability to address housing affordability challenges. However, the measure has faced resistance from Youngkin. A spokesman for the governor argued that such ordinances enforce a form of price control and can affect what developers are willing or able to build. In his veto statement last year, Youngkin described McPikes proposal as unnecessary, noting that current law already allows certain localities to adopt similar policies. In general, local governments should take the price of housing into account when considering their zoning policies, Youngkin wrote. Current law allows certain local governments with well-documented housing affordability issues the ability to enact such ordinances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The localities with that authority, however, have to request special permission from the state legislature. McPikes bill would simplify the process, allowing any Virginia locality to pursue LIHTC initiatives without additional legislative approval. McPike emphasized once again that his bill stems directly from a 2021 recommendation by the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission (JLARC). Having cleared committee with bipartisan support, the bill is poised to move through the legislature as it did last year though it may ultimately face another veto from Youngkin. Still awaiting a vote in the committee is a proposal from Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, which would grant localities the authority to implement rent protections. Under Boyskos plan, landlords would be required to provide two months written notice before raising rents and adhere to limits on how much rent could increase. Another measure, proposed bye Sen. Saddam Salim, D-Fairfax, would require local governments to create ordinances for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The committee opted to give Salim more time to refine his bill before bringing it up for a vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ADUs, which can include garage apartments, carriage houses and in-law suites, have been promoted as a versatile housing option to meet the needs of families, students and low-income residents. Typically built on existing housing lots, ADUs are seen as a way to address housing shortages, but regulatory guidance for their approval is sparse across the state. The committee debated two ADU-related bills on Monday. Salims measure faced some pushback over its may versus shall language. Public comments reflected a desire for clearer mandates. Meanwhile, Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, has introduced a related proposal allowing though not requiring localities to include ADU regulations in their comprehensive plans. Unlike zoning code, comprehensive plans are guiding documents that localities draft every few years which can inform zoning code. Both bills remain in committee for further discussion. Two housing measures by Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, were defeated during Mondays meeting. One aimed to encourage localities to increase housing supply, while the other sought to allow by-right multifamily residential spaces in certain commercial corridors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By-right zoning permits developments, such as apartments, to proceed without additional government approval. VanValkenburg argued that mixed-use properties, combining residential and commercial, have gained popularity in parts of his district and can help retain young professionals by providing apartments closer to workplaces. VanValkenburgs second measure would have required local governments to develop plans for increasing their housing supply by 7.5% over the next five years. The bill included suggested factions for achieving that goal, while also allowing localities to avoid penalties if they could demonstrate good-faith efforts. For jurisdictions that failed to act, the state would have authority to overturn local decisions and approve applications under certain circumstances. The proposals met resistance from Sen. Glen Sturtevant, R-Chesterfield, who raised concerns about potential state overreach. There might be an erosion of local control over zoning and approvals, he warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VanValkenburg acknowledged the trade-off, admitting that it is some erosion of local control over housing in some way, but argued the measures were less prescriptive than opponents claimed. When you think about where this housing is going to go, it is not going to be as much as you think it is, he said. There is give and take in the bill. But I would argue this is more than a local problem, this is a state problem. Describing the housing goals as a soft cap, VanValkenburg emphasized that the bill aimed to encourage, not enforce, local action. He expressed his intention to reintroduce the proposals next year. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A historic winter storm is about to unfold across the Gulf Coast states with accumulating snow and dangerous ice from Texas to Florida, including major cities and highways. "This will be a rare and especially dangerous winter storm right along the upper Gulf Coast that will result in major and lengthy disruptions to travel," AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said. "The electrical grid in the central and eastern U.S. may be stressed as hundreds of millions reach to turn up the heat." Here is the snow and ice forecast for some of the biggest cities in the path of the evolving storm: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between 2 and 4 inches of snow is forecast to fall in Houston through Tuesday afternoon. Some sleet and freezing rain may also mix in with the snow, especially south of the city. The last time more than 2 inches of snow accumulated in a single calendar day in Houston was in February of 1960, when 3 inches piled up in the city. New Orleans is predicted to experience the first accumulation of snow in more than a decade, with 3 to 6 inches expected by Wednesday morning. The last time measurable snow fell in New Orleans was in December 2009, when only 0.1 of an inch accumulated. However, the last time that a snow shovel was needed in the city was in December 1963, when 2.7 inches blanketed the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is rare for snow to fall along the Gulf coast due to the warm water in the Gulf of Mexico, but the upcoming storm is still forecast to deliver 1 to 3 inches to Mobile, Alabama, through Tuesday night. Snow has not been as rare in Mobile compared to other areas along the coast, with 1 inch of snow falling as recently as Dec. 8, 2017. However, it has been over three decades since at least 2 inches accumulated, and 52 years since a snowstorm covered the city in over 3 inches of powder. In northern Florida, the upcoming storm will likely deliver more ice than snow, which can glaze highways and weigh down trees, resulting in widespread disruptions in daily routines. This includes Jacksonville, where ice accumulations are likely to reach dangerous levels. A significant ice storm is also possible across southeastern Georgia, including sections of Interstate 75 and Interstate 95. Arctic air in the wake of the winter storm will cause overnight temperatures to dip below freezing through the end of the week, which can cause any wet areas to freeze up ahead of the morning commute. Read more about the upcoming winter storm that is spreading across the southern U.S. In response to a Houthi pledge to cease attacks on non-Israeli-linked Red Sea shipping in the wake of the Gaza War ceasefire, a global leader in the maritime security industry issued a new threat assessment on Monday. Ambrey suggested the region around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could be entering a period of reduced danger for vessels transiting through the area if and its a big if the Houthis actually stick to their word. The Houthi-linked Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), which serves as a conduit between Houthi forces and commercial shipping operators, sent an email to the shipping industry on Sunday saying it would no longer attack U.S.- and U.K.-linked ships in the wake of the ceasefire that went into effect Jan. 19 with the exchange of three Israeli hostages held by Hamas and dozens of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. HOCC added that Houthis would also stop attacking Israeli-linked vessels upon the full implementation of all phases of the agreement. That is a reference to Phase 2 of the ceasefire, which is scheduled to take effect in about five weeks. The letter does not mention any other nations. HOCC Given that the rebel group has attacked vessels with dubious ties to Israel, it remains unclear how they will make that distinction moving forward. Regardless, the Houthis say they will resume kinetic actions against ships connected to the U.S. or U.K. if the militant groups assets and personnel are subjected to further airstrikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We affirm that, in the event of any aggression against the Republic of Yemen by the United States of America, the United Kingdom, or the usurping Israeli entity, the sanctions will be reinstated against the aggressor state (s), the HOCC notice continued. You will be promptly informed of such measures should they be implemented. You can see one of those ship attacks in the following video. Ambrey on Monday suggested that the HOCC proclamation would have a positive impact on non-Israel-linked shipping if the Houthis lived up to their pledge. The coming weeks will provide the proof of whether the Houthi follow suit with their stated intent, Ambrey assessed. During this period, the threat to all shipping is reduced apart from Israeli-owned-and-flagged vessels. However, this is subject to flashpoint escalation if the Houthi consider Israel in breach of the ceasefire agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ambrey also assessed that shipping with links to Israel and Israeli trade to be at greater risk than U.S.- and U.K.-owned shipping as the ceasefire remains fragile and secondary negotiations continue. Houthi military action in response to a perceived breach of the ceasefire agreement by Israel remains possible and would highly likely impact Israeli-affiliated shipping first. Palestinians walk among the debris of destroyed buildings as they return to their houses after the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel in Jabalia, Gaza, on Jan. 19, 2025. (Photo by Ramzi Mahmud/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu Ambrey urged caution about Houthi promises. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) issued the warning: Maritime industry should be skeptical of recent Houthi claims, the company noted, referring to a U.K.-led information-sharing effort on Houthi attacks. Houthi statements, especially claims of attacks on U.S. or U.K. warships, are frequently made without merit. The most recent example of that came on Sunday when the Houthis claimed to have targeted the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group for the eighth time. Over the past year, the Houthis have claimed successful attacks on U.S. Navy ships, which never actually occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have nothing operational to provide, a U.S. official told The War Zone in response to our question about the veracity of the Houthis latest attack claim. The shipping attacks began in November 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians over the latest war between Israel and Gaza. They have forced ships to avoid the Suez Canal for a far longer route around Africa, boosting cargo costs by nearly $200 billion. The Houthis attacks sank two vessels, damaged many others, caused the death of four mariners, and led to many being held hostage after a ship was seized. The Houthi Red Sea campaign also led to nearly constant military engagements with the U.S. and its allies, including air strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and repelling the militant groups frequent missile, aerial drone, and drone boat attacks on commercial and military vessels. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Carney fires a surface-to-air missile at Houthi threats on Oct. 19, 2023. (USN) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hapag-Lloyd shipping company told The War Zone it is too early to say if they will resume shipping through the Suez Canal. We will continue to closely monitor and analyze the latest developments and their impact on the security situation in the Red Sea, Tim Seifert, a spokesman for the Hapag-Lloyd shipping company told The War Zone on Monday. Otherwise, the following applies unchanged: we will return to the Red Sea when it is safe to do so. In addition to effects on commercial shipping, the U.S. military stands to benefit dramatically from any real reduction in Houthi belligerence in the Red Sea region. Navy vessels which have had to maintain a constant presence in this area have expended hundreds of expensive munitions taking down Houthi threats. Thats forced those ships to leave the area to replenish. The constant Red Sea region patrols have been at the cost of presence elsewhere in the world and put a heavy strain on ships and crews. In addition to battles at sea, U.S. Navy aviation assets, as well as cruise missiles, and U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force aircraft have carried out repeated strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. Israel has also pounded the rebel group from the air. A full breakdown of what each of the Navys missiles cost is seen in the exclusive TWZ video below: It is unclear how seriously the U.S. and its allies take this new Houthi pledge. We have reached out to U.S. Central Command, the U.K. Defense Ministry, and the European Unions Operation Aspides maritime security effort for more details. Its also a question of just how many munitions the Houthis still have after nearly 16 months of barrages and many strikes against their weapons storage areas in Yemen. Irans ability to resupply them with critical components for these weapons is also in question after a brutal year for their proxy investments abroad. You can read all about the Houthis anti-ship arsenal here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adding to the uncertainty of any future U.S. response to the Iranian-backed Houthis, Donald Trump assumed the presidency today. He has previously vowed to revive his maximum pressure campaign against Tehran and its proxies, and when asked about possible military strikes, answered with an ominous anything can happen. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) conducts flight operations in response to increased Iranian-backed Houthi malign behavior in the Red Sea, Jan. 22, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kaitlin Watt) As we noted in the past, the conflict that began on Oct. 7, 2023 radically reshaped the regions geopolitics. It saw Israel decimate Hezbollah in Lebanon and by going after proxy groups like these, this has dramatically weakened Irans influence over the region, a dynamic reinforced by the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. So, overall, when it comes to the Houthis and the incredibly complex security situation in the region, despite any pledges to the contrary, shipping magnets and military forces alike will very much have to take a wait and see approach to their sudden move towards deescalation. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com The Houthi militants that have targeted more than 100 commercial vessels with missiles and drones since the breakout of the Israel-Hamas war now claim they are ceasing attacks on non-Israeli ships traveling the Red Sea. But ocean carriers and maritime security firms alike arent convinced just yet that a near-term return to the Suez Canal is imminentor safe. After a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect Sunday, the Houthi-aligned Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center issued an email to shipping stakeholders announcing that the Yemen-based group would cease military operations against vessels in the area. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Israeli ships, those sanctionswill be stopped upon the full implementation of all phases of the ceasefire. However, shipping cannot be too certain of a Red Sea return just yet. The center left the door open to resume attacks against both the U.S. and the U.K., which have repeatedly launched joint airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed rebels due to their onslaught on shipping. In the event of any aggressionthe sanctions will be reinstated against the aggressor state, the center said. You will be promptly informed of such measures should they be implemented. Global maritime risk management firm Ambrey noted that while the threat to non-Israeli ships is reduced, it is still subject to flashpoint escalation if the Houthi consider Israel in breach of the ceasefire agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The firm said that commercial vessels continue to be at risk due to fragility of the ceasefire and potential for Houthi subjectivity resulting in singular attacks. The company shared some cautious optimism, despite the assessment. A return of shipping to the region is almost certain to occur gradually, provided the ceasefire holds, said Ambrey in a Monday update. The threat to shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden continues to be conditional and future escalation beyond the present conditionality of the ceasefire may occur. The Joint Maritime Information Center also warned the maritime industry to remain skeptical of the Houthi claims, maintaining that risks remain high for vessels associated with Israel, the U.S. or the U.K. The largest container shipping company in the world still doesnt want to make a commitment to the Red Sea without any further clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The situation in the Suez Canal remains fluid and the security situation is unclear, said Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) in a statement on Tuesday. In order to guarantee the safety of our seafarers and to ensure consistency and predictability of service for our customers, MSC will continue to transit via the Cape of Good Hope until further notice. MSC previously prepared a Suez Canal option on its upcoming East-West service set to launch in February, alongside the Cape of Good Hope route it had been regularly traversing since December 2023. But the new statement means it is unclear when the network will be available. The company, which as of Feb. 1 will be the only lone standalone container shipping network, had not made a public statement on the Red Sea situation since it unveiled the dual offerings in September. With MSC staying out of the Suez Canal for now, that leaves roughly 20 percent of global shipping capacity away from the Red Sea. According to Alphaliner, the Swiss shipping giant operates 884 owned and leased vessels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CMA CGM, which has intermittently traveled the Red Sea and Suez Canal with escorts from the French Navy since the attacks began, deployed a ship set to sail southbound in the canal on Thursday. However, that ship is part of a single ad hoc call to the Port of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and not an indicator of a wider return, the company said. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have indefinitely delayed their own Suez plans for their upcoming Gemini Cooperation vessel-sharing alliance, with both expressing after the ceasefire that they will only return to the canal when it is sufficiently safe to do so. Another factor playing into whether the major ocean carriers return to the Red Sea is the level of war-risk premiums they would pay to their insurance providers. These premiums insure container shipping firms against losses sustained in the event of an attack on a vessel, and can be passed on to customers as surcharges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point in early 2024, underwriters were charging up to 1 percent of the value of an entire ship to sail through the region. According to security firm Diaplous, war-risk rates had fallen closer to around 0.4 percent of values in recent months as attacks became less frequent. What has kept shipping out of the region has been escalated War Risk. If the clubs reduce the cost, down from a peak of about 1 percent, the ships will return, said Sal Mercogliano, container shipping expert and Campbell University associate professor, in a post on X. Mercogliano said these costs would dip further, but only if the Houthis kept to their word of not attacking, and released the Galaxy Leader vessel that they first hijacked back in November 2023. It would also require a marked presence by both the European Unions naval security operation, Aspides, and the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, he noted. As the ceasefire will take several months to phase in, expect any return to the region by ships to follow a similar strategy, said Mercogliano. HIGH POINT High Point University has donated $250,000 to Business High Point for the development of the Washington Street Historic District, HPU President Nido Qubein announced Monday at the universitys annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast. Mayor Cyril Jefferson and Business High Point President and CEO Rachel Collins accepted the donation at the breakfast, which drew more than 1,000 to the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena & Conference Center. The contribution will go toward the Shop on Washington initiative, which aims to develop minority- and women-owned businesses on Washington Street. This will give energy to a new project, Qubein told the audience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The donation will help in the effort to create a critical mass of new businesses on Washington Street, Jefferson said.he contribution is part of a community campaign fueling revitalization efforts on Washington Street and creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs to flourish. Collins said it will serve as the springboard to spur on further growth and investments from the community, which will ensure the sustainability of this impactful initiative. Washington Street was known as the citys Black Wall Streetduring much of the 20thcentury. City leaders have been engaged in a concerted effort for years to spur business activity along Washington Street. The breakfastrepresented one aspect of a day of service for HPU as students, faculty and staff on the King holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HPU students continued the annual tradition of serving the community through projects to revitalize local organizations, clean areas in the city and pack thousands of meals. Students will also revamp Ferndale Middle School by repainting its walls. HPUs Workman School of Dental Medicine partnered with the local nonprofit organization FaithAction International to provide free preventative and restorative dental care to immigrants and refugees in the Piedmont Triad at two HPU Health locations in Greensboro. CHICAGO Hundreds of people braved single-digit temperatures to gather in downtown Chicago in opposition to President Donald Trump and his agenda as the 47th president was sworn into office Monday. Championing a variety of causes including immigrant rights, support for Palestinians and protections for womens reproductive and LGBTQIA rights, they gathered in Federal Plaza in the Loop to rally, then set off to march to Trump Tower across the river. Demonstrators carried posters reading Free Palestine Now!, Stop the Trump Agenda, Immigrant rights and legalization for all and calling for an end to police crimes. They chanted Donald Trump you racist clown, the people will take you down, and No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rally was supported by a broad coalition of dozens of organizations, ranging from the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression to the Chicago Teachers Union, the U.S. Palestinian Community Network and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Amid news reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids would start Tuesday in Chicago, which Trumps border czar appeared to walk back after the reports, representatives of the groups said they were united to defend their causes in the face of Trumps commitment to ramp up repression. A sister march also was scheduled to begin Monday in Streeterville but was postponed because of the cold temperatures. The rally and march that moved forward at Federal Plaza marked the start of Trumps second presidential term, eight years after the local Womens March flooded downtown with an estimated quarter-million demonstrators and brought Grant Park to capacity. The 2017 Womens March in Chicago, on an unseasonably mild day, was one of hundreds globally that day. This year, in Chicago, the smaller rally marked the beginning of the fight against this incoming racist, facist regime, Muhammad Sankari, lead organizer with the Arab American Action Network, said at a news conference before the rally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all remember what the first Trump administration looked like, he said. We remember the racist attacks against so many communities, from the Arab Muslim Community to the Black community to the Latinx community to so many other immigrant communities and communities here at home. Chicago Teachers Union representative Diane Castro said that in response to Project 2025, considered the Republican playbook for the new presidential administration, the teachers union was seeking to strengthen protections for the LGBTQIA community, sanctuary schools and housing. No child is a criminal, she said, speaking at the pre-rally news conference. Highlighting concerns about what the Trump administration could mean for immigrants, the Hana Center, an organization focused on Korean, Asian American and other multiethnic communities, used the Monday event to announce a new immigrant rights app the organization rolled out on Inauguration Day. The app reads a persons rights out loud to a law enforcement or ICE agent and can send a message to an emergency contact, among other resources, said Executive Director Danae Kovac. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A big part of our fight is making sure that our immigrant communities know our rights and are equipped to exercise those rights in every situation, wherever we are, she said. Faayani Aboma Mijana of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression vowed at Mondays news conference to fight to stop police crimes, free wrongfully incarcerated people and stop mass deportations, pledging solidarity with immigrants. We recognize that Trump is a symptom of a system in decay, and we refuse to go down with it, they said. Were going to fight against it. Black people in this country havent forgotten what the first Trump presidency got us. It got us further economic degradation, the intensification of police repression, and the further mass incarceration of our communities. Days before the rally, some organizers of the postponed sister march billed the event as a repudiation of both parties. Andy Thayer, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network, denounced both Democratic and Republican policies on immigration and Gaza at a news conference last week, a view reiterated by some at the Monday rally. Though a ceasefire deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas, some organizers said their advocacy for Palestinians would continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a march against both parties, not just Donald Trump, Thayer said. At that time organizers also spoke out against Trumps plans for mass deportation. We want to make it incredibly clear to the community, Latin America and beyond, that theyre not alone, activist Rafael Cervantes said through a Spanish translator at last weeks news conference. He added that most of the things for which migrants are being scapegoated, such as economic instability, are unfounded and baseless. These are our neighbors, both socially and across work, Cervantes said. We reject the message to be divided whereas the reality is one of peace. _____ (Carolyn Stein contributed.) _____ Protesters marched through downtown Raleigh on Monday, Jan. 20 to protest Donald Trumps return to office. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar) Hundreds of protesters flooded Raleighs Moore Square to protest President Donald Trumps return to office just hours after his inauguration Monday, denouncing his policy plans on immigration, abortion access, and international affairs. In many ways, the Raleigh protest the first glimpse of an organized resistance to Trumps second term bore a greater resemblance to the campus protests against the War in Gaza in 2023 and 2024 than it did the demonstrations against his first term. Activists weathered the near-freezing temperatures in keffiyehs and masks and chanted from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free as they marched down Blount Street. A woman donning a keffiyeh and a Womens March pussyhat views the speeches at the Trump protest in Moore Square. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar) But signs of the first resistance movement against Trump could be seen throughout the crowd that gathered in Moore Square. Some women donned pink, cat-eared pussyhats, a hallmark of the 2017 Womens March that flooded Washington in the wake of Trumps first inauguration. And protesters seemed to share common ground with former President Joe Biden on his warnings against a growing tech-industrial complex in the country speakers took aim at Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his influence in the new administration and held signs calling to Defeat Trumps billionaire agenda! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will fight back against Trumps extreme right-wing, anti-immigrant, anti-worker, imperialist agenda, a billionaire agenda, said Victor Urquiza, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation who emceed the protest. We stand here in firm solidarity with the Palestinian people [who] for 470 days resisted the Israeli genocide funded by this government, by the Democratic Party. The protest, titled We Fight Back, brought together a wide array of left-wing activist groups in opposition to Trump and in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. One banner held by the demonstrators as they marched read, Honor MLKs Legacy & Struggle Fighting Against Poverty, Racism, & Militarism. Beside it, activists hoisted a giant puppet of Trump, featuring a pair of blood-stained hands. Much of the afternoons rhetoric centered on immigration issues, as Trumps administration prepares a crackdown on undocumented immigrants around the country and threatens to end birthright citizenship, a principle enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. The Wall Street Journal reported ahead of the transition that mass deportation operations may begin as soon as Tuesday, a shock-and-awe approach expected to target major metropolitan areas beginning with Chicago. Party for Socialism and Liberation organizer Victor Urquiza called on protesters to resist Trumps extreme right-wing agenda. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar) While opposition to the second Trump administration framed the protest, many demonstrators appeared to view Trump and Biden with equal animosity. Urquiza laid blame for the more than 46,000 killed in Gaza at Bidens feet, condemning him for continuing to support Israels war effort to the very last day of the presidency. At the same time, Urquiza rejected the narrative that Trump was responsible for the ceasefire in Gaza, a victory his administration has tried to claim as it takes over. Lets make this very, very clear: this ceasefire was because of the people in Palestine who resisted every single day, he said to cheers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wayne Turner, who ran for Governor of North Carolina on the Green Party ticket and tabled at the demonstration Monday, took a similar view. I dont distinguish much between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, or Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, Turner said. For me, the problem is capitalism and empire. Speakers called on the crowd to fight back against Trumps stated plans to enact mass deportations, to curtail access to reproductive healthcare, and to remain steadfast in support of Israel. They flew Mexican and Palestinian flags and chanted, From Palestine to Mexico, border walls have got to go. Tables set up in the square distributed literature on the War in Gaza, Trumps immigration plans, and socialist theory. One group, Siembra NC, handed out flyers for an ICE Watch Training to be held in Raleigh and Durham over the weekend. How do we fight back against Trumps plans to deport millions of immigrants? His attack on the workers, his attack on the LGBT community, his continuation of American crimes across the world, and his continuation of taking the wealth of working class people and giving it to the billionaires? Urquiza asked. We must have the strongest solidarity we have ever had, and we must organize and organize like we never organized before. A crowd of protesters marches down Davie Street in opposition to Trump. (Photo: Galen Bacharier) Underscoring the demonstration is a belief that all these issues from immigration and climate change to economic inequality and the War in Gaza are connected and must be confronted as one. Urquiza invoked Martin Luther King Jr. the real Dr. King, he said, rather than a sanitized presentation of his views to drive home this idea, telling the crowd he would be right here in the streets with us if alive today and quoting his remark that capitalism has outlived its usefulness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Samuel Scarborough, a UNC student who distributed literature for the Union of Southern Service Workers at the protest, said he is not concerned about rhetoric on Palestinian issues alienating moderates who might otherwise oppose Trumps policies so long as the left can creatively connect the issues that are facing working class Americans here to what is going on in Gaza. He referenced Kings belief that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. I felt very excited seeing the amount of people out there and also the number of organizations because Im starting to see the networks, especially around labor here locally, get really firm, Scarborough said. In the circles that Im involved with, I think theres going to be heightened resistance [to Trump.] He said the student movement that has swept college campuses since 2023 in protest of the Israeli offensive into Gaza provides a strong foundation for the fight against Trumps policies, comparing it to the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee of the 1960s that formed a key pillar of both the American Civil Rights Movement and the opposition to the Vietnam War. Trump is not an individual. Trumpism, MAGA, is a movement, and the only way to stop a movement is with a counter-movement, he said. If we do not come together collectively and form that counter-movement, this countrys is going to continue shifting rightward and we are going to see fascism, unabridged, more and more in the coming days. Members of the Idaho Legislature listen to the governor give his State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, from the House chamber at the Idaho Statehouse in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) The Idaho House of Representatives voted largely along party lines Tuesday to pass a new bill that would create a mandatory minimum fine of $300 for anyone convicted of marijuana possession. Following a lengthy debate at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise, House members voted 54-14 to pass House Bill 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, sponsored House Bill 7. Skaug said an unnamed judge requested he bring the bill to establish a mandatory minimum fine of simple marijuana possession of 3 ounces or less. Rep. Bruce D. Skaug, R-Nampa, listens to proceedings on the House floor at the Idaho Capitol on April 6, 2021. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun) Skaug said passing the bill is a way to be tough on marijuana in an environment where most of Idahos neighboring states allow recreational or medicinal cannabis. Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Montana and allow for the recreational use and sale of cannabis, while Utah offers medical cannabis. Skaug said several law enforcement organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police, support the bill, as do several Republican organizations. And the state GOP, with a resolution, supports being tough on marijuana and keeping marijuana from becoming normalized in our state, and use of it, Skaug said Tuesday. Not long ago, all 50 states of this nation outlawed marijuana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tell me what state anybody who debates against this bill what state is a better place because of the passage of marijuana legalization? Skaug asked. I submit none. Opponents of marijuana bill question need to take away judges discretion during sentencing House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, argued against passing the bill Tuesday. Rubel said there is no reason to take away judges discretion and implement mandatory minimum fines. Rubel said many Idahoans, including disabled U.S. Air Force veteran Jeremy Kitzhaber, would like to be able to use cannabis medically to treat pain and stimulate their appetite. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Kitzhaber, who has stage four cancer, testified last week before a legislative committee that his doctors told him they wished medical cannabis was a legal treatment option for Kitzhaber, who lost more than 40 pounds while going through chemotherapy treatments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Kitzhaber) is in constant agony, and his only alternative is opioids, which completely destroyed his system, Rubel said Tuesday. Hes actually had to be hospitalized several times from the impact the opioids have on his system, and really the only safe painkiller he can take is cannabis. Again, this bill is not about medical cannabis, but it is about whether were going to make the lives of folks like Sgt. Kitzhaber even harder, Rubel added. Idaho House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, (right) leads an Idaho Democratic Caucus press conference on Jan. 6, 2025, at the Statehouse in Boise. (Pat Sutphin from the Idaho Capital Sun) In the end, five House Republicans joined the nine Democrats in opposing the bill. Reps. Kevin Andrus, R-Lava Hot Springs; Robert Beiswenger, R-Horseshoe Bend; David Cannon, R-Blackfoot; Jack Nelson, R-Jerome; and Mark Sauter, R-Sandpoint, joined Democrats in opposing the bill. Sauter said he opposed the bill after checking with a judge in his home district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years marijuana mandatory minimum fine bill is similar to an unsuccessful bill Skaug pushed last year, House Bill 606, that would have created a mandatory minimum fine of $420 for marijuana possession. Last year, the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee killed House Bill 606 after several legislators complained about taking away judges discretion. House Bill 7 heads next to the Idaho Senate for consideration. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Isreal Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi resigned on Tuesday as he blamed himself for failures in Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Halevi said his resignation will be effective March 6, according to a letter he sent to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. IDF Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, the commanding officer of Israel's Southern Command, also turned in his resignation, over the failures of Oct. 7, but did not give a date on when he will leave the position. Halevi's resignation would take place as the first stage of a cease-fire deal with Hamas had ended. Halevi had said in the past on several occasions that he planned to take responsibility for military failings that allowed Hamas to successfully attack Israel and take hostages 13 months ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On the morning of Oct. 7, under my command, the IDF failed in its mission to protect the citizens of Israel," Halevi said in his letter, according to CNN. "The State of Israel paid a heavy and painful price in lives lost, in those taken hostage, in the wounded -- both physically and mentally." Halevi said he also had been mounting pressure from far-right conservative members of Netanyahu's governing coalition who saw him as unwilling to go further in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank than they would like. Amid a tightening global gas market, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has urged global cooperation to ensure the security of supplies. In its quarterly gas market report released in Paris on Tuesday, the IEA highlighted efforts from the past year to enhance market transparency, data sharing, and cooperation mechanisms for both natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). But the intergovernmental body warns that as global demand continues to rise and supply grows more slowly, the natural gas market will remain tight through 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine at the start of the year has not yet posed an immediate risk to European supply, the IEA said that this could drive up LNG demand in Europe and further tighten market conditions. Growth in Asia drives gas demand Asia's rapidly expanding markets were a significant driver in global gas demand, which grew by 2.8% last year. At the same time, the IEA said the below-average LNG production growth led to a tight supply while extreme weather events added further strain to the market. This trend is forecast to continue, with new LNG export capacities, particularly in the US and Qatar, only expected to come into operation in the latter half of this decade. Gas replaces oil The IEA also pointed to the growing role of natural gas as a replacement for oil in various sectors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Middle East, the switch from oil to gas in the electricity sector is progressing, the IEA said, while in China, gas-powered trucks are increasingly replacing diesel vehicles. As weather extremes intensify, natural gas is playing an increasingly vital role in ensuring the stability of electricity supplies, according to the report. Illinois joined three Western states on Tuesday in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of President Donald Trumps executive order ending birthright citizenship. The children born in the U.S. to immigrants are entitled to the rights and privileges that go along with U.S. citizenship, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a news release. A separate lawsuit against the order, aimed at the children of non-U.S. citizens, was filed in Massachusetts by 18 other states. Raouls office didnt immediately respond to a question about why he signed onto the lawsuit filed in federal court in Seattle along with the states of Washington, Arizona and Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit argues the president cant decide who should be granted citizenship at birth or override the guarantees provided in the Constitutions 14th Amendment, while also saying the presidents order was strictly a means to achieve a political goal. President Trumps public statements make clear that he wishes to end birthright citizenship purely as a policy tactic to purportedly deter immigration to the United States, the lawsuit argues. The White House said the lawsuits against Trumps order are nothing more than an extension of the Lefts resistance, according to The Associated Press. Radical Leftists can either choose to swim against the tide and reject the overwhelming will of the people, or they can get on board and work with President Trump, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields told the AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. The White House plans to reinterpret the term subject to the jurisdiction thereof so that birthright citizenship would no longer be recognized by the federal government for children born in the U.S. to parents without legal status. The lawsuit filed in Washington notes that there are no exceptions listed in that part of the Constitution based on citizenship or immigration status of parents. The phrase subject to the jurisdiction thereof refers to an extremely limited number of individuals including the children of diplomats covered by diplomatic immunity or children born to enemy combatants, the lawsuit said. In addition to the Constitution, the lawsuit draws on the Immigration and Nationality Act and two Supreme Court decisions. It names Trump, the federal government and a number of other federal officials and departments as defendants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Illinois in 2022, more than 9,000 U.S. citizen babies were born to mothers who lacked legal status and more than 5,000 U.S. citizens were born to two parents without legal status, according to the lawsuit. Those numbers are a conservative estimate of the number of children statewide who might be affected by Trumps order, the lawsuit said. Martin Redish, a Northwestern Pritzker School of Law professor with expertise in federal courts and constitutional law, said the issue of birthright citizenship is not a difficult constitutional question. I readily can see there are parts of the Constitution that are ambiguous and cryptic, Redish said Tuesday. This isnt one of them. Trumps order to end birthright citizenship would harm children who remain undocumented, in part because it could risk future work authorization, access to banking and federal assistance, the lawsuit argues. It would also harm state programs, the lawsuit said, both by stripping federal funding tied to immigration status and making people rendered noncitizens more reliant on state benefits in lieu of federal ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit including Illinois, which asks the court to temporarily prevent Trumps order from taking effect while the case is being argued, was filed in a federal court that is under the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. The lawsuits from 22 states total against Trumps order on birthright citizenship were in addition to separate suits filed by organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union. A majority of American adults oppose ending birthright citizenship, polling from The New York Times conducted earlier this month found. Trumps order drew widespread criticism this week from Democratic leaders in Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday called the order unconstitutional, adding: We will not follow an unconstitutional order. We stand up for the rule of law in the state of Illinois. And we will protect people in the state of Illinois, according to the law and the Constitution, he said. Trump, for his part, acknowledged early on that the order would likely face legal challenges. We think we have very good (legal) grounds, Trump previously said. People have wanted to do this for decades. While the conservative-supermajority Supreme Court has sided with Trump in the recent past, Redish said he had trouble believing theyd support the president on this particular action. After the immunity decision, you might say all bets are off, but this is qualitatively different than that, Redish said, referring to the high court decision last year granting broad immunity for presidential actions. Immigrant communities across the country have been bracing for Donald Trumps avalanche of anti-immigration actions, which are already drawing legal fire and constitutional challenges while stranding thousands of people across the U.S. Mexico border, desperate for a better life. In Chicago, where Trumps border czar Tom Homan promised to launch the presidents mass deportation operation, community groups have been preparing know your rights training and fielding dozens of questions from immigrants and their families about what the future holds, including what happens if federal law enforcement agents descend in their schools and workplaces. I think the idea that there is some sort of an emergency here in Chicago will come as a surprise to people who live here, Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at the ACLU of Illinois, told The Independent. Asylum seekers react as they wait for news on their CBP One appointments January 20. Moments after Trumps inauguration, all appointments were canceled (AFP via Getty Images) I think the only emergency is the fear and confusion among people who are here looking for a better life for themselves and for their families, he said. Its the fear of kids who are going to school and worried about raids thats the emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legal arm of Chicagos Latinos Progresando, based in the citys historically Mexican immigrant Little Village neighborhood, has been focused on rapid response legal services and connecting DACA recipients with federal agencies to process their renewal requests before Trump takes office. Theres a lot of unknowns we thought that mass deportation was going to be ground zero here, so folks have been preparing for that, and the questions have been like, What does that mean? What happens to my kids? chief programs officer Nubia Willman told The Independent. There was this belief that maybe there was only going to be a certain group of people that were going to be targeted. And I think now folks are understanding that this is going to be much more expansive and not necessarily precise, Willman said. If you dont have status, if youre not a citizen, I think everyone is understanding that they may be at risk. Trumps 10 orders include a national emergency declaration to surge troops to the border and erect physical barriers. Another clarifies that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution does not recognize citizenship for children born to parents who arrived in the country without legal permission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another order reinstates the Remain in Mexico policy to force people to stay on the other side of the southern border while their immigration cases are pending with U.S. courts and authorities despite no agreement with Mexico to do so. The administration is also freezing asylum claims a right guaranteed under both U.S. and international law and pausing a decades-long refugee resettlement program for at least four months. A migrant seeking asylum in Matamoros, Mexicoh olds up the CBP One app showing his appointment was canceled after Trump was sworn into office (AP) Trump is also ending the CBP One app, which has been used by more than 900,000 people to schedule appointments with immigration authorities at the southern border since it was introduced in January 2023. Roughly 270,000 people on the other side of the border were trying to get an appointment through the app when it was abruptly shut down on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The app was effectively the only way that people living outside the country could request an appointment at an official port of entry to begin their asylum claims and immigration paperwork, but was falsely characterized by Trump and his allies as a fast track for illegal immigration. On Monday, a notice on the apps website said that the app is no longer available and all appointments have been cancelled without notice. At ports of entry across the southern border, where hundreds of people were lined up for their appointments, they all received the same message: Existing appointments through CPB One are no longer valid. Another woman and her two minor children, who have been embroiled in a long-running lawsuit over constraints on asylum claims, were scheduled for their appointment on January 25. It is now cancelled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The app had previously processed up to 1,450 people seeking asylum each day. But as a result of the appointment processs elimination, the right to seek asylum at the border no longer exists, no matter how great the danger faced by migrants, including families with children, a group of civil rights attorneys wrote in a court filing on Monday. Marcela Medina and her husband Enrique Corea of Venezuela react to seeing that their appointment was canceled on the CBP One app as they wait near the border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico on January 20 (AP) Last week, Chicagos City Council voted 39-11 to block a vote on an amendment to the citys so-called sanctuary ordinance that would allow police to work with federal immigration authorities in cases in which undocumented immigrants have been arrested or convicted of certain crimes. Chicago police do not document immigration status nor share information with federal immigration authorities, but the agency will not intervene with other government agencies performing their duties in the city, according to a spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are limits to immigration enforcement and if its appropriate and where its appropriate. If those limits are crossed, we will look to enforcement mechanisms, Yohnka told The Independent. But I think its hard to even speculate on what that might look like. Trump has promised to carry out mass arrests and deportations targeting millions of people across the country. Homan has repeatedly said that U.S. citizen children could end up being detained and deported alongside their noncitizen parents, while families have asked for clarity from advocates and legal groups about the specter of immigration raids that could target workplaces, schools, and places of worship. It destroys the communities by destroying the lives of people, said Mario Garcia, executive director of Chicagos Onward House, a nonprofit group that supports asylum seekers. Its going to be devastating to business, its going to be devastating to the social fabric, and its going to impact women and children in particular, he told The Independent. Protesters gather in Chicagos Federal Plaza during Trumps inauguration ceremonies on January 20 (AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krish OMara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Global Refuge, said Trumps attempts to address immigration requires the precision of a scalpel, not the blunt force of a sledgehammer. A sweeping enforcement dragnet that doesnt distinguish between serious offenders and those who have become valuable community members without incident for decades would be cruel and counterproductive, she said in a statement shared with The Independent. Our nations strength lies in thoughtful, targeted solutions, not indiscriminate policies that abdicate our moral obligations, shatter lives, and devastate local economies. The return of Remain in Mexico and freezing of asylum claims is deja vu of the darkest kind, she said. Barely 24 hours into his second term, President Trump is already seeking to implement his harmful, racist, anti-immigrant agenda with these executive actions, said Amy Fischer, director of Amnesty International USAs refugee and migrant rights program. Upending asylum law will only exacerbate the chaos across the country and the humanitarian crisis at the border, she said. LARS HAGBERG/Getty Images An event horizon is the point in a black hole from which there is no getting away. I am currently in the Canadian bureaucracys version of it. One government department owes me thousands of dollars. Another, the provincial department in charge of adaptive equipment, needs me to attend at least one costly medical appointment to prove despite having all the paperwork already that my brain damage hasn't been magically cured and I do, in fact, qualify for the partial funding of a wheelchair lift so I can leave my house without risking injury. Why am I telling you this? Because, much like the last time Donald Trump rose to power, interest in fleeing across the United States border to Canada is growing. In 2016, Canadas immigration authorities were unprepared for the onslaught of interest in the immediate aftermath of Trumps victory; there was so much interest, it caused Canadas immigration website to crash. In the current political moment, when transphobia, ableism, and the prospect of further destruction of American health care and education runs rampant, its easy to understand why people might see Canada as a great alternative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meesha Moulton, a dual citizen and immigration lawyer based in Nevada, feels a lot of the US-to-Canada immigration chatter is the expression of emotion rather than a serious indication of peoples intent to move: I think it's an easy way to kind of express their distaste with what's happening in the US. Because the actual process of immigrating to a different country is not necessarily the easiest. And," Moulton continues, "I think the immigration system is kind of stigmatized at the moment. But if you go through it properly, it is not easy to get immigration, whether that be in Canada or the US. The downstream benefits of having Canada's maple leaf-embossed passport are, on the face of it, obvious: Both Canada and the US share a language, in many ways we have a shared economy, expertise can be transferable, and the immigration process to Canada is a lot clearer than the administrative hellscape that is the American process. But life in Canada isnt as idyllic as Americans may think. Lets start with health care. I live in the province where Tommy Douglas, the founder of socialized medicine in the country, rose to prominence. Little-known fact: Before changing his tune, Douglas had been a big proponent of eugenics early in his career, writing a masters thesis called The Problems of the Subnormal Family. Discrimination is as Canadian as maple syrup, poutine, and our really annoying geese sorry about those. The expanded access to medical assistance in dying (MAiD) is one example of why Id argue that the Canadian system despite protesting otherwise seems to prefer disabled people were a) quieter or b) dead. Beyond these existing barriers, Moulton says, health care policies such as broadly available maternity leave and a system of emergency medical care that is less likely to leave you in crushing debt are still net positives. We also have stronger gun laws, even if they are less contentious politically than in the United States, dramatically reducing the threat of gun violence in schools and other public places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That doesn't mean hate isnt a concern for many Canadians, though; the level of vitriol directed toward marginalized communities by politicians and the general public is only getting worse as soon-to-be former Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government falters and populist conservative Pierre Poilievre bides his time until the next federal election. That trip to the polls is less than a year away. The Canadian government, long known for having fairly open immigration policies, is slashing the number of spots available, and provinces like Quebec where it is illegal to wear a hijab, among other religious garments, if you hold a public sector job are drastically reducing the opportunities available to potential immigrants. Canada may seem welcoming, but historically, this country has preferred to rebrand American hatred rather than outright reject it. Canada imprisoned Japanese Canadians and excluded Chinese people from immigrating during the mid-20th century. Canada also had a residential school system that relentlessly tried to strip Indigenous Canadians of their culture, amid conditions that killed many Indigenous children; the last of these schools closed in the mid 1990s, but the effects are still being felt as these communities work to revitalize their land, languages, and livelihoods. Canadas provinces are increasingly instituting exclusionary policies for trans children in schools while also, in some areas, boosting funding to private schools at the expense of public education. Any of this sound familiar? Becki Young, co-managing partner at the Washington, DC-based firm Grossman, Young & Hammond, recently held a session that focused on what Americans looking to immigrate should know. One draw, she says, is that the Canadian immigration process is clearer, and moving to Canada may feel like less of a transition than moving to other popular countries like Spain or Portugal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would say that, really, in the months leading up to the election, we had a huge uptick in inquiries about emigrating outside the United States," Young tells Teen Vogue. "Outbound immigration, not only to Canada, but to various other countries. [Canada] is perceived as being a kinder, gentler place. It's also geographically convenient, right? You're not so far from your family and friends if you were to immigrate to Canada. Young also feels that a lot of the current conversations about immigration stem from fear, particularly for those who are part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Young and her colleagues have had people ask whether they should get married before Trumps inauguration in order to protect themselves should the Respect for Marriage Act fall. There's a lot of fear and concern that in this country we're going to be backtracking on advancements that we've made in that regard, Young explains. Of course, regardless of the current political environment, there will continue to be large swathes of people who gaze across the border literally and figuratively with envy. For people making that choice, Moulton advises, make sure you have researched what is drawing you toward Canada beyond polarizing headlines. If the political aspect is very important to you, then I could understand why Canada looks like a good option," Moulton says. "Whether you're going to Canada or anywhere else, I think it's important to really learn the country and learn what issues they're facing as well. Youngs advice, meanwhile, is to put serious effort into going beyond perceptions and digging into whether Canada (or another country) will be a good fit for you. After thats settled, she suggests, speak to a lawyer in Canada to better understand what steps you need to take. It's never a quick, easy, and cheap process to immigrate to another country, she says. "So make sure that this is something you actually want to do spend some time there, get to know the country and the culture before you make a decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canada is a place that likes to paper over its cracks by comparing itself to its southern neighbor. Although America is currently a scary place to be, Canada isnt a utopia, not even on its best days. Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Want more Teen Vogue immigration coverage? Press Release January 21, 2025 Dela Rosa resolution honors 3 uniformed personnel for neutralizing Zamboanga's most wanted criminals Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on Monday sponsored a resolution commending three uniformed personnel for neutralizing two of the most wanted criminals in Region XI. Dela Rosa sponsored proposed Senate Resolution 1270 and was adopted by the Senate during the plenary session on Monday. The resolution commends Police Senior Master Sergeant Ryan Mariano and Bureau of Corrections officer Melvin Magnaye for the "heroism" and "courage" they exhibited when they were able to put down the riding-in-tandem who were tagged as wanted by the Philippine National Police over their involvement in drug trafficking and several shooting incidents. "We mourn our law enforcers, our heroes that we have lost. Their heroism and love for country and peace will never be forgotten. We honor them. For those who were fortunate to have survived the perils of fighting crimes, we should do the samewe honor them," Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, said in his sponsorship speech. "Without the bravery of PSMS Mariano and boldness of Correction Officer Magnaye, these two criminals would have continued to pose a significant threat to public safety and security," he added. On December 31 last year, the two most wanted criminals in Zamboanga Peninsula shot Mariano when the latter was rendering the New Year's eve duty at Mount Carmel Parish Church. Magnaye, who was passing by the area when the incident happened, covered for Mariano who, at that time, was already shot on his chest and leg. "Mahirap po ang buhay ng isang pulis. Nagkalat po ang banta mula sa mga kriminal at mga nagnanais na mantsahan ang malinis na reputasyon. Hindi po nagsisilbing pananggalang ang uniporme na kanilang isinuot sa araw-araw. May bigat po itong taglay, at iyon ay ang responsibilidad na maging mabuti at marangal sa lahat ng pagkakataon," the former national police chief stressed. For Dela Rosa, it is time to give honor for the gallantry of the two uniformed personnel as this unpleasant incident showed their grit and determination to serve and protect the public. "It showed their extraordinary ability to swiftly perform their sworn duty of ensuring public safety, and their ability to go well beyond it. It is one thing to perform one's duty, to execute the tasks demanded of us by the very jobs we have sworn to fulfil. However, it is another thing altogether to rise above the bare minimum and to do even more than what is required in one's occupation," he said. Likewise, Dela Rosa acknowledged Zamboanga City Police Director Kimberly Molitas for her leadership, saying her foresight in deploying PNP personnel during the New Year's eve mass helped in providing safety and security to the churchgoers and the community. "There is no greater amount of nobility than to give one's life to protect another. However, we would always want and pray that in the process of keeping others from harm, our law enforcers live and tell the tale," he said. CONNECTICUT (WTNH) Promised words to secure the border were put on paper and into action within minutes of President Donald Trumps second term, declaring a national emergency at the U.S. Mexico border. I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country, Trump said. Extremely concerned and ecstatic: Connecticut officials weigh in on Trumps inauguration Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president said the process will begin to send anyone in the country illegally back to their country of origin. This administration has New Haven Immigration Attorney Damjan DeNoble taking a step back. I dont want to be in that business, not right now until I figure out what exactly is the truth of it all, DeNoble, who works for Frontera Labor, said. DeNoble said he will continue to work with immigrants on H-2B visas, that allows employers to temporarily hire foreign workers. He said for now he will not be working with new clients on family immigration cases due to expected big changes in law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Things come up that shouldnt be coming up and you as the lawyer become the person that everybody is mad at, and I dont want to be in that position and moreover I dont want to take peoples money, DeNoble said. I cant promise you the process is going to be smooth because the process is going to be new. From everything weve heard its going to be very new like never seen before. DeNoble spent nearly a decade doing removal or deportation defense and worked on the Mexico border in refugee camps and in southern detention centers. Now in Connecticut, he said call volumes increased significantly after the election. These anxiety calls from people that applied for different programs in the last four years and wanted to figure out, can I move this along faster, DeNoble said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the nation waits to see what Trumps next steps will be, local experts we spoke to said expect changes. I suspect he will start with violent criminals who are undocumented immigrants and expand from their gradually and then worry about what the price tag will be for going further, Quinnipiac University Political Science Professor Scott McLean said. The administration got very good at slowing down the immigration process that was a goal and I think were going to see right away a slow down, DeNoble said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) Solving the illegal immigration crisis is a priority for both President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. A special session will be held on the issue in less than one week on Jan. 27. Florida officials react to Trump inauguration DeSantis has released his special session proposals on immigration, which include law enforcement compliance, criminal penalties for illegal entry, educational and voting reforms, and even appointing a state immigration enforcement officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, there are a few bills already filed for both the upcoming special session and in the spring. After being sworn in, the 47th president announced his plans to declare a national emergency at the southern border. And with efforts to aid the Trump administration, Governor Ron DeSantis is calling on the state legislature to help tackle this issue. We are not approaching the new administration in a lackadaisical fashion, we in Florida have a sense of urgency to accomplish this mission, DeSantis said. One state lawmaker is proposing an immigration-related bill that could impact state schools and universities. Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state, giving Trump the first member of his Cabinet Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With urgency, State Senator Randy Fine (R-Brevard) refiled Senate Bill 90, which looks to repeal in-state tuition for students who are in the country illegally, for the special session. It turns out, when you file bills sometimes, your constituents give you even better ideas, Fine said. After speaking with constituents, Senator Fine now looks to prohibit illegal aliens from applying to some Florida universities. Senate Bill 244 bans any Florida college or state university with an acceptance rate below 85% from admitting illegal aliens. State House Democrats dont seem to be on board with the call for a special session or immigration education reforms. This is an area where Floridas perspective doesnt always square with the national one, said State Representative Fentrice Driskell (D-Hillsborough). Its always been a bi-partisan effort to make sure these students could have tuition; in fact, Governor DeSantis own Lt Gov. Jeanett Nunez is the one who led the way to have legislation to where we could have tuition for the dreamers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Lt. Governor Jeanett Nunez spoke out in support of the special session, sharing in a post on X, Its time to take on these new proposals and repeal existing laws that incentivize illegal immigration. Now that President Trump is officially sworn in, and the special session is one week away, we could start to see even more bills and proposals from state lawmakers on immigration. Copyright 2025 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 WFLA. Sarah Campbell Kier, a 90-year-old Valdosta, Ga., resident, chats with Abby Jones, a delivery driver with Barnes Drug Store pharmacy. Kier has relied on the store for prescription medication home delivery. (Photo by Nada Hassanein/Stateline) VALDOSTA, Ga. Abby Jones first stop of the day delivering medication was the home of 90-year-old Sarah Campbell Kier. Come in! yelled Kier. Jones didnt have to knock. Kier had the screen door open and was waiting for the Barnes Drug Store driver, who also had delivered Kiers thyroid medication the day before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I appreciate you bringing my medicine, darling, said Kier, a retired school cafeteria worker. She sat on the couch by her walker, writing a $3 check for her prescription B12 supplement. Kier is having surgery later this month, and said she is glad she can rely on the drugstore for pre- and post-op medication management. Kiers family has been buying from Barnes Drug Store since she was a child living in the countryside. We had to come to town to get our food and medicine, she said. Barnes Drug Store is an independent pharmacy in the south Georgia town of Valdosta thats been serving the community for a century. The family-run business used to have six pharmacies. It now has just one. Independent drugstores are closing at an alarming rate about one a day in 2023 squeezed by the huge companies that reimburse pharmacies for costly medications. Sarah Campbell Kier, 90, holds a prescription delivered by Barnes Drug Store, in Valdosta, Ga. (Nada Hassanein/Stateline) But with each closure, a community loses more than another place where they can buy medicine. Experts say independent drugstores are more likely to know their patrons, offer health and medication counseling, and, crucially, serve communities in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2023 study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that the estimated 15.1 million Americans who rely on independently owned pharmacies are more likely to have lower incomes, live in rural areas and to be at least 65 years old. Their health is more complicated, and theyre more likely to need one-on-one counseling to juggle multiple medications. As a result, those communities already vulnerable to lack of care are hardest hit when independent pharmacies shutter. Lower drug reimbursements compared with those offered to chain pharmacies, such as CVS and Walgreens, are a big factor. Theyre going to close. If theyre relying on insurance, its not sustainable, said Dima Mazen Qato, a University of Southern California clinical pharmacy and spatial sciences professor who studies pharmacy access. In recent studies, Qato and her team found independent pharmacies were more likely to close compared with chain pharmacies and they were more likely to shutter in Black and Latino communities already facing disproportionate barriers to care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You would think there would be more accountability for ensuring that the pharmacies providing care for these patients are protected from closure, Qato said. In Valdosta, Georgia, a city of 55,000 not far from the Florida state line that is surrounded by rural counties, many residents lack transportation and suffer chronic health conditions that require medication. Fifty-six percent of Valdostas residents are Black, and many of the surrounding communities, such as Echols and Hamilton counties in North Florida, are home to migrant workers. Delivering prescriptions to a roughly 30-mile radius, Barnes Drug Store serves as a cornerstone for the area, where many towns lack a hospital, pharmacy, pediatrician or primary care provider. Charles Barnes III, owner of Barnes Drug Store, strolls through the store on a recent morning. (Nada Hassanein/Stateline) Last year, Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp vetoed a bill that would have required the states health insurance program for teachers and state workers to reimburse independent pharmacies at the same rate as chain pharmacies, saying the initiative would be too costly and was unaccounted for in the budget. The bill had received bipartisan, almost unanimous support in the General Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have no negotiation power, said Ben Ross, president and board chair of the Georgia Pharmacy Association, which represents pharmacists across the state. We definitely have a reimbursement issue, where pharmacies are struggling not because of volume, not because they dont have the patients, but because of the reimbursements that were being paid by the PBMs, he added. Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, are companies serving as pharmaceutical middlemen. They manage insurance companies prescription drug benefits, processing between 80% and 90% of prescriptions dispensed nationwide. They decide how much to reimburse a pharmacy for each prescription. Big chains such as CVS and Walgreens routinely get better reimbursements than independent drugstores. Ross, a second-generation pharmacist, runs Forest Heights Pharmacy in the eastern Georgia town of Statesboro. Hes also a partner in seven other pharmacies most of them in rural parts of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If these pharmacies in these communities close, Ross said, what are these patients in these communities supposed to do? Taking a risk to help patients At Springfield Pharmacy in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, owner Chichi Ilonzo Momah estimates that up to 30% of medications she fills are reimbursed for less than what they cost. In the past year, she said, three independent pharmacies in her area have closed. Recently, even though she knew a pregnant patients insurance wouldnt cover an RSV vaccine, she gave her the shot anyway. Im taking a risk, Momah said, knowing that if a reimbursement wouldnt go through and the patient couldnt pay, she would be in the red. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Momah opened Springfield Pharmacy 13 years ago, and the store primarily serves the uninsured, as well as a large immigrant and refugee population. Shes formed trusted relationships with residents over the years. At times, shes called to remind customers to take their medications if she knows theyve been prone to forgetting, and theyll often seek her advice on medications and vaccines when theyre skeptical or confused. Thats what happens when theres a trusted voice in the community, Momah said. If Chichi says its OK, its OK. Theyre asking me, just like the way my aunt will ask me, or the way my mother-in-law asks me, the way my dad would ask me. When Stateline called her, the pharmacist was packing prescriptions for a patient on 14 medications. If I put it in 14 vials, he can get confused. Hes 82 years old, so I put it in adherence packaging that says, Monday morning, Monday evening, she said. That right there you cannot put a price tag. The PBMs cant pay for that. Its customized care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent months, Momah has had to start turning some patients away. That broke my heart. Some of them, I couldnt even tell them. I had to have my staff do it, because Ive known them for 13 years. Ive hand-delivered medications to their homes, she said. I dont understand why in America, the PBMs dont answer to somebody. Because pharmacies are going to continue to close. Pharmacy deserts In a December letter to the incoming Trump administrations proposed government efficiency committee, the National Community Pharmacists Association, which represents independent pharmacies across the nation, urged President-elect Donald Trump to rein in the three PBM conglomerates: CVS Healths Caremark, Cigna-owned Express Scripts and UnitedHealths Optum Rx. The association said regulating the PBMs would save taxpayers $5 billion. We are up against these giant, vertically integrated health care conglomerates, and so thats tough, Ronna Hauser, the associations senior vice president of policy and pharmacy affairs, told Stateline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greg Lopes, a spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which represents PBMs, argued that they alone arent to blame for pharmacy closures, saying they are finding ways to support rural pharmacies. There are many factors for pharmacy closures, including population. Pharmacy benefit managers are supporting community pharmacies in rural areas through programs that increase reimbursements, he wrote in a statement to Stateline. But a scathing Federal Trade Commission report released Tuesday builds on a previous report that found PBMs had received 68% of the revenue from dispensing specialty drugs in 2023. The new report found that PBMs appear to be steering patients to their own affiliated pharmacies for the most profitable drugs, and away from unaffiliated, independent pharmacies. The closures, and the responses, are happening all over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Alabama, 21 community pharmacies and a dozen chain pharmacies closed across Alabama last year alone, according to the Alabama Pharmacy Association. If you take care of all patients like we always have, youll go out of business, said Bobby Giles, a pharmacist and the associations government affairs director, adding that Medicaids fixed-rate reimbursements are in general higher than what PBMs pay pharmacies in his state. We, as pharmacists, are literally asking for you to pay us the same rate of reimbursement that the poorest of the poor and the sickest of the sick in our states insurance pays, Giles said. Some states have taken steps in recent years to support independent pharmacies. Last fall, Louisiana Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed an emergency contract that aims to improve reimbursement rates for independent pharmacies. In 2019, Illinois started a critical access pharmacy program, allowing small community pharmacies serving Medicaid patients to receive supplemental money from the state. Two years later, Tennessee passed a law that prohibits PBMs from reimbursing pharmacies below acquisition costs. Both rural and urban pharmacies are closing their doors, though its happening slightly faster in rural communities, research shows. Nearly 16 million Americans live in pharmacy deserts across the nation, and on average, communities that are uninsured and that are more racially diverse disproportionately lack access to pharmacies. Loryn Brown poses for a photo at Barnes Drug Store in Valdosta, Ga., where she works as a staff pharmacist. (Nada Hassanein/Stateline) I would love to see more legislative initiatives bolstering rural pharmacy, said Carpenter. She noted that pharmacists cant bill health insurance companies for the counseling and education they do on a daily basis, which Carpenter said would help bring in more revenue. Personal service Pharmacist Tyler Young and his wife bought Hines Prescription Shop in Barnesville, Georgia, an hour south of Atlanta, in 2021. Barnes told Stateline he takes a $75 loss on Ozempic prescriptions for one months supply per patient. Young, 31, grew up around the pharmacy. His mom was a certified pharmacy technician and worked at Hines Prescription Shop. His freshman year of college, he got a part-time job at the shop. Seeing the impact that the local community pharmacy had on their town really drove me to be involved in this profession, said Young, who also owns Roberta Drugs, another pharmacy he and his wife purchased in 2019. We knew that it was possible, even with some of the challenges that we faced, it was still possible to serve our communities how we wanted to, he said. On a recent morning back at Barnes Drug Store, Robert Morrison, 69, waited in the store lobby for his prescription to be filled. As a teenager, Morrison worked for Barnes delivering medicine. Lifelong Valdosta, Ga., resident Robert Morrison, 69, had a liver transplant five years ago and gets most of his medication prescriptions from Barnes Drug Store, a local independent pharmacy where Morrison used to work a part-time job as a teenager, delivering prescriptions. (Nada Hassanein/Stateline) He had a liver transplant five years ago, and with 10 to 12 different prescriptions, Morrison said he sometimes gets his medicines mixed up and asks the staff for help. Its a good thing for the neighborhood, said Morrison, a yard worker. Ive been dealing with them a long time. Staff pharmacist Loryn Brown said she often counsels customers on their medications and symptoms. Ive sent numerous patients to the ER because of high blood pressures that they didnt realize were actually an emergent situation, Brown said. Back at Kiers home in Valdosta, Kier reflected on the pharmacy closures across her state. Thats so sad, she said, thinking about residents unable to get their medications. Uh-uh I dont feel good, Kier continued, because I dont want my Barnes to close. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sarah Campbell Kier, a 90-year-old Valdosta, Ga., resident, chats with Abby Jones, a delivery driver with Barnes Drug Store pharmacy. Kier has relied on the store for prescription medication home delivery. (Nada Hassanein | Stateline) VALDOSTA, Ga. Abby Jones first stop of the day delivering medication was the home of 90-year-old Sarah Campbell Kier. Come in! yelled Kier. Jones didnt have to knock. Kier had the screen door open and was waiting for the Barnes Drug Store driver, who also had delivered Kiers thyroid medication the day before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I appreciate you bringing my medicine, darling, said Kier, a retired school cafeteria worker. She sat on the couch by her walker, writing a $3 check for her prescription B12 supplement. Kier is having surgery later this month, and said she is glad she can rely on the drugstore for pre- and post-op medication management. Kiers family has been buying from Barnes Drug Store since she was a child living in the countryside. We had to come to town to get our food and medicine, she said. Barnes Drug Store is an independent pharmacy in the south Georgia town of Valdosta thats been serving the community for a century. The family-run business used to have six pharmacies. It now has just one. Independent drugstores are closing at an alarming rate about one a day in 2023 squeezed by the huge companies that reimburse pharmacies for costly medications. Sarah Campbell Kier, 90, holds a prescription delivered by Barnes Drug Store, in Valdosta, Ga. (Nada Hassanein | Stateline) But with each closure, a community loses more than another place where they can buy medicine. Experts say independent drugstores are more likely to know their patrons, offer health and medication counseling, and, crucially, serve communities in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2023 study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that the estimated 15.1 million Americans who rely on independently owned pharmacies are more likely to have lower incomes, live in rural areas and to be at least 65 years old. Their health is more complicated, and theyre more likely to need one-on-one counseling to juggle multiple medications. As a result, those communities already vulnerable to lack of care are hardest hit when independent pharmacies shutter. Lower drug reimbursements compared with those offered to chain pharmacies, such as CVS and Walgreens, are a big factor. Theyre going to close. If theyre relying on insurance, its not sustainable, said Dima Mazen Qato, a University of Southern California clinical pharmacy and spatial sciences professor who studies pharmacy access. In recent studies, Qato and her team found independent pharmacies were more likely to close compared with chain pharmacies and they were more likely to shutter in Black and Latino communities already facing disproportionate barriers to care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You would think there would be more accountability for ensuring that the pharmacies providing care for these patients are protected from closure, Qato said. In Valdosta, Georgia, a city of 55,000 not far from the Florida state line that is surrounded by rural counties, many residents lack transportation and suffer chronic health conditions that require medication. Fifty-six percent of Valdostas residents are Black, and many of the surrounding communities, such as Echols and Hamilton counties in North Florida, are home to migrant workers. Delivering prescriptions to a roughly 30-mile radius, Barnes Drug Store serves as a cornerstone for the area, where many towns lack a hospital, pharmacy, pediatrician or primary care provider. Charles Barnes III, owner of Barnes Drug Store, strolls through the store on a recent morning. (Nada Hassanein | Stateline) Owner Charles Barnes III, 78, said his grandfather opened the pharmacy in 1909, passing it down through generations. We know the families that come to our store, he said. His son, Charles Barnes IV, is the CEO. The family-run business has diversified its services, with other locations that offer home infusion and respiratory therapy services, helping the company, Barnes Healthcare Services, stay afloat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp vetoed a bill that would have required the states health insurance program for teachers and state workers to reimburse independent pharmacies at the same rate as chain pharmacies, saying the initiative would be too costly and was unaccounted for in the budget. The bill had received bipartisan, almost unanimous support in the General Assembly. If these pharmacies in these communities close, what are these patients in these communities supposed to do? Ben Ross, president and board chair of the Georgia Pharmacy Association We have no negotiation power, said Ben Ross, president and board chair of the Georgia Pharmacy Association, which represents pharmacists across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We definitely have a reimbursement issue, where pharmacies are struggling not because of volume, not because they dont have the patients, but because of the reimbursements that were being paid by the PBMs, he added. Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, are companies serving as pharmaceutical middlemen. They manage insurance companies prescription drug benefits, processing between 80% and 90% of prescriptions dispensed nationwide. They decide how much to reimburse a pharmacy for each prescription. Big chains such as CVS and Walgreens routinely get better reimbursements than independent drugstores. Ross, a second-generation pharmacist, runs Forest Heights Pharmacy in the eastern Georgia town of Statesboro. Hes also a partner in seven other pharmacies most of them in rural parts of the state. If these pharmacies in these communities close, Ross said, what are these patients in these communities supposed to do? Taking a risk to help patients At Springfield Pharmacy in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, owner Chichi Ilonzo Momah estimates that up to 30% of medications she fills are reimbursed for less than what they cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past year, she said, three independent pharmacies in her area have closed. Recently, even though she knew a pregnant patients insurance wouldnt cover an RSV vaccine, she gave her the shot anyway. Im taking a risk, Momah said, knowing that if a reimbursement wouldnt go through and the patient couldnt pay, she would be in the red. Momah opened Springfield Pharmacy 13 years ago, and the store primarily serves the uninsured, as well as a large immigrant and refugee population. Shes formed trusted relationships with residents over the years. At times, shes called to remind customers to take their medications if she knows theyve been prone to forgetting, and theyll often seek her advice on medications and vaccines when theyre skeptical or confused. Thats what happens when theres a trusted voice in the community, Momah said. If Chichi says its OK, its OK. Theyre asking me, just like the way my aunt will ask me, or the way my mother-in-law asks me, the way my dad would ask me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Stateline called her, the pharmacist was packing prescriptions for a patient on 14 medications. If I put it in 14 vials, he can get confused. Hes 82 years old, so I put it in adherence packaging that says, Monday morning, Monday evening, she said. That right there you cannot put a price tag. The PBMs cant pay for that. Its customized care. In recent months, Momah has had to start turning some patients away. That broke my heart. Some of them, I couldnt even tell them. I had to have my staff do it, because Ive known them for 13 years. Ive hand-delivered medications to their homes, she said. I dont understand why in America, the PBMs dont answer to somebody. Because pharmacies are going to continue to close. Pharmacy deserts In a December letter to the incoming Trump administrations proposed government efficiency committee, the National Community Pharmacists Association, which represents independent pharmacies across the nation, urged President-elect Donald Trump to rein in the three PBM conglomerates: CVS Healths Caremark, Cigna-owned Express Scripts and UnitedHealths Optum Rx. The association said regulating the PBMs would save taxpayers $5 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are up against these giant, vertically integrated health care conglomerates, and so thats tough, Ronna Hauser, the associations senior vice president of policy and pharmacy affairs, told Stateline. Greg Lopes, a spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which represents PBMs, argued that they alone arent to blame for pharmacy closures, saying they are finding ways to support rural pharmacies. There are many factors for pharmacy closures, including population. Pharmacy benefit managers are supporting community pharmacies in rural areas through programs that increase reimbursements, he wrote in a statement to Stateline. But a scathing Federal Trade Commission report released Tuesday builds on a previous report that found PBMs had received 68% of the revenue from dispensing specialty drugs in 2023. The new report found that PBMs appear to be steering patients to their own affiliated pharmacies for the most profitable drugs, and away from unaffiliated, independent pharmacies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closures, and the responses, are happening all over. In Alabama, 21 community pharmacies and a dozen chain pharmacies closed across Alabama last year alone, according to the Alabama Pharmacy Association. If you take care of all patients like we always have, youll go out of business, said Bobby Giles, a pharmacist and the associations government affairs director, adding that Medicaids fixed-rate reimbursements are in general higher than what PBMs pay pharmacies in his state. We, as pharmacists, are literally asking for you to pay us the same rate of reimbursement that the poorest of the poor and the sickest of the sick in our states insurance pays, Giles said. Some states have taken steps in recent years to support independent pharmacies. Last fall, Louisiana Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed an emergency contract that aims to improve reimbursement rates for independent pharmacies. In 2019, Illinois started a critical access pharmacy program, allowing small community pharmacies serving Medicaid patients to receive supplemental money from the state. Two years later, Tennessee passed a law that prohibits PBMs from reimbursing pharmacies below acquisition costs. Both rural and urban pharmacies are closing their doors, though its happening slightly faster in rural communities, research shows. Nearly 16 million Americans live in pharmacy deserts across the nation, and on average, communities that are uninsured and that are more racially diverse disproportionately lack access to pharmacies. Loryn Brown poses for a photo at Barnes Drug Store in Valdosta, Ga., where she works as a staff pharmacist. (Nada Hassanein | Stateline) Delesha Carpenter, a professor and director of the Rural Research Alliance of Community Pharmacies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, said her surveys of community pharmacies have found the stores taking hundreds of dollars of losses per prescription as a result of inequitable reimbursements. I would love to see more legislative initiatives bolstering rural pharmacy, said Carpenter. She noted that pharmacists cant bill health insurance companies for the counseling and education they do on a daily basis, which Carpenter said would help bring in more revenue. Personal service Pharmacist Tyler Young and his wife bought Hines Prescription Shop in Barnesville, Georgia, an hour south of Atlanta, in 2021. Barnes told Stateline he takes a $75 loss on Ozempic prescriptions for one months supply per patient. Young, 31, grew up around the pharmacy. His mom was a certified pharmacy technician and worked at Hines Prescription Shop. His freshman year of college, he got a part-time job at the shop. Seeing the impact that the local community pharmacy had on their town really drove me to be involved in this profession, said Young, who also owns Roberta Drugs, another pharmacy he and his wife purchased in 2019. We knew that it was possible, even with some of the challenges that we faced, it was still possible to serve our communities how we wanted to, he said. On a recent morning back at Barnes Drug Store, Robert Morrison, 69, waited in the store lobby for his prescription to be filled. As a teenager, Morrison worked for Barnes delivering medicine. Lifelong Valdosta, Ga., resident Robert Morrison, 69, had a liver transplant five years ago and gets most of his medication prescriptions from Barnes Drug Store, a local independent pharmacy where Morrison used to work a part-time job as a teenager, delivering prescriptions. (Nada Hassanein | Stateline) He had a liver transplant five years ago, and with 10 to 12 different prescriptions, Morrison said he sometimes gets his medicines mixed up and asks the staff for help. Its a good thing for the neighborhood, said Morrison, a yard worker. Ive been dealing with them a long time. Staff pharmacist Loryn Brown said she often counsels customers on their medications and symptoms. Ive sent numerous patients to the ER because of high blood pressures that they didnt realize were actually an emergent situation, Brown said. Back at Kiers home in Valdosta, Kier reflected on the pharmacy closures across her state. Thats so sad, she said, thinking about residents unable to get their medications. Uh-uh I dont feel good, Kier continued, because I dont want my Barnes to close. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ROME India has been granted observer status on the four-nation Eurodrone program which is edging towards completion. India joins Japan as observer on the project launched by Italy, France, Germany and Spain and run by Europe-based contracting agency OCCAR to build a MALE drone that will give Europe greater autonomy in the drone sector. Developed by Airbus, Frances Dassault Aviation and Italys Leonardo, the Eurodrone, with a wing span of 26 meters, will specialize in long-endurance Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an October visit to Leonardo facilities in Italy, Eurodrone program officials inspected the mission computer and Gabbiano electronically scanned radar due to be installed on the platform. Prime contractor Airbus has stated the Eurodrone will be able to fly in non-segregated airspace, carry weapons, offer naval anti-submarine warfare as well as electronic-warfare capabilities, featuring a 2.3 ton payload, 40 hours of autonomy and 45,000 feet maximum altitude. Twin turboprops are positioned behind the wing in a pusher configuration. The development follows years in which EU states dragged their heels on joint drone development. Launched in 2015, the Eurodrone program originally aimed for a first delivery in 2025, although entry into service is now planned for 2029. Pauly Denetclaw ICT WASHINGTON It was a frigid, rainy Sunday in Washington, D.C. The weather would eventually turn into hail, then sleet. The line to attend Donald J. Trumps victory rally on Jan. 19 wrapped around several blocks in the Penn Quarter neighborhood around the Capital One Arena. The area was heavily patrolled by local police, Secret Service and the National Guard. Cement barricades and tall, black, temporary fences restricted movement. Under a rainbow umbrella, Michelle Martin, Navajo, was braving the winter weather with her two friends Shealyn Galindo and Frances Mariano, both Navajo. The trio had driven more than 2,000 miles and 30 hours from Bloomfield, New Mexico, in a motorhome to attend the inauguration and watch Trump take his oath of office. It is awesome to see people of all colors, all walks of life, here and coming here to support Donald Trump, Martin said. The line for the "Make America Great Again Victory Rally" wrapped around several blocks in the Penn Quarter neighborhood on January 19, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Pauly Denetclaw, ICT) Indigenous Trump supporters offered a number of reasons why they championed the 47th president of the United States, from the economy, supporting troops, to restricting women's bodily autonomy. Their hopes for the upcoming administration is to strengthen the economy, build infrastructure, support tribal sovereignty, funding for Indian Health Service and address illegal immigration. Martin wore a red knit headband. Trump was written in all caps across the front and underneath it said, Make America Great Again. She wore silver cluster earrings with light pink stones. Hopefully he'll hear us when it comes to healthcare. Indian Health Service across the nation getting the funding, and for him to have a working relationship with the new, incoming IHS director across the cabinet, all of the people that come to represent the Indian nations across the United States, Martin said. Martin, Galindo and Mariano are all women of faith. They hope that Trump brings God and faith back to America. We are going to pray for our president, because that's what they tell us in the Bible, pray for your leaders, she said. We are loved by God, and we don't need separation in politics, in any place, even in the workplace. Martin does hope that Trump gives people who have immigrated here legally and contribute to this country a chance. There are people that were here for a long time, and they work hard. They work and (don't) just deport them because they come from a different country, she said. Later Sunday evening, in a warmer setting, the Navajo Nation Washington Office hosted an inauguration reception to welcome President Donald J. Trump and the 119th Congress. For three hours, Indigenous attendees and allies from across the country gathered on the 9th floor of the American Psychology Association building next to Union Station. The atmosphere was light and jovial. August Remedy, a Navajo gospel band, played music in the background. New faces and some familiar like Arizona Rep. Eli Crane, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren Navajo Nation Speaker of the House Crystalyne Curley, former Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer, acting Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Mercier, and Heather Dawn Thompson, former director of the office of tribal relations at the USDA, walked amongst the crowd. Arizona U.S. Rep. Eli Crane, a far-right Republican, attended the Navajo Nation Washington Office's Inaugural Reception on January 19, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Pauly Denetclaw, ICT) A large backdrop congratulating President Donald J. Trump hangs on one side of the Heritage Foundation's building in Washington, D.C. The foundation created and released Project 2025. (Pauly Denetclaw, ICT) Quinton Kyle Kine is a Navajo medicine man from the small, rural community of Steamboat, Arizona. He supported Trump because of unclarified problems that exist today that didn't exist four years ago. I voted for President Trump because I do believe that our country deserves a better way of life. There are a lot of problems now, Kine said. I'm not going to go into detail, but the problems that we have now are far beyond the problems we had four years ago. Kine hopes that Trump supports tribal sovereignty. Trump has a mixed record on supporting tribal sovereignty. I would love President Trump to address sovereignty. I believe that sovereignty is on thin ice, he said. Mike Woestehoff, Navajo, was helping to campaign for Trump on the Navajo Nation. He said that two of the major issues were the economy and access to abortion care. The affordability factor during the Biden administration was really kind of stretching our wallet, Woestehoff said. We're also hearing some of the social issues, Navajo people are pretty respectful of life in the womb. Michael Stopp, Cherokee, hopes the Trump administration reduces the regulatory burden on tribal nations. We want to see that regulation go away. We want to see some of it streamlined. We want to see efficiency in Indian programs, Stopp said. One of my personal hopes and I've talked to everyone who's working on Indian policy in the Trump administration has to do with the (Department of Governmental Efficiency) concept. In Indian Country, you have so many Native or tribal programs that are over every agency, no one can tell you what they all are. No one's tracking all of them, and no one can tell you if they're efficient, if we're doing duplication. Stopp will be one of a handful of Indigenous people who will be attending the exclusive Liberty Ball on Monday night. It is one of only three official inaugural balls, and tickets are given by the Presidential Inaugural Committee in consultation with the President-elect. The Liberty Ball is for Trumps supporters and he will be giving an address. Jeremiah Cota, San Carlos Apache, wear his "Make America Great Again" hat to the Navajo Nation Washington Office's Inauguration Reception on January 19, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Pauly Denetclaw, ICT) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeremiah Cota, San Carlos Apache, was part of a small group that wore Trump merchandise. He came to the nations capital all the way from Phoenix, Arizona. I'm here to support President Trump, Cota said. I was onboard early with his agenda, Making America Great Again. As a tribal member, I want to make sure that our voices are heard in the upcoming administration. Cota didnt attend Trumps first inauguration in 2017. He was excited to be in the city for this years festivities. He hopes that Trumps administration will address economic development and increasing opportunities in tribal communities as well as building infrastructure. (Trump) has done things like economic opportunity zones, Cota said. If we can do things like that on tribal communities, that would be amazing to see. In 2017, Trump rolled out tax incentives to encourage private investments in low-income communities. The goal was to drive economic growth in these areas. It was a bipartisan legislation that has since been critiqued for not accomplishing its intended goal, and instead lining the pockets of wealthy investors whose housing projects would have been built regardless, according to PBS News. Cota was excited to be attending the inauguration and received a ticket to stand on the Capitol lawn. Unfortunately, the last-minute change to indoors meant he lost his spot. On Sunday night Cota said he planned to head to the Capital One Arena for the public viewing of the inauguration. Quintin Kyle Kine, a Navajo medicine man, voted for now-President Donald J. Trump. He attended the Navajo Nation Washington Office's Inaugural Reception on January 19, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Pauly Denetclaw, ICT) On a colder Monday morning, the streets around the arena were packed with police, National Guard troops, Secret Service members, spectators and vendors. The scene was overwhelming and loud organized chaos really. Weaving through the crowd was Darnell Cooper, Navajo, who is a District local. Cooper is a Navy veteran who served around a decade before she was honorably discharged. I always think it's important for my kids to get to experience what DC has to offer while we're out here, Martin said as she maneuvered around vendors and other spectators. She is a mother of five and a home educator. Following close behind Martin was her 17-year-old son. As part of her at-home curriculum, Martin took her son to attend the public viewing of the inauguration. I try to get my kids out as much as I can for educational purposes. I homeschool, so I make sure that they are able to attend as many of the historical events that are out here, she said. This wasnt Martin or her sons first inauguration. Theyve attended multiple ones, as far back as Barack Obama. I am a veteran, and I support the president, whoever it is, Martin said before she rejoined the line that would wrap around another two blocks. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter. Jan. 20Come April, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center for the first time in more than a decade will have a new leader at its helm. The center announced Monday its current chief operating officer Monique Fragua will step into the role of president and CEO of IPCC and Indian Pueblos Marketing. Current President and CEO Mike Canfield in September announced his retirement after 12 years leading the center. Canfield will work with Fragua to ensure a smooth transition into the role, which she will start on April 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Her dedication and forward-thinking approach has contributed to the successful completion of numerous projects and the launch of new business initiatives," a Monday news release stated. "Her commitment to IPCC's nonprofit mission is unwavering." Fragua, of Jemez Pueblo, is a chair for the pueblo's Housing Authority, a trustee for the Albuquerque Community Foundation and a board member of Homewise, a local mortgage lender. "Her contributions reflect her deep-rooted commitment to service and community enrichment, values that will continue to guide her leadership and advance IPCC's mission," the news release states. IPCC itself was founded in 1976 by the 19 pueblos in New Mexico. Its for-profit counterpart, Indian Pueblos Marketing, was also founded then to provide Indigenous economic opportunities, according to IPCC. By Divya Chowdhury and Haripriya Suresh DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Infosys expects the way the tech industry manages talent to shift and has already begun experimenting with how this transformation will occur, its chief technology officer said in an interview Davos, Switzerland. India's No.2 software services exporter is one of several IT companies that use the 'pyramid' model - where a company employs the highest number of staff at entry level, and fewer at each subsequent level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This model, which allowed IT companies the scale they needed to become tech behemoths, could now change. "I think see the talent model will undergo some change. What shape and form it comes (in), I think, that's something that we'll have to see," Infosys CTO Rafee Tarafdar told the Reuters Global Markets Forum. "We are experimenting internally," he said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum's annual meeting at Davos. Jobs in the tech industry were expected to be impacted from the use of generative AI, but Tarafdar said the situation is continuing to evolve as the company has had to create roles that previously did not exist, such as in responsible AI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Infosys is trying to ensure upskilling of its staff while simultaneously creating specialists in new roles, Tarafdar said. "In that way, I would say between the continuum, everybody is moving - either re-skilling or evolving their current skills, or we are hiring completely new type(s) of people," he said. Infosys recently built four small language models for banking, IT operations, cyber and enterprises broadly, which it said it is providing as a service to clients. Looking ahead, Tarafdar expects more talent will be required in the areas of responsible AI and model engineering. (Join GMF, a chat room hosted on LSEG Messenger, for live interviews: ) (Reporting by Divya Chowdhury in Davos and Haripriya Suresh in Mumbai; Editing by Jan Harvey) Puff Cannabis Company offers a lounge for customers to wait before purchasing. The dispensary is mere minutes from the Indiana state border. (Elijah Poe for Indiana Capital Chronicle) Statehouse Reps. Sue Errington and Jim Lucas couldnt be more different. On almost everything. One is progressive. One is conservative. Lucas is a Second Amendment absolutist and Errington believes in reproductive choice. But they agree on legalizing marijuana in the Hoosier state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One study found that Indiana could profit $171 million off of the tax model for marijuana that Colorado has set up, according to pro-legalization group Indiana Cann. Thats a number that is too big to ignore, Lucas said. Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, speaks on the House floor on Feb. 16, 2023. (Courtesy Indiana House Republicans) Errington does not mince words. She knows every state surrounding Indiana has legalized marijuana in some form. Its frustrating. We always have things we need money for, Errington said in a recent interview. Gov. Mike Braun has said he is open to discussion of legalizing medical use, but not recreational. Republicans still hold a supermajority in Indiana and full-fledged legalization with a tax system is currently unlikely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray said he was not for any form of marijuana legalization at the 2024 Dentons Legislative Conference. Bray also said people havent come to him with medical cases that would push his hand. Lucas, though, has had one of those impactful interactions. Several years ago, he was at his business when an elderly gentleman came in. He was a Vietnam veteran who wanted to thank Lucas for his marijuana work. Lucas said the veteran was going to Veterans Affairs and had been for some time, and he said he had issues with prescribed medication he was unable to take. However, the veteran smoked marijuana every day, and said it greatly helped his anxiety and depression. This guy starts breaking down and cries right there in front of me, a Vietnam veteran, Lucas said. He said, I am tired of feeling like a criminal, and that put everything into perspective (for me) from that moment on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lucas said he started campaigning for medical marijuana once he educated himself on what it does for certain conditions. I just think it is criminal that the state of Indiana is criminalizing people that simply want a better quality of life, Lucas said. Lucas had THC the active ingredient in marijuana in his blood the day he was arrested for hitting a guardrail and driving the wrong way on an interstate entrance ramp, according to a state toxicology report. Much like Lucas, Errington has heard similar stories. The District 34 representative, which includes portions of Delaware County, supports medical and adult use of marijuana. Errington once only supported medical marijuana, but said she changed her mind about adult use by listening to the people. Sen. Sue Errington, D-Muncie. (Photo from Indiana House Democrats) (People talk) about their (post-traumatic stress disorder) and how they believe that would help them because theyve seen it help others in other states where its legal, Errington said. People tell me about their children who have epilepsy, and how they believe that if they could try it, it would help control or eliminate some of the episodes of epilepsy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So its just different kinds of medical conditions that led me to begin to look at it and hear peoples stories about how theyre frustrated because they maybe have relatives in another state where its legal. They see that that person is able to get relief, and they cant unless they break the law here in Indiana. Michael Hicks, a Ball State University economics professor, said that although the taxing of marijuana does not necessarily boost the economy, it does offer extra tax dollars. People are probably not smoking more marijuana, it is just being taxed, Hicks said. Hicks said the $171 million estimate would be a small drop in the bucket in the overall tax system, but would allow the state to spend more money on addiction services, child support or whatever the state decides on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It allows the state to be collecting revenue on activity thats already happening, Hicks said. Activity is already happening in the states surrounding Indiana. Michigan, Illinois and now Ohio have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Kentucky has legalized medical marijuana which will go into effect in 2025. How surrounding states tax Marijuana, and how they benefit Michigan voters approved Proposal 1 with a 56-44 margin on Nov. 6, 2018, legalizing marijuana in the state. It was the tenth state to do so, and the first to legalize marijuana in the Midwest. Michigan is headed by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency and has a 10% retail sales tax on top of the sales tax on marijuana. Michigan divides its recreational marijuana tax simply. The Dude Abides is based on the movie The Big Lebowski and has a location in Sturgis, MI, along with other locations across Michigan. (Elijah Poe for the Indiana Capital Chronicle) About 15% goes to municipalities with marijuana retail stores or microbusinesses. The allocated proportion is based on the number of such stores or microbusinesses in that municipality. Another 15% goes to counties where the stores or microbusinesses are located allocated the same way as for municipalities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thirty-five percent goes to the School Aid Fund for K-12 education. Another 35% goes to the Michigan Transportation Fund for the maintenance and repair of roads and bridges. These percentages are broken down and more than $87 million was sent to 269 local units of government. Ninety-nine cities, 30 villages, 69 townships and 71 counties benefited in the 2023 fiscal year. Another $101.6 million was sent to the School Aid Fund and $101.6 million went to the Michigan Transportation Fund. The tax funding for municipalities and counties that comes from the marijuana excise tax is a very important benefit of the legal cannabis industry in Michigan, said Cannabis Regulatory Agency Executive Director Brian Hanna. The CRA is committed to doing our part in supporting our licensees so that they can continue to grow the local economy throughout the state with good-paying jobs and increased revenues for local government budgets. This is a potential model that Indiana could mirror. On the other side of Lake Michigan, Illinois offers a different model in how it distributes and breaks up the tax on marijuana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 2% goes to public education and safety campaigns. This can cover food programs, and before and after school programs. Eight percent goes to the Local Government Distributive Fund, specifically for the prevention and training of law enforcement. Twenty-five percent goes to the Recover, Reinvest, and Renew (3R) Program. According to the Illinois government, this program grants funds to Illinois communities harmed by violence, excessive incarceration, and economic disinvestment. Twenty percent goes to mental health services and substance abuse programs. Ten percent goes to unpaid bills. The remainder heads to the General Revenue Fund. The total sales tax on marijuana collected $417.6 million in 2023 for the state of Illinois, per the Illinois Department of Revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Errington said comparing to what other states are bringing in, that tax money would help the state of Indiana out in a multitude of ways through programs and more. Although states around Indiana could push the Hoosier state to legalize marijuana, that has never been a factor for Lucas, but he did say it puts pressure on the state. What could be next for Indiana? Errington said she prefers the Cannabis Regulatory Agency in Michigan as a model for Indiana. She would set up the agency with an advisory committee to set rules and regulations. They would decide how many dispensary licenses there would be, how much it would cost, how the plants are to be grown and more. It would be everything about cannabis, Errington said. The Cannabis Regulatory Agency manages business applications, types of businesses, types of establishments and more. It regulates through different licensing groups from a marijuana grower to a marijuana secure transporter and everything in between. Puff Cannabis Company is just one mile off the Indiana/Michigan state border, roughly a three-minute drive from the state line. (Elijah Poe for Indiana Capital Chronicle) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cannabis Regulatory Agency also has a slew of videos covering its process and rules in its video library. Errington anticipates a three-year timeline for legalization if her proposed framework marijuana bill is passed. [It] sets up the legal framework, the regulatory framework for cannabis for when it does become legal, Errington said. I am hoping it will pass this year and next year it will be in place. The following year would be for medical marijuana, maybe both in 2026. Lucas said he wants to see regulation ensure a safe industry, but not so large that it allows a black market to thrive. He also wants to ensure that growth and licensing fees are reasonable to create a fair market. We need to set a decent fee, kind of like our alcohol permits, Lucas said. Hicks, the economist, said the implementation of rolling out the tax could be straightforward with taxes already being placed on other products like tobacco and alcohol. He said it would require a roadmap leading to a regulatory framework, much like what Errington proposes. If you look at places that have legalized marijuana like Colorado, Washington, and California you see it took them a few years for them to build their mechanism to do that, he said. I dont think that would be necessarily very difficult for Indiana to do. Hicks said he has a hunch that the legalization of marijuana could look like alcohol did. Just like states changed their alcohol restrictions one by one, the same could happen with marijuana. Both Errington and Hicks said Hoosiers are making the trip and spending their money in other states instead of Indiana since there is no legalization of marijuana. This was another reason for Erringtons passionate stance on the legalization. Errington said one point of interest for tax revenue would be preschool and kindergarten to help develop young minds early. She also pointed to substance abuse centers as another way to spend profits on a marijuana tax. The possibilities are vast. There are many things we could use additional funding for, Errington said. Lucas said he would like to see tax revenue go to counseling for addiction, which in return would free up more money to be dispersed elsewhere. Errington plans on pitching another marijuana bill in the 2025 legislative session and said she plans to push for legalization. Sometimes it takes more than one try, Errington said. And I do not give up easily. As a Republican, Lucass stance on marijuana might not align with every party member, but he encourages others to educate themselves on the impacts it could have. It is not just the medical benefits, (its) the fact that nobody in recorded history had died from cannabis, Lucas said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Boards set up outside the storefront of Drumbeat, a Native American goods store located in Phoenix, display missing people posters of Indigenous people from tribal nations across Arizona. Reva Stewart displays the missing person posters to help raise awareness. Photo by Shondiin Silversmith | Arizona Mirror It has been nearly two years since the predatory practice that intentionally targeted Indigenous people by offering them shelter, food and rehabilitation help they never got was exposed and state officials moved to shut it down. In 2023, Gov. Katie Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) announced the existence of the fraudulent sober living homes in the state after more than a year of Indigenous advocates voicing their concerns within their communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scheme harmed thousands of Indigenous people who have either been killed, drugged, physically hurt, gone missing or were left on the street and abandoned in the city after falling victim to the scam. There was so much harm, Attorney Dane Wood said, and that harm is why his law firm BrewerWood filed a class action lawsuit against the state for negligence and misconduct over how it handled the fallout from the fraudulent sober living homes. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX He said the goals of the fraudulent facilities were purely financial. The Indigenous people who they targeted in order to take advantage of their government health care benefits did not get any real help, Wood added, noting that the state was very much aware of it in the early stages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit states that the grossly negligent and indifferent misconduct of the State of Arizona, including state agencies AHCCCS and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), has caused thousands of Indigenous people to suffer and incur horrific injuries, deaths, dangerous drug addictions, fraudulent mental health services, homelessness, and other damages. Wood said they have collected countless stories of the harm the fraud has caused among Indigenous people. The suit breaks those victimized into four subclasses: wrongful death, injury, displacement and services not rendered. The total number of people harmed isnt known, Wood said, because the state hasnt disclosed that information. But from their research, he said it is in the vicinity of about 7,000. Arizona is culpable for creating the crisis, the lawsuit states, noting that the sober living crisis grew worse even after the state knew about the extreme magnitude of the fraud and harm as far back as the summer of 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claims that the states failure to respond to the fraud caused the sober living crisis and allowed the harm to grow, spread, and flourish at unprecedented catastrophic levels. Advocate Reva Stewart has been at the forefront of the crisis for several years, and she first spoke out about the fraud to the state during a public hearing held by Arizonas Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force in November 2022 on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Her public concerns were voiced nearly six months before Hobbs and Mayes announced the states acknowledgment of the fraud. She continues her advocacy efforts to help people impacted by the sober living crisis through her non-profit Turtle Island Women Warriors. Her group, Stolen People Stolen Benefits, prioritizes helping any Indigenous person affected by the ongoing scheme. So, when the BrewerWood law firm reached out to Stewart about her expertise on the online crisis, she hesitated to speak with the lawyers because she was unsure if it was the best move for the people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont trust anybody, she said, and she wanted to ensure that any litigation was in the best interests of the people impacted. Stewart said she decided to help with the lawsuit because so many Indigenous people have died due to the fraudulent homes, so many have been reported missing and continue to go missing. The state is not taking responsibility for what they did, Stewart said, adding that theyve known about it for years and let it get out of hand. I want them to be held accountable, she added. I want accountability for every single person that was affected by this. Stewart said she couldnt comment on how she is helping with the lawsuit, but she has shared the information she has gathered over the years, including the stories of people directly impacted by the fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said that the state could have ended it when they found out about the fraud in 2019, but they chose not to. That decision means Indigenous people have died and billions of dollars have been stolen. Stewart said there are so many parts of the sober living crisis that have not been addressed by the state, including the deaths and how its led to an influx of other substance abuse problems among individuals who were seeking help from the homes. Theyve only really approached the fraud aspect of it, she said, adding that she hopes the lawsuit will shed light on the situation and help people better understand the severity of what has happened because so much is going unreported. Stewart said she has counted nearly 2,000 deaths related to the fraud and she knows that number will only go up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart still works to help the Indigenous people victimized by the scam in Arizona because it is still happening. She said her small teams recent outreach efforts included handing out care packages to more than 260 people. The numbers are rising again, she added. Something has to give, and with the lawsuit, I pray that happens. The lawsuit states that at no time has the State of Arizona suggested, intimated or even hinted at the concept that it was responsible for harm caused to Native Americans. The state has not been accountable to those families under our legal system of compensating them for the harm that has already occurred, Wood said. The lawsuit does not state a dollar amount for compensation. Hobbs: AZ is continuing to take action When the state announced its crackdown on sober living homes, many initiatives were launched to take action against fraudulently operated homes, including investigating and shutting fraudulent homes, creating a statewide hotline to provide resources to the individuals impacted and reorganizing AHCCCS policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arizona Mirror asked AHCCCS to comment on the lawsuit. The agency said it could not comment on the pending litigation but provided a joint statement with ADHS. Addressing behavioral health fraud remains at the forefront of our efforts, the agencies said. Governor Hobbs and State Agencies have acknowledged the pain and suffering associated with behavioral health fraud and the significant impact on Tribal nations in Arizona. The health agencies said that the Hobbs administration took swift action against the fraudulent providers, prioritized an emergency humanitarian response and continues to prioritize operational reform in collaboration with law enforcement and tribal partners. Our focus remains protecting the populations we serve, ensuring that Arizonans receive the vital care and services they need, and eliminating fraud, they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hobbs said in an interview with the Arizona Mirror that she could not comment on the lawsuit, but the state is still responding to the sober living crisis. Were doing everything we can to help folks whove been impacted by the situation, Hobbs said. Were continuing to take the administrative action that we feel is the right move to keep it from happening on the widespread scale that its been happening. Hobbs said that the states response was broad, which included shutting down any providers suspected of fraud and finding the loopholes allowing them to operate. The states broad response has been criticized, Hobbs said, but she feels they had to act to shut down the bad actors who were at the forefront of the fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state also launched a hotline for people impacted, implemented stricter provider enrollment and rolled out a humanitarian response to help the victims. There also were new initiatives to combat waste, fraud, abuse and exploitation, and legislation to bring transparency and accountability to Arizonas health care system. Hobbs acknowledged that the administration of her predecessor, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, learned of the fraud but did not act to halt it. She said she is not sure exactly how long the fraud has occurred, but it was primarily treated as a one-off situation rather than a sprawling fraudulent scheme in which bad actors are taking advantage of the system. We knew that that would probably be the harder path, that it would be more complex, and that there would be more fallout, Hobbs said. That included catching legitimate providers in the dragnet and Indigenous people being left without services. Were working through all that, she added. Were always going to try to do better, and there are certainly things that, if we had to do it again, we might do differently. Hobbs said the states response to the sober living crisis is not done, and its essential to keep tribal communities involved and engaged so they can work together to address the issue. An initiative Hobbs introduced as part of her executive budget to help sober living victims is the Sober Living Home Tribal Response Fund, which will direct $7 million to assist tribes in continuing to respond to this crisis. I know that more work must be done, Hobbs said. The Attorney Generals Office will lead the efforts to carry out the response fund. Providing support through grants In 2023, Mayes called the fraud a stunning failure of the government and said that their office would work to address it adequately. In the last two years, her office has prioritized cases involving fraudulent sober living homes. This has resulted in the indictment of several individuals for behavioral health fraud, the conviction and prison sentence of one case, and the forfeiture or seizure of more than $140 million worth of cash, real estate holdings, vehicles and luxury assets. My office will continue to investigate, aggressively prosecute, and demand justice from the bad actors who profited off of the exploitation of some of the most vulnerable members of our society, Mayes said in a statement to the Arizona Mirror regarding the class action lawsuit. As a way to help the tribal communities impacted by the fraudulent sober living home practices, the attorney generals office launched a $6 million grant program for tribal nations and non-profits. Every community deserves care they can trust, Mayes said in a statement announcing the program. This funding will help Tribal Nations provide much-needed support for individuals impacted by the fraudulent sober living home scandal. The Sober Living Home Support Program offers grants of up to $500,000 to tribal nations or non-profits working to provide compensation, remediation and supportive housing for those affected by the fraud. This grant program represents the commitment of the Attorney Generals Office to supporting communities that have incurred costs responding to the crisis, said Richie Taylor, a spokesperson for Mayes. He added that the grant programs funding is designed to alleviate economic loss and support recovery, and said it reinforces Mayes commitment to remedying the harm caused by fraudulent practices targeting Arizonas vulnerable communities. Attorney General Mayes wants Tribal nations and non-profits to know how deeply she cares about this issue and the challenges faced by tribal communities because of this crisis, Taylor said in a statement. She will continue to do everything in her power to pursue accountability and justice. The grant programs funding comes from the Anti-Racketeering Revolving Fund, which is a fund that consists of monies awarded through a court order to law enforcement agencies that perform investigations of racketeering crimes or crimes committed for financial gain. Currently, the grant program is only available for tribal nations and non-profits, not individuals directly harmed by the fraud. However, Taylor said tribal nations awarded funding could use the funds to provide compensation, remediation, or supportive housing for those affected by the crisis. Providing grants to Tribal nations and non-profits allows us to get resources to communities as quickly as possible, he said. We look forward to learning how tribal nations and non-profits intend to use any grant money awarded to them. This grant alone cannot fully compensate for the damages that Tribal communities have experienced, Taylor said. But it is a start. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's new President Prabowo Subianto plans to spend 48.8 trillion rupiah ($2.99 billion) through 2029 to build the new capital city "Nusantara", with a target of relocating the government there by 2028, the project's chief said on Tuesday. Construction of the $32-billion Nusantara in the jungle of Borneo island, a legacy project first started by former president Joko Widodo, began in 2022 after years of delay due to the pandemic. Widodo wanted to move the capital 1,200 km (745 miles) away from congested and sinking Jakarta in Java island, but analysts have predicted Prabowo would not be as ambitious as his predecessor for what could be a white elephant project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Widodo spent 75.8 trillion rupiah between 2022 and 2024 on the project, data from finance ministry shows. Nusantara authority chief Basuki Hadimuljono told reporters the next phase of construction would be focused on housing and office buildings for parliament and the judiciary as most offices for the executive branch of government were ready. The government would still work to attract private investment to help build the city, he said, adding that Malaysian company Citadel Group and other investors will soon break ground for their hotel, housing and office building investment worth total 6.5 trillion rupiah. ($1 = 16,330.0000 rupiah) (Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman; Editing by Tomasz Janowski) LOS ANGELES (KTLA) An 80-year-old internationally known art dealer from Los Angeles has been sentenced to two years in federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $13 million in restitution, officials announced earlier this month. Douglas J. Chrismas, president and CEO of Art and Architecture Books of the 21st Century, which operated out of Miracle Mile and Beverly Hills offices as Ace Gallery, was convicted in May 2024 by a jury of three counts of embezzlement of an estate in bankruptcy, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. The now 80-year-old opened his first gallery at the age of 17 in Los Angeles where hes lived since 1969 and has reportedly been embroiled in legal troubles ever since, the Los Angeles Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 40 years ago, he pleaded no contest to charges that he stole some $1.3 million worth of contemporary artworks, including one from Andy Warhol, who The New York Times reported had complained about not receiving payments from the art dealer. Douglas Chrismas seen in Los Angeles in April 2017. (L.A. Times via Getty In Feb. 2013, Ace Galley filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in federal court in Los Angeles while it continued to operate with Chrismas still in charge, prosecutors said. More than three years later, in March and April 2016, the art dealer embezzled $264,595 belonging to the Ace Gallery bankruptcy estate, including a $50,000 check Chrismas signed out of the estate and paid to Ace Museum, a separate nonprofit corporation he owned and controlled. Suspects allegedly posing as firefighters in Palisades had fake fire engine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors added that he embezzled another $100,000 owed to the bankrupt gallery from a third party who had purchased artwork and, again, deposited the funds in Ace Museum accounts he controlled. An additional $114,595 owed to Ace Gallery by a customer was used by Chrismas to keep up on Ace Museums $225,000 monthly rent. During his trial, one of his attorneys, Jennifer Williams, told the jury that her client didnt dispute any of the transactions and said that as the owner of the gallery he believed he could make loans himself to other companies within his gallery universe, The Times reported. At the conclusion of the four-day trial, the jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning its guilty verdicts. Instead of performing his fiduciary duty and properly managing the gallerys bankruptcy estate, this defendant chose to use funds that belonged to the creditors of the gallery to make them whole, but for his dream of an art museum that never came to be, said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. Todays sentence provides a just punishment for these crimes, which were brazenly undertaken by a thief who gamed a system designed to protect those in financial desperation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with a sentence of 24 months in federal prison, U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi ordered Chrismas to pay $12,809,192 in restitution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) A man was banned from Pennsylvania casinos for leaving an infant in a car for nearly an hour, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (The Board) said while banning dozens of people to start 2025. In their monthly meeting on Jan. 15, The Board approved adding 26 individuals to the involuntary exclusion list for in-person and online gambling for various reasons including fraudulent accounts and leaving children unattended while they gamble. Suspect in murder of rapper arrested by U.S. Marshals in Pennsylvania Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the man who allegedly left an infant in a car for 45 minutes while he gambled, three others were placed on the list for similar reasons. The Board said a couple left three children in a car on a hot day while they played slots at Valley Forge Casino Resort while another man was accused of leaving a 13-year-old unattended while he gambled at Live! Casino Philadelphia. Of the 26 bans, at least eight of them stemmed from fraud with iGamming, including one person who allegedly created 20 different accounts and fraudulently used other peoples credit/debit cards to gamble and withdraw money. Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices. The Board will hold another public meeting on Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. It was snowing hard on Jan. 19, 1988, when Susan Swedell finished her shift at Kmart in Oak Park Heights and headed toward home in Lake Elmo around 9 p.m. A half-hour later, a gas station attendant gave the 19-year-old permission to leave her overheated maroon 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass at the K Station, at the corner of Manning Avenue and Minnesota 5, a mile from her home. The clerk said she watched Swedell speak with a man and then get into his light-colored, older-model car. She hasnt been seen since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When police searched Swedells car the next day, they found her glasses, drivers license and purse. On Tuesday, the Washington County Sheriffs Office plans to share details of Swedells disappearance with inmates in the Washington County Jail in Stillwater via their Securus tablets. Each inmate is issued an in-house tablet after they enter jail; the tablets allow them to stay in touch with family through phone calls and messages, as well as view messages and announcements issued by the sheriffs office. Susan Swedells disappearance is still an open and active case, with detectives following up on tips and re-examining old ones, the sheriffs office said in a Facebook post. This year, detectives are hoping that technology within the county jail may generate the one lead they need to finally bring some peace to the Swedell family. Christine Swedell, 53, said Monday she is happy the sheriffs office continues to work on solving her sisters disappearance. If thats what they need to do to get going on things, I guess Im for it, she said. Anything that we can do to progress forward and to find Sue, Im for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She and her mother, Kathy, 81, lit a candle at 9 p.m. Sunday to mark the 37th anniversary of Sues disappearance, she said. Whats hard is the non-closure, Christine said. Generations of our family have died without knowing what happened to Sue, and I fear Im going to be one of them. Theres the constant non-closure, but we always have hope, of course. We always will. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the closure of the case. Anyone with information about Swedells disappearance can call the sheriffs tip line at 651-430-7850 or the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehensions tip line at 651-793-7000 or email bca.tips@state.mn.us. Tipsters can remain anonymous. Related Articles WASHINGTON After spending a good chunk of Saturday and Sunday in the rain and snow in frigid temperatures, supporters of newly inaugurated President Donald Trump were back in line outside Capitol One Arena at 6 a.m., Monday morning, in the hopes of seeing him speak on Inauguration Day. After schedule changes due to poor weather, the ceremony, which typically takes place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, was moved to the Capitol Rotunda with a much smaller audience. Those who stood in line were let into Capitol One Arena to watch the inauguration ceremony live and then later were visited by the president and his family, Vice President J.D. Vance, entrepreneur Elon Musk, FBI director nominee Kash Patel and others. However, Capitol One Arena seats 20,000, while the National Mall has seen crowds in the millions. So, starting in the wee hours of the morning, attendees squished into crowd control barricades in serpentine formation, to ensure their spot inside to see Trump and watch his inaugural parade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After his swearing-in at the Capitol Rotunda, and several more hours of ceremonial duties, Trump spoke to his supporters at the rally. He also signed nine official documents on stage, including one that overturned 78 executive orders signed by former President Joe Biden. Could you imagine Biden doing this? Trump said. I dont think so. Inauguration parade in Capitol One Arena honors man killed at Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump rally As the indoor parade got underway, members of the Fire and Rescue Services from Butler, Pennsylvania, were the first to walk across the floor at the Capital One Arena. They entered holding a firefighters uniform with the name Comperatore on the back, honoring Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old who was shot and killed during the assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in July. Also featured in the parade was the Middletown High School marching band, the Ohio school Vance attended. Trump thanks his family, signs a slew of executive orders When Trump took the stand, he recognized each of his family members and many of his team and thanked them for their help with his campaign. He said his son Barron Trump encouraged him to go on Joe Rogan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also invited on stage the family members of hostages held by Hamas, and they stood behind him during the remainder of his speech. He then signed executive orders on issues like illegal immigration, a federal government hiring freeze, a requirement for federal employees to go back to work in-person, and withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. Elon Musk praises American values, calls the election a fork in the road of human civilization Earlier in the day, after attending Trumps swearing-in, Musk spoke to those in the arena. He told them, One of the most American values that I love is optimism. Were going to make the future good. Were going to believe its good. Man, I cant wait. Inauguration attendees echoed the hope Musk talked about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Homkey, from upstate New York, said, Im just filled with gratitude, and hes (Trump) got great people behind him. Im just so excited, Homkey continued. I cant wait for everything to get back to semi-normal and make some sense. She expressed optimism about Trump changing DEI and gender-related policies. A man sings for people waiting in line outside the Capital One Arena on Donald Trump's Inauguration Day, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. | Eva Terry, Deseret News While waiting in line, 20-year-old Kylan, from Denver, Colorado, also expressed his optimism to the Deseret News about Trump helping to build a better economy for young people. Im not voting for a pious leader like that, Im voting for someone whos going to make a strong economy, he said. Having a leader whos strong, whos going to represent us with strength to foreign countries, whos not going to get pushed around, somebody whos going to stand up for us. Support from Southern California: I hope he will bring things back to normal Felipe Gomez and Nicole Xu flew to D.C. for the inauguration from San Diego, California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside the U.S. Capitol on Sunday night, Gomez and Xu explained why they made the long trek on one of the coldest days of the year. I went to UC Berkeley from 2012 to 2017, but when I was there, I saw everything, Gomez said. I was there in 2015 when Trump announced (his presidential run). We saw all these riots, we saw antifa smashing windows at my school. He continued, From then on, I started digging and digging and seeing through all the lies and propaganda, and since then, he said hes become the only Trump supporter and conservative in his family. Gomez believes Trump is a great example of the American dream. I think hes such a good role model for this country, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean, his grandparents were immigrants, they built successful businesses and they continued that. I mean, just look at his (Trumps) family. He has such a beautiful family, Gomez said. Xu explained how her support for Trump grew as she felt Democratic leaders in California and D.C. did too much. They took it too far, she said. Like at school, kids are forced to accept knowledge that theyre too young to understand. They (Democrats) just overcorrected. I hope Trump, when he goes back to office, I hope he will bring things back to normal. Xu added, even though Trump is such an old man, he still has so much energy. This drew a laugh from Gomez, and Xu added, He keeps learning, and really, hes not stubborn, she said, referencing his change in position on TikTok. Gomez agreed, adding, He adapts. After being sworn in, Trump calls for a revolution of common sense In his inaugural address, Trump reviewed his plans for the coming four years, including eliminating diversity initiatives, sending Americans to Mars, establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), increasing U.S. drilling and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peter Spira, from upstate New York, told the Deseret News, Trumps return to the nation is a return to the way the country used to work, which is a meritocracy. He said Trumps desire to move away from DEI initiatives in the federal government is returning the U.S. to the nations founding ideals. People work, and they succeed in this country. The ability of every American is to attain whatever they want. The harder they work, the more theyre going to accomplish and the safer theyre going to be, Spira said. Nichos Nicholaou, from Michigan, also agreed with Trumps call to return to a meritocracy in the U.S., calling the transition from Biden to Trump absolutely a change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Nicholaou, Trump represents getting back to American values, morals and what made America great. Inauguration-goers express their faith From Greensboro, North Carolina, Deanna Lovin said the best thing Trump could do in his presidency is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Im going to stand on it, because the scripture applies to everybody in this country, she said. Lovin quoted Psalms 20:7-8: The scripture says, Some trust in horses, some trust in chariots, but were going to put our trust in the Lord. President Trump, put your trust in and lean on the Lord, and you cant go wrong when you do that. Tony Gorrell, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, said, I believe that Trump will help bring God back into this country, not only in government but hopefully in our schools and all across. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued, Weve always been a country thats trusted in God, and we need to get back to those roots. After the parade and his remarks, Trump was slated to attend several inaugural balls on Monday night. NEWTON TWP., LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A homeowner is facing charges after police say he shot an Instacart driver who was delivering his groceries. According to Chief Paul Wolfe from the South Abington Police Department, officers received a call around 7:30 p.m. Saturday for a man shot in the leg at Misty Lane in Newton Township. Through further investigation, police said they learned that a woman ordered groceries via Instacart, but her husband, 43-year-old Nicholas Sabo was not aware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victim saved from embankment near Sheetz Sabos wife told him that there was a guy outside on their property, possibly breaking into their trailer not realizing that it was the Instacart driver, Chief Wolfe stated. Detectives said Sabo went outside with a gun and fired one shot at the unarmed driver, hitting him in the leg. Wolfe said the bullet traveled through the mans leg and struck him in the other leg. The victim got to his vehicle, drove down the street, and called 911. Chief Wolfe noted the Instacart drivers wife and child were in the vehicle at the time he was shot. The man was taken to an area hospital where he underwent surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sabo is currently being charged with recklessly endangering another person. Chief Wolfe says additional charges may be filed at a later date. Copyright 2025 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 PAhomepage.com. Hours after Donald Trump was sworn in as president on Monday, some Instagram and Facebook users started noticing that their accounts were suddenly following Pages associated with the new president, first lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The official POTUS and White House Facebook pages are owned and controlled by the current administration, so it's possible that some Facebook users were already following those accounts while President Joe Biden was in office and did not opt to unfollow them once they were transferred to the new Trump administration. But a number of users, who have taken to Reddit to complain about their new unwanted follows, claim they had never elected to follow those official pages before. Others noted that some of the pages theyre following like this one for Vance appear to have been created in early January 2025, while the page for Harris is now marked as "archived." Credit: Katie Mather/Yahoo News Reddit users also noted on Tuesday that when they searched for hashtags like #democrats, #berniesanders and #joebiden on Instagram they received a pop-up message saying the results have been hidden due to sensitive content, while searches for #donaldtrump and #republicans did not trigger a similar flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yahoo News corroborated these results when searching for the same political hashtags on Instagram Tuesday morning. However, as of Tuesday afternoon, the Democratic Party-related terms were no longer hidden. Credit: Nicole Darrah/Yahoo News Facebook's communications director, Andy Stone, responded to the complaints in a post on Threads Tuesday, which acknowledged that there was an issue affecting peoples ability to search for a number of different hashtags on Instagram not just those on the left. Stone also addressed complaints from those who said they were now following official Trump administration Facebook Pages, explaining that the pages change when the occupant of the White House changes. However he did not offer an explanation for those who insist they have never previously followed any of these political accounts. Facebook, Instagram and Threads are all owned by Meta, the social media conglomerate run by Mark Zuckerberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Metas Terms of Service, which were updated this month, users who join the platforms agree that Meta will use data to make suggestions about groups to join, events to attend [and] Facebook Pages to follow. The Terms do not say whether Meta has the right to make users like certain Pages or follow accounts without their consent. Meta has not responded to requests from Yahoo News to confirm whether the companys policy permits this kind of activity. This is not the first time Meta users have complained about the political content on its platforms. In April 2024, Instagram faced backlash from users after it instituted an automatic filter against political content in its feeds. Months later, Trump accused Meta and Google of censoring content about him in what he called another attempt at RIGGING THE ELECTION. Trumps relationship with Meta and its CEO, Zuckerberg, has seen a notable shift since the election in November. Zuckerberg was among the tech executives seated in the front row at Trump's inauguration on Monday, In early January, Zuckerberg announced Meta would be ending its partnerships with independent fact-checkers, lamenting that they had resulted in what he called "too much censorship," and saying: "It's time to get back to our roots around free expression." Then he revealed a plan to kill the companys diversity initiatives, in line with Trumps plans to sign an order ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs. He has also recently assembled a new leadership team of advisers, including Joel Kaplan, who has ties to the Republican Party. Elon Musks salute at a Monday inauguration party for President Donald Trump was interpreted by many observers online as a Heil Hitler gesture. Musk, 53, spoke to a crowd of Trump supporters at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., after Trump was sworn in at the U.S. Capitol. While thanking the supporters, Musk put his right hand over his heart, then extended his arm out with his palm down. He then turned around and repeated the gesture. Its day 1 and Elon Musk is already doing the Sieg Heil, one person wrote on X, the social media platform owned by Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many others had the same reaction, including a German journalist who observed: Elon Musk does what looks like a Hitler salute after talking of victory at Trump inauguration, thanking supporters for assuring the future of civilisation. Why isnt Elon Musk doing two Nazi salutes at Trumps inauguration a lead story today? another asked. But not everyone saw it that way. Frequent Musk critic Batya Ungar-Sargon said his motion looked more like a man with Aspergers exuberantly throwing his heart to the crowd. We dont need to invent outrage. Even some far-right message boards were confounded by Musks salute, as one asked What are the political implications of Elon Musk doing a Roman Nazi salute right after Trump gets inaugurated? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I love to see it, even though its obvious that this is just an Aspergers guy trying to do an emotional salute and fking it up out of awkward clumsiness, one far-right poster on 4chan wrote. Another user described Musks gesture as the most spastic (Sieg Heil) in history. Trump and Musk became close allies during the 2024 presidential campaign, with Musk donating hundreds of millions of dollars to Trumps effort and campaigning for him across the country. In his own speech Monday, Trump thanked Musk for his work and included a curious remark about the billionaires work in Pennsylvania. He knows those computers better than anybody. All those computers, those vote counting computers, and we ended up winning Pennsylvania, like in a landslide so it was pretty good, Trump said. _____ An Iowa House subcommittee heard from lobbyists Jan. 21, 2025, about potential changes to a bill restricting the public release of mugshots. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Police mugshots would not be immediately released to the public in Iowa under a bill passed Tuesday by a subcommittee in the Iowa House. House File 47 would restrict the dissemination of booking photos from law enforcement agencies after a person has been arrested until they have been convicted of the crime for which they were arrested. There are some exceptions to this restriction, largely centered on when releasing the photo would serve a public safety interest, like when an individual in the photo is a fugitive, if the release would help law enforcement apprehend the person or if they pose a threat to another specific person or to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proposals curtailing the public posting of mugshots have been brought up in previous legislative sessions. In 2024, the House Public Safety Committee passed a similar measure that did not receive a hearing on the House floor. Rep. Bill Gustoff, R-Des Moines, said he came back with the bill this session because it would ensure people who are arrested are judged in the court of law, not the court of public opinion. Several lobbyists spoke in favor of the legislation, saying that many people who are arrested for crimes face major problems because of the release of their mugshots, even if they are not ultimately convicted of the crime. Lisa Davis-Cook with the Iowa Association for Justice gave the example of her daughters former classmate who was arrested for public intoxication and who had his mugshot photo distributed and shared on social media. Here you have a 19-year-old kid, and that photo is going to follow him for a really, really long time, Davis-Cook said. Because what happens is these photos get published on the web, then you have data mining companies who come and pick them up, publish them on Facebook, publish them on other websites. And you have someone who may pay one website to have their photo taken down, and then it pops up on another site. So theyre playing Whack-a-Mole with trying to get these photos taken down. While speakers all supported the intent behind the bill, there were specific changes recommended. Lobbyists suggested requiring that photos are released when the specified exemptions occur, rather than leaving it up to the discretion of a judge or another authority, and questioned whether there was a need for photos to be released post-conviction for non-violent, lower classes of crimes or drug offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several lobbyists also said the bills language was unclear on when booking photos could be shared within the law enforcement or courts systems such as whether law enforcement agencies would be allowed to share mugshots with other jurisdictions, or if photos could be used for identification purposes in charging documents. Doug Struyk, representing RELX Inc., the company that owns LexisNexis, also said the language could pose an issue for law enforcement agencies by limiting their ability to use third-party services like LexisNexis, a legal research and database service. Booking photos are included in LexisNexis database, he said, and asked for a carve-out in the language to allow for third-party vendors working with law enforcement to retain access to booking photos. (We want) to make sure that this language is not unintentionally broad to get in the way of law enforcement sharing that information with a third-party data provider that, again, is only providing that information to law enforcement agencies behind that wall not sharing it publicly, Struyk said. This is for law enforcement, people who are especially credentialed to be able to get in and access it. The bill passed unanimously out of subcommittee. Gustoff said that he was amenable to the amendments suggested as the measure moved forward for consideration by the full Public Safety Committee. I think probably, most of those issues if not all those issues we can probably address, Gustoff said. (Bloomberg) -- Iran needs to reach an understanding over its atomic activity with the administration of Donald Trump in order to avoid being dragged into another military conflict in the Middle East, according to the worlds top nuclear regulator. Most Read from Bloomberg Six-and-a-half years after Trump abrogated an agreement that gave the Islamic Republic sanctions relief in exchange for strict limits on its nuclear activities, Irans stockpile of near bomb-grade enriched uranium is surging to new record highs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was an agreement that existed before President Trump decided that was not the path he wanted to follow, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said Tuesday in Davos. Now we need to come to terms with how we deal with this, excluding of course, a war. We dont want more wars. The IAEA chief confirmed Iran continues producing large quantities of highly-enriched uranium. In December, Tehrans engineers increased capacity sevenfold, to about 34 kilograms (75 pounds) a month in response to a diplomatic censure in November. We are engaging with Russia, with China, with the European countries, but its clear for everybody that the US is indispensable, Grossi said. What we need is to find an understanding. This is going to be our mission in the next few weeks. Before Trumps inauguration on Monday, his officials were readying new plans to squeeze Iran. Theres a general consensus among key advisers to return to a full maximum pressure strategy starting with a big sanctions package that hits major players in the oil industry, which could come as early as February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement France, Germany and the UK are similarly laying the groundwork for piling new pressure on Iran. They ordered IAEA inspectors to produce a special report in the first-half of 2025 about Irans nuclear activities. The document will be shared with the United Nations Security Council , which may choose reimpose UN sanctions before they expire in October. This is something that needs to be put back on track, Grossi said, adding that he hoped to meet with the Trump government very very soon. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. BAGHDAD (AP) Iraqs parliament passed three divisive laws Tuesday, including amendments to the country's personal status law that opponents say would in effect legalize child marriage. The amendments give Islamic courts increased authority over family matters, including marriage, divorce and inheritance. Activists argue that this undermines Iraqs 1959 Personal Status Law, which unified family law and established safeguards for women. Iraqi law currently sets 18 as the minimum age of marriage in most cases. The changes passed Tuesday would let clerics rule according to their interpretation of Islamic law, which some interpret to allow marriage of girls in their early teens or as young as 9 under the Jaafari school of Islamic law followed by many Shiite religious authorities in Iraq. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proponents of the changes, which were advocated by primarily conservative Shiite lawmakers, defend them as a means to align the law with Islamic principles and reduce Western influence on Iraqi culture. The parliament also passed a general amnesty law seen as benefiting Sunni detainees and that's also seen as giving a pass to people involved in corruption and embezzlement. The chamber also passed a land restitution law aimed at addressing Kurdish territorial claims. Intisar al-Mayali, a human rights activist and a member of the Iraqi Womens League, said passage of the civil status law amendments will leave disastrous effects on the rights of women and girls, through the marriage of girls at an early age, which violates their right to life as children, and will disrupt the protection mechanisms for divorce, custody and inheritance for women. The session ended in chaos and accusations of procedural violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Half of the lawmakers present in the session did not vote, which broke the legal quorum," a parliamentary official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly. He said that some members protested loudly and others climbed onto the parliamentary podium. After the session, a number of legislators complained about the voting process, under which all three controversial laws each of which was supported by different blocs were voted on together. Regarding the civil status law, we are strongly supporting it and there were no issues with that, said Raid al Maliki, an independent MP. But it was combined with other laws to be voted on together...and this might lead to a legal appeal at the Federal Court. Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani in a statement praised the laws passage as an important step in the process of enhancing justice and organizing the daily lives of citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also Tuesday, at least three officers, including the national security chief of the al-Tarmiyah district north of Baghdad, were killed and four others wounded in an explosion at an ammunition depot, a security official said. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media, said the explosion occurred as a joint force of the Iraqi army and the national security service conducted an operation following intelligence reports of the Islamic State group's activity and an ammunition cache in the area. GREENCASTLE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The Indiana State Police (ISP) Putnamville Post, has received a new probationary trooper after 30 newly appointed probationary troopers graduated from the 86th Indiana State Police Academy. New ISP Superintendent appointed Brandon Bonebrake, one of the 30 graduates, is being assigned to the ISP Putnamville Post and will embark on another phase of training. This training will be a field training period, where Bonebrake will apply his training from the formal academy to practical use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trooper Bonebrake is very excited about being assigned to the Putnamville Post and looks forward to his career with ISP and everything it offers. Bonebrake is ready to serve his community as a public servant by serving and protecting his community. His primary counties will be Putnam and Clay, said ISP. Bonebrake is a native of Spence, Indiana, and graduated from Owen Valley High School. After graduating from Owen Valley, he then attended Ivy Tech Community College. Bonebrake has also worked as a dispatcher at the Indiana State Police Bloomington Regional Dispatch Center for over a year and a half. Second individual arrested in connection to Orange County Deputy shot Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District Commander Lieutenant Dave Cox stated that he is very excited to receive Trooper Bonebrake to the district and cannot wait for the probationary trooper to start aiding the public and enforcing state law, according to ISP. Copyright 2025 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 MyWabashValley.com. Israels army chief has announced he will resign after taking responsibility for the major security failure that led to Hamass Oct 7 attacks. Lt Gen Herzi Halevi announcement on Tuesday that he would step down on March 6 came as Israeli forces raided the West Bank city of Jenin in what Benjamin Netanyahu called a large-scale and significant military operation. His resignation over the deadliest day in Israels history was widely expected, although it is not clear who would replace Lt Gen Halevi, a military veteran of over four decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My responsibility for the terrible failure accompanies me every day, hour by hour, and will do so for the rest of my life, he said, adding he would complete the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) inquiries into Oct 7. At least eight Palestinians have been killed so far in the Iron Wall operation in Jenin which is expected to last several days and includes Israeli soldiers, police and intelligence services. The new offensive came one day after Donald Trump declared that he was lifting sanctions on violent settlers in the West Bank who attacked Palestinian villages. We are acting systematically and resolutely against the Iranian axis wherever it extends its arms in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Judea and Samaria, Mr Netanyahu said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judea and Samaria are terms Israel uses for the occupied West Bank. This is another step in achieving the goal we set, strengthening security in the West Bank, the Israeli prime minister added. Another 35 were wounded in the attacks, according to the local health ministry, run by the Palestinian Authority. In response to attacks, Hamas released a statement calling for a general mobilisation and escalation of clashes against Israels military. Credit: X / Social Media Footage circulating on social media showed several IDF vehicles driving through Jenin on Tuesday, with local media reporting that the forces entered the al-Jabariyat neighbourhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kamal Abu al-Rub, Jenins governor, told AFP the operation was an invasion of the [refugee] camp. It came quickly, Apache helicopters in the sky and Israeli military vehicles everywhere, he added. Israel is yet to comment on the reported death toll and airstrikes. The move into Jenin, where the Israeli army has carried out multiple raids and large-scale incursions over recent years, comes only two days after the start of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. Jenin has been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades, as the Iran-backed terror groups of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad have taken control within the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has accused Iran of funding and arming Palestinian terror groups in the West Bank for years, smuggling weapons through the border crossing with Jordan. Some 35 were wounded in the attacks, according to the health ministry, run by the Palestinian Authority - Majdi Mohammed/AP On Monday, masked Israeli settlers set fire to cars and tried to break into Palestinian homes in the northern West Bank village of al-Funduq. Betzalel Smotrich, Israels hardline finance minister and member of the security cabinet, called the operation in Jenin part of Israels goal to eradicate terrorism in the region and protect settlements and settlers. Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem heavily disputed land Israel captured in 1967. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The internationally recognised Palestinian Authority has limited self rule over some territory in the West Bank under Israeli military occupation. Tuesdays operation comes after weeks of clashes between the Palestinian Authority and the Jenin Brigade, a coalition of members of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al Aqsa Martyr Brigade, an armed Palestinian armed group. An Israeli military vehicle is photographed on the streets during the military raid in Jenin - Raneen Sawafta/Reuters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authority has tried to restore law and order in Jenin but its forces have not managed to break the Jenin Brigade. Meanwhile, Mr Netanyahu spoke with Sir Keir Starmer over the phone on Tuesday, discussing the release of hostages as well as the Downing Streets suspension of arms exports to Israel. Sir Keir thanked Mr Netanyahu for the release of British citizen Emily Damari, and congratulated him on the return of the other hostages, according to Mr Netanyahus office. The Prime Minister also said that an evaluation of the issue of the UKs freeze on some weapons sales to Israel is being carried out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UKs decision last year, which caused fury among Israeli politicians, was made over concerns the arms may be used to violate international humanitarian law. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Sharren Haskel, Israels Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, has offered to transfer Russian-made weapons captured by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to Ukraine during a meeting with Yevhen Korniichuk, Ukraines Ambassador to Israel, on 21 January. Source: press service for Ukraines Embassy in Israel on Facebook Quote: "During the meeting, the ambassador expressed his gratitude to the deputy minister for her proposal to transfer to Ukraine Russian-made weapons seized by the IDF in Lebanon or elsewhere from Israel's enemies. It was noted that this initiative represents an important step in recognising the common threats faced by both countries. The Ukrainian side expressed hope for a positive resolution of this matter." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The two officials also discussed current shared challenges, including military cooperation between Iran and Russia, which poses a threat to the national security of both Ukraine and Israel. Support UP or become our patron! Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel proposed transferring Russian weapons seized by Israel in Lebanon to Ukraine during a Jan. 21 meeting with Ukrainian Ambassador Yevhen Korniychuk, Ukraine's embassy reported. The initiative follows Israel's September 2024 ground invasion of southern Lebanon as part of its campaign against the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. The discussion also addressed military collaboration between Iran and Russia, which poses security risks to both nations. Moscow and Tehran recently formalized their partnership, signing a strategic agreement on Jan. 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian ambassador thanked Haskel for the proposal, emphasizing the significance of recognizing shared threats faced by Ukraine and Israel. Ukraine's embassy expressed hope for a positive resolution to the initiative, which it called an important step in strengthening cooperation. Iran has supplied Russia with thousands of Shahed drones and short-range ballistic missiles, weapons frequently used in Russia's attacks on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine has supported Israel, expressing solidarity after the deadly attack by Hamas terrorists in October 2023. Read also: Europe must become stronger in face of Russian hostility, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By James Mackenzie and Ali Sawafta JERUSALEM/RAMALLAH (Reuters) -Israeli security forces backed by helicopters raided the volatile West Bank city of Jenin on Tuesday, killing at least nine Palestinians in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a "large-scale and significant military operation". The action, launched a day after U.S. President Donald Trump declared he was lifting sanctions on ultranationalist Israeli settlers who attacked Palestinian villages, was announced by Netanyahu as a new offensive against Iranian-backed militants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are acting systematically and resolutely against the Iranian axis wherever it extends its arms in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Judea and Samaria," Netanyahu said. Judea and Samaria are terms Israel uses for the occupied West Bank. The move into Jenin, where the Israeli army has carried out multiple raids and large-scale incursions over recent years, comes only two days after the start of a ceasefire in Gaza. The military said soldiers, police and intelligence services had begun a counter-terrorism operation in Jenin. It follows a weeks-long operation by Palestinian security forces in the West Bank to reassert control in the adjacent refugee camp, a major centre of armed militant groups including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, both of which get support from Iran. Hamas, based in Gaza, has over recent years expanded its reach in the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority, dominated by the rival Fatah faction, exercises limited governance. On Tuesday, Hamas called on Palestinians in the territory to escalate fighting against Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the operation began, Palestinian security forces withdrew from the refugee camp and the sound of heavy gunfire could be heard in mobile phone footage shared on social media. Palestinian health services said at least nine Palestinians were killed and 35 wounded in the Israeli raid, which continued well into the night. A week earlier, an Israeli air strike in the Jenin refugee camp killed at least three Palestinians and wounded scores more. Since the October 2023 start of the war in Gaza, hundreds of Palestinians and dozens of Israelis have been killed in the West Bank and Israel and thousands of Palestinians have been detained in regular Israeli raids. PROTECTING SETTLERS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hardline pro-settler Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has responsibility for large parts of Israeli policy in the West Bank, said the operation was the start of a "strong and ongoing campaign" against militant groups "for the protection of settlements and settlers". Earlier, Smotrich welcomed Trump's decision to lift sanctions on settlers accused of violence against Palestinians. He said he looked forward to cooperating with the new U.S. administration in expanding settlements, which most countries consider to be in violation of international law. In the days leading up to the Israeli military operation in Jenin, Palestinians in the West Bank said multiple roadblocks had been set up throughout the territory, where violence has resurged since the start of the war in Gaza. Late on Monday, bands of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians, smashing cars and burning property, around the village of al-Funduq, near Qalqilya, an area where three Israelis were killed in a shooting earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There was a carpenter's shop here where I have been working for the past eight years," said Abdulmalek Farajallah, who said more than 200 settlers had taken part in the attack. "They burned it down, and our neighbours' buildings and cars over there. No one can do anything." The military said it had opened an investigation into the incident, which it said involved dozens of Israeli civilians, some in masks. The Palestinian Authority condemned the settler attack in al-Funduq as well as the sudden appearance of multiple new barriers and roadblocks, which it said were aimed at "dismembering the West Bank". "We call on the new American administration to intervene to stop these crimes and Israeli policies that will not bring peace and security to anyone," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' office said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, land Israel captured in 1967. Most countries consider Israel's settlements on territory seized in war to be illegal. Israel disputes this, citing historical and biblical ties to the land. (Reporting by James Mackenzie in Jerusalem and Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; editing by Peter Graff, Mark Heinrich and David Gregorio) The News Israels military chief of staff resigned Tuesday, citing the failure to protect the country from the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who plans to formally leave his post in March, said he had made the decision a long time ago, but that the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreed last week meant now was the right time to leave. Halevi led Israels forces in Gaza throughout the 15-month war. My responsibility for the terrible failure accompanies me every day, every hour and will for the rest of my life, Halevi wrote in his resignation letter, referring to the Oct. 7 attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The apparent security failures surrounding the 2023 attack sparked fierce criticism of the Israeli military leadership. The head of the Israeli Defense Forces Southern Command also announced his resignation on Monday. After Halevis announcement, the countrys opposition leader called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government to follow the military chiefs lead and step down. The Israeli military chief announced on Tuesday he was resigning over the "failure" to prevent the surprise attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi wrote in a letter he planned on stepping down as head of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on March 6. He is the most senior Israeli official to resign as a result of the cross-border attack by the Palestinian militant organization Hamas, which left some 1,200 people dead and another 250 kidnapped and held in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of my responsibility for the IDFs failure on October 7, and at a time when the military has recorded exceptional achievements in restoring Israels deterrence and strength, I wish to conclude my tenure on March 6, 2025," the letter from the top general said. A short time later, General Jaron Finkelman, who is responsible for the IDF's Southern Command and also the border with the Gaza Strip, also announced his resignation. A large segment of the Israeli population believes long-time Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the person ultimately responsible for the military and intelligence lapses that failed to avert the atrocity, but he has steadfastly refused step down. The attack by Iranian-backed Hamas triggered a massive Israeli military response that led to 15 months of war in Gaza. A fragile ceasefire went into effect on Sunday after months of stalled negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hamas-controlled health authority on Tuesday put the death toll in the Palestinian territory at 47,107, with 68 bodies recovered from the rubble in the coastal strip within 24 hours. More aid trucks enter Gaza Around 280 trucks delivered additional humanitarian aid and fuel from Egypt to the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the third day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Trucks first entered the Palestinian territory via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. They are then directed to the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing on the Israeli border, where the cargo is inspected and cleared for distribution within Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the trucks to enter on Tuesday were 25 carrying fuel, a representative of the Egyptian Red Crescent told dpa. Since the ceasefire began on Sunday, more than 1,700 aid trucks have crossed from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, according to the representative. Approximately 4,000 additional trucks are ready to gradually enter the area. For the first time in 270 days, ambulances are also waiting to transport injured Palestinians. The ceasefire deal not only pauses the fighting and allows a massive ramp up in badly needed aid deliveries, it also outlines the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first swap occurred on Sunday, when three October 7 hostages held by Hamas were traded for 90 Palestinians jailed in Israel. Another exchange is expected take place this coming weekend. During this first phase of the ceasefire, a total of 1,904 Palestinian prisoners are to be released in exchange for 33 of the 94 remaining hostages. Israel believes at least 35 of the hostages are dead. By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's reversal of sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on Israeli settler groups and individuals accused of being involved in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The pro-settler Smotrich, in a message to Trump on Tuesday, called the move an "expression of your deep connection to the Jewish people and our historical right to our land". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's decision is a reversal of a major policy action by former President Joe Biden's administration that had imposed sanctions on numerous Israeli settler individuals and entities, freezing their U.S. assets and generally barring Americans from dealing with them. "These sanctions were a severe act of foreign interference in the internal affairs of the State of Israel, undermining democratic principles and the mutual relationship between the two friendly nations," Smotrich said. Smotrich added that Israel looked forward to "continued fruitful cooperation to strengthen its national security, expand settlement in all parts of the Land of Israel, and strengthen Israel's position in the world". U.S. sanctions on settlers were imposed after the Biden administration repeatedly urged the Israeli government to take action to hold extremists to account for actions that Washington believes set back hopes for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the 1967 Middle East war, Israel has occupied the West Bank of the Jordan River, which Palestinians want as the core of an independent state. It has built Jewish settlements there that most countries deem illegal. Israel disputes this and cites historical and Biblical ties to the land. (Reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by Alex Richardson) Israeli President Isaac Herzog has called for global efforts to tackle terrorism at the World Economic Forum in Davos. "There has to be a major world effort against terror. Terror is creating havoc in Africa, in all sorts of regions around the world. We must fight terror," he said. He repeatedly highlighted the dangers posed by Iran and the groups it supports. The source of evil begins with terror, particularly terror instigated by Iran, Herzog said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, he stressed that the Middle East also has opportunities: "We are seeing historical change. We're seeing change in Lebanon, we're seeing historical change in Syria. We are seeing historical change, hopefully in the Gaza Strip." Herzog assured that following the agreement on a six-week ceasefire in Gaza and the release of 33 Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity, he sees the chance for success in the next phase of negotiations. However, he also acknowledged reservations and fears, saying that as Israel demanded the release of women and children, it was "paying with terrorists, cruel, barbaric terrorists." In considering the future of the Gaza Strip, Herzog emphasized Israel's security interests, stating that the nation still suffers from the trauma of October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other Palestinian extremists stormed the Gaza border and killed 1,200 people in southern Israel, taking another 250 hostage back to the coastal strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "How do we make sure that this does not recur?" he asked. "How do we make sure that it's not Hamas who dictates and leads that place? "We have to learn from historic lessons and from all our experiences." Israeli Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi has resigned, citing failures by the Israeli military regarding the Hamas-led October 7 attacks, a military spokesman said on Tuesday. Halevi's resignation will take effect on March 6, the spokesman said. The step came "at a time when the [Israeli military] has [made] significant achievements and is in the process of implementing the agreement to release our hostages," Halevi said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Israeli military representatives have resigned since 1,200 people were killed by Palestinian militants in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Some 250 people were abducted to the Gaza Strip in the unprecedented attacks, which led Israel to wage war on the Palestinian territory. Many Israelis have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to take personal responsibility for political and military failure on October 7. JERUSALEM (AP) Israel's top general resigned Tuesday, taking responsibility for security failures tied to Hamas' surprise attack that triggered the war in Gaza and adding to pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has delayed any public inquiry that could potentially implicate his leadership. While a fragile new ceasefire in the Gaza Strip held, Israel launched a significant and broad military operation in the occupied West Bank, killing at least nine people and injuring 40, Palestinian officials said. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi is the most senior Israeli figure to resign over the security and intelligence breakdown on Oct. 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led militants carried out a land, sea and air assault into southern Israel, rampaging through army bases and nearby communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack the single deadliest on Israel in its history killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the militants abducted another 250. More than 90 captives are still in Gaza, around a third believed to be dead. Halevi's resignation, effective March 6, came days into the ceasefire with Hamas that could lead to an end to the 15-month war and the return of remaining captives. Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, head of Israel's Southern Command, which oversees operations in Gaza, also resigned. Their resignations will likely add to calls for a public inquiry into the Oct. 7 failures, something Netanyahu has said must wait until the war is over. Halevis resignation letter noted that the militarys investigations into those failures were currently in their final stages. And Halevi made his most explicit call yet for a public inquiry in comments to journalists, saying it would be granted full transparency by the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halevi had appeared to be at odds with Israel's new defense minister, Israel Katz, over the direction of the war. He said Israel had accomplished most of its goals, while Katz echoed Netanyahu's vow to keep fighting until total victory over Hamas. Katz replaced the popular Yoav Gallant, who Netanyahu dismissed in a surprise announcement in November after growing disagreements over the war. Another major operation in the West Bank The ceasefire that started Sunday does not apply to the West Bank, where Israel announced new operation against Palestinian militants in Jenin. The city has seen repeated Israeli incursions and gunbattles with militants in recent years. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on security forces to use maximum restraint in the West Bank, a spokesman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek an independent state encompassing all three territories. The West Bank has seen a surge of violence during the war in Gaza. Israeli troops have carried out near-daily raids that often ignite gunbattles. There has also been a rise in attacks on Palestinians by Jewish extremists including a rampage in two Palestinian villages overnight Monday and Palestinian attacks on Israelis. Hamas condemned the Israeli operation in Jenin, calling on Palestinians in the West Bank to step up attacks. The smaller and more radical Islamic Jihad militant group called it a desperate attempt by Netanyahu to save his governing coalition. Netanyahu faces domestic criticism over ceasefire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu faces criticism from far-right allies over the ceasefire, which requires Israeli troops to pull back from populated areas in Gaza and envisions the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including militants convicted of involvement in deadly attacks on Israelis. Hamas has already returned to the streets, showing that it remains in control of the territory despite the war killing tens of thousands of Palestinians including some Hamas leaders and causing widespread devastation. The ceasefire's first phase is to last for six weeks, with 33 hostages gradually released. Three hostages and 90 prisoners were released Sunday, when it took effect. The next release is Saturday. Talks on the far more difficult second phase begin in two weeks. One of Netanyahu's erstwhile partners, Itamar Ben-Gvir, quit the government on Sunday, weakening the coalition but still leaving Netanyahu with a parliamentary majority. Another far-right leader, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, has threatened to leave if Israel does not resume the war after the ceasefire's first phase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately on Tuesday evening, Israels emergency rescue service said four people were stabbed and wounded in Tel Aviv in what police described as a terror attack. Police said the attacker, a 28-year old foreign national, was killed by security forces at the scene. New bodies found in Gaza With the calm of the ceasefire, emergency responders looked through rubble for bodies they had been unable to reach before. We retrieved 120 decomposed bodies over the past two days, civil defense worker Haitham Hams told The Associated Press in the southern city of Rafah, as colleagues unearthed a thigh bone and a pair of pants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels military campaign has killed over 47,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health authorities, who say women and children make up more than half of the fatalities but do not say how many of the dead were fighters. Halevi on Tuesday said close to 20,000 militants had been killed, without providing evidence. Gaza's Health Ministry said 72 bodies had been taken to hospitals in the past 24 hours, almost all of them recovered from attacks before the ceasefire. An unknown number of bodies remain unreachable because they are in northern Gaza, where access remains restricted, or in buffer zones where Israeli forces are. Nearly 900 trucks of aid entered Gaza on the third day of the ceasefire Tuesday, the United Nations said significantly higher than the 600 trucks called for in the deal in a rush to supply food, medicines and other needs it has described as staggering" for the population of over 2 million people. Most importantly, we want things that will warm us in winter, one of the many displaced Palestinians, Mounir Abu Seiam, said Tuesday as people gathered in the southern city of Khan Younis to receive food. ___ Tufaha reported from Jenin, West Bank. Associated Press writer Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel, contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Dozens of children in northern Italy were sexually abused by priests for more than six decades, according to a groundbreaking report commissioned by the Catholic Church. An independent report prepared for the diocese of Bolzano-Brixen found 67 cases of clerical sexual abuse occurred in the diocese between 1963 and 2023, and priests had abused 59 boys and girls, some as young as eight. Ivo Muser, the bishop of Bolzano-Brixen, said: Every case is one too many. We need to have a change in our mentality, a new culture of closeness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a first for Italy, the diocese, which lies in the German-speaking region of South Tyrol on the Austrian border, asked a Munich law firm to conduct an inquiry into the extent of abuse. It takes courage to look at the past, but also the present and the future, Bishop Muser said. We want the church to be a safe place, especially for children, and young and vulnerable people. Ivo Muser, the bishop of Bolzano-Brixen, the diocese in northern Italy which commissioned the report - Lorenzo Zambello/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Three male victims reportedly took their own lives after they were abused. One priest, identified only as Case Number 15, conducted the funeral of a boy victim whose suicide, according to relatives, was a result of the same priests sexual abuse. Perpetrators have abused power at the expense of those affected, Bishop Muser said. This is an overwhelming burden, but we must look at the reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italian bishops have previously faced criticism for restricting reports on abuse to the 2020-2022 period and the Bolzano-Brixen report sets a precedent for other dioceses in Italy to examine historic abuse allegations more closely. Westpfahl Spilker Wastl, the German lawyers, produced a 631-page document based on church archives and interviews. It concluded 53 of the possible cases of abuse were supported by some form of plausible evidence. Nata Gladstein, one of the lawyers involved in the investigation, said the numbers were only a small part of what had really happened in the diocese. The inquiry found the victims included boys and girls aged from eight to 14, while their alleged abusers were on average aged between 28 and 35. Reported to diocesan leadership Many of the accusations had been reported to the diocesan leadership over the years, and suggestions that they were isolated perpetrators had no substance, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One priest, suspected of preying on girls for nearly 50 years, remained unpunished until 2010, when he was forced into retirement by the local bishop. He did not face Italian criminal proceedings because of the statute of limitations. According to the reports authors, he continued to abuse victims due to the general systemic failure of the Church, which did nothing but repeatedly transfer him. Pope Francis has made the fight against clerical sexual abuse a priority of his papacy, but many abuse victims believe he has not done enough to stop the abuse and remove perpetrators. In 2019, the Pope mandated that all clerics report suspicion of abuse or cover-up to their church superiors. But he has not mandated reporting of abuse to civil authorities, except where required by local laws. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) More than a century after the construction of a historic Portland property, the building will hold the long-awaited James Beard Public Market. On Friday, the group announced it had finalized the purchase of the Ungar Building downtown. Market spokesperson Kayt Mathers told KOIN 6 the property was acquired for $3 million. Fast-casual Japanese restaurant chain coming to Portland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a social media post, project leaders said the city landmark will soon begin its most flavorful chapter thus far. 1923 view of Ungar Building on SW Alder Ave. (Courtesy Portland City Auditor Archives) Standing proudly since 1923, this architectural gem was designed as Portlands answer to the grand shopping arcades of the Eastern United States, James Beard Public Market stated on Instagram. Hungarian immigrant Nicholas Ungar envisioned a revolutionary retail experience: a two-story marketplace alive with activity, where the Colonist Restaurant anchored street-level shops and boutiques lined a second floor illuminated by massive display windows. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Positively Portland Project leaders originally revealed the market would be found on SW 6th and Alder St. in October, although they hadnt officially purchased the Ungar Building yet. Mathers said the team considered other sites before selecting the historic property, but its pre-existing infrastructure and location near Pioneer Courthouse Square is aimed at amplifying Portlands status as a foodie destination. In 2015, KOIN 6 reported the market was likely to open in an 80,000-square-foot space at the foot of the Morrison Bridge by 2018. This location was abandoned the following year, due to planning challenges and building costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Project leaders told KOIN 6 a 50,000-square-foot market was being considered at sites including the southwest waterfront near Zidell Yards and the southeast waterfront near the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. This is historic: Oregon swears in first female Japanese American lawmaker A portion of the James Beard Public Market is now set to open this fall, with the full, 38,140-square-foot space slated to open next spring. The market will serve as an event space, bookstore, cheese shop, wine merchant and more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Damian Johnston, circled in yellow, is shown inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The photo was included in a criminal complaint against Johnston. (Image from U.S. District Court document) Charges against a former North Dakota man who was at the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6., 2021, riot have been dismissed. Damian Johnston agreed to plead guilty last year to two misdemeanor counts, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a Capitol building or grounds and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to documents filed in federal court in the District of Columbia, the charges against Johnston have been dismissed because of the blanket pardons for nearly all Jan. 6 defendants issued by President Donald Trump on Monday. Johnston, a former vice chair for the North Dakota Young Republicans, posted on X that he had been informed by his lawyer that he had been pardoned. Its over! I have my rights back! Johnston included in his post. He had been scheduled to be sentenced in February. Johnston now lives in Wisconsin, according to court documents. His father, state Rep. Daniel Johnston, R-Kathryn, on Monday said he feels good that his son will be able to continue to walk the streets as a free man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We no longer live under a two-tiered justice system, Rep. Johnston told the North Dakota Monitor. Its a new day for America. Daniel Johnston previously said his son got swept up in a crowd at the Capitol but followed the directions of police. Trumps order does not list all those pardoned, naming only 14. But it calls for a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Two other men with North Dakota ties were charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Rockne Earles of Oriska was accused of assaulting an officer at the Capitol, according to Department of Justice documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eric Zeis, whose Facebook profile says he is from Fargo, forced his way inside the Capitol, according to Department of Justice documents. Michael Achterling contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A January 6 rioter who wore a Hitler mustache to work at a navy base claimed that he was invited to Trumps inauguration and posted images indicating he was in Washington, D.C. Timothy Hale-Cusanelli was identified as a white supremacist with admiration for Nazi leader Adolf Hitler by prosecutors. Hale-Cusanelli said on X that he was Happy to say there was less Antifa this Inauguration than the one in 2017. He shared an image of an invitation to the inauguration. Its unclear who or what group invited him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hale-Cusanelli, along with others, overwhelmed police in the Capitol crypt during the attack on Congress on January 6, 2021, according to The Washington Post. Videos revealed that he tried to get a rioter away from officers who were arresting the rioter. He claimed that he was unaware that the officer was a member of the police and that he thought that the certification of the Electoral College vote would be in a building called Congress. As stupid as it sounds, I did not realize that Congress sat in the Capitol building. Hale-Cusanelli was sentenced to four years in prison, with Trump appointee U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden slammed the defendant for racist, sexist and antisemitic statements and also blasted him for his decision to lie on the witness stand, The Post noted. Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, a January 6 rioter sentenced to prison, said he was invited to Donald Trumps inauguration (US Department of Justice) After three years behind bars, Hale-Cusanelli was released in December 2023 and has taken to posting on X as Tim Hale Criminally Funny J6er. He was only the seventh participant in the riot to go on trial, with prosecutors saying that he hoped for a second U.S. civil war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hale-Cusanelli was a Navy contractor with a government security clearance when he took part in the storming of the Capitol, the BBC noted in September 2022. In an internal navy probe, 34 of his co-workers said he had extremist or radical views pertaining to the Jewish people, minorities and women. A naval officer claimed that Hale-Cusanelli once said, Hitler should have finished the job, in relation to the Holocaust. Happy to say there was less Antifa this Inauguration than the one in 2017. pic.twitter.com/PtnHXK33wc Tim Hale - Criminally Funny J6er (@LouisofMonmouth) January 20, 2025 He took the stand in his trial, saying that he didnt know there was an actual building that was called the Capitol. I feel like an idiot, he said. But government attorneys argued that he was lying, citing conversations between Hale-Cusanelli and his roommate following the attack on Congress where he said that getting into the Capitol complex was exhilarating. Hale-Cusanelli is, at best, extremely tolerant of violence and death, prosecutors said, according to the BBC. What Hale-Cusanelli was doing on January 6 was not activism, it was the preamble to his civil war. WASHINGTON (NewsNation) Several of the defendants convicted in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots were freed Tuesday after President Trump issued pardons to nearly all of the participants. On Monday, Trump announced that he granted roughly 1,500 full, complete and unconditional pardons for rioters charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. There have been 1,583 total defendants charged. The pardons clear the way for potentially hundreds of his supporters to be released from prison in the coming days, some of whom were sentenced to years in prison for violently attacking law enforcement that day. Its cool to be pardoned by a felon William Sarsfield, who was initially held in the D.C. jail before being transferred to Philadelphia, was among those released on Tuesday. He told NewsNation that he was let out of his cell around midnight but released until 3 a.m. He then drove to the D.C. jail to wait for others to be released, saying hed stay all day if necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 6, 2021, Sarsfield attended a rally and made his way to the Capitol, claiming he was only at the west tunnel when he was arrested. He was charged with civil disorder and several misdemeanors. When will Trumps mass deportations begin? He hasnt been sentenced, with his next court date on March 4. A Texas native, Sarsfield owns a coffee shop he plans to return to. He also said hed thank Trump if given the chance, adding, Its cool to be pardoned by a felon. Proud Boys, Oath Keepers commuted Trump also commuted the sentences of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers members who were charged with plotting to forcibly halt the peaceful transfer of power in 2020 to time served. However, former Proud Boys national chair Enrique Tarrio who is serving a 22-year prison term, the longest handed down in connection with the attack received a pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers who is serving an 18-year prison term, is among those whose sentences were commuted to time served. About 600 Jan. 6 defendants were accused of assaulting, resisting or impeding police. Ten defendants were convicted of sedition, the crown jewel of the Justice Departments sprawling prosecution. Biden pardons family members in final minutes of presidency Trumps signing came just hours after former President Biden in the eleventh hour of his presidency issued preemptive pardons for members and staff of the House Jan. 6 select committee, which investigated the riot. The blanket pardons were granted to his brother, James Biden; his sister-in-law, Sara Jones Biden; his sister, Valerie Biden Owens; his brother-in-law, John T. Owens; and his youngest brother, Francis Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps two sexes order to face legal challenges Biden said the pardons do not acknowledge any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be viewed as an admission of guilt. They cover any nonviolent offense from Jan. 1, 2014, to Sunday. The pardon for the Biden family members came after a number of them testified before the then-House Oversight and Accountability Committee as it investigated both President Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, in a probe of influence peddling. While President Biden pardoned Hunter Biden in December, he had not yet done so for other family members, risking continued congressional oversight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hill contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. In a sweeping move to overhaul Argentina's food trade policies, Javier Milei's administration officially deregulated food imports and exports on Monday. The reform, outlined in Decree 35/2025, seeks to boost foreign trade, cut bureaucratic red tape, and lower consumer prices. Federico Sturzenegger, head of the Ministry of Deregulation and State Transformation, explained in a post on X that the measure "seeks cheaper food for Argentines and more Argentine food for the world." Under the new policy, food products and packaging certified by countries with "high sanitary surveillance" can now enter Argentina without any additional registration or approval processes. These items will be automatically recognized under the Argentine Food Code, cutting down on administrative delays and costs for importers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation identifies countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, Israel, Japan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Union, as having similar or higher sanitary standards than Argentina. As Sturzenegger explains in his post, this measure "eliminates requirements to register and authorize: samples, products, establishments, warehouses, utensils, and containers (32 pages of paperwork)." When it comes to exports, domestic food products marketed abroad must only comply with the requirements and restrictions imposed by the country of destination. This eliminates the need for Argentine food producers to comply with burdensome domestic regulations that don't always align with international demand. However, "all foods, condiments, beverages, raw materials, and food additives that are processed, fractioned, preserved, transported, displayed, or exhibited," in Argentina must still meet the requirements of the Argentine Food Code, regardless of whether they are produced domestically or imported, the decree states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In recent months, countless companies have told us about the unbelievable difficulties they had to go through in order to meet local requirements that were not required by the market," Sturzenegger said. "To a producer who needed to certify a sample to determine whether he could send the product to the U.S., we asked him to build a factory first. To sellers of garlic to be used to make paste in Asia, we had them measure the size of each head of garlic." "With this new initiative, the national government seeks to streamline and simplify administrative procedures in the exchange of goods and products, understanding that economic activities are the true engine of the country's development and that it is also essential to protect the health of the entire Argentine population," the decree says. The post Javier Milei Deregulates Food Imports and Exports appeared first on Reason.com. By David Shepardson (Reuters) - New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Monday asked President Donald Trump to reexamine the federal government's approval of New York City's first-in-the-nation congestion pricing program that began on Jan. 5. Murphy, a Democrat, said the program is a "disaster for New Jersey commuters and must receive the close look it deserves from the federal government." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the program, passenger vehicles are charged $9 during peak periods in Manhattan south of 60th Street. Trucks and buses pay up to $21.60. The fee is reduced by 75% at night. It is designed to reduce traffic and raise billions for mass transit, with most of the revenue generated targeted to upgrade the city's subway and bus systems. The White House did not immediately comment, but a spokesperson for Trump in November criticized the plan. During the first week after the fee was imposed, traffic in Manhattan's central business district fell by 7.5%. The fee went into effect after New Jersey failed to convince a judge to halt it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charged via electronic license plate readers, private cars pay once a day regardless of how many trips they make into the central business district. Taxis pay 75 cents per trip and ride-share vehicles reserved by apps like Uber and Lyft pay $1.50 per trip. A few other cities around the world already have congestion pricing systems. London, which implemented its system in 2003, now charges 15 pounds ($18.49). Singapore and Sweden also have congestion pricing plans. Before the fee went into effect, New York said more than 700,000 vehicles entered the Manhattan central business district daily, slowing traffic to around 7 miles per hour (11 km per hour) on average, which is 23% slower than in 2010. The city estimates the congestion charge will bring in $500 million in its first year. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the money would underpin $15 billion in debt financing for mass transit capital improvements, with 80% of the money to be spent on the subway and bus system, and the other 20% spent on two commuter rail systems. (Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Deepa Babington and Paul Simao) A Jet2 flight was forced to make an unexpected landing at London Stansted after jetting off from Glasgow due to a minor fault indication. Flight LS135 departed from Glasgow just after 7am on Monday heading to Rome, Italy, when it made an emergency diversion. The Boeing 737 aircraft had just travelled past Paris, France, around 8.20am when it made a U-turn around the city and headed back to the UK, data from flight tracker FlightRadar shows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flight usually takes four hours and was due to arrive in Rome by 11am, however, the aircraft instead landed at London Stansted Airport just after 9am. The plane reportedly issued a 7700 squawk alert, which indicates an emergency situation, at around an hour and a half into the flight. A spokesperson for Jet2 told The Independent: "We can confirm that flight LS135 from Glasgow to Rome followed standard operating procedure and diverted to London Stansted this morning [20January], due to a minor fault indication. The aircraft landed safely, and customers were transferred onto a replacement aircraft to continue their journey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear what the minor fault was. One passenger told The Scottish Sun: There is apparently a problem with the fuel gauge apparently that was showing fuel levels way lower than expected. [A] fire truck checked us out when we landed and no sign of any leaking fuel. We are still on the runway. Captain [is] now saying theres another available plane here and theyre going to try to move us across that one. Data from Flightradar shows that another flight was scheduled for later in the day departing from Stansted at 10.48am, meaning passengers eventually got to their destination in Rome just before 2pm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While all airlines experience their share of unexpected diversions and landings, Jet2 aircraft have had to make the call to land early in various incidents over the past few months. In August, a similar issue occurred when a Jet2 flight to Manchester made a priority landing at the northern airport after cabin crew declared an emergency squawk code 7700. The aircraft was on its way back from Malaga when it discovered a fault indication. In September, a man died after falling ill on a Jet2 flight from Bulgaria to Liverpool, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing in Cologne, Germany. Crew members declared the emergency after the man reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. The end of Joe Bidens presidency on Monday was extraordinary in many ways. Among them, nothing was more extraordinary than his use of the presidents power to grant pardons and reprieves. Most of the clemencies Biden had granted to that point were standard in their form, coming after people were convicted of a crime, though broad in their sweep. But those he issued on his last day in office were anything but standard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Biden issued two sets of preemptive pardons, one for people already on President Donald Trumps target list and another for his family members. They are a sign of the seriousness with which Biden takes his many references to Trump as an existential threat to democracy. And they are a reminder to all of us not to let down our guard as the new administration takes office. Alexander Hamilton, an ardent defender of the presidents ability to grant pardons and reprieves, thought that the pardon power would be used sparingly and would be especially useful in emergencies to restore the tranquility of the commonwealth. Bidens pardons signaled his conviction that we are confronting a national emergency with Donald Trumps return to the White House. They are meant to sound the alarm about what he believes is in store for America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courts have long recognized that chief executives have vast and unchecked discretion in using the clemency power. Judges have said chief executives can grant pardons and commutations for good reason, or bad reason or any reason at all. Biden seems to have taken that admonition to heart. Usually, clemency is granted after someone has been convicted of a crime, but in 1866, the United States Supreme Court gave its blessing to preemptive pardons. It made clear that the pardon power extends to every offense known to the law and may be exercised at any time after its commission, either before legal proceedings are taken or during their pendency, or after conviction and judgment. Preemptive pardons have generally been used for public purposes of the kind Hamilton contemplated. An example of such a public purpose was George Washintons grants of clemency to participants in the so-called Whiskey Rebellion or Jimmy Carters of the Vietnam-era draft evaders. Even Gerald Ford justified his pardon of disgraced former President Richard Nixon as a way to preserve domestic tranquility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidens last-day-in-office pardons were something very different. They were a concession to the breakdown of domestic tranquility and an unprecedented effort to protect their recipients from the wrath and retribution of an incoming administration. Presidents, including Biden, have granted clemency to family members. But never before has a president been so open about favoring members of his family who have not been, and might never be, charged with a crime. Moreover, no president has ever used the clemency power out of fear of what the next president would do to make the lives of his political opponents miserable. The former president was hardly subtle in explaining why, first thing this morning, he chose to grant preemptive pardons to members of the Jan. 6 committee, Gen. Mark Milley, or Anthony Fauci. He called them public servants (who) have served our nation with honor and distinction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden went out of his way to explain that, The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country. And then, making his fear crystal clear, Biden said the Jan. 6 committee members and others do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions. He restated his belief in the rule of law and his optimism that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics, even as he acted in a way that reflected neither that belief nor that optimism. Biden explained the disparity by noting what he called the exceptional circumstances and that he could not in good conscience do nothing. Then he fleshed out those circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than accept accountability, Biden continued, those who perpetrated the January 6th attack have taken every opportunity to undermine and intimidate those who participated in the Select Committee in an attempt to rewrite history, erase the stain of January 6th for partisan gain, and seek revenge, including by threatening criminal prosecutions. With those words, the former president handed down another indictment of Trump. This one was addressed to the future. Trump got the message loud and clear. He texted NBCs Kristen Welker, calling Bidens action disgraceful and claiming, Many are guilty of MAJOR CRIMES! And eschewing inaugural traditions, Trump registered his displeasure by neither thanking his predecessor nor shaking his hand during Monday mornings ceremonies. While Biden was at the Capitol in the run-up to those ceremonies, the other shoe dropped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with commuting the life sentence of the Native American activist Leonard Peltier, who was convicted of killing two FBI agents in 1975, Biden issued a second round of preemptive pardons, as stunning as the first. They were granted to five members of his immediate family. The recipients are his brothers and sister, James Biden, Frank Biden, and Valerie Biden Owens, and their spouses, John Owens and Sara Biden. None of them is well known to the public. None has been a prominent critic of Trump. That he would feel the need to protect them tells us how deeply fearful Biden is about the lengths to which Trump will go to punish any member of what Trump and his allies label the Biden Crime Family. In a preview of what may happen to many people and their families, the former president noted, Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and will ultimately be exonerated baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My family, Biden concluded, has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt methe worst kind of partisan politics. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end. And neither should we. Too bad the former president could not protect the rest of us from what is to come. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted was sworn in as Ohio's newest U.S. senator Tuesday, just one day after his predecessor became vice president of the United States. Vice President JD Vance administered the oath to Husted during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol attended by Husted's family, Gov. Mike DeWine and Sen. Bernie Moreno. DeWine selected Husted from a field of Republicans who began jockeying for the seat after Vance and President Donald Trump won the November election. U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, as his wife Tina Husted looks on, is ceremonially sworn in by Vice President JD Vance in the Old Senate Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. Husted was appointed to complete the term of now-Vice President Vance. Kent Nishimura/Getty Images With Husted and Moreno in office, Ohio has two Republican senators for the first time since 2007. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I will continue to be an America-first conservative who wants to get things done and one who knows that public service is a temporary gift, and you have to make the most of it on behalf of the people you represent," Husted said in a video posted on X last week. Husted, the child of adopted parents, became lieutenant governor in 2019. He joined DeWine's 2018 ticket after a brief run against him, and the pair defeated Democrat Richard Cordray amid national losses for Republicans. Prior to that, Husted served as secretary of state, Ohio House speaker and state senator. During his tenure, Husted championed economic development and helped persuade Intel to build a $28 billion semiconductor plant in Licking County. He hopes to focus on technology and education workforce on Capitol Hill, issues that have been central to his work in the lieutenant governor's office. Husted was long expected to run for governor in 2026, but his departure from the race won't make the GOP primary any less competitive. Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Attorney General Dave Yost and Treasurer Robert Sprague are among those clamoring to replace DeWine, who is term limited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeWine will now turn his attention to another appointment: Husted's replacement for lieutenant governor. The timeline for that decision remains unclear. Haley BeMiller covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jon Husted sworn in as Ohio senator, replaces JD Vance Jose Andres is firing back on President Trumps claim he was fired as a presidential appointee, calling on the commander in chief to put politics and name calling aside. In a social media message posted by Trump just after midnight Tuesday, the president wrote that Andres, a celebrity chef and founder of World Central Kitchen, was one of over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again. Then-President Biden tapped Andres to help lead the Presidents Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement YOURE FIRED! Trump wrote Tuesday. In a response to Trumps Truth Social post, Andres took to the social platform X and pushed back on Trumps message. I submitted my resignation last week my 2 year term was already up, Andres, 55, said, calling the role an honor. My fellow council members unpaid volunteers like me were hardworking, talented people who inspired me every day, the restaurateur and humanitarian said. Andres, a vocal critic of the 47th president, said, I hope @realdonaldtrump exercises his presidential authority so the Council can continue to advocate for fitness and good health for all Americans. These are bipartisan issuesnonpartisan issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May God give you the wisdom, Mr. President, to put politics and name calling asideand instead lift up the everyday people working to bring America together. Lets build longer tables, said Andres, who was born in Spain and became an American citizen in 2013. In an interview last November, ITK asked Andres how he was approaching the next four years and if he would be willing to work with the incoming president following Trumps White House win. Im always ready for joining forces when people want to do good, he said. I will keep contributing to my country, to America, the same way America gave me a lot of what I have in the last 33 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been now with many Republican and Democratic presidents alike and the world keeps going on and America keeps moving, he said. Some things get better, some things they always have room for improvement, but you hope that the people in power have always the best interest of everybody. Copyright 2025 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. Judge Aileen Cannon on Tuesday blocked the release of former special counsel Jack Smiths report into President Donald Trumps now-defunct classified documents case, raising the odds it will ever see the light of day. The Florida federal judge, who has delivered a string of Trump-friendly rulings in the case, ordered the Department of Justice not to share the classified documents portion of Smiths final report with top leaders from the House and Senate, or anyone else. Cannon barred prosecutors from releasing, distributing, conveying or sharing with anyone outside the Department of Justice any information or conclusions of the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her ruling was aimed at former Attorney General Merrick Garland but applies to his Trump-appointed successor. The bare wishes of (the attorney general) to comply with a non-existent historical practice of releasing Special Counsel reports is not a valid reason, Cannon wrote. The practical impact of the ruling is a bit murky because it seems unlikely that Trumps Department of Justice would have handed over the document to congressional leaders anyway. But Cannons edict makes it less likely that the public will ever get to see Smiths assessments of Trumps actions in the case, one of two federal criminal cases that were effectively upended by the new presidents November election win and return to power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was charged with illegally taking hundreds of secret government documents to his Mar-a-Lago estate when he left office in 2021 and defying the governments efforts to get them back. The FBI famously found the documents when they searched Trumps waterfront club in Palm Beach in August 2023. Legal analysts long considered the documents case to be the more straightforward of the two federal cases against Trump spearheaded by Smith, the other one being the Jan. 6 election interference case. But Cannon handed Trump several lifelines with favorable legal rulings and eventually dismissed the case on the grounds that Smith was improperly appointed. He was appealing that ruling when Trump won reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith pulled the plug on both federal cases, citing guidelines that bar the feds from prosecuting a sitting president. As his last act, Smith penned a two-volume report dealing with both cases. Attorney General Merrick Garland released the Jan. 6 report after Cannon briefly blocked the entire report. Prosecutors agreed not to publicly release the documents portion of the report because two of Trumps co-defendants theoretically could still face charges in the case. That possibility seems beyond remote now that Trump is back in the White House and could order prosecutors to scrap the case or pardon them. NEW YORK (AP) Jules Feiffer, a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and writer whose prolific output ranged from a long-running comic strip to plays, screenplays and children's books, died Friday. He was 95 and, true to his seemingly tireless form, published his last book just four months ago. Feiffer's wife, writer JZ Holden, said Tuesday that he died of congestive heart failure at their home in Richfield Springs, New York, and was surrounded by friends, the couple's two cats and his recent artwork. Holden said her husband had been ill for a couple of years, but he was sharp and strong up until the very end. And funny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Artistically limber, Feiffer hopscotched among numerous forms of expression, chronicling the curiosity of childhood, urban angst and other societal currents. To each he brought a sharp wit and acute observations of the personal and political relations that defined his readers' lives. As Feiffer explained to the Chicago Tribune in 2002, his work dealt with "communication and the breakdown thereof, between men and women, parents and children, a government and its citizens, and the individual not dealing so well with authority." Feiffer won the United States' most prominent awards in journalism and filmmaking, taking home a 1986 Pulitzer Prize for his cartoons and Munro, an animated short film he wrote, won a 1961 Academy Award. The Library of Congress held a retrospective of his work in 1996. My goal is to make people think, to make them feel and, along the way, to make them smile if not laugh, Feiffer told the South Florida Sun Sentinel in 1998. Humor seems to me one of the best ways of espousing ideas. It gets people to listen with their guard down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Feiffer was born on Jan. 26, 1929, in the Bronx. From childhood on, he loved to draw. As a young man, he attended the Pratt Institute, an art and design college based in Brooklyn, and worked for Will Eisner, creator of the popular comic book character The Spirit. Feiffer drew his first comic strip, "Clifford," from the late 1940s until he was drafted into the Army in 1951, according to a biography on his former website. He served two years in the Signal Corps, according to the online biography. After the Army, he returned to drawing cartoons and found his way to a then-new alternative weekly newspaper, The Village Voice. His work debuted in the paper in 1956. The Voice grew into a lodestar of downtown and liberal New York, and Feiffer became one of its fixtures. His strip, called simply "Feiffer," ran there for more than 40 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Voice was a fitting venue for Feiffer's feisty liberal sensibilities, and a showcase for a strip acclaimed for its spidery style and skewering satire of a gallery of New York archetypes. "It's hard to remember what hypocrisy looked like before Jules Feiffer sketched it," Todd Gitlin, who was then a New York University journalism and sociology professor, wrote in Newsday in 1997. Gitlin died in 2022. Feiffer quit the Voice amid a salary dispute in 1997, sparking an outcry from readers. His strip continued to be syndicated until he ended it in 2000. But if "Feiffer" was retired, Feiffer himself was not. He had long since developed a roster of side projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He published novels, starting in 1963 with Harry the Rat with Women. He started writing plays, spurred by a sense of sociological upheaval that, as he later told Time magazine, he felt he couldn't address "in six panels of a cartoon." His first play, 1967's Little Murders, went on to win an Obie Award, a leading honor for Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway productions. He ultimately wrote over a dozen plays and screenplays, ranging from the 1980 film version of the classic comic "Popeye" to the tougher territory of "Carnal Knowledge," a story of two college friends and their toxic relationships with women over 20 years. Feiffer wrote the stage and screen versions of "Carnal Knowledge," which was made into a 1971 movie directed by Mike Nichols and starring Jack Nicholson, Art Garfunkel, Candice Bergen and Ann-Margret. Feiffer also contributed to the long-running erotic musical revue "Oh! Calcutta!" But after disappointing reviews of his 1990 play "Elliot Loves," Feiffer looked to the gentler realm of children's literature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My kind of theater was about confronting grown-ups with truths they didnt want to hear. But it seemed to me weve reached the point, at this particular time, where grown-ups knew all the bad news. ... So I hunted around for people I could give good news to, and it seemed to me it should be the next generation, Feiffer told National Public Radio in 1995. Having illustrated Norton Juster's inventive 1961 book The Phantom Tollbooth, Feiffer brought a wry wonder to bear on his own books for young readers, starting with 1993's "The Man in the Ceiling." A musical version premiered in 2017 at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, New York. The theater threw a surprise 90th birthday party for Feiffer in February 2019, when he did an on-stage interview to accompany a screening of Carnal Knowledge. In recent years, Feiffer also painted watercolors of his signature figures and taught humor-writing courses at several colleges, among other projects. He published a graphic novel for young readers, Amazing Grapes, last September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His wife said he had great fun writing it, relishing the drawings and story. He was, she said, a 5-year-old living in a 95-year-old's body. ___ AP National Writer Hillel Italie contributed. ___ This story was corrected to show that Munro" won an Academy Award was 1961, not 1958. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A jury ruled in favor with the City of Las Cruces and Las Cruces Police Officers after a man filed a lawsuit against them claiming excessive force during an incident back in July 2022, according to the City of Las Cruces. The City says Erick Lopez, 32, filed a lawsuit in Third Judicial District Court claiming that three Las Cruces police officers and a sergeant used excessive force and battered him when taking him into custody on July 3, 2022. Lopezs attorneys were seeking $1 million in damages in the civil suit. As a result of the verdict, the City is not liable for damages and will pay nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $20M settlement reached in Las Cruces officer-involved shooting The City says officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of Monte Vista Avenue that Sunday due to a report that Lopez was damaging property within the neighborhood. Once officers arrived, Lopez was holding a bloody knife and appeared to have a firearm in his waistband which was later determined to be a replica pellet gun, the City said. During the interaction with police, Lopez placed his hands directly over the weapon several times. The City says officers used less-lethal force and took Lopez into custody with no gunshots fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Las Cruces OKs revenue bonds for settlement in officer-involved shooting The civil trial began Monday, Jan. 6 and the case was sent to the jury on Friday, Jan. 10. That same day, the jury reached a verdict and found that officers did not use excessive force and they did not commit battery against Lopez, the City said. When an officer makes a mistake, there is accountability. Just as important, when an officer does their job, we will stand behind them all the way to the finish line, said Las Cruces Police Department Chief Jeremy Story. Copyright 2025 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 KTSM 9 News. Former Georgia district attorney Jackie Johnson went back into the Glynn County courthouse for the start of the jury selection in her trial on Tuesday, almost four years after initially being charged with mishandling the case of Ahmaud Arberys murder. Action News Jax has been following both the murder trial, which gained national attention in 2020, and the charges brought against Johnson since we first told you about them in September 2021. At least 500 possible jurors are being considered to serve in Johnsons trial. Fourteen of them were questioned by lawyers on both sides Tuesday, and 12 of them were excused by the judge after they took the stand. That means, now, only two of those questioned Tuesday will be considered to serve on the jury. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The lawyers with the state and those defending Johnson asked each of the possible jurors about their personal feelings toward the case, both opinions of Johnson and whether previous news coverage of Arberys murder would affect whether theyd be able to effectively serve on a jury. Of the 14 possible jurors, 12 of them said they had the opinion that Johnson was guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson is charged with violating her oath of office as a district attorney and hindering the investigation into Arberys murder. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Arbery was a 25-year-old black man killed by three white men who followed him and shot him to death as he ran through a Glynn County neighborhood in 2020. Travis McMichael, his father, Gregory McMichael, and their neighbor, William Roddie Bryan were arrested, tried, and convicted of murder and federal hate crimes for Arberys killing. After the murder, phone records show Gregory McMichael called Johnson, who was the district attorney in Brunswick, 16 times. McMichael previously worked as an investigator for Johnson, who eventually recused herself from the case and turned it over to a district attorney in Waycross. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state bar of Georgia still says Johnson is an attorney in good standing. Jury selection is expected to pick up again on Thursday morning and wrap up as soon as the end of the day on Friday. 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. Iron ore at one of U.S. Steel's Minnesota mining operations, Minntac in Mountain Iron and Keetac in Keewatin. Courtesy photo: U.S. Steel. On his way out the door former President Joe Biden warned that his successor Donald Trump was building an oligarchy in the United States. Although Biden got a lot of things wrong over the past few years, especially political strategy, he was right about oligarchy. Were in one. It was born years ago, grew recently, and for at least the next couple years were going to see what its like to live in one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An oligarchy is government by the few. Not government by the best; thats a meritocracy. Not government by experts; thats a technocracy. Just a few, with membership determined by money, power and the blessing of a leader. Like many of you, I was raised to believe I lived in a democracy; broadly defined as a representative government elected by all eligible voters. And yes, I know the original Greek version was more chaotic, that ours is a democratic republic. Greek or not, democracy now seems to be slipping away. We vote, sure. But someone else decides whether an election is legitimate, whether laws should be enforced, and to whom officials owe allegiance. Who decides? Well, not me. And, unless this article was handed to you by an aide who has their own assistant, probably not you, either. Increasingly, the people who make these decisions are the new robber barons of this second Gilded Age we are living in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The worlds richest man, Elon Musk, spent a quarter billion dollars on behalf of President Trumps last election while turning his social media platform X into a pro-Trump megaphone and is poised to be among the presidents closest advisers, even as he does billions of dollars in business with the United States government. Then, other tech CEOs rushed to donate to the inauguration $1 million apiece from Apples Tim Cook, Metas Mark Zuckerberg, Amazons Jeff Bezos and leaders of Google and OpenAI. TikTok, the oft-banned Chinese social media app, also lines up genuflect, despite the obvious conflict of interest with current policy debates. Trump and his allies may rail against China, but theyll do business with an app handing over data to the Chinese government because it helped them win the election. They didnt do this four years ago for Biden, or even eight years ago when Trump came in the first time. Something has changed. Nowhere is this more evident than with the performance given by a steel industry CEO last week. Make American Steel Great Again The American steel industry groans under the weight of uncertainty. Biden recently blocked the sale of U.S. Steel to Japans Nippon Steel. Though the matter now heads to court, this outcome creates opportunity for Americas other major steel firms, Nucor and Cleveland-Cliffs, to pick the bones of the venerable Steel Corporation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Cliffs and Nucor signaled plans to buy U.S. Steel, with Nucor taking the advanced electric arc furnace Big River Steel Works in Arkansas and Cliffs taking the rest. This arrangement would place Cliffs in possession of virtually all American iron ore production, most of which takes place in Minnesota. Critics say antitrust laws wont allow this, but the company seems to think otherwise. Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves is known for his performative bluster. A Cliffs official once told me that the outspoken Goncalves bristled at early comparisons between him and Trump because he felt he did it better, and Id agree that he does. In 11 years, this experienced metallurgical engineer and steel executive built Cliffs from a relatively small mining company into Americas largest integrated steel firm. Along the way, Goncalves bashed rivals, analysts and journalists (present company included) at press events, despite Wall Street uneasiness whenever he did. No matter. Its working for him, or so it would seem. But a recent press conference was among the edgiest. Goncalves insulted Nippon Steel and its executives, threatening to take the CEOs money, house and dog in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He may have been half-kidding about the dog, but he wasnt kidding when he said that China is bad, China is evil, but Japan is worse, referring to foreign trade, but youd be forgiven for detecting a racial subtext. Separately, in a Fox Business interview, Goncalves said his goal is to Make American steel great again, giving away the real purpose of these theatrics. His audience isnt America or even the steel industry; its Trump, whom he clearly feels has the power to make him one of the most powerful steel titans in American history. Antitrust issues wont be a problem if the Department of Justice and courts wont challenge Trumps support for mega-mergers. Cliffs also plans to ship iron ore to its Stelco subsidiary in Canada, returning steel to the U.S. Goncalves will need help getting around Trumps proposed new tariffs, a request more likely granted to someone Trump regards as on the team. The problem is that Goncalves is now more focused on pleasing Trump than leading his company and industry at a crucial moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This creates a ripple effect, a hierarchy of people and organizations falling in line. Case in point, the United Steelworkers of America. Goncalves wouldnt be in this position had he not lined up their support. In fairness, theres a reason the Steelworkers prefer working with Goncalves. Hes signed generous recent labor contracts and maintained warm, open communication with union leadership. The union has certainly reciprocated, offering historic resistance to the Nippon/U.S. Steel merger and vocal preference for Cliffs ownership. The union gave no wiggle room to U.S. Steel and Nippon, rejecting all concessions and pot-sweeteners like poison to the tongue. They wouldnt do this unless they were convinced Goncalves would take care of them. Or at least most of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cliffs ownership of all Mesabi Range mines, for instance, will lead to job cuts sooner or later. Salaried workers would take the first hit, but eventually entire facilities would become redundant. In Minnesota, about 4,000 mine employees anchor an industry that has steadily lost jobs over the past 40 years. But that same industry produces about as much iron ore and corporate profit as the venerated good old days, keeping todays workers in clover. At least, so long as the mines are running. And so long as those workers stick with the program which now requires the blessing of a transactional federal administration. This is perhaps the best illustration of an oligarchy in action. Some will do well. Some will do poorly. The difference is decided by loyalty to increasingly authoritarian leadership. Sure, there were hints of this in party politics before, but the veneer is off. Get with the program, or you are out. Once inside, you no longer decide what youre for or against. Youre for staying in, or else (see above) youre out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So long as current demand for steel holds out, we might hope that new investment creates diversified iron production and greener steelmaking on the Range. Thats what the industry, the region and our changing climate need. But, under Trump, this kind of innovation would sink down the to-do list. Maybe, if they get to it. In the short run, a Cliffs-run U.S. Steel would squeeze margins to fill a fat stack of orders while the getting is good. What choice would the company have, what with all the debt theyll have to take on to buy U.S. Steel. In the end, we must be wary of what Bruce Springsteen warned us about some time ago: American flags flying over shuttered mills. The billionaires with their big talk and fat checks will be long gone by then, safely protected behind walls we built because we needed the jobs. MISSOURI A Kansas City man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to his role in a conspiracy to commit a series of armed robberies across Missouri, according to a DoJ statement. Kentrail Collins, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, five counts of robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Collins is one of three men indicted for the armed robberies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS: Three Missouri men receive federal indictment for string of armed robberies With the guilty plea, Collins admits to participating in the following robberies from January 5 8, 2023. He pleaded guilty to the armed robberies of three businesses on January 5, 2023: Petromart at 1004 N. Stadium in Columbia, Mo. Breaktime at 2241 Pioneer St. in Boonville, Mo. Caseys at 807 S. Broadway in Oak Grove, Mo. Additionally, Collins pleaded guilty to the armed robberies of a Joplin Caseys and a Lamar truck stop. Collins Taurus 9mm luger pistol with an extended magazine was also in violation of federal law that prohibits convicted felons from possessing a firearm. That pistol was found in a black Honda driven by Collins on January 9, 2023 after a brief traffic stop, high-speed chase, crash, and finally foot chase with a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper. Collins was later taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison without parole, up to a life sentence without parole. Copyright 2025 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Kansas Farm Bureau representative John Donley, right, said a proposal to repeal a 1.5-mill statewide property tax for public building construction and maintenance was a step toward necessary reduction in property taxation. Under a Senate bill, the money would be drawn from the general state treasury rather than a dedicated property tax. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Three agriculture organizations, a lobbyist for real estate interests and a conservative think tank endorsed legislation Tuesday repealing a statewide property tax delivering $84 million to public building projects in Kansas. Under a Senate bill, the states 1.5-mill property tax for constructing, equipping and repairing state buildings would be deleted. The states general treasury would be responsible for $75 million a $9 million cut from this years property-tax allocation dedicated to projects at universities, veterans homes and cemeteries, schools for blind and deaf children, state hospitals for people with mental illness or developmental disabilities, and the states juvenile correctional facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill says the general fund, which includes sales and income tax revenue, would be the source of $50 million earmarked for university building priorities. Separately, $25 million would be designated for other state building projects. The measure says lawmakers should raise appropriations to both funds by 2% annually. The Legislature, however, would retain authority to reset on a yearly basis state spending on building maintenance. The proposal was part of the Republican-led Legislatures response to complaints about high property taxation in Kansas. During the 2024 legislative session, the House, Senate and Gov. Laura Kelly approved a $1.2 billion, three-year plan that concentrated on income tax policy. There were sales and property tax changes in that law, but the public was disappointed property tax adjustments took a back seat. This bill is a great starting point to provide much-needed relief to all Kansas property taxpayers, said John Donley of Kansas Farm Bureau. As we have testified in the past, the state and local governments reliance on property taxes has reached a point where action must be taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kansas Livestock Association and Kansas Grain and Feed Association shared comparable testimony with the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee. Mark Tomb, lobbyist with the Kansas Association of Realtors, said changing the source of funding for building projects at Kansas Board of Regents universities and other state agencies was overdue. The two funds addressed in this legislation support institutions that work with Kansas most vulnerable residents as well as support construction and repair of buildings under control of the Kansas Board of Regents, he said. Removing these property tax levies does not eliminate the states obligation to support these important programs. There was no question the state of Kansas could afford property tax relief simply by finding efficiencies in the state budget, said Dave Trabert, CEO of the Kansas Policy Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Senate Bill 35, the change would occur in the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026. On July 1, 2027, an additional 2% would be allocated to the building funds. In that second year, it would equate to a $1 million bump for universities and a $500,000 upgrade for the other building fund. The law would sunset in 10 years, which means the Legislature would have to reconsider the program in 2036. Blake Flanders, CEO of the state Board of Regents, offered conditional support for removal of a vital and stable source of funding for building objectives at state universities. The educational building fund had been the only consistent source of state dollars for academic and research building projects for 80 years, he said. We absolutely appreciate that property taxes in Kansas need to be addressed, Flanders said. Because facilities and the stewardship of those facilities are such an important aspect of what we offer our students, we can support the legislation with amendments I have in my testimony. He proposed the initial state general fund appropriation to universities be set at $56 million rather than $50 million. Annual increases should be pegged to the preceding three years growth in property valuations in Kansas, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flanders said the Board of Regents was implementing a capital renewal initiative requiring annual investment by universities in facilities maintenance equal to 2% of the building asset replacement values. Colton Gibson, executive director of University Contractors Association of Kansas, said there were many examples of government failing to meet commitments for building maintenance through annual discretionary appropriations. Make no mistake, if we dont pay for this now, we will pay for it later at a higher cost, he said. Sen. Mike Thompson held a one-sided hearing to promote his resolution urging Gov. Laura Kelly to comply with federal immigration laws. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Sen. Mike Thompsons hearing on symbolic legislation about immigration laws featured one-sided testimony with dehumanizing language, unsupported speculation that violent Venezuelans could be running a sex trafficking ring in Wichita, and a comparison between being in the country illegally and robbing a bank. After allowing Attorney General Kris Kobach and a Kansas Bureau of Investigation official testify, Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, refused to hear from a nun who asked to address the committee. He told her he requires 24 hours notice for testimony, even though his hearing first appeared in the Senate calendar the evening before the morning hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Concurrent Resolution 1602 would encourage Gov. Laura Kelly to fully cooperate with the policies of the Trump administration in enforcing federal immigration laws. A resolution is not a law but rather a nonbinding statement by the state Senate and House. Legislative staff affirmed for members of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, which Thompson chairs, that no governor or president has ever provided a formal response to a resolution. The resolution, which requires a simple majority vote from both chambers, would ask the Secretary of States Office to send a copy to the governor, President Donald Trump and relevant federal entities. This is encouraging the state to help with the fact that weve had we dont even know how many illegal immigrants come across the border, Thompson said at the outset of Thursdays hearing. In a statement for this story, Kellys spokeswoman Grace Hoge, said the governor has been calling for immigration reform for years, which includes securing the border and deporting dangerous criminals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an issue that can only be solved at the federal level and not through a nonbinding resolution from the Legislature, Hoge said. Kobach, who gained notoriety in two terms as secretary of state by spreading false claims about noncitizen voting, told the committee members that he supports the resolution but would prefer they go further and pass three proposed laws. The Legislature should require Kansas employers to use E-Verify to confirm employees immigration or citizenship status, stop providing in-state tuition rates to Kansas residents who are not citizens, and guarantee local law enforcement officers could participate in federal training to become deputized to enforce federal immigration laws, he said. Kobach cited the unreliable Federation for American Immigration Reform, where he once worked as an attorney, in telling lawmakers there are 104,000 people in Kansas illegally and that they cost taxpayers $4,300 on average. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Southern Poverty Law Center classifies FAIR as a hate group, based on extensive documentation of FAIR leaders racist comments and ties to white nationalist groups. The group advocated for anti-immigration laws at the state and local level, and its estimates are largely regarded as unreliable. The CATO Institute, a Libertarian think tank, determined in 2017 that FAIRs fiscal estimates for immigrants in the country illegally were inflated by as much as 97%. Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, a Wichita Democrat, pressed Kobach on the impact of deporting the parents of children who, by birthright, are U.S. citizens. Would the children be separated from their parents? Would they end up in foster care? Kobach assured her that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is very cognizant of families would never knowingly deport parents without giving their children a chance to leave the country with them. Thats a decision that ICE presents to the family, but the fact that one has children doesnt mean that the parents automatically, suddenly, are compliant with the law, Kobach said. So its a difficult issue. But rest assured, ICE, Im not aware of any case where ICE just snatched the parents and then the kids come home from school and theyre not there. Its a long process. Sen. Michael Murphy, a Sylvia Republican, said he wanted to piggyback off of Faust-Goudeaus questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Say my wife and I robbed a bank and you came and arrested me and my wife and the kids were in school, would it be any different? Murphy asked. Kobach told him his analogy was a good one. Presumably youd be held in custody for flight risk, and so you wouldnt be able to come home for dinner to the kids, Kobach said. So in many ways, in the immigration context, its less likely to disrupt the family than that. Robert Stuart, executive officer of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, said his agency estimates 75,000 people were in Kansas illegally, but that theres no way to know for sure. He warned that his agency was seeing more immigrants from China lately. The vast majority of drug trafficking could be traced to Mexican drug cartels, he said. And he worried about a violent group of Venezuela whose name he spelled because he couldnt pronounce it: A-r-a-g-u. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted a recent Wichita news report about a large number of Venezuelan immigrants. So they may very well be incorporating into into the Wichita area, Stuart said, although he didnt know the immigration status of the Wichita residents. Stuart said it was impossible to know how many crimes are committed by people in the state illegally because theres no checkbox on standard police reports for immigration status. But he was confident the Mexican cartels were responsible for drug trafficking. Theyre capitalists. Theyre going to make money with whatever they can do, Stuart said. Its selling fentanyl. Its selling meth. Its selling meth laced with fentanyl. Its selling fentanyl laced with marijuana. And if you need a gun, theyll give you one of those too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thompson closed the hearing after 40 minutes of testimony from Kobach and Stuart, over the objections of Sister Therese Bangert, of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. Oh, gosh. Well, Ive closed the hearing, Thompson said. I didnt we typically ask for somebody to give, for sake of time management, to give us a 24-hour notice. Its on our conferee rules. So just for the sake of time, Im sorry I cant do that today. Bangert and Sen. Marci Francisco, a Lawrence Democrat, pointed out that public wasnt notified of the hearing until the evening before. Thompson, who introduced the legislation two days before the hearing, said he had put it on the calendar as soon as we had it available. He also told Bangert she could testify in the House if the resolution receives a hearing there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bangert subsequently provided written testimony in which she recognized the need to address a broken immigration system, but questioned the frequent use of illegal alien by Kobach, Stuart and Republican senators during the hearing. She urged the committee to consider immigrants in Kansas who are law-abiding in every way but for papers. Personally, I find troubling the heated rhetoric used when speaking about our sisters and brothers that are immigrants/the aliens Jesus speaks of in the Gospel, Bangert wrote. At times the language is dehumanizing. The immigrants I know are family values people who want the same things for their children that I want for my son, nieces and nephews. They are people of Faith who work hard and long hours. I witness them being builders and rebuilders. A dog keeps watch over an irrigated field in southwest Kansas, where farmers are facing increased pressure from state lawmakers to preserve groundwater in the quickly depleting Ogallala Aquifer. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline) Kansas communities in the last two years have requested more than $600 million for water needs, stunning state officials as they work to allocate funds to a fraction of the projects. Dawn Buehler, chair of the Kansas Water Authority, told members of a Kansas House committee Tuesday that the states two new water grant programs, funded by the Legislature in 2023, have received almost 600 applications for funding in their first two fiscal years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the fiscal year that ended in June, the state received requests totaling more than $380 million. But the state had just $18 million available. This year, the state has received requests totaling $227 million but has just $27 million to spend. The fact that we had $380 million in requests was alarming to everyone in water, Buehler said. I dont think that we really, truly knew how much of a need there was. Kansas faces significant challenges with water from the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer in the arid western portion of the state to reservoirs in the east filling with sediment, threatening water supplies for communities. According to the Kansas Geological Survey, parts of western Kansas that rely on the Ogallala have fewer than 25 years of water left. Without action, the aquifer that transformed western Kansas into an agricultural powerhouse could dry up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, Kansas lawmakers have been working to allocate more money toward water projects, which have been underfunded for years. In a webinar about her plans on Friday, Gov. Laura Kelly said water would be a top priority for her final two years in office. Kelly noted when she took office, the state was not funding its water plan. At her recommendation, the Kansas Legislature funded the water plan for the first time in a decade. Last year, lawmakers passed another $35 million in annual funding for the next five years. That additional money is making a difference for Kansas, from our small towns with leaking pipes to farmers looking to implement new water saving irrigation practices, Kelly said. But, she said, we know theres more to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cannot afford to slow down for us, for our children, for our grandchildren, Kelly said. Last year, Kelly charged the Kansas Water Authority with creating a strategic plan to ramp up investments in water and catch the state up on spending. Following local meetings across the state, officials presented the House Water Committee on Tuesday with a list of recommendations from allocating more funds to establishing a state water dashboard website. In her State of the State Address last week, Kelly announced she would recommend another $30 million per year in spending and seek legislation to overhaul the state agencies that oversee water. Kelly on Friday called on legislators to start building a 10-year water program like the states long-term transportation plan. Now its time for the Legislature to start building this type of program with a dedicated revenue source, Kelly said. Making progress on these priorities will be hard, but we have more momentum than ever. Kate Middleton is turning the page to a new chapter in remission. The Princess of Wales, 43, is focused on the future after releasing a statement on Jan. 14 sharing her "relief to now be in remission" after undergoing treatment for cancer last year. "She has drawn a line under the last year, and she can move forward," a close royal insider tells PEOPLE in this week's exclusive cover story. "The word 'remission' is such a positive one to use, and it just feels a veil has been lifted on their life of the last year, and that they can move forward with positivity and hope." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Focusing on her personal well-being continues to be at the heart of Kate's outlook. Following her surprise visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Jan. 14 where she underwent regular chemotherapy treatments throughout much of 2024 Kate reflected on her cancer journey in a heartfelt statement: "I remain focused on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal." A source close to the royal household tells PEOPLE, "It has been a tough journey harder than we perhaps thought. She has been through a lot, and it has been a rough road. Serious illness like cancer does change you. She has a young family, and it makes you rethink everythingyour purpose and what you want to do with your life." Chris Jackson/Getty Kate Middleton and Katherine Field at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Jan. 14, 2025. Kate Middleton and Katherine Field at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Jan. 14, 2025. Related: Kate Middleton Is in Remission Here's What It Means The Prince and Princess of Wales, who are proud parents to Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, are now focused on settling into their "new normal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the princess, family her husband and children are more important than anything else, the close royal insider says. According to royal sources, Kate's "new normal" won't involve a dramatic "reset." Instead, she plans to maintain a similar pace of royal engagements to what she embraced in late 2024. Highlighting her steady and gradual approach, her visit to The Royal Marsden marked her first solo engagement since 2023. Samir Hussein/WireImage Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George on Dec. 25, 2024 Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George on Dec. 25, 2024 Related: Kate Middleton Shares 'Shock' of Cancer Diagnosis and How It Affects the 'Whole Family' (Exclusive) As Princess Kate said during her surprise visit, "You think the treatment has finished and you can crack on and get back to normal, but thats still a real challenge. The words totally disappear. And understanding that as a patient yes, there are side effects around treatment, but actually there are more long-term side effects." Chris Jackson/Getty Kate Middleton at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Jan. 14, 2025. Kate Middleton at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Jan. 14, 2025. While quietly continuing her dedication to early childhood development initiatives behind the scenes, the Princess of Wales said she has rediscovered "joy" in her work and embraced a renewed purpose: advocating for the "groundbreaking research and clinical excellence" of the Royal Marsden and its pioneering cancer-care facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a meaningful nod to tradition, she and Prince William were recently confirmed as joint patrons of the hospital, carrying forward the legacy of his late mother, Princess Diana, who became president of the facility in 1989. Tony Harris - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Princess Diana speaks to Mrs. Jessie Nesbit at The Royal Marsden Hospital on Oct. 8, 1992. Princess Diana speaks to Mrs. Jessie Nesbit at The Royal Marsden Hospital on Oct. 8, 1992. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ingrid Seward, who has covered the royal family for decades and witnessed Dianas deep connection to the Royal Marsden, sees echoes of the late princess in Kates approach. "It was incredibly genuine she really cared, and they obviously felt it too," Seward says of Kate's warm way at the medical center. "She made them feel special. It is unusual with royalty but you certainly had that with Diana, and now we have Kate. She has really got it." Chris Jackson/Getty Kate Middleton and Katherine Field at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Jan. 14, 2025. Kate Middleton and Katherine Field at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Jan. 14, 2025. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Indeed, a cornerstone of the princess' new mission is fostering personal connections. In her conversation with Katherine Field, who was undergoing her fourth chemotherapy session for breast cancer on Jan. 14, Kates empathy was unmistakable. The two women discussed treatment experiences, including the port both had fitted for chemotherapy and the cold cap used to minimize hair losssomething Kate hadnt needed. The royal also shared her own strategies for self-care during treatment, emphasizing the importance of hydration and sunlight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On their exchange, Field tells PEOPLE, "It was just like talking to a friend about a really horrible time in life and how you find ways of getting through it. She is very specialto be able to connect with people so quickly and so empathetically." For more on Princess Kate's new life in remission, pick up PEOPLE's latest issue, on newsstands Friday. Read the original article on People Attorney General Keith Ellison, in a file photo by Madison McVan/Minnesota Reformer. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Tuesday his office is joining at least 20 other states and the city of San Francisco in lawsuits seeking to stop an executive order signed Monday by President Donald Trump that would end birthright citizenship, which guarantees citizenship to all people born here. The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution reads, All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps order would no longer guarantee citizenship to children of unauthorized immigrants, despite the plain language of the Constitution. Trumps order argues that people born to immigrants who are not here legally are not subject to the jurisdiction thereof. Ellison said the executive order is a violation of the Constitution and Trumps promise to uphold it. The President swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, then broke it almost as soon as he took it, Ellison said in a release announcing the lawsuit, calling the Trump order an unprecedented, blatant breach of the Constitution. Ellison notes that the U.S. Supreme Court has twice upheld birthright citizenship, regardless of the immigration status of the newborns parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without citizenship, the tens of thousands of children born to undocumented immigrants in the United States would become stateless, Ellison argues, suddenly forced to live under the threat of deportation with no clear citizenship in any country. The ACLU and immigrant rights groups sued the Trump administration in U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire shortly after Trump signed the birthright citizenship order. On Tuesday, Minnesota joined 17 state attorneys general over the order, in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Those states include New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. Additionally, state attorneys general from Arizona, Illinois, Oregon and Washington sued the Trump administration in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle over birthright citizenship. Dr. Jessica Adkins Murphy was hospitalized with sepsis after being unable to fill a prescription in Lexington for a drug used to treat miscarriage. (Photo provided) This story is republished from Louisville Public Media and the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. Last St. Patricks Day, Dr. Jessica Adkins Murphy and her husband were happy to see a positive home pregnancy test because they were trying to grow their family. A couple months later, though, an OB-GYN diagnosed Murphy with a miscarriage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murphy, an emergency medicine doctor who lived in Lexington then, consulted with her OB-GYN on treatment options and decided on a two-medication regimen mifepristone and misoprostol that helps patients like her pass pregnancy tissue after an early loss. However, that same medication combo also can induce an abortion, which is illegal in Kentucky. Murphy said her doctor warned her mifepristone, which is subject to special government regulations, might not be available. But I said lets just try to get it. Because I want to have the best chance possible of not having complications like retained products (of conception), and I want to preserve my fertility, said Murphy, who detailed her experience to the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. Murphy went to UK HealthCares Good Samaritan Retail Pharmacy, like she would to pick up any other prescription. But the staff told her they could only give her misoprostol. It turned out, Murphy said, the pharmacy didnt have a certification required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. UK Healthcares Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington. (UK Healthcare) A misoprostol-only treatment is also clinically recommended to treat an early pregnancy loss, but research shows higher efficacy when its taken with mifepristone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With mifepristone unavailable at the pharmacy, Murphy took the misoprostol alone, on her doctors advice. But the medication didnt fully treat her miscarriage, which happens to some patients. Weeks later, she was hospitalized with sepsis, a life-threatening complication from the incomplete miscarriage. I didnt get adequate miscarriage care because of this culture of fear thats been created and because of unnecessary regulations that made it harder to get, Murphy said. And this is not how we should be practicing medicine for miscarriage in this century. Murphys experience highlights the risks women face when a mix of federal regulations, state laws and fear limits access to a miscarriage treatment supported by research and leading medical groups. KyCIR interviewed more than a dozen people to learn more about mifepristone access for miscarriage care in Kentucky. The consensus: Its legal to treat an early pregnancy loss with mifepristone, but patients have little chance of getting it from an in-state doctor or pharmacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal rules require physicians and pharmacies to get special certification to provide mifepristone to patients. And Kentuckys anti-abortion laws which threaten criminal prosecution, financial penalties and professional sanctions for violations make many health care providers reluctant to offer mifepristone for miscarriage care because its also an abortion medication. Dr. Coy Flowers is an OB-GYN and the immediate past chair of Kentuckys chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a leading professional association. Asked if its fair to say mifepristone is borderline inaccessible in the state for miscarriage care, he said, scratch out the word borderline. Why mifepristone is used to treat miscarriages The FDA approved it in 2000 as an abortion medication, currently authorized for the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Decades of research show mifepristone is safe and effective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctors prescribe many medicines for unapproved, or off-label, uses. In mifepristones case, an off-label use is to prescribe it, along with misoprostol, to treat a miscarriage. Research1 shows patients ability to get medical treatment for miscarriages is affected by anti-abortion laws because the same methods are used to induce abortions. Dr. Nisha Verma, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists senior advisor for reproductive health policy and advocacy, said patients have three standard options if theyve retained pregnancy tissue after a miscarriage and are in stable condition. Their options are: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expectant management, where they wait to see if their body passes the tissue on its own. Surgical management, where the tissue is removed through a procedure also used to provide abortions. Medication management, which uses misoprostol alone or in combination with mifepristone. Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, which is vital to continue a pregnancy. Misoprostol, also used to ward off stomach ulcers, causes contractions to help empty the uterus. Verma said patients often opt for surgery or medication over expectant management. This is an emotional experience for a lot of people, and they dont want to wait to have that unpredictable experience of not knowing when the pregnancy will pass, if it will pass, she said. For patients going the medication route, Verma said: Both regimens are reasonable based on what is available, but the most effective method uses mifepristone and misoprostol. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidance cites a 2018 study that showed the mifepristone-misoprostol regimen succeeded for 83.8% of women experiencing early pregnancy loss in a clinical trial, compared to 67.1% of women who received the misoprostol-only regimen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The association recommends doctors prescribe the combined regimen if available, Verma said. But thats the difficult part. When someone is going through this process of having a miscarriage, the ideal is to be able to offer the most effective method, but mifepristone is not available for a lot of places and in a lot of situations, she said. Why mifepristone isnt available at Kentucky retail pharmacies When Murphy couldnt get mifepristone at a pharmacy to treat her miscarriage, she said her OB-GYN figured out she could hand the medication directly to Murphy in the clinic. But the soonest appointment was two weeks out. My OB said shed try to find a different time to come in. But shes a surgeon. Like, shes doing surgeries four out of five days of the week. And thats common for OBs, Murphy told KyCIR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consulting with her doctor, Murphy took the misoprostol alone, rather than wait. But that didnt complete the miscarriage. She stayed in touch with her doctor. She was about to begin a fellowship at Harvard Medical School in Boston and planned to see a new OB-GYN after she made the move north. But a few weeks later on the drive to Boston, she started having abdominal pain. With every, like, state line that I crossed, it was just getting more unbearable, she said. And I spiked a fever in upstate New York, and I couldnt even walk because it was so painful. So my husband and I just sped to an ER there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A doctor diagnosed a life-threatening condition called sepsis a complication from the incomplete miscarriage and a related infection. Murphy needed surgery, immediately. I just was in shock, Murphy said. My U-Haul is in the parking lot, my dog is in a hotel room and Im in an OR (operating room) because I couldnt get adequate treatment. A longstanding barrier to accessing mifepristone is a federal drug safety program that applies to very few medications. Its called a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, instituted by the FDA. FDA officials say REMS programs support patient safety, but prominent medical professional groups like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists want the REMS regulations entirely removed for mifepristone, saying they unnecessarily restrict patients access to a useful and safe medication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDAs REMS for mifepristone requires health care providers get specially certified to prescribe mifepristone, while retail pharmacies need similar certification to dispense the prescribed medication to patients. Murphy said the UK pharmacy she visited wasnt certified under the FDA program. UK HealthCare officials want to change that by getting REMS certification for certain retail pharmacies, spokesperson Allison Perry told KyCIR in October. In prenatal care at UK, this medication would only be used for care in the case of a miscarriage, nonviable pregnancy or when the mothers life is in danger, consistent with the law, Perry said via email. Murphy once worked for UK HealthCare and welcomed its move to get certified. She said she doesnt blame UK or its staff for her difficulty getting mifepristone because broader, structural barriers are the problem. She spoke to KyCIR in her personal capacity, not as a former employee. I know they could face allegations of, you know, misusing mifepristone or using it for abortion, she said. So, I just appreciate that they have gone above and beyond in doing that. However, KyCIR learned UKs application for certification to dispense mifepristone may not succeed. And in mid-January, UK HealthCares spokesperson told KyCIR the planned application to certify its Good Samaritan and Chandler Hospital retail pharmacies is on hold. The spokesperson said UK is waiting for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide clarification on state laws regarding outpatient use of mifepristone for miscarriage treatment. Manufacturers for mifepristone, Danco Laboratories and GenBioPro, handle certifications for the FDA REMS program. Officials at both companies indicated a Kentucky anti-abortion law, 2022s House Bill 3, likely prevents retail pharmacies from getting certified under the FDA REMS program. Because of this bill, I do not expect that any authorized distributors of mifepristone would be willing to certify a retail pharmacy in Kentucky, Abby Long, a spokesperson for Danco Laboratories, told KyCIR via email. She said no pharmacies have tried to get certified through the company. Long also cited two other decades-old Kentucky statutes as a barrier. Kentucky requires that only physicians can provide abortions, she said via email. This has the net effect of preventing pharmacies from being able to fill prescriptions for mifepristone, even if they are being used off-label for treating early pregnancy loss. However, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Pharmacists Association told KyCIR pharmacists can dispense a prescription for mifepristone to treat a miscarriage. The association cited a provision enacted under 2022s anti-abortion House Bill 3 as permitting this. The Kentucky Board of Pharmacys executive director, Christopher Harlow, cited the same provision in an email to KyCIR. Long, with Danco, said the manufacturer will provide the drug to certified providers as state law permits. House Bill 3 was blocked by a federal court in Kentucky but took effect later in 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal right to an abortion. Confusion about how anti-abortion laws affect access to treatments also used for miscarriage care is common, experts told KyCIR. Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said in 2022 that Kentuckys near-total abortion ban doesnt apply to miscarriage treatment. But such guidance typically isnt enough to reassure health care providers, according to Adrienne Ghorashi of Temple Universitys Center for Public Health Law Research. She pointed to practical barriers to providing mifepristone, like federal and state regulations, plus the chilling effect of anti-abortion laws that threaten criminal and financial penalties. Those things all end up affecting access, she said. Even if legally, that is something that should be OK. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services set up an Abortion-Inducing Drug Certification Program under House Bill 3. The program requires state registration of doctors and pharmacies to provide abortion medication in addition to the FDA REMS certification. KyCIR asked if the program applies to mifepristone if its used to treat a miscarriage. A cabinet spokesperson did not directly answer the question via email, but did indicate the law could be interpreted as not applying to mifepristone prescriptions that are only for miscarriage treatment. For now at least, it appears no Kentucky retail pharmacies have federal certification to fill mifepristone prescriptions. So if a patient prescribed mifepristone for their miscarriage cant pick it up at a pharmacy, where else can they go? Another option is to get it directly from the doctor who wrote the prescription. But doctors and abortion rights experts expect that rarely happens. Target on their back For many years, doctors had to hand mifepristone directly to patients under FDA rules, said Kirsten Moore, director of the EMAA Project, an advocacy group that pushes for expanding access to abortion medication. You had to be both the doctor and the pharmacist, and pre-purchase the medication and have it in your clinic to hand over to a patient, she said. But that burden really limited the pool of prescribers. Thats still an option, but the FDA also changed the rules over the past few years, saying pharmacies could dispense the medication and it could be mailed to patients. With no Kentucky retail pharmacies certified to dispense mifepristone, that leaves patients relying on their doctors to supply the medication. But reproductive rights advocates and doctors say few physicians are probably willing to do that. A big reason, they say, is the chilling effect created by anti-abortion laws. Kentuckys main abortion ban says anyone, except for the pregnant woman herself, can be charged with a Class D felony for providing an illegal abortion. Flowers, the Kentucky OB-GYN, said OB-GYNs like himself have been harassed or threatened with physical harm by some extreme opponents to abortion. And now state abortion bans threaten criminal penalties. Youre asking OB-GYNs to put an even bigger target on their back, he said. He said very few doctors he knows want to put themselves, their family or their staff at risk. Flowers and others said health care workers and institutions reticence to prescribe mifepristone for miscarriage care is compounded by the need to jump through regulatory hoops to provide the medication OB-GYNs are just trying to take care of patients every single day in their offices who come in and find themselves sometimes in really undesirable, tragic circumstances, he said. A victim of Kentucky Like Murphy, Dr. Melissa Puffenbarger of Lexington also had trouble getting mifepristone after she had a miscarriage last year, while she and her husband were trying to have their second child. Puffenbarger told KyCIR she already was on a long journey of recurrent miscarriage and infertility by then. Dr. Melissa Puffenbarger Surgical management of prior miscarriages caused scarring that affected her fertility, which Puffenbarger said is a rare complication. Because of her medical history, she tried medication management this time. I remember she (the OB-GYN) wrote me the prescription for mifepristone and misoprostol and said, Mifepristone can be tricky to get, Puffenbarger told KyCIR. And I in no way blame my obstetrician at all, for anything. But I wonder if even obstetricians know how to get their patients mifepristone. Puffenbarger works at UK HealthCare and tried to pick up mifepristone and misoprostol from a retail pharmacy at her workplace, where she sends prescriptions for her own patients. But they didnt have mifepristone. Puffenbarger spoke to KyCIR in her personal capacity, not as an employee. I very much wanted the more effective regimen, the mifepristone plus misoprostol, she said. Allowing pregnant patients the opportunity to make their own choices really matters. She took misoprostol alone. Given her past difficulties recovering from miscarriages, she quickly followed up with her doctor and learned it hadnt worked. Instead of taking a second dose of misoprostol, she had a dilation and curettage procedure to complete the miscarriage. She said circumstances aligned for her to get quick follow-up evaluation and treatment, but she worries for other patients, like those living in rural areas where obstetric care often isnt available closeby. This is where we run into the dangers of politicians interfering with medical care when they lack expertise and they dont understand the nuances that each individual patient may have that affects their care and their medical decision making, she said. Puffenbarger said she isnt a victim of the local health care system. Im a victim of living in Kentucky, she told KyCIR. Moving forward, she and her husband are continuing their family-planning journey through in-vitro fertilization. Murphy wants the Kentucky General Assembly to help patients get reliable access to mifepristone for miscarriage care through in-state doctors and pharmacies. She said abortion-related policy debates are often polarized and politicized. But when it comes to this, I just really feel like there is an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation in favor of harm reduction, she said. Months after she recovered from her emergency surgery and made it to Boston, Murphy said shes still angry about what happened to her, and trying to stay that way. I dont want to be OK with the fact that this happened to me, she said. Because Im really not OK with the fact that its going to continue happening to women, especially in Kentucky, due to completely man-made barriers to care. A teacher waves to her students as they get off the bus at Carter Traditional Elementary School in Louisville on Jan. 24, 2022, in this file photo. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images) The Kentucky Department of Education is predicting a funding shortfall of about $40 million in state support for local school districts. In a weekly letter to colleagues released Tuesday afternoon, Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher wrote that KDE is predicting the shortfall for funding in the 2024-25 academic year, after a detailed review of preliminary data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KDE is currently tracking an estimated SEEK shortfall of $12 million for funding to public school districts provided in Kentucky statutes, Fletcher wrote. KDE estimates an additional shortfall of $28 million for funding to public school districts that is specifically conditioned on the availability of funds. Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) The SEEK formula, or Support Education Excellence in Kentucky, determines the amount of state funding to local school districts. The formula has a base per-pupil funding allocation, along with additional funding for factors like transportation costs or the number of students in a district who qualify for additional resources like special education, free or reduced-price lunch and English language assistance. Fletcher wrote that a SEEK shortfall previously occurred four times between fiscal years 2010 and 2024. Since the 2017 fiscal year, the Commonwealths SEEK budget included more funding than was ultimately payable to districts as required by the SEEK formula, Fletcher said. During the 2021 fiscal year, there was a $231,000 surplus in SEEK appropriations. During the last fiscal year, there was a $156.3 million surplus in SEEK appropriations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To determine estimated costs for each biennial state budget, KDE works with the Kentucky Office of the State Budget Director to gather data projecting property values, public school enrollments and student special populations as lawmakers consider the budget, Fletcher wrote. The state budget directors office in November predicted that Kentuckys general fund revenue will decline by $213 million or 1.4% in fiscal year 2025. Some Republican lawmakers have questioned the projections and noted that actual revenues are up a bit through the first five months of this fiscal year. Fletcher added that KDE is currently working with the state budget director and chairs of the General Assemblys Appropriations and Revenue committees, Republicans Rep. Jason Petrie and Sen. Chris McDaniel, to explore funding options that may address this estimated shortfall and minimize impacts to Kentuckys public schools. Lawmakers met earlier this month to begin their 2025 legislative session and will return to Frankfort in February. The House already has approved a reduction in the state income tax rate from 4% to 3.5% and the Senate is expected to quickly follow suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These shortfall numbers are only estimates now and are subject to change in the upcoming weeks as the department completes final SEEK calculations, Fletcher said. State law requires KDE to complete final SEEK calculations by March 1 of each year. KDE will provide information to school districts regarding the impact to individual districts as soon as those final calculations are complete. While we know this estimated shortfall is critical to our public schools, it is important to keep in mind that it represents 1.43% of our overall SEEK funding of $2.7 billion. The SEEK formula was established by the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990, but questions around school funding have been raised recently. Last week, students on the Kentucky Student Voice Team filed a lawsuit against the state for failing to provide an adequate and equitable public education. Among claims in their suit, the students say eroding state financial support for school districts has made the inequality gap even wider than it was before 1990. KSVTs data came from sources such as KDE, the federal government, and a data analysis from the progressive think tank Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. However, Republicans in Frankfort have argued they are funding schools at record-levels. At the Kentucky Chamber Day Dinner earlier this month, Republican House Speaker David Osborne criticized people that have not provided one single, substantive, creative, thoughtful, intentional policy change to improve education and said that asking for more money is not big. Asking for more money is not bold. Asking for more money is just an ask and its not working. Kentucky has 171 public school districts. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that SEEK funding shortfalls occurred four times between fiscal years 2010 and 2024. TikTok is back at least for now and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul wants it to stay. After the social media platform briefly went dark Sunday, Paul introduced the bipartisan "Repeal the TikTok Ban Act" with Rep. Rho Khanna, D-California. The bill would repeal a law that requires the app to divest from its China-based parent company, ByteDance, or effectively be banned in the United States. "Some politicians think the First Amendment has fine print. It doesnt," Paul said in a press release. "The right to free speech doesnt come with exceptions. Not for apps. Not for ideas. Not for politicians who think they know better than you. They dont ban speech to protect you. They ban speech to control you." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court recently upheld the law banning the app, siding with the government's argument that its ownership presented national security concerns over arguments that a ban would restrict free speech. The law required TikTok to divest from ByteDance by Jan. 19. The app went dark around 10:30 p.m. ET Saturday. However, a little more than 12 hours later, TikTok released a statement saying it would restore services and thanking President Donald Trump for "the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers." Trump issued an executive order Monday aiming to stop enforcement of a TikTok ban for at least 75 days, but it's unclear whether Trump can temporarily halt the law. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, before TikTok shut down, Paul said he was joining the app as an act of civil disobedience "because I don't like being told what to do." Why am I joining @tiktok_us just as the government ban begins? Because I dont like being told what to do. I dont like being told what I can think or say. The courts may think @tiktok_us is excluded from the first amendment. I dont. I join @tiktok_us today as a form of Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 18, 2025 Paul had previously submitted a bipartisan brief asking the Supreme Court to reverse a lower court's decision to uphold the TikTok ban. He also sent a bipartisan letter to former President Joe Biden urging him to grant a 90-day extension to ByteDance ahead of the Sunday deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell urged the Supreme Court to uphold the law requiring divestment, calling the ByteDance's arguments "meritless and unsound" in an amicus brief he submitted in December. More: What does Trump's executive order about TikTok mean for the social platform? USA Today contributed. Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Rand Paul, Ro Khanna introduce bill to repeal TikTok ban KENTUCKY (FOX 56) Generations of people lined the streets of Washington and piled into restaurants to watch Donald Trump be sworn in as our 47th president. All over, represented in this pocket of enthusiasm, said State Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer. It was wonderful. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Thousands traveled to Washington to witness the peaceful transition of power firsthand, but extremely cold temperatures forced the ceremony indoors. Its the first time this has happened since 1985, when Ronald Reagan took office. Kentucky senators who made the trip say it was still worthwhile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Kentucky state leaders were expecting to experience the inauguration in person. Sen. Frommeyer of Alexandria said her seat would have been near President Donald Trump if the swearing-in happened outside. Not far from where the cannon booms went off upon his inauguration, Frommeyer said. That was pretty exciting as well. We could feel those, by the way, in Massies office. Because the ceremony was moved indoors, she and several others were no longer allowed to attend. Sen. Frommeyer explained that Congressman Thomas Massie opened his office for several Kentuckians to enjoy the ceremony. Congressman Hal Rogers also hosted a watch party, making the most of unideal circumstances. It was a great opportunity to celebrate this day with people of a like mind and who were excited about President Trump, taking the oath of office for the second time, said Sen. Phillip Wheeler. Wheeler, of Pikeville, said he is very optimistic about what the next four years could hold for Kentucky. I think that his renewed commitment toward traditional energy sources could bring a revival in areas like mine that have suffered with the war on coal and the Green New Deal pushed by the Biden administration, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frommeyer believes Trumps second term will open doors for employment opportunities in our state. The real point of What is your purpose? What are you here for? And well all have an opportunity to realize that, she said. Kentucky is ripe for prosperity. We need it. For now, the senators said they plan to soak in the excitement in Washington, D.C., as America enters a new era. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Prominent GOP senators on Tuesday condemned President Trumps sweeping clemency for violent Jan. 6 convicts who destroyed the Capitol and attacked police officers. I do not support pardons given to people who engaged in violence on January 6, including assaulting police officers, or breaking windows to get into the Capitol, Sen. Susan Collins said in a statement. The small faction of dissenters included former Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who pointed to Vice President JD Vances remarks earlier this month that violent criminals obviously should not be pardoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, I think I agree with the vice president, McConnell told Semafor . Collins that some Americans were caught up in the crowd on January 6 and may well deserve the clemency President Trump has given. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who voted to convict Trump of impeachment in 2021, seconded Collins' sentiment. He told CNN hes a back-the-blue guy and feels people who assault police officersif they do the crime, they should do the time. There is a great difference between violent crimes and non-violent crimes, Collins added. Violence must never be tolerated in America. Trumpshortly after being sworn in on Mondaymoved to free more than 1,500 people who were charged with crimes related to the storming of the Capitol in an effort to derail the certification of the 2020 election. Some of them violently beat police officers, including with a fire extinguisher and metal batons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican criticism of his actions mark the first split between major Republican players in the Senate and the president. I dont think that the approach of a blanket pardon that includes those who caused harm, physical harm, to our police officers, to others that resulted in violence, Im disappointed to see that. And I do fear the message that is sent to these great men and women that stood by us, Sen. Lisa Murkowski told CNN. But McConnell, Collins, Murkowski and Cassidy represented a small minority of lawmakers voicing opposition to Trumps blanket pardons for the MAGA supporters who he invited to Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, to fight like hell. 100 percent, Im for the pardon everyone, Sen. Tommy Tuberville told ABC News. Theyve been there long enough. Most of them hadnt been charged with anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the unruly and deadly attacks on police officers, which played out live on TV and were captured in videotaped footage, Tuberville said, I dont believe it because I didnt see it. Now, if I see it, I would believe it, but I didnt see in that video. Collins noted that while she takes issue with Trumps Jan. 6-related pardons, she also opposed former President Joe Bidens decision to pardon members of his family, and individuals convicted of violent crimes. Trumps pardons came shortly after Biden opted to issue eleventh-hour preemptive pardons for lawmakers, staff and witnesses that served on the Jan. 6 select committee, which sparked an uproar from top Trump allies in Congress. Jan. 21U.S. Sen. Angus King joined Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee Monday in voting against the nomination of former Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to lead the U.S. Department of Defense. Hegseth's nomination was endorsed by the committee in a 14-13 party line vote and now advances to the full Senate, where it is also likely to encounter a partisan divide. Republicans can only afford to lose three votes in order to confirm one of President Donald Trump's most controversial cabinet picks. In a prepared statement, Maine's independent senator said he voted against Hegseth's confirmation because he was concerned by the nominee's answers to questions last week regarding the rules of international warfare and his qualifications for the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What I heard or failed to hear on Tuesday is of great concern and would do great harm to America's role in the world," King said. "Mr. Hegseth failed to acknowledge that he would abide by the international laws of warfare, like the Geneva Conventions, which outlaws torture, something that the Senate sought to root out last decade. "Nor did he explain how his spotty professional career in non-profit management or broadcasting prepares him to run one of the largest and most complicated organizations in the world," King said. King focused his questioning of Hegseth before the committee last week on international warfare and the role of women in combat. Democrats focused tough questions on statements Hegseth has made about women not belonging in combat and about accusations of excessive drinking, sexual assault and financial mismanagement during his time running veterans' organizations while Republicans defended Hegseth and praised his qualifications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth told King last week that the humane treatment of prisoners and international rules are important, but he said the way wars are fought has changed over time and the rules aren't always applicable. "We fight enemies that play by no rules," Hegseth said. "They use civilians as human shields. They target women and children. We don't do that. We follow rules, but we don't need burdensome rules of engagement that make it impossible for us to win these wars." King also noted that Hegseth declined to meet with minority members of the Armed Services Committee, as is customary. And he said Hegseth "evaded an opportunity to clearly and directly support Ukraine in its fight against Putin's illegal invasion a response that Xi Jinping and Kim Jung Un are watching closely as they wonder whether the United States would stand firm in defense of their allies." This story will be updated. Copy the Story Link TOPEKA (KSNT) Kansans peering up at the night sky this month may have a chance of spotting several planets at once. Brenda Culbertson, a solar system ambassador with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), said people in Kansas can expect to see an interesting phenomenon in the night sky in January. Six planets are visible in an event which is referred to as an alignment or parade of planets. Junior astronomers and others who are interested in spotting the planetary alignment will only see four planets with the naked eye. Saturn, Venus, Jupiter and Mars will be easy to spot while Uranus and Neptune will require a telescope or powerful binoculars to see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This, and all, alignments are not just one-night events, Culbertson said. It will continue for several weeks with all six planets in the sky, and then Saturn and Venus will dip below the western horizon but still leave the others for some time longer. $11.5 million Caterpillar Wamego plant may have a new owner soon, what to know Culbertson encourages people to start looking for the planets anytime after the sun goes down. People who use a telescope or strong binoculars may also notice a few other interesting things in the sky. Planets are always interesting to observe, Culbertson said. Saturn and Venus appear close together in the southwestern sky. Apparent closeness of two objects is called a conjunction. If a person has binoculars, the large moons of Jupiter may be noticed, and Saturn may appear to bulge because of the bright rings. A telescope, even a small one, will bring in more details of all the planets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Culbertson said events like these are fairly common, with one happening last year and another coming in the spring of 2026. Alignments like these occur whenever three or more planets are visible in the sky at the same time. For a few months now, we have had Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars in the sky at the same time, Culbertson said. Venus joined them and has provided a nice view. With Uranus and Neptune, which require magnification to see, that makes for a nice number of planets in the sky at the same time. Hotel built in 1887 set to reopen in northeast Kansas The Farmers Almanac also gives dates for when different planets will kiss or appear very close to one another in the night sky. You can look these dates up by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 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 KSNT 27 News. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Monday marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the day the nation honors the life and legacy left behind by the human rights leader and activist. What we know is that Dr. King stood for creating the beloved community, said Simeon Banister, chair of the Greater Rochester MLK Jr. Commission. The Greater Rochester MLK Jr. Commission hosted its 40th annual community celebration at Kodak Hall. The event featured a choir and local artists, all in remembrance of Dr. King. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 MLK Day events in the Rochester area One of the themes for today is maintaining infinite hope and the reason why thats the theme for today, is that Dr. King in a chapter that he penned in 1958 entitled Shattered Dreams, was actually an unpublished chapter says that, even though we accept finite disappointment, we look around we see numbers that are not favorable in our community that we have some work to do, but we maintain infinite hope and hope isnt something we hope will happen, its something we have to work to make happen, said Banister. Attendees of Mondays event at Kodak Hall included Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, Senator Jeremy Cooney and Assemblymember Demond Meeks. The holiday was signed into law by then-President Ronald Raegan. Dr. King inspired millions through his peaceful protests and won a Nobel Peace prize in 1964. He was shot and killed in Memphis in 1968. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 RochesterFirst. Tuesdays Top Stories Tuesdays Five Facts [1] Coldest in years for some before slow warm-up With very clear skies and dry air on the backside of the winter storm impacting the Gulf Coast, extremely cold air has moved into the Land of Enchantment. Wind-chill values of below zero degrees have or are still occurring for most, with it feeling as low as around negative 40 degrees in the far-northern mountains. But, with the drier air mass ahead, temperatures will slowly rebound with mostly light winds. [2] New Mexico lawmakers pushing education and housing bills this legislative session The 60-day legislative session is set to kick off at noon on Tuesday. Many lawmakers are hoping to pass bills focused on improving education and solving the housing crisis. Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed their goals for the upcoming session. Despite an underwhelming special session last summer in which they failed to pass public safety laws, the two parties have said theyre optimistic to come together on those issues. [3] New Mexico CYFD settles lawsuit over failure to protect abused children Two kids who were abused by their parents repeatedly between 2015 and 2018 will receive a huge payout from the state. Their guardian filed a lawsuit accusing the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department of not doing its job and putting the kids in danger. 47 reports of abuse and neglect were sent to CYFD by citizens concerned about the welfare of a seven and eight-year-old. The lawsuit was settled for $4 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [4] Nob Hill restaurant reopens after holiday weekend break-in A Nob Hill restaurant was forced to close for part of the busy holiday weekend after getting burglarized. The owner of the Farmacy restaurant said the break-in happened early Sunday morning. He said the thief took everything from iPads and liquor to towels and merchandise. The Albuquerque Police Department arrested Jason Rojas after getting a call for a suspicious person in that area. He is facing a number of charges, including criminal trespassing. [5] Sandia National Laboratory to conduct controlled fire experiment on Tuesday Sandia National Laboratories will be conducting a controlled fire experiment Tuesday morning. The labs said a plume of black smoke may be visible from their Lurance Canyon burn site on Kirtland Air Force Base. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Max Nazarov, a former host of shuttered pro-Russian news channels, was taken into custody on suspicions of spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda, Suspilne reported on Jan. 21, citing a court ruling. Nazarov has been sent to custody for 60 days pending trial, with an alternative of bail of Hr 12 million ($285,000). Nazarov, whose real name is Nazar Diorditsa, previously worked as a news presenter at the Nash and NewsOne television channels, both of which were considered among the leading pro-Russian news outlets in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced charges against Nazarov after searches of his home on Jan. 18, saying that "large-scale evidence" and "conclusions from independent experts" point to the news host's "anti-Ukrainian activities." After the outbreak of the full-scale invasion, Nazarov regularly invited pro-Russian guests to his own YouTube channel show and used the discussions to justify Russian aggression and war crimes, the SBU said. Nazarov claimed on his Telegram channel that he bears no responsibility for the words of the guests he interviewed. Nash was owned by Yevheniy Muraiev, a wanted pro-Russian politician who fled the country after the full-scale invasion began and recently resurfaced in China. Ukraine sanctioned Nash in February 2022, leading to its closure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly before the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, the U.K. Foreign Office warned that the Kremlin intends to install Muraiev as the head of the Russian puppet regime in Kyiv. NewsOne was also formerly owned by Muraiev but later became part of the unofficial media empire of pro-Russian politician and former lawmaker Viktor Medvedchuk, who lives in exile in Russia after being released from Ukrainian custody in a prisoner exchange in 2022. The news channel was banned in 2021 amid a broader crackdown on Medvedchuk's media operations, which were accused of promoting pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian narratives. Read also: Former pro-Russian lawmaker charged with treason resurfaces in China Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Los Angeles County stands at a critical juncture this week, with weather officials warning of an incoming Santa Ana wind event that could worsen fire conditions in areas already devastated by recent blazes. The National Weather Service predicts peak gusts up to 100 mph starting Monday across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, creating what meteorologists describe as a "particularly dangerous situation." These winds, combined with extremely dry conditions, threaten to transform even small fires into major conflagrations. Related: Exclusive: The FBI Manhunt for America's Most Wanted Eco-Terrorist Reignites With Arrest of Fake Firefighters in Palisades The Los Angeles Fire Department has ramped up its response, positioning 30 extra engines in high-risk zones - a direct response to past criticisms about preparedness during the recent Palisades fire, LA Times reports. That blaze, along with the Eaton fire, has already claimed 27 lives and destroyed more than 15,000 structures across the region. Some relief might arrive this weekend, with forecasters predicting a 50% to 70% chance of rain starting Saturday. While the precipitation could help dampen the fires, it also brings a 20% to 30% chance of thunderstorms and potential flooding risks in burn areas. Related: Convicted Arsonist Busted Driving Fake Firetruck Into Palisades Fire Evacuation Site Mayor Karen Bass expressed openness to working with President Trump during his planned visit to Los Angeles this week. "I'll say, welcome to Los Angeles," Bass stated, noting ongoing collaborations with FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers. Trump, speaking at a recent rally, pledged to help rebuild Los Angeles "more beautiful than ever before" ahead of the 2028 Olympics. For residents affected by the fires, evacuation orders remain in place across much of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Brentwood, and Topanga. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department continues managing re-entry in cleared zones, requiring valid photo identification showing physical addresses. The Palisades fire remains at 59% containment after burning 23,713 acres, while the Eaton fire has reached 87% containment across its 14,021-acre spread. Fire officials maintain heightened staffing levels and strict parking regulations to enable rapid response to any new fire threats as the dangerous wind conditions persist through Tuesday morning. Palisades Fire Containment: 59% as of Monday morning Area burned: 23,713 acres Structures destroyed: 6,051 Structures damaged: 788 Deaths: 10 Current evacuation zones: Pacific Palisades, parts of Malibu, Brentwood, and Topanga remain under mandatory orders Resident return status: Some zones opened with valid photo ID required Eaton Fire Jan. 20 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said he will visit southern California this week amid looming winds and threats of new flames with tens of thousands of acres torched, according to multiple reports. "I'm going to go out there on Friday to see it and to get it moving back," the new president said ahead of the inauguration at a rally amid an standing invite by Gov. Gavin Newsom. At least 27 people have died and at least 17,000 structures destroyed, according to some reports, so far by the ongoing wildfires in southern California which erupted around Jan. 7 when hurricane-like Santa Ana winds swept through the dry region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the National Weather Service warned "particularly dangerous situation" red flag warnings will be in effect from noon Monday to 10 a.m. PT Tuesday for much of the area. "Everyone needs to be on high alert," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Monday. A tattered American flag is all that remains of a house destroyed in the Eaton fire in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday. President Donald Trump is expected to visit the area later this week. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI The Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County is reported to be 87% contained with more than 14,000 acres burned by fire, according to the state. The Palisades Fire, meanwhile, has destroyed more than 23,700 acres at only 59% containment. On Sunday, Newsom announced the state will mobilize and preposition more than 130 fire engines, water tenders, scores of aircraft and other machinery to Southern California along with extra manpower via California's Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Los Angeles and partner firefighters are pre-deployed, and we ask Angelenos to be prepared in case they need to evacuate," the mayor added. Moreover, AccuWeather estimates that damage and economic loss will total more than $250 billion. But five major banks agreed to provide mortgage relief to customers affected by wildfires, Newsom revealed over the weekend. "We're going to get some of the best builders in the world," Trump says. "We'll get it moving back." The governor's office on Sunday said it was glad Trump finally accepted Newsom's invite to visit the destruction in Los Angeles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Newsom's office wrote he hopes Trump will meet "directly with the Americans affected by these firestorms, sees the devastation firsthand, and joins the Governor and others in thanking the heroic firefighters and first responders who are putting their lives on the line." Meanwhile, conditions were expected to persist through Thursday before Trump's visit due to low humidity and offshore winds with several areas likely to feel humidity between 2% and 5% to Thursday, according to the weather agency. As devastating wildfires have destroyed huge swaths of Los Angeles County, incinerating homes and leaving at least 27 people dead, fire and law enforcement authorities have also had to contend with multiple cases of arson. Authorities have arrested at least eight people accused of setting new, small fires in the days since the larger fires erupted, including suspects setting trees, bushes, leaves and trash ablaze, officials said. On the evening of January 14, a woman was arrested after allegedly setting multiple piles of rubbish and trash on fire, Jim McDonnell, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, said at a news conference last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the woman was arrested, she admitted to setting fires and said she enjoyed causing chaos and destruction, according to McDonnell. Another suspect, arrested earlier on the same day after allegedly setting a fire in a tree, admitted to starting the fire because he liked the smell of burning leaves, said the police chief. There are people out there who this is what they do, said McDonnell. If you know of those people, please give us a call before something really bad happens. Another suspect was arrested January 12 for an outstanding felony warrant for arson by North Hollywood officers, after using a barbecue lighter to light fires, according to McDonnell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The string of arrests come as authorities continue to investigate the causes of the larger wildfires, combing the wreckage for clues. Authorities have not shared any specific information to suggest any individuals arrested for arson caused major fires. At a news conference January 12, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said we do not have any information that theres any connection between the Eaton and Palisades fires, which rank as the first- and second-most destructive fires in Southern California history. Firefighters are still working to contain the two largest blazes. About 95% of fires in California are caused by humans, whether through an intentional act of arson, a downed power line, or a backyard barbecue party or fireworks celebration gone awry, Cal Fire officials said. A total of 109 arson arrests were made in 2024, according to statistics from Cal Fire. The incidents can cause major problems. Arson-caused wildfires burned around 44,609 acres in 2020, the agency reported. They think its a perfect time to do it, experts say It is not unusual to see other crimes like arson in the aftermath of a natural disaster, said Bob Duval, a fire investigator and Northeast Regional Director for the National Fire Protection Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They think its a perfect time to do it, because everybodys tied up at the major fire scenes, Duval told CNN. There wont be any police, there wont be any firefighters or any security. Similarly, William Weinberg, a California-based criminal defense attorney who has worked on arson cases, told CNN copycat crimes are really, really common. People who set fires in the aftermath of a massive wildfire may be more attention-seeking than trying to cause harm, Weinberg explained. There is also a strong mental health component playing into many arson cases, he said. A person who commits arson might be a marginal person, a person whos on the edge of society, who feels unconnected to society in some way, Weinberg said. Maybe theyre homeless, maybe theyve got persistent mental health problems, they dont feel connected to the rest of society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duval said arson may stem from a variety of motivations, including mental health challenges, anger, revenge, trying to make a statement, or mischief and blowing off steam. Its an unfortunate reality nowadays, when theres fires like this, the fire investigator said. That theres always going to be in the days following, some sort of disturbance or some sort of distraction, whether its looting or arson. Los Angeles County firefighters spray water on a burning home as the Eaton Fire moved through the area on January 8, in Altadena, California. - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images And the crimes may draw much-needed resources away from the large wildfires devastating Los Angeles County. Its pulling away resources from the other major fires, said Duval. And in arson cases, it becomes a crime scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats another case number for that investigator, whether its fire, law enforcement or both, they have to investigate it, he said. They would face maximum punishments, DA says Other crimes have also diverted law enforcement attention amid the blazes. Two people were arrested on Saturday for impersonating firefighters while driving a fake fire truck near the Palisades Fire, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. One of the suspects has a criminal history in Oregon for criminal mischief and arson, officials said. Some 40 cases of looting have also been identified, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman told CNN. To ward off potential criminal activity and assist law enforcement efforts, thousands of National Guard members have been deployed to Southern California. Authorities have vowed to prosecute arson and other crimes committed during the wildfires to the fullest extent possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We sent a warning early on to all would-be looters, to all would-be arsonists, to people who are engaging in any type of fire-related crime, whether its price gouging or these internet scams, that they would get arrested, they would be prosecuted, and they would see maximum punishments, Hochman said. Thats what exactly youre going to see. Weinberg said cases of arson injuring or killing someone tend to be punished the most harshly, followed by those damaging structures, and others burning open land. If someone sets a fire that kills someone, they can be charged with homicide, he added. Arson causing great bodily injury to another person can be punished by up to nine years in prison, and arson burning an inhabited structure or inhabited property by up to eight years, according to the California Penal Code. Punishments may also vary based on motivation, according to Weinberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mental state is key, he explained. Reckless versus intentional, malicious. Although destructive crimes like arson in the aftermath of a massive crisis may be shocking, Weinberg said, they are not uncommon. Theres nothing new under the sun, he said. CNNs Sara Smart and Rebekah Riess contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A hamburger made with cultivated meat, served at a 2013 tasting in London. (Courtesy of Mosa Meat) A committee of South Dakota legislators advanced a bill Tuesday at the Capitol in Pierre that would define lab-grown meat and require it to be clearly labeled. The state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources proposed the legislation. Cheyenne Tant, a policy adviser for the department, explained it to legislators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Dakota consumers deserve transparency when deciding whether to purchase a product grown in a lab versus products grown by our hardworking farmers and ranchers, Tant said. The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted 13-0 to send the bill to the full House of Representatives. The legislation describes lab-grown meat as cell-cultured protein and defines it as a product that is produced for use as human food, made wholly or in part from any cell culture or the DNA of a host animal, and grown or cultivated outside a live animal. The bill also says any product that contains cell-cultured protein without being clearly labeled as cell-cultured or lab-grown would be considered misbranded. That provision builds on a state law adopted in 2019 that prohibits the mislabeling of meat. Enforcement would fall to the state Animal Industry Board, Tant said, which could work with companies to change their labels or take steps to remove noncompliant products from South Dakota shelves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobody testified against the bill, and supporters represented diverse interests. Hunter Roberts, secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, called lab-grown meat gross. Several groups representing farmers and ranchers said they want transparency in labeling to differentiate their traditionally raised meat from lab-grown versions. Good Food Institute, a group that works to advance innovation in alternative proteins, also supported the bill. The nonpartisan, nonprofit organization was represented at the committee meeting by Erin Rees Clayton, a Pierre-based senior scientific adviser for the institute. She said producers of alternative proteins also want to differentiate their products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just as South Dakota farmers and ranchers are proud of their products, cultivated meat producers are proud of their products, too, Rees Clayton said. They want to celebrate the innovation and production processes behind the meat they produce. She said lab-cultivated meat has existed for a little more than a decade. It starts from a small sample of animal cells that are fed the sugars, water, proteins and vitamins needed to grow into muscle and fat. Cultivated meat is meat at the cellular level, offering similar taste, texture and safety profiles, Rees Clayton said. Its just produced in a different way. She said the fledgling industry may someday be able to help satisfy the rising global populations demand for protein. It could also add resiliency to food supply chains, she said, because its less vulnerable to natural disasters and other unpredictable events that can affect traditional meat production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, Rees Clayton said, federal regulators have approved only two U.S. companies to produce and sell cultivated meat, and neither company has brought a product to the market yet. Rees Clayton failed to convince legislators to consider what she described as a minor amendment. It would add terms such as cell-cultivated or cultivated to the bills definition of lab-grown meat, which she said would better align the legislation with industry standards. Some other states, including Florida and Alabama, have banned lab-grown meat. Nebraska is considering a ban. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) South Dakotans who raise cattle, hogs, sheep, poultry and other animals for people to eat could be receiving more protection from state lawmakers. A labeling requirement for most cell-cultured protein products cleared its first test in the South Dakota Legislature on Tuesday. Daktronics to move jurisdiction to Delaware The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously to endorse HB1022. It would generally prohibit referring to cell-cultured protein as coming from an animal carcass or as a meat product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full House of Representatives could consider it as early as Wednesday afternoon. If approved there, the proposal would next move to the Senate for further consideration. The legislation would give the state veterinarian authority to withhold cell-culture protein products that arent properly labeled. Theres an exception for livestock embryos. The state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources brought the proposal. DANR Secretary Hunter Roberts left no doubt about his thoughts. My personal opinion is I think its gross, Roberts told the committee. Its something I wouldnt feed my family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation uses terms found at the federal level. Erin Rees Clayton, a lobbyist for Good Food Institute, suggested adding further definitions, but a department policy analyst said they werent necessary. Rees Clayton told the committee that commercial distribution of products could be years away. Democratic Rep. Kadyn Wittman said she was probably the only member of the panel who eats alternatives to meat. She voted for the labeling requirement. I see great value in making sure that consumers have clearly labeled options in front of them, and I see this as getting ahead of something that may be years down the road, but I think thats very smart of the department side, Wittman said. The Legislature in 2019 passed a law prohibiting the misbranding of meat. South Dakota Stockgrowers lobbyist Jeremiah Murphy said it sailed through without any votes against. He testified in favor of the new labeling requirement on Tuesday. So did South Dakota Cattlemens lobbyist Taya Runyon and South Dakota Farm Bureau lobbyist Matthew Bogue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one took the witness chair as an opponent. Whether restaurants and other providers of prepared foods would need to inform customers they were using cell-cultured protein ingredients wasnt clear, however. I think we may need to expand this bill in future legislation, Republican Rep. Julie Auch said. Republican Rep. Tim Goodwin said theres been difficulty getting Congress to require other meat labeling, such as country of origin. Im just worried about how it actually goes out, how its labeled property, we dont get a bait and switch, he said. Roberts, who runs a cow-calf operation and raises milo, corn and hay, told the committee about how vegetable and fruit juices, such as from oats and almonds, came to be labeled as milk products. He said the proposed cell-cultured protein labeling requirement wouldnt allow the same thing to happen to meat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Rep. Richard Vasgaard, a retired ag producer, said a survey was done in a large-city market about almond milk. And the majority of people thought it was almond-flavored milk. So labeling is very important and I whole-heartedly support this bill, he said. Republican Rep. Marty Overweg, an ag businessman and producer, chairs the committee. We know this whole process is in its early stages. So I commend the Department of Agriculture for being pro-active and setting some rules up, he said. Republican Rep. Kevin Van Diepen said he wants to know what hes getting. When I order a beef steak, I expect it to be beef, he said. Copyright 2025 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 KELOLAND.com. LAFOURCHE PARISH, La. (WGNO) Troopers with the Louisiana State Police are investigating a crash that left a Cut Off woman dead in Lafourche Parish on Monday, Jan. 20. The LSP reported that the crash happened on Louisiana Highway 3235 near Filton Lane around 2 a.m. 12 cats rescued from house fire in New Orleans East LSP officials said an initial investigation shows that an 18-wheeler was driving south on Louisiana Highway 3235 while 61-year-old Lisa Cheramie was walking in the left southbound lane. The 18-wheeler then reportedly hit Cheramie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheramie suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the 18-wheeler was uninjured. How to protect pipes, plants and pets from the cold According to the LSP, the driver of the 18-wheeler was not suspected of being impaired and voluntarily provided a breath sample which showed no alcohol detected. LSP officials said the investigation is ongoing, and routine toxicology samples were collected. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2025 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 WGNO. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The man accused of orchestrating the murder of Tupac Shakur has no immunity from prosecution in Nevada, a Las Vegas judge ruled Tuesday. As the 8 News Now Investigators first reported earlier this month, Duane Keffe D Davis, 61, filed paperwork asking a judge to dismiss his case over the 27-year delay in prosecution and past immunity agreements. In court Tuesday, Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny declined to dismiss Davis case over arguments from his attorney that he received immunity protection in a prior interview. She also noted there was no advantage for the Clark County District Attorneys Office to have waited 27 years to prosecute their case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis has publicly said he was sitting in the front passenger seat of the car, which pulled up side-by-side with Shakurs, before the September 1996 shooting near the Las Vegas Strip. Marion Suge Knight, the then-head of Death Row Records, was driving the car with Shakur sitting in the passenger seat. Knight was injured in the shooting. Shakur died from his injuries several days later. Judge Carli Kierny sets a trial date for Duane Keffe D Davis in Clark County District Court Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP, Pool) Kierny noted Davis book led prosecutors to investigate and bring the case to a grand jury. She noted the lack of physical evidence and witnesses created an uphill battle for them. In Davis filing, his attorney, Carl Arnold, said his client entered into several proffer agreements with federal and local officials regarding information about Shakurs murder. Davis again entered a similar agreement during a Los Angeles Police Department interview, documents said. Prosecutors had said any proffer agreement in Nevada would have had to go through a judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis trial was scheduled to begin in March. Kierny scheduled a Feb. 11 hearing to determine if that date would stick. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man accused of bolting from police and causing a car crash in east Las Vegas Sunday morning after which police found his girlfriend dead from gunshot wounds in the front seat of a Ford Mustang was in the hospital and unable to attend his first Justice Court hearing Monday, a judge said. Julio Machado Vasquez, 24, faces a charge of open murder with a deadly weapon and is due to appear in Las Vegas Justice Court on Wednesday. I did find probable cause for the arrest as to all of the charges, Amy Ferreiria, the Justice Court hearing master, said in Vasquezs absence. Vasquez is also charged with disobeying a peace officer, resulting in deadly or bodily harm. Julio Machado Vasquez, 24, faces a charge of open murder with a deadly weapon and is due to appear in Las Vegas Justice Court on Wednesday. (KLAS) Police say they received a call on Sunday morning from someone who said a friend shot his girlfriend. Given Vasquezs description, police said they tried to pull him over in traffic but, Vasquez took off and caused a multi-car crash near the intersection of east Charleston Boulevard and north Pecos Road. Police said Vasquez went to the hospital after the crash and his ensuing arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emergency personnel pronounced the woman, who will be identified by the Clark County Coroner, found dead at the scene inside of Vasquezs car, police said. A man accused of bolting from police and causing a car crash in east Las Vegas Sunday morning after which police found his girlfriend dead from gunshot wounds in the front seat of a Ford Mustang was in the hospital and unable to attend his first Justice Court hearing Monday, a judge said. (KLAS) Vasquezs parents and several other relatives were present in the hearing room at the Regional Justice Center. They declined an in-person request for an interview outside of the courthouse Monday. Public records indicate Vasquez is in the custody of the Clark County Detention Center, being held on no bail on the open murder charge and $20,000 on the second charge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Las Vegas Metro police will not partake in mass deportation roundups as President Donald Trump lays out his immigration policies, Sheriff Kevin McMahill said in an exclusive interview. As he begins his second term, Trump has promised to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, saying during his inaugural address Monday: We will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. In December, Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo joined other Republican governors in saying they were fully committed to Trumps immigration policies to deport individuals who pose a threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A study released in 2024 found undocumented immigrants are arrested at less than half the rate of native-born U.S. citizens for violent and drug crimes and a quarter the rate of native-born citizens for property crimes, the National Institute of Justice said. Kenneth Genalo, director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements New York City field office, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in the Bronx borough of New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Several executive orders Trump planned to sign Monday include immigration with one declaring a national emergency at the southern border. Trump also plans to sign an order ending birthright citizenship, a move that directly contradicts the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees citizenship for anyone born in the U.S. The incoming administration promised mass deportations, with Trumps new self-described border czar saying he would run the biggest deportation operation this countrys ever seen. Reports indicated those efforts were scheduled to begin as early as Tuesday. As of 2022, Nevada was home to nearly 200,000 undocumented immigrants, many who live in mixed immigration-status households, according to the Pew Research Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think it will be an interesting conversation, but roundups out in the community and those kinds of things, thats not my job. I have too much to do, McMahill said. I dont think that with the volume and magnitude of the problem that theyre going to make as much progress on it as they would like to unless they first focus in on stopping people from coming across the borders. Immigration is a personal topic for McMahill. An impaired wrong-way driver who killed a Las Vegas Metro police officer on Interstate 15 in December was in the country illegally. Fernando Jimenez, 31, died when he collided with LVMPD Officer Colton Pulsipher, 29, on Dec. 12. Jimenez was driving a truck the wrong way in the northbound lanes near the Valley of Fire. Jimenez applied for citizenship in 2020, but in 2021, an immigration judge in Texas ordered Jimenez removed from the country, an ICE spokesperson said. Jimenez entered the country illegally twice in 2019. Both times, ICE returned him to Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McMahill took office in 2023 and instituted a policy to alert immigration officials after certain arrests, he said. FILE A pair of migrant families from Brazil pass through a gap in the border wall to reach the United States after crossing from Mexico in Yuma, Ariz., June 10, 2021, to seek asylum. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia, File) If youre foreign-born, youre arrested for a violent felony, DUI, or domestic violence, we will run you through the system, McMahill said. The directive is not the 287G program, which ended in 2019 after a federal court ruling. In that program, Metro partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain people based on their immigration status. I dont care which president in the past its been, theyve never picked up over 40% of the people that theyve been notified of, McMahill said. I dont intend to change that policy anytime soon. What I do hope happens is theres a bipartisan effort to secure our border. McMahill said he was awaiting any changes to federal law. The last Congress agreed on a bipartisan border agreement, but then-candidate Trump tanked it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Nevada Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen voted for the Laken Riley Act, which would require undocumented immigrants to be detained if they are accused of theft, burglary, or other charges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. George Marler takes the temperature of a pool at the base of Giant Geyser in the 1950s. (Photo from the Yellowstone Research Library) George D. Marler (18981978) was a Yellowstone National Park ranger naturalist for more than four decades starting in 1931. He made long-lasting contributions to the understanding of hydrothermal activity in Yellowstone and published many of his detailed observations and interpretations in a series of seminal peer-reviewed journal papers. His publications mainly described and explained how hot springs in the geyser basins respond to earthquakes and climate. In a 1951 paper titled Exchange of function as a cause of geyser irregularity [Wyoming] Marler documented geyser eruptions over more than 50 months of observations, including during Yellowstones very cold winter months. He demonstrated that many geysers that have irregular eruption patterns, which are reflected by changes in the time between successive eruptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on these observations, he inferred that some geysers are connected in the subsurface with other nearby springs and geysers. For example, Marler suggested that in the Upper Geyser Basin, Beauty and Chromatic Pools, which located about 150 feet apart, and geysers and pools of the Daisy Group Comet, Daisy and Splendid Geysers, and Bonita and Brilliant Pools, all within 150 feet of each other are connected in the subsurface. He termed the shifting flow of groundwater between hot springs that causes the irregular patterns as exchange of function. In a 1954 paper titled Does the cold of winter affect the thermal intensity of the hot springs in Yellowstone Park [Wyoming]? he examined the effects of extreme seasonal changes on geyser activity in the Upper Geyser Basin and concluded that there are insignificant differences in the eruption patterns of geysers between winter and summer (a more recent study that relied on more frequent measurements of geyser eruptions than were available to Marler found small seasonal variations in eruption patterns of some geysers). In a 1964 paper titled Seasonal changes in ground water in relation to hot spring activity, Marler suggested that small temperature variation in groundwater flowing toward geysers could have a significant effect on the eruption patterns for example, at Great Fountain Geyser in Lower Geyser Basin. This is the Kaleidoscope Geyser in the Lower Geyser Basin. George D. Marler and Donald E. White wrote in their 1975 journal paper that In 1963, about 18 m northwest of Kaleidoscope Geyser, a violent eruption that may have been a single event scattered scores of blocks of sinter about a newly created crater about 3 m in diameter but suggested that the event was either directly or indirectly related to the Hebgen Lake earthquake. (Photo by George Marler/ Yellowstone National Park in 1965) A 1956 paper titled How old is Old Faithful Geyser [Wyoming]? reported on a silicified wood sample from a tree that grew on the Old Faithful Geyser mound. The wood sample was dated in one of the earliest applications of the radiocarbon method (carbon 14 or 14C) to 730 200 years, which, after calibration, corresponds to 703 200 years before the year 1950, or a date of 1247 200 CE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marler wrote that The data presented in this paper make it reasonably certain that the origin of the intermediate spring goes back to the period dated by carbon 14. The origin of this spring and the age of the wood are essentially the same. Radiocarbon dates of the same silicified wood made more than 65 years after those presented by Marler and with modern techniques turned out to be consistent with the earlier dates. The more recent study, however, suggested that Old Faithful Geyser was erupting long before the tree grew on the geysers mound, and that trees grew on and around the mound between approximately 1233 and 1362 CE. This time period is coincident with a series of severe regional droughts in the Western United States toward the end of a period called the Medieval Climate Anomaly. Perhaps George Marlers most notable work was with U.S. Geological Survey scientist Donald E. White describing changes in hot spring discharge and geyser eruption patterns to the Aug. 17, 1959, M7.3 Hebgen Lake, Montana, earthquake, which had an epicenter about 30 miles northwest of Upper Geyser Basin. In a 1975 paper, Marler and White documented at least 289 springs in the geyser basins along the Firehole River that erupted as geysers the day after the earthquake, of which 160 were springs with no previous record of eruption. They also reported new hot ground that developed in some places or became apparent by the following spring as new fractures in hot spring sinter deposits or as linear zones of dead or dying trees. Some fumaroles formed in new fractures, and a few of these evolved into hot springs. This is a seismic geyser in Yellowstones Upper Geyser Basin during an eruption. Based on the study of George Marler and U.S. Geological Survey scientist Donald E. White on the effects of the August 1959 Hebgen Lake, Montana, earthquake on hot springs in Yellowstones Upper Geyser Basin, fumaroles in what was eventually called Seismic Geyser (not listed in the U.S. Board on Geographic Names) were active until late 1962 or early 1963. During the 19621963 winter, one or more explosive events enlarged the eastern fracture into a crater. The crater acted as a geyser since 1963, and the western fracture gradually ceased fumarolic activity. (Photo by George Marler/ Yellowstone National Park in 1969) George Marlers meticulous observations and documentation of hydrothermal activity in Yellowstone National Park have provided future generations of researchers and geyser enthusiasts with invaluable information that has significantly improved the understanding of hydrothermal activity, and particularly the dynamics of geyser eruptions. As a ranger naturalist he wrote many reports on the hydrothermal features in the park, as well as illustrated issues of the employee newsletter Nature Notes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of Marlers other publications, including The story of Old Faithful, Studies of geysers and hot springs along the Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, and Story of Great Fountain Geyser to 1965 can be found at the Yellowstone Research Library. Marlers significant contributions were acknowledged in 1962 by Brigham Young University, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate in science, and in 1967 by the U.S. Department of Interior distinguished service award for contributions in the field of hydrothermal geology at Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Flood control along the Mississippi River is a central piece of a newly passed federal law work that advocates believe is critical as the river basin sees more frequent and severe extreme weather events due to climate change. The Water Resources Development Act is passed by Congress every two years. It gives authority to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to undertake projects and studies to improve the nations water resources. Signed into law Jan. 4, this years package includes studies on increased flooding in the upper basin, flood mitigation measures throughout the river system, ecological restoration, and a $6 billion floodwall in Louisiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mississippi River is managed in large part by the Army Corps, so it often features prominently in the bill, with a dual aim of making the river more suitable for shipping and restoring environmental degradation from flooding, nutrient pollution and climate change. Kirsten Wallace, executive director of the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association, called this years water resources act a pretty special one. She said it contained wins for many of the diverse stakeholders along the river, including shippers, environmental advocates, riverfront communities and federal and state agencies who dont always agree. Advocates lauded the laws emphasis on nature-based solutions. In a press release, Stephanie Bailenson, policy team lead for The Nature Conservancy, said, Since 2016, Congress has directed the Corps to consider natural and nature-based solutions alongside or instead of traditional infrastructure. This latest act continues that trend. But all of these projects are only promised, because funding doesnt come until later, when Congress appropriates it. Many projects authorized in previous versions of the law are still unfunded, according to the Congressional Research Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what will affect the river in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024: Study of flood risk on the upper Mississippi River The law authorizes a large-scale study of flooding on the Upper Mississippi River System, which includes the Mississippi River from its headwaters to where it meets the Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois, as well as the Illinois River and portions of some smaller tributaries. The upper river has seen two major floods in the last few years; one in 2022, and one in 2019, which lasted for months and caused billions of dollars in damage. The studys chief goal: figuring out how to reduce flood risk across the entire river system, instead of relying on municipalities to try to solve flooding problems themselves, which can sometimes have impacts downstream. North of St. Louis, for example, levees constrain the river to protect communities and valuable farmland from flooding and some levee districts have raised those levees higher, safeguarding themselves but effectively pushing floodwaters faster downstream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This plan allows more of a comprehensive way for levee districts to improve what they currently have in a way that doesnt put them in a position to be adversarial or just impose risk somewhere else, Wallace said. She said the study will be a challenge, but that levee districts are eager for solutions as flood risks and heavier rainfall increase. Once the study receives funding, it will be led by the Army Corps St. Louis District, Wallace said. Itll solicit input from cities, towns and ports along the river, recreators, the shipping industry and federal environmental agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. Flood projects for cities from the headwaters to the delta Cities and towns along the river could get help for the localized effects of flooding too, thanks to several projects authorized by the law. Upstream, that includes La Crosse, Wisconsin, which will enter into an agreement with the Army Corps to study the role of the citys levees, which were constructed around the rivers record flood in 1965. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to have an eye on maintaining what weve got and looking toward the future and whatever conditions the river might undergo to be prepared as best we can, said Matthew Gallager, the citys director of engineering and public works. Because obviously, nature is going to win. Downriver, Louisiana secured the largest project authorization within the law. To protect communities in St. Tammany Parish, a county north of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana plans to build a $5.9 billion levee and floodwall system totaling 18.5 miles in length to protect over 26,000 structures, most of which are family homes. The St. Tammany Flood Risk Management Project is slated to receive $3.7 billion in federal funding. The other 35% will come from non-federal sponsors, such as the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. By authorizing the St. Tammany project for construction, Congress recognizes again the national importance of Louisiana and that CPRA can work with the federal government to execute a multibillion coastal protection project successfully, said authority Chairman Gordy Dove. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law also authorizes a federal study of the Lake Pontchartrain Storm Surge Reduction Project, a component of Louisianas Coastal Master Plan meant to protect nine parishes bordering the lake. The Army Corps will investigate whether the proposed project to reduce flood risk is in the federal interest. Other approved flood control projects will be funded along the lower Mississippi River and its tributaries, including the Ouachita River in Louisiana. Several counties in Mississippi will also receive funding to improve environmental infrastructure, such as water and wastewater systems. Near Memphis, the bill authorizes the Hatchie-Loosahatchie Ecosystem Restoration project, which covers a 39-mile stretch of the lower Mississippi River. The project aims to manage flood risks while also restoring and sustaining the health, productivity and biological diversity of the flyway. In New Orleans, a study was authorized to investigate ecosystem restoration and water supply issues, such as the mitigation of future saltwater wedges that threaten drinking water and wetlands at the very end of the Mississippi River. More support for the Upper Mississippi River Restoration program The law also increases the amount of money Congress can give to the Upper Mississippi River Restoration program, which funds habitat restoration activities and scientific research on the upper river. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congress increased the money it can direct to the research part of the program by $10 million, bringing the total the program can get to $100 million annually. The boost really is a recognition of the value of the science the understanding that has improved about how the system is functioning over the last three decades, said Marshall Plumley, the Army Corps regional manager for the program. If given extra funding, Plumley said, program staff want to use it to better understand the effects of the increased amount of water that has flowed through the river in recent years. That increase, partly attributed to wetter conditions due to climate change, is changing the rivers floodplain habitats, including forests and backwater areas. A change to how new water infrastructure gets funded The Mississippi River functions as a water superhighway, transporting around $500 million tons of goods each year. Infrastructure to keep shipping running smoothly is costly, and one adjustment in the 2024 water resources act is aimed at shifting the burden of those costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taxpayers have been funding inland waterway infrastructure for nearly two centuries, but Congress established the Inland Waterways Trust Fund in 1978, which requires the private shipping industry to pitch in. Today, the trust funds coffers are filled by a 29-cent per gallon diesel tax on commercial operators that use the Mississippi River and other inland waterways, adding up to about $125 million per year in recent years. New construction like wider, more modern locks and dams on the upper river is paid for through a public-private partnership: the private dollars in the fund, and federal dollars allocated by Congress. Until recently, the private dollars covered 35% of new construction costs and federal dollars covered 65%. The new act adjusts that to 25% and 75%, respectively. Advocates for the shipping industry have long believed taxpayers should have a bigger hand in funding construction because its not just shippers who benefit from an efficient river. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The balance in the trust fund always limits construction that can happen in a given year, said Jen Armstrong, director of government relations for the Waterways Council. We cant afford to have projects take three decades or two decades to complete, Armstrong said, because we have other locks that are deteriorating. Armstrong said she believes shifting more of the cost to the federal government will accelerate those projects. Not everyone supports the cost share change, however, including American Rivers, which has opposed the creation of new locks on the upper Mississippi in favor of helping the river revert to more natural processes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelsey Cruickshank, the groups director of policy and government relations, called it a disappointing development that continues to give short shrift to the incredible ecosystem of the worlds third-largest freshwater river system. This story is a product of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, an independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri in partnership with Report for America, with major funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The Nature Conservancy and American Rivers also receive Walton funding. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New law addresses climate extremes, flooding along Mississippi River Lauren Marks is no stranger to the courtrooms of Berks County. She has spent the last 15 years toiling away in them as a defense attorney tackling civil, criminal and family law cases. Her work practicing in every division of the county court system has given her a diverse career, one she believes sets her up perfectly to take on a new challenge. Thats why she has decided to seek a position as the newest Berks County judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I love the work that I do, but I have always wanted to be a judge, she said. I believe that I have the temperament as well as the diversity and drive to be on the bench. I feel like this is the next step in my career. Marks is running to fill a vacancy on the bench left open by the retirement of Judge Jeffrey Sprecher in July 2023. The Lower Heidelberg Township Republican will cross-file to appear on the Republican and Democratic ballots in the May primary election. She is the second candidate to announce her intention to run for the post. Berks County Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Lehman is also seeking election. Marks said her experience has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the judicial system that has prepared her to serve residents immediately. She added that, if elected, she will bring a conservative approach to the bench, emphasizing her commitment to following constitutional law and making impartial decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lauren Marks We need experienced, ethical and impartial judges who are committed to following the law, protecting our families and defending the strong community values county residents believe in, she said. As our next judge, I am committed to doing just that. Marks spent two years in the Berks County Public Defenders Office, where she primarily handled juvenile cases with a goal of rehabilitation to help them become successful members of the community. She then transitioned into private practice joining a fellow attorney and then opened her own firm. Eventually, she said, the firm grew so large that she decided to join forces with two other attorneys in 2017. She continues to work as a partner at Palange, Endres and Marks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to protecting the rights of children and our families, no one fights harder than I do, she said. As a longtime member of our community, I have seen the devastating effects violence and broken families have on our society and legal system and will bring this experience to the bench. As a judge, Marks said she believes she has what it takes to make the tough decisions that come with the post. I would hope that I would have a welcoming courtroom where attorneys and litigants felt like they were getting a fair shake and the ability to state their case, she said. But as a judge that means you have to make decisions that people will not always like. Marks graduated from Penn State University with a degree in political science before earning her law degree from Duquesne University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judges serve for 10 years, then must run for retention to remain on the bench. The position pays $227,411 annually. Meet the candidate Candidate: Lauren Marks, 44, Lower Heidelberg Township. Position sought: Berks County judge. Website: electlaurenmarks.com Background: Marks has practiced civil, criminal and family law throughout her career as a defense attorney in Berks County. She is a board member for the Berks County Bar Association and frequently gives lectures at continuing legal education classes. In addition to her legal career, she served as auditor for Lower Heidelberg Township. State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams, center, asks a question of State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth. Aug. 17, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN The GOP-led push to change how Nebraska allocates its Electoral College votes for president has a new backup plan: a possible 2026 constitutional amendment. Since 1991, Nebraska has allocated its five presidential electors by awarding two votes to the winner of the presidential popular vote statewide and one vote each for the popular vote winner in each of the states three congressional districts. Maine is the only other state that follows the district model. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislative Resolution 24CA, by State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams, would ask Nebraskans in November 2026 whether that practice should end and all votes go to the presidential ticket that wins the most votes in the state. It is another choice, said Dorn, should Legislative Bill 3, introduced by State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen, fall short of ending the practice in one fell swoop. Dorn said he supports Lippincotts effort. Im not 100% sure that there will be the 33 votes there for Lippincotts bill. If theres not, then it gives us another option, Dorn said Tuesday. Mines a backup. Its there, that if we dont get Senator Lippincotts bill across the finish line, now we have another option. Former State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha was a major roadblock for previous Republican-led efforts to change the Electoral College system for Nebraska. He had floated a constitutional amendment approach, which would let the entire state weigh in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nebraska has only divided its presidential electors three times, splitting four votes to the Republican nominee and sending a fifth vote from the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District to the Democratic candidate. Those 2nd District winners: President Barack Obama in 2008; President Joe Biden in 2020; and Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. McDonnell had called the so-called blue dot in the Omaha metro instead a green dot, citing the added national political relevancy and economic boost that the split system brings to Nebraska. Lawmakers have twice passed laws seeking to upend the practice. Both were vetoed in the 1990s by former Democratic Gov. Ben Nelson. Republicans fell one vote short of passing the change in 2016. A public hearing on Lippincotts LB 3 has not yet been scheduled but will likely be set for the final week of January, according to senators and staff familiar with scheduling. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) A Kentucky Democrat is calling for change regarding marijuana legislation in the Bluegrass. Minority Whip State Sen. David Yates, D-Louisville, filed two bills to change how marijuana is treated in Kentucky. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Senate Bill 33 would decriminalize having a small amount of marijuana and expunge convictions for low-level possession charges. Senate Bill 36 would give people 21 and older the right to buy, sell, or grow small amounts of cannabis without prosecution. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jan. 1 marked the start of Kentuckys new medical marijuana program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing oversees nursing homes in the state of Iowa. (Photo via Getty Images; logo courtesy of the State of Iowa) Amid questions over potential conflicts with federal law, an Iowa House of Representatives subcommittee advanced legislation Tuesday dealing with the state inspection of nursing homes. In 2024, the Iowa Legislature approved House File 2698, which the governor later signed into law, a bill that was opposed by advocates for seniors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of that bill requires the state agency that oversees nursing homes, the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, to establish a new process of allowing nursing homes to review, with DIAL, any potential citations for either substandard care or placing residents in immediate jeopardy of serious injury or death. During the review, the facilities can provide DIAL with additional context and evidence to consider before issuing the citation. Prior to that change in the law, DIAL was required to give nursing homes that same opportunity, but only after citations were issued. In addition, the 2024 law also requires state regulators at DIAL to create, with the industrys involvement, joint training sessions for both nursing home inspectors and the care facilities they oversee. The training sessions must include a review of at least three of the 10 regulatory violations most frequently cited by the inspectors during the previous year. As part of that same process, DIAL is also required to identify regional citation patterns related to nursing home complaints and inspection outcomes. The law also requires the states long-term care ombudsmans office which by federal law is required to operate independently of state nursing home regulators to participate in DIALs planning for the joint training sessions with the industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Tuesdays meeting of the Iowa House Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the panel considered House Study Bill 1. Although that bill and its explanation parrots the language of the 2024 law that took effect last July, DIAL officials say its intended to address the fact that the new law makes reference to state-regulated residential care facilities but also references immediate jeopardy violations, which apply only to nursing homes. The new bill, a DIAL spokesperson said, is merely highlighting this for the Legislature so they can review and clarify the changes that were made last legislative session. Prior to Tuesdays subcommittee meeting, John Hale, a consultant and an advocate for Iowa seniors, submitted written comments to the panel and questioned the intent of HSB 1. John Hale owns the Hale Group with Terri Hale. (Photo courtesy of John and Terri Hale) Hale said its his understanding that under federal law, a nursing home cited for immediate jeopardy must be informed of that fact and must correct the situation even before state inspectors leave the building. However, the new state law requires that care facility representatives be given a chance to provide additional context and evidence before a final finding of immediate jeopardy is issued by DIALs administrators a process that typically takes place within the 10-day period after inspectors have conducted an exit interview with a homes administrator and then left the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear what purpose is served by having another discussion of what happened and why, Hale stated in his comments to the subcommittee. DIAL needs to ensure that the numerous opportunities for context or evidence do not lead to accepting substandard care or for watering down the citations called for. The subcommittees three members Ryan Weldon, a Republican who represents northern Ankeny; Rob Johnson, a Des Moines Democrat; and Thomas Jay Moore, a Republican from Griswold didnt address those comments and adjourned after sending the bill on to the full committee for its consideration. After the meeting, former DIAL director Dean Lerner also questioned the bill, writing in his comments to the subcommittee that federal procedures do not permit this industry-inspired change of protocol. DIAL officials did not immediately respond Tuesday to an Iowa Capital Dispatch inquiry about any potential conflicts between state and federal law. A Minnesota home health nurse is accused of coercing a sexual relationship with a paraplegic patient over a months-long period, according to a lawsuit. The suit, filed in Dakota County District Court, names 28-year-old Kelsey Christine Fulweiler and Allina Health Inc. as defendants in the case. The alleged victim is a 44-year-old man who has been paralyzed from the chest down since suffering "catastrophic injuries" in a rollover crash when he was 18 years old, and is bedridden with worsening health. Fulweiler resigned and the state's Board of Nursing suspended her nursing license for two years in October of last year after the lawsuit was filed in June 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separate investigations by the Minnesota Department of Health and the state's Board of Nursing resulted in the eventual suspension. The initial investigation by MDH saw Fulweiler with a warning, and a second investigation determined that she "coerced, compelled and manipulated the client into a sexual relationship," according to the public report released by MDH in October. Fulweiler began to provide care at the patient's parents' home in 2022 and within a couple months, she's alleged to have started sending text messages that expressed her romantic interest in him. The day after her first romantic text, Fulweiler allegedly kissed the patient, according to the lawsuit. The filing claims the texts and kissing turned into explicit sexual contact during her visits. "Defendant Fulweilers outrageous professional misconduct continued for six to eight months, all the while serving as Plaintiffs nurse," the lawsuit alleges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fulweiler ended the relationship and left her assignment as the man's nurse on July 31, 2023. In addition to Fulweiler, the suit also accuses Allina for being negligent in failing to protect the patient, as it alleges "its management and staff were aware or should have been aware" of the abuse. It goes on to say the man has suffered emotional and mental distress from Fulweiler's actions. The lawsuit seeks at least $300,000 in relief. In response to the filing, Fulweiler denies "each and every allegation, matter, statement and thing contained in the complaint," according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one of the filings, Fulweiler claimed the two had formed an "outside of work hours friendship," and that it was the patient who expressed romantic interest in Fulweiler. "With regard to any alleged sexual contact, on advice of counsel, I plead the Fifth Amendment right to remain silent," a statement from Fulweiler reads. Allina Health also issued a response in which it denies involvement in or says it lacks knowledge of the allegations contained in the lawsuit. Allina Health tells Bring Me The News in a statement that Fulweiler was fired and reported when it was made aware of the allegations. "We do not defend the actions of this former employee; however, we strongly dispute the lawsuits characterization of Allina Healths conduct," it added. (WHTM) President Donald Trump pardoned more than 1,000 people charged in the 2021 Capitol riots as one of his first acts as the 47th president of the United States, including multiple Pennsylvanians. President Trumps decision to pardon those involved in the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021, was unexpected by many; people involved in the legal process for the Pennsylvanians have started to speak their minds. Lori Ulrich, who represented Harrisburg native Riley Williams, who was accused of stealing Nancy Pelosis laptop, and former North Cornwall Township police officer Joseph Fischer, whose case went before the U.S. Supreme Court, had her own opinion on President Trumps decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im placing bets with my friends and people in the office, you know, because everybody was debating will be is everybody going to get pardoned? Are they going to draw a line? Is going to be the misdemeanors. I needed the whole thing, Ulrich said. I and honestly, I said, you know what? Given President Trumps history, the fact that President Biden just did all these pardons, I think hes just crazy enough to grant everybody a pardon. So. I was right. I. That was my call. Im like, yes, he is. That is something he would do. As a professional, Ulrich said she was happy for both of her clients because she believed the government went too far in her prosecutions. However, she added that a pardon was probably not the right thing to do. Do I think they were right to be there? no. but for a lot of reasons, Im very happy for them today. Riley will get a pardon. Joe Fischers case will be dismissed because he has not been to trial yet, she said. Retired Federal Judge and Dickinson College President John Jones said those blanket pardons are an important distinction as compared to communications of the sentences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is hard for me to get in agreement or get my brain around blanket pardons, which essentially wash away and forgive, what I think and our eyes dont deceive was an insurrection meant to stop the operation of the government on that day, Jones said. Former officer Joseph Fischer is speaking to abc27 this afternoon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Less than 24 hours after signing an executive order that denies US citizenship from the children of immigrant parents, lawsuits are being filed to try and prevent the rules from taking effect. Lawyers for Civil Rights filed the lawsuit alongside La Colaborativa and the Brazilian Worker Center, claiming the order unlawfully denies citizenship to babies born here in the US and all the benefits that come with itmeaning they wouldnt receive a social security number or be able to get a passport. President Trump is set to sign a slew of executive orders on Day 1. What are his priorities? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for Civil Rights goes on to say that the president cannot decide who becomes a citizen at birth and this order is racistcalling it a blatant attack on immigrant families. The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to anyone born within the U.S. territory In court, organizations like La Colaborativa hope to halt the implementation of the executive order. They claim this would create a caste system in the country where some US-born citizens would have fewer rights than others. A similar lawsuit was filed by immigrant groups in New Hampshire. This executive order comes on the heels of the Trump administration, which announced that it would start conducting ICE raids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to reports, Boston is among five cities that will initially be targetedwith ICE going after illegal immigrants who have committed crimes. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday to keep TikTok operating for 75 days, a relief to the social media platforms users even as national security questions persist. TikToks China-based parent ByteDance was supposed to find a U.S. buyer or be banned on Jan. 19. Trumps order could give ByteDance more time to find a buyer. I guess I have a warm spot for TikTok, Trump said. Shou Zi Chew, TikToks CEO, attended Trumps inauguration earlier in the day, seated with American tech heavyweights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has amassed nearly 15 million followers on TikTok since he joined last year, and he has credited the trendsetting platform with helping him gain traction among young voters. Yet its 170 million U.S. users could not access TikTok for more than 12 hours between Saturday night and Sunday morning. The platform went offline before the ban approved by Congress and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court took effect Sunday. After Trump promised he would pause the ban Monday, TikTok restored access for existing users. Google and Apple, however, still have not reinstated TikTok to their app stores. Business leaders, lawmakers, legal scholars, and influencers who make money on TikTok are watching to see how Trump tries to resolve a thicket of regulatory, legal, financial and geopolitical issues with his signature. How did the TikTok ban come about? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TikTok's app allows users to create and watch short-form videos, and broke new ground by operating with an algorithm that fed viewers recommendations based on their viewing habits. But concerns about its potential to serve as a tool for Beijing to manipulate and spy on Americans pre-date Trump's first presidency. In 2020, Trump issued executive orders banning dealings with ByteDance and the owners of the Chinese messaging app WeChat. Courts ended up blocking the orders, but less than a year ago Congress overwhelmingly passed a law citing national security concerns to ban TikTok unless ByteDance sold it to an approved buyer. The law, which went into force Sunday, allows for fines of up to $5,000 per U.S. TikTok user against major mobile app stores like the ones operated by Apple and Google and internet hosting services like Oracle if they continued to distribute TikTok to U.S. users beyond the deadline for ByteDance's divestment. Trump on Sunday said he had asked TikTok's U.S. service providers to continue supporting the platform and app while he prepared to sign an executive order to stop the ban for now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order, Trump posted on Truth Social, his social networking site. The law that Congress passed and now-former President Joe Biden signed in April allowed for a 90-day extension if there had been progress toward a sale before the statute's effective date. Less certain is whether that provision can be applied retroactively, according to Sarah Kreps, director of Cornell Universitys Tech Policy Institute. Executive orders cannot override existing laws, Kreps said. Its not clear that the new president has that authority to issue the 90-day extension of a law thats already gone into effect. What difference might the sale of TikTok make? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kreps also doubts the conditions for a delay exist at this point without so much as even a potential buyer being named to prove that a sale was moving along. But Alan Rozenshtein, a University of Minnesota law professor, has written that the law also empowers the president to decide what constitutes a "qualified divestiture suggesting Trump could have discretion to say whether or when ByteDance meets the terms of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. Although ByteDance spent months repeating it wasn't interested in selling, Beijing on Monday also signaled a possible easing on China's stance on TikTok to allow it to be divested from its Chinese parent company. Chinas vice president held meetings with Vice President JD Vance and Tesla tech titan Elon Musk on Sunday. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, said Monday that business operations and acquisitions should be independently decided by companies in accordance with market principles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If it involves Chinese companies, Chinas laws and regulations should be observed, Mao said. Until now, it was widely believed that Beijing would not allow the sale of TikTok, which had come to embody Chinas defiance in the face of U.S. robbery. However, TikTok was among several issues brought up in a phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump on Friday, though details were not available. Trump on Monday said he is looking to have the U.S. government broker a deal for 50% control of TikTok, adding that every rich person has called him about acquiring the social media platform. I think the U.S. should be entitled to get half of TikTok and, congratulations, TikTok has a good partner and that would be worth, you know, could be $500 billion, Trump said. The numbers are crazy, but its worthless without a U.S. buyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who or what can enforce the ban? The Justice Department is generally tasked with enforcing the laws of the federal government. Trumps executive order instructs the U.S. attorney general not to take any action to enforce the TikTok ban for 75 days to allow my Administration an opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans. Such a move might itself be subject to legal scrutiny but would buy time for TikTok. Trumps efforts to save TikTok may put him at odds with some of the House members and senators who voted for the law, which received broad bipartisan support. House Speaker Mike Johnson called ByteDance's ownership a very dangerous thing, and said he expected a full sale to happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think we will enforce the law, Johnson told NBC News Meet the Press on Sunday. Legislators now stand to look a little bit silly if the ban doesnt last, Kreps said. (The case) becomes about the separations of powers, and checks and balances, that we dont have a king who decides what happens with the law, Kreps said. Enforcement isnt only up to the executive branch. What are other potential legal obstacles? Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, in a message posted on X, listed a number of state and federal agencies, and private entities, that might be willing to go to court to get the ban enforced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any company that hosts, distributes, services, or otherwise facilitates communist-controlled TikTok could face hundreds of billions of dollars of ruinous liability under the law, not just from DOJ, but also under securities law, shareholder lawsuits, and state AGs, Cotton noted. Despite the intense scrutiny and potential costs involved, the machinations over TikTok are in some ways just business as usual for the tech companies involved, according to Gus Hurwitz, a legal scholar with the International Center for Law and Economics. The fines that were talking about are civil penalties and companies risk civil penalties all the time, Hurwitz said. Still, the hard business calculus of complying with a law in limbo or risk defying a president who holds lucrative federal contracts over those companies could come into focus if shareholders sue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oracle, for example, has a part of the Pentagons $9 billion contract to build its cloud computing network. This actually could be the right business decision to make, Hurwitz said. Thats not necessarily a breach of duty to shareholders. Which companies are deciding whether to trust Trump's assurances? Theres been lots of questions about how companies such as Oracle and Akamai Technologies are powering TikToks servers to stay online, while others such as Apple and Google have made the app unavailable for new users to download. None of the companies have responded to requests for comment. Oracle in 2020 announced it had a 12.5% stake in TikTok Global after securing its business as the apps cloud technology provider. Meanwhile, as of Monday night, a search for TikTok on Apples app store directs to an online statement that reads in part: Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates, while Googles app store notes downloads for TikTok are paused due to current US legal requirements. ___ Ho reported from Seattle. Maya Sweedler, Didi Tang and Josh Boak in Washington contributed reporting. At least 66 people have died and more than 50 were injured following a horrific fire at a popular ski resort, the Associated Press reported. The blaze erupted on Tuesday morning around 3:30 a.m. local time at Turkey's Kartalkaya ski resort, a 12-story hotel situated in the Koroglu Mountains within the province of Bolu. Turkish outlet Daily Sabah reported that at least 66 people died in the fire and another 51 were injured. However, those numbers are expected to increase as crews continue to clear the smoldering site. Kemal Memisoglu, the countrys health minister, confirmed that 17 of the injured victims have already been treated and released from the local hospital. Thirty four are still being assessed. According to the BBC, Bolus governor Abdulaziz Aydin claimed that early reports suggest the fire began in the hotels fourth-floor restaurant before quickly spreading to the floors above. Local emergency services dispatched 267 rescue workers to the scene, but it took crews more than an hour to arrive due to the hotels distance from downtown Bolu and the wintery weather conditions. Aydin told the AP that at least two victims had "died after jumping from the building in a panic. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing white bed sheets dangling from several windows as guests tried to escape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I saw people shouting for help from the windows, an employee of a nearby hotel told Daily Sabah. We brought ropes, pillows and quilts. Before firefighters arrived, two women jumped from the upper floors. Turkish officials nationwide extended their heartfelt sympathies to the victims and their families. "I wish God's mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives in the fire that broke out in Bolu Kartalkaya and offer my condolences to their families and loved ones, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan wrote on X. I hope that our injured citizens will regain their health as soon as possible." Related: Henry Winkler Escapes Hotel Fire, Immediately Gives Incognito News Interview "May God have mercy on the citizens who lost their lives and we send our condolences to their relatives. We wish a speedy recovery to our injured," the Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Health wrote on Instagram. The Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation to determine the source of the blaze. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Daily Sabah that every necessary step is being taken and will continue to be taken to clarify the incident and hold those responsible accountable fully. A predawn fire at a hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort in Turkey killed at least 76, with another 51 injured, Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Tuesday. "We are in deep pain," Yerlikaya told reporters during a press conference. The interior minister later said 45 of the 76 people killed have been identified, and efforts are ongoing to identify the other victims. Nine people have been detained as part of the investigation into the fire, he said. PHOTO: Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at a hotel in the ski resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, Turkey, Jan. 21, 2025. (Ihlas News Agency via Reuters) The fire ignited after 3 a.m. on Tuesday at the Grand Kartal, a hotel at the resort in Northwestern Turkey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A city official told ABC News that after the fire broke out in the middle of the night, around 3:27 a.m. local time, most of the victims, including children, appeared to have lost life due to suffocation. There were 238 registered guests in the 12-story hotel at the time of the fire, according to the interior minister. PHOTO: Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at a hotel in the ski resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, Turkey, Jan. 21, 2025. (Mert Ozkan/Reuters) The fire department had not reported a negative situation regarding the fire adequacy of the hotel until Tuesday, Yerlikaya said, adding that an investigation is ongoing. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said an administrative and criminal investigation is underway. "All necessary steps will be taken and are being taken to shed light on all aspects of the incident and to hold those responsible accountable," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day of national mourning will be observed on Wednesday, Erdogan said. ABC News' Somayeh Malekian contributed to this report. At least 76 dead in Turkish ski resort hotel fire originally appeared on abcnews.go.com MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) At least one sheriff's deputy fatally shot a person suspected of driving a stolen car on Tuesday in Memphis, authorities said. Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputies came across the person in a stolen car and tried to take them into custody near a cluster of businesses in east Memphis, said Kim Wheeler, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The situation escalated, and at least one deputy shot the person, who died at the scene, Wheeler said. No deputies were hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other details were immediately provided, including how the situation escalated and the names, ages, sexes and races of the deputy and the person who was killed. Agents were collecting evidence and conducting interviews to put together the series of events that led to the shooting, Wheeler said. The TBI is the state's police agency. It conducts investigations of shootings involving law enforcement and then gives its report to the local district attorney, who decides whether to pursue charges. LEBANON, Pa. (WHTM) Lebanon City Mayor Sherry Capello launched her re-election campaign on Tuesday. Capello, a Republican, is currently in her fourth term as Lebanons mayor having been first elected in 2009. She was last re-elected in 2021 defeating Cesar Liriano by more than 400 votes and did not have a primary challenger that spring. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania Prior to serving as mayor, Capello served as Palmyras Borough Manager, was Chief Zoning officer for Lebanon County, and was Assistant Director of the Derry Township Community Development Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott Church, a professional photographer, announced last week he would run in the Republican primary. The 2025 election will feature several municipal races and votes for Pennsylvanias top judges. In Central Pennsylvania, several local mayors have already announced their intentions to not run. York City Mayor Michael Helfrich and Lancaster City Mayor Danene Sorace have both said they would not seek re-election. Harrisburg City Mayor Wanda Williams is running for a second term with City Councilman Lamont Jones running a primary challenge campaign. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Jan. 20No absence may have been greater felt among the thousands who marched through Spokane on Monday than that of the late Rev. Percy 'Happy' Watkins. Watkins, one of Spokane's most prominent civil rights and spiritual leaders, died last October at 82 years old. The New Hope Baptist Church founder and longtime pastor spent decades advocating for the marginalized, and as one of the founders of Spokane's annual celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, read King's iconic "I Have a Dream" speech every holiday even when health concerns required him to do so via video in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite his passing, Watkins' presence was felt at the Spokane Convention Center as residents from across the Inland Northwest gathered for the celebration he helped get off the ground, said Freda Gandy, director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and a mentee of Watkins. "This is the first MLK Day without him, and I'm just sad," Gandy said. "But I'm also happy, because this is the legacy that he left bringing this community together on a day like today for unity and peace." Attendees gathered in a crowded ballroom to listen to remarks from local leaders like Gandy, NAACP President Lisa Gardner and Co-Chair of the Inland Northwest Juneteenth Coalition Michael Bethely. Their remarks touched on the figures who came before, like Watkins and King, while stressing that those in the room must pick up the fight. The massive crowd then filled three city blocks as rally-goers marched the streets of downtown Spokane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taking the place of Watkins' annual delivery of "I Have a Dream" speech this year was a tribute video featuring prominent community figures who worked alongside and cared for him. Gandy, Fig Tree editor Mary Stamp, attorney William Maxey, Unitarian Universalist Rev. Todd Eklof and many others sat around Larry's Barber Shop as they discussed his impact on Spokane. "Happy was a close friend of mine," said Larry Roseman, owner and operator of the Spokane staple since 1978. "I went on a lot of missions to his calling, whether it was somebody called and needed some gas or needed a few dollars, or something, he was always out there helping people." Roseman said Watkins' death is a significant loss for the community. Most people know Watkins spent his life on the front lines of efforts to diversify and improve practices within local law enforcement agencies, schools and other public institutions, but some of his notable accomplishments did not receive acclaim, he said. As an example, Roseman pointed to Watkin's efforts to build a statue honoring Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson, who served in the U.S. Air Force and died with six other astronauts aboard the space shuttle Columbia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several attendees stopped to take a photo with the Anderson statue, which stands outside the convention center, before continuing with the march Monday. Gandy said the best way to honor King, and local figures like Watkins and his close collaborator Ivan Bush, who died in 2023 at age 73, is through allowing the next generation to take up their work. That includes herself, but it also includes students like the two honored at the event with awards named after Watkins and Bush. After Bush's death, Gandy and the center created the Ivan Bush Community Service Award to recognize young people for contributing to their communities, giving back and making a difference. Emmanuel Eberhardt, a Medical Lake High School student, was named the second recipient Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gandy said Eberhardt, the son of Black Lens editor April Eberhardt, is a member of the center's teen leadership program and a valuable volunteer. She said Eberhardt can often be found lending a helping hand to those in need at the center, and that his "involvement is a testament to his dedication, service and commitment to the community." "He's a little shocked, but truly an amazing, amazing student," Gandy said. "I have just loved for over the past two years, having him spend his summers at the center with me." Genae Langford, who received the Bush award last year, was this year's recipient of a scholarship in Watkins' honor. Langford will graduate from Ferris High School in June and plans to study pharmacology at Washington State University. Langford, with tears in her eyes, expressed her gratitude for being recognized by the center, which has played an influential role in her life, as well as the honor of being associated with figures as important as Bush and Watkins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hope to make as much of an impact as Happy Watkins did," Langford said. As Gardner began her remarks, the inauguration of President Donald Trump was underway across the country in the other Washington. She referenced the event briefly, echoing remarks from the national president of the NAACP, Derrick Johnson. "As we reflect on Dr. King's legacy this year, we also stand at a crossroads," Gardner said. "We are entering a new chapter in our nation's history, one that calls for vigilance, action and unity." Gardner went on to say the NAACP has been fighting and advocating for marginalized Spokanites for more than 100 years, and that the organization will continue to do so in the years to come. She advised the crowd to keep their focus and efforts toward a better future focused locally, despite what may be going on at a national level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One of my favorite words is vigilance," Gardner said. "We have to be vigilant all the time. Racism does not sleep. So when we are here today for Martin Luther King and it says, 'make it a day on, not a day off,' that's not just today, but every day." Gandy shared a similar sentiment, saying her focus is on the work at hand, and not the unknowns associated with the next presidential administration. "We're just going to have to bind together as a community and as a state to be ready to protect and help one another out," Gandy said. For Spokane brothers Finley and Duo Pikula, attending the rally and march was equal parts a celebration of King's life and legacy, but an outlet for some of the trepidation they feel about the incoming presidential administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's very important to be here, as basic human rights are being infringed on right now," Duo said. Duo, 20, is concerned about climate change, the rights of his LGTBQ and immigrant friends and the "rise of fascism" he says seems to be getting more prevalent in America. As a biracial man, Duo said he may have the luxury of avoiding the racism and prejudice he believes will become more widespread over the next four years, but his friends and family may not. He also worries for his brother Finley, a trans man. "I'm very worried about them," Duo said. "I know how they like to judge and hurt people based on them being different. This white supremacy is so disgusting." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finley said he feels at a crossroads for many of the communities Trump has directly and indirectly promised to come after. "I feel like I have to defend my family and my rights and my friends' rights," Finley said. The years ahead may become difficult to navigate, the brothers said, but they plan to do so together, and with some help from like-minded individuals wanting to speak up for the downtrodden. "We have to band together," Duo said. "We can't give up. You can't lay down and let them just trample over us. We have to fight for our rights as citizens and people." Members of the Legislative Education Study Committee discuss endorsing proposed legislation ahead of the session's opening day Jan. 20, 2025. Lawmakers on the Legislative Education Study Committee on Monday endorsed nine proposals geared at raising minimum teacher and school personnel salaries; establishing a STEM innovation network; and creating a universal basic income pilot program, among other initiatives. Committee members also voted in December to endorse two bills. One, prefiled as House Bill 63, proposes changes to the public school funding formula that determines how much money is allocated to each school. The second bill would extend the temporary local match reduction for programs such as free and reduced lunch. This would mean schools that are not able to meet their funding matching obligations would still have access to such programs while the LESC and other state organizations do more research into challenges of the current local match laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, lawmakers voiced their support for raising minimum annual teacher salaries to $55,000 for level one teachers, $65,000 for level two teachers and $75,000 for level three teachers. Lawmakers also support increasing minimum annual salaries for non-certified school personnel, such as cafeteria workers and custodians, to $30,000. If passed, salary increases would go into effect for the 2025-2026 school year. LESC Director John Sena explained to committee members that both the governors office and the Legislative Finance Committee have recommended a 3 to 4% increase in salaries across the board, which will be calculated first. All school personnel will receive salary increases, Sena said. What usually happens is everyone will get that salary increase first, regardless of the percentage three or four, whatever you all decide. Whoever doesnt get to those new minimums based on those percentage increases is then brought up to those new minimums because there may be someone who with three or four percent doesnt quite get there. Sena said Sen. Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho) asked LESC analysts to look into creating a three-year Career Development Success pilot program overseen by the Public Education Department. Brandt explained that the bill would provide monetary incentives to school districts with students who earn industry-recognized credentials through Career Technical Education programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The districts have no restrictions on how they would spend that money. Its a bonus to the districts, Brandt said. It really kind of takes what weve done at the Higher Ed. level and brings it to the CTE program to where were rewarding districts for really making sure the students get a certification where they can leave high school and go straight into work. So its just that entry level certification. I think its a good step forward to what weve been doing. The last proposed bill lawmakers discussed Monday would expand the reach of the LESC to study not only public education K-12 as it is limited to currently, but early childhood and higher education as well. LESC Vice Chairman Sen. Bill Soules (D-Las Cruces) said the limited jurisdiction of the committee makes it really difficult when we get to session because all those bills are going to come through our committee, yet we havent had the summer and the interim to study some of the key issues and the processes and things. Soules added that aside from the LFC, there isnt a committee for the Higher Education and the Early Childhood Education & Care departments to report to outside of the session, particularly on items not related to the budget. A similar bill has been introduced during several legislative sessions over the past decade, but all died or were vetoed by the governor at the time. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX David Romans, right, a Department of Legislative Services analyst, warned lawmakers Monday that negotiations by the Attorney General's office to resolve sex-abuse claims against the state could result in "hundreds of millions," if not billions, in unbudgeted settlements. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) An effort by Gov. Wes Moore (D) to resolve a $3 billion budget deficit could be hampered by hundreds of millions potentially billions in settlements related to a 2023 law that eliminated statutory limits on lawsuits filed by survivors of child sexual abuse. News of the potential liability under the Child Victims Act of 2023 came at the same meeting where members of the House Appropriations and Senate Budget and Taxation committees were told they will likely have to find another $181 million in cuts to Gov. Wes Moores proposed fiscal 2026 budget to meet recommendations set by a joint legislative committee in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is potentially an enormous liability to the state, David Romans, a Department of Legislative Services budget analyst, told the committees. The Attorney Generals office has employed outside counsel and they are negotiating with plaintiffs counsel. Romans did not provide a public estimate of the potential liability to the state, noting that many factors could affect the size of the settlement, which could include payments over an unknown period. Theres nothing in the budget to make any sort of settlement payments, Romans said. However, its very possible that there will be a settlement reached before the end of session, and you all may be asked to find the money to make the first settlement payment, which could very easily be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. We have no specific dollar amount. Its something just to be aware of, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Office of the Attorney General was closed Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. But when Maryland Matters reached out on this issue late last year, a spokeswoman said the office does not comment on ongoing negotiations and litigation. Legislative analysts told the committees that the Attorney Generals Office has hired outside counsel to negotiate a settlement of as many as 3,500 cases involving allegations of sexual abuse against state agencies. Romans said the claims against the state, almost all the people who were in juvenile facilities going back as far as the 1960s. Romans was unable to provide lawmakers with a potential range of damages. Del. Malcolm P. Ruff (D-Baltimore City) worried the potential liability on sex-abuse lawsuits against the state could hamper attempts to balance the budget. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Del. Malcolm P. Ruff (D-Baltimore City) expressed concern about the number of cases and potential liability to the state. He said it looks like several zeros. If you look at the cap that could ultimately end up throwing up, like I said, a huge wrench in our plan here to balance this budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2023 law lifted limitations on filing lawsuits against private entities, such as the Archdiocese of Baltimore, as well as state and local governments. It also capped liability for public entities at $890,000 per occurrence, and raised the liability limit in claims against private institutions for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, to $1.5 million. It also eliminated caps for economic damages for costs of services such as therapy or medical treatment. Vagaries in the law make it difficult to accurately estimate the potential liability. The law and state courts have yet to define occurrence. A restrictive definition could mean multiple incidences of abuse occurring over years only count as one occurrence, but if each individual incident was an occurrence, it would vastly expand the potential monetary damages a victim could seek. Even if each of the 3,500 cases was one occurrence, the state could face more than $3.1 billion in liabilities. That is not believed to be the total number of cases that could be filed against the state, and that amount does not take into account the potential liabilities of local governments who could face separate lawsuits. Legislative analysts in December warned of long-term budget difficulties, starting with a nearly $3 billion projected shortfall for fiscal 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moores budget proposes filling the gap with cuts, efficiencies and tax reform. The $63.7 billion total proposed budget grows by 1% over the current year. The $27 billion general fund budget is 1% smaller. Romans described Moores budget as a multifaceted plan to resolve budget challenges. And while Moores proposal not only appears to erase $3 billion in projected deficits and eat substantially into billions more projected through 2030, Romans said it falls short of wiping out the structural deficit for fiscal 2026. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE He estimates that Moores plan falls short of the goal set by the Joint Spending Affordability Committee by nearly $181 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The General Assembly has met its SAC (spending affordability committee) goals all but one of the last 40 plus years, Romans said. So, in order to do that, youll have to find additional long-term cuts and or additional revenues to make up for that $180.6 million. The briefing signals the start of a legislative review and massaging of the governors spending plan. Its clear that theyve gone department by department looking for opportunities, first to make savings theyve come up with those and then looking for reasonable ways to deal with our tax issues again, Sen. Guy Guzzone (D-Howard) told reporters last week. Will we agree with all of them? Im going to bet that at the end of the day youre going to see a different solution. But thats OK. Thats the process. Budget review begins in the House this year. House Majority Leader Del. David Moon (D-Montgomery) said there was no expectation that everything in Moores proposal would have universal support. He said it will be on Moore to sell each aspect of this plan to the legislature. Our members are going to have to digest some of this. I think its going to be a rough conversation in the coming weeks, Moon told reporters last week. I hope that were going to be able to land the plane somewhere to get these fiscal realities taken care of today, responsibly. Trump sworn in as 47th U.S. president Xinhua) 08:09, January 21, 2025 People watch the broadcast of the inauguration ceremony of the 47th president of the United States at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) Donald Trump said in his inauguration speech that American decline ends and "the golden Age of America begins right now." WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol at noon on Monday, beginning his second term as he returns to the White House after four years. Due to projected cold weather in Washington, D.C., his inauguration ceremony was held indoors -- the first time in four decades. Trump took his oath of office administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. Chief Justice usually administers the presidential oath of office, a tradition that has been followed since the first inauguration. Trump said in his inauguration speech that American decline ends and "the golden Age of America begins right now." In his speech, Trump promised to sign "a series of historic executive orders," including declaring a national emergency at the southern border, enhancing oil and gas production, revoking electric vehicle mandate. He also promised to immediately begin the overhaul of the trade system and "tariff and tax foreign countries." Trump pledged to bring down prices, save auto industry, "restore fair, equal and impartial justice," and bring law and order back to U.S. cities. Criticizing Democrats' DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programs, the newly sworn-in president said this week, he will also end the government policy of "trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life," and "forge a society that is colorblind and merit based." He noted that it will be the "official policy" of the United States government that there are only two genders -- male and female. Trump also pledged to build the strongest military the world has ever seen. "We will measure our success, not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into," Trump said, adding that he will be a peacemaker and unifier. The president reiterated that he will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and will take back the Panama Canal. In addition, Trump said that he will, for the second time, pull the United States out of the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change. Moments before Trump's swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn in as the vice president. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Press Release January 21, 2025 Edcom 2: House Bill boosting aid for private school students and teachers passes on Second Reading The House of Representatives passed on second reading House Bill No. 11214, aimed at expanding the Private Basic Education Vouchers Assistance Act. The bill seeks to repeal and replace various sections of Republic Act No. 8545, also known as the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act, which itself amended the earlier Republic Act No. 6728. The bill removes outdated provisions and integrates more dynamic, flexible approaches to funding and regulation of private education through vouchers. Authored by EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo, House Bill No. 11214 introduces a comprehensive voucher system aimed at aiding vulnerable and underprivileged students. This government assistance in the form of educational vouchers enables some students to enroll in private schools, thereby helping to alleviate congestion in public schools. By redistributing student populations, the measure not only enhances access to quality education but also addresses the critical issue of congestion in public schools. Data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) showed the problem of congestion in Philippine schools, revealing significant challenges in classroom learner ratios across various regions. As of the 2021-2022 school year, regions such as BARMM and CARAGA face especially high classroom learner ratios in both elementary and junior high school levels, indicating severe overcrowding. In response, many schools across the nation have adopted multiple shifts to accommodate all students. NCR and Region IV-A are identified as the most congested, compelling some schools to operate in double or even triple shifts. Furthermore, the Department of Education (DepEd) estimates a need for over 165,000 additional classrooms to effectively address this nationwide issue of overcrowding. The expanded government assistance will be prioritizing students from the lowest five income deciles as identified by the Philippine Statistics Authority, targeting those from economically, as well as students in geographically isolated, disadvantaged, and conflict-affected areas. In addition to supporting students, the bill emphasizes enhancing educational quality through stringent standards for private schools. Schools wishing to participate in the voucher program must meet high-quality standards and undergo periodic assessments to ensure continuous improvement and accountability in the delivery of education. To further strengthen the framework, House Bill No. 11214 establishes the Bureau of Private Education under the Department of Education. This new bureau is tasked with overseeing the implementation and regulation of the voucher program, ensuring that participating institutions adhere to the required standards of quality and efficiency. The Department of Education is also empowered to assist in the modernization of school operations, including upgrading facilities and teaching methods. The bill also supports teachers by providing in-service training funds, scholarships for advanced studies, and financial support for institutional enhancements in accredited private basic education schools. Additionally, it establishes the Teachers' Salary Subsidy Fund, within the DepEd aimed at offering direct financial subsidies to teachers. Funding for the voucher program will be equitably allocated and distributed among all regions including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Schools participating in the program will be required to allocate a significant portion of any tuition increases to salary improvements for teaching and non-teaching staff and to the enhancement of educational facilities. "Expanding GASTPE is a step in alleviating congestion in our schools. By extending the voucher program to encompass kindergarten and elementary students, we are not only broadening access to educational opportunities but also reducing overcrowding in public schools, ensuring a more conducive learning environment for all," said EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson and Author Rep. Roman Romulo. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Before leaving office, President Joe Biden commuted the life sentence of Leonard Peltier. He was convicted in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge reservation. The commutation ends 50 years of prison life for the former member of the American Indian Movement. Peltier was denied parole as recently as July and wasnt eligible for parole again until 2026. In 1987 he maintained his innocence. Senate panel advances Noem nomination for Homeland Security secretary Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not guilty of anything so, Im going to continue fighting for my freedom until Im released, said Peltier According to a report from the Associated Press, Bureau of Prisons spokesperson Emery Nelson said Peltier remained incarcerated Monday at USP Coleman, a high-security prison in Florida. Peltiers lawyer said his release date was tentatively set for Feb. 18. Judith LeBlanc, executive director of the Native Organizers Alliance said in a statement quote, Our hearts are full for Leonard Peltier, his family, and all of Indian Country as he finally gets to go home after nearly 50 years behind bars. The FBI and its current and former agents dispute the claims of innocence. Agents Jack Coler and Ronald Williams were shot and then executed as they lay wounded. Their cars were riddled with dozens of bullet holes. In a statement, Mike Clark, the President of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI says, They were down, they were wounded, they were helpless and he shot them point blank. It is a heinous crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peltier was serving life in prison for the murders. According to the Biden White House, Peltier will transition to home confinement in North Dakota. According to his son, Peltiers tribe, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, has a home ready for him on the Reservation in Belcourt, North Dakota. Peltier is 80 years old and has health problems. In his 1999 memoir, Peltier admitted to firing shots in the ambush but said he did not kill the FBI agents, who were on the reservation serving an arrest warrant for robbery. President Bidens Commutation does not absolve Peltier of his crime, it simply allows him to serve the remainder of his life sentence at home. Copyright 2025 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 KELOLAND.com. Philadelphias plans to expand its use of police-operated drones signals a pivotal shift in how the city seeks to protect and surveil its citizens. According to the citys Citizen Police Oversight Commission, the Philadelphia Police Department had two drones as of early 2024. These were, the commission says, primarily used by SWAT teams to scout locations before serving high-risk warrants. The 2025 city budget earmarks over US$800,000 for police drones, a spokesperson from the departments Office of Public Affairs told us via email in response to our questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesperson also confirmed that Philadelphia police are conducting test flights in Kensington and the surrounding area as part of the initial phase of a Drone First Responder program. For now, they say, theyre simply gathering data on how quickly drones respond to certain types of 911 calls compared with traditional police responses. Police technology can evolve rapidly, and many police agencies across the country already use drones including as first responders. This technology may make the operation of law enforcement agencies more efficient and perhaps safer for officers, as they can have eyes on a scene from a safe distance. But many privacy advocates and members of the public have raised concerns about the privacy implications. We are Philadelphia-based criminologists and researchers who seek to understand the impact of policing practices and technologies, including body-worn cameras and Tasers, on police legitimacy and public policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We see how drone policing can pose an almost entirely new set of potential benefits and risks. A police drone flies near Bourbon Street in New Orleans on Jan. 2, 2025, after the driver of a pickup truck plowed into a New Years crowd overnight, killing at least 14 people. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) Benefits for police Drones are already used for many commercial and recreational purposes. In Pennsylvania, police drones have recently been used in traffic management and searches for fugitives. These devices can be equipped with facial recognition, AI, gunfire detection and other new tech that has the potential to transform the scope and nature of the data that police can collect. Drones can provide rapid emergency responses, such as locating missing persons in remote areas or delivering medical supplies to accident victims in hard-to-reach locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During critical situations, they can offer live intelligence by transmitting real-time aerial footage of active crime scenes, such as armed standoffs or large-scale public disturbances. This allows officers to effectively strategize without immediate exposure to danger. Additionally, drones can reduce the risk of officer injuries during dangerous live pursuits by tracking fleeing suspects from the air, minimizing the need for high-speed vehicle chases or foot pursuits through hazardous environments. Privacy concerns Given their small size, aerial maneuverability and, in many cases, ability to record audio and video, drones present new and specific challenges to Fourth Amendment protections, particularly against unreasonable searches and seizures. In the 1967 Katz v. United States case, the Supreme Court decided people are protected from being recorded by the police in places where they may reasonably expect privacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While that case was about a closed phone booth, the logic has been expanded over the years to protect people from new technological intrusion, such as thermal vision. However, police do not need a warrant to observe and record activities that are visible to the public. In the 1988 case Florida v. Riley, for example, the court decided that police were permissibly able to look into someones yard from a helicopter hovering at 400 feet. While drones are capable of flying much higher than 400 feet, they can also linger 40 feet, or even 4 feet, from a yard, building or window. And they do so in almost complete silence. Though the Supreme Court has yet to decide whether it is reasonable for people to assume they are protected from drone-based imaging, the highest state court in Michigan recently allowed police to use warrantless drone-recorded footage to count the number of cars on a fenced property in pursuit of a civil zoning violation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While each state is still able to set its own rules, privacy advocates are concerned that drone surveillance could be used to collect evidence without judicial oversight, or to surveil people without legal limitations or consequences for the violation of constitutional privacy rights. Low-income communities and communities of color often bear the brunt of overpolicing and surveillance, and drone usage in these neighborhoods could exacerbate existing inequities by increasing scrutiny, perpetuating bias and reinforcing systemic distrust of policing. Philadelphias track record concerning stop-and-frisk pedestrian stops sheds important light on those concerns. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel has referred to drones as the future of policing in the city, according to local news outlets WHYY and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Spencer Platt/Getty Images Lessons from stop and frisk The landmark stop-and-frisk case Bailey v. City of Philadelphia led to a federal consent decree over the Philadelphia Police Departments stop-and-frisk practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This decree was called the Bailey agreement. It required the Philadelphia police to document all stop-and-frisk encounters, revise their policies and training to comply with constitutional standards, and reduce stops that lacked reasonable suspicion or were influenced by racial bias. The agreement also established independent monitoring and public reporting to ensure transparency and accountability. Data analyses were regularly submitted to a federal judge for oversight. The lessons from Bailey can inform how the Philadelphia Police Department might approach its drone program to avoid overreach. Misuse of these drones can directly affect the perceived legitimacy of police, already a fraught issue in some communities. Here are several ways Philadelphia could avoid the pitfalls of unchecked surveillance when it comes to police drones. 1. Real-time monitoring Real-time monitoring by an independent oversight body of drone deployments, along with clear documentation of each mission, would enable regular oversight like the structured checks in Bailey. 2. Transparency Public reporting could help ensure community members understand the purposes and limitations of drone usage in their neighborhoods. An independent oversight body or a citizen review board could issue regular reports summarizing deployment data, such as the number of drone flights, their general locations and purposes, and the outcomes of those operations, along with details on data management and compliance with privacy safeguards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transparency around how data collected by police drones will be managed is essential for maintaining public trust. Data retention and deletion policies could reassure residents that drone data isnt being stockpiled indefinitely but rather used only for its intended purpose. 3. Limited usage Protocols can limit the scope of drone surveillance to specific, critical-use cases such as emergencies or search-and-rescue operations and avoid use for regular monitoring of public spaces. A narrowly defined scope would clarify that drones serve as targeted, situational tools rather than blanket surveillance devices. 4. Ethics training and education Ethics training could be part of drone operator preparation to help pilots manage the gray areas of surveillance and ensure that deployments respect constitutional rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To further the culture of police accountability, drone operators and officers alike should understand that surveillance tools whether stop-and-frisk or drones have far-reaching implications for community relationships and the broader perception of justice. 5. Demonstrate effectiveness Baileys monitoring process relied on metrics to evaluate stop-and-frisk practices, uncover patterns of misuse and guide reforms. Similarly, police might track the extent to which drones improve response times, reduce crime or enhance public safety in meaningful ways. Such evaluations would require transparency in reporting results and not just the successes but also the failures and unintended consequences. Without evidence-based assessments, public skepticism could prevail and undermine the technologys legitimacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With clear guidelines, community involvement and legal accountability, we believe drones can enhance safety without compromising civil liberties, and foster rather than erode public trust. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Robert Kane, Drexel University and Jordan Hyatt, Drexel University Read more: The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Related video: What did the first legislative session in Utah look like? SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz welcomed lawmakers to the state capitol building on Tuesday morning, kicking off the 2025 Legislative Session by speaking about real issues that impact real Utahns. In his opening remarks for the 45-day session, Schultz emphasized a need to address public lands, education, affordability, and Utahs housing market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 10 interesting bills to check out ahead of the 2025 Utah Legislative Session We have challenges before us energy, public safety, education, transportation, housing, the list goes on and on, said Schultz. These are not Republican or Democratic issues. These are not rural or urban issues. They are Utah issues. And the people of this state expect us to come together, roll up our sleeves, and get to work. Schultz, who is entering his second session as Speaker of the House, spoke about the states ongoing challenge to control roughly 18.5 million acres of federal public lands in Utah as well as investing in Utahs future. US Supreme Court rejects Utah lawsuit over public lands Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House Speaker indicated that work during the 2025 Legislative session would work to improve affordability for Utahns in education and housing. He said by investing and lowering the costs of higher education, the money saved could help young Utahns get into a home. Schultz said homeownership has long been a barrier for young families that continues to feel further and further out of reach. We must continue to collaborate with local governments to address planning and zoning challenges, empower the private sector to innovate, and find creative ways to make housing more affordable and accessible, said Schultz. If we dont get housing right, Utahs number one export will not be its products. It will be our kids and grandkids. Finally, Schultz spoke about extracting critical minerals in southeast Utah, saying it was crucial to reduce reliance on foreign powers. Schultz ended his opening remarks by saying that fighting for Utahns meant prioritizing policies that make life more affordable and increasing opportunities while protecting Utahs natural landscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I reemphasize the promise I made when first elected as Speaker: the people of Utah will come first, said Schultz. Their stories, struggles, worries, dreams, and potential will be the foundation of everything we do here. Were here to serve. Were here for Utah. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The Metro Council voted on two items that would enhance the experience and programming at Nashville Public Libraries. Two different resolutions on the Metro Council agenda would approve grants for the Nashville Public Library. One would allow for the funding and installation of an adult-sized changing table in the family restroom of the Bordeaux Branch Library. The other would approve the application of a $2,000 grant to expand the board game collection at the main library branch. The adult-sized changing table will be provided through a $5,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, according to the resolution text. There is no cash match required by Metro Nashville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ink of Hope Act adds anti-human trafficking training to Tennessee tattoo artists The Bordeaux Branch of the library is one of a number of locations in Tennessee that have such changing tables. Two years ago, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities announced they would be installing adult-sized changing tables at four different rest areas across the state. Adult-sized changing tables were installed at rest areas in Hamilton, Robertson, Haywood and Jefferson counties, the departments announced. Clarksville also installed one changing table in a restroom at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center in Liberty Park in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the state grant program providing the tables, about 4% of the states population around 200,000 people need assistance with daily activities like using the restroom. In many cases, state officials said Tennesseans with disabilities have to choose between unhygienic settings such as a restroom floor or vehicle, or staying home, creating problems for both those needing assistance and their families and caregivers. The other grant application will foster the growth of the librarys tabletop gaming section. According to the librarys grant application letter, the gaming section at the main branch has seen growing popularity. In 2023, the library said the collections cumulative circulation was 2,369 and the circulation grew to 3,290 in 2024. Leaders dig deeper into childcare challenges in Nashville Despite the growing popularity of our Board Game Collection, there is a critical need for resources to allow continued growth without compromising value for our patrons, the library said in the letter. To further bolster these programs, we propose establishing a collection of physical reference materials that will be readily available for patron usage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having the reference collection will fill a significant gap in access, the library said, as there are lengthy wait times or weeks or even months for those who prefer physical references for tabletop games over online resources. This reference collection is meant to operate as a supplement to already existing popular programs and collections, encouraging patron library programming participation, the library said in the application. To view the full Metro Council agenda, follow this link. Metro Council meetings are livestreamed online on YouTube and the Metro Nashville Network website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The updated Lilac fire map in San Diego County reveals the extent of the wildfires so far. The brush fire was first reported by Cal Fire at 1:23 AM PT on Tuesday, January 21, and had only burned about 2 acres near Old Highway 395 and Lilac road. However, by 6:30 AM PT the wildfire quickly grew to 80 acres as high winds ranging from 40 to 100 mph hit the region, which is still under a red flag warning at least through Tuesday night by the National Weather Service. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for multiple zones. Firefighters were also battling the Pala fire and the Riverview fire in the area through the night. Here is what we know about the San Diego fires today. What is the Lilac fire map in San Diego now? The Lilac fire map, as of 7:55 AM PT on January 21, has burned around 80 acres and has only 10% containment. An update on the status of the Lilac fire states that fire activity has decreased significantly. [Image Credit: Cal Fire] As indicated by the map above, mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for seven zones highlighted in red, while evacuation warnings have been issued for five zones highlighted in yellow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This report that the fires progress has been significantly reduced is good news given an earlier update at 2:09 AM PT by Cal Fire on X that said the blaze was growing with a moderate rate of speed. The cause of the Lilac fire is still under investigation. Roughly 66 personnel have been assigned to the wildfire, and firefighting air tankers through California have been deployed for flying fire suppression missions. Firefighters in San Diego County have also largely resolved two smaller fires. The Pala fire, which has burned around 17 acres, began around 2:16 AM PT and evacuation orders were quickly issued, but they were later lifted after 4:00 AM PT. Another wildfire called the Riverview fire in the community of Fallbrook was also halted with San Diego County Fire saying on X that the forward rate of spread has been stopped. These fires come as firefighters in Los Angeles are still dealing with the remnants of the deadly Palisades fire, which is at 63% containment, and the Eaton fire, which is at 89% containment. The post Lilac Fire Map in San Diego Shows How Far the Wildfire Has Spread appeared first on Mandatory. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) All across Columbus, people are reflecting and honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The freezing temperatures did not stop We Are Linden. The group, dedicated to making the community safer, took to the streets to share a call for unity. This is the fifth year of the We Are Linden MLK March but Mondays march was the first time for some of them. People are marching to uplift their community and to keep the message of Dr. Martin Luther King alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 23, 1963, Peggy Ms. Peg Williams stood with King and thousands of others in Detroit. I reflect back when I was 16, back in the 60s, Williams said. It was a boiling hot day. We all joined hands together in order to change the consciousness of a nation, Williams said. Now, on a day with below-freezing temperatures, Williams, a South Linden Area Commissioner dedicated to giving back to the community, is walking for the same message in Linden. No matter where you are, you can fight against injustice and its okay, she said. Its your civic duty to fight against injustice. Its a message We Are Linden founder Ralph Carter works to instill in the children marching. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowing that the pride still reigns, and we want to keep that and keep championing that pride of the community and so on, these kids that no matter what, we want to keep going, keep fighting, not give up, Carter said. For a few of these children, its a way to show their hope for their community. I think we should make a better community, help each other, bring each other up, We Are Linden member Antwan Overton said. I see it as a community where everybody gets along and Martin Luther King Jr., I have a dream speech actually comes true, We Are Linden member Milaya Taylor said. Whether its in the blazing sun or frigid cold, those who came out on Monday wanted to make sure the message was heard loud and clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The color of your skin does not determine your value; the fact that you are human is what makes you valuable, Williams said. The march ended with a gathering indoors for everyone to come together, get warm, and honor the day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) CBS 42 Evening News Anchor Sherri Jackson interviewed a sister of one of the four girls who was killed in the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing Monday. Lisa McNair was born one year after her sister, Denise McNair, died from the bombing September 15, 1963. Dear Denise: Letters to the Sister I Never Knew, McNairs book, was published in 2022. Tuscaloosa Southern Christian Leadership Conference chapter holds unity march to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McNair shared her reflection of Martin Luther King Jr. Day falling on the same date as Inauguration Day in 2025. It is the third time that has happened, as the two holidays collided in 1997 and 2013. You can watch the full interview in the video player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- Mondays frigid weather was not stopping Arkansans from honoring one of the most important African American civil rights activists in the countrys history. Roberta Cross said she opened the doors of Greater Rose Of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church to those celebrating in hopes of keeping everyone warm. We have popcorn and hot dogs, hot chocolate, coffee, free to the community, Cross said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local organizations to hold events in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day The parade goes down the street that Greater Rose Sharon Missionary Baptist church is on. Cross said she allows everyone to come in as they please on parade days because Dr. King was all about inclusion. Were actually living in the community, serving in the community and we are the community, so it only makes sense no matter what the weather is the community is out, Cross said. Were all out here together Cross not taking Dr. Kings legacy for granted. Other families like Stacy Mosley and her son both bundled up as well to celebrate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MLK did a lot for the black community himself overall its just about history, trying to stick to it, Mosley said. Arkansas city renames bridge in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. For Mosley going to the parade is a tradition, and shes not letting cold temperatures keep her away. This is one holiday that hasnt changed yet because a lot of things have changed. we still have our MLK day Mosley said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. (NewsNation) After being sworn in on Monday, President Donald Trump is marking his first full day in office with public outings and announcements. Hes expected to announce a partnership that would invest $500 billion in artificial intelligence on Tuesday afternoon. Trump announces $500B AI infrastructure investment In an address Tuesday afternoon, Trump announced a new partnership investing $500 billion in artificial intelligence. OpenAI, Oracle and Softbank are creating a joint venture called Stargate, the president announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said Stargate is a new American company that will invest $500 billion, at least, in AI infrastructure in the United States. Stargate is expected to create more than 100,000 American jobs through the creation of AI plants and colossal data centers nationwide, according to Trump. Bolton says hes in danger after Trump pulls Secret Service detail Oracle executive chairman Larry Ellison, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman joined Trump during the announcement. Ellison confirmed that the first data centers are under construction in Texas. He and Altman explained that some of the AI software being developed would store electronic health records and allow doctors to tap into medical data as needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other health features include using AI to diagnose cancer via blood tests and design a vaccine for every individual person to vaccinate them against cancer. Altman also mentioned the importance of establishing artificial general intelligence in the United States. AGI is defined as hypothetical intelligence of a machine that possesses the ability to understand or learn any intellectual task that a human being can, according to Google. Trump called the collaboration a resounding declaration of confidence of Americas potential. What would it take for US to reclaim the Panama Canal? At the same address, Trump also took questions from journalists regarding TikTok ownership, Russian sanctions, tariffs, immigration and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he would be open to ally and DOGE leader Elon Musk buying the social media platform. Id like Larry to buy it too, he added, referencing the Oracle executive chairman investing in Stargate. Trump confirmed he might put additional sanctions on Russia if they dont come to the table and end the war in Ukraine. Similarly, he said, Feb. 1 is a date were looking at regarding implementing a 10% tariff on China due to fentanyl. Trump attends prayer service On Tuesday morning, he went to a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral. Leaders from nearly a dozen different religions were on hand for the service, which has been a post-inaugural tradition since former President Franklin D. Roosevelt was in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with first lady Melania Trump, the president was also joined by Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance. The service is meant to be a way to push past the divisiveness of the 2024 election, staffers say, and wasnt designed with one particular candidate in mind. Here are all executive orders Trump signed on Day 1 Its a message the president tried to convey at the Commander in Chief Ball on Monday evening when speaking to the troops. Your bravery inspires us. Your service unites us, and your sacrifice and spirit protect us all, Trump said. We love you, we respect you so much, and we have a big commitment to each and every one of you. Starting today, America will be stronger and greater than its ever been before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her remarks at Tuesdays service, the Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde addressed Trumps policies on immigrants and those in the LGBTQ+ community. Mr. President, millions have put their trust in you, Budde said. I ask you to have mercy upon people in our country who are scared. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives and their people. Trump signed a number of executive orders Monday, including one making it so the federal government only recognizes two sexes, male and female, and another declaring a national emergency at the border. In addition, Trump has said he wants to begin mass deportation raids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it came to immigration, Budde asked Trump to be compassionate to those whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors, Budde said. Our God teaches us to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land. Trump starts second term Shortly after being sworn in, Trump signed a slew of executive orders relating to diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government, gender identity, border security and other issues. In addition, Marco Rubio, Trumps pick for secretary of state, was confirmed in a 99-0 vote Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Ratcliffe, Trumps nominee to lead the CIA; Pete Hegseth, nominee for head of the Department of Defense; Kristi Noem, nominee for secretary of Homeland Security; and Russ Vought, nominee for chief of the Office of Management and Budget are all in position for a full vote in the Senate. Their confirmations have been passed by Senate committees. Trumps U.N. ambassador nominee, Elise Stefanik, backed his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization at her own confirmation hearing Tuesday. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are heading to the White House and are expected to meet with Trump on Tuesday. The Associate Press contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Day 2 of the second Trump administration contained a less pomp but continued circumstance. President Trump and Vice President Vance attended a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral in the morning. Trump is expected to meet with Republican leaders later in the day. More of Trumps Cabinet nominees face senators on the path to confirmation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was sworn in early Tuesday, the first of Trumps picks to reach that point. CIA director-nominee John Ratcliffe could be on the job by the end of the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Finance Committee advanced the nomination of Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in her quest to be confirmed as Trumps United Nations ambassador. Over in the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, lawmakers will question Trumps VA nominee, Doug Collins. Follow along here for updates. Copyright 2025 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. Local Kansas and Missouri delegates released statements on Monday afternoon following the conclusion of President Donald Trump's Inauguration ceremony. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. wrote in a press release sent to News-Press NOW - "Congratulations to Donald J. Trump on being sworn in today as the 47th President of the United States. It is a new day in America filled with hope and patriotism!" "Together, we are going to get this country back on track again, we will secure our border, support our farmers, bring back peace through strength, bolster our economy, restore law and order, and much much more," Senator Marshall said. "Lets Make America Great Again, Mr. President. Welcome back! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO) also attended the Inauguration ceremony on Monday, Jan. 20 - according to a photograph of the two posted on Schmitt's X account with the caption - "Missouri is in the house!" Senator Schmitt released this statement after the Inauguration events had concluded. "Todays inauguration was historic, and represents the greatest comeback in political history. As President Trump said in his speech, the golden age of America begins now. Americans have suffered through four years of high prices, embarrassment on the world stage, a porous Southern border, and corruption in the highest levels of our government. President Trump is going to usher in prosperity, take care of working families, unleash domestic energy production, secure our Southern border, and fight for the American people. Im ready to fight right alongside him. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Police agencies in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, including Rockford, DeKalb, Beloit, and Janesville, issued policy statements on immigration enforcement to address questions from the regions migrant community in the wake of President Donald Trumps return to office. Trump is expected to sign several executive actions on Monday, including declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, sending troops to support immigration agents, and restricting the number of refugees. Tom Homan will be the federal governments border czar, who said his operation will reinstitute the Remain in Mexico policy, which forces people applying for asylum to wait in Mexico until its approved. Homan told Bradley the administration will detain and deport parents, even if their children are U.S. citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homan has also indicated the Trump administration could bring back workplace raids, looking for people here illegally. In Illinois, the TRUST Act, signed by former Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) in 2017, prevents state law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. According to the 2023 Way Forward Act Compliance Report, 88.5% of requests from federal immigration authorities were rejected statewide. Migrant advocates in Rockford are issuing warnings that the area will likely see greater activity from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with the incoming Trump administration. We certainly know better what to expect with this incoming administration, and unfortunately, I think what were going to see is a lot of increased ICE activity in the Chicago area and, likely, the Rockford area, immigration lawyer Sara Dady said at an event last week. Certainly, that puts people in a panic. Rockford Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd issued a statement on Monday to address questions from the migrant community living in the city, saying, The enforcement of civil immigration laws is the primary responsibility of federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Rockford Police Department does not participate in civil immigration-related investigations or actions. We only consider an individuals immigration status in cases where there is a reasonable belief that the person has committed serious crimes that pose a direct threat to public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ability to file police reports or access services from the Rockford Police Department is not dependent on a persons citizenship or immigration status, Redd continued. We understand that seeking help can be a vulnerable moment, and we want every person to feel safe, valued, and respected when they turn to us. Our mission is rooted in compassion and service, and the Rockford Police Department is here to provide support without judgment or bias. We are honored to serve and protect all who call Rockford home. DeKalb The City of DeKalb issued a statement saying, The Department has a behavior-driven policing philosophy, which is to say that persons engaged in criminal behavior will be held accountable, but any attempt to target non-criminals would destroy the trust our residents need to have in the DeKalb Police. Local residents need not fear that federal authorities will be notified after the DeKalb Police pull them over for a traffic violation or respond to a 911 call for help. The focus of the DeKalb Police will continue to be criminals or persons who are determined to victimize others for their personal gain. This has been the City policy since 2017 and will remain the City operating policy. Beloit Beloit Police Chief Andre Sayles issued a statement in early January saying, An individuals immigration status is irrelevant to our mission, vision, core values. BPD only considers immigration status when an officer has reasonable belief that an individual has committed serious crimes that directly impact public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, police will continue the practice of notifying U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of undocumented individuals arrested for violent felonies, suspected of participating in a street gang, suspected of engaging in terrorism or espionage, or have been deported prior. Janesville The City of Janesville and the Janesville Police Department said, The Janesville Police Department will not ask about a persons immigration status to enforce immigration laws, and officers are committed to applying the law fairly and impartially without regard to an individuals citizenship or immigration status. Officers will not routinely ask about the immigration status of people they encounter during police activities. If you are a victim or witness of a crime, you can rely on your Janesville Police Department for assistance, regardless of your immigration status, police said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. (KRON) Transgender rights advocates are reacting to President Trumps inaugural speech that affirmed going forward the U.S. government will only recognize two genders: male and female. Its a very ominous development for transgender people, said Shannon Minter, legal director for the San Francisco-based National Center for Lesbian Rights. Transgender people simply want to be able to live, work, have families, use facilities safely like anyone else, and this appears to be a wholesale attack on the ability of transgender people to exist and function in any meaningful way. Can Trump really end birthright citizenship? Expert breaks down inauguration speech promises Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minter said the executive orders that will come next could require transgender people to be identified only by their sex at birth on their passport, and thats just the beginning. Workplace protections eliminated, anti-discrimination protections in education, for example, young people being harassed at school because theyre transgender, eliminated, said Minter. Housing protections eliminated so that people could be denied housing or turned away from shelters because theyre transgender, an ability to obtain federal IDs, like passports, taken away. Honey Mahogany, who directs the San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives, said she thinks the pendulum will eventually swing back, but for now, the transgender community must prepare. They may start with trans people, but if we dont protect people starting now and protect our most vulnerable, soon everybody will be on the plate, said Mahogany. Were already seeing an immigration of transpeople of all walks of life, to places like San Francisco and California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mahogany added, I think its really important to look at solidarity. Find your community nearby, form coalitions for mutual aid networks, because the sad reality is, as they dismantle a lot of these things, especially in those red states, theyre going to have less and less support. Canada-based Asian grocery chain to open first CA location in San Jose Transgender activists said the community should not lose hope, as legal challenges are already in the works and the conservative U.S. Supreme Court may provide help. It is a court that very recently held that federal law protects transgender people from discrimination, said Minter. Because of that decision, I am very optimistic that this court is not going to turn its back on that very recent ruling. I think the court will stick to its guns on that position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) Winter weather is continuing in our region which can be challenging for some of the older residents. Therefore, the Local Office on Aging (LOA) is hosting its Soup for Seniors Food Drive. The food drive will start on Wednesday, January 29 and goes through Wednesday, February 5. This will be a community-wide initiative to help stock the pantries of thousands of seniors in the region who face food insecurity and mobility issues during the winter months. Recent back-to-back snowstorms demonstrated exactly why programs like Soup for Seniors are crucial to our community, says Ron Boyd, LOA president & CEO. When severe weather strikes, many older adults become completely homebound, unable to safely access groceries and basic necessities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign this year is looking to collect 50,000 pounds of non-perishable food for more than 3,000 older adults. New Roanoke map tool helps you find nearby warming shelters You can donate items at drop-off locations in the Roanoke Valley including the following: All Blue Eagle Credit Union locations First Bank locations Roanoke County Libraries Salem Public Library Vinton Public Library Vistar Eye Centers Black Dog Salvage is also hosting a collection event on Saturday, January 25, and Sunday, January 26. If you donate $10 worth of non-perishable items on these dates you can get 10% off a purchase at the store. Volunteers are also needed from Friday, January 24 through February 10 to stock, pack, and deliver donations. Whether you have an hour or a day to give, youll be making a direct impact on a seniors life, says Boyd. We have seen everyone from school children to business owners pitch in its truly a Valley-wide effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, the community donated more than 49,000 pounds of food that served more than 2,800 seniors. Many of the recipients are also clients of Meals on Wheels which serves residents of low-income, independent senior housing; and older adults receiving LOAs transportation, case management and in-home care services. Soups for Seniors is possible due to its sponsorships of the Salem Host Lions Club, and partnerships with AARP Virginia, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, WFJX FOX Radio 910 Roanoke, and other community organizations. If you are interested in volunteering, you can sign up at loaa.org. Copyright 2025 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 WFXRtv. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) Donald Trump has officially been sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. Mondays inauguration marks the start of a new political chapter for our country. Supporters of President Donald Trump celebrate his return to the Oval Office 22News learned the first steps the Trump administration plans to take in office, and the possible impacts it could have here in our state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We spoke with Anthony Cignoli, a local political consultant who tells us that Mondays ceremony had a clear messageand thats of change and swift action from this new administration. All of this is a message, and a message to the world that its going to be a different way the United States is going to go about playing on the international stage. Cignoli says that Trumps first few days in office are expected to bring brazen action. As he laid out his agenda during his speechTrump declared that the U.S. government will only recognize two genders, and said he will sign several executive orders targeting healthcare, trade, and immigration. When it comes to Massachusetts, Attorney General Campbell is bolstering her office to challenge the Trump administration if need be, and experts tell us state lawmakers also need to be at the ready. Those issues are going to be on immigration, gender identity, etc., says Cignoli. If our Democratic leadership just focuses on those things onlyonly those big battlesand perhaps they shouldbut if they do, they are going to lose track of some of the other bigger issueseconomic development, etc., and that could put Massachusetts in a tough situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the congressional midterm elections in 2026, Cignoli says its outcome will greatly depend on how President Trump delivers on his promises. We are also hearing from the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Colation tonight in response to Trumps executive order, they tell us they are calling on Beacon Hill to pass policies including the Safe Communities Act, to protect immigrants andquoteprevent state and local law enforcement from doing the work of ICE agents. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) A warm place to stay is often taken for granted, and for those who feel they have no place to go, these next three days can be brutal. This weather is why shelters are working around the clock to ensure those in need have the resources to survive in weather like this. We have gloves, we have hats, we have warming blankets, hand warmers, said Mechele Hairston, Impact Virginias executive director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group Impact Virginia braved the cold Monday to meet the needs of people, with Hairston saying its about lending a helping hand. They provided hot meals to get people through the daytime cold, but this help is most needed at night. We make sure they get their towels, make sure theyre housed, make sure theyre treated fairly with admiration and respect, said Salvation Armys Men Hope Center Monitor Epps Stoval. The Salvation Army Hope Center in Norfolk is one of several places offering shelter to those in need. The center plans to accept people throughout the night. We do give them places to stay the night on frigid nights like this, Stoval said. I would not turn a dog down on days like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides the Salvation Army, there are several churches that serve as shelters in Norfolk on a rotating schedule. Churches on the Peninsula are doing the same. Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach also have various resources listed on their city websites. We are Impact Virginia, Hairston said. We are on social media on Facebook. Our phone number is 757-541-0929 and we are there to give a hand where its needed. Said Stoval: We want everybody to stay warm. We dont care who you are, what gender, what style, what you look like, or what your color is. Please come to the Salvation Army. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. A Ku Klux Klan group advertising a Maysville, Kentucky, "national office" and chapters in Ohio, Kentucky and three other states is distributing election-themed literature in Northern Kentucky. The Ludlow Police Department posted a copy of a flyer on its Facebook page on Monday afternoon, with the headline "Leave Now. Avoid Deportation." "We are aware and have already taken one report for this disturbing and disgusting propaganda that is being passed around our community," the police post reads. "This hateful garbage has been turning up in other cities as well." The Ludlow Police Department removed an image of a KKK flyer from its Facebook page late Monday, but continued to alert residents to "this hateful garbage" and ask for help determining who distributed the anti-immigrant literature. Officials in Fort Wright and Bellevue said in social media posts on Monday that such flyers have also been located in their communities. Advertisement Advertisement "While other communities have also been targeted with this type of material in the past, to our knowledge, this is the first time our community has had this type of disgusting material distributed," Fort Wright Mayor Dave Hatter said in a statement. "Council, Staff, and I are outraged and dismayed that this has occurred in our community. It is especially appalling that it happened on Dr. Martin Luther King Day," Hatter added. The flyers hit just as Donald Trump took office on Monday, having earlier promised "mass deportations" of persons in the United States without legal immigration status. This flyer has turned up in Ludlow, according to the Ludlow Police Department. Police to seek criminal charges for 'despicable flyers' According to Ludlow Police Lt. Greg Eastham, the Ludlow Police Department received a call from a Deverill Street resident just after 10 a.m. Monday about what he called "these despicable flyers." Advertisement Advertisement In a press release, Ludlow officials called the flyers "racist propaganda" adding that they "do not support nor condone this hateful garbage." "If we can identify the responsible parties, we will seek criminal charges against them," the press release said. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups, has identified 1,430 such groups across the country, including several dozen in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. The police release also acknowledged that unless the flyers cross "the threshold of a criminal matter, they are still protected under the First Amendment." 'Report them all,' flyer advises The flyer features an image of Uncle Sam, kicking a retreating family of four. In his hand, the Uncle Sam figure holds a "proclamation" with the words "mass deportation in 2025" and "report them all." Advertisement Advertisement Under the image, the Trinity White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan offers applications and memberships for $1. It lists "realms" in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, with individual phone numbers and an invitation to "call the nearest realm for more information." The Ohio number goes directly to voice mail. A recording, in a male voice, says "In January, the world's going to change for a lot of people, especially the immigrants in Springfield, Ohio." (Springfield found itself in the national spotlight last fall as false rumors spread that residents of Haitian descent were eating pets.) "But nothing's going to change for the Ku Klux Klan and the Trinity White Knights," the recording continues. "We will always secure the existence of our people and future for white children." The Kentucky number also goes to voice mail. Advertisement Advertisement "Come stand with us and help fight against illegal immigration, homosexuality and every other form of wickedness and lawlessness," the recording on that line says. "We hope to hear from you soon. You have a great white day of white power." The same flyer has turned up in several Indiana communities, according to multiple news outlets. Ludlow police ask residents with information about who is disseminating the flyers to call the department at 859-261-8186. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: KKK 'Leave now. Avoid deportation' flyers found in Kentucky Speakers at Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations in the region Monday encouraged people to continue his legacy of civil rights, equality and love and to come together in the face of division and hatred. Freezing temperatures and slippery conditions led to the cancellation of local Martin Luther King. Jr. marches, though community members still gathered in New London, Norwich and Groton to celebrate the slain civil rights leaders life and legacy. At the celebration at St. Johns Christian Church in Groton, people listened to Kings words, including the importance of loving one's enemies, and viewed photos and videos of the civil rights leader and marches on the screen. Attendees sang Weve Come This Far by Faith and Lift Every Voice and Sing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tamara Lanier, a church member and New London NAACP executive committee member, said the message of love shared at the ceremony is important because when surrounded by so much hate, it may be easy to withdraw or hate but its important to do the opposite. Its just confirmation that we have to love our enemies, and that we have to, when faced with hate, love them more, Lanier said. New London NAACP President Jean Jordan reflected on two defining moments as a 7-year-old child: visiting Resurrection City in Washington, D.C., after the Poor Peoples Campaign and seeing the tents where people had lived and a few weeks later sitting in the back of her fathers station wagon on the Tappan Zee Bridge in New York as race riots occurred. When the National Guard surrounded the vehicle, she thought: This is not right. Are we going to die because people dont like us? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She urged people to tell their stories to children and take them to Black History sites in the region, and for children to read books. There is history here that our kids dont know, and they need to know it because its not going to get better, its only going to get worse if they dont know this, she said. She added that "there are people out there who dont want us to tell the story: the true, accurate story of what has gone on over the last 400 years." The New London NAACP started in 2016 providing Black History Month materials, and this year provided materials for 4,925 students in Groton, New London and Waterford, she said. Groton Town Councilor Juliette Parker, secretary of the New London NAACP, said that with the inauguration, families are worried. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to extend our love to them, show them were supporting them, and we will find a way, she said. I am hopeful that we as a nation and a community can continue to come together in spite of efforts to divide us and keep us apart, City of Groton Mayor Keith Hedrick said. State Rep. Aundre Bumgardner, D-Groton, thanked the speakers for remarks focused on unity and breaking down divisions here and abroad. He said, "More than ever, it's time to come together." City of Groton Police Chief David Burton spoke about building a wall thats not divisive or designed to separate, but serves as a barrier against prejudice, bigotry, injustice and racism. He said Kings brick was a keystone, and he encouraged everyone to contribute their brick. He said his brick is ensuring any justice meted out by the police is done fairly among all community members and to guard against being used by others to oppress and stifle peaceful protest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that when people provide opportunities to others in their job, organization, school, neighborhood or agency, without regard to race, gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity, they are putting a brick in the wall. New London has remote event In New London, the cold prompted the cancellation of an annual march from City Hall to the Shiloh New London Church on Garvin Street. The live service at the church was replaced with a remote event in which speakers, including the Rev. Isaiah McCorkle, pastor of New Londons Walls Clarke AME Zion Church, noted the irony of celebrating Kings birthday as Donald Trump prepared to be inaugurated for a second presidential term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a fiery sermon, McCorkle noted millions gathered across the country to celebrate Kings messages of tolerance and equality. Now, while we are celebrating the dreamer and his dream by striving to live out his dream for America, there are others gathering today to celebrate our very nightmare, a nightmare that will last beyond four years in office, McCorkle said. A nightmare that will attempt to destroy democracy in the name of greed and corruption. McCorkle cited Kings three evils of society racism, militarism and excessive materialism while adding two more: Christian nationalism and Trumpism. State Rep. Anthony Nolan, D-New London, urged remote viewers to embrace Kings commitment to justice, equality and love for humanity, themes he said are as necessary today as in his lifetime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Michael Passero called for facing down the saber-rattling and race-baiting of the incoming administration. We are ready to push back against the voices of bigotry and hate who are newly empowered and ascendant at the national level, he said. Dr. Kings message of perseverance prepares us for times as these. Norwich gathering praises King, urges continued diligence In Norwich, the wintry weather and morning snow forced cancellation of the annual Martin Luther King Day march through downtown and thinned the usually overflowing crowd at Evans Memorial AME Zion Church. But exuberant speeches and songs prevailed, under the theme of Unity and Strength. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Few references were made to the presidential inauguration and there were no direct mentions of Trumps swearing-in ceremony. The keynote speaker, the Rev. Jacqueline Harvey of the First Baptist Church in Norwich, described King as a prophet, citing passages from his speeches that referred to quotes from Biblical prophets, including references to rising out of a dark valley. For King, the valley is a metaphor of injustice, Harvey said, a place where people separated, disregarded, violated. Back then in America, the valley was a low place filled with discrimination and inequality, but his dream was for a place that would be exalted and made high like a mountain, so all people could be included and participate in a United States of America. She urged people not to become complacent, because there is still unfairness, too much hate and racism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rev. Benjamin Green, pastor of Evans Memorial, called Mondays service a celebration for many reasons, praising God that everyone was able to gather for the event, including himself. Green said last week, he was on the bed of affliction but had recovered in time to attend. We have come to honor one of the great historians, one of the great people of our time, Green said. We are celebrating not what makes us different but what makes us united. The service included an offering collection to benefit the Norwich emergency cold weather overnight warming center, which is open this week during the current cold snap. The collection raised $517, and Rev. Green added $500 from Evans Memorial, calling the center so desperately needed. Rev. Harvey said First Baptist also will add to the collection, and others in the audience added to the total. Norwich NAACP President Carline Charmelus thanked the gathering for their contributions as she announced the total collected. c.bessette@theday.com k.drelich@theday.com j.penney@theday.com BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) As bone-chilling cold sweeps across the region, the Western New York Coalition for the Homeless is calling on county and city leaders for a bigger space to shelter those less fortunate. This request comes after the secretary for the coalition claims shelters have reached capacity. With wind chills in the negatives, its dangerous standing outside for just minutes so imagine not having a roof over your head this week. While local warming shelters are at capacity, leaders said no one will be turned away. Theres been a great need in the entire homeless community in the last few years. All our shelters have been full, said WNY Coalition for the Homeless secretary Nadia Pizarro. Theres been an increase in homelessness just in general throughout the country and weve been seeing that here in Western New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Monday night, a Code Blue has been issued in Erie County and the City of Buffalo. Two overnight warming shelters have been opened at 586 Genesee St. and 129 Lewis St. According to Pizarro, these spaces can comfortably shelter 150 people. However, this past week, they reached capacity. Were not turning anyone away. We are working with local agencies 211, DSS and other resources for placement, but we are pretty much full to the seams, said Pizarro. Pizarro said mats are being used for sleeping due to cots being full, and shes now calling for a bigger space. Were working with our wonderful contacts with the city and the county and a larger space to accommodate the need, Pizarro said. A larger space has a lot of benefits when it comes to people having more room, not on top of each other. It decreases the likelihood of arguments and things like that and high-stress situations, Pizarro said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Monday in Niagara County, Kenneth Good, the Code Blue director at Niagara Gospel Mission, stocked up on necessities like blankets, pillows and extra warm sweaters for those in need. He said just like Erie County he expects a record number of those in need to arrive this week. You hear stories of people taking abandoned houses and kind of trying to survive, and then there is a need. Ive heard of up to 400 people, said Good. Pizzaro said they also use outreach teams to drive around and bring individuals to shelter. If you see anyone in need, you should call 211 to report their location. Its one of many ways you can help this winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We accept food donations if people want to volunteer to serve food or bring food. We really have been having the community wrap around our Code Blue shelters, Pizzaro said. We have reached out to city leaders asking if a new location for these warming sites is in the works but have yet to hear back. Latest Local News Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2025 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 News 4 Buffalo. U.S. President Donald Trump takes the oath of office as Barron Trump and Melania Trump look on Monday in Washington. The 45th and 47th President of the United States made his inauguration speech on Monday. President Donald Trump also took his oath as he made his way to the Oval Office and made some promises. Meanwhile, some in Jacksonville are standing up and fighting back against his agenda. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Action News Jax Annette Gutierrez attended a protest at the Duval County Courthouse where people protested the returning president. They are upset about the changes President Trump is planning to start making. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump began his speech by saying, The golden age of America begins right now. He focused on topics like the economy, immigration, and LGBTQ+ rights. Trump said the federal government would recognize the people of America as two genders: male and female. Many protesters in Jacksonville stood in solidarity and fought back against his agenda. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Protestors said this undermines the protections and equality for LGBTQ+ individuals. President Trump also said he would declare a national emergency at the southern border, an effort to keep illegal immigrants and drugs from entering the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Neal Jefferson with the Jacksonville Community Action Committee said these policies are instead separating families or seeking the American dream. These are people who are coming here for a better life. The United States is supposed to be a place where people can come no matter where theyre from, who they are, and make it. Isnt that the American dream? Jefferson said. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] People at the protest told Action News Jax they are hopeful about the economy as well, but they are not a fan of Trumps approach. They say drilling for more oil will only hurt the ecosystem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local representative Angie Nixon also stood in solidarity with the protestors. 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. WASHINGTON (WJHL) The predicted arctic chill forecasted for Washington, D.C. may have moved the inauguration of the 47th president indoors, but the weather didnt keep some East Tennesseans from waiting in line for hours outdoors to be a part of the celebrations for President Donald Trump. Jennifer Little, vice chairman of the Grainger County Republican Women, said she and her daughter Erin got in line at 4:30 a.m. to be admitted to the Capital One Arena where Trump supporters could watch the ceremony live. We entered the doors at 8:40 a.m. so we were outside for four hours and it was really packed even at 4:30 a.m., Little told News Channel 11 in a Zoom interview from inside the arena. She said some were in line as early as 1:30 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arena hosted the presidential parade and performers who were to be a part of the outdoor ceremony. The space fits about 20,000 people, but thats a fraction of those who had tickets for the swearing in, including Little. This is a good second, Little said. The only thing is, not everyone can get in, they gave over 200,000 tickets. We did pick up our inaugural tickets, but they are just souvenirs, she said. Some from the Tri-Cities skipped the cold and just enjoyed events before the inauguration. Dobyns-Bennett High School alumni and current Naval Academy student-athlete Garrett Crowder received an invitation to the inauguration from Congresswoman Diana Harshbargers office. He brought his dad Tim and younger brother Gavin along for the historical trip. (Photo: Tim Crowder) Due to the inauguration being moved indoors, sadly, I wasnt able to attend, said Midshipman 4th Class Crowder. However, I was able to take part in an event at Capitol Hill Club, and I met Sen. Blackburn and Sen. Hagerty as well. So, I did get, Ive done a few things in D.C. this weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crowder also attended the funeral of the late President Jimmy Carter last week as part of his Naval Academy duties. He says he was thankful to be chosen. (Photo: Tim Crowder) I was one of the few selected. That was a really big moment for me, Crowder said. I was actually able to meet President Bush while I was there. He walked right by my seat. So I stood up and I said, Hello, Mr. President. I introduced myself. It was a really fantastic moment there. Crowder hopes others back home will be inspired by his experiences and know that being a part of historic moments like these is possible. If youre a hard worker and youre set on achievement, you can really do anything, Crowder said from his hotel before heading back to Annapolis to resume classes on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennifer Little also feels that by participating in this significant event, shes helping to connect East Tennesseeans to history. We are just happy to be here, Little said. I feel like sometimes were representing a lot of folks back home. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. A London council famed for its low taxes will double rates for second home owners and those who leave their properties empty for over a year. Wandsworth Borough Council where residents pay the lowest council tax in the country is seeking to stamp out the number of foreign investors buying up London properties and leaving them vacant. From April 1, the Labour-run local authority will impose a 100pc council tax premium on homes which have been left empty for a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owners of properties that are vacant for five years will have to pay 200pc more, while those who leave them empty for a decade face a 300pc penalty. Second home owners whose properties are furnished but do not function as a primary residence will also be charged double council tax. Previously, a house in Wandsworth had to be empty for more than two years before owners paid the 100pc premium. It comes amid an acute shortage of housing in London, where thousands of homes stand empty, and rents are rising for locals. Aydin Dikerdem, a Labour councillor, said: The aim is to make sure homes are lived in or rented. Lots of people want to live in Wandsworth, and we want to use all the powers we can to increase the number of homes people can live in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arguably, doubling council tax is not a high enough fee. He added the policy would disincentivise the kind of [property] investment that takes place in central London, and leave properties free for Wandsworth locals to raise families. A Wandsworth Band H property, the most valuable kind, pays 979 a year in council tax. There are currently around 36,200 long-term vacant properties across London, based on data collected by the citys 33 local authorities. In Wandsworth, the number of second homes has risen dramatically since 2023, according to the council. That year, there were 568 second homes in the borough, while this year there are 1,384. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional council tax for empty and second home owners has been rolled out in several regions across the country. Councils in Wales and Cornwall have imposed some of the fiercest local resistance to out-of-towners. The Government has signalled it will take action on empty homes, thought to number almost 700,000 nationally, and is considering calls to give councils powers to take possession of empty homes and rent them to tenants. Henry Pryor, a property expert, said more local authorities could follow Wandsworths example and increase rates of council tax on second home owners. I am concerned and waiting to see how many local authorities ramp up council tax for second home owners. Many face 100pc [increases] or more as has been happening in Wales for some time, he said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Akash Sriram (Reuters) - Lonestar Data Holdings is reaching for the moon in its quest to place the first physical data center on the lunar landscape. The space startup will use SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket to launch a fully assembled data center late next month by integrating it with Intuitive Machines' moon lander, Athena, it said on Tuesday. Cheaper rocket launches, abundant solar energy and cost-effective cooling systems have fueled a race among startups to transform space into a massive data hub, capable of meeting the growing computational needs of technologies including AI. The company is pulling out all the stops to ensure the mission goes smoothly, Lonestar CEO Chris Stott told Reuters. "This idea of using earth's largest satellite as an anchor point, it's far enough that we can have security on (communications)," Stott said, adding the focus was on disaster recovery and storage and not on latency-dependent activities. Lonestar has signed up the State of Florida, Isle of Man government, AI firm Valkyrie and pop rock band Imagine Dragons as customers for the data center, called Freedom, which will be powered by solar energy and use naturally cooled solid-state drives. Its operations will also have ground-based backup from data center firm Flexential's Tampa, Florida facility. The concept of space-based data centers is gaining traction as the energy needs to maintain such operations on Earth grow sharply. Last month, Lumen Orbit raised $11 million at a $40 million valuation. Lonestar has raised nearly $10 million with a valuation of less than $30 million, Pitchbook data shows. However, hosting data centers in space has its own challenges, including cumbersome maintenance, limited scope for upgrades and high costs of launching rockets. There is also the risk of failed rocket launches. "When you launch a satellite into space, it's binary. If it fails, it's dead. There's no way to recover it. There are no ways to fix it," said Chris Quilty, co-CEO of industry research firm Quilty Space. (Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva) Longtime federal prosecutor Leah B. Foley is the new U.S. Attorney in Massachusetts. Foley, who previously served as Assistant U.S. Attorney, was sworn in to her new role on Tuesday afternoon, one day after her appointment as U.S. Attorney by Acting Attorney General James McHenry. She replaces former U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy, who stepped down from his role on Friday. Foley has more than two decades of experience as a federal prosecutor within the Department of Justice, according to a statement released Tuesday from the U.S. Attorneys office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can think of no greater mission than that of public service and it is the honor of a lifetime to now serve in the capacity of U.S. Attorney. I am profoundly humbled by the opportunity to serve our great nation as the chief federal law enforcement officer in Massachusetts, Foley said in a statement. I look forward to working with the outstanding men and women of the U.S. Attorneys Office and our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to protect our communities and support the principles of the rule of law, Foley said. U.S. Attorney of Massachusetts Leah B. Foley Foley has been a federal prosecutor for 23 years, first serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and, most recently, the District of Massachusetts after joining the office in 2006 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division, according to biographical information provided the U.S. Attorneys office. Prior to being appointed as U.S. Attorney, Foley served as Deputy Chief of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit where she supervised international and domestic narcotics investigations and international money laundering, immigration, human trafficking and firearms cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has also served as the Lead Attorney for Bostons Organized Crime & Drug Enforcement Task Force since 2013. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia, Foley prosecuted violent crimes, sex crimes, felony narcotics and firearms cases. She also authored appellate briefs and argued before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. New US Attorney for MA appointed: "Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Belaire Foley was appointed as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts by Acting Attorney General James McHenry on Jan. 20, 2025. With more than two decades of experience as a federal prosecutor Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) January 21, 2025 Prior to her tenure with the Department of Justice, Foley served as Counsel to the U.S. Senate, Committee on the Judiciary from 1998-2002. In that role, Foley advised Sen. Orrin Hatch, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee on drug policy and other criminal law matters, according to biographical information provided the U.S. Attorneys office. She also negotiated policy issues with representatives of elected officials, federal agencies, public interest groups and private organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foley has traveled to foreign countries to assess American law enforcement initiatives abroad and has also worked with foreign law enforcement and officials to combat international drug trafficking. Before starting her career in public service, Foley worked as an associate at diGenova & Toensing, a firm in Washington D.C. that represents clients in tax, antitrust, securities fraud and FEC violations cases. Foley received a Master of Laws from Georgetown University Law Center in 1996 after receiving her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School. She received her bachelors degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she studied, English, Philosophy and French. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A version of this article originally appeared in Quartzs members-only Weekend Brief newsletter. Quartz members get access to exclusive newsletters and more. Sign up here. Two weeks of raging fires, driven by winds of more than 100 miles per hour, have created a dystopian hellscape in drought-stricken northern Los Angeles burning hundreds of thousands of acres, devouring more than 12,000 structures, and leaving at least two dozen people dead. Embers whooshed across the landscape, igniting trees, hedges and the roofs, decks, and sidings of wooden houses that had been built to survive earthquakes, but never a fire of these proportions. Hundreds of small businesses have been vaporized, and thousands of people have been forced to flee from the potential path of the fires. While weather forecasters say there wont be significant rainfall until next month, one thing we know now: While the physical damage will be calculated in tens of billions of dollars and the economic damage in the hundreds of billions, only a fraction of that is covered by insurance. Yet even that fraction is expected to force massive changes on the insurance market, in California and across the U.S., and change the face of Los Angeles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new estimate on Thursday put the total insured losses from the L.A. fires between $35 and $45 billion, according to CoreLogic, a risk modeling and catastrophe data company. The company said the estimate includes fire and smoke damage, the expected surge in the price of labor and building supplies, and debris removal, clean up, and payments for temporary housing. Many of the potentially impacted properties are high-value homes, so even moderate damage from the fires or smoke could result in costly claims, said CoreLogic senior director Tom Larsen. Those losses will push up premiums in California and most likely across the U.S., with potentially devastating effects as wildfires, hurricanes, floods and other extreme weather events occur with greater frequency and greater intensity due to global warming. Were marching toward an uninsurable future in this country and across the globe, said Dave Jones, who served as Californias insurance commissioner from 2011 to 2018 and now directs the Climate Risk Initiative at the University of California, Berkeley. Jones said that even as regulators roll back tight rules on insurers and let them pass on the cost of reinsurance and other expenses, the problem persists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not going to deregulate our way out of the problem, and were not going to rate increase our way out of the problem, Jones said. In Florida, state regulators acceded to all the deregulation demands of the insurance industry, and still, insurers have been moving out of the state as damage from hurricanes and coastal flooding rise. Its going to be nearly impossible to profitably write insurance in the state of California, said Jeff Clinkscales, senior vice president at Risk Strategies, an insurance broker and adviser. Its pretty easy to predict that those carriers that will offer any of the capacity that theyre willing to give to California, that the pricing is going to be, frankly, outrageous. The result, Clinkscales said, is going to be many more property owners opting out of insurance altogether because they simply cant afford it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From an economic perspective, the burden of wildfires lies in the way that so much economic activity must be directed toward replacing lost wealth rebuilding homes, businesses, and infrastructure instead of creating new wealth that could drive growth and innovation, said Oak McCoy, an economics professor at University of New England College of Business. California, he noted, accounts for almost 15% of the U.S. GDP, meaning the economic toll of Californias fires reverberates nationally. What to do? Zesty AI, an insurance data startup, uses AI to model risk home-by-home rather than by zip code. Co-founder Kumar Dhuvur said the company uses 14 to 16 data points, including nearby vegetation and construction materials, rather than the three or four data points now commonly used by insurers, to determine the ability of a home to survive a disaster. He compared it to a FICO score for a home. Not only does that let insurers accurately price the risk for individual homes, meaning more homes can get affordable insurance policies, but its also meant to encourage fire prevention work cutting down volatile shrubs, replacing a fire-prone asphalt roof, or clearing a yard to create a firebreak. Based on the analysis we have done for other fires, our property score has been pretty accurate, Dhuvur said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another possibility is what the industry calls captive insurance. Thats when larger property owners such as industrial firms, commercial landlords, or even larger homeowner associations band together to insure themselves. With proper technical assistance and the aim of protecting themselves rather than making a profit, captive insurers can often price risk more accurately than commercial insurers. But even then, a major catastrophe like the L.A.fires could wipe out a captive company. And its not just California that will see insurance rates rise. The California situation is not healthy, said Franklin Manchester, a longtime insurance executive who now advises insurance companies for a data analysis firm called SAS. I expect everyones insurance premiums to go up in the following year, and no one will cite California as the proximate cause. Not FAIR Like almost three dozen other states across the U.S., California has a state-chartered insurer of last resort called the FAIR (a twisted acronym for Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) Plan, a private association whose day-to-day operations are controlled by insurance companies, not taxpayers. According to Moodys, as of Sept. 30 the FAIR Plans exposure in Los Angeles County was $112.2 billion, up 53% from the year before. According to the trade publication Insurance Journal, FAIR has only $700 million in cash to pay claims, below the $900 million deductible it has to pay out before it can access another $2.5 billion in reinsurance. Fortunately, its not California taxpayers who will foot the bill, its the commercial insurers. But Jones, the former California insurance commissioner, said they can lay off a good portion of that assessment on policyholders across the state. The people who can afford to rebuild or who could afford insurance in the first place will stay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Los Angeles will come back a probably whiter, wealthier city after this, said Daniel Aldrich, director of the Resiliences Studies Program at Northeastern University, who lived through Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath in New Orleans. Because, at the end of the day, this disaster, like most other disasters, impacts the vulnerable most. Peter S. Green, Contributing Editor For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Louisiana is remembering 49-year-old LaTasha Polk, a victim of the Jan. 1 attack on Bourbon Street. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry declared a period of mourning ordering that all flags over state buildings be flown at half-staff. Louisiana Remembers Edward Pettifer Polk, from New Orleans, was the mother of a 14-year-old. She worked as a certified nursing assistant. LaTasha Polk In a Sunday news conference, Landry reported that Polks family believes that she would have wanted the city to turn out in celebration, with a tinge of grief, but without fear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana State Superintendent Cade Brumley also asked school systems to consider a moment of silence at 9 a.m. during the period of mourning. Louisiana Remembers Matthew Tenedorio The New Orleans Police Department and the Archdiocese of New Orleans will ring the bells of St. Louis Cathedral every day through Jan. 23, between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to honor and remember the lives lost and those affected by the terror attack. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2025 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 WGNO. A batch of wild caught Gulf of Mexico shrimp sits on a sorting table on shrimper Keo Nguyen's boat at a dock east of Lake Borgne prior to bringing it to a seafood market Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) A new law requiring restaurants in Louisiana to tell their customers the specific country of origin of any seafood being served is causing some confusion among state officials and industry leaders. Act 148 of the 2024 regular legislative session brought sweeping changes to laws affecting restaurants and other food establishments in an effort to protect Louisianas struggling domestic seafood industry. However, the new law, which took effect Jan. 1, could undergo some clarification revisions when lawmakers reconvene this spring. At issue are several provisions concerning menu and labeling requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One provision in the new law requires any food service establishment that serves foreign crawfish or shrimp to print a disclaimer on its menu: Some items served at this establishment may contain imported crawfish or shrimp. Ask for more information. If the establishment does not use a menu, it must print the disclaimer on a sign at the entrance of the establishment. The provision is not much different than a previous law enacted in 2019. Dave Williams, owner of a company that has been using new genetic testing to expose restaurants and food vendors along the Gulf Coast for fraudulently selling foreign shrimp as domestic, said the disclaimer shouldnt contain the word may because it doesnt really tell the customer anything. Williams testified at the Legislatures Seafood Safety Task Force meeting Wednesday, telling the panels members how his genetic testing works. He said his company, SeaD Consulting, has so far tested shrimp from about 250 restaurants across multiple states. Recent testing in Baton Rouge area restaurants showed about a 30% fraudulent rate, which Williams said is much better than other areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, many restaurants continue to use vague menu descriptions that do not indicate whether their seafood is foreign or domestic. Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain, a task force member, suggested the new law only requires such an indication on foreign shrimp, crawfish or catfish. If it doesnt state that it is imported, then its assumed to be domestic, Strain said. However, another provision in the law appears to require restaurants to disclose a country of origin even if the shrimp or crawfish theyre serving is domestic. It requires establishments to indicate in all representations, notices and declarations whether their shrimp or crawfish is either domestic or imported. A third provision goes even further and requires restaurants to cite specifically the country of origin on all seafood dishes not just shrimp and crawfish: For any seafood that is sold unpackaged, a food establishment shall clearly display the country of origin in a manner that is easily visible to the consumer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a brief interview after Wednesdays meeting, one of the bills authors, Sen. Mike Fesi of Houma, said the intention of the bill was to make things clear for the customer by requiring full disclosure from restaurants as to whether they are serving foreign or domestic seafood. He said its possible some of the task force members hadnt fully caught up on all the new laws provisions. The Louisiana Department of Health, which is tasked with enforcing those provisions, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Williams and members of the shrimping industry believe the new law prohibits restaurants from using Louisiana-themed decor, such as boats and nets, if they are serving imported seafood. A provision on the first page of the legislation states, No person shall market crawfish, shrimp, or any product thereof using any Louisiana-related imagery, phrases, colors, or styles if the products are not genuinely linked to Louisianas cultural heritage and produced within the state or landed within the state. Federal regulations have similar prohibitions that apply to restaurants. However, task force member Will DuBos, who represents the Louisiana Restaurant Association, disagreed with Williams interpretation and said he thinks that part of the law applies only to wholesale packaging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a trade association, we wholeheartedly encourage every one of our members and every one whos not a member to comply with existing laws, DuBos said. Reached by phone last week, the bills primary author, Sen. Pat Connick, R-Marrero, said he intends to revisit the law to clean up any confusing provisions once session begins in April. Until then, Louisianas shrimpers are wondering if and when the state will begin enforcing laws that have been on the books for years. In 2023, state health inspectors recorded more than 2,600 violations of a seafood labeling law but did not issue a single fine to any of the violators. Were losing our way of life, shrimper Acy Cooper told the task force. Its not gonna last long if we dont turn this around 2,600 violations and not one fine How far should this go? Does the state want us out? SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) Louisiana State Police will be increasing patrols during this weeks winter storm. Trooper First Class Tiah Larvadain said they are doubling staff and their hourly shifts to monitor roadways and bridges that may ice over. Unsafe, iced areas will be barricaded off. If there is something that is closed and has a barricade thats posted, not only is it illegal, but its also unsafe for you to travel around those barricades, Larvadain said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Police advises drivers to reduce speed, allow extra time to reach your destination and increase following distance behind vehicles. Its going to take a minute for four troopers and first responders to be able to get to you safely. Like I said, we want everyone to take their time, Larvadain said. We do have some vehicles that are equipped with four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, to be able to get through these areas. But safety is the main thing for first responders, for our DOTD personnel, as well as the residents and visitors of the state. Drivers are asked to report any hazardous conditions to Louisiana State Police. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Latest news Copyright 2025 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 KLFY.com. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) All Tuesday and Wednesday morning kickoff flights to and from the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport were canceled due to the winter storm bringing inches of snow to the area. In addition, the airfield has been closed except for emergency helicopter operations, according to officials. The airport will stay open with crews on site 24/7 for operations. Given the magnitude of this storm, we anticipate additional cancellations on Wednesday, with the potential for Thursday flights to be affected due to severe weather conditions here and other airports across the Southern United States, a spokesperson for the airport said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Jeff Landry talks about winter storm bringing snow, freezing weather to Louisiana Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. DENVER (KDVR) Two suspects in their 20s were arrested for allegedly robbing, assaulting and kidnapping a victim from Loveland. According to the Loveland Police Department, on Sunday, officers executed an arrest warrant for 28-year-old Orlando Josue Lemus Ortiz and 26-year-old Maryori Marisol Garcia Bonilla, both of Aurora. Police said they had obtained probable cause for the warrants through an investigation that involved a 55-year-old victim from Loveland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You never think its going to happen to you: Family catches home break-in on camera The victim was reportedly kidnapped, robbed and assaulted before being abandoned in a neighborhood, Loveland police said. The victim was eventually able to find help and contact emergency personnel. Police said the victim had severe injuries and needed immediate medical attention. Ortiz and Bonilla allegedly knew the victim. According to Loveland police, Ortiz and Bonilla are facing the following charges: First-degree kidnapping Robbery Second-degree assault The department said in a post on X that the suspects were each issued a $400,000 cash bond. Anyone who has additional information on this incident is asked to call the Loveland Police Department tip line at 970-962-2032, or the Larimer County Crime Stoppers at 970-221-6868. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)LSU Shreveports Institute of Nonprofit Administration and Research is promoting a campaign to help volunteers participate in the Million Meals for MLK initiative. Almost twenty percent of Louisiana households live below the poverty line, making residents vulnerable to rising food costs. Thats why LSU Shreveports Institute of Nonprofit Administration and Research is coordinating with food banks in the state this January. Dr. Heather Carpenter is INARs executive director. She said that hunger and poverty are issues in our state and pointed out that Louisiana has the second-highest poverty level in the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil War-era homeless shelter in Louisiana took in elderly freedwomen With food prices increasing, more families are relying on services like food banks to access nutritious meals, said Carpenter. Louisiana Blue and Entegy are sponsors of the initiative. Were encouraging organizations to create their own food packing parties to help us reach that 1 million meals number this month, Carpenter said. It is critical to restock food banks in January after the busy holiday season depleted their pantry stock. Food banks can turn $1 into four donated meals because they receive discounts from food manufacturers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visit Million Meals for MLK to learn more. Copyright 2025 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 KTALnews.com. By Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's newly nominated head of the planned 2025 COP30 climate summit in the Amazonian city of Belem warned on Tuesday that President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement would cast a shadow over the talks. "We are still analyzing President Trump's announcements, but there is no doubt they will have a significant impact on preparation for COP30," Ambassador Andre Correa do Lago told reporters on Tuesday shortly after he was named to the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 pact right after taking office for a second non-consecutive term on Monday, removing the world's biggest historic emitter of greenhouse gases from global efforts to fight climate change for the second time in a decade. The move adds to challenges Brazil was already set to face as COP30 host, including tough disputes over financing the energy transition in developing countries and the new pledges to reduce emissions countries have vowed to make. Correa do Lago said "there are still many paths of dialogue" with the U.S., despite Trump's latest move, noting the country is still a member of the United Nations climate convention, a forum of dialogue between nations about global climate policy. The announcement of the COP30 head is the starting point for the Brazilian government to set up the leadership structure that will carry out negotiations for what likely will be one of the most difficult conferences in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his new role, Correa do Lago will serve as the main facilitator and mediator between country delegations at the November summit. The presidency is considered essential to the success of the conference, in which leaders from almost every nation on the planet will negotiate how to keep global warming below catastrophic levels, after two years of record heat. Correa do Lago's pick by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva marks a return of the conference's leadership to the hands of officials with a history of working in climate policy. He has been Brazil's negotiator at global climate summits since 2023, a role he also had between 2011 and 2013, and has worked in climate diplomacy and sustainable development since 2001. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Azerbaijan, which hosted the conference last year, and the UAE, the host in 2023, appointed officials who worked in state-owned oil companies to lead the summit. Brazil is also facing steep challenges to get the city of Belem, in the Amazon rainforest, ready to welcome tens of thousands of people in November. In the next few months, the city will need to at least double the number of beds available in hotels and other accommodation. Lula, who has vowed to end deforestation in the Amazon, has attached much of his political capital on the global stage to the success of the conference in Belem, the second most populous city in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources in the government told Reuters that Correa do Lago was the best candidate for the position, since he is not only familiar with all climate negotiations but also has connections with all sectors involved within the government itself. He was responsible, for example, for resolving the impasse between rich countries and developing ones in the G20 climate negotiations in Rio de Janeiro, which threatened to paralyze the summit communique last year. (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu, editing by Manuela Andreoni, Michael Perry and Aurora Ellis) Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King, Alice da Silva Aguiar. Why dont we know their names? Within days of the murder of James Bulger on Merseyside in 1993, that two-year-old boy was the most famous person in the country. The name James Bulger still resonates today; most of us will carry a shadow-memory of that enchanting toddler for the rest of our lives. Yet mention the three beautiful little girls aged seven, six and nine respectively, victims of a massacre at a Taylor Swift holiday club in Southport, just 17 miles away from where James was killed, and you will almost certainly draw a blank. It would suit a lot of people, rather powerful people, if we could forget about those little girls entirely, I think. So I was not surprised when I heard yesterday that Axel Rudakubana had changed his plea to guilty. In fact, many of us, including Telegraph readers in the comments, had been speculating in recent days on which particular ruse the authorities would deploy to make sure the ghastly details of what happened in that dance studio on July 29 2024 never reached the public. Cover-up antennae twitched again on Sunday when it was revealed that Rudakubanas lawyers were not intending to offer any defence against the 16 crimes of which he had been accused. This was, to say the least, highly unusual. Why did the defendant plead not guilty in the first place? In a situation where the crimes are as monstrous as these, there is little point in doing that, save the sheer perverse pleasure the monster can inflict on survivors and on the families of his victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, witnesses will already have been forced to relive their gruesome, traumatic experiences in preparation for giving evidence. Surely an experienced KC would have said earlier that Rudakubana simply didnt have a case. Why the last-minute switch? So many questions. Yesterday morning, I was on a train to Liverpool to cover the trial when my editor called to break the news about the new guilty plea. My first reaction was anger. The reason I had set aside a predicted three-to-four weeks away from home, putting myself through what would undoubtedly be harrowing stories of maimed and dying primary-school children, was pretty straightforward: I wanted to bear witness. I wanted to get to the truth about what should, by rights, if this still calls itself a civilised society, be regarded as a notorious massacre. The heinous mass-murder of children with a carved knife our nation has known nothing on that scale since Dunblane in a respectable seaside town on the west coast of Lancashire merited a full public explanation. This is not Rwanda. My plan was to record the full horror of what was done to Elsie, Bebe and Alice and to eight other girls and their teacher in the same dance class on that blameless, fun-filled summer day. I would not resort to coy euphemism or cowardly broadcaster-ese. I would not say, as a journalist for the Liverpool Echo told Sky News, that Elsie, Bebe and Alice had passed away (as if their deaths had arrived placidly in old age rather than with a flashing blade to the head and throat). I would not talk, as the BBC talks, of a knife attack. It was a medieval slaughter. The children were petrified; too scared even to cry. Nor would I be fobbed off by the authorities feeble attempt to deflect attention from possible terrorist or ideological motives. It is clear that this was a young man with a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence, said Ursula Doyle, the deputy chief crown prosecutor of Mersey-Cheshire CPS. She was delivering the official line that many journalists would happily seize upon. Just a violent psycho nothing more to see here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Except, oh, hang on, it has now emerged that Rudakubana had been referred three times to Prevent, the governments counter-terrorism scheme. And then there was that awkward business with him cooking up ricin, a bio-weapon, in his familys kitchen, while in possession of an al-Qaeda training manual. Still not enough evidence, apparently, to make the crimes terror-related, according to our nervous police. The implication, which I have heard parroted many times since on the airwaves, is that the Hart Space, where the Taylor Swift summer-holiday club took place, was just one of several potential venues Rudakubana could have happened upon. Rubbish. The tricky-to-find, first-floor dance studio could not be wandered into off the high street. It was deliberately scouted; the name Taylor Swift on flyers around the town was key. I believe that the 28 little girls in that class, who were making friendship bracelets when the savage came through the door, were deliberately targeted because the killer viewed them as decadent, crop-top-wearing Western girls who loved to dance to Satans tunes. Hard to believe? On the contrary. A fortnight after Bebe, Elsie and Alice were murdered in Southport, three Taylor Swift concerts in Austria were cancelled because of a terror threat. (Shades of Islamist terrorist Salman Abedis attack on the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena in 2017, killing 22 people. Grandes fan base is mainly young girls and teenagers.) Do you think a radicalised young man, one who had been watching extreme jihadi videos, might have thought little girls were a legitimate target? A custody photograph of Axel Rudakubana issued by Merseyside Police - AFP I have always thought that vilest misogyny was the explanation for the murders of those sweet little girls, and I am not the only one. But we have not been permitted to ask questions that might elicit such an answer (not without attracting a jail sentence anyway). With the trial now abandoned, the truth we deserve has become even harder to find. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is hard to disagree with Nigel Farage, who says Sir Keir Starmer and the police were guilty of a gigantic cover-up over the Southport murders, and the subsequent riots might not have happened if the public had been told the truth. Could that be another of Sir Keirs far-Right conspiracy theories or that Labour favourite misinformation? Funnily enough, that very conclusion was reached by the Governments own terrorism watchdog. Jonathan Hall, KC, the independent reviewer of terrorist legislation, warned of an information vacuum after the Southport murders that led to riots across the country. One of the problems was the consequence of giving out so little information about what motivated the killings of three young girls, Hall said. I think when matters of high importance in the public mind happen that, as far as is possible, the police, the government and the media should level with them Those institutions will not continue to enjoy the trust that they have had to date if there is any general sense that things are being hidden. People, Hall concluded, quite reasonably wanted to know as much as possible about a massacre of children. Yes, we do. But our authoritarian Prime Minister doesnt approve of sharing information with the public that may lead to conclusions of which he doesnt approve. Starmers performance after Elsie, Bebe and Alice were slaughtered was abject, shocking; lacking in all humanity. Nineteen seconds, says a close relative of one of the little girls who observed the savagery first-hand and who still wakes screaming in the night. Nineteen seconds was the time locals calculated Sir Keir spent laying a wreath in Southport, before scuttling off to a nearby mosque after being jeered by an understandably distraught crowd. I am told the man who shouted, How many more children have to die, Prime Minister? is the grandad of one of the murdered girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yesterday, the PM admitted the British state failed Elsie, Bebe and Alice. Suddenly describing it as a moment of trauma for the nation, that strange, soulless man averred: There are grave questions to answer as to how the state failed in its ultimate duty to protect these young girls. Britain will rightly demand answers. We will leave no stone unturned in that pursuit. Its a safe bet that an entire quarry of stones will be used to obstruct the path to answers of any value, answers which might upset Labours treasured multiculturalism, which has taken such a knock of late. Im sure all of you will have questions for the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who announced a public inquiry yesterday. Here are a few from me to get her started: 1. At what time were you and the PM made aware that Axel Rudakubana possessed ricin, which posed a lethal threat to the community, and a terrorist training manual? What was your reaction when Merseyside Police told the public the murders of Bebe, Alice and Elsie were not terror-related. Was that a lie? If so, whose interest did the lie serve? 2. In an email sent by police to victims and survivors families from Operation Greenbook the name of the police investigation into Southport it says that the attacker possessed a PDF file entitled, Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: the Al Qaeda Training Manual, of a kind likely to be of use to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. Further, it says, Rudakubana possessed that file between 29 August 2021 and 30 July 2024. Clearly, the murderer had terrorist-related information from the age of 15. How did police conclude the murders of the little girl were not terror-related? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3. We have seen political interference in this case from Day One. How quickly trials were streamlined for those who made comments on social media, some of them pointing out things which were called conspiracy theories but are now proven to be true. Are there questions to be asked about the guilt of such people, many of previously good character? Do you believe the law should be used to shut down legitimate concerns about mass immigration? 4. On which subject, is there any British history of an individual running riot with a machete among a group of little girls? Would it be fair to describe that as an imported and barbarous crime? If so, what policy changes might improve the safety of young girls? 5. Is is true that Rudakubana said, UK needs a genocide like Rwandas? 6. Would he now call himself a Muslim (allegedly practising that faith in prison) and, if he was radicalised, how did that happen? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 7. In the aftermath of the massacre, a photo of the accused as a cherubic young boy who was described only as Cardiff-born appeared in the media. Yesterday, a photo of his actual appearance looking like a deranged fiend recently escaped from Alcatraz was finally released. Do you think the public has the right to see a likeness of the face Elsie, Bebe and Alice saw before they died or one designed to anaesthetise public concerns? 8. With hundreds of men from extremely misogynist cultures crossing the Channel in small boats every week, how does the Government plan to protect little girls like Elsie, Bebe and Alice from attacks by men who despise Western girls? I will be in Liverpool on Thursday for the sentencing of Axel Rudakubana, and then travelling to Southport to remember three beautiful little girls. I wanted to bear witness. I wanted to get to the truth about what should, by rights, if this still calls itself a civilised society, be regarded as a notorious massacre. Plenty of powerful people want their names to be forgotten. So lets remember them, always: Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King, Alice da Silva Aguiar. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned on Jan. 20 that Russias war against Ukraine is far from over, as Donald Trump, who vowed to quickly end the conflict, assumed office again. "Let us not delude ourselves," Macron said earlier during his New Years address to the French armed forces, according to AFP. "This conflict will not end tomorrow or the day after," he added, with the third anniversary of Russias invasion approaching next month. Trump has previously pledged to end the war "in 24 hours" without detailing his plan and later extended the timeline to several months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking in Cesson-Sevigne in northwestern France, Macron emphasized the importance of strengthening Ukraines position. "It is essential to provide Ukraine with the means to endure and to negotiate from a position of strength in the future," he said. He also stressed the need to ensure Ukraines security and prevent a resurgence of war on its territory. Macron renewed his call for Europe to take greater responsibility for its defense, a point he has often raised. "There can be no peace and security in Europe without Europeans," he said, referencing the war in Ukraine and Europes role in future negotiations. Trumps questioning of NATO commitments and his remarks about reducing support for Ukraine have sparked fresh urgency among European nations to reassess their defense capabilities. In 2023, France approved a record 413-billion-euro ($450 billion) military budget for 2024-2030, marking its most significant defense spending boost in decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Macron also directed the government and armed forces to submit plans by May to mobilize more young volunteers to support the military. This appears to acknowledge the end of his long-championed universal national service project. "In order to build up this reserve, the Defense and Citizenship Day will be revamped," he added, without elaborating. Currently, France requires all citizens to participate in a one-day "Defense and Citizenship" program at age 18, which introduces the countrys military forces and includes a French language test. Macron called for better efforts to identify willing volunteers. During his 2017 presidential campaign, Macron proposed a month-long mandatory national service, aiming to expose young people to military life. The armys lukewarm response led to the government pivoting toward a civic service initiative instead. Read also: Trump sworn in as 47th US president, says hes taking back Panama Canal; doesnt mention Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. As Inauguration Day 2025 got underway, and Joe Bidens presidency neared its end, the retiring Democrat took one last opportunity to exercise one of his most important powers. In a flurry of 11th-hour pardons, the then-president extended protections to a variety of people whom Biden feared might be targeted unfairly by his Republican successor. Among the notable beneficiaries: the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the bipartisan Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, better known as the House Jan. 6 Committee. Biden similarly pardoned the panels members and investigators. Donald Trump was not pleased. Just a couple of hours before his presidential inauguration, the Republican texted NBC News Kristen Welker and described the pardons as disgraceful. He went on to suggest that those who received the pardons are undeserving because, as he texted, Many are guilty of MAJOR CRIMES! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours later, after delivering his unfortunate inaugural address, Trump delivered unscripted remarks for over a half-hour to the overflow crowd in Emancipation Hall, and again insisted that Jan. 6 committee members were very, very guilty of very, very bad crimes. As Inauguration Day neared its end, Jan. 6 remained on the new presidents mind, but in a very different context: Trump issued roughly 1,500 pardons and commuted the sentences of 14 of his supporters in connection with the insurrectionist attack on the Capitol. NBC News reported: Trump commuted the sentences of individuals associated with the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, who were convicted of seditious conspiracy. He then issued a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, a category that included people who assaulted law enforcement officers. The developments captured the state of American politics in a nutshell: The outgoing Democratic president pardoned Jan. 6 officers, while the incoming Republican president pardoned Jan. 6 criminals including those who violently attacked law enforcement personnel. After signing the pardons and commutations, a reporter asked Trump about his decision. The newly inaugurated president claimed that outside agitators were involved in the assault. He added, And obviously the FBI was involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, just hours into his new term, Trump agreed to let violent criminals who attacked their own countrys seat of government back onto the streets, and then peddled discredited conspiracy theories and lies about the attack, as part of a larger effort to rewrite the story of what actually happened. But lets also not brush past the new presidents choice of words: In the morning and afternoon, when referring to those who investigated the Jan. 6 attack, Trump made absurd claims about MAJOR CRIMES and very, very bad crimes. Of course, by this reasoning, the Republican necessarily concluded that Jan. 6 criminals, including those who violently attacked the police, didnt commit major or very bad crimes. Its going to be a long four years. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * In the Middle East: The U.N. agency responsible for administering aid to Gaza said that the first full day of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was running smoothly, with hostages and prisoners returning home, and aid trucks entering the Gaza Strip. * Ongoing political tumult in Seoul: South Koreas impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol refused on Monday to be questioned as part of an investigation into whether he committed insurrection, as dozens of his supporters faced arrest over a violent rampage on a court building. Authorities said security was being beefed up at the Seoul Detention Center where Yoon is being held as a pre-trial inmate and at the Constitutional Court, which is holding an impeachment trial to decide whether to permanently remove him from office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * The 5th Circuit continues to act like the 5th Circuit: A federal appeals court on Friday ruled against an Obama-era program that has shielded hundreds of thousands of undocumented people from deportation. But in its decision on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, the three-judge panel stopped short of allowing current beneficiaries to be deported and said it was staying its decision to allow the ruling to be appealed. * Obeying in advance: As the second presidency of Donald J. Trump begins, Americas largest banks and asset managers have abandoned one of the most overt symbols of their commitment to reaching green goals: climate action networks. * The debt ceiling clock is ticking: Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen told Congress on Friday that on Jan. 21 the Treasury Department will have to begin using extraordinary measures to prevent the United States from defaulting on its debt. The warning was likely one of Ms. Yellens final acts as Treasury secretary before the Trump administration assumes power at noon on Monday. * Remember when taxpayers werent forced to finance private religious education? In much of the country, those days are over: The risks of universal vouchers are quickly coming to light. An initiative that was promoted for years as a civil rights cause helping poor kids in troubled schools is threatening to become a nationwide money grab. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * A notable Biden pardon from the weekend: President Joe Biden on Sunday posthumously pardoned Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, who influenced Malcolm X and other civil rights leaders and was convicted of mail fraud in the 1920s. Also receiving pardons were a top Virginia lawmaker and advocates for immigrant rights, criminal justice reform and gun violence prevention. * A notable Biden commutation from Inauguration Day: Joe Biden, in one of his final acts as president Monday, commuted the life sentence of Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier, who was convicted of killing two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and of escaping from federal prison. Peltier, who is 80 years old, has been imprisoned for almost five decades. He has been in declining health in recent years from diabetes, hypertension, partial blindness from a stroke and bouts of Covid. * Cecile Richards, RIP: Cecile Richards, a womens rights activist and former president of Planned Parenthood, has died at 67, her family said. ... She was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in 2023, she revealed to The Cut last year. See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Even before the Jan. 6 attack, when Donald Trump put then-Vice President Mike Pences life in danger, the Republican president had a habit of publicly embarrassing his right-hand man. The Hoosier did everything he could to show unfailing loyalty, but for Trump, it simply didnt matter. The president, of course, ultimately replaced Pence with Vice President JD Vance, and history is already starting to repeat itself. During the 2024 campaign, Trump would occasionally contradict the Ohio Republican, which didnt do Vances reputation any favors, but on literally the first day of the Trump-Vance era, the problem became more acute when the new president pardoned Jan. 6 criminals including those who violently clashed with police officers at the U.S. Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that, of course, brought to mind the public comments that his vice president had made eight days earlier. The Associated Press reported on Jan. 12: Vice President-elect JD Vance says people responsible for the violence during the Capitol riot obviously should not be pardoned. ... Vance insisted in an interview on Fox News Sunday that the pardon question is very simple, saying those who protested peacefully should be pardoned and if you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldnt be pardoned. This was not the first time the Ohioan made such comments. In May, two months before the then-senator joined his partys 2024 ticket, Vance told CNN, If you beat up a cop, of course you deserve to go to prison. If you violated the law, you should suffer the consequences. Note the unambiguous phrasing: As far as Vance was concerned, of course violent rioters who attacked police officers should be put behind bars. Its hardly a subject of debate: Obviously such violent criminals and convicted felons should not receive presidential pardons, the vice president said nine days ago. This was, he told a national viewing audience, very simple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not yet clear how the deliberative process on Team Trump unfolded behind closed doors. Maybe Vance was sidelined. Maybe he presented a case that the new president rejected. Maybe he was told what position to take, and Trump soon after changed his mind. Whatever the explanation, just hours into the Trump-Vance era, the new president hung his vice president out to dry. (This comes on the heels of Vance investing some of his political capital into Matt Gaetzs bid to become the next attorney general, personally escorting the former congressman from Senate office to Senate office, urging his colleagues to confirm Gaetz and putting his credibility on the line. Soon after, the Florida Republican withdrew from consideration and Trump agreed.) While we wait for the vice president to explain why the president made him look foolish (again), its also worth emphasizing that Vance isnt alone on this. Quite a few Republican officials said they were prepared to accept Jan. 6 pardons for non-violent offenders, but they werent altogether comfortable with the idea of Trump putting violent criminals who attacked the police back onto the streets before their sentence was up. Weaseling out of these comments wont be easy, but since the alternative is criticizing their partys new president, theyll have to think of something. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Just hours after his presidential inauguration, Donald Trump issued a flurry of executive orders, including one intended to hold former government officials accountable for ... improper disclosure of sensitive governmental information. As the document explained, part of the goal of the order was to revoke the security clearances of 51 former intelligence officials who believed the contents of Hunter Bidens laptop couldve been Russian disinformation. Or put another way, the new president, on his first day back in the White House, was predictably eager to settle some old scores. But none of those officials disclosed sensitive governmental information. According to the executive order, however, former White House national security adviser John Bolton did: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ... Bolton published a memoir for monetary gain after he was terminated from his White House position in 2019. The book was rife with sensitive information drawn from his time in government. The memoirs reckless treatment of sensitive information undermined the ability of future presidents to request and obtain candid advice on matters of national security from their staff. Publication also created a grave risk that classified material was publicly exposed. So, a couple of things. First, the accusations against Bolton, which first came to the fore five years ago, are dubious. In fact, a former career official with the National Security Council, who was initially responsible for reviewing Boltons book before its release, determined that the text did not include classified information. That same official later accused Trump political appointees of commandeering the book-review process for a seemingly political purpose specifically to go after Bolton because of his criticisms of his former boss. But even if we were to put this aside, theres a related problem: If anyone in the United States should avoid picking a fight over improper disclosure of sensitive governmental information, its the newly inaugurated president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In case anyones forgotten, it was just a couple of years ago when Trump was criminally indicted for bringing classified documents to his glorified country club and ignoring a federal subpoena to give them back. According to the indictment, the Republican kept sensitive documents that included information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries; United States nuclear programs; potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack; and plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack. Prosecutors added, The unauthorized disclosure of these classified documents could put at risk the national security of the United States, foreign relations, the safety of the United States military, and human sources and the continued viability of sensitive intelligence collection methods. Trump also allegedly stored boxes containing classified documents in a variety of unsecured locations at Mar-a-Lago, including a ballroom, a bathroom and shower, an office space, his bedroom, and a storage room. But wait, theres more. If the new White House team is sincerely concerned about improper disclosure of sensitive governmental information, perhaps Trump and his aides might be interested in my top 10 list chronicling instances in which the president was accused of improperly disclosing sensitive governmental information: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement #10. In May 2017, Trump had a chat with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in which the Republican shared information about dispatching two nuclear submarines off the coast of the Korean peninsula. By one account, Pentagon officials were in shock over Trumps willingness to share such information. We never talk about subs! three officials told BuzzFeed News, referring to the militarys belief that keeping submarines movements secret is key to their mission. #9. In July 2019, Trump had an unsecured conversation with U.S. Ambassador to the E.U. Gordon Sondland, while the ambassador was in a Ukrainian restaurant within earshot of others, in which Trump sought information on Ukraine helping target the presidents domestic political opponents. Larry Pfeiffer, a former senior director of the White House Situation Room and a former chief of staff to the CIA director, said of the call, The security ramifications are insane. #8. According to evidence gathered by the special counsels office, Trump showed a classified map to a representative of his political action committee, and then made matters slightly worse by showing a highly confidential war plan to a writer. (Secret. This is secret information. Look, look at this, Trump was recorded saying, adding, Isnt that incredible? ... Its so cool.) #7. In February 2017, Trump discussed sensitive details about North Koreas ballistic missile tests with the prime minister of Japan at a Mar-a-Lago dining area, in view of wealthy civilians/customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement #6. In early October 2019, Trump publicly discussed American nuclear weapons in Turkey, something U.S. officials have traditionally avoided disclosing and/or confirming. #5. In August 2019, Trump published a tweet about a failed Iranian launch, which included a detailed photo. As MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell reported, it wasnt long before experts marveled at Trumps recklessness with classified material. #4. In October 2019, Trump needlessly blurted out all kinds of tactical and operational details about the al-Baghdadi mission in Syria. As NBC News reported at the time, A few of those colorful details were wrong. Many of the rest were either highly classified or tactically sensitive, and their disclosure by the president made intelligence and military officials cringe, according to current and former U.S. officials. #3. In 2020, Trump disclosed the existence of a secret nuclear weapons program to Bob Woodward, to the surprise of national security insiders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement #2. In 2021, Trump allegedly shared classified information about American nuclear submarines with an Australian businessman, who allegedly proceeded to share the sensitive details with several others, for no apparent reason. The disclosures, the New York Times reported, potentially endangered the U.S. nuclear fleet. #1. Just four months into Trumps first term, the Republican welcomed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergei Kislyak into the Oval Office at the request of Russias Vladimir Putin for a visit that was never fully explained. It was in this meeting that Trump revealed highly classified information to his Russian guests for no apparent reason. The Washington Post reported at the time, The information the president relayed had been provided by a U.S. partner through an intelligence-sharing arrangement considered so sensitive that details have been withheld from allies and tightly restricted even within the U.S. government, officials said. The Wall Street Journal added, According to one U.S. official, the information shared was highly sensitive and difficult to acquire and was considered extraordinarily valuable. Its never been altogether clear why Trump simply handed this to Putins representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This list, incidentally, is not comprehensive. There are other examples. By the reasoning of Trumps executive order, shouldnt he be taking away his own security clearance? This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com After Donald Trumps presidential inaugural address, the Republican delivered candid and rambling remarks to supporters in Emancipation Hall, alongside several House GOP leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson. Early on in his unscripted speech, the new president gently teased the Louisiana congressman about his tiny House majority which Trump made worse. We gave [Johnson] a majority of almost nothing, and then I said to make it tougher on him let me take two or three of the people, Trump said, referring to the fact that he chose some House Republicans to join his administration in a variety of posts. The president added that in the coming months, Johnson will be so frustrated, itll feel like hitting your head on a wall. The House speaker chuckled politely, though this was one of few things Trump said on his first day that was true. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, shortly before the remarks, the House GOP conference did, in fact, shrink by one. The Hill reported: Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) resigned from the House on Monday morning, as he prepares to join President-elect Trumps Cabinet as national security adviser. Waltzs resignation was read on the House floor just over an hour before Trump was scheduled to be sworn in, officially bringing the breakdown in the House to 218 Republicans and 215 Democrats. The White House national security adviser does not require Senate confirmation. The former Florida congressman has already begun his new duties. Complicating matters for GOP leaders on Capitol Hill, Waltz isnt alone: Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, Trumps choice to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will almost certainly be confirmed by the Senate in the coming days, which will create a 217-215 House. Yes, there will be special elections to fill Waltzs and Stefaniks vacancies, as well as the vacancy left by former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, and GOP officials like their chances of keeping those seats. But as a practical matter, that doesnt change the fact in the first few months of the new Congress, as Trump and his team look to Capitol Hill to advance controversial legislation, the balance of power will be 217-215. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a matter of arithmetic, on key votes in which Democrats are united in opposition, that means the House GOP conference will have to be completely united to succeed. If even one Republican member balks, it will be enough to derail the partys legislative endeavors. (A 216-216 vote constitutes failure. Bills need a majority to advance.) Or as a recent NBC News report summarized, House Republicans will have a zero-vote margin for defection in the coming months. The report added, Even when the party returns to full strength, the House majority could have trouble passing party-line legislation if a handful of members fall ill, have scheduling conflicts or experience weather delays preventing them from getting to Washington in time for key votes. Circling back to our earlier coverage, its worth emphasizing that the legislative math isnt the only problem: House Republicans in recent years have become even more hostile toward compromise, more disdainful of bipartisan cooperation, more inviting of crises such as government shutdowns and debt ceiling showdowns, and more indifferent to the needs of GOP members from competitive, blue-leaning congressional districts. Johnson struggled badly to lead his conference last year, routinely leaning on members of the House Democratic minority to conduct routine governance, and theres no reason to believe his challenges will be any easier in 2025. On the contrary, with a smaller majority, his odds of legislative success are worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the 2024 elections, Johnson has repeatedly appeared on conservative media outlets and boasted about his partys prospects in the near future. Look, were excited about this, the Louisiana Republican declared last month. Weve demonstrated already that we can govern with a small majority. The available evidence points in the opposite direction: The House Republican majority had effectively no accomplishments to speak of in the last Congress, and while the broader circumstances are clearly different the GOP now controls the Senate and White House, which was not the case in 2024 Johnson still hasnt demonstrated that he and his team can govern with a small majority. With Waltz out, that majority is now even smaller. Trump apparently thinks this is worth joking about, but I have a hunch the House speaker disagrees. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Even if Pete Hegseths personal life were that of a teetotaling and celibate monk, the former Fox News host would still be the most controversial defense secretary nominee in American history. We are, after all, talking about a man whos been accused of financial mismanagement at the two veterans-related charities he ran. (He has denied the accusations.) Alas, thats just the start. President Donald Trumps choice to lead the Pentagon has also never led a large organization, has written bizarre and conspiratorial books, did not attain a high rank during his tenure in the military, and has touted highly provocative ideas related to American women serving in combat and the Geneva Conventions. After Hegseths recent Senate confirmation hearing, The Washington Posts Dana Milbank added that the nominee also appears to have no idea what hes doing. But just as importantly, the former television personality has most definitely not lived the life of a teetotaling and celibate monk. On the contrary, Hegseth has faced allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct, which he has repeatedly denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the traditional norms of American politics, Hegseths odds of confirmation would be around zero. Given the state of American politics in 2025, Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee have already voted unanimously to advance Hegseths nomination to the full floor for final consideration. Its unclear if anything could convince senators in the GOP majority to think twice ahead of the confirmation vote, but as NBC News reported, Hegseth is facing new allegations that have reached Capitol Hill in the form of an affidavit. Senators received an affidavit Tuesday from the former sister-in-law of defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth in which she says his behavior caused his second wife to fear for her safety. The receipt of the affidavit comes after Senate Armed Services Committee staffers were in contact with Hegseths former sister-in-law for several days. The former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, submitted the affidavit in response to a Jan. 18 letter from Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., seeking a statement attesting to your personal knowledge about Mr. Hegseths fitness to occupy this important position. Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat and the Senate Armed Services Committees ranking member, asked Danielle Hegseth to detail what she knew of instances of abuse, or threats of abuse, perpetrated against any other person and mistreatment of a spouse, former spouse, or other members of his family, among other requests. Reed said in a statement, As I have said for months, the reports of Mr. Hegseths history of alleged sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and public misconduct necessitate an exhaustive background investigation. I have been concerned that the background check process has been inadequate, and this sworn affidavit confirms that fact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic senator, who voted to confirm Trumps Pentagon nominees in the Republicans first term, added that the alleged pattern of abuse and misconduct by Mr. Hegseth is disturbing. This behavior would disqualify any service member from holding any leadership position in the military, much less being confirmed as the Secretary of Defense. NBC News report added that Danielle Hegseths affidavit described allegations of volatile and threatening conduct by Hegseth that made his second wife, Samantha Hegseth, fear for her safety. (She says she didnt witness the conduct firsthand.) When NBC News reached out to Hegseths second wife, she said would not comment on her marriage. She did, however, say that she considered the networks information to be inaccurate, adding: There was no physical abuse in my marriage. She also said she signed court documents saying that there was no abuse. Hegseths lawyer also dismissed the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full report with additional details is well worth your time. As for whether the allegations might shake senators confidence in the nominee, the public wont have to wait too long to find out: By all accounts, Hegseths confirmation vote will happen this week, perhaps as early as Thursday. If the Senate Democratic conference is united in opposition, four Republicans would have to break ranks to derail the nomination. To date, a grand total of zero GOP senators have publicly declared their intention to vote against him. Watch this space. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * A case worth watching: Democratic attorneys general on Tuesday filed lawsuits in Massachusetts and Washington state seeking to block President Donald Trumps attempt to revoke the right to automatic birthright citizenship. * Unsettling reporting on the DOJ: The Trump administration fired four top officials at the Justice Departments Executive Office of Immigration Review, which oversees U.S. immigration courts, late Monday. ... All were civil servants, not political appointees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Judge Cannon does what Judge Cannon does: A federal judge on Tuesday barred the Justice Department from sharing former special counsel Jack Smiths final report on the classified documents case against Donald Trump with members of Congress. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, found there was no urgent need for the Justice Department to share the report with the chair and ranking members of the House and Senate judiciary committees while an appeal involving Trumps co-defendants in the case is still pending. * Indefensible: Nearly 1,660 Afghans cleared by the U.S. government to resettle in the U.S., including family members of active-duty U.S. military personnel, are having their flights canceled under President Donald Trumps order suspending U.S. refugee programs ... The group includes unaccompanied minors awaiting reunification with their families in the U.S. as well as Afghans at risk of Taliban retribution because they fought for the former U.S.-backed Afghan government, said Shawn VanDiver, head of the #AfghanEvac coalition of U.S. veterans and advocacy groups and the U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. * Among the dozens of deeply unfortunate things Trump did on Inauguration Day: President Donald Trump will pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement, according to an executive order he signed Monday as one of his first acts after he took office. * The vote in the Senate was unanimous: The Republican-led Senate hit the ground running Monday with newly inaugurated President Donald Trumps nominations, confirming Marco Rubio as secretary of state. With cooperation from Democrats, GOP leaders moved quickly to bring Rubio, currently a senator from Florida, to the floor for a vote after he was unanimously reported out the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * From a political perspective, a highly memorable sermon: At the inaugural prayer service, the Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, made a direct appeal to President Donald Trump to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and undocumented migrant workers. Referencing Trumps belief that he was saved by God from assassination, Budde said, You have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. * The video of the gesture wont soon be forgotten: Tesla CEO Elon Musk faced immediate backlash on Monday for a gesture he made while addressing a crowd at a Donald Trump inauguration event, renewing attention to his past antisemitic remarks and his far-right beliefs. See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) A Madisonville man was arrested after police say he struck a 6-year-old in the back of the head while attempting to hit the childs mother. According to police, the father of the child informed officers that Matthew Glasgow, 26, was attempting to swing at the childs mother while she was holding the juvenile, causing Glasgow to strike the child in the back of the head. The father told officers there was a small bump and a red spot where the child claimed to be struck by Glasgow. Glasgow was booked into the Hopkins County Jail and charged with criminal abuse of a child under the age of 12, but he has since been released on bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Jan. 21After several strings of back-to-back killings and a spate of young victims, 2024 stopped just short of being the second-deadliest year in Maine since 1989. New data compiled by Maine State Police show that there were 35 homicides in the state in 2024. The year before, state police recorded 53 homicides the most on record including the 18 people who died in the Lewiston mass shooting. There were 40 in 1989. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner did examinations in 50 killings in 2024, but not all of them resulted in prosecution and therefore aren't included in state police totals. That includes those who died at the hands of police. Ten people were shot and killed by law enforcement in Maine, according to a database kept by The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The highest concentration of homicides happened in the second half of 2024, with seven in July and six in October. A majority of the homicides came in spates of two or three consecutive cases within less than a week of each other. The state's longest period without a killing was 39 days. Eight of the 35 victims hadn't reached their 20th birthdays. Police have not yet identified suspects in four killings. DEPARTMENT DATA Portland and Bangor recorded the most homicides in the state with five each, an especially high year for both cities, said Maine State Police Lt. Col. Brian Scott. Three killings happened in Waterville, and Bath and Mechanic Falls each saw two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bangor Police Sgt. Jason McAmbley said this is the highest total he's seen in his 24 years with the department. The city didn't have any homicides in 2021 or 2022, and had only one in 2023. In one investigation, Bangor police detectives found that 10-year-old Braxtyn Smith had been abused for months before his death in February. His parents and grandparents were arrested later that month. They were charged with depraved indifference murder and pleaded not guilty in July. While Maine State Police investigate most homicides in Maine, Portland and Bangor have the authority to investigate their own. McAmbley said the additional homicides are costing the department hundreds of hours in overtime while the detectives, officers and evidence technicians compile crime scene logs and investigate each case. Last year was "a mark that we hope not to achieve anytime soon," McAmbley said in a phone interview last week. While he is thankful for the department's resources, he said he'd prefer if there were no killings to investigate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Portland had also seen relatively low homicide counts in recent years none in 2021, five in 2022 and two in 2023, according to data provided by the department. Perhaps the biggest investigation was tied to a homicide in July that started with a fight between two motorcycle clubs. Susan McHugh, 54, died from a single gunshot wound and two others were seriously injured with skull fractures. Aaron Karp, 47, has pleaded not guilty to murder in the case, police arrested five more suspects who they say aided in the attack and are still looking for one more. Despite the apparent increase in homicides statewide, Portland Chief Mark Dubois said his officers will always prioritize critical cases and investigations. "Any time we respond to a critical incident, it will certainly put a temporary strain on our resources," Dubois said in a statement. "We are always prioritizing our resources and making adjustments to respond to new incidents, while still working on other cases." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOCAL RESOURCES As a department that relies on state police to help investigate homicides, Westbrook police are still prepared to prioritize homicide cases, even if it puts a strain on their resources, said Chief Sean Lally. "It's just part of the job," Lally said in a recent phone interview. "We make it work however we have to." The department responded to one homicide and one fatal police shooting last year. In 2023, the city saw three killings. Before that, Lally said the last homicide occurred in 2013. Lally said with the increase in homicides, he's noticed an increase in mental health emergencies and offenders with lengthy criminal histories. He said the criminal justice system fails to address people who are accused of violent crimes, citing overworked prosecutors, a lack of public defenders, and understaffed jails and prisons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, police inherit the problem, he said. "People like to look at the low-hanging fruit where it's the end result, like the incident itself," Lally said. "And the scrutiny becomes on the person who dealt with them last as opposed to the seven or eight other people who dropped the ball. ... That's a struggle we have in this society. People just want to look at the quick solution." Copy the Story Link A sign from the Jan. 18, 2025 People's March in Portland, Maine reads: "Fight ignorance, not immigrants." (Photo: Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star) In separate legal actions, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine sued the Trump administration over its executive order on Monday to rescind birthright citizenship. It was anticipated that the president would issue this unconstitutional block on citizenship, but that does not make it any less disappointing, Frey wrote in a statement. The election did not change the Constitution and legal action is required to remind the president that his oath is to uphold that sacred document, not rewrite it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Frey, joined by 18 other states, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to invalidate the executive order on the basis that it violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Immigration and Nationality Act. The U.S. adopted the 14th Amendment to protect citizenship for children born in the country after the Civil War and the U.S. Supreme Court has twice upheld birthright citizenship regardless of the immigration status of a babys parents, the attorney generals filing explains. The executive order President Donald Trump signed after his inauguration on Monday states that U.S. citizenship does not extend to children born to a mother who is unauthorized or in the U.S. on a temporary visa and whose father is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. On Monday night, the ACLU of Maine, along with other ACLU branches and legal organizations that fight for racial justice, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire in which they also argued the executive order violates the 14th Amendment as well as disregards congressional intent and U.S. Supreme Court precedent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a press conference on Tuesday, Sarah Mehta, senior border policy counsel with the national ACLU, said, We should see this latest attempt by President Trump as part of his larger campaign to terrify immigrant communities and push them to self-deport even when they have lawful status. Mehta called on state and local leaders to ensure their constituents feel supported and protected, such as by speaking out against the executive order and rejecting state agency action that would restrict the issuance of birth certificates and related documentation to children of immigrants. The ACLU is also calling on U.S. Congress to reject any legislation that would codify the contents of the executive order and consider filing an amicus brief in support of the litigation. The ACLU lawsuit was filed on behalf of three organizations with members whose children would be denied citizenship under the order: New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support, League of United Latin American Citizens, and Make the Road New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harold Solis, co-legal director of Make the Road, argued the executive order would create the type of hereditary class system that the 14th Amendment was designed to prevent. It would create a permanent underclass of American-born individuals who would be stateless, born here but citizens nowhere, Solis said. It would separate families, with some siblings being citizens and others not based solely on their parents status at the time of their birth. Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLU Immigrants Rights Project, said statelessness is a major concern, as it poses dangers for physical safety as well as restricts access to education and employment. Wofsy said the unprecedented nature of the order also leaves many questions about implementation unanswered, such as whether children born in the U.S. could be subject to deportation. The reason that children born in the United States cant be deported generally is because theyre citizens, and so if youre taking that away it stands to reason that they could be subject to deportation, Wofsy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karla McKanders, who heads the Thurgood Marshall Institute, which focuses on research and advocacy within the Legal Defense Fund, said the lawsuit gets at the heart of the Supreme Court justices vision for the namesake organization to challenge systems and policies that perpetuate racial injustice and inequality. This is not just a legal fight, McKanders said. It is a moral imperative to hold our nation accountable so that our country continues to progress toward a concept of citizenship that is not grounded in racialized norms but a truly multiracial democracy. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A man in Utah is accused of telling officers he had swallowed a bag of heroin while in a patrol car, prompting officials to take him to the hospital for treatment. The Salt Lake City Police Department said he may have been trying to delay or avoid jail time. Spencer Adamson, 27, was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of possession of a controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also booked on one count of emergency reporting abuse after he likey fabricated his medical emergency, police said. 2 arrested for murder after 17-year-old girl chased down, killed in Cedar City Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When someone manufactures a medical emergency to avoid going to jail, they are not just wasting our officers time, they are diverting critical public safety resources away from real emergencies, Police Chief Mike Brown said in a press release Monday. According to SLCPD, crews were first called to a store at 1110 South 300 West on the night of Sunday, Jan. 19, on reports of an in-progress crime. During their investigation, officers found Adamson with drug paraphernalia including a makeshift pipe, burnt foil, and a bag with a white powdery substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine, police said. Adamson was arrested because he had active felony warrants. While in the patrol car on the way to jail, Adamson told the arresting officer he swallowed a bag of heroin. The officer requested emergency medical assistance for Adamson, leading to paramedics transporting him to the hospital with no immediate signs of any emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the hospital, Adamson was evaluated, and medical staff determined he was medically stable. He was cleared for release and was booked into jail almost four hours after officers initially responded to the store on 300 West. Our message is clear, if you try to manipulate or abuse our emergency services to delay the consequences of your actions, we will hold you accountable, Brown said. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A Warren man accused of pushing a woman downtown declined a plea bargain Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Whittington Davis, 37, declined to accept a plea to a charge of attempted felonious assault, a third-degree felony. The charge carries a three-year sentence. Judge Anthony DApolito explained to him that if he goes to trial and loses on felonious assault, a second-degree felony which he was indicted for, the maximum sentence is eight years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge DApolito said that does not necessarily mean he would give Davis the maximum sentence should he be convicted, but he cautioned him that sometimes during a trial, judges hear testimony that they wouldnt hear during a plea or sentencing hearing that could affect how they decide to sentence a defendant. Davis said he understood and said he wants to go trial. Davis has been in the county jail since his July 6 arrest by city police on a warrant. Reports said a woman told police she was in the 200 block of West Federal Street on July 2 when a man, later identified as Davis, pushed her and she fell to the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman had to be taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center to be examined, reports said. Reports said she injured her wrist when she fell. Copyright 2025 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man charged in federal court with selling drugs in Warren pleaded guilty Tuesday to an 11-count indictment. Read next: 15 teens, 2 guns and empty tequila bottles found in hotel search: Report Eric Rivers, 51, entered his pleas before U.S. Judge Christopher A. Boyko in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio that he was selling cocaine and fentanyl, firearms charges and using a home to sell drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sentencing will be May 5. Rivers will remain in federal custody pending sentencing. He was indicted March 6 by a federal grand jury. The indictment in the case charges Rivers with selling drugs from September through November of 2021 from a house on Charles Avenue in Warren. He is also accused of having a 9mm semiautomatic pistol Nov. 10, 2021, despite a 2003 conviction in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court for aggravated robbery and kidnapping. He was one of four men accused of robbing a Hubbard Township credit union in 2002 and leading police on a chase to Howland. Police found the money that was taken, about $13,000, several weeks later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show he was sentenced to 15 years in prison in that case after pleading guilty. Copyright 2025 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. A Sharon man was arrested for allegedly stealing several packages from residents in Bostons Dorchester neighborhood. 37-year-old Najib Dagher is charged with larceny from a building and possession of a Class A drug. According to Boston Police, officers patrolling the area of Geneva Avenue on January 15 to combat package thefts saw a man, later identified as Dagher, walking towards Dakota Street with multiple packages in his hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers saw him walking up the front steps of 421 Geneva Avenue and dropping the packages on the porch before leaving the area. They also noticed he wasnt wearing a postal-style uniform. The officers got out of their cruiser to examine the packages and noticed none of them belonged to the address, according to officials. Dagher then returned to the area and police apprehended him. The officers allegedly found a plastic bag of Fentanyl in his right pant pocket. Dagher will be arraigned in Dorchester District Court. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) An investigation by the Baton Rouge Police Department into a shooting on Thursday, Jan. 16 led to the arrest of a man. Timothy Cook, 59, was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, illegal use of weapons and simple battery. Officers responded to the 3800 block of Keokuk Street around 12:30 p.m. and initiated an investigation into the shooting. A woman was found at the scene with a gunshot wound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the investigation unfolded, detectives learned that Cook punched another man during an argument. The female attempted to stop Cook from leaving before the police arrived, BRPD said. They said Cook shot multiple times after both individuals. He was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. Baton Rouge man accused of killing ex-girlfriends new boyfriend arrested Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 49-year-old man was arrested on several active personal recognizance bond revocation warrants for intoxication manslaughter and other related charges on Tuesday, Jan. 21, in far East El Paso, according to the El Paso County Constables Office Precinct Three. The Constables Office says Arturo Caballero, 49, was taken into custody at the 12300 block of Tierra Laguna for intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, intoxicated manslaughter with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury, accident involving death and manslaughter. Caballero was booked into the El Paso County Jail under a $100,000 bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 KTSM 9 News. Despite a ban from Park District work after he was asked to resign from a top post there for his involvement in the agencys sexual abuse lifeguard scandal, a longtime government employee has again found a job with a Chicago alderman. A November 2021 investigation cited Alonzo Williams, then the Park Districts chief programs officer, and other district executives for mishandling allegations of abuse and sexual harassment in the lifeguard program. Williams resigned when the report came out and was designated do not rehire by the agency. But Williams quickly found contracting work in the City Council. And now, despite the still-in-place label from the sister city agency, South Side Ald. Greg Mitchell has hired Williams, city payroll records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams is a legislative aide in in Mitchells 7th Ward office. He earns $106,104 a year almost half of what he made as a top Park District executive but his salary shot up in December in an apparent back-door effort to award him a five-figure year-end bonus, city records show. Mitchell declined to comment on his decision to hire Williams and on the late-year pay bump Williams received. Williams full-time job serving Mitchell is not his first aldermanic support position since he was forced out of the Park District. Four City Council members previously paid Williams over $48,000 from their taxpayer-funded expense accounts for consulting work, including former Ald. Roderick Sawyer, 6th, and current council members Michelle Harris, 8th; Ald. David Moore, 17th; and Jason Ervin, 28th. The independent report that sparked Williams Park District resignation in 2021 revealed that he, former Park District Superintendent and CEO Michael Kelly and other top executives failed for months to initiate an investigation into troubling allegations of misconduct among lifeguards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A month before Williams resigned, Kelly stepped down at former Mayor Lori Lightfoots request. The successor Lightfoot appointed, Rosa Escareno, fired two other executives when she asked Williams to resign. According to the report, Kelly shared an initial email with Williams in August 2019 from a 17-year-old lifeguards parents detailing drug use, misogynistic harassment and hazing rituals among Oak Street Beach lifeguards. When the young woman shared with Kelly her own complaint in February 2020 further detailing extreme abuse, Kelly once again shared a copy of the complaint with Williams. In both cases, Williams violated district policies concerning workplace violence and sexual harassment by not reporting the allegations to human resources, the report said. Aside from Williams and a fired colleague saying they requested a database check for similar complaints, there was no evidence that they investigated the allegations, the report said. Williams told investigators that Kelly directed him to not share the young womans complaint with others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A subsequent Park District investigation published in January 2022 pointed to an array of newly investigated allegations ranging from sexual assault and harassment to failure to report misconduct in the aquatics department. The widespread findings highlighted failures in the park districts reporting and administrative functions, then Inspector General Alison Perona said. When the Tribune reported the payments from aldermen in 2023, Williams said he was not afforded due process to challenge the do-not-rehire designation. He had absolutely no knowledge of the designation before the Tribunes inquiry, he said then. I have been a public servant my entire adult life and professional career and intend to remain as such, Williams wrote in a statement in 2023. This matter is impacting my health, and welfare and that of my family. The Park District has acted beyond its lawful scope to defame my reputation and hinder my prospects to gainful employment. Williams did not respond to several Tribune attempts to contact him through aldermen about his latest position in Mitchells office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Park District spokesperson Michele Lemons said the districts employment plan designates former employees as do not rehire when they are terminated for resignation in lieu of discharge. Moore, who represents parts of West Chatham, Auburn Gresham, Englewood and Chicago Lawn on the council, had also hired Williams for part-time work, the alderman told the Tribune. He praised Williams effectiveness and argued that his actions did not justify the Park Districts do-not-hire designation. Williams was punished in large part because he did not report allegations that Kelly, his superior, was already aware of, Moore said. He believes the situation is trickier than people think, but provided few details why. Total scapegoat, the alderman said. He should have never been fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Williams City Council contracting work was first revealed, Board of Ethics Executive Director Steve Berlin called the situation disturbing but noted that there was no ethics ordinance governing who aldermen can and cannot hire as an independent contractor. Id think do-not-hire lists should be shared and honored between sister agencies and the citys various branches, including the legislative branch, Berlin said then. He declined to comment on Williams getting a full-time position in Mitchells ward office. COOK COUNTY, Ill. A man is facing charges in the murder of a Harvey woman who disappeared while on a walk at a forest preserve in 2020. The body of Vanessa Ceja-Ramirez, 22, was found in the Midlothian Meadows Forest Preserve on Nov. 4, 2020. On the afternoon of Nov. 2, Ceja-Ramirez was walking with her mother and her mothers friend at the forest preserve when she drifted back to tie her shoes, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following text exchange took place, documents show. It has been translated from to English from Spanish. 3:47 p.m. from her mother: where are you? 3:48 p.m. from Vanessa: I went back because its too long of a walk. 3:51 p.m. from Vanessa: Where are you guys at? 3:53 p.m. from her mother: We are on our way back. 4 p.m. from Vanessas phone: Ha verdad (blue iMessage went to green after 3:53 p.m.) 4:21 p.m. from her mother: Where are you 5:34 p.m. from her mother: The police are looking for you Ceja-Ramirezs mother was confused by the ha verdad response, which loosely translates to for real, and tried calling the phone several times. Police were contacted and she was not located using K-9 and helicopter units. During the search, documents state her mother used the Find my iPhone to track her phone and saw it was at a school just west of 151st and Central. It then appeared at the Manchester Apartments, located in the 14700 block of South Central in Oak Forest. The phone was not located, but police allege Dakota Petrey, now of Lewistown, was looking out the window at officers at the time. Two days later, Ceja-Ramirezs body was found deep in the woods in an area known locally as the Pits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police believe she was bound at some point and her body was burned after she was strangled to death. Authorities believe she was also sexually assaulted. Ceja-Ramirezs phone, coat and shoes were not found at the scene. Her death was ruled a homicide by strangulation. Nearly a week later, a tip came into the police hotline by a relative of Dakota Petrey. The tip alleged that it was something Petrey would do and that they were asked to help move Petreys car at around the time of the murder, which was blocks away from the scene. Previous: Family of Vanessa Ceja-Ramirez demands justice at vigil four months following her murder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police later learned that Petrey was served an eviction notice on Nov. 13 and he moved to Tennessee, documents state. The relative kept working with police and told officers that Petrey used to live in the forest preserve. Shoes, which were believed to be Ceja-Ramirezs, were located in December near where her body was recovered. Assisting police in Tennessee conducted surveillance on Petrey in April 2021 and collected a can he was drinking from while at work. Police allege his DNA was found on Ceja-Ramirezs shoes. A search warrant was then issued for a buccal swab and he was swabbed and interviewed by police in Sept. 2021. DNA further allegedly connected Petrey to her shoes and body, documents state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 14, 2025, detectives went to Fulton County, where Petrey was serving time on unrelated offenses. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault Vanessa was a beautiful person. She enjoyed life. She loved going to the store, restaurants, visiting family, family told WGN News in 2021. Petrey was ordered detained Sunday during his initial hearing. This heinous crime is every parents worst nightmare, Sheriff Dart said. It took years of tireless work by our police detectives to investigate this case, but we never gave up on finding Vanessas killer and seeking justice for her and her family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His next court date is scheduled for Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office announced that a man has been charged after he shot and killed another man inside his home Monday. According to court records, 23-year-old Caleb Hawkins is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Police state that around 12:30 p.m., 45-year-old Joel Kessler and another person were visiting Hawkins home in the 4400 block of Victoria Station Rd. Hawkins then left the two in the living room while he went and retrieved a gun, hiding it in his waistband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Hawkins returned to the living room, he hugged the second person and began shooting his gun at Kessler. Judge to decide if St. Peters woman accused of PR arson will be jailed until trial Kessler was pronounced dead at the scene. The other individual was not injured. Court documents state that Hawkins told investigators that he believed Kessler displayed wickedness, and his body language screamed evil. Caleb said (Kessler) was trying to get him to kill him even though he already knew he needed to kill, the probable cause statement reads. (Caleb) began discharging the firearm at (Kessler) until he believed the wickedness was goneonce (Kessler) fell to the floor, he stopped shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police arrested Hawkins, and he was taken to the Jefferson County Jail without bond. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office says this was an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. The fate of Jan. 6 rioters is something President Donald Trump said he would address during his 2024 presidential campaign and leading up to his inauguration. A lawyer who represented people convicted for their actions that day said no matter what Trump does, its too late. Biden issues last-minute pardons for Fauci, Milley, Jan. 6 committee members The whole journey definitely gave me a different insight into the legal system than looking at it from the outside, said Stephen Horn, of Raleigh, who was convicted in 2021 on four misdemeanors for entering the U.S. Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Horn said he was in the U.S. Capitol as an independent journalist recording the events. He said he served his sentence so a pardon would be vindication. For me, the punishment is over at this point, Horn said. So, in terms of that, a pardon doesnt mean much but I know it would mean a lot to other Jan. 6 defendants who are still in jail. Horn is one of dozens of people from North Carolina charged with crimes committed that day. Albert Watkins is a lawyer who represents one of them, Bradley Bennett, who is from the Charlotte area. He said Trump should have issued pardons for some people charged with crimes in 2021 before he left office the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trump were serious about it, he would have done something before he left office, Watkins said. But he didnt. So now its, in my opinion, a day late and a dollar short. All that being said, better late than never. Watkins said he believes some punishments were too harsh but some crimes committed were worthy of prosecution. There are those who committed acts of violence for which pardons are not, in my opinion, appropriate, Watkins said. But a very significant number of people involved in Jan. 6 were not violent. More than 30 people from the Carolinas were charged for crimes allegedly committed on that day. Video: Rock Hill family participated in Jan. 6 riots, according to FBI affidavits . A man was arrested Sunday on charges of murder and arson in connection with an apartment fire in Deerfield Beach that killed a woman and her dog, authorities said. Firefighters and Broward Sheriffs deputies were called to the apartment duplex in the 4300 block of Northwest Fourth Avenue shortly after 4:30 a.m. Friday. It was engulfed in flames when they arrived, the Sheriffs Office said. Ana De Souza, 54, who lived at the duplex, and her dog were found dead inside after firefighters extinguished the blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities arrested Genivaldo Gomes Moreira, 41, on Sunday in Manatee County after he fled South Florida in a gold 2002 Saturn, the Sheriffs Office said. He also lived in the Deerfield Beach duplex. The Sheriffs Office did not provide details about any connection between Moreira and De Souza. De Souzas relatives told WTVJ-Ch. 6 that the two were in a relationship that recently ended. Moreira had not yet been extradited to Broward County as of Tuesday afternoon. He is facing one count of felony murder, arson and cruelty to an animal, the Sheriffs Office said. This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox. A St. Petersburg man is facing a murder charge after a stabbing that left another man dead Saturday night, police say. Shortly before 8:30 p.m., officers were called to a home at 2031 Queensboro Ave. S. for a man stabbed outside, the St. Petersburg Police Department said in a news release. When officers arrived, they found George Hudson, 56, with a stab wound. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died of his injuries. Detectives learned that Hudson had argued with Jonathan Conyers, 49, over a scooter earlier that evening, according to an arrest affidavit. Before the stabbing, witnesses saw Conyer displaying the knife used in the stabbing to a group of uninvolved people, the affidavit states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police found Conyers and arrested him on a first-degree murder charge shortly before 3 a.m. Sunday. Records show he was being held at the Pinellas County Jail without bond Tuesday. No further information was immediately released. Times staff writer Tony Marrero contributed to this report. CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) A local man who was shot multiple times in a December 2022 shootout with a Conway police officer is suing the department for $1 million and wants his charges dismissed. Tywrell Alston on Friday filed a hand-written complaint in Horry County Common Pleas Court, naming the citys department as its sole plaintiff. As of Friday, Alston remained in custody at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on charges of attempted murder, possession of firearms and ammunition, pointing and presenting firearms at a person, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, unlawful use of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, discharging firearms into a swelling and a weapons ordinance violation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alston was involved in a traffic stop the night of Dec. 29, 2022 in the area of Forest Loop Road. After pulling into a driveway, he allegedly got out of a car and began shooting at Det. Nicholas Contino. Contino, who wasnt injured, returned fire and hit Alston 10 times, leaving him with life-threatening injuries. Alston said in his complaint he was headed back home from a gas station with a gray vehicle following him and eventually blocking him into the driveway. I didnt know who the occupant of the vehicle was but I was in great fear of harm to my home and myself, he said. Alston whose bond has been denied three times knowingly and willfully discharged a handgun multiple times at the officer, hitting the patrol vehicle, according to warrants provided by SLED. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He allegedly saw several police cars while driving through Conway and sped off, according to prosecutors. They said no one was looking for him at the time. Warrants also showed Alston had a BAC content of .066, and he also tested positive for THC. Contino wasnt charged following an investigation by the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WBTW. CHEROKEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Officials are investigating after a man was found dead at a car wash. According to the Cherokee County Coroners Office, the man was found at around 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Investigators said the man was inside his locked car at the 105 Car Wash on Hyatt Street. The coroner said the mans car was parked in a self-service bay with the engine not running. The man was identified as Robert Stephen Fowler, 47, of Gaffney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said there are no signs of foul play in Fowlers death. An autopsy has been scheduled to help in the investigation. Copyright 2025 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 WSPA 7NEWS. ST. MARTINVILLE, La. (KLFY) A man has been sentenced in the 2022 murder of a Breaux Bridge man, authorities said. Landan Collette, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, had previously pled guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of 26-year-old Cole Horton. Collette was sentenced to 33 years in prison at hard labor, according to 16th Judicial District Attorney Bo Duhe. Prosecutors said Collette had a verbal disagreement with Horton on Jan. 10, 2022, when Horton arrived at Collettes home to retrieve a piece of jewelry. Collette pulled a gun and shot the unarmed victim several times before fleeing the scene, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Breaux Bridge frustrated about sons killer walking free The St. Martin Parish Sheriffs Office investigation and lab results showed that Collette was positive for gunshot residue shortly after the homicide and casings from the scene matched a gun located in the defendants vehicle, prosecutors said. Collette also allegedly made statements to other individuals confirming he shot Horton. Collette was sentenced by Judge Lewis H. Pitman, Jr. on Jan. 15. The maximum sentence for manslaughter is 40 years at hard labor. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Latest news Copyright 2025 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 KLFY.com. NEW YORK (PIX11) Matthew Tirschwell has carried a medical kit around with him since he became a volunteer EMT in 1992 but hes never had to use a tourniquet until last Friday. Tirschwell was getting off the subway at 86th Street in Manhattan while returning from a trip to Los Angeles when he heard the commotion. More NYPD officers start riding overnight subway trains There are different sounds of commotion, and that one sort of caught my ear differently, he told PIX11 News on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man had been struck by a train, and his lower leg was cut off. Tirschwell jumped down to the tracks, put a tourniquet on the man, and waited for the fire department to come. Firefighters lifted the man off the tracks 15 minutes later he never would have made it had Tirschwell not come running down the stairs with his suitcases. Theres no question. 15 minutes? A person would bleed out within probably 2-4 minutes, Tirschwell said. The rescue was caught on video, which has gone viral on social media. Warning: The video linked in this story contains graphic material that may upset viewers. Discretion is advised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seeing [the video] its exactly what I remember happening, Tirschwell said. These things you dont forget. Tirschwell, from the Upper East Side, owns an architectural lighting business and a lighting distribution company. In his free time, he volunteers with Gotham Volunteer EMS and runs a foundation focused on management and operations for volunteer emergency medical services. Over the years, his medical gear has come in handy for anything from bandaids to Narcan. [Emergencies] like that for some strange reason find their way to me, Tirschwell said. One of the things youll find about many first responders is that we never turn off. Whether we like to or not, theres always a little engine thats running somewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This subway emergency is a reminder for everyday folks to take CPR and Stop the Bleed training courses, Tirschwell said. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here. Copyright 2025 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 PIX11. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) An investigation is underway into Providences first homicide of the year. Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez told 12 News officers were called to an apartment building on Bailey Court for reports of a stabbing. The victim, identified by Perez as a 36-year-old man, was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital where he died as a result of his injuries. Its unfortunate and its sad, Perez said. My heart goes out to the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Junior Medina Agosto, 30, was arrested and charged with murder, police said. It appears there was some sort of disturbance between them, Perez said, referring to the victim and Agosto. Perez said both Agosto and the victim lived in the apartment building but did not live together. Agosto is expected to be arraigned in court Tuesday afternoon. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) A man pleaded guilty in court late Tuesday morning to a charge of firing a gun in a case that garnered public attention after a dog was found in his truck nearly a week after the mans arrest. Read next: Man shot in back, another grazed in Youngstown shooting Brandon Thomas, 23, pleaded guilty to an amended misdemeanor charge of discharging a firearm near a prohibited area in Boardman Court on Tuesday. Judge Joseph Houser sentenced Thomas to 180 days in jail with 167 days suspended and credit for 13 days served. He was placed on probation for one year and ordered to surrender his firearm to Boardman Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the dog was not mentioned in Tuesdays hearing, court records show Thomas is set to appear in court again on Jan. 30 after a complaint was filed in connection to the animal seizure. First News spoke with Boardman Police Chief Todd Werth after the sentencing to learn more on how Thomas German Shepherd was left in his truck and not recovered until nearly a week after his arrest. Chief Werth said after thorough review of the responding officers body cameras, there was no evidence that the dog was in the truck at the time officers retrieved the gun Thomas had placed there. Werth said while officers were given permission to enter the truck and remove the gun, they did not have permission to conduct a full search however, he said when officers went into the truck, there were no signs of a dog inside at the time, even though Thomas informed officers that his dog was in there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Werth tells First News that officers on scene said the truck door was left open for around 25 minutes, and it is possible the dog may have come or gone during that time, although a dog was never witnessed by officers on scene of the original Jan. 8 arrest. Werth described the situation involving the dog as strange. As for the dog himself, agents say he is doing OK but has a long road to recovery after testing positive for heartworms. Copyright 2025 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. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) A Dauphin County man received consecutive life sentences last week for a double murder he committed outside a USA Fried Chicken store in April 2022. According to the Dauphin County District Attorneys Office, on January 15, President Judge Scott Arthur Evans sentenced Jeremy Bailey, 34, for the April 2022 murders of two people outside the USA Fried Chicken store at 13th and Derry Streets in the City of Harrisburg. The DAs Office says on April 2, 2022, Bailey was in a dispute with 30-year-old Leonard Quattlebaum and some of Quattlebaums friends. Instead of resolving the dispute lawfully, Bailey tried to shoot Quattlebaum, but the gun jammed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Office says Bailey tracked down Quattlebaum at the USA Fried Chicken in the early morning of April 3. Bailey burst into the store, where several patrons were waiting for their food orders, spotted Quattlebaum and a young woman standing at a Pennsylvania Skills Game machine, and pointed a silver revolver at him. Quattlebaum ducked and ran out of the store, with Bailey in pursuit. Immediately outside the store, Bailey fired a shot a Quattlebaum. The shot missed Baileys target but struck innocent bystander 39-year-old Nelbenson Melvin Sanchez in the head, killing him instantly, per the DAs Office. As Bailey continued to chase Quattlebaum, he fired another shot, this time hitting his intended target. The DAs Office says the shot went into Quattlebaums back and pierced his heart, ultimately killing him. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts The Office says Bailey tried to push responsibility for the shootings onto another person, however the jury found Bailey guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a former felon, carrying a firearm without a license, and recklessly endangering another person. Bailey was on state parole and was barred from possessing a firearm because of prior convictions, including an aggravated assault conviction during the time of the murders, the DAs Office added. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Two suspects arrested after Sunday shooting in Harrisburg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Judge Evans sentenced Bailey to consecutive terms of life in prison without parole for the two murder charges one for victim Quattlebaum and the other for victim Sanchez. He also sentenced Bailey to a consecutive term of 10 to 20 years for the charge of possession of a firearm by a former felon. This is another tragic example of someone using a gun to resolve a dispute that should have been hashed out with words at best, and fists at worst, said First Assistant District Attorney Mike Sprow. Now, instead of some minor injuries and possibly a hurt ego, two human lives have been lost, their families have been shattered, and the defendant will spend the rest of his life behind bars. The Harrisburg Bureau of Police investigated the murders. First Assistant District Attorney Mike Sprow and Deputy District Attorney Alexandra McNulty prosecuted the case, per the DAs Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) A man who was found guilty of multiple charges including child rape and incest in Johnson City was sentenced to 41 years in prison on Tuesday. A news release from First Judicial District Attorney Steve Finneys Office said Arbey Lopez was charged with two counts of rape of a child and one count each of aggravated sexual battery and continuous sexual abuse of a child following an indictment handed down in March 2022. Jury convicts man of second-degree murder in JC fentanyl overdose Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The abuse was first reported to the Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) in July 2021, the release said. The mother of the reported victim reached out to News Channel 11 following Lopezs arrest in 2022 and said there was no reason it shouldve taken that long for him to be behind bars. The mother criticized backlogged rape kits and forensics holdups for their lengthy wait for an indictment. During Tuesdays hearing, Judge Stacy Street sentenced Lopez to serve 41 years with the Tennessee Department of Corrections for his crimes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Law enforcement is looking for a man known to frequent the Valley. Read next: 15 teens, 2 guns and empty tequila bottles found in hotel search: Report Hiram Diaz, 58, is wanted by the Mahoning County Sheriffs Office and the U.S. Marshals Service on rape and gross sexual imposition charges. He is 56 tall and weighs about 185 pounds. Investigators say he is often in the Youngstown and Salem areas, as well as in Philadelphia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have any information on where Diaz might be, reach out to the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED. You can also submit a tip online. Tipsters can remain anonymous. The task force is offering reward money for information that leads to Diazs capture. Copyright 2025 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. Police said citizens complaints led to the arrest of a Georgia man charged with trafficking cocaine. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Thursday, Valdosta detectives began investigating complaints of possible drug sales at an apartment in the 110 block of North Oak Street. As detectives spoke with residents at the apartment, they found that 43-year-old David London had an active federal warrant through the US Marshals Service. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, detectives found 52 grams of cocaine, along with other tools that were indicators of drug sales. London was arrested and booked into the Lowndes County Jail. Hes charged with trafficking cocaine, tampering with evidence and possession of drug-related items. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should call the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Jan. 20A three-alarm fire caused an estimated $200,000 in damage and one civilian injury Sunday night to a Laurel Street building amid harsh winter conditions. Firefighters responded to 417 Laurel St. about 7:42 p.m., finding heavy fire at the rear of the building that spread to all three floors and the roof. While occupants had evacuated, initial rescue attempts were hampered by fire that destroyed access to the third floor and partially damaged the second floor, according to Manchester Fire Department. "On arrival, crews were met with a massive volume of fire in the rear of the building extending up to the peak of the roof and into all three floors of the dwelling. Reports that everyone had made it out of the building came shortly after arrival. The rescue attempted to search the building but were pushed back until more hose line support could make it into the building," fire officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Battalion Chief Robert Plantier called for a second alarm shortly after arrival and a third alarm at approximately 8:30 p.m., bringing in all available off-duty personnel and as well as mutual aid from six surrounding communities to cover the city. Bedford, Hudson, and Derry provided ladder trucks, while engine companies responded from Goffstown, Merrimack, Nashua, Londonderry, Litchfield, and Auburn. Extreme cold and snowy conditions slowed the response of incoming units and complicated firefighting efforts, they said. The blaze was brought under control by about 9:20 p.m., though crews continued working until 11:30 p.m. to extinguish hot spots. "I came running outside and heard screams," said Adam Jardine on Monday morning. He lives two doors down from the site of the 3-alarm Laurel Street fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At first all I saw was smoke," said Jardine. As he got closer he saw flames shooting out of the windows. "It was scary," he said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No emergency personnel were injured. No details were provided as to the civilian's injury. The conclusion of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend has brought a flurry of winter weather to the Lone Star State. The unusual combination of snow and ice hit Central Texas and spread all the way to the Gulf Coast, and Texans can't get enough of the winter wonderland. How much snow fell in Texas, and is there really snow on Galveston's beaches? Here's what to know. Rare sight in Texas as snow blankets Austin, Houston. See videos, photos that prove it How much snow did Houston get? As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, the Houston Metro had seen around 3 inches of snow and as much as 4 inches of snow in some places, according to the National Weather Service. Regions directly north had gotten considerably less: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Houston, Third Ward: 4" West University: 3.3" Galena Park: 3.2" South Houston: 3" Aldine: 1-2" Humble: 0.9" NOAA has issued several winter weather alerts for Harris County: Winter Storm Warning, ending 6 p.m. Tuesday Cold Weather Advisory, ending 6 p.m. Tuesday Extreme Cold Watch, ending 6 a.m. Wednesday Snowfall is expected to end around noon Tuesday, with total snow and ice accumulations around 2 to 4 inches, AccuWeather reports. Alexa, play 'Snow on the Beach': Galveston beach sees rare snow For the first time in over two decades, snow fell on Galveston's beaches Tuesday morning. The last time this rare phenomenon happened was in 2004, during the Great Christmas Eve Snow Storm, in which the NWS reports Galveston got around 4 inches of snow. Look how white and sandy the beaches are here in Galveston, Texas pic.twitter.com/XghtlAoBf9 Kenny Webster (@KennethRWebster) January 21, 2025 Galveston's webcams provide live views of Babe Beach, where waves can be seen crashing along a snowy coastline. Others capture snowy conditions on roads along the coast Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here to see live video of Galveston's Babe Beach. Here are the snow totals as of Tuesday morning: Johnson Space Center: 3" League City: 2.3" Webster: 2" Constellation Point, Nassau Bay: 2" AccuWeather predicts Galveston will see some more snowfall until 7 p.m. Tuesday, with total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches. Ice stopped accumulating around 11 a.m. Tuesday, with accumulations of 0.05 to 0.15 inches. How many inches of snow did Austin get? Austin woke up Tuesday morning to sleet and snow accumulations ranging from half an inch to 2 inches, according to the weather service. A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday, and a cold weather advisory is in place until noon Wednesday. The largest amount of snow accumulation in Travis County as of Tuesday morning was up to 1 inch in northwest Austin, according to NWS meteorologists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leander: 0.5" Lago Vista: 0.5" Lakeway: 0.5" Lost Creek: 0.5" Tanglewood Forest: 0.5" Jollyville: 0.8" Anderson Mill: 0.5 - 1" Live updates: See Austin road conditions, school closures and more as winter weather hits Lake Charles, LA weathers blizzard warning Three hours northeast of Galveston and across the Louisiana border, the NWS issued a blizzard warning for Lake Charles early Tuesday morning. One area of the Calcasieu Parish saw a staggering 7 inches of snowfall, topped by 10.5 inches in Rayne. Rayne: 10.5" Youngsville: 8" Lafayette: 8" Kaplan: 7" Hayes: 7" Lake Charles: 6" This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: How much snow did Texas get? Totals for Austin, Houston, Galveston GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, city leaders, residents and civil rights supporters gathered at Grand Junction City Hall to mark the occasion. After the rendition of the national anthem, speakers took to the podium to talk about the significance of this day. WesternSlopeNow caught up with Palisade Mayor Greg Mikolai as well as Black Citizens and Friends President David Combs to talk about Dr. Kings legacy and how his actions changed this country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Celebrating Martin Luther King Day brings the community together in the spirit of what the man meant to this country and how important he was to bringing people together, regardless of race, creed, religion or nationality. When we recognize MLK we recognize the best in all of us, said Mikolai. Combs explained how the actions of MLK and his supporters shaped this country. Up until the mid-50s Black people could not legally marry white people and so thats something. When you look at school integration, thats something. When you look at the ability to vote, yes The Voting Rights Act changed, however, the Constitution, it included the opportunity for everyone to vote, but not until the sacrifices of MLK and his followers did it really actually come through to fruition. The march continued to Colorado Mesa University, where events to honor Dr. King continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. By Daphne Psaledakis, Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Secretary of State Marco Rubio began his tenure as the top U.S. diplomat on Tuesday by pledging to keep his department at the heart of U.S. foreign policymaking and execute what he said was President Donald Trump's aim of promoting peace through strength. Ending Russia's war in Ukraine would be official U.S. policy, the former U.S. senator said earlier on Tuesday, before he addressed hundreds of clapping and cheering State Department staff filling the building's lobby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We want to be at the centerpiece, we want to be at the core of how we formulate foreign policy, because we're going to have the best ideas of any agency, and because we're going to execute it better and faster and more effectively than any other agency in our government," Rubio told State Department staff. He was proud to lead "the most effective, the most talented, the most experienced" diplomatic corps in the history of the world, he said. His flattering comments drew applause, but it remains to be seen whether Rubio can deliver on his promise to make the department instrumental in policymaking given Trump's unconventional style that often involves bypassing institutions and conducting personal diplomacy. Trump aides since last week have asked dozens of senior career diplomats at the department to step down from their roles, replacing key bureaucratic and policy positions with officials that they deem more aligned with their agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be changes, but the changes are not meant to be destructive. They're not meant to be punitive," Rubio said. "The changes will be because we need to be a 21st century agency that can move ... at the speed of relevance. Rubio, 53, a China hawk and staunch backer of Israel, was the first of Trump's cabinet nominees to be sworn into office on Tuesday, and pledged to carry out Trump's foreign policy of "furthering the national interest of this country." Rubio was a long-time member of the Senate foreign relations and intelligence committees and is now the first Latino U.S. secretary of state. The son of immigrants from Cuba, he has also pushed for tough measures against the Communist-ruled island and its allies, especially the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. 'PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his confirmation hearing last week, the new top U.S. diplomat said both Moscow and Kyiv would have to give concessions to end the war and suggested Ukraine would have to give up its goal of regaining all the territory Russia has taken in the last decade. Rubio echoed those comments to NBC's "Today" show on Tuesday ahead of his swearing-in. "Its going to be the official policy of the United States that the war has to end and were going to do everything possible to bring that about," he said. Former President Joe Biden, who sent billions of dollars of U.S. weapons to Ukraine after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, insisted it was up to Ukraine to decide if and when to enter peace talks with Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, while campaigning for president, said he would quickly end the war, without saying how he would do so. Rubio said it would be "complicated ... because every side's going to have to give something." The only way conflicts like this end is not in public pronouncements," Rubio said. "They end in hard, vibrant diplomacy that the U.S. seeks to engage in, in the hopes of bringing an end to this conflict thats sustainable, in a way that assures the security of Ukraine and our partners in the region, but that stops the killing and the dying and the destruction that weve been seeing for quite a while now." Speaking at the White House after he was sworn in, Rubio promised he would carry out Trump's foreign policy of "furthering the national interest of this country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that another foreign policy goal under Trump will be "the promotion of peace. Of course, peace through strength, peace and always without abandoning our values." (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk; additional reporting by Stephanie Kelly and Steve Holland; Editing by Heather Timmons, Nick Zieminski, Rod Nickel and Deepa Babington) BALTIMORE Dr. Anthony Fauci. Retired Gen. Mark Milley. Former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney. These public figures, along with several of his relatives, were among those former President Joe Biden pardoned in the final hours before the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Absent from that list was former Baltimore States Attorney Marilyn Mosby, whose supporters had called on Biden to exonerate her before he left office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the people Biden pardoned Monday on his way out of the White House had not been convicted of or accused of any crimes, nor were they under investigation. Biden, a Democrat, said he was taking such action for some because he feared the possibility of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions under the incoming Republican administration. Roger Hartley, dean of the College of Public Affairs at the University of Baltimore, said presidents tend to pardon people for personal or political reasons or sometimes just to make a point. It may be truly that Marilyn Mosbys issues with the law didnt rise to the level of presidential consideration, either for political reasons or to undue a miscarriage of justice, Hartley told The Baltimore Sun on Monday. It may be that her conviction would be thought of as small potatoes in comparison to some of the issues he was trying to make headway on, such as shielding people from political prosecution. Mosby did not respond to a request for comment Monday. National civil rights attorney Ben Crump, one of the figures at the forefront of Mosbys push for a pardon, also did not respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Biden on Dec. 1 pardoned his son Hunter, who had been convicted of federal gun and tax crimes, Crump and other Mosby supporters urged Biden to do the same for those, like Mosby, who they believed to have been wrongfully convicted. Marilyn Mosby is on house arrest right now with her law license hanging in the balance over purchasing property with her own money, Crump and political strategist Angela Rye said in a statement at the time. We welcome a conversation with President Biden to discuss ways to use his pardon power to free those others who deserve justice also. Mosby, 44, is about eight months into her sentence of one year of home detention for federal convictions of perjury and mortgage fraud. Separate juries found her guilty of those offenses, and a judge added three years of supervised release to her punishment. Jurors found that Mosby lied about suffering financial hardship because of the coronavirus pandemic to make herself eligible for about $80,000 in early withdrawals from her city retirement account, which she used to close on a pair of vacation homes in Florida worth almost $1 million combined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government said Mosby did not experience reduced work hours, business losses or anything else that would have qualified her for early retirement withdrawals under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, Congress first pandemic relief package. Mosby has appealed her convictions to the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, describing them as the result of a politically motivated and legally tainted prosecution. Oral arguments are scheduled for Jan. 31. Defense lawyers described Mosbys prosecution for withdrawing money from her retirement account as unprecedented, and prosecutors have conceded her case was unique. However, the Justice Department under Biden prioritized prosecuting people who it alleged to have taken advantage of the federal governments sweeping coronavirus relief efforts. The Maryland U.S. Attorneys Office, which prosecuted Mosby, has won convictions against a range of other defendants who made money by fraudulently applying for coronavirus relief. _____ By Layli Foroudi FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique (Reuters) - A protest leader in Martinique went on trial on Tuesday accused of trespassing on state property during cost-of-living demonstrations in a case his supporters say is another heavy-handed attempt to stop dissent in France's overseas territories. Rodrigue Petitot, 42, known as Le R, led last year's social movement on the Caribbean island, where food is far more expensive and poverty levels double those of mainland France. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The movement was gaining strength, and they needed to stop it," a co-accused activist, Gwladys Roger, told Reuters, saying political repression via courts had been used since the 1960s. "When you want to kill a dog, you say it is rabid." Petitot and three others are accused of intruding on the Martinique governor's residence during a Nov. 11 meeting with France's Overseas Territories Minister. The activists, from the "Gathering for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean People and Resources" (RPPRAC), say they wanted to meet the minister and that a police officer let them in, court documents show. Red-shirted supporters gathered outside the tribunal for Petitot's two-day hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Prefecture of Martinique and the overseas territories ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Martinique legislator Jiovanny William, who was at the Nov. 11 meeting, told Reuters he shared the activists' goal but not their method of trying to gain entry. They wanted to force things but I regret that they didnt work with parliamentarians, he said. One of Petitots lawyers, Eddy Arneton told Reuters he faced up to 20 years' jail if convicted due to his prior record. Mr Petitot was exercising his freedom of expression in that he wanted to attract the attention of the public and the authorities to the situation in Martinique and the purpose of this procedure is to repress a social movement, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'NEOCOLONIAL' REPRESSION? Petitot was also sentenced to 10 months' prison in December for violence and intimidation over a TikTok video, in which he says they would attack mayors who do not take a stand against the governor Jean-Christophe Bouvier. Petitot, who had that sentence changed to home confinement, says he did not mean physically attack. The Martinique unrest was one of several recent flashpoints in French territories. An attempt to reduce the voting weight of indigenous Kanak people brought unrest in the Pacific ocean archipelago New Caledonia while a cyclone devastated Mayotte off East Africa, killing 39 and leaving thousands homeless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martinique was colonized by France in 1635 and, alongside Guadeloupe, French Guiana and La Reunion, made into a department by a 1946 law promising equality for territories. However, the poverty level in Martinique is 27%, compared to 14% on mainland France, while food products were 40% higher in price in 2023, according to official French data. Descendants of slave plantation owners, known as bekes, dominate the economy and hike margins, which accentuates tensions, said Sandrine Lemaire, a historian and author on French colonialism. She said there was "neocolonial" repression of social movements in Frances overseas territories, citing the transfer of seven arrested Kanak leaders to a mainland prison 10,000 miles away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martinique was put under curfew from Oct. 10 to Nov. 4 last year due to the unrest, which turned violent with more than a hundred businesses targeted and burnt. (This story has been corrected to say seven Kanak leaders, not five, in paragraph 17) (Reporting by Layli Foroudi; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) MARYLAND (DC News Now) Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown announced Tuesday that he and attorney generals from 18 other states have filed a suit in Massachusetts to challenge President Donald Trumps attempt to end birthright citizenship. On Monday, just hours after his inauguration, Trump signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship in the United States. Birthright citizenship is a legal principle that automatically grants citizenship to people upon birth, according to the American Immigration Council. In the U.S., the policy is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, which states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. In 1898, the Supreme Court confirmed the principle, declaring that anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen regardless of their parents legal status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps order, set to take effect on Feb. 19, challenges the idea that the 14th Amendment automatically extends citizenship to those born in the country. Specifically, it excludes the following people from automatic citizenship, according to the Associated Press: People whose mothers were not legally in the country and whose fathers were not citizens or lawful permanent residents; People whose mothers were in the country legally but on a temporary basis; People whose fathers were not citizens or legal permanent residents. Brown, along with the other 18 attorney generals, said they believe Trumps executive order violates the constitutional rights to which all children born in the U.S. are entitled and that it is inconsistent with the Immigration and Nationality Act and two Supreme Court decisions. As a result, the officials filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, seeking to negate Trumps action and prevent it from taking effect. Those joining Maryland include New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Michigan, Colorado, Delaware, Nevada, Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, Vermont, Wisconsin, North Carolina, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States sue to stop Trumps order blocking birthright citizenship Birthright citizenship is a right enshrined in our Constitution, said Brown. It is a reflection of our countrys ideals, a belief that every baby born on U.S. soil is a member of our great nation and deserves to play a part in its future. Ending birthright citizenship is un-American, and our office will vigorously challenge this blatantly unconstitutional decision in court. In a press release, Browns office emphasized that those who are stripped of their citizenship will be forced to live under the threat of deportation and will lose eligibility for several federal programs and benefits, including the ability to serve on juries, vote, obtain a social security card and more. The release also notes that the executive order will cause states to lose federal funding for programs, including Medicaid, the Childrens Health Insurance Program and foster care programs, as fewer people qualify for the programs because of their immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. BALTIMORE -- Volunteers throughout Maryland gave back to their communities to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday. About 40 volunteers from Arts for Learning and CareFirst did their service at Baltimore's Thomas Jefferson Elementary/Middle School for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service. They painted a mural, built furniture, and spruced up the hallways. "One of the things I love about this mural is that the student government actually decided what they wanted as a mural and they decided we need to make healthy food cool and powerful," said Stacie Evans, with Arts for Learning Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's been great to see how quickly we can paint a cafeteria, build furniture for a music room, paint hallways, just make the school a really great place for learning," said Patrice Kingsley, with CareFirst. On MLK Jr. Day, volunteers did their community service in a way Dr. King would have done himself. "He was really big on community and how can we support each other," Kingsley said. "So taking the time to be a part of our community by lifting our hands and supporting is really important." More acts of community service More than 100 volunteers served on Monday at the Maryland Food Bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're making sure they get food that they identify, and that they like, and have it really be a dignified experience, when they go to one of our partners to receive food assistance," said Elise Krikau, with the Maryland Food Bank. The Maryland Food Bank not only offers a healthy meal for people in need but also a satisfaction to volunteers, like Donna Price, for feeling she made a difference. "It makes me feel good to be able to give back to the community," Price said. "I feel like I've been very blessed and I feel very satisfied to be able to do something for those who aren't as fortunate as I am." The American Visionary Art Museum offered slam poetry, an open mic event and several performances in honor of MLK Day, to prove to all of Baltimore we can all find a way to brighten the world just as Dr. King once did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hope people can feel inspired that they can make an impact in the world and just put positive vibes out into the universe today," said Beka Plum, with the American Visionary Art Museum. If you're interested in volunteering or donating to the Maryland Food Bank, visit their website here. If you'd like to get involved with Arts for Learning, you can learn more here. Trump signs executive orders after inauguration Former Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama arrive for Trump inauguration President Trump and first lady Melania attend inaugural balls after busy first day BOSTON (WPRI) The state of Massachusetts has to hand over $2.1 billion to the federal government because of a mistake made years ago. Gov. Maura Healeys office said the mistake was made under the previous Charlie Baker administration, who mistakenly used federal pandemic funds to cover unemployment benefits. Starting this December, the state will pay back the money over the next decade. Anyone who received jobless benefits during that time will not be impacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healey said her administration negotiated with the U.S. Labor Department over the past year and a half to reduce the states tab, which could have been more than $3 billion with penalties and interest. Under the new agreement, principal payments will come from the unemployment insurance trust fund, which is funded by a tax on employers and is then used to pay benefits. Interest payment will instead come from the states general fund. Healeys office said businesses will not face higher rates on their unemployment insurance payments through at least the end of 2026. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Jan. 20MASSENA The Massena Artists Association is the owner of three Chromebooks, courtesy of the Massena Central School District. Association President Carolyn Cook had asked the board of education for the donation, which she said would also benefit students. "Our association is about sharing art and learning to become better artists. As a community-wide organization, we host four art shows every year, including one show that has Massena High School art students at the show," Cook said. "The students get to enter the show for free. They also get a chance for a handful of them to judge the non-student members' work. So, it's a great opportunity for the kids to not only participate in a real art show, but they also get to practice some of the skills they learn from the art teachers on how to critique artwork." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the association was in need of computers to increase its efficiency and accuracy. "Our group is very low tech. We're trying to improve our accuracy of information and also tracking information to pull off a show. It takes a lot of work and a lot of transferring information back and forth between people," she said. "We think if we had Chromebooks with Google Docs, we could do that much more efficiently and more accurately." Cook said the nonprofit association, which has been operating for 36 years, was interested in purchasing any Chromebooks that the district might be able to spare. "We've learned that you may have Chromebooks available that you're retiring, and we're interested in purchasing three of those Chromebooks for a nominal fee," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District Technology Director Michael Allen recommended they declare three Chromebooks with chargers as surplus and dispose of them according to board of education policy. "The district has items for surplus due to recent upgrades," Allen said. "We propose to donate these items to the Massena Artists Association. The donation of these Chromebooks to the association will enhance the communication and efficiency in upcoming events, where our students will benefit," he said. Superintendent Ronald P. Burke asked for the school board's approval during its recent meeting. "I'm asking that the board declare three Chromebooks surplus," he said. "At the last meeting, the artists association asked for a donation of Chromebooks. We actually have a number of Chromebooks that are old, that we leave on the shelf just in case students need them at home for medical reasons or for whatever purpose. We have a number of those. They are near the end of life. They're close to being obsolete, and we can certainly afford to give those. It would be in accordance with our district policy because the artists association does benefit our students through their programs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the meeting, the board also approved accepting a donation from Back the Pack $270 each for Jefferson, Madison and Nightengale elementary schools. At the request of Back the Pack, those funds will be used for a 6th-grade field trip. The last delivery and ending of Back the Pack was on June 15, 2023, after delivering weekend snacks to students for 12 years. Chair Julianne C. Paquin said they delivered 114,111 packs and a total of 1,141,119 or more individually wrapped food items over those 12 years. She said cash reserves were available at the end of the 2022-23 school year, and they decided to use those to fund the field trips, with any remainder to be used for snacks and beverages for the end-of-school play days. The prime minister of Mauritius has called for a closer relationship with China, but insisted he would not allow Beijing to take control of the Chagos Islands. Senior US officials, including Marco Rubio, Donald Trumps secretary of state, have expressed concerns that ceding control of the islands to Mauritius under a deal signed by the UK could advance Chinas military ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. But Navin Ramgoolam dismissed these allegations as a disinformation campaign, saying he was surprised by the obsession of an American parliamentarian who claims that if Mauritius regains Chagos, China will establish a presence there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a fixation on this issue, which is entirely unfounded, he added, while addressing the ongoing negotiations surrounding the sovereignty of the archipelago. The prime minister was speaking during a national banquet marking the Chinese Spring Festival hosted in collaboration with the Federation of Chinese Societies and the United Chinese Associations. It comes after the UK and Mauritius in October signed a deal, one of Sir Keir Starmers first major foreign policy decisions, which would see Britain ceding sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. The deal would also secure the long-term lease for the US air base on Diego Garcia. Diego Garcia is the largest island in the Chagos archipelago - US Navy/AP In November, when Mr Ramgoolam-led Alliance for Change returned to power, it opposed the deal in its current form, seeking renegotiations to ensure complete sovereignty and increased lease and infrastructure-building payments among other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The draft of the new agreement, which has been finalised according to lead negotiator Gavin Glover, now faces potential collapse as fears grow in both Mauritius and the UK over resistance from the US administration under Mr Trump. In his speech to the Chinese community, Mr Ramgoolam said he regretted missed opportunities under the previous government to engage with Beijing, underscoring his ties with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president. Through several anecdotes, he spoke at length about his relationship with the Chinese community and in particular with the President of China, reported LExpress. He said his cabinet has two Sino-Mauritian members of Parliament, proving its commitment to diversity and representation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Ramgoolam also underscored the long-standing friendship and strong bilateral relations between Mauritius and China. He highlighted that Mauritius was the first African nation to sign a Free Trade Agreement with China and recalled how the Chinese president, during his visits, always reaffirmed that China never forgets its friends. The UK is ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius - AFP via Getty His father, Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, is known as the architect of the China-Mauritius ties after the island nation established diplomatic ties with Beijing in April 1972. Whatever I ask of China, I will achieve, he said during a speech honouring his father on Sept 18 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the free trade agreement, the Bank of Mauritius set up a Renminbi clearance centre, further elevating its economic diplomacy with China. Mauritius has also maintained its strong economic relations with India. In February 2021, shortly after the China-Mauritius free trade agreement came into effect, Mauritius entered into a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement with India. Following in his fathers footsteps, he adhered to an implicit India First policy, giving precedence to security and defence on critical matters. Mr Ramgoolam has repeatedly denied the charge as a disinformation campaign, saying his country is aligned with India, not China and says the deal would secure the USAs base at Diego Garcia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its essential to take the time needed. There is a disinformation campaign in the US claiming Mauritius is close to China and might allow it to establish bases, which is entirely false. Mauritius is aligned with India, not China. Trump must understand that supporting this agreement secures the American base at Diego Garcia, he said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. NEW YORK Mayor Eric Adams top adviser bragged to investigators that city Correction Department officials would take care of her ahead of her indictment last month, legal documents obtained by POLITICO show. Recently departed aide Ingrid Lewis-Martin and her son Glenn Martin II allegedly accepted $100,000 in bribes from two real estate developers in exchange for official help, according to the charges Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought in December. Corrections will take care of me, Lewis-Martin told three investigators in the Manhattan criminal courthouse, according to a letter from Braggs office to her attorney, Arthur Aidala. Ive been good to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the letter, Lewis-Martin also openly apologized to her son and the two real estate developers while in custody. The Dec. 30 letter, which the DAs office submitted in court and addressed to Lewis-Martins attorney, indicates Bragg intends to offer at trial evidence of Lewis-Martins statements. The missive is one of four signed by Assistant District Attorney Guy Tardanico and sent to the attorneys of the accused in the case, including Glenn Martin II and the two developers. Lewis-Martin and Aidala declined to comment for this story. The DAs letter to Aidala also claims Lewis-Martin apologized openly and directly to her son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glenn, Im so sorry for this, she said, according to the letter, which also revealed she professed her innocence. Im not afraid. I know what I did and didnt do. This is wrong. I have God and Faith. Ill tell the judge myself. Im not guilty. The letter claims Lewis-Martin also communicated with the two real estate developers Raizada Vaid and Mayank Dwivedi while they were being processed, saying to them: Im sorry youre there because of me, because of who I am. When investigators approached Lewis-Martin at JFK International Airport in September to present a search warrant as she returned from a trip to Japan, the letter addressed to Aidala states that she responded, So youre the ones that have been listening to my phone. This is crazy. Lewis-Martins statements within earshot of investigators were not the only ones that piqued the interest of Braggs office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a separate Dec. 30 letter from the DAs office to Vaids attorney Jonathan Sack, Vaid mentioned the mayor when the DAs office executed a search warrant at Vaids Long Island home in October. The letter says Vaid told his wife during the search that this was about the woman and the mayor and that he told an investigator that whenever you shake hands with a politician, it will cost you money. Sack disputed the statements attributed to Vaid in the letter and said he will challenge them at the appropriate time in court. A third letter from the DAs office to Glenn Martin IIs lawyer notes that on the day of his and his mothers arrest, while at the Manhattan criminal courthouse, Martin told his mother callate la boca in Spanish, which translates to shut your mouth. Lewis-Martin was a close confidant to Adams for years, dating to his time as a state senator representing central Brooklyn. Her criminal case comes at a precarious political time for her former boss. Federal prosecutors charged the mayor separately for alleged corruption related to his ties to Turkey, and several other former high-ranking Adams aides have been swept up in criminal investigations. The mayors approval ratings have plummeted, and his Democratic primary challengers are slamming him over criminal allegations against him and his aides ahead of the June 24 election. EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry was at the University of Southern Indiana taking part in a presentation honoring Martin Luther King Jr.s legacy for their annual memorial celebration luncheon. Mayor Terry says the significance of her election win is not lost on the Evansville community. She says recently someone asked her, How in the world did you win in Evansville, Indiana? The mayor says while the questions reveal barriers that exist in the community it also, in her words, underscored that with community support, the belief in change is possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also brought up the fact that the holiday coincides with the presidential inauguration. She says today is an opportunity to reflect on Kings principals of justice, equity and service, and how those principles will guide us despite any challenges that lie ahead. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Donald Trump declared in his inaugural address that his second presidency would restore fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law. Hours later, the president issued a blanket pardon and widespread clemency to 1,500 individuals who participated in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol including offenders convicted of violent crimes. Over the course of their campaign and presidential transition, Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, danced around committing to pardoning all Jan. 6 defendants particularly the large swath convicted of assaulting police and law enforcement officers, planned violence against lawmakers, and maiming the Capitol in their frenzy to usurp the 2020 election. If you beat up a cop, of course, you deserve to go to prison. If you violated the law, you should suffer the consequences, Vance said in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president disagrees. If you beat up a cop, if you violated the law in the name of Donald J. Trump, you can receive a blank slate and escape the consequences no matter how egregious your actions. Here are some of the many violent Jan. 6 criminals Trump is releasing back into Americas streets. The rioter who beat cops with a crutch (and a lot of other stuff) David Dempsey was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the melee between law enforcement officers and rioters. His was one of the longest sentences given to a Jan. 6 defendant. According to prosecutors, Dempsey viciously assaulted and injured police officers defending the Lower West Terrace Tunnel with a variety of implements here fashioned as weapons, for over an hour the day of the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dempsey climbed atop his fellow rioters, using them like human scaffolding, thrusting himself to the front. Once he reached the mouth of the tunnel, Dempsey began a prolonged attack, fighting with his hands, feet, flag poles, crutches, pepper spray, broken pieces of furniture, and anything else he could get his hands on, as weapons against the police. Dempseys violence reached such extremes that, at one point, he attacked a fellow rioter who was trying to disarm him, prosecutors said. Dempseys lengthy criminal record which included a 2019 incident in which he pepper sprayed anti-Trump protesters in Santa Monica, California contributed to the length of his sentence. The rioter who tasered a police officer in the neck Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone recalls being dragged from a line of police officers into the heart of the mob, where rioters beat him and attempted to take his service weapon. Fanone was shocked multiple times in the neck by a taser wielded by Daniel Joseph DJ Rodriguez, and suffered a heart attack at some point during the day, a concussion, traumatic brain injury, and was later diagnosed with PTSD. Rodriguez was sentenced to over 12 years in prison for his assault against Fanone. In an interview with federal officers after his arrest, Rodriguez said that he believed the conspiracy theories espoused by Trump in the aftermath of the 2020 election. Trump called us. Trump called us to D.C., he said. If hes the commander in chief and the leader of our country, and hes calling for help I thought he was calling for help. The rioter who crushed a cop with his own riot shield U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden described Patrick McCaughey III as the poster child of all that was dangerous and appalling about Jan. 6, and accused him of perpetrating some of the most egregious crimes that were committed that day, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCaughey was sentenced to 90 months in prison for along with two co-defendants assaulting police in their bid to force their way into the Capitol. As McCaughey and other attackers attempted to force their way through a line of cops with riot shields, he used a stolen shield to push MPD Officer Daniel Hodges against a metal door frame while another assailant hit him in the face with a stolen baton. The rioter who beat a cop with a flag pole In July of last year, Peter Francis Stager, a truck driver from Arkansas, was sentenced to four years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting an officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon in this case a flagpole. Stager himself wielded a flagpole and used it to strike at a vulnerable officer, who, lying face down in a mob of rioters, had no means of defending himself. prosecutors wrote of the assault that took place near the Lower West tunnel entrance to the Capitol. A site where the fighting between police and the mob of rioters reached a fever pitch. Every single one of those Capitol law enforcement officers, death is the remedy. That is the only remedy they get, Stager declared on film the day of the riot. The rioters who pepper sprayed Officer Brian Sicknick, who later died On Jan. 6, Capitol Police Officer Bian Sicknick was pepper sprayed twice while defending the Capitol from the insurrectionist mob. At around 10 p.m. that night, Sicknick collapsed and was transported to a D.C. hospital, where he died the next day after suffering two strokes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sicknicks death was attributed to natural causes but Julian Khater and George Tanios, the two men accused of assaulting the officer with a chemical irritant, both received prison time for their role in the attack. Khater was sentenced to more than 6 years after pleading guilty, while Tanios received a 10-month sentence. Sicknicks family has steadfastly maintained that their son would still be alive if not for his experience on Jan. 6. Trump has blood on his hands, Sicknicks mother, Gladys, told ABC News in 2023. I dont care. People say, Oh, but Brian died from strokes. Because of what he was going through, Im sure, because he was very intense and Im sure that helped. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Two men admitted on Monday to the brutal 2003 murder of a Frenchman when they appeared in court after more than two decades on the run. The lifeless body of salesman Philippe Charuel was discovered in February 2003 in a ditch by a road in Gondreville, eastern France. According to the investigation, two young prostitutes had reported having been bothered by Charuel while he was leaving a bar near the train station in the city of Nancy on the night of Feb. 19, 2003. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was then taken into a car, a black BMW, by two men, who were later identified as Christian Rad and Vasile Ostas. After nearly 22 years in hiding, the two fugitives, who were involved in pimping according to the Spanish police, were arrested in August 2023 near Barcelona. They had been living in Catalonia for about 20 years, under false identities. According to Le Parisien, Rad had become the father of two children and worked as a concierge in a luxury hotel, while Ostas had become a security guard. Ostas' lawyer, Eleonore Dupleix, told France 3, that her client still has not been indicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will find out what they will say at the hearing, the version of each side," Dupleix said. The two men had already been sentenced in absentia in 2011 to 30 and 26 years in jail. Ostas, 52, a Romanian national, told the court he "admitted" the facts and said he was "sorry" on numerous occasions. "I hit him but I didn't want him dead," he said of Charuel. "I ask forgiveness from the victim's family" and "from French society." Rad, Ostas' 40-year-old nephew, also admitted he had hit the victim "with my hands," in the presence of the two women and his uncle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I saw a lot of violence. It was a shock for me too. I thought a lot about (Charuel's family) all evening," he said. Charuel was described as "a man without a past history" who frequented nightclubs, had recently separated from his wife and was the father of a young child. His body was found with 20 injuries to the abdomen, several broken ribs and "numerous wounds and injuries" on the face, including a fractured jaw and missing teeth, presiding judge Therese Diligent said. The verdict is expected on Friday. Trump signs executive orders after inauguration Former Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama arrive for Trump inauguration Sen. Deb Fischer speaks at Trump inauguration Merced residents, elected officials and community leaders gathered Monday to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. Bands from Rivera and Hoover middle schools played a rendition of We Shall Overcome as participants marched from the Merced Amtrak station along Martin Luther King Jr. Way to the Merced Theater. Merced NAACP president Allen Brooks spoke to those in attendance as participants gathered prior to the march. Marchers make their way along Martine Luther King Jr. Way during an annual Peace and Unity march to honor the legacy of late civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Merced, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. The event brings people together from all walks of life, Brooks said while addressing the crowd. Its a powerful reminder of the importance of community and solidarity. The march itself is a symbol of our collective strengths and determine to create a more inclusive society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participants walking the roughly half-mile route to the Merced Theater carried signs and banners, with some participants waving flags. University of California, Merced, student Anthony Heard, 21, waved a flag that read I Have a Dream while walking the route with fellow participants. Heard said King was a trailblazer in many ways. He said one of his favorite MLK quotes is when he asks people what they are doing for others. I think thats what builds a better community and a better world honestly is doing those things for others, said Heard. That keeps his memory alive that keeps his legacy stretching for generations to come, so that people can follow in his footsteps and enhance what his mission was. The march was followed by a program celebrating King that featured awards and food at the Merced Theatre. Marchers make their way along Martine Luther King Jr. Way during an annual Peace and Unity march to honor the legacy of late civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Merced, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. Marchers make their way along Martine Luther King Jr. Way during an annual Peace and Unity march to honor the legacy of late civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Merced, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. Merceds Martin Luther King Jr. Committee chairperson Tamara Cobb said the event is important to bring the community together and to cooperate while celebrating and honoring the civil rights icon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we look around, we see people cooperating and unity; thats why its important, said Cobb. Bringing the community out, making sure that everyone continues to be safe. Cobb said this is her tenth year as chairperson and the event has grown each year. Im so happy to understand that our community continues to support this event, said Cobb. It means that people still understand his vision, Cobb said. He had a dream and look at the changes that he made. Local middle school bands perform We Shall Overcome during an annual Peace and Unity march to honor the legacy of late civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Merced, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The News Mexicos president urged a cool head as US President Donald Trump began his second term in office with a suite of executive orders that included designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations creating the potential for the use of the US military on Mexican soil. Mexican President Cladia Sheinbaum on Tuesday sought to reassure citizens worried about the countrys sovereignty, and said she would work with Trump on security. One expected order targeting Mexico 25% trade tariffs did not come Monday, but the Mexican private sector is already rushing to appease the US president to avoid that eventuality. Sheinbaums government has also ramped up a crackdown on sales of illegal opioids. SIGNALS US has significant leverage over Mexico, but free trade benefits both Source: The Atlantic Council Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mexicos workforce is largely determined by how much trade the country has with theUS, according to the Atlantic Council, giving Washington significant leverage to direct Mexicos economic and security policies. But 33% of all export-dependent jobs in the US are supported by Mexico and Canada, and tariffs could make US experts more expensive and less profitable. That interchange means the US has deep political interests in maintaining the [US-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement], the group wrote. Deciding whether to renew the trade deal, due to expire later this year, could set up a point of tension for Trump and congressional lawmakers: USMCA has outsized performance in key Republican constituencies, as well as states like Wisconsin and Michigan that swung for Trump in 2024. Mexican companies move to embrace Trump Source: The Wall Street Journal Mexican firms that once shunned Donald Trump are now cozying up to the president in the hope of dodging any future US-Mexico tariffs, The Wall Street Journal reported: Representatives for Cemex the company refused to help build Trumps border war were at his inauguration on Monday, and the company said it would invest as much as $6 billion in the US during his term in office. Mexican companies are scared to death about tariffs, one Hispanic business leader said, describing the attempts to establish direct lines to the White House as a blanket of security. Other corporations, like Mexican rail company REMED, are touting how economic development in Mexico can reduce poverty and stem northern migration in a bid to attract Trumps attention. Trump, Mexico need to rebalance cartel strategy, expert warns Sources: El Pais, New York Times Both Washington and Mexico City are pursuing two different and mutually exclusive objectives in tackling cartels, experts told El Pais: Mexicos objective must always be focused on reducing the violence generated by drug cartels. The United States objective is to prevent drugs from reaching its country. There is a huge gap between both, one expert said. Sheinbaum has increased seizures of illegal opioids to appease Trump, and could ramp up police action further. That decision would risk more violence, a Mexican drug enforcement expert told El Pais, because police militarization in Mexico has in the past led to the normalized use of harassment and violence against the countrys own citizens. Amid Donald Trump's efforts to change the Gulf of Mexico's name, the President of Mexico is standing firm. After the 47th president's signed an executive order declaring that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America on Monday, Jan. 20, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters that for the American part of the body of water, Trump can call it whatever he likes. But for the American part only, she said. "He says that he will call it the 'Gulf of America' on its continental shelf. For us it is still the Gulf of Mexico and for the entire world it is still the Gulf of Mexico," Sheinbaum said on Tuesday, Jan. 21, per the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump first announced the idea for the Gulf of America on Jan. 7, sharing in a press conference that he thought the change was "appropriate." "We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory," he said. "The Gulf of America, what a beautiful name." Related: Trump Tries to End Birthright Citizenship with Executive Order in Move Thats Likely to Be Challenged CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP via Getty Donald Trump at his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025 Donald Trump at his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025 He repeated his intention to move forward with the name change during his inaugural speech on Monday, and later that day, he signed an executive order to make it happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the White House, the order said "the area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America." It ended by noting, "The Gulf will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping Americas future and the global economy, and in recognition of this flourishing economic resource and its critical importance to our Nations economy and its people, I am directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Lately, Trump has had his sights set abroad. When Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as the leader of the country's liberal party on Jan. 6, the president suggested Canada become the 51st U.S. state. That same day, Trump posted to Truth Social about his desire to also add Greenland to the United States. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Donald Trump at his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025 Donald Trump at his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025 Related: President Donald Trump Signs Executive Order Delaying TikTok Ban for 75 Days Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wrote, "Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!" One day later on Jan. 7, Trump sent his son, Donald Trump Jr., to Greenland for an unofficial and private visit. Even more recently, Trump expressed interest in retaking the Panama Canal from Panama. Before he was inaugurated, Trump said he wouldn't rule out employing military force to do so. In December, Panama's President, Jose Raul Mulino, responded similarly to Sheinbaum that his country will maintain its authority over the territory. Read the original article on People Eyepix Group/Getty Images Sign up for The Agenda Them's news and politics newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Thursday. Trans activists representing the activist group Alianza Mexicana de Trabajadoras Sexuales translated as the Mexican Alliance of Sex Workers stormed two judicial buildings in Mexico City on Thursday, January 16, to protest the potential release of a man who stabbed trans rights activist Natalia Lane in 2022, according to Mexican newspaper La Prensa. During the protest, the activists broke doors, smashed glass windows, and spray-painted the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the early hours of January 16, 2022, a man identified as Alejandro N allegedly attacked Lane with a knife inside a Mexico City hotel. According to La Prensa, it was the first case in Mexico City to be investigated as an attempted transfemicide. Mexico Citys Council to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination (COPRED), of which Lane is a member, condemned the attack, saying it was motivated by Lanes trans identity. Though the Mexico City Attorney General is prosecuting Alejandro N, one magistrate Judge Ruby Celia Castellanos Barradas ordered an injunction allowing him to leave prison and remain under house arrest as the case plays out. "If I die tomorrow, your hands will be stained with blood," Natalia Lane said at the protest, apparently about Castellanos Barradass decision. During the protest, the trans activists clashed with a group of people defending Alejandro N, per La Prensa. The two groups reportedly threw red paint, water, and objects at one another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the protest, Lane not only brought attention to her situation, but to that of all trans women who face violence in Mexico City. As the event escalated, members of the group called for justice in the cases of violence against trans sex workers and began to spraypaint their demands on the judicial building, eventually breaking the glass entrance doors, to the surprise of staff. Mexican LGBTQ\+ Advocates Question Officials' Account of Nonbinary Magistrates Death State prosecutors said they believe Jesus Ociel Baena Saucedo was killed by their partner. No nos dieron paz, quisimos ser buenas, quisimos esperar el tiempo del Estado, pero ese no es el tiempo de las trans. Nos cansamos de ser pacientes, de esperar justicia y reparacion. El Poder Judicial, a partir de hoy, no va a tener paz, Natalia Lane said during the protest, according to Argentinian news site Infobae. Roughly translated: They did not give us peace. We wanted to be good, we wanted to wait for the State's time, but that is not the time of trans people. We got tired of being patient, of waiting for justice and reparation. The Judiciary, from today, will not have peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joining the protest as well was the mother of a trans women who was killed in February 2024; though the alleged attacker has been identified, according to La Prensa, he has not yet been charged. My daughter will have been dead for a year now, she was quoted as saying, in translation, in La Prensa. They don't know the damage they did to us mentally and morally. My children, my grandchildren, they were all left in a very bad state. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Two kids who were abused by their parents repeatedly between 2015 and 2018 will receive a huge payout from the state. Their guardian filed a lawsuit accusing the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department of not doing its job and putting the kids in danger. The lawsuit was settled for $4 million. Story continues below 47 reports of abuse and neglect were sent to CYFD by citizens concerned about the welfare of a seven and eight-year-old. CYFD even admitted to mistakes being made without going into detail leading to a lawsuit by the childrens guardian after the children were finally taken from their parents, Terri Sanchez and James Stewart. The lawsuit claimed CYFD failed to properly investigate claims the kids were abused which came up during Stewarts trial, where a teacher expressed frustration over not being listened to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claimed investigators and supervisors were not licensed social workers and lacked the professional skills to properly assess the childrens home life. It also claimed the department prioritized getting through a backlog of cases instead of the safety of the children and violated its own policies by falsifying documents to do so. The kids were abused, forced to panhandle for drug money, missed school, werent properly clothed, and more. You could hear how much they suffered when one of their letters was read during Stewarts sentencing after he was found guilty of numerous child abuse charges. Stewart was sentenced to 26 years. Sanchez was deemed incompetent to stand trial. The children, their guardian, and lawyers will receive $4 million as part of the settlement with the money for the children being put in a trust. The settlement also absolved the state of any wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Jan. 20New Mexico lawmakers preparing to convene Tuesday for the start of a 60-day legislative session had starkly different reactions to President Donald Trump's Inauguration Day vows including an emergency declaration at the border, bringing in military troops and restricting asylum for refugees. Republican state Rep. John Block of Alamogordo felt a wave of excitement as Trump moved to deliver quickly on campaign promises. "President Trump, he's kind of gloves off this term," Block said. "I think, with everything he's been through in the last few years, he has every right to want to get to work quickly and get the job done." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But many Democrats looked on with worry about how federal policies under a Trump administration could affect New Mexicans. Along with executive orders addressing border security and immigration, Trump is expected to sign orders rolling back environmental policies and declaring a "national energy emergency" in the early days of his second term. "We need to fight against inhumane border policies like ... last time where he separated children from their families I think a thousand or thousands of which still haven't been located," said Jeff Steinborn, a Las Cruces Democrat. "... We need to be concerned not just about the policies but how they are implemented." Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's office did not respond to requests for comment Monday, but she has pledged defiance on Trump's border policies, telling MSNBC's Morning Joe in November mass deportation would be unconstitutional and "we are not going to cooperate in any way with that effort." Attorney General Raul Torrez made a similar comment Monday. "As always, we will work with our state and federal law enforcement partners to improve public safety in every community in our state, but we will not hesitate to resist any enforcement action that violates the law or the Constitution," he said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environment and energy The governor on Monday shared a letter on X she and New York Gov. Hochul signed as co-chairs of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of 24 governors wanting to "secure America's net-zero future by advancing state-led climate action." The letter is addressed to Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. "Our states and territories continue to have broad authority under the U.S. Constitution to protect our progress and advance the climate solutions we need. This does not change with a shift in federal administration," the letter states. Trump promises more oil drilling and the elimination of what he calls Biden's electric vehicle mandate. By Monday evening, he had already signed an order to withdraw a second time from the Paris Agreement on climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, executive director of the Western Environmental Law Center, which has offices in New Mexico, issued a statement Monday denouncing Trump's policies and promising to "hold the line." "The fossil fuel industry expects to get whatever it wants from the Trump administration, whatever the harm to the public interest," he said. "But we will stand tall with people and communities, using every strategy and tool at our disposal to safeguard the land and places we love and hold the line for a better day." 'Solidarity with Dreamers' New Mexico's congressional delegates weighed in Monday, with U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan taking aim at Trump's promise to end birthright citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Birthright citizenship is established and protected by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution," his spokesperson, Adan Serna, wrote in an email. "Only Congress holds the power to amend the U.S. Constitution." Serna noted Lujan "voted for the bipartisan border security deal that then-candidate Donald Trump tanked," adding the senator is "committed to real solutions that will protect our immigrant communities, keep New Mexicans safe, and safeguard the Constitution and rule of law." Democratic U.S Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez spoke to a crowd gathered in the state Capitol rotunda for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, where a keynote award was presented to the Santa Fe Dreamers Project, an immigrant advocacy group founded to provide services to "Dreamers," or undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. Leger Fernandez said Trump's inaugural address was "filled with lies, and it was filled with hatred, and it promised an attack on the very people we are celebrating today ... it promised an attack ... against the Dreamers and against the immigrants." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A question the congresswoman posed to the crowd: What will the call to action be? "It is going to be standing in solidarity with our Dreamers, and it's going to be not just recognizing them as we do today. It is going to be raising our voice every single time we can, and it is not going to be giving up," she said. 'Dawn of new era' To hear Block tell it, however, the planned executive orders on border security are just what's needed. "The governor's done everything possible to undermine a safe and secure border," he said, referring to Lujan Grisham. "And I think she is the one who is the most triggered and targeted, actually, by these orders: lawless, border-state governors who refuse to help the federal government do the job to secure our nation's borders." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, "New Mexico will be impacted exponentially because we are a border state, after all." The Republican Party of New Mexico issued a statement calling Trump's inauguration the "dawn of a new era." "From his first day in office, President Trump promised bold action, and I have no doubt we will see the difference in our daily lives within his first 100 days," state GOP Chair Amy Barela said in the statement. "Families in New Mexico can look forward to real, tangible improvements higher take-home pay, safer streets, lower grocery bills, and relief at the gas pump." NEW MEXICO (KRQE) The New Mexico Department of Justice is challenging President Donald Trumps executive order ending birthright citizenship. The president issued the order on Monday as part of his plan to crack down on illegal immigration into the United States. New Mexico man admits to setting California church and preschool on fire New Mexico is joining seventeen other states in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration. This is wasted energy and effort thats designed to scare people, said Raul Torrez, Attorney General of New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump thinks he can rewrite the constitution with a stroke of the pen on day one, said Torrez. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the executive order and block any actions to enforce it saying its unquestionably unconstitutional. If youre born here, youre an American citizen, youre not a second-class citizen and you cant be excluded from this country, said Torrez. The 14th amendment is absolutely clear and the supreme court case that interprets that passage of the constitution is absolutely clear. So, this is settled law, said Torrez. The amendment says, All persons born or naturalized in the united states and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the united states and of the state wherein they reside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law professor Joshua Kastenberg said the issue brings up the question of presidential authority, You have to ask, first of all, does the president even have the power to do this? And I would say that its doubtful that the courts will uphold him. But he doesnt rule it out, Its possible because you can never predict with a certainty what the United States Supreme Court will do. Kastenberg explained Trump would need a constitutional amendment. Its a complicated process that begins in congress and moves to the states, requiring three quarters of states to approve. Notice in that process, the president has been absent. And that was the intent of the framers of the Constitution, said Kastenberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most important thing for people to understand is that were fighting to uphold the constitution and the rule of law, said Torrez. Torrez emphasized the importance of the people this order will affect. There are hundreds of thousands of people born in this country every single year that fall into this category. And they grow up in our communities. They go to our schools. They are citizens just like everyone else. They believe and fight for their country. They died for their country. They serve their communities, and theyre entitled to respect and dignity, said Torrez. Terrorizing families and trying to, you know, really undermine the basics of how we become Americans is not the way to go, said Torrez. The states in the case are requesting immediate relief through a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to prevent the order from taking effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Torrez said: President Trumps executive order ending birthright citizenship is a direct attack on the Constitution and the fundamental rights it guarantees to every child born on American soil. The Fourteenth Amendment is clear: citizenship is not a privilege to be granted or revoked by political whimit is a right enshrined in the very fabric of our nation. We will not stand by as this administration attempts to dismantle the principles of equality and justice that define who we are as Americans. New Mexico, alongside our partner states, is taking decisive action to defend the Constitution and protect the rights of all our children. Attorney General Raul Torrez Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) It was an unorthodox Presidential Inauguration Monday. Its the second time in history a president has been sworn into office for a non-consecutive term. With his return to the Oval Office, President Donald Trumps administration vowed to hit the ground running- with a laundry list of executive orders. Story continues below As Commander in Chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I am going to do, President Trump said. We will do it at a level nobody has ever seen before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said border security will be a top focus, planning to declare it a national emergency. One of those orders expected to be signed by Trump, would designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. On top of his plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants in his first few months, Trump vows to end birthright citizenship. However, New Mexico lawmakers say theyre ready to put up a fight. This is about really targeting who are of undocumented status, asylees, and people of mixed-status to carry out an anti-immigrant agenda, and we will fight back against that, said New Mexico Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury. The administration also wants to end the catch-and-release policy, reinstate Remain in Mexico, as well as send federal troops to border states. The slew of Trumps executive orders could face legal challenges. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez is also responding- saying his office will not hesitate to resist any enforcement that violates the constitution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) New Mexico lawmakers say they are ready to put up a fight after President Donald Trump signed several executive orders aimed at immigration. Trump is back in office following his inauguration on Monday. The Golden Age of America begins right now, said Donald J. Trump, 47th President of the United States. And hes diving right in, Today, I will sign a series of historic executive orders. With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense. Its all about common sense, said Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one of the executive orders signed on Monday, Trump declared a national emergency at the countrys southern border. All illegal entry will be immediately halted, and we will be returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came, said Trump. Other executive orders Trump signed include declaring cartels as foreign terrorists and an order to end birthright citizenship. But New Mexico lawmakers are prepared to put up a fight. What I want all New Mexicans to know is that our five-member delegation is planning to push back, fight back, do everything we can to protect the constitutional and legal rights of New Mexicans, and I know that our governor and our state legislature right here in the Roundhouse are prepared to do the same, said Rep. Melanie Stansbury, New Mexico. Rep. Melanie Stansbury said this executive order is about scaring people, I know that many many New Mexicans out there are extremely frightened especially families of mixed status who are concerned that they themselves or members of their families may be deported or impacted by these executive orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump Administration said it also wants to end the practice of catch and release, reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy, and send federal troops to border states. But Stansbury believes some of these orders wont get past the courts, Upon the filing of these executive orders and any actions that they might take pursuant to them. Were going to see immediate challenges in the courts to these. She explained that, for example, ending birthright citizenship would violate the countrys constitution. Other state leaders are also reacting, including Attorney General, Raul Torrez. Who said in a statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, we celebrate a return to the basic idea of respecting the results of free and fair election and a shared commitment to the peaceful transfer of power. While we respect President Trumps right to articulate the domestic priorities of his second administration, it is important that we also reassure New Mexicans of our commitment to uphold the rule of law without fear or favor. As always, we will work with our state and federal law enforcement partners to improve public safety in every community in our state, but we will not hesitate to resist any enforcement action that violates the law or the Constitution. At the New Mexico Department of Justice, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the rights of every resident and believe it is part of our core mission to ensure that no individual or community faces violations of their fundamental freedoms. By fostering collaboration, transparency, and accountability, we aim to build a future where everyone can thrive. As we look ahead, we reaffirm our dedication to serving the people of New Mexico with integrity and strength. Together, we can achieve meaningful progress and create a brighter tomorrow. Raul Torrez, Attorney General of New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Lujan also weighed in; after attending the inauguration, he shared in a statement: Today, I attended the inauguration for the new administration as I have done for each president since being elected to Congress. The peaceful transition of power is a sacred cornerstone of our democracy, and I remain committed to upholding it. As the new administration takes office, my work for New Mexico remains the same, and I will hold the administration accountable when I see injustice. These next four years will undoubtedly present challenges for the American people, but new Mexicans can rest assured that Ill always be a strong voice for our state. Senator Ben Ray Lujan, New Mexico Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE)New Mexico State University is unveiling a new mural on Tuesday to celebrate the National Day of Racial Healing. NMSU said the Homecoming mural uplifts three historical watershed moments that happened near the university: the Pueblo Revolution of 1680, the Mexican Defection of 1848, and the Black migration to New Mexico in the early 1900s. Albuquerque hosting job fair for youth seeking summer jobs School officials said the mural celebrates the marking of these lands as the heart of civilization in the Western hemisphere, especially in the area now known as the White Sands. The mural was created by six local artists and two NMSU art students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NMSU invited the community to their Las Cruces campus Tuesday evening at 4:30 p.m. for food, music, healing activities, and the unveiling. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Morgan Lee Associated Press SANTA FE, N.M. The New Mexico Supreme Court on Thursday struck down abortion restrictions by conservative cities and counties, helping to ensure the state remains a go-to destination for people from other states with bans. The unanimous opinion, in response to a request from state Attorney General Raul Torrez, reinforces the states position as having some of the most liberal abortion laws in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys representing the cities of Hobbs and Clovis and Lea and Roosevelt counties had argued that provisions of a federal anti-vice law known as the Comstock Act block courts from striking down local abortion ordinances. But Justice C. Shannon Bacon, writing for the majority opinion, said state law precludes cities and counties from restricting abortion or regulating abortion clinics. The ordinances violate this core precept and invade the Legislatures authority to regulate access to and provision of reproductive healthcare, she wrote. We hold the ordinances are preempted in their entirety. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez praised the courts ruling Thursday, saying that the core of the argument was that state laws preempted any action by local governments to engage in activities that would infringe on the constitutional rights of citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bottom line is simply this: Abortion access is safe and secure in New Mexico," he said. "Its enshrined in law by the recent ruling by the New Mexico Supreme Court and thanks to the work of the New Mexico Legislature. New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martinez called access to health care a basic fundamental right in New Mexico. It doesnt take a genius to understand the statutory framework that we have. Local governments dont regulate health care in New Mexico. It is up to the state, the Albuquerque Democrat said. Opposition to abortion runs deep in New Mexico communities along the border with Texas, which has one of the most restrictive bans in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Democrats, who control every statewide elected office in New Mexico and hold majorities in the state House and Senate, have moved to shore up access to abortion before and after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, eliminating the nationwide right to abortion. In 2021, the New Mexico Legislature repealed a dormant 1969 statute that outlawed most abortion procedures as felonies, ensuring access to abortion even after the Roe v. Wade reversal. And in 2023, Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill that overrides local ordinances aimed at limiting abortion access and enacted a shield law that protects abortion providers from investigations by other states. In September, construction began on a state-funded reproductive health and abortion clinic in southern New Mexico that will cater to local residents and people who travel from neighboring states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new clinic is scheduled for completion by early 2026 to provide services ranging from medical and procedural abortions to contraception, cervical cancer screenings and education about adoptions. In Thursday's opinion, justices said they "strongly admonish Roosevelt County, in particular, for an ordinance that would have allowed individuals to file lawsuits demanding damages of more than $100,000 for violations of the county's abortion ordinance. The provision would have created "a private right of action and damages award that is clearly intended to punish protected conduct, the court said in its opinion. Erin Hawley, a vice president at Alliance Defending Freedom, an Arizona-based Christian legal advocacy group, is an attorney who argued on behalf of Roosevelt County in the case. On Thursday, she criticized the court's decision and emphasized its limitations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roosevelt County and other New Mexico localities should be able to enforce ordinances that comply with federal law and protect the lives of their citizens, said Hawley, the wife of U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri. We're grateful that the New Mexico Supreme Court did not abandon common sense and find a so-called right to abortion in the state constitution. It was not immediately clear whether the ruling can be appealed in federal court or influence broader efforts to apply Comstock Act restrictions on abortion. The New Mexico Supreme Court opinion explicitly declined to address conflicts with federal law, basing its decision solely on state provisions. Austin, Texas-based attorney Jonathan Mitchell, a former Texas solicitor general and architect of that state's strict abortion ban, said he looked forward "to litigating these issues in other states and bringing the meaning of the federal Comstock Act to the Supreme Court of the United States. Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque contributed to this report. MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has an answer for U.S. President Donald Trump about his idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America: he can call it whatever he wants on the American part of it. Sheinbaum on Tuesday had been working through the raft of executive orders from Trump that relate to Mexico, emphasizing Mexicos sovereignty and the need for dialogue, but when she got to the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, she couldnt help but laugh. He says that he will call it the Gulf of America on its continental shelf, Sheinbaum said. For us it is still the Gulf of Mexico, and for the entire world it is still the Gulf of Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said in his inaugural address Monday that he will change the name, an idea he first brought up earlier this month during a news conference. A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, he said. Hours later he signed an Executive Order to do it. Sheinbaum projected on a large screen at her daily press briefing Trumps order called Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness. The order says that within 30 days, the U.S. secretary of the interior will rename the U.S. Continental Shelf area bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Americans and Mexicans diverge on what to call another key body of water, the river that forms the border between Texas and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. Americans call it the Rio Grande; Mexicans call it the Rio Bravo. The first time Trump mentioned the idea of changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico, Sheinbaum responded sarcastically suggesting instead renaming North America as America Mexicana or Mexican America. This time, she just briefly insisted: For us and for the entire world it will continue to be called the Gulf of Mexico. MIAMI - A portion of Southwest 2nd. Avenue was officially named in honor of Isidor Cohen, one of Miami's first Jewish settlers, merchant and civic booster, in a ceremony that highlighted the shared history of Miami's Jewish and Black communities. The event was held at the Center for Jewish Life at Beth David Synagogue and celebrated Cohen's contributions to the city's founding and his recognition of the crucial role Black residents played in Miami's early days. "I think the Jewish community has been in concert with the Black community when it comes to civil rights," said Annmarie Henry of the group Profiles in Black Miami. Henry, a CBS Miami employee, underscored the historical partnership between the two communities. Cohen, who was one of the 367 men who voted to incorporate Miami as a city in July 1896, often recounted the importance of Black voters in the city's founding. Of the 367 voters, 162 were Black men. Cohen documented these pivotal moments in his book, Historical Sketches and Insights of Miami, which his grandson, James Weintraub, referenced while addressing the Miami City Commission. "He wrote this book recounting stories of the early struggles of the residents, many of whom were Black. If not for this book, many stories would be lost," Weintraub said, leaving a copy of the book with the commission to support the street-naming project. Cohen's descendants have continued his legacy of civic engagement and his great-grandson, Michael Riskin, emphasized the collaboration behind the project. "The Black community and Jewish community came together on this project. In fact, the Black community helped get the name on the street," Riskin said. The Curtis Foundation and Profiles in Black Miami partnered with the city to honor Cohen's memory, ensuring his contributions to Miami's founding and his acknowledgment of Black residents' roles in the city's history are preserved. Trump signs executive orders after inauguration Former Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama arrive for Trump inauguration President Trump and first lady Melania attend inaugural balls after busy first day Senator Imee R. Marcos: Statement on the teenage pregnancy issue in the Philippines My version of the bill tackled the overwhelming problem of teenage pregnancy in the Philippines, which with 1 out of 10 teenage girls pregnant or with a child, has been cited by the World Bank as not only a moral problem but an economic loss for these girls' education and future job prospects. While the present bill is significantly different from mine, in no way does it intend to deprive parents of their primordial authority and guidance. Instead, the DepEd, DSWD, DOH and the entire community is precisely enjoined to assist parents with "medically accurate, culturally sensitive, non discriminatory" information. Given the plethora of false sex data in the media, the growing incidence of HIV and STDs, in addition to rising teenage pregnancy, I think truthful and age- as well as culturally- appropriate sex education in schools, together with parental guidance, is ever more important today. Michael Loewe, who has died aged 102, led the attempt to break the main Japanese naval code at Bletchley Park, before working on Chinese codes and ciphers at GCHQ in the 1950s; after leaving British intelligence, he went on to become a leading sinologist and one of the foremost experts on the Han Dynasty, which governed China for most of the period from 202 BC to AD 220. Loewe was studying Classics (Greats) at Oxford when war broke out with Japan in December 1941. He already had such a reputation as a classical linguist that he was recommended by Bletchley Park talent-spotters at both Oxford and Cambridge to be one of first batch of recruits trained in breaking Japanese codes and ciphers. They were ordered to report to the Inter Service Special Intelligence School, based above the showroom of the local gas company in Bedford, where they were taught Japanese by Captain Oswald Tuck, who had been a naval interpreter during the First World War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the course, Loewe and some of his colleagues were posted to Bletchley Park, where we were overawed by the presence of those we saw as clearly well-accustomed to the arcane mysteries of code- and cipher-breaking. The tall and lanky figure of Hugh Foss seemed to look down from a great height on the raw recruits assembled in the office. I remember the first day. We were given a file of typed material to read, marked Top Secret, which gave us a thrill. Initially, they worked in Hut 7, one of the wooden huts erected at Bletchley during its rapid expansion at the start of the war, but from late 1942 they were on the upper floor of Block B, one of a number of new purpose-built concrete buildings. Loewe worked on the Japanese Navys General Operational Code, designated JN-25 by the codebreakers, and eventually became head of the JN-25 Bookbuilding section, trying to recreate the actual codebook from scratch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JN-25 was an enciphered code system. The Japanese operators used a codebook which provided five-figure groups for common words or phrases and for individual syllables. Having encoded the message and produced a stream of five-figure groups, the operator then took a stream of randomly produced figures from a separate additive book, lined them up under the encoded message and added the two streams of figures together using non-carrying arithmetic to produce the fully enciphered message. You had to find out if that table was being used only once or by several people, Loewe recalled. If it was only used once you probably couldnt do anything more with it, but if you found three to four Japanese navy clerks had opened that cipher table at the same page and were using it, you could do something about breaking it. You were looking to uncover a series of five-figure code groups and you then had to break the meanings of the groups. The Japanese tendency to rigid discipline, sending certain types of message in a very specific format and at precisely the same time of day, helped the codebreakers immensely. More rarely, we could be helped by a message sent twice, once in an old readable system and once with the newly introduced book. The Japanese changed both the codebooks and the additive books on a regular basis, making bookbuilding a sometimes frustrating process, but the widespread nature of Japanese naval operations across the Pacific and Indian oceans led to the occasional capture or pinches of actual codebooks. Loewe became interested in the history of ancient and imperial China At the end of the war, Loewe stayed on with GCHQ, the Cold War successor to Bletchley Park, and was asked if he would like to learn Chinese. So that put me on to learning Chinese for modern intelligence purposes, Loewe recalled. We were sent on a course, a short course at the School of Oriental and African Studies, I think about six weeks, and trained in spoken Chinese. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He separately took a degree course in Chinese at Soas. Two years later he and a colleague were posted to the British consulate in Beijing: Our job was to learn the language. We were given teachers who took us along in conversational Chinese and we were free to get around the city as much as we could. It was during this period that he first became interested in the history of ancient and early imperial China. Asked towards the end of his life if he felt that the work he did at Bletchley Park and GCHQ had helped him when he subsequently worked as an academic unravelling the history of the Han Dynasty, Loewe replied: I think it was extremely valuable as a discipline. It involved a disciplinary regimen which I think has been extremely valuable. It required intellectual effort and also a great deal of work subtracting figures from letters or letters from letters. A great deal of that was very boring but keeps yourself awake to see if theres a result. Working on a code or cipher does involve an intellectual discipline. When you put the stuff on your table youve damn well got to work at it. The closure of Communist China to the outside world in 1949 meant that Loewe and other western academics studying Chinese history were unable to do any research there. Loewes own contacts would anyway have been limited for security reasons. During the early Communist era, Loewe was unable to visit China for security reasons and had to make do with Taiwan Obviously if Id made any contact questions would have been asked, he recalled. So we had to make do with contacts with Taiwan. But in 1974, with the Cultural Revolution petering out Loewe, already the author of a number of groundbreaking works on the Han Dynasty, was asked to lead a delegation of six British scholars to talk to their Chinese counterparts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Arthur Nathan Loewe was born on November 2 1922 in Oxford, where his father Herbert was a professor of Semitic languages. His mother was Ethel Hyamson. He studied at the Perse School in Cambridge before entering Magdalen College, Oxford. After leaving GCHQ, Loewe took a post as lecturer in the History of the Far East at Soas, and from 1963 to 1990 was lecturer in Chinese Studies at Cambridge, briefly interrupted in 1976 by a visiting professorship at the University of Stockholm. A succession of American visiting professorships followed his retirement, at Harvard, Chicago and Berkeley. He was a Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge, and an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Loewe married his long-term partner, Carmen Blacker, whom he had met at Bletchley Park, in 2002. She died in 2009. There were no children of the marriage. Michael Loewe, born November 2 1922, died January 1 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has signed onto a lawsuit challenging an order from President Donald Trump that seeks to end automatic citizenship for people born inside the U.S. if their parents do not have permanent legal immigration status. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by a group of states in Massachusetts federal court, asserts that Trump's Monday executive order violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Trump, shortly after being sworn into office Monday, signed an executive order stating birthright citizenship should not apply to individuals born to parents who do not have legal immigration status to be in the U.S. Trump's executive order directs federal agencies not to issue citizenship documents or recognize any state or local citizenship documents issued to children whose parents do not have legal immigration status in the U.S. The executive order stated enforcement would begin Feb. 19. The order also states citizenship should not be granted to children born in the U.S. if the mother had legal, but only temporary, immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit, filed by Democratic attorneys general from 18 states along with Washington D.C. and San Francisco, argues birthright citizenship "has been enshrined in the Constitution for more than 150 years." It asks a judge to declare an injunction preventing the enforcement of the executive order. Birthright citizenship is a basic right granted to all Americans born on United States soil with historic roots and long-lasting implications for the states and their residents, Nessel said in a statement. It is disappointing that in the first hours of this incoming administration, the first perceived enemy President Trump has struck against is the U.S. Constitution. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a separate legal challenge in New Hampshire on behalf of immigrant advocacy organizations on similar grounds, USA TODAY reported. The Fourteenth Amendment states "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." The amendment was ratified in 1868. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration argues the amendment does not grant citizenship upon birth inside the U.S., claiming the clause stating "and subject to the jurisdiction thereof" does not include people in the country without legal status. Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump took a hard-line stance against illegal immigration, promising to crack down on individuals in the U.S. without legal status. A Department of Homeland Security report published in April estimated there were nearly 11 million people living in the U.S. without legal immigration status as of 2022. The executive order ending birthright citizenship was one of several Trump signed Monday. Earlier in January, Nessel told reporters she would take legal action against the Trump administration if she believed it was taking unlawful actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (This article has been updated to correct a date.) Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan joins lawsuit against Trump's order on birthright citizenship Michigan was under a cold and extreme cold weather warning Tuesday as an arctic freeze continued to descend on the Midwest and East Coast, with wind chill temperatures as low as 50 degrees below zero in the Upper Peninsula and snow as far south as Florida. "Its cold," National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Freitag in White Lake Township said simply with dispassionate understatement, adding: "You are aware, there's a cold weather advisory that goes through noon Wednesday." "Today, were in for a high of 8 degrees," he added. "Tonight it is minus 5 degrees." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There also may be an inch or so of snow, mostly in the northern suburbs and exurbs. Metro Detroit school districts and universities canceled classes and other activities Tuesday, and many also Wednesday, because of the frigid and dangerous weather forecasts. Wednesday, the forecast calls for a high temperature of 16 and a low of 12. The arctic weather settled in this weekend, forcing the L.A. Rams and Philadelphia Eagles to play in snow so heavy on Sunday in Philadelphia that it had to be blown off the field, and the presidential inauguration celebrations on Monday in Washington, D.C., were moved inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weather advisory for southeast Michigan, Freitag explained, was issued as a warning to avoid being outside if you can, and if you must brave the deep freeze to bundle up. At those temperatures, exposed skin becomes frostbitten in minutes. Further north, it was even even colder, with lows early Tuesday in the Upper Peninsula of at least 10 degrees below zero. In Ironwood, the low was 26 degrees below zero, and with the wind chill, it felt more like 50 degrees below zero. The freezing temperatures in the U.P. led the weather service there to issue an extreme cold warning, which some news outlets were reporting was the first one of its kind for Michigan. Meteorologists, however, clarified to the Free Press that cold weather warnings are common in winter, but the weather service recently revised its alerts, moving away from a wind chill alert to warnings that are easier to understand and explain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An extreme cold warning is triggered by wind chill temperatures of 30 degrees below zero. "This morning is probably the coldest it will get in this stretch," weather service meteorologist Don Rolfson in Marquette said. The U.P. is familiar with cold, but he added: "This is pretty cold. It is the coldest, probably since 2021." It was so cold, he said, it kept the snowflakes small, preventing much accumulation. Still, the meteorologists pointed out that the cold in Michigan was not quite as severe as in Minnesota, where in some places it was nearly 30 below zero, nor was it as unusual as the rare forecast of a snowstorm in Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Florida, the governor issued a state of emergency as forecasts there called for snow accumulations in the northern part of the state of 2-4 inches or some places as much as a half-foot. And a blizzard warning was in effect early Tuesday for parts of Texas and Louisiana. The last time that part of the country had seen winter weather anything like it was in the 1960s. Houston, reports said, could receive 4-6 inches of snow, which forecasters said was mostly unheard of and could be dangerous. Freitag added, as if to say, if you think the weather is bad in Michigan: "You know its snowing in New Orleans," he said, pointing out how unusual that is. "Thats really big news down there. They dont have snowplows, and theyre getting 3 to 6 inches of snow on Bourbon Street." Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Wind in Michigan's Upper Peninsula could reach 50 degrees below zero President Donald Trump did what he said he would do on his first day in office: roll back protections for transgender and nonbinary individuals by signing an executive order saying that the federal government recognizes only two sexes, male and female, and those sexes were assigned at birth. And members and allies of the transgender and nonbinary community are terrified. "He wants to say we are not real," said psychotherapist Rachel Crandall-Crocker, who is transgender and whose practice specializes in transgender issues. "How would you feel if someone came up to you and said, 'You're not real?' ... I can say it will have such a negative impact on the mental health of the transgender community. ... A lot of us have gone through hell to become ourselves and he wants to do away with all of that," Crandall-Crocker said soon after Trump declared in his inauguration speech that the federal government's official policy will recognize only two genders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Equality Michigan, which works to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and reduce violence against it, will continue to fight for the rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals so they "have an opporunity to lead a healthy and safe and long life," Erin Knott, the organization's executive director, said. "Transgender and non-binary people are in all states and communities," Knott said hours before Trump officially signed the widely expected executive order. "They're part of our families. They're part of our neighborhoods, our workplaces. Our leaders should include and protect these individuals with the fundamental freedoms that Americans enjoy." While Equality Michigan has no power to reverse any executive order Trump signs, Knott said she and her organization "can be at the local level, educating school board officials, making sure that all students feel safe ... I can be organizing at the community level ... supporting our community centers ... to make sure they have resources." Knott said her message Monday was this: "For transgender and nonbinary community members, you're not alone. You're loved." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crandall-Crocker, who is 65, remembers how difficult it was for her to come out as transgender. "I tried to come out to my mother and father when I was eight and they said that was the dirtiest thing I could possibly say. ... That was in the '60s. I went back in the closet. I internalized it. I thought I was the most awful thing on earth. And that's pretty heavy for an eight year old. No self esteem. And I thought that I wasn't worth anything." She finally came out for good when she was in her 30s. "I was married and I was living as a man and when I came out, I lost my marriage, I lost my house, I lost everything," she said. "I don't think that people understand it." In 1997, she formed Transgender Michigan, an advocacy organization. She said it will work closely with the American Civil Liberties Union to address the impact of any executive order. While Michigan law prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, Trump's order would impact a range of agencies and protocol including federal documents such as passports and visas. People holding passports or visas or other federal documents would be required to identify as male or female, the sex they were assigned at birth. Under the Biden administration, Americans were allowed to use the gender neutral X marker on passports. The State Department, Department of Homeland Security and other agencies will be in charge of enforcing the executive order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bobbie Hirsch, a 21-year-old transgender man who lives in Detroit, is worried any change in federal documents will open him to discrimination. "I dont know if theyll make me change my sex to female, especially since I got my sex legally changed. I'm scared ... Having my sex on my legal documents, it helps keep me safe on a day-to-day basis. Just like when I'm handing my ID over to someone. I dont know what their political views are ... but having that on my documents, it matches what I look like ... its very, very helpful in keeping me safe. "If someone is like hey, let me see your papers and it says female and I have a beard and I have a deep voice " He added: "I'm really scared. I'm really scared. I'm really scared for my future." USA Today contributed to this report. . This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan's transgender community terrified about Trump executive order Members of the St. Joseph community gathered at Word of Life Church on Monday morning for the 11th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Solutions Summit. Mid-City Excellence Community Learning Center invited attendees to celebrate Dr. Kings life and legacy, on Monday, Jan. 20, as well as promoting racial harmony, unity and togetherness for all people. Keynote speakers for the 2025 Solutions Summit included former Kansas City Chiefs players Shawn Barber and Dustin Colquitt, the event also featured live performances from several gospel artists, the St. Joe Stixx, and the Mid-City Excellence TrashCan Band. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaker Shawn Barber talked about the importance of being a mentor for the youth and setting them up for a successful future. As a community, we need to wrap our arms around young folks and let them know they are enough, they arent alone, and God made them perfect just the way they are, Barber said. Everything I said today was just in a way of remembering Martin Luther King on his day and understanding how Mid-City excellence is doing a great job of just providing opportunity for guys like myself to be a mentor to them. Year-round, Mid-City works to solve generational poverty, juvenile crime, and poor mental health through mentoring and performing arts for the youth. More information about the program can be found at, https://visitmce.org/. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) School districts across Middle Tennessee are preparing for extremely cold temperatures this week. Barring closures, many schools will be back open on Tuesday, when the temperature is expected to dip down to 10 degrees. Not surprisingly, school districts are reading and reacting to these freezing-cold conditions. Tennessee School Closings and Delays: January 21, 2025 In Robertson County, that includes a mobile bus-tracking app that tells parents how close their students ride is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They can actually receive a signal on their own phones, the app that they have on their phones, and they have the ability to set the parameters, explained Danny Weeks, Director of Schools for Robertson County. So they can say within a mile, mile and a half. That saves a lot of kids and families from being out in the cold weather in the mornings or afternoons. Weeks said the free app is not a GPS locator. Rather, it notifies parents who downloaded the app that their kids school bus is nearby. Elsewhere, News 2 contacted Metro and Sumner County Schools about their cold weather preparations, but did not hear back on Monday. Wilson County Schools said they are monitoring the weather conditions and have been preparing for any schedule changes these last several weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extreme cold continues through midweek Meanwhile, the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) said schools will operate as normal on Tuesday, but officials are asking families to be prepared and have a plan in place if schedules are modified Wednesday. And like many other districts, Macon County Schools confirmed they will start up their buses earlier and will have their maintenance department on red alert all week. Weve asked our maintenance department to make sure that we keep our temperatures a little bit elevated [in our school buildings] over the night and throughout the week, said Weeks. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Weeks is part of a superintendents group consisting of 16 local Directors of Schools, where they discuss policies, issues, and yes, the weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On days like this, were texting early in the morning, and sometimes late at night, Weeks told News 2. Several Middle Tennessee school districts have announced they will be closed or have delayed start times on Tuesday, Jan. 21, due to the frigid conditions. To view the full list of closings, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Jan. 20As JD Vance and Donald Trump were sworn in as Vice President and President at noon Monday, a group of Middletown residents watched and celebrated at Berachah Church in Middletown. Trump became the oldest person ever on Monday to take the presidential oath of office at 78 years, 7 months old, and Vance was the first Millennial to be elected vice president. Biden had been the oldest to take the oath for years ago at 78 years, 2 months old. Vance became the 50th vice president of the United States as he was sworn in with his wife, Usha Vance, holding the bible and his mother, Beverly Aikins, watched closely with President Trump in the background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is the first Ohioan to be in the White House since the 1920s, and the first Buckeye to be vice president. Many in attendance at the Middletown event were parents of the Middletown High School band. Vance invited the Middletown Marching Band to attend the inauguration, and though they won't be featured in the now-canceled outdoor parade due to the frigid weather, they are in D.C. and performed at a processional inside Capital One Arena late Monday afternoon. Rebecca Johnson is the mother of Brianna Johnson, a 16-year-old member of the band's color guard, called the opportunity "amazing" and is "grateful." Johnson said her daughter was hesitant at first because she had never been out of town away from family, but "she's very excited." She said she's "emotional" and "nervous." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She's going to remember this and will tell my grandkids and great grand kids," said Johnson, who was a freshman when Vance was a senior at Middletown High School. After the performance, Johnson let the emotions flow, from tears and yells of excitement seeing her "baby" perform on the biggest stage in front of Trump and Vance. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and they did amazing," she said. Fellow band mom Johnni Combs said her daughter, Alexis Combs, an 18-year-old senior, was one of the leaders of the color guard. She was all into the performance because "that's what you do when you're kids are out there." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They put their heart-and-soul into it, and we do just as much," she said. Berachah Church lead pastor Lamar Ferrell said he was asked to host a watch party for band parents. "It's truly a remarkable and wonderful day, a historic day," said Ferrell, who was once a band parent when his kids attended Middletown High School. "I cannot imaging how these parents are feeling. They must be so incredibly excited." Jarred and Suzannah Esselman are members of Berachah Church and watched the inauguration to support Vance, as well as the Middletown marching band. "It's great that a local guy has gone that far," Jarred Esselman said, who was a few years behind Vance at Middletown High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance is an inspiration to the next generation, the attendees said. "I think it's great to show kids that you can come from a rough background, but by putting in the work, you can achieve great things," said Suzannah Esselman said. "That's the American Dream." Though Vance resigned earlier this month his U.S. Senate seat, he will serve as president of that body in his role as vice president of the United States. The role of President of the Senate has little power, but it does have the authority to cast a tie-breaking vote, which his successor, former Vice President Kamala Harris, had done 33 times, a record for the position. Since the 1789, vice presidents have cast 301 tie-breaking votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Modern vice presidents don't regularly preside over the Senate, but besides for tie-breaking votes, vice presidents, among other duties, preside over swearing in of new senators and during joint sessions of Congress. Vance is the first president or vice president since the 1920s to have facial hair. The newly minted vice president sported a neatly trimmed beard when he stood beside his wife Usha Vance as he took his oath of office from U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, minutes ahead of President Donald Trump taking his oath from Chief Justice John Roberts. Former President Harry Trump had a goatee in 1948 when in office, and former President Herbert Hoover's vice president, Charles Curtis, was the last VP to have facial hair, a mustache in 1929, as reported by CBS News this past July. Other presidents and vice presidents with facial hair includes President Ulysses S. Grant and his Vice President Schuyler from 1869 to 1873 who had full beards. Thomas Marshall, the vice president to President Woodrow Wilson from 1912 to 1916, sported a mustache. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance arrive at an inaugural luncheon inside Statuary Hall at the Capitol in Washington on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times) Vice President JD Vance reacts as President Donald Trump delivers remarks to an overflow crowd after his inauguration as the 47th president at the Capitol in Washington on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times) President-elect Donald Trump, center, arrives at his inauguration as the 47th president in the Rotunda at the Capitol in Washington on Monday morning, Jan. 20, 2025. Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, and Barron Trump, second from left, applaud. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times) Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, arrive at St. John's Church for a service in Washington on Monday morning, Jan. 20, 2025. (Alyssa Schukar/The New York Times) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Donald Trump greets Vice President-elect JD Vance at St. John's Church for a service in Washington on Monday morning, Jan. 20, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times) Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance wait for President-elect Donald Trump's arrival during a candlelight dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, the day before Trump's inauguration. (Doug Mills/The New York Times) Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance speak to attendees while they wait for President-elect Donald Trump's arrival during a candlelight dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, the day before Trump's inauguration. (Doug Mills/The New York Times) President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Va., on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President-elect JD Vance speaks at the Vice President's Dinner at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times) Vice President-elect JD Vance speaks at the Vice President's Dinner at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times) Vice President-elect JD Vance arrives with his motorcade at an inauguration party hosted by Peter Thiel at his house in Washington on Jan. 18, 2025. (Jason Andrew/The New York Times) President Donald Trump, bottom left; first lady Melania Trump, bottom right; Vice President JD Vance, top left; and second lady Usha Vance, top right; arrive in Emancipation Hall after the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Al Drago/Pool Photo via AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance is, at this time, the presumptive frontrunner for the 2028 GOP presidential nomination, according to several political pundits and media outlets. Trump is constitutionally ineligible to seek a third term. Donald Trump Jr. said during the campaign, "We are getting four more years of Trump and then eight years of JD Vance," according to Fox News in a December report. But it's not a guarantee a vice president is promoted by voters to the presidency. Only 15 vice presidents have become president. President Joe Biden was the last person to be vice president and ascend to the presidency, however, it was four years after he held the second-highest job in the executive branch. President George H.W. Bush was the last to win a presidential election immediately following his vice presidency. "Vice presidents are pretty successful at gaining their party's nomination for president," John McGlennon, a professor at William & Mary university in Virginia, told History.com. "But they're less successful at actually winning elections." Report: 'Hillbilly Elegy' author Vance courted for U.S. Senate bid "Hillbilly Elegy" author mulls Senate bid, but does he live in Ohio? JD Vance speaks to media after voting with his wife and kids in Cincinnati. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF (Bloomberg) -- It took only moments for President Donald Trump to shut down the CBP One app. Most Read from Bloomberg On Monday, as he moved to fulfill campaign pledges to end birthright citizenship and mobilize troops to step up border enforcement as part of a broader crackdown, Trump also targeted the app used by hundreds of thousands of migrants to cross the border and ask for asylum. A message showed it was no longer available, and existing appointments have been cancelled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That dashed the hopes of those waiting in Mexico for appointments with US authorities, with many left stranded far from their home countries with few viable methods for crossing into the US legally. Follow The Big Take daily podcast wherever you listen. Trumps moves are aimed at targeting millions of foreigners for expulsion and keeping out migrants who dont have permission to come in, part of fulfilling his pledge to lead the largest mass deportation effort in US history. One edict redefined who is eligible to be a US citizen at birth, while another ordered the deployment of active duty military and National Guard troops to the border in an effort to clamp down on illegal immigration. Another executive order suspended the asylum system, allowing for anyone with a pending case to be arrested and deported. The order marks a radical change for millions of people who were generally shielded from removal until an immigration judge decided their fate, a process that typically takes several years to complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now migrant communities including in New York, Chicago, Denver and San Diego are bracing for immigration raids to begin as early as Tuesday. All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came, Trump said in his inauguration speech. Trumps actions Monday and plans telegraphed for coming days have the potential to radically upend the immigration system, which Republicans and Democrats have long said is broken. They are also sure to face quick and voluminous legal challenges including from states, advocates and immigrants themselves. The American Civil Liberties Union, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, State Democracy Defenders Fund and Asian Law Caucus quickly brought a lawsuit challenging Trumps birthright citizenship restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Californians must protect immigrants and their families from the unjust, inhumane, anti-immigration policies and practices that President Trump promises to enact, said Norma Chavez-Peterson, executive director of the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties. The suit filed by Democratic states in Massachusetts, accused the President of a flagantly unlawful attempt to strip hundreds of thousands American-born children of their citizenship based on their parentage. At least 3.5 million foreigners have cases pending with the US Justice Departments immigration court system, the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Roughly 40% are asylum seekers. About 850,000 border crossers filed new asylum cases during the 2024 budget year. The majority of migrants who have crossed the border illegally in recent years, a broad mix of families, single adults and children traveling alone from all over the world, surrendered to authorities as soon as they are spotted or come upon a waiting Border Patrol agent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illegal crossings have sharply declined in the past several months after a Biden administration order put severe limits on asylum applications and amid stepped up enforcement by Mexicos government. App Origins The CBP One app was launched under the first Trump administration in a more limited form, with the scheduling component for those without a visa or other permission to cross the border starting in early 2023 during a Biden administration effort to curb illegal crossings. Alexander Fleirez, a migrant who had been trying to get an appointment to apply for asylum since leaving Venezuela along with his nine-year-old niece four months ago, was devastated by news of CBP Ones demise. He would still like to get to the US where his sister lives, but thinks resettling in Colombia might now be the best option given Trumps hostility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We got that sad surprise this morning, he said from Villahermosa, Mexico, where hes been renting a room while waiting for an appointment. My niece is crying. She just wanted to see her mother. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has already made plans for the possibility of millions of nationals being sent home under the Trump administration. An estimated 5 million Mexicans live in the US illegally and could be among the easiest to send home in large numbers. Her government has launched a phone app for people who are arrested and lined up more than 2,600 lawyers and some 2,200 consulate workers to provide assistance. Her foreign minister has met with officials in every border state. Border Security Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement on X that hes asked Trump to protect Texas and the entire US from the invasion along our southern border by exercising the full scope of his constitutional authority. Abbott has spent billions of dollars on a state-funded border security operation that has included building a wall, arresting those who cross illegally for trespassing and deploying state troopers and police to the border. He also paid to bus tens of thousands of migrants released by federal authorities to so-called sanctuary cities, including Denver, Chicago, New York and Washington. Trump has repeatedly said he will focus his deportation efforts on criminals and those who are a threat to public safety or national security, but his order ending asylum opens the door for authorities to arrest and possibly deport millions of foreigners who have been allowed to live in the US while a court decides their fate. Previous federal law allowed any foreigner to apply for asylum regardless of how they entered the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he thought Trumps actions would discourage illegal crossings. In four years we havent had deterrents, he said in an interview. We have had a welcome mat. Last year, lawmakers were close to a bill that would have curtailed that process and severely limited access to asylum, but it was scuttled by Trumps opposition. Biden used executive authority to limit access for illegal border crossers and expanded the use of CBP One. Sovereignty, Safety Trump said he will deploy an undetermined number of active duty military and National Guard troops to repel the disastrous invasion of our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our sovereignty, will be reclaimed, he said in his inaugural speech. Our safety will be restored. Immigration became a top domestic issue for voters in the 2024 election amid record numbers of arrests along the southwest border and strains on public resources in cities around the country where migrants have settled while their wait for federal immigration court hearings. Republicans focused on crime as a wedge issue, including the high-profile murder of Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student, by a Venezuelan migrant. Trumps crackdown threatened to send migrants trying to evade checkpoints into more dangerous, remote areas of the border region. Record numbers of migrants have died in recent years trying to cross the border illegally, though many others have successfully evaded arrest. At a shelter in Mexico City, 37-year-old Maria said she had a CBP One appointment scheduled on Wednesday and had already purchased plane tickets to fly up to the border for the meeting. Now, shes been told the appointment is canceled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She had left Venezuela in August with her four children, ages 7 to 14, and a cousin. Shed spent several months at a shelter in southern Mexico before making it to the capital. I feel very sad, but I am an optimistic person and I trust God more than governments, she said Monday afternoon. I want to get to the US and work, and the most important thing for me is that my children can study, she added. Going back to Venezuela is not an option. --With assistance from Julie Fine. (Updates with fresh lawsuit in 10th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (FOX40.COM) In the United States, when an officer detains a suspect, they must read you your Miranda Rights before speaking about the incident, according to the Fifth Amendment and a Supreme Court ruling from 1966. The constitution of the United States Fifth Amendment states that No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. A police officer is required to read the following upon being detained, according to the United States Courts website, You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me? According to the Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute website, the requirement to give Miranda rights came from the Supreme Court case Miranda V. Arizona in 1966. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 3, 1963, Phoenix Police arrested Ernesto Miranda on the charges of rape, kidnapping, and robbery, according to the Library Of Congress Research Guides website. Police officers had a two-hour interrogation with Miranda without advising him of his constitutional rights to an attorney or against self-incrimination. Miranda later signed a written confession admitting to the crimes that he was being charged with. On March 27, 1963, Miranda was denied legal representation at the preliminary hearing by the court. After Miranda confessed to the crimes, on June 27, 1963, he was convicted with one of the crimes being pending on his records and he was sent to prison for 55 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alvin Moore was assigned to be Mirandas lawyer on June 12, 1965, where he appealed the case to the Arizona Supreme Court on the count of police violating his constitutional rights under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. At this time, the state of Arizona decided to continue the Miranda case and had appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. On November 16, 1965, is when the Supreme Court decided to hear Mirandas case. Chief Justice Earl Warren delivered the courts ruling on June 12, 1966, that Mirandas rights were violated. The Supreme Court decision was 5-4 which meant moving forward if someone is being arrested they are entitled to their rights against self-incrimination to have a lawyer present which is stated under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On February 15, 1967, Mirandas second trial started and lasted for nine days. An Arizona jury found him to be guilty of the same charges as before but this time his written confession was not presented to the jury since it was not obtained legally. Miranda was then sentenced to 30 years in prison and was released on parole. According to the Eastern Kentucky University website, a month after Miranda was released, he was fatally stabbed at a bar due to a fight. Officers detained the suspects that were involved and read them their Miranda Rights but no one was ever convicted for the murder of Ernesto Miranda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 FOX40 News. CANTON, Miss. (WJTV) A Mississippi Freedom Trail marker in Canton honors Flonzie Brown Wright. Wright was the first African American female elected to public office in the State of Mississippi. In 1968, she was elected as Election Commissioner in Madison County. (She) decided to be strong and run in an election, defeat a white incumbent, unheard of in the 60s and 50s. And to take that step, and so, you have to disrobe yourself of your fears, which is what she did, said Canton Mayor William Truly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Book illustrator Nicole Tadgell helps to bring words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jrs grandchild to life Fifty-seven years after her historic win, Wright continues to fight for change by focusing on the youth in Mississippi. What I have tried to do to in to inspire, to educate and encourage people. So, we want our young people to understand they have such a great role to play in this city, in this country, in this city and in this state, to make our union a more perfect union. And its going to happen, and it may happen in their lifetime, but theyve got to be prepared, she said. So, we must teach and train them that its time now. But your time is just right around the corner. The Madison County Board of Supervisors collaborated in conjunction with the Mississippi Humanities Council to unveil the marker in November 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. STARKVILLE, Miss. (WJTV) Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are the focus of a new study by Mississippi State University (MSU). Madison Dixon, associate director of research at the MSU Agricultural Autonomy Institute, said the university has the largest U.S.-manufactured ag drone fleet in the country. With this fleet, we will be performing research flights, testing numerous variables and aiming to provide valuable data and insights to farmers, Dixon said. We will test application efficacy of both liquid and dry agricultural products and will find ways to mitigate off-target drift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mississippi State updates times for May 15 graduation ceremonies Ag drones have been equipped with tanks and nozzles to spray crops with water-based solutions, as well as hoppers and spreaders for dispersing dry material. Applications include cover crop seeding; weed, insect and disease control; as well as crop imaging when combined with cameras and sensors. Dixon said MSU is focused only on U.S. made spray drones. According to the MSU Extension Service, the university is working with a Hylio AG-272 UAS that has an 18-gallon payload capacity and weighs up to 400 pounds at takeoff. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already approved even larger unmanned aircrafts with some weighing more than 1,100 pounds. UAV-application of farm chemicals is new enough that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and most states are currently allowing a drone to apply a product that is labeled for aerial use. According to the MSU Extension Service, chemical manufacturers are working with the EPA to ensure the labels are appropriate for these applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. ST. LOUIS Americans nationwide paused to reflect on the indelible influence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as communities honored his vision of equality and service. On Monday, communities across St. Louis came together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with events like those at the Missouri History Museum. More than 1,500 citizens attended the MLK Community Celebration, honoring Kings legacy with storytelling, workshops, and hands-on activities designed to educate and inspire. The kids learned a lot about MLK and his impact on our country and some of the great things he did, parent Matt Hiatt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We went to Mama Lisas story time. I learned a dance, song, and a chant, Amia Shine said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News I got to see a little interaction of how it would be if she were to do the march with Martin Luther King and I also learned about A. Phillip Randolph and how he was an activist, parent Chelsea Snodgrass said. Throughout the day, attendees reflected on Kings influence and the lessons his movement still teaches today. His impact gave everyone rights in a way we would not have without him. It impacted the womens rights movement [and] the disabilities rights movement. Despite his identity, his message and his movement have made all of our lives better, Julia Clark, the Missouri History Museums African American History Initiative specialist, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attendees ended the day with a MLK Day yoga class inspired by nonviolence, a central principle of Dr. Kings beliefs. His legacy lives on in each and every one of us. And any of the things he was fighting for. We continue to fight for today, Clark said. So, its also important to recognize him as a part of history but not that his movement is history because it lives within us as well. As celebrations came to a close, several participants shared how Dr. Kings legacy continues to inspire action and unity in St. Louis and beyond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers stand guard Sept. 23, 1954, as inmates of the Missouri State Penitentiary are taken to the prison dining hall following a riot that left four inmates dead and 50 wounded (Missouri State Highway Patrol photo via Missouri State Archives). In 1957, after a riot at the Missouri State Penitentiary left four men dead and 50 wounded, state lawmakers created a bipartisan committee to keep watch over the prison system. The 12 members of the Joint Committee on Correctional Institutions and Problems had two important duties inspect every prison at least twice a year and prepare a report on their findings for the General Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1981, for example, the report highlighted overcrowding, lack of proper mental health care and inadequate staffing. The committee, later renamed the Joint Committee on Corrections, lasted until 2015, when it was abolished in a bill that also eliminated several other joint committees. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US This year, with in-custody deaths at their highest level in state history and watchdogs warning prisons are overrun with drugs, three lawmakers two Republican and one Democrat have filed bills creating a new oversight panel with duties mirroring those given to the joint committee almost 60 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the help of the national prison advocacy group FAMM, a coalition of state and national liberal and conservative groups are pressing for Missouri to join the 19 states and the District of Columbia with an independent prison oversight board. Until its transparent, until we know whats happening, until theres some type of oversight and some accountability and transparency, I cant trust (the Department of Corrections) to hold themselves accountable, said Michelle Smith, director of the Missouri Justice Coalition. There would be four legislators two members of the Senate and two from the House on the Corrections Oversight Committee, along with eight members appointed by the governor. The governors appointees would have to include a former corrections officer, a man and a woman who were previously incarcerated and a family member of a person currently incarcerated. The committee would hire and work with an independent corrections ombudsman to investigate complaints, conduct inspections and issue regular reports on conditions in the Department of Corrections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot of room for improvement, said state Rep. Bill Lucas, a DeSoto Republican elected to his first term in November. And that is not at all talking down on the fine correctional officers who are doing their job and who are dedicated and have principles. Lucas has a perspective on the state prison system that no other legislator has he served a sentence for a 1996 conviction for sale of a controlled substance. Hes a lawmaker now because his criminal history was expunged under a law that allows non-violent offenders to clear their records seven years after completing their sentence. While incarcerated at the Tipton Correctional Center, Lucas said he endured a dental procedure to repair a broken filling without anaesthetic because the dentists hands were shaking so much he refused to allow him to give him a shot of novocaine. He shouldnt have been a dentist anywhere, Lucas said. State Rep. Bill Allen, a Republican from Kansas City, speaks in February 2023 during debate in the Missouri House (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications). Along with Lucas, the oversight bills have been filed by state Reps. Bill Allen, a Kansas City Republican, and Kimberly-Ann Collins, a St. Louis Democrat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen said hes making the bill his priority legislation for the year. There is no doubt that the men and women of (the Department of Corrections), on the whole, do a good job, Allen said. It is also clear to everybody who has been following these prison deaths that much more needs to be done, much more oversight has to get done. Collins has made using her legislative privilege of inspecting any prison without advance notice a major part of her work. She says shes seen firsthand the issues needing attention in the department. Creating the oversight committee and ombudsman, she said, will do the work she cannot do alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It gives it a second set of eyes, Collins said, and gives them the ability to cross things and examine things that I may have missed because Im just one person. The department isnt taking a position on the proposals, spokeswoman Karen Pojmann said. Weve expanded our investigative capabilities in the past year, and in preceding years, we established and built out a robust Office of Professional Standards, Pojmann said. So the department certainly has a significant amount of administrative oversight in place. Deaths at forefront Preliminary figures show 139 people died while in custody of the department last year, the most ever and a continuation of a trend that has averaged more than 10 deaths a month for the past five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the deaths are due to disease, an issue that reflects an aging prison population. But it also reflects issues with medical care, advocates for oversight said. We have heard overwhelmingly from people that live in the prisons and the people that are supposed to be able to take care of them that theyre not able to do that, said Lori Curry, director of Missouri Prison Reform. People are not receiving treatment for basic things all the way up to severe things. A visit to a prison geriatric facility during his freshman tour in 2022 vividly demonstrated the issue of aging prisoners, Allen said. There are hundreds of prisoners who cant feed themselves, bathe themselves, or clothe themselves, Allen said. And we are hiring aides for each of these people to help them do the daily basics. And it just moved me. It completely changed my outlook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of a population listed at 23,595, there were 2,282 inmates older than 60, including 413 older than 70, in state custody in 2023. One of Allens first bills when he took office in 2023 would have speeded up the release of incarcerated people over 60 who had not committed a dangerous felony. He has continued to file the bill along with the proposal for greater oversight. Collins also has a bill addressing parole for older inmates. Those individuals should be able to die with human dignity in the comfort of their own home, Collins said. We know that they wont reoffend anymore, because its almost impossible for you to reoffend if youre walking around with an oxygen tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But aging and disease arent the only reasons deaths have risen dramatically despite a decrease in total population. Drug overdoses are an increasing cause, along with violent deaths and suicides. Prison oversight State Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins, a St. Louis Democrat, speaks in April 2024 during Missouri House debate (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications). When Missouri established its first prison, the General Assembly gave its members, and selected state officers, responsibility for overseeing its operations. The treasurer, auditor and attorney general were designated as the Board of Inspectors, responsible for reporting on its operations to the legislature. And the 1832 statute creating a state penitentiary included a provision for lawmakers, statewide elected officials, judges of the supreme and circuit courts, and selected others, to visit the prison at pleasure to inspect its operations. The only significant change to the text since then has been to replace at pleasure with the words at any time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a new legislator in 2021, Collins encountered resistance as she tried to exercise that privilege at the Eastern Reception and Diagnostic Center in Bonne Terre on the day Ernest Johnson was executed. Barred from entering the prison that day, she has continued to make her personal inspections and said she has made more than 400 visits to the 19 institutions. Imagine if 163 of us went into 19 correctional facilities, all the work that would get done, Collins said. There are also positive things happening in the department, she said. A program called Dynamo is for long-term prisoners older than 50 who are given more control over their movements and more responsibility for upkeep of their cells and recreation area. The idea, Collins said, is to give them more of a home setting on the inside and not feel so criminalized by guards. Other positives are a new training center for corrections officers and a new prison nursery, opening soon, where women who give birth while incarcerated can keep their babies with them. But Collins said her focus is the stack of complaints and requests for help on her hands as she has become known as the legislator who visits the prisons. Ive got a backlog of requests of people sending me letters and requests of different medical issues and or different things that have happened inside the facilities, Collins said. The 1954 riot at the state penitentiary began when two prisoners feigned illness, overpowered responding guards and started opening cells. The breakout grew until the prison was under the control of its 2,500 inmates, who set prison shops on fire and only withdrew from the prison yard under the fire of machine guns. State troopers, National Guard soldiers and police from St. Louis and Kansas City were brought in to suppress the riot, which caused an estimated $5 million damage. The job of the joint committee established in 1957 was to make a continuing study of the internal organization, management, powers, duties and functions of the department and its correctional centers Neither Lucas nor Allen had ever heard of the committee, or its functions, before being interviewed by The Independent. This is one of the detriments of term limits, Allen said. No legislators here know what happened, that we used to even have this. The push for state prison oversight boards is a national effort, said Maria Goellner, senior director of State Policy for FAMM. There is a gap that desperately needs to be filled in Missouri, Goellner said. The ombudsman office would be funded outside the regular budget of the department, but the potential for savings is large, she said. Prison medical, mental health and substance abuse services are listed among the issues the new oversight program would monitor. The legislation also directs the program to review sanitation, nutrition, living conditions including temperatures, violence, abuse, threats, neglect, civil rights and access to visits and communication with family. The ombudsman would inspect each facility at least once a year and report on the findings. An annual report would summarize the outcome of investigations and inspections, and provide data on deaths, physical and sexual assaults, lockdowns, staffing and pending or settled legal actions against the department. This isnt a case of creating more bureaucracy, Goellner said. This is a case where the state has a massive bureaucracy that impacts tens of thousands of people, and it needs more attention and care paid to it. The oversight responsibilities would not replace the departments internal systems, Lucas said. But internal reviews and investigations should not be accepted as final, he added. Just as a general rule, not just corrections, just as a general rule, I dont put much stock in internal investigations, Lucas said. Empower Missouri, a social justice advocacy group founded in 1901, tracks legal settlements and jury awards from lawsuits filed against the department. Since the start of 2020, its figures show, the state has paid out about $70 million in 139 lawsuits, including $51 million toward a $100 million settlement of correction officer claims they were not credited with work time for pre- and post-shift activities required for their jobs. The sheer volume of lawsuits and payouts shows that their internal system isnt working and that an independent oversight body is really needed, said Mallory Rusch, Empower Missouris executive director. The departments appropriation for the current fiscal year is $971 million, with $884 million from general revenue. Better oversight of prisons has multiple advantages, Rusch said. Its about so much more than just protecting people who are detained in these facilities, she said. Its about protecting staff in the facilities. Its about protecting contractors who work in the facilities. And at the end of the day, its about making sure that we are spending our taxpayer dollars in a reasonable way. The Empower Missouri list does not include $60,000 awarded for attorney fees in a Sunshine Law violation case to the mother of an inmate who hanged himself in his cell at the Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston. And the prospect of an even larger award looms in that case, where the department is being sued for wrongful death. Wrongful death and civil rights lawsuits in the recent deaths of two other prisoners tied to the actions of corrections officers are also pending. The entire reason for an independent oversight body is to catch problems before they bloom to the stage where they become fodder for lawsuits, and also just help to identify where you have bad actors in the system, Rusch said. The ombudsmans office and oversight committee should be independent of, but not in opposition to, the department administration, Goellner said. The ombuds office in many states works very, very closely with the corrections department, and theyre able to actually often prevent issues before they get bigger, so that they dont become lawsuits, so that it doesnt become irreparable harm, she said. The 24,000 inmates and 10,000 employees, plus their networks of family and friends, make conditions in the department a personal issue for many, Goellner said. And how conditions impact those populations is a public safety issue. What happens in there ripples out into the lives of the correctional officers who work there and into the lives of the 90% of incarcerated people who will get out one day, she said. Director selection The bills filed by Allen and Lucas would put additional steps into the selection of the department director, who is currently chosen by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Thirty days before the governor selects a director, the names and email addresses of the applicants would have to be made public. Following the appointment, a hearing with public comment would be required. Trevor Foley, acting director of the Department of Corrections (photo submitted). When a new chief administrator is needed for a department facility, the director would hold a meeting of facility staff and employee association representatives where potential candidates would be excluded. The director shall accept comments and input on the suitability of any candidate for the position of chief administrative officer and shall take into consideration such input when making an appointment decision the bills state. Trevor Foley was appointed acting director in October 2023 and is Gov. Mike Kehoes choice for the job. No date has been set for a confirmation hearing before the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee. The committee should explore Foleys views on how to balance the punishment side of corrections with better conditions for staff and incarcerated people, Lucas said. I want to know about I dont know how you would phrase questions that determines their level of compassion, or their strict adherence to justice, Lucas said. You know, theres got to be a balance. Foley was previously Senate Appropriations staff director and budget officer for the department before the resignation of Anne Precythe, appointed as corrections director by former Gov. Eric Greitens. The change of leadership has made a positive difference in her relationship with the department, Collins said. Precythe wouldnt communicate and made visiting prisons difficult, she said, while Foley is encouraging it. Trevors like, go, go, and if you have any issues, call me, and so I dont believe that the department has an issue with us doing oversight, Collins said. With bipartisan support, the time is ripe for the oversight bill, Allen said. Both sides recognize this and both sides want to do something about it, he said. This is our opportunity. Especially in a non-election year, this is the time to get this done. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Its official: Donald Trump is the new President of the United States and is already busy signing dozens of executive orders that will change the countrys fabric. While Trump was suppose to be the main on Monday, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stole the show during his speech at the Presidential inauguration. While nothing he said seemed to stick, his hand gesture that looked similar to a Nazi salute went viral on social media, leading to some frustrated and disheartened reactions from both Black and White people online. Musk responded to the controversy online, writing on X Monday evening, Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is soooo tired. Even the Anti-Defamation League shockingly dismissed Musks gesture, writing in a statement, This is a delicate moment. Its a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They continued, It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge. In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. This is a new beginning. Lets hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead. Reactions from Black Folks Naturally, many Black people were surprised and disgusted by Musks salute and feared it represented bigotry, discrimination, and racism would be openly accepted in Trumps government. One person wrote on X, Elon musk doing the a nazi salute on stage in front cameras two seconds into trumps presidency because he knows theyll be no repercussions because hes basically bought the American government just WOW. Elon Musk did a Nahtzee Salute twice at Trumps inauguration pic.twitter.com/abyR2UJWrs AdviceFromLouis (@AdviceFromLouis) January 20, 2025 tiktok-7462144404652838186 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement tiktok-7462144890718244114 Reactions from White Folks Black people werent the only ones who were shocked by Musks hand gesture. Many white Americans were just as angered about the billionaires saluteand werent afraid to share their thoughts online. One user wrote on X, trump admitting to voter fraud and elon musk doing a nazi salute on stage but nobody cares. people are willingly turning towards fascism. Another person added, the two things that convince me that this is a Nazi salute are: 1. Its exactly like a Nazi salute 2. Elon Musk is a bit of a Nazi. tiktok-7462138184860831018 tiktok-7462210319553858862 tiktok-7462119397071555870 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Was Musk simply doing this to rile up American citizens, or is it a sign that the United States is being run and funded by people who believe in bigotry and racism? Time will tell. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Jan. 20LIMA The 30th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast on Monday morning urged attendees to "be the change" by highlighting the accomplishments of Black people and encouraging the youth to get involved. The speaker of the event was Lima native Angela Davis, an alumnus of Perry schools and Central State University, a historically Black university. She has been a corporate sales executive in Dayton for more than 25 years and has served on multiple boards and committees. Davis said she was part of the change at her church when she and her daughter addressed the problem of fewer teenagers coming to the church. There were two teenagers attending the church in the beginning, and by the end of the year, there were more than 35. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You are never too young to be a part of that change," Davis said. "Knowing your history can inspire you to be that change. And adults, it is our responsibility to make sure that our young people know the history, so they know they have the power to be that change because, unfortunately, we can't rely on our school systems. We already know our schools are a battleground for history right now." The annual breakfast was sponsored by Sisters In Service Foundation, in partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Sigma Mu Omega Chapter. It was held at Veterans Memorial Civic Center in downtown Lima. Davis relayed a memory that stuck with her of being in history class as an eighth-grader at Perry, and her history teacher said slaves were better off not running away from captivity because they had food and shelter. "Don't allow the narratives created by others to tell you what's important to you. Don't let them lull you into complacency or hopelessness and built-up anger. It's OK to be angry, but use your anger to activate you and go be the change," Davis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She listed Black accomplishments such as the invention of the potato chip, home security system and the modern-day microphone as well as the first successful open heart surgery. Locally, Davis said a Black woman from Lima founded a Black college in Detroit. She also mentioned the achievements of the first Black teacher in Lima schools, the first Black councilman and current Mayor Sharetta Smith, the first woman and Black mayor. Davis said they were "the change that paved the way." "We have to boldly and loudly and unapologetically highlight the accomplishments of African-Americans because there are those in power right now who think that DEI diversity, equity, inclusion means that Black folks just sit back waiting for undeserved handouts because they don't know or they choose to ignore the true history of this country," Davis said. "Everyone that's standing beside you ain't necessarily standing with you," she added. In a proclamation declaring Jan. 20 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Lima, Smith encouraged residents "to continue Dr. King's unfinished work by advancing the causes of opportunity, equitable access to good jobs, decent housing, quality education and equal justice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith added, "It is our task to live out Dr. King's message that human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle, the tireless and passionate concern of dedicated individuals as well." Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451. Featured Local Savings Rock Islands MLK Center celebrated the holiday and 50 years since the center first opened. Mondays ceremony featured scholarship presentations, spoken word performances, music from a Quad Cities gospel group, a keynote speech as well as a question and answer session with a woman who was one of the Little Rock Nine. They were the first African American students to attend Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, following the Brown v. Board of Education decision that ended segregation in public schools. The MLK Centers executive director says her courage cant be overstated. Im completely overwhelmed by the fact that I got to sit next to, speak with, interact with a living embodiment of our civil rights movement, said Jerry Jones, the MLK Centers executive director. She herself recognized that she had nothing particularly special, but a desire for equity, for equality, to be treated like a human being. That just says to me that theres a hero in each of us. That theres a heroine in all of us, and we can aspire to greatness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MLK Center will hold an open house to celebrate its 50th anniversary on March 21st. Copyright 2025 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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. A massive 70-member choir belted out Hallelujah at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day service Monday at his former congregation in Atlanta, followed by a stern message from his youngest daughter warning against anti-woke rhetoric. The service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta was among the most prominent commemorations of King that played out across the country Monday. At the front of the churchs stage, seven people held large signs proclaiming JUSTICE, FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY. We are living in a time when anti-woke rhetoric has become a weapon to divide us and distract us from the real issues of injustice, Kings daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, said. To be woke is to be aware of oppression and commitment to justice. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The MLK holiday was half of the nations double-duty Monday: the inauguration of Donald Trump, who heads back to the White House, created mixed feelings on Kings day for civil rights leaders who have opposed Trumps rhetoric and stances on race and civil rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The keynote speaker at Ebenezer then made a reference to Trump, saying he had heard that somebody had won a mandate. I dont care who you are, if you win 60% of the vote, you never win a mandate to violate justice, said Bishop William Barber II, co-chair of the Poor Peoples Campaign. You never win a mandate to hurt people. But in Washington, in a speech after taking the oath of office, Trump noted the significance of the King holiday. In his honor, we will strive together to make his dream a reality, Trump said. RELATED STORIES Ebenezer is where King was baptized as a child and ordained at 19 years old. He became the congregations co-pastor in 1960 alongside his father, Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. He remained in that role until his death, and his funeral was held at the church. The church is now part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park & Preservation District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday marks the third time in the nearly 40 years since the federal King holiday became law that it coincides with a presidential inauguration. Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama also were sworn in for their second terms on the holiday. MLK Day lands on the third Monday of January close to Kings Jan. 15 birthday. King himself worried the legal protections he dedicated his life to realizing would not be followed by greater anti-discrimination efforts or social programs. The celebrated Black civil rights leader proposed it would take white Americans embracing a deeper kinship with Black Americans and engaging in economic and social solidarity to see change. There was a heavy security presence outside the Atlanta church, where more than two dozen police officers from across metro Atlanta stood guard with all-terrain vehicles, police motorcycles and suburban utility vehicles. Streets in the immediate vicinity of the historic church were blocked to vehicle traffic. Lonnie J. Edwards of Stone Mountain, Georgia, has been attending the annual service for 15 to 20 years. He always finds it refreshing that the movement King led is still alive, and he said he enjoys sharing the kind of philosophy and the image that Dr. King had not just for Atlanta but for America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liccy Arias, 21, a recent Geogia State Univeristy alumnus, was among a large group of Georgia State students and faculty members at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Her visit was part of the day of service the Atlanta-based school has on the holiday. Helping out makes my heart very, very full, she said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] In frigid Columbia, South Carolina, an MLK Day rally at the Statehouse entered its 25th year, featuring a smaller crowd, and some trepidation mixed in about the change of power occurring in Washington. The South Carolina event started in 2000 when tens of thousands poured in to demand the Confederate flag be taken down from the Capitol dome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2013, the rally paused so thousands on hand could watch Obama, the nations first Black president, take the oath of office for a second time on big screens. On Monday, there was no mention of the 2025 inauguration. College student Michael Parker thought about how King endured through all kinds of racism and hate, confident he would make the world a better place. That was the attitude he was taking Monday. Theres still work to be done, Parker said. Progress hasnt gone steady through the generations. We need to keep working on Dr. Kings dream. King was shot in Memphis, Tennessee, while standing on the balcony of the old Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968. The civil rights leader had been in the city to support a sanitation workers strike. The motel has been turned into the National Civil Rights Museum, which was providing free admission and offering extended hours to visitors Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The museum also scheduled musical performances, food and blood donation drives, and a livestreamed presentation that will explore Kings leadership and his relevance to present day social justice movements. ___ Collins reported from Columbia, South Carolina. Adrian Sainz contributed from Memphis, Tennessee; Jonathan Mattise, from Nashville, Tennessee; and Bruce Shipkowski, from Toms River, New Jersey. Faith, immigrant and labor leaders across Michigan rallied Monday with celebrations of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which fell this year on the same day that President Donald Trump was inaugurated. Some criticized Trump, contrasting his message with the vision of the late civil rights leader. They gathered in churches, community centers and a plaza to talk about the future of democracy at a time of transition, expressing concerns about how the Trump administration may affect their lives. The Detroit NAACP held an MLK Day event at Denise Wellons-Glover Welcome Center at the northwest campus of Wayne County Community College that included a viewing of Trump's inauguration ceremony and conversations on moving King's dream forward. The message in Detroit was one of resistance and urging people to fight in coming years. Trump won Michigan, but received only eight percent of the vote in Detroit. Immigrants and their supporters rally against deportations, at Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on January 20, 2025, the day of President Donald Trump's inauguration. Trump announced several new programs cracking down on some immigration. "Mis-Using the Dream To Create a Nightmare," was the title of the NAACP event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Donald Trump is going to turn back the clock" on labor issues, UAW Region 1A Director Laura Dickerson said at the livestreamed Detroit NAACP event. "We have to make sure we're ready for the fight. Is everybody ready for the fight?" Dickerson voiced concern about "racist rhetoric," saying "our country has been bought by Elon Musk." A Detroit pastor who spoke at Trump's inauguration and supported his candidacy, Lorenzo Sewell, offered a differing vision, quoting from King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. During his inaugural address, Trump said: To the Black and Hispanic communities, I want to thank you for the tremendous outpouring of love and trust that you have shown me with your vote. We set records and I will not forget it. Ive heard your voices in the campaign, and I look forward to working with you in the years to come." Another Michigan cleric who had been listed previously on a program to speak, Imam Husham Al-Husainy, did not deliver a benediction at Trump's inauguration and was not seen. A new program posted Monday on X by reporters and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, did not list Al-Husainy, who could not be reached for comment Monday. The NAACP event in Detroit featured Black, Latino, Arab American and Muslim leaders. Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi, the religious leaders of the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights, delivered an opening prayer, asking God: "Please make us ambassadors of peace, love and justice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A separate MLK Day event was held Monday by Michigan United, a liberal advocacy group, at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, titled "Will Democracy Live Again? MLK Day Event Confronts Americas Crossroads." Christian, Jewish and community leaders spoke in the church, noting the constitutional rights of Americans. John Duckworth, second vice president of The Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, spoke at the livestreamed event about the importance of the right to assembly. "If you're entering a state of dictatorship, the last thing a dictator wants is our position," Duckworth told the crowd assembled in the Detroit church. "So we must remember the importance of gathering together ... whether it be a protest, a planned meeting, labor organizing, union organizing. ... The only way we will ever be defeated is if we fail to assemble together, to understand that I need you, and you need me. We are not a bunch of independents; we are a bunch of interdependents." Monica Lewis-Patrick, president and CEO of We The People of Detroit, speaks at the Good Pitch Local Detroit conference in Eastern Market, Detroit, on July 17, 2018. Monica Lewis-Patrick, a longtime activist with We The People Detroit, addressed the issue of fear, saying that some groups are now trying to quiet down and accommodate themselves to powerful leaders instead of standing up to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You need to be courageous enough to confront authority," Lewis-Patrick said. "I need you to have some courage. ... Some of you are going to get scared in the next couple of years. Some of you all are already scared now." Patrick, who often speaks on water access issues in Detroit, also criticized Democratic leaders in her remarks, saying they sometimes take for granted community support. Immigrant rights was also an issue raised at some events in Michigan, as Trump announced several new programs to block some immigrants at the southern border, end refugee programs and deport millions of people. Cosecha Michigan held a protest as snow fell at Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids, holding up banners that read "No Deportations" and "Immigrants are not criminals." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They walked around Grand Rapids to the beat of a drum, chanting: "The people united will never be defeated," a livestream showed. The group said it walked to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office and posted copies of what it called a declaration of resistance in English and Spanish on its door. They said they then went to a crosswalk and briefly disrupted traffic while chanting in support of immigrant rights. "Jesus experienced the difficulties of migration from birth," Pastor Ricardo Angarita of United Methodist Church La Nueva Esperanza, said at the rally, according to a release from Cosecha. "He and his family faced the horrors of discrimination and displacement and the sacrifices of immigrants. Perhaps that is why Jesus always showed us that God cares for and loves all nations and immigrants, seeking peace and protection for them. Activist groups had planned a similar protest for Monday afternoon outside federal immigration offices in downtown Detroit, but it was canceled because of the cold weather, said the Huntington Woods Peace Group. Elder Leslie Matthews, of Triumphant Life Christian Church in Highland Park, who helped organize the event at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, said "it became quite evident that we are going to have to fight" in coming years. She expressed concern about Project 2025 and attacks against the Department of Education that were sometimes made by Trump during the campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthews said if Harris won, they were planning more of a celebratory MLK Day event, but now, it's more of a "day of mourning." Detroit Free Press photographer Ryan Garza contributed to this report. Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan activists, clergy mark MLK Day as Donald Trump inaugurated PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) AmeriCorps members and volunteers took some time Monday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by helping people in need. As part of the annual MLK Day of Service, the volunteers set out to prepare 20,000 meal kits, which will be distributed through community organizations in Providence. Dr. Martin Luther Kings legacy is all about service, uniting people for the common good, and today were doing that through food insecurity and making sure that more people have access to food, said Amanda Forget from AmeriCorps RI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: URI honors MLKs legacy through Talent Development Program The packaged meals included cinnamon raisin oatmeal and nutrient-enriched macaroni and cheese. The event was organized by ServeRI and the R.I. Department of Education through a partnership with Farm Fresh Rhode Island. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) For decades, marches to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have taken place across the country. On Monday, hundreds of Dayton leaders and residents alike braved the near-zero-degree temperatures to gather at the Charles Drew Center to continue MLKs fight. Due to the extreme weather, some nearby cities such as Columbus canceled their march, but Dayton Mayor Jeffery Mims said the sacrifice was worth it to honor King. MLK Jr.s daughter: Wonderful Trump being inaugurated on day celebrating father Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the people here who braved the cold weather today, the support in the city was more important than the cold weather, said Mims. All the citizens that we have received are very important, especially our young people, because they are our future. You see the young people who are out here walking as well. Bringing the youth out was an important part of the day. Community activist Dazja Demmings has been coming to the march for years. For her, its a life-long tradition she hopes to share with students throughout the Miami Valley. My family always made sure I was involved, said Demmings. As I got older, I always made sure to stay involved and I was able to bring other people with me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the organizations that came out to show their support were several Black fraternities and sororities, as well as those dedicated to civil rights. We need to continue to march to the beat of those drums to ensure that every citizen, every American citizen, has a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, said Dayton NAACP President Dr. Derrick Foward. In addition to Mondays march, there were several other events to honor MLK this weekend, including a breakfast on Friday at Mt. Enon Baptist Church, a youth concert Sunday at Shiloh Baptist Church, and a banquet Monday evening at the Dayton Arcade. No matter how frigid it was going to be today, we were going to make certain that we continue to uplift and carry on the banner that MLK carried on back in the sixties, said Foward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WDTN.com. MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) Mobile County Health officials advise residents to take precautions as the National Weather Service predicts bitter cold conditions through Wednesday. Gulf Coast Freeze: School closings, schedule changes Health officials provided tips to ensure people stay safe in the cold. Stay indoors if possible and use safe heating sources Beware of the fire dangers from space heaters and candles, and keep heating devices away from flammable materials. Dress for the temperatures before going outdoors Drink plenty of non-alcoholic beverages Dont forget about pets According to an MCHD news release, the precautions are necessary because serious health conditions can result from prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forecast shows it will be much colder than usual, MCHD Health Officer Dr. Kevin Michaels said. My main concern is frostbite. Be sure to cover all exposed skin from the wind. This includes your ears, nose, face, and fingers. Try to dress in as many layers as possible. Gulf Coast Freeze: Office closures, meeting cancellations and service changes Those who do not have a place to stay warm can visit cold-weather shelters. For more information on the weather forecast, visit WKRG.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. [Watch in the player above: The definitions of homicide, murder and manslaughter] RAVENNA, Ohio (WJW) A Portage County man charged with stabbing his wife to death on Valentines Day in 2022 has pleaded guilty to an amended charge of involuntary manslaughter, court records show. Donald R. Small Jr., 62, of Mogadore, was indicted on two counts each of murder and felonious assault in the fatal stabbing of Barbara Small on Feb. 14, 2022, court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Devastated beyond words: 2-year-old boy dies after unexplained episode at preschool On Jan. 13, he pleaded guilty to the amended first-degree felony count of involuntary manslaughter, a court filing shows. Prosecutors dismissed his other charges. Portage County sheriffs deputies on Feb. 14, 2022, responded to the scene along Winterhaven Drive in Suffield Township, FOX 8 News previously reported. There, they found Barbara Small dead, with several stab wounds. Donald Small was arrested, interviewed and later charged with murder. Instacart driver shot while dropping off groceries He now faces three to 11 years in prison and two to five years of post-release control on the involuntary manslaughter charge, the filing shows. If he violates that probation, hell face more than 16 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If convicted on a murder charge, he could have faced a sentence of at least 15 years to life, under state statute. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A vigil has been held to honor the life of Jennaleah Jenna Hin, the 17-year-old girl who was found dead by suicide in a Nevada desert after she disappeared following an argument with her family. The candlelight vigil was held the night of Saturday, Jan. 11, in Henderson, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal and NBC affiliate KSNV. The city previously said Jenna, a senior at Foothill High School, was found dead on Sunday, Jan. 5, nearly one week after she was reported missing on Monday, Dec. 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennas body was found in the desert area 100 yards from where the vigil was held, according to the paper. Related: Families of 3 Men Mysteriously Found Dead in Friend's Yard After Chiefs Game Believe 'Facts Don't Add Up' Police said Jenna had gotten into an argument with her family about her relationship with her boyfriend and left her home, according to the Review-Journal. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Jennifer Swanson, Jennas mother, asked the dozens of attendees at the vigil to continue praying for her family in the wake of the tragedy, KSNV reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't think we will ever recover as our home is broken without her," Swanson said, per the station. "She was on her way to success with her career but unfortunately she had deeper thoughts that I never knew." Facebook Jenneleah Hin, 17. Jenneleah Hin, 17. Swanson told the crowd her late daughter was on her way to success." But unfortunately, there were things deeper thoughts she had that I never knew about, Swanson said. You never know how much a child is hurting, she shared, adding, I dont think we could ever recover because our home is broken without her. Related: Missing Alabama Man Was Last Seen Leaving Liquor Store Over 1 Month Ago. Police Say He Wasn't Alone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hina Hin, Jennas father, remembered Jenna as a loving soul who simply wanted to be loved in a message shared on a GoFundMe campaign started to support Jennas family members following the tragedy. "She had the potential to live a beautiful, long and happy life, Hina wrote. She loved animals, especially her dogs. Jenna was truly a wonderful person, both in heart and in spirit. She will be deeply missed, and her memory will forever live on in our hearts." An investigation into Jennas death is ongoing. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org. Read the original article on People SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Today marks Utahs coldest day of this winter season so far, with frigid temperatures and wind chill creating dangerous overnight conditions across the state. Early Monday morning, Jan. 20, temperatures reached single digits and teens along the Wasatch Front with wind chill dropping below zero in the mountain valleys. With the cold air in place, overnight lows will become dangerously cold across the state. While the air eventually warmed up to low-twenties, ABC4 Meteorologist Nate Larsen said temperatures will likely return to single digits Monday night with below zero wind chill across the Wasatch Front. He said the cold air is expected to stick around into Tuesday morning, with warmer temperatures forecasted later this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Larsen said exposed skin can get frostbite in less than 30 minutes in these conditions. He recommended parents bundle their children in extra winter clothes before they head to the bus stop tomorrow morning. The frigid temperatures are particularly dangerous for those without shelter. A Code Blue Alert is in place across the state, which is triggered when temperatures drop below 18 degrees for two hours or more, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. DHHS report: Homeless mortality is 10x higher than average population The alert allows shelters to expand their maximum capacity limit by 35% and permits government and nonprofit buildings to be used as additional temporary shelters to get people off the streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a Code Blue Alert in place, authorities can still enforce camping laws but cannot seize any personal items for survival, such as blankets and tents. Shelters also are barred from refusing entry to anyone seeking shelter unless they are at full capacity. Fourth Street Clinic is an organization that focuses on helping homeless Utahns with their health. CEO Janida Emerson told ABC4 that frostbite is a serious health concern that can lead to long-term damage or loss of life. No one should have to choose between freezing temperatures sleeping outdoors and finding safety. Expanding homeless shelters during extreme cold saves lives and reflects the humanity of a caring community, Emerson said. Emerson listed several warning signs for frostbite, including numbness or tingling, severe pain with warming, fluid-filled blisters, and pale, gray or black skin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit End Utah Homelessness said hypothermia is also a dangerous condition to be aware of during freezing temperatures. It said symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, confusion, memory loss, drowsiness, and slurred speech. For both frostbite and hypothermia, getting to a warm space is critical for treatment. To see a list of resources, visit the End Utah Homelessness website. To volunteer with Code Blue response efforts, sign up using Salt Lake Countys online form. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The Montana State Capitol in Helena on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (Photo by Mike Clark for the Daily Montanan) When Erin Hochs son was diagnosed with a rare disease, she was sent home with a car full of new medical equipment and the challenges of living a medically complex life. It took five years for her to find support, to find a group of people who had similar experiences. It didnt have to be this way, Hoch said. Caregiver burnout is a very real thing, and it trickles down to the care of the child and the quality of life of everyone involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We werent meant to navigate things like this alone. Earlier this month, Hoch shared her story with the House Human Services Committee in support of House Bill 76, to certify family peer support specialists. Family peer support specialists are caregivers of children and youth with significant physical, developmental or behavioral needs who gain certification to provide guidance to caregivers in a similar situation. The bill is one of a couple of pieces of legislation sponsored by Rep. SJ Howell, D-Missoula, designed to strengthen families in Montana. Both HB 76 and House Bill 77, which aims to provide consistency across jurisdictions in child abuse and neglect cases and transparency for families, passed the House last week after sailing through committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If HB 76 passes the Senate and becomes law, Hoch said it would allow her to help people struggling in the same way she did. I could be who I needed back then to someone else now, Hoch said. At a committee hearing, supporters of the program argued it would give organizations confidence to bring peer support specialists on board as part of, for example, a medical care team at a hospital. They said certification, through the Board of Behavioral Health, will yield better outcomes for children, alleviate workforce shortages, and save money in medical care. Howell, who said the idea came out of an interim committee, said peer support is working in 28 other states as of 2020, and the money up front, which has been paid from grants, really shows a big return on investment over the long haul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These kids are getting improved quality of care, improved health outcomes, improved family life, Howell said. We are having healthier kids who are able to stay in the family home, stay in school, and really be set up for success in adulthood. To help children and youth, peer supporters may work in hospitals, emergency rooms, pediatric clinics, residential and foster care settings, juvenile courts, and other areas, Howell said. In response to a question from Rep. Ed Buttrey, R-Great Falls, Howell said certification is one step toward Medicaid reimbursement, but reimbursement is not part of HB 76, nor is a mandate for private insurance. We could come back next session and talk about Medicaid reimbursement if we wanted to, Howell said. But as of right now, there are no changes to reimbursement structures in the bill as written. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2023 Montana Legislature approved $300 million for behavioral health and developmental disabilities, and last summer, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced $700,000 out of that fund toward grants for peer support services, as recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission. At the hearing, Beth Ayers, with Montanas Peer Network and a family peer supporter under an earlier grant, said the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services deemed family peer support an evidence-based practice in 2007. In Montana, a survey of families who received help from peer supporters showed 92% felt the quality of their family life had improved, and 86% believed the quality of their childs care had improved, Ayers said. Part of the idea is that peer supporters receive training in things like patient privacy and suicide prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ayers said every peer support interaction with a family saves $132.60, and every full-time peer supporter working with families translates into a savings for Medicaid of $92,902.12 annually. Parents dont have to turn to the emergency rooms or call the police as their only plan in event of a crisis, Ayers said. Rep. Zooey Zephyr, D-Missoula, wanted to know how the cost savings were estimated. Ayers said surveys asked family members who they would talk to or which services they would use had they not had a peer supporter, and the savings represent the difference in cost. Also, Ayers said, of the families served, 81% were on Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrick Yawakie, representing the Blackfeet Nation and Rocky Boys Indian Reservation, said the program will provide a greater chance of success for Native American children, who sometimes turn to drugs and alcohol instead. In support of the bill, Matt Kuntz, with the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Montana, said sometimes, a family member can help another family member because theyve seen it all before. We dont have very many licensed clinicians, so its really important for us to not have licensed clinicians doing things that somebody else can do, Kuntz said. Representatives from the Montana Primary Care Association and Behavioral Health Alliance of Montana also expressed support for the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (At the hearing, just one opponent spoke, but appeared to be expressing disapproval of a different piece of legislation, and the chair redirected him.) The committee also heard HB 77, to ensure consistency in child abuse and neglect investigations by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. An administrator for DPHHS spoke in support of the bill. Friday on the House floor, HB 76 passed with 69-29, and HB 77 passed 98-0 on third and final reading. Two men were arrested on suspicion of operating a cockfighting ring involving more than 200 roosters in Southern California, authorities announced Monday. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputies from the Yucaipa Station were dispatched around 10:02 a.m. Sunday to an illegal cockfighting ring on Avenue E in Yucaipa, according to the sheriffs department. When deputies arrived, about 50 vehicles were at the address and most of them tried to drive away. One of the drivers accelerated toward a patrol unit when deputies tried to stop the vehicle. The deputy dodged the car and tried to initiate a traffic stop, which led to a police pursuit, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vehicle stopped near 16th Street and Yucaipa Boulevard, where a driver and three others were taken into custody, according to authorities. Six roosters were found in the cargo of the car and the driver, Jose Adame, was arrested on assault charges. Read more: Burned and anxious pets fill Pasadena shelter after Eaton fire Thirty-three spectators at the cockfight were detained and about 250 roosters were discovered, along with a fighting ring, a scoreboard and steel talons, according to officials. A person, later identified as Carlos Romero, was found hiding inside a truck with seven roosters in it. Authorities detained him and found a large amount of money and a Ruger semiautomatic handgun inside the vehicle. He was arrested on charges of weapons possession and cruelty to animals. The San Bernardino County Rural Task Force then executed a search warrant on the property and found steel talons and about two dozen firearms. The Yucaipa City Code Enforcement team red-tagged several buildings, including a trailer, on the property. San Bernardino County Animal Control found 17 dead roosters and eight live roosters and tagged 61 roosters in boxes. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A bartender climbing through the Senate gallery with stolen "zip tie-style handcuffs." A father and son breaking through a police line outside the Capitol. A man standing in an overtaken Senate chamber, invoking the name of Jesus. These people and others with Tennessee ties were initially convicted of crimes and sentenced to as long as 90 months in prison. Now, they've all been pardoned. In one of his first actions during his second term, President Donald Trump on Monday, the day of his inauguration, granted a "full, complete and unconditional pardon" to nearly every one of the thousands of people who had been criminally charged for participating in the 2021 U.S. Capitol attack, ending their sentences and dropping their criminal convictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's executive order granting the pardons does not specifically name the people it applies to but instead says it applies to anyone convicted of an offense "related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021." Trump also commuted the sentences of 14 others to time served, meaning they will also be released from prison but their convictions will remain. At least 34 people with Tennessee connections had been prosecuted in connection with their actions on Jan. 6, 2021, and stand to have their records cleared and sentences end as a result of the pardons. Read about their cases below. Michael Asbury : Asbury, of Knoxville, just last summer had been sentenced to four months in prison and two years of supervised release on a felony charge of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder he had pleaded guilty to. The U.S. Department of Justice reported that Asbury participated in a push against the police line at the Lower West Terrace Tunnel at the Capitol. Matthew Baggott : Baggott, of Woodbury, Tennessee, was sentenced in 2022 to three months in prison and one year of supervised release. Baggott had pleaded guilty to one count of disruptive and disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds. He was seen inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Travis Bartow : Bartow was arrested in 2022 in Nashville, and in 2023, he and his sister Katelyn Bartow, of the Albany, New York area, pleaded guilty to one count of parading, demonstrating and picketing in a U.S. Capitol building. He was sentenced to 12 months probation with the first two months served in home confinement. Matthew Bledsoe : Bledsoe, formerly of Cordova in Shelby County, was sentenced in 2022 to two years in prison on the felony charge of obstruction of an official proceeding and four misdemeanor charges. The DOJ said Bledsoe scaled a wall at the Upper Northwest Terrace and entered through a fire door, remaining inside for 22 minutes. Nicholas James Brockhoff : Brockhoff pleaded guilty in 2022 to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers with a dangerous weapon. He was sentenced in 2023 to three years in prison, three years of supervised release and $2,700 in restitution. He was arrested in Tennessee and accused of spraying officers who were attempting to control the crowd at the lower west terrace with a fire extinguisher. James Wayne Brooks : Brooks, of Knoxville, pleaded guilty in 2022 to entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. He was sentenced in November 2022 to 12 months probation. Francis Connor : Connor, of New York, was arrested in Old Hickory in August 2021 and pleaded guilty in 2022 to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. He was sentenced to 12 months of probation, including three months of home confinement. In one message released by the FBI in charging documents, Connor asked for someone to send a video of him jumping out of a window. Christopher Michael Cunningham : Cunningham, of Nashville, was sentenced in June 2022 to 12 months of probation, including 3 months of home detention, after pleading guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Lisa Eisenhart : The mother of the so-called "Zip Tie Guy," Eisenhart was found guilty on all charges against her at trial with her son. Eisenhart, of Woodstock, Georgia, was convicted of the felony charges of conspiracy to commit obstruction and obstruction of an official proceeding, as well as misdemeanor charges, and sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release. Andrew Galloway : Arrested in Nashville in January 2022, Galloway pleaded guilty two months later to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. He was sentenced in November to 30 days of incarceration. Bart Gore : Gore, of Dandridge in Jefferson County, Tennessee, was arrested in December 2023 and charged with felony offense of obstruction of an official proceeding and four misdemeanor offenses related to entering a U.S. Capitol building. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and had not yet gone to trial before the pardon was granted. According to the DOJ, after the Capitol breach, Gore sent messages stating, "I wasn't satisfied. I would've been satisfied if they had brought Nancy's (Pelosi) head out on a stick". Jack Jesse Griffith : Griffith, of Gallatin, was sentenced in October 2021 to three years of probation, including 90 days of home detention. In July 2021, he pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing inside the Capitol. Albuquerque Cosper Head : Head, of Kingsport, was sentenced in 2022 to 90 months in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting a law enforcement officer during the Capitol breach. Head, during a push against a police line in the Capitol, wrapped his arm around a police officer's neck and pulled him into the crowd of rioters, yelling, "I got one," according to the DOJ. Chad Hedgcock : Hedgcock, of Cleveland, Tennessee, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, picketing or demonstrating in a Capitol building, two of the four misdemeanor charges against him. Joshua Lee Hernandez : Hernandez was sentenced in 2023 to two years in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting law enforcement officers and interfering with officers during a civil disorder. The DOJ states Hernandez traveled from Memphis to the Capitol on the day of the riot and entered the building through a window. He joined in a group push against a police line at the East Rotunda, according to the DOJ. Bryan Wayne Ivey : Ivey, of Crossville, was sentenced in March 2022 to three years probation, including two months of home detention, after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing inside Capitol grounds. Allan Jennings : Jennings, of Hillsboro, pleaded guilty in June 2024 to the felony charge of civil disorder and misdemeanor destruction of government property and was later sentenced to 12 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, the Tullahoma News reported. According to the DOJ, Jennings was one of the first people to pursue police officers in a tunnel leading to the Capitol and then broke a glass door that the mob of people could push through. Edward Kelley : Kelley, of Maryville, in November was convicted after a bench trial of three felonies, including civil disorder, destruction of government property and assaulting an officer, as well as eight misdemeanor offenses for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. But Kelley faced harsher penalties for what he did after: According to the DOJ, he developed a plan to murder law enforcement, including FBI agents and employees, while awaiting trial for his actions on Jan. 6. He was convicted later in November after a three-day trial of conspiracy to murder federal employees, solicitation to commit a crime of violence and influencing a federal official by a threat. He faced a maximum sentence of life in prison. It is not immediately clear, based on the language of Trump's pardon, if those charges will be dropped. Ronald Colton McAbee : McAbee, of Unionville, was sentenced in February 2024 to 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $32,165 in restitution. He had been convicted at trial of five felony charges, including assaulting an officer. The DOJ said McAbee took work off as a Williamson County sheriff's deputy to attend the insurrection, where he wore brass knuckles and fought a police officer in the Capitol, who was later hospitalized. Cleveland Grover Meredith : Meredith, a University of the South graduate, pleaded guilty to one charge of interstate threats and was sentenced in 2021 to 28 months in prison, with credit for time served, to be followed by 36 months of supervised probation. Although he arrived in Washington after the Capitol breach had ended, according to the DOJ, Meredith texted a relative after the riot threatening Pelosi. Officers found an assault-style rifle and about 2,500 rounds of ammunition in his vehicle. Clifford James Meteer : Meteer, of Knoxville, pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building and was sentenced in April 2022 to 60 days in jail, followed by 36 months of probation. He sent friends private Facebook messages such as "I was in the capital ;)" and, "I was one of those idiots scaling the wall ;)." Eric Gavelek Munchel : Dubbed the "zip tie guy" after he was photographed climbing over chairs in the Senate gallery holding zip ties that prosecutors said he planned to use as makeshift handcuffs, Munchel was sentenced to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Munchel, who worked as a bartender in Nashville, was found guilty at a bench trial of all charges against him, including carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon on Capitol grounds. Joseph Lino Padilla : Padilla, of Cleveland, in September 2023 was sentenced to 78 months in prison after he was found guilty at a bench trial of ten charges, including two assaults on police officers, one of them with a deadly or dangerous weapon, the DOJ said. Padilla, a former corrections officer, broke through police lines, rallied others and hit an officer in the helmet with a flagpole he threw, according to the DOJ. Stewart Parks : Parks, who was arrested in Columbia, was sentenced in 2022 to three months in prison and 12 months of supervised release after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds. Parks was once a candidate for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District. Joshua Portlock : Portlock, of Smyrna, was sentenced in April 2024 to 20 months in prison and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to a felony charge or assaulting, resisting or impeding officers. According to the DOJ, while outside the building, Portlock picked up a large piece of plywood and pushed it into a line of officers defending the Capitol. Ronnie Bryan Presley : Presley, of Bethpage in Sumner County, pleaded guilty in 2022 to interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder. He was sentenced later that year to one year in prison and 26 months of supervised release. Photos in court documents appear to show Presley standing at a door, holding onto the top of a riot shield. Blake A. Reed : Reed, of Nashville, pleaded guilty in 2022 to entering or remaining in a restricted building and was sentenced to three years of probation, including 42 days of intermittent confinement. He was caught on video and in photos wearing ski goggles and a respirator. Michael Tyler Roberts : Roberts, of Knoxville, was sentenced in December to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the felony charge of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers. The DOJ says Roberts assaulted a line of police officers in a tunnel entrance to the Capitol. Michael Lee Roche : Roche, of Murfreesboro, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release after a March 2023 trial where he was found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and five misdemeanor charges, according to the DOJ. Roche stood behind the vice president's desk in the Senate chamber and reportedly prayed, at one point saying, Jesus Christ, we invoke your name! Amen! Ronald Sandlin : Sandlin, of Millington in Shelby County, Tennessee, had been sentenced to 63 months in prison on charges of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers. According to the DOJ, Sandlin was armed with a knife and wearing protective gear when he and a pair of others scaled a dismantled bike barricade to enter the Capitol, telling a police officer, "youre going to die, get out of the way." Michael Timbrook : Timbrook, of Cookeville, was sentenced in May 2022 to 12 months of probation with 14 days of intermittent incarceration after pleading guilty to the misdemeanor offense of parading, demonstrating and picketing in a U.S. Capitol building. When interviewed by the FBI, he told them he was "ready to take the penalty for what he did on Jan. 6." Eric Chase Torrens : Torrens, of Gallatin, was sentenced to 36 months probation with 90 days of home confinement after pleading guilty to the misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating and picketing in the Capitol. In one video posted on social media, Torrens can be seen standing immediately outside an exterior door of the Capitol as an individual later identified as Torrens shouts, Were going in! Jerry McKane Waynick : Jerry Waynick, of Charlotte, was convicted of 11 felony offenses and three misdemeanors along with his father, Mark Waynick. Jerry Waynick was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Before they entered the Capitol, Jerry Waynick took an officer's riot baton and hurled a plastic construction marker at police, according to the DOJ. Mark Waynick: The father of Jerry Waynick, Mark Waynick, also of Charlotte, was convicted of the same offenses as his son but was sentenced to 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release. While his son reached for an officer's baton at a police line, Mark Waynick swung an American flag with a metal pole at the officers. Father and son entered the House chamber's main doors and left about 35 minutes later. Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Donald Trump pardons Tennesseans convicted after Jan. 6 Capitol riots At least 66 people are dead after a 12-story ski resort hotel caught fire early Tuesday morning in Turkey, according to numerous news reports. The deadly blaze also injured at least 51 people, the Associated Press reports. The hotel, called the Grand Kartal, began burning at around 3:30 a.m. local time, Reuters reports. One eyewitness, Atakan Yelkovan, who was staying on the third story of the hotel, told local news agency IHA that guests attempted to climb out of the Grand Kartal using ropes fashioned from bed sheets. People on the upper floors were screaming. They hung down sheets ... Some tried to jump, Yelkovan said. At least two people died jumping from the hotel, according to Governor Abdulaziz Aydin, who was interviewed by the Anadolu Agency. A view of the damaged sustained during the Grand Kartal fire. Photo: Evrim Aydin/Anadolu via Getty Images Yelkovan also said that the fire alarms didnt go off and that firefighters took one hour to arrive at the scene. Witnesses and reports indicate that the Grand Kartals fire detection system didnt work as intended, according to the Associated Press. It is understood that the detection and warning systems did not work, and the escape routes could not be determined, the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) said in a statement. One ski instructor at the hotel, Necmi Kepcetutan, told NTV television that locating the fire escapes amidst the smoke was difficult, adding that he couldnt reach some of his students. He said that he hoped they are OK. Given the time of yearTurkeys two-week school break just startedhotels in the area were brimming with visitors. At the time of the fire, the Grand Kartal had 238 registered guests, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who spoke with reporters after inspecting the site. Early Tuesday morning, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc shared in a social media statement that six public prosecutors have been assigned to investigate the Grand Kartal fire. So far, four individuals, including the hotels owner, have been detained, according to Tunc. Tunc added that a panel of five experts is investigating the cause of the fire, which, as of now, hasnt been determined. I wish God's mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives in the fire disaster, patience to their families, and a speedy recovery to our injured citizens, he added. Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, declared a national day of mourning scheduled for Wednesday, with flags at government buildings across the country being lowered to half-mast. In a social media statement, he wrote that those who caused such a disaster to occur, those who were negligent and at fault, will be held accountable before the law. Related: Alterra Is Allegedly Supporting Ski Patrol Unionization at Arapahoe Basin Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the worlds best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed. Harry Dunn and Michael Fanone, Former Capitol Hill Police Officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6th when a violent mob incited by Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol, and attacked police officers and law enforcement in an effort to overturn the 2020 Election join Nicolle Wallace on Deadline White House with reaction to those who attacked those law enforcement officers being released back onto the streets of the United States by the 47th President of the United States on his second MSCS could name interim superintendent Tuesday if Feagins is fired MEMPHIS, Tenn. Later this evening, we could know if Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins will remain on the job or be given the axe by the school board. By a very slim margin, Dr. Feagins survived an ouster vote back in December. Now, new details are emerging about why some board members and educators want the school leader, who has community support and the backing of some state lawmakers to be fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Bush, the President of the Memphis Shelby County Principals Association expressed concerns back in December. As principals, we are on the frontlines and our focus remains clear to ensure that our schools have the resources, support and guidance they need to serve our students effectively, Bush said. WREG was the first to tell you that the principals association sent out a survey asking school principals who theyd like the school board to appoint as interim superintendent to finish the school year if Dr. Feagins is fired. Were now learning that 98 percent of the principals reportedly said they want Feagins contract to be terminated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MSCS board set to vote on Dr. Feagins future Tuesday However, we have encountered challenges to make this work more difficult than it needs to be, Bush said. Some board members have called Dr. Feagins tenure a pattern of failed leadership, especially for the following infractions: Student achievement and graduation issues Inadequate staffing concerns and dismantling of student support systems A pattern of mismanagement Failing to follow policy and employment contract terms Insubordination Lack of transparency This is the situation were faced with today where leadership failures have jeopardized the stability and progress of our district, MSCS school board member Natalie McKinney said. However, Dr. Feagins and her school board supporters call the allegations false, divisive and unjustified. I want to be unequivocally clear, these claims are false, Dr. Feagins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I stand firm in giving more time to Dr. Feagins, MSCS school board member Amber Huett-Garcia said. School board may name interim superintendent after Feagins vote As for the school board meeting itself, WREG has learned the boards general counsel is not expected to make a report but the board could request that its external counsel layout allegations against Dr. Feagins that some sources say are potentially damaging. According to the boards agenda, if necessary, the board could also select an interim superintendent after deciding if Dr. Feagins will keep her job. All of this as the community, educators and state lawmakers will be watching. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A yes vote to terminate my contract will not be grounded in the merit of these claims and any other, Dr. Feagins said. It will signify that this is and always has been about something else. Back in December, five of the nine school board members supported firing Dr. Feagins but board members voted to postpone the discussion until this month to allow for more deliberation and a response from the superintendent. Copyright 2025 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 WREG.com. CHICAGO Gov. JB Pritzker declared on Tuesday that "Midwestern values were under siege" as President Donald Trump began enacting sweeping federal policy changes following his return to power in the nation's capital. Pritzker, speaking to reporters following an unrelated event in Chicago, sharply criticized the Trump Administration for sowing "chaos and confusion" over potential immigration raids and for a wide range of executive actions. "What I know is that people across the United States are having their rights taken away," Pritzker said. "What I know is that vulnerable people across our country are under attack as a result of this new administration." On his first day back in office, Trump signed a flurry of executive orders. Among them, he pardoned more than 1,500 people convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol. He also withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accords and the World Health Organization. Trump also began a promised crackdown on immigration, declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and reinstituting the pandemic-era "remain in Mexico" policy that forced asylum seekers to wait south of the border while their cases worked through the courts. The president also signed an order seeking to end birthright citizenship, which makes anyone born in the United States, regardless of the legal status of their parents, a U.S. citizen. The order is expected to be challenged in the courts, however, as birthright citizenship is guaranteed under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Pritzker, speaking on birthright citizenship, told reporters on Tuesday that the state "will not follow an unconstitutional executive order." On potential immigration raids, Pritzker said the state has not received any communication from the Trump Administration. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Chicago would be the site of a large-scale immigration raid this week, though it is not clear if the plan will move forward. Trump, addressing reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, was coy on when raids would begin, but promised that "its going to happen." Pritzker said the state has heard through the grapevine that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement may be "targeting as many as 2,000 people, initially in the city of Chicago alone," but didn't "know whether they'll effectuate that or how." Illinois' governor, though reiterating his position that undocumented people convicted of violent crimes "don't deserve to stay in this country" and should be deported, said most undocumented people contribute to their communities and should not simply be thrown out. "These are people who have raised families in the United States, who are law-abiding and often are the anchors of their communities," Pritzker said. "And I think we should think very carefully about what immigration means to this country. It is what we were founded upon." "It is something that we should have comprehensive immigration reform in this country and not simply have a president who is scaring people, forcing them out of their jobs because they're afraid to go to work," Pritzker said, nothing that the typically vibrant business corridor in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, long a gateway for Mexican immigrants, has been empty the past few days. Pritzker was critical of other aspects of Trump's first day in office. A billionaire himself, Pritzker noted the close proximity of some of the country's wealthiest people, which included Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, to Trump at inaugural festivities. He suggested that Trump's wealthier allies stand to benefit more than many of the working class people who voted for him. As an example, Pritzker pointed to Trump's promise to impose 25% tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico starting Feb. 1. "In fact, he proposed tariffs on goods coming into this country from Canada and Mexico and is proposing having an entire department that's dedicated to tariffs," Pritzker said. "Well, guess who is going to pay for tariffs? So he is raising costs for people across this country, not lowering them." Pritzker also reiterated criticism of Musk, who made a hand gesture that looked like a Nazi salute at a Trump rally following the inauguration. The governor, who is Jewish, called it "disgusting" and said that Trump "should call it out" and Musk should apologize. Pritzker, a Democrat, has long been a fierce critic of Trump, a Republican, with the two sparring over policy disagreements, the Trump Administration's response to COVID-19 and the president's often provocative comments, among other topics. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is threatening to bring news outlets that accurately report on Elon Musks horrific Sieg Heil before Congress. PBS News shared an unedited clip on X Monday of the billionaire technocrat speaking at a post-inauguration event for Donald Trump, when he did what appeared to be a fascist salute, the outlet wrote. Musk [put] his hand on his chest and then [raised] it in a salute that appeared similar to the Sieg Heil used by Nazis at their victory rallies, PBS wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Musk didnt just do it once; he did it twice in a row. But PBSs reporting includes the essential word appeared, which is typically used by journalists to indicate that while describing something cannot necessarily determine its nature, one can understand somethings nature through describing it. One might write that it was a Sieg Heil because thats clearly what it was. But many outlets are declining to do so, for a slate of reasons that range from an abundance of caution to blatant cowardice. Fox News, for example, suggested that Muskwho previously voiced his support for Germanys far-right party and a British neo-Nazihad simply made a questionable salute. Greene, who has pushed her own antisemitic conspiracy theories from time to time, came to Musks rescue from the dastardly American public broadcaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Chairwoman of the Oversight Subcommittee on DOGE, I look forward to PBS @NewsHour coming before my committee and explaining why lying and spreading propaganda to serve the Democrat party and attack Republicans is a good use of taxpayer funds. We will be in touch soon, Greene wrote Monday night. Greene would have PBS testify to the dispassionate description of Musks apparent triumphant fascist salute, as if Congress doesnt have enough of its own problems right now. Not only is it not surprising that Greene would defend Musk from allegations of Nazism, its also not surprising that a MAGA Republican would target PBS. Trump has previously attacked publicly funded media such as NPR and PBS, and ye olde authoritarian playbook for Trumps incoming administration, Project 2025, called for the government to strip federal funding and licenses for noncommercial education stations. A rare and deadly winter storm descended across the southern U.S. on Tuesday, leaving some record-setting snow totals and halting travel for millions of Americans in Louisiana, Texas and Florida. "I was born and raised in New Orleans," Ian Spooner told CBS News. "I can count on one hand how many times it snowed, and it never snowed like this." As of Wednesday morning, the city had 10 inches on the ground. The last time New Orleans saw snow was in December 2004, according to the National Weather Service, and it was just half an inch. At least nine weather-related deaths have been confirmed around the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With much of the southeast under winter weather advisories, and some areas even getting a blizzard warning, here's how the cold and windy conditions are impacting the region: Snow totals map According to CBS News meteorologist Jessica Burch, 4 to 8 inches of snow have fallen across southern Alabama, Mississippi and Florida's Panhandle. Some areas in the Panhandle recorded over half a foot of snow, shattering long-standing snow records, CBS Miami reported. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the town of Milton, near Pensacola, set a new statewide snow record with 8 to 9 inches on the ground more than double the previous Florida record of 4 inches, set in 1954. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This storm is unprecedented for its breadth and scope; we just don't have anything we can compare it to," NEXT Chief Meteorologist Ivan Cabrera said. "This will go down in history as the Gulf Blizzard of 2025." Map shows snow totals as of Wednesday morning, Jan. 22, 2025. / Credit: CBS News The state of Louisiana saw a record-breaking snow total of over 11 inches in the city of Chalmette. New Orleans and several other communities got 10 inches. / Credit: CBS News There are different snow reporting sites within New Orleans, but the oldest records from a sub-station that's no longer in service reported 10 inches of snow in 1895, and 14.4 inches in 1909. Another reporting site at the New Orleans International Airport, which began recording snow accumulation in 1948, reported their highest previous total snow record as 2.7 inches in 1963. All that is to say, no one alive in the area has ever seen this much snow. Snow falls on St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter of New Orleans on Jan. 21, 2025. / Credit: Tyler Kaufman / Getty Images Videos posted by residents to social media showed not only the amount of snow but the speed at which the snow came down. The rough and unprecedented conditions led the National Weather Service to issue its first-ever blizzard warning for southern Louisiana on Tuesday. Still going. New Orleans snow day pic.twitter.com/j0ERHVkeS3 Jay NLA (@SweetePMagnolia) January 21, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A blizzard warning goes into effect when an area is expected to see frequent wind gusts over 35 mph as well as significantly reduced visibility from snow. / Credit: CBS News Winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings were issued Tuesday for parts of Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas. Map shows winter weather alerts as a rare winter storm blasted the southern U.S. on Jan 21, 2025. / Credit: CBS News Snow triggers flight delays At least 2,572 flights were delayed and 2,039 more were canceled by midday Wednesday, according to the flight tracking company FlightAware, with Atlanta and Houston having the most. On Tuesday, the Houston and New Orleans airports were shut down as snow piled at the entrances. A spokesperson for the New Orleans Aviation Board said automatic doors were shuttered so they wouldn't open and close during the hazardous weather event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Florida, the Tallahassee International Airport canceled all flights after 3 p.m. Tuesday and suspended operations until at least noon on Wednesday. The state's governor and the governors of Georgia and Louisiana have all declared a state of emergency for the hardest-hit areas. Photos show the rare snowfall blanketing the South A person stands in the snow on Canal Street on Jan. 21, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. / Credit: / Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snow falls around a decommissioned U.S. Navy Blue Angels aerobatics team jet in Pensacola, Florida, on Jan. 21, 2025. / Credit: Tony Giberson/USA Today Network via REUTERS Sous chef Eric Walker engages in a snowball fight outside the Bourbon House Restaurant in the French Quarter on Jan. 21, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. / Credit: Michael DeMocker / Getty Images Icicles hang from a sign pointing the way to Houston during an icy winter storm on Jan. 21, 2025 in Galveston, Texas. / Credit: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images Snow covers the beach after a winter storm in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Jan. 22, 2025. / Credit: / Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump and first lady Melania attend inaugural balls after busy first day Designer Eric Javits discusses Melania Trump's inauguration hat Officials give update on quickly-growing Hughes Fire in Los Angeles County TAHLEQUAH, Okla. An $80 million federal lawsuit settlement, the largest single one-time settlement in the Cherokee Nation tribes history, will be used to build new judicial facilities. The proposed Tahlequah-based justice center will house the tribes Supreme Court, district court, and attorney generals office. The remaining settlement funds would be set aside to construct a district courthouse at a future location. For too long the United States undermined our tribal sovereignty and failed to manage and account for our natural resources, said Council Speaker Mike Shambaugh. This settlement and the proposed investment represent justice and a way to move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed judicial system will allow the tribe to protect Cherokee Nation rights and people, fight for victims, and promote public safety on the tribes reservation, said Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr., in a prepared statement. The multi-million dollar settlement stems from a 2016 lawsuit where the Cherokee Nation accused the United States of mismanaging the tribes trust resources during the 20th century when federal policy suppressed the Cherokee Nations ability to self-govern. The Cherokee Nation maintains the government failed to provide a proper accounting of the Cherokee Trust Fund, which included land sale proceeds, coal leases, oil and gas development, property owned by the tribe, and many of its other assets. The tribe received $100 million in settlement funds in recent years from Opioid Retailers and Manufacturers, but the Trust settlement remains the largest single settlement in the tribes history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Council will consider the proposed use of the funds at its January 30 Rules Committee meeting. Copyright 2025 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Police say a group of people plotted to murder a man in Grand Rapids Burton Heights neighborhood in 2023, a killing the police chief called an incomprehensible act of evil. Dominike Sterling and Tyriq Bettison are accused of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Darryl Yarber, Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Eric Winstrom said during a Tuesday afternoon news conference. An undated photo of Darryl Yarber. (Courtesy Rodney Yarber) We know that Dominike Sterling pulled the trigger, Winstrom said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In court documents, investigators said they conducted several interviews and watched a lot of surveillance videos and came to to the conclusion that at least five people conspired, via phone and verbal conversations, to murder Yarber. Darryl was targeted. This was not a random act of violence. This was an incomprehensible act of evil on the part of these five individuals, Winstrom said. Sterling and Bettison have been behind bars for some time in connection to other cases, the chief said. He said that with them off the street, investigators had breathing room to meticulously build the murder conspiracy case. We wanted to get the charges as soon as possible with Dominike, with Tyriq, but we know theres still some work to do, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges against others are likely forthcoming, he said. POLICE: SHOOTERS BROTHER, SAMUEL STERLING, WAS THERE Yarber was found shot dead on the afternoon of Nov. 6, 2023, near an SUV parked in front of a home on Horton Avenue near Burton Street SE. The police scene on Horton Avenue SE near Burton Street on the afternoon of Nov. 6, 2023. In the court documents, police said Bettison was a passenger in Yarbers car and kept in phone contact with Sterling as he told Yarber where to go. Once Yarber was parked in Burton Heights, investigators allege, Sterling approached on foot from a concealed area and shot Darryl Yarber several times killing him. Police said Bettison took off on foot, while Sterling, his brother, Samuel Sterling, and a third person drove off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Samuel Sterling) was present, he was in the vehicle with his brother, who actually pulled the trigger. He was a part of the conspiracy with at least these five individuals, so that means part of the planning to target and execute Darryl, the chief said. Theres probably going to be some information well probably never know because hes deceased. Samuel Sterling died in April 2024 after he was hit by an unmarked police cruiser in Kentwood when local police and a U.S. Marshals task force tried to arrest him on a number of warrants. The former Michigan State Police sergeant who was driving the cruiser has been charged with murder. None of the officers on scene at his (Samuel Sterlings) death knew anything about his connection to this murder, Winstrom said. NO GOOD REASON FOR KILLING, CHIEF SAYS The chief said that by definition, I suppose you could call (the shooting) gang-related, but said the motive seemed more to stem from a very longstanding dispute with these individuals, though he did not provide specifics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What weve seen over and over, especially in murders of young people, is motives that just dont rise to the level of physical violence, much less murder. And Im sure that the details will come out in court, but at this point in time, I can say there was absolutely no good reason for Darryl to be killed, Winstrom said. Yarber, 32, was the third person killed in the same Burton Heights neighborhood on the same day. Anayia Rodriguez and Malik Eubanks were found dead nearby earlier in the day. Suspect Casey Harmon Jr. was charged in their deaths in October 2024. Winstrom emphasized Tuesday that the Rodriguez and Eubanks killings were unrelated to Yarbers death. During the news conference, the chief noted that even though Grand Rapids population is more than 50% white, none of the 37 people who have been killed in the city since Jan. 1, 2023, were white. I am the very first to recognize that especially our African American neighborhoods in this city are suffering, are struggling. The police department wants to be there to stand shoulder to shoulder with them, make sure that all the root causes, all the predeterminants of violence are addressed, Winstrom said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres still, in some part of this city, a culture of lack of cooperation with the police and Im so thankful that Ive seen that culture get smaller and smaller by every day, he continued. Because the young children that live on the northeast side, where my 11- and 13-year-old live, and the 11- and 13-year-olds that live in Burton Heights should have the exact same safety. They should all be able to walk out without fear of a stray bullet. Online records show Dominike Sterling, 33, was jailed in Kent County in June 2024 on a home invasion charge. State prison records show he has previous armed robbery convictions News 8 previously reported that he was arrested in connection to an October 2017 bank robbery in Grand Rapids so he was prohibited from having a gun. Court records show that in addition to the first-degree murder and conspiracy charges, hes charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Online Michigan Department of Correction records show Bettison, 26, is being held at a state prison near Manistee after being convicted last year of resisting or assaulting a police officer and weapons charges out of Kent County in December 2023. The state prison records indicate he was on parole when Yarber was murdered after being convicted of a 2015 assault. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) on Tuesday criticized President Trumps decision to pardon or commute the sentences of individuals who were convicted of assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. I dont think that the approach of a blanket pardon that includes those who caused harm, physical harm to our police officers, to others, that resulted in violence Im disappointed to see that. And I do fear the message that is sent to these great men and women who stood by us, Murkowski told reporters as she walked into a Republican meeting outside the Senate chamber. Cassidy offered his own strong statement of disapproval about pardoning people who assaulted police officers four years ago in an effort to stop the certification of former President Bidens victory in the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not right. People who assault police officers if they do the crime, they should do the time, Cassidy said. Cassidy described himself as a big Back the Blue guy, referring to his record of supporting law enforcement. Whether youre in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, Monroe, Lafayette, Alexandria, Lake Charles or Washington, D.C., its wrong to assault anybody, he said, referring to various cities in his home state. Both Murkowski and Cassidy voted to convict Trump of the impeachment charge of inciting insurrection during his 2021 Senate impeachment trial. They were two of seven Republican senators to vote to convict Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is the only other GOP senator who voted to convict Trump who is still in Congress. Copyright 2025 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. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Billionaire Elon Musk's hand gesture while he spoke during a celebration of President Donald Trump's inauguration drew online comparisons to a Nazi salute on Monday, but a leading tracker of antisemitism said it appeared to represent a moment of enthusiasm instead. Musk dismissed criticism of the hand gesture as a "tired" attack. Musk took to the Capital One Arena stage in Washington to huge cheers, pumping his arms and shouting, "Yesssss". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road of human civilization," he said. "This one really mattered. Thank you for making it happen! Thank you." Biting his bottom lip, he thumped his right hand over his heart, fingers spread wide, then extended his right arm out, emphatically, at an upward angle, palm down and fingers together. Then he turned and made the same hand gesture to the crowd behind him. "My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured," he said as he finished the gesture. The gestures were quickly scrutinized online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Did Elon Musk Sieg Heil at Trump's inauguration?" asked the Jerusalem Post. The Anti-Defamation League, which tracks antisemitism, disagreed. "It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge," it posted on Monday. In Germany, the president of the Jewish community in Munich and Upper Bavaria, Charlotte Knobloch, described the gesture as "highly irritating". "Far more worrying are Elon Musk's political positions, his offensive interference in the German parliamentary election campaign and his support for a party whose anti-democratic aims should be under no illusions," she said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has backed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), an anti-immigration, anti-Islamic party labeled as right-wing-extremist by German security services, in an upcoming national election. He hosted a broadcast with the party's leader on his social media platform earlier this month. "Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired," Musk said on his social media platform X late on Monday. Soon after his speech, Musk posted a Fox video clip of portions of his speech on X, that cut away from the podium when he made the first gesture while facing the cameras. "The future is so exciting," he wrote above it. A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately reply to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some X users came to Musk's defense, claiming that Musk was expressing "my heart goes out to you" and criticizing posts that suggested otherwise. (Additional reporting by Makini Brice in Paris, Madeline Chambers in Berlin. Reporting by Heather Timmons; additional reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Howard Goller, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Alex Richardson) NEW YORK (AP) Right-wing extremists are celebrating Elon Musks straight-arm gesture during a speech Monday, although his intention wasn't totally clear and some hate watchdogs are saying not to read too much into it. I just want to say thank you for making it happen, Musk said during a speech at Capital One Arena, referring to Donald Trumps victory in the presidential election. Then he slapped his hand on his chest, extended his arm straight out and up with his palm facing down. My heart goes out to you, said Musk, after turning around to make a similar gesture facing the other way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many social media users noticed that the gesture looked like a Nazi salute. Musk has only fanned the flames of suspicion by not explicitly denying those claims in a dozen posts since, though he did make light of the criticism and lashed out at people making that interpretation. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired, Musk posted on X several hours after he left the stage. Critics and fans alike of the Tesla CEO and worlds richest man were quick to react to the gesture. The White Flame will rise again, a chapter of the white nationalist group White Lives Matter posted on Telegram. Maybe woke really is dead, white nationalist Keith Woods posted on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Did Elon Musk just Heil Hitler ... right-wing commentator Evan Kilgore posted on X. We are so back. The Anti-Defamation League, an antisemitism and human rights watchdog, called it an awkward gesture and urged caution in jumping to conclusions. Other extremism monitors and experts pointed out it was unclear what Musk was trying to convey to the crowd of Trump's supporters by thrusting his arm out. Im skeptical it was on purpose, said Jared Holt, a senior research analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, which tracks online hate. It would be an act of self-sabotage that wouldnt really make much sense at all. Holt noted Musk specifically said his heart went out to the crowd. That could indicate a sort of gesture of thanks to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Musk bought Twitter, now called X, the self-described free speech absolutist has faced criticism from hate-speech watchdogs for allowing extremist, dangerous and antisemitic comments to flourish on the social media platform. His response has been to attack his critics, suing one group unsuccessfully after advertisers fled X and threatening to sue another, the Anti-Defamation League, which urged calm at what it called a delicate moment in its statement Monday. It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge, the ADL said in a statement. In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath. Kurt Braddock, a professor of communication at American University who studies extremism, radicalization and terrorism, said the gesture was a fascist salute and people shouldnt doubt what they saw. I know what I saw, I know what the response to it was among elements of the extreme right including neo-Nazis, Braddock said. "And none of it is a laughing matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Efraim Zuroff, the retired head of the Simon Wiesenthal Centers Jerusalem office and formerly the organizations top Nazi hunter, said he also saw it as Nazi salute, and that it happened at U.S. presidential inauguration celebration made it especially shocking to see. Its totally improper, and it raises all sorts of questions regarding his motivations, or his ignorance, he said in a telephone interview from Israel. This is America, the leader of the free world, the people who sacrificed 200,000 soldiers who died to defend Europe. He has to explain himself. In Europe where the fascist salute is associated with the hate, death and destruction of World War II, Musk's arm gesture elicited outrage. An Italian communist youth organization on Tuesday hung an effigy of Musk upside down in Milans Piazzale Loreto, where Mussolinis body was hung upside down after he was executed during the final days of World War II. The organization, Cambiare Rotta (Change Course), noted in a Facebook post that a photo of the effigy had been removed by the social media company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are correctly a little afraid, because that image is scary, author Filippo Ceccarelli told Italian La7 private television. Known as the Roman salute in Italy, the straight-arm greeting officially adopted in 1925 by the dictator Benito Mussolinis fascist regime is banned in Italy though it is rarely prosecuted. Musks representative in Italy, Andrea Stroppa, published the photo on X with the words: Roman Empire is back, starting with the Roman salute, according to the news agency ANSA. He later deleted the post, writing that Musk is autistic, and was expressing his emotions but denying he was emulating fascism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He does not like extremists, Stroppa wrote. In France on Monday, more than 80 associations, including human rights, environmental and press freedom groups left X, though it is unclear if Musk was the trigger or Trumps inauguration. Several universities and schools left X, too, as well as nationwide and local newspaper on various sides of the political spectrum. Brian Levin, founder of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, said even if it was accidental, the gesture Musk did has the power to hurt people. When youre a public figure at the highest echelons of power on Inauguration Day, doing a salute like that is extraordinarily disturbing and it calls for an explanation from Musk, he said. Points are made about free speech. Well, along with free speech comes responsibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Levin said some extremists will take the gesture regardless of its intent as some kind of not-so-subtle marching order. - Associated Press writers Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Colleen Barry in Milan, David Rising in Bangkok and Ali Swenson in New York contributed to this report. - This story has been updated to correct the misspelling of the name of Capital One Arena. Associate Justice, Rachel Wainer Apter, Supreme Court of New Jersey, Trenton, January 29, 2024. (Mary Iuvone for New Jersey Monitor) Government officials cannot refuse to disclose police body-worn camera footage to people who are the subject of the recordings, with few exceptions, the New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously ruled Tuesday. They also cant withhold such footage to protect the privacy of people accused of but not charged with crimes, because neither the states Open Public Records Act nor the judicial case law that preceded it grants such automatic confidentiality, the justices decreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision stems from a May 2022 report a father made to Chatham police after his special-needs child accused an adult male relative of sexual misconduct. Police declined to criminally charge the relative. The father, Antonio Fuster, and his wife, Brianne Devine, subsequently asked to see body-worn camera footage of Fusters conversation with officers because they said the officers written reports were inaccurate and did not reflect what Fuster told police, according to the ruling. But Chatham officials, including records custodian Gregory LaConte, refused to release the footage or otherwise allow them to review it, citing the privacy rights of people accused but not charged and arguing that disclosure could impede police investigations and did not serve the public interest. Fuster and Devine challenged the denials in court and lost at the trial and appellate levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice Rachel Wainer Apter, who penned the decision, reversed the lower courts decisions and ordered the township to give Fuster the footage. Hes entitled to it because hes not a random third-party, but instead its main subject, Wainer Apter said. Under the specific facts of this case, defendants withholding of the body worn camera recording simply does not protect any significant privacy interest, she wrote. The withheld footage also isnt a recording of the states investigation, but a verbatim recording of Fusters own complaint as he made it to police, she wrote. Besides, the township had already shared details of the investigation with Fuster when they gave him written records pertaining to his report, she added. Wainer Apter also cited various laws meant to protect victims, knocking township officials for their failure to give Fuster footage of his own account of his childs alleged victimization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is treating victims as though they were perpetrators that can make victims unwilling to report incidents to police, she wrote. The ruling was one of several the states top court has issued on body-worn cameras since state lawmakers, in the wake of George Floyds death at the hands of Minneapolis police in 2020, passed a law requiring all law enforcement officers in New Jersey to wear them to document their encounters with the public. Under both that law and the Open Public Records Act, the cameras recordings are considered government records subject to public disclosure, but both laws list certain exemptions which sometimes dont align. Attorney CJ Griffin represents Fuster and argued the case before the Supreme Court, with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and Partners for Women and Justice filing supporting briefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griffin called Tuesdays ruling a total victory for her client, as well as anyone whos the subject of a police body-cam video who wants to review the video. Griffin has represented the New Jersey Monitor in various legal matters. Attorney CJ Griffin represented Antonio Fuster, who sued to see police body-camera footage of his report to police about a relative he suspected of sexually victimizing his special-needs child. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) This video should have just never been denied to them, Griffin said. It made no sense that somehow it would violate privacy to give this to them when its their own statement to the police. They felt like this was a very anti-victim position that the police took, and then we were just really astounded that both the trial court and the Appellate Division ruled against us. Still, while the decision clearly says the subject of a body-cam video has a right to review it, Griffin said, its broader impact remains murky, given the complexities of the body-cam law. Despite the laws intent to increase transparency around policing, officials often deny requests for body-cam footage because when an agency cant figure out the law very well, then they just automatically deny something, Griffin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every time someone comes to me with a body-cam issue, I have to essentially print the statute out again and make a flow chart of all the provisions to determine whether or not its going to be subject to access or not, and this decision today doesnt provide a lot of clarity on that, she said. Its still unclear how OPRAs exemptions interact with the body-cam law. So thats going to have to be another case that might test what that is or not. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) was among those who sharply criticized billionaire Elon Musk on Monday for making what appears to be a Heil Hitler salute during an event celebrating the inauguration of President Trump. I never imagined we would see the day when what appears to be a Heil Hitler salute would be made behind the Presidential seal, Nadler wrote in a post on X, responding to a video of Musks speech at the Capital One Arena in Washington after Trump was sworn into office. This abhorrent gesture has no place in our society and belongs in the darkest chapters of human history, he continued. I urge all of my colleagues to unite in condemning this hateful gesture for what it is: antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nadlers was one of many voices slamming the cross-body salute the SpaceX and Tesla CEO made with his arm during his D.C. speech. The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. Musk, the richest man in the world and the leader of Trumps new Department of Government Efficiency, has raised eyebrows in recent weeks with his embrace of far-right political parties in Europe, including the Alternative for Germany party. Addressing a large crowd on Monday, he thanked attendees for electing Trump in November. He then grabbed the left side of his chest with his right hand and extended the arm straight across his chest, from left to right. He turned around and made the gesture again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My heart goes out to you, Musk said after making the gesture. And its thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured. Some have defended Musk, noting he made the gesture just before telling the audience that his heart goes out to them and saying it was meant to be evocative of that. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a nonprofit committed to fighting antisemitism, described the moment as an awkward gesture and encouraged the public to extend a bit of grace before rushing to conclusions. This is a delicate moment. Its a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety, said the ADL, which has at times found itself at odds with Musk over his policies on X that coincided with a rise in antisemitic comments on the platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on edge, the ADL continued. In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath, the statement continued. Several liberals online disagreed. MSNBC host Symone Sanders-Townsend, a former top adviser to former Vice President Harris, pushed back on the ADLs suggestion to give grace. I just want to note for everyone that the Nazis [sic] saw the Musk gesture and thought it was one of their salutes, but everyone from Tesla investors, to elected officials and the ADL suggest we give him grace because it was likely just an awkward gesture, Sanders-Townsend wrote on X. Yall do with that what you will! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a renowned authoritarian scholar, chimed in, saying on X, Historian of fascism here. That was a Nazi salute and a very belligerent one too. Some media outlets have faced criticism for their coverage of the moment. PBS Newss Newshour posted a clip of the video, describing the moment as Musk giving what appeared to be a fascist salute. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) responded by threatening PBSs funding and saying she intends to call representatives of the news show before her subcommittee. As the Chairwoman of the Oversight Subcommittee on DOGE, I look forward to PBS @NewsHour coming before my committee and explaining why lying and spreading propaganda to serve the Democrat party and attack Republicans is a good use of taxpayer funds. We will be in touch soon, Greene wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Monday called out President Donald Trump over his decision to pardon nearly all of those charged for their participation in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. On his first day in office, Trump pardoned about 1,500 defendants, including those who assaulted police, and issued commutations for others, including members of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Pelosi said Trumps move is an outrageous insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and emotional trauma as they protected the Capitol, the Congress and the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is shameful that the President has decided to make one of his top priorities the abandonment and betrayal of police officers who put their lives on the line to stop an attempt to subvert the peaceful transfer of power, Pelosi added. Tonight, the President announced pardons and commutations of sentences for those who violently attacked the Capitol and law enforcement officers on January 6th. The President's actions are an outrageous insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 21, 2025 Thousands of pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on that day in an effort to block the certification of now-former President Joe Bidens election victory as Trump refused to accept his defeat. Pelosi, who had to be evacuated from the building due to the threat to her life, was among the mobs targets. Still, Trump and GOP lawmakers have blamed Pelosi for the violence that unfolded that day. Trump, who had previously called the people charged for rioting at the Capitol hostages, said his action ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also ordered the Justice Department to toss out all pending indictments against individuals for their conduct related to Jan. 6. Pelosi skipped Trumps inauguration ceremony on Monday. Related... Mary Gibson, president of the Naperville Park Board and a candidate for Naperville City Council, is headed to North Africa for an international exchange program sponsored by the U.S. State Department. This week, Gibson will be part of a small bipartisan delegation of U.S. leaders going to Morocco and Tunisia to engage in cultural and political exchange. The program, running from Tuesday though Feb. 2, is organized by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL). Representing Naperville on a global stage is an incredible opportunity, Gibson said in a news release. Through this exchange, I hope to deepen my understanding of other cultures while showcasing the vibrant and inclusive community Im proud to serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibson, a longtime Naperville resident, has served as park board president since 2021. Shes also one of one eight hopeful candidates vying for a seat on city council in Aprils upcoming municipal election. Six other local leaders from across the country as well as an ACYPL alumnus who will act as a delegation escort will be joining Gibson on the 12-day trip to North Africa. The delegation includes officials from Texas to Oregon, Gibson said in a call. I think (ACYPL) intentionally chooses people across the country who have different backgrounds, different political perspectives, different experiences to kind of get that cross-section of American political leaders, she said. Since 1966, the organization has run an array of international exchange programs in partnership with the State Department. More than 9,200 leaders from across not only the U.S., but also 137 other countries and territories have participated, according to the organizations website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ACYPL organizes both outbound and inbound exchanges, which send both American leaders abroad and bring international leaders to the U.S. Outbound trips are limited to leaders between the ages of 25 to 41. They must be elected or appointed officials, or work in government, public policy or business. Participants are selected by nomination. Nominees for outbound trips can be submitted by ACYPL American alumni, members of Congress or ACYPL partners. Gibson was nominated by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs. Im really honored and really grateful for his nomination, Gibson said. This will be Gibsons first time going to North Africa, she said. Her trip will start in Washington, D.C. She and her fellow delegates will visit the Moroccan and Tunisian embassies in D.C. before embarking on their trip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rest of the expedition will be filled with site visits to Tunis, the capital of Tunisia; Rabat, the capital of Morocco; and Casablanca, Moroccos largest city. Delegates will be able to explore issues from local governance and economic development to cultural preservation and best practices. Gibson said she is looking forward to seeing how these other areas face their struggles and their challenges but also how they capitalize on opportunities. With other communities, even if they might seem really different from us, she went on, theres commonalities everywhere. You never know when inspiration will strike. Something I might see in North Africa could apply here in Naperville. To Morocco and Tunisia, Gibson will also be bringing something a little extra to bolster the exchange. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the program, participants have been encouraged to bring gifts that reflect their hometowns. Gibson chose photographs. Through both specially made stationary and magnets, Gibson is gifting photographs of Napervilles Knoch Kolls Park. Pictures were supplied by Naperville resident and photographer Linda Reents. Gibson decided on pictures for her gift because they reflect her role as park district president and strike a chord personally, she said. You know, the advice on the gifts was to have something thats personal and specific to you and your story, she said. Knoch Knolls is one of my favorite parks. tkenny@chicagotribune.com NASAs new flying laboratory, an ex-commercial Boeing 777 airliner, has arrived in Waco, Texas, for modifications ahead of its entry into service. The aircraft will replace the agencys now-retired Douglas DC-8, a venerable aircraft that made its final flight in May of last year, as you can read about here. Aviation photographer @SR_Planespotter shared photos of the 777s arrival at Waco on January 13. The aircraft is there to undergo what NASA describes as structural modifications. These will almost certainly be carried out by L3Harris Technologies, a well-established aircraft systems integrator, working with military and commercial platforms. The NASA 777 arrives at Waco on January 13. @SR_Planespotter NASA 777 (N577NA) Landed near Waco, Texas, United States. pic.twitter.com/oXLrjHAMhu NASA Aircraft Tracking (@NASAAircraft) January 13, 2025 As well as needing to replace the DC-8 specifically, the need for the new flying laboratory was identified more generally in a 2021 report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). It highlighted the need to maintain and improve upon the capability to carry a variety of remote sensing and gas sampling instruments in order to answer some of the most challenging questions in Earth science. @SR_Planespotter Manufactured in 2003, the NASA 777-200ER was previously operated by Japan Airlines, or JAL as JA704J before going into storage at Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, where it arrived in May 2020. Japan Airlines 777-200ER JA704J at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands in August 2007. Andre Wadman/Wikimedia Commons In December 2022, the aircraft was acquired by NASA, at a cost of less than $30 million, based on the agencys Fiscal Year 2023 budget documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same month, the aircraft received the U.S. registration N774LG and was flown out of the storage facility to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, where it underwent a previous series of modifications at the NASA Langley Research Center. The NASA 777 flying laboratory at Langley as the aircraft was prepared for its first flight from there, in May of last year. David C. Bowman/NASA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 777 will fly a similar range of research missions as its predecessor, the 1969-vintage DC-8, another ex-commercial airframe that entered NASA service in 1987. Broadly speaking, these missions are divided into four categories: sensor development, satellite sensor verification, telemetry data retrieval and optical tracking for space vehicle launch and re-entry, and research studies of the Earths surface and atmosphere. The sensor testbed mission involves verifying prototype instruments, including those that will be carried aboard satellites, ensuring that they work within the Earths atmosphere before going into space. Meanwhile, sensors already in use aboard satellites are verified, checking that they are properly calibrated. This kind of mission involves the aircraft flying under the satellites path, using its own instruments to replicate the data collected by the satellite. The two data sets are then compared for error. The tail of the NASA 777. @SR_Planespotter Telemetry data retrieval sees the aircraft use a tracking antenna this was fitted in the DC-8s nose to receive launch vehicle telemetry data, which might be in support of NASAs own space missions or for Missile Defense Agency programs, for example. Optical tracking systems are meanwhile used to monitor spacecraft re-entering the Earths atmosphere. Finally, Earth sciences missions include using sensors aboard the aircraft to monitor all kinds of activities and phenomena on the surface of the globe, including studying polar ice fields and monitoring wildfires. These types of missions are flown under NASAs Airborne Science Program and, with its large payload capacity, long-range capability, and onboard laboratory equipment, the 777 will be ideally suited for them. The NASA 777 about to touch down at Waco on January 13. @SR_Planespotter NASA says the 777 will be able to accommodate between 50 and 100 onboard operators, significantly more than the 45 researchers and flight crew that typically flew aboard the DC-8. At the same time, the 777 offers a useful payload of 75,000 pounds, compared with the 30,000 pounds of scientific instruments and equipment that the Douglas jetliner could haul aloft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using the DC-8, NASA was able to fly science missions typically lasting between six and 10 hours, although 12-hour missions were feasible. The 777 will have a mission duration of 18 hours, NASA says, although this will depend on the particular payload and weather conditions. According to NASA, the 777s modifications at the Langley Research Center included fitting new observation ports; power, data, and communications systems; and accommodation for instrument operators. Looking around the aircraft gives away few signs of modifications, although these may well appear once the next phase of work begins at Waco. @SR_Planespotter NASAs previous DC-8 was outfitted with various instrument ports, including modified windows in which different sensors and probes could be mounted. Other antenna mounts could be carried externally, including on wing pylons. Meanwhile, the surface of the aircraft had additional optical windows, made of various materials, as well as sampling probes to take air and aerosol samples. The DC-8 also had a delivery tube for deploying unguided sensor pods, known as dropsondes. Nighttime interior shot of the now-retired NASA DC-8 during a transit flight. NASA photo by Michael Studinger Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NASA expects the modifications for the 777 to be completed by September 30 this year, after which the new research aircraft should undertake its first operations for the agency out of Langley. While it surely lacks the charisma of the catfish-nosed DC-8, the 777 continues the modernization of NASAs test aircraft fleet, which also saw the retirement of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, a kind of flying telescope housed in an adapted Boeing 747SP, in 2022. NASAs new flying laboratory is set to be a more than capable successor to the DC-8 and, like its predecessor, should have a long career providing valuable data to federal and state authorities, as well as U.S. academic institutes and other scientists around the world. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Nashville Police are investigating a deadly shooting outside an Antioch bar that left one man dead over the weekend. Larry Jones, 29, was leaving Sky Bar and Lounge on Hamilton Crossings Monday at about 1 a.m. when someone came up behind him and shot him, police said in a statement later Monday morning. The suspect ran back to a nearby car and fled the scene. Jones was rushed by private vehicle to TriStar Century Farms Emergency Room where he died, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police believe the shooting was targeted. Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Police: Man killed in targeted shooting outside Antioch bar Members of the Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli perform during a protest to urge U.S. President Joe Biden to grant Native American activist Leonard Peltier clemency outside of the White House on September 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden on Monday commuted the sentence of Peltier, a Native American activist convicted of killing two FBI agents nearly 50 years ago in South Dakota. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images. President Joe Biden on Monday commuted the sentence of Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist convicted of killing two FBI agents nearly 50 years ago in South Dakota. Peltier, 80, is a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidens order as he leaves office is to take effect Feb. 18. A statement from Biden said Peltier should serve the remainder of his life sentence at home. NDN Collective, an Indigenous rights organization in Rapid City, South Dakota, issued a news release Monday celebrating Peltiers commutation. The release included a quote attributed to Peltier: Its finally over Im going home. I want to show the world Im a good person with a good heart. I want to help the people, just like my grandmother taught me. Peltiers sister, Betty Ann Peltier, welcomed the news. I am going to cook him the biggest meal I can, she said. Fry bread and foods he hasnt eaten for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her brother is suffering from the effects of diabetes, has heart trouble and uses a walker. She said there has been a home waiting for him on the Turtle Mountain Reservation but that she hopes he will stay with her in Fargo. She had yet to communicate with her brother as of Monday morning. According to the FBI, in 1975, agents Ron Williams and Jack Coler were attempting to arrest a robbery suspect on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The agents pursued a vehicle, with Peltier among the people inside. A fatal shootout ensued, with the two agents and Joseph Stuntz, a member of the American Indian Movement, killed. Peltier has maintained that he is innocent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said in a statement his office strongly opposes any change to Peltiers sentence, calling the deaths of the agents cold-blooded murders. That conviction has been reviewed and upheld by no fewer than 22 federal judges since then, Jackley said Monday. Tracey Wilkie of Fargo grew up on the Turtle Mountain Reservation and said she was raised hearing the story of Leonard Peltier. She called herself a lifetime supporter and organizer for his freedom. She helped lead a rally for Peltier last year when he was up for parole, which was denied. The rally was on the steps of the federal courthouse in Fargo where Peltier was convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So many people have been working behind the scenes, Wilkie said. Its going to give a lot of people hope. Peltier has been serving two consecutive life terms in prison, most recently in Florida. According to Bidens statement, tribal Nations, Nobel Peace laureates, former law enforcement officials including the former U.S. Attorney whose office oversaw Peltiers prosecution and appeal and human rights organizations support granting Peltier clemency. They cite Peltiers advanced age, illnesses, his close ties to and leadership in the Native American community, and the substantial length of time he has already spent in prison. A statement from the White House indicates that Bidens action does not pardon Peltier from his crimes, but will allow him to spend his remaining days at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Jayme Davis, D-Rolette, a Turtle Mountain citizen, is among Peltiers supporters. She said her father attended school in Belcourt with Peltier. Its fabulous, Davis said from the North Dakota legislative session in Bismarck after hearing the news. I was in committee when I heard the news and almost screamed out loud. Nick Tilsen, founder and CEO of NDN Collective, credited 50 years of intergenerational resistance, organizing and advocacy for winning the commutation. Leonard Peltiers liberation is our liberation we will honor him by bringing him back to his homelands to live out the rest of his days surrounded by loved ones, healing, and reconnecting with his land and culture, Tilsen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Minnesota Reformer, North Dakota Monitor is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: info@northdakotamonitor.com. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A prayer for Leonard Peltier is sung to a drumbeat on June 20, 2024, outside the federal courthouse in Fargo, North Dakota. Demonstrators were calling for the release of Peltier, who was convicted at a trial in Fargo in the deaths of FBI agents in South Dakota in 1975. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor) This story originally appeared on North Dakota Monitor. President Joe Biden on Monday commuted the sentence of Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist convicted of killing two FBI agents nearly 50 years ago in South Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peltier, 80, is a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota. Bidens order as he leaves office is to take effect Feb. 18. A statement from Biden said Peltier should serve the remainder of his life sentence at home. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NDN Collective, an Indigenous rights organization in Rapid City, South Dakota, issued a news release Monday celebrating Peltiers commutation. The release included a quote attributed to Peltier: Its finally over Im going home. I want to show the world Im a good person with a good heart. I want to help the people, just like my grandmother taught me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peltiers sister, Betty Ann Peltier, welcomed the news. I am going to cook him the biggest meal I can, she said. Fry bread and foods he hasnt eaten for years. She said her brother is suffering from the effects of diabetes, has heart trouble and uses a walker. She said there has been a home waiting for him on the Turtle Mountain Reservation but that she hopes he will stay with her in Fargo. She had yet to communicate with her brother as of Monday morning. According to the FBI, in 1975, agents Ron Williams and Jack Coler were attempting to arrest a robbery suspect on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The agents pursued a vehicle, with Peltier among the people inside. A fatal shootout ensued, with the two agents and Joseph Stuntz, a member of the American Indian Movement, killed. Peltier has maintained that he is innocent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said in a statement his office strongly opposes any change to Peltiers sentence, calling the deaths of the agents cold-blooded murders. That conviction has been reviewed and upheld by no fewer than 22 federal judges since then, Jackley said Monday. Tracey Wilkie of Fargo grew up on the Turtle Mountain Reservation and said she was raised hearing the story of Leonard Peltier. She called herself a lifetime supporter and organizer for his freedom. She helped lead a rally for Peltier last year when he was up for parole, which was denied. The rally was on the steps of the federal courthouse in Fargo where Peltier was convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So many people have been working behind the scenes, Wilkie said. Its going to give a lot of people hope. Peltier has been serving two consecutive life terms in prison, most recently in Florida. According to Bidens statement, tribal Nations, Nobel Peace laureates, former law enforcement officials including the former U.S. Attorney whose office oversaw Peltiers prosecution and appeal and human rights organizations support granting Peltier clemency. They cite Peltiers advanced age, illnesses, his close ties to and leadership in the Native American community, and the substantial length of time he has already spent in prison. A statement from the White House indicates that Bidens action does not pardon Peltier from his crimes, but will allow him to spend his remaining days at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Jayme Davis, D-Rolette, a Turtle Mountain citizen, is among Peltiers supporters. She said her father attended school in Belcourt with Peltier. Its fabulous, Davis said from the North Dakota legislative session in Bismarck after hearing the news. I was in committee when I heard the news and almost screamed out loud. Nick Tilsen, founder and CEO of NDN Collective, credited 50 years of intergenerational resistance, organizing and advocacy for winning the commutation. Leonard Peltiers liberation is our liberation we will honor him by bringing him back to his homelands to live out the rest of his days surrounded by loved ones, healing, and reconnecting with his land and culture, Tilsen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story has been updated with reaction. North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer and South Dakota Searchlight staff contributed to this report. commutation-warrant-1-19-jan-2025 North Dakota Monitor is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: info@northdakotamonitor.com. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE President Donald Trump on Tuesday doubled down on his threat to impose stiff tariffs on the United States' top trading partners Feb. 1, despite allies' assertions Tuesday that the tariff agenda is likely to take shape over a longer, 100-day period. Asked about his plans to raise tariffs on China at a White House event on AI infrastructure, Trump responded, We're talking about a tariff of 10 percent on China based on the fact that they're sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada. Probably February 1 is the date we're looking at. For Mexico and China we're talking about approximately, approximately 25 percent." Trump previously threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada, and her presumably meant to say Canada in the in latter sentence. The new president first floated the Feb. 1 date shortly after his swearing in on Monday, telling reporters who asked about his timeline for potential tariff increases on Canada and Mexico, "I think February 1. I think we'll do it February 1." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That date, however, is not mentioned anywhere in the sweeping executive order on trade that the Trump White House issued late Monday night. The order did not immediately institute any new tariffs, as Trump had promised during his campaign to do on Day One, Instead, it directed incoming Cabinet officials to initiate a number of reviews and prepare a series of policy recommendations, while postponing decisions that could lead to new tariffs until April 1 at the earliest. White House trade counselor Peter Navarro alluded to that timeline in an interview on Fox Business Network earlier Tuesday. "I think you could call it the blueprint and the foundation for the tariffs and trade policies that may or may not emerge over the next 100 days," Navarro said of the president's order. "You've got discussions about the universal baseline tariff. You've got discussions about the [U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement], which needs to be reviewed in 2026." Trump however, knocked down reports Tuesday that he is looking to leverage the threat of tariffs to speed up negotiations on the renewal of the U.S-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which is scheduled for a review next year. It has nothing to do with that, he said when asked directly about the claim by a reporter. He said Canada and Mexico have both allowed millions and millions of people to come into our country that shouldn't be here. They could have stopped them, and they didnt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navarro, too, underscored the need for Canada and Mexico to take action to address Trump's concerns. Asked about Trump's previous statement suggesting he will raise tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1, Navarro said the timing of any tariffs on the two large U.S. trading partners was Trump's decision to make. "This isn't a long process to set the stage," Navarro added, even though many trade observers had expected Trump to move much faster on tariffs, especially on China. In the meantime, however, Trump can continue to hang the threat of tariffs over foreign leaders' heads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order is loading a lot of guns for later, said Scott Lincicome, head of the Cato Institutes Center for Trade Policy. Lincicome added that while he had expected Trumps go-slow approach, he was still surprised by the lack of any new tariffs on China. I thought that was the only no-brainer among all Trumps tariff threats. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) also used the gun metaphor when talking about Trump's tariffs threats in remarks on Fox Business Network, saying he hoped Mexico and Canada could quickly reach a deal with the United States so that Trump doesn't need to follow through on his threat. "He's not bluffing. He's perfectly willing to pull that trigger," Cruz said. CORRECTION: A previous version of this report misnamed Fox Business Network. The Capitol rotunda is pictured on the first day of the legislative session in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) The 2025 Utah Legislature is starting its 45-day general session today. From now until March 7, lawmakers will propose legislation, debate, hear public comment and pass bills that will impact Utahns lives. Utahs legislative branch is made up of 29 state senators and 75 representatives. Constituents can find their districts legislators on the Legislatures website map. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone can get in contact with a legislator by finding their names on the House and Senate rosters and navigating to their respective webpages, which include a phone number, email and address. The sites also show whether the lawmaker is part of any leadership or committees and includes external links to any required disclosures including professional affiliations or financial conflicts of interest. How a bill comes to be Bills can be found on the homepage of the Legislatures website by clicking on the Bills tab. From there, anyone can look at passed bills, currently opened bill files or a list of over 350 bills that have been introduced so far for the 2025 general session The process of a bill becoming law can be a winding road, but the Legislatures website outlines several steps for a bill to become law. First, an idea is developed. A legislator, lobbyist and even the governor can have ideas for bills. Next, the bill is drafted and the proposal is submitted as a bill request to the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, where the nonpartisan office assigns a drafting attorney to prepare the bill in its technical form and review its constitutionality or other legal concerns. The bill receives a number and a fiscal note, which details the anticipated cost and revenue estimate of the proposed legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the bill can be introduced to the public and to the Legislature. It starts with the Rules Committee, where it is assigned (or not assigned) to a standing committee, like the House Education Committee. The committee will review the bill in an open meeting, where members of the public can weigh in. Let us know what you think... Keep in mind, this is the typical process bills must follow in order to be considered but if theres enough support in the House and Senate, lawmakers can vote to suspend the rules and fastrack legislation to the chambers, even if it hasnt received a committee hearing. How to share your thoughts in a committee hearing To participate in committee hearings, check the Legislatures calendar or weekly schedules, where agendas should be made available to the public at least 24 hours before the meeting to notify the public when a bill is being discussed in committee. Members of the public can also provide comment virtually by joining a Zoom meeting. No one is guaranteed an opportunity to make a public comment, and not every action item on the agenda will include time for public comment. Lawmakers that chair the committees usually set time limits on public comment periods. Members of the public must also abide by decorum rules and are prohibited from clapping, yelling, making loud noises, bringing posters or banners, noisemakers, glitter or confetti, or using any other disruptive devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you miss a live discussion, you can still tune in later. Committee hearings and floor times are streamed and recorded on the Legislatures website. After public comment, lawmakers on the committee can choose to amend, hold, table, substitute or make a favorable recommendation on the bill. Or they could choose to do nothing, which would effectively stall the bill. How does a bill get passed? Next, if a bill receives a favorable recommendation, it advances to either the House or Senate floor for consideration. The bill then gets debated on the floor, where it can be amended, substituted or held. At least 15 votes are required to pass a bill in the Senate and at least 38 votes are required for it to pass through the House. If a bill gets approval from both chambers, House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, and Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, sign it. Then, the bill is sent to Gov. Spencer Cox, where he can sign it, veto it or do nothing and allow it to become law without his signature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, the bill becomes law 60 days after adjournment. The bill language may also set a specific date when the law goes into effect. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX While speaking to a crowd of MAGA faithful on Monday, Elon Musk made a grunting noise, placed a hand on his heart and extended it outwards in a quick, snapping motion, palm facing down. He then repeated the motion for the people behind him. "My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured," he declared. Musk's gesture, covered by some news outlets live, immediately elicited comparisons to a salute first used by Italian fascists, then popularized by Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party. While the gesture is also known as the "Roman salute," there is no known Roman art or text that depicts or describes it, and the association was likely just a figment of fascist propaganda. The Nazi variation of the salute, still used as a sign of support and identification with Nazi and fascist causes, has been banned in some countries, including Germany. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Did elon musk just hit the roman salute at his inauguration speech? Hasan Piker, a popular left-wing commentator, asked on X. The Anti-Defamation League, an organization that supported police crackdowns against pro-Palestine student protesters, thought not. Writing on X, the organization claimed that Musk had simply made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm and that it was not a Nazi salute. The post added that all sides should give one another a bit of grace. Some of Musk's defenders posited that his rather stiff heart-to-crowd gesture was the "socially awkward" wave of an "autistic" man. But others, including experts on far right politics, believed what they saw was unambiguous. "Historian of fascism here. It was a Nazi salute and a very belligerent one too," Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history at New York University, wrote on Bluesky. Regardless of Musk's intention, his gesture was well-received by neo-Nazis and far-right extremists, who have flourished on X, formerly Twitter, since the tech billionaire took control of the platform and promised to make it a bastion of free speech. Christopher Pohlhaus, the leader of the neo-Nazi group Blood Tribe, posted the clip of Musk on Telegram with a lightning bolt emoji (a reference to the insignia of the SS, a Nazi paramilitary organization) and the caption: I dont care if this was a mistake. Im going to enjoy the tears over it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew Torba, founder of the far-right social network Gab, shared the clip on his account with the caption: Incredible things are happening already lmao." Musk, who has allied himself with far-right causes in Germany and elsewhere, struck a defiant tone against his critics, sharing a user's post on X that said the "salute hoax" was part of a Democratic "dirty tricks campaign" against him. Frankly, they need better dirty tricks, Musk added. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired. After giving the gesture, Musk continued to speak about "safe cities, secure borders, sensible spending" and America's "manifest destiny" to colonize Mars. BALTIMORE A fifth community solar project has entered Harford Countys development pipeline and is set to add nearly 40 acres to the roughly 61 acres already dedicated to community solar generating systems in Harford County. Per state law, these systems allow property owners to build solar power systems on their land as long as the property is simultaneously being used for farming activity recognized by the Department of Agriculture. The Bonneville Solar Project is the latest to be introduced to Harford County and aims to build a 5-megawatt system on 36.8 acres of a 206.41-acre parcel in Jarrettsville near Jarrettsville and Federal Hill roads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plans were introduced in this month and will go before the countys Development Advisory Committee on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Harford County Administration Building at 220 S. Main St. in Bel Air. The public is invited to attend to learn more about the project and ask developers questions. Harford County allowed community solar projects in 2021, when a bill passed the County Council unanimously. The legislation allowed community solar projects on land zoned for residences or business not agriculture. A workgroup was created by Harford County to assist in the implementation of solar projects on the countys agricultural land, but in 2023, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation turning a seven-year community solar pilot program that allows solar panels on farms into a permanent program. The 2015 community solar pilot program capped energy produced by the projects at about 418 megawatts statewide. The 2023 legislation removed the cap and allowed for unlimited statewide community solar energy generation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once all five of Harfords community solar projects are complete, the county will be generating 13 megawatts of community solar energy. Per state law, community solar systems cannot exceed 5 megawatts each, and at least 40% of the energy output must serve low- to moderate-income subscribers. Harfords projects include: Aberdeen Solar: 18.63-acre project on a 213-acre property south of Interstate 95 and Hiob Lane. This project has received site plan approval. Churchville Solar: 11-acre project on a 54.55-acre property south of Churchville Road and east of Calvary Road. New site plans are pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Magnolia Road Solar Panel Farm: 22.30-acre project on the east side of Magnolia Road and south of Trimble Road. This project has received site plan approval. Miller Chemical 2 MW AC Solar Project: 9-acre project on a 34-acre property on the northwest side of Whiteford Road and southeast side of Pylesville Road. New site plans are pending. Each system is connected to the states electrical distribution grid. Electric companies then use the energy generated to offset purchases from wholesale electricity suppliers providing income to the property owners and allowing energy providers to reduce consumer costs. Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. customers can participate in community solar by purchasing energy from the project owner. Once consumers subscribe, they will receive a credit on their BGE bills for the amount of solar energy they use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maryland is one of 19 states along with Washington, D.C., to allow community solar projects. Currently, New York leads the country in community solar with 1,941 megawatts in operation. Solar projects in the state have been a topic of controversy with projects in Carroll County receiving pushback from local leaders and residents. In 2023, Carroll County commissioners adopted an ordinance that prohibits solar generating facilities on farmland. The ordinance allows for the construction of solar facilities on land zoned for commercial and industrial use. To combat solar projects, Harford County preserved over 1,100 acres of agricultural land in November through the countys agricultural preservation program. Aiming to preserve 75,000 acres by 2040, the program allows the county to pay property owners for their land. All development rights of the property are then eliminated to ensure the can only be used for agricultural purposes. ---------- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is known for being extremely candid with her base. Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images In recent days, she has said that the evidence provided to Congress regarding TikTok potentially being a national security threat "was not very compelling." And for those who were confused about why the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was not immediately condemned online, she said: "Health care in this country has gotten to such a depraved state that people are living with things they should never have to live with. And this is not to say, and this is not to participate in that glorification, but we need to understand that extreme levels of inequality in the United States yield high degrees of social instability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, when asked about why she did not attend President Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday, AOC came with an extremely blunt response: TikTok: AOC / tiktok.com "All these journalists are like, 'Congresswoman, are you going to the inauguration? Congresswoman, are you going to the inauguration?'" she said in a TikTok video that has now amassed nearly 7 million views. Person in casual attire with sunglasses on head, in front of large green leaves indoors TikTok: AOC / tiktok.com "Let me make myself clear," she continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't celebrate rapists," she concluded. "So no. I'm not going to the inauguration." AOC is likely referencing a 2023 jury that found Trump liable for sexually abusing former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996. Notably, he was not found liable for rape. Trump has denied attacking Carroll and will reportedly continue pursuing an appeal of the $83.3-million verdict. Leonardo Munoz / AFP via Getty Images The lawmaker's video currently has about 30,000 comments most of which praise AOC for her take. Users said things like, "thank you!!! i wish more of you were in government!" and "i like how you keep the same energy and consistency." What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments. DENVER (KDVR) Its been five years since 24-year-old Traivon Williams was found suffering from a gunshot wound in the 15600 block of East Caspian Circle in Aurora, and police and Williams mother hope someone knows what happened. Williams was found at about 10:45 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, at an apartment complex in central Aurora. Although first responders provided medical care and Williams was rushed to a hospital, he later died of his injuries. Initial coverage: Man killed in Aurora shooting, police looking for witnesses Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Aurora Police Department said Sunday that while its Major Crimes Homicide Unit detectives thoroughly investigated the case, all actionable leads were exhausted, and the case became cold. Still, investigators believe there are witnesses with information about the shooting who have not yet been interviewed by police. Williams mother, Tabethian, released a letter for all that detailed how the loss of her son has impacted the entire family. She called her sons murderer a coward. Everyone that knew him knew that he would always try to make ends meet, Tabethian wrote. He would also be that helping hand if he could be or was able. He was that son that always wanted to do things for himself to show that he was a man and can take care of business. Traivon Williams, 24, of Aurora, died at a hospital after he was shot on Jan. 19, 2020. (Distributed by the Aurora Police Department) Traivon Williams, 24, of Aurora, died at a hospital after he was shot on Jan. 19, 2020. (Distributed by the Aurora Police Department) She spoke about who he was: A brother who had his siblings back and provided a shoulder for his sister to lean on; one of many grandsons whose absence left a hole that is taking long time to heal; a nephew that towered over his aunts and uncles; a cousin who was the life and the joy that brighten up the party; and a friend who would always help anyone if they needed aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was a support for others when they were going through something. He always had a good time hanging with those special to him, Tabethian wrote. But most of all my son will never get married, have kids, nor be here on this earth enjoying life. He was needed and wanted here. He will be missed and forever loved and never forgotten. She pleaded with any possible witnesses to make the call to the police and provide justice for her son. Denver sees unprecedented number of people seeking cold weather shelter What mother should have to go through such pain, Tabethian wrote. Losing your child for any reason and then have to wait that long knowing that they were near is and forever a pain that you will always live with, and some may never come back from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tabethian said she holds an annual balloon release to light up the skyline in honor of Traivons life. The Aurora Police Department is asking witnesses to contact cold case detective Jason McDonald at 303-739-6013. The investigation remains active and ongoing. Additionally, anyone with any information can contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. A day after Republican Senator Marco Rubio was confirmed as the new U.S. secretary of state on Jan. 20, he gave an indication of his position on ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "We are going to engage in making it (the war) end in a way that is sustainable, meaning we don't just want the conflict to end and then restart in two, three, or four years down the road," Rubio said on the CBS Mornings program. "We want to bring stability." In a rare display of bipartisan consensus, Rubio was confirmed just hours after Trump was sworn in for a second term in the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As state secretary, Rubio will oversee the implementation of Trumps foreign policy, including that relating to Ukraine and Russia's full-scale invasion neither of which were directly referred to by the new president during his inauguration speech. "It is a stalemate. It's a war that was started by Russia, but it is now a stalemate, a protracted bloody conflict," Rubio said on CBS Mornings, adding that the war has been "incredibly destructive" for both Ukraine and Russia. Since Rubio was nominated for the position in early November, the signals coming from Trump and those around him about how the war in Ukraine might end have shifted dramatically, going from a swift end in "in 24 hours," to a much more drawn out process that could take "100 days." "Its a complex conflict and a bloody one, and it needs to end," Rubio said after being confirmed. Regardless of the approach the Trump administration takes, Rubio will be at the forefront of any peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: US likely to sanction Russia if Moscow refuses peace negotiations, Trump says Who is Marco Rubio? Rubio, 53, is a former Republican senator from Florida. The son of Cuban immigrants, he would be the first Latino U.S. secretary of state. Rubio ran for the Republican nomination for U.S. president in 2016 but lost out to Trump after a heated, and at times bitter contest. Despite the rivalry at the time, Rubio went on to endorse Trump in 2016, albeit in not the most convincing of terms. I disagree with him on many things, but I disagree with his opponent on virtually everything. I wish we had better choices for president, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He endorsed Trump once again in 2024. Amid Rubios confirmation, Trump revoked the former U.S. President Joe Bidens last-minute decision to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism in what became the first foreign policy decree by the new administration. Cuba belongs on the list, Rubio said a few days prior. How important is Rubio for Ukraine? The secretary of state job is Washingtons top diplomatic position, and the person in this role is responsible for "carrying out the president's foreign policy decisions and advising the president on issues of international concern," according to the National Museum of American Diplomacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio replaces Antony Blinken, who played a leading role in the U.S.-Ukraine relations throughout Russia's full-scale invasion launched in early 2022. It was Blinken, along with his British counterpart David Lammy, who in September first received President Volodymyr Zelensky's detailed account of why Ukraine needs permission to strike targets deep inside Russia using Western missiles. Blinken has made numerous important announcements regarding Ukraine, including humanitarian assistance from the U.S., the provision of air defenses, and F-16 fighter jets. He has also made numerous trips to Kyiv during Russias full-blown war against Ukraine. While on the job, Blinken was largely supportive of Ukraine and of providing Kyiv with what is needed to fight back against Russia's invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Putin is destroying Russia by not making a deal to end war, Trump says What has Rubio said about Ukraine? Rubio has publicly praised the bravery of Ukrainian defenders but was among the 15 Republican lawmakers in the Senate who voted against the $61 billion aid package for Ukraine in early 2024. Its delay severely hampered Ukraine's fight against Russian forces. In terms of a resolution to the war, Rubio's statements and actions have been very much geared towards negotiation and an end to the fighting rather than giving Ukraine what it needs to push Russian forces from its territory. "I think the Ukrainians have been incredibly brave and strong in standing up to Russia," Rubio said on Nov. 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But at the end of the day, what we are funding here is a stalemate war, and it needs to be brought to a conclusion, or that country is going to be set back 100 years." In September, he insisted he was "not on Russias side" but that the "reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement." "I would be comfortable with a deal that ends these hostilities and that I think is favorable to Ukraine, meaning that they have their own sovereignty, that they dont become a satellite state or a puppet state that is constantly held hostage by the Russians. Im not going to prejudge any agreement." Rubio has refrained from setting out any kind of timeline, and based on public statements, it's been left up to other members of the Trump administration to manage expectations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly said he could end Russia's war within 24 hours if elected president, without ever elaborating on how he planned to achieve it. After winning the presidential election in November, these expectations were significantly dampened by Keith Kellogg, Trump's choice for special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, who said adjusted the timeline to within 100 days. Asked on Jan. 20 about a timeframe for ending the war, Rubio did not provide any specific deadline but said that negotiating a ceasefire would be a "top priority to the president, so itll (begin) almost immediately." "In fact, some of thats already begun. You would hope that some of the groundwork has already been laid, but itll be complex. I mean, its a complex conflict and a bloody one, and it needs to end," he was quoted as saying by CNN. What might a peace deal look like in reality? It's too early to say what sort of peace deal Trump's new administration will pursue and be able to forge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I dont couldnt put a time frame on it, other than to say that anytime you bring an end to a conflict between two sides, neither of whom can achieve their maximum goals, each side is going to have to give up something," Rubio said on Jan. 20, without specifying what these concessions might be. "Russia is the aggressor in this conflict, but this war needs to end. And ultimately, thats the complexity of foreign policy." Some reports in recent months have provided clues as to the shape of any peace process. The latest report came last month when the Financial Times, citing its sources close to Trump's team, reported that he planned to freeze the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the paper, the new Vice President J.D. Vance, in September outlined the idea of freezing the war by establishing autonomous regions on both sides of the demilitarized zone and leaving Ukraine outside the NATO military alliance. According to one of Trump's longtime advisors, the new plan would rethink the failed Minsk agreements of 2014 and 2015, which were never implemented. The agreements contained a plan that would create temporarily autonomous zones in Russian-occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts which would later be fully reintegrated with the rest of Ukraine. Occupied Crimea was not mentioned in the Minsk agreements. In July, Politico reported that Trump was reportedly considering the possibility of making a deal with Russia to block the future NATO accession of certain countries, namely Ukraine and Georgia. One of the sources told Politico that Trump "would be open to something foreclosing NATO expansion and not going back to the 1991 borders for Ukraine. Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials have pushed back against the notion of any sort of ceasefire that would cement Russia's battlefield gains. When (Putin) gains strength, he might issue an ultimatum to recognize all occupied territories, to stay out of NATO, to forget about European integration, Zelensky said in June.And there will be many such conditions, depending on how strong (Putin) is at that moment. Therefore, a ceasefire is a trap, Zelensky added. Read also: Trump pauses US foreign development aid for 90 days, orders review Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A mountain lion was shot and killed in Downieville, California, last week by two residents who came to their neighbors aid. The cougar had a pet dog in its mouth when it was killed, California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Peter Tira told SF Gate of the incident, which took place on Jan. 13 in the small northern California town. The dog did not survive the attack. CDFW was still investigating the incident as of Jan. 17, and the agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. According to a basic summary of events reported in the Mountain Messenger, the Downieville resident was letting her two dogs out around 3 a.m. on Jan. 13 when she saw a pair of eyes on the hillside and tried to call the dogs back. One of the dogs failed to return, so the homeowner called her husband, who was out of town. The husband then notified a neighbor, who brought over a shotgun loaded with buckshot. The neighbor reportedly fired a warning shot first. When the cougar took off running with the dog still in its mouth, the neighbor fired again, dropping the lion but not killing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, the Mountain Messenger reports, a family friend, who was also called just after the neighbor, arrived on the scene with a hunting rifle. Seeing the mountain lion injured but not yet dead, he put it down with a shot to the head. The dog owner says she saw two cougars. And on the morning after the attack, the husband returned to where the lion had been killed and found another mountain lion feeding on the dead cats carcass. CDFW later confirmed with the local news outlet that there were actually three lions in the area likely a mother and two juveniles and that one of the juveniles had been shot, while the other had returned to feed on its sibling. Although CDFW is overseeing the investigation, the Sierra County Sheriffs Office warned residents last week to keep their pets indoors for the time being. The local Public Works Department had also temporarily closed a public park and playground located near the site of the attack. Read Next: My Running Buddy and I Charged the Mountain Lion That Was Trying to Kill His Dog Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I probably wouldnt jog in that area right now, at least early morning and late evening, Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher added in a statement shared with the Messenger. Downieville residents are used to sharing the landscape with predators and other wildlife. Its the same town where a woman was killed by a black bear in 2023, and it lies just 100 miles north of where two shed hunters were attacked (one of whom was killed) by a cougar in 2024. California is home to an estimated 3,200 to 4,500 mountain lions. The species receives special protections in the state, which hasnt held a regulated mountain lion hunt since 1972. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has left the building, and while President Trumps nominee awaits a confirmation hearing, the head of Kennedy Space Center will keep things afloat. Nelson, who flew to space on board Space Shuttle Columbia while a member of the House of Representatives, later served in the U.S. Senate for Florida. He was nominated by President Biden and confirmed as the agencys 14th administrator. His likely replacement is billionaire Jared Isaacman, who flew twice to space partnering up with Elon Musks SpaceX. Until Isaacman is confirmed, though, KSC Director Janet Petro was named interim administrator as Trump took office, becoming the first woman to ever lead the agency, even if temporarily. NASAs Associate Administrator Jim Free was notably passed over for the role, even though he is the lead civil employee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just how NASAs leadership structure may change under Isaacmans potential confirmation remains to be seen, but Nelson in a farewell letter to whoever gets the job highlights the benefits of an agency that crosses party lines for support. There is a special power that space has, that NASA has, to bring together the nations of the Earth, whether we come from different parties or from different continents, we find common ground when we look to the stars for we go to space to learn the secrets of the universe, but in the process, we learn about something else, we learn about ourselves, he wrote. That was something I saw when I looked back at our Earth from the window of a spacecraft as I orbited the Earth, he continued. I saw a beautiful, colorful, magnificent creation suspended in nothing. And when I looked back at our home, I did not see borders. I did not see racial division. I did not see religious division, and I did not see political division. I saw that we are all in this together as citizens of planet Earth. He urged his successor to listen and trust the people who work at NASA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They understand to their core how to make the impossible real in our time, he wrote. He said NASAs role in the government is rare as its mission is nonpartisan and support comes from all sides of the political spectrum. Because NASA keeps that truth at the center of its work, I was moved by the camaraderie, respect and support we received from our allies in Congress, he wrote. I hope you revel in your time at NASA, when you walk the halls and the lots, the control rooms and the assembly buildings, the laboratories and the runways of this special space agency. NASA head Bill Nelson offers advice for successor in farewell interview Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He paid homage to the history of KSC while pushing NASAs plans for the Artemis missions in the future, including the goal of returning humans to the moon for the first time since the end of the Apollo program in 1972. And referenced the tragedies that led to the deaths of astronauts such as the Apollo I, Challenger and Columbia accidents. When you take in that panorama, you get a view that might be one of the rarest sites on Earth, he wrote. You can see with unusual clarity the past and the future at the same time, and the past and the future meet right here, here at NASA and here in this room where this letter now has reached you. He reminded the reader of the letter that the role leading NASA is just a chapter in the agencys story. I say this not to elevate the importance of the office of the administrator, but to reframe it we are merely temporary stewards of this extraordinary space agency, he wrote. Humanitys dream in the stars is bigger than any of us, bigger than any one person, any one nation and any one generation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His said he believed the work of the agency transcends any one administration. We work for the pioneers who came before us and the adventurers who will come after us, he wrote. Our job, I believe, is to leave this space agency even better than we found it, for it is the children, the students of the Artemis generation, that will lead our world into a spectacular new future. And our job is to show them the way. He signed off noting as a former administrator and proud American he was rooting for his replacement. Your success is NASAs success, and NASAs success is the nations success. Im at your service to help in any way what that I can, he wrote. Here at NASA, humanitys capacity to discover and Americas capacity to lead shines bright. May you and the NASA team lead our world into new dazzling new dreams. May you sail on the cosmic sea to far off cosmic shores. (COLORADO SPRINGS) The nephew of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is in Colorado Springs for a series of panels and discussions on justice, democracy, and freedom in todays social and political climate. Isaac Newton Farris Jr., nephew of MLK Jr., will be appearing at three educational panels on Monday (MLK Day), Tuesday, and Wednesday, Jan. 20-22, to kick off the spring semester. The panel series is presented in collaboration with the Pikes Peak Diversity Council, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Preservation Society, and Pikes Peak State Colleges (PPSC) Black Student Union. Organizers said the series of events are titled Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365, and underscore the importance of collaboration, respect, and resilience in addressing contemporary challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farris Jr. attended his uncles alma mater at Morehouse College, where he majored in political science. Organizers of the panel series said his upbringing in one of Americas most socially and politically active families has provided him with a front row seat, witnessing how policy is formulated and implemented. Isaac Newton Farris Jr.s visit to Pikes Peak State is a valuable opportunity for our students to learn from Dr. Martin Luther Kings nephew on the importance of social action, said TyAnna Jones Boyd, who is the current president of the Black Student Union at PPSC. This panel discussion will promote diversity, equitable change, and nonviolent activism in a challenging political landscape. We hope this event will encourage our student body to take a stand for community justice, inclusion and advocacy for underserved populations right here in Colorado Springs. The panel series is free and open to the public, and all will feature Farris Jr. Monday , Jan. 20: Youth panel discussion will be held from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Louisa Performing Arts Center of the Colorado Springs School, 21 Broadmoor Avenue. Tuesday, Jan. 21: College panel discussion will be held from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at the Centennial Theater at the PPSC Centennial Campus, 5675 S Academy Blvd. The panel will explore nonviolence as a framework for addressing the critical issues of freedom, justice, and democracy. Organizers said the discussion will aim to honor Dr. Kings enduring legacy while empowering attendees to engage in service, advocacy, and action throughout the year. Wednesday, Jan. 22: Community panel discussion will be held from 3:00-5:30 p.m. at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) in the Roaring Fork Hall within Kettle Creek Event Venue, 4785 Stanton Rd. This event is an opportunity to strengthen our community by reflecting on Rev. Dr. Kings principles of nonviolence, equality, and inclusion, said Dr. Enrique Romo, Vice President of Student Experience and Equity at PPSC. We hope to inspire attendees to recommit themselves to these values and work toward a more just and inclusive society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Attorneys general from 18 states, including Nevada, sued the Trump administration Tuesday to stop it from seeking to eliminate birthright citizenship, a protection guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts federal court, asks a judge to deem Trumps order, which he signed Monday on his first day in office, unlawful, documents said. The executive order says birthright citizenship should not extend to children born to a parent in the country illegally. Democratic Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is one of 18 attorneys general who joined the lawsuit, seeking a judge to pause its enforcement, which would start in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 14th Amendment states: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Despite the Constitutions guarantee of citizenship, thousands of children, for the first time, will lose their ability to fully and fairly be a part of American society as a citizen with all its benefits and privileges, Ford said during a news conference Tuesday. The order could also force states to lose federal funding, Ford said. In November, Ford said he would fight against any unconstitutional actions the then-president-elect may take. Ford noted Tuesday that it was Day 2 of the new presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other lawsuits, including one from the American Civil Liberties Union, were filed late Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Southern Nevadas congressional delegation all Democrats congratulated and cautioned President Donald Trump as he began his second term Monday. Trump won the election in November by 1.5% or about 2 million votes. The president also became the first Republican candidate since 2004 to win Nevadas six electoral votes, besting Vice President Kamala Harris by about 46,000 votes. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen voted to impeach Trump in both his impeachment trials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, we completed one of the most foundational principles of our democracy, which is the peaceful transfer of power, Cortez Masto said in a statement. I look forward to working with the incoming administration to lower prices, create jobs, and keep our communities safe. But make no mistake, if President Trump uses his position to hurt hardworking Nevadans, I will always stand strong to protect them. Today, we witnessed yet another peaceful transfer of power, Rosen posted on X. Im always willing to work across the aisle, including with the Trump-Vance Administration, to lower costs and deliver for Nevada families. But Ill also push back on any extreme actions that would hurt our nation. I will work with President Trump on any policy that achieves these goals for Nevadans and the American people, Rep. Steven Horsford said in a statement. And I will honor Americas long tradition of principled opposition when his policies fall short. I wish President Trump the best in office, and look forward to representing the people of Nevadas 4th Congressional District in negotiations with him. Today we witnessed the peaceful transfer of power which is essential to our democracy, Rep. Dina Titus posted on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several prominent Las Vegas-area business figures attended the inauguration, including Phil Ruffin and Dana White. Rep. Susie Lee posted on X before the inauguration that she supported a peaceful transfer of power. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo also did not share a message. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Firefighters in Southern California are battling two new wildfires that erupted early Tuesday morning, prompting fresh evacuations as dangerous fire weather conditions continue to grip the region. The Lilac Fire was first reported around 1:20 a.m. near Old Highway 395 in Bonsall, Calif., 46 miles north of San Diego, according to the San Diego County Fire Department. The fire threatened numerous structures, and mandatory evacuation orders were issued for some nearby areas. Firefighters are making good progress on the fire. The fire activity has decreased significantly, San Diego County Fire said in an update posted on X Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to fire officials, the fire has burned approximately 80 acres and is now 30% contained. Firefighters battle the Lilac Fire in Bonsall, Calif., early Tuesday. (Jae C. Hong/AP) A second blaze, the Pala Fire, broke out along the same highway in Pala Mesa, Calif., and burned 17 acres before firefighters were able to stop its forward progress. The causes of both fires are under investigation. Fire weather forecast Red flag warning were issued by the National Weather Service through Tuesday. (NOAA) The new fires come amid the return of strong Santa Ana winds that fueled this months deadly wildfire outbreak. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles issued particularly dangerous situation red flag warnings for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Tuesday afternoon and fire weather watches through Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humidities will drastically lower to the single digits. Along with the extremely dry fuels, this will create Extremely Critical fire-weather conditions and rapid fire spread with any fires, the National Weather Service in Los Angeles said. Wind gusts between 70 and 100 mph were possible in the mountains around the L.A. Basin, the weather service said. Latest on the Palisades and Eaton fires Smoke lingers over an area devastated by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 9. (John Locher/AP) Firefighters in Los Angeles County continue to make progress in containing the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have not grown in size over the past week. According to Cal Fire, the Palisades Fire has burned 23,713 acres and is 63% contained. The Eaton Fire has burned 14,021 acres and is 89% contained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fires have destroyed more than 15,000 structures and killed at least 27 people. On Sunday, evacuation orders were lifted for some residents impacted by the Eaton Fire. In some areas impacted by the Palisades Fire, evacuation orders were lifted Monday. The danger doesnt end when the wildfire is extinguished, the County of Los Angeles warned people returning to their homes in a press release. The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions. Hours after attending President Trumps inauguration, former Vice President Kamala Harris and former second gentleman Doug Emhoff visited with firefighters and residents affected by the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Trump is expected to visit Southern California on Friday to tour the fire-ravaged area and meet with first responders. Advertisement Advertisement BANGKOK (AP) On his first full day as secretary of state, Marco Rubio is meeting with his counterparts from a group of countries known as the Quad, which is made up of the United States plus India, Japan and Australia, representing nearly 2 billion people and more than a third of global GDP. The grouping has been around for more than 15 years, but has recently grown in importance. What exactly is it? A diplomatic partnership, but maybe more? The Quad was established in 2007 to bring together countries that had worked together in response to the devastating 2004 earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Its members stress its diplomatic nature and broad focus on regional issues including infrastructure, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, climate change, and maritime security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though security is only part of the mix, the Quad is a major component of the American strategy to counter China's growing assertiveness and vast territorial claims in the region, including to virtually all of the strategically important South China Sea and the democratic self-governing island of Taiwan. As a result, the group is frequently referred to as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue though officially it's just the Quad. The strategic element to the Quad has prompted China to accuse the four countries of attempting to form an Asian NATO, though it is a very different construction and has no mutual-defense pact, a key component to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance. Still, the White House stressed following a Quad summit in September that the members were working with partners throughout the region to bolster maritime security, improve maritime domain awareness, and uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific. How important is it? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not long after its founding, the Quad fell dormant and stayed that way for a decade until President Donald Trump in his first term agreed with the leaders of Japan, Australia and India to revive it. The meetings of the countries' top diplomats were elevated under Joe Biden's presidency to summits of leaders, most recently in September in Biden's home state of Delaware. Over Biden's four years in office, defense cooperation between the Quad members has deepened. Japan, Australia and the U.S. have all increased their defense spending, with the Americans increasingly targeting the Asia-Pacific region, while India has held its expenditure steady. At the Delaware summit, the countries agreed to expand the partnership among their coast guards to improve interoperability and capabilities, with Indian, Japanese and Australian personnel sailing on U.S. ships in the region Japan and Australia have also been broadly revamping their defense strategies, with Australia entering the AUKUS agreement with the U.S. and United Kingdom to obtain nuclear-powered submarines and other advanced capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What comes next? It remains to be seen whether Trump will keep the Quad at the leaders level, or turn it back to the nations' top diplomats, though the fact that there will be a meeting in Washington the day after his inauguration signals it's likely to remain important. For his part, Rubio called China the most potent, dangerous and near-peer adversary this nation has ever confronted during his confirmation hearing Wednesday, and the issues that gave rise to the rebirth of the Quad in Trump's first term have only intensified. Among other things, China has been pursuing its regional territorial claims more aggressively, leading to direct confrontations with the Philippines and others, and working toward establishing a true 'blue-water" navy capable of operating in seas far from China, including advancing toward the construction of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, in a growing global challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the meeting with Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called bilateral ties with the U.S. our most important strategic relationship and said she was happy a meeting of the Quad countries was being held so soon after the inauguration. Its a demonstration of the collective commitment of all countries to the Quad, an iron-clad commitment in this time where close cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is so important, she told reporters in Washington on the weekend. Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the anti-government group the Oath Keepers, said it was a good day for America when President Trump pardoned him and other Jan. 6 defendants on Monday. I think its a good day for America that all the wrongs are being undone, he told News4. None of them should have been here in the first place. Rhodes stood outside the Washington, D.C. jail waiting for more people to be released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were here to welcome them, he said. Rhodes, the former leader of the Proud Boys, told the outlet that he was released from a federal correctional facility in Maryland late Monday after Trump issued pardons to more than 1,000 people who stormed the Capitol four years ago. On his first day in office after his inauguration ceremony, Trump granted full, complete and unconditional pardons for nearly all of the rioters. What theyve done to these people is outrageous, Trump said while signing executive orders in the Oval Office on Monday. Rhodes was serving an 18-year prison term. He was one of the defendants that had their sentences commuted to time served. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal judge who oversaw Rhodes case said recently the idea of him being absolved of his actions was frightening. Supporters of Jan. 6 rioters stood outside in freezing temperatures overnight to wait for defendants to be released, News4 reported. James Lee Bright, an attorney for Rhodes, said they were deeply thankful that Trump commuted his sentence but ultimately believe he will later be pardoned or be successful in his appeal of his sedition conviction. Copyright 2025 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. Dr. Joe Morris of Mercyhurst University was in the JET 24/FOX 66 studio to give his insight on what to expect in the initial days of President Donald Trumps second term in the White House. Copyright 2025 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) on Monday asked President Trump to examine congestion pricing in Manhattan. As you begin your second term as President, I welcome any opportunity to work with you and your Administration where we can find common ground. One area where I believe our priorities align is congestion pricing, a letter from Murphy reads. The Democrat told Trump the program did not receive enough federal scrutiny last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A congestion pricing plan detailed in spring 2024 would have charged passenger vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street $15. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said in June the plan was delayed, also stating that a $15 charge may not mean a lot to someone who has the means, but it can break the budget of a working- or middle-class household. The plan was later revived only days after Trumps election, going into effect earlier this month but at $9 for most vehicles. The Biden administration approved the plan with the lower toll. By getting congestion pricing underway and fully supporting the [Metropolitan Transport Authority] capital plan, well unclog our streets, reduce pollution and deliver better public transit for millions of New Yorkers, Hochul said in November. Trump has openly opposed the plan, and Republicans in New York have called on him to end it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murphy asked for the programs review. I am attaching a letter on behalf of New Jersey requesting that New Yorks congestion pricing scheme receive the close look it deserved but did not receive from the federal government last year, Murphy said in his Monday letter. I hope that you will ensure that this request receives prompt attention from the relevant officials within your Administration. The Hill has reached out to the White House, Hochuls office and New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) for comment. In an email to The Hill, the Metropolitan Transport Authority said they dont have a comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 5:13 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 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. NEW JERSEY (PIX11) New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Monday seeking to end congestion pricing in New York City. Congestion pricing went into effect on Jan. 5. Under congestion pricing, drivers are charged a $9 toll during peak hours to enter Manhattans Central Business District at and below 60th Street. More Local News In the letter to Trump, Murphy expressed an issue with the federal approval process for congestion pricing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Yorks scheme has never been well-designed or adequately studied, and the lack of proper analysis was exacerbated over the last year as officials repeatedly made significant changes to the program and secretly rushed them through federal approvals, Murphy wrote. The governor warned that New Jersey plans to amend its pending lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration to challenge how they handled New Yorks changes to the congestion pricing plan over the last year. In the meantime, I am attaching a letter on behalf of New Jersey requesting that New Yorks congestion pricing scheme receive the close look it deserved but did not receive from the federal government last year, Murphy wrote. Trump previously said he would put an end to congestion pricing as president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Congestion Pricing News U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler of New York told PIX11 News that he believes the Trump administration has the authority to revoke congestion pricings federal approval. [Trump] agrees with us that this is a scam, that it is bad for New York, bad for the country, Lawler said on PIX on Politics last week. For this program to go into effect, the Federal Highway Administration had to approve it under the Biden administration. I believe President Trump would have the right to revoke those approvals. Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than six years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 PIX11. Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, and other members of the Senate Committees' Committee talk about a list of bill that have been rules germane at the State Capitol, Thursday, January 18, 2024. (Photo by Eddie Moore / Albuquerque Journal) The opening gavel strike for the 2025 session is mere hours away and so begins the flurry of activity of a nearly $11 billion dollar budget and lawmaking. Sen. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), the Senate Majority Leader, sat down with Source New Mexico to talk about priorities in the 60-day session. He celebrated the closeness of the governors proposed budget, and the one proposed by lawmakers, saying theres a lot of consensus even before the negotiations start. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a really good thing for us during the session, but also for New Mexicans, because we need to continue to put forward responsible budgets, Wirth said. The relationship between the fourth floor and the rest of the Roundhouse has thawed, but only recently. In July, lawmakers adjourned a special session last year after five hours. The two houses passed emergency funds for disaster victims, but declined to take up any of the governors proposals for determining when someone can stand trial, harsher prison sentences and other crime legislation. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called Julys special session one of the most disappointing days of my career, and excoriated Democratic leadership in the days before and after for not sponsoring her proposed bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wirth personally will be bringing bills addressing campaign finance reform, a plan to give the state more authority on protecting intermittent rivers from federal regulations gaps and raising caps for the states insurance program, a last resort for homeowners, among others. But the first 30 days, lawmakers expect to focus on two legislative packages addressing public safety and behavioral health. Source: Whats your assessment of how the Legislature will work with the governors public safety agenda? Wirth: There have been a number of conversations between myself and the governor about the public safety process, and what weve done with the 30-day expedited plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public safety package will be an omnibus bill centered around criminal competency and on the behavioral health side, there will be a new behavioral health trust fund, taking one-time, non-recurring money and putting it into a trust fund. Itll spin off a 5% return. Were hoping to get that up to $1 billion may not happen this year, right up front. Then theres going to be a second appropriation, probably $150 to $200 million for behavioral health infrastructure. We are continuing to deal with the decimation of the whole behavioral health system that happened 10 years ago and critical to public safety proposals involving those suffering from mental illness and are unhoused is that theres a place for them to get treatment. I think the two parts of this overall package that well do in the first 30 days are something certainly that the governor wants: It fits into her agenda. Obviously, there will be discussions about what is in the public safety agenda package her priorities and our priorities but Im feeling more optimistic about a process thats good to get us where we need to go. There were hard words in the aftermath of last years special session from the governor, chastising lawmakers for not addressing public safety then; has the relation been better in recent months? Theres no question that it was strained after the special session, but the governor reached out first, she and I have had a number of one-on-one meetings, and again, I think theres an understanding that we need to move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im really confident that the process weve set up here gives us the chance to thoroughly vet these bills, which are complicated. And the special session: it just wasnt ready, there was no behavioral health piece. The frustrating thing is it wasnt ready to go, it was forced and you cant do a special session when everythings not preplanned. I also want to stress weve had six incredible years of productive work during Gov. Lujan Grishams term. Ive been here long enough to know thats certainly not always the case. Under the prior administration, from a Democratic perspective, we spent eight years fighting for the status quo. Theres been this concern that the focus on crime would suck attention from other issues coming forward in the session, any response on that? Absolutely. I had the same concern, but I think its really important by having this emphasis on the first 30 days. It allows us to really put forward a package, send it to the governor and then shift gears, and make sure we get all the other key issues through the process and to the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What you dont want to have is 100 different crime bills floating around and us trying to round all that up right at the end of the session. I think that would have the potential to have the whole thing crater. Well have a focused package up front and I want to be clear, it doesnt mean additional crime bills wont be heard on an individual basis. I think putting the emphasis up front addresses that concern and will allow us to obviously send it up to the governor. She gets her input on it, and adds things and figures out what needs to be on the table as we move forward. Putting the emphasis on the midway point, I think helps address exactly those concerns. Italys Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has stated that there is no straightforward solution to Russias war against Ukraine. Source: Crosetto during Senate hearings on extending military aid to Ukraine until 31 December 2025, as quoted by Italian national news agency ANSA, reported by European Pravda Details: During his speech, Crosetto emphasised the need to continue supporting Ukraine to create the necessary conditions for a ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "No simple or immediate solution has emerged. There has been a significant increase in Russian attacks that indiscriminately hit military and civilian targets in Ukraine." More details: He noted that the Italian government aims "to provide support to Ukraine in order to finally create the conditions for a ceasefire and to open a necessary diplomatic discussion to reach a long-lasting peace". Background: Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Russias full-scale war against Ukraine will not end "tomorrow or the day after tomorrow", despite US President Donald Trumps promises to resolve it quickly. On the first day of his second term as US president, Trump said that Ukraines president is ready to make a deal and highlighted that Russia is facing significant challenges that should encourage Putin to negotiate. Support UP or become our patron! Donald Trump made sweeping promises Monday in his inaugural address, including a vow to send troops to the U.S.-Mexico border and a declaration that the government would recognize no other genders other than male and female. But there was much that went unsaid. Trump avoided topics that were staples on the campaign trail and may help determine the success of his second presidency. These unmentioned areas included the war in Ukraine, which he said he would end within 24 hours of taking office, and tariffs, which he pledged to implement on day one. The avoidance of these complex topics suggests that the new administration must still navigate competing interests as the president fields counsel from people with divergent views on trade, foreign affairs and aspects of domestic policy such as abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at some of the unmentioned policy areas confronting the new administration: Abortion It was the No. 1 issue for Democrats during the campaign. It was also a winning issue for them in the 2022 midterm election, and one that Trump was able to apparently neutralize in the presidential race with his promise to leave the issue of abortion access to the states in the post-Roe era. Still, its absence from his inauguration address was notable in that the repeal of Roe was one his most significant first-term accomplishments. His decision not to talk about it reveals just how deeply polarizing the issue remains for the country and his desire to stay away from that political albatross. Obamacare Trump spent much of the first year of his term trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act, an effort that famously ended in part with a thumbs down on the Senate floor from the late Arizona Sen. John McCain. House Speaker Mike Johnson, back in October, promised massive reform to the sweeping federal health program if Trump won the election but the topic was notably absent from Trumps Monday address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, he proclaimed a much broader health agenda, one that mirrors a key focus of his Health and Human Services Secretary pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ending the chronic disease epidemic, which he said would keep our children safe, healthy and disease-free. Ukraine Trump pledged on the campaign trail that if elected president he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. But the country, and its ongoing war with Russia, didnt even get a brief mention in the presidents inaugural address which instead focused on the success of the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which led to the first Israeli hostages captured during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack being released. He did, however, say that his proudest legacy would be to be a peacemaker and unifier, proclaiming that he would measure success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars we end, as well as the wars we never get into. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keith Kellogg, a retired U.S. general who is Trumps pick to be special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, is expected to play a major role in navigating the ongoing conflict, as well as helping to guide other portions of the presidents foreign policy agenda. The power of the courts Republicans have been long fixated on moving the courts to the right. During his first campaign for president, Trump even went so far as to release a list of potential Supreme Court picks. And while many conservatives laud the fact that Trump was able to appoint three conservative justices to the nations highest court during his term Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett they argue their work is far from done. Just take a look at Trump legal defender Mike Davis Article III project, which describes itself as bringing brass knuckles to fight leftist lawfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, there was no talk of conservative judges or a rightward shift on the court during Trumps Monday address, only broadly restoring fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law. Tariffs Trump promised Monday to create an External Revenue Service to collect tariffs and other revenue from foreign nations and promised to overhaul the countrys trade system. But he didnt get into specifics about the levies hes hoping to put on imported products from other countries, including Canada, Mexico and China. And while Trump in November promised to impose 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada on his first day in office an effort he said was aimed at stemming the flow of fentanyl his Day One policy was much broader. It instead charges federal agencies with investigating and addressing trade deficits and unfair trade and currency practices by other countries. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A Nob Hill restaurant was forced to close for part of the busy holiday weekend after getting burglarized. It was really devastating because Sundays our busiest day. Its a holiday weekend. It was critical, you know, that loss of revenue was really devastating, said Jacob Elliot, owner of Farmacy restaurant. Story continues below He said the break-in at his restaurant happened early Sunday morning. He said the thief took everything from iPads and liquor to towels and merchandise. He just went systematically through the restaurant and kind of cleaned us out, said Elliot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said they were able to track one of the electronics abandoned in a parking lot near Expo New Mexico. He believes the suspect hopped the fence and came in the door, noting all the doors were locked after the break-in. So, the perpetrator had a key to the restaurant and I dont know how he ended up with that, said Elliot. Its been roughweve had windows broken, weve had vandalism but this is on a-whole-nother level The Albuquerque Police Department arrested Jason Rojas after getting a call for a suspicious person in that area. According to the criminal complaint filed by APD, Farmacy had surveillance video only of a man, matching Rojas, locking the business door. The complaint states that Rojas told police he found the keys in the area of the restaurant and only locked the door but never went inside. He is facing a number of charges including criminal trespassing. Meanwhile, a bright spot among the break-in is the staff and community. The staff kind of rallies together. and they have the Farmacy in their best interest too, said Elliot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One employee also noted that guests were tipping extra generously on Monday. Additionally, community members quickly raised money for the business on GoFundMe. Anytime weve run into these major issues the community has always rallied behind us and its really humbling, said Elliot. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Getty Images Over the past five years, hundreds of people in Polk County, Minnesota, have been charged with possessing drugs in drug-free zones despite not setting foot on those properties. They include two young men who admitted to police they previously used drugs at one of their parents houses, which is across the street from a school. A homeless man suspected of stealing two candy bars from a convenience store got a drug-free zone charge because police found him walking across a bridge near a park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman in Crookston, Polk County, was charged because her vehicle was in the parking lot of an apartment complex that happened to be within a block of a park. Minnesota, like virtually every other state, imposes enhanced penalties for drug crimes committed in the vicinity of a school, park or public housing drug-free zones, in legal parlance. And in Minnesota, those zones encompass not just the property itself, but also the area up to one block around it. Violations of Minnesotas drug-free zone statutes are uncommon. They make up just a sliver about 1% of all drug crimes charged in the state. Theyre also much less common than many other criminal offenses, like disorderly conduct, domestic assault, DWI or trespassing. But things are different in Polk County, a largely rural county in the northern Red River Valley in the states northwest. After traffic infractions like speeding and DWI, drug-free zone offenses like the ones cited above were the most commonly charged crimes in the county between 2019 and 2023, according to data from the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During those years there were 1,621 drug-free zone possession charges in the entire state. Prosecutors in Polk County, home to about 0.5% of the state population, filed 40% of them. The unusual charging practices, first reported by the Grand Forks Herald last year, are drawing the attention of civil liberties advocates and defense attorneys, who say authorities there are pushing the letter of the law to its very limit in order to impose severe penalties on people with substance abuse problems. I have not had the experience of working anywhere else where the drug charges are so non-standard, and so punitive, said Bruce Ringstrom, a Moorhead defense attorney who has represented clients in Polk County. As a consequence, the incarceration rate in Polk County is roughly triple the state average. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polk County Attorney Greg Widseth, who was first elected to the office in 2002 and has run unopposed in every election since then, did not respond to requests for comment. Aggressive pursuits While schools and parks are a feature of virtually every Minnesota county, none of them approach Polk County in terms of the sheer number of prohibited zone offenses charged. Minneapolis, for instance, has roughly 180 parks and 100 schools, but Hennepin County authorities only charged about two dozen drug-free zone possession offenses between 2019 and 2023 roughly one-thirtieth the number charged in Polk County, which is home to just 30,000 people. Advocates are especially concerned by one Polk County law enforcement practice in particular: Officers pull over suspected drug users, and if illicit substances or paraphernalia are found in the car, the officers ask what route the driver took prior to the stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If authorities deduce that the route took the vehicle past a school or park, they charge the driver with a drug-free zone offense, regardless of whether or not officers directly witnessed the offense, and regardless of whether the suspect spent any time in the prohibited zone or simply drove past it in the course of their day. East Grand Forks City Hall on Jan. 20, 2025. Photo by Christopher Ingraham/Minnesota Reformer. Last year, for instance, one woman received a drug-free zone charge because she told East Grand Forks officers she had previously driven on one of the citys main thoroughfares, which goes past a park. It seems like an innocuous thing to do, to tell a police officer where youve been throughout the day, said Kurtis Hanna, a drug reform lobbyist with Blunt Strategies, a cannabis consulting firm. But for people found in possession of drugs or paraphernalia, the ramifications of answering that question are so big, and I dont think most people realize it. Authorities in Polk County are essentially using schools and parks to enhance charges against people who happen to be addicts, and driving past a school or park to get from point A to B, Ringstrom said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The enhanced charges cause defendants criminal history scores to go through the roof, he added. What it means is if they ever get charged again, Polk County has saddled them with so much history they send them away to prison for a long time. On a per-capita basis, Polk County along with the two smaller neighboring counties it shares a corrections system with sends more people to prison and jail than any other county in the state, according to data from the Vera Institute of Justice. The total statewide incarceration rate, which includes people serving time in state prisons as well as local jails, was 360 inmates per 100,000 people ages 15 to 64 in 2022, according to Veras data. In Polk County and its two smaller neighbors, the rate is 1,417 inmates per 100,000 more than three times the statewide average. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no disagreement that Polk County, like virtually every county in the United States, has an illicit drug problem. Many of the people charged with drug-free zone offenses have lengthy law enforcement records as a result of their drug use, and in many cases they are also found to be committing other serious offenses, like driving under the influence, at the time of their arrest. But researchers have generally found that aggressively punitive approaches do little to solve the underlying problem of substance abuse. People are using drugs because theyre having issues in their lives, Hanna said. The criminal justice approach of penalizing these people exacerbates their alienation. Theyre having a harder time being a member of their community because they have the scarlet letter of being a convicted felon or facing felony charges. A relic of the War on Drugs An article in the Aug. 10, 1989 issue of the St. Paul Recorder (image courtesy of Kurtis Hanna) Minnesotas prohibited zone law is a product of the Reagan-era War on Drugs and the 1980s crack epidemic. It was signed into law in 1989, spearheaded by then-DFL Attorney General Hubert Humphrey III and DFL Rep. Peter McLaughlin of Minneapolis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to have tough laws on the books to keep [schools and parks] from becoming centers for drug trafficking and use, McLaughlin told the St. Paul Recorder. The report notes that Minnesotas law was the first in the nation designating parks as drug-free zones in addition to schools. Crucially, Minnesotas drug-free zones extend 300 feet or one block, whichever distance is greater, from the property line of the location in question. That allows authorities to charge people simply for walking or driving in the general vicinity of a school or park, even if they never set foot in those places. It also means that municipalities wishing to take a punitive approach to drug use can designate public lands as parks in order to facilitate more prohibited zone offenses. In 2019, for instance, the East Grand Forks City Council passed a resolution, at the request of the Polk County Attorneys Office, to update its list of designated parks as an aid to prosecution of drug-dealers and possessors. The list includes neighborhood parks established many decades ago, as well as the entirety of the Greenway Recreational Area a sprawling natural zone abutting the citys rivers that was created in part to protect residential neighborhoods from floods. Detail from a December 2019 East Grand Forks city council resolution designating certain areas as parks as an aid to prosecution of drug-dealers and possessors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is virtually impossible for any person to traverse the city without finding themselves within a school or park zone, Polk County public defender Eric Gudmundson argued as part of an appeal of a drug-free zone case last year. Defense lawyers say that Crookston, the second-largest city in the county, also has an unusual abundance of park property. The city of Crookston has more school and park zones than any other city Im familiar with, Ringstrom said. Shifting priorities In 2024, Polk County Attorney Widseth told the Grand Forks Herald that hes simply upholding the laws that are on the books. For me, its as simple as, if you want to violate the law, dont do it within those zones, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But state data suggests a dramatic shift in county authorities approach to drug-free zone offenses in the mid-2010s. Prior to 2016, authorities typically charged between 10 and 20 such offenses each year. But in 2017, the number spiked to over 120 and has remained high ever since, according to data from the Minnesota Judicial Branch. The timing is notable because in 2016 the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, which sets sentencing standards across the state, initiated changes that reduced penalties for many minor drug offenses. Prosecutors in Polk County vehemently opposed those changes. In a letter to then-Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, obtained by the Reformer, assistant county attorney Scott Buhler accused the Sentencing Guidelines Commission of wanting less drug offenders in prison and more of them left at large in society. Buhler also slammed the proposed elimination of some mandatory minimum drug sentences, and called the proposed changes an attempt to follow the misguided policies of the OBama [sic] administration (which I believe are going to have a long-lasting and devastating effect on America in the very near future) of simply releasing thousands of convicted criminals into this nations communities. The changes, however, were adopted. The following year, drug-free zone possession charges in Polk County spiked by more than 300%. Appeals Defense lawyers have in recent years challenged the legality of Polk Countys drug-free zone enforcement, arguing it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Travelers in Polk County are targeted for drug-free zone enforcement at much higher rate than similarly situated persons travelling anywhere else in Minnesota, defense attorney Jessen Alexander wrote in an appeal of a 2021 conviction. It is impossible to discern any reasonable explanation other than discriminatory enforcement, to explain the disparate treatment between persons travelling in Polk County and persons travelling anywhere else in Minnesota. But local courts so far have been unpersuaded. Neither the U.S. Constitution nor the Minnesota Constitution requires that a Polk County prosecutor share the same charging practice as a Ramsey County prosecutor, Ninth Judicial District judge Anne Rasmusson, appointed by former Gov. Mark Dayton, wrote in a 2022 ruling. If voters disagree with the decisions made by [the county attorneys] office, they can voice that opinion at the ballot box, she added. Los Angeles is reeling after fires of historic proportions raced through many communities in January 2025, destroying thousands of homes. The Conversation U.S. asked Vanessa Crossgrove Fry, an associate research professor and director of the Idaho Policy Institute at Boise State University, and an expert on sustainable management and nonprofit administration, to explain what role nonprofits can play in staving off disasters and dealing with them when and after they occur. Whats the role of nonprofits when disasters strike? They play a critical role by complementing government efforts and filling gaps in immediate and long-term recovery needs. Collaboration is a hallmark of how nonprofits respond to disasters. These organizations often work alongside government agencies and private sector partners in coordinated efforts. This approach ensures that aid is distributed efficiently, directing resources where they are needed most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Often, national groups lead efforts to establish emergency shelters, distribute food and water, and offer mental health support. In a best-case scenario, these large organizations partner with local nonprofits that are uniquely positioned to mobilize quickly, leveraging their deep understanding of community needs and established trust with residents. In some disasters, especially large ones like the Lahaina, Hawaii, fire in 2023, nonprofits also act as coordinators. They make sure that volunteers, donations and other resources flow to people who need help. Nonprofits flexibility and community-based networks enable them to respond to local challenges, such as supporting displaced families or addressing unmet needs in underserved areas. Beyond immediate relief, many nonprofits remain involved in long-term recovery efforts, assisting with rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods and fostering community resilience. While surrounded by food donations, Evangeline Balintona, left, and her sister Elsie Rosales, sit inside a hotel-condo after they both lost homes in Lahaina to the wildfire, Sept. 1, 2023, in Kahana, Hawaii. AP Photo/Marco Garcia What do nonprofits do before disasters occur? Nonprofits play a crucial role in disaster preparedness by working to reduce risks and build resilience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fire-prone regions like the Los Angeles foothills, organizations often focus on educating the public, helping residents understand fire risks and creating evacuation plans. They also implement fire mitigation strategies, such as spreading awareness about the importance of clearing brush and replacing wooden roofs. Nonprofits also run community training programs, such as CPR certification or Community Emergency Response Team CERT training, or Sound the Alarm events to empower residents to respond effectively during emergencies. With CERT training, a local fire department might equip volunteers to prepare for the hazards theyre likely to face in their communities. That kind of exercise empowers them with essential disaster-response skills, including fire safety and light search and rescue know-how. During Sound the Alarm events, smoke detectors are installed in vulnerable communities and residents get help creating evacuation plans. Partnerships with government agencies, private companies and other nonprofits should ideally be in place before a disaster occurs to ensure a coordinated response when the time comes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, nonprofits may establish agreements about setting up emergency shelters or accessing and distributing food supplies. They also build networks to ensure vulnerable populations such as low-income residents, people experiencing homelessness, and those with disabilities are included in disaster planning and response efforts. Other roles include advocating for more funding for disaster preparedness and infrastructure, like wildfire-resistant construction or community-wide firebreaks areas of cleared vegetation. In some cases, nonprofits may help coordinate the use of government resources. For instance, Idaho Department of Insurance Director Dean Cameron recently drafted a bill thats pending in the Idaho Legislature that would provide funding for homeowners to make fire mitigation upgrades on their property. Additionally, nonprofits often develop detailed contingency plans for their own operations so they can continue to deliver services during a crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through these proactive measures, nonprofits help communities prepare for the worst while fostering resilience that can temper the long-term impacts of disasters. What does the situation in LA have in common with what happens in Idaho? Los Angeles and Idaho might seem worlds apart, but when it comes to handling disasters like wildfires, they face surprisingly similar challenges. Both places grapple with dry seasons, rising temperatures and increasing invasive vegetation that amplify wildfire risks. Climate change is exacerbating these conditions, making fires more frequent and intense. In Los Angeles, urban sprawl has expanded development into fire-prone areas, known as the wildland-urban interface. Similarly, Idaho has seen increased development in the wildland-urban interface surrounding Boise where the population is surging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This type of growth poses significant risks to both homes and lives as seen in Idahos 2016 Table Rock Fire and the more recent 2024 Valley Fire. In addition, wildfires in Idahos forested and rural areas put not only people and infrastructure at risk, but can impact valuable grazing land, as occurred in the 2024 Wapiti Fire. In both regions, balancing the demand for housing with the need for fire-resilient planning and mitigation measures is a critical challenge. Another shared concern for nonprofits in Idaho and California is ensuring that vulnerable populations receive enough support during and after disasters. In both urban and rural settings, people experiencing homelessness, low-income families, and those in remote areas may have a lot of trouble evacuating, accessing resources and rebuilding after disasters. A firefighter from Idaho sprays down the rubble of homes demolished by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 15, 2025. Photo by Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images What are some common misconceptions about nonprofits in disasters? Many people tend to think that nonprofits only provide immediate relief, such as food, shelter or medical care. While these services are critical in the early stages of a disaster, many nonprofits also focus on long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonprofits may help communities rebuild homes, restore livelihoods or address emotional trauma months or even years after a disaster occurs. There is also a tendency to overlook the role of local nonprofits. High-profile national organizations often command the publics attention, but local nonprofits are often better positioned to address community-specific needs and work directly with vulnerable populations. These misunderstandings can lead to the underfunding and underappreciation of local nonprofits. Should people still donate to established organizations? There are more ways to give to people experiencing a crisis than there used to be. You might hesitate to donate to large nonprofits after a big disaster like the Los Angeles fires, for several reasons. Maybe youre concerned about transparency or the groups effectiveness. It might feel less personal to you than giving money, say, to a GoFundMe campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that people should still consider donating to large and established organizations, but I also believe that its important to do so thoughtfully. Large nonprofits, such as the American Red Cross or Salvation Army, often have the infrastructure, expertise and logistical capacity to mobilize quickly and scale their operations to address disasters effectively. These organizations also maintain established relationships with government agencies, local nonprofits and international partners. Those networks facilitate coordinated responses that smaller or newer groups might struggle to achieve. However, the emergence of giving options, such as crowdfunding platforms, grassroots campaigns and community-based nonprofits, has expanded opportunities for individuals to direct their support to specific causes or populations. These avenues can make a big difference, particularly when donors want to address local or niche needs. Still, newer or less established groups may lack transparency or accountability. Established organizations tend to have robust financial oversight and accountability systems in place. They are often better equipped to address not only immediate relief needs but also long-term recovery efforts, which smaller or informal groups may not have the capacity to support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be sure, its always wise to do some research before giving money to a cause of any kind. Ultimately, the choice depends on your own priorities. Do you want to support immediate relief, contribute to systemic solutions or help a specific community? By donating to both large organizations and local efforts alike, you can maximize your impact and help ensure everyone in a community gets support. And thats important, especially after a disaster as big as the Los Angeles wildfires. Vanessa Fry is affiliated with American Red Cross of Greater Idaho and Montana through being a board member and past board chair. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Hundreds gathered Monday to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the historic Attucks Theatre in Norfolk. Its a reminder from Dr. King and Dr. Kings legacy that the arc of history bends toward justice, but that we all must work towards justice, said Norfolk Commonwealths Attorney Ramin Fatehi. Thats exactly what the cold crowd did Monday morning. Among them was Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a great feeling, he told 10 On Your Side. Its a day of service. Dr. King stressed leadership, but more importantly, he stressed servant leadership and responsibility. Its about what you do for others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexander wasnt alone in that sentiment. Although city leaders led the march, it was the community behind them who chanted and cheered every step of the way. Ranging in age, race and background, people gathered to echo Dr. Kings message. It feels bittersweet, said Kamryn Gallop, president of the Norfolk Youth Council. Although we lost a great leader, we want to be sure were continuing his legacy while bringing up more people to fulfill his legacy and keep doing the things he wanted us to do. She and some other teens with the Norfolk Youth Council were an example to those even younger than them. Not far from their shadows were three young kids also celebrating Dr. King. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What would I would do if he was right there, said a young boy bundled up in his coat. I would give him a hug. I love hugs. My great-grandma at my moms side, she was there with Martin Luther King when she was a child and shes still alive, said another young girl in the trio. It was amazing. As the walk came to a close at the MLK monument in downtown Norfolk, people stood together at its base and prayed. Many said it was a reminder that its not buildings that build us up, but each other marching hand-in-hand for a brighter, better tomorrow. Cities arent buildings, cities arent roads, Fatehi said. Cities are people. And to be out here with our neighbors, to lock arms and to walk and to remind each other of our common humanity, thats how we understand each other. Thats how we love each other, and thats how we work together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Flood waters like these that resulted from Hurricane Florence in in Lumberton in 2018 are a growing driver of costs and rate hikes in the insurance industry. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and insurance companies have negotiated a 15% rate increase for homeowners insurance over two years. Under the settlement, which ends the N.C. Department of Insurances legal dispute with insurance companies, the average rate will increase by 7.5% on June 1 and 7.5% on June 1, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The N.C. Rate Bureau had requested an average 42.2%, with proposed increases of 99.4% in some coastal areas. The Rate Bureau represents companies that write insurance policies. It cited a higher cost of doing business due to climate change, which produces more powerful hurricanes and more severe flooding, for its proposed rate increase. Beach areas in Brunswick, Carteret, New Hanover, Onslow and Pender counties are among the big winners in the settlement. The Rate Bureau had recommended a 99.4% rate increase for them. Under the new agreement, the areas will pay a 31.9% increase 16% this year and 15.9% in 2026 over the next two years. Click here to view the changes by territory. Causey said North Carolina homeowners will save approximately $777 million in insurance premiums over the next two years due to the negotiated rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I fought for consumers and knocked them back to 7.5% increases over two years with a maximum of 35% in any territory, Causey said in a statement. We consider this settlement a big win for both homeowners and North Carolina. Causey said the negotiated rates are sufficient to make sure that insurance companies, who have paid out large sums due to natural disasters and face increasing reinsurance costs due to national catastrophes, have adequate funds on hand to pay claims. In addition, the agreement prohibits the Rate Bureau from undertaking an effort to increase rates again before June 1, 2027. The proposed rate increase was a key point contention in last years insurance commissioners race. Causeys challenger, Sen. Natasha Marcus, D-Mecklenburg, criticized Causey for negotiating settlements with insurance companies behind closed doors. Marcus called on Causey to hold public hearings to require insurance companies to present evidence for rate hike under oath. Claire Ness, deputy attorney general, speaks during a committee hearing on Jan. 20, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) Possessing a computer-generated image of child pornography would be punishable as a felony in North Dakota under a bill discussed Monday by state lawmakers. House Bill 1386 adds images created by artificial intelligence to state law prohibiting the possession of child pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy Attorney General Claire Ness strongly urged members of the House Judiciary Committee to advance the bill. Computer-generated images and artificial intelligence have opened a new world for the cruel individuals who make, possess, or trade (child sexual abuse materials), Ness said. The bill would make possessing computer-generated child pornography a Class C felony. The bill also proposes enhanced penalties for more egregious cases of child pornography, such as possessing 20 or more images, repeat offenses or cases involving explicit images of an infant or toddler. Ness said offenses involving child pornography have escalated in North Dakota. The state Bureau of Criminal Investigation received over 1,500 tips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children each of the past two years, and that only represents some of the cases investigators look into, she said. The state received 585 such tips in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So it has tripled in the past four or five years, Ness said. Each of these tips may lead to a device with many images involving multiple victims. The bill also includes liability protection for internet service providers, cloud computing providers and other telecommunications service providers from content provided by a user. The Attorney Generals Office does not have a position on that portion of the bill, Ness said. The committee took no immediate action Monday. Members also held public hearings on House Bill 1320 and House Bill 1351 that focus on deepfake videos and images. Last week, lawmakers debated whether to include a mandatory disclaimer when artificial intelligence tools are used for political advertising or communications. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (FOX40.COM) Firefighters in Calaveras County responded to a crash last week to find a member of their crew killed in the collision, the Central Calaveras Fire Protection District said. According to the agency, crews responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash on Mountain Ranch Road near Rocky Road around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday. A vehicle had left the roadway and landed on its roof in a nearby creek, the fire department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northern California firefighter hospitalized fighting Palisades Fire According to the agency, the driver, 19-year-old Central Calaveras firefighter TJ Wennhold, died from his injuries at the scene. Wennhold had been with the fire department since serving as a cadet when he was 15 and was on his way to his scheduled shift, the fire district said. This incident has deeply wounded us, and we appreciate the outpouring of support we are receiving from our community and beyond, the fire district said. Wennholds father, Bill Wennhold, currently serves as the districts fire chief. Copyright 2025 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 FOX40 News. (FOX40.COM) Police officers in Northern California recovered thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise, including $4,000 worth of baby formula in a retail theft operation. Recently, the Rancho Cordova Police Department, with assistance from Sacramento County Probation officers, conducted a retail theft operation in the Folsom-Olson-Zinfandel shopping center. RCPD said the team made 11 felony arrests under the new Proposition 36 law, issued four misdemeanor citations, and recovered $5,732.48 in stolen merchandise. Police in Northern California busted an operation that included $4,000 worth of baby formula./Rancho Cordova Police Department Several people were arrested during a retail theft operation in Rancho Cordova./Rancho Cordova Police Department. During the operations, one couple was arrested after they were found to have $4,000 worth of stolen baby formula in their vehicle, according to RCPD. Detectives subsequently authored a search warrant for their residence and said they recovered additional caches of stolen baby formula. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RCPD understands the burden retail theft places on the community, consumers, and retailers, the agency said on social media. We will continue to regularly conduct these types of operations to help combat this crime trend, especially in light of the new laws which carry stiffer penalties for violators! Copyright 2025 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 FOX40 News. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) When we first met Jaime Duzz, we asked her the question that was begging to be asked. Jaime Duzz, are you dead? It seems like a silly question, but the fact is, it is a really serious question for her with complex answers still unanswered on how she is considered in some public records, including Social Security Administration, as dead. Duzz answers the question in one of three interviews we conducted with her to help her correct a system that sees her as dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, do I look dead? But she is seen as dead. Duzz is living a frightening nightmare. My situation is absolute hell, she said. I feel like I am nonexistent on this planet. I am literally nonexistent. I cant get a credit report. I cant get health insurance, she told 10 On Your Side at her Virginia Beach home. In December, Chime Banking shut down her debit card because she was told she is dead. 10 On Your Side called Chime to confirm that. A man on the other end took Duzzs question to have him confirm that her debit account was closed because she is dead. It came back to you that I am labeled as deceased, she said. Is that correct? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He put her on hold, and came back a few minutes later with the answer was her account closed because she was dead. Yes, yes, it is, he said. OK, that is all I wanted to know, she said. 10 on Your Side challenged him on why Chime closed the account. She obviously is not dead, so why would you close the account? She is alive. Yes sir. Yes sir, the Chime representative said. So why would you close the account? You just said you closed it because she is dead, 10 On Your Side said. Obviously, that is a mistake. She is not dead, and you should not have closed the account. Yes sir, the Chime representative said. We just received notification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had no further explanation. Then, two years ago at her doctors office, every time they tried to bill my insurance, it would not go through because I had been declared deceased by the Social Security Administration, she said. Last February and December, the Social Security Administration delayed supplemental security income for Jaimes son stating that it was delayed until we find a representative payee to receive his payments. Duzz was livid about that, and she said the SSA wrote that because they had received noticed that I was dead. A few days later, the benefits did show up. 10 On Your Side asked her what she thought when she received those notices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am my sons representative, she said. I freaked out. My God. I freaked out. I called the Virginia Beach SSA office right away, and the lady could not figure out why I got that letter in the first place. In December, Jaime interviewed at a Virginia Beach Food Lion, and then she received this: The Social Security Administration (SSA) could not determine that you are authorized to work in the United States. Food Lion has given her 20 days to make things right. Yes. I dont know whether to laugh, cry, be angry, she said. I am not going to lie. Im very angry. This has really ruined my life. It really has ruined my life in so many ways right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, Jaime turned to 10 On Your Side, and we got to work figuring out why Duzz is considered to be dead. 10 On Your Side met with her three times, and we reached out to SSA to get her help, and we also started digging on our own and found on the public search site Accurant that Jaime A. Bowden (maiden name) died on Jan. 4, 2019. 10 On Your Side showed up at her house and told her, Jaime, we have found a public document that says you are dead, and you died on Jan. 4, 2019. She was dumbfounded to see in writing that she is listed as dead. Youve got to be kidding me, she said. But everybody at the bank, my doctors office, saying it was reported by the Social Security Administration, Jaime continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It kind of makes me sad in a way you know. I am really relieved. I am just shocked I cant even believe thisit shows Im deadIm sitting here in my hand, and holding my actual death records, and Im not even dead. Like How this actually happened? To get the answers we reached out to the Social Security Administration and contacted the Regional Communications Director Shawn Fordham. He confirmed 3.1 million deaths reported to SSI a year, and less than one third of 1 percent are subsequently corrected. He also indicated he absolutely would have no comment on this case because Privacy laws preclude Social Security from discussing the specifics of an individual s case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We left a message, and Fordham quickly returned the call to Duzz, and he also sent her an email. He would not discuss the case with us. Fordham set up a phone appointment with the Norfolk Social Security Administration office. A woman who identified herself as Ms. Hebert, an assistant manager at the Norfolk SSA office, called Jaime and was extremely helpful, Duzz told us. She was very kind and informative, she said. She let me know what her thoughts were on the situation. What I can do to prevent it from happening again, and she told us what can be done to fix it all around. Jaime said she was told this during a 25-minute phone call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were erroneous death inputs on her social security record in January and October 2024. Someone in Massachusetts may have been using her social security number. There may be possible identity theft and fraud, and it is possible somebody may have tried to put in a Medicare application using her social security number. Following the call, Fordham emailed us. There is no indication anyone was using her social security number, Fordham said. We are actively working with her on this matter. Thank you again for bringing this matter to our attention. Duzz told us she is relieved that Social Security is working right now to fix what is wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said this about 10 on Your Side, I think you did a fantastic job, she said. You know, I am really excited and happy that you were so helpful, and this was the greatest thing I ever did for my life was reaching out to you guys. You guys were great. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. (Bloomberg) -- After US President Donald Trump declined to impose tariffs on his first day back in power, officials in the Canadian government expressed caution, saying the fight against US protectionism is far from over. Most Read from Bloomberg Trump has threatened 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico. That would hammer Canadas economy while also provoking trade retaliation from Ottawa meant to drive up prices on US consumers and industries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of coming out with tariffs on day one, Trump is ordering his officials to first examine US trade relationships for unfair practices and investigate whether China has complied with an earlier trade deal, according to a memo seen by Bloomberg News. Trump is set to direct his cabinet secretaries to assess the impact of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement on American workers and businesses and make recommendations on whether the US should continue participating in it, according to the document. Trump negotiated the USMCA in his first term as a replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement; the new deal came into force in 2020. The Canadian dollar jumped more than 1% the biggest gain since May 2023 while stocks and Canadian oil prices rallied. But officials in Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government remain wary the president may still eventually proceed with tariffs. Trumps inauguration address did not mention Canada, though it did promise to tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens. Were very cautious, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters at a Quebec hotel where Trudeaus cabinet has gathered for a two-day retreat. Its really, really important that we continue to roll up our sleeves and make sure that we defend Canadian interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kirsten Hillman, Canadas ambassador to the US, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. shes cautiously optimistic but added: Ill feel better when we see the details of what hes asking for in terms of a study. Joly and Hillman both said the Canadian government had not been given advance notice about the trade study and learned about it through media reports. When Trump threatened 25% tariffs in November, he connected it to the flow of migrants and fentanyl over US land borders. Canadas plan to boost border security resources, such as helicopters and drones, received very positive feedback from Trump officials, Joly said. Still, Hillman warned that a review of the North American free trade pact is looming and that Trump is looking for a new trade deal. The issue of tariffs is unlikely to disappear, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We saw them use the tariffs to start a conversation with us on the border, Hillman said. I think thats not the end of it. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump began Day 2 of his presidency on Tuesday with a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral. He didnt seem particularly impressed with it. A pool reporter asked him how it went when he returned to the White House. Not too exciting, was it, Trump responded on his way to the Oval Office. I did think it was a good service. They could do much better. (The pool reporter later noted it was unclear whether the president said he did think it was a good service or didnt, as he was a bit far away.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spokespeople for the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment as to why Trump was so grumpy after the service. The theme of the sermon was largely about unity, and it included readings from the Torah, the Quran and the Bible. "Not too exciting," President Donald Trump of the sermon he attended at the Washington National Cathedral on his second day back in the White House. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images Its possible Trump was griping afterward because toward the end of the sermon the Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde directly addressed him and asked him to have mercy on people who are scared about him taking office. She specifically referred to undocumented immigrants and LGBTQ children. Millions have put their trust in you, Budde told the president. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives, she said. The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants. They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals, she added. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, delivered her sermon as Trump is trying to use his executive authority to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants, vowing to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, attacking transgender people by signing an executive order declaring there are only two sexes and threatening to jail political opponents in both political parties. Seated in the front row, the president was slumped in his pew and periodically stared at the floor as Budde spoke. Vice President JD Vance, seated nearby, looked at his wife as the reverend began her remarks and then sat looking straight ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away, Budde said to Trump. Our God teachers us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land. You can watch Buddes remarks to the president here: Snow falls on the North Lawn of the White House, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (Official White House photo by Oliver Contreras) Donald Trump is president again. Four years after his first term ended in an unprecedented spasm of lies, criminality and violence that threatened the very survival of constitutional government in the worlds greatest democracy, a convicted felon sits in the White House surrounded by a cadre of fawning enablers and extremists. While there are obviously many Americans who welcome this news and see Trump as a victim, a hero, and someone who will somehow restore greatness to the nation, for tens of millions of others, fear is the chief emotion that Trumps return brings. And contrary to the rants of Trump and his allies, this is not a fear born of concerns about loss of privilege or high status. Rather, for most, its a fear rooted in deep anxiety over what the country (and, indeed, much of the world) might come to resemble under an American president who embraces a brand of one-person, authoritarian rule the nation has never before experienced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now add to this, the genuine fear for their own personal wellbeing that millions more are now experiencing immigrants, women of childbearing age, LGBTQ+ people, religious minorities, the people of Ukraine and other targets of authoritarian regimes and its clear that we are entering dangerous and uncharted waters. Indeed, given Trumps persistent claims of grievance and vows of retribution against those whom he sees as enemies, there are those who oppose him who have nonetheless expressed the wish that he had somehow actually won the 2020 election and thereafter coasted through a lazy and listless second term. At least wed be through with him at this point, goes the thinking. As superficially alluring as such a fantasy might be, however, the hard reality is that Trump 2.0 is here, and caring and thinking people have their work cut out if they want to help blunt the worst of the coming authoritarian storm. Here are three key items for the to-do list: Stay engaged every day The temptation to tune out in the coming days and weeks will be hard to resist. The news on numerous fronts promises to be mostly dreadful and depressing as Trump issues a series of edicts and orders, while congressional lapdogs compete at least initially to see who can debase themselves the most when it comes to abandoning any semblance of independence or original thought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But its also true that, despite his relentless braggadocio and noxious claims of supremacy and infallibility, Trump enters his final term in a comparatively weak position. Republican margins in Congress are narrow and quite likely to evaporate in 2026. The federal judiciary is much stronger than it was four years ago thanks to President Bidens appointment of scores of new judges. Now add to this that Trump is the oldest person ever to be inaugurated, in questionable health, and notoriously undisciplined, and that many of his cabinet appointees lack experience in manipulating the arms of government, and the prospects for his agenda foundering sooner rather than later are high. In such an environment, the potential for millions of active and engaged citizens to comprise a formidable and successful resistance is high. Pay attention to state and local government While the action in Washington will be important, many of the best opportunities to resist the worst of Trumpism will continue to be found closer to home. State and local governments can act as accomplices in constructing a nation that favors billionaires over average people, abandons efforts to preserve our natural environment, and treats millions of hardworking immigrant families, women seeking to control their own bodies, and people trying only to live in their genuine gender identity as criminals and nonpersons. But they can also serve as powerful roadblocks. Dont give in to hatred and cruelty Sadly, as millions of mostly anonymous emails and social media posts make clear, hatred and cruelty are two of the most important forces that have fueled Trumps return. One need only spend a few minutes perusing sites like X to see how a noisy minority of fearful and unhappy people have come to play an outsized role in our national political and policy debates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, of course, the truth is that this does not come close to representing a majority of Americans nor even a majority of Trump voters, many of whom dislike much about the president and his values but voted for him based on what they saw as pragmatic reasons. Notwithstanding all of its many past sins and current problems, the United States remains better positioned than any other nation to help build a sustainable world committed to freedom, equality, diversity, and tolerance. And, while the temptation will be great in the days ahead to meet the hatred and cruelty thats coming with similar venom, the best way for caring and thinking people to build the kind of world and planet we need is to model it every day no matter what the current temporary inhabitant of the White House or his supporters do or say. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A man from New York pleaded guilty after he convinced an 82-year-old woman to transfer her assets into gold bars and stole her money, according to the Montgomery County States Attorneys Office. Officials said a jury trial was scheduled to begin on Jan. 21 for Zhenyong Weng, 19, from Brooklyn, but he pled guilty to attempted theft and conspiracy to commit theft over $25,000 to under $100,000. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Police: New York man allegedly demanded gold bars from Silver Spring woman or Russia would take her money Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July of 2024, Montgomery County police officers arrested Weng for government-imposter-related gold bar fraud. Their investigation revealed that in May of 2024, Weng had contacted the Silver Spring woman and told her to transfer her assets into gold bars so Russia would not be able to take her money. The woman gave Wheng several packages containing gold bars that were worth over $900,000. According to the attorneys office, Weng faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. Due to the complexity of the Gold Bar Scam cases and the vulnerable nature of the 82-year-old victim, the State will be seeking a sentence that far exceeds the sentencing guidelines and reflects the seriousness of these offenses, said States Attorney John McCarthy, in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wengs sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 23. 2025. Copyright 2025 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. In an interview with far-right pundit Tucker Carlson that aired Tuesday evening, Mayor Adams claimed he was indicted on federal corruption charges for not being a good Democrat and criticizing President Bidens handling of the influx of migrants across the southern border. Adams sat down for the interview earlier this month despite disavowing Carlson four years ago as someone who perpetuates racist, anti-immigrant propaganda. Throughout the 50-minute interview, Adams reiterated his claim that his federal indictment was payback for his criticism of Bidens handling of the national migrant crisis. He also shed some new light on what those close to Biden apparently thought about the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think there were those who were in that orbit that felt I was not a good Democrat because I watched my city, a city that I love, go through an onslaught of the migrant and immigration policy, a failed border policy, Adams said in the interview taped at his Gracie Mansion residence. Adams said the Biden administration wanted him to silently watch what happens to this city, adding that an unnamed White House aide once told him the migrant crisis was like a gallstone, itll pass. Carlson asked if Adams thinks Manhattan federal prosecutors indicted him on corruption charges as retribution for those Biden broadsides. That is clearly my belief, Adams replied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors have called the claim out as baseless in court filings, noting the investigation started in 2021 well before Adams criticism of Biden and is based on concrete evidence that the defendants campaign sought and received illegal campaign contributions. Adams acknowledged he has recently ruffled feathers with many fellow Democrats by attempting to develop a relationship with President Trump. Adams skipped Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in New York to accept a last-minute invitation to Trumps inauguration Monday, met privately with the president last week at Mar-a-Lago and has avoided publicly criticizing the president for months. The shoulder-rubbing has prompted speculation Adams is looking for a pardon from Trump, who has said hes considering granting the mayor one. The mayor went on Carlsons show even though he previously rejected praise from the far-right talking head, whos closely aligned with Trump and considered a top political adviser to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want or need the support of Tucker Carlson, or anyone else who perpetuates racist, anti-immigrant propaganda, Adams, at the time a mayoral candidate, tweeted on May 6, 2021 after the then-Fox News host had dedicated part of a segment to him. Before Carlsons interview aired, Adams spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak defended his appearance on the pundits show as a sign of the mayors willingness to speak with voices from across the political spectrum. Mayor Adams does not believe we should be living in silos and speaking into echo chambers, said Mamelak, who declined to comment on the mayors past remarks about Carlson. At a time where our country is so divided, the mayor believes we must break out of our comfort zones and speak with everyone even those we may not always agree with. Adams appearance on Carlsons show wasnt listed on the mayors public schedule for Tuesday. Mamelak said thats because she doesnt usually put interviews that run on Twitter or Instagram on the public schedule. The show aired on Carlsons website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor was indicted in September on charges alleging he took illegal campaign cash and bribes from Turkish government officials in the form of luxury airplane tickets and other perks. Adams has pleaded not guilty and is supposed to stand trial in April. Adams downplayed the indictment during the interview saying his first reaction to reading it was where are the bags of cash? although he did acknowledge the charges could result in time behind bars. The news of the interview faced near-immediate backlash from critics, many of whom have said Adams has grown too cozy with Trump. It is becoming abundantly clear that Eric Adams has neither the interest nor a path to being the Democratic nominee for mayor in 2025, Queens Assemblymember and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdani added that Adams should make clear whether he will switch his party affiliation to Republican to seek a job in the Trump White House or run outside the Democratic primary. I cant wait to vote him out, progressive Brooklyn Councilman Chi Osse wrote on social media. NEW YORK Mayor Eric Adams will appear on far-right pundit Tucker Carlsons show Tuesday evening despite criticizing Carlson four years ago as someone who perpetuates racist, anti-immigrant propaganda. In a preview of the interview, taped recently at Gracie Mansion, the mayor acknowledged he has recently ruffled the feathers of many fellow Democrats by developing a relationship with President Trump. People often say, well, you know, you dont sound like a Democrat, you seem like youve left the party, Adams said in the preview clip posted by Carlson on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No. The party left me. Adams has drawn ire from a range of Democrats for skipping Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in NYC to accept a last-minute invitation to Trumps inauguration, meeting with the president last week at Mar-a-Lago and avoiding publicly criticizing the president. Carlson is closely aligned with Trump and considered a top political adviser to the president. The mayor previously rejected praise from Carlson, an accused conspiracy theorist, during the lead-up to the 2021 mayoral primary, when the then-Fox News host dedicated part of a segment to Adams. I dont want or need the support of Tucker Carlson, or anyone else who perpetuates racist, anti-immigrant propaganda, Adams tweeted on May 6, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tusday, Adams spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak defended his appearance on Carlsons show as a sign of his willingness to speak with voices from across the political spectrum. Mayor Adams does not believe we should be living in silos and speaking into echo chambers, said Mamelak, who declined to comment on the mayors feeling about Carlson given his 2021 comments. At a time where our country is so divided, the mayor believes we must break out of our comfort zones and speak with everyone even those we may not always agree with. A preview of Tuesdays pretaped interview showed Carlson asking if New York City deserves other countries sending their illegals since the city welcomes them by being a sanctuary city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not welcoming them, weve been very clear, Adams responded, prompting Carlson to laugh. The mayor also claimed the White House told him to be a good Democrat in handling the migrant crisis Adams appearance on Carlsons show wasnt listed on the mayors public schedule for Tuesday. Mamelak said thats because she doesnt usually put interviews that run on Twitter or Instagram on the public schedule. The show airs on Carlsons website. The news of the interview faced near-immediate backlash from critics,many of who have said Adams has grown too cozy with Trump. The mayor was indicted in September on bribery and campaign finance charges, and his appeals to Trump have prompted speculation he is fishing for a pardon from Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is becoming abundantly clear that Eric Adams has neither the interest nor a path to being the Democratic nominee for Mayor in 2025, Queens Assemblymember and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani said in a statement. He will either return to his former status as a Republican and seek employment in the Trump administration or its affiliated media, or run outside of the Democratic Primary for a second term and play spoiler in the November general election. Its time for him to make his intentions plain. I cant wait to vote him out, progressive Councilmember Chi Osse wrote on social media. _____ NEW YORK (PIX11) Subway riders will have some company on board trains beginning Monday night. NYPD officers will be riding all the trains in teams of two. The program will be phased in with the operation at full force by months end. More Local News Governor Kathy Hochul called for the plans and included the funding in her State of the State address earlier in January. Officers have been deployed and added to different areas of stations and trains as part of several subway safety plans during the past few years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 147 trains run along the lines at night. At full deployment, about 300 officers will be assigned to the train patrol. Additional officers have also been added to the ranks of the city and state forces. More cops deployed to NYCs 50 highest-crime subway stations Governor Hochul has funded the program through the summer. Eizabeth welcomes the officers on board overnight. She wont be letting down her guard, anytime she rides. Im always looking around me and I make sure to see whos walking by, she said. The governor and MTA say the patrols and cameras on every train car send a message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having a cop on every train will alter the safety equation overnight. The MTA has been talking about restoring it, something that existed when I grew up in New York, said MTA Chairman Janno Lieber. The officers on board the train have received specialized training. The operations also require specific logistics and resource management. Transit safety has required a multi-pronged and cooperative approach. The city and state are finding the on board patrols. A spokesperson for Governor Hochul said she will unveil this years budget on Tuesday and it will include record investments in public safety and new laws to get people with mental illness off the streets and into compassionate care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 PIX11. Famous lawyer Robert Shapiro has shared his thoughts on incarcerated rapper and music producer Sean "Diddy" Combs' chances of successfully defending himself ahead of his trial. Shapiro, who was among the attorneys who successfully defended O.J. Simpson from murder charges in 1994, feels Diddy faces an uphill battle in his quest for freedom. Diddy is facing sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution charges, with his trial set to begin on May 5. Robert Shapiro Speaks On Diddy's Trial "Every case in federal court is challenging." Robert Shapiro, O.J. Simpson's former lawyer, says Diddy has an uphill battle and reveals he believes Diddy will face more superseding indictments. ( joy.of.everything/TikTok) pic.twitter.com/zWkvYpXwTb The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) January 21, 2025 On Tuesday, The Art Of Dialogue shared a video on X showing Shapiro's interview with a TikToker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The renowned lawyer was exiting a building when the interviewer asked him about Diddy's chances of beating the charges against him. Shapiro replied, "You know, first of all, I think there's gonna be a different group of charges than what he's facing right now." The renowned lawyer added, "Anytime you are in federal court, anytime you're not on bail, you have an uphill battle." When asked if he thinks there would be more "superseding indictments" against Diddy ahead of his trial, Shapiro responded, "I would think there's probably a likelihood that may happen." Robert Shapiro Speaks On Diddy's Chances Of Freedom MEGA The interviewer proceeded to ask Shapiro if Diddy had a "good fighting chance" of regaining his freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legal attorney answered, "Oh, there's always a chance. I mean, every trial you have a chance. You are going with the presumption of innocence." However, he felt there were many odds against the music mogul. Shapiro said, "But federal court New York, you are in custody...it's a tough, tough battle." Despite the odds against Diddy, Shapiro felt he had "great lawyers." He said, "He's got great lawyers and the system will decide." Shapiro was also asked if he thought other names would be indicted during Diddy's trial. He answered, "I have no idea. Every case in federal court is challenging." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked what Diddy's best defense is, Shapiro replied, "I don't know enough about the facts to comment on it." Wendy Williams Believes Diddy Will Be Imprisoned 'For Life' MEGA While Shapiro feels the system will decide Diddy's fate, television personality Wendy Williams is certain the disgraced rapper will end up in prison. Williams, who is battling conservatorship and claims she is not mentally impaired, had a phone interview with "The Breakfast Club" co-hosts last week and shared her thoughts on Diddy. She said per Billboard, "As far as Diddy, Diddy will go to prison for life, people. You don't know things that I do about Diddy back in the day. And you wanna know what? It's about time, people. It is about time. Diddy done." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Williams' statement, the phrase "Diddy Done" went viral on X, with many of the app's users hailing the television personality and saying she's still got it. Diddy's Lawyers Claim He Is Innocent Based On 'Freak Off' Tapes MEGA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shapiro's acknowledgment that Diddy has a good legal team isn't far-fetched as the rapper's attorneys tried to prove their mettle last week. Diddy's defense team said to have watched several of his "freak off" tapes collected by law enforcement and claimed the videos proved the acts were consensual. TMZ reported that the record producer's legal team listed his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, as "Victim-1" in court documents and claimed that the tapes showed "private sexual activity between fully consenting adults in a long-term relationship." They also claimed that Cassie consented to the act and "thoroughly enjoyed herself," adding that she was "evidently happy, dominant and completely in control" in the sex tapes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Diddy's legal team, the tapes didn't show sex parties as his prosecutors claimed. Rather, they showed "adults having consensual sex, plain and simple." Embattled Rapper's Legal Team Claim Tapes Show 'No Secret Cameras' MEGA Diddy's defense attorneys also said that Cassie kept the "freak off" tapes and handed them to law enforcement. Hence, they denied that the tapes were seized from his Miami and Los Angeles homes when raided in March 2024. The lawyers also claimed that there weren't hidden cameras during the freak offs and no minors were present. According to court documents, they said, "There are no secret cameras, no orgies, no other celebrities involved, no underground tunnels, no minors, and not so much as a hint of coercion or violence. There is certainly no evidence of sex trafficking." GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) UPDATE (1/21): The Greenville Police Department confirmed the name of the man who was shot and killed by a police officer Monday. Nolan Pritchard Ward was 27 years old and from Greenville. Officer Brandon Gilbert, who is a two year veteran of the Greenville Police Department, was involved with the shooting. UPDATE: Greenville Police Department officials confirmed one person was shot and killed by a GPD officer Monday. They said the man raised a gun toward officers after responding to a call from a concerned family member about a man threatening to harm himself at 4:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The caller told dispatchers the man was near ECU North Recreational Complex. ECU police initially responded and encountered the man, who was armed with a gun. Several GPD officers responded to assist and at 5:15 p.m., the man raised the gun in the direction of officers, prompting an officer to fire his gun, shooting the man who died at the scene. At this point in the investigation, officers havent found any connections between the person shot and ECU. As is standard protocol, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting and the officer has been placed on administrative assignment. GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) Law enforcement officers with the Greenville Police Department assisted ECU Police Officers in response to reports of a man with a gun on Recreational Way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers found one person had been shot. This is a developing story. WNCT 9 On Your Side will have more information as it becomes available. Copyright 2025 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 WNCT. Press Release January 21, 2025 Villanueva Receives World Integrity Prize for Anti-Corruption Efforts Senator Joel Villanueva has been honored with the prestigious World Integrity Prize, and recognized as a "Person of Sincere Anti-Corruption Integrity" by the South Korea-based Anti-Corruption Civil Movement General Federation (ACCMGF). This accolade celebrates his remarkable contributions to combating corruption and promoting transparency throughout his 23 years of public service. The ACCMGF, an influential organization authorized by South Korea's Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, collaborates with over 300 entities globally, spanning politics, education, media, and more, to promote integrity and transparency. "As someone whose career in public service has been deeply influenced by the anti-corruption movement, receiving this World Integrity Prize is truly a great honor. This recognition strengthens my resolve to continue the fight for transparency and accountability," the senator said. Villanueva's commitment to the anti-corruption movement began at the young age of 26 when he served as Chairman and Representative of the Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) Partylist. During his time in the House of Representatives from the 12th to the 14th Congresses, he was a staunch advocate for anti-corruption measures such as the Procurement Act and the Anti-Red Tape Act, and the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, a cause he still champions to this day. "It is not an easy task to fight the twin evils of graft and corruption. I believe that you have to increase accountability to all public offices," Villanueva said. "When I started being a member of Congress and now in the Senate, everytime we pass a measure, I would always go for higher penalties for public officials because public office is a public trust," he added. Beyond his time in Congress, Villanueva's career has been marked by transformative leadership. Known by his moniker "Tesdaman," Villanueva was appointed Secretary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in 2010 by then-President Noynoy Aquino. During his tenure, he introduced groundbreaking reforms that revitalized the agency. In 2016, he was elected as a senator and re-elected in 2022, serving as Senate Majority Leader from July 2022 to May 2024. "When I joined the Senate in 2016, one of my priority bills was the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, inspired by the Korean Independent Commission Against Corruption," he said. Villanueva emphasized that the battle against corruption remains an ongoing challenge. "The fight against corruption is far from over. It has evolved into new forms, influenced by the advancement of technology and an increasingly liberal approach to societal issues, yet we remain hopeful because organizations like the ACCMGF remind us that we can still make a difference," Villanueva said. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) New El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson, other elected officials and families honored the memory and legacy of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. by volunteering at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank. Monday, Jan. 20 was the national holiday honoring Kings memory and his contributions to the United States. One of the ways people choose to remember King is by volunteering and participating in a day of service instead of taking the holiday as a day off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. King believed in the power of service and the importance of community, said Susan Goodell, CEO of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger. To amplify the spirit of service on MLK Day, El Pasoans Fighting Hunger is launching its first-ever Family Day. Families with children of all ages are invited to experience the profound impact of giving back, together, the food bank said. This Family Day initiative will continue once a month, opening the doors for younger generations to discover the joy of volunteering, El Pasoans Fighting Hunger said. Instilling a sense of compassion and community engagement in children from a young age is invaluable, Goodell said. Family Day allows everyone to participate in making a difference, together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other elected officials who volunteered at the food bank included: city Rep. Deanna Maldonado-Rocha; city Rep. Chris Canales and staff; County Commissioner Iliana Holguin and staff; and County Commissioner Jackie Arroyo Butler and staff. Copyright 2025 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 KTSM 9 News. Family, friends and local, state and federal officials are mourning the loss of a U.S. Border Patrol agent killed Monday in the line of duty near the U.S.-Canada border. State Police and media reports have identified the slain agent as 44-year-old David Maland. He was a devoted agent who served with honor and bravery, a family statement provided to The Associated Press late Tuesday said. He had a tremendous respect and pride for the work he did; he truly embodied service over self. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maland was fatally shot after a traffic stop on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 20 miles from Canada, around 3:15 p.m. Monday, according to Vermont State Police. The Associated Press reported that a German national in the country on what the FBI called a current visa was killed and an injured suspect was taken into custody and is being treated at a local hospital. Our hearts are heavy as we send our deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters with US Border Patrol Swanton Sector after Agent David Chris Maland was fatally shot yesterday in the line of duty in Coventry, Vermont, state police said in a Facebook post on Tuesday. Please join us in keeping Agent Maland, his family and friends, and all the members of the U.S. Border Patrol in your thoughts and prayers, state police said. The Associated Press reported that Maland, a U.S. Air Force veteran, was killed close to the U.S. Customs and Border Protections Newport Station, part of the Swanton Sector that he was assigned to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Malands family told The Associated Press that his career spanned nine years in the military and 15 in the federal government. While working in Washington, D.C., he was active security in the Pentagon during 9/11, the familys statement said. Maland, a Minnesota native, was also a K-9 handler. Before heading to the northern border, he served in Texas, near the border with Mexico, The Associated Press reported. He was about to propose marriage to his partner, a family member said. We are all devastated, his aunt, Joan Maland, told AP in a text. She called him an exceptional person. Incredible man. Cars are backed up at the US-Canada border in Stanstead, Quebec, after a shooting involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Coventry, Vt., Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Chloe Jones) In a press conference at the State House on Tuesday, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott identified Maland as the fallen officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Agent Malands family, friends, and colleagues, Scott said. The FBI is leading this investigatin and the Vermont State Police will continue to assist in any way they can. Vermont Sen. Russ Ingalls, R-Essex, also mentioned Malands death while speaking on the Senate floor Tuesday morning, following a moment of silence, the VTdigger reported. I just want to put a name to the face of the officer that was killed yesterday, Ingalls said. His name is David Maland, and I thank you very much for the moment of silence. Federal officials said Monday that the slain agent was assigned to the U.S. Border Patrols Swanton Sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harms way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure. My prayers and deepest condolences are with our Department, the Agents family, loved ones, and colleagues, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman said in a statement on Monday. This incident is being swiftly investigated and DHS will release additional information as soon as it becomes available, Huffman said. I-91 was temporarily closed in both directions on Monday following the fatal shooting. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW TEXARKANA, Texas (KETK) A 45-year-old man has been arrested after attacking a police officer on Friday night, the Texarkana Police Department said. Officials were dispatched to a house in the 1600 block of West 11th Street after receiving a call about a man allegedly pulling a gun on another person. When officers arrived, they found a man who matched the suspects description, later identified as Jeffrey Troxel, standing outside. Mugshot of Jeffrey Troxel, courtesy of the Texarkana Police Department. When asked about the disturbance, the man claimed he didnt know anything about it, the Texarkana Police Department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith County firefighters injured following rollover Troxel then refused a pat down, police said, and instead put his hand in his jacket to pull something out. The officer grabbed the suspects arm to prevent him from pulling out a potential firearm. Texarkana PD said Troxel went on to punch the officer in the face and lunged at him. A struggle ensued as Troxel struck [a police officer] repeatedly in the face and even attempted to grab his gun from its holster several times, Texarkana PD said. Despite the ongoing attack, [the police officer] eventually managed to gain control of Troxel and held him down until [another officer] got there to help secure and handcuff him. Authorities said that Troxel most likely took a significant amount of methamphetamine prior to the incident and was treated at a hospital before being taken to the Bi-State jail. He was arrested for assault on a peace officer and had an active warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bond was set at $260,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Police search for suspects following Palestine restaurant robbery The officer involved in the incident sustained multiple bruises to his face and ears along with scrapes on his knees and elbows. However, the injuries the officer suffered were not serious, officials said, and returned to duty that same night. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) Law enforcement officials are shifting their focus to try and find who placed a 911 call about a non-existent shooting at McDowell High School on Tuesday. According to McDowell County Emergency Services and McDowell County Sheriffs Office, multiple agencies were called early Tuesday morning to the high school for a reported shooting. The school was placed on lockdown as law enforcement and emergency services responded to the call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a great response from law enforcement and emergency personnel, as well as a great response by the staff at McDowell High School and administrative personnel of McDowell County Schools, said Sheriff Ricky T. Buchanan. We extend our deepest gratitude for everyones swift and professional action during this incident. After securing the school and searching the facility, officials said no evidence of a shooting could be found. An initial search of McDowell High School has revealed no threat, and the situation is stable. All parents and guardians are advised to stand by for further updates regarding student dismissal procedures. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as law enforcement and school officials ensure the safety of all students and staff. McDowell County Emergency Management The sheriffs office also said in a statement it could find no victims or claims that shots were heard in the school. The school district announced students would be dismissed early from McDowell High School and West McDowell Middle School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the students and staff confirmed to be safe, the sheriffs office said it is now concentrating on finding the origination of the phone call and will seek to prosecute anyone involved. If you have information about todays incident, contact Captain Shanon Smith with the McDowell County Sheriffs Office at (828) 652-2235. Copyright 2025 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 WSPA 7NEWS. The Ohio burgee waving along with the national flag of the United States of America. (Stock photo from Getty Images.) When Arienne Childrey came to Ohio from Virginia as a teenager, she said she could tell it was the right decision. Ohio really felt like home to me, Childrey said. It was the first place I lived in because I chose it. A coal miners daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter, the Virginia native is now the wife of a union laborer, working for the residents of St. Marys in Auglaize County, and she hopes to represent her fellow Ohioans in the Ohio Statehouse in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it happens, Childrey is one of only two transgender Ohioans in office in the state, and the only one serving in a city council role. She was appointed to the position with the approval of the retiring city council member she replaced. Arienne Childrey, shown after being appointed to the 4th ward seat on the St. Marys City Council. Childrey is the first trans woman to hold an Ohio city council seat, and only the second known trans individual to hold office in the state. (Photo courtesy of Arienne Childrey) Childreys new position on the St. Marys City Council comes with issues officials in the Statehouse dont deal with on a daily basis, things like alleyway maintenance and pothole complaints. Its those types of issues that Childrey wants to address to make the city more appealing to businesses and residents, especially after the loss of stores like K-Mart, Big Lots and Rite Aid. If youre doing your shopping, I want you to be able to do it in St. Marys, and not have to go to Celina or somewhere else, Childrey told the Capital Journal. She said she plans to use her position to champion for residents to live freely, but her identity as a trans woman shouldnt play into whether or not she can do the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not aware of any trans way of fixing potholes, Im pretty sure it works the same way no matter what, Childrey said. Her role on city council focuses on small-town care, but she knows the measures that come down from the statehouse can have a big impact on how her town runs. Thats why in the last election, she attempted to unseat Republican state Rep. Angela King in the deep-red 84th House District. I looked at my husband and said I think Im about to do something really stupid, Childrey said. I think Im about to run against Angie. It wasnt the first time Childrey said shed pushed back against her representative in the 84th District. After King introduced House Bill 245 a measure to ban adult cabaret performances, including drag shows, in areas other than private businesses Childrey organized a protest to the bill in Mercer County. The measure received some legislative consideration in the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee, but never made it past the committee stage, meaning it would have to be reintroduced in the new term of the General Assembly to be considered again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Childrey also spoke at Democratic Party events in the area about LGBTQ+ rights, leading her to think about running against King. I just kind of saw our current representation that was focused on culture war battles and, in my opinion, focused on who they could hurt rather than who they could help, Childrey said. If youre going to put a target on my communitys back, I guess Im going to be your competitor. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX She said it was an aggressive campaign, with tables at county fairs in the area to reach those who didnt attend typical political fundraising events or werent necessarily supporters of hers, and a campaign that was run as if they were going to defeat the incumbent Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Childrey wasnt a fool to the political leanings (or full tilt) of her home region. In the 2022 election, King received almost 83% of the vote against her Democratic opponent, similar to the margin her predecessor Susan Manchester had when she defeated her Democratic opponent in 2020 with 85% of the vote. We came in expecting to lose, but fighting to win, she said. King would go on to receive 83.8% of the vote against Childrey in the 2024 general election. The campaign was as hostile as Childrey expected it to be, but it came with its positive moments. The level of hate and vitriol that we experienced was tough, but the level of support we received was inspiring, she said. Arienne Childrey holds up a sign at an event last year as she ran to unseat Republican Ohio state Rep. Angela King in the 84th District. (Photo courtesy of Arienne Childrey) Through it all, what she really aimed to do was show Ohioans that she wanted the same things they did, to be heard and to see good change come from the Statehouse, rather than a host of negative bills, like anti-trans bills to eliminate gender affirming care for minors, that dont improve Ohio for the majority of residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youll never hear me talk about one of the horrible bills thats being talked about without talking about one of the positive bills that being ignored, Childrey said, bringing up housing reform and a remedy for the nursing shortage as examples of measures being left behind in the wake of other more controversial bills. Childrey also hoped to lessen the gaps between Democrats and Republicans even in deep-red districts, and sew the idea of becoming an elected official into the minds of others across the state. I fully expect that in 2026, there will not be a single House seat up for election without a Democratic competitor, she said. Even if we lose, we need to start working on the margins. The Republican Party didnt win the rural areas overnight, they played the long game. She plans to be one of those candidates, again aiming to be a representative of her district. Until then, the St. Marys City Council member plans to do what she can for her residents as she looks to the future hers and theirs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are people in our community who always feel like they dont get listened to and its for a variety of reasons, Childrey said. Its about showing them you want to listen to them. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Body camera. (Photo by WEWS) Former Columbus, Ohio police officer Adam Coy shot and killed Andre Hill shortly before Christmas in 2020. Last November Coy was found guilty of murder, felonious assault and two counts of dereliction of duty. As it is in many police involved shootings, body camera footage was crucial evidence establishing the how the incident unfolded. In the case of Andre Hill, it showed he was unarmed and posed no threat to Coy; more troubling, it showed first responders neglected to render aid for several minutes as Hill was dying. But early this year, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a controversial new public records provision into law that could make it harder to get body camera footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hills family members, and the family members of other people who relied on body camera or dash camera footage following police misconduct, are criticizing the move. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX What changed Under the changes, law enforcement agencies will be able to charge members of the public $75 dollars per hour of video footage they request with an overall cap on charges of $750. Unlike prior law, which allowed public agencies to charge the actual cost of copying records, the new law allows them to recoup the cost in staff time associated with reviewing and producing the video. The idea emerged as time was running out on last years legislative session and lawmakers tacked it onto a broader measure. They held no hearings in which members of the public could weigh in on the changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter urging DeWine to veto the language, the ACLU of Ohio and an several other watchdog groups stressed the lack of public input. We sincerely hope you will agree that, at a minimum, such radical changes to Ohios public records laws should be discussed and debated via the typical legislative process, they wrote. But in a signing statement, DeWine defended the change. No law enforcement agency should ever have to choose between diverting resources for officers on the street to move them to administrative tasks like lengthy video redaction reviews for which agencies receive no compensation, he argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor called the proposal a workable compromise and compared the charges to user fees. He argued its good that the fee is optional rather than mandatory and added it is also good the user fees are capped and directly related to the cost of production. Still, even as he defended the idea, he acknowledged there could be unforeseen consequences and said hed work with the General Assembly to address problems if they arise. Families weigh in That argument wasnt convincing for the families of men who lost their lives because of police actions. I felt like it is a step backwards for transparency and accountability, Hills sister Shawna Barnett said during a press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honestly, I feel like it damages the publics trust, she continued. Because it feels like the government is putting walls up and not wanting to have things exposed to them that needs to be exposed. Chenea Ross husband Colby Ross was killed during a high-speed chase of a different driver last year in Montgomery County. She pushed back on arguments, made by supporters, that the potential cost is relatively small. I read an article where a gentleman brushed it off and said its under $100, she said. People cant afford that a lot of times, so I do think this is very important. Eric Lindsay was stopped by West Chester Police at Meijer in 2021, after reports of a white man in a green jacket shoplifting. Lindsay is Black and was wearing an orange jacket. Body camera footage demonstrated officers knew he wasnt the person they were looking for, but stopped him anyway. In 2023 the township agreed to a $28,000 settlement with Lindsay. He argued charging for access to body camera footage is wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We pay the salaries of these police officers, we pay for their equipment, and now theyre charging us for what this equipment actually captures in the course of their duties? he asked in disbelief. Attorneys who organized the press conference and represent the family members took a skeptical view of the idea as well. Robert Gresham dismissed the argument that complying with public records requests amounts to an unfunded mandate for police departments with tight budgets. He noted in many cities police spending takes up a third of the operating budget. Its disingenuous when the governor says that this is about cost, he argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile Fanon Rucker expressed doubts about how departments would use their new ability to charge requesters. If the department charges one requester $750 to produce a record, what happens if someone else asks for the same record? Can the department impose the same charge? Is it justified because the work has already been done? he asked. All thats necessary is the push of a button. So now were talking about being doubly compensated for what the public is already supposed to have access to. Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on X or on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE NELSONVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) Ohio will sell a state-owned former correctional facility to Hocking County for $1 to establish a new regional jail. At a Hocking County Commissioners Meeting on Jan. 13, commissioners announced the state was selling them the former Hocking Correctional Unit at the low price to grant funding for renovations. Hocking Correctional closed in 2018 but will be repurposed as a day-treatment facility for minor misdemeanor offenders and a female-only jail. Commissioner Michael Linton said the top two floors will house female inmates, and the first floor of the three-story building will be a treatment facility for minor charges and drug-related crimes. Linton said not only will the facility address a need for the region, it should also benefit Hocking County financially. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unsolved Ohio: What happened to Joey LaBute? Currently, the regional jail is the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail, which serves five southeastern Ohio counties, including Hocking. Commissioners said the region is in need of another facility. I know the judges are excited about the opportunity to have that locally, Linton said. I know the other regional jail that houses men and women (is) looking forward to moving the women out of that facility and into this facility. Commissioners applauded Hocking County Sheriffs Deputy Leif Bickel, who has been working with the state and other organizations in the region to create the new jail for women. The advocacy has been in progress for several years; in 2021, Gov. Mike DeWine pledged a $12 million investment into the rehabilitation project to help ease the stress on other area jails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Annette Chambers-Smith said the renovated facility will bring some much-needed female beds to the area. The site will also help local communities through treatment services, including assistance for people affected by the opioid epidemic. Ohio schools proposal would restrict classroom flags, symbols Bickel, Sheriff Lanny North and Judge Fred Moses worked hard to bring the facility to life, commissioners said, and due to their efforts, the commissioners anticipate things will move quickly. Within 18 months we should be able to move into the building, theres been significant work done on it to date, Linton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hocking Correctional Unit was first built as a hospital to treat tuberculosis patients in 1955 and was also used as a childrens center before it became a prison in the early 1980s. It was a major employer at the time of its closure, and union representatives and officials representing those in the area were outspoken against the decision. It closed with limited notice in 2018 for financial reasons, with the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction stating the unit was the single most expensive facility in the state. The unit cost $65 per inmate per day, where similar facilities cost $21 per inmate per day. Its 430 inmates and 110 staff were relocated to other facilities in Ohio. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. (Stock photo byPaul Bradbury/Getty Images) The number of Ohio students reported to be experiencing homelessness has steadily increased in recent years and is back to pre-pandemic levels, but those statistics are likely an undercount. More than 25,500 students were reported to have been experiencing homelessness during the 2023-24 school year 1.5% of Ohios total student population, according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a little more than half of Ohios 611 school districts reported having less than 10 students experiencing homelessness during that same school year, according to ODEW. In a district where theres a dedicated person whos able to really invest their time in this work, and has the ability and support to do so, youre likely going to have increased identification, and so thats one of the reasons the numbers can be challenging, said Amanda Wilson, of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio. School districts are legally required to have a homeless liaison through the McKinney-Vento Act, but the liaisons typically have other roles in the districts as well. The McKinney-Vento Act, a 1987 federal law, supports the enrollment and education of homeless students by making sure homeless youth have access to a public education. You might have really high identification in one district because the liaison has increased capacity, and lower identification in another district where the liaison doesnt have as much capacity, Wilson said. And that may not necessarily reflect whats happening in the community, but its reflecting more the capacity of that person to be able to do identification and enrollment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laurie Hall has been working for New Philadelphia Schools for 19 years and has been the districts homeless liaison for the past four years. She is also the preschool director, the special education preschool director and the federal coordinator for the district. So many kids come with sad stories that can keep you up at night, she said. The one thing that I can do is pray for the families. These Ohio school districts had the highest percentage of homeless students during the 2023-24 school year, according to ODEW. Morgan Local Schools 9.3% Mt. Healthy City Schools 9.1% Fayetteville-Perry Schools 8% Cincinnati Public Schools 7.6% New Philadelphia City Schools 7.5% Identifying students experiencing homelessness can be tough. If you say, Are you homeless? Theyre probably going to say no, but then if you find out more information about what the family is experiencing, theyre doubled up, theyre moving a lot from friends and family members, Wilson said. Theres things that definitely may qualify that student for services and support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio students experiencing homelessness are chronically absent at a rate of 58.6% more than double the state rate of 25.6%, said Trisha Barnett, ODEWs homeless education program coordinator. Under the McKinney-Vento Act, there is a provision that states that any absence that is due to the students homelessness would be considered excused, she said. The COVID-19 effect The number of Ohio students experiencing homelessness dropped when the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools during the 2020-21 school year, but that doesnt necessarily mean the number of students experiencing homelessness declined during that time. Since school buildings closed in March 2020 for the remainder of the school year, it likely means students experiencing homelessness werent being counted and might not have been logging on for school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX It was harder for educators and liaisons and folks that are in their students day-to-day lives to be able to be in that same level of contact with families, to really be keeping track of what their situations were, Barnett said. The number of students experiencing homelessness has steadily increased since the 2021-22 school year. Were increasing that identification and enrollment again, which is really positive, but also that means families are struggling more, Wilson said. Some of the American Rescue Plan funding Ohio received went toward students experiencing homelessness, which helped identify those students, Barnett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of Ohio students experiencing homelessness, according to ODEW: 2023-24 school year: 25,550 2022-23 school year: 24,046 2021-22 school year: 21,586 2020-21 school year: 21,118 2019-20school year: 24,193 Morgan Local Schools About 9% of the 1,500 students attending Morgan Local Schools experienced homelessness last school year, according to ODEW. It breaks my heart when you see kids having to deal with this, said Anita Eldridge-Metz, the districts homeless liaison. Its really difficult to fathom what its like to worry about where youre going to sleep at night on a regular basis. A fifth of students experiencing homelessness in the district were chronically absent last school year meaning a student missed at least 10% of school days, Eldridge-Metz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I expected it to be a lot higher than that, she said. This is Eldridge-Metzs fortieth year with Morgan Schools. She has been the districts homeless liaison since 2020 and also serves as the secondary director of instruction & curriculum. Were a small district, lots of people carry additional responsibilities on their plate, and mine just happens to be the homeless liaison, she said. The districts enrollment officer has the biggest impact on identifying students experiencing homelessness, Eldridge-Metz said. There are some trigger questions that help that person identify where the student is living, she said. The question will be Where are you living? or Are you living with somebody else? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of their students who are identified as homeless are living in doubled-up arrangements, Eldridge-Metz said. That means that you have multiple families sharing one dwelling, she said. We also have a lot of students who live in what I would call substandard housing. So that means they might be living in a travel trailer or some kind of a storage shed or a converted garage. There are no homeless shelters in Morgan County. If a student is in temporary housing outside of Morgan County, the school district doesnt have the means to transport them, Eldridge-Metz said. Every building in the district has a closet and a place with extra hygiene supplies that health aides and school secretaries give to students as needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is primarily for our students who have been identified as homeless, but, certainly, if we have any other child who needs any of these items we want them to be able to provide that to any student who needs it, Eldridge-Metz said. When you live in a rural, relatively poor community, a lot of times its not just the homeless kids that need resources or need supplies. Cincinnati Public Schools Cincinnati is the states second largest school district with about 35,000 students and 7.6% of their students experienced homelessness last school year, according to ODEW. If you are constantly just trying to figure out where youre going to sleep at night, what youre going to eat, where youre going to go, youre always in a fight-or-flight response state, and so it does become really hard to reach that space where youre able to learn and really focus and prioritize education, said Rebeka Beach, who manages Project Connect, the districts program that serves children and families experiencing homelessness. Project Connect which serves about 4,000 students a year helps arrange transportation, gives out school supplies, provides emergency hotel stays, offers tutoring programs, and has social emotional groups, among other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attendance rate last year for students in the district experiencing homelessness was between 75-80%, Beach said. The district also has a school counselor who works specifically with seniors experiencing homelessness and the graduation rate for those students was 79% last year, Beach said. We work really closely with our transportation department to re-route our students quickly, but sometimes theyre so transient that thats not possible, especially for our families who are staying in hotels or who are night to night, going to different areas of the city in their cars to sleep, she said. Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ohio's next U.S. Senator, Jon Husted. (Photo by Graham Stokes for the Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original story.) No comment. Thats all Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said and walked away. Only at the tail end of DeWines press conference last Friday, to announce Lt. Gov. Jon Husted as his pick to replace J.D. Vance in the U.S. Senate, was the elephant in the room even acknowledged. What was the governors response to the federal indictments handed down (the same day) against two former FirstEnergy executives tied to the biggest public corruption scandal in state history? DeWines response was no response. His briefing was about Husteds promotion not the stain of malfeasance on their watch that the federal indictments underscored. Both men revert to a predictable default setting when it comes to questions about their knowledge of or involvement in the FirstEnergy scheme to bribe lawmakers into giving it a massive state subsidy. Deny. Deflect. Dismiss. No comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair insists, despite mounting evidence to the contrary, that they knew nothing about anything corrupt in the legislation written by and for FirstEnergy that they were instrumental in passing and signing into law. DeWine and his LG maintain they conducted themselves properly and did right by Ohio with energy policy that just happened to include an extravagant gift from the state to a utility that donated richly to their campaigns. They either outright refute the logged meetings, phone calls, emails and text messages shared with FirstEnergy brass before, during, and after the companys billion-dollar nuclear plant bailout was enacted or feign amnesia about their chumminess with generous GOP donors even as FirstEnergys devious pay-to-play arrangement was underway to enrich investors and hose ratepayers. But as court documents indicate in the state and federal trials of defendants who got caught up in the nuclear bailout scam DeWine, and especially Husted, had their fingerprints all over the dodgy FirstEnergy legislation while it was being created and passed through the legislature to benefit the utility and Republican sugar daddy. Like many Ohio Republicans, DeWine and Husted had lengthy relationships and intricate business dealings over the years with the head honchos at FirstEnergy. Their coziness with ex-FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and Senior VP Mike Dowling appeared to reach its peak in 2019 with passage of House Bill 6 to prop up the utilitys two aging and uncompetitive nuclear power plants in Ohio. So when federal prosecutors announced that Jones and Dowling at the center of a $60 million bribery plot to buy off state officials for a $1.2 billion bailout had been slapped with federal racketeering charges, the top state officials who made that bailout happen must have squirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their political patrons, already facing related charges on the state level, could well implicate the guv and his Senate-appointee in the developing federal cases. No wonder Husted is hightailing it out of Ohio before the boom lowers. But the senator-to-be, who has managed to skate around his deep entanglements in some of the states biggest scandals, (e.g., the notorious ECOT online charter school he championed without accountability that ripped-off a ton of taxpayer money for phantom students) may not be able to slide so deftly around his role as a pivotal player in the FirstEnergy scandal. Publicly released court records suggest Husted, in close contact with FirstEnergy execs, was leading the behind-the-scenes efforts to push the tainted HB6 through the legislature and onto the governor desk ASAP. Detailed evidence contains a slew of FirstEnergy texts referencing State Official 2, confirmed as Husted, that show how involved the LG was in not only lobbying for arguably the most corrupt piece of state energy legislation ever, but for making the nuclear bailout bill even beefier by extending the FirstEnergy payouts in the legislation a few extra years. Although Husted had to trim his sails on that front, FirstEnergy leaders chortled in text messages that the LG was in their corner fighting to the end to give the company everything it wanted and more. Who cared if Ohio ratepayers were on the hook for hundreds of millions in new monthly surcharges on their electricity bills? Husted wasnt working for them. He was helping FirstEnergy boost its profit margin in an unprecedented bribery and money laundering fraud perpetrated on everyday Ohioans. Of course, Husted defaults to denial about any knowledge of the corruptness that permeated FirstEnergys bid for bloated state subsidies from the very beginning. Its a dance he and DeWine do whenever pervasive state scandal threatens to puncture the governors folksy persona or the LGs image as the telegenic GOP Golden Boy who checks off every box that matters to deep-pocketed powerbrokers lining up to make a killing on custom-made government policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Husted heads to Washington he takes a political skills set honed in shameless service to: an unscrupulous utility that tried to buy a gravy train ticket from the state with secretly-funded legislation, to a crooked for-profit charter that bilked taxpayers out of hundreds of millions of dollars, to a billion-dollar voucher boondoggle funding private religious schools in a scandal waiting to explode, to the fossil fuel industrys anti-wind and anti-solar propaganda machine after publicly supporting renewable energy. Husted will fit right in with the Republican Senate majority carrying water for the highest bidder waving a campaign check, capitulating to the tyrant trashing the Constitution with impunity, and brushing aside telling stains of gathering malfeasance with no comment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ODESSA Less methane escaped into the atmosphere from certain oil and gas equipment and oil wells in 2023, according to a report released earlier this month by an energy analytics firm that industry leaders promoted. Environmental experts said more information was needed. Equipment used to find and produce crude oil, including those that control the pressure and flow of natural gas, pumps and pipes, leaked 25% less methane than in 2022. The report's findings, published by S&P Global, a New York-based company, also included information on the methane leaking from the 162,000 oil wells, from which emissions also decreased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report focused only on the stage of oil production where companies search, drill and draw crude oil, known as upstream. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. It is a particle that scientists say is a main culprit in climate change, with 80 times the potency of carbon dioxide. And it is released in remarkable volumes in the Texas oil fields through unintended leaks and when companies flare or vent gas to relieve gas build-up in the equipment. Kevin Birn, a vice president at S&P Global that focuses on emissions, said there is no consensus on tracking methane, a colorless and odorless gas, adding that he hopes the report provides a standard. The report was released ahead of President Donald Trumps second term. On the campaign trail, Trump promised to relax regulations on oil and gas companies that the Biden administration ratcheted up during the last four years. The report offers evidence that oil and gas companies can reduce methane emissions while still producing a record amount of oil and profits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behind investments in technologies and manpower is the priority companies have assigned to reducing emissions to protect the environment and advance climate goals, and to capture as much methane as possible, the American Petroleum Institute, a nationwide trade group, wrote when they announced the report. The reports findings used data collected by another company, Insight M, which has been tracking methane emissions for operators since 2014. The company flew an aircraft 15,000 feet above the Permian Basin, a part of Texas abundant in oil and natural gas. Sensors on the craft detected plumes collecting in sunbeams bouncing off the ground. If parts of the sunbeams were missing, it meant methane collected there. The company deployed the plane 700 times in 185 days. It flew above operators who produced no less than 200 barrels of oil daily, accounting for operators producing significant amounts of crude oil and natural gas. The flyovers accounted for 96% of production in the region, the reports authors said. That includes more than 85% of operators in the region. Raoul Leblanc, vice president at the firm, said the data collected during those flyovers account for specific sources of emissions, which operators can use to find the equipment that is leaking. He said such information points to a specific process during oil and gas production for emissions that could go undetected. The report sheds light on the industry's efforts to pollute the air less. Still, it's far from a full understanding of how much methane escapes oil field operations, said Jon Goldstein, vice president of energy transition at the Environmental Defense Fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goldstein said emissions under 10 kilograms, which the sensors could not detect, also account for a significant portion of air pollution, even if it is harder to track. He said that, as a result, the conclusions should be taken with a grain of salt. For equipment releasing less than 10 kilograms of methane an hour, researchers used wind gauges detecting plumes of methane in the wind. This method provided an estimate of how much methane certain equipment released. eCompanies and regulators can use multiple instruments to track fugitive emissions or gases that leak, such as satellite, aerial, and vehicle trackers. Satellite trackers are older and provide a broader picture of ambient emissions, though he said they are more precise with time. The devices mounted on aircraft, like a helicopter that flies over an oil basin, collect more specific data. Handheld devices that can be used on vehicles can also supply information that is more specific. Goldstein said that oil and gas operators could be working to comply with methane reduction regulations set by the federal government in 2024, which the industry supported and contributed. Oil and gas companies can be fined if they breach the amount of methane they are allowed to leak. Texas does not require operators to capture methane emissions in their field operations. There's no consistency. We're talking about an industry that's incredibly diverse, hundreds and hundreds of companies in the U.S. alone that are engaged in oil and gas development, Goldstein said. Each one may have a different voluntary program (to reduce methane emissions) that they're implementing with different technologies, and so it's really hard to have an apples-to-apples comparison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Palacios, executive director of Commission Shift, an oil and gas watchdog group in Texas, said regulatory agencies should be more active in emission reductions. She said that putting rules that push for monitoring, like satellite and aerial technology, could reduce waste. Oil and gas companies, Palacios said, shouldnt wait for the market to decide to reduce methane emissions. There is still a role for oversight agencies to play in preventing waste and reducing climate-warming emissions when operators lack a financial signal to do so, Palacios said. Regardless of cost-effectiveness, the public is harmed when scarce natural resources are wasted or when methane warms the climate. Disclosure: The Environmental Defense Fund has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Clarification, Jan. 21, 2025 at 4:41 p.m. : This article has been updated to clarify that researchers used wind gauges to estimate the amount of methane released from equipment that leaked less than 10 kilograms of methane an hour. As she sat at a segregated lunch counter in 1958, Marilyn Hildreth had no idea that a monument and plaza commemorating that very moment would one day grace the very spot in downtown Oklahoma City. At that time, the teen only knew she wanted a Coke and she and 12 other courageous young Black people held a sit-in to challenge the racist Jim Crow laws that kept them from enjoying a soda at the Katz drug store lunch counter. Hildreth was elated when the Oklahoma City Downtown Design Commission recently approved design plans for the Clara Luper Sit-In Plaza at Robinson and Main, moving the project one step closer to fruition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The highlight of the plaza will be a $3.6 million bronze monument commemorating the Aug. 19, 1958, sit-in at the Katz lunch counter, led by Hildreth's mother, civil rights activist Clara Luper. The plaza site at 59 N Robinson is where the Katz drug store once stood. The monument will feature sculptures of Luper, the lunch counter, the 13 children participating in the sit-in and the waitress who refused to serve them. "If we don't tell our story, who's going to do it?" Hildreth said. More: 65 years after OKC's sit-in, Clara Luper's 'radical love' still reverberates today Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt shared similar sentiments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're finally telling all of our city's stories in a permanent and prominent way," he said. "Completion of this monument and the plaza will definitely be a highlight of 2025." Holt appointed the Rev. Lee Cooper Jr. and John Kennedy as co-chairs of the committee tasked with commemorating the historic sit-in. Plaza has been in the works since 2018 A senior planner for the Downtown Design Commission said a building permit for the plaza could be issued in early February. Cooper said the committee hopes to see the plaza completed by Luper's birthday. "We are on a very tight time schedule, but the hope is to complete it by May 3," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Cooper and Holt said the plaza will be a visible way to tell the story of Luper and the NAACP Youth Council sit-in that she led at Katz. The sit-in at the downtown drug store and subsequent sit-ins led to the desegregation of other Oklahoma City businesses and restaurants. "This is an amazing project that has been in the works since 2018, and I am so excited that we are another step closer to reality," Holt said. "This project makes an important statement about our community." Cooper said it is important to tell the story of the first Oklahoma City sit-in because many people think the sit-in movement started in Greensboro, North Carolina, however the movement started by Luper occurred first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So, what we're doing is claiming that history that belongs to us, history that is positive, not only for Oklahoma City, but also for the nation," he said. Plan details According to the design plan submitted to the Downtown Design Commission, some existing paving, plantings and large stones will be removed from the project site, which sits between a corporate tower and the Internal Revenue Service building. Cooper said three large egg-shaped stones and a fountain that are currently there will remain at the site. A limestone paver plaza will be installed, along with the life-sized bronze sculptures recreating the Katz lunch counter scene. According to the project design plan, 8-feet-tall angled stone walls containing storytelling panels also will be added. Cooper said the sculptures will be in the center of the plaza. He said some of the sculptures will be sitting, while others will be standing, and one bar stool, made out of another material, will be empty so that young people who visit the plaza may realize how young the sit-in participants were and perhaps imagine themselves taking part in the historic movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: 'My mother would be joyous,' says Clara Luper's daughter at sit-in monument announcement A sculpture of Clara Luper, created by sculptor LaQuincey Reed for the bronze monument at the Clara Luper Sit-In Plaza, was shown during an artist's reception in 2022 in Oklahoma. "The attempt was to make sure that we could commemorate this event and also be respectful of foot traffic that could pass through the plaza and not be obstructed, and then also to make sure that people could interact with the statue," he said. Kennedy said he was proud of the work that the project committee had done to get the concept of the plaza and monument to this point. He said it was important to note that the plaza is privately funded. "We purposely didn't rush this process," he said of the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We also just made a commitment early on to make sure it was authentic, historically authentic and it is." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Clara Luper Sit-in Plaza moves closer to reality after design approved OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond on Monday announced his support with passage of the Laken Riley Act, calling it a commonsense measure. According to Drummonds office, the legislation will grant new authority to state attorneys general in deportation measures when facing harm in excess of $100 dollars to the state or its citizens while mandating federal detention of illegal immigrants charged with burglary, theft, shoplifting and larceny. The bill, is named for a Georgia nursing student who was murdered by an illegal immigrant last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Laken Riley Act is a commonsense measure that should not even be needed, said Drummond. The Biden Administrations refusal to secure the border and enforce existing immigration laws has resulted in deadly consequences for the Riley family and so many others. I am thankful that Oklahomas entire Congressional delegation has prioritized the safety of American families by supporting this important legislation, and I am excited for President Trump to sign it into law. Senate passes Laken Riley Act in first move after Trump inauguration Drummond applauded the scope of the measure saying, state attorneys general can sue federal officials and force them to fulfill their duties under the law. Giving state attorneys general the authority to force derelict federal officials to do their job is a game changer for public safety, Drummond said. Had this measure been in place under the Biden Administration, I would have had the power to force the deportation of thousands of criminal illegal immigrants here in Oklahoma who have caused immeasurable harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in March 2024, Drummond alongside 25 other state attorneys general wrote U.S. Senate leaders in support of the passage of the Laken Riley Act. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. A "Remember to Vote" sign hangs outside the Noble County Courthouse on June 15, 2024, in Perry. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Lawmakers have filed a number of measures that seek to alter Oklahomas election processes. Senate Bill 129, by Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, and Senate Bill 273, by Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, would increase the number of days for in-person absentee voting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 129 would increase in-person absentee voting to 14 days. Borens bill adds Wednesday for any election and Saturdays during the three weeks preceding the general election, primary, runoff or presidential primary elections. Kirt said there arent enough early voting days. People need access, she said. She said long lines during early voting in the last election cycle discouraged people from casting ballots. State leaders need to prioritize making it easier for people to cast a ballot without it being a hassle, she said. Senate Bill 329, by Boren, would require notice to those voting absentee if a ballot is rejected and give the voter an opportunity to remedy the defective paperwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If that ballot was rejected three weeks before the election, I could have gone in and voted in person if I had known, Boren said. Other states tell people what they need to fix. We dont give that option when a ballot is rejected. She said a scriveners error should not negate a persons right to vote. House Bill 1692, by Rep. Ronald Stewart Jr., D-Tulsa, would make any day in which a general election is held a state holiday. The measure would increase voter participation, he said. In the 2024 general election, the percentage of Oklahoma eligible voters who cast ballots was among the lowest in the nation, experts said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 1985, by Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, would end straight-party voting. It is one of the issues that continually came up on the door steps when she was campaigning, she said. Ranson said it would require people to vote for the candidate and not the party. I think it encourages voters to educate themselves on who is running, Ranson said. House Bill 1712, by Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, would require a political party that holds a closed primary or runoff primary to repay the cost of the election. Bennett said his bill serves as a financial incentive to open up the process. Elections are funded by the taxpayers, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats currently allow independents to vote in primaries and runoffs, but Republicans and Libertarians do not. Supporters of open primaries have indicated they are circulating an initiative petition to get the issue, in the form of State Question 836, on the ballot. House Bill 1515, by Rep. Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle, would require registered voters seeking an absentee ballot to provide a statement declaring why they are unable to vote either early in-person absentee or on election day due to work, school or travel. Senate Joint Resolution 5, by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, would require initiatives, referendums and Constitutional amendments sent to voters to be approved by at least 60% of voters rather than a majority. The measure would have to be approved by a vote of the people to become law. Lawmakers return Feb. 3 to the Capitol. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE As a member of the state House of Representatives, I witnessed the birth of House Bill 1017 in 1989, a sweeping education reform bill. Although far from perfect, it included important advancements: funding equity, early childhood programs, statewide curriculum standards and standardized testing. Later, as secretary of state under Gov. Frank Keating, I helped negotiate HB 1759 in 2000, which introduced charter schools, open transfer policies and a tougher curriculum. These experiences, along with my time as attorney general, taught me valuable lessons about what works and what doesnt when it comes to education reform. As the upcoming legislative session approaches, Id like to share a few key insights from what I've learned. Local control is crucial For decades, polls have shown strong public support for locally elected governance of public schools. And for good reason the connection between schools and communities is vital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im anything but a progressive. I consider myself a Reagan conservative. While I dont possess the magic formula for addressing the perceived and sometimes unduly catastrophized concerns related to critical race theory or DEI initiatives, I trust parents, administrators and local school boards to handle these issues far more than I trust authoritarian mandates from Oklahoma City or Washington, D.C. The more power the state takes from local schools, the more it erodes community involvement and support. Academics should be rigorous In 2000, Gov. Keatings 4x4 curriculum proposal faced strong opposition. The idea was simple: require students to complete four years of coursework in four core subjects to prepare them for college or the workforce. A scaled-down version ultimately passed. Opinion: Has Ryan Walters missed the boat on what needs to be done for Oklahoma schools? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ironically, NCAA eligibility standards for my two college-athlete sons were tougher than Oklahomas graduation requirements at the time. The lesson is simple: We must ensure that the basic requirements for a high school degree are rigorous and in sync with the realities of adulthood. Support our teachers Demonizing teachers because they join unions is divisive and counterproductive. I was a part of the effort to win passage of a Right to Work law in Oklahoma over 20 years ago, protecting employees from mandatory union membership. Teachers are free to choose to be members of advocacy organizations and they should have the right to do so without undue interference. Any impediment to that freedom is inconsistent with fundamental American ideals. To attract and retain high-quality educators, we need competitive salaries at least on par with the regional average and preserve a pension system that incentivizes career educators. As in any employment setting, school administrators should have the ability to incentivize performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: It is time to stand up for teachers; give them the respect, support they deserve | Guest column Invest in great principals As education expert Chester Finn once told me, Good principals make good schools. Leadership at the school level sets the tone for student success. Oklahoma should consider establishing a summer academy to provide principals with expert training and exposure to best practices. Strong, well-supported leaders can drive meaningful change in their schools. More: Opinion: Public education is the most important investment we can make. Let's demand better Moving forward Education reform is complex, but the foundational principles of local control, rigorous academics, teacher support, and strong leadership are timeless and indispensable. In a political landscape increasingly dominated by "culture war" debates and attention-grabbing legislation, I urge my fellow Republicans to rise above distractions and champion policies rooted in these enduring values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Best of luck this session! Mike Hunter Mike Hunter is a practicing lawyer and the former attorney general of Oklahoma and secretary of state of Oklahoma. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma school reform history should inform lawmakers | Opinion The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of convicted murderer Brenda Andrew, the only woman on Oklahoma's death row, ordering a lower court to review whether she got a fair trial for murdering her husband after prosecutors used salacious details of her sexual history to convict her. In an unsigned opinion, a majority of justices ordered the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider her well-publicized claim that her 2004 murder trial was unfair because prosecutors sex shamed her. The majority threw out the decision upholding her conviction by Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: New York Times article asks: Did prosecutors sex-shame Brenda Andrew to death in Oklahoma? "The State spent significant time at trial introducing evidence about Andrews sex life and about her failings as a mother and wife, much of which it later conceded was irrelevant," the majority wrote. "Among other things, the prosecution elicited testimony about Andrews sexual partners reaching back two decades; about the outfits she wore to dinner or during grocery runs; about the underwear she packed for vacation; and about how often she had sex in her car," they wrote. "In its closing statement, the prosecution again invoked these themes, including by displaying Andrews 'thong underwear' to the jury, by reminding the jury of Andrews alleged affairs during college, and by emphasizing that Andrew 'had sex on [her husband] over and over and over' while 'keeping a boyfriend on the side.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew, 61, always had maintained her innocence. Her attorney, Jessica Sutton, said Tuesday they were hopeful the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals now "will stop this injustice." "Wielding these gendered tropes to justify a conviction and punishment of death is intolerable and poses a threat to everyone who does not follow rigid gender norms," she said. Another attorney, Sandra Babcock, a Cornell law school professor, called the decision a "historic victory for gender justice." It is the second time in a year justices have given another chance to a high-profile Oklahoma death row inmate with an innocence claim. Justices last January agreed to consider Richard Glossip's latest complaints about his murder-for-hire case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a concurring opinion Tuesday, Justice Samuel Alito wrote "our case law establishes that a defendants due-process rights can be violated when the properly admitted evidence at trial is overwhelmed by a flood of irrelevant and highly prejudicial evidence that renders the trial fundamentally unfair." "I express no view on whether that very high standard is met here," Alito added. Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Neil Gorsuch dissented. Thomas complained the majority opinion "inaccurately portrays the States evidence, the prosecutions closing arguments, and the reasoning of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals." Andrew was convicted in the fatal shooting of her estranged husband at their Oklahoma City home in 2001. Her lover, James Pavatt, now 71, was convicted at a separate murder trial in 2003 and is awaiting execution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Pavatt confessed to committing the shooting with a friend," the majority opinion Tuesday noted. "Pavatt denied that Andrew had been involved." Andrew's attorneys told the Supreme Court that prosecutors "fixated on obtaining a conviction and death sentence by denigrating her character as a woman." "In order to do so, the State relied on sex-based stereotypes to dehumanize and portray Ms. Andrew as immoral, remorseless, deviant, dangerous, and thus more likely to have committed the crime and more deserving of the ultimate punishment," they argued. As an example, they told justices a prosecutor had called her a "slut puppy" in closing arguments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her supporters include women advocacy groups and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups that told the Supreme Court her case "represents the most severe consequence of the gender prejudice and bias that ... continues to permeate the criminal justice system." Attorney General Gentner Drummond had argued Andrew was giving the impression that she was convicted and sentenced to death only because prosecutors "convinced the jury she is a bad person." "Nothing could be further from the truth," he told justices. After the ruling Tuesday, the attorney general's press secretary, Leslie Berger, said, "We are disappointed but respect the court's decision." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pavatt, an insurance salesman, and Brenda Andrew became lovers after meeting at church, according to testimony at the trials. They even taught a Sunday school class together. Pavatt had been friends with her husband, Rob Andrew. He assisted Rob Andrew in setting up a life insurance policy worth $800,000. The Andrews' 17-year marriage fell apart in 2001, with her filing for divorce and him moving out. How was Rob Andrew killed? On Nov. 20, 2001, Rob Andrew came to the family home to pick up his son and daughter for Thanksgiving. He went into the garage after Brenda Andrew told him the pilot light on the furnace was out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There, he was shot twice, first by Pavatt and then by Brenda Andrew, with his own 16-gauge shotgun, prosecutors alleged. Pavatt also shot Brenda Andrew in the arm with a .22-caliber pistol to make it look like she was a victim, too, prosecutors alleged. Brenda Andrew told police two armed, masked men had attacked her husband. Police later found evidence that Pavatt hid afterward in the attic of the home of the Andrews' next-door neighbors, who were away. As police suspicions about her story grew, Pavatt and Brenda Andrew fled to Mexico with her children. After running out of money, the couple re-entered the United States in February 2002. They were arrested at the border. The lower courts that considered her claims also had issues with the sexual nature of the testimony at Brenda Andrew's trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver upheld her conviction and punishment in a 2-1 decision in 2023. The majority there acknowledged they had concerns "about some of the 'sexual and sexualizing' evidence admitted at trial, and the use to which it was put by the government." In a dissent, Judge Robert Bacharach wrote prosecutors focused from start to finish on her sex life. "This focus portrayed Ms. Andrew as a scarlet woman, a modern Jezebel, sparking distrust based on her loose morals," he wrote. "The drumbeat on Ms. Andrews sex life continued in closing argument, plucking away any realistic chance that the jury would seriously consider her version of events." The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals also was divided in its decision upholding her conviction in 2007. The judges in the majority acknowledged they were "struggling" to find any relevance to some of the sexual evidence They, however, found its introduction at trial "was harmless due to the overwhelming evidence in this case." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a dissent, Judge Arlene Johnson wrote a resentencing was warranted because prosecutors put on evidence "that has no purpose other than to hammer home that Brenda Andrew is a bad wife, a bad mother, and a bad woman." "I find it impossible to say with confidence that the death penalty here was not imposed as a consequence of improper evidence and argument," she also wrote. How many women have been executed in Oklahoma? Oklahoma has executed only three women since statehood, according to historical records. All three were put to death by lethal injection in 2001 for murder. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Supreme Court gives OK death row inmate Brenda Andrew chance after sex shame claim The mayor and police chief of Omaha have signaled that Omaha law enforcement officials will not seek out individuals to check on immigration status. (Getty Images) OMAHA The mayor and police chief of Nebraskas biggest city signaled Monday that City of Omaha law enforcement officers will not seek out individuals to check on immigration status. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert speaks at City-County Building. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) A city spokesperson said the Omaha Police Departments stance is the same as stated in a 2017 letter to community members. That is, local police officers dont and wont seek out individuals to check their legal status, but a person committing a crime can be subject to the policies of federal agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In those instances, the Omaha Police Department will cooperate with our federal partners, only as outlined in our policies, stated the letter signed by Mayor Jean Stothert and Police Chief Todd Schmaderer. Stothert and Schmaderer have called a news conference for Tuesday to discuss immigration enforcement and OPD policy. The news conference was scheduled in the wake of Donald Trumps inauguration as the countrys 47th president. The new president Monday declared a national emergency at the southern border and has promised an immediate ramp-up of immigration enforcement. Trump representatives have said the biggest city in the Midwest, Chicago, will be ground zero for the mass deportations he made a key campaign theme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Administration sources also have said the president plans a move to end asylum as well as birthright citizenship (for children of undocumented immigrants who were born in the U.S.), which is guaranteed in the 14th Amendment and affirmed in an 1898 U.S. Supreme Court case. The alert from the Mayors Office calling for the Tuesday news conference said the citys stance remains the same as when it issued the 2017 statement. In that, the mayor and police chief said they had become aware of concerns in the community about federal immigration and deportation policies and the role of local law enforcement agencies. They said they wanted to assure Omahans that it was not the mission or duty of local police to check legal status, and noted a department policy: It is not within the jurisdiction of the OPD to determine whether an individual is an undocumented individual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2017 statement said, Whether you are a victim of a crime or a witness to a crime, you can be confident you can seek help from our police department without fear. However, when any person commits a crime, he or she can be subject to the policies of federal agencies. The statement said public safety was top priority. We value our relationship with all community members as we make Omaha a safe place to live. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Alexandra Ulmer PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Mexico (Reuters) - Shortly after Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. president on Monday, Honduran migrant Denia Mendez's phone started buzzing with news that the app she had used to book her U.S. asylum appointment was down. Afraid of what this meant for her long-awaited appointment on Jan. 21, Mendez, sitting in the patio of a migrant shelter in the Mexican border town of Piedras Negras, called her teenage daughter Sofia who had the CBP One appointment app on her phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Bring me the phone now, quickly," Mendez told Sofia, who was upstairs in the shelter. "Run, run!" For Mendez, a 32-year-old single mom, the Jan. 21 asylum appointment had been a full, fraught year in the making. She recounted a harrowing tale from Jan. 1, 2024, when a gang member in Honduras demanded a fortnightly payment of some $120 from the proceeds of her small Tupperware business. Unable to meet the demand, Mendez said she pleaded for two months to get the money. Five days later, another gang member came with the same demand. "He told me: you get warned twice. The third time we won't be talking," Mendez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fearing for her life, she fled that night with her daughter Sofia, now 15, and son Isai, now 13. She left without saying goodbye to anyone to avoid the risk of being denounced. Over the course of a week, Mendez made her way to Monterrey, Mexico, with the help of money sent by a brother in Maryland. In Monterrey, she found work packing tortillas, working eight-hour shifts a day. She changed phones and abandoned her Facebook account as she said she kept receiving threatening messages from the gang members in Honduras. Mendez, who was orphaned as a toddler and left school at eight to help her grandmother sell cakes and tamales in the street, wanted her children to continue their education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Mendez said she was turned away from two schools in Monterrey and was not allowed to speak to the principals. She suspects she was the subject of discrimination. For a year, Mendez said she logged into the CBP One app daily, hoping for an appointment to make her case for U.S. asylum. Her persistence paid off on Jan. 2, 2025, when she finally got an appointment for Jan. 21. "I was so happy," Mendez said. "But at the same time, I was a little nervous, because supposedly on Jan. 20 they were going to close things down." Trump, a Republican, won a second term at the White House after promising to intensify border security and deport record numbers of migrants. He vowed to also shut the CBP One entry program, which had allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. legally by scheduling an appointment on an app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Mendez made her way to Piedras Negras on Saturday, hoping she would be allowed through to the United States. For around two days at the border, she was so nervous that she struggled to eat anything. She avoided any TikTok videos that said Trump was going to cancel the appointments. On Sunday, the eve of Trump's inauguration, she and her family went to church to pray. "I asked God to soften the president's heart," Mendez said. 'SNOWSTORM ... COME TO FREEZE OUR HEART' Sofia, her lips red from candy, came down with the phone and immediately tried to log into the CBP One app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mendez had meanwhile just checked her inbox on her own phone and was staring at an email for several minutes. She read it over and over, before her eyes welled up. "They canceled my appointment," she said. A handful of other migrant women, who just minutes before were laughing as they fed potato chips to pigeons, huddled around her phone, their faces suddenly stricken. Turning to Sofia, Mendez said softly, "They're not going to let you into the app, baby." Mendez called her brother Dennis in Maryland and read the email out to him. "Tell me: What do I do?" Her brother said he wasn't sure he would be able to send her more money as his construction work was slow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mendez said she only had some $10 left in her pocket and while she didn't think her old job in Monterrey would still be available, returning to Honduras was out of the question. She made her way to the shelter's dormitory and sat on a mattress, legs under a blanket amid a major cold spell. "We were one day away," Mendez said in disbelief as she talked through her options with other migrants, many Venezuelans. One migrant quoted a Spanish proverb that roughly translates as: "In the face of bad weather, put on a good face." "But this isn't bad weather," Mendez responded. "This is a snowstorm that has come to freeze our heart and bones." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mendez kept sitting still on the mattress and stared ahead, her eyes occasionally tearing up. Her son Isai, who wants to become a psychologist, did some push-ups. Sofia, who wants to be a veterinarian, wandered downstairs and talked with the other children. Eventually news drifted in that more migrants would be arriving at the shelter. Mendez got up. "Let's clean the floor before the others get here," she said, grabbing a broom and mop. Cleaning, she added, would take her mind off the appointment that never was. (Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer; Additional reporting by Cheney Orr in Piedras Negras, Mexico; Editing by Mary Milliken and Himani Sarkar) (Reuters) - One miner died and rescuers were trying to reach two others trapped after water and mud poured into underground tunnels at the Velenje coal mine in northeastern Slovenia, mine officials said on Tuesday. The cause of Monday evening's accident has not been established but mining inspectors were at the site, local media reported. "Eleven employees managed to escape, while three employees remained in the area covered by debris," Premogovnik Velenje mine director, Marko Mavec, told reporters at the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mavec said "hope dies last" as efforts were made to recover two trapped miners but said the situation was not encouraging and the rescue effort was risky. Production at the Velenje coal mine has been suspended. It is part of the state-owned Holding Slovenske Elektrarne Group, and mainly supplies the Sostanj thermal power plant with coal. "Production ...will be stopped until the rescue operation is completed, and a special assistance programme will be established for the families of the victims," Prime Minister Robert Golob said during a visit to the mine on Tuesday. (Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic and Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Ros Russell) As Donald Trump becomes Americas 47th president, one wonders if he is experiencing buyers remorse. Barack Obama was surely dealt the worst hand of any president since Lincoln before the Civil War and Roosevelt with the depression inheriting two unwinnable wars and a financial crisis. Yet ironically, Trump may not be far behind. First, Trump must deal with the TikTok mess. One hundred seventy million Americans use the Chinese-owned social media platform. Trump became a fan when TikTok rallied many of his supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. law, overwhelmingly passed by Congress and signed by the president last May, required the company to be sold to an American owner or else shut down. The reason was that the algorithm was stealing literally tons of data that the the company is obligated to share with the Chinese Communist Party. Also, because the statute of limitations lasts five years, a buyer now does not know what the next administration will do, posing liability risks possibly mounting into the trillions. Now TikTok is Trumps problem. Good luck with that! If TikTok is forced by law to shut down because a buyer will not be found, this will be a huge political setback for the new administration. Trump also is taking credit for the Gaza truce and ceasefire. Yet although three hostages have been released alive so far, even then Israelis do not know how many of the first wave of 33 will actually still be living. The same applies to the remaining hostages to be be exchanged in future phases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, Israelis are not happy that many of the Hamas prisoners released have killed their countrymen and women. Hamas is still engaged in combat against Israeli forces. And the complicated agreement is filled with ticking time bombs that could terminate it. Should Gaza explode, because Trump has taken so much credit for the deal, he will then have to deal with the consequences. And a new president does not need that. Further, Congress has to pass a budget and approve a debt ceiling increase after confirming Trumps nominees. So far, it appears that all, including Pete Hegseth, will make it through. But here is a further complication. Trump may have secretaries in office, but otherwise, the closets are bare. At the State Department, virtually all of the ambassadors have been recalled, so charges or deputies will take their positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same applies to all departments. At Defense, if reports or rumors prove correct, certain senior admirals and generals will be gone. Who will take their place and how quickly can they be confirmed? This is not a trivial issue. Suppose an international crisis takes place, like the knockdown of a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft in the first days of George W. Bushs administration. Who will be able to negotiate? Only the secretary of State and the national security advisor in the office at that time. And suppose the Chinese, unhappy with an adverse TikTok decision, retaliate by threatening Taiwan or the Philippines? The administration will simply not be sufficiently organized to respond. This is not even a critique of Trump, but an obvious observation about the nature of the U.S. government and the reality of its transition processes. Unlike a parliamentary system, such as Great Britains, whose shadow cabinet can instantly form the new government, it usually takes a year or so for an administration to be fully formed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What can be done? Not much. The Trump transition process probably will be seen as one of the most efficient in some time, but it still leaves huge gaps to be filled. The ideal solution is that presidential nominees should form shadow cabinets during their campaigns. This would allow background investigations to be completed well before the election. Also, for each position, subordinate officers should be nominated perhaps down to the assistant secretary level. The problem here is that nominees must not presume they have been confirmed beforehand and anger senators over advice and consent. Yet, these are minor problems. Perhaps Trumps TikTok and Hamas problems will be resolved. But if they are not, and if Congress cannot agree on a budget or on raising the debt ceiling, the new administrations honeymoon could be nonexistent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One hopes that Trump II will not be put in this position. Harlan Ullman, Ph.D., is United Press Internationals Arnaud deBorchgrave Distinguished Columnist, senior advisor at Washington D.C.s Atlantic Council, chairman of two private companies and principal author of the shock and awe military doctrine. His next book, due in 2025, is The Great Paradox: Strategic Thinking in an Unstrategic World. Copyright 2025 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. With only 15 minutes to go as president, Joe Biden snatched infamy from the jaws of obscurity. With record-low polling and widely viewed as a failed president, Biden completed his one-man race to the bottom of ethics by issuing preemptive pardons to members of his own family. The pardons were timed to guarantee that the media would not focus on yet another unethical act by this president. He need not have worried. For four years, the media worked tirelessly to deny or deflect the corruption scandal surrounding the Biden family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pardoning of James Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John Owens and Francis Biden brought an inescapable clarity to the corruption of what is known in Washington as Biden Inc. I have written about the Biden familys corruption for decades. Influence-peddling has always been the favorite form of corruption in Washington, but this city has never seen the likes of the Biden family. Millions of dollars were secured from foreign sources and distributed to various Biden family members. Biden repeatedly lied about the influence peddling. He long denied knowing about his sons foreign clients or business. He denied ever meeting Hunters clients. Later, photos and emails showed that Biden had clearly met these clients and knew about the business deals. He was fully aware that his family was cashing in on his name and various offices. Even Bidens claims about handling the Trump cases were recently contradicted. While long claiming that he left these cases to the Justice Department and took no position on the merits, the Washington Post recently reported that Biden was irate over the failure to prosecute Trump before the election. He also reportedly lashed out at Attorney General Merrick Garland and said he regretted his appointment in light of the failure to nail Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the most glaring lies was that he would never pardon his son. Few people believed him. Indeed, Hunter Bidens bizarre criminal defense made no sense unless he knew that he had a pocket pardon if all else failed. Once he was forced out of the presidential race, Biden was freed up to sign a pardon for any and all crimes committed over a ten-year period by his son. He insisted that he really hadnt been lying. He claimed that no ordinary person would have been tried for his sons crimes a manifestly untrue statement. He also emphasized that he had to take this step as a father of a son who was a hopeless addict and has now been clean for years. However, the latest family pardon shatters even that rationalization. These Bidens are not even charged with any crimes, but Biden wanted to give them cover from any possible prosecution for anything. It was the ultimate sign of contempt for the intelligence of the American public and the integrity of his office. Biden has long exercised situational ethics and, with his powers coming to an end, the situation demanded that he cash out before his credit ended. In granting these pardons, Biden was seeking to protect not just his family but also himself. He was the object of the influence peddling and repeatedly lied to bury the scandal. This insulation of his family serves to move the threat farther from himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden, however, may have been too clever by half this time. In the final moments of his presidency, He broke into the open and exposed not just himself but his allies in the media. Reporters are now fully visible as willing dupes in one of the greatest corruption scandals in the history of this country. In his pardon statement, Biden insisted that the issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Of course, that is the very opposite of what most people will conclude. More importantly, the pardons will not end the threat to his family. Figures such as James Biden have been accused of lying to Congress about the influence-peddling operation. He can still be subpoenaed and, if he lies, he can be charged with a new crime. Indeed, after James Bidens pardon, it will be argued that he has less basis to claim the right to remain silent about any alleged crimes committed during the period for which the pardon applies. (He could argue that there is a danger of state charges, but that is less credible due to the running of statutes of limitation and other factors.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pardons, if anything, make such an investigation even more compelling for those who want answers to longstanding questions of corruption. Biden sealed his legacy with a finality that escapes most presidents. While his diminished mental capacity will remain an issue for historians, his longstanding lack of ethics was conclusively established with these pardons. It was Bidens final act of corruption. For a president who liked to call others lying dog-faced pony soldiers, Biden proved that, in the world of political corruption, the ponies are entirely optional. Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University and the author of The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. NewsNation Chief Washington Anchor and On Balance host Leland Vittert was a foreign correspondent for four years in Jerusalem. He gives you an early look at tonights 7 p.m. ET show. Subscribe to War Notes here. Radar ping: Nobody is talking about it right now, but the Supreme Court will soon become the most important branch of government. Congress cant get anything done. Trumps executive orders, like all presidents before him, push the bounds of constitutional authority like reinterpreting the 14th Amendment. Plus: DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency, already faces serious challenges. And: There is nearly unlimited money on the Left to challenge Trump. The nine unelected members of the Court may decide more about the future of America than anyone else. Watch tonight: Tom Dupree joins us for more. President Donald Trump next to Vice President J.D. Vance and First Lady Melania Trump, gives two thumbs up during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) Will They Ever Learn? Democrats who profess to loathe President Donald Trump do an awful lot to help him case and point, the quixotic promise to protect illegal aliens from Trumps deportation orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Old logic: Even though a vast majority of Americans support mass deportations 66% of Americans, per Axios Democrats are automatically against them since Donald Trump supports them. Look back: The prosecutions of Trump proved critical, if not defining, in Trumps return from political exile post-January 6. Superpower: One of Trumps political superpowers is making his enemies do and say stupid things in an effort to oppose him. Watch: At todays national prayer ceremony, Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop, lectured Trump. The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors may I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. TDR is Real : Those with Trump Derangement Syndrome will call the bishop a hero of the resistance. The rest of America will think her a jerk, as the Daily Mail rightly pointed out. Targeted arrests: Border agents say they know who they are looking for. NewsNations Ali Bradleys exclusive access to the numbers: There are 218,260 convicted criminals out of 1,460,942 total illegal immigrants with a final order of removal. Tom Homan, Trumps border czar, on CNN earlier: Were gonna concentrate on public safety threats, but in sanctuary cities if hes with others in the country illegally, ICE will not turn a blind eye. Thought bubble: Well, duh why is this objectionable? Yet: Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago and Illinois Governor and presidential hopeful JB Pritzker cant decide who should stand in the doorway George Wallace-style to stop federal immigration raids in Chicago. Break in the Damn: Democratic senators from swing states got the memo they are among the dozen of Democrats who voted for the Laken Riley Act. Look forward: The media manufactured and Democrats seized on kids in cages and family separation how this is done matters. Remember Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, D-N.Y., crying next to a fence line? Prediction: Democrats would love nothing more than the story of families ripped apart for evening newscasts. Be fair: We went through this once. Trump closed the border, then Democrats reflexively opened it. That didnt work out well for Democrats. Bottom line: For team Trump to succeed, they must continually remind Americans who they are deporting and why. Protesters march through downtown Chicago, opposing Donald Trumps presidential inauguration, holding signs that read No more I.C.E, no more raids and Defend democracy.on January 20, 2025. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images) Predictable Flip Out The moral high ground is completely open right now either party can reclaim it but must do so by actions not words. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thought bubble: Advantage goes to Trump. The flip out by the Left over Trumps January 6 pardons is both rich and telling. Watch our buddy Chris Cillizzas video here. Be fair: He isnt wrong that there were some bad hombres on January 6th. Cillizza just misses the point of the pardons. Of course, Trump is going to believe the darker parts of his base when the January 6 people were overprosecuted because many were some were not. But Trump himself was the victim of a weaponized Department of Justice and prosecutors in New York and Georgia. The lesson isnt that Trump is awful or dangerous. The lesson is that when you give up your (proclaimed) values because you hate someone (Trump), you become just like them. Democrats have nobody to blame but themselves. They: Indicted Trump while Hunter Biden sold his artwork. Gaslit America about Joe Bidens health condition. Then, Biden pardoned his family along with Anthony Fauci and Liz Cheney. In his last few months in office, Biden fully surrendered the moral high ground now, its Trumps to reclaim as Democrats fight amongst themselves. President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Trump Doesnt Care (?) Perhaps the only thing Democrats have going for them is Donald Trump he is unburdened by the past, to borrow a phrase it may work, it may not. Hes, by definition, a one-term president. Republicans control the House and the Senate unlike in 2017, they are fully united behind him. His staff is now fully loyal they might tell him not to say stuff but then he does. The Wall Street Journal writes that Trump views his second term, as the kids would say, YOLO you only live once. Evidence: Trumps two inauguration speeches. The first one being just after taking the oath the second was a little more colorful. Two Trumps, writes Marc Caputo in Axios he will join us tonight. It might work: Time to Admit It: Trump Is a Great President. Hes Still Trying To Be a Good One, writes John Harris, the founding editor of Politico. Tune into On Balance with Leland Vittert weeknights at 7/6C on NewsNation. Find your channel here. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of NewsNation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. First lady Melania Trump reintroduced us to President Donald Trumps America with a fashion choice no one could ignore. She cut a sharp figure in a midnight blue (almost black) silk wool skirt and coat set commissioned by American designer Adam Lippes, framed by the collar of a white silk crepe blouse. And, of course The Hat: handcrafted by American milliner Eric Javits, the boater silhouette was pulled low, casting a shadow over her face and shading her eyes. Much has been made on social media likening Melanias hat and outfit to mourning attire. I disagree. The apparently intentional obstruction of her face, all but entirely eliminating our ability to build connection with her as our first lady through our television screens, doesnt read as somber. The dark palette was not chosen so she would be relegated to the background, unseen in a sea of mens overcoats. No. This hat feels defiant. If you like the metaphor of fashion as armor, then Melanias hat is a shield separating us from them. The hat, in the boater style, is traditionally a mens summer hat made of stiff straw. Coco Chanel is credited with elevating the boater hat to a fashion piece for women. Chanels first foray into the fashion world was as a milliner, creating boater hats for women that were more streamlined than what was fashionable at the time. According to The Allure of Chanel by Paul Morand, Chanel once said, The women I saw at the race wore enormous loaves on their heads, constructions made of feathers and improvised with fruits and plumes; but worst of all, which appalled me, their hats did not fit on their head. The boater hat has since become synonymous with political rallies. Although worn at both Republican and Democratic conventions for the past century, boaters have more recently been used to signal in a sitcom that a political storyline has been introduced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While first ladies have donned hats for public events, including inauguration days, for decades, none are so synonymous with the accessory as Jackie Kennedy. Famously, Jackie wore a pillbox hat to her husbands snowy Inauguration Day in 1961. That hat, actually fawn-colored and not light blue as was shown in the miscolored photographs from that day, was designed by a then up-and-coming New York City designer Roy Halston Frowick, who went by Halston. The accessory was significant, at least in part, because of how unexpected it was, with pillbox hats decidedly out of vogue in the early 60s. For Melania, hats are becoming something of a signature accessory, similarly at a time when womens hats are not necessarily in fashion. In April 2018, during Trumps last tenure in the White House, Melania greeted French President Emmanuel Macron and his notoriously fashionable, Louis Vuitton-inclined wife Brigette Macron, in a true-white wide brimmed hat. The hat, also conspicuously pulled low, was commissioned by French-born designer and Melanias personal stylist, Herve Pierre. Javits spoke to ABC News about his newly historic hat, explaining, Its a time of some restraint, and its really sort of a turning point to more conservative values [] and I think [Melania] was thinking of protocol and looking very elegant and very simple in a way. He added, It still was a very powerful visual message. A powerful visual message, indeed. Melanias structured suiting and statement hat are a study in contrast to what she wore to her husbands first inauguration in 2017. Then, Melania wore a sky-blue Ralph Lauren cashmere dress with matching suede gloves. Her hair was uncovered, pulled back in a soft chignon. Her face was open and approachable. The light blue color seemed to be paying homage to Jackie Os famous outfit. It felt unnervingly classic and predictable, especially for the Trumps, as though Melania was reassuring us that the next four years wouldnt be as dire as they seemed in that moment. Nearly a decade later, we know better. Melanias outfit, austere and darkly beautiful, unapproachable and severe, conveys a steely readiness and an intentional distance. We do not get access to her, perceived or otherwise. As if to say, the next four years, it seems, are going to be as dire as they seem. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com In his final days in office, President Joe Biden decided to pardon the innocent people who committed no known crimes including former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley and others. This unprecedented move by Biden may feel good in the moment, perhaps providing some future protection for those he pardoned against newly inaugurated President Donald Trumps incessant threats of retribution. But in the long run, Bidens pardoning the innocent could spark a democracy-damaging cycle of pardons by Trump and presidents to come. A number of pardon recipients have already thanked Biden. In a statement, Harry Dunn wrote, I am eternally grateful to President Joe Biden. ... I wish this pardon werent necessary, but unfortunately, the political climate we are in now has made the need for one somewhat of a reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gen. Milley wrote, After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights. The pardon recipients are most likely also appreciative that they wont have to incur significant legal fees fighting cases in court. However, Bidens pardons will provide only limited protection. Those pardoned can still be nefariously audited. They can still be criminally investigated, even if they cant be prosecuted. They can be dragged before Congress and made to testify. In other words, they could still be put on the hook for legal fees, not to mention the stress, emotional turmoil and reputational harm to those who are vindictively pursued, while knowing theyve done nothing wrong. Even more extreme and troubling is the potential for Trump to take full advantage of the Supreme Courts recent presidential immunity ruling. In a very real sense, a 6-3 conservative majority bestowed upon American presidents the power of lawlessness and a blueprint to use that power. This sounds like the stuff of laughably unrealistic Hollywood movie scripts, but pursuant to his core constitutional powers, Trump could order his military leadership or his Justice Department officials to summarily and unlawfully detain Cheney, for example, and Trump couldnt be prosecuted for said unlawful detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He could then use another core constitutional power the pardon power and pardon those who carried out his unlawful directives. Given the newly minted doctrine of absolute presidential immunity, this course of action would guarantee that no one who obeyed his unlawful commands would be subject to criminal prosecution. Gen. Mark Milley on his pardon: "My family and I are deeply grateful for the President's action today. After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our Nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 20, 2025 The nine members of the House Jan. 6 committee issued a joint statement making it clear that they werent confessing to any crime. To the contrary, they indicated they were in Trumps crosshairs not for breaking the law but upholding it. Biden also emphasized that the pardons don't mean the people who were granted them committed crimes. Unpersuaded by such statements, Republican politicians are declaring that Bidens pardons prove that the recipients committed crimes. Such claims may have some superficial (even if only specious) support in Burdick v. United States, a Supreme Court case from more than 100 years ago. In that case, the court observed that a pardon carries with it an imputation of guilt and acceptance (of a pardon) a confession of (guilt). Trump reacted to the initial pardons of the Jan. 6 committee members and others in a text message to NBC News on Monday, saying, It is disgraceful, and claiming without evidence, Many are guilty of MAJOR CRIMES! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that Biden has set at least an atmospheric precedent that pardoning the innocent is an appropriate use of the pardon power, heres a short thought experiment: Might Trump use Bidens decision to prophylactically pardon the innocent to pardon his executive branch officials at the end of his term? Trump may say his executive branch officials did nothing wrong over the past four years, but just as Biden pardoned the innocent, he obviously needs to do the same. And to complete the thought experiment: What are the implications should Trump decide to announce now, on the front end of his presidential term, a plan to pardon everyone on his way out of the Oval Office? That is: signal to all his executive branch officials that they can commit crimes for four years with impunity and immunity. As his last presidential act, Biden pardoned five of his family members. But what will happen to the rest of Trumps perceived enemies? Is selectively pardoning a relatively small batch of folks, when Trump seems to have grievances against so many others, a fair and equal application of the pardon power? Will everyone else simply have to fend for themselves, suffering the burdens of being vindictively prosecuted by Trumps Justice Department? As bad as the prospect of revenge prosecutions is, I think pardoning the innocent is potentially worse. Having practiced in the courts of Washington, D.C., for decades, I am familiar with most of the trial court judges who would preside over criminal cases brought against, for example, members of the House Jan. 6 committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The women and men of the D.C. federal bench are loyal to the rule of law and the Constitution. I have every confidence they would stand as a bulwark against vindictive prosecutions. Indeed, it would be far better, in my opinion, if we let Trump bring vindictive prosecutions only to have the federal trial court judges strongly reject them. I also believe there are many within the Justice Department who would object to and fight bad-faith prosecutions. In a time when Trump has done his nefarious best to undermine public confidence in our institutions, it would be extremely valuable to have a co-equal branch of government, the judicial branch, reject and rebuke Trump and the Justice Department for bringing baseless, revenge-fueled prosecutions. I say this while fully acknowledging the horrific burden it would be for those Trump might target to defend themselves against baseless charges. Trump quoted Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, as his inauguration coincided with the federal holiday for the civil rights leader. I feel it apt to refer to my favorite Dr. King quote: The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. Pardoning the innocent and risking a never-ending cycle of prophylactic pardons feels like wed be making that arc longer than it needs to be. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com What was surreal about Donald Trumps inauguration as this countrys 47th president was how normal it was. Yes, Trump promised a new era of territorial expansion for Americaand to take back the Panama Canal. Yes, Melania was channeling Jim Carrey in The Mask. And yes in his less formal remarks following the Bidens departure, a relaxed Trump reverted more to campaign form and to more extreme characterizations of his political enemies. But it was largely an orderly affair, replicating faithfully the pomp and the formality of past inaugurals. The proceedings were elevated by the presence of multiple former presidents. The Bidens and the Trumps were polite to each other; Kamala Harris, who narrowly lost the election, conducted herself with great dignity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a bit like attending a wedding in which every guest present knows the marriage is a big mistake but no one dares say it. Or was it? What if there is another reason it was a little more civil than 2017 or 2021? What if Democrats, for all their major concerns about Trump, were beginning to find some common ground with the incoming presidentor could, at least, find some silver lining within the storm clouds they associate with his presidency. In conversations around Washington over the past few weeks, Ive found numerous Democrats of this frame of mind; who, while fearful of Trumps assaults on our system of government, on the environment, on the economy or on the international order, could point to some areas in which they were hopeful about for the next four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One senior Democratic member of Congress, a national security opinion-leader, offered me two: He noted, somewhat reluctantly, that during his last term, Trumps toughness with our NATO partners did result in them committing a higher percentage of their budgets to defense of the alliance. He said he expected more of the same this time around. Separately, he also speculated that Trump could probably do better in stabilizing the Middle East than had Biden, thanks to his close relationship with regional leaders. He expected that an Israeli-Saudi normalization was in the offing and that the setbacks suffered by Iran and its proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen would ultimately result in some kind of new agreement or understanding that could limit the threat of new wars in the region in the immediate future. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the Inauguration Day luncheon in the Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 2025. / Evelyn Hockstein / REUTERS An Asia specialist who has served in a senior government role in recent Democratic administrations, meanwhile, said it was his expectation that Trump would actually end up with more nuanced policies on China than had the Biden Administration. While there are strong hawkish views toward Beijing on both the left and the right, within the Trump administration there are those (Elon Musk, for example) who have deep business ties to China, and will likely push for a more transactional kind of relationship. This individual and others Ive spoken with indicated that, while Trump may start with tough talk and tariffs threats, they believe he could be more flexible if a deal could be struck for which he could later claim creditlike the Tik Tok turnaround. Another member of Congress, from the West Coast, practically whispered to me the view that Democrats were essentially happy to hand off immigration reform to Trump. They fear his excesses, but are happy that his maximalist policies would mean he owned the issue moving forwardand that it could not again be used against Democrats. (For example, Trump will seek to undo the birthright citizenship provisions of the 14th Amendment by executive order. He cant do thatand his attempt should put the issue to rest, as amending the Constitution is next to impossible). Its twisted reasoning, but to be honest, it is one I heard expressed multiple times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the other areas in which Democrats were optimistic fall into a similar vein of what might also be called Trumpenfreudejoy that can be derived not by Trumps successes but by his inevitable failures. There is an expectation that Trump will get most of his cabinet nominees approved, and that he will then have to live with their actionsthe walking invitations to disaster represented by Secretary of Defense-to be Pete Hegseth and perhaps HHS Secretary-to-be Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Theres an expectation that Trump will also fall far short in efforts to cut the budget (he will almost certainly increase the deficit greatly) and to reduce the cost of living (tariffs wont help.) And if he seeks more big tax cuts for the rich while surrounded by his billionaire tech besties and the other uber-wealthy individuals in his Cabinet, there is a belief it will play directly into what could be successful blue messaging in 2026 and 2028. (Democrats see these next two election cycles as key in offering an alternative agenda and, importantly, anointing a new generation of leaders.) Building on this, the most common answer I got from my sources was tied to the fact that the last time Trump was in office, it was bad news for Republicansbig losses in 2018, 2020 and for many candidates he supported since then. The 2024 election results put a bit of dent in that view, sure. But many Dems that I know are blaming that loss not on Trumps prowess, rather on the failure of Joe Biden to exit the race with enough time for his party to prepare and present Harrisor another candidateas a real agent of change. So, there you have it, ten reasons why Dems are looking forward to Trump 2.0. Sure, living in an oligarchy wont be so great, but on the other hand, thats hardly Trumps invention. Weve lived with one in one way or another for, oh, the past 249 years or so. Season two of Donald Trump's presidency opened right where we left off. We were treated to the same audacious acts, dubious claims and absurd theater. Even the oversized proclamations held high for the cameras have returned. But as familiar as it looked, there is something undeniably different about this second term: it has a sense of legitimacy. Trump is not at war with half of his party today. No cloud of a special counsel hangs over him, and no aides are seeking to talk him out of his worst impulses. He has won the popular vote, and all of Washington is acting like it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats were happy to add to the feeling, with then-President Joe Biden welcoming Trump for tea and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill chatting up the new president after a chummy luncheon. The resistance is hard to see just yet. This is not to say Trumps first term was illegitimate. Eight years ago, he was seen, at best as a novelty, more often as an interloper. The start then was surreal and Trump's term was seen as a brief interregnum from sanity. That sense has given way to one of authority today. In the end, Trump may still be impeded by the same problems as before unrealistic promises, erratic decision-making and sagging popular opinion. But the new president starts from a much stronger position. He is as popular as ever and has accumulated significant political capital. Whether he learns how to use it will determine if this presidency leaves a real policy legacy or is again wasted on self-indulgence. Subscribe to Trumps First 100 Days newsletter for weekly updates on and expert insight into the key issues and figures defining his second term. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Just hours after taking the oath of office as Americas 47th president, Donald Trump signed dozens of executive orders putting his stamp on the federal government he now leads. While they signal a dramatic change in governing priorities, most are highly symbolic, and many are ultimately meaningless. Still, they provide a disquieting preview of the shambolic, lawless and cruel four years ahead of us. Take, for example, the most prominent of these inauguration day moves an executive order ending birthright citizenship, a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. Imagine if a Democrat came into office, said theyd no longer recognize the Second Amendment and began confiscating guns. Thats akin to what Trump is doing with birthright citizenship. As much as Trump might want to ignore the countrys founding document and govern like an autocrat, he cant simply wave away a constitutional right with his signature. His order will almost certainly be challenged in court, and it is highly unlikely to be upheld. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, is there anything to stop Trump from ignoring a court order and proceeding as if birthright citizenship is no longer the law of the land? We may soon find out. Indeed, Monday night, Trump signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of a federal ban on TikTok for 75 days, even though the law went into effect on Sunday, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the ban, and Trump has no authority to block it. In addition, he issued pardons for more than 1,500 people involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection an astoundingly lawless act even for a man who has made a career out of breaking the law (both as president and before). Another of Trumps executive orders would allow the U.S. military to take over border security. The legality of such a move is in serious doubt since there are strict statutory limits on the armed forces operating on American soil. Like Trumps call to end birthright citizenship, this move will be challenged in court. But well have to see whether an adverse ruling will stand in Trumps way. In reality, most of Trumps orders may have little practical effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An executive order that would reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy from his first administration will likely be challenging to implement since the Mexican government is not necessarily on board with the move. While legal, a bevy of orders to unleash American energy and allow new drilling are unlikely to have much effect. The United States is already pumping record amounts of oil and natural gas, and boosting output would most likely lower oil and gas prices, narrowing energy company profits. Trump is also pledging to overturn the so-called electric vehicle mandate, which requires carmakers to produce vehicles that produce significantly lower amounts of greenhouse gases. But its far from clear that he has the authority to do so, and the Environmental Protection Agency will need to go through the lengthy process of creating a rule. Then there are ludicrous orders like renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America or creating DOGE, a Department of Government Efficiency to cut government spending, that will have zero statutory authority to cut government spending (and is already facing legal challenges). In addition, Trump declared a state of emergency along the southern border even though border crossings have been at their lowest level since August 2020. Of course, since were talking about Donald Trump, there is also a healthy dose of cruelty and inhumanity. One executive order signed by Trump reverses a Biden administration policy that allowed citizens to choose a gender-neutral X on their passport books. Denying the rights of trans or gender-fluid Americans to self-identify doesnt help anyone, but it certainly hurts those who identify in this manner. And in the award for the greatest gap between reality and rhetoric, Trumps executive order on defending women from gender ideology extremism warns that Efforts to eradicate the biological reality of sex fundamentally attack women by depriving them of their dignity, safety, and well-being. On a related note, Trump was found legally liable for sexual abuse by a jury in New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of these orders are a fitting preview of the next four years a combination of bluster, symbolism, lawlessness and cruelty that will do little to better the lives of the American people but will give Trumps supporters a reason to cheer. One can certainly say that many Americans voted for what Trump did on Day One of his second term and that is, without a doubt, the saddest part of his return to Washington. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com The inauguration speech President Donald Trump gave Monday was even darker than the 2017 inaugural address in which he promised to put an end to American carnage and pledged to revive America through the tenets of right-wing nationalism. Trump's remarks on Monday were more ominous than his first largely because of his less restrained oratory; his speech felt more like a campaign rally, with his fixation on his perceived victimization, his eagerness to use brute force in new ways and a subtext of vengeance. Moreover, eight years later, we have a better understanding of him. The question of whether to take Trump seriously has been settled: Trump wont necessarily pursue all of the most extreme ideas he proposes, but hes certainly capable of attempting any of them. The question is mostly where hell put in effort and where he might prevail. In 2017, Trump outlined MAGA principles, but he spoke in broad, even poetic, strokes and placed an unusual level of emphasis on speaking for all Americans. Monday he sounded like the Trump weve come to know: aggrieved, self-aggrandizing, plotting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump boasted about his margin of victory and increasing his support among Black and Latino voters. He reflected on surviving an assassination attempt and described his return to the presidency as the greatest comeback story ever written. Many people thought it was impossible for me to stage such a historic political comeback. But as you see today, here I am. The American people have spoken. More concerning than his typical displays of ego, though, was Trumps pointed language about his perceived persecution and his promise to fight back. He framed his election as a mandate to completely reverse a horrible betrayal and warned that never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents, something I know something about. Given what we know about Trump and his allies plans for gutting the Justice Departments independence and investigating and punishing political adversaries, his promise of restoration sounded closer to a threat. By inauguration speech standards, Trump got into an unusual level of detail about the policies he was interested in enacting and it was a laundry list of reactionary policies that will do nothing to restore power to the people. He promised to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which would give the president sweeping detention powers, which some civil liberties experts say would violate the Constitution. He promised to torpedo requirements for auto manufacturers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in new vehicles. He bragged about a new tariff regime while at the same time promising to bring down prices. He made wild, imperialistic threats to wrest control of the Panama Canal from Panama. And his promise to designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations raised the specter of a troubling new offshoot of the so-called War on Terror. The most galling and Orwellian moment of the speech involved Trumps lamenting Americas crisis of trust. Trump is, of course, a key reason so much mistrust courses through the arteries of the body politic. And his vision for remaking America will do nothing to resolve the underlying reasons that our economy, our government and our institutions are so often not serving the public interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobody knows how Trumps second chapter is going to shake out. But his inauguration speech showcased how he remains the man hes always been. There is no pivot coming. Its just a matter of what he tries hardest to do and whether he succeeds. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has criticised Ukraine's decision to stop transiting Russian gas from the beginning of 2025, warning that Budapest may take retaliatory measures. Source: European Pravda, citing Index, a Hungarian news website Details: Speaking at a press conference during his visit to Bratislava on Tuesday, 21 January, Orban claimed that Ukraine not only stopped gas transit through its territory but also allegedly refuses to negotiate, while its decision threatens Hungary, Slovakia and the entire region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Orban: "Kyiv is no longer in a secure enough position to afford such behaviour. If they remain aggressive and hostile, they will lose. Eventually, we will get angry and fight back. The way Kyiv is trying to control and shape relations with Central European countries today is unacceptable." Details: Orban expressed opposition to Ukraines rapid accession to the European Union, claiming it would devastate Hungarys economy. He also opposed Ukraines NATO membership, asserting that it would lead to a direct war between the Alliance and Russia. Background: Hungary and Slovakia have recently made several anti-Ukrainian statements following the expiration of the gas transit contract between Ukraine and Russia. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has harshly criticised Ukraine as an unreliable partner and said he is tired of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelling around Europe "begging" and "blackmailing others". Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has furiously reacted to a bill registered in the Ukrainian parliament that proposes a ban on Russian oil and gas transit during martial law. Support UP or become our patron! A group of hooded and masked people broke dozens of windows and spray painted anti-government graffiti on the Multnomah County Elections building in what Portland police called an orchestrated attack. The attack happened just before 2 a.m. Monday and suspects fled as police arrived at the office, which was not occupied at the time, police said. It indicates, or demonstrates, what I would consider to be an orchestrated attack on this building," Portland Police Chief Bob Day told reporters at a press conference. It's about eight to 10 folks. They were on scene for probably two minutes. So they definitely showed up with a plan ... and were gone just as quickly just after they did the damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The graffiti was anti-establishment and anti-government, he said. At this point we are not suggesting that this was directly related to the inauguration, he said, referring to President Donald Trump's swearing in Monday as the 47th president of the United States. It's important to remember that we have seen these types of attacks regardless of who's in office. Police had made no arrests as of Tuesday morning, but were circulating surveillance video and urging anyone with information to contact officials. In one video, about eight people wearing gray hoodies, face masks, and carrying backpacks walk up, pull spray paint containers out of bags and write on the building. Others carrying plastic bags that appear to contain heavy objects slam them against the windows, causing them to shatter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another video, four people wearing the same clothing approach the outside of the building. Three were carrying plastic bags and a fourth had some sort of hammer. They walk along the sidewalk and smash window after window before running back down the street. The damaged windows were boarded up as of 9 a.m. Monday and the office was open for business as usual Tuesday, Denis Theriault, spokesperson with the Multnomah County Communications Office, said in an email. Nothing like this has happened before in the 17 years Ive been with Multnomah County, Elections Director Tim Scott told the AP in an email. A contractor has been hired to measure the windows, with hopes to replace them by next week, he said. The countys security team is working with Portland Police to investigate, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, police are still investigating an attack on a ballot box in October. An incendiary device was set off, destroying ballots about a week before Election Day. The early morning fire was extinguished quickly thanks to a suppression system inside the box. Two more fires in ballot boxes in Vancouver, Washington, damaged hundreds of ballots during the 2024 election. The devices were made of a very volatile mix of thermite and scrap metal, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigations. On his first day as US president, Donald Trump signed an executive order granting TikTok an additional 75 days before a ban on the popular Chinese-owned app, as mandated by a law passed in the US last year, takes effect. Trump ordered that the Justice Department should not enforce the law's provisions for 75 days. The extension allows time for negotiations over a business deal that could keep TikTok available in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under US law, TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, was required to divest from the app by Sunday, or risk a ban. However, Trump expressed confidence that with the extension, a deal could be reached that would benefit both sides. During the signing of the order in the White House, Trump outlined a proposal for the US to acquire a 50% stake in TikTok, describing it as a fair price to ensure the app's continued access to the US market. Without US approval, Trump claimed, TikTok would be "worthless." Trump said that he could either facilitate the sale or ensure the app's shutdown in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I tell you what. Every rich person has called me about TikTok," Trump said. He downplayed privacy concerns, stating there were "bigger problems" than data about young TikTok users being accessed by China. The law behind the potential ban was introduced over fears that the Chinese government could exploit TikTok's vast data to manipulate public opinion in the US. TikTok rejects this claim. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Oregon Department of Education is facing a lawsuit from a whistleblower, claiming the state agency mismanaged over $3 million and wrongfully terminated her after she raised concerns over the funds. The lawsuit which was first reported by The Oregonian was filed in Multnomah County circuit court January 15 and seeks $780,000 in damages with whistleblower and discrimination claims. The lawsuit was filed by Dr. Allison Watkins, who was hired in October 2023 as the director of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act initiatives. Watkins was hired on a $142,000 annual salary to help implement provisions under Senate Bill 819, which allocated more than $3.1 million to the Oregon Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 819, signed into law in 2023, covers abbreviated school day programs for students with disabilities. Among the laws provisions, it states that students with disabilities must have access to the same number of instructional hours as other students in their district. President Trump says Portland is where they kill people in speech on Inauguration Day Watkins position was slated to end around June 30, 2025; however, she was told that the timeframe would likely be extended, or the position would be made permanent, according to the lawsuit. Watkins role focused on four main projects to help the agency comply with SB 819, including updating the agencys website, updating guidance to school districts, developing a training series for the 2024-2025 school year, and implementing the new data application. Toxic and hostile work environment According to the lawsuit, Watkins line of supervision was unclear from the beginning, noting her direct report supervisor changed at least three times in the first part of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watkins claims she experienced and observed behavior from leadership that was hostile, disparaging, demeaning, and disrespectful towards ODE employees, noting staff often voiced concerns about the toxic and hostile work environment. According to the complaint, Watkins reported what she believed were violations of the law to her supervisor and human resources. Fast-casual Japanese restaurant chain coming to Portland The lawsuit also highlights an instance in February when Watkins met with an HR manager to discuss accommodations for a recent health condition and to ask about ways to address her supervisors behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five days later, Watkins said she had a meeting with her supervisor to discuss ongoing projects; however, the meeting turned hostile as she was shouted at and accused of not producing enough work, the suit states. When Watkins asked for specifics, she was informed about tasks she was previously unaware of that were also unrelated to her work around SB 819, the suit claims. Under a new supervisor in August, a meeting was held to discuss the team structure, but that meeting also turned hostile, according to the lawsuit. That month, several projects were supposed to launch, and during an SB 819 meeting, Watkins and her team presented the status of the website and data application projects; however, those projects were undermined by a supervisor who repeatedly delayed or failed to provide feedback, the lawsuit claims. Mismanaged funds In late August, Watkins took paid time off to care for her son, the lawsuit claims, noting around Sept. 3, a supervisor held a leadership meeting, in which Watkins became concerned about proposed changes impacting her team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Watkins] again expressed concerns that the funds appropriated by the legislature for SB 819 implementation were being used for improper or otherwise impermissible purposes, the lawsuit states. [Watkins] reiterated that since her teams budget was allocated solely for SB 819 initiatives, it had become unnecessarily challenging when she and her team were being assigned numerous tasks unrelated to SB 819, which required budget approval. The lawsuit adds that a lack of communication from her supervisors increased her concerns that the funds attributed to SB 819 initiatives were being mismanaged. Petty crime: Pair robs St. Johns Food Share in N. Portland The lawsuit goes on to claim that after Watkins sent a Teams message to her supervisors, asking for a meeting to discuss the mismanaged funds, rather than set a meeting, [Watkins] was terminated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason stated for her termination was communication issues, and a lack of productivity, the lawsuit claims. A spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Education told KOIN 6 News the agency does not comment on pending litigation. In a statement to KOIN 6 News on Tuesday, an attorney representing Watkins said, We believe our clients complaint sets out her position very well. My client was wrongfully terminated after bringing her concerns to light and opposing wrongful treatment of herself and her staff. Nobody should have to go through that. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Mexican immigrant Nieves Ojendiz holds her 4-year-old daughter Jane as she attends an immigration reform rally with members and supporters of the New York Immigration Coalition on June 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Oregon joined Washington, Arizona and Illinois on Tuesday in suing President Donald Trump and several cabinet officials over his attempt to withhold citizenship from babies born in the United States to immigrants. For more than 150 years, the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has guaranteed that all people born in the country are citizens. Hours after he took office on Monday, Trump signed an executive order to reinterpret that amendment to exclude from citizenship any children born to undocumented immigrants or to people who are legally in the country on a temporary basis, such as with a student, work or tourist visa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield Trumps attempt to sidestep the Fourteenth Amendment a clear violation of the United States Constitution. If allowed to stand, this order would break decades of established law that has helped keep kids healthy and safe, said Rayfield. While the President has every right to issue executive orders during his time in office, that power does not extend to instituting policies that infringe on our constitutional rights. Rayfield, a Democrat elected in November, signed onto a lawsuit led by newly elected Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and filed in the U.S. District Court in Western Washington. The Democratic attorneys general of Arizona and Illinois joined the suit, which requests a temporary restraining order blocking Trumps executive order from taking effect. The suit follows a separate, similar complaint filed earlier Tuesday by 18 Democratic states, the District of Columbia and the city and county of San Francisco in federal district court in Massachusetts. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin were part of that lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both lawsuits argue that Trumps order will result in tens of thousands of children losing rights and the ability to access services, and that states would lose federal funding they now rely on to provide essential services including foster care and basic health care for low-income children. Fourteenth Amendment In Oregon, for instance, about 2,500 children were born in 2022 to mothers who lacked legal status, and about 1,500 of those children were born to parents who both lacked legal status, the lawsuit said. Those children would remain citizens under Trumps order, which isnt retroactive, but babies born after Feb. 19 would not. The individuals who are stripped of their United States citizenship will be rendered undocumented, subject to removal or detention, and many will be stateless that is, citizens of no country at all, the Western states lawsuit said. They will lose eligibility for myriad federal benefits programs. They will lose their right to travel freely and re-enter the United States. They will lose their ability to obtain a Social Security number (SSN) and work lawfully. They will lose their right to vote, serve on juries, and run for certain offices. And they will be placed into lifelong positions of instability and insecurity as part of a new underclass in the United States. Much of the 85-page court filing describes the history and precedent of the Fourteenth Amendment, one of the three Reconstruction amendments passed in the wake of the Civil War to expand voting rights and citizenship to formerly enslaved people. The Fourteenth Amendment spells out that anyone born or naturalized and subject to its jurisdiction i.e. not the child of a foreign diplomat or an enemy combatant in the U.S. is a citizen, with no further action required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Supreme Court upheld that interpretation in an 1898 case, United States v. Wong Kim Ark, cited in the lawsuit. It held that Wong, born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrants, was a citizen because he was born in the U.S. and thus could not be barred from returning to the U.S. because the Chinese Exclusion Acts passed by Congress to prevent Chinese laborers from coming to the country could not apply to citizens. Registering to vote The suit also notes that a U.S. birth certificate has long been considered adequate proof of citizenship for the Social Security Administration and for state-run voter registration. Arizona, one of the plaintiffs, is the only state in the country that requires proof of citizenship to register to vote in state elections all others follow the federal requirement that potential voters swear under penalty of perjury that theyre citizens. If being born in the U.S. is no longer a guarantee of citizenship, the state would need to develop a new and more complex set of procedures to determine which voters are eligible, the lawsuit said. Oregons automatic voter registration system, likewise, uses birth certificates as proof of citizenship. If someone brings a U.S. birth certificate to Driver and Motor Vehicle Services to apply for a drivers license or state-issued ID, state workers send their information to the Secretary of States Office to register that person to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states also argued that stripping citizenship from newborn babies would place a financial burden on states. The federal government covers much of the cost of health care for low-income children who are citizens through Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program. But the states that sued pick up costs for all or some health care for undocumented children who would be eligible for Medicaid if they were citizens. In Oregon, for instance, the Oregon Health Plan covers all children and teens younger than 19 and whose families earn up to about three times the federal poverty level, regardless of immigration status. If thousands of children are blocked from citizenship, the states costs would increase. The states also anticipate losing federal funding for foster care and spending more to train health care workers to collect citizenship information from parents at a childs birth, the lawsuit says. Rayfield has joined other lawsuits, including intervening last week in suits seeking to preserve federal gun regulations and health insurance for children of undocumented immigrants. Gov. Tina Kotek has requested that the Oregon Legislature increase his offices budget by $2 million in anticipation of more federal litigation against Trump policies. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Two strike teams sent to California from Oregon to help fight the wildfires in the LA area are now headed to San Diego County to help fight the Lilac Fire. According to the Oregon State Fire Marshall, two crews were assigned to fight the Lilac Fire near Bonsall. The two teams are part of the 21 total teams that were sent to California earlier in January. Petty crime: Pair robs St. Johns Food Share in N. Portland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strike teams were sent out early Tuesday morning to help battle the fire which prompted evacuations for people living nearby. These two strike teams were mobilized at 3 a.m. and quickly engaged with the fire to support the initial attack, Oregon State Fire Marshal Ruiz-Temple said. They are working seamlessly with our CAL FIRE partners as we carry out our shared mission of protecting lives and property. Currently, 370 Oregon firefighters are helping to battle the historic wildfires throughout Southern California, the largest out-of-state deployment for the agency. Firefighters from across the country are working around the clock to support these communities, Ruiz-Temple said. I thank them, their communities, and their families who support their efforts during this deployment. The ability to share resources across state lines ensures states have the extra capacity needed during critical times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Billy Partain, left, and his husband Joseph Keenan are shown in a photograph taken around 1997, when the couple began dating. Keenan, a registered organ donor, died in January 2018 of an asthma attack, and saved three lives with the organs he donated. (Photo courtesy of Billy Partain) Joseph Keenan only needed to check a box. Some years ago, when Keenan and his husband Billy Partain visited the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the couple briefly discussed the organ donor box on their license applications. Both men became licensed organ donors when they filled in their respective squares. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was that tiny, affirmative mark that led to the donation of three of Keenans organs kidneys, liver and heart when he died at age 48 of a sudden asthma attack in January 2018. Time has not healed all of Partains wounds but he can still hear his husbands heartbeat, thanks to the bond hes formed with the recipients family. I am invited to every holiday and birthday party of theirs, and theres always a stethoscope around, Partain, a Pawtucket resident, said in an interview. I want to listen to his heart again. Partains story may resonate with a few more Rhode Islanders this year: Data released Jan. 14 by New England Donor Services (NEDS) shows the Ocean State had a record number of donors and transplants in 2024. There were 47 organ donors and 125 transplants through the organization in Rhode Island. Across New England, there were 648 deceased donors who made possible the 1,570 transplants coordinated by the Waltham, Massachusetts-based NEDS. The organ procurement nonprofit organization works with about 200 hospitals in New England. Last year was the fourth consecutive year that donations increased: The 2024 numbers represent an 80% accumulative increase since 2020, according to the donor service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five of the six New England states saw a record number of donors, according to NEDS. Connecticut: 166 donors and 398 transplants, a record in both categories. Massachusetts: 291 donors and 688 transplants. Maine: 78 donors and 183 transplants. New Hampshire: 65 donors and 175 transplants. Numbers were not immediately available for hospitals in Vermont. NEDS is one of two organ procurement organizations in the state. The good news comes as organ procurement organizations face more pressure to connect donor organs with the people who desperately need them. Federal rule changes approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) tie certification for organ procurement organizations with performance metrics. A final rule, first codified in 2020 and amended in 2022, will take effect when organizations are recertified in 2026 the first recertification under the new rule. The new final rule is meant to hold underperformers accountable, according to a CMS blog post. In this case, underperforming means not transplanting enough organs. In 2023, only 26% of procurement organizations were considered to be Tier 1 quality by CMS, which guarantees recertification. The three-tier system was created as part of the 2020 rule. NEDS has been rated as Tier 2 since 2021 and was Tier 3 in 2020, according to CMS data from 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Informing the CMS rules is federal data showing there are thousands of people waiting for organ donation. Health Resources and Services Administration numbers from September 2024 showed 103,223 people on the waiting list, with an estimated 17 people dying each day because they couldnt get a transplant. In the meantime, the feds have worked to streamline the organ transplant pipeline. Last July, the New Hampshire Bulletin reported that NEDS, like many organ donation services in the country, could potentially drop to CMS list of Tier 3 organizations, meaning it wouldnt be recertified automatically and would need to vie with other procurement organizations for a CMS contract. NEDS President and CEO Alexandra K. Glazier told the Bulletin then that procurement orgs dont always have control over hospitals actions with the organs. A December blog post from NEDS continues to argue that recent data shows the new CMS methodology for tiers is flawed. I am invited to every holiday and birthday party of theirs, and theres always a stethoscope around. I want to listen to his heart again. Billy Partain, whose late husband was an organ donor Glazier wrote in an email to Rhode Island Current that the 2024 numbers were very encouraging, and that NEDS was the third-busiest organ procurement organization nationwide, and well above the median required by CMS for easy recertification, she noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, it is not possible to know for sure how the metrics will reflect our 2024 efforts when the federal government releases their performance report for this year, which will not be until in 2026, Glazier said, arguing that CMS metrics are are not risk adjusted for such basic factors as the donors age and cause of death and are statistically biased against large organ procurement outfits like NEDS. But the recent numbers made Glazier optimistic: We are confident we will remain certified by CMS but given the significant flaws in the metrics, nothing can be 100 percent certain, she said. In Rhode Island, bipartisan House bill H5020 would also make it easier for living donors to give an organ, at least if youre a state employee. Introduced Jan. 10 by Rep. John Edwards, a Tiverton Democrat and the Majority Floor Manager, the bill was referred to the finance committee but is not scheduled for a hearing as of this writing. Established state employees who worked enough hours in the year previous to the transplant could get up to 60 calendar days of paid leave for kidney or liver segment donation. Donating bone marrow could grant up to 30 calendar days of paid leave. This saved my life as well But when the system works and donations are received, they can change the lives of recipients and donors alike. Partain said the man who received his husbands heart was able to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know that we talk a lot about the recipients of organ donation, and it literally saves their lives, Partain said. But you know, this saved my life as wellTheyve just completely helped in my healing. The day Partain and Keenan signed up to be organ donors was early on in their two decade-long relationship. The couple had just moved in together, and they went to get licenses with their new, now shared, address. Partains long relationship with Keenan, who worked as a stylist at Impulse Hair Designs in Providence, has motivated him to be an activist among LGBTQ people, and has volunteered for NEDS at events like Rhode Island Pride to publicize organ donation registration to a community that might not always consider it. A lot of people in this community mistakenly believe that we cannot become organ donors, Partain said, a confusion he attributed to the longstanding ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines the demographic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That ban began in 1985 amid the AIDs crisis, and barred men who have ever had sex with men from donating blood. In 2015, the FDA narrowed the ban from a lifetime prohibition to a yearlong one meaning gay men could finally donate blood, but only if they hadnt had sex in at least a year. In 2023, the FDA slashed away the final remnants of exclusion, and made eligibility for blood donation based on individual risk factors, rather than a persons sexual preferences. Keenans corneas werent donated, Pertain said, even though we were in a monogamous, 20-year relationship. Corneas, the protective layer of an eyeball, are made of soft tissue, and have been regulated in ways similar to blood when it comes to organ donation. But that could soon change, too: A set of draft guidance documents issued Jan. 7 by the FDA would restructure tissue donation eligibility to also be based on individual risk factors. Partain continues telling the story of his husbands gift even in his work as a clinical quality coordinator at Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in Providence. Every few weeks, he tells Keenans story again to new hires during orientation, hoping a few more people might check that organ donation box when renewing on the DMV form. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to death, no one wants to talk about it, and people get very uncomfortable around it, Partain said. Its impossible to find anything positive in death. But organ donation is something that is positive, and it gave me such peace and comfort. I just think that thats important for people to know. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) With President Donald Trump sharing his plans to address immigration policy, a Northwest Arkansas organization aims to educate the immigrant community on their rights. Alliance for Immigrant Respect and Education, also known as AIRE, is a community alliance that plans to build a supportive community in NWA for immigrants through education, deportation defense and language justice. AIRE member, Mayra Esquivel, says she knows what it means to be scared as she was once an undocumented immigrant in Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who employs the most foreign workers on H1-B visas in Arkansas? I recently got my green card, so Im formally undocumented. I know what it feels like to be living in the shadows, Esquivel said. However, she said being scared isnt a problem, its about knowing your rights and connecting with immigration services. Try to see if you can seek out an immigration attorney and get acquainted with them so that if anything were to happen, youre already prepared, Esquivel said. Her husband, Irvin Camacho, is a U.S. citizen who encourages other Americans to use their privilege in their alliance with immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be vocal. Use your privilege thats what Im trying to do as a U.S. citizen, use my privilege and do what I can to create an equal playing field for everybody in this country like we think everyone deserves, Camacho said. Esquivel said her biggest motivation is to empower others through their process like she was. I had a lot of people helping me and motivating me, inspiring me through my process, through my life as an undocumented, formerly undocumented person. I want to be that person for others now, Esquivel said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. POTTSVILLE A Schuylkill County jury found a 36-year-old Orwigsburg man guilty of sexual assault charges stemming from a March 2024 incident. After a two-day trial, jurors on Thursday found Hakeem T. Lee guilty of most of his major charges in connection with the alleged abuse and sexual assault of his ex-girlfriend in her East Brunswick Twp. home. Lee was charged by state police at Frackville after police said he appeared uninvited at the womans home the night of March 21, 2024, and sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions until the woman escaped the next morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendant, jailed in county prison since the day of his arrest on $100,000 bail, appeared for the trial with his lawyer, Public Defender Christopher M. Riedlinger. First Assistant District Attorney Michael J. Stine prosecuted the case; it was presided over by Judges James P. Goodman. Lee was convicted of the following charges: rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault and sexual assault, all felonies; and misdemeanor counts of indecent assault and false imprisonment. Jurors, however, found him not guilty of a felony charge of strangulation, according to Stine. The victim, who took the stand Wednesday, related that she had met Lee at work about a year prior to the incident and said they had been in an on-again, off-again relationship. At the time of the incident, the two were not together, she said, and she only communicated with him for errands such as giving him a ride, as she preferred to focus on her new job. The woman said that, on the night of March 21, she arrived home from work when she heard a rustling sound behind her, initially mistaking it for an animal. However, she realized it was the defendant when he appeared in front of her house. She said the man attacked her, took her keys and forced her inside. She described the man as very aggressive and said he didnt seem in a right frame of mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman said the defendant, against her consent, then removed her clothes and raped her in a bedroom. The more I tried to fight or stop him, she said, the more aggressive he got. The defendant later confiscated her phone and, in one instance, became aggressive when she refused to enter her passcode to unlock it, she said. According to Stine, the woman later was able to secure her phone and fled the home when Lee fell asleep early the next morning. She reported the incident to police, who took the defendant into custody later that day and committed him to Schuylkill County Prison. Lees trial began Wednesday morning and was originally scheduled as a one-day proceeding. However, it continued into the next day, and jurors delivered their verdict around 3 p.m. Thursday. The defendants sentencing is scheduled for April 10. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) An Owensboro man is facing new charges after being arrested on January 16 through an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation. Authorities say he is facing the maximum amount of charges with over 30 counts of possessing child pornography. As previously reported, Joey Rust was arrested and charged with four counts of Possessing Matter Portraying Sexual Performance by a Minor under the age of 12. The Owensboro Police Department says hundreds of additional images and videos of child sexual abuse material were discovered through a forensic analysis of Rusts phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives say new charges were added and Rust is charged with the maximum number of counts he can face due to legal limits. Rust is now facing the following charges: Possess Matter Portray Sexual Performance by Minor under 12 (16 counts) Possess Matter Sex Performance by Minor over 12 (20 counts) He is currently booked in the Daviess County Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). (Getty Images) Twenty one states raised their minimum wages on Jan. 1, but Pennsylvania was not among them. The minimum wage, the lowest hourly wage employers can legally pay, has remained unchanged at $7.25 an hour since 2010, when the federal minimum wage last increased. Thats not for a lack of desire or effort to increase it over the last decade and a half. While the Democratic controlled House last year passed a measure to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour, it died in the Republican-controlled Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania Democrats say raising the wages of the commonwealths lowest-paid workers will again be at the top of their agenda in the 2025-2026 legislative session. The fact that Pennsylvanias minimum wage continues to be $7.25 an hour is just immoral, House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery) told reporters when the newly elected House convened for the first time on Jan. 7. Its unconscionable. I cant imagine with the affordability crisis that we have in this commonwealth, that anyone thinks its appropriate to be paying someone $7.25 an hour, he said. Gov. Josh Shapiro also said increasing the minimum wage will be top of mind when he introduces his 2025-2026 budget proposal next month. Shapiros first two budgets included increases in the minimum wage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To strengthen the economy, we need to raise wages. We need to finally pass a minimum wage increase in Pennsylvania, Shapiro said Wednesday at a news conference in Lycoming County. Ive been for it for years, the House passed it two or three times, the Senate has yet to take it up. Nearly 68,000 Pennsylvania workers earned minimum wage or less in 2023, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industrys Minimum Wage Advisory Board. Another 800,000 earned between $7.25 and $15 an hour. Those earning minimum wage or less were most likely to be female, white and between 20 and 24 years old, among other attributes. Yanette Lathrop, senior researcher and policy analyst for the National Employment Law Project, said $7.25 an hour is a poverty wage in Pennsylvania and across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even for a single adult without children its not enough, Lathrop said. The United Way developed the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) model to calculate living wages for families across the country. It estimates the minimum cost of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care and technology plus a 10% contingency fund. Under that model a single full-time worker must earn between $13 and $19 an hour to survive financially in Pennsylvania. A family of four with two adults working full-time, a survival wage is between $16 and $23 an hour. The inaction in Pennsylvania and in Congress is essentially dooming the workers who earn the federal minimum wage to poverty, Lathrop said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June 2023, the House passed a bill that would incrementally increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour over the next three years, with ongoing increases keyed to the consumer price index. Although it received some bipartisan support, with votes from two House Republicans, it was not considered in the GOP-led Senate. Bradford called on Senate Republicans to make a counter offer. Weve shown what we can pass. What can you pass on the minimum wage? Or do you actually just agree with keeping it at $7.25, an hour? I think thats a conversation that needs to be out in the public, Bradford said. Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) said in 2023 and repeated last week that although Senate Republicans are open to discussing a reasonable adjustment to the minimum wage, $15 an hour is a non-starter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pittman said the General Assemblys focus should instead be on creating more opportunities for businesses and workers. The minimum wage debate fails to recognize the importance of maximum wages, which are what actually allow families to grow and prosper across the Commonwealth, Pittman said in a statement to the Capital-Star. I continue to struggle with the lack of focus our friends in the House place on initiatives to foster maximum wage job opportunities, such as those that come from the responsible use of our God given natural resources. Pittman added, Until our friends in the House understand a more reasonable number must be put on the table, there is little to deliberate. Among the reasons Senate Republicans have opposed a $15 an hour minimum wage is the impact it could have on nonprofit organizations that deliver essential social services, Pittman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those organizations, wages for care workers present a complicated problem in balancing the ability to deliver services to as many clients as possible with the moral obligation to pay a living wage, Anne Gingerich, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations, said. We dont want to send our folks to get public benefits like SNAP or Medicaid, Gingerich said, adding that many nonprofit organizations have struggled to retain workers as other employers have offered higher wages. Child care providers and other groups have lobbied successfully for more state funding to support higher wages for workers. The 2024-2025 state budget included $280 million to raise wages for direct support professionals who provide individual care for autistic and intellectually disabled people. Our workforce is the most valued asset of all nonprofit organizations, Gingerich said. We have long taken the stance that we support efforts that would lead to sustainable wages for those who work for nonprofit organizations and those we serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said the Republican position doesnt dampen Democrats sense of urgency to increase minimum wages and hes hopeful that the parties can reach an agreement on a higher hourly wage and how soon to implement it. Pennsylvania has lagged behind other states in the region as each of its neighbors has increased minimum wages above $7.25 an hour. Only West Virginia and Ohio remain below $15 an hour and New York leads the group at $15.50 an hour. That puts employers seeking a stable and reliable workforce at a disadvantage when workers can make considerably more at the same job by crossing the border. The ball is really in the court of my colleagues in the Senate Republican caucus, Costa said, adding that he has had no recent conversations with Republican leaders on the topic. Were hopeful that well be able to sit down among the four caucuses and work out a pathway to a higher minimum wage. Coal is stored outside the Hunter coal-fired power plant, operated by PacifiCorp, in Emery County on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) In past iterations of a long-term regional resource plan from PacifiCorp, Rocky Mountain Powers parent company, there have been estimated timelines to shut down Hunter and Huntington, two major Utah coal-powered power plants. But, the last update of the draft doesnt foresee a closure in the next 20 years. In the 2023 version of PacifiCorps Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), coal units at Hunter had an assumed end in 2042, while Huntington units were scheduled to be retired in 2036. In this years plan, PacifiCorp assumes both plants, located in Emery County, wont be retired anytime before 2045. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason for that is, primarily, the changes that have happened recently in regulatory requirements at the state and federal levels, David Eskelsen, a Rocky Mountain Power spokesperson, said about the lack of retirement dates for Hunter and Huntington. However, that doesnt mean they will operate at full capacity. Actually, the utility is expecting to ramp down its coal burning at the same time it decreases its investments in some cleaner energy resources, including solar, wind and storage. Last year, the Republican supermajority at the Utah Legislature approved a series of bills that prevented what was described as the premature retirement of coal units in the state, and prioritized the production of dispatchable resources which most often come from fossil fuels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, legislative leaders intend to continue that work while also keeping an eye on what Rocky Mountain Power is charging, after the company proposed an 18.1% rate increase for residential bills. Rep. Colin Jack, R-St George, who ran some of the most substantial energy bills last legislative session, commended PacifiCorps coal plants, saying they are robust and resilient, and with proper maintenance and overhauls, they can last for the foreseeable future. Based on conversations Jack has held with Rocky Mountain Power, he said hes appreciative of this plan. This iteration of their integrated resource plan is more based on realities of the power system, he said, and less so on political aspirations from their West Coast states. A Union Pacific train transports coal through Spanish Fork Canyon in Utah County on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Coal plants may be kept online, but are at lower capacity While currently the utility is expecting to keep coal burning in Utah through the next two decades, anything could change in that timeframe, since these plans get refreshed every two years. This is a first draft of the plan set to be reviewed by the companys stakeholders before being filed to utility commissions in the states where PacifiCorp operates around March 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Built in the late 70s and early 80s, Hunter and Huntington are among the newest coal-fueled units in the PacifiCorp network. But thats not the main reason why retirement dates were removed from the current plan. Apart from federal and state regulatory requirements, PacifiCorp also substantially changed the way it operates those coal units in the last few years, Eskelsen said. Other utilities in the west produce plenty of renewable energy, making its price extremely low, according to Eskelsen, and PacifiCorp takes advantage of those offers on a daily basis. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX So what we do with our coal plants, rather than running them at a steady level all the time, which is what we used to do, we ramp them down in their output, Eskelsen said. We dont turn them off. We ramp them down to a very low level, and keep them on standby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, during the late afternoon, when solar energy starts to fall off, PacifiCorp cranks up its coal and natural gas units to fill the gaps. That has been the practice for the last several years, Jack said. We have learned through necessity that you can actually keep them running down to about half of its capacity, Jack said, which allows you to take advantage of market opportunities when you have places in neighboring states like California, who have over-built, by significant margin, the amount of solar that they can absorb. Essentially, that production excess, Jack said, pays for power plants in Utah to back down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, he doesnt believe PacifiCorp will be operating its coal plants at less than 50% of their capacity since such low numbers may cause the units to trip off, potentially taking at least a day to get them working again. Less solar and wind investment When Logan Mitchell, climate scientist and energy analyst at Utah Clean Energy, first read PacifiCorps plan, he didnt give much importance to the lack of retirement dates for the Emery County coal plants. I just dont think its going to be realistic, because coal is expensive, its dirty, its polluting. These plants are, like, 50 years old now. Keeping them online past 2042 and 2036 is going to be wildly expensive, he added. I dont think anyones going to stand for it. What he was looking at, instead, were the investments of substantially cleaner solar and wind sources. Taking out projects that are already under contract which includes the massive solar-powered Green River Energy Center the company expects to add basically no more solar resources for Utah until 2032. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wind resources are facing a similar scenario, a step back from what PacifiCorp proposed in its 2024 update, which estimated a 4.5 gigawatt bump during the late 2020s, Mitchell said. Now were not going to have any wind until theres a tiny little sliver in 2028 and 2029, he said, and then we do get up to two gigawatts, just really not that much. Regarding energy storage, the 2025 draft scaled back from 2023s plan, which called for building the capacity for about eight gigawatts of batteries. Now it will take about a decade to get two gigawatts of storage. The biggest factor driving the portfolio were certain settlements on federal and state environmental requirements, Eskelsen said, mostly with the Clean Air Acts Regional Haze standards, which has been heavily challenged in different states, including Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We implement the policies of the states we serve and those articulated by the federal government, and we comply with those, Eskelsen said. But until that process is completed, we cant really make the investment until we understand what the requirement is going to be. However, he highlighted that PacifiCorps planning indicates that 6.3 gigawatts of new wind power resources are going to be needed by the end of 2045, in addition to 7.6 gigawatts of storage. So there are plenty of advancements and investment in those renewable resources, both wind, solar and storage in this plan, Eskelsen said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE PALESTINE, Texas (KETK) A search is underway for a suspect in a Sunday evening robbery at knifepoint in Palestine. According to the Palestine Police Department, a man entered the Kwik Stop Convenience Store at 704 W. Palestine Ave. at around 10:40 p.m. and presented a knife to the clerk demanding money from the register. After the clerk complied, the offender attempted to force the female clerk to leave the store with him, Palestine PD said. She refused and the male fled on foot, southbound on North Howard Street, escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marshall woman arrested after pointing gun at coworker, police say Officials said the suspect is a black male wearing a mask, black pants and shoes with white soles. He also was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with red, white and black on the front featuring a Viking head which was identified as the logo of Fleming Middle School in Houston. The suspect had a gray and brown backpack featuring a red tag with a white print at the right shoulder and the lower right portion of the rear of the bag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to contact Palestine PD at 903-329-2254 or Anderson County Crimestoppers at 903-729-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Palestinians in Gaza are confronting an apocalyptic landscape of devastation after a ceasefire paused more than 15 months of fighting between Israel and Hamas. Across the tiny coastal enclave, where built-up refugee camps are interspersed between cities, drone footage captured by The Associated Press shows mounds of rubble stretching as far as the eye can see remnants of the longest and deadliest war between Israel and Hamas in their blood-ridden history. As you can see, it became a ghost town," said Hussein Barakat, 38, whose home in the southern city of Rafah was flattened. "There is nothing, he said, as he sat drinking coffee on a brown armchair perched on the rubble of his three-story home, in a surreal scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics say Israel has waged a campaign of scorched earth to destroy the fabric of life in Gaza, accusations that are being considered in two global courts, including the crime of genocide. Israel denies those charges and says its military has been fighting a complex battle in dense urban areas and that it tries to avoid causing undue harm to civilians and their infrastructure. Military experts say the reality is complicated. For a campaign of this duration, which is a years worth of fighting in a heavily urban environment where you have an adversary that is hiding in amongst that environment, then you would expect an extremely high level of damage, said Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, a British think-tank. Savill said that it was difficult to draw a broad conclusion about the nature of Israel's campaign. To do so, he said, would require each strike and operation to be assessed to determine whether they adhered to the laws of armed conflict and whether all were proportional, but he did not think the scorched earth description was accurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International rights groups. including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, view the vast destruction as part of a broader pattern of extermination and genocide directed at Palestinians in Gaza, a charge Israel denies. The groups dispute Israel's stance that the destruction was a result of military activity. Human Rights Watch, in a November report accusing Israel of crimes against humanity, said the destruction is so substantial that it indicates the intention to permanently displace many people. From a fierce air campaign during the first weeks of the war, to a ground invasion that sent thousands of troops in on tanks, the Israeli response to a Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, has ground down much of the civilian infrastructure of the Gaza Strip, displacing 90% of its population. The brilliant color of pre-war life has faded into a monotone cement gray that dominates the territory. It could take decades, if not more, to rebuild. A U.N. assessment from satellite imagery showed more than 60,000 structures across Gaza had been destroyed and more than 20,000 severely damaged in the war as of Dec. 1, 2024. The preliminary assessment of conflict-generated debris, including of buildings and roads, was over 50 million tons. It said the analysis had not yet been validated in the field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airstrikes throughout the war toppled buildings and other structures said to be housing militants. But the destruction intensified with the ground forces, who fought Hamas fighters in close combat in dense areas. If militants were seen firing from an apartment building near a troop maneuver, forces might take the entire building down to thwart the threat. Tank tracks chewed up paved roads, leaving dusty stretches of earth in their wake. The militarys engineering corps was tasked with using bulldozers to clear routes, downing buildings seen as threats, and blowing up Hamas underground tunnel network. Experts say the operations to neutralize tunnels were extremely destructive to surface infrastructure. For example, if a 1.5-kilometer (1-mile) long tunnel was blown up by Israeli forces, it would not spare homes or buildings above, said Michael Milshtein, a former Israeli army intelligence officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If (the tunnel) passes under an urban area, it all gets destroyed, he said. Theres no other way to destroy a tunnel. Cemeteries, schools, hospitals and more were targeted and destroyed, he said, because Hamas was using these for military purposes. Secondary blasts from Hamas explosives inside these buildings could worsen the damage. The way Israel has repeatedly returned to areas it said were under its control, only to have militants overrun it again, has exacerbated the destruction, Savill said. Thats evident especially in northern Gaza, where Israel launched a new campaign in early October that almost obliterated Jabaliya, a built up, urban refugee camp. Jabaliya is home to the descendants of Palestinians who fled, or were forced to flee, during the war that led to Israels creation in 1948. Milshtein said Israel's dismantling of the tunnel network is also to blame for the destruction there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the destruction was not only caused from strikes on targets. Israel also carved out a buffer zone about a kilometer inside Gaza from its border with Israel, as well as within the Netzarim corridor that bisects north Gaza from the south, and along the Philadelphi Corridor, a stretch of land along Gazas border with Egypt. Vast swaths in these areas were leveled. Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general, said the buffer zones were an operational necessity meant to carve out secure plots of land for Israeli forces. He denied Israel had cleared civilian areas indiscriminately. The destruction, like the civilian death toll in Gaza, has raised accusations that Israel committed war crimes, which it denies. The decisions the military made in choosing what to topple, and why, are an important factor in that debate. The second militants move into a building and start using it to fire on you, you start making a calculation about whether or not you can strike," Savill said. Downing the building, he said, still needs to be necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Jabaliya, Nizar Hussein hung a sheet over the shattered remains of his family's home, stepping gingerly around a large, leaning concrete slab. At the very least, we need years to get a house," he said. "It is a feeling that I cannot describe. Thank God (for everything). ___ Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. TEL AVIV Burned-out buildings reduced to rubble were all that were left to return to for thousands of displaced Palestinians who made the journey back to northern Gaza on foot this week after more than a year since Israels military assault forced them to flee. "Everything is destroyed as you can see. Nothing remains," Asma Qaoud told NBC News' crew on the ground Monday in what remained of the Jabalia refugee camp. "Everything has been devastated our homes and our hearts," Qaoud, 32, said as she sat in front of a collapsed building surrounded by rubble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was one of thousands of displaced Palestinians to make the trek back to northern Gaza after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect Sunday and brought to a halt Israeli forces' 15-month offensive in the enclave. The first days of the truce have seen the release of the first hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, as well as Palestinians held in Israeli custody. Asma Qaoud, 32, speaks to NBC News surrounded by ruins in Jabalia, northern Gaza, on Monday. According to the United Nations, around 90% of Gaza's population almost 1.9 million people have been displaced from their homes and forced to live in tent camps and other makeshift shelters. The U.N. has previously estimated that around 60% of Gaza's infrastructure has been destroyed, including schools and hospitals. Across the enclave, video captured by NBC News showed similar scenes of ash-covered buildings and streets lined with the shattered debris from homes and shops. The Gaza Civil Defense on Tuesday said in a post on Telegram that 66 bodies were pulled from rubble across Gaza on Monday. Like many others, the war has cost Qaoud more than just her home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My brother was killed," she said, explaining to NBC News that she found his body upon her return to the Jabalia refugee camp. Her husband, meanwhile, was still being held in Israeli custody as she tried to figure out where to sleep and how her next days and weeks would look. More than 47,000 people have been killed in Israel's offensive in Gaza, according to local health officials, though researchers estimate the death toll is likely significantly higher, with thousands of people still missing and feared buried under the rubble. An Al-Qassam Brigades member directs aid as it arrives in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on Monday. Israel launched its offensive following the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in which Israeli officials say some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. More than 90 people continue to be held captive in Gaza. Three women held hostage by Hamas Doron Steinbrecher, 31, Emily Damari, 28 and Romi Gonen, 24 were released Sunday, with celebrations in Israel marking their release. A total of 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, all teenagers and women, were also released from Israeli custody as part of a hostage exchange under the ceasefire deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, displaced Palestinians who comprise most of Gaza's population began to return to their neighborhoods and grapple with the consequences of much of the enclave's infrastructure being destroyed in the war, which has also fueled a devastating humanitarian crisis in the enclave. An officer directs traffic in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on Monday as Palestinians return to their homes. In the wake of the ceasefire, hundreds of trucks carrying aid have flowed into Gaza, with 600 bringing in aid and commercial supplies Sunday and 900 entering Monday according to UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. Displaced Palestinians return to their homes at the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza City on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juliette Touma, UNRWA's communications director, told NBC News that it was unclear how many trucks would enter Gaza on Tuesday, but said "significant progress" had been made in getting aid into Gaza compared with earlier this month, when an average of around 50 trucks were entering the enclave each day. "At long last, the ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza offer a ray of hope," U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement Monday as he urged "the release of all hostages and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com PANAMA CITY (AP) President Donald Trumps insistence Monday that he wants the Panama Canal back under U.S. control fed nationalist sentiment and worry in Panama, home to the critical trade route and a country familiar with U.S. military intervention. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, Trump said Monday. In the capital, some Panamanians saw Trumps remarks as a way of applying pressure on Panama for something else he wants: better control of migration through the Darien Gap. Others recalled the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama with concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panama President Jose Raul Mulino responded forcefully, as he did after Trumps initial statement last month that the U.S. should consider repossessing the canal, saying the canal belongs to his country of 4 million and will remain Panamas territory. Panama's U.N. Mission sent Mulino's statement to the U.N. Security Council. The statement rejected in its entirety" Trump's comments on the canal and said: There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration. Luis Barrera, a 52-year-old cab driver, said Panama had fought hard to get the canal back and has expanded it since taking control. I really feel uncomfortable because its like when youre big and you take a candy from a little kid, Barrera said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a rally in Phoenix in December, Trump said he might try to get the canal back after it was foolishly ceded to Panama. He complained that shippers were overcharged and that China had taken control of the key shortcut between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Earlier this month, Trump wouldnt rule out using military force to take it back. The United States built the canal in the early 1900s as it looked for ways to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels between its coasts. Washington relinquished control of the waterway to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999, under a treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. The canal is a point of pride for Panamanians. On Dec. 31, they celebrated the 25th anniversary of the handover, and days later they commemorated the deaths of 21 Panamanians who died at the hands of the U.S. military decades earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 9, 1964, students protested in the then-U.S. controlled canal zone over not being allowed to fly Panamas flag at a secondary school there. The protests expanded to general opposition to the U.S. presence in Panama and U.S. troops got involved. A group of protesters this year burned an effigy of Trump. The canals administrator, Ricaurte Vasquez, said this month that China is not in control of the canal and that all nations are treated equally under a neutrality treaty. He said Chinese companies operating in the ports on either end of the canal were part of a Hong Kong consortium that won a bidding process in 1997. He added that U.S. and Taiwanese companies operate other ports along the canal as well. Omayra Avendano, who works in real estate, said Trumps threat should be taken seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should be worried, she said. We dont have an army and hes said he would use force. On Dec. 20, 1989, the U.S. military invaded Panama to remove dictator Manuel Noriega. Some 27,000 troops were tasked by then-President George H.W. Bush with capturing Noriega, protecting the lives of Americans living in Panama and restoring democracy to the country that a decade later would take over control of the Panama Canal. Avendano said she was 11 years old the last time the U.S. invaded her country and hoped Panamas current government would seek international support to head off Trumps designs on the canal. I remember the disaster that it was, she said. President Donald Trump, in his first days in office, has made a series of statements. Among these is the assertion that the USA will take back the Panama Canal. In historical terms, this is a revival of the Monroe Doctrine under which the US has sought to keep hostile powers out of the Western hemisphere. President Trump seeks to restrict potential hostile influence over a key route of naval movement: if the US Navys access to the canal were to be restricted, it would be much less able to move forces between the Pacific and Atlantic to meet emerging threats. Theres ample historical precedent for such initiatives. Britain, Americas predecessor as the leading naval power, similarly sought to keep hostile or potentially hostile powers away from key waterways. One example was British attempts to keep Russia away from the Bosporus and the Dardanelles (in modern-day Turkey) in the 1850s and 1877-8. Another key example, of course, is the Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. This was the crucial route for Britain as a Mediterranean, Asian and Australasian naval power. The Suez isthmus was important to Britain even before the canal was built: this led Nelson to Aboukir Bay and his most complete victory, the Battle of the Nile in 1798. It led a British force to defeat the French in Egypt in 1801. Subsequently, the need to control Suez led to the conquest of Egypt and the despatch of significant forces in both world wars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the context of Suez and Britain, most people today think of the intervention of 1956. Then Egyptian president Nassers pan-Arabism was perceived as a threat to British and French interests and attack was seen as the best form of defence. President Trump, today, talks of Chinese influence in Panama. Suez is frequently held up as a failure. Implementation was definitely too slow, compromising the plans chances for ultimate success, but the assault when it finally came was a textbook military victory. There were bases nearby to support the assault, in Cyprus, Malta and Libya, and there was considerable institutional experience available from previous amphibious operations, from the 1942 conquest of Madagascar from Vichy forces onwards. The Soviet Union lacked countervailing naval assets in the Mediterranean. Air superiority permitted the worlds first helicopter-borne assaults to be made: perhaps not coincidentally, the operation also saw the last major British parachute drop, at El Gamil. What was missing was a replacement for Nassers regime an equivalent of the Shah in Iran or other local regimes supported during the 20th century by Britain and America in Lebanon, Jordan and Kuwait. America has, of course, intervened and carried out regime change in Panama before, in 1989-90. In that case, the deposed General Noriega was simply enough replaced by his elected opponent, Guillermo Endara. Its not immediately clear whether Trump proposes another regime change in Panama, or merely seizure of the canal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he may stop short of either. The canal, while important, is not a first-order strategic priority for America today. The recent reduction in its capacity due to droughts, and consequent limits on the rate at which its locks can be refilled, has also made it less important than it was. Some means short of risky brinkmanship can probably be found to assure American interests there. In any event, the results of the Suez Crisis do not mean that military power projection by Trump is doomed to failure, any more than Americas 1989 Panama outcome is proof that he would succeed. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The President of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, has responded to US President Donald Trump's pledge to "take back" the Panama Canal, insisting that the key waterway will remain under Panama's control. Source: AFP; Mulino on X (Twitter) Quote: "I must comprehensively reject the words of President Donald Trump. The canal is and will remain Panama's." Details: Mulino also rejected Trump's claim that China is operating the canal. "There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes," Mulino said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mulino stressed that the canal was not transferred under a concession [an agreement on transferring natural resources, enterprises or other economic facilities for temporary use to other states UP]. It was the result of generational struggles that culminated in the Torrijos-Carter Treaty in 1999. Mulino said that for 25 uninterrupted years, Panama has administered the canal "responsibly" and expanded it to "serve the world and its commerce", including the United States. The Panamanian president also called on the US president to engage in dialogue. Background: Trump vowed in his inauguration speech to take back control of the Panama Canal, which is "being operated by China", and to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America". Support UP or become our patron! DENVER (KDVR) Three juveniles, known as the panda bandits, were arrested in connection to several burglaries, including one where a suspect was wearing a panda suit. The Boulder County Sheriffs Office said the three suspects turned themselves in at the Boulder County Juvenile Assessment Center on Monday and are facing charges of second-degree burglary, criminal mischief and theft. You never think its going to happen to you: Family catches home break-in on camera Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These charges stem from a string of burglaries at the Safeway gas station in Superior in November 2024. Suspect in panda suit caught on camera in burglary In November 2024, the sheriffs office needed help identifying suspects who were caught on camera burglarizing a gas station in Superior although it wasnt an easy task as the footage was blurry and one of the suspects was wearing a panda onesie. The Boulder County Sheriffs Office are searching for three panda bandits, wanted for two smash-and-grab burglaries at a Superior gas station in early November (Credit: Boulder County Sheriffs Office) Its very typical for somebody to cover up as much as they can, you know, with a hoodie, hats, masks that type of thing. Have never really seen something like a panda costume being used, Boulder County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Dave Salaman told FOX31s Greg Nieto after the burglaries. Deputies said there were two smash-and-grab burglaries at the gas station on 1603 Coalton Road, which was burglarized twice on Nov. 2 and Nov. 10, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The sheriffs office said the suspects used rocks to smash a door and a window to steal tobacco and vaping products. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. By Jeff Mason, Tim Reid, Andy Sullivan and David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Supporters of Donald Trump who attacked the U.S. Capitol four years ago will start leaving prison on Tuesday, pardoned by the new president in a flurry of Inauguration Day executive orders showing intent to stamp radical change on the country. Trump was expected to sign more executive orders on Tuesday, after measures issued on Monday that included moves to curb immigration and roll back environmental regulation as well as a 75-day delay in enforcement of a ban on short-video app TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican president's pardon of 1,500 defendants drew outrage from lawmakers who were endangered in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, when thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Congress certifying his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. The pardons were among orders Trump signed within hours of taking office, returning in a mood of triumph to the White House after winning last November's election. In his inaugural speech he criticized Biden's presidency and portrayed himself as chosen by God to save a faltering nation. However, he faces a stiff challenge delivering on his promise of a "Golden Age of America" in the face of a closely split Congress, inevitable lawsuits and recalcitrant world leaders. Trump did not take immediate action to raise tariffs, a key campaign promise, but said he could impose 25% duties on Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's return to the White House has been met with both relief and disappointment across world markets as investors try to work out what the next four years will bring. The dollar rebounded sharply on Tuesday after plunging hours earlier as Trump's announcements on Monday brought mixed messaging on tariffs and highlighted investors' sensitivity to headlines about trade policy. U.S. stock futures rose after bouncing around on Monday as traders digested Trump's statements on economic policy and trade levies, while European equities eked out small gains. Trump, 78, is the first president in more than a century to win a second term after losing the White House and the first felon to occupy the White House. The oldest president ever to be sworn in, he is backed by Republican majorities in both chambers of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN Trump has made illegal immigration a signature issue since he first entered politics in 2015 and he began a sweeping crackdown on Monday. Shortly after the inauguration, U.S. border authorities said they had shut down Biden's CBP One entry program, which had allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. legally by scheduling an appointment on an app. Existing appointments were canceled, leaving migrants stunned and unsure of what to do. Opponents of Trump's agenda are likely to challenge it in the courts and the American Civil Liberties Union fired an opening salvo on Monday, saying in a federal court filing that Trump's decision to end the CBP One program removed the only avenue to asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump once again withdrew the United States from the Paris climate deal, removing the world's biggest historic emitter from global efforts to fight climate change for the second time in a decade. This second withdrawal will have a bigger impact in the U.S. and globally than the country's first retreat in 2017, analysts and diplomats said. In other environmental measures, Trump revoked a ban imposed by Biden on new offshore oil and gas development along most of the country's coastlines. The new president is certain to face legal challenges over his authority to do so. He also said the U.S. would leave the World Health Organization, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises. Berlin would try to talk Trump out of this decision, Germany's health minister said on Tuesday. Other orders revoked Biden administration policies governing artificial intelligence and electric vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also imposed a freeze on federal hiring and ordered government workers to return to the office, rather than working from home. He also signed paperwork to create a "Department of Government Efficiency", an outside advisory board headed by billionaire Elon Musk that aims to cut large swaths of government spending. Trump said he would issue orders to scrap federal diversity programs and require the government to recognize only genders assigned at birth. Trump vowed to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and repeated his intention to take back control of the Panama Canal, one of several foreign policy pronouncements that have caused consternation among U.S. allies. (Reporting by Joseph Ax and Nandita Bose in Washington; Additional reporting by Bo Erickson, Steve Holland, Jeff Mason, Nandita Bose, Doina Chiacu, Stephanie Kelly, Rami Ayyub and Gram Slattery, Writing by Joseph Ax, Andy Sullivan and Frances Kerry; Editing by Ross Colvin, Howard Goller, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Alex Richardson and Timothy Heritage) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Travis Mays life in southern Virginia Beach with his partner Erin is far from his early years in the Berkley section of Norfolk and the Green Run section of Virginia Beach, with his mother a drug addict and his father behind bars. WEB EXTRA: Pardoned VB man rebuilding life, speaks directly to young people Meet Travis May, the story of his life, was released on social media one week ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So the [1990s] just represented hopelessness, despair and an inevitable death at a young age, May said. I accepted death. As a teenager, armed with a gun, May committed 28 felonies that would put him behinds bars for life. Over the years, May grew up behind bars. But in 2018, he was pardoned by the governor. A news reporter broke the news. It was a reporter from The Virginian-Pilot and he said, Is your name Travis May? If so, congratulations,' May said. Later that year, May launched his mission to take back the community. I went back to [the] Berkley Boys and Girls Club, and I wanted to speak to them babies to let them know no circumstances ever speak to your worth, May said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only on Wavy.com, May spoke directly to young people to speak on their role in the community, and urges them to do good. His partner, Erin Renvyle, is proud of her husbands mission. Well, I believe that his character, we can change, Renvyle said. We make mistakes. On Valentines Day 2023, life for the family took a dramatic turn when daughter Harmony, now seven, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Only two more months and then Ill be done, said Harmony, who has two chemotherapy treatments left. Big sister Lilyann agrees. When one person in the family has cancer, everyone has cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just feels really bad, Lilyann said. And so were just trying to support our family as much as we can. In his dark times, May said he would have given up his freedom. And thats something that I would never thought would come to my mind, May said. But when youre on your knees and youre praying to God and youre telling Him anything, you would do anything, thats when you start to run the checklist of the most extremes, because you feel like no childs deserving of this type of struggle. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday for the U.S. to withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate agreement again. Despite his 2017 order being versed by former President Joe Biden four years later, Trump is declaring the country exits the landmark international climate accord. The departure comes after NOAA declared 2024 the hottest year on record and recent climate disasters, including last year's deadly hurricane season and the California wildfires this month. According to NPR, U.S. emissions have been decreasing since the mid-2000s; however, the country remains the largest historical contributor of total carbon dioxide emissions. Climate experts agree Trump's decision will be a devastating blow to the worldwide efforts to combat global warming. What is the Paris Agreement? What does the Paris Climate Agreement do? According to the United Nations website, the Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change that was adopted by 196 parties at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, France, in December 2015. It was enforced at the beginning of November the following year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement's main goal is to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celcius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celcius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. "The Paris Agreement works on a five-year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate action or, ratcheting up, carried out by countries," the UNFCCC writes, with several countries approaching a February 2025 deadline. "Since 2020, countries have been submitting their national climate action plans, known as nationally determined contributions." Former President Barack Obama signed the agreement, later giving a statement explaining his decision and his desire to address the growing concerns of climate change. "Of course, the Paris Agreement alone wont solve the climate crisis. But it does establish an enduring framework that enables countries to ratchet down their carbon emissions over time, and to set more ambitious targets as technology advances," Obama wrote in 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That means full implementation of this agreement will help delay or avoid some of the worst consequences of climate change, and pave the way for more progress in the coming years." Trump exited the Paris Agreement in 2017. Did the US re-join it? Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Accord in June 2017, claiming the U.S. would maintain its position as a world leader in clean energy while protecting the economy and strengthening the workforce. However, Biden signed an executive order to re-join the agreement on his first day of office in 2021. Why does Trump want to exit the Paris Agreement again? The order remarks the United States had joined international agreements and initiatives that do not reflect its values or its contributions to "the pursuit of economic and environmental objectives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Continued, it states: "Moreover, these agreements steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people." Trump has been vocal about his plans to exit the agreement throughout his campaign, even declaring his goals on Inauguration Day. Im immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris climate accord rip-off, Trump said to the crowd. The United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity. What do Paris Accord officials think of Trump leaving the agreement again? Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a key architect of the Paris Accord, issued a statement saying that the U.S. leaving the agreement is "undoubtedly a challenging setback," the case for staying committed to the Paris Agreement is "even stronger." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No country or bloc can tackle climate change alone," Tubiana wrote. "The every-nation-for-itself mentality of the president-elect offers no real solutions" When would the order go into effect? According to the order, it declares the United States will "consider its withdrawal from the Agreement and any attendant obligations to be effective immediately upon this provision of notification." It does not mention the agreement's one-year notice period. Do Americans support climate change initiatives? Well first of all: do Americans even believe in climate change? According to a 2024 University of Michigan study, researchers found reveals nearly 15% of Americans deny that climate change is real. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers used X (formerly Twitter) data from 2017 through 2019 and artificial intelligence techniques to understand how social media has spread climate change denialism, analyzing the data to estimate climate change belief and denial rates. The analysis also revealed that belief in climate change is highest along the West Coast and East Coast and that denialism is highest in the central and southern parts of the country, with more than 20% of the populations of Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, and North Dakota consisting of people who do not believe in climate change. But do Americans support initiatives to address global warming? Pew Research Center's 2023 study shares that two-thirds of U.S. adults say the country should prioritize developing renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, over expanding the production of oil, coal, and natural gas. However, many are not ready to completely get rid of fossil fuels. Over 68% support the country using a mix of energy sources. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Trump administration leaving Paris Climate Agreement. What to know Paris Hiltons son Phoenix wants to help others when he grows up. Speaking during a new interview, the DJ and heiress, 43, revealed that her 2-year-old son wants to be a firefighter in the future amid her losing her Malibu home in the Los Angeles wildfires. He said he wants to be a fireman, Hilton responded when asked by TMZ what her little boy wants to do as a career. The reality TV star went on to share that shes heartbroken for everybody who has lost everything following the devastation caused by the fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The families, the children, the animals, its just been heartbreaking to see whats happened to California, she told the outlet. Related: Paris Hilton Shares Mindful Moment Video of Son Phoenix and Their Pups After Losing Malibu Home in L.A. Fires Hilton also discussed fostering a dog named Zuzu, whom she previously revealed she had taken into her home after the poochs family "unfortunately had to surrender her after their home was destroyed in the wildfires." We love Zuzu, Hilton told TMZ as she looked at her son Phoenix. The mother of two shared that Zuzus owners lost their home in Altadena in the fires and she and her family have been fostering him for the past week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve all just fallen in love with him, Hilton added, before revealing that the family is now going to adopt the dog. As for whether or not she is planning to rebuild her home, Hilton said her husband, Carter Reum, is dealing with all that. Paris Hilton/Instagram Paris Hilton and husband Carter Reum with their children Phoenix and London Paris Hilton and husband Carter Reum with their children Phoenix and London Related: Paris Hilton Volunteers at Shelter for Animals Impacted by L.A. Fires and Boosts Search for Cat's Missing Owner Hiltons comments come just over a week after she revealed the burnt remains of her Malibu home after it was destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fire. Im standing here in what used to be our home, and the heartbreak is truly indescribable., Hilton wrote alongside the footage shared on Instagram. When I first saw the news, I was in complete shock I couldnt process it. But now, standing here and seeing it with my own eyes, it feels like my heart has shattered into a million pieces.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She continued, This house wasnt just a place to live It was where we dreamed, laughed, and created the most beautiful memories as a family. It was where Phoenixs little hands made art that Ill cherish forever, where love and life filled every corner. To see it reduced to ashes its devastating beyond words., Hilton, who is mom to daughter London, added. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The video showed that all that appeared to be left of the home was the propertys entranceway and a few walls, with the rest reduced to rubble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Paris & Nicole: The Encore star revealed on Jan. 8 that she learned her home had been destroyed while watching the news in a live segment. Thousands are still under evacuation orders amid the fires, while the death toll has risen to 27, according to an update from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner on Jan. 16. Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires. Read the original article on People PARKVILLE, Mo. A missing 2-year-old boy has been found after he was taken by his non-custodial father Tuesday morning, the Parkville Police Department confirmed. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, an Endangered Person Advisory was issued at about 9 a.m. Tuesday after 2-year-old Hudson H. Hadley was taken from a residence near Northwest 57 Street and Northwest Bell Road. The Parkville Police Department said the suspect is 29-year-old Kyle Hadley, the toddlers non-custodial parent. By taking the child, Kyle violated his protection order. FOX4 saw Parkville Police Sergeant Sean Allwood walk into the Windscape Apartments just before 2 p.m. Tuesday. Thats after the department had gotten a call saying Kyles father brought Hudson back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actual childs father has not been talked to since, Allwood said in an interview with FOX4 at the scene. His whereabouts are still unknown. One dead after shooting on the east side of Kansas City Monday night Because of that Sergeant Allwood says hed like to speak to Kyle. We had medical services just come do a look at the child just to make sure the child was okay, he continued. I dont know if the child had been outside or not. Everything seems to be okay right now. Before FOX4 met Allwood at the scene, we talked to both him and Police Chief Kevin Chrisman at the police department. We asked Chrisman why an AMBER Alert wasnt issued. The chief says they sent the necessary information to MSHP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were no threats to the child, Chrisman said. We have confirmed that he apparently is the father, and the mother is in our community because this gentleman lives somewhere in Kansas, I think Bonner Springs, so he stays in constant touch with them. While every call we receive about a missing child is handled with the utmost urgency, the issuance of an AMBER Alert must meet well established criteria to ensure the systems efficacy, MSHP Captain Scott White said in an email to FOX4. The details that we received from Parkville Police about this incident did not meet the criteria for an AMBER Alert, however, an endangered person advisory was issued. As a reminder, parental abductions do not qualify for an AMBER Alert unless sufficient evidence exists to indicate that harm may come to a child from the parent. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyle was reportedly seen in Overland Park at about 11:30 a.m. driving around with Hudson in the car. However, at about 2:20 p.m., MSHP canceled the Endangered Person Advisory after Parkville police reported that Hudson was found safe and returned home. If you think you know where Kyle is, you can still contact Parkville police at (816) 741-4454. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. A man died Monday night after a fight turned deadly at an apartment complex in downtown Phoenix. Around 7:30 p.m., Phoenix police officers responded to a call regarding a fight near 32nd Avenue and Indian School Road. As officers responded, the caller said that gunshots were being fired. Once officers arrived, they found an unidentified man with at least one gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries, police said. The man's name was not released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The area remained shut down as of Tuesday morning. The investigation was ongoing. Further details were not available. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police investigate shooting death near Indian School Road Pasco sheriffs deputies fatally shot an armed man in Hudson on Sunday night while trying to arrest him on outstanding warrants, Sheriff Chris Nocco said. Deputies opened fire on Matthew Vincent Phillips, 41, after he refused orders to show his hands and scuffled with deputies and a police dog, Nocco said. Phillips was holding a handgun at the time, Nocco said. Phillips was wanted on felony charges and deputies received information Sunday that he was at a home on Princeton Avenue, Nocco said during a news conference early Monday near the scene of the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nocco said the be-on-the-lookout notice issued for Phillips indicated that he had said he was not going back to prison and he would have a shootout with law enforcement. Deputies arrived at the home about 9:18 p.m. and learned there were other adults and children inside, Nocco said. The deputies were able to get those people out of the house, but Phillips did not heed deputies' requests to come out, Nocco said. Around 9:46, we got more information from inside that said the suspect was not going to come out peacefully and there would be some sort of altercation with law enforcement, Nocco said. At 9:50, Phillips ran out of the home holding a gun, according to Nocco. In the back of the home, Phillips encountered a K-9 deputy and the deputys dog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He starts fighting with the K-9, he starts fighting with the deputies, he has a gun in his hand, Nocco said. The deputies told him to put the gun down, lets see your hands, Nocco said. He would not comply, Nocco said. This all happened in seconds. Those deputies were in fear for their life. Not only for their own lives, but for the life of our K-9, that he was going to turn that gun real quickly and shoot em. The deputies said in their distinct way, if you do not drop the gun, we will shoot you, Nocco said. He did not put down the gun, so we shot him. The sheriffs office released 21 seconds of footage captured by one deputys body camera during the incident. Deputies can be heard in the video ordering Phillips to get on the ground and put his hands up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One deputy shouts gun, and the deputy whose camera is recording the footage opens fire. Ten shots ring out before the video ends. The sheriffs office released a screenshot that shows the gun deputies said Phillips was holding. The sheriffs office said four deputies fired their service weapons: Thomas Garmon, who was hired in 2015; Aaron Gray, who was hired in 2020; James McCabe, who was hired in 2012; and Richard McKinney, who was hired in 2014. Information about whether any of the deputies have been involved in previous use-of-force incidents was not available Tuesday. Nocco said the involved deputies would be placed on administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the shooting, which is standard practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nocco did not say how many deputies opened fire and did not release the names of the involved deputies. The sheriffs offices public information office did not immediately respond to requests for that information on Tuesday. Florida Department of Corrections records show Phillip was sentenced in 2023 to two years in state prison for methamphetamine possession, trafficking in stolen property and possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon. He was released in August and placed on 10 years of probation, records show. A Pasco County judge in December issued a warrant for Phillips' arrest for violating probation, county records show. According to a probation violation affidavit, Phillips left the probation and parole office in Hudson on Dec. 2 despite being told by his probation officer that he needed to stay and submit to a random drug screening. TOPEKA (KSNT) The 19th Amendment is marked by decades of activism and protests, becoming the center of more than 40 years of debate in Congress. Inside Kansas Politics hosts Rebekah Chung and Brian Calfano sat down with Sarah Bell, director of the Kansas Museum of History, to talk about the 19th Amendment and how Kansas played a part in making history. Calfano also sat down one-on-one with Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab after his announcement to run for Kansas Governor to get his thoughts on why he is running and his political values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Byrne, an economist from Washburn University, also joined the show to discuss property tax specifics. Gov. Kelly, GOP leadership share top priorities for 2025 | KSNT.com You can watch Inside Kansas Politics at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings only on KSNT (check your local listings). To get the latest news on Inside Kansas Politics, check out our X account, or follow us on Facebook. If you have a story you think we should cover, email us at ikp@ksnt.com. For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Get the latest in weather alerts by downloading our Storm Track Weather App. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 KSNT 27 News. HONOLULU (KHON2) The Pearl Harbor National Memorial hosted a day of service on January 20, 2025, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s legacy. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., volunteers worked alongside park staff to clean up litter, maintain wayside exhibits, and wash the USS Oklahoma Memorial. Kaiser Permanente staff to restore cultural sites across Hawaii Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tools and safety gear were provided, and participants were advised to wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and bring their own water. The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, established by Congress in 1994, is the only federal holiday dedicated to community service, encouraging everyone to give back and make a difference in their communities. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news For more information, visit www.nps.gov/pearlharbor or follow the Pearl Harbor National Memorial on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PearlHarborNPS. Copyright 2025 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A man is dead after getting hit while trying to cross the street Monday night in Kansas City. Police said around 11 p.m. a pedestrian was hit while crossing Truman Road and Bennington Avenue. One dead after shooting on the east side of Kansas City Monday night According to the investigation, an unknown vehicle hit a pedestrian using a crosswalk to cross the street from north to south. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person driving the vehicle sped off from the scene, heading east. The pedestrian victim was taken in an ambulance to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead a few minutes later. Police did not release the pedestrians identity. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. President Donald Trump's second term is underway, and already off to a raucous start. As the world waits with bated breath to see what wild promises the US's 47th president will deliver on like the 25 percent tariff he's threatened on goods from Canada and Mexico it seems that incoming immigrants from South America will be among the first targets. On Trump's first day back, he made good on an array of promises targeting migrants, such as shutting down an app-based Biden-era visa lottery system that's stranded tens of thousands of migrants waiting for their lawful visa appointments in Mexico indefinitely a limbo that seems likely to now be permanent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He likewise took aim at migrants and US-born minorities on our side of the border, executing an order that effectively halts US government agencies from issuing citizenship documents to US-born individuals whose parents are not naturalized citizens. The direction also instructs heads of executive agencies to roll out new marching orders focused on aggressive immigration enforcement and deportation within 30 days, while removing key oversights on enforcement agencies like ICE. It's all gearing up to what Trump has promised will be a national wave of mass deportations a likely meat grinder of human cruelty, but also a formidable logistical challenge that will almost certainly forge new frontiers in surveillance tech by scrutinizing both the border and the country's population for signs of undocumented immigration. "While AI offers vast potential to streamline operations and secure borders, its misuse intentional or not could lead to dangerous outcomes," United Nations AI advisor told the New York Post in a provocative feature about the Trump administration's plans to use AI in its immigration crackdown. "Theres a slippery slope where AI can be weaponized, eroding civil liberties, violating privacy, and fostering systemic bias. Under the Trump administration, the aggressive expansion of AI in border security could turn these tools into mechanisms for mass surveillance and control." The stakes are particularly high because the president returns to Washington with a friendly host of Big Tech moguls, eager to change their wardrobes for a chance at an expedited top-secret security clearance, a process Trump has already overhauled via executive order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take Kevin Cohen, the American-born tech founder behind Israeli startup RealEye, whose company is focused on AI-powered mass-surveillance and threat detection. "We have to be smarter... and find more creative ways to make sure everybody crossing the border is who they say they are," Cohen told the Post. "RealEye's systems analyze behavioral patterns, travel data, and communication trends to highlight areas of concern in a fact-based, automated manner," reads the company's PR Newswire copy in an eerie blend of LinkedIn-meets-Person-of-Interest startup jargon. "The technologies also support long-term monitoring and tracking, enabling proactive intervention against evolving threats." Who's included in that definition of "evolving threats" remains to be seen. RealEye has also partnered with the military of the Philippines as well as an unnamed law enforcement entity in Israel, both of which have long histories of human rights abuses perpetuated in the name of law and border enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli defense companies are prized by enforcement agencies around the world, as their weapons and surveillance tech is often "live tested" on occupied Palestinian territories before being adopted in the West, as Antony Loewenstein details in his 2023 book "The Palestine Laboratory." Deployment of such aggressive surveillance measures on American soil isn't without precedent just think back to the NSA under Obama but each new technical advancement in the surveillance industry will inevitably pose novel ethical and civil questions. Chief among those concerns is the efficacy of AI in such a massive and chaotic environment as the US-Mexico border, nevermind the US writ large. The domestic rollout of AI-based facial recognition software by enforcement agencies has been a nightmare in cities like Detroit, which had to halt use of the tech after AI led to three false arrests in summer of 2024. Other horror stories abound, like a California man who was falsely accused of shoplifting by Sunglass Hut's AI-powered loss prevention software and then arrested by incredulous police. According to reporting by the Post, the Trump administration is expected to support its AI-monitoring program with massive investments into everything from AI-powered autonomous drones to robot dogs which are already roving Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort and a $101 million expansion of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Autonomous Surveillance Towers. This expectation is supported by analysis from The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists the progenitors of the Doomsday Clock which writes that "an already multibillion-dollar border and surveillance industry is set to win big under Trumps plans for new border enforcement spending, immigration surveillance, and mass deportation." Those, by the way, started under Trump's predecessor Joe Biden, who was himself no immigration dove and who started many of the programs Trump will almost certainly leverage in his new crackdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Case in point, the DHS got a $5 million allocation during Biden's final days to develop an applied-AI office within the DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer, in addition to $127 million for border security technology at ports-of-entry, $68 million for customs and border investments in air and marine technology, and $138 million in counterterrorism detection technology and equipment, among other expenditures. For its part, ICE is budgeted for $2.5 billion for "additional personnel and technology enhancements for investigative capabilities." The Oval Office isn't the only government body enticed by the techno-future. In September, a bipartisan bill called the "Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act" passed through the Senate and is now waiting on a Congressional hearing. If passed, the legislation would order the DHS to "develop a plan to identify, integrate, and deploy emerging and innovative technologies to improve border security operations" essentially writing into law the provisions which Trump's executive orders are beginning to lay out. On a practical level, Orwellian tech-entrepreneurialism might provide law enforcement with some flashy toys to play with not to mention lucrative contracts for Silicon Valley but it does nothing to solve the economic issues underlying the immigration crisis, instead Band-Aiding over the systemic issues with astronomically expensive shows of force. More on Immigration: MAGA Figures Turn on Elon Musk for Not Hating Immigrants Enough LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) The Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office is taking over the Lancaster County District Attorneys investigation into the hundreds of alleged fraudulent voter registrations that were delivered to the county Voter Registration Office in October 2024. In October 2024, the Lancaster County Board of Elections announced staff members identified approximately 2,500 suspected fraudulent voter registration applications that were dropped off at the county election office. Thousands of suspected fraudulent voter applications intercepted in Lancaster County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office, multiple other counties experienced similar acts of alleged voter registration fraud leading up to Novembers general election, leading them to launch an investigation spanning several counties. The Office of the Attorney General informed the district attorney in January that its office will now be taking the lead on the large-scale investigation, per the DAs office. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts I want to thank the Lancaster County Detectives who worked diligently on this investigation over the past several months and commend them for the work they did in advancing the investigation, Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams said. It is clear, however, based on the information shared between several investigative agencies that the Attorney Generals Office is best suited to handle this multi-county investigation moving forward. I have complete confidence that the Attorney Generals Office will continue to investigate this case and hold those who committed voter registration fraud and other crimes responsible for their actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives from Lancaster County reviewed over 1,000 applications during the initial investigation, with almost 400 being found to contain fraud and nearly 500 others were unable to be verified, the DAs office said. The Lancaster County DAs Office added that all evidence found during its investigation will be shared with the Attorney Generals Office. Attorney General Dave Sunday will assume his duties on Tuesday after winning Novembers election. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) State Representative Frank Burns announced that he is continuing the investigation into the massive systematic failure during Election Day voting in Cambria County. Burns has requested details on the testing procedure for the voting machines, how many machines were tested and who was present for the testing. He has filed numerous Right-to-Know requests surrounding his concerns on the voting done on Election Day, seeking answers on exactly how many ballots could not be scanned and how many replacement ballots were obtained. Everyone who voted Democrat, Republican and Independent deserves to know why their ballot would not scan properly and who dropped the ball to let that failure occur, Burns said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that relying on the county commissioners to lead an investigation of themselves while serving on the county Election Board and overseeing the hiring of everyone in the office, makes no sense whatsoever. Burns went onto say, We all know how that type of internal investigation will end. I won my election but thats not what matters here. Everyone deserves to know exactly what happened, so there can be accountability for such a huge systemic failure, Burns said. How can machines that the commission chairman says were tested prior to the election and apparently working properly suddenly fail to scan ballots on Election Day not just in one or two precincts, but across the entirety of Cambria County? Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Burns ended his statement by assuring the public he would be sharing any results with them and that he plans to use the details to address shortcomings in upcoming elections. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. Mark Milley's Pentagon portrait was removed shortly after Trump took office. Milley was hired by Trump as a top military advisor only to later fall out of favor. The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs served under Biden, retired in 2023, and received a preemptive pardon. The Pentagon portrait of former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley was suddenly removed Monday shortly after President Donald Trump took office. The portrait had been displayed in the Pentagon for less than two weeks before being taken down. The painting previously hung in a corridor filled with portraits of past chairmen. A before and after of the Pentagon hallway where General Mark Milleys portrait was unveiled just a few weeks ago. It was removed after Trump was inaugurated, though reason is still unclear. pic.twitter.com/p7g7mSNvVj Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) January 20, 2025 When asked why Milley's portrait was taken down, Pentagon officials declined to comment on the matter. Voice of America's Carla Babb talked to the painters who patched up the holes where the portrait had been hanging. She reported they said they were doing as told and had not been given a reason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump hired Milley for his position as chairman, though Milley later fell out of favor. There had been clashes behind the scenes, such as a shouting match with Trump over nationwide racial justice protests in 2020. But the rift became more noticeable after Milley apologized for appearing in a photo op with Trump after the forceful clearing of protesters in DC. That rift has only gotten wider with time, especially as Milley's concerns about Trump have come out in reports and books. Trump has expressed irritation with Milley's characterizations of his administration and the president himself in discussions with reporters, criticized Milley for US failures in Afghanistan, calling him a "loser," and has called for the former top general to be "tried for treason" in response to his efforts to ensure nuclear and geopolitical stability after the events of January 6, 2021. The Joint Chiefs of Staff do not have command of troops, unlike military combatant commanders. The job is an advisory role for the highest levels of US leadership, including the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milley continued to serve as Chairman under President Joe Biden and retired in October 2023. In discussions with investigative journalist Bob Woodward, Milley has called Trump a "fascist" and expressed concern he could be court-martialed. In the final hours of the Biden Administration, Milley was granted a preemptive pardon by Biden, who said in a statement that the pardon, and Milley's acceptance, doesn't indicate any wrongdoing or guilt by Milley. Biden's statement said that "our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country." Read the original article on Business Insider People march downtown to protest inauguration, mass deportation plans SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A group of people gathered at Balboa Park Monday afternoon on the day of President Donald Trumps inauguration and marched downtown in protest of his mass deportation plans, joining several other movements planned across the country. Mondays march started around 2 p.m. on Inauguration Day, which is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday in honor of the late civil rights leader. Participants gathered at Balboa Drive and Juniper Road in Balboa Park and headed downtown toward the Hall of Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deadline approaching to apply for property tax relief from January 2024 floods According to the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the organizers behind the march, the protest was meant to signify support of protecting the rights of immigrants, women, workers and the LGBTQ+ community. An Instagram video posted before the day of the march compiled statements from people saying they would attend the event and their reasons for doing so. From Palestine to the Philippines, stop the U.S. war machines, the group could be heard in an Instagram story posted to the organizers profile, chanting through the streets as they marched downtown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event came as Trump stated he would strengthen security at the southern border with Mexico as soon as day one of his presidency and crack down on illegal immigration. Some of his strategies include proposing an effort to end automatic citizenship for anyone born in America as well as ending the use of CBP One, an app used by a million migrants to gain entry into the country. According to the Associated Press, migrants who had appointments to enter the U.S. using the CBP One app saw them canceled just minutes after he was sworn in as president. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. AUBURNDALE, Fla. (WFLA) Auburndale police are searching for a person they believe to be responsible for withdrawing money from a victims Bank of America account using Zelle. Officers said a victim received a large Zelle payment request back in August 2024. Shortly after, the woman received a fraud detection text from who she believed to be a Bank of America employee. St. Pete man accused of depositing fraudulent stolen checks Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim told police she then got a phone call from someone who introduced themselves as someone with Bank of America. The caller then asked the woman to log in to her account. Police believe that when she logged in, the caller was able to access her bank account. Courtesy: Auburndale Police Department Days after the interaction, an unidentified suspect was caught on surveillance video removing funds from the victims bank account. The person of interest is described to be between the ages of 30 and 50, and was last seen wearing a mask, black shorts, and a black hoodie with Your shoes will take you for a RIDEWhen you put NIKE in drive, written in pink lettering, along with a pink and flower on each side. The suspect was also carrying two cell phones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information on the suspect or incident is asked to contact Detective Perrington at 863-207-8700 or DPerrington@Auburndalefl.com. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000, tips can be made to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-8477 or online at www.P3tips.com. Copyright 2025 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 WFLA. Pete Hegseths controversial nomination as defense secretary moved a step closer to confirmation with the Senate Armed Services Committee recommending him to the job on party lines. U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., voted Monday against Hegseth, citing a lack of managerial experience and concerning personal issues. Hegseth advanced out of the committee on a 14-13 vote and now moves to the Senate as a whole. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has sought swift confirmation for President Donald Trumps Cabinet picks, including the Hegseth nomination, which has been freighted with complaints of excessive drinking, poor oversight and allegations of a sexual assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelly, a member of the committee that has oversight of the Pentagon, has consistently struck a worried tone regarding Hegseths fitness for the position. On Monday, he came down against Hegseth. The Secretary of Defense is one of the most important roles for keeping our country safe and we need someone who is ready to step into the job and succeed on day one, Kelly said in a written statement after the vote. Pete Hegseth doesnt bring the kind of experience that prepares someone to do this massive job, and he was unable to answer direct questions at his hearing about concerning personal issues. Ill be voting against his nomination. Whether its Pete Hegseth or someone else, Ill always work with the Secretary of Defense to support Arizonas defense installations and strengthen our national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kellys opposition was months in the making. Last week he asked Hegseth about some of the concerns hes had with his nomination and received evasive answers. Its clear to me that youre not being honest with us or the American people because you know the truth would disqualify you from getting the job, Kelly said near the end of his five minutes of questions. Arizona politics: How Trump's actions on energy could worsen climate change in Arizona Kelly tried to get Hegseth, a former Fox News broadcaster, to acknowledge a legal settlement stemming from an alleged sexual assault of one of his female staffers by a male staffer whom Hegseth took to a strip club in Louisiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was not involved in that, Hegseth said. I dont know the nature of how that played out. Kelly rattled off a string of events in which Hegseth allegedly appeared drunk with his staff. Anonymous smears, Hegseth said repeatedly. It typified the reception Hegseth received from Democrats, who hit him with questions on his long-held views that women should not be involved in combat duty, his marital infidelity in an organization where that is forbidden and drunkenness. Republicans on the committee focused on his service record in the military and an agenda expected to end woke policies in the Biden administration they maintain have left troops unready. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth was investigated but not charged with rape in a 2017 incident that he maintains involved consensual sex in his hotel room. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Pete Hegseth defense secretary nomination advances in Senate WRIGHTSTOWN, Wis. (WFRV)A petition seeking to recall school board president Angela Hansen-Winker is circulating in Wrightstown. School board member Rayn Warner said he started the petition last month after community members reached out to him. He said they already have over 700 signatures and need 1206 to trigger a recall. He said theyre hoping to reach that number by Feb. 14. The petition lists over 20 allegations against Hansen-Winker. Among them, are allegations that she misused district funds for legal fees and used the districts legal counsel for her personal matters. He claims that Hansen-Winker called the districts attorney so many times that district officials had to increase their budget for attorney fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also claimed that Hansen-Winker could have avoided incurring these extra fees for the district by utilizing legal services provided by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. According to its website, it appears that the organization does offer fee-based attorney-client legal services. I have never used district resources for personal use at all, period, said Hansen-Winker. Any information that suggests this is demonstrably and unequivocally false. The main ones the ones that call into question whether she violated any laws or ethical duties those are completely false, using resources for personal gain those are unequivocally false, said Jen DeMaster who is Hansen-Winkers attorney. DeMaster said she was struck by the number of different allegations against her client in the petition. She said many of them are personal grievances or so vague that Hansen-Winker doesnt even know what they refer to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warner alleges in the petition that Hansen-Winker has violated several board policies. She doesnt allow all Board members to add items to the agenda She took a picture of a sign-in sheet at a Board meeting which contained a Board members personal information. She selectively disseminates information to Board members related to matters discussed at meetings. She changed the location of a Board meeting last minute without proper notification. DeMaster said this happened because there was a meeting already taking place in the room where they scheduled their meeting. She said Hansen-Winker held the meeting in another room in the same building down the hall. Warner said she doesnt run a respectful, timely, and productive meeting. She limits discussion among Board members on items on the agenda. Warner said Hansen-Winkers behavior during workshops and Board meetings isnt professional, saying she often raises her voice, telling members they are out of line for asking questions, calling motions to silence conversation, and grandstanding her opinion saying it is on behalf of the Board. Hansen-Winker told Local 5 News that the problem with these allegations is that theyre not only false but for many of them she doesnt even know what Warner is talking about when he accuses her of these things. She said any notion that shes difficult to work with is misplaced. Communities across northern Wisconsin gather to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I have never been difficult to work with, and I want the board to work together for the students, she said. I care about the students, rules, and laws, and I just do not believe in agreeing with whatever the loudest voice orders me to do if I dont believe it is in the best interests of the students or community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her lawyer said its inappropriate to try to recall somebody simply because you dont like working with that person. She says doing so sets a dangerous precedent. Warner also alleges that Hansen-Winker wasnt transparent with the Board and started an investigation into the superintendent without their approval. He said having to deal with the investigation then impeded the superintendent from doing his job. Superintendent Andy Space announced at the end of last month that he would retire early. As school board president, I am authorized to permit independent internal investigations into concerns that could potentially harm our students and community, said Hansen-Winker. This provision is generally in place to avoid inference with independent investigations by those who may be involved in the subjects of any such investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hansen-Winker claims that Warner is retaliating against her for helping to pass policies that he didnt agree with. In particular, she said when she recently abstained on a vote to adopt Title IX rules until the district received more information this angered Warner. Warner said the recall petition wasnt done to retaliate against Hansen-Winker. Lack of transparency with the full Board, on how things are getting handled how things are getting spent when it comes to our legal fees, he said when asked why he started the petition. The reason behind (all of this) is theyre personally attacking me because they cant win the real issues, Hansen-Winker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extreme Cold Warning: Temperatures drop even more overnight Warner also said that she spoke on behalf of the Board at a political event at the Brown County Fair which to him represents a conflict of interests. Hansen-Winker said she attended a NEW Patriots (a conservative group) event. She said this was before she was the Boards president and she never made a speech at this event. There is no merit to the allegations, there is no credible evidence theyre purely attacks and political grievances, personal assaults, she said. I have done nothing but work countless hours on research and trying to understand state statute, Department of Public Instruction rules and regulations, attending Wisconsin School Board Association training, attended leadership courses, and board governance courses to try to figure out how to get the board back together (after she believes all this drama fractured it). Warner said the petition has already received over 700 signatures. Citizen groups have also formed that want to recall Hansen-Winker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her attorney said theres no legal course to stop the petition. However, they feel like if they can get correct information out there people will either not sign the petition anymore or ask for their name to get crossed off the petition if they had previously signed it. They said they hoped that if they could provide the community with facts, the petition would not reach the requisite number of signatures for a recall to occur. I believe its the right thing to do because I believe we need to be focusing on our kids so that they have a school district that theyre proud to be a part of, Warner said. I would ask the community to still give me your trust because I will do everything I possibly can to make sure that this district and our Board continues to serve those students, said Hansen-Winker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the recall petition has taken a toll on her and her family. She said she has a child in the district and that another one just graduated from the district. Anything that Ive ever done Ive taken very seriously, Ive put my whole heart into it and Im there to serve the students and the district, she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. (Bloomberg) -- President Gustavo Petro will appoint top aide, 30-year-old Laura Sarabia, as Colombias next foreign affairs minister, one the youngest-ever officials to assume the role. Most Read from Bloomberg Sarabia, widely considered to be Petros right-hand woman, has gained prominence in the administration as a mediator between the public and private sector. Shell replace Luis Gilberto Murillo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Colombias presidency published Sarabias resume on its website as an applicant for the foreign minister role, a common procedure before senior public officials take on a new role. A political scientist, Sarabia will navigate the nations relationship with newly-inaugurated US president Donald Trump, who has pledged to step up the war against drugs as Colombias cocaine production reaches historic highs. She will also play a key role in advancing political talks in Venezuela, which faces a political crisis following Nicolas Maduros 2024 reelection in a vote that was widely regarded as fraudulent. Petro is reshuffling his cabinet as his administration struggles to rein in the fiscal deficit following lower-than-expected tax revenue and higher public spending. The government is now being forced to carry out significant budget cuts, hurting Petros promises to boost social spending and increase subsidies which helped him get elected as Colombias first leftist leader. Before joining Petros campaign, Sarabia worked for former Colombia ambassador to Venezuela Armando Benedetti. She survived a scandal in 2023 when a woman Sarabia employed as a nanny said she had been improperly subjected to a polygraph near the presidential palace over missing money. Sarabia temporarily left the government before Petro brought her back in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Jan. 20WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) released the following statement celebrating the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance. "Today, America witnessed history. The 60th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony of the United States of America was marked by hope, as we look forward to the renewal of America under President Trump and Vice President Vance. President Trump delivered an inspirational message to the American people during his inaugural address in which he promised that he will make America respected again, prosperous again, and proud again. President Trump doubled down on the promises he made to the American people that will put America first. "For the past four years, Americans have been on the back burner and thankfully, that changes today. President Trump has already taken decisive action that will secure our border, unleash American energy, restore competence and effectiveness to our government, demolish censorship, dismantle a flawed government policy of engineering race and gender into everything, and much more. President Trump has heard the cries from the American people who want real change, who want a government that values their safety and well-being over that of illegal aliens or foreign countries. I am eager to work with the President to implement these policies and bring Texas values to Washington, DC. As President Trump said, 'Our country stands on the verge of the greatest four years in American history.' It is a new day in America!" WASHINGTON Thousands of people came to the nations capital this weekend, ready to party or protest despite the bitterly cold temperatures. A number of progressive groups held marches around the country to protest President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration, with a Peoples March held in Washington on Saturday. It was planned by many of the same groups that organized the 2017 Womens March, which had a far larger turnout. Trump supporters headed into the city over the weekend in advance of the main inauguration ceremony and balls Monday, with a number of parties and a large rally at Capital One Arena. Because of the frigid weather forecast for Monday, the Trump team decided to move the swearing-in ceremony indoors, into the U.S. Capitol, forcing many supporters to adjust their plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at how Americans are gearing up for a second Trump term. (Erin Trieb for NBC News) Simran Singh Jain, left, drove from North Carolina to join her organization, Sister Song, a women of color reproductive justice collective, at the protest Saturday. The reason why Im here is because I dont want to move backwards, Jain said. Being able to be out here and see this community gives me hope. Being able to see this and remind myself that we are the majority ... it gets me riled up in a good way. A new day has come, said Leslie Simek, right, who came from New York and was at Capitol One Arena to support Trump. "Im very excited about the next four years. ... I really feel Donald Trump is going to unite the country for real this time, and were going to have new days, better days, coming forward. Im very happy to see the borders secured. I feel the borders should be secured, and I want no tax on overtime. Anti-Trump protesters gather in Washington to express support for progressive causes and reject his inauguration in the "People's March" on Saturday. Thousands gather outside Capital One Arena in hope of attending the Trump rally Sunday. Protesters at the "People's March" on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black man holds up his fist and shouts. (Erin Trieb for NBC News) Eli Adams, a Trump supporter from the San Francisco Bay Area, said he was excited that the inauguration coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The highlight of this weekend for me, honestly, has been that [this] has happened on Martin Luther King Day and that Im a Black male thats experiencing this transition of power," he said. "I would call it a Civil Rights Era 2.0, and thats what I feel like Trump is to the African American party. Hes reimagining how we should be, our protections, our liberties and our faith in this country. And I trust him. I voted for Obama in 08; my family has been Democrats. ... I saw how things were greatly imbalanced. And once I saw that, I saw that Trump was a voice to bring back balance. Left: two, Black, queer, trans drag artists. Right: two white men in American flag overalls. (Erin Trieb for NBC News) Bombshell Monroe, left, and Silver Ware Sidora, are from Washington, D.C., and wanted to turn out to the People's March to show solidarity with groups that may be targeted under Trump. When one persons right or one group is under attack, were all under attack. And thats why were here, fighting for ourselves, for our allies, for the other people that are under attack, as well. They deserve that solidarity and that fight, Monroe said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sidora added, We are two Black, queer, trans drag artists; wed be stupid not to be out here, to be completely honest, because if they start knocking people over the head, were going to be some of the first people to go. On the opposite end of the political spectrum, brothers Jacob and Luke Pembroke showed up at 7:30 a.m. in hope of getting into the Trump rally at Capital One on Sunday. We were hoping to get in ... to see Mr. Trump, but by the looks of it I dont think were going to get there, so were going to head out and go get some food and sit down after being out here for nine hours," Jacob said. Mary James, of North Carolina. I'm part of the movement, I'm an activist, I came eight years ago, and I couldn't resist coming again." Left: A large crowd gather with the Lincoln Memorial in the background. Right: Crowd of people look through a glass door. (Maansi Srivastava and Lili Kobeilski for NBC News) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A coalition of liberal advocacy groups rallied at the Lincoln Memorial for the Peoples March on Saturday. The groups focus on democracy, immigration, anti-militarism, climate, racial and civil rights, womens rights, gender equality and LGBTQ rights. On Sunday, thousands gather outside the Capital One Area in hopes of attending a Trump rally. The Lil' and Elite Wranglers, from College Station, Texas, practice a dance routine Saturday before they performed at the All American Inaugural Ball. Cynthia Magoon, 60, and Jenni Pfafman, 57, left, pose with "pussy hats" during the Peoples March at the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday. They came from Seattle and Colorado. Partners Hayden Spencer, 16, and Izzie Jensen, 16, right, pose at the rally. Trump supporters celebrated at the All American Inaugural Ball at the Hyatt Regency on Saturday. Progressives gather at the Peace Ball at the Mead Center for American Theater at the Arena Stage in Washington on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sandie Fiedler and Stacy Galvin. "We love Trump. I live in New Jersey. She lives in Pulaski, upstate New York, and we've been friends. And Trump kind of brought us back together, because I hadn't seen her in a long time. We just decided that we couldn't miss this. So she traveled to New Jersey, and I drove from New Jersey to here," Sandie said. Left: Young man with Trump hat holding a food and drink. Right: Mother and her trans son sit on the ground outside and hold a sign that reads, "Let us be." (Erin Trieb for NBC News) Austin, who asked that his last name not be disclosed, came from St. Louis. I was here for Roe v. Wade protests back in 2022, and I love watching history," he said. "I love seeing the government in action, and I think its something you can only see once in your lifetime, so its a really fun thing. America First. Wendy Holt and her son, Adam, 15, who is trans, came to speak out for LGBTQ rights. We came to just fight for all the people who have got their rights that are going to be at stake through this administration, particularly trans rights, Wendy Holt said. Im trans, so Im a little scared for my rights, Adam said. Trump supporters at the All American Inaugural Ball. Progressives at the Peace Ball. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump at a rally at Capital One Arena on Sunday. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com MCCOMB, Miss. (WJTV) Parts of South Mississippi experienced a wintry mix on Tuesday. Snow began falling in McComb Tuesday morning. Several businesses in the city closed due to the winter weather. Rare winter storm brings snow to Mississippi Coast Officials with the Pike County Emergency Management encouraged neighbors to stay home and off the roads. Just stay inside and stay warm as best you can. Hopefully, we wont have any power outages. You know, usually when you have snow, powerlines come down, but were not expected to get ice, freezing rain or ice. So hopefully, our power will stay up. And just stay warm as best you can. Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly, make sure theyre okay, said Tina Reed with the Pike County Emergency Management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the snow melts as the sun comes out on Wednesday, there is a possibility that it could freeze and become ice as temperatures drop. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Weather Forecast Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) A deep freeze continues across the Mid-Atlantic. Much of Southwest and Central Virginia will stay below the freezing mark through Wednesday. Area-wide Cold Weather Advisories are in effect through midday on Wednesday. Extreme Cold Warnings are in place for Grayson, Bath, Highland, northwestern Pocahontas, and western Greenbrier counties. When factoring in the wind, it will feel like 15 below zero for parts of the New River Valley and Alleghany Highlands. Wind chills as low as 10 below zero are possible elsewhere. For Tuesday, afternoon temperatures will reach the teens and 20s. More cloud cover will be overhead for the day. Light upslope snow showers are possible toward the mountains of West Virginia. Some flurries may travel further east. A storm system will move across the Southeastern U.S. Tuesday night into Wednesday, bringing snow to the Carolinas and eastern Virginia. Some of the snow could approach Southside Tuesday evening. A dusting to half an inch of snow is possible in locations east of Danville, but the potential for accumulating snowfall is low. Increasing sunshine is slated for Wednesday but it will still be bitterly cold. Morning lows will be in the lower teens and single digits with wind chill values in the single digits and below zero. Afternoon temperatures will reach the teens and 20s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A gradual warming trend will occur for the latter half of the week. For Thursday, a mix of sun and clouds will be overhead. Morning temperatures will start in the frigid teens and single digits. However, highs will be in the near to above-freezing 30s. Some scattered upslope snow showers are possible toward the western mountains late Friday. Otherwise, more clouds are expected across Southwest and Central Virginia. Afternoon temperatures will reach the 30s. Near-average temperatures are anticipated for the weekend. For Saturday and Sunday, highs will be in the 40s. Morning lows will still be below the freezing mark. Copyright 2025 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 WFXRtv. PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Pittsfield Fire Department put out a structure fire at a two-story home on Holmes Road Monday evening. Pittsfield Fire Department Deputy Chief Neil Myers said that at approximately 4:57 p.m., the department received a report regarding a potential structure fire at 120 Holmes Road. Several 911 calls were directed to Dispatch at the time, and a rapid intervention team was requested to accompany crews at the location of the fire. Six without home after fire on Woodmont Street in Springfield Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When firefighters arrived at the home, they noticed that several windows were covered with plywood, which made them unsure whether the home was occupied. Pittsfield Fire said that heavy smoke and fire were rising through to the second floor of the house and that crews were inhibited by a large couch and shelves that blocked the hallway in the room where the fire had started. Although the water supply was briefly interrupted due to a frozen hydrant, another hydrant was located and Pittsfield firefighters were able to control the fire within 15-20 minutes. Pittsfield Fire said that the occupant of the home arrived about an hour after firefighters initially arrived at the house. The fire caused no injuries to the occupant or to fire personnel. Holmes Road was temporarily closed on Monday evening and Pittsfield police assisted with traffic control. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A Poland man pleaded guilty Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to his second felony charge for driving while impaired. Read next: 15 teens, 2 guns and empty tequila bottles found in hotel search: Report Patrick Paris, 58, entered his plea before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum to a charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a third-degree felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A specification in the charge says that Paris is accused of having cocaine in his blood when he was arrested July 11 in Boardman by troopers with the Canfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Sentencing will be set after a presentencing investigation is completed. In 2016, court records show Paris was charged in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court with a third-degree felony OVI because of previous offenses following an arrest by Vienna Township Police. In that case, court records show he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Copyright 2025 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. TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. (WFLA) One person was killed, and multiple suspects were at large following a shooting in Tarpon Springs Monday night. Officers with the Tarpon Springs Police Department said they received reports of a shooting at an apartment complex on Starlight Cove around 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20. 26-year-old woman killed after striking abandoned car on I-275 Once at the complex, police found a person that was unresponsive and began administering first aid. The person was then taken to HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital. Authorities said the person died from their injuries while at the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department was withholding the victims identification Monday night as officers worked to notify the individuals next of kin. Authorities said they were still in the beginning phases of the investigation Monday. As of 10:40 p.m., multiple suspects remained at large. However, police said the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident and that there was no further threat to the public. Anyone with information in reference to the incident is asked to contact Det. Melton at 727-938-2849. This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WFLA. SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) Santa Fe and New Mexico State Police arrested an alleged repeat shoplifter at a Target store on Monday. Carlos Vigil, 36, of Santa Fe, was met by police as he was leaving Target with a cart with stolen items inside, police said. Target Loss Prevention called police after reportedly seeing Vigil at the self-checkout registers, scanning and bagging some of the items in his cart but not all. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Vigil attempted to flee from Target but was met by State Police officers. The total amount of stolen and recovered items was valued at $522.40. Vigil was arrested and charged with felony shoplifting (over $500) and resisting arrest. Police said he had an active arrest warrant for his previous arrest on Jan. 5. During that incident, he was arrested for another felony shoplifting offense at Target and charged with shoplifting (over $500), resisting, evading an officer (3 counts), and concealing identity. The total amount of stolen and recovered items on Jan. 5 was valued at $739.34. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vigil was booked into the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. A Utah man was shot dead by police while stabbing his parents to death inside their home earlier this month. Police in West Valley City, Utah released body camera footage on Monday that showed Erik Bertelsen repeatedly stabbing one of his parents on the floor of their basement on New Year's Day, when officers entered and demanded he drop the knife. Bertelsen, 35, did not comply. An officer then fired two shots, killing the Utah man, who fell forward over the bodies of his parents on the ground, according to body cam footage reviewed by PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bertelsens parents Terrie Bertelsen, 63, and Kerry Bertelsen, 67 were pronounced dead at the scene, according to local station KUTV. Officers arrived at the West Valley City home around 5:20 p.m., shortly after dispatchers received a 911 call from the house in which the caller could be heard screaming before not responding to the dispatchers questions. The dispatcher "heard a commotion" on the line, but couldn't collect information on the caller, West Valley City Police Deputy Chief Mike Fossmo said at a press conference on Monday. Afterwards, Fossmo said, the dispatcher "left the line open and sent officers to the home." KSL-TV reported earlier Monday that police learned of a confrontation between the son and his parents, though investigators have not made clear what Bertelsen's motive may have been in stabbing his parents to death. KSL-TV reported that the 35-year-old Bertelsen had a lengthy criminal history, with his most recent arrest occurring on Dec. 22, 2024, after running down a local road in his underwear and later telling police he had used a lot of meth, according to the outlet. 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. KSL-TV also reported that the Bertelsens' son had previously been convicted on two counts of aggravated assault, spending nine months in the Salt Lake County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outlet reported that Bertelsen had threatened to kill people at a party he was hosting at his parents' residence in 2019 and was convicted of kidnapping in 2020 after threatening to kill his then-girlfriend and not letting her leave his parents' house. West Valley City Police Chief Colleen Jacobs said at the Monday press conference that police had been sent out to the home on previous occasions. She called the incident a tragedy when asked about the body cam footage on Monday. I see a tragedy, with the parties involved, and for the officers involved as well, Jacobs told reporters. It was very traumatic event for the officers, Jacobs added, but they are pulling through. Read the original article on People CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Police in Franklin County are investigating a stabbing that occurred during a reported shooting on Saturday, Jan. 18. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, officers responded to a report of a shooting in the area of Barkley Village in Hamilton Township around 4 p.m. on Saturday. Police said a victim reported they were stabbed during the incident. Close Thanks for signing up! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nittany Insiders The victims current condition is unknown. Police have yet to announce any suspects or arrests. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Police are investigating after receiving reports of a shooting in Dayton Monday night. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The shooting was reported near the area of W Riverview Avenue and Kumler Avenue at approximately 8:09 p.m., according to a Montgomery County dispatch supervisor. TRENDING STORIES: Video from iWitness 7 reporters shows a large police presence a few blocks north in the 400 block of Lexington Avenue. Several Dayton police cruisers are on scene and crime scene tape is blocking the area. The dispatch supervisor could not confirm if this was related to the initial shooting call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional information was not immediately available. News Center 7 is working to learn more information and will continue to update this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] WASHINGTON Current and former police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol from President Donald Trumps mob on Jan. 6, 2021, were outraged Monday by Trumps mass pardon of the rioters. Today is another dark day in American history and a continuation of the stain that January 6th left on our nation, former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn said in a statement. I am infuriated, but not surprised in the slightest. We cant pretend to be shocked because Trump has fulfilled his longstanding promise to pardon the criminals he incited to attack me and my fellow officers. The Justice Department charged more than 1,500 people with crimes for attacking the Capitol that day, including hundreds for interfering with or assaulting law enforcement. Dozens of officers suffered injuries that day; five officers died afterward, one from a stroke and four by suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, in one of his first acts as president, Trump offered clemency to all involved, commuting the sentences of 14 offenders who orchestrated the storming of the Capitol and offering a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to a release from the White House. This is a miserable miscarriage of justice and erases accountability for the criminals who have done irreparable damage to our nation, Former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell said in statement. The scars of January 6, 2021 are seared in my mind and body, and I will never truly recover from the events of that day. Dunn and Gonell have been outspoken critics of Trump for inciting the riot and pledging to pardon members of the mob. Dunn left the Capitol Police for an unsuccessful bid for a U.S. House seat in Maryland; Gonell said he left due to injuries sustained on Jan. 6, including to his shoulder and foot. Both have partnered with a liberal group called Courage for America to warn against Trumps embrace of political violence. Current D.C. police officer Daniel Hodges offered a more understated reaction to the pardons Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just worked about 14 hours making sure Trumps inauguration was secure and peaceful, got home, read this, Hodges said on social media. Thanks America. Related... OGDENSBURG, N.Y. (WWTI) A late-morning police pursuit in St. Lawrence County finished with a car crashing into a house. According to the Ogdensburg Police Department, St. Lawrence County Sheriffs initiated a traffic stop around 11:15 a.m. Monday, January 20 just outside the City of Ogdensburg. St. Lawrence County woman facing multiple drug possession charges The alleged suspects vehicle did not comply with deputy and entered the city driving northbound on New York Avenue at a high rate of speed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to authorities, the suspects vehicle allegedly struck an uninvolved vehicle, exited the roadway and crashed into a residence on New York Avenue. Multiple agencies responded to the residence, but the only injury was a minor cut to the drivers hand. The identity of the driver has yet to be released and the investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2025 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 WWTI - InformNNY.com. Go behind the headlines as NewsNations Missing investigates missing person cases from across the country, from cold cases to the latest developing stories. Tune into our latest cases digital show each Friday when we speak to loved ones and examine the case. Subscribe to our newsletter here. (NewsNation) The family of a Missouri mother missing for 25 years has renewed hope in the search for Nicole Gray. Gray went out to buy Christmas presents in 1999 and simply vanished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say they are reexamining the cold case and believe foul play may have been a factor. Warrants suggest Madalina Cojocari may have been sexually exploited Missing a mothers love Kendra Young, Grays daughter, who was only 8 at the time, hopes shell finally learn what happened to her mom. Its hard, just being a mother, not knowing if youre doing it right because you didnt have a mother, she said. My kids didnt get to meet their grandmother. I dont get to grow old with my mom. Nicole Gray was a mother of four. (Kendra Young) Nicole Gray was last seen running errands in 1999. (Kendra Young) Police now believe foul play may have been involved in Nicole Grays disappearance. (Kendra Young) Nicole Grays car was found near a mall but she was never located. (Kendra Young) Police have not said whether they found Nicole Grays belongings. (Kendra Young) Young hopes old photos will jog someones memory. She says Gray was someone people remember. She wore a lot of jewelry, she was light-complected, she always had her hair done, Young said. [She was] kind of loud, she dressed to impress, but to know her was to love her. When she was in a room, you knew. Nicole Gray disappears Gray disappeared from St. Ann, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis on Dec. 17, 1999. The 30-year-old mother of four said she was going to run errands before attending a Christmas party at her kids school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 missing girls believed to be in danger in New York But she never made it to the party. Police said Grays Ford Explorer was found at what was then the Northwest Plaza mall that night, but there was no sign of Gray. Have a question about the case? Join the conversation by submitting it on this page and we may answer it in the show. You can watch new episodes of Missing every Friday on our YouTube page. Submit a form. Young had just turned 8 when her mom disappeared. I dont really think I took it in at that age. I just knew she wasnt there, but the absence really hit me in adult life, Young said. Youre just kind of like, dang, I just miss my momma, and its a lot of milestones, a lot of firsts, and its been hard. A new look at Nicole Grays case Now, 25 years later, police say theyre taking a new look at the case, saying Gray may have been a victim of foul play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been too long, Young said. Before I leave this Earth, I want to know what happened to my mother. She was a mother of four, she had neices, nephews, siblings. Two missing Ohio children found in Iceland Young has created a Facebook page where she has been posting updates, sharing photos, making videos and doing anything she can to get the word out. While she holds out some hope her mom might still be alive, Young just wants anyone with information to come forward so her family can have some peace, no matter where those answers lead. Even if Gray is gone, Young would at least be able to give her a proper burial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe I could go visit a gravesite and plant a tree in her name, she said. St. Ann police did not respond to NewsNation. Investigators have never said if they found any of Grays belongings, like her purse or ID, or if they were able to retrace her steps that day. Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Ann, Missouri, police department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. On Monday, Maryland Heights police released new details about a chase that ended with an officer hit by a car and a teenage driver shot. An eyewitness cell phone video showed detectives walking around two stolen cars used in a weekend crime spree. They did not come to work that night expecting to be involved in a shooting and one officer in particular did not expect to be assaulted and hit by the driver of a stolen vehicle, Maryland Heights Police Chief Bill Carson said. It all started when Maryland Heights officers tried to track down three different stolen cars that had reportedly been used in other crimes. Chief Carson said the cars, a gold Hyundai Sonata and two Kias, were recently stolen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Maryland Heights police officer spotted both Kias exiting 270 onto Dorsett Road. The officer got behind the vehicles, turned on his lights and sirens, and attempted to stop them, he said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News The chief said two of the cars turned onto Jonesdale Court, where one of the Kias ended up in a front yard and the driver took off running. It should be noted that the drivers of both vehicles were wearing ski masks, Carson said. The other stolen Kia then swerved toward the officer, the chief said. That officer fired his weapon just before being hit by the car. Two other officers at that point also fired their weapons, he said. The officer that was hit by the car was thrown into the air, slammed into a parked car, and fell to the pavement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other officers gave the teen driver first aid while waiting for an ambulance. Anytime a 16-year-old is shot, it is sad and tragic, Carson said. Police arrested the other driver, who is only 15 years old. The officer that was hit wasnt seriously injured. Police are still searching for the gold Sonata. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The two leading political parties reacted in partisan fashion Monday afternoon following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the nations 47th president. Trump took his oath of office inside the US Capitol as DC dealt with bitter cold temperatures throughout the day. The twice-elected president spoke for half an hour before a crowd of around 600 people. He promised to unify the country, saying in part, National unity is now returning to America and confidence and pride is soaring like never before in everything we do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump pardons nearly all Jan. 6 rioters on first day of presidency But he also spent part of his remarks seemingly criticizing his predecessor, never specifically addressing Joe Biden by name. We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad, said Trump. Matt Mercer, communications director for North Carolinas GOP argued that criticism was a reflection of how voters felt when they elected Trump back in November. QCNEWS.COM MORE POLITICAL NEWS I think hes pointing out the problems that I think most people feel, even folks I think who may have voted for Kamala Harris didnt feel like things were going well in our country, said Mercer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DNC Deputy Executive Director Roger Lau argued just the opposite, that Trumps remarks and the guests in attendance on Monday revealed the presidents true allegiances. Sitting alongside him as he was taking that oath of office was not who you would normally think, he was standing alongside billionaires, tech oligarchs, people who are going to be coming into his administration, said Lau. Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Voters in the North Charleston area will head to the polls Tuesday for a special primary election to fill a vacant seat in the South Carolina House. Three women Michelle Brandt, Kim Clark, and Courtney Waters are seeking the Democratic nomination for House District 113, which covers much of North Charleston and a small portion of Summerville. Three women seeking open South Carolina House seat Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whoever wins Tuesdays primary is slated to run unopposed in a March 25 special election to replace former Democratic state Rep. Marvin Pendarvis, who resigned last September amid an investigation into his law practice. Officials said Monday the primary contest would be held as scheduled despite the threat of winter weather. No changes to polling locations or hours are expected. We urge all voters to stay mindful of the weather and take necessary precautions when traveling to and from their polling location, a Jan. 20 post from the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections stated. Your safety and participation are both incredibly important to us. Thank you for making your voice heard and being a part of the electoral process. Eligible voters can cast a ballot in-person on Tuesday by visiting their assigned polling location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. To find your polling place, please click here. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Charleston County elections headquarters by 7 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-3rd) settles in to her Capitol Hill office on Jan. 3, 2025, just hours after getting the keys to the place. (Photo by Steve Crane/Maryland Matters) As she prepared to transition from her six years in the Maryland Senate to her new position in Congress, U.S. Rep. Sarah K. Elfreth (D-3rd) became a major benefactor to fellow Democrats. One of her new colleagues, freshman Rep. Johnny Olszewski Jr. (D-2nd), may be poised to become an even bigger donor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New campaign finance records submitted last week to the Maryland State Board of Elections showed that Elfreth steered $122,500 from her state campaign account to fellow Democratic candidates and causes in the months after she won the May Democratic primary for the open congressional seat. Elfreth couldnt use that account, which contained $140,241 last January, for her congressional bid, which she launched in November 2023. Elfreth raised and spent about $2.1 million to win the race to replace former U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D) in the 3rd District this November. Elfreths ability to play financial angel for her fellow Democrats isnt all that unusual. Dozens of former state elected officials keep campaign fundraising committees open well after theyve left office. And some drain their campaign funds by aiding fellow politicians. A year ago, former state Sen. Melony G. Griffith (D-Prince Georges) donated $140,000 from her state campaign funds to fellow Democrats after resigning to become president of the Maryland Hospital Association. Over the past year, campaign records show, she doled out another $32,281 to political candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But depending on what he decides to do with his surplus state campaign money, Olszewski, who like Elfreth was elected to the U.S. House in November, could become one of the biggest Maryland politician donors to fellow state political leaders in recent memory. Olszewski, who previously served as Baltimore County executive, spent about $1.3 million in federal campaign funds to win the race to replace former U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D). But he retains more than $1.7 million in his state campaign account, which he established to run for county executive in 2018. Olszewski did not distribute any campaign money from his state war chest to fellow politicians over the past year, according to his campaign finance report. He did contribute $1,000 in the fall to the Maryland League of Conservation Voters where his wife works to sponsor an event. Federal campaign finance law prevents candidates for federal office from using campaign funds theyve amassed in state campaign funds, except for a few discrete purposes. The candidates do have the option of returning money to state campaign account contributors and asking them to donate anew to their federal campaign committees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elfreth is now sitting on $13,458 in her state campaign fund. Marylands new U.S. senator, Angela Alsobrooks (D), after winning a multimillion-dollar race for her Senate seat, retained $121,755 in her state campaign account as of Jan. 8, which she retained from her prior campaigns for Prince Georges County executive. She did not parcel any of that money out to political candidates in the past year. Elfreth in the past year made the following contributions to fellow Democrats, according to her latest campaign finance report. Most were to candidates within her congressional district: $6,000 to the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee $500 to House Ways and Means Chair Vanessa E. Atterbeary (D-Howard) $1,000 to Del. Heather Bagnall (D-Anne Arundel) $1,000 to Del. J. Sandy Bartlett (D-Anne Arundel) $1,000 to Dylan Behler, a member of the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee who has applied to fill a vacancy in the House of Delegates $4,000 to Sen. Pamela Beidle (D-Anne Arundel) $500 to Annapolis Alderman Brooks Schandelmeier (D) $3,000 to the Carroll County Democratic Central Committee $6,000 to Howard County Board of Education member Andrea Chamblee $2,000 to Del. Mark S. Chang (D-Anne Arundel) $25,000 to the Maryland Senate Democratic Caucus Committee $500 to Anne Arundel County Board of Education member Gloria Dent $5,000 to Carroll County Board of Education candidate Muri Dueppen $1,000 to Del. Jessica Feldmark (D-Howard) $500 to Prince Georges County Councilmember Wanika Fisher (D) $1,000 to Freedom in Reproduction-Maryland $1,500 to Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson (D) $1,000 to Annapolis mayoral candidate Jared Littman (D) $500 to Annapolis Alderwoman Karma ONeill (D) $500 to Westminster Mayor Mona Becker $1,000 to Annapolis Alderwoman and mayoral candidate Rhonda Pindell Charles (D) $1,000 to Howard County States Attorney Richard Gibson (D) $4,000 to Sen. Dawn Gile (D-Anne Arundel) $1,000 to Howard County Sheriff Marcus Harris (D) $2,000 to Sen. Katie Fry Hester (D-Howard and Montgomery) $1,000 to the House Democratic Caucus Campaign Committee $500 to Anne Arundel County Councilmember Julie Hummer (D) $500 to Annapolis Alderman Harry Huntley (D) $5,000 to Del. Dana Jones (D-Anne Arundel) $6,000 to Carroll County Board of Education candidate Amanda Jozkowski $1,000 to the Keep Our Judges 2024 Slate $1,000 to Anne Arundel States Attorney Anne Colt Leitess (D) $2,500 to Howard County Board of Education member Jennifer Mallo $6,000 to the Maryland Democratic Party $500 to Anne Arundel County Board of Education member Sarah McDermott $6,000 to Anne Arundel County Board of Education member Erica McFarland $3,000 to Anne Arundel County Councilmember and county executive candidate Allison Pickard (D) $2,500 to Del. Andrew Pruski (D-Anne Arundel) $500 to Howard County Board of Education member Margaret Ricks $4,000 to Anne Arundel County Board of Education member Dana Schallheim $1,000 to Slate for Student Success $4,000 to Anne Arundel County Board of Education member Joanne Bache Tobin $2,000 to Del. Courtney Watson (D-Howard) $500 to Del. Jheanelle K. Wilkins (D-Montgomery) $4,000 to Anne Arundel County Board of Education candidate Jeremy York Beyond the former state and local officials now serving in Congress, several former state elected officials are keeping their campaign funds open. Under state law, they are allowed to keep their campaign committees open for eight years after theyve last held office or eight years since they were last on a state or local ballot. They are able to distribute funds to other political committees, to charities, to local boards of education, to state institutions of higher education, or to the states Fair Campaign Fund, which offers public financing to gubernatorial candidates who seek it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes these excess campaign funds can be highly controversial. When former Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith (D) left office in 2010, he retained $476,380 in his campaign committee. He transferred that money into the account of an entity known as the Baltimore County Victory Fund, which he then used to aid political allies. Most significantly, the committee provided a crucial $100,000 loan to Catherine Pugh (D), then a state senator running for mayor of Baltimore, as she was battling in a tough Democratic primary in 2016. Pugh won, and rewarded Smith with a six-figure job at City Hall. Griffith, the former state senator turned leader of the hospital association, did not give as much money to fellow politicians in the past year as she did the year before, though her campaign finance statement showed that she made contributions to at least 18 political candidates and entities, including $6,000 to the Maryland Democratic Party and $6,000 to House Appropriations Chair Ben Barnes (D-Prince Georges and Anne Arundel). Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several former state lawmakers who left the legislature after being appointed to top positions in state government by Gov. Wes Moore (D) continue to have open campaign accounts. Secretary of State Susan Lee, who spent two decades in the legislature, still had $271,290 in her war chest on Jan. 8, after donating $2,000 to Prince Georges Councilmember Jolene Ivey (D) and $1,000 to Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D) over the past year. Maryland Public Service Commission member Kumar P. Barve, who served in the House of Delegates from 1991 to 2023, retained $76,797 in his campaign account on Jan. 8. He made $8,250 in campaign donations over the past year, including $2,000 to the lieutenant governor. Another former longtime state lawmaker, Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul Pinsky, started 2024 with almost $100,000 in his old campaign account. But he donated $85,000 last year to a scholarship fund at the University of Maryland established in the name of his late wife, educator Joan Rothgeb. He still had $13,449 in the bank on Jan. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former state Sen. Jill P. Carter (D-Baltimore City) resigned early this month after Moore appointed her to the State Board of Contract Appeals. She had $89,989 in the bank on Jan. 8, and made $2,500 in donations to political committees after she resigned: $1,000 each to Dels. Gabriel Acevero (D-Montgomery) and Malcolm P. Ruff (D-Baltimore City) and $500 to Del. Caylin Young (D-Baltimore City). Ruff, who represents the same district Carter did, is seeking the appointment to replace her in the Senate. The members of the Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee from District 41 are meeting Tuesday evening to interview candidates and recommend a successor to Moore, who makes the appointment. Then theres State Treasurer Dereck Davis (D), a former state delegate who has broken with tradition by continuing to raise money for his campaign committee since he was appointed to the treasurers job by the General Assembly in late 2021. Thats perfectly legal, but rarely practiced. Most state treasurers are veteran officeholders whose elevation to treasurer is usually the culmination of a long career and they dont need to wage campaigns because theyre appointed by the legislature. But Davis has suggested that at age 57, he could still have one more political run in him, and wants to keep himself viable. Davis reported raising $43,525 between Jan. 11, 2024, and Jan. 8 of this year mostly from the same lobbyists and special interest groups that filled his campaign fund when he was chair of the powerful House Economic Matters Committee. Davis finished the reporting period with $37,564 on hand. He donated just $1,000 to political candidates over the past year. Twenty years from the advent of its Green Port Policy, the Port of Long Beach (POLB) is holding fast to its goal become the first zero-emissions gateway in the U.S. Port CEO Mario Cordero delivered his annual State of the Port address on Thursday, speaking to the operations efforts to leverage automation, electrification and green energy as it moves to improve air quality and biodiversity in the surrounding community. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2005, the Port has driven down diesel emissions (created by ships, trains and trucks) by 92 percent, nitrogen oxides (ozone-forming gases created by fossil-fuel guzzling cars, trucks and buses) by 71 percent, sulfur oxides (the colorless gases that create smog) by 98 percent and greenhouse gases by 17 percent, Cordero said. It was in January of that year that the Long Beach Harbor Commission adopted the Green Port Policy, which vowed to drive down the harmful environmental impacts of port operations to safeguard the health of people and animals living nearby. In his address, Cordero credited industry partners like marine terminal operators and dock workers for their help in addressing these impacts, largely through the adoption of cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices aimed at air and water health. No enterprise in Long Beach epitomizes the move away from fossil fuels to clean, alternative energy more than our Port, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said at the event. The Port is moving more cargo than ever before in ways that are cleaner than ever. Were electrifying port infrastructure, cargo-moving equipment, trucking and rail operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Green Port Policy was the result of a grassroots movement at its very best, added Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal. It was and still is about improving quality of life and being responsive to the needs of our residents and neighboring communities. The POLB advanced several of the programs key projects throughout 2024, Cordero said. In May, the Port teamed with Toyota Motor of North America and FuelCell Energy to open a first-of-its-kind Tri-gen system, which leverages biogases from landfills to generate renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen and usable water, which now support operations at Toyotas logistics services in Long Beach. Last fall, the Port saw the opening of its newest heavy-duty vehicle charging depot for Class-8 zero-emissions trucks built by 4 Gen Logistics. The facility, which is the largest of its kind at any North American port, contains 30 chargers designed to power up the vehicles quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two other charging depots also broke ground last year, and this week, the Port plans to add 44 more charging units during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Forum Mobility, Thus surpassing 100 public charging units in the Port, Cordero said. Thats more than any other port in the country. The POLB chief executive said he was encouraged by our drayage partners willingness to transform their fleets, with 457 electric trucks currently in operation at the Port. The Clean Truck Fund rate, which charges a fee of $10 per TEU loaded onto trucks leaving the port complex, has incentivized the transition and generated over $100 million that is funding the deployment of zero-emissions vehicles. About $60 million in funding has been distributed to support the purchase of new electric trucks and charging stations. During 2024, the Port also deepened its ties with the Ports of Shanghai and Singapore, with which it shares Green Shipping Corridor agreements. The trans-Pacific trade route is the most important international trade corridor and these ports are some of the busiest in the world, Cordero said. We believe these agreements demonstrate the promise of green shipping corridors where the new normal will be containers moving on modern ocean vessels powered by clean fuels. Many ocean carriers are now ordering ships that run on cleaner, lower-carbon emitting fuels like methanol and ammonia, while LNG-capable ships are also being prioritized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile an environmental review is currently taking place and community input is being solicited surrounding Pier Wind, a proposal to build a 400-acre terminal to assemble 1,100-foot-high floating offshore wind turbines which would be towed 20 to 30 miles off the coast of Central and Northern California. The turbines would propel Californias green-energy goals, and it could also generate $8 billion in labor income, $14.5 billion in economic output and $1.3 billion in state and local taxes between now and 2045, the POLB said in a statement. This project is among many that the Port is planning over the coming decade, projecting a spend of $2.3 billion in capital improvements to support capacity growth and sustainability. 2024 Port Volumes Cordero also spoke to the details of the Ports record container processing last year, noting that it ended 2024 with 9,649,724 twenty-foot equivalent units moved, an increase of more than 20 percent from the previous year and a 2.8-percent increase from the previous record of 9.3 million TEUs moved in 2021. Imports grew by 24.3 percent to 4,729,552 TEUs, while exports fell 5.9 percent from 20223 to 1,207,036 TEUs. Notably, the volume of empty containers flowing through the Port system grew by 26.6 percent to 3,713,137 TEUs. The Port ended its most active December to date by moving 861,006 TEUs, up 21.3 percent from the year-ago period. This surpassed the previously held record set in December 2020 by 5.5 percent. Imports grew 23.9 percent to 412,876 TEUs, while exports fell 2.8 percent to 100,792 TEUs from December 2023. Empty containers, too, increased by 27.3 percent to 347,338 TEUs. According to Port data, December was the seventh consecutive monthly year-over-year cargo increase and the Ports busiest quarter ever, with 2,732,351 TEUs moved between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. Port Washington officials will discuss a possible agreement for the city to annex around 17% of the town's land during a series of meetings on Tuesday. Much of the 2,000 acres of town land in question is under contract to be the site of a sprawling data center proposed by a Houston-based, private equity-backed data center development company called Cloverleaf. The company first floated preliminary information about the proposal at a Jan. 7 city meeting, but the meeting left more questions than answers, residents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the property under contract for the proposed data center site was previously part of a no-annexation zone in the town created in a 2004 border agreement between the town and city, Port Washington Town Chairman Mike Didier told residents at a Jan. 6 Town Board meeting. That agreement had previously been scheduled to sunset on Dec. 31, 2025. But in anticipation of the proposed data center, city officials approached the town board to see if its members would end the agreement early and allow the land to be annexed before the years end, Didier had said. The annexation would reduce the towns land by around 17%. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town encompasses around 12,000 acres, and the total land under contract in the town is estimated to be around 2,000 acres, according to landowners under contract. Town Board to discuss annexation and fire services agreements Those conversations to end the no-annexation border agreement will come to fruition on Jan. 21, starting with a town board meeting at 2:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Town board supervisors will enter into closed session then reemerge into open session to discuss the border agreement with the city and a fire services contract with the city, according to the meeting's agenda. Fire services would be essential to protecting the potential data center against fires that could take its servers offline, which could pose a massive liability, Cloverleaf's Chief Development Officer Aaron Bilyeu said at the Jan. 7 meeting. "Things like air traffic control, the national grid, healthcare systems, financial institutions, banking all of those things run through the data centers," he said. "So making sure that they're very, very resilient is incredibly important." City to discuss pre-annexation agreement with developer of proposed data center A few hours later at 5:30 p.m., the citys Common Council will hold a work session to discuss the no-annexation border agreement, the fire services agreement and negotiation strategies for a pre-annexation agreement with Red Granite DevCo, LLC, the data center developer Cloverleafs real estate entity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Discussion will first take place in closed session and then in open session, according to the agenda. Finally, the Common Council's regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. will also see discussion of the three agreements in open session during the new business section of the meeting, according to the agenda. Public comment will take place at the beginning and end of the meeting. It is unclear whether any of the three agreements will be resolved and approved by the end of the day on Jan. 21. This story will be updated. Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @levensc13. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Port Washington to weigh annexing 17% of town for proposed data center PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Its been nearly 60 years since civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. died on American soil. Now we celebrate his life on the third Monday of every January. To recognize his legacy, several events throughout Portland made a difference by delivering food to those in need, cleaning up the city, and peacefully marching in his honor. Tesla dealership targeted in early morning arson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are all the local events that took place Monday, Jan. 20 in celebration of his life and mission. Surfrider Foundations Green Streets clean up Surfrider Portland is an organization dedicated to keeping local rivers and waterways free of trash and contaminants, and for the seventh year in a row, they hosted an annual pick-up for their MLK Day of Service. This event, held in the MLK Jr. neighborhood of Portlands Central Eastside, involves community members and other volunteers with the Surfrider Portland chapter to pick up trash on the streets that could otherwise end up in local waterways. Sunshine Divisions food box delivery In partnership with Kaiser Permanente, Sunshine Division distributed 3,4000 free food boxes at Portlands Oliver Middle School on a first-come, first-serve basis. The boxes included approximately 1,400 culturally-specific boxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization also dropped off 1,000 food boxes to those in need along with another 1,000 boxes that were distributed to agency partners. Windows smashed at Multnomah County elections office in SE Portland hours ahead of Trumps second inauguration SOLVE Martin Luther King Jr. clean up SOLVE Portland took to Irving Park this year to help clean up the area with the help of its partner Kaiser Permanente and local volunteers in support of the Historic Albina Neighborhood in NE Portland. According to their numbers, approximately 350 volunteers collected 1,500 lbs of trash in the area. MLK Day of Service is a community-driven initiative paying tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s enduring legacy, the organization said. Volunteers have the opportunity to not only commemorate Dr. Kings remarkable life and impact but also to make a significant difference in this iconic neighborhood and community. Reclaim the Dream March A march organized by Dont Shoot PDX began in Peninsula Park on Rosa Parks Way on MLK Day, January 20, 2025 (KOIN) A march organized by Dont Shoot PDX began in Peninsula Park on Rosa Parks Way on MLK Day, January 20, 2025 (KOIN) A march organized by Dont Shoot PDX began in Peninsula Park on Rosa Parks Way on MLK Day, January 20, 2025 (KOIN) Dont Shoot Portland, a local social justice organization, hosted the 11th annual Reclaim the Dream March for Human Rights and Dignity with the Pacific Northwest College of Art to lead a march that started in Peninsula Park on Rosa Parks Way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the march, the ACLU shared a Planning for a Second Trump Presidency presentation and pro-bono attorneys from PCC Clear Clinic provided assistance with eviction expungement, legal name and gender marker changes, tenant advocacy, and more. The family-friendly, youth-led march featured music from a marching band and children passing out hot chocolate and artwork. The community in Portland is amazing. Ive never experienced anything like this, so its very heartwarming, Portland resident Ande Jude said. And its just a beautiful feeling to be around all of these people. They peacefully walked for more than three miles to the Portland Convention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im here to model how to stand up and advocate for my kids and the hundreds of students that I have taught in Portland and Happy Valley, local teacher Sonya Stone said. Fight with all I have: Oregon, Washington lawmakers react to Trump inauguration Organizers said that as Donald Trump takes the White House, Portlanders should unite, reflect on the legacy of MLK, and uplift the voices of community change makers. Regardless of who the president is or who we elect as our mayors or governors, the people matter. And if youre already connected to your neighbors, then I believe thats where your level of protection and community is. I dont think its in Washington, D.C. I think its right here in Portland, said Teressa Raiford, the founder of Dont Shoot Portland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. **Related Video Above: How to report a tip to the U.S. Marshals ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. (WJW) A pregnant woman has been captured in New York after authorities say she was wanted for the murder of her 1-year-old son. The 23-year-old fugitive Gloria Wright was taken into custody in Rochester, New York, Saturday, with assistance from U.S. Marshals, according to the Rockdale County Sheriffs Office in Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 teen girls arrested in connection to missing girl found bludgeoned, stabbed and burned The boy had been found unresponsive at a home in Georgia on Jan. 8 and taken to a nearby hospital where he died, the sheriffs office reported. Rockdale County Sheriffs Office photo Following the childs death, Wright was questioned by police, but then reportedly disappeared. There had been a $5,000 reward issued for any information regarding her location, after the boys death was deemed a homicide. We sincerely appreciate the publics ongoing support and assistance throughout this investigation, Rockdale County Sheriffs Office said in a statement, while not going into detail how Wright was discovered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree cruelty to children. WSB-TV in Atlanta reported that an autopsy concluded an acute skull fracture found on the child was not due to a drop or fall that would be deemed accidental. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. The heads of Utahs Legislature outlined their strategies on Tuesday to preserve the Utah Dream and prepare the next generation of Utahns to inherit it with specific policy goals for the 2025 legislative session. On the first day of the 66th legislative session, state Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, predicted Utahs continued prosperity will depend on tripling energy production by 2050. To do this, the state must position itself as the nations nuclear hub, becoming the first to use micro-nuclear reactors and producing enough energy to support artificial intelligence data centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are some who would like to alter or destroy this Utah Dream. We cannot let that happen, Adams said. To keep the Utah dream alive, Utahns must once again lead the way. State House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, said this kind of innovation will require an education system more aligned with workforce needs. House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, speaks in the Utah House of Representatives chamber at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on the first day of the legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Schultz unveiled the House majoritys plan to partner with the states public universities to refocus resources where they matter most by cutting administrative costs and consolidating low-performing programs to boost high-demand majors. Every dollar saved can go back into the hands of students, ensuring their investment in education yields a brighter future for both students and our state, Schultz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both leaders prioritized the affordability of living in Utah while preferring not to focus on some of the social issues that have dominated headlines in recent years. Their unified message, delivered in separate opening ceremonies Tuesday morning, was clear: Utah lawmakers are focused on economic success built on Utah innovation. Elder Brian K. Taylor, General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gives the opening prayer in the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Lawmakers target judiciary and federal lands Beneath the Senate chambers gilded clock, Adams made it clear that he is playing the long game this policymaking season. Adams took the Senate dais following a program that included a prayer by Elder Brian K. Taylor, General Authority Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a percussion performance by the American Fork High School Band, and a pledge of allegiance led by Kenneth Rooks, silver medalist in the mens steeplechase at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams touted plans for a fifth consecutive income tax reduction in 2025 and major investments in an advanced transportation system ahead of the 2034 Winter Olympics. But Adams began his remarks with a warning. In what appeared like a reference to last summers unfavorable judicial rulings, Adams warned against overreach by appointed officials and lawmaking via the pure democracy of citizen-led ballot initiatives. Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, presides over the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News We cannot let unelected special interest groups outside of Utah run initiatives and override our republic, destroy our businesses, demean, impugn and cast aside those who are duly elected to represent their neighbors and friends in Utah, Adams said. We cannot let the Utah Dream die. We will not let initiatives driven by out-of-state money turn Utah into California. When the Utah Supreme Court ruled against the Legislatures attempts to alter the results of ballot initiatives and pass constitutional amendments, Schultz joined Adams in criticizing the decision and proposing reforms to make judges more accountable to voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Schultz said the Legislature also needs to hold the federal government accountable for its alleged mismanagement of national parks and forests. Schultz announced that lawmakers aim to petition federal authorities to allow the state to perform a national experiment, where Utah will receive a portion of its federal tax dollars to manage some of these parks and lands without federal oversight. Utahs legislative leadership were of one voice on the importance of lowering prices for Utahns on key commodities, specifically housing and energy. Schultz addressed a packed House floor and gallery for his second opening-day speech as speaker. His remarks were preceded by a prayer from Pastor Rod Hall of Faith Baptist Church, music by the West Field High School choir and a Pledge of Allegiance led by Schultzs granddaughter. Scottie Schultz gives the Pledge of Allegiance in the Utah House of Representatives chambers as part of their opening session on the first day of the legislature held at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schultz, a prominent real estate developer, vowed to collaborate with local governments to address zoning obstacles and to incentivize more affordable home construction. If we dont get housing right, Utahs No. 1 export will not be its products. It will be our kids and grandkids, Schultz said. The American dream will be exported from Utah. Utah legislative 2025 priorities As reflected in their opening-day speeches, Adams has indicated his priority is energy production, and Schultz has said his caucus will prioritize investing in alternative or reformed higher education opportunities. The 2025 legislative session is also expected to feature major debates on immigration law enforcement, criminal justice reforms related to homelessness and electoral system overhauls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early January, Republican lawmakers announced a slate of bills focused on ensuring public safety following the record-breaking increase in immigration under President Joe Biden. A Mexican migration officer explains to migrants that permission to travel across Mexico to the US-Mexico border was suspended after the U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the CBP One app would no longer be used to admit migrants, canceling tens of thousands of appointments, in Tapachula, Mexico, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Edgar H. Clemente The proposals included: increasing Immigration and Customs Enforcements detention capacity in the state, qualifying migrants convicted of class A misdemeanors for automatic deportation, and enhancing criminal penalties for gang activity, fentanyl distribution, human trafficking and driving without a license. Following a tempestuous 2024 election cycle, some Republican lawmakers are also intent on reforming how Utahns vote and who oversees the certification of election outcomes. Pieces of legislation have been drafted to create an independent state office for election oversight, to require voters to opt-in to receive a mail-in ballot, and to require voter identification when mail-in ballots are submitted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With limited new revenues, the House majority has said it will focus on tackling the growing problem of chronic homelessness across the state by cracking down on consistent enforcement of anti-camping laws and ensuring shelters remain drug-free. Fighting for Utahns means prioritizing policies that make life more affordable, ensure better opportunities for our children, and protect the unique natural beauty of our state for future generations, Schultz concluded. It means keeping communities safe, ensuring a strong economy, bettering our education system, and preserving the freedoms that allow every individual to thrive. The legislative session runs for 45 days, ending on March 7. You can find all of Deseret News political coverage here. Sen. Karen Kwan, D-Murray, is sworn into office by Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, in the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News The American Fork High School Drum Line performs in the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Sen. Brady Brammer is sworn into office by Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, in the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, presides over the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, presides over the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Sen. Keven Stratton holds a Utah State Senate coin as President J. Stuart Adams mentions it in his opening remarks in the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Rep. Mark Strong, Rep. Verona Mauga and Rep. Stephen L. Whyte enter the Senate chambers to let the Senate know that the House is organized and ready to do business during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sonia Lopez sings the national anthem in the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Sen. Keven Stratton is sworn into office by Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, in the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, speaks in the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Sen. Keven Stratton hugs Sen. Derrin Owens, R-Fountain Green, in the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Sen. Calvin R. Musselman is sworn into office by Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, in the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore, R-Draper, speaks in the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Sen. Derrin Owens, R-Fountain Green, looks at the United States Constitution as Sen. Stuart Adams mentions it in his opening remarks in the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Sen. Keven Stratton holds a Utah State Senate coin as Sen. Stuart Adams mentions it in his opening remarks in the Senate chambers during the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, hugs John Valentine, former Senate president and current Utah State Tax Commission chair, in the Senate chambers before the official start of the first day of the 2025 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Former Speaker Greg Hughes watches as the Utah Joint Color Guard posts the colors in the Utah House of Representatives chamber at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on the first day of the legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Attendees listen as the Utah House of Representatives hold their first session of the year in their chamber at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, speaks in the Utah House of Representatives chamber at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on the first day of the legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Former Speaker Greg Hughes calls to order the Utah House of Representatives as part of their opening session on the first day of the legislature held at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Rep. Rex P. Shipp, R-Cedar City, takes the oath of office in the Utah House of Representatives chamber at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on the first day of the legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Pastor Rod Hall gives the opening prayer in the House of Representatives chamber at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on the first day of the legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, visits with Rep. James A. Dunnigan, R-Salt Lake City, as Schultz makes his way forward to speak in the Utah House of Representatives chamber at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on the first day of the legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11) He became world-renowned, as well as controversial, because of his actions and statements about black empowerment at a time when the concept was virtually unknown. Now, Marcus Garvey, the organizational leader who ended up being convicted of mail fraud a century ago, has been pardoned by Joe Biden, in one of the former presidents last official acts. While the move clears Garveys name, a variety of advocates say that more needs to be done to cement his legacy. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garvey immigrated to New York from Jamaica during World War I. After the war ended, he founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, an organization that promoted Black pride, Black economic strength, and Black separatism. Garvey coined the expression Black is beautiful, according to the New York City Parks Department. It named the former Mount Morris Park, in central Harlem, after him in 1977. The move was meant to honor the many accomplishments of the Harlem-based international leader. From a brownstone at 235 West 131st Street, Garvey founded and ran his economic and political movement. It ended up including a shipping company, the Black Star Line, meant to help Blacks return to the African continent. When it wasnt successful, federal officials were able to convict Garvey of mail fraud, in 1923. Seen as a politically motivated charge, it was pardoned by Joe Biden in one of his last presidential acts. On Monday, at the park named after the Black Power leader, dozens of people were on hand, playing in the snow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ebony Banks Turner was one of them. Thats great, she said about the pardon, for which she expressed surprise over it having taken more than 100 years to come about. It shouldve been happening. It shouldve been happening for him, she said. Ravi Ragbir, immigration advocate, celebrates pardon by President Biden Most parkgoers who spoke with PIX11 News were not familiar with Garvey, but they all expressed appreciation that hes memorialized in the park. Aliya Jefferson is a nanny who was at Marcus Garvey Playground in the eponymous park, with two children she said that she looks after and instructs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said that its important for a wide variety of culturally significant figures to be highlighted in education. We started talking about other historical people, like Marcus Garvey, she said. She said that shed been familiar with the man who, a few blocks from the park founded his organization, the Universal Negro Improvement Association. It grew to have tens of thousands of members worldwide. Locally in New York, Garvey not only has the Harlem Park named in his honor. His name also graces a boulevard in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, as well as three different housing areas in the borough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Yvette Clarke represents the congressional district that includes all of the Marcus Garvey-named entities in Brooklyn. He was a global leader who spent so much of his time in the City of New York, mobilizing, organizing, Clarke said in an interview. She went on to say that while former President Bidens pardon clears Garveys name posthumously and further magnifies his legacy, the Black leaders full record is not cleared without one more step: full exoneration. Im looking forward to that day, she said about the exoneration effort. It has to be carried out, by law by Congress. Clarke said that she appreciates continuing to lead that campaign. While the new, Republican-controlled Congress may not prioritize the exoneration effort, Clarke said, a position to which she was just elevated by be helpful. Clarke became chair of the Congressional Black Caucus at the beginning of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 PIX11. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to further delay the TikTok ban in the U.S. In a statement shared hours after he was sworn in on Monday, Jan. 20, Trump announced he was giving TikTok 75 more days before a law banning the social media platform in the U.S. would take effect. The law, formally titled The Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act "regulates foreign adversary controlled applications, specifically those operated by TikTok and any other subsidiary of its China-based parent company, ByteDance Ltd., on national security grounds." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: TikTok Restores Service in the U.S. Less Than 24 Hours After Blackout Trump said in his statement that postponing the ban would give his administration the chance to protect national security "while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans." The politician, 78, announced on Jan. 19 that he intended to issue an executive order to stall TikTok's federal ban and keep it running after having initially revealed a plan to ban the social media app from operating in the country during his first term in office in April 2020. His executive order at the time barred "any transaction" with ByteDance for 45 days, with the president citing growing security concerns and a pattern of censorship. "These risks are real," Trump said nearly four years ago in the decision that left TikTok "shocked." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before Trump took the oath of office for his second term, he wrote on Truth Social that he would "issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the laws prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security." "The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order, he wrote. Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations." MAEVA DESTOMBES/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty A smartphone displaying an image of TikTok and a ban sign A smartphone displaying an image of TikTok and a ban sign Trump also shared an "initial thought" of the U.S. having 50% ownership in TikTok via a "joint venture," between the app's "current owners and/or new owners. "By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to [stay] up," he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: TikTok Has Shut Down in the U.S. and Users Have Thoughts: Here are Some of the Best Reactions Trump previously had a phone interview with NBC News Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker, during which he also teased a potential 90-day extension for TikTok to have its parent company, based in China, sell the platform to a non-Chinese-buyer after he took office. "I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at," he said. "The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because its appropriate. You know, its appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. Its a very big situation." Scott Olson/Getty Donald Trump during a luncheon hosted by the Economic Club of Chicago on October 15, 2024 in Chicago Donald Trump during a luncheon hosted by the Economic Club of Chicago on October 15, 2024 in Chicago TikTok was temporarily taken down in the U.S. on Jan. 18, a few hours before the law banning the app was set to go into effect. At the time, users who opened the app were greeted with a pop-up message that read, "Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now," the message continued. Related: I Downloaded Red Note as the TikTok Ban Looms. Let's Discuss The pop-up then referenced Trumps previous comments: "We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!" Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. TikTok restored service in the country less than 24 hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive," the company wrote in an official statement via X. "Its a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship," the statement continued. "We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States." The Supreme Court previously ruled on Jan. 17 that the law forcing TikTok to cease U.S. operations if it didn't divest from Chinese ownership was constitutional, following the legislation being passed by Congress and signed by Joe Biden last year. Read the original article on People President Donald Trump delivered an expected blow to transgender Americans on Monday when he signed an executive order defending women from radical gender ideology extremism. Across the country, ideologues who deny the biological reality of sex have increasingly used legal and other socially coercive means to permit men to self-identify as women and gain access to intimate single-sex spaces and activities designed for women, from womens domestic abuse shelters to womens workplace showers, the order states. This is wrong. The order rolls back more than a dozen Biden-era policies that support trans people. It also declares that the U.S. government will only recognize a persons sex assigned at birth, and will not use the word gender on any policies and documents. The order will require federal agencies, such as the State Department and Department of Homeland Security, to remove nonbinary or other gender options from passports, visas, and other forms of identification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trans women will also now be prohibited from intimate spaces, such as womens prisons or jails, or domestic violence shelters. Trump signed the executive order at the Oval Office Monday evening with no fanfare, save for making a short ooh sound before applying his signature while taking questions from reporters. It was one of the last executive orders the president signed his first evening in office. The order also requires that all federal agencies remove any statements, policies, regulations, forms, communications, or other internal and external messages that promote or acknowledge the inclusion of transgender people including asking about a persons preferred gender pronouns. Further, the order calls for an end federal funding of gender ideology and will require government agencies to assess grant conditions and grantee preferences and ensure grant funds do not promote gender ideology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his campaign, Trump spent almost $20 million on anti-trans attack ads, which blamed former Vice President Kamala Harris for supporting transgender inmates access to gender-affirming medical care. Kamala is for they/them, one ad said. Trump is for you. Last month at a Turning Point event, he promised that with the stroke of my pen, on day one, were going to end this transgender lunacy. He kept his word, but LGBTQ advocates and lawmakers are encouraging members of the LBGTQ community to remember what their rights are before these orders take effect. President Trumps executive order, while terrible, is not shocking, said the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus in a joint statement Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is important for our community to remember that the impacts from these orders are neither immediate nor permanent. It will take time for these orders to work through their respective federal agencies and there will be opportunities for California to weigh in on behalf of Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Intersex people. Executive orders have no jurisdiction over state departments and agencies. We here in California will continue to uphold an individuals fundamental right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Caucus is prepared to push legislation in the new Legislative session that will provide greater protections for all Californians from the Trump Administration. Democratic Lawmakers will also have the support of California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose justice department will soon be equipped with $25 million to fight Trumps policies in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will be a long four years, but this Caucus is ready to stand up for those targeted and bullied for being simply who they are, just as we did during the last Trump Administration, members said. The Human Rights Campaign also issued a statement about the barrage of executive actions taking aim at the LGBTQ+ community. Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in all areas of their lives. No one should be subjected to ongoing discrimination, harassment and humiliation where they work, go to school, or access healthcare. But todays expected executive actions targeting the LGBTQ+ community serve no other purpose than to hurt our families and our communities, said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, which provides gender-affirming health care along with reproductive health care and abortion procedures, is prepared to stand up to Trumps policies as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we cannot predict what the future holds and what the Trump administration may do in the coming days to further abolish fundamental freedoms and restrict abortion access nationwide whether it be through executive action, federal agency rules, judicial judgments, budget cuts, or other tactics were ready for whatever comes next, said PPAC President and CEO, Jodi Hicks. To our supporters: Planned Parenthoods commitment to providing quality, affordable, comprehensive sexual, reproductive, and gender-affirming health care will never change and we will continue to hold all politicians accountable for their actions that impact access to essential health care. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino says his nation intends to maintain control of the Panama Canal, after President Trump reiterated his intent to take control of the strategic waterway in his inaugural address. Mulino rejected Trumps vow to retake the canal in the name of the Republic of Panama and its people in a statement Monday. The Canal is and will remain Panamas and its administration will remain under Panamanian control with respect to its permanent neutrality, said Mulino. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps pledge to take control of the canal has been a central theme of his postcampaign rhetoric, paired with expansionist designs on Greenland, a Danish overseas territory, and apparent tongue-in-cheek references to making Canada the 51st state. But at his inaugural festivities, Trump grounded his aspirations on the canal on supposed Chinese control of the installation. Above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didnt give it to China, we gave it to Panama and were taking it back, he said. Panama has full control of the canal itself, but Hutchison Ports PPC, a Hong Kong-based company, controls two ports at either end of the canal. While Hutchison and CK Hutchison Holdings, its parent company, are not owned by the Chinese government, they are subject to the national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration, said Mulino, who also took objection to the idea that the United States gave the canal to Panama. The Canal was not a concession from anyone. It was the result of generational struggles that peaked in 1999, as a product of the Torrijos-Carter treaty, and from then to now, for 25 years, in an uninterrupted fashion, we have managed it and expanded it with responsibility to serve the world and its commerce, including the United States, he added. Mulino, who is expected to play a key role managing migration northward from South America through Panamas infamous Darien Gap, suggested international law, an unpopular idea in Trumpism, as the appropriate venue to air out any grievances. Dialogue is always the way to clear up the stated issues without undermining our rights, total sovereignty and property of our Canal, said Mulino. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (The Hill) Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino says his nation intends to maintain control of the Panama Canal, after President Trump re-upped his intent to take control of the strategic waterway in his inaugural address. Mulino rejected Trumps vow to retake the canal in the name of the Republic of Panama and its people in a statement Monday. The Canal is and will remain Panamas and its administration will remain under Panamanian control with respect to its permanent neutrality, said Mulino. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps pledge to take control of the canal has been a central theme of his post-campaign rhetoric, paired with expansionist designs on Greenland, a Danish overseas territory, and apparent tongue-in-cheek references to making Canada the 51st state. But at his inaugural festivities, Trump grounded his aspirations on the canal on supposed Chinese control of the installation. Above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didnt give it to China, we gave it to Panama and were taking it back, he said. Panama has full control of the canal itself, but Hutchinson Ports PPC, a Hong Kong-based company, controls two ports at either end of the canal. While Hutchinson and CK Hutchinson Holdings, its parent company, are not owned by the Chinese government, they are subject to the national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration, said Mulino, who also took objection at the idea that the United States gave the canal to Panama. The Canal was not a concession from anyone. It was the result of generational struggles that peaked in 1999, as a product of the Torrijos-Carter treaty, and from then to now, for 25 years, in an uninterrupted fashion, we have managed it and expanded it with responsibility to serve the world and its commerce, including the United States, he added. Mulino, who is expected to play a key role managing migration northward from South America through Panamas infamous Darien Gap, suggested international law, an unpopular idea in Trumpism, as the appropriate venue to air out any grievances. Dialogue is always the way to clear up the stated issues without undermining our rights, total sovereignty and property of our Canal, said Mulino. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. Senate Republicans were mostly evasive when asked about President Donald Trumps pardon of both violent and non-violent offenders who stormed the US Capitol on January 6 four years ago. On the first day of his second term in office, Trump, who had repeatedly said that he would pardon people who committed crimes on January 6, and who called them hostages while onstage with hostages recently freed by Hamas as part of a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, issued pardons for 1,500 people criminally charged with the violent assault on the US Capitol in attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. Look, nobody is a stronger supporter of law enforcement than President Trump myself, or JD Vance, Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio told The Independent. But these people have been treated horribly. Nobody's been treated worse than these people, and they deserve to have their day in court and be treated like proper American citizens. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said that Congress doesnt have a role on Trumps pardon of violent offenders convicted for their actions on January 6. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) But Republican Senators remained largely tight-lipped about the pardons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No comment, Tim Sheehy, a newly-elected senator from Montana, told The Independent. Sen. John Curtis, who replaced frequent Trump critic Mitt Romney as Utahs senator, did not comment and suggested getting in contact with his office while Sen. Lindsey Graham told The Independent, Ill talk about that later, in the week. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told The Independent that it was not his place to comment on Trumps pardons. Its the presidents prerogative, he said. Congress doesnt have a role. Many of the people pardoned were accused of assaulting police officers and putting senators of the presidents party at risk four years ago. However, most of those elected officials did not want to focus on the action and instead remained vague. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My understanding, there was a range of actions that he took and I guess I want to look and see what those are, Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota told The Independent. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma said he would not comment because we've got about 200 executive orders. That seems to be the only one anyone's talking about. Other Republicans focused on Joe Biden and his actions. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito diverted to talking about how Biden issued preemptive pardons for members of his family who have been the focus of Republican investigations and for various targets of Trumps wrath such as former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, Anthony Fauci and members of the January 6 select committee, Its his authority and hes using it, she told The Independent. I mean, President Biden widened the pardon authority, this president is using pardon authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreno did the same, saying that Trump was more coherent than Biden. Well, I think President Trump outlined that pretty well yesterday in his press conference, he told The Independent. I don't remember Joe Biden ever doing a press conference like that. Moreno beat former Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown in November as Trump carried Ohio. He also compared the incarceration of January 6 inmates to people who were arrested for Black Lives Matter demonstrations that turned violent during the summer of 2020. Some of these people have been in jail for a long time, he told The Independent. January 6 was a long time ago, and they've been in jail with their due process rights taken away. U.S. Sen.. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) promoted a conspiracy theory that FBI agents instigated the January 6 riot. (Getty Images) Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, one of Trumps most vocal supporters, said he wholly supported the pardons, saying he believed a hundred percent that some of the people in the crowd on January 6 were undercover FBI agents. A report from the Inspector General for the Justice Department debunked that false claim in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel sorry for the officers, a lot of these people were set up, Tuberville told The Independent. People posing that they were MAGA people but they were FBI agents. They're the ones who need to go to jail. Okay, those people that were put over here, and instigated the whole whole process. Some Republicans disagreed though, specifically citing the attacks on law enforcement. We have an honest disagreement on anybody who was convicted of a violent crime against particularly police officers, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who is up for re-election next year, told The Independent. We're introducing bills this week to increase penalties and create federal crimes for injuring police officers so that should tell you all you need to know about me. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who voted to convict Trump for his actions during the January 6 riot, tried to distinguish between people convicted for violent and nonviolent offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think undoubtedly that there were some people in the capitol that day that were caught up in the crowd and did not commit any kind of violent act, she told The Independent. I would draw a huge contrast between those individuals and people who assaulted police officers with sticks or their fists or pepper spray, and those individuals who broke windows and destroyed property, they have committed violent crimes and to me, should not be pardoned. Collins, the chairwoman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, faces re-election in Maine next year, as does Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who also voted to convict Trump. I'm a big back the blue guy, Cassidy told reporters and insisted its not right to pardon anyone who assaulted a police officer. Cassidy faces a right-wing Republican primary challenger, which might make his stance difficult in 2026. Jan. 20 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump signed a series of executive actions before an estimated 20,000 supporters at an indoor inaugural parade Monday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., after he was sworn in earlier as the 47th president of the United States inside the U.S. Capitol rotunda amid bitter cold weather outside. The eight executive directives and orders Trump signed: Recision of 78 Biden executive actions. Regulatory freeze on bureaucratic action until the full Trump administration is in place. Freeze on all federal hiring except for the military until the full administration is achieved. Requirement that federal workers return to full in-house work immediately. Directive to every agency to address the cost-of-living crisis affecting Americans. Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Treaty. Directive to the federal government to prevent censorship of free speech. Directive to the federal government to end the weaponization of the government against political adversaries. Trump signed each executive action from a desk on stage and held each signature up to the crowd to loud cheers. Trump then tossed his signing pens to supporters, as he promised to sign a lot more executive actions later from the Oval Office at the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier, Trump entered the arena with his signature dance move and fist pumps to the chants of "USA, USA, USA." Trump, Vice President JD Vance and their families took their seats to watch marching bands and other performers parade inside the arena. Event participants U.S. President Donald Trump signs executive orders during an indoor inauguration parade at Capital One Arena on Monday in Washington, DC. Donald Trump took office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. Pool Photo by Anna Moneymaker/UPI Among the parade members were Butler County sheriff's deputies, fire officials, emergency services and hospital staff from Pennsylvania who honored Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the July assassination attempt on Trump. The families of American and Israeli hostages, including those who have lost children and loved ones, also attended the ceremony and were scheduled to meet with President Trump later Monday night. The family members, who were wearing yellow scarves, were brought up on stage to greet the new administration. U.S. President Donald Trump tosses the pens used to sign executive orders at the conclusion of ceremonies inside the Capital One Arena after he was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in Washington, DC on Monday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI "Thank you to Steve Witkoff. He's a great negotiator. A tremendous power of persuasion," Trump said, as he started speaking to the crowd. "Welcome home to the former hostages. The three young ladies and more coming home every day now. This should never have happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So, now the work begins," Trump said. "Tonight, I am going to be signing the January 6 hostages pardons to get them out. I'm signing the release of the J-6 hostages." U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive for ceremonies inside the Capital One Arena after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in Washington, DC on Monday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI "You are witnessing the dawn of the Golden Age of America," Trump proclaimed. "Even though we are indoors, we have had an incredible inaugural parade." "I'm about to sign some very important executive orders of our new administration," Trump announced. "I will implement an immediate regulation freeze to stop Biden bureaucrats. And we will pause the hiring of any new IRS agents and ordering all federal workers to return to the office." Families of hostages taken by Hamas stand on stage during an indoor inauguration parade at the Capital One Arena on Monday in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. Pool Photo by Anna Moneymaker/UPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are restoring our government control to the people. So no tax on tips!" Trump said. "Next I'm going to sign a directive to defeat inflation and rapidly bring down the cost of daily life." "To reduce energy costs and liberate our economy, I'm immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris Accords rip-off," Trump said. "The United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity." Vice President J.D. Vance and President Donald Trump watch during an indoor inauguration parade at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Monday, January 20, 2025. Pool photo by Anna Moneymaker/UPI "We are bringing back free speech, starting today," Trump added. "And to stop the weaponization of law enforcement. Every single day I'd get subpoenas. They investigated their political opponent." "I will also sign an order directing every federal agency to preserve all records pertaining to political persecutions under the last administration, of which there were many, and beginning the process of exposing any and all abuses of power, even though he's pardoned many of these people," Trump announced. Vice President J.D. Vance watches with kids are Ewan, 7, Vivek, 4, during an indoor inauguration parade at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Monday, January 20, 2025. Pool photo by Anna Moneymaker/UPI Musk riles up crowd Earlier, thousands braved the cold to wait hours to get inside the arena or line the route that Trump's motorcade took to Capital One, where dozens of speakers -- including Elon Musk -- had fired up the crowd before his arrival. Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk gestures on stage when he tells the crowd, "I'm super fired up" inside the Capital One Arena after President-elect Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in Washington, DC on Monday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI "I'm super fired up!" Musk said. "I can't wait. This is going to be fantastic." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is what victory feels like!" Musk, who will lead the new Department of Government Efficiency, exclaimed as he pumped his fists in the air before the roaring crowd. "And this was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road of human civilization." Attendees react to speakers inside the Capital One Arena after President-elect Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in Washington, DC on Monday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are elections that come and go. Some are important, some are not. This one matters. Thank you for making it happen," Musk said. "It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured." "We're going to have safe cities, secure borders, sensible spending, basic stuff," Musk, who also founded SpaceX, added. "And we're going to take DOGE to Mars!" Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks inside the Capital One Arena after President-elect Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in Washington, DC on Monday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI "How awesome it will be to have American astronauts plant the flag on another planet for the first time? Yeah!" Musk exclaimed. "How inspiring that would be?" Vivek Ramaswamy, who was tapped by Trump to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency with Musk, is reported to be leaving his leadership role at DOGE to run for governor of Ohio, according to CNN and Politico. Ramaswamy is expected to kick off his gubernatorial bid next week. U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance arrive for ceremonies inside the Capital One Arena after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in Washington, DC on Monday, January 20, 2025. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI Other headline speakers, including Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, celebrated the future and a return to America's "golden age." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ladies and gentlemen, we stand here on the dawn of a new age, where life, liberty and pursuit of happiness are available to every American." Cardinal Sako: 'Working Together is a Sign of the Unity Churches Already Share' The Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako. ( AFP) As Churches across the world come together to celebrate the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, from January 18-25, Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako, has reminded faithful that unity is not about merging Churches into a single entity but rather embracing diversity and working together despite differences. Unity is a spiritual and practical endeavour rooted in shared faith and mutual respect, the head of Iraq's Chaldean Catholic Church said in a pastoral statement. The richness of diversity The message dismisses the idea of unity as the administrative or structural merging of Churches. Each Church has a unique history, traditions, and governance that should be preserved. Instead, Cardinal Sako calls for celebrating diversity as a form of richness rather than a source of division. He advocates for dialogue and a shared vision as the path to closer relationships between Christian traditions. Sharing a common faith The Chaldean Patriarch highlights several foundational aspects of unity already present among Christian Churches, particularly between Catholic and Orthodox traditions, the "two lungs" of Christianity, as Pope St. John Paul II described them. Cardinal Sako recalled that both Churches share the Creed of faith established by the Councils of Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381), the apostolic succession and celebrate the seven Sacraments. The Patriarch of Baghdad also acknowledged the contributions of Protestant Churches, which initiated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in the early 20th century, despite the fragmentation within these traditions. Cardinal Sako further referenced the introduction into the Catholic liturgical calendar of the feast day of the 2015 Coptic martyrs killed by ISIS and the recent decision of Pope Francis to include of Saint Isaac of Nineveh from the Church of the East in the Roman Martyrology. Such gestures symbolize a growing acknowledgment of shared sanctity and spiritual heritage. Practical cooperation The message goes on to focus on the practical expression of unity through cooperation. It suggests several forms of collaboration, including the creation of joint commissions for scientific research on the Bible, theology, liturgy, and catechism; organizing joint seminars on topics of common interest; exchanging spiritual experiences; preparing a new generation of clergy who believe in working together and speaking with one voice on moral issues. In addition, Cardinal Sako urges the Churches to actively engage in combatting societal ills such as poverty, injustice, corruption, environmental degradation, and in opposing war, rearmament and extremism. According to Patriarch Sako, this cooperation "strengthens social cohesion and peace," aligning with Christ's mission "that the Church and Christians must implement in their respective contexts." The example of the Churches in Syria As an example of ecumenical cooperation Cardinal Sako cited Syria, where after the fall of Bashar Assad Churches have joined their voices calling for a new civil system based on citizenship, that respects the rights, dignity and religious freedom of all citizens. "This," Cardinal Sako concluded, "is how Churches bear witness to unity and hope." WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) President Donald Trumps first official order of business Monday came in a slew of executive action announcements. Its all about common sense, President Trump said after his swearing in as the 47th President of the United States. The president first declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted, President Trump said. And we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump also issued executive orders on the economy, including ending electric vehicle mandates passed by the Biden administration. We will drill, baby, drill, the president said. President Trumps actions will also stop the federal government from using diversity initiatives. We will forge a society that is color blind and merit based, the president said. Both Congress and the courts can potentially block a presidents executive orders. Democrats will oppose much of President Trumps actions, but Republicans are ready to turn them into legislation. These are things that we need to get to work on very quickly, said U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barrett said the Republican-controlled Congress should easily deliver on President Trumps immigration policies, but U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.) said another promise may be more difficult: allowing more time for the sale of TikTok. There are very serious concerns about the Chinese Communist Party and what they do to this country through the use of TikTok, Yakym said. But at the same time, the presidents a master negotiator, and we trust him to do just that. Many Republicans supported the law former President Joe Biden signed that required the sale of TikTok. Copyright 2025 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Hours after his inauguration Monday, President Donald Trump pardoned nearly everyone convicted in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The action included the commutation of sentences of several others including Dominic Pezzola, a Proud Boy from Rochester, who, according to a sentencing memorandum, served as a rally boy for other members of the Proud Boys. On morning of Jan. 6, approximately 200 people marched towards the Capitol, with Pezzola meeting up with the group towards the afternoon. During the riot, Pezzola with police officers, stole a riot shield, and then broke one of the windows of the Capitol building, creating an entry point for the rioters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The riot took place before then-President-Elect Joe Biden took office. The attack was part of an attempt to keep Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election. Trump commutes sentences of Jan. 6 extremist group leaders; Tarrio gets pardon Although Pezzola was the only one of the five Proud Boys members found not guilty of seditious conspiracy, he was found guilty of the following: Obstruction of official proceeding Conspiracy to use force, intimidation, or threats to prevent officers of the United States from discharging their duties Interference with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder Destruction of federal property Assaulting federal officers Robbery of personal property of the United States In 2023, he had been sentenced to 10 years in prison, but Trumps changed his sentence to time served as of Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. It remains unclear if other local men involved in the attack on the U.S. Capitol James Weeks, Cody Mattice and James Mault are part of the group pardoned, though the language in the order would appear to include them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 140 police officers were assaulted in the attack and one of them attacked died a day afterwards. Copyright 2025 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 RochesterFirst. President Donald Trump granted pardons, commutations, and orders to dismiss criminal cases of all of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, including more than a dozen men and women with Massachusetts ties. Trumps action came just hours after he took the oath of office and returned to the White House on Monday, marking the culmination of his yearslong campaign to rewrite the history of the Jan. 6 attack. An angry mob of Trump supporters, some armed with poles, bats, and bear spray, overwhelmed law enforcement, shattered windows, and sent lawmakers and aides running into hiding during the riot. More than 100 officers were hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump on Monday also ordered the attorney general to seek the dismissal of roughly 450 Jan. 6-related cases that are pending before judges. Trump described the rioters as patriots and hostages, claiming they were unfairly treated by the federal prosecutors. Of the more than 1,500 people charged, about 250 people were convicted of crimes by a judge or a jury after a trial, while more than 1,000 others had pleaded guilty to offenses. More than 1,000 rioters had been sentenced, with over 700 receiving at least some time behind bars. No jury has fully acquitted a Capitol riot defendant. FILE - Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) The following Jan. 6 defendants have Massachusetts ties, according to the Department of Justice: Kim Marie Connolly Connolly was arrested in Boston on Jan. 20, 2023, on charges including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and parading, demonstrating, and picketing in a Capitol building, records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI said Connolly confessed to entering the Capitol building that day, sharing several photos of herself including one that was captioned, Were in. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2023 to six months of probation, the Boston Globe reported. Michael St. Pierre St. Pierre was arrested in an unnamed part of Massachusetts on July 27, 2023. The FBI said St. Pierre admitted to being in the Capitol building that day and confirmed he was a protester caught on video throwing a piece of a flagpole through an open doorway at a closed set of doors. St. Pierre was convicted of a felony offense of civil disorder and three misdemeanor offenses, including destruction of government property, disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and committing an act of physical violence on Capitol grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was slated to be sentenced on March 14, 2025. Jacquelyn Starer Starer, a Massachusetts doctor, was arrested in Ashland on Dec. 20, 2022, on charges including forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, and impeding federal officers. Starer was in a crowd of rioters inside the Capitol and struck an officer with a closed fist and shouted a profane insult. She was sentenced to nine months in prison in September 2024. Vincent Gillespie Gillespie, of Athol, was arrested on Feb. 18, 2022. Gillespie was sentenced in April 2023 to 68 months in prison for assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, civil disorder, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was among rioters in the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol who engaged in pushing, shoving, yelling, and fighting with law enforcement officers, evidence presented at trial showed. Stefanie Chiguer Chiguer was arrested in Boston on Jan. 18, 2022. Chiguer pleaded guilty in 2023 to parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. Mark Sahady Sahady, the vice president of an organization called Super Happy Fun America, was arrested in Boston on Jan. 19, 2021, on charges including entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sahady, of Malden, pleaded not guilty on all counts. In April 2023, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with obstruction of an official proceeding. The Globe reported that he was sentenced to five months in prison in November 2024. Suzanne Ianni Ianni was arrested in Boston on Jan. 19, 2021. Ianni, a former Natick town official, pleaded guilty in September 2022 to a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. She was later sentenced to 15 days in prison, 30 months of probation, 60 hours of community service, and $500 restitution. Troy Sargent Sargent was arrested in Pittsfield on March 9, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sargent pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, civil disorder, and four related misdemeanor offenses in June 2022. A judge sentenced Sargent to 14 months incarceration, 24 months supervised release, and $500 restitution in December 2022. Chase Kevin Allen Allen was arrested in Seekonk on June 30, 2021, on charges of destruction or injury to buildings or property in special maritime and territorial jurisdiction and acts of physical violence on Capitol grounds. Allen pleaded guilty to the charges in November 2022. Noah S. Bacon Bacon was arrested in Somerville on June 30, 2021, on charges of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, entering or remaining in the gallery of either House or Congress, Disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, violent entry, disorderly conduct on capitol grounds, and obstruction of justice or congress. Brian McCreary McCreary was arrested in Springfield on February 4, 2021, on charges of obstruction of an official proceeding, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He agreed to plead guilty in 2021 to entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority. In 2022, McCreary was sentenced to 36 months of probation, including 42 days of intermittent incarceration and two months of home detention, a $2,500 fine, and $500 restitution. Christopher H. Keniley Keniley was in Springfield in September 2023 on charges including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keniley was later sentenced to 10 days of incarceration, the Globe reported. Long Duong Duong was arrested in Worcester on June 12, 2023, on charges including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The suit will have to be retrieved from the back of the cupboard. The commuter pass will have to be renewed. And the dog will have to find someone else to take her for a walk. Amid the blizzard of executive orders that President Trump signed on his first day back in the White House one of the most significant will be ordering federal employees to return to the office full time. But hold on. If it is that easy for America to bring the whole working from home fiasco to an end, why cant we follow its lead after all we need to boost the productivity of our public sector even more than the United States does. With a stroke of his pen, Trump has ended the working from home experiment. Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person, stated his order bluntly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the 2.3 million civilian employees of the federal government will no longer be allowed to lounge around in their PJs all day, logging into a Zoom meeting from time to time. Sure, there will be resistance. The unions are demanding talks, and, this being America, Trump is already facing legal action over his decision. Even so, the order is clear enough. Staff will have to go back to the office full-time or find a different job. To the Presidents team, led by no doubt by Elon Musk, it will be win-win. Either staff comply, or else the slackers quit. Either way, the state machine will become leaner and more efficient. But if Trump can end working from home, why cant the UK? We have an even worse problem than the US does. Despite a mandate from the last Conservative government that civil servants should spend at least three days a week in the office, very few are complying with even that minimal standard. A report by the Centre for Cities last year found that government employees were in the office an average of 2.2 days a week. Any attempt to go beyond that is met with fierce resistance, with staff at the Land Registry and even the Office for National Statistics threatening strikes as soon as they are asked to come in more regularly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is not good enough. We now have plenty of evidence that staff are less productive, less motivated, and less innovative when they are working from home. We can see that in the constant delays that mean basic state services, from getting land registry documents, to probate for wills, to driving tests for learners, are barely functioning any more. The private sector has already worked out the dire impact it has on productivity and ordered people to return to their desks. We are rapidly developing a two-tier workforce, where white-collar civil servants enjoy a privileged existence, working where and when they choose to, while everyone else has to get back to the daily grind. Trump has just shown us that there is a very simple solution. Just tell people to go back to the office and fire them if they dont. All it takes is a government, and a leader, with the courage and determination to make it happen. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. President Donald Trump on Monday issued a sweeping pardon for the roughly 1,500 defendants charged or convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including 15 people from Minnesota. A proclamation shared on the White House website states the action "ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation" and moves to "grant a full, complete and unconditional pardon" to those convicted of offenses related to the events that occurred at or near the Capitol. The order by Trump, who on Monday became the first convicted felon to be sworn in as President of the United States, also commutes the sentences of 14 individuals, including Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, over 140 police officers were assaulted on Jan. 6 and losses to the Capitol exceeded $2.8 million, as a mob of Trump supporters sought to overturn the 2020 election win of now-former President Joe Biden. Harry Dunn, a former U.S. Capitol Police officer, said in a statement released by Courage for America that the pardons mark a "dark day in American history." This decision is a betrayal to the officers who were severely injured and died as a result of the insurrection," Dunn stated. "This decision puts Americans at risk as these violent criminals return to their communities." Department of Justice Accused participants from Minnesota Frank Bratjan, of Eagan, was charged with entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a restricted building, disorderly conduct at a Capitol building, and parading and demonstrating in a Capitol building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin Cudo, of Lakeville, was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building ord grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Caleb Fuller, of Cleveland, Minnesota, was charged with obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder; knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; and disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds. Kenneth Fuller, of Cleveland, Minnesota, was charged with obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder; knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; and disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds. Nicholas Fuller, of Mapleton, was charged with obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder; knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; and disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aaron James, of Lindstrom, was charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon; entering and remaining in a restricting building and grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Daniel Johnson, of Austin, was charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building; violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Brian Mock, of Minneapolis, was charged and convicted of assaulting four police officers during the riot and was sentenced to almost three years in prison. His sentence was recently commuted to time served. Paul Orta Jr., of Blue Earth, pleaded guilty to obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and was sentenced to six months in prison, 12 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution and fines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan Stotts, of Bemidji, was charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Isaac, Jonah and Robert Westbury, all of Lindstrom, were each charged via a 10-count indictment with disorderly conduct and other charges. Victoria White, of Rochester, was charged with multiple felonies, and was ultimately convicted of interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder. Jack Johnson was charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, according to the Star Tribune. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Just moments after being sworn in, President Donald Trump announced plans to crack down on immigration. During his speech in Washington, D.C. Monday, Trump announced plans to declare a national emergency at the border. He also announced plans to issue ten executive orders from ending birthright citizenship, to suspending refugee settlements and deploying military personnel to the southern border. Illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the administration has pointed to crime and safety as a reason behind the aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration, an advisory group led by tech billionaire, Elon Musk, addressed the financial impacts. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) estimated undocumented immigrants cost the American taxpayers upwards of $150 billion in 2023. Trump pardons nearly all Jan. 6 rioters on first day of presidency As commander in Chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, Trump said. The administration is already zeroing in on specific sanctuary cities. As early as Tuesday, large-scale deportations are set to begin in Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The citys mayor, Brandon Johnson has openly opposed the plan, saying Chicago law forbids the Chicago Police Department from coordinating with ICE. Political parties react to President Trumps inauguration speech, promises to unify the country For many, the chapter that awaits brings a level of anxiety and fear, and we know that fear doesnt come from our God, Johnson said. While North Carolina does not have any sanctuary cities, the American Immigration Council estimated about 315,000 undocumented immigrants live across the state, a large portion in the Charlotte area. According to the council, mass deportations would drastically impact the citys labor force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. President Donald Trump revoked several executive orders from former President Joe Biden, including a significant framework for artificial intelligence (AI) established in October 2023. This executive order introduced reporting mechanisms for AI companies and required them to share safety test information with federal authorities. Critics within Trumps administration have characterized Biden's AI regulations as excessive and a hindrance to technological innovation. The Republican Party's 2024 platform described Biden's order as a barrier to AI development, advocating instead for policies focused on free speech and human flourishing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prominent tech leaders, including Metas Mark Zuckerberg, Amazons Jeff Bezos, and Googles Sundar Pichai, were present at the inauguration, indicating their support for the new administration's stance. Biden's executive order outlined essential points regarding ethical AI use in government, consumer privacy protections, and guidelines for identifying flaws in language models. The National Institute of Standards and Technology contributed to developing these guidelines to help companies navigate potential biases in their AI systems. In response to the repeal, critics like Alondra Nelson from the Center for American Progress raised concerns that the decision could leave the public vulnerable to the risks associated with AI technologies, emphasizing the need for a thoughtful replacement. Additionally, Alexander Nowrasteh from the Cato Institute noted that some beneficial aspects of the Biden order, particularly those easing AI worker immigration, would have been advantageous to retain. The Biden administration had also aimed to impose licensing restrictions on AI semiconductor sales to all but 18 U.S. allies, a move that faced backlash from the tech industry over concerns it could undermine American leadership in the AI sector. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Monday marked Donald Trumps first day in office for his second term as President of the United States, and it took only a few hours for him to make his first mention of the Pacific Northwest. Midway through his second speech of the day, right before he began signing his first executive order, President Trump brought up Portland and Seattle. And look what happens in other parts of the country, in Portland, where they kill people and destroy the city nothing happens to them. In Seattle, where they take a big chunk of the city, nothing happens to them, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tesla dealership targeted in early morning arson This is not the first time the 47th president has mentioned Portland. During his first term in office, he frequently referenced the 2020 social justice protests seen in Portland and around the U.S. During a Meet the Press interview with NBCs Kristen Welker, Trump asked, How many people were charged for destroying Portland? How many people were charged for burning down the police precinct at the courthouse in Minneapolis? Fight with all I have: Oregon, Washington lawmakers react to Trump inauguration More recently, he mentioned Portland on the campaign trail in 2024 during a debate with former President Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Biden claimed Trump encouraged those folks to storm Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump replied, You ought to be ashamed of yourself. What you have done. You have destroyed the lives of so many people. When they ripped down Portland, when they ripped down many other cities. You go to (Minneapolis), what they have done there. With the fires, all over the city. If I didnt bring in the National Guard, that city would have been destroyed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. In one of his first actions as the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump ordered all flags across the nation to be flown at full-staff on Monday, temporarily halting a 30-day period in which flags were to be flown at half-staff, in honor of the late President Jimmy Carter. As of 2 p.m. on Monday, the Arizona state Capitol building had its flags at full-staff, whereas most of the other buildings in the Capitol Mall were still at half-staff. That was because MLK Day is a federal holiday, and there was a lack of workers available to raise the flags, according to Timothy Tait, assistant director for the Arizona Department of Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Flag Code states that flags must be flown at half-staff for 30 days after the death of a former president. The death of President Carter means that flags are to resume being flown at half-staff until sunset on Jan. 28, unless further orders are issued, according to Tait. It was unclear at first what Inauguration Day meant for the 30-day period. Governors in Texas and Tennessee preemptively ordered that their flags were to be flown at full-staff on Inauguration Day. No such order or comment came from the Arizona governor, however, the town of Fountain Hills announced Sunday that all flags in the town were to be flown at full-staff on Inauguration Day. Tait told the Arizona Republic that all flags in the Arizona Capitol complex will be raised to full-staff as soon as possible and will resume being flown at half-staff on Jan. 21. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Some Arizona buildings have flags at half-staff after proclamation Democratic attorneys general are pushing back against President Donald Trumps executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship in the U.S. The legal challenge led by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin with California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell comes just a day after Trump signed the order in a flurry of moves made in the first hours of his return to office. Trumps order directs federal agencies to refuse to recognize citizenship for children born in the United States to mothers who are in the country illegally or legally on visas, if the father is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. It quickly drew criticism from immigrant rights advocates, who filed a suit in federal court on Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents of Trumps order argue that the Constitution guarantees the right to citizenship for those born in the U.S. under the 14th Amendment. Platkin told reporters on Tuesday that he is confident this order is never going to take effect, calling it one of the most unprecedented acts undermining the rule of law by a president in our nations history. It's not about disagreeing with him on policy or politics it's about standing up for the rule of law, he told POLITICO in an interview. I was hopeful that he wouldn't do things that so egregiously violated the law, but he chose on his first day to sign an executive order that stripped people of a constitutional right. Immigration an issue that Trump campaigned heavily on will be one of the first legal battles the administration faces. New Jersey, California and Massachusetts are joined by Connecticut; Colorado; Delaware; Hawaii; Maine; Maryland; Michigan; Minnesota; Nevada; New Mexico; New York; North Carolina; Rhode Island; Vermont; Wisconsin; D.C.; and San Francisco in the challenge, which seeks to prevent the order from taking effect. Without intervention, it is set to be in place 30 days after it was signed. The Democrats raised concerns that hundreds of thousands of children will have uncertain legal status if the order were to take effect, which could cause states to lose out on federal funding for various programs contingent on childrens citizenship and immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I don't like something he does, that's not the test, Platkin said, noting that he is willing to work with the administration a sentiment that Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has also shared. It's whether what he's done is lawful and consistent with our Constitution and the laws of this nation. Presidents are powerful, but they are not kings, he added. Attorneys general in the states of Illinois, Washington, Arizona and Oregon have also filed suit. Theyve been working for weeks on the case in anticipation of the executive order. The issue is personal for Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, whose mother emigrated from Haiti to Chicago, where Raoul was born. I was a birthright baby, he told POLITICO. My mother was not yet naturalized at the time of my birth. So, Im prepared to step forward for all those citizens that might be impacted by any effort to undermine the protection of the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic attorneys general have been bracing for the return of the Trump administration and have vowed to utilize legal tools to push back against his policies. Even before Trump took office again, Platkin last week announced a separate legal effort in anticipation of the administration rolling back access to government health insurance for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program. Its familiar territory for these Democrats, who had what Platkin called an unprecedented rate of success with suits they filed during the first Trump administration. A lot of these attorney generals are incredible working on their own, said Bonta. We're even stronger when we're working together. Lisa Kashinsky, Lindsey Holden, Will McCarthy and Shia Kapos contributed to this report. It concerns me in terms of what kind of precedent it sets and how the rest of the world looks [at] us as a nation of laws. So said President-elect Joe Biden in 2020, responding to rumors that Donald Trump planned to issue preemptive pardons of himself, members of his family, Bombay Sapphire Nosferatu Rudy Giuliani, etc. before leaving office. President Biden, in the final days of his political dotage, has taken a rather more open-handed approach. There are legitimate competing concerns here, of course. Donald Trump really is a vindictive would-be caudillo who is going to have to be constrained by the courts on any number of fronts, and taking prosecutions off the tableof Anthony Fauci, of members of the January 6 committee of investigation, notably Liz Cheney, etc.might save the republic some unwanted convulsions. But there are problems, too: Bidens decision to pardon people who have not been investigatedmuch less charged with or convicted ofany crime has no obvious precedent in law. The presidents pardon powers are understood to be plenipotentiary, but the concept of a pardon or of legal clemency is not infinitely plastic. This is a bigger sort of problem because Biden is a lesser sort of man. He is a man who was dishonest from the beginning of his political career to the end of it, including in the matter of pardons, famously averring that he would not extend clemency to his wayward son, Hunter, who was convictedby Bidens own Justice Department, not under the Trump administrationof tax and gun crimes. Biden did not pardon him of these only but instead offered a categorical cleansing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidens critics are not wrong to find that troubling: Hunter and other members of the Biden family very plainly were in the influence-peddling business, and they may have been in the influence-peddling business in a way that was criminal. Biden has added an extensive list of family members to those who now will enjoy immunity from prosecution. I do not wish to see Liz Cheney or Mark Milley put through the legal wringer needlesslythese things can be ruinously expensive and consume peoples lives for years, no matter how meretricious the casebut Bidens pardons do raise the question of whether we believe in our legal system or do not. I do believe in it, but I am not entirely confident it would endure the worst that Trump might do to it with an endless list of appointments of people such as Kash Patel, Pam Bondi, and Aileen Cannon, nor am I confident that the great legal minds of the Ivy LeagueTed Cruz, J.D. Vance, etc.have the robustness or any inclination at all to resist the corruption that is the price of admission to Donald Trumps circle. Ironically, Joe Biden here is flirting with a version of the Trumpian policy paradox, by which I mean Trumps ability to take a good policysay, more stringent enforcement at the borderand to pervert it through his own peculiar combination of cowardice, coprophagous stupidity, and viciousness. There are times when having the wrong champion can turn a good idea into a bad one or a reasonable policy into an unreasonable one. Biden may not be quite all the way there in this matter, but the preemptive pardons of Cheney, Milley, et al. would look very different coming from a man with some genuine credibility. Instead, they are coming from Joe Bidenyou know, the guy who just tried to keep clapping until Tinkerbell came back to life to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As with the matters of Borking and gerrymandering, Democrats should be careful about the precedents they set: Republicans do not learn quickly or easily, but theysome of them, anywaycan learn. They got very, very good at gerrymandering over the years, and Mitch McConnell gave a master class in political hardball during the Merrick Garland saga. Biden is leaving Trump with an expanded model of executive power, broader discretion in clemency, andas a final parting giftthe promise of an ability to wish a constitutional amendment into existence. Which is to say, Biden just gave a loaded political gun to the guy who has bragged about his ability to get away with shooting strangers on Fifth Avenue in broad daylight. Do you reckon hell try to use it? Do you think yesterdays mass pardons and commutations of January 6 criminals will be the end of it? Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. The President of the United States serves as the Commander in Chief of the nations armed forces. While not in the chain of command, the Vice President is next in line to take command. Although these offices have been held by military veterans from George Washington and Thomas Jefferson (Vice President to John Adams before becoming President) to George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush (Ronald Reagans Vice President before becoming President himself), they have mostly been officers. With the swearing-in of JD Vance as the 50th Vice President on January 20, 2025, a junior enlisted veteran has risen to the White House. Enlisting as a private in 2003 and leaving the Marine Corps as a Corporal in 2007, Vance has become the don of the E-4 mafia. However, other junior enlisted men previously served as Vice President and even President. Hamlin c. 1840s (Library of Congress) In 1861, Hannibal Hamlin vacated his seat in the Senate to become Abraham Lincolns Vice President. The 16-year veteran of Congress (four in the House, 12 in the Senate) was not a military veteran. However, the office of Vice President offered Hamlin little to do. According to a U.S. Senate biography, the Vice President enlisted as a private in the Maine State Guard at the outbreak of the Civil War; his unit was called up to active duty in 1864. Hamlin as Vice President (Library of Congress) As Vice President, Hamlin was told that he did not have to report to muster. However, he insisted on fulfilling his duty and setting an example of service to the nation. Hamlin was promoted to Corporal and carried out duties ranging from standing guard and drilling troops to peeling potatoes. Interestingly, Hamlin sought the Republican Partys Vice Presidential nomination in 1864, but was passed over for Andrew Johnson. After his three-month active duty tour ended in September, Vice President Hamlin returned to politics and campaigned for Lincoln and Johnson. He returned to the Senate in 1869 and remained there until 1881. McKinley as an enlisted soldier (National Park Service) Unlike Hamlin, William McKinley was an enlisted man before he was a politician. In June 1861, two months after the Civil War broke out, McKinley enlisted as a private in the Ohio Poland Guards. He reported to Columbus where his unit was consolidated into the 23rd Ohio Infantry. McKinley took well to soldiering and was impressed by one of his officers, future President Major Rutherford B. Hayes. The 23rd engaged Confederate troops on September 10, 1861, at Carnifex Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia). Although McKinley was later assigned to the brigade quartermaster, he served under fire bringing rations to troops on the line at the Battle of Antietam. McKinley as President (Library of Congress) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For his service at Antietam, Sergeant McKinley was given a commission as a Second Lieutenant by Ohio Governor David Tod. During the 1864 Shenandoah Valley campaign, McKinley earned a promotion to Captain for his actions at the Second Battle of Kernstown and had a horse shot out from under him at the Battle of Berryville. Just before the war ended, McKinley received a brevet commission as a Major. After the war, McKinley returned to Ohio and studied law. He went on to serve as a U.S. Congressman, Ohio Governor, and 25th President of the United States. (National Guard Bureau) Artist: Jezierski So far weve examined the junior enlisted careers of a Vice President who became a private and a private who earned a commission before becoming President. However, there is one U.S. President who started as a private and never wore an officers rank. In 1812, James Buchanan passed the Pennsylvania bar exam and established himself as a prominent lawyer in Lancaster. Although he was opposed to a declaration of war against Great Britain, Buchanan advocated for the national defense in the War of 1812. Oil painting by John Henry Brown (White House Historical Association) According to the National Guard Bureau, Buchanan enlisted as a private in Judge Shippens Cavalrymen, a local Lancaster militia company, on August 25, 1814. While the unit fought in the defense of Baltimore, Buchanan did not see action. Instead, he was one of 10 men who volunteered for a raid to tactically acquire additional horses. After the British attack on Baltimore was repelled, Buchanans unit was dismissed. He went on to serve in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and as 15th President of the United States. The UKs central programme to stop domestic terrorism, Prevent, has been criticised for failing to intercept Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana before his fatal attack which left three young girls dead in July. The 18-year-old had previously been referred to Prevent three times before he carried out the atrocity, the first as long ago as 2019. Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has now ordered a public inquiry into the attack, saying that the anti-terror programme and other state institutions failed the families of the victims. His comments come after Rudakubana, 18, made a surprise guilty plea in court on Monday as his trial was due to begin. He admitted to the murders of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and trying to kill ten others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class last summer. Axel Rudakubana, 18, who has pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to murdering three young girls, Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar (Merseyside Police/PA) (PA Media) The teenagers referrals to the Prevent programme were made between December 2019 and April 2021, when he was aged 13 and 14, home secretary Yvette Cooper revealed the day after his trial. Rudakubana had also had contact with the police, the courts, the Youth Justice system, social services and mental health services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet between them, those agencies failed to identify the terrible risk and danger to others that he posed, Ms Cooper said. The minister that a Learning Review into Rudakubanas three referrals to Prevent begun in the Summer but remained confidential to protect the integrity of the trial. We will publish further details this week, alongside new reforms to the Prevent programme. But we also need more independent answers on both Prevent and all the other agencies that came into contact with this extremely violent teenager as well as answers on how he came to be so dangerous, including through a public inquiry that can get to the truth about what happened and what needs to change. Heres everything you need to know about the UKs anti-terror programme: What is Prevent? The Prevent programme is a central part of the Home Offices counter-terrorism strategy. Its central aim is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism through early intervention. It also extends to supporting the rehabilitation and disengagement of those already involved in terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its three main objectives are: Tackle the ideological causes of terrorism Intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation Enable people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate The programme comprises a multi-agency approach, with duties extending to many bodies. Legislation introduced in 2015 introduced the Prevent Duty, requiring certain sectors to follow Prevent safeguarding policies by law. This includes several specific authorities such as schools, colleges, universities, health, local authorities, police, and prisons. Home secretary Yvette Cooper looks at tributes near the scene of the deadly attack in Hart Street, Southport (James Speakman/PA) (PA Wire) Local authorities oversee the delivery of the Prevent programme locally. Anyone can refer themselves or someone they know to Prevent if they are concerned that they are susceptible to radicalisation or might be at risk of becoming involved in terrorism or supporting terrorism. Referrals can be made to a number of bodies with the Prevent duty, but will be handled by specialist officers in the local police force. If a referred person is found to represent a security threat, they should be investigated further under current guidance. In the year to March 2024, there were 6,922 referrals to Prevent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Prevent programme is the first of four steps in the governments counter-terrorism strategy CONTEST. Revised over the years, the strategy was first created in 2003 in as an immediate response to 9/11. The strategy comprises are four Ps, and alongside Prevent there is: As Michiganders continue to face harsh winter temperatures, homeowners are advised to take proactive steps to prevent freezing pipes, a common and costly issue in the region. Having experienced frozen pipes firsthand, I recall living in a home where the kitchen sink pipes ran along an exterior wall, with a small section exposed outside before continuing into the basement. One winter, when temperatures plunged below zero, the water inside the pipe froze, causing the pipe to crack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To prevent a recurrence, I was advised to keep cabinet doors open to allow heat to reach the pipes and to wrap them in insulation, including the pipes in the basement and the small exposed section. What causes the damage? When temperatures drop below freezing, like they have in Michigan for the last few days and in the days ahead, water inside pipes can freeze, expand, and potentially burst, leading to significant water damage and expensive repairs. Tracy Cole from Insurance One Agency in Southfield discussed the costly damage that can result from burst pipes, particularly in vacant houses. Cole recommends that homeowners check their insurance policy deductibles; noting that burst pipes can cause significant damage to floors and drywall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Repair costs can vary drastically, from $150 to several thousand dollars, depending on whether the issue is caught right away or if the pipe thaws and lead to additional damage to floors, walls, and more. She also suggested making arrangements to have someone monitor pipes, especially in older homes, when traveling or away for an extended period. Christopher George from Home and Development Examiners in Macomb County encountered a severe issue during a recent inspection of a vintage home in Port Huron. We arrived to find the plumbing literally split down the middle, he said. The furnace had failed, leaving the house without heat, and icicles had formed on the plumbing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He stressed the importance of maintaining heat in homes and advised insulating pipes, particularly in houses with crawl spaces or mobile homes. More: Metro Detroit faces dangerous blast of arctic air, subzero wind chills next week More: 9 things you shouldn't leave in your car during cold, winter weather The Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness estimates 250,000 homes are damaged each winter due to frozen water pipes. Here are more steps to take to prevent this seasonal hazard: Insulate pipes Insulating exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas such as basements, attics, and garages, can save damage down the road. Leave faucets dripping Leaving faucets dripping during extreme cold temps will prevent water from freezing inside the pipes to begin with. Keep the heat on inside the house Maintaining a consistent thermostat setting, even when away to keep the house warm, can save you from disaster. Winterize your home For those escaping the cold, its crucial to winterize the home by turning off the water supply and draining the pipes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freezing pipes can lead to more than just an inconvenience; they can cause extensive water damage and costly repairs. To help Michiganders avoid this issue, the state of Michigan offers a Preventing Frozen Pipes page with useful tips and guidance. By taking these preventive measures, homeowners can avoid the stress and expense associated with frozen and burst pipes. Free Press reporter Jalen Williams contributed to this report. Brendel Hightower writes about real estate and other topics for the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Preventing frozen pipes: From dripping faucets to heating in your home Prince George is growing up fastand he's getting ready to mark a major educational milestone. While the eldest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton currently attends the Berkshire-based Lambrook School, the independent prep school only goes through Year 8 (the British equivalent of 7th grade). That means George, who turns 12 this summer, will need to move on to a different school next Septemberand it seems his mother is in the process of choosing the right place for him. SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox According to the Daily Mail, the Princess of Wales was seen touring two prestigious London schools in recent weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just after it closed for Christmas break, Kate paid a visit to the 10,000-per-term University College School (UCS) in Hampstead. She also toured Highgate School, located just two miles away (which was temporarily closed to accommodate a "special VIP visitor" believed to be the royal mother-of-three). Related: Prince George Reportedly Takes First Major Step Toward Future Career However, Kate's alma mater, Marlborough College in Wiltshire, is "understood" to be her first choice for George when he leaves Lambrook School, the outlet reported. The 59,000-a-year a co-educational boarding school would also be able to take Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, in addition to Georgeand Kate is thought to want to keep them together. Charlotte and Louis are both students at Lambrook School with their older brother now. Apparently, Prince George has even been offered a place at the school and a house has already been chosen for him. Marlborough College is also said to be the safest option for the young royal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As reported by Hello!, the prospectus describes Marlborough College as "academically ambitious, offering a progressive, challenging and enriching curriculum broadly based on the National Curriculum" that is "designed to support pupils to excel in their exams and to instill a life long love of learning." Next: Fans Can't Get Enough of Prince George 'Mimicking' Father Prince William's Mannerisms in Sweet Video Prince Harry has reportedly accused Will Lewis, the controversial CEO installed at the Washington Post by Jeff Bezos, of having instigated and authorized a cover-up of endemic illegality at U.K. tabloid the Sun. Papers which are due to be filed in court by Harrys legal team reportedly will say that Lewis, who was put in charge of dealing with the phone hacking scandal for News Group Newspapers in 2011, mastermindedalong with James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooksa cover-up of a regime of unlawful information gathering including the bugging of cars and phones to get stories on Harry and his co-plaintiff, the former lawmaker Tom Watson. In response to Daily Beast reporting last year, the Washington Post issued a statement attributed to Lewis saying, Any allegations of wrongdoing are untrue. I have no further comment to make. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis has been under fire from staff at the Post for his stewardship of the paper, which has lost almost 90 percent of its online readership and half a million subscribers in recent years. He appears, however, to remain in favor with Bezos, who was seen dining with him as recently as Friday last week. Spotted: Jeff Bezos at Osteria Mozza on Friday pic.twitter.com/KW0QCE9LYU Overheard District (@OverheardWDC) January 20, 2025 The suit also alleges that NGN owner Rupert Murdoch, who this week attended the inauguration of Donald Trump, misled a Parliamentary Committee and that a staggering 30 million emails were deleted by NGN to cover up their malfeasance, according to the first outlet to report on the filings, the independent Byline Times, which is closely associated with campaign group Hacked Off. Rupert Murdoch at the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. / Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images The allegations, which include a claim Lewis misled the police, were made at the start of what was expected to be a nine-week trial. Byline Times says that 14 other previously planned trials have been settled. However, Harry has spoken of his determination to see the trial through despite huge financial risks. However reports Tuesday said NGNs team made a massive offer to Harry at the very last minute, and both legal teams joined forces to delay the formal start of the case until Wednesday as they negotiated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under U.K. legal rules, Harry risks being lumped with vast legal costs if the amount he is awarded is less than what NGN has offered to settle the case. The actor Hugh Grant explained in April 2024 that he felt he had to settle with NGN after being advised bills could run to more than $10 million ($12 million), even if he was successful. In a lengthy thread on X, Grant wrote, News Group are claiming they are entirely innocent of the things I had accused the Sun of doing phone hacking, unlawful information gathering, landline tapping, the burglary of my flat and office, the bugging of my car, the illegal blagging of medical records, lies, perjury and the destruction of evidence. As is common with entirely innocent people, they are offering me an enormous sum of money to keep this matter out of court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want to accept this money or settle. I would love to see all the allegations that they deny tested in court, he added, But the rules around civil litigation mean that if I proceed to trial and the court awards me damages that are even a penny less than the settlement offer, I would have to pay the legal costs of both sides. My lawyers tell me that that is exactly what would most likely happen here. Rupert Murdochs lawyers are very expensive. So even if every allegation is proven in court, I would still be liable for something approaching 10 million in costs. Im afraid I am shying at that fence. Harry, however, has previously talked up his desire to take the battle all the way. In December, during an onstage talk at The New York Times Dealbook summit, Harry said: One of the main reasons for seeing this through is accountability, because Im the last person that can actually achieve that. Once one of about 40 plaintiffs suing Murdochs publications, Harry and Watson are the last two plaintiffs standing, with all the others settling their claims. Harry is thought to be in California, but is expected to travel to London in February to give evidence and be cross-examined, a process that could last two days or more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for the claimants said, [Illegal behaviour] was widespread and habitual at these newspapers, despite the denials, and there was a deliberate cover-up and concealment of incriminating evidence by Senior Executives. News Group denies the allegations. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." When Prince Harry sat down with journalist Tom Bradby to discuss his memoir Spare in January 2023, he described changing the media landscape within the UK as his lifes work. Since then, he has won a phone hacking claim against tabloid publishers Mirror Group Newspapers and has cases pending trial against two further tabloid publishers for historical wrongdoing. One of those, a case against the publisher of The Sun and the now defunct News of the World, was due to begin this morning in the UKs High Court. Lawyers from both sides filed into the Rolls Building courtroom for the 10:30 a.m. hearing today. Such was the level of interest that journalists from across the world convened both in the court and in an overspill room next door. However, the case was immediately delayed for an hour after Harrys lawyer David Sherborne asked for an adjournment. When the legal teams returned, a further request was made for the case to resume after lunch. No reason was given but there was speculation that this indicated a last-minute settlement might be reached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Prince, who did not attend the opening of the trial, has accused News Group Newspapers of illegal information gathering between 1996 and 2011. He has already been told by the court that he cannot include accusations of phone hacking in his claim because he is out of time. In December, Harry discussed with the New York Times DealBook Summit the fact that around 1,300 people have accepted financial settlements from the publisher. He said he was one of the last people who could afford to see the case through for accountability. There is one other claimant taking a case to court alongside him, politician Lord Watson. Last April, Hugh Grant settled with NGN. "I would love to see all the allegations that they deny tested in court," he wrote in a statement after settling . But the rules around civil litigation mean that if I proceed to trial and the court awards me damages that are even a penny less than the settlement offer, I would have to pay the legal costs of both sides. The BBC has described the case as the most important moment in the Princes legal battle against British tabloids. Someone is going to lose - and lose big, an article by the broadcasters Home and Legal Correspondent reads . News Group Newspapers has denied the allegations and said in a statement ahead of the trial that they will be fully defended. You Might Also Like Prince Harrys lawsuit against Rupert Murdochs British tabloid newspapers the royals latest in his ongoing war against the U.K. press has faced drama and delays on day one as lawyers for News Group Newspapers (NGN) sought a last-minute settlement. Opening arguments had been due to take place in Londons High Court on Tuesday, with the Duke of Sussex high-stakes and historic trial expected to last six to eight weeks. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, following several adjournments by the judge as the two teams negotiated, NGNs lawyer Anthony Hudson, according to the BBC, said they were now very close to reaching a settlement. Both sets of lawyers later said they would appeal a decision by the judge to not allow any more delays following the final adjournment. We are very close, there is an issue with time and gaining instructions, said Hudson. It is not the only factor. We do say for the sake of an hour and a half the amount of money that is going to be involved if the trial starts this afternoon rather than tomorrow it would be unreasonable to the overriding objective [not to adjourn]. Prince Harry has so-far been adamant about not settling and seeing this case through to trial, which would make any deal an unexpected plot twist. The royal is suing NGN over alleged activities carried out by both journalists and private investigators working for The Sun and the now-defunct The News of the World from 1996 until 2011. Among the accusations are issues such as phone hacking and unlawful information gathering, while the trial will also assess whether senior figures at the papers knew what was happening and withheld evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial comes after NGN settled cases with around 40 other high profile individuals, including Hugh Grant and Sienna Miller, and in total paid out more than $1.5 billion. Prince Harry and former U.K. politician Tom Watson (who also accuses NGN of hacking and whose case is part of the trial) is the only remaining claimant. While in 2011 NGN apologized to victims of phone hacking that took place at The News of the World, which Murdoch shut down that year, it has never admitted to any of the claims made against The Sun. One of the reasons why I brought the claim . . . is specifically for truth and accountability, Harry told The New York Times DealBook Summit last month. There is no justice for any of the claimants. The trial should see Harry once again take to witness box, potentially over several days. In 2023 he became the first senior royal in more than 100 years to give evidence in court when he testified in a similar trial involving Mirror Group Newspapers. The Duke alongside other claimants won that case and damages of more than $170,000. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Australian tech investment group Macquarie Capital has agreed to invest A$80 million into Brazilian fixed broadband operator Brazil TecPar to expand its optical fibre network. The capital injection will be used to fund Brazil TecPar's strategic business plan of expanding and consolidating its fibre optic platform and strengthening the delivery of fixed broadband and telecommunications solutions to residential, corporate and government customers. The agreement provides for an initial investment of R$300 million (about A$80 million), for a 16% stake, with the possibility of Macquarie making additional direct investments of up to A$400 million for a higher stake in the Brazilian operator. Brasil TecPar, a relatively small operator with big ambitions, provides fixed broadband, voice and TV services, technology support, infrastructure sharing and corporate projects for more than 820,000 customers in eight Brazilian states. The Brazilian operator manages approximately 150,000 kilometres of fibre optic networks, capable of reaching more than 3 million connections, and aims to be among the five largest connectivity and technology companies in Brazil by 2027. With thousands of ISPs, for some time Brazil has experienced consolidation movements and consequently a maturation in the Connectivity and Technology sector," said Gustavo Stock, founder and CEO of Brasil TecPar. "The Macquarie Capital investment will bring financial support to our business plan and significantly strengthen our corporate governance." Macquarie Group has been investing in infrastructure projects in Brazil for more than 25 years, through its asset management and commodity trading units. As Brazil moves forward in strengthening and consolidating its fibre optic network, we see great opportunities for TecPar given its extensive track record of successful acquisitions and strategic network expansions, said Kevin Nobels, Executive Director of the Infrastructure and Energy team at Macquarie Capital. This investment will further strengthen Brazil TecPar's presence and contribute to expanding connectivity throughout Brazil. As of September 2024, Macquarie reported A$917 billion assets under management The transaction is subject to regulatory review and antitrust approval. UPDATED 06.42 a.m. PT: There has been high drama on the first day in the trial of Prince Harry versus Rupert Murdochs News Group Newspapers (NGN), with a settlement deal now very close, according to NGNs lawyer. The court has just been adjourned for the day with absolutely no action taking place in the courtroom, with lawyers on both sides repeatedly asking for delays. More from Deadline After one final adjournment was awarded by the judge, both sets of lawyers said they would take leave to appeal the decision to not allow any more delays, according to the BBC, in what was an unprecedented situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NGNs lawyer Anthony Hudson was quoted by the BBC as saying: We are very close, there is an issue with time and gaining instructions. It is not the only factor. We do say for the sake of an hour and a half the amount of money that is going to be involved if the trial starts this afternoon rather than tomorrow it would be unreasonable to the overriding objective [not to adjourn]. The court was told back in November that 39 cases have been settled since a hearing last July, with only Prince Harry and former Labour deputy Tom Watson left. PREVIOUS: The beginning of the end of Prince Harrys six-year long legal battle with Rupert Murdochs News Group Newspapers (NGN) has commenced. The California-based Prince is suing The Sun and now-defunct News of the World owner for alleged unlawful information gathering by journalists and their contractors, in a high-profile trial that has been brewing for years. NGN apologized for unlawful practices against others at the News of the World many years ago, but denies similar claims against The Sun and allegations of a wider cover-up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the next eight to 10 weeks, the judge and jury at Londons High Court will hear about more than 200 articles published by NGN between 1996 and 2011, which the Duke of Sussex believes were put together illegally. The trial will look at a sample of around 30 stories in detail and decide whether this was the case. Harry and former Labour Party deputy leader Lord Watson are the only two claimants going forward with legal action against the publisher. The court was told back in November that 39 cases have been settled since a hearing last July. The Prince is expected to fly over from the U.S. to give evidence next month. His barrister, David Sherborne, who represented Johnny Depp in his libel suit against The Sun, was pictured arriving at the Rolls Building in the past hour. Sherbornes first move was to ask for the court to be adjourned for one hour, according to the BBC live blog covering the case. The Duke of Sussexs barrister, David Sherborne (left), arrives at the Rolls Building in London. Image: James Manning/PA Images/Getty. Harry wanted to go in harder. The High Court ruled almost a year ago that the lawsuit would not include media tycoon Murdoch or ex-News of the World editor Piers Morgan, who were dubbed trophy targets by the judge. Furthermore, Harry will not be able to bring claims that he was the victim of bugging and tracking devices. The judge, Justice Fancourt, has previously described the lawsuit as resembling a campaign between two obdurate but well-resourced armies that is taking up more than an appropriate amount of court time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will conjure memories of the notorious phone hacking trial that led to the closure of the News of the World in 2011, which Watson played a major part in. Harry, who lives in Montecito with wife Meghan Markle, is of course no stranger to the courtroom. He has also taken on Mirror Group Newspapers, of which Morgan is a former editor. Last year, he was awarded substantial further damages in the remaining part of this phone hacking claim, and he blasted Morgan at its conclusion, claiming: Even his own employer realised it simply could not call him as a witness of truth at the trial. A few weeks prior, he dropped a libel claim against the publisher of the Mail on Sunday relating to his and Markles security arrangements in the UK. He does have one more high-profile privacy trial after this one to come, however. That trial against the Daily Mails publisher has been instigated with the likes of Elton John and Liz Hurley and was given the go-ahead late last year. The Mails publisher has described the allegations as preposterous smears. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Prince Harry's trial against Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid The Sun began in London on Tuesday, Jan. 21 The high-stakes trial began with an immediate delay, with the Duke of Sussex's lawyer, David Sherbourne, asking the judge to allow them some more time amid talk of a settlement Harry was not present in court on Tuesday but is scheduled to testify in court in February PEOPLE understands that Harry will not attend the first day of the NGN trial on Tuesday, Jan. 21, but is scheduled to testify in court in FebruaryPrince Harry is embarking on the next stage of his mission to take on what he claims are historical illegal activities by some newspapers in the U.K. The trial in the Duke of Sussex's legal battle against Rupert Murdochs News Group Newspapers (NGN) the publisher of The Sun over allegations of unlawful information gathering by journalists and private investigators working for NGN began in the High Court in London on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Harry, 40, was not there to witness the beginning of the proceedings against the tabloid after it emerged on Jan. 20 that he would miss it. He is scheduled to give evidence in the case which is taking place at the grand Rolls Building, in the heart of the city's law courts district over four days in February. Mr. Justice Fancourt is the judge in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial began with an immediate delay on Tuesday, with David Sherbourne the lawyer acting for Harry and his co-claimant, former Labour politician Tom Watson standing first and asking the judge to allow them some more time amid talk of a settlement. Lord Watson was also seen at the courtroom building after arriving well after the proceedings started. ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images Prince Harry arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in June 2023 Prince Harry arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in June 2023 Both legal teams were granted an hour to go away, and when they returned shortly after 11:30 a.m. local time, Mr. Sherbourne asked for another break to take them to lunch, around an hour and a half later. The barrister representing NGN, Anthony Hudson, agreed and assured the judge that it would not hinder the upcoming trial schedule. He agreed to the adjournment as long as it would be "beneficial" to the outcome. NGN has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement released Tuesday, its legal team also made reference to the fact that Harry had accused NGN of phone hacking and other privacy violations between 1996 and 2011, a period during which The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World allegedly targeted him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Duke alleges unlawful information gathering from 1996-2011. His allegations of mobile phone hacking have been struck out by the court so will not be part of the trial. His claim focuses now on allegations of unlawful information gathering by enquiry agents and alleged private investigators instructed by NGN journalists mainly in the early 2000s. His claim will be fully defended, including on the grounds that it is brought out of time." Leon Neal/Getty Images Prince Harry at an earlier court hearing against Mirror Group Newspapers in London in June 2023 Prince Harry at an earlier court hearing against Mirror Group Newspapers in London in June 2023 Related: Prince Harry Fulfills Elderly Man's Doughnut Request amid Wildfire Relief Efforts: 'I Will Find One' The Duke of Sussex signaled the beginning of this civil case in 2019, when his wife Meghan Markle also kicked off her fight against another newspaper, the Mail on Sunday. She won that case in February 2021. It is one of several cases he has involved in the British legal system. Harry is also appealing the decision that led to the removal of the official security for him and his family with that coming in the spring. Then, early next year, sees his case involving the publishers of the Daily Mail. In an interview for ITVs Tabloids on Trial, Prince Harry acknowledged the impact the lawsuits have had on his relationship with his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Yeah, thats certainly a central piece to it," he said, adding that the pursuit of justice against the press is something he feels is necessary, despite the personal toll it has taken. Getty Images Prince Harry at the Royal Courts of Justice in March 2023 Prince Harry at the Royal Courts of Justice in March 2023 Related: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Open Their Montecito Home to Friends Forced to Evacuate amid Los Angeles Fires But, you know, thats a hard question to answer because anything I say about my family results in a torrent of abuse from the press, said the prince, who formally stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and moved with his wife the Duchess of Sussex and their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, to California. Ive made it very clear that this is something that needs to be done. Itd be nice if we did it as a family. I believe, again, from a service standpoint and when youre in a public role that these are the things that we should be doing for the greater good. But, you know, Im doing this for my reasons. Celebrities, including actor Hugh Grant and actress Sienna Miller, also brought cases against the publisher, but they have settled their claims. Grant explained in April 2024 that he felt he had no choice as he might be hit with a huge costs bill, running into more than $10 million, even if he was successful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a lengthy thread on X (formerly known as Twitter), he wrote, "News Group are claiming they are entirely innocent of the things I had accused the Sun of doing - phone hacking, unlawful information gathering, landline tapping, the burglary of my flat and office, the bugging of my car, the illegal blagging of medical records, lies, perjury and the destruction of evidence." "As is common with entirely innocent people, they are offering me an enormous sum of money to keep this matter out of court," he added. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Prince Harry at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in March 2023 Prince Harry at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in March 2023 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I dont want to accept this money or settle. I would love to see all the allegations that they deny tested in court," he continued. "But the rules around civil litigation mean that if I proceed to trial and the court awards me damages that are even a penny less than the settlement offer, I would have to pay the legal costs of both sides." Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! A spokesperson for NGN told PEOPLE in a statement that it admitted no liability in the settlement and said that settling the case was "in both parties' financial interests not to progress to a costly trial." In December, during a chat with The New York Times columnist and Dealbook founder Andrew Ross Sorkin, Harry said other claimants "settled because theyve had to settle." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the main reasons for seeing this through is accountability, because Im the last person that can actually achieve that, he added, per U.K. newspaper The Observer. Read the original article on People A legal battle brought by Prince Harry against the publisher of The Sun newspaper, owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch, kicked off at the High Court in London on Tuesday, without Prince Harry in attendance and with several delays. The trial against the News Group Newspapers (NGN) unit of Murdoch-owned News Corps U.K. operation, with former U.K. politician Tom Watson, the ex-deputy leader of the Labour Party being the other remaining claimant alongside Prince Harry in the case, is expected to last around six to eight weeks. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The litigation is based on alleged activities, including alleged phone hacking and unlawful information gathering, carried out by journalists and private investigators working for The Sun and the defunct The News of the World between 1996 and 2011. Another topic for the court will be whether senior executives knew about these activities. The goal is accountability. Its really that simple, Prince Harry told a press event in New York in December. NGN has previously denied unlawful activity at The Sun and settled cases with dozens of other high-profile personalities, including the likes of Hugh Grant and Sienna Miller, with total payouts of more than $1.5 billion. This is a deeply personal battle for Prince Harry. It feels like a mission as much as a legal complaint, explained BBC royal correspondent Sean Coughlan on Tuesday. His campaign against what he sees as the intrusions and the abuses of the tabloid press is woven into his own personal story with links to the loss of his mother Diana and to his decision to leave the U.K. While others have settled their claims against NGN, he has doggedly pursued this case, and now finally hes ready to have his claims heard in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, the trial is part of an ongoing showdown between Prince Harry and the British press. Parts of an article in The Mail on Sunday about Prince Harrys legal claim against the British governments Home Office was defamatory, a High Court judge in London ruled in 2022. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. LONDON (AP) Prince Harrys lawsuit against the publisher of The Sun took another twist Tuesday when the trial was delayed by last-minute settlement negotiations. It follows two decades of legal drama over the cutthroat practices of the British press in the days when newspapers sold millions of copies and shaped the popular conversation. The scandal destroyed a Rupert Murdoch -owned newspaper and cost Murdoch hundreds of millions of dollars to settle lawsuits from the targets of tabloid attention. And it fueled Harrys quest to tame the British press, which he blames for dividing his family, blighting his life and hounding both his late mother Princess Diana and his wife, Meghan Markle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are key moments in the saga: November 2005 Murdochs Sunday tabloid the News of the World reports that Prince William has a knee injury. A Buckingham Palace complaint prompts a police inquiry that reveals information for the story came from a voicemail that was hacked. January 2007 Glenn Mulcaire, a private investigator working for the News of the World, is sentenced to six months in prison and the papers royal editor Clive Goodman to four months for hacking the phones of royal aides to listen to messages left by William and others. Goodman later acknowledges hacking Williams phone 35 times and that of his then-girlfriend Kate Middleton now Princess of Wales more than 150 times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murdochs company initially maintains that the illicit behavior was the work of two rogue employees working without editors knowledge. January 2011 British police reopen an investigation into tabloid phone hacking after the News of the World says it has found significant new information. April 2011 The News of the World admits liability for phone hacking. The following month, it agrees to pay actress Sienna Miller 100,000 pounds to settle a hacking lawsuit. Since then, Murdochs News Corp. has paid to settle claims by scores of celebrities, politicians, athletes and others against both the News of the World and its sister tabloid, The Sun though it has never accepted liability for hacking by The Sun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement July 2011 The Guardian newspaper reports that News of the World journalists hacked the phone of Milly Dowler, a murdered 13-year-old schoolgirl, while police were searching for her in 2002. The revelation causes public outrage, and prompts Murdoch to shut down the 168-year-old News of the World. November 2012 A judge-led inquiry into media ethics ordered by then-Prime Minister David Cameron concludes that outrageous behavior by some in the press had wreaked havoc with the lives of innocent people whose rights and liberties have been disdained. Judge Brian Leveson recommends the creation of a strong press watchdog, backed by government regulation. His findings have only been partially implemented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement October 2013 Former News of the World editors Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks go on trial alongside several other defendants at Londons Central Criminal Court on charges of phone hacking and illegal payments to officials. After an eight-month trial, Coulson is convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Brooks is acquitted. She is now chief executive of Murdochs British newspaper business. December 2015 Englands chief prosecutor says there will be no more criminal cases against Murdochs U.K. company or its employees, or against 10 people under investigation from the rival Mirror Group Newspapers, including former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan. Both companies continue to pay to settle hacking lawsuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2019-onwards Prince Harry launches lawsuits against three newspaper groups Murdoch's News Group, the Mirror Group and Associated Newspapers. He claims stories about his schooldays, teenage shenanigans and relationships with girlfriends were obtained by hacking, bugging, deception or other forms of illegal intrusion. February 2021 Harrys wife Meghan wins an invasion of privacy lawsuit against Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers over publication of a letter she wrote in 2018 to her estranged father. June 2023 Harry testifies in his case against the Mirror Group, becoming the first British royal in more than a century to appear in the witness box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement December 2023 Harry wins his case against the Mirror Group when a judge rules that Mirror newspapers had hired private investigators to snoop for personal information and engaged in illegal phone hacking for well over a decade. He is awarded legal costs and 140,000 pounds in damages. February 2024 The Mirror Group agrees to pay Harry legal costs and undisclosed damages to settle outstanding claims. Harry says he is vindicated and vows: Our mission continues. Jan. 21, 2025 The trial is due to open in lawsuits by Harry and former Labour Party lawmaker Tom Watson against The Sun, with Harry expected to testify in February. They are the only two remaining from among dozens of claimants after others accepted settlements rather than risk potentially ruinous legal bills. But the opening is delayed when lawyers for both sides say they have been holding intense negotiations on a settlement. Harrys case against Associated Newspapers, which publishes the Daily Mail, is ongoing. Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The trial pitting British royal Prince Harry against Rupert Murdoch's Sun tabloid newspaper got off to a slow start Tuesday with two adjournments until the afternoon. Judge Timothy Fancourt expressed frustration over the delay asked for by the prince's attorneys but allowed them with caution. "I am a little concerned about the timetable overall," Fancourt said, according to BBC News. "On the other hand, an hour or two in the context of eight weeks is not significant. If the parties can assure me that time will be beneficial and will produce some outcome, then I am willing to provide some further time, but it has to be the last adjournment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prince Harry is suing Murdoch's News Group Newspapers, the parent of The Sun and the now defunct News of the World, over illegally gathering information on him for stories dating as far back as 1996. Harry said he did not learn about the newspaper's methods until 2006. The prince's trial will look at 30 stories printed by NGN publications that he claims information was gathered illegally via British law. Former British politician Tom Watson is also a claimant and appeared in court Tuesday morning. Prince Harry and other plaintiffs won more than $170,000 in damages in 2023 against Mirror Group Newspapers over similar charges. The prince became the first senior British royal in more than 100 years to give evidence during court when he testified in the trial. Private schools have been forced to charge VAT on school lunches despite Labour promising they would be exempt from the tax raid. The Government said in July that school meals were integral to children accessing education and would therefore remain exempt from 20pc tax. But The Telegraph understands that many private schools have been forced to add the levy to fees charged to parents for lunches because of inconsistencies between guidelines published by the Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after Sir Keir Starmer defied calls to give schools more time to introduce VAT on fees and pushed through the levy during the academic year. Geraint Lewis, of tax advisers Moore Kingston Smith, said private schools could have been given more time to prepare for the change. Our experience of dealing with schools is this is entirely new to them and there was a steep learning curve. [The Government] could have given them a longer learning curve but I am not sure it would have made much difference, he said. Labours tax raid on independent schools came into effect earlier this month and many schools increased fees by more than ministers had predicted, with one fifth adding the full value of the tax to invoices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A policy note issued by The Treasury in July stated that closely related goods and services other than fees charged for boarding facilities would remain exempt from VAT. However, HMRCs guidance suggests that if the cost of lunches at private schools as well as other services other than education are included in one fee it is liable for VAT. HMRC guidelines published in October stated: When you supply a package of education for a single fee this will normally be a single supply for VAT. This package could include a number of elements, such as transport or meals, alongside the main element of education. As a single supply, this will have a single VAT liability. One private school near London contacted by The Telegraph confirmed it had implemented VAT on school lunches due to HMRCs rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Independent Schools Council (ISC), a body representing 1,200 private schools, said: The written guidance suggests VAT should be levied [on school lunches] while informal guidance suggests it shouldnt. Most bursars are erring on the side of caution and going with the official, written advice. The ISC added it was working with HMRC to resolve the issue, which could result in higher fees for parents than is necessary. Bursars at private schools are opting to charge the tax to avoid any late payment penalties. Businesses face sanctions for incorrectly collecting VAT or paying the tax late, which can stretch into thousands of pounds depending on how much the taxman is owed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fine worth 2pc of the outstanding amount of VAT owed to HMRC is due if a payment is 16 to 30 days late, rising to 4pc after a month or more. Private schools across the country increased their fees on January 1 by more than the Government projected. In October, an impact assessment by the Treasury claimed fees would only rise by 10pc on average. But Telegraph analysis of fee changes from 964 private schools in England, Scotland and Wales found around half of those schools had increased fees by 15pc or more, while a fifth had raised fees by the full 20pc. The average fee increase was found to be 14pc. An HMRC spokesman said: Whether VAT applies depends on how the school charges for meals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our guidance makes clear that if school meals are provided as part of a package, for example education and boarding fees, the package will be subject to VAT. If a school chooses to supply them for a separate fee, they may be exempt from VAT. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Jan. 21BATESVILLE More than 80% of Indiana's first-responders are volunteers and many rural departments are increasingly faced with challenges recruiting and retaining part-time and full-time firefighters. Batesville Fire and Rescue is connecting with prospective recruits through a work-based learning program and partnership with area high schools to address concerns of that nature. Irene Boyd is a senior at Milan High School who has aspirations of joining the fire service after college. She connected with Chief Brian Hardebeck and Batesville Fire at the beginning of this school year and visits on site during the afternoons. She has been trained on various drills and exercises needed as a working firefighter. Boyd's parents are Bill and Bessie Boyd. Her father is a volunteer firefighter at Morris Hill. She comes from a long line of firefighters: her father, grandfather and family members further back in her family tree have all worked fire and rescue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She hadn't decided on fire and rescue until she visited the Career Center for training. Immediately after that, Boyd told her father, "Dad I want to be a firefighter!" Boyd will be maximizing her time after school preparing for her career. After graduation, she'll get her EMT certification and then she'll be better prepared to start Fire and Rescue 1 and 2. Then, if everything goes according to plan, she'll take her first full-time shift at Batesville Fire and Rescue as a probationary firefighter. Students like Boyd from Milan High School can come to the Batesville Fire Department during part of the school day to learn about all aspects of the fire service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prospective firefighters train with various drills and exercises and learn techniques and tools used by firefighters. There are more than 800 volunteer fire and rescue departments in the state, and volunteer fire departments are always looking for men and women to join their teams with the goal of ensuring safety and well-being for the communities they serve. Joining a fire and rescue department has many advantages. Becoming a volunteer firefighter helps many find a sense of belonging and ownership, both in their department and within their community as a whole. Driven by passion rather than obligation, volunteer firefighters bring enthusiasm and a genuine desire to contribute. Like Boyd, many thrive on the adrenaline rush and challenge of emergency response, finding fulfillment in the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of firefighting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Batesville Fire currently has connections with Milan High School, Oldenburg Academy and Batesville High School. They will be receiving a second student apprentice in 2025. Contact Bill Rethlake at 812-651-0876 or email bill.rethlake@greensburgdailynews.com COMPANY NEWS: Rimini Street, a global provider of end-to-end enterprise software support and innovation solutions, the leading third-party support provider for Oracle, SAP and VMware software, today announced it has been honoured by clients and the industry with multiple buyers choice, service and leadership awards, recognising its commitment to delivering top-quality service and deep value for its clients. Company continues to lead the third-party software support and innovation solutions market, focusing on delivering strategic, operational and financial success for its clients Winner of Trust Radius 2025 Buyers Choice Award Based solely on vetted, unbiased customer reviews, the Trust Radius Buyer's Choice Awards honours organisations chosen as best in three key areas: capabilities, value for price, and customer relationship. Reviewers are asked if the company and its support teams live up to expectations, and whether they would buy from the company again. Rimini Street is dedicated to serving as a trusted partner to our clients, many of whom have a long history of business success with us, said Nancy Lyskawa, Rimini Streets executive vice president and chief client officer. This Trust Radius Buyers Choice Award reflects our unwavering promise to help our clients achieve their unique business objectives with great passion and care. Winner of Silver Globee Award for Customer Service Department of the Year and Gold Globee Award for Customer Service Executive of the Year The Globee Awards is a global platform for recognising and promoting excellence in industries and sectors that are shaping the future of business. Through a peer-to-peer evaluation process by industry experts, business owners and professionals, the Globee Awards honour organisations and individuals who have achieved remarkable success and demonstrated innovation, making a positive impact in their respective fields. Craig Mackereth, Rimini Streets executive vice president of global service delivery and recipient of the Gold Globee Award for Customer Service Executive of the Year, was selected by the award committee for increasing client satisfaction ratings and improving response rates, and the organisation was selected for the Silver Globee Award for Customer Service Department of the Year for its under two-minute response driven by expertise, processes and proprietary tools. Rimini Streets patented AI tools and processes help us to deliver a differentiated quality and level of service to all of our global clients, matching the case with the most complementary engineer based on multiple vectors such as language, experience with similar issues and time zone. This makes it possible for us to address and resolve issues 23% faster, said Mackereth. Business uptime and health is critical to our clients organisation and team, and we take our sub-two-minute response averages, service speed, scale and scope very seriously. These awards serve to further motivate us in our mission to deliver extraordinary. Winner of Gold Merit Award in the Consulting Category for Technology The Merit Awards acknowledge companies that have contributed to the continued growth of the market, judged by industry executives, Merit Awards staff, members of the media and consultants. The awards aim to highlight the best in current and next-generation innovations and technologies. Facing significant challenges stemming from Broadcoms acquisition of VMware, many Rimini Street clients requested help navigating the changes, including the threat of losing perpetual licenses and steep price hikes. With the strong demand for services, Rimini Street launched support, consulting and security services for VMware in May of 2024, gaining strong momentum in the market and providing peace of mind to many affected organisations across the globe. We are impressed with both the quality of the support and the depth of services we receive from Rimini Street. We highly recommend business leaders seek them out for their VMware needs, remarked Jean-Pierre Roullin, head of EMEA technology, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise. Rimini Street has not only showcased exceptional skill in leveraging technology but also set new standards of excellence, said Marie Zander, executive director of Merit Awards. The remarkable achievements of each winner underscore the transformative potential of technology, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year's recipients. Explore the full Rimini Street portfolio of ultra-responsive, trusted and proven support, managed services, security, integration, observability, professional services and Rimini ONE end-to-end outsourcing solutions for SAP, Oracle, VMware and other applications to support competitive advantage, profitability and growth. About Rimini Street, Inc. Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI), a Russell 2000 Company, is a global provider of end-to-end enterprise software support and innovation solutions and the leading third-party support provider for Oracle, SAP and VMware software. The Company offers a comprehensive portfolio of unified solutions to run, manage, support, customize, configure, connect, protect, monitor, and optimize enterprise application, database, and technology software. The Company has signed thousands of contracts with Fortune Global 100, Fortune 500, midmarket, public sector and government organizations who selected Rimini Street as their trusted, proven mission-critical enterprise software solutions provider and achieved better operational outcomes, realized billions of US dollars in savings and funded AI and other innovation investments. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Video calls in court became a common sight during COVID; now, one state lawmaker is proposing a bill making it easier for DWI toxicology experts to testify in court via video. State Representative Andrea Reeb (R-Clovis) said the bill would help the courts work through DWI cases faster. Story continues below I actually proposed this bill in the last 60-day session and got some good traction on it, Reeb said. Her bill would allow lab analysts or toxicologists to appear in court via video call. We had all of these DWIs and testimony that required a toxicologist to travel basically all across the state and spend a whole day traveling instead of being in the lab, Reeb said; in turn, backing up the DWI cases in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her bill would free up time, save travel costs, and allow for swift justice. There is always the issue with the confrontation clause, and you should be able to be right there is the argument, right there in front of the person thats accusing you and cross-examine them face to face, Reeb said, But, that mentality is changing and when we have just a handful of toxicologists and experts that can you know actually do this and when we take them out of the lab it just pushes crime further down the road and cases farther down the road. Reeb said this forces cases in some instances to get dismissed. The New Mexico Public Defenders Office has some concerns about the bill: Its important to balance efficiency and saving time with peoples rights. And I think too often were willing to kind of sacrifice some rights for the sake of moving things more quickly, said Bennett Baur, chief public defender for the State of New Mexico. Baur also has concerns about which branch of government should take up this question: I have concerns about the legislature passing laws rather than discussion among, and in the end, decision by the [State] Supreme Court. He did say he thinks they can find common ground on this bill. Rep. Reeb said she got this bill through the House in the last 60-day session in 2022. Shes hopeful bipartisan support this year will get it to the governors desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. CLINTON, Miss. (WJTV) Freezing temperatures can pose serious health hazards to the human body. Frostbite, hyperthermia, chills and loss of limbs are just a few of the things that can happen after prolonged exposure. Mississippi governor declares State of Emergency due to winter weather Uncontrolled shivering is usually one of the first signs that youre starting to get hypothermic and that body temp starts dropping below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and so shivering. And then you may start noticing that people become a little lethargic. Then they may get blue in the face and hands and maybe a little pale, and then the shivering stops. And this is a progression to the point where they may become unresponsive, said Dr. David Wheat, with Clinton Family Care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health officials said you should remove wet clothing, limit sweating and dress appropriately to limit the risk of becoming a victim to the cold. If you start to experience any severe symptoms from the extreme cold, seek medical attention. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Weather Forecast Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. DES MOINES, Iowa With forecasted double-digit below-zero temperatures Tuesday its important for pet owners to make sure their four-legged friends stay safe and warm. Mackenzie Mogren, a Marketing and Public Relations Manager with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, said pet parents should limit their pets time outside when its dangerously cold. Story County shelter adjusts to extreme cold When its this cold, we really want to limit outside time as much as possible. Our dogs, they need to go outside to go potty and do their business, but just kind of limit it to that. We really want to ensure that theyre staying as warm as possible, Mogren said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Animal Rescue League of Iowa also recommends pet owners clean their pets paws when they come back in from the outdoors to make sure theres no road salt or other chemicals on them. To learn more about winter pet safety visit the Animal Rescue League of Iowas website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) The North Carolina Supreme Court race between Jefferson Griffin and Allison Riggs is still yet to be decided. The long legal battle continues as Griffin wants to get almost 60,000 votes thrown out. Protesters took to the streets in Carteret County to let Griffin know that they are concerned. Were out here today because we are very concerned about the direction that Judge Griffin has taken this race, that he lost. It is a fair and free election, Protestor Barbara McKenzie said. Allison Riggs clearly won after several recounts and hes just refusing to give up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The non-partisan group marched through Beaufort and went straight to the Carteret County Courthouse where they read the names of voters whose ballots may be thrown out. Judge Griffin is running for the Supreme Court as a Republican. Of the over 390 votes that he is challenging, in Carteret County, 85 percent of them are either Republican or unaffiliated voters, Protestor Don OToole said. Carteret County makes up 391 of the 60,000 votes that Griffin is working to get tossed out. His opponent, Allison Riggs, leads by 734 votes. Griffin is arguing that most of these ballots should be thrown out due to incomplete voter registration. They are mainly people who may not have included a partial social security number or drivers license number on their registration form. Griffin has also argued that accepting absentee ballots from overseas voters without proper ID violates state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so, we pow-wowed and we discussed what we possibly could do and then, we brought in more people, Protestor Colleen Wertsch said. We just passed the word and a little bit larger group decided that this would be something that we could do. It was legal and we knew that they were reading names up in Raleigh, so we could do that as well. Griffin lives in Carteret County alongside the protesters. Judge Griffin is asking for these votes to be thrown out just for his race, not for all the other races, Protestor Lynn Hurley said. So, hes saying these voters have voted illegally in only one of the races on the entire ballot and to me, that feels really wrong. Copyright 2025 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 WNCT. WACO, Texas (FOX 44) While some celebrate President Donald Trumps inauguration, others oppose it. The local group Waco Friends of the Climate took to the streets to voice their concerns. The protest took place during the swearing-in ceremony, with demonstrators expressing dissatisfaction with Trumps leadership and policies. Member James Gatewood explained the groups reasons for protesting, saying many people may not have fully understood Trumps background before voting for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evidently, people didnt know very much about Donald Trump, and they voted for him just like they dont know much about the people who run the state government in Texas. They work against us rather than for us. And thats one of the things were trying to speak about here, Gatewood said. Alan Northcutt, the director of the Climate Organization, voiced his concern about the future under the new administration, particularly concerning climate policies. A dishonest, crooked, felonious businessman and TV personality, I guess youd say, has no knowledge in climate science and is threatening to disrupt all the work that weve done, what weve accomplished so farHell just set us back in the long run economically, Northcutt stated. Standing with signs that addressed a wide range of issues, from climate change to workers rights and LGBTQIA+ rights, the group received mixed reactions from people passing by. Some motorists honked in support, while others showed their disapproval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps position on climate and energy is wrong, and were certainly going to oppose those steps, whatever we can, Northcutt said, emphasizing the groups commitment to opposing policies they see as harmful. As the protest continued, members of Waco Friends of the Climate remained uncertain about the next four years, but they expressed hope for positive change despite their concerns. The protest in Waco reflects broader national divisions over the new administration, with differing views on Trumps policies and leadership shaping debates across the country. Copyright 2025 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 KWKT - FOX 44. Former Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in Jan. 6. Illustration: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost; Photos: AP/Getty The Proud Boys were the face of political violence in America during Trumps first term. They hosted bloody street fights across the country week after week, and helped to normalize violence at everyday civic events. They intimidated and attacked people at libraries, school board meetings, drag queen story hours, reproductive health events and political rallies. They cozied up to Trumps inner circle, enjoyed support from prominent Republicans and right-leaning media and secured political seats of their own. And on Jan. 6, 2021, they led an attempted insurrection at the Capitol. Dozens of Proud Boys were incarcerated over the Capitol attack, including four leaders who were found guilty of a rare seditious conspiracy charge. Their sentences had a dramatic effect on the extremist landscape over the next few years; though the incidence of political violence continued to swell throughout Bidens term, the Proud Boys and many of their allies were forced to decentralize and flee the national spotlight. The public support they once enjoyed from right-wing politicians and pundits began to wane. They were rarely seen gathering en masse, and some of their chapters splintered or disbanded altogether. By 2023, the Proud Boys as an organization appeared to be circling the drain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on Monday, a newly inaugurated President Donald Trump granted clemency to the lot of them. A handful of Proud Boys who led the siege at the Capitol on Jan. 6 had their sentences commuted, but the majority including their leader, Enrique Tarrio were gifted full, unconditional pardons, alongside the rest of the Capitol rioters. The cascading effects of pardoning some 1,500 insurrectionists remain to be seen. But to researchers, activists and reporters covering extremism in America, the implication was clear: Political violence will be tolerated, and even rewarded, when its carried out on behalf of Trump. This is Trump saying, You are forgiven for any transgression as long as its in my name, said journalist and director Michael Premo, who released a documentary on the Proud Boys calledHomegrown last year. Proud Once Again In anticipation of Trumps pardons, the Proud Boys marched through Washington, D.C. on Monday, their first grand procession in the area since Jan. 6, 2021. They carried a banner that read Congratulations President Trump, and chanted Whose streets? Our streets! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were given a heros welcome by other Trump supporters who gathered in D.C. for the inauguration, according to Ford Fischer, a journalist with News2Share, which documents political rallies. Were back, baby! said one Proud Boy on video captured by Fischer. The vibes were similarly celebratory on the live podcast of Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes, whose online show has served as the gangs de facto headquarters since their inception in 2016. McInnes was live throughout much of Trumps inauguration day, raising funds for the gangs incarcerated leaders as he and a panel of guests drank whiskey, lamented the Justice Department, exchanged slurs, and threw up Nazi salutes (the latter in reference to Elon Musks odd use of a similar-looking salute during Trumps inaugural celebration). While fundraising for his Proud Boys, Gavin McInnes plays a song from the Aladdin musical that inspired the gang's name. Fun(?) fact from my book: Gavin first heard the song at his kids' recital, where he watched as a child with brown skin sang. His words: "Gayest fking song." pic.twitter.com/uVeUr4IPfI Andy Campbell (@AndyBCampbell) January 21, 2025 The show looked a lot like it did in the early days of Trumps first term, when the Proud Boys were reaching the height of their power. The broadcast was essentially a booze-fueled Proud Boys summit back then; McInnes would throw raucous parties for himself on the live show, then turn to the camera and issue marching orders directly to his gang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He made no secret of his leadership role until 2018, when he claimed to step down as their national head after several Proud Boys viciously attacked protesters at his event in Manhattan. On Monday, McInnes was back in the captains chair, lauding the return of the Proud Boys and reconfirming their fealty to Trump. Ive told you, if Trump doesnt pardon the Proud Boys, hes dead to me and the Proud Boys and MAGA and everyone. Luckily that didnt happen, McInnes said during a live call with a Reuters reporter. [The press] has taught us to be very cynical over the years, so we didnt take anything for granted. But I think now we can afford to start taking things for granted. McInnes said he raised more than $20,000 during Mondays broadcast, which will be split between Tarrio and other convicted leaders, including Joe Biggs, Ethan Nordean and Dominic Pezzola. Each of them were expected to be released from prison in short order; Tarrios mother, Zuny, said on X just before noon on Tuesday that her son had been released officially as of now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally they are returning home, Zuny Tarrio said in another post. This nightmare is over and the Golden Era has begun! A Golden Era For Political Violence The future is still uncertain for the Proud Boys as an organization. The gang has splintered since the Jan. 6 arrests, which hit them alongside revelations that Tarrio had previously been a prolific informant for local and federal law enforcement. Regardless of whether the Proud Boys reclaim their role as Trumps extrajudicial enforcement arm or dissolve into obscurity, the political violence they helped normalize during his first term is positioned to thrive. In a column published Monday, The New York Times editorial board delivered a sobering warning to the Trump administration: In this pardon, Mr. Trump forgave and thus provided encouragement for domestic terrorists who put members of Congress in danger of their lives; the long-term cost will be paid by the entire political system, not just his critics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps pardons seem to have removed the guardrails for extremist forces looking to exact violence on their political opponents. But they also removed legal consequence as a deterrent for citizens who may not be involved in an extremist organization like the Proud Boys. The Proud Boys were the vanguard, and now, Trumps given the everyday patriots permission to rise to the occasion when necessary, Premo told HuffPost. Related... President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday evening withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization, a move some public health experts say will put the nation at a major disadvantage. In the order, Trump accused the WHO of "mishandling" the COVID-19 pandemic, not adopting "urgently needed reforms" and being politically influenced by other member states. The president also said the withdrawal was about "being ripped off." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump withdraws US from World Health Organization, finishing what he started "Everybody rips off the United States and that's it -- it's not going to happen anymore," Trump said Monday night when asked by a reporter about his experience leading the country during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of the WHO to mount a global response to pandemics. The text of the executive order describes an "unfair" demand of "onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries' assessed payments." "China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO," the executive order reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's executive order is an attempt to finish a process he began during the last months of his first term. The president temporarily slashed funding and signed an executive order in July 2020 removing the U.S. from the WHO but, because withdrawal requires a one-year notice, former President Joe Biden reversed the decision upon taking office in January 2021. MORE: 18 states challenge Trump's executive order cutting birthright citizenship Public health experts who spoke to ABC News said they worry the withdrawal from the WHO will put the U.S. at a disadvantage when it comes to responding to health crises at home and abroad. "The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO is really disappointing news. It's a strategic mistake in so many ways for us as a country," Dr. Daniele Fallin, dean of the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta, told ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Not being part of the WHO means not only do we threaten the health of Americans and our fellow humans across the globe, but we also lose our stature as a leader in global health, and I'm very concerned about that," she added. Here's what experts said would be the implications of the U.S. leaving the WHO: PHOTO: President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the WHite House in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) U.S. could miss early warning signs of disease Removing the U.S. from the WHO could hamper efforts to address current public health issues, such as bird flu, the experts said. Human cases have been diagnosed across the country since April 2024, with 67 confirmed as of Monday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDC and other public health officials say there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission and the risk to the general public is low. However, federal health officials have prepared millions of vials of an available bird flu vaccine as a precautionary measure, in case it becomes necessary. Last year, the WHO announced it had launched an initiative to help accelerate the development of a human bird flu vaccine using messenger RNA (mRNA) technology. No longer being part of the WHO could mean losing the ability to collaborate on disease preparedness and response, as well as the ability to exchange information about emerging threats to public health, the experts said. MORE: Oath Keepers, Proud Boys leaders out of prison after Trump Jan. 6 pardons Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. also majorly contributes to the WHO's work, including collaborations with the CDC and the National Institutes of Health on issues including cancer prevention and global health security. "I think about the WHO as a network of countries around the world that inform and protect each other when health issues are emerging, whether they're health issues entering into the United States, or whether the health issue is going outside the United States," Dr. Perry Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health in New Jersey, told ABC News. "And so, it is disadvantageous for people, and is disadvantageous for the United States, [who need] access to relevant, timely, important information." U.S. could play lesser role in responding to global health crises WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus responded to the withdrawal announcement in a statement early Tuesday morning, expressing "regret" to hear the news. "For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats," his statement read, in part. "Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public health experts said not being part of the WHO when those initiatives were being conducted -- and, in some cases, are still being conducted -- would have been detrimental to making progress at home and abroad. PHOTO: The World Health Organization WHO with the WHO headquarters in the background in Geneva, Switzerland. (Lian Yi/Xinhua via Getty Images) Thomas Bollyky, director of the global health program at the think tank Council on Foreign Relations, described the executive order removing the U.S. from the WHO as "an enormous mistake." He said he's worried because it comes at the same time as another executive order Trump signed putting a 90-day pause on all foreign aid spending. "Many U.S. global health programs fund the ongoing treatment of individuals for malaria or for HIV/AIDS," he told ABC News. "A 90-day pause could be significantly disruptive to the operation of those programs, and it is not entirely certain how the strategy review that will occur during that time will affect global health programs moving forward." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The WHO is not a perfect institution, but it plays an irreplaceable role in global outbreak response and, by withdrawing this action, reduces the ability of the United States to positively influence that response to outbreak. It makes Americans less safe," Bollyky added. Tesla CEO and tech billionaire Elon Musk, whom Trump tapped to head the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), responded to the WHO's statement on X with a kiss-face emoji on Tuesday morning. ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett contributed to this report. Public health experts worry about implications of Trump withdrawing US from WHO: 'An enormous mistake' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com ST. LOUIS The man whose businesses were severely damaged after police say a St. Peters resident allegedly set them on fire after being denied alcohol in Puerto Rico is reacting to the news of her arrest. He and others are also hopeful a judge will deny Danielle Bertothy bond at a detention hearing later this week. Bertothy, 36, was indicted by a federal grand jury and subsequently arrested last week. She made her first appearance in federal court on Friday. Bertothy was caught on surveillance cameras carrying a container of gasoline and setting a bar, restaurant, store and hotel ablaze just after midnight on Jan. 2, endangering the lives of more than 20 guests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After being interviewed by police in the following days, investigators say Bertothy cut her vacation short and fled the island. She was arrested back in Missouri on Thursday. Owner Angel Luis Marrero said he lost almost everything he has worked so hard for in the fire. It came just one night after his family and friends came together to ring in the new year at the hotel. The phone call he received about the fire and the subsequent days have completely upended his life. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News It was a nightmare, Marrero said. For me, it was a horror movie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators allege Bertothy was intoxicated when restaurant employees denied her alcohol. Thats when shes accused of becoming belligerent and being kicked out of the establishment multiple times. Marrero said he still does not understand why someone would burn down his business over something as petty as being denied alcohol. That lady, without any reasonrevenge, I dont knowburned our place and turned our small piece of paradise into hell, he said. Bertothy has been indicted for arson by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico. Earlier this month, ATF agents served a search warrant at her St. Peters home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marrero said hes grateful people are helping him with donations to a GoFundMe hes set up. He is hopeful more people can lend him a helping hand so he can rebuild his business, as he said insurance where he is located is unaffordable on the island following the devastation from Hurricane Maria in 2017. Judge to decide if St. Peters woman accused of PR arson will be jailed until trial Marrero tells FOX 2 that unfortunately, someone else unrelated to him set up a donation page that does not benefit him or his family. That page has gone viral, raising more than $150,000. His, meanwhile, is just over $15,000 as of Monday night. Marrero said he has a message for Bertothy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have no right, and nobody has the right to do this and potentially kill people, he said. I completely have faith that shes going to face justice. Investigators have requested a federal judge to deny Bertothy bond, citing her public safety and flight risk. She has a detention hearing set for Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 11:30 a.m. at the federal courthouse in downtown St. Louis. Bertothy faces one count of arson. If convicted, she faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison. Motion Regarding Pretrial Detention for Danielle Bertothy by KevinSeanHeld on Scribd Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) A new restaurant opened its doors in Springfield on Tuesday. Victim and shooting suspect arrested on firearms charges after Springfield shooting on Cambridge Street El Cafetin hosted a grand opening ceremony on Tuesday at their location at 276 Cottage Street. This new restaurant will bring authentic Puerto Rican flavors to Springfield and promises a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restaurant will be serving traditional dishes thatll showcase Puerto Ricos rich culinary heritage. Carmen Howland, the chef at El Cafetin, has years of experience and dedication to quality. ElCafetinmenu12.30_105559proof5Download State Representative Carlos Gonzalez, State Representative Orlando Ramos, members of the Western Massachusetts delegation, and other community leaders, were at the grand opening. Owner Luis Cotto told 22News, Its been a blessing I was in the industry a couple of years back went out and I decided to come back here because its our passion and our love it is what we love to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am thrilled to celebrate the opening of El Cafetin and the addition of more diverse culinary options in Springfield, said Representative Gonzalez. This is not just a business; it is a testament to our communitys strength, culture, and entrepreneurial spirit. We look forward to seeing El Cafetin thrive and become a gathering place for delicious food and cultural connection. On top of serving patties El Cafetin also offers breakfast meals, sandwiches, a personalized boricua bowl, soup, and desserts. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Puerto Rico senators grilled the islands newly designated natural resources chief on Tuesday after critics rebuked his recent decision to shelve a probe into allegations of illegal construction in a protected area. The investigation targeted alleged violators including the in-laws of Puerto Ricos new governor, who has called it political persecution. Just hours after Gov. Jenniffer Gonzalez appointed Waldemar Quiles as natural resources secretary earlier this month, he signed the administrative order shelving the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have no evidence of who benefits from this, Quiles said during a hearing Tuesday. He also said independent examining officers would determine whether the cases against alleged violators should be archived, even though the document he signed specifically orders them to archive those cases. Its contradictory, what youre proposing, said Sen. Marially Gonzalez, of the main opposition Popular Democratic Party. Her colleague, Sen. Juan Dalmau, agreed. He said there was no room left for any official to take any action that isnt shelving the investigation. Quiles insisted under oath that he would not archive the case against the governors in-laws or anyone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The in-laws are accused of illegally cutting mangroves and expanding and remodeling a platform or dock at their home at La Parguera, a popular tourist spot that was designated a natural reserve in 1979 and is known for its bioluminescent bay. Gonzalez and her in-laws Jose Vargas and Irma Llavona have denied the accusations. Quiles said no one ordered or asked him to sign the administrative order, which he maintains was prepared by the previous administration, denying that it was amended before he signed it. When asked why that was the first order he signed as designated secretary, Quiles replied, Because it was there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that he did not consult with any local or federal agencies, and when asked if he knew of the legal opinions issued by the islands Department of Natural Resources regarding the illegal constructions it was investigating, he responded, There are a lot of legal opinions. Quiles said he would take other actions in the area including protecting its wetlands and bioluminescent bay as well as preventing overfishing. During the three-hour hearing, one senator asked if Quiles thought it would have been prudent to consult the governor before signing the order. There is no conflict of interest here, he responded. It wasnt necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first structures were built in La Parguera around the 1960s, with fishermen living in ramshackle houses that have largely been replaced by high-end homes that environmentalists say must be removed. Pedro Saade, a Puerto Rico attorney who is an expert in environmental law, said the order Quiles signed is illegal and rejected the claims he made Tuesday. Thats a smoke screen, Saade said. The text is clear. Like others, Saade called for the order to be revoked. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america GUEST OPINION:The honeymoon is over for generative AI, with users demanding more grounded responses and better performance at a whole-of-organisation level. Australian businesses and governments have become familiar with generative AI over the past year. However, through experimentation, its become clear that many public-facing generative AI tools are unable to meet the needs of corporate use. A lot of this comes down to the output that public-facing tools produce when prompted for a response. Its not always clear what data these public-facing tools were trained on or where the responses come from. This has a direct impact on the quality and trustworthiness of the answers being generated. What businesses and governments alike have learned is that they need to be more in control of the AI platform and the data used by the AI model to generate responses. By hosting a private instance of generative AI themselves, organisations have been able to train it only on data held in their own knowledge bases or other internal data repositories. As these private generative AI setups produce responses based on privately held data, staff and other users can have greater assurance and confidence that the outputs are at least grounded in their own data. While that sounds a fairly straightforward proposition, in reality, there is a lot of complexity involved in being able to do this successfully at scale. Its one reason that corporate generative AI programs still tend to be quite limited in the number of use cases they support - because it remains challenging to structure and ingest multiple sources of data from across an organisation to power more sophisticated generative AI capabilities. But if generative AI is truly going to be as prevalent in business and government environments as predicted, two key questions must be prioritised: How is the data that generative AI produces verified, and how can this activity be performed at scale? For an increasing number of Australian businesses and government agencies, knowledge graph technology represents the missing link that will allow them to use generative AI accurately and at scale. A knowledge graph is an organised representation of real-world entities and their relationships, typically stored in a graph database. Specifically, a knowledge graph combined with GraphRAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) can provide the technical means to retrieve and organise data for ingestion by the AI model, and transparent reasoning around how and why the AI model generated the response that it did. Addressing the need for more data Traditionally, generative AI pulls content from relational databases and neural networks that, if given enough data, produce natural language outputs. But, the technology's shortcoming is that it has no means to organise, understand, or analyse the relationships and connections between data from various sources stored in rigid tables. This is problematic because generative AIs power lies in its ability to look across multiple datasets and to synthesise the contextually relevant pieces of data into a single source of truth, in a simple, easy-to-digest format. That is not to say generative AI cant produce value when it queries only one source of data; we have seen this work in complex and jargonistic domains such as processing insurance claims, where the circumstances of each claim needs to be matched to the specific coverage clauses of a policy to determine the extent of liability and coverage. However, for generative AI to fulfil its potential as a digital assistant for staff, it needs to be capable of sitting across a whole organisations worth of data. The answer to a single question is likely to require data from more than one source, which requires an enabling mechanism. Knowledge graph technology can act as a solution by providing a unified framework that connects data sources, allowing AI systems to understand the relationships and associations between organisational entities and datasets. With a graph database, businesses can utilise the predictive qualities of AI across their entire value chain, unlocking contextual awareness and enabling AI systems to provide more insightful and relevant responses based on interconnected data points. Grounding and validating outcomes While generative AI is usually able to synthesize answers, the people prompting the AI for a response need to know that the answer they receive is grounded in fact, that there are references back to the source data, and that these can be easily checked out. Grounding is essential to maintaining a strong foundation of accuracy and trust when using AI systems. It uncovers the deterministic facts in datasets, ensuring that generative responses are based on factual truth determined through explicit relationships. Businesses should aim to train the large language models (LLMs) that power their generative AI capability with high-quality, structured data in a knowledge graph. Doing so allows them to visually track connections between data and why an answer is accurate, as opposed to an answer appearing with no ability to trace the reasoning behind it. Taking the next steps with generative AI Businesses and government agencies have been able to demonstrate the potential of generative AI in different operational contexts, though often not on a whole-of-organisation basis. The Australian Department of Infrastructure, for example, has selected Neo4j as its database for analysing how Australian commuters and road freight moves around the country. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has also deployed Neo4j to use knowledge graphs for network observability supporting the companys focus on cybersecurity and its transition of digital assets from on-premise to the cloud. While booming in popularity, with new levels of sophistication being added all the time, we are still at the early adopter stage of generative AI. Until large language models have the ability to create and predict answers with greater accuracy by uncovering the complex relationships hidden within datasets, this may remain the case. Businesses are turning to knowledge graphs to capture the semantic relationships between words and phrases to understand their environments and the opportunities that may exist within them. This approach enhances language understanding and enables AI systems to deliver accurate and coherent responses, effectively engaging with users in natural conversations. U.S. President Donald Trump believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin is "destroying Russia" by failing to reach a peace deal on Ukraine, Trump told reporters at the White House on Jan. 20. "He should make a deal. I think he's destroying Russia by not making a deal," Trump said following his inauguration. The new U.S. president was sworn in at the United States Capitol earlier on Jan. 20. Though his inauguration speech did not mention Ukraine, Trump has often claimed in the past that he would seek to bring a swift end to Russia's war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talking to reporters, Trump again said he aims to conclude the conflict as soon as possible but noted he would have to talk to Putin first. The new U.S. president also said that his Russian counterpart "can't be thrilled (with the war) since "he's not doing so well." "Most people thought that war would have been over in one week," Trump said, adding that Putin would be "very well off to end the war." The U.S. president again boasted of warm relations with the Russian leader and voiced hopes for reaching a quick peace deal without presenting a specific timeline. Trump nevertheless noted that while Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky told him he seeks an agreement to end the war, the U.S. president is unsure whether Putin wants the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia is estimated to have lost around 700,000-800,000 soldiers killed or wounded in almost three years of the full-scale war and faces economic headwinds in the year ahead. At the same time, Russian forces continue advancing in Ukraine's east while Kyiv struggles with manpower shortages. The U.S. president has revealed few details of his plans to end the war. His team signaled that the new administration would seek to preserve Ukraine's independence, though U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that both Kyiv and Moscow would have to make concessions to achieve a peace deal. Read also: What are Trumps options on Russias war against Ukraine? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. In his first public comments following President Donald Trump's inauguration, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated on Monday that he sees a second Trump presidency as an opportunity for a new era in U.S.-Russian relations. Putin spoke of the challenges Trump faced in the weeks running up to the November election, including the assassination attempts, and said Trump had "showed courage to win in a convincing manner." In a televised statement made from his official residence, the Russian leader said he recognized "the desire [of Trump's team] to restore direct contacts with Russia," blaming the rupture of U.S.-Russian relations on the Biden administration -- while neglecting to mention his decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which saw tensions spike between Washington and Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After charm offensive, Ukraine braces for Trump's return PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a video conference meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Jan. 21, 2025. (Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik via Reuters) Putin also recognized Trump's stated desire to de-escalate the conflict, saying "we also hear [Trump's] statement about the need to do everything possible to prevent World War III. We certainly welcome this attitude and congratulate the president-elect of the United States of America on his assumption of office." Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Putin has been increasingly isolated on the world stage. In June 2024, fresh off the heels of his closely watched visit to North Korea, Putin met with Vietnamese President To Lam in Hanoi to reaffirm the Kremlin's ties to its long-time ally Vietnam in a bid to boost trade. Trump has already indicated he would meet with Putin, saying during an Oval Office spray on Monday that "I'll be meeting with President Putin." Trump didn't say when the meeting might occur. Later, when asked for his message to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump suggested the Ukrainian president is willing to come to the negotiating table, but said he's unsure if Putin would. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He told me he wants to make a deal. He wants to make -- Zelenskyy wants to make a deal. I don't know if Putin does," Trump said. During his latest January press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump had indicated he hoped to meet with Putin within six months into his second presidency. "I know that Putin would like to meet," Trump said at the time. "I don't think it's appropriate that I meet until after the 20th, which I hate because, you know, every day, people are being -- many, many young people are being killed." Drones attack Russian military industrial hub 600 miles from Ukraine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes as Russia and Ukraine exchanged large drone attacks on Sunday night into Monday, with UAVs forcing flight restrictions at three Russian airports and prompting reports of an attack on a major military aviation hub. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is "ready to work together with Americans to achieve peace," referring to Trump as a "strong person." "The inauguration of the new president of the United States, Donald Trump. He is a strong person. I wish President Trump and all of America success. Ukrainians are ready to work together with Americans to achieve peace, true peace. This is an opportunity that must be seized," Zelenskyy said during his daily remarks on Monday. This moment "is a good opportunity" to establish security "for ourselves and for everyone in Europe," Zelenskyy added. ABC News' Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report. Putin eyes reset in US-Russian relations as Trump enters 2nd term originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Russian leader Vladimir Putin has stated that he is ready to hold talks with the United States over the war in Ukraine but has put forward an ultimatum Ukraine's complete surrender. Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: Putin is reported to have called a meeting of the Russian Security Council on 20 January, where he and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed Russia's readiness for peace talks with the new administration of US President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin stressed that any peaceful settlement should be based on "eliminating the root causes" of the conflict, which, in his words, includes meeting Russia's inflexible demands. Quote: "Senior Kremlin officials, including Putin and Lavrov, have been reiterating in recent weeks that the Kremlin refuses to consider any compromises to Putin's late 2021 and early 2022 demands, which include demands that Ukraine remain permanently neutral and not join NATO, impose severe limitations on the size of the Ukrainian military, and remove the current Ukrainian government." Details: Putin also said that the then US President Joe Biden proposed in 2021 to postpone Ukraine's accession to NATO for 10-15 years, but even this did not prevent a Russian invasion, which he said was inevitable due to "alleged threats from NATO expansion". To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 20 January: Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on 20 January that Russian forces suffered more than 434,000 casualties in 2024 150,000 of whom were personnel killed in action. Russian leader Vladimir Putin reiterated on 20 January that the Kremlin is willing to negotiate with the United States about the war in Ukraine but indicated that he maintains his demands for Ukraine's full capitulation. Ukrainian forces reportedly struck an aircraft production plant in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, on 20 January as part of an ongoing series of strikes aimed at degrading Russian military capacity. Ukrainian strikes against Russian defence industrial base (DIB) targets are reportedly affecting Russian forces' combat capabilities. Moldovan and Transnistrian authorities continue efforts to supply Transnistria with European gas. Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove. A Russian milblogger and former Storm-Z instructor repeated on 20 January complaints that Russian milbloggers first issued in May 2024 about insufficient quality controls on Russian artillery shells. Support UP or become our patron! The spear-wielding, bare-chested Jan. 6 rioter known as the Qanon Shaman has been pardoned by Donald Trump and says he plans to buy some motha f***in guns in order to celebrate his freedom. Jacob Chansley from Phoenix, Arizona, was one of the first Trump supporters to descend on the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to overturn the then-incumbent presidents 2020 election defeat to Joe Biden. Sporting a horned fur hat made from raccoon fur, his red, white and blue face paint and use of a bullhorn to rile up the mob rocketed the far-right conspiracy theorist as a worldwide symbol for the insurrection. A judge later said he literally spearheaded the movement into the chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November 2021, Chansley pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstructing an official and was ordered to serve 41 months in prison one of the longest sentences received by a rioter but was released after 27 months in May 2023. But on Monday, he was one of the 1,500 individuals charged with crimes connected to the riot whose convictions were quashed, as Trump picked up his pardoning pen upon being sworn in and launching his second administration. Our rights are given to us by God not government. Freedom is our natural state of being. My spirit is free, I was born to be wild [and] I am gonna travel around the country now that I finally can!, Chansley told The Independent when reached for comment. Jacob Chansley, the QAnon Shaman, pictured in the Capitol building the Jan 6 Capitol riot (Getty Images) Chansley was quick to broadcast his joy on X, moments after learning of his pardoning on Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just got the news from my lawyer, he tweeted in block capitals. I got a pardon baby! Thank you President Trump! Presidents can issue pardons (removing a punishment after a court decision) and commutations (a reduction in punishment for a crime) as they see fit for federal convictions, but not for state crimes. Chansely, a former believer and disseminator of the QAnon conspiracy theories and self-described shamanic practitioner, announced his first port of call as a free man: the purchase of guns. Now I am gonna by some motha f***in guns! I love this country! God Bless America, Chansley continued on X. J6ers are getting released [and] justice has come. Everything done in the dark will come to light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before his sentencing in November 2021, Chansley expressed remorse for his actions, telling U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth that his behavior is indefensible. He called the FBI and outed himself as the flag-carrying Shaman, claiming he was groomed by MAGA propaganda, and offered to testify before Congress during Trumps second impeachment hearing in February 2021. Chansley and other Jan 6 rioters stand inside the Capitol building on Janaury 6, 2021 (AFP via Getty Images) Upon an attempt of a rebrand away from the QAnon movement in November 2023, he filed a statement of interest to the Arizona Secretary of State to run as a Libertarian for the seat. In an interview prior to Trumps inauguration on Monday morning with conservative author Joe Polish, Chansley painted a positive picture of the US upon Trump igniting his second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waving a magic wand, Id love to see America have a culture that is symbiotic with each other and the environment, he said. I honestly think thats coming now that we have this new administration. Hours later, Trump granted a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, including those who assaulted law enforcement officers. He also commuted the sentences of 14 members of the far-right Proud Boys and Oath Keepers militias. Trump signs numerous executive orders, including pardons for defendants from the January 6th riots, from the Oval Office on Monday (EPA) Despite not directly making reference to the Jan 6 rioters in his inaugural address, Trump, himself a convicted felon, later hinted of his clemency grants to an overflow crowd of supporters in the Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But youll be happy because, you know, its action, not words, that count, he said at the event on Monday. Youre going to see a lot of action on the J6 hostages. Trump began touting the release of the Jan six rioters after ascending to the top of the GOP ticket on his presidential campaign trail last year. In a Truth Social post in March 2024, Trump vowed that one of his first acts in office would be to free January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned. On December 2, after Biden announced his pardoning of his eldest son Hunter, Trump once again mused over pardons for his supporters charged for their roles in the Capitol riot. Some 1,583 individuals had been charged criminally in federal court as of January 6, 2025, according to the Department of Justice. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman said his country hopes to the see the Palestinian Authority (PA) return to the Gaza Strip, which has been controlled by the Islamist group Hamas for decades. "We hope to see the PA back in Gaza. We hope to see a government that will really address the issues of the people over there, and there is a long way to go with Gaza and the destruction," he said, speaking during a panel during the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Qatar has been a mediator, along with the United States and Egypt, in reaching the ceasefire deal that began on Sunday between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If both sides of the conflict "are embarking on this with good faith, then [the ceasefire] will last and lead to phase 2, a permanent ceasefire, and hopefully we have time to address the real issue and to put an end to this conflict that has been there for decades," the prime minister said. He praised US President Donald Trump's administration for its role in achieving the ceasefire deal, including Steve Witkoff, the presidential envoy to the Middle East. "He made a big difference. I've seen a real partner in him that we got it together to the finish line," he added. On January 20, Donald Trump took the oath of office and was officially sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. Members of the Rock Island County Republican Party gathered at their headquarters in Moline to watch the inauguration, giving a toast to President Trump. QCA Republicans say they have high expectations and are confident President Trump will achieve the goals hes set and theyve supported. Republicans also say they are looking forward to tax relief and seeing what the President will do with tariffs. Iowa Democratic leader Sen. Rita Hart reacted to President Trumps speech: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inauguration days are a celebration of new beginnings and an opportunity to inspire the country and unify the American people. While President Trumps speech did not attempt to do that, nevertheless, we celebrate the peaceful transfer of power that defines our democracy. Our nation is strong and resilient and our people have the desire and the power to come together to chart the course of our future. We are blessed to live in such a democracy. Today, Iowans recommit to the values that unite us: freedom, justice, equality, and opportunity for all. Together, we can build a brighter future for every Iowan. Rita Hart, Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party Copyright 2025 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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. By David Brunnstrom, Simon Lewis and Alasdair Pal WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States, Australia, India and Japan recommitted to working together on Tuesday, after the first meeting of the China-focused "Quad" grouping's top diplomats since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. In a joint statement after the talks in Washington, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on his first day in the job, the four nations said officials would meet regularly to prepare for an upcoming leaders' summit in India, expected this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four countries share concerns about China's growing power and analysts said the meeting was designed to signal that countering Beijing is a top priority for Trump, who began his second term in office on Monday. Rubio earlier said he said would stress the importance of working with allies "on the things that are important to America and Americans" during the meeting. He posed with Australia's Penny Wong, India's Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Japan's Takeshi Iwaya in front of the flags of their countries before the meeting at the State Department, but did not respond to questions from reporters. "Significant that the Quad (foreign ministers' meeting) took place within hours of the inauguration of the Trump Administration," Jaishankar said on X after the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This underlines the priority it has in the foreign policy of its member states." The four nations restated their "shared commitment to strengthening a Free and Open Indo-Pacific where the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are upheld and defended," the joint statement said. "We also strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion," it said, an apparent reference to the threat that China will act on its claim to sovereignty over democratically governed Taiwan. That includes in the East China Sea, where Japan is locked in a territorial dispute with China, and in the contested South China Sea, Japan's government said in a later statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iwaya also raised concerns about North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile development at the gathering and asked for help to resolve a dispute with Pyongyang over the past abductions of Japanese by North Korea, it said. In separate bilateral meeting Iwaya told Rubio and Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz, that Japan had no choice but to continue strengthening its defence capabilities given the security situation in East Asia, Japanese Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Toshihiro Kitamura told a news conference. Japan is undertaking its biggest military buildup since World War Two with a plan to doubled defence spending by 2027. The return of Trump has prompted expectations Washington may put more pressure on allies to further step up defence spending. Iwaya also asked Rubio to create an environment where Japanese businesses can invest without concerns, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former U.S. President Joe Biden this month blocked Nippon Steel's proposed $14.9 billion purchase of U.S. Steel, citing national security concerns, prompting concern from Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and other officials who said it was regrettable and raised concerns about future investment in the U.S. Japan hopes to arrange a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Ishiba some time in February or March, Kitamura said. Rubio also met separately with Wong and Jaishankar. A key aim for Australia was to secure assurances from Washington about the massive AUKUS defense project, designed to allow Australia to acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines and other advanced weapons such as hypersonic missiles, which Trump has not commented on publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australia's Foreign Minister Wong told a news conference in Washington she had a "very positive discussion" with Rubio on AUKUS. Wong and Rubio discussed efforts to continue bilateral defence cooperation, AUKUS, as well as critical minerals and global supply chain security, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement after the meeting. "The Secretary and the Foreign Minister hailed the longstanding U.S.-Australia Alliance as foundational to international security and prosperity, and to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region free from coercion," she said. Wong added that there was "a great deal of optimism and confidence about the opportunities ahead". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China has denounced the Quad as a Cold War construct and says the AUKUS alliance would intensify a regional arms race. Trump officials were working on scheduling another gathering of the foreign ministers at the White House as well, a person involved in planning meetings said. The Quad grouping met many times during the administration of former President Joe Biden, with a focus on Beijing's military and economic activities in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the South China Sea where U.S. allies have pushed back against Beijing's territorial claims. The grouping has also pledged to advance cooperation in cybersecurity to protect supply chains and critical infrastructure, including undersea cables. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom, Simon Lewis, Alastair Pal, Trevor Hunnicutt, Humeyra Pamuk, Daphne Psaledakis, Kirsty Needham and Tim Kelly; Editing by Michael Perry and Stephen Coates) KSNF/KODE Two local Quapaw Nation representatives are in our nations capital for several presidential inauguration activities. They each call it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the energy of the crowd, you wouldnt know that these people, some of them have literally been here all night, said Barry Linduff, O-Gah-Pah Communications Executive Director. O-Gah-Pah Communications Executive Director Barry Linduff has been in Washington, DC for the presidential inauguration since Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, there was a push for some Native American leaderships to be present and represented, said Linduff. Oh, the experience is great. Were out here watching all the historical events unfold, said Charles Addington, Quapaw Nation Public Safety Executive Director. Thats Quapaw Nation Public Safety Executive Director Charles Addington, who joined Linduff on the trip. Addington is no stranger to our nations capital. I actually lived up here and worked in DC for two different stints. Once under the Trump Administration, once under the Obama Administration, said Addington. The two Quapaw Nation reps have been attending a weekend full of events, including formal breakfasts and their very first inaugural ball on Saturday. When you have a change in a presidential power over to a new party, you know, theres things that have changed. So we want to make sure were up here supporting that transfer of power as well as, you know, going around and talking to the folks that we deal with on the congressional side of the House, said Addington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were just advocating for Indian Country at the end of the day. We want change, we want to make sure that were out here and were letting people know that, you know, theres things that can be resolved in Indian Country and in the Four States. And the only way to do that is you have to show up, said Linduff. Addington and Linduff have been meeting with several congressional members to educate them about issues that are important to Native Americans. Were lucky enough to have some relationships with our congressmen and our senators in the Four States, so were out here and were visiting them in their office. So what better way to bring the fight than to bring the fight to them? said Linduff. The men say the goal is to understand what new priorities are setting up with a new administration and to help lawmakers understand whats best for our local areas tribal needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its nice to represent the Four States out here. Make some noise, rattle some cages, and get some things done, said Linduff. Copyright 2025 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Queen Camilla slipped a comment about her connection to the hospital she was visiting in a surprise speech during her latest day out. On Jan. 21, the Queen, 77, stepped out in Swindon to tour and open the new Emergency Department at Great Western Hospital. The royal met staff, patients, volunteers and others involved in the $41 million expansion for urgent and emergency care and recounted her previous personal experience at the medical center. According to Rebecca English of the Daily Mail, Queen Camilla revealed that she gave birth to her daughter Laura there in an "off the cuff" address. She made the revelation while unveiling a plaque to officially open the new department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was thinking about it, and I probably haven't been inside this hospital for 47 years, since I had my daughter, so that was a few years ago," the Queen said in a video that English shared to X. "But I really wanted to congratulate everybody who has done such a brilliant job with this place, and everyone who is working here." Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Queen Camilla at the opening of the new Emergency Department at Great Western Hospital in Swindon on Jan. 21, 2025. Queen Camilla at the opening of the new Emergency Department at Great Western Hospital in Swindon on Jan. 21, 2025. Related: King Charles and Queen Camilla Make First Appearance of the Year as His Cancer Treatment Continues "I do know from first-hand experience the difference you are making to this part of the country. So congratulations to you all. Thank you," the Queen concluded. Elsewhere in the address, the Queen shouted out her grandchildren and said that they have received emergency care at Swindon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am so impressed by this A&E. I have had very good feedback because I have had friends who come here and grandchildren who have been here on several occasions. I quite often get pictures saying, 'Guess where I am? Back in the A&E in Swindon,' so I know it quite well," she joked, the Daily Mail reported. Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Queen Camilla at the opening of the new Emergency Department at Great Western Hospital in Swindon on Jan. 21, 2025. Queen Camilla at the opening of the new Emergency Department at Great Western Hospital in Swindon on Jan. 21, 2025. Before she married King Charles in 2005, Queen Camilla welcomed two children with her first husband, Andrew Parker Bowles. Camilla and Andrew wed in 1973, and had son Tom in 1974 and daughter Laura in 1978. Tom and Laura both later married, and went on to welcome children of their own. Tom, a food writer, shares daughter Lola and son Freddy with his ex-wife Sara Buys, while Laura and her husband Harry Lopes share daughter Eliza and twin sons Gus and Louis, and all of Queen Camilla's grandsons memorably acted as page boys at her coronation. Dave Benett/Getty Annabel Elliot, Andrew Parker Bowles and Queen Camilla at the launch party for "Cooking & The Crown" in London on Sept. 5, 2024. Annabel Elliot, Andrew Parker Bowles and Queen Camilla at the launch party for "Cooking & The Crown" in London on Sept. 5, 2024. Camilla and Andrew, a now-retired British Army officer, divorced in 1995 after living apart for a few years, and she would marry the future King 10 years later. (Charles and Camilla's yearslong romance notably overlapped with their respective first marriages Camilla to Andrew, and Charles to Princess Diana.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though they have been exes for decades, Queen Camilla and her first husband seem to share a friendly relationship. Andrew was a guest at her May 2023 coronation alongside King Charles, the Royal Ascot in July and most recently, the London launch party for their son Tom's latest cookbook in September. Dave Benett/Getty Laura Lopes, Queen Camilla and Tom Parker Bowles at the launch party for "Cooking & The Crown" in London on Sept. 5, 2024. Laura Lopes, Queen Camilla and Tom Parker Bowles at the launch party for "Cooking & The Crown" in London on Sept. 5, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: All About Queen Camilla's Children and Grandchildren Queen Camilla, Andrew and Laura all went out to celebrate Tom's publication of Cooking and the Crown: Royal Recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III, which chronicled 200 years of royal recipes, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla's go-to foods today! Speaking to PEOPLE around the book launch, food writer Tom praised his mother's tireless dedication to royal duty and said he was "incredibly proud" of her. Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Queen Camilla leaves Great Western Hospital in Swindon on Jan. 21, 2025. Queen Camilla leaves Great Western Hospital in Swindon on Jan. 21, 2025. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! "Shes at an age when most people think of retiring, but she never complains; she just gets on with it," Tom told PEOPLE then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the hospital stop, Queen Camilla traveled to Prospect Hospice to help the charity celebrate its 45th anniversary and 30 years at its Wroughton hub in her post as president. Read the original article on People GUEST OPINION: As authorities at home and abroad continue to enforce ever-more-stringent regulations, Australian businesses can ill afford to get it wrong Preparedness for cyberattacks is at the forefront of conversation in Australias corporate and government offices. Here in Australia, attacks and data breaches continue to occur ever more frequently, within organisations of all stripes and sizes. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) recorded 527 notifiable data breaches between January and June 2024, an increase of nine per cent compared with the previous six months. Cyber security incidents remain the most prevalent cause; accounting for 38 per cent of that total. We have our increasing reliance on digital tools and online services to thank for that, with malicious actors using compromised credentials, ransomware and phishing to gain access to personal data, the Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind notes in the most recent Notifiable Data Breaches Report. Getting serious about privacy protection Its the Commissions position that responsibility for deterring those bad actors and making prompt notification of any breaches that occur sits squarely with businesses and organisations that collect and store personal data. And its demonstrating a willingness to use civil penalty proceedings against offenders including, most latterly, Medibank Private and Australian Clinical Labs, both of which experienced data breaches in 2022 that compromised the privacy of millions of Australians. This enforcement action should send a strong message that keeping personal information secure and meeting the requirements of the NDB scheme must be priorities, Kind writes. It is no longer acceptable for privacy to be an afterthought; entities need to be taking a privacy-centric approach in everything they do. Ensuring your organisation is adhering to data protection principles Against that backdrop of higher expectations and more rigorous enforcement, prudent leaders are advised to review their internal data protection frameworks, to ensure theyre compliant with regulatory requirements. Both domestically and in other jurisdictions too., should they transact with clients overseas. At a practical level, that means ensuring theres a legitimate basis for the collection and use of personal data and a process in place to gain explicit consent from data subjects for its processing. It means retaining only the data thats necessary for specific, pre-defined purposes and deleting or anonymising that data once its served its purpose. And it means being transparent with customers about how their data is being collected and managed and putting processes in place to allow them to access, correct or delete it, upon request. Strengthening defences across the enterprise Just as important as ensuring youre collecting and handling data by the book: putting robust security measures in place to protect that data from unauthorised access, loss or breaches. That vigilance should extend right across the enterprise, to encompass the physical security solutions that are deployed to protect your business. If youre currently reliant on a melange of older, standalone systems, its unlikely theyll support cyber security and privacy best practices. Thats where a unified security platform can help. The term is used to refer to a centralised solution that collects data from multiple security systems and synthesises it into a single-source-of-truth. Most come equipped with robust data protection features to help organisations safeguard sensitive information and personal data think encryption, role-based access controls and automated security updates. Leveraging this technology enables organisations to apply consistent security policies across the enterprise. It also simplifies compliance by automating key tasks and reducing the incidence of human error. Setting your organisation up for a more secure future Falling foul of Australias data protection regulations has become something organisations can ill afford to do. With the OAIC increasingly adopting an enforcement posture, compliance needs to be a high priority. So does the deployment of tools and technologies that make it tougher for careless and malicious actors to gain access to the sensitive personal data stored in company systems and databases. Implementing a unified security platform is a straightforward way to centralise data protection controls and reduce the risk of compliance gaps. Having one in place can enable your IT team to respond to potential risks in real time, not hours, days and weeks after the fact. If maintaining rigorous data protection is an organisational objective for 2025, its enabling technology that should sit at the heart of your IT stack. [1] https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches/notifiable-data-breaches-publications/notifiable-data-breaches-report-january-to-june-2024 [2] https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches/notifiable-data-breaches-publications/notifiable-data-breaches-report-january-to-june-2024 DES MOINES, Iowa January is National Radon Action Month, which means it is time to test your home for naturally occurring radioactive gas. While you cant see, smell, or taste it, if radon is in your home, it can cause serious health conditions. Radon is the number two cause of lung cancer. Experts recommend that you use a test kit to check your home every five to ten years. Two inexpensive test kits can be found for less than $15 at the American Lung Association Store. Test kits can also be found at local hardware stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heather Johnson with the American Lung Association in Iowa tells us, According to the EPA, all of Iowa is zone one for radon, which means that over 50% of homes have an elevated level of radon. YMCA focuses on housing issues during 12th Annual MLK Jr Prayer Breakfast While potential health impacts vary Dr. Matthew Trump, a Pulmonologist at the Iowa Clinic says, As far as exposure, length of time, concentrations, obviously higher concentrations are more concerning, but we typically live in our homes for a few years, and so we do see greater incidences of cancer with longer exposure there too. Trump went on to say that anyone experiencing strange symptoms after being exposed to radon should get tested and talk to a doctor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Lung Association is helping to bring more attention to lung disease research later this year during their annual Fight for Air Climb. This years event will take place at 7 a.m. on Sunday, March 30th. There are four downtown Des Moines locations; EMC Insurance Companies, The Financial Center, Hub Tower and the Ruan. All four locations are equivalent to 85 floors and 1,796 steps. By participating in the climb, your $35 registration fee directly supports people with lung disease. To help spread the message about radons health hazards, the Iowa Department of Public Health and The American Lung Association are partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, and the Iowa Radon Coalition to host a statewide Radon Poster Contest now through March 15th for kids ages nine to 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To see past winners and contest details go to lung.org. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. The post Rage Against the Machine Celebrate Biden Commuting Sentence of Leonard Peltier appeared first on Consequence. Rage Against the Machine are praising the commuted life sentence of 80-year-old indigenous rights activist Leonard Peltier, whom the band has long championed in the decades since his imprisonment in the 70s. In one of his final acts in office, outgoing US President Joe Biden commuted Peltiers sentence to indefinite house arrest on Monday (January 20th), freeing Peltier from prison after numerous attempts to do so were denied over the years after he became eligible for parole in 1993. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RATM posted the following on their Instagram page: Anger is a gift. Leonard Peltier to be freed. Rage dedicated their song Freedom, the final single from their 1992 self-titled album, to Peltier, and the band used the songs music video to shed light on his case. An indigenous rights activist with the American Indian Movement, Peltier was sentenced to two consecutive life terms for the first degree murder of two FBI agents during an armed shootout back in 1975 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The two agents were apparently looking to apprehend an individual unrelated to Peltier at the time, and multiple individuals were involved with the shootout two of whom, Robert Robideau and Darrelle Dino Butler were acquitted on the grounds of self-defense. Peltier had previous run-ins with the law and was ultimately convicted despite denying that he was the individual who committed the murders a position he has maintained over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peltier later escaped from prison in 1979 before being apprehended days later, adding an additional seven years to his sentence. In the decades since his conviction, much scrutiny was brought against Peltiers conviction, which many felt was unsubstantiated by conflicting evidence, contradictory statements, and suppressed/withheld documents that were classified for national security reasons. RATMs Tom Morello and Brad Wilk each offered separate statements on social media, in addition to the bands aforementioned post, following the commuted sentence. Wrote Morello: LEONARD PELTIER IS GOING HOME!! For almost 5 decades human rights organizations, Native American activists, average everyday people and bands like RATM have lobbied for the release of political prisoner Leonard Peltier. Leonard has become a friend over the years and I am so glad at 80 years old and in poor health he will be able to spend his remaining years with family and friends. For this MASSIVE RIFF MONDAY there can be only one choice, RATMs FREEDOM whose video exposed a new generation to this historical injustice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wrote Wilk: After almost 50 years of unjust incarceration, clemency was finally granted to Leonard Peltier! From as far back as the first RATM video which marks his story and the incident at Oglala to marching in the streets of NY at the end of Clintons term and beyond we have been hoping for this day of clemency and Justice for Peltier to finally come. The necklace in slide (7) was made for me in jail by Leonard. He made one for all four of us after we released the Freedom video. Unreal. Feels bitter sweet but clemency will finally be served for Leonard Peltier. You can see the various social media posts below, as well as the music video for Freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rage Against the Machine Celebrate Biden Commuting Sentence of Leonard Peltier Jon Hadusek Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. Mayor Karen Bass issued an emergency executive order Tuesday morning to shore up Los Angeles burn areas and protect watersheds ahead of potential rain this weekend. The forecast, which calls for some rain as soon as late Friday or early Saturday, comes as the Los Angeles area continues to battle a catastrophic firestorm that has devastated a wide swath of coastal L.A. and Altadena in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Although precipitation might seem welcome as fires continue to burn, mudslides and debris flows in burned areas can be highly destructive. The toxic remains of these urban fires only magnify the threat. Meanwhile, the region is still facing severe fire danger, which is likely to persist until Thursday or Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: California's fire, rain and mudslide cycle: How to prepare and stay safe Bass' executive order directs city crews to clear and remove vegetation, reinforce hillsides, reinforce roads and clear debris from neighborhoods and burn areas. The city will install reinforced concrete barriers and sandbags to shore up affected areas and stem the flow of toxins, according to the mayor's office. The city will also work to divert stormwater into the sewer system to prevent fire-contaminated runoff from flowing directly into the ocean. "This is to prevent additional damage to areas already ravaged by fire, and also to protect our watershed, beaches and ocean from toxic runoff," Bass said Tuesday. There is a 60% to 80% chance of rain this weekend in Southern California, according to Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Oxnard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kittell said the rain could arrive as early as Saturday evening and continue through Monday, with about half an inch total forecast for the region. "It's not going to be raining that entire period, but there's one or two windows of opportunity for some rain," Kittell said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) On Monday, appointments were canceled for people looking to cross the U.S. border just minutes after President Donald Trump took his oath of office. CBP One, an app migrants can use to make appointments for legal entry, went offline. Whether its been scheduled already or theyre just in line for an interview to be scheduled for them, all interviews have been canceled, Esteban Diaz, a Raleigh-based immigration attorney with Matta Law, said. For people who are already in the process of becoming citizens or lawful permanent residents, not much has changed right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who is already in the country, already in removal proceedings seeking asylum, it doesnt change anything, Diaz said. President Trump also signed an executive order that aims to redefine birthright citizenship, but 22 states have already filed a lawsuit to stop that from happening. Democratic AGs sue Trump over birthright citizenship executive order Diaz also expects the Trump administration to struggle with massive raid operations. Youre talking about having to hire a lot more ICE officers, youre talking about having to hire a lot more immigration judges, a lot more prosecutors, youre going to need the transportation, the detention facilities, he explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Diaz says the cancellation of appointments makes it harder for people to come into the country and itll take time to see the effects of that. Now youre going to have that disorder again, probably congestion at the border again, and youre going to see illegal crossings go up again because people are fleeing from horrible situations, he said. President Trump also suspended the Refugee Admission Program in another executive order. Copyright 2025 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 CBS17.com. Vivek Ramaswamy announced on Jan. 20 that he will step down from his role as co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he worked alongside Elon Musk. Ramaswamy's departure comes as he prepares to run for governor of Ohio, according to multiple media reports, including CBS News and The New York Times. In a post on X, Ramaswamy expressed his confidence in Musk and the DOGE team, stating, Im confident that Elon and the team will succeed in streamlining government. He did not provide further details about his gubernatorial campaign but indicated that he would share more information soon. Ramaswamy has previously affirmed his support for President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE, established through executive orders signed by Trump, aims to reduce federal spending by implementing budget cuts and staff reductions. Ramaswamy played a significant role in its creation, as noted by DOGE spokesperson Anna Kelly, who confirmed that his candidacy requires him to step away from the organization. The exit follows reported tensions between Ramaswamy and Musk, with Politico citing sources who claim Musk sought Ramaswamy's removal. A Republican strategist mentioned that Ramaswamy's recent criticisms of American culture may have contributed to the decision. Ramaswamys move to enter the Ohio gubernatorial race comes as incumbent Governor Mike DeWine's second term is set to conclude in January 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His potential candidacy was hinted at in a recent post in which he responded positively to a suggestion from a parody account regarding a run for governor. DOGE is currently facing legal challenges from consumer advocacy groups alleging violations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, raising concerns about transparency and oversight in government decision-making. (Bloomberg) -- Vivek Ramaswamy will not join President Donald Trumps government efficiency effort as he readies a campaign for governor in Ohio. Most Read from Bloomberg Trump had named the biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate to lead the panel dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency alongside billionaire donor Elon Musk. But Ohio Governor Mike DeWines decision to select his lieutenant governor, Jon Husted, to replace Vice President JD Vance in the US Senate opened the possibility for Ramaswamy to seek the governors mansion in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramaswamys exit from the cost-cutting initiative was first announced by a spokesperson for the Trump transition. Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE. He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure that we announced today, Anna Kelly, a spokeswoman for the transition effort, said in a statement. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last 2 months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again! Ramaswamy in a post on X Monday said it was his honor to help support the creation of DOGE. Im confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government. Ill have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier: Ramaswamy Will Use DOGE as Springboard to Run for Ohio Governor Trump noted his effort to establish the brand new panel in his inaugural address, but so far has not provided details of how the effort would be structured. Ramaswamy ran against Trump in the Republican primaries but dropped out and endorsed him after finishing fourth in Iowa. While Ramaswamy enthusiastically supported the limited-government vision of the DOGE, the project was primarily the brainchild of Musk, the CEO of Tesla Inc. and one of Trumps most prominent supporters. Musk was spotted by CNN entering the office building adjacent to the White House on Monday afternoon as Trump attended inaugural events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates to add Ramaswamy comment in paragraphs 6-7) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. A rare winter storm charging through Texas and the northern Gulf Coast on Tuesday has closed highways and airports and prompted the first blizzard warning for southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. The storm is expected to scatter heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain around the Deep South as a blast of Arctic air plunges much of the eastern U.S. into a deep freeze. Nearly 2,000 flights within the U.S. or entering or leaving the country were canceled Tuesday with about 10,000 more flights delayed, according to online tracker FlightAware.com. In Texas, both Houston airports said that flight operations would be suspended starting Tuesday in expectation of hazardous conditions. A motorist clears snow from a utility vehicle after a winter storm plunged daytime high temperatures into the single digits and left up to six inches of snow in its wake Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) A cyclist navigates 13th Avenue after a winter storm plunged daytime high temperatures into the single digits and left up to six inches of snow in its wake Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Vehicles pass a sign displaying Winter storm related operations Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Houston, ahead of predicted several inches of snow and possibly ice in Southeast Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Kristina Foss holds onto her daughter Kayleigh as they plow through snow at the bottom of the hill behind Sherwood Heights Elementary School Auburn, Maine, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, with family and friends. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal via AP) A billboard advertises for a heating and air conditioning company Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in St. Joseph, Mich., as bitterly cold temperatures in the single digits are expected over the new few days throughout Michigan. (Don Campbell/The Herald-Palladium via AP) Ice builds up along the shore of Lake Michigan before the sunrise Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Chicago as the weather service issued cold weather advisories across the Great Lakes region as high temperatures in many places were expected only to rise into the single digits Monday and Tuesday. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato) A person stands on ice at Oak Street Beach along the shore of Lake Michigan to take pictures before the sunrise Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Chicago, as the weather service issued cold weather advisories across the Great Lakes region as high temperatures in many places were expected only to rise into the single digits Monday and Tuesday. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato) A pedestrian crosses as a pickup truck equipped with a snow plow waits at the traffic signal after a winter storm plunged daytime high temperatures into the single digits and left up to six inches of snow in its wake Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The East Coast endured a thick blanket of snow while people from the Northern Plains to the tip of Maine shivered in bitterly cold temperatures from the frigid arctic air mass that sent temperatures plunging well below normal. Dangerously cold wind chills were expected to persist through Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lakesha Reed, manager of Beaucoup Eats catering in New Orleans, had plans to fly out Tuesday to cook for a Mardi Gras-style event in the nations capital, but flights were canceled amid extreme cold. The 47-year-old New Orleans native said it was in the 30s early Monday afternoon in her port city, where near-freezing temperatures are rare. We can barely drive in the rain, she said. Last year, we wore shorts for Mardi Gras. Winter storm warnings extended from Texas to North Carolina on Tuesday, with heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain expected to move eastward through the region into Wednesday. Meanwhile, a state of emergency was declared Monday night across at least a dozen counties in New York as heavy lake-effect snow was expected around Lake Ontario and Lake Erie through Wednesday with 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) possible along with extreme cold temperatures. Snow on the Gulf Coast Ahead of the storm, governors in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, declared states of emergency and many school systems canceled classes Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blizzard warning in effect until midday Tuesday was the first issued by the office in Lake Charles, Louisiana, according to meteorologist Donald Jones. Strong winds with heavier snow bands were reducing visibility, and areas across the Gulf South that rarely see snow are expecting near-record or record snowfall, Jones said. The last time we saw snow of this magnitude was way back in 1960, and prior to that, the previous snowfall record that even stands to this day was way back in 1895, Jones said. By modern standards this is going to be a historic and very memorable storm for this part of the world. Before snow and sleet began falling Monday night, Houston Mayor John Whitmire asked residents to finish getting ready for the storm and then stay off the roads. Get prepared to be in your house, in your residence, in your warming place for the next 48 hours, he said noting that temperatures werent expected to get above freezing until Thursday. So dont let even clear skies on Wednesday and other days fool you. This is a serious arctic blast. Its dangerous. Its life threatening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snowfall rates of 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) per hour or more were possible from eastern Texas to the western Florida panhandle and historic snowfall of 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 centimeters) was forecast along the Interstate 10 corridor including Houston; New Orleans; Mobile, Alabama; and Pensacola, Florida, according to the weather service. Heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain are expected across Georgia, northern Florida and the eastern Carolinas from Tuesday night into Wednesday. Forecasters warned the sub-freezing morning lows could threaten sensitive vegetation and exposed plumbing in areas unaccustomed to bitter cold. Across Louisiana, officials urged residents to stay home and not go sightseeing during the storm, warning any road ice could make travel dangerous. The weather service warned power outages were possible in areas of significant snow and ice accumulation. Meanwhile, shoppers packed supermarkets, stocking up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Things were really nuts with everyone shopping and trying to get supplies in the past couple days, and most people were looking for the same stuff because they want to make something that will warm your blood, maybe a gumbo, William Jordan in New Orleans said Monday. Return of the Arctic blast Much of the Eastern Seaboard is enduring some of the coldest temperatures this winter. The cold weather prompted Donald Trump to take the oath as president Monday from inside the Capitol Rotunda, upending months of meticulous planning for a massive outdoor inauguration with crowds sprawling down the National Mall. The last time an inaugural ceremony was held indoors was Ronald Reagans in 1985. Elsewhere, an area from the Rockies into the Northern Plains will see colder than normal weather over several days. Wind chills between minus 40 degrees (minus 40 C) to minus 55 degrees (minus 48 C) were expected through Tuesday morning across parts of the Northern Plains and as far east as parts of Illinois, with below zero wind chills affecting a broad swath of the country from Southern Plains east. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weather service issued cold weather advisories across the Great Lakes region. The wind chill in Chicago overnight Monday was expected to be around minus 22 (minus 30 C). Like earlier this month, this latest cold snap comes from a disruption in the polar vortex, the ring of cold air usually trapped about the North Pole. In Texas, Jonathan LeBron, plumbing manager at Nicks Plumbing & Air Conditioning in the Houston area, said the company began fielding calls Monday from homeowners worried about frozen pipes. There is a little bit of panic, LeBron said. I think theyre pretty aware of whats going on. The last freeze was three or four years ago. They want us to go out there and make sure things are insulated accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Houstons low temperature on Tuesday will be about 18 (minus 8 C), according to the National Weather Service, or low enough for water to freeze in pipes, expand and then cause the pipes to burst. Several inches of snow were also possible. Santa Ana winds expected to return to Southern California In Southern California, where blazes have killed at least 27 people and burned thousands of homes, dry conditions and strong Santa Ana winds remained a concern. Copyright 2025 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 WFLA. John Ratcliffe took a step closer to being confirmed to lead the CIA on Monday as the Senate Intelligence Committee advanced his nomination. The panel advanced his nomination 14 to 3 shortly after President Trump was sworn into office. All three no votes were cast by Democrats. The vote comes days after Ratcliffes confirmation hearing, which was largely cordial and void of fireworks. That marked a major change from 2020 when Ratcliffe, then considered a highly-partisan choice to become Director of National Intelligence (DNI) who Democrats deemed unprepared for the role, was confirmed in a party-line vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Ratcliffes work during his tenure as DNI helped grease the skids for his confirmation this year, especially his stance on China and promise to Democrats to keep the agency apolitical. I think hes qualified for the job. Hes a serious guy and hes got the background, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said following his confirmation hearing, adding that he was appreciative of Ratcliffes promise to speak truth to power. Ive got confidence hell do a good job, Kelly added. Among the committee Democrats who voted for him on Monday was Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the panels vice chairman, who is considered an influential figure in Ratcliffes confirmation push. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), another committee member, also told The Hill he backed him. Ratcliffes nomination is expected to come before the full Senate shortly after Sen. Marco Rubios (R-Fla.) likely swift confirmation to lead the State Department. Senate Republicans have indicated that the first goal is to get Trumps national security team in place, and Ratcliffe could have the most bipartisan backing of anyone on that slate short of Rubio. Copyright 2025 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. Swedish fibre-based broadband operator GlobalConnect has joined a consortium of five Nordic organisations planning to build a fibre cable linking Northern Europe, East Asia and the US via the Arctic. The organisations involved in the project, called Polar Connect, are GlobalConnect, Vetenskapsradet, NORDUnet, Polarforskningssekretariatet, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet Polar Connect has been granted 4 million Euros from the European Commission to fund the project phase: Polar Connect Step 1. Today, 90% of all data communication between Europe & Asia passes through the Red Sea, a route which EU authorities see as being increasingly impacted by geopolitical challenges. The goal of Polar Connect is to offer a significantly safer and shorter route via the Arctic, which the project participants say will decrease the time to send data, cut latency and improve resilience. We are excited to announce our participation in this groundbreaking Nordic consortium, said Par Jansson, SVP, GlobalConnect Carrier. "At GlobalConnect, we work tirelessly to future-proof the digital infrastructure in Northern Europe and beyond and this project represents a giant leap in that plan. "By enabling a faster, more secure digital link between Europe, Asia, and the US, we are catering to the accelerated global demand for high data capacity and resilient digital infrastructure that empowers our society." GlobalConnect, which deploys sea cables in Scandinavia, recently completed a 2600 km fibre cable from Northern Sweden to Berlin, capable of transporting all data in the Nordics. Polar Connect Step 1 starts in 2025, with bottom surveys of the optimal route and other preparations being made. The Swedish government plans to build a brand-new ice breaker vessel, capable of breaking through four-meter-thick and unexplored Arctic ice. When the cable is to be laid, the new vessel and the Swedish ice breakerOden will be used simultaneously. The cable is set to be deployed at an approximate depth of 4,000 metres in the Arctic Ocean - and is planned to be ready by 2030. NEW YORK (PIX11) For the first time in a very long time, immigration advocate Ravi Ragbir says hes now able to walk down the street without looking over his shoulder. Its been an anxiety-ridden journey PIX11 News has documented for almost a decade, as Ragbir worried that federal immigration agents would take him into custody and deport him back to his native Trinidad. More Local News Since 2018 since you worked with me, I have been living this roller coaster more lows than highs, said Ragbir. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But those days are now behind him thanks to a last-minute pardon from outgoing President Joe Biden. We couldnt believe it, said Ragbir. Im living free of that stress. On Jan. 19 the White House announcement detailing his 25-year-old non-violent conviction, and since then, his advocacy for vulnerable immigrant communities and families, along with the widespread acknowledgment of his efforts to promote justice and human dignity. Amy Gottlieb, Ragbirs wife and fellow immigration advocate says the pardon has big implications for the most ordinary decisions including upcoming plans to attend a family wedding out of state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was a really basic one for us, said Gottlieb. This joyous occasion in my family and we dont know. We couldnt plan ahead. Biden pardons the late Black nationalist Marcus Garvey as well as 4 others and commutes 2 sentences For his part, President Donald Trump made his position on immigration crystal clear Monday, during his second inauguration speech. We will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came, said President Trump. And I will send troops to the southern border to end the disastrous invasion of our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ragbir says it is not lost on him that there are tens of thousands of migrants in New York City who were not fortunate enough to receive any last-minute protections from the Biden Administration and who are now entering a new phase of uncertainty as President Trump returns to office. NYC couples say marriage offers security before Donald Trumps inauguration It is not hard work, it is what is necessary, said Ragbir. Necessary to stop the separation of families. My experience in detention. My experience in fighting this gave me expertise. I was able to guide people through the process so they didnt give up. Long-time Ragbir supporter New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams says he knows his friend will continue fighting for the citys immigrant communities. At this time, we all need these little bits of joy. Weve seen this kind of thing before where we feed peoples fears and unchecked, it causes so much undue harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It frees me to work harder and stronger for those who are in a similar situation, added Ragbir. Copyright 2025 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 PIX11. Churchill once implied that history would be kind to him because I propose to write that history myself. As we know from his paroxysms on Truth Social, Donald Trump is barely capable of writing a single coherent sentence. But he has speechwriters, so Mondays inaugural addresswhich George Will accurately described as worse than 59 otherswas intelligible enough to make clear that Trump wont let facts or reality curb his ambitions this term. Hell even rewrite history if thats what it takes. Thus, Trump said in his speech that President William McKinley, whose name he has ordered to be restored to Mount Denali, was a natural businessman who made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent. He credited that wealth in the eventual building of the Panama Canal, which he said cost 38,000 American lives. He added that above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. Trump has failed fact-checks on some of these claims, and will further fail my own fact-check later in this piece. But setting the record straightor mocking Trumps ignorance of history, as some on the left have doneis insufficient, and perhaps misses the point entirely. Trump does not care whether his view of history is true. He only needs his supplicants in the media, Silicon Valley, and Washington to assert that hes right, thus giving him the political capital and power to advance his patently authoritarian plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rewriting history is a trademark of modern despots. Twentieth-century fascists loved slogans that resonated like a new religion, and preferred creative myths to history or journalism, Yale historian Tom Snyder notes in On Tyranny. They used new media, which at the time was radio, to create a drumbeat of propaganda that aroused feelings before people had time to ascertain facts. Trump has his propaganda machine: Salem Media dominates the airwaves and perpetuates right-wing ditto-heads, and he has Fox News, Newsmax, One America News, and a slew of podcasters, YouTube bros, social media networks (especially Elon Musks X), and print pundits to do his bidding, plus little resistance and perhaps considerable support from outlets like The Washington Post and ABC News. After his loss in 2020, Trump used his media force to push his lies about a stolen election and to reframe January 6 as a patriotic protest that got out of hand rather than an attempt to overthrow the government. Now hell use it to sell imaginative narratives to promote his worst objectives. Every autocrat has essentially done the same. Lenin oversaw a rewriting of history that demonized opponents of the Russian Revolution and made indoctrination campaigns a key part of Russian education. Trump will bring his particular ideology into the classroom as well: He said Monday that we have an education system that teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves [and] hate our country, promising, All of this will change starting today and will change very quickly. The very next sentence he uttered demonstrates the type of history he expects children to learn: Our recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal, and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed their freedom. From this moment on, Americas decline is over. He declared January 20 to be Liberation Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In truth, there is no decline: Bidenomics produced low unemployment and tremendous growth, and Biden brought dignity, compassion, and competence back to the Oval Office. And the only liberation Trump is providing is for the coup mob that attacked the Capitol on January, nearly all of whom he quickly pardoned. As other autocratic leaders throughout history have done, Trump is perpetuating a lie designed to justify his actions and anger the populace. Perhaps hes learned from Vladimir Putin, who has whitewashed Russian history and portrayed the war in Ukraine as a continuation of the effort to oust the Nazis from Europe. Or from Xi Jinping, who is so intent on presenting his own version of Chinese history, hes made it a crime to criticize those he promotes as heroes. In a way, Trumps limited understanding of history allows him to easily contort it. In his first term, he made Andrew Jackson into the president he most sought to emulate, despite Jackson being a slaveowner and perhaps the greatest genocidaire of Native Americans in U.S. history. Jackson, a strong believer in tariffs, practically single-handedly brought on the Panic of 1837 through the credit crisis he caused by refusing to recharter the Second Bank of the United States and requiring that federal land purchases only be done with gold or silver, greatly restricting the money supply. Trump may bring us into an economic crisis through polar opposite means: his advocacy of a virtually unregulated crypto market, which hes made clear through his appointment of David Sacks as White House A.I. & Crypto Czar, and through the get-richer-quicker schemes of himself and Melania, who launched their own meme coins just before the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps new icon is another tariff advocate, William McKinley, the Civil War hero and Gilded Age president who led us through the Spanish-American War and a period of imperialism that saw us occupy Cuba, officially annex Hawaii, and take Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Trump, too, has been expressing expansionist desires of late, openly coveting Greenland, stating his desire to retake the Panama Canal, and refusing to rule out military force for either. Hes even mockingly suggested making Canada the 51st state. Ironically, while Jackson and Trump might just have gotten along splendidly, its doubtful McKinleywho was so compassionate as to plead for mercy for his own assassinwouldve found Trumps character fitting for the office of the presidency. McKinley suffered criticism without public complaint; Trump responds to critics with wee-hour Truth Social rants. Nonetheless, Trump has brought McKinley back into the limelight, pointing to the Gilded Age as the apparent time of greatness that MAGA wants to return us to, a time when women and most minorities could not vote, there was staggering wealth inequality (well, that one we still have), LGBTQ+ people all had to remain in the closet forever, there were no income taxes, and the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act was still in effect. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent, Trump said in his address. He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama after the United States spent more money than ever spent on a project before and lost 38,000 lives. Trump went on to say that Panama is allowing China to control the canal, a claim that has no basis in truth: 75 percent of shipping through the canal derives from the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unsurprisingly, Trump has much of this history wrong. We could dismiss his misstatements as mere errors if it werent for the fact that they seem to suit his causes so well. First off, McKinley wasnt a businessman, he was a lawyer. He did support the building of an isthmian canalthat part is true. As Robert Merry explains in his biography, William McKinley: Architect of the American Century, the president used his Annual Message of December 5, 1898, to declare an isthmian canal indispensable to U.S. interests and argue that Americas new global standing more imperatively than ever calls for [the canals] control by this Government. To make it possible, McKinleys secretary of state, John Hay, successfully negotiated the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty with Britain (later tweaked under Roosevelt), overriding the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850 that had required mutual cooperation between the nations for such a canal. Yet Merry notes that there was a tide of politicians and military people pushing for the canal, and that they were considerably more aggressive than McKinley. Nicaragua was considered the most plausible location, despite the previous French efforts in Panama, and McKinley went to his death presuming it would be there if anywhere. But Roosevelt seized upon the Panamanian revolt from Colombia that made the Panamanian canal possible. Hay, who had stayed on, negotiated a new treaty with the Panamanians: the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, which allowed us to build the canal. We began operating the canal when it opened in 1914. Over 60 years later, the Carter administration negotiated new treaties with Panama that guaranteed the neutrality of the canal, permitted the U.S. to defend that neutrality, and gave the canal to Panama as of December 31, 1999. Trump asserted that the United States lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal. This is an egregious and purposeful misrepresentation. He is conflating numbers and expanding U.S. deaths in the same way other autocratic leaders have exaggerated their countries sacrifices to justify imperial actions. The French lost the most people: 20,000 workers. Deaths during the U.S. effort were likely between 5,600 and 6,000. But heres the catch: Only a few hundred of those were U.S. citizens; the rest were all migrant workers imported from the West Indies, including from Jamaica and Barbados. The reason for these disparate numbers has to do with the protections we provided: White workers benefited from the advances made by the chief sanitary officer, William C. Gorgas, in curbing the mosquito threat, whereas the migrants received beds without nets and much fewer protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Equally false is Trumps claim that McKinleys tariffs created mountains of wealth. As Douglas A. Irwin explained for the Peterson Institute, McKinley was behind the Tariff Act of 1890 when he was a congressman, which sent prices soaring. As president, Irwin says, McKinley was more forward-looking [and] embraced trade reciprocity, believing it was time to move away from protective tariffs through trade agreements. Tariffs remained high on a number of products, and it was the American consumer who was forced to pay. But the boon industrial times allowed us to succeed despite this, Merry says, not because of it. And had McKinley not eased his position, its likely the tariffs wouldve done considerably more damage. Irwin notes another way McKinley diverged from Trump: McKinley was also very careful about not demonizing immigrants, whom he saw as providing high economic value. Trump likes the idea of a Second Gilded Age, perhaps because he himself is gilded: showy on the outside, empty on the inside. Yet his rhetoric and his actions are much more in line with the Futurists, the movement that preceded fascism in Italy, which promoted the idea that speed and technology would be our salvation and asserted that we should burn down the libraries, museums, and institutions of the past. Or, you might say, Move fast and break things, as our new oligarchy promises to do. Stewart Huntington ICT Nick Tilsen and Holly Cook Macarro sat in a rental car outside the Coleman Federal Corrections Complex in Florida, trying to stay calm. We were listening to Sundance music and we were smudging and we were praying, Tilsen, Oglala Lakota, the founder and chief executive of the NDN Collective advocacy organization, told ICT. But time was running out on Monday, Jan. 20, as they watched the White House Briefing Room website for any word that outgoing President Joe Biden would grant clemency to Native activist Leonard Peltier, who has been behind bars for nearly 50 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think I have PTSD from hitting refresh over and over, said Cook Macarro, Red Lake Band of Ojibwe, who oversees government affairs for NDN Collective. It was really very long, maybe the longest day of my life. On Monday at noon Eastern Time, Donald Trump would be sworn in again as president and the opportunity for Biden to act would evaporate. We started getting worried because all of a sudden it's like, one hour left of this administration, and then 40 minutes, and then 30 minutes, Tilsen said. We felt like the window was closing. And then? Pure joy, said Macarro. I just remember bursting into tears and kind of freezing for a minute, Tilsen said. This day has actually come for Leonard and for our movement and for our people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The notice arrived with just a few minutes to spare that Biden had commuted Peltiers two life sentences, allowing the 80-year-old American Indian Movement activist to return home to live out his remaining years at the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians reservation in North Dakota. Peltier, who was convicted of aiding and abetting in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, was denied parole as recently as July and wasnt eligible for parole again until 2026. His commutation comes after decades of grassroots organizing in Indian Country and the presentation of evidence of misconduct and constitutional violations during the prosecution of Peltiers case. NDN Collective has led the effort for years to win Peltiers freedom. It was surreal, said Tilsen, who remembered organizing rallies to free Peltier as a teenager in Rapid City, South Dakota. To get to this point where this could happen It's hard to believe. I immediately imagined Leonard coming back to his homelands because that's the same thing that any Indian person has ever wanted to do is to go home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Peltier was still behind the walls of the Florida prison, unaware of the news. It was a federal holiday and there was no opportunity for visitations. And then the phone rang. He called at 12:46, Macarro said. Which was almost exactly one hour after the grant of clemency had been announced on the White House website. So he had no idea He said he'd been awake all night awaiting news. And so he said, Well, you know, did it happen? He was nervous, but hed been through this before, without success. We were able to tell him that, yes, President Biden had commuted his sentence and he would serve out the remainder of his sentence under home confinement at the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said, So it's real?.. It's real? said Macarro, He asked us that a couple of times. We said, No, it's real. It is pure joy and love and celebration today for us. And I know we share that with so much of Indian Country. Macarro said that Peltier asked her and Tilsen to accompany him on his journey home to North Dakota, though he likely will not be able to leave the prison for several more weeks. We're both very honored and humbled that we get to play this role after so many decades, she said. There are thousands of people and voices who joined in this fight to gain justice and liberation for Leonard Peltier. And so to be able to walk with him as he leaves those prison walls, it's a very emotional thing for me, too, to think about. For Tilsen, the day was bigger than any one person or one organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is emotional to think about him coming home, he said. But also it's an acknowledgment that what was done to him was wrong. He continued, It's an acknowledgment of what was done to Indian people and how we were treated throughout history was also wrong. How he was treated in his incarceration and prosecution is consistent with how the United States government has treated Indian people treated us that we're less than, that we're not human, that we don't deserve the same human rights that other people do, that we don't deserve the same civil rights that other people do, that our sovereignty doesn't matter, that our self-determination doesn't matter. And so, when you look at Leonard Peltier, one of the realities is every Indigenous person sees a little bit about themselves in Leonard Peltier and Leonard Peltiers struggle, Tilsen said. Because all of us have experienced injustices at the hands of the United States government. That's why the context of this moment is so huge. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter. BAMAKO, Mali (AP) A rebel alliance in Mali said Tuesday it has freed a Spanish man who was kidnapped in southern Algeria last week. The Azawad Liberation Front, or FLA, a coalition of separatist armed groups in Mali's predominately Tuareg north, said on X that it freed Spanish citizen Gilbert Navarro. The former Spanish hostage, Mr. Navarro Giane Gilbert, has been released by the FLA and is in good health, said Mohamed Maouloud Ramaadan, a spokesperson for the separatist movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boubacar Sadigh Ould Taleb, the FLA's communications officer, told The Associated Press that Navarro was kidnapped on Jan. 17 by a transnational mafia, without identifying the group. Taleb said armed men from the FLA located Navarro and his kidnappers near the town of Indelimane in Mali's eastern region of Menaka, more than 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of the Algerian border. After surrounding the kidnappers, the rebel fighters were able to negotiate the Spanish man's release on Monday, he said. The former hostage will be handed over to the Algerian authorities very soon so that he can be reunited with his family," Taleb said. Spains Foreign Ministry said last week that a Spanish man had been kidnapped in an unspecified northern African country. Spanish media reported that the man was captured in southern Algeria and taken to Mali by the Islamic State group in the Greater Sahara. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Foreign Ministry would not confirm the media reports or reveal the location of the kidnapping. On Algerian television, a special program on Tuesday evening showed Navarro aboard an Algerian army plane landing at a military airport west of Algiers. The country's defense ministry said Navarro was a tourist who was taken by five members of an unnamed armed group. He was on Tuesday handed over to Algerian authorities, the ministry statement said. Kidnappings have rarely been reported in Algeria in recent years, but Africas largest country by area continues to face instability along its southern borders with Niger and Mali. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two countries are among the states in West Africa's Sahel region that have been upended by military coups and are now led by juntas after previous governments failed to quell violence and discontent. Abductions have become increasingly common in Mali, according to data from the non-profit Armed Conflict Location & Event Data. Since the peace agreement between Mali's government and the armed groups lapsed in 2023, the ruling military junta in Bamako has designated the armed groups, including the FLA, as terrorists. To fight them, the government has ended its security partnerships with Western nations, turning instead to mercenary groups, including the Russian African Corps, the successor to the Wagner paramilitary group. It remained unclear how Navarro's release was negotiated. Algeria has historically served as a regional mediator in northwest Africa but has lately fallen out of favor among the region's junta-led governments. In a statement earlier this month, Mali's Foreign Affairs Ministry denounced Algiers' closeness and complicity with the terrorist groups destabilizing Mali." It accused Algeria of political interference, paternalism and a hackneyed, firefighter-pyromaniac strategy. Honey laced with potentially lethal doses of Viagra is being seized in record quantities across France. Customs officials on Monday warned they had noticed a huge surge in the illegal import of banned love honey which is being sold online and in corner shops for recreational purposes. The adulterated nectar, also dubbed erectile honey, claims to be an all-natural aphrodisiac but in fact contains the active elements of the prescription drugs Viagra and Cialis, used to treat erectile dysfunction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tests carried out by the Joint Laboratory Service (Customs and DGCCRF) detect the presence of active ingredients such as Sildenafil or Tadalafil, both of which are used to treat erectile dysfunction and are subject to regulation, said Frances customs agency in a statement. As the amount of adulteration is unknown, and the doses consumed are neither recommended nor quantified, consumers are taking considerable risks by taking this type of adulterated honey, especially as there is no mention of dosage, contra-indications or adverse effects on the sachets. There is a risk of very serious or even fatal accidents if taken simultaneously with other medication, Dr Alain Ducardonnet, a cardiologist, told French broadcaster BFMTV. The second risk is an overdose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you take too much, you risk epileptic seizures, haemorrhages or kidney problems, he added. A record 31,000 tonnes of illegally imported counterfeit honey touted as a sexual enhancement were seized in the country last year - Douanes Francaises/AFP Despite the bans and government warnings, young men have been buying and consuming the individual packets of honey in fast growing numbers. Following a trend, a younger public are going for this in a big way, thinking they can match the performances to be found on porn sites, a police officer told Le Figaro newspaper. Customs officials said the amounts seized in France had rocketed in recent years. Only 18 cases of such illegal imports were reported in 2019 but the figure swelled to 131 in 2023. Last year was an absolute record, both in terms of the number of cases reported and the quantities seized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The largest single haul took place in Marseille, southern France, last November when the port customs office seized more than 13 tons nearly 860,000 sticks of aphrodisiac honey from Malaysia. Police have seized other consignments in Eastern France, the Paris region and Auvergne Rhone-Alpes. In June, officers in Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand seized nearly 25,000 doses (over 238 kg) of erectile honey from a storage box. Contraband sales Vendors tout the honey on social media and some offer delivery across France with prices ranging from 30 (25) per pot to 50 (42) for 10 sachets of 15-30g each. They are often sold in illegal boutiques that also sell illicit cigarettes and drugs. France officially imported 31,000 tons of raw honey last year, mostly from Ukraine, Belgium and Spain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the adulterated honey comes mostly from Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia and Thailand. They arrive by sea, in containers in large quantities, or by express freight, in smaller volumes, following purchases on the internet, the statement said. In France, medication for erectile dysfunction medication is available on the basis of a simple medical consultation. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. In this Dec. 8, 2017, photo, snow blankets Interstate 12 near Hammond during a rare freeze event. Louisiana is again bracing for rare winter precipitation this week. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) The potential for record-breaking snowfall and extended sub-freezing temperatures across south Louisiana means residents could have to stay home for at least two days until conditions improve, state officials said Monday. Gov. Jeff Landry, who had been in Washington, D.C, for President Donald Trumps inauguration, returned to Louisiana earlier than expected and led a news conference at the headquarters of his Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor advised residents to finalize their preparations and monitor virtual.la.gov for the information on the winter weather impacts. Its better to be over prepared than caught off guard, Landry said. The latest National Weather Service forecast calls for snowfall between 5-8 inches of snow along the Interstate 10 and 12 corridors, with levels slightly lower in coastal areas. Frozen precipitation is expected to start in the early hours of Tuesday and last throughout the day. With snowy conditions forecast over such a broad area from the Sabine River to the Pearl, and from the coast to Alexandria, state climatologist Jay Grymes said residents should plan to shelter in place for at least two days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The worst-case scenario could see some areas receive more than 10 inches of snow, he said, adding that Louisiana hasnt seen a winter storm with such impact since the 1960s. Once we get above that critical 4-inch threshold, that effectively shuts down the state for at least a day or two, Grymes said. Widespread icy roads and compromised water systems are the most likely outcomes from the winter storm, according to the governor. It might be days before roads are cleared to allow the National Guard to bring water to areas with disabled water supplies. New Orleans has already issued precautionary boil water advisories for portions of the city farthest away from its water purification plant on the east bank. In addition to the Sewerage and Water Boards vulnerable, aging infrastructure, water pressure in New Orleans typically drops during deep cold spells when residents run a thin stream of water to keep exposed pipes from freezing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Road conditions will worsen According to the governor, ice-related road closures are expected to start with bridges across the Mississippi River and the four long spans over waterways the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, Bonnet Carre Spillway, Atchafalaya Spillway and Interstate 55 over Manchac Swamp. Joe Donahue, state transportation secretary, called the incoming weather a very serious event and said state road clearing crews will prioritize interstates and U.S. highways along with select alternative routes. The state of Arkansas is sending dozens of slow-plow trucks and road salting vehicles, along with the personnel to operate them, to Louisiana, Landry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updates on road closures in Louisiana will be posted at 511la.org, which can also be accessed through virtual.la.gov. Frigid temperatures expected in North Louisiana While snow will largely be confined to areas south of Alexandria, officials caution that North Louisiana should plan for temperatures well below freezing through Friday. Wind chill could make it feel like the single digits, which increases threats for people, pets, pipes and plants. The governor urged all state residents to ensure their heating systems are working properly and adequately ventilated to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Ovens and stoves, whether electric- or gas-powered, should not be used to heat homes, he added. Space heater safety is also advised. The devices should be kept on the floor and at least three feet away from walls, curtains, furniture and anything flammable. Its best to plug space heaters directly into wall sockets rather than surge protectors or extension cords. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should also be checked. Airport status updates Flights out of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport are prone to cancellation for at least Tuesday. Although nearly all airlines operating there have de-icing equipment, the airport does not have snow plows to clear its runways. At Baton Rouge Metro Airport, United Airlines has temporarily suspended flights Tuesday, and American Airlines currently plans to operate flights in the morning as long as the weather permits, but delays and cancellations are possible. Delta Airlines had not announced any schedule changes as of late Monday afternoon. Passengers are encouraged to monitor their airlines websites directly for the latest information on delayed and canceled flights, in addition to tracking road closures that might affect airport access. Julie ODonoghue contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The American Red Cross has helped 23 people throughout Illinois in the past week by supplying basic needs after a fire. Peoria is among the four cities they listed, including Sheldon, Minier and Morton the Red Cross has given basic items and additional support such as health and mental health services as well as one-on-one support. With frigid temperatures set to hit central Illinois, they are also giving tips to safely heat homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in this country, said Rodrigo Carillo, Regional Disaster Officer. But there are steps people can take to avoid having this happen to them. Help keep your family safe by providing at least three feet of space around all heating equipment, testing your smoke alarms monthly, and practicing your two-minute home fire escape plan. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), space heaters are most often responsible for home heating fires. Follow these tips on how to safely heat your home: If you must use a space heater, never leave it unattended . Place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, such as a ceramic tile floor. Dont place it on rugs and carpets, or near bedding and drapes. Plug space heater power cords directly into outlets never into an extension cord. Turn the space heater off every time you leave the room or go to sleep. Keep children, pets and anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment. Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home. Never leave a fire burning in the fireplace unattended . Make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home. Use a glass or metal fire screen to keep embers in the fireplace. Have furnaces, chimneys, fireplaces, wood and coal stoves inspected annually by a professional and cleaned if necessary. They stress the importance of having smoke detectors that work and if help is needed in purchasing smoke detectors to call (800) Red Cross Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) Eastern North Carolina is preparing for an unusual level of cold weather this week. The possibility of snow has prompted the Red Cross to release a guide on how to stay safe and be prepared. First, staying indoors and wearing warm clothes will keep you protected against below-freezing temperatures. If you must drive, keeping a windshield scraper, a small bag of sand (or kitty litter), tire chains and matches in a waterproof container will help you stay safe. Keep your car full of gas to avoid your fuel line freezing and dont use cruise control on icy roads. If stranded, dont leave your car unless help is visible from 100 yards away. Run the engine of your car occasionally to keep warm and leave your overhead light on so that someone can see you. Displaying a sign of trouble, like a brightly covered cloth on the radio antenna, can help others locate you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to remind everyone that its always a great idea to stay informed and ensure your family has a plan in advance of any winter storm, said Sharonne Hayes, Regional Communications Manager, American Red Cross North Carolina Region. With the potential for cold temperatures, snow and icy roads in our area, we want to make sure everyone knows how to safely stay warm, avoid common dangers associated with cold weather, and best protect their family, pets, and property. Wearing layers of clothing along with a hat and gloves will help keep body heat. Staying dry is very important, so change any clothes that have gotten wet. Avoid overexertion, like shoveling or walking in heavy snow, as strain from the cold and labor can cause a heart attack and sweating too much can lead to a chill or hypothermia. The Red Cross also stressed the importance of giving blood during times like this. Winter weather tends to negatively impact blood supply, as road conditions and power outages lead to closures of blood drives. Copyright 2025 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 WNCT. Sir Sadiq Khan is poised to lead a Labour rebellion against Rachel Reeves over her backing for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. The Mayor of London is expected to make clear his opposition to the Labour leadership later this week when he answers questions before the London Assemblys budget committee. However, it comes just days after he said he wouldnt hesitate to pursue legal action if the Government came out in support of a new runway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It follows reports that the Chancellor will back the long-delayed Heathrow expansion as part of a scramble to revive the struggling economy, as well as supporting plans to double capacity at Gatwick and Luton. The proposals are likely to prove politically toxic within Labour, which is committed to a drastic reduction in carbon emissions as part of the shift to net zero. Seven Cabinet ministers including Sir Keir Starmer, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed have previously opposed Heathrows expansion. It is expected to draw fierce resistance from supporters of the shift to net zero, as reduced emissions from air travel are a key part of the Governments plan to go green. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Climate Change Committee, the Governments key adviser on tacking CO2, warned on Tuesday against a rush to expand airport capacity without first making air travel itself more sustainable. A spokesman for Sir Sadiq on Tuesday said: The Mayor has a long-standing opposition to airport expansion around London linked to the negative impact on air quality, noise and Londons ability to reach net-zero by 2030. However, the Mayor went further during a London Assembly last week: If it was the case that Heathrow Airport was to come back with plans for a new runway that were supported by the Government, I wouldnt hesitate to launch with partners and colleagues another legal challenge. Mr Miliband and other cabinet ministers have not yet commented on the proposals, but senior backbenchers and campaigners have been quick to condemn them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruth Cadbury, a Labour MP and Heathrow sceptic who chairs the Transport Select Committee, said the Government was jumping the gun in seeking to push through three airport projects at the same time. Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, questioned whether blanket approval for airport expansion in London represented balanced growth and said measures to promote the Southeast cant be at the expense of the North of England. The Climate Change Committee, which has a statutory role in advising the Government, meanwhile reiterated that there must be no airport expansion unless emissions are cut fast enough to allow extra flights without undermining the agreed carbon-reduction pathway. Ms Reeves may publicly back a third Heathrow runway and indicate her support for the Gatwick and Luton proposals later this month. The Chancellor is considering setting out her support in a speech on economic growth, Bloomberg reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such an intervention might strengthen the Governments claim to be making economic growth its number one priority and help meet Heathrow boss Thomas Woldbyes demands for it to fully commit to a third runway in order for him to put forward new proposals. However, it would also risk opening up rifts across Labour and within the Government itself, as well as provoking a backlash from climate campaigners. Sir Keir Starmers cabinet appears to be split over Heathrow, based on the last House of Commons vote on the matter in 2018, when seven current members or about a third of the total opposed a national policy statement backing a new runway. Sir Keir himself voted against the runway, as did former Labour leader Mr Miliband, Mr Reed and Darren Jones, Ms Reevess lieutenant as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lisa Nandy, Anneliese Dodds and Hilary Benn, who hold the culture, development and Northern Ireland portfolios, were also in the no camp. At the time, Mr Miliband wrote on X that he opposed the runway because we owe it to future generations not just to have good environmental principles but to act on them. Mr Jones said he had planned to abstain but voted against it after concluding that the economic case is unquestionable, but the environmental case is unconscionable. Questioned at the annual Institute for Government conference on Tuesday, he declined to say if that remained his view, saying: My understanding is thats speculation, so I wont comment on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, while not an MP at the time of the 2018 vote, served for three years as deputy London mayor for transport under Mr Khan, introducing restrictions including the expansion of Ulez low emissions zone. The Climate Change Committee reiterated calls for a capacity management framework to be put in place before any airport expansion is considered. The system would intervene to reduce emissions from the sector by curbing flights when required, a spokesman said. Bloomberg cited a person close to the Cabinet discussions as suggesting that the airport plans would drive a coach and horses through Britains net zero commitments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Cadbury, a longstanding opponent of Heathrows expansion, said encouragement for a third runway would be premature given that the airport has not yet come forward with plans, and there is no aviation strategy in place against which to assess proposals. The Brentford and Isleworth MP said: Im opposed to any expansion from a constituency point of view because of what it would mean in terms of increased noise, traffic and pollution. West London and the lower Thames Valley dont want or need a bigger Heathrow. Expanding three airports in the Southeast would also do nothing for regional economies that are already left behind, and you have to question where it would leave our climate policy. She said the new Transport Committee formed after the general election has not yet had a chance to address concerns around airport expansion but will do so in the coming months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A formal ruling on Gatwicks attempt to repurpose an emergency landing strip so it can handle scheduled departures is expected by February 27 and was already widely expected to be approved given planning regulations that favour steps to maximise the use of existing infrastructure assets. The 2.2bn plan would double passenger numbers at the worlds busiest single runway airport to 80m a year, create 14,000 jobs and boost the economy by an estimated 1bn. Labour has already twice delayed a ruling on Lutons bid to lift capacity from 18m travellers a year to 32m, with the decision now expected on April 3. It backed a near 40pc increase at London City in August in one of its first major infrastructure decisions after taking power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions, or Cagne, branded the Governments emerging stance disgraceful and said the airports plans amounted to opening a new runway by stealth when a commission had found that only Heathrow needed a new strip. It said: Any airport expansion shows a lack of understanding and priority placed by this Government towards global warming. Aviation is one of the biggest polluters this planet suffers. Cagne said it also opposes the runway plan due to the lack of infrastructure, lack of workers, decline in air quality and unbelievable increase in noise. Paul McGuinness, chairman of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, said any application from Heathrow would take years to process, rendering support from the Government meaningless. He said: Other expansion in the Southeast will have already rendered Heathrow expansion uneconomic. There will be no yield from investing in it and no carbon budget left for it. Friends of the Earth said that backing a new runway would be hugely irresponsible and fly in the face of the Prime Ministers promise to show international leadership on climate change. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday lamented President Donald Trump's executive order that starts the process of the United States' exit from the global body. During his first day back in office on Monday, Trump carried out his pre-election pledge to do everything in his power to have US membership in the Geneva-based UN agency terminated. Trump's order is not immediate, however. His administration must also notify in writing the UN secretary general about the withdrawal. It will then take a year for it to go into effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the organization," a WHO statement said. "WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world's people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go." The US is by far the largest contributor to the WHO. In 2023, its share of the budget was 18%. The WHO will analyse what a US exit would mean for its programmes, the agency said, adding it was still too early to provide details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's anger with the WHO dates back to the coronavirus pandemic. He tried to have the US leave the organization during his first term. But Joe Biden became president before the one-year deadline was reached and he reversed Trump's order. Trump accuses the WHO of misusing funds and mishandling the pandemic. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday that Beijing was "concerned" by Trump's executive order, while Germany's health minister called it a blow to the international fight against global health crises. The inaugural Fashion Futures Dubai will occur Feb. 6. Fashion shows and conferences are nothing new, but this one will break new ground by focusing solely on how fashion practices can help the planet. Fashion Futures Dubai is a strategic partnership between Dubai Design District and Vogue that is focused on discussing sustainability in fashion. The event will be at d3 a leading design hub in the United Arab Emirates and has already encouraged discussions in other fashion hotspots such as New York, London, Shanghai, and Tokyo. The conference also takes place during the final day of Dubai Fashion Week. "Connecting global industry leaders with regional innovators is essential to accelerate the shift towards a more responsible and sustainable fashion ecosystem," Khadija Al Bastaki, senior vice president of d3, said. There will be panel discussions, keynote speakers, insights about best practices, and a dedicated exhibition featuring designs made with sustainable practices. Attendees can talk and learn about better solutions in the supply chain, manufacturing, materials, and technology aspects of the industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This conference is a big step toward bringing attention to reducing the amount of waste from discarded textiles and reconsidering unsafe fashion production practices. After all, true sustainable fashion focuses on carbon neutrality and understanding how social justice, animal health, cultural respect, and ecological safety matter. "What so many of us forget or perhaps don't realize is that sustainability is not just about using bamboo-based fibers and slapping the term 'sustainable' on the hang tag," fashion veteran Melissa Nataadiningrat told Forbes. "True sustainability comes when the entire supply chain of that bamboo is sustainable." Unfortunately, patterns in consumer shopping, including impulse buys from low-quality fast fashion brands, have contributed to packed landfills. As a result, municipal solid waste is expected to rise to 3.4 billion metric tons by 2050, according to Statista. One company that helps customers be more sustainable is Trashie. It offers a take-back reward program wherein people donate old clothing and other items in exchange for store or travel credits. There are many other eco-friendly initiatives by your favorite brands you can support to look good and keep the planet cleaner. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. A religion of rewilding is putting England at risk of catastrophic LA-style fires, the Government has been warned. Previously, heather would have been burned across the countryside to limit the amount of fuel for potential wildfires, but limits have been imposed on how much can be burned in recent years. In an open letter to the Home Secretary, Andrew Gilruth, the chief executive of the Moorland Association, said the intensity of the coming fires will be too great for the fire service to contain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: Huge wildfires are inevitable when vegetation is allowed to grow unchecked. Sooner or later there will be a spark. Add low humidity and strong winds and the horrors of Los Angeles follow. Andrew Gilruth has asked the Government to issue more licences to burn heather in the countryside Yvette Cooper has been warned she is likely to be held personally responsible as the minister who oversees fire management. The letter, seen by The Telegraph, said: Unless your governments restrictions on vegetation management are reversed, ministers will have to pray for the wind not to blow towards their constituencies and that no one gets killed in the fires path. The Government is urged to allow new licences to manage heather to avoid our own Los Angeles style tragedy over the coming months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A series of 31 wildfires have devastated parts of California in recent weeks, with the blazes exacerbated by drought conditions, a build-up of vegetation and hurricane force winds. Mr Gilruth said that while the Los Angeles tragedy was down to political negligence, here, growing the fuel load of vegetation was the deliberate policy of the previous government. The Government has been warned that LA-style wildfires could occur in England if it continues to restrict controlled burning - Darrin Hurwitz/Darrin Hurwitz Farmers and gamekeepers have to apply for a licence to burn vegetation, a controlled process which reduces the risk of a fire starting and breaks up areas of dry vegetation that can make wildfires spread more easily. Restrictions have tightened in recent years in part to protect peatland. For many years Natural England has been blocking land managers from reducing the fuel load on moorland, the letter said. The extension of these restrictions in 2021 immediately led to a further 73 per cent reduction in fuel load management through traditional winter burns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, there is now a large amount of potentially flammable vegetation on the moors, Mr Gilruth said, adding: We consider Natural Englands current policy of adding fuel to the coming fires is absurd. He suggested that the quango has been deaf to the concerns of experts partly because its fixation with minutiae means it has buried itself in micro-regulating decisions over removing vegetation and rewetting moors. Tedious over-regulation He compared it to the frustration the Prime Minister recently expressed on major infrastructure projects being delayed by bats. These are issues where people working in the hills are much better positioned to understand what nature needs than officials in glass offices especially since the science is limited, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driving force behind this micromanagement is ideological antipathy to grouse shooting The ensuing tedious over-regulation is designed to make grouse moors uneconomic and replace them with the rewilding religion, which make wildfires worse. Mr Gilruth added: Gamekeepers and farmers are passionately committed to preventing wildfires as it is their land that gets destroyed. And it is their lives put at risk, as they are invariably at the front-line fighting these fires. Mr Gilruth says if there are fires this year on moorland in the north of England they are likely to be much worse than the Saddleworth blaze of 2018, threatening urban areas with fumes and flames. More than 100 firefighters and soldiers battled the fires, which engulfed Saddleworth Moor and Winter Hill on the eastern slopes of The Pennines for over three weeks in June 2018. Fire service personnel battle a blaze on Saddleworth Moor, which threatened urban areas and cost the economy millions - Anthony Devlin/Getty Images Europe It has since been estimated that it cost the UK economy 21 million and saw five million people exposed to particulate pollution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, with so little of the traditional fuel load reductions and firebreaks created by winter burns, it has become a question of when, not if, a mega-fire erupts a fire far too big for government to extinguish, Mr Gilruth added. The Moorlands Association is calling on the Government to make licences for preventative burning a default position and to introduce legislation to ensure vegetation which provides potential fuel for fires is kept at safe levels in rural areas. A Natural England spokesman said: We understand the concerns of moorland managers on both the risks of wildfire, as well as the desires of many upland managers to rebuild peat health by rewetting moors and reducing the use of burning as a management tool. While licences for burning on peat are regulated and issued by Defra, we continue to work constructively with land managers on a site-by-site basis to establish long-term, sustainable solutions to moorland management to maximise their future resilience. A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesman said: Englands peatlands are of huge international importance, and it is vital that we protect these sites for future generations. Thats why this Government is investing 400 million to protect and restore nature, including our peatlands. Healthy peatlands provide multiple environmental benefits; they store carbon, optimise biodiversity, are more resilient to wildfires and can help to alleviate flooding and improve water quality. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Plenty of people were tuned in to President Trumps inaugural address Monday morning. Members of the religious community held a special listening session at Downtown Memphis Church on the River. Around 100 people gathered at the Church on the River to hear what the new President of the United States would say in his inaugural speech. America will soon be greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before, Donald Trump said during his inaugural address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many sat motionless as President Trump laid out his plans for when he takes office. Men of Impact hold summit in honor of Dr. MLK Day Some even found parts of the speech humorous and reacted to changes to President Trumps plans. How do you change it to the Gulf of America and how are you going to take back Panama Canal, Doug Insch asked. Hows that going to happen? Its just its sickening. The whole speech was sick. Members of the clergy organized this listening session with a guide instructing people to listen for any signs of division or unity and if moral and spiritual values are uplifted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a community of faith, its important for us to say that we are here and we love our communities, Dr. Karen Georgia said. We want to continue to protect the human rights of all. And on the day that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered, leaders said this pilgrimage to Memphis was the right decision. MLK Day brings volunteers to Civil Rights Museum Dr. King really laid out an agenda for the nation, Dr. Alvin ONeal Jackson said. And so, we thought that there wasnt any better place. So, weve got to move towards some collaborative action, Terri Hord Owens said. And for me, thats why we didnt want just another MLK memorial service. We need to see this as a real call to action and thats what we hope it can be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, members of the faith community are holding a moral mass meeting at Healing Cathedral Christian Church on Elvis Presley Boulevard. There, they are giving their prophetic response to the inaugural speech. Copyright 2025 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 WREG.com. We are in a period of post-election, post-inaugural exuberance. That excitement should be respected, when practiced appropriately and proportionately. State Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, recently introduced HB 0217, for renaming BNA," Berry Field Nashville International Airport to Trump International Airport. Recently, while running for his third House term, Representative Warner reminded us that he was a principled, conservative leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some would say that one the tenets of true conservatism is a respect for history. The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a fitting example. Representative Todd reminded us in his campaign website that "Tennessee earned the nickname 'Volunteer State' from the overwhelming involvement of patriotic Tennesseans who have stepped up to the plate to serve their state and country in times of need." Here's why Colonel Berry was so significant to Tennessee history BNA (Berry Field Nashville Airport) was founded in 1937, named for Col. Harry S. Berry, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1904. Discussing the 1929 Ford Tri-Motor, one of American Airlines early passenger ships and called the "Tin Goose," Nov. 11, 1962, are Jeff Lewis, left center, district sales manager for American, Col. Harry Berry, founder of Berry Field, and American's Nashville manager James Bass. The vintage plane, which landed at Berry Field, is destined for the Smithsonian Institution. Col. Berry was a World War I Veteran, a University of Tennessee trustee, and he also served as Tennessees supervisor and administrator for the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which among many structure, some in continued use, built the then Nashville Airport. Colonel Berry was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the government of the United States during the period 1941 to 1946. Beyond Berrys meritorious service for the WPA, and receiving the Legion of Merit, he was also awarded by Congressional Act the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious duty and distinguished responsibility and services during WWI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Representative Warner might have to stand in line to effectuate his honor on President Trump. We are now in the early stages of the Honor President Trump name-change race. Opinion: Honor Bill of Rights Day, a celebration of democracy and the people's will In April 2024 before the election, U.S. Congress Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pennsylvania, introduced H.R. 7845, legislation to honor our nations 45th president by renaming the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia as the Donald J. Trump International Airport. Tennessee Third District Congressman Chuck Fleischmann III, R-Chattanooga, was a co-sponsor. How many airports, bridges, tunnels, highways, and by-ways can we rush to rename? Let New York City or Palm Beach rename their airports after Trump Representative Warner should not be so selfish as to reserve such a high honor to change the name of Nashville Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has long standing ties to both New York City and Palm Beach, Florida. Why should Representative Warner selfishly deny the opportunity to these two cities to rename JFK or LaGuardia (LGA) Airports to honor President Trump? Why should he selfishly deny the wealthy elites to land their private jets in the Trump International Airport instead of the Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). Headline grabbing should not be what Representative Warner or his constituents should remember him for. He should do something significant and memorable for the people of his District 92 and Tennessee. Raymond Thomasson He represents all of Marshall and part of Williamson County and makes his home in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill is also home to a mysterious, unexplained ghostly railroad light. Perhaps he needs to spend more time in Chapel Hill seeing the light! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raymond Thomasson, a lifelong Nashvillian, a former municipal government and Tennessee State Employee, is a retired association executive, and government relations official for the soft drink industry, continuing a long interest and affinity for history, government and politics. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville International Airport's name should be changed | Opinion Jan. 20RIO RANCHO A former Stanford University history professor who saw Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. give his famous "I Have a Dream" speech and later published the slain civil rights leader's papers at the request of his widow asked attendees during a luncheon on Monday to think about what they can do with their lives in the next 39 years, a reference to King's age when he was assassinated. Clayborne Carson's speech came just days after what would have been King's 96th birthday and the 40th time the federal holiday in his name was celebrated. The speech also came on Inauguration Day for President Donald Trump, who pledged in a rally Sunday to release classified documents pertaining to the assassinations of King, former President John F. Kennedy and former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. Carson, 80, spoke at Father Andrew D'Arco Hall, next to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish, in an event hosted by the Southern Christian Leadership Council of New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carson is a Los Alamos native who attended the University of New Mexico for a year before transferring to University of California-Los Angeles. He was 19 in 1963, when he traveled to the nation's capital and attended the March on Washington at the request of activist Stokely Carmichael. Carson said that one of his greatest memories of the march was not of King, but another activist: John Lewis, the late congressman who was known for being beaten by police officers on Bloody Sunday. Lewis was only four years older than Carson, compared to King, who was in his mid-30s at the time of the march. But, Carson said, King's speech was great oratory that created unity when the civil rights movement needed it. "No one could have followed that speech," Carson said. Following the march, Carson became more involved in the civil rights movement. But what happened in 1985, a little more than two decades later, shocked him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King's widow, Coretta Scott King, asked Carson to edit and publish her late husband's papers. Carson remembers asking Scott King why she picked him. "'We need somebody very young; this is going to take a long time,'" Carson recalls her saying. Even after four decades of scrupulous work, many of King's papers have yet to be published, Carson said. He retired before the project's completion, and noted it has taken longer to publish King's papers than the time the legendary civil rights leader was alive. If King were alive today, "He would begin to tell us that the struggle still continues," Carson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before King was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn., on April 4, 1968, he was planning a "campaign against poverty" on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., according to Carson. "Have we done that? I don't think so, and I think that would be his greatest disappointment. It's not that he wouldn't appreciate that celebration of that first 39 years, but I'm sure he'd get up in front of you and say, 'I'm not done yet!'" Carson said. Since publishing King's papers, Carson has written numerous books, traveled the world, and collaborated on a play about King's life as well as on the winning design of the MLK Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. He is currently working on another Stanford-based effort he helped found, The World House Project Inc., a nonprofit that works toward stronger human rights and social justice through research, education and social action. Bryan Allison, a deacon at Emmanuel Miss Baptist Church, who sang two hymns and read a quote from King, had not heard of Carson before he spoke. But what resonated with Allison, 42, was King's commitment to solving poverty and hunger. "I might have another 42 years, and I need to do the most I can in that time to impact the world," Allison said. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A Rochester Man and prior sex offender is facing prison time after he was convicted on new child pornography charges. Gregory Pum, age 49, was previously convicted of Sexual Performance by a Child less than 16-years-old and was sentenced to serve six months in jail followed by 10 months probation in 2014. Pum was discharged in May 2016. In May 2022, law enforcement received two cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a user of an email account belonging to Pum had uploaded 29 images and video of child pornography to a file sharing site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators later received seven additional cybertips related to the same email account. In June 2022, a search warrant was executed at Pums house where officials found electronic devices that contained images of child pornography. On March 11, 2024, Pum was on pretrial release when law enforcement executed another search warrant at his home after receiving two additional cybertips and found 19 images and one video of child pornography on an iPhone. Pum was convicted of possession of child pornography by an individual with a prior sex offense conviction. He was sentenced Tuesday to serve 10-years in prison and 10-years supervised release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 RochesterFirst. One suspect is dead and another is in custody after a U.S. Border Patrol agent was fatally shot in the line of duty in northern Vermont on Monday afternoon, federal authorities confirmed. The shooting happened at 3:15 p.m. Monday on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont, near the U.S.-Canada border, according to Vermont State Police. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said that a Border Patrol agent from the Swanton Sector, who has not been identified, was shot and killed in the line of duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, FBI Albany says one suspect was killed and another was injured and is currently in custody. The names of both the suspect who died and the second person in custody were not released. FBI Albany is investigating an alleged assault on a federal officer in connection with a fatal shooting involving a U.S. Border Patrol Agent in Coventry, Vermont. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/yQwqrmCXxh FBI Albany (@FBIAlbany) January 21, 2025 According to a Fox News report, the shooting happened during a traffic stop, where two suspects were in a car. Officials confirmed to the news agency that one of the suspects is dead. Federal authorities including the FBI are leading the investigation into the shooting, state police said. FILE - Border Patrol agents in Donna, Texas, May 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) I-91 remained closed in both directions between Exit 27 in Newport and Exit 26 in Orleans following the shooting, state police said Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drivers should take alternate routes, state police advised. The northbound lane of I-91 reopened near mile marker 168, state police said late Monday afternoon. The southbound lane remains closed and is expected to be a long-duration closure, state police said. The FBI says there is no threat to the public. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW In his first term as president, Donald Trump appointed three U.S. Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. But Trump, who takes the oath of office for a second term Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, has said he will leave abortion policy to the states. But the reality is the Trump administration will likely have to take some federal action, including on litigation that has major implications for access to abortion drugs and emergency health care. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) In the days following President-elect Donald Trumps win last November, a national abortion-assistance hotline was being inundated with calls. They were confused about whether abortion was even still legal in the country, because they have heard the rhetoric around Trumps position on abortion, said Brittany Fonteno, the president and CEO of the National Abortion Federation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The association of abortion providers runs what Fonteno says is the largest financial assistance program for people seeking abortions and is among the many groups preparing for another potentially destabilizing shift in U.S. reproductive health policy after Trump takes. The Republican who appointed, in his first term, three U.S. Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, has said he will leave abortion policy to the states. But the reality is the Trump administration will likely have to take some federal action on abortion, including on several pending federal lawsuits that have major implications for access to abortion drugs and emergency health care. Many activists that spent the last year trying to fight off a subsequent Trump term are now focused on how to maintain and expand access to abortion and birth control but also maternal and prenatal care. All has been affected in states with abortion bans, but activists fear people in states with liberal abortion policies could soon be impacted. Everything has changed, Fonteno told States Newsroom. We are heading into absolutely the most hostile landscape for abortion access in 50 years in this country, without the legal protection of Roe and with the most hostile administration to abortion access. Maintaining access abortion and miscarriage drugs As legal confusion over abortion persists across the country, the Abortion Defense Network is going into its third year providing free legal advice to abortion providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, we are readying ourselves for whatever may come and getting ready to respond to any changes and understand those changes so that we can best serve our clients, said Cassie Ehrenberg, senior counsel for pro bono initiatives for the Lawyering Project, which manages the intake calls and operations of the network. Ehrenberg would not specify how many clients the network serves, but said they field a lot of provider questions about medical licensing and what different state laws allow. She said that November 2024 saw more than three times as many inquiries to the hotline as the year before. Many of the ongoing federal abortion fights involve two medications approved in 2000 by the Food and Drug Administration for first-trimester abortions but also used for miscarriage management and other health conditions: mifepristone and misoprostol. These drugs and their loosened restrictions under the Biden administration have made it possible for more people, including those living in states with abortion bans, to terminate pregnancies. They accounted for an estimated 63% of all abortions in 2023, according to the Guttmacher Institute, up from 53% in 2020. However, states such as Texas and Louisiana have begun cracking down on the mailing of these drugs and restricting their use even for non-abortion purposes. And many anti-abortion activists are lobbying the new Trump administration to ban telehealth abortions and reinstate other old FDA restrictions, or to enforce the 1800s-era Comstock Act to ban the mailing of abortion drugs and information. During his campaign, Trump said he would not order the U.S. Justice Department to enforce Comstock. But after the election, he gave TIME Magazine conflicting statements about whether his administration would try to restrict access to medication abortion, saying both that he was open to the FDA reversing the approval of abortion pills and committed to maintaining access to abortion drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fonteno said the National Abortion Federation has prepared for different contingency plans, including giving clinics guidelines to administer medication abortions without mifepristone, were the drug to become unavailable. Helping patients finance abortions with dwindling resources As the director of case management at Tampa Bay Abortion Fund in Florida, Bree Wallace said a big part of what her organization does is not just help people pay for abortions they cant afford, but also teach them how to fly. Many of the people who call in, Wallace said, are really young or poor or on the verge of being unhoused and have never been on a plane before. Its a lot of having to explain, like, heres how you get to the airport and get your boarding pass; this is how you get off and get a ride share; this is how you check into a hotel, Wallace told States Newsroom. Its definitely really scary for them, and were not next to them to really help, so were just kind of helping through the phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the logistical and informational support, these patients depend on the money to be able to take a short-notice plane ride or to pay for lodging or child care or the abortion itself. Most abortion are not covered under public insurance in about half the country. Like many independent abortion funds across the country, Tampa Bay Abortion Fund is struggling to meet the rising patient need as ballooning abortion and travel costs outpace donations to these independent funds. Wallace told States Newsroom that the average pledge for appointment costs per caller grew from $340 to $430 between 2023 and 2024. The increase in patient need is partly because many abortion clinics have had to increase their prices to stay open but also because national organizations like Planned Parenthood and NAF cut their patient funding last summer. NAF reduced its patient grants from 50% of the cost of care to 30%, which abortion funds leaders told States Newsroom has put major strains on their budgets. Wallace said that Tampa Bay Abortion Fund assisted nearly 2,000 people in 2024 and spent nearly $700,000. But the situation has also shifted in Florida, which had been a major abortion access point for the Southeast until last May, when the state began enforcing a 6-week abortion ban, a law that was ultimately not overturned by a much anticipated citizen-led ballot initiative that narrowly missed the 60% required approval. As of Dec. 31, more than 60,000 abortions happened in Florida in 2024, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, down from around 84,000 in 2023. Floridas law limits abortion before many people even know they are pregnant. Wallace said the fund is now serving fewer out-of-state patients but receives many calls from Floridians who are around five weeks pregnant and racing against the clock to come up with $500. She said the fund also helps people travel outside of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than three weeks into 2025, Wallace said things are incredibly busy at the fund. I think Ive talked to over 70 people in the past three days, she said, noting that her organization is working hard to raise more money. No matter whos president, I think abortion funds and organizations are going to help people get abortions as long as they possibly can. Some states with liberal abortion policies, like California and Illinois, have started allocating funding to some abortion funds. But Chicago Abortion Fund executive director Megan Jeyifo said that even with $1 million annually from the city along with county and state funding for wraparound services like transportation, lodging, child care, and meal stipends, shes constantly worried about her organizations budget. Illinois has become a major access point serving people from the Midwest and South, where abortion has been largely restricted or banned. Jeyifo said CAF supported around 15,000 people last year, compared to around 800 in 2019, many of them coming from Indiana and Missouri, but also from nearly all 50 states. In response to greater patient need, Jeyifo said new clinics have opened in the state and many have increased capacity. She said CAFs helpline budget for appointment costs rose by more than 93% in November 2024 compared to the previous year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For five years we funded every single person that reached out to us, Jeyifo told States Newsroom. And we just cant guarantee that anymore because of the constraints on our budget. Fonteno said NAFs decision to cut patient grants last year was necessary to keep pace with their growing need more than 100,000 patients last year, many of whom had to travel out of state despite having the largest budget in the programs history. She said NAF has the same $55 million budget for this year, which will allow them to bump up some of the funding they cut and restore what Fonteno calls the exception budget, which before last summer would help fund later abortions (which can cost as much as $10,000) as well as help patients weather extreme circumstances like intimate partner violence. We anticipate that the need for practical and financial support for abortion care is only going to increase with this incoming administration, with the potential for additional threats to abortion access, Fonteno said. So were going to be really doubling down on our patient support. Advocates on edge over Trumps deportation pledge While playing coy about his abortion policy intentions, Trump has been firm on immigration, pledging to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, which has put reproductive health and justice advocates on edge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were seeing that, for immigrants specifically, the [abortion] bans have created impossible situations, said Lupe M. Rodriguez, executive director of the advocacy group National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. She said undocumented immigrants are scared of traveling even within border states like Texas, noting there are internal immigration checkpoints. She said those who live in areas without affordable reproductive health clinics may not be able to access prenatal, contraceptive or wellness care. But even for people without immigration status concerns, Rodriguez said the Latinx community is disproportionately impacted by abortion bans. In addition to policy advocacy, Rodriguez said her organization is focused on informing people how and where to access abortion and reproductive health services. Fonteno said NAFs member clinics have been advised not to ask questions about a persons immigration status when it comes to providing funding. Pushing for broader reproductive justice On Saturday, two days ahead of Trumps second presidential inauguration, thousands of progressive advocates will march in Washington, D.C., at an event organized by the Womens March, now called the Peoples March to signify a more inclusive and expansive civil rights movement focused on democracy, immigration and climate issues in addition to gender and reproductive justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juxtaposing Trumps Make America Great Again message, the marchs theme is We Are Not Going Backwards, or as is relayed in a promotional video, Erew ton gniog sdrawkcab. Womens March managing director Tamika Middleton said about 40,000 people RSVPd to rally and march from Franklin Park to the Lincoln Memorial. The event will also include informational sessions on bodily autonomy and reproductive justice, the principle that people have the right to control their reproductive health care, including the ability to birth and parent safely. Regina Davis Moss, a reproductive justice advocate and public health expert, told States Newsroom that the legal abortion framework enshrined in Roe v. Wade, which marks its 52nd anniversary on Jan. 22, was not enough to guarantee abortion access especially for people of color and those living in poverty. But more crucially, Roe did not address high poverty and infant and maternal mortality rates among Black women, which Moss said her group, In Our Own Voice: National Black Womens Reproductive Justice Agenda, is focused on. Last week, Moss said she met in Las Vegas with some of the original founders of the reproductive justice movement, looking for insight on how to move forward with Trump and the Republican majority in Congress that could limit reproductive health access further and fail to address the impacts of state abortion bans. This is a time that we can really spend on education, Moss said. Im more than certain that were going to see the unintended impact of some of these [abortion bans] in real time. We are going to continue to see people having to be brought to the brink of death before hospitals will intervene, and more and more health care providers leaving rural areas. And so hopefully that helps people understand, on both sides of the aisle, why its important. In his first term as president, Donald Trump appointed three U.S. Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. Trump, who took the oath of office for a second term on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, has said he will leave abortion policy to the states. But the reality is the Trump administration will likely have to take some federal action, including on litigation that has major implications for access to abortion drugs and emergency health care. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) In the days following President-elect Donald Trumps win last November, a national abortion-assistance hotline was being inundated with calls. They were confused about whether abortion was even still legal in the country, because they have heard the rhetoric around Trumps position on abortion, said Brittany Fonteno, the president and CEO of the National Abortion Federation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The association of abortion providers runs what Fonteno says is the largest financial assistance program for people seeking abortions and is among the many groups preparing for another potentially destabilizing shift in U.S. reproductive health policy after Trump takes office Monday. The Republican who appointed, in his first term, three U.S. Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, has said he will leave abortion policy to the states. But the reality is the Trump administration will likely have to take some federal action on abortion, including on several pending federal lawsuits that have major implications for access to abortion drugs and emergency health care. Many activists who spent the past year trying to fight off a subsequent Trump term are now focused on how to maintain and expand access to abortion and birth control but also maternal and prenatal care. All has been affected in states with abortion bans, but activists fear people in states with liberal abortion policies could soon be affected. Everything has changed, Fonteno told States Newsroom. We are heading into absolutely the most hostile landscape for abortion access in 50 years in this country, without the legal protection of Roe and with the most hostile administration to abortion access. Maintaining access to abortion and miscarriage drugs As legal confusion over abortion persists across the country, the Abortion Defense Network is going into its third year providing free legal advice to abortion providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, we are readying ourselves for whatever may come and getting ready to respond to any changes and understand those changes so that we can best serve our clients, said Cassie Ehrenberg, senior counsel for pro bono initiatives for the Lawyering Project, which manages the intake calls and operations of the network. Ehrenberg would not specify how many clients the network serves, but said they field a lot of provider questions about medical licensing and what different state laws allow. She said that November 2024 saw more than three times as many inquiries to the hotline as the year before. Many of the federal abortion fights involve two medications approved in 2000 by the Food and Drug Administration for first-trimester abortions but also used for miscarriage management and other health conditions: mifepristone and misoprostol. These drugs and their loosened restrictions under the Biden administration have made it possible for more people, including those living in states with abortion bans, to terminate pregnancies. They accounted for an estimated 63% of all abortions in 2023, according to the Guttmacher Institute, up from 53% in 2020. However, states such as Texas and Louisiana have begun cracking down on the mailing of these drugs and restricting their use even for non-abortion purposes. And many anti-abortion activists are lobbying the new Trump administration to ban telehealth abortions and reinstate other old FDA restrictions, or to enforce the 1800s-era Comstock Act to ban the mailing of abortion drugs and information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his campaign, Trump said he would not order the U.S. Justice Department to enforce Comstock. But after the election, he gave TIME Magazine conflicting statements about whether his administration would try to restrict access to medication abortion, saying both that he was open to the FDA reversing the approval of abortion pills and committed to maintaining access to abortion drugs. Fonteno said the National Abortion Federation has prepared for different contingency plans, including giving clinics guidelines to administer medication abortions without mifepristone, were the drug to become unavailable. Abortion rights and anti-abortion rights activists demonstrated outside the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2024 to mark two years since the courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling, which reversed federal protections for access to abortions. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Helping patients finance abortions with dwindling resources As the director of case management at Tampa Bay Abortion Fund in Florida, Bree Wallace said a big part of what her organization does is not just help people pay for abortions they cant afford but also teach them how to fly. Many of the people who call in, Wallace said, are really young or poor or on the verge of being unhoused and have never been on a plane before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a lot of having to explain, like, heres how you get to the airport and get your boarding pass; this is how you get off and get a ride share; this is how you check into a hotel, Wallace told States Newsroom. Its definitely really scary for them, and were not next to them to really help, so were just kind of helping through the phone. In addition to the logistical and informational support, these patients depend on the money to be able to take a short-notice plane ride or to pay for lodging or childcare or the abortion itself. Most abortion are not covered under public insurance in about half the country. Like many independent abortion funds across the country, Tampa Bay Abortion Fund is struggling to meet the rising patient need as ballooning abortion and travel costs outpace donations to these independent funds. Wallace told States Newsroom that the average pledge for appointment costs per caller grew from $340 to $430 between 2023 and 2024. The increase in patient need is partly because many abortion clinics have had to increase their prices to stay open but also because national organizations like Planned Parenthood and NAF cut their patient funding last summer. NAF reduced its patient grants from 50% of the cost of care to 30%, which abortion funds leaders told States Newsroom has put major strains on their budgets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wallace said that Tampa Bay Abortion Fund assisted nearly 2,000 people in 2024 and spent nearly $700,000. But the situation has also shifted in Florida, which had been a major abortion access point for the Southeast until last May, when the state began enforcing a 6-week abortion ban, a law that was ultimately not overturned by a much anticipated citizen-led ballot initiative that narrowly missed the 60% required approval. As of Dec. 31, more than 60,000 abortions happened in Florida in 2024, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, down from around 84,000 in 2023. Floridas law limits abortion before many people even know they are pregnant. Wallace said the fund is now serving fewer out-of-state patients but receives many calls from Floridians who are around five weeks pregnant and racing against the clock to come up with $500. She said the fund also helps people travel outside of Florida. Less than three weeks into 2025, Wallace said things are incredibly busy at the fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Ive talked to over 70 people in the past three days, she said, noting that her organization is working hard to raise more money. No matter whos president, I think abortion funds and organizations are going to help people get abortions as long as they possibly can. Some states with liberal abortion policies, like California and Illinois, have started allocating funding to some abortion funds. But Chicago Abortion Fund executive director Megan Jeyifo said that even with $1 million annually from the city along with county and state funding for wraparound services like transportation, lodging, childcare, and meal stipends, shes constantly worried about her organizations budget. Illinois has become a major access point serving people from the Midwest and South, where abortion has been largely restricted or banned. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Jeyifo said CAF supported around 15,000 people last year, compared to around 800 in 2019, many of them coming from Indiana and Missouri, but also from nearly all 50 states. In response to greater patient need, Jeyifo said new clinics have opened in the state and many have increased capacity. She said CAFs helpline budget for appointment costs rose by more than 93% in November 2024 compared to the previous year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For five years we funded every single person that reached out to us, Jeyifo told States Newsroom. And we just cant guarantee that anymore because of the constraints on our budget. Fonteno said NAFs decision to cut patient grants last year was necessary to keep pace with their growing need more than 100,000 patients last year, many of whom had to travel out of state despite having the largest budget in the programs history. She said NAF has the same $55 million budget for this year, which will allow them to bump up some of the funding they cut and restore what Fonteno calls the exception budget, which before last summer would help fund later abortions (which can cost as much as $10,000) as well as help patients weather extreme circumstances like intimate partner violence. We anticipate that the need for practical and financial support for abortion care is only going to increase with this incoming administration, with the potential for additional threats to abortion access, Fonteno said. So, were going to be really doubling down on our patient support. Advocates on edge over Trumps deportation pledge While playing coy about his abortion policy intentions, Trump has been firm on immigration, pledging to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, which has put reproductive health and justice advocates on edge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were seeing that, for immigrants specifically, the [abortion] bans have created impossible situations, said Lupe M. Rodriguez, executive director of the advocacy group National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. She said undocumented immigrants are scared of traveling even within border states like Texas, noting there are internal immigration checkpoints. She said those who live in areas without affordable reproductive health clinics may not be able to access prenatal, contraceptive, or wellness care. But even for people without immigration status concerns, Rodriguez said the Latina community is disproportionately harmed by abortion bans. In addition to policy advocacy, Rodriguez said her organization is focused on informing people how and where to access abortion and reproductive health services. Fonteno said NAFs member clinics have been advised not to ask questions about a persons immigration status when it comes to providing funding. Pushing for broader reproductive justice On Saturday, two days ahead of Trumps second presidential inauguration, thousands of progressive advocates marched in Washington, D.C., at an event organized by the Womens March, now called the Peoples March to signify a more inclusive and expansive civil rights movement focused on democracy, immigration, and climate issues in addition to gender and reproductive justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juxtaposing Trumps Make America Great Again message, the marchs theme was We Are Not Going Backwards, or as is relayed in a promotional video, Erew ton gniog sdrawkcab. Womens March managing director Tamika Middleton said about 40,000 people RSVPd to rally and march from Franklin Park to the Lincoln Memorial. Regina Davis Moss, a reproductive justice advocate and public health expert, told States Newsroom that the legal abortion framework enshrined in Roe v. Wade, which marks its 52nd anniversary on Jan. 22, was not enough to guarantee abortion access especially for people of color and those living in poverty. But more crucially, Roe did not address high poverty and infant and maternal mortality rates among Black women, which Moss said her group, In Our Own Voice: National Black Womens Reproductive Justice Agenda, is focused on. Last week, Moss said she met in Las Vegas with some of the original founders of the reproductive justice movement, looking for insight on how to move forward with Trump and the Republican majority in Congress that could limit reproductive health access further and fail to address the impacts of state abortion bans. This is a time that we can really spend on education, Moss said. Im more than certain that were going to see the unintended impact of some of these [abortion bans] in real time. We are going to continue to see people having to be brought to the brink of death before hospitals will intervene, and more and more health care providers leaving rural areas. And so hopefully that helps people understand, on both sides of the aisle, why its important. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Republican lawmakers plan to introduce a bill aligning state education test scores with national standards after Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Jill Underly made controversial changes last year. Each year, Wisconsin elementary school students take the Forward exam and high school students take the ACT. For many years, the categories were labeled advanced, proficient, basic and below basic. The DPI recently changed the standards for the Forward Exam by renaming the levels of student achievement and lowering the scores to reach each category, increasing the number of students who score in higher categories. The new labels are advanced, meeting, approaching, and developing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The category changes have been met with criticism from Republicans and even Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. It also means the test is no longer aligned with the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Sen. John Jagler, R-Watertown, Rep. Robert Wittke, R-Caledonia, and Rep. Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville, circulated the bill for support and plan to introduce it in the weeks ahead. They said the bill was needed because the changes made it difficult to compare Wisconsin's scores to other states and past years state scores. We have to be honest about how well our schools are educating our children, the lawmakers' memo said. Every school has its own unique challenges, but a standardized assessment system is one of many important tools informing parents of where best to educate their children. In addition to test score standards, the Republican bill would also bring back the standards set before the pandemic for school and district report cards. Underly's department in 2021 changed the formula for calculating scores, along with the goalposts for each performance category. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Underly, who is running for reelection, has defended the changes, which she said reflected the recommendations of nearly 100 experts across the state. She said the standards were not "lowered" but updated to more accurately reflect student performance. It is disappointing, but not surprising, that some politicians believe they know better than our educators," Underly said in a statement Tuesday. "At a time when historic numbers of teachers are leaving our state or classroom altogether, they should be investing in education, not picking political fights on false premises." A spokeswoman for Evers, a former state superintendent, said the governor had not yet reviewed the proposal. Both candidates challenging Underly in the state superintendent race issued statements indicating support for the Republican bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a former teacher and principal, I know students rise to the expectations set for them," candidate Brittany Kinser said in a statement. "Lowering standards deprives our kids of the opportunity to be college- or career-ready, and that is unacceptable in Wisconsin. Our kids deserve more, not less, and I look forward to working with the legislature to pass this proposal." Candidate Jeff Wright said Underly's change of state standards came at the worst time when districts were still assessing student progress in the immediate aftermath of COVID-19. "Wisconsin needs to set high standards for its students," Wright said in a statement. "Even Gov. Evers called the current State Superintendents lowering of standards a mistake in a clear rebuke of the current administration. While I support the objectives of this bill, it's unfortunate that the Legislature has to step in. This is happening because of the absence of system-wide collaboration and open communication. I look forward to working with our Legislature as a nonpartisan problem solver to do what is right for our schools." A primary is scheduled for Feb. 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (This story was updated to add new information.) Contact Green Bay education reporter Nadia Scharf at nscharf@gannett.com or on X at @nadiaascharf. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Wisconsin Republicans propose changing student test scores Republicans and leading MAGA movement figures reacted with outrage to the preemptive pardons announced by Joe Biden in the final hours of his presidency. Some, including GOP firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene and Donald Trump Jr, claimed the action was indicative of the pardonees guilt, and accused the Democrats of closing ranks to protect their own. On Monday, shortly before Trumps swearing-ceremony, Biden pardoned Dr Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president, who sat just feet away from his political rival throughout the ceremony, said the decision was to guard against potential revenge by the new Trump administration. Some 15 minutes before the end of his term, Biden also added several family members to the pardon list. Joe Biden announced a series of preemptive presidential pardons for several people, including the January 6 investigative committee, shortly before the end of his time in office on Monday (Getty Images) Supporters of the 47th president were quick to blast the news online. Biden pardons for Mark Milley, Anthony Fauci, the members of the Jan. 6 committee and the cops who testified before the committee because they are GUILTY OF CRIMES, wrote the Georgia congresswoman. Never forget what the Democrats have done.The mask is completely OFF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right-wing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who is known to spar with Greene online for the presidents affections, (for once) agreed. Now we all know for certain they are criminals, she wrote. Pardoned because they are guilty of CRIMES. Never forget what they did and who the Democrats are. The mask is completely OFF. https://t.co/2ZL3ORLdgj Marjorie Taylor Greene (@mtgreenee) January 20, 2025 We always knew, they always denied it. But in the final hour, Biden admits what he did to us during COVID was criminals. He admits what he did to the J6ers and President Trump was criminal. She later added: Biden has pardoned his family. So much for holding the Biden crime family accountable. They will be getting away with all of their crimes. Biden knows his family is a family full of criminals. Valentina Gomez, a controversial MAGA zealot and congressional hopeful, added: Fauci, Liz Cheney & Miley deserve prison, not pardons. These so called Republicans didnt hold them accountable. A bunch of lying clowns. Now we all know for certain they are criminals. We always knew, they always denied it. But in the final hour, Biden admits what he did to us during COVID was criminals. He admits what he did to the J6ers and President Trump was criminal. 3.5 more hours till our nightmare is pic.twitter.com/VAVHczEgCB Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) January 20, 2025 In a post on social media, the presidents son, Donald Trump Jr, reacted to news that Fauci had thanked Biden for his preemptive pardon but reiterated that he was guilty of no crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He doesnt have to accept the pardon. If he did nothing wrong be a man and turn it down But you know he wont because everyone knows hes guilty of so much, he wrote on X, later adding: If you ever say I believe in the rule of law.. BUT you dont actually believe in the rule of law. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, once a rival to Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, also referenced Faucis pardon. One of Bidens greatest abuses of power was the forcing of mRNA (vaccine) shots by executive fiat (which Florida successfully blocked), he said. Among those being given pardons was Dr Anthony Fauci, who served as Bidens chief medical advisor, during the years of the Covid-19 pandemic (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, on his way out the door, Biden pardons the chief henchman of that and so many other abuses. The swamp protects its own He later reacted to Bidens family pardons. 15 minutes before his term expires, Biden pardons his family members General Mike Flynn, former U.S. national security advisor under Trump, said the offers of pardons were admissions that something sinister and treasonous had occurred. Flynn himself was given a presidential pardon in 2020 after being convicted of lying about his communications with Russian diplomats. As someone who received a presidential pardon (mine is considered a pardon of innocence because my case was dismissed by a very weaponized DOJ for their own misconduct, then a federal judge weaponized his bench to come after me in an unprecedented way), therefore @realDonaldTrump decided to offer me a pardon. I took it to end the nightmare, Flynn wrote. He doesnt have to accept the pardon. If he did nothing wrong be a man and turn it down But you know he wont because everyone knows hes guilty of so much. https://t.co/e2QKoHaUPb Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 20, 2025 These offers of pardons are, no doubt, admissions that something sinister and treasonous occurred during 45s first administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Announcing the pardons on Monday, Biden said in a statement: The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country. The prospect of such pardons had been the subject of heated debate for months at the highest levels of the White House. Its customary for a president to grant clemency at the end of his term, but those acts of mercy are usually offered to Americans convicted of crimes. Congressional Republicans are looking to press on in scrutinizing some of those who received pardons from former President Biden in the last hours of his presidency. Implication is that they needed the pardons So, lets call them all before Congress and demand the truth, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) posted on the social platform X, in response to the pardons for members of the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot; Anthony Fauci; and retired Gen. Mark Milley. If they refuse or lie lets test the constitutional reach of these pardons with regard to their future actions. Other observers, such as President Trumps former first-term chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, suggested that the pardons would remove any reason to refuse to answer questions by invoking a Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) who has long led a House GOP investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and probe into the Jan. 6 select committee that originally investigated it indicated that Congress could call Jan. 6 select committee members in for questioning in light of the Biden pardons. Asked if there is now an incentive to bring in the Jan. 6 select committee members for questioning, Loudermilk told The Hill: I think definitely, this is a situation that we still got to dig a little deeper. But whether Loudermilk actually does so will depend on the form his investigation takes in the new Congress. While Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has said the House will continue to investigate the former select committee, the specifics of that potential probe are unknown. Loudermilk has been asking Johnson to create a new select committee to investigate the old select committee and Jan. 6 matters. I know President Trump is 100 percent behind it. Hes told me himself that he wants us to continue the investigation and continue to expose the truth, Loudermilk said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also interesting, I think, to look at those he didnt pardon, Loudermilk added, mentioning star Jan. 6 select committee witness Cassidy Hutchinson. The Jan. 6 select committee had subpoenaed a number of GOP lawmakers in its probe including Reps. Scott Perry (Pa.), Jim Jordan (Ohio) and Andy Biggs (Ariz.), who did not comply. It had also asked Loudermilk to appear voluntarily to explain a tour he gave in the Capitol complex on Jan. 5, 2021, which Loudermilk said was in support of a false narrative. In a joint statement Monday, former Jan. 6 select committee Chair Bennie Thompson (R-Miss.) and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said they had faced specific threats of criminal prosecution and imprisonment by members of the incoming administration, simply for doing our jobs and upholding our oaths of office. My intention is to fully and aggressively pursue getting to intelligence failures. Thats one thing were still looking at who knew what and when? Loudermilk added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But not all those who Biden pardoned on Monday should expect to get a congressional request for testimony. Biden also granted preemptive pardons to his siblings James Biden, Valerie Biden and Frank Biden and some of their spouses in the last minutes of his presidency. House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) told The Hill that the move validates everything we found in his investigation in the last Congress into the Biden familys business dealings but he brushed off the prospect of bringing in the Biden family members for more interviews. We finished our investigation, we published a very detailed report, and I think the pardons validate everything in that report, Comer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now its Pam Bondis, he added, referring to Trumps attorney general nominee. Comers investigation tracked millions of dollars that flowed from foreign business deals into the hands of the Biden family and their associates, but it largely fizzled with the reports release. A House GOP impeachment inquiry report asserted that Biden engaged in impeachable conduct because it was inconceivable that Biden was ignorant of how his family members allegedly used their connection to the then-vice president to boost their business deals in Ukraine, China and elsewhere. But parts of the report were disputed, and the House never considered articles of impeachment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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. Republican senators struggled to defend Donald Trumps decision to commute and pardon hundreds of January 6 protesters, including those who were charged and convicted of crimes against police officers, just hours after the president entered office Monday. Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, who has warned before about giving a blanket pardon to the rioters, said, I just cant agree with Trumps decision to commute the sentences or pardon a vast swath of January 6 insurrection participants. He added the move raises a legitimate safety issues on Capitol Hill before also attacking former President Joe Bidens pardons in his final hours in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps executive action, which many GOP senators had hoped would be directed at only nonviolent offenders who entered the Capitol that day, thrust Republicans once again into a familiar posture of navigating how and when to distance themselves from the sitting president and leader of their party. And Republicans largely attempted to sidestep direct questions about whether they personally agreed with Trumps action, arguing it was up to the president to use his pardon powers at his discretion. Trump pardoned more than 1,000 people who were charged in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. He also commuted the sentences of 14 people in the Proud Boy or Oath Keepers who were charged with seditious conspiracy. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, sidestepped questions about the pardons, saying, Were looking at the future, not the past when asked whether it was a mistake for Trump. The presidents move put Republican senators in the awkward position of having to either defy Trump just hours after he was sworn in inside the US Capitol or defend releasing prisoners who attacked some of the very officers who protect the Capitol every day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, told CNN he was still digesting the details of Trumps pardons and commutations, but pressed on how some of the recipients were responsible for attacking police officers, he said, I think if you attack a police officer thats a very serious issue and they should pay a price for that. I think we need to continue to say we are a party of law and order, Lankford said. And that is incredibly important to be able to protect those folks who are protecting us every single day. Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, two Republicans who voted to convict Trump after his second impeachment trial in 2021, objected to his decision to give blanket pardons. Cassidy, who is up for reelection and facing a primary, told CNN: Im a big back-the-blue guy. I think people who assault police officers if they do the crime, they should do the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murkowski said shes concerned about the message the pardons send to the US Capitol Police officers who protect the lawmakers every day. I dont think that the approach of a blanket pardon that includes those who caused harm, physical harm, to our police officers, to others that resulted in violence, Im disappointed to see that, Murkowski said. And I do fear the message that is sent to these great men and women that stood by us. When asked Tuesday whether he believed it was never acceptable to assault a police officer, Trump replied, Sure. Pressed on a specific case of an individual who drove a stun gun into the neck of a police officer but who received a pardon, Trump said he didnt know but would take a look at everything. Asked once more whether the pardons were sending a message that assaulting officers is OK, Trump said, No, the opposite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im the friend of police more than any president thats ever been in this office, he said. Shortly before taking office, Vice President JD Vance said those who committed violence that day obviously shouldnt be pardoned. Asked Tuesday why Vances assertion was wrong, Trump said, Well, only for one reason: Theyve served years in jail. They should not have served excuse me and theyve served years in jail. These were people that actually love our country, so we thought a pardon would be appropriate. Most Republicans wouldnt weigh in on whether Trump had made the right decision. Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, argued it was the presidents prerogative, not Congress, to issue pardons, a sentiment echoed by several others, including House Speaker Mike Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not my place. Its the presidents sole decision, and he made a decision so I stand with him on it, the Louisiana Republican told reporters Tuesday night after previously declining to comment. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican from West Virginia, said, I think obviously the pardon authority has really been opened up. President Biden obviously with his preemptive pardons has opened it up even more, so the president has that authority. That sort of is my opinion on it, she added. Biden on Monday issued an extraordinary slate of preemptive pardons for prominent critics of Trump and for members of his own family, using executive prerogative as a shield against revenge by his incoming successor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Mike Rounds, another Republican from South Dakota, argued Trump has the constitutional ability to make those, and so its up to him to do that. Its not up to us, and its up to him to explain them. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine who has broken with Trump in the past, said it had overall been a terrible week for our justice system, arguing Biden had gone too far in his final hours as president with pardons as well. It seems to me the press ought to be paying attention to this as well: preemptively granting pardons to five more members of his family, and we had the incoming president pardoning people who committed violent crimes, she said. We also have the outgoing president granting a pardon to an individual who killed two FBI agents. (In addition to members of his family, Biden issued a commutation to Leonard Peltier, an Indigenous activist who was convicted in the killing of two FBI agents in 1975.) Asked repeatedly by CNNs Erin Burnett on Tuesday about the pardons for individuals who attacked officers, Sen. Markwayne Mullin largely redirected to discussing Bidens pardons, even as he agreed that January 6 was no question a riot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have my personal feelings on it, but the American people have chosen to move on, and President Trump, its his prerogative to do this. I get what youre saying about the violent crime; however, that is still the presidents prerogative, just like it was Joe Bidens prerogative, the Oklahoma Republican said on OutFront. Sen. Steve Daines, a Republican from Montana and former chairman of the Senates campaign arm, would only say, Im grateful President Trump is the president of the United States when asked for his reaction to the pardons. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Betsy Klein, Manu Raju, Morgan Rimmer and Ali Main contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Its easy to forget that many Republicans who now martyr the rioters who wreaked havoc on the Capitol on Jan. 6 once condemned the violence committed in Donald Trumps name. On Monday, the freshly sworn-in president granted blanket pardons to 1,500 individuals convicted of offenses related to the failed effort to keep Trump in power and commutations to over a dozen other offenders, including violent offenders. Now, Republican senators who previously condemned the attack and the violence of Jan. 6 are struggling to justify Trumps literal get out of jail free card or are outright pretending not to know whats going on. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Tuesday morning that Republicans are looking backwards, were looking forward, and that he hadnt seen all the stuff, the [executive orders], that Trump signed on Monday. Thune asserted that there were no blanket pardons handed out. I think they were case-by-case, he told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order signed by Trump grants a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Sen. Tommy Tuberville initially told CNN that he was 100 percent on board with everyone convicted of offenses related to Jan. 6 receiving a pardon. When pressed on if that included those who committed violence, Tuberville said no, thats not acceptable. But I didnt see it. I dont know whether I dont believe [officers were assaulted,] because I didnt see it, he added when questioned by reporters. Now, if I see it, I would believe it, but I didnt see that video. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) claimed that she didnt know whether there were pardons given to individuals who assaulted police officers or whether there were pardons given to people who damaged property, who rummaged through desks, who broke windows in the Capitol, but that she disagree[s] with those pardons if they were given. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins and Thune both attempted to deflect outrage over the pardoning of individuals who assaulted law enforcement and planned violence against lawmakers to preemptive pardons former President Joe Biden granted to prominent members of his administration and family who have not been convicted of crimes, but have been floated as potential targets by Trump and his allies. Its a a terrible day for our Justice Department for two reasons, Collins said. Thune asserted to CNN that Biden opened the door by engaging in the most massive use of the pardon power that weve seen in history. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) told CNN that Bidens use of the pardon power to safeguard his family made it harder to make a critique, to stand on the high ground and make a critique of the Trump pardons on January 6. Several other GOP senators used Biden as a convenient crutch to mollify their criticism of Trump. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said that while he has concerns with any pardons for people who did any harm to police officers, Bidens use of the power to preemptively pardon members of his administration and family may mean we need to look at what that authority really entails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anybody who is convicted of assault on a police officer, I cant get there, at all. I think it was a bad idea, Tillis later told Spectrum News. For all the racket raised by Republicans accusing the Biden administration of allowing violent criminals to run rampant in American cities, and their posturing as a party of support for law enforcement, there is little outrage over the presidents decision to release hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters, many who beat police officers and threatened to harm lawmakers. Trumps Secretary of State Marco Rubio, formerly a Republican senator from Florida, was asked by Gayle King how he reconciled past criticism of the rioters and the destruction of the Capitol with Mondays pardons. Rubio deflected the question: I used to be a United States senator [] and now Im about to be sworn in as the secretary of state of the United States. And thats what Im thinking. I work for Donald J. Trump. Senators on the hill seem to be adopting the same line of thinking. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. WASHINGTON They said over and over that violent Jan. 6 rioters shouldnt get a reprieve, but now that President Donald Trump has pardoned nearly all defendants convicted of participating in the 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, Republicans were mostly OK with it. Were looking at the future, not the past, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters on Monday after Trump issued sweeping pardons that included scores of people who assaulted police officers at the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) deferred to Trump, saying that its the presidents prerogative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) maintained that people who violate the law should be prosecuted, he demurred when asked by a reporter specifically about the Jan. 6 pardons. I havent gone into the detail, Scott said. Tuesdays dodges by Republican senators marked the return of a frequent ritual from Trumps first term: He would do or say something outrageous, and when reporters asked members of his party about it, they somehow hadnt heard about it. Only this time, some lawmakers are professing ignorance about the president pardoning more than 1,500 people who were charged with crimes specifically for attacking their own offices, causing them to literally run for their lives and hide in an undisclosed secure location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to review and see what he did, Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) said Tuesday. The order is not complicated, granting unconditional pardons to anyone convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Some of those convicted of assaulting police officers celebrated their pardons online. Hoeven and some other Republicans got hung up on the fact that 14 people received commutations rather than pardons. The main outcome is that anyone charged with any crime, no matter how violent, will soon be released from prison, if not formally forgiven by the government. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2025. On Monday, Thune told reporters, Were looking at the future, not the past, in regard to Trump issuing sweeping pardons that included scores of people who assaulted police officers at the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Anadolu via Getty Images Other Republicans echoed Trumps flat-out lies about the attack, namely that it had been a conspiracy orchestrated by his political opponents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel sorry for what happened to a lot of the Capitol police, but you could tell it was all a setup with what, 23 FBI agents involved in it, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) told HuffPost. Republicans have dubiously claimed since 2021 that they suspected some of the rioters were either liberal provocateurs, FBI agents or confidential human sources acting in a conspiracy with Trumps political opponents to make the riot worse so that he and his supporters could be persecuted by Democrats. There were, in fact, 23 FBI informants in Washington that day, but an agency watchdog said last month, in a report debunking the conspiracy theory once and for all, that investigators determined the informants werent authorized by the FBI to break the law or encourage others to do so. The informants had been previously tasked with providing information on some of the extremist groups that were involved in the riot. The FBI had not asked them to tag along to Washington. Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno (R), another top Trump ally, said the Jan. 6 riot was a thing of the past and maintained he and Trump continued to be big supporters of law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of these people have been in jail for a long time. January 6 was a long time ago, Moreno told reporters on Tuesday about people who participated in the attack on Congress. Nobody is a stronger supporter of law enforcement than President Trump, myself, or JD Vance, he added, referring to the vice president. We honor and respect law enforcement. When I walk in every morning, I look at the guards, I say, Thank you. Thank you for being here, thank you for helping out. But these people have been treated horribly. More than 600 defendants were charged with assaulting or obstructing police officers, dozens of whom suffered injuries. Five officers died after the fact, one from a stroke and four by suicide. The sweeping pardons likely took Republicans by surprise. Both House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Vice President JD Vance said in TV interviews earlier this month that they did not expect the president to pardon violent rioters. If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldnt be pardoned, Vance said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) noted that Trump had merely followed on a campaign promise. He said he was going to do this during the campaign, and he did exactly what he said, Hawley told reporters. However, a few Republican senators disagreed with Trump on the matter of pardons for violent Jan. 6 offenders. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) recalled seeing video of a police officer being physically crushed by a mob of Trump supporters during the riot. He told reporters that Trumps pardons sent the wrong signal to people who want to assault law enforcement or elected officials. Those folks now think that it may be OK I have a problem with that, Tillis said. Thats hard to really understand unless youre somebody like me thats had people invade my property. Two people [are] in prison right now because they communicated death threats against me. I will consistently force prosecution for anybody that does that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) pointed to a Capitol police officer over her shoulder as she entered a Senate GOP lunch on Tuesday and said she was disappointed by the pardons. I do fear the message that is sent to these great men and women that stood by us, Murkowski said. And Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told Semafor that no one should excuse violence. And particularly violence against police officers. But the few voices of dissent were vastly outnumbered by GOP lawmakers who just wanted to move on and discuss other topics. Republicans are prioritizing confirming Trumps Cabinet this week and making more progress on passing his legislative agenda, including another round of tax cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats, meanwhile, criticized the GOP for largely going mute as Trump pardons the people who committed an attack on Congress. These mass pardons are sickening the ultimate disrespect for police officers who were assaulted brutally by criminal rioters, suffering lasting injuries and death in some cases, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said in a statement. Shame on Republican colleagues who were protected that terrible day and now stay silent. Related... CARLETONVILLE, South Africa (AP) A specialized camera was lowered late last year into an almost 2.6-kilometer- (1.6-mile-) deep mineshaft in South Africa where hundreds of miners were reported to be trapped, starving, dehydrated and desperate to get out. With no architectural plans of the actual mineshaft and its levels and tunnels, the camera reached 1,280 meters (4,200 feet) underground and gave rescuers their first visuals: A large group of miners was seen standing around on a level, clearly waiting for help to arrive. Rescuers brought the camera to the surface and then sent it back down, this time with a notepad, pen and a letter attached to initiate communication with the miners. Once it reached them, the miners immediately also attached a note telling the rescuers that about 480 of them were underground and those still alive were desperate to exit the mine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the beginning of discussions about how to bring the miners to the surface. It also was the first time a specially designed cage that can be lowered as deep as 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) fitted with specialized cameras and a communications system was used to rescue such a large number of people underground. When we got to the level, we could immediately see that there are some people standing. We could not determine the number of people that are standing there, but it was evident that people were standing around and they were in need of help to come up to the surface, said Mannas Fourie, CEO of Mine Rescue Services South Africa, the private company contracted to rescue the miners. At least 87 miners died in the monthslong standoff between police and the miners who were trapped while working illegally in the abandoned Buffelsfontein Gold Mine, police said last week. Authorities faced growing anger and a possible investigation over their initial refusal to help the miners and bring them out of the mine by cutting off their food supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deceased miners were suspected to have died of starvation and dehydration, although no causes of death have been released. South African authorities have been fiercely criticized for cutting off the miners. That tactic to smoke them out, as described by a prominent Cabinet minister, was condemned by one of South Africas biggest trade unions. According to Fourie, who led the operation at the mineshaft, once the cage was lowered with two volunteers from the community, they were eventually able to reach their target of retrieving at least 35 miners a day. Fourie and his team initially estimated that the operation would last up to 16 days based on equipment that would take two people out of the shaft at a time. But this changed once a full assessment was done and it was determined the cage could be used for the rescue, allowing them to bring up to 13 people at a time. Fifty-seven round trips were made to retrieve 246 surviving minors and 78 corpses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the equipment was very important to the operation, a combination of technology and human effort proved to be crucial, with the two volunteers and the miners themselves playing an important role. Fourie said the decision of who to load into the cage first was left to the local volunteers and the miners. I think on the first cages that arrived, the first couple, it was assessed by them to see who are the people in need of dire medical attention, who are really taking strain, and they sent those people out first," he said. Thereafter, they made a decision themselves to say how many people they can bring out and how theyre going to alter between bringing out bodies or bringing out people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fourie said the volunteers conveyed that their biggest concern was to control the crowd of miners, because everybody was eager to come out. We could see as they climbed into the cage, they made way for each other to get as many people in at one time, he said. According to the rescue team, the camera was one of the most important tools used in the operation because it sent a signal above ground and provided a live feed to a laptop. The feed is recorded and assessed to determine the condition of the shaft barrel, which people need to travel in, and the level itself. You know, some of these shafts are flooded with water, some of them are filled up with rubble in the process of rehabilitation, and no one could have given us a clear fact of what the conditions are," Fourie said. He said the cage was designed to carry only six people at a depth of 3,100 meters, but they managed to pull out up to 13 people at a time as they were working at a shallower depth. Working at 1,280 meters enabled us to load more people into the conveyance because theres less rope weight which is being pulled by the machine, he said. Residents challenging Norfolk Southern's $600 million settlement for the disastrous East Palestinetrain crash have asked a court to reject a judge's order requiring them to put up an $850,000 bond to continue their appeal for higher compensation and more information about the contamination. Nearly $300 million of the settlement has been on hold because of the appeal even though a judge approved the deal in September. The holdout residents are urging the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to stop them from having to put up the huge sum to continue with their claims stemming from the February 2023 derailment and fire. Class-action attorneys who negotiated with Norfolk Southern have said the appeal will add significant administrative costs for the firm disbursing person injury payments to people who lived or worked within 20 miles (32 kilometers) of the derailment site even though $18 million has already been set aside to cover expenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The freight train derailment in the Ohio village near the Pennsylvania state line included 11 cars transporting hazardous materials. Area residents evacuated and, days later, officials fearing a possible uncontrolled blast intentionally released and burned toxic vinyl chloride from five rail cars, sending flames and black smoke into the sky. Attorney David Graham said his clients are pressing ahead with the appeal in the belief that the settlement does not do enough to compensate them for possible future health effects. They worry the contaminants could lead to cancers and other serious ailments in the future, and they want to know what the lawyers uncovered during their investigation so they can better judge the risks. Were not intimidated and were not going anywhere, Graham said. The federal Environmental Protection Agency has said toxic levels of chemicals haven't been detected in the community since shortly after the derailment, but residents and some of the doctors conducting research on the health effects of the train derailment say they are concerned about the health impacts of prolonged exposure to low levels of chemicals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, the class action attorneys have refused to disclose what their own testing expert discovered when he visited the community because they agreed to keep that information confidential as part of the settlement. Even while the appeal continues, the company handling the settlement has begun to distribute $120 million for personal injury claims. Many residents have been waiting months to receive official letters advising the amounts they would receive. The class-action lawyers, who received $162 million in fees for their work on the case, promised residents last summer that they would get up to $25,000 per person for personal injuries if they lived within two miles (3 kilometers) of the site. But accepting that money meant that residents were giving up the right to sue later if they do develop health problems. At the time, dozens of railcars careened off the tracks, spilling their toxic contents and catching fire. The disaster was made worse three days later when officials decided to blow open five tank cars of vinyl chloride and burn their contents, a step investigators later determined was unnecessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main payments of up to $75,000 per household for property damage have been on hold because of the appeal. The amounts people are to receive from the settlement gradually decrease the further they are from the derailment site down to just a few hundred dollars at the outer edges. Some residents who have received determination letters about the payments have posted online that they are sometimes thousands less than promised last summer. Others posted that the amounts are exactly as advised. The class-action attorneys always emphasized the largest possible payments in their meetings in the community, but the official formula dictating how much each person would receive was not available until after the settlement was approved. The official formula posted online says says that people who lived or worked in town when the derailment happened and didnt return until after the evacuation order was lifted on Feb. 8, 2023, will be eligible to receive a full payment. Their settlement will be reduced if they moved to town after the derailment happened. Several other factors will also help determine how much residents receive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives of the Kroll company that is administering the settlement payments didn't respond Tuesday and a representative of the class-action attorneys said they didn't have anyone available to answer questions before Wednesday. The East Palestine derailment was the worst rail disaster in a decade and prompted calls for reform. A subsequent rail safety bill in Congress stalled and was never approved. The industry promised https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-derailment-east-palestine-norfolk-southern-bef9b47b5200f033d2f045c850745e94 some changes like adding more trackside detectors to help spot defects before they can cause derailments, but those haven't yet made a significant difference in railroads' safety records. ___ This story has been corrected to show the explanation of how the formula that determines how much people will receive from the settlement works. People who lived or worked in town when the derailment happened and didnt return until after the evacuation order was lifted on Feb. 8, 2023, will be eligible to receive a full payment. The People's March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar During President Donald Trumps first term, the Womens March was the place to be. More than a million protesters assembled in Washington, D.C., in 2017 right after Trump was inaugurated the first time, inspiring liberal demonstrations across the country. In Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and many other Democratic leaders headlined pink pussyhat-dotted rallies that became the hallmark of the anti-Trump Resistance and helped usher in electoral victories in 2018 and 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My, what a difference eight years makes. Rashida Tlaib at the Women's March in Detroit, Jan. 19, 2019 | Ken Coleman Women's March, Detroit | Ken Coleman Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at the Lansing Women's March, Jan. 18, 2020 | Anna Liz Nichols Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detroit Women's March, January 2019 |Ken Coleman Attorney General Dana Nessel at the Lansing Women's March, Jan. 18, 2020 | Anna Liz Nichols Women's March, Detroit | Ken Coleman Debbie Stabenow at the Women's March in Detroit, Jan. 19, 2019 | Ken Coleman Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Women's March, Detroit | Ken Coleman Yes, there were a host of Peoples March demonstrations the group has rebranded itself over the weekend in D.C. and major cities, with activists protesting Trumps plans for mass deportations, attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and rollbacks on reproductive rights. But they were a shadow of their former selves, with only a fraction of previous crowds showing up. The most glaring change is the complete absence of politicians. At the Lansing rally on Saturday, more than 500 activists braved the cold at the Capitol, carrying signs like, Resist, Persist, Repeat and Im a Woman, not an Incubator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But not one state or federal elected official spoke or even appeared to be in attendance. Prominent pro-Palestinian, abortion rights and civil rights groups also didnt have a visible presence. No doubt many politicians and well-connected progressives were already down in Detroit for the Lions playoff game (which went about as well as the 24 election did for Dems). But thats quite the statement of their priorities. Ever since Trump won a second term, many Democrats have been struggling to find their footing as the jockeying for the 2028 election has already begun. Some hopefuls, like Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, seem eager to pick up where they left off in 2020 and continue fighting Trump tooth and nail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to Trumps executive order attempting to revoke birthright citizenship, Pritzker told reporters on Monday that it was unconstitutional, adding: We will not follow an unconstitutional order. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at an organizing event in Grand Rapids for President Joe Bidens re-election campaign on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Others, like Whitmer, have struck a much more conciliatory tone toward Trump this time around. While Whitmer, who served as former Vice President Kamala Harris campaign co-chair, last year slammed Trump as an existential threat to the nation, she issued a statement Monday congratulating him, saying she looked forward to getting to work on the priorities we share. The governor also ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to be raised on Inauguration Day in accordance with Trumps presidential proclamation. Flags had been flying at half-staff to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29. Even progressive firebrand U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) who sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020 penned a column for conservative Fox News in which he tempered his criticism of Trump by making sure to note he agrees with the president on issues like prescription drugs and trade. Sanders even had kind words for billionaire Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one denies that we must end waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government, Sanders wrote. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, for example, is correct when he points out that the Pentagon has failed seven audits and cannot fully account for its budget of over $800 billion. On Saturday at the Michigan Capitol, an activist donning a Votes for Women hat hearkening back to the suffragist movement played a large horn that carried the message: Failure Is Impossible. It would seem that Democratic leaders arent quite so sure right now. The Peoples March on Jan. 18, 2025 at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. | Abdelafatah Mukhtar SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The first half of the 2020s has not proven kind to restaurant chains and franchises. We've seen Subway disputes over what some say are ridiculously strict rules, we've seen steakhouse chains struggle, and we've seen Boston Market desperately loosen up its requirements for franchise owners. Now, we're seeing Nothing Bundt Cakes get into fights over Sunday openings. The chain opened in 1997 and was proud to be family-owned. One of its distinctive features was that it closed on Sundays, which to many made it feel all the more homely. Once the company began offering franchising opportunities in 2006, it had a policy of allowing (though not requiring) its franchised stores to close on the last day of the week. This was one of the main appeals to some store owners, many of whom wanted more time with their families or who wished to observe religious rules about working on Sundays. However, the policy is changing after Roark Capital acquired the company in 2021. Starting February 2nd, all stores have to open at least 62 hours a week, with at least five of those hours being on Sunday. While customers might enjoy being able to stop for a delicious Bundt cake any day of the week, many owners are not happy. Some feel like they've been put in a catch-22 position -- either comply with the rule or sell the franchise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 10 Milk Chocolate Bars, Ranked By Taste And Texture The Problem With Opening On Sundays Nothing Bundt Cakes store - Joseph Hendrickson/Shutterstock While Nothing Bundt Cakes claims that around 500 of its almost 650 stores open on Sundays, the new policy has certainly sparked backlash. The rule is particularly a problem in Utah, where roughly 42% of the population is part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as Mormonism). Sunday is the day of sabbath for Mormons, so those who follow this religion are required to reserve it for rest and worship. Some Mormon franchise owners are protesting the company's new rule, arguing that it infringes on their religious freedom. Even non-Mormon owners in Utah may be affected by the policy. Those living in areas with large Mormon populations are unlikely to see many customers on a Sunday, yet they'll be forced to keep their store open. Of course, this translates to high costs with little return on investment. But the problem isn't present only in Utah. Sundays are slow days in rural areas all over the country, so the rule would also affect franchise owners in smaller towns. The initial cost of investing in a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise is more than $500,000 not many would find it easy to walk away from such a large investment. Whether the company will give exceptions to the new rule or double down in this feud is yet to be seen. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. With newly-inaugurated leaders of the United States in attendance, Rev. Mariann Budde, an Episcopal bishop of Washington, gave a special sermon about the future of the country. In her message, Budde, 65, spoke directly to President Donald Trump who she has publicly criticized in the past, the Associated Press reported about fostering an inclusive culture in the country that he now presides over on Tuesday, Jan. 21, just one day after the inauguration. "I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now," she said, per the AP and New York Times. "There are gay, lesbian and transgender people in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives ... and the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Donald Trump Tells 1000s of Biden Presidential Appointees 'You're Fired' via Social Media Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer. The reverend continued, asking that the group that had gathered for an interfaith service at the Washington National Cathedral "to pray for unity as a people and a nation not for agreement, political or otherwise but for the kind of unity that fosters community across diversity and division." In a video shared by the AP, reporters asked Trump, 78, what he thought of the inaugural prayer service. "Not too exciting, was it? I didn't think it was a very good service, no," he said as he made his way back to the White House. "They could do much better." Chip Somodevilla/Getty Rev. Mariann Budde at the National Cathedral on Jan. 21. Rev. Mariann Budde at the National Cathedral on Jan. 21. Related: Trump Tries to End Birthright Citizenship with Executive Order in Move Thats Likely to Be Challenged Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, Budde most notably criticized Trump for his performative photo op, in which he posed with a bible in hand in front of St. John's Episcopal Church while tear gas was being used on peaceful demonstrators. According to the AP, Budde was deeply upset by the president's actions at the church, which fell under her diocese. She said that Trump had "no sense that this was a sacred space to be used for sacred purposes," and the church was "just completely caught off-guard." Before the incident at St. John's, Budde also criticized the president's "racialized rhetoric" after he told four congresswomen of color to "go back" to where they came from, the AP reported. Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Donald Trump posing with bible outside St. John's Episcopal Church on June 1, 2020. Donald Trump posing with bible outside St. John's Episcopal Church on June 1, 2020. Related: Donald Trump Pardons Roughly 1,500 Jan. 6 Rioters on First Day in Office Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the deadly Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021, Budde once again condemned Trump, this time for his role in encouraging the violence. The same day, she made her position clear on via Facebook Live on alongside the dean of the Washington National Cathedral, Rev. Randy Hollerith. Let us be perfectly clear to those who see this as a Christian endeavor, or something to be blessed in the name of Jesus, there is nothing Christian about what we are witnessing today. Nothing," she said, per the AP. Read the original article on People MAHONING COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) The United States Marshals Service is offering a reward for information that leads to the arrest of a wanted fugitive in Northeast Ohio. According to a press release from the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, 58-year-old Hiram Diaz is wanted by the Mahoning County Sheriffs Office and the U.S. Marshals Service for rape and gross sexual imposition. Instacart driver shot while dropping off groceries Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the release, Diaz is described as standing 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 185 pounds. Diaz is known to frequent the Youngstown area. He is also known to be in the Salem and Philadelphia, Penn. areas, the release said. Cold snap could fry your furnace Anyone with information about Diaz is asked to contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED. Tips can also be submitted on the U.S. Marshals website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. (AP/WPRI) Attorneys general from 18 states sued Tuesday to block President Donald Trumps move to end a decades-old immigration policy known as birthright citizenship guaranteeing that U.S.-born children are citizens regardless of their parents status. Trumps roughly 700-word executive order, issued late Monday, amounts to a fulfillment of something hes talked about during the presidential campaign. But whether it succeeds is far from certain as attorneys general in 18 states and two cities challenged the order in court on Tuesday, seeking to block the president. Heres a closer look at birthright citizenship, Trumps executive order and reaction to it: What is birthright citizenship? Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen, regardless of their parents immigration status. People, for instance, in the United States on a tourist or other visa or in the country illegally can become the parents of a citizen if their child is born here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been in place for decades and enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, supporters say. But Trump and allies dispute the reading of the amendment and say there need to be tougher standards on becoming a citizen. What does Trumps order say? The order questions that the 14th Amendment extends citizenship automatically to anyone born in the United States. The 14th Amendment was born in the aftermath of the Civil War and ratified in 1868. It says: All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Trumps order excludes the following people from automatic citizenship: those whose mothers were not legally in the United States and whose fathers were not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; people whose mothers were in the country legally but on a temporary basis and whose fathers were not citizens or legal permanent residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It goes on to bar federal agencies from recognizing the citizenship of people in those categories. It takes effect 30 days from Tuesday, on Feb. 19. What is the history of the issue? The 14th Amendment did not always guarantee birthright citizenship to all U.S.-born people. Congress did not authorize citizenship for all Native Americans born in the United States, for instance, until 1924. In 1898 an important birthright citizenship case unfolded in the U.S. Supreme Court. The court held that Wong Kim Ark, who was born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrants, was a U.S. citizen because he was born in the country. After a trip abroad, he had been denied reentry by the federal government on the grounds that he wasnt a citizen under the Chinese Exclusion Act. But some advocates of immigration restrictions have argued that while the case clearly applied to children born to parents who are both legal immigrants, its less clear whether it applies to children born to parents without legal status. What has the reaction to Trumps order been? Eighteen states, plus the District of Columbia and San Francisco sued in federal court to block Trumps order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey Democratic Attorney General Matt Platkin said Tuesday that presidents might have broad authority but they are not kings. The president cannot, with a stroke of a pen, write the 14th Amendment out of existence, period, he said. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a U.S. citizen by birthright and the nations first Chinese American elected attorney general, said the lawsuit was personal for him. The 14th Amendment says what it means, and it means what it says if you are born on American soil, you are an American. Period. Full stop, he said. There is no legitimate legal debate on this question. But the fact that Trump is dead wrong will not prevent him from inflicting serious harm right now on American families like my own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the exception of Indigenous peoples and the descendants of enslaved peoples, the United States is a nation of descendants of immigrants, many of whom risked their lives for the promise of a better life, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha echoed in a statement. Neronha added that the order will result in cuts to federally funded programs like Medicaid, the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and foster care assistance programs, which will place a significant burden on the responsible agencies in all 50 states. Not long after Trump signed the order, immigrant rights groups filed suit to stop it. Chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts along with other immigrant rights advocates filed a suit in New Hampshire federal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit asks the court to find the order to be unconstitutional. It highlights the case of a woman identified as Carmen, who is pregnant but is not a citizen. The lawsuit says she has lived in the United States for more than 15 years and has a pending visa application that could lead to permanent status. She has no other immigration status, and the father of her expected child has no immigration status either, the suit says. Stripping children of the priceless treasure of citizenship is a grave injury, the suit said. It denies them the full membership in U.S. society to which they are entitled. In addition to New Jersey and the two cities, California, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin joined the lawsuit to stop the order. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Jan. 20The Rising Sun Regional Foundation has announced its 2025 scholarship program, which will provide $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors pursuing post-secondary education at accredited institutions of higher learning. * The program is open to students from the following public high schools: * Batesville High School * East Central High School * Jac-Cen-Del High School * Milan High School Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Rising Sun High School * South Dearborn High School * South Ripley High School * (Eligibility for students at any of these high schools requires residency in Ripley or Ohio counties, the city of Aurora, or the city of Batesville.) Additionally, scholarships are available to graduating seniors who are homeschooled or attend private or parochial schools, provided they are residents of the RSRF service area, which includes Ohio and Ripley counties and the cities of Aurora and Batesville. To apply, students must submit a completed scholarship application along with transcripts by March 1, 2025, at 4 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Applications and further details are available on the RSRF website at www.rsrfonline.org. For more information, contact Cheryll Obendorf, Executive Director, at 812-438-4490 or director@rsrfonline.org. About the Rising Sun Regional Foundation The Rising Sun Regional Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents in Southeastern Indiana through grants and scholarships to support community and economic development within the region. Established in 1994, RSRF is funded by monthly contributions from the Rising Star Casino & Resort, based on a percentage of its Adjusted Gross Revenue. RSRF primarily benefits the residents of Ohio and Ripley counties and the city of Aurora in the state of Indiana. Information provided Information provided CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) With Lowcountry counties under a winter storm warning, winter precipitation is on the way for Tuesday night. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Colleton, Dorchester, Berkeley, and Charleston counties from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday morning. These areas should prepare to see one to four inches of ice/snow, with higher amounts in isolated areas beginning around 5 p.m. Tuesday into noon Wednesday. Coastal regions can expect one to inches while farther inland could see two to four inches. According to Storm Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Rob Fowler, the area will likely see some sleet, but snow totals could be higher if less sleet occurs. For the weather service to issue a warning, either 2 inches of snow/sleet accumulation will occur or an inch of ice accumulation at least, Fowler explained. As of Monday evening, temperatures across the area are expected to drop from the low 40s to the mid-20s. These temperatures, mixed with wind gusts ranging from 17 to 19 miles per hour, have created the conditions for the current cold weather advisory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A cold weather advisory is active for the Lowcountry until noon Wednesday, meaning wind chills ranging from 15 to 20 degrees Monday and 10 to 15 degrees Tuesday night and Wednesday night. By 7 p.m. Tuesday, Fowlers models predict ice hitting the coastal regions with snow inland. By 11 p.m., all areas, including the coastal regions, can expect snow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our most significant impacts will be Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning; however, there is a low-end risk that freezing rain will occur late Thursday evening. There could also be travel issues on Wednesday night and Thursday as wet roads could refreeze. Be sure to download the News 2 app for breaking news alerts, updates, and any possible changes to school schedules this week. You can also download the Storm Team 2 app for the latest forecast and weather alerts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. This past year, conservative gadfly and anti-woke warrior Robby Starbuck made headlines by exploiting waves of manufactured hostility to corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and advocacy on issues like LGBTQ rights, climate change, inclusive hiring practices, and other social policies. His targets tend to be major brands popular with politically conservative customers. Despite popular support for many of these corporate policies, Starbucks vigilantism has rattled C-suites and resulted in several notable retreats on the DEI front. Its equally clear that Robby Starbuck has not yet faced off with the likes of Bob Crandall, the legendary former CEO of American Airlines. During his indelible 18 years at the helm of American, Crandall commanded universal respect, especially from the aviation marketplace that judged his performance. Thirty years ago, I witnessed firsthand Bob Crandalls master class on how to successfully manage crises and to withstand unwelcome pressure from social critics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1993, I began consulting with American Airlines to help update their internal policies, business strategy, and marketing practices to engage openly and successfully with LGBTQ consumers. I believed, along with Americans management, that it was past time for the airline leader to harness the visibly growing and profitable LGBTQ travel market. Under Crandall, American took smart, pioneering steps by promoting equitable employment benefits, recognizing its first LGBTQ employee resource group, sponsoring LGBTQ nonprofit causes, and fostering corporate Americas first dedicated LGBTQ marketing and sales team. Anti-gay attacks Its no surprise Americans success also became a lightning rod. While its innovative business strategy became the envy of its competitors, its detractors were just as, or even more, vocal. In 1997, Floridas anti-gay zealot Anita Bryant denounced American Airlines for its immoral benefits program, asking, What are you going to develop next? A pedophilia market? Others piled on, including over a dozen conservative groups, from the Family Research Council to Concerned Women for America, who wrote a public letter condemning Americans corporate policies. This coalition purchased full-page ads in June 1997 in major U.S. newspapers claiming that American was promoting homosexuality. In March 1998, members of this coalition met with Crandall and his management in Dallas to make their case while his team listened. Stunningly, the next day, the conservative leaders declared victory by issuing a news release with the headline: American Airlines Pledges to Stop Promoting Homosexuality. Reported the Conservative Women for America: No longer will air travelers on American Airlines fear that a portion of their fares is funding activities that may be in direct conflict with their religious beliefs. We are so pleased that American has decided to stop endorsing this deadly behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dismayed by their unfair set up, Bob Crandall objected vehemently to this crude and false public declaration feigning that American had surrendered. He insisted instead that the airline would remain free to decide its own business practices and not be subject to distorted and heavy-handed pressure from third parties. Fighting back That same evening, I received a phone call from Crandall and his public affairs team asking for advice in crafting an immediate, plainspoken, and unmistakable rebuttal. On March 25, 1998, Crandall approved a brief statement that American Airlines had made no such commitments to the groups. Further, he maintained that American Airlines would remain independent to focus on its own business objectives and that the carrier must and will promote its services to all constituencies, and we will continue to treat every employee with dignity and respect. Crandalls principled act put the lie to his companys critics who overplayed their hand. He knew that trust is earned in drops but lost in buckets. From that time forward, as evidence shows, Americans standing, especially with its diverse workforce and loyal customer base, was strengthened and expanded. By 2000, not only had many major brands and airlines followed suit, but American became the first major airline to implement same-sex domestic partner benefits. The following year, American became the first airline to include gender identity and expression in its nondiscrimination practices. During his CEO tenure, Crandall built American into the country's largest and arguably most respected airline. Interviewed a few years ago, he said, Im not afraid to say what needs to be said. You need to try to be polite. But being polite is different from avoiding the truth. I think thats one of my strengths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2025, Americas core principles and our corporate values will need all the strength we can muster and safeguard all the trust we have earned. Decades ago, Crandall proved Thomas Jeffersons long-held maxim: In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Jan. 21ROCHESTER Victoria White, a Rochester woman who pleaded guilty to interfering with law enforcement officers in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, was among the more than 1,500 to receive pardons from President Donald Trump in an executive order signed on Trump's first day as president. "I want to say Thank you to President Donald Trump for keeping your promise," said a Facebook user identified as Victoria White. An hour earlier, a jubilant White said, "I GOT A FULL PARDON." In signing the executive order, Trump pardoned nearly all of the defendants charged with crimes stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump previously promised that he would be "acting very quickly" on his first day in office to pardon the so-called "hostages." White was sentenced to 10 days in prison for her role in the Jan. 6 riots. She was one of 14 people from Minnesota charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack. Trump also commuted the sentences of another 14 people, including leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, people who were charged with some of the most serious and high-profile cases. Trump's executive order provided sweeping immunity for Trump supporters who tried to overturn his election loss four years ago and upended the country's tradition of peaceful transfers of power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Newsmax interview, White said she went to President Trump's "Stop The Steal" event because she thought it would be "another Trump rally, plus we would be able to let our voices be heard that, you know, an election was stolen." White was seen in open-source video arguing with rioters who were attempting to break the glass doors of an entrance on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol Building. White then pushed her way toward the tunnel entrance, where a squad of Metropolitan Police officers were preventing rioters from entering the building. She helped hoist up a rioter who proceeded to assault officers, the affidavit said. At another point, White grabbed an officer standing on a ledge. Officers pushed White back with their riot shields. White then grabbed one of the shields and blocked the baton used against her with her hand. Minutes later, officers apprehended White and escorted her out of the Capitol building. "Do you think the MSM will finally tell the truth what happened to me on #j6?" White added Tuesday morning to her Facebook page. "Maybe I'll get a new Make America Great Again hat (but from #Trump this time) that fell off in that tunnel of hell." CHEYENNE Despite freezing temperatures, snow and slick roads, organizers refused to cancel Saturdays 2025 Celebrate Life March, instead pushing the annual event inside to the Cottonwood Room at the Laramie County Library. Hosted by Right to Life of Laramie County, the event is a demonstration of anti-abortion values. It began with a prayer led by Deacon Stan Piasecki of the local Cathedral of St. Mary. Today, we come before you to ask for your divine assistance, as your precious gift of life is threatened in so many ways in our local culture, Piasecki said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deacons message of faith was carried throughout the days speeches, as advocates consistently reiterated the role that God plays in their convictions. LifeChoice Pregnancy Care Center Director Valerie Berry told attendees that Christians are being called to what she called a holy rebellion against darkness. When I say a holy rebellion, I dont mean those that are in the dark, because our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but our struggle is against darkness, Berry said. And I believe hes calling us as people of Christ, people of God, to create a holy rebellion against darkness. Berrys work with LifeChoice Pregnancy Care Center is in line with that holy rebellion, as the group offers pregnancy resources that honor Jesus Christ by providing pregnancy services, opening the door to spiritual, emotional and physical wellness, according to their website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berry highlighted the disappointing challenges that have come for the movement after Roe v. Wade was overturned. While many people in the anti-abortion movement thought the U.S. Supreme Court ruling would be a decisive victory, millions of Americans pushed back against the decision, taking to the streets and marching for pro-abortion policies. We had hoped it might be the end, or at least the beginning of the end, but it has brought to us a new beginning that is full of unexpected and disappointing challenges, Berry said. But it also gives us opportunities, the opportunity to demonstrate to the world why life matters and what it really does mean to be an image bearer. Attendees were further encouraged to demonstrate their values in the legislative session this week, advocating for two anti-abortion bills, House Bill 64, Chemical abortions-ultrasound requirement, and House Bill 42, Regulation of surgical abortions, which was introduced by Rep. Martha Lawley, R-Worland, who spoke at the event. I truly believe that with Gods help, we will see a day where life is truly valued and protected, celebrated and cherished, Lawley said. I ask for your prayers this week, because we have two important bills coming before the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 64 is a bill requiring ultrasounds before the procurement of chemical abortions. Lawleys bill, HB 42, was previously vetoed by Gov. Mark Gordon in an effort to keep our current court case on track for a speedy resolution on the issue of the constitutionality of the Life is Human Right Act and the Prohibition of Chemical Abortions law. The bill requires the licensure of surgical abortion facilities in specific ways. Currently, there is just one such facility in the state, Wellspring Health Access in Casper. Lawley reminded attendees that they were there on behalf of the unborn, to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. As a member of pro-life community, the one thing we can focus on is what we have in common, what we unite around, Lawley said. And it is this idea that life is precious, that life is valuable and it is worthy of respect, protection, love, from conception till natural death, that that is what we unite around, that we are, in fact, people of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the two House bills regarding abortion regulations, Lawley asked the crowd to pray for Wyoming Supreme Court justices as they consider an appeal to Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens decision to overturn both abortion bans the state passed in March 2023. Until the Wyoming Supreme Court rules on the states appeal, abortion remains legal in the state. Were taught in Scripture to pray for our leaders, Lawley said. Pray for the justices of the Wyoming Supreme Court that they would see the truth, that nowhere in Wyoming would we ever create any sort of right to an abortion, that we settle that once and for all. GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday issued a weather warning involving the Gulf of America, making Florida the first state to officially call the Gulf of Mexico by its new name mandated by President Donald Trump, according to outlets. HuffPost could not verify Floridas lead in massaging Trumps ego, but The New York Times said DeSantis released the emergency message before Trump codified it in an executive order following the inauguration. However, DeSantis quick adoption of the title almost certainly signaled his continued attempts to make up with Trump after their contentious primary campaigning in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An area of low pressure moving across the Gulf of America, interacting with Arctic air, will bring widespread impactful winter weather to North Florida beginning Tuesday, January 21, 2025, DeSantis office wrote. It's now the "Gulf of America," according to Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida. State of Florida The Gulf will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping Americas future and the global economy, and in recognition of this flourishing economic resource and its critical importance to our Nations economy and its people, I am directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America, Trump wrote in the order. He had previously vowed to rechristen the Gulf of Mexico, which borders five states and Mexico, because its ours. Other countries can call the gulf what they wish, The Associated Press wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gulf of America what a beautiful name. And its appropriate, Trump said. We do most of the work there. Its ours. Trumps renaming is believed to be part of an attempt to assert the countrys territorial primacy, AP reported. He also has urged Denmark to turn over Greenland to the U.S. and Panama to cede control of the Panama Canal. Related... LENOIR The Rotary Club of Lenoir has awarded its prestigious Vocational Service Award to Colonel John Davis and Jamie Willis, director of the United Way of Caldwell County, in recognition of their exceptional dedication to community service and their embodiment of Rotarys values of Service Above Self, according to a press release from the Rotary Club. IMG_2081.jpg Left to right Michael Harmon, Debbie Eller, Col. John Davis, Kim Case Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colonel Davis, a Rotarian and advocate, has made significant local and global contributions. As a former club president, past-president, and Paul Harris Fellow, Davis has consistently championed Rotary initiatives. He has served on key committees, including as the RI Zone 33 District Grants Committee Chair (2024-2025) and the District 7670 Club CART Committee, advancing causes like Polio Plus, the Rotary Foundation, and the Peace Fellows Program, according to the press release. Locally, Davis has actively revised the clubs bylaws and constitution through the Past-Presidents Council, ensuring its continued growth and success. He has also worked tirelessly to inform members about Rotary Foundation achievements and encouraged participation through personal contributions. Additionally, his leadership extended to Bolivia, where he raised funds and personally assisted in building vital bridges for underserved communities, according to the press release. Under the leadership of Jamie Willis, the United Way of Caldwell County celebrating 83 years of service is being recognized for its exceptional hurricane relief efforts. The organization quickly mobilized, organizing several Hurricane Relief Drives that collected over 15,000 items and raised nearly $97,000 to support local families. Additionally, United Way facilitated D-SNAP sign-ups at supply drive giveaways for affected families and is a founding member of the Caldwell County Long Term Disaster Recovery group, helping the community recover and rebuild, according to the press release. United Way is deeply committed to strengthening Caldwell County through impactful programs like the Weekend Food Backpack Program, which provides 143 backpacks weekly to children across six schools. United Way continued the Teacher Treasures initiative, created by Our Family Legacy, transforming it into Classroom United. This expanded resource hub supports local teachers with free school supplies for their students. These efforts reflect United Ways dedication to meeting the needs of both families and educators in the community, according to the press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of its ongoing efforts to give back to the community, United Way distributed 31 bikes and helmets in partnership with Friendship Ford during Christmas, providing additional help to families in need. United Way also ensured holiday meals for families by providing turkeys at the MLK Center, according to the press release. In collaboration with Communities in Schools, United Way hosts the annual Stuff the Bus event, helping teachers stock their classrooms with essential supplies. Furthermore, the organizations board members volunteer at the Soup Kitchen quarterly, offering meals to those in need, according to the press release. Through its annual fundraising campaign, the United Way of Caldwell County supports 15 local nonprofits and programs, ensuring that vital resources are available to those who need them most. Yesterday, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, with his family members, former presidents, billionaire tech CEOs, and politicians in attendance. Keeping with tradition, royals from around the world congratulated the new president on the start of his term. Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles had sent a private message to Trump, but other royal houses shared the text of the messages that were sent, below. Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf: On the occasion of your assuming the high office of the President of the United States of America, I extend to you my sincere congratulations and my best wishes for your health and happiness and for the well-being and prosperity of the people of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denmark's King Frederik X: On the occasion of your inauguration on January 20th, 2025, as the 47th President of the United States of America, I wish to express my sincere congratulations and best wishes for yourself, your family and for the people of the United States of America. Norway's King Harald V: On the occasion of your inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America, I am sending you my warmest congratulations on behalf of myself and the people of Norway, and my hopes for the welfare and prosperity of the American people. Jordan's King Abdullah II: Wishing President Donald Trump every success as he commences his second term. Congratulations on your inauguration, Mr. President. We greatly value our partnership with the United States and are committed to working with you towards a more prosperous and peaceful world. Queen Rania Last week, Queen Rania met with incoming Lady Melania Trump in Palm Beach, Florida. According to a press release from the Jordanian Royal House, At the meeting, hosted by the incoming U.S. First Lady, Queen Rania and Mrs. Trump discussed various issues of mutual interest, including childrens welfare, as well as improving their education. It was the third time Queen Rania and Melania had met. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morocco's King Mohammed VI sent a longer message to Trump, per the Moroccan Embassy in the U.S. "As we address an array of increasingly complex regional and global challenges, the Kingdom of Morocco will be, more than ever, a true friend and loyal ally of the United States, King Mohammed wrote, emphasizing his determination to work closely with Trump to advance our shared interests and further enhance our unique alliance across all levels of cooperation. (Read their press release here.) Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa extended his heartfelt congratulations and warm wishes to President Trump, wishing him success in leading the US toward greater progress, prosperity, and advancement, according to Bahrain News Agency. His Majesty also expressed his deep pride in the longstanding and historic ties that unite Bahrain and the United States, underscoring the solid foundations and strong pillars upon which their partnership is built, as well as the mutual respect and enduring friendship shared between their peoples. Furthermore, His Majesty reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the strategic relationship between Bahrain and the United States. Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah: It is with great pleasure that I extend my warmest congratulations to you on your inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America. Brunei Darussalam and the United States of America have shared an enduring friendship which has strengthened to new heights over the years, deeply-rooted in much-valued cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security as well as people-to-people exchanges. As we elevate our two countries' 40 years of diplomatic relations to a Strategic Partnership, I look forward to working closely with you again to enhance our bilateral and regional cooperation, particularly through the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. He concluded with an invitation to Brunei: At this opportunity, I would like to invite you to make a State Visit to Brunei Darussalam at a mutually convenient date. With my best wishes to you and your family for your continued good health, and for much success in your second Presidential term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We'll update this story if more royals from around the world send messages to Trump. You Might Also Like Ruben Gallego didnt run to be the next John McCain or Kyrsten Sinema a new party-crossing maverick senator from Arizona. But thats exactly how hes starting out. Just days into his Senate career, the Democrat threw his support behind the Laken Riley Act lending crucial momentum to the GOP-authored immigration bill that would force the incarceration of many undocumented immigrants accused of crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Gallego said it could be just the first of many votes he takes with Republicans on immigration and border issues the reason he believes Democrats lost so broadly in 2024. Im bringing the perspective of working class Latinos from Arizona, he said. And that perspective, I think, has been missing. Handing President Donald Trump an early win on his signature issue is not where many Democrats expected the 45-year-old son of Mexican and Colombian immigrants to end up just two years ago, when he launched a challenge to Sinema. At the time, he lambasted the Democrat-turned-independents cross-aisle alliances that served to rein in his partys legislative ambitions. Gallegos decision to back the GOP immigration bill, which passed the Senate Monday and could get to Trumps desk later this week, raises the possibility that Minority Leader Chuck Schumer might have a fresh headache on his hands as he tries to maintain a united front against the unified Republican government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already House Republicans have sent another targeted immigration bill to the Senate, this one dealing with accused domestic abusers, hoping to exploit the split in the Democratic ranks. More piecemeal bills are expected to be on the way. Gallego said he has zero intention of playing the role of problem child in the same way that Sinema or Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia did in previous Congresses. He said he gave Schumer a heads-up on his decision to support the bill, saying he intends to be very transparent about where we're going to be and why. The Laken Riley Act has been savaged on the left as a misguided and overbroad measure, with one prominent activist group calling its supporters complicit in perpetuating Trumps plans for mass cruelty and eroding trust in our nation as a place of refuge and opportunity. Only 11 of the 47 senators in the Democratic caucus joined Gallego in voting for final passage Monday. Many of the opponents represent states where immigration issues play much differently. (Arizonas senior Democratic senator, Mark Kelly, supported it.) And they largely kept mum about the role he played in advancing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just dont comment on other peoples votes, said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a Laken Riley Act opponent who helped craft last years ill-fated bipartisan border bill. I wont speak for my colleagues, added Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), one of six other Latinos in the Senate. I don't represent Arizona. I represent New Mexico. I voted against it. Yet Gallego is unabashed about his desire to bring his colleagues along on these issues. There has been this misunderstanding about where Latinos are when it comes to border and border security, he said. I'm here to bring some more real truth about what people are thinking and so people here and senators here aren't necessarily reliant on these immigration groups that are, I think, a lot of times, largely out of touch with where your average Latino is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallego brings credibility to that fight. He eked out a two-point Senate victory in Arizona over Republican Kari Lake as Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris lost to Trump by six. But his tough-on-the-border campaign rhetoric represented a shift from how he got started in politics, as part of a group campaigning against an Arizona state law empowering police to check individuals immigration status. He credits his win to understanding how Latino voters in his state and broadly across the country feel about border security and immigration. Now with Democrats doing some major soul-searching on what went wrong in 2024, he is explicitly arguing that his tough approach could help them find their way out of the political wilderness. I think that [the Trump campaign was] just closer to where people were, he said. Our campaign, I think the reason why we did as well as we did is because we nailed it exactly where we wanted. Thats music to the ears of Republicans. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), the Laken Riley Acts lead sponsor, said she was thrilled to have Gallego on board with the bill she led through the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That takes courage, and it also means youre listening to the American people, she said. Youre talking to a member who voted on a lot of bipartisan bills, added Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who joined Democrats on recent bipartisan infrastructure and gun measures. And now it's time for people like Gallego to stand up and see if they're committed to bipartisanship, and that's a good first step. Gallego wasnt the first Democratic senator to back the Laken Riley Act, named after a Georgia nursing student murdered by an undocumented immigrant last year that was Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.). But he was the first Latino to do so, and he is now speaking out not only about where his party should go but about where it has been. The position that some Democrats have taken in the past ... is that there shouldn't be limits on people crossing the border, that there shouldn't be deportations, that there shouldn't be restrictions for people that are causing problems, like the monster that killed Laken Riley, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His constituents feel differently: They want more Border Patrol, they want more border investments and enforcement and they also want immigration reform, Gallego said. Gallego isnt ruling out working with Republicans on other issues on a case-by-case basis. But he also said doesnt intend to follow in the footsteps of Sinema, who cultivated close ties with Republican colleagues and worked in tandem with Manchin to reduce and delay Democrats big spending plans under former President Joe Biden. And dont expect him to go taking Mar-a-Lago meetings with Trump, as Fetterman did last week. I'm not that kind of politician, Gallego said. Look, my relationship with the Trump administration is going to be around policy. (Bloomberg) -- Marco Rubio, a veteran Republican senator who once ran against Donald Trump for the partys presidential nomination, was confirmed as his secretary of state, the first of the presidents second-term nominees to be approved by the Senate. Most Read from Bloomberg Rubio, who served 14 years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is one of Trumps more conventional cabinet choices and was cleared by a vote of 99 to 0 on Monday. His speedy confirmation was less a reflection of Trumps priorities and more a sign of the broad support he had from his former colleagues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of Rubios stances could put him at odds with his new boss. Hes a strong supporter of the NATO alliance, which Trump has often criticized. If push comes to shove, we have to be strong on the side of our allies, Rubio, 53, said at the Capitol after the vote. He has repeatedly brushed aside concerns that he might get crosswise of the president. Rubio has embraced Trumps America First outlook, pledging in his confirmation hearing to reorient US foreign policy toward making America stronger and safer. Still, there are questions about how much influence Rubio will have as the nations top diplomat. Trump is already being advised by billionaires such as Elon Musk, who has goaded UK and German leaders, and appointed a raft of friends and advisers as special envoys to oversee some of Washingtons most important foreign policy priorities including the Ukraine-Russia war and the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the vote, Rubio said ending the war in Ukraine will be a top priority, and he plans to begin negotiating it immediately. It needs to end, he told reporters. Rubio has previously defended Trumps position to bring a swift end to the Russian invasion, calling for talks that could lead to Kyiv giving up territory. On the Middle East, Rubio on Monday touted very unique opportunities that now exist in the region that didnt exist just 90 days ago, with Syria, with Lebanon. But, he added, that begins with complying with the fragile ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Rubio has taken an aggressive stance on Chinas emergence as an economic power and will be the first US secretary of state to have been sanctioned by Beijing. He backed the bill to ban the Chinese-owned video sharing app TikTok. Trump had initially supported a ban but warmed to the app and has promised to give it a reprieve for now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio has been fierce critic of leftist dictatorships in Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua and of Irans Islamic clerical regime. More challenging confirmations await. Some senators have privately expressed reservations about Trumps pick for director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, and no date has been set for her confirmation hearing. Pete Hegseth, the nominee for defense secretary, appears likely to be confirmed despite near-unanimous Democratic opposition and concerns about past allegations of sexual assault, financial mismanagement and alcohol abuse. The Senate Armed Services Committee approved Hegseths nomination on Monday, sending it to the floor for a vote. Trump barely mentioned foreign policy in his inaugural address on Monday. He reiterated his threat to take back the Panama Canal but otherwise didnt mention global hot spots such as Ukraine and Iran that had featured in his campaign. He did repeat a threat to impose tariffs on other nations though held off doing so for now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates starting in fourth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. WASHINGTON (AP) Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Tuesday with his counterparts from Australia, India and Japan as the Trump administration kicked off its formal foreign policy engagements in discussions with the Indo- Pacific Quad. The ministers reaffirmed their countries' commitment to the format and its goals and indicated their leaders would meet in the coming months. The grouping of the four countries has been seen by many as an initiative to counter or at least slow Chinas increasing assertiveness and aggressiveness in the region, something over which President Donald Trump and his predecessors, including former President Joe Biden, have all expressed deep concern. The timing of Tuesdays meeting on Trump's first full day in office and just hours after Rubio was sworn in as Americas top diplomat suggests it will remain a priority for Trump. And, in a joint statement released after the meeting, the ministers suggested a new Quad summit would be held this year in India, continuing an upgrade of the relationship from foreign ministers to leaders initiated by the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our four nations maintain our conviction that international law, economic opportunity, peace, stability, and security in all domains including the maritime domain underpin the development and prosperity of the peoples of the Indo-Pacific, they said. We also strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion, they said in a not-so-subtle reference to China. The two-paragraph joint statement was the only indication of how the meeting unfolded as none of the ministers Rubio, Australian Penny Wong, Indian S. Jaishankar or Japanese Iwaya Takeshi spoke as they opened their meeting at the State Department. Instead they stood silent and expressionless in front of their respective flags before journalists were ushered out. And, none of them spoke at photo opportunities before individual meetings that Rubio hosted afterward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Quad was established in 2007 to bring together countries that had worked together in response to the devastating 2004 earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Its members stress its diplomatic nature and broad focus on regional issues, including infrastructure, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, climate change and maritime security. Even though security is only part of the mix, the Quad is a major component of the American strategy to counter Chinas growing assertiveness and vast territorial claims in the region, including to virtually all of the strategically important South China Sea and the democratic self-governing island of Taiwan. The strategic element to the Quad has prompted China to accuse the four countries of attempting to form an Asian NATO, though it is a very different construction and has no mutual-defense pact, a key component to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance. During his time in the Senate, Rubio was a China hawk and he has been sanctioned by the Chinese government for outspoken remarks about the country's human rights record, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week in his confirmation hearing, Rubio called China the most potent, dangerous and near-peer adversary this nation has ever confronted." Earlier Tuesday, Rubio made his first appearance at the State Department as secretary of state and called on U.S. diplomats to forcefully defend and execute Trumps America First policies. The voters decide the course of our nation, both domestically and abroad, and they have elected Donald J. Trump as our president when it comes to foreign policy on a very clear mission, Rubio told them. And that mission is to ensure that our foreign policy is centered on one thing, and that is the advancement of our national interest, which (was) clearly defined through his campaign as anything that makes us stronger or safer or more prosperous. And that will be our mission, that will be our job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has been publicly skeptical of the value of the State Department since his first term in office and, as he has done with other agencies, accused some in the diplomatic corps of working to blunt or derail his policy priorities. Rubio paid tribute to the men and women of the State Department, calling them the greatest, the most effective, the most talented, the most experienced diplomatic corps in the history of the world. But, his arrival came amid a wave of resignations demanded by Trumps team of career diplomats from senior positions in the State Department bureaucracy and U.S. embassies around the world. The full extent of the resignations sought by the incoming administration remained unclear on Tuesday but began in earnest on Friday when a large number of career diplomats holding politically appointed posts, such as undersecretaries and assistant secretaries of state, were told to resign. On Monday, the demand for resignations grew to include career diplomats serving as ambassadors as well as lower-ranking staffers. The Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fl.) as Americas 72nd secretary of State, putting in place the first member of President Trumps cabinet on the day of his inauguration. Rubios confirmation vote passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 99-0. Rubio also was able to cast a vote for himself. No one on this body can doubt that Marco Rubio is an intelligent man with remarkable understanding of American foreign policy and a very deep commitment to the American Dream, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said in remarks on the Senate floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubios Senate seat will be filled by Florida state Attorney General Ashley Moody. As the son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio is the first Latino American to serve as top diplomat. A 14-year veteran of the Senate, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Rubios nomination as secretary of State brought relief to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and Americas allies abroad concerned over Trumps unpredictable and chaotic approach to foreign affairs. Alongside Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virg.), Rubio co-sponsored legislation that would prevent any president from withdrawing from NATO, a move viewed as safeguarding Americas position in the alliance in the face of Trumps threats to withdraw the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump in recent weeks has telegraphed imperialist goals, expressing his desire to assume ownership of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, as well as talk of making Canada the 51st state and taking over the Panama Canal from Panama. The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, Trump said during his inauguration address. Trump singled out retaking control of the Panama Canal in his address as an imperative to counter Chinas influence in the strategic waterway. Panamas president has rejected that the canal is under foreign influence. Rubio, during his confirmation hearing, said that the presence of Chinese companies on either side of the canal has raised concern from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and poses a national security risk to the U.S. in one example of how he is planning to thread the needle of explaining some of Trumps threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In reality a foreign power today possesses, through their companies which we know are not independent the ability to turn the canal into a choke point in a moment of conflict and that is a direct threat to the national interest and security of the United States, he said. Rubio, viewed as a China hawk, is sending early signals of his focus on countering Beijings global influence ambitions, scheduling bilateral and group meetings in Washington with American allies on the frontlines of Chinese aggression the day after the inauguration. This includes a bilateral meeting with Japans Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and a joint meeting with the foreign ministers of Japan, Australia and India, the so-called Quad. The foreign ministers were present at Trumps inauguration at the Capitol on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The groups meeting demonstrates an iron-clad commitment to close cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Australias Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters in Washington on Sunday, Reuters reported. Wong posted a photo from Trumps inauguration ceremony at Capitol Hill alongside Japans Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Indias Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. Also in the photo was Maltas Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg. The meetings are expected to take place Tuesday, a nod to the confidence that Rubios confirmation vote would move through quickly. Rubio has called for making the State Department highly relevant again, but its unclear how much influence the State Department will have in a Trump administration where the president has appointed a slew of special envoys to take on specific foreign policy challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps spick for Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, already has a win under his belt by working hand-in-hand with the Biden administration to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. Trump has also appointed a Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, part of his push to end the nearly three-year war. And Trump has anointed Richard Grenell, his former ambassador to Germany, whose name was floated as a potential secretary of State, for the undefined role of Presidential Envoy for Special Missions. Rubio steps into a role filled by two people during Trumps first term: Rex Tillerson, a former oil executive who was fired by Trump after 423 days in the role, and then Mike Pompeo, a former House member and CIA director under Trump. Rubio was a fierce Trump critic during the contest for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. But he has evolved to a staunch loyalist, a shift cemented when Trump chose him for secretary of State one week after he won the election. He is widely seen as a potential presidential contender again in 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. The Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as Americas 72nd secretary of State, putting in place the first member of President Trumps Cabinet on the day of his inauguration. Rubios confirmation vote passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 99-0. Rubio also was able to cast a vote for himself. No one on this body can doubt that Marco Rubio is an intelligent man with remarkable understanding of American foreign policy and a very deep commitment to the American dream, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said in remarks on the Senate floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubios Senate seat will be filled by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. As the son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio is the first Latino American to serve as top diplomat. A 14-year veteran of the Senate, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Rubios nomination as secretary of State brought relief to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and Americas allies abroad concerned over Trumps unpredictable and chaotic approach to foreign affairs. Alongside Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Rubio co-sponsored legislation that would prevent any president from withdrawing from NATO, a move viewed as safeguarding Americas position in the alliance in the face of Trumps threats to withdraw the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Rubio is not expected to act as a barrier to Trumps foreign policy desires. The new president in recent weeks has telegraphed imperialist goals, expressing his desire to assume ownership of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, as well as talk of making Canada the 51st state and taking over the Panama Canal from Panama. The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, Trump said during his inauguration address. He singled out retaking control of the Panama Canal in his speech as an imperative to counter Chinas influence in the strategic waterway. Panamas president has rejected that the canal is under foreign influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio, during his confirmation hearing, said that the presence of Chinese companies on either side of the canal has raised concern from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and poses a national security risk to the U.S. in one example of how he is planning to thread the needle of explaining some of Trumps threats. In reality a foreign power today possesses, through their companies which we know are not independent the ability to turn the canal into a choke point in a moment of conflict and that is a direct threat to the national interest and security of the United States, he said. Rubio, viewed as a China hawk, is sending early signals of his focus on countering Beijings global influence ambitions, scheduling bilateral and group meetings in Washington with American allies on the front lines of Chinese aggression the day after the inauguration. This includes a bilateral meeting with Japans Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and a joint meeting with the foreign ministers of Japan, Australia and India, the so-called Quad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foreign ministers were present at Trumps inauguration Monday at the Capitol. The groups meeting demonstrates an iron-clad commitment to close cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Australias Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters Sunday in Washington, Reuters reported. Wong posted a photo from Trumps inauguration ceremony at Capitol Hill alongside Iwaya and Indias Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. Also in the photo was Maltas Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg. The meetings are expected to take place Tuesday, a nod to the confidence that Rubios confirmation vote would move through quickly. Rubio has called for making the State Department highly relevant again, but its unclear how much influence the State Department will have in a Trump administration where the president has appointed a slew of special envoys to take on specific foreign policy challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps pick for special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, already has a win under his belt by working hand-in-hand with the Biden administration to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. Trump has also appointed a special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, part of his push to end the nearly three-year war. And Trump has appointed Richard Grenell, his former ambassador to Germany, whose name was floated as a potential secretary of State, for the undefined role of presidential envoy for special missions. Rubio steps into a role filled by two people during Trumps first term: Rex Tillerson, a former oil executive who was fired by Trump after 423 days in the role, and then Mike Pompeo, a former House member and CIA director under Trump. Rubio was a fierce Trump critic during the contest for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. But he has evolved to a staunch loyalist, a shift cemented when Trump chose him for secretary of State one week after he won the election. He is widely seen as a potential presidential contender again in 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 7:16 p.m. Copyright 2025 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. Explosions were reported in the city of Mykolaiv on the evening of 21 January as Russian forces launched an attack with seven strike drones, resulting in damage to residential buildings. Source: Ukrainian Air Force; Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych Details: At 22:41, Sienkevych reported an explosion in Mykolaiv. At 23:06, he announced that more explosions were being heard. The Ukrainian Air Force said strike drones were heading towards the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 23:16, the all-clear was given in Mykolaiv. Later, the Oblast Military Administration reported that Russian forces had attacked Mykolaiv with seven strike drones. Several apartment buildings were damaged and fires broke out. Support UP or become our patron! Intelligence officials in the U.S. and Europe have suggested that recent incidents damaging critical cables in the Baltic Sea were accidental, according to a Washington Post report. Western geostrategic self-deception has overly emphasized fears of escalation and cornering Russia. It would be naive to assume that the repeated cutting of cables in the Baltic Sea, along with the recent leak, is purely accidental. Persistent incidents of poor seamanship in one of the worlds most strategically significant maritime environments cannot be easily dismissed. Some within the Western foreign policy establishment may believe that this assessment signals de-escalation and patience toward Russia particularly with Donald Trump poised to take office. For them, the recently announced NATO operation in the Baltic is framed as mere maritime traffic control and accident prevention, requiring a more militarized presence for the sake of efficiency. The leak aligns with an unfortunate pattern of de-escalatory signaling to Russia. Yet others see the pattern of shadow fleet accidents as deliberate provocations with deeper geostrategic motivations, reflecting a tendency to escalate. A reasonable alternative to the accidents happen explanation is that the current and past incidents, which remain under investigation due to the inherent deniability, are the result of deliberate malice. Instead of downplaying these actions, a strong message of strategic resolve must be sent to Moscow. The cable-cutting occurred due to the self-evident, deliberate, and negligent actions of Russias shadow fleet. While tactical leaks to the media may ease tensions, they only do so for the intended audience. For Russia, however, these leaks signal Western discord, encouraging both recklessness and further sabotage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A reasonable alternative to the accidents happen explanation is that the current and past incidents are the result of deliberate malice. There are clear geopolitical reasons for giving Russia the benefit of the doubt when it comes to these sabotage incidents. The investigation is challenging and may not produce conclusive evidence. Authorities may want the issue to disappear to avoid unwanted attention and scrutiny. Moreover, the situation drains already limited military resources, and some countries are less motivated to escalate tensions in the Baltic Sea, particularly with elections on the horizon. However, putting too much emphasis on these concerns risks provoking further Russian aggression and weakening deterrence. As the Finns say, The Russians will keep pushing with their bayonet until it hits something hard. Another Finnish saying, from their geopolitically pressured times, is that Moscow is not a district court. Russia respects the law only when it benefits them or when forced to do so, while Finland has always been committed to international law. Investigations are being conducted as thoroughly as possible, but conclusive attribution is difficult, as seen in numerous other suspected instances of Russian sabotage across Europe and North America. While the intent remains hard to establish, that shouldnt lead to granting Russia an implicit plea deal or allowing them to escape accountability. Its essential to see the forest for the trees. The repeated reckless actions by Russia should already be alarming enough to warrant countermeasures. The precautionary principle demands the establishment of deterrence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NATO has contributed to this by launching the Baltic Sentry operation. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte initiated the summit in Helsinki last week. Although not all NATO countries were invited, it was not just a Nordic-Baltic effort. More than half of Russias energy exports pass through a critical corridor from St. Petersburg, through the narrow Gulf, and into the Danish Straits. If Russias recklessness continues, this vital corridor, which allows for innocent passage, must be tightened. Legal measures to restrict this main artery include environmental, seaworthiness, and insurance inspections. The United Nations' maritime convention, UNCLOS, also provides valuable alternatives. If Russia continues to abuse the line between war and peace, other legal frameworks, beyond UNCLOS, could become actionable. Russia views the Black, Baltic, and Arctic Seas as part of a unified geopolitical theater. The West should not engage in petty tactics like selective intelligence leaks. These are highly strategic waters, which Russia considers its imperial playground. Unfortunately, Chinese-registered ships have also been involved, as the Baltic Sea may serve as a rehearsal for the maritime blockade of Taiwan. Western reactions are carefully monitored. Ultimately, the Baltic Sea incidents are about testing Russias defense thresholds. Leaks should not stem from minor disagreements or short-term considerations; when intelligence is leaked, it must convey a message of containment and deterrence. Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Submit an Opinion Read also: Trump sees peace in Ukraine as a deal but refuses to play his winning hand Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that if the current phase of the war ends without reliable security guarantees for Ukraine, a future Russian attack will be much more dangerous and will threaten all countries that were once part of the Soviet "sphere of influence". Source: Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in Davos, as reported by European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy noted that the Russian forces fighting against Ukraine are about three times larger than at the beginning of the full-scale war, now comprising 608,000 personnel. In addition, Russia has launched its military-industrial complex at full capacity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Zelenskyy: "What would Putin do if there are no clear security guarantees? If he comes back, he will definitely come back with an army 10 times larger than the one he had in early 2022. It is already almost four times larger. And when he comes back with these troops, what will he come back for? For the complete occupation of all countries that were once republics in the Soviet Union this is No. 1." Details: Zelenskyy also warned of potential Russian aggression against EU and NATO member states as a means of blackmail. Quote from Zelenskyy: "He [Putin ed.] will do what he did with our Crimea he will enter other EU and NATO countries to stay there for a little while to make certain demands, certain ultimatums to other countries. Someone will be forced to leave NATO our Baltic friends, Finland, Sweden. He will bring us all back to his world, which lives in his head." Background: In his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that it is time for Europe to take its destiny into its own hands and become stronger and more capable of being as valuable an ally for the United States as the United States is for Europe. Zelenskyy said that European states should not try to cut costs on their security and indirectly supported the call of new US President Donald Trump to increase NATO allies' defence spending to 5% of GDP. Support UP or become our patron! The Russians have attacked Ukraine with 4 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 131 Shahed drones and decoy UAVs of various types on the night of 20-21 January. None of the drones have reached their target. Source: Ukraines Air Force on Telegram Quote: "As of 09:00, the downing of 72 Shahed attack drones and drones of other types has been confirmed in Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia and Rivne oblasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fifty-nine enemy decoy drones disappeared from radar (without aftermath)." Details: The missiles were launched from Russias Voronezh Oblast and the drones were launched from the Russian cities of Millerovo, Orel and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. It was reported that institutions, outbuildings and houses were damaged in Poltava and Cherkasy oblasts. Early reports indicate no casualties or injuries. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces attacked the Prydnipro Railway infrastructure, leaving three railway workers injured. Source: Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, chairman of the board of Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways), on Facebook Details: Pertsovskyi said the staff responded promptly: when the air raid warning was issued, they secured the train, gathered the passengers, and escorted them to the depot shelter. Quote: "We'll restore the train, but the most important thing is that lives were saved! Ill meet with my colleagues in the coming days to personally commend their quick actions!" Support UP or become our patron! Russian attacks against Ukraine injured at least 15 civilians over the past day, regional authorities reported on Jan. 21. Russia attacked Ukraine with four Iskander-M ballistic missiles overnight, the Air Force said. Moscow also launched 131 Shahed-type drones and decoy drones, Ukraines Air Force reported on their Telegram channel. Ukrainian air defenses reportedly shot down 72 drones, while 59 other drones were lost in the airspace without causing further damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three people were injured in Russian attacks against Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Governor Serhii Lysak reported on his Telegram channel. These included two railway workers, Ukrainian Railways said. Three people were also injured in Russian strikes in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported on his Telegram channel. The casualties were reported in Kostiantynivka, Lyman, and Druzhkivske. Two police officers were injured during a Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. In Kherson Oblast, six people were injured in strikes against Kherson and 38 other settlements, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 49-year-old man was wounded in a Russian attack on the Vasylivka district of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported on his Telegram channel. Read also: Russias primitive glide bombs are still outmatching Ukraines air defenses, killing more civilians Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. On the evening of 21 January, Russian forces attacked the settlement of Nedryhailiv in the Romny district of Sumy Oblast, leaving two people injured. Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration Quote: "This evening, 21 January 2025, the enemy attacked the settlement of Nedryhailiv in the Romny district using UAVs. A production facility was damaged and two people sustained injuries." Details: After 21:00, Russian drones also struck a residential area in the city of Sumy, damaging housing. Early reports indicate no casualties. Support UP or become our patron! Three police officers and two civilians were injured as a result of an attack by a Russian Molniya-2 drone in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast. Source: Kharkiv police Quote: "The Russians attacked police again in Kharkiv Oblast. Investigators are documenting the occupiers crimes. Three law enforcement officers and a civilian couple were injured." Policeman injured in the attack Photo: National Police of Ukraine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Russian troops launched a Molniya-2 drone on police officers on duty in Kupiansk at around 9:00 on 21 January. Three police officers received shrapnel wounds of varying severity. They are being provided with medical assistance. A police car was damaged. A civilian car also came under fire. A 64-year-old woman and her 68-year-old husband, residents of Kupiansk, were injured. An investigative team is working at the scene. The crime is being documented and material evidence of the Russian war crime is being seized. Support UP or become our patron! Drones attacked military and critical infrastructure facilities in Russia on the night of 20-21 January, including the Smolensk Aviation Plant which manufactures Su-25 attack aircraft. Source: Andrii Kovalenko, Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council; local Telegram channels; Russian governors Quote from Kovalenko: "This plant [the Smolensk Aviation Plant] is closely connected with other businesses of the Russian defence industrial base, supplying components or involved in collaboration to create modern aircraft systems." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Several Russian Telegram channels reported that drones attacked an oil refinery in the city of Yartsevo in Smolensk Oblast on the night of 20-21 January. Smolensk Oblast Governor Vasily Anokhin claimed that air defence systems were responding and drones had been downed. It was also reported that drones had targeted an oil refinery in the town of Liski in Voronezh Oblast. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed to have destroyed 55 Ukrainian drones over the territories of six oblasts. "The 22 [drones were downed] over the territory of Bryansk Oblast, 12 over Rostov Oblast, 10 over Smolensk, 6 UAVs over Voronezh Oblast, 4 over Saratov Oblast and one over Kursk Oblast," the Russian Defence Ministry stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BAZA Telegram channel reported on 21 January that the threat of drone attacks remained in Kazan and Ulyanovsk, where local airports had implemented the Kovyor (Carpet) plan, causing delays to departures and arrivals. [A Kovyor plan is an airport operational safety procedure for airport services and personnel when an unidentified object appears in the sky ed.] Background: On 15 January, authorities in Russias Voronezh Oblast reported a drone attack on an oil depot. On 20 January, authorities in Russias Kaluga Oblast reported a drone attack targeting Kazan. The citys airport suspended operations and falling debris set fire to premises belonging to a business. Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- Russias seaborne crude exports saw their biggest drop since November last week after outgoing US President Joe Biden imposed sweeping sanctions on the countrys oil trade, with early signs that the measures are reshaping flows. Most Read from Bloomberg The slump kept the less volatile four-week average below 3 million barrels a day for a fourth week and close to a recent 16-month low, according to vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the latest sanctions were announced, there have been several signs of disruption, with tankers diverting, buyers looking elsewhere and an emerging shortage of un-sanctioned vessels available to load cargoes at Kozmino, Russias most important eastern port. The measures will be felt particularly strongly in Russias Pacific flows. About three-quarters of ESPO cargoes shipped since the start of October were carried on vessels that have now been sanctioned, while the entire fleets of specialized shuttle tankers used by the Sakhalin 1 and Sakhalin 2 oil and gas projects have also been blacklisted. Ultimately, the impact on volumes will depend on how rigorously the sanctions are enforced by the incoming administration in Washington. India has said that it will allow sanctioned tankers booked before Jan. 10, when the US announced its latest measures, to discharge at its ports until March 12, the end of a US-imposed wind-down period. But the countrys state-owned refiners say the impact may be temporary, as Moscow finds workarounds. They also expect the new Trump administration to take a softer line against Moscow. The first sanctioned vessel to take on a Russian cargo after the Jan. 10 measures has discharged its load in China. The Zaliv Baikal offloaded about 700,000 barrels of Sakhalin Blend crude at Lianyungangs Xinhaiwan terminal on Sunday, having loaded it a day after it was sanctioned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crude Shipments A total of 26 tankers loaded 19.26 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to Jan. 19, vessel-tracking data and port-agent reports show. The volume was down from 21.06 million barrels on 27 ships the previous week. Daily crude flows in the seven days to Jan. 19 were fell by about 260,000 barrels, or 9%, from the previous week to 2.75 million. Lower flows from the countrys Black Sea, Arctic and Pacific ports were partly offset by an increase in shipments from the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk. Flows from the smaller Baltic port of Ust-Luga remain depressed after an unexpected slump in late December. Shipments from Russias most important Pacific port, Kozmino, rose slightly, but remained hampered by strong winds, with gusts reaching 30 miles an hour mid-week, according to data for nearby Nakhodka from Visualcrossing.com. Flows from the other two Pacific ports, which are tied to two separate projects off the coast of Sakhalin Island, both fell last week, but remain within their usual patterns over a four-week period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less volatile four-week average flows were unchanged from the previous weeks revised number, at 2.94 million barrels a day. Crude shipments in the first three weeks of 2025 were about 340,000 barrels a day, or 10%, below the average for the whole of the previous year. Two cargoes of Kazakhstans KEBCO crude were loaded at Novorossiysk on the Black Sea during the week. Russia terminated its export targets at the end of May, opting instead to restrict production, in line with its partners in the OPEC+ oil producers group. The countrys output target is set at 8.978 million barrels a day until the end of March, after a planned easing of some output cuts was delayed for a third time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow has also pledged to make deeper output cuts between March and September to compensate for pumping above its OPEC+ quota last year, though this schedule could be revised. Export Value A jump in the price of Russian crude partly offset the marked decline in exports to leave the gross value of Moscows exports down by about $69 million to $1.38 billion in the week to Jan. 19. Export values at Baltic ports were up week-on-week by about $3.40 a barrel, while those for Black Sea loading increased by about $3.90 a barrel. The price for key Pacific grade ESPO rose by about $1.50 compared with the previous week. Delivered prices in India were up by about $4.20, all according to numbers from Argus Media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four-week average income rose to about $1.39 billion a week, from $1.37 billion in the period to Jan. 12. On this basis, the price of Russias shipments from the Baltic in the four weeks to Jan. 19 was up by about $2.20 a barrel from the period to Jan. 12, while those for Black Sea loading increased by about $2.10 a barrel. Prices for key Pacific grade ESPO were higher by about $1.30 a barrel. Flows by Destination Observed shipments to Russias Asian customers, including those showing no final destination, fell to 2.57 million barrels a day in the four weeks to Jan. 19. Thats about 20% below the average level seen during the most recent peak in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 980,000 barrels a day of crude were loaded onto tankers heading to China. The Asian nations seaborne imports are boosted by about 800,000 barrels a day of crude delivered from Russia by pipeline, either directly, or via Kazakhstan. Flows on ships signaling destinations in India averaged 1.33 million barrels a day, down from a revised 1.41 million for the period to Jan. 12. The Indian figures, in particular, are likely to rise as the discharge ports become clear for vessels that are not currently showing final destinations. Most of those heading from Russias western ports through the Suez Canal end up in the south Asian nation. The equivalent of about 240,000 barrels a day was on vessels signaling Port Said or Suez in Egypt. Those show up as Unknown Asia until a final destination becomes apparent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another 730,000 barrels, equal to about 30,000 barrels a day over a 28-day period, are on a tanker that is yet to show a destination outside Russia. Russias seaborne crude exports to European countries have ceased, with flows to Bulgaria halted at the end of 2023. Moscow also lost about 500,000 barrels a day of pipeline exports to Poland and Germany at the start of 2023, when those countries stopped purchases. Turkey is now the only short-haul market for shipments from Russias western ports, with flows in the 28 days to Jan. 19 up by 100,000 barrels a day from the period to Jan. 12 to about 370,000 barrels a day, its highest since November. NOTES Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story forms part of a weekly series tracking shipments of crude from Russian export terminals and the gross value of those flows. The next update will be on Tuesday, Jan. 28. All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. Those are shipments made by KazTransoil JSC that transit Russia for export through Novorossiysk and Ust-Luga and are not subject to European Union sanctions or a price cap. The Kazakh barrels are blended with crude of Russian origin to create a uniform export stream. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has rebranded its cargoes to distinguish them from those shipped by Russian companies. Vessel-tracking data are cross-checked against port agent reports as well as flows and ship movements reported by other information providers including Kpler and Vortexa Ltd. If you are reading this story on the Bloomberg terminal, click for a link to a PDF file of four-week average flows from Russia to key destinations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Sherry Su. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sir Sadiq Khan has been accused of presiding over a crusade against Londons parks after Transport for London (TfL) urged policymakers to build thousands of homes on the green belt. The row has broken out after TfL wrote to Enfield Council suggesting developers build more than 10,000 homes across Trent Park, a historic area featuring ancient woodlands and a country house dating back to the 18th century. The organisation said that around 570 acres of green belt land in that area could be freed up for housing, compared with Enfields own draft proposal to release around 412 acres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TfLs suggestion, concerning land near the Cockfosters and Oakwood underground stations, is nearly three times that of Enfields proposal to build 3,700 homes in the area. Sir Sadiq, who is chairman of TfL, said at Mayors Question Time last week that he was not aware of TfLs submissions, as he instructed his deputy mayor for transport to look into the matter. Alessandro Georgiou, a Tory councillor for Enfield, urged Sir Sadiq to urgently respond to the proposals: If TfL is going rogue and putting forward suggestions that go against your wishes, which I think are very reasonable when it comes to the green belt, then it doesnt reflect well on you. The Mayors inability to commit to protecting historic parkland, let alone other greenbelt space, deeply worries me and as both an Assembly Member and Councillor I will not let this go until TfLs crusade against our parks is stopped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trent Park dates back to the 14th century when it was part of the extensive Enfield Chase royal hunting forest, with its grounds once used by Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and James I. The country house located within the grounds, which was built by George III in 1777, has recently been restored and is now part-converted into luxury flats with a museum on the lower floors. Trent Park house has recently been restored and is now part-converted into luxury flats with a museum on the lower floors - Andrew Crowley Sir Sadiq has said previously that houses should not be built on parks to meet housing targets, although he recently refused to say whether he could intervene to prevent TfL from putting forward similar ideas in future. Mr Georgiou said: These developments should concern residents and councils across the city if TfL are able to redefine greenbelt land to enable tens of thousands of homes to spring up on Londons treasured green spaces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TfL said the suggestions formed part of high-level studies commissioned to consider how to make the best use of green belt space near Enfields transport hubs. However, TfL stressed that its proposals were simply suggestions to the council and there no developments are yet being lined up. A TfL spokesman said: We are committed to helping London fulfil its housing targets in a sustainable manner. As part of the local plan process, TfL and the GLA have responded to proposals put forward by Enfield for release of green belt. We are concerned that these proposals may not deliver the sustainable development necessary, as they are in locations that are not well served by public transport. In this context, TfL has commissioned some high-level exploratory work to consider opportunities to make the best use of any green belt release here in locations closer to existing transport infrastructure. TfL does not have any proposals for development here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: The Mayor has always made clear his preference for developing on brownfield sites first when identifying land for development. Sadiq is determined to help deliver the homes Londoners desperately need as he continues to build a fairer London for everyone. Separately, Sir Sadiq is planning to carry out a review of the green belt around London to pinpoint grey belt locations for potential development in areas that will otherwise struggle to meet local housing targets. Under its new national planning policy framework (NPPF), the Government is redesignating lower-quality parts of the green belt to free up land for new homes, termed as grey belt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the NPPF, Sir Sadiq has a target to build 88,000 homes per year. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. ENDICOTT, NY (WIVT/WBGH) A Catholic School in Endicott will be closing at the end of the year because of less enrollment. Catholic Schools of Broome County announced a plan to close All Saints School in Endicott at the end of this academic year. All Saints is an elementary school for preschool through sixth grade. In a statement from the Diocese of Syracuse, the students from All Saints School will transition to Saint James School in Johnson City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All faculty, staff and parents were notified on Friday. Then, beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, Seton Catholic Central will be expanded, to create a unified middle school for students from Saint James and Saint John the Evangelist Schools. Catholic Schools of Broome County say the decision will address declining enrollment trends in the region and aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of Catholic education in the area. There will be a parent meeting for All Saints families to discuss the transition. Copyright 2025 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 WIVT - News 34. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Salt Lake City Police Department said its special investigations unit recently executed a search warrant that recovered roughly 80 pounds of concentrated THC. These concentrates have extraordinarily high THC levels ranging from 40 to 80 percent, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. They commonly appear similar to honey or butter and may have a more psychologically and physically intense effect on users. The Salt Lake City Police said the amount recovered has an estimated street value of $1.5 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doesnt feel real: Parents speak after 17-year-old girl chased down, killed in Cedar City In addition to the concentrated THC, detectives also reportedly seized two pounds of raw marijuana and around 200 THC cartridges. It is unclear if anyone was taken into custody for the possession of the drugs. However, SLCPD said detectives were working with prosecutors to determine relevant charges, which could include child endangerment and obstruction of justice charges. The search warrant was executed in Davis County as part of an ongoing investigation led by the Salt Lake City Police Department. As the investigation is still ongoing, police did not release more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) On a day of remembrance and celebration, music and fellowship filled the space inside the World Beat Cultural Center in Balboa Park as dozens of people and families gathered to honor Martin Luther King Jr. We have to remember the struggles, because people sacrificed so much for the rights that we have today, and because the work is ongoing. We cant forget, because we are still in it, we are still in the struggle, said Christina Hsu Accomando, San Diego resident. Trump vows to release JFK, RFK, MLK assassination records in coming days Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The journey for social justice and equality and a more perfect union is a struggle. It takes time, we will get there. I want to work for a better America than today, said Maria Corral Rocha, San Diego resident. Musician, Pato Banton, greeted and performed for the crowd at Mondays event and also reminded guests to never forget. MLK Jr. Human Dignity Award Breakfast takes place in Mission Valley The key thing for us is building beloved community. Its not just putting on a concert and putting on a show and saying goodbye. Were saying, hey guys, lets stay in touch. Lets become a family, a real family, said Pato Banton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, earlier in the day at the Movement BE Center, students from San Diego State University used poetry and painting to express their impressions of the respected activist who fiercely fought for civil rights and equality. Events honoring MLK Jr. in San Diego Students were taught how to use creative arts to harness their voices to create lasting change. Dr. King would have turned 96 years old on January 15. He was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee at 39. Mt. Hope Community Garden honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Alliance San Diego also held a ceremony uplifting Dr. Kings legacy, hosting speakers and performers at the Balboa Park activity center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a glorious day, said Andrea Guerrero of Alliance San Diego. Its a day for us to recommit ourselves to the work that he called us to do, which is treat everyone with dignity and respect and build a beloved community where all of us belong. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Ukrainian drones damaged fuel and lubricant storage tanks at the 8 March plant in Russia's Tula Oblast. Earlier, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine confirmed a successful strike on this oil depot. Source: Radio Liberty Quote: "As can be seen in photos dated 21 January, at least one fuel and lubricant tank at the Rosrezerv 8 March plant in the village of Dedilovo was damaged in the strike." The oil depot before the attack Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Radio Liberty The damaged tank after the 21 January attack Photo: Radio Liberty Details: The governor of Tula Oblast previously stated that during the attack on the night of 17-18 January, a fuel and lubricant tank at one of the region's facilities caught fire. Background: On the night of 17-18 January, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine launched a drone attack on an oil depot in Russia's Tula Oblast, which supplies the Russian forces. The strike caused a fire at the facility. Support UP or become our patron! By Samia Nakhoul and Marwa Rashad DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said on Tuesday he did not see Donald Trump's new administration increasing the risk of an Israel-Iran conflict, addressing an issue the region has feared since the start of Israel's war in Gaza. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud also said in Davos that he hoped President Trump's approach to Iran would be met with a willingness by Tehran to positively engage with the U.S. administration and address the issue of its nuclear programme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Obviously a war between Iran and Israel, any war in our region is something we should try to avoid as much as possible," Prince Faisal said during the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in the Swiss mountain resort. "I don't see the incoming U.S. administration as contributory to the risk of war, on the contrary, President Trump has been quite clear he does not favor conflict." Fears of war between Israel and Iran increased after the Tehran-backed Palestinian Hamas group led a deadly cross-border raid on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, triggering an Israeli military offensive that dragged Iran's allies, including Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthis, into confrontation with Israel. Israel unleashed a devastating war against Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon, decimating the military structure of both groups, shattering Iran's network of influence in the Middle East and upending powerful alliances that led to the ousting of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, another Iran ally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fifteen months after the October attacks, a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was reached. Prince Faisal was speaking at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Switzerland on a panel along with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who helped broker the ceasefire agreement. The Qatari premier said the decisive involvement of Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, had made a profound difference and led to significant progress in reaching the deal. He said he hoped the Palestinian Authority would return to play a governing role in Gaza once the war with Israel comes to an end, adding that Gazans -- and not any other country -- should decide how the enclave is to be governed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How Gaza will be governed after the war was not directly addressed in the deal between Israel and Hamas. Israel has rejected any governing role for Hamas, which ran Gaza before the war, but it has been almost equally opposed to rule by the Palestinian Authority, the body set up under the Oslo interim peace accords three decades ago that has limited governing power in the West Bank. HELPING SYRIA Saudi's Prince Faisal also said the new Syrian government had inherited a broken country with no real institutions and needed international help to rebuild and start from scratch. "It is essential to engage, show patience, and extend effective support to the administration in Damascus by putting out a helping hand," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lifting the burden of sanctions placed on Syria due to the actions of the previous Assad government would be a key step forward. Although the U.S. and Europe have granted some waivers, further action is necessary, the minister said. "Syria is a shattered nation in desperate need of rebuilding. The earlier we engage and the more support we offer, the greater the chances of a successful and stable transition," he said. Qatar's Sheikh Mohammed said Trumps return to the White House presented significant opportunities for collaboration, emphasizing the potential to work together to transform the Middle East into a region of stability and security. "President Trump's whole notion of making America great again is something very important. We also want to see the Middle East great again." he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prince Faisal, whose country shunned Lebanon for years over the strong influence of Hezbollah on state affairs, also said he would visit Beirut later this week, marking the first such trip by a Saudi foreign minister in more than a decade. He said the election of a Lebanese president after a lengthy power vacuum was positive, but that Riyadh needed to see real reforms in order to raise its engagement in the country. (Reporting by Samia Nakhoul and Marwa Rashad in Davos, Maha El Dahan and Nayera Abdallah in Dubai; Writing by Samia Nakhoul; Editing by Mark Heinrich, Frances Kerry, Alexander Smith and Gareth Jones) SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) The Savannah Regional Film Commission (SRFC) has announced major incentive increases as productions continue to decline. The major changes come in the form of increased cash rebates for production companies, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The motion picture rebate has risen from $100,000 to $175,000. For television series, the rebate has increased from $250,000 to $300,000. Savannah continues to offer a bonus incentive of $25,000 to productions employing at least 50% of its crew within 60 miles of City Hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These incentives come in addition to the states film tax credit, which offers production companies an income tax credit of 20%, with an additional 10% if they include the familiar five-second-long Georgia logo in the finished product. Best movies filmed in Savannah, according to WSAV viewers Walker Dalton, executive director for the SFRC, sees the potential for these incentives to serve as a pivotal moment. The temperature of interest is already good, and with the announcement of the incentive, we hope it puts a fire under a couple of producers to cement their agreements to be in Savannah, Dalton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Savannah is the second-most popular filming location in Georgia behind Atlanta. Whereas Atlanta features more sound stages for major productions, Savannah offers a larger rebate. Major productions released within the last two years include Todd Haynes Academy Award-nominated film May December, Clint Eastwoods courtroom drama Juror #2 and the upcoming Amazon Prime series Clean Slate, produced by the late Norman Lear. Productions in Savannah have been on a steady decline following the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) labor strikes. SCAD Film professor: David Lynch invited us in to weird worlds in film Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WSAV-TV. Scattered among President Donald J. Trump's family members, his vice president, his Cabinet appointments and a handful of his billionaire donors on Monday were a few key faces that sent a clear signal: Big Tech is in the presidents inner circle. Behind Ivanka and Donald Jr., a pouf of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerbergs strawberry-blonde curls could be seen. Second Lady Usha Vance and Barron Trump provided a similar framing for Elon Musk, the Tesla, X and SpaceX multibillionaire who spent a quarter-billion dollars on Trumps reelection. Apple CEO Tim Cook, who donated $1 million to the inauguration, sat in front of billionaire entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, the former GOP presidential primary candidate and co-chair of DOGE who is leaving that position to run for Ohio governor. Billionaire Jeff Bezos, head of Amazon, The Washington Post and rocket company Blue Origin, joined them. So did CEO Sundar Pichai and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, a day after Trump's pledge to help the China-based app remain in the U.S. (and four years after Trump tried to ban it in the final months of his first term). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the millions of Americans watching, as well as to Congress, the scene sent a clear signal that the industry Trump once called "dividing and divisive" is now in his good graces. "They have even better seats than Trump's own cabinet picks. That says it all," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., posted on X. How long the cozy relationship between techs most influential execs and the mercurial president will last is anyone's guess. But those in the industry are hoping it leads to the relaxing of regulations that stifled innovation, they say, particularly in the growing sector of AI. Chris Farmer, CEO of SignalFire, a venture capital and technology firm based in San Francisco, told the ABC affiliate there that antitrust laws, higher taxes and overregulation have held back progress. Trump has promised to dismantle AI guardrails that President Joe Biden put in place last year. Farmer says a clear governing framework is needed, such as "what can and can't be done with AI." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That helps the whole ecosystem know where it's okay to play ball and where it's not," Farmer told the TV station. Trump attacked Big Tech throughout much of his first term for what he perceived as online bias against conservatives. His attempts to reduce content moderation on social media stalled in late 2020 as GOP regulators questioned the legality of them. After Facebook and Twitter (now X) banned him from their platforms following the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol attack, Trump called it "a horrible thing for our country." Last March, he deemed Facebook "an enemy of the people." Trump also took aim at Twitter, which has since been purchased by Musk and renamed X; the company scaled back its content moderation following the acquisition. Still, it hasnt all been rosy between Trump and Big Tech in recent months. After his reelection, Trump signaled he wouldnt rule out antitrust enforcement a particularly sore spot for Google. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has also named three critics of the growing power of tech giants to lead the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justices antitrust division. But rather than lobbing criticisms at techs monolithic presence in Americans lives, they specifically take aim at tech companies' content moderation policies, framing their restrictions on certain forms of hate speech and harassment as free speech violations. Brendan Carr, selected as the FCC's leader, vowed to "dismantle the censorship cartel" in a post on X. Andrew Ferguson, chosen by Trump to lead the FTC, made a similar post: "At the FTC, we will end Big Techs vendetta against competition and free speech." Such an approach would be a turnaround from the Biden administration, which regulated the industry but stayed away from debates over free speech, censorship and content. To curry favor with the incoming administration, Zuckerberg and Bezos have both traveled to Mar-a-Lago and made Trump-friendly adjustments to their businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meta gave $1 million to Trumps inauguration, and Zuckerberg co-hosted a black-tie inauguration party on Monday. He ended fact-checking on Meta's Facebook and Instagram platforms earlier this month, rolling back restrictions "on topics like immigration, gender identity and gender." Amazon gave $1 million to the inauguration and reportedly spent $40 million to secure the rights to produce and stream a documentary about Melania Trump. Bezos pulled the plug on his newspaper's drafted endorsement of Kamala Harris and said it would no longer endorse presidential candidates. It's an "age-old practice" for powerful businesspeople to cozy up to an incoming president with expectations to benefit, either in terms of shaping governmental policies or advancing their own interests, said Russell Riley, co-chair of the University of Virginia's Miller Center's Presidential Oral History Program. "The more worrisome prospect is that these titans of new industry will be looked to as sources for governmental or political reform, the theory being that what works for Silicon Valley will work in Washington," Riley said. "My fear as an American institutionalist is that the political adventurers are both untrained in the intricacies of our political order and insufficiently attentive to the structural damage they can do by seeking to hotwire the system to get a quick and efficient outcome they desire." (File/Getty Images) Education majors at four South Carolina colleges will be eligible for stipends while completing year-long student teaching stints thanks to a $6 million federal grant meant to help recruit and retain great teachers. The money from the U.S. Department of Education will fund teacher residencies over a four-year period for education majors attending the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, Columbia College, or Winthrop University, which submitted the application for the group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike traditional student teaching, which in South Carolina must be at least 12 weeks, these year-long residencies are designed to get teachers-in-training more deeply involved in the school where theyre getting hands-on learning in a classroom. Participants also are often placed in schools with higher rates of students living in poverty or with learning disabilities who most need the extra help. The grant will fund a total of 48 students per year across the four colleges, with each receiving a $15,000 stipend. The colleges will develop selection criteria for students over the next few months, according to Lisa Johnson, senior associate to Winthrops dean of education. Officials hope the residencies will better prepare young teachers and keep them in a classroom. Research has shown teachers are most likely to leave the profession within the first five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Carolina has seen some improvement in the number of teacher vacancies in its public schools. Vacancies fell nearly 37%, from 1,380 in fall 2023 to 872 in fall 2024, according to a report from the states Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement, which is housed at Winthrop. Still, the rates remain higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. We are excited to be launching a statewide initiative to establish teacher residencies as a transformative strategy for improving education, Winthrop President Edward Serna said in a statement. It speaks volumes to Winthrops commitment to teacher preparation, recruitment and retention. Training teachers was the original mission of the public college founded in the late 1800s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first round of student teachers in the program will go to middle schools in districts where each college already places student teachers. Future phases will expand into additional grade levels and regions of the state. Winthrop already requires its education majors to participate in year-long internships, but the mandate rarely came with money, said Education Dean Beth Costner. A year-long residency is not a first for the other public colleges either. Clemson has been recognized for the success of its five-year program. And USC has programs for people with bachelors degrees in other fields who are getting a masters degree in education to become a teacher. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) More than 100 South Carolina National Guard soldiers have been activated as winter weather impacts the state. The SC National Guard said approximately 115 of its soldiers activated for state duty Tuesday will support the South Carolina Department of Public Safety and Department of Transportation with vehicle recovery teams. The SC National Guard said it has 14 vehicle recovery teams and 42 vehicles standing ready to help impacted communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teams are currently stages in nine counties across the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated around the world, and in Columbia they have a tradition called King Day at the Dome. Monday was the 25th King Day at the Dome. The event included a statewide prayer service, a march to the capitol, and many speeches. The theme of the day was There Is No Winning In Giving Up, which organizers say honors Couth Carolinas advocacy for human rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President and CEO of the NAACP Derrick Johnson said Monday is a day that reminds us to never quit. For those of us with African decent we have seen this before and we have defeated the evil that came upon us, he said. People from all over South Carolina were fired up to acknowledge and recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including Ianthe Bing, who traveled from Allendale with her middle school choir group. Its raising awareness for the kids to do great things and know that they can reach beyond the stars, being here and being around another engaged community has really pushed boundaries for our school to be able to do greater things, said Bing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jaime Harrison, Chair of the Democratic Party, said its events like these that continue the tradition and fight for equality and justice for all. [Around] 25 years ago, there was a Confederate flag flying over that dome, during the first year of this celebration and because of all of us together, we were able to get that flag down, said Harrison. Progress can happen if we all work together. Harrison said the event proves that people in South Carolina are doing extraordinary things. Copyright 2025 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 WSPA 7NEWS. The Scoop Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang is taking out a full-page ad in The Washington Post on Tuesday with a succinct message for the new US commander-in-chief: Dear President Trump, America must win the AI war. The ad also pointed readers to a five-point plan that would reorient the federal government to invest more in the technology and overhaul priorities for that funding. In an exclusive interview with Semafor, Wang said he was motivated to make his recommendations by a new White House that is both planning to aggressively support new technology and courting input from the industry. Theyre listening, he said. This incoming administration wants to move fast and take a lot of action and really be quite ambitious about a lot of these issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scale, now worth $14 billion, has helped make Wang an influential figure in the industry, with the ear of government officials and tech titans alike. On Monday morning, he was on his way to the Capitol as a guest at Trumps inauguration, along with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, and Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg. Wang, who turned 28 this week and is the worlds youngest self-made billionaire, said the federal government needs to spend more on the development of AI to compete with the Chinese governments massive investment in the area. Money aside, the US should also change how it invests, he said. Currently, the government puts 90% of its AI investment into algorithms, such as academic and theoretical research, he said, with the remaining 10% going toward compute power and data. The allocation of funding to those three pillars of AI, he says, should look more like the private sectors investments: 60% on compute, 30% on data, and 10% on algorithms. Now What? In the AI race, raw compute power is becoming increasingly important as models evolve. New techniques that run models multiple times for better results have led to impressive new reasoning capabilities but consume far more processing power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats undeniable, if you think about what the future is going to look like, is the degree to which the amount of computational capability you have will be directly related to how strong your AI capabilities are, Wang said before he arrived at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Wang also recommends the US government should make a larger effort to cut the red tape on new energy production, inviting pent-up demand for private sector investment in the area. He also argues that the US government needs to embrace the use of AI itself, modernizing how it stores and collects data to be used for national security and other purposes. It gets said a lot that China is just way ahead on data and its going to be impossible for us to catch up. I think its a choice, he said. The US government in many areas, national security being one, actually has far more data than the Chinese Communist Party, and it actually can be a source of great advantage for us. Know More Wang co-founded his company in 2016 to help customers train AI models. Scale has amassed a vast network of hundreds of thousands of contractors globally who can label and generate data used in a wide array of AI training tasks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wangs upbringing in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where his parents were physicists at the National Laboratory, helped instill in him a strong sense of patriotism. He has long warned of Chinas ascendency in AI, which could lead to a military advantage over the US and increase the likelihood of war between the two countries. Wangs view has become popular among Silicon Valleys elite. As the Trump administration taps tech industry veterans to lead on AI policy, some of his recommendations could lead to more action than in the past. Over the weekend, Ive been able to have conversations with a lot of people going into the administration, including some of the cabinet secretaries, and theres basically completely uniform excitement about AI technology, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wang has also suggested a measured approach to AI safety that prioritizes winning the technological race. We need to make sure that we are thoughtful about it and that we set the right standards to ensure that we dont have any sort of major risks or major harms produced by the technology, he said. Safety is not the number one goal. Leadership is the number one goal. Wang also defused fears that AI will cause massive job losses and labor disruptions. Its within our control to make sure thats not the future, he said, arguing that AI will ultimately create more jobs and economic growth, so long as the US finds ways to support workers shifting to new roles created by AI. Reeds view Wang is far from the only heavy hitter in Silicon Valley to call for more government support for the development of AI in the US. But his specific recommendations are worth note because of his prominence in the industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wang is part of a generation of technologists who saw the AI wave early, and hes remained right in the middle of it ever since. During the pandemic, he was roommates with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, a close friend, when the foundations of ChatGPT were being built. Some critics view these ideas as self-interested hype, but I think that simplistic lens is a huge mistake. The consequences of dismissing the importance of AI could be dire for the US. President Trumps inauguration on Monday in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda at times seemed surreal. Hundreds of the worlds most powerful people among them every living former U.S. president as well as billionaire tech executives crammed cheek-by-jowl in the 7,200-square-foot space after the ceremony was moved indoors because of a bitter cold snap, one that prevented the inauguration from taking place outside on the West Front of the Capitol for the first time in four decades. Podcasters mingled with the presidents family. Media and Silicon Valley titans held court alongside longtime GOP donors. Former presidents with sharp policy differences joked before the ceremony even began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former President George W. Bush, who famously said, That was some weird s after Trumps 2017 inaugural address, was asked by a staffer on Monday whether he planned to behave shortly before he entered the rotunda. Former President Obama answered on Bushs behalf: Nope. Read more: Scenes around D.C. as Donald Trump is sworn in as 47th president of the United States The two men, seated near former President Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and behind outgoing President Biden and outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris, appeared to have a running commentary throughout Trumps remarks. Former First Lady Laura Bush sat between Bush and Obama. There were some notable absences former First Lady Michelle Obama, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and former Second Lady Karen Pence, who notably snubbed Trump at former President Carters state funeral on Jan. 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her husband, Mike Pence, who served as Trumps vice president in his first term and whom insurrectionists chanted about killing during the Jan. 6, 2021, effort to overturn Trumps 2020 loss, attended, as did former Vice President Dan Quayle and his wife, Marilyn. Pence previously stated that Trumps reckless words on Jan. 6 endangered everyone at the Capitol that day, including him and his family. The former president and reelected president responded by calling Pence delusional. Dignitaries gathered at the neoclassical site where Trump took the oath of office Monday. It was also the site his supporters had stormed as they sought to stop the certification of the 2020 election. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the chairwoman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, addressed the theme of the event in her opening remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Column: I watched Trump's inauguration with a Democrat and a Republican. Here's what they saw Today President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance will take their oath of office and we will witness the peaceful transfer of power at the heart of our democracy, said Klobuchar, who ran for president in 2020 before dropping out and endorsing Biden. "Our theme this year is our enduring democracy. The presence of so many presidents and vice presidents here today is truly a testament to that endurance. She spoke in front of roughly 600 people beneath the Rotundas grand dome, who were crammed tightly together in folding chairs that appeared more reminiscent of a high school graduation than an inauguration ceremony. Trumps Cabinet appointees received less choice seating than billionaire backers such as Rupert Murdoch, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. Every member of the Supreme Court attended and the room was full of senators and House members who spent much of their time taking selfies and videos for their followers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) called his preemptive pardon from former President Biden, announced Monday for all past members of the now-defunct House. Jan. 6 committee in the final moments of his presidency, unnecessary and unwise. I continue to believe that the grant of pardons to a committee that undertook such important work to uphold the law was unnecessary, and because of the precedent it establishes, unwise, Schiff said in a statement. But I certainly understand why President Biden believed he needed to take this step in light of the persistent and baseless threats issued by Donald Trump and individuals who are now some of his law enforcement nominees. Schiff was one of nine members of the committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, all of whom were offered preemptive pardons by Biden in a clemency action dated Sunday. Biden also pardoned the police officers who testified before the panel and the panels staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those full and unconditional pardons cover any offenses tied to the activities or subject matter of the committee and are not restricted to a specific time period. Though its typical for presidents to grant clemency at the end of their term, Biden has pushed the limits of the presidential pardon power by offering relief to individuals who have so far faced no investigation. Bidens decision comes after repeated vows from President Trump to go after his perceived enemies once back in office. In December, Trump suggested that the members of the House Jan. 6 committee should go to jail. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) chaired the committee, and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) served as second-in-command as vice chair. Other members included then-Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Elaine Luria (D-Va.) and Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.), current Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a joint statement Monday, Thompson and Cheney said they were pardoned not for breaking the law but for upholding it. These are indeed extraordinary circumstances when public servants are pardoned to prevent false prosecution by the government for having worked faithfully as Members of Congress to expose the facts of a months-long criminal effort to override the will of the voters after the 2020 elections, including by inciting a violent insurrection to thwart the peaceful transfer of power, they said in the statement, posted to the social media platform X. The clemency actions came amid a flurry of last-minute pardon announcements from Biden. The former president also preemptively pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley and several of Bidens family members. Biden said Monday morning that the pardons do not indicate the individuals engaged in any wrongdoing, even as his Justice Department suggested in recent court filings for Jan. 6 defendants many of whom are expecting imminent pardons from Trump that accepting a pardon comes with an implicit admission of guilt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who faces an election next month, said on Tuesday that he is aiming for subsidies for electric cars manufactured in Germany. "This requires the go-ahead from the European Commission - a Europe-wide solution would be best," Scholz told the Freie Presse newspaper in the eastern German city of Chemnitz. "The purchase of electric cars cannot simply be decreed," Scholz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, electric models would have to convince consumers, he said, but added that car manufacturers are now offering a growing range of vehicles that are more developed and cheaper. "That makes me confident about the future of the electric car," he said. Although Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) have been trailing badly in the polls ahead of the February 23 election, Scholz also said that he doesn't think the race has already been decided. "The SPD already surprised everyone in the 2021 general election and won. I'm counting on that," he said. In a democracy, it is not pollsters who determine how the country is governed, but the citizens, he added. DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) -Chancellor Olaf Scholz voiced cautious optimism on Tuesday on the potential for German-U.S. relations under President Donald Trump, citing good first talks with his administration, but stressed the importance of "cool heads" in the face of uncertainty. "The United States is our closest ally outside Europe. And I will do everything in my power to ensure that it stays that way," Scholz said in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "My first good conversations with President Trump and also the contacts between our advisers point in this direction," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking on the first full day of Trump's new term in office, Scholz said cooperation between Europe and the United States was key for peace and security worldwide as well as economic progress. However, the German chancellor added that Europe must become more self-reliant. Germany's ambassador to Washington has warned internally of turbulent relations under Trump while German companies have sounded the alarm over threatened tariffs under the new U.S. administration. "In a world that is constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown when viewed through the prism of social media, cool heads are needed," Scholz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Not every press conference in Washington, not every tweet should immediately plunge us into agitated, existential debates." Nonetheless, Scholz expects Trump to keep the world on its toes over the coming years, particularly in the areas of energy and climate policy, trade and foreign policy. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Writing by Rachel More, Editing by Miranda Murray, Kirsti Knolle) (Bloomberg) -- The race to lead Germany is diverting through Switzerland, with a campaigning push in Davos set to showcase competing visions for how to revive Europes biggest economy. Most Read from Bloomberg Both Social Democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his rival, the Christian Democrat frontrunner Friedrich Merz, will seek the blessing of the global business elite within hours of each other at the mountain resort gathering of the World Economic Forum on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The battle of ideas that will play out there is one of the most crucial this year for Germany and the region as a whole. Merz is likely to tout his plan for corporate tax cuts, in stark contrast to the debt-fueled investment push that Scholz is arguing for. Their time-consuming pilgrimages to woo global executives mingling in the Swiss Alps highlight how central prospects for the struggling economy have become before the Feb. 23 election. Just last year, former Finance Minister Christian Lindner was defiant in Davos, insisting Germany wasnt Europes sick man but just tired and in need of coffee. Now, with persisting evidence that the regions economic motor is stuck in first gear, and vulnerable to US tariffs from President Donald Trump, any pretense of business as usual is over. German data just last week showed a second consecutive year of contraction in 2024, underscoring that point. A prolonged downturn in Chinese demand, an energy crisis, an ailing auto sector succumbing to job cuts, and the stalling of Scholzs push to build up a semiconductor industry instead have left officials in Berlin reeling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europe as a whole has been struggling with competitiveness, investment and defense. Political turmoil in Germany and France has also robbed the bloc of a prominent national leader who is respected by peers and can shape the regions agenda as Scholzs predecessor Angela Merkel once did. Its for the German people to decide, but clearly the policy makeup of the previous administration needs to change, BlackRock Inc. Vice Chairman Philipp Hildebrand told Francine Lacqua on Bloomberg Television in Davos. Change will be a positive, and then well see whether that change could be translated into European leadership. Merz, whose traditionally pro-business CDU/CSU bloc has a double-digit lead over Scholzs center-left SPD in surveys, could get the warmest welcome, even if his own appearance at 6 p.m. local time isnt on the forums main stage. He is likely to use the opportunity to comment on Trumps first day in office. The CDU leader, who was supervisory board chairman at Blackrocks German unit, has already expressed a decidedly more optimistic view of the new US president than the majority of Germans, calling him a very predictable leader with a clear agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europe will need to develop a common strategy in dealing with the new US administration, Merz said in a first reaction to Trumps inauguration. Here, Germany will need to take the responsibility of leadership in the European Union, he told public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk Tuesday morning before his departure to Davos. Merzs policy platform to kick start the economy entitled Agenda 2030 to echo former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeders growth reforms earlier this century includes a higher threshold for income tax and a lower levy for companies. Scholz slammed that position this month, saying that ordinary people will have to foot the bill by suffering cuts to public pensions and care. Like Lindner, the chancellor has previously put on a brave face in Davos. As he turned up in 2023, he casually insisted the country would avoid a recession. The economy barely did so and ultimately ended that year with lower gross domestic product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pitch the chancellor will make at 2 p.m. in Davos is for Germany to stoke an investment boom by loosening its strict limits on borrowing. He favors using a debt-financed 100 billion ($103 billion) fund to boost public and private investments for infrastructure, and introducing a Made in Germany tax rebate for corporate capital expenditure. Scholz also wants to strengthen domestic demand by lowering the tax burden for 95% of households, financed by higher taxes on the very rich, and to increase child benefits, reduce sales tax for basic food products and to bring in a purchase premium for German-made electric vehicles. While he argues that Germanys debt at just 62% of GDP is very low compared to peers, Merz insists that the countrys constitutionally enshrined brake on borrowing shouldnt be compromised. What Bloomberg Economics Says... Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What all German election programs have in common is a lack of details of how the promised reforms can actually be financed, given the current economic downturn and compliance with the debt brake. Martin Ademmer, economist. For more, click here For Holger Schmieding, an economist at German bank Berenberg, the corporate elite would probably rather have a mix of each sides policies. For companies, lower taxes, fewer regulations and better incentives for more work are more important than the promise of debt-financed investments, he said. However, many companies are also in favor of loosening the debt brake somewhat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exit of Lindners Free Democrats from the government over that latter issue was what prompted the early election. Scholzs remaining coalition partners, the Greens, support a loosening of the debt brake. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck from that party will speak on a panel in Davos on Wednesday. Absent, but very much a presence in the election, is the far-right Alternative for Germany. That party has drawn the limelight by winning the endorsement of Elon Musk and the attendance of its co-leader Tino Chrupalla at Trumps inauguration. Given that whoever wins the election will almost certainly need at least one coalition partner, the prospect of a negotiated outcome incorporating parts of each platform is likely. How to address the existing straitjacket on the public finances may prove most crucial of all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it is true that the SPD and Greens want to reform the debt brake, it is unclear whether they could get the needed two-third majority in parliament, said Dirk Schumacher, an economist at Natixis in Frankfurt. But it is arguably even less clear how the CDU/CSU will finance the envisaged tax cuts. Veronika Grimm, a member of Scholzs panel of independent economic advisers, agrees, highlighing that there is currently no scope for significantly more debt. The problem will not be solved with a few small reforms or additional leeway. Drastic proposals are needed and the willingness to discuss them seriously, she said. If they fail to turn things around, the centrist Democratic parties may have lost the trust of voters in 2029. Meanwhile, for all the fiscal arguments that the election has thrown up, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel has a different priority: growth friendly reforms. He said so last week in the wake of Germanys dire GDP data and an outlook for barely any expansion in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Randstad CEO Sander vant Noordende a Davos regular Germany needs to change, but he hasnt given up hope that the countrys problems can be addressed. They can all be fixed, he said. Germany has very smart people, highly-skilled people, they can make plans. Once they make a plan they can get on the case. --With assistance from Bastian Benrath-Wright, Mark Schroers, Jan-Henrik Forster and Iain Rogers. (Updates with fresh Merz quotes in 11th paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- The European Union is working on a proposal for bloc-wide purchase incentives for electric vehicles to support the blocs struggling automakers, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Tuesday. Most Read from Bloomberg Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos one day after US President Donald Trump took office, Scholz said Europes response to a growing number of global challenges must be an economically stronger Europe with more competitive industry and less bureaucracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we need are pragmatic solutions, not ideological ones, he said. And that is why I am delighted that the president of the commission has now taken up my proposal for harmonized Europe-wide purchase premiums for e-cars, he added, referring to the European Commission. With Europes car industry sagging in part because of low demand for EVs, Trump presented a new challenge by ordering his administration to consider eliminating subsidies and other policies aimed at accelerating the adoption of cleaner cars in the US. Scholz insisted Tuesday that e-mobility is the future, there is no doubt about that. Anyone who suggests otherwise is damaging our industry. The center-left leader is facing snap elections next month. In its election program, Scholzs Social Democratic Party is proposing a temporary tax deduction to promote the purchase of EVs produced in Germany. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has so far insisted the EU will stick to its legal target of phasing out combustion-engine cars by 2035. The next few years will be vital to stay in the race of clean and disruptive technologies, she said Tuesday in a speech at Davos. Europe has everything it needs to make this happen. Commission spokespeople didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on Scholzs remarks. Turning to Trump, Scholz recommended Europeans to keep cool heads and tackle transatlantic relations with a fair dose of self-esteem. Not every press conference in Washington, not every tweet should immediately plunge us into agitated, existential debates, Scholz said. The US remains Germanys closest ally outside Europe even after the change of government in Washington, he added. I will do everything in my power to ensure that this remains the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scholz spoke out against protectionism and made the case for keeping free trade as a foundation of future growth. Isolation costs prosperity. We will defend free trade as the basis of our prosperity together with other partners, Scholz said. He plans to discuss a joint approach with European allies, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who Scholz is meeting for talks in Paris on Wednesday. --With assistance from Jorge Valero. (Adds details on German incentive prosposal in sixth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) With cold blasting through the region, and a surplus of call-outs, around 100 school buses in Virginia Beach were delayed on Tuesday morning. A spokesperson for the Virginia Beach City Public Schools said that the issue spanned across all grade levels as the schools operate on a 4-tiered school schedule. Seventy-one buses experienced mechanical issues including not starting, frozen doors, air leaks, etc. These problems expanded across the city, and four service trucks responded as quickly as they could. In addition to the bus issues, 35 drivers called out sick at 5 a.m., a number thats around double was it usually is, the spokesperson said. The total number of drivers out was 75. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Save time on your drive by getting WAVY alerts on crashes, delays and detours. Download the mobile app, and sign up for traffic alerts. Click here for Apple users, and here for Android. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Grand Rapids Public Schools called a snow day for Tuesday, joining a number of West Michigan districts that called off classes as an Arctic blast keeps temperatures in the region near zero. GRPS announced Monday evening that all Tuesday classes and activities were canceled and all offices closed. Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby called the snow day due to a combination of road conditions and frigid temperatures, West Michigans largest school district wrote in a statement on its website. Stay safe and warm! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GRPS also did not have school Monday, but that was in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The holiday, combined with the Arctic blast, meant a number of West Michigan districts would not have school for two consecutive days. Frigid temps, blowing lake-effect amid Arctic blast Dozens of other West Michigan school districts called off for Tuesday in fact, every public school district in the region had a snow day. View the full list of closings here. A few districts, including Pewamo-Westphalia and Bellevue, have already called off through Wednesday. For most West Michigan districts, the latest cancellations mean they have recorded four or five snow days so far this school year. Grand Haven Area Public Schools posted on social media that it would be closed and there would be no Open Door child care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grandville Public Schools posted on its website that school was canceled and the Treehouse will be closed. The status of evening events will be determined in the morning, the website said. Holland Public Schools also said that a decision about afternoon and evening activities will be announced during the day on Tuesday. Hudsonville Public Schools Superintendent Doug VanderJagt announced on social media that the district would be closed on Tuesday. Child care is also closed. School closing prediction for Tuesday, Jan. 21 In addition to the closure, Kalamazoo Public Schools announced on social media that the Community Safety & Security meeting scheduled for Jan. 21 at Loy Norrix has been canceled and will be rescheduled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Haven Public Schools announced on its Facebook page that school was canceled Tuesday. Decisions regarding after school activities will be made by 1:00 PM. Staff should follow Code 2 procedures, the post said. Western Michigan University announced on its website that its campuses will be closed Tuesday due to severe weather, except for essential services. While many schools chose to close completely, some like Grand Valley State University are moving to remote learning on Tuesday. Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter Wind chills are expected to drop even further into Tuesday morning and lake-effect snow will become more widespread by Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. A new study warns that your afternoon cup of tea may come with an unhealthy helping of microplastics and nanoplastics. What's happening? Researchers from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona issued a press release revealing that several types of commercially available tea bags released millions of microplastics (no larger than five millimeters) and nanoplastics (smaller in diameter than human hair) when steeped. Tea bags containing polypropylene released an astounding 1.2 billion particles per milliliter. Cellulose and nylon tea bags released around 135 million particles per milliliter and 8.18 million particles per milliliter, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team used advanced techniques to analyze and characterize particle release, including electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and laser Doppler velocimetry. The findings were published in the journal Chemosphere. Why is this important? While the scientists acknowledge in their analysis that plastic has contributed to lighter shipping loads and the extended shelf life of perishable foods, among other positive gains, they point to the dark side of using it. That is, plastic pollution appears to be a significant health threat, and human gut cells could interact with all three varieties of particles after 24 hours, per NTD News. Scientists are still working to understand potential implications of microplastic and nanoplastic exposure, but a growing body of research has connected it to autoimmune conditions, neurological diseases, developmental issues, cancer, and other severe health complications. What can be done about plastic food contamination? The Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona team called for increased awareness about the connection between plastic pollution and human health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As the usage of plastics in food packaging continues to rise, scientific research and policymaking must address the challenges posed by MNPL contamination to ensure food safety and consumer well-being," they wrote. The U.N. Environment Programme estimates the world is producing more than 440 million tons of plastic waste annually (around 36% from packaging), so it is clear amending the issue won't be an overnight fix. Do you ever put plastic containers in your microwave? No way Sometimes Yes I don't have a microwave Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. However, plastic packaging alternatives are increasingly entering the market, and scientific breakthroughs could result in more following suit, including an edible film that seems to be as effective at preserving fish freshness as plastic. Many companies are also doing their part to limit the use of plastic, and tea drinkers have plenty of options. Brands like Numi and Harney & Sons offer loose-leaf teas, while Indian company Esah Tea has launched a microplastic-free, biodegradable tea bag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. A scientific expedition in Peru meant to help evaluate wildlife conservation needs in the country's Alto Mayo forest accidentally discovered 27 species previously unknown to science. Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program identified four new mammals, eight fish, three amphibians, and ten butterfly species during the survey. As reported by People, during the expedition's five-week survey, scientists recorded more than 2,000 species in the "human-dominated" Peruvian rainforests. A sizable 27 species are new to science while an additional 48 species are "potentially new to science pending further research," the expedition's scientific lead Trond Larsen told People. At least 49 species recorded during the expedition are "threatened with extinction," making their presence in Alto Mayo especially vital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Larsen told People the discovery of so many new species was "shocking and unexpected," saying the finding highlights the region's "tremendous diversity." In a press release, Larsen said the team was particularly surprised to document new mammal species previously unrecorded. "Mammals are the best-known animal group in the world, so discovering four new mammals in any expedition is surprising," Larsen said in the release. "Finding them in a region with significant human populations is extraordinary." The team also discovered new amphibian and fish species, which Larsen also recounted as truly amazing. "While this fish is familiar to the local Indigenous Awajun people, it is completely new to scientists, and the function of this bizarre blob-like structure remains a mystery," Larsen told People. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alto Mayo forest spans from the Andes to the Amazon, forming what Conservation International describes as "a complex and diverse mosaic of ecosystems and local communities." During the recent expedition, researchers, scientists, and Indigenous guides navigated a wide array of landscapes, including swamps, lagoons, rivers, mountains, forests, and fields. Despite its biodiversity, Alto Mayo faces significant challenges from agricultural development and human activity. With a population of 280,000, the region experienced rising deforestation in the late 1990s and early 2000s when the region's Indigenous Awajun people had to rent their lands to farmers to make ends meet. Though human development has fragmented the landscape, the recent expedition revealed that local wildlife populations remain more resilient than previously feared. "We're proving the unexpected: Small patches of healthy forests can support a wealth of species," Conservation International biologist Wily Palomino said in the release. Conservation International hopes the recent expedition will aid in informing their future conservation work with Alto Mayo communities, hoping to help support wildlife in new and meaningful ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To effectively protect nature, you first need to know what's there," Diego Dourojeanni, a Conservation International researcher working with Indigenous peoples of the Alto Mayo, said in the release. "By understanding where wildlife lives, we can make better land management decisions and target areas best suited for conservation and sustainable activities like ecotourism, selective logging, and sustainable agriculture." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Scientists from the University of Copenhagendrawing on research of 60,000 years of volcanic activity derived from ice cores from Greenland and Antarcticahave re-contextualized an ancient object known as a sun stone. Located on the southern end of the Danish island of Bornholm, these stones are flat pieces of shale featuring intricately drawn Sun motifs. Scholars now speculate that these stones might have been sacrificed due to a volcanic eruption around 2,900 B.C. that darkened the sky, likely causing crop failure and famine. Short of a massive asteroid impacting the planet (RIP non-avian dino friends), few things have impacted Earths climate as dramatically as volcanoes. For instance, some 252 million years ago, the worlds largest mass extinctionthe Great Dyingoccurred due to intense volcanism in the Siberian Traps, and as early as the 1990s, an eruption from Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines caused global temperatures to cool for years. Now, in a new study, scientists from the University of Copenhagen are reexamining the context of 5,000-year-old sun stonesflat shale pieces with intricately drawn Sun motifsdue to new climate science revealing a large neolithic volcanic eruption that occurred sometime around 2,900 B.C. The results of this study were published in the journal Antiquity . These stones are pretty exclusive, as they only pop up in two known locations: Rispebjerg and Vasagard, on the southern end of the Danish island of Bornholm in the Nordic Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They symbolized fertility and were probably sacrificed to ensure sun and growth, Rune Iversen, a co-author of the study from the University of Copenhagen, said in a press statement. Sun stones were found in large quantities at the Vasagard West site, where residents deposited them in ditches forming part of a causewayed enclosure together with the remains of ritual feasts in the form of animal bones, broken clay vessels, and flint objects around 2,900 B.C. The ditches were subsequently closed. In 2022, a study carried out by the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen analyzed ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica, and estimated the quantity and intensity of eruptions over the past 60,000 years. Some 69 of these eruptions were larger than the Mount Tambora eruption of 1815 in Indonesiathe largest recorded eruption in human history. This data showed that some kind of eruption took place around 2,900 B.C., which the authors suggest would have had devastating consequences for neolithic people living on the island. Increased levels of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere wouldve caused immense crop failure, potentially leading to the sacrifice of these sun stones. This could explain why archeologists uncovered a large cache of the stones at one location. If the Sun almost disappeared due to mist in the stratosphere for longer periods of time, it would have been extremely frightening for them, Iversen said in a press statement. It is reasonable to believe that the Neolithic people on Bornholm wanted to protect themselves from further deterioration of the climate by sacrificing sun stonesor perhaps they wanted to show their gratitude that the Sun had returned again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Archaeologists note that around the year 2,900 B.C., a darkened Sun wouldve been only one of the worries of these ancient peopleDNA suggests that plague was also running rampant through the region. Scholars cant be sure of the exact context of how these unique sun stones arrived on the southern edge of this one island, but like many devastating moments in Earth history, volcanoes may be be partly to blame. You Might Also Like Update: On January 23, Pennsylvania State Police said contact was made with Wicks and she is reported to be safe. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) State police are searching for a woman reported missing in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State Police in Schuylkill Haven stated they are searching for 48-year-old Jamillah Wicks who was last seen on January 17 in Richland Borough, Lebanon County. Missing man found injured near senior living facility Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police describe Wicks as 55, 160 lbs and she was traveling in a sliver, 2006 Subaru Outback. Anyone with information is asked to call Pennsylvania State Police Troop L Schuylkill Haven at 570-754-4600. Copyright 2025 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 PAhomepage.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Firefighters responded quickly after an intense fire broke out in a Dayton home Monday evening. According to Dayton Police & Fire, crews were called to respond to a two-story building fire in the 200 block of Grove Avenue. Dispatch received the call at 7:34 p.m. MLKs dream lives on at Dayton parade, despite the cold Crews on scene immediately reported heavy fire conditions on both floors of the home. A second alarm was called, requesting additional crews to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two male occupants were found on the back porch roof and were quickly rescued. District Chief Nick Judge says they were transported to the hospital and are doing okay. Firefighters were told of a possible third occupant reportedly identified as an elderly woman, who the two men rescued were not sure was home at the time of the fire. Crews spent half an hour searching the home for her, but due to heavy fire and hoarding conditions, had to retreat. According to a press release from the Dayton Fire Department on Tuesday morning, the third occupant was later found and pronounced deceased at the scene. Crews took on a defensive strategy to keep the fire from spreading to nearby homes. District Chief Judge told 2 NEWS that crews will be out for most of the night to extinguish the flames. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews reportedly found a deceased dog inside the home. An emergency demolition was also ordered for the home. A 2 NEWS photographer on scene saw the massive response, with flames and smoke pouring from the home. WDTN Photo/Joe Gurnig WDTN Photo/Joe Gurnig District Chief Judge said the cold weather was making it hard to fight the fire. Freezing temperatures caused issues for their water supply, radios and created dangerous conditions with icy surfaces. Additional crews were called after a truck broke down and a salt truck was sent to help clean the roads. The Greater Dayton RTA also sent a bus to the scene so crews could have a warm place to go as they rotated out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 NEWS is working to learn more about how the fire started. Copyright 2025 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 WDTN.com. Donald Trumps return to Washington was supposed to be a day of thrills for his supporters: with packed crowds on the National Mall, an all-star lineup of tech leaders and a handful of celebrities in town to usher in a president who had been counted out by many due to the stunning circumstances of his departure in 2021. Instead, cold winter weather forced a change in the presidents plans. At the last minute, for the first time in decades, the transition team announced that an elaborate ceremony would be moved inside the Capitol Rotunda. Thousands of Americans Trumps own supporters were metaphorically and literally left out in the cold, as some learned of the news after arriving in the city. The last-minute switch left most without any idea how they they would watch the inauguration of their champion, an inauguration many had spent hundreds or thousands of dollars to see in person, despite worries about winter temperatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One unlucky pair even learned about the change of plans from NBCs Gary Grumbach, live on camera , during an interview. Smaller crowds of Trump supporters instead made their way between rows of black Capitol Police fencing to watch the event on TV screens at the Capitol One Arena. Many Trump supporters entering the building dropped hundreds of dollars (if not more) worth of belongings that they were prohibited from bringing inside. But it was a fraction of those who had hoped to watch the inauguration in person. More than 250,000 received tickets to view Trumps inauguration on the grounds facing the West Front of the Capitol. Only about 20,000 could fit in the downtown arena. Out of the thousands who attended events across town while the main festivities took place inside the Capitol, one group left wandering was none other than the Proud Boys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A contingent of the far-right militia (or fraternity as its members describe it) numbering as many as 150 people organized at Union Station shortly before 10:30 a.m. They then walked several blocks down E street, occasionally breaking out into chants of whose streets?/our streets! until reaching the U.S. district courthouse, the site of many of the sentencings of January 6 participants after the failed attempt by Trumps supporters to force Congress to stop certification of the 2020 election and Joe Bidens victory. Upon reaching the courthouse, the group posed with a banner reading congratulations President Trump for several photographs. The march then proceeded further downtown, as the group ambled toward Capitol One Arena. Originally intending to join the crowds on the mall, the right-wing "chauvinist" group instead paraded around the streets, wearing black-and-yellow outfits and fake beards to obscure their identities The group did not appear to have any set plans about where they would watch the swearing-in, and told The Independent that they were "just hanging out. "We havent thought that far ahead, said one of the groups organizers, who identified himself as "Dave the Sermonizer, at a makeshift press conference. We just want to get through the day more than anything." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two blocks and one barricade separated the group from the Capitol One Arena as the Sermonizer whitewashed his organizations role in violent clashes with left-leaning protesters as well as with police on January 6. One of the groups former leaders, Enrique Tarrio, was convicted of seditious conspiracy after the attack on the Capitol. Hes currently serving a 22-year sentence. We are a fraternity of men. Pro-West. The West is the best, thats our motto, preaching Dave declared to a small group of journalists. The groups presence was rewarded later in the evening. As the new president signed a slate of executive orders rescinding many of his predecessors policies, Tarrio became one of the first imprisoned for their role in January 6 to be granted a pardon. The previous days events, which included receptions and galas around the city that boasted appearances by Snoop Dogg and Waka Flocka Flame, were held under near whiteout conditions. A chilling sleet in the afternoon turned into snow as the evening went on, driving most indoors to watch TVs tuned to Trumps victory rally at the Capital One Arena. Liberals complained on local DC social media channels about Trump fans overtaking their favorite dives across the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Union Pub, next to the Senate office buildings, a sea of red Maga hats replaced the usual crowd of Hill staffers, journalists, and locals on Sunday as the rally began. An older woman tending bar, one of several beleaguered-looking workers serving drinks, grumbled as she hobbled off to go find more margarita mix. Must be a Biden voter, joked a man at the bar. The News New US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is spending his first full day on the job meeting his counterparts in the Quad alliance made up of the US, India, Japan, and Australia. Rubio was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on Monday hours after President Donald Trump was sworn into the role, becoming Trumps first official cabinet member. The meeting, held at the State Department, underscored the expectation that countering China will be Rubios top priority: The Quad group has long focused on Beijings military and economic activities, and is seen as a critical counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific. Australia may be looking for some additional assurance from Washington over AUKUS, a defense deal that is aimed at allowing Australia to purchase nuclear-powered submarines and other advanced weapons from the US. Some experts believe the deal could face challenges under President Donald Trump. ANTI-GUN STALL TACTIC Five months ago, attorneys representing several gun rights organizations filed a petition for an en banc rehearing of a case they've been fighting in California challenging the state's anti-Second Amendment law designating all kinds of public venues to be "sensitive places" where licensed concealed carry is prohibited. About the same time and all the way across the country, gun rights groups were jumping into a case known as U.S. v. Ayala regarding the indictment of a Florida postal worker who was prosecuted and cleared by a federal district court of carrying a firearm in a federal facility. These cases came shortly after another case called Christian v. Chiumento was challenging New York's prohibition on lawful concealed carry in public parks and all private property open to the public, such as shopping malls, movie theaters, etc. Likewise, there was a case unfolding in Illinois where the issue was a concealed carry ban on Illinois Public Transit. For many people, it's the only way they can get around, especially to and from work in Chicago and other urban areas. A case known as Schoenthal v. Raoul was making its way through the federal court. Second Amendment proponents maintain the ban is clearly unconstitutional. ..... BROOK PARK, Ohio (WJW) A small water main break is causing an icy situation in Brook Park as police say even after the local street is salted it turns right to ice. The water main break is located in the 17600 block of Brook Park Road. FOX 8 legend Big Chuck passes away at 90 Take a look at the slushy and slick conditions in the video below: The Brook Park Police Department was on the scene to block some lanes of traffic and slow motorists down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several other water main breaks have also been reported across Northeast Ohio due to the extreme cold temperatures. Why local firefighters are facing extra challenges As of Tuesday morning, the Ohio Department of Transportation reports flooding continues to block a ramp from Clark Avenue to I-90 East. Credit: ODOT The problem was first reported on Monday and crews are working to fix the issue. CLICK HERE to see the latest forecast and when temperatures will finally rebound. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A years-old plan by Seminole County to build a pair of tunnels along a popular trail near Altamonte Springs giving bicyclists and pedestrians an easy way to cross under two of the busiest highways in Central Florida may be dead after commissioners glimpsed the estimated price tag. The idea of the tunnels then was a fun and exciting alternative that would be safe. And I think the citizens would love it, Commissioner Lee Constantine said at Tuesdays board meeting. But sometimes you cant have everything you want. And in this case, knowing all that I know now, I could never, ever, even consider it, with all the other needs in this county. Constantine made the comments after a county staff presentation showed constructing the underpasses along the Seminole Wekiva Trail at State Road 436 and Laurel Street, and at State Road 434 and Orange Avenue, would cost nearly $40 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a 14% jump from January 2022, when commissioners enthusiastically approved the subterranean passages for trail users to bypass eight lanes of traffic at each intersection. Seminole officials and residents have long lauded their countys network of recreational trails giving bikers, runners and hikers a stress-free way to travel, mostly without worrying about cars. The Seminole Wekiva Trail is one of the countys most popular with hundreds of users a day. It stretches about 16 miles between State Road 46 at Longwood Markham Road, just east of the Lake County line, and the intersection of Bear Lake Road and Maitland Boulevard, just north of Orange County. But Seminole commissioners said they could go only so far in spending taxpayer money to improve the pathway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive walked this trail many times. Theyre safe crossings, Commissioner Bob Dallari said. You wait for the little green light. And you cross the road. It is safe, if you wait for the traffic light. I dont think we should be spending additional money at this point when there are already traffic lights in place to cross these roads. Commissioners then decided to put the tunnel proposal on hold until county staff explores alternatives including building bridges, which are less expensive, and urging the state Department of Transportation to pay for a portion of either tunnels or bridges. Emily Bush, executive director of Bike/Walk Central Florida, a nonprofit organization that advocates for bicyclist and pedestrian safety, said either a tunnel or a bridge would increase the trail's appeal. When you get to a traffic light that makes you stop and wait 4 minutes to cross, its going to deter people from using the trail, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Bush said she understood Seminole commissioners balking at the price tag. It doesnt surprise me, she said. Its a good point. They have to balance the costs and the value. Building bridges at the two intersections would cost an estimated $24.2 million, according to the staff report. The area of southwest Seminole around the crossings is thickly congested with traffic more than 50,000 vehicles daily at each intersection and dozens of big and small retail stores. It is also surrounded by apartment complexes and residential subdivisions. According to county data, just two trail users were injured at the intersections a bicyclist and a pedestrian within the past three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Commissioner Amy Lockhart said she felt a little bit like Im in a twilight zone here after fellow commissioners backed off a tunnel plan they previously approved. Everything we heard [then] was that heavy users of this trail needed a crossing to safely cross, and it had to be part of the trail system she said. And now we dont have a perceived safety problem. Interviewed on the trail Wednesday morning, resident John Higginbotham who often rides nearly 20 miles daily on the Seminole Wekiva Trail said that either a tunnel or a bridge would be so great at the intersections. You wouldnt have to worry about someone running a red light, he said while taking a pause in his ride. And you can just go without waiting for your turn to cross. WASHINGTON The Senate Armed Services Committee voted Monday along party lines to send Pete Hegseths nomination to be defense secretary to the Senate floor as President Donald Trump tries to move quickly to get critical members of his Cabinet in place. All 14 Republicans on the committee voted in favor of Hegseth, while all 13 Democrats voted against him. Despite initial concerns about allegations of sexual assault, alcohol abuse and financial mismanagement all of which Hegseth has denied not a single Republican senator has said so far that he or she will vote no, meaning he is most likely on track to be confirmed by the Senate. Thursday is the soonest that vote would occur in the full Senate unless all 100 members agree to move things along more quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps decision in November to choose Hegseth, 44, a former Fox News host who served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars with the Army National Guard, stunned many in Washington given that he had limited military command or significant management experience. And in the weeks that followed, Hegseths nomination appeared on the verge of collapse amid reports that he paid a settlement to a woman who had accused him of sexual assault in a hotel room in 2017 and that he had a history of excessive drinking on the job, including at Fox News. Hegseth denied all of the allegations, vowed that he wouldnt touch alcohol if he were confirmed to lead the Pentagon and said Trump had told him to keep going, keep fighting. Asked after Monday's vote whether he had concerns about Hegseth's inexperience, Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., replied: "I do not have those concerns and I dont think the majority of the Senate has those concerns, nor the majority of Americans." "I think hes got a lot of knowledge and, frankly, we need to shake things up in the Pentagon," Wicker continued. "Theres too much red tape, there are too many stumbling blocks, there are too many boxes to check, and the bureaucracy has become creaky over time. And so, this is part of the Trump administrations mandate to shake things up and do things differently." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing last Tuesday, Hegseth faced fierce questions from Democrats about his drinking issues, allegations of infidelity, workplace misconduct and experience. Multiple senators questioned him about his public comments that women should not serve in combat roles. He replied that he now believes women should have access to combat roles as long as "standards remain high." But the most pointed questions came from Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who zeroed in on the allegation of an assault in a hotel in Monterrey, California. Local police investigated the incident, and prosecutors did not file charges. So you think you are completely cleared because you committed no crime. Thats your definition of cleared. You had just fathered a child two months before by a woman that was not your wife, Kaine told Hegseth in a testy exchange. I am shocked that you would stand here and say youre completely cleared. I was completely cleared, Hegseth replied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident in Monterey led to a criminal charge, a criminal investigation, a private settlement and a cash payment to the woman who filed the complaint. And there was also a nondisclosure agreement, correct? Kaine went on. Why didnt you inform the commander in chief and the transition team of this very relevant event? Just four GOP senators could team with all 47 Democratic senators to derail Hegseths nomination. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, an Iraq war veteran and sexual assault survivor, was seen as a possible defection, along with a pair of moderate GOP senators who have broken with Trump in the past, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. But after Tuesdays hearing, Ernst, a member of the Armed Services Committee who faces re-election in 2026, said she would support Hegseths nomination. Our next commander in chief selected Pete Hegseth to serve in this role, and after our conversations, hearing from Iowans, and doing my job as a United States Senator, I will support President Trumps pick for Secretary of Defense, Ernst said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As I serve on the Armed Services Committee, she said, I will work with Pete to create the most lethal fighting force and hold him to his commitments of auditing the Pentagon, ensuring opportunity for women in combat while maintaining high standards, and selecting a senior official to address and prevent sexual assault in the ranks. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. One member of the Missouri Senate has made another proposal to raise the minimum age of marriage within the state. Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, introduced Senate Bill 66 to the 103rd General Assembly. Under the bill proposal, both parties involved in obtaining a marriage license would need to be at least 18 years old. Currently, in the Show-Me State, 16 and 17-year-olds can get married to anyone under the age of 21 as long as they have parental consent. Back in 2018, the General Assembly passed legislation to raise the minimum age from 15 to 16 with a parents written permission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News This bill proposal is not new to the Senate. Senate Bill 767 was introduced by Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder, R-Sikeston, in the last legislative session and reached a third reading in May, but was never signed into law. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, between 2019 and 2021, roughly 230 minors were married in Missouri. The department said about 75% of those marriages were girls under the age of 18. Senate Bill 66 held its second reading on Jan. 16, and the bill was referred to the Education Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. The Laken Riley Act is roiling the Senate Democratic Conference, as senators believe their party bungled immigration and border security in 2024 but arent happy about the swift passage of a bill they view as terrible policy. Democratic critics of the bill believe the rush to pass it is a political overreaction from Democratic colleagues scrambling to protect themselves on those issues. Some Democratic senators are venting frustration about Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) giving a green light to politically vulnerable colleagues to vote to advance the bill without getting an ironclad guarantee that Democrats would have more opportunity to amend the legislation. Those Democratic lawmakers have likened the handling of the bill to a disorganized retreat and warn it has sparked deep frustration in a caucus still stung from the loss of their majority in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is huge frustration that the bill didnt go to committee on something so consequential, fumed one Democratic senator who requested anonymity to discuss the intense debate that rocked the caucus. There is huge concern because were talking about the mandatory imprisonment based on an accusation without a person even being charged, let alone being convicted, and this applies to kids, the senator said. Its a sweeping assault on core principles, and it doesnt even have a judicial review component. The senator voiced frustration that Senate Democratic leadership didnt press colleagues to block the motion to proceed to the bill unless Republicans promised more votes on amendments to change the bill on the Senate floor. There is enormous frustration, the lawmaker added. They put up the white flag from the very beginning and said, For too many people [in the caucus], immigration is too toxic, and we have to just get through this, without really understanding the gravity of this bill and what it represents in terms of violating the norms indefinite detention, no judicial review, based on an allegation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer downplayed the clash within his caucus, describing a lengthy debate at last Tuesdays lunch as a discussion of all the great issues. Democrats facing competitive reelections in 2026 and who represent swing states, however, were eager to vote to advance the bill after President Trump and Republicans bashed their party all year over the murder of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was killed by a Venezuelan migrant who entered the country without legal status and was previously arrested in New York and Georgia. Ten Democrats voted Friday to advance the bill to a final up-or-down vote, including Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who face potentially competitive races next year. The bill passed the Senate on Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), who blasted the bill as bad policy, said the lack of opportunity to modify the legislation on the floor aside from three amendments represents a broader failure of the entire Senate to meaningfully debate immigration policy. I think that this bill reflects the way the Senate has broken down, in some respects, in the fact that were not able to have votes on amendments that would have improved the legislation. Its really problematic, he said. Bennet said he initially voted to proceed to the bill so we could have debate and so we could have amendments, and I feel quite strongly that it would be better to leave decisions about whether [to] incarcerate [individuals] to law enforcement when it comes to nonviolent criminals. He was referring to the bills language that requires the mandatory detention of migrants without legal status who have been accused of theft but not convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eighty-two senators voted to proceed to the bill on Jan. 13, including 24 members of the Democratic caucus. Bennet warned the bill would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to spend billions of dollars incarcerating nonviolent criminals instead of violent criminals. And he argued it would put state attorneys general in charge of immigration policy, something he said is a federal responsibility. Bennet, a member of the Senates Gang of Eight, which put together the comprehensive immigration reform bill that passed the upper chamber with 68 votes in 2013, lamented that Democrats have ceded what they called their position of strength on the issue. We once had a position of strength that was defined by the work we had done on the Gang of Eight bill that was a comprehensive approach. It reflected a comprehensive set of principles that included securing our border, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, we have not transmitted effectively to the American people that we believe in border security and having an immigration system that better serves Americas economy, he said. I think its important for us to enter the debates like the one we just had [on the Laken Riley Act] with a clearer expression of where we stand together. Bennet said the Democrats strategy of trying to insulate themselves during the campaign from attacks related to the border by negotiating a border security deal with Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) wasnt effective. I think it was unconvincing to voters, he said. Even though the National Border Patrol Council, The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed the bill, it garnered only four Republican votes to advance it on the Senate floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Republicans continued to pummel Democratic candidates over the huge influx of migrants during former President Bidens four years in office, which totaled roughly 10 million people. Donald Trump turned our party into a punching bag when it came to immigration and the border, and there was no need for that to happen, Bennet said. Other Democrats vented over the swift passage of the Laken Riley Act, which is likely to pass the House and make it to President Trumps desk. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) joined fellow Democrats in venting frustration over not getting an opportunity to vote on more amendments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is bad policy, he said of the bill that passed the Senate on Monday. We had an amendment broadly supported by a big cross section of our caucus that would have fixed the bill. He said it would have changed the standard for detainment and deportation from arrest to conviction, but [would have] allowed arrest to be sufficient if somebody had a history of failing to appear at immigration court proceedings. Kaine said, There is frustration about it. Whats frustrating is so many people signaled, Im going to vote for it, whether there are any amendments or not. And once the Republicans have enough Democrats who are on the record saying theyre going to vote [for a bill] regardless, what motive do they have to really have a robust amendment process or to try to fix the bill? he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope my colleagues wont just signal in advance, Well, we dont need to consider any amendments at all because Im voting yes regardless. I think that was a strategic error, Kaine added. Leadership might have been able to give everyone a little bit of a woodshed talk before. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who caucuses with Democrats, said he had concerns about the bill, the process and the product. This is a bill that has many, many deficiencies, he said. The concern is what kind of precedent it sets in terms of criminal justice and the degree we believe in due process. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said he was concerned with how the bill was handled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should use the committee process where theres an opportunity to deliberate and discuss, he said. My preference would be that deportation occur upon a conviction, not a charge, he added. Copyright 2025 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. CHEYENNE Citing President Trumps Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as inspiration, Sen. Bob Ide, R-Casper, is advocating for lower property taxes without any state funding allocated for local governments. On Monday, the Senate Revenue Committee passed Senate File 69, Homeowner property tax exemption, with an amendment that removes any backfill, or allocation from state funds for making up lost revenue that may affect local cities, towns, counties and special districts. SF 69 would establish a homeowner property tax exemption for a single-family residential structure and the associated improved land at 25% of the fair market value, up to $2 million of the value of the property. The legislation originally included general fund and legislative stabilization reserve account allocations that, totalling $225 million, were still estimated to be $60.2 million less than the total revenue decreases anticipated in tax years 2025 and 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the backfill, the anticipated revenue reduction would be an annual $89.5 million to the School Foundation Fund, and an annual $53.1 million in ad valorem taxes for local taxing entities. Sen. Bob Ide, R-Casper Sen. Bob Ide, R-Casper Ide made a motion to amend the bill, removing all backfill to local governmental bodies and districts. Most who made public comment during the meeting emphasized the need for backfill, as property tax revenues are essential for local government function. Ashley Harpstreith, executive director of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities, said her members, too, feel the impact of increasing property taxes, but must fund essential services in communities across Wyoming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley Harpstreith Ashley Harpstreith We are here to be a partner to solve this, but when we look at backfill and how that impacts cities and towns and local governments, this is going to impact our general funds, Harpstreith said. Property tax revenue remanded to cities and towns general funds are used to support police, fire, 911 dispatch, parks and maintenance, Harpstreith said. For a city like Casper, the impact of the exemption would be $2.2 million, and without backfill, the City of Casper would have to decide which services not to fund, she said. Sen. Troy McKeown, R-Gillette, however, said that many cities, counties and special districts are sitting on huge reserves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Troy McKeown, R-Gillette Sen. Troy McKeown, R-Gillette There is a cemetery district in this state that is sitting on $50 million, McKeown said. The school districts (have) huge amounts of money. My thought is, the only way you can have huge reserves like that is over-taxation. Sweetwater County Assessor Dave Divis, who stressed that he was speaking as an individual and not in an official capacity, responded that the unidentified cemetery district would be the exception, not the rule. Further, he said he had concerns that creating exemptions based on class could face constitutional challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I could always say, I am valuing your house the same as someone else's, Divis said. I can show it to you, I can prove it. I can still do the value part, but the tax burden is no longer equitable. Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees Executive Director Erin Taylor told the committee that her members are worried about the effect the exemption would have on their funding, and further stated that there are limits on what a community college can hold in reserve. I would hope that the reason to do something like this wouldnt be because of one district, or a couple, Taylor said. However, Ide said he believes property tax to be the most immoral tax there is, continuing that the exemption along with no backfill would force local governments to operate within their means. This he likened to President Donald Trumps officially-announced DOGE, its creation an action Trump took on Inauguration Day. We have got to do something different here, Ide said. I am in favor of eventually getting rid of property taxes. Scott Bessent, President Donald Trumps pick for Treasury secretary, won bipartisan support Tuesday as his nomination cleared a Senate committee. The Senate Finance Committee voted 16-11 to advance Bessents nomination, clearing the way for a Senate floor vote in the coming days. Two Democrats Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) joined with the committees Republicans in supporting Bessent for the top economic job in Trumps Cabinet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Bessent is confirmed, as expected, hell be at the center of Trumps agenda of extending tax cuts, imposing sweeping tariffs and rolling back financial regulations. He will also inherit looming fiscal cliffs in the coming months as the Trump administration needs to get Congress to fund the government and raise the debt limit to avoid a catastrophic default on the nations financial obligations. Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the committee, objected to advancing Bessents nomination, as did most of his colleagues. He said he was concerned the wealthy investor was not square on his taxes, reiterating Democrats allegations he improperly avoided paying Medicare taxes. Democrats have targeted Bessents use of a disputed interpretation of how Medicare taxes apply to the income he earned through his hedge fund, the Key Square Group. The IRS has taken a different position from Bessent in litigation by other taxpayers over issue. Bessent has opted out of paying his fair share of his Medicare taxes, Wyden said. The IRS has gone to court twice to ban this particular scheme that Mr. Bessent is using. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cannot have a Treasury secretary who doesnt abide by Treasury policy, Wyden added, echoing concern from other Democrats that Bessent would have a conflict of interest in overseeing the IRS handling of the issue. At his hearing last week, Bessent defended his tax filings and said he would set aside money to pay additional taxes if higher courts end up ruling that his interpretation was wrong. Bessent has also agreed to shutter his hedge fund. Sen. Mike Crapo, the Republican chair of the committee, pushed back against Democrats attacks on Bessents tax filings again on Monday, calling the allegations simply false. He has done nothing wrong except follow traditional tax law, Crapo said. He added that Bessent fully complied with traditional tax law and is prepared, if the IRS position prevails in court and the rules change, to pay the tax that is due. Just hours after President Donald Trumps inauguration, Senate Armed Services Committee members voted along party lines to advance the new commander-in-chiefs pick to lead the Defense Department. The vote likely sets up National Guard veteran and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth to take over the role as defense secretary sometime later this week, following a full Senate confirmation vote. Democrats have strongly objected to Hegseths nomination, calling him too unqualified and inexperienced to lead the armed forces and its budget of more than $850 billion. They also spent much of his confirmation hearing highlighting allegations of sexual assault, drunkenness and unprofessional behavior leveled against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of Mondays vote, Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said that he believes Hegseth doesnt bring the kind of experience that prepares someone to do this massive job, and he was unable to answer direct questions at his hearing about concerning personal issues. He was one of the 13 Democrats on the panel to vote against the confirmation. But Hegseth, 44, has rebuffed those accusations and did not need any Democratic votes to have his nomination approved by the armed services committee. He also will not need any Democratic support to be confirmed by the full Republican-majority Senate. Trumps pick to lead Pentagon spars with Dems at confirmation hearing Ahead of the committee vote Monday, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., called Hegseth an unconventional pick just like Donald Trump was an unconventional candidate and said he believes Hegseth can bring needed reforms to the armed forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need rapid change at scale in our Department of Defense, and Pete Hegseth has the determination and the tools to achieve real change, Wicker said. He will inject a new warrior ethos into the Pentagon, a spirit that can cascade from the top down. Hegseths 14 years as a National Guard soldier included tours in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan. His work earned him a Combat Infantrymans Badge and two Bronze Stars. During Trumps first term in office, Hegseth worked closely with the White House on pardons and legal help for several troops accused of war crimes in operations overseas. He also led a pair of veterans advocacy groups before joining Fox, where he was a vocal on-air supporter of Trump. At his confirmation hearing Jan. 14, Hegseth promised to eliminate distractions from military training and programs, to include diversity and anti-discrimination efforts. He pledged to fix the Pentagons business practices and restore U.S. military strength, which he insisted has waned in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When President Trump chose me for this position, the primary charge he gave was to bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense, Hegseth told senators. He, like me, wants a Pentagon laser-focused on warfighting, lethality, meritocracy, standards and readiness. That is my job. That job could start by the end of the week. Senate Republican leaders have already indicated that they hope to have a final confirmation vote by Thursday at the latest. That would allow Hegseth to be sworn in as the 29th Secretary of Defense by the weekend. WASHINGTON The Senate voted Monday to pass a bill to crack down on immigration, the first piece of legislation congressional Republicans hope to send newly sworn-in President Donald Trump for a signature. The vote for final passage of the Laken Riley Act was 64-35, with 12 Democrats joining Republicans to approve it. The bill, which was amended in the Senate last week, will be sent back for another vote in the Republican-led House, where it is expected to pass easily before it goes to Trump's desk to become law. The House passed a version of the bill 264-159 this month, with 48 Democrats voting for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It sends a message that we recognize the concerns that Americans have had out there with what has happened at the southern border, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., told NBC News. And this is a message that were going to clean up our own laws inside and were going to make America safer. The Democrats who voted yes were Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Warner of Virginia. Speaking in the Capitol on Monday after his inaugural address, Trump appeared to refer to the Laken Riley Act, named after a Georgia nursing school student who was murdered last year by an undocumented immigrant, noting that it has considerable Democratic support. Its going to be a very beautiful bill. Were going to have a signing, I would say, within a week or so, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House plans to vote on the bill this week, a Republican leadership aide said Monday. The measure, originally introduced in the Senate by Katie Britt, R-Ala., requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take custody of and detain undocumented immigrants who are charged, arrested or convicted for committing acts of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. The Senate approved two amendments before final passage: one from John Cornyn, R-Texas, that adds assault of a law enforcement officer to the offenses that trigger detention, and another from Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, that expands that to acts causing death or bodily harm. It would also empower state attorneys general to sue the federal government over allegations of failing to enforce immigration laws if the State or its residents experience harm, including financial harm in excess of $100," according to the text. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics say the bill would open the door to drastic changes to the system by stripping away due process for migrants who are accused but not convicted of crimes like shoplifting. They also warn that it would empower state attorneys general to shape enforcement. Democrats tried to strip out the provision empowering state prosecutors, which Republicans shot down. We didnt have the votes. Thats how democracy works, Kelly, of Arizona, a supporter of the bill, said of the amendment. Public safety is a major concern of mine. I represent a border state. And its the right thing to do. Fetterman, a co-sponsor, acknowledged Monday that the legislation would not shield "Dreamers" young people brought to the country as children from mandatory detention if they are for those offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not in this one, no, Fetterman said when he was asked whether there's anything in the bill that protects minors and Dreamers. He also said: Thats my goal. I would want to be able to protect the Dreamers. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Jan. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate voted 64-35 on Monday to pass the proposed Laken Riley Act and sent the measure to the House of Representatives for consideration. All Senate Republicans and a dozen Democrats voted to approve the bipartisan measure, but 33 Democrats and independent Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King Jr. of Maine voted against the measure. Democrats who voted for the measure include Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Jon Ossoff of Georgia and Gary Peters of Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Senate Democrats who voted to pass the measure are Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, Mark Warner of Virginia and Raphael Warnock of Georgia. The measure, Senate Bill 5, would require the Department of Homeland Security to take into custody immigrants who illegally enter the United States and have been charged or arrested for burglary, theft, larceny or shoplifting while in the United States. The act also would authorize states to sue the federal government for injunctive relief regarding immigration-related decisions that cause respective states or their residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. States could sue the federal government regarding: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Releasing non-U.S. nationals from custody. Failing to vet individuals seeking admission into the United States, including asylum-seekers. Issuing visas to citizens of nations that unreasonably deny or delay acceptance of nationals from the respective countries. Exceeding limitations on immigration parole, such as not granting paroles on a case-by-case basis. Failing to detain an individual who has been ordered to be removed from the United States. Two amendments modified the proposed act to include more offenses that require detention of migrants who enter the country illegally. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, successfully introduced an amendment requiring the arrest of immigrants who assault police officers. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, successfully introduced an amendment requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement to arrest migrants who cause bodily harm or death. Opponents of the Laken Riley Act say it would remove due process for migrants when they are accused of crimes but have not been convicted. President Donald Trump said he expects the House to approve the Laken Riley Act and sign it into law very soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's going to be a very beautiful bill," Trump told media following his inaugural address on Monday. "We're going to have a signing ... within a week or so." The proposed measure is named after Laken Riley, 22, who was a nursing student at Augusta University-Athens but was stalked and murdered by a Venezuelan migrant while she was jogging on the University of Georgia campus in Athens on the morning of Feb. 22. Jose Ibarra, 26, was convicted of three counts of murder, attempted rape, kidnapping and other crimes that caused Riley's death and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors said Ibarra is a member of the violent Tren de Aragua gang, whose presence has been growing in the United States in recent years. The Senate on Monday passed the Laken Riley Act, making the immigration-related bill the first piece of legislation to make it through the upper chamber in the new Congress and putting it a step closer to being signed into law by President Trump. Senators voted 64-35 on the bill. Twelve Democrats voted with every Republican. The legislation which mandates the federal detention of immigrants without legal status who are accused of theft and burglary, among other things was a priority for Republicans after immigration emerged as a signature issue for Trump and an effective cudgel against Democrats in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This legislation will ensure that illegal aliens who steal or assault a law enforcement officer are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement instead of being allowed out on the streets, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said on the floor ahead of the vote. Im looking forward to getting this legislation to the presidents desk. Democrats who voted in the affirmative included Sens. John Fetterman (Pa.), Ruben Gallego (Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.), Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Jon Ossoff (Ga.), Raphael Warnock (Ga.), Gary Peters (Mich.), Jacky Rosen (Nev.), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) and Mark Warner (Va.). The bill is named after Laken Riley, a college student who was killed almost a year ago in Athens, Ga., by a Venezuelan migrant who had been arrested for shoplifting ahead of the attack and paroled in the U.S. Final passage came after more than a week of work dedicated to the bill on the Senate floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats, still smarting from their defeat at the ballot box, twice voted overwhelmingly to open debate on the measure in the hopes of amending it. But they were largely left empty-handed as the chamber only voted on three amendments and only adopted two. The chamber last week approved a proposal from Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) to add the assault of a law enforcement officer to the list of offenses that would lead to detainment. And prior to final passage on Monday, Sen. Joni Ernsts (R-Iowa) amendment, known as Sarahs Law, was approved in a 75-24 vote. The item expands the bill to include the detainment of migrants without legal status charged with crimes causing death or serious bodily injury. The Ernst proposal is named after Sarah Root, who was killed in a 2016 car crash that involved a migrant without legal status who proceeded to post bond and flee the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only Democratic amendment considered would have cut out part of the bill that hands state attorneys general authority to sue federal immigration officials over detentions. On top of the increased power given to state attorneys general, Democrats were also worried about the provision allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain migrants upon arrest, rather than conviction, and the cost of the proposal. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the bill is estimated to cost nearly $27 billion to implement during the first year, and it would be extremely difficult to enforce due to a lack of resources. This bill makes the country less safe, not more safe. Its a joke, said Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.), the lead Democratic negotiator on the bipartisan border deal that was spurned by conservatives last year. It claims to be locking people up and then allocates no money to do that, so the situation doesnt change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill now heads to the House to be greenlighted before it goes to Trumps desk. Forty-eight House Democrats voted for the proposal earlier this month, but the Senate voted on a different version of the Laken Riley Act, meaning it needs to pass the lower chamber once more. The bill also split Senate Democrats, as lawmakers found themselves in intense internal discussions about how to handle the bill, a pair of members told The Hill. Among the problems they ran into was an early wave of support from members in battleground states that effectively hurt the negotiating posture of leadership. Ive spent a lot of energy trying to show how Democrats care deeply about border security, Murphy said. I just think weve got to be engaged in a collective exercise to prove to the American people that we care more about border security than they do but do that on our terms, not their terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislative push comes after years of Republicans going on the offense politically against the Biden administrations handling of the U.S.-Mexico border and record numbers of migrants who entered the country. Democrats tried to make amends on the issue with the bipartisan bill Murphy and other senators were involved in, but it never moved the needle for the party ahead of November. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The U.S. Senate passed the Laken Riley Act with bipartisan support including both of Arizonas Democratic senators keeping a crackdown on illegal immigrants involved in criminal cases on track to be signed into law soon. The bill passed Monday on a 64-35 vote and now heads back to the U.S. House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass with significant support from Democrats as well. An earlier version of the measure drew unanimous Republican backing and U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., was among the Democrats who joined them. On Monday, Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego of Arizona made good on their intentions to back the bill. Gallego, for one, cosponsored it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, named for Laken Riley, a Georgia woman believed to be slain last year by an immigrant who was in the country illegally. Her death became a major campaign issue in the presidential race and Arizonas U.S. Senate race. Gallego voted for a similar bill last year as a member of the House and in the Senate last week cast the issue of crime by people in the country illegally in the same stark language as many Republicans. Arizonans know the real-life consequences of todays border crisis, he said in a written statement. We must give law enforcement the means to take action when illegal immigrants break the law, to prevent situations like what occurred to Laken Riley. I will continue to fight for the safety of Arizonans by pushing for comprehensive immigration reform and increased border security. A spokesman for Kelly cast the bill as among the solutions to secure the border and fix our broken immigration system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the Republican whip, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., welcomed passage of the measure in the Senate. The passage of the Laken Riley Act with strong bipartisan support marks a critical first step in securing the border and making America safer," he said. "Im glad it is the first bill we are sending to President Trumps desk. The Laken Riley Act will save lives and protect American citizens from illegal immigrant criminals. The Laken Riley Act builds on public support for a crackdown on immigrants who are in the country illegally and any social ills associated with them. Its critics say the measure offers little substantive new security and could open new paths to abuse. Last week Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., outlined his opposition to the House bill in a social media post that said deportation for felony crimes is already against the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays bill would have made it deportable not to be 'convicted' of a felony but simply to have been charged with a felony. That completely eliminates due process, Casten wrote. If you overstay your visa should you be deportable simply because your ex accused you of a crime? Riley, a nursing student at Augusta University in Georgia, died from blows to the head in February. Her remains were found along a running trail near the University of Georgia. Jose Antonio Ibarra, the Venezuelan national indicted on murder charges, has come to symbolize a slow-moving deportation process that allowed a slaying that jarred the nation and became rocket fuel for advocates of a tougher approach to the issue. According to the New York Times, federal authorities in Texas arrested Ibarra after he crossed the border in 2022 but quickly released him under policies in place at the time. Poor relations with Venezuela added to a sluggish deportation process with that country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While free on his border violation, Ibarra picked up a minor citation in New York for operating a scooter without a license and, later, a shoplifting case in Georgia about four months before Riley died. Last year Gallegos Republican Senate opponent, Kari Lake, repeatedly invoked Rileys death as a sign of widespread crime perpetrated by people in the country illegally that endangered Americans. That echoed President Donald Trumps rhetoric on the issue. Trumps win came as Americans expressed greater concern with immigration and border issues. A December poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about half of U.S. adults identified it as their top issue. That was up from about a third of adults in a similar poll taken the year before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House passed the latest version of the Laken Riley Act a week ago, 264-159, with support from 48 Democrats. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego vote to pass Laken Riley crime bill WASHINGTON The Senate on Monday passed a bill that would require the detention of migrants accused of theft and violent crimes, as well as grant power to states to challenge federal immigration policies a big win for newly sworn-in president Donald Trump. The vote on the legislation was 64-35.The GOP-led House must next approve it before sending it to Trumps desk for his signature. Republicans made passing the bill, named the Laken Riley Act after a Georgia student who was killed last year by a Venezuelan man, a top priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America issued a verdict on Nov. 5, they spoke loud and clear, so it is up to us to listen to the people and then take their call to action and put it into effect, Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) said Sunday on Fox News. If you are here illegally and you commit a crime, you should absolutely be detained. Critics of the bill, however, noted it could lead to deportation of undocumented immigrants who are falsely accused of crimes since it does not require obtaining a conviction, including those brought to the U.S. as children. They also said that allowing state attorneys general to sue the federal government if they can show that their states are being harmed by a failure to implement national immigration policies would unleash chaos in the nations immigration system. What are we going to do? Were going to detain 10-year-olds who steal a pack of gum? asked Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). Mondays bill passage would not be possible without the help of Senate Democrats, 12 of which joined Republicans in support of the measure. Trump won the 2024 election in large part due to the issues of immigration and crime, and Democrats have been scrambling to align themselves with public opinion. Related video: What did the first legislative session in Utah look like? SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams officially started the 2025 Legislative Session on Tuesday morning, saying The Utah Dream is alive and well. Adams, who is entering his seventh year as Senate President on Utahs Capitol Hill, welcomed Utah senators with a speech laying out the priorities for the 2025 session. These priorities, he says, will preserve what he called the Utah Dream as well as Utahs republic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 10 interesting bills to check out ahead of the 2025 Utah Legislative Session The Utah Dream is rooted in values we all hold dear, like hard work, community, family, innovation, and opportunity. Where every child, family, and community has a chance to grow and achieve and to prosper using principles of personal freedom, responsibility, and the collective good, Adams said. There are some who would like to alter or destroy this Utah Dream. We cannot let that happen. In his speech, Adams vowed to keep initiatives he said were driven by out-of-state money from turning Utah into California. What to expect as Utah lawmakers meet for 2025 Legislative Session Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams opening remarks were driven by a theme of Utah leading the nation. He said Utah must lead the nation in energy production through the production of micro-nuclear reactors in the state. He also Utah must lead the way in critical mineral extraction and manufacturing. The Utah Senate President also indicated strengthening the Utah Dream by cutting Utahs income tax for a fifth consecutive year and collaborating with neighboring states to help preserve the Great Salt Lake. Finally, after laying out a need for continued investment in Utahs students, Adams laid out the need to look forward and shape the future. Utah will once again welcome the world in 2034. We will again put on the best Olympic Games ever, said Adams. Its a chance to show the world what we already know that Utah is not only a remarkable place to visit but a place where dreams come alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The Senate confirmed Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State just hours after President Donald Trump took his oath of office on Monday in one of the first significant acts of the new administration. The Florida Republican sailed through, with a number of Democrats, including Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, having voiced support for their GOP colleague. Rubio is slated to be the first Hispanic American to hold the powerful position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chamber is fast-tracking nominees who handle national security issues, at least the ones viewed as less controversial. Other Cabinet-level picks, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are scheduled to have confirmation hearings in the coming weeks. The Foreign Relations Committee unanimously approved Rubios nomination in a vote earlier in the day, teeing up the floor vote later in the evening. Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty There was also flurry of committee activity Monday, paving the way for Trump to install his chosen Cabinet officials. Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth was expected to get quick attention, as well, after the Armed Services Committee voted 14-13strictly along partisan linesto send his nomination to be secretary of Defense to the Senate floor for a vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Homeland Security Committee was scheduled to meet to consider both Kristi Noem, Trumps nominee to be secretary of Homeland Security, and Russell Voight to head the Office of Management and Budget. And Senate Intelligence Committee voted overwhelmingly late Monday afternoon to approve John Ratcliffe to be the next CIA director, sending his nomination along to the full Senate for a vote. And on Tuesday, the Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled to hold its hearing on Rep. Elise Stefaniks nomination to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Jan. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., officially was confirmed as the nation's secretary of state by a 99-0 vote in the Senate. The Senate took up Rubio's nomination several hours after President Donald Trump was sworn in earlier Monday and made Rubio's nomination the first high-level position filled for the Trump administration's cabinet. Rubio will resign from the Senate to accept the secretary of state post. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week said he would appoint Ashley Moody to replace Rubio if the Senate confirmed Rubio's nomination as secretary of state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his Senate confirmation hearing, Rubio described the Chinese Communist Party as a "dangerous" opponent to the United States, CNN reported. China is a "technological adversary and competitor, an industrial competitor, and economic competitor, geopolitical competitor [and] a scientific competitor," Rubio said. "It's an extraordinary challenge and one that I believe will define the 21st century." Rubio said China's leaders took advantage of leniency provided to them by President Joe Biden and his administration and the United States now is dealing with the results of that leniency. "Much of what we need to do to confront China is here at home," Rubio said. "We have to rebuild out domestic industrial capacity, and we have to make sure the United States is not reliant on any single nation for any of our critical supply chains." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio also told senators it's unrealistic to expect Russia to withdraw to re-establish the borders separating Russia and Ukraine prior to Russia's February 2022 invasion of its neighbor. He said the official U.S. policy should be to end the war without re-establishing the prior borders. Rubio replaces former Secretary of State Antony Blinken. One of the Ohio seats is vacant because of JD Vance becoming vice president. Gov. Mike DeWine has selected Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to succeed Vance. The Senate voted on Monday to confirm Marco Rubio as President Donald Trumps secretary of state, the first high-level Cabinet official for the new administration to be approved by the chamber. The confirmation vote took place just hours after Trump was sworn in as president. The overwhelmingly bipartisan vote was 99 to 0 with no senators voting against the nomination. Rubio has served as a Republican senator from Florida since 2011, and his nomination drew strong support from a number of Senate Democrats, who called their colleague highly qualified for the role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio went from Trump adversary to ally in recent years in a remarkable political turnaround. Now, he will play a key role as a high-ranking official in Trumps new administration. The two had a bitter rivarly during the 2016 GOP presidential primary, with Rubio calling Trump a con artist, while Trump derisively called him Little Marco. After his failed GOP presidential primary bid in 2016, Rubio sharpened his foreign policy credentials as the leading Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, while building relationships in his party and across the aisle. Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has named state Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill the seat set to be vacated by Rubio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubios nomination received a warm reception from many Senate Democrats. During his confirmation hearing, New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called Rubio well-qualified to serve as secretary of state. During questions from senators, Rubio voiced his support for NATO as well as a bipartisan law he co-sponsored that states that the US cannot withdraw from the alliance without Senate approval or an act of Congress. Rubio also talked about the need for the US to take a strong stance with respect to China during his confirmation hearing, calling the Chinese Communist Party a potent and dangerous adversary. Theyre a technological adversary and competitor, an industrial competitor, an economic competitor, geopolitical competitor, a scientific competitor now, in every realm, its an extraordinary challenge and one that I believe will define the 21st century, Rubio said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve allowed them to get away with things, and frankly the Chinese did what any country in the world would do given these opportunities, they took advantage of it, so now were dealing with the ramifications of it, he said. Much of what we need to do to confront China is here at home. Its not just abroad, its also here at home, he said. We have to rebuild our domestic industrial capacity, and we have to make sure the United States is not reliant on any single other nation for any of our critical supply chains. In response to questions about Russias war against Ukraine, Rubio said its unrealistic to believe Ukraine can push Russian forces back to where they were before the 2022 invasion and that the official US position should be that the war should end. Rubio added he and Trump agree about the war needing to end and criticized the Biden administration for not setting a clear end goal for the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What (Russian President) Vladimir Putin has done is unacceptable, theres no doubt about it, but this war has to end, and I think it should be the official policy of the United States that we want to see it end, Rubio said. CNNs Jeremy Herb contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Senators have received an affidavit from the former sister-in-law of Pete Hegseth, President Trump's nominee to serve as secretary of defense, that says his behavior caused his second wife to fear for her safety. NBC News' Julie Tsirkin reports from Capitol Hill as Hegseth and his attorney deny the allegations as he awaits Senate confirmation. Mahesh Babu Munjala, a native of India who works with data and AI at a biopharmaceutical company in Florida, felt lucky to win the highly-coveted H-1B visa lottery in 2017. It was his third try to get the skilled worker permit after his student visa expired shortly after graduating with a Masters in computer science. Only 30% to 40% of employer-sponsored applicants typically succeed each year in getting H-1Bs, which last up to six years and are issued to only 85,000 people annually. In 2024, the approval rate was even lower: 26%. But for Munjala, obtaining the H-1B was the least of the hurdles he still must jump through in an effort to remain in the U.S. long-term. As it turns out, being an AI leader at a company thats a healthcare trailblazer and in an industry in dire need of top AI talent, only carries so much weight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August 2024, Munjala applied for another of what is an alphabet soup of visas: A permanent residency card for people with extraordinary abilities known as the EB-1Anicknamed the Einstein Visa that lets holders bypass the regular green card queue that has a much longer wait. However, in December, his application was denied. Since Munjala is among the few experts in data analytics for rare diseases and blood plasma, and had also reviewed others research papers in top journals, he was surprised and disappointed by the rejection. If his expertise and impact doesnt meet the bar, what does? I led projects that impacted millions of people who take flu vaccines, plasma therapies and gene therapy product releases to market, Munjala said. Now hes in limbo. He extended his temporary visa, sponsored by his employer, CSL, and plans to reapply for the Einstein Visa. However, due to quotas for Indian applicants and a backlog for those applicants stretching several decades, Munjala has little hope of getting a green card for permanent residency even though his employer is trying to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, hes anxious about his future and, though he considers his job secure, must live with a certain uneasiness about what would happen if hes ever laid off. If jobless, he would only have 60 days to find a new position at a company thats willing to take over sponsorship of his H-1B. Otherwise, hed have to leave the country. Sometimes its all too much to keep in mind and work at the same time, Munjala said. The U.S. has long relied on immigrant talent to drive innovation, especially in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence. More than half of PhD holders working as computer and mathematical scientists and engineers are foreign born, according to a study in 2021 by the National Science Foundation. Immigrants also have an outsized role in creating tech startups, the most successful of which play a major role in the nations economy. For example, 65% of the top U.S.-based AI companies were founded or co-founded by immigrants, according to a 2023 report by the National Foundation for American Policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But outdated visa policies, massive backlogs of visa applications, and political uncertainty have heightened fears among the very workers fueling the U.S. AI boom. Despite their contributions, many AI specialistseven top talent at Google, Nvidia, Meta, OpenAI, and Walmartfind themselves trapped in a byzantine immigration system full of red tape, country-based quotas, and bureaucrats who struggle to grasp the fast-changing AI landscape. The challenges come at every level of their immigration process. Many workers in AI fields first come to the U.S. to attend top universities, including Harvard and Stanford, on student visas. After that, many who want to start their own companies cant because they are restricted by the rules of their student visas and work permits that let them get temporary jobs for training in their field of study. If they are ultimately lucky enough to get sponsored by an employer and selected in the H-1B lottery, they have six years to figure out another way to stay. And country quotasa limit on the number of visas awarded based on an applicants nation of originmean it can still take years, or even decades, to then get a coveted green card. Donald Trump, newly sworn in as president on Monday, could complicate matters even more for certain skilled immigrants seeking both temporary and permanent visasor make it easier for them. His policy isnt entirely clear. As a candidate, Trump promised to crack down on immigration to help U.S. citizens get jobs. But since his election victory, he publicly sided with his new best friend, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, on making more visas available for skilled immigrants to help accelerate tech development for companies across the country. Its the same Trump, who, just days into his first presidential term, unexpectedly issued an executive order blocking the immigration of people born in seven predominantly Muslim nations. The decision led to visas for up to 60,000 people being provisionally revoked, sowing chaos at U.S. airports when impacted immigrants suddenly discovered that they no longer had permission to enter the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Near the end of his first term, Trump also went so far as to order the federal government to suspend issuing any new work visas, including H-1Bs. The order, vociferously opposed by many companies that rely on skilled foreign labor, was eventually rejected after being challenged in court. Whatever Trump ultimately decides to do this time around, if anything, could have a huge impact on the U.S. economy for years to come and on the lives of skilled immigrants trying to navigate the visa process. Already frustrated and confused, many fear that it could get even worse over the next four years. We should not need to jump through this many hoops just to get a highly qualified person a green card, said Amber Davis, a Boston-based immigration lawyer. As it is, many skilled immigrants give up because of the convoluted visa process or are forced to leave. Davis gave the example of one client, an AI engineering leader who has worked at several Fortune 500 companies. The individual had to leave the U.S. because they maxed out on their H-1B visa renewals and their application for a permanent visa was denied. Its very arbitrary, said Davis, who added that her client, with few options to return, has had to remain outside the U.S. for over a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even some well-known AI leaders have been affected. For example, Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AIa startup valued at $9 billion that is among Silicon Valleys buzziestposted on X in October that he has been waiting for a decision about his Einstein Visa application for over three years. On paper, at least, he has a long track record at many of the most successful companies in tech. Srinivas has a PhD in computer science from the University of California at Berkeley, was an intern at OpenAI in the companys early days and then worked at Googles AI division, DeepMind, before founding Perplexity. But his visa application is on hold due to quotas based on his country of birth, India. In a post on X last month, Srinivas vented about the process: I think I should get a green card. Wdyt?, short for what do you think? In response, Musk, who has posted on X about Silicon Valleys shortage of excellent engineering talent, and will co-lead the new DOGE advisory body for cutting government spending under President Trump, gave his full-throated support. A clogged system, filled with risks and bureaucracy In advance of Trumps inauguration, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services was deluged with new applications for permanent visas. The result has been additional delays on a process that had already been bogged down over the past year due to staffing shortages within the federal government compounded by already-existing backlogs. There is a sense of panic, even among a lot of the top AI talent, especially newer talent, Davis explained. The reality is that there are relatively few merit-based pathways for top immigrant AI talent to get U.S. work visas. Most green cards issued each year are granted based on family ties to people who are already legally in the U.S. In contrast, only about 14% of green cards, or 140,000, are allocated for employment-based applicants, most of whom need an existing job offer to qualify. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of those, the only truly merit-based permanent visas leading to a green cardthe several categories of whats known as the EB-1are capped at approximately 40,000 annually. In addition to these visas, which include the Einstein Visa, there is the highly-competitive O-1 visa, that is also for those with extraordinary ability. The O-1 visa, however, like the H-1B, is temporarythough it can be renewed every three years indefinitely. But it comes with risks. Sarah Allali, a French national, recently secured an O-1 visa to work on her early-stage AI startup, Floode. But because her visa was granted based on her startups funding, its success isnt just a business concernits a legal one. If the company fails and shes forced to shut it down, her visa could be invalid. "My visa is tied to my company, Allali said. I would have to leave the country. Some immigrant AI talent is therefore reluctant to found startups, said Deedy Das, a principal at venture capital firm Menlo Ventures from India who co-founded hot AI startup Glean. He joined Facebook after college and then switched to Google shortly after. I may not have even done those things if not for the risks of immigration, because in my mind, it was Hey, a big company is safestwhy take the risk of going to a startup? said Das, who holds an Einstein Visa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, bureaucratic blunders prompt questions about the fairness of who does and doesnt receive visas. Yuchen Jin, a China-native who is cofounder and chief technology officer of AI startup Hyperbolic Labs, was surprised to learn that the federal government rejected his green card application, inexplicably citing a lack of sufficient impact beyond that of Apple, Inc. He was also mistakenly identified in the decision as Apples chief technology officer. I have never worked at Apple, Jin wrote on X. I got my [computer science] PhD, cofounded an AI startup, and raised $20M. Yet, after waiting an entire year, I'm rejected with this absurd reasoning. High-skilled immigrants are America's secret weapon. It should be merit-based -- not left to some USCIS officer carelessly reviewing documents and copy-pasting rejection reasons! Last week, the Biden Administration released what it called an AI Talent Report acknowledging that immigration obstacles often prevent capable workersincluding many immigrant U.S. university graduatesfrom staying in the country. The report, in particular, noted the impediments for people with AI expertise. Among non-U.S. citizen AI PhDs who left the United States, over half cited immigration issues as relevant to their decision to leave, the report said. The barriers appear to be higher in the U.S. than in many other countries. Sixty percent of non-U.S. citizens with U.S. PhDs related to AI report immigration difficulties, while only 12% of non-citizen AI PhDs in other countries mentioned similar issues. Targeted immigration reform measures could help increase the supply of top talent in the United States, the report said. A new era for the Trump administration For now, many immigrants are worried about what Trump wants to do about visas for skilled workers. While some are hopeful that Musk and other tech executives close to the administration will lobby for more visas for immigrant AI talent, the Trump transition team hasnt shared any details about its plans. They've just provided blanket statements that have caused ripples of fear, said Poonam Gupta, a New York-based immigration lawyer who advises Big Tech clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if Trump keeps the status quo for skilled visa applicants, rather than adding the administrative hurdles that characterized his first term, legal immigration may slow considerably, she explained. There are just so many unknowns that it's really hard for our clients to keep calm. Gupta said. One concern is that Trump will reverse recent attempts to make certain permanent visas easier and faster to obtain for AI professionals, in particular. One such attempt was a Biden executive order in 2023 that sought to streamline the process for skilled immigrants with expertise in certain critical areas to study, stay, and work in the U.S. Priyanka Kulkarni, founder and CEO of Casium, a startup that tries to give personalized guidance to immigrant work visa applicants and make filling out the paperwork faster is familiar with difficulties of getting a work visa. After a decade at Microsoft developing AI, she was offered a spot at an AI-focused startup incubator in Seattle, but was hindered from accepting due to visa problems. She held a H-1B visa, yet required the permanent Einstein Visa because of the difficulty at the time of starting a company under the H-1B rules (Bidens changes to those rules last week make it easier for immigrant entrepreneurs to start companies). For Kulkarni, just preparing the application for the Einstein Visa took several months and legal assistance that cost $10,000. Such sky-high attorney fees are a major hurdle for many applicants. There was always this uncertainty in the back of my head, Kulkarni said. I wanted to start a company, I wanted to innovate, I have so much deep expertise in AI. But there were so many hurdles, even in terms of just knowing my options. A fast-changing AI industry A major challenge with current U.S. immigration policies is that they dont align well with how AI talent operates. For example, merit-based visas often require researchers and engineers to cite published work or patents as evidence of their expertise. While this is straightforward for academics, AI professionals at todays top tech companies and labs frequently work on proprietary projects, preventing them from publicly sharing their contributions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means even a high-paid Google vice president may have to come up with other ways to make their value clear. The fact they got to Google, it doesnt cut it anymore, said Gupta. You still have to prove youre at the very top, that youre special. One Amazon AI product leader from India who holds a Masters degree, and who works at the companys cloud computing division AWS, said U.S. immigration officials typically evaluate AI workers seeking merit-based visas from a research, not a business, perspective. Doing so puts an important layer of AI workersthose focused more on the business sideat a huge disadvantage. They have a certain way, like we need people to have scientific and research papers, and only then will we give them an EB-1A, said the product leader, who asked to remain anonymous so as not to jeopardize his H-1B status. If a business person like me comes in and says, I'm so critical for business, they will probably reject me. Many top AI workers therefore spend their evenings and weekends on profile buildingjudging at hackathons, speaking at conferences, landing media coverageto pad their resumes to meet the stringent eligibility criteria for the most competitive merit-based visas. Even employees who are key product leaders working on a flagship AI product must still show proof that they are well-known in their fields for their work. The Amazon employee still has three years left on his H-1B visa, but his wife only has two. Normally, H-1B visa holders can have their company apply on their behalf for another temporary visa that extends their stay until they can apply for a green card. But because of legal restrictions, companies that have had recent layoffs, as Amazon has, often must pause petitions for H-1B or other employer-sponsored visas in occupations affected by the job cuts. Those employers are required to show that hiring foreign workers wont hurt the job opportunities of U.S. workers. So that's another whole level of anxiety and complexity, the Amazon employee said about his own future. The uncertainty, he added, affects simple things that others may not even think about whether to contribute to a 401k, buy a house, or even buy large appliances, with the knowledge that one might have to leave the country. It impacts your basic personal finance 101, he said. A long, uncertain immigration journey for AI workers For those AI workers who have gotten to the other side of the immigration mountain, there is reliefand sometimes a desire to help others get to the finish line. Rudra Chowdhury, a Seattle-based technical product manager from India who develops AI products at streaming company Tubi, worked doggedly for years to build his profile with the goal of getting his Einstein Visa and then his green card, skipping the H-1B lottery altogether. Last year, he finally received both his Einstein Visa and green card. I feel a lot of relief because now, with a permanent residency, there's a lot of things that I can explore and contribute which were not available to me as an international student or as an immigrant, Chowdhury said, adding that he now mentors other immigrants navigating the system. But for others still at the beginning of an uncertain immigration limbo, its very different. One African data scientist who is currently developing AI tools for an investment management firm said he received his H-1B visa last month. The employee, who requested anonymity to avoid jeopardizing his H-1B status, said he made sure to get stamped before Trumps inauguration due to all the uncertainty around the administration." After six years, he will have to apply for another temporary visa sponsored by his company, which will first have to post a job opening publicly to prove it cannot be filled by an American worker. Only then can he start the process of applying for a green card. When you're working and you see your job already being advertised, it's a weird situation, he said. Ideally, he says he would like to work for an AI startup, but its too risky. I still love my current company, but I think I would be more open to other stuff, but you have to think about how secure is this company? he continued: If youre a permanent resident, you can take any job, and if you lose it, you'll find another one. But for me, I have 60 days to find another joband I don't even get unemployment even though I pay unemployment tax as an H-1B. With Trump in the White House, Munjala, the biopharmaceutical AI specialist, is playing it safe. He doesnt want to risk leaving the U.S. to visit his parents in India and show off his two children, one of whoma 10-month-old daughtertheyve never met in person. Like many temporary visa holders, Munjala fears that Trump will quickly act on his promise to upend U.S. immigration laws and block the return of legal temporary visa holders who happen to be outside the country. If so, he could suddenly be unable to return to the U.S., where both of his children are citizens. Being trapped outside the U.S. would be incredibly stressful, especially with two young kids , he said in a text message. The strain on the entire family would be immense, with the added worry of our homes and financial investments, and the uncertainty about how my U.S. career could be affected. It would feel like everything we've worked for is at risk. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) There are now four blood vending machines inside Sentara Norfolk General Hospital as part of a pilot project to give doctors safe and fast access to blood products. I know our ED is very thankful to have it, said Transfusion Services Manager Christie McGhee. It is within steps of their trauma bay beds. McGhee showed us how easy it is for staff to quickly get the life-saving fluid. She just scanned her badge, then scanned the patient ID and chose how much she needed. The refrigerator, she said, does the rest. It lights up the spots for the blood thats most compatible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blood bank is not close to the O.R. Its not close to the ED either, McGhee said. So having this kind of remote blood bank for their access is a gamechanger for them. Before the vending machines were installed in December, a runner would be sent to the hospitals blood bank. We are a Level 1 trauma center. Sometimes there are cases where blood is needed more urgently than others, so if youre able to get that blood product a minute faster, that makes a difference, said Vice President of Lab Services for Sentara Health, Ian Noga. Sentara Norfolk General alone does more than 2,200 transfusions per month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So we always want to ensure we have enough blood on hand, Noga said. Blood has a shelf life of about one month, so even though they keep it really cold, they cant keep it for very long. Thats why Noga encourages people to donate and donate often. You can roll up your sleeve at any Red Cross donation center or blood drive and, who knows, the lives you save may start with a trip to the vending machine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. LONDON (AP) Prince Harry's mission to put the British tabloids on trial for decades of alleged unlawful snooping into his life was in question Tuesday as last-minute settlement talks delayed the start of a high-stakes trial pitting him against Rupert Murdochs newspapers. If the Duke of Sussex settles his claims against the publisher of The Sun and now-defunct News of the World, it would mark a significant reversal of his vow to be the one person who could hold them accountable and expose their misdeeds in an open trial. Harry, 40, the younger son of King Charles III, and one other claimant are the only two remaining who have not joined the hundreds of others who have settled lawsuits against News Group Newspapers over allegations their phones were hacked and investigators unlawfully snooped on their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In more than 1,300 claims brought against the publisher since a widespread phone hacking scandal forced Murdoch to close News of the World in 2011, Harry's case is the closest to get to trial. The trial, which was due to start Tuesday morning, was delayed for a day after an unusual series of events in court that revolved around private out-of-court settlement discussions. When Judge Timothy Fancourt refused to allow a further delay until Wednesday, attorneys on both sides said they would go to the Court of Appeal to challenge his ruling, effectively stalling the trial start. News Group attorney Anthony Hudson said there had been productive discussions and said there was a very substantial sum on the line if the trial began before they could complete very intense negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial was due to be the Duke of Sussex's second in London's High Court in his long-running feud with the press that he blames for the death of his mother, Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash in 1997 while being chased by paparazzi in Paris. He also blames them for persistent attacks on his wife, actor Meghan Markle, that led them to leave the royal life and flee to the U.S. in 2020. Harry has said his battle with the media has led to a rift with his family, but it's one he feels compelled to carry out to expose wrongdoing. He won a similar case against the publisher of the Daily Mirror newspaper in 2023 and he has another case pending against the Daily Mail's publisher. Allegations aimed at editors and executives Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harry claims News Group journalists and private investigators they hired violated his privacy by using unlawful tactics to dig up dirt on him and his family between 1996 and 2011. His fellow claimant, Tom Watson, a former deputy leader of the Labour Party, said his voicemails were intercepted during a period when he was investigating the hacking scandal. Their lawyer said the newspapers had a widespread practice of using deception to obtain medical, phone and flight records, bugged homes and placed listening devices in cars. They allege that executives concealed the skullduggery through means that included destroying documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This allegation is wrong, unsustainable, and is strongly denied, News Group said in a statement. Former executives accused of playing a role include Will Lewis, now CEO of the Washington Post, and Rebekah Brooks, CEO of News UK, a division of News Corp. They have denied wrongdoing. Brooks was acquitted of phone hacking conspiracy charges in a criminal trial in 2014, though her former colleague, Andy Coulson, who was later spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron, was jailed. News Group strongly denies the allegations and it said Harry failed to bring his lawsuit within the required six-year limit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News Group apologized to News of the World phone hacking victims in 2011. The Sun has never accepted liability. Litigation, a source of family friction The trial, expected to last 10 weeks, would put Harry back in the witness box for several days in February. In 2023, Harry became the first senior member of the royal family to testify in court since the late 19th century, when Queen Victorias eldest son, Prince Albert Edward, testified twice. That has put Harry at odds with a family famous for a never complain, never explain attitude. Harry revealed in court papers that his father opposed his litigation. He also said his older brother William, Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, had received a huge sum to settle a complaint against News Group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harry said his tabloid war was central to his fallout with his family. The mission continues, but it has, yes, its caused, as you say, part of a rift, Harry said in the documentary Tabloids On Trial. Harry said he wished his family had joined him in making a stand against media offenses. But, you know, Im doing this for my reasons, he said. Strong incentive to settle Actor Hugh Grant had been one of Harry's remaining co-claimants, but said he was forced to accept an enormous sum of money to settle because he could have faced a legal bill of 10 million pounds ($12.3 million) even if he won at trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under English civil law, a claimant who wins a court judgment that is lower than what they were offered to settle, has to pay the legal bills for both sides. The law is intended to discourage lengthy trials. Despite the grave financial risk, Harry told The New York Times Dealbook Summit in December that he was not going to fold. Theyve settled because theyve had to settle," he said of other claimants. "One of the main reasons for seeing this through is accountability, because Im the last person that can actually achieve that. Unexpected delay at the 11th-hour The trial's delay was unremarkable, but the sequence of events leading to it was unusual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After an adjournment through the lunch hour expired, attorneys donned their wigs again and sought another postponement as they verbally danced around the settlement that was on everyones mind. But Fancourt, who noted their use of code words to discuss the matter, said that while he understood the settlement dynamic, the parties had months to reach an agreement. I am not persuaded that if there is a real will to settle this, first that it could not have been achieved by today, Fancourt said. These parties have had a very long time to come to terms in this matter. After reluctantly granting a 10-minute break ostensibly to give Harry's lawyer David Sherborne time to remove anything provocative from his opening statement that could affect the ongoing talks, the parties returned to court and said they would appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fancourt, who was not happy, said they had ultimately achieved the delay they sought by deciding to go to a higher court. Im not going to stand in the way of access to justice if the parties wish to go to the Court of Appeal, Fancourt said. Happy Tuesday and welcome to another edition of Rent Free. Over the past month, legislatures across the country have been convening and legislators have been introducing a flurry of housing legislation. This week's newsletter takes a look at some of the more interesting bills and policies that have been proposed thus far, including: Montana's "rights-based" approach to zoning reform A new bill in Congress to roll back the powers of California's Coastal Commission Colorado's plan to tackle restrictive building codes one step at a time Montana's Proposed Rollback of Euclidian Zoning Last week, Montana Sen. Becky Beard (RElliston) introduced Senate Bill 146, otherwise known as the Private Property Protection Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill would require that any property use restriction adopted by any unit of state or local government be "demonstrably necessary and narrowly tailored to fulfill a compelling governmental interest in public health or safety." A private property owner would be entitled to sue a government body that tries to impose or enforce use conditions that aren't narrowly tailored to achieving some health or safety goal. The government will have to prove with "clear and convincing" evidence that its use restriction is the "least restrictive" means of achieving that health or safety goal and that a less restrictive law couldn't achieve the same purpose. In effect, this bill would create free speechlevel "strict scrutiny" protections against land use regulations that are similar to constitutional protections for free speech or freedom of religion. It's a far higher standard than the current "rational basis" one that says that laws need only be a rational means for achieving some government purpose, and it's on the citizen to prove that the law is irrational. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law applies to "everything going forward that's either enacted or enforced. If there's an enforcement decision of the laws that are on the books today, after this law is passed, that decision to enforce that law will need to meet this really high standard," says Kendall Cotton, the president and CEO of the Montana-based Frontier Institute. "This is how things worked before Euclid," he says, referencing the 1926 U.S. Supreme Court decision that established the constitutional permissibility of single-family-only zoning. Should the bill pass, a property owner could sue to stop the enforcement of any zoning law that stops them from opening a business in a residential neighborhood or constructing an apartment building on their land. The government would have to show that preventing that business or apartment building is necessary for protecting health and safety. The bill makes exceptions for actions that prevent or abate nuisances and the enforcement of license or permit conditions from that above requirement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a rights-based approach rather than a regulation-based approach. Rather than taking a piecemeal approach to zoning reform by limiting local discretion, it's setting an overall standard that applies to all levels of government," says Charles Gardner, an attorney and researcher at George Mason University's Mercatus Center. The vast majority of zoning reforms that have been proposed or passed in recent years have been quite prescriptive. They effectively try to replace restrictive local laws (that prohibit, say, one from building a duplex) with a more liberal set of laws saying the duplex, and only the duplex, is now allowed. That's the approach Montana took in 2023 when it passed a series of laws allowing accessory dwelling units and small multifamily developments in formerly single-family areas, among other zoning reforms. The Montana bill instead would establish a whole new standard that presumes any property rights restriction is impermissible except for those things that meet that aforementioned narrowly tailored health or safety standard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closest existing legislation to Montana's bill, Gardner says, is federal protections for religious land uses. Those federal protections have generally proved quite robust at stopping local governments from zoning churches and religiously run charitable services out of existence. State laws that require governments to compensate property owners for imposing new, more restrictive zoning regulations are similar but less sweeping, he says. Congress vs. the California Coastal Commission The California Coastal Commission is arguably one of the most powerful regulatory bodies in the world. It has near-unchecked authority to approve or deny local zoning laws and individual developments along 860 miles of the state's valuable shoreline. The federal Coastal Zone Management Act gives the state body a rare effective veto power over federally permitted private activity in the coastal zone as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission has wielded its powers quite zealously to fine homeowners millions of dollars for installing gates on their property, force other homeowners to dismantle the second floor of their homes, deny affordable housing projects, and even stop the Air Force from permitting more SpaceX launches at Vandenburg Space Force Baseciting Elon Musk's political activity as a reason. (SpaceX has since filed a First Amendment lawsuit challenging the commission's denial of its launches.) That's earned it a long, diverse list of critics who'd like to see the commission's powers curtailed. One such critic is Rep. Kevin Kiley (RCalif.), who announced last week that he plans to introduce legislation to limit the Coastal Commission's powers. "It's an agency that has gone far beyond its purpose, which is to protect the California coast, and undermined a lot of important policy objectives through the way it's abused its powers," Kiley tells Reason. "It's really past time that we reined them in." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His yet-to-be-introduced legislation would rescind the authority the federal government has delegated to the commission to review federal activity along the California coast and to veto permitted private activity there. That's a pretty straightforward task that merely requires amending the Coastal Zone Management Act. Kiley says that his legislation will also attempt to add due process protections for private property owners subject to coastal commission jurisdiction and stop the commission from impeding wildfire rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an emergency order temporarily suspending the commission's powers in regards to L.A. property owners rebuilding their fire-damaged homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Accomplishing those latter goals at the federal level will likely be more difficult given that the commission's powers over nonfederal activity are granted to it by state law. Kiley says that the Coastal Commission gets about $3 million in federal funds each year and that a requirement of those funds is the commission produce a broad activity plan. He suggests that requirements could be incorporated into that plan to give property owners in the coastal zone more due process protections and to exempt L.A. rebuilding efforts from commission preview. Kiley says he plans to introduce a full bill within the next week or so. "To the extent we can get them out of the picture entirely, we're looking at how we can do that. To the extent that's not possible and they have to have some role because they're ultimately a creature of state law, we'll at least look at how we can incorporate requirements into their federal plan," he says. Colorado Considers 'Smart Stair' Reform As reforms to local zoning codes spread across the country, reformers are increasingly turning their attention to building codes that lay out how new developments must be constructed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of particular interest to reformers are existing requirements generally requiring that apartment buildings have two stairwells. Proponents of the idea argue this would allow more efficient, family-friendly floorplans for apartments and make it easier for apartment buildings to be built on smaller lots. Internationally, single-stair standards are common. In America, most state and local building codes require two staircases in multifamily buildings. A few cities have liberalized building codes to allow some multifamily buildings to be built with a single-stair case. A handful of states have passed or considered bills that would study the change. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is hoping that his state will be the next to embrace "smart stair" reform. "This helps effectively stop forcing builders from building massive apartment buildings because of stair requirements and get government out of micromanaging of stairs," Polis tells Reason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bill that would have allowed buildings of up to six stories to be built with one staircase was introduced in the Colorado Legislature last year. It was one of the few introduced housing reforms to not pass the Legislature that year. Fire officials had opposed the Colorado reforms, arguing they'd reduce fire safety. Proponents of singe-stair (or "smart stair" reforms, as Polis calls it) say that these fire safety concerns are exaggerated and other requirements around building materials and the installation of sprinkler systems are better means of addressing fire risks. "Right now [two-staircase requirements] are not really optimized for safety," says Polis. Because the requirement leads developers to construct larger buildings, people are often further away from an exit than if they lived in a smaller, single-staircase building, he says. In his State of the State speech earlier this month, Polis paired calls for "smart stair reform" with proposals to give faith organizations zoning relief to build affordable housing and reforms to the state's "condo defect" law. Quick Links One of President Donald Trump's first-day executive orders calls on all federal departments to look for ways to expand housing supply and reduce housing costs as one way of delivering "emergency price relief." A Washington state bill that would cap rent increases in the state at 7 percent passed out of a committee in the state House of Representatives on a closely divided 98 vote. California's Assembly Bill 253 would allow private third parties to issue building permits. This could help speed up permitting times and could be particularly helpful for people trying to rebuild their homes after the Los Angeles fires. Texas passed a similar law in 2023. Was 2024 the "housing election"? Last week, the Biden administration withdrew its proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule that it had yet to finalize. President Donald Trump is likely to replace that rule with something much more scaled back. Read Reason's past coverage of how this wonky fair housing rule became a huge political lightning rod in the 2020 election. The post In Session appeared first on Reason.com. A Texas man has admitted to kidnapping and killing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, who was found dead in a river nearly a year ago after she briefly went missing. Don Steven McDougal "has accepted responsibility for his actions in the kidnapping and murder of Audrii Cunningham" and will spend the rest of his life in prison without possibility of parole or appeal, the Polk County District Attorney's Office announced on Friday, Jan. 17. McDougal was charged with capital murder on Feb. 21, a day after Audriis body was found tied to rocks in the Trinity River, about 76 miles from her home in Livingston, Texas, authorities said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Man Accused of Murdering Audrii Cunningham Was Family Friend Who Participated in Search for Her: Sheriff Polk County Sheriff's Office; Livingston Independent School District Audrii Cunningham (left); and her last school project. Audrii Cunningham (left); and her last school project. Audrii, a fifth-grade student, was reported missing after she did not show up to school on Feb. 15. Dr. Brent Hawkins, superintendent of the Livingston Independent School District in Texas, told PEOPLE that McDougal had brought her to school as recently as three days prior to her disappearance. McDougal, who had prior convictions for enticing a minor, was a family friend of Audrii's father who lived on his property and helped search for the girl following her disappearance. Related: Body of Missing Texas 11-Year-Old Audrii Cunningham Found in Trinity River Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Friday's hearing, Audrii's family members fondly remembered the slain girl and spoke about their feelings of betrayal by McDougal, Click2Houston reported. "She gave my family purpose, and you stole that from me, Audrii's father Josh Cunningham said in court. You took away the life of our little angel. Your punishment in this life will never fit the crime," her grandmother Tabitha Munsch said. "Nothing will ever bring her back, and thats your fault. ... May you rot in hell. Audrii's grandfather Philip Munschsaid said McDougal was "a monster pretending to be her friend who "violated her trust, per Click2Houston. Philip added that Audrii was a "talented and happy" child who brightened the lives of all around her. Montgomery County Jail Don Steven McDougal Don Steven McDougal Related: 'She Could Always Make You Laugh': Audrii Cunningham, 11, Remembered by Loved Ones After Killing 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 its statement last week, the DAs office said McDougal was determined to be ineligible for the death penalty due to a state law that limits its use for anyone with significant documented Intellectual and developmental disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. 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 Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, site of Rev. Martin Luther King's assassination and now home to the National Civil Rights Museum. (Photo: John Partipilo) In 2021, I called out the superficial nature of many Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations, where sanitized service projects and staged photo-ops replaced a serious reckoning with the radical vision of justice, equity and inclusion that King lived and died for. Monday as we marked another MLK Day, the circumstances are even grimmer. In Tennessee and across the country, anti-DEI legislation, state overreach in Black communities, and the resurgence of far-right extremism have made a mockery of the justice King preached. Adding insult to injury, this year, Donald Trump whose rhetoric and policies are antithetical to Kings legacy was inaugurated as president for a second time on the very day we claim to honor King. Kings radical dream vs. Trumps authoritarian nightmare This convergence a Trump inauguration on MLK Day highlights the sharp and undeniable contrast in visions for our country. On one hand, Kings legacy is rooted in radical love, courageous justice, and a relentless pursuit of equity and liberation for the oppressed. On the other, Trumps policies embody division, exclusion and authoritarianism, built on a foundation of white supremacy and economic exploitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And yet, we know the routine. Those who perpetuate these systems of injustice cynically invoked Kings name while rebuking his nature. They cherry-picked his I Have a Dream speech while legislating against everything he fought for. They spoke of unity while driving deeper wedges into the heart of this nation. King was not a dreamer lost in abstraction he was a prophetic disruptor, a moral revolutionary who called for the tearing down of systems of oppression. Let me say this plainly: service without justice is not enough. A photo-op at a soup kitchen or a beautification project for a public park will not dismantle systemic racism, economic exploitation, or state-sanctioned violence. Tennessee: A battleground for justice Nowhere is this hypocrisy more evident than in Tennessee. Our state has become a testing ground for anti-DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) legislation, banning the teaching of critical race theory an academic field focusing on the systemic connections between race and the legal system and not taught in Tennessee K-12 schools defunding inclusive education programs, and dismantling equity initiatives at every turn. These efforts are not accidental; they are deliberate attempts to whitewash history, silence marginalized voices, and maintain systems of inequality. This war on equity is coupled with state overreach in cities like Memphis and counties like Shelby, where predominantly Black communities face the brunt of oppressive policies, voter suppression and the defunding of public services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last few years, the Tennessee legislature has overturned a measure from Memphis City Council to ban the kind of traffic stop that led to the death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis police; attempted to strip tax revenue from Memphis over a city referendum intended to regulate gun use and heighten safety; and to dissolve police oversight boards, relegating Memphis CLERB to a merely advisory body and stripping it of investigative power. Tennessees leadership continues to legislate against the very communities King sought to liberate. This is not governance its modern-day Jim Crow dressed in the clothing of bureaucracy. The sham of superficial service Meanwhile, the broader public clings to feel-good days of service that fail to confront the structural injustices King spent his life fighting. Let me say this plainly: service without justice is not enough. A photo-op at a soup kitchen or a beautification project for a public park will not dismantle systemic racism, economic exploitation, or state-sanctioned violence. The sham continues because it is safe. It allows people to feel good about themselves without risking anything. But honoring King should make us uncomfortable. It should challenge us to examine our complicity in systems of oppression and move us to bold action. Kings dream was not sanitized or superficial it was radical, unapologetic and rooted in the liberation of the oppressed. A prophetic call We are reminded that Trumps politics arent just a political ideology they constitute a spiritual crisis. It is a heresy that elevates greed, power, and exclusion over love, justice, and inclusion. They are a theological affront to the very nature of Gods justice, which calls us to liberate the captive, care for the oppressed, and dismantle systems of exploitation. Donald Trump at his inauguration ceremony in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Trump took office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) To honor King means rejecting these practices. It means refusing to be gaslit by those who invoke Kings words while working to gut his legacy. It means standing boldly in the face of systemic evil and proclaiming, as King did, that justice too long delayed is justice denied. Will we honor King or insult his legacy? This year, as Trump took the oath of office, the contrast between Kings dream and Americas reality will be laid bare. But we still have a choice. Will we continue to insult Kings memory with shallow gestures, or will we embrace the transformative power of his prophetic call? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honoring King demands more than words. Its fair to suggest King would encourage fighting anti-DEI legislation, dismantling systemic racism, and holding accountable those who legislate against equity and justice. Honoring King requires courage, discomfort, and a relentless commitment to liberation. Kings dream was never about comfortable unity; it was about the power of God working through the people to bring justice to the oppressed, inclusion to the marginalized, and freedom to the captive. Let us honor him by fighting for the world he envisioned, even when it costs us. Especially when it costs us. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX President Trumps Inauguration lunch brought together lawmakers, Cabinet nominees, Supreme Court justices and distinguished guests Monday afternoon, in a quadrennial tradition that takes place after the swearing-in ceremony. The attendees a whos who of Washington figures noshed on crab cakes, ribeye steak and ice cream while sipping on wine and chatting in Statuary Hall, kicking off the first day of the Trump administration. Several of the tables were composed of an interesting combination of individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Vance sat at the head table with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), seated between them. The trio were spotted chatting several times throughout the lunch, at times laughing. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), his wife, Kelly, Melania Trump, Usha Vance and Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), who is part of the JCCIC, also sat at the head table. Nearby, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife, Ginni, sat at a table with House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (Calif.), Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.). Aguilar notably served on the Jan. 6 select committee, which interviewed Ginni Thomas, a conservative activist, after questions stemmed from emails she reportedly exchanged with John Eastman, the lawyer who drafted memos on how Trump could remain in power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At another table, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and his wife, Martha-Ann, sat with Apple CEO Tim Cook, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Donald Trump Jr., attorney general nominee Pam Bondi and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.). Schumer has slammed Alito for ethics issues on a number of occasions, calling him out for accepting gifts and vacations from billionaires. In May, Schumer zeroed in on Alito following a report that an upside-down flag after the 2020 election flew outside his home, which had become a symbol of the Stop the Steal movement. A few tables over, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh sat with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.). The pairing of Kavanaugh and Zuckerberg comes after the Supreme Court acted on cases involving Meta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, the bench declined to take up Metas appeal in a class action suit brought by advertisers against the company. And in November, the high court dropped Facebooks appeal in a securities lawsuit against the social media network. Across the room, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos was seated with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) Trumps nominee to be secretary of State Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Barron Trump. At another table, Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch sat with Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Interior secretary nominee Doug Burgum and Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.). Attendees got up and mingled with others throughout the lunch, making for some notable interactions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point, Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), who said he would not support Trump in 2024, went up to the newly inaugurated president at the head table and spoke to him. And Rep. Gregory Meeks (N.Y.), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was seen chatting with Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law who oversaw Middle East policy during the first Trump administration. Zach Schonfeld contributed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The only woman on death row in Oklahoma could get a new chance to challenge her murder conviction, following a Supreme Court ruling in her favor on claims she was sex-shamed during her trial. Brenda Andrew was convicted of the 2001 murder of her husband, Rob Andrew, an advertising executive and church deacon, who was killed with a shotgun in the garage of his home in Oklahoma City. Brenda was convicted of murder in 2004, as was her boyfriend, James Pavatt, whom she had begun seeing after her estrangement from Rob. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on Tuesday, the Supreme Court, in a 7-2 ruling, threw a lifeline to the death row resident. The justices stated that a lower court could not prevent Andrew from mounting an appeal based on her contention that prosecutors unfairly focused on her personal life during her murder trial. The court ordered the case back to an appeals court for further proceedings. The unsigned opinion stated that the prosecution spent significant time on evidence related to Andrews sex life and about her failings as a mother and wife, much of which it later conceded was irrelevant. At her trial, prosecutors told jurors about Andrew's previous affairs and clothing she wore, at one point holding up a pair of her thong underwear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew claimed in a habeas corpus petition that the evidence was prejudicial and violated due process. The Court of Appeals rejected that claim because, it thought, no holding of this Court established a general rule that the erroneous admission of prejudicial evidence could violate due process, the Supreme Court wrote. That was wrong. Rob Andrew was fatally shot on Nov. 20, 2001, while Brenda was shot in the arm. She called 911 to say she and her husband had been shot by two masked men. Following the shooting, Brenda went with Pavatt and her two children to Mexico before she and her lover were named as suspects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors claimed that Brenda and Pavatt, an insurance agent, had killed Rob to cash out on a life insurance policy. A month before his murder, Rob discovered that his vehicle's brake lines had been cut and told police that he suspected his wife, from whom he was separated, and her boyfriend. 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. Pavatt confessed to killing Rob to a friend, but denied that Brenda was involved, the Supreme Court noted. Brendas attorneys claimed in the lead up to her trial that the prosecutions case was completely circumstantial," PEOPLE previously reported. Pavatt is also currently on death row, having been convicted of murder one year before Brenda. Read the original article on People (Bloomberg) -- President Claudia Sheinbaums administration will offer greater enticements for companies seeking to relocate their manufacturing operations to Mexico to be closer to the US market, including generous tax incentives, according to a presidential decree. Most Read from Bloomberg The decree provides fiscal incentives to support the national strategy called Plan Mexico, to foment new investments, encourage dual training programs and drive innovation, according to the order that was published in the official gazette on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decree allows deductions of up to 91% for investments in fixed assets, with larger benefits offered through 2026. Eligible items include electric cars, train cars, airplanes for crop fumigation, communication towers and even laptops. In the period from 2027-2030, the cuts would be slightly reduced. The segment that will have the highest deductions is the manufacturing, assembly and transformation of magnetic components for hard disks and electronic cards for the computer industry. The decree was designed to extend to Mexican and foreign companies alike, and it applies to all sectors of the economy, Sheinbaum said last week during the presentation of the Plan Mexico, a framework intended to reduce the countrys imports from China in a bid to support local industry. The maximum amount of deductions that companies may obtain will be 30 billion pesos ($1.5 billion), according to the document. An evaluation committee, made up of members of the Finance and Economy Ministries, will oversee compliance with the guidelines of the decree in order to provide transparency and certainty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tax deductions will remain in place until September 30, 2030. The decree provides further cuts if companies train their workers in educational and research institutions. To qualify for this additional benefit, companies must provide their employees with technical or scientific knowledge related to their activities, according to the document. Mexico has not been able to develop nearshoring to its full capacity due to limitations in providing access to essential services such as electricity and water. Still, the government reported $36 billion of foreign direct investment in 2023, a 27% increase from the prior year. Its important to provide security to investors, promote liquidity, generate greater investment and economic development, according to the decree. Trade Policy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheinbaum has sought to align her trade policy with the interests of the US and Canada, countries with which Mexico has a trade agreement known as USMCA that is up for review in 2026. But following Donald Trumps victory in November, the relationship between the three allies has been shaken, especially by the US presidents promise to impose 25% tariffs on goods from both Canada and Mexico if they do not contribute to curb migration and drug trafficking into the worlds largest economy. Trump has also expressed concern that China, his main trade foe, uses Mexico as a back door to send cheap goods to the US, affecting local producers. In a phone call with Trump, Sheinbaum discussed Mexicos efforts to curb border crossings by undocumented migrants, as well as drug seizures. She has also expressed confidence that the relationship with the US Mexicos main trade partner will be positive, and that the USMCA is the best way to compete commercially against China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about Trumps actions after taking office, including declaring a national emergency at the border and pledging again to impose tariffs on Mexico as soon as Feb. 1, Sheinbaum said on Tuesday its important to always keep a cool head and refer to the signed orders beyond the actual rhetoric. --With assistance from Maya Averbuch. (Updates with details of the decree starting in the third paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. While major cities like Chicago brace for deportations following President Donald Trumps crackdown on immigration, the Greene County Sheriff is also preparing his department for similar efforts. OzarksFirst spoke to Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott about what those efforts might look like here at home, and how he feels about the presidents plans. Fantastic. Long time coming. Im so happy to be able to work with this leadership and go in the right direction, Arnott said. Securing our borders and removing the people that are here committing crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arnott says any deportation of illegal immigrants in Greene County would be swift and under the director of President Trump. He says the sheriffs office has been anticipating the executive order from Trump, and says the sheriffs office is fully prepared. Arnott says he has already inked a contract with ICE to hold immigration detainees in the Greene County Jail. We will do whatever it takes to fulfill the presidents order and make sure that were doing exactly what the president wants, and what our citizens want, said Arnott. And our citizens want safe borders and people that are here illegally need to go back to where they came from. OzarksFirst is working to speak with multicultural outreach groups here in Springfield for more on what theyre telling immigrants in the Ozarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. With changes to North Carolinas new immigration law possible, the Mecklenburg County sheriff says he hopes to meet with state lawmakers and ICE. Sheriff Garry McFadden is traveling to Washington, D.C. on Sunday. NC House Speaker says changes to HB10 possible after disagreements between ICE and MCSO Were not going to block anything that ICE can do, because theyre the federal government, they can do what they need to do, Sheriff McFadden said. Were asking for cooperation. Were asking to have a seat at the table. We shouldnt have two tables. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McFadden says he hasnt heard of any raids or targeted enforcement operations by ICE in Mecklenburg County but he expects them to happen eventually. President Donald Trumps border czar says ICE is starting its work focusing on known public safety threats. They know exactly who they are looking for, Tom Homan said on CNN. They know exactly where they will find them. McFadden says ICE still hasnt picked up anyone from the jail following the passing of HB10 which requires sheriffs to honor detainers. MCSO says 67 detainers have been issued since the law went into effect. North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall told Channel 9 last week the state may consider changes to the law to require sheriffs to notify ICE before someone with a detainer is released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McFadden wants to meet with lawmakers before that happens. If they say, Sheriff McFadden, come to Raleigh. I will pay my own way. I have all my expenses, he said. I just want a meeting to say, what should I expect from you? How should this better work? Hes heading to Washington on Sunday and hopes to meet with ICE. VIDEO: Changes may be coming to HB10 An investigation was underway on Tuesday near the United States border with Canada, where an agent was fatally shot in the line of duty, authorities said. The fatal encounter unfolded Monday along Interstate 91 in Orleans County, a small community of 27,000 residents tucked away in the rural and remote Northeast Kingdom section of Vermont, just miles from the Derby LineRock Island Border Crossing, according to a news release from the Vermont State Police. The suspect was also killed in the shooting, while a third was wounded and taken into custody, the FBI said in a statement. No charges have yet been announced and no further details have been provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The interstate was initially shut down in both directions as a result, though the northbound lane has since reopened. The southbound lane meanwhile remains closed and is expected to be part of a long-duration closure, state police said. The FBI said in its statement that it needed time to gather evidence and process the scene, adding: While there is no threat to the public, Interstate 91 will remain closed due to investigative activity. The agents death on Monday was confirmed by the FBI and Benjamine Huffman, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Essex County Senator Russ Ingalls identified him as David Maland, according to My NBC 5. Hed been assigned to U.S. Customs and Border Protections Swanton Sector, which covers parts of Vermont, New York and New Hampshire, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harms way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure, Huffman said. My prayers and deepest condolences are with our department, the agents family, loved ones, and colleagues. Vermonts Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint similarly sent condolences to the agents family in a joint statement and said Border Patrol agents deserve our full support in terms of staffing, pay and working conditions. With News Wire Services YORK TWP. Ind. The Michigan State Police is investigating an officer involved shooting that broke out in the midst of a high-speed pursuit that originated on Central Road in Southwest Branch County Monday, Jan. 20. A Branch County Sheriff's Deputy attempted to stop an older model tan Chevrolet Tahoe for traffic violations on Central Road, but the vehicle took off at high rates of speed making its way into Hillsdale County before turning southbound for the state line. Indiana State Police investigate the scene of an officer involved shooting in York Township Monday, Jan. 20. The pursuit went into Billingstown, Ohio before crossing back into Indiana where it ended on the Ohio-Indiana state line at the intersection of 200 N and 1000 E where the male driver was shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The name of the driver nor his condition were released by authorities Monday evening. The Indiana State Police processed the crime scene, and a trooper said they were only assisting the Michigan State Police with their investigation. This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is made available by police. Contact Reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @cmurrayHDN. This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Shots fired during pursuit that started in Branch County SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) On MLK Jr Day, the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce hosted Black History bus tours. The one-hour guided tour provided an immersive experience into areas rich civil rights history, while spotlighting people and places involved in the movement. We are able to highlight and tell stories that arent normally heard, said Greg Powell, Coordinator SB Rides. Martin Luther King Junior actually spent time in Shreveport on three separate occasions- in 1958, 1960, and 1962. So were going by some places that he frequented and talking about Martin Luther Kings story here in Shreveport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tours met at the Sportran bus terminal on Murphy street in Shreveport and was open to all ages. Three tours went out today at 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. Copyright 2025 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 KTALnews.com. Nika Bartoo-Smith Underscore Native News + ICT A stretch of land in Southern Oregon with historical significance including the likely location of a treaty signing and near the site of a massacre is returning to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. The Siletz announced the historic land return in November with the purchase of approximately 2,000 acres of privately owned land adjacent to the Table Rocks preserve, just north of Medford, Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's the most historic piece of land that we could possibly get, said Delores Pigsley, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Homelands within our homelands The Upper and Lower Table Rocks are central to many Takelma origin stories. Takelma is one of the prominent Native languages of Southern Oregon used by multiple Native nations, according to Robert Kentta, a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and the tribal council treasurer. The area is where the Treaty of Table Rock was signed, on Sept. 10, 1853, between the United States government and local Native nations, establishing a temporary reservation on the north side of the Rogue River that included the Upper and Lower Table Rock. The treaty created the first confederation of Oregon tribes and was the first treaty signed by any Native nation in the West to be ratified by the U.S. Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the regions tribes, this time period was marked by hostilities at the hands of the U.S. government and colonial settlers moving into Oregon Territory. Two years after the signing of the treaty, in October 1855, more than 20 Indigenous people, mostly women and children, were massacred while camping near Table Rocks. The Rogue River War ensued over the next two years, in which numerous Native people were killed. After the war ended, much of the Indigenous population in southwestern Oregon was removed, with many Natives ultimately ending up on the Coast Reservation, now called the Siletz Reservation. Referred to as the Rogue River Tribe of Indians by the U.S. government, the tribal confederation represented people who lived in the valleys of the upper Rogue River, with Table Rocks at the center. The area was primarily home to the Takelma, Latgawa, Shasta, Applegate (Da-ku-be-te-de) and Galice (Tal-dash-dan-te-de) people, according to the Siletz News. This is a historic moment that reconnects the Siletz Tribe to its ancestors, history and treaties signed near Table Rock, Pigsley said in a media release. It is a great honor to return this special land to Indian stewardship. Siletz Tribal Council members left to right: Robert Kentta, treasurer; July Muschamp, secretary; Delores Pigsley, chairman; and Gerald Ben on the newly purchased Table Rock property. (Photo by Matt Hill, Lone Rock Strategies) Pigsley remembers drives to California with her father as a young girl. He would point out the window as they passed Table Rocks and talk about the significance for their ancestors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kentta has similar memories. Since I was a kid, summertime or spring break, we might take a trip up the Rogue Valley and go up the Applegate River Valley where my great-grandfather was brought at the end of the Rogue River Wars, Kentta said. We have made trips as a family for going on 60 years, reconnecting there, but always as visitors where we had no foothold, no ownership, no place to call home there anymore. Now with this purchase, we have homelands within our homelands. The Siletz had long been in consultation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), The Nature Conservancy and others regarding the stewardship of the land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kentta first became aware of the property six or so years ago after having a conversation with staff at The Nature Conservancy. He brought the idea of purchasing the land to the tribal council, setting in motion the historic land deal. The property was purchased directly from the previous landowner. The Nature Conservancy preserves a conservation easement on the land. The Siletz will continue to work closely with the Nature Conservancy and the BLM across the properties in the region to emphasize conservation and restoration. To me, land back means, in its purest form, its return of lands to a tribe, Kentta said. This is through purchase, and a significant amount paid out for the purchase. So for us, that is regaining of land back, but it's not a settlement or apology for things that happened in the past. Expanding access to first foods Moving forward, the tribes goal is to create opportunities for Siletz tribal members to access the historically significant land while safeguarding its character. The nation plans to work on preservation and restoration, focusing on protecting the natural area rather than developing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be big opportunities for restoration and enhancement of the food plants themselves, Kentta said. [And] also enhancing tribal members access to use of and reconnection with those resources that weve been separated from. Kentta mentioned some important first foods of the region that he hopes will become a focus at the property, including camas, tarweed and yampah root. The land will also be used for other cultural purposes. Chairman Pigsley spoke of her hope that future generations of Siletz people will be able to go up to the rocks, hearing important stories and learning about the plant and animal relatives all around. By Mert Ozkan and Huseyin Hayatsever KARTALKAYA, Turkey (Reuters) -A fire at a ski resort hotel in Turkey's Bolu mountains killed 76 people and injured dozens on Tuesday, forcing panicked guests to jump out of windows in the middle of the night. "It was like the apocalypse. The flames engulfed the hotel immediately, like in half an hour," said Mevlut Ozer, who witnessed the incident at the Kartalkaya ski resort in northwest Turkey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire began around 3:30 a.m. (0030 GMT) on the restaurant floor of the 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel, authorities said. Several fire engines and ambulances later surrounded the charred, wood-fronted building, where white bed sheets tied together dangled from at least three upper-floor windows, showing how people tried to flee. President Tayyip Erdogan declared Wednesday a day of national mourning after the incident. "People all started to jump with panic. One friend jumped from the 11th floor - may God have mercy on him," said Omer Sakrak, another witness and employee of a neighbouring hotel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They tried to climb down using bedsheets. The bedsheets ripped as one friend tried ... and he unfortunately fell on his head," he told Reuters. "One father was yelling about his one year-old child: 'I will throw my child or he will burn'." Hotel guests told TV broadcasters they fled through smoke-filled corridors and heard no alarms. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said there had been 238 guests staying at the hotel, situated at the base of several ski slopes, which smouldered until the afternoon. "Our pain is impossible to describe," he said, speaking from the resort and offering condolences. Yerlikaya said the fire was out and that search efforts at the hotel had finished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities are conducting DNA tests to identify some of the bodies recovered from the scene of the fire, he added. An investigation was underway into the fire, which happened during school holidays when many families from nearby Istanbul and Ankara head to the Bolu mountains to ski. Police detained nine people as part of the investigation, Yerlikaya said, adding that prosecutors will shed light on the cause of the fire and people responsible will be brought to justice. (Writing by Jonathan Spicer; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Andrew Cawthorne, Ed Osmond and Nia Williams) One of Phoenix's biggest airport improvement projects just got a new federal grant. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport received $84.3 million in Federal Aviation Administration grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the construction of Taxiway U, which will connect the airport's north and south airfields from the west side of the terminals. The 2,100-foot taxiway bridge will accommodate more air traffic and reduce delays spent waiting for takeoff and getting off the plane. It's under construction now and airport staff think the work will be finished in 2027. Advertisement Advertisement "Phoenix Sky Harbor is a critical gateway, connecting Arizona to the world," U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, said in a statement. "This funding will expand the airports capacity, reduce delays and ensure safe and efficient operations for travelers and businesses, all while supporting good-paying jobs and strengthening our economy." What is the purpose of a taxiway? An airport taxiway is a path for planes to get to and from runways. What is the difference between a runway and a taxiway? Airplanes use runways to take off and land. Runways differ from taxiways in that airplanes can access different parts of the airport via a taxiway, but runways are only used for taking off and landing. Why does the Phoenix airport need a new taxiway? Sky Harbor staff say a taxiway on the airport's west side would allow airplanes to move more efficiently. Right now, the airport's only taxiways are on the east side. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Arizona, said in a statement that federal funding for the taxiway helps Sky Harbor work toward becoming "America's most efficient airport." "This investment under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law means reduced taxi times and delays, so whether Phoenix is a layover or your final destination, youre getting where you want to go quicker," Stanton said. How much will the new taxiway cost? The most recent estimates showed Taxiway U would cost about $333 million, including $280 million in construction costs, according to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport spokesman Greg Roybal. How much federal funding did Sky Harbor receive for the taxiway? Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport has received more than $156 million from three infrastructure law grants to fund Taxiway U, Roybal said. Advertisement Advertisement Besides the new $84.3 million grant, the airport also received $5.3 million in August 2022 and $66.7 million in July 2024 to pay for the taxiway work, he said. The three grants are part of a $194 million federal funding commitment over five years for Taxiway U. Sky Harbor has received $156 million of that funding so far. The airport is responsible for about $139 million of the taxiway cost. That amount will be paid by passenger facility charges, which travelers pay when they book a flight out of Phoenix. Do you need a Real ID to fly in 2025? What to know about new travel requirements Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist whos covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republics consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx. Advertisement Advertisement Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix airport gets $84M for a timesaving upgrade By Radovan Stoklasa and Jan Lopatka BRATISLAVA (Reuters) -Slovakia's opposition accused Prime Minister Robert Fico on Tuesday of laying the groundwork to take the country out of the European Union, but dropped its no-confidence motion to dismiss him and his leftist-nationalist government. Fico in turn accused the liberal pro-Western opposition of planning protests that would paralyse his administration in the latest show of growing tensions in the central European EU and NATO member country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opposition withdrew the motion in protest over Fico's move to close the debate to the public on the grounds of discussing secret information, but it was bound to fail anyway given a slim parliamentary majority was expected to back his government. Fico has worked to maintain relations with Russia during the war in Ukraine and halted official military aid to Kyiv, criticising sanctions imposed on Moscow and escalated a rift with Kyiv after it stopped the transit of Russian gas supplies at the end of 2024. The four-time prime minister travelled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on a unannounced, private trip in December to discuss gas and Ukraine. Fico, who leads the leftist Smer-SSD party, has also said Slovakia needed to prepare for "all possible crisis situations" which the EU could face in the short term, suggesting even a break-up of the bloc was possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This cannot be read in any other way than... what we had warned of: that the government of Smer is preparing the ground for leading Slovakia out of the European Union," Michal Simecka, leader of the opposition Progressive Slovakia party, told parliament. Fico told parliament that foreign policy was determined by NATO and EU membership, but warned of potential unacceptable proposals to create an EU "superstate" where smaller, nations would have no veto powers. FICO CLAIMS OPPOSITION PLANS 'MAIDAN' Citing information from the national security service that he read out in the closed parliamentary session, Fico later told a news conference the opposition was "preparing to occupy government buildings, prevent the execution of government power, cooperate with abroad". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He used the term "Maidan" in reference to protests which toppled Ukraine's pro-Russian president in 2014. Fico also said the opposition would try trigger an early election and refuse to respect the results if it loses. Opposition leader Simecka called the accusations "absurd" and accused Fico of turning the parliamentary session into a "farce", saying the opposition would call a new no-confidence vote. (Reporting by Radovan Stoklasa and Jan Lopatka; writing by Jan Lopatka; Editing by Ros Russell, Peter Graff and Tomasz Janowski) (Reuters) - Slovakia's opposition parties withdrew their parliamentary no-confidence motion aiming to dismiss the cabinet of Prime Minster Robert Fico on Tuesday, parliament deputy speaker Peter Ziga said. The opposition had protested Fico's motion to make the session secret on grounds he was sharing confidential information, and said it would call new no-confidence vote in the near future. (Reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague) A small brush fire broke out at Griffith Park Monday afternoon, and though firefighters appeared to quickly gain control of the situation, it appears the blaze was started on purpose. The fire was reported just after 1 p.m. at 162 Griffith Park, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in an alert. That address corresponds to a location just below Griffith Observatory. Firefighters knocked down a small blaze at Griffith Park on Jan. 20, 2025. (KTLA) A brush fire burned at Griffith Park on Jan. 20, 2025. (UC San Diego) A brush fire burned at Griffith Park on Jan. 20, 2025. (Citizen) 1/2 acre light grass burning into medium brush on slope. Firefighters on scene are working to quickly contain the flames, fire officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By about 1:30 p.m., aerial footage from Sky5 showed the flames were mostly under control. In an update, fire officials said the blaze was extinguished in 31 minutes and never grew above a quarter acre. All threatened structures were successfully defended and undamaged, an update said. The Los Angeles Police Department later said that a witness spotted a young man had lit a fire in the 2700 block of Glendower Avenue and left. Officers arrested that man, apparently a transient, and took him to a station. His identity has not been released. Footage shared with KTLA showed the apparent suspect being loaded into the back of a patrol vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. AUSTIN (KXAN) Austin-Bergstrom International Airport remained opened Tuesday as travelers faced delays and canceled flights due to overnight snow and ice. KXAN counted 89 delays, on top of 44 cancelations tracked by FlightAware. A lot of airlines that have a smaller presence here, that dont have de-icing chemicals stored here on site, went ahead and proactively canceled, said Sam Haynes, the deputy communications officer for the Austin airport. Haynes said she expects to see more canceled and delayed flights Wednesday but hoped everything will be right on track by the weekend. She urged passengers to check their airlines for the latest departure times and flight information before heading to the airport. Departure board showing delayed and canceled flights at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Tuesday (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant) We definitely want folks to keep an eye on their flight status, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airport has a whole team of frontline staff that will be ready to go with de-icing measures if needed ahead of more freezing temperatures expected Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, Haynes added. Thats definitely something that were going to be keeping an eye out for, she said. Weather impacting travel By the time Arul Muthu arrived at the airport for a work trip to India, he already knew his flight would be delayed a couple hours. So, its not bad, he said. But, I hope its not canceled. The departure and arrival boards were lit up in yellow Tuesday afternoon, representing delayed flights. Most were minor but some, like a flight from Boston and another to Charlotte and Mexico City, ranged from between four and nearly six hours behind schedule. A mini snowman outside Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KXAN Photo/Chris Nelson) I was freaking out a lot of bit because, coming all the way from Charleston, its not like I could jump in the car and drive home, said Statia Paschel, who flew from South Carolina to Austin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite being worried about the weather, her flight arrived pretty much on time. I was really panicked, she said, but I was one of the lucky ones. Arrival board showing delayed and canceled flights at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Tuesday (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant) For about five hours Tuesday, staff shortages led to the temporary suspension of trams used to take passengers from the terminal to the rental car facility and rideshare pick up areas, Haynes said. Please walk carefully to the terminal, as icy surfaces may exist, the airports account warned on X before announcing the trams were once again fully operational after 2 p.m. Haynes said the decision to suspend tram service was made in order to give priority to parking lot shuttles. KXAN watched as those buses, which take passengers from their cars to the terminal, appeared to run normally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside, travelers made the most of the winter weather. Children were seen building a tiny snowman and having a mini snowball fight. Some travelers, already used to colder weather, werent phased. Its like 40 degrees warmer here than where I came from, said Sarah Paine, who said her flight from Minneapolis was two hours delayed and mostly empty. So, Ive got my jacket in my arms instead of on my body. An economy parking buss shuttle was seen taking passengers from the parking lot to the terminal Tuesday morning (KXAN Photo/Matt Grant) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photos: Snow and sleet cover the ground across Central Texas Houston airports closed Across the country, 3,212 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. were delayed Tuesday afternoon, according to FlightAware, with 2,223 flights delayed. In Houston, which saw heavy snow and ice, flight operations were suspended at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P. Hobby Airport and Ellington Airport at midnight due to extremely hazardous road conditions. Airport officials said they were monitoring weather conditions to determine when its safe to reopen. While there are no departing or arriving flights, our dedicated teams remain on-site 24/7, working diligently to prepare for a swift and safe return to normal operation, an airport alert read. Houston Airports is deploying snowplows and heavy machinery to clear the airfield and prepare for a safe return to operations as soon as weather conditions allow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the Bush and Hobby airports closed, more than 640 flights were canceled at some of the busiest airports in the state, according to FlightAware. Whats the most snow Austin has ever received? Weve had two flights to Houston canceled in the last 24 hours, said Beth Anne Whalen, who had planned to fly from Florida to Houston. Instead, she had to reroute her trip flying from Ft. Myers to St. Louis to Austin in hopes of still making it to Houston to attend a work conference. For now, she is waiting on several of her coworkers to also arrive in Austin. The biggest dilemma we have now is do we feel its safe enough to rent a car and drive to Houston?, she asked. Or, do we all stay here for one more night and see what tomorrow brings? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Winter storm warnings have been issued across the Panhandle and extending into Northeast Florida, and more snow is expected than previously forecast, according to the National Weather Service. Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location The worst times are expected to be Tuesday night into Wednesday, prompting counties across the Panhandle and North Florida to announce schools will be closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency Sunday ahead of what some forecasters have said has the potential to be one of the worst storms in Gulf Coast history. Here's what you should know. Weather alerts issued in Florida, including winter storm and freeze warnings Will it snow in Florida? Snowfall forecasts have increased across the Florida Panhandle Jan. 21-22, 2025. The National Weather Service Mobile said the western Panhandle could see snow this week a lot of it. "The most likely snow accumulations remain between 1 and 3 inches for much of the area. There is still a low (10%) chance for 3 to 5 inches" of snow, NWS forecasters said Monday. The National Weather Service in Tallahassee warned the arrival of "wintery precipitation" could happen faster than originally predicted and could bring more snow than originally forecast. Two to three inches of snow or sleet are possible in and around Leon County. Is there school today? Florida schools closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 According to the Florida Department of Education, public schools will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 in the following counties: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bay County Calhoun County Escambia County Franklin County Gulf County Holmes County Jackson County Jefferson County (at 1 p.m.) Leon County Schools (closing one hour early) Liberty County Okaloosa County Santa Rosa County Walton County Washington County What Florida schools are closed Wednesday, Jan. 22? According to the Florida Department of Education, public schools will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 in the following counties: Bay County Calhoun County Escambia County Dixie County Florida A&M University DRS Franklin County Gadsden County Gilchrist County Gulf County Hamilton County Holmes County Jackson County Jefferson County Lafayette County Liberty County Leon County Madison County Schools Okaloosa County Schools Santa Rosa County Schools Taylor County Schools Walton County Schools Washington County Schools What Florida colleges, universities to be closed Tuesday, Jan. 21? Chipola College Florida A&M University (Tallahassee Campus & College of Engineering at 3:00 p.m.) Florida State University Gulf Coast State College (Noon) North Florida College (3 p.m.) Northwest Florida State College Pensacola State College Tallahassee State College University of West Florida What Florida colleges, universities to be closed Wednesday, Jan. 22? Chipola College Florida A&M University Florida State University Gulf Coast State College North Florida College Northwest Florida State College Tallahassee State College Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text What's next? We will continue to update our weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: School closings in Florida: 14 districts close ahead of freeze Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg complained Monday night that he had been offended by former President Joe Bidens suggestion that he is an oligarch and blamed the erstwhile commander-in-chief for destroying support for Democrats in Silicon Valley, according to a Fox News host. Brian Kilmeade recounted meeting the unbelievably authentic Zuckerberg at the post-inauguration Liberty Ball during Tuesday mornings Fox & Friends broadcast. He said the two discussed Metas recent new direction, which has been defined by a series of MAGA-friendly overtures, including the appointment of President Donald Trumps pal Dana White to the companys board and the announcement of plans to eliminate fact-checking on its social media platforms in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kilmeade also said that Zuckerberg told him how insulting it was to be called an oligarch by President Biden. In a farewell address last week, in which he did not name Zuckerberg, Biden cautioned against a wave of extreme wealth, power and influence that really threatens our entire democracy. His words came at a time when powerful tech billionaires including Zuckerberg, Amazon chairman Jeff Bezos, and Apple CEO Tim Cook have variously worked to earn Trumps favor with donations and pilgrimages to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Biden warned of an emergent, uberwealthy tech-industrial complex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Kilmeades recollection, Zuckerberg dismissed the former president, telling him for those people in Silicon Valley that were Democrats, Joe Biden has blown that up. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Kilmeade wasnt the only Fox News host to hold a chinwag with Zuckerberg at the ball last nightBret Baier posted a photo of himself posing with the social media magnate on his Instagram account. Baier said he invited the CEO to appear on his show. As a historic winter storm pushes towards Florida, the National Weather Service issued Winter Storm Warnings for a large swath of the southern U.S., stretching from South Texas to Northeast Florida. Yes, some areas in Florida could see "significant" snowfall starting Tuesday, Jan. 21, after the rare combination of freezing temperatures and moisture come together. The worst conditions are expected to arrive Tuesday night into Wednesday. There are reports of snow already in Pensacola as of late Tuesday morning. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency Sunday ahead of what some forecasters have said has the potential to be one of the worst storms in Gulf Coast history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It begs the question: Has tropical South Florida ever had snow? The answer is yes. A look back when it snowed in South Florida and Palm Beach County More: Does anyone remember the last cold winter in Palm Beach County? It was about 47 years ago when a polar jet stream twisted into a raging river of powerful winds sweeping south over the warm Gulf of Mexico and into South Florida where climate history was made. On the morning of Jan. 19, 1977, snow fell in Palm Beach County. And yes, The Palm Beach Post covered it, even adding some cool icicles to our masthead. The snow that day had an icy reach as far south as Homestead Air Force Base the farthest south snow has been recorded in the contiguous U.S. It spread west to Freeport on the island of Grand Bahama, which is the only instance of snow being observed in the history of the Bahamas, according to the Florida Climate Center. Ice covers the plants at Cavenaugh Nursery on Military Trail in West Palm Beach in January 1977, the year it snowed here. Ray Wall takes a look at the frozen trees at Cavenaugh Nurseries in West Palm Beach on Jan. 20, 1977, the day after it snowed in South Florida. The 27-degree temperature recorded at Palm Beach International Airport the day after the snow is the all-time record low for the area. [Boynton Beach] Previous to Jan. 19, 1977, the farthest south snow had been seen was along a line from Fort Myers to Fort Pierce in February 1899, according to the National Weather Service in Miami. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The snowfall was not a complete surprise to forecasters. It had been bitterly cold for a few days with a front passing through on Jan. 16, followed by a second front two days later. Record-low temperatures were expected, freeze warnings had been issued and spotty rain had meteorologists warning of icy roads. Records kept by the National Weather Service in Miami show the first snowfall at Palm Beach International Airport was observed at 6:10 a.m. on Jan. 19. Snow dusts a car parked on North Second Street in Fort Pierce 25 years ago today -- the morning it snowed in South Florida. Palm Beach Post file photo. ORG XMIT: ORG XMIT: MER0704251116051234 Joe Vidulich was a 27-year-old meteorological technician at the federal weather office then stationed at the airport. He said he was working the midnight to 8 a.m. shift on Jan. 19, and while snow was expected in Central and North Florida, he didn't think it would make it to Palm Beach County and beyond. "I went outside to take an observation and I noticed these particles flying by. At first I thought they were bugs, but it was snow," Vidulich said. "I ran back inside so excited and my partner was sleeping in a chair. I said, 'Wake up Bernie, it's snowing.' He said, 'You must be drunk.'" It's snow in Miami The Miami News headline announcing snow. Vidulich sent a special alert via Teletype the first snow recorded in West Palm Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Climatologically, it is not supposed to snow in South Florida. The laid-back tropics are a region constantly gaining energy from the sun, and with Florida's temperatures moderated by warm water on three sides, snow is unusual even in the northern reaches of the state. A note to parents about the additional day added to the school year in 1977 because of the snow day. Courtesy Thomas Switzer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in January 1977, all the ingredients for frozen precipitation came together. The high pressure near California forced a mountainous ridge into Canada and a deep trough to dig through Florida, which funneled arctic air south. While winds at the surface were blowing from the north behind the cold front, winds high in the atmosphere at 5,000 feet were out of the west. That westerly wind picked up moisture from the Gulf. At the same time, the freezing level in the atmosphere was at 1,500 feet above sea level, which is low for South Florida and kept the snow from melting before it hit the ground. A photo of the original Teletype report from Jan. 19, 1977 that recorded snow in West Palm Beach. Courtesy Joe Vidulich Palm Beach County suffered a long cold snap in 2010 USA Today's Doyle Rice and Elizabeth Weise contributed to this report. Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate, weather, and the environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story was updated to change a video. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida snow in Pensacola 2025: Time it snowed in Palm Beach County NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI) When Beth Fitzpatrick snapped a few pictures of a couple getting engaged on the beach, she didnt know how special those photos would become to the pair of strangers. I was at Narragansett Town Beach on Sunday afternoon taking some photos of birds and surfers, Fitzpatrick told 12 News. When she saw a man get down on one knee, Fitzpatrick pointed her camera in their direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didnt want to seem like I was being intrusive on the moment, so I didnt approach them, Fitzpatrick explained. I got home, and I looked at the photos, and I really felt like I wanted to share the photos with them because it was such a beautiful moment. ALSO READ: Poplar Point Lighthouse shines again after 100+ years Fitzpatrick reached out to some friends to see if she could figure out who the couple was. One person started posting in community Facebook groups and was able to find the pair less than 24 hours after the photos were taken. I was impressed that, Rhode Island being Rhode Island, within an hour we were connected, Fitzpatrick said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That couple was Samantha Zambarano and Ryan Chadwick from Warwick. What Fitzpatrick didnt know when she took the photos, was that Chadwicks photographer had cancelled on him the morning of the proposal. It was such a blessing, Chadwick smiled. I might cry again. One of Chadwicks customers reached out to him after seeing Fitzpatricks photo on Facebook Monday morning. The couple is overjoyed to have the professional-quality photos. All of our family members, weve been calling them all day, and theyre just as excited as we are, Zambarano said. We werent expecting this, it was all meant to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It couldnt have worked out better, Chadwick added. Its a good omen. Both the couple and Fitzpatrick are grateful to the online community for their assistance. Its been a whirlwind, Fitzpatrick said. Im happy that its got a happy ending, and hopefully, theyll have that moment to keep. Its a story the couple plans to pass down. To know a person took the time out of their day to shoot photos for us and to additionally try and find us is such a kind gesture, Zambarano said. Ill have those photos forever. Ryan Chadwick proposes to Samantha Zambarano on Narragansett Town Beach on Sunday (Courtesy: Beth Fitzpatrick) Ryan Chadwick proposes to Samantha Zambarano on Narragansett Town Beach on Sunday (Courtesy: Beth Fitzpatrick) Ryan Chadwick proposes to Samantha Zambarano on Narragansett Town Beach on Sunday (Courtesy: Beth Fitzpatrick) Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Good News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Before a random Sunday morning last June, Ayal Chomsky had what he could only describe as perfection: marriage to the love of his life, 44-year-old Caryn Chomsky, who he met about 25 years ago on Birthright in Israel, two twin teenagers, who they had despite the odds, a peaceful West Boynton Beach home, a successful corporate law career. Then, on June 9, a 19-year-old driver who said he fell asleep hit and killed Caryn while she was running on the sidewalk. Six months later, Caryn is gone and the case against the driver, Myles Denard Scott, is nearing an end. Scott, who happens to live in the community neighboring the Chomskys, received traffic tickets for careless driving and not staying in a single lane and a misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended license, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, prosecutors offered him a plea deal that would give him 30 days in jail, a tense Ayal Chomsky said Thursday, while telling his in-laws, Caryns parents, to fix their Justice for Caryn Chomsky T-shirts and gathering the 17-year-old twins, Maya and Etai, who had just gotten home from school. To the family, it appeared that the justice system viewed Caryns death as inconsequential. No one could understand why Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office deputies had not tested Scott for drugs or alcohol, or why prosecutors had not charged him with vehicular homicide, typically used if someone drives recklessly and kills another person and which has accompanied other sleepy driving accidents. At one point, Chomsky read from a printed-out Florida statute that differentiated reckless driving from careless driving. I just dont get it, he said. In response to questions over the lack of sobriety testing, Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Teri Barbera said the lead detective did not test Scotts blood because he didnt have probable cause, as Scott had not shown signs of impairment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caryn Chomskys is one of several recent South Florida cases involving drivers who said they fell asleep at the wheel, then killed pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists. Many times, officers who responded did not test their sobriety. On Friday, prosecutors reached a plea deal with a Miami Beach man who said he fell asleep before running a red light and killing a 34-year-old on a motorcycle in April, though they accused officers in a court filing of mishandling the investigation and not completing sobriety tests, according to a recent NBC-Ch. 6 report. At first, Patrick Schiebel had received only a ticket, but now has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide. Miami Beach Police are now conducting an internal affairs investigation. Last month, Oion Johnson was sentenced to vehicular homicide in the death of Sunny LaValle, 44 and a mother of a 7-year-old, who he said he hit from behind while sleeping as she rode her bicycle in Weston. Broward Sheriffs Office deputies also did not test Johnson for sobriety on that weekend morning in 2021, despite comments he had made about drinking, according to a close-out memo from the Broward State Attorneys Office. While the Defendant may have made statements about drinking, law enforcement did not ask for a consensual blood draw and determined they did not have probable cause to apply for a search warrant for a blood draw, the memo reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Chomsky and LaValles families now want the Florida Legislature to pass a law that would require police to perform sobriety tests in any crashes that cause death or grievous injury. Some say that such a law could infringe on Fourth Amendment rights. Officers already have strict guidelines they must follow to avoid doing so. If youre driving legally through a green light and someone stops, steps off the sidewalk and right in front of your car, and you kill them, you didnt do anything wrong, said Matthew Konecky, a Palm Beach County criminal defense attorney who specializes in DUI cases. Now youre subjecting me to invasions of my personal liberty. The issue of whether a driver gets tested for drugs and alcohol comes down to the assessment of law enforcement, who must have probable cause in cases of death or serious injury in order to test for sobriety. If they speak to the driver, they rely on certain cues: eye movements, if they smell of alcohol, slur their speech, or sway while standing. If the driver is injured, officers can sometimes request a blood draw at the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Falling asleep at the wheel can also indicate that someone isnt sober drowsy drivers are statistically more likely to have been drinking than awake drivers but police do not treat it as probable cause in the same way. Instead, some attorneys say the explanation can actually lead police to investigate less deeply than if the driver was awake. Oftentimes when someone says I fell asleep, thats where the police investigation ends, said Gary Lesser, a personal injury attorney and former president of the Florida Bar who knows the Chomsky family personally. If you have a loved one whos killed by a driver who claims to fall asleep, and theres no other investigation done, that really is a sense of justice denied for those families, and that has to be terribly upsetting. She thought she was having a beautiful morning The morning Caryn Chomsky died was bright and hot. Scott was nearing the end of his drive back from his grandmothers house, where he would typically sleep after going out with friends, according to what his family told detectives and recorded on body camera footage. As he drove down Atlantic Avenue just after 7 a.m., he closed his eyes, he told deputies, according to the footage. When he opened them, Chomskys body was on his windshield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott had driven through the shoulder and straight into Chomsky where she and a running partner ran along the sidewalk, his car landing in a ditch next to the road. The running partner and another witness told investigators that Scott had not appeared to use his brakes or jerk his steering wheel, according to the report. Fifteen minutes later, Scott stood on the sidewalk, also uninjured besides the shards of glass in his skin. Shes dead? Scott asked a deputy in a hushed voice, according to the footage. In response to a gesture from the deputy, he asked, So is that murder? No, the deputy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after, as the reality of what happened set in, Scott began to sob and dry heave, sitting on the ground, his head in his hands. Myles, its okay, the deputy said. Myles. Myles. Talking to his grandmother on the phone a few minutes later, Scott said, I just sent someone into their eternal life unintentionally. She thought she was having a beautiful morning and I thought I was going to get home safe. This screams DUI About a half hour later, another deputy arrived at the scene and the question of sobriety came up. This screams DUI all f****** day long, the deputy said a little over an hour after the crash, the footage shows, after other deputies relayed to him what happened. A few minutes later, a deputy mentioned doing an impairment assessment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after that, a deputy went to speak to Scott, asking where he had been coming from. The Turnpike, Scott said. Then he said he wanted to talk to his attorney. The lead investigator concluded in the report that Scott did not display any indicators of impairment, based on his own observations and those of another deputy. The report did not otherwise mention attempts to conduct sobriety tests or ask for blood. It also didnt say whether a Drug Recognition Expert, or DRE, responded to the scene. Law enforcement agencies often use DREs to try to ascertain if someone was under the influence. A couple hours later, a detective went to Scotts home, where he asked Scotts father about what he was doing the night before. His father said that he usually goes out with his friends in Fort Lauderdale, then spends the night at his grandmothers before coming back home for church, though he doesnt stay out too late. He didnt say if that was what Scott had been doing that night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott had a previous crash near the same area in 2022, according to court records. A Florida Highway Patrol trooper issued him a citation for failure to reduce speed to avoid a rear-end collision. A judge later dismissed the citation. Chomskys family doesnt believe that Scott fell asleep. They hired a crash reconstructionist who analyzed the moments leading up to the crash and concluded that Scotts behavior did not match the behavior of someone who dozed off while driving. Scotts attorney, Larry Handfield, did not return emailed requests for comment last week. A plea conference is set for Feb. 10. Scott rejected the plea deal originally offered by prosecutors, according to the Chomsky family. Sunny LaValle In some fatal cases, police who did not test for sobriety still determined that someone intentionally drove while drowsy, a form of reckless driving that can warrant a vehicular homicide charge. But detectives must prove that the driver knew they were tired before they fell asleep at the wheel. They did so in the case of Sunny LaValle, who was riding her bicycle about 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning in May 2021 when Oion Skyvel Johnson hit her from behind in the bicycle lane. Johnson and his friends were on their way back from a weekend of partying in Miami, but police didnt know that at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family members later gave BSO recordings of social media videos showing Johnson partying, according to the prosecutors memo. Detectives eventually retraced Johnsons steps and determined that he had barely slept in the 36 hours leading up to the crash. As he was driving, one of his friends told them, he had rolled down the window in an effort to stay awake, according to the traffic homicide report. Prosecutors concluded they had sufficient evidence to charge Johnson with driving while knowing he was fatigued. He was sentenced in December to two years in prison. LaValle, like Chomsky, left behind a family who grew increasingly frustrated with law enforcements handling of her case. Her mother, Dr. Cheri Surloff, believes that Broward Sheriffs Office deputies would not have investigated as thoroughly or uncovered the extent of Johnsons fatigue if it werent for the pressure she and others put on them. But because we made such a big stink, then they did, she said. Johnson was sentenced to two years in state prison, with credit for the 263 days he already served, followed by 10 years of probation. Upon his release, his drivers license will be revoked for five years. He will also be banned from using any non-prescribed drugs and required to undergo random drug testing. It still wasnt enough, Surloff maintains. Like the Chomskys, she now wants a law that requires sobriety testing in all fatal accidents. The Broward Sheriffs Office did not respond to questions last week about the case. Privacy vs. answers In traffic accidents, police must walk a careful line between conducting thorough investigations and preserving peoples Fourth Amendment rights. But not everyone agrees on where that line should be. Law enforcement, they want to get bad drivers off the road, said personal injury attorney Lesser. They want to hold people responsible who cause death and serious injury. But right now we have constitutional protections. And without probable cause under current law, law enforcement really cant go beyond that. Konecky, the defense attorney, recalled a case in which a client simply fell asleep at a red light. No one was injured, but police in that case did attempt both a roadside sobriety test and a breath test, which his client refused. The judge considered the stop lawful, but ultimately decided there wasnt enough evidence to charge him. In fatal cases, Florida law gives investigators more power, but still requires them to have probable cause, or more reasons than not to believe someone was impaired. Its like adding a marble to a scale, Konecky said. Every piece brings down that scale. The more you have, the more indicators, the more likely it is this person is under the influence. Philip Sweeting, a former deputy chief of Boca Raton Police who used to oversee traffic detectives, felt that deputies could have sought to draw blood in both Chomsky and LaValles cases because the fatal accident on its own was probable cause. If a guy hits a lady on the sidewalk, thats their probable cause for taking blood, he said. But when drivers say they fell asleep, that offers an explanation that can halt further questioning, Lesser said. If youre awake, you have to answer a lot more questions from law enforcement: Where were you going? Where were you coming from? Who did you see? Did you have anything to drink? All those questions that come into play often dont come into play. He thinks a broad law mandating sobriety testing would conflict with constitutional rights, but would support a law that gives law enforcement a detailed checklist in conducting fatal crash investigations. Id love to see a different standard that would give more tools to law enforcement, to be able to do just a little more inquiry, he added. If you say Im so sorry, I fell asleep, and then you stop talking, wheres probable cause? Ive had perfection Twenty years before the crash that took her life, Caryn Chomsky had another close call with death, but survived. At only 24, Chomsky was diagnosed with cervical cancer and underwent radiation. The treatment cured the cancer but left her unable to bear children, along with other lingering health problems. So her own mother, Ann Stolper, at the age of 58, agreed to be Chomskys gestational carrier, and the twins were born. At the time, Stolper was the oldest woman to have a successful pregnancy. Later, Chomsky grew a successful physical therapy business that helped many cancer survivors with swelling. She was a kind soul, Stolper recalled, to the point that it sometimes forced Stolper to overcome her own grumpiness: I remember one day, I said, Im gonna go to the supermarket so I could be nasty to people, because Ive been nice all day long. She said, Mom, you cant do that. I said, why not? She said, because theyre all potential patients now. Chomsky sacrificed her own rest to meet patients, working 12-hour days, then still made time for running, Krav Maga and her family. Maya and her mother often cooked together, she recalled, or sat at the kitchen table, Maya doing homework, her mother doing paperwork. They shared clothes; Chomsky was trying on Mayas clothes the night before she died. Now, with Scott and his family living one community over, Ayal Chomsky fears seeing them every time he goes to the grocery store. In court, the families must come face to face; earlier this month, Chomsky lost his cool and yelled at Scott. Maya goes with her father, but Etai, who is more reticent about his grief, doesnt want to. Im bifurcated, Chomsky said. Im actually trying to mourn my wife, but I cant handle it try mourning your wife who was killed in the most brutal sense. She had cancer 20 years ago. If I had lost her to cancer, Id be mad at God, I cant be mad at anyone else. Caryns death also changed the way the whole family looks at driving. Ayal Chomsky used to go on runs outside of their gated community, but he doesnt anymore, Maya said. At first, the family didnt want him to go running at all. All Chomsky cares about now is getting justice, so he knows that he did everything he could. After the court case, he, like Surloff, wants to work on a state law. Hes already reached out to President-Elect Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis office and Rep. Jared Moskowitz. My life is pretty much finished at this point, Chomsky said matter-of-factly as he stood outside of the family home Thursday evening. Ive had perfection. My wife was perfect my daughter says you shouldnt be with anyone again. I dont want to be with anyone else. I want my wife. South Korea's suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday appeared for the first time at the Constitutional Court for his impeachment trial. Yoon defended his decision to declare martial law, a short-lived decree that he announced in a shock address to the nation on the evening on December 3, and which to many appeared to be a brazen attempt to crack down on his political opponents. He also denied the central accusation that he ordered the military to drag lawmakers out of parliament that night in order to prevent a vote against his decree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In doing so, Yoon contradicted the accounts of several military commanders that he had ordered the arrest of individual parliamentarians. During the hearing, Yoon also said that he never intended to fully implement the martial law decree, nor did he plan to have the National Assembly dissolved. A lawyer for the conservative politician described the decree as a way to sound the alarm about abuses being committed in the legislature. The decree was only intended to "prohibit illegal actions by the National Assembly," South Korea's official news agency Yonhap quoted one member of Yoon's defence team as saying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past, Yoon had repeatedly claimed that by imposing martial law he was protecting the nation from allegedly "anti-state forces" in the opposition. At the start of the session, Yoon asked that the court's judges consider him "favourably," saying he has always held a "firm belief in liberal democracy," Yonhap reported. It was the first time in South Korea's history that a president has appeared in person for an impeachment trial. Former presidents Park Geun Hye and Roh Moo Hyeon were represented by their lawyers on previous such occasions. Until last week, Yoon had barricaded himself inside his Seoul compound as he evaded arrest and questioning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unicameral National Assembly voted for Yoon's impeachment on December 14. That act suspended him from the presidency, but the court must now decide whether the impeachment should be upheld. If Yoon is formally ousted from the office by the top court, it would pave the way for a snap presidential election within 60 days. A ruling is expected in coming weeks. After the hearing, Yoon was not taken back to his prison cell as expected. Yonhap, citing unnamed sources, reported he was moved to a military hospital. The exact reasons are not yet known. Running parallel to the trial is a probe by the Corruption Investigation Agency for High-Ranking Officials. The agency is investigating whether Yoon is guilty of trying to instigate a sedition with his martial law declaration. If found guilty, Yoon faces a long prison sentence. By Joyce Lee SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attended on Tuesday a Constitutional Court hearing of his impeachment trial where he denied ordering military commanders to drag lawmakers out of parliament during his short-lived bid to impose martial law. Near the start of the hearing, Yoon said he had worked in public service with "a firm commitment to free democracy", when invited by the acting chief justice, Moon Hyung-bae, to speak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dressed in a navy-coloured suit with a burgundy tie, Yoon, a career prosecutor before his 2022 election as president, pledged to answer any questions the court might have. Yoon has been incarcerated since last week under a separate criminal probe on charges of leading an insurrection with his attempt to impose martial law in early December, a move that shocked the nation and was overturned within hours by parliament. Yoon told the hearing that special forces troops sent to parliament on Dec. 3 were not there to disable the legislature or prevent it from blocking his martial law because he knew such an action would have led to an indefensible crisis. "In this country, parliament and news media are far more powerful than the president, in a far superior position," he told the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His lawyers outlined arguments in defence of Yoon's martial law declaration, saying it was meant to sound the alarm over abuses committed by the opposition Democratic Party. They argued the opposition's actions had paralysed government and pushed the country's democratic and constitutional order to the brink of collapse. "The decree was intended simply to establish the format of martial law and never intended to be executed, nor was it possible to execute it because of the potential for conflict with higher-level laws," lawyer Cha Gi-hwan told the court. Cha also denied testimony by military commanders involved in the martial law declaration who said Yoon and his top aides ordered the arrest of some members of parliament who had politically clashed with the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opposition Democratic Party, joined by minority parties and also 12 members of Yoon's People Power Party, voted with a two-thirds majority to impeach Yoon on Dec. 14. HELICOPTERS LANDING AT PARLIAMENT The Constitutional Court began the trial on Dec. 27 to review an impeachment motion that accused Yoon of violating his constitutional duty by imposing martial law with no justifiable grounds. The parliament's legal team presented testimony from military commanders and video footage showing military helicopters landing on parliament grounds with special forces troops breaking into the main building, as well as troops moving in on the National Election Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the lawyers also criticised unproven claims of irregularities at the election commission, which Yoon cited as a factor for justifying martial law. "In South Korea's current national chaos, the conspiracy theory of election fraud can destroy our community itself," said the lawyer. The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to decide whether to remove Yoon from office permanently or reinstate him. Yoon was driven to the hearing from the Seoul Detention Centre, where he is being held, in a correctional service vehicle escorted by a Presidential Security Service motorcade. He was permitted to change from the khaki prison uniform he currently has to wear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the hearing, Yoon visited a medical facility to receive medical attention with prior authorization from the head of the detention centre, the Justice Ministry which oversees correctional service said in a statement. It did not provide further details on privacy grounds. Yoon's decision to attend the impeachment hearing contrasts with his vigorous resistance to criminal proceedings against him where he has refused to answer summons by investigators or attend interrogation sessions. Yoon's legal team has denied he masterminded an insurrection, a crime in South Korea punishable by life imprisonment or even technically by the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security was heightened at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, after a mob of angry Yoon supporters went on a rampage through the district court that issued a warrant to extend his detention early on Sunday. Dozens of police buses were lined bumper-to-bumper on both sides of the street, keeping hundreds of Yoon supporters more than 100 metres (109 yards) away from the court. (Reporting by Joyce Lee and Jack Kim; Editing by Ed Davies and Saad Sayeed) JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WGNO) More than a dozen fire chiefs gathered at the Kenner Fire Department to discuss home heating safety ahead of Tuesdays winter weather. The fire officials in attendance said residents should not use their fireplaces unless theyve recently been inspected by a professional. Warming centers to open in Southeast Louisiana ahead of winter weather They also shared concerns about space heaters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we like to say, space heaters need space. Make sure you keep at least three feet away from anything near space heaters that could be combustible. Do not leave them unattended. Do not leave children unattended in the vicinity of space heaters, said New Orleans Fire Department Superintendent Roman Nelson. Fire officials also emphasized the importance of staying home and staying off the roads, as well as not using a stove or oven to heat your home. Watch the full conference: Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2025 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 WGNO. SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) A Southington man was arrested Monday after allegedly sexually-assaulting a juvenile victim last year, according to state police. Dylan Martin, 21, was charged with second-degree sexual assault, risk of injury to a minor, illegal sexual contact with victim under age 16, and third-degree possession of child pornography. Westbrook man facing sexual assault, voyeurism charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His charges stem from an investigation that started in November, after the Hampden County, Massachusetts States Attorneys Office told state police personnel of an alleged sexual assault that happened in Haddam in October. Police in Massachusetts had been looking into a missing juvenile report when the juvenile told police the night they went missing, they had been picked up by their boyfriend and brought to a cabin in Connecticut. The juvenile victim said they had been communicating through Snapchat and the conversations included nude photos. Martin was released on a $150,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court on Jan. 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Spains Left-wing prime minister has called on the world to rebel against the threat to democracy posed by what he called the Silicon Valley techno-caste. Speaking on Monday as Donald Trump was sworn in as US president for a second time, Pedro Sanchez accused American tech billionaires of trying to use their absolute power over social media to control public debate and, therefore, government action, in the entire Western world. The Spanish leader said it was time for democratic governments to fight back against the threats posed by the far-Right and the distortion of debate by a few powerful businessmen in charge of social media platforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Sanchez did not specifically name Elon Musk, but his comments about tech moguls attempts to disrupt democratic systems come after the owner of X took aim at several Western governments, including that of the UK. He warned about the rise of what he calls the ultra-Right international represented by leaders such as Argentinas Javier Milei and Hungarys Viktor Orban, a movement he said was being turbo-charged by social media influence. I want to be clear and concise on this, I will say it in less than 280 characters: democracy is not one euro, one vote; it is not one tweet, one vote; it is one person, one vote. Therefore, Europe must stand up to this threat and defend democracy, Mr Sanchez said. Mr Musk, the worlds richest man, will be in charge of the US Department of Government Efficiency, which is aiming to cut trillions of dollars in federal government spending and slash red tape. Guests including, from left, Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk attend the Inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington - Getty Images North America Numerous tech executives who have sought to curry favour with the incoming administration including Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder, and Mark Zuckerberg, Metas chief executive had prominent seats on stage during Mr Trumps inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Sanchezs warnings about Mr Musks influence come after Emmanuel Macron, the French president, criticised him for endorsing Germanys far-Right AfD party and calling chancellor Olaf Scholz an incompetent fool. Jean-Noel Barrot, the French foreign minister, and members of Mr Sanchezs Spanish Socialist party have called on the European Union to take action against social media bosses skewing politics in the bloc. On Monday Mr Trump said Spain would face tariffs of 100 per cent on exports to the US as it is a BRICS country, referring to the club of nations led by Brazil, Russia, India and China. Spain is not a BRICS member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president had been asked about Spains low level of defence spending, something the president has warned Madrid and other Nato members about. He has gone as far to suggest the US could disengage from the military alliance if other members do not increase their spending. Sebastien Lecornu, Frances defence minister, said on Tuesday that Mr Trumps election constitutes a serious kick up the backside for Europe, which must develop greater autonomy against external military threats. Perhaps the brutality of the presidents words can finally lead to a shock and an awakening in European countries, Mr Lecornu told France Inter radio, adding: For many decades there has been the temptation to put ourselves under the American nuclear umbrella. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. MADRID (Reuters) -Spanish Labour Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz said on Tuesday she will withdraw from Elon Musk's social media platform X due in part to the billionaire's behaviour during events linked to President Donald Trump's inauguration. "I made this decision, which I know is complicated, but I will not be part of a social network based on the use of algorithms that encourage xenophobic ideas, against human rights and encourage the extreme right in the world," she told state broadcaster TVE. She said the decision followed "Elon Musk's positioning yesterday, not only with his gestures, but with the absolutely convoluted speeches he is making". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At an inauguration-related event on Monday, Musk raised his arm in a gesture that drew online comparisons to a Nazi salute. The Anti-Defamation League, which tracks antisemitism, disagreed that it was a Nazi salute, saying it appeared to be an "awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm". Musk himself called the criticism a "tired" attack on X. Diaz said she will stop posting on X on personal and political matters, adding that other ministers from her hard-left Sumar party will also stop using the platform. The Spanish government said on Tuesday every minister was free to choose which social platforms to use and Diaz's decision was personal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Spanish government continues to release information through various channels and digital platforms," government spokesperson Pilar Alegria told reporters. Earlier this month, the German Defence and Foreign Ministries said they would stop using X, with the Defence Ministry saying it had become increasingly "unhappy" with developments on the platform. They joined a growing number of German and UK universities, which have departed from X. (Reporting by Inti Landauro, editing by Aislinn Laing and Sharon Singleton) Jan. 20Nine-hour lines, venues packed to the brim, snipers on roofs, armored cars, a congressional DJ and two hats pilfered by rapper Lil Pump. It was a chaotic but exhilarating day for a few of the locals that traveled more than 2,500 miles to Washington, D.C. They learned only Friday that the typical outdoor inauguration ceremony had been brought inside the Capitol, to which they had no access, amid below-freezing weather. But even if it had to be from a TV screen, they were there to see President Donald Trump assume office. Natalie Poulson and Kellie Rizzi, both members of the Spokane County GOP executive board, received tickets to attend from their representative in Congress in their case, freshman Rep. Michael Baumgartner. They arrived late Sunday with hopes of watching the morning ceremony from the Capital One Arena, the largest venue streaming the inauguration, but gave up after learning some started getting in line Sunday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amanda McFarland, a member of the Young Republicans of Spokane, arrived earlier, flying out Friday, and scoped out the city over the weekend attending various events, warning Poulson and Rizzi about the nine-hour wait she endured Sunday night to get into a rally. She visited a ball DJ'd by Texas Congressman Dan Crenshaw and ran into the pro-Trump rapper Lil Pump, who posed for a photo with her before running off with two MAGA hats McFarland had bought for her parents. "Lil Pump stole my hats," McFarland laughed. "I'm OK with that." Instead of trying their luck at the arena, Poulson and Rizzi traveled to the nearby Museum of the Bible where they watched the proceedings in an auditorium with roughly 500 other people. McFarland and others from Washington Young Republican groups were invited to join a Southern Illinois inauguration event at the Cannon House Office Building across from the Capitol. The museum's crowd cheered loudest when Trump promised to secure the southern border, accused the public education system of teaching children to be "ashamed of themselves, and, in some cases, to hate our country," and promised to "make America healthy again," a slogan associated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McFarland's smaller group of about 100 was roused by the prayers interspersing the day's events, particularly pointing to a sermon from Detroit Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, who quoted at length from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. "It just brought a lot of hope to us," she said. "Everybody loved it." After the ceremony the three went outside to watch Trump's motorcade, though the route was cut short at the last minute for security reasons, Rizzi believed. High security has been a major theme of the trip, with snipers stationed on roofs, armored vehicles blocking roads and a large law enforcement presence. It was comforting, they said, and Poulson enjoyed chatting with officers during the long waits, but it complicated their movements through the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between frequent detours and high costs of as much as $100, taxis or ride-sharing services like Uber were out of the question for the day, McFarland said, and instead the trio walked through the freezing cold for much of the day. With all of the remaining balls and galas sold out, the trio concluded their evening with dinner at an Irish pub and planned to bookend the trip with a tour of the Library of Congress courtesy of Baumgartner. Despite the changing plans and uncomfortable weather, the trio said their trip was worthwhile. "I'm just pumped," McFarland said. "I really think the potential for America in the next few years is exponential. ... I feel like it's the dawn of a new era." A pregnant Spring Hill woman is dead and an Indiana man is now facing three murder charges in connection with her death. Before 6 a.m. Monday, the Robertson County Sheriff's Office received a call to dispatch that prompted deputies to reach out to Spring Hill Police, about an hour and a half south, to conduct a welfare check on a woman, according to a news release from the police department. The 30-year-old woman, who has not yet been identified by police, was dead when officers arrived at a home in the 2000 block of Gale Lane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robertson County deputies detained the man who initially called their dispatch, 29-year-old Vidol Wegner. Wegner and the woman were in a relationship prior to the woman's death, Spring Hill police said. It was not immediately clear why Wegner was in Robertson County. Detectives with Spring Hill Police took custody of Wegner and tranferred him to the Maury County Jail on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony murder. This is a developing story. Check back for more details as they become available. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Spring Hill Police: Pregnant woman killed, Indiana man charged BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) Two cities in the Pioneer Valley have been awarded Firefighter Safety Equipment Grants. According to a news release from state Senator Adam Gomezs office, the Chicopee Fire Department will receive $14,162.68, and the Springfield Fire Department is getting $35,521.67 to be used for purchasing equipment including protective gear, thermal imaging cameras, portable radios, hazardous gas detectors, and personnel accountability systems. Fisherman rescued from frozen Onota Lake in Pittsfield Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters across Massachusetts are often times faced with a unique set of circumstances when combatting man-made or natural fires, said Senator Gomez. In order to execute technical rescues and treat injuries in addition to fighting fires, our local fire departments need valuable grant dollars to ensure the safety of our firefighters and our communities. I am thankful to Secretary Reidy and the Healey-Driscoll administration for these life-saving investments in the Hampden district. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Springfield Police Youth Aid Bureau is looking for the publics assistance in finding a missing 15-year-old girl. Chicopee woman arrested for allegedly hitting police officer with car Springfield police said that Charisma Vega is 15 years old and has run away from home. Charismas mother said that her hair is shorter than in the image provided. Courtesy of the Springfield Police Department. If you see Charisma or have any information regarding her whereabouts, please call 413-787-6360 or the non-emergency line at 413-787-6300. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Troubles at Saint Augustines University in Raleigh continue with a citation filed against the universitys interim president earlier this month. Marcus Burgess, the universitys interim president, has been cited for allegations of failing to secure workers compensation insurance for the university. A North Carolina uniform citation was filed on January 7, stating: Marcus Burgess unlawfully and willfully neglected to secure workers compensation insurance for Saint Augustines College d/b/a Saint Augustines University as required by N.C.G.S. 97-93. Marcus Burgess is the person with the ability and authority to secure and maintain such insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burgess, whose address is listed in Columbia, SC, has a court date set for Feb. 12 in Wake County. The university has been plagued with problems since late 2023 when Dr. Christine McPhail, St. Augustines University President, was fired from the school. Major financial issues then surfaced. Last month, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges voted to remove accreditation membership from Saint Augustines University. The decision is not final. Before that, in November, the university, millions of dollars in debt, announced plans to cut 50 percent of workers as part of efforts to trim expenses by about $17 million compared to 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, to save money, the university was forced to move students into remote learning. Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. CLEARFIELD, PA. (WTAJ) St. Francis School in Clearfield is inviting the community to its second annual Luminary Prayer Walk on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is part of the schools Catholic Schools Week celebration, offering an evening of prayer and reflection for attendees. The prayer walk features luminary bags decorated with prayer requests submitted by students, families, and community members. Requests have come from across the nation, including alumni and friends of the school. Visitors are encouraged to walk through the glowing luminary path, taking quiet time to reflect and pray. Your participation will help make this event even more meaningful, the school said in a statement on its event page. Photo provided by St. Francis School Photo provided by St. Francis School Photo provided by St. Francis School Photo provided by St. Francis School The public can also submit their own prayer requests in advance, which will be written on luminary bags by students. Submissions can be made through an online form. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The walk will take place at St. Francis School, located at 230 South Second St., Clearfield, PA. No reservations are required, and attendees can drop by at any time during the two-hour event. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. For more details, visit the event page on Facebook or contact the school directly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe stops by the State Board of Education's December meeting, before he was officially sworn into office this month (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). The union representing St. Louis teachers is calling for State Board of Education member Kerry Casey to resign after she pushed earlier this month for St. Louis Public Schools to be stripped of its accreditation status. Casey, who could not be reached for comment, was a founding board member of KIPP charter schools in St. Louis. She was appointed to the board in 2021 by former Gov. Mike Parson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Federation of Teachers St. Louis, in its letter calling for Caseys resignation, questioned whether she could be impartial in her assessment of public schools. She seems predisposed to lowering the accreditation of public schools while protecting and advancing charter schools, teachers union leaders wrote. It just seems like shes more of a school privatizer than a public-school advocate, Byron Clemens, spokesman for AFT St. Louis, told The Independent. The State Board of Education does not control the classification of charter schools but it does hear proposals for new charters and has other oversight tasks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about Caseys connection to charter schools and whether it helps the board, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education spokeswoman Mallory McGowin said members have a wide range of professional experiences and personal interests that inform their various perspectives during their time on the board. St. Louis has been fully accredited since 2017, following a decade in unaccredited and provisionally accredited status with efforts to improve the districts academics, facilities and academics. During the State Board of Education meeting earlier this month, Casey said media reports of dysfunction within St. Louis Public Schools made her question why it wasnt part of the shortlist of districts in consideration for provisional accreditation status. She made a motion to downgrade the districts accreditation but didnt receive support from other members to bring the issue to a vote. Department officials showed Casey that St. Louis Public Schools met the checklist to maintain full accreditation. Current decisions are focused on superintendent qualifications and financial status, rather than annual performance reports, as the department is waiting until it has more data using a new set of standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department also gave Casey reassurance that state staff have been working with the district. McGowin told The Independent that the agency began its assistance last summer. Thus far, that assistance has included conversations with the appropriate (department) personnel regarding a number of items, including transportation, school finance, educator certification, federal programs and literacy, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Caseys push to downgrade the district fell flat among her fellow board members and the education department. But she is not without her supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Cindy OLaughlin, a Republican from Shelbina, shared a photo on Facebook of her with Casey and expressed her appreciation for what she was trying to do. (Casey) is a respected state board of education member who recently called for the St. Louis Public School system to have their rating downgraded, OLaughlin wrote. This has long been needing to happen but for some reason hasnt. OLaughlin criticized AFT members for their letter against Casey. I would suggest the teachers union should be figuring out how to improve student outcomes rather than point fingers at those who actually do care and want improvement, the post continued. St. Louis Public Schools annual performance report score increased this year, with improvement in academic performance and growth in multiple subject areas based on the scoring system. A St. Paul bank executive is accused of editing business documents to make it appear that two Duck Donuts franchises he sold were profitable, causing the buyer to lose an estimated $300,000, according to charges filed in Washington County District Court. Justin Ansel Butler, 41, of Woodbury, sold the Duck Donuts franchises to another man. One is at 7455 Currell Blvd. in Woodbury and the other is inside the Mall of America in Bloomington. Duck Donuts first opened in Duck, North Carolina in 2007, and has since expanded to over 100 locations nationwide. The Woodbury location opened in 2018 and remains operational. The second Minnesota location eventually opened at the Mall of America in 2021 after a two-year wait, but was evicted last May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After he provided extensive documentation showing the alleged profitability of the businesses, Butler sold the two locations to the alleged victim for a total of $975,000, which was finalized on Nov. 14, 2022. According to the criminal complaint, the man used $195,000 of his own money from his 401K, home equity and life insurance as a downpayment in the deal. Shortly after he assumed control of the two donut shops, he became suspicious as he discovered it was nowhere near as profitable as Butler had claimed. The victim hired a computer forensics firm to investigate the documents and it was discovered that the documents were edited to show the businesses were profitable. "However in reality, the businesses were losing a considerable amount of money prior to being sold," the complaint states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges go on to say that Butler arranged to buy the businesses back from the man, who needed to file for bankruptcy. The man was told his $195,000 downpayment was gone, as was around $100,000 in additional expenses he accrued while attempting to keep the business afloat. The man told investigators he lost nearly $300,000 as a result of the business deal. Duck Donuts A man identified in the complaint as "JH" spoke with police regarding the Duck Donut franchises, having worked as an operations manager there from 2020 to August 2023. He claimed the stores were losing "$20,000 to $30,000 per month," adding that Butler tried to sell the businesses to him for $400,000 in 2022. According to his LinkedIn profile, Butler has been the chief risk officer for Bremer Bank since August 2022 and previously served as senior vice president of consumer banking control management at Wells Fargo. Butler is charged via summons with one count of theft by swindle. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $100,000. He has a court appearance scheduled for Feb. 25. There is currently no attorney listed to represent him. Agatha Christie was onto something when she stated, The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to seekers after it. Brian Thompson, the 50-year-old CEO of the United Health Care insurance company, was shot and killed in Midtown Manhattan on December 4th in broad daylight. His assailant, Luigi Mangione, has become a media-fueled darling, with multiple documentary projects already underway to explore the complexities of his crime. The allure of controversy and the American peoples fury regarding corporate power has led to Mangiones permeation of pop culture coverage. Rather unsurprising considering the divisive country we live in, partisan divides have underscored the polarized public sentiment toward this young man charged with murder. The fascination with understanding Mangiones motive for murder has captivated the country, as some Americans have painted him as a vigilante out for justice. An angry health care consumer who was potentially denied insurance coverage following a debilitating back surgerysadly, a story many Americans can relate to. In this good-versus-evil storyline, health care insurance firms have become the villain. The media continues to gravitate toward political figures, celebrities, and businesspeople who deliver drama that fuels both clickbait and nuanced debates on contentious topics. The coverage of Luigi Mangione has been fascinating to witness as he is equally revered and reviled, further fueling discussion as to whether he is a hero, a villain, or a visionary. To many Americans, he may symbolize a champion of the underdog or a truth-teller demanding corporate accountability, health care reform, and the forgotten ethical responsibilities of industry leaders. The motivation behind his crime has sparked yet another national debate, with Americans reacting to Thompsons murder with passionate responses of both rage and joy. Health care in the U.S. has been commodified and reduced to a transactional exchange where ones ability to pay determines access to care. In a staggering finding, a recent study found that over half of all bankruptcies in the United States are tied to medical debt. Health care insurance does not confer immunity: high premiums, sky-high deductibles, and exorbitant copays ensure that being insured is no guarantee of financial security. Contrastingly, insurance companies are thriving: the top five insurers collectively reported over $60 billion in profits at the end of 2023. Prior authorizations, coverage limits, and byzantine appeals processes are features of the system. These mechanisms, cloaked in bureaucratic jargon, are carefully calibrated to discourage the sick from seeking care or to transfer costs back onto patients. A delayed approval for a life-saving drug, a denied claim for an emergency surgerythese have become daily realities for millions of Americans. How can we not balk at the injustice of forcing an ill patient to become their own health care insurance advocate while also anticipating potential surprise medical bills? The American health care system demands that you become an expert at its bureaucratic intricacies when at your most vulnerable. While private insurance was originally thought to foster competition and innovation, it has done very little to reduce costs or improve the quality of care. Instead, it has incentivized consolidation that stifles competition and creates monopolies, limiting patients to fewer options and higher costs. The administrative costs of the U.S. health care system far outstrip those of other nations; in Europe, single-payer modeling has eliminated the capitalistic system of corporate greed. If we take a close look at Denmarks health care system, considered one of the best in the world, it is characterized by universal coverage based upon a tax-funded system designed to provide equitable access to all residents. Its decentralized administration is based upon management by five regional authorities responsible for hospitals and specialized care, while municipalities manage home care, nursing home care, and rehabilitation services. In a recent and deeply concerning move in November 2024, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) implemented a policy denying anesthesia coverage beyond an arbitrary time limit set by the insurance firm. This decision was a stark reminder of the troubling prioritization of profits over patient care that continues to plague the American health care system. By setting such limits, BCBS not only undermines the autonomy of medical professionals but also places patients at significant risk. As a pediatric anesthesiologist, I can attest to the fact that the duration of anesthesia for even routine surgeries cannot be predicted with precision. Complex surgeries or unforeseen complications may necessitate extended anesthesia to ensure patient safety and procedural success. By imposing a rigid time limit, BCBS forces doctors and patients to navigate the impossible choice between financial stress and adequate medical care. This policy would have likely compromised the quality of care, as physicians may have felt pressured to expedite procedures or make less-than-optimal decisions to avoid exceeding insurance-mandated thresholds. On December 5th, one day following Thompsons murder, Anthem BCBS reversed the policy amid widespread backlash from physicians, lawmakers, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. BCBSs decision should serve as a wake-up call to all stakeholders in the health care system. Patients, providers, and policymakers must unite to push back against measures that prioritize corporate bottom lines over human lives. In the court of public opinion, insurance companies have largely come into direct conflict with universal human dignity. Although politically contentious, there are steps that will lead us toward a more patient-centered focus. Future steps to ensure a more equitable health care system should be predicated on stricter regulations to cap profits, mandate transparency, and hold insurers accountable for denying health care coverageperhaps saving lives in more ways than one. Irim Salik is a pediatric anesthesiologist. Tuesdays frigid forecast had nearly every metro-area school district calling off classes. Related Articles The National Weather Service expects wind chills to reach 32 below zero when buses would have been picking up students Tuesday morning. Announcing closures Monday were the St. Paul, Minneapolis, Anoka-Hennepin, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan, South Washington County, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage, Lakeville, Mounds View, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale, Roseville, Shakopee, Spring Lake Park, South St. Paul, Forest Lake, Richfield and Inver Grove Heights public school districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Stillwater district will open its schools two hours later than usual. For a few other metro districts, Tuesday was scheduled as an off day for students even before the cold blew in. After subzero highs on Sunday and Monday, temperatures do begin to recover Tuesday following the frigid morning. A high of 9 is expected, according to the NWS, following by a high of 25 on Wednesday. (Bloomberg) -- Keir Starmers plans to green-light a third runway at Londons Heathrow Airport risk triggering a damaging split within his governing Labour Party amid concerns that extend into his own cabinet about its potential impact on the environment, growth and regional inequality. Most Read from Bloomberg The UK government is preparing to publicly signal support for a long-sought third runway at Heathrow, sign off on plans to bring the second strip at Gatwick into full-time use, and allow an increase in the capacity at Luton Airport, Bloomberg reported on Monday. But the cabinet is privately divided on the plans, according to people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity while discussing government splits. There are concerns about air and noise pollution and the UKs ability to meet climate commitments, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is poised to announce all or some of the controversial decisions on airport expansion in a speech about growth that shes due to make before the end of the month. With the economy flat-lining, Britains finance minister is on a drive to show how the Labour government in power since July after 14 years in opposition is committed to spurring growth by fast-tracking housebuilding and infrastructure projects from wind farms to airports. Eight ministers who attend cabinet voted against the Heathrow plan in the House of Commons in 2018, including Starmer and Ed Miliband, whose energy portfolio includes responsibility for Britains drive toward net zero greenhouse gases. The others were Hilary Benn, Anneliese Dodds, Darren Jones, Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed and Ellie Reeves. Live discussions on the projects have been taking place within government for months, according to one of the people. With Starmers advisers now supporting the policy, some ministers feel bounced by the Treasury into supporting the plans, they said, adding that others in government have serious doubts the projects will generate significant economic growth. There is also no credible evidence that the UK needs all three airport expansions, they said. Reeves speech is still being finalized and is subject to change. Asked about the matter in the House of Commons on Tuesday, she said she wouldnt comment on leaks before adding: This government are absolutely committed to growing our economy and making this a great place for businesses to invest and trade in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within the cabinet, Milibands past opposition is particularly well-known. As long ago as 2009, he threatened to resign from Gordon Browns then government over plans for a new runway at Heathrow, and ahead of the vote in 2018, he issued a statement on social media saying the proposal was very likely to make air pollution worse and the then Tory government had made no serious attempt to square its climate change commitments with its support for the third runway at Heathrow. A spokesman for Miliband declined to comment. A senior government official said Labour ministers should support the governments core objective of economic growth, warning ministers with concerns on environmental grounds that opposing the policy would only see them join the blockers who had inhibited growth in the past. But opposition within Labour extends outside the parliamentary party. London Mayor Sadiq Khan who alongside environmental groups fought a lengthy and losing legal battle to stymie the plans last time around remains opposed. The mayor has a long-standing opposition to airport expansion around London linked to the negative impact on air quality, noise and Londons ability to reach net zero by 2030, his office told Bloomberg in a statement. Meanwhile Labours mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, told Bloomberg: I understand the need to move forward with growth projects but it cant be at the expense of the North of England. That is not in my view the balanced growth that we need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government decisions on expanding capacity at Gatwick and Luton must be made by Feb. 27 and April 3 respectively. While Heathrow emerged victorious from its court battles over the plans in late 2020, its yet to take them forward, and there is currently no outstanding application for a so-called development consent order for the new runway at Heathrow. Reeves is now expected to indicate the government would look favorably on one if its made. Khan said last week that he would launch a fresh legal challenge if the government backs a third runway at Heathrow, raising the prospect of the Labour politician with the biggest individual mandate trying to block a flagship Starmer policy in the courts. Environmental groups also criticized the proposals, with Friends of the Earth calling it hugely irresponsible and WWF saying it would send the UKs carbon emissions skywards while leaving economic growth stuck on the runway. Another Labour MP against the plans said there is no climate test a runway can pass, and noted that the length of time required to build it means its economic benefits wouldnt come until the next Parliament at the earliest, so it wouldnt contribute to Labours promise to deliver the highest growth in the Group of Seven before the next election is due in 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless there was also support within Labour. Chris Curtis MP, chair of the Labour Growth Group, which supports the building of more infrastructure, backed calls for a third runway at Heathrow telling the BBC his party is determined to do everything that we can to fix the economy and in my view, that does include building a third runway at Heathrow. Business groups also backed the plans, with British Chambers of Commerce Director General Shevaun Haviland saying in a statement that expanding airport capacity was vital to UK growth and a top priority for business. All three projects will help boost trade, attract international investment and bring huge benefits to companies across the UK, she said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to redefine terror in the wake of the Southport murders amid fears that it could overwhelm police and security services. The Prime Minister said Britain faced a new threat of terrorism from attackers radicalised by extreme violence but without any fixed ideology. In a televised press conference in Downing Street, he said ministers would change the law if necessary to ensure the state could identify violent individuals who may be planning attacks on their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former counter-terror chiefs expressed concern that police and the security services could be overwhelmed without extra resources if the definition was expanded to include lone wolf attackers lacking a clear ideology. There is no new terrorism threat and no need to introduce new law. Violence without ideology is just violence and there is plenty of UK law to deal with it, said a former counter-terror chief. If the definition was expanded, it would have significant resource implications for counter-terrorism and the intelligence services. There were also concerns that other security and terror risks could have to be deprioritised if no more resources were allocated to counter-terrorism operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Philip Ingram, a former intelligence officer, said it would be difficult for security services to monitor extra terror threats. There are not enough resources in MI5 and counter-terror police to deal with the huge number of terrorists at the moment and guarantee that none of them are going to carry out an attack, he said. Neil Basu, the Mets former counter-terrorism chief, said it would be a mistake to give the label terrorism to acts that were not terrorist. Axel Rudakubana, 18, was referred to the counter-terrorism programme three times when he was 13 and 14 - Elizabeth Cook/PA He said criminals like the Southport attacker were pathetic, vulnerable, criminal losers. They are not terrorists. He told LBC that the UK already had incredibly strong terrorist legislation, adding: If we start naming these people terrorists, you will probably give them exactly what theyre looking for, which is their day of fame, their day of infamy. You will, in my view, inspire more of these acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Axel Rudakubana, who murdered three girls at their dance class in Southport in July, had been referred to the Governments counter-terrorism Prevent programme three times between December 2019 and April 2021 when he was aged 13 and 14, but each time it was decided it was inappropriate for him to join. Yvette Cooper announces the Southport murders public inquiry - House of Commons/Reuters However, Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, told MPs that a review had concluded the referrals had been wrongly closed because too much weight had been put on the fact that he did not have ideology. Rudakubanas murders have also not been classed as a terrorist incident even though he had downloaded an academic study of an al-Qaeda terror manual and had produced the toxin ricin, a poison favoured by terrorists. Sir Keir said the new threat was characterised by extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My concern in this case is we have clearly got an example of extreme violence, individualised violence, that we have to protect our children from and our citizens from, he said. It is a new threat, its not what we would have usually thought of as terrorism when definitions were drawn up, when guidelines were put in place, when the framework was put in place and we have to recognise that here today. A former counter-terror chief was, however, sceptical. Floral tributes in Southport to the three girls killed by line wolf Axel Rudakubana - Owen Humphreys/PA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We still do not know the ideology that drove the Southport killer but it is highly likely to be Islamist at source, especially taking account of the venue and other factors, they said. The attack was likely inspired therefore. No one murders three little girls in these circumstances just because they like violence unless mentally ill. The look at definitions is a smokescreen. Alicia Kearns, shadow security minister, said: This is not a new threat. Individuals attaching themselves to incel, Islamist or Right-wing terrorist ideologies or often an incoherent mess of many to justify their actions, is nothing new. Caution is needed when expanding the requirement put on our security services who already prevent many attacks each month without needing knee-jerk additional burdens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan Hall, the independent reviewer of terrorism, has been asked by Ms Cooper to decide whether there should be changes to terrorism laws to take account of perpetrators who seek to terrorise even without a clear ideology. She has also appointed Lord David Anderson KC, as Prevent commissioner to review whether any previous similar cases have been missed and whether rules needed to be changed to take account of threats from violent individuals like Rudakubana. He said the Southport attack must be a line in the sand for Britain, pledging that the public inquiry would leave no stone unturned in getting to the truth of how the girls were failed by the state. Nothing will be off the table, he said. As part of the inquiry launched by the Home Secretary yesterday, I will not let any institution of the state deflect from their failure, failure which in this case, frankly, leaps off the page, he added. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. LONDON (AP) Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Tuesday that the killing of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class must lead to fundamental change in how the British state protects citizens and a reckoning with new threats from violent individuals whose mix of motivations test the traditional definition of terrorism. Starmer said the government must also answer tough questions about how authorities failed to stop a violence-obsessed teenager before he stabbed the girls to death in the seaside town of Southport in July. In a televised statement, the prime minister said that a public inquiry would tackle failings in the case of Axel Rudakubana, who wounded a further eight children, their instructor and a passer-by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tragedy of the Southport killings must be a line in the sand for Britain, Starmer said. Rudakubana, 18, unexpectedly changed his pleas to guilty on Monday, the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court. He is due to be sentenced on Thursday. His guilty plea means that details that had been withheld from the public to try to ensure a fair trial can now be reported. They include the fact that Rudakubana was referred three times to the governments anti-extremism program, Prevent, when he was 13 and 14, and was in contact with multiple state agencies all of whom failed to spot the danger he posed. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told lawmakers in the House of Commons that Rudakubana was convicted of a violent assault against another child at school and had multiple contacts with childrens social care, mental health services and police, who were called to his home over his behavior five times between 2019 and 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack occurred on the first day of summer vacation when two dozen little girls were in a class to learn yoga and dance to the songs of Taylor Swift. What was supposed to be a day of joy turned to terror and heartbreak when Rudakubana, armed with a knife, intruded and began stabbing the girls and their teacher. He killed Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6. Eight other girls, ranging in age from 7 to 13, were wounded, along with instructor Leanne Lucas and John Hayes, who worked in a business next door and intervened. The killings in the northwest England town triggered days of anti-immigrant violence across the country after far-right activists seized on incorrect reports that the attacker was an asylum-seeker who had recently arrived in the U.K. Rudakubana was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics have accused Starmers government of withholding information about the suspect in the aftermath of the attack. Starmer said there was no conspiracy of silence, just a desire to see justice done. The only losers if the details had been disclosed would have been the victims and the families because it ran the risk the trial would have collapsed, he said. Police and prosecutors also face questions about why the case was not labeled terrorism, despite Rudakubana facing charges of possessing an al-Qaida manual and the poison ricin alongside charges of murder and attempted murder. On Rudakubanas devices, police found documents about Nazi Germany, the Rwandan genocide and car bombs, as well as a document titled Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants, the Al-Qaida Training Manual. Authorities have not found evidence he subscribed to any political or religious ideology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ken McCallum, the head of Britains domestic intelligence agency, MI5, warned in October that terrorism suspects increasingly displayed a dizzying range of beliefs and ideologies, drawn from a soup of online hatred, conspiracy theories and disinformation. Starmer said the case showed that terrorism has changed and the law might need to be updated to deal with a new threat (from) acts of extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms. It is a new threat, its not what we would have usually thought of as terrorism when definitions were drawn up, when guidelines were put in place, when the framework was put in place, and we have to recognize that here today," he said. It's clearly extreme violence. It's clearly intended to terrorize." Keir Starmer did not inspire confidence at his press conference on the Southport murders this morning. Painfully aware that he and his Government were caught on the back foot when it came to the rape gangs in towns across Britain, he wanted to be out in front on this issue, which has proved to be such a powder keg, both in terms of actual violence and in cultural terms. But he left us with as many questions as we started out with. Addressing the conviction of Axel Rudakubana for the murders of three young girls at a dance class in Southport last year and for the attempted murder of ten others, the Prime Minister declared: The blunt truth here is that this case is a sign Britain now faces a new threat. This suggests that Rudakubana was not motivated by an ideological commitment to Islamism, despite the assumption of many online commentators. After all, Islamist terrorism is nothing new to Britain: weve seen nearly 100 victims of that vile cult in the last 20 years, and if the Southport murderer was motivated by the same cause, Starmer could hardly have described it as a new threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike in the case of the rape gangs, where ministers initially opposed a national inquiry and were then, inevitably, forced into a humiliating and damaging U-turn, Starmer announced a new public inquiry into the incident. Oddly, given that his description of the attack seemed to have ruled out any link with Islamism, he vowed nevertheless that the inquiry would ask and answer difficult questions, questions that should be far-reaching, unburdened by cultural or institutional sensitivities. All well and good and it says something about our political establishment that such even-handedness and honesty cannot simply be assumed but must be specifically strived for but what cultural sensitivities need to be steam-rollered if the perpetrator was not seduced by Islamism? A measure of justice was done when Rudakubana pleaded guilty to the charges against him yesterday, said the Prime Minister. But as Allison Pearson points out in todays paper, that guilty plea prevented the country from hearing about and understanding this young mans motives. More justice would have been done had he been forced to appear in the witness box and explain why he thought he was justified in attacking these innocent young girls as they enjoyed themselves dancing to Taylor Swift music in their own community. This evokes memories of the Islamist who targeted young girls in Manchester for the crime of attending an Ariana Grande concert in 2017. But such similarities clearly dont exist, since Southport, as the Prime Minister has pointed out, represents a new threat, not an old one. No doubt the inquiry announced by Starmer will explore the failings of the Governments Prevent anti-terrorism scheme, though this in itself raises the question as to why police officers, for months after the attack, refused to describe what happened as terrorism, despite the assailants contact with an organisation specifically set up to combat terrorism and more importantly the discovery of home-made ricin in his home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No doubt the inquiry will also focus on Starmers favourite bogeyman, the far-Right, specifically its role in fomenting the violence that erupted on the streets of England after reports of the attack filtered through. We must hope, however, that that is not allowed to overshadow or shift focus away from the central point of the inquiry: to identify the motives of Rudakubana and to establish preventative measures in the future. As the Prime Minister rightly said, the blame for the ensuing riots lay exclusively with the rioters themselves, although he might at least have acknowledged, then and now, why ordinary people felt so frustrated and angry at the needless deaths of yet more innocent young girls at the hands of a terrorist. We must hope that the misinformation that led to and exacerbated the violence will also be exposed, including the witless and irresponsible falsehood tweeted by Nick Lowles of the far-Left group, Hope Not Hate, to the effect that a Muslim woman in Middlesbrough had become a victim of an acid attack in the wake of the Southport killings. Starmer was applying metaphors at a high rate this morning. Nothing would be left off the table and no stone would be unturned. He must be held to that. This morning the Prime Minister answered few questions and left us with many more unanswered ones. The inquiry, by the time it ends, must have filled out every single blank space, or it will have proved itself worthless. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. There can be few more pitiful sights than that of a Labour Government, having done its absolute best to trash Donald Trump and jeopardise US relations, now preparing to fawn at the feet of the incoming US president and his new inner circle of tech titans. As Trump was inaugurated as the 47th US president, the Prime Minister said he hoped Trumps longstanding affection for the UK would ensure the two countries would work together to deliver for people on both sides of the Atlantic. Good luck with that. The word hope is doing a disproportionate amount of heavy lifting in that sentence to the extent that you wonder whether Starmer and co are living in a parallel universe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One only needs to look at this list of attendees at the ceremony to understand the regard in which Trump holds our current Government. Many senior British politicians were in Washington on Monday Nigel Farage, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Priti Patel and Suella Braverman but no one from the Cabinet. Admittedly, these are all sworn Trump enthusiasts, but the complete absence of senior ministers is highly embarrassing, so too the failure of US ambassador hopeful Lord Mandelson to secure an invite to an event of such global significance. Indeed, the UKs only official representative is the woman Mandelson hopes to replace US ambassador Dame Karen Pierce. Lord Mandelsons nomination has reportedly worsened the British Governments relations with Donald Trump - Heathcliff O'Malley With every other Labour figure forced to watch from afar, it fell to none other than Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, to welcome Trump back in fitting style with a suggestion that Trumps second term would carry echoes of 1930s Germany. In an article for The Observer about resurgent fascism, Khan warned that the far-Right is on the march, adding: Trump is back. No doubt Khan thought he was being clever with this utterly ill-timed display of ignorance and disrespect. Yet the reality is it is this sort of rash, ill-conceived behaviour that most probably condemns Starmers belated Trump charm offensive to spectacular failure with serious consequences for Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Against this backdrop, the prospect of a free trade deal with America seems almost fanciful. The likelihood is that there is simply too much bad blood already between Trump, his inner sanctum and the gaggle of ministers that seem intent on embarrassing Britain on the world stage at every opportunity for relations to be salvaged any time soon. It is crystal clear that Elon Musk has nothing but total contempt for Starmer, and regardless of what you think of Musk, that threatens to be a serious problem for this Government given how close the mega-rich Tesla billionaire has become to Trump. Of all those who made it to the pre-inauguration victory rally, the appearance of Musk on the stage, no less was perhaps the most significant. Following a whirlwind bromance, buoyed by the hundreds of millions of dollars Musk donated to the election campaign, he has become a key ally and close confidante of Trump. Meanwhile, Musks appointment as Trumps efficiency tsar will ensure he has remarkable access to the president. The New York Times reports that Musk is set to be handed office space in the White House complex as he launches the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. Elon Musk has become a key ally and close confidante of Trump - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters The contrast between Musks embrace of Maga and the sheer disdain that he has shown for Starmer, with repeated attacks on the Prime Minister over Labours failure to tackle child grooming gangs, is massive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a confrontation that Starmer emerged from as the clear loser. Having hit back at those spreading lies and misinformation, within days he had caved into mounting pressure with the announcement of a series of new locally-led inquiries into historic child sexual exploitation. Yet the prospect of this feud being settled any time soon seems inconceivable. On the contrary, bombshell reports claim that Musk has privately discussed with allies how Starmer could be ousted before the next general election. This cannot be dismissed as bluster. Whether its Farage and Reform, the Tory party or a new start-up party with Dominic Cummings, Musk clearly has the money to bankroll any rival to Labour in perpetuity. Unfortunately there is little love lost between the rest of the Cabinet and team Trump thanks to a series of short-sighted put-downs from senior Cabinet members more concerned with playing to the crowd than taking a grown-up view of the world. So we are left with the truly lamentable sight of the Foreign Secretary, no less, desperately trying to row back on accusations that Trump is a woman-hating, neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath. Apparently David Lammy now considers the leader of the free world to be a man possessed with incredible grace and generosity. It would be funny if it werent so tragic. David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, has previously called Donald Trump a woman-hating, neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath - Stefan Rousseau/PA Still, at least hes not the only one to prove that their proud principles count for little. After all, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has gone from believing Trump is a buffoon that has no place in the White House to wanting to build on the special relationship a conversion of truly Damascene proportions and yet further proof that this Cabinet is far more suited to opposition than it is to being in government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The choice of Mandelson as US ambassador seems unlikely to help matters. Reports suggest that Mandelsons nomination has worsened relations because of concerns within Trumps camp about his stance on China. Displaying the same worldly understanding of diplomacy as some of his more loose-lipped ministerial colleagues, Mandelson claimed in 2018 that Trumps antipathy towards China was putting free trade at risk. To top it all off, Jonathan Powell, the man responsible for the truly risible Chagos Islands deal that threatens to complicate relations with the US further still, is now the person expected to fix things. Starmer has tasked a mini-cabinet of senior ministers with drawing up ways to persuade the incoming US president to grant a trade deal, and it is Powells job to convene the meetings. Never mind that the Governments national security adviser may have made the West less safe, not more. If Britains moribund economy is soon rocked by tariffs it will be in no small part to the omni-shambles created by a lightweight Government that seems incapable of shaking off the worst of its puerile Left-wing politics. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Upstate University Hospital will get $200 million in this years New York State budget for whats described as modernization and revitalization, the Governors Office confirms to NewsChannel 9. SUNY Upstate leaders and Central New York state legislators have pushed for funding to help the hospital build a new emergency department, burn center, and additional operating rooms. WATCH: Gov. Hochul gives New York budget presentation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The $200 million is less than half of the $450 million requested. It seems that SUNY Upstates critical infrastructure needs have been, for the most part, ignored, the local delegation to the State Legislature wrote to Governor Kathy Hochul in a letter in December. Upstate University Hospital is the regions only Level 1 trauma center. The hospital says it serves one-third of New York State. In a statement, a spokesperson for Upstate Medical University wrote: We sincerely thank Governor Hochul for prioritizing critical capital funding in the Executive Budget to support the modernization and expansion of Upstates emergency department, burn unit, and operating rooms. The $200 million outlined in the Executive Budget provides an incredible foundation for the annex plan that will help Upstate address some of its most pressing needs. With this support from Governor Hochul and the Legislature, we can begin these essential infrastructure upgrades and recognize Upstates crucial role as the regions only Level 1 trauma center and emergency department for adults and children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WSYR. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) As the snow falls and windchills dip to dangerously low levels, officials encourage Western New Yorkers to keep an eye on the forecast and be safe. See what to look out for when hitting the streets below. See the latest 4Warn Forecast State of Emergency Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency Monday for the storm that is expected to continue through Wednesday. Travel will be difficult with poor visibility through Wednesday night. Wind gusts will reach 30 mph with a snowfall rate of 1-2 per hour. Downtown Buffalo is expected to receive up to a foot of snow, with higher totals in the Southtowns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The counties affected include Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming and Allegany. Extreme cold is also a threat. Windchills will dip as low as 0 to -25 degrees. Buffalo Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon also declared his own specific State of Emergency for the city. Residents are urged to stay indoors if possible. Street salting limited in Town of Tonawanda due to supply shortage Road closures The Buffalo Skyway is back open as of 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. It was closed Tuesday due to worsening weather. Travel advisories All travel advisories have been lifted as of 1 p.m. Wednesday. A travel ban in the Town of Brant and the Village of Farnham has also been lifted. The City of Dunkirk has lifted their travel advisory as of 11:35 a.m. Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Orchard Park and East Aurora lifted their advisories at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning. Amhersts travel advisory was lifted at 5 a.m. Wednesday and the Town of Tonawandas travel advisory was lifted at 6 a.m. Wednesday, spokespeople announced. Closings There are many closings across Western New York, including Buffalo Public Schools. You can see a full list by clicking here. This story will be updated as advisories and bans continue. Latest Local News Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Copyright 2025 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 News 4 Buffalo. Snow falls on the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery amid rare winter weather on Jan. 21, 2025. (Alander Rocha/Alabama Reflector) Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has declared a state of emergency for 39 counties across Alabama ahead of a potentially dangerous winter storm impacting the southern half of the state. The declaration, effective at 5 p.m. Monday, allows state agencies and the Alabama National Guard to assist in response efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabama, once again, is faced with the potential for winter weather, but this time, for the southern half of the state, Ivey said in a statement. We are anticipating potentially dangerous and uncertain driving conditions in the impacted portions of the state, so I am urging Alabamians to err on the side of caution and limit their travel. Make any necessary preparations now, stay tuned in to your weather forecasts and stay warm. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning and winter weather advisory for areas near and south of Interstate 20 through 6 a.m. Wednesday. The impacted counties include Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Washington, and Wilcox. The National Weather Service Tuesday afternoon also issued an additional excessive cold warning for parts of south Alabama until 10 am Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state of emergency includes activation of the Alabama National Guard and state agencies to assist affected communities; a directive to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency to assess damages and request state and federal assistance; implementation of the Alabama Unconscionable Pricing Act, which prohibits price gouging during emergencies and waivers for certain federal motor-carrier regulations to facilitate the transport of emergency supplies and equipment. Local school board districts may close any school or office based on local conditions. The Alabama State Department of Education is keeping a list of school district closings and delays here. Jim Stefkovich, a meteorologist who provides weather updates for the Alabama Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the National Weather Service, warned Tuesday morning of historic snowfall for southern Alabama. The snow forecast is expected to fall between 2-6 inches in southern Alabama, slightly up from the earlier prediction of 2-5 inches. Snow may fall between .5-2 inches in central Alabama while it may start accumulating in northern Alabama in the late afternoon, reaching up to 1/2 inch accumulation. The last time Mobile received more than two inches of snow was March 1993, with three inches recorded in February 1973, according to Stefkovich. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any accumulation will result in dangerous to impossible driving conditions, especially in the Winter Storm Warning area, he stated. As of early afternoon, many roads were declared impassable for counties under a winter storm warning, according to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. Jeff Smitherman, director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, advised citizens to keep informed through local weather authorities and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. "Follow your local news, the National Weather Service, your local emergency management offices, and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency on social media for the most reliable and up-to-date information for your safety, he said in a statement to the Alabama Reflector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travel remains strongly discouraged in affected areas. It is highly likely that some to numerous road impacts will continue until at least Thursday afternoon, Stefkovich wrote. Smitherman said the Emergency Management Agency's best advice is to stay home unless it is an emergency." Forecasters expected the snow to begin Tuesday morning, with precipitation slowing down in southeastern Alabama by 1 a.m. Wednesday. Stefkovich said a very sharp line near I-20 of snow/no snow could shift slightly during the day. Temperatures statewide are unlikely to rise above freezing on Tuesday. It remained below freezing statewide in the afternoon and will remain so through at least Wednesday morning, with temperatures in the single digits to only middle teens all the way to the coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Highs on Wednesday will only reach the 30s statewide, with areas that received accumulating snowfall potentially not getting above freezing. Low temperatures Wednesday night will mainly be in the teens statewide. Highs on Thursday are finally expected to get above freezing statewide, but only into the lower to middle 40s. It is highly likely that some to numerous road impacts will continue until at least Thursday afternoon. A warming trend will finally begin Friday through the weekend, but with still below normal temperatures, according to Stefkovich. This story was updated at 3:31 p.m. with a weather update from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) The recent round of lake effect snow has caused New York Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency in a number of counties, including Jefferson and Lewis counties. The announcement was made at 7 p.m. Monday, January 20 as snow continues to pile up in a number of counties along Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Updated closings and delays for recent round of lake effect snow for NNY Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oswego, Oneida, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Allegany and contiguous counties were also among those listed in the State of Emergency. As lake effect snow falls across several areas of our state, Im declaring a State of Emergency for these areas to ensure state resources are available to assist local communities as we work together to keep New Yorkers safe throughout the duration of the storm. New York Governor Kathy Hochul The declaration means the state can coordinate and share resources with local governments affected by the current lake effect snowstorm. According to the governors office, travel has become become very difficult with very poor visibility and deep snow cover on roads off both lakes through Wednesday night. Snowfall rates of one to two inches per hour in the heaviest bands combined with wind gusts up to 30 mph will reduce visibility. The coldest temperatures of the winter season so far are also expected through Wednesday. Dangerously cold feels like temperatures between 0 and minus 25 degrees are possible across most of the state through Wednesday, with the most extreme temperatures expected in Western and Northern New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WWTI - InformNNY.com. Jan. 20State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball on Friday announced two funding opportunities are available to support New York's county and local fairs. The state's Transportation for Youth to New York State County and Local Fairs Competitive Grants Program will provide $350,000 for transportation and related costs to bring participating youth groups, who may otherwise not be able to, to their county and local fairs during the 2025 fair season. Also open for applications, the second round of the Agricultural Fairgrounds Advertising, Promotion, and Education Program "will support marketing projects at eligible fairs to further increase visitors and connect New Yorkers to agriculture," the release stated, with $500,000 in total funding available for 50 fairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our county and local fairs are so important to New York's agricultural industry, serving as community centerpieces that educate the public about the importance of this critical industry," Ball said. "This is a fantastic way to make sure that our New Yorkers young and old can visit their local fairs to experience all that these exciting, educational events have to offer. I encourage all eligible entities to take a look at these opportunities and consider applying." The Transportation for Youth to New York State County and Local Fairs Competitive Grants Program follows a pilot program at the Boonville-Oneida County Fair in July 2024, helping young people from Utica to access the fair. The pilot program helped 800 students travel to the fair and "learn about the agricultural industries that are the backbone of New York State," the release stated. Funds can be used for transportation costs, the cost of entry to the fairs if applicable, providing lunch to participants, developing and delivering agricultural educational programming to participants, and marketing activities that are directly related to the program. Applications must be submitted via the Statewide Financial System Grants Management System to be considered for funding. Proposals are due by 4 p.m. Feb. 18. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/28rsyt8r The Agricultural Fairgrounds Advertising, Promotion, and Education Program will provide funding to agricultural and horticultural corporations and county extension service associations that sponsor an annual fair or exposition for the promotion of agriculture and domestic arts, the release stated. In the second round, each eligible fair sponsor in New York State has been awarded $10,000 in funding under this program, with a total of 50 projects and $500,000 awarded. Jan. 21DIXON Sheriffs from across the Sauk Valley said state law forbids them from assisting with newly sworn-in President Donald Trump's promise to "launch the largest deportation program in American history." In the months leading up to his inauguration Monday, Trump said he would declare a national emergency and use military assets to make good on his campaign promise of the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants living in the United States. However, Ogle County Sheriff Brian Van Vickle said state laws, such as the Illinois Trust Act, prohibit his office from assisting federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement with detainers or acting on immigration status without a judicial warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Attorney General can charge a law enforcement officer with official misconduct and potentially decertify them for cooperating," Van Vickle said. "As a law enforcement officer in Illinois, we can't even ask individuals about their immigration status. That's something that's prohibited underneath the Trust Act." Enacted in 2017, the Trust Act is meant to foster trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities by limiting local and state law enforcements' involvement in federal immigration enforcement. However, many law enforcement agencies feel the Trust Act leaves them in an impossible position by forcing them to choose between obeying federal immigration detainers or complying with state statute. "I'm not going to do anything to get into trouble," Whiteside County Sheriff John Booker said. "Illinois has in the past filed lawsuits against two Illinois sheriffs. I do not want to be number three." The Trust Act was amended in 2021 with the New Way Forward Act, which prohibits ICE from contracting with Illinois correctional facilities to hold detained immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We've housed inmates for the federal government in Ogle County since the mid-90s," Van Vickle said. "However, upon implementation of that amendment, we had to stop housing all of our ICE inmates. Those people are still being housed. They're just being housed in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, we used that money to supplement the sheriff's office, which is no longer available to us, and is being taken out of state." Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, has promised that Chicago will be "ground zero" for the mass deportations. But Gov. JB Pritzker has said that while "convicted violent criminals" should not be allowed in the state, he also "has an obligation to protect" migrants and asylum-seekers who come to his city. In a news release issued Monday, state Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, accused Pritzker of fear mongering. "Governor Pritzker is once again misleading Illinoisans," McCombie said in the release. "Current deportation efforts already prioritize removing illegal immigrants who have committed crimes. It's disappointing to see Governor Pritzker distort the truth to try to score political points. We all want to live in safe communities, free of crime, and enforcing the law against those who break it is common sense. Instead of fear mongering, let's focus on solutions that protect law-abiding citizens and ensure justice is served." A Wisconsin nonprofit that has spent many-an-hour lambasting Oklahoma leaders and schools for blurring the lines between church and state has hired a new regional government affairs manager from get this the ranks of our own legislators. Rep. Mickey Dollens appears to be a perfect fit for the gig, except for one little detail: The Oklahoma City Democrat plans to continue serving in the Legislature. He thinks its fine to advocate for the Freedom From Religion Foundations policy priorities while continuing to vote on legislation related to the groups mission. Hell be tasked with advocating in other states to stop legislative initiatives that attempt to expand Christian nationalism a noble cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dollens, who was first elected to the Legislature in 2016, insists that hes in no way a lobbyist. More: Religious freedom is under attack in our schools. Lawmakers must step up | Opinion Im guessing thats because hes aware of a pesky state ethics rule that prohibits state officers and employees from engaging in legislative or executive lobbying. At first glance, lobbying seems to be exactly what hell be doing. Merriam-Webster defines a lobbyist as someone who conducts activities aimed at influencing or swaying public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless, this new alliance appears to raise really thorny ethical issues, along with a troubling question about who is monitoring the side jobs our elected lawmakers accept and who gets to decide which pose clear conflicts of interest. Because other than legislators being required to self-disclose potential financial conflicts of interest, it feels a lot like nobody is watching the hen house. Ours is a part-time Legislature, meeting full-time February through May, so its not uncommon for lawmakers to hold outside jobs to supplement their annual base salary of $47,500, which is set biannually by a legislative oversight board. House and Senate leaders earn extra and legislators are also entitled to an extra $174-per-day during session to help cover the cost of accommodations and travel. We currently have legislators who own small businesses, work as farmers, pastors, attorneys, former teachers and insurance agents, according to the state senators bios, which generally contain posted, though often vague occupation listings to help the public understand what careers senators are pursuing outside of session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters, though, typically have no idea what jobs House members do unless they voluntarily disclose them or they run afoul of the law. The state House appears to be so lax that they leave it up to legislators to police themselves and make judgment calls on whether a job or a vote is a conflict of interest. Pardon me if I feel like thats a flawed strategy after the unfortunate incident involving former Republican House Majority Whip Terry ODonnell, who faced criminal charges related to allegations that he misused his post to change state law to benefit his family to allow his wife to become a tag agent. While Gentner Drummond ultimately dismissed those charges, he made it clear it wasnt because he thought ODonnell was necessarily blameless, but because he believed the Catoosa Republican was unfairly targeted. Drummond wrote at the time that a constitutional ban on lawmakers having an interest in state contracts has not been aggressively or equally enforced. He warned that the law will be enforced in the future. (In response to the dismissal, ODonnell then attempted to change ethics rules to allow candidates to use campaign funds to cover attorney costs for successful defense of an investigation or prosecution.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Want the latest Viewpoints? Sign up for the Oklahoma's Public Square newsletter While the Ethics Commission says its within Dollens right to take a second job, officials with the watchdog point out that lawmakers are governed by a series of rules, including a lobbying prohibition, impartiality requirements, and from using their position for private gain or the endorsement of any product, service or enterprise. Some lawmakers take those rules seriously. Former Republican Sen. John Michael Montgomery resigned from the Legislature in 2023 to serve as the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, will resign her seat effective Jan. 28 to work as a director of tribal policy and partnership for newly elected Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols. Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, also resigned recently to serve as a deputy Tulsa County commissioner. Even Gov. Kevin Stitt has reportedly stepped away from his mortgage business during his gubernatorial term. Its not unusual to see lawmakers take lobbying jobs or agree to head various advocacy groups when they depart the Legislature. But to have a seated lawmaker accept a government advocacy job is outside the norm. Dollens has been an advocate for educators and lower-income Oklahomans and been transparent with the media, including announcing that he took this role. We probably wouldnt even know about the new gig if he hadnt been. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be a loss to his constituents to see him leave the Legislature to pursue another opportunity. But if he wants to work for a nonprofit advocacy organization like the Freedom From Religion Foundation thats probably what should happen. And any other lawmakers that have jobs that potentially blur the lines should think about doing the same. We cant ignore the fact that the group is actively involved in litigation attempting to block state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters mandate to put Bibles in schools and to stop the creation of the first publicly funded religious charter school in our state. And Im certain the group will actively lobby to block proposed legislation that seeks to post the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, and restore a Capitol granite monolith honoring those directives and any other ridiculous legislation that blurs the line between church and state. There should be a divide between church and state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there should also be a divide between advocacy work and serving in the Legislature. And there should be full transparency about what outside jobs our legislators are holding so voters can make their own judgment call on whether theres a conflict of interest. Janelle Stecklein Janelle Stecklein is editor of Oklahoma Voice. An award-winning journalist, Stecklein has been covering Oklahoma government and politics since moving to the state in 2014. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: State legislators must avoid conflicts of interest | Opinion Georgia officials are urging residents to stay home as conditions similar to 2014's "Snowmageddon" threaten ice on roadways across the central and southern parts of the state. Stock photo Ronnie Chua/Getty Images More wintery weather is heading to Georgia, and state officials are urging residents to stay off the roads and be prepared in case of power outages. This time around, south and central parts of the state are expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with up to five inches possible from the Florida line up to south metro Atlanta and up to two inches possible farther north. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frozen precipitation is rare in Georgia, even more so in the southern part of the state, and conditions could be similar to 2014s Snowmageddon, Gov. Brian Kemp said at a news conference Tuesday. This could deteriorate very quickly like it did in 2014. Thats what were trying to avoid, he said. That year, a blizzard paralyzed much of the Atlanta area as icy conditions stranded people at work and in their cars on frozen highways. The day started with dry conditions in metro Atlanta and streets were coated with snow and ice soon after lunchtime. Just like that time, with both air and ground temperatures close to freezing, any precipitation could melt and instantly refreeze, quickly causing dangerous driving conditions, said Georgia Emergency Management Agency meteorologist Will Lanxton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id encourage you to stay off the roads this afternoon and evening if at all possible because the temperatures tonight are going to be so cold, anything that sticks today is going to stick around tonight and tomorrow, he said. Unlike in 2014, Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry said crews have been out pre-treating interstates and high-traffic roads across the state, and 448 snow plows are ready to start clearing problem areas. But McMurry said Georgians in affected areas should hunker down at home as much as possible so crews and first responders can do what they need to do. We really need that cooperation so we can do our job once the snow comes in and we have a big territory to cover, and well stay with it until we can finish and make sure its safe, he said. Just be weather aware and make sure that youre seeing whats going on and trying to stay off the roadways so we can do our job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GEMA Director Chris Stallings advised Georgians who do not normally experience freezing temperatures that they should keep pipes dripping to avoid having them burst. Georgians should be prepared with blankets or other heat sources in case of a power outage and should be ready to check on elderly loved ones or others who may be vulnerable. Stallings said one person described as a critical needs patient died of hypothermia Monday night after leaving a facility. No further details were immediately available. Lanxton expressed optimism that the worst of the ice could melt away quickly, but he said dangerous conditions could last through Thursday. Were going to get a lot of sunshine tomorrow, which hopefully will help to melt and dry what falls, but its not going to be very much above freezing, so we could see these impacts lingering through Thursday morning as well, he said. This could be a multi-day event. It is a statewide event. Were not typically used to seeing snowfall amounts like this in middle and south Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stallings said people in affected areas should not make a run on grocery stores and will be OK with a couple days worth of supplies. Most everything youve got in your house right now is fine, youll be just fine, he said. Its more about preparing yourself for the water freezing, your pets being outside, things of that nature, he added. Also, preparing your phones. Go ahead and charge those devices should you have a power outage. Its also important that youre thinking about a plan should you lose power. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Every four years presidential candidates barnstorm the country promising sweeping change on day one. These grandiose pledges feed a public craving for immediate action, and reinforce an I alone can fix it mentality that now defines modern presidencies. While governing by pen may provide quick wins for a public frustrated by the slowness of the swamp, this president-centric approach to governing distorts the constitutional limits of the office, fosters policy instability, and undermines the collaborative spirit of our representative democracy. Donald Trump, returning to the White House after a first term that saw him issue 220 executive orders, has guaranteed to continue the trend of bold, unilateral action. Touting to enact stricter border policies, dismantle regulatory frameworks, and end global conflicts, Trumps second inaugural address, followed by the slew of executive orders he issued on Monday night, suggests his pen will be mightier than ever. But history shows that this approachwhile politically expedientis inherently fragile. Executive actions can be undone by judicial review, legislative opposition, or simply the next guy, proving that the ink of the presidential pen can often be more pencil than permanent. Read More: Breaking Down All of Trumps Day 1 Presidential Actions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be fair, Trump is far from the only president to legislate from the wrong end of Pennsylvania Avenue. Presidents of both parties have regularly bypassed Congress via executive ordersfor good and ill. Consider Franklin D. Roosevelts 1942 Executive Order, which authorized the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, or Harry Trumans 1948 order desegregating the military. More recently, Barack Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program provided temporary protection for Dreamers, while Trumps Executive Order the so-called Muslim travel banhalted entry from several predominantly Muslim countries. All enormous changes in policy, and none receiving a vote in Congress. The political calculus behind this is straightforward. Voters demand results, and presidents face a ticking clock. Campaign promises create a sense of urgency to deliver quick fixes, from lowering gas prices to cracking down on illegal immigrationboth pledges Trump has made. Why slog through the messy grind of congressional compromise when a single signature offers immediate gratification? This reliance on executive orders has become defaultand at a cost. What was once a last resort after negotiations with Congress failed is now the first arrow pulled out of a presidents quiver. Today, candidates dont even pretend theyll work with Congress; instead, they promise day one action, and crowds go crazy. Once in office, they follow through with a stack of orders and a high-profile signing ceremony designed to show decisive leadership. And half of the country cheers. This method of governance comes at a steep price. Executive orders are easily reversed, often causing a pendulum swing in policy that disrupts both the private sector and international relationships. Joe Bidens cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline on his first day in office reversed Trumps order allowing its construction. Similarly, Trumps withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, entered via Obamas executive order, left global allies questioning Americas reliability. Even Trumps border walla cornerstone of his 2016 campaignfaced significant legal and legislative hurdles, with courts blocking his attempt to divert federal funds for its construction. These cases exemplify how governing by pen often sacrifices durability and legitimacy for speed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: Donald Trumps Disruption Is Back They also come with real human costs. Dreamers, for example, have been living in a state of limboif not, outright fearfor a decade, knowing that a simple change of a presidents signature will turn them from protected to targets for deportation. Congresss complicity in this erosion of legislative authority is also a key factor. Lawmakers, especially aligned with the presidents party, often welcome executive action when they agree with the outcomes. Its a politically safe move: It allows them to claim credit for popular results without bearing the political risks of taking a public stand. But this dynamic accelerates the decline of Congress as a coequal branch of government, further shifting power to the presidency. Trumps first term serves as a cautionary tale. Despite controlling Congress for two years, his administration failed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, demonstrating the limitations of unilateral action. His reliance on emergency declarations to fund the border wall faced significant legal challenges, exposing the constraints imposed by judicial and legislative checks. While executive orders may create the appearance of decisive action, they are no substitute for durable, bipartisan legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How much Trump will legislate through executive orders in a second term largely depends on congressional Republicans. Democrats, we know, will oppose his agenda. With Republican majorities in both chambers for at least the first two years of his term, they hold the power to either restrain or enable his policymaking from the Oval. The critical question is whether any GOP lawmakers will challenge Trump when his actions conflict with constitutional norms or conservative principles. In his first term, congressional Republicansnotably Sens. Bob Corker, John McCain, and Mitt Romneychecked the presidents wishes more than we remember. The key difference? All of those Senators are gone, and so are many of their institutionalist colleagues. More Trump loyalists have been elected to a legislative branch that was designed to function as an independent check on executive power. This shift raises concerns about whether Congress will fulfill its constitutional role as a check on executive overreach. The consequences of continuing down this path are clear: power concentrated in the executive branch is power lost to the people. The framers of the Constitution designed a system that required collaboration and compromise, recognizing that durable progress comes not from unilateral action but from collective deliberation. For Trumpor any presidentthe challenge lies in balancing the promise of unilateral action with the reality of shared governance. The presidency, often described as the most powerful office in the world, remains tethered to a system of checks and balances designed to prevent overreach. To govern effectively, presidents must recognize that true progress requires working within the system, not skirting it. And Congressespecially members of the presidents partymust resist the urge to let the president do from his office what they must struggle to do from theirs. After all, power is easy to cede but difficult to recover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an era of deep political polarization, the temptation to legislate from the Oval Office is stronger than ever. The durability of a presidents legacy depends not on how much power they wield, but on how wisely they share it. For leaders seeking to leave a lasting mark, collaboration is not a weakness; its the cornerstone of a strong, lasting political legacy. Contact us at letters@time.com. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), President Donald Trumps nominee to represent the U.S. at the United Nations, on Tuesday painted the international organization as a body beset by bias against Israel, nefarious Chinese influence and ineffective peacekeeping efforts. But she argued the U.N. isnt irredeemable and pledged that shed help usher strong American leadership at the multilateral body. Before a generally cordial panel of senators on the Foreign Relations Committee, the New York Republican said Washington could still thwart growing Chinese influence on the international stage by increasing its presence at the global forum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to have strong American leadership working with our allies to push back on this, Stefanik said. China has made inroads in placing CCP leaders and Chinese diplomats in positions as heads of various sub-U.N. agencies, but also at the most junior level, she added, using the acronym for the Chinese Communist Party. Stefanik said shed strive to increase the number of U.S. citizens working within the United Nations system and work with colleges and universities to recruit early-career professionals to that end, calling it a human capital strategy to combat China. She pledged to be a strong advocate for Israel, declaring that the spate of U.N. resolutions against Israel amid its conflict with the Palestinians shows the U.S. is not meeting the mission of international peace and security. She said shed work to review the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon to review how it allowed Iran-backed proxy Hezbollah to rearm and regroup. Stefanik also said shed focus on reforming the U.N. system and ensuring that U.S. funding is going to programs through the U.N. that work, that have a basis in the rule of law, that have a basis in transparency and accountability, and strengthen our national security and our partnerships. She specifically called out the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, the main agency tasked with distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza, saying it turned a blind eye to local workers ties to the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNRWA has pushed back on such claims from Stefanik and others, saying that reports that large numbers of staff participated in the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel were inaccurate. The moderate Republican turned ardent Trump backer is generally expected to be easily confirmed and without much serious opposition from Senate Democrats who see her as less polemical than other nominees and broadly agree with her on the need to support Israel. Democrats mostly kept their questions focused on policy, though there was a brief back-and-forth over a gesture from tech mogul and Trump ally Elon Musk at a Monday rally that was compared to a Nazi salute. They avoided questioning Stefanik on her positions on the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks, even after Trump pardoned thousands accused, and in some cases convicted, of storming the U.S. Capitol the night before. Its unclear whether Stefaniks playbook will differ greatly from that adopted by Trumps envoys to the U.N. in his first administration, in which the U.S. regularly lashed out at the body and pulled out of some groups, including the Human Rights Council. Steve Scalise has been in the news amidst the inaugural ceremony of President Donald Trump. A politician currently working as the House majority leader keeps making headlines for his professional life but the focus has now shifted to his personal life. Fans now wish to find out who Scalise is married to. So, who is Steve Scalises wife and what does she do for a living? Here is everything you need to know about the politicians spouse, her job, and their kids. Who is Steve Scalises wife? Steve Scalise is married to Jennifer. The couple dated for a few years and eventually tied the knot on March 19, 2005, at Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. (via Times Now) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennifer has been a supportive partner to Scalise. She has always stood by his side and supported him through thick and thin. Scalise continues to praise his wife. In 2017, he tweeted to wish her a happy Mothers Day, calling her the best mom. Steve Scalise and Jennifer have been going strong for almost two decades with their love and support for one another. What does Jennifer Scalise do for a living? Jennifer Scalise was reportedly working for an environmental consulting firm. (via The US Sun) Scalise was raised in Louisiana and pursued her education at Andrew Jackson Fundamental High School in Chalmette. During the time of her marriage, she was reportedly working for a Kansas-based environmental consulting firm known as SES, Inc. She prefers to stay away from the limelight. She has a private account on Instagram with a total of 134 followers. Heres how many kids Steve and Jennifer Scalise have Steve and Jennifer Scalise are proud parents to two kids. The couple share two kids which include a son named Harrison and a daughter named Madison. They are reportedly raising their kids in Jefferson, Louisiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally reported by Ritika Singh on ComingSoon.net. The post Who Is Steve Scalises Wife, Jennifer & How Many Kids Do They Have? appeared first on Mandatory. Stonington Last week, Flanders Road resident Jay Joseph walked to his backyard to find one of his beloved peafowl part of a flock of six peacocks and pea hens hed kept and admired for years dead in its insulated wire enclosure. Days later, the remaining peafowl, along with a dozen chickens and two Pekin ducks his children raised from eggs, were dead, most gassed and carted away in bags by state veterinary officials after several of their former cage-mates tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1. Joseph, 55, the owner of the Final Woodworks construction firm, said while he understands why the state had to kill his birds, he questioned the method and speed in which the process was carried out, as well as the decision to not pursue what he suspects was the primary carriers of the disease, a flock of wild ducks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joseph, who said he unwittingly helped agency officials ultimately euthanize his birds he toted the cannister of carbon dioxide used to suffocate the fowl up to his home said hes shouldering an enormous amount of guilt. I wake up at night wondering if I should have done more, he said on Monday. I signed the paperwork, their death warrant. Maybe I didnt argue enough or try and slow down the process. I guess I didnt know what I was agreeing to. On the morning of Jan. 12, Joseph walked to his backyard, where an enormous bird cage sits near a pond that used to be frequented by a large flock of wild ducks. The cage at the time was home to his peafowl and 13 chickens. I was startled to find one bird dead on the ground, he said. At first, I thought maybe an animal got in, but there was no trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next morning, he found three of his chickens also dead on the ground of their coop, a grisly scene that prompted a call to an avian flu hotline. Josephs wife, Stewart Joseph, said she got a call back from the state veterinarian's office asking her to bring the dead birds to the states diagnostic lab at the University of Connecticut. "I still hear those sounds" They almost immediately determined it was avian flu and asked to come by the next day, Stewart Joseph said. They also asked us for a head count of our birds. Jay Joseph said it wasnt until after a crew arrived at his home on Wednesday that realized his birds were set to be killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They put them in a large trash can and gassed them, he said. I still hear those sounds. In a joint statement released on Friday, the state departments of Public Health and Agriculture said testing results for the three chicken bodies were confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa. Officials said there is no effective treatment or vaccine available for the virus, which is "highly contagious among domestic poultry." "The infected flock has been depopulated to prevent spread of the disease, the joint news release said. The agencies noted no human-to-human transmission of the virus has been detected to date and noted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently monitoring numerous H5N1 cases throughout the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While most bird flu symptoms in humans are mild, severe cases can cause respiratory issues and seizures with complications that include pneumonia, sepsis, multi-organ failure and brain inflammation, according to the CDC Jay Joseph, who said he fell in love with the idea of owning peacocks after seeing them on family trips to Puerto Rico, acknowledged his flock likely had to be killed, but wished it were done in a more measured fashion. Peacocks can live for up to 50 years, so couldnt they have maybe waited to see if those birds recovered and developed immunity? he asked. And the way it was done, the birds gassed and put into trash bags.... Joseph said hes also concerned that the flock of wild ducks he suspects brought the disease to his coops are still out there. Who knows if theyre flying to other peoples yards and ponds, he said. Maybe they had to die. But its still shattering to me. j.penney@theday.com Some North Carolina doctors worry about how medical care might change under a second Trump administration. (Photo: Getty Images) It remains one of the most striking aspects of todays health care policy debate that its rural and mostly conservative communities that tend to benefit the most from social safety net programs championed by Democrats. This fact was brought home again in the recent report from Georgetown University researchers, who found that residents of the nations rural areas and small towns are more likely to rely on Medicaid for health coverage than city dwellers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In North Carolina, Medicaid covered nearly 238,000 children from rural areas or small towns in 2023. Thats close to half of the kids living in those areas and more children than in every other state except Texas. These facts are especially relevant right now given that Republican-congressional leaders have indicated they plan to work with President Trump to slash Medicaid in order to fund a new round of tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy. The bottom line: One hopes theyll reconsider, but if Republicans plow ahead with plans to slash Medicaid, its their own constituents theyll be harming the most. For NC Newsline, Im Rob Schofield. The rising global temperature has been correlated with a number of health impacts, including skin conditions and pest-related diseases. Add eye conditions to that list, researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus say. What's happening? A new study found that clinical visits by patients in the Denver area suffering from ocular surface eye conditions, such as conjunctivitis, more than doubled when ambient particulate matter from air pollution was present in the atmosphere. Medical Xpress reported on the findings, noting that this is "signaling a possible association" between the overheating planet and eye health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This study highlights the systemic health impacts of climate stressors including air quality, wildfires, temperature, and drought conditions and the continued need for transdisciplinary research," said Katherine James, one of the study's authors. Why is this study important? "Research on the topic of ocular conditions and climate is still in its early stages; therefore, more studies are needed to better understand how climate and air pollutants impact eye health," lead author Jennifer Patnaik said, per Medical Xpress. The Environmental Protection Agency states that the rising global temperature affects our health by changing the severity or frequency of previously existing health conditions and by creating new or unanticipated health problems for people. For instance, the warming climate could affect skin health as intense heat, UV radiation, pollution, and smoke lead to symptoms including premature wrinkling, skin discoloration, and sun spots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus, mosquito-borne illnesses are on the rise as our climate warms. One study found that increasing temperatures could lead to a 20% spike in cases of illnesses such as Zika and dengue in Brazil over the next three decades. What's being done about the rising global temperature and health? The authors highlighted the need for more research of the shifting climate and ocular health. When it comes to protecting ourselves from climate-driven health problems, however, our safest bet is to try to curb the overheating of our planet in the first place. Some cities are making an impact by reducing their reliance on dirty energy. For instance, Tokyo is requiring most new buildings to have solar panels, and Los Angeles outlawed gas power in all newly constructed buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can make a difference by changing the way you get around biking, using public transportation, and walking are all more planet-friendly options compared to driving, especially if it's a gas-powered vehicle. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. The 10-year cooperation and mutual support agreement signed with Albania will require ratification and formalises support for Ukraine throughout its duration. Source: Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Presidents Office, as reported by European Pravda Details: Zhovkva highlighted that the agreement with Albania was signed as part of the G7 Declaration of Support for Ukraine and marks the 28th such agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "It has been established that Albania has already made significant military contributions to Ukraine, both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks, and will continue to meet Ukraines most urgent needs, as it did in 20222024, for the 10-year duration of the agreement." More details: Among the provisions, Zhovkva highlighted the possibility of Albania closing its ports to Russian vessels "until Ukraines territorial integrity is restored and a just and lasting peace is achieved". Additionally, the agreement prioritises Tiranas support for Kharkiv. "This is the third such agreement requiring ratification by both countries, making it legally binding for both Ukraine and Albania," Zhovkva emphasised. Background: As previously reported, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama signed the bilateral agreement on long-term cooperation and support on Tuesday, 21 January. Under the agreement, Albania will join the so-called fighter jet coalition and assist in training Ukrainian pilots. Support UP or become our patron! BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) Once every five years, Roberson Museum hosts an art exhibit that features work from residents across the Southern Tier, Central New York, and Northern PA. Submissions are now open for Robersons Regional Art Exhibition. To be eligible, the artist must reside within 80 miles of Binghamton, the piece mustve been completed within the last 5 years, it cannot be larger than 96 inches or over 150 pounds, and it must be delivered in its original form, no scans or photographs of paintings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exhibit is filled with different types of art, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and photography. The program was first established back in 1957. Submitting work is free, and the deadline is February 7th. A jury will review each piece of art. The jury will also select winners, with first place winning $2,500, $1,250 dollars for second and $500 for third. You can find out more information and submit their work by visiting Roberson.org/Regional2025. Copyright 2025 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 WIVT - News 34. The supervisory board of Ukraines Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) extended a 1-year contract to Maryna Bezrukova, the current director of the DPA, the agency announced on Jan. 21. The contract extensions comes after Defense Minister Rustem Umerov walked back on plans to merge the Defense Procurement Agency and the State Logistics Operator (DOT) into one agency, following a NATO statement said that the two agencies should be kept separate and two separate supervisory boards established "to perform their tasks and supporting their independence and anti-corruption policies." In addition to the contract extension, the board said in a statement that it had initiated a "comprehensive audit of the Agency's activities," which will involved NATO's International Board of Auditors (IBAN). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bezrukova, whose contract was extended by a unanimous vote, is a former employee of Ukraines energy company Ukrenergo, before being appointed to head the DPA. Separate boards were set up for Ukraines lethal and non-lethal procurement agencies, complying with NATO standards, in the fall of 2024. The defense procurement sector was reshaped in December 2023, aiming to meet NATO standards. The DPA, first established in August 2022, was to focus solely on lethal aid. Meanwhile, the DOT was formed to purchase non-lethal aid such as food and clothing. Read also: Arms procurement head should keep post, supervisory board says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. This article was originally published in Maryland Matters. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Friday to hear an appeal from a group of Montgomery County parents challenging a school system policy that does not let them opt their lower elementary school children out of classes that use LGBTQ+ books. Parents, who have lost repeatedly in lower courts, have argued that the books interfere with their religious liberty rights by exposing their young children to gender and sexuality norms that conflict with their religion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their Supreme Court appeal has drawn supportive legal filings from a range of religious groups and conservative legal scholars. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter But the county said in filings with the court that the books were not part of a coercive effort, but were merely available in the reading materials available to children in lower grades. The lower courts that sided with the school system were simply upholding decades-old consensus that parents who choose to send their children to public school are not deprived of their right to freely exercise their religion simply because their children are exposed to curricular materials the parents find offensive, the county said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court, without comment, said in an order released Friday afternoon that it would hear the case, Mahmoud v. Taylor. No hearing date has been set, but arguments are likely to be scheduled for later this spring with a decision before the justices recess this summer. A Montgomery County schools spokesperson said Friday the system would not comnent on the courts decision to take the case. But in a statement from the Becket Fund, the law firm representing the parents, opponents of the policy hailed the chance to make their case again, after more than two years of futility. The Court must make clear: parents, not the state, should be the ones deciding how and when to introduce their children to sensitive issues about gender and sexuality, said Eric Baxter, a vice president and senior counsel at Becket. The dispute began almost three years ago, in the 2022-23 school year, when the county unveiled a list of LGBTQ+-inclusive texts for use in the classroom, including books for grades as low as kindergarten and pre-K. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Title challenged by the parent include My Rainbow, abouta mother who creates a rainbow-colored wig for her transgender child; Uncle Bobbys Wedding, about a girl worried that an uncles wedding means she will lose time with him, until his boyfriend befriends her; and Pride Puppy, about a puppy lost at a Pride parade. The book, for pre-K and kindergarten, goes through each letter of the alphabet, describing people the puppy might have met at the parade, inviting student to search for drag kings and queens, lip rings, leather, underwear and other items, according to court documents. School officials said in court filings in lower courts that the books were not part of explicit instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in elementary school, and that no student or adult is asked to change how they feel about these issues. The books were merely added to the countys list of reading materials to better represent the countys entire population and to include characters, families, and historical figures from a range of cultural, racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, documents say. School system officials have said that teachers are expected to make the books available in the classroom, recommend them as appropriate for particular students or offer them as an option for literature circles, book clubs, or paired reading groups; or to use them as a read aloud in class. Parents who objected were originally allowed to opt their children out of lessons that included the books. But the school system in March 2023 said opt-outs would not be allowed, beginning in the 2023-24 school year. Parents are allowed to opt their children out of parts of sex education, but not other parts of the curriculum, like language arts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parents sued, arguing that refusing to let them take their kids out of the classes infringed on their First Amendment freedom of religion rights. In their petition to the Supreme Court, they said the policy exposed the children to gender and sexuality norms that contradict their religious beliefs. The policy gives parents who include Muslim, Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox families no protection against forced participation in ideological instruction by government schools, the petition said. The parents said they are not trying to ban the books in Montgomery County schools, but merely seeking the ability to keep their children out from being exposed to ideas that conflicted with their firmly held religious beliefs. So far, the underlying elements of the case have not been heard, merely the parents request for a preliminary injunction of the school systems opt-out policy, which the parents have repeatedly lost. That fact was noted by the county, which said there is no pressing issue here that cant be worked out by letting the case proceed in regular course through the lower courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal district judge in August 2023 denied the parents request for a preliminary injunction and a divided panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that ruling in May 2024, writing that the parents had not met the high burden of showing that they were likely to win on their claim that the lack of an opt-out policy was actually coercing them to abandon part of their faith. The majority opinion, written by Circuit Judge G. Steven Agee, said that because the record in preliminary injunction hearings was extremely sparse, the parents had not been able to connect the requisite dots to show that a burden on their First Amendment rights existed. While the parents had shown that the books could be used in ways that would confuse or mislead children and, in particular, that discussions relating to their contents could be used to indoctrinate their children into espousing views that are contrary to their religious faith. none of that is verified by the limited record that is before us, Agee wrote. Should the Parents in this case or other plaintiffs in other challenges to the Storybooks use come forward with proof that a teacher or school administrator is using the Storybooks in a manner that directly or indirectly coerces children into changing their religious views or practices, then the analysis would shift in light of that record, Agee wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that parents might feel forced to forgo a public school education and pay for private school was not sufficiently coercive to be a burden on the parents First Amendment rights, based on the record so far, he wrote. In a dissent, Circuit Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum Jr. said parents had met their burden for a preliminary injunction while the case was heard. Both sides of the issue advance passionate arguments. Some insist diversity and inclusion should be prioritized over the religious rights of parents and children. Others argue the opposite, Quattlebaum wrote. But the parents have made the case for an injunction of the opt-out policy for now, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parents have shown the boards decision to deny religious opt-outs burdened these parents right to exercise their religion and direct the religious upbringing of their children by putting them to the choice of either compromising their religious beliefs or foregoing a public education for their children, Quattlebaum wrote. I would enjoin the Montgomery County School Board of Education from denying religious opt-outs for instruction to K-5 children involving the texts. Grace Morrison, a board member of Kids First, an organization of parents and teachers fighting for an opt-out policy, said the current system has pushed inappropriate gender indoctrination on our children. She welcomed the high courts decision to take up the case. I pray the Supreme Court will stop this injustice, allow parents to raise their children according to their faith, and restore common sense in Maryland once again, Morrison said in the Becket Fund statement. Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: editor@marylandmatters.org. WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered lower courts to review the case of the only woman on Oklahomas death row over concerns that prosecutors discussion of her sexual history rendered her trial unfair in the murder of her estranged husband. The court, over two dissenting votes, threw out a federal appeals court ruling that upheld the sentence and conviction of Brenda Andrew for her role in the killing of advertising executive Rob Andrew in 2001. James Pavatt, Andrews lover, also is on death row after he was convicted of killing Andrew with a shotgun in the family garage in Oklahoma City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an unsigned opinion, the justices ordered the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to re-examine Andrew's prosecution to determine if judges reviewing this record could disagree with Andrew that the trial court's mistaken admission of irrelevant evidence was so unduly prejudicial as to render her trial fundamentally unfair. Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, wrote that the state produced overwhelming evidence that Andrew participated in her husband's murder and would have left the conviction and death sentencing in place. Lawyers for Andrew argued that the state had a circumstantial case that it buttressed by presenting evidence about her sexual history, gender presentation, demeanor, and motherhood." At trial, the lawyers wrote, the prosecution relentlessly derided Ms. Andrew, using sexually-charged descriptions to cast her in the role of an unchaste wife," including a prosecutor's reference to her as a slut puppy and, during closing arguments, the display of her thong underwear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A three-judge appellate panel affirmed a state appellate ruling that sustained the conviction and death sentence. A dissenting judge on the 10th Circuit wrote that the evidence rendered the trial unfair. The evidence not only lacked relevance but also cast Ms. Andrew as a woman fixated on seducing nearby men, Judge Robert Bacharach wrote. The Great Seal of the State of Montana in the Supreme Court (Photo by Eric Seidle/ For the Daily Montanan). The Montana Supreme Court has upheld a Billings lawmakers right to review a child-neglect-and-abuse case that the Gianforte administration had denied, citing attorney-client privilege. On Friday, the Montana Supreme Court unanimously sided with Rep. Bill Mercer, R-Billings, and aligned with the Lewis and Clark District Court Judge Michael McMahons order to turn over the documents related to the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case focuses on a provision in Montana that allows lawmakers to review otherwise confidential cases of child abuse or neglect handled by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The privilege is narrow and only pertains to members of the Montana Legislature or Congress, and only applies when a family member asks in writing for the lawmaker to review the case. The purpose is part of the checks and balances in Montana, allowing the legislative branch to check the executive, but also serves the function of helping lawmakers craft better guidelines and law during the legislative session, which the justices on the Montana Supreme Court affirmed. Lawmakers who review the documents and cases pertaining to the otherwise confidential information that the DPHHS has must keep it confidential, and, according to the case, Mercer signed an agreement to keep any information private. Because all other information pertaining to the case is confidential, its not known specifically what case Mercer was seeking, but it is identified as a case that came from Valley County, and believed to be a high-profile case where a transgender teenager was sent out of state to a Wyoming facility and was later transferred to the care of a biological parent in Canada. The case drew outrage from some members of the Republican legislature and was even reviewed by Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras because of allegations by the family that state officials from DPHHS were interfering with their religious rights, which included not recognizing transgender therapy or medicine. Juras concluded DPHHS followed state policy in the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Montana Supreme Court case focused on the file that was turned over, in part, to Mercer. However, Mercer contends in court filings that documents, text messages and other communications that the department had were not included in the case file. Upon review of the documents provided, Rep. Mercer requested additional records that he believed were required to be produced including emails, text messages, case notes, memorandums, and all other communications, the opinion said. The department denied the request, maintaining the statute required production only of the more formal case record, which it had additionally provided to Rep. Mercer. The open-record privilege that Mercer and other lawmakers can use is only valid for six months, so Mercer was forced to ask to the courts for additional help because the window of time was narrowing. In August, McMahon granted Mercers mandatory injunction, which the state then appealed to the Supreme Court. The DPHHS didnt dispute that it had withheld other documents from Mercer, but argued it did so because of an attorney-client privilege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court sided with Mercer, saying that as a lawmaker, he was already bound to confidentiality for anything that was in the file, and furthermore, McMahon had ordered at least three documents in the case off-limits due to the attorney-client exception. The justices went one step further saying that he had already suffered possibly irreparable damage because the Gianforte administration had not turned over the documents, and the Legislature has already begun its biennial session, with a transmittal deadline looming. Transmittal is roughly the half-way point of the Legislature, and all bills that do not involve major budget implications must make it through one chamber of the lawmaking body to survive. Thus, irreparable injury without the issue of the mandatory injunction is clear the legislative session is now underway, and the review must occur, the opinion said. Even with this courts imposition of the stay of time limit, the same harm Rep. Mercer alleged in his briefing remains and legislation that is not drafted in January or February of 2025 will not survive the transmittal deadline for general bills. A five-member panel unanimously upheld the decision, including Rice, the opinions author. The other justices who signed the opinion are Laurie McKinnon, Beth Baker, Ingrid Gustafson and James Jeremiah Shea. Mercer case The Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with an Oklahoma woman on death row who argued that extensive evidence about her sex life rendered her trial unfair, kicking her case back to a lower court for further proceedings in an unsigned order. Brenda Andrew, the only woman on Oklahomas death row, was convicted in 2004 for the fatal shooting of her estranged husband, Rob Andrew, in the garage of their Oklahoma City home in 2001, even though her romantic partner at the time confessed to committing the shooting without her. Oklahoma prosecutors sought to prove she conspired with her then-partner, James Pavatt, to reap insurance proceeds from her husbands death. To do so, they elicited racy testimony including about Andrews sexual partners reaching back decades, the types of outfits she wore and how often she had sex in her car. They also introduced evidence of her failings as a mother and wife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A jury convicted Andrew and sentenced her to death. On appeal, she argued that the evidence used in her prosecution violated state law and federal due process because it was so unduly prejudicial it rendered her trial fundamentally unfair. The Supreme Courts majority said lower courts must now ask whether a fair-minded jurist could disagree with Andrew. Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch dissented from the other justices, who appeared to agree that lower courts did not properly weigh whether Andrew received a fair trial. They argued that their peers, not the lower court, deviated from settled law. We have instructed lower courts to avoid framing our precedents at too high a level of generality; to carefully distinguish holdings from dicta; and to refrain from treating reserved questions as though they have already been answered, they wrote. The Tenth Circuit followed these rules. The Court today does not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court issued a rare ruling Tuesday in favor of a death row inmate, finding that an Oklahoma woman convicted of murdering her estranged husband can pursue a claim that prosecutors inappropriately focused on her sex life at trial. Divided 7-2, the court opened the door to Brenda Andrews challenging her conviction and death sentence. She is the only woman on death row in Oklahoma. The court ruled an appeals court was wrong to conclude that Andrew's claim that her due process rights were violated by the focus on her personal life, including treatment of her children, could not move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The right to due process under the Constitution's 14th Amendment "forbids the introduction of evidence so unduly prejudicial as to render a criminal trial fundamentally unfair," the Supreme Court said in an unsigned opinion. The case will return to the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for further litigation on Andrew's habeas corpus claim. "We are pleased that the court looked closely at the State of Oklahomas manipulation of irrelevant and blatantly sexist evidence during Ms. Andrews trial," Jessica Sutton, one of Andrew's lawyers, said in a statement. Now, the appeals court will "determine whether such evidence was so prejudicial as to render Ms. Andrews trial fundamentally unfair," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew was convicted in state court of the 2001 murder of her husband, Rob, who was shot twice with a shotgun in the garage of their former family home in Oklahoma City when he arrived to pick up their two children. Her alleged accomplice, boyfriend James Pavatt, was also prosecuted and is on death row. Andrew, now 61, was herself shot in the arm during the incident. Andrew's conviction was upheld in state court, prompting her to file a habeas corpus claim in federal court, which was also rejected. Andrews lawyers say prosecutors focused on her personal life because they lacked concrete evidence connecting her to the crime. Brenda Andrew. Among the issues raised at trial were that Andrew previously had affairs with other men, that she dressed provocatively and that she had made sexual advances toward two young men working in her yard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Toward the end of the trial, a prosecutor held up thong underwear owned by Andrew and asked the jury whether a "grieving widow" would wear such an item of clothing. The prosecutor also used the term "slut puppy" to refer to Andrew, her lawyers said, although the state says the comment was not a direct reference to her. The prosecutors' case "fixated on obtaining a conviction and death sentence by denigrating her character as a woman," her lawyers said in court papers. Two conservative justices, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, disagreed with Tuesday's ruling. Thomas wrote in a dissenting opinion that the court had not followed its own rules in determining whether a habeas corpus claim arising from a prosecution in state courts can move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in court papers that there was "overwhelming evidence that Andrew and Pavatt plotted the murder" to access a life insurance payout. Andrew, he added, had a "visceral hatred" of her husband, and evidence of her "ability to get men ... to do her bidding" was relevant to the case. "We are disappointed but respect the court's decision," Drummond spokeswoman Leslie Berger said in an email. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to take up Montana Republicans efforts to revive two state election laws under a version of the so-called independent state legislature theory. In 2023, the justices rejected the maximalist version of the theory, which would give state legislatures near-total control over setting election rules by preventing state courts from restraining their actions. Though the Supreme Court ruled that state courts can conduct judicial review, the majority opinion stressed they do not have free rein. Under the Constitutions Elections Clause, judges cannot intrude on state lawmakers authority to regulate federal elections, but the high courts decision did not set a specific test for determining when that boundary is crossed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen (R) asked the justices to take up that open question in her appeal seeking to revive two state laws banning paid ballot collection and same-day voter registration on Election Day in Montana. In a split 5-2 decision, Montanas top court struck down the laws under the state constitution in response to a challenge from the Montana Democratic Party and various interest groups. In short, the Montana Supreme Court has assumed a de facto new role as the final and exclusive arbiter of all federal election legislation in Montana. This Courts review is urgently needed, Jacobsen, represented by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen (R), wrote in court filings. Montanas high court petition was backed the National Republican Senatorial Committee, 15 other Republican state attorneys general and the America First Legal Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montana Democrats urged the nations highest court to let the lower ruling stand, noting that the case also involved other election laws and legal arguments. The courts analysis was based on the ample trial record in this case and firmly grounded in existing Montana law. There was nothing extraordinary or inappropriate about it, they wrote in court filings. Copyright 2025 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. Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Courtney Hudson (middle) chats with Chief Justice Karen Baker before an address from the governor on Jan. 14, 2025. Justice Rhonda Wood sits to the left of Hudson. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Newly elected Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Karen Baker apparently came into office intent on cleaning house: she tried to fire several high-ranking court officials and replace three judges on the courts judicial discipline commission within two days of taking her oath of office. Her actions resulted in an ongoing public feud with a majority of the courts justices, raising constitutional and legal questions the remain unresolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Jan. 3, the public has been treated to no less than three orders from the courts five most conservative justices challenging Bakers authority and one order from Baker asserting her authority over court employees and to appoint judges to the disciplinary body without the other justices consent. The origins of the brouhaha seem to stem from Bakers visit in early December to the office of Marty Sullivan, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, while he wasnt there, according to a Jan. 11 report in Arkansas Business. But tensions at the court have been percolating for some time. That Dec. 4 visit to Sullivans office by the chief justice-elect led to complaints by some of his staff to the AOC personnel office, which completed its investigation last week, whereupon Sullivan turned over its findings to the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission. Baker was sworn in on Jan. 1, and the next day called Sullivan and court Police Chief Pete Hollingsworth into her office to confront them about their responses to Freedom of Information Act requests involving her, according to the Jan. 3 per curiam order by the five justices. She threatened them with firing, the order says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 3, Baker did try to fire Sullivan, Hollingsworth and eight other court employees, according to the order, which described the situation as unnecessary and unfortunate. The order rescinded the firings and forbade any court employee from processing the terminations without the agreement of at least four justices. An administrative order accompanying the per curiam declares that only the AOC director can hire or terminate the offices staff. Citing state law, the order says the director cannot be terminated without the express consent of at least four members of the Supreme Court. The five-member majority followed up the order regarding the AOC with another on Jan. 6 saying the chief justice also didnt have unilateral authority to appoint new members to the judicial discipline committee and lamenting that Baker hadnt consulted her colleagues before doing so. The majority also named their own appointees to the JDDC. Baker shot back with her own order on Jan. 8, citing Amendment 80 of the Arkansas Constitution as giving her sole authority over administration of the court system, including the Supreme Court. She declared the previous two orders invalid and an employment contract between Sullivan and a court majority null and void. The five opposing justices said her order amounted to no more than a dissenting opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The back-and-forth gave state personnel officials whiplash regarding the status of the AOC employees, especially Sullivan. After Secretary of Transformation and Shared Services Leslie Fisken notified Baker that the Jan. 3 majority opinion settled Sullivans employment status, Baker responded with a terse email: Attached please find the Order of January 8, 2025. It is simple Marty Sullivan is terminated. If the justice system were a corporation, I am the CEO. The remaining employees, noticed in the previous letter, may remain on the payroll for the present time while they reapply for their positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal scholar John DiPippa told Roby Brock on Capitol View last weekend that the dispute boils down to the definition of administer in both the law and the constitution. Thats what a lot of legal disputes end up being about: definitions. Such disputes usually end up being decided by the Supreme Court. In this instance, of course, the dispute is among the members of the court. I enjoy a good legal and political spat as much as anyone, but the current infighting has serious implications for the administration of justice in the Natural State and for the publics trust in the court. Our court system exists to resolve disputes, among other things. The Arkansas Supreme Court should be the final arbiter of legal questions. Even when the members of the court disagree, a final resolution usually arises when a majority of the seven justices rule for or against a party involved in a dispute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what happens when the justices themselves are the parties? Maybe the justices will work something out when they hold their first administrative meeting of the year on Jan. 23. Maybe the feud will simmer and bubble over in future rulings in unrelated cases. Or maybe, as columnist John Brummett suggested last week, theyll settle it by wrasslin. (WPRI) The United States Coast Guard saves thousands of lives each year out on the open ocean. But how do these maritime guardians train for these life-saving missions? While the Coast Guard is synonymous with boats, its actually by air that search teams make the most expeditious rescues. Lt. Commander Alex Martfeld, a pilot at Air Station Cape Cod, told 12 News their district patrols the Atlantic Ocean between Canada and New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our air crews train every day for a variety of missions, Martfeld said. Generally, search-and-rescue is a mission were on duty for. 12 News was there as Martfeld and his team suited up for a training flight to a Coast Guard Cutter in Monatauk back in October. There the team practiced hoisting those aboard the vessel to safety. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Bryan Evans, a rescue swimmer and aviation survival technician, said search-and-rescue teams consist of four members. Two pilots, a rescue swimmer, such as myself, and we also have a flight mechanic, Evans said. Its Evans job to jump out of the helicopter either by being lowered onto a vessel or directly into the water below and ensure that those in distress are successfully lifted to safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to training or a real scenario, my thoughts always go towards the patients that were here to rescue or save, Evans explained. Patient care is probably the biggest thing thats going through my mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coast Guard Lt. Patrick Palermo-Re, whos also a pilot with Air Station Cape Cod, stressed the importance of knowing how to properly handle these rescue missions. Being able to hoist someone out of a dangerous situation is such a unique skill set, he said. But rescuing those in distress isnt always easy, especially since the open ocean can be a hostile environment. One of the most dangerous evolutions for a helicopter to do is hoisting to a boat in bad weather and heavy seas, Martfeld explained. Data from the Coast Guard estimates that more than 14,000 rescues were made and 6,000 lives were saved throughout Fiscal Year 2024. Air Station Cape Cod alone executes upwards of 200 rescues annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were standing the watch 24/7, 365, Palermo-Re said. Even when its not as busy were here, were ready, and were still training so that when a call does come in, well be ready to respond. Corey Welch contributed to this report. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Ocean, Bay & Beach Report Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. A man who escaped a fire at a ski resort in Turkey, which reportedly killed at least 76 people and injured at least 51, is speaking out about the chaos at the scene. Atakan Yelkovan escaped the fire at Grand Kartal Hotel, a popular Turkish ski resort relatively early" on Tuesday, Jan. 21, he explained in an interview with Ihlas News Agency, which was shared by the Associated Press. My wife smelled the burning. The alarm did not go off, said Yelkovan, who was on the third floor of the 12-story resort in the ski resort located in Bolu provinces Koroglu Mountains area, according to the AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We tried to go upstairs but couldnt, there were flames," he added. "We went downstairs and came [outside]." Mehmet Emin Gurbuz/Anadolu via Getty The aftermath of the fire that broke out at Grand Kartal Hotel in Turkey on Jan. 21, 2025 The aftermath of the fire that broke out at Grand Kartal Hotel in Turkey on Jan. 21, 2025 At that time, the 4th and 5th floors were all burning, he recalled. The people on the upper floors were screaming. While some cried out, others attempted to escape the blaze through the windows, Yelkovan told Ihlas News Agency. Some dangled down a sheet in their attempts to flee, he said. Still others tried to head back into the hotel, where loved ones were trapped. Some were trying to get in, some were trying to jump out. Some had children inside, some had friends inside, added Yelkovan, who claimed that it took the fire department over an hour to arrive at the scene. Evrim Aydin/Anadolu via Getty Firefighters working to put out the fatal fire at Grand Kartal Hotel on Jan. 21, 2025 Firefighters working to put out the fatal fire at Grand Kartal Hotel on Jan. 21, 2025 Echoing Yelkovan's personal account, Bolu governor Abdulaziz Aydin said that due to the hotel's location, as well as the freezing weather conditions, it took fire engines over an hour to show up, the BBC reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor, who suggested the blaze broke out in the hotels fourth-floor restaurant, also said that at least two of the victims "died after jumping from the building in a panic," per the AP. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories The hotel had more than 230 guests at the time of the fire, Minister Ali Yerlikaya said, per the AP. A cause for the fire has not been announced, but four people have been arrested, including the owner of the hotel, the Turkish Minister of Justice Ylmaz Tunc announced on X. Additional details have not yet been made public. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has since announced that Wednesday, Jan. 22, will be a national day of mourning. Read the original article on People Women have long contributed to politics in the United States, even before they had the right to vote, and have made history along the way. From the judiciary to the executive branch, American women have risen through the ranks, despite facing many obstacles, to play pivotal roles in the government. In 1981, Sandra Day OConnor was appointed as the first woman to serve in the Supreme Court, and nearly 40 years later, in 2020, Kamala Harris became the first female vice president. In another historic first, on Monday, Susie Wiles became the first woman to serve as White House Chief of Staff as part of President Donald Trumps second administration. They are among the 10 women featured below to have defied the odds, broken historic barriers among women, and shaped the course of American politics. Jeannette Rankin Womens suffrage activist Jeannette Rankin became the first woman to serve in Congress in 1917. After successfully fighting to secure a womans right to vote in Washington and her home state of Montana, 36-year-old Rankin was elected to the House of Representatives as a Republican in 1916. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just days after being sworn in, the Montana representative voted against a measure authorizing the United States to get involved in World War I. During her tenure, she also helped create the Committee on Woman Suffrage, which introduced a constitutional amendment to give women the right to vote on a national level. (That effort failed, but women were enfranchised in 1920 with the passage of the 19th amendment.) Rankin lost her reelection bid in 1918 and spent the next two decades advocating for peace throughout the country and the world. She eventually returned to politics, again running for and winning a U.S. House seat in Montana in 1940. During her second term, Rankin maintained her anti-war position, casting the only vote against the United States involvement in World War II. Her no vote made her unpopular with her constituents, costing Rankin, who died in 1973, any chance of reelection. Read Her Biography Getty Images Shirley Chisholm Weeks before she turned 44, Shirley Chisholm made history in 1968 when she became the first Black woman elected to Congress. A former educator, Chisholm served seven terms in the House of Representatives, representing New Yorks 12th congressional district. The Democratic congresswoman championed civil rights, womens rights, and anti-poverty programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1969, Chisholm reintroduced the Equal Rights Amendment, a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, and led the expansion of the food stamp program, now known as SNAP. She later created the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) to provide assistance for women and their children in low-income households. Chisholm also co-founded both the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Womens Political Caucus in 1971. In another historic first, she became the first Black candidate to run for president on a major party ticket when she ran for the Democratic nomination in 1972. I am not the candidate of Black America, although I am Black and proud. I am not the candidate of the womens movement of this country, although I am a woman and I am equally proud of that, Chisholm said when she announced her candidacy. I am the candidate of the people, and my presence before you now symbolizes a new era in American political history. After she lost her bid, she continued her work as a congresswoman for more than a decade before retiring in 1983. Chisholm died in 2005. Read Her Biography Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: 10 Trailblazing Black Women in Congress Getty Images Sandra Day OConnor Another trailblazer, Sandra Day OConnor was the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. After serving in all three branches of state governmentfirst as Arizonas attorney general then as a state senator and later a circuit judgeOConnor ascended the ranks to the nations highest court at age 51. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, she served as an associate justice for more than two decades, playing a decisive role in many landmark cases. OConnor, considered a moderate conservative, tended to vote in line with the Republican platform but occasionally sided with the courts liberal members. She was often the deciding vote in 5-4 decisions and wrote nearly 700 opinions on the bench, around half of which were the majority opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1982, she authored the courts opinion in Mississippi University for Women v. Hogan, which ruled that a nursing schools single-sex admissions policy violated the Equal Protection Clause. Two years later, OConnors swing vote in Planned Parenthood v. Casey upheld the constitutional right to abortion established by Roe v. Wade, and in 2000, she broke the tie in the controversial Bush v. Gore case, settling the presidential election in favor of George W. Bush. After 24 years on the bench, she retired in 2006. OConnor died nearly two decades later in 2023. Read Her Biography Getty Images Elaine Chao Elaine Chao, now 71, became the first Asian American woman to serve in a presidential cabinet when President George W. Bush selected her as his Secretary of Labor in 2001. She was 47. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A loyal Republican, Chao remained in her post for all eight years of Bushs presidency, making her the only cabinet member to do so. As Labor Secretary, she updated overtime regulations for millions of workers as well as regulations related to union disclosures of financial information. Chao returned to serve in another presidents cabinet in 2017 when she became Donald Trumps Transportation Secretary. During her tenure, she worked to limit regulations on transportation, including relaxing greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars. Chao resigned in 2021 the day after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Read Her Biography Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Condoleezza Rice Condoleezza Rice broke barriers in 2001 when the then-46-year-old was appointed President George W. Bushs national security advisor, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Having previously worked in international affairs and on the National Security Council, the Republican served as an influential advisor to Bush. She was a staunch proponent of the Global War on Terrorism and advocated for the invasion of Iraq in 2003. At the start of Bushs second term in 2005, Rice made history once again when she became the first Black woman to serve as Secretary of State. In that post, Rice dedicated her department to promoting peace and democracy in the Middle East and imposed sanctions against Iran over the countrys nuclear program. She also led negotiations aimed at persuading North Korea to end its nuclear tests, though this effort was unsuccessful. In 2009, Rices time as Secretary of State came to an end and she returned to Stanford, where she had previously broken ground as the universitys provost, as a political science professor. The 70-year-old remains on faculty today and is also a founding partner of a consulting firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Her Biography Getty Images Tammy Duckworth U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, 56, is the first disabled woman elected to Congress. Duckworth lost both her legs fighting in the Iraq War then defied the odds in 2012 when she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Illinois 8th District. With her victory, the Democrat became an example for fellow female veterans and disabled women. As a two-term congresswoman, Duckworth worked on a number of committees, including the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, where she made a name for herself during a 2013 hearing after questioning Strong Castle CEO Braulio Castillo for fraudulently representing himself as a disabled military veteran and receiving millions of dollars in federal contracts. Shame on you. You may not have broken any laws [but] you broke the trust of veterans, she said. Twisting your ankle in prep school is not defending or serving this nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, Duckworth successfully ran for U.S. Senate, becoming the first disabled woman and second Asian American woman elected to the chamber. Two years later, she became the first senator to give birth while in office. During her first term, she advocated for the protection of the Americans with Disabilities Act and changed Senate rules to allow officials to bring their children under the age of 1 on the Senate floor. Following her re-election in 2022, Duckworth has introduced legislation to protect access to in vitro fertilization and helped pass a law aimed at improving flying safety. Read Her Biography Getty Images Hillary Clinton A former first lady and dedicated public servant, 77-year-old Hillary Clinton made history as the first woman to represent a major party in a presidential election. Even before that Clinton was leading a trailblazing career. She initially broke boundaries in 2001 when she became the only first lady to have won a U.S. Senate seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following an unsuccessful presidential bid and a term as Secretary of State for President Barack Obama, she ran for president again and secured the 2016 Democratic nomination, becoming the first woman to accomplish this task. In acknowledging her historic achievement, Clinton said, Tonights victory is not about one person. It belongs to generations of women and men who struggled and sacrificed and made this moment possible. Her run against Republican opponent Donald Trump was contentious and much closer than pollsters anticipated. In a surprise upset, Clinton lost the electoral vote and her second shot at the White House. Even in her loss, she set more history as the only woman to have won the popular vote for president. I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday, someone will, and hopefully sooner than we might think right now, Clinton said in her concession speech. Read Her Biography Getty Images Kamala Harris Accomplishing a series of historic firsts in her career, 60-year-old Kamala Harris is the first woman to serve as U.S. vice president and the first Black woman and first Asian American woman to become a major partys presidential nominee. After acting as Californias first Black and female attorney general, Harris ran for U.S. Senate and won, becoming only the second Black woman and first South Asian American to enter the chamber. There, the Democrat made headlines as a member of the Senate Intelligence and Judiciary Committees for her prosecutorial style of questioning witnesses, including former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. After dropping out of the 2020 presidential race, she became Joe Bidens running mate and was elected vice president that November. She is the only woman, Black person, and Asian American to have served in the role. As Bidens second-in-command, Harris promoted legislation addressing immigration, voting rights, and abortion access and cast a record number of tie-breaking votes in the U.S. Senate. Biden and Harris ran for reelection in 2024, but he withdrew from the race less than four months before Election Day and endorsed Harris for president. Her short-yet-groundbreaking presidential campaign kicked off with a bang. In August, she announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate and accepted the Democratic nomination, a historic feat for Black and Asian American women. Ultimately, Harris lost the race to Donald Trump. Read Her Biography Getty Images Sarah McBride U.S. Representative Sarah McBride made history in 2024 when she became the first openly transgender woman elected to Congress. The 34-year-olds trailblazing didnt start there. McBride broke boundaries in 2020 as the first trans person to win a state senate seat. As a state senator in Delaware, the Democrat sponsored legislation promoting paid family leave, media literacy education, and expanded Medicaid funding. Four years later, McBride secured Delawares only seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her historic victory has been met with a swell of support as well as backlash from some of her new colleagues. Although her term is just beginning, she has cited abortion, climate change, and gun violence prevention as some of her primary policy concerns. Getty Images Susie Wiles In January 2025, Susie Wiles became the first female White House chief of staff. The 67-year-old has had a lengthy career as a conservative political consultant, working on the presidential campaigns of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and most recently, Donald Trump. In 2016, she ran Trumps campaign operations in Florida to much success and returned to the post in 2020. After he left the White House the following year, Wiles served as the CEO of Trumps political action committee, Save America, and in 2022, she became co-chair of his third presidential campaign. Having proved herself as a loyal asset, Wiles now oversees the presidents daily operations. Getty Images You Might Also Like (KRON) The San Francisco Police Department has identified a man who allegedly caused a deadly seven-car crash that happened Sunday evening in San Franciscos SoMa neighborhood. Jia Lin Zheng, 66, was arrested and booked for multiple charges including vehicular manslaughter, reckless driving causing injury, felony vandalism and speeding. The crash happened just after 6 p.m. in the area of 6th and Harrison streets. Among the vehicles involved was a driverless Waymo robotaxi, which was hit and then crashed into multiple vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Waymo, the autonomous vehicle was struck from behind by a speeding car that was going about 98 miles per hour. The Waymo was unoccupied. Police returned fire after being shot at by unknown suspects: San Jose PD One of the victims was found dead at the scene, and two victims were taken to the hospital for life-threatening injuries. There was a total of eight victims. According to the fire department, a dog also died at the scene. Before the crash, there were multiple hit-and-run collisions on northbound I-280. Investigators are working to determine if that is related to the Harrison Street crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 banking executive was found bludgeoned to death in her riverside apartment. The body of Marianne Kilonzi, vice-president of trade and working capital sales at Citibank, was found by police on Friday afternoon at her home in Woolwich, south-east London. Detectives are searching for a suspect known to the 43-year-old who is feared to have fled the country. A post-mortem examination on Saturday found that Ms Kilonzi died from a blunt force trauma injury to the head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbours at the Royal Arsenal Riverside development, where average property prices are 442,000, heard blood-curdling screams earlier that day, one woman told the Metro. The poor woman was inside the flat with the door bolted. The police got in somehow but it was too late, the 47-year-old said. Michael Buckingham, another neighbour, said detectives had told him they were investigating reports of a noisy disturbance four days before the body was found, in the early hours of Jan 13. Police know who theyre after The police came around and asked me some questions, the 82-year-old retired company director told MailOnline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An officer asked me if I had heard anything coming from her flat between 3am and 4am on Monday. It appears that had been a noisy disturbance at that time. Sadly, I couldnt help them because I didnt hear anything. Mr Buckingham added: The police know who theyre after. Theyre not looking for anyone else. Its just a case of finding him. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that one line of inquiry was that the suspect had fled the country. According to Ms Kilonzis LinkedIn profile, she attended Kenyatta University in Nairobi before joining Citibank Kenya in 2006. She became vice-president for treasury and trade solutions there before being transferred to Britain in June 2023, where she ran a company fundraiser for Cancer Research UK. We are deeply saddened A spokesman for the company said: We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague. Our thoughts are with Mariannes family and friends during this difficult time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Det Chief Insp Suzanne Soren said: This is a tragic crime and our thoughts at this incredibly difficult time are with Mariannes loved ones and colleagues. We are in contact with her family, who are being supported by specialist colleagues. I know this is a concerning time for the wider community and want to reassure the public that while we are in the early stages of this investigation, we believe the suspect was known to Marianne and there is no wider risk to the public. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The man accused of stabbing his housemate to death in Providence faced a judge Tuesday afternoon. Officers were called to a Bailey Court apartment building Monday evening to investigate reports of a stabbing. Prosecutors said the officers opened the front door and found 30-year-old Junior Medina Agosto standing at the top of the stairs with his hands up. He was taken into custody after being searched for weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officers also found the victim, identified as a 36-year-old man, lying on the kitchen floor suffering from a stab wound to the torso. He was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Agosto and the victim lived in the same apartment, but each had separate bedrooms that shared a kitchen, according to prosecutors. Two unidentified witnesses told investigators that the men appeared to be arguing over food prior to the stabbing. Agosto claimed the victim attacked him and tried to strangle him, which is why he reached over the counter, grabbed a knife and stabbed him once. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But prosecutors stated an autopsy revealed the victim was actually stabbed twice. Agosto was charged with murder and possession of a knife as a result. He was ordered held without bail pending his next court hearing, which is slated for Jan. 28. This was the capital citys first homicide of the year. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. INDIANA, Pa. (WTAJ) The man alleged to have killed up-and-coming Cleveland rapper Carlos Banks, a.k.a. KashBankx, was apprehended by U.S. Marshals in Western Pennsylvania. Devon Jones, 25, was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for aggravated murder as the result of an investigation into the shooting death of Banks. U.S. Marshals announced Friday morning that Jones was arrested the night before, Jan. 16, by members of the Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force, with the assistance of the Indiana Borough Police, Indiana County Drug Task Force, Indiana County Sheriffs Office, Indiana County District Attorneys Office, and the Pennsylvania State Police arrested Jones at a residence on Washington Street in Indiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was reported that Jones had illegal drugs on him at the time, resulting in drug charges being filed in Pennsylvania. Jones, allegedly, is the suspect who pulled the trigger and shot Banks multiple times inside a Cleveland apartment at around 4 a.m., Dec. 29. Banks ultimately died from the gunshot wounds and was identified as the up-and-coming rapper. Banks was 28. U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, Our Marshals Service counterparts in western Pennsylvania responded swiftly to locate and arrest this Cleveland homicide suspect. Now, the grieving family of the victim in this case is one step closer to getting the justice they deserve. Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices. Anyone with information concerning any wanted fugitive can contact U.S. Marshals at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. JINSAFUT, West Bank (AP) Shortly after suspected Jewish settlers stormed Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank late Monday, setting cars and property ablaze, U.S. President Donald Trump canceled sanctions against Israelis accused of violence in the territory. The reversal of the Biden administration's sanctions, which were meant to punish radical settlers, could set the tone for a presidency that is expected to be more tolerant of Israel's expansion of settlements and of violence toward Palestinians. In Trump's previous term he lavished support on Israel, and he has once again surrounded himself with aides who back the settlers. Settler leaders rushed to praise Trumps decision on the sanctions, which were first imposed nearly a year ago as violence surged during the war in Gaza. The sanctions were later expanded to include other Israelis seen as violent or radical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finance Minister and settler firebrand Bezalel Smotrich called it a just decision, saying the sanctions were a severe and blatant foreign intervention. In a post on social media platform X, he went on to praise Trump's unwavering and uncompromising support for the state of Israel. The West Bank's 3 million Palestinians already live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority administering cities and towns. Smotrich and other hard-line settler leaders want Israel to annex the West Bank and rebuild settlements in Gaza, territories that Israel seized during the 1967 Mideast war. Palestinians want both territories for a future state and have long viewed the settlements as a major obstacle to peace, while the international community overwhelmingly considers them illegal. There are more than 500,000 settlers in the West Bank who have Israeli citizenship. At her confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's pick for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said she stood by previous remarks in which she said Israel had a biblical right to the occupied territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Late Monday, dozens of masked men who are widely believed to be settlers marauded through at least two Palestinian villages and attacked homes and businesses, according to officials in Jinsafut and Al-Funduq, which are roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Jerusalem. The Palestinian Red Crescent said it treated 12 people who were beaten by the men. It gave no details on their condition. Israels military said the men hurled rocks at soldiers who had arrived to disperse them, and that it had launched an investigation. Violence has surged in the West Bank during the Gaza war, so it was not clear if the attack had any link to the inauguration. On Tuesday, meanwhile, Israel launched a deadly raid on the Jenin refugee camp. Jalal Bashir, the head of Jinsafuts village council, said that the men attacked three houses, a nursery and a carpentry shop located on the villages main road. Louay Tayem, head of the local council in Al-Funduq, said dozens of men had fired shots, thrown stones, burned cars, and attacked homes and shops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The settlers were masked and had incendiary materials, said Bashir. Their numbers were large and unprecedented. On Tuesday, the charred shells of cars lay on the side of the road in Jinsafut and residents surveyed the damage to a burned storage space. Growing impunity, even after Biden's sanctions Bidens executive order against the settlers marked a rare break with Americas closest Middle East ally, and signaled his frustration with what critics say is Israels leniency in dealing with violent settlers. Rights groups say that impunity has deepened since Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz exempted settlers from what is known as administrative detention Israel's practice of detaining individuals on security grounds without charge or trial which is routinely used against Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katz, who freed all Israelis held in administrative detention just last week, said those behind Monday's attack should be held accountable in Israel's more transparent criminal justice system. Palestinian residents, meanwhile, are tried in Israeli military courts. Bidens sanctions were aimed at settlers who were involved in acts of violence, as well as threats against and attempts to destroy or seize Palestinian property. They later were broadened to include other groups, including Tzav 9, an activist organization that was accused of disrupting the flow of aid into Gaza by trying to block trucks heading into the territory. Reut Ben-Chaim, a mother of eight who founded the group and was then slapped with sanctions that crippled her wellness company and prohibited her access to credit cards or banking apps, welcomed Trumps step. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have heard in the last few days that the Trump administration is going to be the most pro-Israel there has been, she told The Associated Press. These actions, such as the removal of the sanctions these are actions that already mark the way forward. Support for Israel could clash with wider ambitions Trump has long boasted of his support for Israel, but he has also pledged to end wars in the Middle East. That could require exerting some pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Even before taking office, Trump appears to have pressed Netanyahu to accept a Gaza ceasefire agreement with Hamas that strongly resembled one the Biden administration had been pushing for months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has also said he hopes to bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords, under which the United Arab Emirates and other Arab countries forged ties with Israel during his first term. The Saudis have said they will only sign such a historic agreement if it includes a pathway to a Palestinian state a nonstarter for Netanyahu's government. During his first term, Trump moved the American embassy to Jerusalem, recognized Israels annexation of the Golan Heights which it captured from Syria in the 1967 war and presented a Mideast peace plan that was seen as overwhelmingly favorable to Israel. He also let settlement construction in the West Bank surge unchecked. But he seemed at the time to have tapped the brakes on Netanyahu's plans to annex large parts of the West Bank, something Israel's far-right settlers have demanded for years. Netanyahu said he temporarily shelved the idea as part of the agreement with the UAE. ___ Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Springfield Police Department has arrested two suspects and seized a gun in connection with a shooting on Cambridge Street Sunday afternoon. Springfield Police Spokesperson Ryan Walsh said that at around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, officers arrived at the 0-100 block of Cambridge Street as a result of a ShotSpotter activation. Victim and shooting suspect arrested on firearms charges after Springfield shooting on Cambridge Street Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Springfield officers found a man with a gunshot wound at the location. The victim was later identified as Madwin Lluveras, 36, of Springfield, and was brought to Baystate Medical Center to treat his injuries. City cameras were used to witness Lluveras throw a firearm into a trash can, followed by an unidentified individual removing it and handing it to an occupant inside a vehicle. The vehicle then was observed driving away. Springfield police said Massachusetts State Police troopers joined Springfield officers to halt the suspect vehicle on the 900 block of State Street. Officers located the firearm inside the car, where it was reported to be stolen out of North Carolina. The firearm had been loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition and was capable of holding 30 rounds. Officers arrested the driver, Kelvin Martinez, 24, of Springfield, while the passenger will be issued a criminal complaint. Lluveras was then arrested at the hospital after the camera footage was reviewed and he was identified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madwin Lluveras is charged with: Carrying a Firearm without a License Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm on a Public Way Discharging a Firearm within 500 feet of a Building Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200 Kelvin Martinez is charged with: Tampering or Destruction of Evidence Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200 Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. A 63-year-old man driving an SUV died Tuesday morning after his vehicle hurtled into a detached garage in Queens, colliding with a parked car and causing the structure to collapse onto both vehicles. The driver of the Toyota RAV4, who has not been identified, was heading east on 90th Ave. in Jamaica around 5:20 a.m. when he suddenly hopped a curb at 143rd St., careened into a driveway at the intersection and kept going until he crashed into a garage where an an unoccupied Toyota Prius was parked, cops said. The impact caused the garage to collapse onto both vehicles, trapping the RAV4 driver, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He took down two garages and part of a third, garage owner Eddie Campbell told the Daily News. My fathers Toyota Prius is buried in the rubble, he recounted. Once I realized there was a car in there, I called 911. According to Campbell, who also owns a second garage that was damaged in the crash, the Toyota RAV4 driver was unconscious when he was removed from the vehicle. His air bags deployed so he must have been wearing his seat belt, Campbell said. They performed CPR right away and took him to Jamaica Hospital. I was going to take down the garages anyway but fate decided to do it faster. Its terrible that the guy had to die. Swedish Minister of Economy and Finance Elisabeth Svantesson has expressed concern that United States President Donald Trump did not mention Ukraine in his inaugural speech on 20 January. Source: Elisabeth Svantesson, speaking to journalists in Brussels before the start of the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting, as reported by European Pravda Details: Svantesson stressed that Trump's failure to mention Ukraine in his speech after taking the presidential oath is a cause for concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Elisabeth Svantesson: "What I was a bit concerned of when I listened to Trump he didnt mention Ukraine. Thats troubling." Details: In his inaugural speech, Trump promised to be a peacemaker and unifier. The Swedish Minister of Economy and Finance also announced that Ukraine's Minister of Finance Serhii Marchenko will attend today's ECOFIN meeting. Quote from Elisabeth Svantesson: "He [Serhii Marchenko] can describe what happens in Ukraine right now and what they need." Details: The Swedish minister also raised the issue of some institutions and politicians in the European Union relaying false information about the allegedly good state of the Russian economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Elisabeth Svantesson: "Many institutions, read IMF, or media and politicians, talked quite positively about narratives of Putin [about the state of the Russian economy]. But we know that the economy in Russia is quite bad. We know that sanctions work, and thats why we really need to continue with sanctions." Details: Elisabeth Svantesson promised to raise this issue today at the EU Economic and Financial Council meeting. Background: The finance ministers of eight EU countries said back in July 2024 that Russia was spreading a false narrative about the strength of its economy and that Western sanctions had actually hit its military machine and needed to be strengthened further. Support UP or become our patron! The Senate on Monday passed the contentious Laken Riley Act in a 64-35 vote. The bill would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain and potentially deport undocumented immigrants arrested for but not necessarily convicted of various crimes, including shoplifting, burglary and theft. Twelve Democrats voted to pass the bill, moving congressional Republicans one step closer to delivering President Donald Trump his first legislative win as his newly minted administration rolls out its immigration crackdown. The legislation will now return to the House for a final vote. According to the Senate vote summary, Democrats who voted to pass the bill include co-sponsors Sens. Ruben Gallego of Arizona and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania as well as Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev.; Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.; Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.; Jon Ossof, D-Ga.; Gary Peters, D-Mich.; Jacky Rosen, D-Nev.; Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.; Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.; Mark Warner, D-Va.; and Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic critics of the act voiced frustration over what they viewed as their Democratic colleagues pushing to pass the bill in order to protect themselves from political vulnerability, according to The Hill. Some Senators placed blame on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., giving those vulnerable colleagues license to advance the bill without a guarantee that Democrats would have a greater chance to amend the bill. Its handling, one anonymous Democratic senator told the outlet, seeded deep frustration among the caucus as the Senate Democratic Conference still reels from the loss of its majority. There is huge concern because were talking about the mandatory imprisonment based on an accusation without a person even being charged, let alone being convicted, and this applies to kids, the senator told The Hill, lamenting that the bill didn't go to committee. Its a sweeping assault on core principles, and it doesnt even have a judicial review component. Before passing the bill Monday evening, Senators also voted 75-24 to amend it to include crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury to the list of offenses that would require mandatory detention a proposal submitted by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. Twenty-two Democrats joined Republicans in agreeing to the amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The act, named after a Georgia college student who was murdered by a Venezuelan immigrant who had previously been arrested for shoplifting, also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over immigration decisions and block visas being issued to citizens of certain countries. It first passed the House earlier this month with backing from 48 Democrats. Critics argue that, if enacted, the legislation will further empower Trump to carry out his mass deportation plan at a significant cost and deny undocumented immigrants their right to due process. Because it was amended, the bill must be passed again by the Republican-led House before being sent to the White House and becoming law. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) Sweet Nanas Bakery on Philippi Pike will remain open according to Co-Owner Dennis Mazza. The establishment previously planned to close down due to declining sales, which Mazza attributed to the current time of year. During an interview with 12 News, Mazza stated that its a rough time of year due to it being wintertime and with the holidays recently passing. Mazza also said he feels that a lot of the recent snow in north central West Virginia has been a likely contributor to declining sales. Because the bakery is attached to Rogers and Mazzas, an Italian bakery, the parking lot outside is relatively small. The lot is used by employees of both businesses which can make it difficult for customers to find a parking space as well, Mazza said. sweet nana_1530733632973.jpg.jpg We just have maybe four to five parking spots out front, said Mazza. When it snows, we have to make arrangements to have that plowed you know. Thats always difficult with your employees parked in the parking lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Mazza, the business had essentially been breaking even for some time, which is what ultimately led to the decision to close up shop. However, things turned around for the local bakery when Sweet Nanas announced plans to close for good in January. Mazza told 12 News that during what was supposed to be Sweet Nanas last week leading up to the closure, the bakery began seeing record days. People coming in, saddened by our decision to close, he said. Weve had people write me on Facebook or call me or text me or just come in and voice their [] disappointment with us closing, and we just decided to go ahead and give it another try. Big Timber Brewing expanding with new location in Tucker County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It feels great you know, to hear how appreciative people are of you and [] your product that youre making, Mazza added. Its just nice to see everybody come in and talk, and you know, help us out. Moving forward, Mazza is hopeful that the local community will continue to support the bakery. Just continue to stop by and keep supporting us, and you know well continue to make [] what a lot of people say is the areas best doughnuts, he said. Although Sweet Nanas will be sticking around for a bit longer, the business will no longer be open on Saturdays. However, Mazza shared that the owners may opt to change this decision again during the spring season. The bakery also plans to make new signage for the front of the business. By doing this and brightening up the front of the building, Mazza is hoping to attract the attention of all the potential customers who regularly drive along Philippi Pike in Clarksburg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WBOY.com. Syria's port of Tartus has terminated a 49-year investment agreement with Russian construction company Stroytransgaz, the independent Russian outlet Important Stories reported on Jan. 21, citing Riad Joudeh, head of customs in the city of Tartus. The decision follows the collapse of Russian-backed dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime on Dec. 8, after a swift offensive by opposition forces that captured Damascus, significantly undermining Russias influence in Syria. The contract, signed in 2019, had committed Moscow to invest at least $500 million in modernizing the port. With the agreement now void, all revenues from the port's operations will go directly to the Syrian state, and its management will revert to local authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new Syrian government has also blocked a Russian vessel from evacuating military equipment from the Tartus naval base, The Moscow Times reported on Jan. 9. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha discussed Russias military presence in Syria during a Dec. 30 diplomatic visit to Damascus. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said the same day that Kyiv and the new Syrian leadership share similar views on the issue, though specific details were not revealed. Read also: Syria bans goods from Russia, Iran, Israel Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Syrian interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani announced on Tuesday that he will participate in the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos. "I will be honoured to represent Syria for the first time in its history at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland," al-Shaibani wrote on X. The interim minister said that he will convey the vision of the new Syrian administration regarding the future of Syria and the aspirations of the Syrian people when he takes part in the forum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 55th World Economic Forum, which is taking place this week in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos, brings together a large number of world leaders, chief executives of major companies and powerful non-governmental organizations. US President Donald Trump is also expected to give a speech on Thursday. Among the issues on the conference agenda are tensions in the Middle East, the climate crisis, increasing geopolitical and economic uncertainty, trade tensions and how artificial intelligence (AI) can help improve peoples lives. The prime minister of Qatar, the Saudi foreign minister, and the UN special envoy to Syria are also expected to participate in the conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After years of international isolation due to the civil war, the new leadership in Syria has been trying to establish new diplomatic relations worldwide since the overthrow of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad. Syria's de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, spearheaded the surprise rebel advance that toppled al-Assad's regime in December 2024, prompting the former president to flee to Moscow after more than two decades in power. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to assist in ensuring the supply of Russian gas via Turkiye. The Turkish leader has expressed readiness to negotiate with Russia to find a solution that meets Slovakia's energy needs. Source: Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda Details: During a press conference following his meeting with Fico, Erdogan confirmed Turkiye's willingness to engage in talks with Slovakia and Russia to secure transit of Russian gas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Lets take a step", he said, adding that his Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will reach out to his Russian counterpart, while Erdogan himself plans to discuss the matter with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. "Lets reach a conclusion on Slovakias natural gas needs," Erdogan added. Slovak Prime Minister Fico, in turn, stated that an alternative solution for supplying Russian gas to Slovakia could involve the TurkStream pipeline and further transit through Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. "Russian partners need to get involved and confirm if they are prepared to increase the volume of this gas to reach Slovak territory," Fico said during the press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also noted that Slovakias minister of economy will travel to Turkiye next week for further discussions on the matter. Background: The contract between Ukraine and Russia for gas transit to Europe expired at the end of 2024 after Ukraine decided not to extend it. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico sharply criticised Kyiv for such a decision, issuing numerous threats towards Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Although Tacoma residents voted to enact some of the most comprehensive renter protections in the Pacific Northwest in 2023, the rate of evictions filed last year rose to its highest rate since 2018, data shows. This is despite Tacomans approving a ban against winter and school-year evictions and requiring landlords to pay tenants relocation assistance in cases of rent increases of 5% or more. Tacoma landlords filed 3,366 unlawful detainer cases in 2024 as of Dec. 10. That number was 2,862 in 2023, 1,981 in 2022, 535 in 2021, 717 in 2020, 2,641 in 2019 and 3,026 in 2018, according to data collected by the Pierce County Superior Court Clerks Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A breakdown of the data by month shows the rate of eviction filings rose almost every month of 2024, although it was on track to be lower in December as of midway through the month. Supporters of Tacoma for Alls Initiative 1, also referred to as the Tenant Bill of Rights or the Landlord Fairness Code, told The News Tribune the measure was successful in leveling the power imbalance between landlords and tenants. Advocates said the measure wasnt designed to stop evictions but give tenants facing eviction more time to stay in their homes and plan their next steps. Local housing providers and property managers said the measure has harmed small landlords financially and encouraged more to leave the market and raise rents to stay profitable. Both tenant advocates and property managers agreed that government officials need to find more comprehensive solutions to address the affordable-housing crisis in Pierce County and rising rates of homelessness. They cited government-funded rental assistance as one such solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As previously reported by The News Tribune, at least 111,511 new units of housing need to be built in Pierce County by 2044 to keep up with population growth. Tacoma needs at least 46% more housing by 2044, and there is an acute need for affordable housing for moderate, low, very low and extremely low-income households, as well as emergency housing, emergency shelters and permanent supportive housing. Although Tacoma is ranked among one of the best U.S. cities to live in, a Wallethub study found its also one of the worst places for renters due to a high rent-to-income ratio and low affordability. According to the city of Tacoma, 40% of all households in Tacoma are cost-burdened or extremely cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. County-wide that number is 37%, one of the highest in the state and on par with King County, according to Pierce County data. Of the 222,906 people living in Tacoma about 44% are renters, and the average price of rental housing in Tacoma was $1,675 in a month as of 2023, according the Zillow Observed Rent Index. Even with one of the highest minimum wages in the nation, Tacoma workers earning a $16.28 minimum wage need to essentially work two full-time jobs just to afford housing on their own, according to the city as of last July. Tacoma for All says measure helps most-vulnerable tenants Zev Cook helped lead Tacoma for Alls grassroots campaign to pass Initiative 2023-01. Cook told The News Tribune it was never Tacoma for Alls goal to stop evictions on any meaningful level but rather delay evictions for residents living in the most critical circumstances and build a housing-justice movement that focuses on tenants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve had a couple cases with tenants who were facing situations where the main breadwinner got injured and couldnt work for a month, and they would have gotten evicted, but because of these protections they had more time to get back on track with their rent, she said. I think thats not going to be the case in enough situations that its going to impact the trends meaningfully. But what we wanted to do was keep people from being put out on the street in the coldest months of the year. That has happened, and I think thats something that we are proud of. Cook said although tenants now have more protections against eviction and access to relocation assistance in some cases, meaningful change cant happen until we have a housing policy in Washington state that puts people and affordability first. As housing prices and rent increase in Washington, like many other places in the nation, Cook said salaries arent keeping up and housing policy often favors for-profit developers who want to turn a profit by increasing rent. According to the city of Tacoma, roughly 77% of the jobs in Tacoma dont pay enough for a single worker to be able to comfortably afford housing on their own. Data from labor market analytics company Lightcast, aggregated in part through the University of Washington Tacoma, showed that 23% of jobs in Tacoma pay a wage that covers housing costs with 30% of income or less and 34% of jobs in Tacoma pay a wage that requires a worker to pay 50% or more of their income for housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can pass these middle housing bills that open up development restrictions. I think that more density is generally a good thing. But the fact is, these policies and middle housing bills and opening up zoning isnt going to solve the housing crisis and isnt going to result in the amount of housing that we really need built in the state of Washington, Cook said. Theres a long road ahead to being able to fight for and win housing as a human right for all Tacomans and Washingtonians. Thats something that we are committed to. Eviction defense lawyer: Everyone knew it was coming Lauren Romero is a contract attorney for Tacoma for Alls new Tenant Legal Aid initiative, with a background in civil legal aid and eviction defense. Romero said Initiative 1 passing was a huge boon for her as an eviction-defense attorney because when a lot of pandemic-era protections for tenants were phased out in recent years, We just had a tidal wave of evictions. In most cases when tenants cant pay their rent, they usually cant afford an attorney, even if they have legitimate claims of injury or retaliation from their landlords, she said. Pro bono work and civil legal aid is overburdened, overworked and underfunded, and the Landlord Fairness Code worked to level the playing field and attract private attorneys to take on these cases, Romero said. Based on her experience, in many cases the new law has encouraged tenants to work with their landlord to resolve issues and negotiate solutions rather than go through eviction proceedings, Romero said. That being said, Romero added, the fact that the rate of eviction filings in Tacoma rose in 2024 isnt surprising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she was working as an eviction lawyer in fall 2022, Romero said, she knew a wave of evictions was coming because wages were stagnating, tenant protections and moratoriums put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic were being lifted, stimulus checks were ending and many landlords were waiting to evict. Everybody knew it was coming, Romero said. Although the rate of eviction filings is rising in Tacoma, Romero believes, They havent risen nearly to the same degree that we would otherwise see without the Landlord Fairness Code. Romero said she was curious what the rate of eviction filings look like in areas of Pierce County outside Tacoma city limits. The News Tribune has requested that data and is waiting to receive it. I think the fact that theyre even close to what they were pre-pandemic is indicative of the protections [success], she said. I really do think that the fact that theyre not higher is indicative that the law is working, at least insofar as keeping people housed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Romero clarified that Initiative 1 doesnt absolve tenants of paying the rent that is due, and she has never handled a case where a tenant could pay rent and was refusing to. Shes had clients who couldnt pay rent because they were fired or laid off unexpectedly, had a death in the family, had their hours reduced, lost child care or had their child-care costs increase suddenly. Keeping people housed makes it easier to then tackle other systemic challenges like a persons job stability, health and well being, Romero said. Housing should be a human right, and we dont see it as that. Its been commodified, she said. Apex Apartments, near the Tacoma Mall, was a project developed by Michael Cohen and partners before Point Ruston. Property owners said Prop. 1 worsened housing market Sean Flynn is executive director and board president of the Rental Housing Association of Washington. Flynn said the passage of Initiative 1 didnt solve the problems that lead to evictions but kicked those problems down the road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flynn argues Initiative 1 worsened the housing crisis in Tacoma because it didnt promote the building of new housing units or provide direct rental assistance to tenants. Instead, Flynn said, as a result of the restrictions on landlords, more builders are deciding not to build in Tacoma, which in turn will decrease supply and increase prices. If you want people to stay in their housing unit, you need to help them either find the proper housing unit for them to be in, or you need to subsidize their rent, he said. Most people dont pay their rent because they dont have the money. Its not rocket science. If you have the money, you pay the rent. Making it harder to evict them doesnt change the fact that they dont have the money. Flynn pushed back on the unfair, frankly unfounded and mean narrative that housing providers are plotting to evict people, saying that no landlord wants to go through the process of hiring a lawyer and evicting a tenant. Housing providers are constantly trying to reduce risk and want to find tenants who are responsible and can pay their rent on time so the landlord can pay their own mortgages, taxes and bills, he said. Most of the 6,000 statewide members of the Washington Rental Housing Association are small housing providers who live within 30 minutes of their units, Flynn said. Although landlords have good relationships and outcomes with their tenants in a super majority of cases, Flynn said the risk of being stuck with a bad tenant who isnt paying rent for months and treats the property poorly can be enough to motivate small landlords to leave the market altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I passionately believe that small housing providers add to the fabric of our cities and communities and to the state of Washington as a whole, that we shouldnt just have large pension funds providing housing in our state, he said. The more risk that we put on our small housing providers, the more that leave, that gap in the market either doesnt get filled or is filled by large [corporations]. Corey Hjalseth lives in Tacoma and rents out three single-family residences and a detached accessory dwelling unit on his property. A life-long Democrat, Hjalseth said he empathizes with seniors on a fixed income and people who cant pay their rent but said that shouldnt come on the backs of independent housing providers to help them. Under Initiative 1, landlords must provide relocation assistance to tenants who would rather relocate than pay a 5% rent increase. If a notified rent increase is over 7.5%, landlords must pay relocation assistance equal to two and a half months of rent. If the rent increase is over 10%, the landlord must pay the tenant three months of rent to relocate. Hjalseth said although he and his wife bought their properties as an investment for their retirement, he tries to keep rent slightly below market rate. In order to reduce risk and ensure he can make a profit, Hjalseth said, hes had to raise rent by 4.5% each year. Since Initiative 1 passed, Hjalseth said, hes known of other small housing providers who have sold their rental units rather than take on the risk, removing the units from the rental market and contributing to higher home prices. Its something hes considering, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is one of the states in the country that has skyrocketed in housing, both to purchase and to rent, and so we do have a problem, he said. Its a supply-and-demand issue. And I applaud our new governors focus on wanting to build [200,000] homes over the next four years I think thats a great start. Trying to streamline local permit bureaucracy so that we can get builders building way faster, thats also a great start. But to artificially cap rents and have small, independent housing providers bear the brunt of that is not only unfair, but its been proven economically to not work. Studies into the effectiveness of capping rental prices have shown that rent control appears to help affordability and reduce displacement for current tenants in the short run, but in the long run it can decrease affordability, fuel gentrification and result in other negative consequences on the surrounding neighborhoods, according to a 2018 Brookings research article, a nonprofit organization that conducts in-depth, nonpartisan research to improve policy and governance. Tenants who live in rent-controlled apartments may not choose to move in the future despite changes in their household size and landlords may not invest in maintenance because they cant recoup investment costs by raising rents, the article said. Both Flynn and Hjalseth said government-sponsored housing vouchers to help tenants afford rent could be a better solution. Broker, property manager and chair of the Tacoma Housing Authoritys Landlord Advisory Board Mark Melsness told The News Tribune he agrees. Melsness said he has been involved in the Tacoma-Pierce County rental industry for more than 30 years and his company Spinnaker Property Management oversees more than 1,000 homes, a variety of apartments and houses with rents ranging from $890 to $6,000 a month. Although Melsness said he admires Tacoma for All organizers passion and leadership, their target and the path on which they are trying to make a difference is actually causing more damage than what it was before. Since the passage of Initiative 1, Melsness said, anecdotally hes seen more tenants be denied housing as landlords put greater scrutiny on rental applications in an effort to reduce their own risk. Melsness said hes also heard the rare story of tenants going months without paying rent, leaving their landlord unable to evict them based on the limitations in Initiative 1. Those who cant pay rent not only end up with poor credit history but might end up owing money to a collection agency, both instances that could make it harder to find housing in the future, Melsness said. Lets keep people in housing. Lets find a way to keep them in housing because its cheaper than it is to cycle them back out into rapid rehousing, he said. I think [Tacoma for All and landlords] want the same thing. We want to have great balance, so that the renter knows its going to be safe and its going to be clean and maintained and that if theres a problem, its taken care of, and the housing provider is getting paid on time, and if theres an issue, its reported and damages arent continued. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that European states should not try to cut costs on their security and indirectly supported the call of new US President Donald Trump to increase NATO allies' defence spending to 5% of GDP. Source: Zelenskyy in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, as reported by European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy said that Europe needs a unified security system and defence policy to be able to defend itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "All European countries must be willing to spend as much on security as its truly needed not just as much as they have gotten used to during years of neglect. If it takes 5% of GDP to cover defence, then so be it 5%. And there is no need to play with people's emotions that defence should be compensated at the expense of medicine or pensions or something else. Thats really not fair," the Ukrainian president said. He stressed that Russia "is not separated from European countries by an ocean" and it is necessary to understand who is on the other side of Moscows allyship with Iran and North Korea. Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine currently has the largest army, with more than 800,000 troops, followed by about 200,000 troops in France, and the rest of European countries have smaller forces, while Russia has potential access to 1.5 million soldiers. Zelenskyy emphasised that no single country can defend itself alone and stressed the importance of unity to become a true force. He noted that Ukraine already has formats of cooperation with partners that can help strengthen the whole of Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We are building drones together, including some totally unique ones that no one else in the world has. We are producing artillery together, and in Ukraine, it is much cheaper and faster than in any other country in the world. Investing now in Ukrainian drone production is investing not only in the security of Europe, but the ability of Europe to be a security guarantor for other vital regions," the president said. Zelenskyy proposed to think about jointly developing air defence systems that could intercept all types of cruise and ballistic missiles. Quote: "Europe needs its own version of the Iron Dome... We cannot rely on the goodwill from a few capitals when it comes to Europes security, and whether its Washington, Berlin, Paris, London, Rome, or after Putin kicks the bucket some imaginary democrat in Moscow someday," he said. Background: Zelenskyy's speech at Davos focused on the need for Europe to become stronger from a security and economic perspective in order to stand up for itself and be as important an ally to the United States as the United States is to Europe. In her speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned of the risk of a "global race to the bottom" using economic instruments such as sanctions, export controls and tariffs. Support UP or become our patron! Jan. 21President Donald Trump on Monday issued an executive order to change the name of North America's highest mountain from Denali back to Mount McKinley. "We will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs," Trump said during his second inaugural address from the U.S. Capitol rotunda. "President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent. He was a natural businessman, and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's executive order states that the U.S. Interior Department secretary will reinstate the name Mount McKinley within 30 days. However, Denali National Park and Preserve will retain its name, the order says. [Trump signs executive order meant to boost development of Alaska's 'extraordinary' natural resources] The order, tilted "restoring names that honor American greatness," was one of dozens that the Republican president signed on his first day back in the White House. The same order also seeks to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America." The federal government named the peak McKinley in 1896. Former President Barack Obama's administration ordered that the mountain be renamed as Denali in 2015. The name change followed years of advocacy by Alaska Native officials and groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's executive order says that William McKinley had "championed tariffs" that grew the U.S. economy, and "heroically" led the nation to victory in the Spanish-American War. [More coverage of the Trump's first day as president] McKinley was assassinated during his second term in 1901. He was succeeded by Teddy Roosevelt. Changing the mountain's name to Denali was "an affront to President McKinley's life, his achievements, and his sacrifice," Trump's executive order said. [Earlier coverage: Trump wants to change the name of Denali back to Mount McKinley] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first term in office, Trump floated reverting the mountain's name to McKinley. But the effort never advanced. In December, he vowed to again change the mountain's name back. Alaska's two Republican senators have strongly opposed Trump's proposed name change. "I strongly disagree with the President's decision on Denali," U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said on Monday through a prepared statement. "Our nation's tallest mountain, which has been called Denali for thousands of years, must continue to be known by the rightful name bestowed by Alaska's Koyukon Athabascans, who have stewarded the land since time immemorial." Sen. Dan Sullivan on Monday did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's proposed name change for Denali. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, Sullivan through an aide, said that he "prefers the name that the very tough, very strong, very patriotic Athabaskan people gave the mountain thousands of years ago Denali." Sullivan, Murkowski and U.S. GOP Rep. Nick Begich watched Trump's second inauguration live from inside the Capitol rotunda, according to social media. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Trump ally, was in Washington D.C. to watch the inauguration. He has not spoken publicly about the Republican president's plans to rename Alaska and North America's highest mountain neither has Begich. Begich and Dunleavy did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The name "Denali" is derived from the Koyukon name and is based on a verb theme meaning "high" or "tall," according to linguist James Kari of the Alaska Native Language Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in the book "Shem Pete's Alaska." Trump suggested changing the name back when he was president in 2017 and both Murkowski and Sullivan objected, Sullivan said in remarks to the Alaska Federation of Natives annual conference, according to an ADN article at the time. The senators met at the White House with Trump and then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to discuss Alaska issues, Sullivan said, including reversing Obama executive actions the senators had opposed. At the end of the meeting, Sullivan said, "He looked at me and said, 'I heard that the big mountain in Alaska also had also its name was changed by executive action. Do you want us to reverse that?'" He and Murkowski "jumped over the desk we said, 'no! No. Don't want to reverse that,' " Sullivan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sullivan said he told the president Denali was the name given to the mountain by the Athabascan people more than 10,000 years ago. And Sullivan's wife is Athabascan. If "you change that name back now, she's going to be really, really mad," he said he told the president. "So he's like, 'all right, we won't do that,' " Sullivan said. This is a developing story and will be updated. Jan. 20President Donald Trump on Monday vowed to change the name of North America's highest mountain from Denali back to Mount McKinley. "We will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs," Trump said during his second inaugural address from the U.S. Capitol rotunda. "President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent. He was a natural businessman, and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple national media outlets reported on Monday that Trump would rename Denali as McKinley through an executive order on his first day of office. He is expected to sign dozens of other executive orders related to energy, immigration and how federal bureaucracy operates. Trump also said he plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America." The federal government named the peak McKinley in 1896. Former President Barack Obama's administration ordered that the mountain be renamed as Denali in 2015. The name change followed years of advocacy by Alaska Native officials and groups. [Earlier coverage: Trump wants to change the name of Denali back to Mount McKinley] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump floated reverting the mountain's name to McKinley during his first term in office. But the effort never advanced. In December, he vowed to rename the peak in honor of William McKinley a former Ohio president who was assassinated in 1901. Alaska's two Republican senators strongly opposed Trump's proposed name change. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, on social media in December, said, "There is only one name worthy of North America's tallest mountain: Denali the Great One." Sen. Dan Sullivan, though an aide, said at the time that he "prefers the name that the very tough, very strong, very patriotic Athabaskan people gave the mountain thousands of years ago Denali." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sullivan and Murkowski watched Trump's second inauguration live from inside the Capitol rotunda, according to social media. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Trump ally, has not spoken publicly about the Republican president's plans to rename Alaska and North America's highest mountain neither has U.S. GOP Rep. Nick Begich. Begich and Dunleavy did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Neither did Sullivan or Murkowski. The name "Denali" is derived from the Koyukon name and is based on a verb theme meaning "high" or "tall," according to linguist James Kari of the Alaska Native Language Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in the book "Shem Pete's Alaska." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump suggested changing the name back when he was president in 2017 and both Murkowski and Sullivan objected, Sullivan said in remarks to the Alaska Federation of Natives annual conference, according to an ADN article at the time. The senators met at the White House with Trump and then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to discuss Alaska issues, Sullivan said, including reversing Obama executive actions the senators had opposed. At the end of the meeting, Sullivan said, "He looked at me and said, 'I heard that the big mountain in Alaska also had also its name was changed by executive action. Do you want us to reverse that?'" He and Murkowski "jumped over the desk we said, 'no! No. Don't want to reverse that,' " Sullivan said. Sullivan said he told the president Denali was the name given to the mountain by the Athabascan people more than 10,000 years ago. And Sullivan's wife is Athabascan. If "you change that name back now, she's going to be really, really mad," he said he told the president. "So he's like, 'all right, we won't do that,' " Sullivan said. This is a developing story and will be updated. WASHINGTON (AP) A prisoner swap between the United States and Afghanistan's Taliban freed two Americans in exchange for a Taliban figure imprisoned for life in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges, officials said Tuesday. The deal to release two Americans, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, was brokered by Joe Biden 's administration before he left office Monday, according to a Trump administration official who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity. The Talibans Foreign Ministry in Kabul said the two U.S. citizens had been exchanged for Khan Mohammed, who was sentenced to two life terms in 2008. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden, who oversaw the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, on Monday handed power to President Donald Trump. The Taliban praised the swap as a step toward the normalization of ties between the U.S. and Afghanistan. That is likely a tall order, as most countries still dont recognize the Taliban's rule and two other Americans are believed held. The Trump White House cheered the release and thanked Qatar for its assistance with the deal while pressing the Taliban to free other Americans. The Trump Administration will continue to demand the release of all Americans held by the Taliban, especially in light of the billions of dollars in U.S. aid theyve received in recent years," White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement. U.S., Taliban and Qatar involved in the swap Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corbett, who had lived in Afghanistan with his family when the U.S.-backed government collapsed in 2021, was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 on a business trip. Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryans life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives, the family's statement said. They thanked both Trump and Biden. Corbett's family also praised Qatari officials for their vital role in facilitating Ryans release, and for their visits to Ryan as the United States Protecting Power in Afghanistan. Qatar has hosted negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban over the years. A Qatar Foreign Ministry statement said those who were traded passed through Doha and that it hopes the deal would pave the way for achieving further understandings to resolve disputes peacefully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear what McKenty was doing in Afghanistan. Biden administration's effort to get a deal Before Biden left office, his administration had been trying to work out a deal to free Corbett, McKenty as well as George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi, in exchange for Muhammad Rahim, one of the remaining detainees at the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Taliban had rejected multiple proposals that also would have included Glezmann and Habibi before accepting the deal to release Corbett and McKenty late last week following negotiations in Qatar, according to a former senior Biden administration official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official added that Biden officials found in past negotiations for American detainees in Russia that one deal can make it easier to get future ones and that the Trump administration should continue to push the Taliban for Glezmann and Habibi. Russia had rejected proposals to include American Paul Whelan in separate prisoner swaps that freed Americans Trevor Reed and Britney Griner before ultimately including Whelan in a 24-person deal that included Wall Street Journalist Evan Gershkovich and others. Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, was taken by the Talibans intelligence services in December 2022 while traveling through the country. Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman who worked as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecommunications company, also went missing in 2022. The Taliban have denied they have Habibi. Habibis family welcomed the exchange and said they were confident the Trump administration would make a greater effort to free him, expressing their frustration with the Biden team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know they have evidence my brother is alive and in Taliban hands and it could have been influential in encouraging the Taliban to admit they have him, Habibis brother Ahmed said in a statement shared by the nonprofit Global Reach. Biden officials refused to use the evidence, he claimed. We know Trump is about results and we have faith he will use every tool available to get Mahmood home. The trade for Corbett and McKenty was originally supposed to take place Sunday night but had to be delayed until Tuesday because of logistical delays, including bad weather, the former Biden administration official said. Taliban prisoner first convicted of narco-terrorism Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mohammed, 55, was a prisoner in California after his 2008 conviction. The Bureau of Prisons early Tuesday listed Mohammed as not being in their custody. Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, a Taliban Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson, said Mohammed had arrived in Afghanistan and was with his family. Photos released by the Taliban showed him being welcomed back in his home province of Nangarhar, in the country's east, with multicolored garlands. Mohammed told Taliban-controlled media he had spent time behind bars in Bagram and in Washington. Its a joy seeing your family and coming to your homeland. The greatest joy is to come and join your Muslim brothers, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was detained on the battlefield in Nangarhar and later taken to the U.S. A federal jury convicted him on charges of securing heroin and opium that he knew were bound for the United States and, in doing so, assisting terrorism activity. The Justice Department at the time referred to Mohammed as a violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker who sought to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan using rockets. He was the first person to be convicted on U.S. narco-terrorism laws. Ahmed Rashid, the author of several books about Afghanistan and the Taliban, described Mohammed as the biggest drugs smuggler the U.S. had to deal with and key funder of the Taliban. Taliban try to gain international recognition Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Taliban called the exchange the result of long and fruitful negotiations with the U.S. and said it was a good example of solving problems through dialogue. The Islamic Emirate looks positively at the actions of the United States of America that help the normalization and development of relations between the two countries, it said. The Taliban have been trying to make inroads in being recognized, in part to escape the economic tailspin caused by their takeover. Billions in international funds were frozen, and tens of thousands of highly skilled Afghans fled the country and took their money with them. However, some nations have welcomed Taliban officials, like the United Arab Emirates, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. On Tuesday, Emirati leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan again welcomed Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who also heads the Haqqani network, a powerful force within the group blamed for some of the bloodiest attacks against Afghanistans former Western-backed government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haqqani is still wanted by the U.S. on a bounty of up to $10 million over his involvement in an attack that killed an American citizen and other assaults. The meeting came even as the UAE maintains a close relationship with the U.S. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Najib Jobain in Doha, Qatar, and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report. CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) The Tamarack Foundation for the Arts announced its approval for a grant to support the Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship. According to a press release, the grant, approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is for the amount of $35,000 and is part of an estimated 1,127 Grants for Arts Projects awards across the nation. The funds are estimated to total more than $31.8 million designated for grants within the 2025 fiscal year. The NEA is proud to continue our nearly 60 years of supporting the efforts of organizations and artists that help shape our countrys vibrant arts sector and communities of all types across our nation. It is inspiring to see the wide range of creative projects taking place, including the Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship. Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD | NEA Chair Warming centers open in Greenbrier County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are thrilled to receive support for TFAs Creative Entrepreneur Fellow program, which empowers artists to thrive in the place they call home, enriches communities across the state, and aids in the diversification of West Virginias economy. Renee Margocee | Executive Director, Tamarack Foundation for the Arts The Tamarack Foundation for the Arts Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship (CEF) assists artists in the Mountain state that show exceptional skill and the potential to lead successful creative businesses, the release noted. Every year, selected artists are awarded $2,500 and access to professional development opportunities, including training in financial literacy, marketing techniques, networking, and business sustainability. Fellows are also able to create new artwork for a group exhibition in Charleston, WV, which increases their visibility in the market. For more information about the CEF, visit their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) About two dozen people rallied against President Donald Trumps inauguration at Tampa City Hall Monday. I cant believe that were at this point again, said Emily Black, who attended the protest. I cant believe that we didnt learn the first time enough to move on from this. WATCH: Donald Trump, JD Vance sworn into office Others told News Channel 8 On Your Side they feel proud on this historic day, saying its about time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been a long road, but we made it, said Michael Fusella, the President of USF College Republicans. The Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society are standing against the presidents agenda, such as saying no to mass deportations. Our country was established on stolen land. Why are we worrying about immigration policies? How about making policies to better improve the naturalization system, Black said. The grunt work that they are performing, and without that labor present, we are going to see a fall in the stock market again we are going to see an impact on the economy. USF College Republicans said this administration will put Americans first by protecting and giving them jobs. They also said President Trump with fix what they say is a broken immigration system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration top priority for Trump and Florida lawmakers You take that backlog off our system by securing our border, creating a wall, and by deportations, said Ethan Vaubel, the Former President of USF College Republicans. They said they dont think the president will do much to hurt how people express themselves policy wise. However, the president did sign an executive order stating there are only two biological sexes. Another order would stop diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the federal government. We want things to be merit based. Not based off what gender identity you are, sexual orientation, what race you are, Fusella said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its about the big picture and I think everyones pushing a bunch of other stuff to hurt people for no reason, said Ryle Willis, who is against the Trump administration. News Channel 8 On Your Side asked both groups what the next four years should look like. They both agreed on seeing more community engagement and involvement in policy changes. Also, they want people to stay informed on whats happening on all levels of government. Copyright 2025 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 WFLA. The economy is a complicated topic, and discussing tariffs can get confusing. With President Donald Trump's official first day back in the White House, one of the economic threats that Trump has lamented is the potential to raise tariffs. Businesses around the U.S. are preparing for Trump's tax plan on goods. If he follows through, there could be potential tariffs on international goods from countries including China and Mexico, the top U.S. trading partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is what to know about tariffs. What are tariffs? A tariff is a tax that a government imposes on goods imported from other countries. It is a type of trade regulation used to protect or generate revenue. Tariffs are not like income or sales taxes. Instead, they are levies additional fees placed on products imported to the country. Monica Morlacco, assistant professor of economics at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, explain its functions. "Tariffs are typically imposed for protection or revenue purposes," she said. "A protective tariff increases the price of imported goods relative to domestic goods, encouraging consumers to buy from local producers, who are thus protected from foreign competition. A revenue tariff, on the other hand, is mainly used to generate money for the government." Who pays the tariffs on imported goods? Some think the foreign companies that make the goods pay the tariffs, but the cost of a tariff is typically paid by the importer of the goods. When a tariff is imposed, it increases the cost of importing a product into a country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The importer may absorb the higher cost or pass it on to consumers through higher prices. This means that while the importer pays the initial bill for the tariff, the financial burden often shifts to businesses and consumers in the form of increased prices. For example, if the U.S. government wants to protect American car manufacturers from foreign competition, it may impose a 10 percent tariff on imported cars from other countries. If a car that's manufactured in Japan costs $20,000, an importer must pay an extra $2,000 in tax. The total cost of the imported car would increase to $22,000, which may be passed down to the consumer. According to the Tax Policy Center, higher prices of goods in the U.S. will lead to fewer consumers buying goods. In the short run, higher prices for imported goods will reduce consumption of those goods," they explained. "But in the longer term, the decline in competition from foreign products makes domestic firms less efficient. And less competition will result in higher prices, not just for those goods subject to the tariff but for competing goods that are notsuch as those made domestically. In the case of Trumps tariffs on China, that means US consumers will pay somewhat higher prices." Clothing prices if Trump imposes a 25% tariff on all Mexican imports Levi's jeans: $79.50 $99.38 Patagonia hoodie: $89 $111.25 Tecovas cowboy boots: $345 $431.25 RRL Halkirk jacket: $790 $987.50 Nike, Hickey Freeman, and New Balance also produce in Mexico https://t.co/LuVvWoTTun pic.twitter.com/totRTmPH04 derek guy (@dieworkwear) November 4, 2024 So even though it doesnt feel like a direct tax because its not added on to an individual purchase, buyers are the ones covering the extra cost in the price of the item. What is Trump's plan for imposing tariffs? According to Reuters, Trump proposed a 10% tariff on all U.S. imports and a 60% levy on Chinese-made products, which, if enacted, would affect the entire economy by pushing consumer prices higher and stoking retaliatory levies on American exports. Trump also threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico. How long have tariffs existed in the U.S.? In the U.S., tariffs have been implemented since 1789, with the first significant tariff law enacted to help finance the newly established government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morlacco states that the U.S. has not relied heavily on tariffs for a long time. "For example, in 1900, tariffs accounted for more than 41% of U.S. government income, but by 2013, that number had fallen to just 2%," she said. "However, many developing nations, like the Bahamas and Ethiopia, still rely on tariffs for a significant portion of their revenue." Who can authorize the use of tariffs? In the U.S., Congress holds the authority to establish tariffs. However, certain laws permit the president to impose tariffs, especially in situations related to national security or economic emergencies. USA TODAY Network reporter J. Staas Haught contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Who pays tariffs? What to know about President Trump's tariff plan World leaders are reacting to President Trump's second term. New York Times diplomatic correspondent Michael Crowley joins Katy Tur to share more on the impact of Trump coming back into office on global issues such as Russia's war in Ukraine. Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. president on Jan. 20, giving a speech containing a bombastic series of announcements and executive orders, not to mention the declaration of two national emergencies. Setting out the goals of his second term, with billionaires Elon Musk, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg at his side, Trump took aim at everything from transgender rights and electric cars to drug cartels and a mountain in Alaska. Yet he kept his comments on U.S. foreign policy relatively vague and general, and never once mentioned what is likely to be one of his administration's biggest challenges ending Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad," Trump said without elaborating which events he was referring to. Trump declared open season on drilling for U.S. oil and gas, saying it was time to "drill baby, drill!" Although he didnt speak about it in the speech, flooding global markets with U.S. oil and gas could potentially push down prices and box out Russian oil, the country's main source of revenue that it uses to fund its war in Ukraine. A slightly stronger allusion to the war in Ukraine came when he criticized the administration of President Joe Biden for giving "unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders" at what he said was the expense of "American borders, or, more importantly, its own people." Trump also said he would "build the strongest military the world has ever seen," adding that success would be measured "not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end and, perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. Thats what I want to be, a peacemaker and a unifier," he added. Trump went on to highlight the ceasefire in Gaza which came into force the day before he was sworn in, but made no mention of any ceasefire or peace negotiations in relation to the war in Ukraine. Read also: It needs to end State Secretary Rubios position on Russias war against Ukraine The new president campaigned on a message of ending the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. After his election, he has since admitted that bringing an end to the fighting in Ukraine will take much longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of apparent concrete foreign policy actions his administration will undertake, Trump only made reference to the Panama Canal which he'd previously pledged to reassert U.S. control over. "Were taking it back," Trump said, accusing Panama of mismanaging the critical trade route and allowing China to take de facto control of it. We asked six Ukrainians what they made of Trump's omission of Ukraine and Russia's full-scale invasion from his inauguration speech. Volodymyr Aryev lawmaker from the European Solidarity faction Trump is the president of the United States, not of Ukraine. Its understandable why his speech was focused on the U.S. I dont see a huge problem in the fact that he didnt mention Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aryev said that it's more important for him that Trump is planning to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach a peace deal and to increase oil production, which would reduce prices. It's a bigger blow for Russia than any statements. Guests, including Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, and Elon Musk, attend the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, U.S. on Jan. 20, 2025. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson / Pool / Getty Images) Yaroslav Yurchyshyn lawmaker and head of the Ukrainian parliament's committee on freedom of speech We understand that Trump will prioritize internal affairs over external matters. Like any political consultant will tell you, talking about something traumatizing in an inauguration speech is not as effective as something motivating. "We understand that Trump will prioritize internal affairs over external matters." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We remember that Trump promised to finish the war in 24 hours, but even before the inauguration speech, he and his team understood, that for that goal, they needed much more time and that not hours, not days, not even months would be enough. And just after the inauguration speech, talking with the mass media, Trump said that he was ready to speak with Putin, but only after the beginning of the negotiation process. Yes, for Ukraine it would have been better to have been mentioned in the inauguration speech because it (would) show that Ukraine, the end of the Russia-Ukraine war, is among the priorities for Trump's new term. But we know that it's not. Artem Chapeye author and soldier in the Ukrainian army (Ending the war in) 24 hours is over, isnt it? Elon Musk kind of overwhelmed even Trump with the show (Musk made a controversial salute in a separate speech later in the day). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont believe it matters what they say publicly, its just a team of attention-seekers. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk appears to give a fascist salute while speaking during the inaugural parade at Capitol One Arena in Washington, DC, U.S. on Jan. 20, 2025. (Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images) Mykyta Poturayev lawmaker in President Volodymyr Zelensky's Servant of the People party President Trump expressed his so to speak philosophy about wars in general. I'm referring to his view on the U.S.'s mission and role in ongoing or potential wars and conflicts. This is enough for me personally (to understand his perspective). Now, seeing how (Trump will approach ongoing wars), it is necessary to work with him on a practical level. 'Volvo' medic in the 166th brigade, Kupiansk I cant say if things will be better for us (now Trump has been inaugurated) because Trump is definitely not a sympathizer of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He loves himself and will make decisions and measures to keep face. He promised to stop the war in 24 hours. Well, in 24 hours, of course, he will not stop it. But in any case, he will lead such a policy to keep face, his status, his machismo, so to speak. And in this spectrum of his vision, Ukraine is unlikely to be a priority. Oleksandr Merezhko lawmaker and chair of the Ukrainian parliament's foreign affairs committee Im not disappointed because it was expected. In fact, he implied Ukraine when he was talking about the need to finish the wars in the world, and to prevent them from breaking out. Besides, Trump comes to power as, first and foremost most, the president who will focus on internal problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crux of the matter is whether he can come up with a realistic plan to stop Russian aggression. As of now, I dont see such a plan. Additional reporting by Oleg Sukhov, Martin Fornusek, Kate Tsurkan, and Boldizsar Gyori. Read also: What are Trumps options on Russias war against Ukraine? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Jan. 20While he has yet to formally announce a reelection bid, members of Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais's campaign have released results of a poll they say place him in a "strong position with his image and favorability" among Queen City voters. Team Ruais also released fundraising information, reporting it has raised more than $300,000 since Election Day 2023, and now has over $250,000 cash on hand. Staff with Jay Ruais for Mayor say the poll conducted between Jan. 12-14 by Co/Efficient Polling Firm using mobile text responses and live landline interviews among 440 likely city election voters, shows Ruais has a favorability rating of 51%-14% and enjoys strong bipartisan support, with participants saying they believe the city is heading in the right direction by a nearly 2-1 margin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.66%. Team Ruais spokesman Michael Gorecki said the polls is "proof that Jay's positive, pragmatic approach to governing is working." "His common-sense leadership style has yielded gains on affordable housing, public safety, and homelessness while cleaning up our streets, and protecting the tax cap," Gorecki said. "But he knows more work remains to make Manchester the best mid-sized city in the United States." Results of the poll, shared with the Union Leader, show overall Manchester voters have a 51%-to-14% favorable opinion of Ruais, while 27% remain unsure and 9% have not heard of him. Ruais has a 70%-to-5% favorability with Republicans, and Ruais enjoys 61%-to-5% favorability with non-partisan voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Democrats, Ruais's net favorability is -5%, with 25% having a positive image of him, 30% unfavorable, 35% unsure and 9% having never heard of him. Forty-six percent of respondents believe Manchester is heading in the right direction today versus 26% who do not. In a previous survey conducted in December of 2022, voters were evenly split at 42% on the direction of the city. In a December interview with a Union Leader reporter, Ruais wouldn't reveal his plans regarding any potential run for a second term but appeared to be leaning towards one. "I genuinely love every second of this job," Ruais said. "I mean this sincerely, I honestly don't think a lot about politics. I really think that good policies make for good politics, and I think you get elected to do the job you were elected to do, and I think you get rewarded if things are going well, trending in the right direction, you're making an effort to get things done, and progress is actually being borne out from that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So right now, my focus is on governing we'll make a decision on that sometime in the new year." A potential announcement regarding a bid for a second term could come later this month, as Team Ruais has booked an event at The Goat on Old Granite Street in Manchester with Gov. Kelly Ayotte on Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. pfeely@unionleader.com (NewsNation) The strategic seating of several prominent tech leaders who were perched behind President Donald Trump during his inauguration could foreshadow their potential hand in his administration, some political analysts say. The heads of the largest companies were spotted at his inauguration Monday. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Apple head Tim Cook and Google chief Sundar Pichai all attended the inauguration service at St. Johns Church in Washington and were later seen seated together in the second row behind Trumps family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was also in attendance, with the inauguration occurring one day after the video-sharing platform went dark in the U.S., though he was not seated with the other tech leaders at the Capitol rotunda. Will Melania and Barron Trump live at the White House? They [tech leaders] got some of the most prominent positions there, and it seems like Donald Trump was trying to send a message of some kind, NewsNation Chief Washington Correspondent and host of The Hill Blake Burman said. Niall Stanage, White House columnist for The Hill, also noticed the priority seating. I think visually, one of the most striking things was the prominence of so many tech executives, much more prominent than most members of Congress or even the proposed members of President Trumps Cabinet, he said. Trump Cabinet nominees all sat behind the tech titans during the presidents inaugural lunch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk is not a surprising guest as he will co-lead the new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. The billionaire owns Tesla, SpaceX and the social media platform X and has become Trumps close friend in recent years. The executives or their companies had all donated hefty sums to Trumps inauguration fund, which likely garnered the prime locations. Things in Washington are changing. This is a different town when Donald Trump walked in here, NewsNations Leland Vittert said, referring in part to the seating chart. TikTok app restored in US amid Trump assurances A number of Republican governors, including Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida and many spouses of members of Congress, were relegated to an overflow room in Emancipation Hall due to the limited space in the Capitol rotunda, reported The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats denounced the seating decision. Big Tech billionaires have a front row seat at Trumps inauguration. They have even better seats than Trumps own Cabinet picks. That says it all, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, wrote on the social platform X. All you need to know. The billionaires are in charge. Not you, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut wrote on X. Some Republicans privately were miffed, the outlet reported. I didnt like that, one GOP lawmaker told The Hill. Why is Zuckerberg all of a sudden in our fold? My concern is, if we hadnt won, where would he be? Would he be on the other team? a second GOP lawmaker said. At least Elon was in the fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Some of President Donald Trumps executive orders from his first day in office are being applauded by tech industry leaders. NetChoice, a trade organization representing tech companies such as Amazon (AMZN), Google (GOOGL), and Meta (META), said Trumps rollback of Biden administration regulations on U.S. energy production and artificial intelligence (AI) red tape are critical for the U.S. to lead in technological development. Trump issued a slate of executive orders on Monday, including one declaring a national energy emergency and approving executive department and agency heads to use any lawful emergency authorities available to them to start leasing, siting, producing, and generating U.S. energy resources including on federal land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president also rescinded the Biden administrations 2023 executive order on AI safety and security as part of a sweeping revocation of the previous administrations executive orders and actions. Upon returning to office, President Trump showed that America is ready to lead in tech and innovation again, Steve DelBianco, chief executive of NetChoice, said in a statement. By repealing Bidens restrictive rules on energy production and AI development, the president is steering America to remain dominant in creating the best technology in the world. NetChoice also praised Trumps executive order on restoring free speech and ending federal censorship as a victory for the First Amendment and all Americans. The trade organization said Congress should follow Trumps actions by reintroducing and passing the Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act, which generally prohibits executive agency employees from censoring speech while acting in an official capacity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This critical legislation would ensure no future President or bureaucrats can coerce social media sites to suppress lawful American speech, Robert Winterton, NetChoice vice president of public affairs, said in a statement. Trump was joined by a slew of tech leaders on the dais at his inauguration Monday, including Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and Google chief executive Sundar Pichai. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Jan. 21Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin welcomes Dr. Rajendra Badgaiyan, MBA, as the new Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at TTUHSC Permian Basin, according to a Facebook post. Badgaiyan spent his residency and 10-plus years as a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. He has also been the Chair of Psychiatry at a Mt. Sinai affiliated hospital in New York City, Chief of Psychiatry at South Texas Veterans Health Care System in San Antonio and Chairman of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University before returning to Texas. His research focus is on addiction and dysregulation of dopamine neurotransmission in psychiatric and neurological conditions. He is known for developing a unique brain imaging technique to study chemical changes in the human brain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has received several awards, including the Solomon Prize from Harvard University and B.K. Anand National Research Prize in India. Badgaiyan looks forward to serving patients in our community at the Texas Tech Physicians Psychiatry clinics in Midland. Shannon Sharpe was having one of those 15-minutes-of-internet-infamy moments. Social media blew up in September after the retired Denver Broncos tight end accidentally, he later said broadcast some of his intimate activities online. One of his sponsors took advantage of the moment: the telehealth company Ro, which sells a variety of prescription medicines for erectile dysfunction and hair and weight loss. The company revved up a social media campaign on the social platform X for an ad in which Sharpe boasted about his experience with the firms erectile dysfunction medications, a company spokesperson confirmed. The ads were more than just a passing attempt to hitch a corporate caboose to a runaway social media locomotive. A group of direct-to-consumer telehealth firms have become omnipresent across just about all media formats, seeking patients interested in their low-stigma, low-fuss, low-touch, high-convenience health products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre on your favorite podcasts and in the background on the cable TV in your gym. Thirteen telehealth entities spent a combined $111 million in 2023 on television ads, more than double the sum in 2019, according to an analysis from iSpot.tv, a television ad-tracking firm, provided to KFF Health News. The ads feature high-wattage celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez as well as lesser-known influencers who are paid four figures to post a snapshot or short video to Instagram, according to interviews with marketers. Three publicly traded telehealth companies spent a total of more than $1.4 billion on advertising, sales, and marketing in 2023, according to financial reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, categories that reflect the extent of their online efforts. The companies advertising typically emphasizes convenience in a health care system thats often just the opposite. They promise judgment-free birth control or care for conditions like erectile dysfunction and hair loss that have traditionally been stigmatized. As the companies expand, theyre venturing into more complex kinds of medicine, such as care for mental health conditions and obesity. Services that telehealth companies offer, critics warn, may shortchange patients in need of close, sensitive attention. Researchers differ on telehealth services quality, with some saying telehealth companies offer little follow-up and inconsistent care from a revolving cast of doctors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, they agree the care is fundamentally different from the traditional style. A companys model can kind of flip what youre taught at medical school on its head, said Ateev Mehrotra, a Brown University professor of public health who studies telehealth. Typically, he said, a patient goes to the doctor with a complaint; there, the parties figure out a diagnosis and, if appropriate, a medication. By contrast, he said, telehealth companies advertising invites patients to make their own diagnoses, while pairing them with clinicians who, if they confirm their conditions, prescribe medicines the patients already think they want. Under this style of medicine, the clinician is now a screener, and you just want to make sure that that medication is safe for that patient, Mehrotra said. The model may work for certain kinds of care, Mehrotra said, such as birth control. He and some colleagues conducted a study in which they recruited patients with standardized backstories to patronize startups offering contraceptive medicines over the internet. Generally, the study found, the services performed well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harley Diamond, a patient at Nurx, a startup offering birth control prescriptions and other services, offers an example of how these companies can work well in some circumstances. After she saw an Instagram ad, she signed up to get birth control. She lives in Tennessee, a red state where it can be difficult to access contraception: Local clinics have closed and an arsonist burned down a Planned Parenthood. (The facility recently reopened.) But when she turned to Nurx for her mental health, she found the service confounding and its convenience lacking. The companys app sends her frequent questionnaires about symptoms and reactions to drugs, she said. There is no comforting face to validate you, she wrote in an email to KFF Health News. The questions were the same each time, and she said she spoke with a new doctor in every interaction. It can feel like youre having to start from scratch explaining yourself to someone new every month, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she expressed concerns for example, about side effects of an antidepressant she was taking it would take days, generally, to hear back, with no change in her protocol, she said. Often, she said, her messages would get no response at all. Rajani Rao, senior vice president at Nurx, said the company is constantly working to improve response times, especially as we experience a high volume of patient care requests. In mental health, the majority of Nurxs patients experience elimination of symptoms after six months of treatment, she said. Rao also referred to Nurx as providing an integrated care team, using language echoed across the industry. Ro, for example, says its care is available in the time and format of its patients preference and that it audits the quality of its services. Continuous care is crucial to make sure mental health patients are on the right doses of medications and that theyre not experiencing side effects, said Reshma Ramachandran, an assistant professor of medicine at Yale who has conducted her own secret-shopper study of telehealth sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats more, research shows many mental health medications are best paired with therapy, Ramachandran said. Ramachandran thinks frustrations like Diamonds might be widespread, based on her teams research. She said shes frustrated at the very groovy, glossy picture painted by telehealth ads. Ramachandran said her study is still under consideration for publication in medical journals. But she provided preliminary results to congressional offices examining the telehealth sector. Last year, Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, and former Sen. Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican, introduced legislation to regulate some telehealth advertising practices. A spokesperson for Durbin said he intends to reintroduce the bill this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Jasmine Worles (right) discusses pregnancy concerns with her doula Miajenell Peake at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, Tennessee January 2021. As a doula, Miajenell will support Jasmine with many aspects of her pregnancy and after delivery. Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht. NASHVILLE Tennessee has long had one of the highest maternal death rates in the nation, but newly released data shows the risks of dying from pregnancy are exponentially higher for those on TennCare. Pregnant patients with TennCare, the states public insurance program for people living in poverty, were three times more likely to die during or after pregnancy than those with private insurance between 2020 and 2022, a report from the states maternal mortality review committee found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While each death is a result of individual and often complex factors ranging from pre-existing health conditions to postpartum depression, the vast majority of Tennessee maternal deaths 76% were preventable, the report concluded. Experts say the collective deaths of pregnant and postpartum women on TennCare raises urgent questions about state policy actions and inactions behind the tragic outcomes. Among them: Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Legislature have repeatedly rejected efforts to expand TennCare to include more people above the poverty line. States with Medicaid expansions reduced maternal mortality rates. TennCare is one of just three Medicaid programs along with Alabama and Mississippi that hasnt adopted a reproductive health care waiver, a narrow expansion of Medicaid to cover family planning services to those who otherwise do not qualify for Medicaid. Private insurance companies that manage the day-to-day TennCare patient oversight consistently rank in the bottom quarter of all Medicaid programs in meeting basic benchmarks of prenatal and postnatal care, including depression screenings and timeliness of pre- and post-natal visits. Efforts to address racial inequalities in pregnancy deaths, including funding for doulas, have been blocked by the Republican-controlled Tennessee Legislature Behind these statistics are heartbreaking tragedies, and the state should be treating this as the crisis that it is, said Michele Johnson, executive director for the Tennessee Justice Center, a public interest law firm representing TennCare patients that has advocated for TennCare expansion and quality improvements. A TennCare spokesperson noted that maternal deaths are a national concern and that Medicaid programs such as Tennessees are often tasked with serving higher risk populations than private insurers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TennCare remains committed to improving maternal health and supporting our pregnant and postpartum members, said Amy Lawrence, the spokesperson, who noted TennCare has implemented recent policy changes to address maternal outcomes. Rep. London Lamar, a Memphis Democrat, gives her infant son a bottle during a Tennessee Senate Session in January 2024. Lamar has introduced legislation three times that would require TennCare to cover doulas. (Photo: John Partipilo) Among them is an expansion of postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months following the end of a pregnancy, an effort to integrate screening tools to connect patients to food, housing and other assistance and case management services available to all maternity patients. Improved maternal outcomes in Medicaid expansion states About 50,000 pregnant women each year are covered by TennCare accounting for about half of all births in the state. About two-thirds of the costs of the $18.6 billion program are shouldered by the federal government. Tennessee taxpayers pick up about a third of the tab. The program primarily covers kids and individuals who are elderly or have a disability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the adoption of the federal Affordable Care Act in 2014, states have had the option to expand Medicaid to cover more uninsured people than the programs were allowed in the past, but Tennessee lawmakers quickly adopted legislation requiring their approval before TennCare could expand. Neither the Republican-controlled legislature nor Gov. Bill Lee has supported expansion since. But in states that have expanded their Medicaid programs 41 thus far maternal mortality rates are visibly lower than in non-expansion states, a drop particularly pronounced among non-Hispanic Black women, according to analyses of federal health data. The data found that states with expanded Medicaid programs saw a decrease of about 7 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Pregnancy-associated deaths in Tennessee declined overall by 26% in 2022 after spiking during the height of the COVID epidemic. TennCares pregnancy-related maternal death rate stands at 81 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births nearly three times as high in Tennessee as those with private health insurance. The maternal death rate for Tenneseans covered by private insurance was 29 per 100,000 live births. Medicaid expansion gives patients critical access to ongoing and preventative medical care before pregnancy, said Eugene Declercq, professor of community health sciences at Boston University School of Public Health Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maternal health is not just about birth, Declercq said. Its about womens health and social support systems. We like to focus on maternal mortality because its so tragic, but the reality is this is about womens overall health. Mental health disorders, including substance abuse and cardiovascular illness accounted for the majority of all Tennessee maternal deaths illnesses for which ongoing treatment prior to pregnancy may address. Declercq, who sits on the Massachusetts maternal mortality review panel, praised the work of Tennessees maternal review committee in reporting the disparities in outcomes between Medicaid and private insurance. Not all state reviews of maternal deaths do, he said. Failed legislation Local advocates criticized a lack of action by lawmakers in supporting policies shown to improve maternal outcomes, among them state funding for TennCare doula services to aid pregnant patients a measure repeatedly rejected by lawmakers in the states supermajority GOP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been a five-year uphill battle, said Briana Perry, interim director of the nonprofit Healthy and Free Tennessee. While we know that doulas arent the only solution, we know doulas are supportive players that have a critical role in intervening. Doulas are trained advocates who provide physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum, improving health outcomes. Perry said doulas can also play a critical role in reducing discrimination and differential treatment by medical professionals. Black women overall in Tennessee are twice as likely to die as a result of pregnancy than white women. A Tennessees maternal mortality review report released in 2023 concluded discrimination contributed to 22% of pregnancy-associated deaths in Tennessee; most of those deaths, which occurred in 2021, were preventable, the report found. Sen. London Lamar, a Memphis Democrat, first introduced legislation to require TennCare coverage of doulas in 2022. After pushback from Republicans, the bill was rewritten to require a study of the benefits of doulas, ultimately becoming law. That study remains ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lamar unsuccessfully reintroduced legislation requiring coverage of doulas in 2023 and again 2024. She reintroduced the legislation last week for a fourth time. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia, all with lower rates of maternal death than Tennessee, have implemented some form of doula coverage while 12 other states are in the process of implementing doula coverage, according to Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. Lamar said she is frustrated, not only by colleagues who have blocked bills in the past, but by TennCare officials who, she said, have failed to advocate for maternity patients. I think they have a huge responsibility to speak up, she said of TennCare. Our inability to take on more solution-based initiatives is directly contributing to more deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among Lamars past efforts was a bill to create evidence-based implicit bias training for healthcare professionals related to maternal and infant mortality. A separate bill would have created an 11-member maternal health equity advisory committee within the Tennessee Department of Health. Discrimination was a contributing factor in 22 percent of Tennessee maternal deaths in 2021, a state report found.. The training measure failed to pass and the 11-member maternal committee measure succeeded only after it was rewritten to simply add four community members to the states existing maternal mortality review board. I am not shocked to see more women dying on TennCare, Lamar said. TennCare is just as responsible for being silent on these deaths and these racial inequities as my Republican colleagues. TennCare managed care organizations rank in bottom 25% on pre-, postnatal measures Medicaid programs such as TennCare typically do not offer the same choices in selecting a physician or access to the same medications covered by privately-paid insurance coverage, noted Dr. Karen Scott, an OB-GYN and founder and CEO of Birthing Cultural Rigor in Nashville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These systems are not getting the same resources, Dr. Scott said. And patients are often not in optimal health or have housing, food and other challenges. Scott advocates for better data on severe maternal morbidity: patients who survive but have poor health outcomes as a result of pregnancy, childbirth or postpartum complications. Tennessee has yet to study these outcomes; the states health department is currently developing a report to measure them. But one measure of Medicaid programs is the performance of privately operated managed care organizations the state contracts with to administer the TennCare program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each of TennCares managed care organizations ranked in the bottom 25% of all Medicaid managed care plans for timeliness of prenatal and postpartum care in at least one of the regions of the state, according the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA), which measures quality and performance of health care insurance companies. One TennCare managed care organization also ranked near bottom inhow effectively its healthcare providers followed up after a patient screened positive on pre- and postnatal depression screenings. TennCare covers a population that is at higher risk due to lower income and greater incidence of preexisting chronic conditions, said Johnson, the executive director of the Tennessee Justice System. But good, timely care can mitigate those factors. TennCare quality reports cast a disturbing light on the poor performance of TennCare managed care contractors to provide adequate pre- and post-natal care, even as compared to Medicaid programs in other states. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In celebration of Inauguration Day, we asked schools to submit their outstanding student presidents. These are students that guidance counselors, teachers and principals believe display what it means to be a true leader. From fundraising champions to future teachers, these four seniors bring a wealth of experience in leading a student body. Polls are open now and will close at noon on Thursday, Jan. 23, so make sure you get those votes in quickly during this short week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are this weeks candidates: Monica William, LaVergne High School - The senior class delegate goes above and beyond to make sure other students feel involved and engaged in school activities. She always prioritizes school functions and volunteering. Monica is always committed to making LaVergne High School a fantastic place to be for her classmates. Avery Harbin, Montgomery Central High School The senior class president is an exceptional individual who consistently goes above and beyond to support her classmates. Avery has demonstrated extraordinary dedication and leadership in her 4 years, both in and outside of the classroom. Avery's commitment to her classmates and to the school community is both inspiring and impactful. Her ability to lead by example and to prioritize the success of the group over individual accolades makes them a deserving candidate for this recognition. Cade Deterding, Rossview High School The senior class president is an active and dedicated member of the Association of Student Government (ASG), while representing the entire student body. Throughout his leadership in ASG, Cade has played a pivotal role in helping the senior class raise over $10,000 to fund their prom at the end of the school year. Each year, Cade has continued to learn, reflect, and grow in his role, demonstrating resilience and a commitment to excellence. Additionally, he ensures that all voices are heard during meetings, fostering an inclusive environment where every class is represented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maggie McGuire, Mt. Juliet High School The senior has participated in student council since her Sophomore year. She has held multiple positions such as Sophomore Class President, Student Body Vice President (Junior year), and Student Body President. She was a part of the team that helped to bring back a beloved pre-Covid tradition, the homecoming parade. Aside from student council, she is involved in Key Club, Interact, and the Yearbook team. Throughout her educational career, she has taken 7 honors classes and 1 AP class and maintained a 4.0 weighted GPA. After high school, she plans to double major in Mathematics and Mathematics Education at Trevecca University, then become a high school math teacher and a small group leader at my church. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The Tennessean Student of the Week honors student presidents. Vote now NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Now that President Donald Trump has been sworn into office, some Tennesseans are preparing for possible mass deportations as the General Assembly gears up for a special legislative session to, in part, address illegal immigration. Gov. Bill Lee is standing by, prepared to use any tool necessary, including the National Guard, to help the Trump Administration, however, he said earlier this month he hasnt been asked to do anything yet. What I believe is the president was elected saying what he wanted to do and the people elected him in a very strong fashion, and I am supportive of his strategies going forward, and if that includes utilizing the National Guard at the presidents request, then Ill work together with governors across the country to do that, Gov. Lee said Jan. 8. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Last week, Gov. Lee called a special legislative session to address school vouchers, Hurricane Helene relief, and illegal immigration. In his official call, the governor listed measures lawmakers could consider, including creating a centralized immigration enforcement entity, establishing an immigration enforcement fund, and introducing possible penalties for government officials who adopt and enact a sanctuary policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The call also said lawmakers could strengthen immigration enforcement through agreements with the federal government that give state and local law enforcement and other qualified personnel the same powers as a federal immigration officer. Some Republican lawmakers in Tennessee told reporters they dont expect things to look much different between President Trumps first and second terms. When Trump was here the first four years, we didnt need the National Guard or anything like that, when an illegal immigrant was arrested for a crime; when they came in contact with someone in the natural course of business and it was obvious they were an illegal immigrant, ICE was notified and they were deported, so I would assume anyway that it would go back to the way its been, House Majority Leader, Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) said. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Groups, including the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), are now preparing for what could come. A lot of what were doing right now is making sure people understand their rights. Under the Constitution, everybody has rights regardless of their immigration status, Cesar Bautista with TIRRC said. Its very common for maybe the average person, but for somebody, if theyre undocumented, they may feel like Oh, because of my status, I dont have any rights in general, but we know thats not correct, so its really educating people and walking them through these easy steps. In addition, TIRRC has been connecting families with temporary guardians should parents get deported without their children, and counselors to help them handle the stress of the unknown. I think the mood is a lot of anxiety of whats yet to come from the Trump administration, Bautista said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The special legislative session will begin Jan. 27. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. As Tennessee lawmakers prepare to kick off a special legislative session on Jan. 27, Gov. Bill Lee's latest push to expand a controversial school voucher program statewide will be top-of-mind for many. The session will zero in on the taxpayer-funded vouchers that families can use to pay for K-12 tuition at private schools. Also on the agenda will be disaster relief and immigration issues. The new voucher proposal comes after Lee's attempt to expand the program failed amid political gridlock in the final days of the 2024 regular session. Here's a primer on what the new voucher bill includes, and how we got here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Gov. Bill Lee calls special session to tackle vouchers, disaster relief and immigration What does the school voucher bill include? The proposal, mapped out in identical bills in the House and Senate, includes annual $7,075 vouchers that would be available for 20,000 Tennessee students. The first 10,000 vouchers are earmarked for families with incomes below 300% of the federal limit to qualify for free or reduced price school lunches, or for families who have children with disabilities. For example, a family of four with annual income less than $173,160 would qualify, according to current federal guidelines. The remaining 10,000 vouchers would be available to any students, regardless of family income or disabilities. The bill guarantees state funding to make up any gaps school districts could see from enrollment drops if students leave for private schools. It also offers a one-time $2,000 bonus to every teacher in the state and establishes a new state funding source for school building construction and maintenance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School voucher fight is back on: A look at the 2025 proposal What Tennessee's current school voucher program offers School vouchers are only available to families with low income in Davidson, Shelby and Hamilton counties in Tennessee under the state's current Education Savings Account Program. Lee saw through the passage of the program in 2019. However, it went through a drawn-out legal battle and was not instituted until the 2022-23 school year for Davidson and Shelby counties. Hamilton County was later added to the program in time for the 2023-24 school year. Tennessee offers annual vouchers worth roughly $9,000 through the program. Around 3,6000 students are receiving vouchers for the current school year. Why are school vouchers so controversial? Gov. Bill Lee delivers his annual State of the State address at the state Capitol in Nashville on Feb. 6, 2023. Lee hails school vouchers as a way to empower "school choice" for families who want quality education options for their children. He also said the new proposal further invests in Tennessee's public schools and teachers. His efforts have been bolstered by state Republicans, along with groups like Americans for Prosperity, a conservative network founded by billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every child deserves an opportunity for success regardless of their income or ZIP code, and I look forward to delivering on this promise with the Education Freedom Act," Lee said in a November statement. What to know: Tennessee school voucher opponents, supporters react to new expansion plan Opponents argue school vouchers divert critical funds that could instead be used to better public schools in Tennessee. State Democrats have vehemently opposed vouchers, and dozens of county commissions and school boards passed resolutions against last year's expansion proposal. Opponents also say vouchers have led to budget-busting spending in other states and argue the only choice empowered by vouchers is for private schools, which are not obligated to accept students regardless of race, gender, academic performance, special needs or other factors. Additionally, critics say vouchers only partially cover typical private school costs and will likely be used by families with children already enrolled in private schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee voucher debate: Where are private schools, and how much is tuition? How to learn more, follow along with the school voucher bill The new voucher bill is filed as House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1. You can follow updates on the Tennessee Capitol website, where dates for hearings and votes will be listed as they get scheduled. As of Friday, nothing had been scheduled for the legislation. That will change as the special session gets underway. The Capitol site also has options to look up schedules and watch livestreams of proceedings. Video playback is also available after meetings conclude. Head over to capitol.tn.gov and search "HB1" or "SB1" to find the legislation and more details. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee school voucher debate: What's at stake? AUSTIN (KXAN) Cecile Richards, longtime head of Planned Parenthood and advocate for Democratic values, died Monday at age 67. Richards followed in the footsteps of her mother, former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, as a champion of abortion rights. Richards was battling brain cancer, a diagnosis she received in 2023. This morning our beloved Cecile passed away at home, surrounded by her family and her ever-loyal dog, Ollie. Our hearts are broken today but no words can do justice to the joy she brought to our lives, her family wrote in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Born in Waco, Texas, Richards dedication to political activism started early on. As a teenager, she worked under Sarah Weddintons state assembly campaign, an attorney who had formally argued Roe v. Wade before the U.S. Supreme Court. As a student at Brown University, she studied history alongside fighting for Title IX and South African rights, according to her book Make Trouble. In 1995, Richards founded the Texas Freedom Network, an Austin-based grassroots organization of community leaders who support religious liberties, individual freedoms, and public education. Amid working as Nancy Pelosis Deputy Chief of Staff when she was House Democratic Whip, she was also the Founding President of America Votes, a progressive hub that worked to increase voter participation throughout the country. Cecile was a true Texas giant whose work will continue to guide us as we push forward in the fight for justice, equality, and restoring reproductive freedom, wrote Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa. From 2006 to 2018, Richards led the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, a position that pushed her into national attention. She fought tirelessly in the position, defending Planned Parenthoods abortion and fetal-tissue policies in 2015 during a contentious questionnaire by Republican U.S. House members on an investigative panel. Since retiring from that role, she remained engaged in democratic politics, including speaking at the Democratic National Convention in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic leaders from across Texas honored Richards during a press conference in Austin held for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Democratic leaders from across Travis County and Texas hold a press conference for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Austin. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) Democratic leaders from across Travis County and Texas hold a press conference for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Austin. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) A woman who lived out the ideals of Dr. King and worked tirelessly for democracy and justice, State Rep. Donna Howard said. Ive known Cecile for a little over 40 years it is a life-cut-short, a voice that has been so powerful, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett said. To celebrate and honor Cecile. She and her family devoted their entire lives fighting to improve this country and this state, and although she isnt here with us today, that fight lives on, and Im so excited and grateful to be able to carry that fight forward with all of you, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. By Arathy Somasekhar (Reuters) - Texas ports and pilots, who assist in moving vessels around ports, suspended some operations on Monday as frigid weather conditions hit the state. All of Port Houston's eight public facilities will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, the port said, adding that vessel operations were suspended on Monday and container terminal truck gates were closed from Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Brazos Santiago Pilots, who help move ships to the Port of Brownsville and Port Isabel in Texas, were scheduled to halt ship movements just before midnight on Monday as offshore conditions worsened, according to a notice from a shipping agent. The Lake Charles Pilots said they halted operations on Monday evening and will reassess conditions on Wednesday for resumption. The Brazos Santiago did not immediately reply to Reuters request for comment. A winter storm warning is in effect from Monday evening until Tuesday evening for parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast, according to the National Weather Service, with as much as 4 inches to 6 inches of snow anticipated around the Houston area. (Reporting by Arathy Somasekhar in Houston; Writing by Liz Hampton in Denver; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Eileen Soreng) By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng BANGKOK - Thailand's visa waiver programme for Chinese nationals has come under scrutiny after the high-profile alleged kidnapping of a Chinese actor and similar crimes stoked worries over tourism and security. The incident involving actor Wang Xing was widely shared on Chinese social media earlier this month, prompting Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to reassure Chinese tourists of their safety ahead of the Lunar New Year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tourism is a key driver of Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, which saw a record of 39.9 million visitors in 2019 before the pandemic hammered the sector. In 2023, the government dropped visa requirements for Chinese arrivals, its largest source market, in a bid to boost the industry. Since then, foreign tourist arrivals have jumped by 26% annually to 35.5 million, of which some 6.73 million travelled from China, up 91%. The surge in arrivals from China may have led to more illicit activity, especially along towns bordering Laos and Myanmar where criminal enterprises run scam centres and online gambling operations, said Senator Wanchai Ekpornpichit. "The visa-free policy has increased transnational crime, partly from Chinese criminals who use Thailand as a base," Wanchai said in parliament on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are becoming a hub for criminal activity ... and it is impacting national security and tourism." Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong told reporters on Tuesday that there were currently no plans to review the visa waiver programmes. Some Thai tourism industry groups have proposed cutting the visa-free stay for Chinese tourists from 60 days to 15 days. "Chinese tourists spend about 7-8 days so it will not affect tourism," said Adith Chairattananon, secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, told Reuters. Adith said he had discussed the proposal, which could help cut down criminal activity, with the head of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the country's main tourism body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overseas fraud syndicates have duped Chinese citizens with promises of high-paying jobs and other inducements to trap them in telecom fraud dens in towns such as Myawaddy, on Myanmar's border with Thailand, according to Chinese state media. Thailand last year helped facilitate the transfer of some 900 Chinese nationals who had been trapped in scam centres in Myawaddy back to their country. (Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Devjyot Ghoshal and Sharon Singleton) SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) In the mid-1960s, Scherlie Devine said there werent many career options for women to pursue. You could be a salesperson in a retail store. You could be a secretary, you could be a nurse, or you could be a teacher, Devine told 7NEWS. But she said she always knew she was meant for greater. I went to nurse training and I finished it and I thought, I need to get I need to do something, Devine shared. Because I have this drive almost to do things to help to be of service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before graduation, Devine said women from several branches came to her school to talk to students about the armed forces. And in walks a Navy gal with long blond hair. I mean, she looked good, Devine explained. And she just talked to us like we were her best friends. Devine said she was sold so she took her state boards. I went and applied to the Navy, and I became what was called a Direct Commission, Devine said. And thats how I got in. Devine worked in the pediatrics ward until she received orders to go to Naples, Italy. Its a place Devine said shed always dreamed to visit but hoped for different circumstances as the Vietnam War was in full swing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now Im working with corpsmen that have been through the combat zone. That was a big deal in those days, said Devine. Its an experience thats since weighed heavy on her heart. It was awful. You know? I dont even like to think about it, but we did. It happened, Devine recounted. These were young men in the prime of their life. After her tour to Italy, Devine got out of the service. Her husband, also a Navy veteran, stayed in. So she followed where his orders took him and that was to Washington State. As soon as we moved to Spokane, Washington, I edited the school newspaper at the Community College for two years, Devine shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And she went back to school. That experience led Devine to then write the monthly newsletter for the Navy Nurse Corps Association. She did that for 30 years. I think it was just something in me because and I know I dont really claim to have broken any ceilings or anything. I just There were things that I wanted to do and dont stop me, said Devine. Its a mantra she still follows to this day as a new resident of the upstate, Devine has already gotten involved in the Vets Helping Vets Spartanburg chapter. Theres so many vets here. I and some of them, I sit and talk to them, and I love to hear their stories, said Devine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said it helps heal some of the pain shes put aside from her experience. I cry because and I still, Im sorry, I just wanted to mention this because when I got out of the Navy, I put that behind me, but it was always there, she explained. While those instances weigh heavy on her heart, Devine said its made her become so appreciative of the men and women who fight for our freedom. And thats something that Ive tried to share with my children, she explained. Dont limit yourself. Theres a whole world out there. Scherlie Devine, Thank You for Your Service. To nominate a veteran like Scherlie Devine to be featured in our Thank You for Your Service series, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WSPA 7NEWS. DENVER (KDVR) Westminster police are searching for two men they say stole 28 propane tanks from a local business. The men stole the propane tanks about 7:30 a.m. Sunday from a business in the 12000 block of North Zuni Street, according to a Metro Denver Crime Stoppers bulletin the Westminster Police Department shared on X. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The estimated cost of the tanks is $1,820, and the men took off from the business in a GMC dually flatbed pickup truck with no visible license plates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information can call the Westminster Police Department at 303-658-4360 or Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Its rare for the Supreme Court to side with death row prisoners. But its not unusual for Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch to vote against them, so their dissent is unsurprising in Tuesdays ruling in favor of a woman who was convicted in her estranged husbands murder. And litigation in the case isnt over yet. Brenda Andrew argued that her Oklahoma trial in the 2001 killing of Rob Andrew featured irrelevant evidence about her from the state regarding her sexual history, gender presentation, demeanor, and motherhood. In her petition to the justices, Andrews lawyers argued: The State elicited testimony about Ms. Andrews short skirt, low-cut tops, just sexy outfits, very tight dresses, a leather outfit that was not appropriate, and otherwise improper clothing. The States sex-based argument peaked when the prosecution called Ms. Andrew a slut puppy and displayed her thong underwear during its guilt-phase closing argument. And how does all of this translate to a legal argument? Thats through the Constitutions due process protections. Andrews lawyers argued that the above and other evidence was so prejudicial that it violated her rights. But a federal appeals court rejected the claim because it thought that Supreme Court precedent hadnt established that wrongly admitting prejudicial evidence could violate due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was wrong, the Supreme Court wrote in an unsigned per curiam opinion for the court on Tuesday. By the time of Andrews trial, this Court had made clear that when evidence is introduced that is so unduly prejudicial that it renders the trial fundamentally unfair, the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment provides a mechanism for relief, the court wrote, quoting its 1991 ruling in Payne v. Tennessee. The high court sent the case back for further proceedings. Those will consist of the appeals court examining whether a fairminded jurist reviewing this record could disagree with Andrew that the trial courts mistaken admission of irrelevant evidence was so unduly prejudicial as to render her trial fundamentally unfair, the court said. Justice Samuel Alito, who like Thomas and Gorsuch has voted against death row prisoners in divided decisions, issued a brief concurrence Tuesday. He agreed that Supreme Court precedent can support due process violations when too much irrelevant and prejudicial evidence comes in at trial. But he added that he was expressing no view on whether that very high standard is met here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas, meanwhile, wrote a lengthy dissent, joined by Gorsuch, in which he accused the majority of departing from settled law. He said the evidence against the defendant was overwhelming and that [s]ex and marriage were unavoidable issues at Andrews trial. He cast doubt on her prospects on further review in the lower court, writing that if the appeals court follows the law, it still will find that the state court reasonably applied the principle the Court [majority] has identified, no matter what it thinks of the specific facts of Andrews trial. The case could come back to the justices again. In its ruling, the high court recounted that Andrew told police that she had separated from Rob Andrew and was dating James Pavatt, who later confessed to the shooting. Prosecutors charged them both, and Pavatt was convicted in a separate trial and sentenced to death. In a court filing to the justices ahead of the ruling, Oklahoma officials recounted that at her trial, Andrew had blamed Pavatt for the killing and tried to show she was a good mother who wouldnt kill the father of her children. The officials said that led prosecutors to counter with evidence indicating Andrews visceral hatred of Robert and her ability to get men (including Pavatt) to do her bidding. They said this evidence was both relevant and but a drop in the ocean of the States evidence. Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in Donald Trumps legal cases. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com NEW YORK (PIX11) Thousands of New York City Housing Authority residents were without heat on Tuesday amid dangerously cold temperatures, according to the agencys outage report. Over 1,000 units at the Alfred E. Smith Houses in Manhattan, affecting 3,682 residents, were without heat. Crews are working to restore heat, according to the NYCHA website. More Local News NYCHA heating staff have restored heat and hot water services at Holmes Towers and Soundview after earlier unplanned outages. We have increased heat staffing in preparation for colder temperatures this week and are currently working to address all unplanned service interruptions, including the heat and hot water disruption at Smith Houses, as quickly as possible. Residents in need of assistance are encouraged to call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771. Spokesperson for The New York City Housing Authority According to the outage report, 160 residents of the Teller Avenue Complex in the Bronx lack hot water. Crews are also working to restore service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty-three residents of the Marble Hill complex in the Bronx lack running water. Over 200 residents of building 18 at the Red Hook West development also had an unplanned hot water outage Tuesday, but service has since been restored. The unplanned outages come as temperatures are expected to reach a low of 12 degrees Tuesday night. Wednesdays high temperature will be around 20 degrees, with wind chills making it feel between 5 and 15 degrees. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 PIX11. (Bloomberg) -- The second busiest retail corridor in Chicago is typically a bustling area dotted with taquerias and Mexican grocery stores in the southwestern part of the city. By Monday afternoon it had turned into a ghost town. Most Read from Bloomberg Word had gotten out over the weekend that the city could be the target of potential immigration raids after President Donald Trump took office, spreading anxiety among residents and business owners alike. Trumps inauguration speech and boasts of cracking down on migrants only heightened the fear, while the frigid weather also kept people indoors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foot traffic at the 2-mile stretch of 26th Street in the Little Village neighborhood plunged by some measures, the decline had hit the 50%-mark, according to Jennifer Aguilar, who heads the local chamber of commerce and spoke to a number of the 400 or so businesses in the area. On Tuesday morning, a number of shops were simply closed. Its going to be disastrous, Aguilar said in an interview on Monday. If raids happen and people are too afraid to go out, its going to be an impact thats going to last for years. Trump moved quickly on Monday to fulfill campaign pledges after his inauguration speech, announcing measures to end birthright citizenship and mobilize troops to step up border enforcement. He shut down the CBP One app, used by migrants to cross the border and ask for asylum, dashing the hopes of many waiting in Mexico for appointments with US authorities. It all came three days after the Wall Street Journal reported Trumps team was planning large Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Chicago starting on Tuesday even though Border Czar Tom Homan later tried to downplay it, saying he was reviewing the plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, he said that raids were happening throughout the US. In an interview with CNN, he added that the administration will be going after criminals first, but if they are found with other undocumented immigrants, those will also be detained. The third-largest US city has long been a punching bag for Trump. But Chicago has been particularly on his radar after taking in tens of thousands of migrants during Joe Bidens presidency, many bused from Texas by Governor Greg Abbott to sanctuary cities run by Democrats. We have heard that they are targeting as many as 2,000 people initially in the city of Chicago alone, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said at a press conference on Tuesday. I dont know whether they will effectuate that or how, and I want to be clear about what my position is and what the law is here: if there are violent criminals who have been convicted of violent crimes, who are undocumented, they are supposed to be deported. Midwests Mexico Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little Village, known as the Mexico of the Midwest, is located southwest of Chicagos main business district. The area brings more tax revenue to City Hall than any other retail stretch other than the Magnificent Mile, the downtown shopping street that features luxury stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, Rolex and Burberry. I was walking the business corridor three days ago on Friday, and I spoke with a street vendor who said their sales were down about 60%, said Mike Rodriguez, an alderman for the 22nd ward, which includes Little Village. Business was just down, people were staying home, people were worried about: one the cold, but two, they were fearful of engaging with ICE. Chicago and other cities such as New York have struggled to pay for the cost of housing and feeding migrants. A one-time mass deportation operation of some 13 million people would cost at least $315 billion, the American Immigration Council estimated, warning the figure was highly conservative. If spread over time, that number could be much bigger. And that doesnt include the economic impact of workers not showing up and businesses having to shut down as a result. Chicago, San Diego Brace for Fight With Trump Border Czar (1) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Places like Little Village, Pilsen, Chinatown, their contribution to the city is enormous, said Rebecca Shi, chief executive officer at the American Business Immigration Coalition. When businesses have less foot traffic, theyre going to generate less revenue. Thats less taxation for our schools, for our health system, for our public safety, police departments, everything that keeps every Chicagoan safe. Worker Absenteeism The owner of three Mexican restaurants employing more than 70 people in the southern part of the city said two of his workers are already not showing up. The Mexican entrepreneur, who is now an American citizen, said he gave all his workers the option to stay away. He asked not to be named so as not to face retribution. Ive been here for 25 years and Ive seen many things, but nothing like this, he said in an interview in one of his establishments on Monday. This is about how we are going to survive this, and Im not just talking about my employees, Im talking about the whole customer base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elected officials and community groups have been gathering over the past two months to educate immigrants about their rights. On Saturday, Illinois Representative Jesus Chuy Garcia, a Democrat, joined the Resurrection Project and Chicago Workers Collaborative to provide guidance in case of ICE raids. Im an immigrant myself, so the reality doesnt escape me, he said in an interview in Washington DC on Thursday. My father was deported several times when he was here before he became a legal resident, and petitioned for us. So its personal. Erendira Rendon, vice president of Immigrant Justice at the Resurrection Project, reminded residents that they have the constitutional right to remain quiet, request a lawyer or decline to open the door. Jose Frausto, executive director of Chicago Workers Collaborative, told residents to have a family plan in place as its unclear what would happen to relatives and properties of people who get deported. Illinois Representative Delia Ramirez, a Democrat whose district covers parts of northwest Chicago, was on Monday part of a group of 150 volunteers handing out flyers explaining what rights people have in case of an ICE raid. About one in five businesses with employees in the US is owned by immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are our workforce, they are our economy. We want to make sure that they know they have rights, and that they can also be protecting the rights of their workers, she said. Even business owners who support Trump are bracing for the impact. Sam Sanchez, a restaurant owner in Chicago, said he generally supports the incoming presidents immigration policies. While the administration said it will focus on criminals, Sanchez expects collateral damage including arrests of longtime residents whose only offense is being in the country illegally. Its going to happen, Sanchez said. They are going to knock on doors and come to businesses. --With assistance from Isis Almeida and Sam Hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates with comment from Ramirez in third-last paragraph. A previous version corrected data on immigrant-owned businesses.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) A fire raged through a 12-story hotel at a popular ski resort in northwestern Turkey early Tuesday during a school holiday, killing at least 76 people at least two of them when they jumped from the building to escape the flames, officials said. At least 51 people also were injured in the fire at the Grand Kartal hotel in Kartalkaya, in Bolu provinces Koroglu mountains, some 300 kilometers (185 miles) east of Istanbul, said Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The fire occurred near the start of a two-week winter break for schools, when hotels in the region are packed. Our hearts are broken. We are in mourning, Yerlikaya told reporters outside the hotel. But you should know that whoever is responsible for causing this pain will not escape justice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Atakan Yelkovan, a hotel guest staying on the third floor, told the IHA news agency there was chaos on the upper floors as other guests tried to escape, including by trying to climb down from their rooms using sheets and blankets. People on the upper floors were screaming. They hung down sheets ... Some tried to jump, Yelkovan said. Yerlikaya said 45 of the 76 people killed have been identified while efforts to identify the other victims were continuing. Forty-five bodies were delivered to their families. We could not (immediately) identify the others, Yerlikaya said, adding that the emergency response teams would conduct a final search for victims on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said at least one of the injured was in serious condition, while 17 other people were treated and released. The hotel had 238 registered guests, Yerlikaya said. The fire was reported at 3:27 a.m. and the fire department began to respond at 4:15 a.m., he told reporters. The government appointed six prosecutors to lead an investigation into the blaze, which is believed to have started in the hotel's restaurant section. Nine people have been detained as part of the investigation into the fire, Yerlikaya said. Earlier, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said the hotels owner was among the people detained for questioning in the probe. At least two of the victims died when they jumped from the building in panic, Gov. Abdulaziz Aydin told the state-run Anadolu Agency earlier. Those killed included Nedim Turkmen, a columnist for Sozcu newspaper, his wife and two children, the newspaper announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a day of national mourning to be observed on Wednesday. All flags at government buildings and Turkish diplomatic mission abroad would be lowered to half-staff, he said. Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor at the hotel, said he was asleep when the fire erupted and he rushed out of the building. He told NTV television that he then helped some 20 guests out of the hotel. The hotel was engulfed in smoke, making it difficult for guests to locate the fire escape, he said. I cannot reach some of my students. I hope they are OK, the ski instructor told the station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Television images showed the roof and top floors of the hotel on fire. Witnesses and reports suggested that the hotels fire detection system failed to operate. My wife smelled the burning. The alarm did not go off, said Yelkovan, the guest interviewed by IHA. We tried to go upstairs but couldnt, there were flames. We went downstairs and came here (outside), he said. Yelkovan said it took about an hour for the firefighting teams to arrive. NTV television suggested that the wooden cladding on the exterior of the hotel, in a chalet-style design, may have accelerated the spread of the fire. Part of the 161-room hotel is on the side of a cliff, hampering efforts to combat the flames. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the rear side is on a slope, intervention could only be made from the front and sides, Yerlikaya confirmed. Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy told reporters that the hotel underwent inspections in 2021 and 2024 and that no negative situation regarding fire competence was reported by the fire department. Earlier, in an address in Ankara, Erdogan said: Unfortunately, we received very sad news this morning from Bolu, Kartalkaya. Our brothers and sisters were killed and injured in a fire that broke out in a hotel. All necessary steps will be taken to shed light on all aspects of the incident and to hold those responsible accountable, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NTV showed a smoke-blackened lobby, its glass entrance and windows smashed, its wooden reception desk charred and a chandelier crashed to the ground. Aydin's office said 30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances were sent to the site. Other hotels at the resort were evacuated as a precaution and guests were placed in hotels around Bolu. Meanwhile, a gas explosion at a hotel at another ski resort in central Turkey injured four people. The explosion took place at the Yildiz Mountain Winter Sports Center in Sivas province. Two skiers and their instructor were slightly injured while another instructor received second-degree burns to the hands and face, the Sivas governors office said. Top TikTok executives reportedly rubbed shoulders with American tech leaders and handed out business cards at an elite pre-inauguration donor event on Sunday featuring members of the Trump administration, as the apps future in the U.S. remains uncertain. Tiktok executives including CEO Shou Chew and vice president Michael Beckerman were reportedly on hand at the event, which President Donald and First Lady Melania Trump hosted at the National Building Museum in Washington. They joined a reported guestlist including Vice President JD Vance, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and conservative megadonor Miriam Adelson. The apps c-suite was reportedly making the rounds last night; making a big argument for TikTok, an eyewitness told Mediaite. They were schmoozing and speaking to anyone they could, handing out cards. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew attends Mondays inauguration ceremony The Independent has contacted the Trump transition team and TikTok for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to their reported appearance at the candlelight dinner, which was open to those who gave $1 million or raised $2 million for the record-breaking, $200-plus million inaugural fund, TikTok also sponsored an award show on Sunday night for conservative TikTok influencers. Chew also appeared at Mondays inaugural ceremony itself in Capitol. The full-court press from TikTok comes as the wildly popular apps future in the U.S. is uncertain. On Saturday, the app went offline in the U.S., a day before a law banning TikTok unless it found new owners for its U.S. operations was set to take effect. However, by Sunday, thanks to a promise from Trump to delay the ban until he could work out a new compromise over the apps future, TikTok was back online, with the company thanking the new president for his position. TikTok credited Trump who once tried to ban the app with saving it (TikTok) Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trumps efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! read a message to the apps newly reinstated U.S. users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, despite the temporary respite for TikTok, numerous users are flocking to rival apps like Rednote in anticipation of a permanent ban in the U.S. The uncertainty around TikTok is the latest bizarre chapter in its relationship with Donald Trump, who tried to force a U.S. sale in 2020 via executive order, was denied in court, then pledged his support for the app in the 2024 election once it helped boost his campaign with young voters. Liberal leaders and commentators expressed alarm over the presidents apparent personal influence over many of the major social media companies. The Trump campaign drew influential support from the tech world, including a high-profile alliance with Elon Musk and millions in donations from tech executives to the inaugural fund (AP) TikTok tucking itself in with Trump. Twitter under control of the White House. Facebook making major changes to placate MAGA, doing PR campaign to align w Trump, Senator Chris Murphy on Conecticut wrote in a post on X. Does everyone not see whats happening here and how terrifying this is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York Times opinion columnist Ezra Klein argued Trump was angling for control over the attentional oligarchs. For all Trumps talk of manufacturing jobs, you didnt see the CEOs of GE and Caterpillar sitting in the prime seats today, Klein wrote on X of the inauguration. You saw the CEOs of Amazon and X and Meta and Google and TikTok. Million-dollar donations from leading tech firms and executives deluged the Trump inaugural fund, putting it on track to raise more than $200 million, breaking the record from Trumps previous inauguration. Some firms, like Meta, have also made internal changes like removing fact-checking and appointing Trump allies to key positions, in steps seen by observers as an attempt to deepen ties to Trump. The extraordinary developments for one of Americas most popular social media apps over this weekend will be one for the history books. The banning and unbanning of TikTok involved actions from a former president, a sitting president and a future president and gripped 170 million Americans who use the app daily. With just hours to go before a nationwide ban was set to come into effect, TikTok went dark late Saturday. By midday on Sunday it was back online, crediting then-President elect Donald Trump. But its long-term fate in America remains undetermined. So what on earth happened? Heres a countdown to the ban and its unbanning: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement August 6, 2020: Trump, in his first term in the White House, issues an executive order effectively banning TikTok, saying the apps data collection threatens to allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans personal and proprietary information and could enable Beijing to build dossiers of personal information for blackmail, and conduct corporate espionage. January 2021: President Joe Biden postpones Trumps TikTok ban. April 2024: Biden signs the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which passed Congress with broad bipartisan support. The bill effectively bans the video app unless it is sold to a buyer from the United States or one of its allies. May 2024: TikTok and its China-based owner, ByteDance, sue the US government, claiming that the new law violates TikTok users First Amendment rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement December 18, 2024: The US Supreme Court agrees to hear arguments on whether the ban violates the First Amendment for its users. Supporters of Tiktok livestream in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on January 10. - Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images January 17, 2025 Morning: The Supreme Court unanimously upholds the federal law banning TikTok unless it is sold to a non-China-based company, ruling that the risks to national security posed by China are more significant than arguments on whether the ban could limit free speech. TikTok now has two days before the ban becomes effective on January 19 at 12:01 am. President-elect Donald Trump writes on Truth Social that he has spoken to Chinese President Xi Jinping and that they discussed TikTok. Trump also writes that My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden says: TikTok should remain available to Americans, but simply under American ownership or other ownership that addresses the national security concerns identified by Congress in developing this law. He also notes in a statement that Given the sheer fact of timing, this Administration recognizes that actions to implement the law simply must fall to the next Administration, which takes office on Monday. Afternoon: TikTok says it will go dark, posting on X that The statements issued today by both the Biden White House and the Department of Justice have failed to provide the necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikToks availability to over 170 million Americans. January 18, 2025 Overnight: The White House releases a statement criticizing TikToks warning that the popular app would go dark unless Biden intervenes, calling the warning a stunt and saying, we see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump Administration takes office on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morning: Trump tells NBCs Kristen Welker in a phone interview that he will most likely delay the ban on TikTok for 90 days after he takes office. Late evening: The TikTok app begins displaying messages warning its users that the ban is near. We regret that a U.S. law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our services temporarily unavailable. Were working to restore our service in the U.S. as soon as possible, and we appreciate your support. Please stay tuned. At around 10 pm: TikTok officially goes dark. A message on the app reads: Sorry, TikTok isnt available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you cant use TikTok for now. The TikTok app began displaying messages on Saturday night. - Brook Joyner/CNN January 19, 2025 10 am: Trump posts on Truth Social that he is planning to sign an executive order Monday to delay the ban for 90 days, noting that he prefers the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture with the new buyer or current owner. That would, he wrote, save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to stay up. Without US approval, there is no Tik Tok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Midday: TikTok comes back online after Trump announces he intends to sign an executive order following his inauguration Monday in order to extend the period of time before the laws prohibitions take effect. January 20, 2025 8:30 pm: Trump signs an executive order delaying enforcement of the TikTok ban for 75 days. The action directs the Justice Department to not enforce the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. I have the right to either sell it or close it, and well make that determination, Trump added in remarks from the Oval Office. Whats next? Trump could still face challenges from within his own party: Republican Senators Tom Cotton, of Arkansas, and Pete Ricketts, of Nebraska, said in a joint statement Sunday that they oppose any extension of the ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, the only possible solution appears to be to either force a sale to a new buyer though ByteDance has said it has no intention of selling or to pass a new law reversing the old one, which seems highly unlikely given that the existing bill had such broad bipartisan support in Congress. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Well never know what prayers were whispered by the billionaire tech barons Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon head Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Google boss Sundar Pichai as they sat together inside St Johns Church in Washington DC Monday morning. First the men crowded together at Donald Trumps pre-inauguration church service, then they attended the ceremony at the Capitol itself, along with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, OpenAI chief Sam Altman, and TikTok boss Shou Zi Chew. But while we dont know what they spoke about, their companies have access to our deepest fears, desires, conversations, and life updates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The power concentrated among these men is stunning when you stop to ponder it. Across the world, Meta regulates the speech of an estimated 3.3 billion daily users roughly 40 percent of all humanity. Amazon is the worlds second biggest retailer and its fifth biggest employer, governing a global marketplace of smaller vendors. Apple oversees the digital lives of 1.5 billion iPhone users, while SpaceX and OpenAI are shaping the future of space travel and AI respectively. Guests including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) So we can assume that these men are smart enough or well enough advised to understand what they are witnessing: not just the swearing in of a new president, but the birth of a fusion between corporate interests and American authoritarianism. To understand this new frontier, look at whats happened to TikTok over the past few days. The Supreme Court upheld a new law Friday, forcing the app to be sold off by its Chinese owners or else effectively banned across the U.S. Saturday night, ahead of schedule, it went dark. And Sunday morning it was back, after an eleventh-hour promise from then-incoming president Trump to extend TikToks deadline. By Monday, TikTok CEO Chew sat next to Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps nominee for director of national intelligence, during the inauguration. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in the middle, with Tulsi Gabbard to the right (Getty Images) The case against TikTok was always impossible for the American public to prove or disprove. We cannot know for sure if its Chinese parent company Bytedance has ever secretly handed over our data to Chinas government, as Chinese law demands (TikTok denies it). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nor do we really know whether it has secretly censored information or skewed its algorithm at Chinas behest (there is some evidence of this, but no smoking gun). Both points boil down to a basic reality of internet governance in a multipolar world: every computer ultimately answers to the country where its plugged in. That fact was easy for Americans to forget as long as American companies dominated the internet. Yet the rest of the world was keenly aware that their data could and would be collected and analysed by the U.S. government, via secret court rulings and surveillance programs such as PRISM. China recognised this early, building its so-called "Great Firewall" in order to maintain "digital sovereignty". Meta and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan arrive to the inauguration (Getty Images) Today the shoe is on the other foot, while the internet rapidly fragments into a Balkanized "splinternet". Congress could have passed comprehensive regulation that applied to all tech companies, protecting users' privacy and mandating transparency and fairness in content moderation decisions. Instead both Republicans and Democrats leaned into great power cyber-competition, and targeted TikTok alone. In this kind of battle, Bytedance has the enormous disadvantage of being Chinese. But, as misinformation researcher Mike Caulfield pointed out on Saturday, Trump's journey from insurrectionary pariah to 47th POTUS has also granted the company an unexpected asset: years of experience dealing with authoritarian leaders who demand public shows of loyalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, another Bytedance app called Neihan Duanzi was abruptly shut down by China's media regulator. Bytedance CEO Zhang Yiming issued a fulsome apology for failing to uphold "core socialist values", saying he'd lost sleep from his "guilty conscience". Though Neihan Duanzi stayed offline, Bytedance survived. So when TikTok was offered a potential lifeline by Donald Trump, who has often praised China's president Xi Jinping, its executives apparently knew just what to do. In pop-ups shown to its 170 million U.S. users on Saturday and Sunday, as well as in public statements, it repeatedly praised Trump by name and thanked him for seeking a solution. The message users saw when the ban was implemented spoke about the company looking forward to working with President Trump (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TikToks messages, as leading disinformation academic Kate Starbird put it, had an intended audience of one amounting to flattery as foreign policy. Online governance expert Kate Klonick agreed: Is no one in the GOP completely skeezed by the Dear Leader overtones of these TikTok banners? Actually, its not clear that Trump even has the legal authority to give TikTok an extension. The law requires him to show Congress that there has been significant progress towards a sell-off and that binding legal agreements are in place, neither of which seem to be true. In a democracy, such details are meant to matter; in autocracies, they rarely do. And while TikToks foreign ownership makes it especially vulnerable, its American rivals are also wasting no time in cosying up to Trump. From Mark Zuckerbergs MAGA-friendly makeover and bonfire of hate speech rules to Jeff Bezoss recent charm offensive, they know all too well where their computers are plugged in and to whom they need to bend the knee. Maybe its hard to imagine the whole of Silicon Valley uniting behind the full Trump program. But I also wouldnt bet on the first day of his presidency being the high water mark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For all Trumps claims of restoring free speech to social media, he has repeatedly sued media outlets or called for them to be shut down for criticizing him. His backers in Project 2025 want to criminalize pornography and imprison those who make it, while his party is busily trying to scour the education system of ideas they dislike. Republicans have also sought to stop social media companies from moderating election disinformation, and pressured academics who tried to fight it. Well soon find out just what demands the new regime in D.C. is willing to make of Big Tech and how much Big Tech cares to resist them. For now, whether or not TikTok ultimately survives in the U.S., its leaders clearly know what game theyre playing. And so, I suspect, does every CEO who stood in the Capitol rotunda. CapCut, the popular video-editing app owned by ByteDance, TikToks parent company, started working again for American users on Tuesday. The apps comeback came after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, blocking the ban on TikTok for 75 days. As was the case with TikTok this past weekend, Americans who already had CapCut on their phones on Tuesday morning saw the app start working again. However, CapCut remained unavailable for new users to download from Apple and Googles app stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats because those two tech giants are still complying with a federal law signed by then-President Joe Biden last year that banned TikTok from both app stores. In the days and weeks ahead, itll be worth keeping an eye on whether Apple and Google start offering TikTok and CapCut again in their app stores. CapCut, according to data obtained by Forbes last year, is nearly as popular as TikTok in the U.S. The editing app was downloaded 44.7 million times in 2023 nearly equaling the 45 million downloads TikTok had in the U.S. that same year. ByteDance has said TikTok has 170 million monthly American users, but it has not shared how many regular users CapCut has in the U.S. Trumps executive order on Monday aimed to give both Apple and Google the legal leeway to offer TikTok (and its sister app) again. His order said the Justice Department shall take no action or impose any penalties for noncompliance with the law banning TikTok. The chief concern U.S. lawmakers said they had with TikTok last year is that it could double as a spyware app for the Chinese Communist Party. ByteDance, if compelled by Chinas government, is required by law to share user data, including location information and what they type on their phones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moving forward, Trump said he would like to see the U.S. enter into a joint venture in which it owns 50% of TikTok with ByteDance or a new owner. The post TikToks Sister App Returns to US After Trump Executive Order appeared first on TheWrap. What does it mean to be an American now that Donald Trump, the countrys first president convicted of criminal felonies, is once again the leader of the free world? In a new essay in the Washington Monthly, Dr. Gail Christopher shares this account of Americas grieving and mourning from Trumps return to power: This autumn, I stopped by a local nonprofit run by a friend who helps refugees, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated victims of abuse get jobs that can transform their lives. I was there to donate, and when I found my friend distressed, I asked why he was so down. He had recently lost his dog of 14 years. Then, days later, his mother passed. I embraced him, expressing my condolences. As we embraced, he said, And then my country died. He referred to the election, which put one party in charge of the White House, Senate, and House. And in that moment, I realized that perhaps half of the nations voting population is grieving what they perceive to be the death of their country. I contemplated how America came to this. After an election marked by harsh and extreme rhetoric, whatever the outcome, half the country would dwell in grief, convinced that the worlds oldest democracy was finished. Why? This moment warrants a much deeper examination of what happened, how it happened, and the impact on our health, well-being, and hope for the future. Its a bit cliche, but this must become a teachable moment. We must learn from this campaign never to be so divided again. Our country didnt die on November 5, but our country needs us to have open hearts and open minds during these transitional times. Unfortunately, as shown by public opinion polls and other reports, what Dr. Christophers friend is experiencing is widespread. Anecdotes are not data, but I have heard and directly experienced and witnessed many such accounts of political-personal grief and mourning in these weeks since the election and now Trumps return to power. So many are hurting. That so many other Americans are jubilant and excited by that pain and fear of what Trump and his agents have threatened and promised to do to the enemy within as they purify the blood of the nation is another sign of how pathological and self-destructive American society and culture are in this time of crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump was inaugurated on the same day as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s Remembrance Day. This is a source of mourning and grieving as well for pro-democracy Americans and other Americans of conscience and honor. The pain and insult of that coincidence of those days is likely deeply felt by the freedom and hope warriors who sacrificed so much in the battles of the civil rights movement. Donald Trump and Dr. Kings political and social projects are antithetical to one another. Dr. King fought and died for racial equality and social democracy. Donald Trump is a White racial authoritarian and the countrys first White president. In that role, Trump will further reverse the gains of the long Black Freedom Struggle and civil rights movement. Trump and his allies attempts to end multiracial democracy (which is a work in progress, very much imperiled even before the rise of Trump and MAGA) are so extreme that they intend to overturn the 14th Amendment to the Constitution which was put in place following the end of the civil war and the end of White on Black chattel slavery to guarantee the full and equal rights of Black Americans and by implication all Americans under the law. In his 1967 speech at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. King issued this warning: If America does not respond creatively to the challenge to banish racism, some future historian will have to say, that a great civilization died because it lacked the soul and commitment to make justice a reality for all men. Some 60 years later, Kings warning has proven, again, to be prophetic. In another version of America, Kamala Harris was inaugurated as the countrys first Black woman president on Monday. There would have been tears of joy and celebration of the symbolic meaning and power of her ascent to the presidency on Dr. Kings Remembrance Day. Instead, there were tears and fear at Trumps return to the White House and what that will mean for the further gutting of Dr. Kings legacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an attempt to make better sense of the emotional dimension of Trumps return to power and the collective feelings of mourning, grief, fear and overall distress that many tens of millions of Americans are likely experiencing, I recently spoke to Dr. Gail Christopher, an award-winning social change agent and author with expertise in the social determinants of health and well-being. She is a senior scholar with George Mason Universitys Center for the Advancement of Well-Being and became the Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity. This is the second of a two-part conversation. Roughly half (really a third) of the country is in deep mourning and the other half (third) is celebrating and excited about Trumps return. Trumps threats and promises to punish the enemy within and the overall permission structure he and the MAGA movement have granted for the worst of human behavior. Given these realities, how do we reconcile as a national community, if at all? This moment accentuates the need for cross-racial engagement in authentic experiences that increase capacities for empathy, compassion and shared understanding of the history of the United States. Our country has never attempted to build the civic connective tissue that is required for us to function well as a whole diverse culture and democratic society. However, if this multiracial, multi-religion, multi-ethnic and multi-gender democracy is going to survive, we must begin to do the work of building individual and collective capacity for empathy, compassion and understanding of our shared history. When this is accomplished at scale it will help to insulate our body politic from the kinds of political manipulation we have just experienced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I prefer to think of it more as transformation than reconciliation. Reconciliation often connotes putting something back together. It is time that we recognize that we have never been together that the factions and divisions were built into this society from its inception. These divisions remain as fault lines in our social fabric today. The work that is required is transformational. We must replace the belief in a false hierarchy of human value with a genuinely felt sense of our interdependence and interconnectedness as a human family. This is the work of the 21st century and this election outcome provides an opportunity to accelerate healing efforts throughout the United States. We call this work racial healing or community healing work. Reading your powerful essay in the Washington Monthly about mourning and the election and your friend who is being impacted by so much loss all at once resonated with me. It also seems like the public mood is one of dread and zombification. The election and its outcome have amplified the existing pain and troubles that many people are feeling and have been experiencing for a long time. If we give in to the fear and anxiety or self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, the opposition claims victory. This is a time in which we must practice disciplines that calm our nervous systems and generate positive emotional responses. Our thoughts trigger our emotions; the mindset that we choose to create for ourselves through various self-care practices is needed during these times. Conventional medicine has minimized the power of emotions, but advertising executives and social media designers are exploiting the power of emotions. Just as marketers of beverages, tobacco and alcohol used emotional images and slogans to addict consumers to their products, today the social media world uses heightened, particularly negative emotions to entrap people within disinformation realities that can be overwhelming and destructive. The recent announcement that there will be no fact-checking on specific social media platforms is one of the most dangerous aspects of this political moment. I believe people should exit such platforms. The market will create new ones that adhere to better standards. The power of our mental focus and our mindset is our most important resource during these critical times. We must stay focused on the future we want to see. We must envision a just democracy and use our creative energy to create that reality. In my work with communities, I always emphasize the importance of focusing on what we are for, not simply repeating what we are against. Every time we reiterate what we are against, we help to amplify it in society. We must paint different pictures of the possible. During the Biden administration, every federal agency developed an equity plan. Those of us in the progressive movement should all have and read those plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must come together in a more robust and resilient way than we ever have before in modern times to stand for truth and to stand for fairness, but we cant become like the opposition we face. We must transcend the shrill negative feelings and emotions that characterized the campaign season. The campaign season has ended. Governance and its many consequences will begin next week. The vast network of non-profit organizations working for justice will be prepared to challenge the absurd. Rational voices denounced the family separation immigration policy in the first administration and it was challenged in the court system; there will be comparable responses to absurd practices and policies that are put into practice by Trump in his second time as president. We will all need the strength that comes from disciplined emotional resilience and self-care practices. We must do the individual and collective work together. What role has social isolation, atomization and loneliness as a public health crisis played in the countrys democracy crisis and its related troubles and causes? During the Biden administration our surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, MD has done a wonderful job of releasing reports and calls to action that offer guidance during these critical times. His book Together shows the health benefits of relationships and the harm that comes from isolation and loneliness. It is well-documented that protracted periods of screen time increase feelings of isolation and loneliness. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this vulnerability. We have to put more intention into creating positive social connections. Dr. Murthy also released a report on social media and youth mental health. He also has a new report on the causal link between alcohol consumption and increased risk for at least seven different types of cancer. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. I emphasize Dr. Murthys leadership and the tremendous efforts of this Biden administration to move us towards health equity and justice. My deepest regret is that the Biden administration did not do enough to amplify their good work throughout the last four years and remind the broader American population of the benefits they were producing. There were legislative victories to create opportunity for all people and there was a steady drumbeat of work to create equity, particularly health equity. So now we must embrace the resources and fight to protect the gains. We must leverage these resources to help us make better decisions in the mid-term congressional elections in two years, as well as with our state and local government leaders. We all have to be very active participants in our democracy. We have to make our voices heard. We will have to become our brothers and sisters keepers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black people are a blues people. We are also some of the most astute students of American politics and society and its potential and failures as a democratic society. We are also weathered and suffer great health disparities because of our experiences in a racist society and how we are the miners canary. Black women especially carry that burden and pain from the double marginalization of gender and race in America and their roles as leaders in the long Black Freedom Struggle. So many Black folks are exhausted from the 2024 election and are stepping away from political life. We cant carry the burden of defending and improving this democracy when so many of our fellow white Americans and not just them but a growing number of Hispanics and too many young Black men are willing to support Trumpism and what it represents and that betrayal. The United States electoral system is deeply flawed. The Electoral College structure was created to support the Southern states power base that relied on slavery. Trump was victorious but the margin of victory was less than five million votes and it was the states that yielded the most electoral college votes that made the difference. Granted there was a popular majority vote, which is now being phrased as a mandate, but a closer look at the numbers shows a smaller margin of victory. I dont think despair should be the dominant reaction. We need to grow from this experience and put more energy into rebuilding the multiracial coalition that elected Obama for eight years. Our institutions, churches, organizations, fraternities, sororities and associations have been the source of our strength and resilience. They will continue to do so now. We must allow ourselves to be inspired by our ancestors who created the movement to abolish slavery. We should also be inspired by our Black ancestors who were soldiers in the Civil War and literally won that war for the North. I am reminded of the Harlem Renaissance era and the poetry that embodied our humanity and our strength. Langston Hughes poem "Mother to Son" is a favorite of mine. To paraphrase, we cant sit down because we find it is kind of hard. We must keep climbing. Trump became president of the United States for a second time on Monday, which was Dr. King's holiday. Channeling Brother King, where do we go from here? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We gain the strength and inspiration to move forward by better understanding the progress that has been made in the 20th and early decades of the 21st century. Ending slavery was a 100-year struggle. It took another 50 years to end Jim Crow. I highly recommend the book, "Waging a Good War: A Military History of The Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1968" by Thomas E. Ricks. The author, a war journalist, draws from his understanding of strategy to instruct the reader about what I view as the complexity, redundancy, modularity, robustness, resilience, communitarianism, and agency that were employed to achieve victory during the Civil Rights Movement era. I grew up during those times. My parents were part of the great migration of African Americans from the Jim Crow South (Alabama and Virginia) to the Midwest and the North. My high school years were filled with the sounds and images of Dr. King leading that movement. The movement was so much more than Dr. King. It was comprised of a vast network of courageous, determined, loving human beings. These times are dominated by technology and new forms of media. This will require new strategies. As I continue this journey, I believe the most important strategy that has been omitted to date is holistic healing for our body politic. We must jettison the belief in a false hierarchy of human value. We must learn to appreciate our own and others awe-inspiring humanity. We must be humbled by the gift of life we live and have received and do our very best to make the future more viable and more just for our grandchildren and their children. TIOGA COUNTY, Pa. (WETM) The Tioga County Pennsylvania Sheriffs Office is warning residents about a phone scam that has been circulating in the area. Authorities say that the scam involves a caller by the name of William Hoffman who claims that he works with the sheriffs office. It should be noted that this information is false. Wellsboro nonprofit gets $250,000 for after-school programs To keep residents safe from this scam and others that may surface, Sheriff Frank Levindoski has shared some tips on how to identify a suspicious call and what you should do if you receive one: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No government agency will ever accept or request payment via gift cards. Never provide any personal information by phone when receiving any calls unless you personally know the caller. This includes credit card information, social security number, date of birth, drivers license number or bank information. Pay attention to the phone number of the caller. Hang up the phone without providing any information to the caller. Anyone who is concerned that they may be a wanted person or that the sheriffs office has a reason to contact them should contact the office of the Tioga County Sheriff at 570-724-3491. Copyright 2025 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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Tennessee will get a piece of the record $41.6 million settlement Family Dollar is paying for for unsanitary, rat-infested conditions at its distribution center in West Memphis, Arkansas, state officials said Tuesday. Family Dollar Stores, a subsidiary of Dollar Tree, has agreed to pay Tennessee $1.125 million, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in a news release. No matter the family budget, whether at a discount shop or not, every Tennessean deserves confidence in the food they buy, Skrmetti said. This settlement holds Family Dollar accountable and protects Tennessee families from being sold harmful or mislabeled food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last February, the company agreed to enter a plea of guilty to a one-count misdemeanor violation relating to the adulteration of FDA-regulated products. Family Dollar to pay $41M after rat infestation at West Memphis warehouse WREG reported in January 2022 on several Memphis-area stores where employees reported rat infestations. The infestation led to product recalls and the closure of more than 400 stores. The Justice Department said reports of rodent issues began reaching the company in late 2020, after deliveries to its stores. The U.S. Department of Justice said the $41.675 million fine and forfeiture amount is the largest-ever monetary criminal penalty in a food safety case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WREG.com. Along the west bank of the Nile River, archaeologists discovered rock-cut tombs and burial shafts up to 3,600 years old. Many of the tombs featured a range of artifacts that could redefine what scholars know about ancient Egypt. Archaeologists uncovered parts of Queen Hatshepsuts Valley Temple from the Middle Kingdom. Archaeologists working near Luxor announced a bevy of new finds they believe could reconstruct history thanks to the wealth of artifacts they discovered in a mixture of rock-cut tombs, burial shafts, and even part of a temple. Some have been around for as many as 3,600 years. The Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities & Heritage announced the finds near Luxor along the causeway of Queen Hatshepsuts funerary temple on the west bank of the Nile River. The foundation, led by Hawass, said in a statement provided to the Associated Press, that it had been working with Egypts Supreme Council of Antiquities at the site since September 2022. Along with the discoveries of the tombs and burial sites comes a mix of artifacts that experts believe could reveal the practices of life near Luxor around 1500 B.C. Artifacts inside the tombs included bronze coins (some dating to between 367-283 B.C. thanks to the image of Alexander the Great on them), funerary masks covering mummies, winged scarabs, funerary beads and amulets, and even childrens toys formed from clay. While looting certainly stripped some of the more precious pieces from the tombs over the past centuries, the archaeologists also found pottery tables used to offer bread, wine, and meat and archers bows that could link the tombs owners to the Egyptian military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside pieces of Queen Hatshepsuts Valley Temple, Hawass said the rock-cut tombs come from the Middle Kingdom from 1938 to 1630 B.C. and there are burial shafts from the 17th dynasty dating from 1580 to 1550 B.C. The shafts still contained wooden coffins, and the remains of a young child were discovered in one. Specific tombs include one for Djehuti-Mes, the overseer of Queen Teti Sheris palace. While Mes tomb was largely emptied of artifacts, a funerary monument with engravings date the tomb to the ninth year of King Ahmose I, roughly 1550 to 1525 B.C. To add another wrinkle to the find, the team uncovered part of the Assassif Ptolemaic Necropolis, which featured tombs constructed of mud brick built over the remains of Queen Hatshepsuts temple. A large section of the necropolis was previously discovered, but not documented. In November 2024, a team of Egyptian and American archaeologists announced the finding of 11 sealed burials in a Middle Kingdom tomb near Luxor, close to the latest site. Inside that tomb, the 11 graves contained skeletons of men, women, and children. The sealed chamber was a tomb used for families over several generations through the 12th and the beginning of the 13th dynasties in Egypt. The unique pieces of jewelry found link the remains to multiple high-status families from the time period. You Might Also Like BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Tonawanda woman pleaded guilty to wire fraud after embezzling over $440,000 from her Amherst-based employer, the United States Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. Officials said between April 2022 and June 2024, Erin Martin, 52, defrauded a business where she worked as a senior staff accountant. Martins duties included reporting to the chief financial officer and paying the businesss invoices. Martin made unauthorized electronic fund transfers from the businesss bank account directly into her personal bank account as payments on fake invoices, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorneys office said her transfers totaled $440,395, which she then used to pay for personal and family members expenses. Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Martins sentencing will occur at a later date. Latest Local News Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Copyright 2025 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 News 4 Buffalo. A Minneapolis police officer unrolls caution tape at a crime scene on June 16, 2020 in Minneapolis. Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images. Welcome to The Topline, a weekly roundup of the big numbers driving the Minnesota news cycle, as well as the smaller ones that you might have missed. This week: Minnesotans views on safety and crime; iron ore plant violates pollutant limits 300 times; crime in Bemidji; and the religious beliefs of members of Congress. A quarter of Minnesotans avoid activities over crime fears American Public Media and Minnesota Compass recently surveyed Minnesota adults about their views of crime. More than 80% said their communities were always or mostly safe. On a separate question, however, about one-third of respondents said they were becoming less safe over time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While crime fell across the board in 2023, it remains elevated above pre-pandemic levels, which may be contributing to perceptions of decreasing safety. Partisanship plays a role as well, with 42% of Republicans saying their communities are getting less safe, compared to 23% of Democrats. One striking finding: One quarter of survey respondents say fear of crime often prevents them from doing things theyd like to do. Women, Black respondents, members of Generation Z, and people living in Minneapolis or St. Paul are especially likely to say this. Roughly half of Black women avoid activities over crime concerns. Keetac plant violated sulfate limit 300 times in three years, EPA says The Environmental Protection Agency sent a notice of violation to the Keetac iron ore mine and pellet plant, which released wastewater with sulfate levels higher than the permitted amount 299 times into nearby waters between September 2019 and September 2022, according to a recent Duluth News-Tribune story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plant is currently asking state regulators to allow sulfate levels in Hay Lake, downstream of the plant, remain eight times higher than the standard. MPCA has called that request scientifically indefensible. The EPA and the MPCA have repeatedly been at odds over pollution violations in recent years, with the federal agency typically taking a more stringent approach than the state. But that may change with an incoming presidential administration vowing to be friendlier to mining and industry interests. Whats behind crime in Bemidji? Last week the Star Tribune published a deep dive on crime in the northern Minnesota community of Bemidji, which is bordered by three reservations and holds the dubious distinction of having the highest crime rates in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poverty and drug use are the chief drivers of the problem. Another factor is Bemidjis status as a regional hub city whose population doubles during the day due to people coming in for work, school and other activities. As a result, relatively minor property crimes like larceny and theft account for a greater share of crime in Bemidji than they do in bigger cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul. Housing is also in short supply in the city, contributing to homelessness and the social ills associated with it. The city recently received federal designation as a high-intensity drug trafficking area, opening the door to federal funding to help address substance abuse issues. Faith on the hill The Pew Research Center recently released its biennial analysis of the religious affiliations of members of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal legislature remains markedly more religious than the nation as a whole: Just three members of Congress are unaffiliated with any religion, adding up to 0.6% of the House and Senate. By contrast, 28% of Americans dont belong to any particular religion. Protestant Christians make up 56% of members of Congress, compared to 40% of U.S. adults. Catholics are also over-represented, at 28% to 20%. Ninety-eight percent of Republicans identify as some type of Christian, compared to 75% of Democrats. The share of the general public identifying themselves as Christian is 62%. There are just 5 congressional Republicans who are not Christian: three are Jewish, one is unaffiliated, and one did not respond to inquiries about their faith. A packed parking lot at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park. (NPS/Jacob W. Frank) No one showed up to cheer Sen. Carl Glimms proposal to return $437 to property taxpayers but he figured all the supporters were at work, partly to pay their taxes. Monday, more than 40 people from across the state spent roughly two hours telling the Senate Local Government committee that Senate Bill 90, to redirect dollars from lodging and rental car taxes to a property tax credit, is a reckless policy and would wreak havoc on Montanas economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents included representatives from the tourism and hospitality industry, a small farm, Main Street and historic preservation programs, and others. Mandy Rambo, with the Department of Commerce, said her agency is acutely aware of the property tax problem in Montana, but SB 90 is not the answer. One in 12 jobs in Montana is tied to tourism, and tourism is a $5.4 billion industry in the state, Rambo said. She said Colorado gutted its marketing programs and regretted it, and it took 15 years to rebuild it. This is not just about tourism, Rambo said. Its about the economy in Montana. Tourism is an economic driver, regardless of how any of us feel about tourism in Montana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill is one of several pieces of legislation designed to return money to residential property taxpayers, who have been carrying a growing share of property tax collections. As proposed, the bill would put $102.5 million into a property tax assistance account in 2026, although opponents argued the policy would lead to a drop in those revenues in the future. Money would be redirected from 65.5% of the lodging facility use tax, 82% of the lodging sales tax, and 75% of the rental car tax, according to the bills companion fiscal analysis. In the Senate, Republican leaders have spoken in favor of Glimms bill, but other legislation to help residential property taxpayers is on the table, too. Gov. Greg Gianforte has a separate proposal, in House Bill 231, carried by Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, also scheduled for a hearing this week. The Local Government committee didnt take immediate action Monday. Chairman Sen. Forrest Mandeville, R-Columbus, asked Glimm if he wanted to address any of the issues opponents raised in testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glimm said the committee was free to amend the bill as it wished. However, he also said he wasnt convinced it was the job of state government to market Montana in the first place, and he wasnt sure it was needed. Tourism is valuable. I get that, Glimm said. But tourism is also alive and well. Try and visit Glacier Park. Try and go camping. Try and get a hotel. Almost anywhere. Tourism is alive and well in Montana. The fund the new account, the bill would pull $48 million from the general fund, $37.9 million from the Department of Commerce, $1.6 million from the Montana University System which operates the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research and $4.5 million from a long-range building fund, according to the fiscal analysis. To pay for the reimbursement, the bill would eliminate a number of programs, including Made in Montana marketing, the Montana Film Office, the Main Street program, the Japan and Taiwan trade offices, and statewide tourism industry research, the fiscal analysis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also would cut grants, such as for agritourism and tribal tourism. At the hearing, Scott Vollmer, a fishing outfitter and vice president of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, said fishing is just one part of the vacation for his clients. But Vollmer said one thing needs to happen before they spend their money in the Treasure State at all, and it requires marketing Montana. The constant is that they first decide to come here as opposed to going somewhere else, and I simply cant do that myself, Vollmer said. Even more troubling, Vollmer said, would be the loss of data from the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research out of the University of Montana, although he said the need to fix the property tax problem is obvious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all feel it. We know we need to do something about it. But the benefits need to outweigh the cost, Vollmer said. Other opponents included the Montana Chamber of Commerce, representatives for agritourism, the Montana Travel Association, a small business owner and community advocate in Cut Bank, Preserve Montana (protecting state heritage), Montana Cattlewomen, the Montana Farmers Union, the Big Sky Resort Area District, and the Montana Learning Center (an education nonprofit). Logan Smith, with the Old Salt Coop, a meat company with a restaurant and processing facility, said various Department of Commerce funds have supported the business, including its land stewardship festival in Helmville. Smith said the festival, which attracts 2,600 people, led one participant to put a conservation easement in the Gallatin Valley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another, a teacher who had been looking for a job and liked Helmville, decided to teach there, and Helmville had been looking for a school teacher for roughly three years, Smith said. Smith said the money has real impact in rural areas, for the development and growth of communities and businesses, and especially for us and the agricultural industry. SHELBURN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The town of Shelburns Wastewater Superintendent warns residents and businesses not to dump oil into the wastewater system. According to a Facebook post by the town of Shelburn on Tuesday morning, several gallons of oil were dumped into the wastewater system. After an investigation, the oil dumping was traced back to the west side of HWY 41. Vincennes Historical Site announces new Site Manager Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dustin Geatches, Wastewater Superintendent said, Dumping oil into our wastewater system has the potential to have bad effects on the wastewater treatment plant and the receiving stream. It has been reported to IDEM/EPA and if we find out who is responsible, they will be reported and face consequences for this action. Geatches told WTWO that there is no concern for residents at this time. The effects would directly impact the plant. Copyright 2025 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 MyWabashValley.com. Track the snow through the Charlotte area: Queen City News Interactive Radar 3:30PM 4:30PM 5:30PM 6:30PM 7:30PM 8:30PM 9:30PM See snow where you live? Email your videos and photos to newstips@qcnews.com CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Queen City News interactive radar is tracking light snow as it moves across the Charlotte area Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday. We are tracking a very active weather pattern, snow chances are trending more northwest toward the I-85 corridor later today. INTERACTIVE RADAR: Track winter weather as it moves across the Charlotte area Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are also monitoring some bitter cold wind chills Wednesday into Thursday morning as well. Snow will start to fall around 3 to 4 p.m. this afternoon around the Charlotte metro and other spots southeast of I-85. The snow will start light and possibly become a bit more steadier later this evening. Snow totals towards Charlotte will be anywhere between a dusting to 1 inch of snowfall, with the Sandhills region possibly receiving up to 2 inches of snowfall. The snow will move out quickly, with most of the area completely dry around midnight. Although this will NOT be a major snowstorm, the very cold ground and roads will allow snow to stick quickly. This will lead to hazardous travel this evening, overnight, and into Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Main roads and secondary roads will be suspectable to slick travel tonight, as frigid temperatures may cause the road salt to be a little less effective. Download the Pinpoint Weather app today! iPhone and iPad users, CLICK HERE. Android users, CLICK HERE. Another concern for tonight and Wednesday morning will be the bitter cold wind chills. Wind chills in the mountains could fall as low as 20 to 15 degrees below zero, while the rest of the region will experience single-digit wind chills. Be sure to wear multiple layers and cover up all exposed skin. It will feel like teens and 20s through the day due to breezy conditions on Wednesday afternoon. Although increasing sunshine will allow air temperatures to climb into the lower 30s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will slowly thaw things out later this week and into the weekend. Highs will be back in the 40s by Friday, with possibly a few 50s on Saturday and Sunday. MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM Winter Weather Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man and a woman were arrested after about 5.6 ounces of methamphetamine was found in their vehicle during a traffic stop, according to the Bullhead City Police Department. Police arrested Brei Nichole Zagorsky, 38, and Christopher Earnest Beals, 35, on Thursday, Jan. 16, near U.S. 95 and Marble Canyon Road. U.S. 95 is a main road through Bullhead City, a city of about 43,000 people about 100 miles southeast of Las Vegas. (Photo: Bullhead City Police Department) Jail records showed Zagorsky and Beals are in custody at the Mohave County Jail in Kingman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriffs officials said the pair were charged with transportation of dangerous drugs for sale. During the traffic stop, officers found that Beals had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear before the Bullhead City Justice Court. The Mohave County Sheriffs Office K9 unit assisted in the search. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. (FOX40.COM) A Sacramento school is working to repair its plumbing after sewage backed up into the school earlier this month, an Elk Grove Unified School District official said. According to a letter sent to staff and families, Charles Mack Elementary experienced two sewage backups, the first on Jan. 9 and again on Jan. 13. Sacramento residents voice concerns about new bridge plans in South Natomas Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two trees in front of the school, whose roots the districts maintenance division determined are causing the problem, will be removed, and a full repair of the sewer line is planned for the week of Spring Break (March 17-28), officials said. According to the district, a root killer will also be run through the lines every week. Until the repairs are completed, the school district said a plumbing company would clear the lines as needed. Copyright 2025 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 FOX40 News. A court in the southern German city of Ingolstadt on Tuesday began hearing the case of four men accused of stealing a hoard of Celtic Gold from a museum in Bavaria two years ago. Prosecutors say the men - three from the far north-east of the country, and one from Berlin - are burglars who have been active for many years. It's alleged that they stole the 2,100-year-old hoard of gold from the Museum of the Celts and Romans in Manching in November 2022. Most of the treasure, a collection of about 500 Celtic coins and a gold nugget, is still missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Archaeologists discovered the precious collection near Manching in Upper Bavaria in 1999. It was the largest Celtic gold find of the 20th century. According to the public prosecutor, the market value is more than 1.5 million ($1.56 million), but experts say that its historical and cultural value cannot be quantified. The suspects, who are aged between 43 and 52 years old, were arrested in July 2023 and have been in custody since then. The Bavarian State Office of Criminal Investigation spent months investigating links with similar crimes. The men are accused of a total of around 30 burglaries across Germany and Austria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the case of Manching, the suspects are said to have destroyed the town's telecommunications network in order to disable the alarm system, as they had done in previous break-ins. They then broke into the archaeological museum and within nine minutes broke open the display case containing the coins and emptied it. Police later found tools in the area around the museum, and a DNA trace linked the case to the other crimes. So far, 31 days of hearings have been scheduled for the trial. Judgement could be handed down in June. A trial opened Tuesday for an East Chicago man charged with two counts of murder in a couples 2021 slaying. Deputy Prosecutor Keith Anderson will argue Gary Shanklin, 23, of the 4800 block of Walsh Avenue, killed Nalisha D. Martin, 43, of Hammond, and Christopher Burks, 52, of Chicago. Shanklin has pleaded not guilty. He was extradited from a jail in Coles County, Ill. in 2023. Defense lawyer Brandon Hicks is expected to argue the shooting was in self-defense and that Burks was an aggressor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement East Chicago Police were called at 12:29 p.m. Oct. 13, 2021 to the 1200 block of West 149th Street where a silver Chevrolet Impala hit a house. They found Martin shot in the car, while Burks was lying across the street in a nearby alley, charges state. The passenger side window was shattered, with a bullet casing found on the seat inside. Burks was wounded in the right shoulder, while Martin was shot twice, once in the front and in her back. Both were transported to St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago. Burks died there, while Martin was airlifted to a Chicago trauma hospital where she died shortly thereafter. Minutes after the call, Shanklin was reported shot in the shoulder down the street on the 4800 block of Walsh Avenue, near his home, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the hospital, Shanklin claimed to detectives he was walking to a gas station near his house when he heard gunshots and ran, then noticed he was shot. When police were about to perform a gun residue test on his hands, he told them he wanted to wash some blood off his hands. He was told that wouldnt affect the test. I didnt shoot nobody, I dont own a firearm, he said suddenly, according to court documents. The test came back positive and there were fresh cuts on his hands, detectives wrote. Shanklin said he fell on gravel trying to escape, documents said. I dont even own a gun, he said. Security footage showed a man running from the scene wearing Shanklins same clothes, the affidavit states. mcolias@post-trib.com HONOLULU (KHON2) A new trial is set to begin tomorrow for Eric Thompson, who is accused of murdering Waipahu acupuncturist Jon Tokuhara in January 2022. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Thompson, 45, is facing charges for the fatal shooting of Tokuhara, with prosecutors alleging the motive stemmed from an affair between Tokuhara and Thompsons wife. Funeral services scheduled for fallen Honolulu firefighter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first trial ended in a hung jury, as jurors were unable to reach a unanimous decision on Thompsons guilt. In addition to the criminal case, Tokuharas mother has filed a civil lawsuit against Thompson and his wife, Joyce, seeking damages for the alleged murder. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The new trial is expected to proceed in Honolulu court starting Tuesday, January 21. Copyright 2025 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. TORONTO (AP) Canada's outgoing prime minister and the leader of the country's oil rich province of Alberta are both confident Canada can avoid the 25% tariffs President Donald Trump says he will impose on Feb. 1. Justin Trudeau and Danielle Smith will argue that Canada is the energy super power that has the oil and critical minerals that America needs to feed what Trump vows will be a booming U.S. economy. But Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, the manufacturing and automobile hub of Canada, said a trade war is 100% coming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump "declared an economic war on Canada, Ford said in an interview with The Associated Press. And we are going to use every tool in our tool box to defend our economy. Trudeau said Canada will retaliate if needed but noted Canada has been here before during the first Trump presidency when they successfully renegotiated the free trade deal. Ford said as soon as Trump applies tariffs he will instruct Ontarios liquor control board to pull all American-made alcohol from shelves. We are the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world. And I'm going to encourage all the premiers to do the exact same, Ford said, adding there will be a dollar-for-dollar tariff retaliation on American goods entering Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are going to target Republican held areas as well. They are going to feel the pain. Canadians are going to feel the pain, but Americans will feel the pain as well," he said. A message to the countries around the world: if he wants to use Canada as an example you are up next. Hes coming after you as well." Trump pledged in his inaugural address that tariffs would be coming in a speech in which he promised a golden era for America. He later said Canada and Mexico could be hit with the tariffs as soon as Feb. 1, though he signed an executive order requesting a report coordinated by the Secretary of Commerce by April. 1. Trump said Tuesday that the 25% tariffs that he intends to place on Canada and Mexico as soon as Feb. 1 would have nothing to do with renegotiating the existing trade pact among the three countries. For him, the tariffs are all about stopping unauthorized migration and the flow of any illicit drugs. The U.S. president told reporters at the White House that, in his opinion, the amount of fentanyl coming through Canada and Mexico is massive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. customs agents seized just 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada. Despite Trumps claim that the U.S doesnt need Canada, nearly a quarter of the oil America consumes per day comes from Canada. Americas northern neighbor also has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian dollars ($2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Trump wants to usher in a golden age for the U.S, Trudeau said at a Cabinet retreat in Quebec called to deal with Trump's threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the American economy is going to see the boom that Donald Trump is predicting they are going to need more energy, more steel and aluminum, more critical minerals, more of the things that Canada sells to the United States every single day. On Tuesday, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum stressed the need to keep cool heads and look at the wording of what Trump signed, rather than listen to the discourse surrounding it. On the threat of tariffs, Sheinbaum took solace in that the America First Trade Policy order that Trump signed Monday talks about the free trade agreement signed with Mexico and Canada during Trumps first term, which lays out clear processes for disputes. She noted that a formal revision of the agreement is scheduled for July 2026. Smith, the premier of Canada's oil rich province of Alberta, said the April 1 deadline gives Canadians time to make case to the Trump administration that Canada should be exempted from tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the energy emergency that they declared and with their desire for critical minerals Canada is the answer, Smith told the AP. Canada can get a total carve out" from the tariffs, she said. Smith noted Canada is the world's biggest supplier of uranium and an important source of critical minerals that the U.S. is desperate for. She said both Canadians and Americans would be harmed by a trade war but said Canadians can't afford it in particular. We have to be realistic. We are talking about a $21 trillion economy and the amount of product that we sell into the United States is somewhere in the order of $300 billion," Smith said. "We dont have the same kind of market power that they do as an economy. We are one 10th their size. We have to be realistic about what a trade and tariff war looks like. We would be more harmed by that than them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith said Americans in some states could pay more than a dollar per gallon more for gas. Americans will pay more in the states that are reliant on Canadian goods and Canadians will just pay more in return, Smith said. ___ Associated Press writer Maria Verza in Mexico City and AP writer Joshua Boak in Washington contributed to this report. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada can help President Donald Trump achieve his promise of a new "golden age" for America. However, he warned, if the U.S. president imposes tariffs, Ottawa will punch back. We know that if the United States is going to see an increase in jobs, manufacturing and economic growth, they're going to require more energy, more inputs, everything from lumber and concrete to steel and aluminum to critical minerals that are the essential ingredients in the economy of the future, Trudeau said Tuesday morning. Canada's prime minister said he supports the idea of dollar-for-dollar matching tariffs. It's something that we are absolutely going to be looking at, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trudeau was speaking from his Cabinet retreat in Montebello, Quebec, where his Cabinet had gathered to monitor Trumps return to office. The returning president had promised that imposing 25 percent tariffs would be one of his first actions. Instead, he used Day 1 to put Canada and Mexico on notice. Trump said Monday night the measures might appear as early as Feb. 1, although an executive order suggested it could be a while longer before any duties are imposed. The prime minister said the confusion may have been an intentional negotiating tactic. Donald Trump is, as always, a skilled negotiator, and will do what he can to keep his negotiating partners a little bit off balance, Trudeau said. Weve been here before. During President Trump's first term in office, he announced challenges to our trading relationship that we were able to work through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. president said Monday he is still studying whether to impose a new universal tariff on all imported goods, but warned Canada and Mexico they could soon face a new 25 percent duty on their exports. I think we'll do it Feb. 1," Trump said, But one of several executive orders Trump signed Monday calls on USTR, the Commerce Department and the Treasury Department to investigate the causes of persistent annual trade deficits and to recommend measures by April 1 to address associated national security risks. Those actions could include a global supplemental tariff an apparent reference to Trumps campaign promise to impose a universal baseline tariff on all imports between 10 and 20 percent Another provision goes more directly to the tariff threat facing Ottawa. It directs the Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security to assess the unlawful migration and fentanyl flows from Canada, Mexico, [China], and any other relevant jurisdictions and recommend appropriate trade and national security measures to resolve that emergency. That provision also sets an April 1 deadline for senior Trump aides to report their recommendations to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trudeau reiterated on Tuesday that Canadas position on its border with the U.S. is not a major problem. Less than 1 percent of fentanyl and illegal immigrants that enter the United States come from Canada, he said. The prime minister also said that Canada has responded to Trumps concerns with a C$1.3 billion spending package to improve border security. The plan includes deploying more personnel and helicopters. Trudeau also said the government will try to mitigate the economic damage of the U.S. tariffs on Canadian consumers, who face higher prices. In an interview with POLITICO in Washington on Monday, International Trade Minister Mary Ng emphasized Canadas willingness to retaliate against the United States. But she did not answer directly when asked about reports that Trudeaus government has identified an initial C$37 billion worth of American goods for retaliation and is prepared to expand that list to C$150 billion worth of U.S. goods depending on Trumps actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the United States imported about $410 billion worth of goods from Canada and exported about $350 billion to Canada, producing about a $60 billion trade deficit for the United States. However, oil accounts for about one-fourth - or $100 billion of U.S. imports from Canada. If that is excluded, Canada actually buys more agricultural and manufactured goods from the United States than vice-versa, Ng said. Trudeau was to convene a meeting later Tuesday of the Council on Canada-U.S. Relations, a group that includes voices from politics, business, labor and industry on the second day of the federal Cabinet retreat. There is only one subject of discussion among participants at the World Economic Forum annual meeting here in Davos this year Trump, Trump and more Trump. The man himself doesnt plan to attend, though he has promised to grace the event with his virtual presence via video link. That, regardless, he is front, back and centre of attention will no doubt please him greatly. Small wonder that he commands the spotlight; if he does only half of what he says, then it will cast a great rock into the pond and potentially upend the world order as it currently stands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should of course be careful not to exaggerate. There is a limit to what one man can do to change the world, even one as unorthodox and unpredictable as Trump sitting atop its largest and most innovative economy. The lesson from Trumps first presidency is that hes more pragmatic and less of an ideologue than he pretends to be. He needs to be, given the manifest contradictions in his agenda; reconciling the libertarian aims of big tech with the protectionist demands of Trumps Make America Great Again (Maga) base is in itself going to require considerable political skill. But already pragmatically minded concerns seem to be in the ascendant, in that although the new president has signalled tariffs on Canada and Mexico, he has for now has held off from immediately imposing the threatened universal tariff on all imports. Its early days, and it may yet come, but those who always thought that Trumps love of tariffs was more of a negotiating ploy than a settled policy objective seem to have had it about right. In any case, Trumps pro-business mindset, rather than his protectionist instincts, may end up the predominant influence of his presidency, with deregulation the most consequential part of his economic legacy. That at least is the hope among business leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So here are a few of the things chief executives are saying about the US and wider world economies here in Davos. Unsurprisingly, there is a lot of positivity around prospects for the US, India and parts of Latin America and South East Asia. But there is a real downer on the outlook for Europe, including the UK, where the economy has essentially ground to a halt and is not expected to show significant growth in any foreseeable future. Further divergence with China is a given, which may be a real problem for parts of Trumps new tech plutocracy, particularly Elon Musks Tesla and Tim Cooks Apple, both of which are big manufacturers in China and sell a lot of their output there. Attention is, as a consequence, turning increasingly to India, which has fielded a huge and vocal presence here in Davos. Many chief executives expect India to usurp the position once occupied by China as the main driver of growth in global GDP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, India bridges the geopolitical divide. Mukesh Ambani, Indias richest man, seems to find no difficulty in cosying up to Trump he attended the inauguration while at the same time signing lucrative new contracts with Putins Russia to supply his refineries with oil. In any case, attention among Western chief executives is already turning away from China, where many are in retreat, and towards India. Its been happening for some years but will accelerate. Europe, Im afraid to say, is increasingly seen as a basket case or as a cost centre rather than a revenue grower. The focus in Europe is therefore on cost-cutting and efficiency gain and not the growth-focused investment which its political leaders crave. Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, hopes the UK can buck this trend and to that end is out here on a major sales pitch among business participants. Good luck with that, because my initial soundings do not indicate a great deal of appetite for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of Brexit, the UK is thought of as still very much part of low-growth Europe, with similar challenges around the public finances and excessive entitlement spending. Further tax rises to help balance the books are almost universally expected, whatever the Chancellor says to the contrary. All this carries the usual health warnings; the mood in Davos is often misleading and frequently doesnt accurately forecast whats coming. One thing we know about Trump is that he is unpredictable, adding a further layer of uncertainty to the next four years. But if he is as good as his word on deregulation of business and finance, we can expect something close to a boom in the US economy another Roaring Twenties, if you like. Just one word of warning: last time around, it did not end well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europes propensity to regulate is well-intentioned enough and bears these lessons in mind; its meant to shield consumers and workers from rubbish products, fake information, financial excess and reckless, exploitative behaviour. But if growth is the objective, its very unlikely to do the trick. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. President Donald Trump has kicked off his second term with a flurry of executive actions on immigration, the economy, DEI and more. Legal challenges have already been mounted against his effort to end birthright citizenship and action that makes it easier to fire career government employees. Fallout also continues from his pardoning more than a thousand rioters convicted in connection with the violent Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Meanwhile, lawmakers will continue to question and process the president's Cabinet picks. New allegations against Pete Hegseth, tapped to lead the Pentagon, are being reported as the Senate moves toward a final vote on his nomination. Latest Developments Jan 22, 12:40 PM Biden's letter to Trump revealed by Fox News Fox News Senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy read aloud on-air the content of the letter left by former President Joe Biden to President Donald Trump. "As I take leave of this sacred office I wish you and your family all the best in the next four years," Biden wrote, according to Fox News. "The American people -- and people around the world -- look to this house for steadiness in the inevitable storms of history, and my prayer is that in the coming years will be a time of prosperity, peace, and grace for our nation." PHOTO: President Donald Trump looks at a letter left for him by former President Joe Biden while signing executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025. (Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images) "May God bless you and guide you as He has blessed and guided our beloved country since our founding," Biden wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump held up the letter for reporters on Monday night as he signed executive orders in the Oval Office. He described it to reporters on Tuesday as "very nice" and that he appreciated it. PHOTO: President Donald Trump holds up outgoing President Joe Biden's letter as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the WHite House in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025. (Evan Vucci/AP) Jan 22, 12:29 PM Federal DEI employees to be put on leave by 5 p.m. today All federal employees working on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives must be put on paid administrative leave by Wednesday at 5 p.m., according to a memo obtained by ABC News. The decision comes as the Trump administration shuts down the relevant DEI offices and programs across the federal government. Trump is also threatening "strong action" against DEI programs in the private sector, including possible civil compliance investigations. Jan 22, 11:54 AM Video captures JD Vance's 1st time in Oval Office House Speaker Mike Johnson posted a video on X of President Trump taking Vice President JD Vance into the Oval Office for the first time on Tuesday. Trump can be seen walking ahead of Vance in the halls of the West Wing before showing him into the office. He introduced Vance to his communications adviser, Margo Martin, who was standing at the door to the Oval Office. "Wow, this is pretty crazy," Vance says as Johnson narrated the video. He later said it was "incredible." PHOTO: Vice President-elect J.D. Vance arrives for a joint session of Congress to certify the results of the 2024 Presidential election, inside the House Chamber at the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2025, in Washington. (Samuel Corum/AFP via Getty Images) Johnson praised Vance's path to the White House, writing that "only in America can a hardworking young man from Appalachia rise from his humble circumstances to enter the Oval for first time" as vice president. Jan 22, 12:00 PM Bishop Budde defends 'mercy' sermon against Trumps criticism, says she seeks unity The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde on Wednesday defended her sermon at a traditional inaugural prayer service on Tuesday directly calling on President Trump to show "mercy" toward immigrants and trans people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking on ABC's "The View," she emphasized she was seeking to create "unity" and to "counter the narrative that is so divisive and polarizing." "I wanted to emphasize respecting the honor and dignity of every human being, basic honesty and humility and then I also realized that unity requires a certain degree of mercy -- mercy and compassion and understanding," she said, after Trump demanded she apologize. PHOTO: Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde appears on The View, Jan. 22, 2025. (ABC News) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was trying to speak a truth that I felt needed to be said, but to do it as respectful and kind a way as I could," she added. "And also to bring other voices into the conversation voices that had not been heard in the public space for some time." When asked if she had an opportunity to share her thoughts one-on-one with the president, Budde said she had not been invited but would welcome the opportunity. "I can assure him and everyone listening that I would be as respectful as I would with any person, and certainly of his office for which I have a great deal of respect, but the invitation would have to come from him," she said. Jan 22, 11:46 AM Trump demands Putin to make a deal to end war Trump has sent a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin demanding he make a deal to end the war in Ukraine. Its time to MAKE A DEAL. NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!! Trump wrote in a new social media post. Trump indicated that if a deal isnt made quickly, he would impose high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russia. Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! ITS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. If we dont make a deal, and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries, Trump said. Trump then threatened that it can be done the easy way, or the hard way. -- ABC News' Kelsey Walsh Jan 22, 11:58 AM Mike Johnson says he won't 'second-guess' Trump pardons for Jan. 6 rioters Speaker Mike Johnson said he doesn't question Trump's decision to pardon more than thousand people convicted in connection to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including some violent offenders. "The president's made his decision, I don't second guess those," Johnson said at a news conference alongside House Republican leadership. "And yes, you know, it's kind of my ethos, my worldview, we believe in redemption, we believe in second chances," Johnson said. "If you could -- would argue that those people didn't pay a heavy penalty having been incarcerated and all of that, that's up to you." PHOTO: Mike Johnson (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) Other Republicans had mixed reactions to the news when asked by ABC News on Tuesday. Some claimed they'd "never" seen video of rioters attacking police. Others said Trump's move was something they "just can't agree" with. Jan 22, 11:38 AM Trump OMB pick Russell Vought testifies at confirmation hearing Russell Vought, who led the Office of Management and Budget during Trump's first term, is facing questions from senators on the Budget Committee. Vought was involved in Project 2025, the controversial conservative blueprint for a second Trump term that Trump tried to distance himself from while on the campaign trail. If confirmed, Vought would see through the implementation of a Trump executive order to terminate DEI programs in the federal government. PHOTO: Russell Vought testifies before the Senate Budget Committee on his nomination to be US Director of the Office of Management and Budget, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 22, 2025. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Jan 22, 10:29 AM Trump team instructs DOJ to investigate state officials who obstruct immigration enforcement efforts A top Trump administration official sent a memo to the Justice Department workforce ordering criminal investigations into any state and local actors who may attempt to obstruct enforcement of federal immigration laws, according to a copy obtained by ABC News. The memo further details a series of policy changes being rolled out in the department as a result of multiple executive orders signed by Trump, including the establishment of a "Sanctuary Cities Enforcement Working Group." As ABC News reported, multiple longtime senior level officials in DOJ's Criminal and National Security Divisions were given an abrupt notice of their reassignment to the task force. The move has already caused alarm among many current and former officials in the department who see it as an exodus of the department's career "braintrust" on major national security and public corruption cases and a sign the Trump team is placing loyalty to the president's agenda above the typical norms and expertise of officials. -ABC News' Alexander Mallin Jan 22, 10:26 AM ICE updates terminology from noncitizen to 'alien' Immigration and Customs Enforcement is updating their terminology as a result of the election. From now on, those they are arresting will be referred to as "alien" as opposed to "noncitizen" and those in the country without authorization will be referred to as "illegal alien" according to an internal ICE memo obtained by ABC News. "ICE employees are directed to use the lexicon consistent with the immigration and nationality act and the language historically used by the agency," according to the memo. The Biden administration changed the language in 2021 when former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issued terminology guidance. Trump's used increasingly dark rhetoric on the campaign trail when talking about migrants, including calling some of them "animals." -ABC News' Luke Barr Click here to read the rest of the blog. Almost 1,660 Afghans who have received permission from the US government to resettle in the United States, including family members of active US military personnel, have had their flights cancelled following President Donald Trump's order to suspend US refugee programmes, media reports say. Source: The Guardian; Reuters, citing a US official and a leading refugee resettlement advocate Details: Shawn VanDiver, head of the #AfghanEvac coalition of US veterans and advocacy groups and the US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reported that the group includes unaccompanied minors awaiting reunification with their families in the United States, as well as Afghans who face retribution from the Taliban for fighting on the side of the former US-backed Afghan government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, Afghans who have been granted refugee status in the United States are being removed from the lists of flights that were supposed to leave Kabul before April. The US decision also leaves thousands of other Afghans who have been granted refugee status in the US but have not yet been assigned flights from Afghanistan or neighbouring Pakistan in limbo. Reuters recalls that Trump made stricter immigration controls one of the central promises of his 2024 election campaign, leaving the fate of US refugee programmes in limbo. Quote from VanDiver: "Afghans and advocates are panicking. I've had to recharge my phone four times already today because so many are calling me. We warned them (Trump's transition team - ed.) that this was going to happen, but they did it anyway. We hope they will reconsider." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For reference: VanDiver's organisation is the main coalition working with the US government to evacuate and resettle Afghans in the US since the Taliban took over Kabul when the last US troops left Afghanistan in August 2021 after two decades of war. Almost 200,000 Afghans were brought to the US by the administration of former President Joe Biden after the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Kabul. One of dozens of executive orders Trump is expected to sign suspends refugee assistance programmes in the United States for at least four months. The new White House website states that Trump is "pausing refugee resettlement after communities were forced to take in large and unsustainable groups of migrants, undermining community security and resources." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic minority on the House Foreign Affairs Committee has criticised this move, stating in a post on X, "This is what abandonment looks like. Leaving vetted Afghan allies at the mercy of the Taliban is disgraceful." Support UP or become our patron! WASHINGTON Policies aimed at protecting and elevating women in the trucking industry will face tough new scrutiny by the incoming Trump administration. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sent to Congress on Friday its status report on recommendations made by the Women of Trucking Advisory Board (WOTAB). The panel was created during the Biden administration to help recruit and retain women as owner-operators and within the ranks of trucking companies, with a focus on eradicating sexual harassment and violence against women particularly drivers in the industry. After a year of meetings, the panel hammered out a list of recommendations that the FMCSA could use to help achieve those goals. That led to the agencys plans for an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding ways FMCSA can enhance the physical safety of women truck drivers and trainees and address the negative impacts of workplace sexual harassment, among other challenges, the agency stated in the report sent to Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ANPRM, Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators and Additional Curriculum and Training Provider Requirements, was scheduled to be issued in December. But on Monday just days after FMCSA sent Congress the status report President Donald Trump issued a regulatory freeze order barring all executive departments and agencies from proposing or issuing a rule until a department or agency head appointed or designated by the President reviews and approves the rule. While the Office of Management and Budget can exempt rules subject to statutory or judicial deadlines that require prompt action, according to presidential action, FMCSAs ANPRM is not such a rule. That means the proposed rulemaking could be placed along with other regulations affecting the trucking industry, like speed limiters and broker contracts on the agencys back burner indefinitely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administration took a number of steps to address harassment against women and others within the industry, including a 104-page Crime Prevention for Truckers Study released in November 2022. The report was criticized by a WOTAB panel member, contending that it downplayed the seriousness of rape in the trucking industry. In 2023, Bidens Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued new guidelines aimed at cracking down on workplace harassment, which saw potential by women and minorities in trucking to provide them more leverage in fighting back against bad-actor carriers. Later that year, FMCSA, under Administrator Robin Hutcheson, issued a new policy statement aimed at addressing sexual assault within the industry. Building on that policy, FMCSA began planning a study in 2024 to better understand the scope of sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) throughout trucking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study will expand upon FMCSAs previous research and promote a deeper understanding of SASH data and issues by following the best practices in SASH methodology related to sample size and design, including categories of gender, sexual orientation and ethnicity to determine the prevalence of SASH and identifying resources for victims, FMCSA stated in its report to Congress on Friday. In addition to taking on crime and sexual harassment, WOTABs recommendations included addressing the promotion of women within the trucking industry and barriers to paying fair wages. Related articles: Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher. The post Trump administration could sideline female truckers anti-harassment agenda appeared first on FreightWaves. When an incoming White House official announced Donald Trumps executive order dismantling federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the official invoked a familiar line: This order is meant to return to the promise and the hope that was captured by civil rights champions, that one day all Americans can be treated on the basis of their character, not by the color of their skin. The statement echoed a well-known quote from Martin Luther King Jr.s 1963 I Have a Dream speech, in which King declared, I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours later, in his inaugural address, Trump noted that it was Martin Luther King Day, and his honor, this will be a great honor, but in his honor we will strive together to make his dream a reality. We will make his dream come true. Conservatives commonly use Kings words when speaking about their plans to end racial equity initiatives and carry out other conservative efforts, said historian William Horne, assistant editor of the University of Marylands Freedmen and Southern Society Project and co-founder of The Activist History Review. In 2021, while introducing legislation to allow students to sue schools for teaching race-conscious information, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida remarked that King didnt want people judged on the color of their skin, but on the content of their character. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that critical race theory goes against everything Martin Luther King Jr. taught us to not judge others by the color of their skin. But, Horne said, if you simply look into any of Dr. Kings work, its very clear that hes arguing for something really radical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kings speech, delivered at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, was a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement and marked a turning point in the national conversation about race and systemic oppression. King championed racial equity and implored the nations leaders to address the systemic oppression plaguing Black communities. In this speech and others, he called attention to the ways Black people were strategically disadvantaged based on race. He was also consistently demonized by U.S. leaders and surveilled by the federal government. Conservatives, Horne added, dont really care about his work. They really care about a different way of framing white supremacy, not as state violence. I wish I could say that it doesnt work. Historically, weve seen these very tactics work, this exact kind of rhetoric is the very rhetoric that helped sponsor Jim Crow. Dismantling DEI through lawsuits and legislation has become part of the anti-woke political movement. Trump and his backers have long vowed to wipe out federally funded diversity programs. Trumps order requires government agencies to assess any DEI programs and work to eliminate them. In a Monday call with reporters, the official said it was very fitting to announce the order on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As part of the order, deputies from several federal agencies will meet monthly to discuss ways to eliminate DEI programs. Diversity, equity and inclusion programs and roles have been around for decades but gained momentum after George Floyds murder in 2020, with companies and agencies working to achieve an ethnically balanced workforce and more inclusive workplaces. DEI roles began to increase drastically amid the national conversation about ways to promote racial equity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black workers account for 18% of the federal workforce, according to the Office of Personnel Management, more than their 14% share of the national population. Nika White, who runs a consulting company that specializes in DEI, called the use of Kings words to support attacks on DEI disgusting. It is disheartening that they would use the words of Dr. King and weaponize it as part of the conversation to dismantle what Dr. King very much stood for, which is, opportunity for those who are represented, White said. This is a way for them to cause people to be confused about what theyre after, which is taking full power in ways that create a continuation of disparities for others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kings daughter Bernice King condemned conservatives use of her fathers words in a post on X: To every politician: The next time you quote my father, let it be in support of voting rights, civil rights, or human rights. Or in support of eradicating racism, poverty, and war. Or in support of reparations, a livable wage, or ending police brutality. Kings eldest son, Martin Luther King III, condemned the attacks on DEI in an interview with NBC News last week. There are people who are qualified but dont have the opportunity because they are overlooked, he said. The anti-DEI order is among more than a dozen campaign promises Trump said he planned to carry out on his first day in office, including launching a mass deportation program, ending gender-affirming care practices, advancing education restrictions and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is ending radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing, the official told reporters of the executive order. So this order is meant to create equal treatment and end DEI inside the federal government. Conservatives have routinely drawn criticism for taking Kings words out of context and using them to support right-wing agendas. In 2021, Bernice spoke with MSNBC about the misuse of her fathers words. Do not take excerpts from my father, she said. Study him holistically. He wrote extensively. Thats the beauty of all of this, there are books out so the record will continue to be straight. For people to be able to misappropriate him this way is actually beyond insulting. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The News US President Donald Trump is expected to nominate a former special envoy as Washingtons top Africa official, while a Republican aide is likely to be the White Houses Africa director. The swift assembly of this team marks a departure from Trumps first term, when key Africa State Department positions remained vacant for years and the White House saw frequent turnover in its top Africa roles. J. Peter Pham, who served as special envoy for the Sahel and Great Lakes regions in the first Trump administration, is likely to take the top State Department job, four people familiar with the talks told Semafor. Tibor Nagy, who was assistant secretary for African Affairs in Trumps first term, is also returning to the State Department, where hell be bringing decades of US-Africa experience to serve as acting undersecretary for management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White Houses Africa team is also coming together, with Joe Foltz the favorite to be named as the National Security Councils senior Africa director, three of the people said. Foltz brings experience from the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he organized hearings on Russian and Chinese influence in Africa. Rudy Atallah, a retired lieutenant colonel who has extensive Pentagon experience in Africa-related roles, is set to serve as deputy to the incoming White Houses counterterrorism chief, Sebastian Gorka, two people familiar with the transition said. Pham, Foltz, and Atallah declined to comment. Spokespeople for the Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment. Know More Both Pham and Foltz face potential hurdles to serving in the new administration. Some Republicans have expressed reservations about Foltzs past work under two Democratic administrations, although he also served in President Trumps first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phams nomination during Trumps first term was blocked by the Senate due to a policy disagreement over Western Sahara. But the lawmaker who threatened to hold up his nomination has since retired, and Pham, who has travelled to Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence in recent months, is odds on favorite this time. Trumps incoming team will have to grapple with the brutal civil war in Sudan, countering Russian and Chinese influence on the continent, and the pending expiration of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, which provides some African countries with duty-free access to the US market. Yinkas view There has been a growing awareness in US foreign policy circles that the Africa portfolio is increasingly crucial to many long-term challenges. Its also at the core of so many of the incoming Trump administrations driving impulses. That includes everything from tackling global terrorism and illegal migration to countering China and Russia, whose respective influence on the continent is rising. The Biden administration did of course try to address these same challenges, and much more besides, but had mixed results. This was even after a significant effort to reset the Africa policy approach, with initiatives such as the US-Africa Leaders Summit in 2022 and building out the Lobito Corridor, a railway project connecting Angola, Zambia, and DR Congo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another reason for the fairly rapid team configuration is that Pham, in particular, is a very well-known and respected player in US-Africa policy circles in Washington. As one person put it to me, it feels like he has been auditioning for the role for decades. Room for Disagreement Democratic concerns about Pham and Foltz have been relatively muted, unlike the reaction to several of the incoming administrations high-profile nominees. Both men are known quantities and generally described as serious and thoughtful about US-Africa affairs, even by those who disagreed with Phams recent comments about Somaliland independence or on South Africa. This shouldnt be too surprising given the traditionally bipartisan nature of US-Africa policy. There are some concerns on the Republican side, however, with some grumbles about both perhaps not being sufficiently loyal to the disruptive Trump agenda. Notable (Bloomberg) -- US President Donald Trump reiterated a call for the European Union to buy more American oil and gas if the bloc wants to avoid tariffs. Most Read from Bloomberg The one thing they can do quickly is buy our oil and gas, Trump said to reporters in the White House after his inauguration on Monday. We will straighten that out with tariffs, or they have to buy our oil and gas. The European Union, as well as some Asian governments, are considering purchasing more energy from the worlds biggest producer of crude and exporter of liquefied natural gas. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen floated the idea last year that imports from the US could replace the blocs consumption of Russian LNG. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the short term, the US doesnt have much more capacity to increase liquefied natural gas exports. And since LNG is sold through long-term contracts, adding cargoes to Europe would require original buyers of the gas to agree to divert shipments there but that wouldnt boost the amount being exported by the US. Instead, European buyers could consider locking in supply via long-term pacts with US LNG projects, which would take years to build. Trump aims to unleash American energy development, declaring a national energy emergency and revoking offshore oil and gas leasing bans that effectively blocked drilling in most US coastal waters. He also lifted a Biden administration freeze on approvals of new LNG export plants. We are going to make a lot of money from energy, Trump said while signing a series of executive orders immediately upon taking office. We have more than anyone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. In recent weeks, when he was president-elect, Donald Trump publicly said that Panama should return the Panama Canal to the United States and that he would not rule out using military force to reclaim it. At his presidential inauguration on Monday, Trump doubled down. Trumps threat to upend decades of American policy and a war to seize the canal would be a major undertaking from a president who has railed against American military involvement in conflicts in the Middle East and would surely be hard to sell to the American public. It was President Jimmy Carter who negotiated the return of the Panama Canal to the Panamanians and secured the more-than-two-thirds vote in the US Senate necessary to ratify the Panama Canal treaties in 1978. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carter felt that returning the Panama Canal to Panamas government was the right thing to do since it was a legacy of a time when the US exerted a quasi-colonial policy over Central America. Its worth noting that it wasnt just Carter who signed on to the Panama Canal treaties; presidents of both parties Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton all felt bound by the terms of the treaties, which were only fully implemented when the United States entirely transferred the operations of the Panama Canal over to Panama on December 31, 1999. Since then, the operation of the canal by the Panamanians has been a non-issue, and more than two-thirds of the ships transiting the canal are either coming or going to American ports, according to the US International Trade Administration. Following Trumps assertions that the canal should be returned to the United States, Panamas President Jose Raul Mulino issued a statement in December saying, As President, I want to express precisely that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belong to PANAMA, and will continue to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would seem to have settled it, though, earlier this month, Trump added the potential threat of US military action to take back the canal. A war to secure the canal zone wouldnt be a small matter. Its more than 500 square miles of territory, and the population of Panama is 4.5 million people, many of whom presumably wouldnt be thrilled to be under some form of American occupation. Estimates by the US Army suggest you need a minimum of Twenty counterinsurgents per 1,000 residents for effective [counterinsurgency] operations. So, given Panamas population, that would be a force of around 90,000 US troops. This kind of military operation would also get the US involved in another land war of the type that Trump has long criticized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, under what authority could Trump order US troops to seize the Panama Canal? Typically, there would need to be a US congressional resolution for the use of such force, as there has been in place since the 9/11 attacks that authorizes the use of force against groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS. Any military seizure of the Panama Canal also would be quite disruptive to global trade. Around 6% of global trade passes through the canal. Any military action over the canal would also come at a time when the Houthis in Yemen have disrupted another key trade route by regularly targeting ships in the Red Sea with drones and missiles that are coming and going from the Suez Canal, which accounts for another 12% of global trade. Trump has built his political career thinking outside the box, but attempting to take back the canal whether by bullying the Panamanians or using military force would be a risky undertaking unlikely to succeed. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term on Monday before the worlds richest people. Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg were among those seated closest to Trump as he demonized the most vulnerable members of our society, rewrote the history of his criminal prosecutions, and pledged to roll back Joe Bidens efforts to address climate change. They smiled. They laughed. They thumbs-upped. They loved it. By the end of Inauguration Day, Trump had signed an executive order attempting to abolish birthright citizenship, cut off all asylum claims at the southern border, signed an order prohibiting federal recognition of transgender Americans, once again ended Americas commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and issued pardons to 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants, including the seditionist leader of the Proud Boys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not so long ago, some of the ultra-wealthy and big corporations would feign disgust with Trump. They paid lip service to social justice movements and pledged to make paltry efforts to reduce their climate impact. Thats all over now. Americas oligarchs are done pretending there is too much money to be made and power to be amassed together. Theyll get to keep their Trump tax cuts, and can expect to receive more. The government investigations of their businesses and regulatory scrutiny will end. All they have to do is act like or freely admit they support Trump and his policies. Pay up, show respect, get paid, and whatever else you want. In the days leading up to Trumps second inauguration, pockets of deep-blue Washington were transformed into a mecca of MAGA glitz and boozy, Trumpified access-peddling. In downtown D.C., Trumps Sunday and Monday afternoon pageantries were quickly followed with rows of richly dressed MAGA fans and ticket-holders standing out in the cold, waiting to get into the evenings selections of this exclusive party, sponsored by that corporate colossus, all to toast the dawn of yet another four years of reality-TV-style authoritarian decay. Just a few short years ago, corporate America was so mad about the Jan. 6 insurrection, when Trump whipped up his supporters and they attacked the U.S. Capitol to try to block Joe Biden from becoming president. Meta, Facebooks parent company, said it was appalled by the violence at the Capitol, and Zuckerberg, its CEO, declared on Jan. 7, 2021 that the company would block Trump from posting after its platform was used to incite violent insurrection against a democratically elected government. Zuckerbergs concerns about the health of our democracy appear to have subsided. On Jan. 7 this year, he announced Facebook would end its fact-checking program. He also went on Joe Rogans podcast to talk about how the corporate world is pretty culturally neutered and society has become emasculated. Meta, like many big corporations, made a large donation ($1 million) to Trumps inaugural committee. Voila: inauguration invite secured, even as the event got much smaller. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to cold weather, Trumps coronation was moved inside, into the Capitol building his supporters ransacked four years ago. Holding the ceremony in the small Capitol rotunda gave it an exclusive, cozy feel and kept out the riff-raff: No commoners could watch Trumps swearing-in live in-person not even Republican governors, who were relegated to an overflow room. Only the elite of the elite and the best Trump supporters. Musk. Zuckerberg. Bezos. Google CEO Sundar Pichai sat with them. Apple CEO Tim Cook was there. Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush were seated in front of UFCs Dana White. Rogan, conservative pundit Tucker Carlson, and Turning Point USA chief Charlie Kirk were there, too. Musk who leads Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter) came out as a MAGA fanatic this summer and leaned in, spending $153 million to boost Trumps presidential campaign via his Super PAC. He amplified Trumps campaign against migrants and undocumented immigrants, running ads decrying the HISTORIC BORDER INVASION and illegal immigrants getting handouts. Already the worlds richest man, Musks net worth shot up by tens of billions of dollars after Trumps win, and he was made leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Billed as potentially The Manhattan Project of our time by Trump, DOGE has been pitched as a project to slash government bureaucracy and spending, with Musk saying the spending cuts will involve some temporary hardship. DOGE could be a vehicle to push cuts to Americas meager safety net, though it could also be a tech industry grift: Trumps proclamation establishing DOGE simply rebrands the U.S. Digital Service, and talks of modernizing federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity, which sounds lucrative. In his inaugural address, Trump offered another apparent gift to Musk, as he pledged to pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars. Musk aspires to colonize Mars with his company SpaceX, which is already a major government contractor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bezos, Amazons founder and chairman, has his own space business, Blue Origin, and Amazon provides cloud services to the government. The worlds second-richest man started cozying up to Trump not long before the election, when he killed The Washington Posts planned endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. Bezos, whos owned the paper since 2013, wrote in a Post op-ed that no quid pro quo of any kind was to blame for his decision. After Trump won, Amazon donated $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund. The company, which is spending $40 million to license a documentary and a limited series about First Lady Melania Trump, recently deleted its public commitments to protecting the rights of Black and LGBTQ+ people from its website. The Posts editorial board separately endorsed most of Trumps Cabinet and Cabinet-level nominees. Zuckerberg, the third-richest man in the world, was seen as a Trump enemy specifically because he funded election infrastructure during the 2020 contest, after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Trump literally threatened to jail him for life. Following Trumps win, Zuckerberg flew to Trumps Mar-a-Lago club to suck up to the incoming commander in chief. Shortly before Trumps inauguration, Meta announced it is ending its diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and changed its policies to allow users to attack LGBTQ+ people as mentally ill, women as crazy, and Mexican immigrants as trash. If corporate America used to toss liberals some cultural wins here and there, instead of improving anyones material conditions, the ultra-wealthy are done bothering with that charade now. There is no reason for Americas oligarchs to hide anymore, no penalty to pay. What matters, financially-speaking, is getting close to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to immigration, Trump can carry out his mass deportation and crackdown on undocumented immigrants and asylum-seekers the oligarchs dont care as long as their companies can keep bringing in cheaper skilled workers on H-1B visas. Trump and Republicans are reportedly considering making it even harder for the poor to access Medicaid health insurance coverage and food stamps in order to fund another round of tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations. Robbing the poor to feed the ultra-rich sounds like a spectacular idea for the oligarchs; sign them up! Trump is going to make a spectacle out of punishing immigrants and fleece the poor while he and his family cash in on the presidency like America has never seen. Days before his inauguration, Trump abruptly launched a meme coin and became a crypto billionaire overnight, prompting his wife, Melania, to announce her own meme coin, too. The cruelty undergirds the grift thats the point. Americas oligarchs get it. They are done pretending to care. Trump can do what he wants, and they can, too. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump on Tuesday talked up a joint venture investing up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank. The new entity, Stargate, will start building out data centers and the electricity generation needed for the further development of the fast-evolving AI in Texas, according to the White House. The initial investment is expected to be $100 billion and could reach five times that sum. It's big money and high quality people, said Trump, adding that it's a resounding declaration of confidence in Americas potential under his new administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joining Trump fresh off his inauguration at the White House were Masayoshi Son of SoftBank, Sam Altman of OpenAI and Larry Ellison of Oracle. All three credited Trump for helping to make the project possible, even though building has already started and the project goes back to 2024. This will be the most important project of this era," said Altman, CEO of OpenAI. Ellison noted that the data centers are already under construction with 10 being built so far. The chairman of Oracle suggested that the project was also tied to digital health records and would make it easier to treat diseases such as cancer by possibly developing a customized vaccine. This is the beginning of golden age, said Son, referencing Trump's statement that the U.S. would be in a golden age with him back in the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Son, a billionaire based in Japan, already committed in December to invest $100 billion in U.S. projects over the next four years. He previously committed to $50 billion in new investments ahead of Trump's first term, which included a large stake in the troubled office-sharing company WeWork. While Trump has seized on similar announcements to show that his presidency is boosting the economy, there were already expectations of a massive buildout in data centers and electricity plants needed for the development of AI, which holds the promise of increasing productivity by automating work but also the risk of displacing jobs if poorly implemented. The initial plans for Stargate go back to the Biden administration. Tech news outlet The Information first reported on the project in March 2024. OpenAI has long relied on Microsoft data centers to build its AI systems, but it has increasingly signaled an interest in building its own data centers. OpenAI wrote in a letter to the Biden administrations Commerce Department last fall that planning and permitting for such projects can be lengthy and complex, particularly for energy infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other partners in the project include Microsoft, investor MGX and the chipmakers Arm and NVIDIA, according to separate statements by Oracle and OpenAI. The push to build data centers predates Trump's presidency. Last October, the financial company Blackstone estimated that the U.S. would see $1 trillion invested in data centers over five years, with another $1 trillion being committed internationally. Those estimates for investments suggest that much of the new capital will go through Stargate as OpenAI has established itself as a sector leader with the 2022 launch of its ChatGPT, a chatbot that captivated the public imagination with its ability to answer complex questions and perform basic business tasks. The White House has put an emphasis on making it easier to build out new electricity generation in anticipation of AI's expansion, knowing that the United States is in a competitive race against China to develop a technology increasingly being adopted by businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the regulatory outlook for AI remains somewhat uncertain as Trump on Monday overturned the 2023 order signed by then-President Joe Biden to create safety standards and watermarking of AI-generated content, among other goals, in hopes of putting guardrails on the technology's possible risks to national security and economic well-being. CBS News first reported that Trump would be announcing the AI investment. Trump supporter Elon Musk, worth more than $400 billion, was an early investor in OpenAI but has since challenged its move to for-profit status and has started his own AI company, xAI. Musk is also in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency created formally on Monday by Trump with the goal of reducing government spending. Trump previously in January announced a $20 billion investment by DAMAC Properties in the United Arab Emirates to build data centers tied to AI. ___ AP reporter Matt O'Brien contributed to this report from Providence, Rhode Island. By Steve Holland (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a private sector investment of up to $500 billion to fund infrastructure for artificial intelligence, aiming to outpace rival nations in the business-critical technology. Trump said that ChatGPT's creator OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle are planning a joint venture called Stargate, which he said will build data centers and create more than 100,000 jobs in the United States. These companies, along with other equity backers of Stargate, have committed $100 billion for immediate deployment, with the remaining investment expected to occur over the next four years. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison joined Trump at the White House for the launch. The first of the project's data centers are already under construction in Texas, Ellison said at the press conference. Twenty will be built, half a million square feet each, he said. The project could power AI that analyzes electronic health records and helps doctors care for their patients, Ellison said. The executives gave Trump credit for the news. "We wouldn't have decided to do this," Son told Trump, "unless you won." "For AGI to get built here," said Altman, referring to more powerful technology called artificial general intelligence, "we wouldn't be able to do this without you, Mr. President." It was not immediately clear whether the announcement was an update to a previously reported venture. In March 2024, The Information, a technology news website, reported OpenAI and Microsoft were working on plans for a $100 billion data center project that would include an artificial intelligence supercomputer also called "Stargate" set to launch in 2028. POWER-HUNGRY DATA CENTERS The announcement on Trump's second day in office follows the rolling back of former President Joe Biden's executive order on AI, that was intended to reduce the risks that AI poses to consumers, workers and national security. AI requires enormous computing power, pushing demand for specialized data centers that enable tech companies to link thousands of chips together in clusters. "They have to produce a lot of electricity, and we'll make it possible for them to get that production done very easily at their own plants if they want," Trump said. As U.S. power consumption rises from AI data centers and the electrification of buildings and transportation, about half of the country is at increased risk of power supply shortfalls in the next decade, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation said in December. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday night withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization. The move, which was widely anticipated, will see the U.S. leave the global health body within a year from the official notification to the United Nations and the WHO, which Trump tasked newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to do. Congress doesnt need to agree, but the U.S. must continue paying its dues, according to the 1948 U.S. resolution accepting WHO membership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Trump directed Rubio and the director of the Office of Management and Budget to pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO with practicable speed, in a move reminiscent of the first withdrawal attempt in 2020. Trump also directed the two officials to recall and reassign U.S. government personnel or contractors working with the WHO and find credible and transparent U.S. and international partners to replace the necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO. The executive order also demands the secretary of State to cease negotiations on the pandemic agreement that WHO member countries have been negotiating for years, with a deadline to conclude set for May. The executive order also notes that actions taken to implement amendments to the International Health Regulations a set of technical rules governing responses to outbreaks, among other issues which countries agreed to last year, will have no binding force on the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why it matters: The withdrawal will generate a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars for the WHOs core budget. The U.S. provides about a quarter of that budget as a mandatory membership fee but often gives more with the figure ranging from $163 million to $816 million in recent years, according to health policy think tank KFF. Trumps order noted that the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries assessed payments. It cited as an example China, which, with a population many folds bigger than the U.S., contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO. Countries membership fees to the WHO are based mainly on the gross domestic product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The loss could hinder the WHOs ability to swiftly and effectively respond to infectious disease outbreaks and other emergencies around the world, among others. In exchange, the U.S. is expected to lose access to the global network that sets the flu vaccines composition every year. It will also weaken the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions ability to surveil and contain health threats abroad, according to global health experts. There are places where we just can't send CDC epidemiologists, they wouldn't be safe, said Dr. Tom Frieden, who headed the agency for eight years under the Obama administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And American drugmakers could lose the WHOs help in selling their products worldwide since the WHO system endorsing drugs, vaccines and medical devices for global use that many developing countries rely on could be impaired by the loss of U.S. funding. Background: This is Trumps second attempt to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO. In July 2020, he sent a letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus notifying him of the U.S. intention to withdraw within a year. Trump accused the WHO at the time of helping China mislead the world about the spread of Covid-19. But Trump was defeated in that years election, and when President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, he reversed Trumps decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time, Trump will still be in office when the withdrawal would go into effect. But unlike 2020, the WHO could offset some of the financial losses caused by Americas withdrawal. Last year, it launched an investment round seeking some $7 billion to mobilize predictable and flexible resources from a broader base of donors for the WHOs core work between 2025 and 2028. As of late last year, the WHO said it had received commitments for at least half that amount. Jan. 21 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump attended the inaugural prayer service Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral, where a sermon on unity called out the president to "have mercy" on LGBTQ+ people and migrants. Speaking directly to Trump -- who attended "A Service of Prayer for the Nation" with first lady Melania Trump and his family -- the Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde said, "Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you, and as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God." "In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic and Republican and Independent families, some who fear for their lives," the Episcopal bishop added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President JD Vance, who also attended the service with the second lady, appeared to be irritated and leaned toward his wife, Usha, several times as the sermon turned political. Trump, who during his inauguration address Monday said there are "two genders, male and female," maintained a serious expression as he continued to listen. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance attend "A Service of Prayer for the Nation" at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Pool Photo by Jabin Botsford/UPI Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde: "The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors...may I ask you to have mercy Mr. President on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away." pic.twitter.com/iXaHJrPsof CSPAN (@cspan) January 21, 2025 "And the people -- the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants, who wash the dishes at their restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals, they -- they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors," Budde said. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance attend "A Service of Prayer for the Nation" at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday in Washington, DC, where the reverend called on the president to "have mercy" on "gay, lesbian and transgender children who are scared." Pool Photo by Jabin Botsford/UPI "May I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away." Trump signed an executive order Monday in the Oval Office to eliminate birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants as he declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and vowed mass deportations of criminal illegal immigrants. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend "A Service of Prayer for the Nation" at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday in Washington, DC. Pool Photo by Jabin Botsford/UPI During her sermon, Budde also called on Trump to help people fleeing war zones and persecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Not everyone's prayers will be answered in the way we would like. But for some, the loss of their hopes and dreams will be far more than political," Budde said, adding that "all the faiths represented here affirm the birthright of all people as children of our one God." Upon returning to the White House after Tuesday's service, Trump responded to reporters' questions. "Not too exciting, was it? I didn't think it was a good service, no. Thank you very much," Trump said. "They can do, they can do much better." By Steve Holland and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump began his first full day in office attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday and got a sermon he may not have been expecting: an appeal to protect immigrants and respect gay rights. The message drew a sharp response later from Trump, who described the minister as "nasty" and called the service "boring" and "uninspiring." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day after declaring in his inauguration speech that there were only two genders in America and signing executive orders to crack down on immigrants, Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde pleaded with Trump, from the pulpit, to show mercy on people who were "scared" of what is to come. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives," Budde said. On Monday Trump launched a sweeping immigration crackdown, tasking the U.S. military with aiding border security, issuing a broad ban on asylum and taking steps to restrict citizenship for children born on U.S. soil. Budde made an impassioned case for immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meat-packing plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals, they ... may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals," she said. "I ask you to have mercy. Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger." Trump did not appear happy during the remarks and dismissed the sermon as "not too exciting" when asked for a reaction. But, perhaps because the event went viral on social media, the president weighed in again several hours later on his Truth Social platform with scathing words about Budde. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calling her a "so-called Bishop", Trump described her as a "Radical Left hard line Trump hater" who owed the American public an apology. "She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart," Trump said. Billionaire Elon Musk, a staunch Trump ally, also knocked Budde's remarks in a post on his social media platform, X. "She got the woke mind virus real bad," he said. Musk is the father of a transgender daughter who in 2022 filed a court petition to change her name, saying: "I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form." (Reporting by Steve Holland and Jeff Mason; Editing by Leslie Adler and Chizu Nomiyama) The blitzkrieg of executive actions that President Donald Trump signed on day one was fully intended to be disorienting in its scope of horrors, and it is delivering. They would end birthright citizenship in the United States, pull us out of the Paris climate agreement, facilitate the wholesale purging of insufficiently loyal government workers, and pardon hundreds of rioters who attacked the Capitol, including those who violently savaged cops. Thats only a very partial list. But one executive order in particular is quietly drawing attention from immigration lawyers because of its unusually radical implications. It appears to declare that Trumps authority to seal the Southern border and entirely nullify the right to seek asylum exists wholly independent of any statute and is rooted in his constitutional powers, all because we are allegedly coping with a migrant invasion. What determines whether were subject to an invasion, you ask? Trump declaring it to be so, thats what. This suggests that Trump and his team may be laying the groundwork to argue, to an unprecedented degree, that he is largely unbounded by Congress in executing key aspects of his immigration agenda. The justification of this on invasion grounds also suggests something else: The government will be corrupted deeply to produce outright propaganda designed to sustain the impression of that invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relevant provision is buried in this new executive order, which declares that Trump is closing the country to migrants on grounds that they constitute an invasion across the southern border. Critically, the order also says that migrants who are engaged in this invasion no longer can seek asylum protectionsones authorized under the Immigration and Nationality Act, or INAuntil Trump issues a finding that the invasion at the southern border has ceased. The sloppily written order doesnt define precisely who constitutes a migrant engaged in this invasion. In other words, Trump appears essentially to be declaring an open-ended power to say that any and all migrants who enter unlawfully do constitute invaders. Trump can suspend the INAs provisions mandating certain treatment of these migrants for as long as he says the invasion is underway. The order gives several rationales for this. One is that migrants could be potentially carrying communicable diseases. Thats more radical than the Title 42 Covid-19 restrictions on entrywhich Trump originally instituted and Joe Biden kept in placeas those relied on a governmentally declared public health emergency. This new order merely rests on the possibility of migrants carrying diseases. Putting aside historys dark lessons about the consequences of casting migrants as bearers of disease, theres no documented link between migrants and such diseases to begin with, as the Cato Institutes Alex Nowrasteh details. The orders other rationale may be even more dangerous. It says that the Constitution gives Trump the authoritypursuant to conducting foreign affairs and protecting states from invasionto take any actions he deems necessary to achieve the objectives of this proclamation, i.e., halt or reverse the invasion by migrants. That seems to apply to anyone who enters the country illegally after the signing of the order. Under it, Trump would not be bound by congressional statute in determining what to do with them, immigration lawyers tell me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whereas previous administrations imposed bans like this using specific statutory authorities, this may be the first time a president has claimed the power to impose such a ban based on their constitutional authority to conduct foreign affairs, Tom Jawetz, a former senior Homeland Security lawyer, told me. He added that Trump is effectively declaring that inherent authority to override the nations immigration laws resides in the president. Trump claims to have a power in the Constitution that lets him suspend entire acts of Congress, added American Immigration Council senior fellow Aaron Reichlin-Melnick. Immigrants taken into custody have rights. No president can erase immigration law with the stroke of a pen. At a minimum, this should prompt tough questioning for administration officials: What limits do Trump and his advisers acknowledge on his powers to repel the invaders, if any? The presidents claim that he can simply declare an invasion and thereby eliminate asylum on his own constitutional authority puts us in dangerous and uncharted territory, said Lee Gelernt, a specialist in immigration law at the ACLU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It should be noted that Bidens draconian policies did indefensibly restrict a lot of asylum-seeking, but there was still a statutory underpinning for it. Trump is going for something much more far-reaching. As Slates Mark Joseph Stern recently argued, the long-term game plan of Trump and the MAGA legal establishment may be to try to get courts to declare the question of whether were enduring a migrant invasion a political one thats not subject to judicial review, unlocking sweeping, unfettered new powers. This order may be a big stab in that direction. Making all this more absurd, Trumps order asks us to believe that at some future point, he will willingly declare that the invasion has ceased. Yet even as he issued the order, border apprehensions are on track this month to drop again to levels rivaling the summer of 2020, the last year of Trumps first term. While one can argue that this isnt low enough, if Trump is declaring this an ongoing invasion, then it seems self-evident that hell never allow that the invasion has ended. Which is where government propaganda will come in. This new order makes it clear that Trump officials will be under pressure to produce information illustrating both that migrants are bearing communicable diseases and that the invasion is in full swing. Youd think this might conflict with Trumps desire to show that his strength has achieved border pacification: How will he demonstrate both that border crossings are down and that we continue to be invaded? Easy: Low numbers on crossings will coexist with a drumbeat of anecdotal stories about migrant crimes, pumped up with the force of government agencies and perhaps even the White House press operation, willingly blared forth by right-wing media. The latter will convey the desired invasion effect even as Trump hails low crossings as proof of his success. If you think this disconnect will perturb MAGA, youre not paying attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were already seeing a glimpse of what this could look like. The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump was planning a large-scale deportation operation in Chicago for this week. It was canceled after word of it leaked. But its still revealing: Trumps transition team picked Chicago to target a sanctuary cityand because hes feuding with Chicagos Democratic mayor. This again suggests deportations may be deployed selectively and corruptly, targeted at blue areas and at political enemies, while migrant labor employed by MAGA oligarchs and in red areas secures forbearance. Whats more, the Journal reports, Trumpworld had planned to enlist right-wing media to amplify the Chicago raids effects. Translation: Footage of thrilling deportations in cities supposedly infested with migrant crime will be handed out to friendly propagandists to keep feeding the impression of this invasion. You see, we are being invaded if Trump says so, which in turn grants him extraordinary new powers against the invaders. Why would he ever say otherwise? President Donald Trump issued an executive order Monday effectively barring transgender people from military service. The order is expected to result in one of the largest layoffs of transgender people in history and is likely to face legal challenges; the military is the largest employer in the nation, and transgender people are twice as likely to serve as their cisgender peers. It is the second time that Trump has banned transgender people from military service as president. He first announced a similar ban in 2017. Advocates estimated that once the ban took effect in 2019, 13,763 transgender people lost their jobs. President Joe Biden reversed Trumps ban days after taking office in 2021. On Monday, Trump revoked Bidens reversal while targeting 78 other executive actions taken under the prior administration. Without the federal protections granted under Biden, the legal precedent over the ban implemented in Trumps first term remains: The Supreme Court in 2019 allowed him to enforce the ban, after four separate courts had blocked it from taking effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The issue of transgender military service has been debated as part of the broader LGBTQ+ rights movement since the early 2000s. Transgender people were not allowed to serve until 2016 during a time of widespread policy gains for queer Americans. But Trump argued that transgender people hampered military readiness and that gender-affirming health care would cost the government too much money. The Palm Center, a now-defunct organization that studied LGBTQ+ military participation, countered that transgender health care costs were minimal, totaling around $3 million annually. Monica Helms, a Navy veteran and longtime transgender activist, told The 19th that removing trans people from the military would weaken national security and expose trans people to mistreatment under the Department of Veterans Affairs. The government also loses money by firing highly trained personnel, Helms said. Transgender people in the military dont just have desk jobs, she said they are aircraft carrier personnel and fighter pilots, and others are stationed in the Army and the Marines. Trans people are also serving in submarines, just like she was in the 1970s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to be real dangerous for our country, she said. Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said that a trans military ban has deeply dangerous consequences beyond the armed forces. It has a huge negative impact for the federal government to brand all transgender people as definitionally unfit to serve, Minter said. It would have horrific spillover effect in other areas of life, other areas of employment and would condone, socially, people seeing transgender people as less than. It is unclear how many transgender service members will be affected by Mondays executive order. The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law totaled the number of transgender service members at 15,500, but that figure hasnt been updated since 2014. Thats in part because the Palm Center shuttered in 2022 after Biden advanced a number of gains that allowed queer people to serve openly. Minter believes fewer than 15,000 transgender people will be impacted by the ban. He expects servicemembers who transitioned medically to be the first targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the work of challenging the ban falls to other national advocates like Minter, who said lawsuits are already in the works. We have been working for months to be ready to challenge any new ban, he said. Before they do that, however, they plan to lobby those closest to the administration for a reversal before thousands lose their jobs. The unemployment rate for transgender Americans is five times the national average as of 2022 (18 percent), according to the U.S. Transgender Survey (USTS). The military has approximately 2.1 million service members and nearly 800,000 civilian employees. The 2015 USTS found that transgender people were twice as likely to serve in the armed forces as cisgender people. Minter believes that is because, other than the ban, the military historically rewards service, not gender presentation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The core value of the military is that everyone is united around a common mission or purpose, and that differences really fall away, he said. I mean, that is the overriding consideration, and I think people really treasure that. The post Trump bans transgender people from military service appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. Traditional Russian wooden nesting dolls depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are displayed for sale at a gift shop on the touristic Arbat street in downtown Moscow on Jan. 20, 2025. Credit - Alexander NemenovAFP/Getty Images President Donald Trump revealed on his first day that he may be closer to delivering on a campaign promise than skeptics believed. As we show in our new, original economic analysis, Trump has the levers to force Vladimir Putin to end the Russia-Ukraine war promptly if he dispenses with the Biden Administrations tepid, inconsistent economic pressure. On Trumps first day in office, he publicly addressed his views on Putins invasion of Ukraine for the first time in weeks, during his Oval Office press conference. I think Zelensky wants a peace deal, but I dont know Putin wants a deal, Trump said, I think Russia is going to be in real trouble.I think Putins destroying Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is right. As Russia falters on the battlefield, approaching 700,000 casualties, its reliance upon North Korean troops and Iranian drones, Putin has not advanced his military agenda and Putins war-fueled economy has drained the nations vitality across sectors. Putin has cut reinvestment in its industrial base and seized control of much private enterprise, cannibalizing its once mighty industrial strength. In short, hes kept the furnace of Russias energy burning by tossing in the living room furniture. Russia is in real trouble as its economy implodes, and Putin is destroying Russia. And even more importantly, the return of Trump could send Russias economy off the cliff, and Trumps return could deal the death blow to the teetering Putin regime. Trump today said his sanctions had cut off Irans ability to finance the proxy terrorism of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis which Bidens muted sanctions enforcement allowed. Similarly, with proper sanction enforcement, the Russian economy will be circling the drain by Easter. That Trumps return could end Putins rule seemed unimaginable weeks ago. Many supporters of Ukraine openly feared that Trump might force a bad peace deal on Ukraine tantamount to surrender, amid Trumps oft-declared intention to end the war by his first day in office. But just as Trump has shown a willingness to evolve on business issues once he learned the facts, it appears Trump has similarly, pivoted his position on Putin once he learned just how weak the Russian economy really is. Simply put, the Russian economy is implodingwith Putin cannibalizing the productive economy to fund his war machine. If Putin loses the spigot of windfall oil revenues which has been propping him up the last three years, then the Putin regime will almost certainly collapse. Putin has already drawn down Russias rainy day funds by depleting its once-formidable foreign exchange reserves, and nobody is willing to fund Russian government deficits by buying unwanted Russian bonds. Meanwhile, the Russian Ruble is collapsing as a currency that even China is dumping, the Russian central bank has run out of firepower, and Putin cannot cut spending unless he defunds his own expensive war machine. Russia cannot make up for lost oil exports as it has already lost 90% of its erstwhile natural gas exports, thanks to Europe finally moving away from Russian piped gas reliance. The country brings very little to the global economy other than energy exports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oil revenues represent a potent choke point over the Russian economy, and Trump has grasped the strength of this leverage in a way the Biden Administration did not. The outlook for Russias oil sales is now very different, and Russias outright economic collapse appears far more likely now. With Trumps pledges to bring down oil prices and increase US domestic oil production by 3 million barrels a day, the world will no longer need Russian oil production the same way, and Putin will be feeling the pain because he will be selling at or below breakeven prices. According to Saudi Aramco, the breakeven for drilling Russian oil is a whopping $44 per barrel, the highest of any major oil producer and twice as much as the cost of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, and other major oil producersthanks in part to the inaccessibility of major Russian oil fields deep in the Arctic. So between his elevated breakeven cost of $44 per barrel to drill oil, and expenses which we estimate to be around $20-$30 per barrel to get that oil to market, Putin will be losing money when the price of oil falls below current levels. Even beyond any pain Putin suffers from the price of oil falling organically; if Trump imposes any additional sanctions and export restrictions on Russian oil companies, as Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent advocated for during his confirmation hearing, then Putin will be all but begging for relief as his economy implodes with export revenues throttled. History reminds us that this playbook of economic pressure on Russia has worked successfully before. Cold War ended largely through the unexpected implosion of Russias economywhich many experts did not see coming, but a vulnerability which Ronald Reagan, a leader defined more by intuition than careful analysis of the issues, grasped. Now, Trump has an opportunity to puncture Putins propaganda balloon and suffocate Russias economy to the point of collapse, if he chooses to do so. Contact us at letters@time.com. Donald Trump originally promised that Elon Musk's DOGE would operate outside the government. But his executive order instead renamed the US Digital Service, making DOGE part of the federal government. Experts say the approach swats down certain legal challenges while creating issues in other areas. On November 12, Donald Trump announced that Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency" would "provide advice and guidance from outside of government" to help roll back bad regulations and slash government spending. The DOGE that Trump created via executive order on January 20 looks almost nothing like that: It's officially part of the White House and reports to the chief of staff, Susie Wiles; it's set to have the power to hire government employees; and its stated mission is to update the federal government's software and IT systems a far cry from the vision Musk outlined of cutting up to $2 trillion in annual spending. "I was disappointed to see the limited scope that DOGE is now responsible for," said Romina Boccia, the director of budget and entitlements policy at the libertarian Cato Institute. "On the bright side, it may mean that it will be more likely to actually fulfill its mandate because it's more targeted." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's executive order says DOGE will replace the US Digital Service a sort of technical special-ops team created during the Obama administration after the meltdown of Healthcare.gov and encompass a "temporary organization" that makes it easier to hire employees. Every federal department has to create a four-person team to liaise with the new office, which is supposed to wrap up its work by mid-2026. "I think it's noteworthy that the announcement calls for an HR specialist, an attorney, an IT specialist, and then an overall manager to be placed in each of the applicable agencies," Craig Saperstein, a partner at the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman who specializes in government relations, told Business Insider. DOGE, he said, may still be focused on cutting regulations, changing workforce rules, and streamlining government operations. The decision to put DOGE inside the federal government is "perhaps the result of the lawyers advising DOGE and the administration realizing that their proposed private structure for the DOGE would be subject to legal challenge," Caleb Burns, a partner at Wiley Rein, told BI of the new structure. "It may be the necessary evil from their perspective, to avoid a court fight." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that DOGE is inside the government, it's subject to new transparency and ethical rules, particularly around public-information laws, said Aimee Ghosh, another partner at Pillsbury. "There's more mechanisms to request it or demand it, or for outside groups to file litigation demanding access," she said while noting that it was still unclear how public information statutes would apply to DOGE. Trump, Musk, and DOGE didn't return requests for comment. Limits on power Being part of the government means Musk can't use his private fortune to fund DOGE's operations. Tom Schatz, whose group Citizens Against Government Waste criticizes federal spending, said that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. USDS has suffered from mission creep as its head count has grown to more than 200 people, Schatz said, while Musk's team has been reported to have a staff of about 20. But Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, the director of government affairs at the Project on Government Oversight, said there would be easy ways for Musk to get around those limits. The DOGE temporary organization is allowed to use volunteers and so-called special government employees who may not have to disclose information about their assets and income to ethics officials, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House Counsel's Office and the Office of Government Ethics will probably weigh in on whether Musk or any DOGE staff will need to sell any assets or steer clear of discussions about certain agencies to avoid conflicts of interest. But Hedtler-Gaudette said those sign-offs weren't worth much because both offices were subject to political pressure. "The overall framework of ethics and conflict-of-interest laws, rules, and regs we have on the books are extraordinarily weak," he said. Since 2014, USDS has worked with federal agencies to help them improve how they deliver services, said Jen Pahlka, who helped create the office in 2013 and 2014. The agency was created with members of the team brought in to clean up the disastrous launch of Healthcare.gov and has since helped with tech rollouts such as the Internal Revenue Service's widely praised Direct File program. Congressional allocations for USDS have fluctuated, Pahlka said, and some people have criticized ethics waivers that have made it easier for USDS to recruit people from the private sector without forcing them to sell their stakes in venture-backed startups or investment funds. But she said ethics issues under Musk could be more significant than before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It does get politicized," she said. "I don't think to the extent that it will be now." Were the DOGE lawsuits pointless? At least three lawsuits filed shortly after Trump was sworn in challenged DOGE's compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, a 1972 law requiring outside advisory panels to meet publicly and include members from diverse ideological backgrounds. Earlier in January, The New York Times reported that two ethics experts who have criticized Trump, Virginia Canter and Norm Eisen, volunteered to be a part of DOGE but were rebuffed by the Trump transition team. It's unclear what will happen to those lawsuits now that DOGE has officially become part of the White House. But at least one group that sued said its lawsuit should still be able to move forward. Trump's executive order "does not moot our suit," Nandan Joshi, a lawyer at the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, said in an email. "Our lawsuit is based on information that the administration will ask a private task force to provide it with recommendations on regulatory and spending cuts without complying with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Nothing in the EO contradicts that information." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kel McClanahan, a lawyer for another group that sued over DOGE, raised the possibility that there could be multiple organizations using the DOGE name, saying in an email that the executive order "muddied the waters." "We don't have any reason to believe that the entity created by the recent Executive Order is the same animal as the advisory committee we are litigating about," he said. "The deciding factor will be what the new US DOGE Service actually does and how." Another change from the DOGE envisioned in Donald Trump's announcement in November: Vivek Ramasamy isn't a part of it. "It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. I'm confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government," Ramaswamy posted on X. He's reported to be exploring a run for Ohio governor. Have you applied to work at DOGE or otherwise been involved in the agency? Share your experience and thoughts with this reporter at atecotzky@insider.com. Read the original article on Business Insider There was a distinctly Messianic quality to Donald Trumps inaugural address. He claimed God had saved him from an assassination attempt last year in order that he could make America great again. The religious nature of the event in the Capitol added to the sense that many of those present also thought he and the country had the blessing of the Almighty. His first act as 47th president was to declare an emergency along the southern border of the United States in a bid to halt illegal immigration and drug smuggling. With his predecessor sitting just feet away, he also announced an end to Joe Bidens green policies and an expansion of oil and gas extraction, declaring drill baby drill. Mr Trump had promised a revolution and within hours he was delivering one, signing dozens of executive orders which he said would usher in a golden age of economic growth and common sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is banishing woke from public life, declaring there are only two genders and restoring the rights of people to untrammelled free speech. Much of this will be welcomed on the political Right in Britain and elsewhere, but will infuriate the progressives, who now face the most implacable enemy imaginable. Many members of the establishment Mr Trump so despises are attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, holding discussions about free trade and net zero that the new US president rejects. Without America they are not achievable. But Mr Trumps exceptionalist America First approach will come at a cost to traditional allies like the UK. As a mercantilist nation, Britain must trumpet the benefits of free trade, which generates growth, reduces poverty and ultimately makes everyone better off. The tariffs that Mr Trump intends to impose on China and the EU will impair trade everywhere. Sir Keir Starmer is keen to secure a trade deal with the US and has set up a mini-Cabinet of senior ministers to help devise a strategy to bring one about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this was tried by Tory prime ministers more in favour with the new administration than Labour and got nowhere. In such negotiations the bigger partner always has the whip hand. Despite his Scottish heritage, people looking to Mr Trump to give Britain special treatment are likely to be disappointed. He will do what he considers to be in the interests of America and of himself. He made that clear before the American people, the world and God. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. During his Oval Office spray, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to postpone the ban on TikTok as he tries to find a way to keep the app active in the U.S. -- instructing the attorney general to delay the ban by 75 days. The newly inaugurated president also shrugged off national security concerns about the social media app when pressed by reporters in the Oval Office on Monday evening. "TikTok is worthless, worthless if I don't approve it, it has to close. I learned that from the people that own it. If I don't do the deal, it's worthless, worth nothing. If I do the deal, it's worth maybe a trillion dollars, a trillion," Trump said. PHOTO: President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) MORE: TikTok thanks Trump after it begins restoring service to US users Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued to argue that there should be at least 50% U.S. ownership of the app, although he didn't make mention of the national security that prompted the app's ban in the first place. Trump notably called for a ban of the app due to national security during his first term. "If I do the deal for the United States, then I think we should get half. In other words wait, I think the US should be entitled to get half of TikTok. And congratulations, TikTok has a good partner, and that would be worth, you know, could be $500 billion or something," Trump said. Trump also continued to float the idea of a "joint venture," but didn't specify exactly what that means. When asked whether the CEO of TikTok is open to that idea, Trump said that he is "around." PHOTO: TikTok logo on a smartphone. (Antonin Utz/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: US bans TikTok. Here's what could come next Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also wrote off the concerns over the app sharing data with the Chinese government. "But remember, they make telephones in China. They make all sorts of things in China. Nobody ever complains about that. Here they're complaining about this, so many different products made in China, nobody ever complained about the only one they complain about is TikTok," Trump said. When asked by a reporter in the room why he changed his mind about the app, Trump said it was because he got to use it and said that the U.S. has "bigger" concerns. "Because I got to use it. And remember, TikTok is largely about kids, young kids. If China is going to get information about young kids out of it, to be honest, I think we have bigger problems than that," Trump said. Notably, China sent its vice president, Han Zheng, to Trump's inauguration on Monday when the country has typically sent an ambassador in the past. Trump brushes off TikTok national security concerns while calling for a 50% deal originally appeared on abcnews.go.com By Jonathan Landay and Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday rescinded sanctions imposed by the former Biden administration on far-right Israeli settler groups and individuals accused of being involved in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, the new White House website said. The website said Trump rescinded Executive Order 14115 issued on Feb. 1, 2024, which authorized the imposition of certain sanctions "on Persons Undermining Peace, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security, and Stability in the West Bank." Trump's decision is a reversal of a major policy action by former President Joe Biden's administration which had slapped sanctions on numerous Israeli settler individuals and entities, freezing their U.S. assets and generally barring Americans from dealing with them. As much of the world's attention has focused on the war in Gaza, growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank and land grabs in the occupied territory have raised concern among some of Israel's Western allies. U.S. sanctions on settlers landed after the Biden administration repeatedly urged the Israeli government to take action to hold extremists to account for actions that Washington believes set back hopes for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the 1967 Middle East war, Israel has occupied the West Bank of the Jordan River, which Palestinians want as the core of an independent state. It has built Jewish settlements there that most countries deem illegal. Israel disputes this and cites historical and Biblical ties to the land. Trump's approach to settlements was significantly different. During his first term in 2019, Trump had abandoned the long-held U.S. position that the settlements are illegal before it was restored by Biden. Israel Ganz, chairman of the main Yesha settler council who has close ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told Reuters in October that he expected the sanctions to be lifted in the event of a Trump win. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay and Humeyra Pamuk; editing by Diane Craft) (NewsNation) Legendary news anchor Sam Donaldson believes President Donald Trumps communication skills were key to his return to the White House. Donaldson joined NewsNation Now to discuss Trumps second term in the Oval Office and his inauguration speech Monday. I think President Trump is president again because of his ability to be a great communicator, Donaldson said. Ronald Reagan, great communicator; Franklin Roosevelt, great communicator; and Donald J. Trump, great communicator, if you like the communication that youre getting from him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Live Updates: Trumps inauguration Donaldson suggested some of what Trump said Monday highlighted the starkest departure from the previous administration since Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt. The business about declaring that the two sexualities represented by his administration would be male and female doesnt make the big difference to the countrys future, Donaldson argued, regarding Trumps assertion only two genders would be recognized in official government policy. It makes a difference to the few Americans who are being marginalized, of course, out of existence by his words, Donaldson added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his speech, Trump said, As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. President Trump commuted the sentences of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys leaders convicted of sedition in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack but Enrique Tarrio, former national chair of the Proud Boys, received a full pardon. Trump commuted the sentences of all Jan. 6 defendants convicted of plotting to forcibly halt the certification of the 2020 presidential election, including Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, to time served. He also commuted the sentences of other Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders who had been acquitted of sedition. Tarrio, however, was granted a full, complete and unconditional pardon alongside roughly 1,500 other Jan. 6 defendants. He is currently serving a 22-year prison term the longest handed down in connection with the Capitol attack but his attorney told The Hill hes being processed out of prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pardons mark a sharp rebuke of the Justice Departments sweeping Jan. 6 probe, as the sedition convictions of the right-wing extremist group leaders were the crown jewels of a prosecution hailed as one of the largest, most complex, and most resource-intensive investigations in the agencys history. Trump long vowed to grant clemency to those who descended on the Capitol as Congress certified the 2020 election win of his Democratic opponent, former President Biden, describing them on the campaign trail as political prisoners. However, he largely remained mum on the scope of his planned clemency moves, making the sentence commutations for the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers members somewhat of a surprise. In recent weeks, his allies comments suggested Trumps clemency might not be so sweeping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President Vance said earlier this month that people who committed violence on Jan. 6 should obviously not receive pardons, while Pam Bondi, Trumps pick for attorney general, said at her confirmation hearing that she condemns any violence against law enforcement. Tarrio was not in Washington on Jan. 6, after he was barred from the city following an unrelated arrest. Rhodes, who is serving an 18-year prison term, was outside the Capitol that day but was not convicted on any assault counts. James Lee Bright, an attorney for Rhodes, said over text that they are deeply thankful to Trump and his team for the sentence commutation but ultimately believe the Oath Keepers founder will later be pardoned or successful in his appeal of the sedition conviction. Trump also ordered his Justice Department to take steps to throw out all pending indictments against Jan. 6 defendants whose cases have not yet been fully adjudicated a decision that would shut down roughly 470 ongoing cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said Monday he believed the supporters of Jan. 6 rioters would be pleased with his clemency decisions, describing them as hostages who for the most part didnt do stuff wrong. Youll be happy because, you know, its action, not words that count, he said. And youre going to see a lot of action on the J6 hostages a lot. On Monday, Proud Boys members wearing their signature black-and-gold gear, with many concealing their faces, marched through Washington chanting Whose streets? Our streets and Free our boys. It was the first time they marched in the nations capital since the Capitol attack. Nearly 1,600 defendants were charged in the riot, and only 10 were convicted of sedition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nayib Hassan, Tarrios attorney, thanked Trump for pardoning the Proud Boys leader in his legally complex but politically charged case. Throughout this journey, we have steadfastly maintained that the charges and the subsequent prosecution were politically motivated, and today, with President Trumps act of clemency, that long-fought battle concludes, Hassan said. This marks a pivotal moment in our clients life, and it symbolizes a turning point for our nation. Updated 10:04 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Trump completed a monumental political comeback on Monday, taking the oath of office for a second time and vowing to turn around a nation he insisted was in decline. Trump became the first president in more than 125 years and the second in history to begin a second nonconsecutive term as president of the United States. And he launched a new era in Washington by signaling a flurry of executive orders were coming on immigration and a host of other issues that will further put his imprint on American life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people thought it was impossible for me to stage such a historic political comeback. But as you see today, here I am. The American people have spoken, Trump said in remarks from the Capitol rotunda. I stand before you now as proof that you should never believe that something is impossible to do. In America, the impossible is what we do best. Trump, who will now go down in history as the 45th and 47th president of the United States, declared the start of a new golden age in America. He was surrounded by family, Republican donors and current and former presidents and vice presidents, as well as a tech contingent that included his close adviser Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg of Meta. In a sign of the changing Washington, Bezos, Zuckerberg and their spouses had better seats for the inauguration moved indoors because of freezing temperatures in Washington than many members of Congress who are normally the stars at the Capitol. For Trump and his supporters, it was a day of sheer joy and vindication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already this morning you can feel it around the country. We certainly felt it here in the city. America is coming together and roaring back again, and it begins today, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who will be charged with moving the Trump agenda through a narrow House majority, told an overflow room of inauguration guests. Musk let out a roar and told a raucous crowd at Capital One Arena, This is what victory feels like! Trump started the day by meeting with former President Biden and former first lady Jill Biden at the White House. He delivered an inaugural address in the Capitol rotunda before speaking to an overflow room of supporters at the Capitol. Moving vans arrived at the White House as Biden administration officials departed and Trump aides moved into their new digs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president took part in a condensed parade at Capital One Arena with thousands of supporters looking on from the stands, and he concluded his night by attending three inaugural balls. It was the exclamation point on what has been an extraordinary political comeback for Trump, who was briefly exiled from the GOP after the mayhem that followed his 2020 election defeat, withstood multiple criminal indictments and survived an assassination attempt that left him bloodied. The president and members of his party were adamant that last Novembers election victory, in which Trump won 312 electoral votes and won the popular vote by about 2 million ballots, gave the incoming administration a clear mandate to implement a far-reaching agenda. On immigration, he signed orders Monday that declared an emergency at the southern border to free up additional resources. His administration also shut down the CBP One mobile app, which migrants could use to make appointments at the U.S.-Mexico border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump withdrew the country from the Paris Climate Accords just as he did upon taking office in 2017. He issued a national emergency related to energy and also issued executive orders aimed at utilizing U.S. energy and specifically Alaskas natural resources. He readied a raft of pardons for individuals charged with crimes in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Trumps Inauguration Day schedule and his speech reflected how he is in many ways the same political figure from his first term who tends to harbor a grudge and go off script. But he has also won over some skeptics and better understands how to wield the levers of government to enact his agenda. The presidents inaugural address opened with a swipe at his predecessor, former President Biden, who was seated directly next to the lectern as he spoke. Trump said he was inheriting a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In remarks to an overflow room of supporters at the Capitol, Trump referenced topics he wasnt supposed to include in his more formal address, such as plans to pardon Jan. 6 defendants and criticisms of critics like former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.). His inaugural address was at times more reflective, such as when he recounted being grazed by a bullet during a rally last July in Pennsylvania. Our recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal, and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy and, indeed, their freedom, Trump said. From this moment on, Americas decline is over. Trumps 2017 inauguration speech was widely remembered for its references to American carnage and a pledge to put America first, a sharply different tone than the typical notes of optimism and unity that are hallmarks of inaugural addresses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was more positive and reflective on Monday, speaking about the rally last July where he was grazed by a bullet. I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success, Trump said. A tide of change is sweeping the country. In addition to tech industry leaders, notable attendees included former Vice President Mike Pence, New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D), Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R). Trump is expected to have a busy first week as he and Republican lawmakers look to get on the same page to advance immigration reform, tax cut extensions and other parts of the presidents agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president will host top House and Senate Republicans at the White House on Tuesday, including separate meetings with Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.). Trump will cap the week off with a trip to Los Angeles to survey damage from recent wildfires that have killed dozens and devastated swaths of the city. Copyright 2025 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The border wall has been a backdrop of contention for several presidential administrations. On day one of his presidency, Trump said he planned to sign an order declaring a national emergency at the southern border. First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted, President Donald Trump said during his inauguration speech on Monday. I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country. Shortly after taking the oath of office, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection app, CBP One, went dark. A message on CBPs website reads, Effective January 20, 2025, the functionalities of CBP One that previously allowed undocumented aliens to submit advance information and schedule appointments at eight southwest border ports of entry is no longer available, and existing appointments have been cancelled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to CBP, nearly one million asylum seekers used the app to upload documents and enter into the U.S. from January 2024 through December 2024. WATCH LIVE: Trump signs executive orders, celebrates inauguration Now, Migrant Advocate Pedro Rios, director of the American Friends Service Committee, said hes not really sure how people are going to seek asylum. He is concerned asylum seekers might attempt to climb the wall, cross through the ocean, or pay smugglers. It forces people to do so in much more dangerous scenarios, Rios said. Rios said in the days leading up to Trump taking office, he saw a slight increase in people seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border in San Ysidro, and he believes there may be more as people arent sure how to seek asylum. He said Trumps changes are the same harmful rhetoric. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not something that we want to see for a president of the United States to treat immigration as though its a threat to the country. Trump ran on the promise of border security, and said during his inauguration speech that he would revive a plan that he had dropped during his first term in office. Under the orders I sign today, we will also be designating the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, Trump said. He said he is also planning to bring back a policy started in his first term, that President Biden ended in 2022. What executive orders did Trump sign on day 1 of presidency? We will reinstate my Remain in Mexico policy, Trump said on Monday. The policy required people seeking asylum to stay in Mexico until their claims were processed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question here is whether the U.S. government is violating peoples asylums rights, Rios said. People who are seeking asylum should not be placed in conditions where their livelihood is in danger. Trump is also expected to start the process to end birthright citizenship, something that is protected by the 14th amendment. That is expected to draw legal battles. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Everyone agrees that Donald Trumps comeback is remarkable. It is the greatest political comeback in history, says The Hill. But theres one part of the Trump phenomenon that hasnt quite managed a comeback. It was notable by its absence as The Donald was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States today. Its TDS Trump Derangement Syndrome. Trump might be back on top but the wailing haters who followed him around like a bad stink in 2016 are nowhere to be seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Trump presidency without TDS? It will take some getting used to. Anti-Trump hysteria was such a central feature of his first presidency that it feels weird to see him retake the White House without thousands of woke weirdos fainting in the streets. Sure, there were protests in Washington, DC in the run-up to Trumps swearing-in. But they felt muted, even jaded. Theyve lacked the apocalyptic frenzy that greeted his first stint in power. On Saturday, there was a gathering of feminists waving banners about abortion. They call themselves The Peoples March presumably this excludes the 77 million people who voted for Trump and theyve been assembling at the Lincoln Memorial every year since 2017 to whine about the new President. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a no doubt pained BBC was forced to admit, this years march drew smaller numbers than its predecessors. It feels like the Trump haters are giving up. Perhaps it has finally dawned on them that 2016 was not a blip. The Trump presidency was not some freak occurrence. There really are people out there tens of millions of them who want Trump running the republic. I wont lie. I kind of miss the Trump-phobia. It was hilarious. Who can forget Beanie Woman, the bespectacled lady who greeted Trumps inauguration in January 2017 with a howl of despair at an uncaring sky? She begged humanitys forgiveness for the sins of her fellow Americans. Im so sorry, she cried. Shes now a meme queen, her mournful sobs having come to symbolise the general lunacy of political correctness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in 2016, students petitioned their professors to cancel classes so that they might work through their emotional distress over Trumps victory. Lena Dunhams TDS brought her out in actual hives. The Girls creator wrote of her trauma over Trumps win. I touched my face and realised I was crying I could feel my chin breaking into hives. Her boyfriend had it even worse: he was having trouble breathing. How was this not satire? TDS lingered for ages. On the first anniversary of Trumps 2016 victory, the BBC published a piece titled: A year later: Liberals still haunted by Trump win. Theyve mourned, theyve marched, and theyve moved on, reported the Beeb. But every now and then, the poor dears find themselves falling back into political darkness. People having different beliefs to ones own what a drag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At times, TDS really went off the rails. Trump was christened the New Hitler. TDS sufferers took to the streets with images of Trump sporting a Hitler moustache. It was a testament to their pampered unworldliness that they responded to the rise of a politician they didnt like by fretting that civilisation was about to grind to a fascistic halt. TDS infected the political classes, too. David Lammy had a serious fit of the anti-Trump vapours in 2017 when he called him a racist Ku Klux Klan and Nazi sympathiser. But now poof! the TDS community is gone. Not entirely, of course. There has been some hissy-fitting over Trumps second term, especially on TikTok. But then, performative emotional incontinence is what TikTok is all about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have they found a cure for TDS? Maybe people have developed some immunity to this crippling ailment, meaning its symptoms are not as severe as they used to be? My theory is that there has been a wave of realisation among the melodramatic middle classes. They now know surely that it is they who are the outliers, not Trump and his millions of cheerers. Far from being a glitch in the system, Trumpism is the preferred choice of vast swathes of the American electorate whove had enough of being economically and culturally demeaned by the old establishment. I expect there is a sense of shame, too, among TDS sufferers. Their public temper tantrums reeked of moral aloofness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of trying to understand the thinking of their fellow Americans, they damned them as brainwashed rednecks who had fallen under the spell of an orange-hued billionaire. That was always the irony of TDS: its victims slammed Trump as an out-of-touch tycoon, even as their own fits of pique revealed how disconnected they were from working-class America. So, thanks for the funny memories, TDS people but Im glad you have finally grown up. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. New leaders at the Justice Department, which has been a center of President Donald Trumps ire, have moved quickly to reassign at least 20 career officials, effectively sidelining them from senior-level positions where theyve worked for years, according to multiple sources briefed on the changes. There has also been a shake-up at key US attorney offices in New York and Washington, DC. Trump has promised to overhaul the Justice Department, which filed two criminal prosecutions against him, and the FBI, which conducted a search of his Mar-a-Lago resort. The shakeups come as several new civilian hires have been made at the FBI since Trump took office Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who have been sidelined at the DOJ headquarters in Washington include senior lawyers in the criminal division, as well as the national security division, which in the past has been insulated from shifting political winds, and prosecutors who work on international affairs, which handles extraditions and immigration matters, the sources said. In some instances, seasoned career prosecutors were ordered to report in the coming weeks to a new task force. The move is viewed by Justice Department officials as a way to push some of the career lawyers, who are normally protected during transitions between administrations, to consider leaving the department. Federal civil service regulations generally protect career employees at the Justice Department and other agencies from being reassigned for at least 120 days after new leadership takes over. However, Trump administration officials appear to be interpreting the 120-day rule to not apply in this instance because the DOJ is currently led by an acting attorney general and deputy attorney general while Pam Bondi, the attorney general nominee, awaits confirmation. Therefore, they reason, new leadership hasnt yet started, one of the sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department declined to comment. The changes could become subject to complaints before the Merit Systems Protection Board, a quasi-judicial agency that is supposed to protect civil servants from political retribution in changes of administrations. Meanwhile, in the District of Columbia, Ed Martin, a hardline, socially conservative activist and commentator, is now the acting US attorney. Martin was an organizer with the Stop the Steal movement and was involved in the financing of the January 6, 2021, Trump rally on the Ellipse that occurred directly before the attack on the Capitol. He has also publicly advocated for a national abortion ban without exceptions for rape or incest and has raised imposing criminal penalties on women and doctors involved in abortions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Eastern District of New York, career prosecutor John Durham was tapped as interim US attorney. Durham, the son of the former special counsel by the same name who investigated the origin of the FBIs investigation into Trumps 2016 campaign, was the head of the districts Long Island office. He joined the US attorneys office in 2005 and has extensive experience prosecuting and overseeing cases involving MS-13 gang members. And Danielle Sassoon was tapped as the interim head of the Southern District of New York. Sassoon was part of the team that successfully prosecuted FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried for fraud and Lawrence Ray, who was convicted of sex trafficking of students at Sarah Lawrence college. Before she joined the office in 2016, Sassoon clerked for two federal judges including Justice Antonin Scalia on the US Supreme Court. Former Jim Jordan aide among new hires shaping Trump FBI Paving the way for promised changes at the FBI, the Trump administration has assigned Tom Ferguson, a former FBI agent who served as an aide to Rep. Jim Jordan, to return to the agency, according to people briefed on the matter. Jordan has stood as one of the FBIs harshest critics and led a subcommittee focused on so-called weaponization in the bureau and other agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferguson is among several new civilian hires at the FBI since Trump took office Monday that officials say are expected to help prepare for the arrival of Kash Patel, whose nomination for FBI director is awaiting Senate confirmation. Its unclear what Fergusons specific position would be, but he is expected to serve as an adviser to Patel, the sources said. In a post on his LinkedIn profile last week, Ferguson thanked Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, for his faith and Trust. He added that he was humbled and excited to see what the Lord has in store for me serving in the new administration. Ferguson worked at the FBI for more than 22 years, according to his LinkedIn profile, including as a supervisory special agent. He left the agency in 2022, and since then, he has worked as a senior advisor on the House Judiciary Committee for almost two years, his LinkedIn profile shows, and assisted the House task force investigating the first Trump assassination attempt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other posts on Fergusons account show him railing against socialism, woke ideology, and what he says is political overreach from leftist politicians and activists. In one of those posts, a bullet point list entitled I Remember When, Ferguson writes that the FBI was once an esteemed national treasure and hadnt forgotten their oath to remain apolitical. Senior FBI special agent Brian Driscoll was installed as acting director of the FBI in recent days, following the resignation of FBI director Christopher Wray and subsequent retirement Monday of FBI deputy director Paul Abbate. Wray, the FBI director Trump hired in his first term, resigned after Trump made clear he planned to fire him. And Abbate announced his retirement after the incoming administration said it planned to appoint new acting leaders in the top two jobs. This story has been updated with additional details. CNNs Manu Raju contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Donald Trumps executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship is perhaps his most disturbing representing a direct challenge to the plain language of the U.S. Constitution. It may also be one of the most straightforward Trump actions to reverse. Before Day One was over, the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit in federal court seeking to have this order blocked and declared unconstitutional and unlawful in its entirety. The ACLUs court action was buttressed Tuesday by a similar lawsuit filed by a dozen attorneys general from blue states also seeking a permanent injunction of Trumps order. ACLU executive director Anthony Romero, introducing the litigation, called Trumps birthright citizenship order a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values. He added that the order risks repeating one of the gravest errors in American history, namely, creating a permanent subclass of people born in the U.S. who are denied full rights as Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order, touted as PROTECTING THE MEANING AND VALUE OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP, seeks to create an ambiguity in the 14th Amendment where there has been none. Adopted after the Civil War, the amendment reads: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States. The Trump order tortures the phrase, subject to the jurisdiction thereof, to allege that the amendment does not apply to babies born to mothers who are either undocumented or temporarily visiting the U.S., e.g., on a tourist visa, where the father is also not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The federal government, per the order, is instructed to stop issuing citizenship documents including passports and Social Security numbers to babies born to such couples starting 30 days from the date of the order. The ACLU suit insists that the Trump order is unlawful on its face, running afoul of the Constitution and federal statute, and that it far exceeds the scope of his power, as neither the Constitution nor any federal statute confers any authority on the president to redefine American citizenship. The lawsuit contends that the Trump order disturbs constitutional bedrock. It highlights the 125 year old precedent, U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark. That Supreme Court decision affirmed birthright citizenship in the case of a California man, born to Chinese immigrants in San Francisco, who was wrongly denied reentry to the country after a trip abroad in the wake of the nativist Chinese Exclusion Act, which blocked entry of Chinese nationals. (Birthright citizenship has also been affirmed by statute, in federal laws passed in the 1940s and 50s.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In modern history, the suit states, the language about being subject to the jurisdiction thereof has only been interpreted to exclude the children born to foreign diplomats stationed in the U.S.; you might think of it as a corollary to diplomatic immunity. The suits plaintiffs include pregnant couples without permanent legal status who are expecting babies this spring. They include a DACA recipient (a protected but impermanent status granted to undocumented immigrants brought here as children) as well as asylum seekers, including a couple from Venezuela. That country does not offer consular services in the U.S. meaning, the lawsuit cautions, that their child may be rendered effectively stateless at birth. The ACLU suit lists harms to its plaintiffs, including that these babies will likely be denied SNAP nutrition benefits as well as Medicaid health insurance. (The Trump administration, per his campaign rhetoric, darkly views this as a feature not a bug of the executive order.) The suit appears to have been in the works for some time, and targeted in its choice of jurisdiction. The suit was filed Monday in a federal district court in New Hampshire. This court answers to the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston, the only appeals court whose bench is entirely made up of Democratic appointed jurists. The suit brought Tuesday by the states attorneys general was filed in federal district court in Massachusetts, which also answers to the First Circuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While a favorable ruling from the First Circuit appears likely, the Supreme Court, with its arch-conservative supermajority, is no slam dunk. But language in the ACLU complaint appears calibrated to the originalist faction of the Supreme Court, which often seeks to ground its decisions in pre-colonial and even British practice. The legal background of the suit defends birthright citizenship as an ancient and fundamental principle that has its roots in English common law. Romero, the ACLU leader, appeared to nod to the reality of the Trump-aligned high court, yet insisted that the overreach of the citizenship order is so egregious that we are confident we will ultimately prevail. Read the ACLU suit here. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Former national security adviser John Bolton said Tuesday that Donald Trump had revoked the government security detail he receives to thwart threats against his life from Iran-backed assassins. I am disappointed but not surprised that President Trump has decided to terminate the protection previously provided by the United States Secret Service, Bolton said in a post on X. Bolton, who frequently stakes out hawkish views about Iran, has had a 24/7 security detail from the Secret Service since December 2021. The Justice Department has said that during that time a member of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard attempted to hire a hitman in the United States to take him out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the post, Bolton said the threat against him from Iran remains today, evidenced in part by a foiled plot this summer by Iranian operatives to kill Trump himself. The Secret Service, the Trump transition, and the National Security Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Bolton also did not immediately respond to a request for further comment. Bolton is now estranged from Trump after being fired during his first term and writing a memoir about his time in office. On Monday, the new president signed an executive order that revoked the security clearances of 50 former senior national security officials and singled out Bolton in particular for allegedly disclosing sensitive information in his book. Bolton is one of a long list of former senior Trump administration officials who receive round-the-clock government protection due to an ongoing assassination threat from Tehran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threats largely emanate from Trumps killing of senior Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in January 2020 a move that prompted Tehran to seek out revenge on Trump and those connected to the strike, U.S. intelligence officials assessed at the time. It was not clear if Trump had made changes to the security arrangements for other officials some of whom also have a fractious relationship with the president. Late Monday, Trump fired one of those officials, Brian Hook, his former special envoy to Iran who was leading States transition team. Trump has frequently criticized two others: Mark Esper, his former secretary of Defense, and Mark Milley, the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Hook, Esper and Milley could not be reached for comment. The State and Defense Departments, which provide their security details, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. CORRECTION: A previous version of this story mischaracterized Trumps executive order. It revoked security clearances. (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump is kicking off his full first day in the White House with high-level congressional consultations and a high-profile infrastructure announcement, as he begins to chart out his legislative and political strategy for his second term. Most Read from Bloomberg Early in the afternoon, Trump is meeting with his two most important congressional partners, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, to discuss the approach to passing one, or two, reconciliation bills, officials familiar with the plan said. Then the group will be joined by the larger Republican congressional leadership as the party weighs its approach for extending the presidents signature tax cuts and securing other legislative priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump later will be joined by Softbank Group Corp.s Masayoshi Son, OpenAI LLCs Sam Altman, and Oracle Corp.s Larry Ellison to announce an initial $100 billion investment, which could scale up to $500 billion over the next four years, to build up infrastructure for artificial intelligence, according a White House official. Follow The Big Take daily podcast wherever you listen. Separately, border czar Tom Homan said during an interview with CNN that targeted immigration raids were underway across the nation. And the president is also likely to roll out additional executive actions as he looks to reshape the federal bureaucracy with an eye toward his agenda. But even as Trump barreled ahead with an eye toward additional accomplishments, some of his most controversial initiatives were already generating outrage that threatened to overshadow his agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a service at the National Cathedral on Tuesday morning, Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde pleaded with Trump to protect the rights of transgender people and immigrants, a day after the president signed orders to rollback protections for those groups. Let me make one final plea, Mr President, Budde said. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives. The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals, she added. Asked later what he thought of the service, Trump said it was not too exciting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They can do much better, he added. On Capitol Hill, Democrats seized on Trumps decision to pardon or commute the sentences of individuals involved in the January 6, 2021 attempted insurrection, arguing that the president had prioritized his political supporters over standing with law enforcement officers injured on that day. Prisoners released included former Proud Boys head Enrique Tarrio and Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, who were serving lengthy sentences for their roles in the attack. President Trumps abuse of the presidential pardon system is appalling, Peter Welch, a US senator from Vermont, said in a statement. More than anything it displays disregard to the men and women of the Capitol Police who bravely defended the Capitol and stood in the breach to allow for the transfer of power to the president newly elected by the citizens of the United States of America. On Monday, Trump issued dozens of orders that sought to tighten the border, narrow citizenship eligibility, remake trade ties, empower him to award security clearances, withdraw the US from the World Health Organization and Paris Accords, and grant a temporary reprieve to TikTok, all in line with campaign pledges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has claimed a mandate from his election win, and is planning sweeping legislation including to renew tax cuts passed during his first term while enacting new ones promised during his campaign. At the same time, Republicans hold narrow majorities in the House and Senate, and have needed Democratic help to get through essential bills like those funding the government or to extend the debt limit. Trumps inauguration day was a re-imagined spectacle of pomp, forced inside due to cold weather for the first time since 1985. And Trump himself was at center stage delivering his inaugural address and a second, longer speech at the Capitol, before an indoor parade and, ultimately, his return to the Oval Office. It also was a sign of shifting times: the Democratic outcry of 2017 and Trump isolation of 2021 gave way to a display of bipartisanship Monday. Outgoing President Joe Biden hosted the Trumps for coffee before attending Trumps inauguration, a contrast from four years ago when Trump skipped Bidens. Trump wanted to hit the ground running, and on Monday signed executive actions at three separate occasions once at the Capitol, appointing staff and ordering flags to full staff; once at the arena that held a makeshift parade to escape the cold; and finally Monday evening at the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump announced that he would dramatically tighten rules at the border. A Biden-era app used to schedule asylum claims went offline shortly after he was sworn in, and Trump signed an order looking to end automatic, or birthright, citizenship to babies born in the US in certain cases. He pledged to curtail regulations on energy production and refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Trump also designated cartels as foreign terror organizations and left the door open to military strikes in Mexico. Stranger things have happened, he said. He also signed a series of orders related to the federal workforce, including one ending work-from-home leeway and another freezing federal hiring in certain departments. Were doing all of this on our very first day in office, Trump told supporters at his arena speech. Read this next: Who's Influencing Trump? The Competing Visions Shaping His Second Term Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other moves are yet to come. He largely held his fire on tariffs, after pledging to use them widely on friendly nations and foes alike. Trump directed agencies to begin studying key issues, including trade deficits and whether the US should quit the renegotiated Nafta pact that Trump signed in his first term. Trump also didnt outline the extent of his plans on China, which he repeatedly has threatened with additional tariffs. He did say hed consider it if they balk at any deal to give the US a stake in TikTok, which Trump is seeking in exchange for letting the app live on. Trump began the day with a church service that also laid bare some of his allegiances: some of the worlds wealthiest people and heads of its biggest firms joined him for the service and, later, had prominent seats to his swearing in. They included Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai, among others. Trumps stately tone of his inaugural speech, his first of the day, soon gave way to other issues gnawing at him. He hinted in a second speech, delivered extemporaneously and lasting longer than his inaugural address, that he was talked out of expressing sympathy for those convicted of the Jan. 6 demonstration, when Trump was disputing the election results, from this years inaugural address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours later, Monday night, he pardoned 1,500 people convicted in the riot, calling them hostages, save for 14, who had their sentences commuted. It was a swift and immediate abandonment of the prosecutions stemming from that day, and his clemency didnt exempt those convicted of assaulting police officers, as some Republicans had hoped. --With assistance from Billy House and Stephanie Lai. (Updates with details on AI announcement, additional Trump remarks) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. President Donald Trump hit the ground running with a demand for federal employees to go back to the office full-timethat could be a problem for the departments who have more than half their staff working remotely. President Donald Trump hasn't even been in the Oval Office a day and he's already causing a headache for middle managers in federal agencies. On Jan. 20, President Trump signed an executive order mandating federal employees need to get back to their in-office desks five days a weeka significant change for the thousands of staffers who have worked on a hybrid basis since the pandemic. This will cause more of a problem for some agencies than others, as currently more than half of some departments work remotely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, these agencies risk losing a significant chunk of their workforce who may quit over the loss of their sought-after flexible professional arrangements. This isn't an outcome that would surprise President Trump or his advisors. In fact, RTO mandates have been floated by Tesla CEO Elon Musk (now sole head of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE) as a way to trim headcount. Writing in the Wall Street Journal alongside his former DOGE co-lead Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk said a full-time RTO policy "would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome: If federal employees dont want to show up, American taxpayers shouldnt pay them for the Covid-era privilege of staying home." Precisely two months after the WSJ op-ed and the Trump camp has scored a victory against what Musk labels the "laptop class." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order reads: "Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary." Impacted departments For agencies which have been operating with more than half their staff logging on from home, the policy shift could present a significant problem. Firstly, managers will need to plan where a sudden influx of staffers will even sita problem which organizations in the private sector have also faced. Secondly will be a series of discussions with staffbe they exit interviews, establishing the rare exceptions to the new RTO rule, or answering questions about when the new RTO rule will come into effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agency heads will also be bracing themselves for the possibility that they may have to run their departments with significantly smaller teamsand some agencies risk losing proportionally more of their teams than others. According to an August 2024 report compiled by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), 2,341 of the Department of Education's 4,245 staff work remotelythat's more than 55%. Likewise in the General Services Administration, 49.8% of the nearly 13,000 staff work offsite. The story is similar at the Small Business Administration, where 48.5% of 6,390 staff work from home, and in the Office of Personnel Management where 1,115 of the 2,753 are remote workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While these departments face the biggest upheaval relative to their size, larger departments have more people logging on remotely. The Department of Defense, for example, has 61,549 remote employees (out of 783,081 total). The Department of Veteran Affairs has 36,630 remote workers (out of 485,139 total) and the Department of Health and Human Services has 26,849 working remotely (out of 91,845 total). A silver lining in the report is that even departments with a large number of remote workers still see their in-person and hybrid staffers coming in for the majority of the week. For example while the Department of Agriculture has 18,529 remote employees, those who work in-person or hybrid spend 85% of their working hours in the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Department of Justice that percentage is 91.4% (excluding 1,653 remote workers) and 85% at the Department of Homeland Security (excluding 15,445 remote staff). The OMB's report also features responses from each department on how they are managing performance and office utilizationsomething which is likely to draw the attention of DOGE. The Department of Education, for example, measures performance "through a framework that includes planning; internal analysis and review; and reporting"the metrics of which are the same for both in-person and remote or hybrid staffers. In terms of office utilization, the Education Department adds that it shares space with the U.S. General Services Administration, writing: "When managing the cost of space reductions [the education department] prioritizes space reductions that can achieve the greatest net financial savings." This story was originally featured on Fortune.com President Donald Trumps executive order to suspend the US refugee program could leave at least 2,000 Afghans in limbo who had previously been approved to resettle in the US, a major Afghan advocacy organization is warning. These people have been waiting long enough, Shawn VanDiver, the founder and president of #AfghanEvac, a coalition of organizations that has been working to bring Afghan allies to safety since the end of the war in 2021, told CNN. Theyre in hiding, theyre in limbo, and President Trump campaigned about Afghanistan. He started the end of the Afghan war and now hes got to finish it. And that means bringing all of our allies to safety. The group of people immediately impacted include the families of roughly 200 US service members, as well as families of people who have already relocated to the US, VanDiver said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flights for those impacted in the short term have not been cancelled yet, he added, as the government has to work through implementing the order. The executive order, titled Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program, says the admission of refugees under the program would be detrimental to the interests of the United States. The program is being suspended, beginning on January 27, for at least 90 days, if not longer. The order says that, after 90 days, the secretaries of Homeland Security and State will submit a report to Trump on whether or not the program would be in the interests of the United States. A report will be submitted every 90 days afterwards until Trump determines that it is. The United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees, the order says. This order suspends the USRAP until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One active-duty soldier with the 82nd Airborne Division told CNN he has two family members who will be impacted. The soldier, who is not being identified out of concerns for his familys safety, said he spoke with one relative Monday night after seeing the order. She was just crying, the soldier said. It made me cry as well. The soldier said he came to the US after the fall of Afghanistan in 2021. After working with US special operations forces as a combat interpreter for a few years, he said he decided to join the US military after relocating to the country because it was the best way I can give back, and show Afghans who live in the US are willing to fight for this freedom. The news that his family, who he said has been in hiding because of his familys connection to working with the US, may be stuck in Afghanistan indefinitely, is gutting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My concern is, if I get deployed and killed overseas which I would sacrifice my life to this country any time even my [relative], she cannot come to my funeral, he said. Republicans have been hugely critical of former President Joe Bidens chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and the impact it had on service members, veterans and Afghans who served alongside the US military including Trumps own national security advisor Mike Waltz, who said the administration had abandoned Afghan allies. In 2022, Waltz criticized Biden over the thousands of allies we abandoned and made unkept promises of security for their safety to get the accountability they deserve. Since the end of the war in Afghanistan in August 2021, more than 180,000 Afghans have resettled in the US. An open letter from #AfghanEvac to the incoming Trump administration and leaders in Congress, which urged the continuation of resettling Afghan allies to the US, received more than 700 signatures, including more than 400 veterans, according to the organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement #AfghanEvac was recognized by the State Department under former Secretary of State Antony Blinken. VanDiver emphasized on Tuesday that the organization is ready and willing to work with the new Trump administration. But even if the refugee program is suspended for only the first 90 days, VanDiver told CNN, that would impact roughly 2,000 people including the families of US military service members who have already cleared the US vetting process and are actively prepared to travel. If the pause is indefinite, VanDiver said, it could impacts tens of thousands more. When youre in hiding, and when youre terrified, every day feels like an eternity, VanDiver said. Years results in lost trust. We are creating national security problems for ourselves by making it impossible for these folks, to whom we made a promise, to enjoy that promise. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Its been four years since the January 6th Capitol riot and President Donald Trump has said he will pardon at least some of those who were convicted for playing a role in the chaos. More than 1,200 people have been convicted in the January 6th investigation. Three dozen defendants and their families in the Tampa Bay area are now standing by to hear what their future holds. 8 On Your Side Investigator Brittany Muller spoke with the family of Retired Green Beret Jeremy Brown. Theyre on standby and hopeful President Trump will pardon him. On day one of Donald Trumps second Presidency, hes set to sign a record setting number of executive orders, including pardoning January 6 defendants. That youll be happy because its action, not words, that count and youre going to see a lot of action on the Jan. 6 hostages a lot of them, said the President while delivering remarks in the Capitols emancipation hall. Brown spoke with 8 On Your Side from the Pinellas County jail in 2023. On the nights that I lie in bed and I cry myself to sleep, I sometimes selfishly think to myself I couldve taken a plea agreement to save myself because I dont know that the American people even care, said Brown. He was sentenced to seven years. His charges stemmed from an allegation of trespassing the Capitol, but during a search warrant authorities said they had found illegal weapons and a classified document at his Tampa home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown claims the FBI tried to recruit him to infiltrate the oath keepers about a month before the riot. Browns family shared this message he wrote last night, in part: For the 1st time in nearly 40 months, I felt HOPE! But NOT hope that Ill be free (I am ready), but HOPE that there are OTHERS, besides those supporting me, working together with a PLAN! Now, we see if Mr. Trump follows that plan and takes ACTION! In his last few hours as President, Joe Biden issued high profile pardons including the members and staff who served on the house committee that investigated the January 6th attack, including Liz Cheney as well as the Capitol and Metro Police who testified before that committee. Biden said the pardons are not an acknowledgment of wrongdoing. Trump responded to the pardons telling NBC news that It is disgraceful. Many are guilty of major crimes! I was going to talk about the things that Joe did today with the pardons of people that were very, very guilty of very bad crimes like the unselect committee of political thugs, said Trump. Jeremy Brown has five daughters. His girlfriend said shes anxiously awaiting to learn what his future holds. Copyright 2025 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 WFLA. Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second non-consecutive presidential term on January 20, 2025. Ivanka Trump attended her father's inaugurations but will not serve in his second administration. Barron Trump, the president's youngest child, now towers over both of his parents. Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration was held on Monday, exactly eight years after the president's first inauguration on January 20, 2017. After losing his bid for reelection in 2020, Trump ran again in 2024 and won, becoming the second US president, after Grover Cleveland, to serve two non-consecutive terms. The Trump family has seen big changes since 2017. Ivanka Trump will not serve a major role within her father's administration this time around, after previously serving as an advisor to the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barron Trump, the president's youngest son, was just 10 years old when his father first took office. Now 18, Barron is a freshman at New York University and has taken a more active role in his father's campaign. Here's what the Trump family looked like at the 2017 Inauguration compared to 2025, and how their roles have changed. Donald Trump became the oldest president to assume the presidency during his first inauguration ceremony in 2017. Donald Trump at his inauguration ceremony in 2017. Lucy Nicholson/Reuters When he was inaugurated on January 20, 2017, at 70 years old, Trump was the oldest person to assume the presidency. "We, the citizens of America, are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country and to restore its promise for all of our people," Trump said in an inaugural address in 2017. "Together, we will determine the course of America and the world for years to come." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is once again the oldest president to assume office. Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. Morry Gash/Pool/AFP/Getty Images Biden became the oldest president at 78 years and 61 days when he was inaugurated on January 20, 2021. However, Trump surpassed him on January 20, 2025, at 78 years and 220 days years old. "The golden age of America begins right now," Trump said in an inaugural speech. The president also announced a series of impending executive orders that include immigration reform and the establishment of an External Revenue Service. The core members of Trump's immediate family attended his first inauguration. Donald Trump was sworn in on two Bibles, including one used by President Abraham Lincoln and another gifted to Trump by his mother when he was a child. Jim Bourg/Reuters At his first swearing-in ceremony, Trump was flanked by his wife Melania Trump and his children Barron, Ivanka, Eric, Donald Jr., and Tiffany. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's children and their partners also attended the 2025 inauguration, which was held inside the Capitol. Donald Trump was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts at his inauguration. Kenny Holston/Pool/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos, Lara Trump and Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr. all attended the 2025 inauguration. Melania Trump and Barron Trump stood directly alongside the president during his swearing-in ceremony, with his other children, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris also present. Barron was just 10 years old when he attended his father's first inauguration. Donald Trump with his son Barron Trump on January 20, 2017. Mark Wilson/Getty Images Though he was only 10, the youngest Trump son was nearly taller than both his parents at his father's first inauguration. Barron moved into the White House five months after his father was sworn in and became the first boy to live in the historic home since John F. Kennedy Jr. lived there in 1961. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now an adult, Barron towers over his parents. JD Vance, Melania Trump, and Trump's children celebrated his inauguration. Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images Barron, 18, will not live in the White House this time around. He is a freshman at New York University and lives in off-campus housing, People reported. Melania Trump was by her husband's side when Barack and Michelle Obama welcomed him to the White House in 2017. Barack Obama and Michelle Obama greeted President Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House on January 20, 2017. Associated Press/Evan Vucci Melania lived in the White House during her four years as First Lady and was welcomed into the home by the Obamas on her husband's first day in office. She wore a powder-blue suit by Ralph Lauren. She appeared alongside her husband as Joe and Jill Biden welcomed the couple back to the White House, though she won't live there full-time. Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Donald Trump, and Melania Trump at the White House on Inauguration Day in 2025. Evan Vucci/AP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the 2025 inauguration, the First Lady opted for a navy blue coat and skirt by American designer Adam Lippes. She paired the look with a wide-brimmed hat by Eric Javits, another American designer. The extent of Melania's role in her husband's second administration remains unclear. People reported that the First Lady will live it the White House at least part-time, dividing her time between Washington, New York (where Barron is in school), and Mar-a-Lago. "I will be in the White House. And when I need to be in New York, I will be in New York. When I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach," she said in an interview with Fox & Friends on January 13. "My first priority is to be a mom, to be a first lady, to be a wife." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melania Trump stood on the podium alongside her husband as he was sworn in for a second time on January 20, 2025. Ivanka Trump became an advisor after her father was sworn in in 2017. Ivanka Trump attended the 2017 inauguration alongside her siblings. Alex Wong/Getty Images According to her official White House bio, Ivanka Trump served as a senior White House advisor during Donald Trump's first term. She focused on issues such as the "education and economic empowerment of women and their families" and boosting jobs and economic growth through skills training and entrepreneurship, according to the bio. Ivanka attended her father's second inauguration, but will not be part of the new administration. Donald Trump took the oath of office at the 2025 inauguration as his wife, Melania, Ivanka, and his children other looked on. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images When Trump launched his third presidential campaign in 2024, Ivanka announced that she was stepping away from politics and would not play an official part in his next administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I love my father very much," she said in a statement shared on social media. "This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my children and the private life we are creating as a family. I do not plan to be involved in politics. While I will always love and support my father, going forward, I will do so outside the political arena." Jared Kushner attended the 2017 inauguration with his and Ivanka's children. Jared Kushner attended the inauguration on January 20, 2017. Saul Loeb/Pool/Getty Images Kushner served alongside his wife as a senior advisor in his father-in-law's first administration. He played a key role in brokering the Abraham Accords, a set of agreements that established diplomatic relations between Israel, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jared Kushner also attended Trump's second inauguration. Eric Trump, Jared Kushner, Elon Musk, Ivanka Trump, and Donald Trump Jr. at the 2025 inauguration. Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Images CNN and the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported that Jared Kushner is expected to serve as an informal advisor to President Trump focusing on matters related to the Middle East. Donald Trump Jr. arrived at the 2017 inauguration with his sister Ivanka. Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump arrived at the presidential inauguration in 2017. Pool/Getty Images Donald Trump Jr. did not serve in an official capacity within the White House during his father's presidency. During Trump's first presidential term, he and his brother, Eric Trump, continued overseeing the Trump Organization, which manages the Trump family's real-estate holdings and is currently appealing its civil-fraud case verdict. Tiffany Trump and her brother, Eric Trump, arrived together for their father's first inauguration. Tiffany and Eric Trump on Inauguration Day in 2017. WIN MCNAMEE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Though not overly political, Tiffany spoke at the Republican National Conventions in 2016 and 2020. Eric has also appeared alongside his family at multiple campaign events throughout Trump's political career. All five of Donald Trump's children Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany, and Barron attended the 2025 inauguration. Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Tiffany Trump, Eric Trump, and Barron Trump arrived together for the 2025 inauguration. Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images It wasn't widely announced prior to Inauguration Day which members of the Trump family would attend. However, all five of the president's children arrived together for the ceremony. Trump Jr.'s rumored ex-girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle, who he started dating in 2018, was not spotted at the inauguration, though she did attend a few pre-inauguration events. Page Six reported their breakup in December, and Trump Jr. has since been linked to Florida socialite Bettina Anderson. Tiffany did not speak at the 2024 Republican National Convention and has only made a few political appearances in recent years, including the inauguration. She and her husband, Michael Boulos , are expecting their first child. Eric Trump is expected to continue leading the Trump Organization as executive vice president. Read the original article on Business Insider President Donald Trump discovered former President Joe Bidens parting letter in the Resolute Desk on Monday night following a question from a reporter as he signed executive orders from the Oval Office, prompting a teasing response. Wait, Trump told the reporter while he fiddled with a drawer. Dont they leave it in the desk? He then spotted the letter, a tradition between outgoing presidents and incoming ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ooh! Thank you, Peter, it could have been years before we found this thing, Trump told the reporter. He waved the white envelope around for the room, joking that maybe we should all read it together before adding, Maybe Ill read it first and then make that determination. Trump looks at a letter left for him by former President Joe Biden. Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images Trump set the letter aside and returned to his executive orders, remarking that he left Biden a similar note in 2021 on the unification of our country. Biden confirmed shortly after his inauguration that Trump despite not attending Bidens inauguration had left a very generous letter, but he declined to comment on the specifics, calling it private. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The contents of former President Barack Obamas letter to Trump at the start of his first term were swiftly made public back in 2017. Obama told the then-incoming president that all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure and went on to give a couple words of advice, although he noted, This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I dont know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Obama emphasized the gravity of the office of the presidency and its impact on Americans and people around the world. Eight years previously, former President George W. Bush had told Obama that he could look forward to being inspired by the character and compassion of the people you now lead. And former President Bill Clinton had told Bush, The burdens you now shoulder are great but often exaggerated. The sheer joy of doing what you believe is right is inexpressible. Related... (The Hill) President Donald announced the firing of four high-profile presidential appointees just after midnight Tuesday, including a top envoy to Iran during his first term and retired Gen. Mark Milley, who Trump tapped as Joint Chiefs chairman in 2018. Trump wrote on Truth Social that fired celebrity chef and humanitarian Jose Andres from the Presidents Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, former special envoy for Iran Brian Hook from the Wilson Center for Scholars and Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, from the Presidents Export Council. Our first day in the White House is not over yet! My Presidential Personnel Office is actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration, who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again, Trump posted on Truth Social just past midnight Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let this serve as Official Notice of Dismissal for these 4 individuals, with many more, coming soon, Trump said before listing off the four officials in the post that ended with YOURE FIRED! Why Biden pardoned Mark Milley ahead of Trump taking office Milley, the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was given a preemptive pardon by former President Joe Biden in the 11th hour of his presidency. Milley has at times forcefully criticized Trump, and Trump has suggested he should be court-martialed and executed. The retired generals portrait at the Pentagon, hung in the Joint Chiefs hallway, was taken down on Monday less than two weeks after it was put up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hook, who served under former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during Trumps first term in the White House, was an Iran hawk who supported sanctions the Trump administration imposed on Iran. Lance Bottoms was a senior adviser on Bidens re-election campaign, after deciding against running for a second term as Atlantas mayor. Andres, the founder of World Central Kitchen, has questioned whether Trump can carry out his ambitious deportation plans, and seems to be considering a future in politics himself. In a flurry of executive orders Trump signed on Monday, he also ordered federal workers to return to the office five days a week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. President Donald Trump moved quickly to remake the Department of Homeland Security Tuesday, firing the heads of the Transportation Security Administration and Coast Guard before their terms are up and eliminated all the members of a key aviation security advisory group. Trump's immigration policy changes drew the most attention at DHS, but he is also making changes at the rest of the massive agency. Members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee received a memo Tuesday saying that the department is eliminating the membership of all advisory committees as part of a commitment to eliminating the misuse of resources and ensuring that DHS activities prioritize our national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aviation security committee, which was mandated by Congress after the 1988 PanAm 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland, will technically continue to exist but it won't have any members to carry out the work of examining safety issues at airlines and airports. Before Tuesday, the group included representatives of all the key groups in the industry including the airlines and major unions as well as members of a group associated with the victims of the PanAm 103 bombing. The vast majority of the group's recommendations were adopted over the years. It wasn't immediately clear how many other committees were effectively eliminated Tuesday or whether other departments will take similar actions. A similar safety group advises the Federal Railroad Administration on new rules and safety issues in that industry. I naively thought, oh theyre not going to do anything in the new administration, to put security at risk aviation security at risk. But Im not so sure, said Stephanie Bernstein, whose husband was killed in the bombing and served on the committee. The future of the committee remains unclear because DHS officials didn't respond Tuesday to questions about the move. The memo that announced the terminations said that future committee activities will be focused on advancing our critical mission to protect the homeland and support DHS's strategic priorities but the group has no members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adding to Bernstein's concern is the fact that TSA Administrator David Pekoske was fired even though he was originally appointed by Trump during his first term and was in the middle of what was supposed to be Pekoske's second five-year term in the job after he was reappointed by Biden and confirmed by the Senate. No reason was given for Pekoskes departure. But in an unrelated news release Tuesday about the restarting of a program, which is often referred to as Remain in Mexico, DHS highlighted Pekoskes role in attempting to terminate the policy at a time when he was acting secretary at the beginning of the Biden administration. Pekoske held the acting post before Alejandro Mayorkas was confirmed by the Senate. In his letter to staff Pekoske called his job the honor of a lifetime. During Pekoskes tenure he oversaw a rapid increase in the use of facial recognition technology at airports across the country which concerned privacy advocates. During his tenure, frontline TSA officers also received substantial pay raises designed to bring them in line with other federal law enforcement officers, which Pekoske credited with helping with hiring and retention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a recent string of stowaways discovered onboard flights and hiding inside wheel wells of planes renewed questions about aviation security. The firing of Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan eliminated the armed forces first female service chief who had served since 2022. That move was met with shock by some Democratic members of Congress. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-WA, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, credited Fagan with having a commitment to fixing a decades-long culture of sexual assault within the Coast Guard and the prestigious service academy in Connecticut. Cantwell said during a Tuesday interview on CNN that Fagans firing is appalling. Under Fagans watch, the U.S. Coast Guard apologized in 2023 for not taking appropriate action years ago when it failed to adequately handle cases of sexual assault and harassment at the academy. The service also acknowledged it did not widely disclose its six-year internal investigation into dozens of cases from 1988 to 2006, known as Operation Fouled Anchor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, however, Fagan received bipartisan criticism for not being cooperative enough with congressional investigations into the abuse. She tried to assure skeptical and frustrated senators at one hearing she was not trying to cover up the branchs failure to adequately handle cases of sexual assault and harassment at the academy and said she was committed to transparency and accountability within the Coast Guard while also abiding by the constraints of an ongoing government watchdog investigation and victim privacy concerns. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., who district includes the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut said Fagan provided a fundamental change in Coast Guard leadership and has worked to rebuild trust and correct the persistent sexual misconduct problems facing the service. President Trumps unprecedented decision on day one to fire a service chief ahead of her scheduled departure is an abuse of power that slanders the good name and record of Admiral Fagan, Courtney said in a statement. Courtney noted, under Fagans leadership, the Coast Guard exceeded its 2024 recruitment goal for the first time since 2017, interdicted over $2.5 billion in illegal drugs from bad actors in 2024 and demonstrated an aggressive commitment to countering adversaries in the Artic by championing the ICE Pact to speed up production of new icebreaker vessels, which the US has not built in nearly 50 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Commandants outstanding record completely negates the Presidents demonstrably false claims and signals his enduring interest to put politics over the best interest of our servicemembers and national security. In addition to those firings, Trump will also appoint a new administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency who he has criticized harshly for the way it responded to disasters like Hurricane Helene last fall and the California wildfires. It is customary for the head of that agency to be replaced every time a new president takes office. ____ Associated Press Writers Susan Haigh and Rebecca Santana contributed to this report. President Donald Trump early Tuesday morning announced plans to fire more than a thousand presidential appointees who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again. Just hours into his second day in office, he kicked that process off by dismissing former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council and celebrity chef Jose Andres from the Presidents Council on Sports. Trump also dismissed former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms from the Presidents Export Council and Brian Hook, who served as special envoy for Iran in the previous Trump administration from 2018 to 2020, from the Wilson Center for Scholars. Let this serve as Official Notice of Dismissal for these 4 individuals, with many more, coming soon, Trump wrote on Truth Social. YOURE FIRED! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milley, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and who has called Trump a fascist, was granted a preemptive pardon by Joe Biden on Monday. Andres and Trump have feuded since the celebrity chef pulled out of a deal to open a restaurant in Trumps former D.C. hotel. In a post on X, Andres said he submitted his resignation last week because his two-year term had concluded, and he asked that God give you (Trump) the wisdom to put politics and name calling aside. I hope @realdonaldtrump exercises his presidential authority so the Council can continue to advocate for fitness and good health for all Americans, Andres wrote. These are bipartisan issuesnonpartisan issues. Trumps commitment to thousands of changes is in line with his continued pledge to rid the federal government of employees he views as disloyal. He signed an executive order on Monday that aims to weaken protections for federal employees, a revival of a 2020 order that sought to do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the election, Trumps team had prepared a list of banned staffers that included anyone who quit over the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the capitol. All the moves are a continuation of Trumps pledged desire to drain the swamp and remake Washington in his movements image. He tasked billionaire ally Elon Musk to lead some of that effort through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. Musk initially promised to identify cuts of $2 trillion from the federal budget but has said more recently that $1 trillion is a more realistic target. Changes to these types of councils are not uncommon between administrations and Trump has never been shy to announce administration shake-ups on social media. Biden similarly removed Trump loyalists from advisory boards early during his term. Whether its about the impact of tariffs or the fate of TikTok, many Americans worry about the ways in which President Donald Trumps second term will affect the global economy and the United States role in it. Trumps recent remarks regarding incorporating Canada as the 51st state, taking back the Panama Canal and acquiring Greenland from Denmark have rattled many, exacerbating fears that the next four years will lead to greater isolationism, bellicosity and acrimony between Washington and its allies and partners. The liberal international order has been on the ropes for some time, disrupted by the rise of China and its associated trade shocks, as well as the global financial crisis and populist backlashes against immigration. The outgoing administration of former President Joe Biden attempted to roll back domestic anger over the perceived impact of globalization with a legislative agenda that brought new investment into the United States. It also worked to rebuild frayed relations with allies in Europe and East Asia. With Trumps return to the White House yesterday, the fate of these policies hangs in the balance. Trumps immediate use of an executive order upon taking office yesterday to delay enforcement of the congressional ban on TikTok, which he once supported, is a reminder that his administration will be unpredictable. Given that unpredictability, there may yet be room for a new series of deals that rescue globalization by persuading U.S. workers that liberalized trade and particularly investment can still work for them. But that depends on whether Trump will be willing and able to articulate a foreign policy that satisfies both the MAGA wing of the GOP and the free traders of the traditional GOP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One key issue to watch is how he responds to the failure of Nippon Steels attempted acquisition of U.S. Steel. Biden came out strongly against the acquisition, and his administration eventually tanked the deal on national security grounds, though there is little evidence those threats exist from a Japanese company. However, while the United Steelworkers union came out against the deal, its rank-and-file members were not uniformly opposed to it. And many local governments wanted the acquisition to go forward so that their towns would benefit from the renewed investment and employment promised by Nippon Steel in Rust Belt states. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. In the same way that the U.S. Steel acquisition created divisions among unionized workers, Trump similarly divides the labor movement more broadly. The rank and file are attracted to his MAGA rhetoric, while the labor movements leadership has tended to stay closer to its traditional ally, the Democratic Party. While working class votes have periodically drifted toward the GOP in election cycles going all the way back to the Reagan Democrats of the 1980s, Trump has galvanized many unionized workers who feel left behind and angry. In the 2024 presidential election, polling by the Teamsters union showed strong support among the rank and file for Trump over his Democratic opponent, former Vice President Kamala Harris. The Nippon Steel deal will be a test case of Trumps promise to help the working class by attracting foreign companies to invest in the United States. Trumps strength with union rank and file and his ability to divide the movement explains his pick of Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as his nominee for labor secretary. As a congresswoman, Chavez-DeRemer was strongly pro-union, one of the few Republican members who supported strengthening collective bargaining rights and freedom of association for labor. Just this past weekend, the head of the United Auto Workers union, Shawn Fein, wrote an op-ed promising to work with Trump to rebuild the U.S. working class by renegotiating trade deals and enacting tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nippon Steel deal will be a test case of Trumps promise to help the working class by attracting foreign companies to invest in the U.S., something he campaigned on this past fall and one of the pledges made in his New American Industrialism initiative. While Trump also opposed the foreign acquisition of U.S. Steel while on the campaign trail last fall, some believe he could intervene to revive the deal with new conditions that burnish his deal-making reputation and make good on his campaign promises to woo foreign manufacturers to the United States. Nippon Steels U.S. representative signaled interest in such a deal in an op-ed last week. A move by Trump to salvage the deal would upend traditional lines of political loyalty and partisanship, the kind of disruption that Trump loves to create. It would undermine union leadership, which despite Feins overtures to Trump has tended to remain aligned with the Democratic Party. And it might go a long way to signaling to Japan and other treaty allies that the second Trump administration will be more accommodating in how it treats critical partners needed to compete against China. Finally, Trump could show U.S. workers a kind of globalization that puts them first, which might break the deadlock in domestic politics on foreign trade and investment. Further splitting rank-and-file workers from union leadership would also be a political win for the GOP. While serving in the Senate, Sen. Marco RubioTrumps nominee for secretary of stateand Vice President JD Vance jointly proposed a new law to allow direct worker representation on corporate boards as a way to bypass and undermine big labor. If Trump can make deals that bring high-profile foreign companies to the U.S. as employers and investors, it could further erode the Democratic Partys reputation as the party of the working class. It might also signal to allies and partners that America First doesnt mean America alone. For now, Trumps move on TikTok has been overshadowed by his more divisive declarations about Canada, the Panama Canal and Greenland. And its also possible that in the end his approach will be more of a hodge-podge of inconsistent initiatives, rather than a coherent agenda. Theres no way of knowing, but that uncertainty also leaves room for unexpected openings to trade and investment that could restore U.S. workers faith in globalization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Gallagher is the Marilyn Keough Dean of the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. The post Trump Will Need Foreign Investment to Create Jobs appeared first on World Politics Review. President Donald Trump signed an executive order pardoning about 1,500 people for convictions related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot on Monday night, one of his first acts as president. Trump only briefly addressed the order while signing a mountain of other executive orders on the Resolute Desk. An aide told the president that the order applied to approximately 1,500 people at the riot. We have about six commutations in there, where were doing further research, Trump added. We hope they come out tonight, frankly, the president said as he signed the order. Theyre expecting it. Friends and family of detained Jan. 6 participants wait outside the DC Central Detention Facility after Trump issued his sweeping pardon. / ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images On the fourth anniversary of the attacks earlier this month, the Justice Department said that approximately 1,583 individuals were charged with crimes related to the riots that took place as Congress certified the 2020 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That staggering figure included 608 charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents, as well as another 174 that were charged with using a deadly weapon to injure a police officer. These include a 71-year-old man from Pennsylvania who was given 46 months in prison for beating a police officer with a metal flag pole, as well as Christopher Worrell, a member of the Proud Boys, who was handed a 10-year prison sentence after emptying an entire can of pepper spray onto police officers defending the building. Shane Jenkins, a Capitol rioter from Texas, was sentenced to seven years in prison after trying to using a tomahawk to break through windows, then joining a concerted assault on police officers defending a tunnel entrance to the building, according to the Justice Department . Another Texas man, Andrew Taake, pleaded guilty for attacking Metropolitan Police Department officers with a metal whip and bear spray after he was caught bragging about it on the dating app Bumble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others faced sentences for trespassing, obstruction, and entering the buildingeven if they did not clash with law enforcement. Alan Hostetter, a former California police chief-turned-yoga instructor, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison for entering the Capitol with a deadly weapon and obstructing an official proceeding. Other rioters were given smaller sentences for less violent crimes. Jay Johnston, a comedic actor known for his former role voicing a character on Bobs Burgers, pleaded guilty to charges of obstructing law enforcement officers and was sentenced to a year in prison . A statement later released by the White House clarified that the presidents order commuted the sentences of 14 individualsincluding Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the Oath Keepers militia, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison on charges of seditious conspiracy. The other individuals were granted a complete and unconditional pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The list of pardons also includes the former leader of the Proud Boys, who was previously sentenced to 22 years in prison on charges of seditious conspiracy and obstruction of Congress for his role in planning the attack. Enrique Tarrio, the alt-right organizations former national chairman, is one of the thousands of people expected to be freed after Trumps sweeping order. An attorney for Tarrio told NBC News he was being processed out of FCI Pollock in Louisiana, but exact details of what kind of clemency he was going to receive were unclear. Tarrios representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast. Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. / Brent Stirton / Getty Images F ederal prosecutors said the Proud Boys played a central role in setting the January 6th attack on our Capitol into motion. Tarrio was eventually convicted alongside three other Proud Boys members on charges of seditious conspiracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison , followed by 36 months of supervised release, in September 2023. Hes very excited, his mother, Duarte Tarrio, previously told Local 10 News in Florida. Its surreal to him. Hes ready to go. Trump supporters clash with police outside the Capitol during the Jan. 6 riots. / SHANNON STAPLETON / REUTERS US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on 20 January to suspend all foreign aid programmes for 90 days to assess their alignment with his political goals. Source: European Pravda, citing the White House and AP Details: The document states that "the United States foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American value". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It further claims that programmes providing aid to other countries "destabilise world peace by promoting ideas in foreign countries that are directly inverse to harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries". As a result, the White House announced that "no further United States foreign assistance shall be disbursed in a manner that is not fully aligned with the foreign policy of the President of the United States". AP reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio told members of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations during his confirmation hearing that "every dollar we spend, every programme we fund, and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?" The executive order signed by Trump grants Rubio, or a person designated by him, the authority to make such decisions in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of State and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) are the primary agencies overseeing foreign aid. Shortly after his Senate confirmation, Rubio stated that he could not specify a timeline for the end of the war between Russia and Ukraine. However, he told reporters that both sides would need to make some concessions. Background: Trump has previously said that he will not "abandon Ukraine" in his efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war. Recently, Ukraine's European allies have expressed cautious optimism that Trump will not pressure Kyiv into premature negotiations with Russia. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz believes that Trump will not completely cut off aid to Ukraine after taking office. Support UP or become our patron! While not all of President Donald Trumps day one promises came to fruition, the countrys new leader did revoke a slew of executive orders from the outgoing administration, including one poised to impact artificial intelligences further development. Trump on Monday fulfilled a campaign promise to rescind former President Joe Bidens 2023 Executive Order on the Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. That order created a framework for the further development of AI and ordered some federal agencies, like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to put forth guidelines on the technology. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While many of the agency-focused requirements of Bidens EO have already been carried out, pieces of the EO that required developers to share safety test results with the government have now gone by the wayside, enabling faster, unchecked proliferation of the technology in the United States. The Republican party platform, published in the months leading up to the election, gave some insight into why Trump was motivated to take such a step. The document called Bidens EO dangerous and noted that it hinders AI Innovation, and imposes Radical Leftwing ideas on the development of this technology. Though companies no longer have to comply with federal regulation on safety of AI systems in the U.S., that isnt the case in other jurisdictions; the strictest provisions of the EU AI Act will come into effect this year, and other pieces will become effective in 2026 and 2027. The risk-based assessment system will impact companies operating on a global scale, even if the U.S. continues to fend off a broad, comprehensive AI package. Reiko Feaver, partner and technology practice chair at CM Law, said revoking the AI EO could be just the beginning of what may become a more deregulated environment for Big Tech companiesfrom social media algorithms, to generative AI and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its simply confirmation that the commitments and statements Trump has been making all along that quite obviously focus on deregulation are ones he means to follow through on to the extent he has the authority, Feaver told Sourcing Journal. EOs are not strong mechanisms to set binding, long-term policies, at any rate, and now legislative action will need to be taken for any regulation to occur. Experts have previously told Sourcing Journal that they dont expect to see Congress elbowing to put a sweeping AI package in place this year, particularly as the administration would have to sign such a bill into law. The nations new president has already seen newly pledged allegiance from Big Tech. Googles CEO Sundar Pichai, Meta and Facebooks CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazons founder Jeff Bezos and Tesla and X owner Elon Musk sat side by side at the ceremony. Also in attendance were TikTok CEO Shou Chew and Apple CEO Tim Cook. Both Meta and Amazon made seven-figure donations to the inauguration. Already, the cryptocurrency and AI communities have celebrated Trumps decision to appoint David Sacks, a venture capitalist, to the newly created position of White House crypto and AI czar. Feaver said she anticipates the new technology environment will be one of industry self-regulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the industry leaders are standing at the side of the president, how far, or in what direction, will self-regulation go shouldnt be too much in doubt, unless altruism trumps profit, Feaver said. While Trump did not immediately make clear whether he plans to replace Bidens EO with an order of his own, the Republican party platform noted that, In [the AI EOs] place, Republicans support AI Development rooted in Free Speech and Human Flourishing. In large part, experts believe that Trump and his supporters believe regulation and legislation could stifle innovation on AI-related projects. And because Trump is keen to compete with China on AI development and deployment, slowing down isnt a viable option. Before leaving office, Biden signed an executive order that would help speed up the process of building data centerswhich are, in many cases, the backbone supporting advanced AI systems. He ordered the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy to identify three sites each to accommodate private data centers. With that EO, Biden said he sought to pave a path toward cleaner data centers while still giving the country a leg up on its competition for building AI models. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cannot take our lead for granted, Biden said at the time. We will not let America be out-built when it comes to the technology that will define the future, nor should we sacrifice critical environmental standards and our shared efforts to protect clean air and clean water. Despite its onus on the climate-related issues of AI systems, Trump has not yet removed Bidens data center EO. After ascending to the top of the GOP ticket in March 2024, Donald Trump made a promise. My first acts as your next President will be to Close the Border, DRILL, BABY, DRILL, and Free January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned, he wrote at the time on his Truth Social platform. On his first day back in office on Monday, Trump stayed true to his word on the rioters and granted clemency to more than 1,500 supporters charged with crimes connected to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While an overwhelming majority of defendants were issued full pardons, five members of the far-right Proud Boys and nine members of the Oath Keepers militia had their sentences commuted. Trump has also issued full pardons for two Proud Boys members. Here are the highest-profile Proud Boys and Oath Keeper members and most memorable insurgents who received clemency from Trump, and a reminder of the crimes they committed: Enrique Tarrio former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio counter-protesting people gathered to commemorate the one year anniversary of the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2021 (Getty Images) The former leader of the all-male group of proud Western chauvinists which is listed as a terrorist entity by the Canadian government was issued a full presidential pardon on Monday, his family told CBS News. Tarrio, 42, was serving a 22-year sentence after being convicted of seditious conspiracy and other charges related to the Jan. 6 insurrection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike many others on this list, Tarrio was not physically present at the Capitol during the riot. However, prosecutors argued that he played a central role in orchestrating the events from outside Washington, D.C. He is belived to have touched down at Miami International Airport on Tuesday evening after flying from Dallas Love Field airport, a family spokesperson said. Gabriel Garcia Garcia was accused of participating in aggressive confrontations with police (via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock) Garcia, a former US Army captain, has also been issued a full pardon from Trump. The 43-year-old was allegedly hand-picked by Tarrio to join a national rally planning chapter of the Proud Boys called the Ministry of Self Defense before the riot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia, who joined a later wave of rioters in the afternoon, was accused of participating in aggressive confrontations with police and helping others storm the Capitol. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison in December 2024 after being convicted on charges of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding. I was facing up to 27 years, 27 years for walking in a building with a flag. I didnt hurt anybody, I didnt destroy anything, I didnt burn down a city, and I sure as hell didnt go in there to stop any process or kill anybody, Garcia told CBS News. Ethan Nordean Ethan Nordean walks toward the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 (AP) A Proud Boy leader and recruiter from Auburn, Washington, Nordean received a commuted sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nordean, who also goes by Rufio Panman, was arrested four weeks after the Capitol riot and in May 2023, was one of four Proud Boys leaders found guilty of seditious conspiracy among other charges. Prosecutor Jason McCullough said that Nordean was the undisputed leader on the ground on Jan. 6. The neo-fascist activist was sentenced to 18 years in prison in September 2023, before his sentence was commuted to time served by Trump on Monday. Joseph Biggs Proud Boys organizer Joseph Biggs walks from the George C. Young Federal Annex Courthouse in Orlando on January 20, 2021 (Sam Thomas/Orlando Sentinel via AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biggs was another of four Proud Boys leaders serving a prison sentence after he was found guilty of seditious conspiracy in August 2023 and sentenced to 17 years in prison. Last month, the attorney for Volusia County chapter leader, Norm Pattis, requested that Trump grant his client a complete pardon. On Monday, Biggs had his sentence commuted by Trump, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons shows that hes since been released. Zachary Rehl Zachary Rehl walks toward the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Janaury 6, 2021 (AP) The leader of the Proud Boys Philadelphia chapter was arrested after a video showed him spraying a chemical irritant at police officers during the riot. Rehl, another of the four leaders convicted of seditious conspiracy, was serving a 15-year term in medium-security federal prison at FCI Petersburg in Hopewell, Virginia, when his sentence was commuted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was also part of the Ministry of Self Defense, according to prosecutors. He later told the group that he was proud as f*** [of] what we accomplished. Dominic Pezzola Dominic Pezzola, center with police shield, confronts Capitol Police officers outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 (AP) Pezzola, the fourth Proud Boy found guilty of seditious conspiracy, was almost a year and a half into a 10-year prison term when his sentence was commuted by Trump on Monday. Touted as an enthusiastic foot soldier by prosecutors, he exclaimed, Trump won! upon being escorted out of the courtroom. The New Yorker is believed to have breached the Capitol building by smashing a window with a police riot shield and later filmed a celebratory video with a cigar, prosecutors said. Jeremy Bertino Jeremy Bertino, second from left, joins Proud Boys members at a rally at Freedom Plaza in Washington on December 12, 2020 (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Bertino was the governments star witness in the Proud Boys sedition trial after himself pleading guilty to seditious conspiracy in October 2022 and agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors. He hadnt been serving prison time when Trump extended an olive branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The North Carolina member, who had his sentence commuted Monday, testified in March 2023 that the group wanted to act as the tip of the spear in the attack on the Capitol. Bertino was not physically present at the attack because he was recovering from being stabbed at another Proud Boys riot in December 2020. Elmer Stewart Rhodes III Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes III was sentenced to 18 years behind bars (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Founder and former head of the Oath Keepers, Rhodes was serving an 18-year prison stint when his sentence was commuted. The far-right extremist group, which was founded in 2009, is comprised of roughly 5,000 members many of whom are military veterans or former law enforcement officers. Several Oath Keepers were seen sporting paramilitary gear outside the Capitol, moving in an organized and practiced fashion, according to an indictment. Prosecutors showed jurors encrypted messages and recordings where Rhodes, a former paratrooper who wears an eyepatch after accidentally shooting himself in the face, spoke of commenting on a bloody civil war and calling members to rise up in insurrection to defeat Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before Jan. 6, Rhodes told members on his website: It is CRITICAL that all patriots who can be in D.C. get to D.C. to stand tall in support of President Trumps fight to defeat the enemies foreign and domestic who are attempting a coup, through the massive voter fraud and related attacks on our Republic. Kelly Meggs Oath Keeper leader and organizer Kelly Meggs mugshot (US Marshall Orlando Office) The leader of the Oath Keepers Florida chapter was found guilty of seditious conspiracy in November 2022. Kelly was serving a 12-year sentence when his punishment was commuted by the president on Monday. Weeks before the insurrection, prosecutors said that Meggs wrote in a group chat that Trump called us all to the Capitol and wants us to make it wild Sir Yes Sir! He is said to have added: Im gonna go on a killing spree. Meggs contested that he was sitting on the steps outside the front of the Capitol building and unintentionally got sucked in, he told New 6 in January 2022. Kenneth Harrelson and Jessica Watkins Jessica Watkins (left) stands among Trump supporters outside the Capitol buildong on January 6, 2021 (REUTERS) Two more U.S. Army veterans and Oath Keepers who stormed the Capitol had their sentences commuted on Monday. Both Watkins and Harrelson were handed prison time in May 2023, eight and half years and four years, respectively. They were both acquitted of seditious conspiracy charges but were convicted of other Jan. 6-related charges, including obstructing Congress certification of Bidens victory. Watkins, an Oath Keeper recruiter, and Harrelson, the so-called ground team lead, were among the group that marched towards the Capitol in stack formation. Watkins is said to have communicated over a channel called Stop the Steal J6, while Harrison screamed treason as he stormed the chamber, prosecutors said. Five other Oath Keepers commuted Photograph of Roberto Minuta sporting his Oath Keeper body armor (FBI) Several other high-ranking Oath Keeper members also had their sentences commuted by Trump on Monday. They include U.S. Navy veteran Thomas Caldwell, tattoo artist Roberto Minuta, a member in charge of stockpiling weapons Edward Vallejo, Sarasota Chapter leader Joseph Hackett and former neuroscientist David Moerschel. Jacob Chansley QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley, the QAnon Shaman, pictured in the Capitol building the Jan 6 Capitol riot (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The spear-wielding, bare-chested Jan. 6 rioter known as the Qanon Shaman was issued a full pardon by Trump. Jacob Chansley from Phoenix, Arizona, was one of the first Trump supporters to descend on the Capitol building. In November 2021, Chansley pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstructing an official and was ordered to serve 41 months in prison one of the longest sentences received by a rioter but was released after 27 months in May 2023 He became a worldwide symbol for the insurrection sporting a horned fur hat made from raccoon fur, his red, white and blue face paint and use of a bullhorn to rile up the mob. Our rights are given to us by God not government. Freedom is our natural state of being. My spirit is free, I was born to be wild [and] I am gonna travel around the country now that I finally can!, Chansley told The Independent when reached for comment. Doug Jensen Capitol Riot Trial (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Prosecutors pitted Doug Jensen as a leader of the mob. Supporters hailed him as a patriot and donated money via GiveSendGo in their droves. The QAnon T-shirt-wearing rioter went viral as he was filmed pursuing a Capitol Police officer up a stairway near the Senate chamber. Jensen was the rioter who would not back down, proseuctors argued. If it wasnt all recorded from at least 10 different angles, itd be pretty hard to believe. In September 2022, Jensen was found guilty of obstruction of a law enforcement officer during civil disorder, among six other felony charges. In December that year, he was sentenced to five years in prison, with three years of supervised release. Jensen was issued a full presidential pardon on Monday. Donald Trump plans to sign a pair of executive orders on Monday that will make sweeping changes to how the federal government approaches gender, including erasing protections and recognition for transgender people and ending federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. During his inaugural address, Trump claimed his administration would end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. The White House has described the orders as part of its immediate priorities to protect women from radical gender ideology and bring back American values. One of the planned orders deals with gender, holding that there are two immutable sexes, male and female, defined by whether an individual is born with eggs or sperm, officials told The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This definition is at odds both with the lived experience of the estimated nearly 2 million people who are trans in America, as well as the determinations of expert groups like the American Medical Association, which holds that gender identity exists along a spectrum, rather than an immutable male-female binary. The execution action will roll back a Biden-era policy allowing people to choose X as a gender on U.S. passports rather than male or female, and directs the State Department and Department of Homeland Security to ensure that official government documents, including passports and visas, reflect sex accurately. The order, reportedly entitled Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, will also block requirements at federal facilities to use individuals chosen gender pronouns, and will require federal prisons and shelters to segregate people by the new sex definition. Trump orders will redefine sex and cut federal support for diversity programs (REUTERS) It will also end the use of federal dollars for gender-affirming medical care, including inside federal prisons. (As The Independent has reported, trans people face exceptional levels of sexual and physical violence behind bars, and advocates argue such care both serves a medical and emotional need and keeps people safer.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump officials framed the policies as a way to protect women. Women deserve protections, they deserve dignity, they deserve fairness, they deserve safety, a senior policy adviser told The Free Press. And so this is going to help establish that in federal policy and in federal laws. Studies show transgender people face disproportionate levels of violence compared with their cisgender counterparts. Another order plans to halt federal agencies use of DEI programs, while Trump has also promised to end DEI requirements in the military and federally funded educational institutions. Trump and Elon Musks DOGE program is reportedly eyeing millions of dollars worth of spending cuts on federal diversity programs (AFP via Getty Images) A Trump official told NBC News the new administration will hold monthly meetings with agencies to assess what type of DEI programs are still discriminating against Americans and figure out ways to end them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the campaign trail, Trump said he would use education funding to pay victims of DEI at universities and schools. Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency effort is also reportedly targeting $120 billion worth of recommended cuts on federal diversity programs. Prominent U.S. companies, including Meta, Amazon, and McDonalds have also announced recent DEI rollbacks at their firm, as part of a wider backlash and shift away from post-2020 diversity programs. John Bolton has said he is at risk of attack by Iran after Donald Trump removed his Secret Service protection within hours of taking office. The former national security adviser, who has become a vocal critic of the president since leaving his first administration in 2019, said the inescapable conclusion was that he would now be targeted by hostile states. Mr Bolton told The Telegraph that he was given 12 hours notice before his Secret Service detail was terminated by Mr Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 76-year-old diplomat is a longstanding hawk on Iran and has been targeted by the regime since leaving office. In 2022, a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) was charged with a plot to murder him. Mr Bolton said he was told by officials as recently as a few days ago that the threat against his life remained high. Mr Trump directed the Secret Service to stop the protection hours after taking office on Monday. Mr Bolton told The Telegraph there was no other conclusion to be drawn from the decision other than that it was an act of political vengeance. They called me at about 11.30pm last night, and I was asleep, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont remember the exact words, but it was something like: The president has directed that your protection be terminated at noon tomorrow. Mr Bolton is making arrangements to pay for his own security after the taxpayer-funded team was removed. Asked whether he was now at greater risk of attack by Iranian agents, he replied: I think thats the almost inescapable conclusion. As I say, Im putting measures in place. During the election campaign, Mr Bolton spoke out against a second Trump presidency, writing in a book last year that he was unfit to hold the office. If his first four years were bad, a second four will be worse, he wrote. Mr Trump defended the move to remove Mr Boltons protection on Tuesday, claiming it had been enough time and that were not going to have security on people for the rest of their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought he was a very dumb person, but I used him well, he added. Mr Trump has previously criticised Mr Boltons views on national security, claiming in 2020 that if he had stayed in the White House, then the country would be in World War Six by now. Because the two have exchanged barbs in the media, Mr Bolton said he was disappointed, but not surprised to have his security removed. This is Trump the man, he said. This is the evidence of the character or lack thereof that he possesses. Assassin was paid to kill Bolton Mr Bolton was given Secret Service security after he received a series of duty-to-warn notices by the FBI in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The notices are used by the agency to warn American citizens if they are at risk of attack by a hostile foreign power. They ultimately recommended to the attorney general that he ask Biden to restore Secret Service protection, he said. At about the same time, in late 2021, Mr Bolton was targeted by Shahram Poursafi, an IRGC agent who was charged with a plot to kill him in revenge for the 2020 killing of Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian general. Mr Poursafi attempted to pay an assassin $300,000 to murder Mr Bolton, but was caught when he disclosed his plan to an FBI human source. Since then, Mr Bolton said the threat level from Iran essentially remains the same, adding: I was told that as recently as a few days ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump first terminated Mr Boltons security team when he left his first administration. It was later reinstated by Joe Biden on advice from the FBI, after he received a series of assassination threats from Iran. Mr Trump sacked Mr Bolton in September 2019 after a series of disputes between the two men on foreign policy. Privately, the president complained that his chief adviser was too hawkish and could no longer be trusted to form US government policy on Iran, North Korea and Afghanistan. The final straw came after he objected to a plan for Mr Trump to meet members of the Taliban at Camp David in mid-2019 to sign a peace agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting was cancelled, but Mr Trump was reportedly frustrated with him for opposing the deal and accused him of being too aggressive. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. On Sunday, the 170 million Americans who use TikTok saw the same message when they opened the app. As a result of President Trumps efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S." Now, TikTok is operational in the U.S. following a short shutdown that began Saturday evening. The closure came after Congress passed a law last year requiring TikTok to be sold to an American buyer by January 19 or be banned from US app stores. The Supreme Court even ruled in favor of the law, citing threats to national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has claimed he wants to save TikTok and that the decision on its ban is ultimately up to him, despite the fact that the law is already in existence. It ultimately goes up to me, so youre going to see what Im going to do, Trump told CNN. Congress has given me the decision, so Ill be making the decision. Can Trump actually save TikTok? President Donald Trump signed an order extending TikToks availability in the U.S. for 75 days. Can he actually save the app? (AP) Its unclear. However, Stephen Carter, a Yale University law professor and Bloomberg opinion columnist, published an op-ed Tuesday explaining Trump could save TikTok using prosecutorial discretion to negate the consequences for violating a law. True, as a legal matter, a president cant simply suspend the operation of a duly enacted law, Carter wrote. As a practical matter, however, Trump will stand in a long line of chief executives who have used prosecutorial discretion to achieve the same end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutorial discretion is the presidents ability to not enforce a law by instructing his justice department to not prosecute those who violated it. Carter describes it as the all-but-unreviewable freedom of the Oval Offices occupant to decide which laws to enforce, when, and how. The Supreme Court has even said that the decision of whether or not to enforce a law through prosecution is a decision which has long been regarded as the special province of the Executive Branch, Carter noted. The current law banning TikTok would impose a $5,000 fine on companies such as Apple or Google for each user accessing TikTok through their services. If Trump exercises prosecutorial discretion, Carter explained, he can direct his administration to not levy the fines and essentially not enforce the law. TikTok credited Trumps efforts for returning service in the U.S. after it went dark for a few hours when the ban started (TikTok) Trump already issued an executive order noting that companies will not be penalized for keeping the app online for the next 75 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also unclear to what extent Trump will use prosecutorial discretion. He also said he wants TikTok to be 50 percent U.S.-owned, despite its parent company ByteDance giving no indication they plan to sell. "I would like the United States to have a 50% ownership position in a joint venture," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to say up." Trump even said on Sunday he changed his mind on TikTok (after initially wanting to ban it in his first term) because he used it in his campaign. As of today, TikTok is back, Trump told his supporters at a pre-inauguration victory rally. So, you know, I did a little TikTok thing. We have a guy...hes a young kid, like 21 years old, and we hired this guy, and I went on Tiktok. Can you believe what Ill do to win an election? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So I like Tiktok, he added. But not everyone is happy with Trumps decision including some of his Republican allies. Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts said Sunday there is no legal basis for an extension on TikToks operation in the U.S. "Now that the law has taken effect, theres no legal basis for any kind of extension of its effective date," the senators said. "For TikTok to come back online in the future, ByteDance must agree to a sale that satisfies the laws qualified-divestiture requirements by severing all ties between TikTok and Communist China." President Trumps plan to save TikTok is putting him at a crossroads with some Republicans as questions mount over the legality of delaying a ban on the popular video-sharing app. Trump said over the weekend he plans to issue an executive order to extend the deadline for the ban on TikTok, which went into effect Sunday after its Chinese parent company ByteDance failed to divest from the app. Former President Biden said he wouldnt enforce the ban during the final days in the White House, but the app still shut down for more than 12 hours beginning Saturday night then came back online Sunday following Trumps announcement that he planned to delay the ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some China hawks in Congress are already breaking from the newly inaugurated president on the issue, standing firm that the app should not be available in the U.S. without an official divestiture deal on the table. We commend Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft for following the law and halting operations with ByteDance and TikTok, and we encourage other companies to do the same, Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) wrote in a statement Sunday. The law, after all, risks ruinous bankruptcy for any company who violates it. If enforced, the law would impose hefty fines on app store providers, like Apple and Google, as well as cloud computing firm Oracle, which provides internet hosting services for TikTok. The companies could face some $850 billion in fines for continuing to make the app accessible to Americans. Cotton also suggested companies servicing TikTok could face ruinous liability from entities other than the Justice Department, such as state attorneys general and shareholders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For TikTok to come back online in the future, ByteDance must agree to a sale that satisfies the laws qualified-divestiture requirements by severing all ties between TikTok and Communist China, Cotton and Ricketts added. Trumps shifted plans on TikTok has created one of the earliest disagreements between the president and members of his party on a highly polarizing issue. In his first term, the president sometimes clashed with Republican defectors, whether it be in public or online spaces. The divest-or-ban law passed Congress with widespread bipartisan support last April, highlighting concerns on both sides of the aisle about Chinas growing power. Given TikToks Beijing-based parent company, the U.S. government has raised alarm that the Chinese government could access American user data or covertly manipulate content on the platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cotton made headlines last year when he aggressively pressed TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew about his potential ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during a Senate hearing. Chew repeatedly said he is Singaporean and has never been affiliated with the CCP. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) also questioned the legality of a potential executive order delaying the ban Monday. Im not sure what the legal authority is for a president to issue an executive order down to a law that was just passed and upheld by the Supreme Court of United States, Cramer told CNNs Manu Raju, according to a post on the social platform X. The Supreme Court rejected TikToks challenge to the law Friday, finding it did not violate the First Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been concerned about the appropriate approach to separation of powers by all presidents, Cramer added. The law gave ByteDance 270 days until Jan. 19 to divest from TikTok. However, it also allowed the president to issue a 90-day extension if the company is making progress toward a divestiture. Its still unclear whether Trumps executive order seeks to take advantage of this clause. The statute itself does allow him to stay [the ban] or to give an extension. And if hes working within that, then it certainly would be legal for him to do, as long as hes within his parameters, said Shubha Ghosh, a law professor at Syracuse University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To grant a 90-day extension under the law, the president is required to certify to Congress that a path to qualified divestiture has been identified and that there is evidence of significant progress toward such a divestiture. Trump has said he would like the U.S. to have 50 percent ownership of TikTok in a joint venture, though it remains to be seen whether this proposal would meet the laws requirements for a qualified divestiture. Under the law, any sale must remove Chinas alleged control over the app and cannot maintain a relationship between TikToks U.S. operations and ByteDance. However, the president has a lot of discretion for making these determinations, noted Lily Li, a cybersecurity and data privacy lawyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the president is going to have a lot of action on China and in tariffs, and this could be used as a bargaining chip in those discussions, Li said. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said Monday the laws divestment requirement is clear and unambiguous, but deferred judgment to the president-elect. He touted Trump as the right man to make the deal of the century and create a safer TikTok, adding, The time is now for ByteDance to come to the table and, if they do, Im confident that President Trump will ensure TikTok is sold to a company the American people can trust. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also seemed inclined to uphold the law around the ban Sunday and pushed aside the notion Trump would try to reverse it without a true divestiture, changing of hands, the ownership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, some Republicans such as Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a close ally of Trump, seem more comfortable with a 90-day extension. Still, the Ohio Republican noted the law would have to be updated to keep TikTok online with anything less than a full sale. It seems to me, if youre going to do something short of someone else purchasing TikTok and ByteDance no longer owning it, youre going to have to have a change in the law, Jordan said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union. And if thats whats warranted, then I think the Congress will look at that with the leadership from President Trump, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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. (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump temporarily halted a ban on TikTok in the US, granting the company and its Chinese parent ByteDance Ltd. more time to reach a deal for the popular app that would resolve long-standing US national security concerns. Most Read from Bloomberg TikToks lifeline came via an executive order signed by Trump on Monday in one of his first acts after taking office. The move gives the video-sharing platform a 75-day reprieve from a US prohibition that took effect on Sunday following ByteDances refusal to comply with a law requiring it to divest. Trump had spent the past several days promising an extension was on the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump highlighted TikTok during a lengthy orders-signing ceremony at the White House, reiterating his stance that American companies should own half of the social video phenom. At one point, he said the US arm of the platform estimated to be worth around $50 billion could hit $1 trillion in market value under American ownership. TikTok is worthless, worthless, if I dont approve it, Trump said as he signed the order, suggesting he might be open to a joint venture with TikTok. I could see making a deal where the U.S. gets 50 percent of TikTok, polices it a little bit, or a lot, depends on them. Whether his order alone is enough to stave off a ban remains unclear. According to the law, an extension is only possible if the president can show Congress that theres a viable path forward to a deal, that significant progress has been made and that legal agreements are in place to close a deal with ByteDance in that new time frame. Theres no public evidence that ByteDance has met those requirements. Trumps intervention marked the latest twist in a years-long saga in Washington fueled by concerns that China could use the app to harvest American users data and disseminate propaganda claims the company has strenuously denied. The order highlighted a turnabout for the president, who tried to ban TikTok in his first term but came to embrace it as a conduit to young voters during his comeback bid for the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have a warm spot for TikTok that I didnt have originally, Trump said. Republicans typically dont do too well with young people, but its a different Republican Party. TikTok and a legion of the platforms content creators had fought the measure signed last year by President Joe Biden, arguing that it violated their constitutional right to free expression. But their efforts fell short, with the Supreme Court upholding the law in a unanimous decision on Friday, leaving Trump as their last hope to keep the app alive in the US. Under the law, tech companies that host and distribute TikTok including Apple Inc., Alphabet Inc.s Google and Oracle Corp. would face the prospect of massive fines for continuing to support the app. They now have to decide whether an executive order from the Trump administration provides sufficient legal cover. Late on Saturday, TikTok made good on its threat to pull the plug on the app for its 170 million U.S. users, citing a lack of clarity about its fate during the last day of the Biden administration and the start of the Trump term. Users were greeted with an in-app message on the sites home screen saying the service would be temporarily unavailable, while app stores operated by Apple and Google removed TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was a fate that Trump and some of his advisers, along with a growing number of US lawmakers, had hoped to avoid. Shortly after the Supreme Court issued its decision, Trump said he had spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping about TikTok and expressed optimism that a solution could be reached. Its far from certain that a sale will materialize, and ByteDance has previously said that it has no intention of divesting. But Trump, who prides himself on his dealmaking abilities, is hoping he can help facilitate an arrangement now that hes back in the White House. Finding a buyer for TikTok would be a challenge, not just because of ByteDances reluctance but because of the expected price tag. Few companies or individuals could likely afford the app. One prospective ownership group led by billionaire real estate investor Frank McCourt and Shark Tank personality Kevin OLeary has been waging a full-court press for its bid. The duo are proposing to buy TikTok without its coveted recommendation algorithm, and OLeary recently met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club to make a personal appeal ahead of the inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perplexity AI approached ByteDance with an offer to merge TiKToks US unit with its American operations and create a new entity, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. The structure would allow most of ByteDances existing investors to retain their stakes, according to CNBC, citing a person familiar. During Trumps first term as president, Oracle and Walmart Inc. tried to buy TikTok, but that deal ultimately fell apart after he left office. Amazon.com Inc. is considered a potential acquirer, in part because it is already a TikTok partner for shopping features. Other logical suitors, like Meta Platforms Inc. and Google, are considered longshots given they are mired in antitrust regulation. Another hurdle would be the Chinese government, which sees tech companies like ByteDance as an extension of its tech ambitions, according to Li Mingjiang, associate professor at Nanyang Technological University. Allowing a foreign entity, particularly from the US, to acquire a controlling stake could be perceived as a loss of sovereignty over an influential digital platform, Li said. This is particularly sensitive given TikToks global reach and potential to shape narratives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Trump signaled that he might resort to tariffs to prod officials in Beijing into accepting a TikTok deal. If we wanted to make a deal with TikTok, and it was a good deal, and China wouldnt approve it, then I think ultimately theyd approve it, because wed put tariffs on China, Trump told reporters. Im not saying I would, but you certainly could do that. Trumps conversation with Xi days before the inauguration could prove critical in winning over Chinese officials who have previously opposed a sale. Signs of a thaw in Beijing regarding a divestment appeared last week in Beijing, where officials considered billionaire Elon Musk as a potential buyer, Bloomberg News reported. Musk, now one of Trumps closest allies after spending more than $200 million on his campaign, owns the X social media platform and an artificial intelligence company, xAI, that could benefit from TiKToks torrent of data. Ahead of Trumps inauguration, TikTok escalated its appeals to the incoming president, highlighted by Chief Executive Officer Shou Chews visit with Trump last month at Mar-a-Lago. On Sunday, the day the ban took effect, Chew attended a rally for thousands of the presidents supporters in Washington, and he had a prominent seat in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday for Trumps swearing-in ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the order, Trump and his advisers will review sensitive intelligence related to the national security concerns posed by TikTok before deciding on a path that will keep the platform operating in the US. But key Republican leaders in Congress have made clear that that they still expect ByteDance to sell TikTok despite Trumps confidence in some type of solution. There must be a full divestiture from the Chinese Communist Party, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on NBCs Meet the Press, while Senate Intelligence Committee chair Tom Cotton said in a post on X there was no legal basis for any kind of extension. --With assistance from Josh Xiao and Colum Murphy. (Updates with more from Oval Office signing starting in third paragraph.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (NEXSTAR) President Donald Trump, when taking his most recent oath of office, did not appear to place his left hand on either of the Bibles brought to the swearing-in ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday. The placement of Trumps left hand, however, has no bearing on the legitimacy of his first day back at the job. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th President of the United States. (Morry Gash Pool/Getty Images) The U.S. Constitution does not stipulate that a president-to-be place his or her hand on a Bible when taking the Oath, because each president who recites this oath or affirmation is bound by the words themselves, per Article VI. The same article also says that no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Article II, meanwhile, merely states that the chief executive of the United States must recite the oath before being able to take office. (Interestingly, there is also no stipulation that the oath of office end with so help me God, though it has become customary.) WATCH: Carrie Underwood sings a cappella at Trump inauguration after apparent tech issue Throughout history, there have also been several presidents who were not sworn in using a Bible. Among them, John Quincy Adams brought a volume of U.S. laws, and Theodore Roosevelt didnt swear on a Bible when he was hastily sworn into office after William McKinleys death. During Lyndon B. Johnsons inauguration on Air Force One only hours after John F. Kennedys assassination he placed his hand on a Catholic missal (a book containing text used for religious services) belonging to the former president. Calvin Coolidge, in his 1929 autobiography, also claims he didnt use his family Bible when he was sworn in at his familys Vermont home in the wake of Warren G. Hardings death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bible which had belonged to my mother lay on the table at my hand. It was not officially used, as it is not the practice in Vermont or Massachusetts to use a Bible in connection with the administration of an oath, he wrote. Which was the coldest Inauguration Day in US history? Like Coolidge, Trump did indeed have two Bibles nearby when taking his most recent oath of office one given to him by his great-grandmother, and another used by President Abraham Lincoln at his 1861 inauguration which his wife Melania held up nearby. It is unclear whether he intended to place his hand on those Bibles, or if he intentionally refrained from doing so. In any case, most modern presidents Biden, Obama, and even Trump during his first oath have indeed placed their hand upon the Bible, despite there being no requirement to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. President-elect Trump campaigned on leaving abortion decisions to the states, but that could prove a tough promise to keep as he returns to the Oval Office. Anti-abortion groups want Trump to quickly take executive action to re-impose federal restrictions from his first term; Republicans in Congress are poised to send him new abortion legislation; and his Justice Department will need to decide whether to continue defending Biden-era abortion policies across several ongoing federal cases or drop them completely. Some of these actions could empower states trying to restrict abortion, making it even more difficult for women to access abortion care, but others could impose new federal roadblocks on states seeking to expand reproductive rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You could have versions of the story where the Trump administration doesnt really take aggressive action on abortion and does things that look more like reversing Biden-era policies and restoring Trump-era policies, said Mary Ziegler, an abortion law expert and professor at the University of California Davis. And theres a scenario where a second Trump administration goes much, much further on abortion, in court and outside of it. And we dont really know which of those realities is going to be the one we see, in part because as much as Trump has been telegraphing his plans for returning to office, he hasnt really been particularly eager to talk about reproductive issues, Ziegler added. Advocates on either side of the issue dont expect the Trump administration to stay out of the fight. Until taxpayers no longer pay for abortion and programs no longer mandate it, abortion is federal, said Kristan Hawkins, president Students for Life Action, an anti-abortion group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dobbs decision makes it easier for the states to engage, and we welcome that, but that didnt shift the responsibility away from the federal government. Nancy Northup, president and CEO at the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement her organization was anticipating even more extreme actions from the Trump administration than his first term, including attempts to make it much harder to access medication abortion, or to completely rescind approval for the drugs. We will be in court every day for the next four years, if thats what it takes, Northup said. In Congress, the Republican-controlled House and Senate have big plans for passing anti-abortion legislation and sending it to Trumps desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First on the list is a measure that would mandate health care providers try to preserve the life of an infant in the rare case that a baby is born after a failed abortion. The bill was panned by reproductive medical experts and Democrats for interfering with complex medical decisions between patients and their physicians. Republicans passed it in the House last year, but it was blocked in the Democrat-controlled Senate. With a three-seat GOP advantage this time, its possible the bill could move forward, with the expectation that Trump would sign it. Similarly, House and Senate Republicans may find an easier path to including abortion restrictions in government spending and must-pass policy bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a strategy House Republicans tried last year, as they attempted to restrict the militarys reimbursement for abortion-related travel, reverse the ability of Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals to provide abortions, and change how the abortion drug mifepristone was dispensed. The anti-abortion provisions and amendments never made it past the Democratic Senate, but this year could be different. On the legal front, Trump will inherit lawsuits that could help determine access to abortion for millions of women, with voters having little say. In many instances the cases are being argued in front of judges appointed by Trump in his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stakes were made clear on Thursday, when a Trump-appointed federal judge in Texas allowed a trio of red states to sue the Food and Drug Administration over its actions to expand access to mifepristone, one of two pills used in medication abortion. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk said Idaho, Missouri and Kansas have legal standing to bring a case to Amarillo, Texas. Last year, the Supreme Court dismissed an earlier version of the lawsuit, saying that private parties had no legal basis to challenge access to mifepristone. But Kacsmaryk kept the case alive by allowing the red states to intervene. Trumps attorney general nominee Pam Bondi did not directly answer when asked by Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) at her confirmation hearing whether she would commit to defending the FDAs actions in the case, saying she needed to do more research. Bondi vowed not to let her personal anti-abortion views influence her actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDA has repeatedly found that mifepristone is safe and that a medication abortion regimen that includes mifepristone and a second drug, misoprostol, is a safe and effective alternative to surgical abortions. Advocates expect the administration to stop defending the case and make regulatory changes, but it could be politically unpopular. I think that lawsuit will potentially be uncomfortable for the Trump administration, because Trump has been sidestepping questions about exactly what he wants HHS and FDA to do about mifepristone what exactly he wants DOJ to do about mifepristone. And the lawsuit before Judge Kacsmaryk raises a lot of those questions, Ziegler said. But Eric Kniffin, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and expert on religious liberty, said the Trump administration can be light-handed and still get credit from conservatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They could advance a lot of pro-life policies. They dont have to advance a pro-life federal law. They just have to stop the overreaches that this administration has been taking, Kniffin said. Just the Trump administration taking its foot off the gas would be a huge step forward in giving states that want to the opportunity to enact pro-life policies. One of the first instances where that could happen involves a Biden administration lawsuit against Idaho. The Biden Justice Department argued Idahos near-total abortion ban during medical emergencies violates federal emergency medical statute. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments last year, but hasnt rendered a decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most observers expect the Trump administration to drop the case, and revoke the Biden administrations guidance telling hospitals they need to provide such care to qualify for federal funding. Amy Williams Navarro, director of government relations at Reproductive Freedom for All, said in an email that Trump is stacking his Cabinet with anti-abortion zealots tied to the Heritage Foundations Project 2025, which calls for ending the lawsuit. Following Project 2025s mandate, we expect to see the DOJ swiftly withdraw all pending litigation against states that refuse to provide access to emergency abortion care in violation of federal law, Williams Navarro said in a statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The impact of Trumps anti-immigrant policy at the southern border was felt the minute he reassumed the presidency. People were sobbing at the U.S.-Mexico border Monday afternoon after an app to book appointments with Customs and Border Patrol went offline. Migrants in Ciudad Juarez who were waiting for their 1pm CBP1 parole appointments learned 20 minutes ago that the app has shut down & those appointments are no longer valid, said The Washington Posts Arelis R. Hernandez, who was at the scene. Migrants in Ciudad Juarez who were waiting for their 1 pm CBP1 parole appointments learned 20 minutes ago that the app has shut down & those appointments are no longer valid. pic.twitter.com/F3pNrZyEBR Arelis R. Hernandez (@arelisrhdz) January 20, 2025 The CBP One app was a critical resource for people looking to enter the United States, allowing them to check border wait times, get their products inspected, and most importantly, schedule appointments in hopes of entering the country legally. But on Monday, the app went dark right as Trump was getting sworn in, and all the appointments afterwards were cancelled. In Bidens term, the app helped an estimated 930,000 people schedule appointments, according to federal officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Effective January 20, 2025, the functionalities of CBP One that previously allowed undocumented aliens to submit advance information and schedule appointments at eight southwest border ports of entry is no longer available, and existing appointments have been cancelled, the Customs and Border Patrol website reads. The people losing CBP One appointments were patiently waiting in Mexico & complying with a smart process that could modernize asylum, wrote Buzzfeed Techs Andrea Flores. Eliminating CBPOne is not only deeply unfair to the human beings who were following the rules, but this move will destabilize the border. This kicks off Trumps draconian immigration plans, including what he promises to be the largest deportation program in US history. He either already has or plans to later sign multiple executive orders regarding the border: declaring a state of emergency there, labeling drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, directing the military to concentrate on the southern border, and attempting to revoke birthright citizenship. The specific result of the CBP One apps closure remains to be seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CBP1 app is credited for moving migrants into a lawful process of entry since it created an orderly system of proof, all on the other side of the US border, professor Juliette Kayyem wrote. Trump argues ending it means they will stop trying to enter. History suggests many will just try unlawfully. The hardline shift to the right on immigration is materializing even faster than anticipated. Communities everywhere can only prepare. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Despite extremely cold weather, at least 100 protesters marched through downtown Grand Rapids Monday evening to call for no deportations during the Trump administration. The protesters werent deterred by the coldest stretch of weather West Michigan has seen in years, saying this is the moment to act. Were still out here because we care enough (for) our community, said Gema Lowe, an organizer for Movimento Cosecha GR, the local group that led the march. We need to fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The march came on the day of President Donald Trumps inauguration. Protesters march in downtown Grand Rapids to call for no deportations during Donald Trumps presidency. (Jan. 20, 2025) The fear is always there, Lowe said. Whoevers in the White House is just another person that is getting us in fear. The fear of deportation is always there, regardless of whos in power. We want that to end. What immigration advocates are hearing after Trump election Protesters held up signs that read immigrants are not criminals. Others urged for families to not be separated. Some in the crowd have worked in the United States for decades. Theyve been uncertain of their future. There are people here that have been here for more than 20 years contributing to society, working those jobs that no one else takes, working in harsh weather, and this why were here, Lowe said. Our labor is needed, so our humanity needs to be respected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poll: Immigration is a higher priority for Americans than it was a year ago Trump has promised to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history. Just how large and how it will be carried out remains unclear. Raids detaining those without legal status reportedly could begin as soon as Tuesday, narrowing in on people deemed a safety threat. The protesters sent a message to local leadership, asking for Grand Rapids to be declared a sanctuary city. So police will not cooperate with (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) for any deportations, any of those mass deportations that are threats to our community, Lowe said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) With a nod to the I Have a Dream speech from Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a Michigan pastor prayed for President Donald Trump during his inauguration Monday. Heavenly father, we are so grateful that you gave our 45th and now our 47th president a millimeter miracle. We are grateful that you are the one that have called him for such a time as this, that America would begin to dream again, Rev. Lorenzo Sewell of Detroit said during his benediction. We pray that we would fulfill the true meaning of our creed, that we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. We pray that you use our president, that we would live in a nation where we would not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character. Before Washington: MLKs famous I Have a Dream speech debuted in Detroit Pastor of 180 Church Lorenzo Sewell, delivers a benediction after President Donald Trump was sworn in during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb/Pool photo via AP) Sewell also made references to My Country, Tis of Thee, and Free at Last, two songs that King quoted during the famous I Have a Dream speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are so grateful today, that you will use our 47th president, so we would sing with new meaning: My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims pride, from every mountain side, let freedom ring,' Sewell said. When we let freedom ring, we will be able speed up that day where all your children, Black men and white men, Protestant and Catholic, Jew and gentile will be able to sing in the meaning of that old Negro spiritual, Free at last. Free at last. Thank you God almighty, we are free at last,' he added while wrapping up. After the prayer, he hugged Trump and shook hands with Vice President JD Vance. Senior Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, second left, hugs President Donald Trump during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool) Sewell was born and raised in Detroit, where the I Have a Dream speech was first debuted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump returns to power after unprecedented comeback, emboldened to reshape American institutions While in high school, after his father went to prison and his younger brother was killed, Sewell became a gang leader and was involved in drug dealing, according to the 180 Church website. In 1999, his senior year of high school, he had an encounter with Christ that set his heart on fire, according to the church. He now serves as the lead pastor for 180 Church in Detroit. His work as a pastor has included working on a computer lab for adult literacy classes, bringing in donations for those who have lost their homes due to emergencies like house fires, and partnering with a program that offers tutoring and mentoring for local students. What an opportunity, Sewell said in social media video posted prior to the inauguration. To God be the glory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP)Inauguration Day is in full swing in Washington, D.C., marking the handover of power to the incoming Trump-Vance administration. Although this is Donald Trumps second inauguration, there are some notable differences from his first. Perhaps most obviousTrump has a new Vice President in J.D. Vance. Governor Healey attending Martin Luther King Jr. Day event in Springfield Changing vice presidents in a second term is not unheard of. Most recently, President Richard Nixon served alongside Spiro Agnew in his first term beginning in 1969 and Gerald Ford in his abbreviated second term before resigning in 1974. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the case of Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence, Pence says in his memoir So Help Me God that Trumps massive push to overhaul the results of the 2020 election marked the end of their political collaboration. Pence says Trump endangered all on Capitol Hill by inciting the January 6, 2021 riots. The former Vice Presidents replacement, Vance, a conservative junior Senator from Ohio, used to be a harsh Trump critic. In Trumps campaign, he energized Trumps far-right base. After Vance and Trump were sworn in around noon, Trump delivered the first address of his second presidency. His 2017 address was marked by dark undertones, standing in contrast to the tradition of uplifting and positive speeches by previous presidents. He painted pictures of poverty and desolation in the United States, and positioned himself as the solution. The American carnage stops right here, right now. From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward, its going to be only America first. America first, Trump said in his 2017 address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, he revisited his America first rhetoric, but his speech overall focused more on moving forward and excitement for the future. Trump referenced an assassination attempt he survived at a Pennsylvania rally this summer, saying he was saved by God to make America great again. He also declared January 20, 2025 American Liberation Day, and recognized Martin Luther King Jr. Day by saying he is looking forward to making the Civil Rights leaders dreams come true. At Trumps first inauguration in 2017, crowd turnout was estimated to be 720,000 individuals. Trumps then-press secretary claimed the actual turnout was the largest in history, but later walked back these remarks. This year, counting the crowd could be more complicated. While inaugurations are traditionally held on the Capitol steps with onlookers spread across the National Mall, severe cold forced the ceremonies inside the building this year. The presidential parade will take place inside the Capitol One Arena, where onlookers can congregate, instead of on Pennsylvania Ave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump warned National Mall-goers to dress warmly, but due to the spread out nature of this years events, turnout estimates will likely come in later than in previous years. Trumps second presidency will be his last, due to 1956s 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, barring presidents from serving more than two terms. Fourteen presidents have served at least two full terms, with Franklin D. Roosevelt serving 3 terms and 2 months of a fourth term before his death. Following Roosevelts four inaugurations, the United State adopted the Constitutional amendment limiting each president to two terms. Seven more presidents have either succeeded a president in a term and gone on to win a second, or won a first term and died during their second. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remaining 23 presidents served one term or a partial term. Donald Trump, both the countrys 45th and 47th president, is one of two presidents to be elected to two non-consecutive terms, joining Grover Cleveland. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday to keep TikTok operating for 75 days, a relief to the social media platforms users even as national security questions persist. TikToks China-based parent ByteDance was supposed to find a U.S. buyer or be banned on Jan. 19. Trumps order could give ByteDance more time to find a buyer. I guess I have a warm spot for TikTok, Trump said. RELATED: Trump returns to power after unprecedented comeback Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has amassed nearly 15 million followers on TikTok since he joined last year, and he has credited the trendsetting platform with helping him gain traction among young voters. Yet its 170 million U.S. users could not access TikTok for more than 12 hours between Saturday night and Sunday morning. The platform went offline before the ban approved by Congress and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court took effect on Sunday. After Trump promised to pause the ban on Monday, TikTok restored access for existing users. Google and Apple, however, still have not reinstated TikTok to their app stores. Business leaders, lawmakers, legal scholars, and influencers who make money on TikTok are watching to see how Trump tries to resolve a thicket of regulatory, legal, financial and geopolitical issues with his signature. How did the TikTok ban come about? TikToks app allows users to create and watch short-form videos, and broke new ground by operating with an algorithm that fed viewers recommendations based on their viewing habits. But concerns about its potential to serve as a tool for Beijing to manipulate and spy on Americans pre-date Trumps first presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, Trump issued executive orders banning dealings with ByteDance and the owners of the Chinese messaging app WeChat. Courts ended up blocking the orders, but less than a year ago Congress overwhelmingly passed a law citing national security concerns to ban TikTok unless ByteDance sold it to an approved buyer. The law, which went into force Sunday, allows for fines of up to $5,000 per U.S. TikTok user against major mobile app stores like the ones operated by Apple and Google and internet hosting services like Oracle if they continued to distribute TikTok to U.S. users beyond the deadline for ByteDances divestment. Trump on Sunday said he had asked TikToks U.S. service providers to continue supporting the platform and app while he prepared to sign an executive order to stop the ban for now. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order, Trump posted on Truth Social, his social networking site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law that Congress passed and now-former President Joe Biden signed in April allowed for a 90-day extension if there had been progress toward a sale before the statutes effective date. Less certain is whether that provision can be applied retroactively, according to Sarah Kreps, director of Cornell Universitys Tech Policy Institute. Executive orders cannot override existing laws, Kreps said. Its not clear that the new president has that authority to issue the 90-day extension of a law thats already gone into effect. What difference might the sale of TikTok make? Kreps also doubts the conditions for a delay exist at this point without so much as even a potential buyer being named to prove that a sale was moving along. But Alan Rozenshtein, a University of Minnesota law professor, has written that the law also empowers the president to decide what constitutes a qualified divestiture suggesting Trump could have discretion to say whether or when ByteDance meets the terms of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although ByteDance spent months repeating it wasnt interested in selling, Beijing on Monday also signaled a possible easing on Chinas stance on TikTok to allow it to be divested from its Chinese parent company. Chinas vice president held meetings with Vice President JD Vance and Tesla tech titan Elon Musk on Sunday. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, said Monday that business operations and acquisitions should be independently decided by companies in accordance with market principles. If it involves Chinese companies, Chinas laws and regulations should be observed, Mao said. Until now, it was widely believed that Beijing would not allow the sale of TikTok, which had come to embody Chinas defiance in the face of U.S. robbery. However, TikTok was among several issues brought up in a phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump on Friday, though details were not available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump later announced plans to delay the TikTok ban and suggested a joint venture in which the U.S. would get a 50% ownership of the app. Shou Zi Chew, TikToks CEO, attended Trumps inauguration, seated with American tech heavyweights. Who or what can enforce the ban? The Justice Department is generally tasked with enforcing the laws of the federal government, so its possible that Trump will direct the DOJ to ignore the law. Such a move might itself be subject to legal scrutiny but would buy time for TikTok. Trumps efforts to save TikTok may put him at odds with some of the House members and senators who voted for the law, which received broad bipartisan support. House Speaker Mike Johnson called ByteDances ownership a very dangerous thing, and said he expected a full sale to happen. I think we will enforce the law, Johnson told NBC News Meet the Press on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislators now stand to look a little bit silly if the ban doesnt last, Kreps said. (The case) becomes about the separations of powers, and checks and balances, that we dont have a king who decides what happens with the law, Kreps said. Enforcement isnt only up to the executive branch. What are other potential legal obstacles? Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, in a message posted on X, listed a number of state and federal agencies, and private entities, that might be willing to go to court to get the ban enforced. Any company that hosts, distributes, services, or otherwise facilitates communist-controlled TikTok could face hundreds of billions of dollars of ruinous liability under the law, not just from DOJ, but also under securities law, shareholder lawsuits, and state AGs, Cotton noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the intense scrutiny and potential costs involved, the machinations over TikTok are in some ways just business as usual for the tech companies involved, according to Gus Hurwitz, a legal scholar with the International Center for Law and Economics. The fines that were talking about are civil penalties and companies risk civil penalties all the time, Hurwitz said. Still, the hard business calculus of complying with a law in limbo or risk defying a president who holds lucrative federal contracts over those companies could come into focus if shareholders sue. Oracle, for example, has a part of the Pentagons $9 billion contract to build its cloud computing network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This actually could be the right business decision to make, Hurwitz said. Thats not necessarily a breach of duty to shareholders. Which companies are deciding whether to trust Trumps assurances? Theres been lots of questions about how companies such as Oracle and Akamai Technologies are powering TikToks servers to stay online, while others such as Apple and Google have made the app unavailable for new users to download. None of the companies have responded to requests for comment. Oracle in 2020 announced it had a 12.5% stake in TikTok Global after securing its business as the apps cloud technology provider. Meanwhile, as of Monday night, a search for TikTok on Apples app store directs to an online statement that reads in part: Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates, while Googles app store notes downloads for TikTok are paused due to current US legal requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NEXT: Trump pardons supporters charged in Capitol attack Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. President Trump late Monday issued a pair of executive orders that seek to bolster oil and gas drilling including in contentious areas of Alaska. One order seeks to open up drilling in Alaskas Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and National Petroleum Reserve. The other initiates a review of all policies that burden the development of domestic energy resources. The latter order also specifically targets former President Bidens electric vehicle push stating that it is U.S. policy to eliminate the electric vehicle (EV) mandate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the measures do not necessarily change the rules on the books right away instead directing federal agencies to begin the lengthy process of undoing Biden policies that also took years to complete. However, one key policy that the second order seeks to revisit could end up preventing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing climate regulations entirely. Specifically, it directs the EPA to reassess the 2009 finding that climate change poses a health risk and should be regulated. It also seeks to resume approvals for new natural gas exports which the Biden administration had paused until its action was halted in court. Signing the Alaska order in the Oval Office, Trump was particularly enthusiastic about opening up drilling in the wildlife refuge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drilling in the refuge is particularly controversial because the area is home to wildlife including grizzly bears, polar bears, gray wolves, caribou and more than 200 species of birds. It also contains lands sacred to the Gwichin people. But Republicans have long-eyed it as a source of oil and a way to bolster the local economy including of local tribes. The order particularly directs the Interior Department to reinstate drillings rights there that were revoked under the Biden administration and seeks to review a lease sale there by the Biden administration that ultimately flopped. In addition to the electric vehicle rule, the order also targets Bidens efficiency rules for household appliances, stating that it is U.S. policy to maximize consumer choice in: lightbulbs, dishwashers, washing machines, gas stoves, water heaters, toilets and shower heads. The Trump administration rolled back energy efficiency rules for household appliances in his first term and Trump himself made disparaging the more energy-efficient versions part of his stump speech, taking aim at everything from low-flow toilets to energy-efficient light bulbs in remarks at rallies. Gas stoves, meanwhile, became a hot-button issue among Republicans during the Biden administration after U.S. Consumer Product Safety officials suggested it was exploring restrictions on them due to links to childhood asthma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, 97 percent of gas stoves on the market already complied with the standards the department finalized last January. It also seeks to revise rules pertaining to construction seeking to speed up building new projects, which can sometimes come at the expense of environmental reviews. Specifically, the order says that agencies assessing infrastructure projects must prioritize efficiency and certainty over any other objectives. Furthermore, the order also directs federal agencies to stop doling out cash issued under the Democrats climate, tax and healthcare bill and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It particularly calls out funds for electric vehicle charging stations. Beyond the wildlife refuge, the order also seeks to open up other areas of Alaska to drilling and other industries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also directs the administration to reverse Biden policies that limited drilling in Alaskas National Petroleum Reserve which was set aside in 1923 by President Harding as an emergency supply of oil for the Navy. The order also removes Biden-era protections for Alaskas Tongass National Forest, restoring a 2020 regulation from Trumps first term that permitted industrial logging in much of the old-growth forest. The Biden administration banned logging and most road construction in most of the area in 2023. The orders take aim at a range of other Biden policies, including its rejection of an Alaska mining road and the American Climate Corps a climate jobs program. Updated at 10:24 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 with new information about three cases for which prosecutors have filed motions to dismiss. Twenty-eight Hoosiers accused in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, will likely have their charges relating to that day wiped away. President Donald Trump in one of his first acts in office pardoned more than 1,500 people charged in the attack and also commuted the sentences of those still fulfilling their punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has not yet released a full list of those being pardoned, but ultimately, many or all Indiana residents who took part could see their records cleared. The case against Troy Koen of Brownsburg who pleaded guilty to assaulting officers with a flagpole has already been dismissed. Prosecutors have also filed motions to dismiss cases against Gregory Mijares of Crown Point and James Link Behymer of Hope, who were accused of shoving officers. More: How Indiana's Jan. 6 defendants reacted to potential pardon Jan. 6 defendants from Indiana Nancy Barron From: Patriot In May 2024, a federal judge sentenced Barron to three years on probation after a jury found her guilty of her charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said Barron turned herself in after telling police she had entered the Capitol that day. She was then charged with several nonviolent offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. James Link Behymer From: Hope In October 2024, Behymer and his alleged accomplice, Donald Moss, pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement officers during the Capitol breach. The pair was accused of physically confronting police officers on the Lower West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol as law enforcement ordered the mob to move back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behymer was seen on body camera footage grabbing an officers baton and pushing other law enforcement officials hands away. Prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss on Jan. 21, 2025, citing Trump's executive order. Dona Sue Bissey From: Bloomfield Bissey was sentenced October 2021 to two weeks of incarceration, 60 hours of community service and a $500 fine after pleading guilty to one of her charges of entering the Capitol during the attack. Bissey was at the Capitol that day with her friend and fellow Hoosier, Anna Morgan-Lloyd, who became the first Jan. 6 defendant to be sentenced in the country. Eric Cantrell, Jared Cantrell, Quentin Cantrell From: Greenwood and Indianapolis Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jared Cantrell and his two cousins were accused of illegally entering the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, after surveillance footage and social media posts showed the men taking selfies in the Rotunda and climbing over the West Terrace. Through plea deals or jury trials, each has been convicted for entering the building. On March 27, 2023, Eric Cantrell was sentenced to three months of probation, 40 hours of community service and $1,510 in fines and restitution. A month later, Jared Cantrell was found guilty of his charges and sentenced to six months of incarceration followed by a year on supervised release, 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay $500 in restitution and another $8,060 in fines. Quentin Cantrell was sentenced to six days of incarceration, a year on probation, $500 in restitution and $6,035 in fines the same month. Michael Greene From: Indianapolis Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene, accused of being an operations leader hired by the far-right Oath Keepers group, was ordered to two years' probation in July 2023 after being found guilty of entering a restricted building. He was acquitted of his more serious alleged offenses in what the Associated Press described as a rare setback for prosecutors. Prosecutors accused Greene of conspiring with the Oath Keepers in breaching the U.S. Capitol, a claim Greene denied during his trial. The federal judge overseeing the case went against the recommended one year behind bars, arguing Greene did not enter the Capitol building, nor did he have a major presence in the groups chats, the report states. Ian Horvath From: Plymouth In May 2023, Horvath was ordered to serve three years of probation after pleading guilty to entering the Capitol during the breach, telling investigators he live-streamed the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still surveillance footage photos showed Horvath inside the Capitol for 30 minutes wearing a furry hat with a raccoon tail. He was then seen exiting the building and telling other rioters, Come on in, all are welcome. Horvath entered a plea of guilty to a charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Dale Huttle From: Crown Point Dale Huttle and his nephew, Matthew Huttle, were each sentenced to prison for their involvement during the breach, which included the elder Huttle striking police officers. Court documents state he was captured on surveillance footage among a crowd on the Lower West Terrace trying to push a bike rack placed by officers as a barrier. He was then seen holding a U.S. flagpole and striking two officers on the steps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June 2024, Dale Huttle was ordered to two and a half years behind bars, followed by two years on supervised release after pleading guilty to assaulting, resisting or impeding officers. Matthew Huttle From: Hebron Matthew Huttle was arrested after investigators say he was seen on video inside the Capitol building going into multiple offices, the Crypt area and hallways. He was sentenced in November 2023 to six months in prison and a year on supervised release after pleading guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building, a lower charge than issued to his uncle, Dale Huttle, whom he traveled with that day. Kash Lee Kelly From: Hammond Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records state Kelly posted photos of himself on social media climbing a wall at the U.S. Capitol, in one caption stating the day we let the Traitors who constantly push the divide in OUR country know that we are done playing their games." He was sentenced in November 2022 to 60 days in prison after entering a plea to one count of violent and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Troy Koen From: Brownsburg Koen pleaded guilty in November 2024 to assaulting law enforcement officers after investigators say he was seen yanking away a barricade and using a flagpole to jab toward police during the Capitol breach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A criminal complaint stated surveillance footage showed Koen using the pole donned with Trump 2020 and Confederate flags to jab double doors in the Lower West Terrace tunnel and help break the glass. As rioters pushed into the crowd, Koen continued to jab at the officer line. Koen's sentencing hearing was just over a month away when the judge dismissed his case on Jan. 21, 2025. David Scott Kuntz From: Elizabeth Kuntz was taken into custody after being identified in video footage in a restricted area of the U.S. Capitol wearing a black tactical vest, according to a criminal complaint. According to the FBI, Kuntz was seen watching rioters breach the grounds outside an entry on the Upper West Terrace and calling out (explicit) the police. He is associated with the Three Percenters, an extremist ideology falling within the larger antigovernment militia movement, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Investigators said that in the days leading up to Jan. 6, 2021, Kuntz on social media mentioned going to Washington, D.C., fully armed and making a stand. He pleaded guilty on Dec. 2, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to impede or injure an officer. A sentencing hearing set for March 31, 2025 remained on the court's schedule as of this article's publication. Mark Mazza From: Shelbyville Mazza was arrested after police say they retrieved his gun on the Capitols grounds following the riot and traced the weapon to him. Investigators said they further found him among the crowd on Jan. 6, 2021, trying to break into the West Front Terrace. In October 2022, Mazza was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting, resisting and impeding officers with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license. Mazza reported the gun stolen to Shelbyville police two days after the Capitol breach, claiming it was taken from his car at a Hard Rock casino in Ohio. Gregory Mijares From: Crown Point Capitol surveillance footage showed Mijares was among the first rioters to pursue police in the Lower West Terrace, according to a criminal complaint. Investigators in the report said Mijares was seen wearing a gas mask and pursuing officers, then pulling open a broken glass door and ushering other rioters in. He was indicted on seven counts including felony civil disorder. On Jan. 21, 2025, prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss Mijares' case, citing Trump's executive order. Anna Morgan-Lloyd From: Bloomfield Morgan-Lloyd made history as the first person to be sentenced in the Jan. 6 breach. In June 2021, she was sentenced to three years of probation after entering a plea in which she penned a note to the judge about her remorse for how the day turned violent. Morgan-Lloyd traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend Donald Trumps rally that day with her friend, Dona Sue Bissey. One day after her apology in court, Morgan-Lloyd appeared on Fox News and downplayed the breach. Where I was at, we see nobody damage anything. People were actually very polite, she said. Donald Lee Moss From: Elizabethtown Moss pleaded guilty to assaulting officers after conceding to investigators that he struck and pushed law enforcement while outside the Capitol, including using a chair to block them from closing a door to the U.S. Senate wing. At the time of this article's publication, a sentencing hearing for Moss remains scheduled for Feb. 13, 2025. Jeffrey Munger From: Goshen Munger, according to a criminal complaint, told investigators he climbed through a broken window to enter the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot. He told police the crowd behind him was pushing him into a corner and the only way to leave was through the building. Surveillance footage showed him leaving 14 minutes later. Munger was sentenced to 30 months of probation in October 2022 after pleading guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Arthur Reyher and Jessica Reyher From: Brownsburg The Indiana couple were among the first rioters to enter the tunnel on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and push against a wall of police officers. On Nov. 6, 2023, the Reyhers pleaded guilty to a felony offense of civil disorder. Arthur Reyher was sentenced to eight months in prison. Jessica Reyher was sentenced to 90 days in prison in February 2024. The Reyhers were also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to each pay $2,000 in restitution. Jonathan Ace Sanders Sr. From: Vincennes Sanders was arrested after the FBI received a tip that he bragged during his shift at a bakery about being just 70 feet away from where Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot by Capitol police during the attack. Investigators following up on the lead said Sanders told them he traveled to Washington, D.C., that day and entered the Capitol building. He pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building and was sentenced to three years of probation in November 2021. Jon Ryan Schaffer From: Columbus The heavy metal guitarist was charged after being photographed arguing with police and unleashing a can of bear spray in the building. Schaffer, a former member of the band Iced Earth, turned himself in to the FBI 10 days after the riot. He pleaded guilty to unlawfully entering the U.S. Capitol to obstruct Congress certification of the U.S. presidential election results in 2021, marking the first Jan. 6 defendant to enter an agreement. In his plea, Schaffer admitted to being one of the founders of the Oath Keepers, a right-wing militia group that describes itself as a non-partisan association of current and formerly serving military, police and first responders. Schaffer was not charged in the Justice Departments conspiracy case against the organization. Schaffer was sentenced to three years of probation on Oct. 25, 2024, more than three years after his guilty plea. He was also ordered to pay $1,200 in fines and restitution. Curtis Logan Tate From: Jeffersonville According to police, Tate was seen striking a police officer and charging more law enforcement officials near the U.S. Capitol. Body camera footage and surveillance videos showed him entering the Lower West Terrace tunnel and using a metal baton to strike an officer. He was then seen waving the baton, destroying property and throwing items at police, according to a criminal complaint. Tate was sentenced in July 2024 to more than five years in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting law enforcement. Israel Tutrow From: Greenfield The Greenfield man was arrested after being seen moving in and out of the U.S. Capitol wearing a distinct black beanie with TRUMP lettering during the attack, according to court documents. Tutrow entered a plea to parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. He was sentenced in December 2021 to three years of probation. Annie Vo From: Fishers The Fishers mom and her son were charged in the Jan. 6 riot after police said the pair were seen entering the building on Jan. 6. Annie Vo was arrested on March 7, 2024, on four counts pertaining to the riot, including entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. Her son, Antony Vo, was sentenced to prison for his participation in the attack but absconded to Canada instead of reporting for his sentence. Antony Vo From: Bloomington The former Indiana University student was found guilty of entering the U.S. Capitol and disorderly conduct in the Jan. 6 attack, having been seen in photographs posing with his mother inside the building. A jury found him guilty in September 2023 on his charges of entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; violent entry or disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Vo was sentenced in April 2024 to nine months in prison followed by a year of supervised release, but did not report to the correctional facility and remained a federal fugitive until he was arrested on Jan. 6, 2025, in Canada. On Nov. 20, 2024, Vo told a reporter with WISH that he expected to be pardoned by Trump. He was captured in Whistler, Canada, and detained for unauthorized entry. Vo's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Joshua Wagner From: Indianapolis Wagner was charged in the Jan. 6 attack after law enforcement released a photo of him on a wanted poster. He would become the second Hoosier taken into custody for storming the U.S. Capitol. Police said Wagner and his friend and another defendant, Israel Tutrow, were seen inside the Capitol building that day. Wagner was sentenced to 30 days incarceration in February 2022 for a misdemeanor charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. William Lance Wilkerson From: Bedford Charging documents showed Wilkersons Facebook comments, security camera images from the Capitol and cellphone records led to his arrest in the Jan. 6 riot. Closed-circuit television footage captured six photographs of him inside the building wearing an olive green jacket. He was sentenced in November 2023 to two years probation after pleading guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Contact IndyStar reporter at Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com and Ryan Murphy at rhmurphy@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Trump grants pardons to Jan. 6 defendants. Here's who is from Indiana President Donald Trump pardoned about 1,500 people who stormed the Capitol in his name on Jan. 6, 2021, instantly laying waste to the Justice Departments four-year drive to punish the first disruption of the transfer of power in American history. The sweeping grant of clemency includes full, complete and unconditional pardons for some of the most notorious participants in the attack, including hundreds convicted of assaulting police, carrying firearms, destroying property or otherwise contributing to the violent rampage. Trump also ordered his Justice Department to shut down hundreds of pending Jan. 6 prosecutions, including many for violent crimes. Among those freed from jail with a stroke of Trumps pen: Enrique Tarrio, the former national leader of the far-right Proud Boys, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for a seditious conspiracy related to the attack; Guy Reffitt, who carried a firearm during a standoff with police that helped facilitate the mobs approach to the Capitol; and Ryan Samsel, the first rioter to breach police lines who was facing a long list of assault charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps move largely erases the prosecutions that have crammed Washingtons federal courthouse and featured prominently in national politics since Trump attempted to derail Joe Bidens 2020 victory. Trump had repeatedly promised during the 2024 campaign to pardon many Jan. 6 defendants, but until Monday night, it was unclear just how far he would go. Some political allies and even a federal judge he appointed had urged him to refrain from blanket pardons of those who stormed the Capitol. And Vice President JD Vance said this month that people who engaged in violence obviously should not be pardoned. But only the president, Trumps allies noted, gets to decide who receives clemency, and Trump had other ideas. These people have been destroyed, Trump said as he signed the pardons Monday night. What theyve done to these people has been outrageous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump asked the Bureau of Prisons to facilitate the release of incarcerated defendants immediately. The Justice Department charged about 1,600 perpetrators for their role in the mob, including 600 accused of assaulting or impeding police during the chaos. About 1,100 of them pleaded guilty or were found guilty at trial. The other roughly 500 cases were still pending until Trumps clemency. Those pardoned include Julian Khater, who pepper-sprayed Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick in the face (Sicknick died a day later from what a medical examiner said was natural causes); Patrick McCaughey, who helped crush D.C. police officer Daniel Hodges in a Capitol doorway; and Jake Lang, a rioter charged with numerous assault counts, including attacking police officers with a bat. Fourteen people received commutations instead of full pardons. A commutation is a lesser form of clemency that means those individuals will be released from prison immediately, but at least for now they will continue to have felony convictions on their records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the pardon for Tarrio, Trump opted only to commute the sentence of others who were convicted of seditious conspiracy including Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the anti-government Oath Keepers. The federal judge who sentenced Rhodes to 18 years in prison recently said the thought of him being released was frightening. Others whose sentences were commuted include Dominic Pezzola, a New York Proud Boy who led the crowd into the Capitol when he shattered a Senate-wing window and was serving a 10-year sentence; Ethan Nordean and Joe Biggs, who led hundreds of Proud Boys on a march from the Washington Monument to the Capitol, where they helped ignite breaches of numerous police lines; and some of Rhodes top Oath Keepers allies. Trump also directed his Justice Department to abruptly drop the 470 ongoing criminal cases against Jan. 6 defendants including hundreds facing assault charges. The president told prosecutors to request that the cases be dismissed with prejudice, meaning they could not be refiled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of those cases had already netted guilty pleas, and the defendants were awaiting sentences. About 700 defendants had already completed their jail sentences or were never sentenced to prison at all. The effects of the mass clemency by Trump are likely to cascade through the federal courthouse in Washington, where prosecutors have churned through Jan. 6 cases daily for the past four years. Two felony cases were expected to reach jury verdicts this week. Other defendants began asking judges Monday night to dismiss their cases even before Trump signed the pardon paperwork. In the first hours of his second term, President Donald Trump pardoned nearly everyone convicted of crimes associated with the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol including former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and commuted the sentences of 14 more, including Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes. CNN reported that nearly 1,600 people have been charged and about 1,300 have been convicted of crimes committed on that day. There are about 300 cases still active and unresolved, CNN reported. According to a Washington Post analysis, 14 leaders of far-right militant groups Oath Keepers and Proud Boys have been convicted of seditious conspiracy. And 379 people have been charged with felony assault; most of them have been convicted already. though some are still awaiting trial. Trump also ordered the Justice Department to dismiss all pending indictments against Jan. 6 defendants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To understand the situation, Jeff Inglis, a politics editor at The Conversation U.S., spoke with John E. Jones III, a retired federal judge who was appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush and confirmed unanimously by the Senate in 2002. Jones is now president of Dickinson College. Whats the difference between a pardon and a commutation? A pardon essentially wipes away the offense and restores the constitutional rights that a person convicted of a federal felony crime would be deprived of, such as the right to vote and to travel unimpeded. Technically, it does not mean theyre not guilty of the offense, but it washes away all the consequences of the offense. A pardon can be anticipatory, but in most cases historically its given after a person has been convicted of a crime, or at least charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A commutation means that, essentially, the president believes the sentence is too harsh or too long. The commutation could either let somebody out of jail immediately and terminate their sentence or could shorten the amount of time remaining for them to serve. The key difference is that a commutation doesnt change the fact of a conviction and doesnt wash away the consequences. What do judges think about a president exercising the power to pardon and commute? There have been instances historically where judges probably have agreed with commutations and pardons. Its typically not ever top of mind when you sentence people that someone is going to commute that sentence or pardon. Its a pretty rare occurrence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will say that in my experience, if someone was angling for a commutation or pardon without any sense of gratitude or remorse, that would be more difficult to swallow for the judge who passed the sentence. What do judges think about Trumps actions in these Jan. 6 cases? In many cases, these judges sentenced the offenders to less than what the government was asking for. They gave them a break and went below the advisory sentencing guidelines that judges have to consult when they pass sentence. Theyre not mandatory, but judges have to explain why theyve sentenced outside the guidelines when they pass sentences. The Department of Justice wanted sentences at the upper end of the guidelines because of the conduct of the individuals. When it comes to Jan. 6 offenders, not only do I think they received appropriate due process, but in some cases, I believe they received excessive due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, look at the case of a person from Pennsylvania named Joseph W. Fischer. Fischer is a former police officer, and he was charged, among other things, with obstructing the business of Congress by damaging or destroying items. He argued that his actions did not meet the criteria of obstructing Congress and took his case all the way to the Supreme Court, which sided with Fischer. He had access to the courts. He had good lawyers. He took the case all the way up and was able to rid himself of that particular charge. I think the judges were fully capable and did, in fact, sentence according to the degree of conduct of the offenders. Youre a retired federal judge. How does this action of pardoning and commutation of this group of people make you think about the justice system? Two of the purposes of sentencing are deterrence and respect for the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taking deterrence first, imagine you are an individual who believes that taking the law into your own hands and attempting to interfere with the business of government is the right way to proceed when you disagree with the result. The message that blanket pardons or commutations sends is essentially: You can get away with those actions without penalty, because your benefactor is going to save you in the end. Respect for the law is another aspect. What Im hearing from a number of incarcerated folks who say they expect to be pardoned or have their sentences commuted is that they dont believe theyve done anything wrong. Might those same individuals engage in similar behavior at another time, thinking that they can do that with impunity? I think Trump is going to make these people into martyrs and heroes, and to my mind, that flies in the face of the facts of these cases. How do you think about Trumps Jan. 6 pardons and commutations alongside the pardons and commutations that former President Joe Biden issued on the way out the door? Its really troublesome. Setting aside my judicial career and history and career in the law, the fact of the matter is, the general public just sees dozens and dozens, if not hundreds, of pardons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is probably true that were seeing an overuse of the pardon power at this point, maybe more than weve ever seen in history. I think Biden pardoning his family members was bad for him. If youre going to do it, do it in the light of day. Theres still a bad taste in many peoples mouths about Hunter Bidens pardon. I see the point: Hes taking Trumps threats of retribution seriously. The Justice Department could convene grand juries and investigate folks, and whether they were bona fide charges or not, it would cost them millions of dollars in legal fees. In the case of Hunter Biden, I guess any parent has empathy. Its his son, and he had the power to do it. Its sort of a tortured situation. But then I think about all of us on Jan. 6, 2021, turning on the TV and seeing something that weve never seen before in history. It is rare that something happens for the first time in history, and that searing image is stuck in a lot of folks brains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think you absolutely can logically and factually differentiate them. But I dont know if thats whats going to happen in the court of public opinion. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: John E. Jones III, Dickinson College Read more: John E. Jones III does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. An Oklahoman who pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol had been set for sentencing Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Prosecutors were seeking 51 months in prison. Instead, Benjamen Scott Burlew, 45, is headed home after months in custody, his attorney said. "He's out. Thank God," said the defense attorney, Jonathan Gross, of Baltimore, Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was released after President Donald Trump on Monday granted "a full, complete and unconditional pardon" to more than 1,000 individuals convicted of Jan. 6, 2021, crimes and directed prosecutors to dismiss pending indictments. Trump commuted the sentences of 14 others, including Stewart Rhodes, the former leader of the Oath Keepers militia who had received the second-longest sentence of 18 years for his role in the riot. Enrique Tarrio, who received the longest sentence of 22 years for seditious conspiracy as a leader of the far-right Proud Boys, was also to be pardoned or have his sentence commuted. "These people have been destroyed," Trump said after returning to the Oval Office. "What they've done to these people is outrageous." Almost 1,600 people were charged in federal court in Washington, D.C., with crimes associated with the attack of the U.S. Capitol, the Justice Department said on the fourth anniversary of the riot. In an image from a YouTube video, Benjamen Burlew talks about his experience on Jan. 6, 2021, outside the U.S. Capitol. Nine Oklahomans had already been sentenced at the time of Trump pardon Thirteen were Oklahomans at the time. Nine already have been sentenced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Thank God, I'm FREE!" Tricia Monique LaCount, of Tulsa, posted on X after being pardoned. LaCount described herself on X as a "J6 political hostage, American patriot and believer in Christ." She was sentenced on Nov. 26 to three years probation for going inside the Capitol for an hour and 14 minutes during the riot. Burlew had been locked up, first in Washington, D.C., and then in Philadelphia after missing a court hearing. The U.S. Army veteran pleaded guilty in May to assaulting a Washington, D.C., police outside the U.S. Capitol. He admitted that he grabbed the officer and "attempted to pull him into the crowd of rioters" about 1:15 p.m. shortly before the Capitol was breached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge dismissed his felony case Tuesday because of Trump's executive order. His attorney said he was released Monday night. The attorney had planned to ask at sentencing for the judge to send Burlew home. "The Government wants to throw Mr. Burlew in prison for 51 months for what amounts to a few seconds of misconduct," Gross wrote in a sentencing memorandum. "They want the court to overlook the sacrifices that this man made for his country and give him the harshest punishment possible." Thousands marched on the Capitol on Jan. 6. 2021, after Trump spoke at the "Save America" rally and urged them to "fight like hell." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rioters overwhelmed Capitol police to breach the building, delaying the formal counting of the Electoral College votes that had Joe Biden winning the 2020 presidential election. About 1,270 people were convicted of charges associated with the riot, after more than 1,000 pleaded guilty and 260 were convicted at trials, according to Justice Department figures. The guilty pleas included 327 people admitting felonies and 682 people admitting misdemeanors. More: Jan. 6 prisoners, including Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, released after Trump pardons, commutations About 600 people were charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement. Among those who pleaded guilty, 172 admitted assaulting law enforcement, 130 admitted obstructing law enforcement during a riot and 69 admitted assaulting law enforcement with a dangerous or deadly weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have been betrayed by my country," Michael Fanone, a former officer with Washington's Metropolitan Police Department who suffered a heart attack in the attack, told CNN on Monday. "Tonight, six individuals who assaulted me as I did my job on Jan. 6, as did hundreds of other law enforcement officers, will now walk free." Oklahoma's attorney general, Gentner Drummond, said Tuesday that Trump was open and honest about his intentions to issue pardons and a majority of Americans voted for him. "While I certainly wish the media and President Trump's detractors had expressed the same level of outrage over Biden's pardons, some will always seek to sow division," said Drummond, a Republican who already is running for governor. "I am fully supportive of the President's agenda and look forward to working with him to secure the border, deport illegal immigrants and put America First." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Trump Jan. 6 pardons, and dismissal order affects 13 Oklahomans Buried in Donald Trumps rescission of dozens of Biden administration executive orders, the president has reversed a rule that thwarted the power of lobbyists in Washington. Bidens Executive Order 13989, titled Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel, required members of the executive branch to sign an ethics pledge stating they would not receive gifts from lobbyists or lobbying organizations. The Biden-era pledge also included several clauses related to a revolving door ban, which prohibited all employees entering the government from working with regulations and contracts related to their former employer or former clients for a period of two years from their appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The revolving door ban also prohibits lobbyists joining the government from working on matters that they had personally lobbied for or engaged in, participating in the specific issue area in which that particular matter falls, or seeking employment with an agency they had lobbied within two years of their appointment. The pledge included a golden parachute agreement, where employees had to agree not to accept payment from their former employer to join the administration. The ethics commitment was part of Bidens efforts to crack down on shadow lobbying, by which former government officials are able to influence policy without registering as lobbyists. Clearly, Trump doesnt have the same concerns. At the start of his first administration, Trump imposed a similar, even harsher rule against lobbying that prevented his former employees from lobbying for five years. He repealed that order in 2021. Dozens of Trumps aides were able to get round that rule anyway because it was only ever weakly enforced, according to Open Secrets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has rescinded the Biden version of that executive order as part of one of his own first executive orders that repealed more than 75 of Bidens executive orders. Under Trump, it will be legal to bribe politicians again, the revolving door of Washington will continue to swing, and calls to drain the swamp will fade into nothing more than a dull murmur. This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. For weeks, Donald Trump has been exerting influence on events in the Middle East. After winning the 2024 election, he dispatched his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to the region to help the Biden administration get the Israel-Hamas cease-fire and hostage-release deal over the finish line. Now, a little more than 24 hours into his presidency, Trump has already begun to undo much of President Joe Bidens decision making from the past four years, including on foreign affairs. I spoke with my colleague Yair Rosenberg, who covers both Trump and the Middle East, about the new presidents goals and approach to the region. Isabel Fattal: What moves has Trump made on the Israeli-Palestinian front since taking office yesterday? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yair Rosenberg: Shortly after inauguration, Trump rescinded Joe Bidens February executive order that erected an entire sanctions regime against extremist Israeli settlers. This order allowed the administration to impose stiff penalties on violent settlers in the West Bank and anybody who supported them, andas I reported in Marchcould have eventually applied not just to individual actors and organizations on the ground but also to members of Benjamin Netanyahus government and the Israeli army. Bidens executive order was seen as a sword of Damocles hanging over the settler movement. It effectively cut off some important people on the Israeli hard right from the international financial system, because if youre under U.S. sanctions, a lot of institutions cannot touch you. The settler movement was so concerned about this that they pressed Netanyahu to lobby against the sanctions in Washington, and some members even took the Biden administration to court in the United States. All of that now goes away: not just the sanctions, but the executive order that created the entire regime. Trump is also reportedly expected to end the U.S. freeze on 2,000-pound bombs that Biden put in place during the war in Gaza, and impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court over its attempted prosecution of Israeli officialssomething Biden resisted. Isabel: Trump told reporters last night that he is not confident that the Gaza cease-fire will last, adding that its not our war; its their war. How durable is the cease-fire deal right now? Yair: Trump is right to be skeptical. Its not at all clear whether this is actually going to hold. The first of the agreements three phases, which we are in right now, is 42 days long. Israel is releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including convicted mass murderers, in exchange for 33 women, children, and elderly hostages in Gaza held by Hamas, some of them living, some of them dead. That part of the deal seems likely to continue according to plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But partway through this period, the two parties are supposed to negotiate for the release of the remaining male hostages, for whom Hamas is demanding a much steeper ransom than this already steep price. And if those negotiations dont bear fruit, its entirely possible the war will resume, especially because hard-right politicians in Netanyahus government have already vowed to press on until Hamas is eliminated. The question becomes: How committed are Israel and Hamas to actually getting this done? And how committed is Trump to keeping the cease-fire on the rails? From his comments, it doesnt seem like he knows. Hes speaking like a spectator instead of an actor. So we have no idea what he intends to do. Isabel: What would it look like for Trump to truly commit to keeping the cease-fire on track? Yair: It would require his administration to make it more worthwhile for both sides to compromise and stick to the deal rather than capsize it. Most Israelis support the current deal, but the accords most bitter opponents are the hard-right politicians in the current Netanyahu government, making the cease-fire harder to sustain as time goes on. But the Israeli far right is also hoping to get many items on their wish list over the next four years, much like they did during Trumps previous term. Among other things, they seek U.S. support for Israeli annexation of the West Bank, the removal of the sanctions we discussed, and backing for Israel in its ongoing war with Iran and its proxies. If Trump is committed to the continuation of the cease-firean open questionhe could make clear that some of these benefits come with a price, which is calm in Gaza. And Trump, both in his previous term and in recent weeks, has shown that he is willing to offer incentives that Biden would not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas is even harder to influence, because theyre a messianic terrorist group. Fundamentally, they dont seem to care about not just how many of their own fighters theyve lost but also how many Gazan civilians have been killed in this war. For them, every casualty is either immaterial or an asset in a gruesome PR war against Israel. But they do have sponsors abroadlike Qatar, which hosts some of the groups political leaders. The Qataris want to be on the right side of the next Trump administration, like any other state in the Middle East. And so Trump has the ability to put pressure on the Qataris, who can then push Hamas to compromise on what theyre willing to accept in the next hostage exchange. These methods arent guaranteed to work. Its true that the U.S. has some sway over events, but these countries and actors have their own national interests and make decisions based on their own internal politics. Americans on both the right and the left tend to overestimate the U.S.s role in world developments. Frankly, if there were a magic button here, Biden would have pushed it already. Isabel: What can we learn about Trumps second term from how he has handled this cease-fire situation thus far? What does it tell us about how he might relate to the region? Yair: The thing to understand about Trumps approach to politics, as Ive written, is that he has few if any core beliefs, which means that he is both incredibly flexible and easily influenced. Both domestic and international actors know that if they can give Trump something he wants, he might give them something they want. It doesnt matter if they are a traditional U.S. ally or not. It doesnt matter if theyre a democracy or not. Its entirely about whether you are in his good books. So everybody is now scrambling to get on Trumps good side, to make down payments on the things they hope the most powerful person in the world will then pay them back for. In a real sense, thats what this cease-fire isfor Israel, for Qatar, for Egypt, its all jockeying for advantage by trying to give Trump a win now so hell give them a win later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expect the next four years to look a lot like this, with international actors such as Saudi Arabia and Israel and domestic actors such as American evangelicals and Republican neo-isolationists all playing this game of thrones, hoping to curry favor with the ruler now holding court. Related: Here are four new stories from The Atlantic: Todays News Attorneys general from 22 states sued to block Donald Trumps executive order attempting to ban birthright citizenship. The former leader of the Proud Boys and the founder of the Oath Keepers have been released from prison after Trump signed an executive order yesterday that pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than 1,500 January 6 defendants. Former President Joe Biden issued numerous preemptive pardons yesterday, including for members of his family, General Mark Milley, Anthony Fauci, and members of the January 6 House select committee. Dispatches Explore all of our newsletters here. Evening Read Please Dont Make Me Say My Boyfriends Name By Shayla Love Dale Carnegie, the self-made titan of self-help, swore by the social power of names. Saying someones name, he wrote in How to Win Friends and Influence People, was like a magic spell, the key to closing deals, amassing political favors, and generally being likable If you dont do this, Dale Carnegie warned his readers, you are headed for trouble. By Carnegies measure, plenty of people are in serious jeopardy. Its not that they dont remember what their friends and acquaintances are called; rather, saying names makes them feel anxious, nauseated, or simply awkward. In 2023, a group of psychologists dubbed this phenomenon alexinomia. Read the full article. More From The Atlantic Culture Break Will Heath / NBC Watch. The comedian Dave Chappelle took a break from punching down to deliver a timely and sincere message on Saturday Night Live (streaming on Peacock), Hannah Giorgis writes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scroll. TikTok went dark in the U.S. on Saturday night, only to be resurrected on Sunday. Steffi Cao details the chaotic moment for the most controversial app in America. Play our daily crossword. Stephanie Bai contributed to this newsletter. When you buy a book using a link in this newsletter, we receive a commission. Thank you for supporting The Atlantic. Article originally published at The Atlantic Victoria Meijia Garcia, 31, opened the CBP One app at 10 a.m. Monday as she did every day for the past several months, seeking an available appointment with an asylum official. But today, the top of the familiar homepage blared a message that filled her with dismay. Existing appointments scheduled through CBP One are no longer valid, the alert read. In a move fulfilling one of now-President Donald Trumps campaign promises, the Trump administration shuttered the use of CBP One, a President Joe Biden-era app meant to help process migrants seeking to apply for asylum in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the pomp and ceremony of the inauguration ceremony was broadcast for all to see, the Customs and Border Protection agency posted a notice on its website, informing users that the app was no longer available. It also said that existing appointments at the eight ports of entry across the Southwest had been canceled. Did Elon Musk Nazi salute?: 5 weirdest moments of Trump's inauguration | Opinion I had a very sad feeling, if you can imagine. I have been waiting for seven months asking for an appointment every day, Garcia said. It was the only option we had right now to go to the U.S. legally. The app, which was working as recently as earlier Monday, helped facilitate the admission of nearly 1 million asylum-seekers over the past two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Up to 1,450 people a day were given appointments at ports of entry to have their cases heard by asylum officials. Former president Joe Biden exercised his presidential authority to allow Individuals awaiting court hearings to reside in the United States. Garcia and her family have been living in the La Divina Providencia migrant shelter in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora. Her husband and two children fled from the Mexican state of Morelos, where they ran a business. Her family was threatened because they didnt pay a tax placed on them by a local organized crime group. We couldnt pay it, she said. We had to leave everything in Morelos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family arrived in San Luis this past summer in the heat of June. The adjustment was hard at first, Garcia said, but the people working at the shelter have helped her family find a place in the border town. "It was a drastic change for me and even more so for my kids. It took them longer to adjust to their new life here, you know, because we are living in the shelter, she said, Little by little, we have been adjusting here. My husband got a job here. Garcia and her family have found enough support in San Luis Rio Colorado and have been reassured by the shelter that they will not have to leave due to the changes in federal border and immigration policy. The family now waits for news from the White House about whether they will be able to claim asylum and make it across the border and if they get the chance, how they will do so. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Trump administration ends Biden-era CBP One app for migrants President Donald Trump has lifted US sanctions imposed by his predecessor on extremist settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, in a reversal praised by the Israeli far right. Joe Biden's administration had imposed the sanctions on Israeli settler groups and individuals accused of violence against Palestinians. The Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of not doing enough to stop the attacks, which escalated in the wake of the October 7, 2023 massacre by Hamas fighters on southern Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just hours after being sworn in for a second term, Trump's White House said late Monday the new president had rescinded Biden's sanctions. The far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed Trump's decision. "I sincerely thank President Donald Trump for his just decision to lift the sanctions imposed by the Biden administration against settlers and activists in right-wing organizations," he wrote on X. "These sanctions were a severe and blatant foreign intervention in Israel's internal affairs and an unjustified violation of democratic principles and the mutual respect that should guide relations between friendly nations." Itamar Ben-Gvir, the former national security minister, called Trump's cancellation of the sanctions "historic." TEL AVIV Hours after President Donald Trump rescinded American sanctions on far-right settler groups and individuals accused of involvement in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, Israels military said it had launched a significant operation in the territory. Israeli forces moved into the northern city of Jenin in an offensive that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was launched to defeat terrorism. Health authorities in the region said at least seven people were killed and dozens injured. It came after his military said Israeli civilians, some of them masked, had attacked a Palestinian village Monday night before they turned on their own soldiers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Introduced by the Biden administration in February, Executive Order 14115 saw sanctions imposed on persons undermining peace, security, and stability in the West Bank. But in a major policy reversal, the White House website said Monday that Trump had done away with the measures, which barred Americans from dealing with both Israeli settlers and entities associated with them while freezing their U.S. assets. It came after Trump described Gaza as a phenomenal location as he signed a series of executive orders in the Oval Office, shortly after his presidential inauguration ceremony. The decision to rescind the sanctions came a day after a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas came into effect, bringing a pause to Israel's 15-month military offensive in Gaza. After phase one of the deal began Sunday, three Israeli women held hostage by Hamas were released in exchange for 90 Palestinian teenagers and women who were imprisoned or detained by Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first term, Trump abandoned the long-held U.S. position that the settlements are illegal before it was restored by then-President Joe Biden. The aftermath of an Israeli raid on the village of Al-Funduq in Qalqilya, West Bank, on Tuesday. Trump's reversal was welcomed by ultranationalist Israeli politicians including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, who resigned from his role as justice minister after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government voted to accept the ceasefire agreement. Calling the sanctions blatant foreign interference in the internal affairs of the State of Israel, Smotrich said Tuesday in a post on X, that they had harmed relations between the United States and Israel. Ben-Gvir also took to X where he praised the righting of an injustice. Much of the world's attention has focused on the Gaza Strip during the 15 months of conflict, which began Oct. 7, 2023, when Israeli officials say 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage in Hamas' multipronged attacks on Israel, marking a major escalation in a decadeslong conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels military offensive in Gaza has killed more than 47,000 people since then, according to health officials in the enclave, though researchers have estimated that the death toll could be significantly higher. In the year leading up to the Hamas attacks, 253 Palestinians were killed in the occupied West Bank according to a database kept by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA. Violence by settlers and Israeli military operations have soared since then and in the months leading up to Jan. 15, the database shows 828 Palestinians have been killed in the territory. In the year leading up to the Hamas attacks, 33 Israelis were killed in the West Bank, the database shows. Between that date and Jan. 6, the last date it was updated, it shows that 28 have been killed. Palestinian women mourn over the body of a 15-year-old boy, killed in the city of Nablus on Monday. Within hours of Monday's announcement from the White House, the Israeli military said in a statement that dozens of Israeli civilians, some of them masked, raided the Palestinian village of Al-Funduq. There, they instigated riots, set property on fire and caused damage, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troops were dispatched to the scene where they were attacked by Israelis, some of whom threw rocks, the statement added. A joint investigation into the incident had been opened by the Department of Internal Police Investigations and the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division, the statement said. Asked Tuesday whether any of those involved were arrested and charged, the IDF referred NBC News to the Israel Police. The police force did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Netanyahu said in a statement Tuesday that the IDF, police and the countrys domestic security agency known as the Shin Bet had launched an "extensive and significant military operation to defeat terrorism in Jenin, a city in the West Banks north, calling the offensive "Iron Wall." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestinian health officials said in a statement that at least seven people were killed and around 35 injured as a result of the operation. Palestinian security forces in the Jenin refugee camp. Referring to the region as Judea and Samaria, the biblical names for the West Bank, Smotrich said in a separate statement that the operation would help to change the security perception about the region. The operation was launched after the United Nations Human Rights Office said in a statement Monday that it was alarmed by a wave of renewed violence perpetrated by settlers and Israeli security forces in the Occupied West Bank. This has been accompanied by increased restrictions on Palestinians freedom of movement across the West Bank, including complete closure of some checkpoints and installation of new gates, effectively confining entire communities, it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has occupied the West Bank of the Jordan River since the 1967 Middle East war, building and expanding Jewish settlements there that most countries consider illegal, an assertion Israel rejects. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com As he celebrated the second day of his presidency, Donald Trump heard one final plea from the pulpit at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday. Hours after the president signed a series of executive orders that upend immigration policy and seek to remove transgender Americans from public life, Episocal Bishop Mariann Budde urged the president to have mercy for the scared LGBT+ children and immigrant families across the country Millions have put their trust in you, and as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God, Budde said in her remarks as Trump looked on from the front row. Donald Trump listens as Bishop Mariann Budde delivers remarks at the Washington National Cathedral on January 21 (Getty Images) In his inaugural address on Monday, Trump proclaimed he was saved by God to make America great again after an assassination attempt last summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now, Budde continued. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families some who fear for their lives, she added. She continued: The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurdwara, and temples. Trump sitting in the front pew next to First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance, with members of the Trump family behind them watched her, expressionless, but shifted in his seat and turned up his mouth after her mention of immigrant workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance could be seen raising his eyebrows and turning to his wife to get a reaction. She didnt budge. I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here, Budde continued. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land, she said. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love, and walk humbly with each other and our God, for the good of all people the good of all people in this nation and the world. Amen. Her remarks follow Trumps executive orders seeking to clarify the Constitutions citizenship clause, suspending refugee admissions and the right to asylum, and declaring a national emergency to surge troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, among other actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presence of people living in the country illegally has been declared an invasion, and an executive order appears to grant Trump unilateral authority to suspend entry until he determines the invasion has ceased. Another sweeping order dismantles the recognition of transgender, intersex and gender nonconforming people across the United States government. Asked by a reporter what he thought of the service, Trump said: Did you like it? Did you find it exciting? Not too exciting, was it? I didnt think it was a good service, no, he said. They can do much better. Top members of Congress wont be able to privately review Jack Smiths final report on Donald Trumps possession of classified documents, virtually guaranteeing that the full results of his investigation will never be released while Trump is president. Tuesdays order from Florida District Judge Aileen Cannon the Trump-appointed judge who dismissed the case against the president last year blocked the Department of Justice from sharing a redacted version of the Mar-a-Lago report to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate judiciary committees. Cannon issued her order one day after Trumps inauguration, ensuring there was little risk that Trumps Justice Department would release anything from Smiths final report about his alleged attempts to withhold and hide documents from federal authorities after leaving office. Donald Trump was accused of withholding classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and obstructing attempts from federal authorities to get them back (AP) She also criticized the Justice Department under now-former Attorney General Merrick Garland, arguing that efforts to release the report do not reflect well on prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cannon also suggested there was no reason for lawmakers to review the contents of the report, and no historical practice for special counsel reports to be submitted to Congress even on a limited basis. In fact, there is not one instance of this happening until now, she wrote. She said there is a reasonable likelihood that the report would be leaked publicly, if handed over to members of Congress, given the very strong public interest in the case against the president. Cannon said the report contained detailed and voluminous information that had not been publicly shared over the course of the years-long investigation, including interview transcripts, search warrant materials, business records, toll records, video footage and other records obtained through grand jury subpoenas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith resigned from the Justice Department on January 10 after submitting his two-volume report to Garland, whose office entered a protracted legal battle with Cannon over its release. Days before Trump returned to office, the Justice Department released the volume on Smiths investigation into Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Jack Smith resigned as special counsel on January 10 after submitting his two-volume report on his investigations into Donald Trump, who had promised to fire him if his work continued into his administration (REUTERS) The report followed Smiths post-election decision to end the two mammoth criminal cases against the president after a years-long attempt to prosecute Trump for 44 crimes spelled out in hundreds of pages of evidence. Neither case made it to trial. A federal grand jury indictment in 2023 charged Trump with conspiracy and obstruction for his efforts to reverse his election loss and his failure to stop a mob of his supporters from breaking into the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, as lawmakers convened to certify Joe Bidens victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was separately charged in 2023 with mishandling reams of classified documents hoarded inside Mar-a-Lago and then allegedly obstructing attempts from federal authorities to get them back. Following Trumps election victory, Smith moved to dismiss the election interference case and removed Trump as a co-defendant in the Mar-a-Lago case. The case against Trumps co-defendants and longtime employees Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira is pending on appeal. Justice Department attorneys pledged that Garland would not publicly release Smiths report on the classified documents investigation while the case is active. CHICAGO (NewsNation) Migrants in Chicago are growing increasingly anxious as they brace for potential mass deportation raids, which could begin this week. On Monday, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders related to immigration, including declaring a national emergency at the border. According to the Wall Street Journal, four people familiar with the plan said on the day after Trumps inauguration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will send between 100 and 200 officers for the operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, Trumps incoming border czar, Tom Homan, told Chicagoans the largest deportation operation in history was set to start on Tuesday. However, its uncertain whether the raids will begin as planned, given the extremely cold temperatures and leads about the operation. When can we expect to see mass deportations start? Federal immigration officers are expected to target more than 300 people in Chicago with histories of violent crimes, according to an official who spoke anonymously to NewsNation over the weekend. Additionally, Trump aids have indicated they may arrest others, like spouses or roommates, who arent the primary target but are also in the country illegally. Still, Trump hasnt provided any specific timeline for the deportation. Here are all executive orders Trump signed on Day 1 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want to say when, but its going to happen. It has to happen, or were not going to have a country left, Trump said Monday when asked if ICE raids would start Tuesday. Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker emphasized that ripping families apart is not acceptable to Americans and asserted that the state will stand up for those affected. However, immigrant rights groups say the hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants in Chicago are living in fear as raids loom. How are undocumented Chicagoans preparing for potential raids? Immigration officers are now allowed to enter locations like schools and churches to conduct raids and deport unauthorized migrants. Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued two directives that remove restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations in locations like schools and churches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second directive ends broad humanitarian parole programs in favor of case-by-case reviews, which previously allowed some migrants to enter the United States temporarily. Some Chicago churches have canceled in-person services to protect churchgoers from potential immigration roundups. Meanwhile, immigrant advocacy groups have distributed flyers and held workshops to educate undocumented people about their rights. Elena Barrera, who has lived in the Chicago area without legal status for nearly 27 years, shared her fears. A mother of three, including a 9-year-old, Barrera worries about the trauma her family would face if she were detained by ICE agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (My son) doesnt want to go to Mexico because he has his school here. He has lived his whole life here. He cries. Nothing has happened yet, but he is already anxious. He is thinking, What will I do without my mom?' she said. Can Trump use a law from 1798 to crack down on cartels? Organizations like the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights advise that those fearing a raid do not open the door if ICE agents come knocking. They also urge people to memorize the phone numbers of loved ones in case their phones are taken during an arrest. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the citys law forbids Chicago police officers from coordinating with ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Transit Authority, the Chicago Park District and Community Colleges of Chicago have all been directed not to allow ICE access into any of their buildings. Trumps deportation plans are a disgrace: Pope Francis On Sunday, Pope Francis appeared on a popular Italian talk show, Che Tempo Che Fa, where he called Trumps mass deportation plans a disgrace. If true, this will be a disgrace because it makes poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill, for the problem, Francis said. This wont do! This is not the way to solve things. Thats not how things are resolved. Bishop Robert Casey, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago, has been a Catholic priest for 30 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For all those 30 years, I have found myself living in a nation thats struggled with immigration reform, said Casey, whose parents were immigrants. I think its important to recognize what Pope Francis reminds us, that were dealing with people with faces and names. This is not just an issue on paper. Casey added that people are afraid and anxious because there is so much unknown about what to expect and when it will happen. For many of our immigrants, they have been able to build a life here and contribute greatly to the foundations that our city is built on, and theyre at the core of who we are as a community and as churches, he said. But at the same time, amidst that blessing, there is the challenge that people dont want to welcome the stranger, that dont want to welcome the migrant in our midst. NewsNations Damita Menezes contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. This map depicts the Outer Continental Shelf region adjacent to the east coast of the United States. (Image via U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management) As promised, President Donald Trump pumped the brakes on offshore wind projects as part of his Day 1 agenda. Among the slew of executive orders signed Monday was a temporary withdrawal of all areas of the outer continental shelf from new or renewed offshore wind leasing. It also included a review of the federal governments leasing and permitting process for existing wind projects. The order takes effect Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order comes just days after the Maine Governors Energy Office released its strategic plan to provide affordable and reliable energy, while also meeting the states climate goals. The plan calls on a mix of clean energy sources, but is largely predicated on a goal outlined in state law to develop 3,000 megawatts of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine by 2040. The outer continental shelf includes an area in the Gulf of Maine where the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the agency within the U.S. Department of Interior responsible for managing energy resources on the outer shelf, outlined eight lease areas off the coast of Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In October, The U.S. Department of Interior auctioned off four of those lease areas for a combined price of about $22 million. While the order says it wont affect rights of existing leases, it adds that the Secretary of the Interior should do an ecological, economic and environmental review to determine if the lease needs to be terminated or changed. There are questions about how much authority the new president has to stop wind projects, especially those that already have federal permits. His order, however, could be challenged in court, as was the case with an order President Joe Biden signed shortly after taking office in 2021 that suspended new oil and gas leases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps order also says it will temporarily halt the consideration of any new or renewed wind energy leasing. After the auction last fall, the agency said it planned to hold another sale for the remaining lease areas in the Gulf of Maine in 2028. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has been tapped by Trump for the cabinet post and appears poised for Senate confirmation. Francis Eanes, executive director of the Maine Labor Climate Council, said his organization is reviewing the executive order to understand its full impact, but underscored that the order allows existing permitted projects to stay intact. He said wind is a key piece of energy independence and security for the United States. Federal action to support the growth of clean energy sources has been an engine for re-shoring thousands of American manufacturing and construction jobs in communities up and down the East Coast, Eanes said. We need to protect that, which is why were laser-focused on defending our gains and securing new victories in our state and across New England, and building the foundation for a clean energy economy that works for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his inaugural address, Trump said he was declaring a national energy emergency. He went on to say that the U.S. would fill its oil and gas reserves and use them to bring down energy prices. Maine banking on offshore wind As Maine has set clean energy and climate goals, developing offshore wind as a power source has been at the crux of meeting those ambitions. The Governors Energy Office recently released a technical report showing that while it is possible to meet the states goal of 100% clean energy by 2040, wind and solar are key components of meeting increased electrification demands from plug-in cars and heating options. Maine has for more than a decade sought to procure offshore wind as an alternative energy source. In 2010, the state worked on a $120 million offshore wind pilot project that never came to fruition. Then-Gov. Paul LePage opposed the project, arguing it didnt provide enough benefits to the state, as reported by Bangor Daily News in 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A decade later, Gov. Janet Mills signed a law that not only pumped new life into the effort, but did so with high labor and environmental standards, which she said will create quality jobs while building the infrastructure to produce three gigawatts of low emission energy enough to power between 675,000 and 900,000 homes by the end of 2040. Maine House Republicans said they support Trumps order and oppose offshore wind projects, citing harms to our fishing families and marine environment. During her reelection campaign last year, state Rep. Reagan Paul (R-Winterport) ran against the construction of a proposed offshore wind port on Sears Island, which is in her district. Mills announced early last year that the undeveloped island in Penobscot Bay is the states preferred location to develop a new port to support the industry. The commercial lease auction in October came shortly after Maine reached an agreement with the federal government for a floating offshore wind research array with up to 12 turbines about 30 miles southeast of Portland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dan Burgess, director of the Governors Energy Office, said the state is reviewing the orders issued by Trump. Burgess said that as the Secretary of the Interior conducts a review of existing leases, Maine will engage with the federal government where possible through that process to discuss the merits of the research lease. Offshore wind remains important to addressing Maines energy challenges, and the State remains committed to advancing responsible offshore wind, particularly through the research array, Burgess said of the project headed by the states Offshore Wind Research Consortium. Some of the research goals include understanding how to responsibly transmit the energy generated by the turbines back to shore, how bird species will interact with the turbines, how fishing communities may be affected, along with improved seafloor mapping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editors note: This story was updated to include a comment from the Governors Energy Office. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump says his administration will move to revoke the security clearances of the more than four dozen former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter saying that the Hunter Biden laptop saga bore the hallmarks of a Russian information operation. The action is an early indication of the president's determination to exact retribution on perceived adversaries and is the latest point of tension between Trump and an intelligence community of which he has been openly disdainful. The sweeping move, announced via executive order Monday, also sets up a potential court challenge from ex-officials seeking to maintain access to sensitive government information. The president has a lot of authority when it comes to security clearances. The problem the White House will run into is, if they depart from their existing procedures, they could set up a judicial appeal for these 51 people and it will probably be a class-action suit since theyre all in alike or similar circumstances, said Dan Meyer, a Washington lawyer who specializes in the security clearance and background check process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order targets the clearances of 50 people in all, including the 49 surviving signatories of the letter. The list includes prominent officials like James Clapper, the director of national intelligence under former President Barack Obama, and John Brennan and Leon Panetta, who both served as Obama's CIA director. Also targeted is John Bolton, who was fired as Trump's national security adviser during his first term and later wrote a book whose publication the White House unsuccessfully sought to block on grounds that it disclosed national security information. Separately this week, Trump abruptly ended the U.S. Secret Service detail assigned to Bolton, who has been the subject of assassination plots by Iran. Bolton said in a statement that he was disappointed but not surprised by the decision. The order directs the CIA to work with the office of the Director of National Intelligence to begin the process of revoking the clearances. It was not clear how many of the former officials still maintain security clearances, though Mark Zaid, who represents eight people who signed the letter, said that he did not believe many did and that the Trump's action functioned largely as a public policy message to his right-wing base Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he would sue the administration on behalf of any client who wanted to challenge the order. Theres nothing in this that shows me, regardless of presidential authority, that this action is not subject to existing law and policy that mandates procedural and substantive due process, Zaid said. A Clinton-era executive order says people determined to be ineligible for a clearance are to be provided a comprehensive and detailed explanation of the conclusion. At issue is an October 2020 letter signed by former intelligence officials who raised alarms about the provenance of emails reported by The New York Post to have come from a laptop that President Joe Biden's son, Hunter, had dropped off at a Wilmington, Delaware, computer repair shop. The newspaper said it had obtained a hard drive of the laptop from longtime Trump ally Rudy Giuliani, and the communications that it published related to Hunter Biden's business dealings in Ukraine. The signatories of the letter wrote that they didn't know whether the emails were authentic or not but that their emergence has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump's director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe also his current pick to lead the CIA contradicted that assessment by saying there was no intelligence to support the idea that Russia had anything to do with Hunter Biden's laptop. The FBI, which was conducting its own criminal investigations into the younger Biden, seemed to back up Ratcliffe's statement by telling Congress in a letter it had nothing to add to what he had said. Hunter Biden was subsequently convicted of both tax and gun charges, but was pardoned last month by his father. Though courts are historically reluctant to weigh in on disputes involving security clearances, the unilateral suspension by Trump is a departure from standard protocol in which individual executive branch agencies would be tasked with creating an investigation into a person's fitness for a clearance or whether it should be revoked. Throughout his first presidency, Trump fumed about an intelligence community that he believed had been politicized against him, repeatedly citing the investigation into ties between Russia and his 2016 campaign. President Trump signed executive orders Monday asserting that the U.S. government recognizes only two sexes that are "not changeable," and reversing Biden administration directives on LGBTQ+ rights. One of the new orders says that "male" and "female" are defined based on reproductive cells and at the point when a person is conceived, and states that government-issued identification such as passports and visas must reflect that definition. In recent years, the U.S. had begun allowing people to select a third option, X, on passports to indicate an unspecified or other gender identity. Trump's directive also calls for federal agencies to eliminate any statements or policies "that promote or otherwise inculcate gender ideology," which it defines as "an ever-shifting concept of self-assessed gender identity, permitting the false claim that males can identify as and thus become women and vice versa." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal agencies will enforce "laws governing sex-based rights, protections, opportunities, and accommodations to protect men and women as biologically distinct sexes," the order states, saying such measures were needed to prevent men from gaining access to "intimate single-sex spaces" for women. It also directs federal officials to ensure that people it defines as men are not housed in womens prisons or detention centers. In addition, the executive order calls for the attorney general to block the use of federal funding for medical treatment or procedures for gender transition for prisoners. Kellan Baker, executive director of the Institute for Health Research & Policy at Whitman-Walker, an organization focused on LGBTQ+ health equity, noted that the order didn't appear to make any distinction based on whether someone had pursued medical transition or changed their identity documents. "It seems to be trying to wave a federal policy wand and make transgender people disappear which is an impossibility," Baker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baker said the changes in detention policies aren't immediate and must go through the federal process of rulemaking. But if they came to pass, he said, the move could put transgender people in federal custody, particularly transgender women, in serious danger. Under a broader order that rolled back dozens of executive orders issued under then-President Biden, Trump also reversed orders on LGBTQ+ rights, including one that directed the leaders of federal agencies to review their rules against sex discrimination to ensure that people received equal treatment under the law, "no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation." The Trump administration is likely to face challenges over the executive actions. Kevin Jennings, chief executive of the LGBTQ+ civil rights organization Lambda Legal, said in a statement that many of the changes called for in the executive orders would take time to roll out, but "we will vigilantly monitor and be ready to challenge when they take effect." "We are exploring every legal avenue to challenge these unlawful and unconstitutional actions," Jennings said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his campaign, Trump attacked "left-wing gender insanity" and hammered then-Vice President Kamala Harris over the idea of providing gender-affirming care to federal inmates. He said he would push to block the use of federal funds for medical care involved in gender transition, including surgical procedures. Trump also stated that he would seek to terminate healthcare providers from the Medicaid and Medicare programs if they give gender-affirming care to youth, which he refers to as "mutilation" a move that experts said could cut hospitals and clinics off from critical streams of federal funding. The executive order issued Monday doesn't broadly address medical care involved in gender transition beyond the restrictions involving prisoners, although experts said changes in how laws about sex discrimination are interpreted could weaken protections for transgender patients. The Biden administration had previously rolled out federal regulations that provided broad protection against discrimination based on gender identity by federally funded healthcare entities. The American Medical Assn. has expressed support for improving access to gender-affirming care, calling it "an important means of improving health outcomes for the transgender population" and said it supports both public and private insurance coverage for treatment of gender dysphoria. The American Psychological Assn. has also opposed bans on such care. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Donald Trump signed a return-to-office order for federal workers during his first hours in office. Many federal civilian workers were eligible for telework but not working remotely all the time. Elon Musk indicated in November that he supported government workers being fully in the office. President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order mandating that federal workers return to their offices full time, a core element of his focus on overhauling the government workforce. For years, Republicans have sought to weaken certain long-existing protections for federal workers, with many conservatives zeroing in on reclassifying scores of career civil servants. "Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary," the order read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has been especially insistent on a return-to-office push, with his position threatening the remote and hybrid arrangements that many federal workers have enjoyed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elon Musk, who was named to lead Trump's cost-cutting advisory group, the Department of Government Efficiency, previously said such a move might encourage some workers to quit rather than return to work in the office full time. "Requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome: If federal employees don't want to show up, American taxpayers shouldn't pay them for the Covid-era privilege of staying home," Musk said in a November op-ed article in The Wall Street Journal. The article was cowritten with Vivek Ramaswamy, who is leaving DOGE and is expected to run for governor of Ohio. While many federal employees can telework, an August report from the Office of Management and Budget found that about 10% of the roughly 2.3 million civilian workers in two dozen major agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Social Security Administration, "were in remote positions where there was no expectation that they worked in-person on any regular or recurring basis." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report, based on average data representing pay periods that ended May 4 and May 18, identified more than 60,000 fully remote workers in the Department of Defense, about 37,000 in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and nearly 27,000 in the Department of Health and Human Services. The budget office also found that just under half of the civilian workers employed in the two dozen agencies were eligible for at least some telework. The Defense Department had the most fully remote employees of the agencies examined by the budget office, though those workers accounted for only about 8% of its workforce. The Department of Education had the highest share of people working fully remotely, at 55%. "Among the subset of federal workers that are telework-eligible, excluding remote workers, 61.2% of regular, working hours were spent in-person," the OMB report said. That figure for the Department of Agriculture was 81%, and it was about 80% for the State Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly before the inauguration, when asked about the prospect of return-to-office mandates and jobs being moved out of Washington, Trump's transition team pointed to Trump's comments at a December 16 press conference that if people don't return to the office, "they're going to be dismissed." On Monday, Trump also issued an executive order that put a freeze on federal hiring. "As part of this freeze, no Federal civilian position that is vacant at noon on January 20, 2025, may be filled, and no new position may be created except as otherwise provided for in this memorandum or other applicable law," the order read. That executive order does not apply to military personnel, immigration enforcement positions, or positions involving national security or public safety. Read the original article on Business Insider By Raphael Satter WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump has ordered federal workers to return to the office five days a week and weakened job protections for civil servants, the first salvoes in his campaign to gut the federal bureaucracy. The one-two punch would force large numbers of white-collar government employees to forfeit remote working arrangements, reversing a trend that took off in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If upheld by the courts, the measures could also strip mid-level officials of the legal guarantees that generally keep them insulated from ideological purges. Trump's allies have said the return-to-work mandate and the stripping of civil service protections - widely known as "Schedule F" - is intended to help the president replace long-serving government workers with loyalists faithful only to his agenda. In a brief statement posted to the White House website, Trump ordered all heads of departments and agencies to "take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary." A second statement said that any power government officials have "is delegated by the President, and they must be accountable to the President." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It largely reinstates a late 2020 administrative order from Trump's first term that Joe Biden rescinded when he took power and is almost certain to draw swift pushback and litigation. The National Treasury Employee Union, a labor union that represents federal government employees in dozens of agencies, sued Trump in a federal court in Washington on Monday, aiming to block the "Schedule F" executive order. The two orders are being paired with a hiring freeze and the creation of an advisory body - dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) - which is meant to help Trump take huge chunks out of the federal government and eliminate some agencies wholesale. Experts say the aggregate effect of the changes will be to drive frustrated government employees out of their jobs, a goal the Trump team is explicitly gunning for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOSS OF TOP TALENT Tesla CEO Elon Musk who chairs DOGE recently predicted that revoking "the COVID-era privilege" of telework would trigger "a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome." Not all government workers would be covered by the return-to-office mandate. A quarter of the federal workforce is unionized and many are covered by bargaining agreements that allow for remote work or hybrid arrangements. However, Russell Vought, Trump's nominee for Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has hinted at efforts to unwind those deals, telling lawmakers that the agreements struck during the Joe Biden administration were "a concerning phenomenon, and one that we are looking at very closely." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans have spent decades lampooning federal employees as lazy bureaucrats; Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement has ratcheted the criticism to the next level, with the president calling federal employees "crooked" and "dishonest." There was sustained cheering when Trump signed the executive order ordering the workers to return to office. Trump held the document aloft with a wry smile as the applause rang out around the arena. "The politics play well with the MAGA crowd, because work-from-home workers tend to be higher educated," said Nicholas Bloom, an economics professor at Stanford University who studies labor and management issues. While Trump and other Republicans have suggested that remote work is rampant among federal employees, government data shows that it is more limited. About 46% of federal workers, or 1.1 million people, are eligible for remote work, and about 228,000 of them are fully remote, according to a report issued by the White House Office of Management and Budget in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), a federal employee union, said hybrid working arrangements were a "key tool" for attracting America's best employees. "Restricting the use of hybrid work arrangements will make it harder for federal agencies to compete for top talent," it said in an email. Bloom said that the Trump administration's efforts to coerce the federal workforce would likely spark lots of fights, dismissals and resignations - ultimately leading to a lower quality of government service for Americans across the board and potential failures of core safety and social security functions. "I think there's going to be a lot of problems with government services falling apart," Bloom said. "God help anyone who's interacting with the federal government." (Reporting by Raphael Satter; Additional reporting by David Shepardson and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Deepa Babington, Anna Driver, Diane Craft and Saad Sayeed) NEW YORK (AP) President Donald Trump on Monday ordered that no federal officer, employee or agent may unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen, an early step toward his campaign promise to dismantle what he called government censorship of U.S. citizens. The presidents executive order, issued just hours after he was sworn in to a second term, comes after Trump and his supporters have accused the federal government of pressuring social media companies to take down lawful posts over concerns around misinformation. The order also instructs the attorney general, in consultation with other executive agency heads, to investigate how federal government actions over the four years of the Biden administration could have infringed on free speech and propose remedial actions based on the findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps order, which he signed onstage at Capital One Arena along with a slate of other executive actions, shows how motivated he is to crack down on what he calls the censorship cartel on his first day in office. Its a winning stance among his supporters, many of whom feel that the federal government has unfairly targeted lawful speech from right-wing voices. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has recently echoed that accusation, saying senior Biden administration officials pressured his employees to inappropriately censor content during the COVID-19 pandemic. Elon Musk, the owner of the social platform X, has accused the FBI of illegally coercing Twitter before his tenure to suppress a story about Hunter Biden. While former Twitter executives conceded they made a mistake by blocking that story just before the 2020 presidential election, they have adamantly denied that they acted in response to government pressure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court last year sided with former President Joe Bidens administration in a dispute with Republican-led states over how far the federal government can go to combat controversial social media posts on topics including COVID-19 and election security. Trump's executive order does not acknowledge the gravity of harmful online falsehoods, which have increasingly snowballed into real-world threats, harassment and targeted violence. Four years ago, Trumps own torrent of lies about the 2020 election prompted threats against election officials and culminated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Its not yet clear how the order could affect the work that several U.S. agencies do to track false claims that pose threats to election security, including the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, known as CISA. CISA, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has faced criticism from Republicans for its efforts to counter misinformation. Trumps pick to head DHS, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, said during a Senate confirmation hearing last week that she was willing to rein in the agency's work if thats what federal lawmakers want. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outgoing CISA Director Jen Easterly has defended the agencys work, saying it does not censor, has never censored. Nina Jankowicz, the CEO of the American Sunlight Project, said that with the order Trump seeks vengeance for a slight that never happened. Jankowicz, who ran a federal government Disinformation Governance Board under Biden's Department of Homeland Security that was disbanded after it was attacked by conservatives, said the order emboldens foreign actors and others who use disinformation as a tool to destabilize our country and profit from lies. Trumps order focuses on Americans speech. It's too soon to tell how that will influence the way federal agencies communicate with social media companies about false claims that originate abroad. Many disinformation campaigns from U.S. adversaries, which have targeted voters, are promoted online by American citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has styled himself as a champion of free expression since his first presidency, when he lashed out at the social platform then known as Twitter for posting fact-check labels on his tweets about mail-in ballots. At the same time, he frequently targets the press, calling journalists the enemy of the people, and has threatened to seek retribution against the news media in his second administration, including suggesting that the broadcast licenses of certain television news networks should be pulled. After having a rocky relationship with social media companies in the past, Trump has recently cozied up to the tech billionaires who run the platforms where Americans communicate with each other. He gave prime seats at his inauguration to Elon Musk, the owner of X, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, and Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, which owns YouTube. He also has taken credit for the return of TikTok in the U.S., and welcomed TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at the Capitol for his swearing-in ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. (Bloomberg) -- US President Donald Trump ordered steps to expedite federal permits in his opening bid to entice American investment and shrink timelines for building critical energy infrastructure. Most Read from Bloomberg Trumps directive, issued late Monday, marked the latest attempt by a US president to address longstanding, bipartisan complaints over the lengthy waits for proposed projects to clear environmental reviews and secure federal authorizations. Its long been an aggravation for business leaders who say relatively slow permitting times in the US threaten to diminish domestic efforts to race ahead of global rivals in driving artificial intelligence developments and nurturing other nascent industries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump directed federal agencies to eliminate all delays in their permitting process, including by employing permit by rule a streamlined approach for greenlighting a host of projects in one fell swoop. But Trumps directive is no immediate panacea analysts described it as more of an initial step and there are limits to how much presidents can change administratively. Longstanding US law, especially the landmark 1970 National Environmental Policy Act, sets a floor for necessary government scrutiny of proposed projects that can only be undone by Congress. Past efforts including those taken during Trumps first term as president have not dramatically changed the outlook, even as companies look to build data centers, chipmaking factories and power plants nationwide. And efforts to make major changes in Congress stalled last year, as Democrats and Republicans battled over the best approach. Expedited Approach Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Trump is laying the groundwork for changes meant to expedite pipelines, power lines and other energy infrastructure. Under the permit by rule approach, agencies generally lay out requirements and effectively assure approvals for projects that meet the criteria. For air permits, historically, that process has been used for relatively small pollution sources and changes. However, Trumps directive signals interest in a potentially much wider use to expedite authorizations. Trump also told his agency heads to use every power they have including emergency authorities to expedite federal permits for projects deemed essential to the nations economy or security. Agencies shall work closely with project sponsors to realize the ultimate construction or development of permitted projects, Trump said in his executive order directing the shift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presidents order asks officials to deliver recommendations for potentially new legislative limits on how and when courts can scrutinize the sufficiency of the governments environmental reviews of projects. Th White House Council on Environmental Quality is also being asked to propose rescinding regulations governing reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act. Business and oil industry interests praised the effort. Reforming our broken permitting process is one of several important steps Trump is taking that will help grow the economy, said Marty Durbin, president of the US Chamber of Commerces Global Energy Institute. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visitors to Talkeetna take in a view of Denali. President Donald Trump announced the name would be changed back to Mount McKinley during his inaugural address. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) President Donald Trump announced the name of Alaskas highest peak and North Americas tallest at over 20,000 feet Denali, would be changed back to Mount McKinley. Trump was sworn in as the 47th president on Monday, and made the announcement in his inaugural address, also promising to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico. He followed through with an executive order hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Trump said. And we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs. William McKinley was the 25th president, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. Trump has praised his tariff policies, known as the McKinley tariffs, which raised taxes on some imported goods. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent he was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama, he said. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski has opposed the name change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I strongly disagree with the Presidents decision on Denali, Murkowski said in a statement on Monday. Our nations tallest mountain, which has been called Denali for thousands of years, must continue to be known by the rightful name bestowed by Alaska Koyukon Athabascans, who have stewarded the land since time immemorial. Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan has also publicly opposed the change, but did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday. In December, Sen. Sullivan repeated his support for the name Denali, via spokesperson Amanda Coyne, who said: Senator Sullivan, like many Alaskans prefers the name that the very tough, very strong, very patriotic Athabascan people gave the mountain thousands of years ago Denali. In the language of Interior Alaskas Koyukon people, Denali means the High One. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The naming of the mountain prompted debate and national controversy for decades. The name change effort from Mount McKinley to Denali began in 1975, when the Alaska Legislature asked the federal government to change the name. It was formally recognized by the Obama administration in 2015. It was seen as a victory in a larger movement to restore traditional indigenous place names, and acknowledge the history and heritage of Alaska Native peoples. McKinley never visited Alaska, nor had any significant historical ties to the mountain or the state, according to the resolution renaming it. A local prospector named the mountain after the then-presidential nominee McKinley in 1896. Hours after taking office, Trump signed an executive order reverting the name back to Mount McKinley. The order directed the secretary of the Interior to make the change within 30 days. Doug Burgum, the Republican governor of North Dakota, is expected to be confirmed to that role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order specifies that the 6-million-acre Denali National Park and Preserve will retain its name. It was renamed in 1980, 35 years before the mountains name change. Requests for comment to the Alaska Federation of Natives and the Tanana Chiefs Conference were not immediately returned on Monday. Like the SC Daily Gazette, Alaska Beacon is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alaska Beacon maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Andrew Kitchenman for questions: info@alaskabeacon.com. (Bloomberg) -- US President Donald Trump revoked offshore oil and gas leasing bans that effectively blocked drilling in most US coastal waters as he made sweeping moves his first hours in office to unleash American energy development. Most Read from Bloomberg Trumps move came as part of a broad assault on executive orders issued by former President Joe Biden, including revoking his recent decision to bar drilling rigs in some 625 million acres of coastal waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shift wouldnt immediately trigger new offshore lease sales and environmentalists are vowing to fight it in federal court. Oil companies have also displayed little interest in tapping most of the areas Trump moved to put back in play for leasing. Even so, congressional Republicans are eyeing new offshore oil auctions as a way to raise federal revenue that can help offset the cost of extending the 2017 tax cuts. It could take years if ever for Trumps move to result in new oil and gas development, and its not clear it will survive legal challenges. Nevertheless, the effort underscores the new presidents commitment to a frequent campaign pledge: to unlock more of Americas vast stories of energy. Trumps action also responds to the wishes of one of his top constituencies: the oil and gas industry thats long sought more drilling opportunities on federal lands and waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Industry leaders argue oil and gas will be needed for decades, especially given the predicted surge in electricity demand from artificial intelligence. When American resources are developed, energy executives say they come with a smaller carbon footprint than fossil fuels from elsewhere around the world. Trump is moving swiftly to chart a new path where US oil and natural gas are embraced, not restricted, said Mike Sommers, head of the American Petroleum Institute. The International Energy Agency, has said the world needs to stop opening new oil and gas fields to effectively zero out energy-related carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. And many conservationists argue offshore drilling poses untenable risks to coastal communities and marine life. Legal, Political Hurdles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal and political opposition confounded similar plans during Trumps first term in office. For instance, Trump tried to revoke former President Barack Obamas offshore oil leasing withdrawals during his first term. But Obamas and Bidens drilling bans are rooted in a 72-year-old federal law that explicitly empowers presidents to withdraw US waters from oil and gas leasing without explicitly authorizing revocations, effectively making the tool a one-way ratchet for marine conservation. In 2019, an Alaska-based federal district court adopted that view in rejecting Trumps earlier reversal. Environmental advocates argue Trumps latest efforts will meet a similar fate. President Trumps attempt to undo these important offshore protections is in glaring violation of the law, said Steve Mashuda, a managing attorney with Earthjustice. The areas President Biden protected include invaluable ecosystems and waters vital to support coastal resilience, tourism, sustainable fishing and even national defense but expanding drilling in them does almost nothing to meet the nations long-term energy needs, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oil industry leaders are lobbying Trump to develop a new plan for selling offshore drilling rights, effectively replacing a Biden-era program that called for just three sales over the next five years, a record low. The Interior Department took similar steps during Trumps first term to develop an ambitious five-year plan for selling offshore oil leases, initially opening the door for auctions in almost all US coastal waters. But the Trump administration dialed back its plans after pushback from politicians in coastal states, including Florida Republicans. Ultimately, the administration abandoned the effort, leaving a much smaller Obama-era leasing plan in place and disappointing oil industry advocates whod hoped for new exploration opportunities. (Updates with details from order and industry reaction beginning in third paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- The World Health Organization called on the US to reconsider President Donald Trumps decision to exit the agency, suggesting the move could undermine global health security. Most Read from Bloomberg The planned departure would leave the WHO scrambling to replace its top donor, which contributed $1.3 billion to the organization between 2022 and 2023. Without US funding, work that the WHO carries out on containing diseases such as HIV, polio and Ebola as well as a recent outbreak of lethal Marburg virus could be at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication, the United Nations agency said Tuesday. WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the worlds people, including Americans. Trumps executive order, among a flurry signed Monday in the Oval Office, leaves the WHO with one year to find alternative funding. Traditional donors like Germany and France probably wont be able to increase their contributions given their financial situations, according to Anders Nordstrom, a former acting director-general at the agency. Nordstrom expects others from Asia and the Middle East to step up and thereby increase their influence on global health. China was quick to express support on Tuesday, with the countrys foreign ministry spokesperson saying that the WHOs role should only be strengthened, not weakened. Follow The Big Take daily podcast wherever you listen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The European Union also urged the US to reconsider and called on members to reinforce their commitments. Based in Geneva, the WHO plays a key role in battling global health threats. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is currently in Tanzania to help coordinate a response to the outbreak of Marburg virus, a hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola. The WHO has been in Trumps sights for some time. Toward the end of his first term, he tried to pull the US out of the international health body, saying that it deferred too much to the Chinese government in the early days of the coronavirus outbreak and didnt act quickly enough to contain the disease. The move at the time was widely criticized by both health advocates and Democratic lawmakers, who called it a political maneuver aimed at shifting blame for the administrations disastrous response to the pandemic. World Health ripped us off, Trump said Monday. Everybody rips off the United States. Its not going to happen anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WHOs program budget for 2022-2023 was $6.7 billion. The largest chunks of income are spent on contractors and staff, with emergency operations receiving the most money in terms of strategic operations. The first impact of the withdrawal will be on the staff seconded to the WHO from US agencies, who will need to return home immediately, said Nina Schwalbe, CEO of advisory firm Spark Street Advisors. There could also be a financial hit earlier than expected given that the US pays the WHO in arrears, and Trumps executive order pauses any further funds to the organization, according to Schwalbe. That could mean immediate shortfalls, she said. The WHO has long faced financial challenges as the vast majority given by donors comes through voluntary contributions, which can be allocated to specific programs. Countries agreed in 2022 to gradually increase contributions. The USs departure might speed up these efforts to reshape the WHOs financing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could also force the WHO into more of a normative role, setting global standards and developing guidelines, according to David Heymann, former WHO assistant director for health security. The Gates Foundation, another top WHO donor, reiterated its commitment and said the agency plays a vital role in combating health threats that impact everyone, including Americans. There might be criticisms of the WHO including complaints over the bureaucracy surrounding decisions that could lead to improvements at the organization, said Marion Koopmans, head of the Erasmus MC department of viroscience. But a downright pull-out really is turning your back to the rest of the world, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Sonja Wind, Naomi Kresge, Jason Gale, Ike Swetlitz, Kevin Whitelaw, Janice Kew and Karoline Kan. (Updates with graph, and more reaction in final paragraph. An earlier version corrected the day of the statement.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Federal prosecutors on Tuesday began the process of formally dismissing cases against more than four dozen Illinoisans charged with playing a role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol after President Donald Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of everyone involved. Making good on a campaign promise, Trump signed the extraordinary executive action as part of a flurry of orders shortly after being sworn in on Monday. The move effectively wipes the slate clean for some 1,500 people charged nationwide since Jan. 6, including 53 people from Illinois. Among them: a former Chicago police officer; an ex-Illinois National Guard soldier; a suburban member of the Proud Boys white nationalist group; a Northwest Side political activist; and a downstate man who allegedly caused a fatal head-on crash near Springfield in a botched suicide attempt while awaiting sentencing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the Illinoisans who had faced charges, 47 were already convicted at the time the president signed the clemency order, with the vast majority of those having been sentenced to probation, a Tribune analysis of court records shows. Six were in prison and six others were still awaiting trial as of Monday, while three defendants had been convicted and were due to report to prison soon. By 2 p.m., federal prosecutors in the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C., where all the cases were indicted, had filed paperwork to dismiss the charges in at least a dozen cases against Illinois defendants a process that could take several days to finalize. Donald Trump has begun signing slew of executive orders on Day 1 Trumps blanket pardons drew criticism from many circles, including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who said Tuesday it showed the Republican Party now stands against law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What used to be the party of law and order is now the party of chaos and disorder, Pritzker said at an unrelated news conference in River North. During the attack on the Capitol, Pritzker said Trump sat for three and a half hours, watching TV as the Jan. 6 rioters that he encouraged were attacking the Capitol. Sat there, doing nothing. Doing nothing. But others, including lawyers for some of those charged, praised the move, particularly for nonviolent defendants who they say were lumped in with other rioters even though they merely walked through the Capitol taking pictures. Chicago attorney Nishay Sanan, who represents former Chicago police Officer Karol Chwiesiuk and his sister, Agnieszka, told the Tribune his clients were scapegoated by then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot and police Superintendent David Brown, ending Karols police career even though he was charged only with misdemeanor trespassing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both were eventually convicted and sentenced to probation. All he and his sister were doing was walking around, Sanan said. They went in through an open door. No one was telling them to leave. They didnt touch anybody. Didnt hurt anybody. Sanan said Karol Chwiesiuk lost his job with the Chicago Police Department because his firearm owners identification card was revoked upon arrest. Now that the charges have been nullified, Sanan said Chwiesiuk may try to get his job back. Nationwide, more than 1,500 people were arrested in all 50 states and the District of Columbia on charges stemming from the Capitol breach, an investigation that has been described by prosecutors as the largest criminal probe in the countrys history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The riot took place after a Trump speech imploring supporters to march on the Capitol and interrupt the peaceful transfer of power after his loss to Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 election. The fallout ultimately swept Trump himself up in a criminal case that has since been dismissed, and became a rallying cause for Democrats who say he and his supporters organized a dangerous coup to defy the election results. Trump, however, repeatedly attempted to downplay the events at the Capitol as a love fest while painting those charged as political prisoners. As the president returned Monday to the White House, signing the pardons along with a host of sweeping executive orders, he again referred to the rioters as hostages. These people have been destroyed. What theyve done to these people is outrageous. Theres rarely been anything like it in history, in the history of our country, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Theres never been anything like this. And you know its almost 100% think of this almost 100% of the people are convicted. 100%. Its Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump has begun signing slew of executive orders on Day 1 Dave Leyden, the twin brother of Jan. 6 rioter Daniel Leyden, told the Tribune in a text message Monday evening that he was driving from Chicago to the downstate Thomson federal prison in anticipation of his brothers release, though he still awaited official communication on the clemency process. Daniel Leyden has been serving a three-year sentence after pleading guilty to assaulting law enforcement officers at the Capitol barricades on Jan. 6, 2021. Another Leyden brother, Joseph, also pleaded guilty to that charge and completed a six-month prison sentence. Dave Leyden spent his Monday morning with Joseph celebrating the 47th presidents inauguration at a pro-Trump watch party inside a Southwest Side pizza shop before anxiously watching the TV for updates on the Jan. 6 defendants. Once Trump signed off on the pardons, Dave Leyden texted that he headed toward his other brothers prison to be ready first thing in the morning to bring him home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement THE J6rs and their families (had) ENOUGH release them all now, Dave Leyden wrote. On Tuesday morning, he texted an update that his brother had been released and they were on their way home and all very tired. Four years ago Mathew Capsel also joined the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. On Monday, the 32-year-old watched Trumps second inauguration from the much calmer setting of his downstate home in Marseilles, and processed the news that Trump was pardoning him. Im not going down to D.C., Capsel, who completed his 18-month prison sentence in February 2024, quipped when asked where he was watching Trump speak. He paused before adding that I have a lot of regrets for what happened on that day, for sure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later that evening, Capsel said his lawyer informed him that he was granted a pardon. Convicted of clashing with National Guard troops outside the U.S. Capitol, he was identified by a former neighbor who tipped federal agents to his social media posts and videos showing his participation in the attack, according to court documents. At the same time, Capsel maintained to the Tribune: It was not an insurrection. It was being swept up in the moment. Like, the energy in the air, everything. It just you kind of knew what was gonna happen. Despite Trumps rhetoric on the campaign trail, federal authorities continued to bring new cases against Illinoisans even after Trump won back the White House in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among them was Emil Kozeluh, a convicted burglar who was charged days after the election with joining a mob of protesters who burst through a line of police trying to protect the doors on the Capitols west terrace. According to the charges, Kozeluh, of Palos Heights, dressed in an American flag sweatshirt, balaclava, and a red hat with the words Trump 2020. NO MORE BULL(expletive), was captured on video amid a crowd of rioters, yelling at police and giving them the middle finger as flash bangs were going off in the background. Attorney Steve Greenberg, who represents Kozeluh, said he had not received notice yet on the dismissal of his clients case as of Monday evening but that he should have never gotten charged in the first place. Meanwhile, the majority of the people from Illinois who were charged faced only misdemeanor charges such as trespassing or disorderly conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others, however, were charged with felonies for allegedly resisting or assaulting police or participating in the more violent activities of the mob. James Robert Elliott, of Aurora, an admitted member of the far-right Proud Boys group, was sentenced in 2023 to more than three years in prison for using a flagpole to assault officers trying to hold back the violent mob, later bragging in a text message that hed bonked 2 cops. Elliott, 27, had been scheduled for release in July, prison records show. John Banuelos, 31, of Summit, was awaiting trial on felony charges alleging he breached a police line outside the Capitol and fired a gun into the air one of the only cases nationwide where a firearm was allegedly discharged. After his March 2024 arrest, Banuelos had been ordered held in custody as a danger to the community. Prosecutors formally moved to drop his case on Tuesday afternoon, court records show. One Jan. 6 defendant who will remain behind bars is Shane Jason Woods, of downstate Auburn, who was sentenced in 2023 to 4 years in federal prison for joining a large and belligerent crowd that had congregated on the lower west terrace of the Capitol following Trumps speech. Shortly before his sentencing hearing, Woods made a drunken suicide attempt on Interstate 55 near Springfield, according to Sangamon County prosecutors. But instead of killing himself, he took the life of another motorist, Lauren A. Wegner, 35, who was left trapped in a burning vehicle as Woods fled from an Illinois state trooper, prosecutors alleged. Woods was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated DUI causing death and DUI, stemming from the Nov. 8 wreck. His trial on that case is set for April, court records show. Chicago Tribunes Rick Pearson contributed. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A significant number of people pardoned for their roles in the January 6th Capitol riot are from Florida. More than a thousand charges connected to the U.S. Capitol riot were wiped away once President Donald Trump returned to office. Youre going to see executive order that are going to make you extremely happy, Trump said. One of Trumps longstanding goals was to have cases connected to the January 6, 2021, attack pardoned, commuted, or dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youll be happy because its action, not words that count and youre going to see a lot of action on the January 6 hostages, to a lot of them, Trump said. More than 100 police officers were injured when a large group of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, some armed with poles and bats. Retired Green Beret Jeremy Brown spoke with News Channel 8 from Pinellas County jail in 2023. On the nights that I lie in bed and I cry myself to sleep, I sometimes selfishly think to myself, I couldve taken a plea agreement to save myself because I dont know that the American people even care, Brown said. Browns 7-year sentence stemmed from trespassing on the Capitol but during a search of his home federal investigators say they found illegal weapons and a classified document. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all defendants were pardoned. The president issued 14 individuals commuted sentences. A handful of the individuals with their sentences commuted are from Florida. Those individuals are: Kelly Meggs (Dunnellon) Joe Biggs (Ormand Beach) Kenneth Harrelson (Titusville) David Moerschel (Ft Myers) Joseph Hackett (Sarasota) We spoke with the attorney of David Moerschel, who has an office in Sarasota. He described what President Trump did as a fix for political prosecution. Everybody is really excited. It is a new day in America. We are hoping that the DOJ is reformed and no longer over-prosecutes people for political purposes. I am not arguing that people on January 6 should not have been prosecuted, but the injustice was the over-prosecution of these people, the overcharging of these people and frankly the over-sentencing of these people. So I am glad that Trump was able to fix that with the stroke of his pen, said attorney Scott Weinberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Southern Poverty Law Center released a statement from their CEO saying, these pardons and commutations set a dangerous precedent and undermine the governments responsibility to stand-up against violence and hateful extremism. Browns family shared the following statement he wrote prior to the inauguration. For the 1st time in nearly 40 months, I felt HOPE! But NOT hope that Ill be free (I am ready), but HOPE that there are OTHERS, besides those supporting me, working together with a PLAN! Now, we see if Mr. Trump follows that plan and takes ACTION! Copyright 2025 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 WFLA. US President Donald Trump on Monday pardoned defendants involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol building in Washington. Trump signed a corresponding order in the White House in Washington just hours after his inauguration. "This proclamation ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation," the order stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump pardoned nearly everyone convicted of offences related to the riots, except for 14 people whose sentences were reduced to time already served. All pending cases related the riot will be dropped, the order added. "This is a big one," Trump said as he signed the order, adding that he hoped those held in prison would be released immediately. According to US Department of Justice figures, more than 1,500 individuals have been charged for crimes related to the breach of the US Capitol. On January 6, 2021, supporters of Trump violently stormed the US Congressional seat in Washington, where the Republican's election defeat to Joe Biden was to be certified at the time. A crowd incited by Trump, who held a rally to promote baseless claims of election fraud, violently entered the building, killing five people. He promised to and he did: on day one of his second term, President Donald Trump pardoned almost all of the nearly 1,600 Jan. 6 rioters. About 140 of them were from Florida. Not everyone got a pardon. Fourteen people involved from across the country who were charged with seditious conspiracy, including top members of two militia groups the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys had their sentences commuted instead. Several Florida names are on that list, including Joe Biggs of Ormond Beach, the leader of the Volusia County Proud Boys, and Oath Keepers Joseph Hackett, Kenneth Harrelson, Kelly Meggs and David Moerschel. The Proud Boys national chairman, Enrique Tarrio of Miami, who received the longest sentence handed down in connection with the insurrection (22 years), received a pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House released a proclamation that listed the people whose sentences had been commuted and went on to "grant a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021." About 1,270 had been convicted and 1,100 had been sentenced by that point, according to the Justice Department. Due to the cold Monday, President Trump took the oath of office to become president of the United States for the second time inside, in the Capitol Rotunda, where four years previously his supporters had assaulted police and stormed the building in an attempt to keep him in power after president Joe Biden's victory in 2020. Trump repeatedly pledged to pardon what he has referred to as unfairly treated "political prisoners" and "hostages." Who were the Jan. 6 rioters from Florida who had their sentences commuted? BIGGS, Joseph Randall, Ormond Beach (Proud Boys): Leader of Volusia County Proud Boys and the Ministry of Self Defense, a group singled out to spearhead the assault. Convicted of seditious conspiracy; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of an official proceeding; conspiracy to use force, intimidation or threats to prevent officers of the United States from discharging their duties; interference with law enforcement during a civil disorder; and destruction of government property, sentenced to 17 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HACKETT, Joseph, Sarasota (Oath Keepers): Chiropractor. One of four Oath Keepers convicted of seditious conspiracy along with David Moerschel of Punta Gorda. The DOJ said Hackett was part of a group of Oath Keepers who formed a military-style stack formation to push into the Capitol. Found guilty by a jury of seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of an official proceeding; and conspiracy to prevent members of Congress from discharging their official duties; and destruction of evidence. Sentenced to 42 months in prison and three years supervised release. HARRELSON, Kenneth, Titusville (Oath Keepers): Army veteran. Charged with seditious conspiracy along with Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, Jessica Watkins, Thomas Caldwell and Kelly Meggs and Ken Harrelson, although Rhodes and Meggs were the only defendants found guilty of that. Found guilty by jury of obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging duties, and tampering with documents or proceedings, sentenced to four years in prison and two years supervised release. MEGGS, Kelly, Dunnellon (Oath Keepers): Leader of the Oath Keepers Florida chapter. Sentenced along with Elmer Stewart Rhodes of Texas, the Oath Keepers founder and leader, for seditious conspiracy, Meggs was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging duties, and tampering with documents or proceedings.. Sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. MOERSCHEL, David, Punta Gorda (Oath Keepers): Found guilty of seditious conspiracy with three other Oath Keepers, including Joseph Hackett of Sarasota for organizing teams that were ready abd willing ti use force and bringing firearms and ammunition into Washington, D.C., according to the DOJ. Also found guilty of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of an official proceeding; and conspiracy to prevent members of Congress from discharging their official duties, sentenced to 3 years in prison and 3 years supervised release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart Rhodes, who was leader of the Oath Keepers, had been sentenced to 18 years in prison. Others were Thomas Caldwell, Jessica Watkins, Roberto Minuta, Edward Vallejo, Ethan Nordean, Zachary Rehl, Dominic Pezzola and Jeremy Bertino. What's the difference between a pardon and commutation? A commutation of sentence and pardon are different forms of executive clemency, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Executive clemency is a broad term that applies to the president's constitutional power to exercise leniency toward persons who have committed federal crimes, according to the DOJ. What is commutation of sentence? If a sentence is commuted, it is reduced or completely ended but it doesn't change the fact the person was convicted and it doesn't imply innocence or remove any civil disabilities that apply, the Department of justice says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A commutation of sentence may also include dropping any financial obligations imposed as part of a sentence, such as a fine or restitution. It has no effect on a person's immigration status and will not prevent removal or deportation from the U.S. What is a pardon? Pardons can also function as an "expression of the president's forgiveness," the DOJ notes. They are often granted "in recognition of the applicant's acceptance of responsibility for the crime and established good conduct for a significant period of time after conviction or completion of sentence." While a pardon does not signify innocence, it does remove civil disabilities such as restrictions on the right to vote, hold state or local office, or sit on a jury imposed because of the conviction for which pardon is sought, and "should lessen the stigma arising from the conviction," according to the DOJ. In some circumstances, a pardon will eliminate the legal basis for removal or deportation from the U.S., the DOJ notes. What happened in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots? After fiery speeches from Trump and others, the rioters stormed the Capitol, attacking police and breaking windows and doors to get in where they roamed the halls, vandalized offices and threatened the lives of Vice President Mike Pence, who refused to overturn the election results, and members of Congress, many of whom fled or barricaded themselves in their offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the attack, more than 150 police officers were injured, many permanently. Four people died in relation to the riot. A Capitol police officer died of strokes the day after and four others have taken their own lives since then. So far: Nearly 1,600 people have been charged More than 1,251 people have been convicted or pleaded guilty 645 people have been sentenced to prison, with punishments ranging from time served to 22 years, according to the Justice Department. About 600 people were charged with assaulting or interfering with police Trump himself received his second impeachment by the House for his role in the insurrection and federal criminal charges were filed against him, although they were dropped upon his successful re-election. In his final report about the case, released last week, former Special Counsel Jack Smith detailed Trump's involvement before and during the insurrection and said the dropped charges did not prove the president-elect was innocent of the charges, as Trump has repeatedly claimed. No state has had more people charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riots than Florida, with about 140. Who else from Florida did Trump pardon for Jan. 6? Adam Johnson of Parrish carries the lectern of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi through the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Building after a pro-Trump mob stormed the building on Jan. 6. As of Jan. 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice lists more than 140 people with Florida connections charged in the Jan. 6 riots. Other than the one listed above whose sentences were commuted, all the rest have been pardoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would seem to include Enrique Tarrio of Miami, the former top leader of the Proud Boys who was sentenced to 22 years in prison, the longest sentence handed down in connection with the attack. Here are the rest. Contributing: Bart Jansen, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Trump Jan. 6 riot pardons, commutations include Florida people Nearly everyone involved in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, received clemency from President Donald Trump on Monday in one of his earliest acts back in office. The new president cast his long-expected executive action as an act to heal a nation fractured over the 2020 election that Trump lost but again attributed Monday to a rigged outcome. This proclamation ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation, Trump said Monday night in a proclamation from the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mass pardons apply to all but a handful of the most violent people involved in the mob attack. At least 11 Arizonans were convicted in connection with the riot. They ranged from Phoenix resident Jake Angeli, the QAnon shaman who became the worldwide face of the riot to a pair of Tucson siblings mostly forgotten among the more than 1,500 cases stemming from the violence. Trumps sweeping moves overturned hundreds of convictions during the Biden administration and more fully cast the historic riot as a matter of political perspective than of criminal mayhem. Trump didnt reference the J6 cohort during his inaugural address but made clear during public remarks to Republicans in the Capitol shortly afterward that he wanted to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre going to see a lot of action on the J6 hostages, he said during that event, which telegraphed his intentions hours before his signing ceremony. In an interview earlier Monday with Joe Polish, who has battled and written about addiction and recovery, Angeli said, Waving a magic wand, Id love to see America have a culture that is symbiotic with each other and the environment. I honestly think thats coming now that we have this new administration. Am I bitter? No. My faith is stronger than it has ever been, he said. I am very, very excited about the future." More than 700 people were convicted of misdemeanors in connection with the January 6 riots. Another 300 people have been charged with crimes in cases that are expected to now be dropped under the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Washington Post-University of Maryland poll last month found two-thirds of Americans opposed pardons for those convicted of crimes during the riot. Other polls have found similar majorities against such clemency. But Trumps supporters have shown enthusiastic approval for it. Angeli, whose distinctive red, white and blue face paint, and bullhorn headdress helped lend a surreal quality to the riot, was among the first to enter the U.S. Capitol. He and thousands of Trump supporters marched to the Capitol and shut down congressional proceedings for hours on the day when Congress certified the 2020 election of former President Joe Biden. A judge said Angeli literally spearheaded the movement into the chamber. Angeli briefly sat at the dais of the U.S. Senate and left a note for then-Vice President Mike Pence that read: Its only a matter of time. Justice is coming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angeli was among at least 11 people with Arizona ties to face charges in the insurrection. He was arrested three days after the riot when he visited the Phoenix FBI office for what he thought was a routine follow-up interview. His fur hat and spear were in his car. Days after his arrest, Angeli, through his attorney asked for a pardon from Trump. He said he only went to Washington that day because Trump had called his supporters to amass there. Angeli was charged under his legal name Jacob Chansley. He pled guilty in September 2021 to a single felony count of obstructing a civil proceeding. These are the others with Arizona ties prosecuted for their actions on Jan. 6, 2021: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edward Vallejo was convicted of seditious conspiracy in the same case as Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right Oath Keepers militia, both of whom were specifically identified by name in the clemency papers. Vallejo is in prison serving a three-year sentence. He and others planned for months to amass an armed quick reaction force outside Washington to help prevent a change in the presidency. The group traveled to the area with paramilitary gear and supplies including firearms, tactical vests with plates, helmets, and radio equipment. Rhodes received 18 years in prison for his crimes. A decade ago, he disparaged then-U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., for crimes against the Constitution as Rhodes saw it. McCain, who died in 2018, should be tried for treason, convicted and hung by the neck until dead, Rhodes said at a Tempe event in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cottonwood resident Nathan Wayne Entrekin, 51, was dressed as Captain Moroni, a figure from the Book of Mormon who fought for self-determination for the Nephites. He walked through the Capitol, taking selfies and talking on his phone to his mother. After seeing people ransack congressional offices, he left once and returned minutes later. Entrekin received a 45-day jail sentence. Jacob Zerkle of Bowie marched to the Capitol with members of the far-right Proud Boys organization and pushed at least three officers on a plaza outside the building. Zerkle received a two-year prison sentence and is scheduled for release in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joshua Knowles of Gilbert was charged with a municipal curfew violation after he repeatedly refused to disperse. He was later indicted on federal misdemeanor charges in connection with the riot. He said he faced the threat of a felony indictment if he didnt plead guilty to the misdemeanors. Knowles is nearly five months into a seven-month prison term. Tucson siblings Cory and Felicia Konold were accused of walking to the U.S. Capitol with members of the Proud Boys organization. Prosecutors said they were among the first to trample over the barricades. She received a 45-day sentence, which she served while pregnant, and her brother received a 30-day term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Micajah Joel Jackson, 28, of Laveen walked with members of the Proud Boys to the Capitol, documenting his travels on his phone. Jackson received a probationary sentence. Three of the men nabbed in Arizona lived out of state at the time. James Burton McGrew of Mississippi was arrested at his sisters Glendale house. He was identified by the King James tattoo on his stomach that was visible in the Capitol. The U.S. Marine veteran struck two officers and threw a wooden handrail with metal brackets on it at others. He drew a 78-month sentence in January 2023 and was scheduled for release on Jan. 6, 2027, the sixth anniversary of the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew Hatley, a South Carolina trucker who was arrested in Eloy, initially denied he was at the U.S. Capitol. Prosecutors placed him there through tracking information on his phone and an eyewitness. Hatley was sentenced to probation. Israel Matson wandered through the Capitol but didnt battle police or damage property. Then an Ogden, Utah, resident who later moved to Kingman, where he was arrested, Matson said Trumps 2024 victory shows that those who marched on the Capitol were justifiably indignant. Matson told The Arizona Republic he hoped to receive a pardon from Trump. I expect one and absolutely want one, he said in a December interview with The Republic. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Donald Trump grants clemency to most people involved in Capitol riot Donald Trump has issued a blanket pardon to 1,500 of individuals who were convicted of offenses or faced charges relating to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He also signed 14 commutations, deeming the offenders to have fulfilled their sentences with time served. This is January 6, Trump said, sitting in the Oval Office, holding a black folder with the proclamation. And these are the hostages. Approximately 1,500 for a pardon. Full pardon. The clemency will extend to high-profile convictions for seditious conspiracy, including Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who were sentenced to 18 and 22 years respectively. Tarrio received a full pardon, while Rhodes sentence was commuted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tarrio and Rhodes were both released from prison as of Tuesday morning. The proclamation from the White House declares that the action ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation. Trumps action represents a severe challenge to the rule of law, and a stunning reversal of years of work by the Department of Justice, erasing the convictions associated with one of the largest federal criminal prosecutions in history. Tarrio asked Trump for a pardon on Jan. 6, with his lawyer arguing that letting Tarrio off the hook would demonstrate commitment to lawful, peaceful, and constructive contributions. The judge who oversaw Rhodes trial, Amit Mehta, had spoken out against clemency from his courtroom in recent weeks, insisting that the notion that Stewart Rhodes could be absolved is frightening and ought to be frightening to anyone who cares about democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proclamation calls on the Justice Department to dismiss all Jan. 6 cases that are still pending in court. It has also instructed authorities to begin effectuating releases immediately. Jake Lang, who haphazardly attempted to gin up a militia from jail while awaiting trial on serious Jan. 6 charges, posted on X Monday afternoon that he would soon be out on the streets. JUST ANNOUNCED THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS DROPPING MY JANUARY 6 CASE!!!!!! he wrote. IM FINALLY COMING HOME!!! The people on the side of the law were not as thrilled. This decision is a betrayal to the officers who were severely injured and died as a result of the insurrection, former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn said, per HuffPost. This decision puts Americans at risk as these violent criminals return to their communities. These pardons are a reflection of what abuse of power looks like and what we the people are bound to witness over the next four years. In the years since the Jan. 6 attack, the Department of Justice has charged individuals for assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees of the Capitol, trespassing on restricted grounds, destruction or theft of government property, or obstructing an official proceeding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Vice President J.D. Vance indicated that violent offenders were unlikely to receive clemency. I think its very simple. If you protested peacefully on Jan. 6, and youve had Merrick Garlands Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned, the vice president told Fox News. If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldnt be pardoned. Trumps commutations included Dominic Pezzola, a member of the Proud Boys who was convicted of assaulting a police officer, among other charges. Joe Biggs, a Tarrio deputy who was described as the tip of the spear of the Proud Boys assault on the Capitol also received a commutation, as did Kelly Meggs, a top Rhodes lieutenant who was convicted at the same trial. In a speech shortly after taking the oath of office, Trump referred to those incarcerated on Jan. 6-related offenses as the Jan. 6 hostages. The president also repeated his claim that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was responsible for the violence that unfolded because she refused Trumps offer of 10,000 National Guard troops to quell the riot, which is false. Trump and Republicans have painted individuals convicted of offenses related to the attempted insurrection which resulted in almost $3 million in damages to the Capitol, hundreds of injuries, and multiple deaths as patriotic heroes, claiming that those who participated in the riot were merely peaceful protesters exercising their First Amendment right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where violently bashing through police lines, battering down doors, breaking windows, and plotting the arrest and murder of members of Congress falls into the concept of peaceful protest remains unclear. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday ordered a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance pending assessments of efficiencies and consistency with his foreign policy. "All department and agency heads with responsibility for United States foreign development assistance programs shall immediately pause new obligations and disbursements of development assistance funds," read the executive order signed by Trump just hours after he took office for a second term. It was not immediately clear how broad the order was and what programs, countries, non-governmental organizations and international organizations would be effected by the move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was also unclear what funding could be cut given the U.S. Congress sets the federal U.S. government budget. The executive order echoes a return to the approach Trump took during his first term in office between 2017 and 2021. He first came to power proposing to cut about a third off U.S. diplomacy and aid budgets, which included steep reductions in funding for U.N. peacekeeping and international organizations. But Congress pushed back on Trump's proposals. Then at the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations in 2018, Trump complained that the U.S. was the largest foreign aid donor, "but few give anything to us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That is why we are taking a hard look at U.S. foreign assistance," he said. "Moving forward, we are only going to give foreign aid to those who respect us and, frankly, are our friends." (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Costas Pitas and Raju Gopalakrishnan) A vocal "Stop the Steal" activist who sat on a board advocating for Jan. 6 defendants has been named interim U.S. attorney for Washington. D.C., an office that has control over hundreds of cases related to the 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol. The appointment of Ed Martin, a longtime GOP operative from Missouri and board member of the Patriot Freedom Project, was confirmed by President Donald Trump's Justice Department. Trump had also appointed him as chief of staff to the Office of Management and Budget in December. Martin is not only a supporter of the defendants and the effort to overturn the 2020 election results, but was an active participant in the effort to throw out former President Joe Biden's victory. In a speech at the Capitol on Jan. 5, 2021, he called on "die-hard true Americans" to work until their "last breath" to "stop the steal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 6, Martin tweeted that he was "at the Capitol," where he asserted that here was "nothing out of hand." He then compared the gathering of "love, faith and joy" to Mardi Gras shortly after rioters breached the building and Ashli Babbitt was shot. Moments later, another rioter would drive a stun gun into a Capitol police officer's neck as the crowd sought to break through the lower west tunnel. Martin previously served as chief of staff to former Missouri governor Matt Blunt and ran the state party. He gained national prominence in the last several years by aligning himself with anti-feminist activist Phyllis Schlafly, co-writing a book with her that urged conservatives to vote for Trump in 2016, shortly before her death. In 2024, he served as a policy director for the Republican National Committee, where he advocated for the jailing of women who get abortions and a national ban without exceptions for rape and incest. President Trump took steps Monday to fundamentally and drastically change how the nation handles immigration, signing executive orders to revoke birthright citizenship, declare a national emergency at the southern border and deploy military troops there. Citing public safety and national security threats, Trump said he would immediately halt all illegal entry at the border, invoking an 18th century law to carry out his plan to rid the country of people here without authorization. "We have a government that has given unlimited funding to the defense of foreign borders but refuses to defend American borders or, more importantly, its own people," Trump said in his inauguration address in the Capitol Rotunda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the months leading up to his election and inauguration, Trump promised to overhaul the immigration system and border security on "Day 1" through executive orders in a sidestep of the regular legislative process. Trump signed the executive orders Monday night, hours after his swearing-in at noon. The executive branch has expansive authority on matters of immigration, but many of the president's orders are certain to face swift legal challenges. Indeed, the American Civil Liberties Union on Monday filed suit contesting Trump's order on birthright citizenship. Trump has pledged the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, to be carried out under the direction of Stephen Miller and Tom Homan, architects of his first administration's zero-tolerance policy that led to thousands of migrant parents being separated from their children. Trump's attempts will be hampered without substantial additional funding from Congress, where Republicans hold slim majorities. Read more: Trump immediately flexes presidential powers: 1,500 pardons and a raft of executive orders Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illegal border crossings have fallen sharply over the last year, with current levels the lowest they've been since Trump left office. The emergency declaration allows Trump to unlock federal resources to fund construction of the border wall, as he did in 2019. In June, the Biden administration in effect began blocking most migrants from seeking asylum along the U.S.-Mexico border. The restrictions didn't apply to those who waited for appointments to enter legally at official ports of entry. On Monday, hundreds of asylum seekers learned that use of CBP One, a phone app through which they made the appointments, had ended and their scheduled interviews had been canceled. Tens of thousands of migrants, some of whom had waited more than six months for an interview, are now stranded in Mexico. In recent months, more migrants had entered legally with CBP One appointments than those who were arrested after entering the U.S. illegally. Many of the executive orders Trump signed Monday reversed policies enacted by outgoing President Biden. One order dismantled the previous administration's enforcement priorities that generally limited immigration arrests to recent border-crossers, serious criminals and other national security threats. Another dissolves an interagency task force Biden established to reunite families separated by Trump's zero-tolerance policy. As of April, more 1,400 children remained separated, according to a federal report on the task force's progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As commander in chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I am going to do, Trump said. We will do it at a level that nobody has ever seen before. Homan, who serves as Trump's "border czar," has said the new administration will continue to target immigrants with criminal records. But the new, broad rules could subject most people in the U.S. illegally to detention and deportation, laying the foundation for more so-called collateral arrests of undocumented immigrants who aren't criminals during enforcement operations. Another order ends humanitarian programs vastly expanded by Biden that gave temporary legal status and work authorization to more than 1.5 million people. This month, Biden extended the legal authorization of nearly 1 million immigrants with Temporary Protected Status from Venezuela, El Salvador, Sudan and Ukraine. If not for the extension, they would be quickly affected by Trump's order. Other orders bring back policies from Trump's first term that Biden had discontinued, such as the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as Remain in Mexico. Under that policy, asylum seekers must stay across the border as their asylum cases are being adjudicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing "the burden of new arrivals," Trump also suspended refugee admissions starting Jan. 27 for at least 90 days. Last fiscal year, the U.S. resettled more than 100,000 refugees the highest number in three decades. Trump said he would end what conservatives refer to as catch and release, the practice of releasing migrants from custody while they await conclusions to what are often years-long cases in immigration court. There is not enough space for federal authorities to detain all those in deportation proceedings. Last fiscal year, Congress funded 41,500 beds at a cost of $3.4 billion. As of Dec. 29, more than 39,000 immigrants were being detained pending deportation proceedings. Trump's birthright citizenship order reinterprets the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, to exclude children born to parents who are in the country illegally or on temporary visas. The order directs federal agencies not to issue such children documents recognizing U.S. citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Groups favoring reduced immigration have long sought an end to birthright citizenship. Legal scholars say it is illegal to amend the Constitution through executive order. Trump has designated drug cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. He also designated use of the U.S. military for efforts to "seal the borders." During the campaign, Trump repeatedly said he would use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to accomplish his immigration goals, and he cited the act in his inaugural address. By invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, I will direct our government to use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks bringing devastating crime to U.S. soil, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alien Enemies Act of 1798, last used during World War II to send people from Japan, Germany and Italy to internment camps, allows the president to arrest, imprison or deport immigrants from a country considered an enemy of the U.S. during wartime. Trump could use it to conduct rapid deportations without the typically required legal processes. But legal experts say courts would probably strike down Trumps interpretation as beyond what the law allows. Trump's order designating cartels as terrorist organizations states that within two weeks, federal officials must "make operational preparations regarding the implementation of any decision I make to invoke the Alien Enemies Act." The order leaves unclear whether Trump has decided that such groups qualify under the law, but nonetheless orders immigration officials to prepare facilities as necessary to expedite the deportations of anyone who could be designated under such an order. Brad Jones, a political science professor at UC Davis, noted that many executive orders during Trump's first term withstood court challenges, including those on the border wall and Remain in Mexico. With a conservative Supreme Court majority, challenges to him overstepping permissible powers may ultimately be knocked down, Jones said. These executive orders are, in my view, essentially setting the stage to think of the border as a war zone, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Disappointment at border as Trump cancels immigration program During a second speech in Emancipation Hall, Trump praised Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, who has supported a crackdown at the border and bused migrants to liberal states such as New York and California. Trump repeated unfounded claims that nearly every country in the world was sending criminals to the U.S., saying Abbott had to deal with them himself. But, bragging about his promised border wall expansion, Trump signaled that Abbott's situation would soon change. That wall will go up so fast, he said. The Trump administration has been planning a large immigration raid in Chicago this week, but Homan told news outlets that officials are reconsidering their plans because the leaked details put agents at risk. Other large immigrant communities, including Los Angeles, could be targeted in future raids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In California, a 2018 law enacted in response to Trump's first administration limits state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The California Values Act prevents local police from holding someone for extra time for transfer to immigration custody, but allows them to notify federal agents of a person's release if they have certain felonies or high-level misdemeanor convictions. Some local law enforcement leaders, including Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, have signaled a willingness to circumvent the law to help immigration agents carry out deportations. Attempts to circumvent the law will not be tolerated, California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said. "We're prepared to take action against any law enforcement agency that doesn't follow the law," Bonta said Friday. Bonta said he also stands ready to fight Trump in court. The California Department of Justice sued the first Trump administration more than 100 times. "If he tries to invoke the National Guard or the military to participate in his mass deportations, if he seeks to end birthright citizenship a constitutional right and that harms U.S. citizens, if he tries to attack sanctuary jurisdiction and status on the immigration side, we're ready to act on Day One," Bonta said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some California immigrants are already on edge after Border Patrol agents carried out dozens of arrests around Bakersfield this month, questioning people at Home Depot, gas stations and on their way to work on farms. Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, said the organization has organized a vigil Tuesday night to create a safe space for immigrants to gather and learn more about Trump's initial executive orders. She emphasized that because Los Angeles is considered a natural disaster area, immigration agents should not be conducting enforcement operations there. "The community of Los Angeles is concerned by what is coming, but we're not cowering in panic," Salas said. Castillo reported from Washington and Uranga from Los Angeles. Times staff writer Patrick J. McDonnell in Mexico City contributed to this report. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. President Donald Trump was poised to enact hefty tariffs against Mexico and Canada as early as the end of next week as he continued a blitz of right-wing policy priorities on Day Two of his historic second term. After signing a first day blizzard of executive orders cracking down on immigration and transgender rights and granting pardons to hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters, Trump signaled that he had no intention of taking his foot off the gas. Trump, who capped a stunning political comeback to be sworn into office as the 47th president, planned to start his first full day back in the White House with a National Prayer Service at the National Cathedral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also was set to preside over a Tuesday afternoon event at the White House billed as a massive infrastructure announcement. Scant details were released, and any significant infrastructure measure would require funding from Congress. The newly reelected president said late Monday he would impose 25% tariffs against Mexico and Canada, citing the close allies failure to meet his vague pre-inauguration demands for crackdowns on border crossings and drugs. Trump falsely claimed foreign entities would pay the new taxes, but in fact American importers will foot the bill, which will result in higher prices on hundreds of billion dollars of goods U.S. consumers buy every day. The new president has also suggested a blanket tariff on all imported goods and even bigger taxes on products made in China, although he hasnt given details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the trading partners, including Mexico and Canada, say they would be forced to retaliate with tariffs on American exports that would likely harm U.S. manufacturing and agriculture and spark a tit-for-tat trade war. Meanwhile, the first of hundreds of violent extremists convicted of storming the Capitol on Jan. 6 began celebrating their release from federal prisons after Trump pardoned them or commuted their sentences. He even freed white nationalists imprisoned for orchestrating the violent attack aimed at keeping Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election to former President Joe Biden. Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, was expected to get a heros welcome when he returns home to Miami after being freed from a Louisiana prison Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For undocumented immigrants, Trumps first days in office were marked by growing fear and uncertainty as administration officials vowed to start implementing hardline Day One executive orders that could lead to the deportation of more than 10 million people. Trump has vowed to use the military to help stop asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants from crossing the southern border and enlist the support of local law enforcement to round up millions of foreign nationals who do not have the paperwork required to live and work in the U.S. Trump also ordered federal officials to stop issuing American citizenship documents to the newborn children of undocumented immigrants starting in late February. That edict would effectively end birthright citizenship, which Trump says incentivizes illegal immigration. But birthright citizen is enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, leading many legal analysts to predict it would not withstand certain legal challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, Trump has done less on the foreign policy front, although he repeated his improbable campaign pledges to retake the Panama Canal and force Greenland to become part of the U.S. He has apparently given up on his claim that he could end the Russian invasion of Ukraine in just 24 hours and conceded that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict wont be easy to solve despite the hostage release and Gaza ceasefire brokered by Biden in the final days of his administration. President Donald Trump was poised to enact hefty tariffs against Mexico and Canada as early as the end of next week as he continued a blitz of right-wing policy priorities on day two of his historic second term. After signing a first-day blizzard of executive orders cracking down on immigration and transgender rights and granting pardons to hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters, Trump signaled that he had no intention of taking his foot off the gas. Trump, who capped a stunning political comeback to be sworn into office as the 47th president, started his first full day back in the White House with a National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wound up grimly sitting through a stern rebuke from Bishop Mariann Budde, who called on him to have mercy on undocumented immigrants and LGBTQ people who have been targeted by his orders. Then he met with Republican congressional leaders at the White House as the GOP tries to push through parts of Trumps agenda that require congressional approval with only a tiny majority in the House and a small edge in the Senate. He also was set to preside over a White House announcement billed as a massive artificial intelligence infrastructure investment by major corporations including OpenAI. The president said late Monday he would impose 25% tariffs against Mexico and Canada, citing the close allies failure to meet his vague preinauguration demands for crackdowns on border crossings and drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump falsely claimed foreign entities would pay the new taxes, but in fact American importers will foot the bill, which would likely result in higher prices on hundreds of billion dollars of goods U.S. consumers buy every day. The new president has also suggested a blanket tariff on all imported goods and even bigger taxes on products made in China, although he hasnt given details. All the trading partners, including Mexico and Canada, say they would be forced to retaliate with tariffs on American exports that would likely harm U.S. manufacturing and agriculture and spark a tit-for-tat trade war. Meanwhile, the first of hundreds of violent extremists convicted of storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, began celebrating their release from federal prisons after Trump pardoned them or commuted their sentences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He even freed white nationalists imprisoned for orchestrating the violent attack aimed at keeping Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election to former President Joe Biden. Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, was expected to get a heros welcome when he returns home to Miami after being freed from a Louisiana prison Tuesday. For undocumented immigrants, Trumps first days in office were marked by growing fear and uncertainty as administration officials vowed to start implementing hard-line day one executive orders that could lead to the deportation of more than 10 million people. Trump has vowed to use the military to help stop asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants from crossing the southern border and to enlist the support of local law enforcement to round up millions of foreign nationals who do not have the paperwork required to live and work in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also ordered federal officials to stop issuing American citizenship documents to the newborn children of undocumented immigrants starting in late February. That edict would effectively end birthright citizenship, which Trump says incentivizes illegal immigration. But birthright citizen is enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, leading many legal analysts to predict it would not withstand certain legal challenges. New York Attorney General Letitia James joined a coalition of 18 states that quickly filed suit to block the measure, calling it blatantly unconstitutional. This fundamental right to birthright citizenship, rooted in the 14th Amendment and born from the ashes of slavery, is a cornerstone of our nations commitment to justice, James said. Our Constitution is not open to reinterpretation by executive order or presidential decree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, Trump has done less on the foreign policy front, although he repeated his improbable campaign pledges to retake the Panama Canal and force Greenland to become part of the U.S. He has apparently given up on his claim that he could end the Russian invasion of Ukraine in just 24 hours and conceded that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict wont be easy to solve despite the hostage release and Gaza ceasefire brokered by Biden in the final days of his administration. _____ In late December, President-elect Donald Trump put pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, on notice. Denouncing the $557 billion industry as horrible middlemen, responsible forand rich as hell from Americas incomparably high prescription drug prices, Trump vowed to get rid of them. Were going to knock out the middlemen, he said at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago. Trump is hardly the first to go after PBMs. They make up an industry whose stated purpose is to help employers and other health care purchasers lower the cost of drugs, but for decades theyve been accused of doing the oppositeand driving up spending through opaque, profit-driven pricing tactics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, condemnation of PBMs is one of the rare points where Trump can find common cause with progressive lawmakers like Elizabeth Warren and activist regulators at Joe Bidens Federal Trade Commission, which dropped a report just days before Trumps inauguration accusing the biggest PBMs of price gouging. At a time when consumers frustration with the health care system has reached new peaks, taking on these little-understood players could give the government a bipartisan win with huge potential impact. Its little wonder that discontent with PBMs is so widespread. Americans spend more on medications than other countriesroughly twice as much per capita. By every measure, that spending is on the rise; by drug list price, the increase is astronomicalfrom $636 billion in 2018 to $917 billion in 2023. What exactly are PBMs saving us from, you might ask. Employers and other health care payers despise PBMs lack of transparency; pharmacies complain their high jinks are driving them out of business. Consumers may not know PBMs by name, but the drug-access and cost issues that frustrate and frighten them often stem from PBMs decisions. More than half of U.S. adults worry about being able to afford prescription drugs; 30% couldnt afford them at some point last year. Meanwhile, Americas PBMs are doing quite well for themselves. The three largestCaremark, Express Scripts, and OptumRxwhich process roughly 80% of U.S. drug claims and are known as the Big Three, took in more than $430 billion in revenue in 2023. Each would rank as one of Americas 40 largest by revenue if they were stand-alone companies. Instead, they are business units of truly huge health care giants: CVS Health (No. 6 on the Fortune 500), Cigna (No. 16), and UnitedHealth Group (No. 4), respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PBMs argue that despite those ever-rising drug prices, theyre saving Americans from spending billions more every year. PBMs are the only ones in the prescription drug supply chain whose focus is on bringing down cost, says JC Scott, president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), the industrys trade group. Anywhere else in the world, that argument would seem laughable. Most advanced economies negotiate drug prices based on their therapeutic value, and use regulations like price and profit caps to keep spending in check. But we are talking about Americas $4.9 trillion health care industry, a Rube Goldberglike system of for-profit companies all vying for a bigger piece of a large but ultimately limited pie; the modern PBM is just one of the wily, many-tentacled entities at the table. It wasnt always this way. When PBMs first emerged in the 1960s, they had a simple administrative role: processing drug claims. Before long, they began negotiating drug prices on behalf of their clients, leveraging their purchasing power to strike better deals with manufacturers. Indeed, PBMs are a natural counterweight to big drug companies that typically charge whatever the market can bear for their products. Over the years, PBMs developed other tools that influence the prescription drug market and patient access. They create formularies that dictate which medicines will be covered and at what price, and they build pharmacy networks and mail-order businesses that determine where beneficiaries can fill prescriptions. (Health plans, the PBMs customers, can use formularies to steer patients to lower-cost generic drugs, for example, or to lower-cost pharmacies.) More recently, the Big Three have even launched their own lines of biosimilarsbasically lower-cost versions of off-patent specialty drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, whats the problem? The industrys transformationand increasing concentrationhave made the biggest PBMs an evermore-powerful force, with the heft to pick winners and losers. (There are a total of 73 PBMs in the U.S., but the Big Three dominate the market.) On behalf of their health plan clients, PBMs negotiate prices with both drug manufacturers and pharmacies (which, notably, they also compete with). Citing contractual gag clauses, they keep those contracted rates secret, even from the health plans paying the bill. In other words, PBMs are hardly a neutral or transparent party, and theres lots of evidence they have often exploited their position in ways that distort the marketplace, boost their own profits, and snuff out competition. The crux of the issue is the conflict of interest, says Rob Andrews, a former congressman from New Jersey who now leads the Health Transformation Alliance, a coalition of large self-insured employers focused on improving their health plans. The central question here is whether the PBM industry should continue to be able to take income from both the manufacturer and the buyer. The complexity of the business and the lack of transparency with which PBMs operate have always made it hard to sort out how and where theyre making money. That has arguably become even harder as the Big Three have been absorbed by larger corporate parents. Allegations ofand settlements over PBMs conduct have dogged the industry since at least the early 2000s. Theyve inspired too many lawsuits to count and, since 2017, 186 laws in 50 states. Theres long been bipartisan support for reform at the federal level, too, and last year it seemed as if years of scrutiny had finally reached a boiling point. In July, the FTC published a damning report from a two-year investigation of the industry, and in September it sued the Big Three over anticompetitive and unfair practices around the sale of insulin. The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability published its own broadside, and after summoning the Big Threes leaders to testify, committee leadership accused them of lying (and threatened them with jail time). Then a Senate odd coupleWarren, the progressive from Massachusetts, and Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouriintroduced their Patients Before Monopolies (PBM) Act. 2058796345-Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, during a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Brisk inflation and hiring data in January haven't altered the Federal Reserve's expectation that it will be appropriate to cut interest rates later this year, but Chair Jerome Powell said officials want more evidence that inflation is slowing. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images 2157620634-Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. A Boeing Co. quality inspector alleged that the planemaker mishandled and lost track of hundreds of faulty parts, some of which he said may have been installed on new 737 Max planes, the latest revelation by a whistleblower pointing out possible misconduct at the manufacturer. Photographer: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images Congress came tantalizingly close to producing new laws in the final weeks of 2024, when an omnibus year-end federal spending bill included policies to end some of the industrys most controversial practicesonly to be scuttled at the last minute by Trump and Elon Musk and replaced by a bill that jettisoned those provisions (and many others). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those reform efforts took aim at PBMs two most heavily criticized practices. One is spread pricing, when a PBM charges its health plan clients more for a drug than it pays to the pharmacy that delivers it, and pockets the difference. (PBMs say this is an option health plans choose.) The other is the industrys convoluted system of rebates. PBMs negotiate rebates with drug manufacturers based on the drugs list prices. PBMs typically offer betterin some cases exclusiveformulary placement to drugs with larger rebates, in part because PBMs keep a portion of rebates as profit. Many argue this system incentivizes higher list prices, which help drugmakers get better placement and more sales. One can see that trend in the data: While list-price spending hit $917 billion in 2023, net revenue for manufacturers (after rebates, in other words) was just $435 billion, according to health research firm Iqvia. That reflects substantial savings, but theres a lot wrong with this picture. Critics argue PBMs have historically kept an excessive share of rebate savings for themselves. (This is hard to investigate, since PBMs keep the relevant information secret.) Lower-cost drugs lose out to high-priced ones with large discounts. In all the convoluted back-and-forth, most patients and health plans arent charged anything close to list price. But as the September FTC lawsuit points out, those who do pay list price are among the most vulnerable: people without insurance, or insured patients who havent yet met their deductible. The industry vehemently disputes accusations of unfair and anticompetitive behavior. Its representatives say their business is transparent and driven by the choices of their employer clients. They call the FTCs findings misrepresentative and believe their practices are misunderstood. The PCMA cites as evidence the findings of a recent reportfunded by the Big Threeshowing that PBMs pass through nearly 100% of rebate savings to plan sponsors, and that rebates are not associated with higher growth in list or net prices of drugs. Chart shows breakdown for annual drug spending in the U.S. Those conclusions may reflect recent change: As scrutiny of the industry has grown, PBMs have shifted strategies. According to an analysis by Nephron Research, rebates and spread pricing accounted for 24% of PBMs gross profits in 2022, down from 55% a decade earlier. Today a much greater share, 55%, comes from mail and specialty pharma businesseswhich, of course, they can require customers to use. Another growing source of profit for the Big Three is their group purchasing organizations. On closer inspection, these units, which negotiate and aggregate rebates, look to some like a new twist on an old trick. The broken system has inspired solutions that only add to its brokenness. A growing number of companiesmore intermediariesfocus on helping patients access lower-cost drugs by not using their drug coverage. For example, GoodRx, a drug coupon company, helps millions of Americans get prescriptions for lower prices than their PBMs negotiated. Employers increasingly turn to specialty carve-out programs for high-cost drugs for diseases like canceressentially relying on a vendor to help consumers apply for drugmakers patient-assistance programs or other alternative funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres also a crop of aspiring PBM disrupters, including so-called transparent PBMs, which typically charge a flat fee, as well as Mark Cubans online pharmacy, Cost Plus Drugs, which charges customers the cost of a drug and a 15% margin. Cost Plus, like some others in this space, mostly sells generic drugs and does not accept most insurance; its not a solution for every patient. The Big Three have started to copy some of these moves. Last year, Express Scripts began offering health plan customers a pricing model that mimics Cubans. And this year CVSs Caremark is rolling out simplified drug pricing and pharmacy reimbursement models (which should also help lift margins at CVSs struggling retail pharmacies). I think they may be starting to read the room, says Elizabeth Mitchell, president and CEO of the Purchaser Business Group on Health, a nonprofit coalition of self-insured jumbo employers focused on getting lower-cost, higher-value health care. Still, shes skeptical that PBMs will be an agent of good change: They are starting to use the right words, but I dont think that is translating into their business practices. Andrews, of the Health Transformation Alliance, shares Mitchells skepticism. But he is relatively bullish on Trumps chances at reining in the industry. Given Republican control of Congress and Trumps strong grip on the GOP, says Andrews, the president has a greater concentration of political power than anyone since Lyndon Johnson. If Donald Trump is of a mind to fundamentally change the industry, hes going to do it, he says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noting Trumps penchant for dealmaking, Andrews sketches out a scenario in which the president oversees a grand bargain on drug pricing that deals with a handful of hot issuesPBM reform, patent exclusivity, Medicare price negotiationsin one fell swoop. He acknowledges that Trumps commitment is a big if, given the presidents wide-ranging, oft-changing interests. (If Trump promising to eliminate the middlemen sounds familiar, its because he said the same thing about PBMs in 2018; no reforms came to pass.) What would happen to the drug market without PBMs? The industry participants and observers Fortune consulted struggle to answer that questionperhaps unable to imagine it. Its not a job most employers could do themselves. Some suggest imposing a profit cap, like the one that health insurers currently face. Others describe a scenario in which PBMs were less conflicted; more transparent about who pays what, and why; and generally more accountable. A more important question may be: Do we want to eliminate the middleman? Financial analysts, who tend to see PBMs as a positive influence, note that their negotiating power may be more crucial than ever given the enormous, bank-breaking demand for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. And despite the industrys alleged wrongdoing, the majority of employerseven among groups like Andrewss and Mitchellsstill rely on the Big Three. (So, for that matter, do state and federal governments.) That could be the consequence of a Big Health Care economy where giants have squelched rivals. Or maybe its complacency with the status quo. Sometimes its not even about dollars and cents, says Andrews. For employers, he adds, what drives almost every decision most employers make is, Will their employees look at their health benefit as an asset or a nuisance? At least for now, most seem to think the benefits outweigh the burdens. The "big three" of pharmacy benefits Caremark Owned by CVS Health Founded in 1993 as MedPartners, Caremark Rx was acquired by CVS in 2007. It accounted for an estimated 50.8% of CVS's $357.8 billion in revenue in 2023. Express Scripts Owned by Cigna Founded in 1986, Express Scripts ranked No. 25 on the Fortune 500 in 2018, the year Cigna acquired it. It's now part of Cigna's $153.5 billion Evernorth health services division. OptumRx Owned by UnitedHealth Group OptumRx, founded in 2011 as part of UHG, took in $116.1 billion in 2023, accounting for 31.2% of UHG's revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article appears in the February/March 2025 issue of Fortune with the headline "Americas drug middlemen are now a $557 billion industry. Can Trump and his allies knock out PBMs?" This story was originally featured on Fortune.com President Donald Trump will pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement, according to an executive order he signed Monday as one of his first acts after he took office. Under the Paris Agreement, signed in 2016, participating nations vowed to work together to keep global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels by making yearly pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, participating nations, including the United States, have also pledged billions of dollars to funds that assist developing nations with climate adaptation and mitigation. In recent years, the United States has purported to join international agreements and initiatives that do not reflect our countrys values or our contributions to the pursuit of economic and environmental objectives, the White House said in the order . Moreover, these agreements steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order said the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations will submit a written notification of the withdrawal. The United States will consider its withdrawal from the Agreement and any attendant obligations to be effective immediately upon this provision of notification, it added. The United States will join Libya, Yemen and Iran as nations that are not part of the Paris Agreement. As the United States exits the global stage of climate action, some experts are concerned that other nations may follow suit and that the United States may be ceding important input on international climate policy. Climate groups immediately condemned the move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pulling out of the Paris Agreement is a travesty, Rachel Cleetus, the policy director of the climate and energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in an email statement. Its one more instance of President Trumps anti-science and fossil-fueled agenda, aimed at boosting the profits of polluting companies at the expense of the health and well-being of people across the nation. The world continues to release unprecedented amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, raising global temperatures, which in turn have worsened extreme weather in the United States and around the world. Destructive and deadly flooding, hurricanes and wildfires have repeatedly been connected to climate change as warming temperatures alter precipitation patterns and storm dynamics. The United States is responsible for 20% of all cumulative greenhouse gas emissions the largest share of human emissions since the industrial revolution ended in 1850, according to an analysis of historical data by the U.K.-based climate publication Carbon Brief. Since 2005, China has ranked as the top emitter followed by the United States, then India, according to data from the environment data platform Climate Watch. As the worlds most powerful nation and its largest historic emitter, we have a duty to lead the world by example in reducing emissions, Ben Jealous, the executive director of the Sierra Club, said in a statement. As a country and a people committed to protecting this and all future generations, we also have a deep moral obligation to act as boldly as possible to do all we can to stave off the very worst of the climate crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year was the hottest on record and the first to exceed the Paris target of 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels, though experts cautioned that one or more individual years exceeding 1.5 C does not mean that meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement is no longer possible. Trump is expected to roll back a variety of climate efforts put in place by the Biden administration, such as more stringent emissions limits for power plants, tailpipe emissions cuts for new vehicles designed to aid the transition to electric vehicles and a ban on offshore drilling in 625 million acres of ocean waters. In another sweeping statement Monday, Trump vowed to unleash American energy and end Bidens policies of climate extremism. In a first, Trump promised to declare a national energy emergency, and in a separate executive order he told the heads of executive offices and federal agencies to eliminate harmful, coercive climate policies that increase the costs of food and fuel. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the World Health Organization via executive order Monday evening to the shock of some. Trump cited the organizations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the funds contributed by the U.S. in his executive order ending the countrys membership. The order came amid dozens of others during the first hours of Trumps second term in the White House. Heres what we know about the decision: President Donald Trump pictured signing dozens of executive orders during his first day in office. Trump removed the U.S. from the World Health Organization via executive order Monday evening (EPA) Why did Trump remove the U.S. from the World Health Organization? Trump signed an executive order hours after taking office Monday revoking the countrys membership in the WHO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order cites the organizations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states. The president also cited the onerous payments the U.S. gives as a member. The U.S. has paid WHO anywhere from $160 million to $815 million every year for the past decade, the Associated Press reports. Trump ended the countrys WHO membership last time he was in office as well. Trump severed ties with WHO and suspended funding to the organization during his first administration in July 2020 as COVID-19 cases surged globally and thousands of Americans died from the virus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Joe Biden reversed the order on his first day in office, making the U.S. a member of WHO again in January 2021. The U.S. is no longer a member of the World Health Organization - again- after Biden put the U.S. back in following Trumps removal during his first term (AFP via Getty Images) What does this mean for the World Health Organization? The U.S. was the organizations largest donor in 2023, paying 18 percent of the organizations total budget, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said Tuesday. We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, the organization said in a statement. For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats, the statement continued. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Jasarevic declined to answer what Trumps order would mean for the organization, the AP reports the loss of U.S. funding could hamper many of their global health initiatives including polio eradication efforts and research on new viral threats. What does this mean for the U.S.? U.S. agencies that work with WHO, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will suffer from the presidents decision, the AP reports. These agencies will no longer benefit from WHO-coordinated initiatives or have access to key research materials from the organization, such as their genetic databases, which are used to produce vaccines and medication, according to the AP. Trump cited the organizations handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the high financial contribution of the U.S. to the organization in his executive order (AP) Withdrawing from WHO and hampering its funding could also have a global impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A U.S. withdrawal from WHO would make the world far less healthy and safe, Lawrence Gostin, director of the WHO Collaborating Center on Global Health Law at Georgetown University, told the AP. Gostin added that losing U.S. funding could devastate the organizations epidemic response efforts. The decision comes as the U.S. sees a spike in bird flu cases across the nation. There are 67 confirmed cases of the bird flu as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the CDC, with at least one death from the virus confirmed. The death, reported in Louisiana, marks the first in the U.S. from the virus. Before leaving office, the Biden administration allocated $300 million toward monitoring H5N1 bird flu and regional, state, and local preparedness programs, The Independent previously reported. A third of that is allocated for testing, outreach to high-risk populations, and increased surveillance of individuals who have been exposed to infected animals. On 20 January the local and international media reported that gangs had opened fire on an armoured US embassy vehicle in Haitis capital, Port-au-Prince. End of preview - This article contains approximately 398 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump revoked the security clearances of 50 former US intelligence officials who had cast doubt on conservative attacks on former President Joe Bidens son, delivering on a campaign promise to exact retribution against what he sees as a deep state conspiracy against him. Most Read from Bloomberg The former intelligence officials signed on to a letter in the final days of the 2020 presidential election saying the distribution of emails obtained from an abandoned laptop belonging to Hunter Biden has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The emails, which purported to show a corruption scheme by members of Bidens family involving ties to Ukrainian and Chinese businesses, were published by a conservative tabloid and helped to spur a criminal investigation into the former presidents son. Biden granted him a blanket pardon in December. The intelligence officials didnt directly defend the younger Biden, but said Americans needed to be aware of possible Russian influence in the election. We want to emphasize that we do not know if the emails, provided to the New York Post by President Trumps personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, are genuine or not and that we do not have evidence of Russian involvement just that our experience makes us deeply suspicious that the Russian government played a significant role in this case, the letter said. The letters signatories including former Central Intelligence Agency directors Michael Hayden, Leon Panetta, John Brennan, John McLaughlin and Michael Morell have been targets of Republican attacks ever since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal policymakers must be able to rely on analysis conducted by the Intelligence Community and be confident that it is accurate, crafted with professionalism, and free from politically motivated engineering to affect political outcomes in the United States, Trump said in the executive order. The signatories willfully weaponized the gravitas of the Intelligence Community to manipulate the political process and undermine our democratic institutions. Those calls have been echoed by Trump allies on Capitol Hill, including Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona. Access to classified information is controlled by the president in his role as commander-in-chief, giving Trump nearly absolute power to keep national secrets and determine who has access to them. Officials can appeal a revocation of their security clearance to a high-level panel, but that process is dictated by an executive order that Trump can revoke, change or ignore. All of the letter-signers were former officials, so Trump cant fire them. But security clearances are invaluable for onetime intelligence officials who can leverage them for jobs at defense contractors, security firms and national security think tanks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others who signed the letter include former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former National Counterterrorism Center Director Nicholas Rasmussen, and former Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Mike Vickers. The intelligence officials included many who served under both Democratic and Republican administrations, in career and presidentially appointed positions. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. President Donald Trump prodded congressional leaders to consider recess appointments for his top nominees and expressed interest in trading California wildfire aid for a debt limit increase in a White House meeting Tuesday resurfacing two controversial proposals floated during the returning presidents transition. The discussions, which were described by two people granted anonymity to describe the private talks, also touched on his proposal to exempt at least some tip income from federal taxes and his efforts more generally to extend tax cuts. Trump described wanting to use wildfire aid as a bargaining chip in comments to reporters shortly after the meeting: "They're going to need a lot of money, and generally speaking I think you will find that a lot of Democrats are going to be asking for help. So I think maybe that makes it more one-sided. I think we're going to do very well." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, inside the meeting, Trump emphasized the need for Republicans to stick together as a party: The one thing the Democrats have going for them is they stick together, one of the people familiar with the meeting said, paraphrasing Trumps message. No grandstanding just stick together and deliver and we will win. Trump's controversial pardons of Jan. 6 riot offenders did not come up, Speaker Mike Johnson said in an interview after the meeting. It didnt come up today, he said. The talks also touched upon a crucial and still unsettled strategy choice: whether to package the GOP's policy agenda in one big bill or break it up into two a question dividing House and Senate Republicans. Trump reiterated his preference for one massive bill, to be passed through the party-line reconciliation process, but that did not change the status quo: House Republicans will continue to push their one-track strategy, while Senate Republicans will ready a two-bill backup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a sign of the ongoing clash, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said the one-bill strategy was settled, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune left the door open to his chamber's alternative. "There are a lot of great theories, but it's always different when you have to translate that into practice," Thune said. The recess appointments push first surfaced last year after the election, when it appeared that several of Trumps Cabinet appointments could get snarled in the Senate. Recess appointments could allow some nominees to take office at least temporarily without a confirmation vote. But talk of using the dormant power has ebbed as Trumps nominees, such as Defense pick Pete Hegseth, improved their standing with Republican senators. But Trump raised it anew as an option in a smaller Oval Office session with Johnson, Thune and Vice President JD Vance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the people who described the meeting said Trump expressed confidence in how Thune had handled his nominees so far but said recess appointments could be a possible "break glass" option if some bog down. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Thune didn't embrace Trump's push for recess appointments, though he acknowledged that the president has been interested in the idea. "I think we're going to find out here pretty quickly whether or not the Democrats want to help us get through some of these nominations in a way that gets us back on track with the way it was done prior to the last two presidencies," he said, referring to an "Obama standard" for the pace of confirmations. As for the fire-aid-for-debt-limit trade, GOP lawmakers who first raised the idea with Trump at recent Mar-a-Lago meetings said he was interested in the prospect at the time. That would mean making a debt limit hike part of a larger agreement around the bipartisan government funding talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), who attended the meeting as GOP policy chair, said Trump was agnostic on how a debt deal got done, so long as it gets done: He's leaving this up, and rightfully so, to the leader and to the speaker, to however they can move it best through their respective ends of the Capitol. The wider House and Senate GOP leadership teams met with Trump for more than a hour Tuesday as they tried to hash out the way forward on his early agenda. Johnson and Thune want sign-offs from Trump on a series of key decisions on the Republican agenda. GOP leadership and Trumps team held several calls this past weekend during which they tried to form more of a consensus on the way forward before the Tuesday meeting. They want Trump to make play calls on some of their biggest intra-party fights, including how to move a sweeping tax policy bill, what to do about the swirling debt limit fight and how to handle the mid-March government funding deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getting Trumps blessing for how to tackle the fiscal battles could help Johnson mollify his hard-liners, unify his thin conference and satisfy growing concerns that hes losing precious time to get going. Johnson has struggled to unite his conference, where he has a one-vote margin. At the same time, having Trump articulate what he wants also lowers the risk that Johnson or Thune find themselves at odds with the leader of their party if they were to outline their own strategy just to have Trump disagree with it. Thune found himself in that position after he laid out his plan for a two-bill reconciliation only for Trump to embrace one bill, while leaving the door open for two. But Trump himself frequently admits he doesn't care how GOP leaders accomplish his vast legislative agenda just that they do it, and quickly. One senior Republican noted Trump in a recent interview appeared to confuse reconciliation with the government funding process, by arguing Republicans could add wildfire aid to the GOP party-line bill in order to secure some Democratic votes. And some Senate Republicans are already acknowledging that ultimately much of their strategy will be what can get through the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate and the House are two very different bodies. And on the Republican side, in both the House and Senate, we both have free-range chickens that wander off but frankly ours are easier to catch than the House, said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), who said hes spoken to Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.). Nicholas Wu and Irie Sentner contributed to this report. (Bloomberg) -- Over the past two years, the Biden administration struck a careful balance on artificial intelligence. The White House took steps to ensure the US stayed ahead of China in developing the technology while also trying to address some of AIs many potential risks. Most Read from Bloomberg In his first 24 hours back in Washington, Donald Trump sent a different message to the AI community: Just build. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Trump rescinded Bidens sweeping executive order on AI. The move immediately halted the implementation of key safety and transparency requirements for AI developers. Some tech leaders attending the World Economic Forum in Davos praised his approach. Other experts warned against an AI world with fewer guardrails. Trump is expected to issue a new executive order on AI, but with a lighter touch. On Tuesday, Trump announced a joint venture led by SoftBank Group Corp., OpenAI and Oracle Corp. that will fund billions of dollars worth of AI infrastructure. To unveil the project, Trump was joined by Softbank's Masayoshi Son and tech executives including Sam Altman and Larry Ellison. The venture will deploy $100 billion immediately, Son said, with the goal of increasing to at least $500 billion in AI projects, including data centers and physical campuses. Son touted the joint venture as the beginning of a golden age. Ellison said data centers are currently under construction, including one in Abilene, Texas. On the eve of taking office, Trump said that he would pave the way for people with a lot of money to invest in so-called AI plants to power data centers for artificial intelligence with little concern for whether those energy sources are good or bad for the environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With these early efforts, Trump is not only rethinking the US approach to AI but also moving further from Europe, setting up a clash of continents over how best to regulate AI and compete with China. The EU previously unnerved some leading AI companies by enacting tougher tech legislation on privacy and safety. By comparison, the Trump team has brought in prominent tech figures, including billionaire Elon Musk and venture capitalist David Sacks, to help shape its tech and AI policies. Exactly how hands-off Trumps AI strategy ends up being may depend in part on Musk's role in influencing it. Musk has long held a nuanced view of the technology. While Musk has invested in AI through his startup, xAI, hes also repeatedly warned that it poses an existential threat if not contained. A warm reception at Davos It seems clear that the new administration is going to be encouraging of tech and tech growth, Demis Hassabis, chief executive officer of Google DeepMind, said in an interview with Bloomberg News in Davos on Tuesday. The administration is getting advice from the people who really understand whats happening at the cutting edge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hassabis was one of many tech leaders in Davos who sounded cautiously optimistic about the early days of Trumps second term and its implications for AI development. OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar told Bloomberg News that the Trump administration has already shown a real willingness to lean in and be very on the economic front foot when it comes to technology and AI. Likewise, Alphabet Inc. President Ruth Porat said Trumps team wants to clear away some of the impediments to investing in data centers and other infrastructure needed for AI. There is a tremendous amount of opportunity to continue working with them, Porat said. Less focus on clean energy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent months, OpenAI and other companies urged the Biden administration to pave the way for unprecedented investments in data centers and energy sources. OpenAI, in particular, called for massive 5 gigawatt data centers large enough to power entire cities. Last week, Biden signed an executive order directing federal agencies to lease government land for AI data centers, emphasizing the use of clean energy sources. Asked on Tuesday whether he would rescind that order, Trump said, no, I wouldnt do that. That sounds to me like its something that I would like. Even so, Trump is likely to relax the clean energy requirements, said Joseph Majkut, director of the energy security and climate change program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. After touting future AI investment at a rally over the weekend, Trump said his administration would cut the environmental regulations that are really put in there in order to stop progress in this country. If so, the Trump administration may put the onus on tech companies to decide their own comfort level with relying more on fossil fuels. In the race to build more power-hungry data centers for AI, Microsoft Corp. and Google have already seen their ambitious climate pledges slip out of reach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The key issues to watch are the extent to which the hyper-scaling companies are comfortable with powering new data centers with high-emission power because they have their own climate goals and their own reputation to maintain, Majkut said. Competing with China For the Trump administration, and possibly many in the AI industry, climate and safety concerns rank behind a fear of being outcompeted by China. At Davos, Alphabets Porat said its not a foregone conclusion that the US will maintain a lead over China in developing more sophisticated AI systems. Meanwhile, OpenAIs Friar said China is absolutely investing in this area and understands how critical AI is to their economy and security. We should not be naive on that front, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As if to underscore that concern, DeepSeek, a Chinese startup, unveiled an updated AI model this week that it says is competitive with OpenAIs technology. The companys founder also appeared at a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, according to the South China Morning Post. In the past month alone we have seen very powerful advances in Chinas AI capabilities relative to our government, Alexandr Wang, founder and CEO of Scale AI, a data labeling startup, wrote in an open letter to Trump on Tuesday about winning the AI war. Wang added: You have the right team in place to take on this challenge and ensure we maintain our lead against adversaries. Some industry watchers worry about the unintended consequences of winning that battle, however. This is setting the US up for short-term gain but long-term pain, said Frank Pasquale, a law professor at Cornell Tech and Cornell Law School. Trump is clearing a path for more investment in artificial intelligence where theres less risk of regulation, he said, but there was a lot of good reason to have guardrails in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal, Pasquale said, was to help guide companies away from building unsafe products. Now, the US government may be leaving it to the companies to decide for themselves. --With assistance from Mark Niquette. (Updates with joint venture announcement starting in fourth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. By Joe Cash and Xiuhao Chen BEIJING (Reuters) - Donald Trump unexpectedly held off tariffs on China on his first day back at the White House and did not single it out as a threat, raising the prospect of a rapprochement as both sides look to gain from each other rather than rain harm on an adversary. In a speech after his inauguration, the U.S. president refrained from mentioning China, its erstwhile opponent in a previous trade war, even as he said tariffs would make the United States "rich as hell", leaving the door open for fresh negotiations with the world's second-largest economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also delayed the ban on China-owned short-video app TikTok, but in an unprecedented move, suggested that the U.S. should be a half owner of TikTok's U.S. business in return for keeping the app alive, saying the company could be worth hundreds of billions of dollars. As Trump begins his second term, Beijing and Washington find themselves needing a new roadmap to advance their goals and guard their interests, analysts say, although previously unresolved issues such as the 2020 trade deal could jar the currently cordial undertones. During his first term, Trump quickly struck up a relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both men lavishly hosted each other in Florida and Beijing. But that did not stop ties deteriorating into a trade war that unleashed a series of tit-for-tat tariffs and uprooted global supply chains. Neither side appears interested in picking up where they left off, however, with signs pointing to the negotiation table instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Trump wants a deal. Otherwise, he would have shot up China on day one," said Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief economist for the Asia Pacific at Natixis. "He ran a campaign which was very aggressive towards China, and then on day one shied away from it." "China wins because their tariffs are going to be limited. Because they are going to offer Trump whatever he needs to do a deal. Financial services? The renminbi? You want a stronger renminbi? Sure, perhaps on a temporary basis," she added. Another trade war would find China much more vulnerable than when Trump first raised tariffs in 2018, as it grapples with a deep property crisis, weak domestic demand and 16% youth unemployment, among other challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinese stocks were volatile on Tuesday as investors struggled to make sense of Trump's plans for China. Last week, Xi and Trump agreed on a phone call to create a strategic communication channel on "major issues". The 47th U.S. president also said he could travel to China as soon as this year. CHINA HAWKS Hurdles could come from elsewhere, including Trump's inner circle. Marco Rubio, a known China hawk, was confirmed as Secretary of State shortly after the president was sworn in for a second White House term. But other members of Trump's administration may have divergent views on China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elon Musk, appointed by Trump to lead an advisory body aimed at creating a more efficient U.S. government, has extensive business interests in China and spent years cultivating close ties with the Chinese leadership as Tesla's CEO and might also want to weigh in on China policy. Analysts say Trump will see himself as America's top diplomat and will not look to rely on Rubio, who is still under sanctions that China imposed in 2020, or his picks for commerce secretary or trade representative. "The concentration of power by Trump is unprecedented in recent U.S. history. He may be the only one China can speak to from a practical perspective," said Bo Zhengyuan, a Shanghai-based partner at consultancy Plenum. "But it depends how much Trump can move inside the U.S. system, because the consensus has already formed that China is the U.S.' No.1 adversary." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If pragmatism holds, there is an opportunity for China to talk Trump into unwinding export controls that the Biden administration had introduced to curb China's capability in key technologies such as semiconductors, analysts say. "Trump is a businessman at heart, his considerations are more pragmatic, he is not interested in ideology," said Wang Dong, an international relations professor at Peking University. "Other problems, like geopolitical issues, the Taiwan question, are all secondary to Trump," he added, noting the self-governing island, which Beijing claims as its own, did not come up in his inauguration speech. "We will see whether the U.S. will return to a more pragmatic and rational state, so that both sides can further enhance China-U.S. relations and return to the track of healthy, stable and sustainable development," Wang said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If this can be done, we can even compare it to a 'Nixon 2.0." Former U.S. President Richard Nixon visited Beijing in February 1972 at the height of the Cold War, paving the way for the establishment of formal diplomatic ties and China's return to the international arena. (Reporting by Joe Cash and Xiuhao Chen; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. President Donald Trump gave his inaugural address to a packed Capitol rotunda of family, tech CEOs, prospective Cabinet officials, and members of Congressin that specific order of importance. Shortly thereafter, he told the overflow room what he really wanted to say. While the theme of Trumps inaugural speech was a new golden age, a phrase thats become something of a credo for MAGA in the past few months, you could see the push and pull between Trumps dark fantasies and his better angels in its text. For all the mention of the fresh, expansionist, prosperous, lavish, and showy new America his movement would usher in, he couldnt escape the American carnage of his first inaugural address in 2017. In the climactic line of his speech, Trump described his brush with death in Butler, Pennsylvania, saying that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again. But he seemed to savor describing the wrongs more than he looked forward to making the rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking in his teleprompter voicea hushed, monotonous reading of words on a screen, a quiet protest of the fact that hes not allowed to riffTrump welcomed the dignitaries in attendance, and quickly proceeded to lacerate the very same group. For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens, while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair, he said. We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. It fails to protect our magnificent law-abiding American citizens, but provides sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals, many from prisons and mental institutions that have illegally entered our country from all over the world. As he read these words, former President Joe Biden, running through his head if there was anyone he forgot to pardon, attempted his best impression of a stone, but couldnt suppress a grin or two. As the speech progressed, Trump moved on to a level of specificity for his immediate actions thats unusual for an inaugural address. He announced several new policies to seal the Southern border, including sending troops there, and invoking a 1798 law to eliminate foreign gang networks. He would declare a national energy emergency to drill, baby, drill, and said he wouldby executive orderrevoke the electric vehicle mandate. He paired this with plenty of his more frivolous actions, such as renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of AmericaHillary Clinton, 20 or so feet away, could be spotted shaking with laughter when he said thisand reverting Denalis name to Mount McKinley. He explicitly cited manifest destiny in describing his expansionist ambitions for taking control of the Panama Canal and colonizing Mars. Well see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the limited space in the rotunda, an overflow room was set up in the Capitol Visitor Center. It was for the dignitaries who didnt quite carry the statesmanlike import of UFCs Dana White or TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, whose company is presently operating domestically in violation of federal law. Govs. Ron DeSantis and Brian Kemp, whove battled with Trump in the past, were obviously in the overflow room. But this crowd ended up getting the real speech after the overworked formality Trump was forced to read off of the teleprompter. Still only an hour into his second presidency, Trump was cooking, in an uninterrupted riff about whatever was on his mind that went longer than his speech. According to Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and first lady Melania Trump forced him to take out some of the more controversial elements of his speech that he wanted to keep inlike celebrating the Jan. 6 hostages and Bidens last-minute pardons of family members and Jan. 6 committee members, which Biden was practically signing from the inaugural dais. The president reiterated his belief that the 2020 election was rigged and thought that he shouldve won California. He talked about some parts of the border wall that would dissolve if hit with acid and that people would climb in like rabbits if not built with the proper materials. He kept breaking, from whatever it was he was doing, to converse with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Most importantly, he was having a good time. This was a better speech than the one I made upstairs, he told the overflow crowd, an observation that was somehow both fully true and wholly false. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Things were, by this point, running an hour late. The sense that this speech overshadowed what came before was, on the whole, quite familiar. Each thing that Trump says will be surpassed by something he says 10 minutes later, rendering the original event as good as dead. This was before Trump had even stopped by the Capitol One Arena to visit yet another overflow crowd, or settled into the Resolute desk at the White House, or attended several inaugural balls. More would be said, and what was said immediately before that would recede into memory. In short, welcome back. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A lot was said during President Donald J. Trumps inauguration speechranging from tariffs, drilling, and deportations to executive orders, the Gulf of America, and gender identity rights. Second Trump win represents a new America, political experts say Nolan Higdon, a Cal State East Bay professor of communication, joined KRON4 to break down whats just talk versus what could actually happen under the lawand what stood out to him the most. Birthright citizenship and asylum protections The thing that really stood out to me of promises from Trump that I think he wont be able to deliver on is this issue of birthright citizenship, said Higdon. Thats something that the President of the United States cannot get rid of. Its protected constitutionally, and I highly doubt the Supreme Court would say the Constitution is unconstitutional. I think thats one where he certainly overstepped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another one is asylum. Thats also protected here before the law. There is a question about whether or not folks who are seeking asylum can be incarcerated, but its very clear that they have a right to be within the United States. Tariffs and political hurdles There were other big promises, things like the tariffs or purchasing additional states, Higdon continued. Those are things that, in theory, could be done, but thats going to take a lot of work by Congress. Youre going to need a lot of buy-in from Congress. Thats going to take a lot of political capital. I think Trump has made a lot of promises, but the way things work in the American government, theyre slow to move and slow to get accomplishments. He really needs to decide what hes going to prioritize as this new administration takes off. Trumps communication strategy Higdon said he believes President Trump is a brilliant communicator. He said Trump has proven himself to be persuasive and politically savvy by speaking in simple language that makes his promises resonate with supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if you dont like Trump, you have an idea of what sort of policies hes advocating for or positions hes taken, said Higdon. Thats the genius of Trump. A lot of other politicians who have gone up against him talk in vague ideas about saving democracy and things like that, but Trump has concrete policies that he is able to popularize, like things like building walls or deportations, protecting free speech. These are things hes promised, and he does a really good job communicating that to his supporters. Declaring national emergencies When asked if President Trump could fulfill some of his biggest promises by declaring national emergenciessuch as at the border or over energyHigdon said presidents have historically used this strategy. Presidents have been able to use things like national emergencies or threats to national security to expand their power, basically to do things that traditionally the Constitution didnt allow the president to do. It looks like Trump wants to expand the power of the presidency in this second term. It will be up to Congress and the Supreme Court to decide what limits, if any, there are on that expansion of power. January 6 pardons and political precedent Regarding Trumps controversial promise to pardon January 6 Capitol rioters, Higdon said well have to wait and see how it plays outbut noted that pardons and controversy typically go hand-in-hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Biden thought that by using his power to pardon, he could protect some of the people that he believed Trump was going to target with legal mechanisms for political purposes. Traditionally, pardons have basically always been controversial. Thats why its probably a good rule of politics that if youre trying to get to the White House, dont be too critical of how folks use their pardons, because one day you may be the president, and you may be receiving those criticisms. Copyright 2025 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. Amid the head-spinning flurry of "Day 1" executive orders that stretched presidential power to new (and potentially illegal) heights, President Donald Trump attempted to leave his mark on the globe. Literally. As part of an executive order promising to restore "names that honor American greatness," Trump told acting Secretary of the Interior Walter Cruickshank to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America." Doing so, Trump wrote in the order, would reflect the gulf's status as a "flourishing economic resource and its critical importance" to America's economy and people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But can he do that? The answer is not straightforward. Technically, Trump ordered that the federal Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) should be updated to reflect the new name, and ordered the secretary to "remove all references to the Gulf of Mexico from the GNIS." Additionally, he ordered that "all federal references to the Gulf of America, including on agency maps, contracts, and other documents and communications shall reflect its renaming." So, yes, as far as the federal government is concerned, the body of water between Florida and the Yucatan Peninsula will officially be the Gulf of America within the next month (the order allows 30 days for the change to be made). Things are complicated by the fact that the Gulf of Mexico is a body of water that extends outside the borders of the United Statesand thus beyond the bounds of federal law. There is no international body that officially names international bodies of water. The closest thing that exists is the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), which was established in 1921 and aims "to ensure all the world's seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But don't expect the IHO to get involved here. "Today, there is no formal international agreement or protocol in place for naming maritime areas," John Nyberg, the organization's director, told The New York Times. In reality, the name of any body of water is the result of spontaneous orderwe call the Atlantic Ocean by that name because that's just what everyone unofficially agrees it is. There are plenty of spots on the map where that order is significantly more fuzzy. Saudi Arabia, for example, insists that the Persian Gulf is really the "Arabian Gulf"which is a bit confusing since the gulf is adjacent to the Arabian Sea, and because "Arabian Gulf" was an old-time name for what's now called the Red Sea. Japan and South Korea have never agreed on what to call the body of water that lies between the two countries. What Americans know as the South China Sea has a bunch of different names in the non-China countries that border it. History might count for something too. The Gulf of Mexico has been called that since at least the early 1600s. Earlier this month, in an apparent attempt at trolling Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly displayed a map made in 1607 that not only included the "Gulf of Mexico" label. Notably, it also marked much of the current United States as "Mexican America." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, powerful nations have always sought to mark their influence on the map. And Trump is a master of branding, known for slapping his name on buildings that he didn't build or own. Is there some psychological edge gained by renaming the Gulf of Mexico just as Trump is about to embark on a campaign of trade and immigration policies that casts Mexico as an antagonist to American greatness? Perhaps, but it would be better for everyone involved to avoid such a conflict. The most important thing in any name is not what some official institution or a collection of old maps says. "A rose by any other name," and so on. Language is ever-evolving in ways that go beyond what any government can control. If most people start calling the body of water between Texas and Cuba "the Gulf of America," then that'll be what it is. Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (RGa.) have already adopted the new nomenclature. What Google and Apple decide to label that body of water probably means more than anything else. If, as is far more likely, yesterday's executive order ends up being widely ignored and quickly forgotten (and perhaps reversed by some future administration, as executive orders tend to be), then the Gulf of Mexico will remain "the Gulf of Mexico." The post Can Trump Rename the Gulf of Mexico With an Executive Order? appeared first on Reason.com. It was either a homecoming or a heresy, depending on perspectives. The inauguration of President Trump on Monday capped an unlikely return to power for a figure who stunned the nation with his White House win in 2016, fell from grace in a din of violence four years later and returned with a booming victory last year to mark what is perhaps the greatest political comeback in the nations history. For Republicans and other Trump allies, the occasion was one of sheer joy a validation that their attacks on former President Biden were properly placed and a vindication that their efforts to keep Trump in power four years ago merely reflected public sentiment. They wore their giddiness on their sleeves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daddys back, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said. For Democrats and other Trump critics, it was something much different: a lamentation of their failed efforts to keep Trump from a second term and a moment to mull, not only the origins of their defeat, but also how to work with a commander in chief most of them deem unfit to serve in that seat. Many still have the Capitol attack of Jan. 6, 2021, on their minds. Hes the one who caused his supporters to come here, to beat Capitol police officers, to smear blood and feces, Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) said. I guess thats why I wanted to be here today, to say that were more resilient. America and the fabric of our democracy are resilient. Were better than that. That split screen of partisan tensions was on display most vividly during Trumps speech in the Capitol, where the newly sworn-in president painted a bleak portrait of a country in decline but vowed a litany of policy changes he said would bring in the Golden Age of America. In tone, it was tamer than the American carnage speech he gave in 2017, but it featured several attacks on Biden, who sat an arms length away with a grim expression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, Trump said, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. From the audience under the rotunda, Republicans gleamed their approval and Democrats sulked in opposition a piece of theater that, in miniature, encapsulated the broader partisan divisions and cultural differences that practically define American politics in the modern era. Americans are celebrating because they finally have a government that will be accountable to its people one that defends liberty, fosters opportunity and inspires the world, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said. He had an opportunity to unite us on costs, crime, border, and he just gave us another speech of grievances and whining, countered Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who helped to lead Trumps first impeachment during his first term. He has a chance if he wants to find Democratic friends and partners on these issues, but I think he can just never get out of his own way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trumps return reflected a tale of two Washingtons, Mondays ceremony left no questions about whos in charge. Trump, aglow in the spotlight of his political revival, had a large hand in orchestrating the event himself. With frigid weather whipping through Washington, hed taken the rare step of moving the ceremony inside the Capitol a shift that avoided the embarrassing optics of being sworn in on the same west-facing portico where, four years earlier, Trumps supporters had attacked law enforcement officers in a failed effort to keep him in power. Under the rotunda, the crowd was composed largely of friendly faces. There were the members of Trumps family, who had fought tirelessly for his reelection; his Republican allies in Congress, who have ridden the coattails of his popularity to control all levers of power in Washington; and a small coterie of billionaire tech executives who have gravitated to Trump some before and some after his victory on Nov. 5. It was the last group that received the most attention, not only because their wealth has made them household names Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Tim Cook but because the companies they control are in positions to benefit handsomely from federal contracts on which the famously transactional Trump could have the final word. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prominence of those tech moguls who were seated behind Trumps family at the center of attention angered some Republicans, who voiced concerns about spotlighting billionaires after an election cycle in which Republicans made gains with working class-voters. The dynamic was not overlooked by Democrats, who said the VIPs on the inaugural stage formed appearances of an oligarchy in the making. Delivered in a room where the richest people on Earth were given special seats of honor, todays weak and divisive inaugural address echoed the same empty campaign promises that wont do anything to help working families struggling with rising costs, said Rep. Pete Aguilar (Calif.), chair of the House Democratic Caucus. In many ways, the ceremony maintained the contours of a traditional inauguration. All of the living former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama were on hand, as were the nine sitting justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. Former Justice Stephen Breyer, who retired from the high court in 2022, joined them. A small handful of former Speakers were also in the audience, including Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who entered the rotunda together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there were also some notable absences that got plenty of attention. Some of those figures, like former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), avoided the ceremony to protest Trump, the first president to enter the White House as a convicted felon. Several other absences were more opaque. Michelle Obama, the former first lady, and Karen Pence, the wife of Mike Pence, Trumps first vice president, did not attend the event. Neither, however, specified their reasons. Mychael Schnell contributed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday rescinding former President Joe Bidens policy pausing permitting of new gas export facilities. The move is mostly symbolic, but signals that as expected the new administration plans to reject the findings of recently released federal research warning that ramping up overseas sales risked raising prices for Americans. Last January, Biden paused new federal permits for export terminals designed to ship liquefied natural gas a version of the methane fuel superchilled to liquid form for easier transport via tankers while the Department of Energy conducted a study into the effects of increasing shipments of American gas to international buyers beyond already historic levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The policy only affected new applications, so the new LNG projects under construction enough to double U.S. export capacities by 2028 were allowed to continue. By April, the U.S. vaulted past Qatar and Australia to seize the top spot as the worlds No. 1 exporter of LNG. In July, a federal judge halted the Biden administrations pause. By September, federal agencies resumed permits on new LNG terminals. A chart from the federal Energy Information Administration shows U.S. exports of LNG. EIA Last month, the Energy Department released its findings. The results painted a dire picture of what might happen if LNG exports more than double throughout the rest of this decade. With so much American gas heading to buyers in Asia and Europe, domestic prices would rise, as would planet-heating emissions. While methane, the primary ingredient in natural gas, does not stay in the atmosphere as long as carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas nevertheless traps much more heat during its first few decades circulating in the Earths gaseous outer layer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While no longer in effect, Trumps move to lift the LNG permitting pause signals that his administration will reject the research from the Energy Departments nonpartisan career scientists. Following the studys release, the Industrial Energy Consumers of America, a trade association representing U.S. manufacturers, called on Congress to maintain limits on LNG exports to preserve affordability. The study, published on Dec. 17, is subject to a 60-day comment period, giving the new administration power over whether the findings remain on the federal books. At his Senate confirmation hearing last week, Chris Wright, Trumps pick to lead the Energy Department, dismissed concerns over rising prices from LNG exports, arguing that increased overseas sales would lead to higher domestic production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a call with reporters last week, the American Petroleum Institute, the nations leading lobby for the oil and gas industry, listed eliminating the LNG pause as a top priority for the new administration. Related... President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday revoking the security clearance of 51 former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter arguing that emails from a laptop belonging to Hunter Biden carried all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation and that of his former national security adviser John Bolton. Many of the former officials are long retired and no longer hold active clearances meaning that the move may have limited practical impact on their careers but the order nevertheless suggests that Trump intends to act on threats hes made to penalize national security and intelligence professionals whom he deems to be his enemies. They should be prosecuted for what they did, Trump said of the 51 former officials who signed the letter, at a campaign rally in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order also directs the director of national intelligence to submit a report to the White House documenting any additional inappropriate activity that occurred within the Intelligence Community, by anyone contracted by the Intelligence Community or by anyone who held a security clearance related to the letter, as well as any recommended disciplinary action, within 90 days. The letter was signed by a number of top former officials from both the Obama and Bush administrations, including former director of national intelligence Jim Clapper, former CIA director John Brennan and former acting CIA directors John McLaughlin and Michael Morell. In the four years since the letter was written, its authors have become a key target for Republican lawmakers and Trumps allies. GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill have made the origins of the letter a key focus point, calling up a number of signatories to testify behind closed doors and issuing several reports on the matter. Bolton, meanwhile, has drawn Trumps ire for a memoir about his time at the National Security Council that was deeply critical of the president and which the first Trump administration investigated for the potential inclusion of classified material. Bolton has said that the book was cleared for release after an intense pre-publication review by the US government, and the Justice Department under President Joe Biden ended the Trump-era criminal investigation into the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN has reached out to Bolton for comment. The executive order, titled Holding former government officials accountable for election interference and improper disclosure of sensitive government information, accused the letter signatories of falsely suggest[ing] that an initial news story about the laptop was a Russian disinformation campaign and willfully [weaponizing] the gravitas of the Intelligence Community to manipulate the political process and undermine our democratic institutions. It accuses Bolton of publishing a memoir rife with sensitive information drawn from his time in government that created a grave risk that classified material was publicly exposed and undermined the ability of future presidents to request and obtain candid advice on matters of national security from their staff. The letter about the contents of Hunter Bidens laptop almost immediately became a flashpoint in the partisan wrangling over the laptop itself, which contained sexually explicit videos of the former presidents son with women, as well as photos of him doing drugs in hotel rooms, many of which have since been published by right-wing media outlets. US President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. - Jim Watson/Pool/AFPGetty Images When the existence of the laptop and its contents first became public through reporting by the New York Post, many mainstream media outlets questioned its authenticity and social media companies moved to restrict the ability of users to share the Posts coverage, following questions about whether it could have been part of a foreign influence campaign a skeptical approach that was in part bolstered by concerns raised in the letter, which were not ultimately borne out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to emphasize that we do not know if the emails are genuine or not and that we do not have evidence of Russian involvement just that our experience makes us deeply suspicious that the Russian government played a significant role in this case, the former officials wrote in 2020. If we are right, this is Russia trying to influence how Americans vote in this election, and we believe strongly that Americans need to be aware of this. Since then, the laptop and its contents have been recognized as legitimate. It played a role in the younger Bidens prosecution on felony drug charges, with special counsel David Weiss calling questions about the laptops authenticity a conspiracy theory. Republicans have argued that the letter was evidence of a deep-state collusion between the CIA and the Biden campaign to cover up other materials on the laptop that they believe show improper foreign business dealings by the Biden family. There was coordination between the former officials who wrote and signed onto the letter and the Biden campaign, a Republican congressional investigation has documented, and Joe Biden, then a candidate for the presidency, cited the letter during a presidential debate at the time. But the claims that materials on the laptop prove foreign corruption have not stood up to vetting, even as the authenticity of the device and some of the embarrassing material documenting the younger Bidens drug use and sexual activity have been confirmed by multiple press outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And all 51 signatories were private citizens at the time they wrote the letter, although a handful held contracts with the CIA at the time, the Republican congressional investigation later found. At least one of those contracts was an unpaid position. Some did not hold clearances when the letter was written or no longer maintain one; Clapper, for example, does not currently have an active clearance. It would be contrary to decades of national security norms to suspend the security clearances of individuals who did nothing other than, as private citizens, exercise their protected First Amendment rights, said Mark Zaid, an attorney who represents a number of the signatories. Such an action would be unprecedented and undeserved, especially given many of the signatories spent their entire careers serving apolitically to protect the American people. Zaid later said in a post on X that the letter was properly cleared by CIA prepub review staff not to contain classified info and the signatories fulfilled their lawful obligations. Zaid added, This EO implicitly threatens CIA staff for doing their job. Well see what happens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunter Bidens lawyers have said the files on his laptop were manipulated and even sued a computer repair shop owner who publicly released the material. Biden dropped off the laptop at a Delaware repair shop in April of 2019. His lawyers said in a court filing that the shop owner admitted in his memoir that he began accessing sensitive, private material in the data right away, and continued to potentially tamper with the data throughout the five months before the FBI seized the device. This story has been updated with additional details. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com On 20 January Brazils Presidentheld the first full cabinet meeting of 2025, in which he urged ministers to start thinking about the 2026 presidential race. End of preview - This article contains approximately 398 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options The first woman to lead a branch of the US Armed Forces has been sacked by Donald Trump for excessively focusing on diversity policies while neglecting border security. Adml Linda Fagan, who Joe Biden appointed to lead the US Coast Guard in 2022, was relieved of her duties by acting secretary of homeland security Benjamine Huffman. The president said on Tuesday that his administration was in the process of identifying and removing more than 1,000 of his predecessors appointees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then announced the dismissal of four officials who he said were not aligned with our vision to make America great again. Let this serve as official notice of dismissal for these four individuals, with many more, coming soon, he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. Youre fired! Mr Trump added. In a message to coast guard staff, Mr Huffman said Adml Fagan had served a long and illustrious career, and I thank her for her service to our nation, but did not disclose a reason for the decision. Mr Trump previously said he wanted to get rid of woke military leaders. He has called for the end of federal diversity policies, and on Tuesday issued guidance for border officials to refer to migrants as illegal aliens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also directed federal government departments to immediately put staff on all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes on paid leave while agencies develop plans to lay them off. A source told Fox News that Adm Fagan, 61, was let go after officials raised concerns with her failure to address border security threats and her focus on DEI initiatives. In her top role, Adml Fagan frequently made statements about the importance of diversity. The reason its critical is because diverse work teams outperform homogeneous teams, she previously told Military Families Magazine. Theyre just stronger, more resilient, have better perspective and deeper strength of thought, she added. Credit: MSNBC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an official statement on the agencys diversity and inclusion policy, Adml Fagan wrote: Diversity is crucial to Coast Guard mission excellence. She added that coast guard leaders must work to build their diversity and inclusion acumen and develop their emotional intelligence and ability to understand and appreciate the different experiences, perspectives, and ideas of every person with whom they work. Adml Fagan heralded more than two dozen new diversity programmes and policies the service had introduced since 2020. In a statement marking pride month in 2024, the former Coast Guard commandant said the service was celebrating the theme living out truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source also told Fox News there had been an erosion of trust over the handling of Operation Fouled Anchor an internal investigation into sexual assault cases at the Coast Guard Academy. A report into sexual assault cases was completed in January 2020, during Mr Trumps first administration, but it was withheld from Congress and the public by the services commandant at the time, Adml Karl Schultz. Mr Biden praised Adml Fagan when he appointed her to the role in 2022. The trailblazing career of Adml Fagan shows young people entering the services, we mean what we say: there are no doors closed to women, Mr Biden said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trumps rapid sacking of staff came as his pardon of imprisoned Jan 6 rioters came into effect. They included Enrique Tarrio of the Proud Boys and Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers both far-Right groups. Others sacked by Mr Trump within the first hours of him taking office included the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs celebrity chef friend Jose Andres, who was appointed to the Presidents Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition in 2022. Mr Andres, 55, who runs humanitarian NGO World Central Kitchen, last week defended the couple after they were accused of being disaster tourists for visiting an evacuation centre for those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. Other dismissals Others dismissed by Mr Trumps administration include retired US general Mark Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, Brian Hook from the Wilson Center for Scholars, and Keisha Lance Bottoms from the Presidents Export Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Milley was among a string of Mr Bidens appointees who were given a pre-emptive pardon hours before he left office. Mr Milley served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Mr Trumps first term. He has described Mr Trump as being a fascist to the core. Mr Trump also revoked the security clearance of staff who signed an open letter claiming that emails found on a laptop owned by Hunter Biden in 2020 were Russian disinformation. In one of his first announcements of his new administration, Mr Trump added he would launch a new private sector venture, Stargate, which will oversee billions of dollars of investment in AI infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effort is backed by AI firms including OpenAI, the creator of the ChatGPT chatbot. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Trump did not impose any new tariffs on his first day in office. He did suggest that a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada could come as soon as February 1. Trump also suggested that a universal tariff on imports from all foreign countries is not off the table. President Donald Trump's second term has officially begun, and he has already signaled his plans to roll out new tariffs. While none of Trump's first-day executive orders imposed tariffs, he told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday night that he's considering new import duties on Canada and Mexico in the next few days. "We're thinking in terms of 25% on Mexico and Canada because they're allowing vast numbers of people to come in, and fentanyl to come in," Trump said. When asked when he plans to implement those tariffs, Trump replied, "I think February 1." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tariffs are the president's most immediate trade proposals, and echo his announcement in November when he said he would place a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico if they failed to crack down on drug and border policy. Trump also said on Monday that a universal tariff on imports from all foreign countries is not off the table. "I may, but we're not ready for that yet," he said. Details on how exactly Trump will impose tariffs including which legal authority he will use are unclear. Some trade policy experts previously told Business Insider that Trump's tariff policies could increase prices for Americans on a range of impacted goods from targeted countries, including electronics and apparel. From Mexico and Canada specifically, the US imports oil, car parts, electronics, and medicinal products. Trump has denied that his trade plans will negatively impact consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Tariffs are going to make us rich as hell," Trump said during a Monday speech. "It's going to bring our country's businesses back." Trump's press team did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI on details surrounding tariff plans. What to know about Trump's trade plans so far Trump published a memo sent to a range of federal agencies on Monday requesting that each review America's trade policies and how they impact American businesses and workers. This includes directing the Commerce and Treasury Departments to review and identify any unfair trade practices and their national security implications. The memo also called for the establishment of a new External Revenue Service. Trump first announced his intention to create this new agency on January 14, which he said at the time would collect tariffs and revenue from foreign countries. It's unclear how this differs from US Customs and Border Protection's existing tariff collection programs, and creating a new agency requires approval from Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the campaign trail, Trump proposed a 60% tariff on China, along with a 100% tariff on BRICS nations unless they commit to not creating a new currency that competes with the US dollar. Trump did not say on Monday when, or if, those tariffs will come. Trump did suggest, however, that he could impose additional tariffs on China if the country does not agree to allow TikTok's owner to sell the app to a US company. The timing and magnitude of the tariffs' impact on prices will partly depend on the authority Trump uses to impose his trade plans, as certain provisions within the law require different procedures the president would have to undergo to carry out changes to trade policy. Alan Wolff, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and former deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization, told BI that with a Republican-controlled Congress, it's unlikely lawmakers will challenge the authority Trump chooses to use. Still, Wolff said he thinks it's unlikely Trump will move forward with a universal tariff and will instead use it as leverage to achieve policy goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I just don't think that he has the authority, under any of the statutes that have been delegated authority to him, to put on a blanket tariff, which was the original proposal," Wolff said, adding that more targeted tariffs are possible. "I don't think the everyone tariff, every country, every product, is something he could do." Read the original article on Business Insider Tariffs of 25 percent could hit goods from Mexico and Canada entering the U.S. as soon as next month, Donald Trump announced on Monday while signing executive orders, signaling the beginning of a potential trade war that could have major effects on the U.S. economy. Trump claimed in the Oval Office that Mexico and Canada are allowing vast numbers of people and fentanyl to cross their borders into the U.S. Were thinking in terms of 25 percent on Mexico and Canada because theyre allowing vast numbers of people [into the U.S.], Trump said, arguing both countries were allowing fentanyl to enter the U.S. as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president said he thinks the tariffs will start on February 1. If implemented, the tariffs would impact major economic sectors, including the auto industry, oil production, and agriculture. Trumps announcement makes good on a campaign trail threat from November to hit both countries with tariffs. Officials in Canada and Mexico have suggested they could take retaliatory measures, while nonetheless urging Trump to change course. Trump on tariffs: "We're thinking in terms of 25 percent on Mexico and Canada ... I think we'll do it February 1." pic.twitter.com/xSAOFhR77Z Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 21, 2025 Our country is absolutely ready to respond to any one of these scenarios, Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said on Monday. We still continue to believe that it would be a mistake for the American government to proceed with imposing tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned on Tuesday that many of the key inputs in the U.S. economy, including oil, come from Canada. We will also remain steady and strong in advocating for this incredibly successful trading relationship, Trudeau said. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum struck a similar tone. Regarding the decrees that President Donald Trump signed yesterday, I would like to say the following: The people of Mexico can be sure that we will always defend our sovereignty and our independence, she said in remarks on Tuesday. Its always important to have a cool head, she added, suggesting Mexico will respond step by step to U.S. tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both countries sought to head off a trade war after Trump announced his tariff threat in November. Trudeau flew down to Mar-a-Lago to dine with Trump, while Premier Doug Ford of Ontario warned, We will go to the extent of cutting off their energy going down to Michigan, going down to New York State and over to Wisconsin. Sheinbaum, meanwhile, argued that tariffs would set off a harmful back and forth. One tariff would be followed by another in response, and so on until we put at risk common businesses, Sheinbaum said in November, noting that U.S. automakers have numerous plants in Mexico. She also argued Trump is unfairly claiming that Mexico doesnt do enough to stop illegal migrants and drugs, suggesting regional instability and U.S. demand for drugs are what drive these flows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a percentage of what the United States spends on war were dedicated to peace and development, that would address the underlying causes of migration, she said at the time. Despite calls for a cool head from U.S. allies, Trump has started his term in a belligerent posture, threatening in his inaugural address to take back the Panama Canal, and claiming in recent weeks that the U.S. might buy Greenland, rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, and referring to Canada as Americas 51st state. President Trump said Denmark will come along on the potential sale of Greenland and emphasized the U.S. and others need the Arctic island to fortify international security in the region. Greenland is a wonderful place. We need fair, international security, and I am sure that Denmark will come along. I think its costing them a lot of money to maintain it, to keep it, Trump told reporters Monday night at the Oval Office while signing a number of executive orders. Trump has shown a desire to have Greenland, an autonomous territory controlled by Denmark, become a part of the U.S. ever since he won the 2024 presidential election, saying owning the Arctic island with a population of more than 56,000 is an absolute necessity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president has also not ruled out the idea of using the military to achieve it. The people of Greenland are not happy with Denmark, you know. I think they are happy with us. We had representatives, my son and representatives went up there two weeks ago and they like us so we will see what happens, but Greenland is necessary, not for us, its necessary for international security, Trump said Monday, referencing his son Donald Trump Jr.s trip to the territory two weeks ago. You have Russian boats all over the place, you have China boats all over the place, warships, and they cant maintain it, he added. Denmarks foreign minister, Lars Lkke Rasmussen, said no nation can just help itself to another nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, we cant have a world order where countries, if theyre big enough, no matter what theyre called, can just help themselves to what they want, Lkke Rasmussen told reporters Tuesday, according to Agence France-Presse. Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede has said previously Greenland is not for sale but is open to business dealings with the U.S. We dont want to be Danes, Egede told Fox News last week. We dont even want to be Americans. We want to be Greenlanders. We will always be a part of NATO. We will always be a strong partner for the U.S., he added. We are close neighbors. We have been incorporated in the last 80 years. And I think the future has a lot to offer, to cooperate with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Trump during a call last week that Greenlands independence is on the island itself to decide. A Suffolk University/USA Today survey from last week found that more than half of U.S. voters, 53 percent, are not supportive of the U.S. taking over Greenland. Copyright 2025 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. US President Donald Trump said Monday he was not confident the Gaza ceasefire would last, despite claiming credit for brokering the agreement between Israel and Hamas. Im not confident. Its not our war, its their war, he said from the Oval Office, when asked by a reporter whether the ceasefire would hold and last through three planned phases. I looked at a picture of Gaza Gaza is like a massive demolition site. That place is, its really, its got to be rebuilt in a different way. The American presidents pessimism is not unique. There is significant pressure to restart the Gaza war from extremist right-wing Israeli politicians, who believe the ceasefire was a capitulation to Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Itamar Ben-Gvir of Israels Jewish Power party this week resigned as national security minister, further narrowing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus slim parliamentary majority. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to do the same if Netanyahu does not break the ceasefire once an initial 42-day phase is complete. I demanded and received a commitment from Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israel will return to the battlefield to eliminate Hamas and eradicate this threat once and for all, Smotrich said in a statement on Monday. Netanyahu, for his part, said on Sunday night that both President Trump and President Biden gave full backing to Israels right to return to fighting, if Israel comes to the conclusion that negotiations on Phase B are futile. I really appreciate it. Israeli media has been rife with speculation this week that those commitments to potentially restart the war will doom negotiations on phase two of the deal, which are due to begin on February 4. Phase two, if it goes into effect, would see the complete withdrawal of the Israeli military from Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps pessimism about the ceasefire stood in contrast to the pledge made just hours earlier, during his inaugural address, that he would measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars that we end. Among the slew of executive orders he signed upon taking office was a decision to rescind sanctions that the Biden administration had against Israeli settlers allegedly responsible for deadly violence in the occupied West Bank. Smotrich was quick to thank Trump on taking office, and said he looked forward to continued fruitful cooperation to bolster our national security, expand settlement throughout all parts of the Land of Israel, and strengthen Israels standing in the world. The finance minister is among those who has argued strenuously for Israel to re-establish Jewish settlements in Gaza, which were abandoned under an Israeli order in 2005. Smotrich was briefly arrested though never charged in connection with protests he staged in opposition to that withdrawal at the time. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to quit the Israeli government if the military does not relaunch the war in Gaza after a 42-day ceasefire. - Amir Cohen/Reuters It is unclear what Trump makes of that effort. But when asked on Monday who should govern Gaza, Trump said you certainly cant have the people that were there, apparently referring to Hamas. Most of them are dead, by the way, right? Most of them are dead. But they didnt exactly run it well. It was run viciously and badly. So you cant have that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American president, in response to a question, also said that he might be able to have a role in rebuilding the enclave, praising it as having a phenomenal location, on the sea and the best weather. The comments echo remarks made by his son-in-law Jared Kushner in February 2024 when Kushner called the waterfront property in Gaza very valuable and suggested Israel should move Palestinians out of Gaza and clean it up. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Donald Trump, free from the burden of his own indictment for allegedly conspiring to subvert the results of the 2020 election, on Monday signed an executive order pardoning people who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. While signing a series of executive orders at the White House hours after his inauguration, Trump said he was pardoning about 1,500 defendants charged in the attack on the U.S. Capitol including those who assaulted police and issuing some commutations. The order says it grants a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So this is Jan. 6, he said as he received the executive order. These are the hostages. Approximately 1,500 were pardoned. Full pardon. We hope they come out tonight, frankly, he added. Among those who received commutations were members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers who had been convicted of seditious conspiracy and other serious charges. In the lead-up to his second administration, Trump was cagey about how far he would go with clemency for some of the more than 1,580 individuals charged with various crimes connected to Jan. 6. Approximately 1,100 defendants have been sentenced so far, and arrests are ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Department of Justice, as of Jan. 4, 608 people were charged with assaulting police, 174 were convicted of using a deadly and dangerous weapon, and at least 180 were charged with entering the Capitol carrying a dangerous or deadly weapon. Those weapons included guns, pepper spray, axes, hatchets, swords, knives and a variety of makeshift weapons transported from home or made on the fly from items such as metal barriers, flagpoles, sticks and police shields. Just under 100 people were charged with destruction of property. According to the Architect of the U.S. Capitol, only a small fraction of the roughly $3 million in damage was ever repaid. A person who received a presidential pardon sees some of their rights restored and their criminal history forgiven. A commutation can stop or reduce a persons sentencing, but the crime itself is not forgiven. Related... (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump pardoned almost all of the people convicted for participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol and ordered charges dropped in any pending cases, fulfilling a controversial campaign promise just hours after he returned to the White House. Most Read from Bloomberg Trump announced the mass clemency for more than 1,500 people to reporters on Monday evening and the official proclamation was released soon after. The pardons covered convictions that ranged from misdemeanor trespassing to assaulting police with weapons and immediately became a political lightning rod. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the White House on Tuesday, Trump swatted away questions about freeing individuals who had been convicted of injuring law enforcement officers, saying that the individuals had already served lengthy sentences and that the American public is tired of it. Trump also argued that he favored leniency because, he claimed without evidence, murderers dont even go to jail in this country. Subscribe to the Bloomberg Daybreak podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. The Jan. 6 attack spurred the largest federal criminal investigation in US history. Approximately 1,583 people had been federally charged with participating in the attack as of the fourth anniversary earlier this month, according to the government. More than 1,000 defendants pleaded guilty and more than 200 were convicted at trial. There were more than 300 cases pending that hadnt reached a verdict or plea deal. Trump ordered the US Justice Department to dismiss all pending indictments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the hours that followed, prosecutors filed a flurry of motions in the Washington federal court seeking to drop cases that hadnt gone to trial or been resolved with a guilty plea. Trump hasnt announced a nominee to permanently fill the citys Senate-confirmed US attorney position, but the overnight filings were signed by Acting US Attorney Ed Martin. Martin, a conservative activist, served on the board of Patriot Freedom Project, a group that advocated for Jan. 6 defendants. The clemency action ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation, the proclamation stated. Federal Charges Trump also signed commutations cutting short the prison sentences of 14 people associated with the Oath Keepers or Proud Boys extremist groups. They were the only defendants to not receive full pardons. That group included Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, while former Proud Boys chairman Henry Enrique Tarrio was part of the larger cohort that received a pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump on Tuesday said he could envision a place for them in the political conversation. Theyve been given a pardon, and I thought their sentences were ridiculous and excessive, he said. Daniel Hodges, a police officer who was assaulted as he protected the Capitol on Jan. 6 and testified about the experience before Congress, posted on social media in response to the pardon news: Just worked about 14 hours making sure Trumps inauguration was secure and peaceful, got home, read this. Thanks America. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement calling it an outrageous insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and emotional trauma as they protected the Capitol, the Congress and the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marina Medvin, a defense attorney for multiple Jan. 6 defendants, wrote in a message to Bloomberg News that she had grown to care deeply for her clients and that the pardons will help them to move on from that day. Trumps refusal to accept his 2020 election loss became a core part of his post-presidency political identity. He made the prospect of mass clemency for the people charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack which temporarily stopped Congress from certifying former President Joe Bidens win a prominent part of his re-election campaign. Mass Clemency Before Mondays action, Trumps critics and former federal prosecutors had denounced the prospect of sweeping pardons, warning it would normalize political violence. More than 140 police officers were assaulted and rioters caused millions of dollars in damage to the Capitol building, according to the US attorneys office in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sentences for the rioters have ranged from probation for people found guilty of misdemeanor crimes for illegally entering the Capitol to decades in prison for defendants convicted of violence or seditious conspiracy. Trials revealed that people brought guns, knives, chemical sprays, tasers and a variety of makeshift weapons to the Capitol. Trump originally had said hed sign six commutations at the White House, but the final number was slightly higher, according to the proclamation. There is precedent for large-scale presidential clemency. In December, Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people who had been placed on home confinement during the pandemic. A few days before he left office, the White House announced that he commuted another 2,500 sentences for non-violent drug offenders. The late President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation in 1977 pardoning Americans who avoided the military draft during the Vietnam War, although there was an exception for crimes involving force or violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updated with additional Trump comments in paragraphs 3-4, 10-11.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump rescinded the Biden administrations sweeping executive order regulating artificial intelligence, marking a significant shift in federal oversight for the rapidly advancing technology. The move, announced on Monday, immediately halts the implementation of key safety and transparency requirements for AI developers. Bidens mandate, which was signed in 2023, had required leading artificial intelligence companies to share safety test results and other critical information for powerful AI systems with the federal government. It also prompted the creation of the US AI Safety Institute, housed under the Commerce Department, to create voluntary guidelines and best practices for the technologys use. Trump didnt immediately say exactly what would replace the order, but the administration is likely to take a more hands-off approach. Before returning to the White House, Trump had criticized Bidens AI regulations as heavy-handed and hindering tech innovation. Trump also appointed David Sacks, a venture capitalist and longtime critic of tech regulation, as his crypto-AI czar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the repeal, Trump has thrown the future of US AI policy into question at a time when other countries are jockeying to set rules of the road for the disruptive technology. Last year, the European Union passed the AI Act, perhaps the most comprehensive guardrails for AI to date. The rules ban facial recognition and require strict oversight for high-risk AI used in sectors like healthcare and law enforcement, among other efforts. The Trump administration is likely to carry on some elements of Bidens policy, such as promoting US competitiveness on AI against China. Trump has framed the global race for AI leadership as a national security priority. He has also promised to boost domestic energy production to meet AI demands and secure foreign investments in the technology and related infrastructure projects. During his first term, Trump issued two executive orders on AI that established a set of principles for safe and trustworthy government use of the technology and boosted funding for research and development. Apart from Bidens executive order, Washington has struggled to advance federal legislation on AI, spurring some states to develop their own frameworks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In California, where many top AI companies are based, legislators have passed several bills related to generative AI, including a crackdown on AI deepfakes and more disclosures to bolster transparency for training data. Another controversial bill in the state that wouldve imposed a suite of safety requirements for AI companies was ultimately vetoed after fierce industry opposition. Colorado and Illinois, meanwhile, have passed laws aimed at protecting people from algorithmic discrimination in hiring. New York will also require businesses to report AI-related job losses under a new order from the governor. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. By Ted Hesson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday announced that it had rolled back Biden-era guidance that limited federal immigration arrests near sensitive locations, including schools, hospitals and churches. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman rescinded the order on Monday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said. Huffman also issued a directive limiting the use of "parole" that former President Joe Biden employed to allow hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. legally on a temporary basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, a Republican, issued a raft of executive orders on Monday that aim to clamp down on illegal immigration and advance his goal of deporting millions of immigrants in the U.S. illegally. Biden's administration issued guidance in 2021 that limited immigration enforcement near what they called "protected areas," superseding similar enforcement rules from 2011 and 2013. Whether federal immigration officers and border agents would revert to the older guidance remained unclear. "Criminals will no longer be able to hide in Americas schools and churches to avoid arrest," DHS said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools, hospitals and churches around the country have raised concerns about Trump's mass deportation initiative, with some drafting their own plans for how to respond. The DHS on Tuesday rescinded Biden-era limits on a fast track deportation process known as "expedited removal," allowing it to be applied to any immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally, lack legal status, and cannot prove they have resided in the U.S. for at least two years. Trump on Monday rolled back existing guidance for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers that prioritized serious criminals and broadened the scope of their enforcement, including targeting migrants with final deportation orders. Trump's border czar Tom Homan has said ICE will focus on tracking down serious criminals but that anyone without legal status could be subject to arrest. (Reporting by Ted Hesson and Jasper Ward in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler, Chizu Nomiyama, Marguerita Choy and Deepa Babington) By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump "sees great promise in the United Nations if it focuses on its founding mission of international peace and security," his nominee to be ambassador told the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday. Elise Stefanik, a member of the House of Representatives, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate as ambassador to the 193-member world body, a position that will be part of Trump's cabinet for his second term in office, which began on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If confirmed, I will work to ensure that our mission to the United Nations serves the interests of the American people and represents President Trump's America First peace-through-strength foreign policy," she said. Stefanik took a traditional U.S. approach to the U.N. role, pledging to seek reform of the world body and its agencies and combat what Washington describes as anti-Israel bias and growing Chinese influence within the United Nations and globally. "This is a long-term strategy that they have at the United Nations, and we need to have strong American leadership working with our allies to push back on this," she said of China. The Senate committee's questioning of Stefanik came after Trump ordered a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance pending assessments of efficiencies and consistency with his foreign policy. The move raised questions because the U.S. Congress sets the federal government budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. foreign assistance can range from military and economic to humanitarian aid. Democratic Senator Chris Coons voiced concern with Stefanik, noting that the order doesn't clarify the scope of development assistance. He asked whether it would include contributions to the U.N. World Food Program, U.N. children's agency UNICEF or support for countries like Ukraine and Jordan. "I hope where there are obvious partnerships that do advance American national interests that they will move forward quickly," Coons said. DO PROGRAMS "MAKE AMERICA STRONGER?" Stefanik earlier referred to the order "regarding all of foreign aid." She said she was committed to ensuring all U.S. funding for programs at the United Nations was reviewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need to look at all of our programs, do an assessment of: Do they answer the questions of does it make America stronger, safer, more prosperous? That should be our guiding light and America First peace through strength," she said. Deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Tuesday it was unclear what effect a pause in U.S. assistance would have on U.N. agencies. Foreign assistance accounts for only about 1% of the total U.S. budget, with Israel long the country that receives the most and Ukraine a major recipient more recently as it combats a Russian invasion. It was not immediately clear how much money would be affected by Trump's executive order. For the fiscal year ended on Sept. 30, 2022 - the most recent data available - the U.S. obligated about $70.3 billion in foreign assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order echoes a return to the approach Trump took during his first term in office between 2017 and 2021. He first came to power proposing to cut about a third off U.S. diplomacy and aid budgets, which included steep reductions in funding for U.N. peacekeeping and international organizations. But Congress pushed back on Trump's proposals. During his first day in office on Monday, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization and from the Paris climate deal, for a second time. Once confirmed, Stefanik will succeed former President Joe Biden's U.N. ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a 35-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service who served on four continents, most notably in Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stefanik will arrive at U.N. headquarters in New York with a large U.S. debt. Washington is the U.N.'s largest contributor - followed by China - accounting for 22% of the core U.N. budget and 27% of the peacekeeping budget. Haq said the U.S. currently owes a total of $2.8 billion, of which $1.5 billion is for the regular budget. These payments are not voluntary. A country can be up to two years in arrears before facing the possible repercussion of losing its General Assembly vote. Haq said Washington was "not especially close right now" to losing its vote. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Leslie Adler) Sign up for Trumps Return, a newsletter featuring coverage of the second Trump presidency. Updated at 10:00 a.m. ET on January 22, 2025 During Donald Trumps first term as president, critics used to ask, Can you imagine the outcry if a Democrat had done this? As Trump begins his second, the relevant question is Can you imagine the outcry if Trump had done this eight years ago? Barely 24 hours into this new presidency, Trump has already taken a series of steps that would have caused widespread outrage and mass demonstrations if he had taken them during his first day, week, or year as president, in 2017. Most appallingly, he pardoned more than 1,500 January 6 rioters, including some involved in violence. (Of course, back then, who could have imagined that a president would attempt to stay in power despite losing, or that he would later return to the White House having won the next election?) In addition, he purported to end birthright citizenship, exited the World Health Organization, attempted to turn large portions of the civil service into patronage jobs, and issued an executive order defining gender as a binary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although it is early, these steps have, for the most part, been met with muted response, including from a dazed left and press corps. Thats a big shift from eight years ago, when hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington, and Americans flocked to airports at midnight to try to thwart Trumps travel ban. [David A. Graham: Trump isnt bluffing] The difference arises from three big factors. First, Trump has worked hard to desensitize the population to his most outrageous statements. As I wrote a year ago, forecasting how a second Trump presidency might unfold, the first time he says something, people are shocked. The second time, people notice that Trump is at it again. By the third time, its background noise. Second, Trump has figured out the value of a shock-and-awe strategy. By signing so many controversial executive orders at once, hes made it difficult for anyone to grasp the scale of the changes hes made, and hes splintered a coalition of interests that might otherwise be allied against whatever single thing he had done most recently. Third, American society has changed. People arent just less outraged by things Trump is doing; almost a decade of the Trump era has shifted some aspects of American culture far to the right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even Trumps inaugural address yesterday demonstrates the pattern. Audiences were perplexed by his American carnage speech eight years ago. George W. Bush reportedly deemed it weird shit, earthily and accurately. His second inaugural seemed only slightly less bleakor have we all just become accustomed to this sort of stuff from a president? [Read: The coming assault on birthright citizenship] One test of that question is Trumps executive order on birthright citizenship, which attempts to shift an interpretation of the Constitution that has been in place for more than 150 years. Now the privilege of United States citizenship does not automatically extend to persons born in the United States, Trump stated in an order signed yesterday. Lawyers are ready; the order was immediately challenged in court, and may not stand. In any case, the shift that Trump is trying to effect would have a far greater impact than his 2017 effort to bar certain foreign citizens from entering the United States. Birthright citizenship is not just a policy but a theoretical idea of who is American. But Trump has been threatening to do this for years now, so it came as no surprise when he followed through. In another way, he is also trying to shift what is seen as American. Four years ago, almost the entire nation was appalled by the January 6 riot. As my colleagues Annie Joy Williams and Gisela Salim-Peyer note, United Nations Ambassador-Designate Elise Stefanik called it un-American; Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it anti-American. Yesterday, Republicans applauded as Trump freed members of that mob whom he has called hostages. That included not just people whod broken into the Capitol but also many whod engaged in violence. Just this month, Vice President J. D. Vance declared, If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldnt be pardoned. Even Vance has become desensitized to Trump. (Heavy users become numb to strong narcotics.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Read: Republican leaders once thought January 6 was tragic] But the percentage of Americans who say they disapprove of January 6 has also gone down as distance from the events has grown and propaganda has taken hold. Support for immigration has decreased as well. The WHO exit might have raised more of a fuss before the coronavirus pandemic; now the failures of public-health authorities and insistent attacks on them from politicians including Trump have convinced many people not just that these bodies need reform but that they arent needed at all. Its not just Silicon Valley titans who have acquiesced to Trump and taken up his ideas. Although many people still oppose the presidents agenda, the 2024 election was the first time in three tries that he was able to win a plurality of the popular vote. In recent weeks, Trump has embarked on a baffling crusade against Panamas ownership of the Panama Canal. He claimed (incorrectly) that the canal is under Chinese control and suggested the U.S. should go back on the treaty that gave Panama control over the canal zone. Initially, this produced confusion. People were even more surprised when he refused to rule out military action (caveat lector). Still, one couldnt be sure whether Trump was messing around or serious. Then he brought it up again during yesterdays inaugural address. By the time Trump sends an expeditionary force to seize the canal, will anyone even raise an eyebrow? This article originally misstated how many years ago Trump's "American carnage" speech was. Article originally published at The Atlantic In his benediction at Mondays inauguration, Rev. Lorenzo Sewell called it a miracle millimeter. The Detroit cleric was speaking of the quarter-inch that made the difference between a grazed right ear and a fatal head wound when 20-year-old Thomas Crooks attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump nine months ago. Trump had proven himself a genius showman when he rose from a protective pile of Secret Service agents, blood trickling down his face, with a clenched fist raised and an oversized American flag in the background. Fight! Fight! Fight!! he cried. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The power of the image was undeniable, and the ultimate result was Trump taking the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States. Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassins bullet ripped through my ear, Trump said in his inaugural address. But I felt then, and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again. Rev. Lorenzo Sewell of 180 Church in Detroit speaks during President Donald Trumps inauguration ceremony. / Pool / Getty Images He may have convinced himself that he was returning to the White House on a divine mission. His speech was more tempered than usual, even as it touched on many of the issues he campaigned on. And he spoke more of the future than he had before he had come so close to a violent end. The future is ours and our golden age has just begun, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the restrained tone and the orientation to the future also may have been due to the influence of Vice-President JD Vance and Elon Musk, the first buddy. They are both said to have urged moderation. US President Donald Trump tosses sharpies to the crowd after signing executive orders. / ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images Musk is the biggest in terms of both money and influence of the half-dozen multibillionaires who had come to support him since that transformative post-shooting image made it more socially acceptable. They were all seated with Musk in front of Trumps Cabinet picks, whose main qualification seems to be blind devotion to Trump. The sight of Musk in a more prominent seat than the likes of secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth accorded some hope that the billionaires will serve at least occasionally as guardrails in the absence of such sensible first-time advisers as John Kelly, one of Trumps former chiefs of staff. The inaugural address as read by Trump from teleprompters ended without any lines likely to resonate through history, and constituted a perpetual affront for having been uttered on what was also Rev. Martin Luther King Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The benediction by Sewellwho had received considerable attention when Trump visited his church in June as part of an effort to court the Black votechanneled the slain civil rights leader who had not been blessed by a miracle millimeter. Sewell spoke of judging people by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin. Free at last! he cried out. Let freedom ring! First lady Melania Trump and U.S. President Donald Trump arrive for an indoor inauguration parade at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. / Justin Sullivan / Getty Images A seemingly moderated Trump then went downstairs to address an overflow crowd in Emancipation Hall, which is dedicated to the slaves who helped build the Capitol. He gave what he called a better speech without teleprompters and the tempering influence of Musk and Vance. The Trump we all know repeated yet again the shameless lie about the 2020 election that had prompted a mob to storm the building, leaving more than 140 police officers injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the way, that election was totally rigged, Trump said. It was a rigged election. At a subsequent event in the Capital One Arena, Trump said he would be pardoning supporters who were imprisoned after they stormed the Capitol four years ago seeking to prevent a peaceful transfer of powerthe same process that made him president again on Monday. He seemed to see nothing untoward in calling them the Jan. 6 hostages even as he stood with the families of several Israeli hostages. Trump then proceeded to the White House, where he signed a full pardon and six commutations for more than 1,500 Jan. 6 prisoners. He affixed his name with a Sharpie and handed it to an aide, telling him to get right on it, so the prisoners could be promptly released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, sir, the aide said. Trump proceeded to sign other orders as he spoke with a group of reporters who had been admitted to the Oval Office. He looked back on his big day. I got great reviews on that speech, he said of his tempered inaugural address. The aide handed him another order to sign. Withdrawal from the World Health Organization, the aide said. O-o-o, thats a big one, Trump said. We go on into the future, with only Musk and Vance to stand as guardrails. The Daily Beast Podcast episodes are released every Thursday. Like and download on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. And click here for email updates as each new episode drops. Tears and disappointment flowed Monday after newly sworn-in President Donald Trump cut off a mobile app that allowed migrants to apply to enter the U.S. legally as asylum-seekers. All pending appointments made with the app have been canceled, too. The CBP One app was set up under the Biden administration as a way to curb people crossing the southwest border illegally to request asylum. Once it went into effect, it was the only way for people to get an appointment to request asylum. Monday afternoon, Customs and Border Protection posted on its website that the app was no longer available for that purpose and existing appointments have been canceled. Some 280,000 people were logging into the app daily to secure an appointment as of Jan. 7, according to Reuters. An asylum seeker shows an updated message on the CBP One app mentioning that all appointments have been cancelled in Tijuana, Mexico, on Jan. 20, 2025. In Juarez, Mexico, a woman cried, Oh God! as she wailed against a post at the border fence, Noticias Telemundo reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another migrant, Julio Alberto Hernandez, originally from El Salvador and waiting in Tijuana, told Noticias Telemundo that his appointment was three or four days away. I was so happy because I was going to get to enter to support my children," Hernandez said in Spanish. "But with this, were left sad because they erased it." The news was delivered to CBP One users through pop-up notifications in different languages saying CBP One appointments are no longer valid. CBP said that in December, it processed about 44,000 asylum-seekers through information submitted through the app. From January 2023 to December 2024, more than 936,500 people had scheduled appointments, CBP said. Trump had previously telegraphed his plans to end migrants use of the app. The Biden administration said the app helped organize a chaotic asylum process, marked by numerous people crossing the border illegally and surrendering to Border Patrol agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the app also was criticized for technical glitches and the long waits for initial screenings to determine if migrants qualified to apply for asylum. Trump and others also disliked the number of people granted entry. Christian Martinez, of Honduras, said he had sent an application and just gotten a response that applications were no longer being accepted. Right now Im feeling a sentiment as if something just vanished. That hope that I could enter legally, that just got cut off, and its very difficult, Martinez said. The wait has been a year and a half long for Melanie Mendoza, who called the cancellations unfair. "Now they tell us, 'No, your appointments are not valid," she said wiping away tears. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Matamoros, Mexico, a group of migrants from the central Mexican state of Zacatecas arrived at a legal border crossing at midday, but were turned back by border authorities who said all appointments were now void, they told Reuters. Honduran Denia Mendez, sitting in the courtyard of a migrant shelter in Piedras Negras, Mexico across from Eagle Pass, Texas stared at an email for several minutes, before her eyes welled with tears. They canceled my appointment, she said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com President Donald Trump on Monday plans to sign executive orders proclaiming that the U.S. government will recognize only two sexes, male and female, and ending radical and wasteful diversity, equity and inclusion programs inside federal agencies, according to senior White House officials. The officials grouped both orders under the Trump administrations wider restoring sanity agenda. The orders were detailed by an incoming official on a phone call Monday ahead of Trumps swearing-in. The official presented the gender order as part of a policy defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth to the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order aims to require that the federal government use the term sex instead of gender, and directs the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that official government documents, including passports and visas, reflect sex accurately. The order will also prevent taxpayer funds from being used for gender-transition health care and add privacy in intimate spaces in facilities such as prisons, migrant shelters and rape shelters. Trump campaigned on rolling back protections for transgender and nonbinary people and emphasized the issue in television advertisements, including a commercial that aired frequently in key swing states such as Pennsylvania. Kamala is for them/them. President Trump is for you, the most notable ad said. The second order detailed by the White House official aims to end radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing inside the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official said the new administration will hold monthly meetings with the deputy secretaries of key agencies to assess what type of DEI programs are still discriminating against Americans and figure out ways to end them. The official said the new administration intended to dismantle the DEI bureaucracy, singling out environmental justice programs and equity-related grants. The official said it was very fitting that the order was announced on Martin Luther King Jr. Day because this is order is meant to return to the promise and the hope, captured by civil rights champions, that one day all Americans can be treated on the basis of their character, not by the color of their skin. In recent years, Trump and conservatives have assailed DEI initiatives across American society, characterizing them as discriminatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump referenced the orders in his inaugural address Monday afternoon, saying in part that his administration would resist what he described as efforts to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. He added that his administration would forge a society that is color-blind and merit-based. The proponents of DEI in American society have argued that such initiatives are essential to make companies, schools, government agencies and other institutions more racially and socially inclusive. In the weeks leading up to Trumps return to power, major corporations such as Meta, McDonalds and Walmart have announced they are ending some or all of their diversity practices. Jennifer C. Pizer, the chief legal officer at Lambda Legal, a civil rights organization that litigates on behalf of LGBTQ Americans, said she expects her organization and others to file lawsuits against the administration over the executive actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president cant, with a wave of a pen, change the reality of who people are and the fact that we as a community of people exist, and we have equal protection rights, just like anybody else does, Pizer said. Pizer, who has not read the executive orders, which are not yet public, said that in order for the presidential actions to stand in court, the administration will have to prove what Pizer described as not provable: that transgender people are legitimately a threat to womens-only spaces. Weve dealt with this historically, where the dominant group just doesnt want those people using the same space, because the presence of those people sort of makes them uncomfortable, Pizer said. Thats not a good reason for making life as a practical matter impossible for a small group of people. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com President Donald Trump appears to be gunning for a fight with everyone and everything within reach, from Democrats to the courts and members of his own party. The barrage of executive orders he signed on Monday all but guarantee a string of constitutional showdowns that will either stop his agenda in its tracks or expand presidential power to new, dictatorial heights, Axios reported. His most audacious orders ended birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants, even though the 14th Amendment to the Constitution explicitly says that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens, and gave himself 75 days to suspend the law banning TikTok, which was passed with a congressional super-majority and upheld by the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also commuted the sentence of 14 members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys militias serving up to 22 years in prison who were convicted of seditious conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government on Jan. 6, 2021. Many of those defendants were sentenced by judges who were also Trump appointees, Axios reported. Theyve already been in jail for a long time, Trump said by way of justification. These people have been destroyed. In fact, theyre already out and re-arming themselves, since Trumps pardon wipes away their felon status as well as the federal ban on convicted felons owning firearms and ammunition. Other executive orders play fast and loose with the concept of national emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One declares a blanket emergency so the Pentagon can redirect funds and deploy troops without congressional approval. Another declares a specific national energy emergency, even though U.S. fossil fuel production is at an all-time high, in an attempt to bypass environmental and climate laws. Yet another designates cartels as foreign terrorist organizations so Trump can deploy special forces to Mexico without the permission of Congress. The move is seen as particularly antagonistic considering Republicans control both houses of Congress and had expressed willingness to work with the president to enact his agenda. The orders have exhilarated his base, but theyve unnerved liberals and small-government conservatives alike, according to Axios. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe Lonsdale, an outspoken Trump supporter in Silicon Valley, wrote an op-ed in The Free Press urging the newly sworn-in president not to abandon the rule of law just to save TikTok. Trump might be the undisputed king of MAGA, but as president he is the head of a republic, not a monarch. In America, we abide by the rule of law, he wrote. Even when the law comes for a popular appTikTokthat the MAGA king likes. As President Donald Trump delivered his inaugural address on Monday, he outlined the series of executive orders he planned to sign that day to "begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense." First on that list were several immigration- and border-related measures. "First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border," Trump said. "We will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came." Other moves will include reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy, sending troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, and "eliminat[ing] the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks" in the U.S. by invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. A fact sheet released by the Trump White House Monday afternoon indicated that the president's crackdown would target legal and illegal immigrants alike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump plans to enhance the "vetting and screening of aliens." Though the White House fact sheet did not specify what that would involve, Trump has previously suggested some broad and fraught applications. On the campaign trail, he promised to implement "strong ideological screening of all immigrants" to keep out "dangerous lunatics, haters, bigots, and maniacs." He would also "keep foreign, Christian-hating communists, Marxists, and socialists out of America," he said in a 2023 speech. The president plans to suspend refugee resettlement, reportedly for at least four months. For over 40 years, the U.S. has resettled heavily vetted people who have faced or who fear persecution based on certain criteria. The president plays a powerful role in shaping the number of annual refugee admissions. (Trump set a lower and lower ceiling each year of his first term.) Suspending the program will leave displaced and vulnerable people at risk of persecution. Among others, that includes thousands of Afghan nationals who assisted the U.S. during its war in Afghanistan and are still awaiting relocation. The CBP One app, which since January 2023 has allowed migrants to schedule screening appointments with an officer at a port of entry, went offline today. "Approximately 270,000 migrants are estimated to be waiting on the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico border, hoping to get an appointment to enter the U.S.," reported CBS News yesterday, citing government figures. The CBP One app had its problemsit was glitchy and demand far outpaced the number of available appointmentsbut eliminating a program that attempted to create a more traceable, predictable migration pathway could drive sufficiently desperate migrants to attempt illegal crossings instead. Trump set a sky-high expectation for managing border crossings during his inaugural address, claiming that "all illegal entry will immediately be halted." Even his most forceful border-focused actionssuch as building the border wall, "ending asylum for illegal border crossers," and sending soldiers to the southern bordercan only do so much toward that goal if legal pathways are unworkable for hopeful migrants. And punitive border policies come with human costs. During the first Trump administration's implementation of Remain in Mexico, migrants forced to await court dates south of the border reported numerous instances of rape, kidnapping, and torture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes as no surprise that immigration and the border are top of mind for the newly inaugurated Trump, who made a mass deportation operation and ending birthright citizenship centerpieces of his campaign. As the second Trump administration's immigration and border policies take shape, it's clear that the crackdown to come will sweep up legal and illegal immigrants alike. The post Trump Signals a Crackdown on Legal and Illegal Immigration appeared first on Reason.com. For the record: 4:45 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025: An earlier version of this article said that nearly as many Americans voted against Donald Trump as supported him in the 2024 election. In fact, there were more votes for others Kamala Harris and third-party candidates than for Trump. President Trump quickly flexed the sweeping powers of the presidency following his second inauguration at the Capitol on Monday, signing a slate of executive orders that would radically alter U.S. policy if allowed to stand. He also pardoned or commuted the sentences of all of his loyalists more than 1,500 people who stormed the same Capitol building in a failed attempt to illegitimately keep him in power four years prior, repeatedly referring to them as "hostages." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We hope they come out tonight, frankly," Trump said during an evening signing ceremony at the Oval Office a reference to the fact that many of those defendants were in prison for serious offenses such as assaulting police officers. Trump's orders reflected an aggressive start to the conservative agenda he promised on the campaign trail, aimed at reining in illegal immigration, strengthening U.S. manufacturing and the broader economy, rolling back LGBTQ+ rights, reinforcing American dominance abroad and bending the sprawling federal bureaucracy to his will. At an evening rally in Washington, D.C., that was held in lieu of an outdoor parade because of frigid temperatures, Trump sat at a desk and used black markers to sign nine orders. The first, he said, undid about 80 "destructive, radical actions" made by President Biden having to do with issues including immigration, the COVID-19 pandemic, voting rights, "diversity, equity and inclusion" initiatives, protections for LGBTQ+ people, the operation of prisons by private entities, tackling climate change and other environmental protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other orders withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement and informed the United Nations of that decision; placed freezes on new federal regulations and most federal hiring while his administration gets into place; mandated federal workers return to in-person work full time; and sent directives to federal agencies to protect free speech, end the "weaponization of government" for political purposes, and find ways to decrease inflation and high costs for average Americans. Trump said he also would later sign other orders such as one mandating that agencies preserve all records pertaining to his own prosecution on various federal charges under the Biden administration. And he renewed campaign promises to take other actions, such as ending federal taxes on tipped wages. Trump concluded the event by tossing the markers he'd used to sign the orders into the crowd, to big cheers from his supporters. Soon after, Trump was back in the Oval Office signing more orders and the pardons. One order announced the withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization, while another purported to end the long-established constitutional guarantee of U.S. citizenship for anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump commuted the sentences of 14 people including some of the highest-profile Jan. 6 defendants to time served, and granted full pardons to everyone else convicted of offenses from that day. The Justice Department recently estimated that it had charged more than 1,500 people, including 590 with assaulting, resisting, impeding or obstructing law enforcement. As of November, nearly 1,000 had pleaded guilty, more than 200 had been found guilty at trial, and more than 600 had been sentenced to time behind bars. Trump's pardons followed a last-minute decision by Biden to flex the same power on his way out of the White House by pardoning members of Congress and their staffers who had investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, as well as other former U.S. officials who have drawn Trump's ire for having challenged his authority in the past. Read more: Trump is sworn in as the nation's 47th president, capping historic comeback Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The orders, which Trump also described in some detail in his inaugural speech Monday morning, reflected just how starkly divided the nation has become politically and the degree to which Trump feels emboldened to shirk tradition and legal precedent as the first president to win a nonconsecutive second term in the White House in the last 132 years. While promising the return of a "golden age of America" under his watch, Trump declared two national emergencies one to do with southern border crossings, and the other to do with energy independence. He promised several measures to address each, including closing the border entirely to asylum seekers in part by reinstating his "Remain in Mexico" policy and sending military troops to the border and by clearing away federal energy regulations so that oil and gas producers can "drill, baby, drill." In an early sign of the policies being implemented, immigrants with asylum claims at the southern border were told Monday that scheduled interviews they had with U.S. Customs and Border Protection had been canceled. Trump said he would declare that there are only "two genders" a swipe at transgender people that echoed attacks by Trump's campaign and revoke regulations intended to transition the nation toward electric vehicles. He said he would institute many new tariffs on foreign goods, launch a new "external revenue service" to collect the associated revenue, and launch a new Department of Government Efficiency to reduce waste the last of which would be led by Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla and the world's richest man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also said he would rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, and take the Panama Canal from Panama. "With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense," Trump said during his inauguration speech in the Capitol Rotunda. "It's all about common sense." Whether Trump's directives will survive and how quickly they will be implemented remains unclear. Survival of the most controversial and legally dubious decrees will depend on the courts, experts said. Implementation will depend in part on how quickly Trump can get his Cabinet appointments confirmed by the Senate and stand up his new government, they said. Advocates for immigrants, LGBTQ+ people and other targeted groups joined liberal leaders including in California in promising to fight back against Trump's agenda, including in court if necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said last week that his office would be watching what Trump does Monday and responding in kind including with the help of pre-written legal briefs anticipating certain actions that the state will argue in court are illegal. San Francisco City Atty. David Chiu said Monday that Trump had delivered a "dark, dangerous and authoritarian vision for our country," and that his office would be analyzing Trump's executive orders in coming days and weeks and "will do everything in our power to protect San Francisco and our residents from illegal federal action." The Jan. 6 pardons could result in swifter action, and less resistance given that a president's pardon powers are generally unquestioned. Read more: Column: I watched Trump's inauguration with a Democrat and a Republican. Here's what they saw Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for some of the imprisoned defendants said before the inauguration that they were watching Trump's actions closely and would be poised to respond with legal motions seeking their clients' immediate release. In addition to the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack, Biden also pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who helped lead the nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Mark A. Milley, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who has called out Trump's handling of the insurrection. All had been threatened with potential criminal charges and investigation by Trump and his supporters. Biden called them public servants who "have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions." Trump called Biden's pardons "unfortunate" and "disgraceful." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the former chair of the Jan. 6 committee, issued a statement on behalf of the committee's former members, in which he said they were grateful to Biden. "We have been pardoned today not for breaking the law," Thompson said, "but for upholding it." One of the committee members, Sen. Adam B. Schiff of California, said he was proud of the committee's work and believed Biden's grant of pardons to its members was "unnecessary, and because of the precedent it establishes, unwise." However, Schiff one of Trump's favorite targets for derision said he also understood why Biden had issued the pardons "in light of the persistent and baseless threats issued by Donald Trump and individuals who are now some of his law enforcement nominees." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exercise of presidential powers on a new president's first day in office or his last, in Biden's case is not new. Presidents have often issued pardons on their way out of office, and they have always fought to meet campaign promises and show policy results quickly. The notion that a president should be judged by their accomplishments within their first "100 days" in office has been a "touchstone" of American politics since at least the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Congressional Research Service analyst Ben Wilhelm wrote in a formal analysis of executive orders and presidential transitions last year. However, in recent decades, the number of executive orders issued early on in new administrations has increased, under both Democratic and Republican presidents, Wilhelm noted. That is in part as incoming presidents have issued orders undoing the orders of their predecessors. Biden did it to undo orders by Trump. On Monday, Trump did it to undo orders by Biden. Trump on Monday suggested his "Day 1" actions were especially warranted. He said he had been saved by God from assassination attempts during the campaign so that he could "make America great again," and repeatedly cited a "mandate" from voters to carry out his agenda suggesting his victory in November was monumental. Trump did amass a sizable victory in the electoral college, and swept to victories across the nation's swing states. However, his popular vote margins both as a percentage of overall votes and by raw votes were historically small. Out of more than 152 million votes cast, Trump won by just over 2 million. And he won fewer than 50% of the total votes at 49.9%, compared to 48.4% won by Vice President Kamala Harris, with others voting for third-party candidates, according to the Associated Press. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. President Donald Trump has taken the first steps toward enacting his sweeping agenda with a series of executive actions that are expected to kickstart his promised transformation of the federal government. The actions, signed by Trump in the first week of his administration, are the culmination of multiple pledges the president made during his successful 2024 campaign, and others that were floated during his first term but ultimately did not come to pass. Not all of the initiatives have a clear path to realization, and some of the most significant actions are already facing court challenges. Trump publicly signed a number of the measures within hours of returning to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some sought to undo portions of his predecessors legacy, while others speak to the culture war issues that have invigorated Trumps base. A number hold international implications, like withdrawals from the World Health Organization and the Paris climate agreement. And still more from pardons for January 6, 2021, rioters to new provisions for the federal workforce impact Americans at home. With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense, Trump said during his inaugural address after being sworn in as the nations 47th president, adding: The Golden Age of America begins right now. Heres a look at some of the executive action Trump has taken: January 6 pardons, commutations One of the first acts Trump announced during his second term was a pardon for most of those who have been charged in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said his pardons would cover approximately 1,500 for a pardon full pardon. Prosecutors charged more than 1,580 people for alleged January 6-related actions and secured roughly 1,270 convictions. That means Trump said nearly everyone who has been charged with a crime related to the attack will be pardoned, essentially ending all January 6 cases. Fourteen people, including high profile leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers who were convicted for their roles in the attack, had their sentences commuted to time served. Trumps order was the fulfillment of a promise he repeatedly made on the campaign trail and as recently as a few hours before he signed the full pardons. But Trump never gave a hint to the extraordinary scale of the pardons he was envisioning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking at Capital One Arena on Monday night, Trump said he would be signing pardons for the J6 hostages. Tonight Im going to be signing on the J6 hostages, pardons, and as soon as I leave, Im going to the Oval Office, and well be signing pardons for a lot of people, Trump said at the post-inauguration rally. Trump made that remark while he was standing in front of a large group of relatives of Israelis who were taken hostage by Hamas during the militant groups October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. TikTok ban delay As he promised the day before retaking office, Trump signed an executive action that extended the deadline for TikToks parent company to find a new owner or face a ban in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The action directs the US Justice Department not to enforce the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which passed with broad bipartisan support in Congress and was signed in April by former President Joe Biden. That law required TikTok be banned in the United States by January 19 unless it sells to a buyer from the United States or one of its allies. Just before that deadline, TikTok briefly went offline for its 170 million American users. But it later came back online after Trump on Sunday morning promised to find a way to bring it back. But TikToks ultimate fate in the US remains in doubt. Its unclear whether TikToks China-based owner, ByteDance, would want to sell to a buyer, even if it were a deal brokered by Trump. Trumps action extends TikToks deadline by 75 days. Reversing Biden-era orders Trump rescinded 78 Biden-era executive actions, many of which Joe Biden signed on the first day of his administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The revoked policies include: an executive order that required federal agencies to extend prohibitions on sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity; an order that required executive branch appointees to sign an ethics pledge; an order that allowed transgender people to serve in the US military; and an order that banned the renewal of private prison contracts. Other Biden-era orders revoked by Trump on Monday included actions that withdrew Cubas designation as a state sponsor of terror, applied sanctions on Jewish settlers in the West Bank and sought to reduce the risks of artificial intelligence. Biden only recently removed Cuba from the terror list. The list of revoked orders Trump signed Monday did not specify individual reasons for reversing the Biden moves. Biden applied the sanctions on certain Jewish settlers accused of fomenting violence in the West Bank in February 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And his 2023 AI order aimed to monitor and regulate the risks of artificial intelligence. Trump also sought to reverse Biden-era efforts to broaden gender identity designations, including on passports. Another order signed by Trump on Monday requires federal agencies to treat biological men and women as separate sexes, halt promoting gender ideology and require certain agencies to revert to recognizing only male and female on forms. Immigration Much of Trumps first-day agenda dealt with immigration, a topic that has long been central to his political identity. During his inaugural speech, Trump announced he was going to declare a national emergency on the southern border. Trump signed that order in the Oval Office on Monday night, triggering the use of Pentagon resources and personnel that will be deployed and used to build the border wall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its opening minutes, the Trump administration ended use of an app that allows migrants to notify US Customs and Border Protection that they intend to enter the United States and enables them to schedule appointments to claim asylum with border authorities. Trump also signed an order that sought to redefine birthright citizenship, the process through which all people born in the United States are automatically granted American citizenship. Trumps order prohibits federal agencies from issuing certain documents that would normally be provided to a US citizen, according to a fact sheet obtained by CNN. The order, which applies to children born after 30 days of the measure, applies in circumstances where parents are unlawfully present in the US, and in situations where the mother is temporarily in the US, like on a visa, and the father is a noncitizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order hinges on the phrase subject to the jurisdiction thereof in the 14th Amendment. Some immigration hardliners have argued that children of undocumented immigrants are not subject to the jurisdiction of the US and shouldnt be considered citizens under the Constitution. Legal experts previously told CNN they were skeptical such an argument would fly in court, arguing that the relevant language was aimed at children of foreign diplomats who were subject to US laws, and at situations where a foreign nation has invaded and is occupying part of the country. Trump allies and officials are keenly aware that the action will likely face legal challenges and eventually land before the Supreme Court. Trump also signed an action that declared two major drug cartels as terrorist organizations an act that could preface the use of American military force on Mexican soil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps initial moves on immigration come as border crossings have been on a steady decline, plummeting last year after Biden took executive action to restrict asylum claims. Trump enters his second term inheriting a border that is experiencing fewer crossings than it was when he left office. US withdrawal from WHO Trump announced Monday he is withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization, a significant move cutting ties with the UNs public health agency. Trump has long been critical of the WHO, and his administration announced in July 2020 that it would withdraw from the organization as the Covid-19 pandemic continued to spread. Biden ultimately halted that move with his own executive action. The executive order cites the organizations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states, as reasons for the US withdrawal. Thats a big one, Trump told an aide as he began to sign the executive order, pointing to his 2020 decision and his belief that the US was paying too much money to the organization compared to other countries. The order also says that the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the US. CNN has reached out to the WHO for comment. DOGE established Trump formally established the new Department of Government Efficiency as an entity within the federal government in an executive action. The order temporarily renames the United States Digital Service as the United States DOGE Service for 18 months and directs the entity to overhaul the software used at federal agencies as part of a Software Modernization Initiative in order to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity. However, the executive order does not include references to slashing the federal budget, workforce or regulations, which Trump touted were DOGEs prime directives when he announced the initiative in November. Further executive orders could still address those objectives. Making DOGE a part of the executive branch is a new development in recent days, according to two sources familiar with the DOGE plans. The move raises questions about how Elon Musk, who had been tapped to lead DOGE and whose companies have billions of dollars in federal contracts, will fit into the structure. Federal workforce Trump signed an action enacting a hiring freeze for federal government employees through the executive branch. As part of this freeze, no Federal civilian position that is vacant at noon on January 20, 2025, may be filled, and no new position may be created except as otherwise provided for in this memorandum or other applicable law, reads a memorandum from the White House. The action exempts positions in the military and related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety. The action directs the director of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with Trumps new Department of Government Efficiency, to submit a plan within 90 days to reduce the size of the federal governments workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition. Another action signed by Trump on Monday requires all federal departments and agencies to take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary. Trump also signed an executive order aimed at giving him more control over the federal workforce. The new order revives an executive order Trump signed shortly before the 2020 election to create a category for federal employees involved in policy known as Schedule F that would make those workers easier to fire. Biden had quickly reversed that order and then last year finalized a new rule that further bolstered protections for career federal workers. However, Trumps latest executive order directs the Office of Personnel Management to rescind any changes made by the rule that would impede or affect the implementation of Trumps directive. Like the 2020 executive order, Trumps new directive is expected to swiftly wind up in co urt. Traditionally, undoing or revising a rule requires a new rule, a process that can take months, and cannot be done by executive order, experts said. Broad internal investigations into Biden administration Hours after taking office, Trump issued two executive orders directing his Department of Justice and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to open broad investigations into Biden administration censorship of free speech or weaponization of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Taken together, the two executive orders reflect Trumps repeated promise during his campaign to go after what he viewed as improper Biden administration efforts to criminally pursue his allies or other conservatives. But Trump himself has pledged to seek retribution on his own political opponents and his pick for some top administration jobs signals that he plans to keep that a priority. The American people have witnessed the previous administration engage in a systematic campaign against its perceived political opponents, weaponizing the legal force of numerous Federal law enforcement agencies and the Intelligence Community against those perceived political opponents in the form of investigations, prosecutions, civil enforcement actions, and other related actions, one of the executive orders read. The president also signed an executive order Monday revoking the security clearance of 51 former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter arguing that emails from a laptop belonging to Hunter Biden carried all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation and that of his former national security adviser John Bolton. Many of the former officials are long retired and no longer hold active clearances meaning that the move may have limited practical impact on their careers but the order nevertheless suggests that Trump intends to act on threats hes made to penalize national security and intelligence professionals whom he deems to be his enemies. In the four years since the letter was written, its authors have become a key target for Republican lawmakers and Trumps allies. Bolton, meanwhile, has drawn Trumps ire for a memoir about his time at the National Security Council that was deeply critical of the president. CNN has reached out to Bolton for comment. Ending diversity programs in the federal government Trump on Monday signed an order banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs in federal agencies, describing such programs as having demonstrated immense public waste and shameful discrimination. The order came as two sources told CNN that his administrations Office of Personnel Management began calling some of his acting Cabinet secretaries with guidance on how to shut down their DEI-related offices. The OPM on Tuesday issued a memo instructing federal agencies to notify DEI staffers no later than 5:00pm EST on Wednesday that they were being placed on administrative leave effective immediately as the agency takes steps to close/end all DEIA initiatives, offices and programs. Trump also signed a memorandum that orders the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to rescind all so-called DEI initiatives, including all dangerous preferencing policies or practices. Renaming US landmarks Trump took executive action Monday on the names of US landmarks including renaming Denali and the Gulf of Mexico a move that his White House said will honor American greatness. It is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes, the executive order says. The order specifically calls for the renaming of the nations highest peak, Alaskas Denali, which then-President Barack Obama renamed in 2015 from Mount McKinley as a nod to the regions native population. The order calls Obamas decision an affront to President McKinleys life, his achievements, and his sacrifice. Drawing parallels to Trump, the order notes that McKinley championed tariffs and was assassinated in an attack on our Nations values and our success. It also calls on the secretary of the interior to work with Alaska Native entities and state and local organizations to adopt names for landmarks to honor the history and culture of the Alaskan people. And in a nod to the Gulf of Mexicos contributions to the US economy, Trump is directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America. The executive order calls for all federal government maps and documents to reflect its renaming. The order also takes aim at existing members of the US Board on Geographic Names, which falls under the US Geological Survey and establishes uniform names around geographic features, directing government agency heads to name members to the existing to review the boards existing members, and to consider replacing those appointees. Environment and energy Trump on Monday signed an action withdrawing the US again from the Paris climate accord, the emission-lowering agreement that predates his first term in which nearly 200 nations pledged to keep global warming below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and, if possible, below 1.5 degrees. Trump pulled out of the agreement during his first term, and one of Bidens first actions as president was rejoining it. Trump said Monday he would be withdrawing from the agreement, which he called one-sided, yet again. Trump vowed in his inaugural speech to declare a national energy emergency, and streamline environmental permitting and review processes that his administration says impose undue burdens on energy production and use. His remarks come in spite of the fact that the US is currently producing more oil than any other country in the history of the world. JFK, RFK and MLK files The president on Thursday signed an executive order to declassify files related to the series of high-profile assassinations of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Their families and the American people deserve transparency and truth. It is in the national interest to finally release all records related to these assassinations without delay, the citation states. Trump has long promised to release the JFK files. During his first administration, he ordered the release of some, but not all, of them. Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday that his then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asked that some of the files not be made public. Many of the files related to the JFK assassination have already been disclosed, including a tranche of 13,000 documents released during the Biden administration. Many, however, have been redacted. The records will not be released immediately. Within 15 days of the date of this order, the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General shall, in coordination with the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and the Counsel to the President, present a plan to the President for the full and complete release of records relating to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, it states, adding that a plan should be presented to the president for the records release in 45 days. After signing the order, Trump asked that the pen he used be given to Robert F. Kennedys son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is the presidents pick for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Push to recognize the Lumbee Tribe Trump signed a memorandum Thursday backing federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, the most populous tribe east of the Mississippi River. Congress acknowledged the tribe as Native Americans in 1956, but without federal recognition, the Lumbee Tribe hasnt received the rights and funding afforded to other officially recognized tribes. According to the memorandum, a bill to recognize the Lumbee Tribe passed the US House last year but was not taken up by the Senate. Trumps directive now instructs the secretary of the interior to begin the process of federal recognition for the tribe. This story has been updated Thursday with additional developments. CNNs Katie Bo Lillis, Betsy Klein, Rene Marsh, Alayna Treene, Tami Luhby, Kevin Liptak, Marshall Cohen, David Goldman, Alejandra Jaramillo, Priscilla Alvarez, Harmeet Kaur and Kaanita Iyer contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Jan. 21A sweeping executive order signed by President Donald Trump during the first hours of his second term aims to boost Alaska's natural resource industry by reversing environmental protections that limit oil and gas extraction, logging, and other development projects across the state. The order was one of dozens signed by Trump following his inauguration Monday. Another order signed earlier in the day reversed executive actions taken by former President Joe Biden during his presidency, removing restrictions on oil development in the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea. Trump's broad order, titled "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential," follows a request from Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy for swift action reforming the federal government offices and policies that oversee Alaska's resource development industry. The policy changes were also championed by Alaska's all-Republican congressional delegation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [More coverage of the first day of Trump's presidency] Trump's order aims to reshape federal policy so that the country "fully avail(s) itself of Alaska's vast lands and resources." The order proceeds to lay out various provisions which aim to smooth the path toward more drilling for oil and gas; more logging; more mining; and more hunting on federal lands. [As he takes office, Trump says he's changing the name of Denali back to Mount McKinley] The order instructs agency heads across the federal government to revoke, rescind or revise regulations that are inconsistent with resource development in Alaska, including most of those issued by Biden when he was in office. In effect, many of the provisions in the order take federal policies back to where they were in January 2021, when Trump was last in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order revokes Biden's actions that halted oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Trump had led a move to allow oil and gas exploration in the refuge during his first term, only for it to be reversed by Biden. Trump also ordered the denial of a request that had been considered by the Biden administration to establish a sacred Indigenous site in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The order rescinds Biden's rejection of a right-of-way permit to build a contentious 200-mile road through wilderness to the Ambler mining district in Northwest Alaska. The order seeks to again repeal the 'Roadless Rule' that is meant to limit logging in Alaska's Tongass National Forest. That's an action that Trump took during his first term, which Biden then reversed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump reinstated his 2020 rule to increase hunting and trapping on federal preserves in Alaska. Conservation groups said the rule supported the killing of predators and their young but state leaders, hunters and a tribal consortium praised the Trump administration's actions five years ago. Trump reinstated an order he issued during his first term to allow oil and gas development on 28 million acres of federal Alaska lands. The lands were protected from such development in the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The Biden administration had restored those protections last year. Trump ordered "expedited development" of a road connecting the community of King Cove to the airport in Cold Bay, through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Trump had in 2019 approved a land swap for the road to be built, but the Biden administration had revoked the approval, citing legal flaws in the agreement. The Biden administration approved a new land swap late last year. Trump signaled he would support Dunleavy's years-long effort to assert Alaska's control over the state's navigable waterways, including those that go through federal lands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order also seeks to prioritize "the development of Alaska's liquified natural gas (LNG) potential, including the sale and transportation of Alaskan LNG to other regions of the United States and allied nations with the Pacific region." It's an idea that Dunleavy once scoffed at, but has recently embraced as a New York-based company agreed to pursue development of the project. The order was broadly embraced by Alaska's political leaders. Sen. Dan Sullivan said in a statement that Alaska under Biden "suffered under an unrelenting assault" and that Trump's order and promised policies "will put Alaskans back in the driver's seat of our state's destiny" by advancing resource development projects. Sen. Lisa Murkowski who has often criticized Trump even as she aligned with him on energy policies celebrated the action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "President Trump is picking up right where he left off, reversing years of damaging decisions and prioritizing Alaska's unrivaled opportunities for responsible energy and mineral development," Murkowski said in a statement. Dunleavy and U.S. Rep. Nick Begich, the newest member of Alaska's congressional delegation, both welcomed Trump's executive order. "Alaska is unleashed!" Dunleavy said on social media. "On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order recognizing Alaska as a true energy warehouse, paving the way for unprecedented opportunities in resource development and energy independence." In a video filmed inside the Capitol, where Trump's inauguration ceremony took place, Begich said before the executive order was signed that he was "excited to take these next steps to open Alaska for the benefit of Alaskans and for our entire nation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It remains unclear how quickly if at all the executive actions will lead to new resource projects in Alaska. Past attempts to open some parts of Alaska to new resource extraction projects yielded limited interest from private investors, though critics blamed that on strict regulations that could be altered under Trump. "We will drill, baby, drill," Trump said in his second inaugural address. One of his executive orders signed Monday established a "national energy emergency." Among the actions rescinded by Trump was a 2023 plan issued by Biden limiting drilling in the Arctic Ocean. Biden announced that plan in conjunction with approving the Willow oil development project. Trump also rescinded a Biden action from earlier this month that withdrew vast swaths of the coastal U.S. from future oil and gas drilling, including in and near Alaska's Bering Sea. Biden cited environmental and economic risks when taking the previous executive actions, which drew ire from Alaska's Republican political leaders, while receiving some support from Alaska Native groups and conservation organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday's executive actions were met with defiance from conservation advocates, who said that opening federal lands to development would exacerbate climate change and damage Alaska's ecosystems. "We aren't afraid to take on Trump and his bravado and we'll be fighting to keep Alaska great every step of the way," Cooper Freeman, Alaska director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a prepared statement. Trump on Monday also signed an executive order to change the name of Denali to Mount McKinley. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday directing the United States to again withdraw from the landmark Paris climate agreement, dealing a blow to worldwide efforts to combat global warming and once again distancing the U.S. from its closest allies. Trumps action, hours after he was sworn in to a second term, echoed his directive in 2017, when he announced that the U.S. would abandon the global Paris accord. The pact is aimed at limiting long-term global warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels or, failing that, keeping temperatures at least well below 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels. Trump also signed a letter to the United Nations indicating his intention to withdraw from the 2015 agreement, which allows nations to provide targets to cut their own emissions of greenhouse gases from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas. Those targets are supposed to become more stringent over time, with countries facing a February 2025 deadline for new individual plans. The outgoing Biden administration last month offered a plan to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% by 2035. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps order says the Paris accord is among a number of international agreements that dont reflect U.S. values and steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people. Instead of joining a global agreement, the United States successful track record of advancing both economic and environmental objectives should be a model for other countries, Trump said. Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a key architect of the Paris accord, called the planned U.S. withdrawal unfortunate but said action to slow climate change is stronger than any single countrys politics and policies. The global context for Trumps action is very different to 2017, Tubiana said Monday, adding that there is unstoppable economic momentum behind the global transition, which the U.S has gained from and led but now risks forfeiting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The International Energy Agency expects the global market for key clean energy technologies to triple to more than $2 trillion by 2035, she said. The impacts of the climate crisis are also worsening. The terrible wildfires in Los Angeles are the latest reminder that Americans, like everyone else, are affected by worsening climate change, Tubiana said. Gina McCarthy, who served as White House climate adviser under President Joe Biden, a Democrat, said that if Trump, a Republican, truly wants America to lead the global economy, become energy independent and create good-paying American jobs, then he must stay focused on growing our clean energy industry. Clean technologies are driving down energy costs for people all across our country. The world is now long-term 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 degrees Celsius) above mid-1800s temperatures. Most but not all climate monitoring agencies said global temperatures last year passed the warming mark of 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, and all said it was the warmest year on record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The withdrawal process from the Paris accord takes one year. Trumps previous withdrawal took effect the day after the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Biden. While the first Trump-led withdrawal from the landmark U.N. agreement adopted by 196 nations shocked and angered nations across the globe, not a single country followed the U.S. out the door, said Alden Meyer, a longtime climate negotiations analyst with the European think tank E3G. Instead, other nations renewed their commitment to slowing climate change, along with investors, businesses, governors, mayors and others in the U.S., Meyer and other experts said. Still, they lamented the loss of U.S. leadership in global efforts to slow climate change, even as the world is on track to set yet another record hot year and has been lurching from drought to hurricane to flood to wildfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clearly America is not going to play the commanding role in helping solve the climate crisis, the greatest dilemma humans have ever encountered, said climate activist and writer Bill McKibben. For the next few years the best we can hope is that Washington wont manage to wreck the efforts of others. About half of Americans somewhat or strongly oppose U.S. action to withdraw from the climate accord, and even Republicans arent overwhelmingly in favor, according according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Only about 2 in 10 U.S. adults somewhat or strongly in favor of withdrawing from the Paris agreement, while about one-quarter are neutral. Much of the opposition to U.S. withdrawal comes from Democrats, but Republicans display some ambivalence as well. Slightly less than half of Republicans are in favor of withdrawing from the climate accord, while about 2 in 10 are opposed. China several years ago passed the United States as the worlds largest annual carbon dioxide emitting nation. The U.S. the second biggest annual carbon polluting country put 4.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide in the air in 2023, down 11% from a decade earlier, according to the scientists who track emissions for the Global Carbon Project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But carbon dioxide lasts in the atmosphere for centuries, so the United States has put more of the heat-trapping gas that is now in the air than any other nation. The U.S. is responsible for nearly 22% of the carbon dioxide put in the atmosphere since 1950, according to Global Carbon Project. While global efforts to fight climate change continued during Trumps first term, many experts worry that a second Trump term will be more damaging, with the United States withdrawing even further from climate efforts in a way that could cripple future presidents efforts. With Trump, who has dismissed climate change, in charge of the worlds leading economy, those experts fear other countries, especially China, could use it as an excuse to ease off their own efforts to curb carbon emissions. Simon Stiell, the U.N. climate change executive secretary, held out hope that the U.S. would continue to embrace the global clean energy boom. Ignoring it only sends all that vast wealth to competitor economies, while climate disasters like droughts, wildfires and superstorms keep getting worse, Stiell said. The door remains open to the Paris Agreement, and we welcome constructive engagement from any and all countries. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW On Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order removing the United States from the World Health Organization, steering the country away from participation with the specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for global public health. This isn't the first fight Trump has picked with the WHO. His administration began the removal process in July 2020 during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Former President Joe Biden halted the exit in one of his first actions when he started his presidential term in 2021. The executive order cited the WHOs mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states as a reason for the withdrawal. The executive order also cited financial reasons for the directive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries assessed payments, the order stated. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO. On Tuesday, the organization released a media statement in response to the executive order stating that it hopes the U.S. will reconsider. The United States was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has participated in shaping and governing WHOs work ever since, alongside 193 other Member States, including through its active participation in the World Health Assembly and Executive Board, the statement read. For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Over these past seven decades, WHO said, the U.S. and the organization have been able to save countless lives. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication, the statement said. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership of WHO. By Kanishka Singh and Raphael Satter WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order that he said aims to restore freedom of speech and end censorship, drawing fire from critics who point to his past actions threatening and suing journalists, critics and political opponents. WHY IT MATTERS Trump and his Republican allies have accused the administration of Democratic former President Joe Biden of encouraging suppression of free speech on online platforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the accusations against the previous administration, however, have centered on government efforts against false claims about vaccines and elections. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that the Biden administration's contacts with social media companies did not violate America's First Amendment protections around free speech. CONTEXT Trump, who took office on Monday, himself faced social media restrictions after an attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters on Jan. 6, 2021, following his loss in the 2020 election to Biden. Trump has over several decades, however, threatened and sued his critics over comments they have made about him. In 2022, he unsuccessfully sued his former presidential campaign foe Hillary Clinton over her comments about his campaign's links to Russia. The judge who threw out the case called it a misuse of the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has also referred to journalists as the "enemy of the people" and has sued five media companies, including the CNN, ABC News, CBS News, publisher Simon & Schuster and the Des Moines Register. The CNN suit was dismissed, ABC settled, and the other lawsuits are ongoing. University of California, Irvine, Professor David Kaye said the federal government is already barred from interfering with its citizens' First Amendment rights, so the order would not stop behavior that is already prohibited. He criticised the the order as a "deeply cynical" public relations exercise. KEY QUOTES Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House said on Monday after Trump's inauguration: "Over the last four years, the previous administration trampled free speech rights by censoring Americans' speech on online platforms, often by exerting substantial coercive pressure on third parties, such as social media companies, to moderate, de-platform, or otherwise suppress speech that the Federal Government did not approve". Kaye, a former United Nations Special Rapporteur on free speech issues, said: "You cannot on the one hand say, 'The media is the enemy of the people,' and at the same time say, 'It's the policy of the United States to secure the right of the American people to engage in constitutionally protected speech.' Those two things don't fit together". (Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Raphael Satter in Washington; Editing by Chris Sanders, Deepa Babington and Edmund Klamann) President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday night calling for the dramatic expansion of the use of the federal death penalty. The directive calls on the attorney general to pursue the federal death penalty for all crimes of a severity demanding its use, particularly in cases involving the killing of law enforcement officers and capital crimes committed by an alien illegally present in this country. Trump frequently blames immigrants for violent crime in the U.S., despitestudies showing that they are not more likely than native-born Americans to commit crimes. During campaign rallies, Trump described migrants as animals who were poisoning the blood of our country dehumanizing language that isreminiscent of Nazi rhetoric. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order also calls for the Overruling of Supreme Court Precedents That Hinder Capital Punishment, likely a reference to Supreme Court rulings in 1977 and 2008 that held that carrying out the death penalty for rape would violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment. Project 2025, the conservative policy blueprint for Trumps second term, called for using the death penalty in cases involving violence toward or sexual abuse of children. In a footnote, the author wrote that this would require the Supreme Court to overrule itself, but the [Justice] department should place a priority on doing so. During the 2008 case, which involved the rape of a child, several groups for survivors of sexual assault urged against the death penalty, arguing it would interfere with young victims healing process. The case ended in a 5-4 decision; three of the four justices who voted to allow the death penalty as punishment for child sexual assault are still on the Supreme Court, as well as three additional conservative justices. Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill allowing the death penalty in state child rape convictions. In the final six months of Trumps first presidency, his administration ended a de facto 17-year moratorium on federal executions andkilled 13 people. In 2021, Joe Bidens administration reinstated the moratorium, but Biden fell short of hiscampaign promise to work with Congress to abolish the federal death penalty. Shortly before leaving office, Bidencommuted the death sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row to life imprisonment, limiting Trumps ability to immediately carry out another killing spree. Trump accused Biden of making a mockery of justice and insult[ing] the victims of these horrible crimes, despite the fact that some victims supported clemency. The executive order directs the attorney general to evaluate whether the 37 people whose federal death sentences were commuted under Biden can be charged with state capital crimes. Even in the states that still allow death sentences, it would be difficult to re-prosecute decades-old cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order also instructs the attorney general to evaluate the places of imprisonment and conditions of confinement for each of the 37 people whose death sentences were commuted and to take action to ensure their conditions are consistent with the monstrosity of their crimes and the threats they pose. The implication that the individuals removed from death row are now serving their life sentences under cushy conditions is baseless. Last year, government watchdog agencies reported hundreds of preventable deaths and the overuse of solitary confinement in federal prisons. With a nearly empty federal death row, Trump directed the attorney general to help states continue to carry out executions by taking all necessary and lawful action to ensure that each state that allows capital punishment has a sufficient supply of drugs needed to carry out lethal injection. Several states that allow capital punishment have shifted away from executions, in part because of difficulty obtaining lethal injection drugs. Related... On his first day in office, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Accord. This is the second time Trump has pulled the US out of the agreement. Trump signed a letter addressed to the United Nations, setting the withdrawal process in motion. The White House said in a statement that the withdrawal will take effect after one year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means that the US will largely withdraw from the international community's fight against global warming. Trump had described the agreement as a disaster and a scam for the United States. In the White House statement, it said Trump's aim is to end what was called the "climate extremism" of his predecessor Joe Biden. According to Trump's claims, global warming does not exist, and he repeatedly labels climate change as a "hoax." The US needs to continue taking a decisive role in environmental issues, a UN spokeswoman said after the White House made the announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The collective efforts under the Paris agreement have made a difference but we need to go much further and faster together," Florencia Soto Nino told dpa in New York. "The last 10 years have been the hottest in recorded history. We have to look no further than Los Angeles to see this human, ecological and economic disaster play out," she said. "It is crucial that the United States remains a leader on environmental issues," she added. The Paris Climate Accord aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times, and ideally to just 1.5 degrees. This target was agreed upon at the UN climate summit in Paris in 2015 and has since been reaffirmed at several climate conferences. The intention is to avoid the worst consequences of the climate crisis, such as more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, storms and floods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Member states are required to submit plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the United Nations. Key parts of the agreement are legally binding under international law. However, there are no penalties for failing to meet the commitments. Almost all countries in the world are part of the agreement. Only Yemen, Iran and Libya have not signed the treaty. The back-and-forth on the climate agreement Trump had already led the United States out of the agreement during his first term (2017-21). Due to the notice period, the withdrawal only became effective shortly before the end of his first term in November 2020. By then, it was already clear that Democrat Biden would replace him in the White House and bring the US back into the agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officially, Washington has been a member again since February 2021. Biden initiated the return to the climate agreement as one of his most urgent tasks on his first working day. The Republican Trump fulfilled a campaign promise with the first withdrawal but could not initially leave the climate agreement upon taking office in 2017, as it could only be terminated three years after it came into effect. The agreement came into force on November 4, 2016. Trump argued at the time that the commitments in the agreement were too costly and disadvantaged the country in international competition. Last year, the Earth heated up for the first time by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times - it was likely the warmest year since weather records began, according to calculations by the EU climate service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal agreed upon at the 2015 Paris climate conference, to cap the warming at 1.5 degrees, is not yet considered missed, as long-term average values are decisive for that. The US is the world's largest producer and consumer of oil, according to official US data and data from the International Energy Agency (IEA). It has the second-highest greenhouse gas emissions after China, despite having significantly fewer inhabitants. Against this background, the abandonment of the agreement has a strong symbolic impact - and could encourage other countries to do the same. More than the withdrawal from the agreement, Trump's environmental and economic policies, in general, are expected to undermine climate protection. By Patrick Wingrove, Jennifer Rigby and Emma Farge NEW YORK/LONDON/GENEVA (Reuters) -The United States will leave the World Health Organization, President Donald Trump said on Monday, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises. Trump said the WHO had failed to act independently from the "inappropriate political influence of WHO member states" and required "unfairly onerous payments" from the U.S. that were disproportionate to the sums provided by other, larger countries, such as China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It's not going to happen anymore," Trump said at the signing of an executive order on the withdrawal, shortly after his inauguration to a second term. The WHO said on Tuesday that it regretted the move from its top donor country. "We hope that the United States will reconsider, and we really hope that there will be constructive dialogue for the benefit of everyone, for Americans but also for people around the world," WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva. The move sets a 12-month notice period for the U.S. to leave the United Nations health agency and stop all financial contributions to its work. The United States is by far the WHO's biggest financial backer, contributing around 18% of its overall funding. WHO's most recent two-year budget, for 2024-2025, was $6.8 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. departure is likely to put at risk programs across the organization, according to several experts both inside and outside the WHO, notably those tackling tuberculosis, the worlds biggest infectious disease killer, as well as HIV/AIDS and other health emergencies. "This is the darkest day for global health Ive ever experienced," said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health at Georgetown University in Washington and director of the WHO Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law. "Trump could be sowing the seeds for the next pandemic." Trump's order said the administration would cease negotiations on the WHO pandemic treaty while the withdrawal is in progress. U.S. government personnel working with the WHO will be recalled and reassigned, and the government will look for partners to take over necessary WHO activities, according to the order. The government will review, rescind, and replace the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy as soon as practicable, the order said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next-largest donor to the WHO is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, although most of that funding goes to polio eradication. Its chief executive Mark Suzman said on X that the foundation would continue to make the case to strengthen not weaken the WHO. The next-largest state donor in terms of combined mandatory fees and voluntary contributions is Germany, which accounts for around 3% of the WHO's funding. Germany's health minister said on Tuesday Berlin hoped to talk Trump out of the move while the European Union voiced concern. When asked about Trump's decision, China's foreign ministry told a regular press briefing on Tuesday that the WHO's role in global health governance should only be strengthened, not weakened. "China will continue to support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities, and deepen international public health cooperation," said Guo Jiakun, a ministry spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's withdrawal from the WHO is not unexpected. He took steps to quit the body in 2020, during his first term as president, accusing the WHO of aiding China's efforts to "mislead the world" about the origins of COVID. WHO vigorously denies the allegation and says it continues to press Beijing to share data to determine whether COVID emerged from human contact with infected animals or due to research into similar viruses in a local laboratory. Under U.S. law, leaving the WHO requires a one-year notice period, and the payment of any outstanding fees. Before the U.S. withdrawal could be completed last time, Joe Biden won the presidential election and put a stop to it on his first day in office on Jan. 20, 2021. (Reporting by Patrick Wingrove, Jennifer Rigby and Emma Farge; Additional reporting by Eduardo Baptista and Lewis Jackson in Beijing; Editing by Shri Navaratnam, Saad Sayeed, Kate Mayberry and Tomasz Janowski) WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) President Donald Trump is wasting no time in his second term. He signed a flurry of executive orders and pardons not long after taking the oath of office. On his first day in office, President Trump signed more than 200 executive actions and orders. One keeps TikTok online temporarily and another pardons the January sixth rioters. President Trump pardoned about 1,500 people charged in the attack on the Capitol four years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also ordered the attorney general not to enforce a ban on TikTok. The Chinese owned video sharing app for 75 days. Its got tremendous value, said Trump. The executive actions were just some of those signed at the White House Monday night. He signed others in front of a crowd at Capital One Arena to stop new regulations, direct federal workers back to the office and declare an emergency at the southern border. As Commander in Chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions and that is exactly what I am going to do, said Trump. The slew of executive actions came hours after being sworn into office inside the U.S. Capitol, after cold weather forced the ceremony inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inaugural events continued into the night to toast the new president and Vice President JD Vance. The president has more on his agenda Tuesday. Hes set to meet with Republican congressional leaders at the White House and attend a service at the National Cathedral. Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders to tighten migration policy immediately after taking office as US president on Monday. Trump declared a national emergency at the border with Mexico. "All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. We will reinstate my Remain in Mexico policy," he said during his inaugural speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also signed off greater involvement of the military to secure national borders and designated criminal cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Trump also signed an order to abolish automatic citizenship for children born in the United States to migrants without valid residency status. "As commander in chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I am going to do. We will do it at a level that nobody has ever seen before." Even though US presidents can carry out political priorities with so-called executive orders without congressional approval, some of these measures are likely to encounter legal and constitutional hurdles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, it is already clear that Trump intends to make definitive waves in asylum and migration policy with these steps. Immediately after Trump took office, a mobile app that allowed migrants to apply to enter the US as asylum seekers was shut down. The CBP One app, set up under the Biden administration, allowed migrants wanting to enter the US to make appointments at eight border crossings and submit information in advance. Customs and Border Protection posted on its website that the app was no "longer available" and existing appointments had been cancelled. Over the weekend, US media also reported on deportation actions planned by the Trump administration under the name "Operation Safeguard." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The newspapers Wall Street Journal and New York Times, among others, mentioned, based on informed sources, that the first raids were planned for Chicago. It was suggested that the action could be extended to other cities. Trump announced during the campaign that he would conduct the largest deportation action in US history. The situation at the border is tense, and authorities are overwhelmed in many places. Trump's predecessor Joe Biden had recently tightened asylum regulations for migrants entering illegally from Mexico. The number of unauthorized border crossings decreased - but from record levels. Trump pledged during the election campaign that he would get foreign criminals out of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some areas in the US, where many migrants live, report an increase in crime, experts attribute this to complex socio-political circumstances. There is no evidence of a crime wave caused by migrants, nor that they commit significantly more crimes than locals. Surveys suggest rather the opposite is the case. Many people fleeing poverty, violence and political crises in their homeland choose the route over the US southern border. Many come from South American countries. Every year, hundreds die on the dangerous route north due to water shortages and heat strokes, among other causes. Others become victims of criminal gangs. (NEXSTAR) Among the slew of executive orders President Donald Trump signed on his first day in office was one delaying the TikTok ban. The order calls on Trumps attorney general, Pam Bondi, to not enforce the law banning the video-sharing app while his administration determines the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans. The ban which passed Congress with bipartisan support and was signed into law by former President Joe Biden was set to take effect on Sunday. TikTok shut down its app for more than 12 hours, starting on Saturday, until it became clear that Trump would delay enforcement of the ban. TikTok then credited his efforts when it restored the app on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, GOP China hawks at odds over TikTok ban Trump previously supported the TikTok ban but told reporters while signing the order Monday night that he has a warm spot for TikTok that I didnt have originally after being on the app. You can watch his full conversation with reporters on TikTok in the video player above. So what happens now? How long will TikTok be available? Trumps order says the TikTok ban should not be enforced for a period of 75 days from Monday, which would be Sunday, April 5. TikTok could avoid a ban altogether if it is sold to an American company, as outlined in the law, before that date. The law did offer TikTok a 90-day extension on the ban if it was making progress toward a sale before the original effective date of Sunday, January 19. Its unclear if that 90-day extension could be activated now that the effective date has passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps hand wasnt on the Bible during the oath of office: What does this mean? Executive orders cannot override existing laws, Sarah Kreps, director of Cornell Universitys Tech Policy Institute, told the Associated Press. Its not clear that the new president has that authority to issue the 90-day extension of a law thats already gone into effect. I dont have TikTok can I still download it? If you use app stores from Apple and Google, the answer is no. A search for TikTok in both app stores provided no results as of Tuesday morning. As of Monday night, Apples app store directed TikTok searches to an online statement that reads in part: Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates. Googles app store, meanwhile, noted that downloads for TikTok are paused due to current US legal requirements. Will someone buy TikTok? Every rich person has called me about TikTok, Trump said Monday night. Though he did not identify those individuals, many of the wealthiest people in the world Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg were in the front rows of his inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also suggested the U.S. should get half of TikTok if he does do the deal, adding that a joint venture with the people from TikTok is one of the many ideas Ive had. He elaborated, explaining the U.S., essentially, would be paid for doing that half of the value of TikTok. If it doesnt get approved, theres no value. So if we create that value, why arent we entitled to like, half? WATCH: Carrie Underwood sings America the Beautiful a cappella after apparent tech issue at inauguration When asked if there would be a private sector owner, Trump said there could be a lot. Several businessmen have reportedly been taking steps to purchase TikTok from ByteDance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I may not do the deal, or I may do the deal, Trump said Monday. TikTok is worthless, worthless if I dont approve it. It has to close. Although ByteDance spent months repeating it wasnt interested in selling, Beijing on Monday also signaled a possible easing on Chinas stance on TikTok to allow it to be divested from its Chinese parent company. Chinas vice president held meetings with Vice President JD Vance and Tesla tech titan Elon Musk on Sunday. Trump also told reporters that he believes we have bigger problems than China collecting information from children on TikTok. You know, when you take a look at telephones that are made in China and all the other things that are made in China, military equipment made in China, he said, I think TikTok is not their biggest problem. But theres big value in TikTok if it gets approved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Trump issued an executive order Monday night withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization. The U.S. has historically been the largest funder of the Geneva-based organization, which is a branch of the United Nations responsible for combating global public health emergencies. Public health experts fear the move will weaken the organization as well as global health security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has previously tried to remove the U.S. from the organization, issuing a notice of withdrawal in 2020. He criticized the organization for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling it very China centric and threatened to withhold U.S. funding even while his administration was scrutinized for downplaying the viruss threat early in the pandemic. Former President Biden quickly rejoined the organization when he entered the White House in 2021, before the end of the one-year waiting period of withdrawal had completed. He also restored U.S. funding to the organization. In his Monday executive order, Trump again criticizes the WHO for its mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic for unfairly asking for onerous payments from the U.S. About a fifth of the WHOs budget in 2023 or roughly $1.28 billion came from the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those funds went toward identifying and responding to health emergencies and stopping disease threats from spreading across borders, according to the WHOs website. The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO would mean the countrys health agencies would lose access to the organizations resources, such as global data releases. The US withdrawing from the WHO will severely constrain the ability of the US to have situational awareness of infectious disease emergencies occurring all over the world all the time (including now), said Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security who specializes in emerging infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness. The very real reforms that need to occur at the WHO such as putting pressure on China regarding information on the early days of COVID-19 and allowing Taiwan to be part of the organization are less likely to occur without the US as a member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The writer, George Orwell, has died after a three-year battle against tuberculosis. Until the last, news had been positive and it was hoped Mr Orwell was improving. On Friday morning he had a long talk with a friend about his plans for the future. However, a few hours later he suffered a fatal haemorrhage in a London hospital. But illness had not dimmed George Orwells enthusiasm for writing. His last novel, 1984, published last summer was written in between periods spent in hospital. The controversial book like Animal Farm was widely viewed as an attack on the Communist system. However, it brought George Orwell widespread critical acclaim including the award of 357 by the influential Partisan Review for the years most significant contribution to literature. George Orwell was born Eric Arthur Blair in June 1903 into a family of relatively prosperous civil servants working in India on behalf of the British Empire. He is said to have assumed his pseudonym, inspired by the River Orwell, near his parents house in Suffolk, to spare his family embarrassment. Orwells early writings often drew on his own experiences of poverty which were in marked contrast to his privileged background. He spent time living as a tramp in the East End of London and as a dishwasher in Paris events which inspired his first book in 1933, Down and Out in London and Paris. It was followed in 1934 by his first novel, Burmese Days. And in 1938 after returning wounded after fighting for the socialists in the Spanish Civil War he wrote Homage to Catalonia. But it was only five years ago that the book which made him world-famous, Animal Farm, appeared. In reaction to the sudden glare of fame, Orwell moved to the island of Jura, off the coast of Scotland. The move aggravated his tuberculosis which had developed after his return from Spain. Courtesy BBC News In context George Orwells work has remained popular over the years, especially Animal Farm and 1984. He began writing 1984 after resigning from the BBC World Service in September 1943 where he had been employed writing and producing news for India. It was his increasing frustration with the Ministry of Information, which censored the news during World War II, which led to his resignation and subsequently became the central theme of 1984. Words and phrases from the novel have passed into everyday usage, particulary Big Brother. The book was also made into a film released in 1984. George Orwells name itself has become an adjective -Orwellian meaning an oppressive system. 1984 and Animal Farm frequently appear in lists of the worlds best-ever selling novels. US President Donald Trump has ordered the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). Trump signed the order in the White House in Washington just hours after his inauguration on Monday. "We're being ripped off by the World Health," he told reporters. "Everybody rips off the United States and that's it, it's not going to happen anymore." According to the WHO, the US is the top donor and partner to the organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US contributed $1.284 billion during the 20222023 biennium, the WHO said. In 2020, Trump ordered the US withdrawal from the WHO, accusing the organization of failing in the coronavirus pandemic and being a puppet of China. Joe Biden used his first day in office in 2021 to halt that withdrawal. (NewsNation) President Donald Trump has immediately moved securing the U.S. southern border to the top of his White House to-do list as plans to close the border to immigrants who enter the country illegally begin. Trump signed several executive orders dealing with immigration Monday shortly after being sworn in for his second term in the White House. Part of Trumps plans to declare a national emergency at the border includes sending military troops to the border to assist with enforcement as well as plans to expand the border wall. When will Trumps mass deportations begin? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump previously ordered 4,000 National Guard troops to the border, a number which was scaled back to 2,500 by former President Joe Biden. The number of guardsmen increased when border encounters jumped. However, military troops do not have the legal right to enforce federal immigration policies, which can deter migrants from entering the country illegally. However, as Trump begins his second term, local lawmakers will be ready for action. The numbers (of border crossings) are down, but theres so much more to this problem than just numbers on a piece of paper, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, told NewsNation. Its about infrastructure, its about training, its about technology, its about making sure we add miles to the border wall. Gonzales also said part of implementing new policies is about giving border officials the tools they need to operate. That includes technology, equipment as well as pay and benefits that will send the message that their work is being valued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As soon as Trump was sworn in, a valuable tool used by migrants was no longer available. The CBP One, which was used by more than 1 million migrants over the past few years to make immigration hearing appointments, was deactivated. Hundreds of thousands of appointments were canceled. The deactivation of the CBP One app was one of the changes that took effect immediately, but other aspects of the Trump border plan will take time. Lt. Chris Olivarez, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety, told NewsNation that aspects of the plan such as mass deportation efforts and designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations will take some time. Trump has also vowed to reinstate his Remain in Mexico policy and has also said he will end the ongoing catch and release program and will add milage to the existing border wall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, we some of these executive orders, I think its going to help us in Texas and of course, law enforcement across the border slow that flow of migration and focus on the needs of the country, Olivarez said. The fact that we have an ally with the federal government working together is really going to be beneficial to us as state law enforcement to focus more on border security and actually have the help of the federal government. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Former President Joe Biden greeted President Donald Trump at the White House in advance of Mondays inauguration with a conciliatory gesture, telling him and first lady Melania Trump: Welcome home. Trump ended his first day back in that home by posting a sneering message boasting of how his team was hunting down hundreds of Biden appointees to throw out of office. Our first day in the White House is not over yet! Trump wrote, in a Truth Social post shortly after midnight. My Presidential Personnel Office is actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration, who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again. A post made shortly after midnight on President Donald Trump's first day in office says his administration is identifying and removing over a thousand appointees by his predecessor. / Donald Trump/Truth Social Trump reserved particular scorn for four appointees who he called out by name: Jose Andres, the revered Spanish-American chef who founded the World Central Kitchen and who Biden appointed to the Presidents Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition; Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who sat on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council; Brian Hook, a diplomat and professor who served as a trustee of the Wilson Center for Scholars; and Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor who served on the Presidents export council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement YOURE FIRED! Trump told the four, using his reality show catchphrase from The Apprentice. He wrote that his social media post sufficiently amounted to an Official Notice of Dismissal. Trump has a long history of conflict with Andres, who pulled out of opening a restaurant in a Trump property after the presidents inflammatory remarks about Mexicans. A two-year legal battle was eventually settled, but the bad blood remained between Trump and the celebrated humanitarian. Andres responded to Trumps late-night post by claiming on X that he had already resigned from his position in the administration. I submitted my resignation last weekmy 2 year term was already up ," he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Trump did not mention in his tirade was that Hook, a key foreign policy operative during Trumps first term, was not even a Biden appointee. It was Trump who elevated him to the Wilson Center role after he served as the presidents U.S. special representative for Iran during his first term. Hook also worked for Trumps former Secretaries of State Mike Pompeo and Rex Tillerson at Foggy Bottom. By all appearances, he had remained on good terms with Trumps team, too, as CNN and Politico reported after the election that he was helping out with transition efforts. Then theres the matter of Milley, the retired general who was the presiding officer of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the final year and change of Trumps first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His falling out with the president is well documented: Trump said he should be executed for making a phone callauthorized by Trump administration officialsto Chinese military leaders to assure them that the United States remained stable in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riots. Biden issued a preemptive pardon of Milley shortly before leaving office in order to guard against the most severe forms of retaliation. Speaking to lawmakers at a Capitol Hill luncheon on Monday, Trump responded to the pardon with indignity, claiming Milley is very, very guilty of very bad crimes. Why are we trying to help a guy like Milley? he asked. Later in the day, Trump ordered Milleys portrait removed from the Pentagon. Now that hes in office, Donald Trump suddenly doesnt seem so confident in his position on Israels war on Palestine. How confident are you, Mr. President, that you can keep the ceasefire in Gaza? asked a reporter in the Oval Office while Trump signed a flurry of executive orders Monday night. Im not confident, Trump responded. Its not our war. Its their war. Reporter: How confident are you that you can keep the ceasefire in Gaza Trump: It's not our war. It is their war. I am not confident. pic.twitter.com/CJJWT4KMgC Acyn (@Acyn) January 21, 2025 The comments stood in stark contrast to a more defiant version the forty-seventh president pitched at his inaugural address, in which Trump claimed that Americas success would be measured not only by the battles we win but also by the wars that we end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And just last week, Trumpwho at the time hadnt been in office for any portion of the warjumped to take credit for the historic and fledgling ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies, Trump wrote on Truth Social. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the press that both President Trump and President Biden gave full backing to Israels right to return to fighting, if Israel comes to the conclusion that negotiations on Phase B are futile. Phase two of the ceasefire agreement would see the removal of Israeli troops from Gaza. But Trumps perspective on Gaza, which he freely shared on Monday, appeared tainted by his years as a real estate developer. Referring to a photo he had seen of the devastation in the region, Trump referred to Gaza as a demolition site before going on to suggest that the territory could be completely remade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its got to be rebuilt in a different way, Trump said. Gaza is interesting. Its a phenomenal location. On the sea. The best weather. You know, everything is good. Some beautiful things could be done with it, but its very interesting. Some fantastic things could be done with Gaza. Its not the first time that a member of the Trump family real estate empire has hinted that Palestine could be a developers paradise. In March, Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner praised Gazas waterfront beachfront property as very valuable. Its a little bit of an unfortunate situation there, but from Israels perspective I would do my best to move the people out and then clean it up, Kushner told his interviewer, Harvards Middle East Initiative faculty chair Tarek Masoud. But I dont think that Israel has stated that they dont want the people to move back there afterwards. Donald Trumps executive order taking aim at birthright citizenship is already facing several lawsuits. On Monday night, Trump was hit with lawsuits in federal court in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, with more than a dozen Democratic states filing another lawsuit the following day. More lawsuits against the order are expected to be filed in California and Illinois, Politico reports. The lawsuits come after Trump on his first day as president signed an executive order ending the right to birthright citizenship for some children born in the United States. The order directs the Social Security Administration and other federal agencies not to recognize the citizenship of anyone whose mother was not a legal U.S. resident and whose father wasnt a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; people whose mothers only had temporary legal residency in the U.S.; and people with fathers who were not citizens or legal permanent residents when they were born. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuits allege that Trumps order violates the Constitutions Fourteenth Amendment, as well as other federal law going back over 80 years, and may leave some children stateless. Neither the Constitution nor any federal statute confers any authority on the President to redefine American citizenship, the New Hampshire lawsuit states. By attempting to limit the right to birthright citizenship, the Order exceeds the Presidents authority and runs afoul of the Constitution and federal statute. Trumps executive order came on the same day that he took an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Trumps choice for attorney general, Pam Bondi, was evasive about protecting birthright citizenship during her first confirmation hearing last week, saying only that she would study the issue. But the language of the Fourteenth Amendment is explicit: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Trumps barrage of executive orders from his first day in office have been met with several lawsuits, including over his removal of certain employment protections and over the authority of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those lawsuits have now entered the federal court system, where their fates will depend on which judge will preside over them. During Trumps first term, he appointed 234 federal judges, many of whom are now responsible for approving conservative priorities and defending Trump from legal action. Now Trump will depend on these friendly judges to rule against the lawsuits filed against his executive orders. President Biden and his fellow Democrats did prioritize appointing liberal judges over the last four years, throwing a snag into conservative hopes for a rubber-stamp judiciary. Ultimately, though, the decision over birthright citizenship will likely reach the Supreme Court itself, where conservatives enjoy a 63 majority. Will they be willing to disregard the Fourteenth Amendment altogether? This story has been updated. A pregnant woman living in Massachusetts with temporary protected status is expected to give birth in March. But under the terms of Donald Trumps executive order that unilaterally redefines the Constitution, upending federal law and decades of established Supreme Court precedent, her baby will not be a citizen. She is the lead plaintiff in a federal lawsuit against the newly inaugurated president and members of his administration, accused of mounting a flagrantly illegal attempt to strip citizenship from millions of Americans with a stroke of a pen. Donald Tump signed an executive order intended to revoke birthright citizenship for Americans born in the United States to parents without permanent legal status (AP) The lawsuit was filed by Boston-based Lawyers for Civil Rights on behalf of Brazilian Worker Center and La Colaborativa, which have numerous members who are either currently pregnant or planning to grow their families in the future, and whose children will be among the targeted citizens, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lawsuit in Maryland from CASA and the Asylum Seeker Advocacy is seeking to overturn Trumps order on behalf of five pregnant women who fear that their children will be denied United States citizenship based on their immigration status and that of their childrens fathers. When I fled persecution in my country, I found a new home in the United States and am proud of the life my husband and I have built in this country over the last six years, said Monica, a pregnant mother who is one of the lead plaintiffs in the case. I am shocked that the government does not want my child born in the United States to have U.S. citizenship, she said. I am scared for my child and for our family, especially since we cannot return to our country or get our child any other citizenship I dont know what we will do. The lawsuits are among at least three federal complaints filed by several immigrants advocacy organizations and civil rights groups on behalf of immigrant families and expectant mothers who flooded the groups with complaints and fears over what will happen to their families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eighteen state attorneys general and officials in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco are also suing the Trump administration to block the flagrantly unlawful attempt to strip hundreds of thousands American-born children of their citizenship based on their parentage. Our constitution is not open to reinterpretation by executive order or presidential decree, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday. Trump and administration officials were also sued by Arizona, Illinois, Oregon and Washington. More than 12,000 babies born in the United States each month who are entitled to citizenship including more than 1,100 babies born each month in the Plaintiff States will no longer be considered United States citizens and will be left with no immigration status under Trumps order, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plaintiffs are demanding the courts to immediately hit pause on Trumps order, which revives a once-fringe right-wing legal effort to get a conservative-majority Supreme Court to redefine the 14th Amendment. Another lawsuit from New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support, Make the Road New York, and the League of United Latin American Citizens accuses the Trump administration of straightforwardly violating the Constitution with an attempt to upend one of the most fundamental American constitutional values. Stripping citizenship from immigrant children threatens them with a lifetime of exclusion from society and fear of deportation from the only country they have ever known, according to the complaint. But that is illegal. The Constitution and Congress not President Trump dictate who is entitled to full membership in American society. Protesters gather in Chicagos Federal Plaza on January 20 to rally for immigrant rights as Trump is inaugurated (AP) Trumps order, among the first signed by the president in his first hours in office, attempts to revoke citizenship for children born in the United States under two sweeping conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the orders terms, children can be denied citizenship when that persons mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the persons father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth, or when that persons mothers presence in the United States was lawful but temporary, and the persons father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said persons birth. The 14th Amendments citizenship clause states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. The Supreme Court affirmed the principle in 1898, clarifying that children born in the United States to immigrant parents are citizens, regardless of their parents immigration status. The 14th Amendment was specifically enshrined to ensure that no one not even the President could deny children born in America their rightful place as citizens, according to the complaint from New Hampshire plaintiffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The orders impact will be overwhelming and devastating, Boston plaintiffs wrote. If allowed to go into effect, American citizens would be denied passports, leaving them unable to travel outside the country for fear of never being allowed re-entry; denied Social Security numbers and cards, hampering their ability to work without government permission; and prevented from exercising countless federal rights, protections, benefits, and entitlements that derive from U.S. citizenship, they argued. The order not only violates the 14th Amendments citizenship clause but treads on the Fifth Amendment by treating people born in the United States as a subordinate caste of native-born Americans who are entitled to fewer rights, benefits, and entitlements than other citizens, they wrote. This executive order is a brutal and unconstitutional attempt to redefine what it means to be an American, according to Lawyers for Civil Rights executive director Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Constitution is clear: birthplace, not parentage, determines citizenship in this country, he added. Our members are mothers, fathers, workers, and neighbors who came to this country searching for a safer and better life, La Colaborativa executive director Gladys Vega said in a statement. Denying citizenship to their U.S.-born children undermines the ideals of fairness and opportunity that define America. We will not stand idly by while our children are targeted and their rights and dignity are erased. By Julio-Cesar Chavez, Andrew Goudsward, Jason Lange, Nathan Layne WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Hundreds of Donald Trump supporters who had been serving prison sentences for participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol were freed on Tuesday, after the new president pardoned more than 1,500 people, including some who assaulted police officers. The Federal Bureau of Prisons said 211 people had been released from federal facilities following Trump's order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's sweeping pardon which went further than his allies had signaled they expected drew condemnation from police who battled the mob, their families and lawmakers, including some of the president's fellow Republicans. A majority of Americans disapproved of Trump's decision, a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Tuesday found. The decision was also criticized by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the largest police union in the U.S. that had endorsed Trump in the 2024 election. The FOP and the International Association of Chiefs of Police said in a joint statement they were "deeply discouraged" by the pardons. Among those released was Stewart Rhodes, the former leader of the far-right Oath Keepers group, who had been serving an 18-year sentence after being found guilty of plotting to use force to prevent Congress from certifying Trump's 2020 defeat to Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's redemption, but also vindication," Rhodes told reporters outside the Washington D.C. jail, where a crowd of Trump supporters waited for more prisoners to be released. Rhodes, who did not enter the Capitol on Jan. 6, said he did not have any regrets and still believed Trump's false claims that he lost that election due to fraud. Rhodes had been released earlier in the day from a separate facility in Cumberland, Maryland, after Trump commuted his sentence. Trump ordered clemency for everyone charged in the assault, when a mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol in an unsuccessful effort to overturn his election defeat. Some 140 police officers were injured in the rampage, which sent lawmakers running for their lives. 'THE MAN WHO KILLED MY BROTHER' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Craig Sicknick, whose brother, Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, was assaulted during the riot and died of multiple strokes the next day, called Trump "pure evil" on Tuesday. "The man who killed my brother is now president," he told Reuters. "My brother died in vain. Everything he did to try to protect the country, to protect the Capitol - why did he bother?" Sicknick said. "What Trump did is despicable, and it proves that the United States no longer has anything that resembles a justice system." Trump's order extended from the people who committed only misdemeanors such as trespassing all the way to those who served as ringleaders for the assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 60% of respondents in the two-day Reuters/Ipsos poll, which was conducted starting immediately after Trump took office on Monday, said he should not pardon all of the Capitol defendants. One of Trump's fellow Republicans, Senator Thom Tillis, said sparing rioters who assaulted police sent a wrong message. "I saw an image today in my news clippings of the people who were crushing that police officer. None of them should get a pardon," Tillis told Reuters in a hallway interview. "You make this place less safe if you send the signal that police officers could potentially be assaulted and there is no consequence." Others welcomed Trump's decision. Republican Representative Lauren Boebert said she would offer tours of the Capitol to defendants after they are released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those released earlier in the day was Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the far-right Proud Boys group. Tarrio was not present at the Capitol on Jan. 6, but was sentenced to 22 years, longer than for any other defendant, after he was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in planning the attack. CAMPAIGN PROMISE Trump's pardons went further than many of his allies had signaled. Both Vice President JD Vance and Trump's attorney general choice Pam Bondi had previously said they believed people who committed violence would not be pardoned. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt defended the pardons, claiming without evidence that many of the convictions were politically motivated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "President Trump campaigned on this promise," she said on Fox News. "It should come as no surprise that he delivered on it on Day One." More than 1,000 defendants pleaded guilty rather than go to trial, including 327 who pleaded guilty to felonies, according to Justice Department statistics. One protester, Ashli Babbitt, was shot dead by police during the Jan. 6 riot as she tried to force her way into the House of Representatives chamber. Four officers who responded that day later died by suicide. Trump's were not the only pardons on Monday: Outgoing President Joe Biden in his final hours in office pre-emptively pardoned five members of his own family, a move that followed his pardon last year of son Hunter Biden, who had been charged with tax fraud and an illegal firearms purchase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Senator Susan Collins said both presidents had acted wrongly, calling it a "terrible day for our Justice Department." Tillis also criticized Biden's pardons. Trump's action shutters the largest investigation in Justice Department history, including more than 300 cases that had still been pending. Prosecutors filed dozens of motions to dismiss cases on Tuesday morning, federal court records showed. TRIAL COMES TO ABRUPT END In Washington, the trial of Kenneth Fuller and his son Caleb, who faced felony charges of obstructing police during a civil disorder, came to an abrupt end on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal judges in Washington - including some Trump appointees - have handled Capitol riot cases for years and expressed alarm at the events of the day. At a November hearing, Trump-nominated U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols said a blanket Jan. 6 pardon would be "beyond frustrating or disappointing," according to a court transcript. The judge presiding over the Fullers' trial, Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, ordered it dismissed without discussion, noting that her ruling satisfied what she called Trump's edict. Speaking to reporters afterward, Caleb Fuller, 22, said that he and his parents popped a bottle of champagne in their hotel room after hearing Trump's decision on Monday night. Fuller said he didnt witness any violence during the riot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I didn't see anyone get hurt," he said. "So I feel like everyone that was around me is deserving of a pardon." (Reporting by Nathan Layne, Bo Erickson, Andrew Goudsward, Julio-Cesar Chavez, Joseph Ax, Andy Sullivan, Saran H. Lynch, Brad Heath and Kanishka Singh in Washington, and Deborah Gembara in Cumberland, Maryland; Writing by Andy Sullivan and Joseph Ax; Editing by Scott Malone, Howard Goller, Lisa Shumaker and Michael Perry) WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending all U.S. foreign assistance programs for 90 days pending reviews to determine whether they are aligned with his policy goals. It was not immediately clear how much assistance would initially be affected by the Monday order as funding for many programs has already been appropriated by Congress and is obligated to be spent, if not already spent. The order, among many Trump signed on his first day back in office, said the foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values and serve to destabilize world peace by promoting ideas in foreign countries that are directly inverse to harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consequently, Trump declared that no further United States foreign assistance shall be disbursed in a manner that is not fully aligned with the foreign policy of the President of the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing last week that every dollar we spend, every program we fund, and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous? he said. The order signed by Trump leaves it up to Rubio or his designee to make such determinations, in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development are the main agencies that oversee foreign assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has long railed against foreign aid despite the fact that such assistance typically amounts to roughly 1% of the federal budget, except under unusual circumstances such as the billions in weaponry provided to Ukraine. Trump has been critical of the amount shipped to Ukraine to help bolster its defenses against Russia's invasion. The last official accounting of foreign aid in the Biden administration dates from mid-December and budget year 2023. It shows that $68 billion had been obligated for programs abroad that range from disaster relief to health and pro-democracy initiatives in 204 countries and regions. Some of the biggest recipients of U.S. assistance, Israel ($3.3 billion per year), Egypt ($1.5 billion per year) and Jordan ($1.7 billion per year) are unlikely to see dramatic reductions, as those amounts are included in long-term packages that date back decades and are in some cases governed by treaty obligations. Funding for U.N. agencies, including peacekeeping, human rights and refugee agencies, have been traditional targets for Republican administrations to slash or otherwise cut. The first Trump administration moved to reduce foreign aid spending, suspending payments to various UN agencies, including the U.N. Population Fund, and funding to the Palestinian Authority. However, the U.S. previously under Trump had already pulled out of the U.N. Human Rights Council, with its financial obligations, and has been barred from funding the the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, by a bill signed by former President Joe Biden last March. Mass deportation raids that were expected to begin on Tuesday in Chicago may be on hold because too much information about the operation was made public, border czar Tom Homan hinted on Monday. Hours after President Trump was inaugurated on Monday, Homan told Fox News that he and his team had pulled back on the plan to send 100 to 200 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to arrest undocumented immigrants with criminal records after the Wall Street Journal reported it on Friday. The story with Chicago, the specific operational plan was leaked so we pulled back and looked at officer safety concerns, Homan told Fox News host Laura Ingraham. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were expected to to carry out large scale deportations in cities across the United States on Tuesday, but a report says they are on hold to maintain an element of suprise (AP) We looked at it, we made a decision, he added. Homan declined to elaborate on the new plan but said people will find out real soon what they had decided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homan previously told Fox News that Chicago was just one of several cities where immigration officials planned to conduct large-scale raids the day after the inauguration. The large-scale deportations are part of Trumps plan to restrict immigration to the United States. The president signed several immigration-related executive orders on Monday to begin the process. That includes ending birthright citizenship a Constitutional right. He also declared a national emergency at the U.S.Mexico border, reinstated the remain in Mexico policy, froze asylum claims and shut down the migrant entry app. The Independent has asked ICE for more information on the report. Though the details of the immigration raids are being kept quiet, several cities are preparing for federal law enforcement agents. Some cities have said they will not stand in the way. Others, run by Democrat mayors or governors, have threatened to push back on Trumps deportation efforts. Trump signed a series of immigration-related executive orders on Monday hours after taking office. He has long talked about his plans for mass deportations of immigrants currently in the U.S. (AP) Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has promised to protect immigrant communities and maintain Chicagos status as a sanctuary city. Chicagos city council affirmed that idea in a formal vote and resolution. It prevents local law enforcement from assisting federal authorities with deportations and raids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It does not, however, prevent ICE agents from conducting operations within Chicagos city limits. Immigration advocates have been preparing know your rights training and asking questions from immigrants and their families on what happens if ICE agents descend in their community. Immigration advocates have been preparing know your rights training and asking questions from immigrants and their families on what happens if ICE agents descend in their community (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Similarly, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said local law enforcement will not assist ICE agents in conducting their jobs unless it is related to violent crime. Denver city staff were given a playbook on how to handle ICE agents if they conduct raids in public spaces or if they come in contact with a hostile federal employee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several California cities including San Francisco and Los Angeles have also initiated local ordinances that prevent local authorities from aiding federal agents unless required by federal law. Other state leaders, such as Republcian Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, have directed their state public safety and corrections officials to fully cooperate with ICE agents. BNU announced the launch of the redesigned MOP50 and MOP100 banknotes, which officially entered circulation yesterday. Accredited as the first note-issuing bank in Macau in the early 20th century, the new bills are inspired by the citys rich history and evolution. The artwork showcases a map of the SAR through different eras and generations. Each note tells a story of the citys transformation, reflecting Macaus unique cultural heritage and historical significance. With the introduction of the new MOP50 and MOP100 banknotes, BNU continues to commit to providing citizens with a modern, aesthetically pleasing currency that incorporates updated security features. This launch follows the introduction of the new MOP10 and MOP20 bills, expanding the family of this series of banknotes. Less than 24 hours after Donald Trumps inauguration, his administration has taken down the Spanish-language version of the official White House website making it that much more difficult for those seeking information on the president and the White House in Spanish. The site, whitehouse.gov/es/, now says 404 Page Not Found with an illustration of the White House. The button that redirects users to the English-language webpage initially said Go Home before changing to Go To Home Page. At the beginning of his first term, President Donald Trump made a similar change to the Spanish language site, which was revived when Biden took office. The Bush, Obama and Biden administrations all maintained a Spanish version of the official White House site, regularly updating it for Spanish-speaking Americans looking for resources from the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment. A screenshot of the now-defunct Spanish version of the official White House website with the redirect button initially displaying "Go Home." The White House The site removal comes after Trump used his campaign rallies and inauguration speech to spew hateful, xenophobic rhetoric and subsequently signed multiple executive orders that will overhaul existing border policy and upend the lives of immigrants and their children. The Spanish language site is not the only page getting removed by Trumps team. His administration has also taken down a government website meant to help women find health care and get informed on reproductive rights. The White Houses official website has also dropped a contact form created by the Biden administration that asked users for their pronouns and has removed all HIV and LGBTQ-related content, GLAAD reported. A peace deal will likely be brokered in Ukraine this year, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said. President Donald Trump has pledged to negotiate a Ukraine deal. Although his timescale has slipped, both Ukraine and Russia have indicated willing. Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said she believes there'll be a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine this year. "I'm pretty sure there will be a peace agreement this year," said Valtonen, speaking at an event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday. "I was in Kyiv just a week before, before last, and I must say that nobody wants and deserves peace more than Ukraine, and of course, the Ukrainian children," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valtonen went on to blame Russia for the conflict, which will be three years old in February. President Donald Trump, who was sworn in for his second term Monday, has pledged to rapidly negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine. On the campaign trail, he pledged to end the war on his first day in office, though his aides later said it would take longer. It's unclear, too, what form a peace deal might take. Trump's proposed Ukraine envoy, retired lieutenant general Keith Kellogg, suggested that it could involve Ukraine handing over land to Russia and pledging to remain neutral. Ukraine has previously said it would only accept a peace deal that involved Russia withdrawing its forces but has recently said it's open to negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has also signalled willingness to negotiate, but continues to push for sweeping concessions from Kyiv. Valtonen said that in the past, a neutrality pledge had not protected Ukraine or other countries in Russia's orbit. "And there, I think we have a global obligation to defend people," she said. Like Ukraine, Finland shares a land border with Russia. It had long pursued a policy of neutrality but pivoted after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and joined the NATO defensive alliance. Read the original article on Business Insider President Donald Trump on Friday tapped a former Space Force lieutenant colonel who was fired after publicly criticizing the militarys diversity programs and alleged leftist and Marxist ideology in the ranks to be the Air Forces next undersecretary. In May 2021, while serving as commander of the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado, Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier self-published the book, Irresistible Revolution: Marxisms Goal of Conquest and the Unmaking of the American Military. Shortly after, Lohmeier appeared on a podcast where he criticized diversity initiatives, critical race theory and Marxism as anti-American, divisive and threats to the nation, claiming those schools of thought were spreading through the military and weakening it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then-Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, who at the time was head of Space Operations Command, relieved Lohmeier of command due to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead, Military.com reported at the time. Trump announced his plan to nominate Lohmeier as the second-highest ranking civilian official in the Department of the Air Force in a social media post Friday, three days before his inauguration, touting Lohmeiers experience as a fighter pilot, squadron commander and Air Force Academy graduate. Trump also said he chose Lohmeier to change the militarys woke policies, alongside his nominee to run the Pentagon, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth. Matthew will work with the GREAT Secretary of Defense Nominee, Pete Hegseth, to end the devastating woke policies that have destroyed our Military, and make our Country STRONG AGAIN, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whiting, now a four-star general and commander of U.S. Space Command, also directed an investigation be opened into Lohmeiers comments to consider whether they amounted to prohibited partisan political activity. Soon afterward, the investigation was elevated to the Air Force Office of Inspector General. Lohmeier left active duty in September 2021, according to his website. An Air Force official said the investigation of Lohmeier was closed when he voluntarily separated. The site describes Lohmeier as a highly sought public speaker and private consultant on matters of Marxist ideology and tactics, CRT [critical race theory], the betterment of military culture, and the preservation of our liberties. Lohmeier also serves as the executive vice president of STARRS, or Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services, a group of veterans that advocates against Marxist collectivism and one party rule, socialism, CRT which destroys unit cohesion-pits one group against another, politically correct woke policies, lowering standards, and equity meaning equal outcomes based on racial or gender quotas, according to the organizations website. This story has been updated with additional information on the status of the investigation into Lohmeier. Members of U.S. President Donald Trump's team may meet a Ukrainian delegation during Ukraine Week in Washington in early February, David Arakhamia, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's faction in parliament, said on Jan. 21. "We are now working to ensure that the relevant meetings are held at the inter-parliamentary level and other levels," he said, as cited by Interfax Ukraine. Following his inauguration on Jan. 20, Trump reiterated his intent to pursue a peace deal in Ukraine but offered few specifics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has instructed his aides to arrange a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly after his inauguration, CNN reported on Jan. 19. The U.S. president told reporters on Jan. 20 that Putin is "destroying Russia by not making a deal" while acknowledging doubts about Moscow's willingness to negotiate. The Trump administration's Ukraine peace envoy, Keith Kellogg, was expected to visit Ukraine before Trump's inauguration. However, he postponed his visit due to the U.S. Logan Act, which restricts unauthorized negotiations with foreign governments, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi explained on Jan. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Jan. 15 that Kyiv and Moscow must make concessions to achieve peace, signaling potential challenges in crafting a mutually acceptable agreement. Read also: Putin is destroying Russia by not making a deal to end war, Trump says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Donald Trump has threatened to double taxes on foreign nationals and companies in a row over discriminatory levies on US businesses. The president has instructed the secretary of the treasury to investigate whether any foreign country subjects United States citizens or corporations to discriminatory or extraterritorial taxes pursuant to section 891 of title 26, United States Code. Section 891 of the US tax code gives the president the power to double the rate of tax on foreign nationals and corporations if they judge that the countries they hail from are unfairly taxing American interests overseas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threat was set out in a White House memo outlining Mr Trumps America First trade policy. It came as the new president declared war on a corporate tax deal championed by Brussels. The president has pulled US support for an agreement on a global minimum corporation tax, which requires countries to impose a minimum levy of 15pc on company profits. The deal was backed by 140 nations and forged under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The regime was championed by Brussels and officially adopted by the EU last year. The scheme was designed to limit the ability of countries to compete for business by lowering tax rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was supported by Joe Biden, who said in 2021 the deal would stop companies shipping jobs and profits overseas. Companies operating in a country where the deal was in force face a top-up tax if they book profits in jurisdictions with lower levies. Joe Biden backed the agreement on a global minimum corporation tax in 2021 - Pool/Getty Images North America However, Mr Trump said the scheme unfairly gave the OECD power over US tax policy. An executive order revoking Americas support for the deal read: The OECD Global Tax Deal supported under the prior administration not only allows extraterritorial jurisdiction over American income but also limits our nations ability to enact tax policies that serve the interests of American businesses and workers. Because of the Global Tax Deal and other discriminatory foreign tax practices, American companies may face retaliatory international tax regimes if the United States does not comply with foreign tax policy objectives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump said: The Global Tax Deal has no force or effect in the United States. The president also demanded a list of options for protective measures or other actions that the United States should adopt or take in response to the deal, signalling the US plans to wage a war against its implementation globally. Ambitions lie in tatters The Tax Justice Network said Mr Trumps executive order effectively requires countries to cede their tax sovereignty over multinationals operating within their own borders or face serious countermeasures. Alex Cobham, the organizations chief executive, said: Trump hasnt just killed the OECDs weak tax reforms, hes effectively threatening to scrap everything built over the last century and to take the world back to robber baron-era tax policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It represents a fresh front in the presidents brewing clash with Europe. The EU hailed the global minimum tax deal as groundbreaking when it came into force a year ago, promising greater fairness and stability. Paolo Gentiloni, the EUs economy commissioner at the time, said the tax had the potential to generate an extra $220bn (178bn) annually to help countries around the world to fund crucial investments and high quality public services. Those ambitions may lie in tatters as the US never implemented the deal and now is unlikely ever to. Valdis Dombrovskis, EU economy commissioner, expressed regret over Mr Trumps move during a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday, adding that the EU remained committed to its international obligations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: We trust that its worth taking the time to discuss these matters with the new US tax administration in order to better understand their asks and explain also our position. Mr Trump has also threatened to apply tariffs to swathes of EU imports and has warned that nations across the Atlantic must do more to pay for their own security. Mathias Cormann, secretary general of the OECD, said: There have been concerns raised with us by US representatives about various aspects of our international tax agreement. The democratically elected governments of our member countries represent the interests of their countries as they see fit. He added that companies operating in multiple countries will still be bound by local tax rules despite Mr Trumps threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multinationals operating across borders will continue to interact with the tax systems of multiple sovereign jurisdictions. We will keep working with the US and all countries at the table to support international cooperation that promotes certainty, avoids double taxation, and protects tax bases. Britains embassy in the US is understood to be seeking more information about what the tax announcement means for the UK. When the Conservative government of the day signed up to the OECD scheme in 2022, the OBR estimated that the global minimum tax would raise 2.8bn a year for the Treasurys coffers by 2029-30. This included topping up the tax paid on multinational companies UK profits if they are charged less than 15pc elsewhere. A big chunk of the anticipated gain was also expected to come from businesses choosing to book more profits in Britain when they would previously have registered them elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Treasury declined to comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Newly-inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump gave TikTok a brief reprieve on Monday, giving the Chinese-owned social media app a few more months to find a U.S. buyer. TikTok briefly went dark for U.S. users for about 12 hours on Sunday, with the company blaming a lack of clarity from the Biden administration and the Department of Justice for the brief suspension. When it came back online, the platform publicly thanked Trump for his efforts to bring TikTok back online. On Monday, Trump ordered the Department of Justice to delay implementing the ban for 75 days. But amid his flurry of executive orders, Trump floated the idea of punishing China if a TikTok deal couldnt be reached. If we wanted to make a deal with TikTok, and it was a good dealthen I think ultimately [China would] approve it because wed put tariffs on China, Trump said in the White House on Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if no deal was reached, Trump warned, then thats a certain hostility and well put tariffs of 25, 30, 50%, even 100%. Trump has threatened steep tariffs on China both during his campaign and after winning office. Yet the new Presidents first tariffs are not falling on China, but instead on the U.S.s neighbors, Canada and Mexico. Trump said he would impose 25% tariffs on the two countries by Feb. 1, and also said he might consider a universal tariff on all U.S. imports. Finding a deal Trumps executive order now buys time for the administration to find a solution for TikTok to keep operating while satisfying national security concerns, or for TikToks Chinese owner ByteDance to work out a deal with an American company to keep operating in the U.S. Former president Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation in April last year that required ByteDance to sell TikTok by Jan. 19 if it wanted to keep operating in the U.S. That deadline could be extended by 90 days, but only if a sale was in process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps intervention upon taking office for the second time represents an about turn on how he views the app. In his first term, Trump tried to ban TikTok and Chinese messaging app WeChat, over national security concerns. U.S. courts blocked the ban. On Sunday, before the inauguration, Trump suggested that a joint venture was the solution to the TikTok problem. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that he would like the United States to have 50% ownership position in a joint venture and said that would keep TikTok in good hands. A joint venture might not address Washingtons national security concerns, such as Beijings alleged access to U.S. user data. Beijing might also need to sign off on a TikTok joint venture. The Chinese government added algorithms to an export control list in 2020, which means it must approve any deal that transfers such technologies developed in China to a non-Chinese company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Trump has shown greater warmth towards TikTok than he did previously. TikTok CEO, Shou Chew, sat next to Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps pick to be the director of national intelligence, at the inauguration. I guess I have a warm spot for TikTok that I didnt have originally, Trump said on Monday. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseths former sister-in-law accused him of making his second wife fear for her safety, according to an affidavit shared with the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday. The stunning new allegations once more raise questions about the FBIs background check on Hegseth, which reportedly failed to speak to multiple witnesses. Danielle Hegseth submitted the affidavit after the ranking member on the committee, Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, issued a letter to her requesting her knowledge of the Fox News stars fitness to occupy this important position, NBC reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As I have said for months, the reports of Mr. Hegseths history of alleged sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and public misconduct necessitate an exhaustive background investigation, Reed said in a statement, adding that the behavior would disqualify any service member from a position of leadership, let alone running the Pentagon. I have been concerned that the background check process has been inadequate, and this sworn affidavit confirms that fact. Danielles affidavit described volatile and threatening conduct from Hegseth that made his wife at the time, Samantha Hegseth, fear for her safety, according to NBC. In a statement to the network, Samantha Hegseth dismissed the allegations, refusing to comment on her marriage to Donald Trumps defense nominee, and saying that she did not believe the information shared in the affidavit was accurate. First and foremost, I have not and will not comment on my marriage to Pete Hegseth. I do not have representatives speaking on my behalf, nor have I ever asked anyone to share or speak about the details of my marriage on my behalf, whether it be a reporter, a committee member, a transition team member, etc., she told NBC in an email. There was no physical abuse in my marriage, she continued. This is the only further statement I will make to you, I have let you know that I am not speaking and will not speak on my marriage to Pete. Please respect this decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth, a 44-year-old former infantry officer, has been under fire since Trump tapped him to lead the Pentagon. The heat has primarily stemmed from a shocking 2017 police report that revealed the Army veteran was accused of raping an attendee at a Republican womens conference in Monterey, California. Hegseth has also admitted to several other scandals, including five affairs that he had during his first marriage. But Hegseths FBI background check ahead of his Senate hearing barely touched on the scandals, failing to interview Hegseths ex-wives or the woman who accused him. This story has been updated. Trumps U.N. nominee, Elise Stefanik, bent over backward in her confirmation hearing Tuesday to avoid admitting that Elon Musk did indeed perform a Nazi salute. What do you think of Elon Musk, perhaps the presidents most visible adviser, doing two Heil Hitler salutes last night at the presidents televised rally? Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy asked Stefanik. No, Elon Musk did not do those salutes, Stefanik answered disdainfully. I was not at the rally, but I can tell you Ive been at many rallies with Elon Musk, who loves to cheer when president Trump says We need to send our U.S. space program to Mars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elon Musk is a visionary, Stefanik continued. That is simply not the case. The American people are smart, they see through it, they support Elon Musk. But when Murphy pivoted to reading positive reactions to Musks salute from white supremacists and others on the right, Stefanik seemed to fumble. Lemme share with you what a few Americans have said about it, Murphy began. Evan Kilgore, a right wing-political commentator, wrote on X, Holy crap! Did Elon Musk just Heil Hitler at the Trump inauguration rally? This is incredible, we are so back. Andrew Torba, whos the founder of the right-wing Christian nationalist social platform Gab said, Incredible things are happening, as he amplified the visual. The Proud Boys chapter in Ohio posted the clip on a Telegram channel with the text Heil Trump. The chapter of the white nationalist group White Lives Matter posted on Telegram Thanks for hearing us Elon, the white flame will rise again. I could keep going. Over and over last night, white supremacist groups and neo-Nazi groups in this country rallied around that visual, Murphy said. Does it concern you that those elements of the neo-Nazi and white supremacist element in the United States believe that what they say last night was a Neo-Nazi Salute? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What concerns me is these are the questions you believe are most important to ask, Stefanik responded. Anyone with eyes to see and an awareness of world history can deduce that Musks gesture looked much closer to a Nazi salute than it did a nervous tic. President Donald Trump covered a lot of ground in the new-look Oval Office Monday night, while signing more executive orders and responding to reporters questions. Among the several executive orders Trump signed was one designed to prevent a TikTok ban from going into effect for 75 days. Trump said he wanted to see the company sold through a joint venture with the U.S. While discussing TikTok, Trump turned to Fox News reporter Peter Doocy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does Biden ever do news conferences like this? How many news conference, Peter, has he done like this? None. Like this? Doocy replied. Zero. Trump continued: And it would be zero for the next infinity. For infinity, it would be zero. At another point, Trump was asked which former presidents advice he would seek if needed. Bill Clinton, Trump said, has great political sense. Trump seemed to praise himself while explaining why. When Hillary was running, [Bill Clinton] came back and he said, You know, you better get up there in Michigan and Wisconsin. Every house has a Trump sign on it, Trump claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They all laughed at Bill Clinton like, The hell does he know? And he turned out to be right because I won both of them. And then we just won both in this election, too, Trump continued. But Bill Clinton, he had a great political sense I think. During his back-and-forth with reporters, Trump once again baselessly claimed that the FBI had a role in the Jan. 6 insurrection. There were outside agitators involved, and obviously, the FBI was involved because [former FBI director Christopher] Wray admitted the FBI was involved, Trump said, even though the Justice Departments inspector general, in a December 2024 report, found no such involvement. Since being sworn in, Trump has signed executive actions to end birthright citizenship, withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, freeze federal regulations and hiring, mandate full-time in-person work for federal employees, and preserve records of political persecution under the Biden administration. He has also pardoned cop-beating supporters of his who stormed the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrectionpart of the more than 1,500 people that the pardon is said to cover. An Indian court yesterday sentenced a police volunteer to life in prison after finding him guilty in the rape and killing of a trainee doctor last year, a crime that sparked nationwide protests over inadequate safety for women and led to a speedy trial in the countrys slow-moving justice system. Sanjay Roy, 33, who has consistently maintained his innocence, can appeal the judgment in a higher court. The killing of the 31-year-old physician while she was on duty at a hospital in the eastern city of Kolkata highlighted the chronic issue of violence against women in the country. Police discovered the womans bloodied body at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospitals seminar hall last Aug. 9. An autopsy found she had been strangled and sexually assaulted. Federal police, who investigated the case, said the crime deserved the death penalty. Parents of the victim had also sought the death penalty for Roy and said they suspected more people were involved in the crime. The case was initially investigated by Kolkata police but later the court handed over the probe to federal investigators after state government officers were accused of mishandling the investigation. After the assault, doctors and medical students across India held protests and rallies demanding better security. Thousands of women also protested in the streets demanding swift justice for the victim. Roy was arrested a day after the crime, and arguments in the case began in November. The assault prompted Indias Supreme Court to set up a national task force to suggest ways to enhance safety in government hospitals. Many crimes against women go unreported in India due to the stigma surrounding sexual violence, as well as a lack of faith in the police. Womens rights activists say the problem is particularly acute in rural areas, where communities sometimes shame victims of sexual assault and families worry about their social standing. In 2012, the gang rape and killing of a 23-year-old student on a New Delhi bus galvanized massive protests across India. It inspired lawmakers to order harsher penalties for such crimes, as well as the creation of fast-track courts dedicated to rape cases. The government also introduced the death penalty for repeat offenders. Four men sentenced to death for the 2012 crime were hanged in 2020. The rape law amended in 2013 also criminalized stalking and voyeurism and lowered the age at which a person can be tried as an adult from 18 to 16. Activists say new sentencing requirements havent deterred rapes and the number of recorded rape cases has increased. In 2022, police recorded 31,516 reports of rape a 20% jump from 2021, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. SHEIKH SAALIQ, NEW DELHI, MDT/AP President Donald Trump used his predecessors decision to grant preemptive pardons to his family members and others to deflect criticism for releasing violent January 6 rioters, including those who assaulted police officers at the Capitol four years ago. Speaking at a media availability with a trio of technology executives who were announcing a half-billion dollar investment in AI data centers, Trump was asked about the release from custody of DJ Rodriguez, who during the January 6, 2021 riot drove a stun gun into the neck of Washington, D.C. police officer Michael Fanone. After initially suggesting that Rodriguez was not among those who were pardoned, he pivoted to a non sequitur claiming that progressive prosecutors in cities with Black mayors are refusing to charge murder suspects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take a look at whats gone on in Philadelphia. Take a look at whats gone off in L.A. where people murder people and they dont get charged, Trump said. Donald Trump speaks to reporters on January 21 (Getty Images) Turning the subject back to the violent criminals who assaulted police and sacked the U.S. Capitol in a futile effort to stop certification of former president Joe Bidens 2020 election win, Trump continued: These people have already served years in prison and theyve served them viciously. Its a disgusting prison. Its been horrible. Its inhumane. Its been a terrible, terrible thing ... so these people have already served a long period of time, and I made a decision to give a pardon. The president also suggested that Bidens decision to grant preemptive pardons to members of his family whom Trumps allies had accused of crimes was equivalent to his granting of clemency to violent criminals. Joe Biden gave a pardon yesterday to a lot of criminals. These are criminals that he gave a pardon to, and you should be asking that question, why did he give a pardon to all of these people that committed crimes? Trump noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president also complained that Biden had granted pardons to members and staff of the House January 6 select committee, whom he has falsely accused of destroying federal records in violation of law. A short time later, the president defended the decision to commute the sentence of former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who was convicted last year of seditious conspiracy for his role in the riot and sentenced to 22 years in prison. Trump falsely claimed Tarrio was imprisoned for defacing a Black Lives Matter flag rather than on seditious conspiracy charges One of the guys took down a flag that was an anti-American flag, and he was given years in jail. I dont know the exact number, but he was given many years in jail. I thought it was very excessive, and at least the cases that we looked at, these were people that actually love our country, so we thought a pardon would be appropriate, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 1,500 people were criminally charged in connection with a mobs assault on the Capitol, fuelled by Trumps bogus narrative that the 2020 presidential election was rigged and stolen from him. According to the Justice Department, approximately 608 defendants charged in connection with the riot faced charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder, including approximately 174 defendants charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer. As of Tuesday evening, the Federal Bureau of Prisons stated that all individuals who had their sentence pardoned or commuted, and were under BOP custody have been released. That number includes 211 pardoned or commuted convicts who were released over a 12-hour period. That number included Stewart Rhodes founder of the far-right Oath Keepers anti-government militia who was similarly convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Alex Woodward contributed reporting from New York WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Among other false and misleading claims in U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration addresses on Tuesday, his declaration that Americans split the atom prompted vexed social media posts by New Zealanders, who said the achievement belonged to a pioneering scientist revered in his homeland. Ernest Rutherford, a Nobel Prize winner known as the father of nuclear physics, is regarded by many as the first to knowingly split the atom by artificially inducing a nuclear reaction in 1917 while he worked at a university in Manchester in the United Kingdom. The achievement is also credited to English scientist John Douglas Cockroft and Ireland's Ernest Walton, researchers in 1932 at a British laboratory developed by Rutherford. It is not attributed to Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps account of U.S. greatness in one of Tuesdays inauguration addresses included a claim that Americans crossed deserts, scaled mountains, braved untold dangers, won the Wild West, ended slavery, rescued millions from tyranny, lifted millions from poverty, harnessed electricity, split the atom, launched mankind into the heavens and put the universe of human knowledge into the palm of the human hand. New Zealand politician Nick Smith, the mayor of Nelson, where Rutherford was born and educated, said he was a bit surprised by the claim. Rutherfords ground breaking research on radio communication, radioactivity, the structure of the atom and ultra sound technology were done at Cambridge and Manchester Universities in the UK and McGill University in Montreal Canada, Smith wrote on Facebook. Smith said he would invite the next U.S. ambassador to New Zealand to visit Rutherfords birthplace memorial so we can keep the historic record on who split the atom first accurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A website for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of History and Heritage Resources credits Cockroft and Walton with the milestone, although it describes Rutherford's earlier achievements in mapping the structure of the atom, postulating a central nucleus and identifying the proton. Trump's remarks provoked a flurry of online posts by New Zealanders about Rutherford, whose work is studied by New Zealand schoolchildren and whose name appears on buildings, streets and institutions. His portrait features on the 100-dollar banknote. Okay, Ive gotta call time. Trump just claimed America split the atom, Ben Uffindell, editor of the satirical New Zealand news website The Civilian, wrote on X. Thats THE ONE THING WE DID. (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trumps first trip since returning to the White House will take him to Asheville, North Carolina, and the Los Angeles area in California, communities where he has loudly criticized the federal response to recent natural disasters. Most Read from Bloomberg Trump, during an event at the White House on Tuesday, said he would first stop in North Carolina on Friday before traveling from there to California as well as Nevada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to take care of Los Angeles. Im going there. Im going to North Carolina, which has been abandoned by the Democrats, Trump said. Ill be there on Friday, and then Im going from there to Los Angeles. Trump said his stop in Nevada, a swing-state which he carried in the 2024 presidential election, during his trip was to thank them for their vote. I just want to go there to thank the people of Nevada for the big vote, he said. Asheville is still recovering from Septembers historic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, while in Los Angeles devastating wildfires made worse by strong winds have burned entire neighborhoods. Trump cited the disasters during his inauguration speech Monday as examples of an insufficient federal response to communities in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina, who been treated so badly, and other states who are still suffering from a hurricane that took place many months ago, Trump said. Or more recently, Los Angeles, where we are watching fires still tragically burn from weeks ago without even a token of defense. The trip was first reported by the New York Post. Trump has repeatedly slammed Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom as well as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their handling of the fires. The president has also made inaccurate claims about the effects of Californias water policy on firefighting abilities. One of Trumps first executive orders was to renew efforts to divert more water from Northern California south to the Central Valley and Southern California. Trump on Tuesday repeated his claims that the state was not providing enough water to help fight the blazes in Los Angeles. Los Angeles has massive amounts of water available to it. All they have to do is turn the valve, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsom, who is widely seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2028, invited Trump earlier this month to tour the damage and said those displaced from their homes deserve to see us all working together in their best interests, not politicizing a human tragedy and spreading disinformation from the sidelines. On the campaign trail, Trump also assailed then-President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris over the response to the storm in North Carolina. Democrats accused Trump of fanning conspiracy theories about what assistance the federal government was providing residents. Looming over Trumps visit Friday are questions about federal funding for disaster recovery. Several congressional Republicans have insisted that money to aid California be tied to requiring substantial policy changes in the state, where Democrats control both the governorship and the state legislature. House Speaker Mike Johnson, in an interview on NBCs Meet the Press, declined to commit to no-strings attached disaster aid, as is traditional for emergency funding legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the state and local officials make foolish policy decisions that make the disaster exponentially worse, we need to factor that in, Johnson said. And I think thats a common-sense notion. Newsom has aggressively rejected suggestions aid that aid should be conditioned, reminding Johnson that his home state of Louisiana benefited from generous congressional aid, including after Hurricane Katrina swamped New Orleans in 2005. Millions of your supporters are out here and they need your help, empathy, care and whatever compassion you are willing to express, Newsom said in an X post on Jan. 16. Trumps California visit will follow that of Harris, who has a home in Brentwood that was placed under an evacuation order during the first days of the Palisades fire. Though she hasnt specified future plans, Harris is often mentioned by political observers as a possible candidate for governor of California in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris, in her first public engagement after departing the White House, stopped by a pair of World Central Kitchen food distribution sites in Altadena. Trump, who defeated Harris in the 2024 presidential election, has feuded with World Central Kitchen founder and chef Jose Andres since he pulled out of a deal to operate a restaurant at Trumps Washington hotel. (Updates with Trump remarks in paragraphs two-four, ten, and Andres in final paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. In one of his first acts as the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at ending automatic citizenship rights for nearly anyone born on US territory - known as "birthright citizenship". It's a policy change he's long promised - but implementing it won't be easy. The matter looks likely to be decided by the US Supreme Court. Trump's order seeks to deny citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US illegally or on temporary visas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it already has been blocked by courts in the early stages of what promises to be a long battle. Most legal scholars say the president doesn't have the power to unilaterally change the law in this area, which is based on an amendment in the US Constitution. What is 'birthright citizenship'? The first sentence of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution establishes the principle of birthright citizenship: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." Immigration hardliners argue that the policy is a "great magnet for illegal immigration" and that it encourages pregnant women to cross the border in order to give birth and remain in the US, an act that has been pejoratively called "birth tourism" or having an "anchor baby". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of birthright citizenship point out that it has been the law of the land for well over a century and that eliminating it would create a "permanent subclass of people born in the US who are denied full rights as Americans." How did it start? The concept of birthright citizenship, also known by the legal term "jus soli", is based in English common law and was generally accepted to apply to white men throughout early American history. However, it did not become part of the Constitution until 1868, when the 14th Amendment was passed in the wake of the US Civil War in order to settle the question of the citizenship of freed, American-born former slaves. Previous Supreme Court cases, like Dred Scott v Sandford in 1857, had determined that African Americans could never be US citizens. The 14th Amendment overrode that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1898, the US Supreme Court ruled that birthright citizenship applies to the children of immigrants in the case of US v Wong Kim Ark. Wong was a 24-year-old child of legal Chinese immigrants who was born in the US, but denied re-entry when he returned from a visit to China. Wong successfully argued that because he was born in the US, his parents' immigration status did not affect the application of the 14th Amendment. The court ruled in Wong's favour and outlined a few limited exceptions to birthright citizenship, such as for children of diplomats. "Wong Kim Ark vs United States affirmed that regardless of race or the immigration status of one's parents, all persons born in the United States were entitled to all of the rights that citizenship offered," writes Erika Lee, director of the Immigration History Research Center at the University of Minnesota. "The court has not re-examined this issue since then." Can Trump overturn it? Most legal scholars say President Trump cannot end birthright citizenship with an executive order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He's doing something that's going to upset a lot of people, but ultimately this will be decided by the courts," said Saikrishna Prakash, a constitutional expert and University of Virginia Law School professor. "This is not something he can decide on his own." Mr Prakash said that while the president can order employees of federal agencies to interpret citizenship more narrowly - agents with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, for example - that would trigger legal challenges from anyone whose citizenship is denied. The Trump administration's arguments rest on the clause in the 14th Amendment that reads "subject to the jurisdiction thereof". It argues that the language excludes children of non-citizens who are in the US unlawfully. Courts have generally disagreed. In Plyler v Doe, a 1982 Supreme Court case involving a different part of the 14th Amendment, justices rejected an argument made by the state of Texas that undocumented immigrants were not "persons within its jurisdiction". The court ruled that migrants are both subject to US laws and granted the protections afforded by them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A constitutional amendment could do away with birthright citizenship, but that would require a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate and approval by three quarters of US states - a virtual impossibility on such a controversial proposal, given the current finely balanced divide in American politics. How many people would it affect? According to Pew Research, about 250,000 babies were born to unauthorised immigrant parents in the United States in 2016, which is a 36% decrease from a peak in 2007. By 2022, the latest year that data is available, there were 1.2 million US citizens born to unauthorised immigrant parents, Pew found. But as those children also have children, the cumulative effect of ending birthright citizenship could potentially increase the number of unauthorised immigrants in the country to 4.7m in 2050, the Migration Policy Institute, a think tank, found. In an interview with NBC's Meet the Press, Trump said he thought the children of unauthorised immigrants should be deported alongside their parents - even if they were born in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't want to be breaking up families," Trump said last December. "So the only way you don't break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back." How are legal proceedings going? The case has now reached appellate court level and looks likely to end up at the conservative-dominated Supreme Court. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco has rejected the Trump administration's request to pause a lower-court judge's order. The appellate ruling upholds - for now - a nationwide injunction issued by a judge in Seattle at the behest of four Democratic-led states: Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seattle Judge John Coughenour called Trump's order "blatantly unconstitutional". Four federal judges have ruled against the policy - with one in Massachusetts writing that the Constitution "leaves no room" for Trump's interpretation of birthright citizenship. Judges in Maryland and New Hampshire have also blocked Trump's executive order. In the meantime, birthright citizenship remains the law of the land. Which countries have birthright citizenship? More than 30 countries practise automatic "jus soli", or "right of the soil" without restriction in almost all cases. Other countries, like the UK and Australia, allow for a modified version where citizenship is automatically granted if one parent is a citizen or permanent resident. Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump reiterated in his inaugural speech Monday his desire to acquire the Panama Canal. During his first official day in office, Trump also said he would impose 25% tariffs on goods imported from Mexico and Canada the United States two largest trade partners starting Feb. 1. Trump repeatedly vowed during his campaign to take ownership of the Panama Canal, and he refused to rule out using military force in pursuit of his goal. The U.S. signed over ownership to Panama in 1977. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form and that includes the United States Navy. And, above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didnt give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and were taking it back, Trump said after beginning his second term in office. The Panama Canal carries an estimated 3% of global maritime traffic, connecting 180 maritime routes that reach 1,920 ports in 170 countries around the world. Almost 9,000 Panamanians work at the canal. Panama President Jose Raul Mulino rejected Trumps claims. The Panama Canal, which opened in 1914, was built by Panama and the United States. The 51-mile waterway connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It was administered by the U.S. until 1999, when control of the waterway was given solely over to Panama under a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Canal is and will remain Panamas and its administration will continue to be under Panamanian control with respect for its permanent neutrality, Mulino said in a news release on Monday. There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration. Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings has licenses that it won through a bidding process in 1997 to operate two ports adjacent to the canal. Chinese officials have not directly addressed Trumps allegations that China is running the Panama Canal, but on Tuesday, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said there are no winners in a global trade war. Admittedly, economic globalization will bring some tensions and disagreements on distribution. These issues can only be resolved in the process of promoting economic globalization. Protectionism leads nowhere, Ding said during a public speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trade war has no winners. We must seize all opportunities to steer economic globalization in the right direction, tackle the development challenges with universal benefit, and pool strengths with inclusive cooperation, so as to usher in a new phase of economic globalization that is more dynamic, more inclusive and more sustainable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian officials were critical of Trumps vows to take back the canal. The Panama Canal legally belongs to Panama, according to Alexander Shchetinin, director of the Latin American department of the Russian foreign ministry. Hopefully, in their anticipated discussions on control over the Panama Canal, which is clearly a bilateral matter, the Panamanian authorities and U.S. President Donald Trump will honor the established legal procedures governing this key water route, Shchetinin said in a statement posted Monday. The Trump Organization, the business conglomerate owned by Trump, has an ongoing tax evasion case in Panama centering around the former Trump Ocean Club International Hotel & Tower in Panama City, according to Newsweek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also Monday, Trump said he would begin to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada starting Feb. 1. During his campaign, he had said he would place 20% tariffs on imports from all countries, along with a 25% tax on goods from Mexico and Canada and a 60% levy on goods from China, on his first day in office. We are thinking in terms of 25% on Mexico and Canada because theyre allowing vast numbers of people to come in and fentanyl to come in, Trump said during an interview with media in the Oval Office after the inauguration. I think well do it Feb. 1. Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said if Trump imposes tariffs on his country, Canada will retaliate with tariffs on U.S. goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the president does choose to proceed with tariffs on Canada, Canada will respond and everything is on the table, Trudeau said during a news conference Tuesday, according to Globalnews.ca. I support the principle of dollar-for-dollar matching tariffs. Its something that we are absolutely going to be looking at if that is how they move forward. The post Trump vows to take back Panama Canal, increase tariffs appeared first on FreightWaves. Visitors to Talkeetna take in a view of Denali. President Donald Trump announced the name would be changed back to Mount McKinley during his inaugural address. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) President Donald Trump announced the name of Alaskas highest peak and North Americas tallest at over 20,000 feet Denali, would be changed back to Mount McKinley. Trump was sworn in as the 47th president on Monday, and made the announcement in his inaugural address, also promising to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Trump said. And we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs. William McKinley was the 25th president, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. Trump has praised his tariff policies, known as the McKinley tariffs, which raised taxes on some imported goods. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent he was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama, he said. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski has opposed the name change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I strongly disagree with the Presidents decision on Denali, Murkowski said in a statement on Monday. Our nations tallest mountain, which has been called Denali for thousands of years, must continue to be known by the rightful name bestowed by Alaska Koyukon Athabascans, who have stewarded the land since time immemorial. Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan has also publicly opposed the change, but did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday. In December, Sen. Sullivan repeated his support for the name Denali, via spokesperson Amanda Coyne, who said: Senator Sullivan, like many Alaskans prefers the name that the very tough, very strong, very patriotic Athabascan people gave the mountain thousands of years ago Denali. In the language of Interior Alaskas Koyukon people, Denali means the High One. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The naming of the mountain prompted debate and national controversy for decades. The name change effort from Mount McKinley to Denali began in 1975, when the Alaska Legislature asked the federal government to change the name. It was formally recognized by the Obama administration in 2015. It was seen as a victory in a larger movement to restore traditional indigenous place names, and acknowledge the history and heritage of Alaska Native peoples. McKinley never visited Alaska, nor had any significant historical ties to the mountain or the state, according to the resolution renaming it. A local prospector named the mountain after the then-presidential nominee McKinley in 1896. Reverting the name back to Mount McKinley is expected by executive order by Trump, directing the change to the secretary of the Interior. Doug Burgum, the Republican governor of North Dakota, is expected to be confirmed to that role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear whether the 6-million acre Denali National Park and Preserve will also be renamed. It was renamed in 1980, 35 years before the mountains name change. Requests for comment to the Alaska Federation of Natives and the Tanana Chiefs Conference were not immediately returned on Monday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Visitors to Talkeetna take in a view of Denali. President Donald Trump announced the name would be changed back to Mount McKinley during his inaugural address. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) President Donald Trump announced the name of Alaskas highest peak and North Americas tallest at over 20,000 feet Denali, would be changed back to Mount McKinley. Trump was sworn in as the 47th president on Monday, and made the announcement in his inaugural address, also promising to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Trump said. And we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs. William McKinley was the 25th president, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. Trump has praised his tariff policies, known as the McKinley tariffs, which raised taxes on some imported goods. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent he was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama, he said. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski has opposed the name change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I strongly disagree with the Presidents decision on Denali, Murkowski said in a statement on Monday. Our nations tallest mountain, which has been called Denali for thousands of years, must continue to be known by the rightful name bestowed by Alaska Koyukon Athabascans, who have stewarded the land since time immemorial. Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan has also publicly opposed the change, but did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday. In December, Sen. Sullivan repeated his support for the name Denali, via spokesperson Amanda Coyne, who said: Sen. Sullivan, like many Alaskans, prefers the name that the very tough, very strong, very patriotic Athabascan people gave the mountain thousands of years ago Denali. In the language of Interior Alaskas Koyukon people, Denali means the High One. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The naming of the mountain prompted debate and national controversy for decades. The name change effort from Mount McKinley to Denali began in 1975, when the Alaska Legislature asked the federal government to change the name. It was formally recognized by the Obama administration in 2015. It was seen as a victory in a larger movement to restore traditional indigenous place names and acknowledge the history and heritage of Alaska Native peoples. McKinley never visited Alaska, nor had any significant historical ties to the mountain or the state, according to the resolution renaming it. A local prospector named the mountain after the then-presidential nominee McKinley in 1896. Reverting the name to Mount McKinley is expected by executive order by Trump, directing the change to the secretary of the Interior. Doug Burgum, the Republican governor of North Dakota, is expected to be confirmed to that role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear whether the 6-million-acre Denali National Park and Preserve will also be renamed. It was renamed in 1980, 35 years before the mountains name change. Requests for comment to the Alaska Federation of Natives and the Tanana Chiefs Conference were not immediately returned on Monday. This story first appeared in the Alaska Beacon, a member with the Phoenix in the nonprofit States Newsroom. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE On Monday, President Donald Trump filed an executive order requiring federal employees who were doing their jobs remotely to return to the office for in-person work. Here's what we know. More than 228,000 federal workers log in via telework across the country, and Trump previously announced plans to fire those who didn't come back to the office five days a week. He signed the executive order, which allows for some exemptions, just hours after being sworn in for his second term. Other orders signed on his first day included pardoning and commuting the sentences for almost 1,600 people who were convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot and granting an extension on the TikTok ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Federation of Government Employees, a union that represents 800,0000 federal workers across the nation, has already filed a federal lawsuit, seeking assurances the Trump administration and Office of Management and Budget comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. How many workers could that affect in Mississippi? Here's what you need to know about how many federal workers are in Mississippi, how many might be affected. What does Trump plan to cut, reorganize? In total, there are about 2.3 million federal employees. More federal jobs could also be at risk, depending on planned department closures and proposed reorganizations. Trump has tapped Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Initially, Musk said they could cut $2 trillion from the federal budget. However, that estimate has been downgraded to close to $1 trillion. (At least four lawsuits have already been filed, arguing for transparency from the commission, and reports say Ramaswamy will step away soon to run for governor of Ohio.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal government spent $6.75 trillion dollars in the 2024 fiscal year, according to the U.S. Treasury. Trump previously announced plans to close the Department of Education and revamp Health and Human Services. and the Department of Justice. Project 2025, a conservative playbook developed by the Heritage Foundation, also calls for realigning the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It also called for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration to totally dismantled because of its work on climate change being "harmful to future U.S. prosperity." The group wants some functions eliminated or moved to other departments and the National Weather Service to charge for its data-gathering services. Trump initially distanced himself from Project 2025, but 31 of the 38 authors had ties to the president or his former administration, and he's chosen several authors for key roles in his new administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read the latest: Biden pre-emptively pardons Mississippi's Bennie Thompson of House Jan. 6 panel How many federal employees are there in Mississippi? There are 19,560 federal civilian employees in Mississippi as of March 2024, according to the Congressional Research Service. That doesn't include uniformed military personnel or federal contractors. A House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform report published on Jan. 15 relied on OMB figures. It said about 43% of employees were still teleworking as of September 2023. Using those numbers, an estimated 8,400 federal workers in Mississippi could be affected by the new executive order. President Donald Trump speaks to journalists about TikTok as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. What exemptions will be allowed? The executive order doesn't specify, other than saying department and agency heads can grant them as deemed necessary. The text reads: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary. This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law. How many Social Security offices are there in Mississippi? The Social Security Administration's Atlanta regional office says there are sites in 23 cities, including: Brookhaven. Clarksdale. Cleveland. Columbus. Corinth. Forest. Greenville. Greenwood. Grenada. Gulfport. Hattiesburg. Hernando. Jackson. Kosciusko. Laurel. McComb. Meridian. Moss Point. Natchez. Philadelphia. Starkville. Tupelo. Vicksburg. Political news: Will Mississippi have daylight saving time this year? Trump says US should get rid of it What other federal offices are located in Mississippi? The U.S. General Services Administration counts 10 federal buildings in the state, including: T. G. Abernethy Federal Building in Aberdeen. New Greenville U.S. Courthouse in Greenville. Dan M. Russell Jr. U.S. Courthouse and Annex in Gulfport. (two facilities) William M. Colmer Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse in Hattiesburg. Thad Cochran U.S. Courthouse in Jackson. Dr. A. H. McCoy Federal Building in Jackson. U.S. Courthouse in Natchez. U.S. Courthouse in Oxford. Mississippi River Commission in Vicksburg. President Donald Trump signs a stack of executive orders on stage at an inaugural event in Washington D.C., on Jan. 20, 2025. How many post offices are there in Mississippi? The United States Postal Service lists 613 offices in Mississippi. More than 210 of those, however, are discontinued offices. Are there other offices represented in Mississippi? Yes, other offices and departments operate in Mississippi. How many employees are working in office or from home is unclear. What other states could be impacted by firing federal workers? States with large numbers of civilian federal workers include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District of Columbia: 162,000. California: 147,000. Virginia: 144,000. Maryland: 142,000. Texas: 129,000. Contributing: Terry Collins, Fernando Cervantes Jr., Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Dan Basso, Riley Beggin Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Trump orders federal workers back to the office. How many are in MS? WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump used one of the flurry of executive actions that he issued on his first day back in the White House to begin the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization for the second time in less than five years a move many scientists fear could roll back decadeslong gains made in fighting diseases like AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Experts have also cautioned that withdrawing from the organization could weaken the worlds defenses against new outbreaks capable of triggering pandemics. Heres a look at what Trumps decision means: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happened? During the first Oval Office appearance of his second term, Trump signed an executive order detailing how the withdrawal process might begin. Ooh," Trump exclaimed as he was handed the action to sign. "Thats a big one! His move calls for pausing the future transfer of U.S. government funds to the organization, recalling and reassigning federal personnel and contractors working with WHO and calls on officials to identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by WHO. This isnt the first time Trump has tried to sever ties with WHO. In July 2020, several months after WHO declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic and as cases surged globally, Trumps administration officially notified U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that the U.S. was planning to pull out of WHO, suspending funding to the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Joe Biden reversed Trumps decision on his first day in office in January 2021 only to have Trump essentially revive it on his first day back at the White House. What is WHO and does this really matter? It is the U.N.s specialized health agency and is mandated to coordinate the worlds response to global health threats, including outbreaks of mpox, Ebola and polio. It also provides technical assistance to poorer countries, helps distribute scarce vaccines, supplies and treatments and sets guidelines for hundreds of health conditions, including mental health and cancer. A U.S. withdrawal from WHO would make the world far less healthy and safe, said Lawrence Gostin, director of the WHO Collaborating Center on Global Health Law at Georgetown University. He said in an email that losing American resources would devastate WHO's global surveillance and epidemic response efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Zealand's former prime minister Helen Clark said it wasn't in American interests to pull out of the agency now, particularly given the ghastly proposition that the increased spread of bird flu there might turn into a pandemic. She described Trump as a disruptor and said the loss of American funding to WHO would cause quite a substantial dent to the agency. Can Trump really withdraw the US from WHO? Yes, as long as he gets the approval of Congress and the U.S. meets its financial obligations to WHO for the current fiscal year. The U.S. joined WHO via a 1948 joint resolution passed by both chambers of Congress, which has subsequently been supported by all administrations. The resolution requires the U.S. to provide a one-year notice period should it decide to leave WHO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What does this mean for WHO? Its extremely bad. The U.S. has historically been among WHOs biggest donors, providing the U.N. health agency not only with hundreds of millions of dollars, but also hundreds of staffers with specialized public health expertise. In the last decade, the U.S. has given WHO about $160 million to $815 million every year. WHOs yearly budget is about $2 billion to $3 billion. Losing U.S. funding could cripple numerous global health initiatives, including the effort to eradicate polio, maternal and child health programs, and research to identify new viral threats. American agencies that work with WHO would also suffer, including the CDC. Leaving WHO would exclude the U.S. from WHO-coordinated initiatives, like determining the yearly composition of flu vaccines and quick access to genetic databases run by WHO, which could stall attempts to produce immunizations and medicines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why is Trump withdrawing the US from WHO? At a September campaign rally, Trump said he would take on the corruption at WHO and other public health institutions that he said were dominated by corporate power and China. His executive order Monday said the U.S. was withdrawing from WHO due to the organizations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China and other global health crises and cited the agencys failure to adopt urgently needed reforms and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states. WHO made several costly mistakes during the pandemic, including advising people against wearing masks and asserting that COVID-19 was not airborne. The agency only officially acknowledged last year that the virus is indeed spread in the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During its efforts to stop COVID-19, WHO also dealt with the biggest sexual abuse scandal in its history, when media reports revealed that dozens of Congolese women had been sexually harassed or assaulted by health responders working to contain Ebola. The AP found senior managers were informed of some instances of sexual abuse when they occurred in 2019 but did little to stop them or punish perpetrators. What has WHO said? In a statement Tuesday, WHO said it regrets Trump's announcement. We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, the organization said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication, WHO said. At a Geneva news briefing on Tuesday, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said the U.S. contributed 18% of WHO's budget in 2023, making it the single biggest donor that year. He declined to say what the U.S. withdrawal might mean for WHO. ___ Cheng reported from Toronto. Geir Moulson in Berlin and Jamey Keaten in Davos, Switzerland contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Lawmaker Lo Choi In wants the government to amend the rules of the wealth partaking scheme system, commonly known as the annual cash handouts. In an interview with the Chinese language newspaper Si Man Pou (Citizens Newspaper), Lo, who is a directly elected lawmaker representing the interests of the Macau Jiangmen Communal Society Affinity, said that the government should consider, for one side to make the measure permanent, and for another, to enforce restrictions on which residents are eligible to receive the annual cheques. Lo believes the handouts should be distributed only to permanent and non-permanent residents who effectively reside in Macau. She suggested that this scheme follow the same rules as others, such as the elderly pension and other government benefits attached to permanence for over 183 days per year or over six months. The lawmaker justified her proposal by arguing that it would improve the use of the public purse and allow the government to allocate more financial resources to support those living full-time in Macau, such as by issuing electronic consumption cards or similar plans. She also argued that the current system makes use of annual administrative regulations to enforce the cash handouts as well as the period of distribution and amount to be distributed (MOP10,000 to each permanent resident and MOP6,000 to each non-permanent resident) is not practical and always causes some concerns and anxiety on the citizens wishing to know if the scheme will continue and when the money will be distributed in each year. She claims that turning into a permanent measure would alleviate this pressure, particularly from those for whom this benefit is essential to balance their life and expenses. According to government information, in 2024, the cash handouts reached 740,000 residents, which cost the public purse some MOP7.3 billion. Official statistics show that the population of Macau at the end of the same year was just 683,700 people, which also includes a high number of non-resident workers. This is not the first time this matter has been raised, but the governments have never accepted this suggestion. They justified that the scheme aimed to support all residents and their families. They also noted that it would be challenging to create then an exception system for residents who are absent from Macau for long periods due to work, studies, or health-related matters, as well as those of old age who opted to live across the border in the neighboring cities of the mainland. Utah kicks off its 45-day legislative session on Tuesday. Lawmakers will introduce somewhere around 1,000 bills. More than half will likely become law. Some of the most interesting conversations will focus on boosting energy production, enhancing immigration law enforcement, and how to deliver higher education. One fact may color these conversations more than any other: who controls the White House. While it is a 2,000 mile drive from Salt Lake City to Washington, D.C., President Donald Trumps second inauguration on Monday will shape many of the debates at the Utah Capitol in coming months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State majority leadership expects the presidents Republican administration to be more supportive of priorities on permitting reform and public safety than his predecessor. Members of the legislative minority, on the other hand, worry that Trumps promises of deportation and deregulation will degrade policymaking on the other side of the aisle. Agree with Trump or not, Utah Gov. Spencer Coxs newfound relationship with the president could hardly have come at a better time. Cox braved the cold weather in the nations capital this weekend, where he attended inaugural events. A few weeks before, the governor sat with Trump in the warmth of his Mar-a-Lago resort talking about policies that impact Utah lands and energy. Energy On Monday, Trumps inaugural address included sweeping promises to put America first when it comes to energy production. Trump vowed to declare a national energy emergency, fill the strategic oil reserves and export that liquid gold across the globe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, whose goal is to make Utah the nuclear capital of the world, and state House Speaker Mike Schultz, the new direction on energy coming from the Oval Office could make all the difference. Its changed the conversation night and day, Schultz, R-Hooper, told the Deseret News and KSL editorial boards last week. The Legislature appears on board with Coxs ambitious goal to double the states energy production by 2035 to keep up with population growth and the demands of artificial intelligence data centers. On Thursday, lawmakers made public a bill that would create a nuclear energy office and energy council with new funding mechanisms to bring nuclear power to the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But new legislation is unlikely to lead to loaded transmission lines without overhauling the approval process. State leaders now see a slate of federal partners who are willing to do just that. In December, Utahs senior senator, Mike Lee, was elevated to chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where he will have a key role in policy that could fast-track Utah energy projects. Just this week, Lee led nomination hearings for Trumps picks for Interior Secretary and Energy Secretary, who both committed to unleash the countrys energy dominance. On Thursday, Cox called the nomination of former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Interior Secretary probably the single best decision that Donald Trump has made, in his previous administration or this current one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams, R-Layton, has called increasing domestic energy production his No. 1 priority. But achieving clean, reliable and innovative energy solutions requires the federal government to streamline permitting processes, Adams told the Deseret News Friday in statement. We look forward to collaborating with the new administration to tackle these challenges and build a stronger, more self-reliant future for Utah and the nation, Adams said. Together, we can drive the reforms necessary for a prosperous, energy-independent America. Immigration At his inauguration, Trump promised additional executive orders to declare a national emergency at the southern border, reinstate Remain in Mexico for asylum seekers, send troops to the border, designate Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and initiate the process of deporting millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. The Utah Legislature is preparing to take Trumps lead on this front as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, key Republican policymakers announced a public safety package targeting migrants who are in the country illegally and increasing penalties for migrant-related crime. The proposals include at least two direct reversals of laws passed in the last decade that relaxed immigration law enforcement measures for undocumented employees and those who commit class A misdemeanors. Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Riverton, introduced a bill that would repeal a 2019 law that reduced the jail sentence for class A misdemeanors by one day to protect migrants from automatic deportation. In conversations with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officials, Pierucci learned the law could stand as an obstacle to migrant deportations unless the sentence was increased back to 365 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just one day to help expedite the deportation of people who come here illegally or come here seeking temporary asylum and then commit crimes in our state, Pierucci said. Another bill would significantly reduce the number of employees that would trigger the need for companies to use E-Verify to determine residency status from 150 to five. The Legislature will also consider enhancing penalties for fentanyl trafficking, gang crimes, felonies committed after unlawful reentry and driving without a license. In response to a question from the Deseret News at an August press conference, Trump said that federal authorities will work with locals to apprehend migrants who have broken the law and theyre going to bring them to us and well get them over the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the last four years, Cox and local law enforcement have expressed frustration about the lack of cooperation from ICE officials under former President Joe Biden. This breakdown of communication contributed to ICE sometimes releasing migrants convicted of crimes back into Utah communities. Trumps emphasis on removing migrants who enter the country illegally and then endanger Utah communities is part of why the new administration brings renewed hope to Utah, Schultz told the Deseret News. Were excited to have a leader who values energy independence, respects states rights, advocates for deregulation, and is committed to restoring public safety, Schultz said Friday in a statement. We look forward to a productive and collaborative four years with the Trump administration. Utahs tight budget In addition to a Trump White House, a tight budget outlook will define the 2025 legislative session in Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement December estimates found a $2.3 million deficit for FY2024 and nearly $24.5 million less in the general fund than anticipated in the current budget year that ends June 30, 2025. Any new revenues on the books for the upcoming fiscal year have already been set aside for increases in government operating costs, potential tax cuts and rainy day funds. Youre down to zero available for additional spending, both one-time and ongoing, Legislative fiscal analyst Jonathan Ball told appropriators. These fiscal constraints are forcing lawmakers to get creative in their approaches to another set of priorities: higher education and homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schultz has said the House GOPs top priority is reevaluating higher ed programs. He threw his weight behind a proposal that would provide the Utah Board of Higher Education with criteria on how to judge the effectiveness of university programs with the goal of identifying cost-saving measures for the state and increasing quality for students. If were not getting the right outcomes, the question has to be asked: Do we still subsidize at the same level that weve been subsidizing at?, Schultz previously told the Deseret News. Limited funds will also be felt on the complicated issue of chronic homelessness. The states Homeless Coordinator and Homeless Services Board are hoping that $25 million appropriated last year is enough to cover the construction of a new low-barrier emergency shelter along the Wasatch Front. But building and operating what is planned to be a transformative central campus will take tens of millions of dollars in ongoing funds funds that will be difficult to find this year. This is at least part of the reason why Utahns will see the Legislature focus on cracking down on inconsistent enforcement of unsanctioned camping and drug use in shelters instead of funding new programs. On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), a global coalition that responds to health issues Experts say the move will prohibit the U.S. from responding appropriately to health crises, including viruses and pandemics, and prevent WHO from responding appropriately to new threats Trump cited the organization's management of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the financial obligations of the U.S., as his reasons for withdrawing President Donald Trump signed an executive order Jan. 20 that withdraws the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), a global coalition of 194 members that addresses health issues on a global scale. But experts say this order may leave Americans unprotected from emerging diseases such as bird flu and Marburg and inhibit the agency from responding to new threats. "It's a cataclysmic presidential decision," Lawrence Gostin, professor of global health law at Georgetown University and director of WHO's Center on Global Health Law said in a post on X. "Withdrawal is a grievous wound to world health, but a still deeper wound to the US. Thats because, as The New York Times reports, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control would lose access to WHOs data on emerging global health concerns. Gostin, along with Richard Conniff, author of Ending Epidemics: A History of Escape From Contagion, wrote in the Washington Post that withdrawal will leave the U.S. open to diseases from abroad, citing how WHO recently stopped an outbreak of Marburg, called the "eye-bleeding virus." Photo by Xinhua/Shutterstock World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva. World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva. They also write that childhood diseases that were eradicated via vaccinations may come back and with bird flu looming, this move leaves America unprotected from another pandemic. "Withdrawal from the WHO will put U.S. agencies and pharmaceutical companies at the back of the line for accessing critical data on H5N1 and slow development of vaccines we might urgently need to save lives," Gostin and Conniff wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S.' status and power may take a hit, according to Elisha Dunn-Georgiou, president and CEO of the Global Health Council, as NPR reported. Withdrawing is "really bad for the U.S. [in terms of] access to data, to surveillance, to being at the table negotiating and holding other countries accountable when there is an epidemic or pandemic." In response to emerging threats, Trump's order also includes a provision where the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs is empowered to "establish directorates and coordinating mechanisms" that are "necessary and appropriate to safeguard public health and fortify biosecurity" but did not specify what these mechanisms were. Related: What to Know About the Bird Flu amid the Current Outbreak WHO's work will suffer as well, NBC News reported, as it will lose US funding, likely for programs for vaccines and child and maternal health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his order one of many signed on his first day in office Trump cited WHOs mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, as well as onerous payments from the United States. Trump said he believes, from a population perspective, China should pay more than the U.S. The Washington Post says that the contribution amount is determined by population and a countrys income. The United States is the largest contributor to the organization, donating $1.284 billion in 2022-2023, according to WHO. Germany, with $856 million in donations, is in second place. "World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It's not going to happen anymore," Trump said as he signed the order, Sky News reported. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Photo by ROMAN PILIPEY/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock World Health Organization briefing on the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. World Health Organization briefing on the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. Related: More Than Half the World Faces High Risk of Measles Outbreaks Following 'Big Gaps' in Immunizations, WHO Says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its official response to the withdrawal, the World Health Organization pointed out that the United States was a founding member when the coalition was created in 1948, and has actively participated in its World Health Assembly and Executive Board. For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership of WHO, the statement continued, adding the WHO plays a crucial role in detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go. WHO said it regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization. We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe. Read the original article on People Among the slew of executive orders signed after reaching the White House Monday night, President Donald Trump formally withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), saying the far-reaching pandemic monitoring organization had "ripped off" the U.S. The U.S. is the largest funder of the WHO, which monitors disease outbreaks around the world. The U.S. also majorly contributes to the WHO's work -- including collaborations with the CDC and NIH on issues like cancer prevention and global health security. Trump's executive order is an attempt to finish what he started in his last presidency and is all but guaranteed to succeed this time around. Trump removed the U.S. from the WHO in 2020, but withdrawal requires one year of advance notice. Biden took office six months later and revoked Trump's action before it ever took effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: What you need to know about HMPV as China sees rise in cases This time around, the U.S.'s withdrawal is again supposed to be a yearlong process, confirmed Lawrence Gostin, professor of law and global health at George Washington University and Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on Public Health Law & Human Rights. But Trump will likely act as if he's already withdrawn, disengaging from the WHO, and without bipartisan agreement from Congress to overturn Trump's action, which isn't likely, the WHO will officially lose its largest funder by 2026. "And these are things that really matter to America, like HIV, AIDS, like Polio eradication and responding to health emergencies," Gostin told ABC News. "Really in my mind this is shooting yourself in the foot and making America decidedly less safe and less secure." PHOTO: In this photo illustration, the World Health Organization ( (Sopa Images/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett) Trump, asked by a reporter Monday night about his experience leading the country during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of the WHO to mount a global response to pandemics, said the withdrawal was about "being ripped off." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Everybody rips off the United States and that's it -- it's not going to happen anymore," Trump said. MORE: WHO declares mpox a public health emergency as newer strain spreads in Africa The text of the executive order describes an "unfair" demand of "onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries' assessed payments." "China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO," the executive order said. Gostin confirmed that China pays far less to the WHO. "But the fact that China should pay more doesn't mean we should pay less. This isn't leverage against China. This is gutting the World Health Organization," Gostin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WHO has an unmatched global reach, Gostin said, offering the U.S. vital insight into the global health system and allowing collaborations for scientific research and though he acknowledged some reforms are necessary, he said that leaving the organization was "a cataclysmic presidential decision" that would be a "grievous wound to world health, but a still deeper wound to the US." Trump withdraws US from World Health Organization, finishing what he started originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Donald Trump's administration asked federal agencies to make lists of employees they could fire. Impacted employees would include those who have been in their roles for under two years. Employees in probationary periods can be fired without triggering their right to appeal. President Donald Trump's administration is asking federal agencies to compile lists of employees they could easily fire in an effort to cut the government workforce. Charles Ezell, the acting director of the US Office of Personnel Management, sent a memo to the leaders of all federal agencies on Monday asking them to evaluate their workforces and consider firing employees who've been with them for under two years. The memo requested that, by no later than January 24, agencies identify all employees on probationary periods and "promptly determine whether those employees should be retained at the agency." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the memo, employees in probationary periods can be fired without triggering their right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board, which helps oversee federal personnel management. Federal regulations require government workers to undergo a probationary period, defined as employment in a career position for less than a year, or two years in an expected service appointment for employees who didn't go through the typical competitive hiring process for the role. A separate memo released Monday from Ezell and Matthew Vaeth, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, offered additional details on Trump's executive order to implement a hiring freeze on federal employees. It said that while no vacant positions existing as of Trump's inauguration day could be filled, employees who received an offer letter and accepted their positions with a start date on or before February 8 could keep their jobs. Some union leaders criticized the latest orders impacting federal workers. Everett Kelley, the national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said in a Monday statement that "there is no legitimate rationale for slashing the size of the federal workforce." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's press team and OPM didn't immediately respond to requests for comment on further details regarding the two memos, including when terminations would go into effect. OPM's efforts to reduce the federal workforce reflect the goals of the Department of Government Efficiency, Trump's new advisory committee aimed at slashing government spending. Led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk Vivek Ramaswamy, who was initially selected to co-lead DOGE, has stepped down the commission set forth goals on the campaign trail that included reducing the federal workforce. "DOGE intends to work with embedded appointees in agencies to identify the minimum number of employees required at an agency for it to perform its constitutionally permissible and statutorily mandated functions," Ramaswamy and Musk wrote in a November opinion piece. As of an executive order on Monday, DOGE is officially part of the White House and is set to have the power to hire government employees, though its mission is more narrow than originally proposed: updating the government's IT systems. Along with Trump's executive order to freeze hiring for federal workers, he also issued a mandate requiring government employees to return to the office full time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are you a federal worker willing to share your thoughts? Reach out to this reporter at asheffey@businessinsider.com. Read the original article on Business Insider President Donald Trump has called the riot that interrupted congressional ratification of Joe Biden's election four years ago "a heinous attack on the United States Capitol." And even when he began talking about pardoning some of the people who invaded the Capitol that day, he signaled that he would use his clemency power with care. "I am inclined to pardon many of them," he told CNN in 2023. "I can't say for every single one because a couple of them, probably, they got out of control." Just last week, J.D. Vance, now the vice president, elaborated on that point. "If you committed violence on that day," Vance said on Fox News, "obviously you shouldn't be pardoned." Trump drew no such distinction on Monday, when he granted "a full, complete and unconditional pardon" to nearly 1,600 people who had been charged in connection with the Capitol riot. Trump also commuted the sentences of 14 people who were still serving time for riot-related crimes and instructed the Justice Department to drop pending cases. Those decisions, he claimed, were necessary to correct "a grave national injustice" and begin "a process of national reconciliation." Such a reconciliation is impossible when the president is willing to excuse political violence as long as it is perpetrated by his supporters. Despite Trump's insistence that he expected people inspired by his stolen-election fantasy to do nothing but march to the Capitol "peacefully and patriotically," he has proven unwilling to draw that line in practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly described January 6 defendants as "hostages" and "patriots" who had been unjustly targeted for political reasons. There was an element of truth to that characterization. The Justice Department was determined to portray the riot as an "insurrection," even though it mainly involved spontaneous reactions by Trump supporters who got carried away by their outrage at a supposedly stolen election. The government's misleading narrative, which implied a level of intent and organization belied by the chaotic reality of the day's events, drove prosecutors to send a message in defense of democracy by doggedly tracking down and punishing Trump supporters who had entered the Capitol. Most of those defendants were ultimately charged with misdemeanors such as demonstrating inside the Capitol, "disorderly or disruptive conduct," and entering or remaining in a restricted building without authorization. The sentences in such cases ranged from probation to short jail terms. But because defendants who insisted on their right to a trial could have been hit with more serious charges carrying much more severe penalties, such as obstructing an official proceeding, they were under a lot of pressure to plead guilty, as about 1,000 had done as of last November. And in light of the revelation that FBI informants who entered the Capitol faced no punishment at all, those defendants had reason to complain about selective prosecution. Supporters of the Capitol riot defendants, in short, had some legitimate concerns. Dream.org, a progressive group that promotes criminal justice reform, notes that "the issues raised by the January 6th defendants, including decrepit jail conditions and overly aggressive prosecutions, are rampant in the American criminal justice system." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's clemency, however, extends beyond people who were prosecuted merely for entering the Capitol without permission. As of November 6, the Justice Department reported, about 600 people had been charged with "assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers" during the riot. They included 169 defendants "charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer." Trump was reluctant to intervene after the riot starteda fact that figured prominently in his second impeachment and in the scathing report published by the House select committee that investigated the incident. But he eventually urged his followers to "stay peaceful" and "please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement," who he said "are truly on the side of our Country." He reiterated that message 35 minutes later: "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Orderrespect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!" Trump's avowed support for law enforcement and opposition to violence are hard to discern in his blanket clemency, which encompasses defendants who flouted both principles. They include, for example, Andrew Taake, who pleaded guilty to attacking police officers with bear spray and a "whip-like weapon"; Curtis Tate, who was accused of hitting police officers with a metal baton; and David Dempsey, who was convicted of engaging in "a sustained attack against multiple officers at the Capitol, using his hands, his feet, a flagpole, crutches, pepper spray and broken pieces of furniture." In addition to his pardons, Trump commuted prison sentences to time served for 14 members of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. Those defendants include former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who received the longest sentence imposed in the January 6 cases: 22 years for seditious conspiracy, obstructing an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging his duties, obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder, and destruction of government property. They also include Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who received the second-longest sentence: 18 years for seditious conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, and tampering with records. There were puzzling aspects to both of those cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tarrio was not even in Washington, D.C., at the time of the riot. But as Reason's Christian Britschgi noted, he did "post messages encouraging the riot on social media," and he "claimed credit for helping carry it out after the fact." Based on such evidence, prosecutors argued that Tarrio "conspir[ed] to oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power." Unlike Tarrio, Rhodes was at the Capitol grounds that day, and during his trial a federal prosecutor described him as "a general surveying his troops on the battlefield." But unlike other members of his group, Rhodes did not enter the Capitol or participate in the violence or vandalism. Notably, the jury found him not guilty of conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, a baffling verdict if he did in fact direct his followers to assault the Capitol. The jury "made the confusing decision to acquit Mr. Rhodes of planning in advance to disrupt the certification of the election yet convict him of actually disrupting the certification process," The New York Times noted after the verdicts. "That suggested that the jurors may have believed that the violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6 erupted more or less spontaneously, as Mr. Rhodes has claimed." In both cases, the judges were free to take into account acquitted conduct in settling on a sentencea bizarre practice that contradicts basic notions of justice. And it seems strange that defendants who were not accused of directly participating in violence would receive longer sentences than defendants who were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tarrio was arrested on March 8, 2022, and he was denied bail, so his commuted sentence amounts to nearly three years. Rhodes was arrested on January 13, 2022, and he also was denied bail, so he served a bit longer. Trump evidently deemed those penalties adequate, although assuming that he gave the matter careful thought is probably giving him too much credit. The post Trump's Blanket Clemency for Capitol Rioters Excuses Political Violence appeared first on Reason.com. President Donald Trump has directed his Justice Department to pause enforcement of the TikTok ban until early April, but a host of questions remain - including whether Trump has the authority to issue such an order and if TikToks China-based parent would be amenable to selling the popular social media platform. In an executive order signed on Monday, Trump instructed the U.S. attorney general to not enforce the ban for 75 days while his administration determines the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of TikTok. Under a federal law that was upheld by the Supreme Court last week, TikToks parent company ByteDance was required to sell the platform to an approved buyer by Sunday or face a nationwide ban. On Saturday evening, a few hours before the ban took effect, TikTok became unusable for U.S. users. But it came back online on Sunday, with TikTok crediting Trump for helping the platform after he vowed on social media to stall the ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal law, passed with bipartisan support in Congress last year, provides a 90-day extension if progress has been made toward a sale. But Trumps executive order now complicates matters for companies who could be liable for delivering TikToks service to U.S. users. Some at least as of now appear to be taking a cautious approach. On Tuesday, Apple and Google, which operate the two most prominent app stores, did not offer TikTok or any other ByteDance-affiliated apps, such as Lemon8 or the video editing app CapCut, on their digital marketplaces. Heres what we know: Can Trump put a pause on the TikTok ban? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department is generally tasked with enforcing the laws of the federal government. But Trump does not have the power to overturn a law that Congress passed and subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court. The law does give the sitting president latitude on certain details, such as what would count as a qualified divesture of TikTok. But since an extension on a ban can only occur if significant progress has been made towards a sale of TikToks U.S. platform, its possible that Trumps order could face legal challenges. On Tuesday, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital rights organization that filed amicus briefs in support of TikToks legal challenge against the statute, said it believed it would be unconstitutional to ignore the law. There are no winners here, unless Congress repeals this law, David Greene, the organizations Civil Liberties Director, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas posted a message on X listing a number of state and federal agencies, and private entities, that might be willing to go to court to get the ban enforced. However, its unclear if anyone is planning to challenge Trump's order. The order also warns possible challengers that because of the national security interests at stake, attempts by parties to enforce the law represents an encroachment on the powers of the executive branch. Is TikTok going to be sold? Even if an extension faces and fails to withstand legal scrutiny, it will buy time for ByteDance and TikTok to figure out their next move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump on Monday said he is looking to have the U.S. government broker a deal for 50% control of TikTok, adding that every rich person has called him about acquiring the social media platform. A day prior, he proposed terms in which the U.S. would have a 50% stake in a joint venture that would be set up between the U.S. and whichever purchase we so choose. But the details remain murky, and it was unclear whether Trump was proposing control of the app by the government or another U.S. entity. According to TikTok, roughly 60% of the privately-held ByteDance is owned by global investors, such as General Atlantic and Susquehanna International Group. ByteDance employees and the companys founder, Zhang Yiming, also each have a 20% stake. The technology company has not disclosed financial details for its subsidiaries, including TikToks global or U.S. operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if an American company can acquire a 50% stake in TikTok, its unclear how a Trump-orchestrated transaction would address some of the national security concerns that led lawmakers and the Biden administration to push for a divestment. For example, Trump has not addressed whether he will allow ByteDance to keep controlling the TikTok algorithm that fuels what users see on the platform. The algorithm, which is updated and maintained by ByteDance engineers in China, has been one of the main concerns among supporters of the law. Trump's executive order notes the administration must have a review period to assess government intelligence and the steps TikTok has taken to address Washington's concerns. What happens next? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most likely, lots of negotiations about the future of TikTok. Last year, Beijing called the push in Washington to require a divestment of TikTok a robbers act. But on Monday, China signaled a possible softening of its stance. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that business operations and acquisitions should be independently decided by companies in accordance with market principles. If it involves Chinese companies, Chinas laws and regulations should be observed, Mao said on Monday. Trump has threatened to slap tariffs as high as 100% on Chinese goods if Beijing refuses to allow a sale of TikTok. If China doesn't approve the deal, Trump said on Monday he would consider it somewhat of a hostile act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the law was passed last year, ByteDance said it did not have any plans to sell TikTok and then fought a legal battle against the statute for months. Representatives for the company and TikTok did not immediately respond Tuesday on whether they are willing to cut ties with each other within the new 75-day extension period. In a note, Gabriel Wildau, a managing director of the Teneo consultancy, wrote that if amicable negotiations happen, Beijing might ultimately approve the export of TikToks algorithm. However, a sale that excludes that technology might be more feasible legally and technically, Wildau wrote. Previously, Teneo had made a case that Beijing would not allow ByteDance to sell TikTok because of its concern for national dignity. This is all a game of high-stakes poker, said Wedbush analyst Dan Ives. TikTok is a chip on the table in broader U.S.-China negotiations. On Tuesday, Trump was asked whether hes installed the app on his phone. The U.S. government has banned it from federal devices due to concerns it could lead to spying by Chinese intelligence agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No but I think I might put it there, said Trump, who credits the platform with helping him win more youth votes during last year's presidential election. During his first term, he tried to ban TikTok, calling it a national security threat. _________________________ Associated Press writer Didi Tang contributed to this story. Some of the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, spread feces in the hallways. On his first day in office, President Donald Trump did the same thing (metaphorically, of course) to the rule of law and the brave officers who defended members of Congress against the mob. Trump issued an executive order that commuted the sentences of some of the worst criminals from that day and grants a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement This not only includes low-level offenders, but people like Enrique Tarrio, the former Proud Boys chairman who had been sentenced to 22 years in the federal penitentiary for seditious conspiracy. And Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right Oath Keepers, convicted of the same crime and sentenced to 18 years. Jan. 6 rioters injured about 140 police officers The judge in Rhodes case said he presented an ongoing threat and peril to this country and to the very fabric of our democracy. Although, maybe not as much as Trump. During the attack on the Capitol, roughly 80 U.S Capitol Police officers and 60 Metropolitan Police officers were injured. Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 100 individuals were charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer. Freeing individuals associated with such crimes makes Trumps claims of supporting the police a grotesque joke. Republicans condemned Trump then. Not now Officers were attacked with bear spray. Approximately $1.5 million in damages was done, in addition to the theft of government property. Republicans in Congress at the time blamed Trump for instigating the attack. Opinion: Trump is already taking an ax to the Constitution Or, as then-U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said, Theres no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day. Advertisement Advertisement Likewise, former Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy said at the time, The president bears responsibility for Wednesdays attack on Congress by mob rioters. Trump's executive order includes the violent ones House Speaker Mike Johnson, a representative on Jan. 6, 2021, said, I unambiguously condemn in the strongest possible terms any and all forms of violent protest. Any individual who committed violence today should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. He added, It is beyond time to remember that while we may disagree, we are all Americans, and there is far more that unites us than divides us. I extend my deepest thanks to the United States Capitol Police for protecting the Capitol complex today and all days. On Sunday, in an interview with Meet the Press, Johnson said that Trump and Vice President JD Vance agreed that peaceful protesters should be pardoned, but violent criminals should not. Advertisement Advertisement I wonder now, in the hallowed halls of Congress, if Johnson is picking up a stench. Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. For more opinions content, please subscribe. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Trump frees worst Jan. 6 attackers and soils the rule of law | Opinion After disappearing from local coastlines for over a decade, Eurasian otters have reportedly returned to Macau, sparking excitement among environmentalists. According to a report from public broadcaster TDM, local eco-enthusiast Kwan Hok In discovered what he believed to be otter droppings during a recent coastal walk. While inspecting a rocky area, Kwan noticed black remnants and fish scales reminiscent of Eurasian otter feces he had encountered previously. Initially skeptical, he returned for a closer look, leading to a four-month investigation along Macaus coast. Kwan collected 20 samples of feces and footprints, which were sent for analysis in Hong Kong. The results confirmed the presence of Eurasian otters, marking their first documentation in the region in more than ten years. Kwan attributes the otters return to improved ecological conditions and enhanced conservation efforts in mainland China. He emphasized the ecological importance of these creatures, noting that they serve as indicators of environmental health. To ensure the otters thrive, Kwan advocates for a coordinated conservation strategy along the western bank of the Pearl River estuary, calling for monitoring and systematic surveys to support the species continued recovery. VC DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) As the World Economic Forums annual gabfest in the Swiss Alps got into full swing on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump gave everybody something to talk about with his actions on his first day back in office. Energy industry executives could consider Trump's vow to drill, baby, drill. Foreign leaders deciphered what he meant by his wish to expand U.S. territory. Trade advocates digested the unveiling of his External Revenue Service to collect tariffs and duties a concern for many business leaders at the elite gathering. From the earliest speeches Tuesday, panel discussions and back-channel meetings in the town of Davos, Trumps executive orders and evocative oratory were setting tongues wagging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's a look at some major themes. EU's von der Leyen leads defense on climate Right from the start, participants were able to riff off of Trumps new tack for U.S. policy. For all his various pronouncements, European leaders put a big focus on the fight against global warming after his executive order directing the U.S. government to pull out of the Paris climate pact again. Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Union's executive branch, called the 2015 accord the best hope for all humanity and vowed: Europe will stay the course, and keep working with all nations that want to protect nature and stop global warming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The voluntary pact aims to limit long-term global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels or at least keep temperature rises well under 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit). Before her speech, climate activists unfurled a banner over the main Davos Congress Center atrium that read, Tax the super-rich! Fund a just and green future. Even without the U.S. government, the private sector and countries leading the clean energy transition like China are continuing to work on climate change. The world is undergoing an energy transition that is unstoppable, United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell said. The door remains open if the U.S. wants to get back into the Paris accord one day, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democracy and human rights on the defensive? Business leaders and political pundits as so often with Trump sought to cut through the bluster and over-the-top pronouncements like his call for U.S. territorial expansion or the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Europe, like the United States seen as a paragon of democratic values, has been riven by political discord in countries such as France and Germany. Some recently ascendant leaders like Italy's Giorgia Meloni, who was invited to the inauguration, have cast themselves as more Trump-friendly. Alain Berset, a former Swiss president who heads the Council of Europe, which defends human rights and supports democracy, said he was not surprised by Trump's speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Trump returned to power in a democratic election, but democracy must be continually defended. We are witnessing a backsliding in democracy everywhere in the world, even in the most advanced democracy," Berset told The Associated Press. "It is a movement into the bad in the wrong direction. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has criticized Trump ally Elon Musk's support for the European far-right, was expected to speak later Tuesday. Scholz's hold on power in economically sluggish Germany appears tenuous. His Social Democrats are trailing third in polls showing conservative Friedrich Merz the favorite to become the next chancellor after the Feb. 23 elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz himself is set to take part in a discussion in Davos late in the day Tuesday. Trump didn't talk Ukraine. Zelenskyy did in Davos During his presidential campaign, Trump said he could end the Russia-Ukraine war in one day. He didn't mention either country in his inaugural address, even if he did say he wants to be a peacemaker and a unifier more generally. Nearly three years after Russia's full-blown invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used his platform in Davos to urge European allies to remain united. Were at yet another turning point, which some see as a problem for Europe, but others call a chance. Europe must establish itself as a strong global player, he said. Lets not forget theres no ocean separating European countries from Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He acknowledged the critical role of the United States as an ally for Europe. In times of war, everyone worries will the United States stay with them? Every ally worries about that. But does anyone in the United States worry that Europe might abandon them someday might stop being their ally?" Zelenskyy said. "The answer is no. Europe cant afford to be second or third in line for its allies. If that happens, the world will start moving forward without Europe, and thats a world that wont be comfortable or beneficial for Europeans," he added. Mideast, Gaza aid and gold medal for Trump? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, whose country had a key role in helping organize the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza, expressed hopes to make the Middle East Great Again and praised the good news of the pause in fighting. "We have seen the humanitarian aid coming in. We have seen hostages going back. And we hope that this will be just, you know, a first step towards stability, he told a panel on conflict diplomacy. Tom Fletcher, the U.N. humanitarian aid coordinator, said his immediate priority was ensuring aid gets into Gaza during the ceasefire. Beyond that, he said he hoped Trump might help find a way to foster Mideast peace between Israelis and Palestinians, that has evaded his predecessors and many other diplomats and decision makers for decades. I hope there is an argument that can be made to Trump that this is the thing that (Joe) Biden and (Barack) Obama and (Bill) Clinton couldnt do," Fletcher, who is British, said. You know, this is your chance to get a great big gold medal. Then he added some advice for Trump: Dont be a loser. Be a winner. ___ Associated Press journalists Sibi Arasu in Bengaluru, India, and Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report. WASHINGTON House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he didnt think people who committed violent offenses on Jan. 6, 2021, should be pardoned. Asked Sunday if someone who assaulted law enforcement should get a pardon, Johnson said no, then suggested he didnt expect it to happen. I think what the president said and Vice President-elect JD Vance has said is that peaceful protesters should be pardoned, but violent criminals should not, Johnson said on Meet the Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnsons statement was typical. For years, whenever a reporter has asked an elected Republican about Trumps pledge to pardon his supporters for attacking the U.S. Capitol, theyve said violent offenders shouldnt get clemency. Trumps blanket pardon on Monday night, for anyone convicted of anything related to events at or near the Capitol, contained no exceptions for crimes of violence. The only wrinkle was that 14 members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, groups that led the charge into the Capitol, merely had their sentences commuted while Trump considers following through with a full pardon. They will still be let out of prison like everyone else. The sweeping act of clemency, essentially an endorsement of political violence, was easily Trumps most shocking act on his first day back in office. While Republicans praised his other executive actions on border security and government personnel, they were silent about the pardons. Even Vance had recently said such a broad pardon would obviously not be appropriate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldnt be pardoned, and theres a little bit of a gray area there, but were very much committed to seeing the equal administration of law, Vance said earlier this month on Fox News Sunday. President Donald Trump (left) and Vice President JD Vance (center) had both suggested the worst offenders charged for their actions on Jan. 6, 2021, would not get clemency. However, Trump issued a mass pardon for everyone Monday. Angelina Katsanis/Pool via Getty Images More than 600 people have been charged with impeding or assaulting police, including 174 charged with using a weapon or injuring an officer, according to the Justice Department. They did so after Trump encouraged them to fight like hell and go to the Capitol to protest an election Trump falsely claimed had been rigged against him. Trump himself, in his many public statements about pardoning the rioters over the past four years, often included a caveat that the worst offenders might not get a break. If somebody was evil and bad, I would look at that differently, Trump said in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Trump declined to distinguish between different levels of offense and falsely suggested his supporters had only rioted because they were manipulated by shadowy agents of Trumps political enemies. There were outside agitators involved, and obviously the FBI was involved, Trump said at the White House. The Justice Departments inspector general, an independent agency watchdog, reported last month that no undercover FBI agents were involved in the riot and that no confidential informants, several of whom had tagged along with extremist groups, had been directed by the FBI to encourage illegal behavior. The report amounted to an authoritative debunking of a conspiracy theory Republicans have peddled for years. Trumps nominee to head the U.S. Department of Justice, Pam Bondi, told lawmakers in her confirmation hearing last week that if she were consulted on pardons, she would look at the case files, but she still made a point to condemn violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have not seen any of those files, of course. If confirmed and if asked to advise the president, I will look at each and every file. But let me be very clear in speaking to you, I condemn any violence on a law enforcement officer in this country, Bondi said. Encouraging case-by-case consideration was another way Republicans cautioned Trump against a wholesale pardon for violent rioters. I think with regard to anybody that that was violent, that you ought to take a person-by-person or case-by-case approach to it, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) told reporters last week. Not all violence is the same and not all crimes are the same on Jan. 6 or any other time. So I think the approach ought to be case-by-case for the most part. But many Republicans have said adamantly that rioters who attack police shouldnt be pardoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My own view is that for folks who committed crimes actual crimes they ought to be prosecuted, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said in 2022. I would not be in favor of shortening any of the sentences to any of the people who pled guilty to crimes, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said then. I dont want to reinforce that defiling the Capitol was OK, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that year. I dont want to do anything that would make this more likely in the future. I hope they go to jail and get the book thrown at them because they deserve it. In a written statement on Tuesday, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) noted the lack of commentary from his Republican colleagues since Trump announced the pardons on Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silence and acquiescence from Congressional Republicans is simply not acceptable; if they do not condemn Trumps actions today, then they should never again say that they back the blue, Goldman said. Igor Bobic contributed reporting. At the start of his new term in office, US President Donald Trump tested the limits of his power and immediately faced resistance. Several US states and civil rights organizations said on Tuesday they intend to legally prevent the abolition of birthright citizenship in the United States for children of people without residency status. Trump ordered the change via presidential decree the previous day, one of dozens of decisions on his first day in office that marked a radical departure from the previous administration's policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Presidents cant overrule the Constitution and centuries of precedent with a stroke of a pen," New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin posted on the platform X. In a longer statement posted online, Platkin said he was leading the efforts of 18 states, the District of Columbia, and the city of San Francisco. He described Trump's order as unlawful. "President Trumps attempt to unilaterally end birthright citizenship is a flagrant violation of our Constitution, Platkin's statement said. For more than 150 years, our country has followed the same basic rule: Babies who are born in this country are American citizens." The 14th amendment to the US constitution states that anyone born in the United States is a citizen of the country. However, Trump argues that this does not apply if the mother was unlawfully or only temporarily in the US. He refers to a clause in the amendment stating that it pertains to people subject to US jurisdiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court has so far made no distinction based on whether the parents were legally or illegally in the US. However, Trump's decree could result in the Supreme Court examining the issue. The judges could potentially interpret the constitution differently from before. During Trump's first term, the Supreme Court shifted significantly to the right due to several appointments. In the lawsuit by civil rights organizations, the Trump administration is accused of overriding the constitution's provisions, Congress's intent, and the long-standing jurisprudence of the Supreme Court. "Denying citizenship to US-born children is not only unconstitutional its also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values," criticized Anthony Romero of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Upon signing the decree, Trump himself admitted that the plan might fail. However, he believed he had a solid legal foundation. At the start of his new term in office, US President Donald Trump tested the limits of his power and immediately faced resistance. Several US states and civil rights organizations said on Tuesday they intend to legally prevent the abolition of birthright citizenship in the United States for children of people without residency status. Trump ordered the change via presidential decree the previous day, one of dozens of decisions on his first day in office that marked a radical departure from the previous administration's policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Presidents can't overrule the Constitution and centuries of precedent with a stroke of a pen," New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin posted on the platform X. In a longer statement posted online, Platkin said he was leading the efforts of 18 states, the District of Columbia, and the city of San Francisco. He described Trump's order as unlawful. "President Trumps attempt to unilaterally end birthright citizenship is a flagrant violation of our Constitution," Platkin's statement said. "For more than 150 years, our country has followed the same basic rule: Babies who are born in this country are American citizens." The 14th amendment to the US constitution states that anyone born in the United States is a citizen of the country. However, Trump argues that this does not apply if the mother was unlawfully or only temporarily in the US. He refers to a clause in the amendment stating that it pertains to people subject to US jurisdiction. A flurry of moves by newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump prompted consternation, concern and discussion in Germany, as leaders in Berlin tried to navigate Trump's return to the White House after four years. Trump's threats to hike tariffs on global trade, including on US imports from the European Union, raised particular alarm in Germany, where the struggling economy has long been heavily dependent on exports. Trump's swift moves to yank the US out of several international institutions, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Accords, meanwhile, alarmed German leaders long used to multilateral approaches to global problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Tuesday that the EU shouldn't be intimidated into silence if Trump follows through with threats of new tariffs. EU countries should act with an outstretched hand towards the Trump administration, but not allow their hand "to be slapped away without limits," Habeck said at a conference on energy in Berlin organized by the financial newspaper Handelsblatt. Habeck, a Green, also called Trump's decision to quit the Paris deal a "fatal signal" for global efforts to limit climate change and avoid catastrophic consequences of continued warming. German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, meanwhile, said that Trump's plans to withdraw from the WHO and stop US funding for the group would deal a serious blow to the international fight against global health crises, and also cut funding for important efforts to respond to famines, natural disasters and wars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Hundreds of thousands of people would be at risk, many children in particular," Lauterbach warned. In an executive order on Monday, Trump stated that the organization had reacted poorly to the coronavirus pandemic and was demanding unfair contributions from the United States. A leading German economist also joined the voices warning about the dangers that a trade war triggered by Trump could hold for the German economy, where gross domestic product (GDP) has now shrunk slightly for two years in a row. "This is not good for the German economy," Moritz Schularick, president of Germany's Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), said on Tuesday. "We don't know what plans Trump really wants to implement and where he might be bluffing to strengthen his negotiating position." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only thing that is certain is that Trump is more interested in deals than in a rules-based global economy, he said. "The days of ever-faster globalization, low tariffs and dispute resolution within the WTO are over for the time being," said Schularick. Trump again touted tariffs on global trade during his inaugural speech on Monday, claiming that the revenue would benefit US citizens. Habeck, the economy minister, echoed other leaders in Berlin on Tuesday when he said the EU is prepared to respond to any moves against trade with the EU. "Then we will know what tariffs we have to impose. We don't want that. That's bad for the people, it's bad for our relationship, it's bad for us as a whole," Habeck said. "But we don't have to let ourselves be pushed around either." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German centre-right opposition leader Friedrich Merz, who is widely seen as the favourite to replace current Chancellor Olaf Scholz after the upcoming elections on February 23, described an urgent need for European allies to coordinate. "The Europeans must now sit down together quickly and discuss two major issues," Merz, the chairman of the Christian Democrats (CDU), told Deutschlandfunk public radio on Tuesday morning. "Firstly: What are we doing for our own security? This is long overdue. This has been necessary for years. And secondly: How do we strengthen our position in trade with America?" Germany, together with other NATO allies in Europe and the European Union, must assume leadership responsibility, Merz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz also said that the EU bloc, with its single economic market, should use its size and global heft to act together in talks with the US. "With 450 million inhabitants, [the European Union] is a market that is larger than America and Canada combined," Merz said. (This Jan. 20 story has been refiled to remove an extraneous word from the headline) By Andrea Shalal and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that his administration would likely stop buying oil from Venezuela and was looking "very strongly" at the South American country. "It was a great country 20 years ago, and now it's a mess," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office hours after his inauguration. "We don't have to buy their oil. We have plenty of oil for ourselves." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, had earlier said he spoke with multiple officials in Venezuela and would begin meetings early Tuesday, days after the outgoing Biden administration imposed new sanctions on the government of President Nicolas Maduro. "Diplomacy is back," Grenell said in a post on X disclosing his initial calls. "Talking is a tactic." Grenell, who served as acting intelligence chief at the end of Trump's first term, also planned to meet with Venezuelan opposition officials in Washington on Tuesday, a source familiar with the matter said. No comment was immediately available from the Venezuelan communications ministry on Trump's comments or the outreach from Grenell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Venezuela's oil exports to the U.S. soared 64% to some 222,000 bpd last year, making it its second-largest export market behind China, which took 351,000 bpd, down 18% compared to the prior year. Since 2019, Venezuela's oil industry has been under U.S. sanctions designed to curb its oil income. However, Chevron has been allowed since 2022 to ship Venezuelan oil to the U.S. to recoup unpaid dividends from joint venture partners. 'A NEW START' During his campaign, Trump called Maduro "a dictator" after he pursued a "maximum pressure" campaign against him during his first term from 2017 to 2021, including imposing harsh sanctions on the South American country and its oil industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former President Joe Biden briefly rolled back some of the Trump-era restrictions following electoral promises from Maduro but then reinstated them, saying the Venezuelan leader had reneged on pledges for a fair democratic vote. Maduro and his government have always rejected sanctions by the United States and others, saying they are illegitimate measures that amount to an "economic war" designed to cripple Venezuela. Maduro and his allies have cheered what they say is the country's resilience despite the measures, though they have historically blamed some economic hardships and shortages on sanctions. Maduro has said Trump's re-election offers "a new start" for bilateral relations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Trump's central campaign promises was the mass deportation of undocumented migrants, many of whom come from Venezuela. Sending them back likely would require cooperation from Venezuelan authorities. In his announcement about Grenell's nomination, Trump said he would work in hotspots around the world, including Venezuela and North Korea.Grenell served as Trump's ambassador to Germany, a special presidential envoy for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations, and as acting director of national intelligence during Trump's 2017-2021 term. Grenell has had previous interactions with Maduro associates. Reuters reported that in 2020 Grenell secretly met with a Maduro representative to try to work out the Venezuelan leader's peaceful exit from power after his 2018 re-election was considered a sham by most Western countries, but no agreement was reached. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Jeff Mason; additional reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Deepa Babington and Saad Sayeed) The Trump administration would begin formal international engagements this week when Marco Rubio expected to be confirmed soon as secretary of state meets with the foreign ministers of India, Japan and Australia, U.S. officials say. The so-called Quad grouping is a main component of the U.S. strategy to blunt increasing Chinese influence and aggression in the Indo-Pacific, an initiative that Trump had championed during his first term in office but was elevated to the leaders level by outgoing President Joe Biden. Rubio is expected to be confirmed by the Senate to the post of Americas top diplomat today, just hours after President-elect Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term. Rubios meetings, together and separately, today with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, will be his first as secretary of state, the current and incoming officials said. The three ministers will all be attending Trumps inauguration. Biden and his outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken have touted their work to rebuild ties with allies abroad after taking over from Trump in 2021. Trump has been skeptical of alliances, including NATO and defense partnerships in the Asia-Pacific. When we came in, we inherited partnerships and alliances that were seriously frayed, Blinken told The Associated Press on Friday. The leaders of the Quad countries met with Biden near the U.S. presidents hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, in September. They agreed to expand the partnership among the four nations coast guards to improve interoperability and capabilities, with Indian, Japanese and Australian personnel sailing on U.S. ships in the region. All the countries are worried about Chinas increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, and the U.S.-China rivalry is set to intensify after Trump takes office. Beijing has sent Vice President Han Zheng to Trumps inauguration after the U.S. president-elect invited Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but tariffs imposed on Chinese products in Trumps first term were a hallmark of his trade policy, and he has signaled that he will increase and expand them in his second term. Meanwhile, several of Trumps key Cabinet members are known China hawks, including Rubio. Rubio called China the most potent, dangerous and near-peer adversary this nation has ever confronted during his confirmation hearing last week. MDT/AP Tulsi Gabbard made hundreds of thousands of dollars from Republican-friendly media and advocacy groups in 2024, according to a personal disclosure. While canvassing the country as a top MAGA surrogate, the former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii earned more than $1.2 million. That includes nearly $200,000 from her role as a Fox News contributor and nearly $120,000 from the Christian legal advocacy group American Center for Law & Justice, which has steered millions of dollars to a prominent ex-Trump lawyer who defended the president at his 2020 impeachment trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard, President Donald Trumps nominee for director of national intelligence, earned $80,000 in total from five addresses given to local Republican Party chapters. That made up just over half of the $170,000 she earned from speaking engagements, which included an address to the conservative Heritage Foundation. Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, surprised Trump at at an October rally by pledging her full MAGA fealty and announcing she had become a Republican. The Trump nominee also netted an advance of just under $300,000 for her book For Love of Country: Leave the Democrat Party Behind from Skyhorse Publishing. Other Skyhorse releases include Melania Trumps memoir Melania, a hagiographic book on former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, and a conspiratorial book about former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci by Trump nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of her writing, media, and speaking work, Gabbard raked in $373,000 from her company Tulsi Media LLC, the holding company for her podcast The Tulsi Gabbard Show, and $36,000 from her production company TOA Studios LLC. In a Jan. 15 letter to an ethics official at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard pledged that Tulsi Media LLC will remain dormant during her tenure as director. She said she would transfer full ownership of TOA Studios to her husband. The former congresswomans disclosure also shows that she poured earnings back into MAGA causes: She holds a stake worth $100,000 to $250,000 in right-wing YouTube competitor Rumble and a $100,000 to $250,000 stake in Elon Musks Tesla. Gabbard pledged to divest her interests in both, as well as holdings in Apple, Bitcoin, and Nvidia, during her appointment as director of national intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to her filing, she is also the owner of three apartment complexes in Texas, one worth $5 million to $25 million, and two worth between $25 million and $50 million each. Gabbard has faced scrutiny for meeting with former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and expressing foreign policy views critics have alleged echo the Kremlins worldview. She is expected to be challenged on those views during confirmation hearings, where her support among even some top Republicans is not guaranteed. She has expressed skepticism of intelligence agencies and has long advocated against foreign interventions, previously calling her critics warmongers. Several of her former aides told ABC News last year that she was a regular consumer of Russian news site RT, including long after they advised her it wasnt a credible source of information. The Trump transition team called their allegations false. Tulsi Gabbards team scrambled to minimize the appearance of her 2017 meeting with former Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. Donald Trumps pick for director of national intelligence has repeatedly come under fire for her defense of violent authoritarians, including Assad, the brutal dictator who fled Syria for Russia after opposition forces overtook Damascus in December. Gabbards two meetings with Assad during her three-day trip to Syria in January 2017 were not originally on her itinerary delivered to the Ethics Committee. In fact, her schedule included no meetings with any Syrian politician or official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apparently, Gabbards team was also kept in the dark about her meeting, according to correspondence and files reviewed by the Post. Four staffers involved in discussions about the meeting told the Post that they were surprised to learn that Gabbard had met with the Syrian president at all. One of the staffers, who opposed the meeting, said that they had a difficult time getting Gabbard to provide answers about the details of her schedule. Gabbard has claimed that while her meeting with Assad was not originally planned, she couldnt pass up the opportunity once it arose. One of Gabbards meetings with Assad on January 16, 2017, was scheduled to begin at 12:15 p.m. Her next appointment was with Assads wife at 3 p.m., according to a timeline reviewed by the Post. This differs from the report delivered to Congress, which detailed that her meeting with Assad had lasted only 90 minutes and her face time with Assads wife began at 2 p.m. Once her staff learned about her meeting, they knew that it looked bad. Gabbards deputy chief of staff had warned that her meeting with the dictator seemed rather long and urged that formalities be skipped to cut down on the time that it appears you two sat and talked. Gabbards press secretary pitched grouping her meeting with others so it could appear more like one of many protocol meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Gabbards former staffers recalled that the ex-representatives first meeting with Assad was listed as somewhere around three hours. I remember thinking, Thats insane, the staffer told the Post. What do you talk about for three hours in a supposed unplanned meeting? Gabbards confirmation hearing is still forthcoming, but this report draws into sharp relief the efforts of nearly 100 former U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials who urged Senate leadership to review the governments files on Gabbard behind closed doors. Officials said in December that her past actions call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkish authorities on Tuesday arrested the leader of a far-right opposition party on charges of inciting violence through a series of anti-refugee posts on social media, his party said. Umit Ozdag, the leader of Turkey's anti-immigrant Victory Party, was detained by police on Monday as part of an investigation into allegations that he insulted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a speech he delivered a day earlier. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors office, however, released Ozdag from custody on charges of insulting the president but subsequently ordered his arrest on charges of inciting hatred and hostility among the public, the party said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors presented 11 of the politicians posts on the social platform X as evidence against him, the party said. The prosecutors office also held Ozdag responsible for anti-Syrian refugee rioting that erupted in the central Turkish province of Kayseri last year, during which hundreds of homes and businesses were attacked. Ekrem Imamoglu, the popular mayor of Istanbul who is seen as a possible candidate to challenge Erdogan in the next elections, criticized Ozdags arrest, saying on X that Everyone knows that this is political meddling in the judiciary." Imamoglu, who is a member of Turkey's main opposition party, was convicted of insulting members of Turkeys electoral board in 2022 and faces a two-year ban from politics if his conviction is upheld by a court of appeals. Ozdag, a 63-year-old former academic, is an outspoken critic of Turkeys refugee policies and has called for the repatriation of millions of Syrian refugees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The politician was being taken to Silivri prison on the outskirts of Istanbul, according to his party. Mehmet Ali Sehirlioglu, the partys spokesman, would temporarily assume leadership of the Victory Party. ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey could restart trade with Israel "if peace is permanent", Nail Olpak, head of the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), said on Tuesday. Turkey severed trade with Israel last year over its war in Gaza with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. This week Israel and Hamas began carrying out a complex ceasefire deal. Answering reporters' questions in Istanbul, Olpak also said DEIK has heard reports of payment issues for goods exported to Russia via Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, without elaborating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Western countries imposed record sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine in 2022. Turkish exporters to Russia have since experienced some issues receiving payments. Olpak also said the board conveyed a request to Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek to reduce or remove the obligation for exporters to sell 30% of foreign currency revenues to the central bank. In June last year, the central bank lowered the ratio of foreign exchange revenues that exporters are required to sell to it to 30% from 40%, as its reserves continued to rise. (Reporting by Ebru Tuncay; Editing by Jonathan Spicer) ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish authorities have ramped up investigations and detentions of opposition figures, with three such actions on Monday alone, raising concerns about a widening crackdown on dissent against the government. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) youth branch head was briefly detained for a social media post about the Istanbul prosecutor, the party said, and a judicial probe was launched against CHP Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu - a probable future presidential challenger - for criticising the detention. Also Monday, the leader of the far right opposition Victory Party, Umit Ozdag, was detained for allegedly insulting Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CHP has long criticised the Istanbul prosecutor and the judiciary as a tool that Erdogan's ruling AK Party (AKP) uses to silence opposition. It has called for early national elections to "settle scores", though analysts say a vote is unlikely to be held so far ahead of schedule. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc dismissed the accusation that the judiciary is politicised. On Monday, he said the judiciary is independent and the Istanbul prosecutor is acting in line with the constitution. Since municipal elections in March in which AKP suffered heavy losses, two CHP Istanbul district mayors have been arrested - one for alleged terrorism ties and another for alleged tender rigging - while another from an eastern province was ousted, also for alleged terrorism ties. Six elected mayors from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party were also ousted for alleged terrorism ties, denied by the party, and replaced by government-appointed officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Recent developments show that Turkey is evolving into an increasingly authoritarian atmosphere, where the opposition's chance of winning elections is becoming less likely," said political analyst Berk Esen of Sabanci University. The legal flurry came a week after an Istanbul district mayor was arrested and accused by prosecutors of rigging public tenders, which the CHP dismisses as politically motivated. The party's youth branch head, Cem Aydin, was detained and later released with some restrictions on movements after the branch had posted a social media video criticising the Istanbul prosecutor conducting this probe. Then Imamoglu, the mayor, said at an event discussing judicial independence: "Obviously Mr. Prosecutor is thinking about us day and night, and conducts his profession in that way," adding that the prosecutor, a former deputy justice minister, was acting like a politician. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minutes after his speech, the latest investigation was launched. Imamoglu has appealed against a 2022 sentence for insulting public officials when he criticised a decision to cancel the first round of earlier municipal elections, in which he defeated the AKP candidate. If the sentence is upheld he could be banned from politics for five years. He won a strong mayoral re-election last year when Erdogan's AKP suffered its worst ever losses in municipal elections. "Our party is ready for elections, our candidate is also ready," CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said on Monday alongside Imamoglu. Erdogan has dismissed CHP criticism as petty and said the AKP is focused on power shifts in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ozdag, the far right leader, was detained over comments in which he said "even crusades had not done as much damage to Turkey as Erdogan has." CHP's Ozel said it was another government attempt to discredit dissenters. (Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; Additional reporting by Birsen Altayli, Editing by William Maclean) BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and other electric providers are asking customers to voluntarily reduce their electric usage. On Tuesday, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES) issued a news release in which both organizations asked customers to cut back on how much power they are using while frigid temperatures chill the region. BrightRidge and other local power companies also distributed their own releases, asking customers to reduce their electric usage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Storm Team 11: Arctic chill continues The TVA expects power demand to remain high through Wednesday and could hit an all-time peak for the TVA system, according to the release. TVA remains well positioned to meet the expected demand, and thousands of public power workers at TVA, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services, and other local power companies are working hard to keep it that way, the release states. Providers are asking customers to lower their thermostats if possible, noting that one or two degrees is a help to the power providers and can reduce customers monthly bills by as much as 3%. Customers are also asked to turn off non-essential appliances and lights during the coldest part of the day. The TVA also asks people to delay using high-energy appliances like washing machines, dryers and dishwashers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BTES has reduced power usage at our facilities by adjusting thermostats, reducing lighting, and taking other measures to reduce electricity consumption, said BTES CEO Clayton Dowell. BrightRidge stated in its release that neither TVA nor itself was experiencing emergency conditions on Tuesday afternoon. The release states that 153 local power companies that receive power from TVA have all asked their customers to do the same. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. In the very last hours of President Joe Bidens time in office, a prisoner exchange years in the making was finally struck: the Taliban agreed to swap two Americans being held in Afghanistan for one Taliban member serving a life sentence in a US prison. But there was an unexpected delay (at least in part due to bad weather in Washington and Kabul) and Donald Trump was officially back in the White House when Americans Ryan Corbett and William McKenty were handed over and on their way home early Tuesday, exchanged for Afghan Taliban member Khan Mohammed who was convicted in 2008 on narco-terrorism charges. Mohammed had been flown by officials from the US to Doha. Qatar facilitated the trade by hosting several rounds of US negotiations with the Taliban and also provided logistical support to the operations to get the two American men out of Kabul, according to multiple people familiar with the details of the swap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outgoing administrations plan for the trade with the Taliban was communicated to Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz by Bidens adviser Jake Sullivan. They are on board with this deal, the Biden official said. They have acknowledged it, and they have not objected. A senior Trump administration official pushed back on their approval of the swap. While we would not do the deal that the Biden administration did at the end, we are always happy to have two Americans home, the Trump official said. Bidens envoy for hostage affairs, Ambassador Roger Carstens, had been dispatched to Doha along with Mohammed, a person familiar with the trade said. Carstens time in government was also supposed to end when Trump came into office, but he was already on the move during Mondays presidential transfer of power. A senior Biden administration official declined to say exactly where Mohammed would be handed over to the Taliban and the Americans would be picked up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of the bad weather delaying things, one person briefed on the trade said the Taliban preferred to let Trump take the win for the deal. They [the Taliban] didnt want the news to die during the inauguration and they want the Trump administration to have the credit, the source said. Carstens has been helping lead efforts to get at least four Americans released by the Taliban and recently met representatives in Doha with a new offer. Publicly US officials had discussed freeing Corbett and two others, George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi. All three were detained in 2022. Little is known about McKenty and what he was doing in Afghanistan. The Biden White House declined to offer any details, saying only that his case was known to them and his family has previously asked for privacy around his case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Taliban has rejected everything every single time, said a senior Biden administration official who discussed the negotiations on condition of anonymity, adding that they had put on the table several significant offers. In [Bidens] waning days theres been a real push, as there always is, to try to figure out if we can make progress on those who remain, who remain top of mind for the president and the administration, even as he is walking out the door, the official said, while acknowledging that the next Trump administration likely put added pressure on the Taliban. The incoming administration has made several public statements about their expectation that Americans be freed from Afghanistan and that there would be consequences if that were not the case, the official said. I think the Talibans decision to act now with respect to Ryan [Corbett] is in part motivated by that. Corbett and McKenty are expected to land around midday in the US, but their destination is unclear. In the past, Americans held abroad have been taken to the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, which has a specialized program for reintegration. Almost 2 years of negotiations The release early Tuesday is the result of two years of negotiations and multiple trips to Doha by White House and State Department officials to meet with Taliban representatives, a Biden National Security Council spokesperson said. The CIA was also involved in the discussions and Tuesdays operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden officials expressed disappointment that the two other Americans, Glezmann and Habibi, werent handed over but said they couldnt turn down the offer for at least Corbett and McKenty. The Taliban has never acknowledged holding Habibi but the US still considers him a hostage. The agreement with the Taliban appears to have been relatively sudden: earlier this month Corbetts wife, Anna, told Fox News that she had spoken with Biden and got no indication her husband would be freed before the inauguration. What I heard him say is he is not bringing Ryan home, said Anna Corbett, who also met with Waltz, after traveling to Mar-a-Lago, uninvited, to try to meet with Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no deal to speak of at the time, the senior Biden official responded, as they were still working on it right down to the very end. Corbett and her three teenage children were invited to Mondays inauguration by Trumps incoming hostage envoy, Adam Boehler. In a statement to CNN, the family thanked members of the Trump and Biden teams as well as the Qatari government. It was our hope that Ryan, George and Mahmoud would be returned to their families together, and we cannot imagine the pain that our good fortune will bring them, the family said. We recognize the immense privilege of our familys reunion today, and pledge to keep praying and fighting for George and Mahmouds swift release. The Biden administration had previously considered releasing a Guantanamo Bay prisoner, alleged to have been close to Osama bin Laden, in exchange for Ryan Corbett, Glezmann and Habibi. The prisoner, Muhammad Rahim al Afghani, who has never been charged, was not part of Tuesdays trade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, it was Mohammed who was freed in the swap, after being arrested in late 2006 and extradited from Afghanistan to the United States in 2007, according to the Justice Department. The department called Mohammed a violent jihadist and said he was a member of the Taliban who tried to kill US soldiers with rockets. In secretly recorded conversations with an informant, Mohammed said that selling drugs that would be shipped to the United States, including heroin, was a form of jihad: Whether it is by opium or by shooting, this is our common goal. May God turn all the infidels to dead corpses, Mohammed said, according to the Justice Department. He was sentenced to two life sentences in prison in 2008 after being convicted on drug and narco-terrorism charges for distributing heroin and opium in order to provide value to a person or group that has engaged or is engaging in terrorist activity. Latest Americans to be freed The prisoner exchange is one of the final moves made by an administration whose legacy will in part be defined by the disastrous and deadly US withdrawal in August 2021 from Afghanistan that saw the Taliban come to power. Biden has argued the withdrawal was forced on his administration by Trump who struck a deal in early 2020 with the Taliban to pull all US troops out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This deal comes in the first days of a tenuous ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza that the US and Qatar were central in mediating. Biden and Carstens has seen a string of successes in securing the releases of Americans wrongfully detained abroad, including recently from China and Russia. Eighty Americans deemed unjustly held around the world were freed under Biden, the White House said. The Biden administration did not acknowledge the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan but engaged with the group in Doha to discuss issues like human rights and the detained Americans. Corbett had lived in Afghanistan for more than a decade prior to the collapse of the Afghan government with his wife and their three children, doing non-governmental organization work. During the Taliban takeover in August 2021 the family was evacuated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corbett returned in January 2022 to Afghanistan to see if he could renew his business visa and to check on his business. He was greeted by the Taliban-run government with effusive praise for his business, according to Anna Corbett. So, Ryan Corbett returned in August 2022 for what was supposed to be a 10-day trip, with no indication that he was in any danger. Roughly one week into his visit, he was asked to come in for questioning by the local police. It was then that he and a German colleague, and two local staff members were all detained. All but Corbett had been subsequently released. The Biden White House said Corbett was never charged with a crime. Once the copy of his passport went down to Kabul, that thats where they saw that they had somebody with the blue passport that they might be able to use politically, Anna Corbett previously told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His health is declining. His mental health is declining. And he is still alive, but we dont know how long and we need to bring him back home immediately, she said at the time. The families of other detained Americans in Afghanistan have long been pressing the US government to do more to secure the release of their loved ones. In a letter to Biden in July, Aleksandra Glezmann wrote that her husbands health is failing, that he had a benign tumor on one side of his face, was losing vision in one eye and had developed sores and ulcers on his body. We urge the Taliban to immediately release both George and Mahmood, Biden said in a statement shared with CNN before he left office. We also urge the next Administration to continue our efforts to deter hostage-taking and wrongful detentions and to bring all unjustly detained Americans home. This story has been updated with additional details. CNNs Jennifer Hansler and Jack Forrest contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In the very last hours of President Joe Bidens time in office, a prisoner exchange years in the making was finally struck: the Taliban agreed to swap two Americans being held in Afghanistan for one Taliban member serving a life sentence in a US prison. But there was an unexpected delay (at least in part due to bad weather in Washington and Kabul) and Donald Trump was officially back in the White House when Americans Ryan Corbett and William McKenty were handed over and on their way home early Tuesday, exchanged for Afghan Taliban member Khan Mohammed who was convicted in 2008 on narco-terrorism charges. Mohammed had been flown by officials from the US to Doha. Qatar facilitated the trade by hosting several rounds of US negotiations with the Taliban and also provided logistical support to the operations to get the two American men out of Kabul, according to multiple people familiar with the details of the swap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outgoing administrations plan for the trade with the Taliban was communicated to Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz by Bidens adviser Jake Sullivan. They are on board with this deal, the Biden official said. They have acknowledged it, and they have not objected. A senior Trump administration official pushed back on their approval of the swap. While we would not do the deal that the Biden administration did at the end, we are always happy to have two Americans home, the Trump official said. Bidens envoy for hostage affairs, Ambassador Roger Carstens, had been dispatched to Doha along with Mohammed, a person familiar with the trade said. Carstens time in government was also supposed to end when Trump came into office, but he was already on the move during Mondays presidential transfer of power. A senior Biden administration official declined to say exactly where Mohammed would be handed over to the Taliban and the Americans would be picked up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of the bad weather delaying things, one person briefed on the trade said the Taliban preferred to let Trump take the win for the deal. They [the Taliban] didnt want the news to die during the inauguration and they want the Trump administration to have the credit, the source said. Carstens has been helping lead efforts to get at least four Americans released by the Taliban and recently met representatives in Doha with a new offer. Publicly US officials had discussed freeing Corbett and two others, George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi. All three were detained in 2022. Little is known about McKenty and what he was doing in Afghanistan. The Biden White House declined to offer any details, saying only that his case was known to them and his family has previously asked for privacy around his case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are profoundly appreciative of the skill, care, and determination demonstrated by all involved, McKentys family said in a statement thanking US and Qatari government officials. This has been an extremely challenging time for our family, and we are relieved to finally have Bill back where he belongs. The Taliban has rejected everything every single time, said a senior Biden administration official who discussed the negotiations on condition of anonymity, adding that they had put on the table several significant offers. In [Bidens] waning days theres been a real push, as there always is, to try to figure out if we can make progress on those who remain, who remain top of mind for the president and the administration, even as he is walking out the door, the official said, while acknowledging that the next Trump administration likely put added pressure on the Taliban. The incoming administration has made several public statements about their expectation that Americans be freed from Afghanistan and that there would be consequences if that were not the case, the official said. I think the Talibans decision to act now with respect to Ryan [Corbett] is in part motivated by that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corbett and McKenty are expected to land around midday in the US, but their destination is unclear. In the past, Americans held abroad have been taken to the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, which has a specialized program for reintegration. Almost 2 years of negotiations The release early Tuesday is the result of two years of negotiations and multiple trips to Doha by White House and State Department officials to meet with Taliban representatives, a Biden National Security Council spokesperson said. The CIA was also involved in the discussions and Tuesdays operation. Biden officials expressed disappointment that the two other Americans, Glezmann and Habibi, werent handed over but said they couldnt turn down the offer for at least Corbett and McKenty. The Taliban has never acknowledged holding Habibi but the US still considers him a hostage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement with the Taliban appears to have been relatively sudden: earlier this month Corbetts wife, Anna, told Fox News that she had spoken with Biden and got no indication her husband would be freed before the inauguration. What I heard him say is he is not bringing Ryan home, said Anna Corbett, who also met with Waltz, after traveling to Mar-a-Lago, uninvited, to try to meet with Trump. There was no deal to speak of at the time, the senior Biden official responded, as they were still working on it right down to the very end. Corbett and her three teenage children were invited to Mondays inauguration by Trumps incoming hostage envoy, Adam Boehler. In a statement to CNN, the family thanked members of the Trump and Biden teams as well as the Qatari government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was our hope that Ryan, George and Mahmoud would be returned to their families together, and we cannot imagine the pain that our good fortune will bring them, the family said. We recognize the immense privilege of our familys reunion today, and pledge to keep praying and fighting for George and Mahmouds swift release. The Biden administration had previously considered releasing a Guantanamo Bay prisoner, alleged to have been close to Osama bin Laden, in exchange for Ryan Corbett, Glezmann and Habibi. The prisoner, Muhammad Rahim al Afghani, who has never been charged, was not part of Tuesdays trade. Instead, it was Mohammed who was freed in the swap, after being arrested in late 2006 and extradited from Afghanistan to the United States in 2007, according to the Justice Department. The department called Mohammed a violent jihadist and said he was a member of the Taliban who tried to kill US soldiers with rockets. In secretly recorded conversations with an informant, Mohammed said that selling drugs that would be shipped to the United States, including heroin, was a form of jihad: Whether it is by opium or by shooting, this is our common goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May God turn all the infidels to dead corpses, Mohammed said, according to the Justice Department. He was sentenced to two life sentences in prison in 2008 after being convicted on drug and narco-terrorism charges for distributing heroin and opium in order to provide value to a person or group that has engaged or is engaging in terrorist activity. The Taliban welcomed the prisoner exchange deal, with Afghanistans Foreign Ministry calling it a good example of resolving issues through dialogue. The Islamic Emirate views positively those measures taken by the United States that contribute to the normalization and expansion of relations between the two countries, the Foreign Ministry concluded. Latest Americans to be freed The prisoner exchange is one of the final moves made by an administration whose legacy will in part be defined by the disastrous and deadly US withdrawal in August 2021 from Afghanistan that saw the Taliban come to power. Biden has argued the withdrawal was forced on his administration by Trump who struck a deal in early 2020 with the Taliban to pull all US troops out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This deal comes in the first days of a tenuous ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza that the US and Qatar were central in mediating. Biden and Carstens has seen a string of successes in securing the releases of Americans wrongfully detained abroad, including recently from China and Russia. Eighty Americans deemed unjustly held around the world were freed under Biden, the White House said. The Biden administration did not acknowledge the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan but engaged with the group in Doha to discuss issues like human rights and the detained Americans. Corbett had lived in Afghanistan for more than a decade prior to the collapse of the Afghan government with his wife and their three children, doing non-governmental organization work. During the Taliban takeover in August 2021 the family was evacuated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corbett returned in January 2022 to Afghanistan to see if he could renew his business visa and to check on his business. He was greeted by the Taliban-run government with effusive praise for his business, according to Anna Corbett. So, Ryan Corbett returned in August 2022 for what was supposed to be a 10-day trip, with no indication that he was in any danger. Roughly one week into his visit, he was asked to come in for questioning by the local police. It was then that he and a German colleague, and two local staff members were all detained. All but Corbett had been subsequently released. The Biden White House said Corbett was never charged with a crime. Once the copy of his passport went down to Kabul, that thats where they saw that they had somebody with the blue passport that they might be able to use politically, Anna Corbett previously told CNN. His health is declining. His mental health is declining. And he is still alive, but we dont know how long and we need to bring him back home immediately, she said at the time. The families of other detained Americans in Afghanistan have long been pressing the US government to do more to secure the release of their loved ones. In a letter to Biden in July, Aleksandra Glezmann wrote that her husbands health is failing, that he had a benign tumor on one side of his face, was losing vision in one eye and had developed sores and ulcers on his body. We urge the Taliban to immediately release both George and Mahmood, Biden said in a statement shared with CNN before he left office. We also urge the next Administration to continue our efforts to deter hostage-taking and wrongful detentions and to bring all unjustly detained Americans home. This story has been updated with additional details. CNNs Masoud Popalzai, Lucas Lilieholm, Jennifer Hansler and Jack Forrest contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Update: The Delaware County Sheriffs Office has arrested two women in connection with the misconduct investigation at Greene Central School District. Sheriff DeMund confirmed the arrests of two Greene women were made on Saturday, Jan. 18, after Greene CSD contacted the sheriffs office on Jan. 13 with information that a 9-year-old female student had been physically attacked on a school bus by a GCSD employee while in the Town of Masonville on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Investigation into the situation led to video evidence from inside the school bus revealing 59-year-old Karen Bryant had struck the student multiple times according to Sheriff DeMund. Additionally, the school bus monitor who allegedly witnessed the incident, 71-year-old Nancy Nowalk, failed to report it to any authority figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryant and Nowalk have been charged with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Bryant was also charged with one count of Harassment in the second degree, and both were released on appearance tickets. Both are scheduled to appear in the Town of Masonville Court at a later date. GREENE, NY (WIVT/WBGH) A staff member at Greene Central School District has been placed on administrative leave as an investigation into alleged misconduct against a student continues. Superintendent of Schools for GCSD, Lisa-Marie Carter, released a statement for the community on Thursday, Jan. 16, regarding the investigation. The statement indicates the investigation and coordination with both local law enforcement and the districts legal counsel began Friday, Jan. 10, into the alleged striking of a student by a staff member at on of the district schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement did not indicate when the incident occurred originally. As a result of the allegation and ongoing investigation, the staff member in question has been placed on administrative leave. You can read the full release below regarding the investigation: Copyright 2025 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 WIVT - News 34. Vice President Han Zheng, Chinas representative at Donald Trumps inauguration, is a trusted adviser to President Xi Jinping, a long-time survivor of Chinese politics who rose from toiling on a collective farm and in factories to becoming one of the most powerful people in the country. Chinas decision to send Han, rather than its ambassador to Washington as is usual, appears to be a carefully calibrated signal that it is willing to improve relations with the U.S., while not leaving Xi exposed to criticism should ties worsen. Many of the most divisive bilateral issues involve trade, with Trump threatening to impose 60% tariffs on imports from China, but relations have also frayed over technology and Chinas moves to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea. Like many young Chinese, Han was sent to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution to learn from the peasants on orders from then-leader Mao Zedong. Many on their return to the cities found jobs in state-run industries. Han, 70, rose up the ranks in the financial center of Shanghai during the 1980s and 1990s, just as Chinas economy was catching fire, concurrently holding Communist Party and managerial positions in the chemical and rubber industries. There he caught the eye of senior leaders and was elevated to district-level governance before becoming the citys mayor and then party secretary, the citys highest position, following a financial scandal involving his predecessor. Xi had briefly held the position after the scandal, giving Han access to him before him became Chinas new leader. In 2017, Han reached the apex of Chinese political power, the partys seven-member Politburo Standing Committee, and after serving one five-year term was given the position of vice president, a position Xi has imbued with new weight as adviser and envoy. Throughout his career, Han has shown a flair for low-key diplomacy, helping to deal with unrest in Hong Kong and attending numerous international events such as the United Nations General Assembly. Yesterday [Macau time], Han met with U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and U.S. business leaders, including Elon Musk, in Washington on the eve of the inauguration. Han Zheng, who serves as an envoy for Chinese President Xi Jinping at the inauguration, discussed a range of topics including fentanyl, balancing trade and regional stability with J.D. Vance, according to the Trump transition team. Han stressed the extensive common interests and enormous space of cooperation the United States and China share in economic and trade relations despite some disagreements and frictions, according to a readout of his meeting with Vance issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry yesterday. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs and other measures against China in his second term, while also hinting and ways in which the two rival powers could cooperate on issues such as regional conflicts and curbing the export of substances used in the production of fentanyl. In an unorthodox move, Trump last month invited Xi to his inauguration. No head of state has previously made an official visit to the U.S. for the inauguration, according to State Department historical records. While Xi will not personally attend the event, he and Trump held a phone call last week during which they discussed trade, fentanyl and TikTok. The Chinese social media app restored service to users in the U.S. yesterday, just hours after it went dark in response to a federal ban, which Trump said he would pause by executive order yesterday. Han also met with Musk and other top U.S. business executives, including representatives of the U.S.-China Business Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The Chinese vice president reiterated promises for an improved business environment for foreign firms in China and expressed hopes that U.S. companies will continue expanding investment in the country. Musk, whose company Tesla operates a factory in Shanghai, posted on his platform X after the meeting that he has long opposed the TikTok ban because it goes against freedom of speech. That said, the current situation where TikTok is allowed to operate in America, but X is not allowed to operate in China is unbalanced, he wrote. Something needs to change. X is banned in China alongside other major U.S. social media and news apps and websites, including YouTube, Google, Facebook and many major U.S. media. MDT/AP FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Frederick County Sheriffs Office (FCSO) said two men are facing several charges after they broke into someones home and held them at gunpoint over the weekend. The incident took place on Jan. 19 just before 12:15 a.m. in Adamstown. According to the sheriffs office, deputies were dispatched to the 5600 block of Doubs Road for a robbery in progress. Upon arrival, deputies heard gunshots coming from inside the home. Thats when they found two residents in their vehicle, in the driveway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capitol Heights man charged with girlfriends murder after remains found in home, police say The victims told law enforcement that two armed people had allegedly forced their way into their home, held them at gunpoint and demanded drugs and money. According to the sheriffs office, police set up a perimeter around the house and used a K-9 to track the suspects. A short time later, two men were taken into custody. Deputies learned that one of the men, later identified as 30-year-old Darrell Foster, of Washington, D.C., had been shot two times during the invasion. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Howard County firefighters rescue dog from frozen pond As the search continued, a deputy located two people at a gas station in Adamstown, who may have been connected to the crime. Deputies detained one driver; however, the other led authorities on a police chase into Washington, D.C., where they later found the car abandoned. As the investigation continued, 31-year-old Darius Jones of Washington D.C. was arrested and charged with armed robbery, firearm use/felony-violent crime, reg. firearm: Illegal possession, firearm possession-crime/violent felony conviction, illegal possession of ammo. He was being held at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an update on Jan. 21, the FCSO announced Foster was arrested after he was released from the hospital. Police charged him with armed robbery, firearm use/felony-violent crime, reg. Firearm: Illegal possession, firearm possession-crime/violent felony conviction, illegal possession of ammo. Foster is being held at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center. The home invasion and robbery remain under investigation. Copyright 2025 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Unit 5 in McLean County and Peoria Public Schools will both have E-learning days on Tuesday due to the bitter cold. The move puts nearly 25,000 students in grades kindergarten through high school on their laptops at home. Peoria will have no in-person instruction or school activities on Tuesday due to a high of 5 degrees and a projected windchill as low as -20, PPS said in a text message and also a voice message sent to parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to expected severe wind chills on Tuesday, Jan. 21, we will be implementing an e-learning day exclusively for students. Please visit your schools website to familiarize yourself with the e-learning plans for your student, and stay safe and warm during this period, the message said from Peoria Public Schools. And in a Facebook post, Unit 5 said much the same thing, that there would be no extracurricular activities in the morning but that a decision on afternoon practices would come by 3 p.m. Tuesday. Its not uncommon for districts to cancel school with weather like Tuesdays, due to the large number of children who walk to school or who have to stand outside waiting for a bus. For each schools e-learning plan, visit Peoria Public Schools Guide to E-Learning page, and teachers will be available for support during the day. For information on Unit 5s e-learning plans, go to www.unit5.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several other school districts are also having remote learning or delaying their start times. A full list of closings is available here. In addition, Illinois State University will close on Tuesday and offer no classes in person or remote, according to an email from the school. Due to forecasted wind chills Tuesday, Illinois State University and the University Laboratory Schools will be closed, reopening Wednesday. All classes (in-person, hybrid, and online) are canceled Tuesday and will not be delivered remotely. Residence halls and residential dining centers will remain open. All other campus buildings will be closed, the university said. The mens basketball game scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday will continue as planned, the university said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Two more suspects have been arrested and charged in connection to a 17-year-olds death in August 2024, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. Just after 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, officers responded to the 14000 block of Wynhollow Downs Lane for a welfare check. They found 17-year-old Aryan Jaswal shot dead inside a vehicle. In October 2024, police charged a 16-year-old juvenile from Conway, SC in connection to the teens death. The teen was charged with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In collaboration with several agencies in South Carolina, on Jan. 17, CMPDs Violent Criminal Apprehension Team arrested 20-year-old Jaylon Reaves of Mullins, SC and 18-year-old Tyquan Paige of Horry County, SC. Both suspects were also charged with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. CMPD detectives traveled to South Carolina to arrest and interview the suspects. Both suspects are now pending extradition. This investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective. To leave information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. Jan. 20Alleged road rage and an unrelated driving under the influence charges that resulted in highway deaths were set for trial by Judge Wesley Bray in Cumberland County Criminal Court last week. Joshua Adam Fields, 43, Alcoa, is charged in connection with a three-vehicle crash on I-40 near the 322 mile marker that occurred in July 2022. This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement kAm|:4926= r@A6=2?5[ fa[ r@@ 9:D :?;FC:6D DFDE2:?65 :? E96 4C2D9] p ':C8:?:2 >2?[ 5C:G6C @7 2 EC24E@C\EC2:=6C C:8 :?G@=G65 :? E96 4C2D9[ H2D ?@E :?;FC65]k^Am kAmp %w! 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A@DD6DD:@? @7 2 H62A@? 2?5 >2C:;F2?2 5FC:?8 2 rC@DDG:==6 !@=:46 s6A2CE>6?E 2CC6DE s64] b'[ a_aa] p 76=@?J 5CF8 A=62 :? |2D@? r@F?EJ[ x{[ 6?E6C65 :? s646>36C a_'d[ 32?D 96C 7C@> A@DD6DD:@? 2 7:C62C>] p>3C@D6 :D C6AC6D6?E65 3J !: @7 S'_[___ E@ Se_[___ H6C6 >@G65 E@ |2C49 " 7@C EC24@C6 E92? ]d 8C2>D @7 >6E9 7@C D2=6 2?5^@C 56=:G6CJ 2?5 A@DD6DD:@? @7 5CF8 A2C2A96C?2=:2[ 2==6865 @? |2J '_[ a_ab[ 2?5 :?G6DE:82E65 3J rF>36C=2?5 r@F?EJ $96C:77'D ~77:46] qC2J D6E 2 >@E:@? 2?5 A=62 ?68@E:2E65 5625=:?6 @7 pAC:= g 2?5 EC:2= D6E @7 pAC:= ab] }2?46 :D C6AC6D6?E65 3J rC@DDG:==6 2EE@C?6J y677 ':C6D]k^Am kAm&?C6=2E65 492C86D @7 D:>A=6 A@DD6DD:@? @7 >6E9 2?5 A@DD6DD:@? @7 5CF8 A2C2A96C?2=:2 2C6 4@?E:?F65 E@ pAC:= g 7@C EC24@E:@? 2?5 ?68@E:2E65 A=62 5625=:?6 7@C pAC:= g 2?5 EC:2= :D D6E 7@C pAC:= ac]k^Am Michael Moser may be reached at mmoser@crossville-chronicle.com TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) Two women were arrested over the weekend in Taylorville when police conducted a drug bust. Taylorville Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler said in a Facebook post that the Community Action and the Emergency Response Teams executed a search warrant for a home on Market Street. As a result, they seized methamphetamine, fentanyl, scales and thousands of dollars in cash. 21-year-old Danville man facing weapons charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two women were arrested on the following charges: Rebecca Champley, 49, possession of meth with intent to deliver, possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver, criminal fortification of a residence Lorna Smith, 43, possesion of methamphetamine Wheeler added that more charges against Champley are expected. This operation highlights an important message to those involved in illegal drug activity: we are relentless in our pursuit of justice, and if you are engaged in criminal behavior, you may be next, he said. Our work is never finished, and we will continue our efforts to create a safer city for everyone. Wheeler also thanked the Christian County States Attorney and the judge who signed the search warrant for their assistance in the operation, saying, This success is a direct result of great teamwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WCIA.com. Tyra Banks is opening up about losing her home in the Los Angeles wildfires. While appearing on the Australian morning show Sunrise on Monday, the model shared publicly for the first time that her house was one of those destroyed in the fires that ignited earlier in January in L.A. More from The Hollywood Reporter I lost my house, Banks said. I havent really talked about it, but, yeah, I have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banks also explained why she hasnt shared her loss publicly until now. I just didnt want to pull a lot of attention to me, she said. I feel like theres a lot of people that need that attention, so I havent really talked about it, but I cant sit here and not tell the truth that, yeah, we lost our house. She said she learned that she lost her home, which she shares with her partner, while they were in Australia. We were at a friends house here and we were celebrating just having fun. I kept checking my phone, not for my house, but for friends and family, making sure they were evacuating and everything, Banks said. And then I asked my partner, I was like, Im seeing something here, what do you think? and he [nodded]. I just pulled it together and just didnt say anything to my friends and just stayed in that moment, and then we went home and we cried and we had our moment, she added. TYRA BANKS ON SUNRISE Sunrise Exclusive: shes one of the biggest supermodels of all time. Now Tyra Banks is in Australia as she expands her business empire. WATCH SUNRISE FOR MORE | @7plus pic.twitter.com/RbQB5D0iB7 Sunrise (@sunriseon7) January 19, 2025 Given that she and her partner travel back and forth between L.A., New York and Australia, she noted that she didnt lose all of her personal items in the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were between here and New York, so a lot of those memento-mementos are here and in New York, so I didnt lose that, thank goodness, she said. There were some mementos that we lost. But yeah, its tough. Banks is one of the thousands who tragically lost their homes due to the multiple fires, including several Hollywood stars such as Mandy Moore, Anna Faris, Milo Ventimiglia, Paris Hilton and Jeff Bridges. The Palisades and Eaton fires have killed at least 27 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they first ignited on Jan. 7. As of Tuesday, the Palisades Fire was 63 percent contained and the Eaton Fire was 89 percent contained. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Tyra Banks revealed she is one of the many Los Angeles residents who were displaced due to the devastating wildfires that are sweeping through various areas in the city. Xny / GC Images The death toll has risen to 27 as thousands of people lost their homes, and unfortunately, reports state the toll is expected to increase. Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images Areas greatly affected by the fires include Altadena, Pacific Palisades, Eaton, and several others. Agustin Paullier / AFP via Getty Images Well, while visiting Australia's morning show Sunrise on Monday, the former supermodel recently revealed her home also fell victim to the fire. Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for Victoria's Secret Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im one of them, Tyra said when asked if she knew anyone who had lost their home. "I lost my house." I havent really talked about it but, yeah, I have. I just didnt want to pull a lot of attention to me, I feel that there's a lot of people that need that attention, so I haven't really talked about it, but I can't sit here and not tell the truth, so yeah we lost our house." Tyra and her partner Louis Belanger-Martin were at a friend's house in Australia when they found out that their home had been destroyed. Franziska Krug / Getty Images for Marc Cain "We were celebrating and just having fun. I kept checking my phone, not for my house, but just for friends and family, she added. I was just making sure they were evacuating and everything. Alexander Tamargo / Getty Images for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I didnt say anything to my friends. I just stayed in that moment. Then we went home and we cried. We had our moment." Noam Galai / Getty Images Because the America's Next Top Model star and Louis currently have homes in both Australia and NY, they actually had a lot of personal mementos with them in Australia, despite their LA property getting destroyed. You can watch Tyra talk more about it below: Our hearts go out to everyone impacted in any way by the fires. Follow the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for more information on the fires. You can find more details on shelters and resources here. Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The United States and Afghanistan have carried out a prisoner swap, the Taliban announced early Tuesday. Scant details released on the exchange state that an Afghan national held in the United States was exchanged for two Americans detained in Afghanistan, Ryan Corbett and William Wallace McKenty. The Taliban's ministry of foreign affairs confirmed the prisoner swap in a statement, saying Khan Mohammad had been released by the United States in exchange "for the release of American nationals." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corbett, 42, was identified as having been released from Taliban captivity by his family, while it was later learned that McKenty was the second American involved in the deal. "I am overwhelmed with joy that Ryan and William are on their way home," Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement. "I am so deeply grateful that this dark chapter in their lives has come to a close and that they can soon begin the process of healing with their families." The announcement came a day after the administration of President Joe Biden handed over the White House to President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corbett's family thanked both administrations for their efforts in securing his release. They also extended their "deepest thanks" to the government of Qatar, stating the Middle Eastern country had aided in the negotiations. The Taliban also confirmed Qatar's involvement. "Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryan's life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives," the statement from Corbett's family said. Corbett, his wife and three children had lived in Afghanistan since 2010, but left in August 2021 as the country fell and was taken over by the Taliban. Corbett, however, was detained a year later while visiting the country, where he continued to run a business consultancy company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement from his family stated Corbett was on his way back to the United States. Concerning McKenty little is publicly available. The New York Times reports that the 69-year-old's family has asked the U.S. government for privacy. "We are profoundly appreciative of the skill, care and determination demonstrated by all involved," the family said in a statement, according to The Times. Corbett and McKenty were exchanged for Mohammad, who was detained nearly 20 years ago in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, according to the Taliban. A U.S. Justice Department press release states Mohammad was arrested in late October 2006 and received two life sentences in December 2008 to be served consecutively in a U.S. prison for charges related to trafficking large quantities of drugs to the United States. Prosecutors said Mohammad was a Taliban member, who sought to acquire rockets and other munitions to conduct attacks against U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Taliban said he was serving his sentence in California when released. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan consider this exchange as a good example of resolving issues through dialogue," the ministry said, which framed the exchange as the United States taking steps "that aid normalization & expansion of relations between the two countries." Two Americans remain captives in Afghanistan. Mahmood Shah Habibi was taken captive from his vehicle near his home in Kabul City along with his driver on Aug. 10, 2022. And George Glezmann was seized by the Taliban's intelligence services while visiting Kabul on Dec. 5, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their statement, Corbett's family said they wished the release of Glezmann and Habibi could have also been secured. "It was our hope that Ryan, George and Mahmood would he returned to their families together, and we cannot imagine the pain that our good fortune will bring them," the family said. "We recognize the immense privilege of our family's reunion today, and pledge to keep praying -- and fighting -- for George and Mahmood's swift release." Jan. 20 (UPI) -- A U.S. Border Patrol agent was fatally shot Monday afternoon in Vermont, state police said. Federal authorities are investigating. Circumstances surrounding the shooting were not immediately clear. Vermont State Police said in a statement that the shooting occurred at 3:15 p.m. EST on Interstate 91 in the town of Coventry, located in northern Vermont near the U.S.-Canada border. The FBI Albany said in a separate statement on Monday night that a "subject" was also killed in the shooting. A third person was also injured and taken into custody, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The identity of the slain agent was not released, but Homeland Security said they had been assigned to U.S. Border Patrol's Swanton Sector. "Every day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harm's way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure," Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman said in a statement. "My prayers and deepest condolences are with our Department, the Agent's family, loved ones and colleagues." Border Patrol Union - NBPC also issued its condolences on X. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the family, friends and coworkers of our fallen brother in green in Vermont," it said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vermont State Police said federal authorities, including the FBI, are leading the investigation. Huffman said the shooting will be "swiftly investigated." I-91 was closed in both directions, with only the north lane opening up Monday night, as state police warned of "a long-duration closure" of the southbound lane. COURTESY U.S. COAST GUARD Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon, who recommended a medevac. COURTESY U.S. COAST GUARD Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon, who recommended a medevac. The U.S. Coast Guard this morning medevaced an injured man from a fishing vessel about 40 miles off shore of Oahu. Honolulu watchstanders received notification at 4 :30 p.m. Saturday from crew members aboard the Capt Davis that a 34-year-old man had suffered an eye injury. At the time, the 72-foot commercial fishing boat was about 350 miles southwest of Oahu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon, who recommended a medevac. At 6 a.m. today, the USCG deployed an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point to the Capt Davis about 40 miles southwest of Kapolei. The helicopter crew transported the man to The Queens Medical Center in Honolulu, where he reportedly remains in stable condition. 0 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? . LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The U.S. Marshals are searching for a man wanted in connection with a homicide that occurred in North Las Vegas more than two years ago. Luis Lopez-Quezada, 51, is considered armed and dangerous and an international flight risk with violent tendencies, according to a wanted poster from the U.S. Marshals Service. He is alleged to have killed someone, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Raymond Venegas told the 8 News Now Investigators. If hes done it once, its safe to assume that they probably wouldnt hesitate to do it again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the North Las Vegas police department revealed few details about the homicide case, the 8 News Now Investigators obtained a report from the Clark County coroners office which provided more details about what occurred on Nov. 10, 2022, at a 7-Eleven convenience store. The alleged victim was identified as 37-year-old Tanoaalii Fetaomi Tevaseu. Tevaseu tried to use a microwave at the business where he had been previously trespassed, according to the coroners report. Lopez-Quezada and Tevaseu ordered and Lopez-Quezada asked Tevaseu to leave, the report stated. Lopez-Quezada drew his firearm, Tevaseu tried to leave, the pair argued again, Tevaseu threw his bicycle at Lopez-Quezada, and Lopez-Quezada fired one round, striking Tevaseu, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tevaseu had methamphetamine and THC in his system, the report stated. The 8 News Now Investigators spoke with Akenese Lelei, via Zoom, who said she is Tevaseus aunt. She said her nephew had experienced trauma and personal struggles, and she recalled happier times. I was sad, of course, because Tanoaalii was very close to me, LeLei told the 8 News Now Investigators. He was always respectful to us, the aunties, the uncles, never said no. You ask him to do something. He goes running. Hes always full of joy. Hes always happy. Hes always a jokester. Lelei said she hopes her nephews killer is found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Venegas said Lopez-Quezada may have fled to Mexico, has ties to both Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and has not left much of a paper trail. If you have any information about Lopez Quezadas whereabouts, you are urged to call the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-926-8332. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. In his contentious confirmation hearing, Donald Trumps nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, affirmed that his mission is to bring the warrior culture back to the Department of Defense. It is a terrible idea. The archetype of the Western warrior is Homers Achilles. Superbly fit, the swift runner Achilles is magnificent in battle. He is an individualist, with dazzling armor and a troop of admiring Myrmidons who would follow him anywhere. His prowess in combat is unsurpassable. He is brought down only by a poisoned arrow (a sneaky weapon if ever there was one) fired by the wimpy Paris, whose seduction of Helen had started the Trojan War. He is also the man who comes close to killing his boss, Agamemnon, over a favorite concubine; sulks in his tent; and weeps when he feels dishonored until his mother (a goddess) comforts him. In a rage over the death of his friend Patroclus in a fair fight, Achilles not only kills the Trojan prince Hector but then drags his body around Troy for his horrified parents and widow to see. An intervention by the gods is all that prevents the body from being ripped apart by this treatment, although Achilless initial hope (snarled at the dying Hector) was that dog packs and birds would rend the corpse of the man who fought to defend his city from the horrors of a sacking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Achilles is a warrior, not a soldier. History has had plenty of warrior types, including some (think Geronimo) whom we celebrate even after vanquishing them. But let us remember that the brave (and yes, they are brave) ghazi fighters of the Islamic State and the mercenary killers of the Wagner Group had and have warrior cultures. Warriors are people who exult in killing, who prize individual courage and daring, who obsess about honor (often in self-destructive ways), who frequently take trophies from the bodies of their enemies, and whose behavior on and off the battlefield often veers into atrocity. Soldiers are different. They are servants of the state. In well-governed countries, they are bound by discipline, the rule of law, and commitment to comrades and organizationsnot to self-glorification. Their virtues are obedience, stoicism, perseverance, and competence. They serve a common good, and duty, not glory, is their prime motivation. The distinction matters. If Europe and the United States overran large parts of the planet, it was because they deployed disciplined soldiers against, in many instances, more numerous warriors. Even well-organized warriorsthink of Shakas Zulus, or the Iroquois confederacycould rarely defeat well-drilled infantry. The British General C. E. Callwells Small Wars, a manual on imperial warfare, explains the outcomes of those and many other fights far better than Homers Iliad. To be sure, these are ideal types, and in reality they may coexist, although with one set of qualities predominating. Arguably, for example, the armies of the Confederacy were more like warriors (the rebel yell, J. E. B. Stuarts plumed hat, Picketts death-defying charge), and the Union more like soldiers (repeating rifles, rumpled Ulysses S. Grant, an ever-tightening naval blockade). We know how that turned out. It is no coincidence that one book that tries to explain the Confederacys exceptionally high losses, particularly among general officers, bears the title Attack and Die. Southern warriors liked to charge with the bayonet. And atrocities such as the Fort Pillow massacre of African American troops and the cruelty and mismanagement of Andersonville Prison had a lot to do with nonsoldierly behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The infatuation with warrior culturethe strut and swagger, the desire to battle mano a manois not atypical of a certain kind of junior officer, which is what Hegseth was in the National Guard. It is a world apart from how the armed forces operate at scale, and from the extraordinarily complex business of the Department of Defense. You dont want Achilles in a nuclear submarine, you dont need El Cid maintaining your stealth bomber, and you surely do not want Crazy Horse presiding over the urgent problem of renovating the American defense industrial base. I have known some great soldiers (using the term to include sailors, airmen, and Marines), and by and large they are wary of warrior culture. They know that violence on the battlefield can easily spin out of control; they know that a very large part of their duty is the orchestration of large and intricate organizations and complex technologies. They prefer steadiness to impulse, calculation to intuition, and, above all, thoughtfulness about their profession to raging glorification of bloodshed. Jim Mattis and David Petraeus (to mention just two) are readers (and writers) of books; the special operators Stan McChrystal and William McRaven are anything but yellers and screamers. And those are just the military people. Secretaries of defense are civilians, or should be. The appointment of Mattis in the first Trump administration could be supported on the grounds that an erratic new president needed someone in that position who would temper his wilder instincts. Typical for Trump though, he was disappointed to learn that Mattis was not, in fact, known as Mad Dog and hated the presidents use of the nickname. The appointment by President Joe Biden of another retired general, Lloyd Austin, was but one of a number of unforced errors that made his administration in many respects a failure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The civilian secretary of defense should be tough and highly experiencedBob Gates or, earlier, Melvin Lairdas well as a capable organizer, a respected counselor, a shrewd politician, and a forceful leader from outside military culture. The defense secretarys job is often to represent civilian values to the military (think racial integration and acceptance of homosexuals in military service) and military values to the civilian world. They must administer a sprawling department with millions of civilian and military members, set an enormous range of policies, and, most important, exercise the consistent civilian oversight of military operations, which a president cannot. They are not in the warrior business. Indeed, some of the most effective secretaries have had negligible military experience, or none whatsoever. Hegseth, quite apart from his turbulent personal life, has no qualifications for this position. The organizations he ran failed or lost considerable sums of money; his testimony (before an admittedly less-than-exacting set of interrogators) revealed broad areas of ignorance about defense. He seems to have gotten the nod because of his servility to Trump, and the tough-guy bluster of a resentful junior officer raging against higher-upsan altogether common type throughout history, a trope rather than a qualification. And this warrior-culture rhetoric is potentially dangerous. In his first term, President Trump reversed a number of decisions that the military made to enforce disciplinerestoring rank and the coveted SEAL trident pin to Eddie Gallagher, and pardoning other officers convicted of or headed to trial for war crimes. Trump could do much worse with a secretary of defense who thinks his job is to free up the tough guys to do tough-guy things. Hegseths sneers at judge advocate general officersmilitary lawyerswere not merely juvenile but dangerous. The real peril here is not a plot to destroy American liberties but fecklessness and ignorance about what it takes to build, strengthen, and direct a military that is powerful but not, in relative terms, as dominant as it once was. Half a century ago, the great student of management, Peter Drucker, said that running the Department of Defense might well be impossible. Perhaps, but it is most certainly impossible in the hands of someone whose idea of leadership of that organization is a jutting jaw, bravado, and war paint. Article originally published at The Atlantic The U.S. Supreme Court pictured on Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom) The United States Supreme Court has declined to take up a petition filed by Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen challenging a state Supreme Court decision to strike down two voting rights laws passed by a Republican-controlled Legislature and backed by her office. Without comment, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the motion to hear the case, leaving in place the Montana Supreme Courts decision to limit the restrictions the state could impose on voters in the name of election security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys from the Montana Attorney Generals Office had argued that the case was an opportunity to elaborate on the scope of a recent controversial case in which North Carolina tested the limits of how far its own state Legislature could go to set voting standards in a case, Moore vs. Harper. That case was the first real test of a fringe-turned-mainstream legal concept called independent legislature theory, which holds that the U.S. Constitution gives nearly unilateral authority to state legislatures to set their own election qualifications for federal elections. The Montana Democratic Party successfully challenged the two bills that the Montana Supreme Court struck down in a 5-to-2 split decision. Those were House Bill 176, which eliminated same-day voter registration, and House Bill 530, which prohibited paid absentee ballot collection. To invalidate these modest laws, the Montana Supreme Court distorted clear provisions in the Montana Constitution and leaned on ambiguous ones, attorneys for Jacobsen argued unsuccessfully to the nations highest court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for Jacobsen also argued that precedent, including decades where Montana did not have same-day voter registration, had created a one-way ratchet where laws could be changed, but only in one direction. The State of Montana also argued that by taking the case, the U.S. Supreme Court had the opportunity to review the boundaries of state supreme courts and a state legislatures power to make election law. This case provides an ideal opportunity to address the questions presented in time to prevent a litany of petitions seeking clarity on how to apply Moore, which is especially important given the increased focus (on) nationwide election integrity laws, the appeal from Jacobsens attorneys said. An appeal to the United States Supreme Court isnt mandatory, and parties must apply for and receive a writ of certiorari in order to be heard in front of the court. The court is not obligated to respond, and as in this case, merely denied the petition, effectively foreclosing any further appeals on these two measures, without commenting on the merits for either Jacobsen or the Montana Democratic Party, which successfully challenged the laws. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama have signed a 10-year agreement on cooperation and support. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: The cooperation and support agreement between Ukraine and Albania is designed for a decade and consists of five sections: security and defence, political cooperation, humanitarian aid, cooperation in the event of future Russian aggression and final provisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full text of the agreement has been published on the Presidents Office website. Quote: "Albania has been providing military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion and it will continue its support throughout the ten-year term of the agreement. Albania will also contribute to the fighter jet coalition." More details: The Ukrainian president expressed gratitude to Albania for supporting Kyivs path towards European integration, strengthening its battlefield capabilities and "bringing Ukraine closer to a just and lasting peace". I met with the Prime Minister of Albania, @ediramaal, in Davos. We signed an agreement on long-term cooperation and support between our countries. Albania has been providing military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion and it pic.twitter.com/HMNSdeqmnX Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) January 21, 2025 Background: This is not the first bilateral agreement between Kyiv and Tirana. In February 2024, the leaders of both nations signed a Friendship and Cooperation Agreement. Additionally, in January 2025, Albania opened its embassy in Kyiv. Support UP or become our patron! The U.S. Army is moving to establish a second production source for barrels for 155mm M777 towed howitzers in response to what it calls unprecedented demand from Ukraine. Only one U.S. government-owned and operated arsenal makes the barrels and that facility cannot currently meet a requirement to churn out more than 30 new ones each month. Discussion of the need for more barrels for M777 howitzers was included in a recently released Pentagon budget document dated Dec. 17, 2024, which details several so-called reprogramming actions related to U.S. military assistance to Ukraine. The M777s barrel, or cannon, technically has its own separate designation, M776. The U.S. military is required by law to get approval from Congress to reallocate funding from one part of its budget to another. The full entry regarding the M777 barrels reads: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funds are required for 155mm cannon tube second source in support of Ukraine. Includes procurement, factory improvements, production equipment and tooling, etc. in direct support of replenishment items provided to Ukraine. The high volume of artillery fire missions has created an unprecedented demand for M776 155mm Cannon Tubes (39 caliber), with a projected requirement of over 30 tubes per month. The current manufacturer of cannons, Watervliet Arsenal (WVA) [in New York state], a Government Owned Government Operated (GOGO) facility, has not been able to support the demand. Facilitization investment will support up to 10 cannon tubes per month, including large cannon calibers. This is a congressional special interest item. This is an emergency budget requirement. The relevant portion of the recent Pentagon reprogramming document. DOD The reprogramming document shows that $161 million was reallocated to the Army for this effort from a dedicated Ukraine Replacement Transfer Fund within the Pentagons budget. The lifespan of a barrel for any howitzer depends on a variety of factors, including firing rates. The barrels do wear out, and degradation of the rifling and overall internal structure can lead to reduced range and accuracy, as well as the potential for catastrophic failure. Firing a high volume of rounds, especially with full propellant charges to get maximum range, in a relatively short amount of time can only increase the wear rate. The U.S. Marine Corps notably highlighted having burned out the barrels on two of their M777s during fighting against ISIS in the Syrian city of Raqqa in 2017. The U.S. Armys metrics for determining when the cannon on an M777 needs to be replaced are not publicly available. It is unclear how many M777s Ukraine has received from the U.S. military and other sources since Russia launched its all-out invasion in February 2022. A Pentagon factsheet put out in December simply says the United States has provided more than 200 155mm howitzers, which also includes variants of the self-propelled M109. The Ukrainian armed forces have received at least four more M777s from Canada and another six from Australia. Four M777s bound for Ukraine seen inside a Royal Australian Air Force C-17 cargo plane in April 2022. Australian Department of Defense How many M777s are in active Ukrainian service today is also not clear. There is visual documentation of nearly 100 M777s being damaged or destroyed in Russian attacks, which may not reflect the complete total. Some damaged howitzers could have been put back into operation, as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An unsuccessful attempt of the ruSSian Lancet drone to destroy a Ukrainian M777 howitzer. But most interesting here is the howitzers fire position the howitzer stands in a trench with a folding roof. pic.twitter.com/Rc2tfHSq4K (@TheDeadDistrict) July 14, 2024 It is no secret that howitzers, and 155mm types especially, have been critical in Ukraines ongoing fight against Russia. Issues around ensuring sufficient supplies of ammunition for those howitzers have drawn particular attention in the past year or so. The United States and several European countries have been working to dramatically step up production of those shells to help meet Ukrainian demands, as well as replenish their own stockpiles. Past Ukrainian pronouncements about the number of 155mm rounds required to meet its operational requirements at times up to 3,000 per day give a good sense of the rate at which the countrys forces have been firing shells from howitzers like the M777. Ukrainian M777 howitzer is getting the job done. Direct shot! Footage by Operational Command South. pic.twitter.com/a1JwJ4Pn6L Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) July 12, 2022 The Pentagon reprogramming document underscores how the matter of ammunition supplies is just one serious issue facing Ukrainian artillery units. This all also speaks to real issues that the U.S. military itself could be faced with in the future, especially high-end ones like a fight with China in the Pacific. If U.S. capacity to produce things like replacement barrels for M777s is insufficient to meet the needs of Ukraines armed forces, it is hard to see how it could respond to far greater demands from American forces during a major conflict. Lessons being learned from the conflict in Ukraine, as well as current operations across the Middle East, have already been having significant impacts on thinking about how the U.S. military should structure its own arsenal, especially stockpiles of key munitions, and be prepared to replenish it going forward. American obligations to the Ukrainian military, as well as operational demands in the Middle East, have also prompted serious criticism about the adequacy of current stockpiles. Its also worth noting here that the Pentagon reprogramming document indicates that the U.S. Armys planned investment in additional capacity to produce M777 barrels could also be used to make other large caliber cannons in the future. The Army has not ordered any new production M777s for itself since 2019 and has been going back and forth in recent years on the possibility of replacing them, as well as its 105mm M119 towed howitzers. The U.S. Marine Corps has also been dramatically down-sizing its inventory of M777s in favor of additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and new ground-based missile launchers as part of a larger restructuring effort. Members of the US Army train with an M777 howitzer. US Army Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to Ukraine, there is also now great uncertainty over the future of U.S. military assistance under President Donald Trump. Among a flurry of executive orders Trump has signed within the first 24 hours of assuming office is one putting a complete hold on all American foreign aid for the next 90 days pending individual reviews of those efforts. Its not clear yet what the actual impacts of the order may be and it does include a provision for restarting the flow of aid sooner on a case-by-case basis. Trump has also been vocally in favor of a deal to end the conflict and has said he plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin should make a deal. I think hes destroying Russia by not making a deal, Trump told reporters at the White House yesterday following his inauguration. I mean, hes grinding it out, but most people thought that war would have been over in about one week and now youre into three years. Donald Trump says he could speak to Putin very soon. "He's not doing so well, so he can't be thrilled. Zelenskyy wants to make a deal. I don't know if Putin does. He might not. He should make a deal. I think he's destroying Russia by not making a deal." Full pic.twitter.com/bSnfZmJZsq Ostap Yarysh (@OstapYarysh) January 21, 2025 Putin has expressed an openness to meeting with Trump, but there are no indications that the Kremlin has given up on its maximalist demands regarding Ukraine. All of this also comes as Russia has been making battlefield gains, although ones assessed to have come at significant cost, in eastern Ukraine. Casualty rates on the Ukrainian side have also become increasingly worrisome, as highlighted by a recent scandal over reports that members of the Ukrainian Air Force, including important maintenance personnel, had been sent to fight as infantry on the front lines. Ukraines armed forces also just recently launched a new push inside Russias Kursk region, which has been partially occupied since last August. Artillery continues to be a key player on both sides on all of these fronts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2/ ISW continues to assess that the Russian military command was likely willing to accept record levels of casualties in FallWinter 2024, especially from September to November 2024, in order to achieve relatively larger territorial gains from continued infantry-led, attritional pic.twitter.com/TBFz1sYsln Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) January 21, 2025 The U.S. Army, for its part, is now taking steps to ramp up production of barrels for M777 howitzers to meet requirements stemming from their unprecedented use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This is also valuable additional industrial capacity that could be used to support other U.S. military requirements future. Contact the author: joe@twz.com U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will begin working on a ceasefire in Ukraine "almost immediately," new U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told journalists on Jan. 20. Asked about a timeframe for ending the war, Rubio did not provide any specific deadline but said that negotiating a ceasefire would be a "top priority to the president, so itll (begin) almost immediately." "In fact, some of thats already begun. You would hope that some of the groundwork has already been laid, but itll be complex. I mean, its a complex conflict and a bloody one, and it needs to end," he was quoted as saying by CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio became the first high-level cabinet member of the new Trump administration to be confirmed by the Senate, making him the new U.S. secretary of state. "I dont couldnt put a time frame on it, other than to say that anytime you bring an end to a conflict between two sides, neither of whom can achieve their maximum goals, each side is going to have to give up something," Rubio said, without specifying what these concessions might be. The chief U.S. diplomat acknowledged that Russia "is the aggressor" but stressed that the war "needs to end." Previously, Rubio publicly praised the bravery of Ukrainian defenders but was among the 15 Republican lawmakers in the Senate who voted against the $61 billion aid package for Ukraine in early 2024. Its delay severely hampered Ukraine's fight against Russian forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Trump vowed during his campaign in 2024 to put an end to the conflict in 24 hours if elected, aides revised the timeframe to the first 100 days after he took office. The Trump administration has not publicly disclosed details on any specific plans to broker a peace deal in Ukraine. An initial proposal leaked from Trump's team freezing the war along its current front lines, delaying Ukraine's NATO accession by 20 years, and deploying European peacekeepers on the ground has already been rejected by Russia. Read also: Marco Rubios stance on Russias war in Ukraine what we know Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Editors note: This is issue 10 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniaks weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from Jan. 1319, 2025. This newsletter was until recently titled Ukrainian Economy in Brief." The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission. Benchmarks and soft commitments with the IMF Rada approves IMF-backed budget code reform for public investment The Ukrainian Parliament has passed draft law #12245, amending the budget code to streamline public investment management. The measure fulfills one of the International Monetary Fund benchmark. It establishes a centralized public investment fund to be overseen by the governments Strategic Investment Council, which currently mirrors the composition of the Cabinet of Ministers itself. This fund of funds will consolidate various expenditures, including the road fund, radioactive waste management, water resource development, decarbonization, and internal waterway projects. Ukrainian Parliament fails to advance reform to meet one of structural benchmarks The Committee on Law Enforcement reviewed four draft laws addressing the repeal of the Lozovyi amendments. However, it refrained from endorsing a specific proposal, recommending instead that parliament decide which draft to support. Despite the critical importance of these reforms, last weeks parliamentary session failed to secure sufficient votes even to include the issue on the agenda. At the same time, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) supported the alternative draft law introduced by David Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People faction. The bill proposes: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement eliminating the statute of limitations for pre-trial investigations; allowing SAPO to extend investigation timelines without court approval; authorizing SAPO to create joint investigative teams for NABU cases; enabling SAPO to send extradition requests in corruption cases. Other key economic issues Energoatom oversight board faces shortfall of international experts According to Forbes Ukraine, Energoatom's supervisory board is operating without a majority of its international experts, with contracts signed for only four members two from the Cabinet of Ministers and two international representatives. Journalists sources claim that Timothy Stone, a prominent figure in the U.K.s nuclear industry, declined to sign his contract, leaving a vacancy that the Cabinet must now fill through an open competition. According to Ukraine's Economy Ministry, on Jan. 17, the board convened for its first substantive meeting, electing former Lithuanian Energy Minister Jaroslav Neverovich as chairman. Neverovich is expected to use his decisive vote in the event of a tie. The supervisory board's first major decision is anticipated to be the announcement of a competitive selection process for the position of Energoatom CEO. Ukrainian Parliament extends martial law and mobilization The Verkhovna Rada has voted to extend martial law and military mobilization, marking the 14th time such measures have been approved. The extension will remain in effect from Feb. 8 to May 9, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Massive Russian hack on government database shows cracks in Ukraines digitalization drive Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. At least 200,000 European soldiers would be required to serve as peacekeepers on Ukraine's eastern front for a peace deal to be enforced, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 21. "From all the Europeans? 200,000, its a minimum. Its a minimum, otherwise its nothing," Zelensky said during the panel. Zelensky's comments comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to quickly negotiate the end of the war. Although a detailed plan has not yet been proposed, the deal that would likely require the presence of European peacekeepers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who has previously stressed he needs to consult with Russian President Vladimir Putin first, is working to actively arrange a meeting with Ukraine, Zelensky said. During his remarks in Davos, Zelensky highlighted the imbalance in military capabilities, noting that Russia can deploy 1.5 million troops compared to Ukraine's 800,000 and France's 200,000. Zelensky ruled out Moscow's demand of reducing the size of the country's military in order to achieve a peace deal. The new U.S. president has revealed few details of his plans to end the war. His team signaled that the new administration would seek to preserve Ukraine's independence, though U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that both Kyiv and Moscow would have to make concessions to achieve a peace deal. Earlier in his remarks, Zelensky called on European nations to unite against Russian aggression, warning that battles involving North Korean soldiers are now geographically closer to Davos than to Pyongyang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Europe must establish itself as a strong global player," Zelensky said, adding that, while the United States remains an indispensable ally, Washington doubts Europe's ability to contribute meaningfully to global security. Zelensky has been in contact with a number of European leaders about the prospects of a peacekeeping mission an initiative that French President Emmanuel Macron has spearheaded. During a visit to Kyiv on Jan. 16, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Britain will play its "full part" in supporting efforts to maintain an enduring peace in Ukraine. Read also: Europe must become stronger in face of Russian hostility, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Key developments on Jan. 21: Ukrainian soldier reports harsh conditions, fatal accidents in regiment; unit launches investigation Ukraine attacks Russian oil depot, aviation plant, command post overnight, military says Ukraine's SBU detains chief military psychiatrist over suspected illicit enrichment Zelensky says he wants to end war 'quickly but fairly and reliably' in 2025 Ukraine ceasefire is 'top priority' for Trump, US State Secretary Rubio says Putin is 'destroying Russia by not making a deal' to end war, Trump says The 78th Air Assault Regiment on Jan. 21 announced an internal investigation after a soldier of the unit pointed to excessive demands on his comrades that supposedly lead to exhaustion and fatal accidents when handling explosives. The soldier, Vitalii Holovnia, said on Facebook that an unmanned platoon commander of an attack drone unit forces soldiers to accomplish too many tasks, which leads to service members being exhausted, overstretched, and prone to mistakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news comes amid major scandals plaguing other units as Ukraine continues to struggle with mobilization and personnel shortages in the face of the Russian onslaught. "Cases of accidents with explosives occurred because people had been in combat positions for a long time, and they were tired. It also happened that people performed some tasks during the day and some at night, so they worked around the clock. As a result, mistakes were made in the safety rules for handling explosives," Holovnia told the Kyiv Independent. According to Holovnia, casualties caused by the accidents were listed as battlefield losses. These included both deaths and injuries, he clarified for the Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approaching the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine still has no legal mechanism that would allow demobilization after a certain period of service. Holovnia noted that the aforementioned commander has favorites who receive the highest additional financial reward, Hr 100,000 ($2,370), without going to combat positions, while others have to put their lives to do so. According to the soldier, the commander failed to ensure the units had communications and high-quality electronic warfare equipment to perform combat missions. As a result, the unit did not have a stable connection for emergencies for almost a month and a half in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Holovnia also claimed that the commander's decisions on staffing groups for combat missions led to internal conflicts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The leadership must be proper, appropriate. We must fight with our minds and equipment, not with (people as) meat." Following the complaint, the command of the 78th Regiment launched an internal investigation "in compliance with all established procedures and aimed at objectively clarifying the circumstances." "We urge the public not to make hasty conclusions based on unverified information," the statement read. "The 78th Separate Air Assault Regiment remains a powerful military unit that performs combat missions to protect the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine with honor and dignity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Hes mine How Ukraines ace drone unit hunts Russian soldiers near Kupiansk Ukraine attacks Russian oil depot, aviation plant, command post overnight, military says Ukrainian forces struck the Liskinskaya oil depot in Russia's Voronezh Oblast, the Smolensk Aviation Plant, and a Russian command post in Donetsk Oblast overnight on Jan. 21, Ukraine's General Staff said. The announcement comes as Russia's Defense Ministry reported intercepting 55 Ukrainian drones in a large-scale overnight strike, including 10 over Smolensk Oblast and six over Voronezh Oblast. The Liskinskaya oil depot was targeted again after being hit by a Ukrainian drone attack on Jan. 16. In the most recent strike, Ukrainian drones hit fuel and lubricant tanks, starting a fire at the Rosneft-run facility, the General Staff reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attack against the depot was confirmed by Voronezh Oblast Governor Alexander Gusev. The village of Liski, where the depot is located, lies around 140 kilometers (90 miles) north of Russia's border with Ukraine's Kharkiv Oblast. Another attack, carried out jointly by the Unmanned Systems Forces and the Special Operations Forces, hit the infrastructure of the Smolensk Aviation Plant, with explosions reported on the facility's territory, according to the General Staff. Read also: Ukraine targets Russias industrial plants, ammunition depots in massive strike overnight Smolensk lies less than 60 kilometers (around 35 miles) east of the Russia-Belarus border and some 270 kilometers (170 miles) north of Ukraine. The city's aviation plant is involved in the production and modernization of the Su-25 military aircraft, said Andrii Kovalenko, the counter-disinformation chief at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian military also reported a successful hit against a command post of Russia's 29th Combined Arms Army in the occupied Volnovakha in Donetsk Oblast. "The consequences of the strike are being clarified," the General Staff said without specifying the weaponry used. Ukrainian long-range drones regularly target Russian military and industrial facilities to undermine Moscow's ability to wage its full-scale war in Ukraine. Read also: Russian attacks against Ukraine injure 15 over past day Ukraine's SBU detains chief military psychiatrist over suspected illicit enrichment The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has detained the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces over suspected illicit enrichment in the amount of over $1 million, the agency reported on Jan. 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to charges, the official has acquired substantial undeclared assets since the outbreak of the full-scale war in 2022, including a house in Kyiv Oblast, apartments in Kyiv and Odesa, luxury cars, and plots of land. The detainee also serves as the deputy head of the central medical commission, which determines the suitability of potential recruits for military service. Though the SBU did not name the suspect, Oleh Druz serves as the chief military psychiatrist. Military medical commissions have come under increasing scrutiny after suspected instances of corruption and other violations. Enlistment facilities across the country attracted authorities' attention after journalists discovered in June 2023 that the family of the ex-head of the Odesa Oblast military enlistment office had acquired property worth $4.5 million since the start of the full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's defense and health ministries pledged to reform the institution by November 2025 in order to tackle corruption and bureaucratic deficiencies. Read also: Zelensky arrives in Davos to participate in World Economic Forum Zelensky says he wants to end war 'quickly but fairly and reliably' in 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan. 21 reiterated his commitment to ending Russia's war in 2025 "not just quickly but fairly and reliably." Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zelensky stressed the importance of ensuring Ukrainians can safely return home and rebuild their lives. "We want to end the war this year - not just quickly but fairly and reliably for all of us, for Ukrainians," he said. "So that they can return home, live in safety, and work." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky underscored the need for strong European engagement, calling for allies to provide accurate information to U.S. President Donald Trump. "We have very good relations with President Trump," he said, adding that "voices conveying disinformation or pro-Russian positions could present risks." Zelensky also expressed concerns over possible Russian demands in peace negotiations, including calls for Ukraine to reduce its military and abandon NATO membership. Newly inaugurated on Jan. 20, U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to bring a swift resolution to the war but acknowledged that consultations with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be necessary. Trump criticized Putin's handling of the conflict on Jan. 20, claiming he is "destroying Russia by not making a deal." Read also: A team of attention-seekers Ukrainian soldiers and politicians react to Trumps Inauguration speech The Davos forum, themed "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," brings together nearly 3,000 participants from over 130 countries, including 60 heads of state and government. Discussions include European defense strategy, NATO's future, and Ukraine's "Peace through Strength" approach, which advocates leveraging military and political power to secure a just peace. Key speakers include Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. Zelensky's appearance follows his attendance at the January 2024 forum, which coincided with the fourth meeting on Ukraine's peace formula, paving the way for the global peace summit later that year. Read also: Europe must become stronger in face of Russian hostility, Zelensky says Ukraine ceasefire is 'top priority' for Trump, Rubio says U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will begin working on a ceasefire in Ukraine "almost immediately," new U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told journalists on Jan. 20. Asked about a timeframe for ending the war, Rubio did not provide any specific deadline but said that negotiating a ceasefire would be a "top priority to the president, so itll (begin) almost immediately." "In fact, some of thats already begun. You would hope that some of the groundwork has already been laid, but itll be complex. I mean, its a complex conflict and a bloody one, and it needs to end," he was quoted as saying by CNN. Rubio became the first high-level cabinet member of the new Trump administration to be confirmed by the Senate, making him the new U.S. secretary of state. "I dont couldnt put a time frame on it, other than to say that anytime you bring an end to a conflict between two sides, neither of whom can achieve their maximum goals, each side is going to have to give up something," Rubio said, without specifying what these concessions might be. The chief U.S. diplomat acknowledged that Russia "is the aggressor" but stressed that the war "needs to end." Previously, Rubio publicly praised the bravery of Ukrainian defenders but was among the 15 Republican lawmakers in the Senate who voted against the $61 billion aid package for Ukraine in early 2024. Its delay severely hampered Ukraine's fight against Russian forces. Although Trump vowed during his campaign in 2024 to put an end to the conflict in 24 hours if elected, aides revised the timeframe to the first 100 days after he took office. The Trump administration has not publicly disclosed details on any specific plans to broker a peace deal in Ukraine. An initial proposal leaked from Trump's team freezing the war along its current front lines, delaying Ukraine's NATO accession by 20 years, and deploying European peacekeepers on the ground has already been rejected by Russia. Read also: Marco Rubios stance on Russias war in Ukraine what we know Putin is 'destroying Russia by not making a deal' to end war, Trump says U.S. President Donald Trump believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin is "destroying Russia" by failing to reach a peace deal on Ukraine, Trump told reporters at the White House on Jan. 20. "He should make a deal. I think he's destroying Russia by not making a deal," Trump said following his inauguration. The new U.S. president was sworn in at the United States Capitol earlier on Jan. 20. Though his inauguration speech did not mention Ukraine, Trump has often claimed in the past that he would seek to bring a swift end to Russia's war. Talking to reporters, Trump again said he aims to conclude the conflict as soon as possible but noted he would have to talk to Putin first. The new U.S. president also said that his Russian counterpart "can't be thrilled (with the war) since "he's not doing so well." "Most people thought that war would have been over in one week," Trump said, adding that Putin would be "very well off to end the war." The U.S. president again boasted of warm relations with the Russian leader and voiced hopes for reaching a quick peace deal without presenting a specific timeline. Trump nevertheless noted that while Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky told him he seeks an agreement to end the war, the U.S. president is unsure whether Putin wants the same. Russia is estimated to have lost around 700,000-800,000 soldiers killed or wounded in almost three years of the full-scale war and faces economic headwinds in the year ahead. At the same time, Russian forces continue advancing in Ukraine's east while Kyiv struggles with manpower shortages. The U.S. president has revealed few details of his plans to end the war. His team signaled that the new administration would seek to preserve Ukraine's independence, though U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that both Kyiv and Moscow would have to make concessions to achieve a peace deal. Read also: What are Trumps options on Russias war against Ukraine? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian defence forces hit a number of important targets in Russia on the night of 20-21 January, including an oil depot in Russias Voronezh Oblast and an aircraft factory near Smolensk. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook Quote: "For the second time in a week, drones of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck the Liski oil depot in the Voronezh Oblast of the Russian Federation. This time it happened on the night of 20-21 January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the strike, which was carried out in cooperation with other components of the Ukrainian defence forces, tanks holding fuel and lubricants used by the occupiers to supply Russian troops are on fire." Details: The General Staff reiterated that this company belongs to Rosneft, one of Russias largest state-controlled corporations. Also on the night of 20-21 January, the Unmanned Systems Forces and the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck infrastructure facilities at the Smolensk Aviation Plant in Russias Smolensk Oblast, where combat aircraft are modernised and manufactured. "Explosions were recorded at the aircraft plant," the General Staff noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the defence forces hit the command post of the 29th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied town of Volnovakha, Donetsk Oblast. The General Staff said that explosions were heard and smoke was seen in the area. The outcome of the strikes is being confirmed. Background: Earlier, with reference to the media and the Center for Countering Disinformation, it was reported that on the night of 20-21 January, drones attacked the Smolensk Aviation Plant, which manufactures Su-25 attack aircraft, as well as an oil refinery in the town of Liski, Voronezh Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained the chief psychiatrist of the Armed Forces over suspected illicit enrichment in the amount of over $1 million, the agency reported on Jan. 21. According to charges, the official has acquired substantial undeclared assets since the outbreak of the full-scale war in 2022, including a house in Kyiv Oblast, apartments in Kyiv and Odesa, luxury cars, and plots of land. The detainee also serves as the deputy head of the central medical commission that determines the suitability of potential recruits for military service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the SBU did not name the suspect, Oleh Druz serves as the chief military psychiatrist. Military medical commissions have come under increasing scrutiny after suspected instances of corruption and other violations. Enlistment facilities across the country attracted authorities' attention after journalists discovered in June 2023 that the family of the ex-head of the Odesa Oblast military enlistment office had acquired property worth $4.5 million since the start of the full-scale invasion. Ukraine's defense and health ministries pledged to reform the institution by November 2025 in order to tackle corruption and bureaucratic deficiencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukraines parliament passes bill dissolving medical commissions after corruption scandals Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. On 21 January, the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv imposed pre-trial restrictions on Brigadier General Yurii Halushkin, former commander of the Kharkiv Operational and Tactical Group, and Colonel Illia Lapin, former commander of the 415th Separate Rifle Battalion of the 23rd Separate Mechanised Brigade. Source: Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne; Radio Liberty Details: The court ruled that Halushkin will remain in custody for the next 60 days, with bail set at UAH 5 million (approximately US$119,000), Radio Liberty reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court partially granted the request made by the prosecutor. Lapin was also remanded in custody for 60 days, according to a Suspilne correspondent present in the court. The hearing for Lieutenant General Artur Horbenko, former commander of the 125th Territorial Defence Brigade, was adjourned until 22 January due to the emergence of new evidence in the case. Background: On 20 January, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), in cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), detained two former generals and a colonel on suspicion of negligence that enabled Russian forces to seize part of the territory of Kharkiv Oblast in May 2024. Sources cited by Ukrainska Pravda revealed that the detainees are Brigadier General Yurii Halushkin, Lieutenant General Artur Horbenko and Colonel Illia Lapin. The SBI stated that Brigadier General Halushkin had assigned defensive positions to the 125th Territorial Defence Brigade that were beyond its combat capabilities, despite having other units available to reinforce the positions. Colonel Lapin, the former commander of the 415th Separate Rifle Battalion of the 23rd Separate Mechanised Brigade, failed to plan a defensive action in the settlements of Strilecha, Krasne, Lyptsi and Slobozhanske, all of which were inside his battalion's defence zone. According to the SBI, the officer failed to report the outcomes of the battle to his senior commander during the defence against the Russian offensive. He also took no action to prevent the unauthorised retreat of 12 battalion soldiers and issued a combat order independently, without the approval of his senior commander. Additionally, the former battalion commander ignored the brigade commander's order to recover the lost positions. Support UP or become our patron! A commander in Ukraine's 14th UAV regiment said combat drone tech can change in a month. One example is the evolving need for new hardware to counter jamming techniques, he said. Military contracts like a three-year agreement wouldn't be able to fulfill those demands in time, he said. A Ukrainian commander overseeing a drone battalion said the speed at which his decentralized manufacturers can alter their battlefield tech gives them an edge over traditional defense production lines. "We say to them: 'Here, after three months, this antenna no longer works, this GPS module no longer works.' We tell them: 'This and this needs to be changed,'" said a battalion commander for the 14th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle regiment to the Ukrainian military channel ARMY TV. "They say: 'No problem.' And in one month, on the dot, they implement it," added the commander, referring to drone producers in Ukraine. He was identified by his call sign, Kasper, in an interview published on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We can plan all according to the rules and try to aim where we are going to be in 5, 10, 15, 20 years," Kasper said. But he said the "realities of war" mean his unit must continuously give feedback to manufacturers, who in turn roll out changes quickly. Kasper compared that to production lines for drones like the Iranian-designed Shahed, which Russia has been manufacturing at scale for the war. "Let us say you are creating a production line and planning to make one Shahed. There is a three-year contract for it planned in advance, it already has pre-written technical specifications, pre-written set of components," Kasper said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Installing new components or tweaking designs would, therefore, be difficult, he said. "They already received the money. 'I gave you the Shahed according to the specifications, so what do you want from me? I don't really care!'" Kasper said. He cited an example of Ukraine's evolving battlefield needs: GPS-jamming countermeasures for larger drones. These require special hardware like receivers or antennae that allow operators to switch between frequencies. If those measures don't work, the drones need an inertial navigation system so they can fly blindly out of jamming range, or perhaps a camera that lets the pilot navigate the drone through visuals, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So if the drone sees that it is being jammed, it transitions to the visual navigation and is moving forward, or transitions to the inertial navigation and is moving forward, or it has a multiband antenna that jumps from channel to channel. And it is impossible to jam it," Kasper said. That's not to say that Russia is limited to traditional military contracts. Both sides have active volunteer organizations that donate thousands of civilian drones for combat, though Ukrainian units believe they're maintaining a lead in innovation over Russian forces. One way that Russia has brought new tech to the front lines is through fiber-optic drones, which allow them to bypass electronic jamming. Ukrainian developers, meanwhile, are scrambling to adopt the same technology for first-person loitering munitions. All of this is happening as militaries worldwide watch the war closely for lessons to glean from what's become a yearslong open conflict between two major modern forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seeing how much of the battlefield now hinges on drones, some countries have begun prioritizing uncrewed aerial vehicles or novel anti-drone defenses. The US, for example, is awarding hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to firms such as Teledyne and Anduril to make loitering munitions. In October, Anduril also announced that it secured a $249 million Defense Department contract to produce 500 Roadrunner drones and an electronic warfare system. Read the original article on Business Insider LATEST: Ukraine attacks Russian oil depot, aviation plant, command post overnight, military says. A Ukrainian drone attack targeted the Smolensk Aviation Plant in western Russia overnight on Jan. 21, starting a fire at the facility, the independent news channel Astra reported. Russian authorities confirmed a drone attack against Smolensk Oblast but made no mention of the plant. According to Russia's Defense Ministry, Russian air defenses intercepted 55 drones overnight, including 10 in Smolensk Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Fallen drone debris caused fires on the ground and on the roofs. Windows of residential buildings were also damaged," Governor Vasily Anokhin said on his Telegram channel. The governor also warned against alleged "fake information and videos" appearing on social media regarding the drone attack. At least two high-rise residential buildings were damaged as a result of the attack, the Russian Telegram channel Shot claimed. No casualties were reported. The Ukrainian military did not comment on the claims, which could not be independently verified. Smolensk lies less than 60 kilometers (around 35 miles) east of the Russia-Belarus border and some 270 kilometers (170 miles) north of Ukraine. The city's aviation plant is involved in the production and modernization of the Su-25 military aircraft, said Andrii Kovalenko, the counter-disinformation chief at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same night, an oil depot in the village of Lisky in Voronezh Oblast caught fire due to fallen drone debris, Governor Alexander Gusev said. Ukrainian drones previously attacked the facility on Jan. 16. Ukrainian long-range drones regularly target Russian military and industrial facilities to undermine Moscow's ability to wage its full-scale war in Ukraine. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine hits 2 oil depots in Russia overnight; Zelensky sanctions top pro-Russian politicians Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian marines from the 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynsky have demonstrated effective destruction of Russian equipment in Kursk Oblast, Russia. Source: press service for the 36th Separate Marine Brigade; sources within the brigade speaking to Ukrainska Pravda Details: The brigade source told Ukrainska Pravda that Russian armoured groups attempted to assault the positions of Ukraine's defence forces. A Javelin crew from the marine brigade destroyed three tanks and four BMD-4 infantry fighting vehicles belonging to the Russian armoured group in a span of two days. Support UP or become our patron! The 78th Air Assault Regiment on Jan. 21 announced an internal investigation after a soldier of the unit pointed to excessive demands on his comrades that supposedly lead to exhaustion and fatal accidents when handling explosives. The soldier, Vitalii Holovnia, said on his Facebook channel that an unmanned platoon commander of an attack drone unit forces soldiers to accomplish too many tasks, which leads to service members being exhausted, overstretched, and prone to mistakes. The news comes amid major scandals plaguing other units as Ukraine continues to struggle with mobilization and personnel shortages in the face of the Russian onslaught. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Cases of accidents with explosives occurred because people had been in combat positions for a long time, and they were tired. It also happened that people performed some tasks during the day and some at night, so they worked around the clock. As a result, mistakes were made in the safety rules for handling explosives," Holovnia told the Kyiv Independent. According to Holovnia, casualties caused by the accidents were listed as battlefield losses. These included both deaths and injuries, he clarified for the Kyiv Independent. Approaching the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine still has no legal mechanism that would allow demobilization after a certain period of service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holovnia noted that the aforementioned commander has favorites who receive the highest additional financial reward, Hr 100,000 ($2,370), without going to combat positions, while others have to put their lives to do so. According to the soldier, the commander failed to ensure the units had communications and high-quality electronic warfare equipment to perform combat missions. As a result, the unit did not have a stable connection for emergencies for almost a month and a half in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Holovnia also claimed that the commander's decisions on staffing groups for combat missions led to internal conflicts. "The leadership must be proper, appropriate. We must fight with our minds and equipment, not with (people as) meat." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the complaint, the command of the 78th Regiment launched an internal investigation "in compliance with all established procedures and aimed at objectively clarifying the circumstances." "We urge the public not to make hasty conclusions based on unverified information," the statement read. "The 78th Separate Air Assault Regiment remains a powerful military unit that performs combat missions to protect the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine with honor and dignity." Read also: Hes mine How Ukraines ace drone unit hunts Russian soldiers near Kupiansk Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The soldiers of the 73rd Naval Centre of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) are destroying the Russian army in Kursk Oblast and obtaining important data on Russian troops. Source: press service of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces Details: The SOF released a video showing how their operatives are mopping up the area after a successful hit on Russian groups. During special operations, they collect information on the number, weapons and personal data of the personnel fighting on the Russian side who have been killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In particular, this applies to North Korean soldiers who are used by Russia as cannon fodder for assaults on the Ukrainian defence forces positions in Kursk Oblast, the SOF notes. In the footage released, operatives from the 73rd SOF Centre take samples from the dead North Korean soldiers for further DNA analysis. This is necessary to identify the North Koreans and enter them into the relevant databases and conduct further investigations. The unblurred video, which may be too disturbing for some people, can be found on the Special Operations Forces Telegram channel. Support UP or become our patron! By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Panama has alerted the United Nations - in a letter seen by Reuters on Tuesday - to U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks during his inauguration speech, when he vowed that the United States would take back the Panama Canal. Panama's U.N. Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba noted that under the founding U.N. Charter, countries "shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter was addressed to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and circulated to the 15-member Security Council. Panama is a member of the council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, for 2025-26. Doubling down on his pre-inauguration threat to reimpose U.S. control over the canal, Trump on Monday accused Panama of breaking the promises it made for the final transfer of the strategic waterway in 1999 and of ceding its operation to China - claims that the Panamanian government has strongly denied. "We didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we're taking it back," Trump said just minutes after being sworn in for a second four-year term. Alfaro de Alba shared Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino's rejection of Trump's remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Dialogue is always the way to clarify the points mentioned without undermining our right, total sovereignty and ownership of our Canal," Mulino said. The United States largely built the canal and administered territory surrounding the passage for decades. But the United States and Panama signed a pair of accords in 1977 that paved the way for the canal's return to full Panamanian control. The United States handed it over in 1999 after a period of joint administration. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Gareth Jones) UNION COUNTY The Union County Chamber of Commerce is once more searching for an executive director. The chamber announced Jan. 14 through a post on social media that Caitlin Harrold is stepping down as the chamber boss to taking on a new role as the Sage-Grouse Local Implementation Team coordinator in Baker County. Her dedication and vision will be greatly missed, but we are thrilled to see her bring her talents to this new opportunity, according to the post from the chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the announcement, the chamber launched its hunt for a new director. The job posting and details about applying are online at shorturl.at/fLEcU. In the same social media post, the organization also announced Madison Smallwood, the chambers media and outreach coordinator, is stepping down to take a role with The 906 Youth Resource Center in La Grande. The chamber will hold a farewell party for Harrold and Smallwood at 4 p.m. on Jan. 21, at the La Grande office, 207 Depot St. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) As Rochester comes together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday, healthcare workers, community members, clergy and more with the local 1199 Union celebrated at Strong Memorial Hospital in the Class of 62 Auditorium. The union told News 8 Monday that before his death, Dr. King said 1199 was his favorite union, calling it the authentic conscience of the labor movement. There are a lot of challenges that are still out there that are in our community, in our country, in our state that we have to pay attention to and treat as a high priority, said Tracey Harrison, area vice president of 1199SEIU. Mental health, high poverty, all of these sorts of things are on the rise. Young, old and everything in between. Its going to be extremely important, if in fact were looking for change, were going to have to pour into that collectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kodak Hall fills with music, praise in honor of MLK Special guests included elected officials, dance groups, poets and this years keynote speaker, Rochester City Court Judge Van Henri White. Copyright 2025 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 RochesterFirst. Confronted with a question about billionaire Elon Musks controversial onstage salute, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) asserted Tuesday that there was nothing fascist about it. The question, from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), came during Stefaniks Senate confirmation hearing to become President Donald Trumps ambassador to the United Nations. On Monday, Musk ignited a firestorm by throwing up his arm in a distinctly Romanesque manner while thanking Trumps supporters gathered at the Capital One Arena in Washington. He made the gesture twice, saying, My heart goes out to you. Musk has not directly addressed the controversy or his true intention. What do think of Elon Musk, perhaps the presidents most visible adviser, doing two Heil Hitler salutes last night at the presidents televised rally? Murphy queried. No. Elon Musk did not do those salutes, Stefanik replied. She said that while she was not at the inaugural rally where Musk made the move, she had been to many rallies with him and knows he likes to make cheerful gestures. She said it was simply not the case that Musk did a Nazi salute. And to say so is the American people are smart. They see through it. They support Elon Musk, she added. We are proud to be the country of such successful entrepreneurs. That is one of our greatest strengths as Americans. Sen. @ChrisMurphyCT: "What do think of Elon Musk...doing two Heil Hitler Salutes last night at the president's televised rally?" US Ambassador Nominee Elise Stefanik: "No. Elon Musk did not do those salutes. I was not at the rally...that is simply not the case." pic.twitter.com/Z9OWGCCgb8 CSPAN (@cspan) January 21, 2025 Murphy then read Stefanik reactions from several far-right agitators who responded to the gesture with glee. Evan Kilgore, a self-described political commentator, wrote on X: Holy crap ... Did @elonmusk just Heil Hitler at the Trump inauguration rally in Washington D.C. ... This is incredible. The Jews are already seething, Kilgore wrote in another post. Andrew Torba, founder of the far-right platform Gab, reportedly reacted to the salute by writing, Incredible things are happening already lmao. Does it concern you that those elements of the neo-Nazi and white supremacist elements in the United States believe that what they saw last night was a neo-Nazi salute? Murphy asked. Stefanik said she was concerned that Murphy thought it was an appropriate question to ask. I simply dont believe that if a member of the Squad made the same gesture last night that there wouldnt be commentary from you and others, Murphy replied, referencing the group of progressive representatives in the House. The Anti-Defamation League weighed in on the controversy Monday, saying that given the current delicate moment in U.S. history, Musk should be given a bit of grace or perhaps even the benefit of the doubt. Critics rejected the ADLs response. The organization, which works to battle antisemitism and bigotry, has also received criticism in the past from its former director Abe Foxman for its muted responses to Trump and his allies. Related... EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, several people celebrated his legacy at the University of Evansville on Monday afternoon. The university held a rally and symbolic march to reflect the importance of collective leadership. The march was in honor of the history March on Washington in 1963. More than a quarter million people took part and gathered near the Lincoln Memorial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The celebration at the university continued throughout the day as the school hosts a guest speaker, a community leadership panel and a book signing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). The University of Louisiana Monroe library, photographed from Northeast Drive. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator) University of Louisiana Monroe President Ron Berry announced Tuesday he will be stepping down to resume his role as a business professor at the school. Berry has served as president of the regional university since 2020 and has worked at the university for 25 years. Berry said he will remain at his leadership post until the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors selects his successor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This last semester, I had the opportunity to teach a class of first-time freshmen and was reminded of why I entered higher education over 30 years ago, Berry said in a news release. Serving as president has been remarkable, but I cant think of a more rewarding experience than working with students one-on-one to help them achieve their best life possible. This is a developing story SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Following U.S. President Donald Trump's second inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20, 2025, online users spread video clips promoting a rumor that tech entrepreneur Elon Musk gave a "Nazi salute" twice while speaking at a rally celebrating the inauguration. Snopes received reader mail about this subject, with one person asking, "Did Elon Musk do a Nazi salute on stage at some time during Trump's inauguration?" We also located a large number of users discussing the gesture on social media. For example, numerous users on X shared a video showing Musk gesturing two consecutive times. The clips showed his gestures beginning with his right hand over his heart and ending with his arm fully extended in front of him, palm down. (@YourAnonCentral / X) However, these accusations were based on appearances alone and ignored the context of Musk's words. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his brief speech available in full on YouTube Musk said to the crowd gathered in honor of Trump's victory, "And I just want to say thank you for making it happen. Thank you." He then briskly extended his right hand from his heart to the crowd in front of him. He repeated the gesture for the people behind him. Then, in a moment omitted from the users' videos, he said, placing his hand over his heart, "Thank you. My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured, thanks to you." Even so, Wired published that "the response from the neo-Nazi community across the globe was instant and unanimous." Rolling Stone also noted much the same, with both publishers citing specific neo-Nazi accounts and other far-right users praising Musk's gesture. In our research, we noted that in December 2020, Musk tweeted (archived) the statement "my heart goes out to you" following a similar message of appreciation, writing, "Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make Tesla successful. My heart goes out to you." We cannot read Musk's mind to learn precisely what he intended by it. It's possible it was a purposeful Nazi salute; it could also have been entirely innocent. The available evidence is too scant to draw a solid conclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We reached out to Musk for comment via two of his companies but did not receive responses. After we published this article, he addressed the gesture on X, replying (archived) to one user who quoted his line, "My heart goes out to you," with an emoji showing a face and hearts. He also made puns (archived) about Nazi-related terms and wrote (archived) on Jan. 24, "It was astonishing how insanely hard legacy media tried to cancel me for saying 'my heart goes out to you' and moving my hand from my heart to the audience. In the end, this deception will just be another nail in the coffin of legacy media." Musk's Support of Trump According to The Associated Press, Musk donated $200 million to America PAC, a super political action committee organizing support for Trump's 2024 campaign. Musk also appeared at Trump campaign rallies prior to Election Day, famously jumping around on the stage next to Trump and performing various victory-like gestures. He further organized an effort awarding $1 million daily prizes to encourage voting in swing states. NBC News later reported that the people organizing Musk's giveaway did not randomly select winners, contradicting Musk's past statements. Following the election, Trump named Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to a new effort named the Department of Government Efficiency, or "DOGE." At the time, the initiative was not a real government agency. Ramaswamy has since bowed out of the role, saying he planned to instead run for governor of Ohio. Sources: Beaumont, Thomas. "Elon Musk's Prominence during Inauguration Ceremonies Stamps Tech Titan's Place in Trump's Orbit." The Associated Press, 20 Jan. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/trump-inauguration-elon-musk-mars-tech-billionaires-70ad9d5f854fce40f44cdabbd8084734. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Ingram. "Elon Musk's Lawyer Says $1M Giveaway Winners Not Randomly Chosen, Which Could Raise Legal Issues." NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musks-lawyer-says-1m-winners-arent-randomly-chosen-raise-legal-is-rcna178711. "Elon Musk Full Speech on Inauguration Day." YouTube, WFAA, 20 Jan. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQNKi4jpIyk. Long, Colleen, and Jill Colvin. "Trump Says Musk, Ramaswamy Will Form Outside Group to Advise White House on Government Efficiency." The Associated Press, 12 Nov. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-president-elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-2f0f76bb6440231f2504b77cb117d988. Miller, Zeke, et al. "Trump Returns to Power after Unprecedented Comeback, Emboldened to Reshape American Institutions." The Associated Press, 20 Jan. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-inauguration-swearing-capitol-b3549ebe5dae74a872502aa79def7a11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schleifer, Theodore, and Madeleine Ngo. "Ramaswamy Will Bow Out of Cost-Cutting Project and Run for Governor in Ohio." The New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/us/politics/ramaswamy-doge-ohio-governor.html. Updates: Jan. 22, 2025: We updated this article with information about Musk's posts on X addressing his gesture. Jan. 24, 2025: We updated this article with further comment Musk posted on X. Its another round of lake effect snow in Northern New York and that means closings and delays. A number of schools, businesses and organizations in Southern Jefferson and Northern Lewis counties. The latest weather warnings as winter weather continues Heres a list of what we have so far and well update that through the day. ACR Health in Watertown- Opening at 10:30 a.m. Adams American Legion Post 586 Adams Center Free Library Closed Adams Free Library Closed Adams Municipal Building Closed Adams VFW Post 5344 Closed American Legion Post 61 Closed; Board and Members meeting canceled Americu- Watertown, Fort Drum and Lowville branches closing at 3 p.m. Antwerp American Legion Meeting postponed Augustinian Academy Closed Beaver Falls Library Closed Beaver River Central School District Closed Belleville Henderson Central School Closed Bohlen Technical Center Closed Building Blocks Therapy Closed Carthage Area Hospital General Surgery Closed at noon; behavioral health closing at 3 p.m.; podiatry clinic closing at 3 p.m.; adult medicine closing at 3 p.m. Carthage Area Hospital Womens Way to Wellness Closing at 3 p.m. Carthage Central School District Closed; No PM activities Carthage Library Closed CAPC of Jefferson County Closed Cold Rush Ice Cream Closed Copenhagen Central School Closed Cornell Cooperative Extension Jefferson County office closed Disabled Persons Action Organization Site-based programs in Jefferson and Lewis counties closed East Houndsfield Free Library Closed First Baptist Church of Watertown Prayer meeting and practice worship service canceled Fort Drum Civilians and Uniformed Personnel Non-essential people do not report Fort Drum Day Care Closed General Brown Central School District Afterschool activities canceled Hay Memorial Library Closed Henderson Free Library Closed Head Start (North Jefferson) Closed Head Start (Watertown) Closed Homestead Quality Homes Closed IHC Schools Closed Indian River Central School District Closed; Regents Exams ppd. until Wednesday Jefferson County Office for the Aging Meal Program Closed Jefferson County General Services Committee meeting rescheduled Jan. 28 at 5:30 p.m. Jefferson Community College Closed Key Bank All Jefferson County branches closed at 2 p.m. Lewis County BOCES Closed Lewis County Public Transportation Canceled for today Lewis County Office for the Aging Harrisville, Croghan, Copenhagen and Lowville sites closed Lowville Academy and Central School District Closed Lowville Free Library Closed Lyme Central School After-school activities canceled Next Step Floral Designs Closed North Country Orthopaedic Group Orthopedic Clinic Closing at 11:30 a.m. (This includes, wound care center, physical therapy and Endocrinology) North Country Prenatal-Perinatal Council Closed Northern Nurse Practitioners Closed North Star Pediatrics Closing at 11:30 a.m. Pediatric Wellness of Northern New York Closed PIVOT of Jefferson County Closing at noon PIVOT and Anchor Recovery of Lewis County Closed Pulaski Academy and Central School Afterschool activities closed River Valley Mennonite School Closed Planned Parenthood Together We Rise Event (Watertown Only) postponed until Feb. 11, 1 to 5 p.m. Rodman Landfill Closing at noon Rodman Public Library Closed Rutland Town Court Closed Sackets Harbor Central School Closed; Board of Education meeting moved to 5 p.m. Thursday Sally Ploof Hunter Memorial Library Closed Samaritan Medical Center Watertown, Adams, LeRay clinics closing at 3 p.m. Sandy Creek Central School District Closed Social Security Office in Watertown Closed South Jefferson Central School District Closed St. Patricks Watertown Noon mass canceled Sundance Leisure Closing at 3 p.m. Thrive Wellness and Recovery (Lowville) Closing at 2 p.m. Town of Champion offices Closed Town of Denmark Clerk and Tax Collectors Office Closed; Board meeting ppd. to 6 p.m. Thursday Town of Henderson offices Closed Town of Hounsfield Court Closed Town of Lorraine and Worth Courts Closed Town of Rodman Offices- Closing at noon Town of Theresa Court Closed Town of Watertown offices Closed Town of Wilna Offices Closed USDA office of Jefferson County Closed Village of Carthage Clerks Office Board meeting canceled; clerks office closed Village of Carthage Court closed Village of Copenhagen trash pickup Postponed until Thursday Watertown Area Boxing Club Practice canceled Watertown City School District Closed; Board of Education meeting postponed to January 28 Watertown NY Al-Anon Meeting Canceled Watertown Elks Lodge Closed Watertown Family YMCA Watertown Aquatics Center closing at noon; Daycare closing at 2:30 p.m.; Downtown and Fairgrounds facilities closing at 8 p.m. Watertown Family YMCA (Carthage) Closing at noon Watertown Urban Mission Closed; Financial class postponed William H. Bush Memorial Library Closed Winning Promotions Closed If you have any closings and/or delays that you would like to report, click this link to have them sent to us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 WWTI - InformNNY.com. GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) Communities across the Upstate are showing their appreciation for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in many ways. On Monday, people visited an exhibit honoring him in Greenvilles McAlister Square. I would say that he was a very powerful, intentional and courageous leader, said Addie Clay. The non-profit Freedom Fighters Upstate South Carolina set up the exhibit, showing what they said are powerful images of Dr. Kings life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They killed the man, but his dream still lives on, said Traci Fant. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights leader who led peaceful protests against racial injustice. He was also in favor of voting rights, education and fair wages. I come from a very low income community back home in Hartford, Connecticut and this day back then wouldve meant a lot to me in that neighborhood where I grew up, said Bradley Shepard. I always try to take time to set aside and remember him in support of my friends back home.. The exhibit chronicled events in Kings life before his assassination. The images show his family, rallies he led, him meeting other notable leaders and information about the stabbing that nearly cost him his life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visitors like Susan Robbins said King is her inspiration. I have enjoyed seeing the pictures of Dr. Kings life, said Robbins. I was in high school when he was killed and it made a big impact on me. Im just glad to see that he still remembered his mission continues on. In 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Freedom Fighters Upstate South Carolina said theyre making sure his dream lives on 56 years later. Greenville is a melting pot and we need to understand that regardless of our race, religion, whatever beliefs that we have to live here together and unity is key, Fant continued. If we live by the premise of what King stood for, everybody is going to be alright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers said six events have been hosted in five days to honor Dr. King. Copyright 2025 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 WSPA 7NEWS. WASHINGTON A federal court has struck down a Department of Transportation rule on transportation of liquefied natural gas enacted in 2020, saying the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration did not sufficiently consider the safety risks involved. Specifically, the decision by a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia agreed with a group of state attorneys general, environmental groups, and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, who challenged the rule on the grounds that the PHMSA was, arbitrary and capricious, in its decision not to require an environmental impact statement as part of the rulemaking process. The court therefore vacated the rule and sent it back to the agency for further proceedings. Judge Florence Pan, author of the decision, noted that the rule set no limit on the number of LNG tank cars that could be included in a single train and set no speed limit for such trains, and that the PHMSA had said one company was considering LNG trains of up to 80 cars. She cited comments during the rulemaking process that, expressed alarm about the potentially catastrophic consequences, of a train of LNG tank cars, citing an assertion from the environmental groups that the amount of energy contained in 22 tank cars of LNG would be equal to that of the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No LNG has ever been transported under the rule because of a Biden administration order for federal agencies to reconsider actions under the Trump administration that were inconsistent with Biden climate policy. That led the PHMSA to suspend the rule until either the agency issued a modified version or June 30, 2025, whichever comes first. The PHMSA told the court it does not anticipate having a new rule prior to June 20, 2025, and has not yet decided whether to extend the suspension. Reuters reports the PHMSA did not respond to requests for comments.Bradley Marshall attorney for Earthjustice, one of the environmental groups that had challenged the rule, said in a press release that the group is pleased the court saw the danger this rule posed to our nations communities; attorney Emily Jeffers of the Center for Biological Diversity said the rule, was so obviously risk that its hard to believe it was ever proposed Theres enormous potential for disaster in sending train cars loaded with explosive liquid natural gas through populated areas. The post US Appeals court blocks rule allowing movement of LNG by rail appeared first on FreightWaves. Of the many sweeping changes President Trump has been focused on during his return to the White House is control over the Panama Canal. Since winning the 2024 election, Trump has mused over retaking control of the canal and during a press conference in December when he also brought up the idea of acquiring Greenland and changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, he refused to rule out using military force to accomplish it. He brought it up again in his inaugural speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy," Trump said Monday in his inaugural speech after taking his oath of office. China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didnt give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and were taking it back. On day one of his second term Monday, Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico. Also on Monday, Panamanian president Jose Raul Mulino said in a post to his X account that he rejected Trump's claims in their entirety and said there is "no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration." What is the Panama Canal? The Panama Canal is an artificial waterway in Panama, an incredible 51-mile manmade canal connecting the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean that greatly reduces the time it takes to get from the Atlantic to the Pacific and provides a much more economical trade route. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 5% of the world's maritime trade passes through the canal including nearly 40% of the United States' container ships. It is a hugely valuable U.S. trade route. The canal uses locks at each end to lift ships up to a freshwater lake 85 feet above sea level and then lower them again at the other end. Where is the Panama Canal? The canal runs from Port of Colon, Cristobal to the Port of Balboa and travels through a series of artificial lakes and channels. Who owns the Panama Canal? The Panamanian government controls the canal through the Panama Canal Authority, an 11-member board that oversees the waterways maintenance and security. Several different countries suggested a canal across what is now Panama in the 1500-1600s. A treaty allowed U.S. passage rights and an overland trail did a lot of business during the 1848 California gold rush, followed by a highly successful railroad. A nearly 20-year attempt by the French to build a canal failed after tens of thousands died from accidents and tropical diseases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. under President Theodore Roosevelt pursued the rights for a canal, even helping the new government of Panama to become independent from Colombia before signing a treaty that granted the U.S. the rights to build and administer the Panama Canal Zone. Tensions between Panama and the U.S. rose after World War II, especially after the U.S. pressured France and the UK to give up on attempting to retake control of the Suez Canal from Egypt in 1956. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed a treaty to grant the Panamanians control of the canal as long as they guaranteed its permanent neutrality. Control of the canal was shared between the two countries until it was given to Panama, as agreed, in 1999. Is China operating the Panama Canal? Trump has repeatedly said that China controls the canal. China does not control the Panama Canal itself. But before the handover, a Hong Kong shipping company, Hutchison Ports PPC, won an international bid in 1997 to allow Chinese companies to operate the container shipping ports on either end. Hutchison Ports PPC and its parent company, CK Hutchison Holdings, are not owned by the Chinese government but they are subject to China's national security law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. and Taiwanese companies also operate ports along the canal, which is open to commerce from all countries, Canal administrator Ricaurte Vasquez told The Associated Press. Former Senator and Trump's topic for Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during his confirmation hearing that it was a "legitimate issue." Rubio stressed that current officeholders in Panama are "very friendly" to the U.S., but there was concern about the Chinese-run ports on either side when he visited the country in 2017. "And the concerns among military officials and security officials, including in Panama at that point, that they could be one day used as a choke point to impede commerce in a moment of conflict." He also said it was possible the Chinese ports could be weaponized against the U.S. and Panama. "President Trump is not inventing this," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mulino has said market conditions are used to set passage rates and that China was not influencing the country. How many Americans died building the Panama Canal? The United States, I mean think of this, spent more money than ever spent on a project before and lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal, Trump said during his speech. Not American lives, they didn't, according to Matthew Parker, author of Hells Gorge: The Battle to Build the Panama Canal. He said that about 25,000 people died, many from mosquito-borne viruses, in the failed French attempt to build the canal in the 1880s but "virtually none" were American. They were mostly French and Jamaican, he said. During the U.S. period of construction from about 1904 to 1914, about 6,000 people died, Parker said in the BBC interview, almost all of whom were from Barbados. About 300 Americans died in this effort, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These figures are largely in line with other estimates of the death toll in the efforts to build the canal, which was completed in 1914. Can the US take back the Panama Canal? That remains to be seen. Mulino was adamant that control would stay in Panamanian hands and so far does not seem open to compromise. The Canal is and will remain Panamas and its administration will remain under Panamanian control with respect to its permanent neutrality, said Mulino. Trump pointedly did not rule out using military force, but other countries may object to a forcible takeover. Mulino suggested using international law to hammer out any issues. Dialogue is always the way to clear up the stated issues without undermining our rights, total sovereignty and property of our Canal, he said. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Panama Canal: Who owns it, who runs it, and why Trump wants it Authorities on Tuesday were investigating a fatal shooting of a U.S. Border Patrol agent that also left a suspect dead and another injured on a Vermont highway near Canada, authorities said. Agent David Maland was killed Monday afternoon following a traffic stop, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said in a statement. A German national in the country on what the FBI called a current visa was killed and an injured suspect was taken into custody and is being treated at a local hospital. The violence temporarily closed part of Interstate 91 about 20 miles (32 km) from Canada in Coventry, part of the small, 27,000-resident community of Orleans County in the Northeast Kingdom section of Vermont that straddles the international border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maland, whom the FBI confirmed was a U.S. Air Force veteran, was killed close to the U.S. Customs and Border Protections Newport Station, part of the Swanton Sector that he was assigned to. The sector encompasses Vermont, parts of New York and New Hampshire, and includes 295 miles (475 kilometers) of international boundary with Canada. The Derby LineRock Island Border Crossing is located about 12 miles (19.3 kilometers) by highway north of Coventry. Its a major link to the Canadian province of Quebec, giving northern Vermont more French speakers than most of New England. "U.S. Customs and Border Protections thoughts and prayers are with Agent Malands family during this difficult time," the agency said in a statement. The death is a tragedy, said Gov. Phil Scott and state Sen. Russ Ingalls, a Republican who represents the area. Vincent Illuzzi, the state's attorney in neighboring Essex County, drove past what appeared to be a U.S. Border Patrol agent traffic stop on I-91 past the Newport exit Monday afternoon, he said, shortly before authorities reported the shots were fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I'm heading down the road, not much traffic, and I saw them on the right, he told The Associated Press by phone Tuesday. The agent was driving an unmarked white pickup trick with a cab on it and red and blue flashing lights, he said. The stopped vehicle appeared be a small, blue car, he said. The agent was speaking with someone standing in front of his truck, behind the car, he said. Nothing unusual at that point, Illuzzi said, but when he got back on the highway later that night, it looked like the same two vehicles were still parked and other law enforcement vehicles had arrived. Illuzzi said the U.S. Border Patrol works closely with state and local police in his county. We have limited law enforcement and they're often primary responders in emergency cases." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maland was the first Border Patrol agent to be killed in the line of duty by gunfire since Javier Vega Jr. was shot and killed near Santa Monica, Texas, in 2014, according to records provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Vega was initially considered to be off duty at the time of his death, but in 2016 it was re-determined to have been in the line of duty, the agency said. In 2010, Brian Terry 's killing exposed the botched federal gun operation known as Fast and Furious." Border Patrol Agent Nicholas J. Ivie, of the Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station, was mortally wounded in the line of duty in a remote area near Bisbee, Arizona, in 2012. Border Patrol Agent Isaac Morales was fatally stabbed while off duty in 2017 in Texas. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it would provide an update later this week. The Vermont State Police and Orleans County state's attorney's office declined to comment Tuesday. Vermont's Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint sent condolences to the agent's family in a joint statement and said Border Patrol agents deserve our full support in terms of staffing, pay and working conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ This story was first published on Jan. 21, 2025. It was updated on Jan. 23, 2025, to correct data on Border Patrol agent killings. David Maland was the first Border Patrol agent to be killed by gunfire in the line of duty since Javier Vega Jr. in 2014, but agents were also killed by other means. Democrats fight against President Donald Trumps broad immigration policies began less than 24 hours after Trump was sworn into office, with more than a dozen attorneys general, including Wisconsin Democrat Josh Kaul, filing a joint lawsuit. The action targets Trumps effort to end a century-old immigration policy known as birthright citizenship, which guarantees that U.S.-born children are citizens regardless of their parents status. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, is one of several expected battles in states like Wisconsin, where Democrats seek to push back against Trumps second-term agenda particularly on immigration issues. Filed by attorneys general in more than 20 states and officials in the cities of San Francisco and Washington, D.C., the lawsuit seeks to block Trumps order to end birthright citizenship, which is enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Trump and his supporters have argued for tougher standards to become a U.S. citizen. Attempting to deny citizenship to kids who were born in the United States of America is as egregious and wrong-headed as it is unconstitutional, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. We must defend Americans constitutional rights, including the rights of kids who are born on U.S. soil, and that is exactly what we are doing today. The White House said its ready to face the states in court and called the lawsuits nothing more than an extension of the Lefts resistance. Radical Leftists can either choose to swim against the tide and reject the overwhelming will of the people, or they can get on board and work with President Trump, White House deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said. Trumps order, signed Monday, excludes the following people from automatic citizenship: Those whose mothers were not legally in the United States and whose fathers were not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. People whose mothers were in the country legally but on a temporary basis and whose fathers were not citizens or legal permanent residents. The order also bars federal agencies from recognizing the citizenship of people in those categories. It takes effect 30 days from Tuesday, on Feb. 19. Under the Order, such children born after February 19, 2025 who would have been unquestionably deemed citizens had they been born two days ago will lack any legal status in the eyes of the federal government, the lawsuit states. They will all be deportable, and many will be stateless. They will lose the ability to access myriad federal services that are available to their fellow Americans. Kaul described Trumps executive order as a blatant violation of the Constitution. He also noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has twice upheld citizenship for children born in the U.S. regardless of the immigration status of their parents. The Constitution, federal law, and Supreme Court precedent all make clear that the children who would be impacted by this executive order are United States citizens, Kaul said in a statement. The U.S. is among about 30 countries where birthright citizenship the principle of jus soli or right of the soil is applied. Most are in the Americas, and Canada and Mexico are among them. Most other countries confer citizenship based on whether at least one parent jus sanguinis, or right of blood is a citizen, or have a modified form of birthright citizenship that may restrict automatic citizenship to children of parents who are on their territory legally. The multistate lawsuit was filed in Massachusetts federal court and could very well likely end up before the U.S. Supreme Court as the attorneys general seek to have Trumps order deemed unconstitutional. Its also the second lawsuit challenging Trumps order, after chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts, along with other immigrant rights advocates, filed a similar suit in New Hampshire federal court. Other immigration battles expected The lawsuit is one of what is likely to be several upcoming battles between state and local officials and the Trump administration over the topic of immigration. Speaking with reporters on Jan. 3, Evers said his goal is to work with the Trump administration in areas where they agree, and push back against policies that he disagrees with. On Trumps proposal for mass deportations, Evers pointed to an April 2023 survey by UW-Madisons School for Workers that found more than 10,000 undocumented immigrant workers in the state perform an estimated 70% of the labor at Wisconsins dairy farms. The researchers behind the survey said, without those workers, the whole dairy industry would collapse overnight. Think about that, Evers said. How in the hell would we continue to be the dairy state when theres nobody there to milk the cows and do the other important work? In 2019, Evers ordered Wisconsin National Guard troops assisting with security at the southwest border to return home, saying at the time that the responsibility in keeping borders safe and crime-free belongs to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. A little over 100 Wisconsin National Guardsmen were serving in Arizona at the time of Evers order, which came after Trump directed the Department of Defense to support the Department of Homeland Securitys efforts to secure the Mexican border. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported last month Evers said he had no plans to organize the Wisconsin National Guard to assist with deportations. The idea of deporting folks that are keeping our economy one of the best in the country is irrational, Evers said at the time. Trying to move them all over the country is irrational. So, well do whatever we can do avoid that. A Marquette Law School national poll conducted in early December found that 64% of respondents said they favor deportation for immigrants who are living in the U.S. illegally. Thirty-six percent of respondents were opposed. However, survey results shifted when respondents were asked the question with a different wording. When asked if they favor or oppose deporting immigrants who are living in the country illegally, even if those individuals have lived here for a number of years, are employed and have no criminal record, only 42% of respondents said they support deportation, while 58% were opposed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. After Monday's presidential inauguration, flags fly back at half-staff in Texas. According to a press release from the White House, flags were ordered to be flown at full-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government, in the District of Columbia and throughout the U.S. Last week, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson ordered that flags at the U.S. Capitol be raised to full height on Inauguration Day, lifting a 30-day flag-lowering order that had been in place following the death of former President Jimmy Carter on Dec. 29 at the age of 100. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson's directive came just days after a similar order from Gov. Greg Abbott, mandating that both U.S. and Texas flags be flown at full height as Trump takes the oath of office again. The governor's office explained last Monday that the decision is in accordance with a federal statute that calls for the U.S. flag to be displayed at full height "especially on... Inauguration Day, January 20." Here is when flags are flown half-staff. Why are flags returning to half-staff? In the White House press release, the president ordered that flags be returned to half-staff in honor of the late President Carter. "As directed by Proclamation 10876 of December 29, 2024 (Announcing the Death of James Earl Carter, Jr.), in recognition of the memory of our former President, until the period of 30 days from the day of his death has concluded," the release stated. When are flags flown at half-staff? There are specific holidays and events for which flags are flown at half-staff in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. They include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Memorial Day, when the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only and then raised to the top of the staff. Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. Patriot Day. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. National Firefighters Memorial Day. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Why are flags at half-staff today? Flags lowered to honor Jimmy Carter The US Navy will name a new amphibious warship after Travis Manion, a Marine killed in combat in Iraq. The USS Travis Manion will be a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship. Manion's family said the ship will carry on his legacy. The US Navy announced plans to name a new amphibious warship after 1st Lieutenant Travis Manion, a post-9/11 Marine killed in combat in Iraq. The USS Travis Manion, an amphibious transport dock, will honor the Silver Star recipient, his family said, helping carry and support the next generation of Marines. On January 10, then-Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced plans to name a future San Antonio-class amphibious warship, designated LPD 33, after Manion. The event was held at the US Naval Academy, of which Manion was a graduate, and also hosted by the Travis Manion Foundation, which connects thousands of veterans and young people around the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The San Antonio-class amphibious ship represents the combined power of the Navy and Marine Corps team and relies on the seamless integration of Sailors and Marines working together," Del Toro said, adding that the new warship USS Travis Manion will "serve as a symbol of courage, bravery, and selfless service for all who follow in her wake." Manion's family said the ship's naming is special both for Travis' legacy as well as the men and women who volunteered to serve in the US military after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The ship is only the fifth ship to be named after a post-9/11 service member. "For our family, it's an incredible honor to know that Travis is going to be remembered in this way," Ryan Manion, Travis' sister, told Business Insider, adding that "it's also such a testament to this post-9/11 generation." Manion was killed in combat in Iraq while rescuing his fellow injured corpsmen. Alex Wong/Getty Images Travis came from a close Marine family. His father, Thomas Manion, retired as a colonel. His niece, Maggie, is currently a first-year midshipman at the Naval Academy. Travis' father said that it has always understood that "if anyone wants to serve, it's got to really be at their core." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travis graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2004 and was assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. He deployed to Iraq in 2005 andwas assigned to a team training the Iraqi Army. He returned for a second deployment in December 2006. In April 2007, Travis and his fellow Marines were ambushed on patrol. He repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue injured comrades and was fatally shot by an enemy sniper while trying to find a better fighting position. Ryan said her brother's deliberate actions that day ultimately saved the lives of every member of his patrol. "Of course he did that because that's who he was," she said. "He was so incredibly selfless." As an amphibious warship, the new USS Travis Manion will carry future Marines and other service members, their equipment, helicopters and other aircraft, and the assault vehicles for various operations and missions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Travis would be so proud to know that the USS Travis Manion will one day carry Marines, men and women like those he walked beside in the halls of the Naval Academy and those he served beside on the battlefield," Ryan said. "He'd also be adamant that this honor is not only about him, but about remembering the legacies of all of those who wore the uniform." San Antonio-class amphibs are known for their versatility and ability to host service members and assets for a variety of missions. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lacordrick Wilson/Released Travis' life and legacy is also carried on by the work of the Travis Manion Foundation, started by his late mother, Janet. It has become much larger than anticipated and is an important center for the community. The foundation is now one of the largest veteran organizations in the country, with tens of thousands of veterans and young people involved. Ryan and her dad, Thomas, explained that the foundation's work includes supporting veterans, experiential leadership programs, character education training, and mentorships led by veterans and active-duty service members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That has a direct impact on young people. "It's about saying to our veterans, 'You may no longer be wearing the uniform, but we still need you to serve,'" Ryan said. At the foundation's core, too, are the last words Travis spoke to his family before his final deployment: "If not me, then who?" The simple statement left a mark on both the Manions and the larger community, "indicative of the entire military community," Ryan said, as well as the post-9/11 generation who volunteered to serve. Read the original article on Business Insider By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Border Patrol agent was shot and killed on Monday while on duty, acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman said in a statement. "Today, January 20, a Border Patrol agent assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol's Swanton Sector was fatally shot in the line of duty," Huffman said. "This incident is being swiftly investigated and DHS will release additional information as soon as it becomes available." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Border Patrol agent was killed in northern Vermont south of the Canadian border, officials said. Vermont State Police said the shooting happened on Interstate 91 in Coventry, which is about 20 miles (32 km) from the Canadian border. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Stephen Coates) (NewsNation) President Donald Trump insisted Monday that he wants the Panama Canal back under U.S. control, feeding worry in Panama, home to the critical trade route and a country familiar with U.S. military intervention. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino rejected Trumps vow to retake the canal, stating his nation intends to maintain control in the name of the Republic of Panama and its people in a statement Monday. Heres a look at the history of the canal and what it would take for the US to retake it: What is the Panama Canal and when was it built? The Panama Canal is a 51-mile man-made waterway with locks and reservoirs connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, saving ships from a 7,000-mile detour around Cape Horn at South Americas southern tip. It significantly reduces shipping time and costs, especially for time-sensitive or perishable goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The canals construction began in 1880 under Ferdinand de Lesseps, who built Egypts Suez Canal, but failed due to diseases, like Malaria and yellow fever, and harsh conditions, costing over 20,000 lives. After Panama became a Colombian province, the U.S. pushed for control by sending warships and drafting a constitution granting U.S. intervention rights. Panama declared independence in 1903 and soon signed a treaty allowing the U.S. to complete the canal. The U.S. project saw 5,600 worker deaths. Russia warns Trump against seizing Panama Canal Why doesnt the US control the Panama Canal? The Panama Canal opened in 1914, but almost immediately some Panamanians questioned U.S. control, sparking what became known as the generational struggle for sovereignty. In the 1930s, the U.S. renounced its right to intervene in Panama, and by the 1970s, rising costs prompted negotiations to transfer control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Carter administration, in collaboration with Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos, negotiated two key treaties: the Permanent Neutrality Treaty and the Panama Canal Treaty. The first granted the U.S. rights to ensure the canals security, while the second set a 1999 deadline for the U.S. to hand over control. Both were signed in 1977 and ratified in 1978, remaining intact even after the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama. While polls in the late 1970s showed roughly half of Americans opposed the transfer, by 1999, public opinion had shifted, with about half supporting it. Why does Trump want to regain control of the Panama Canal? Trump claims the U.S. is being ripped off by Panama over the 1977 canal treaty, which he calls a foolish giveaway. While the neutrality treaty allows U.S. intervention if the canals operation is threatened, it doesnt permit reasserting control. Experts argue theres no legal way to recover the canal without military action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has first full day in office after inauguration However, Trump hasnt said how he might make good on his threat. Panama is also a U.S. partner in stopping illegal immigration from South America perhaps Trumps biggest policy priority. Can Trump order US troops to seize the Panama Canal? Trump has suggested using military force to retake the Panama Canal, but such an action would involve significant complications. The canal spans more than 500 square miles, and Panama has a population of 4.5 million, many of whom might oppose U.S. occupation. According to U.S. Army estimates, counterinsurgency operations would require about 90,000 troops. Additionally, any military action would be highly disruptive to global trade, as the canal handles around 6% of world commerce. It would also draw the U.S. into another land war, which Trump has criticized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. The U.S. Senate confirmed Marco Rubio as the next secretary of state by a rare bipartisan consensus on Jan. 20, making him the first confirmed high-level member of the new Trump administration. Rubio will oversee the implementation of U.S. President Donald Trumps foreign policy, which is expected to entail a quick push to end Russias war against Ukraine. Trump has sent mixed signals about his approach to ending the conflict. Rubio recently said that both Russia and Ukraine would have to make concessions to achieve a peace deal, possibly indicating an agreement that would allow Moscow to hold on to at least some of the occupied territories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, Rubio publicly praised the bravery of Ukrainian defenders but was among the 15 Republican lawmakers in the Senate who voted against the $61 billion aid package for Ukraine in early 2024. Its delay severely hampered Ukraine's fight against Russian forces. Rubio replaced Antony Blinken, who, in the administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden, has played a leading role in U.S.-Ukraine relations throughout Russia's full-scale invasion launched in early 2022. Officials close to Trump maintain that U.S. military aid to Ukraine will persist, focusing on empowering Kyiv to negotiate from a position of strength. Read also: Marco Rubios stance on Russias war in Ukraine what we know Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a China hawk and staunch backer of Israel, as President Donald Trump's secretary of state. The Senate backed Rubio by a vote of 99-0, days after the long-term member of the Senate foreign relations and intelligence committees sailed through his friendly confirmation hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio became the first of Trump's cabinet nominees to be confirmed by the Senate, just hours after the president was sworn in for a second White House term. Additional votes on Trump nominees were expected this week. Rubio, 53, is a harsh critic of China and an advocate for Israel. The son of immigrants from Cuba, he has also pushed for tough measures against the Communist-ruled island and its allies, especially the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. During his confirmation hearing, he warned that the U.S. must change course to avoid becoming more reliant on China, and promised a robust foreign policy focused on American interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio also said it should be U.S. policy that the war in Ukraine must end. He said reaching an agreement to stop the fighting would involve concessions from both Moscow and Kyiv, and he suggested that Ukraine would have to give up its goal of regaining all the territory Russia has taken in the last decade. Rubio is the first person of Hispanic origin to serve as the nation's top diplomat. Trump began announcing his selections for cabinet positions almost as soon as he won his second term as president on Nov. 5. His supporters had clamored for the Senate to confirm all of his picks as quickly as possible but some faced tough questioning about their experience and qualifications even from members of his own Republican party. (Reporting Patricia Zengerle, Simon Lewis, Richard Cowan and Ryan Patrick Jones; Editing by David Gregorio) By Georgina McCartney and Brendan O'Brien HOUSTON (Reuters) -A rare winter storm churned across the U.S. Gulf Coast on Tuesday, breaking snowfall records more than a century old in a southern region where flurries are unusual, as much of the United States remained in a dangerous deep freeze. A snowstorm warning was in effect for 31 million people - from southern Texas east through Georgia and north to the Carolinas and into Virginia - until Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the storm moving east, crews near Houston plowed highways on Tuesday while downtown streets, covered in white, were virtually deserted. Schools were closed Tuesday and Wednesday as the city, the fourth-biggest in the U.S., expected about 4 inches (10 cm) of snow to fall. "I've been in Texas my entire life and I have never seen this depth of snow," said Ishan Bhaidani, 29, who owns a fintech consulting company in Houston. "It typically gets more icy but this type of fine snow, this is a first." Authorities in Houston investigated two deaths that may be weather related, including that of a homeless man who was found near an apartment complex, the Harris County Sheriff said on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snow was also falling in New Orleans, where 9.8 inches (nearly 25 cm) had accumulated by late afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Richard Bann, a NWS meteorologist, said that the service was trying to confirm whether Tuesday's snowfall broke a New Orleans record set in 1895 when 8 inches fell. The last time New Orleans received any measurable snowfall was 2009, according to the NWS. "Stay home and stay off the roads," said a bundled-up New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, as winds whipped snow in her face, in a video message to residents on X. Breaking a 144-year-old record, more than 6 inches (15 cm) of snow fell in Mobile, Alabama, by late afternoon, according to the NWS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The storm is expected to crawl through Mississippi, Georgia and Florida early this week. The storm snarled air travel with flights delayed or canceled on Tuesday. More than 1,000 flights departing or bound for Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport were canceled, according to Flightaware.com. Temperatures dipped into single digits Fahrenheit, well below freezing, across the region. Forecasters and local leaders urged residents to protect themselves from frostbite and to take steps to keep their water pipes from rupturing. Across the South, the snow, combined with an inch of ice accumulation and wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour (64 kph), could make road and air travel difficult for several days, while threatening to topple power lines and trees, forecasters said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 30,000 homes and businesses in southeastern Texas were without power at one point on Tuesday, but by late afternoon that number fell to fewer than 8,000, according to Poweroutage.us. Atlanta, Georgia, and Montgomery, Alabama, opened warming centers and closed government offices in anticipation of the storm. Numerous school districts canceled classes, according to local news. To the north, most of the eastern two-thirds of the United States experienced brutally cold temperatures as an Arctic front was expected to linger through at least Tuesday. Grand Lake, Colorado, was the coldest spot in the U.S. on Tuesday morning at -39 F (-39 C). (Reporting by Georgina McCartney in Houston and Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Additional reporting by Hannah Lang and Brad Brooks; Editing by Frank McGurty, Rod Nickel, Hugh Lawson, Nia Williams and Cynthia Osterman) A version of this story appeared in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. If youre looking for consistency, youve come to the wrong country. Its a new era of American whiplash as the country settles into a multi-year cycle of presidents correcting each other. President Donald Trumps first day in office set the stage for an effort to undo whatever Joe Biden and his administration did. Trumps most shocking actions were his mass pardon of people who were charged in the January 6, 2021, attack of the US Capitol and his challenge to birthright citizenship, which is in the Constitution. The latter is already the subject of a lawsuit from Democratic state attorneys general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But much of what Trump did was specifically aimed at turning Bidens four years into the interregnum between two Trump terms, undoing Biden immigration policies, ending government diversity programs and climate change efforts and taking more political control of the federal bureaucracy. Trumps actions are the mirror image of four years ago, when Biden came into office and signed executive orders to undo multiple Trump immigration policies, restore protections for government workers, expand diversity and inclusion programs in the government and reverse Trump environmental policies. What one president does, the next is looking to undo. Denali. McKinley. Denali. McKinley. Whether the nations highest peak should have the traditional Alaskan name Denali, meaning Great One, or be known as Mt. McKinley to honor a Republican president from Ohio who was assassinated at the turn of the 20th century, is a Rorschach test for the moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Barack Obama renamed it Denali. President Donald Trump, ignoring Alaska Republicans, is renaming it Mt. McKinley. But naming a mountain seems small compared to some other zigging and zagging by the government in recent years. Paris climate agreement: in and out and in and out Obama joined the Paris climate agreement in 2016. Trump pulled the US out in 2017. Biden rejoined in 2021. Now Trump is pulling the US out again, arguing the US should not have to do so much to address the worlds changing climate. The trend extends further back, since President Bill Clintons administration agreed to join the international Kyoto Protocol which predated the Paris agreement but President George W. Bushs administration pulled the US out. World Health Organization: Restarting the departure again President Harry Truman joined the World Health Organization in 1948. We must and will give freely of our great knowledge to help liberate men everywhere from the overhanging dread of preventable disease, Truman said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump began the process of pulling the US out of the WHO in 2020, the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, complaining the US was contributing too much money compared to China. Biden restored the US to the WHO on his first day in office in 2021. Trump restarted the process of pulling the US on his first day in office in 2025. Re-reclassifying federal workers again Complaining of a deep state bent against him, Trump tried in 2020 to reclassify some federal workers who have a role in policy making as Schedule F to make it easier to fire them. Biden stopped the process in 2021 and went a step further, signing an order with new protections for federal workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is moving to revive Schedule F and has said the bureaucracy must be more responsive to his will. Any power they have is delegated by the President, and they must be accountable to the President, who is the only member of the executive branch, Trump wrote. CNNs report notes that critics fear Trumps effort to instill a federal workforce more loyal to him will undermine the merit-based professional civil service created to replace a corrupt spoils system just before McKinleys time as president. To drill or not to drill Trump 1.0 tried to undo Obamas ban on oil drilling in arctic waters. Trump 2.0 will now try undo Bidens ban on offshore oil drilling. Its not clear how much additional oil drilling Trumps action would create since the US is already producing more oil than any other country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, Trump is halting Bidens efforts to end land and water leasing for wind energy. And on the automobile front, Obama tried to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, including by publishing rules to limit tailpipe emissions. Trump rolled them back again in 2020. Biden took another shot at tailpipe emissions and pushing for electric and hybrid vehicles. Trump plans to roll those back too, although the car market is already moving toward EVs, with or without the US government. On some issues, Trump is ready to correct himself During his first administration Trump made a very big deal of renegotiating the North America Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, which was put in place by President Bill Clinton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump negotiated the replacement US-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, one of the successes of his first term. In the early days of his second term, however, Trump is threatening Canada and Mexico with 25% tariffs to kick in on February 1. Those import taxes would seem to jeopardize his own treaty and make things more expensive for Americans, but does set up the prospect of new concessions from Canada and Mexico. The real news on tariffs may be that Trump has delayed, for the moment, talk of broad new tariffs on all imports and specifically on Chinese goods. Biden, for the record, maintained Trumps first-term tariffs on China proof that not everything one president does will be undone by the next. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Blake Brittain WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Tuesday to hear Republican former Iowa congressman Steve King's bid to avoid paying a small judgment for having used without permission an internet meme - the "Success Kid" photo of a determined-looking 11-month-old baby at the beach - to promote his 2020 reelection campaign. The justices turned away King's appeal of a lower court's decision upholding a jury's verdict that his election campaign organization owed Laney Griner, the mother of boy shown in the copyrighted photo, $750 for posting the image in campaign ads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2007 photo of little Sammy Griner became a popular internet meme for celebrating victories. The photo shows the boy in a green-and-white shirt looking directly at the camera with a fistful of sand and the surf in the background. Laney Griner has licensed the photo to companies including Coca-Cola and Microsoft for use in advertising. In using the photo for campaign purposes, King requested donations from his supporters to "make sure the memes keep flowing and the Lefties stay triggered." King lost his bid to retain his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives when he was defeated by a fellow Republican in the party's 2020 primary election. Griner sued King in 2020 in Iowa federal court, accusing him of copyright infringement. A jury sided with her and found that King's campaign owed her $750 in damages. The St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the verdict in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The King campaign's stated justification "is that they were creating and disseminating a meme on social media, as happens millions, if not billions, of times each day," Judge Duane Benton wrote. "The fact that 'everyone else is doing it' is not a particularly compelling justification." King told the Supreme Court in a filing that he had an implied license to the photo. "When Griner asks the social media universe to create the meme, and it does, her capacity to single out individual copyists ought be severely curtailed," King's filing stated. King's election loss followed criticism of his incendiary rhetoric related to immigration and other matters. The House in 2019 voted to repudiate King's comments questioning why "white supremacy" is offensive and stripped him of his committee assignments. King subsequently wondered aloud whether the human race would exist without rape and incest. (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham) US President Donald Trump has ordered the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). Trump signed the order in the White House in Washington just hours after his inauguration on Monday. "We're being ripped off by the World Health," he told reporters. "Everybody rips off the United States and that's it, it's not going to happen anymore." Trump's order sets in motion the country's exit from the global body in 12 months' time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order said the US was withdrawing "due to the organization's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states." It added that the WHO continued to "demand unfairly onerous payments" from the US. China had 300% of the population of the US, yet contributed 90% less, the order said. According to the WHO, the US is the top donor and partner to the organization. The US contributed $1.284 billion during the 20222023 biennium, the WHO said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US would "with all practicable speed" pause the future transfer of any US government funds, support, or resources to the WHO. The US would also recall and reassign any of its personnel or contractors working with the WHO, the order added. The WHO did not immediately comment on the move. In 2020, Trump ordered the US withdrawal from the WHO, accusing the organization of failing in the coronavirus pandemic and being a puppet of China. Joe Biden used his first day in office in 2021 to reverse that decision. On the eve of the 2025 Utah legislative session, the states higher education leaders are gearing up for fiscal turbulence in the form of budget cuts and reallocation. On Thursday, University of Utah president Taylor Randall participated in a forum at the school, making the case for the broad value of higher education even while responding to emerging opportunities and disruptions. I think that becoming more efficient in the way we deliver support to both faculty, staff and students is really important, said Randall. Those are the other types of things that were going to look hard at as we try to make these reinvestments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Randall earlier told the Deseret News that the University of Utah and legislative leaders share the same priorities: ensuring that Utahs institutions of higher education are preparing the greatest number of Utahns for a future of profound economic upheaval thats completely unrelenting, accelerating irreversible, driven by technological change. A decorated graduation cap is pictured during the University of Utah's Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine commencement program at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 17, 2024. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News In advance of the Utah Legislatures 2025 higher education actions, the Deseret News reached out to several of Utahs other higher education leaders gleaning their thoughts on a variety of issues prior to whats expected to be a historic legislative session. Elizabeth Cantwell president, Utah State University When asked about how Utah State University is preparing for the Legislatures anticipated actions, school president Elizabeth Cantwell acknowledged higher education stands at a critical inflection point that demands adaptation and reaffirmation to ensure it fits todays job market. We are a public higher education institution that is poised to play an even more critical role for the future, she wrote in an email. At Utah State, we intend to work collaboratively with our Utah System of Higher Education colleagues and state leaders to embrace change ensuring the future success of higher education in Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USU, added Cantwell, remains deeply committed to providing a strong return on investment for its students and communities. We are actively working to ensure that our reallocations, as we plan them out, focus on benefitting our students and our core teaching mission. Utah State University President Elizabeth Cantwell speaks during a panel discussion on the value of higher education, moderated by Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute director Natalie Gochnour, during a Newsmaker Breakfast at the Thomas S. Monson Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Meeting industry workforce needs is a driving element of the Legislatures expected higher education debates. Cantwell wrote that USU is determined to align its programs with evolving workforce demands, prioritizing student success and contributing to the states economic vitality. Land-grant institutions have always been focused on offering an applied education and practical applications of scientific research. This commitment is exemplified by our long-standing programs in social work, nursing and engineering. Our Statewide Enterprise has expanded certificate and technical education programs across the state of Utah, and we have recently focused our efforts on increasing engineering enrollments and graduates. Utah State University is pictured in Logan on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Legislative leaders such as Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, and House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, are advocates of some four-year bachelors degrees becoming three-year programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cantwell notes a four-year degree requiring 120 credits offers students classes that help them become well-rounded and better prepared to communicate across diverse cultures. But we know that not all students and not all jobs need the same thing, she wrote. The flexibility of offering a three-year bachelors degree in areas where career outcomes for students can be enhanced is welcome. Geoffrey Landward Utahs commissioner of higher education No surprise, Utahs higher education leaders are anxious about how this years legislative session will affect their campus operations. But amid discomfort, Commissioner of Higher Education Geoffrey Landward said partnerships between lawmakers and educators have developed over the past several months during ongoing discussions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We recognize the need and value of higher education in Utah, but we also have a responsibility to the taxpayers in how we use their money, said Landward. So when it comes to higher education, we want to be more responsible with the taxpayers funds by understanding where were getting a return on investment for the money that were putting into higher education. That means examining budgets and degree programs and then determining where are we getting the highest value for taxpayers and for the students who are enrolling. Geoffrey Landward, Utah System of Higher Education commissioner, discusses the upcoming 2025 legislative session with University of Utah President Taylor Randall and University of Utah Provost Mitzi Montoya at the Carolyn and Kem Gardner Commons at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landwards office is expected to be tasked with developing reallocation criteria for the states higher education institutions that will be anchored to what we view as the hallmarks of high-performing programs or high-return-on-investment areas of the institution. Such hallmarks would likely include program alignment with Utahs industry demands and if the costs of specific programs are aligned with workforce outcomes. Reallocation specifics are expected to be the call of the institutions, who would then report their decisions to the Utah Board of Higher Education and, ultimately, the legislative bodies holding the pursestrings. Each institution is different, each region is different, said Landward. So there isnt a set formula for reallocation and reinvesting. It has to be an institution-specific process but guided by these criteria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expect to often hear the term high return of investment during this years legislatives higher education debates. Landward said the vast majority of Utah students who choose to pursue higher education are primarily motivated by improving their economic outlet possibilities. They are looking to increase their job options and seeking high-yield programs that lead to high-paying job options. And we want to know if what were providing them actually gives them those results, he said. Employers are telling Utahs higher education leaders that they need a highly educated workforce that includes engineers, AI experts and health care professionals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So anything that we can do to provide a workforce thats trained in those areas has a high return from the state, said Landward. This isnt just about individual economic needs for individual students but its also about the states economy. When our economy is strong, that impacts everybody. Brad Mortensen president, Weber State University Governments at both the state and national level have historically prioritized connecting public higher education and training for the workforce, said Weber State University President Brad Mortensen. But such priorities bring with it public scrutiny. So we now find ourselves in that moment here in Utah, Mortensen said. All of the questions the legislators are asking are certainly within their prerogative. Its uncomfortable on campuses, but that doesnt mean we shouldnt meet the conversations head-on. From left, Weber State University President Dr. Brad L. Mortensen shakes hands with Bradley Maples, the student graduate speaker, at Weber State Universitys commencement program at the Dee Events Center in Ogden on Friday, April 26, 2024. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Such conversations, he added, double as opportunities to correct narrative misconceptions while sharing the good things that are happening at the states higher education institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are certainly things we can do better and were eager to engage in those conversations and probably have some tough conversations on campus at Weber State about how to handle that. In response to lawmakers calls to tighten efficiencies while diminishing administrative bloat, Weber State will be consolidating two vice presidents positions into one and also vacating several other executive-level positions. Managing cuts or reallocations on the academic program side is a bit more challenging, admitted Mortensen. He is waiting to see what legislative guidance emerges from the session, even while continuing campus conversations about moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to be a really difficult environment on campus. Mortensen is a staunch believer in humanities and liberal arts programs that are not always included in immediate industry-alignment conversations. Many of the fundamental skills that we value in higher education when it comes to communication and problem solving and teamwork are developed through those disciplines, in addition to the strong technical aspects required in (career specific) areas such as nursing or computer science. Adams and others have called for alignment boosts between higher education and industry to better prepare graduates for the workforce. Mortensen said many of Weber States degree programs already have advisory boards consisting of local industry leaders. Its critical, he added, for institutions to offer high-impact education experiences such as internships and undergraduate research to develop essential durable skills. We want to make sure every one of our bachelors degree graduates gets a couple of those high-impact experiences to help prepare them for the workforce in addition to ensuring the education they receive in the classroom is aligned with whats happening currently in industry. Greg Peterson president, Salt Lake Community College As the leader of the states largest two-year college (enrollment: 27,000+), Salt Lake Community College President Greg Peterson plays a guiding role in the educational paths of many Utahns. Some SLCC graduates will move directly into the full-time workforce. Many others will transition to Utahs four-year institutions. I appreciate the investment that the state has in our education, said Peterson, who was appointed president last April. We care. Our leaders and elected officials care. And our communities care. So Im excited to see how together we can ensure the best opportunities for our students and for our communities. Peterson said SLCC is well-equipped to engage in legislative discussion about budget reallocations. Over the past two years, the school has reduced several programs as part of its regular program-review process. So the idea that we need to be mindful and attuned to ensure that our pathways are going directly to good career opportunities and (college) transfers for our students all makes sense, he said. Utah has two public community colleges SLCC and Ephraims Snow College. Both play an essential role in Utahs higher education system, said Peterson. Its all about providing access, across the board, to more individuals in our community gaining the benefits of a post-secondary education. That can be through us or through us moving then to our university partners. The Utah Board of Higher Education unanimously selected Gregory F. Peterson, Ed.D., as the ninth president of Salt Lake Community College today, following an extensive national search. Peterson will assume the position on July 1, 2024, and succeeds Deneece G. Huftalin, who served as president from 2014-2024 | Utah System of Higher Education Like Schultz, Peterson is a fan of the types of concurrent enrollment opportunities offered at SLCC that help Utah high school students earn college credit and save a few dollars. He also emphasizes the SLCCs duty to provide educational opportunities to non-traditional students. What I love about the community college is that we recognize that the majority of our students have an identity other than student, said Peterson. Were able to augment their experiences as a student within their life and find ways that we can adapt and be flexible so that they can still be a parent or a caregiver. They can still be an employee and do other aspects of their life while continuing to learn and grow. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) -Donald Trump was sworn in as Americas 47th president Monday afternoon. Leaders from across the aisle in Virginia and North Carolina responded after Trumps inauguration speech, which covered topics ranging from immigration to the two assassination attempts on his life. Inauguration Day Latest: Trump becomes the 47th president of the United States Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin posted to Facebook after attending the inauguration, calling the moment an honor. U.S. Representative Rob Wittman, who serves in Virginias 1st congressional district, released a statement following the inauguration, criticizing the leadership from the past four years while looking forward in a new direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today marks a new day in America. After four years of a dwindling economy with sky-high gas and grocery prices, a porous southern border allowing deadly fentanyl to flow into our communities, and global unrest jeopardizing Americas standing on the world stage, the American people spoke and delivered a mandate for change. With Republican majorities in the House, Senate, and White House, we have a great opportunity to create lasting, positive change. As we move forward in a new direction, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do what the people elected us to do: get the work of the nation done. I wish President Trump and Vice President Vance the blessings of good health and sound judgement as they lead our nation and work to strengthen our economy, secure our border, and once again project American strength across the globe. I remain focused on working with their administration to improve the lives of Virginias First District residents and all Americans. May God bless America. Rob Wittman (VA-01) Congressman Bobby Scott, who represents Virginias 3rd congressional district, was more critical of Trumps inauguration speech, claiming the newly sworn-in president focused on culture wars instead of the issues American families are facing. The American people have made it clear they want Washington to focus on lowering costs and investing in the economy. I am committed to working across the aisle to create jobs and lower grocery, housing, health care, energy and other costs for hardworking American families. Instead of addressing the cost of living, President Trump spent his first day in office issuing executive orders focusing on culture wars, ending efforts to promote diversity, halting our progress combatting the climate crisis and sabotaging the federal workforce. He issued shameful pardons and commutations for those who committed acts of violence against law enforcement in their failed insurrection at the U.S. Capital on January 6, 2021. He even issued an executive order to end birthright citizenship in violation of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. None of these actions will invest in our economy or lower costs for taxpayers. I stand ready, willing and able to work with President Trump and Congressional Republicans to take real actions to make life better for Americas working families. Bobby Scott (VA-03) North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis also released a statement after Mondays inauguration, showing his excitement for what he believes the next four years will bring to the Tar Heel State. As we begin this new chapter, there is much to be excited about for Americas future. President Donald J. Trump has laid out an ambitious agenda to restore prosperity, security, and opportunity for every American. Im eager to work alongside him to advance his agenda, including securing our borders, revitalizing our economy, and supporting North Carolinas recovery. President Trumps commitment to confirming constitutionalist judges, rebuilding our military to confront global threats, and creating jobs through tax cuts and deregulation will have a lasting positive impact on our state and country. Im proud to support President Trumps vision for a safer, more prosperous America and look forward to helping make it a reality Thom Tillis (R-NC) 10 On Your Side has reached out to other leaders throughout Virginia and North Carolina for responses. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Veterans Affairs Secretary nominee Doug Collins on Tuesday pledged to be a fierce defender of the departments workforce and operations if confirmed to the department leadership role, but also said health care delivery must evolve for the agency to stay relevant for veterans in the future. Veterans will always be able to use the health care system, the issue is how we make it better, he said. We dont do the same things 40 years ago that we do today. Our newer veterans deserve every access to finding care where they can. That includes expanding veterans access to medical care outside the VA system at taxpayer expense, a position that could cause friction with union groups and veterans advocates who worry that President Donald Trumps policies could strip funding away from department medical centers in favor of private-sector companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How Collins, a former Georgia Republican House representative and Air Force Reserve chaplain, balances those concerns will be a major focus of his first few months in office, if he is confirmed as expected in the coming days. Trump picks former congressman Doug Collins as next VA secretary Collins faced tough questioning but little actual opposition during his hearing before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Tuesday, with most members signaling they will vote to approve him. But he was pressed on the issue of community care, where federal funds pay for private sector medical care for veterans. About 40% of all VA health care appointments currently are through the community care system, but conservative advocates have argued that the program still places too many restrictions on veterans looking for alternatives to VA clinics with long travel distances or long wait times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins expressed support for current and past legislation expanding eligibility for more outside care, saying that delivering timely access to care and benefits for every eligible veteran is job one at VA. That includes fixing the departments electronic health records overhaul a 10-year, $16 billion project that has been stalled for more than a year. Collins pledged to task senior officials with seeing whether the upgrades can be restarted quickly, or if the project should be abandoned. This has become the new normal for federal projects, to appropriate millions of dollars and see no results in six or eight years, he said. Its time to get this done. Collins said he believes most VA workers are dedicated and exemplary federal employees but also said accountability and efficiency would be key priorities moving ahead. He vowed to improve outreach to our most vulnerable veterans those at risk of suicide or homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins also promised to make sure the law is being followed regarding VAs decision to offer abortion services to veterans at federal medical centers, even in states where the practice is outlawed. Democrats on the panel said they took that stance as evidence that he will not support the reproductive rights of women vets. Committee members are expected to vote on Collins nomination on Thursday. If he advances then, a full Senate confirmation vote could take place next week, with Collins potentially taking office before February. MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WDTN) Inauguration Day is underway in Washington D.C., but some are celebrating a little closer to home. Middletown native JD Vance was sworn in at the 50th vice president of the United States Monday morning, emphasizing the rapid rise of a local man to the second most powerful seat in the country. WATCH: JD Vance sworn in as Ohios first VP in nearly 100 years 2 NEWS spoke with Middletown residents about their thoughts and how todays inauguration is impacting the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People in Middletown say they are proud to see Vice President JD Vance assume his role in the White House. Families say his appointment is inspiring kids from Ohio to dream bigger. I mean, I think any time its somebody that comes from your hometown, youre pretty excited about it, said Amy Knecht, Middletown resident. Knecht says she has watched Hillbilly Elegy twice the film is based on the New York Times bestselling memoir of Vance, showing his upbringing in Middletown. Residents like Knecht say she is happy to see what Vance has achieved, adding that she supports the vice presidents alma mater, Middletown High Schools performance at the presidential inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its great. I think we should be celebrating, not just as a nation, but also as a local community when its one of our own. I think its a big deal, said Knecht. In a statement to 2 NEWS, the Middletown City School District says in part, the district is also deeply grateful to the individuals and businesses who have generously supported this journey, ensuring our students can share their talents and Middle pride with the nation. The district adds that they are grateful for the invitation from the 2003 graduate of Middletown High School. Knecht says there is more pride for native Ohioans and local families in the city of Middletown. She thinks the inclusion of local groups in national performances is something that local people will not soon forget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve been looking forward to this day and I think its great that that community is kind of coming together and that the band is celebrating, said Knecht. The City of Middletown is also set to place several signs around the city to honor the hometown of Vice President Vance. Copyright 2025 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 WDTN.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Two men assaulted a gas station employee in Nutbush on Monday after being confronted about an earlier theft they were accused of committing, police say. A little after 2:12 a.m., officers say the two suspects came into the BP gas station on 4286 Macon Road and walked to the beer case. Womans wheelchair stolen from home, taking her freedom One of the men is accused of grabbing three cans of beer and placing one can in his jacket pocket. Both suspects then walked up to the counter and attempted to purchase the two cans of beer, police say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is when the victim says he came from behind the counter to confront the two men about a theft they were responsible for earlier that morning. At that time, police say the suspect threw both beer cans at the victim before hitting him on the left side of his face. The victim says he went back behind the counter, locked the front door with the suspects still inside, and then called the police. Thieves steal over $1K worth of meat from Walmart: MPD One of the suspects went to the chip aisle and placed his handgun in the display while the other suspect is accused of shooting out the bottom glass of the front door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both suspects left the scene. The suspect who left his handgun on the chip aisle came back with another gun and pointed it at the victim while demanding he return the handgun that he left behind, police say. The victim says he told him that the police had the gun. He says the suspect left the store in a white Ford F-150. No arrests have been made at this time, but this is still an ongoing investigation. Both suspects are wanted for aggravated assault, simple assault, vandalism, and reckless endangerment. If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. Copyright 2025 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 WREG.com. VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The Vincennes State Historical Site, has announced it has a new Site Manager. Joanne Taylor, who recently moved to Vincennes from Arizona, will be stepping into the role. Taylor has a Ph.D. in history and sociology, subjects she taught in higher education for 25 years. She has also trained with the National Trust in England, which has over 500 properties. Vincennes State Historic Society holds free tours on MLK Day Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor said, this opportunity in Vincennes is the pinnacle of her career, bringing all of her experiences together. Were hoping to bring it back up into the public view, encourage more people to come and visit the site, get some new programs going and hopefully well put ourselves back onto the visit list in Indiana, said Taylor. Taylor also encourages people to follow the Vincennes Historical Site website and Facebook page, so they can stay up to date on upcoming programs. Copyright 2025 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 MyWabashValley.com. Leaders of far-right militia groups and other US Capitol rioters who were convicted of violently assaulting police were freed from prison overnight by President Donald Trumps mass pardons and commutations, as his ally Elon Musk threatened that the new administration might prosecute officials if they slow down additional inmate releases. Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, both convicted of seditious conspiracy and serving long sentences, were released early Tuesday. Two brothers convicted of violent felonies were freed late Monday from jail in Washington, DC, and a Trump White House aide credited Musk with their swift release. Elon Musk knew about this and was the mastermind behind it, in a number of respects, White House aide Paul Ingrassia said outside the DC jail Monday night, still wearing a tuxedo from an inaugural ball, about the first two inmates that were released there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tech billionaire and Tesla CEO expressed support for the released convicts with heart emojis on his social media platform X. Responding to unverified claims from right-wing figures that prison officials were delaying some upcoming releases, Musk urged family members of inmates to let us know if you encounter any difficulties. Convicted Capitol rioters continue to be released from prison Tuesday, with reports trickling in from across the country and supporters posting celebratory messages online. And rioters who already completed their sentences are no longer hampered by probation conditions, like travel restrictions, and are seeing their civil rights restored, like the right to buy a gun. In one of his first official acts in the Oval Office, Trump signed a sweeping clemency order Monday, pardoning virtually all 1,250 convicted January 6 rioters, commuting the prison sentences of 14 members of far-right extremist groups, and directing the Justice Department to dismiss the roughly 300 pending cases. These moves essentially end all of the January 6 cases. Trump on Tuesday defended his decision when asked whether the pardons were sending a message that assaulting officers is OK. No, the opposite, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those pardoned for their roles on January 6, he said, have already served years in prison and theyve served them viciously. Its a disgusting prison. Its been horrible. Its inhumane. Its been a terrible, terrible thing. Many of the pardon recipients did serve time behind bars, but despite Trumps claims, about 40% of the roughly 1,100 sentenced rioters avoided incarceration and got probation instead, according to Justice Department estimates. Trump frees extremists and violent rioters An attorney connected to Rhodes case confirmed that the Oath Keepers leader was released from the Maryland prison where he was serving an 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy and other felony charges. Rhodes was one of the 14 convicted January 6 rioters tied to far-right extremist groups who received commutations instead of full pardons. Unlike the vast majority of January 6 defendants, Rhodes never went inside the Capitol that day. But prosecutors said he and his co-conspirators plotted after the 2020 election to violently subvert the transfer of power, and that he coordinated from outside the Capitol with fellow Oath Keepers who infiltrated the complex. He was convicted in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In comments outside the DC jail hours after his presidential commutation, Rhodes said he had no regrets and continued to claim the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. I always knew he was going to do it, Rhodes said of Trumps pardons. Tarrio, the former Proud Boys chairman who was also convicted of seditious conspiracy in 2023, also was released from prison Tuesday, according to his attorney. Tarrio was serving his 22-year sentence at a federal prison in Louisiana one of the longest sentences to come out of the January 6 prosecutions. Trump pardoned Tarrio but issued more limited commutations for many of Tarrios co-conspirators in the Proud Boys case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other violent January 6 rioters who were behind bars have also been released. Isaac Sturgeon, who was found guilty of assaulting police, was released from a prison in Ohio. His mother posted a picture of him to social media early Tuesday, saying Isaac is freeee! His attorney also confirmed to CNN that he was released. Sturgeon was sentenced to six years in prison for his felony convictions, including assaulting police with a large metal bike rack. And Daniel Gray, who was serving a 2.5-year sentence for shoving an officer in the Capitol Rotunda where Trump took the oath on Monday was released from federal prison in Georgia early Tuesday, his lawyer told CNN. Prosecutors said after the attack, he bragged that he was one of the first in the capital and said that it was the rowdiest thing Ive ever done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some January 6 rioters their newfound freedom by visiting a casino, according to pictures obtained by CNN. Brian Mock, who already finished his prison term for assaulting officers and stealing a riot shield, said he picked up fellow convicted rioter Salvador Sandoval from a federal prison facility in Minnesota. They later posted for smiling photos inside a casino. (Sandoval was also found guilty of assaulting multiple officers.) It was a good day, thats for sure, Mock told CNN. Restoration of rights Most of the 1,250 pardoned rioters already served their prison terms, were never sent to prison in the first place, or havent been sentenced yet for their crimes, and will never be sentenced because the Justice Department is dismissing their cases. For those who arent behind bars, the greatest impact of the pardon will be the restoration of their civil rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are hundreds of different civil consequences both formal, written into laws, and informal, in the form of discrimination that happen if you have a criminal conviction, said Margaret Love, who served in the Justice Department as the US pardon attorney from 1990 to 1997. You cant get jobs, you cant get licenses, you cant own or possess a firearm. Jacob Chansley, who reached global notoriety for roaming the Capitol in horns and fur as the self-styled QAnon shaman, said Monday night that he is eager to take advantage of his new gun rights. He pleaded guilty to felony obstruction and was sentenced to three years in prison. He was released early in 2023, and was pardoned by Trump on Monday. NOW I AM GONNA BUY SOME MOTHA FU*KIN GUNS!!! Chansley posted to X. Over the years, January 6 defendants have complained about being fired from their jobs, ostracized by friends, deplatformed by social media sites, and cancelled credit cards. Their convictions influenced child custody disputes and divorce cases, some defendants said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres big component of psychological need for forgiveness and being welcomed back into society, Love said of her clients, unrelated to January 6, who got clemency over the years. Nobody wants a felony conviction. People feel like a pardon is the kind of official forgiveness and removal of that cloud, even if they arent suffering from a legal barrier. Musks celebration and threats In a flurry of social media posts, Musk expressed support for the convicted rioters, including by reposting on X a photo of the brothers who were released from the DC jail late Monday. Andrew Valentin and Matthew Valentin were both sentenced last week to 2.5 years in prison for felony offenses and were still at the DC jail when Trump granted the pardons Monday. During the riot, Matthew Valentin tried to tear a baton from an officer, and Andrew Valentin threw a chair at a police line. Both pleaded guilty in September to assaulting police. A top lieutenant from one of Musks companies was present at the jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher Stanley, a senior engineering security official at SpaceX and X, posted that he was boots on ground to ensure this was executed. And Stanley stood next to Ingrassia as he announced outside the jail Monday night that the brothers were freed. Musk replied to the post with a heart emoji. Stanley didnt reply to a request for comment. But some X users flagged posts to Musk with unverified claims of intentional delays in the release of some January 6 rioters. The billionaire wrote that members of January 6 support groups should, let us know if you encounter any difficulties with release of your loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also issued a public threat, writing: If it is found by a judge to be true that some in the bureau of prisons have acted illegally, they may find themselves, ironically, in the same cell of the person they assaulted. Patiently waiting outside the DC jail Outside the DC jail Tuesday morning, a smattering of January 6 rioter supporters gathered, including one rioter who already served his time in prison and received a pardon from Trump. Another convicted rioter, Rachel Powell, emerged from the facility Tuesday afternoon, and later told reporters that a prison official woke her up with a flashlight ahead of her eventual release. The rioter support groups say they believe there are about 20 detainees held in the jail. Those convicted of January 6 charges who have already been sentenced are likely to be in federal Bureau of Prisons facilities across the country, not the local jail in Washington, which acts as more of a holding facility as a small number of detainees were awaiting trial or sentencing. The group outside the DC jail on Tuesday morning included Brandon Fellows, who was released from federal prison in May after being sentenced by a Trump-appointed judge to three years and a month in prison, plus probation. He is one of the pardon recipients. Prosecutors say Fellows entered the Capitol during the riot through a broken window, filmed rioters storming the building and ramming through a door, carried a Trump 2020 flag, then smoked marijuana inside the Senate office and heckled police officers. A jury convicted Fellows of felony obstruction of a congressional proceeding, plus several misdemeanors. The spokesperson for the DC jail hasnt responded to CNNs requests for information. In the nearby Capitol Hill neighborhood, January 6 defendants, family members, and allies congregated at a house theyve rented for several years. A leader of one of the support groups posted a photo Tuesday of Rhodes after his release, with several other defendants. One of the convicted rioters smiling next to Rhodes in the picture, James Grant, was recently denied permission by a judge to travel to DC for Trumps inauguration. Because he was on probation, he needed to seek court approval to travel outside of North Carolina. He was pardoned on Monday, ending his probation. Its unclear when Grant arrived in Washington. But there has also been some bipartisan condemnation of the pardons, which were opposed by a majority of Americans, according to polling conducted before Monday. Victims of the Capitol riot have spoken out, including the family of US Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was injured in the siege and died one day later from strokes. His family said they hope truth of what happened that tragic day will survive, despite the clemency. We are proud of our sons defense of American Democracy, and the continued efforts of his fellow officers to safeguard the seat of government, and the Constitution which guides it; our hearts go out to them as they cope with all that has occurred, and we pray for their strength and fortitude to continue their important mission, they said in a statement. This story has been updated with additional reporting. CNNs Jamie Gangel, Hannah Rabinowitz , Gabe Cohen, Holmes Lybrand and Betsy Klein contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton (left), on Monday requested a Senate subcommittee postpone discussing her bill on online gaming. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury) A proposal to legalize internet gaming in Virginia has been put on hold as lawmakers seek more time to assess its potential impact. Senate Bill 827, introduced by Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, would authorize the Virginia Lottery Board to issue licenses to casino gaming operators for online gaming. Locke requested the Senate Subcommittee on Gaming postpone discussing the bill on Monday, citing the need for additional study. This bill is designed to authorize reputable, regulated companies to offer internet gaming to Virginians within a safe and legal market, Locke said. However, after introducing this bill, we have decided that it requires further study on this issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She expects the proposal to be ready for consideration by 2026. Under the legislation, operators would pay a $1 million application fee and a 15% tax on earnings, with revenue distributed to local governments, the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund (2.5%) and the states General Fund (97.5%). Despite the potential for new revenue streams, the proposal has raised concerns. The Department of Planning and Budget has warned that internet gaming could reduce revenue for the Lottery Proceeds Fund and School Construction Fund due to its potential impact on lottery sales and casino gaming taxes. The Virginia Lottery also projected a net negative impact on overall state revenues, according to the fiscal impact statement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Interstate 229 double-decker bridge An underneath view of the Interstate 229 double-decker bridge from Robidoux Landing in St. Joseph. With federal approval now in hand, its no longer a question of if the Interstate 229 Double-Decker Bridge will be removed, but rather when the project will begin. Missouri Department of Transportation announced on Jan. 13 that an environmental assessment for the bridges replacement plan was issued a Finding of No Significant Impact from the Federal Highways Administration in December, putting to bed close to eight years of intensive planning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the Double-Decker Bridge located over the railroad tracks, parallel with the Missouri River and Downtown St. Joseph, as well as, overlapping several key property areas; significant coordination was required with engineers, federal groups and local stakeholders to get final authorization on a project with such wide-ranging impacts. Its been a long time coming, MoDOT I-229 Replacement Project Manager Shannon Kusilek. I think its a win-win for both teams such that were able to get rid of a bridge that really is costly to maintain and having an at-grade roadway thats easier to maintain. Approval of the FONSI now opens the door for MoDOT to move forward on the design phase for the $70 to $80 million project, one that will see the bridge removed and replaced with a new four-lane arterial road constructed at-grade in roughly the same location as the existing bridge. The project will also require construction of a new interchange at St. Joseph Avenue and Interstate 229. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proposed I-229 St. Joseph Avenue interchange This rendering shows a proposed interchange that would be constructed after the double-decker bridge is replaced. The interchange would allow northbound and southbound drivers to access St. Joseph Avenue. The new St. Joseph Avenue interchange and Fourth Street will be the two primary spots to access Downtown from Interstate 229 as part of the plan. The FONSI sheds light on a variety of new components proposed for construction, including new options to expand access to Downtown St. Joseph and Right of Way Property Acquisitions. Right of Way Property Acquisitions allow public entities to assume ownership of land for transportation projects, this is governed by Revised Statutes of Missouri, (RSMo) 523. To assure the protection of individuals property rights affected by transportation projects, requirements of the Uniform Act must also be followed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new roadway will require installation of a signalized intersection south at Fourth Street by Mitchell Avenue for access to Downtown St. Joseph. A separate ramp will take vehicles directly to Stockyards Expressway, allowing them to bypass the intersection. Recent developments call for U.S. 36 Highway to have an additional exit ramp carved out to lead drivers onto South 6th Street, offering another way to access the Downtown St. Joseph area. I-229 replacement 4th street exit This photo shows the proposed design for the Fourth Street exit at Stockyards Expressway and Fourth Street. Kusilek said 2028 remains the earliest timeframe for demolition and construction to begin, with funding being the ultimate decider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 43-year-old Double-Decker Bridge, which has obvious signs of deterioration and requires regular maintenance, received the equivalent to a C Minus rating during its April 2021 inspection and was initially given a lifespan of only 50 years. Interstate 229 damage An Interstate 229 double-decker bridge support beam is shown with obvious signs of deterioration in the fall of 2024 in St. Joseph. Were looking right now at two (years), might go longer, that just depends on whats really needed once we get more into design and start getting more of the time factors for construction, Kusilek said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Constructed between 1976 and 1985, the Double-Decker Bridge carries approximately 17,000 vehicles per day, according to recently collected traffic study. More than 1,000 track trailers use the bridge to enter and exit the Stockyards Expressway from I-229 on a daily basis. Despite that, the amount of traffic on the I-229 Double-Decker Bridge equates to some of the lowest numbers in the state and significantly less than other major roadways in St. Joseph. Interstate 229 double decker bridge train and semi truck A semi truck, left, and BNSF Train pass through the Interstate 229 double-decker bridge on Jan. 17 in St. Joseph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approval of the impact study dashes any hopes that may have remained of rehabilitating the current structure. If the bridge were to be rehabilitated, it would either need a second rehabilitation or a complete replacement in approximately 25 years with an estimated cost around $200 million. Boosting options for downtown access The study identifies several new options to address concerns that the plan limits access to Downtown St. Joseph by having only two accessways: one is south at Fourth Street and the other is north at a new interchange on U.S. Route 59 and St. Joseph Avenue. The current exits and entrances at Charles , Edmond, Felix and Francis Streets will be demolished as a result of the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Options to improve access to downtown St. Joseph: Better access to Sixth Street on the south Improved access at Fourth Street including a potential grade separation at the railroad tracks Access across the railroad tracks at Charles and Edmond Streets and/or at Felix and Francis Streets Intersection improvements along U.S. Route 59 at Main Street and/or Third and Fourth Streets; or even extending U.S. Route 59 west of I-229 to McArthur Drive. All of these potential alternatives have been investigated and would not result in additional environmental impacts, however, they would need to be further evaluated prior or during the Design-Build process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next steps forward The following months will see MoDOT seek approval from Federal Highway Administration to pursue a Design-Build for the project, meaning one contractor will design and construct the roadway, a method used to streamline projects by ensuring better control over costs and design. The bidding process for a Design-Build contractor could take an additional year and six months, which includes up-front design proposals that will be expanded once a contractor is hired. MoDOT has already budgeted $609,000 for 2026 and 2027 allocated toward the Right of Way Property acquisitions and some preliminary engineering work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once we get them awarded, itll be probably a few months. It can start rolling right into doing some construction. Depending on when we start this and when the funding is available, Kusilek said. If a Design-Build plan is approved, MoDOT will include incentives and punishments for the contractor to minimize the amount of time the project will be under construction. Interstate 229 double-decker bridge An underneath view of the Interstate 229 double-decker bridge from Robidoux Landing in St. Joseph. MoDOT is recommending removing I-229s designation as an Interstate Highway, a move that Kusilek says will open up opportunities for development because of the current Right of Way situation. Right now its a fully controlled access right away and when we de-designate it that right away will then be fully controlled to a different type of access to where its easier to get access on to that existing corridor, he said. Right-of-way acquisitions to impact Robidoux Landing MoDOT has already budgeted $609,000 in 2026 and 2027 for right of way property acquisitions and some preliminary engineering work. According to the impact study, approximately 3.4 acres of new Right of Way property is needed in the narrow strip of Riverwalk Trail Park by the southern trailhead entrance, a part of Robidoux Landing, as the construction area will take up most of its footprint. Riverfront Park from the pedestrian bridge extending north to Remington Nature Center while not be impacted and could include additional extension south. Robidoux Landing shelter News-Press NOW Additionally, 2.4 acres at the very southern tip of Huston Wyeth Park will be taken as Right of Way. The remainder of both Riverside Park and Huston Wyeth Park, totaling over 700 acres, will remain intact and continue to function as parks. The I-229 study team worked closely with the community, federal agencies and the City of St. Joseph to assess the importance and the role that the proposed Riverfront plan should have in the I-229 removal plan. The recommendations in the final plan, supported by members of the community and city staff, prioritized Riverfront improvements north of Robidoux Landing near the casino and Remington Nature Center. Robidoux Landing shelter News-Press NOW Additional improvements are slated for the area during the course of the construction according to the study. Improvements include: Improvements to the pedestrian connection between Francis Street, across the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks, to the southern trailhead during construction Providing opportunities for parking in proximity to the southern Riverwalk trailhead during the project design process and construction Replacing the existing Riverwalk Trail trailhead shelter with at least a compatible, if not improved structure during construction Investigate options for upgrading the Riverwalk Trail south of the existing trailhead to potentially connect south of its current end point during the project design process Vivek Ramaswamy will launch his campaign for Ohio governor next week after stepping away from the Trump administrations efforts to cut government spending, according to a source familiar with his plans. President Donald Trump had tapped the Ohio entrepreneur and former presidential candidate to lead the Department of Government Efficiency with Elon Musk. The organization, which is not an official government agency, will advise the White House on potential strategies to reduce federal spending. More: Vivek Ramaswamy will announce run for Ohio governor 'shortly' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for DOGE told the Associated Press that the commissions employees will be unable to run for office. The source, who was granted anonymity to discuss Ramaswamys unannounced plans, said he has a warm and cordial relationship with Trump and Musk, and the two support his run for governor. NBC News first reported the timeline for Ramaswamys campaign announcement. It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE, Ramaswamy posted on X. Im confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government. Ill have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Ramaswamy, a suburban Cincinnati native who lives near Columbus,has long been expected to run for governor in Ohio in 2026. Current Gov. Mike DeWine is term limited and just appointed his preferred successor, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, to the Senate seat previously held by Vice President JD Vance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Who is Vivek Ramaswamy? What to know about Cincinnati billionaire part of Trump's Cabinet It initially appeared Ramaswamy would use his work at DOGE as a springboard for the governors race. He also emerged as a late contender for the Ohio Senate seat after Trump urged him to consider the appointment, should he get an offer. But Ramaswamy also came under fire in recent weeks for defending technology companies embrace of H-1B visas to hire foreign workers. He attributed such decisions to American mediocrity and a cultural embrace of lazy sitcom characters. Despite the hiccup, Ramaswamy had a prominent spot for Trumps swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramaswamy wont be the only Republican running for governor in Ohio next year, although support from Trump could give him a leg up in the primary. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Treasurer Robert Sprague are also seeking the job. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Vivek Ramaswamy set to announce run for OHio governor The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk after Vivek Ramaswamys controversial departure to pursue political office, faces legal scrutiny, criticism for potential conflicts of interest, and challenges in achieving ambitious federal spending cuts. Work has begun at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly established body under President Trumps administration, with an early focus on eliminating redundancies. In its first move, DOGE co-head Vivek Ramaswamy stepped down from his role, deferring to his counterpart, Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The decision streamlines leadership and removes potential overlap as the department begins its efforts. It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE, the 38-year-old biotech entrepreneur wrote on Monday. Im confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk did not reply to his post and has not engaged with Ramaswamy since mid-December. Ramaswamy just burned through the bridges and he finally burned Elon, a Republican strategist close to the Trump team told Politico. Everyone wants him out of [Trumps Florida residence] Mar-a-Lago, out of D.C. Musk faces multiple DOGE challenges DOGE is already under legal scrutiny amid concerns that the unofficial body could serve the interests of private business leaders (like Musk) while operating without taxpayer accountability or Congressional oversight. Critics have raised questions about whether DOGEs efforts might unfairly target regulatory agencies seen as obstacles to business interests of those closely connected to Trump (again, like Musk). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, co-head of DOGE, recently acknowledged that the departments initial goal of cutting $2 trillion in federal spending is overly ambitious, with estimates now closer to $1 trillion. The initiative is likely to face significant pushback, particularly in regions where federal employment plays a major role in local economies. For instance, Alabama is home to 40,000 non-military federal employeesnearly as many as New York, despite its smaller population and lack of a major border presence like Texas. In October, Musk predicted temporary [economic] hardship for Americans in October should he be placed in chargee of DOGE. At the time, he liked to joke that he would have to beef up his personal security detail in the event that someone from the postal service might literally go postal on him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political pundits have said Musks DOGE cost cuts could poison the reelection chances of certain congressional representatives, senators, and state governors when the November 2026 midterm elections roll around. Thats why the unofficial body is due to expire by July of that year, cleverly timed as a 250th-birthday present to the American people. Ramaswamy becomes a liability With all these challenges, the last thing Musk needs is another lightning rod for controversy on his hands. Yet that is exactly what he got. Officially, Ramaswamy is stepping down to pursue political office in Ohio, according to official statements. However, his departure follows a series of controversies. Ramaswamys strong support for H-1B visas alienated portions of the MAGA base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adding to the backlash, Ramaswamy recently authored a commentary criticizing what he called a culture of mediocrity in the U.S., arguing that natural-born citizens often fail to uphold the values of hard work and meritocracy. Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long, he wrote, calling for a return to hard work over laziness. Ramaswamy's road to Ohio gubernatorial race In a contest deciding which of the two co-chiefs was ultimately irreplaceable at DOGE, the winner was never in question. Musk, the worlds richest individual, wields significant influence within the Republican Party, aided by his ownership of X, a platform with strong ties to the MAGA movement. His loyalty to President Trump and substantial financial resourcesestimated at over $400 billionmake him a formidable figure in GOP politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, Ramaswamy, a political newcomer, faced challenges within a party where most members adhere to Judeo-Christian traditions. While his youthful charisma set him apart from more traditional rivals, his ambitions may have outpaced his support. Ramaswamy announced plans to focus on building a base in his home state of Ohio, potentially preparing for a gubernatorial run. Ill have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio, he posted. With Ramaswamy gone, Musk does lose a fall guysomeone who can investigate government loans to his competitors without it directly falling back on the Tesla CEO. But his vast wealth ensures that he can keep political opponents at bay. The Trump administration offered little detail on Ramaswamys future, stating only that he would play a vital role in making America great again. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Vivek Ramaswamy will not be part of a commission on federal spending that he was picked by President Donald Trump to lead alongside MAGA billionaire Elon Musk. A spokesperson for the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, confirmed that the businessman was no longer involved just hours after Trump was inaugurated Monday. Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE, Anna Kelly told the Associated Press. He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE, based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last 2 months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement on the first day of the Trump administration all but confirmed reports that Cincinnati-born Ramaswamy is set to announce a bid for governor in his home state of Ohio by the end of the month. Last week, Ohios Republican Governor Mike Dewine, who is term limited and ineligible to seek reelection in 2026, announced he was appointing his lieutenant governor Jon Husted to fill the vacancy in the U.S. Senate left by the resignation of Vice President JD Vance. In doing so, DeWine removed one major competitor who could have stood in Ramaswamys way in a primary. Husted was planning his own bid for the states highest office, the Cleveland Signal reported, but DeWine elevated him to the Senate with the impression that he would seek reelection to the upper chamber in Washington. Trump and his team had reportedly encouraged Ramaswamy to consider accepting an appointment to the Senate seat, but he was adamant that his political ambitions are trained on the governors mansion in suburban Columbus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NBC News reported Monday that Ramaswamys glad-handing in the race is not off to a great start. Three sources told the broadcaster that he bailed early on the inaugural ball held by Ohio Republicans in Washington on Sunday. He cant bother to spend more than 45 minutes with 1,400 of the most influential Republicans in Ohio, one state GOP leader told NBC. Its next-level arrogance. Ramaswamy also ignited frictions within the wider MAGA-verse over the holidays when he dared to offer support for using H-1B visas to attract highly skilled workers to the U.S., which was blasted by nativist first-generation Trump hardliners like Steve Bannon. By opting to pursue a gubernatorial bid, Ramaswamy will give up his responsibilities at DOGE, where he was set to focus on deregulation, Politico reported. The commission is tasked with finding as much as $2 trillion in cuts to federal spending by July 4, 2026, though Ramaswamys erstwhile DOGE partner Musk has already begun to soften expectations. Vivek Ramaswamy will no longer be a co-leader of DOGE. He's expected to instead run for governor of Ohio in 2026. That leaves Elon Musk as the group's sole leader. Vivek Ramaswamy is leaving President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency. Instead of leading the group with Elon Musk, he's expected to run for governor of Ohio, according to various media reports. "It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE," Ramaswamy wrote on X on Monday evening. "I'm confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government." It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. Im confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government. Ill have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Most importantly, were all-in to help President Trump make America great again! https://t.co/f1YFZm8X13 Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 20, 2025 "Vivek Ramaswamy played a critical role in helping us create DOGE. He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure that we announced today," a Trump spokesperson, Anna Kelly, said, according to The New York Times and the Associated Press. "We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last 2 months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A source familiar with the matter previously told BI that Trump was encouraging Ramaswamy to seek Vice President JD Vance's vacated Senate seat. But on Friday, Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to the position. On Monday, Ramaswamy wrote on X that he would "have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio." Prior to the intrigue about the prospect that Ramaswamy might be appointed to the US Senate, the tech entrepreneur and onetime 2024 presidential candidate was expected to co-lead DOGE with Musk. The change leaves Musk as the sole leader of the government-efficiency initiative, which Trump said he would officially establish via executive order on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent days, Ramaswamy has been publicly toying with the idea of a gubernatorial bid in the Buckeye State. On Friday, he publicly thanked Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, a big booster of DOGE in the Senate, on X after she said she would support him if he chose to run for governor. Read the original article on Business Insider Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy confirmed on Monday he will not serve on President Trumps Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) commission, leaving Tesla CEO Elon Musk to singularly lead the advisory group. It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE, Ramaswamy wrote Monday on the social platform X. Im confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government. Ill have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Most importantly, were all-in to help President Trump [make] America great again! Ramaswamys remarks were part of a repost of a statement by a DOGE spokesperson, Anna Kelly, who told outlets he played a critical role in helping us create DOGE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE, based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last 2 months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again, Kelly added, according to an Associated Press report. Trump tapped Musk and Ramaswamy to co-lead DOGE shortly after electoral victory last year, promising to cut down on federal spending and slash federal jobs that the nongovernmental task force deems unnecessary. The Hill reported last week that Ramaswamy plans to run for governor of Ohio, raising questions about his involvement with the cost-cutting commission. Musk on Monday said he is planning to work his a off with regards to DOGE, though his role has raised conflict of interest concerns due to Tesla and SpaceX contracts with the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Musk and Ramaswamy first traveled to Capitol Hill last month to discuss DOGEs goals with lawmakers. Updated at 6:44 p.m. EST Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Davos, Switzerland, to participate in the World Economic Forum. Source: Serhii Nykyforov, press secretary of the president of Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda Details: Serhii Nykyforov reports that Volodymyr Zelenskyy will speak at the World Economic Forum at 15:30, Kyiv time. He is also expected to hold bilateral talks with country leaders, meetings with big businesses and other events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives from more than 130 countries, including more than 60 heads of state and government and more than 1,600 business representatives, are expected to attend a meeting in Davos. US President Donald Trump will not be physically present at the event but will join it online and deliver a speech on Thursday, 23 January. Background: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already spoken at Davos. She warned of the risk of a "global race to the bottom" using economic instruments such as sanctions, export controls and tariffs. The Davos Economic Forum froze its relations with Russia in March 2022. Support UP or become our patron! COVENTRY, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Authorities on Tuesday are investigating a fatal shooting of a U.S. Border Patrol agent that also left a suspect dead and another injured on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 20 miles from the Canadian border. Governor Phil Scott confirmed the identity of the agent as David Chris Maland, 44 on Tuesday. Maland, a military veteran, was part of the border patrol in Vermont for nearly a decade. In a statement, the FBI said a suspect in the shooting was killed and a second suspect was injured and taken into custody. Federal agents said that they will not be releasing the names of the suspects at this time. The Department of Homeland Security did say the suspect that was killed was a German national in the U.S. on a current Visa. Vermont State Police said it happened around 3:15 p.m. Interstate 91 was closed in both directions between Exit 27 in Newport and Exit 26 in Orleans for about two hours, state police said. The area has since been reopened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benjamine Huffman, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, said the death occurred in the line of duty. Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harms way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure, Huffman said. My prayers and deepest condolences are with our Department, the Agents family, loved ones, and colleagues. In a joint statement, Vermonts Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint sent condolences to the agents family and said Border Patrol agents deserve our full support in terms of staffing, pay and working conditions. We look forward to working with the agency to make sure that they have all the resources they need to do the enormously important work that is their responsibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story and will be updated when more information is available. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. WAVERLY, Va. (WAVY) Three people were seriously injured in a four-vehicle crash in Waverly Tuesday morning, police said. Courtesy: VSP Courtesy: VSP Courtesy: VSP Courtesy: VSP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Station Police responded to the accident just before 9 a.m. on Route 460 east of Route 40 in the town of Waverly. A preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a 2017 Honda Civic was traveling east before it slowed down to make a left turn into the Waverly VDOT facility. It was then that the driver of a 2005 Toyota Corolla struck the Honda Civic from behind. Upon impact, the Honda Civic was pushed into oncoming traffic where it was then struck by a 2017 Ford Fusion and a 2017 Peterbilt 579 tractor-trailer. The driver of the Honda Civic was flown to VCU Medical Center in Richmond with serious injuries. The drivers of the 2005 Toyota Corolla and the 2017 Ford Fusion were both taken to Southside Medical Center in Petersburg, Virginia, with serious non life-threatening injuries. The driver of the 2017 Peterbilt 579 tractor-trailer was checked by medics on the scene and did not require further medical treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each vehicle had only one person inside. The driver of the 2005 Toyota Corolla was identified as Savanah Bedard from Henrico. She was charged with following too closely, not wearing a seatbelt, having an expired state inspection and no proof of insurance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP/WNCN) A longtime Wake County Democratic state representative announced his resignation from the North Carolina General Assembly on Sunday. Rep. Joe John, who represented northwestern Wake County, shared news of his resignation in a letter posted to his Facebook page, after he said he received a terminal diagnosis for throat cancer from his doctors. John, 85, first stated publicly that he was diagnosed with throat cancer in early December. I hope my legacy will be one of dedication to the common good working to build bridges, advocate for the voiceless, and fight for justice, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John was first elected as a state representative in 2016 and served four consecutive terms. His upcoming term would have been his fifth. Before serving in the legislature, John spent a large portion of his life in the judicial field as a state appeals judge, superior court judge and district judge. He also served as the State of North Carolina Crime Laboratorys director. Rep. Joe John NC House Dist. 40 The Wake County Democratic Party will be in charge of choosing someone to fill Johns vacant seat. John said in his letter that he plans to focus on his health and spend time with his family after resigning. If my time in office has made even a small difference in your lives, then I will leave this world knowing Ive done my part, John said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 CBS17.com. Melting sea ice due to climate change isnt just a problem for people living in coastal regions that are slowly being flooded. It threatens the survival of species like walruses, which are uniquely dependent on the disappearing frozen environment. As we burn fossil fuels, trapping heat that melts polar ice, the roly poly pinnipeds struggle to find sea ice to live upon. Additionally as the ocean becomes more acidic because of human activity, it makes it difficult for walrus prey like crabs, clams and sea snails to build their shells. Wildlife biologist Dr. Devin Johnson of the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Marine Mammals Management Walrus Program isnt entirely pessimistic regarding the plight of these animals. He has fond recollections of interacting with the Atlantic (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) and Pacific (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) walruses that inhabit the area. It is always special to see these animals in their natural habitat, and stresses the importance of sea ice, particularly for mothers with young calves, Johnson told Salon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2023, the FWS and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have both operated research stations in the Chukchi Sea, a region of the Arctic Ocean between Alaska and Siberia, with one of the scientists goals being to protect walruses. And to get help, theyve enlisted the assistance of the internet. Since 2021, more than 37,000 citizen scientists have participated in the Walrus From Space project, a joint project by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) for monitoring walrus populations. Ordinary citizens can sign up to examine six years worth of satellite imagery so they can count walruses. A recent story in High North News drew attention to the ongoing success of the program, reporting that volunteers have so far reviewed two years of a total six years of satellite images. These programs are essential because climate change is one of the biggest threats to the ongoing survival of walruses, experts like Johnson agree. He added that there are many ways ordinary people can help walruses in addition to working to reduce global carbon emissions. There are some on-the-ground conservation measures that may help alleviate the stressors of climate change on the Pacific walrus population, Johnson said. For example, the Alaska Native village of Point Lay has taken an active role in the protection of a large walrus haulout that occurs seasonally near the village working with the FWS to reduce disturbance-related mortalities. Pacific walrus He also pointed out that humans who rely on walruses for food still have ecologically positive relationships with the species. The Alaska and Chukotka Native communities have harvested walruses for millennia without endangering their population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent study indicates that current harvest levels are within a sustainable range and can continue into the future despite stressors associated with climate change, Johnson said. These efforts are going to be increasingly important as walruses struggle with the challenges posed by climate change. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. Pacific walruses are specifically adapted for life in and around sea ice, Johnson said. Walruses (particularly females and calves) use broken sea ice habitat for much of the year as a platform to rest on between foraging bouts that is close to their food resources (hotspots of high benthic invertebrate abundance) and provides safety from terrestrial predators e.g., polar/brown bears. Although recent research indicates that the population is currently large (over 250,000 animals) and healthy, sea ice across the Pacific walrus range is projected to decline significantly into the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recent studies by the research team published in the Journal of Wildlife Management and as part of Marine Ecology Progress Series confirms as much. With less sea ice and a longer ice-free interval in the Chukchi Sea, we predict that female and juvenile walruses will be forced to spend more time swimming to and from their foraging grounds, and less time resting, Johnson said. This comes at an increased bioenergetic expenditure, which over time can deplete energy reserves and influence reproductive success, along with potentially contributing to calf mortalities. As the Chukchi Sea experiences longer periods without ice and the female and juvenile walruses spend more time resting on land, it makes them vulnerable to human and predator activity. As airplanes or boats pass and predators like polar bears appear, the walruses panic and stampede into the water, causing trampling-related mortalities. Less sea ice in the future will likely also mean an expanding anthropogenic footprint in the Arctic, Johnson said. More human activity (e.g., shipping lanes through the Bering Strait, oil exploration in the Chukchi Sea) increases the potential for disturbance, either at coastal haul outs or on their foraging grounds, which can also affect walrus energy reserves and contribute to mortality events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet at the same time, Johnson said walruses still can flourish despite the odds against them. In 2021 I had the opportunity to visit Round Island, an Alaska State-run game sanctuary in Bristol Bay where intrepid visitors can watch thousands of adult male walruses resting at this summer haul-out, Johnson said. Seeing massive aggregations of animals is a striking reminder of both their abundance and their importance to the ecosystem. STAYING POWER: Walter Loeb, oft considered the dean of retail analysts, turns 100 on Jan. 28 and plans to celebrate his milestone in a big way. Im in good health, said the always smiling and jovial Loeb. More from WWD Were having three parties for family and friends. Theyre coming from all over from England, France, Florida, New York, of course, different parts of the country. I am very happy I will be celebrating with everyone. The parties are being held at his elegant Beaux Art apartment on Riverside Drive on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loeb has led an adventurous life and had a storied career in the industry with a reputation for calling it right, and frequently calling it ahead of the pack. He got to know many CEOs well, including Sam Walton and Leonard Lauder. After working early on at Macys, May Co. and other retailers, his blue-chip reputation as a retail analyst began at Johnson Redbook Service and blossomed at Morgan Stanley, where he worked for 16 years and became a principal. After reaching retirement age and leaving Morgan Stanley, he formed the Loeb Associates consulting firm. Hes served on several boards, booked speaking engagements at universities and corporations around the country and penned a newsletter. For the last 12 years, he wrote a column for Forbes, before he discontinued it last year. Loeb, who has been married to his wife Phyllis for almost seven decades, has three daughters and six grandchildren. He was born in Germany in 1925. His family escaped the Holocaust by emigrating to Italy. When Italy sided with Germany in the war, Loebs family emigrated again to Cuba and finally the U.S. Loeb became a citizen and was drafted. He participated in the Normandy invasion, landing on Utah Beach. He was reassigned to advanced communications and asked to translate a German engineering book on the Remagen Bridge, which Hitler intended to destroy. After Loeb translated the book, the allies were able to deactivate explosives concealed in the bridge, enabling soldiers to cross the Rhine River into Germany. Loebs patriotic feelings have endured. For many years, he advised the Army Air Force Exchange Service on a volunteer basis. I believe very strongly in being a U.S. citizen and doing things for my country, he told WWD. Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) A student at Wando High School was recently questioned about looking at material related to ISIS, a terrorist organization. Three agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigations met with school resource officers on Jan. 8 regarding a student who had been looking at ISIS websites and chatrooms, according to a report from the Mount Pleasant Police Department. According to the report, the lead investigators explained that the suspect had ISIS propaganda and approximately two years worth of research and communication in their possession. They said it also appeared the student was in contact with other individuals online who are ISIS sympathizers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few videos that [redacted] had included beheadings, killings, and other lectures from ISIS extremists, the report said. When asked why the student had those videos, the student told investigators that he was doing a research project for school. The FBI agents explained they did not have charges against the student at this time, but requested law enforcement keep an eye on the situation and notify them if the student had any major changes in behavior or dress attire as they are concerned he is being groomed by ISIS extremists. FBI officials confirmed there were no current threats to the school or any individuals, and that the parents said there were no weapons in the house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wando High School Principal Chas Coker sent a letter to parents saying the investigation stemmed from concerns about the students online activity; however, Coker said they were not aware of the students activity happening on Charleston County School District property or school devices. School administration has worked closely with law enforcement to conduct a comprehensive threat assessment, during which the student provided an explanation for why he was researching these topics. After reviewing all available information, it has been determined through the law enforcement investigation and the schools threat assessment process that there are no current threats to the school or individuals. No charges have been filed, Coker said in the letter to parents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. WAREHAM, Mass. (WWLP) A Wareham woman was sentenced in federal court on Tuesday for selling fentanyl to a man who died of an overdose as a result. Suspects arrested, gun recovered in connection with Cambridge St. shooting Kayla Nightingale, 37, was indicted in October 2020 alongside her co-conspirator Troy Jones and in August 2024 Nightingale pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nightingale and Jones worked together distributing fentanyl in the Wareham area from January 2019 through at least April 3, 2019. One individual that Nightingale and Jones sold to, a 42-year-old Wareham man, died of a fentanyl overdose. Nightingale was sentenced to 52 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $7,868 in restitution to the victims family for funeral expenses. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Warming centers and respite spots are available across metro Detroit as dangerously cold winds sweep across the region this week. Detroiters looking to escape chilly temperatures can walk into two emergency locations for overnight shelter or visit a city recreation center or library branch for warmth. Warming centers are also available across Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties. The National Weather Service in White Lake issued a cold weather advisory through noon Wednesday, with wind chills dropping to -15 to -25 and frigid conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This kind of cold is deadly for people living on the streets, said Tim McCabe, president and CEO of the Detroit-based Pope Francis Center, in a news release over the weekend. More: Should I warm up my car before driving on frigid winter days? How to get into shelters, warming centers Detroit: There are two emergency overnight respite locations through 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Residents can walk in, without a referral, or call the City of Detroit's Housing Resource HelpLine at 866-313-2520, according to a news release. The respite locations are: The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries: 13130 Woodward Ave. The Pope Francis Center: 2915 West Hancock Over the weekend, the Pope Francis Center opened the gym of its Bridge Housing Campus as an emergency shelter for those facing homelessness until Wednesday and is providing three meals a day. The center has a capacity for 100 emergency shelter beds and is currently housing 41 people. Guests are asked to not leave the site during that time. To stay at the Bridge Housing Campus, people can walk in or call the Pope Francis Center at 313-964-2823 (ext. 201), according to the nonprofit's website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city of Detroit is operating more than 1,400 shelter and warming center beds with its partners. To get into shelters and warming centers, families and individuals must call the Coordinated Assessment Model, or CAM the main way for people facing homelessness in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park to access housing help. To reach CAM this week, those in need of shelter can call the Housing Resource HelpLine at 866-313-2520, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday to Friday, and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Three warming centers provide extra overnight shelter beds. For more information, go to camdetroit.org. People can also go to an in-person CAM site at the following locations: Cass Community Social Services: 11850 Woodrow Wilson St.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday NOAH at Central: 23 E. Adams Ave. (second floor); 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday Wayne County: For a round-up of warming centers, go to https://bit.ly/4gfJAhi. Macomb County: For a list of warming centers in Macomb County and resources for those facing homelessness, go to bit.ly/MacombCountyWarmingCenters. The list was updated in November 2024. Overnight shelter is available 7 days a week at the Trinity Lutheran Church at 8150 Chapp Avenue in Warren. Check in is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and guests must check out by 8 a.m. the next morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oakland County: For a map of available warming centers, go to bit.ly/3CjF2Zi. To find an emergency shelter and other resources by zip code, call the Michigan 2-1-1 service or go to mi211.org/. Respite spots and libraries in Detroit Detroit recreation centers and public libraries are available during regular operating hours, but not for overnight shelter. The Detroit Public Library main library in Midtown is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. For neighborhood library branch hours, go detroitpubliclibrary.org. Here is a list of City of Detroit recreation centers and when they are open, according to a news release: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams Butzel Complex : 10500 Lyndon; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday Butzel Family Center : 7737 Kercheval Ave.; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday Clemente Recreation Center : 2631 Bagley; 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday Community Center at AB Ford : 100 Lenox; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday Crowell Recreation Center : 16630 Lahser; 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday Farwell Recreation Center : 2711 E. Outer Drive; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday Heilmann Recreation Center : 19601 Crusade; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday Kemeny Recreation Center : 2260 S. Fort; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday Lasky Recreation Center : 13200 Fenelon; 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday Northwest Activities Center : 18100 Meyers; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday Patton Recreation Center: 2301 Woodmere; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @NushratR. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Where to find warming centers in metro Detroit WASHINGTON (DC News Now) As temperatures remain below freezing, several shelters are open across the DMV to provide relief for those looking to escape the bitter cold. On Tuesday morning, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that a Cold Weather Emergency, initially activated in the District on Sunday, Jan. 19, will remain in place due to the dangerously low temperatures. In D.C., during hypothermia season (Nov. 1- April 15), the Homeless Services Hotline is open 24 hours a day to provide additional support and shelter services for residents experiencing homelessness, according to the mayors office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the bitter cold, the shelters listed below are open in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. FORECAST: Bitter blast sticks around through Wednesday DC Shelters for Women Harriet Tubman 1910 Massachusetts Avenue, SE Pat Handy 810 5th Street, NW St. Josephine Bakhita 6010 Georgia Avenue, NW (7 p.m.-7 a.m. only) Eves Place 2210B Adams Place, NE 11th Street Swing Space 1009 11th Street, NW CCNV-2 South 425 2nd Street, NW KBEC Family Life Center 4100 South Capitol Street, SE Shelters for Men 801 East Mens Shelter and Overflow 2722 Martin L. King Jr. Avenue, SE Adams Place 2210 Adams Place, NE Emery Shelter and Overflow 1725 Lincoln Road, NE New York Avenue Mens Shelter 1355 New York Avenue, NE Federal City-1 North and Drop-In Center 425 2nd Street, NW Church of the Epiphany 1317 G Street, NW (7 p.m. -7 a.m. only) Salvation Army 3335 Sherman Avenue, NW Shelter for LGBTQ+ Living Life Alternatives 400 50th Street, SE Families seeking emergency shelter can call the Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or 311. The District said transportation is available 24/7. Residents can click here to find the nearest shelter. Maryland St. Marys County In St. Marys County, the following locations will be open to residents who need to take refuge from the cold from Tuesday, Jan. 21 through Thursday, Jan. 23: Charlotte Hall Library- 37600 New Market Road, Charlotte Hall. Open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Loffler Senior Activity Center- 21905 Chancellors Run Road, Great Mills. Open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Garvey Senior Activity Center- 23630 Hayden Farm Lane, Leonardtown. Open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Northern Senior Activity Center- 29655 Charlotte Hall Road, Charlotte Hall. Open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Leonardtown Library- 23600 Hayden Farm Lane, Leonardtown. Open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Three Oaks Center- 46905 Lei Drive, Lexington Park. Open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Lexington Park Library- 21677 FDR Boulevard, Lexington Park. Open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. The times the centers are open are subject to change, according to the county. To stay informed on hazards and emergencies in the county, residents can click here. Prince Georges County Prince Georges County residents can click here to find the warming center closest to them, along with open libraries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maryland residents can also click here to find contact information for warming centers open in each county. Howard County firefighters rescue dog from frozen pond Virginia Alexandria Due to the extreme temperatures, the City of Alexandria Winter Shelter, also called Hypothermia Shelter, will be open 24 hours a day until noon on Thursday, Jan. 23. The shelter operates to ensure families and others experiencing homelessness have a warm, clean and safe place to escape the cold. The shelter is located at 2355-A Mill Road and is typically open from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. during the winter weather season, from Nov. 1 through April. 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those in need of transportation to the shelter can take the following bus/train routes, according to the city: From Carpenters Shelter: DASH Bus 30 Depart from MONTGOMERY ST and N PATRICK ST Board DASH Bus 30 towards BRADDOCK RD METRO STATION BAY D Arrive at BRADDOCK RD STA and BUS BAY D From Braddock Road Metrorail Station: Yellow Line Metrorail Train Braddock Road Metrorail Station Board Yellow Line towards Huntington Arrive at Eisenhower Avenue Metrorail Station From City Hall: DASH Bus 30 Walk 0.1 miles to N. Fairfax Street and King Street Departs from N. Fairfax Street and King Street Board DASH Bus 30 towards Landmark Transit Center Arrive at King Street-Old Town Metrorail Station /Bus Bay B From 4850 Mark Center Drive: Walk to Mark Center Station Take DASH Bus 35 Pentagon Metro Via Beauregard St Ride to Pentagon Transit Center/Bus Bay U7 Walk to Pentagon, enter at Metrobus Island, S. Rotary Road (South) Wait for Metrorail Yellow Line toward Huntington Ride to Eisenhower Avenue Metrorail Station Walk to 2355 Mill Road To contact the shelter, call 571-652-9984. Fairfax County Shelters open in south Fairfax: Eleanor Kennedy Shelter- 9155 Richmond Highway, Alexandria. Open 24 hours a day. Rising Hope United Methodist Church- 8220 Russell Road, Alexandria. Open 6:30 p.m. until 7 a.m. Shelters open in central/eastern Fairfax: Baileys Shelter and Supportive Housing- 5914 Seminary Road, Falls Church. Open 24 hours a day. Rotating Faith Community Sites- For specific locations, residents can contact 703-820-7621. Transportation options are available. Open 5:30 p.m. until 7 a.m. Shelters open in north Fairfax: Embry Rucker Community Shelter- 11975 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Open 24 hours a day. North County Human Services Center- Reston Drop-In Entrance 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston. Open 5 p.m. until 7 a.m. Shelters open in central/western Fairfax: Rotating Faith Community Sites- For locations, call 703-352-5090 extension 1302 (extension 1301 for Spanish). Open from 5 p.m. until 7 a.m. Families with children: People with children who need a place to stay can contact Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. However, after business hours, families can visit the following shelters: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter (12970 Katherine Hanley Court, Fairfax; 571-522-6800) Embry Rucker Community Shelter (11975 Bowman Town Drive, Reston; 703-437-1975) Patrick Henry Family Shelter (3080 Patrick Henry Drive, Falls Church; 703-536-2155) Next Steps Family Program (Various Locations Countywide; 703-360-1727) Prince William County In a social media post on Tuesday, Prince William County said their drop-in center at 15941 Donald Curtis Drive in Woodbridge is now offering extended hours. This is where the Prince William County Government- A.J. Ferlazzo Building is located. Residents can also visit Manassas Baptist Church and the Bill Mehr Drop-In Center for warmth. However, both shelters operate on a first-come, first-served basis and can only help up to 22 people at a time. Therefore, it is recommended that you call ahead. Bill Mehr Drop-In Center- 14716 Potomac Mills Road, Woodbridge. Open daily 6 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. Contact thermalshelter@thestreetlight.org or call 703-227-7140 Manassas Baptist Church- 8730 Sudley Road., Manassas. Open when the temperature is 32 degrees or below from 7 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. (except Wednesdays: 8:30 p.m. 6:30 a.m.)contact 571-277-0728. Copyright 2025 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Authorities are searching for two Milwaukee men who police and prosecutors believe were responsible for shooting two teenagers to death on Christmas Day. Arrest warrants were issued Tuesday for Quintarez D. Morris and Jeremiah N. Taylor, both 18. They each face charges of first-degree reckless homicide as a party to a crime in the deaths of Nayah Vasquez, 18, and Exziel Rivera, 15. Numerous neighbors living on the 1100 block of South 37th Street, on Milwaukee's South Side, came out to help the dying victims after they heard gunshots around 11:25 a.m. on Dec. 25, according to a criminal complaint that was released Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: A report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum says arrests in Milwaukee are down. Here's why Nayah was taken to a hospital, where she died. Exziel, who often went by the name Xziel, died at the scene. Gunman crept up in slow-moving car and opened fire According to the complaint, police recovered videos from several cameras in the area. The footage shows a white Kia parking on 37th Street just before the intersection with Scott Street. It remained there for a moment until a black Malibu traveling on Scott crossed the intersection. A light-skinned male at one point leaned out of the front passenger window and fired a gun multiple times at the Kia then sped off, the complaint reads. Investigators noted in the complaint the Malibu approached the intersection at a high rate of speed, but slowed, almost a stop, while the gunman fired into the Kia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Milwaukee woman pleads no contest in death of 1-year-old Princess Lard The Kia, with injured passengers inside, pulled away and traveled a short distance down 37th until it hit a parked car, then rolled up against the porch of a house. A detective recovered 13 spent 10 mm casings at the scene. Two men ran from the Kia after it came to a stop at the house, but later spoke with detectives about the incident. One of men, who returned to the Kia after police arrived, said he, Rivera, Vasquez and another man he knew only by his nickname arranged to buy marijuana from a man who told them to stop outside and wait, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While they were stopped, a black car came across the intersection and a man leaned out of that car and started shooting, the man is quoted as saying in the document. The second man, who drove the Kia that morning, later told police he ducked as shots were fired. He hit the gas, but crashed, and later fled from the car. That man identified Taylor as the shooter from a photo lineup, and told investigators there was "bad blood" between his friends and those of Taylor's, the complaint said. A candle memorial for 18-year-old Nayah Vasquez and 15-year-old Xziel Rivera, who were fatally shot on Christmas Day, and car debris is seen on the scene on South 37th Street on Dec. 26 in Milwaukee. Burned out car turns up clues for investigators The video footage shows the Malibu had distinctive damage and features. A Malibu with those features was found burnt about four hours after the shooting in Dineen Park, on West Vienna Avenue. Video from another camera captured images of the Malibu arriving at the park, followed by a Jeep. Smoke is later seen wafting from the area, and the Jeep is shown leaving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives found 10 cartridges for a 10mm handgun and a spent 10mm casing under the passenger seat of the burned-out car, the complaint reads. More: Milwaukee man, 20, charged in 2022 shooting deaths of 2 Brown Deer brothers Police spoke to the owner of the Malibu. She told investigators Morris, her nephew, had been using the vehicle and was in the process of buying it from her. Morris told his aunt he had been driving it during the shooting on the south side, and that Taylor, known to him as Jay," was the one who pulled the trigger and that they both burned the car, according to the criminal complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aunt identified Taylor from a photo that police showed her. Morris was arrested Dec. 30. A friend who was in the Malibu during the shooting was with Morris when police nabbed him. That person told investigators he was asleep in the car, but was awakened by gunshots and ducked. He added Morris drove the Malibu and the man he knew as Jay was the front passenger. A valet key was found in the apartment when Morris was arrested. The key opened the Malibu's locks, the complaint said. More: Child, 6, was shot in Milwaukee on Christmas morning The teens' deaths occurred during a tragic holiday week When reached on Tuesday, Melynda Rivera told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel she believed her son and Nayah were not the intended targets in the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she planned to make a more-detailed statement once the suspects were apprehended by police. The shooting that claimed Exziel and Nayah's lives was one of two double homicides reported that week. The first occurred Dec. 23, killing Milwaukee residents Rodney Walls, 36, and Deontay Long, 24. A man was arrested in their deaths days later. Milwaukee County had 132 reported homicides in 2024, down from 172 a year ago and 215 in 2022, according to data from the Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office. Three homicides have been reported in the first three weeks of 2025. How you can help GoFundMe pages had earlier been set by the families of Rivera and Vasquez asking for support in raising money for funeral expenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together, the pages have raised more than $10,000. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Suspects sought in Christmas Day deaths of 2 Milwaukee teens Attorney General Nick Brown signs his election certificate after being sworn in Jan. 15 at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. (Photo by Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard) Washingtons attorney general, along with three other states, sued the Trump administration Tuesday over the presidents executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship. Attorney General Nick Browns lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Seattle comes just 24 hours after President Donald Trump took office for a second time Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic attorney general, who took office last week, announced the litigation Tuesday in a press conference in Seattle. Oregon, Arizona and Illinois joined the lawsuit. Brown said he would be filing an emergency motion to block federal agencies relying on the order to deny citizenship to babies born in our state. An attorney generals office spokesperson added the order will seek to stop enforcement of the order in its entirety. On Monday, one man, the president, said that the citizenship of millions of Americans born to immigrants in this country means less, Brown said, that the children of immigrants born into citizenship dont have as much value in this country as others. He is wrong. Attorneys general from 18 other states also sued over the order in federal court in Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown noted his lawsuit is similar, but said he felt Washington should lead a separate case because of specific and unique harms that are brought here. He also said we have a very good set of judges in our bench here in Washington, so I feel like this is the right place. A group of advocacy organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, has filed a legal challenge on the birthright citizenship order, as well. Trumps executive order, signed in the opening hours of his presidency, would block citizenship for children born to mothers who are in the United States illegally and whose fathers are not lawful permanent residents. It would also affect children born to mothers in the country temporarily, such as on student, work or tourist visas. State House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary, of Auburn, told reporters Tuesday morning he hadnt seen the executive order or lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We got elected to solve state issues, not federal issues, Stokesbary said. I really like Nick Brown, but I would caution him the same way. He was elected to represent Washington and protect Washington state interests. Brown responded by saying he took an oath last week to defend the state and U.S. constitutions. I would think that everyone in the Legislature, regardless of party, would want me to uphold my obligation, and it is in my judgment and the judgment of this team that the presidents order violates the law, he responded. So I do not think that my friends in the Legislature of any party would want me to simply ignore that. Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, said in a statement the attorney generals office will have the full support of my administration. Precedent The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution codified birthright citizenship in 1868. It begins: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order, set to go into effect in 30 days, focuses on the subject to the jurisdiction thereof phrase. The Fourteenth Amendment has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States, Trumps order reads. The Fourteenth Amendment has always excluded from birthright citizenship persons who were born in the United States but not subject to the jurisdiction thereof. The lawsuit states, in 2022, about 255,000 children were born to undocumented mothers, including 7,000 in Washington state. About 4,000 were born to two parents without legal status. The lawsuit, which calls Trumps order the Citizenship Stripping Order, argues those affected would lose access to numerous federal benefits. And states where they reside would lose federal funding because theyre no longer citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monica Mendoza-Cawthon, a Kent resident from the immigrant rights organization OneAmerica, was born a U.S. citizen in King County after her parents, who were undocumented farmworkers, immigrated from Mexico. She went on to graduate from college and law school. Unfortunately, we are in a dark time in our national government, where the dreams of my parents are threatened to be taken away for so many people in the future, she said in Tuesdays press conference. Legal experts have said Trumps plan wont hold up in court. In 1898, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed birthright citizenship when it ruled a person born in San Francisco to Chinese parents was a U.S. citizen. Brown called that ruling plain on its face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My hope is that every level of court, the district court, the court of appeals, and if we go to the Supreme Court, would rule unanimously because of the well-established precedent, the attorney general said Tuesday. Trump has eyed ending birthright citizenship since his first term. After signing the order Monday, he acknowledged to reporters the policy could face legal hurdles. I think we have good grounds, but you could be right, Trump said. Well find out. Laying the groundwork In an interview last week, Brown highlighted birthright citizenship as a potential battleground with the Trump administration. There have been proposals to end birthright citizenship, for example, or at least attempt to, despite its real, solid constitutional Foundation, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump issued dozens of executive orders on his first day focused on immigration and other areas. On Monday night, Brown described these as gravely concerning. We will carefully analyze the orders and determine what legal action is appropriate, Brown said in a statement. Some examples, such as the presidents attack on birthright citizenship, are not only unconstitutional on their face, but simply un-American. Brown said he will continue to evaluate the presidents other executive orders for potential legal challenges. Washingtons House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, of Tacoma, said Tuesday that Brown called her about the lawsuit Monday night and that she supports it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to be as proactive as we can be and not be reactive, Jinkins told reporters. Brown is no stranger to legal clashes with the Trump administration. As former Gov. Jay Inslees legal counsel in 2017, he helped draft the administrations opposition to the federal ban on travel from predominantly Muslim countries. In the days after the November election, Ferguson said his team had been preparing for a year for a second Trump presidency. This included reading all of Project 2025, the 1,000-page playbook for conservative policy. As attorney general, Ferguson sued the federal government dozens of times in Trumps first term. On Tuesday, Brown thanked his predecessor for the preparation. This story has been updated. A worship service held at Washington National Cathedral Tuesday culminated in Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde confronting President Donald Trump and pleading with him to have mercy on illegal immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community as he begins his second term. The bishops plea was broadcast by C-SPAN. The network kept a camera on POTUS and Vice President JD Vance, highlighting their real-time reactions to her sermon. More from TVLine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let me make one final plea, Mr. President: Millions have put their trust in you, and as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God, she began. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives. The people who pick our crops, and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, udara and temples. I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here, Rev. Budde continued. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we will all want strangers in this land. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love, and walk humbly with each other and our God for the good of all people good of all people in this nation and the world. Following his return to the White House, Trump offered his terse review of the service. Not too exciting, he remarked. I didnt think it was a good service. Watch Rev. Buddes address to President Trump below: Wow. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde fearlessly calls out Trump and Vance to their faces. This is heroic. pic.twitter.com/igyKzC8dRo MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) January 21, 2025 Best of TVLine Sign up for TVLine's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Two years ago, William Sarsfield was arrested by the FBI, detained and convicted of felony and misdemeanour charges for his role in the Capitol riot of Jan 6. But after Donald Trumps sweeping pardon of more than 1,500 men and women charged with joining the insurrection, he now stands a free man, albeit still wearing prison-issued sweatpants. When I looked out the window and saw my girlfriend, my truck with the flag in the back, sitting on the side of the road with a bunch of other people that were there to pick us up, it was all part of Gods plan and healing, he said outside the Washington DC Central Detention Facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was released from detention in Pennsylvania in the early hours of Tuesday morning and drove straight to a Washington DC jail where a group of self-proclaimed patriots were holding a vigil for the remaining rioters imprisoned there. Wearing just a pair of prison-issued sweatpants, orange canvas shoes and a leather jacket, he is undeterred by the arctic conditions. Hardened perhaps, by the time and conditions he spent incarcerated in prisons across the United States, including this one. He was one of around 100 MAGA faithfuls braving the punishing cold. Its a group of family and friends we never thought wed have but we were all brought together by the good Lord, so I have no doubt a lot of individuals will stay in contact because of everything weve gone through, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trauma bond, if you want to call it anything. Trumps action shutters the largest investigation in US Justice Department history, including more than 300 cases that were still pending. His clemency extended from the people who committed only misdemeanours such as trespassing to groups who planned the assault on democracy. In Washington, the crowd outside the detention facility were armed with signs and placards calling for the release of the Jan 6 hostages. Stewart Rhodes, the Oath Keepers founder, was serving an 18-year prison sentence - Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images By the time he had arrived outside the prison from his home in Florida, Ben Pollock had not long stopped crying. He hoped his daughter Oliva, 33, and son Jonathan, 27, who were detained inside, would catch a glimpse of the giant US flag he carried on a 10-foot flag pole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair were detained in an FBI raid despite never entering the Capitol building, Mr Pollock said. He said: They were on the outside, what happened is they got up to the barricade and everyone was just milling around. When they [FBI] raided the house it was one of the most violent raids in America. Im going to love on them, be together and hear all their stories. Were driving back. You can make it in 12 [hours] if youre speeding but its probably going to take us 30 because were probably going to stop and try every food they want to try. By law, they were supposed to be out by 12am last night, right now they are hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the hours rolled on and the release of the detainees drew closer, a carnival atmosphere descended. At one point, a man began rapping about the Jan 6 prisoners. Kevin Loftus was released overnight from the Philadelphia Detention Center - ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images Pulling his 18-month-old son, Legend, along in a red trolley, Big D and his family from Maryland said the remaining rioters were being held as hostages. We want our people out of here, the truck driver said. Theyre holding them hostage. Im very passionate about our freedom, our country. The former leader of the Proud Boys and the founder of the Oath Keepers were also released from prison after their lengthy sentences for seditious conspiracy in the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enrique Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes were two of the highest profile Jan 6 defendants and received some of the harshest punishments. Rhodes, of Granbury, Texas, was serving an 18-year prison sentence, and Tarrio, of Miami, was serving a 22-year sentence after they were convicted of orchestrating plots to stop the peaceful transfer of power after Mr Trump lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden. Some MAGA supporters travelled across the continent to be outside the DC Central Detention Facility - ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump made rewriting the history of the Jan 6 attack a centerpiece of his bid to return to the White House, and the pardon of the rioters fulfils a campaign pledge to free defendants he contends were politically persecuted. The US president said the pardons will end a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begin a process of national reconciliation. More than 1,200 people across the US have been convicted of crimes at the US Capitol on Jan 6, including roughly 200 people who pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement. More than a dozen defendants were convicted of seditious conspiracy, a rare Civil War-era charge and the most serious one brought in the Jan 6 attack. Robert Morss, who was released from prison in Pittsburg on Monday, visited the jail in DC in an act of solidarity - JULIAN SIMMONDS Craig Sicknick, whose brother, Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick, was assaulted during the riot and died of multiple strokes the next day, called Trump pure evil on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man who killed my brother is now president, he said. My brother died in vain. Everything he did to try to protect the country, to protect the Capitol why did he bother? Sicknick told Reuters. What Trump did is despicable, and it proves that the United States no longer has anything that resembles a justice system. Michael Fanone, a former Washington DC police officer who suffered severe injuries during the riot, said on Monday he was upset that six people who assaulted him that day would walk free. I have been betrayed by my country, he told CNN. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Police and city officials in Houston said evidence in storage lockers is being destroyed by "drug-addicted rats." Mayor John Whitmire said at a news conference that drugs being stored in evidence lockers are attracting rats that feast on the illicit narcotics and cause damage to other evidence in the process. "We got 400,000 pounds of marijuana in storage that the rats are the only ones enjoying," Whitmire said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor announced the start of an initiative in partnership with the Harris County District Attorney's Office to organize the 1.2 million pieces of evidence stored by the city and discard any drugs stored since before 2015. "So much evidence is kept and stored that is no longer needed, that has no impact on the resolution of that charge, that conviction or even that innocence," Whitmire said. Peter Stout, head of the Houston Forensic Science Center, said at the same news conference that the large amounts of narcotics evidence stored by the city is putting other, unrelated evidence in danger. "They're edible, they're tasty, they're all kinds of things. You can't store large quantities of drugs without expecting some of these things to happen," Stout said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said police have hired exterminators, but the rodent problem has proven persistent. "They're drug-addicted rats. They're tough to deal with," he said. Officials said only one active case has been affected by the rat problem. They said rodents managed to get into a bag containing hallucinogenic mushrooms. The problem is not limited to the city of Houston. New Orleans Police Department officials said in March 2024 that drug evidence was under assault from pests including rats and cockroaches. "The rats eating our marijuana, they're all high," Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said at a meeting of the City Council's Criminal Justice Committee. Credit: @Caolanmcaree / X Donald Trumps pledge to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America drew a barely concealed snicker from Hillary Clinton during the presidents inaugural address. The former secretary of state, who ran against Mr Trump as the Democratic candidate in 2016, witnessed the 47th US president being sworn in at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington DC on Monday. Ms Clinton, sitting next to her husband and former president Bill Clinton, looked down to disguise a wry smile as Mr Trump vowed to sign an executive order to rename the body of water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth, inspiring the awe, admiration of the entire world, Mr Trump said. The president has since signed an executive order stating that within 30 days, the Secretary of the Interior shall take all appropriate actions to rename the body of water as the Gulf of America including updating the Geographic Names Information System. The order dictates that all federal references to the Gulf of America, including on agency maps, contracts, and other documents and communications shall reflect its renaming. The Gulf has been an integral asset to our once burgeoning nation and has remained an indelible part of America, as it formed a crucial artery for Americas early trade and global commerce, the order explains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The International Hydrographic Organisation, of which the United States and Mexico are members, primarily seeks to ensure all the worlds seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted uniformly, but also names some of them. There are instances where countries refer to the same body of water or landmark by different names in their own documentation. Earlier this month, the Republican said the Gulf was being run by cartels and asserted its ours, adding that Gulf of America was a beautiful name. Mr Trump also pledged to restore the name of president William McKinley to Mount McKinley, after Barack Obama announced the Alaskan mountain should be known as Denali in 2015. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Forest rangers and conservation police in New York came to the rescue of a moose that wandered out onto a frozen lake and fell through the ice into the frigid water. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said forest rangers and environmental conservation police officers were called to Lake Abanakee in the town of Indian Lake on a report of a moose that fell through the ice. The responders found the moose had fallen into the water and was surrounded on all sides by ice, about 200 feet from the town's beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rescuers donned cold water rescue gear and ventured out onto the ice. They used a chainsaw to cut a path for the moose to make its way to shallow water, where it could climb out unassisted. "Once free from the water, the moose made several attempts to get up before regaining its strength, standing up on the stable ice, and walking off into the woods," the DEC said. HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) Water rescues, especially ones with tragic outcomes, are not just tough on the families who lost a loved one but the first responders who have been called in to help as well. This winter, High Point Fire Department Captain Hunter Hayworth says the HPFD Dive Team has been busy responding to water rescues in extreme cold temperatures. Our call volume this winter has been a little higher than normal. Im assuming its because of the cold weather. Im thinking that more people are seeing the ice and thinking they can walk on it, which is just not the case, Hayworth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayworth says the most recent water rescue his team assisted with was in Winston-Salem. On Thursday, they responded to the 4000 block of Duck Pond Court after three children fell in a frozen pond. Unfortunately, one of the children died. Minor dies after Winston-Salem water rescue on Duck Pond Court We ended up finding the young girl with our remote vehicle, Hayworth said. Its a machine that uses sonar lights and cameras to find victims. On Jan. 13, Hayworths team assisted Guilford County officials with retrieving the body and vehicle of 26-year-old Laequan Little from a pond at an apartment complex in Greensboro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX8 asked Hayworth how his team is bearing the mental and physical load. Its a very tragic situation, and my heart goes out to their family, but we have to maintain our readiness and continue to do our job for everybody here, Hayworth said. He says High Point does have a good employee assistant program for first responders who need help, but their team is also there for each other. We all experience it. We all have, depending on how many years youve been here. We just rely on each other to talk, decompress, be a shoulder for each other. Its just a real brotherhood here, Hayworth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayworth says if someone falls into a frozen body of water, they have about 15 minutes to get out. If an individual stays in water any longer than that, they could go into shock. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. On Jan 16, the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) announced that they have teamed up with Bremerton Elks Lodge #1181 to give veterans and their families access to more support services. The partnership offers crucial resources for services related to brain injury recovery and mental health support. The WDVA Brain Injury and Recovery Program is committed to empowering Veterans, military families, and caregivers by providing a supportive space where they can share experiences, receive expert guidance, and develop practical solutions to their challenges, said Abuoh Neufville, Assistant Director of Veteran Services & Counseling and Wellness. Our partnership with the Bremerton Elks Lodge to provide these monthly peer support groups is an essential part of our effort to build a stronger, more resilient community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WDVA Brain Injury and Recovery Program will host a monthly peer support group at the lodge. The meeting will be held every second Tuesday of every month from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Veterans and their families can participate in peer-led discussions, receive expert advice, and share resources to help individuals cope with brain injuries and the challenges of military service. The peer group will be open to veterans, their families and caregivers. We are very excited about this opportunity, said Michael Hoarn, Bremerton Elks Lodge #1181 Trustee and Chairman of the Board. One of our mottos in the Elks is as long as there is an elk alive, veterans will not be forgotten. The Elks Lodge has generously offered a dedicated space, allowing our peer group to help Veterans, military members and their families strengthen resilience, build camaraderie, and heal together, said Heather Bahme, Brain Injury and Recovery Program Manager. We serve those who served by creating a welcoming place for connection and support. For more information about the Brain Injury and Recovery Program and other services available, click here. Togo, West Africas third smallest country by landmass, might join the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes military junta-led Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, according to Togolese foreign minister Robert Dussey. While this is not officially in the works yet, the minister noted that the suggestion of Togo being integrated into the young regional group is not far fetched. Dussey mentioned this possibility in a recent interview, saying that the move should be approved by Togolese parliament and the president. He asserted that its not impossible If the parliament and the president agree, why wouldnt Togo? Speaking further on the subject, Dussey stressed that his country wants to keep talking with all parties while pursuing its interests. Today, African peoples everywhere want to be themselves We are not against anyone The problem is that some of our partners want us to be at their service, so we say NO,' he explained. The minister also deplored the absence of true sovereignty on the continent, noting that Africa is only used to serve the great powers, and this is not normal. The three coup-hit West African nations that make up the AES announced their exit from ECOWAS last year, amidst political tensions. Since then, Togo has been mediating between the two sides. Wendy Williams' conservatorship may usher in a new era for guardianship laws in New York, and her family will be thrilled. The former talk show host's drama amid her ongoing conservatorship has reportedly gained the attention of some heavy pushers in the hallowed chambers, and it may lead to a bigger change. Wendy Williams had previously shared that her friends launched a fundraiser for her this January in hopes that they will gather enough for her to gain her independence. Wendy Williams' Family May Get Access To Her Under The Proposed New Guardianship Law MEGA The former MC's situation has now fallen into the hands of a New York lawmaker who has taken up the cause to get her family to gain access to her from time to time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawmaker, Anthony Palumbo, a New York State senator, shared that he is reintroducing a piece of legislation that would upgrade the guardianship laws regarding family visitation in the state. Palumbo explained that the law tagged as "Karilyn's Law" would allow families to visit loved ones by filing a motion with the court. Upon filing, the guardian would then have 10 days to show the court if the person intending to visit is displaying inappropriate conduct, and if not, they will be cleared to carry out the visit. The lawmaker added that the law is put in place to ensure family members have a legitimate means of visiting their loved ones under any form of conservatorship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per TMZ, Palumbo sees it as a step in the right direction, as it was one of the major things lacking under the existing framework. The Former Talk Show Host Called Her Care Facility A 'Luxury Prison' MEGA Quite the expressive one, the socialite granted a phone interview earlier in the year where she discussed what life felt like under her conservatorship program. The Blast shared details from the conversation where she claimed she could not exit her care facility as it was high-grade custody. In her words: "I am not cognitively impaired, you know what I'm saying? But I feel like I'm in prison. I'm in this place where the people are in their 90s and, their 80s, and 70s There's something wrong with these people here on this floor." Williams' niece, Alex, joined the call and corroborated her claims about the care facility. Alex revealed her aunt was kept in a small room and forced to live under terrible conditions with just a single window that supplied insufficient sunlight. Williams Was Reportedly Cut Off From Speaking To Her Loved Ones MEGA Williams also accused the establishment of isolating her from family and leaving her with a one-way phone access. She explained that she could put a call through to her loved ones, but they could not communicate with her at will. Williams also lamented her lack of access to a phone, an iPad or a laptop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The TV personality recalled engaging a few "nursemaids" at her care facility who do nothing but deliver unknown pills to her room on schedule. The host, Charlamagne tha God, promptly warned her against taking suspicious pills as it would do more harm than good to her mental health. Williams replied in the affirmative, stating that she had only taken two pills so far before doubling down on her conservatorship experience as "emotional abuse." She also voiced her concern over the chances of her missing out on her father's 94th birthday, as she had zero access to freedom of movement and her bank account. Williams' Lawyer Disputed Her Claims Of Being Mentally Stable MEGA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following her talk session with Charlamagne Tha God, Williams' attorney, Roberta Kaplan, clarified some of her client's narratives. She began by dismissing her claims about not being "cognitively impaired." The attorney advised that her coordinated delivery while she granted the interview should be taken with a pinch of salt. Kaplan insisted that it was not a measure of her overall health as she experienced lucid and non-lucid days. The legal rep noted that her condition prompted the judge to find her incapable of making independent legal and financial decisions. She added that the American television personality would require intensive adult care for the rest of her life because of the degenerative nature of her disease. Kaplan explained that since there was no cure for frontal lobe dementia, Williams would need all the help she could get from people around her and health workers. Wendy Williams Fans Created A Fundraiser Towards Her Return To Her Family In Florida MEGA Before Williams hopped on the phone call, her friends reportedly launched a GoFundMe account on behalf of her family. The fundraiser, which was launched on January 15, was intended to help her raise enough funds to free herself from conservatorship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These concerned friends hoped to hit a $50,000 goal and explained in the description that the money would go into supporting legal expenses required to help Williams get freedom and return to her home in Florida. "For far too long, Wendy has faced the challenges of being unjustly placed under guardianship and labeled as incapacitated, despite her strong will and determination to live her life independently," the star's friends declared in the statement. Should the law be passed, Wendy Williams' loved ones would certainly be delighted. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Its been a long shift for these Kern County firefighters, but theyre finally home after nearly two weeks of fighting one of the most devastating fires California has ever seen; the Palisades Fire. Captain Steven Salkeld recalled the chaos he and his team saw their first day on the scene. The fire was still running through the neighborhood portionit was a lot of devastation, said the fire captain. A lot of homes on the ground, a lot of other buildings on the ground, whole city blocks were on the ground. It was just a lot of travesty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighter Michael Macdonald, in just his sixth month on the job, was part of his first strike team in Los Angeles. The rookie was eager to prove his skills and show what he learned during training, just months ago. When he arrived, the excitement waned in exchange for grief for the people of Pacific Palisades. Seeing all the destruction was pretty surprising, of how destructive it was, said Macdonald. Just feeling for the people down therehow much they lost. Though theyre home, their job isnt done quite yet. Theyve merely been reassigned. The California Office of Emergency Services, they are looking at weather forecasts, said Engineer Jonathan Drucker. Those forecasts show elevated fire weather in several counties surrounding Kern County. So, the state has taken an already assembled Kern County Fire Strike Team, and theyve done what we call a preposition. They are staged, ready to respond should a fire break. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawsuit filed over deadly BPD crash on S Union Ave The counties in that red flag warning include Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Kern, Mono and Inyo counties. Red flag warnings began on Monday, Jan. 20, and will continue until at least Thursday, Jan. 23. This strike team that just arrived home will be on standby in case disaster strikes in one of those counties. For now, theyre home with memories they may never forget. On our first fire, we had a family at their house, and we were telling them to get out and go, said Macdonald. It was just hard to see that family there, scared, you could see the fear in their eyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its more than just a job to them; its their life. Theyll keep fighting fires whenever and wherever theyre asked. At the end of the day, thats what were here for. Im proud to wear this badge, said Salkeld. They gave themselves physically, mentally and emotionally, they went days without getting proper rest, said Drucker. So were very, very proud, but were also relieved to have them home safely. Copyright 2025 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 KGET 17 News. A large group of citizens, public officials and more came together Monday morning at the Humanities building on the main campus of Owensboro Community & Technical College to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Owensboro Human Relations Commissions community celebration. OHRC, which aims to strengthen and unify the Owensboro community by advancing equality, inclusion, and belonging for its diverse peoples, (citizens) through advocacy, education, empowerment and accountability, hosts the event each year rotating between Brescia University, Kentucky Wesleyan College and OCTC to honor Kings vision of unity and recognize his efforts throughout the civil rights movement. The celebration typically includes a march this year starting from Daviess County High School and concluding at OCTC but was called off two hours before due to extremely low winter temperatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ... We always have a lot of youth, a lot of kids that come and participate in the march. There was an official cold weather advisory with the wind chill, said Becky Brandle, OHRCs executive director. The ultimate decision, even though it was a difficult decision to make, was that we would protect the safety of all the marchers and make sure that nobody was exposed to those elements. Despite the change of plans, the scheduled program at OCTC under the theme Unity in the Community: Through a Student Lens saw a number of visitors brave the cold finding a seat inside Blandford Lecture Hall almost an hour beforehand. The program featured a six-person panel made up of students from Apollo, Daviess County and Owensboro high schools moderated by Sharmy Davis, OCTCs dean of student affairs, on each of their respective viewpoints on the legacy of King and how each can be applied in the present day. Were always honored to host this event, Davis said. ... With it being Inauguration Day and with changes coming, I think its very important for the community to be here for the celebration that were doing today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In regards to Kings I Have a Dream speech, which took place nearly 62 years ago at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Davis finds components of Kings vision are still relevant to current life lessons such as empathy, justice and non-discrimination. These are all things that very well applied back then with the civil rights movement, but also today because we still see issues of equality, people not receiving the justice they deserve, she said. ... History has changed some for the good, but in some cases were (needing) to make some improvements. We dont know what this year will bring with legislation and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), so I think its important that we are all in it together and all are trying to spread that message that (King) spread that its for all people, Davis said. Not a certain group its for everybody. The student panelists prepared responses for eight questions related to Kings life and teachings, his message of equality, nonviolence and service and how the lessons can be applicable toward the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if Kings dream for a nation where people were judged by the content of their character rather than skin color had been fully realized, DCHS junior Leah Coppick was first to respond saying the answer is complex. A lot of the people who were alive back then, and then direct descendants of those people, are still a part of our society, Coppick said. ... The way they think may not have changed as much; but thanks to activists and other people, were raising a new generation whos thinking a lot better but we still have to factor in a lot of people who held those views are still alive. Brooklyn Alvis, a sophomore at Apollo, agreed with Coppicks thoughts while adding familial influences can hinder progress. I think theres still groups of people that have families that all think its still OK and then they teach their kids that its still OK, which is why theres still aspects of it in our world, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JaKovie Curry, an OHS senior, felt progress has been made but finds stereotypes are still commonplace. People will assume things about people of color theyre more violent or theyre more tough, he said, but really, our flesh is as soft as anyone elses. Were all created equal, Curry said. Fellow OHS senior Tyson Lowery touched on the importance of giving back through volunteer work when the panelists were posed the question regarding Kings quote, Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve, from his 1968 sermon The Drum Major Instinct. I think one good way to start is by volunteering (for) anything that you think will get anybody inspired and anybody to look up at you and notice you, he said. ... I think another good thing to start off with is just helping people you know personally . I think itll go a long way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another question which stemmed from the letter King wrote while in jail in Birmingham, Alabama, where he spoke about the urgency of fighting injustice despite discomfort inquired how young people can fight injustice in their community. For Allan Kalambayi, another senior from OHS, the younger demographic can challenge injustice by educating themselves and speaking out against discrimination, organizing community initiatives and holding (those) accountable for their actions. ... Being uncomfortable means stepping out of ones comfort zone , Kalambayi said. Cooper White, a senior at DCHS, viewed the term uncomfortable in light of fighting injustice could mean that you dont let up until justice has finally been served. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that it means that in the hardest of times where youre still trying to push for justice, you cant stop and weve got to (achieve) change ., White said. Brandle feels the younger generation having a platform like the panel to speak on this subject matter should be encouraged. The youth have opinions about these things. Theyre exposed to the world on a greater level than even we were because of social media and access to all that information, she said. They know whats happening in the world, they know what the problems are and they want to be a part of the solution. I think its amazing to invite them into that conversation sooner than later, Brandle said. From babies in strollers to seniors with canes, thousands of people bundled in coats, hats and sweatshirts gathered at Eastlake Park in Phoenix to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday morning. The annual march in Phoenix meant family and community coming together during a politically divisive time, participants said. Marchers included first-timers and politicians to those who have been walking since the inception of the parade 39 years ago. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, along with Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Phoenix City Council members, led the crowd to Margaret T. Hance Park. The crowd packed the streets from curb to curb, stretching at least a half mile long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year marked three years of attending the march for 12-year-old Jireh Hardin, a member of the Girl Scouts. She was calm but excited as other young Scouts milled around her, the gravity of the day not lost on the troop. "I hope we all...remember what we're doing this for," Hardin said. Marchers huddled together around 9 a.m. on 15th Street in front of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in the historic Eastlake neighborhood as the sun slowly warmed up in Phoenix. The parade route weaved through downtown Phoenix, taking participants east on Washington Street and north on Fifth Street, ending at Margaret T. Hance Park for a festival celebrating the life and legacy of King. "It's really uplifting to see...community members who don't necessarily take part in political events," said Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Phoenix) at the festival. "Everyone comes together to celebrate the legacy (of King)." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fraternities, sororities, corporations, activists and more came together for the march celebrating the 32nd anniversary of MLK Day in Arizona. The fraternity of which King was a member, Alpha Phi Alpha, led the parade, right behind the torchbearers. "No matter heat, snow, rain, we have to be out here to represent" MLK's legacy, said Ralph Thompson, 55, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha. Arizona was one of the last states to recognize MLK Day, and Thompson was on the frontlines of the fight, focusing on the annual parade in Phoenix 39 years ago. He has walked in every parade since its beginning. As the march ended, hundreds of festivalgoers filled Margaret T. Hance Park, and people of all ages listened to music and perused local vendors. 'How different can two people be?' As Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president on the East Coast, people lined Washington Street in Phoenix to march for MLK Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think it makes it all the more important to come out, especially given what MLK means and what he preached," said Katelyn Harris Lang, pushing her 2-year-old son in a stroller. Barry Smith, a 63-year-old retired history teacher holding a sign that read "Old White Men Against Bigotry," knew he had to march in the parade, more passionate about preserving King's legacy this year than any other he's attended. "How different can two people be?" he laughed. King was about "love and treating people with respect" and Trump is the "exact opposite," Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite MLK Day and the presidential inauguration landing on the same day, the underlying theme of the day was community. During his inauguration speech, Trump said he wanted to be a unifying figure and peacemaker amid worldwide conflicts. "We're all trying to improve the country together," Smith said. Rep. Ansari decided not to attend the inauguration in D.C. and instead spent the holiday with her constituents in Phoenix, saying there was nowhere else she would rather be. She cited the growing unease the incoming Trump administration has caused in the immigrant community as a reason why she abstained from the inauguration. Trump was sworn into office around 10 a.m. local time, becoming the second president to return to office after losing an election. He was expected to issue a flurry of executive orders that will reverse many of his predecessor's rules and regulations and carve out his vision for the country. Chief among will be declaring a national emergency to expedite his promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A White House official gave reporters a preview of the 10 executive actions related to immigration Trump plans to sign in some of his first actions as president, including ending birthright citizenship and increasing U.S. military presence at the border. USA Today reporter Phillip M. Bailey contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix MLK Day march draws thousands, some tension as Trump returns Despite near-freezing temperatures Tuesday afternoon, about 100 people gathered on 11th Street in front of the Texas Capitol in the hours after President Donald Trump took his oath of office to voice opposition to his policies. Layered up in coats and gloves, the group spoke about a range of issues including immigration, the war in Israel and increasing housings costs. Dont give into racist fears. Immigrants are welcome here, the crowd chanted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrick and Cassi Villalpando drove to Austin from San Antonio to participate in the rally after watching Trumps inauguration speeches, because they wanted to be surrounded by supportive people, they said. After the formal inaugural address, Trump spoke to supporters at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. The unscripted speech was a little scary, Patrick Villalpando said. Several organizations gathered on South Congress for a rally to oppose Trump's agenda on Inauguration Day, Monday, January 20, 2025, in Austin. Trump was sworn into office Monday for his second term in a ceremony in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. A group of Austin-based organizations including the Party for Socialism & Liberation Austin, Greater Austin Tenant Organization and Austin Sanctuary Network organized the rally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: "I volunteered my heart out:" Austin Trump supporters celebrate at inauguration watch party Inauguration Day is an important day of political action, so the groups would have organized a day of action no matter who won the November election, said Mark Elliott, an organizer with the Party for Socialism & Liberation Austin. We use this event to come together, to show agitation, Elliott said. The rally was a chance for different groups around Austin to come together and organize on a spectrum of issues, such as immigration or housing, that are important to working class people, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our modern society forces us into niches, and we have to fight against that as a working class, Elliott said. Several organizations gathered on South Congress for a rally to oppose Trump's agenda on Inauguration Day, Monday, January 20, 2025, in Austin. Kristal Landaverde and Karen Vences braved the cold Tuesday afternoon because they wanted to make their voices heard especially on the issues of immigration on womens rights, they said. Vences mother was deported seven years ago, and she thinks about her experience when she hears about Trumps immigration policies. I see the kids on the news, and I went through that, Vences said. My brother went through that and its not OK. Landaverde is worried that Trumps policies could make things harder for her family as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the next four years, were going to be scared, Landaverde said. Were Hispanic. Our parents are Hispanic. Were women. Were young. The rally in front of the Texas Capitol took place a few blocks away from where hours earlier, Trump supporters had cheered at his inauguration during a watch party at the Texas Public Policy Foundation headquarters. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin groups rally against Trump policies at Texas Capitol President Trump said Monday that the United States would reassert control over the Panama Canal, the strategic, U.S.-built waterway that Washington handed over to the Panamanian government more than a quarter-century ago. "We gave it to Panama and we're taking it back," Trump declared in his inaugural address. The president accused the Panamanian government of ignoring U.S. interests, overcharging U.S. ships including U.S. Navy vessels and, in effect, turning the vital maritime passage connecting the Pacific and Caribbean oceans over to China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "China is operating the Panama Canal and we didn't give it to China," Trump charged. In reaction to Trump, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino rejected the idea of his country giving up control of the canal, which is among the globe's iconic ocean passages and a signature source of national pride and revenue for the Central American nation. Read more: Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama's president balks at the suggestion "The Canal is and will continue to be under Panamanian control," Mulino said in a statement, repeating comments he made last month after Trump floated the idea of retaking control of the canal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, in a repudiation of Trump's charge that China runs the canal, Mulino denied that any country except Panama directed operations. "No nation in the world interferes with our administration," said Mulino, who said dialogue was the appropriate way to deal with any disputes. A Hong Kong-based consortium controls two ports on either end of the canal. Trump provided no details on how the United States planned to go about reasserting control over territory and infrastructure that are part of sovereign Panamanian land territory that the country's leadership has vowed not to relinquish. Read more: A history of the Panama Canal and why Trump can't take it back on his own "We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made, and Panama's promise to us has been broken," Trump said. "The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States handed control of the canal over to Panama in December 1999 after a period of joint-administration that followed U.S.-Panamanian accords signed in 1977. While some U.S. critics assailed the turnover as a betrayal, many supporters in both the United States and Latin America hailed the move as a historic and positive step in the history of the Americas. The 51-mile-long canal avoids the need for ships to make the much longer voyage around Cape Horn at the tip of South America. Considered one of the world's monumental engineering feats, the canal opened in 1914 after years of construction that involved clearing out miles of malarial jungles, blasting through mountains and the erection of complex locks across the Isthmus of Panama. Thousands of laborers, many from Caribbean nations, perished in the massive canal project. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Westfield Police Department is seeking the publics help in identifying a suspect involved in a elder fraud scheme. Westfield residents celebrate Trumps inauguration On Friday, an elderly couple received a call from a lawyer stating that a family member had been arrested and needed to pay $10,000 cash for his bail. The couple was told to withdraw the money from their bank and were told to contact the lawyer once this was done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple took out the money and called the lawyer who then told them to put it in an envelope inside of a sealed box. A courier was sent to retrieve the money from the couple, who handed over the box to him. The elderly couple later learned that their family member was never arrested and they reported this incident to the Westfield Police Department. It was learned that the courier was a driver for a ride-share company and that he wasnt involved in the scheme. The ride-share driver said the box was delivered to a man in the Worcester Fair Shopping Plaza. A camera inside the drivers vehicle was able to capture pictures of the man. He is described as being short, heavy-set, and did not speak English. Westfield Police Department Westfield Police Department Westfield Police Department The Westfield Police Department is seeking the publics help in identifying this man. If you known who he is, contact Det. Williams at 413-642-9384 or ja.williams@cityofwestfield.org. Elder Fraud The FBI states that each year, millions of elderly Americans fall victim to some type of financial fraud or confidence scheme. Schemers will gain their targets trust and may communicate with them online, over the phone, and/or through the mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seniors are often targets as they tend to be trusting and polite and usually have financial savings, own a home, and have good credit, which make them attractive to schemers. Ways to protect yourself Recognize scheme attempts and end all communication with the perpetrator. Create a shared verbal family password or phrase that only you and your loved ones know. Search online for the contact information (name, email, phone number, addresses) and the proposed offer. Other people have likely posted information online about individuals and businesses trying to run schemes. Resist the pressure to act quickly. Schemers create a sense of urgency to produce fear and lure victims into immediate action. Call the police immediately if you feel there is a danger to yourself or a loved one. Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, mailings, and door-to-door services offers. Never give or send any personally identifiable information, money, gold or other precious metals, jewelry, gift cards, checks, or wire information to unverified people or businesses. Make sure all computer anti-virus and security software and malware protections are up to date. Use reputable anti-virus software and firewalls. Disconnect from the internet and shut down your device if you see a pop-up message or locked screen. Pop-ups are regularly used by perpetrators to spread malicious software. Enable pop-up blockers to avoid accidentally clicking on a pop-up. Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you dont know, and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you. Take precautions to protect your identity if a criminal gains access to your device or account. Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts, and monitor your accounts and personal information for suspicious activity. How to report If you believe you or someone you know may have been a victim of elder fraud, file a complaint at the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. When reporting a scheme, include as many of the following details as possible: Names of the scammer and/or company Dates of contact Methods of communication Phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, and websites used by the perpetrator Methods of payment Where you sent funds, including wire transfers and prepaid cards (provide financial institution names, account names, and account numbers) Descriptions of your interactions with the scammer and the instructions you were given You should try to keep original documentation, emails, faxes, and logs of communications. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Fuddruckers is quite unique in the world of fast food with its build-your-own burger concept, fresh ingredients, and oversized patties. The franchise created a niche by allowing patrons to customize their meals, setting it apart from its competitors. Diners could just pile on their favorite toppings with a choice of staple ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, as well as more niche items like sauteed mushrooms, pico de gallo, and jalapenos. The restaurant has earned and retained a cult following, so it's no surprise that curious minds want to know what's up with Fuddruckers. Why are so many locations shutting down, and is there light at the end of the tunnel for the burger chain? Some customers have begun to worry that the restaurant would start to disappear, eventually being forgotten altogether. It's true that over the past decade, the chain has struggled to stay relevant in the competitive restaurant industry. Fuddruckers' decline is tied to multiple challenges, including shifting consumer preferences, increased competition, and financial troubles. There used to be around 150 locations across the United States, but the chain has lost many locations since the first one opened in San Antonio, TX, in 1980. Even though Fuddruckers still exists, its presence has become a shadow of its former glory. Here are the in-depth explanations behind Fudd's struggles and what the future may hold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: We Tried 9 Chain Restaurant Burgers And Ranked Them Worst To Best Why Has Fuddruckers Been Struggling? A street view of a Fuddruckers restaurant - Brett_hondow/Getty Images Fuddruckers has had a hard time competing with burger chains like Five Guys, Shake Shack, and Smashburger. These restaurants offer fresh branding, high-quality burgers, and more convenient takeaway options, making Fuddruckers' older, dine-in style feel out of touch. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Fuddruckers was struggling. Sales were dropping, but costs to run the business kept going up. By 2020, the company reported losing millions in profit. When the pandemic hit, things got worse. Temporary closures and a general market shift toward takeout and delivery hurt the business. With these challenges adding up, its parent company, Luby's, decided to sell off assets, including Fuddruckers. Setbacks and all, the brand has managed to survive, albeit in a diminished form. After being acquired by a franchisee, Fuddruckers still operates over 55 restaurants across 20 states, with additional locations in Canada and Mexico. CEO Nicholas M. Perkins has assured people that the chain isn't disappearing entirely, even as closures, particularly in Houston, raise concerns about its future. Franchise locations now operate independently, with limited support for growth, leaving the unique burger chain at a crossroads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fuddruckers' story reflects the broader challenges that the restaurant industry faces, where financial woes and evolving consumer preferences have forced even long-standing brands to adapt or shrink. Whether Fuddruckers can reclaim its place as a dining destination remains to be seen. Is There Hope For Fuddruckers' Future? A smartphone showing various food ordering apps including Fuddruckers - Tada Images/Shutterstock Fuddruckers' situation doesn't look too hopeful, but thankfully, some franchise owners are determined to keep the brand alive. These independent operators are taking matters into their own hands, revamping locations to match modern consumer needs. Updates like online ordering and refreshed menus have been put in place in some locations to appeal to a new generation of diners while holding onto loyal customers who have loved the chain for decades. Nostalgia could also be a large part of the reason why Fuddruckers survives. For a lot of folks, the brand represents fond memories of family outings and burger bars. This sentimental connection might draw older customers back to the remaining locations. However, without major investment in modernization and marketing, Fuddruckers risks falling further behind more innovative rivals. Things may never return to what they were, but the determination of its franchisees and the loyalty of its fan base offer a glimmer of hope. The company is actively working on revitalization efforts, signaling that Fuddruckers isn't ready to fade away into obscurity just yet. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. A woman now identified as Michelle Bishop, racially profiled Mike Jenkins, a Black real estate developer in Ohio, after accusing him of trespassing as his own home. In a viral video shared earlier this month from the November 2024 incident, Bishop was seen on Jenkins Ring camera with her young children. She assumed she was being followed by him until he pulled into the driveway. She rang the bell and questioned if he lived there. After confirming that it was his home, she then replied, I dont believe that. Jenkins wife came outside to deescalate the situation. Not long after the video was shared, Bishop issued a statement on Facebook denouncing that shes racist. I will not apologize for making any sort of racist remark. Im the furthest thing from a racist. I will however apologize that my expression could ever come across in such a way that somebody could think that about myself and my family, she said. After getting doxxed following a slew of backlash though, Bishop issued her tearful apology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She confessed that she overreacted. I literally thought he was a white man [] Im sorry if I ever offended you. I apologized multiple times and it was never accepted, she stated. Bishop discussed how she had to make her social media pages private. Im sorry that I didnt think more of how they felt in the moment and my reaction. Jenkins took to his own Instagram, praising his ability to handle the situation with grace. Looking back at the video, Im proud of myself, he stated. Not just for the success Ive achieved but for the growth Ive experienced. Im proud that even in the hardest moments, I was able to handle the situation with grace and not spaz out, when it could have been so easy to lose control. Thats the growth Ive worked for, and it shows me how far Ive come. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Over the week-end, seven people have been killed following a clash with soldiers at a mine in Ghanas central Ashanti region, according to the Army on January 20. The Ghana Armed Forces reported that around 60 illegal miners, armed with pump action guns and other weapons, forced their way into a mine run by AngloGold Ashanti. When the miners were intercepted by the soldiers, they allegedly opened fire, prompting the military to retaliate in self-defence. The Armys statement confirmed on January 20 that the confrontation led to several fatalities and injuries. A representative of the miners, however, denied that they had been armed. In the wake of the deaths, protests erupted in the town of Obuasi, where several vehicles, including buses, were set on fire by angry residents. The violence saw demonstrators storm the grounds of AngloGold Ashanti, destroying equipment and further escalating tensions. Local small-scale miners and residents have long accused the company of exploiting mineral resources without sufficiently contributing to local development or job creation. The violence is seen as part of broader frustrations, with some local mining groups demanding access to the companys mining concessions. In response to the killings, President John Mahama has called on January 20 for an investigation into the incident, promising that anyone found guilty of unlawful actions will face justice. DENVER (KDVR) Part of Highway 93 was closed on Tuesday afternoon as winter weather blew through the area south of Boulder, near Eldorado Springs. The highway has since reopened as of Wednesday morning. On Tuesday at 11 a.m., the Boulder County Sheriffs Office posted on X that Highway 93 was closed in both directions due to adverse weather conditions between Marshall Road (Eldorado Springs) and Highway 128/120th Avenue. See the latest traffic conditions in Denver on FOX31 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service said winds were picking up near the foothills, causing blowing snow. Around 4:30 p.m., the NWS said wind gusts reached 75 mph, causing ground blizzard conditions. CO 93 closed in both directions (Courtesy of the Colorado Department of Transportation) While the temperatures are finally above freezing in Denver after nearly 91 hours, and the weather should warm up throughout the rest of the week, there are still some lasting effects around other parts of the state. CO-93 MP 011.80 NB at CO-128 (Courtesy of the Colorado Department of Transportation) CO 93 MP 006.85 NB : 0.8 miles S of Coal Creek Canyon Rd/CO 72 (Courtesy of the Colorado Department of Transportation) Crews closed Colorado 93 highway south of West 64th Parkway in Golden due to blowing snow on Jan. 21, 2025. (Courtesy of the Colorado Department of Transportation) The NWS said winds will strengthen Tuesday evening and will expand blowing snow impacts. Be sure to check the forecast and road conditions before you head out as the winter weather is still present around the state. Denver, Colorado weather resources Stay prepared for storms and forecast changes, a Pinpoint Weather Alert Day and other important weather information: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pinpoint Weather team will continue to update the forecast multiple times each day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Detroit Edison Public School Academy, Sept. 20, 2019 | Allison Donahue Nearly three dozen bills were signed into law Friday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, which among other things, incentivize data centers, streamline the name change process in Michigan and increase charter school transparency. With the signing of the 35 bills, Whitmers office said she has now signed a record 1,466 bipartisan bills into law since taking office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During my Road Ahead Address, I made a commitment to stay focused on solving problems so we can keep creating good-paying jobs right here in Michigan and ensure that we are the home for advanced manufacturing, said Whitmer. Together, we can help our young people thrive and make sure Michigan is the best state to start or grow your business. Lets keep working together to get things done that make a real difference in peoples lives. House Bill 4906, sponsored by state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), encourages the expansion of data centers in Michigan by extending a tax exemption for individuals and companies investing in data center equipment, which Andrews said would help bolster economic growth and development in the state, particularly southwest Michigan, which has abundant fresh water resources and reliable nuclear energy infrastructure [that] make it an ideal destination for the industry. House Bills 5300 and 5303, sponsored by state Reps Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) and Helena Scott (D-Detroit), significantly reforms the process for residents to change their legal name, whether as a result of domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking or gender affirmation. Among the changes, those petitioning a court for a name change for non-marriage-related reasons would no longer have to be fingerprinted and mandated to publish name change court dates as fraud would no longer be assumed as the reason for the name change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the bills were before the House during its lame duck session last month, Mel Hartman, 38, told the Michigan Advance that as a trans person, the old process unnecessarily treated them as criminals. Theres an idea that were doing it on a whim or for fun, when the process is so difficult it isnt humane for trans people to have to its assumed that we change our names because of criminal reason, deviant reason, when were simply trying to just live our lives, just live our lives in a normal way, said Hartman. A set of five bills focused on updating transparency requirements for Michigan charter schools, also called public school academies, which are publicly funded and operate under a charter contract issued by a public authorizing body such as a university, community college or local public school district. House Bills 5231, 5232, 5233, and 5234, sponsored by state Representatives Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit), Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), and Helena Scott (D-Detroit) respectively, require charter schools to make the names of those authorizing and managing the school easily accessible, while House Bill 5269, sponsored by state Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth), requires charter schools to post certain information on their website regarding teachers salaries in an effort to promote competitive compensation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation follows the State Board of Education passing in April 2024 a resolution requesting that lawmakers pass bills to increase transparency about finances in Michigans charter schools, which were referred to as a threat to democratically governed community-based schools. Other education-related legislation signed into law include House Bill 5649, sponsored by state Rep. Carol Glanville (D-Walker), which requires every public high school to offer at least one computer science course. House Bill 5829, sponsored by state Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), simplifies the scholarship application process for Michigan students by sunsetting the state competitive scholarship and Michigan tuition grant, as the Michigan Achievement Scholarship replaced both programs. Four bills target various aspects of the states election system, including House Bill 5574, also sponsored by Andrews, clarifies and simplifies the petition process by amending when updates on the status of a petition need to be posted online and what materials needs to be transmitted to local clerks, while House Bills 6052 and 6053, sponsored by state Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing), seek to improve ballot printing efficiency and clarifies the timeframe for election related lawsuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 5551, sponsored by state Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield), prohibits an individual from serving on the Board of State Canvassers or a county board of canvassers if they have been convicted of certain election crimes so as to ensure the validity of election results and protect Michiganders right to free and fair elections. Two bills support Michigans tribal community. House Bill 5600, sponsored by state Rep. Carrie A. Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor), creates the Office of the Tribal Legislative Liaison within the Legislative Council helping to establish a government-to-government relationship between the 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan and the Legislature. House Bill 4854, sponsored by state Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit), requires schools to allow Native American students to bring traditional objects or wear traditional regalia during ceremonies of honor, including graduation ceremonies, so as to ensure Native American students can honor their heritage. House Bills 5949, 5950 and 5951, sponsored by state Representatives Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit), Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac), and Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar), respectively, are aimed at expanding affordable transportation options in Michigan by creating a regulatory framework for peer-to-peer car sharing programs, providing an opportunity to lower the cost of owning a car by creating clear provisions and protections for an individual or company to share a car. Senate Bills 962, 975 and 981, sponsored by state Senators John Cherry (D-Flint), Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), and Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.), respectively, amend the Michigan Employment Security Act by updating eligibility requirements for shared work plans, improve the efficiency of the administrative law hearing process, and support survivors of domestic violence by protecting Michiganders ability to qualify for unemployment benefits if they leave their job due to domestic assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bills 5077 and 5078, sponsored by state Reps. Curtis VanderWall (R-Ludington) and Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor) respectively, make it easier for government agencies to distribute and administer naloxone and other life-saving overdose-reversal drugs. House Bills 5379 and 5747, both sponsored by state Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette), seek to support Upper Peninsula logging businesses by simplifying Michigans ability to form agreements with other states about how materials to support the logging industry are taxed. The remaining nine bills signed aime to make it easier for inheritors of real property to keep the property in the family; help businesses save money by streamlining state tax procedures; encourage prospective lawyers by reducing barriers to joining the State Bar of Michigan; honor a fallen Melvindale police officer; update the fee court reporters and recorders can charge to align with current costs; provide greater flexibility in funding for critical infrastructure by eliminating the requirement for certain funding mechanisms used by the State Building Authority to mature every five years; support Metro Detroits tourism industry by providing the option to increase the local hotel room assessment; end transit opt-out zones in Wayne County; and increase the efficiency of drain authorities to maintain and assess for drain upgrades. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gets a tour of the Detroit Auto Show on Jan. 15, 2025 after giving a Road Ahead Address | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed more than a dozen bills passed by the Democratic-led House and Senate during its drama-filled lame duck session last month. Among the legislation Whitmer rejected on Friday was a series of five bills that would have allowed the bipartisan Board of State Canvassers to codify the use of statistical random sampling to determine the validity of petition signatures. House Bills 55715573, 5575 and 5576 were recommended by the board after it convened a workgroup of bipartisan election lawyers and experts to examine the current petition process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her veto letter, Whitmer acknowledged a need for change in the process, noting that in 2022, the state was rocked by record levels of signature fraud in the petition initiative process. That was a reference to the more than 70,000 fraudulent signatures submitted across 10 campaigns resulting in five Republican candidates for governor being disqualified from the ballot. More recently, former state Sen. Adam Hollier (D-Detroit) was disqualified from the primary ballot for the 13th Congressional District in August after 690 petition signatures were deemed to be fraudulent. Hollier blamed his paid circulator, Londell Thomas, for the fake signatures. However, Whitmer said the bills effort to utilize statistical sampling move Michigan in the wrong direction as opposed to requiring exhaustive review of signatures to ensure no fraud exists. HB 5571-73 5575-76 (Election Petitions)- Veto Letter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those strongly disapproving of the veto was attorney Mark Brewer, the former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party whos been a longtime Whitmer ally. There is no justification whatsoever for vetoing the petition bills which had the unanimous bipartisan support of the Board of State Canvassers who testified in support of the entire package, said Brewer. Another set of legislation, House Bills 41914194, would set up a process for Michigan parolees to more easily receive drivers licenses and state ID cards. However, in issuing her veto, Whitmer said the bills conflicted with legislation she signed in 2023 to automatically register people to vote upon exiting prison and would go into effect on June 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I fully support the policy behind these bills. Unfortunately, many of these bills provisions conflict with recent changes I signed into law during the last legislative session, said Whitmer, who noted a technical error in drafting would override these important changes to the automatic voter registration process, before they went into effect. Whitmer said the veto was a necessary consequence of the Legislatures failure to reconcile the text of these bills with existing law, but she hoped to work with the current Legislature in the near future on passing on what she called an important criminal justice reform issue. Also vetoed were House Bills 5164 and 5165, which would require notification to the state if employers closed or outsourced a call center, which Whitmer said were already required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. Accordingly, these bills would likely result in the unnecessary use of the departments time and resources, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 4191-94 (Parole Driver's License Bills)- Veto Letter (1) House Bill 5827, which wouldve extended the maximum number of weeks people would qualify for unemployment benefits from 20 to 26 as well as change the way the weekly wage was calculated, was vetoed by Whitmer because she said it conflicted with a Senate bill she signed in December that made similar changes to the Michigan Employment Security Act. Had enrolled House Bill 5827 been presented to me at the same times [sic] as enrolled Senate Bill 40, the two could have been reconciled, Whitmer wrote in her veto explanation. Unfortunately, that didnt happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, Whitmer vetoed Senate Bill 976 which sought to exempt Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) records related to the methods it uses to identify and investigate fraudulent claims from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). However, this bill has a concerning carveout, said Whitmer. The bill allows for the FOIA exemption to be bypassed by any licensed attorney with good standing in the Michigan Bar. This exemption is problematic because disclosure of this information could be a violation of regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Labor and could subject the State to potential penalties including the withholding of funds. The governor added that the exemption was entirely unnecessary, as attorneys already can access that information through administrative proceedings and the discovery process in court. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The chairman of Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, Ken Martin, has emerged as a favorite in the race for chair of the Democratic National Committee on a platform of expanding Democrats' operations in every state and territory, contesting every election and year-round campaigning. Some of Martin's supporters, including current and former candidates for chair, describe Martin as well-positioned to bridge the ideological divide in the Democratic Party while competently wielding and building party infrastructure. Early in the race, Martin, the president of the Association of State Democratic Chairs, boasted the endorsements of well over 100 party insiders. More recently, CBS News reported that he enjoys the endorsements of some 51 state party chairs or co-chairs, including 20 whose endorsements were not previously public. "This is an opportunity to really reimagine the DNC and for me, that means really getting the DNC out of D.C.," Martin recently told Democracy Docket. "One of the shortcomings I believe of our national party committees is that they focus almost exclusively on just one election cycle with no longer term arc to their work. The DNC focus is primarily just on federal races, and while we have to win federal races for sure we also cannot ignore down-ballot races, state legislative bodies, local government races, frankly, where we're seeing a lot of disastrous public policy being passed in this country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to his support from party leaders, Martin has also garnered endorsements from two former candidates for DNC chair, including New York State Senator James Skoufis, who dropped out of the race and endorsed Martin earlier this month, and the president of the Arab American Institute, James Zogby. Zogby told Salon that he's supporting Martin because of his vision for revitalizing party infrastructure and standing up a Democratic Party with the capacity to fight Republicans across the country. I think it is an ideological battle and its also a battle of party infrastructure and whether we have a party, Zogby said. He is a Wellstone Democrat. When I hear him give a stump speech, its music to my ears. Martins DNC platform promises to contest every race, from the White House to local school board elections, and expand party infrastructure in all 50 states and seven territories. Specifically, he promises to have a Democratic Party presence in all 3,244 counties of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zogby, who is a longtime DNC member himself, described himself as one one-time Jesse Jackson Democrat who now considers himself more of a Bernie Sanders Democrat. When asked about whether he trusts Martin to support a progressive agenda, Zogby said that the DNC chair doesnt set the agenda but that he does trust Martin to support a progressive vision for the party. When I think of progressive, I mean: focuses on the economic concerns that are lifting everybody up from concerns about healthcare to the minimum wage, public education and support for unions, Zogby said. Zogby, a vocal opponent of Israels war on Gaza, is not the only advocate for Palestine that is supporting Martin. Dan Engelhart, a DNC delegate for the Uncommitted Movement in the 2024 primary, has thrown in with Martin, telling NPR that he "was certainly fair to us as the uncommitted delegation, even when much of the Democratic establishment snubbed the movement. We were treated fairly, and that's what really matters, given the general mindset towards the uncommitted delegation at the DNC, Engelhart told NPR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skoufis, the New York senator who endorsed Martin after dropping his own bid for chair, told Salon that he sees him as the best choice for the job in part because he effectively involves the partys members in the decision-making process and makes them feel heard. Not every member is going to win every time, but every faction is going to be seen and heard every time, Skoufis told Salon. I think thats why you see frustration bubble over because people are blocked out of the decision-making process. If everyone has a seat at the table and everyone is meaningfully seen and heard, theres buy in and thats what Ken is hoping to do as chair. In addition, "I have not gotten a single whiff that he is interested in advancing an ideological angle as DNC chair," Skoufis said. "He is exclusively interested in building our coalition," he continued, and the antithesis of an insider. An insider would be keeping to his ivory tower and telling other people what they should be doing. Ken Martin is in the trenches with rank-and-file members and average Democrats, Skoufis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ron Latz, a Minnesota state senator, told Salon that he had seen an increase in the Democratic Partys presence in the state over Martins tenure. For one, Ken has been very successful in raising money, which enables the presence all across the state of the party structure. In campaign seasons they have opened quite a few physical locations across the state, Latz said. He has not isolated himself in Saint Paul. Latz agreed with Skoufis assessment of Martins performance, saying that, during his tenure, he had seen an increased coordination between individual campaigns and the statewide Democratic apparatus. He also noted that Martin has successfully incorporated different ideological strains in the party while maintaining a united front. I would also say that the party has gotten at the grassroots level and the central committee level more polarized, Latz said. Ken I think has been excellent and strategic at navigating that polarization and holding the party structure together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Latz also noted that, while he didnt always agree with Martin in terms of policy, he always pays good close attention when were talking. I know Ive always been able to get a hold of him when I felt the need to and hes always been quite responsive and understanding of whatever my concerns are. Hes navigating a lot of sharp elbows of course in any political organization, Latz said. This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Sinking into the warm, aquamarine water, I feel the tug of the current immediately. Activating my leg muscles to kick against it, I scope out a suitable spot to hook into the reef without damaging it and give my buoyancy control device (BCD) a few pumps of air to lift me (and most importantly, my fins) above the coral. Here I hover, attached to the hook by a coil lanyard, and enjoy the show. Act one begins with a shiver of reef sharks parading along the edge of the reef just metres from me. A battery of black-striped barracudas enters from stage left, trailed by an enormous Napoleon wrasse and a school of canary yellow and white pyramid butterflyfish, seemingly unbothered by the volume of predators in their midst. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a brief interlude in shark activity, I spot a moray eel extending its head from a crevice in the reef, flashing its needle-like teeth as it opens and closes its mouth to pass oxygenated water though its gills. Waving my hand over a head of hard coral, a trio of Christmas tree worms suck their colourful fronds into the small burrows theyve bored into their accommodating host. After a while we unhook and drift across a sublime slice of the reef festooned with corals in a riot of colours and textures. We pass several hawksbill turtles, while redtooth triggerfish are constant companions, their crescent-shaped tails trailing in the current as they flap their cerulean-blue fins in a mesmerising bird-like motion. With crystal-clear waters and deep-sea treasures to explore, diving is naturally one of the most popular activities in Palau. Photograph by Four Seasons Divers delight Climbing back into the speedboat nearly an hour later, I wonder if Ive peaked too early by spending my first morning in Palau diving Blue Corner, the pint-sized Micronesian nations most famous dive site. But my second dive that morning, at German Channel, is similarly spectacular. Blasted and dredged out of Palaus barrier reef in 1908 during its German administration (1899-1914), the artificial channel has been reborn as a hangout for big stuff including sharks, turtles and magnificent manta rays. I admire a pair of rays performing a hypnotic courtship dance on my second dive here, twisting and turning through the blue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The volume and diversity of marine life at both sites is gloriously abundant, and amid the increasing global popularity of scuba diving PADI alone certifies over a million divers per year its a rare treat for my small group to enjoy both dive spots to ourselves. The lack of crowds is partly due to the timing of my visit in August, the peak of the countrys low (rainy) season. But theres excellent diving year-round in Palau, which lies outside the regions typhoon belt, protecting it from most tropical storms. Another reason for my exclusive access to Palaus top dive sites is the Four Seasons Explorer, a luxury vessel launched in Palau in 2023 after two decades cruising the Maldives on liveaboard itineraries. Unlike a standard liveaboard with a fixed length of stay, this 128ft, three-deck catamaran with 11 guest cabins offers daily embarkations in its new island home, with speedboat transfers usually taking under an hour to reach its cruising location. The Explorer spends most of its weekly cruising itinerary in Palaus UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rock Islands, a jewel box of some 400 emerald jungle-cloaked limestone islets rising from a dreamy palette of blue waters directly south of Koror island, Palaus main commercial and tourism hub. With most of the vessels Palauan staff currently in training in the Maldives, the 22-person crew on board during my week-long stay are all transplants from the two Four Seasons resorts there. Many are Maldivian, including one of my dive guides, Hassan Ali, who laments the declining quality of coral reefs in his homeland following successive coral bleaching events. We see more mantas in the Maldives, but the reefs in Palau are in better condition, he says as we emerge from an incredible wall dive at Siaes Corner on my second day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later in the week, at Turtle Cove, Im captivated by a pair of electric clams emitting a bright white glow from reflective cells in their crimson lips. In Ulong Channel, on day four, I drift over a field of lettuce corals resembling giant green roses. Later that afternoon, I take a short speedboat ride to admire a collection of rock art painted under an overhang on Ulong Island more than 3,000 years ago. Tucking into a fresh tuna poke bowl for lunch midway through my stay, it occurs to me that the plastic bottle I spot bobbing by the Explorer as we motor to a new anchoring is the first piece of marine debris that Ive encountered in Palau. Palauans are very proud of what we have here, says Eric Whipps, a local businessman whos holidaying with his family aboard the Explorer during my visit. Youll also notice on land that Palau is very clean, the recently certified divemaster tells me as we snack on slices of fresh watermelon between dives. Collect your courage for a deep-sea adventure and explore Palau's vast array of dive sites and underwater wrecks. Photograph by Alamy The balance of nature Thought to have been settled by seafarers from Indonesia or the Philippines about 4,000 years ago, Palau, which celebrates its 30th year of independence in 2024, is a pioneer in environmental protection. In 2009 it created the worlds first shark sanctuary, and in 2017 it launched the Palau Pledge, a world-first initiative requiring visitors to sign a promise to tread gently upon entry. Earlier this year, it became the first nation to ratify the UNs High Seas Treaty allowing for the creation of marine sanctuaries beyond national boundaries. A deep respect for the environment and the interconnectedness of humans and nature is a cornerstone of Palauan culture, says Palauan guide Fonzareli Fonzie Shickich when he meets me at Korors marina one morning to lead me on a tour of Babeldaob, Palaus lush, sparsely developed main island thats connected to Koror by bridge. Its one of several activities that can be arranged during an Explorer stay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everything we do is linked to the tide, explains Fonzie, who, with his easy smile and curly black hair tied up with a traditional carved-wood hair pin, has a different kind of charisma to the Happy Days character he was named after. Babies are usually born at high tide often pregnant women will hold on [if the tide is still coming in] for good luck, he continues. When someone passes away, the tide is usually going out. The significance of the tide is even showcased on the Palauan flag, Fonzie adds, which features a full yellow moon rising above the blue tide. As we make the scenic, winding drive to the mysterious collection of stone monoliths at the islands northern tip, which is just over an hour from Koror, Erics earlier comment rings true as we pass yet another keep Palau pristine sign. Theres another one at the entrance to Ngardmau Waterfall, about 20 minutes south of the monoliths. Here, Fonzie and I hike down though a steamy tract of lush jungle to cool off under a vast curtain of water tumbling from a volcanic shelf almost 100ft above. A visit to Korors small but interesting Belau National Museum housing artefacts including vibrant glass beads that formed part of a complex traditional exchange system rounds off our adventure. With a plethora of fresh seafood to choose from locally, the Four Seasons Explorer serves lobster at its best. Photograph by Four Seasons The traditional 'bai', a chiefs meeting house, in Babeldaob, is one of four still standing in Palau. Photograph by Four Seasons Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the reef A serene sunrise hatha yoga session hosted on the Explorers sundeck as white-tailed tropicbirds fly by sets me up for another day of diving. Later in the afternoon, Im shuttled to shore from our anchoring in Airai, at the southern tip of Babeldaob, to meet Palauan local Velma Obak. Dressed in a traditional woven pandanus bra and hibiscus fibre skirt, Velma leads us along a historic stone pathway to a traditional bai (chiefs meeting house). About two centuries old, the thatched-roofed, A-frame wooden hall is one of four traditional bai still standing in Palau. Here, Velma shares some of the stories behind the paintings covering its exterior. The battle scenes can be misleading, she says, explaining that ancient Palauan conflicts saw minimal bloodshed wars were won by taking the head of a target on the enemy side. Peeking inside, I notice a fruit bat painted underneath the head of the door. Its a symbol of respect, because when a bat lands upside down, its in a position of submission, Velma explains. Maintaining its rich cultural traditions, both tangible and intangible, hasnt been easy for Palau. Following Imperial Japans 1914 annexation of Palau, Japanese migrants outnumbered Palauans by three to one by 1937. Palau went on to see some of the grisliest battles of the Pacific War fought in its territory, with only about 5,300 ethnic Palauans surviving the carnage. On a grey afternoon towards the end of my trip, I plunge into the depths of the Rock Islands with cruise director and dive guide Angela Gitaprakasa to explore the Iro, a 469ft-long Japanese Navy oil tanker sitting upright on the sandy seabed, 130ft below the surface. Descending alongside its coral-encrusted bow, we arrive at a gaping hole ripped by an Allied torpedo. Amazingly it wasnt the torpedo that sunk the Iro, but the ensuing bombing campaign that left holes in the deck. While exploring, we startle an octopus that swiftly shapeshifts into an impressive imitation of a corroded hunk of metal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another legacy of Palaus Japanese era thats outlasted its three decades of post-war US administration is its cuisine. Fresh local reef fish sashimi is a menu staple in the casual restaurants of Koror, and also makes several appearances on the Explorers international menu during my stay. A breakfast highlight, meanwhile, is Kaalis mama egg scramble a Palauan family recipe shared by the eponymous member of the Explorers land-based staff. Disembarking the Explorer for the last time amid the trumpeting of conch horns, I leave Palau with a new appreciation for raw fish, island life and the power of environmental stewardship. Published in the Cruise guide, distributed with the Jan/Feb 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only). (The Hill) Former President Joe Bidens pre-emptive pardon for retired Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will give the retired military official a shield against any action that President Donald Trump might take against him amid their highly public feud. Biden also issued pre-emptive pardons Monday to Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; some of Bidens family members, and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Trump, who warned of enemies from within on the campaign trail, has sparked fears he will wield the Justice Department for political retaliation. He has repeatedly spoken out against Milley since leaving office and once suggested that he deserved execution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump fires 4 presidential appointees including his former Iran envoy Milley has, at times, responded forcefully to Trumps comments, taking a shot at Trump in his farewell speech as Joint Chiefs chairman in September 2023, telling gathered service members, We dont take an oath to a wannabe dictator. Milley reportedly called Trump fascist to the core in comments included in a 2024 book by journalist Bob Woodward. No one has ever been as dangerous to this country as Donald Trump, Milley said, according to Woodward. Milley also told Woodward he was concerned Trump would take action against him, saying the president was a walking, talking advertisement of what hes going to try to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milley was also a source in Woodwards 2021 book Peril, in which he reportedly shared concerns about Trumps mental stability and national security concerns. Trump appointed Milley to chair the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2019. Milley had a rocky start as the nations highest-ranking military officer. In 2020, during racial justice rioting in the nations capitol, Milley reportedly had a shouting match with Trump over deploying the active-duty military on protesters. Trump was thwarted from fully deploying troops by several of his top officials, including then-Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. During the rioting, Milley also appeared with Trump for a photo opportunity at Lafayette Square near the White House. Milley later apologized for being there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the final days of the Trump presidency, Milley reportedly reassured Chinese officials there would be no threat to China. The incident so infuriated Trump that he posted on Truth Social that Milley was treasonous and suggested he deserved execution. The Trump-Milley feud was also at the center of the classified documents case against Trump that the Department of Justice pursued until Trump won the November election. Trump has often accused Democrats of unfairly targeting him and has vowed to end weaponization of the Justice Department, despite also not ruling out prosecutions for crooked or dishonest politicians. He pledged in his inauguration address Monday after he was sworn in that the scales of justice will be rebalanced and the vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents, Trump said. It will not happen again. In a following speech in Emancipation Hall, Trump named Milley in remarks decrying Bidens pardons. Whats going on? Why are we doing this? Why are we trying to help a guy like Milley? Trump said. He was pardoned, what he said, terrible what he said. Milley portrait taken down from Pentagon The pardon for Milley shields him from prosecution for any offenses against the U.S. under the law or the Uniform Code of Military Justice and covers a period from Jan. 1, 2014, through Jan. 20, 2025, which covers his time as chief of staff of the Army and former Joint Chiefs chairman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden said in a statement that the pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country, he said. Biden, who did not name Trump, said that Milley served our nation for more than 40 years, serving in multiple command and leadership posts and deploying to some of the most dangerous parts of the world to protect and defend democracy. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he guided our Armed Forces through complex global security threats and strengthened our existing alliances while forging new ones, Biden added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to USA Today, Milley, who joined Georgetown University and Princeton University last year, said he was deeply grateful for the pardon. After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our Nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights, he said. Copyright 2025 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 Queen City News. Former President Bidens preemptive pardon for retired Gen. Mark Milley, the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will give the retired military official a shield against any action that President Trump might take against him amid their highly public feud. Biden also issued preemptive pardons Monday to Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; some of Bidens family members; and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Trump, who warned of enemies from within on the campaign trail, has sparked fears he will wield the Justice Department for political retaliation. He has repeatedly spoken out against Milley since leaving office and once suggested that he deserved execution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milley has, at times, responded forcefully to Trumps comments, taking a shot at Trump in his farewell speech as Joint Chiefs chair in September 2023, telling gathered service members, We dont take an oath to a wannabe dictator. Milley reportedly called Trump fascist to the core in comments included in a 2024 book by journalist Bob Woodward. No one has ever been as dangerous to this country as Donald Trump, Milley said, according to Woodward. Milley also told Woodward he was concerned Trump would take action against him, saying the president was a walking, talking advertisement of what hes going to try to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milley was also a source in Woodwards 2021 book Peril, in which he reportedly shared concerns about Trumps mental stability and national security concerns. Trump appointed Milley to chair the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2019. Milley had a rocky start as the nations highest-ranking military officer. In 2020, during racial justice rioting in the nations capitol, Milley reportedly had a shouting match with Trump over deploying the active-duty military on protesters. Trump was thwarted from fully deploying troops by several of his top officials, including then-Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. During the rioting, Milley also appeared with Trump for a photo opportunity at Lafayette Square near the White House. Milley later apologized for being there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the final days of the Trump presidency, Milley reportedly reassured Chinese officials there would be no threat to China. The incident so infuriated Trump that he posted on Truth Social that Milley was treasonous and suggested he deserved execution. The Trump-Milley feud was also at the center of the classified documents case against Trump that the Department of Justice pursued until Trump won the November election. Trump has often accused Democrats of unfairly targeting him and has vowed to end weaponization of the Justice Department, despite also not ruling out prosecutions for crooked or dishonest politicians. He pledged in his inauguration address Monday after he was sworn in that the scales of justice will be rebalanced and the vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents, Trump said. It will not happen again. In a subsequent speech in Emancipation Hall, Trump named Milley in remarks decrying Bidens pardons. Whats going on? Why are we doing this? Why are we trying to help a guy like Milley? Trump said. He was pardoned, what he said, terrible what he said. The pardon for Milley shields him from prosecution for any offenses against the U.S. under the law or the Uniform Code of Military Justice and covers a period from Jan. 1, 2014, through Jan. 20, 2025, which covers his time as chief of staff of the Army and former Joint Chiefs chair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden said in a statement that the pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country, he said. Biden, who did not name Trump, said that Milley served our nation for more than 40 years, serving in multiple command and leadership posts and deploying to some of the most dangerous parts of the world to protect and defend democracy. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he guided our Armed Forces through complex global security threats and strengthened our existing alliances while forging new ones, Biden added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to USA Today, Milley, who joined Georgetown University and Princeton University last year, said he was deeply grateful for the pardon. After forty-three years of faithful service in uniform to our Nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights, he said. Copyright 2025 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. Costco workers, represented by the Teamsters union, have voted to authorize a nationwide strike after ongoing negotiations over wages and benefits. With the current contract set to expire on January 31, employees are pushing for a fair deal that reflects the companys recent financial success. In this article, we will delve into details about why Costco workers are going on strike. Costco unionized workers authorize nationwide strike Costco workers have voted to authorize a nationwide strike, with over 85% of Teamsters union members in favor of the move. The vote, which affects more than 18,000 employees across the country, comes as contract negotiations between the union and the retailer have stalled. In a press release, Teamsters Warehouse Division Director Tom Erickson said, This strike vote is a direct response to Costcos greed and blatant disregard for the bargaining process. Costco claims to treat workers better than the competition, but right now, its failing to live up to that reputation. (via CNBC) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current contract is set to expire on January 31. The union is pushing for better wages and benefits, pointing to Costcos impressive financial success. The company reported $254 billion in revenue and $7.4 billion in net profits. However, the union claims Costco executives are unwilling to offer workers a fair deal. Teamsters General President Sean OBrien made it clear that the unions members wont tolerate being undervalued. OBrien said in a statement, Costcos greedy executives have less than two weeks to do the right thing. If they refuse, theyll have no one to blame but themselves when our members go on strike. The union has been ramping up its efforts with practice pickets across the country in preparation for the possibility of a full-scale strike. If a strike occurs, it could disrupt Costcos day-to-day operations. The strike will also damage its reputation as a company that prides itself on treating workers well. The union is urging Costco to come to the table and reach an agreement before the deadline expires. The post Why Are Costco Workers Going on Nationwide Strike? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Dozens of flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were canceled Tuesday, Jan. 21, as Winter Storm Enzo brought heavy snowfall to the Gulf Coast. The storm is primarily affecting flights in Texas, with most of the cancellations coming out of Houston. Flights were suspended at both of Houston's major airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport, because of extreme winter weather. Worldwide, flight tracking website FlightAware recorded 978 cancellations out of Bush Intercontinental and 269 cancellations at Hobby Airport as of 11 a.m. Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Here's what travelers need to know about flying between Phoenix and the Gulf Coast during the winter storm. How many flights are canceled in Phoenix today? FlightAware recorded 41 canceled flights and 49 delayed flights in Phoenix as of 11 a.m. Tuesday. That included 25 cancellations to Houston's major airports. Six flights out of San Antonio, four flights out of New Orleans, one flight from Dallas and one flight from Austin were canceled. Besides Tuesday's canceled flights, forecasted weather prompted airlines to cancel seven flights scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 22, between Sky Harbor and Gulf Coast airports. What to know if you're flying Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines had the most cancellations out of Sky Harbor on Tuesday: 21 flights. Advertisement Advertisement Southwest issued a travel waiver for several Gulf Coast airports because of the storm. Anyone with reservations to fly to or from Austin or San Antonio on Tuesday, Jan. 21; Houston by Wednesday, Jan. 22; and 12 other Gulf Coast cities on Jan 21-22 can rebook their flights without paying fare differences. Flyers must travel within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city pairs. What to know if you're flying American Airlines Six American Airlines flights in Phoenix were canceled flights on Tuesday. American is waiving fare differences for flights to and from 38 Gulf Coast airports, mostly in Texas and Louisiana, for passengers who are scheduled to travel by Wednesday, Jan. 22, and can travel by Jan. 26, maintain the original city pairs and rebook in the same cabin. Changes must be booked by Wednesday, Jan. 22. Advertisement Advertisement Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist whos covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republics consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to do if Winter Storm Enzo cancels your flight Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. President Donald Trump issued a patently unconstitutional executive order on Monday purporting to abolish birthright citizenship to children of millions of immigrants in the United States. His directive applies not only to the children of undocumented people, but also to children of a vast swath of immigrants who are lawfully present, including visa holders whove lived here for years. The order already faces two lawsuits and will undoubtedly wind up before the Supreme Court. There is good reason to be skeptical that this court will rein in many of the presidents illegal policies. But birthright citizenship is unique: a fundamental right at the heart of our constitutional order, rooted in the plain text and original meaning of the 14th Amendment, enshrined in well over a century of precedent and practice. The Supreme Court is extremely likely to shoot down Trumps attempt to rescind this guarantee, and to do so by a lopsided margin. There is an important line between cynicism and nihilism. Assuming that SCOTUS will authorize the end of birthright citizenship would cross that line. Trumps reascendency to the White House is a pitch-black moment in this countrys history, but that is no license to indulge in preemptive defeat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why should we expect the Supreme Court to uphold birthright citizenship? There are three main reasons: one legal, one practical, and another related to the courts own power. Start with the legal issue: There are few constitutional provisions with a clearer and more settled meaning than the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. This guarantee is rooted in common law and traces back to the nations founding. Congress enshrined it in the Constitution after the Civil War to overturn the Supreme Courts decision in Dred Scott, which had erroneously denied citizenship to Black Americans. During ratification, senators explicitly recognized that the citizenship clauses broad language would encompass not just freed slaves but also the children of immigrants. They debated and ultimately approved the extension of birthright citizenship to these children, concluding that their parents lack of American citizenship should not abridge their own civil rights. The Supreme Court affirmed this understanding of the 14th Amendment in 1898s Wong Kim Ark and has never retreated from it. Trump attempts to get around this plain meaning by latching onto the words subject to the jurisdiction thereof. His order claims that the children of immigrants are not subject to the United States jurisdiction, presumably because their parents are citizens of another country. This argument is an indefensible misreading of both the text and the historical record. Once again, senators discussed this issue when drafting the 14th Amendment, and agreed that the jurisdiction language simply means subject to our laws. And the Supreme Court has clarified that all immigrants, both lawful and undocumented, are fully subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Why, then, did Congress mention jurisdiction in the 14th Amendment? Because it intended to exclude the offspring of three groups who were not fully subject to U.S. law: foreign diplomats, invading soldiers, and Native tribes. Diplomats and soldiers were viewed as agents of a foreign sovereign, while tribes were, at the time, viewed as quasi foreign nations. But Congress was adamant that all other people, including immigrants offspring, be included in the promise of birthright citizenship. To uphold Trumps executive order, then, the Supreme Court would have to jettison 126 years of precedent, abolishing an ancient right at the heart of constitutional liberty. That will give the court serious pause. A large majority of justices almost certainly do not want to destabilize American law in this way, abruptly eradicating a right upon which millions have come to rely. Trumps order also goes far beyond undocumented immigrants, denying citizenship to the children of temporary immigrants who are here lawfully. People with H-1B visas, Temporary Protected Status, DACA, and others whove long resided in the U.S. would evidently fall under this category, meaning their offspring would not receive citizenship. If implemented, this policy would be extremely unpopular: Most Americans do not want to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented people, let alone the children of legal immigrants. It would also upend the practical realities of citizenship, creating immense confusion that would invariably wind up in the judiciarys lap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which leads to the second reason we should expect the Supreme Court to block this executive order: What Trump seeks to do here would sow chaos on the ground. The real-world consequences of Trumps order are as unsettled as they are sweeping, and several huge impediments would arise immediately. To start: Most Americans are citizens because we were born here. If the government ends birthright citizenship, how can we prove we are Americans? We might argue that we obtained citizenship from our parentsbut they are only citizens because they were born here. Setting aside the particulars of Trumps order, what he ultimately seeks to eliminate is the very principle of birthright citizenship. Once thats gone, it is unclear how any of us can conclusively establish that we are, legally, Americans. Trump purports to circumvent this issue, for now, by applying his order prospectively, to all children born after Jan. 20, 2025. He has directed federal agencies to begin denying citizenship to all future children born to undocumented and temporary immigrants. But how will the government know which children were born to these individuals? The federal government typically recognizes our citizenship by looking to our birth certificates to confirm that we were born on U.S. soil. And these certificateswhich are issued by states, not the federal governmentdo not list our parents citizenship or immigration status. So how will the government know whose parents are undocumented or temporary? Will it start investigating newborns before acknowledging their citizenship? Will all babies be presumed noncitizens until they can establish their citizenship in some other, unknown way? Will babies denied citizenship be deported to their parents home country, a place theyve never even visited? The Supreme Court surely does not want to answer these questions. But if it upholds Trumps order, itll have to: The practical details of the scheme, like any revolution in the law, will be heavily litigated, and reach SCOTUSs doorstep over and over again. And the public will blame the justices for the cruel consequences of their decisions, as the media reports endless stories of stateless babies facing deportation. SCOTUS can avoid this grim fate by quashing this policy at the outset. That brings us to the final incentive for the justices: Trumps order gives them an easy opportunity to demonstrate their independence at the outset of his second term. The court does not want to look like a lapdog for the president; indeed, it knows that it derives its power from public confidence, which will plummet to dire new lows if it rubber-stamps Trumps entire agenda. Yes, the conservative supermajority is aligned with the new president on many issues. But there is no indication that they are aligned on this one. Thus far, the legal opposition to birthright citizenship has largely been consigned to white supremacists on the fringe right. Unlike hostility toward abortion and affirmative action, it does not lie anywhere near the core of the conservative legal movement. It is a mistake to assume that the Supreme Court will green-light every last item on the MAGA wishlist. The court will be eager to prove that it remains the ultimate arbiter of the Constitution, and hungry for cases that allow it to flaunt the daylight between its own jurisprudence and the Trump administration. Doing so will be central to its continued assertion of authority as the one branch capable of divining, and enforcing, the Constitutions true meaning. Trumps effort to end birthright citizenship tees up a high-profile occasion for the court to flex its muscle and remind the president who really calls the shots on matters of legal dispute. We have strong grounds to believe it will be up to the task. Tanzanias President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has confirmed on January 20 the outbreak of the Marburg virus in the north-western Kagera region, just days after the countrys Health minister denied the presence of the virus. The confirmation came after a suspected outbreak was reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), which noted nine suspected cases and eight deaths. Despite previous denials, President Samia stated that health authorities had identified one confirmed case of Marburg, while 24 other suspected cases tested negative. Marburg, a highly infectious virus similar to Ebola, is transmitted from fruit bats and spreads through bodily fluids. It causes severe symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and often extreme blood loss, with a fatality rate of 50%. The Tanzanian government has mobilised a rapid response team to manage the situation, though the cause of the eight deaths remains unclear. WHOs director-general, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, reassured that the global risk is low, stressing that outbreaks can be swiftly controlled despite the absence of approved treatments or vaccines. Tanzania had previously experienced a Marburg outbreak in 2023, which resulted in six deaths. The current outbreak is particularly concerning due to Kageras proximity to several neighbouring countries, with over 300 people, including health workers and close contacts of suspected cases, now being monitored. Despite this, WHO and the African CDC remain optimistic about containing the virus swiftly. A former president from Ohio could play a big role in shaping President Donald Trump's policies. Trump's a fan of President William McKinley, giving the Canton native a major shout-out in his inaugural address. He promised on Monday to rename North America's tallest mountain, Denali, back to Mount McKinley, which it was known as for more than a century before President Barack Obama's administration in 2015 changed the name to honor the native Alaskan culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs," Trump said in his address. McKinley, 123 years after his assassination, often ranks as an above average but not spectacular president in presidential rankings. For Trump, McKinley ranks high because of his love of tariffs. "President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent," Trump said in his inaugural speech on Monday. "He was a natural businessman." The 'Napoleon of Protection' Trump has vowed to impose tariffs on America's competitors abroad. More than a century ago, McKinley pushed so enthusiastically for tariffs he was dubbed by the press at the time the "Napoleon of Protection." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKinley, as a Republican congressman prior to his presidency, fought so much to increase the taxes on imported goods that Congress named the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 after him. 377869 73: William McKinley, twenty-fifth President of the United States serving from 1897 to 1901. (Photo by National Archive/Newsmakers) Tariffs are taxes paid on imported goods and are intended to help American manufacturers. In most cases, they are paid by the American importers and not the foreign corporations, according to the Tax Policy Center, a nonprofit thinktank in Washington, D.C. Tariffs can lead to higher prices if the cost is passed on to consumers. How the tariffs worked out in the 1890s Tariffs were just as divisive in the 1890s as they are now. While the McKinley Tariff Act at first appeared beneficial, the good times didn't last long, wrote Richard L. McElroy in his 2009 book "Battlefield Presidents: Zachary Taylor and Benjamin Harrison and Their America." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tariffs angered America's trade partners, he wrote. "There was a sharp decline in trade while American businessmen reaped huge profits, often at the expense of the blood, sweat and misery of American workers," McElroy wrote. Newspaper coverage at the time blamed rising costs of clothing and other items on the the tariffs. McKinley lost his seat in Congress that same year. People blamed the unpopularity of tariffs for Republican President Benjamin Harrison's (also an Ohioan) defeat in 1892. Democrats lowered the tariffs in 1894. McKinley rebounded, took softer stance McKinley's career quickly rebounded, winning election in 1892 as Ohio governor and then as U.S. President in 1896. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he became president, one of McKinley's first acts was to sign into law another tariff on consumer goods. By this time, however, McKinley had softened his stance on tariffs, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a Washington, D.C.-based thinktank. McKinley later favored trade agreements and more friendly relations with foreign countries, according to the institute, saying, Commercial wars are unprofitable. A policy of good will and friendly trade relations will prevent reprisals." Through wars and purchases, McKinley also expanded the territory of the United States, which acquired the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines during his administration. This echoes Trump's calls to expand the United States territory with his proposed acquisition of Greenland and vows to take back the Panama Canal. McKinley was reelected in 1900, but then assassinated by an anarchist at the 1901 Pan American Exposition in Buffalo. He is buried in Canton. What Trump said about McKinley at his inauguration "We will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent. He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama after the United States." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who is William McKinley and why does Donald Trump admire him X / @justinbwells Donald Trump wants the United States to buy Greenland for its strategically vital resources, to bolster US security and give China a bloody nose. But he also wants to strike his largest ever real estate deal because Greenland is massive, he loves maps and because he is very, very stubborn. Who owns Greenland? Mr Trumps desire to swell the US with a territory roughly the size of Texas and Alaska combined is nothing new. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He tried to bounce Denmark into selling Greenland, which is geographically in North America, during his first presidency but was rebuffed. Mr Trump cancelled a 2019 state visit and branded Mette Frederiksen, Denmarks prime minister, nasty after she said the idea was absurd. Like all hard-nosed negotiators, Mr Trump doesnt take no for an answer and took the chance of naming his ambassador to Denmark to revive the demand this weekend. As his son Donald Trump Junior arrived for a visit to Greenland, Mr Trump declared: I am hearing that the people of Greenland are MAGA. Credit: @OJoelsen/@DonaldJTrumpJr/X Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside world. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!. Worlds largest island Greenland is a very large, strategically important landmass. You take a look at a map. Im a real estate developer, Mr Trump said in an interview for The Divider, a book by The New York Times Peter Baker and The New Yorkers Susan Glasser. I love maps. And I always said: Look at the size of this. Its massive. That should be part of the United States, he added. However, Greenland is actually much smaller than it appears on maps because of the Mercator projection, which makes it look a similar size to Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The projection is used to create flat maps but makes landmasses larger the further away from the Equator they are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To impress his billionaire allies Mr Trump reportedly insists that the idea of making Americas largest land buy since the Alaska Purchase in 1867 is all his own. But according to The Divider, Mr Trump got the idea from Ronald Lauder, a billionaire heir to the Estee Lauder cosmetics fortune. Mr Lauder, 80, a longtime friend of Mr Trump and a New York-born political activist, reportedly offered himself as a back channel negotiator with the Danish government. Donald Trump Jr visited Nuuk, Greenland - Emil Stach Some Left-leaning commentators have branded Mr Trumps coveting of Greenland as a neo-colonist urge to emulate nationalist autocrats like Vladimir Putin. The United States has history when it comes to buying land. Its last land purchase was 1917s acquisition of the US Virgin Islands from Denmark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before then it bought Alaska from the Russian Empire (which was widely seen as an expensive mistake until gold and oil were discovered there), Louisiana from France, as well as territory from Mexico and the Philippines, now independent, from Spain. Space base and missile defence The US offered Denmark $100 million (79 million) for Greenland after the Second World War. Washington instead secured a defence treaty centred on a US military base on Greenland. Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, has been strategically vital ever since the first years of the Cold War. It is the US militarys most northerly outpost and is a vital location for missile defence and space surveillance, housing Americas solid state phased array radar system, known colloquially as the ballistic missile early warning system radar network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buying Greenland would ensure continued access to the base, although there is no suggestion that it is at risk. Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, in northern Greenland, has been strategically vital ever since the first years of the Cold War - Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters Mr Trump, nevertheless, is adamant he wants Greenland for national security reasons. For purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity, the president said on social media. Aside from the base, Greenland is on strategic sea lanes like the Northwest Passage and the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap, and is beneath Arctic flight paths. It is on the shortest route from North America to Europe. Russia and Chinas Arctic alliance Moscow and Beijing have been working hand in glove to bolster their influence in the Arctic, which is a key region for transportation and resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Climate change could mean new waterways and new territories for settlement being opened, raising the likelihood of a race for the Arctic amid competing superpowers. Chinese leaders see the region as a new crossroads of the world, a new source of raw materials and new avenues for manifesting its growing power, the US defence department has said. In 2019, Republican politicians warned China was trying to build airports on Greenland and even buy an old American naval base there. There is no guarantee that the almost 57,000 Greenlanders will be willing to become part of the United States - IDA MARIE ODGAARD/AFP Beijings activities are being facilitated by Russia, which continues to invest heavily in both military and economic terms in the Arctic despite its illegal war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US officials have also been concerned by joint Russian-Chinese military drills in the area, which seem aimed at Washington and its Nato allies. Buying Greenland would be a show of strength from the US at a time when its rivals are encroaching into the region. Treasure trove of rare minerals Greenland is a potential treasure trove of natural resources, including rare earth minerals. These minerals are vital for high-end military, green energy and industrial technologies but their production and supply is dominated by China. Beijing last month imposed export controls on the minerals in response to US controls on advanced semiconductors. Greenland is a potential treasure trove of natural resources, including rare earth minerals. - Arctic-Images/Digital Vision Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 37 of the 50 minerals seen as critical by the US could be found in moderate or high quantities in Greenland, based on a 2023 survey. Lessening US dependence on Chinese supplies would be a geopolitical boost but some experts point out that buying Greenland would mean subsidising an area with the lowest per capita disposable income of any Arctic region except Russia. Greenlands ice-sheet boasts 7 per cent of the worlds fresh water and its undeveloped oil and gas resources are thought to be the third largest in the Arctic. Can Trump even buy Greenland? There is no guarantee that the almost 57,000 Greenlanders will be willing to become part of the US. In 2009, the island assumed self-rule from Denmark under an agreement that gives it the right to one day declare independence. By becoming part of the US, Greenland would gain independence from one country while coming under the control of another. In 2009, the island assumed self-rule from Denmark under an agreement that gives it the right to one day declare independence - IDA MARIE ODGAARD/AFP It would also be an expensive acquisition. In 2019, the Washington Post estimated that Greenland could cost up to $1.7 trillion on the assumption that the island was up for sale. What is Greenlands response? Mute Egede, Greenlands prime minister, has rebuffed all advances to date. We are not for sale and we will not be for sale, he said in response to Mr Trumps comments, adding: We must not lose our long struggle for freedom. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. After a day of strong winds that helped fuel small, scattered fires across Southern California, a reprieve from extreme fire danger may be in sight. A small amount of rain is in the forecast beginning late Friday through early Saturday, a much-anticipated change of weather for the region, which has suffered through a prolonged dry spell that has fueled deadly and destructive fires. Nevertheless, Southern California is not out of the woods yet when it comes to fire risk. On Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service extended its red flag warning which had been scheduled to expire at 10 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday due to an anticipated boost in wind coupled with persistent low humidity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Los Angeles County, where the Palisades and Eaton fires have carved a devastating path this month, less than a third of an inch of rain is expected. Rain totals could, however, be slightly higher in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains and other places, said Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. "Obviously it's going to be very welcome to get some sort of moisture here," Lewis said. "In terms of ending the fire season, it's probably not going to be enough for that. But it'll certainly help a little bit." Although a smattering of rain would be beneficial for dry conditions, too much could trigger mudflows and landslides within burn scars. "I normally pray for rain. God knows we generally need it," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park, whose district includes Pacific Palisades. "The burn scar of the Palisades fire not only sits feet from the ocean itself, but on hillsides that are already prone to slide and which have already absorbed a tremendous amount of water from firefighting, broken pipes and melted pools." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Adding water to this mess ... is the last thing we need," Park said. On Tuesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order to shore up burn areas and stem the flow of toxic debris in preparation for the incoming rain. The city's Public Works Department in the coming days will install barriers, remove debris and divert runoff from the stormwater system into the sewer system, where it can be treated. "This is to prevent additional damage to areas already ravaged by fire and also to protect our watershed, beaches and ocean from toxic runoff," Bass said during a news conference Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the low pressure system moving to Southern California is bringing with it a mass of cold air, it can create instability and a possibility of thunderstorms. But Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the weather service, said the likelihood was low. "I mean, it would have to be just, like, the worst of luck," Wofford said. "First of all, we'd have to get some convection and it would have to form just in the right area." The rain would also have to fall at a rate much faster than expected for a landslide to occur. When intense rain falls quickly, the soil absorbs water rapidly and eventually reaches a saturation point where it can no longer hold moisture, triggering instability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If a quarter-inch fell in 30 seconds, then yes," Wofford said of the potential for landslides. "But if it falls over hours then it's definitely not an issue." As the region prepares for rain, the National Weather Service's warning of a "particularly dangerous situation" with extreme wind gusts ended Tuesday morning for swaths of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The notice marked the fifth time the weather service had sounded the alarm this season for acute fire conditions. A red flag warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday, with winds expected to pick back up Wednesday afternoon, peak Thursday morning and ease by Thursday night, according to the weather service. A gust of 88 mph was recorded Monday morning in the western San Gabriel Mountains at Magic Mountain Truck Trail. Wind gusts hit 70 mph in the Santa Susana Mountains on Monday afternoon, Lewis said. Dry conditions will persist with humidity levels below 10% until the rain over the weekend, according to the weather service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humidity levels in the Eaton fire area were 3% Tuesday morning, said James White, a meteorologist working the fire. "It's almost impossible to be drier than that," he said. A fire weather watch will remain in effect from Tuesday evening through Thursday evening with forecasters warning of Santa Ana winds and very low relative humidity for large parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Relative humidity levels are expected to remain low between 5% to 10% across most of the area in the coming days, White said. Thousands of people across Southern California were without power on Tuesday as Southern California Edison instituted public safety power shutoffs, which aim to mitigate threats in areas where the utilitys equipment could be at a high risk of sparking a wildfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roughly 9,200 SCE customers in Los Angeles County are without power, and another 45,800 customers are under consideration for such power shutoffs. More than 9,300 SCE customers in Ventura County, 16,000 in San Bernardino County and 28,800 in Riverside County are also without power, the utility said Tuesday morning. Without any significant rain in the Southland for months, the landscape remains primed for fire. Firefighters across Southern California rushed to gain control of several small brush fires that broke out around the region. In Los Angeles, fires were reported in Griffith Park, Granada Hills and the Tujunga area. No homes were damaged and no evacuation orders were issued, said Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "LAFD has had a very busy 24 hours," Crowley said. "There were three additional brush fires fueled by high winds and dry vegetation within the city. I'm happy to report that all three fires were kept very small." Los Angeles police arrested a man after a small brush fire broke out in Griffith Park under the observatory on Monday. Police sources said the man was seen setting a fire in the area. No other details were available. The fire was reported around 1 p.m. and had burned a quarter of an acre, according to LAFD. Read more: Trump surveys damage as region braces for weekend rain Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In San Diego County, several fires were reported Tuesday. One in Poway burned three acres before being stopped. The Pala fire in Fallbrook burned 17 acres before it was stopped, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Lilac fire, which broke out near Old Highway 395 and Lilac Road in Bonsall at 1:19 a.m. Tuesday, had burned about 85 acres and forced evacuations. By Tuesday night, the evacuations were lifted and the fire was 50% contained. . Another brush fire broke out near the Fashion Valley mall in San Diego just after noon on Tuesday, briefly forcing the evacuation of nearby homes. Firefighters quickly got the blaze under control but remained in the area mopping up hot spots, according to the San Diego Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, crews that have been fighting two of the deadliest and most destructive fires California has seen in years continued to make progress. The death toll in the fires rose to 28 on Tuesday 11 people were killed in the Palisades fire and 17 died in the Eaton fire area, officials said. But officials say that number is likely to continue to climb. There are still people who have been reported missing from the fire areas, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. On Tuesday, one such missing person was confirmed dead by the L.A. County medical examiner. Edwin Cridland, 94, died in his Altadena home from smoke inhalation and burn injuries. He was last in contact with friends and family around 7:30 p.m on Jan. 7, the night the Eaton fire erupted. The footprint of the Palisades fire remained at 23,713 acres with 65% containment Tuesday evening. The fire, which grew quickly in its first week amid extreme winds, has destroyed 6,380 structures, according to Cal Fire. The Eaton fire remained at just over 14,000 acres while its containment jumped from 65% Friday to 89% as of Tuesday. The fire carved a devastating path through the Altadena and Pasadena areas, destroying 9,418 structures, according to Cal Fire. The operation at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, which has been transformed into a makeshift city for the last two weeks for firefighters battling the Eaton fire, will begin to wind down this week. The 2,300 personnel and the camp mobilized to respond to the blaze will be phased out over the next week, officials said. "It is moving into that recovery phase," Cal Fire spokesperson Robert Foxworthy said. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors discussed the fires during a meeting Tuesday and emphasized the importance of securing state and federal aid to help rebuilding efforts, which could take years. "The destruction is unbelievable. It has left communities completely leveled and not functional, potentially for a substantial period of time, as our firefighters continue their heroic efforts to complete containment of the Palisades and Eaton fires, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said. "We must be strategic and relentless in pursuing state and federal funding and support to quickly restore the communities that burned." Also on Tuesday, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger asked the county to bring in an outside investigator to examine how the evacuations in Altadena were carried out. While other areas of Altadena received evacuation warnings and orders shortly after the Eaton fire broke out, records reviewed by The Times show that Altadena neighborhoods west of North Lake Avenue did not get electronic evacuation orders until 3:25 a.m. and never received evacuation warnings. By then, embers were raining down on neighborhoods on the west side of Altadena and igniting homes. "I have deep concerns," Barger said. "There has to be a thorough examination of life-saving emergency notifications that took place on that horrific evening. From what I have been told, it was a night of pure chaos for both fire and first responders and then for the community." Times staff writers Terry Castleman and Ian James contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The winter storm has hindered air travel across the South, including at the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. Several flights across the southeast were canceled or delayed on Tuesday. In Central Mississippi, many travelers had to rebook their flights. I got a notification saying my flight was delayed, and then luckily, I was able to rebook with Delta going to the exact same spot. Kind of surprised by the flight was canceled, though, said one traveler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rare winter storm brings snow to Mississippi Coast South Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas have taken the brunt of the winter storm. Some flyers said booking a flight out of Jackson was their best bet. We were supposed to fly to Dallas for business meeting, and a notice came through yesterday that the flight was canceled. So, we rebooked out of Jackson and drove to Jackson last night to fly out. Yeah, were just not prepared for it in the South, said one traveler. Airport officials said travelers should check their flight status before heading out. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Daily Weather Forecast Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. There have been several announcements made in response to freezing weather and hazardous driving conditions expected in the Montgomery area: Montgomery city offices closed Due to the threat of inclement winter weather, all city of Montgomery offices will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Essential operations will continue, and sanitation services will resume Thursday, Jan. 23. A warming center will be open in Montgomery at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl. Use caution on roads around Montgomery as freezing conditions and snow could lead to dangers while driving. Wetumpka city offices to close Wetumpka's city offices will close Tuesday after the City Council meeting at noon, and will remain closed on Wednesday. Pike Road offices to close The Town of Pike Road will close offices Tuesday at noon, and will remain closed until Thursday at 8 a.m. All municipal programs are canceled from noon Tuesday through all day Wednesday. Elmore County announces 'safer places' Elmore County has activated the Safer Places program as warming stations. Those who use them should bring all needed supplies such as water, food, snacks, chairs, blankets, and any other supplies. They will be open through Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First Presbyterian Church, 100 West Bridge St., Wetumpka Will open on Sunday and Sanctuary will be open 24 hours a day Millbrook First Methodist Church, 3350 Edgewood Road, Millbrook Will open Monday and Tuesday nights from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. Elmore Fire Station 1, 1245 Alabama 143, Elmore Will open on Monday and Tuesday nights from midnight to 10 a.m. Deatsville Fire Department, 6930 Hwy 143, Deatsville Will be open 24 hours a day through Wednesday. Tallassee Police Department, 214 Barnett Blvd., Tallassee Will be open 24 hours a day through Wednesday Prattville Public Safety Building, 201 Gin Shop Hill Road, Prattville Will be open 24 hours a day through Wednesday Coosada Town Hall/VFD, 5800 Coosada Road, Coosada Open Tuesday and Wednesday, 3-10 a.m. First Baptist Eclectic 203 Claude Road, Eclectic Will open on Tuesday night at 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday Elmore County Courthouse, 100 E. Commerce St., Wetumpka Open on Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Courthouse scheduled to be open on Wednesday. (This could change due to weather.) Prattville City Council and sanitation Prattville's City Council meeting that had been scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed until Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6 p.m. on the 2nd floor of 124 W. Main St. Prattville's Sanitation Department will run Tuesday, January 21, and all routes will be completed by 1 p.m. Household garbage should be out by 7 a.m. Yard trash will be collected on Monday routes only. 'Key and essential personnel only' at Maxwell AFB Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex announced Monday that a "Key and Essential Personnel Only" reporting status has been declared, effective immediately. Only those designated as key and essential are required to report to work on Monday and Tuesday. Non-essential personnel have been advised to not attempt to come onto the base unless authorized by their supervisor or commander. The following essential services on base will remain available : Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maxwell Boulevard and Gunter Annex Gate will remain open. Essential services, such as security, fire, and emergency medical response, will continue to be available. Food will be provided at the Gunter Annex and Officer Training School dining facility. The Riverfront Inn will be closed until further notice. The base will resume normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so. "The safety of our personnel is our top priority, and we appreciate the cooperation and understanding of all base personnel and their families," the 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs said in a release. River Region's public schools closed All public schools in Montgomery, Autauga and Elmore counties, including Pike Road, will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Virtual work and classes at Alabama State University Alabama State University will have virtual workdays Tuesday and Wednesday for all employees. ASU will also observe virtual learning for all in-person classes on these days. "While the campus will be closed for in-person operations, remote work will continue as scheduled\," ASU released in a statement Monday. "Students are encouraged to check their email or Canvas for updates from their instructors regarding coursework." Montgomery Zoo will be closed Because of the weather the Montgomery Zoo will be closed to the public through Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is to ensure the safety of the animals in our care," the zoo said in a release Monday. "We plan on resuming normal schedule on Thursday, January 23, 2025." Social Security offices close in-person on Tuesday The following Social Security offices will be closed for in-person service Tuesday due to weather conditions: Alexander City, Andalusia, Auburn, Dothan, Fairhope, Jackson, Mobile, Montgomery, and Selma. Social Securitys online and phone services are open for service. Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel can be contacted at sheupel@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: What's open and closed in Montgomery, central Alabama for winter storm A winter storm sweeping across the South dumped historic snow from Texas to Florida, brought widespread airport and road closures and gave students in several cities a rare snow day. Children made snow angels in New Orleans, beaches in Florida and Alabama were covered in white and at least one person flew down a hill near downtown Houston on snow skis. The system, named Winter Storm Enzo by The Weather Channel, will continue to impact wide parts of the region as it moves eastward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here for the full forecast, and follow our winter storm maps tracker here. Here are our live updates from Tuesday: (5:56 p.m. ET) Where The Snow's Headed Next From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles: Enzo's flakes will continue to fall from north Florida to the Carolinas and southeast Virginia into early Wednesday. While the snow is less unexpected in the Carolinas compared to Florida or Louisiana, it could still have some big impacts for the morning commute in cities like Charleston, Savannah and Wilmington, North Carolina. Ice may continue to cause issues in north Florida into the overnight hours, too. (5:36 p.m. ET) Florida Snowfall Record Likely Broken The National Weather Service confirmed 5 inches of snow fell in Pensacola, Florida, likely breaking a statewide 24-hour record set in 1954. (5:32 p.m. ET) Atlanta School Closures Announced From weather.com producer and Atlanta resident Pat Maddox: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just got the word that Atlanta Public Schools are closed. I just went for a walk around the neighborhood and not surprised. It's already very icy and I saw a few cars coming home skid out. (5:05 p.m. ET) Top Snowfall Totals Five and a half inches of snow is being reported in Floridas far western Panhandle. If the number holds through further investigation by the National Weather Service, that will be a new snowfall record for the entire state. And more could still come down. Heres a look at the top snowfall totals by state from Enzo so far: Alabama: 5 inches in Bay Minette (northeast of Mobile) Florida: 5.5 inches in Molino (north of Pensacola) Louisiana: 10.5 inches in Rayne (near Lafayette) Mississippi: 4 inches in Lumberton (south of Hattiesburg) Texas: 6 inches near Pine Island (near Beaumont) (4:53 p.m. ET) Emergencies Expand The city of Savannah is the latest to declare a state of emergency because of the weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per a social media update: "City offices & facilities closed today at noon and will remain closed Wednesday, Jan. 22. Thursday operations will be determined based on weather outcomes. Emergency services will remain open." (4:49 p.m. ET) Heads Up, Florida Drivers From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles: Over the next few hours, we should see some changeover to freezing rain or sleet in the eastern Florida panhandle, south Georgia and the coastal Carolinas. Roads should get worse in a hurry in those areas, just in time or just after rush hour. (4:40 p.m. ET) Why This Snow Isn't Great For Making Snowballs From weather.com digital meteorologist Sara Tonks: Today's snow across the Gulf Coast and Southeast is a fairly dry snow, so the ratio of snow to the rainfall equivalent is higher than the 10:1 rule of thumb that a lot of people point to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, that means the snow isn't the best for making snowballs. Read Tonks' full writeup to learn more about wet, heavy snow vs. dry, fluffy snow. A person skis down a hill as people sled, with the city skyline in the backdrop. (4:25 p.m. ET) 'Surreal' Scenes In New Orleans From weather.com producer Joy Kigin, who's in the city on personal travel: "It's surreal seeing the French Quarter so quiet, covered in snow. The city feels frozen in time, but the businesses that stayed open have been a lifeline - locals here really know how to take care of people, even in the strangest of circumstances." Two lone people walk on a snow-covered street, as more snow falls. (3:49 p.m. ET) School Closings Mount Across Southeast From weather.com staff writer Jenn Jordan: Schools across the South are announcing more closures as Winter Storm Enzo sweeps through, creating snowy, icy conditions in areas unaccustomed to such weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 17 counties in Alabama and more than a dozen in Mississippi have already canceled Wednesday classes. In Florida, 31 districts and counting have shut down schools, with one even extending closures into Thursday. Georgia isnt escaping the storm either, with dozens of counties under winter weather advisories and warnings. Many school districts and colleges are already sending students home early for the day today. As the storm intensifies, school leaders in Atlanta are set to make a decision about Wednesdays classes by 5 p.m. (3:09 p.m. ET) Why This Graphic Is Bonkers From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles on this graphic from the National Weather Service: Snow in Florida is a rarity all by itself, but heavy snow is exceptional anywhere in the South. Drivers in the panhandle are more used to driving in hurricanes or severe weather, but these white out conditions are something most native Floridians have never seen. (2:38 p.m. ET) Here's How Much Snow Could Fall Across The South We've told you today about snowfall in places like Houston, New Orleans and even Florida. Here's a look at the forecast for major cities across the South, through tomorrow. (2:32 p.m. ET) Orange Beach, Alabama, Covered In Snow The sand at one of Alabama's most popular beach getaways is unrecognizable today. A social media post from the city calls it "History in the making." (2:26 p.m. ET) Travel Woes Mounting Across The South With roads and airports shutting down, anyone traveling today or tomorrow needs to stay on top of the forecast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 2,100 flights across the country are canceled today, with hundreds of others delayed, according to online tracker FlightAware.com Here are just some of the airports already closed or shutting down, or operating under very limited traffic, this afternoon: Destin-Fort Walton Beach and Tallahassee International in Florida Houston's Bush-Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Gulfport-Biloxi Regional in Mississippi Lake Charles Regional and Acadiana Regional in Louisiana Mobile Regional in Alabama (1:59 p.m. ET) Why Do We Name Winter Storms? The Weather Channel names winter storms in order to bring awareness of the dangers to those in the system's path. The criteria for naming includes significant snow and/or ice impacting at least one region of the country, with the potential for major impacts like hazardous travel conditions, power outages and tree damage. Read more in this article from weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman. The list of this year's winter storm names, from Anya to Zahir. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (1:49 p.m. ET) It's Official - There's Snow In The Florida Panhandle From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles: Snow has reached the 50th state this season. While Enzo is just getting started in Florida, an additional 3-5 inches are expected from 1 p.m. local time through the end of the event, so that record we mentioned below probably will not stand at the end of the storm. Among the sights to be famous after Enzo passes, snow on Florida beaches is one we'll be remembering years from now. (1:43 p.m. ET) NOLA Airport Sees Most Snow In Records Going Back Nearly 80 Years From weather.com senior meteorologist Chris Dolce: New Orleans International Airport just came in with 4 inches. Thats the heaviest snow in airport records dating to 1948, per the National Weather Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the all-time record in NOLA is still quite a bit higher than that at 8 inches in February 1895. (1:36 p.m. ET) Tallahassee International Airport To Close The airport in Florida's capital city is canceling all commercial flights after 3 p.m. eastern time today and is suspending all operations until at least noon Wednesday. Tallahassee is under a winter storm warning, with the precipitation moving in late this afternoon into the night. (1:15 p.m ET) Record Snow In Florida? From weather.com senior meteorologist Chris Dolce: Several inches of snow could fall in parts of the Florida Panhandle The Florida record for the most snowfall in 24 hours is 4 inches, so we could see a preliminary new record equaled or broken if we hit that number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That record was set in March 6, 1954, in the Panhandle community of Milton. Check out our look back at some of the strangest places to get snow over the years. (1:00 p.m. ET) Alabama County: All Roads Should Be Considered Impassable Escambia County, in south central Alabama is asking everyone to stay off the roads. In a press release, the County Engineer said all roads and bridges should be considered impassable until further notice. The county closed schools and government offices ahead of the storms arrival on Tuesday. (12:48 p.m. ET) An Unnatural Habitat In Louisiana From weather.com writer Jenn Jordan: A blue heron found itself walking in a winter wonderland, trudging through blowing snow outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana as Winter Storm Enzo wreaked havoc. Neighbors captured the birds bewildered stroll, speculating what it must think of the frozen chaos. The National Weather Service issued its first-ever blizzard warning for the county, with roads and bridges shuttered by the storm. (12:24 p.m. ET) Texas Transportation Department Deploys Plows To Houston Some residents in Houston may have to wait until warmer temperatures hit the city for roads to clear. Houston does not own snow plows, as the area so rarely sees snow. It so rarely snows here, Erin Jones, a spokeswoman for the citys public works department told The New York Times, They would basically sit in storage year after year. Houston does have a supply of sand and brine to help melt snow and ice on highways and overpasses. The Texas Transportation Department sent plows to the city, the question remains whether they will be enough for the job. (12:06 p.m. ET) Road Conditions Deteriorate In Alabama From weather.com writer Jenn Jordan: The County of Mobile has issued a Public Safety Alert declaring all roads and bridges impassable until further notice. Motorists are being urged to stay off the roads to make way for emergency vehicles. The alert comes as heavy snow continues to fall in the area. Official measurements confirm around 1 inch has fallen so far, though blowing winds are lending to higher piles of snow in some locations. Being on the ground in Mobile, myself, I can say it's been a long time since the city has seen anything like this. From my view, most people are heeding warnings and staying off of the roads, though conditions are likely to get worse as freezing temperatures continue for the next several hours and into overnight. (11:57 a.m ET) Snow On The Beach In Galveston, Texas In an almost surreal scene, snow blanketed Galveston Island beaches Tuesday, and a restaurant built on stilts to save it from hurricane flooding had snow on its roof. Snow showers were expected to continue in the area until the early afternoon. (11:33 a.m. ET) Top Snowfall Totals In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles: Here's where we've seen the most snowfall so far: Houston: Up to 4 inches New Orleans: At least an inch Lake Charles, Louisiana: At least 4 inches Lafayette, Louisiana: At least 7 inches Picayune, Mississippi: At least 1.1 inches Austin, Texas: 0.5-1.0 inches San Antonio, Texas: Coating (0.1 inches) (11:16 a.m. ET) Multiple Deaths Reported In Icy Texas Crash A local official in Zavala County, Texas, says "multiple people are dead after a crash near a bridge on Highway 57. The area is located in southwest Texas. Local reports say the crash happened around 12:45 a.m. local time. In a Facebook post, Uvalde County Constable Emmanuel Zamora said the weather conditions prevented a medical chopper from responding to the scene. The highway was closed for several hours but has since reopened. (11 a.m. ET) Power Outages Rise In Texas More than 47,000 customers are without power in Texas, with most of the outages clustered along the Gulf Coast. Hidalgo County has the highest number of outages so far with more than 18,000, according to PowerOutage.us. See our pro tips here for surviving a cold-weather power outage. (10:55 a.m. ET) Snowfall Tops 3 Inches In Houston From weather.com senior meteorologist Chris Dolce: Suffice it to say this is very, very unusual, rare and in some cases the snow totals could be historic. Weve got snow in New Orleans, generally were seeing 3 to 4 inches in Houston, and the highest total is 4 to 6 inches in Southeast Texas. This is something well remember for a long time. (10:47 a.m. ET) Cold Shuts Down Houston Space Center Space Center Houston is closed Tuesday and Wednesday due to the storm, including all tours and experiences on the grounds. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you soon! Space Center Houston announced on their website, where updates will be posted. (10:22 a.m. ET) Rare Snowfall In Houston, New Orleans A palm-tree lined street is covered in snow. A closeup of a car covered in snow. (10:03 a.m. ET) Schools Closed In Florida, Across The South Schools are closed or releasing early today in 15 of Florida's 67 counties, stretching across the Panhandle to the center of the northern part of the state. More than a dozen districts in Alabama closed or delayed school. Schools are also closed today in Houston and New Orleans. (9:27 a.m. ET) Video Shows Palm Trees Blowing In Heavy Winds A video shows what near-blizzard conditions look like in southern Louisiana. Palm trees can be seen blowing in heavy winds surrounded by snowfall at the New Orleans Lakefront. (9:20 a.m. ET) 'It Is Snowing At The Office!!!' Meteorologists with the National Weather Service in New Orleans shared video and some excitement as blustery snow moved into the city. The snow is expected to get more intense throughout the morning. Schools across the city are closed and residents are being advised to stay off the roads. Scroll down for an earlier update on Louisiana highways being shut down today due to the hazardous snow and ice. (9:09 a.m. ET) How Much Snow Will There Be? The latest forecast calls for at least a few inches of snow from southeast Texas into Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama and northwest Florida. Bands of heavier snowfall could dump up to a half-foot in some locations, such as southern Louisiana and southeast Texas. Georgia and the Carolinas could see anywhere from a dusting of snowfall to a few inches of accumulation. Southern Georgia and the coastal Carolinas are expected to see the greatest snowfall totals. (8:35 a.m. ET) New Orleans May See Highest Snow Total Since 1950 If accumulation exceeds 2.7 inches in New Orleans, it will be the most snow the city has seen since December 1963. The citys biggest snowstorm on record was in February 1895, with 8 inches of snowfall. Winter Storm Enzo could be one of Lake Charles, Louisianas top five biggest snowstorms if 3 or more inches fall there. The city saw its all-time record of 22 inches in February 1895. (8:33 a.m. ET) Louisiana Airport Shuts Down The Lafayette Regional Airport has canceled all flights on Tuesday due to ice and snow on the runways. In a post to X, the airport encouraged fliers to check with individual airlines for the latest flight information. Lafayette is under an unusual blizzard warning until noon local time and could get as much as 4 inches of snow. (8:23 a.m. ET) Several Road Closures In Houston Area Snow and ice are affecting Houston roads Tuesday morning, with more than 55 areas of ice on major roadways, according to Houston Transtar. Road closures include all lanes of I-69 between FM-2218 to Harris-Ft Bend County Line, I-45 Gulf in both directions between Dixie Farm Road and I-610 South Loop. (8:12 a.m. ET) Winter Storm Enzo Maps Tracker Weve launched our maps tracker so you can follow the path of Winter Storm Enzos snow and ice, winter weather alerts and more as it moves across the Gulf Coast and the South. All of the maps will be updating constantly throughout the day. (7:54 a.m. ET) More Than An Inch Of Snow So Far In Lake Charles, Louisiana So far, Winter Storm Enzo has dropped nearly 2 inches of snow on Lake Charles, Louisiana. One resident shared video to X of the snow blanketing her backyard and her generator before dawn. All of Louisianas southern parishes declared a state of emergency ahead of the storms arrival. (7:10 a.m. ET) This Is Why Houston's Schools And Airports Are Closed Roads in the Houston area were quickly becoming treacherous as the snow rates picked up this morning, and a video posted to X by Storm Chaser Houston showed why all residents were urged to stay home. Prior to the storm's arrival, the Houston Independent School District announced that all schools would be closed today and tomorrow. Both of the city's two biggest airports also suspended operations, leading to the cancellation of more than 1,300 flights into and out of Houston. (6:45 a.m. ET) New Orleans Expected To Close Major Interstates Hoping to get out and drive around in the snow in the Big Easy today? First of all, that's a really bad idea. Secondly, interstates 10, 310 and 510 will be closed by the city as conditions worsen. Ramps to U.S. 90 and elevated bridges will also be closed. And the other roads are expected to be very dangerous. NOLA.com has a complete list of road closures around New Orleans. The city would see its highest snow total since December 1963 if it tops 2.7 inches during Enzo; we're forecasting 3 to 5 inches. (6 a.m. ET) Lake Charles Under First Blizzard Warning Ever In a shocking turn of events that shows the rarity of such a winter storm, a blizzard warning has been issued this morning for parts of far southwestern Louisiana, including the city of Lake Charles, and a few Texas counties just across the border. The National Weather Service's office in Lake Charles issued the warning until noon local time today and announced that it was a first for the region. We're expecting at least a few inches of snow to fall in the area, but strong winds will lead to blowing snow that will make travel extremely difficult. Winter storms must meet specific criteria in order to be called a blizzard; find out about what it takes by reading this. WASHINGTON Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul joined 17 other states in suing President Donald Trump on Tuesday to block an executive order that ends birthright citizenship, setting up an early legal battle over a longstanding right. The lawsuit alleges that the executive order, signed by Trump shortly after he was sworn into office on Monday, violates the 14th Amendment, which holds that all people born in the U.S. are citizens. Trump acted "without legal authority" in signing the order, according to the complaint, filed in Federal District Court in Massachusetts. The states in the lawsuit said Trump's public statements make clear he made the move "purely as a policy tactic to purportedly deter immigration to the United States." Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul makes remarks at the Wisconsin Democratic Convention on Saturday June 8, 2024 at Potawatomi Hotel in Milwaukee, Wis. The Constitution, federal law, and Supreme Court precedent all make clear that the children who would be impacted by this executive order are United States citizens," Kaul, a Democrat, said in a statement. "This attempt to deny them citizenship in blatant violation of the Constitution should be rejected." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four other states filed a separate lawsuit in the Western District of Washington later Tuesday. Trump's move to end birthright citizenship was among a flurry of executive orders Trump issued in the hours after his inauguration ceremony on Monday. His order holds that children born to undocumented immigrants inside the U.S. will not be considered citizens. It also extends to children born to mothers who were lawfully in the U.S. but only temporarily listing those on student, work or tourist visas as examples. The order argues children born to these noncitizens are not "subject to the jurisdiction" of the U.S. and in turn the 14th Amendment's constitutional guarantee of citizenship. It applies to children born 30 days after the signing of the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday's lawsuit from the 18 states, as well as the cities of San Francisco and Washington, D.C., seeks to block the order before it can be implemented. The attorneys general in the suit said states and their residents will "suffer immediate and irreparable harm" if the executive order is allowed to stand. They argued the move would cause states to lose federal funding to programs, resulting in the states assuming a greater financial burden to provide assistance to noncitizens. Trump during his first term in the White House expressed support for ending birthright citizenship, and a number of Wisconsin Republicans also support the move. Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman has said the government "wrongly" interprets the 14th Amendment as applying to children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants. And on Monday, Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany listed the move as among "promises made, promises kept" by Trump on his first day back in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats, however railed against the executive order. Rep. Gwen Moore, a Milwaukee Democrat, on Tuesday said the 14th Amendment "has long ensured that citizenship is not determined by lineage, wealth, or status but by the promise of equality and opportunity for all." And Gov. Tony Evers called Trump's move to end birthright citizenship "as egregious and wrong-headed as it is unconstitutional." "We must defend Americans constitutional rights, including the rights of kids who are born on U.S. soil, and that is exactly what we are doing today," Evers said. (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin AG Kaul joins lawsuit on Trump birthright citizenship order CUMBERLAND, Wis. (WFRV) A 29-year-old Wisconsin man was arrested on Monday after allegedly assaulting his mother, resulting in severe injuries and prompting an emergency response team to intervene. At approximately 9:30 a.m., the Cumberland Police Department received a call for a welfare check on a resident. The caller reported that his wife had phoned him, during which he heard screaming before the line disconnected. Afterward, he was unable to contact her. Trump issues pardons for participants in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement officers later established phone contact with the woman, who reported that her son, Devin Baldwin, had assaulted her and left her badly injured. She had been able to flee the residence and was escorted safely to an awaiting ambulance. A perimeter was set up around the residence, and the Barron/Rusk Emergency Response Team (ERT) was called in. Baldwin had previously required ERT intervention during two prior incidents, and he had recently been released from prison following a 2023 event at the same residence. Despite multiple attempts to peacefully persuade Baldwin to exit the home, the ERT entered the house and found him in the upstairs area. Baldwin reportedly resisted arrest and was uncooperative. During the altercation, Baldwin spat in the face of a Barron County detective. He was physically restrained before being taken into custody. Iowa woman killed, juvenile injured after high-speed crash in Wisconsin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No officers were injured during the incident. Baldwin was transported to the Barron County Jail and is awaiting formal charges. The woman was initially treated at a nearby healthcare facility before being flown by medical helicopter to a larger hospital, where she remains in critical condition. No further details were provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. South African authorities revealed Monday that a prominent figure allegedly responsible for illegal gold mining and linked to multiple underground deaths managed to flee police custody with help from local officers. Identified as Lesotho national James Tiger Neo Tshoaeli, the suspect initially surfaced last week from the disused Stilfontein gold mine, where an extensive operation rescued 246 illegal miners and retrieved 78 bodies. According to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, Tshoaeli was apparently never properly processed at any police station, despite evidence implicating him in crimes such as torture, assault, and withholding food from other miners. Eyewitness accounts and video footage reportedly substantiate allegations that Tshoaeli, known by his alias Tiger, asserted his control underground, contributing to deaths in the shaft. Investigators are now working to identify officers who may have aided his escape between the mine site and the Stilfontein holding cells. Police note that since August, nearly 2,000 illegal miners have emerged from the abandoned mine, with 87 bodies removed in total. Survivors have recounted dire conditions, including starvation and sickness, after law enforcement surrounded the site to sever supplies as part of a crackdown on illicit mining. While rescue workers concluded their search efforts last week, some local groups suspect that additional bodies might remain in a different shaft. Authorities maintain that remote-operated cameras and motion detectors did not detect more survivors or remains, though concerns persist among community members who believe the full scope of this tragedy has yet to be uncovered. All of Wisconsin is under an Extreme Cold Warning Tuesday morning due to wind chills as cold as -35 degrees in some portions of the state. The Extreme Cold Warning is in effect in southeastern Wisconsin, including the Milwaukee area, until noon. The National Weather Service warns that dangerously cold wind chills, as low as -30 degrees in the region, could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. "Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside," the weather service says. "Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wind chills will gradually improve throughout the late morning and afternoon but will remain below zero through Wednesday morning. Cold Weather Advisories may be needed over portions of the area following the expiration of the Extreme Cold Warning, NWS says. Schools and many colleges throughout the Milwaukee area are closed due to the extreme cold. Here's what to know. (1/3) Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect until Noon. Dangerous wind chills in the -30 to -35 range will continue through mid-morning, supporting the potential for frost bite in as little as 15 to 25 minutes. Dress warm and cover all exposed skin if needing to be outside. pic.twitter.com/Xos61L2p83 NWS Milwaukee (@NWSMilwaukee) January 21, 2025 How cold is it in Milwaukee today? According to the NWS forecast, Milwaukee is expected to see a low of around -10 degrees and a late afternoon high of 1 degree on Tuesday. Wind chills in the city will be between -30 and -20 until 1 p.m. Then, wind chills are expected to be between -20 and -15 for the remainder of the day. Wind chills will reach around 10 degrees by Wednesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is possible Milwaukee could set a cold temperature record today. According to NWS data, Milwaukee's lowest Jan. 21 high temperature of -4 degrees occurred in 1883. When will temperatures warm up in Milwaukee? Southerly winds will start bringing warmer air Tuesday night into Wednesday, which is when we'll see our "biggest changes in temperature," Milwaukee-Sullivan NWS meteorologist Taylor Patterson said. Air temperatures will climb to between 1 and 3 degrees overnight, with wind chills around -10 to around -16 degrees Wednesday morning. Wednesday's high temperatures will be around 22 degrees. By the time we hit Wednesday afternoon and evening, wind chills will be between 8 and 11 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overnight Wednesday into Thursday, temps will be in the teens, with wind chills around 2 to 6 degrees. Thursday and Friday are expected to have high temps in the 20s. Icicles form on a branch along a frigid Lake Michigan shoreline near Bradford Beach in Milwaukee on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, after an extended cold snap. Which Milwaukee-area schools and colleges are closed for the cold? Many schools are closed on Tuesday due to the cold, including Milwaukee Public Schools, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University. UW-Milwaukee is canceling all in-person classes, public events and student activities Tuesday, the school announced. Its Student Union, however, will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. That includes the Food Center and Pantry, as well as UW Credit Union. Residence halls and their dining operations will remain open as well. For UWM off-campus events, people are to contact the event's sponsoring unit for its status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While all Marquette classes are canceled Tuesday, the university will be operational with limited on-campus services, the school announced. These areas will remain open including the Alumni Memorial Union, University Dining Services and the Rec Plex although hours may be reduced. In general, when classes are canceled for severe weather, most campus events and all student-organized events will be canceled, the university said. Meanwhile, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is planning to "operate normally" on Tuesday, according to a weather update UW-Madison posted Monday afternoon to X and its Instagram Story. An extensive list of school closures can be found here. The shoreline of Lake Michigan on a frigid cold day at Atwater Park in Shorewood on Friday, December 13, 2024. Extreme cold weather safety tips The Milwaukee Health Department issued a "cold weather health warning" for Milwaukee County in coordination with the NWS and the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencies recommend a series of actions to stay safe in the subzero weather, including: Limit time outdoors. Dress warmly. Monitor for health risks, including symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite. Prepare for emergencies by keeping extra supplies in your vehicle and home. Only use approved indoor heating devices to avoid fire and carbon-monoxide poisoning risk. Ensure pets are inside or in a "sheltered, warm space with access to water." Check in on others. Individuals in need of public space to stay warm during the day can visit 211's list of locations in the Greater Milwaukee Area or dial 211. For overnight warming locations, dial 211. Wisconsin weather warnings Wisconsin weather radar Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Journal Sentinel reporter Hannah Kirby contributed to this report. More: Four warming centers will open in Milwaukee Monday. Heres what to know More: 'You call this cold?' Looking back at Milwaukee's coldest temperatures in January This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How cold is it in Milwaukee today? KENTUCKY (FOX 56) Inauguration Day means different things to different people and different ages. Witnessing history is how 14-year-old Reed Elliotte describes being in Washington, D.C., on this Inauguration Day. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: It means a lot because this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience actually getting to witness someone being sworn in as president of the United States, said Elliotte. His passion for presidents started in 2018 when he watched news coverage of the death of George H.W. Bush. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then instantly just something in me got me interested in the presidents, added Elliotte. And its just been really fun learning and traveling all over the country and learning about presidents. That passion led him to D.C. on Monday. While he couldnt be inside the Capitol, he attended President Donald Trumps rally Sunday and spent Monday inside Capital One Arena. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Just seeing him in person again; I got to go the first time in Lexington in 2019, and that was just an amazing experience, Elliotte said. But Im just so glad Im getting these opportunities. Being young and so passionate about politics isnt always common. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Selena Miskimen with Eastern Kentucky Universitys College Republicans said Elliottes passion is an example of what all young voters should have. I think its very important for someone at 14 to be knowledgeable and to know exactly what he believes so he can defend his point, said Miskimen. With the next four years under Trumps presidency, both Elliotte and Miskimen want to remind people to use their voices. Latest central Kentucky weather forecast We are the future of America. And youth have like a certain vigor and passion that we can really make a change in the United States compared to some of the older generation, Miskimen added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were the next generation, and we need to start learning early on how to lead our nation, said Elliotte. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. University of Pittsburgh police have arrested a woman accused of robbing the Panera Bread on Forbes Avenue in broad daylight on Monday morning. Court documents said Keisha Cohen wrote a note to a Panera cashier around 11 a.m. Monday, demanding money, then walked out the door with it. The cashier told police a woman, who was later identified as Cohen, came to her register and requested a pen and paper so she could write down her order. Court documents say instead, she wrote, Put the money in the bag and hand it over. I am armed and dangerous. The cashier handed over $136 to Cohen, who then walked out with the money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant even imagine. Im just glad everyone is okay, said customer Lauren Layton. Thats so unfortunate. I really wish them the best. Theyre so kind here. I feel like Ive established a bit of a rapport coming here every day. Police said surveillance video shows Cohen walking into the University of Pittsburghs Litchfield Towers, where her jacket was later found in a trash can. The video then shows her leaving the Towers and boarding a bus. Port Authority Police were able to track Cohen to the Waterfront, where she was taken into custody near Claires boutique. She was arrested and faces several charges, including robbery, theft and making terroristic threats. Court documents say Cohen had a mens watch, crack pipes, and other drug paraphernalia on her. She remains in the Allegheny County Jail. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW STAR CITY, W.Va. (WBOY) A woman has been charged after an emotionally disturbed infant was found alone in a Star City apartment over the weekend. Officer with the Star City Police Department responded to an apartment on Saratoga Avenue for a welfare check on Friday, Jan. 17, according to a criminal complaint. Upon officers arrival, the caller told them that a year-and-a-half-old had been left alone in an apartment by two caretakers, one of which was 20-year-old Lily Allman, officers said. Lily Allman The witness showed law enforcement social media messages from Allman where she said that she was leaving the child to attend the WVU Up All Night at the Mountainlair and told the caller to listen for the child while they were gone, the complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers said when they knocked on the door of the apartment in question, no one answered. The landlord later opened the door for officers, who did not locate any adults in the home but found an emotionally disturbed one year old juvenile on the floor with a full unchanged diaper, according to the complaint. Woman charged with embezzling from Monongalia County cemeteries The complaint said that officers tried to contact Allman several times, but she did not answer. She returned to the apartment an hour after law enforcement arrived, and both caretakers admitted that they left the child to attend the event at West Virginia University, the complaint said. Officers said in the complaint against Allman that because the child was left alone in the apartment for an extended period of time without supervision, it could lead to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lily Allman has been charged with felony child neglect and is being held in the North Central Regional Jail on $30,000 bail. The second person listed in the complaint was not listed in the West Virginia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation database as of publication. Copyright 2025 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 WBOY.com. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A Columbus woman facing a reckless homicide charge and claims to have waved a faulty gun that fired appeared in court Tuesday. Police said Cierra Locke-Shelby, 30, was arrested overnight Monday after the fatal shooting of Tremain Russell, 33, in northwest Columbus. Locke-Shelby and Russell were in a verbal argument at around midnight when she grabbed a handgun and waved it in the direction of Russell, per Franklin County court documents. Girl, 4, shot dead while sleeping in home east of Columbus Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gun fired and a bullet struck Russell in the stomach, leading Locke-Shelby to call 911. Officers arrived to the 1400 block of Slade Avenue and had Russell transported in critical condition. He was pronounced dead at 12:45 a.m. Court documents said Locke-Shelby told police she knew the gun had a faulty safety and that she did not intend to shoot the gun at Russell. A witness told police that Locke-Shelby was waiving a gun in the direction of Russell when the gun fired. She received a $50,000 bond during her arraignment hearing in Municipal Court and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on Jan. 30. Among her conditions of bond include no weapons, drugs, alcohol, and staying away from the incident location. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. RENICK, WV (WVNS) One woman was arrested after a man was reportedly shot in the head near the Renick area of Greenbrier County. According to Sheriff Bart Baker with the Greenbrier County Sheriffs Office, deputies were dispatched to a home on Leanard Long Road for a report of a gunshot wound at around 10:45 PM, on Monday, January 20, 2025. Once on scene, deputies found a 48-year-old man, identified as Stephen Bennett, suffering from a gunshot wound to his head. Further investigation revealed the suspect, a 36-year-old woman identified as Tyler Truman, had allegedly fired two shots at Bennett, with one hitting the side of his head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the incident, there were reportedly five children in the house. Stephen Bennett was flown to a trauma center in Virginia for further treatment where he remains. Truman was arrested and taken to Southern Regional Jail. She was charged with Attempted Murder. Child Protective Services was called to help with the five children who were reportedly in the home at the time of the shooting. Members of the West Virginia State Police, Greenbrier County Emergency Ambulance Service and the Greenbrier Emergency Operations Centers also helped in the investigation. Stick with 59News for updates as they becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Cheryl Heuton was cleaning up debris from her front yard following the recent Eaton Fire when she stumbled on someone else's family photo The picture showed a couple looking down on a newborn, and in that moment, she decided she wanted to find the owner Heuton used social media to help her connect the dots, leading her to Annatova Neches and her family The Eaton Fire left one woman on a mission to return a family keepsake to its rightful owner. Cheryl Heuton lives just outside the area impacted by the wildfires. She, her husband and their cat were forced to evacuate on Jan. 7, though they were able to return home soon after. "We could see the flames from our house, so on Tuesday night we got the notice to evacuate and we did," Heuton tells PEOPLE. "We left not knowing if it was all going to burn to the ground, and you can't even emotionally think into it. We've lived in our home for 30 years, raised our child there. Thankfully, we were able to return to our house and see that it was undamaged." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they returned to their home, "there was a fine layer of ash and dust on a lot of stuff outside the house," Heuton says. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Eaton Fire Eaton Fire Related: Shop Worker Reunited with Engagement Ring After It Got Lost in Customers Bag: Restored My Faith in Humanity While surveying everything that Thursday, Heuton spotted trash near the sidewalk in front of her home. "I started picking up the trash and it was weird because some of it was bank receipts with people's account totals on them. I picked up another piece of paper and was about to crumple it in my hand when I turned it over and saw it was a photo." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heuton knew right away she wanted to get the photo, which showed a couple holding a newborn, back to whoever it belonged to. "This photo was blown into our yard during the Eaton Canyon fire. Anyone from Pasadena/Altadena recognize these people?" she asked, posting across Facebook, Bluesky and X. From there, it also made its way to Reddit. "I didn't think I would get such a response. The photo isn't the only one in the area I've seen on social media, so I wasn't expecting it to go viral," Heuton says. When PEOPLE first spoke to Heuton, she was "99.9% sure" of the identity of the man in the photos, who has since been confirmed to be Philip Neches. Neches died in 2022, but a former babysitter was able to identify him, though she wasn't sure which of his two children was the newborn in the photo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's been very moving because a lot of the people who want to get the photo back, are people who've lost everything [and] are hopeful that at least this one photo can get back," Heuton says. PEOPLE reached Neches' daughter, Annatova, who confirmed the photo featured her father, her mother and her older brother, who was the first to alert her of the found photo online. "My brother lives in Japan. He sent me an email about getting a strange message about the picture. He thought it was AI generated. He didn't recognize it, and I might not have either," she says. "Maybe I would have thought it was AI generated too, if I hadn't just taken a picture of that exact photo and had it on my phone." "I was reached out to with the same message, and then I heard from PEOPLE and was connected with Cheryl," she adds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Annatova explains that her mother lives in Pasadena, in her childhood home. She has dementia, and lives with a caretaker managed by Annatova, who flies in each month from her home in Oklahoma to spend time with her. Annatova was anxious about her mom and her caretaker's safety as the fires broke out, close enough to scare them but not enough to cause any direct damage. Annatova says they were evacuated twice once from Pasadena and again from Arcadia. Cheryl Heuton Teresa Young and Philip Neches with son Russell Neches in found photo Teresa Young and Philip Neches with son Russell Neches in found photo "It was a frightening event for everyone. I was in constant contact with the caretaker, keeping an eye on what needed to happen next and what was happening," Annatova says. "They had to bounce around for a few hours until they were finally able to go back to her home in Pasadena. They were okay, but it was just scary and stressful for me. I wasn't sure if I should go there or if staying away was the right thing. I did end up going." Annatova connected with Heuton, learning that she's a close neighbor of her mom. Further, she knew it was possible the photo was sitting out in her mom's home when the fires broke out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I know it was at my mother's house in 2023. I was looking through photo albums and it was in a family album of wedding and baby photos from the '80s. With my mother's dementia, we use family photo albums and look through them all the time to help her remember faces and names, to look back at memories and make connections," she explains. "I'm pretty sure one of those albums must have been out, or packed in something, and the photo got out that way," she continues. "I do wonder if there was a double of it somewhere or if the windows kept getting blown open and in the shuffle it got blown away. There's quite a bit of wind damage at my mother's house, with fences and yard structures blown over." Annatova finds it "magical" that the photo found its way back to her and brought Heuton into her orbit. "Cheryl and I connected over our mothers having dementia, and we had this lovely conversation. She's an interesting person who was really lovely and has a great life story. It's so strange when you think of how many people there are in this world and how our lives become intertwined," she says. "This woman who I have these connections with finds this one particular photo of my mother and my father when they were first together and when they first had their baby." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This weekend, the women will meet at a very special event: Annatova is celebrating her mom's time as an artist with a show displaying 20 pieces of her art. "My mother was a very prolific artist in her life before dementia," Annatova shares. "She was a naturalist and an entomologist. I'm displaying 10 illustrations and 10 oil paintings. She would do beautiful landscapes and illustrations of the California wildlife." In the works since October, the event is the perfect time for Heuton to meet Annatova and her mom. Courtesy of Annatova Neches Annatova Neches and her mother Teresa Young Annatova Neches and her mother Teresa Young "When Cheryl and I connected, I was like, 'I want you to come to this show. I want you to come and bring the photograph and meet my mother and see her artwork and celebrate her life and connection and regrowth together,' " she says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm so excited. It's meant to celebrate her life and her work and her love of the California wilderness, especially in this moment of devastation and heartbreak and loss." Though she never expected her family photo to go viral, Annatova hopes it's made a difference to others who've needed an uplifting story as they navigate this stressful time. "I hope that every component of this story can bring people understanding and hope and connection," she says. "The loss and the fires, the missing photo, the connection of two neighbors, the celebration of a woman's artwork." Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires. Read the original article on People BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A woman has been sentenced to six months in jail and five years of probation for her role in the death of a Genesee County Sheriffs sergeant at the Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel last year. Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39, was sentenced on a second-degree assault charge. Wilcox and Michael Elmore, 33, were escorted out of the Batavia Downs facility on March 10, 2024 when Elmore became combative with Genesee County Sheriffs Sergeant Thomas Sanfratello, who was on special assignment working at the hotel. During the altercation, Sanfratello, 54, suffered a medical event that led to his death. Sanfratello was a 32-year veteran of the Genesee County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elmore was sentenced to 20 years in prison on first-degree aggravated manslaughter and second-degree obstructing governmental administration in December. Son of fallen Genesee County sergeant: My dad wouldnt want threats against suspects Wilcox has already served 252 days in jail, therefore the six months of her jail sentence have already been completed. She was also sentenced to pay a $2,500 fine. Latest Local News Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2025 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 News 4 Buffalo. ST. LOUIS A St. Louis woman appeared in federal court on Tuesday to be sentenced for stealing her late grandmothers government benefits. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Eastern District of Missouri said Shamari Jackson, 33, did not properly report her father and grandmothers deaths to the Social Security Administration. As a result, the SSA continued to deposit Social Security benefits into her grandmothers account. Jackson admitted using her grandmothers debit card to access more than $13,000 in Social Security benefits that had been deposited post-death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen fatally shoots student, himself at Tennessee high school: police Meanwhile, prosecutors said Jackson also received and used her grandmothers $1,200 COVID-19 stimulus check, even though shed passed away. Jackson pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count of theft of government money. A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Jackson to five years of probation and 40 hours of community service. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Jan. 20LIMA A Lima woman suffered suspected serious injuries after a one-vehicle crash around 6:54 a.m. Sunday. According to a crash report from the Lima Police Department, when officers arrived at the crash scene in the 900 block of West Robb Avenue, a vehicle was sitting off the road in some trees with the driver Brooke Harpest, 30, trapped in the vehicle due to severe damage. A witness told officers he observed Harpest traveling eastbound on West Robb Avenue at a high rate of speed and passing cars. Officers said Harpest appeared to have severe injuries on her knees and arms and was taken by Lima EMS to Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center. Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451. Featured Local Savings This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain When Genevieve Postlethwait's water broke in her sleep one July morning, she knew something was wrong. At 17 weeks pregnant, it was too soon for this to be normal. That afternoon at her OB-GYN's office, Genevieve and her husband saw their daughter's moving shape on an ultrasound screen. But she looked differentopaque, hard to see, almost "squished," the 35-year-old recalled. The ultrasound tech was "clearly rattled and didn't know what to say." Over the next several hours, Genevieve learned her daughter would not continue developing without that fluid, and now she was at serious risk of severe infection, too. Even though there was still a fetal heartbeat, her pregnancy was no longer viable. But because of the OB-GYN's own religious beliefsand because of Kentucky's restrictive abortion bans, the expectant couple later came to understandtheir doctor would not surgically remove the fetus, and she could not recommend where Genevieve could go to get an abortion, even though it is widely considered the standard of care in this scenario. "Her plan of action was to send us home and drink lots of water," Genevieve said. Less than a week later, at a loss for options that felt safe from the Paducah hospital where Genevieve had hoped to give birth to a healthy baby for the first time, the couple instead drove roughly 70 miles to an Illinois clinic and charged $1,100 to a credit card to end her pregnancy. Genevieve's situation is not unusual in Kentucky. Five OB-GYNs and high-risk maternal fetal medicine doctors across central and southern Kentucky told the Herald-Leader that the commonwealth's near-total abortion bans and their vaguely defined exceptions do not permit doctors to legally provide the standard of care to patients like Genevieve. All said their ability to safely treat pregnant patients who require a medically indicated abortion has been compromised by state statute. Nearly all have referred patients out of state for these procedures, fearful of performing them in violation of the law and being charged with a felony. Kentucky's abortion bans have routinely prevented doctors from providing the standard of care since they were enacted in 2022, according to interviews for this story and previous Herald-Leader stories. But lawmakers still haven't taken steps to remediate the law's impact in this way, either by considerably rolling back the ban, removing or lessening its criminal penalty or by adding more exceptions. A bill to add some exceptions was filed by a Republican in the first week of the legislative session this month, but it's unclear whether such a proposal has any more support from the Republican caucus than in years past, when similar proposals did not progress. Meanwhile, Kentucky's current abortion ban "is putting women's lives at risk for the sake of fetuses that will not survive," said Dr. Karen Playforth, a maternal-fetal medicine doctor in Lexington who treats patients with high-risk pregnancies. She sees patients who fall within Genevieve's categorynot in the immediate throes of a medical emergency but whose pregnancy is nonviable and the doctor-recommended course of action is abortion"a couple times a week." Nearly all of those patients, some of whom have fatal fetal anomalies, major complications, or who have preexisting medical conditions that put them at especially high risk just by being pregnant, have to be referred to clinics in nearby states with less restrictive abortion laws, she said. Outlawing an evidence-based treatment option, like abortion for nonviable pregnancies, doesn't make it any less necessary, Playforth said. "Pregnancy termination is absolutely a normal part of health care associated with women, reproduction, and pregnancy," she said. "It just is." Dr. Alecia Fields, an OB-GYN in Somerset, agreed: "Abortion is a fact of our field, and it is not rare." "Abortion has become a dirty word, but it truly is something we deal with every single day, from miscarriage management, to ectopic pregnancies, to abnormal pregnancies, and unwanted or unplanned pregnancies," Fields said. Kentucky's ban also hasn't stopped women from getting abortions; more than 4,000 have traveled to states with more lenient laws, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute, a national research organization that supports abortion rights policy. Under Kentucky's trigger law and six-week ban, also known as the fetal heartbeat law, abortion is criminalized except to prevent a "substantial risk of death," or to "prevent the serious, permanent impairment of a life-sustaining organ of a pregnant woman." These exceptions also apply in the fetal heartbeat law, otherwise outlawing abortion except in a "medical emergency" once fetal cardiac activity starts, usually around six weeks of pregnancy. Both laws include wording that requires a doctor to make "reasonable medical efforts to preserve both the life of the mother and the life of the unborn human being in a manner consistent with reasonable medical practice." But what medical efforts are considered "reasonable," and what constitutes a "substantial risk of death," are not defined or clarified in either law. Doctors interviewed for this story said Kentucky lawmakers are fundamentally mistaken in thinking the ban's "life of the mother" exceptions, as they're often referred to, are broad enough to care for the full gamut of complications that require a pregnancy to be ended early. Countless medical complications may doom a pregnancy but do not immediately threaten a pregnant woman's life, like in Genevieve's case. This reality, the lack of wiggle room for it in the law and the threat of a felony charge hanging over a doctor's head if the law is violated, is pressuring doctors against providing necessary care, which continues to put patients at unnecessary risk, they said. "It leads to confusion as to who can intervene, when they can intervene and what has to be going on for them to intervene, and that just leads to delays in care, which lead to worse outcomes," Fields said. Dr. Blake Bradley, an OB-GYN in Lexington, said the message to physicians is inherently "contradictory." "Patients would benefit from more clear guidelines than just physicians using their 'reasonable judgment," because it's hard to do both," he said. "It's hard to both use your good judgment and feel like you're still in compliance with the law. That's the problem." 'Very unhelpful very quickly' That Tuesday in July, less than 24 hours after her water had broken, Genevieve listened as her doctor at Mercy Health-Lourdes explained what had happened in her body. Ideally, water breaks in a pregnancy once it reaches full term, around 40 weeks, or at least once a fetus is considered viable outside the womb, around 24 weeks, and it usually triggers delivery. Genevieve's water broke at 17 weeks, well before either of those milestones. Her condition is known as the previable premature rupture of membranes, or PPROM. It's when the amniotic sac holding a fetus ruptures, draining the fluid needed to continue the normal stages of development. Without the amniotic sac, Genevieve's daughter was "frozen" developmentally, her doctor explained. Vital organs, including her daughter's lungs, would remain undeveloped without that fluid, and there was no way to replace it. Her doctor that day "acknowledged that some would recommend termination, because of where we were in the pregnancy, and I was at a really high risk of infection with the water broken." But because of her doctor's religious beliefs and the limitations under Kentucky's abortion bans, she advised them to wait, "hoping" something would change. No one at the hospital discussed other options at length, or offered helpful advice on where Genevieve could travel to get an abortion. Genevieve's doctor offered to refer her to Vanderbilt in Tennessee, a two-hour drive from their Paducah home, saying they would admit her for several weeks of bed rest and monitoring before eventually inducing her early, if she could make it to a date closer to viability. In the meantime, she would need to carry her no-longer developing pregnancy on bed rest for another six weeks, at least. "It became very unhelpful very quickly," her husband Stephen Montgomery, 36, said. "We were looking for medical advice about our options." Later that night, Genevieve texted a friend: "out of left field serious question for you: Where did you get your abortion?" "Long story short, I'm pregnant, but I've had complications: my water broke at 17 weeks," she wrote. "There's virtually no chance of it working out, so we're looking at options." "How are you feeling?" her friend asked, sharing that she'd gone to Indiana. "I'm feeling OK now, mostly scared of going into labor or miscarrying," Genevieve texted back. "The baby's still alive, but basically has no fluid to keep developing. And now we're both at high risk for infection." Her friend suggested she cold-call Planned Parenthood clinics. "That's what we're going to be doing tomorrow, calling places," Genevieve replied. "We're meeting with my OB in the morning and she's supposed to give us some referrals tooshe's team Keep It Going No Matter What. "But I don't think that's what's best for us." The next morning, at a follow-up ultrasound, her doctor explained that the hospital board had agreed to induce Genevieve into delivery early, "but that was the only thing they could offer me," she said. For liability and legality purposes, since abortion was criminalized in Kentucky, hospital boards routinely weigh in onand sometimes are the final arbiters ofany decision within hospital walls to end a pregnancy. A separate Kentucky law requires each procedure be heavily documented and submitted to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, who may in turn audit those hospitals to ensure they're "in compliance" with the law. Mercy Health-Lourdes, a Catholic hospital, did not respond to emailed questions about hospital protocols for treating nonviable pregnancies. "In tragic circumstances where a baby is nonviable, and the continuation of the pregnancy poses medical risks to the mother, Catholic teaching allows for the treatment of serious medical conditions, even if it results in the death of the unborn baby," hospital spokesperson Lisa Dyson said in a statement. Those options "may include the medical induction of labor for a previable fetus," Dyson said. To Genevieve, being induced "sounded terrible." "I did not want that to be my first experience giving birth." Their hospital declined to perform a dilation and evacuation abortionthe procedure Genevieve wanted. Rather than inducing labor to deliver a baby that has died or will die, surgically removing the fetusa D&E, as the procedure is referred tois often the less traumatic, safer option for patients in these scenarios, doctors told the Herald-Leader. The options on the table were an early induction or expectant management. "Finding a clinic that would actually do the procedure we wanted was entirely on us," Stephen said. "Finding out the probability of even making it to viability was all research on us." Later that day, he called a series of clinics in Illinois and Indiana to ask about availability. Providers at the Alamo Women's Clinic in Carbondale agreed to see them the following day, but they would need to pay $1,100 up front. With Genevieve's income as a trauma therapist and Stephen's work as a musician, it wasn't an easy lump sum to part with all at once. An abortion fund designed to financially assist women and families who live in states with abortion bans and have to travel out of state for this type of care recouped them $400 after the fact. 'Somebody is going to die' Ardent supporters of Kentucky's abortion bans, including former Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron, have insisted the law's "life of the mother" exceptionsand the law's allowance for doctors to use their "reasonable medical judgment"protect doctors' ability to provide the safest care to their patients. This is far from the reality, doctors told the Herald-Leader. The "unintended consequences" of the state's strict abortion bans are depriving pregnant women like Genevieve of crucial, and often time-sensitive, health care, Bradley said. "There are these unintended consequences of a total abortion ban that reach beyond discouraging abortion for birth control," he said. "If you take the elective pregnancy termination conversation off the table, because it is off the table, then let's start there. That goal has been accomplished," Bradley said. "Now what? There's an over-correction we need to tweak, so our ability to practice medicine in the safest and most appropriate way isn't compromised by this blanket law." The blanket law, he added, "has created a situation where women are being placed at unnecessary risk under a lot of other obstetrical circumstances." Multiple pregnant women across the country who lived in states with abortion bans similar to Kentucky's have died or been seriously harmed because of delays in care. Doctors for this story said it's only a matter of time until this happens in Kentucky. "I do not believe it was the intent of the majority of legislators to tie doctors' hands and keep us from taking care of women who are pregnant, but this is the kind of thing where, if we don't get this fixed, then eventuallyand probably sooner rather than latersomebody is going to die," said Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg, a gynecologic oncologist in Louisville and the legislative advocacy chair for the Kentucky Chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. "I don't want somebody in Kentucky to have to die before our legislators wake up, realize there's a problem, and fix it." KY women fleeing the state for abortions Regardless of the reason, pregnant Kentuckians have fled in droves to get abortions in neighboring states since Roe was overturned, most often Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, according to the Guttmacher Institute. That data shows, between January 2023 and September 2024, 1,850 pregnant people traveled from Kentucky to Illinois to terminate their pregnancies, 790 people went to Indiana and 1,780 headed to Ohio. Kentucky's trend is mirrored nationally in other states with abortion bans. Last year, more than 171,000 people nationwide traveled out of their state to get abortions. In 10 of the 13 states that have enacted near-total or total abortion bans, the number of women getting abortions increased, including in Kentucky. During the first six months of 2023, the number of Kentuckians who got an abortion climbed by 13% compared with a six-month period in 2020. Demand did not wane in 2024. The Kentucky Health Justice Network, one of just a few state-based organizations that offers funding to pregnant women who hastily need to travel out of state to terminate their pregnanciesmost often a cost that's paid out of pocketis on track for a record-spending year. In 2024, the network spent roughly $90,000 on travel expenses alone for people in positions like Genevieve's, said Savannah Trebuna, the Louisville-based group's abortion support fund director. That's well over the $59,000 the organization spent in 2023 and $27,000 in 2022. The health justice network, through its abortion support fund hotline, offers a few hundred dollars to each person, at least, who needs financial assistance to cover the cost of their procedure, transportation and, if needed, overnight hotel stays. Some doctors interviewed by the Herald-Leader said they try to relay this information to patients, too, recommending certain out-of-state clinics and funds like KHJN that offer financial assistance. Others are more reluctant, worried that even this step would incur a criminal penalty under the both bans' "abetting" provisions. Under the trigger law, "no person may knowingly . . . procure for" a pregnant person "any medicine, drug or other substance with the specific intent of causing or abetting" an abortion. "Abortion's not legal in Kentucky and anything that would involve helping patients could be seen as aiding and abetting," Fields said. This reality, and how it ties doctors' hands, leaves her patients "scared and lost, left on their own to navigate the system alone, to figure out where to go from there, oftentimes after a heartbreaking and devastating diagnosis." 'Dangerous to be pregnant in this state' Six months later, Genevieve and Stephen are still planning to build a family, more equipped and in tune, for better or worse, with the medical shortcomings of being pregnant in a state with restrictive abortion laws, should a complication arise "The traumatic thing we experienced was compounded by the health care system we were in," Stephen said. "Our laws are making it harder for people to get the care they need. It feels dangerous to be pregnant in this state." 2025 Lexington Herald-Leader. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Originally appeared on E! Online Police are continuing to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Eliza Huszti and Henrietta Huszti. After the Hungary-native sisters, both 32, were last seen Jan. 7 on Market Street at the Victoria Bridge in Aberdeen, Scotland, authorities confirmed that the search for the women is ongoing, and revealed their last communication before they vanished. In a press release issued by the Scotland Police, authorities detailed that a text message had been sent from Henriettas phone to the sisters landlady at about 2:12 a.m., from the area of Victoria Bridge, the morning they went missing. In the text, the sisters had indicated together that they would not be returning to the flat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after sending the message, Henriettas phone was disconnected. The next day, the sisters landlady found their belongings in their apartment and reported the unusual behavior to the police. Since opening the investigation, authorities have determined that Henrietta and Eliza were last seen crossing the aforementioned Victoria Bridge around the same time their landlady received their unusual correspondence. After crossing the bridge, CCTV footage obtained by authorities revealed that the sisters turned right, heading toward Aberdeen Boat Club on the River Dee. More from E! Online Authorities also determined that the sisters had visited the same area at around 2:50 p.m. Jan. 6, the afternoon prior to them going missing. Both wearing backpacks, they spent about five minutes on the bridge, and did not interact with anyone else. Following the subsequent CCTV footage, authorities determined the women headed back in the direction of their apartment, which is located in the Charlotte Street area of Aberdeen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As they continue the search, Aberdeen authorities are enlisting the help from the public with any information on the womens whereabouts. Douglas Sacha/Getty Images I would again urge anyone with any information which could help find Eliza and Henrietta to get in touch, Superintendent David Howieson said in the press release. We remain in regular contact with Eliza and Henriettas family in Hungary and we will continue to provide them with support at this very difficult time. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Cecile Richards, a leading figure in the fight for women's reproductive rights and other progressive causes, died on Monday at age 67. "Our hearts are broken today but no words can do justice to the joy she brought to our lives," a statement from her family confirming her death said. Richard's family said the activist died at home "surrounded by family and her ever-loyal dog, Ollie." Richards, who was diagnosed with glibolastoma, a type of brain tumor, in 2013, was the former president of Planned Parenthood from 2006 to 2018, leading the organization for half of Donald Trumps first term. At the time, Trump threatened to cut funding to the organization because it performed abortions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday the same day as Trump's second inauguration Hillary Clinton praised Richards' life and work. "America has had few greater advocates for women and reproductive health than Cecile Richards. Her legacy will be the countless lives she touched and the generations of women she inspired to follow in her footsteps," she wrote in an Instagram post. "Im thinking of her family and friends today and holding you close to my heart." During her time as the head of Planned Parenthood, Richards faced constant opposition from conservative lawmakers. Perhaps most notably during Trumps first term, when his three Supreme Court Justice picks ultimately led to Roe v Wade being overturned. Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund released a statement on Monday saying its members were "heartbroken to lose a giant in the fight for reproductive freedom." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cecile Richards was an indomitable force, the groups said. In her 12 devoted years of service to our organization, Cecile brought Planned Parenthood Federation of America to new heights in our health care, education, and advocacy work. She led us through fights that transformed the reproductive health and rights landscape and made Planned Parenthood Action Fund the advocacy and political force that it remains to this day. Richards spoke on behalf of the organization in 2017 during the Women's March, which took place the day after Trump's first inauguration. "Today we're here to deliver a message: we're not gonna take this lying down, and we will not go back," Richards said at the time. Cecile Richards, who was president of Planned Parenthood for 12 years, died on Monday aged 67. (Reuters) Richards left Planned Parenthood the following year and co-founded the Supermajority organization, which was aimed at mobilizing women voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even after her diagnosis, Texas State Senator Wendy Davis described her determination to advance progressive causes as "indefatigable." "Her belief [was] you can't give up before you even start, and that it's always worth a fight," Davis said, according to NPR. Davis and Richards fought together to stop an anti-abortion bill Texas lawmakers were trying to pass in 2013. Richards told CNN's Anderson Cooper in 2024 that her own health battles made her all the more aware of the needs for all Americans to have quality healthcare. Theres been highs and lows, but I feel really fortunate to have health care that is first class living in New York City, she said at the time. Its made me appreciate how much all people need health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richards was also remembered by former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden. Jill and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cecile Richards. Cecile fearlessly led us forward to be the America we say we are," Biden said in a statement on Monday. Fatima Goss Graves, the CEO and President of the National Women's Law Center, remembered Richards' "visionary leadership, commitment to justice, and lifelong dedication to advancing the rights of women," which said will "forever inspire us." Cecile leaves behind a legacy of unshakable determination and a blueprint for how to advocate for the people and causes that need it most, Graves said in her statement. She made us better with her rigor, humor, and grace. Ooh, thats a big one, Donald Trump said Monday as he signed an executive order one of dozens during his first hours as president to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization. What lies behind the move, and what could the impact be? WHO, the United Nations health agency that helps protect the health and security of the worlds people, receives about a fifth of its budget from the US. Trump has blasted WHO as corrupt and accused it of ripping America off, and millions of Americans who voted for him are increasingly skeptical of the value of such international structures. But experts have warned that the withdrawal of WHOs most influential member could harm global health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement Tuesday, the organization said it regretted the US decision, noting that it had, over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. The US withdrawal is the most momentous of all the executive orders signed Monday, said Lawrence Gostin, a public health law professor at Georgetown University, warning it could be sowing the seeds for the next pandemic. Heres how Trumps decision could affect WHO and global health more widely. What does WHO do? WHO is one of several global institutions that emerged from the wreckage of World War II. After the world was torn apart by nationalism and conflict, countries agreed to sacrifice some aspects of their sovereignty for the common good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency was founded in 1948 in an attempt to protect the worlds health. Its constitution, signed by all UN members at the time, warned that unequal development in the health systems of different countries was a common danger. The organizations objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Thomas Parran, then the US surgeon general, said WHO was more than a health agency, but a powerful instrument forged for peace that would contribute to the harmony of human relations. Today, the agency works in more than 150 locations around the world, leads efforts to expand universal health coverage and directs the international response to health emergencies, from yellow fever to cholera and Ebola. The agency has, however, been criticized for being inefficient, opaque, overly reliant on private donors and hamstrung by political concerns. What has it achieved? WHOs most notable achievement was the eradication of smallpox, which marked a rare instance of cooperation between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1967, the organization set the ambitious target of wiping out the disease in a decade. The last known case was in Somalia in 1977. By 1980, WHO could declare smallpox eradicated the only infectious disease to achieve this distinction. Because the organization is so large, its effects are often diffuse, said Francois Balloux, director of the Genetics Institute at University College London (UCL). He pointed to the near-universal upward trend in life expectancy since WHOs founding as an achievement for which the agency also deserves credit. More recently, it has led responses to disease outbreaks like Ebola in West Africa, which killed at least 11,000 of the more than 28,000 people infected from 2014-2016. Working with local authorities, WHO conducted research on the safety of a newly developed vaccine which achieved near-perfect efficacy and helped stem the spread of the disease. Trump holds an executive order after signing it at an inauguration event in Washington, DC, on Monday. - Matt Rourke/AP Why does Trump want to withdraw? Trump first tried to exit WHO during his first term in 2020, accusing the organization of severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of Covid-19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has long said he believes the coronavirus originated in a laboratory in Wuhan, China, which Beijing has sought to obscure. Notably, WHO has shared some of Trumps concerns and in December five years since the first case of Covid-19 was detected called for China to be more transparent to help the world understand how the pandemic began. During his latest election campaign, Trump was more brazen, calling the organization nothing more than a corrupt globalist scam which disgracefully covered the tracks of the Chinese Communist Party. By focusing on the origins of Covid-19, Trump has understated the role that WHO spearheaded by the US played in combating the virus once it began to spread, experts say. Alan Bernstein, director of the Global Health initiative at the University of Oxford, said WHO was crucial in convincing China to release the genetic sequence early in 2020, which was the basis of the vaccines developed in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cant fight a pandemic effectively without some kind of global table where countries around the world can meet and discuss and twist arms to release data, Bernstein told CNN. There is also a financial aspect to Trumps animosity. The president has previously said that the US contributes around $500 million a year to WHO, compared to Chinas $40 million, despite its far larger population. As he signed Mondays executive order, Trump was asked whether, as president during Covid-19, he appreciated the importance of agencies like WHO. I do, but not when youre being ripped off like we are, he replied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This worldview misses the benefits of cooperation, said Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. The US would be weaker in its national security imperatives if it wasnt part of WHO, given it wouldnt have this cooperation with other countries to know whats happening in terms of outbreaks and in helping manage response, Sridhar told CNN. Tedros attends a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 10, 2024. - Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images/File What happens next? It takes a year to withdraw fully from the agency which is why Joe Biden was able to halt the US exit four years ago, in one of the first acts of his presidency. But there are signs that the departure could be swifter this time. Mondays executive order called on the secretary of state and director of the Office of Management and Budget to pause funding with all practicable speed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps anticipating Trumps exit, WHO launched a request earlier this month for $1.5 billion in funding to address 42 ongoing health emergencies. The organization declined to make that connection on a call with reporters on Friday, just days before Trump took office. Tedros said Tuesday that he regrets Trumps decision, stressing that the US also gains from the agency to which it contributes. For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO, Tedros said. Balloux, of UCL, said the decision could delay the eradication of polio and hamper efforts to combat tuberculosis and HIV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could lead to delayed responses to major outbreaks of things we know about, like Ebola, and things we dont know about yet, he told CNN. CNNs Betsy Klein and Catherine Nicholls contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com World leaders congratulated President Donald Trump on his inauguration Monday, with many urging stronger alliances or continued cooperation between their countries and the United States, in carefully crafted social media posts and statements. Trumps return to the White House portends a seismic shakeup in international relations, with the new president immediately ordering the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and World Health Organization, as world leaders brace for new tariffs on goods and the impact of Trumps America first agenda. Some populist leaders celebrated Trumps return, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called the US president a dear friend, and Hungarys Victor Orban who declared, now its our turn to shine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But not all the messages were congratulatory. Some leaders expressed their anger at remarks Trump made during his Inauguration Day speech, or with the controversial raft of executive actions he signed almost immediately after entering the Oval Office. Panamas President Jose Raul Mulino rejected Trumps promise that the US would be taking back the Panama Canal. The vital waterway in Central America was built by the US but is now controlled by Panama. The Canal is and will continue to be Panamas, Mulino reiterated in a statement. There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration, he added, apparently referring to Trumps claim that China is operating the canal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other regional neighbors were also critical of Trump. Cuba condemned Trumps decision to put the Communist-run island back on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, with its president calling the move, an act of arrogance and disregard for the truth. This is not surprising. His goal is to continue strengthening the cruel economic war against Cuba for the purpose of domination, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on X. Cubas Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez also issued a scathing response to the decision, saying Trump was drunk with arrogance. But outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau struck a more conciliatory tone, despite Trumps recent jibes about making Canada the 51st US state and indication that he will impose a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico on February 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trudeau congratulated Trump and said Canada looks forward to working with the new administration, while protecting and defending the interests of Canadians. Wartime leaders Trump repeatedly signaled his wish to end the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine during his campaign and major players in both conflicts have adjusted their positions accordingly in the months since his November election victory. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement that the best days of our alliance are yet to come. He also thanked Trump for his assistance in brokering Israels ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas. Your first term as President was filled with groundbreaking moments, Netanyahu said. Im confident that we will complete the defeat of Irans terror axis and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for our region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Israeli official told CNN plans are in place for Netanyahu to visit Washington and meet Trump in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed openness to rebuilding relations with the new US administration, saying he welcomed statements from Trump and his team expressing a desire to restore direct contact with Russia. Trump on Monday said he plans to meet Putin once talks are set up, a process he said was already underway. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been trying to win over Trump and convince him to continue US military assistance as Kyiv fends off Moscows invasion, said Trumps inauguration was a day of change and hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also praised Trumps peace through strength policy, saying it provides an opportunity to achieve a long-term and just peace. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said, With President Trump back in office we will turbo-charge defense spending and production. Trump previously said he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to any NATO member country that doesnt meet spending guidelines and would not offer such a country US protection. Allies hopes Several Asian leaders also took to social media to congratulate Trump, expressing hopes for continued alliances. US security and military assistance to countries in the Asia-Pacific has been a cornerstone of previous administrations foreign policy, which has centered around countering an increasingly assertive China. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in a post on X that he looks forward to collaborating with you to reinforce the enduring Japan-US partnership and jointly pursue our shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiwan President Lai Ching-te offered his sincere congratulations to Trump and Vice President JD Vance, saying Taiwan looks forward to working with your administration to promote enduring freedom, peace and prosperity around the world. In Europe, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Trump on X, saying, For a long time, Germany and the US have been working together successfully promoting prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue to do so for the wellbeing of our citizens. United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, the special relationship between the UK and the US will continue to flourish for years to come. Starmer recently criticized those spreading lies and misinformation about child sex grooming gangs in the UK, responding to Elon Musk, the worlds richest man and Trump adviser, who had accused the prime minister of being complicit in the rape of Britain over historic child sex abuse in parts of England. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European Union leaders also looked to strengthen the transatlantic partnership with the US. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, the EU looks forward to working closely with you to tackle global challenges, while European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said in an address to the legislature that the future will not be without its challenges. Middle Eastern endorsement Leaders and diplomats in the Middle East also expressed hope for closer relations with the US. Syrias de facto leader, the former rebel chief Ahmed al-Sharaa, said, We are confident that (Trump) is the leader to bring peace to the Middle East and restore stability to the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al-Sharaa, better known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, became the de facto head of Syrias interim government after his Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), toppled longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad in December. We look forward to improving the relations between our two countries based on dialogue and understanding, he said in a statement on behalf of the New Administration of Syria. Saudi Arabias Ambassador to the US Reema Bandar Al-Saud posted photos from the inauguration in Washington on her X account, including of her meeting Trump. As our two nations celebrate 80 years of friendship, it was my honor to convey our leaderships heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relationship between our two countries is historic and we look forward to continuing our work together for the benefit of both our peoples, our region, and the world. CNNs Jay Ganglani, James Frater, Michael Rios, Manveena Suri, Eyad Kourdi, Patrick Oppmann, Kathleen Magramo, and CNNEEs Elizabeth Gonzalez contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Jan. 20Saturday's Unity Breakfast at WVU honoring the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wasn't so much about the Dream as it was the ongoing direction of it all. That was reflected in the young people who were recognized for their service and mission to the betterment of society at the gathering, which is sponsored annually by the university's Center for Black Culture and Research. A key quartet of students each were presented scholarships by the center in the name of the slain civil rights leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was Janelle LaBarbera, a senior from Redbank, N.J., who wants to use her entrepreneurship and innovation degree to build up small business in America. Tysa James, a junior from Fairmont majoring in political science, wants to use that training to affect social change on a big scale. Cheyenne Torres, who hails from Philadelphia and has a double major in psychology and art therapy, want to use those degrees to ease the emotional angst felt by so many in today's tumult. Gabrielle Williams, a Palm Beach, Fla., native in her junior year, wants to use her criminology degree to ensure that justice is served in society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sonia-Frida Ndifon, the Dr. Justine A. Burnett Memorial Scholarship recipient from Cameroon, Central Africa, is a second-year medical student who wants to go right back out in the world as a physician tending to underserved communities on both sides of the ocean. Meet the new boss ? A large audience filled the expanse of the Mountainlair Ballroom two days before Monday's observance of the Dr. King holiday and the inauguration of Donald Trump, the latter of which set keynote speaker Tiffany Dena Loftin to wondering even if she didn't address the incoming president by name. "I don't know what's going to happen Monday, " she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Except, she does. Loftin is an activist and organizer currently leading unionizing efforts of Delta Airlines flight attendants. Before that, the Los Angeles native who now lives in Atlanta was the national director for the youth and college divisions of the NAACP. Never mind the coming uncertainty of a contentious president who has been there before, she said. That means the same for society, she said. Us, she said. "We've been here before, " Loftin said. "This moment." The moment, she said, means not being afraid to engage in what she called "courageous conversations " even with the people that you maybe already have inherent disagreements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which meant, and which means, she said, is that everyone in the room Saturday was an influencer. And a changemaker and policy setter. A mom's love She pointed to the example of Alberta King, the mother of Martin Luther King Jr., who influenced his ministry and work in civil rights in ways that were righteous and loud, and gentle and softspoken at the same time. "Martin Luther King didn't just 'happen, '" she said. Ironically, poignantly, Mrs. King was also a victim of gun violence. She was shot and killed during a service at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church in the same where her son had made him name and just six years after his murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mrs. King, the church organist, was playing the "Lord's Prayer, " on Sunday morning, June 30, 1974, when a Black man began yelling and opened fire. There are still legacies and legacies to come, she said. Even in the shadow of family tragedy. "I'm looking at a roomful of future leaders in West Virginia, " she said. 'And it's coming from them' Gregory Epps Sr., the WVU Health Sciences administrator who mentors young people, said the same after receiving the center's highest recognition for service: the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award. Like Loftin, he talked about the young people he sees daily and the young who turned out for the Unity Breakfast. "Unity, " was the word, he said. "There is hope for the future, and it's coming from them, " he said, nodding over at a table of students. "Let's not be divided." CHEYENNE At least two Wyoming Freedom Caucus bills, one defining woman and another prohibiting DEI programs in state-funded entities, cleared the final hurdle in the Wyoming House of Representatives. Both bills will now be sent to the Senate, where they'll be assigned to committee. Senators will have the opportunity to vote on and amend these bills before they are sent back to the House. On Monday, amendments were brought to both bills during third reading in the House, but all amendments failed. One notable amendment brought to House Bill 32, What is a Woman Act, was introduced by Rep. Ken Chestek, D-Laramie. Chesteks amendment was to take out language in the bill that stated it was subject to intermediate scrutiny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Ken Chestek, D-Laramie Rep. Ken Chestek, D-Laramie HB 32 provides statutory definitions for man, woman and biological sex. It also states that this bill is subject to intermediate scrutiny, should it be brought before the court. There are three levels of scrutiny used by courts: rational basis (lowest level of scrutiny), intermediate scrutiny and strict scrutiny. In order to pass intermediate scrutiny, the law must further an important government interest and do so by means that are substantially related to that interest, according to Cornell Law School. Levels of scrutiny are determined by the court, and Chestek said this bill is telling the court how to do its job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill does more than define terms, Chestek said. Telling the court what level of scrutiny to apply to those definitions is more than defining the term. It's actually changing the way the court is supposed to act, and that's something that we have no ability to do. Rep. Ken Pendergraft, R-Sheridan, was the only lawmaker to speak in opposition to Chesteks amendment, rehashing the same argument he used last week. Rep. Ken Pendergraft, R-Sheridan Rep. Ken Pendergraft, R-Sheridan I would contend that the only thing this bill does is provide definitions so that the courts can clearly understand what we mean, Pendergraft said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was only one amendment brought to HB 147, Prohibition of institutional discrimination, a bill that prohibits governmental entities from engaging in any diversity, equity or inclusion program, activity or policy. Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, proposed adding language to the bill that would exempt law enforcement. Law enforcement personnel receive training on cultural differences, which is a critical defense tool in civil rights lawsuits, Provenza said. Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie All I'm asking for is to make sure that we have an exemption for law enforcement so they can protect themselves, so they don't increase danger to themselves, so that they can fight back in litigation when they have done the correct thing, Provenza said. An aye for this amendment is a vote to support law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freedom Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, the sponsor of the bill, said diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs are a distraction. Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody The core of (this bill) really is to mandate a color blind approach for all government entities, Rodriguez-Williams said. There is, perhaps, no more important place for this mandate than the justice system. CHEYENNE State senators have thrown their support behind two measures designed to incentivize enhanced oil recovery production in Wyoming. On Friday, the Senate Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee approved both Senate File 17, Carbon dioxide-enhanced oil recovery stimulus, and Senate File 18, Enhanced oil recovery-severance tax exemption. SF 17 would appropriate $10 million from the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account (LSRA, also known as the states rainy-day fund) for the use of carbon dioxide in enhanced oil recovery. SF 18 would provide a tax exemption for the crude oil and natural gas produced through enhanced oil recovery techniques using Wyoming carbon dioxide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (These bills) get at trying to bolster our EOR production in Wyoming, and they each get at it from a different way, Pete Obermueller, president of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming, told the committee Friday. Pete Obermueller Pete Obermueller is president of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming. SF 17 takes severance tax money earned from the incremental production of enhanced oil recovery and reinvests it as a payment to CO2 owners, not to enhanced oil producers, Obermueller said. Currently, the federal 45Q tax credit program provides monetary credit for carbon dioxide used in enhanced oil recovery, available to companies that can demonstrate emissions reductions. The idea proposed in SF 17 would be to equalize the 45Q credit so that permanent sequestration and enhanced oil recovery have similar appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why do we want to do that? Because the way the federal government has imposed itself on capturing and distribution of CO2 has tipped the scales in favor of permanent sequestration, Obermueller said. For Wyomings purposes and Wyomings enhanced oil recovery producers, we would prefer to level the playing field for CO2 to be sent for enhanced oil recovery. Rather than a reinvestment of funds, SF 18 includes a simple 3% severance tax reduction on crude oil and natural gas production resulting from oil and gas produced by means of enhanced oil and gas recovery. In either case, the general idea is to try to reduce the price of CO2 in order to stimulate more EOR production in Wyoming, Obermueller said. Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, said that SF 17 emerged at the recommendation of the University of Wyomings Center for Economic Analysis. Under SF 17, the state would initially go into a deficit, but the return on investment would be 30%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie It is important to realize we are not spending $10 million, but we are committing $10 million that will come back to state coffers in about seven years, Rothfuss said, adding that he favors SF 17 over SF 18. He called the latter a blunt instrument while the other more appropriately addresses issues facing the industry. I am not convinced (SF 18) leads to new projects ... in the same way the other does, Rothfuss said. Chinese President Xi Jinping declared readiness to lead China-Russian relations to "a new height" together with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin's press service reported on Jan. 21 after a video call between the two leaders. The call took place shortly after the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. China has deepened its ties with Russia since the start of the Kremlin's full-scale war against Ukraine and has become Moscow's leading source of dual-use goods that feed the Russian defense industry. Beijing has nevertheless denied accusations of supporting Russia's military efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the call with Putin, Xi added that China is ready to stand with Russia to "face external uncertainties based on maintaining the stability and stress resistance of China-Russia relations for the prosperity of the two countries, international justice, and equality." The Chinese president stressed that bilateral cooperation between Beijing and Moscow is gradually expanding and that joint trade is trending upward. Putin, in turn, noted a 7% increase in trade between the two countries, which amounts to more than $220 billion. The Russian president also called China Russia's leading trading partner. "China is the largest consumer of Russian energy resources. We hold the first place in terms of oil exports to China. Five years ago, together with you, we launched the Power of Siberia gas pipeline, and today Russia has taken the first place in natural gas supplies to China," Putin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since February 2022, Putin has visited China twice first just days before launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and again in May 2024. Xi visited Russia in March 2023, where he was welcomed by his "dear friend" Putin. Beijing has also positioned itself as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, sending envoy Li Hui on multiple rounds of shuttle diplomacy in Europe. China has criticized the U.S. and its allies for "exacerbating" the war by supplying arms to Ukraine, while NATO has named Beijing a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war. Read also: Trumps China strategy hinges on crippling Russias economy Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg For President Xi Jinping, the stage was set for an explosive start to Donald Trumps presidency, after he campaigned on a promise to punish China with tariffs. Instead, the American leaders first day back in office bought Beijing some unexpected breathing room. Listen to the Bloomberg Daybreak Europe podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. On the campaign trail, Trump floated tariffs on China around the 60% mark and pledged to impose a 10% levy for Beijings alleged failure to stop drugs pouring into the US. But at an impromptu press briefing in the Oval Office on Monday in Washington, the Republican leader avoided committing to a plan for Chinese tariffs, as he signed a flurry of executive orders on camera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to have meetings and calls with President Xi, Trump said, adding that hed been invited to China without elaborating. The US leader signed an order for his administration to address unfair trade practices globally and investigate Chinas compliance with a deal struck during his first term. Contrasting with that slower approach on China, Trump swiftly declared his intent to enact previously threatened tariffs of as much as 25% on Mexico and Canada by Feb. 1, citing border lapses. Trumps a wrecking ball and its impossible to predict what direction hell swing in, said Dominic Meagher, deputy director and chief economist of Australian think tank the John Curtin Research Centre. He hasnt swung in the direction of China yet, which means they still have time to influence him. Chinese stocks advanced the most in Asia as the US president stopped short of any immediate action against Beijing, after concern over trade tensions had pressured the market for months. The offshore yuan held the bulk of its overnight gains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps decision delays any immediate reckoning with Beijing over its record global trade surplus and reliance on exports to compensate for weak domestic consumption. He also threw China-owned company ByteDance Ltd a lifeline, giving it 75 days to find a US partner. Such a deal would save video app TikTok, which Trump used to reach young voters, from going dark in America. What Bloomberg Economics Says ... Tariffs delayed dont mean tariffs denied. Ultimately, Trumps desire to rebalance trade relations, raise tariff revenue to offset the cost of extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and slow Chinas rise as a geopolitical rival mean we do expect a sharp increase in duties on US imports. Our baseline scenario starts with the re-imposition of planned tariffs that were reduced as part of the US-China Phase I deal. Tom Orlik, chief economist Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more here The presidents olive branch takes the pressure off Beijing to fire back with an immediate policy response, keeping some guardrails on the worlds most important bilateral relationship after the two leaders held a phone call Friday that Trump called very good. But many in Beijing, who remember the Republicans warmer tone at the start of his first presidency, will be bracing for stronger action. A soft start doesnt mean therell be any shift in Washingtons China policies that feature containment, said Zhu Feng, executive dean of Nanjing Universitys School of International Studies, noting Trump likely just has more pressing priorities such as trying to convince Russia to end its war in Ukraine. Imposing tariffs on China will be eventually unavoidable. In a sign Xi is balancing his relationships, the Chinese leader held a video call with Russian President Vladimir Putin hours after Trump returned to the White House. The new US leader has also signaled his desire to soon hold talks with Putin, who has joined hands with Beijing in opposing American hegemony on the world stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signs the reprieve for China was temporary were evident on day Trumps first day. He threatened a tariff as high as 100% if China rejected splitting ownership of TikTok, vowed to take back control of the Panama Canal from a Hong Kong firm, and signed an order to withdraw from the World Health Organization that complained China contributes nearly 90% less than America to the group. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said there was space for space for cooperation and dialogue between the worlds biggest economies Tuesday at a regular briefing in Beijing. Phase Two The deal Beijing signed with Washington in January 2020 billed as the first phase of a broader trade pact outlined a $200 billion spending spree to narrow Chinas trade imbalance with the US. The Asian nation likely hasnt lived up to that commitment, partly because the pandemic shortly after upended global supply chains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If lower level officials cant agree on a resolution to any dispute arising from the first deal, it stipulates emergency talks should be held between the US trade chief and the relevant Chinese vice premier today, most likely He Lifeng who oversees trade negotiations. The Trump administration could decide to raise tariffs back to levels proposed before the agreement. Even if the two sides do start talks, itll be harder for Beijing to promise to buy more US goods. Chinas years-long push to diversify its imports in part as response to the trade war and a cooling economy have left Xi with less room to maneuver. Economists from Goldman Sachs Group wrote in a Tuesday note that while a 20% Trump tariff hike is still their base case scenario, the odds have now fallen. They saw such levies more likely coming in the second quarter, due to the executive orders April 1 deadline for recommendations on trade policy. Complicating matters, Trumps nominee for the USTR role, Jamieson Greer, has previously called for a strategic decoupling of the two nations, with a revocation of normal trade relations, more controls on outbound investment and limits on Chinese goods entering the US via third countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear if mercurial Trump would follow the steps for dispute resolution outlined in the first deal, and any decisions could be influenced by his team of China hawks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio who Beijing has twice sanctioned has claimed the Asian nation cheated its way to superpower status, while Treasury Chief Scott Bessent has accused the Communist Party of presiding over the worlds most imbalanced economy. Still, Trumps call back to the outcome of his first trade war with Xi suggests hes still focused to a certain extent, at least on the original goal of that campaign: reducing the trade deficit and getting China to buy more goods from America. Beijing will be relieved to avoid tariffs on day one but wont be resting on its laurels, said Neil Thomas, a fellow for Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institutes Center for China Analysis. Xi is experienced enough to know Trump can quickly change his mind, he added. Trump is more experienced and his administration more organized, meaning Xi may need to make more concessions this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Jing Li, Rebecca Choong Wilkins and Lucille Liu. (Updates with Xi speaking with Putin, analyst voice.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Antibiotics, antivirals, vaccinations and anti-inflammatory medication are associated with reduced risk of dementia, according to new research that looked at health data from over 130 million individuals. The study, led by researchers from the universities of Cambridge and Exeter, identified several drugs already licensed and in use that have the potential to be repurposed to treat dementia. Dementia is a leading cause of death in the UK and can lead to profound distress in the individual and among those caring for them. It has been estimated to have a worldwide economic cost in excess of US$1 trillion dollars. Despite intensive efforts, progress in identifying drugs that can slow or even prevent dementia has been disappointing. Until recently, dementia drugs were effective only for symptoms and had a modest effect. Recently, lecanemab and donanemab have been shown to reduce the build-up in the brain of amyloid plaquesa key characteristic of Alzheimer's diseaseand to slow down progression of the disease, but the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) concluded that the benefits were insufficient to justify approval for use within the NHS. Scientists are increasingly turning to existing drugs to see if they may be repurposed to treat dementia. As the safety profile of these drugs is already known, the move to clinical trials can be accelerated significantly. Dr. Ben Underwood, from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, said, "We urgently need new treatments to slow the progress of dementia, if not to prevent it. If we can find drugs that are already licensed for other conditions, then we can get them into trials andcruciallymay be able to make them available to patients much, much faster than we could do for an entirely new drug. "The fact they are already available is likely to reduce cost and therefore make them more likely to be approved for use in the NHS." In a study published in Alzheimer's and Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, Dr. Underwood, together with Dr. Ilianna Lourida from the University of Exeter, led a systematic review of existing scientific literature to look for evidence of prescription drugs that altered the risk of dementia. Systematic reviews allow researchers to pool several studies where evidence may be weak, or even contradictory, to arrive at more robust conclusions. In total, the team examined 14 studies that used large clinical datasets and medical records, capturing data from more than 130 million individuals and 1 million dementia cases. Although they found a lack of consistency between studies in identifying individual drugs that affect the risk of dementia, they identified several drug classes associated with altered risk. One unexpected finding was an association between antibiotics, antivirals and vaccines, and a reduced risk of dementia. This finding supports the hypothesis that common dementias may be triggered by viral or bacterial infections, and supports recent interest in vaccines, such as the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis, and decreased risk of dementia. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen were also found to be associated with reduced risk. Inflammation is increasingly being seen to be a significant contributor to a wide range of diseases, and its role in dementia is supported by the fact that some genes that increase the risk of dementia are part of inflammatory pathways. The team found conflicting evidence for several classes of drugs, with some blood pressure medications and anti-depressants and, to a lesser extent, diabetes medication associated with a decreased risk of dementia and others associated with increased risk. Dr. Ilianna Lourida from the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (PenARC), University of Exeter, said, "Because a particular drug is associated with an altered risk of dementia, it doesn't necessarily mean that it causes or indeed helps in dementia. "We know that diabetes increases your risk of dementia, for example, so anyone on medication to manage their glucose levels would naturally also be at a higher risk of dementiabut that doesn't mean the drug increases your risk. "It's important to remember that all drugs have benefits and risks. You should never change your medicine without discussing this first with your doctor, and you should speak to them if you have any concerns." The conflicting evidence may also reflect differences in how particular studies were conducted and how data was collected, as well as the fact that different medications, even within the same class, often target different biological mechanisms. The UK government is supporting the development of an Alzheimer's trial platform to evaluate drugs rapidly and efficiently, including repurposed drugs currently used for other conditions. "Pooling these massive health data sets provides one source of evidence which we can use to help us focus on which drugs we should try first," said Dr. Underwood. "We're hopeful this will mean we can find some much-needed new treatments for dementia and speed up the process of getting them to patients." More information: Data-driven discovery of associations between prescribed drugs and dementia risk: A systematic review, Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions (2025). DOI: 10.1002/trc2.70037 Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin via a video link on Tuesday, state broadcaster CCTV reported. The talks came hours after US President Donald Trump returned to the White House and said he would meet Putin "very soon". Xi told Putin he was ready to work with his Russian counterpart to elevate bilateral ties between the two countries to new heights in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. "[We will] respond to uncertainties in the external environment with the stability and resilience of China-Russia relations, jointly promote the development and revitalisation of the two countries and safeguard international fairness and justice," Xi said, according to CCTV. The Chinese leader also reflected on the history of World War II. He said Beijing would continue to work with Moscow to uphold a multipolar international system and safeguard the hard-won achievements of the war, "secured through the blood and lives of millions", and defend the rights of the two countries as founding and permanent members of the UN Security Council. Both leaders hailed achievements in bilateral energy ties, especially the China-Russia East-Route Natural Gas Pipeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xi said China-Russia ties - underpinned by "everlasting" good neighbourliness - were gaining renewed vitality. He said their cooperation through international platforms like the UN, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Brics had "injected more positive energy into reforming and improving the global governance system". Xi and Putin also had an "in-depth" exchange on "international and regional issues of common concern" and agreed to continue to maintain strategic communication this year, according to the CCTV report. Putin said the video call with Xi extended a "good tradition of meeting at the start of the year" to "review the results of our work over the past period and outline new plans for the development" of the Russia-China partnership and strategic cooperation, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin. Putin described 2024 as a "very fruitful" year for the two neighbours and said Moscow and Beijing "are coordinating our steps in other multilateral forums". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We jointly advocate the building of a fairer multipolar world order and work to ensure indivisible security in the Eurasian space and in the world as a whole," he told Xi, according to the transcript. "It is safe to say that the foreign policy relationship and joint work between Russia and China objectively plays an important stabilising role in international affairs." During the call, Putin also said trade between the two countries had withstood "the negative impact from outside" last year. The talks come as trade between China and Russia defied mounting Western sanctions to reach a new high in 2024 - up 1.9 per cent from the previous year to US$244.8 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noting that Russia was preparing to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Putin told Xi that "the ideology of fascism, Nazism and militarism must not be allowed to raise its head again". "It is important to cherish and defend the historical truth together with other like-minded people," he added. It follows a phone call between Xi and Trump on Friday, when the two leaders exchanged views on the war in Ukraine, according to the Chinese readout. China has close economic, diplomatic and military ties with Russia and is considered to have the sway over Moscow to help end the war, which enters its fourth year next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has repeatedly said he could end the war "within one day" after taking office. On Monday as he signed executive orders in the Oval Office on the first day of his second presidency, Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wanted to make a deal, and he thought Putin should, too. "I don't know if Putin does ... he might not," Trump told reporters. "I think he should make a deal. I think he's destroying Russia by not making a deal." Putin sent congratulations to Trump before his inauguration on Monday and said Moscow was willing to talk with the Trump administration. Trump did not mention the Ukraine war during his inauguration speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday's video call came three weeks after Xi and Putin exchanged New Year's greetings. It also comes amid growing discussion about the potential for Trump's White House to expedite the resolution of the war in Ukraine to focus efforts on countering China. There has also been speculation over whether Moscow and Washington could edge closer during the second Trump administration to target Beijing together. But Wang Jisi, founding president of the Institute of International and Strategic Studies at Peking University, said during a forum in Beijing on January 12 that he saw "absolutely no possibility" that Trump would significantly improve relations with Russia and bring Russia over to his side to fight China. "I don't believe such a scenario is feasible. What the US might do instead is pursue what is called a 'double strike' or even 'double containment' - simultaneously suppressing China and Russia," he said. "However, this approach will likely lead to China and Russia further strengthening their relationship, which the US won't like but cannot change." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. The leaders of China and Russia stressed their close ties in a video call held just one day after the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. While Trump advocated for Washington's claim to global supremacy during his inaugural address, Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke out in favour on Tuesday of a world order based on the rules of the United Nations. China and Russia jointly support "a UN-centred international system," Xi was quoted as saying by Chinese state television. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin, who has waged an all-out war on neighbouring Ukraine for nearly three years, praised Russian-Chinese cooperation, saying it stabilizes international politics. Both countries agree "on how relations between large states should look," Putin said, according to the Kremlin. The Kremlin said the allies' conversation served to continue the traditional coordination between the two leaders at the beginning of the year. China is Russia's largest trading partner, Putin noted, while Russia is China's largest oil supplier. The United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and France are the permanent members of the most powerful body in the United Nations, the Security Council. Each of these powers can veto decisions of the Council. GENEVA (Reuters) - Operations at a Red Sea port in Yemen used for aid imports have fallen to about a quarter of its capacity, a UN official said on Tuesday, adding it was not certain that a Gaza ceasefire would end attacks between the Iran-backed Houthis and Israel. Houthis have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since November 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This has prompted Israel to strike port and energy facilities, including the Red Sea port of Hodeidah. "(The) impact of airstrikes on Hodeidah Harbour, particularly in the last weeks, is very important," Julien Harneis, U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator in Yemen told a U.N. meeting in Geneva on Tuesday via videolink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four of the port's five tugboats needed to escort the large ships bringing imports had sunk, while the fifth was damaged, he said, without attributing blame. "The civilian crews who man them are obviously very hesitant. The capacity of the harbour is down to about a quarter," he added, saying the port was used to transit a significant portion of imported aid. Since a Gaza ceasefire agreement last week, Yemen's Houthis have said they will limit their attacks on commercial vessels to Israel-linked ships, provided the Gaza ceasefire is fully implemented. "We are hopeful that sanity will prevail and people will be focused on solutions and peace, but we are nonetheless prepared as a humanitarian community for various degradations," said Harneis, adding that the agency had contingency plans. The Iran-aligned Houthis have controlled most of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, since seizing power during 2014 and early 2015. (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Rod Nickel) By Samia Nakhoul and Marwa Rashad DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - The vice president of Yemen's U.N.-recognised government on Tuesday welcomed Donald Trump's return as U.S. president, saying it was a decisive turning point to curb the Iran-backed Houthis, who he said threaten regional stability and maritime security. Aidarous al-Zubaidi told Reuters that Trump's strong leadership and willingness to employ military strength were in sharp contrast to the Biden administration, which he said had allowed the Houthis to consolidate power, bolster their military capabilities and extend their reach beyond Yemen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Trump knows what he wants. He is a strong decision-maker," Zubaidi said in an interview on the sidelines of the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. "We are fans, admirers and supporters of Trump's policy .... because he has a personality that has enough decision-making power to rule America and the world," he said, adding that he expected talks with the incoming administration to begin soon. While the Houthis control the northwest of Yemen, where most of its 23 million people live, the rest is held by the Southern Transitional Council which wants an independent southern Yemen and is backed by the United Arab Emirates. Zubaidi heads the armed group, which holds three seats on the eight-strong Presidential Leadership Council, the Aden-based coalition government opposed to the Houthis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the unification of Yemen remains elusive, and called for two states as was the case before 1990, when South Yemen was separate from North Yemen. "When we become two countries the conflict will be resolved," he said, adding that a coordinated U.S.-led international, regional and local strategy was needed to strike and weaken the Houthis and stop their attacks against commercial Western vessels navigating through the Red Sea. The Houthis targeted more than 100 vessels with drones and missile strikes last year in what they said was solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Before Trump's inauguration on Monday, Yemen's Houthi leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, said they will limit Red Sea attacks to only Israeli-affiliated ships after a ceasefire began in Gaza, but strikes could resume if the situation changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We hope that America will be motivated to deter the Houthis because they will continue to threaten maritime navigation. They are the biggest threat. The Houthis are part of an international consortium led by Iran, Russia and China," Zubaidi said. The war in Yemen, one of the most impoverished countries in the Middle East, began in 2014, when Houthi fighters swept into the capital, Sanaa, and took over government institutions. A United Nations peace process to end the war, which triggered a dire humanitarian crisis, stalled after the Israel-Hamas war began in Gaza. The conflict in Yemen has left the Houthis entrenched in the north of the country, where they set up a mini-state that they rule with support from Tehran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This war has cost us a lot. It led to the collapse of the entire economy and sharp devaluation of the currency, an employee earns now $50-$60 (a month) ... Yemen's reconstruction will need hundreds of billions of dollars," he said. (Reporting by Samia Nakhoul and Marwa Rashad; Editing by Alexander Smith) The discussion over renaming Denali back to Mount McKinley has been revived following President Donald Trumps executive order. This has sparked renewed debates about historical legacy, Indigenous heritage, and federal authority. The name of the mountain is closely linked to both long-standing traditions and the legacy of a former president, which has attracted national attention to the issue. Heres a look at the mountains naming history, Trumps motivations for the order, and why the decision has sparked widespread discussion. Donald Trump renames Denali to Mount McKinley President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming Denali, North Americas tallest peak, back to Mountain McKinley on January 20, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The name Denali, meaning the High One, has been used for thousands of years by Alaskas Koyukon Athabascan people. Denali officially replaced Mount McKinley in 2015 when President Barack Obama issued an order to restore the mountains Indigenous name, honoring Alaska Natives traditions. The mountain was first named Mount McKinley in 1896 by a gold prospector who wanted to honor William McKinley, then a presidential candidate, per Associated Press. The U.S. government formally recognized the name Mountain McKinley in 1917, despite objections from Alaskans and Indigenous groups. In 1975, Alaska petitioned to change the name, but the effort succeeded only during the Obama administration. Donald Trump justified the renaming as a tribute to McKinley, who supported tariffs that boosted U.S. manufacturing. McKinley was the 25th president and served from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. Trumps executive order instructed federal agencies to update records to reflect the name Mountain McKinley. However, Denali National Park and Preserve will keep its current name. The decision has drawn criticism, including from Alaskas congressional delegation. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed her opposition, citing the mountains significance to the Indigenous people of Alaska. Senator Dan Sullivan also defended the historical importance of the name Denali. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trumps executive order also included renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. It reversed several environmental decisions by the Biden administration. This included reopening parts of the Beaufort Sea for oil drilling. Federal leasing in this area has been restricted since 2007. The post Yes, President Donald Trump Has Renamed a Mountain appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Jan. 20New York forest rangers are in California to help fight wildfires. Gov. Kathy Hochul said a team of 10 Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers traveled to California to support ongoing efforts to contain wildfires raging in Los Angeles. The forest rangers flew out of Albany Thursday morning for what is expected to be a two-week assignment, according to Hochul's office. "When other states and nations ask for New York's help, we are always prepared to send assistance," Hochul said. "New York's expert wildland firefighting forest rangers were eager to answer the call and will do what they can to help in response to the extraordinary devastation in and around Los Angeles. I thank them for their bravery and look forward to their safe return." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York state "regularly deploys highly trained wildland firefighters to help battle fires in other states and nations as part of interstate and international firefighting compacts," the release stated. In Southern California, the fires have killed an estimated 25 people to date, burned more than 40,000 acres, and destroyed more than 12,000 structures. The fires started on Jan. 7, fueled by Santa Ana winds. DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, "DEC's Forest Rangers are highly trained wildland firefighters who are prepared to use their expertise to assist communities in need whenever they get the call. I appreciate the Rangers stepping up to run toward danger and bolster the efforts of firefighters from across the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and other nations to battle these destructive wildfires." According to the release, New York sent its first firefighting crew to assist western states with large wildfires in 1979. On average, one or two crews are deployed as needed to assist with wildfires every year. "In addition to helping contain wildfires and minimize damage to people and property, these crews gain valuable experience that will be utilized fighting wildfires and managing incidents in New York," the release stated. All personnel and travel expenses for the New York crews are either paid directly by the U.S. Forest Service or reimbursed to New York state based on a mutual aid agreement between states and federal land agencies, according to the release. NEW YORK (PIX11) New York would fund free community college for adults pursuing in-demand careers under a new proposal by Gov. Kathy Hochul. New York would provide $47 million in funding to make SUNY and CUNY community colleges free for students ages 25-55 pursuing associate degrees in high-demand occupations, including nursing, teaching, technology, engineering and more. More Local News The state would provide $28.2 million to SUNY and $18.8 million to CUNY to cover the costs of tuition, books and fees for participants in the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hochul announced the free community college proposal during her State of the State address last week. This is real savings for New Yorkers pursuing new careers and puts money back in their pockets while filling job openings in these critical industries, Hochul said. NYC program offers paid training for high-paying jobs Last week, Hochul also announced a proposal to cut taxes for more than 8.3 million taxpayers in New York. Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than six years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 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 PIX11. NEW YORK (PIX11) Arctic air has brought chilling temperatures as low as 12 degrees to New York City but are we in a polar vortex? A polar vortex settled over New York City and New Jersey following Sundays snowstorm, PIX11 meteorologists say. More Local News A polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air that always exists near the poles but weakens in summer and strengthens in winter, according to the National Weather Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the winter, the vortex will expand and send cold air southward, creating the outbreaks of arctic air were experiencing, the NWS explains. Some of the most notable polar vortex outbreaks occurred in January 2014, 1977, 1982, 1985, and 1989. Meteorologists warn that residents should check the weather forecast in their area and dress appropriately to protect against frostbite and hypothermia. Additionally, they say its also a good idea to be prepared with emergency kits in your home and car. Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 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 PIX11. A pair of young siblings who were reported missing in Ohio in October were found this month thousands of miles away in Iceland, the U.S. Marshals Service said. The children, whose names were not released, are 8 and 9 years old, according to marshals based in northern Ohio. Icelandic police found the at a hotel in the country's capital, Reykjavik, on Jan. 10, the agency said. A family member reported the children missing to Canton police on Oct. 25. The children's mother who was also not publicly identified had stopped taking her mental health medication and abandoned her apartment, and the children stopped attending school, the marshals said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canton police eventually requested the assistance of the marshals, the statement said. The search also included assistance from the State Department, Interpol, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and authorities in England and Iceland. The children's mother took them to London, the Island of Jersey in the English Channel and a remote fishing village in Iceland before they were found in Reykjavik, officials said. "The children were placed in the care of Iceland social services until a trusted family member could get them," the marshals said. "The mother was placed in a hospital where she will remain until she is well enough to travel back to the U.S." Canton police could not immediately be reached for comment Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reykjavik is nearly 3,000 miles from Canton. U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said in the statement the children would not have been found without dedicated law enforcement personnel who helped bring them home. "The collaboration of effort in this case cant be understated," he said. "The ability to respond and recover these children abroad is an extremely difficult task. Our investigators did an outstanding job. We are lucky to have such strong and dedicated law enforcement partners and credit should be given to them for helping bring these children home. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) On Monday, the Athens-Limestone community celebrated 20 years of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While they were unable to perform the traditional march from the county courthouse due to tornado damage, their annual art and essay contest still shined through, reflecting Kings legacy. UAH grad builds robot barista for new coffee truck These students expressed their genuine thoughts about Dr. King, said Benard Simelton. If you look at the art and understand what they were saying in the essays as well as art, you have a great grasp for who they are and who this generation and the next generation is going to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simelton is the president of the Alabama NCAAP and was the chairman for todays celebration. He said its vital for our younger generations to understand Kings message. Its so important to continue what he taught, not only by his teachings and his speeches but where he lived his life, he said. Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. Caleb Whetstone is a seventh grader at the Academy of Science and Foreign Language. He was a part of the program, winning a few awards and uniting the room in song. A lot of times when, like, people were protesting back then during Martin Luther Kings day, they were singing negro spirituals, and, so I was really happy when he gave me a chance to come down here and just sing, Whetstone said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He shared what Kings actions meant to him. It means that everybody should have peace, he said. Everybody should be equal, you know, no one should be, like, just disrespected because of a culture that they live in. This years event took place at the Pinchman-Lincoln Center, but Simelton said they hope to return to the traditional march and the Veterans Museum next year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Living with persistent poverty and/or parental mental illness throughout childhood may double the risk of carrying and/or using a weapon and getting on the wrong side of the law by the age of 17, suggests research published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. These factors may account for nearly one in three cases of weapon use or carriage and more than a quarter of all police contact among 17-year-olds, nationwide, estimate the researchers. Youth crime and violence are common around the world, they note. In England and Wales, for example, around 104,400 first-time offenders were recorded in the criminal justice system in 2020, with 11% of them aged between 10 and 17. As risk factors tend to cluster, the researchers set out to assess the extent to which early life exposure to poverty and family adversities might be associated with involvement in youth violence, crime, and contact with the justice system. They drew on long term data from the representative UK Millennium Cohort Study for 9,316 children whose exposure to family adversities and household poverty had been reported from birth to the age of 14. When they were 17, the teens were asked, via questionnaire, if they had carried or used a weapon, such as a knife, and/or had been in contact with the police, to include being stopped and questioned, given a formal warning or caution, or being arrested. The overall prevalence of weapon use/carriage was just over 6%, while that of police contact was 20%. Analysis of the data showed that exposure to poverty and family adversity throughout childhood, either singly or combined, significantly increased the likelihood of violence and criminal justice involvement during their teenage years. Nearly one in 10 (just under 9%) of the teens exposed to persistent poverty and poor parental mental health throughout childhood said they had carried or used a weapon, while more than one in four (28%) of them had come into contact with the police. This compares with 5% and just over 17%, respectively, of those who had not grown up in this environment. Overall, those who had been exposed to persistent poverty and poor parental mental health throughout their childhood were twice as likely to carry/use a weapon and to report contact with the police, after accounting for potentially influential factors, including the mother's ethnic background and educational attainment. And as teens, they were more than five times as likely to be arrested or taken into police custody, three times as likely to be warned or cautioned by the police, and twice as likely to be stopped and questioned by them. Based on these figures, and population estimates, the researchers estimate that persistent poverty and family adversities account for around a third (32%) of all cases of weapon use/carriage and nearly one in four (23%) cases of contact with the police among 17-year-olds across the UK. This is an observational study, and as such, no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect. And the researchers acknowledge that there might have been other as yet unaccounted for influential factors. But they write, "Our analysis provides strong evidence that persistent adversity throughout childhood is strongly associated with risk of involvement in violence and contact with police in adolescence, highlighting the negative effects of both accumulation and duration of childhood adversity." And they conclude, "Our findings suggest the need for a whole system approach and the implementation and strengthening of national and local policies focused on early intervention and support for families with low incomes and those experiencing family adversity, such as mental health problems. "Addressing these issues comprehensively and syndemically earlier in the life course across multiple sectors, such as schools, communities, health care providers, and the law system, may reduce risk-taking behaviors in adolescence, ultimately contributing to better outcomes for young people." More information: Impact of family childhood adversity on risk of violence and involvement with police in adolescence: findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (2025). DOI: 10.1136/jech-2024-223168 Journal information: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) Governor Glenn Youngkin recently announced a permanent ruling with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), ultimately ending a 12-year settlement agreement with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. According to a release, the injunction was jointly proposed by the Commonwealth and the DOJ, following an investigation in 2012 that alleged Virginia failed to provide proper services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Im proud that the Commonwealth is taking the steps to provide Virginians with developmental disabilities and their families the support and services they need to thrive in their communities, Youngkin said. Thanks to the bipartisan collaboration, especially over the past three years, with members of our General Assembly, Virginians with developmental disabilities have meaningful living and care options. Through our Right Help, Right Now plan, we will continue to advocate for and implement transformative changes that will not only benefit Virginia families and communities, but also revolutionize the care for Virginians with developmental disabilities for generations to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the settlement agreement with the DOJ from 2012, Virginia has worked to ensure individuals with developmental disabilities have access to quality services in integrated community settings, community providers and independent housing and employment options. The Commonwealth also closed four of its five institutions for individuals with intellectual disabilities, which were at the time referred to as training centers. Governor Youngkins administration has been committed not only to compliance with the settlement agreement, but also to fighting for a stronger and more reliable system for people with developmental disabilities and their families, Secretary of Health & Human Resources Janet V. Kelly said. This shift in care relied heavily on strong partnerships among families, community providers, and members of the General Assembly. As the system continues to improve, we believe that Virginians with developmental disabilities will experience life more fully in the community and that their family members will see them grow and flourish. The release states that the permanent injunction completely replaces the settlement from 2012, as the need for court oversight has been minimized. As part of the injunction, the state must meet expectations for services and supports to individuals, have a quality management system, have compliance monitoring and maintain a publicly accessible document library. The Commonwealth will also have to regularly conduct rate studies in order to ensure the proper implementation of services for those with developmental disabilities. We are pleased to see the permanent injunction signed, marking a significant step forward in the 2012 case against Virginia for failing to meet the Americans with Disabilities Acts integration mandate, Executive Director of The ARC of Virginia Tonya Milling said. This decision reflects sustained work by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to achieve compliance with quality indictors and establishes a lasting framework to ensure people with developmental disabilities have access to inclusive, community-based lives. Importantly, the injunction also includes expectations for investments in provider rates, ensuring Virginia follows through on its commitments. We were pleased to see legislative leadership present in court and are optimistic that this demonstrates their commitment to supporting the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December of 2023, Youngkin announced a proposal to fund Priority 1 waiver slots for Virginians with developmental disabilities, to which the General Assembly agreed to a phased approach, ultimately adding 3,440 slots and providing a 3% increase in rates for providers of some waiver services. According to the release, this additional funding was a significant factor in finalizing the permanent injunction. We want to make it very clear to Virginians: we will not stop here, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Nelson Smith said. We will keep working to ensure individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have even better access to quality providers and life-changing waiver services, and this work is an enduring commitment. We are committed to giving Virginians with disabilities the supports and services they need to live their best lives, full of possibilities, in their communities. The document library, which gives more information on the settlement agreement, can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. (Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy sees things going in the right direction for his nation after Donald Trumps inaugural pledge to expand US energy exports. Most Read from Bloomberg We need to make sure no European country is dependent on a single energy supplier especially not Russia, Zelenskiy said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday. Zelenskiy spoke a day after Trump was sworn in as US president, opening a chapter of uncertainty for Ukraine, which heavily depends on military aid from Washington. Trump had earlier signaled that he planned to end the war in the first months of his presidency, but hasnt said how. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European nations should boost their defense spending to as much as 5% of gross domestic product if need be, Zelenskiy said, a suggestion in tune with Trumps earlier calls. It is not possible to keep buying gas in Moscow and at the same time keep demanding security guarantees, assistance and cooperation from the Americans, Zelenskiy said. The Ukrainian leader called on Europe to become more self-reliant and develop its industry, including military production and technology. The algorithms of social media giants such as TikTok are already more powerful than some of the continents governments, he said. Ukraine has been fighting Russias full-scale invasion for nearly three years, and Moscows troops made significant gains across the frontline last year. The countrys 800,000-strong military is the continents largest army, the Ukrainian president said, urging Europe to unify its security and defense policy in the face of the threat from the east. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. By Alessandra Galloni DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is seeking a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, said on Tuesday that at least 200,000 European peacekeepers would be needed to prevent a new Russian attack after any ceasefire deal. The Ukrainian leader, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland a day after Trump returned to power following months of promises to end the war in Ukraine quickly, also urged European leaders to do more to defend the continent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prospect of a rapid settlement has focused minds in Kyiv and Europe on the urgent need for security guarantees to prevent any future Russian attack, with the idea of peacekeeping force circulating. "From all the Europeans? 200,000, it's a minimum. It's a minimum, otherwise it's nothing," Zelenskiy said when asked about the idea of a peacekeeping contingent on an interview panel after delivering his speech. That number is around the size of the entire French armed forces, estimated at just over 200,000 by France's defence ministry in 2020. Zelenskiy said at least that number would be needed as a security guarantee if Russia's armed forces totalled 1.5 million personnel and Ukraine had only half that number. Zelenskiy said such a force would only be part of the security guarantees that Ukraine needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TRUMP MEETING The Ukrainian leader said Kyiv was working to set up a meeting between himself and Trump. "The teams have been working on a meeting, they are currently in the process," Zelenskiy said about those efforts. Trump, who returned to office on Monday, has said he would stop the war in Ukraine swiftly, without saying how. Zelenskiy said Ukraine would not agree to Russian demands that it drastically reduce the size of its military, predicting that Russian President Vladimir Putin would demand Ukraine cut its armed forces to a fifth of their size. "This is what he wants. We will not allow this to happen," Zelenskiy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his speech, Zelenskiy said Europe must make itself a strong global player, able to guarantee peace and security for itself and for others. He suggested Europe had less influence over Washington because the United States viewed its allies' contribution to security as lacking. "Does anyone in the United States worry that Europe might abandon them someday might stop being their ally? The answer is no," Zelenskiy said. He said that Europeans needed to devise a united security and defence policy and alluded to a pre-inauguration remark by Trump, who proposed a massive hike in defence spending for NATO members to 5% of GDP. "If it takes 5% of GDP to cover defence, then so be it, 5% it is. And there is no need to play with people's emotions that defence should be compensated at the expense of medicine or pensions that's not fair," Zelenskiy said. (Reporting by Alessandra Galloni and Yuliia Dysa; writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Peter Graff and Alex Richardson) President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Davos, Switzerland, to participate in the annual World Economic Forum, his spokesperson, Serhii Nykyforov, confirmed for Suspilne on Jan. 21. Zelensky's itinerary will include bilateral talks with leaders of Latin American and Asian countries and meetings with top business officials. Ukraine's head of state is also expected to deliver a speech in Davos later in the day. During one of the Jan. 21 sessions, the forum participants will address the "Peace through Strength" approach, referring to the Kyiv-promoted strategy of using a position of strength to push Russia toward a just peace deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attendees will also discuss the growing defense spending in Western and Central Europe, the future of NATO, the development of threats on the continent, and the European defense strategy. Nations of Central and Western Europe have ramped up defense investments since the outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, raising the number from 240 billion euros ($250 billion) in 2022 to 350 billion euros ($360 billion) in 2024. Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak will participate in a discussion of the Ukrainian peace formula with Jens Stoltenberg, the former NATO secretary general, on Jan. 22. The session "Ukraine: The Road Ahead" will take place on Jan. 23. The events speakers include Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Polands Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, Ukraines Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 3,000 representatives from over 130 countries, including 60 heads of state and government, 900 CEOs of the worlds leading companies, and forum partners, are expected to attend the forum in 2025. The 2025 World Economic Forums central theme is "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," and the topics of discussion include geo-economic uncertainty and rethinking the role of artificial intelligence, among others. Zelensky also attended the World Economic Forum in January 2024, arriving only a day after Davos hosted the fourth meeting on Ukraine's peace formula, which preceded the global peace summit in Switzerland. Read also: The Week Ahead: Key Developments Impacting Global Politics & Markets Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The opening of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos on Tuesday is dominated by several major geopolitical crises. Not even 24 hours after Donald Trump's swearing-in as US president, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy intends to seek support for his country at the major pow-wow in the Swiss Alps. Israeli President Isaac Herzog is also due to speak - in the wake of the hostage releases and the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the afternoon, the German federal election campaign will also be in evidence in Davos: First, Chancellor Olaf Scholz from the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) is due to speak, followed by the conservative bloc's candidate to replace him as chancellor, Friedrich Merz. The 55th World Economic Forum in Davos brings together a large number of world leaders, chief executives of major companies and powerful non-governmental organizations. Trump is also expected to give a speech on Thursday. Volodymyr Zelensky has warned European leaders Donald Trump will ignore them if the continent doesnt take better care of its own defences. The Ukrainian president insisted the continent had to become more independent of Washington because there was no guarantee his American counterpart was committed to Nato. Will president Trump even notice Europe? Does he see Nato as necessary? And will he respect EU institutions? Mr Zelensky asked in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wartime leader presented his scathing address as a wake-up call for European leaders, including in Britain and France, following Mr Trumps inauguration on Monday. World Economic Forum delegates in Davos watch Donald Trumps inauguration speech on Monday - Markus Schreiber/AP Mr Zelensky argued that Europe had to do more to prove it could stand on its own feet and be a strong global player and indispensable on the world stage. Most of the world is now thinking: What is going to happen to our relationship with America, what will happen to alliances, to trade? How does President Trump want to end war?... But no one is asking these kind of questions about Europe, he said. When we in Europe look at the US as our ally, it is clear they are an indispensable ally. In times of war, everyone worries will the US stay with them But does anyone in the US worry that Europe might abandon them one day or might stop being their ally? The answer is no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The view was echoed by Alexander De Croo, Belgiums prime minister, who said Mr Trumps return to the White House should force the EU to stand on its own two feet. We will be in a world where we will sometimes have to show our muscles, he said. Alexander De Croo, the Belgian prime minister, says that Europe should sometimes be allowed to react a little harder to Mr Trumps plans - Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg A trade war with the US would be in no ones interest, he said, but added that Europe should sometimes be allowed to react a little harder to Mr Trumps plans, which have recently included suggestions that America could take over Greenland. Greenland is part of Denmark, end of story. This is a discussion that needs to be ended, Mr De Croo insisted. Its not something you can laugh off. It creates an atmosphere. We should have reacted much more firmly to it through the EU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He suggested Europe could buy more energy from the US and purchase weapons as governments increased defence spending. This could help address Mr Trumps concerns over trade deficits with European countries. Mr De Croo, a Flemish liberal, will leave office once a coalition government in Belgium is formed after elections held in June last year. Mr Trump has repeatedly criticised the cost of his countrys military support for Ukraine - Reuters A souvenir stall with a flag depicting Ukrainian and US co-operation in Kyiv on the day of Mr Trumps inauguration - SERGEY DOLZHENKO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump has repeatedly criticised the cost of his countrys military support for Ukraine, while also criticising his European Nato allies for not spending enough on defence. His comments in the past, including encouraging Russia to do whatever the hell they want to member states not hitting spending targets, have raised constant concerns over his commitment to the alliance. European leaders have attempted to address his concerns by proving they are doing more to support Ukraine and defend the continent. But Mr Zelensky suggested that the current efforts alone risked Europe being left behind other global superpowers such as the US and China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europe cannot afford to be the second or third in line for their allies. If that happens, the world will start moving without Europe and that is a world that would not be comfortable or beneficial to all Europeans, he told the crowd in Davos. Europe must establish itself as a strong, global player, as an indispensable player. Lets not forget there is no ocean separating European countries from Russia, and European leaders should remember these battles involving North Korean soldiers are now happening in places geographically closer to Davos than Pyongyang. Photos of US volunteer soldiers killed defending Ukraine at Independence Square in Kyiv - Efrem Lukatsky/AP The Ukrainian president warned it was unclear whether Europe would even be invited to participate in peace talks between the US, Russia and China to end the war in his country. He said: Right now, it is not clear whether Europe will even have a seat when the war against our country ends. And we see how much influence China has on Russia but will president Trump listen to Europe, or will he negotiate with Russia, China, without Europe? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europe needs to learn how to fully take care of itself, so the world cannot afford to ignore it. The Ukrainian president said his country was ready to work with its European allies to bolster the continents defences, including the creation of an Iron Dome that could repel Russian missiles. If it takes 5 per cent of GDP to cover defence, then so be it, he added, endorsing Mr Trumps demands on defence spending. Mr Trump on Tuesday indicated he may impose fresh sanctions on Russia if Putin refuses to negotiate a deal to end the war in Ukraine. Sounds like it, Trump told reporters at the White House, when asked if the United States would apply additional sanctions on Moscow if the Russian president did not come to the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In unusually critical remarks of Putin, Trump said on Monday that the Russian president should make a deal. I think hes destroying Russia by not making a deal. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Ukraine is actively working to arrange a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump, Zelensky announced on Jan. 21 during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "The teams have been working on a meeting; they are currently in the process," Zelensky said, emphasizing Ukraine's commitment to ending the war with Russia. Zelensky noted Trump's public pledge to end the war in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are your partner. We know all the sore spots; we have lost our people," he said. "We want to end the war this year. But not just quickly, but fairly and, above all, reliably for us." Trump, sworn in on Jan. 20, has previously claimed he could swiftly broker peace, though he stressed the need to consult with Russian President Vladimir Putin first. On Jan. 20, Trump expressed doubts about Moscow's willingness to negotiate. Zelensky also used his Davos address to urge Europe to strengthen its security framework and warn against reliance on the U.S. "Europe must establish itself as a strong global player," he said, highlighting Russia's growing military capacity and alliances with Iran and North Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Europe must become stronger in face of Russian hostility, Zelensky says He underscored the imbalance in military production, with Russia outpacing Europe in ammunition and equipment output despite its smaller economy. The Davos forum, themed "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," convenes nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries, including 60 heads of state and government. Discussions on Jan. 21 addressed European defense strategy, NATO's future, and Ukraine's "Peace through Strength" approach, which advocates using military and political leverage to pressure Russia into a just peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Key speakers included Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics. Topics also ranged from geo-economic challenges to the evolving role of artificial intelligence in global cooperation. Read also: Zelensky arrives in Davos to participate in World Economic Forum Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan. 21 reiterated his commitment to ending Russia's war in 2025 "not just quickly but fairly and reliably." Speaking at at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zelensky stressed the importance of ensuring Ukrainians can safely return home and rebuild their lives. "We want to end the war this year - not just quickly but fairly and reliably for all of us, for Ukrainians," he said. "So that they can return home, live in safety, and work." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky underscored the need for strong European engagement, calling for allies to provide accurate information to U.S. President Donald Trump. "We have very good relations with President Trump," he said, adding that "voices conveying disinformation or pro-Russian positions could present risks." Zelensky also expressed concerns over possible Russian demands in peace negotiations, including calls for Ukraine to reduce its military and abandon NATO membership. Newly inaugurated on Jan. 20, U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to bring a swift resolution to the war but acknowledged that consultations with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump criticized Putin's handling of the conflict on Jan. 20, claiming he is "destroying Russia by not making a deal." Read also: Putin is destroying Russia by not making a deal to end war, Trump says The Davos forum, themed "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," brings together nearly 3,000 participants from over 130 countries, including 60 heads of state and government. Discussions include European defense strategy, NATO's future, and Ukraine's "Peace through Strength" approach, which advocates leveraging military and political power to secure a just peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Key speakers include Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. Zelensky's appearance follows his attendance at the January 2024 forum, which coincided with the fourth meeting on Ukraine's peace formula, paving the way for the global peace summit later that year. Read also: Europe must become stronger in face of Russian hostility, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is hoping that new US President Donald Trump will help bring about a principled end to Russia's war against his country. "Trump, he told me, and he later publicly stated it, he will be doing everything to end the war this year," Zelensky said in a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos in Switzerland on Tuesday. But he said that achieving a durable peace was more important than a quick halt to the fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have this war in our territory. We know all the painful points. We understand how painful it is for us. We have lost our people," Zelensky told the annual gathering of political, business and financial leaders. "We want to end the war this year - but not only with the word 'rapidly,' but also 'justly,'" Zelensky continued. He said Ukrainians deserved to be able to go back to their homes and live in "security." "It seems to me that this is the most important thing," Zelensky said. The 55th World Economic Forum, which is taking place this week in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos, brings together a large number of world leaders, chief executives of major companies and powerful non-governmental organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who started his second term on Monday, pledged on the campaign trail to immediately end the nearly three-year-old war should he be returned to office, but his plan remains unclear. 'Force cannot replace discourse,' elite told as Davos kicked off The global elite were told earlier Tuesday that "force cannot replace discourse," as the forum kicked off. "The long-standing international order that existed for the last three decades has receded," WEF President Borge Brende said. "We are now between orders and the next order has not yet taken shape. At this critical moment, we must ensure that the jungle of geopolitics does not grow back." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Force cannot replace discourse," he warned. "Non-cooperation cannot become the new normal." "Let's be clear," he said. "We will not agree on everything, but we need to find new and more effective ways to work, even in the face of disagreement. It's the only way to make progress." Given challenges like climate change, an increasing number of conflicts and health risks, this would be the focus of the days-long meeting of business and political leaders in Davos, Brende said. Scholz stresses importance of US alliance for Germany The United States will remain one of Germany's closest and most indispensable allies, regardless of who the current president is, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed in his speech on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Continued close cooperation and partnership is in the interest of both the US and Germany, Scholz said. But there should also be no phony attempts at "ingratiation" or "sweet talking" Trump. "Not every press conference in Washington, not every tweet should immediately plunge us into heated, existential debates. This also applies after the change of government that took place in Washington yesterday," said Scholz, referring to Trump's inauguration for a second term. In his opinion, Trump and his government will keep the world on edge for years to come, Scholz said. "We can and will deal with all of this," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The German leader said that cooperation between European allies and the US is essential for peace and security worldwide and a driver for successful economic development. Scholz cites 'freedom of speech' when asked about Elon Musk Scholz offered only an indirect answer when asked about tech billionaire Elon Musk. Musk, who had previously weighed in on German politics to endorse and promote the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), appeared to make a Nazi salute during Trump's inauguration festivities. "We have the freedom of speech in Europe and in Germany, everyone can say what he wants, even if he is a billionaire," Scholz said. "And what we do not accept is if this is supporting extreme right positions. And this is what I would like to repeat again." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, who spent hundreds of millions of dollars in support of Trump's election campaign, gave a speech on stage before the president's arrival at Washington's Capital One Arena on Monday. He thanked the new president's supporters, then held his right hand to his heart - and then emphatically extended it upwards in one swift movement. He then repeated the gesture in a different direction. In a post on X on Tuesday, Musk dismissed those accusing him of having given the Nazi salute. "Frankly, they need better dirty tricks," Musk wrote. "The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired." Israeli President Herzog calls for global efforts to tackle terrorism Israeli President Isaac Herzog called for global efforts to tackle terrorism in his speech. "There has to be a major world effort against terror," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, he stressed that the Middle East also has opportunities: "We are seeing historical change. We're seeing change in Lebanon, we're seeing historical change in Syria. We are seeing historical change, hopefully in the Gaza Strip." Herzog assured that following the agreement on a six-week ceasefire in Gaza and the release of 33 Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity, he sees the chance for success in the next phase of negotiations. However, he also acknowledged reservations and fears, saying that as Israel demanded the release of women and children, it was "paying with terrorists, cruel, barbaric terrorists." In considering the future of the Gaza Strip, Herzog emphasized Israel's security interests, stating that the nation still suffers from the trauma of October 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "How do we make sure that this does not recur?" he asked. "How do we make sure that it's not Hamas who dictates and leads that place? "We have to learn from historic lessons and from all our experiences." The 55th World Economic Forum runs all week. Trump is expected to give a speech on Thursday. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes to have the support of Ukraine's European allies in explaining to US President Donald Trump the risks of agreeing to the demands that Moscow is expected to make in potential talks to end the war. Source: Zelenskyy during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, as reported by European Pravda Quote: "We have a very good relationship with President Trump. But today, we have such a pragmatic time," the Ukrainian president said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "It is very important for us that the extra voices that sometimes surround President Trump convey disinformation or a pro-Russian position.... It is important for us that Europe is loud, that it is heard, that there are more voices around Trump. So that he clearly understands the details and the risks that may be in the future. And very quickly," he said. In particular, Zelenskyy is convinced that if negotiations on ending the war begin, Putin will demand that Ukraine significantly reduce its army and give up its NATO membership. Quote: "Trump told me and then spoke publicly about it... he will do everything to end the war this year. I told him that we were his partner. We are in this war, we know all the painful places. We understand how painful it is for us, we lost our people (this is the biggest loss for us). We want to end the war this year, but not just quickly, but fairly and, above all, reliably for all of us, for Ukrainians. We want them to return home, live in safety, and work," he said. Background: In his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that it is time for Europe to take its destiny into its own hands and become stronger and more capable of being as valuable an ally for the United States as the United States is for Europe. Zelenskyy said that European states should not try to cut costs on their security and indirectly supported the call of new US President Donald Trump to increase NATO allies' defence spending to 5% of GDP. Zelenskyy also stressed that if Ukraine does not receive reliable guarantees that would deter Russia from new aggression, a new attack would be many times more dangerous for the whole of Europe. Support UP or become our patron! This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In Tennesseea public health bright spot in a conservative state with poor health outcomes and one of the shortest life expectancies in the nationthere is a high childhood vaccination rate. Mississippi and West Virginia, two similarly conservative states with poor health outcomes and short life expectancies, also have some of the highest vaccination rates for kindergartners in the nationa seeming contradiction that stems from the fact that childhood vaccination requirements don't always align with states' other characteristics, said James Colgrove, a Columbia University professor who studies factors that influence public health. "The kinds of policies that states have don't map neatly on to 'red' versus 'blue' or one region or another," Colgrove said. Advocates, doctors, public health officials, and researchers worry such public health bright spots in some states are fading: Many states have recently reported an increase in people opting out of vaccines for their kids as Americans' views shift. During the 202324 school year, the percentage of kindergartners exempted from one or more vaccinations rose to 3.3%, the highest ever reported, with increases in 40 states and Washington, D.C., according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Tennessee and Mississippi were among those with increases. Nearly all exemptions nationally were for nonmedical reasons. Vaccine proponents worry anti-vaccine messaging could accelerate a growing "health freedom" movement that has been pushed by leaders in states such as Florida. Momentum against vaccines is likely to continue to grow with the election of Donald Trump as president and his proposed nomination of anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Pediatricians in states with high exemption rates, such as Florida and Georgia, say they're concerned by what they seedeclining immunization levels for kindergartners, which could lead to a resurgence in vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles. The Florida Department of Health reported nonmedical exemption rates as high as 50% for children in some areas. "The religious exemption is huge," said Brandon Chatani, a pediatric infectious disease doctor in Orlando. "That has allowed for an easy way for these kids to enter schools without vaccines." In many states, it's easier to get a religious exemption than a medical one, which often requires signoff from a doctor. Over the past decade, California, Connecticut, Maine, and New York have removed religious and philosophical exemptions from school vaccination requirements. West Virginia has not had them. Idaho, Alaska, and Utah had the highest exemption rates for the 202324 school year, according to the CDC. Those states allow parents or legal guardians to exempt their children for religious reasons by submitting a notarized form or a signed statement. Florida and Georgia, with some of the lowest reported minimum vaccination rates for kindergartners, allow parents to exempt their children by submitting a form with the child's school or day care. Both states have reported declines in uptake of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, which is one of the most common childhood shots. In Georgia, MMR coverage for kindergartners dropped to 88.4% in the 202324 school year from 93.1% in 201920, according to the CDC. Florida dropped to 88.1% from 93.5% during the same period. Andi Shane, a pediatric infectious disease specialist in Atlanta, traces Georgia's declining rates to families who lack access to a pediatrician. State policies on exemptions are also key, she said. "There's lots of data to support the fact that when personal belief exemptions are not permitted, that vaccination rates are higher," she said. In December, Georgia public health officials put out an advisory saying the state had recorded significantly more whooping cough cases than in the prior year. According to CDC data, Georgia reported 280 cases in 2024 compared with 96 the year before. Until 2023, Mississippi was one of the few states that allowed parents to opt out of vaccinating their kids only for medical reasonsand only with the approval of a doctor. That gave it among the highest vaccination rates in the nation as of the 202324 school year. "It's one of the few things Mississippi has done well," said Anita Henderson, a pediatrician who has practiced in the southern part of the state for nearly 30 years. In terms of health, she said, childhood vaccination rates were the state's one "shining star." But that changed in April 2023 when a federal judge ordered state officials to start allowing religious exemptions. The ruling has emboldened many families, Henderson said. "We are seeing more and more skepticism, more and more vaccine hesitancy, and a lack of confidence because of this ruling," she said. State officials have granted more than 5,000 religious exemptions since the court order allowing them, according to the state health department. Daniel Edney, the state health officer, said most of the requests have come from "more affluent" residents in "pockets" of the state. "Most people listen to the expert opinions of their pediatricians and family medicine doctors to stay on the vaccine schedule, because it's what is best to protect their children," he said. West Virginia's vaccine lawwhich hasn't allowed nonmedical exemptionsalso could soon change, Matthew Christiansen said in December before he resigned as the state's health officer. A bill that would have broadened exemptions made it through the legislature last year but was vetoed by outgoing Republican Gov. Jim Justice. The new governor, Republican Pat Morrisey, has been a vocal critic of vaccine mandates. And just a day after being inaugurated, he issued an executive order to propose provisions by Feb. 1 that could allow religious and conscientious exemptions. "I want to send a message that if you have a religious belief, then we're going to have an exception," he said at a Jan. 14 press conference. "We're not going to be the outlier." People asserting their personal freedoms to decline vaccines for their kids can ultimately curtail the ability of others to live full lives, Christiansen said. "Kids getting measles and mumps and polio and being paralyzed for their whole life is an impediment on personal freedom and autonomy for those kids," he said. Since the COVID pandemic, anti-vaccine sentiment has been growing in Tennessee. One organization, Stand for Health Freedom, drafted a letter for constituents to send to their state lawmakers calling for the resignation of the medical director of Tennessee's Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program. The group said she demonstrated a "lack of respect for the informed consent rights" of the people. "They feel emboldened by the idea that this presidential administration seems to feel very strongly that a lot of these issues should be taken back to the states," said Emily Delikat, director of Tennessee Families for Vaccines, a pro-vaccine group. Ultimately, like many effective public health interventions, vaccines are a victim of their own success, said Henderson, the Mississippi pediatrician. Most people haven't seen outbreaks of measles or polio, so they forget how dangerous the diseases are, she said. "It may unfortunately take a resurgence of those diseases to raise awareness to the fact that these are dangerous, these are deadly, these are preventable," she said. "I hope it doesn't come to that." 2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the purchase of Russian gas, referencing Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Source: Zelenskyys speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, as reported by European Pravda Details: Speaking about Europes security, Zelenskyy stressed the need to ensure that no European country depends on a single energy supplier, especially Russia. He mentioned the statements of the newly incumbent US President Donald Trump about plans to increase energy exports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy emphasised that Europe must "step up and do more long-term work to secure real energy independence". Quote: "You can't keep buying gas from Moscow while also expecting security guarantees, help and back-up from the Americans. Thats just wrong. For example, the Prime Minister of Slovakia is not seeking access to the US gas, but doesnt lose hope to enjoy the US security umbrella". Background: The gas transit contract between Ukraine and Russia expired at the end of 2024 after Ukraine decided not to renew it. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has expanded the range of his threats against Ukraine following Kyiv's suspension of the transit of Russian natural gas via Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! In his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed that it is time for Europe to take its destiny into its own hands and become stronger and more capable of being as valuable an ally for the United States as the United States is for Europe. Source: European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy noted that Europe "cannot be a third priority" for the allies in the future and should become as important and valuable an ally for the United States as the United States is for Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Right now it is not clear whether Europe will even have a seat at the [negotiating ed.] table when the war against our country ends. We see how much influence China has on Russia. We are deeply grateful to Europe for all the support its given our country during this war. But will President Trump listen to Europe, or will he negotiate with Russia and China without Europe? Europe needs to learn how to fully take care of itself so that the world cannot afford to ignore it... Europe must establish itself as a strong global player. An indispensable player," Zelenskyy said, probably referencing mentions of the US as an "indispensable nation". Zelenskyy noted that this turning point can be perceived as a problem but also as an opportunity and noted that this applies to security, the economy, and the development of the latest technologies. Background: In her speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned of the risk of a "global race to the bottom" using economic instruments such as sanctions, export controls and tariffs. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasises that Ukraine wants to end the murderous war unleashed by Russia, not just quickly but, most importantly fairly. Source: Zelenskyy during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, broadcast by the Ukrainian Presidents Office Quote: "Trump told me and then spoke publicly about it... he will do everything to end the war this year. I told him that we were his partner. We are in this war, we know all the painful places. We understand how painful it is for us, we lost our people (this is the biggest loss for us). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to end the war this year, but not just quickly, but fairly and, above all, reliably for all of us, for Ukrainians. We want them to return home, live in safety, and work. I think this is the most important thing. At least, we will do everything we can for this." Background: US President Donald Trump has once again promised to end the war in Ukraine and instructed his team to organise a call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to arrange a meeting after his inauguration. US Senator Marco Rubio, Donald Trump's choice for Secretary of State, said that in order for the Russian-Ukrainian war to end, both countries must make concessions. At a meeting of the Russian Security Council on 20 January, Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed Russia's readiness for peace talks with the new administration of US President Donald Trump. At the same time, Putin stressed that any peaceful settlement should be based on "eliminating the root causes" of the conflict, which, according to him, includes meeting Russia's strict demands. These demands include Ukraine's permanent "neutral" status, its non-membership in NATO, strict limits on the size of the Ukrainian army, and the removal of the Ukrainian government from power. According to the Institute for the Study of War, this is effectively a demand for Ukraine's complete surrender Support UP or become our patron! Zoe Saldana is helping those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. The 46-year-old mom of three spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 20, helping volunteers in L.A. communities of Pasadena and Altadena which were hit by the Eaton Fire. And sharing a video of her efforts via Instagram, the star urged her followers to help, too. In a video shared with her 11.2 million followers, Saldana said, Were here at the Pasadena Job Center Im here with the team organizers. We are in dire need of a lot of items that are running out. The lines here of cars and people that are coming is incredible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Zoe Saldana Steps Out in the Color of the Season and Piles of Diamonds at 2025 Golden Globes: 'I Feel Really Beautiful' She added, The support is incredible, but we need more. So if you guys can help, we are here right now. Come you guys. Saldana who was wearing a mask while working alongside volunteers from the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) then added that they were hoping for donations of canned food, [baby] formula, water and fresh produce. David McNew/Getty The actress was helping those impacted by the Eaton Fire The actress was helping those impacted by the Eaton Fire Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Her followers were quick to praise her community efforts with one fan commenting Amazing Zoe, on her video while another said, Love watching the community build each other up, and a third added, I would love to be there helping with you guys, alongside some love heart emojis. Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Saldana last month at the Golden Globes before the fires Saldana last month at the Golden Globes before the fires The actress, who shares sons Cy, Bowie and Zen with her husband Marco Perego, isnt the only famous face helping fire victims. Meghan Markle made a low-key visit to the Altadena Teen Girls Fire Recovery group on Jan. 13. She and Prince Harry also contributed to the organization through their Archewell Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jay Leno delivered meals to first responders on his vintage fire truck and Jennifer Garner volunteered with World Central Kitchen to help distribute meals to first responders and displaced residents, while Vanessa Bryant, Demi Lovato, Miranda Kerr and Jessica Alba volunteered with Baby2Baby to help pack kits of needed hygiene items for displaced families. Related: Zoe Saldana Reveals Her First Kiss Was 'with a Girl' at '13 or 14': 'Girls Are Such Better Kissers!' Several celebrities have also helped those impacted by the blazes financially. Jamie Lee Curtis pledged $1 million from her family foundation for a wildfire relief efforts fund, Paris Hilton launched an emergency fund of $100,000 through her 11:11 Media nonprofit, and Eva Longoria will donate $1 million through her foundation to the Latino Community Fund and California Community Foundation. Read the original article on People Zooey Deschanel had a tough 45th birthday. Charley Gallay / Getty Images for Fashion Trust U.S The actor's birthday was Jan. 17, and that same day she shared on Instagram that her childhood home had burned down in the Palisades fire. Steve Granitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images The Palisades fire is one of several that have raged across significant portions of Los Angeles County this month. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Palisades fire is just over 60 percent contained as of Tuesday. The other large fire, the Eaton fire, is nearly 90 percent contained. AGUSTIN PAULLIER/AFP via Getty Images Zooey posted numerous photos of the home, including what it looked like before and after the fires. Ruins of a large house with an intact archway and chimney, surrounded by bare trees and debris, set against a clear sky Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement @zooeydeschanel/Instagram / Via instagram.com She also posted a series of sweet family moments at the house. Her sister, Bones actor Emily Deschanel, and their parents, Oscar-nominated cinematographer Caleb Deschanel and Twin Peaks actor Mary Jo Deschanel, were featured in the photos. Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images Zooey began her caption by noting the house was a "marvel of 1920s Spanish revival architecture" and one of the oldest in the neighborhood. Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images "It was not a mansion but it was cozy and lovely and unique and perfect to me," she wrote, noting that a childhood friend used to call the house "The Church" because the living room featured 14-foot ceilings and stained glass windows. Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images "To me it was holy, a sanctuary where we felt most safe," Zooey continued. "The Christmas dinners, Easter egg hunts, trick or treating, weddings, birthdays, baby showers we celebrated the best moments of our lives there. The family photos that lined the hallways, the artwork, the piano I learned to play on, the wedding china, the furniture my great great grandfather built the reminders of generations past: All have vanished into thin air." Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noting her family is far from the only one experiencing the loss of their homes due to the fires, Zooey thanked people who've shown up to support Los Angeles, her family, and her community. Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Zooey also shouted out the firefighters who've worked tirelessly to contain the blazes, friends who've stepped in to help her family, and "strangers" who have offered "kind gestures." Barbara Davidson for the Washington Post / Getty Images "Thank you all for showing us the goodness in your hearts. You have no idea how much it means to us," she wrote. DAVID PASHAEE/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images In a comment on the post, Zooey acknowledged that she felt "kind of weird celebrating" and asked her followers to consider helping in aid and relief efforts, mentioning the Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association and Baby2Baby as places to provide assistance. Barbara Davidson for the Washington Post Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I know this is long, if you're still reading, thank you for commemorating this beautiful home. ," she ended her post. Lionel Hahn / Getty Images Celebrities quickly commented with condolences for Zooey and her family: "Even I have countless happy memories in this beautiful house- I can't stop thinking about all your beautiful family pictures. So much love to all of you it's really heartbreaking," Melanie Lynskey said. In a follow-up comment, she also wished Zooey a happy birthday and encouraged her to "find a few moments of joy" that day. Judd Apatow said, "Devastating. So sorry. " Kate Hudson commented, "Love you " Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sophia Bush wrote, "Just gutted for you. I'm so sorry, love. " A couple of Zooey's New Girl costars also commented. Max Greenfield sent three heart emojis. And Damon Wayans Jr. sent a couple of heart emojis, too. Finally, Zooey's fiance Jonathan Scott wrote, "so many fond memories. Absolutely heartbreaking.Know that I will do whatever it takes to restore its original beauty to the best of my abilities. Nothing can replace the beauty and history of the original home. But it's the best way we can honor it. " Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can view Zooey's full post here and ways to donate to relief efforts here. String players in the Music of Remembrance chamber ensemble, which will perform at the Art From Ashes concert Jan. 27. (Nick Klein) Chinese "artificial sun" sets new record in milestone step toward fusion power generation Xinhua) 08:14, January 21, 2025 Members of division of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) Physics and Experimental Operations celebrate the success of an experiment in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 20, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) HEFEI, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP), greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. The ultimate goal of an artificial sun is to create nuclear fusion like the sun, providing humanity with an endless, clean energy source, and enabling space exploration beyond the solar system. Global scientists have worked for more than 70 years on trying to achieve this feat. However, only after reaching temperatures over 100 million degrees Celsius, sustaining stable long-term operation, and ensuring controllability can a nuclear fusion device successfully generate electricity. "A fusion device must achieve stable operation at high efficiency for thousands of seconds to enable the self-sustaining circulation of plasma, which is critical for the continuous power generation of future fusion plants," said Song Yuntao, ASIPP director. He emphasized that the fresh record is of monumental significance, representing a crucial step toward the development of a fusion reactor. Gong Xianzu, head of the division of EAST Physics and Experimental Operations, said they have upgraded several EAST systems since the last round of experiments. For example, the heating system, which previously operated at the equivalent of nearly 70,000 household microwave ovens, has now doubled its power output while also maintaining stability and continuity. Since starting operation in 2006, EAST has been an open test platform for Chinese and international scientists to conduct fusion-related experiments and research. China officially joined the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program in 2006 as its seventh member. According to the agreement, China is responsible for about 9 percent of the project's construction and operation -- and ASIPP is the main unit of the Chinese mission. ITER, which is under construction in southern France, will be the world's largest magnetic confinement plasma physics experiment device and the largest experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor, once completed. In recent years, EAST has continuously achieved groundbreaking milestones in the high confinement mode, which serves as the fundamental mode for experimental fusion reactors, including ITER and the future China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR), providing valuable references for the construction of fusion reactors worldwide. "We hope to expand international collaboration via EAST and bring fusion energy into practical use for humanity," said Song. In Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, where EAST is located, a new generation of experimental fusion research facilities is under construction -- aiming to further accelerate the application and development of fusion energy. Gong Xianzu (4th, L), head of division of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) Physics and Experimental Operations, and other team members celebrate the success of an experiment in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 20, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) Gong Xianzu (R), head of division of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) Physics and Experimental Operations, and Lu Kun, deputy director of Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP), celebrate in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 20, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) This photo shows the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 15, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan) This photo shows the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 15, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan) This photo shows the control center of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 20, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) Gong Xianzu (C), head of division of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) Physics and Experimental Operations, communicates with team members during an experiment in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 20, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) This photo shows the control center of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 20, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) Team members of division of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) Physics and Experimental Operations observe data during an experiment in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 20, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) Gong Xianzu, head of division of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) Physics and Experimental Operations, communicates with team members during an experiment in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 18, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) Gong Xianzu, head of division of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) Physics and Experimental Operations, observes data during an experiment in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 19, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Du Yu) Gong Xianzu (1st, R), head of division of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) Physics and Experimental Operations, communicates with team members after an experiment in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 16, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan) Gong Xianzu, head of division of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) Physics and Experimental Operations, observes data during an experiment in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 20, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) Team members of division of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) Physics and Experimental Operations observe data during an experiment in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 20, 2025. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), dubbed China's "artificial sun," maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for a remarkable 1,066 seconds on Monday, setting a new world record and marking a breakthrough in the quest for fusion power generation. The duration of 1,000 seconds is considered a key step in fusion research. The breakthrough, achieved by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, greatly improved the original world record of 403 seconds, which was also set by EAST in 2023. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Infertility is a problem that affects between 8% and 12% of couples of reproductive age worldwide. For some of them, the problem interrupts a life project, which is the desire to have children and build a family. Advances in technology and medicine have made assisted reproductive treatments possible, but they can be physically and psychologically draining for the couples involved, especially because of expectations of results that may not be achieved. The emotional impact of treatment is well-documented in the scientific literature. Frustration with negative results has an impact on the psychological and social well-being of the couple, who may develop symptoms such as depression, anxiety, anger and stress, thus worsening their quality of life. Now, for the first time, a study carried out at the ABC Medical School (FM-ABC) in Santo Andre, a municipality in the Metropolitan Region of Sao Paulo (MRSP), in Brazil, has examined work-family conflicts in these patients, which can be associated with frequent absences due to medical appointments or tests, for example. The results, published in the journal Psychology, Health & Medicine, indicate that levels of work-family conflict are higher among men, while stress affects women more. A total of 242 couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatment at the Ideia Fertil Institute, linked to the FM-ABC, in the MRSP, were studied. Among the participants, the median age was 37 years; 60% were women; 67% had a university degree; 37% had been married for more than ten years, 26% for between five and ten years, and 37% for five years or less. In most cases, assisted reproductive treatments require time and large financial investments, which can be stressful for working patients. However, the scientific literature lacks data on the impact of this procedure on work-family conflicts. "Infertile patients undergoing treatment can risk losing their jobs due to frequent absences for medical appointments and tests. For example, it's common for a woman to ask for a medical certificate without the clinic's logo so that her employer doesn't know she's trying to get pregnant," says Victor Zaia, professor in the Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences at the FM-ABC and lead author of the study. In addition, these patients may also experience reduced productivity, difficulty concentrating, challenges in managing medication side effects, and difficulties with time management. "Work-family conflict occurs when these individuals experience tension as they try to fulfill their professional and personal responsibilities. Many experience stress, fatigue, emotional exhaustion, sleep disturbances, dissatisfaction, marital problems, and decreased productivity. The result can be conflicts between these roles, with physical and psychological consequences." Evaluation scales To arrive at the results, the researchers used online questionnaires to assess the couples. They answered questions from four internationally validated scales: Infertility-Related Stress Scale-Brazil (IRSS); Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10 (CD-RISC 10); Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS); and Work-Family Conflict Scale. On the Infertility-Related Stress Scale, the volunteers answered 12 questions about interpersonal stress (how infertility situations would disrupt the person's daily life with friends, family, spouse) and questions about intrapersonal stress (how much the infertility problem affects their physical and emotional well-being). On the Resilience Scale, the participants answered ten questions about their ability to adapt to life's changes; about overcoming difficulties after illness or other problems; and about being able to think clearly when under pressure, among others. The difference in this case, Zaia explains, is that the research focused on something that was happening at the timethe assisted reproductive treatmentwhereas many studies on resilience ask about something that had already happened in the past, looking for memories. "In our study, people were starting reproductive treatment. So the impact, the risky situation, was being experienced in the now." The third tool used in the survey was the Perceived Social Support Scale, whichas its name suggestsis a 29-question scale designed to understand whether the participant receives and perceives any type of emotional or practical support from their spouse, family, and friends. Finally, the researchers applied the Work-Family Conflict Scalethe most important in the study. It aims to assess the interference between the family and work environments within two sub-scales: work interference in the family and family interference in work. In the analyses, the male participants showed greater resilience and lower levels of stress, both intrapersonal and interpersonal, compared to the women undergoing infertility treatment. However, the male patients reported higher levels of work interference in the family. In addition, there were significant differences in work-family conflict based on the couples' incomes: Those with higher incomes reported more interference. On the other hand, the study found that women undergoing infertility treatment had lower levels of resilience and higher levels of stress, which the authors suggest may be explained by societal expectations about motherhood, which is considered a central role for women. The researchers also found significant correlations between resilience and emotional support, intrapersonal stress, and interpersonal stress. "Stress alone doesn't explain work-family conflict. But we concluded that if a person has more stress, little social support and less resilience, they'll most likely have higher levels of conflict. And if they can't manage those conflicts, they'll probably have more stress, leading to a kind of vicious circle," Zaia explains. From a clinical practice standpoint, Zaia says, these findings can guide health professionals in working with couples to reinforce strategies to improve and strengthen aspects of resilience and emotional support. "All the issues are important. This couple is suffering. We need to improve communication and support, as well as working on stress management strategies so that they can better adapt to treatment," the researcher explained. According to Zaia, there are two ways to try to overcome these conflicts: resilience (which is the ability to adapt to significant changes in life) and social support. Resilience is considered a protective factor because it can moderate the relationship between stress and quality of life, reducing the possible negative effects of stress related to infertility. Social support, in turn, helps because being surrounded by people who provide emotional and practical support can reduce the affective burden of infertility and possibly ease the challenges of treatment. Assisted reproduction Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant after at least one year of regular unprotected intercourse. Assisted reproductive treatments are available, but they are time-consuming and costly. There are few services in the Sistema Unico de Saude (SUS, Brazil's national public health network) that offer this treatmentand they are very restrictive (imposing age limits, for example). A report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Brazil, published in March 2024, points out that Brazil has 192 assisted reproduction clinics, of which only 11 are public (6%). In 2023, the cost of a complete IVF cycle varied between BRL 15,000 and BRL 100,000, depending on the number of attempts, the procedure used and the location of the clinic. The clinic involved in the study is a social organization and the patients treated there pay only the cost of the treatments, which start at BRL 3,000. More information: N. Alves-Leite et al, Relationships between work-family conflict, infertility-related stress, resilience and social support in patients undergoing infertility treatment, Psychology, Health & Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2024.2418437 President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as the the 47th president of the United States in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Monday, in Washington, D.C. (Brendan Smialowski / TNS) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Donald Trump's executive order directing the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization is the second time he has tried to sever ties with the international group. The World Health Organization said Tuesday it "regrets" US President Donald Trump's decisionjust hours after taking powerto withdraw his country from the UN agency, saying it hoped he would reconsider. Trump on Monday signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from the WHO, a body he has repeatedly criticized over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at the White House after his inauguration, Trump said the United States was paying far more to the United Nations body than China, adding: "World Health ripped us off." Washington, comfortably the biggest financial contributor to the Geneva-based organization, provides substantial support that is critical to the WHO's operations. The UN health agency expressed disappointment Tuesday over Trump's decision. "WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world's people, including Americans," spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told a press briefing in Geneva. "We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the U.S. and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe." The American withdrawal could leave global health initiatives short of funding. This marks the second time Trump has sought to sever ties with the WHO. During his 2017-2021 first term, the United States issued a notice of intent to withdraw, accusing the organization of being overly influenced by China during the pandemic's early stages. That move was later reversed under Joe Biden's administration. Jasarevic stressed it would take one year from formal notification being deposited with the UN for the United States to leave the WHO. China promises support The European Commission voiced "concerns" at Trump's decision, warning it could undermine the response to future pandemics. "If we want to be resilient to global health threats, we need to have global cooperation," commission spokeswoman Eva Hrncirova told reporters. "We trust that the US administration will consider all this ahead of the formal withdrawal." In China, a foreign ministry spokesman said Beijing would continue supporting the UN agency. "The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened," Guo Jiakun said. "China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities... and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity." In his new executive order, Trump directed agencies to "pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO" and to "identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO." The administration also announced plans to review and rescind Biden's 2024 US Global Health Security Strategydesigned to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats"as soon as practicable." Several experts expressed dismay at the withdrawal. "We cannot make WHO more effective by walking away from it," Tom Frieden, a former senior health official under Barack Obama, wrote on X. "The decision to withdraw weakens America's influence, increases the risk of a deadly pandemic, and makes all of us less safe." Others warned that by exiting the organization, the United States will lose privileged access to important epidemic surveillance data which could harm the capacity to monitor and prevent health threats from abroad. "Instead of being the first to receive vaccines, we will be at the back of the line," Lawrence Gostin, professor of public health law at Georgetown University, wrote on X. "Withdrawal from WHO inflicts a deep wound on US security & our competitive edge in innovation." The timing comes amid mounting fears over the pandemic potential of the current bird flu outbreak (H5N1), which has infected dozens and claimed one life in the United States. Meanwhile, WHO member states have been negotiating the world's first treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response since late 2021negotiations now set to proceed without further US participation. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Results of a study led by Linda Pagani, Professor at the Universite de Montreal's School of Psychoeducation, reveal long-term associated risks of early exposure to violent content in childhood and later teen antisocial behavior, more than a decade later. The paper is published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. "Although past evidence showing causal links between modeling and getting rewarded for violence had an immediate impact on aggressive behavior in 4-year-old children, few studies have investigated long-term risks with antisocial behavior. We studied such risks in mid-adolescence," explained Pagani, who is also a researcher at the Center de recherche Azrieli du CHU Sainte-Justine. "It was ideal to study this question with typically developing middle-class children because, as a population, they have the lowest chances of engaging in aggression and behavior harmful to others." Close to 2,000 children In all, Pagani and her team looked at 963 girls and 982 boys born between the springs of 1997 and 1998 who were enrolled in the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. Parents reported the frequency of their child's exposure to violent television content at ages 3.5 and 4.5 years old. Boys and girls then self-reported on several aspects of antisocial behavior at age 15. The study defines screen violence as anything "characterized by physical aggression, verbal aggression, and relational aggression [] depicting situations that intentionally attempt or cause harm to others." Children, the study says, "are attracted to fast-paced, stimulating, violent content, which often features appealing characters like superheroes who commit and are rewarded for aggressive acts, thus increasing the likelihood of exposure." The researchers then conducted analyses to examine whether exposure to violent television content at ages 3.5 and 4.5 years predicted later antisocial behavior eleven years later. The researcher added, "We statistically took into account alternative child and family factors that could have explained our results, to be as close as possible to the truth in the relationships we were looking at." Boys stand out At age 15, for boys only, preschool violent televiewing predicted increases in antisocial behavior. Being exposed to violent content in early childhood predicted later aggressive behaviors such as hitting or beating another person, with the intention of obtaining something, stealing, with or without any apparent reason. Risks also included threats, insults, and gang fight involvement. The use of weapons is also among the behavioral outcomes predicted by exposure to childhood television violence in this study. No effects were found for girls, which was not surprising given that boys are generally more exposed to such content. Pagani concluded, "Our study provides compelling evidence that early childhood exposure to media violence can have serious, long-lasting consequences, particularly for boys. This underscores the urgent need for public health initiatives that target campaigns to inform parents and communities about the long-term risks and empower them to make informed choices about young children's screen content exposure." The entire team of students from Universite de Montreal and researchers from the United States and Italy established that, "Parents and communities can play a crucial role in limiting future problems by carefully avoiding young children's exposure to violent media content." More information: Linda S. Pagani et al, Prospective Associations Between Preschool Exposure to Violent Televiewing and Externalizing Behavior in Middle Adolescent Boys and Girls, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2025). DOI: 10.3390/ijerph22010129 Journal information: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health "Brussels is kept under occupation by an oligarchy coordinated by the left-liberal and Trans-Atlantic elite," Prime Minister Viktor Orban told a conference evaluating Hungary's EU presidency. "This is a regime which is not European but global, it is not a democracy but an oligarchy, and it is federal rather than based on the sovereignty of nation states," he said. "There it is a united progressive liberal front stuffed with George Soros's money facing us ... they are attacking us because we are sovereigntist and even patriotic," he said, adding that "they are attacking us because we insist that the rule of law should apply to Brussels, too," he said. "They are also attacking us because we demand that the fight against corruption should also be extended to Brussels," Orban said. "They will use every means if needed; they will promise positions, scholarships, appreciation, publicity, power and money; and if needed, they will threaten with fines, financial sanctions, or stripping you of your voting rights," Orban said. EU Presidency - PMs political director calls for speeding up replacement of Brussels elite The quicker the "Brussels elite" is replaced and member states take back control of the European Union, the sooner the continents fortunes can improve, the prime ministers political director said at a conference evaluating Hungary's EU presidency. In his speech, Balazs Orban said the first guiding principle Hungary had to follow in order to continue fighting for the goals of the Hungarian EU presidency was to accelerate the replacement of the "Brussels elite". He said cooperation between national sovereigntist and patriotic forces had never been as close as it was today, and the work that started under the Hungarian presidency must be continued within this alliance. The second principle, he said, was preventing "the Democratic leadership that has been forced out of Washington from relocating its headquarters to Brussels". Orban said the third principle was that Hungary had to be able to "honestly and factually express its own interests and goals", regardless of any outside influences. Meanwhile, Orban: Hungary EU presidency 'raises flag of peace' Evaluating Hungary's EU presidency, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said "it raised the flag of peace, opened the door to a ceasefire and peace talks, and put pressure on European leaders that they should restart diplomacy and communication," at a conference in Budapest on Monday. Hungary could only open a dialogue with the warring sides in the war in Ukraine "on a national basis because the majority of EU member states oppose peace", he said. Hungary is now passing the peace baton on to the new US administration, Orban said, adding that "good intention, courage, diplomatic skills, a Christian sense of duty are nice things, but peace requires strength." He said that taking on fierce debates, the Hungarian presidency pointed out that the war weakened Europe and warned that not only Ukraine but every European national economy had been on the losing end because of the war. The European Union should "now sober up but they are drinking even more instead; they don't want peace but press for war, they don't want border controls but migrants, they don't protect the family but gender; they don't seek affordable energy but green policy," he said. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. The government is ready to intervene with all means at its disposal if fuel prices in Hungary exceed the regional price level, the Economy Ministry announced. The ministry said several developments have occurred in recent weeks that have driven up the market price of crude oil and finished products. The statement did not mention the price-raising effect of the increase in domestic excise tax from January 1, Portfolio observes. Average prices in the region are Ft 637 per litre of petrol and Ft 654 per litre for diesel, while domestic prices are Ft 636 and Ft 654, respectively, the ministry adds. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. To fulfil the provisions of the international agreement between the government and the government of the United Arab Emirates, the areas around the Rakosrendezo train station in the capital that are not required for railway operations were sold on January 16, 2025, the National Economy Ministry said. The state sold approximately 85 hectares of land for a net purchase price of HUF 50.9bn to UAE developer Eagle Hills to eliminate the "rustbelt zone". The ministry said the new owner will be responsible for preparing the area for investment activities, including the removal of waste and carrying out environmental remediation. In accordance with the government decision on the sale, Eagle Hills will pay the purchase price in three instalments, with the payment being aligned with the fulfilment of state commitments included in the international agreement. After paying the first instalment, the developer acquires ownership of the area in order to begin developments. The payment of the second part of the purchase price is subject to the legislative measures necessary for the successful implementation of the development, including the review and amendment of the relevant building regulations, the classification of the investment as an investment of special importance, and the completion of the necessary land development. The final payment is conditional on the implementation of around EUR 800m of state infrastructure developments. This may include constructing a pedestrian and railway overpass, railway track developments, the extension of the M1 metro, the construction of a cycle path and footpath, and the covering of the railway track in such a way that a park can be created above it. Given the expected duration of the developments, the contract will be concluded no later than March 13, 2039, after which the developer is obliged to pay the full purchase price of the area corrected for inflation. In the international agreement, the UAE has committed to investing at least EUR 5bn in the properties concerned, creating a new, modern city district. Based on the ideas presented by Eagle Hills, buildings as high as 250 metres to 500 metres can be placed in some parts of the area. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. The Interior Ministry and the Medical Chamber (MOK) are at odds over healthcare funding, as the ministry claims that all Hungarian patients receive top-quality care, and that unprecedented funding is allocated to the sector. In contrast, the MOK claims that patient care and surgeries are being delayed due to underfunding. In a recent statement, the ministry criticised these claims and accused the Tisza and Democratic Coalition parties and the media of misleading society and discrediting doctors and health professionals. Undeterred, the MOK launched a social campaign highlighting that 97.2% of doctors surveyed believe the governments 1,500 per patient funding is insufficient, pointing out that the EU average is 3,500. The MOK attributes this underfunding to wage stagnation and hospital debt and reiterated its goal to improve the healthcare system and initiate necessary reforms. The chamber also rejected accusations of political bias, stating that its stance is based on facts and statistics, independent of party politics. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. The government is launching a new HUF 1.5bn programme to support SMEs rehiring employees that were laid off at other companies, Sandor Czomba, the state secretary for employment policy said. The "From work to work" scheme targets micro, small and mid-sized businesses that pledge to increase their headcount by taking over a group of 5 to 20 employees laid off by the same employer and to employ the hired employees for eight months. The target group of the programme is employees aged 15-64 who lost their jobs with the same employer in the 3 months prior to the applications submission. Applying businesses can receive a little over HUF 54m of funding, but no more than HUF 339,000 per month per employee for full-time employees. Applications are open until July 31, 2025. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. The number of new passenger car registrations in Hungary rose 48.7pc year-on-year to 11,879 in December, data compiled by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) show. Hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for 57pc of sales, cars with petrol engines made up 26pc and vehicles with diesel engines 10pc. Fully-electric vehicles accounted for 6pc of sales. Sales of battery electric vehicles jumped 77.6pc to 753 during the period. For the full calendar year, new car registrations in Hungary rose 12.9pc to 121,611. In a separate statement, the Energy Ministry said registrations of new battery electric cars had climbed 47.7pc in Hungary in January-December, at the fourth fastest pace in the European Union after Malta, Czechia and Cyprus. The number of battery electric vehicles on Hungarian roads climbed over 70,000 in 2024, it added. The ministry noted a combined HUF 60bn in funding had been earmarked to subsidise EV purchases by businesses and charging network upgrades. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. Mumbai: Fans eagerly waiting for Diljit Dosanjh's much-anticipated biopic, 'Punjab 95', will have to wait longer as the film's release has been postponed. The film, which was originally scheduled to hit theatres on February 7, is based on the life of Sikh activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who disappeared in 1995. Taking to his Instagram Stories, Diljit shared a note along with an image of Khalra. "We are very sorry, and it pains us to inform you that the movie Punjab 95 will not release on 7th Feb due to circumstances beyond our control," read the note. Take a look: The film, directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, tells the story of Khalra, who was known for uncovering human rights violations during Punjab's militancy era. Meanwhile, Diljit will next be seen in Border 2. The film's shooting officially began in December last year. The film stars Ahan Shetty, Sunny Deol, and features Varun Dhawan and Diljit in crucial roles. Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 is set to be a grand cinematic spectacle with a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Sunny Deol reprising his legendary role, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty. The original film, helmed by JP Dutta, was a landmark in Indian cinema, depicting the 1971 India-Pakistan war and introducing audiences to unforgettable characters like Suniel Shetty's portrayal of BSF officer Bhairav Singh. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta, with Anurag Singh taking the reins as director. The film is set to release on January 23, 2026. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain It's been five years since the country's first COVID-19 outbreak was recorded in Washington state. Health officials announced the first documented case in the U.S. in Snohomish County on Jan. 21, 2020. By March 2020, the virus had spread throughout the U.S., with 4,896 cases in Washington. This led to Gov. Jay Inslee using emergency powers to limit crowds, which included stay-at-home orders for most Washingtonians. After months of online school, limited social interactions and mask mandates COVID-19 vaccines rolled out in early 2021. By September of that year, more than 76% of the state's population had received at least one vaccine dose. Several virus variants, case spikes and new boosters later, the virus has become endemic. Here's what to know about the virus five years after the initial outbreak. What's the latest COVID-19 data? It's tricky. COVID-19 had killed over 1 million people in the U.S. as of June 2024. However, the state's COVID-19 data dashboard no longer displays positive test numbers due to "the low number of specimens" submitted to the state Department of Health for testing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a national 6.6% test positivity rate on Jan. 11. Is COVID still something I should be concerned about? It depends. COVID-19 now tends to see spikes during cold and flu seasons. Most vaccinated people who contract COVID-19 are not at risk for severe symptoms or death, according to the CDC. However, those with weakened immune systems or unvaccinated people pose a higher risk of severe illness or infection. Do I still need to isolate if I get COVID-19 or get exposed? Overall, the CDC recommends staying home if you contract COVID-19 or any other respiratory infections. The updated guidelines vary based on the severity and duration of symptoms. Generally, an infected person can resume normal activities if they've been fever-free (without taking a fever reducer) for at least 24 hours and symptoms have improved. However, the CDC recommends precautions like masking, physical distancing and testing for five days post-fever when indoors around others. "This is especially important to protect people with factors that increase their risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses," the organization says. If exposed, DOH recommends masking, physical distancing, testing and handwashing. The health department recommends staying away from high-risk individuals for five days. What's the deal with vaccines? Do I really need boosters? Vaccines have been scientifically proven to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the likelihood of hospitalization if you do get sick. The CDC recommends people six months and older stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, including annual boosters, to help prevent the spread and hospitalizations. Boosters are necessary and recommended because the vaccines' protection decreases over time. Boosters also provide the best protection against the latest virus variants. "Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer, more reliable way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19," the CDC's website states. Where can I get an updated booster? The CDC has an online vaccine finder at vaccines.gov. A primary care physician or local pharmacy will likely have the updated booster. If you're insured, the vaccine should be covered. King County's health department has an online resource page to assist in locating free vaccine sites for uninsured people. 2025 The Seattle Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. In a big win for India against Pakistan concerning the dispute over the Indus Water Treaty, a Neutral Expert has upheld India's stand on crucial points, handing over Pakistan a big setback. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs welcomed the decision. The MEA said that it has been Indias consistent and principled position that the Neutral Expert alone has the competence under the Treaty to decide these differences. "India welcomes the decision given by the Neutral Expert under Paragraph 7 of Annexure F to the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960. The decision upholds and vindicates Indias stand that all seven (07) questions that were referred to the Neutral Expert, in relation to the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects, are differences falling within his competence under the Treaty," said the MEA. The MEA said that the Neutral Expert upheld his own competence, which comports with Indias view. "...the Neutral Expert will now proceed to the next (merits) phase of his proceeding. This phase will culminate in a final decision on the merits of each of the seven differences," said the MEA. The MEA said that India is committed to preserving the sanctity and integrity of the Treaty and will continue to participate in the Neutral Expert process so that the differences are resolved in a manner consistent with the provisions of the Treaty, which does not provide for parallel proceedings on the same set of issues. "For this reason, India does not recognize or participate in the illegally constituted Court of Arbitration proceedings. The Governments of India and Pakistan also remain in touch on the matter of modification and review of the Indus Waters Treaty, under Article XII (3) of the Treaty," the MEA clarified. Under the Indus Water treaty, India manages the three eastern riversRavi, Sutlej, and Beaswhile Pakistan oversees the three western riversJhelum, Chenab, and Indus. India is required to permit the flow of water from the western rivers into Pakistan, with certain limited exceptions. However, Pakistan has been objecting to India's right, challenging the treaty at multiple global forums. New Delhi: Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday described the BJP's election manifestos as "dangerous for the country" and wants to dismantle free health services and education in government schools. In a press conference, Kejriwal accused the BJP of revealing its "true intentions" in the manifestos and warned voters against supporting the party. "If the BJP comes to power, they will stop free education, end free health facilities and make it difficult for the poor to survive in Delhi. This is a direct attack on the welfare of the common man," he said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its first poll manifesto for Delhi released last week on Friday promised Rs 2,500 monthly aid for women, Rs 21,000 for every pregnant woman, LPG cylinders at Rs 500 and also Rs 2,500 pension for senior citizens. In its second manifesto released on Tuesday, former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Anurag Thakur announced several ambitious schemes, including free education for needy students from kindergarten to postgraduate level in government institutions. The manifesto also promises a financial boost for students preparing for competitive exams like the UPSC Civil Services and State PCS, offering Rs 15,000 for up to two attempts. Targeting the saffron party for writing in its manifesto that free education will be provided to needy students in government institutes, Kejriwal alleged it implies the BJP plans to stop the facility for all students. "BJP's manifesto restricts free education to only needy students. This means parents of other students will have to run after their leaders to avail free education for their children. This is their true intention. They want to end free education for all," Kejriwal alleged. The AAP supremo said a total of 1.8 million children currently benefit from the free education provided in the government schools under his party's governance. BJP's scheme will end the free education being provided to these children, he alleged. Kejriwal further claimed the BJP in its first manifesto announced plans to shut Mohalla Clinics, adding that doing so would burden families with additional expense as they would have to depend on private hospitals and schools which charge hefty amounts. "The expense for private school fees for two children could cost up to Rs 10,000 per month. Combined with the BJP's additional plan to curtail free healthcare services, such as Mohalla Clinics, families would face an extra Rs 5,000-Rs 7,000 monthly for basic healthcare needs. In total, this would mean an additional Rs 15,000 per month for an average household, making it nearly impossible for many families to sustain themselves in Delhi, he said. He argued the BJP's proposals threaten to dismantle the financial stability of Delhi's middle-class and economically weaker families. Kejriwal stated that both the manifestos released by BJP are not just "dangerous" for Delhi but for the entire country adding that they are a direct reversal of the progress made in ensuring equitable access to essential services under AAP governance. "I am glad they have honestly admitted their true intentions and motives. But anyone who reads these manifestos will be filled with anger. We have repeatedly said that in Delhi, we have made education free. We have arranged excellent education for children from poor families. Now BJP is saying that if they come to power, they will stop free education and shut down free healthcare," he said. "These people will also stop other schemes like free electricity, water and free bus travel for women. Don't press the wrong button. Otherwise these people will make living in Delhi difficult," Kejriwal said in a social media post later. He appealed to people not to vote for the BJP, claiming that their policies would jeopardise the future of the country and adversely impact the lives of Delhi's poor. Badhaal: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday visited the Badhaal village in Rajouri district to express solidarity with the bereaved families whose 17 members, including 13 children, died under mysterious circumstances in the past one-and-a-half month. Accompanied by Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana and National Conference MLA Javaid Iqbal Choudhary, Abdullah assured all possible help to the victim families and said we stand with you in this difficult phase. Soon after reaching the mountainous village, about 55 km from Rajouri district headquarters, Abdullah visited the graveyards and offered 'Fateh' (special prayers) to the deceased. The chief minister expressed sympathies with the bereaved families including Mohd Aslam who lost his six children and his maternal uncle and aunt, who were issueless and had adopted him, in the past week. Aslam and his wife are the only survivors in his family. CM Abdullah also met Mohd Rafeeq, whose wife and three children died on December 12 besides the parents of Fazal Hussain who along with his four children were the first to perish in the unresolved mystery on December 7. Among the 17 dead, 13 were children in the age group of three to 15 years. The visit of the chief minister comes on a day when a high level inter-ministerial team is visiting the village as part of its probe to ascertain the cause of the deaths. There will be no shortcoming and whatever steps are needed will be taken. We stand with you in this difficult period of grief, the chief minister said while interacting with the surviving members of the three families. Abdullah said the government has tried its best to find out what is happening in the village, whether the deaths are not the result of any mysterious disease. The samples were picked up for testing and had it been any disease it would have been known. The deaths were restricted to three families related to each other, he said, adding we have to pay special attention that there are no further deaths in the village". The chief minister said police have also taken cognizance to rule out that the deaths were the result of the handiwork of someone. The civil administration, health department and police are carrying out the investigation and we also have the central team which has suggested some measures, Abdullah said. The chief minister said he had come to express his sympathies with the bereaved families. Earlier, a Jammu and Kashmir government spokesperson said investigations and samples empirically indicated that the incidents were not due to a communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin and that there is no public health angle. A Special Investigation Team was set up after certain neurotoxins have been found in the samples of the deceased. Authorities recently sealed a spring in the village after its water tested positive for some pesticides/insecticides. A total of 699 candidates will contest polls on 70 Delhi Assembly seats in the February 5 election, the Election Commission (EC) said. According to the poll body, the deadline for submitting nominations was January 17 while the scrutiny was done on January 18 and the last date of withdrawal was January 20. The New Delhi constituency, from where former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is contesting elections has the highest number of 23 candidates. BJP has fielded Parvesh Verma (son of former CM Sahib Singh Verma) and Congress has named Sandeep Dikshit (son of former CM Sheila Dikshit) from the seat. Patel Nagar and Kasturba Nagar have the lowest, with just five candidates each. Followed by Tilak Nagar, Karol Bagh, Gandhi Nagar, Greater Kailash, Mangol Puri, Tri Nagar with six candidates each, as per ECI. Key contenders for Greater Kailash seat include AAP's Saurabh Bhardwaj, BJP's Shikha Rai and Congress' Garvit Singhvi. Key contenders for Kasturba Nagar seat include AAP's Ramesh Pahalwan, BJP's Neeraj Basoya and Congress' Abhishek Dutt. With polling day approaching, Delhi's political landscape is heating up. BJP has alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party, which once claimed it would not allow criminals in the assembly to ensure the passage of strict laws, had fielded the highest number of candidates with criminal records. Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Aam Aadmi Party used to say that they do not want criminals in their assembly because criminals will not be able to pass important and strict laws. But when the list (of candidates) was released, it was found that the Aam Aadmi Party has the highest number of people with criminal records nearly 60%, followed by Congress. This means that Aam Aadmi Party has taken a U-turn once again." Notably, 70 assembly seats in Delhi will go to the polls in a single phase on February 5, and the votes will be counted on February 8. The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2015 and 2020 assembly elections by winning 67 and 62 seats respectively out of a total of 70 seats while the BJP got only three and eight seats. India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S. Jaishankar was sitting in the front row during the inauguration of President Donald Trump. While many other representatives of different countries were seated in the second or third row, the prominent seat allocated to Dr Jaishankar signified what lies ahead for Indo-US relations. The photos and the videos of the event with Jaishankar sitting in front of Trump have gone viral on social media sites. EAM Jaishankar, who came as India's Special Envoy, was given a place of honour, seated on the first seat on the first righthand row at the swearing-in ceremony on Monday. At the church, EAM Jaishankar was seen in conversation with Vivek Ramaswamy, who ran for the Republican Party presidential nomination but dropped out to support Trump. This was the first time international leaders were invited to attend the inauguration of a US President. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar attended the prayer service at the St. John's Episcopal Church where the day's events began. Foreign Ministers Penny Wong of Australia, and Takeshi Iwaya of Japan, whose countries with India and the US make up the Indo-Pacific group, the Quad, were also there. Wong said the invitation to the Quad Ministers affirmed Trump's "iron-clad commitment" to the Indo-Pacific region. The technology leaders drew the most attention at the ceremony, which was moved indoors because of the freezing weather with the thermometer at 8 degrees Celsius. Elon Musk, the owner of X and founder of Telsa and SpaceX, who has emerged as a close confidant of Trump, Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, CEOs Tim Cook of Apple, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta/Facebook, and Sundar Pichai of Google, rubbed shoulders with politicians. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Presidents Javier Milei of Argentina and Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, and China's Vice President, Han Zheng were among the other global leaders who attended the inauguration. (With IANS inputs) NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has ordered the closure of liquor shops and other establishments serving alcohol in the city from February 3 to 5, the voting day, and on February 8 when the results would be declared. A gazette notification issued recently by the Delhi excise commissioner declared "dry days" under Excise Rules-2010 for various excise licenses on the day of voting to the 70-member Delhi Assembly and the counting day. "It is ordered that dry days shall be observed (during 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of the poll) from 6 pm of February 3 to 6 pm of February 5, and again on February 8 being the counting day on account of Assembly polls. "During the dry days, no liquor shops, hotels, restaurants, clubs and establishments selling or serving liquor, will be permitted to sell or serve liquor to anyone whosoever," said the notification. It added that non-proprietary clubs, star hotels, restaurants among others, and hotels run by anyone, even if they are issued different categories of licenses for possession and supply of liquor, should also not be permitted to serve liquor. A Maoist carrying a one crore rupees bounty was killed during an intense encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district. The operation, which unfolded last night, also resulted in the elimination of 14 Maoists. Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the development as a major success in the fight against insurgency. Jayaram Reddy, a senior Maoist leader known by the alias Chalapati, was killed during an exchange of fire with security forces in a forested area along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. Gariaband Superintendent of Police Nikhil Rakhecha confirmed that Reddy, a central committee member of the Maoists with a Rs 1 crore bounty on his head, was among those killed. The identities of the other deceased cadres are yet to be determined. The official also stated that intermittent gunfire is ongoing in the region, and the number of Maoist casualties may rise as the operation progresses. Amit Shah Lauds Security Forces Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the security forces for a successful joint operation that resulted in the killing of 14 Maoists along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. The operation involved the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Odisha's Special Operations Group (SOG), and Chhattisgarh Police. "Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SOG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border," Shah said in a post on X, commending the forces. He further added, "With the resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of the security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today." Chhattisgarh-Odisha Border Naxal Encounter A fresh exchange of fire between security forces and Maoists late Monday night and early Tuesday morning in a forest under the Mainpur police station area along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border resulted in the killing of 12 more Naxalites, an official said. This brings the death toll in the ongoing operation to 14. The operation, launched on January 19 based on intelligence about Maoist presence in the Kularighat reserve forest in Chhattisgarh, involved joint forces from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA, and Odisha's Special Operations Group (SOG). The forest is located just 5 km from Odisha's Nuapada district border. The official confirmed that two women Naxalites were neutralized on Monday and that a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and IEDs, including a self-loading rifle, was recovered from the encounter site. So far this year, 40 Maoists have been killed in various encounters across the state. On January 16, a gunfight in Bijapur district claimed the lives of 12 Maoists, with the insurgents later admitting that 18 cadres had died. In 2023, security forces neutralized 219 Maoists in separate operations across Chhattisgarh, reflecting intensified efforts to combat insurgency in the region. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give tips to the booth-level workers of the Delhi BJP on Wednesday, ahead of the February 5 Assembly polls in the capital, addressing them through video-conferencing under the party's "Mera Booth Sabse Majboot" programme. The national coordinator of the NaMo App and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kuljeet Singh Chahal said Modi will interact with the party's booth-level workers at 1 pm on Wednesday. Under the "Mera Booth Sabse Majboot" programme, party workers from 13,033 booths across all 256 wards in Delhi will listen to the prime minister's message via the video call. Some of them will also get an opportunity to engage with Modi in a conversation, Chahal said. BJP's election in-charge for Delhi Baijayant Panda, co-incharge Alka Gurjar and Atul Garg, the party's Delhi unit president Virender Sachdeva as well as all its MPs, MLAs and councillors from the national capital, among others, will attend the programme. All the 70 candidates of the BJP and its allies, Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), fielded in the polls and members of the prime minister's "Mann ki Baat" broadcast team will also participate in the programme, Chahal said. The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday granted permission to the West Bengal government to file an appeal against the Sealdah court order that sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment until death in the RG Kar hospital doctor's rape and murder case. Advocate General Kishor Datta moved a division bench presided by Justice Debangsu Basak to file the appeal to seek death penalty of Roy, the sole convict in the case. The state government sought the high court's permission to file the appeal challenging the order passed by Additional District and Sessions Judge in Sealdah, Anirban Das, on Monday. The Sealdah court sentenced Roy to life imprisonment until death after he was convicted of raping and murdering the on-duty doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, rejecting demands for the death penalty saying it was not a "rarest of the rare" crime. The court also ordered Roy to pay a Rs 50,000 fine and directed the state government to pay compensation of Rs 17 lakh to the family of the deceased doctor. Expressing dissatisfaction with the Sealdah courts verdict, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Monday asserted that had the case been handled by the Kolkata Police, the death penalty would have been ensured. "All of us have demanded the death sentence, but the court has given a life term until deathThe case was forcibly taken from us. Had it been with the (Kolkata) police, we would have ensured that he was served a death sentence," she told reporters. Later, posting on her X handle where she sounded more critical, Banerjee informed that the state government would challenge the Sealdah court verdict and move the Calcutta High Court. Delhi Election 2025: The Congress is contesting all 70 assembly seats in Delhi after it failed to reach a pre-poll alliance agreement with the Aam Aadmi Party. The two parties contested the Lok Sabha polls together but have turned bete noire in this election once again. Congress party reposed its faith in ground workers this time while allocating seats. The grand old party fielded Satish Luthra from the Shakur Basti Seat this time against Aam Aadmi Party's Satyendar Jain who is under scanner for graft allegations. Luthra, who has been associated with Congress for around last 15 years, exuded confidence in the party's victory in the majority of the Delhi seat saying that the 'illusion' created by AAP is over now and people on the ground want to change this time. The Congress candidate highlighted that the development work in the Shakur Basti constituency was hampered initially due to COVID-19 and later due to the unavailability of the elected representative as Jain was behind bars. "There is no doubt that Satyendra Jain is a corrupt man. He spent two and a half years in jail, and his case has been reopened. Who knows when he might end up back in jail again? What will happen to the constituency then?" asked Luthra. Luthra has previously been assigned the MCD election responsibility by the party in the past. He said that the AAP managed to befool people with free handouts, but now the public wants change. People are unhappy with both the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). People want development, said Luthara. Satish Luthara claimed that people today recall the kind of governance that Sheila Dikshit gave to Delhi for 15 years. He said that the Congress is ready to give a better government to Delhi this time. Reacting to the Congress party's dismal performance in the past two elections, Luthra said, "People are fed up with the false promises of both the BJP and AAP. The Nirbhaya case and alleged scams like the coal and CWG scams tarnished the image of Congress. However, no evidence of wrongdoing was found in any of these alleged scams. All allegations were baseless. However, our marketing was weak because we failed to properly respond to BJP and AAP and this hurt the party's cause." Satish Luthra further claimed that while Congress workers were misled initially, they are now returning to the party fold. "Even Congress workers were misled. Whether it is BJP or AAP, 6070% of their workers originally belonged to Congress. Now, they are returning because the illusion that led them away from Congress has been shattered. In the last elections, Congress's vote bank grew, and this time, Congress will form the government," claimed the Congress party's Shakur Basti candidate. Luthra said that traffic snarl, waterlogging, non-functioning street lights and drinking water shortage are some of the key issues that his constituency is facing. Hitting out at the BJP over the polarization issue, Luthra said, "We are Hindus, but we do not feel the need to broadcast it. BJP leaders, on the other hand, are obsessed with proving their Hindu credentials, making them appear like fake Hindus." Delhi will vote on February 5 for all 70 seats in the single phase and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. DEPARTMENT OF Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has approved the release of PHP30.409 billion to cover the regular pension requirements of military and uniformed personnel (MUP) for the first quarter of 2025.In a statement Monday, the DBM said the fund is chargeable against the Pension and Gratuity Fund under Republic Act 12116 or the 2025 General Appropriations Act.The DBM said around PHP16.752 billion of the PHP30.409 has been released to the Armed Forces of the Philippiness General Headquarters-Proper and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office under the Department of National Defense.A total of PHP13.297 billion has been given to the Department of the Interior and Local Governments attached agencies, including the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and National Police Commission.The DBM also released some PHP8.530 million for the 34 pensioners under the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.The funding requirements for the payment of pension to the 2,836 retired uniformed personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard for the same period reached PHP350.680 million, the DBM said.The releases are based on the actual pension payroll submitted by the above-mentioned MUP agencies as of Dec. 31, 2024, it said.Pangandaman said the release of funds for the MUPs pension was in compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr."For many MUP retirees and their families, pensions are a lifeline that ensure their daily needs are met, katulad po ng pambili ng gamot o pagkain (like buying medicine or food), she said.Naiintindihan po natin, lalo na po ni Pangulong BBM, kung gaano kahalaga na matanggap po ng ating mga pensioner ang benepisyo nila kaya agad-agad rin po, matapos makumpleto ang mga kailangang dokumento, pinirmahan po natin ang pagpapalabas ng budget sa mga concerned agencies (We understand, especially President BBM, how important it is for our pensioners to receive their benefits. That is why we, after completing the necessary documents, immediately signed the release of the budget to the concerned agencies), Pangandaman added. (Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos) Astrology has been an important part of Indian culture for centuries, with Kolkata being home to some of the most knowledgeable and respected astrologers in the country. Whether you're seeking guidance on career, relationships, or personal growth, these five renowned astrologers are known for their deep wisdom and expertise in the field. 1. Acharya Indravarman Acharya Indravarman: A Guiding Light in Vedic Astrology Renowned for his profound wisdom and unparalleled expertise in Vedic astrology, Acharya Indravarman has become a trusted name for those seeking clarity and solutions in life. Hailing from a lineage of traditional astrologers, his journey into the mystical world of the cosmos began at an early age, guided by the ancient knowledge passed down through generations in his family. Wisdom Rooted in Tradition Best astrologer in Kolkata Acharya Indravarmans expertise is deeply rooted in the Vedic traditions of astrology, a discipline he has mastered through rigorous study and years of practice. His unique ability to decode celestial patterns and interpret their influence on individual destinies has earned him immense respect in the astrological community. A Proven Record of Accuracy One of Acharya Indravarmans most celebrated traits is his exceptional accuracy in horoscope predictions. From uncovering hidden potentials to forecasting major life events, his insights often leave his clients amazed and empowered. Online reviews from various platforms highlight his ability to provide precise guidance that aligns with real-life outcomes. An Internet Sensation The name Acharya Indravarman has become synonymous with trust and reliability in Vedic astrology, as evidenced by his rising popularity online. His expertise is not confined to private consultations; his presence on digital platforms has made his wisdom accessible to a global audience, with followers and clients across continents. Holistic Solutions for Every Aspect of Life Famous astrologer in Kolkata Acharya Indravarman is known for addressing a wide range of life challenges, offering practical and effective astrological remedies: Marriage Harmony: His solutions foster mutual understanding, resolve conflicts, and restore peace in troubled marriages. His solutions foster mutual understanding, resolve conflicts, and restore peace in troubled marriages. Love and Relationships: Whether its overcoming misunderstandings or reuniting separated partners, his guidance has helped countless individuals find love and happiness. Whether its overcoming misunderstandings or reuniting separated partners, his guidance has helped countless individuals find love and happiness. Career Progression: With detailed analysis of planetary positions, he helps clients identify opportunities and navigate challenges in their professional journeys. With detailed analysis of planetary positions, he helps clients identify opportunities and navigate challenges in their professional journeys. Business Success: Entrepreneurs and business owners rely on his advice to unlock growth potential and avoid pitfalls. Entrepreneurs and business owners rely on his advice to unlock growth potential and avoid pitfalls. Health and Wellness: His remedies, grounded in ancient practices, promote balance and vitality, addressing health concerns holistically. Sapience in Tantra: Rooted in a lineage of scholars and spiritual leaders, Acharya Indravarman is renowned for his profound knowledge and application of tantra. His deep understanding of tantric philosophies enables him to offer powerful spiritual solutions to those seeking guidance. From performing intricate ceremonies to providing individual tantric practices, his skills can help individuals find balance, attract positive energy, and ward off negative influences. His approach to tantra is holistic, blending traditional rituals with modern insights, making him a highly sought-after teacher and healer for those seeking a deeper connection to the spiritual world. Affordable and Client-Centric Approach Despite his global acclaim, Acharya Indravarman believes that astrological guidance should remain accessible to all. His consultation fees 5000 Rs is thoughtfully designed to ensure affordability, making his services widely available without compromising quality. A Global Voice in Astrology Best Online astrologer in Kolkata Acharya Indravarmans proficiency in English allows him to connect effortlessly with clients worldwide. His approachable demeanour and clear communication make his sessions insightful and transformative for individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds. A Digital Pioneer in Astrological Services Beyond personal consultations, Acharya Indravarman leverages social media platforms like Instagram to share daily astrological updates, tips, and motivational content. His online presence has created a dynamic community of followers who look to him for daily inspiration and guidance. The Unrivalled Astrologer of Our Time With a reputation built on trust, accuracy, and compassion, Acharya Indravarman stands as one of the most celebrated astrologers of our era. Top astrologer in Kolkata Acharya Indravarman ability to combine ancient wisdom with modern accessibility has made him a beacon of hope for individuals seeking direction in life. For those in search of clarity and solutions, Acharya Indravarman is a name that guarantees results and peace of mind. Why Choose Acharya Indravarman? Extensive experience in Vedic astrology, numerology, palmistry, and gemology. Offers holistic advice on personal growth, career decisions, and relationship guidance. Known for providing actionable, practical solutions that lead to tangible results. Offers personalized consultations based on a deep understanding of individual charts and life circumstances 2. Sohini Sastri Sohini Sastri is one of the most respected astrologers in Kolkata. Known for her expertise in Vedic astrology palmistry and numerology, she has been practicing astrology for many decades. Sohini combines traditional Vedic astrology with modern techniques , which adds a unique dimension to her predictions. Her consultations are known for their accuracy and insightful interpretations, particularly when it comes to understanding lifes key decisions and events. Why Choose Sohini Sastri? Recognized for her accuracy in astrology and numerology. Offers Horoscope consultation for deeper spiritual guidance. Trusted by clients for her honest and practical advice. 3. Debraj Acharya Debraj Acharya is a highly respected name in the world of Vedic astrology. With a focus on Nakshatra (lunar constellations) analysis, Debraj Acharya provides profound insights into the influence of celestial bodies on an individuals life. His expertise in Vedic astrology, combined with his knowledge of gemology, allows him to offer detailed solutions to lifes challenges. He is known for his calm demeanor and the precision of his astrological readings. Why Choose Debraj Acharya? Specializes in Nakshatra analysis for in-depth life insights. Expertise in gemstone recommendations for balancing planetary influences. Offers practical advice for overcoming challenges. 4. Sree Gautam Sastri Sree Gautam Sastri is one of Kolkata's most well-known astrologers, particularly famous for his work in marriage and relationship counseling. His expertise in Vedic astrology, coupled with numerology, allows him to offer comprehensive advice to individuals and couples facing relationship dilemmas. Sree Gautam Sastris approach is spiritual and therapeutic, with a focus on fostering harmony in relationships. Why Choose Sree Gautam Sastri? Specializes in marriage and relationship counseling. Combines Vedic astrology with numerology for a deeper understanding. Known for providing practical and sensitive guidance for relationship issues. 5. Shrijit Shrijit is a prominent astrologer who is known for his deep insights into horoscope matching and career counseling. His Vedic astrology consultations provide clarity to individuals on their life paths and help them navigate challenges effectively. Shrijit has built a loyal following for his pragmatic approach to astrology, offering tailored solutions for people from all walks of life. His spiritual guidance helps individuals align their energies with the cosmic forces, leading to greater peace and balance. Why Choose Shrijit? Expertise in horoscope matching for marriage compatibility. Focuses on career counseling and life path clarity. Offers spiritual guidance for individuals seeking peace and balance. Conclusion Kolkata is home to some of the finest astrologers in India, with each practitioner offering a unique blend of expertise in various astrological fields. Whether you're looking for career advice, relationship counseling, or personal growth guidance, these five renowned astrologers, including Acharya Indravarman, are among the best in the city. Their ability to combine ancient wisdom with modern-day techniques makes them trusted sources of guidance, offering practical and insightful solutions to lifes many challenges. Choosing the right astrologer depends on your specific needs, but with their proven track records and deep knowledge, these experts are sure to provide the clarity and support you seek. With their guidance, many have found the answers to questions that have shaped their future. Disclaimer- (This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lts consumer connect initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.) UP School holiday: Due to cold waves and low temperatures, schools in several districts of Uttar Pradesh remain closed. Authorities are closely monitoring the weather to make decisions about reopening. In some areas, the weather is still unfavorable, allowing students to enjoy holidays until January 25, 2025. As per orders from District Magistrate Chandra Vijay Singh, all schools in Ayodhya for classes up to 5 will remain closed until January 25, 2025. Students from classes 6 to 12 must attend classes from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This order applies to aided, recognized, and schools of all boards. Mirzapur school set to reopen tomorrow The Indian Meteorological Department has issued an alert for stormy rain and dense fog on January 22 and 23, predicting colder days ahead. Meanwhile, schools in Mirzapur are set to reopen tomorrow, January 22, 2025. Earlier, the District Magistrate had ordered the closure of schools from nursery to class 8 until January 21, 2025. However, teachers and staff were required to attend schools between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to handle administrative tasks like DBT and U-DISE. In other districts, schools have reopened, and students are returning to their classes as per the schedules provided by school administrations. The improving weather in some areas has allowed district magistrates to announce school reopenings. Low visibility in Delhi A thick layer of fog blanketed Delhi on the morning of Tuesday, January 21, reducing visibility and causing disruptions in train services. According to the IMD, Delhis minimum temperature today is 11 degrees celcius, with moderate fog in the forecast. Rainfall is expected in parts of Delhi NCR on January 22 and 23. The IMD also predicts rain in several North Indian states, including Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Despite the rain, temperatures are expected to remain normal, although a cold wave has been forecast. Vantara, a renowned rescue center for captive elephants and other wild animals, founded by the visionary philanthropist Anant Ambani, is preparing to welcome 20 rescued elephants10 males, 8 females, 1 sub-adult, and 1 calffreed from the exploitative logging industry in Arunachal Pradesh. This rescue operation, carried out with the approval of the HighPowered Committee constituted by the Tripura High Court and entrusted by the Supreme Court of India, has been conducted with the full consent of the current owners of the animals. The elephants will soon find their permanent home at Vantara, an environment that naturally mirrors their native habitat, where they will live chain-free and will never be forced into labor. The rescued elephants include individuals like Laxmi, a 10-year-old captive-born sub-adult who struggles to bear weight on her hind legs due to deep, untreated wounds and suffers from a fresh, painful 1-inch diameter hole piercing her sensitive right ear pinnaboth inflicted during the brutal taming process to establish human dominance. Maya, a 2-year-old captive-born calf, was rescued alongside her mother, Rongmoti, who endured large harness-induced lesions on her chest and buttocks from prolonged logging work. Ramu, a bull elephant, was found heavily restrained with both his forelegs and hindlegs tightly tethered together to control his 46 month musth period, resulting in immense physical and psychological distress. Babulal, another bull elephant, suffered from a severely broken and bleeding tail, caused by a conflict with a wild bull elephant during foraging. Years of captivity had stripped him of the natural instincts needed to defend himself. In addition to providing lifelong care for the elephants, the project offers new livelihood opportunities for the owners, mahouts, and their families at Vantara. The mahouts and others involved will undergo intensive training in humane and scientifically backed methods of elephant management, ensuring a future of compassionate care for the elephants and empowering their caregivers with the knowledge and skills to support this approach. The organization has secured all required documentation under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including obtaining a No Objection Certificate from the Gujarat Forest Department and a Transport Permit from the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department. The elephants will be transported in specially designed elephant ambulances, with the calf Maya traveling alongside her mother. A dedicated team of over 200 experts, including elephant veterinarians, paravets, senior caretakers, and ambulance drivers from Vantara, will ensure the safe and compliant transportation of the animals, adhering to strict transportation guidelines and animal welfare standards. A research paper published in 2020 in Gajah, the biannual journal of the IUCN/SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group, reveals that a significant number of privately owned elephants are bred in captivity in Arunachal Pradesh. These elephants are often managed in close proximity to forested areas, where captive cow elephants come into contact with wild bulls. However, private ownership of elephants is declining, as the demand for their use in forestry operations has diminished following the logging ban. Mr. Tabang Jamoh, Divisional Forest Officer, Namsai, confirmed, "With an active breeding population of approximately 200 captive elephants in Arunachal Pradesh, DNA profiling is being conducted to closely monitor their health and welfare. The transfer of 20 elephants to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust at Vantara, as directed by the Supreme Court-appointed committee, ensures a brighter future for these animals. This initiative enhances animal welfare while providing local communities with alternative livelihoods, striking a balance between conservation, community well-being, and forest protection." Dr. Sorang Tadap, Veterinary Officer at Itanagar Biological Park, stated, "Captive elephants often suffer from severe health issues, including injuries, arthritis, and psychological trauma due to harsh labor, training, and prolonged chaining. Many calves sustain deep leg injuries during training, while adults face ongoing risks from conflicts with wild bulls. There is an urgent need for dedicated hospital facilities offering round-the-clock care and physiotherapy, which our state currently lacks. It is encouraging to see facilities like Vantara providing advanced medical treatment and lifelong care for rescued elephants, setting a vital benchmark for their welfare." Chow Thamasala Mein, one of the elephant owners, highlighted the uniqueness of the initiative: With wood logging banned, we no longer wish to use our elephants for such labor. We are pleased they will now live a life of care at Vantara. This initiative also provides stable jobs and a steady income for our families, securing a brighter future for our children." In the exploitative logging industry, elephants suffer greatly as they are forced to carry heavy logs and work tirelessly for long hours. They endure physical abuse, malnutrition, arthritis, and lack of medical care. Constantly chained, they are deprived of the freedom to roam and engage in natural behaviors. These harsh conditions also inflict severe psychological trauma, often evident in the form of stereotypic behaviors such as head bobbing, swaying, and weaving, leading to long-term welfare compromises. Despite their intelligence and social nature, these elephants are treated as machines, stripped of their dignity and well-being. At Vantara, they will have the opportunity to rejuvenate and live as elephants should. Disclaimer- (This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lts consumer connect initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.) Mumbai: Akshay Kumar recently praised his former co-star Saif Ali Khan for his bravery following the knife attack at Saifs home on January 16. Speaking at a press conference in Delhi for his upcoming film Sky Force, Akshay expressed relief and admiration for Saifs actions during the incident. He said, Its very nice that he is safe. Its very good, we are happy. The whole industry is very happy that he is safe. And it was very brave of him that he protected his family. Hats off to him for that. During the interaction, Akshay also reminisced about his 1994 hit film Main Khiladi Tu Anari with Saif, joking about a potential sequel. Maine uske saath ek film ki thi Main Khiladi Tu Anari, lekin agli baar agar hum karenge toh banayenge Do Khiladi (I did a film with him earlier called Main Khiladi Tu Anari. If we work together again, well call it Do Khiladi), Akshay quipped, bringing smiles to fans. Saif Ali Khan, who was attacked by a robber with a knife at his residence, has been recovering well at Lilavati Hospital. Reports suggest that the actor will be discharged today. The incident shocked fans and the industry, but Saifs quick thinking and courage in protecting his family have been widely applauded. Meanwhile, Akshay is busy promoting Sky Force, a high-stakes action thriller releasing on January 24. The film sees him playing an Air Force officer on a revenge mission, alongside debutant Veer Pahariya, Sara Ali Khan, and Nimrat Kaur. As the industry rallies around Saif, Akshays heartfelt words and light-hearted banter serve as a reminder of the camaraderie Bollywood stars share, even amid challenging times. Mumbai: Karanveer Mehra, who recently won Bigg Boss 18 and took home the prize money of Rs 50 lakhs, has revealed his noble plans for the winnings. The actor has decided to use the amount to fund the education of his staffs children, fulfilling a cause close to his heart. Speaking to Mid-Day, Karanveer shared, I havent yet collected my Khatron Ke Khiladi money, but I plan to use my Bigg Boss prize money to fund the education of my staffs children. This is something Ive been considering for a while. Im already supporting them to an extent, but some of them wish to study further, and I want to sponsor that for them. Karanveers decision has won the hearts of his fans, who are lauding him for using his winnings for such a meaningful cause. Many praised the actor for his humility and commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those who work closely with him. This isnt the first time Karanveer has shown his generosity. Even before winning Bigg Boss 18, he was reportedly contributing to the education of his staffs children. His recent announcement reflects his desire to expand this initiative and support those who want to pursue higher studies. Social media platforms have been flooded with praise for Karanveers gesture. One fan commented, This is why he deserved to win! A true champion, not just on the show but in real life too. Another wrote, Karanveer is a reminder that success is not just about what you achieve but what you give back. Karanveer Mehras victory on Bigg Boss 18 was celebrated by many, but his decision to use his winnings for a cause as noble as education has elevated him in the eyes of fans. His gesture not only highlights his generosity but also sets an inspiring example of using fame and fortune for the greater good. New Delhi: Malayalam actor Vinayakan, known for his role in the film 'Jailer', has found himself once again at the center of a fresh controversy following an incident at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and another altercation at a police station. However, the most recent controversy surrounding the actor has been sparked by a viral video showing him engaged in obscene behavior. The video, which quickly spread across social media platforms, shows Vinayakan standing on the balcony of a flat, engaging in a series of offensive and inappropriate actions. In the footage, the actor is seen shouting abusive language while facing a neighboring building. As the video progresses, Vinayakan appears to remove his mundu, a traditional South Indian garment, while continuing to shout offensive words. The video also shows the actor lying on the balcony floor, still shouting and displaying erratic behavior. The incident has drawn widespread criticism, with many expressing concern over the actor's conduct. The footage has led to public outrage, with calls for accountability and a deeper investigation into the actor's behavior. In response to the backlash, Vinayakan took to his official Facebook account to issue a public apology. In his post, the actor acknowledged the negative impact his actions had on the public and expressed remorse for his behavior. He mentioned that, as a film actor and a person, he sometimes finds it challenging to manage certain situations. However, he assured his fans and the general public that he recognized the harm caused by his actions and offered an apology. The actors message, translated from Malayalam, reads: "As a film actor and as a person, I can't deal with many subjects. From my side, I apologize for all the negative energies caused to the general public. Let the discussion continue" This is not the first time the actor has made headlines for negative reasons, as previous reports have also highlighted his involvement in unsavory incidents. Mumbai: Kareena Kapoor Khan was spotted outside the hospital today as reports suggest that her husband, Saif Ali Khan, will be discharged following the shocking knife attack at their home. The incident has left Kareena visibly shaken, and the actress has been making frequent visits to the hospital to be by Saifs side. Kareena even released a statement expressing her distress over the attack, calling the situation incredibly overwhelming. While the details of the attack remain under wraps, it has been reported that the family is considering measures to enhance their security. Just a day ago, Kareena took to Instagram to call out the relentless paparazzi coverage during this difficult time. In her now-deleted post, she wrote, Leave us alone. Have some heart. Her frustration reflected her desire for privacy amidst the turmoil. Amidst the chaos, reports suggest that Kareena and Saif may shift back to their old home, where they lived after their marriage. The couple moved to their current residence after the birth of their second son, Jeh, but the recent incident has prompted discussions about returning to their previous, more secure home. Saif Ali Khan, who was hospitalised following the attack, is reportedly recovering well and is expected to be discharged today. Fans and well-wishers have been sending their prayers and support to the family during this challenging time. As the family navigates this difficult period, Kareenas protective and supportive stance highlights her strength and dedication as a wife and mother. Fans continue to rally behind the star couple, hoping for a swift recovery and a return to normalcy. New Delhi: Actor Saif Ali Khan has been discharged from Lilavati Hospital five days after he was stabbed at his Bandra residence during the early hours of January 16. The 54-year-old actor suffered multiple stab wounds and underwent a five-hour emergency surgery at the hospital. Although the exact time of his discharge is unclear, his wife, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, was spotted at their Bandra residence. As per PTI, "Actor Saif Ali Khan discharged from Lilavati Hospital five days after knife attack." Actor Saif Ali Khan discharged from Lilavati Hospital five days after knife attack Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 21, 2025 The incident occurred around 2:15 am when a burglar reportedly broke into the actors home, attacked the house help, and then turned on Saif when he tried to intervene. During the altercation, the actor sustained six stab wounds, two of which were deemed serious due to their proximity to his spine. Doctors at Lilavati Hospital removed a 2.5-inch knife from the actor's wound. After undergoing surgery, Saif was moved to the ICU and, according to medical reports, is now out of danger. On January 20, the medical team decided to keep him under observation for an additional day. Mumbai Police have arrested the suspect, identified as Mohammed Shehzad, from Thane. Authorities revealed that Shehzad is a Bangladeshi national who had illegally entered India. He was previously a national-level wrestling champion in Bangladesh. In his statement, Shehzad claimed he did not recognize Saif Ali Khan, and his comments align with those of a rickshaw driver who transported the actor to the hospital. The driver also stated that he did not realize he was taking a Bollywood celebrity to the hospital. Additionally, the rickshaw driver mentioned that Saifs elder son, Taimur, accompanied him to the police station. At the time of the attack, Kareena Kapoor Khan and other family members were at home, though they were reportedly asleep when the incident occurred. (With Agency Inputs) Mumbai: Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, who underwent surgery after getting multiple stabs during a robbery attempt in his Bandra home, will be discharged from the hospital on Tuesday afternoon. As per doctors at the Lilavati hospital, they said that Saif Ali Khan will be getting discharged by afternoon today. However, the doctors suggested that the actor needs to rest for a few more days. On January 16, the actor was stabbed multiple times in an attempt to fight off a burglar during the wee hours of Thursday. The actor sustained six stab wounds, two of which are said to be serious as they are closer to his spine. The incident took place at 2:15 am when the burglar allegedly barged into their Bandra home, and attacked their house help and then Saif when he intervened. As per media reports, doctors removed the 2.5 inches of knife from his wound. The actor, who underwent a surgery, has now been shifted to the ICU and is said to be out of danger. On January 20, the team of medical professionals decided to keep the actor under supervision for one more day. Mumbai police have arrested the accused from Thane, and have given the statement on the accused being a Bangladeshi national who illegally entered India. The attacker, identified as Mohammed Shehzad, was a national-level wrestling champion when he resided in Bangladesh. Earlier, Shehzad had said in his statement that he was unaware about the identity of the actor. He is in police custody after he was produced in the Bandra Court on Sunday. The accuseds statement about him being oblivious to the celebrity status of the actor seem to be congruent to the statement of the rickshaw driver, who also said that he didnt realise that he was taking the Bollywood actor to the hospital. The rickshaw driver also said that the actors elder son, Taimur, from his marriage with Kareena Kapoor Khan, accompanied him to the police station. At the time of incident, the actors wife Kareena Kapoor Khan was present at home along with other members of the family as they all were sleeping. New Delhi: Those with bank accounts --SBI, Post office or any other banks -- who consent to join or activate auto-debit and are in the age range of 18 to 50 are eligible for the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY). Aadhar would serve as the primary form of KYC for bank accounts. The 12-month term of the 2-lakh-rupee life insurance policy, which runs from 1 June to 31 May, is renewable. This insurance offers risk coverage up to Rs. 2 Lakh in the case of the insured person's death for any reason. Depending on the plan he or she selects, the annual premium is Rs 436 and must be auto-debited from the subscriber's bank account on or before May 31 of each annual coverage term. The scheme is offered by Life Insurance Company and all other life insurers who are prepared to offer the product on comparable terms with the necessary approvals and collaborate with banks for this purpose. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana : How To Stop Debiting Of Rs 436 From Bank A/c You can choose to cancel the annual auto-debiting process from your bank account if you are unable to continue with the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana for any reason. You must go to the bank branch where your account is connected to the PMJJBY programme in order to do this. You can complete the necessary steps and ask for the PMJJBY premium payment to be stopped. If the payment is not completed on time, your Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana policy will be automatically cancelled. Also, auto-debiting of the premium will not be feasible if your bank account lacks the necessary funds, which will result in the cancellation of the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana. The Narendra Modi government had in 2015 introduced the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) to offer insurance coverage to the people. THE PHILIPPINES is set to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Forum (ATF), an annual gathering of Southeast Asian tourism ministers, in Cebu, Manila and Boracay next year.Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, representing the Philippines, formally accepted the chairmanship of the ATF 2026 during a ceremonial handover held at the Johor International Convention Center on Jan. 20, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said in a news release Tuesday.As the Philippines takes on the Chairmanship of ASEAN 2026, I invite you to join us in the Philippines for the 29th ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting in Cebu on January 2026. It will be an opportunity not just to discuss policies, but to witness firsthand the immense potential for sustainable tourism growth in the region, Frasco said.The ATF includes the ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting, which will convene in the province of Cebu in January 2026.Preparatory meetings leading to the gathering will be held in Manila and Boracay.The symbolic gavel was handed over to Frasco by Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing on Monday.In announcing the ATF venue, Frasco highlighted the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people, along with the rich culture and natural beauty that Cebu has to offer.Frasco said Cebu is a hallmark of unity evincing what can happen when communities, businesses, and governments come together to create a tourism model that is both profitable and responsible.The Philippines, with its spirit of hospitality and deep sense of community, stands ready to open its pristine shores to all of you, where we will write a new chapter of the ASEAN story: a legacy of unity, sustainability, and prosperity for all, she added.Aside from the ASEAN meetings, a TRAVEX trade show, and various conferences will also be hosted by the Philippines as part of ATF 2026.The Philippines' upcoming hosting of the ATF follows the country's successful mounting of the 36th UN Tourism Joint Commission Meeting for the Asia Pacific and South Asia, as well as the inaugural UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism.At the ATF 2025, Frasco served as vice chair at the 28th ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting, which was attended by tourism ministers from ASEAN member states Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Timor Leste, and Vietnam, as well as representatives from Russia, Japan, India and South Korea.As the lead country coordinator for the development of the ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan (ATSP) Post-2025, Frasco presented updates and recommendations to fellow ministers aimed at fostering a tourism sector that drives equitable and sustainable economic growth for all.The ATSP envisions a tourism landscape that not only stimulates economic progress but does so in a manner that is equitable and sustainable, she said.Our focus extends beyond quantity to quality prioritizing convenience and safety in tourism, promoting longer stays and increased spending, all while safeguarding our natural resources and honoring our heritage and culture, she added.Frasco said the Philippines is also committed to working with the bloc to build a sustainable tourism industry in the region.United by a shared vision for the mutual prosperity of our nations, we perpetuate the notion that tourism is a force for good: transforming lives, sustaining livelihoods, forging friendships, creating memories etched in the hearts of all who come upon our streets and shores, she said.During the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta in 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. accepted the regional bloc's request to be the ASEAN chair in 2026, a year earlier than scheduled.The ASEAN chair is responsible not just for the leaders-level summits but all the other gatherings for the bloc. (Joyce Ann L. Rocamora) The hair colour you choose to cover up your grey hair will influence your overall appearance and bring you confidence throughout the experience. From faded pastel pink to brassy balayage, these top-rated hair colours will help you cover up solid grey hair and provide great results whether you like a natural look or want something bold. Best Hair Colour to Elevate Your Style Statement These are the best hair colours according to our experts: Source: Amazon Order Now L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Colour has been around for ages, providing long-lasting, fade-defying colour and shine. Key Features: - 100% grey coverage - Enriched with Care Supreme conditioning treatment - Leaves hair feeling silky and smooth - You may require regular touchups or maintenance Source: Amazon Order Now This colour not only covers grey hair but also acts as a treatment to nourish and strengthen your hair. The formula is also fragrance-free, which means it contains no ammonia and other harsh chemicals. It is perfect for those with a sensitive scalp. Key Features: - Certified organic ingredients - Ammonia-free and safe for sensitive scalps - Nourishes and strengthens hair - It provides vibrant and long-lasting colour Skin irritation likely for people with sensitive scalp issued Source: Amazon Order Now Covering grey hair naturally with CARMEL ORGANICS hair colour delivers the dye benefits without harsh or synthetic hair colourants for stunning, hydrated, nourished-looking dyed locks that glow! Key Features: - Enriched with natural extracts - Conditions and protects hair - Free from harsh chemicals - Easy-to-use application - Results may differ depending on actual hair colour Source: Amazon Order Now The Shahnaz Husain Colourveda is an herbal hair colour that brilliantly colours up your grey hair while also maintaining hair health. It is made using natural herbs like henna, indigo and some other great herbs to condition your hair while giving it a beautiful, shiny black look. The result is a super-rich colour that gives a lustrous look and feels soft on your hair. Key Features: - Herbal formula with natural ingredients - Conditions and strengthens hair - It provides vibrant colour - Adds natural shine and softness - Too much use of hair colour sometimes leads to dry and frizzy hair Source: Amazon Order Now For men, the Just for Men Real Black Hair Colour is crafted to allow you a quick and effortless way of covering up grey hair. The formula specifically works on grey hair and blends each strand of your greys into your shade for a natural result. It is easy to use because it applies quickly, takes only 5 minutes, and saves time for busy people. Key Features: - Specifically designed for men - Blends seamlessly with natural colour - Easy and quick application - Long-lasting and natural-looking results - Can fade over time due to washing Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hair Colour You can consider the below factors before choosing the right hair colour: 1. Skin Tone The hair colour that suits you the best depends on your skin tone. If you have warm skin, golden blonde, rich brown, and auburn, these will be great hair colour ideas for your natural appearance. For those with a cooler skin tone, wear cooler hair colours like ash blonde or jet black to bring out your features. 2. Hair Condition Your hair can also change the way colours show on you. If you have damaged or brittle hair, choose a gentle version that contains conditioning ingredients. To keep your hair health-safe while colouring, go for products free from ammonia or other harsh chemicals. 3. Maintenance Level Colour-treated hair does require touch-up, depending on how fast your roots grow out and the shade you choose. Some colours are easier to maintain than others. For instance, bright reds and platinum blondes commonly require constant maintenance to keep the saturation of colour and avoid fading. 4. Allergies and Sensitivities Opt for dermatologically tested and hypoallergenic hair products if you have sensitive skin to lessen the chances of sensitivities. 5. Temporary vs. Permanent Temporary works wonder about testing those new hues without long-term attachment, while semi-permanent fades over time. Unlike semi-permanent hair colours, permanent dyes are full of permanent dye with enough peroxide levels to take the colour into your hair. 6. Professional vs. At-Home Decide if you want to do hair colouring at home or need help from a professional salon. At-home hair colour kits are convenient and affordable, but a professional colourist can provide personalised tips that deliver an even more accurate outcome. Conclusion Hair colour should be chosen according to the skin tone and natural hair colour to find the perfect shade that matches Amazon discounts. Whether you choose natural shades and muted colours or something bolder, this list of the best hair colours will result in consistent grey coverage with a beautiful end product. Disclaimer: At IDPL, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. It should not be construed as an endorsement to buy. IDPL may make a very small commission from its sale if one chooses to buy the product from any of the links in this article. New Delhi: In big move to enhance telecom accessibility, security, and empowerment across India, the Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, launched a suite of citizen-focused initiatives on Monday. Key highlights of the event included the launch of the Sanchar Saathi Mobile App,National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0 and the inauguration of the Intra Circle Roaming facilityat DBN Funded 4G Mobile Sites. Intra Circle Roaming at DBN funded 4G Mobile Sites To Stop SIM signal issues During the event, the Union Minister inaugurated Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) at DBN-funded 4G mobile sites. He emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, This is a crucial pillar, with three of our TSPs BSNL, Airtel, and Reliance joining forces to leverage each others infrastructure at all DBN-funded sites. With nearly 27,836 such sites, we are ensuring not only connectivity but also providing customers across the country with the freedom of choice. ICR between TSPs at DBN funded 4G mobile sites will enable subscribers of multiple TSPs to enjoy 4G services from a single DBN funded tower instead of having multiple towers for the various TSPs. Therefore, more subscribers are benefited through a lower CAPEX investment of the operators and Government. This initiative promises seamless 4G connectivity for over 35,400 rural and remote villages served by approximately such 27,000 towers. Sanchar Saathi Mobile App The Sanchar Saathi Mobile App, available for both Android and iOS platforms, provides users with critical tools to secure their telecom resources and combat telecom frauds. Key features include: Chakshu - Reporting Suspected Fraud Communications (SFC): Users can report suspected calls and SMS using app and directly from mobile phone logs. Know Mobile Connections in Your Name: Citizens can identify and manage all mobile connections issued in their name, ensuring no unauthorized usage. Blocking Your Lost/ Stolen Mobile Handset: Lost or stolen mobile devices can be swiftly blocked, traced and recovered. Know Mobile Handset Genuineness: The app offers an easy way to verify the authenticity of mobile handsets, ensuring users purchase genuine devices. With over 90 crore smart phone users in the country, the Sanchar Saathi Mobile App aims to ensure that every individual has access to these vital services with just a few taps on their smartphone. Trousers are no longer just about functionality, they're a fashion statement that defines your style and confidence. Whether heading to the office or just out for a casual day, the right pair of trousers really can make a world of difference. From sleek tailored fits to comfortable relaxed styles, trousers are designed to keep you looking sharp while feeling at ease. We have rounded up four incredible options that blend comfort, elegance, and versatility. Read on to discover your next wardrobe staple! 1. 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Donald Trump, on his first day back as President, pardoned or reduced sentences for over 1,500 people charged in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The list includes those convicted of assaulting police officers. Trump used his clemency powers to reverse prosecutions linked to the attack on the US Capitol. Announcing the pardons, Trump said they would end a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and start a process of national reconciliation. Trumps decision came hours after his predecessor, former President Joe Biden issued pre-emptive pardons to members of the January 6 House select committee. This included ex-Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, who investigated the Capitol attack and blamed Trump. Biden stated the pardons were not for wrongdoing but to shield them from political retaliation. Trumps pardons cap his push to reshape the narrative of the January 6 attack. The riot left over 100 police officers injured as Trump supporters, armed with poles, bats, and bear spray, stormed the Capitol, shattering windows and forcing lawmakers to hide. While pardons were anticipated, their scale and speed stunned observers, effectively undoing the Justice Departments efforts to hold rioters accountable for one of the nations darkest days. Trump also directed the attorney general to dismiss about 450 pending cases tied to the DOJs largest investigation. Trump called the January 6 rioters patriots and hostages, claiming they were treated unfairly by the Justice Department. He accused the DOJ of politically motivated charges against him in two cases. The pardons sparked joy among Trump supporters and lawyers for January 6 defendants. Late Monday, supporters gathered in the cold outside a Washington jail, where over a dozen defendants awaited release. We are deeply thankful for President Trump for his actions today, said James Lee Bright, attorney for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was serving an 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy and other crimes. It remains unclear when defendants will be freed. An attorney for Enrique Tarrio, the ex-Proud Boys chairman sentenced to 22 years for seditious conspiracy, said he expected Tarrios release Monday night. (With AP inputs) Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold his first bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar here later Tuesday. Jaishankar is here at the invitation of the US Government to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States. Trump on Monday took oath as the president of the US. "Secretary Rubio meets with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at the Department of State," the State Department said, releasing the schedule of the new Secretary of State on the first day as the top American diplomat. The meeting between the two top diplomats representing the world's oldest and largest democracies would take place at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department, soon after the first QUAD ministerial in the same building. "Secretary Rubio meets with Indo-Pacific Quad Foreign Ministers at the Department of State," said the advisory. QUAD is an informal group of countries representing Australia, India, Japan and the US. It was an initiative of the Trump Administration in the first term. The Biden Administration elevated it to the leadership level. Rubios decision to have his first meetings with the QUAD ministerial as the first multilateral meeting - and first bilateral with India assumes significance given that the first foreign outreach of the new administration traditionally has been with its two neighbours Canada and Mexico or with its NATO allies. Rubio, a former US Senator from Florida, was confirmed by the US Senate by a unanimous 99-0 vote. All the existing 99 senators voted in favour of Rubio, including Rubio himself. There is currently one vacancy in the Senate after Vice President J D Vance resigned as the US Senator from Ohio. As a Senator, 53-year-old Rubio last year introduced a bill in Congress that proposed to treat India at par with its allies such as Japan, Israel, Korea, and NATO allies regarding technology transfers and support India in its response to growing threats to its territorial integrity. The bill also sought to bar Pakistan from receiving security assistance if it is found to have sponsored terrorism against India. A US Senator from Florida from January 3, 2011, to January 20, 2025, Rubio is considered hawkish with regard to China. He is banned from entering China, which sanctioned him twice in 2020. The top Republican member on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Rubio is the first ever Latino to be the US Secretary of State. US President Donald Trump signed several executive orders aimed at reversing many policies of the Biden administration. Among these, he signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, a move he previously made during his first term. This comes under a series of executive orders Trump signed in front of thousands of supporters at the Capitol One Arena. The Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement in 2017 was reversed by Joe Biden on his first day in office in 2021. What Is Paris Climate Accord The Paris Agreement is a global pact aimed at combating climate change, with nearly 200 countries pledging to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, and preferably to 1.5 degrees. Each nation is responsible for creating its own plan to meet these goals. However, the agreement is not legally binding. Trump also signed a directive to the federal government, ordering the restoration of freedom of speech and preventing government censorship in the future. He further signed an order ending the weaponization of the government against political opponents of the previous administration. On Monday, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath. Before Trump's swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th vice president. After taking the oath, Trump declared the beginning of America's "golden age" and called the day 'Liberation Day' for the nation. (With ANI inputs) Tribal leaders gathered at the Montana State Capitol on Monday to make their case to lawmakers that reauthorizing Medicaid expansion is critical for Indian Country. The joint federal-state health insurance program, which provides health coverage to more than 13,240 American Indians in Montana, must be reauthorized before it sunsets in June. Since the Montana Legislature first enacted Medicaid expansion in 2015, uninsurance rates among Native people have plummeted and services such as diagnostic screenings and behavioral health care are now provided in tribal communities where they once were almost nonexistent. Todd Wilson, executive director of the Helena Indian Alliance, a health care facility, said the possibility of Medicaid expansion being revoked keeps me up at night. Medicaid expansion, which makes low-income, able-bodied adults eligible for government-funded health insurance, is poised to be the top health care issue in this years legislative session. As of Tuesday, there were at least three different competing proposals that, if passed, would dictate the future of the expansion program. One from Sen. Carl Glimm, R-Kila, would phase out the program. Reps. Mary Caferro, D-Helena, and Rep. Ed Buttrey, R-Great Falls, are each sponsoring proposals of their own that would reauthorize expansion, though they differ in specifics around work requirements and a sunset date, among others. Gov. Greg Gianforte supports reauthorizing expansion, and he funds it in his proposed budget. But the Republican governor also wants work requirements and other guardrails in any Medicaid bill that lands on his desk. Expansion is vital Native Americans make up about 6% of the states population, but represent 20% of Medicaid expansion enrollees. Generations of marginalization have helped create conditions in which Native communities face significant health disparities including shorter life expectancy and higher rates of chronic illness. Medicaid expansion has been a literal lifeline, according to tribal advocates, in growing the capacity of tribal health systems and improving access to care. More than a dozen representatives from the seven Indian reservations in Montana shared stories with the Senate health budget committee on Monday about how expansion has changed their communities. Joel Rosette, the executive director of Rocky Boy Health Center on the Rocky Boy Reservation, said the clinic can now transport women to get preventative mammograms. Joe Durglo from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes said expansion has allowed the Tribal Health Department to add 75 jobs. Natalie ONeal, who runs a health prevention program on the Fort Peck Reservation, credited expansion with the opening of a wellness facility in Poplar that saw 21,000 health and fitness visits in 2024. Generations of historical trauma have left Native communities more likely to suffer from substance use disorders and clinical mental illnesses like anxiety or depression. Montanans are more likely to die by suicide than people in most states, but that risk is even higher among Native people in the state. Tribal advocates told committee members on Tuesday that Medicaid expansion made it possible to expand behavioral health care services. A report from the Montana Healthcare Foundation found that expansion helped to fund treatment for more than 4,600 Native Americans in 2022. Treaties signed between the federal government and sovereign tribal nations require the United States to provide health care to tribes. The Indian Health Service (IHS) is the primary health provider for enrolled tribal members on or near tribal lands, but its long been underfunded by federal authorities. Health care services provided at an IHS facility are 100% reimbursed by the federal government. That means the state of Montana spends zero dollars to provide this care. But IHS has long faced staggering wait times and staffing shortages, and facilities are often unable to provide specialty or preventative care. Before Medicaid expansion, patients who needed care unavailable at IHS facilities had to get approval to obtain those services elsewhere or pay out of pocket. IHS funding was so bleak that it was widely said only life or limb cases would be approved. We dont want IHS to decide which life matters, or which limb is going to be saved, said Cher Old Elk, who serves as legal counsel for the tribes in Fort Peck and Fort Belknap. With Medicaid expansion, Old Elk explained to the committee, Native people can access care on their own. It also means more people are using the health care system on and around reservations, which improves health outcomes by making critical preventative care more accessible. Economic opportunity Medicaid expansion which is reimbursed by the federal government at a rate of 90% injects federal dollars into Native health care systems and frees up time and resources at other tribal health and IHS facilities, advocates say. Rosette said Medicaid expansion has enabled Rocky Boy Health Center to grow its ranks to roughly 200 employees, including many from the local community. He pitched it to committee members as workforce development, highlighting the training the center provides to employees so they can advance in their careers, as well as a high school apprenticeship the facility offers. Its challenging recruiting people to our areas, he said. So weve taken the initiative those who want to live and work here, we are going to train you. In 2023, Medicaid made more than $197 million in federally reimbursable payments to IHS and tribal health facilities, according to the Montana Healthcare Foundation report. Almost 40% $79 million were for services provided to Medicaid expansion enrollees. Native Americans who would be uninsured without expansion still would have used some healthcare, it reads. They (or other entities) would have absorbed the cost of this care. With expansion, these funds are free to support other priorities. Its not totally clear how Medicaid redetermination, during which the federal government required people to reapply for coverage after the pandemic subsided, has impacted the economics of expansion. More people, including up to 20,000 Native people, received health insurance through Montanas Medicaid expansion before the 10-month redetermination process, which concluded in January 2024. Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) officer Jackson Kuria Kihara, also known as Cop Shakur, faced charges on Monday for allegedly publishing false information on social media. Kihara, who joined Kenyans in anti-finance bill protests in June and was subsequently suspended, has been accused of inciting panic and targeting government officials through his online posts. Prosecutors allege that Kihara falsely claimed a Cabinet Secretary and an individual identified as Ruto were responsible for recent abductions in the country. According to the charge sheet, Kihara published the contentious information on his Twitter (X) account, Shakur the cop @CopShakur, on January 11, 2025, at approximately 5:18 PM. The post reportedly read: Under which law? This CS is an upcoming dictator. He is the one responsible for the abductions together with Ruto. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) argued that Kiharas actions were calculated to incite panic among Kenyan citizens. However, the charge sheet does not specify any individuals who allegedly experienced panic due to the post. Additionally, it does not identify the Cabinet Secretary referred to as an upcoming dictator or the individual named Ruto. The alleged Ruto is also not listed as a witness in the case. The DCI revealed that only investigators and a digital forensic expert are listed as witnesses in the matter. While their names remain undisclosed, the affidavit indicates they will testify alongside others yet to be identified. DCI Investigations and Allegations The DCI stated in court that they are investigating Kihara for inciting mutiny under Section 47 of the Penal Code Cap 63 and for publishing false information contrary to Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act of 2018. Detective Constable Meshack Mutinda of the DCIs Serious Crimes Unit alleged that Kihara has consistently published false information on his X account. The detective further claimed that Kiharas posts were designed to incite other members of the disciplined services, posing a serious threat to national security. The DCI revealed that Kihara was arrested on January 15 at the Kamiti Maximum Prison staff residence. During the arrest, investigators seized his phone for forensic examination. In an affidavit, the DCI stated that they required more time to analyze the digital evidence. Due to the bulky nature of the expected data and digital evidence yet to be examined and comprehensively analyzed, there is a need for an extension of time to facilitate the ongoing investigations, the affidavit read in part. The DCI expressed concerns that Kihara, as a trained officer, could potentially interfere with the investigation. They cited his expertise in firearms as a factor that could hinder the probe. Court Proceedings and Bail Terms Kihara denied the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe and requested lenient bail terms. The court granted him a Kes.100,000 bond with a surety or an alternative cash bail of Kes.50,000. He is also required to provide a contact person employed by the Government of Kenya. The case is scheduled for mention on February 17, 2025, for a pre-trial hearing. Pastor James Maina Ngangas recent comments have not only angered Kenyans but also drawn sharp condemnation from the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA). The preachers remarks, which linked certain types of womens clothing and makeup to rape, have been widely criticized as harmful and insensitive. In a statement issued on Monday, KEWOPA chairperson Lilian Sankaire condemned Ngangas remarks, demanding that he issue a public apology. KEWOPA condemns in the strongest terms the recent remarks by Pastor Nganga trivializing rape and demeaning women. As a society, we must uphold the dignity and respect of all individuals, especially at a time when gender-based violence (GBV) is on the rise in Kenya, the statement read. Nganga, known for his loose tongue on social and political issues, quickly became a trending topic on social media after the video of his comments went viral. Many Kenyans expressed their outrage over his callousness, highlighting the insensitivity of his remarks in a country grappling with the impacts of GBV. KEWOPA emphasized that such statements not only harm survivors of sexual violence but also undermine the ongoing fight against GBV. These remarks are not only harmful and insensitive but also undermine the ongoing fight against GBV and its devastating impact on survivors and their families, the association stated. The parliamentary group has called for an unreserved apology from Nganga. KEWOPA calls on Pastor Nganga to issue an unreserved apology to survivors of sexual violence and the women of Kenya, they added. The women MPs further urged leaders, organizations, and communities to unite in promoting awareness, supporting survivors, and holding perpetrators accountable. KEWOPA emphasized that rape is a heinous crime that leaves lasting emotional and physical scars on survivors, and should never be a subject for mockery. Rape is not a subject for jest or mockery. It is a heinous crime that leaves survivors with lifelong emotional, psychological, and physical scars. Such reckless and insensitive statements not only undermine the pain of survivors but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes that normalize GBV in our communities, they asserted. The Kenyan Government, in partnership with the World Bank, is finalizing a new initiative aimed at supporting young mothers through a monthly stipend. Moses Kuria, President William Rutos Senior Economic Advisor, announced that mothers will receive a monthly income during their pregnancies and until their children turn three. This program is designed to alleviate the financial burden on young mothers, ensuring they have the resources to meet their needs. In addition to the monthly stipend, the program will also include a Ksh1,000 contribution to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) for each mother, encouraging a culture of saving. Kuria emphasized the significance of this support, stating, We have a special package for young mothers. Right from pregnancy up to three years, we will give them a stipend to survive. Ksh1,000 will go to their NSSF savings. The governments efforts extend beyond young mothers, with the NYOTA program also targeting Kenyan youth. Under this initiative, 100,000 young Kenyans will receive grants of up to Ksh50,000. Kuria explained that the program is divided into two main components: enterprise and skills development. For the enterprise component, 100,000 youths will be recruited from various regions, provided with psychosocial and skills training, and granted Ksh50,000 to start their own businesses. They will also be linked to larger industries for subcontracting opportunities. Kuria also revealed that the skills component will offer free training to another 100,000 youths, helping them secure jobs in both local and international industries. Of these, 20,000 slots will be allocated to refugees living in Kenya. Participants who complete the training and secure corporate positions will receive monthly payments, ensuring they earn while gaining practical experience. Kuria explained that this initiative is part of the governments broader strategy to combat the economic challenges facing the nation and empower the youth. Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has suspended Dr. Sonia Nzilani, the Executive Committee Member (ECM) for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture, and Tourism, for 45 days following her controversial remarks claiming that menstruating women attract crocodiles. The remarks came after the tragic death of a 17-year-old girl who was killed in a crocodile attack while fetching water from the Athi River in Kithaayoni, Kathonzweni subcounty. During the burial ceremony, Dr. Nzilani suggested the attack occurred because the girl was menstruating, stating that crocodiles are drawn to the scent of blood. Her comments sparked widespread public outrage, leading to a swift backlash from locals, advocacy groups, and experts. In response, Dr. Nzilani issued a public apology, explaining that her remarks may have been misunderstood and clarifying that she did not intend to cause alarm or spread misinformation. Deputy Governor Lucy Mulilis office released a statement on Monday, distancing the county government from Dr. Nzilanis comments. The statement expressed regret to the people of Makueni and Kenya, emphasizing that Dr. Nzilanis views were personal and did not represent the county administrations stance. As a government committed to upholding the dignity of all citizens, we offer our unreserved apologies for Ms. Nzilanis remarks to the people of Makueni County and Kenya, the statement read. The comments have understandably caused widespread discontent, and we assure the public of our steadfast commitment to accountability and reform. The Deputy Governor also underscored Makuenis ongoing efforts to dispel myths surrounding menstrual health, reaffirming the countys dedication to gender equality, womens empowerment, and inclusivity. President William Rutos senior economic advisor, Moses Kuria, has reaffirmed that the Social Health Authority (SHA) provides equal efficiency in both private and public hospitals. Level 2, 3, 4, and 5 hospitals are not the only ones covered by SHA. You receive the same treatment in private hospitals as you would in public ones. SHA does not discriminate, Kuria emphasized during an interview on Spice FM on January 20. Addressing the challenges faced by the SHA system, Kuria acknowledged that overwhelming patient numbers at level 5 and 6 hospitals, such as Kenyatta National Hospital, have led to occasional glitches. He explained that the surge in users caused a misalignment in the providers portal technology, but assured that these issues have since been resolved. Kuria highlighted that the SHA system has not only benefited patients but also pushed governors to improve the public hospitals under their management. He added that the sibling competition between private and public healthcare facilities is driving mutual improvements, creating what he described as a self-correcting system. The former Public Service Minister insisted that no patients are being turned away from public hospitals. He invited Kenyans to text him their details and the names of health facilities if they encounter any difficulties or are denied services. Kuria acknowledged that the SHA implementation is still ongoing, noting that rolling out such a comprehensive system is unprecedented. We are making progress. I am not claiming perfection. However, every problem that arises becomes an opportunity for us to fix the system, he stated. To celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, China Conservatory of Music will tour major European countries, including Germany, Belgium and Austria, from Jan 27 to Feb 4, bringing a musical feast full of Chinese music to the European audience. In cooperation with the tour organizer Wu Promotion, China Conservatory of Music will perform at well-known venues during the trip, including Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Germany, Wiener Konzerthaus Hall, Vienna, Austria and Mupa Budapest, Hungary. The concert features a star-studded lineup, with China Conservatory of Music's president and renowned conductor Li Xincao leading the orchestra. He will be joined by outstanding musicians such as the famous guzheng player Wang Zhongshan, pipa player Yang Tingting, suona player Zhang Qianyuan, and erhu player Ma Ke, all of whom will perform classic pieces. The concert will feature works with a strong Chinese New Year atmosphere, such as Spring Festival Overture, the first movement of the Spring Festival Suite by composer Li Huanzhi, Dance of Golden Snake arranged by Nie Er in 1934 and Dance of the Yao People by composers Liu Tieshan and Mao Yuan in the 1950s. The Yao ethnic group is known for its lively folk music and dance. These pieces will showcase the charm of Chinese music and convey the festive joy and harmony of Chinese New Year. As a top school in China's music education scene, the China Conservatory of Music, established in 1964, has also been committed to performing Chinese music. The year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the conservatory. The upcoming trips are part of Wu Promotion's tour series, The Grand Chinese New Year Concert, which, since its inception in 1998, has been held 24 times and has become an important brand for international cultural exchange. The concert tour has visited nearly 40 countries, attracting almost 2,000 Chinese musicians and bringing Chinese music to over 300,000 global audiences. A new Bill is proposing stricter penalties for state officers who misuse funds allocated for development projects, aiming to ensure better financial accountability and prevent corruption. The Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, 2025, mandates state agencies to create project-specific bank accounts for each development initiative. These accounts will be dedicated solely to managing and executing the specific projects, ensuring transparency and preventing misuse of funds. The Bill, sponsored by Rongo MP Paul Abuor, also focuses on ensuring timely payments to contractors. Abuor emphasized, All funds from the Treasury will now be directed to accounts dedicated solely to the implementation of specific projects. This ensures that the funds are not misdirected or misused. Under the proposed law, any accounting officers or Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE) holders found guilty of diverting funds from these project-specific accounts will face a penalty of 150% of the misused amount. The penalty will be recoverable as a debt owed to the government. In addition to the financial fine, the officer could face immediate suspension and potential dismissal from public service, subject to an investigation. The officer shall be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years upon conviction, Abuor stated during a press conference at Parliament Buildings on Monday. New Bill Targets Banks The Bill also holds banks accountable. Any financial institution found facilitating unauthorized withdrawals or transfers from project-specific accounts will face significant financial penalties and legal actions, as determined by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). To enhance financial oversight, the proposal amends Section 19 of the PFM Act, compelling the Controller of the Budget (CoB) to closely monitor disbursements. The CoB shall ensure that the funds are disbursed to project-specific accounts and shall provide quarterly reports on compliance by ministries, state departments, SAGAs, and parastatals, Abuor stated. Further, the Bill requires the National Treasury to develop a digital platform to track the utilization of project-specific accounts. This platform will be accessible to oversight bodies and the public, promoting transparency in public financial management. In addition to these measures, the Bill mandates the Treasury, in partnership with other oversight bodies, to conduct regular training for AIE holders and accounting officers on their duties and obligations. Ministries, Semi Autonomous Government Agencies(SAGAs), and parastatals will also be required to submit monthly expenditure reports for each project-specific account to the Treasury, the Auditor General, and Parliament. These provisions aim to strengthen accountability and ensure that funds allocated for public projects are used effectively and responsibly. A French court has dismissed a defamation case filed by healthcare entrepreneur Jayesh Saini against Paris-based Kenyan activist Nelson Amenya, citing protections under European Union laws on freedom of expression. Saini accused Amenya of defaming him and his businesses in a series of posts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The posts highlighted alleged irregularities in contracts related to the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA). Saini sought 60,000 (approximately Kes.8 million) in damages and legal fees, claiming the posts damaged his reputation and business interests. However, Judge Francois Hary ruled that Amenyas posts were protected under free speech laws as they addressed matters of public interest, including corruption and Kenyas healthcare sector. The judge noted that the posts were primarily directed at a Kenyan audience and found no sufficient evidence to prove harm to Sainis reputation or businesses in France. Amenya Challenges Jurisdiction In his defense, Amenya argued that the French court lacked jurisdiction over the case. He maintained that the dispute originated in Kenya and involved matters directly affecting Kenyans. Amenya suggested that a Nairobi court would be better suited to hear the case. He also pointed out that Saini had already filed a similar defamation case in Nairobi, which remains active in the Chief Magistrates Court in Milimani. In the Nairobi case, Saini failed to secure the orders he sought, which Judge Hary acknowledged as further evidence that the social media posts reflected issues deeply rooted in Kenyas public and judicial discourse. Also Read Despite Living in France, Adani-JKIA Whistleblower Doesnt Feel Safe Court Upholds Free Speech Protections While the French court agreed with Saini that it had jurisdictionsince Amenya resides in France, even temporarilyit emphasized that plaintiffs in defamation cases must prove harm under the laws of the country where the case is filed. In this instance, Saini failed to demonstrate any harm to his reputation or businesses in France, leading to the dismissal of his claim. The court also rejected Sainis request to have Amenyas social media posts removed, citing insufficient evidence to justify such an order. Costs Awarded to Amenya In addition to dismissing the case, the court ordered Saini to pay 5,000 (approximately Kes.667,000) to cover Amenyas legal fees and other expenses incurred while defending the suit. This decision reinforces the protection of free speech in discussions involving public interest matters, particularly those concerning governance and corruption. For now, the defamation case in Nairobi remains ongoing, as Saini continues his legal battle against Amenya over the same social media posts. China's Ministry of Commerce on Monday expressed regret over a complaint that the European Union (EU) lodged at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against China's judicial ruling on standard essential patent disputes. China received a consultation request from the EU on Jan. 20, the ministry said in an online statement responding to media inquiry on the issue. China has adhered strictly to WTO rules and its accession commitments, and continually improved legislation and law enforcement related to the protection of intellectual property rights, and its achievements have been widely recognized, the ministry said. It said that the communication channels between China and the EU have always remained open for intellectual property issues, and stressed that the country will address subsequent matters in accordance with WTO rules and firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. A national conference on work to crack down on pornography and illegal publications was held in Beijing on Monday. Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the conference and delivered remarks. The conference hailed the achievements made on the front over the past year, and urged efforts to improve the country's capability to tackle pornography and illegal publications in the information age, aiming to create a favorable social and cultural environment for the comprehensive deepening of reform and the promotion of Chinese modernization. It called for focus to be placed on the prominent issues of most concern to the people, and for targeted campaigns to be carried out further in key fields to address copyright infringement, piracy and the dissemination of pornographic content. The conference also stressed the importance of strengthening technological empowerment, raising law enforcement efficacy, and improving the long-term mechanism to combat pornography and illegal publications. The nine schools that make up Emory University head into the new semester with innovative initiatives, achievements to celebrate and a full slate of engaging speakers and events for spring. Heres a roundup of whats new and noteworthy, as listed by each school. Candler School of Theology New faculty: Retired United Methodist Bishop Hope Morgan Ward joins the Candler faculty this semester as bishop-in-residence, with a focus on student mentorship. Noteworthy events: On Sunday, Feb.23, the next edition of the popular TheoEd Talks series will take place in Nashville and via livestream, featuring a slate of faith leaders, scholars and artists including Enneagram expert Suzanne Stabile giving the talk of their lives in 20 minutes or less. The Candler Foundry offers public theological education classes online and in person throughout the year, including AI and the Future of Christianity, beginning Tuesday, March 4. Candlers 2025 Bandy Preaching Conference, Sacred Symphonies: The Word and Song, will be held on campus March 25-27 and will celebrate the collaborative creativity of the preacher and psalmist in the worship experience. Finally, biblical scholar and former president of Union Presbyterian Seminary Bryan K. Blount will deliver the McDonald Lectures. He will address Before He Was White: Jesus, Mark, and the Politics of Inclusion on Wednesday, April 16, and The Narrative Color of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark on Wednesday, April 23. Program enhancement: Candlers Master of Religion and Public Life is a 36-hour degree program for those who want to delve into an aspect of religion or theology and its intersection with the public sphere. Now, MRPL students can focus on a particular interest by pursuing one of Candlers academic certificates, such as human rights, religion and health, Catholic studies, and beginning in fall 2025, justice, peacebuilding and conflict transformation. Courtesy scholarships are available for Emory employees to study in person, online or both. Learn more at the Candler School of Theology website. Emory College of Arts and Sciences Save the date: Emory College, the Pathways Center, University Libraries and the Department of Dance will host Misty Copeland, the first Black female principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, on campus Tuesday, March 25. Her visit includes a public talk, Wind at My Back: An Evening Conversation with Misty Copeland, at 7:30 p.m. in the Emory Student Center. King Week: Emory College celebrates the 2025 King Week with several events, including the Distinguished King Week keynote sponsored by the Department of African American Studies with Mary-Frances Berry, Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a College Communities Dinner and Arts and Empathy Walk just for students. Learn more here. ATLBound: Emory College welcomed 130 new Oxford College graduates with a special reception held Jan. 13. The Colleges ATLBound programming continues this spring with two campus fairs in February and an Academic Showcase on Thursday, March 20. ATLBound, a collaboration between Emorys Atlanta and Oxford campuses, offers programs and resources designed to facilitate a smooth transition for Oxford students to the Atlanta campus. Learn more about ATLBound here. On the move: The B. Jones Center will undergo renovations later this semester to become the future home of the Pathways Center. Pathways offices currently located in B. Jones are temporarily relocating to R. Randall Rollins, with the exception of Career and Professional Development, which will move to the Woodruff Library in early March. Learn more at the Emory College of Arts and Sciences website. Goizueta Business School Tuition scholarship: Goizueta is thrilled to offer a 30% tuition scholarship for current Emory undergraduate students accepted into the Master in Management, Master of Finance, or MS in Business Analytics programs during the 2024-25 application cycle. Learn more about the program. Empowering entrepreneurs: In conjunction with Techstars, the worlds most active pre-seed investor, Goizueta Business School and The Hatchery, Center for Innovation, are launching the Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst program. This free ,fast-paced, 10-week program focuses on empowering Emorys early-stage entrepreneurs with world-class startup education, mentorship and opportunities to scale their ventures. The 9th Emory Goizueta Entrepreneurship Summit will be held Thursday, April 10, and Friday, April 11. The annual event educates and inspires students, alumni and community partners through interactive workshops, noteworthy speakers and networking opportunities. Student entrepreneurs also compete in the highly anticipated pitch contest. Real estate conference: The 4th Annual Emory Goizueta Real Estate Conference returns on Thursday, April 17. Building on last years sold-out success, the event features panels and networking with top professionals, alumni and students, cementing Goizuetas reputation as a hub for real estate education and leadership. Registration opens in early February. Learn more at the Goizueta Business School website. Laney Graduate School 2025 LGS Awards: Save the date for the 2025 LGS Awards. This years ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 10, at 4:30 p.m. in Convocation Hall. We invite nomination submissions from across the LGS community including alumni, faculty, staff and students. Self-nominations are welcome, though potential nominees are encouraged to seek nominations from others. For more information email lgsdean@emory.edu. Student honors: Laney Graduate School genetics and molecular biology PhD candidate Yemko Pryor was awarded the prestigious Kharen Fulton Award for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement for 2024-25. LGS Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) and Masters Showcase Competition: The 3MT and Masters Showcase contests challenges LGS students to present a concise, intriguing lecture on their theses to a non-specialist judging panel. Preliminary applications are now open to be considered for the contest in the spring of 2025. Graduate Student Appreciation Week: LGS will celebrate Graduate Student Appreciation Week April 7-11, 2025. Students can expect a range of events throughout the week. Learn more at the Laney Graduate School website. Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Top ranking: U.S. News & World Report ranked the schools Bachelor of Science in Nursing program No. 1 nationwide. The school now holds top rankings in bachelors and masters degree programs. Winter graduation: The school held commencement ceremonies in December, adding 337 graduates to its alumni community. The school holds graduations three times per year. National Institutes of Health funding: The school is No. 3 among U.S. nursing schools in NIH funding. The school has been in the top five for 10 consecutive years. National honors: The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) honored Dean Linda McCauley with the David Rall Medal, given to an Academy member for extraordinary leadership as a study committee chair. Assistant professor Roxana Chicas was selected to participate in the American Academy of Nursing Fellowship, part of the NAM Fellowships program. Simulation recognition: This fall, the Society for Simulation in Healthcare granted Provisional Accreditation to the schools simulation program, housed at the Emory Nursing Learning Center. Society for Simulation in Healthcare accreditation is the gold standard in simulation. Inaugural cohort: Part of efforts to bolster the nursing workforce, the school has welcomed its first cohort of Master of Nursing (MN) students starting studies in the spring semester. The MN program allows students with degrees in other disciplines to earn an MN, with options of working as a registered nurse or continuing in the Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. Learn more at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing website. Oxford College Incoming class: This year, Oxford welcomes 91 incoming spring start students. In this group, we had students from 22 different states, and seven students who attended schools from other countries such as the UAE, South Korea, Taiwan and China. Early Decision 1: On Dec. 11, 2024, our Early Decision 1 candidates were notified of their acceptance to Oxford. As of now, with the Class of 2029, we have 153 students enrolling from 16 states and six countries. London Launch: As we sunset the spring start program, we are happy to announce that the London Launch program will allow for students to start their Oxford journey in the UK for their first semester at Oxford. The Oxford London Launch program will have two staff members, Sarah Higinbotham, assistant professor of English, and Pablo Palomino, associate professor of Latin American and Caribbean Studies, join the students to teach and guide students during this trip. Natalie Raymond has also been promoted and selected as Oxfords new program coordinator, where she joins the Global Oxford team and will lead in the London Launch program. Oxford communications and marketing: Oxford welcomes Travis Jordan, who is our new senior director of communications at Oxford. He brings more than a decade of leadership in higher education and organizational branding. Read more about Travis and what he brings to Oxford here. Oxford human resources: Oxford also welcomes Lindsey Van Note, who is our newest senior director of human resources, people and culture. Van Note has served in HR for almost 20 years. In her previous position, she led the HR management of the Dual Career Assistance Program, the Executive and Faculty Search Group and special projects. Oxfords Celebration of The Life of Martin Luther King will take place Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Old Church. The keynote address will be led by Bishop Robin Dease, and the musical reflection will be led by Dr. Marvin McNeill. Oxappella will also be performing, as well as the MLK Interdenominational Choir. Lucero Alvarado will be presented during this celebration as this years Martin Luther King, Jr. scholar. Learn more at the Oxford College website. Rollins School of Public Health New research hubs: As part of Rollins five-year strategic plan, the school is strengthening research innovation and collaboration through establishing research hubs that bring together key faculty around important public health topics. Rollins is currently in the process of launching hubs focused on climate health, mental health, and aging and disabilities. Revamped Luminaries lecture series: In the fall, Rollins relaunched its annual lecture series. Now called Luminaries, the events bring in top experts on the most pressing public health issues to lend their expertise to the Emory community. Some highlights so far have included Ushma Upadhyay of the University of California, San Francisco, speaking about abortion access post-Roe and a post-election panel with Emory experts. Having courageous conversations: The Rollins Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion launched several new initiatives this fall to train faculty, staff and students to feel confident and compassionate in difficult conversations with community members at Rollins, in Atlanta and beyond. These include the Courage in Conversation and Connection training series, the C.A.R.E. (Communicating with Curiosity, Attention, Responsiveness and Empathy) Fellows Program and more. New certificate coming soon: Rollins is launching a Science Communication Certificate for students enrolling in fall 2025. The increasing prevalence of health misinformation and disinformation highlights the urgent need for public health professionals to effectively convey scientific data and conclusions through writing, multimedia and storytelling. The Science Communication Certificate will train students on everything from science communication fundamentals to working with the media, and more. Learn more at the Rollins School of Public Health website. School of Law Special events: The Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture The Injustice of Poverty: Kings Fight for Economic Equality was held Wednesday, Jan. 15. The Emory Public Interest Committee (EPIC) will host its 28th annual Inspiration Awards honoring students, donors and alumni Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 6:30 p.m. in Tull Auditorium. Other events taking place at Emory Law this semester include: Learn more at the School of Law website. School of Medicine Education transformation: Education leaders in the School of Medicine continue working to transform education across all degree programs in the school. This spring, program educators are beginning to pilot two new pedagogical approaches to medical education: cognitive apprenticeship and complex learning. The educators attended workshops in fall 2024 to learn these approaches. Later this spring, the school will host an event to showcase and discuss lessons learned from the education transformation pilots. New certificate program: We are now offering a Radiologic Technology Certificate Program under the umbrella of Emory School of Medicines Health Professions Programs. Upon completion of this 24-month, full-time certification program, students will be eligible to take the national American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam. After passing the exam, the graduate becomes a registered radiologic technologist (radiographer), or RT. Learn more. Learn more at the School of Medicine website. SIUs business administration program among U.S. News Best Online Programs CARBONDALE, Ill. Southern Illinois University Carbondales online business and administration program has earned national recognition for excellence, claiming a spot for the first time on the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Online Programs rankings released today (Jan. 21). SIUs online business and administration program is within the top 25%, tied for No. 54. This ranking by U.S. News is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, students and alumni, and we are proud to see our program recognized among the best in the nation. It also affirms that our online programs deliver the flexibility and excellence our students need to succeed, said Marc Morris, dean of the college. While we celebrate this achievement, it is just the tip of the iceberg and demonstrates the colleges longstanding commitment to innovation, academic excellence and preparing students for leadership in the rapidly evolving world. Flexible format SIUs business and administration online degree completion program gives students who have already earned at least 60 credit hours of college-level coursework the chance to earn their bachelors degree completely online with a flexible, convenient format. The program, established in 2011, offers an option to students who cannot complete their degrees on campus because of life circumstances or life/work commitments. Students usually complete their degrees in six semesters over a two-year period but have the option of enrolling full-time or part-time, taking fewer courses if necessary because of scheduling needs. While typical on-campus students are age 22 or younger, the average online students in the program are in the 27-34 age group. SIU welcomes students from anywhere in the world but especially targets recruitment efforts in Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Florida, California, Texas and Tennessee, particularly the Nashville area where the alumni base is growing. Morris noted that the college also has a great deal of brand recognition with friends and family of military students across the country in locales including Jacksonville, Florida; Delaware; Pensacola, Florida; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Denver, Colorado; and Bangor, Washington. Comprehensive program SIUs College of Business and Analytics is accredited by AACSB International The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and SIUs online business and administration program is quite comprehensive, incorporating finance, management, marketing and accounting components. The same experienced, high-caliber faculty who teach the on-campus courses teach the majority of the eight-week classes. Our professors dont just teach they mentor, Morris said. No matter where students are physically, they arent alone, Morris said. They have regular contact with faculty and staff as well as access to a wide variety of resources, including Morris Library, the Writing Center and even one-on-one tutoring. The college also offers an online accounting bachelors degree completion program, created in 2011. SIUs School of Accountancy has full membership in the Federation of Schools of Accountancy and has earned its own AACSB Accounting accreditation, which is held by less than 1% of accounting programs. Many of our graduates go on to enroll in our online graduate programs, Morris added. SIU offers online programs for Master of Business Administration, Master of Accountancy and Master of Science in Business Analytics degrees, in addition to its on-campus programs. For more information, visit the website, email cobaonline@siu.edu or call 618-453-7901. U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi will present the Hiram H. Lesar Distinguished Lecture. (Photo provided) U.S. Rep. Krishnamoorthi to discuss public service at SIU Simmons Law School Lesar Lecture by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois will discuss his time in Congress and a few of his signature legislative achievements when he presents the Hiram H. Lesar Distinguished Lecture on Monday, Jan. 27, at Southern Illinois Universitys Simmons Law School. Krishnamoorthis free, public presentation Life in Public Service and Governance: Peoria to Washington, D.C. is at 6 p.m. in the Lesar Law Building Room 102. This is the 27th lecture in the series established to honor founding Dean Hiram H. Lesar. A reception starts the festivities at 5:30 p.m. in the law schools formal lounge. We are thrilled to welcome Rep. Krishnamoorthi to SIU Simmons Law School, said Angela Upchurch, acting dean of the law school. His unique perspective as a lawyer and lawmaker, drawn from his personal journey and his distinguished time in Congress, will offer valuable lessons in leadership, governance and the complexities of political life. Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg, is entering his fifth term in Congress; he was first elected in 2016. He represents the Illinois 8th District, which includes Chicagos west and northwest suburbs, along with the citys 41st Ward. He is the ranking Democratic member of the Houses Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and China. Media availability U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg, will be available for interviews before the lecture, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the law schools administrative suite conference room, Room 0131. To arrange for interviews, contact Carly Holtkamp, director of external relations, SIU Simmons Law School, at carly.holtkamp@siu.edu or 618-453-8312. Its an honor to be selected to provide the 2025 Hiram H. Lesar Distinguished Lecture at the Southern Illinois University Simmons School of Law, and I am grateful to my friend, former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, for hosting this event, Krishnamoorthi said. I look forward to sharing with attendees how my upbringing in Illinois has shaped my approach to advocacy and governance throughout my time in public service. Simon, who served as Illinois lieutenant governor from 2011 to 2015, is acting associate dean and associate professor of law at SIU. A child of immigrants and raised in Peoria, Krishnamoorthi graduated from Princeton University with a degree in mechanical engineering and a certificate from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. He graduated with honors from Harvard Law School. In Illinois, prior to his election, Krishnamoorthi was on the board of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, served as special assistant attorney general in an anticorruption unit and was deputy state treasurer. He also was president of a small Chicago-area tech business. In Congress, Krishnamoorthi also serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability as a member of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs. He is a vice chair of the Equality Caucus, co-chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Immigration Task Force, and founder and chair of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus to End the Youth Vaping Epidemic and the bipartisan Solar Caucus. A report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), in collaboration with the McKinsey Health Institute (MHI), estimates that addressing key women-specific health challenges could unlock USD 400 billion in global GDP annually by 2040. The report, titled Blueprint to Close the Women's Health Gap: How to Improve Lives and Economies for All, revealed the transformative potential of closing the women's health gap. The research identifies nine critical health conditions--spanning lifespan and health span--that could reduce the global disease burden by 27 million disability-adjusted life years each year, adding 2.5 healthy days annually for every woman. These conditions include maternal hypertensive disorders, postpartum haemorrhage, ischemic heart disease, cervical cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, menopause, migraine, and premenstrual syndrome. As part of its initiative to bridge health disparities, the Forum has launched the Women's Health Impact Tracking (WHIT) platform. This publicly accessible tool is designed to monitor health inequities and promote scalable, data-driven solutions worldwide. The WHIT platform focuses on three underfunded conditions--menopause, premenstrual syndrome, and migraine--which alone present a USD 315 billion GDP opportunity. Shyam Bishen, Head of the Centre for Health and Healthcare and member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum, said, "Despite the opportunity to add 2.5 additional healthy days to women's lives, they are often overlooked due to a lack of sex-specific research - only 10 per cent of clinical trials for ischemic heart disease and migraine report such data." "It is time to count women, study women, care for women, invest in women and include all women," added Lucy Perez, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and Co-leader of the McKinsey Health Institute. The report also outlines a comprehensive blueprint for action, urging stakeholders to focus on five key areas: investing in better data collection, funding research into female-specific health concerns, tailoring clinical guidelines to women's needs, addressing disparities impacting marginalized groups, and mobilizing resources for innovative healthcare solutions. "Healthier women form the foundation of stronger families, productive workplaces and resilient economies, and yet profound gender gaps in research and scientific innovation continue to deny women the basic tools, treatments and services they need to remain healthy," said Anita Zaidi, Co-Chair of the Global Alliance for Women's Health and President of Gender Equality at the Gates Foundation. While 54 per cent of the women's health burden occurs in low- and middle-income countries, only 23 per cent of clinical trials focus on these regions. Addressing these imbalances could drastically reduce health disparities and unlock vast economic potential. (ANI) General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, takes part in an annual gathering with non-CPC personages ahead of the Spring Festival at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 20, 2025. The event was also attended by Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee. Both are also members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. [Photo/Xinhua] Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday extended festive greetings to people from non-CPC political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), personages without party affiliation, and other members of the united front ahead of the Spring Festival. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, sent the greetings when he took part in an annual gathering with non-CPC personages at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Jan. 29 this year. Reviewing the achievements of 2024, Xi said that China had overcome difficulties to forge ahead, accomplishing the year's major objectives and tasks for economic and social development. "We have guided all sectors at all levels to correctly grasp favorable conditions and handle unfavorable factors, maintained strategic resolve, and strengthened our confidence in victory," he said. Xi noted that China had effectively implemented various policies, introduced a package of incremental measures, and steadily promoted high-quality development. The economy has shown signs of recovery, achieving a 5-percent GDP growth, he added. A series of new breakthroughs have been made at the forefront of science and technology, significantly driving the development of new quality productive forces, Xi observed. He highlighted efforts in further comprehensively deepening reform, maintaining world peace and stability, promoting human development and progress, and improving Party and government conduct. Xi also emphasized the robust development of the cause of multiparty cooperation. Xi said China will implement more proactive and impactful macro policies, focus on high-quality development and promote greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology to maintain sound momentum for social and economic development in 2025. Xi called on non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC, and personages without party affiliation to focus on the central tasks, serve the overall interests of the country, and leverage their respective strengths to more broadly rally support, build consensus, and pool wisdom and strength. He stressed that efforts should be made in 2025 to successfully accomplish the targets set in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and lay a solid foundation for the next five years. Xi expressed the expectation that non-CPC personages will pool all positive elements to advance development, and actively contribute to further deepening reform comprehensively, promoting high-quality development and formulating the proposal on the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). He also emphasized focusing on critical and difficult problems when engaging in the supervision of the protection of the Yangtze River ecosystem. The ACFIC should guide the private sector to maintain their enthusiasm for entrepreneurship, bolster confidence in development, and establish and improve the modern corporate system with distinctive Chinese features, Xi said. The event was also attended by Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee. Both are also members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. New Delhi [India], January 21: The grand launch of Khwaish was a star-studded event attended by prominent personalities like Bollywood producer Mushtaq Nadiadwala, Director Karan Razdan & several Bollywood Celebs. Khwaish Directed by Karen Kshiti Suvarna & Produced by Honey Chaudhary under his production House Films Max ,known for producing South Indian & Bollywood films & Satish Poojari , Audiolab Media Corporation, Mumbai's prominent film Production & Post production Studio, along with Sandeep Prasad, and Kailash Singh Yadav playing a pivotal role as producers in bringing this project to life. Khwaish boasts a talented team. The music video features actors Ricky Rudra who hails from Lucknow and has featured in several Cameos along with Pooja Janardhan, known for her South Indian films whose performances add depth to the emotional storyline. The cinematography, helmed by Anil Kumar K, captures the breathtaking locations of Rishikesh, Dehradun, and Meerut, enhancing the visual appeal of the song. The soulful track is composed by music director Dharmender Bhadouriya, with heartfelt lyrics penned by Sandeep Prasad. Speaking about the project, director Karen Kshiti Suvarna shared her excitement: "This song blends a fresh lyrical take with an Indian essence, which was intentional during the scripting process. The serene settings amplify its emotional depth. I'm confident Khwaish will resonate deeply with listeners and become the breakup anthem of 2025." Released under the Audiolab Music banner, the project marks a successful collaboration between the production team and the label. "Audiolab Music appreciated our work and believed in the track's potential. It was a rewarding experience working with them," Karen said.Captivating visuals, and a talented team behind the scenes, Khwaish is more than just a song--it will be the break up anthem of 2025. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], January 21: The National Conference on Mission Viksit Bharat 1947 To 2047 was organized by the All India Business & Community Foundation (AIBCF) on Thursday, 16th January, at the prestigious Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi, Delhi, aimed to foster the growth and recognition of small and medium-sized businesses, start-ups, individuals, and corporations across India. The occasion was graced by distinguished international guests including H.E. Ms. Jacqueline Mukangira, High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda to India, H.E. Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda, High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda to India, and Jules Debrailly, Trade Counsellor Embassy of France, adding to the event's global significance. Other guests of honours included Shri Surendra Nath Tripathi, Retd. IAS, Director General, Indian Institute of Public Administration, Dr. Manoj Garg, Retd. IAS, Hon. President - All India Business Community Foundation, Shri Amod Kumar Kanth, Retd. IPS, Founder & General Secretary, Prayas JAC Society, and Air Marshal VPS Rana PVSM, VSM (Retd.). The gathering attracted huge participation from several business leaders, CSR professionals, and numerous industry experts from across India. More than 200 delegates attended the event from various countries. The summit, powered by Tata Steel, commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by a warm welcome speech of Dr. Manoj Garg, Retd. IAS, Hon. President - All India Business Community Foundation. Following him, Shri Surendra Nath Tripathi, Retd. IAS, Director General, Indian Institute of Public Administration, Shri Amod Kumar Kanth, Retd. IPS, Founder & General Secretary, Prayas JAC Society and Air Marshal VPS Rana PVSM, in their address to the gathering, highlighted the immense power harnessed when government and society at large join hands to work in convergence. The event progressed with an engaging panel discussion on the theme 'Fostering Collective Action: Multi-Sector Collaboration for Promoting Ethics and Responsible Business Practices,' moderated by Dr. Somnath Singh, Deputy Director, UN Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI). During the course of the event, several Summit partners also showcased their corporate presentations bringing their projects to life on screen. The summit recognized several individual professionals and business leaders in the respective fields with Business and Community Awards. A few of the award winners in the summit were: * Shreyas Sathe, CEO, Hybrid AdTech Pvt. Ltd. (India)* Sadhasivam Mohanadas, Enterprise Architect Principal, Elevance Health Inc. (USA) * Agrani Punj, Head of International Business, Supervac Industries LLP (India)* Arnab Dey, Vice President, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (USA)* Naresh Babu Kilaru, Lead Observability Engineer, LexisNexis (India)* Pradeep Dwivedi, CEO, Nutrelis Agro Foods (India) And some of the prominent organizations were honoured with AIBCF CSR and Sustainability Awards for their CSR projects. These included prominent organizations such as Central Coalfields Limited, Panasonic Life Solutions India, Billion Hearts Beating Foundation, Haldia Energy Limited, Mobility India, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Bina Refinery (BR), and various others. Concluding the event, in the vote of thanks Prashant Das, Secretary - All India Business & Community Foundation acknowledged the contributions of all stakeholders and the sponsors - Tata Steel, SBI, REC, NTPC, NHPC, Canara Bank, Powergrid, National Insurance Company, Bank of India, Indian Oil, PNB, Oil India, LIC, ONGC, PSB, RCF etc. Prashant also reiterated dignitaries' agreement on the foundational vision of the summit. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], January 21: In a spectacular showcase of traditional premium menswear - Tasva x Tarun Tahiliani in collaboration with Aditya Birla Fashion Retail Ltd. Showcase their big wedding collection for 2025 in Bangalore with a grand event at the iconic UB City. The grand event took place on Saturday, 18th January at UB City in Bangalore. The evening was graced by ace designer Tarun Tahiliani along with Bangalore's favourite names Masterchef Harish Closepet, Rida Thara, Shinesh Shetty and Karthi Mahesh who walked the ramp. The event was attended by an elite audience of HNIs, influencers, and fashion connoisseurs, for an unforgettable evening of style, artistry, and innovation. Tasva presented a thoughtfully curated collection this season that redefined modern menswear while honoring timeless artistry. Each piece was crafted to tell a story, featuring intricate motifs that celebrated heritage alongside modern silhouettes that exuded confidence and flair. This collection aimed to provide a versatile wardrobe for the modern groom, seamlessly transitioning from traditional ceremonies to contemporary celebrations. Inspired by the Tree of Life, the intricate elegance of Lipan Art, the fluidity of Paisleys, and the evocative Art of Light, this collection was a visual symphony blending heritage with contemporary innovation. The designs featured a harmonious interplay of floral, fluid, and geometric artworks, creating a narrative that felt both rooted in tradition and distinctly modern. Signature Indian embroidery techniques such as Aari work, Zardozi, and mirror work enhanced each piece with intricate detailing. Additionally, applique, pearl embellishments, and 3D elements added depth and texture, ensuring a captivating look from every angle. The color palette was both versatile and impactful. Soft pastels like ivory, lilac, salmon, and jade set a refined tone for daytime events, while deeper jewel tones and vibrant pops of color infused energy into cocktail hours and mehndi celebrations. Each hue complemented the groom's personal style while elevating the overall wedding aesthetic. Modern silhouettes were a contemporary reimagining of classic menswear, combining traditional roots with fresh aesthetics. Classic sherwanis featured asymmetrical details and sharp tailoring, while sleek dinner jackets and Indo-Western styles introduced sophistication and versatility. Each garment captured a narrative of individuality and artistic heritage. "Today's groom is rewriting the rules of wedding fashion, embracing tradition while asserting his individuality. At Tasva, we craft pieces that seamlessly blend age-old craftsmanship with contemporary silhouettes and unmatched comfort, ensuring that every outfit feels as remarkable as it looks. Bangalore, a city where modernity meets deep cultural roots, resonates with this ethos perfectly. It's a market that appreciates the finer details while embracing innovation, making it the ideal canvas for our vision of reimagined occasion wear."says Tarun Tahiliani, Chief Design Officer, Tasva. "Tasva has always stood for making sophisticated Indian wear accessible to the modern man, and Bangalore is a key part of that journey. The city's vibrant culture and stylish audience make it an essential market for us. Since opening our very first store in Malleshwaram, Bangalore, now we have an impressive network of 7 stores including our two new flagship stores in Indiranagar and HSR Layout." added Ashish Mukul, Brand Head, Tasva. The event at UB City, Bangalore, was a resounding success, celebrating modern Indian fashion with a captivating display that proved to be as inspiring as it was unforgettable. About Tasva Tasva, a wedding and occasion wear brand for the modern Indian man, is a brand launched by ABFRL in collaboration with ace couturier Tarun Tahiliani. Tasva is dedicated to offering classy and comfortable Indian wear. With a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and contemporary style, Tasva is redefining Indian wear for the modern man. The brand offers an extensive range of kurtas, kurta bundi sets, sherwanis, Indo-western outfits, footwear, and accessories. The brand's exquisite products are available at exclusive Tasva stores across India and online at www.Tasva.com About Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited ABFRL is part of a leading Indian conglomerate, The Aditya Birla Group. With revenue of Rs. 13,996 Cr. spanning retail space of 11.9 million sq. ft. (as of March 31, 2024), it is India's first billion-dollar pure-play fashion powerhouse with an elegant bouquet of leading fashion brands and retail formats. The Company has a network of 4,664 stores across approximately 37,205 multi-brand outlets with 9,563 points of sales in department stores across India (as of 31st March 2024). It has a repertoire of India's largest brands in Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, and Peter England, established over 25 years. Pantaloons is one of India's leading fashion retailers. The company's international Brands portfolio includes - The Collective, Amongst India's largest multi-brand retailers of international brands, and has long-term exclusive partnerships with select brands such as Ralph Lauren, Hackett London, Ted Baker, Fred Perry, Forever 21, American Eagle, Reebok, Simon Carter, and Galeries Lafayette. The Company's foray into the branded ethnic wear business includes brands such as Jaypore, Tasva & Marigold Lane. The company has strategic partnerships with Designers 'Shantanu & Nikhil', 'Tarun Tahiliani', 'Sabyasachi' and 'House of Masaba'. In addition, to cater to the needs of digitally native consumers, ABFRL is building a portfolio of Digital-first brands under its technology-led 'House of D2C Brands' venture TMRW. TMRW is on a path to building a portfolio of Digital First brands in partnership with founders of emerging brands in the E-Commerce market. The Company in Sept 2023 completed the acquisition of 51% stake in TCNS Clothing Co. Ltd. TCNS is India's leading women's branded ethnic apparel company that designs, markets, and retails a portfolio of women's branded apparel across brands W, Aurelia, Wishful, Elleven & Folksong. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 21: The third day of the 32nd Property and Home Finance Expo, "Mall of Homes," organized by CREDAI-MCHI, witnessed an inspiring turnout during the much-anticipated "Pink Day." It began on an inspiring note with the visit of Pratap Sarnaik, Minister of Transport, Maharashtra. Over 58,000 visitors attended the event in three days, and 18 properties were booked in just 10 minutes, reflecting the transformation in real estate, making home bookings faster and more seamless. MICL alone achieved a business of Rs58 crore, while SBI Bank recorded transactions worth Rs224 crore, showcasing the Expo's success and its significant contribution to the real estate and financial sectors. Sujata Saunik, Chief Secretary of the Government of Maharashtra, delivered a keynote address digitally, emphasizing the need to challenge deep-rooted gender biases in real estate. She highlighted, "Reclaiming what's rightfully hers speaks to the core of a vision I deeply hold--a vision where every woman, regardless of her background or circumstances, is empowered to take ownership of her life and her future. Homeownership is not just about bricks and mortar; it is about safety, freedom, and a foundation for dreams to flourish. I urge policymakers, leaders, and developers to place women at the center of their plans and projects, ensuring that inclusive housing becomes a reality." Speaking at the expo, Domnic Romell, President, CREDAI-MCHI mentioned, "Women make up half of our population, yet in Maharashtra, their homeownership rate is less than 2%. At CREDAI-MCHI, we are taking bold steps to change this narrative with initiatives like the Rs2 lakh special offer for women buyers, aimed at empowering them to take the leap into homeownership. Women have always been the catalysts for progress, and we believe this is the time to recognize their rightful place in shaping the real estate sector." Keval Valambia, COO, CREDAI-MCHI said, "The figure of 1.89% homeownership among women in Maharashtra is not just a statistic; it's an alarm bell. It reflects deep-seated barriers and societal norms that have sidelined women in real estate. At CREDAI-MCHI, we are committed to changing this through initiatives like Pink Day and special reservations for women buyers. This is more than an event--it's a movement to ensure women's rightful place as decision-makers and leaders in the housing sector." Nikunj Sanghavi, Convener of the Expo and Treasurer of CREDAI-MCHI, shared, "Pink Day is a testament to the transformative power of inclusivity in real estate. By empowering women through homeownership, we are not just selling homes but building a future rooted in equality and progress." Renowned luxury interior designers Neeta Sarda, Deval Ambani, and Lopa Sanghvi took the stage to share their transformative visions for high-end interiors, showcasing women's pivotal role in revolutionizing design. Their insights offered a glimpse into the future of personalized and immersive spaces, inspiring attendees to reimagine luxury living. The session "Women Leading the Way: Entrepreneurial Pathways" saw dynamic leaders like Sheetal Bhilkar, Founder/Director, UBSC; Ayushi Ashar, Director, Ashar Group; Priyaa Gurnani, MD, Moraj Group; Rajila Jain, AVP, Cannon Design; Reshma Girish Patil, Head of the Data Centre Business, Burns & McDonnell Engineering India Pvt. Ltd. and Menaka Deorah, Founder Lamere Life, Maeka Waters discussing strategies to drive inclusivity and sustainability in the real estate sector. Their stories of success underlined the importance of female leadership in shaping a progressive and equitable industry. An inspiring segment featured Vanita Borade, India's first female snake rescuer, and Harshini Kanhekar, the country's first female firefighter, who shared their groundbreaking journeys. Their narratives not only broke stereotypes but also championed the potential of women to thrive in traditionally male-dominated fields. A forward-thinking discussion, "Breaking the Binary," addressed the pressing need for inclusivity in housing for the LGBTQIA+ community. Sarah Shabbir Suwasrawala, Program Coordinator, Urja Trust; Sachin Jain, G.H.A.R (Gay Housing Assistance Resource) and Aanchal Narang, Another Light Counselling led the dialogue, emphasizing the importance of designing urban spaces that cater to all. Zarna Alkanti, a prominent news anchor, highlighted the media's crucial role in shaping narratives that empower marginalized groups and elevate the discourse around inclusivity. The dialogue highlighted the need for urban spaces to be designed as truly inclusive environments, where everyone--regardless of gender identity--feels safe and respected. Discussion emphasized the importance of addressing issues such as discriminatory practices that prevent same-sex couples from jointly purchasing homes or applying for home loans together due to the lack of legal recognition. The need for sensitization among brokers, landlords, and housing societies was underscored as a crucial step toward breaking barriers in the real estate sector. CREDAI-MCHI also showcased examples of impactful initiatives, such as Gay Housing Assistance Resource (GHAR), which serves as a community-led platform to connect LGBTQIA+ individuals with housing opportunities. Attendees called for greater efforts to establish temporary shelter homes and support structures for vulnerable groups, particularly transgender individuals, emphasizing the importance of inclusive policies to foster a sense of belonging. ABOUT CREDAI-MCHI CREDAI-MCHI is an apex body comprising members from the Real Estate Industry in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). With an impressive membership of over 1800+ leading developers in MMR, CREDAI-MCHI has extended its reach throughout the region, establishing units in various locations such as Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, Mira-Virar, Raigad, Navi Mumbai, Palghar-Boisar, Bhiwandi, Uran-Dronagiri, Shahapur-Murbad, and most recently in Alibag, Karjat-Khalapur-Khopoli, and Pen. Being the only Government-recognized body for private sector developers in MMR, CREDAI-MCHI is dedicated to promoting the industry's organization and progress. As a part of CREDAI National, an apex body of 13000 developers across the nation, CREDAI-MCHI has emerged as a preferred platform for regional discussions on housing and habitat by establishing close and strong ties with the government. It is committed to breaking barriers to create a strong, organized, and progressive real estate sector in the MMR.The vision of CREDAI-MCHI is to empower the Real Estate fraternity of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region as it preserves, protects, and advances the right to housing for all. To continue being a trusted ally, guiding their members, supporting the Government on policy advocacy, and assisting those they serve through the ever-evolving real estate fraternity. Website: https://mchi.net/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], January 21: IEL Limited (formerly Indian Extractions Limited) (BSE: 524614, Symbol - INDXTRA) has announced the opening of its rights issue on February 4, 2025, closing on February 21, 2025. The record date for the rights issue was January 17, 2025. The rights issue entails the offer of 10,01,28,990 equity shares at a price of Rs4.45 per share, aggregating to a total issue size of Rs44.56 Crores. Eligible shareholders will be entitled to 3 rights shares for every 1 fully-paid equity share held on the record date (entitlement ratio: 3:1). About IEL Limited Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, IEL Limited is a prominent player in chemical trading, commodity export, and marketing support services. Over the years, the company has diversified its business portfolio to include the warehousing and logistics sector, signifying a transformative shift in its growth strategy. With a market capitalization of Rs22.7 Crores as of January 2025, IEL Limited has demonstrated resilience in the competitive marketplace. The company recorded a profit of Rs0.13 Crores on a total income of Rs0.22 Crores for the year ending September 2024, reflecting its commitment to overcoming challenges and pursuing growth opportunities. Objects of the Issue The proceeds from the rights issue will be utilized for the following objectives: 1. Acquisition of land for warehouse construction. 2. Financing the construction of warehouses. 3. General corporate purposes. 4. Meeting issue-related expenses. Strategic Diversification IEL Limited has recently acquired approximately 29,598.89 square meters of land in Village Neeva, Sarojini Nagar, District Lucknow, at a cost of Rs11.80 Crores, marking the initiation of its warehousing and logistics ventures. This initiative aligns with the company's broader vision to establish a significant presence in India's growing warehousing and logistics sector. The company's diversification includes the construction of state-of-the-art storage facilities such as warehouses, cold storage units, and godowns, equipped with advanced technology to streamline logistics and distribution. Market Outlook India's warehousing and logistics sector is expected to grow to $215 billion by 2026, creating vast opportunities for infrastructure development and efficient supply chain management. IEL Limited is poised to leverage this growth and contribute to strengthening India's logistics landscape. Leadership's Perspective "Our diversification into warehousing and logistics reflects our commitment to meeting market demands and supporting India's infrastructure development. The Lucknow project is the first of many milestones in our journey to becoming a key player in this sector," stated the company's leadership. About IEL Limited Listed on the BSE, IEL Limited boasts a rich legacy in manufacturing, exporting, and trading chemicals and commodities. As it ventures into the warehousing and logistics sector, IEL is set to redefine its position as a multi-faceted enterprise contributing to India's economic growth. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) reaffirmed its commitment to India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative by localizing over 1,200 key components and launching locally assembled EV battery packs at its state-of-the-art plant in Chennai. The company's indigenization efforts have resulted in a remarkable 92 per cent localization in manufacturing, marking a significant step toward reducing reliance on imports while bolstering the domestic automotive ecosystem. HMIL's Localization Team, working with more than 194 vendors, currently sources over 1,238 parts, contributing to substantial foreign exchange savings of over USD 672 million (Rs 5,678 crore) since 2019. The company's continued focus on localization is a testament to its alignment with the Indian government's 'Make-in-India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' campaigns, aimed at fostering self-reliance and technological prowess in the automotive sector. One of the standout developments is the establishment of a cutting-edge battery-pack assembly plant, set up in collaboration with Mobis India Limited within HMIL's Chennai manufacturing facility. The plant, which boasts an annual assembly capacity of 75,000 battery packs in its first phase, is pivotal for enhancing the supply chain for Hyundai's electric vehicles (EVs) produced in India. The Hyundai CRETA Electric, which becomes the first model to feature locally assembled battery packs, is a significant milestone in the company's localization and electric vehicle roadmap. The move not only optimizes battery costs but also ensures a reliable and steady supply of battery packs for Hyundai's expanding portfolio of EVs manufactured in India. Gopalakrishnan Chathapuram Sivaramakrishnan, Whole-time Director and Chief Manufacturing Officer of HMIL, expressed, "HMIL's indigenization efforts are deeply in sync with Government of India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make-in-India' initiatives, and our localization strategy strives to constantly leverage India's rich resources, skilled workforce and advanced engineering prowess, to develop world-class technology domestically." He added, "Commissioning of the HMIL and Mobis India Limited's battery-pack assembly plant is a key milestone in our localization and EV roadmap. The Hyundai CRETA Electric becomes the first Hyundai EV manufactured in India to come equipped with battery-packs assembled at this very plant, making it a true game-changer." In addition to the new EV battery assembly plant, HMIL's localization efforts have successfully brought essential high-tech components, such as the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), panoramic sunroof, oil coolers, and NOX sensors, into the local manufacturing fold for the first time in India. As HMIL looks to further deepen its commitment to an indigenized supply chain, the company plans to expand its efforts at its upcoming manufacturing facility in Talegaon, Maharashtra, reinforcing the goal of driving more self-reliance in the Indian automotive sector. HMIL's concerted push for localization not only contributes to the government's vision for a self-sustained economy but also creates substantial employment opportunities, with over 1,400 people directly employed through its indigenization strategy. (ANI) Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, revealed that India would achieve 20 per cent biofuel blending by next month, well ahead of the original 2030 target, which was later advanced to 2025, at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) 3rd International Symposium for Thriving Eco-Energy in Mobility. Speaking at the event, the minister Puri said, "Our target was to achieve 20 per cent blending by 2030, we postponed the target to 2025 and now we will probably do 20 per cent blending of biofuel by next month." Highlighting India's current energy consumption of 5.4 million barrels of crude oil daily, Puri stressed the critical need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. He stated, "One thing that we can say with confidence is that our journey to become the fifth largest economy, and if figures that are in the public domain are to be believed, we will be the fourth largest economy very soon and thereafter, to move up the economic activity ladder, we will continue to require energy, and we will require all forms of energy." He pointed out that 67 million people who visit petrol pumps daily are already benefiting from biofuel-blended fuel. "As our economy grows, our energy requirements are also set to rise. Therefore it is absolutely essential that we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Over the past decade, the ethanol branding program has saved approximately US dollars, 14. 5 billion in foreign exchange, and reduced CO2 emission by 57.8 million metric tons," Puri stated. India's energy transition strategy includes a mix of compressed biogas, natural gas, compressed natural gas (CNG), and electric vehicles (EVs). The minister emphasized that the country's journey to becoming the world's fourth-largest economy would rely heavily on diversified and sustainable energy solutions. "Our journey to become the fifth-largest economy, and if figures in the public domain are to be believed, the fourth-largest very soon, will require all forms of energy. We welcome recent global developments, including the lifting of oil drilling bans by the US, which will further boost our energy imports from the region," he added. The automobile industry, Puri noted, has played a pivotal role in India's economic growth, creating approximately 45 million jobs and revolutionizing mobility and connectivity nationwide. "The automobile industry has also generated around 45 million jobs and has transformed mobility and connectivity across the country," Puri remarked. Puri also welcomed recent announcements by the US to lift bans on oil drilling, highlighting the potential for increased energy imports from the region. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation to meet India's growing energy demands. He emphasised, "India's energy import from the US will rise after US President Trump's decision. India welcomes Trump's announcement of lifting the ban on oil drilling." (ANI) Rajan Bharti Mittal, Vice Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, on Tuesday that its satellite telecom service is ready for rollout in India, and they were now waiting for the centre's greenlight. "In India, we are waiting for, as you know, the spectrum allocation to be done. Both our stations are ready, one in Gujarat and one in Tamil Nadu. The base stations are ready. So as soon as we get permission, we will be launching in India as well," Rajan Bharti Mittal told ANI in an interview with the World Economic Forum. Bharti Enterprises has already launched 635 satellites and is providing services in other parts of the world, he said. On the debate around spectrum allocation through administrative process or through auction, he reiterated Bharti Airtel's stance, stating satellite companies should be required to pay licensing fees and acquire spectrum through auctions, just as traditional telecom operators do. "We are all saying it should be a level playing field. The unconnected areas where the terrestrial networks cannot go, this is a great provider of services especially for broadband. So it must be kept in mind that the Satcom services which are being given in far-flung areas and also in maritime or defense or other areas, that should have a different kind of a playing field," he added He said "we are waiting for the recommendations to come through" from the government. The Akash Ambani-led Reliance Jio had also pitched for satellite companies to pay license fee and buy spectrum for their telecom services just like legacy telecom companies do. Elon Musk's Starlink and global peers like Amazon's Project Kuiper wants an administrative allocation of spectrum for satellite services. On the pricing front for such satellite-based telecom services, he said Satcom will be able to deliver at far-flung areas at a "decent price". "I think we strongly believe the terrestrial networks in India are very robust with 4G and 5G now in place. I don't think so that the satellite is needed for the urban areas, it is really for the far flung areas, and that's where the talk of administrative price has been kept in mind that the pricing should not be that high but in terrestrial they should ally with the terrestrial networks that's happening also in other parts of the world and I'm sure we'll be in the price points being in India what they are. we'll be able to deliver at far flung areas at a decent price," he argued. On the much-discussed work-life balance matter that sparked widespread over the past few weeks among the working-class Indians, Mittal said his company's view is that one should be providing qualitative work output and not quantitative work output. "At Airtel and at the Bharti Enterprise, everybody that comes as the owner, you know, owns the brand, works when it's, when it's desired," he added. "Family is important, your health is important, yes so that's from saying you have to balance it out there is there's no saying anything different on that but I just say the qualitative output is important," Mittal continued. (ANI) Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Tuesday hosted a special session on Swarna Andhra@2047 at WEF Davos, bringing together thought leaders to discuss Andhra Pradesh's transformative growth vision, a release added. Speaking at the session, N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, highlighted India's evolution as a global economic powerhouse. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, "In the early 90s, when the internet was invented, India launched economic reforms in 1991. From then onwards, we started working on second-generation reforms. Today, Indian entrepreneurs, especially those from Andhra Pradesh, are making their mark globally. We have the first-mover advantage in technology, demographic dividend, and entrepreneurial skills. We are also one of the most acceptable communities globally." He added, "By 2047, India will be the number one or number two economy globally, and Indians will lead in creating wealth and serving the global community. Recent assessments also project that by 2027, India will contribute the most to the incremental global GDP." N Chandrasekaran, Executive Chairman, Tata Sons and Co-Chair, Task Force on Economic Development for Swarna Andhra Pradesh @ 2047 elaborated on the Swarna Andhra Pradesh plan, stating, "This 2047 plan focuses on developing Andhra Pradesh through the Government's 4P model - public, private, people, partnerships. The plan will include multiple components, with a specific focus on certain sectors to drive economic growth and job creation." The release added that during the session, the CII Centre for Global Leadership on Competitiveness (GLC) was announced, and a brochure on the same was launched by the Hon'ble Chief Minister. Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, said, "The enduring partnership between CII and the Government of Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, is a matter of immense pride for us. Moving forward, we are privileged to work with the State Government to establish the Global Leadership Centre (GLC) in Amaravati. This transformative initiative aims to foster value-based leadership, enhance corporate governance, and nurture global leadership competencies." The CII Centre for Global Leadership on Competitiveness, which would be completely industry led, and industry managed, will have a clear focus on enhancing the competitiveness of industries, both at the national level and within Andhra Pradesh. The session also witnessed an Exchange of Letter of Intent between CII and the IMD Business School, Switzerland - the first such agreement with an international institution for the Centre for Global Leadership on Competitiveness. The discussions transitioned into the session on "Pathway to India's Green Industrialisation: From Green Hydrogen to Green Manufacturing," organised by CII in association with Ernst & Young. The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu, reiterated Andhra Pradesh's commitment to becoming a hub for green energy and green hydrogen, emphasizing the state's focus on sustainable energy and green manufacturing. Rajiv Memani, President Designate, CII, and Chairman and CEO, EY India and Chair - EY Growth Markets Council, underlined the criticality of green energy for India's growth aspirations. He stated, "If India has to achieve its growth aspirations by 2047 and increase per capita income by 5 or 6 times, the country's total energy consumption would need to reach 370 billion gigajoules. Today, India imports 40 per cent of its energy. For India, green energy is not only a necessity but a critical enabler of our growth ambitions." The sessions were also addressed by Sajjan Jindal, Chairman, JSW Group; Dr David Bach, President, IMD Business School, Switzerland; G B S Raju, Business Chairman - Airports, GMR Group; Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty, Chief Executive and Managing Director, Greenko Group; Hans-Olav Raen, Chief Executive Officer, Yara Clean Ammonia. (ANI) PNN New Delhi [India], January 21: Ads2Publish.com, India's leading online newspaper advertisement booking platform, has achieved a remarkable milestone. Having served over 200,000 customers and booking more than 1 million newspaper advertisements, Ads2Publish has solidified its position as a pioneer in simplifying newspaper ad booking across the country. A Journey from Complexity to Simplicity When Ads2Publish was established during the early days of the Internet, booking newspaper ads was a time-consuming and cumbersome task. 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ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday presided over a symposium to hear opinions and suggestions on a draft government work report. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, listened to suggestions from experts, entrepreneurs and representatives of sectors such as education, science, culture, health and sports. China achieved progress in various sectors last year, and those achievements were hard won, according to representatives at the symposium. They offered suggestions on addressing the current challenges in development and ensuring government work in 2025. China still faces many difficulties and challenges in its development, particularly with increasing uncertainty and instability in the external environment, Li said, emphasizing the importance of understanding situations accurately and becoming adept at turning crises into opportunities. Li said that China has comprehensive strengths in such areas as institutions, the market, industry and talent, and that its overall trend of long-term economic improvement remains unchanged and will not change. Efforts should be made to adopt a more proactive fiscal policy and a moderately loose monetary policy, monitor the development of domestic and international situations closely, adjust policy measures in a timely manner, and fine-tune the country's policy toolbox, Li said. He also called for further deepened reform, expanded opening-up, the promotion of a transition from old to new growth drivers through scientific and technological innovation, and intensified efforts to secure and improve people's livelihoods. Li noted his expectation that those in attendance would work hard in their respective fields, actively report on social conditions and public opinion, and devise more policy recommendations. The draft work report has also been distributed to various government departments for suggestions. Rakesh Gupta, UK-based venture capitalist and Chairman of SayeNvest Group, on Tuesday said it has plans to set aside USD 1 billion fund for India, to be invested in the next 12-18 months. SayeNvest Group is a British conglomerate headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The group was founded and led by Rakeshh Gupta, chairman and chief executive officer, along with Sandhya Gupta as co-founder and co-chair. The group provides consulting and advisory services across sectors. Talking to ANI on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, Gupta said he looks forward to investing in mobility (which is largely the electric vehicles), besides other tech related investments. "So anything which has got to do with tech, we would be happy to jump into and we would be happy to invest all across India," Rakesh Gupta said. In the same breath, he said he would eye investments in media, healthtech, edutech, medtech, among others. "I've also personally invested in a few tech company in the US. We are now looking to India. We have shortlisted some eight projects in Bangalore, Bombay, Kokata." Gupta was recently in India as a part of the British Trade and Investment delegation to invest in tech-related businesses. "We have identified some opportunities and we are looking forward to invest there," he doubled down on his investment promises in India. "The fund, the total fund size of a billion dollar would be available in 18 months maximum. But we look forward to starting up in next three to six months maximum," he said. Asked what kind of perception India is having on the global stage, he said it has changed very much and went on to back his argument. "I'm not getting into politics side but what I'm looking is that what is the what is the message that global investor is looking is he's looking at two things one is the established leadership and one is the continuation of economic policies," he said, apparently referring to India's leadership. Also, he added that with the new US President and the bonhomie between both (Trump and Modi) is going to help both the countries. "It is one of the reasons why we moved from our fund from Singapore to Gift City. Because Americans are now happy with the Gift City and what we are doing. So we look forward to seeing this fund growing and building a lot in India," he said. In a quick follow up, he was asked will aggressive tariff by the US restrict investment into India, he said yes up to a point, but noted the partnership between India and the US will limit the downside. "Every country is now talking about country first, which is a good policy. You know, it is incidental that in India, when you say India first, everybody looks at you and says, all those political scum. But in the US, when you really see, when he has talked about US first, he's driving hard, the tariff is going to be the big. And honestly, be it India or US or China, trade balance is a must. So it will impact up to a point, but I believe the walk the talk between both the leaders are so good and that it would not impact largely," he argued. Earlier, US President Donald Trump reiterated his threat towards the BRICS nations on Monday (local time), stating that countries that are part of this organisation would face 100 per cent tariffs on trade with the US if they continue their de-dollarization efforts. Also, President Donald Trump has announced establishing an External Revenue Service to "tariff and tax foreign countries" instead of taxing US citizens. (ANI) Maharashtra, on the first day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, has signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) worth over Rs 4.99 lakh crore. This substantial investment promises to create over 92,000 jobs across multiple sectors, including defense, renewable energy, steel, infrastructure, and more. The largest deal announced was with the JSW Group, which will invest a staggering Rs 3 lakh crore in areas such as steel, renewable energy, cement, infrastructure, and electric vehicles (EVs). This partnership is set to generate 10,000 jobs in Maharashtra, specifically in Nagpur and Gadchiroli. Chief Minister Fadnavis thanked Sajjan Jindal, Chairman of JSW, for his commitment to Maharashtra's growth. In another groundbreaking move, the state secured its first-ever agreement for Gadchiroli, a district that has traditionally seen less industrial development. The Kalyani Group will invest Rs 5,200 crore in defence, steel, and EV sectors, creating 4,000 jobs. This marks a crucial step towards balancing economic growth across the state, with Gadchiroli being the first district to benefit from such a high-profile deal. In total, a series of major investments were secured across various industries. Reliance Infrastructure committed Rs 16,500 crore to the defence sector in Ratnagiri, while Balasore Alloys Ltd. and Viraj Profiles Pvt. Ltd. will invest Rs 17,000 crore and Rs 12,000 crore respectively in steel and metals, creating thousands of jobs. Notably, the food and beverages sector also saw significant investments, with AB InBev committing Rs 750 crore for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Bisleri International pledging Rs 250 crore for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), generating hundreds of new jobs. The agreements span diverse fields including green energy, electronics, logistics, and IT. Among them is a Rs 30,000 crore investment from Wari Energy in solar devices, which will create 7,500 jobs in Nagpur. Another key deal involves Blackstone, which will invest Rs 25,000 crore in IT infrastructure across MMR, generating 1,000 jobs. Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis emphasised that the state's commitment to "Ease of Doing Business" has been a critical factor in attracting such substantial investments. "There are long queues of investors outside. We are making the process fast, easy, and investor-friendly," he stated. Speaking to ANI, Fadnavis said, "We have signed an MoU with JSW worth Rs 3 lakh crore. It is a different portfolio. It includes EV, solar manufacturing and steel. Our diverse portfolio with JSW is very significant today...We had very good MoUs today. The speciality of MoUs is that they are from almost all fields and they are in various sectors of Maharashtra, various areas of divisions of Maharashtra. We had very good interaction with all the industries and they are very keen to invest in Maharashtra. We are getting investments in manufacturing, IT sector...". Notably, the state also secured an agreement with Fuel (Friends Union for Energizing Lives) to train 5,000 youths in Maharashtra in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Marketing, and Business Analytics. Fuel also expressed interest in establishing the Fuel Skilltech University in Pune. (ANI) Assam Minister Ashok Singhal hosted an Investors' Roadshow in Bengaluru on Tuesday, ahead of the showpiece Advantage Assam investment summit to be held in February. Organized as a precursor to the highly anticipated "Advantage Assam 2.0: Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025," scheduled for 25th and 26th February in Guwahati, the event served as a platform to showcase Assam's immense economic potential to industry leaders and investors. Addressing the gathering of over 200 investors, business leaders, policymakers and industry experts, Minister Singhal highlighted Assam's strategic location as India's gateway to South and Southeast Asia, with the ability to reach 30 per cent of the global population within a 3-4 hour flight. He described Assam as an emerging powerhouse of economic growth, underpinned by a robust GSDP growth trajectory from USD 29 billion in 2013-14 to USD 68.7 billion in 2023-24, with projections to touch USD 85.8 billion in the upcoming year. Minister Singhal underscored Assam's vision for growth, driven by transformative investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, renewable energy, and human resource development. Several marquee projects were spotlighted, including India's first International Multi-Modal Logistics Park in Jogighopa under the Bharatmala program, the Dhubri-Phulbari bridge reducing Bhutan-Bangladesh travel time, Tata OSAT's Rs 27,000 crore semiconductor project and elevated corridors in Kaziranga National Park. Additionally, the Minister emphasized Assam's forward-looking policies in green energy and emerging technologies, including initiatives in Green Hydrogen and Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM). Sectors like aerospace, defense, food processing and IT were presented as key areas for investment, along with the state's commitment to sustainable tourism, backed by its natural heritage, seven national parks and three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As part of the announcements, Singhal revealed that the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit will be held on February 25-26, 2025, in Guwahati. He shared that the summit will be preceded by a grand Jhumoir dance performance featuring over 8,000 youth on February 24. The event will be graced by the Prime Minister of India and will bring together a distinguished lineup of Union Ministers and industry leaders from India and abroad. "I cordially invite you to explore the boundless opportunities Assam has to offer," said Singhal. "Our government is committed to providing unparalleled support and fostering a collaborative environment for businesses and investors." Minister Singhal concluded by emphasizing Assam's pivotal role as a gateway to Southeast Asia, envisioning the state as a vital hub for integrated and efficient supply chains in South and Southeast Asia. "Let us come together to unlock the potential of Assam and create a shared future of prosperity and innovation," he added. During the interactive Q&A session, Minister Singhal addressed queries from investors about Assam's investment policies, incentives and ease of doing business, fostering confidence and enthusiasm among attendees. This was followed by prefixed B2G (Business-to-Government) meetings, where business leaders appreciated the Government of Assam's proactive approach and expressed a keen interest in exploring investment opportunities across diverse sectors. Many also confirmed their participation in Advantage Assam 2.0 and expressed optimism about contributing to Assam's economic growth. (ANI) US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump shared their first dance at the Commander-in-Chief Ball today. After a thunderous ovation by their supporters, the couple was joined by the US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance for the dance. The show-stealing dance of the couple at the inaugural event came after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States during the 60th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Monday (local time). For the Commander-in-Cheif-Ball event, Trump donned a black blazer and a bow tie paired with a white shirt and pants. Melania Trump looked gorgeous in a white and black dress. President Trump entered the Commander-in-Chief ball event with first lady Melania Trump to a thunderous ovation. Before sharing their first dance post the sworn-in ceremony of Trump, the couple waved at their supporters who were sitting in front of them As a gentleman, President Donald Trump took the hand of his wife Melania and started dancing with her. The duo was seen talking and smiling throughout their dance performance. After a while, President Trump and his wife Melania were joined by Vice-President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance. The Second Lady wore a beautiful blue dress for the event. The Commander-in-Chief-Ball is a part of Trump's inauguration festivities which will be followed by the Liberty Inaugural Ball and Starlight Ball later in the evening. President Trump is expected to attend all three events. Notably, earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, arrived at the Capitol One Arena for the Inaugural Parade. The crowd greeted Trump with chants of "USA USA," expressing their enthusiasm as the 47th president made his way to the venue. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance arrived earlier at the venue along with their children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel. Before Trump's arrival, Tesla CEO Elon Musk spoke at the Capitol One Arena, sharing his excitement for the future and the opportunities ahead for the nation. Musk echoed President Trump's vision of a "golden age," expressing confidence in the positive direction the country is heading. "I am super fired up for the future. It is going to be very exciting. As the President said, we are going to have a golden age. It's going to be fantastic. One of the most American values that I love is optimism. We are going to make the future good," Musk said. Prior to this, Trump reviewed the troops at US Capitol Hill, after his inauguration as the 47th President of the country. He also signed several executive orders at the signing ceremony at Capitol Hill. The ceremony is one of the first official actions taken by the newly sworn President of the United States. (ANI) After exiting the airport, Kher briefly spoke with ANI and expressed his excitement about participating in a spiritual gathering. "I am here to participate in this spiritual gathering. It feels so good to see people from all walks of life here. I also applaud Uttar Pradesh government and CM Yogi Adityanath for organising this historic festival in a responsible and safe manner," he said. Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty, who has come to Maha Kumbh, also lauded the organisers. "I had made a vow for three days, I took holy dip yesterday, today I will do that as well, and tomorrow again. My maternal grandfather, maternal grandmother, grandfather, none of them could come - that is why I have to offer tarpan in their name and I am very happy...," Murty told ANI. She also wished a long life for the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. "Arrangements are very good here. Police under the leadership of Yogiji have done so much good (work) for the people. May God him a long life, " she added. Maha Kumbh is one of the largest and most significant religious congregations in the world. The key 'snan' dates now are: January 29 (Mauni Amavasya - Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami - Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). Uttar Pradesh police has deployed over 10,000 personnel, including local police and paramilitary forces for the event's security. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed "water ambulance" at Sangam to ensure the safety of devotees. The Maha Kumbh began on January 13 and will continue till February 26. (ANI) The eighth edition of the Kerala Literature Festival is set to take place from January 23 to 26, 2025, on the beaches of Kozhikode. Organised by the DC Kizhakemuri Foundation and co-promoted by DC Books, Asia's largest literature festival will bring together over 500 speakers from 15 countries, with an expected audience of more than 600,000. This year's festival promises an extraordinary confluence of ideas, art, and culture, highlighting some of the most celebrated names in literature, science, and the arts. "This is the eighth edition of the Kerala Literature Festival and this year we have two noble Prize winners Venki Ramakrishnan and Esther Duflo along with the Booker Prize winners," Ravi DeeCee, Chief Facilitator, Kerala Literature Festival told ANI. He added, "There are also 15 authors from 15 countries participating in the festival and we also have France as a guest nation for this edition.." A groundbreaking feature of KLF 2025 is the presence of six Booker Prize winners for the first time. Jenny Erpenbeck, Paul Lynch, Michael Hofmann, GauZ', Sophie Mackintosh, and Georgi Gospodinov will enrich the event with their literary brilliance. Adding further prestige, Nobel laureates Dr. Venki Ramakrishnan and Esther Duflo will offer their unique insights, marking KLF as a premier global platform for intellectual dialogue, as per the Kerala Literature Festival press release. France, the guest nation for this edition, will showcase its vibrant cultural and literary heritage. Renowned French figures such as Philippe Claudel, Pierre Singaravelou, Johanna Gustawsson, and Zeina Abirached will represent the nation's diverse artistic traditions. Other notable French participants include Julie Stephen Chheng, Timothee de Fombelle, and Fred Nevche, whose contributions will elevate discussions on literature, history, and art. France's inclusion underscores the festival's commitment to fostering international collaboration and cultural exchange. Luminaries like historian Ramachandra Guha, actor Naseeruddin Shah, actress Huma Qureshi, violin maestro L. Subramaniam, and flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia will share their perspectives. Acclaimed authors such as Ira Mukhoty, Manu S Pillai, Amit Chaudhuri, and Abraham Verghese will delve into topics ranging from historical narratives to contemporary fiction. Acclaimed authors such as Ira Mukhoty, Manu S. Pillai, Amit Chaudhuri, and Abraham Verghese will delve into topics ranging from historical narratives to contemporary fiction. The festival's global appeal is further amplified by the participation of international voices like Norwegian novelist Helga Flatland and New Zealand's Catherine Chidgey, according to the press release. There will also be performances by Ustad Waseem Ahmed Khan, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, and Ustad Mukhtiyar Ali, blending literature and music in a unique celebration of creativity. "KLF 2025 is a true celebration of diversity and dialogue," said Ravi Deecee, Chief Facilitator of the Kerala Literature Festival in a statement, adding, "By bringing together brilliant minds from across the world, we aim to foster conversations that transcend boundaries and celebrate the universal power of storytelling. This year's festival promises to inspire and captivate everyone who joins us." This year, the Kerala Literature Festival has announced the prestigious KLF Book of the Year Awards, recognizing exceptional contributions in both fiction and non-fiction. The shortlist includes acclaimed works such as The Day the Earth Bloomed by Manoj Kuroor, The Distaste of the Earth by Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih, Lorenzo Searches for the Meaning of Life by Upamanyu Chatterjee, and more in the fiction category, alongside Dalithan: An Autobiography by KK Kochu, The Identity Project by Rahul Bhatia, and others in non-fiction, according to the press release. (ANI) Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, during his visit to the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, talked about his son Jeet Adani's marriage and shared that it is not going to be a star-studded ceremony. While speaking to the media, he shared, "Jeet's marriage is on 7th February. Our activities are like common people. His marriage will be very simple and with full traditional ways..." Responding to a media question at Prayagraj if the wedding is going to be a "Maha Kumbh of celebrities," he said, "Definitely not!" In recent days, social media has been awash in reports that a pantheon of global stars and celebrities would be attending Jeet Adani's wedding with Diva Shah, daughter of Surat diamond merchant Jaimin Shah. The guest names that are going round on social media include Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Daniel Craig, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, the Kardashian sisters, Rafael Nadal, Diljit Dosanjh, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Billie Eilish, Coldplay and even King Charles and the Pope. Some social media users also said that the India-England ODI at the Motera stadium had been moved to accommodate the wedding, which was expected to feature 1,000 supercars, hundreds of private jets and chefs from 58 countries at a cost of over Rs 10,000 crore. Speaking after performing the Ganga Aarti with his family at Prayagraj's Triveni Sangam, Adani said, "My upbringing and our way of doing things are that of a common person from the working class. Jeet too is here for Maa Ganga's blessings. The wedding will be a simple and traditional family affair." Gautam Adani's announcement that his son's wedding on 7 February would be a low-key private ceremony in Ahmedabad came during his visit to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. He was accompanied by his wife Dr Priti Adani, sons Karan and Jeet, daughter-in-law Paridhi and granddaughter Kaveri. At the Maha Kumbh, the Adani family offered prayers at the Lete Hanuman Temple after participating in the Mahaprasad Seva at ISKCON, where Adani is supporting the distribution of over one lakh free meals daily. Adani is also giving away one crore prayer books printed by the renowned Gita Press of Gorakhpur. Calling the Maha Kumbh Mela "an indescribable experience," the industrialist lavished praise on the Modi and Yogi governments for the arrangements, especially policing and sanitation, and said that the Mela's successful administration should be studied by management institutes and corporate houses. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday attended a special screening of the film 'Sky Force' with actors Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya. CDS General Anil Chauhan and other officials also watched the film at the screening. https://x.com/ANI/status/1881704471253938425 Directed by Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani, 'Sky Force' tells the gripping story of India's retaliatory strike on Pakistan's Sargodha airbase during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani air war. Nimrat Kaur and Sara Ali Khan are also a part of the film, which will be out in theatres on January 24. Recently, in an interview with ANI, Veer expressed his wish that his movie inspires the next generation just like Hrithik Roshan-starrer 'Lakshya' movie did years ago. "Working on my first film, 'Sky Force', was rather overwhelming. It is a huge opportunity and a responsibility for me to play a real life hero, squadron leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya, who was one of the heroes of the 1965 India-Pakistan war, which we won against overwhelming odds...this story needs to be told for the future generations to get inspired by what our heroes of our country have done for our freedom," Veer shared. The actor further said the movie is about family, brotherhood, friendship and loyalty, while urging people to watch this and get to learn something new. "I think it is a very personal story. It is a very human story. And it is about family. It is about brotherhood. It is about friendship and loyalty. So, that is why I urge everyone to watch this film to learn something new. This is a very serious character. And my only wish is that it works like Lakshya film...when that movie came, it inspired people for 20 years to join the force and serve the country. Sky Force will also be a film through which the next 20-30 years young people of our country will be inspired and they will know what our forefathers have done for our freedom. So that you and I can sit and talk like this," he added. (ANI) The South African comedian Trevor Noah is set to return as host of the 2025 Grammys. The announcement comes a little less than two weeks from when the Grammys are set to take place, later than Noah has been lined up as host in past years, as per The Hollywood Reporter. The 2025 Grammy Awards will go ahead as planned on February 2, airing live from the venue in Los Angeles. Despite the ongoing devastation caused by wildfires in the region, the show will not only celebrate music but will also serve as a fundraiser for the relief efforts, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Still, just days before news broke of the Grammys sticking with their February 2 show, multiple sources shared that the Recording Academy was discussing whether the Grammys should be postponed or air as a fundraiser. The telecast will raise funds to aid wildfire relief efforts and honour the bravery of the first responders who have risked their lives in combating the flames. "We mourn the loss of life and destruction that have come to our city in recent days," adding, "In response to this crisis, we are committed to providing ongoing assistance, including a USD 1 million donation that has already helped raise over USD 2 million in emergency aid to those in need," earlier said Harvey Mason Jr, CEO of the Recording Academy, in a letter sent to Academy members, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Though the Grammys are proceeding as planned along with the Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala, celebrating its 50th year, and the MusiCares Person of the Year celebration of The Grateful Dead, all three of the major record labels as well as Spotify and other music organizations have cancelled their pre-Grammy parties. Noah has frequently talked about how he especially enjoys having a front-row seat to all of the star performances at the Grammys. He said ahead of the 2023 show why he keeps returning to host the Grammys. "Moments that you have backstage with the performers you're just walking around and you're seeing Billie Eilish and she's having a moment with another artist you don't get to see that anywhere else, and you don't get to experience that level of joy. For me to be part of that is truly, I guess now, it's a three times a lifetime opportunity," said Noah, adding, "I never take it for granted because all of these people are the soundtracks to our lives." Noah is credited as a producer of the Grammys show and has earned three Emmy nominations for the music event. He has been nominated for the Best Comedy Album Grammy three times. Beyonce is the top contender at the 2025 show with 11 nominations, followed by Charli XCX and Post Malone, who each have eight noms. Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish are up for seven awards, with Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan close behind with six nominations, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI) Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan on Tuesday was discharged from the Lilavati Hospital, five days after he was attacked at his Bandra residence by an intruder. Visuals of Saif exiting the hospital and returning home amid heavy police security went viral on social media. He was all smiles as he reached his residence. He even greeted his fans and shutterbugs who were waiting to catch his glimpse. Surprisingly, actor Ronit Roy was also spotted with him. Many wondered what he was doing there as he was seen coordinating with the police officials and overseeing security arrangements at Saif and Kareena's residence. Now, ANI has learned that Saif has employed the services of actor Ronit Roy's security firm for protection. Ronit owns the "Ace Security and Protection" agency. He has closely worked with megastar Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar in the past. Saif suffered stab wounds to his thoracic spine when an intruder, later identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, entered his home with the alleged intent of theft last week. Saif, attempting to intervene, was attacked, leading to a violent confrontation. The actor was immediately taken to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital for treatment after sustaining major injuries. The auto-rickshaw driver, who rushed the actor to the hospital, had shared details of what happened and how he stepped in to help. Speaking to ANI, the driver said he saw a woman trying to hire an auto-rickshaw at 2 am on Thursday last week. "I drive my vehicle at night. It was around 2-3 a.m. when I saw a woman trying to hire an auto, but nobody stopped. I also heard calls for a rickshaw from inside the gate. I took a U-turn and stopped my vehicle near the gate. A man covered in blood came out, along with 2-4 others. They put him in the auto and decided to go to Lilavati Hospital. I dropped them there, and later I came to know that he was Saif Ali Khan. I saw him bleeding from his neck and back," Rana had told ANI. Police formed teams to probe the crime and a case was registered under various sections of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). The accused was apprehended at Hiranandani Estate in Thane while attempting to flee to his native village. The police said he hails from the Jhalokati district in Bangladesh. Hours after the incident, Kareena took to her Instagram to share a statement, revealing that the day has been "incredibly challenging" for the family. The actress also thanked everyone for their support while also requesting privacy during this "difficult time". "It has been an incredibly challenging day for our family, and we are still trying to process the events that have unfolded. As we navigate this difficult time, I respectfully and humbly request that the media and paparazzi refrain from the relentless speculation and coverage," read the statement shared by the 'Jab We Met' actress. "While we appreciate the concern and support, the constant scrutiny and attention are not only overwhelming but also pose a significant risk to our safety. I kindly request that you respect our boundaries and give us the space we need to heal and cope as a family. I would like to thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation during this sensitive time," the statement added. (ANI) China initiated over 60,000 urban renewal projects in 2024 as part of its ongoing efforts to transform cities into more resilient and intelligent areas that are desirable to live in, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development said on Tuesday. These projects drew a total investment of 2.9 trillion yuan (about 404.4 billion U.S. dollars) and have begun to show significant results, according to the ministry. Local governments have intensified support for urban renewal by introducing measures in areas such as land use and planning, along with fiscal, tax and financial assistance, the ministry said. For instance, 12 provincial-level regions have issued nearly 100 billion yuan in special bonds to fund urban renewal, while 28 cities have allocated dedicated funds for the initiative. Various localities have also explored ways to attract social capital participation, such as government-enterprise cooperation, franchising and enterprise contracting, the ministry added. Earlier this month, an executive meeting of China's State Council outlined the latest priorities for urban renewal, urging governments at all levels to focus on renovating old neighborhoods and factories, as well as transforming shantytowns. The meeting also emphasized the importance of upgrading urban infrastructure, restoring urban ecosystems and preserving urban historical and cultural heritage. Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty on Monday expressed her immense joy as she arrived in Prayagraj to attend the Maha Kumbh, saying that she was excited, hopeful, and extremely happy. She is on a three-day visit to the Maha Kumbh.. Speaking to ANI, Sudha Murty said, "I am very excited because this is 'Teerthraj'. It (Maha Khumbh) came after 144 years and I am excited, hopeful and extremely happy. I am here for three days." She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2023 and the Padma Shri in 2006 for her contribution to the field of social work. Murty, also a well-known author, has contributed to English and Kannada literature and retired as the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation on December 31, 2021. Murty is married to Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy and is the mother-in-law of former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13, has witnessed a continuous flow of devotees. By 6 PM on the eighth day of the festival on Monday, over 5.33 million devotees had taken the holy dip. Overall around 87.9 million pilgrims have taken a dip in the Sangam Triveni as of January 20. People strongly believe that taking a dip at Sangam Triveni washes away their sins and also paves the way to Heaven Maha Kumbh is one of the largest and most significant religious congregations in the world. The key 'snan' dates left are: January 29 (Mauni Amavasya - Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami - Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). Uttar Pradesh police deployed over 10,000 personnel, including local police and paramilitary forces for the event's security. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed "water ambulance" stationed at Sangam to ensure the safety of devotees. The Maha Kumbh began on January 13 and will continue until February 26. (ANI) BJP candidate Pravesh Verma has filed a complaint with the Election Commission against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal accusing him of violating the model code of conduct (MCC) in the New Delhi assembly constituency. Verma, who is contesting against Kejriwal, has accused the former Delhi chief minister of distributing chairs in New Delhi from the funds received from Punjab. Speaking to ANI, Verma said, "The 'accused' Arvind Kejriwal who was MLA from here and also the CM - he didn't do any work. But, when MCC is in effect - the way he has started distributing chairs using the money from Punjab - I have filed a complaint to the Election Commission and I hope they will take appropriate action." Congress has fielded Sandeep Dikshit from the seat. Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force in the national capital on January 8, after the Election Commission of India announced the dates for the Assembly polls in Delhi. Earlier today, BJP alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party, which once claimed it would not allow criminals in the assembly to ensure the passage of strict laws, had fielded the highest number of candidates with criminal records. Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Aam Aadmi Party used to say that they do not want criminals in their assembly because criminals will not be able to pass important and strict laws. But when the list (of candidates) was released, it was found that the Aam Aadmi Party has the highest number of people with criminal records nearly 60%, followed by Congress. This means that Aam Aadmi Party has taken a U-turn once again." A total of 699 candidates are in the fray for the 70 assembly seats in Delhi in the elections to be held on February 5; counting of votes will take place on February 8. The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2015 and 2020 assembly elections by winning 67 and 62 seats respectively out of a total of 70 seats while the BJP got only three and eight seats. (ANI) Delhi's Tis Hazari Court has recently held a person guilty of sexually assaulting an 18-month-old girl, and asked the central government to "sensitise" investigation officers to collect "biological evidence" in the form of nail clippings or fingernail scrapings in all cases of "hand-genital contact." Special Judge Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Babita Puniya convicted the accused under sections of the Indian Penal Code and POCSO for sexually assaulting the girl. The accused is held guilty and convicted for the offence punishable under section 5 (m) read with section 6 of the POCSO Act and section 376-AB/342 IPC, the court said. The court expressed its concern over the non-collection of nail clippings and said that since this was a case of digital rape, the investigating agency should have collected the nail clippings and fingernail scrapings of both hands of the accused. "Before parting with this judgement, I must note that since this was a case of digital rape, the investigating agency should have collected the nail clippings and fingernail scrapings of both hands of the accused. However, it was not done," the judge said in the judgement passed on January 17. The court said that therefore, investigating officers (IOs) may be sensitised to collect biological evidence in the form of nail clippings or fingernail scrapings in all cases of hand-genital contact because it can provide a DNA profile of the victim and may help the court in arriving at a just decision in the case. In addition, finger swabs should also be collected. The court has directed sending the copy of the judgement to the secretary of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Delhi Police Commissioner for information, compliance, and necessary action. The court passed the direction in a case of sexual harassment of a minor. The court said, "If the courts started insisting on direct evidence, all the wrongdoers would go scot-free." Additional Public Prosecutor Sharwan Kumar Bishnoi submitted before the court that the prosecution has not only successfully proved that the victim was a child below twelve years at the time of the commission of the offence but has also proved the offence through ocular, medical and forensic evidence. On the other hand, it was submitted by the counsel for the accused that he is innocent and has been implicated due to some confusion. He submitted that the accused was cutting salad when the child came there. Chilli stalks were lying there. The girl/victim got hurt by the chilli stalks and started crying. He picked the child up in his lap to calm her down and in the meantime, the complainant came there and started making noise without giving him a chance to explain. The court noted that the prosecution proved the incriminating circumstances against the accused, including the victim's mother hearing the shrieks of the child, finding her daughter in the accused's lap, and the injury on the private parts of the girl. (ANI) Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday left to attend a public rally 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan', which is being held in Karnataka's Belagavi. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also left to attend the rally being held to commemorate 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi becoming the party president. In 1924, the Congress session was chaired by Mahatma Gandhi in Karnataka's Belgaum district, which is now called Belagavi. The rally is being held to commemorate the same historic event. Earlier, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge said that Congress was gearing up to organise a public rally under the slogan 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' on January 21 to commemorate 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi becoming the party president. "Since we could not do it as a mark of respect for Dr (Manmohan) Singh. We postponed it (the public rally) and that's happening on January 21," Kharge told ANI. He said that the program to commemorate 100 years of Gandhi's presidency was postponed due to the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and was being organised on January 21. Kharge also added that the rally was being held out to send a message to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the centre. Taking a dig at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Karnataka Minister said no "misinterpretation" or "deviation" from Babasaheb Ambedkar's constitution will be tolerated. "The previous program of Gandhi Ji's presidency that marked 100 years was postponed due to the demise of our former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. We had to postpone the public rally 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' which was to send a strong message to the central government that we will not tolerate any deviation from Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar's constitution or any misinterpretation by the BJP, especially Amit Shah. You heard what he said in the Parliament about Babasaheb Ambedkar," said Kharge, who is the rural development minister of Karnataka. (ANI) Chief Minister Sawant, on Monday, also directed SAG and PWD to complete the works on the playground rooftop. He also briefed about the maintenance, cleaning and operation of the canteen at the Veerangana Hostel for girls. CM Sawant also directed officials to complete the works at Veerangana hostel and took a review of the new PG block at the college. He deliberated upon enhancing the placements of students from the college and the safety and security of students on campus. He said that strengthening the infrastructure of educational institutions along with the academic environment is "our commitment to nurturing the students for a bright future." Earlier in the day, the Goa CM visited and listened to the Shrimad Bhagvat Katha Jnanyadnya organised at Sagar Javdekar's residence in Sankhali, along with Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade. Earlier, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant chaired a meeting of Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission (GSRLM) in the presence of RDA Minister Govind Gaude, the Chief Secretary, officials, representatives of NABARD, and others, a press release said. Sawant acknowledged that the Self Help Groups (SHGs) have contributed to various initiatives like planting 12,000 trees under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' and approved the setting up of a supermarket for the sale of SHG products through NRLM, the release added. He said that Goa houses 3,250 SHGs in the state, with a disbursed revolving fund of Rs 8.28 crore. (ANI) Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva launched a scathing attack on AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of insulting Sanatan Dharma and misinterpreting the sacred text, Ramcharitmanas. Sachdeva questioned Kejriwal's sudden interest in temples, alleging that he only remembers them when elections are near. He accused Kejriwal, accusing him of "insulting" Sanatan Dharma and "misinterpreting" Ramcharitmanas. He said that these people are "adharmi" and only remember temples when elections are nearing. "The way Arvind Kejriwal has misinterpreted Shri Ramcharitmanas and has tried to insult the Sanatana, this is not the first time. These people are Adharmi. I don't know what his Nani (grandmother) recited to him, but he (Arvind Kejriwal) used to say that the Ram Temple should not be built. Now that the elections are coming up, he is remembering Ram Temple and all the other temples," Sachdeva told ANI. Sachdeva on Tuesday morning offered prayers at the Pracheen Hanuman Mandir, located in Connaught Place. He was seen offering prayers and wearing a sacred chunni (cloth) around his neck with 'Ram naam'. The dates for the assembly elections in Delhi are nearing as the voting will happen on February 5 while the counting of votes will conclude on February 8. Earlier, Sachdeva and BJP MP Yogender Chandoliya visited the JJ Cluster area of Bawana town to showcase the alleged disrepair and the "grim state" of the government flats in the area. The BJP leaders also live-streamed the state of the flats, and strongly criticised the AAP-led government for "wasting public money." Meanwhile, Sachdeva on Monday also slammed AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal for 'hindering' allotment of 50,000 flats to sanitation workers and labourers in Ghoga Bhavan Narela, despite 60% central funding. Sachdeva claimed that these flats could have been allotted to sanitation workers and labourers, but Kejriwal, in his three terms as CM, blocked this to prevent the poor from benefiting. He further said that the AAP party is announcing providing houses to poor people before the election. The alliance partners in the INDIA bloc, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, have been contesting the upcoming assembly polls in Delhi separately while attacking each other over many issues along with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, the BJP-led NDA seems to be united in these assembly polls as the BJP has announced its candidates on 68 seats out of 70, leaving two seats of Burari for Shailendra Kumar from Janata Dal (United) and Deoli for Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). A three-way contest is on the cards in Delhi between the ruling AAP, BJP, and Congress. Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got eight seats. (ANI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday morning hailed Mahatma Gandhi ahead of the 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' rally scheduled to be held in Belagavi district today. He lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) when asked to comment on their reaction to the program, labelling it as the "Godse" party. Shivakumar said that BJP doesn't know about sacrifices and the freedom movement. "I do not want to comment anything about the BJP, those who do not know about the freedom movement. They don't know what is sacrifice. We don't want to hear whatever the Godse party (is saying)," he added. The Deputy CM said that all leaders of the world have accepted the leadership and non-violence movement accomplished by the father of the nation. This is a programme to mark 100 years of Gandhi as Congress president and even though he is dead, his values are still alive, Shivakumar added. "Today, there is not just a Congress programme in Belagavi. This is a programme to mark 100 years of Gandhiji as Congress president and even though he is dead, his values are still alive. All the leaders of the world have accepted his leadership and his non-violence movement and we want to take that legacy forward. The history of Congress is the history of the country. So we want to take it forward," Shivakumar told reporters. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday left to attend a public rally 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan', which is being held in Karnataka's Belagavi. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also left to attend the rally being held to commemorate 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi becoming the party president. In 1924, the Congress session was chaired by Mahatma Gandhi in Karnataka's Belgaum district, which is now called Belagavi. The rally is being held to commemorate the same historic event. Earlier, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said that the program to commemorate 100 years of Gandhi's presidency was postponed due to the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and was being organised on January 21. Kharge added that the rally was being held to send a message to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the centre. Taking a dig at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Karnataka Minister said no "misinterpretation" or "deviation" from Babasaheb Ambedkar's constitution will be tolerated. (ANI) Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the Aam Aadmi Party has "stooped" to the lowest level of politics following AAP leader Rituraj Jha allegedly making a controversial statement against Puri saying Rohingya infiltrators are "Puri's relatives". Addressing a press conference Puri said he is the person who carried Guru Granth Sahib on his head when a Gurdwara was attacked in Afghanistan. "They are saying I am having relation with them, I feel like laughing at this. I am the same person who carried Guru Granth Sahib on my head when Gurdwara was attacked in Afghanistan. I do not react to such things. There are many political discourses in politics. I think they have stooped to the lowest level," the minister said. Further, reacting to Jha's statement BJP leader N Ramchander Rao on Tuesday accused AAP of picturing the Sikh community in a manner that they have done nothing for the country and called the statement "insulting" to the Sikh community. " They (AAP) has stooped to such lowest level of politics in Delhi elections, wherein they are trying to picture the Sikh community as if they have never fought for the country. Their statement on Puri is very objectionable and is an insult...this type of politics, attacking an individual and insulting the whole Sikh community has to be condemned. Puri has served as an IAS officer, and bureaucrat and for the last 10 years, he has been serving the country as a minister...," said N Ramchander Rao. Apart from this, Puri had called the upcoming Delhi assembly election "one of a kind" in the country's history on Monday, saying that despite the economy growing across the country, the AAP-led government has failed to develop the national capital. "Our disappointment is with those who took charge of Delhi, 10 years ago....He made many promises, which he didn't fulfil... In 2015, he said that if the river Yamuna is not cleaned, I will not come to ask for votes. In 2020, he said the same thing. Now it is 2025, and he is coming to ask for votes. The biggest priority right now is to develop Delhi," Puri told ANI. Calling the election as "one of a kind" to decide on the economic development, Puri added, "This upcoming election, for which voting will take place on the 5th February, I think this is a big one-of-a-kind election in our history and especially in the history of Delhi...What was the economy when PM Modi came in 2014?" Praising the country's growth, he compared it to 2014, saying that before India was in the 'fragile five,' of countries who are said to be overly dependent on foreign investments. The Union Minister also expressed disappointment with Kejriwal backtracking on promises, specifically mentioning that the former CM was not able to clean the Yamuna river. (ANI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday morning received Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at Belagavi Airport. They left their residences in Delhi early morning to join the program commemorating 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi becoming the Congress president. Along with Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi, prominent leaders including CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and other party leaders have gathered in Belagavi for the 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' rally. Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hailed Mahatma Gandhi ahead of the 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' rally scheduled to be held in Belagavi district today. He said that all leaders of the world have accepted the leadership and non-violence movement accomplished by the father of the nation. This is a programme to mark 100 years of Gandhi as Congress president and even though he is dead, his values are still alive, Shivakumar added. "Today, there is not just a Congress programme in Belagavi. This is a programme to mark 100 years of Gandhiji as Congress president and even though he is dead, his values are still alive. All the leaders of the world have accepted his leadership and his non-violence movement and we want to take that legacy forward. The history of Congress is the history of the country. So we want to take it forward," Shivakumar told reporters. However, when asked to comment on Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) reaction to the program, he labelled the BJP as the "Godse" party, saying that it doesn't know about sacrifices and the freedom movement. "I do not want to comment anything about the BJP, those who do not know about the freedom movement. They don't know what is sacrifice. We don't want to hear whatever the Godse party (is saying)," Shivakumar said. In 1924, the Congress session was chaired by Mahatma Gandhi in Karnataka's Belgaum district, which is now called Belagavi. The rally is being held to commemorate the same historic event. Earlier, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said that the program to commemorate 100 years of Gandhi's presidency was postponed due to the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and was being organised on January 21. He added that the rally was being held to send a message to the BJP government in the centre. (ANI) Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday morning accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to "turn the tide" ahead of the elections in Mumbai while asserting that Mumbai remains a safe city. He further accused the BJP of raising the "Bangladeshi issue" each time before elections and said that the responsibility lies with Union Home Minister Amit Shah if there was an influx of Bangladeshi nationals in Mumbai. "The security is fine in Mumbai. BJP apni hawa bana rahi hai...jab bhi kuch hota hai to Bangladeshi ka mudda layenge..abhi chunaav aya na Mumbai ka (BJP was trying to turn the tide...they raise the Bangladeshi issue whenever anything happens in Mumbai...now that elections are coming). If there are Bangladeshis in Mumbai, then who is responsible? The Union Home Minister. What are the Union Home Minister and Defence Minister doing?" Raut remarked during a press conference. Reacting to the letter written by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena raising concerns over the alleged involvement of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants in criminal activities, senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Raut said that they are worried about Bangladeshi at the time of elections only. He questioned LG's timing of writing the letter, saying that the BJP government remains in power for 10 years. "They are worried about the Bangladeshis at the time of the elections. Why did they not think of it earlier? They have been in power and they must answer how Rohingyas and Bangladeshis entered our country. The LG is writing letters now, could he not see the Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in the last 10 years?" Raut said. The Delhi LG's letter came following the attack on Saif Ali Khan in Mumbai where a Bangladeshi national was implicated in a house break-in and assault. He wrote a letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner and directed the launch of a special mission to identify such infiltrators. Meanwhile, Raut earlier attacked the BJP-led Mahayuti government over the attack on Saif Ali Khan and expressed concerns about the safety of the common people. The UBT MP questioned Maharashtra's Home Minister on the prevailing law and order situation in the state. Raut further claimed that such incidents are happening on a "daily basis" in slum areas but this incident came to light because a celebrity was attacked. (ANI) In a major development, more than 14 Naxals were killed during a joint anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district, where the security forces were able to kill a member of the Naxalite Central Committee, Jairam alias Chalpati, who had a reward of one crore on his head, the Gariaband Superintendent of Police said on Monday. According to the SP, Nikhil Rakhecha, the operation, which was started on Sunday, saw senior cadres of Maoists dead and a large quantity of weapons, including automatic weapons like SLR rifles, recovered. The anti-Naxal search operation was a joint effort of Gariaband Operation Group E30, Cobra 207, CRPF 65 and 211 Battalion, and SOG Nuapada, that had left for the Kulhadighat area. Detailed information of the operation will be released separately following the completion of the operation, SP Rakhecha added. Chhattisgarh Dy CM Vijay Sharma said that the elimination of Jairam was a success for the security forces and many automatic weapons had been seized in the encounter. "14 Naxalites have been killed in 2 days. The special thing is that Odisha cadre CC member Jairam has been killed in Chhattisgarh and the killing of a CC member is the first such incident in the history of Naxal operation till date. Overall, there must have been a reward of more than one crore rupees on his head. So the police has got a big success. Many automatic weapons have also been recovered in this... By March 2026, Naxalism will be completely eradicated not only from Chhattisgarh but from the whole of India," he said, Speaking on the matter, Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Arun Sao reiterated Union Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement of making the nation Naxal-free by March 31, 2026 and extended his greetings to the security forces for their operation in Gariaband. "Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that we will make the nation Naxal-free by 31st March 2026. Our security forces are also bravely working in this direction. They are succeeding constantly. I extend my greetings to the security forces for their achievement in Gariaband. Ending Naxalism is essential for the development of the state," Sao said. Earlier, On January 12, five Naxalites including two women were killed in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur. Several automatic and other weapons and explosives were recovered from the forests under the National Park area of the Bijapur district. The recovered weapons included one SLR rifle, one 12-bore rifle, two single-shot rifles, one BGL launcher, and one locally made Bharmar gun, along with explosives, Maoist literature, and other Naxal materials. (ANI) Following the recovery of 14 Naxal bodies who were killed during an encounter with the security forces in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, Inspector General of Raipur Zone Amresh Mishra stated that two additional bodies of Naxals were recovered, taking the tally to 16. According to a statement by IG Mishra, the security forces also recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS and other automatic weapons. Meanwhile, the search operation is ongoing. Earlier, the Gariaband Superintendent of Police, Nikhil Rakhecha, in a statement, stated that more than 14 Naxals were killed during a joint anti-Naxal operation by the Gariaband Operation Group E30, Cobra 207, CRPF 65 and 211 Battalions, and SOG Nuapada. According to the SP, the security forces were also able to kill a member of the Naxalite Central Committee, Jairam alias Chalpati, who had a reward of one crore on his head. The operation, which was started on Sunday, also saw senior cadres of Maoists dead and a large quantity of weapons, including automatic weapons like SLR rifles, recovered. Following this development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the efforts of the security forces, stating that it was a "mighty blow" to Naxalism. "Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today," the Union Home Minister stated. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma also said that the elimination of Jairam was a success for the security forces and many automatic weapons had been seized in the encounter. "14 Naxalites have been killed in 2 days. The special thing is that Odisha cadre CC member Jairam has been killed in Chhattisgarh and the killing of a CC member is the first such incident in the history of Naxal operations to date. Overall, there must have been a reward of more than one crore rupees on his head. So the police have got a big success. Many automatic weapons have also been recovered in this... By March 2026, Naxalism will be completely eradicated not only from Chhattisgarh but from the whole of India," he said. NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule also spoke on this matter, stating that she strongly backed the government's efforts on eliminating the naxals, as it was a part of a national security issue. "I think any such operations against terrorism, we all stand united and strongly behind the government because when it comes to national issues and national security issues, clearly we all are with the government," she said. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the Mahakumb Mela 2025 on February 5, as per sources. While Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to attend the mela on January 27, with the addition of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is expected to be a part of the celebrations on February 1. On January 27, Home Minister Amit Shah will participate in the Maha Kumbh, according to his schedule, where he will be taking a holy dip at the Sangam, performing Ganga Puja, and holding meetings with officials. Security agencies have increased vigilance in anticipation of his visit, with special surveillance at key intersections and event venues in the city. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar is scheduled to take a holy dip at the Sangam on February 1. The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, is also expected to visit Prayagraj on February 10. During her visit, the President is expected to participate in major events being held in the city. Administrative and security preparations are being strengthened to ensure smooth and secure visits for these leaders. Earlier today, devotees gathered in the Maha Kumbh Mela even as dense fog engulfed the area. The inclement weather conditions did not seem to affect the footfall of pilgrims. The footfall of the pilgrims is expected to increase in the upcoming days which will see four key Shahi Snans.Maha Kumbh Mela began on January 13 and will continue until February 26.The next key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya - Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami - Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). As per the data of the Uttar Pradesh government, more than 1.597 million devotees took a dip at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on the ninth day of the Mahakumbh. As of January 20, over 88.1 million have already taken a dip in the sacred confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mystical Saraswati. (ANI) The West Bengal government on Tuesday moved to the Calcutta High Court demanding capital punishment for the accused Sanjay Roy in the RG Kar rape and murder case, against the Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court order giving life imprisonment. Advocate General Kishore Dutta moved the division bench seeking the death penalty for Sanjay Roy. The matter has been allowed to be filed. Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday expressed dissatisfaction over the court giving life imprisonment to the convict in the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case and said if the case had been with Kolkata Police, they would have ensured a death penalty. "I learned about the sentencing from the media. We have always demanded capital punishment and we continue to stand by it. However, this is the court's decision and I can't say much about this. For three other cases, Kolkata police ensured capital punishment through thorough investigations concluded within 54-60 days. This was a serious case. Had it been under our purview, we would have ensured the death penalty long back," CM Mamata said while addressing the media at Malda. Meanwhile, the father of the trainee doctor on Monday raised questions on the investigation conducted by CBI and Kolkata Police, saying that "we want justice, not compensation." Speaking to ANI, he said that the Kolkata Police have given them more pain than the passing away of their daughter. "What the Court thinks as a good judgement based on the evidence produced by the CBI, the Court has given that verdict...We have a lot of questions on the investigation done by CBI...We did not go to the court for compensation. We want justice, not compensation...Kolkata police did wrong and the CBI will have to do something...The Kolkata police have given us more pain than the passing away of my daughter," he said. The Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court announced life imprisonment for the accused Sanjay Roy in the RG Kar rape and murder case. Along with this, the court has also fined Rs 50,000 to the accused. Leaders and doctors have been criticising the sentence of life imprisonment for the convict while demanding the death penalty for this heinous crime. The case involves the rape and murder of a trainee doctor whose body was found on August 9 in the hospital's seminar room. (ANI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday launched the second set of promises for the February 5 Delhi assembly polls with the launching of 'Sankalp Patra' Part 2. BJP Lok Sabha MP Anurag Thakur launched the Sankalp Patra in the presence of other senior BJP leaders from Delhi. The second manifesto emphasises free education for students in government institutions, the establishment of a welfare board for auto rickshaw drivers and domestic workers, along with ensuring life insurance for them. Additionally, the BJP has promised to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate alleged corruption during the AAP's tenure. Launching BJP's 'Sankalp Patra' for Delhi Assembly polls, BJP MP Anurag Thakur said, "We will provide free education from KG to PG to the needy students in government education institutes in Delhi." "We will provide to the youth of Delhi one-time financial assistance of Rs 15,000 for preparation of competitive examinations and reimburse two-time travel and application fees. This is Modi ki guarantee," Thakur added. Focussing on marginalised class students, the party promises a stipend of Rs 1,000 per month will be provided to Scheduled Caste students under the 'Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Stipend Scheme for technical and professional courses. Delhi's main opposition party, in its manifesto, asserted a 'zero tolerance' policy against corruption and committed to working in coordination with the MCD and NDMC to resolve the issues faced by residents of the national capital. The Sankalp Patra also promises to double the number of beneficiaries under the Prime Minister Street Vendor's Atma Nirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi), a collateral-free loan scheme for street vendors, in Delhi. "In the last 10 years, the BJP government has eliminated middlemen and through DBT, it has implemented welfare schemes. The Modi government's policy towards corruption is zero tolerance," Thakur added. Thakur also alleged that AAP was providing shelter to Rohingya Muslims and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Delhi. ,"...On the directions of Arvind Kejriwal ji, Atishi ji and AAP leaders, Rohingya Muslims and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are getting shelter in Delhi," he stated. Earlier this month, the BJP released its first manifesto with a key focus on improving healthcare, empowering women, supporting senior citizens, and ensuring better access to essential services. Among the major promises in the first manifesto, the BJP announced a series of welfare initiatives for women, starting with the provision of six nutritional kits and Rs 21,000 in financial assistance under the Matritva Suraksha Yojana to ensure the health and well-being of pregnant women. Additionally, Rs 2,500 will be provided to women in Delhi under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana. 70 assembly seats in Delhi will go to polls on february 5 and counting of votes will happen on February 8. (ANI) The Division Bench of the Delhi High Court dismissed an appeal challenging the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections across constituencies. The petitioner had raised concerns regarding the use of EVMs, arguing that Section 61-A of the relevant law requires the respondent (Election Commission of India) to provide specific justifications for the use of EVMs in each constituency individually. The bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, dismissed the appeal, stating, "We find no merit in the present appeal, and the same is dismissed." The court noted that the appellant had filed the petition requesting the Election Commission of India (ECI) to comply with the provisions of Section 61A of the Representation of the People Act (RP Act) before proceeding with any elections using EVMs, particularly in relation to the future preparation of electoral rolls. The bench stated that the appellant argued that the ECI should assess each constituency individually and determine, based on local circumstances, whether EVMs should be used. The petitioner further sought a directive for the ECI to demonstrate how it complies with the mandatory requirement of specifying constituency-wise circumstances for using EVMs. However, the bench observed that a plain reading of the provision indicates that it permits the ECI, under non-obstante clauses, to adopt the use of EVMs in the manner prescribed. The ECI had already issued directions and placed them on record, specifying the constituencies where EVMs would be used. While the appellant contended that the ECI must specify each constituency separately, the bench found that the language of the provision does not support this view and, therefore, rejected the appeal. Earlier, in July 2024, a bench led by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav had dismissed the plea, observing that the relief sought in the petition essentially sought to revisit a controversy that had already been settled through a series of judicial pronouncements, as discussed in previous rulings. The bench further noted that the petitioner had failed to present any substantial grounds that would justify the Court's further intervention in the matter. The petitioner Ramesh Chander through plea has sought directions for the respondent to adhere to the provisions of Section 61-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (the 'Act') before proceeding with any elections using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The petitioner stated that he is primarily aggrieved by the use of EVMs in elections across constituencies, claiming that no reasons have been provided for their usage. The petitioner argued that Section 61-A requires the respondent to detail the circumstances for each constituency individually where EVMs are proposed to be used. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the Jharkhand government's plea challenging a High Court order that quashed an FIR against BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Manoj Tiwari for allegedly forcing Deogarh's Air Traffic Control (ATC) to approve take-off of their chartered flight in August 2022. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan declined the Jharkhand government's appeal to revive the case. The apex court said there were no grounds to revive the case under the Indian Penal Code's Sections 441 (criminal trespass) and 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others). It, however, directed the Jharkhand government to forward the relevant material to an authorised officer under the Aircraft Act within four weeks to examine if a case is justified in the matter under this law. Dubey, Tiwari, and others were accused of pressuring the ATC to allow their take off. The Jharkhand government had contended that the ATC area is a protected zone. The Jharkhand government had challenged the High Court's decision to quash the FIR against Dubey and Tiwari concerning the ATS clearance issue at Deoghar airport. The FIR was registered in the first week of September 2023. Following instructions from the Deoghar deputy commissioner, the Jharkhand police filed an FIR against pilot of the chartered plane, Dubey, his two sons, Manoj Tiwari, Mukesh Pathak, Devta Pandey, Pintu Tiwary, and Sandeep Dhingra, the airport director, for allegedly pressuring officials at the airport to clear their chartered flight for take-off on the night of August 31. According to the complaint, "Nine people -- Nishikant Dubey, Kanishk Kant Dubey, Mahikant Dubey, Manoj Tiwari, Kapil Mishra, Sheshadri Dubey, Sunil Tiwari, and others -- arrived in Deoghar by a chartered plane at 1 pm on August 31. During their return in the evening, some of them, including Dubey, forcibly entered the ATC room." The complaint further stated that at approximately 17:25 hrs, passengers arrived at the airport to board the chartered flight. They were accompanied by others who had come to see them off. The security in-charge noted that Deoghar airport lacks an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) facility, meaning night take-offs and landings are not permitted. On August 31, the local sunset time was 18:03 hrs, with air services operational only until 17:30 hrs. In September 2023, Dubey denied any rule violations, asserting that all protocols were followed. The BJP MP stated that the trip was to seek justice for a girl who had been set ablaze by a stalker. (ANI) Kerala legislative assembly unanimously passed the resolution on Tuesday presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan requesting the Union government to withdraw the UGC draft norms. Kerala CM on Tuesday presented a resolution in the state assembly requesting the central government to withdraw the UGC draft norms issued on January 6, 2025, and issue new norms. "We are presenting this resolution at a time when there are concerns raised by state governments and academic experts. The universities in each state are working according to the laws passed by their respective state legislative assemblies," said CM while presenting the resolution. "This House is of the clear opinion that the draft UGC norms of 2025, which do not reflect the spirit of the Constitution and completely exclude the opinions of the state governments, including in the appointment of the Vice Chancellor, are incompatible with the federal system and democracy," the resolution said. "The draft UGC norms of 2025 can only be seen as part of a move to undermine democratic values in higher education and to crack down on those who propagate religious and communal ideas in the sector," it added. "This House unanimously requests the Central Government to immediately withdraw the draft UGC norms of 2025, considering the opinions and concerns of the state governments and academic experts, and issue new norms only after holding detailed discussions with all the stakeholders and taking their opinions seriously," it further said. Kerala Government will call a meeting of education ministers of opposition party-ruled states to discuss issues with UGC draft regulations. The state has already held discussions with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin. Kerala Minister of Higher Education and Social Justice Dr. R. Bindu said, "The Assembly unanimously passed the resolution. We are determined to form joint platforms of like-minded state governments because we consider this an onslaught on the rights of the state governments in the field of education. We are spending money on maintaining universities, academics and other activities, but according to the draft guidelines, the rights hitherto maintained by state governments have been questioned. So, naturally, it is our duty to resist this and that is what is happening..." This comes after UGC's new draft guidelines, which say that candidates can qualify for faculty positions at higher institutions by clearing the UGC-NET in a subject of their choice, even if their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees are in different disciplines. It also includes changes to the selection process for vice-chancellors, including the expansion of eligibility criteria to include professionals from academia, research institutions, public policy, public administration, and industry. (ANI) After four miscreants were killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli, Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar on Tuesday said that one of the miscreants identified as Arshad was an active member of the Mukim Kala gang and was carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh. After the death of Mukim Kala, Arshad formed his own gang and was continuously doing criminal activities in the neighbouring areas of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the police official said. Arshad was wanted in a robbery case in the Saharanpur district and has committed several crimes. The encounter took place in the wee hours of Tuesday in the village of Ud Pur (near UP-Haryana border) in the Jhinjhana area of UP's Shamli district. DGP Prashant Kumar told ANI, "One of the miscreants killed has been identified as Arshad and there was a reward of Rs 1 lakh on him and he was wanted in a robbery case of Saharanpur district. His other 2 companions have been identified as Manjeet and Satish. 1 Brezza car, 2 pistols, 1 carbine and 3 guns have also been recovered from them. Arshad is an active member of the Mukim Kala gang. Arshad has more than 16 cases against him out of which 5 are of murder and he was released in June 2024 and became active again. He formed his own gang and was continuously doing such activities in the neighbouring areas of Haryana and UP." The police official said that during the encounter, Inspector Sunil also got serious injured and is in critical condition. He is undergoing treatment at a Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, Haryana. "...In the early hours, an encounter broke out between STF, district police and miscreants in a village of Ud Pur in Jhinjhana area of the Shamli district. This village is located on the Haryana-UP border. 4 miscreants were killed and during this, our Inspector Sunil also got seriously injured. Inspector Sunil was hit by 3-4 bullets and is in critical condition and is undergoing treatment at Gurugram's Medanta hospital," the top police official said. "At least four miscreants were killed and one STF inspector was injured after an encounter broke out between Uttar Pradesh's Special Task Force (STF) and miscreants in the wee hours of Tuesday," said police. The encounter broke out in the Jhinjhana area of the Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh. According to the UP STF, the miscreants have been identified as Arshad, Manjeet, Satish and one unknown accomplice. (ANI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday reaffirmed the state's strong stance in eradicating Maoism, describing it as cancer to society. Speaking to ANI on the recent encounter in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband where bodies of 16 naxals were recovered following an encounter with the security forces, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister highlighted the achievements of the security forces and their success in dealing with the Maoist threat, emphasising the government's commitment to eliminating Naxalism in the state. "Near the Kulhadi Ghat under the Mainpur police station of the Gariaband district, our security forces had an encounter with Maoists. So far, more than a dozen Maoists have been killed. There have been two major encounters with Naxalites within a week," he said. "Our soldiers have achieved huge success and our government is working to end the Naxalism. Maoism is like a cancer and we will succeed in destroying it completely. We will fulfil the resolution of the PM and the HM," Sai added. He also praised the courage of security personnel involved in the operation, stating that Naxalism is taking its last breath and by March 31, 2026, it will end completely. "I salute the courage of our security force personnel and praise them... Naxalism is taking its last breath and we will end it by 31 March 2026," he added. Earlier, the Inspector General of Raipur Zone, Amresh Mishra, stated that 16 Naxal bodies were recovered during an encounter with the security forces in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. According to a statement by IG Mishra, the security forces also recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS and other automatic weapons. Meanwhile, the Gariaband Superintendent of Police, Nikhil Rakhecha, in a statement, stated that the bodies were recovered during a joint anti-Naxal operation by the Gariaband Operation Group E30, Cobra 207, CRPF 65 and 211 Battalions, and SOG Nuapada. According to the SP, the security forces were also able to kill a member of the Naxalite Central Committee, Jairam alias Chalpati, who had a reward of one crore on his head. The operation, which was started on Sunday, also saw senior cadres of Maoists dead and a large quantity of weapons, including automatic weapons like SLR rifles, recovered. Following this development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the efforts of the security forces, stating that it was a "mighty blow" to Naxalism. "Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today," the Union Home Minister stated. (ANI) Flash Upon invitation, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attended the inauguration ceremony of U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday in Washington, D.C. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, meets with U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] During his stay in the United States, Han, a special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, met with then U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, representatives of the U.S. business community, Chief Executive Officer of Tesla Elon Musk, Chair Emeritus of the U.S. Brookings Institution John Thornton and others. During his meeting with Vance on Sunday, Han first conveyed Xi's greetings to Trump and congratulated Vance on his election. He noted that Xi recently had an important phone call with Trump, during which the two leaders have reached many important consensuses on the development of China-U.S. relations in the next stage. China is ready to work with the United States to adhere to the strategic guidance of the head-of-state diplomacy and follow through on the important consensus reached between Xi and Trump, so as to push for the steady, healthy and sustainable development of bilateral ties, Han said. Han said that the two sides are currently working hard to achieve their respective development goals and dreams. As long as the two sides uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, they will contribute to each other's progress, bring benefits to the two countries, and make important contributions to world peace and development, said Han. Economic and trade relations are important issues of common concern to both sides, he noted. Despite differences and frictions between China and the United States, they share huge common interests and space for cooperation, and the two sides can strengthen dialogue and consultation in this regard, Han added. For his part, Vance asked Han to convey Trump's sincere greetings to Xi. Vance said Trump had a phone call with Xi a few days ago, in which they had good communication on important issues regarding bilateral ties. Economic and trade relations, he stressed, are important to both the United States and China. Noting that China is playing an increasingly important role in international affairs, Vance told Han that the United States is willing to develop an enduring and fruitful relationship with China, strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China on international and regional issues, and jointly promote world peace and stability. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, meets with representatives of the U.S. business community in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] While meeting with representatives of the U.S. business community, Han said a good start and stable development of China-U.S. relations align with the common well-being of both peoples and meet the shared expectation of the international community. As an enduring backbone supporting China-U.S. relations, the U.S. business community has been a participant, witness, contributor and beneficiary of China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation as well as China's reform and opening-up, Han said. China will unswervingly advance reform and opening-up, and continue to improve and optimize the business environment, he added. Han said it is hoped that U.S. companies will continue to invest and take root in China, play an active role as a bridge, and make greater contribution to the development of China-U.S. relations. Representatives of the U.S. business community said that as the world's two largest economies that are most dynamic and technologically advanced, the United States and China should engage in mutually beneficial cooperation and find a constructive and steady way to get along with each other. The U.S. business community is optimistic about the prospect of the Chinese economy and the opportunities to grow in China, and supports the two sides in strengthening dialogue and communication to move forward their bilateral relations as well as economic and trade cooperation. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, meets with Chief Executive Officer of Tesla, Elon Musk, in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] During his meetings with Musk and Thornton, Han welcomed U.S. companies and various sectors to seize opportunities, take active steps and share the fruits of China's development. He called for promoting bilateral exchanges and cooperation in a wide range of areas including economy, trade and culture, and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, so as to continuously improve and consolidate the public foundation of China-U.S. relations. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, meets with Chair Emeritus of the U.S. Brookings Institution John Thornton, in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] Musk and Thornton highlighted the importance of economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between the United States and China, and expressed their willingness to continue to play a positive role in promoting the interactions and cooperation. Haemophilia, a rare hereditary blood disorder that prevents proper blood clotting, affects millions globally and as there is no permanent cure for this, timely treatment is crucial to manage the condition. Currently, Gujarat has over 3,000 haemophilia patients, who are receiving free injections from the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. It is noteworthy that the initiative to provide free injections to haemophilia patients was started by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, a step that has significantly contributed to the improved health and active lives of these patients today. 1 in 10,000 People Worldwide Suffer from Haemophilia. Haemophilia is a condition where the blood fails to clot properly due to a deficiency in clotting factors. Human blood contains 13 clotting factors, and haemophilia typically arises when factors 8 or 9 are defective. The condition is classified into three types: A, B, and C; and patients are further categorized based on severity: severe, moderate, and mild. Haemophilia affects around 1 in 10,000 people worldwide. Haemophilia patients receive crucial factor injections to prevent bleeding. Previously, accessing treatment to control bleeding was a challenge for those with haemophilia. However, in 2012, under the leadership of then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Gujarat government began providing free factor injections to haemophilia patients in civil hospitals. This initiative has significantly improved the quality of life for patients, extending their lifespan and making daily activities easier. Each injection costs Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000, and the government covers the full expense. Currently, these injections are available in civil hospitals across the state. In the last two years, under the leadership of CM Patel, over 11,800 factor injections have been provided free of cost by the state government. Currently, there are over 3,000 haemophilia patients in Gujarat, with more than 500 patients living in Surat. Since 2003, the 'Haemophilia Society Surat Chapter' has been working tirelessly to raise awareness about the disease while ensuring that haemophilia patients can lead pain-free lives. In 2015, in collaboration with the Haemophilia Society Surat Chapter and New Civil Hospital, Surat, the Haemophilia Care Center was established. This is the only dedicated haemophilia centre in Gujarat. New Civil Hospital of Surat, has successfully operated on the highest number of haemophilia patients, and it is the first care centre in India to be operational 24 hours a day. The Haemophilia Care Center in Surat offers free care, blood tests, and treatment to haemophilia patients. The centre is equipped with a medical examination room, management room, counselling room, laboratory, nursing room, physiotherapy room, record room, and a dedicated ward for patient care. In addition to providing essential services, the organization conducts various programs across Gujarat, offering free blood tests to those in need. With its high-quality treatment and care, the Haemophilia Care Center attracts patients not only from various states within India but also from abroad, including countries like Zambia and Dubai. Nihal Bhatwala, Manager of the Haemophilia Care Center, says, "The treatment of our patients would not be possible without the support of the sympathetic government of Gujarat and New Civil Hospital, Surat. At present, 94 haemophilia patients are receiving profile access treatment (preventive care before bleeding occurs), which has greatly reduced the chances of bleeding. This proactive treatment helps prevent disability and reduces life-threatening risks for the patients." Thanks to the steadfast support of the Haemophilia Society Surat, the Haemophilia Care Center has become a symbol of hope for those battling the rare disease. Patients today not only enjoy better health but are also fulfilling their aspirations. In Surat, many haemophilia patients have excelled in medicine, law, and finance, becoming doctors, CAs, and lawyers. Speaking about this transformation, Nilesh Jariwala, President of the Haemophilia Society Surat Chapter, shared, "A decade ago, there were no treatment options for haemophilia. However, under the visionary leadership of the then CM Narendra Modi, clotting factor injections were introduced, drastically improving the lives of haemophilia patients. Now, with the treatment requiring just one injection a month, patients no longer face the hardships they once did. Thanks to the Gujarat government's efforts, many haemophilia patients have gone on to become doctors, CAs, lawyers, and engineers, proving that even with a rare disease, success is achievable." (ANI) After the BJP slammed the Congress government over the law and order situation as a woman in central Bengaluru was allegedly gang-raped and robbed, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah questioned whether no rape cases were reported during the tenure of the previous government. "Did rape incidents not happen during the BJP tenure? There should be no rapes. Women should get security, but some sociopathic people do," the Karnataka CM told media persons. A woman was waiting for the Yalahanka bus at KR Market in Bangalore. At this time, the woman asked the accused about the Yalahanka bus. The accused took her to Godown Street and allegedly raped her, saying they would show her the bus. The incident came to the forefront after the victim lodged a complaint with Bangalore Central Women's Station. Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Dayananda stated that two accused have been arrested in connection with the case. Leader of opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka citing the alleged rape charged the Congress government with failure of law and order. "Law and order in the state has collapsed to the bottom. The common people are living in fear. There is no environment where girls can move around safely. How long will you continue to run such a bad government by clinging to your chair? Resign from your position and free the people of the state from this misrule and anarchy, He posted on X. Earlier, the Karnataka Chief Minister had attended the 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' rally scheduled held in Belagavi district. He said that Mahatma Gandhi and his ideologies are still relevant to the whole world. "Mahatma Gandhi, a devotee of Ram and a pure-hearted Hindu, was assassinated by Godse of the BJP family. We believe in Mahatma Gandhi's Hindutva. The BJP family is following Godse's murderous ideology. The BJP family, which is a hater of the Hindutva that Gandhiji spoke of and is opposed to Gandhian principles, is also anti-Constitutional and anti-Ambedkar. We are leading the Jai Bhapu-Jai Bhim-Jai Sammandeep Abhiyan with the aim of conveying Mahatma Gandhi's ideas to the next generation in a more meaningful way and realizing Gandhi's dream of Gram Swarajya. Mahatma Gandhi presided over the AICC session held in Karnataka a hundred years ago. That day, he increased the fire of the freedom struggle in this land," the Chief Minister said. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav paid tribute to freedom fighter Hemu Kalani on his death anniversary by garlanding his statue located in Sindhi Colony in Ujjain on Tuesday. "It is the Balidan Diwas (death anniversary) of Hemu Kalani today, and I visit here every year. I am happy that we resolved and made a place to remember our freedom fighters. It is our faith and our tradition that brings out the glorious history in front of the society through which the entire society is filled with pride. We should never forget the contribution of our freedom fighters, including Hemu Kalani," CM Yadav told reporters. Meanwhile, in a post on X, the Chief Minister stated that the stories of Kalani's bravery, valour, and dedication to the motherland would inspire generations to serve the nation. "Today, I paid tribute to Hemu Kalani by garlanding his statue during a program organized on his Balidan Diwas in Ujjain. I interacted with the local citizens and public representatives present in the program and shared my views. The stories of Hemu Kalani's bravery, valour and dedication towards the motherland will continue to inspire all of us for services to the nation for ages," the CM said in the post. Additionally, CM Yadav mentioned that the state government is considering banning liquor in religious cities and expressed satisfaction that progress was being made in this direction. "We have said that it is our state's policy that we should move towards banning liquor in religious cities in the state. I am happy that we are slowly moving in that direction," the CM added. Earlier, the CM had stated that his government was contemplating revising its policies for religious cities and planning to ban liquor in those areas. The Chief Minister also emphasized that many seers had suggested the same and assured that the state government was seriously considering closing liquor shops within the limits of religious cities. Speaking to ANI, the CM said, "The current budget year is going to end and our government is thinking that we should amend our policy in religious cities and move towards banning liquor from those cities. Many seers have given suggestions and our government is seriously considering that we should close these excise shops within the limits of our religious cities so that we can take concrete steps in the direction of complaints from people regarding the religious environment. We are serious and will take a decision in this regard very soon." (ANI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered interim protection from any coercive action against Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi, who is facing charges of promoting communal disharmony by posting a video clip on his social media handle. A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued a notice to the state of Gujarat and others on Pratapgarhi's plea challenging the Gujarat High Court order that had refused to quash the FIR against him. At the outset of the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Congress MP, told the bench, "What have we come to? The court has to say something. The order was passed on the first day itself even without notice." To this, Justice Oka said, "We heard the poem also. Issue short notice. Returnable on February 10. No step shall be taken in pursuance to the FIR registered." On January 3, the national chairman of Congress' minority cell, Pratapgarhi, was booked by Jamnagar police for promoting enmity between different groups based on religion, race, making statements prejudicial to national integration, insulting religious groups or their beliefs, abetting the commission of an offence by the public or by a group of more than ten people, among other charges. The FIR alleged that the Rajya Sabha MP was booked after he posted a 46-second video clip on December 29 on his X handle, with a poem "ae khoon ke pyase baat suno..." running in the background. A Jamnagar resident filed an FIR alleging that Pratapgarhi used a song that was "provocative, detrimental to national integrity, and hurt religious sentiments." Subsequently, he moved the High Court to quash the FIR, claiming that the poem, based on which the FIR was filed, "is a poem spreading a message of love." The High Court, on January 17, 2025, refused to quash the FIR, stating that there was a need for further investigation and that he had not cooperated with the investigation process. Before the High Court, the Congress MP maintained that "reading of the song-poem, it is a message of love and non-violence." (ANI) Following an anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district, Sunil Khemka, Managing Director of Shree Narayana Hospital, confirmed that one soldier sustained a bullet wound to the left hip joint and is undergoing further tests. However, he remains conscious and alert, with no signs of life-threatening injuries. Speaking to ANI, Khemka mentioned another soldier who suffered a minor bullet graze to the neck and has fully recovered. "The bullet has entered from his left hip joint area, so an X-ray of the abdomen and pelvis is being done to determine the condition. The patient is conscious and alert. There is movement in the arms and legs, so there doesn't seem to be any life-threatening injury. A soldier had a bullet graze his neck skin, but he is now completely fine," Khemka said. Earlier, the Inspector General of Raipur Zone, Amresh Mishra, stated that 16 Naxal bodies were recovered during an encounter with the security forces in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district, near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. According to a statement from IG Mishra, the security forces also recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS, and other automatic weapons. Following this development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the efforts of the security forces, calling it a "mighty blow" to Naxalism. "Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today," the Union Home Minister stated. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also reaffirmed the state's strong stance in eradicating Maoism, describing it as a "cancer to society." Speaking to ANI on the recent encounter in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband where bodies of 16 naxals were recovered following an encounter with the security forces, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister highlighted the achievements of the security forces and their success in dealing with the Maoist threat, emphasising the government's commitment to eliminating Naxalism in the state. "Near the Kulhadi Ghat under the Mainpur police station of the Gariaband district, our security forces had an encounter with Maoists. So far, more than a dozen Maoists have been killed. There have been two major encounters with Naxalites within a week," he said. "Our soldiers have achieved huge success and our government is working to end the Naxalism. Maoism is like a cancer and we will succeed in destroying it completely. We will fulfil the resolution of the PM and the HM," Sai added. (ANI) Labour and Employment Minister Balvantsinh Rajput highlighted the impact of the 'Mobile Medical Van' scheme, stating that each van conducts medical check-ups and provides treatment to over 2,000 labourers monthly. To date, more than 31 lakh labourers and their dependents have benefited from this initiative, as per a release. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these vans played a vital role by conducting necessary tests and distributing free medicines for the welfare of citizens across Gujarat. Detailing the scheme, the minister explained that the Gujarat government launched the 'Mobile Medical Van' scheme to ensure medical security for families of labourers in the organized sector. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, 24 mobile medical vans are currently operational, offering free primary medical check-ups and treatment to over 6,00,000 labourers and their families annually. The services provided by the vans include blood tests, pregnancy tests, haemoglobin checks, laboratory tests, diabetes screening, and complete blood counts. In cases where further treatment is necessary, labourers are referred to the nearest government hospitals for additional care. Balvantsinh Rajput emphasised the state government's commitment to protecting the health of every labourer in Gujarat's organized sector. Through the Construction Worker's Welfare Board, plans are underway to expand the scheme by deploying additional vans based on demand. The state government provides a 100 percent subsidy for primary medical check-ups, treatment, and essential medicines for labour families to ensure they receive these services free of cost. Currently, these mobile medical vans are operational across Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Surat, Himmatnagar, Gandhinagar, Junagadh, Vapi, Vadodara, Anand-Kheda, Gandhidham, Bhavnagar, Morbi, Valsad, Navsari, Rajkot, and surrounding GIDCs. Following the scheme's success, the Minister announced the addition of 6 more vans to the existing 24, further expanding the scheme's reach to benefit more labourers and their families. Many labourer families migrate from rural areas to urban centres in search of employment. However, the dense population in urban areas often results in a shortage of healthcare facilities, making these families vulnerable to health risks. To address this gap, the "Mobile Medical Van" scheme, launched in 2015-16, ensures that labourers and their dependents have access to healthcare, promoting their health and well-being while enabling them to work more effectively. (ANI) The Election Commission of India will organize a two-day international conference titled "Global Election Year 2024: Reiteration of Democratic Spaces; Takeaway for EMBs" in New Delhi on January 23 and 24, immediately ahead of the National Voters Day. According to an official release, the conference is scheduled following an extraordinarily eventful year, when more than 70 countries with nearly half the world population went to polls. The conference aims to reflect on key areas of contemporary election management and a prospective view of elections while drawing key learnings. At the Conference, countries from across the world, especially aspiring Election Management Bodies are expected to get a full account of India's Lok Sabha General Election 2024, the largest election in the world by far, which also is a veritable learning space for all election managers, the release said. ECI's International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in association with the India Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) Centre have designed the Conference that will be inaugurated by the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Rajiv Kumar, and will feature sessions chaired by Election Commissioners from a range of countries and international dignitaries. Nearly 30 representatives from the Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of 13 countries including Bhutan, Georgia, Namibia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Ireland, Mauritius, Philippines, Russian Federation, Tunisia, and Nepal will participate in the conference. Heads/Deputy Heads of EMBs from Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Mauritius, Namibia, Indonesia, Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, Tunisia & Uzbekistan and representatives from international organizations like International IDEA, President & CEO of International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and Secretary General A-WEB will also join. Many Ambassadors/High Commissioners based in Delhi will also participate in the conference. As per the release, the conference will commence with a keynote address from CEC Rajiv Kumar and have sessions covering various aspects of election management. The first session on "Election Year 2024 - Major Learnings" will be co-chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan and the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia. The session will feature presentations from election authorities of India, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan The second session, titled "Role of Technology in Election Management - Opportunities and Challenges," will be chaired by India's Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and will include presentations from representatives of election authorities of Bhutan and Russia. The third session, "Social Media Platforms and Election Management - Consultation and the Way Forward," will be chaired by Election Commissioner Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. The session will have presentations from representatives of election management bodies of Nepal and Namibia, along with the President and CEO of IFES. The fourth session on "Electoral Equity: Inclusive & Accessible Elections" will be co-chaired by the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan and the Secretary General of A-WEB and will include presentations from EMBs of Tunisia, the Philippines, and Georgia. The fifth session, "Importance of Capacity Building, Training, and International Cooperation for Strengthening Democratic Spaces," will be co-chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner of Nepal and the President & CEO of IFES and will include presentations from representatives of A-WEB, Election Commission of Ireland and International IDEA. On Day 2, the sixth session on "The Future of Elections" will be chaired by Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar. The session will feature presentations from election authorities of Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Namibia, and Nepal, along with representatives from A-WEB and IFES. The concluding session will include observations from Abdool Rahman Mohammad Irfan, Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius and Anthony Nathan Banbury, CEO of IFES. This will be followed by discussions and finalisation of the recommendations outlining the commitment and actionable steps for Election Management Bodies worldwide, for better synergy and strengthening of elections and electoral democracies. (ANI) The Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf Amendment Bill held key meetings in Lucknow on Tuesday. Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the JPC l said that it will be the last meeting of the JPC and after this, they will present its report in the Parliament during the budget session, scheduled for January 31. Speaking to the media, Pal highlighted that in Lucknow, the committee had a detailed discussion with the stakeholders of the state government. "After that, people from Jamiat-Ulema and several other places came. Then, we spoke with the office-bearers of the Bar Association and many other organizations," he said. "This is the last meeting of the JPC. We have already visited several states. This is the final leg of the tour, and after this, we will present the JPC report in the budget session. The Government of India has proposed 44 amendments, and we have given time until tomorrow for our members to provide their final views on them," Jagdambika Pal added. He mentioned that on January 24th-25th, the Committee will have a meeting in Delhi and discuss the clauses one by one. "The JPC is a committee with members from different parties. All discussions have taken place in a good environment. I am hopeful that we will provide a report that will benefit the people in the coming days. In the last six months, we have held 34 meetings in Delhi alone. I thank all the MPs who attended all these meetings. I believe it will be a very good report, and based on it, a good law will be made to ensure that Waqf properties are used for their intended purposes," the JPC Chairman said. The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is to submit its report during the budget session. The term of the committee was extended during the winter session of Parliament. The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. Notably, the budget session of Parliament will commence on January 31 and continue till April 4, with the union budget to be presented on February 1. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to address these challenges by introducing reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. (ANI) The Rouse Avenue Court on Tuesday deferred the judgment in a case against former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in connection with the Anti-Sikh riots. This case relates to the killing of the father-son duo, Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh, in the Saraswati Vihar area on November 1, 1984. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja allowed Public Prosecutor Manish Rawat to make additional submissions regarding the material collected during the further investigation of the case. The matter has been deferred until January 31, 2025. Earlier, the court had reserved its judgment. Advocate Anil Sharma had submitted that Sajjan Kumar's name was not mentioned from the beginning, and that the law of foreign lands is not applicable in this case. He also highlighted the 16-year delay in naming Kumar as the accused. Sharma further noted that a case in which Sajjan Kumar was convicted by the Delhi High Court is still pending before the Supreme Court. Advocate Sharma also referred to a case cited by senior advocate H.S. Phoolka, submitting that the law of the land would prevail, even in extraordinary situations, and not international law. In rebuttal, Additional Public Prosecutor Manish Rawat submitted that the accused was not initially known to the victim. When the victim became aware of Sajjan Kumar's identity, she named him in her statement. Earlier, senior advocate H.S. Phoolka, who appeared for the riot victims, argued that police investigations were manipulated in the Sikh riot cases. "Police investigation was tardy and to save the accused," Phoolka stated. Phoolka emphasized that the situation during the riots was extraordinary and that these cases should be handled in that context. He referred to the Delhi High Court judgment and submitted that the 1984 riots were not an isolated incident but part of a larger massacre and genocide. He also pointed out that according to official figures, 2,700 Sikhs were killed in Delhi in 1984. Senior advocate Phoolka cited the Delhi High Court's judgment in the 1984 Delhi Cantt case, where the court referred to the riots as a crime against humanity. He stated that the objective of genocide is always to target minorities. "There is a delay, but the Supreme Court took it seriously, and an SIT was constituted," he argued. Phoolka also referred to judgments delivered by foreign courts in genocide and crime against humanity cases and mentioned the Geneva Convention. It was submitted that a charge sheet against Sajjan Kumar had been prepared in 1992 but was never filed in court, suggesting that the police were attempting to protect him. On November 1, 2023, the court recorded Sajjan Kumar's statement, in which he denied all the charges leveled against him. Initially, an FIR was registered at the Punjabi Bagh police station. Later, this case was investigated by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed following the recommendations of Justice GP Mathur's committee. The committee had recommended the reopening of 114 cases, including this one. On December 16, 2021, the court framed charges against the accused Sajjan Kumar for the commission of offences punishable under Sections 147/148/149 IPC, as well as offences punishable under Sections 302/308/323/395/397/427/436/440, read with Section 149 IPC. The SIT alleged that the accused had led the mob and, upon his instigation and abetment, the mob had burned alive the two victims, Jaswant Singh and Tarundeep Singh. The mob also damaged, destroyed, and looted their household articles and property, burned their house, and inflicted severe injuries on the family members and relatives residing in the house. The SIT claimed that during the investigation, material witnesses were traced and examined, and their statements were recorded under Section 161 Cr.P.C. The statements of the complainant were recorded on November 23, 2016, during the further investigation. In that statement, she again narrated the incidents of looting, arson, and the murders of her husband and son by the mob armed with deadly weapons. She also clarified that she had seen the photograph of the accused in a magazine about one and a half months later. (ANI) A Delhi court has issued an injunction against GRM Food Craft Private Limited, restraining the company from using the trademark "10X Shakti" on the packaging of its wheat flour after it was found to be using the trademark "Shakti 10X" without legal authorization. In a recent order, Delhi's Rohini Court stated, "A prima facie case has been made out in favor of the plaintiff (Kumar Food Industries Ltd), and the balance of convenience also lies in its favor. It can also be anticipated that the plaintiff would suffer irreparable loss in terms of goodwill and finances if an ex-parte interim injunction is not granted." The court of District Judge (Commercial) Umed Singh Grewal added that, to protect the plaintiff from financial and reputational loss and to prevent the public from purchasing goods that may be of substandard quality, the application under Order 39, Rules 1 & 2 of the CPC was granted. The defendant and its representatives are restrained, until the next date, from using the trademark "10X Shakti" or its variants on wheat flour packaging, the court stated. The court observed that the documents submitted clearly indicate that the plaintiff's predecessor was the original owner of the "Shakti Bhog" trademark and its variants, which were assigned to the plaintiff in 2017. However, the defendant is using the trademark "10X Shakti Bhog," with the "10X" appearing in a small font above the word "Shakti," which is in larger capital letters, drawing significant attention. Both parties operate in the same industry, and the prominent use of the word "Shakti" on the defendant's packaging could confuse unsuspecting customers into believing the goods are manufactured by the plaintiff. According to the suit filed by Kumar Food Industries Limited, Kewal Krishan Kumar is the original adopter of the trademark "Shakti Bhog" and began using it, along with its variants, on his products in 1975. He incorporated a company on March 30, 1991. Prior to this, he registered the word mark "Shakti Bhog," the device mark, and its other variants, including "Maha Shakti Bhog," in classes 29, 30, 31, 32, and 42 under the provisions of the Trade and Merchandise Act, 1958, and the Trade Marks Act, 1999, since 1975. On October 1, 1996, Kewal Krishan Kumar executed an irrevocable license deed in favor of the plaintiff, granting the use of the trademark "Shakti Bhog" for a period of ten years. On April 3, 2006, another license deed was executed, further extending the irrevocable license for an additional 30 years. During the arguments, the plaintiff's counsel stated that the plaintiff has been the continuous proprietor of the "Shakti Bhog" trademark and its variants for the past 32 years as a licensee, and since January 1, 2018, as the owner, by virtue of an assignment deed dated December 30, 2017. The counsel argued that the plaintiff is entitled to the benefits of the trademark registration as per the deed of assignment. The dispute raised before the NCLT by the IRP, at the behest of the plaintiff's competitors, does not grant any third party the right to use or infringe upon the trademark and pass off their goods as those of the plaintiff. The plaintiff's counsel further highlighted that a recent market survey revealed that the defendant, M/S GRM Food Craft Pvt Ltd, was selling wheat flour under the "10X Shakti" trademark. Investigations showed that the defendant had been using the "10X" trademark for the last 2-3 years and only started using "10X Shakti" on wheat flour, while marketing other food products under the "10X" mark. The defendant had also applied in 2022 for the registration of "10X Shakti," but the application was rejected by the Trademark Registrar on March 9, 2024. The counsel concluded by requesting that the defendant be restrained from using the "10X Shakti" trademark on wheat flour packaging. (ANI) Beijing reiterates commitment to developing stable ties with Washington 08:19, January 21, 2025 By Cao Desheng ( China Daily Vice-President Han Zheng shakes hands with United States Vice-President-elect JD Vance during their meeting in Washington, DC, on Sunday. (Liu Weibing/Xinhua) Beijing reiterated its commitment to developing a stable, healthy and sustainable relationship with Washington, ahead of the inauguration on Monday of United States President Donald Trump. Vice-President Han Zheng made the commitment in Washington, DC, on Sunday during separate meetings with Vice-President-elect JD Vance, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and representatives of US business leaders. Han was in the US capital to attend Trump's inauguration ceremony as the special representative of President Xi Jinping. The meetings came two days after Xi and Trump talked on the phone, discussing bilateral ties and major international and regional issues of common concern. The two leaders also agreed to set up a channel of strategic communication to keep in regular touch on major issues of shared interest. While meeting with Vance, Han said that as long as both sides adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, Beijing and Washington will be able to achieve mutual success, bring benefits to both countries and make important contributions to world peace and development. China is willing to work with the US to adhere to the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, implement the important points of consensus reached between the two presidents, and promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations, Han said. Noting that economic and trade relations are an important issue of common concern for both sides, he said that despite differences and friction between China and the US, there remain enormous common interests and vast room for cooperation between them. He called on both sides to strengthen dialogue and consultation on this matter. Vance acknowledged that bilateral economic and trade relations are crucial for both the US and China, and highlighted China's increasingly important role in international affairs. The US is willing to develop a long-term, productive relationship with China, strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China on international and regional issues, and jointly promote world peace and stability, he said. During his meeting with Musk, who has been nominated by Trump to co-lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, Han welcomed US companies, including Tesla, to seize opportunities and share in China's development achievements, thereby making greater contributions to the development of China-US economic and trade relations. Musk expressed Tesla's willingness to deepen investment cooperation with China, and said his company is willing to play an active role in facilitating economic and trade exchanges between the two countries. On Sunday, Han also met with representatives of the US-China Business Council, the US Chamber of Commerce and other US business leaders. He called on the US business community to actively serve as a bridge to contribute to the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral ties. Han highlighted the wide range of common interests and vast cooperation opportunities between China and the US, saying that the positive trajectory and stable development of the bilateral relationship align with the well-being of the people of both countries and the general expectations of the international community. He noted that the US business community has been a steadfast supporter of China-US relations, and has actively participated in and benefited from the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries as well as China's reform and opening-up. Han also reiterated China's commitment to advancing reform and opening-up and continuously improving the business environment, and expressed the hope that US companies will continue to invest in and engage with China. Representatives from the US business community expressed optimism regarding the recent conversation between Trump and Xi, viewing it as a positive and inspiring signal. They said that as the world's two largest and most dynamic economies with advanced technologies, the US and China should engage in mutually beneficial cooperation and find constructive and stable ways to coexist. Observers said that as the China-US relationship is at a crossroads, the world's two largest economies could succeed together, provided they are able to find common ground. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Flash People watch the broadcast of the inauguration ceremony of the 47th president of the United States at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol at noon on Monday, beginning his second term as he returns to the White House after four years. Due to projected cold weather in Washington, D.C., his inauguration ceremony was held indoors -- the first time in four decades. Trump took his oath of office administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. Chief Justice usually administers the presidential oath of office, a tradition that has been followed since the first inauguration. Trump said in his inauguration speech that American decline ends and "the golden Age of America begins right now." In his speech, Trump promised to sign "a series of historic executive orders," including declaring a national emergency at the southern border, enhancing oil and gas production, revoking electric vehicle mandate. He also promised to immediately begin the overhaul of the trade system and "tariff and tax foreign countries." Trump pledged to bring down prices, save auto industry, "restore fair, equal and impartial justice," and bring law and order back to U.S. cities. Criticizing Democrats' DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programs, the newly sworn-in president said this week, he will also end the government policy of "trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life," and "forge a society that is colorblind and merit based." He noted that it will be the "official policy" of the United States government that there are only two genders -- male and female. Trump also pledged to build the strongest military the world has ever seen. "We will measure our success, not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into," Trump said, adding that he will be a peacemaker and unifier. The president reiterated that he will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and will take back the Panama Canal. In addition, Trump said that he will, for the second time, pull the United States out of the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change. Moments before Trump's swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn in as the vice president. Calling it a "collection of people's feelings," Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia praised the postal exhibition at the National Philatelic Museum on Tuesday. He also highlighted how the exhibition showcases historic hand-drawn postage stamps of great historical figures such as B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, and Rabindranath Tagore. "Our national philately museum is not just philately museum, but a collection of people's feelings. People will be surprised to see the treasure of old stamps," the Union Minister told reporters. Earlier, Scindia also released a special postcard issued by India Post, commemorating 75 years of the Indian Republic and Constitution in Delhi, following which he praised the youth for participating enthusiastically in the programs organised at the museum on the Constitution and the Freedom Struggle. "There was a time when the postal stamps were not designed by Corel (draw) or any software, but it was made by hand and their magnificence is shown when you see Rabindranath Tagore stamp, Babasaheb Ambedkar's, Sardar Patel, Mahatma Gandhi's stamp too. I am also happy to see that youth of today has joined with the museum to attend the 4-hour long program on Constitution, and on the freedom struggle...We are going to ensure the development of the postal department under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Scindia added. During his visit, Scindia also had the opportunity to see letters written by Baba Saheb Ambedkar. "During the visit, I got the opportunity to see the historical letters written by the architect of the Constitution, Baba Saheb Ambedkar," Scindia said on X. The minister met and interacted with artists and collectors associated with philately. "Along with meeting school children, there were also discussions with various artists and collectors associated with the field of Philately," Scindia said on X. The Union minister also praised the proposed Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP). "Chambal Parbati link canal will be really beneficial for the adjacent areas. Farmers will be happy, agricultural irrigation will be increased and the ongoing days. With the help of (Madhya Pradesh CM) Mohan Yadav and Prime Minister Modi," Scindia said. The Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP (PKC-ERCP) Link Project is an inter-state project that merges the PKC link with the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP). This integration addresses issues like water sharing, cost-benefit distribution, and water exchange between the concerned states. (ANI) Mumbai-based Green Labs, a jewelry and diamond company, has crafted a unique diamond shaped like the face of US President Donald Trump as a special gift for the White House. This piece of art is the result of Green Labs' expertise in combining innovative design with diamonds to create the detailed, life-like shape of Trump's face, showcasing both craftsmanship and creativity. Miraj Patel, Chief Sales Officer of Green Labs, stated that the diamond was created to symbolize the "strengthening relationship between the US and India." Speaking to ANI, Patel said, "We have created this 4.7-carat diamond in the shape of the face of the President of the United States of America. We crafted this precisely as a 4.7-carat diamond because he is the 47th President." "The best part of this creation is that this diamond was created over 60 days in Gujarat's Surat. It is completely made in India with use of renewable wind and solar energy. We created this diamond to symbolise the strengethening relationship between the US and India," he added. Miraj Patel further said, "We are going to gift this diamond to the White House. It is invaluable because there is no other such diamond across the country, therefore it is not right to put a price on it." The diamond, likely to be a one-of-a-kind creation, has been designed to be presented as a gesture of goodwill and respect towards the White House. Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 20. US Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump. Prior to Trump's swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th US Vice President. After taking the oath, Trump declared that the "golden age" of America had begun, and today marked 'Liberation Day' for the country. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed that it was a "great honor" to represent India at the inauguration ceremony of US President Donald Trump. Sharing the pictures of the inauguration ceremony on X, he wrote, "A great honour to represent India at the inauguration ceremony of @POTUS President Donald J Trump and @VP Vice President JD Vance in Washington DC today." His attendance underscores the importance of India-US relations and the global diplomatic ties shared between the two nations as President Trump begins his second term in office. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) challenging the bail granted to former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and current NCP MLA Chhagan Bhujbal in a money-laundering case. A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan also rejected Bhujbal's plea challenging his arrest in the matter. The apex court, while rejecting Bhujbal's plea, stated that he was released on bail in 2018, and it was not necessary to examine the legality of his arrest at this stage. "Impugned orders granting bail have been passed way back in the year 2018. Therefore no case for interference is made out at this stage under Article 136 of the Constitution. The SLPs are dismissed," the bench said in its order, rejecting the ED's plea to cancel Bhujbal's bail. While declining Bhujbal's plea against his arrest, the top court stated, "As the petitioner has been granted bail in 2018, it is not necessary at this stage to examine the question of the legality of his arrest. However, that issue remains open and can be raised by the petitioner at the appropriate stage in an appropriate petition." The Bombay High Court granted bail to Bhujbal on May 4, 2018, in the money-laundering case. According to the ED, Bhujbal awarded contracts related to construction and development works, including one for the construction of Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi, to a particular firm in return for kickbacks for himself and his family. (ANI) Senior Superintendent of Police in Ayodhya, Raj Kumar Nayyar on Tuesday said that the holy city has been divided into five zones and twelve sectors to streamline the arrangements for the devotees visiting the district amid the ongoing Maha Kumbh festivities. Speaking to ANI, SSP Nayyar said, "Devotees continue to arrive in large numbers at Ayodhya Dham from Maha Kumbh festivities in Prayagraj. In preparation for their arrival, we have planned security, crowd control, and traffic management by holding meetings across several stages." "The entire area has been divided into five zones and twelve sectors to streamline the arrangements. With the support of special police forces from the headquarters, we are ensuring that all devotees are safely guided to the site," said the SSP. The official further said, "The devotees are taking the holy bath in Saryu, visiting Hanumangarhi temple, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple and offering prayers. The number of devotees is continuously increasing. Special attention is being paid to the security of the visiting devotees." Amid the ongoing Mahakumbh festivities, a huge number of devotees are gathering at the Hanuman Garhi temple in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya. The devotees are also visiting the Ram temple complex to offer prayers even though it remains blanketed with a dense layer of fog due to the cold weather. Earlier in December, the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation already made arrangements for the devotees, setting up shelter places and ensuring the availability of drinking water. The shelter places set up by the Ayodhya Nagar Nigam will provide devotees relief from the cold weather. Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi had said that the devotees were expected to visit Ayodhya to get a glimpse of the Saryu River and Ram Lala after enjoying the Kumbh. "According to mythological belief with regards to Maha Kumbh, people who take a bath in Prayag usually try to visit Saryu to bathe in it and to get a glimpse of Ram Lala," he said. Despite the chilly weather and fog conditions, a large congregation of devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Tuesday to take a dip in the ongoing Mahakumbh. As per the data of the Uttar Pradesh government, more than 1.597 million devotees took a dip at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on the ninth day of the Mahakumbh. As of January 20, over 88.1 million have already taken a dip in the sacred confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mystical Saraswati. On Tuesday morning, a dense layer of fog engulfed the Prayagraj city with inclement weather conditions in the city. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature in Prayagraj for today is 11 degrees Celsius with a forecast of fog in the morning and mainly clear sky later in the day. Amidst the dense fog in the morning, flight operations were normal at the Prayagraj airport. Maha Kumbh is one of the largest and most significant religious congregations in the world, held every 12 years at one of four locations in India. The next key 'snan' dates are: January 29 (Mauni Amavasya - Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami - Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). The Maha Kumbh began on January 13 and will continue until February 26. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy hailed the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for organising the Maha Kumbh and said the scene of the mass gathering had never been imagined. "The event which has been organised under the leadership of UP CM Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has never happened before," he told ANI. "50 crore people are expected to arrive, out of which 10 crore have already arrived. Perhaps such a scene of mass gathering has never been imagined or imagined. The faith of every person has been overflowed," Rudy added. Earlier, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, during his visit to the Mahakumbh also lauded the Uttar Pradesh administration for their exceptional management of the Mahakumbh gathering. Highlighting the scale of operations, he stated that the organization and execution of the Maha Kumbh Mela should be studied by management institutes and corporate houses as an exemplary case of efficient administration. He said "The administration of Uttar Pradesh, especially the police personnel and sanitation workers, considering the way millions of people come here, and the manner in which the arrangements are maintained, in my opinion, is a subject of study for management institutes and corporate houses as well". He further emphasized the contributions of the police personnel and sanitation workers, whose tireless efforts make the event a success. "In my opinion, this level of management is a subject of research for management institutes. There is nothing greater than receiving the blessings of Maa Ganga," he added. Devotees gathered at the Maha Kumbh Mela even as dense fog engulfed the area. The inclement weather conditions did not seem to affect the footfall of pilgrims. Thousands of people gathered on the ghats of Sangam to take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam, a sacred confluence of three rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. The footfall of the pilgrims is expected to increase in the upcoming days which will see four key Shahi Snans. Maha Kumbh Mela began on January 13 and will continue until February 26. The next key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya - Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami - Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). As per the data of the Uttar Pradesh government, more than 1.597 million devotees took a dip at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on the ninth day of the Mahakumbh. Uttar Pradesh police deployed over 10,000 personnel, including local police and paramilitary forces for the event's security. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed a "water ambulance" stationed at Sangam to ensure the safety of devotees. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister and AAP candidate Atishi on Tuesday wrote a letter to the returning officer of Kalkaji seat accusing his rival candidate Ramesh Bidhuri's nephew and other BJP workers of threatening the AAP workers in the area. In her letter, Atishi alleged that AAP volunteers including Rekha Bassi, Sanjay Gupta, Mani Manta, Aradhana, Sunita Pandey, Sher Singh, Hari Shankar Gupta and others were verbally and physically threatened by some BUP workers, "The BJP members including Kunal Bhardwaj, Manish, Rishabh Bhiduri (nephew of the BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri) threatened Sanjay Gupta and others, hurled abuses, grabbed him by the collar and threatened with physical harm," she said. "The BIP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri has publicly been making abusive and derogatory statements about me during the election campaign. Despite being reported in the media no action has been taken against him. This has given a signal that misbehaviour by BJP leaders and workers will go unpunished. This is the reason why this violence and intimidation has started," the AAP candidate said. Atishi also alleged that these BJP workers have been openly threatening AAP volunteers without any fear. "It is alarming that if these workers are getting so aggressive with AAP workers, then one can imagine the kind of influence they would have on the voters living in these areas," she said. She further demanded the election officer to deploy security forces in the Kalkaji constituency to ensure the safety of AAP volunteers. "This kind of violence and aggression is a threat to free and fair elections in the Kalkaji constituency. I would like to urge you to take immediate action against the concerned BJP workers and to deploy security forces across the Kalkaji constituency to ensure the safety and security of Aam Aadmi Party volunteers," Atishi said. Meanwhile, Ramesh Bidhuri was campaigning on Tuesday at a Nukkad Sabha at Gandhi Camp Srinivaspuri Kalkaji Constituency. "This election is not just about winning but about the development of the area and raising the voice for your rights. The support of the aware citizens of Kalkaji Vidhan Sabha is a source of inspiration and energy for us. We will soon get rid of AAP-DA which has turned Kalkaji Vidhan Sabha into a dirty place, " he said in a post on X. The Delhi Assembly elections are going to be held in a single phase on February 5, with counting to be done on February 8. (ANI) The state governments of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Rajasthan have constituted Transgender Welfare Boards, the Supreme Court was informed on Tuesday. This development came after the top court issued a notice in November last year to the governments of various states, seeking their responses on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea regarding the establishment of Transgender Welfare Boards to address the social welfare issues of the transgender community. A Bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti was also informed that the Union of India and some of the respondent state governments are yet to file their responses in compliance with the court's direction. The court noted that these responses had not been filed despite several adjournments being granted in the matter. Consequently, it directed the states to file their responses within six weeks. Additionally, the court stated that if the respondent states fail to comply with this direction, they will be liable to pay a cost of Rs 40,000 to their respective legal aid cells. The court scheduled the next hearing in the matter for six weeks from now. The PIL was filed by the Kinner Maa Eksamajik Sanstha Trust in 2021, seeking the court's direction to the Centre and state governments to establish Transgender Welfare Boards for the welfare of transgender persons. The plea highlighted various challenges faced by the transgender community, including discrimination, unemployment, homelessness, and lack of access to educational and medical facilities. Advocates Narender Kumar Verma and Jaya Sukin represented the Kinner Maa Eksamajik Sanstha Trust. (ANI) A day after a video showing a police constable smoking a cigarette while riding on a moving bike in uniform went viral on social media in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district, the police administration took cognisance of the matter and penalized the constable, an officer said on Tuesday. The police constable has been identified as Jitendra Singh Tanwar posted at the Police Radio Training School (PRTS) in the district. He was sitting on the rear side of the bike and looked like Pushpa 2 movie character 'SP Shekhawat' while the man riding the bike posed the iconic gesture of the movie 'Jhukega Nahi'. The video was shot by a social media influencer. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Addl. DCP, Crime Branch) Rajesh Dandotiya called both the constable, Jitendra Singh, and the social media content creator to advise them against repeating the act, stating that it tarnishes the image of the police. "Yesterday a video went viral on social media which was also identified by the social media monitoring cell. In the said video, a man was riding a bike and a police personnel was sitting on the rear side smoking cigarettes. Upon identifying, the police personnel is identified as constable Jitendra Singh Tanwar, who works at PRTS. The constable was called today and when he was questioned, he said that he had not made this video. Following which the person who made the video was also called who is a social media influencer," Addl DCP Dandotiya said. As the police personnel committed such acts in the uniform, it tarnishes the impression of the police. The traffic rules were also violated as they didn't wear a helmet, so a callan action was taken against him. Besides, he smoked cigarettes at the public place, so spot fine action was also charged by the Municipal Corporation. Additionally, a departmental inquiry has also been ordered into the matter, he added. When asked about the get-up, the officer clarified, "The video was promoted on social media as a character from the Pushpa 2 movie 'SP Shekhawat' and it went widely viral on social media. It had over 2 crores views. Smoking cigarettes in a police uniform at public places is a violation of law and action was taken into the matter." (ANI) Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Dimple Yadav accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of hatching a "well-planned conspiracy" for the upcoming by-election in the Milkipur constituency. The SP MP also claimed that the BJP is hoping for a defeat of the SP in the by-poll. On the Milkipur by-election, Dimple Yadav told reporters here, "...BJP wants the Samajwadi Party to lose the Milkipur by-election by using a well-planned conspiracy... But I am hopeful that the Samajwadi Party will put an end to all these conspiracies and win this by-election..." Earlier SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav said the bypoll will be the biggest election and demanded that the electoral process be transparent. "In Milkipur, not any person, but PDA representative is contesting. Milkipur by-election will be the biggest election in the history of by-elections in the country. That is why we want journalists from all over the world to come and see, understand and cover this election. We invite leading scholars of the world to do a case study of this election. We want the Uttar Pradesh government to make this by-election an example of transparent election and invite everyone. Milkipur election is a contest between PDA and the corrupt system of BJP," he said. The election in the Milkipur constituency was necessitated after the Samajwadi Party's (SP) Awadhesh Prasad vacated the seat after being elected to the Lok Sabha from Faizabad in the general election held last year. The Milkipur bypoll is scheduled for February 5 and votes will be counted on February 8. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai extended support with 'full strength' to its INDIA bloc partner Samajwadi Party for the polls. "Congress is supporting the INDIA alliance with full strength. It is the work of the BJP to misuse government machinery to win elections but the people of Milkipur will teach them a lesson this time," Rai told ANI a day earlier. The Congress, Samajwadi Party's INDIA bloc ally, has decided not to field any candidate from Milkipur and has instead announced support for the SP candidate. For the by-polls, the SP has fielded Awadhesh Prasad's son Ajit Prasad. Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded Chandrabhan Paswan from the seat. He filed his nomination earlier in the month. Earlier, the SP submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Uttar Pradesh, demanding webcasting of all 414 polling stations in the Milkipur assembly constituency. The party has requested that the webcasting link be shared with the candidates and recognised political parties, enabling them to monitor the voting process and ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. The Milkipur by-poll is expected to be a highly prestigious battle for the BJP, as the party lost the Faizabad parliamentary seat to the Samajwadi Party in the Lok Sabha election last year. (ANI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday accused Arvind Kejriwal of "exploiting" poor people and said that the latter talks about improving education but opens liquor stores on every street. Speaking to the media, Nayab Saini exuded confidence in the BJP winning the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls and said that on February 8, the BJP government will be formed in the national capital. "In the last 10 years, Arvind Kejriwal has played with the emotions of the poor people and has exploited them. Arvind Kejriwal says that we (BJP) have copied AAP's Sankalp Patra - I want to make it clear that we don't want to go to Tihar by copying Arvind Kejriwal's Sankalp Patra," he said. "Kejriwal talks about improving education but opens liquor stores on every street. He has deprived the poor people of Delhi of basic amenities. This is the first time in history that a Chief Minister and several of his ministers have gone to jail. This has never happened in any other state. Now, people have lost trust in him. The people of Delhi are waiting for February 5; on February 8, the 'Lotus government' will be formed," CM Saini added. The Haryana CM further claimed that after the elections, the AAP Chief will go to Tihar Jail because the money that should have been spent on the poor, he has spent on himself. "He didn't even provide roofs for the poor but built a 'Sheesh Mahal' for himself. The people of Delhi understand everything," he said. Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nayab Saini said that the PM has provided Ayushman Card to poor which provides treatment of up to Rs five lakh. "Prime Minister Modi has provided a five lakh Ayushman Card to poor individuals, which allows them to get treatment in any hospital. In Haryana, people are benefiting from this scheme, but the people of Delhi and Punjab are not receiving this benefit as they have AAP government," he said. The Delhi Assembly elections are going to take place on February 5, with counting of votes scheduled for February 8. (ANI) You are here: World Flash U.S. President-elect Donald Trump addresses a victory rally held at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 19, 2025. The inauguration ceremony of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will be held in Washington, D.C. on Monday. [Photo/Xinhua] U.S. President Donald Trump late Monday signed an executive order to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. The move means the United States will pull out of the Paris climate accord for the second time. The Rouse Avenue Court on Monday set aside an order passed by the Dwarka Court that had refused to direct the registration of an FIR against former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, MLA Gulab Singh, and Municipal Councillor Nitika Sharma in a case related to alleged violations of the Delhi Prevention and Defacement of Property (DPDP) Act. The allegations pertain to displaying banners and hoardings in 2019. The court remanded the matter to the concerned court, directing it to hear the case afresh and issue a detailed order. Special Judge Vishal Gogne disposed of the revision petition filed by Shiv Kumar Saksena, issuing directions to the concerned Metropolitan Magistrate (MM). The special court observed, "Considering the absence of any discussion in the impugned order upon section 3 of the DPDP Act, this court does not find it appropriate, as a court of Sessions, to in effect, decide the plea under section 156(3) Cr. PC as an inceptional or prescient exercise." The court stated that the right to revision is a valuable legal remedy, which would be rendered ineffective if the essential judicial task of determining whether the allegations constitute a cognizable offense is performed by a higher court instead of the Magistrate. "The present scenario is therefore apt for remanding back the matter to the court ofthe Learned MM for deciding the plea of the complainant under section 156(3) Cr. PC with a speaking order," Special Judge Gogne ordered on January 21. The impugned order dated September 15, 2022 is set aside in entirety, the special court ordered. "The matter is remanded back to Learned Trial Court to decide the application of the complainant under section 156(3) Cr. PC afresh with a speaking order on disclosure of a cognizable offence from the allegations made by the complainant, the special court directed on Tuesday. The Learned Trial Court shall then decide the question of directions under section 156(3) Cr. PC or proceeding with the complaint in the manner of a complaint case, it further directed. The mattar is listed before the Dwarka court on January 27. Special court also granted liberty to the revisionist and said, "The complainant is at liberty to cite the relevant case law and guidelines of the Delhi Police while the Learned Trial Court is also at liberty to seek a fresh ATR or other report from the police authorities." The court set aside the order dated September 15, 2022, and remanded the case back to the trial court for reconsideration. The trial court has been instructed to decide the complainant's application under Section 156(3) Cr. PC afresh, determining whether a cognizable offense has been disclosed. The court further directed the trial court to decide whether to issue directions under Section 156(3) Cr. PC or proceed with the complaint as a complaint case. The case has been listed before the Dwarka Court on January 27, 2025. Additionally, the special court granted liberty to the complainant to reference relevant case laws and Delhi Police guidelines. It also permitted the trial court to request a fresh Action Taken Report (ATR) or other reports from the police if necessary. The revision petition had challenged the September 15, 2022, order by the Dwarka Court, which had dismissed the complainant's application under Section 156(3) Cr. PC and instead directed him to present pre-summoning evidence under Section 200 Cr. PC. Initially filed in the Dwarka Sessions Court, the revision petition was later transferred to the Special Designated Court for cases involving MLAs and MPs, as the respondents included then Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal, MLA Gulab Singh, and Councillor Nitika Sharma. The original complaint, filed under Section 200 Cr. PC in December 2019, alleged violations of Section 3 of the DPDP Act by Kejriwal, Singh, Sharma, and others. It accused them of misusing public funds to install large hoardings in Dwarka at various public locations, including DDA parks and main crossings. The hoardings allegedly featured photographs of the Prime Minister and other individuals. The complainant submitted photographs, video clips, and a DVD as evidence and claimed to have made multiple complaints to the police and other authorities via WhatsApp, written communication, and phone calls. Despite this, no FIR was registered, and no action was taken. In an ATR filed in June 2022, Police Station Dwarka South stated that no hoardings were present at the alleged locations as of 2022. The report also stated that appropriate legal action would be taken if similar activities were noticed in the future. The Magistrate had dismissed the application under Section 156(3) Cr. PC and directed the complainant to present pre-summoning evidence under Section 200 CrPC. (ANI) Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused Bharatiya Janata Party of "doing hooliganism and threatening the people of Delhi," on Tuesday after Delhi CM Atishi filed a complaint wrote to the election officer complaining against Ramesh Bidhuri's nephew and other BJP workers for allegedly threating AAP workers. Kejriwal also alleged that the threats were given on "orders of Amit Shah." "With the protection and support of the police, BJP people are openly committing hooliganism and threatening the people of Delhi. All this is happening on the orders of Amit Shah. BJP lost badly in 2015 and 2020. This time too BJP is losing badly. So now Amit Shah is getting hooliganism done against the people of Delhi," read a post by Kejriwal's account. https://x.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1881672881458889139 The AAP leader said that the people of Delhi will reject hooliganism in the upcoming Delhi assembly polls. "I want to tell Amit Shah ji that Delhi is a city of civilized and decent people. Delhiites do not like such hooliganism. Using the police to threaten people and to commit hooliganism against them is very wrong," his post read. The post added, "Your job is to fix the law and order situation in Delhi. If you yourself get hooliganism done, then who will take care of Delhi? When the boatman sinks the boat, who will save him?" Earlier today, Delhi CM and AAP candidate from Kalkaji constituency accused her rival candidate Ramesh Bidhuri's nephew and other BJP workers of threatening the AAP workers in the area. Atishi alleged that AAP volunteers including Rekha Bassi, Sanjay Gupta, Mani Manta, Aradhana, Sunita Pandey, Sher Singh, Hari Shankar Gupta and others were verbally and physically threatened by some BJP workers. "The BJP members including Kunal Bhardwaj, Manish, Rishabh Bhiduri (nephew of the BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri) threatened Sanjay Gupta and others, hurled abuses, grabbed him by the collar and threatened with physical harm," she said. Atishi also alleged that these BJP workers have been openly threatening AAP volunteers without any fear. "It is alarming that if these workers are getting so aggressive with AAP workers, then one can imagine the kind of influence they would have on the voters living in these areas," she added. The Delhi Assembly elections are going to be held in a single phase on February 5, with counting to be done on February 8. (ANI) As Mahakumbh 2025 continues on a grand note with scores of saints, spiritual leaders, and millions of devotees immersed in the rich spiritual experience, spiritual leader Chidanand Saraswati, President of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, has described the event as "the grandest celebration of Indianness". "This festival symbolises the resurgence of Sanatan Dharma, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is committed to elevating it to even greater heights," said Chidanand Saraswati. Adding further, he said, "For those who follow the Sanatan Dharma, no festival surpasses Mahakumbh in significance. It is not just a festival for a select few, but a collective celebration. The enthusiasm and devotion of the participants have turned the banks of the holy Sangam into a sea of believers--a sight unparalleled anywhere in the world. " Chidanand Saraswati, who has been attending Mahakumbh since 1971, expressed his admiration for the arrangements made for this year's Mahakumbh at Prayagraj. He lauded CM Yogi Adityanath for orchestrating such an extraordinary event, acknowledging the Chief Minister's relentless efforts in making this possible. He shared that the event has left everyone in awe, with devotees and tourists from across the globe drawn to its spiritual energy. "The mesmerizing aura of Mahakumbh has left an indelible impression on visitors, compelling them to return repeatedly. The festival is a beacon of unity and vitality, sending the world an unparalleled message of Sanatan Dharma's harmony," he said. Recalling his experience at the Sangam, Chidanand Saraswati remarked that he felt immense pride witnessing the people's enthusiasm. "The scene of devotees from every corner of the nation and beyond taking a dip in the holy waters was divine and magnificent. Even individuals from countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, and the Arab world are captivated by the spiritual grandeur of Mahakumbh, with many expressing a desire to join the celebration. The festival showcases the unity of Sanatan Dharma, transcending barriers of caste, creed, and language," he said. He added, "Those seeking to divide humanity should witness this extraordinary confluence, where people from diverse backgrounds come together harmoniously. Mahakumbh truly exemplifies the spirit of unity and the timeless legacy of Sanatan Dharma." (ANI) Congress candidate from the New Delhi assembly constituency, Sandeep Dikshit alleged on Tuesday that Punjab police personnel are campaigning for the Aam Admi Party and said he has asked the police to conduct an investigation. On BJP candidate Parvesh Verma alleging that people from Punjab were roaming around in vehicles in Delhi and CCTV cameras were being installed, Dikshit told ANI, "...I have the photographs that Punjab police personnel are campaigning here (in New Delhi constituency). I have sent that (Photographs) to the Station House Officer for the investigation. It's true that many of the outsiders are campaigning for them (AAP). The Congress candidate also said that the Election Commission must take cognizance. He added, "I don't know if CCTV cameras are being installed, but if it's true, the Election Commission must take cognizance..." Parvesh Verma on Tuesday raised security concerns ahead of the Republic Day, alleging that the Punjab Chief Minister, all ministers and MLAs have come only for the New Delhi constituency with thousands of vehicles roaming around having Punjab registration numbers. Speaking to the media, Verma said, "Punjab CM, all the ministers and MLAs of Punjab have come here only for the New Delhi constituency. Thousands of vehicles having Punjab numbers are moving here - who are there in those vehicles? Republic Day preparations are going on, what big thing those people are going to do that may compromise our security?" The BJP leader also mentioned that he has filed complaints with both the Election Commission and the police. "Chinese CCTV cameras are being installed here by the government employees of Punjab. A few people complained to the police as the colony is in proximity to India Gate. When they were caught - they said that AAP had sent them to install CCTV... I have filed a complaint in Election Commission and Police," Parvesh Verma alleged. Meanwhile, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann held a rally in support of AAP candidates in the national capital. He affirmed that they have fulfilled those promises in Punjab which they did not even make. "The kind of love and affection that we are getting from the people, I don't think that I need to say much. In Punjab, we have fulfilled our promises, even those promises we didn't make," he said. Delhi will go to the polls on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8. A three-way contest is on the cards in Delhi between the ruling AAP, BJP, and Congress. Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got eight seats. (ANI) Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responded to BJP candidate Parvesh Verma's remarks on Punjab's vehicles roaming in Delhi and said that every Punjabi is feeling "extremely pained" and it is not right to question the patriotism of Punjab's people in this way. Bhagwant Mann took to X and said that Delhi is the capital of the country and people from every state come here and there is no restriction on this. "Listen to this statement of BJP. This is extremely dangerous, worrying and insulting to Punjabis. They are marking vehicles with Punjab number plates and asking why are vehicles from Punjab roaming in Delhi. They are saying as if Punjabis are a threat to the security of the country. This is extremely insulting to me and every Punjabi in the country. Today every Punjabi is feeling extremely pained and insulted. It is not right to question the patriotism of Punjabis in this way for your dirty politics," he said. "Amit Shah ji, you are neither able to keep the country's border safe nor Delhi. So many thousands of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas are coming to the country, don't you have a problem with them? But you are calling the Punjabis coming from Punjab to Delhi a threat to the country. You should apologize to the Punjabis," the Punjab CM added. Earlier today, Parvesh Verma raised security concerns ahead of the Republic Day, alleging that the Punjab Chief Minister, all ministers and MLAs have come only for the New Delhi constituency with thousands of vehicles roaming around having Punjab registration numbers. Speaking to the media, Verma said, "Punjab CM, all the ministers and MLAs of Punjab have come here only for the New Delhi constituency. Thousands of vehicles having Punjab numbers are moving here - who are there in those vehicles? Republic Day preparations are going on, what big thing those people are going to do that may compromise our security?" The BJP leader also mentioned that he has filed complaints with both the Election Commission and the police. "Chinese CCTV cameras are being installed here by the government employees of Punjab. A few people complained to the police as the colony is in proximity to India Gate. When they were caught - they said that AAP had sent them to install CCTV... I have filed a complaint in Election Commission and Police," Parvesh Verma alleged. (ANI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Tuesday that the problem of illegal migration is taking the shape of unmanageable proportions and it has the potential to upset our electoral mechanisms. Interacting with the students of NIT Raipur, IIT Bhilai, and IIM Raipur on the theme- "Ideas for building Better Bharat" at Raipur today, Dhankhar said, "We are suffering illegal migration in this country of millions. If you go to count their number, mind-boggling, that illegal migration has to be dealt with. But it developed, without even a token of resistance. It is a problem we will have to handle because it is taking shape of unmanageable dimensions". "No nation can suffer. Millions of illegal migrants have the potential to upset our electoral mechanism. They find easy supporters. When people think in terms of petty politics, we must always put the nation first. An illegal migrant in a country has no justification. If it is in millions, look at the impact it has on our economy. They strain our resources, our employment, our health sector, and our education sector. A resolution to this monstrous problem of illegal migrants in millions can no longer bear solution. Every passing day would make the resolution complex. We need to address this issue", he added. Answering a question from a student during the interaction, Dhankhar stressed that the nation needs quality politicians and the youth of this country must be worried when the public representatives are not doing their job and engage in disturbance and disruption instead of dialogue and deliberation. He also called upon the youth to generate pressure on public representatives through social media and other platforms so that they do their duty. Expressing his concern over demographic explosions and orchestrated conversions, Dhankhar said, "Threats are emerging for our Nationalism in the form of demographic disruptions. Demographic disruption is very serious. Organic demographic evolution is soothing and harmonious, but if the demographic explosion takes place, only to destabilize democracy, it's a matter of concern. Then we have the orchestration of conversions through allurements. It is everyone's supreme right to decide for oneself, but if that decision is moderated by allurement, by temptation with an object to change the organic demography of the nation, it is a concern which we all must take note of". Drawing attention towards those opposing the constitutional obligation of UCC Dhankhar said, " UCC, Uniform Civil Code. For those of you who are aware of constitutional provisions, it is in directive principles. An obligation has been cast on governance to have a law, have a uniform civil code. One state, Uttarakhand has done it. How can you object to something which is written in our Constitution ? which is part of Directive Principles of State Policy? We cannot be influenced day in and day out, only by the narrow considerations of the voting patterns. The framers of the Constitution were very wise and very focused. They gave us certain fundamentals, but they indicated that as democracy matures, as we progress, We must also realize for our people certain goals, one of them is the Uniform Civil Code." Stressing the need for different organs of the state to work in their respective domain, Dhankhar underlined, "Another area of concern is that a fashion has become that every Institution or individual will be advising the other Institution how to handle its affairs. That is not the scheme of constitutional working. The Constitution has a defined role for every Institution. Those in the Legislature cannot advise the Judiciary on how to write judgments. That is the role of the Judiciary. Similarly, no Institution can advise day-in and day-out Legislature on how to conduct its affairs. Constitutional wisdom lies that we respect each other's territory. All are committed to serving the nation at last, and therefore, the best way to serve the nation is that every Institution, the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary function in their well-defined roles". "The people of this country have given us the Constitution. Our sovereignty is inviolable. An inalienable facet is an executive governance that is constitutionally sanctified, reflecting the will of the people. If Vishnu Sai, Vishnu Deo Sai, is a Chief Minister, the election has taken place through the Electoral System, through people's verdict. It is his and his team's job to engage in executive governance because the team is accountable to the law and the people. The rationale is that those who are accountable to the people engage in the executive role. The executive role can neither be outsourced, nor it can suffer that it is overtaken by some other agency. In exclusivity, executive governance lies only with the government. If executive functions are performed by any other institution, including the legislature or judiciary, that is antithetical to constitutionalism, that does not work for the country. There is no justifiable premise where executive actions can be overtaken by others....Our constitution envisions in categorical terms each institution has to play a specific role while respecting others. Let institutions restrain and respect, not institutional interference. Democracy must be defined by restraint and mutual respect". Emphasising political consensus and dialogue among political parties, Dhankhar said, "We need to concretise solutions by political, consensual approach through meaningful dialogues amongst political parties. There will be several political parties, they will have different ideologies, and they will have different perceptions about the success route but there are some issues on which there has to be a unifying fabric, unity, a consensual approaches like nationalism, development and security. Our ancient institutions of Shastrartha and Vaad-Vivad? Demonstrate how profound differences were resolved through structured dialogue where the goal was not victory or defeat, but the goal was to find the truth and collective wisdom. That is what the nation wants. Nations are built on consensus, on the commitment of everyone". Stating that destruction of public property and challenge to public order can not be countenanced, the Vice-President said, "How can in this country of 1.4 billion, with civilisation ethos of the kind we have, there can be people who challenge public order? People who destroy public property?In your state also, Vande-Bharat was stormed. How can we overlook and countenance such kind of nuisance, such kind of elements? These must be dealt with very severely in an exemplary manner. They must be made accountable financially but every young man, boy and girl is entitled to name and shame them. You are the power of social media today. How can we allow a citizen of this country to stone a train? To set fire to a government building or a government vehicle? Or even a private vehicle? How can anyone take the law into one's own hands? And how can anyone in the political arena give fuel to it? Thinking mind like young people like you have to take care such wanton destruction of public property does us no honour". Ramen Deka, Governor of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vijay Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Tokhan Sahu, Member of Parliament, Minister of State for Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Suresh Haware, Chairman BoG, NIT, PS Mishra, CMD, SECL, Prof Rajiv Prakash, Director IIT Bhilai, Prof RK Kakani, director IIM, Raipur, Prof NV Ramana Rao, Director NIT Raipur, students, faculty members and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. (ANI) Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh addressed the plenary session of the 85th All India Presiding Officers Conference (AIPOC) in Patna on Tuesday. In his address, Harivansh underlined the need for effective scrutiny of budgets in legislatures and said that there needs to be a political consensus among parties at the state level to commit to economic growth. He said that the financial security of the country must receive the same priority as any other national security issue. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has underlined India's ambition of being a developed nation by 2047. He said, "The growth required to achieve this ambition will be possible only when all states collectively focus on economic growth. Hence legislatures must examine whether the budget in their respective states is being allocated efficiently and not increasing the debt burden. If we want to be an economic power there needs to be a renewed political consensus to stay away from irrational expenditure." He cautioned that India had already been through a challenging phase in 1991 when the nation was on the cusp of bankruptcy. Harivansh said that India's moment of economic crisis did not emerge overnight. "It was a consequence of years of inaction on taking reform measures. Top economists and advisors to the government such as IG Patel, YV Reddy, Montek Ahluwalia, and C Ranagarajan at the time have recalled this delay that eventually led us to the brink. It was Prime Minister Chandrashekhar who initiated the first steps of resolving the crisis," he said. He further said that The Reserve Bank of India in recent times has also noted the challenges of certain expenditure commitments by certain states that can increase the debt burden. "I have often heard about demand for more allocations, but very few discussions happen on how to raise the revenue to finance the expenditure," he said. He recollected that even BR Ambedkar had highlighted that the country's interest must remain above the party's interests. In his address, the Deputy Chairman also touched upon the need for legislators to introspect on their conduct in the House. He said that in older times there used to be governments with a massive majority, yet those selected members in the opposition were able to present their views effectively and present their dissent in a dignified way. "The nature of disruption today shows that we have forgotten how to disagree respectfully," he said. The theme of the 85th AIPOC is the role of legislative institutions in strengthening constitutional values. In his address, the Deputy Chairman recalled the work of the constituent assembly in deepening democratic values and the key role played by members from Bihar in this process. He also noted that India's constitution has remained flexible and adapted to the needs of time. He added that the legislatures must look at this evolution of the constitution as a continuous process and deliberate on laws for the future as well. The two-day conference concluded on Tuesday in the presence of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. This is the third instance of Bihar hosting the AIPOC after 1964 and 1982. (ANI) Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal launched multiple projects worth nearly Rs 2,000 crore in order to expand capacity at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai on Tuesday. The Union Minister also launched one solar-powered boat, two indigenously developed 70T tugs and three fire tenders, boosting the safety and efficiency of the port. Sonowal said, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is amongst top global ports and India's largest port by crossing 10+ million TEUs capacity in January 2025 and poised to achieve 10 million TEUs throughput by 2027. As per Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways In 2024, the port handled highest ever container volume of 7.05 million TEUs, performing at more than 90 per cent capacity. It had an annual growth of 11 per cent Y-o-Y last year as compared to the previous calendar year. With the commissioning of the second phase of Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal (BMCT) in January 2025, another 2.4 million TEUs is added to JNPA's total capacity. The upgradation of Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal (NSFT) in 2025 is also likely to add capacity to the port. With the growth projections of current rate, the container handling capacity is expected to go up to 10.4 million TEUs. Exuding confidence at the forecast, the Union Minister Sarbanand Sonowal said, "It is a remarkable feat for JNPA as well as for the whole of the marine sector of India. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, there has been a concerted effort to unlock value by sweating our assets. At the same time, our team has been working to create value out of idle resources while adding capacity at the same time innovative value propositions. With growing infrastructure, including creating capacity to handle larger vessels, JNPA is poised to play a crucial role as a key gateway for India's global trade." "As India's trade volume increases, from sectors as diverse as manufacturing to textiles, from electronics to agriculture, our ports are investing in capacity building as well as creating efficient solutions to support growing container traffic. We believe that JNPA's elevation as one of the few ports of the world to handle 10 million TEUs is a testament to the effort being put in by the Narendra Modi government since 2014 towards enabling India's marine sector to become one of the top marine countries of the world," he said. Major MoUs were signed in the presence of the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal for the development of the Vadhavan Port Project. A MoU between VPPL and Reliance Industries Limited allocates Liquid Jetty along with 50 acres of land at Vadhavan port under PPP model. This investment is estimated at Rs 645 crore and is likely to commence by 2030. Another MoU between VPPL and Dr Balasaheb Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli (DBKKVD) was signed for development and implementing integrated agricultural and horticultural plan for shortlisted villages in Dahanu and Palghar in and around Vadhavan. In a significant step toward fostering collaboration in the infrastructure sector, a robust working partnership has been established between VPPL and HUDCO. This partnership aims to enhance coordination, collaboration, and resource sharing, adhering to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations governing the parties. As part of this agreement, HUDCO has committed to providing funding of up to Rs 25,000 crore for the development of new ports and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects. This strategic alliance leverages VPPL's expertise in implementing large-scale infrastructure projects and HUDCO's financial acumen to deliver impactful solutions in the infrastructure domain. This partnership aligns with the broader vision of driving sustainable infrastructure development and is expected to catalyse significant progress in port development and other related projects, bolstering India's economic growth and global competitiveness. Sonowal said, "Our development initiatives are focused on unlocking value and monetizing potential by optimising the use of existing assets and transforming idle resources into growth drivers. This aligns with the vision of PM Narendra Modi of empowering our ports to become pivotal Energy Points in India's economic growth story. By leveraging innovation, efficiency, and sustainability, we are not just building infrastructure but creating opportunities that fuel prosperity for the nation." As part of the Rs 2,000 crore capacity enhancement projects at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Sarbananda Sonowal launched the development of a state-of-the-art Agro Processing Facility. This pioneering initiative, with an investment of Rs 284 crore, marks a significant milestone in bolstering India's agricultural trade infrastructure. Spanning 27 acres within the port complex, this one-of-its-kind facility is set to transform the processing, storage, and transportation of agricultural commodities. Designed to handle approximately 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually, the facility will offer comprehensive services including processing, sorting, packing, and laboratory facilities to ensure compliance with food safety and trade regulations. The facility is strategically developed to serve not only Maharashtra but also agricultural producers and traders from states like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, promoting seamless export-import and domestic trade of agro commodities. Another MoU was signed to pave way for setting up of a warehousing facility in the Port area under JNPA's initiative to monetise vacant land parcels along with capacity development. An investment of Rs 300 crore is being fixed for the development of these ambient and temperature-controlled warehousing and CFS facilities. Once fully operational, it will generate 1,20,000 TEU's annually. The Union Minister further said, "Investment for capacity expansion is not just about meeting today's needs but preparing for the demands of tomorrow. The vision of PM Modi ji is to ensure that India's ports are future-ready, equipped to handle growing trade volumes and evolving global dynamics. The empowerment of our ports is not only an asset to act as the growth driver for the economy but will also allow our country to derive strategic advantage by booming one of the top marine countries of the world. By aligning with the nation's long-term goals, we aim to create world-class infrastructure that delivers enduring value for the country and drives our economic aspirations forward." MoUs were also signed to develop Warehousing facilities, Port Facilitation Centre along with a Business Facilitation Centre. Sonowal also performed Bhoomi Pujan for development of a CBSE School building within the Port premises for community development through education. JNPA Special Economic Zone, India's first port-based operational multi-product SEZ is making significant strides in industrial development. Spanning an expansive 277.38 hectares of prime land, JNPA SEZ is strategically positioned with seamless connectivity through water, road, rail, and air. Out of the 163 hectares of leasable land, 124 hectares have already been allotted to 54 units, with 10 units and one Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) already in operation. These operational units are engaged in diverse sectors such as warehousing, food processing, manufacturing, and trading. As a Special Planning Authority (SPA) and Electrical distribution licensee for electricity, JNPA SEZ ensures single-window clearance, streamlining the approval process for investors. The transparent E-Tender cum E-Auction process for a 60-year lease of SEZ land has been pivotal in attracting investments. The plot-holders at JNPA SEZ includes leading industry groups like Welspun One, DP World and Fine Organics. Existing investment by operational plots is Rs 623 crore and proposed investment by plot-holders is Rs 1,700 crore marking a significant milestone in contributing to the socio-economic development of the region. EXIM Trade at JNPA SEZ in FY 2023-24 was 8051 TEUs and Rs 13,939 crore and in FY 2024-25 it has grown to 13906 TEUs and Rs 7,314 crore (up to December 2024), anchoring the global trade, together. (ANI) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated on Tuesday that the tradition of barrier-free, orderly discussion and smooth communication should be maintained in legislatures. Expressing concern over the decline in the number of sittings, Birla said that it should be the endeavour of all Presiding Officers to ensure no disruptions occur in the houses, despite agreements and disagreements. Om Birla said, "Our houses should perform their functions in a better environment, serving the wider public interest, enabling us to contribute more effectively to public service and good governance by fulfilling our constitutional responsibilities through our houses." Addressing the valedictory session of the 85th All India Presiding Officers Conference in Patna, Birla informed that the 85th All India Presiding Officers' Conference (AIPOC) has adopted five resolutions on tributes to founding fathers, respect for values in the constitution, barrier-free and orderly debates, the celebration of 75th years of the constitution and use of digital technology. Birla said that all the Presiding Officers have given creative ideas to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Constitution as a festival. "By involving the Parliament of India and the Legislative Assemblies of all States with active participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Bodies, Cooperative Institutions, youth, women, students, professionals, NGOs, entrepreneurs, media and all stakeholders of democracy, should run campaigns and various programmes to deepen democracy across the country throughout the year," he said. Emphasising the importance of excellent research support for lawmakers, Birla stated that having excellent research and reference wings in legislative bodies is essential to build capacity and assist members. He further announced plans to establish a Research Pool in the Lok Sabha, which will provide research support to State Assemblies and Legislative Councils. Talking about the need to further strengthen the committee system in legislatures, Birla said that meaningful initiatives have been taken to strengthen the functioning of Parliamentary Committees. "The Public Accounts Committee, Estimate Committee and other committees are functioning in the legislatures of various states across the country. This year, under the banner of AIPOC, training and capacity-building programs will also be organized for the committees of all state legislatures," he said. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "One Nation, One Legislative Platform," Birla said that unprecedented progress has been made in this direction over the last year. While Parliament debates are being made available online by translating them into both Hindi and English, state legislatures have also made remarkable progress in digitizing their current and past debates. He expressed confidence that by 2025, in line with the Prime Minister's vision, a unique platform will be provided to Indian citizens, enabling them to access not only Parliament debates but also legislative debates on any topic through keyword, metadata, and AI-powered search. The Lok Sabha Speaker highlighted that the Parliament of India is leading in leveraging technology. He informed that AI enables simultaneous translation in 10 of the 22 official languages in the Parliament of India, and this facility will soon be available to members in all 22 languages. Birla said that all types of parliamentary papers are being made available to members in 10 regional languages through Artificial Intelligence and expressed happiness that India is the only democracy moving towards translating all debates. "Presiding officers that the Parliament of India will share technological tools with state legislatures to enhance their efficiency and productivity," he said. Birla further said that it is the resolve of the presiding officers to continue working towards the empowerment of the Parliament of India, state legislatures, Panchayati Raj institutions, urban bodies, cooperative institutions, and all democratic institutions. Birla said that all legislative bodies should play effective role in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 by taking the country forward through dialogue, discussion, agreement and disagreement. Praising the role of the PRIDE institution of the Lok Sabha Secretariat in training lawmakers and parliamentary officers worldwide, the Speaker said that through PRIDE, training programs have been organized for over 100 nations' parliaments and almost all state legislatures. "Special programs on Legislative Drafting have been conducted for 25 state legislatures. PRIDE will organise legislative drafting and capacity-building programmes throughout the year for the empowerment of all democratic institutions," he said. Birla informed that during the 85th All India Presiding Officers Conference, the Presiding Officers adopted five important resolutions after extensive deliberations, i.e. Homage and tributes to the Founding Fathers and Founding Mothers of Constitution; Commitment to conduct business in legislative bodies in accordance with the values and ideals enshrined in the Constitution of India; Resolution for barrier-free, orderly debates and discussion in legislatures; Resolution to run campaigns and programmes throughout the year on completion of 75 years of the Constitution; Resolution to adopt modern digital technology including AI. Appreciating the active participation of presiding officers and the sharing of best practices among them, Birla said that the 85th All India Presiding Officers Conference (AIPOC) in Patna will be pivotal in guiding presiding officers to discharge their responsibilities more effectively, thereby strengthening democratic values. He observed that the sharing of information and experiences at the conference will inspire presiding officers to innovate in their respective houses, leading to greater transparency and accountability in governance. The agenda of the two-day Conference was: '75th Anniversary of the Constitution: Contribution of Parliament and State Legislative Bodies in Strengthening Constitutional Values'. On the occasion, Birla also inaugurated NeVA Seva Kendra (NeVA) at the Bihar Legislature Complex. On the occasion of the 85th All India Presiding Officers Conference (AIPOC), an exhibition on the glorious journey of democracy in India was put up by the Parliament Museum and Archives, Lok Sabha Secretariat. (ANI) US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, arrived at the Capitol One Arena for the Inaugural Parade. The crowd greeted Trump with chants of "USA USA," expressing their enthusiasm as the 47th president made his way to the venue. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance arrived earlier at the venue along with their children Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel. Before Trump's arrival, Tesla CEO Elon Musk spoke at the Capitol One Arena, sharing his excitement for the future and the opportunities ahead for the nation. Musk echoed President Trump's vision of a "golden age," expressing confidence in the positive direction the country is heading. "I am super fired up for the future. It is going to be very exciting. As the President said, we are going to have a golden age. It's going to be fantastic. One of the most American values that I love is optimism. We are going to make the future good," Musk said. Kash Patel, Trump's nominee for FBI Director, also spoke at the Capitol One Arena, emphasising the importance of immigration policy and the need for stronger law enforcement in the United States. "Our immigration policy is the greatest policy in the world. And now that we have Donald J Trump and JD Vance, it will become the greatest policy in the world again. But dreams and hopes aren't enough, we have to get to work...In the last calendar year alone, we had 100,000 drug overdoses. In the last calendar year alone, we had over 100,000 rapes. In the last calendar year alone, we had 17,000 homicides," the FBI Director said. "That is unacceptable in 2025 in the US. That is why we need constitutional law and order...I am standing here because of the American dream. I am not standing here because of the colour of my skin. I am standing here because I earned my right on this stage," he added. Prior to this, Trump reviewed the troops at US Capitol Hill, after his inauguration as the 47th President of the country. He also signed a few documents at the signing ceremony at Capitol Hill. The ceremony is one of the first official actions taken by the newly sworn President of the United States. Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. US Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump. Prior to Trump's swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th US Vice-President. After taking the oath, Trump declared that the "golden age" of America had begun and today marks the 'Liberation Day' for the country. (ANI) Flash A motorcade carrying impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol is pictured after Yoon attended a hearing at the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will attend the constitutional court hearing of his impeachment trial, scheduled for Tuesday, multiple media outlets said Monday citing Yoon's defense counsel. Yun Gap-geun, one of Yoon's lawyers, was quoted as saying that the president will appear in the court on Jan. 21. The court was set to hold the third hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial on Tuesday following the first and second hearings on Jan. 14 and 16. The next hearings will be held on Thursday this month and on 4, 6, 11 and 13 of February. A warrant to extend the detention of the arrested Yoon for up to 20 days was granted by a Seoul court early Sunday. Yoon appeared in the warrant hearing on Saturday to explain the legitimacy of his martial law declaration and restore his reputation. The impeachment motion against Yoon was passed in the National Assembly on Dec. 14, 2024, and was delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power is suspended. Yoon, who was named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader on an insurrection charge, declared martial law on the night of Dec. 3, 2024, but it was revoked by the National Assembly hours later. United States President Donald Trump didn't hold back when addressing President Joe Biden's family pardons. Trump criticises Biden for an 11th-hour clemency announcement offering preemptive pardons to members of his family during remarks from the Capital One Arena Monday. "Did you know that Biden, while I was making my speech, Biden pardoned his whole family? The brother, the whole deal was pardoned. Can you imagine that? While I was making my speech," Trump remarked at the Capitol One Arena, drawing laughs and applause from the crowd. Further, he also outlined his plans to take swift action in his administration. He announced that he would sign executive orders aimed at revoking nearly 80 executive actions from the former US President Joe Biden's administration, which he described as "destructive and radical." "We will sign executive orders first to revoke nearly 80 destructive and radical executive actions of the previous administration," Trump said. Trump also addressed the issue of illegal immigration, accusing the Biden administration of contributing to the problem. "Crime in Venezuela is down by 74 per cent because they (Biden Administration) took their criminals and gave them to us through an open border policy... It stops as of 1 pm today," Trump stated. During his address, Trump took a moment to introduce his son, Barron Trump, to the crowd. Speaking about Barron, the president shared his pride in his son and his involvement in the campaign. "I have a very tall son," Trump began, as he introduced Barron to the audience. "He knew the youth vote. We won the youth vote by 36 points. He was saying - 'Dad, you have to go out and do this one or that one'. We did a lot of them. He respects them all, he understood them very well," Trump said. Trump also said he would sign pardons for January 6 rioters, calling them "hostages" also emphasized that while his administration had secured a victory, the real work was just beginning. "So, now the work begins. We won but now the work begins. We have to bring them home (hostages held in Gaza)," Trump said, referring to efforts to secure the release of hostages. Trump also announced that he would be taking immediate action to address the situation of those involved in the January 6th events. "Tonight I am going to be signing on the J6 hostages' pardons to give them up and as soon as I leave, I am going to the Oval Office and will be signing pardons for a lot of people," he stated. On January 6, 2021, supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election. Earlier in the day, Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. US Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], January 21 (ANI/TPS): Israeli authorities arrested 21 illegal residents at a food factory in the center of the country. Among those detained, 16 were men and 5 were women, who held various permits that did not match their place of work: 12 of them held a work license in the agricultural sector, three held a work license in nursing. (ANI/TPS) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MSD) has detected nine Chinese aircraft and six naval vessels around the island as of 6 am (UTC+8) on Tuesday. Among them, five aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1881507006961627615 Sharing a post on X, MND wrote, " 9 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 5 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." On Monday, Taiwan MND detected 4 Chinese aircraft and 6 vessels around its territory around the island. In recent weeks, China has been visibly boosting its ability to invade Taiwanese beaches with innovative new naval equipment. This includes the formal launching of an enormous landing helicopter assault (LHA) vessel, the likes of which no other navy in the world possesses, and the mass production of floating bridge docks to assist the unloading of ships during beach landings. Both types of equipment are strong indications that China is serious about one day invading Taiwan. The Taiwan-China issue is a complex and longstanding geopolitical conflict centred on Taiwan's sovereignty. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), operates its own government, military, and economy, functioning as a de facto independent state. However, China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and insists on the "One China" policy, which asserts that there is only one China, with Beijing as its capital. This has fuelled decades of tension, especially since the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), when the ROC government retreated to Taiwan after the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, took control of mainland China. Beijing has consistently expressed its goal of reunification with Taiwan, using diplomatic, economic, and military pressure to isolate Taiwan internationally. Meanwhile, Taiwan, supported by a significant portion of its population, continues to maintain its independence. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], January 21 (ANI/TPS): Just before leaving office, the Minister for the Development of the Periphery, the Negev, and the Galilee, Yitzhak Wasserlauf approved a budget of 111 million Shekels (USD 31.1 million) for "growth engines" in the Negev and Galilee. Wasserlauf is a member of the right-wing Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Strength) Part that resigned from Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government in protest over the Gaza ceasefire deal which it rejected. The budget is intended to promote projects in local authorities in the Negev and Galilee, which will focus on promoting infrastructure, environmental development, and improving the quality of life. The funds will support the renovation of buildings, solar roofs, the construction of gyms, the construction of shopping centers, the completion and replacement of electricity meters, the renovation of a public building for rent, public parks, the construction of a caravan neighborhood, the upgrading of the monitoring and supervision system of water infrastructure, the construction of parking lots, food trucks, the renovation of a conference center for rent, an urban tourism market, the upgrading of the irrigation system, the construction of a leisure complex, and much more. (ANI/TPS) President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Treaty -- just as he did in his first term. It''s among a slew of executive actions he signed in front of thousands of supporters at Capitol One Arena. However, the Trump administration''s move against the 2015 Paris accord in 2017 was reversed by Joe Biden on his first day in office in 2021. Paris Agreement is an international agreement to combat climate change, and nearly 200 countries have committed to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius and ideally below 1.5 degrees. Each country is responsible for developing its own plan to uphold the commitment. However, the agreement is not a legally binding treaty. Trump also signed a directive to the Federal Government ordering the restoration of Freedom of Speech and preventing government censorship of free speech going forward, adding that he signed a directive to the Federal Government ending the weaponisation of government against political adversaries of the previous administration. He further, signed more Executive Actions in the Oval Office and took questions from the press. Earlier, during his speech at the Capitol One Arena, President Donald Trump highlighted the success of his "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement, calling it the most successful political operation in the history of the country and the world. "MAGA was the most successful political operation and movement in the history of our country and the world. We are not finished yet. We have a long way to go," Trump said. On Monday, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. US Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump. Prior to Trump''s swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th US Vice-President.After taking the oath, Trump declared that the "golden age" of America had begun and today marks the ''Liberation Day'' for the country. (ANI) Chairman Xi Jinping once looked supreme, unimpeachable and irreproachable. He was perched high upon a pedestal he and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) erected after he became supremo in 2012. At first, he could do no wrong, as China's economy and military might inexorably grow. However, a lot has happened since then, and the gloss of his aura has rubbed off and is now tarnished. Much of the reason for that has been Xi's poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasingly restrictive surveillance and control over the minutest aspect of Chinese society, unstinting support for tsar Vladimir Putin and his war machine, and his failed economic policies. Consider too that Xi and a militant CCP have done nothing to endear themselves to other nations - as China grabbed territory in India and the South China Sea, tightened the screws against Taiwan, trampled on human rights in Xinjiang, and subjugated Hong Kong. He has rubbed neighbours up the wrong way and alarmed Europe and the US. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been complicit in all manner of sabre-rattling activities and in bullying others smaller than themselves. Yet the PLA is in a degree of disarray, wracked by scandal, corruption and political interference. Commander-in-chief Xi is not filled with confidence in his armed forces. Furthermore, the PLA seems to be reacting somewhat to Xi's constant remonstrations and "meddling" with the CCP's armed wing. As an example, the PLA Daily recently championed the virtues of collective leadership in an article published on December 9, 2024. Such a plea was a direct insult to Xi, who unceremoniously scrapped recent CCP practice by elevating himself far above anyone else in the hierarchy and rolling back all the advantages that collective leadership provided in recent decades. When Xi came to power, he insisted that all decisions should "rely on a single voice of authority," something the PLA seems now to be agitating against. Amidst such unfavourable conditions at home and abroad, opposition forces are slowly stirring, although, of course, the country's Orwellian security apparatus prevents anything from breaking out into the open, at least for now. Willy Wo-Lap Lam, a Hong Kong scholar who writes for The Jamestown Foundation think-tank in the USA, believes Xi is in trouble. Indeed, Lam has identified four key opposition groups against Xi: retired Politburo Standing Committee members; fellow princelings; some military top brass; and some in China's middle class. Lam noted: "As a result, his ability to shape policy in the financial, foreign affairs and other arenas has been truncated. It might be far-fetched to speculate that Xi, the so-called 'eternal core of the party', might be driven out of office this year, but it is crucial to understand who his enemies are and how they challenge the commander-in-chief." Xi, a one-man band possessing supposed godlike knowledge and control over every aspect of policy, must take responsibility for the economic malaise in which China now finds itself. Lam asserted that "Xi's clout over economic decision-making appears to have been reduced," and he cited two Xi-led commissions - the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission and Central Comprehensively Deepening Reforms Commission - that now seem to meet only sporadically. Lam opined that this "could be due to the underwhelming results of the massive program of monetary and fiscal quantitative easing - known to Chinese officials as 'using ample water to undertake massive irrigation' - that has been executed since September". Xi's abrasive foreign policy stance also seems to be undergoing a marked change. His "wolf warrior" approach to diplomacy is being jettisoned as China covets precious exports and as the US and other multinational corporations pull out of China. Xi even sent an envoy Vice-President Han Zheng to attend Donald Trump's president inauguration on 20 January, the first time Beijing has ever sent an official to such an American swearing-in ceremony. Returning to the four opposition groups, Lam provided further details on each in his article written for The Jamestown Foundation. Former party heavyweights have been kept under tight reins by Xi. For example, they cannot hold meetings or travel around China without Xi's permission. There are rumours many of these elders have disapproved of Xi's policy directions since the Third Plenary Session held in July 2024. Interestingly, former premier Wen Jiabao and Li Ruihuan, former chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, sat either side of Xi at the official banquet on the eve of 1 October. This was a subtle signal by Xi that he is receptive to advice from former leaders. Of course, such former luminaries have no power to remove Xi, but China's leader is being forced to acknowledge criticism from elder statesmen. Princelings are another group dissatisfied with Xi. He has worked hard to marginalize those with "red genes" (the so-called princelings) as he considers them competitors to his own authority. Many have become fierce critics of Xi, particularly those who grew rich from their privileged positions and who moved overseas with their families to preserve their ill-gotten gains. It is reported many are collaborating with foreign intelligence agencies. Lam discerns that wider social discontent is rising, with anti-party and anti-Xi activities increasing. The academic noted: "These appear to consist largely of victims of Xi's policies, including those [policies] that prioritize state-owned enterprises at the expense of private capital, those that have led to mass unemployment for graduates from high schools and colleges, and those that have created the conditions for the current economic downturn. Members of the middle class who still can get foreign exchange on the black market are voting with their feet by moving overseas. This is in addition to the tens of thousands of mainly low-income Chinese who are estimated to have attempted to flee to the United States via Central America in the past year." An example of such protests occurred recently in Pucheng, Shaanxi Province after the local government tried to play down a student suicide after he had been repeatedly bullied by classmates whose families had party connections. Because the police did not want to upset local CCP officials, they tried to hush up the incident. Such behaviour led to violent protests by people angry at incessant censorship and the blatant excesses of card-carrying party members. Lam concluded: "The gradual though relentless dwindling of Xi's authority could adversely impact Beijing's plans to reflate the economy or to repair relations with the West. On the economic side, the monetary and fiscal stimulus announced since September is far from sufficient to assuage local government debt." Xi has no desire to give up the reins of power, and he will continue to grimly hold onto them through all the current ups and downs. The Hong Kong professor added, "Xi seems uninterested in changing course. The continued lack of reports on his succession planning reinforces the sense that he intends to remain in power until 2032." One wonders whether outright protest against Xi will boil over between now and then. Lam believes a number of top brass in the PLA are unhappy too, amidst mass firings and political turmoil. The PLA has held high-level meetings without Xi even being present. Examples are meetings hosted by General Zhang Youxia, the highest-ranking vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), on September 13 and October 22, 2024, an indication that Xi might be losing control over personnel arrangements. Incidentally, Zhang was the boss of General Li Shangfu and General Wei Fenghe whom Xi sacked in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Zhang is due to retire in 2027, but the impact of personnel troubles in the PLA remains a dark cloud. Lam even suggested that the current investigation of Admiral Miao Hua, Director of the Political Work Department, may be an effort by opponents in the PLA to get rid of Xi's favourite acolytes. Digging into the topic of PLA chaos, Kenneth Allen conducted a study also published by The Jamestown Foundation. He said, "It is not clear what the impact the overall leadership changes will have on the PLA's ability to conduct war if needed, but a better understanding of who the key decision-makers are provides a starting point for assessing the PLA's readiness." Xi has reduced the size of the CMC to just six members, including himself as chairman. The current CMC comprises vice-chairmen Zhang Youxia and He Weidong, and other members Liu Zhenli, Miao Hua and Zhang Shengmin. Allen noted, "Corruption apparently continues to be a wider issue that is present at the highest levels of the PLA. Most recently, Admiral Miao Hua was removed from his position as the director of the Political Work Department in December 2024 due to corruption issues, but he has not yet been replaced. It is most likely that Miao's replacement will be named in early 2025, perhaps at the next plenary session of the CCP Central Committee so that it can be done by a majority vote." Allen predicted that of today's five subordinate CMC members, only two (He Weidong and Liu Zhenli) will likely remain in the job after the 2027 congress. By then, Liu may have joined He as a vice-chairman. Changes in the CMC typically occur every five years during these party congresses. \ Generally, though not always, CMC vice-chairmen can serve until the age of 70, whilst other senior military commanders must retire when they hit 65, according to military law. Therefore, looking ahead to the 21st National Congress, scheduled for late 2027, Allen predicted the CMC would look very different than it does now. Note too that the defence minister is not normally added to the CMC. China has had three defence ministers since March 2018, with two being removed because of corruption charges. The current minister is Admiral Dong Jun, but he is neither a CMC member nor a state councillor. This indicates that "he wields significantly less power," according to Allen. "It also suggests that Xi Jinping is punishing the Ministry of National Defense for its being politically unreliable following the corruption charges that brought down Dong's two predecessors." It is probable too that Dong does not have direct access to Xi, but must go through a vice-chairman or other CMC member first. Such a demotion in influence does not bode well for military-to-military relations with the US if the Chinese defence minister carries little clout. Allen duly noted, "Based on the estimated age of the key leaders at the time of the 21st Party Congress in 2027, it appears that a major change in leadership will occur at the congress or within two years after the congress. In particular, the service and theatre command commanders will most likely be replaced at their own party congress two years later." Analyzing current PLA top brass, Allen listed these as ones who remain based on age: Liu Zhenli (Chief of the Joint Staff Department); Chen Hui (PLA Army Political Commissar); Hu Zhongming (Commander of the PLA Navy); Chang Dingqiu (Commander of the PLA Air Force); Guo Puxiao (PLAAF Political Commissar); Xu Xisheng (PLA Rocket Force Political Commissar); Lin Xiangyang (Commander of the Eastern Theater Command); Liu Qingsong (Eastern Theater Command Political Commissar); Wang Haijiang (Commander of the Western Theater Command); Wang Qiang (Commander of the Northern Theater Command); Zheng Xuan (Northern Theater Command Political Commissar); Huang Ming (Commander of the Central Theater Command); and Xu Deqing (Central Theater Command Political Commissar). Allen listed ten others who will retire by then, as the PLA suffers significant churn. Furthermore, the PLA's shift to a corps-brigade structure instead of the traditional corps-division-regiment structure has created difficulties in officer career paths and the chain of command. Things are not going to get any easier for Xi Jinping. Whether internal resistance from the party, dissatisfaction from the populace, or frustration in the PLA's upper ranks, it is clear Xi is struggling. His answer has typically been to double down and demand greater loyalty. Unfortunately, loyalty and respect have to be earned, and Xi seems to be frittering that away. (ANI) Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will no longer co-head the Department of Government Efficiency with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the former announced hours after US President Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday (local time). Ramaswamy is planning to announce a run for Ohio Governor next week, Politico reported. In a post on X, he said, "It was my honor to help support the creation of DOGE. I'm confident that Elon & team will succeed in streamlining government. I'll have more to say very soon about my future plans in Ohio. Most importantly, we're all-in to help President Trump make America great again!" https://x.com/VivekGRamaswamy/status/1881482161565618648 Musk made it known recently that he wanted Ramaswamy out of DOGE, sources told Politico on the condition of anonymity. Ramaswamy "just burned through the bridges and he finally burned Elon," said a Republican strategist close to Trump advisers. "Everyone wants him out of Mar-a-Lago, out of DC". The H1-B visa debate was the final nail in his coffin, Politico reported. In late December, Ramaswamy criticized American culture, saying that tech companies hire foreign workers in part because of a mindset in the country that has "venerated mediocrity over excellence," Politico reported. In a statement, Trump transition spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Ramaswamy, saying he "played a critical role in helping us create DOGE" and that his plan to run for governor "requires him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure that we announced today." A source told Politico that Musk and Ramaswamy are now on good terms and that "the reality is that it wasn't possible" to run for governor and co-lead DOGE "both at once." A major divide emerged within Donald Trump's MAGA team, as Musk and Ramaswamy who advocated for the expansion of the visa program for 'highly skilled workers' faced heavy backlash from within President-elect's base, CNN reported. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Musk emphasised the importance of attracting top engineering talent to maintain America's technological edge. "The number of people who are super talented engineers AND super motivated in the USA is far too low." https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1871978282289082585 Ramaswamy, a first-generation American and Trump's appointee to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, echoed Musk's sentiments. He argued that cultural stagnation and a preference for mediocrity have led to a reliance on foreign-born talent. https://x.com/VivekGRamaswamy/status/1872312139945234507 At a rally on Sunday, Trump talked about DOGE and did not indicate that any changes were imminent. He said, "We have [Musk] and Vivek and some great people working on a thing called costs." (ANI) US President Donald Trump while attending the signing ceremony at Oval Office on Monday (local time), said that the Russia-Ukraine conflict would not have happened if he were the President. Talking about the conflict in Russia and Ukraine, Trump said that he would try and resolve it as quickly as possible. "We are going to try and get it done as quickly as possible. The war between Ukraine and Russia would have never started if I were the President," he said. Trump also said that North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or NATO countries must pay 5 per cent of their GDP for its defence budget. "NATO has to pay 5 per cent. We are in the Ukraine war by USD 200 billion more than NATO. It's ridiculous because it affects them a lot more. We have an ocean in between. And we've spent USD 200 billion more on Ukraine than NATO has spent. And they've got to equalise," he said. Trump added that Spain's spending was very low. "Spain is very low," he said. He added that it was ridiculous because the war affects others more than the US. "It's ridiculous because it affects them a lot more. We have an ocean in between. They need us. Much more than we need them. We don't need them. Everybody needs us," he said. Trump faced severe backlash from several German politicians over his recent suggestion that NATO's European members increase their defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP, more than double the current target, Euronews reported. A member of Germany's Social Democrat Party (SPD), Ralf Stegner, called Trump's remarks "delusional and absolutely insane" and stressed that the world does not need more weapons, as reported by Euronews. Marcus Faber, head of Germany's defence committee, agreed that 5 per cent was excessive, proposing that NATO countries agree on a new target of 3 per cent decided by consensus. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmerman, of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), also criticised Trump for inventing a figure without any basis. (ANI) "Attended the Inaugural festivities in Washington this evening. Occasion to meet key members of President Trump's Administration," the EAM posted on X. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1881553347318354236 During the event, Jaishankar met key members of President Donald Trump's administration, including the 56th Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. He also interacted with the nominee for the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the Trump Administration, Kash Patel. "Delighted to meet Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader John Thune at the evening function," he said. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1881553711975346217 He also met the President of Argentina, Javier Milei and conveyed greetings to him from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Glad to meet President Javier Milei of Argentina. Conveyed greetings of PM Narendra Modi," the EAM added. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1881554619647864855 Earlier, Jaishankar said that it was a "great honour" to represent India at the inauguration ceremony of US President Donald Trump. Sharing the pictures of the inauguration ceremony on X, he wrote, "A great honour to represent India at the inauguration ceremony of @POTUS President Donald J Trump and @VP Vice President JD Vance in Washington DC today." His attendance underscores the importance of India-US relations and the global diplomatic ties shared between the two nations as President Trump begins his second stint in office. Earlier in the day, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. US Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump. Prior to Trump's swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th US Vice President. After taking the oath, Trump declared that the "golden age" of America had begun and "today marks the Liberation Day for the country." (ANI) An Indian student, Ravi Teja from Hyderabad was shot dead in New Haven, Conneticut. He had gone to the US for doing Masters in Science. A family friend of the deceased family, Upender Reddy told ANI on Monday that due to such incidents, Indian students are scared to go to the US and requested the authorities to send back his mortal remains. "A student named Ravi Teja went to US from Hyderabad for doing MS. Today morning, he was shot dead. His family is just coming to know about this. We request the Central government and Telangana government to take necessary steps to bring back his body at the earliest. We also request the Union government to take necessary steps such that our students does not face these kind of incidents in the future. Seeing such incidents, the students are afraid to go abroad. There is no security for our students there. Along with business tie-ups, the governments should also focus on the security of our students who go there," Reddy told ANI. Indian consulate in New York expressed condolences on Teja's death and said that they are extending all possible help and is in touch with the deceased's family. https://x.com/IndiainNewYork/status/1881371171867787744 "Deeply saddened to learn about tragic demise of Mr. Ravi Teja in shooting incident in New Haven, Connecticut. Consulate General of India in New York is in touch with his family and is extending all possible assistance, including repatriation of his mortal remains to India." Aam Aadmi Party national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday highlighted the need for providing better education facilities and opportunities to students, so that they are not "forced to go abroad. https://x.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1881282936369983534 "The AAP leader was condoling the death of an Indian student in the United States, who was shot dead in Washington DC today. "This news is very sad. In the last few months, many such incidents have come to light where the youth of our country were killed abroad. This is a matter of great concern," read a post by Kejriwal. (ANI) Flash An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows damaged houses after Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. [Photo/Xinhua] Israel's military chief Herzi Halevi on Monday instructed the army to prepare plans for renewed attacks in Gaza and Lebanon, a day after the fragile Gaza ceasefire came into effect. In a situational assessment meeting, Halevi "instructed the preparation of plans for continued combat operations -- both in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon," according to a statement from the military. While offensive operations have ceased, there were "intensified preparations for defense in the Gaza Strip," he said. The military "must be prepared for significant operations in the West Bank in the coming days to preempt and apprehend terrorists before they reach our civilians," he added. Halevi did not elaborate on the reasons for preparing the attack plans. On Jan. 15, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire-for-hostage release deal following intensive mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt and the United States. The agreement includes an initial 42-day phase, during which more than 15 months of fighting in Gaza will halt, and 33 hostages held in Gaza will be released in exchange for the release of several hundred Palestinian prisoners. Far-right Israeli ministers have opposed the ceasefire agreement that took effect on Sunday. Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has demanded "guarantees" that Israel would renew its assault on Gaza after the first phase of the deal is implemented. Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his party have submitted their resignation to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government on Sunday, citing opposition to the Gaza ceasefire deal. This has put Netanyahu in the danger of losing his majority and potentially triggering new elections. In Lebanon, a ceasefire brokered by the United States and France went into effect on Nov. 27, 2024, aiming to halt nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. US President Donald Trump, in a major shocker, cut the Unites States'' ties with the global health agency, World Health Organisation (WHO), as he issued an executive order of withdrawing from the organisation on Monday (local time). According to the order, the withdrawal was due to the organisation mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises. Trump, who had long been critical of the WHO, had earlier also formally withdrawn the US from the WHO back in July 2020 as the COVID-19 continued to spread. "The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2020 due to the organisation''s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states," the order read. Additionally, Trump stated that the WHO continues to demand payments from the US that are disproportionate to those required from other countries, criticising the financial demands, stating that the payments required of the US are significantly higher than those of other nations. "In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries'' assessed payments. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO," the order further read. While addressing the media in the Oval Office following his swearing-in ceremony, Trump stated that the US had paid USD 500 million to the WHO, while China, with a population of 1.4 billion, contributed USD 39 million, noting that it was unfair, leading to this decision. "We paid 500 million dollars to the World Health Organisation when I was here and I terminated it. China, with 1.4 billion people, was paying 39 million. We were paying 500 million. It seemed a little unfair to me," he said. Meanwhile, Trump also addressed the US-TikTok deal, mentioning that if China did not approve the deal, the US could impose tariffs on China. "If China didn''t approve it (the US-TikTok deal), we could put tariffs on China. Don''t forget. China charges us tariffs and we charge them very little except for what I did--I put a lot in, and we took in hundreds and billions of dollars. But until I came along, China never paid 10 cents to this country. They ripped us off and they never paid anything. If we wanted to make a deal with TikTok and it was a good deal, and China wouldn''t approve it, then I think ultimately they''d approve it because we would put tariffs on China. I am not saying I would but you certainly could do that," the US President added. Earlier in the day, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. US Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump. Prior to Trump''s swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th US Vice President. (ANI) US President Donald Trump announced that his administration is planning to impose 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada from February 1, The Hill reported. When asked about his thought process of putting tariffs on two nations while signing executive orders, Trump responded, "We are thinking in terms of 25 percent on Mexico and Canada because they''re allowing vast numbers of people ... to come in, and fentanyl to come in." When asked about the timeline, he said, "I think we''ll do it Feb. 1." During the final days of the 2024 campaign, Trump had threatened to impose a tariff of 25 per cent on all imports from Mexico, which is the top trade partner with the US, unless the Mexican government reduced the flow of migrants at the southern border, according to The Hill report. He also threatened to impose tariffs on imports from Canada and China. He has indicated that he intends to double down on the use of tariffs, claiming that US will benefit financially even as experts warn it would amount to a tax on consumers. On January 9, Trump highlighted how tariffs on Canada will eventually be imposed and brought to attention the "massive deficits" the US is having from Canada. While addressing a press conference in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump gave justification for making Canada the 51st state by saying, "I called them Governor Trudeau because they should be the 51st state, really. It would make a great state. And the people of Canada like it. They pay lower taxes. They have virtually no military. They have a very small military. They pay less than 1 percent. They''re about the lowest payer in NATO. They''re supposed to pay much more. They haven''t been paying a lot. They have a lot of problems." He said that Canadian people have found the idea "very interesting". "It was stated pretty strongly a couple weeks ago about Canada and people laughed and now they''re all saying, well, it''s very interesting". Justifying the American point of view, Trump said, "From the standpoint of the United States, we''re subsidizing Canada. USD 200 and USD 250 billion a year. We have massive deficits. They''ve taken about 20 per cent of our car business. I''d rather do it here. We could put tariffs on them. We don''t have tariffs on them yet, but that will happen." He mentioned that Canada has taken about 20 per cent of America''s car business. "I''d rather have it done in Detroit or have it done in South Carolina or any other state that does cars. And we have a lot of them. We don''t need Canada for that". Trump further noted, "We don''t need Canada for lumber because we have big forests that we have...we don''t need anything. We don''t need their fuel. We don''t need their energy. We don''t need their oil and gas. We don''t need anything that they have. And I said to Trudeau, I said, why are we subsidizing you $200 and $250 billion a year? He said, I really don''t know. And I said, well, I don''t know either. I said, what would happen to Canada if we didn''t? He said Canada would be obliterated if that happened. I said, then Canada should be a 51st state. And that''s where we are now." (ANI) After Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th US President, a slew congratulatory wishes from noted leaders across the world poured in. UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer, Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are some that congratulated Trump after he assumed office. "On behalf of His Majesty's Government and the United Kingdom, I would like to send my warmest congratulations to President Trump on his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States," Starmer said in a video message. https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1881387404570788277 "For centuries, the relationship between our two nations has been one of collaboration, cooperation and enduring partnership. It is a uniquely close bond. Together, we have defended the world from tyranny and work towards our mutual security and prosperity," he said. Starmer hoped that the cooperation between Trump administration and the UK would continue for times to come. "With President Trump's long-standing affection and historical ties to the United Kingdom, I know that depth of friendship will continue. The United Kingdom and the United States will work together to ensure the success of both our countries and deliver for people on both sides of the Atlantic. Since our first meeting in September, the President and I have spoken about the need to deepen and invest in the transatlantic relationship. We will continue to build upon the unshakable foundations of our historic alliance as we tackle together the global challenges we face and take our partnership to the next level, focused on shared opportunities ahead for growth," he said. Starmer said he hoped to meet Trump and continue the shared mission of peace between the US and UK. "I look forward to our next meeting as we continue our shared mission to ensure the peace, prosperity and security of our two great nations. The special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States will continue to flourish for many years to come," he said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Trump, hoping to cement the US-European Union bond. https://x.com/Bundeskanzler/status/1881388639705592169 "Today President Donald Trump takes office. Congratulations! The US is our closest ally and the aim of our policy is always a good transatlantic relationship. The EU, with 27 members and more than 400 million people, is a strong Union," he said in a post on X. Maldivian President Muizzu said he hoped that Trump would trump the times of uncertainty and turmoil in the world. https://x.com/MMuizzu/status/1881388257302446354 "Congratulations to President Donald Trump on your inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America. I wish you wisdom and resolve as you take the helm at a time when the world is engulfed in dire turmoil and uncertainty. The Maldives looks forward to working with the new administration to advance our shared goals for global peace and elevate our long-standing mutually beneficial bilateral partnership during this term." Through a video message, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu congratulated Trump on his second stint as the President. https://x.com/netanyahu/status/1881394787401834691 "Congratulations, President Trump. Sarah and I send our warmest wishes to you, Melania, and the American people on your second inauguration as President of the United States," he said. Netanyahu called his first stint "ground-breaking" for strengthening Israel-US relationship. "Your first term as President was filled with ground-breaking moments in the history of the great alliance between our two countries. You withdrew from the dangerous Iran nuclear deal. You recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital. You moved the American embassy to Jerusalem, and you recognised Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights," he said. Netanyahu hoped to work with Trump to facilitate the return of Israeli hostages from Hamas. "On behalf of the people of Israel, I also want to thank you for your efforts in helping free Israeli hostages. I look forward to working with you to return the remaining hostages to destroy Hamas' military capabilities and end its political rule in Gaza, and to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel. I'm sure, Mr President, that under your leadership, the best days of our lives are yet to come," he said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese congratulated Trump on his win. https://x.com/AlboMP/status/1881391529421619699 In a post on X, he said, "Congratulations DonaldTrump on your inauguration as 47th President of the United States. The United States is a great friend of Australia's. Our Alliance has never been stronger. I look forward to working with you on the opportunities and challenges ahead." Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Monday (local time). US Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump. (ANI) Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel on the recommendation of council of ministers on Tuesday summoned the winter session of parliament from January 31. After increasing pressure from the opposition, a cabinet meeting recommended President to summon the winter session which is set to begin one and a half months later than in 2024. The budget or the monsoon session of parliament had prorogued on September 16. "The Honorable President, Shri Ram Chandra Poudel, pursuant to Article 93(1) of the Constitution of Nepal, on the recommendation of the Government of Nepal, Council of Ministers dated 2081/10/7, has summoned session of both Houses of the Federal Parliament on Friday, 18th Magh, 2081 BS at 1:00PM (Local Time) at the International Conference Center, New Baneshwor," Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai, spokesperson at the President Office announced. Earlier on Monday, Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also had held discussions with Speaker Devraj Ghimire regarding the session. Opposition parties, including the Maoist Center, have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the delay in convening the winter session. They raised concerns over important bills and pre-budget matters that remain unaddressed due to the delayed session. Seven opposition parties held a press conference last Friday, demanding a special session if the winter session was not convened promptly. The delay has also been compounded by the government's issuance of five ordinances without parliament's formal approval, which opposition parties have criticized as unconstitutional and undemocratic. In Nepal, the four months from Paush (mid-December to mid-January) to Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April) are usually considered the time for the winter session of the parliament. But the government reluctantly called on the winter session late by about two months late than the usual schedule which as per the experts will put pressure on the budget or the monsoon session of the parliament. As of now 18 bills are pending in the House of Representatives and three bills in the National Assembly which too are stuck with the committees. The opposition stepping on it had been pressuring the government to call the house sessions at the earliest. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked his party's negotiating team to withdraw from further talks with the government if a judicial commission is not established within seven days, The Express Tribune reported. Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, Gohar Ali Khan called the formation of judicial commission critical for meaningful dialogue. He said, "If the government does not move forward on forming the commission, there is no point in continuing negotiations." PTI has demanded formation of judicial commission to ensure accountability and transparency. He said, "Imran Khan has made it clear that the fourth meeting will only happen if the commission is formed within the deadline," emphasising PTI's commitment to talks and its resolve to hold the government accountable for its promises. Gohar Ali Khan has accused the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N)-led government of being uneasy regarding the demand for transparency, terming it the "Form 47 government." He criticised government's negotiation committee spokesperson, Irfan Siddiqui, for delaying the progress. PTI chairman said, "Siddiqui should not derail the talks by turning minor issues into major controversies," adding that discussions focused on law and order and should not be politicised, The Express Tribune reported. He called on the federal government to focus on talks for benefit of Pakistan. He said, "Successful negotiations mean success for Pakistan" and called for patience and mutual understanding in the process. On January 16, the PTI formally submitted its 'charter of demands' to the government in the third round of negotiations between the two sides, Dawn reported. Negotiations between the government and the PTI began in December as an attempt to de-escalate political tensions. However, significant progress has yet to be made on pivotal concerns, including the establishment of a judicial commission and the release of PTI members detained in political cases. The meeting was held under the supervision of the National Assembly Speaker and was attended by six representatives from the opposition, including three PTI leaders, and eight from the government. The opposition was represented by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, PTI MNA Asad Qaiser, Sunni Ittehad Council chief Hamid Raza, Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen chief Senator Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri, and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja. During the meeting, the government's side was represented by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui, PPP MNAs Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Naveed Qamar, prime minister's aide Rana Sanaullah, and MQM-P MNA Farooq Sattar. During the meeting, the PTI presented a three-page document detailing its demands, signed by all six opposition members present. These demands include two primary objectives: the formation of judicial commissions and the government's cooperation in facilitating legal relief for political prisoners. The PTI specifically called for two judicial commissions to be established under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 2017, each led by either the Chief Justice of Pakistan or three serving Supreme Court judges mutually agreed upon by the government and opposition.The PTI further asserted that the establishment of these commissions was essential to demonstrate the government's commitment to addressing their concerns. The party stated, "We shall not be able to continue with the negotiations if the two commissions sought by us are not agreed to in principle and constituted forthwith," Dawn reported. One of the commissions is expected to investigate the legality of events surrounding the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan on May 9, 2023. The PTI has demanded an in-depth inquiry into the actions of law enforcement during the arrest, the subsequent nationwide protests, and the circumstances under which individuals targeted high-security locations. The party also demanded a review of media restrictions and the government's internet shutdowns during the unrest, emphasising the need for accountability. The second commission would probe the crackdown on the PTI's November 'Final Call' protest in Islamabad, where tensions escalated after clashes between protestors and law enforcement. (ANI) Students for a Free Tibet, the Washingtonians Supporting Hong Kong, and the Uyghur American Association jointly condemned the attendance of Chinese Vice President Han Zheng at the US Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump. In a press release, the activist groups expressed their concern over Han's presence, criticising his role as a key architect of China's repressive policies. The organisations called on the incoming administration to prioritise human rights in its dealings with China and hold Beijing accountable for its actions in Tibet, East Turkistan, and Hong Kong. The statement highlighted that Han Zheng was a senior member of the Chinese regime responsible for ongoing atrocities, including genocide against the Uyghur and Tibetan populations and the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong under the pretext of "national security." According to the press release, Han Zheng's involvement in enforcing these oppressive measures made his attendance at such a significant democratic event a stain on the occasion, reinforcing the contrast between democratic ideals and the authoritarianism that millions suffer under Chinese rule. The activist groups urged the new administration to take decisive actions, which included meeting with leaders from the Tibetan, Uyghur, and Hong Kong diasporas to show solidarity. They also called for expanded sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses and the support of legislative measures designed to promote accountability, such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, and the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. In conclusion, the statement reaffirmed the United States' commitment to human rights and urged that foreign policy reflect these democratic values. The Uyghur issue in China revolves around the systematic persecution of the Uyghur Muslim minority in the Xinjiang region. Over the past decade, reports have emerged of mass detentions in "re-education camps," forced labour, cultural erasure, and reports of forced sterilisations, which have led to accusations of genocide by various human rights organisations. China justifies its actions as anti-terrorism measures, but the international community widely condemns these practices. The Hong Kong issue concerns Beijing's growing control over the semi-autonomous region, which has historically enjoyed freedoms not seen in mainland China. The 2019 pro-democracy protests were met with violent crackdowns, and the subsequent imposition of the National Security Law in 2020 further curtailed freedom of speech, press, and assembly. Critics argue that Beijing's actions undermine the "one country, two systems" framework promised when Hong Kong was handed back from British rule in 1997, signaling an erosion of civil liberties. The Tibet issue centers on Tibet's struggle for autonomy and the preservation of its culture, religion, and environment under Chinese rule. Since China's occupation in 1950, Tibetans have faced repression, including restrictions on religious practices, language, and political freedom, sparking ongoing calls for independence or genuine autonomy. (ANI) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday while signing a series of executive orders and speaking to the press at the Oval Office stumbled upon a letter penned by his predecessor Joe Biden. Trump said that he too left one after the end of his term for Biden when he took office. "Maybe we should all read it together. Well, maybe I'll read it first and then make that determination," Trump jested. A journalist asked Trump if he received any letter in his drawer. He then promptly opened it and found the letter. "He may have. Don't they leave it in the desk? I don't know," Trump said. Trump thanked the journalist and said he would have not seen it, had the journalist not pointed it out. "Thank you very much. I may not have seen this for months. I did. I left him one in the desk," he said. Trump showed the envelope bearing the number "47" on it, with reference to Trump being 47th US President. "Happy to help with the passing of the torch," the journalist replied. In leaving the letter for Trump, Biden kept with the now 36-year tradition of the departing Commander-in-Chief, writing a note to the incoming President, Fox News reported. As he left the White House in 1989 after two terms in office, former US President Ronald Reagan started the tradition - leaving a note for his successor, George HW Bush, who was also the Vice President. Four years later, despite losing to then-Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas, outgoing President Bush left Clinton a note in the Oval Office. The tradition has carried on to this day, as per Fox News. Trump was sworn in for a second term at an indoor ceremony at the Capitol earlier in the day, where he was shielded against the icy winds of a polar vortex. "The future is ours and our golden age has just begun," US President Donald Trump said in his inauguration speech, promising that "nothing will stand in our way because we are Americans," Al Jazeera reported. (ANI) As 48 detained Uyghurs remain trapped in a prolonged state of uncertainty and fear in Thailand, Rushan Abbas, Executive Director of Campaign for Uyghurs, alongside members of the Japan Uyghur Association, addressed the Japan Uyghur Parliamentary Friendship Group at the Japanese Parliament on Tuesday to raise alarm over their dire situation in the Southeast Asian country. The group urged Japan and the international community to take immediate action to prevent their deportation to China, where they risk facing severe persecution, torture, and even death. The Uyghur leaders highlighted the ongoing oppression of the Uyghur people by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), calling for stronger international solidarity in opposing these abuses. Campaign For Uyghurs shared the pictures of the meeting in a post on X. In a post on X, Campaign for Uyghurs stated, "At the Japanese Parliament this morning, CFU Executive Director @RushanAbbas and the @realuyghurj addressed the Japan Uyghur Parliamentary Friendship Group, highlighting the plight of the 48 Uyghur men detained in Thailand. They urged Japan to take action and do everything possible to help end the CCP's oppression of the Uyghur people." https://x.com/CUyghurs/status/1881539885800247775 The address coincided with a growing global movement in defence of Uyghur refugees. Recently, the World Uyghur Congress and affiliated organisations, along with other Uyghur groups, organised protests outside Thai embassies around the world. These rallies demanded that Thailand halt its plans to forcibly return the 48 Uyghur refugees to China, where they would likely face the brutal realities of Chinese detention camps, forced labour, and potential execution. Adding to the pressure, the East Turkistan Government in Exile has also condemned both Thailand and Turkey for reportedly considering the deportation of Uyghur asylum seekers back to China. In a statement, the government-in-exile called such actions a blatant violation of international law, specifically the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to countries where they face grave risks. The East Turkistan Government warned that such deportations would make these countries complicit in the ongoing genocide against the Uyghur people. The statement from the East Turkistan Government in Exile urged international bodies such as the United Nations, as well as democratic nations including the United States, Canada, the European Union, and Japan, to take swift and decisive action to protect Uyghur refugees. It called for these nations to facilitate asylum and resettlement for the detained Uyghurs in safe countries, urging global solidarity in the face of the Chinese government's genocidal policies. The international community has widely condemned China's treatment of the Uyghur people, particularly in the Xinjiang region, where millions have been subjected to systematic human rights violations. These include arbitrary detentions in "re-education camps," forced labor, destruction of Uyghur culture and religion, and mass surveillance. Reports of forced sterilizations, family separations, and indoctrination campaigns have raised the alarm worldwide. The Chinese government denies these allegations, claiming its actions are part of a necessary counter-extremism effort, yet multiple human rights organizations and governments have recognized these actions as constituting genocide and crimes against humanity. (ANI) Over 100 villages in upper and lower Kurram, including the district headquarters of Parachinar, have been under siege for over three and a half months as reported by Geo News. There has been a lot of unrest in the area, especially after November 21, 2024, when a convoy travelling from Peshawar to Parachinar was attacked, killing 50 people, including women and children. The key roadway to Parachinar is still closed despite peace agreements, making it impossible to deliver necessities like food as cited by Geo News. The long and porous border with Afghanistan, which has turned into a hotbed for instability, is blamed by local elders for the continuous unrest. According to Geo News, some people think that to resolve the conflict, both parties must accept reconciliation and put aside past transgressions. There is presently a curfew in effect as police and security troops in Lower Kurram are fighting insurgents. Twenty families have already left their houses in the impacted districts of Lower Kurram, according to officials. While some of these displaced families have moved to Hangu, others have sought safety with family members. Geo News reported that Kurram is still in a terrible state, with people dealing with persistent security issues and acute shortages of basic needs. The neighbourhood is in a situation of anguish as a result of the ongoing blockage and violence, which demands immediate attention and resolution. Meanwhile, the civil administration and law enforcement authorities clearance operation to purge the Kurram district of criminals has been going on for the third day in Bagan and the surrounding districts. Geo News report stated following approval of "indiscriminate and stringent action" by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government against individuals responsible for attacks on relief convoys and the deputy commissioner, the operation was initiated. On the other hand, affected people whose shops and houses were burnt in the riots following the attack on a convoy in Bagan on November 21, 2024, are still waiting compensation for the damages. Geo News reported at least 400 shops and hundreds of houses were gutted in the incident. (ANI) The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed regret over the United States' announcement to withdraw from the global health agency and emphasised the importance of WHO in safeguarding the health and security of people worldwide, including Americans. However, the agency does hope that the United States will reconsider its decision and looks forward to engaging in "constructive dialogue" to maintain the partnership between the US and the agency for the health and well-being of millions around the globe. The statement from WHO came after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, announcing the withdrawal of the US from WHO. According to the order, the withdrawal was due to the organisation's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises. The statement shared by WHO's Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on X reads:"The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization. WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world's people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go." The global health agency noted that the US was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has been involved in shaping and governing the organization's work ever since, alongside 193 other Member States, including through its active participation in the World Health Assembly and Executive Board. In the statement, WHO said, "For over seven decades, WHO and the US have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO." WHO further stated that, with the participation of the US and other states, it has implemented the largest set of reforms in its history over the past seven years to transform its accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. The organisation added, "This work continues." WHO concluded the statement by saying, "We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe." The order signed by Trump withdrawing US from WHO reads, "The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2020 due to the organisation's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states." Additionally, Trump stated that the WHO continues to demand payments from the US that are disproportionate to those required from other countries, criticising the financial demands, stating that the payments required of the US are significantly higher than those of other nations. "In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries' assessed payments. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO," the order further read. (ANI) Flash Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday his country is open to dialogue with the new U.S. administration over the Ukraine crisis. "The most important thing is to eliminate the root causes of the crisis," Putin said during a meeting with members of the country's Security Council, according to a statement from the Kremlin. He reiterated that a potential resolution of the Ukraine crisis should not involve a temporary truce to regroup forces for further conflict but "long-term peace" based on respect for the legitimate interests of all countries in the region. "The assumption is that dialogue will be built based on equality and mutual respect, considering the important role that our countries play concerning the key issues, including strategic stability and security," Putin said. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow has never rejected dialogue and has always been open to cooperation with any U.S. administration. Meanwhile, Putin congratulated Trump on his inauguration. During the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that Moscow is prepared for contact with the new U.S. administration and other Western leaders. Also, on Monday, the Russian foreign ministry said that Moscow would be ready to resume dialogue with Japan if Tokyo took concrete steps to abandon its unfriendly policies. "Russia is ready to consider Japan's initiatives to resume dialogue, given that they are backed by practical steps from Tokyo that demonstrate a rejection of unfriendly policies," the ministry said in a statement issued in light of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Russia and Japan. Russia believes there are sensible politicians and public figures in Japan who recognize the harmful impact on the Japanese people of the anti-Russian discourse of official authorities, it added. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday revoking the security clearance of 50 former intelligence officials, who issued a letter in 2020, discrediting the reporting that then-US President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, had abandoned his laptop at a computer repair business and had called the news story part of a "Russian disinformation campaign." Within 90 days of this days, the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, shall submit a report to US President Trump through the National Security Advisor that details "any additional inappropriate activity that occurred within the Intelligence Community, by anyone contracted by the Intelligence Community or by anyone who held a security clearance, related to the letter signed by the 51 former intelligence officials." The order signed by Trump states, "In the closing weeks of the 2020 Presidential campaign, at least 51 former intelligence officials coordinated with the Biden campaign to issue a letter discrediting the reporting that President Joseph R. Biden's son had abandoned his laptop at a computer repair business. Signatories of the letter falsely suggested that the news story was part of a Russian disinformation campaign." The letter's signatories include - former US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, Former CIA Director Michael Hayden, former US National Security Advisor, John Bolton, former CIA Director John Brennan. According to the statement, two signatories, Patty Patricia A Brandmaeir and Brett Davis, are deceased. The order signed by Trump states, "Federal policymakers must be able to rely on analysis conducted by the Intelligence Community and be confident that it is accurate, crafted with professionalism, and free from politically motivated engineering to affect political outcomes in the United States. The signatories wilfully weaponized the gravitas of the Intelligence Community to manipulate the political process and undermine our democratic institutions." "This fabrication of the imprimatur of the Intelligence Community to suppress information essential to the American people during a Presidential election is an egregious breach of trust reminiscent of a third world country. And now the faith of Americans in all other patriotic intelligence professionals who are sworn to protect the Nation has been imperilled," it added. The order stated that John Bolton published a memoir for monetary gain after his termination from his White House position in 2019. It accused him of publishing him a book "rife with sensitive information drawn from his time in government" and "the memoir's reckless treatment of sensitive information undermined the ability of future presidents to request and obtain candid advice on matters of national security from their staff." According to the order, the publication also caused a grave risk that classified material was publicly exposed. The letter regarding the contents of Hunter Biden's laptop had immediately taken a centre stage in the partisan wrangling over the laptop itself, which had sexually explicit videos of Biden's son with women and photos of him doing drugs in hotel rooms, many of which have since been shared by media outlets, CNN reported. When the existence of the laptop and its contents was first reported by New York Post, many mainstream media outlets raised questions on its authenticity and social media companies tried to restrict the ability of users to share the Post's coverage, after questions were raised whether it could have been part of a foreign influence campaign, according to CNN report. In 2020, the former officials wrote, "We want to emphasize that we do not know if the emails... are genuine or not and that we do not have evidence of Russian involvement -- just that our experience makes us deeply suspicious that the Russian government played a significant role in this case." They added, "If we are right, this is Russia trying to influence how Americans vote in this election, and we believe strongly that Americans need to be aware of this." Since then, the laptop and its contents have been considered legitimate. It played a part in Hunter Biden's prosecution on felony drug charges, with special counsel David Weiss terming questions regarding the laptop's authenticity a "conspiracy theory," CNN reported. Republicans have claimed that the letter was a evidence of a deep-state collusion between the Biden campaign and the CIA to cover up other materials on the laptop that they think show improper foreign business dealings by the Biden family. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], January 21 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Education, Human Resources and Community Development Council, chaired the council's first meeting of 2025 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-Chairperson of the Council. The council discussed the future priorities within the new strategic directions, including work updates of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and activation plans of the Ministry of Community Empowerment and Ministry of Family. Opening the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah said that the council plays a critical role in shaping unified policies for education, human development, and community in line with the UAE leadership's vision. He noted that the council's new structure reflects the leadership's confidence and sets the stage for advancing efforts to achieve goals that match the UAE's ambitions. Sheikh Abdullah commended the efforts of entities in setting priorities for the next phase, stressing the importance of intensifying collaboration with partners and the community to implement the outlined strategies. He also highlighted the need to build high-performing teams with the ability to think strategically, innovate, take initiative, be accountable, communicate effectively, and embrace continuous learning. H.H. Sheikh Abdullah called for creativity in identifying opportunities and innovative ideas to implement policies focusing on impact rather than output. He emphasised the importance of teamwork, responsibility, and openness to new ideas to advance the UAE's progress. "Education is the driving force behind development, and today we can align the education system with individual development and empowerment of the community and the family, with the participation of everyone. Advanced societies are built on solid foundations of knowledge, which we are striving to achieve by building a comprehensive and integrated national educational and community system that focuses on developing human capital, empowering society, and consolidating its values and identity. This covers all stages of an individual's life, from childhood to establishing a family and contributing to society, thereby helping to shape a bright future for the coming generations in the UAE," Sheikh Abdullah stated. Sheikha Mariam underlined that the council is on track to meet its goals, guided by the leadership's vision. She emphasised the council's focus on human-centred strategies that enhance skills and promote continuous learning. "The Council begins the new year with more ambition and determination to continue the journey of developing the Emirati community according to strategic directions that concentrate on humans, and pay great attention to developing their skills and capabilities and unleashing their powers and creativity. It also highlights the strategic importance of continuous learning that every individual needs, and an ongoing responsibility that falls on the shoulders of all society members," Sheikha Mariam added. The meeting was held in the presence of Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Empowerment; Sarah bint Youssef Al Amiri, Minister of Education; Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family; Jassem Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Department of Finance - Abu Dhabi, and Hajer Ahmed Althehli, Secretary-General of the Council. Althehli reviewed the council's latest updates which focus on enhancing governance and harmonising strategies and policies between education, human, community, and family development, besides following up on the execution of projects and policies that are a priority for the leadership. She underscored that the council's work methodology aims to increase productivity level, strengthen responsibility and accountability, reduce bureaucracy, and improve communication and cooperation between partners in government and private entities. This effort, in cooperation with various members of society, focuses on a shared vision and goals, with a strong emphasis on improving efficiency in managing financial and human resources, attracting and retaining talent, and empowering individuals in line with key needs and priorities. Al Amiri provided an update on the ministry's work during the transitional phase of the new structure, highlighting the ongoing review and activation of institutional and operational frameworks. She outlined the ministry's upcoming priorities, which included updating plans and policies under four key pillars: developing curricula, assessment and learning paths, professional development for principals and teachers, empowering school processes, and enhancing school supervision. She stressed that the priorities were formulated to bridge academic gaps and improve the overall education system. Al Awar also presented updates on the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research's efforts to implement institutional and operational reforms within the new structure. He outlined the improvements and rapid gains launched by the ministry in the short term during the previous period, which included 16 projects under three main pillars: empowering universities, supporting students, and reviewing and developing policies and procedures related to higher education. For her part, Al Mazrui outlined the Ministry of Community Empowerment priorities, focusing on empowering individuals to contribute to a thriving society, activating the third sector, and promoting values of shared responsibility and belonging. Sana bint Mohammed Suhail explored the priorities and main stages in the first year of establishing the ministry, which is developing the ministry's strategy, establishing the ministry and developing its capabilities. She pointed out that the ministry will work closely with all partners when developing its strategy, consisting of encouraging the family formation and growth, developing the system for People of Determination, improving the experience of beneficiaries and services, and enabling innovation, effectiveness and sustainable impact when developing policies and frameworks related to the family. (ANI/WAM) Sierra Leone's High Commissioner to India, Rashid Sesay, has said that strengthening bilateral ties and promoting trade and investment between the two nations is a key part of his mandate. He expressed his anticipation for a "productive visit" to Kerala. Speaking to ANI, Rashid Sesay noted that he is in Kerala to meet Indian Economic Trade Organisation (IETO) President Asif Iqbal and his team. He also mentioned his visit to the Siena College of Hotel and Tourism. He said, "This is part of my task to visit India and see how we can strengthen the bilateral and friendly relationship between India and Sierra Leone, as well as promote trade and investment between the two countries. And so this visit is with regards to achieving, those two major objectives of my mandate in strengthening the relationship between two countries." Regarding his visit to Kerala, he added, "Today, I am in Kerala to meet with the Indian Economic Trade Organisation, Dr Asif Iqbal and his team. They have put together a very, very important programme for me for the next couple of days. I've started already on arrival this morning, I met with the Siena College of Hotel and Tourism. I had a very, very productive interaction with the students and to see how we can learn from the experiences of Kerala and the college and see how we can move that into Sierra Leone." Rashid Sesay also mentioned that he is looking forward to visiting health centers in Kerala. "I'm told that Kerala provides one of the best facilities in the area of medicine, and there are many Africans. I'm sure Sierra Leoneans are also travelling to Kerala for travelling and so I'm looking forward to the visits of the hospital this afternoon and see what facilities are there and how we could learn from that and improve on Sierre Leones that are coming here for medical treatment and create that strong relationship between the institutions, the medical institutions here and Sierra Leone back home," he noted. Further, Sesay mentioned that he will interact with investors who are interest to invest in Sierra Leone and share with them the huge potential of his country. He thanked Asif Iqbal and his team for making his visit "successful." About his upcoming engagements in Kerala, Sierra Leone envoy said, "Tomorrow will be the highlight of my visit to Kerala district wherein I will interact with a handful of investors, prominent investors in this region who are interested in investing in Sierra Leone. I will share the Sierra Leone experience, the opportunities there, the potential, the huge potential that we have in Sierra Leone that they could tap into and know what their interests are from our point of view." "So in general, I am looking forward to a very productive visit here and I want to take this opportunity to thank Dr Iqbal and his team for what they've been able to do to make this visit a a very successful one. And thanks to all the good people of this district, I've heard so much about Kerela and today I'm witnessing that it's not different from what I've heard, that it's a very industrious region in this country and so I am pleased and happy to be in your district," he added. (ANI) The council reviewed Sharjah's development plans and ways to implement them, emphasising the importance of collaboration among various organisations and partners to meet the emirate's strategic objectives of improving quality of life and ensuring social stability. SEC also reviewed plans from the government focused on improving public services. Focus was directed towards optimising processes, utilising contemporary and effective techniques, and fulfilling the needs of beneficiaries and stakeholders. The council reviewed amendments proposed by the Sharjah Consultative Council, which included updates to the law regulating police and security forces in the emirate, as well as revisions to the 2021 human resources law for military personnel in official entities. The council directed that both draft laws should be submitted to Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for final approval. (ANI/WAM) Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) Berik Aryn and Kazakh Ambassador to Jordan Talgat Shaldanbay attended the dispatching of the first Flour for Humanity Program - Gaza Emergency Appeal convoy from Jordan to Gaza on January 17, Astana Times reported, citing IOFS' press service. The convoy comprised 12 trucks carrying 200 tons of first-grade wheat flour, addressing the acute food shortages in Gaza. It is expected to arrive at the Kerem Shalom/Karam Abu Salem crossing within two days, where coordination with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and other UN agencies will ensure safe distribution to nearly 8,000 households, alleviating critical food shortages in the region, the report said. Kazakhstan, as the hosting state of IOFS, has played a key role in supporting this initiative. The country's leadership and continued support have enabled IOFS to carry out its humanitarian missions, including the Flour for Humanity Program. The ongoing conflict in Gaza since October 2023 has led to significant destruction, displacing millions and destroying essential infrastructure, including homes and hospitals, the report said. In response to this crisis, IOFS launched the Flour for Humanity Program to deliver 1,000 tons of wheat flour to the Gaza Strip. In partnership with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), the first phase secured 200 tons of fortified wheat flour, equivalent to 8,000 packages, made possible by contributions from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, and Azerbaijan. According to Astana Times, during the ceremony, JHCO representatives highlighted their efforts to establish a sustainable aid corridor through Jordan, especially after the Egyptian route faced suspensions by Israeli authorities, limiting large-scale deliveries to Gaza. JHCO's initiatives also include winterization, medical support, and shelter for those affected by the conflict. The report said that the ceremony coincided with a temporary ceasefire agreement in Gaza after more than 465 days of hostilities that have taken the lives of over 46,000 people. By the end of 2024, 1.84 million people in Gaza faced hunger, with approximately 133,000 at risk of starvation, it added. Aryn expressed profound gratitude to JHCO, UN partners, and the donating Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). He reiterated IOFS' commitment to humanitarian principles of neutrality, humanity, impartiality, and independence and urged continued support from OIC member states and international donors to sustain future aid convoys. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a series of meetings with various stakeholders to explore collaboration opportunities in key sectors such as renewable energy, semiconductors, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and startups on Tuesday (local time), according to an official statement. The meetings marked the conclusion of the Chief Minister's first leg of the International Roadshow in South Korea for Advantage Assam 2.0. Chief Minister Sarma highlighted that South Korea, as a significant player in the semiconductor industry, could contribute to Assam's efforts to establish a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem. He noted the immense potential for growth in this sector in Assam and the opportunities for global players to establish their presence in the state, leveraging the support of both the Government of Assam and the Government of India. According to the press statement, Chief Minister Sarma held separate conversations with Dr Joon Choi, Vice President of SK Hynix and Lee Young Joo, CEO of Seoul Viosys, two major semiconductor firms, where he emphasised the strong policy support of the Government of Assam for the sector and upcoming initiatives like a dedicated township and semiconductor cluster to boost the industry. Notably, the Chief Minister also invited them to be a part of Advantage Assam 2.0 which will take place on February 25 and 26 in Guwahati. The Chief Minister also engaged in conversations with Oh Youngju, Minister of SME and Startups, Government of the Republic of Korea to discuss avenues of collaboration between entrepreneurs and industries of Assam and Korea and with Young Ha Ryu, Vice President of GS Group to explore partnerships in the renewable energy sector to fulfil Assam's goal of a 3,000 MW clean energy regime by 2030, the statement added. Chief Minister Sarma also paid a visit to the Startup Campus in Pangyo Techno Valley, Korea's own Silicon Valley in Seoul to explore the innovations of Korean startups from diverse fields of IT, biotech, etc under one roof. The Chief Minister was impressed with the ecosystem in the Techno Valley and expressed his intention to forge collaboration between entrepreneurs and startups of Assam and the Techno Valley and an agreement will soon be reached on this, as per the release. He also met with the Indian entrepreneurs present there and had a conversation with them. Further, the statement noted that CM Sarma's engagements over the last two days have been very productive and have aroused keen interest and enthusiasm among Korean business leaders forthe Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit and the possibilities that lie in Assam The release also stated that CM Sarma will travel to Tokyo, Japan, in the evening to begin the second leg of his visit, where he will engage in discussions with Japanese industry leaders ahead of the mega summit. (ANI) Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Charge D'affaires of the Palestine Embassy in India, spoke on Tuesday about the longstanding ties India and Palestine share and expressed confidence in India's capabilities of leading humanitarian assistance for Gaza. He outlined several areas where Indian aid can be of assistance for the people of Gaza. Speaking about the countries which have reached out to provide humanitarian assistance, Charge D'affaires Abu Jazer said that the UN is leading the affairs. "We hope that all countries to be part of this assistance in the first phase," he said. When asked about the kind of assistance needed from the side of India for the reconstruction of Gaza, Charge D'affaires Abu Jazer told ANI, he said that the bond between the two is "Guided by the historic relationship between us (Palestine) and the friendship relationship between Palestinian people and India to show their support and assistance to the Gaza people after this incredible war". He elaborated on the various ways in which India can help Gaza and said, "India can decide what type of assistance can be presented. But we need in the medical sectors, food, hospitals, universities, and education systems. There are a lot of injured people, maybe 30,000. Many of them, they are special cases, they need special treatment. Indians have experience and they have high-profile health systems so they can call a few injured to treatment in India or they can send doctors to Gaza or they can build a hospital field in Gaza. They can decide it". "There is a lot and various types of assistance that India can present. When we come to restructuring, we are looking for full support of India for permanent projects like Indian hospitals, or Indian schools", Palestinian Charge D'affaires Abu Jazer told ANI. He said that the relationship between India and Palestine is "remarkable". "Our belief towards India is that they never leave the Palestinians when they need help and will never leave any war, any type of people when they are in need of assistance. India is leading in humanitarian assistance", he added. (ANI) In a recent statement shared on social media, Dr Tara Chand, President of the Baloch American Congress, has strongly condemned the ongoing forced disappearances of Baloch individuals in Pakistan. On X, Dr Chand alleged that Pakistani military intelligence agencies are systematically abducting innocent Baloch youth, subjecting them to torture and indefinite detention in secret cells. The post read, "Pakistani military intelligence agencies are forcibly disappearing innocent Baloch youth in Balochistan on a daily basis. Thousands of these youths are reportedly enduring torture in the cells of intelligence agencies. Recently, Jawad Qambrani and Ibrar Qambrani, the brothers of Haseeba Qambrani have also been forcibly disappeared. This represents a grave injustice occurring in Balochistan. The world must support the Baloch people in their struggle against the oppression and cruelty of Pakistani intelligence forces and advocate for the rights of all those who have been forcibly disappeared." https://x.com/drtchand/status/1881347777785131492?t=3BQrBPlnS7UpIcxTMei0rg&s=08 According to reports and a previous post by Dr Tara Chand, the two brothers of Haseeba Qambrani were forcibly abducted three years ago by Pakistan's military intelligence agencies. After a shocking video surfaced, which drew attention to their plight, both brothers were eventually released. However, recent developments have brought even more distressing news. Haseeba's third brother, Jawad Qambrani, along with his cousin Ibrar Qambrani, has now been kidnapped by the same military intelligence agencies in Sindh, Pakistan. Reports suggest that they have been taken to a secret torture cell, where Jawad is reportedly enduring severe abuse. This escalation in targeted abductions has raised further concerns about the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan and beyond. https://x.com/drtchand/status/1881199733726753187?t=Z14HBCvogs2pDWfO7EgWIg&s=08 Forced disappearances in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, have become a grave human rights concern. Military intelligence agencies are accused of systematically abducting innocent individuals, especially from the Baloch community, subjecting them to torture, and holding them in secret detention without due process. The practice, which often targets political activists, students, and human rights defenders, has drawn widespread condemnation both locally and internationally. Despite reports of such disappearances, many families are left in the dark about the whereabouts of their loved ones, leading to widespread fear and distress. The international community has repeatedly been urged to take stronger action in addressing these violations and advocating for the rights of the disappeared. (ANI) The growing unrest and a lack of government assistance have caused 229 industrial facilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to close according to the Department of Industry as cited by ARY News. The closures include 52 facilities in the Gadoon Economic Zone and 177 units under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Management and Development Company (KPEZMEC), have left hundreds of workers without jobs and businesses struggling with growing losses as stated by ARY news. Overall there are 2,563 industrial units in KP, firms are finding it more and more difficult to operate due to the region's increasing instability. The main causes of the closures, according to industry leaders, are issues including ongoing power shortages, security worries, and a lack of government incentives as reported by ARY news. The Sindh Assembly disclosed last year that the electrical crisis has caused the closure of 81 industrial facilities over five years, including five sugar mills and ten textile mills. Ali Khursheedi, the leader of the opposition, blasted the lack of transparency and asked the government to give a thorough explanation of the closures and newly created units that occurred between 2018 and 2023 according to ARY News. Pakistan's economic future is still bleak in the face of these setbacks. According to the World Bank's Global Economic Prospects Report 2025, Pakistan's GDP is expected to expand at a mere 2.8 per cent annually according to a report by ARY news. Other South Asian countries, however, are anticipated to do much better. The Maldives is expected to increase at a pace of 4.7 per cent and Bhutan at a rate of 7.2 per cent. At 5.1 per cent, 4.1 per cent, and 3.5 per cent growth rates, respectively, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are also predicted to surpass Pakistan as cited by ARY news. Economists and businessmen are urging immediate reforms to revitalize Pakistan's faltering industrial sector and win back investor confidence as the country's industries continue to face difficulties. (ANI) The founder and leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain, offered his heartfelt felicitations to Donald J Trump on taking the oath as the 47th President of the United States of America. In a statement issued from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement International Secretariat in London, Altaf Hussain expressed his hope that President Donald Trump would play a significant role in addressing global conflicts, resolving fundamental issues faced by ordinary citizens, and transforming the world into a peaceful and prosperous place. "On behalf of the Central Coordination Committee of MQM, millions of followers, and myself, I extend my sincere felicitations to Mr President Donald J. Trump. I am confident that he will work tirelessly to resolve the challenges faced not only by the United States but also by the global community," said Altaf Hussain. He further appealed to US President Donald Trump to utilize his influence to secure the fundamental rights of the 250 million people of Pakistan, highlighting the current political turmoil in the country. Altaf Hussain criticised the fraudulent handing over of power to losing political parties following Pakistan's February 8, 2024, general elections, calling it a situation worse than martial law. "Pakistan's military generals are running the government through dishonest, corrupt, and defeated political leaders, depriving citizens of their fundamental rights. I urge President Trump to intervene and use his influence to end military interference in Pakistan, ensure fresh and transparent elections, and empower the rightful winners," MQM founder Altaf Hussain added. Hussain concluded by emphasising the importance of President Trump's potential role in promoting justice, democracy, and peace globally, stating that such actions would earn him the prayers and gratitude of Pakistan's 250 million people. (ANI) Flash A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) should be strengthened, not weakened, and that China will continue to support WHO in fulfilling its duties. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks in response to a query regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order on Monday to withdraw the United States from WHO. Guo said that, as an authoritative international organization in the field of global public health, WHO plays a central coordinating role in global health governance, and its role should be strengthened, not weakened. China will, as always, support WHO in fulfilling its duties, deepen international public health cooperation, strengthen global health governance, and promote the building of a global community of health for all, Guo added. Newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet the foreign ministers of the QUAD member countries on Tuesday (local time), according to a statement from the US Department of State. As per the details shared by the department, Secretary Rubio will convene with the Indo-Pacific QUAD Foreign Ministers at the Department of State at 1 PM (local time). This will be followed by a bilateral meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at 3:45 PM. Later, Rubio is scheduled to hold individual meetings with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi at the Department of State, the statement noted. The QUAD is a diplomatic partnership among Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, committed to fostering an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient. On Monday, Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed her satisfaction over the invitation extended to the Foreign Ministers of the QUAD nations for the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. She emphasized that this reflects the "collective commitment of all nations to the QUAD" and highlighted the importance of close cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. "The Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting is expected to be in Washington, DC for the inaugural ceremony of President Trump...We will share the further details," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had also said in the weekly press briefing earlier. Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the QUAD Leaders' Summit in the United States. Held in President Joe Biden's hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, the summit saw leaders from India, the US, Australia, and Japan agree to enhance cooperation and work towards a safe and secure Indo-Pacific. (ANI) Washington, DC [US], January 22 (ANI) Marco Rubio, the newly appointed US Secretary of State highlighted the Trump government's vision, saying, "anything that makes us stronger, safer or more prosperous will be our mission, our job across the world." Speaking at his welcome ceremony after being sworn in as the nation's 72nd Secretary of State on Tuesday (local time), he said, "I want to thank President Trump for nominating me. It is an extraordinary honour and a privilege to serve in this role and be here." He also highlighted the strength of the US diplomatic corps, stating, "To oversee the greatest, the most effective, the most talented, the most experienced diplomatic corps in the history of the world, resides in this building." Further, he outlined the key goals for US foreign policy under his leadership. "Our foreign policy has a very clear mission- the advancement of our national interest which is clearly defined through his (President Trump's) campaign as anything that makes us stronger, safer or more prosperous- and that will be our mission, our job across the world," Rubio stated. Rubio stressed the importance of aligning US interests with those of other nations where possible, saying, "I expect every nation on the earth to advance its national interests. And in those instances in which our and their national interests align, we look forward to working with them." He also highlighted President Trump's goal of promoting global peace, stating, "His overriding goal for Global Policy is the promotion of peace, and avoiding conflict." Rubio added that "no agency will be more critical in that regard than this one... Promoting peace around the world is in our national interest because without peace it is hard to be a strong and prosperous nation." While acknowledging that conflicts will arise, he made it clear that the US will seek to prevent them but "never at the expense of our national security and interests." Later, Rubio is set to meet the foreign ministers of the QUAD member countries, according to a statement from the US Department of State. As per the details shared by the US State Department, Secretary Rubio will convene with the Indo-Pacific QUAD Foreign Ministers at the Department of State at 1 PM (local time). This will be followed by a bilateral meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at 3:45 PM. After that, Rubio is scheduled to hold individual meetings with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi at the Department of State, the statement noted. (ANI) Jan. 22 weather: Here's which schools are closed or on a delay as extreme cold continues Wednesday Students throughout the region were scheduled for a three-day weekend in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, and time at home could continue into Tuesday as central Indiana undergoes an extreme cold snap. Conditions will be treacherous for children heading to school on foot, and buses may have trouble navigating hardened ice on Indianapolis' unplowed residential roads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service predicts a high temperature of 7 degrees and with wind chill values dipping as low as -11 degrees. On Friday, leadership from at least three area school districts notified parents that students should take home school-provided devices for the weekend in case classes move to an E-Learning day Tuesday. There isn't a specific temperature threshold that schools use to close during extreme cold, but guidelines issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration give district administrators a point of reference. If air temperatures are -10 degrees or colder at 6 a.m., schools may consider delaying their start time by two hours, according to the NOAA guidelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A two-hour delay would also be considered if wind chill brings temperatures below -19 degrees at 6 a.m. If wind chill remains at -19 degrees or cooler by 9 a.m., schools may close. Schools also look at road conditions and risks to students' health. The Indianapolis Public School's general weather guidelines note that school will be delayed or canceled if conditions could lead to frostbite in 10 minutes or less. That's not predicted to be the case Tuesday, though it will still be extremely cold, and experts recommend that all exposed skin is covered before heading outdoors. More: What temperature does it need to be before Indianapolis schools cancel school for the day? Here is a list of what Central Indiana schools have announced as of Monday afternoon. Avon Community School Corp. No announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Website: Avon Community School Corp. Beech Grove City Schools No announcement. Website: Beech Grove City Schools Bishop Chatard High School No announcement. Website: Bishop Chatard High School Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School To allow everyone time to get to school safely, Brebeuf Jesuit will operate on a 9:30 a.m. Delayed Opening schedule Jan. 21 and Jan. 22. Website: Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School Brownsburg Community School Corp. No announcement. Website: Brownsburg Community School Corp. Cardinal Ritter High School No announcement. Website: Cardinal Ritter High School Carmel Clay Schools Carmel Clay Schools will have a two-hour delay on Tuesday. Website: Carmel Clay Schools Cathedral High School No announcement. Website: Cathedral High School Center Grove Community School Corp. Center Grove Community School Corporation will open with a two-hour delay on Tuesday. There will be no morning preschool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Website: Center Grove Community School Corp. MSD Decatur Township Schools No announcement. Website: MSD Decatur Township Schools Franklin Community Schools Franklin Community Schools will operate with a two-hour delay on Tuesday. Website: Franklin Community Schools Franklin Township Community Schools No announcement. Website: Franklin Township Community Schools Greenwood Community Schools Greenwood Community Schools will open with a two-hour delay on Tuesday. Website: Greenwood Community Schools Guerin Catholic High School Guerin Catholic High School will operate with a two-hour delay on Tuesday. Zero period is canceled. Mass will be offered at 9:45 a.m., and first period will begin at 10:30 a.m. Math League is moved to Thursday at 7:45 a.m. Website: Guerin Catholic High School Hamilton Southeastern Schools Hamilton Southeastern will have a two-hour delay on Tuesday. HSE Preschool and Academy morning classes are canceled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Website: Hamilton Southeastern Schools Heritage Christian School No announcement. Website: Heritage Christian School Indianapolis Public Schools No announcement. Website: Indianapolis Public Schools MSD Lawrence Township Schools No announcement. Website: MSD Lawrence Township Schools Noblesville Schools Noblesville Schools will open with a two-hour delay Tuesday. Website: Noblesville Schools Orchard School No announcement. Website: Orchard School Park Tudor No announcement. Website: Park Tudor Perry Township Schools No announcement. Website: Perry Township Schools MSD Pike Township The MSD of Pike Township will utilize remote learning today due to a high number of drivers out ill and extremely cold temperatures. Loving Care sites will be closed. Website: MSD Pike Township Plainfield Community School Corp. No announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Website: Plainfield Community School Corp. Roncalli High School No announcement. Website: Roncalli High School Scecina Memorial High School No announcement. Website: Scecina Memorial High School Speedway Schools No announcement. Website: Speedway Schools St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School No announcement. Website: St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School University High School No announcement. Website: University High School MSD Washington Township Schools No announcement. Website: MSD Washington Township Schools MSD Warren Township Schools Warren Township is expected to operate on a two-hour delay on Tuesday, according to a message posted to the district's X account. Website: MSD Warren Township Schools MSD Wayne Township Schools No announcement. Website: MSD Wayne Township Schools Westfield Washington Schools Westfield Washington Schools will be on a two-hour delay Tuesday. TOTS, All Aboard and BAC will all open at 7:15 a.m., and Morning Developmental Preschool is canceled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Website: Westfield Washington Schools Zionsville Community Schools Zionsville Community Schools will open with a two-hour delay on Tuesday. Website: Zionsville Community Schools This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Extreme cold: Check school cancellations, delays for Tuesday, Jan. 21. Universities, colleges and public school districts throughout Mississippi closed Tuesday in anticipation of potentially dangerous winter weather. Some have now announced extended closures through Wednesday. By Tuesday afternoon, some areas of the state faced icy roads and several inches of snow while other parts got only a few snow flurries. Temperatures are expected to warm slightly by Wednesday morning, but several parts of the state, especially Southern Mississippi and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, will still face potentially dangerous conditions. A state of emergency declared by Gov. Tate Reeves will remain in effect through Wednesday, Jan. 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, several schools have announced extended closures or modified operations through Wednesday. Universities and colleges Many universities and colleges had not yet made an announcement regarding campus operations for Wednesday, Jan. 22, by press time for this story. The following universities and colleges have canceled or modified classes: Jones College implemented modified operations starting Tuesday. Campus will remain open, but all classes will transition to remote through Wednesday, Jan. 22. The University of Southern Mississippi announced Tuesday afternoon that all campuses will remain closed through Wednesday, Jan. 22, and all classes will be canceled. The university will make a decision on Thursday's campus operations by 3 p.m. on Wednesday. William Carey University announced Tuesday afternoon that all campuses including Hattiesburg, Biloxi and Baton Rouge will remain closed through Wednesday, Jan. 22, due to the continuing winter storm. Normal operations will resume Thursday, Jan. 23. Follow along live: Snow blankets much of Mississippi as state deals with frigid weather More on winter weather: How much snow will Mississippi get? What is the forecast for Jackson, Hattiesburg? School districts Many of Mississippi's school districts throughout the state closed on Tuesday due to winter weather. Potentially dangerous conditions and cold temperatures are expected to continue through Wednesday, especially for southern and coastal counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson Public Schools will reopen Wednesday at normal times. Buses will operate on normal routes and schedules. JPS posted on Facebook Tuesday evening encouraging parents to make sure their students are dressed warmly enough for the expected low temperatures, especially those who will be waiting at bus stops. Rankin County Schools will return to normal operations Wednesday, Jan. 22 after closely monitoring road conditions and consulting with Rankin County Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, the Rankin County Sheriff's Department and the Rankin County Road Department. The following school districts have announced canceled classes or modified schedules for Wednesday: Bay St. Louis- Waveland School District announced Sunday all schools will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 21, and Wednesday, Jan. 22, after Monday's MLK Day holiday in order to "ensure the safety of our students, staff and families." The district shared photos on Facebook of the mascot Bayland the Tiger enjoying the snow day. Biloxi Public Schools will remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22 due to possible snow and ice. All school activities are also canceled. Forrest County School District announced Tuesday afternoon all schools will remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at the advice of Forrest County Emergency Management due to the possibility of dangerous road conditions. Gulfport School District will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 22 due to winter weather. Harrison County School District will remain closed Wednesday, Jan. 22 after consultation with the Harrison County Emergency Management. Hattiesburg Public Schools will remain closed through Wednesday, Jan. 22, with plans to resume normal operations on Thursday, Jan. 23. Madison County School District announced Tuesday evening that all schools will have a two-hour delayed start due to the extreme cold temperatures. Buses will run two hours later than regularly scheduled. Natchez-Adams School District will remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22 due to inclement weather. Ocean Springs School District met with Jackson County Emergency Management officials Monday afternoon and decided to extend its closure through Wednesday, Jan. 22. As of Tuesday afternoon, the district plans to reopen Thursday, Jan. 23, and will keep community members updated on any changes through social media. Petal School District met with Forrest County Emergency Management officials Tuesday afternoon and decided to keep all schools closed through Wednesday, Jan. 22, due to snow covered roads. Extracurricular activities have also been canceled. The district will continue monitoring weather conditions and provide updates on the rest of the week's schedule. This is a developing story. Check back in with the Clarion Ledger for updates. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Miss. colleges, schools announce Wednesday closures amid winter blast Among a flurry of President Bidens last-minute actions to prepare for the end of his administration and the return of President Donald Trumps was his approval of a classified guidance memorandum on Indo-Pacific strategy. It was drafted over the summer in response to the growing collaboration against the U.S.-led international order by Russia, China, North Korea and Iran what has variously been called the axis of revisionism, the axis of autocracy, or the new axis of evil. Though the Indo-Pacific document was not publicly released for security reasons, the White House provided an unclassified precis of its key points. It calls for improved internal cooperation among U.S. agencies, faster information-sharing with allies, maximizing the effectiveness of sanctions and enhancing the Wests ability to manage simultaneous crises coordinated by the four hostile powers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hopefully, strategic communications loomed large in the guidance paper. The traditional approach to coping with external security threats to the U.S. and its allies is to convey a message of deterrence that aggressive behavior will be met by economic consequences or, in extreme situations, by military action. But the warnings are effective only when they are credible. When Russia mobilized militarily in obvious preparation to invade Ukraine in 2022, the Biden administration alerted Kiev and the world to the danger and warned Vladimir Putin there would be severe economic consequences for Russia if he went into Ukraine. Putin brushed off the warning, confident that he could withstand mere economic punishment and continue his aggression. Almost three years later, his strategy is still succeeding with a lot of help from friends China, North Korea and Iran. To deter further aggressive behavior by the two leading challengers to the international order Russia and China Trump needs to make clear that the U.S. will not abandon the targets of their aggression, Ukraine and Taiwan. He should apply disproportionate pressure on Russia for concessions to settle the war it initiated, and he must discard his baseless and false notion that it was provoked by Ukraines desire for closer political and security ties with the West as if Ukraine had no right to decide its own future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is only a short, slippery step from sympathizing with Putins revanchist lust to reconstitute the Russian Empire to siding with Xi Jinpings intention to force reunification with Taiwan, which Communist China never ruled in the first place. If he compels Ukraine to cede part of its territory to Russia, Trump will encourage both Putin and Xi to press forward with their expansionist aims. Unfortunately, there was nothing in the White House report on the Indo-Pacific strategy to reinforce Bidens explicit warnings to China that the U.S. would intervene militarily, which had been effectively walked back anyway by State Department and White House officials. Trump returns to office with the cloud of strategic ambiguity still hanging over the U.S.-China-Taiwan relationship. This means the U.S. may or may not intervene militarily if Xi decides to take his chances and put into play all the naval, air and amphibious forces China has accumulated and exercised for an attack on Taiwan. Every subsequent administration has followed the Clinton teams hedging during the 1995 to 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis the ambiguous policy stating that U.S. defense of Taiwan from a Chinese attack would depend on the circumstances. When Trump was asked in his first term how he would respond to Chinese aggression against Taiwan, he said in a menacing tone, China knows what Im gonna do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he starts his second term, he needs to tell Xi, both privately and publicly, that America will directly intervene to help Taiwan defend itself and that if China responds by attacking any U.S. assets or allies, it will mean a major war between China and the U.S. Officials in the Trump administration can be expected to reinforce rather than undercut the presidents deterrent message, which will make it more credible than any of Bidens random utterances. The other message Trump must deliver not only to China but also to Russia, North Korea and Iran is one of regime change as a deterrent. He must make clear that the U.S. will take any military confrontation as a sign that their regimes must be overthrown. Against those who, like Biden and his appointees, fear that standing up to Putin or Xi would mean World War III, the evidence is clear that none of Americas enemies is suicidal. But they have managed so far to utilize what Richard Nixon called the mad man practice of diplomacy and convince the West to fear escalation more than they do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hopefully, Trump will do away with self-deterrence and focus his own deterrent rhetoric against Americas foreign enemies. Joseph Bosco served as China country director for the secretary of Defense from 2005 to 2006 and as Asia-Pacific director of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief from 2009 to 2010. He is a nonresident fellow at the Institute for Corean-American Studies, a member of the advisory board of the Global Taiwan Institute and member of the advisory board of The Vandenberg Coalition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A new venture in Sweden has started work on building a test nuclear reactor that will aim to steer the countrys interest towards a next-generation small modular reactor (SMR) design. Germany-based Uniper SE is a multinational energy supply company that has signed a deal with Blykalla - a Swedish producer of advanced SMRs. As per reports, this will be Swedens first reactor in a time gap of approximately four decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a report by Bloomberg, work has already started on the test nuclear reactor, which is being built by Swedish Modular Reactors AB a 50-50 joint venture between the two firms. It will be located at the Oskarshamn atomic power station which is run by Uniper. The joint venture for test nuclear reactor Blykalla says that it is building a first-of-a-kind lead-cooled SMR concept using a combination of proven technology and proprietary materials. It is this concept that will be fool-proofed by the joint venture. The test nuclear reactor is being built with a single purpose to validate and verify the safety, operational, and other processes that Blykalla will be using in its SMR design. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bloomberg report also mentions that the test unit will not be producing any power, and it will not even be loaded with nuclear fuel. It is a test reactor, and once it helps Blykalla fulfill its objectives the next step will be to submit the SMR design concept for approval, which it hopes to accomplish in a year. Following this, the company expects its reactors to be up and running by the end of the decade. The plan is first to build a 70-megawatt nuclear reactor, which will be followed by 140 MW capacity SMRs. By developing a patented, aluminum alloyed steel exhibiting perfect corrosion resistance, we solved the number one challenge with using lead as a coolant in nuclear reactors, the companys website states. SEALER SMR concept Blykallas offering is named Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor (SEALER) - a passively safe reactor designed for commercial power production in a highly compact format. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SEALER-One will be Blykallas first nuclear reactor and commercial venture, which will serve as a demonstrator for the concept. SEALER-55 will be the companys commercial SMR unit, which will have a power generation capacity of 55 MW. It plans to start serial production of SEALER-55 in the early 2030s with an initial goal to manufacture 1,000 units. As per Blykalla, the SEALER will only take up 16.4 x 16.4 feet (5x5 meters) of space. It will have an output of 55MW and a fuel residence time of 25 years. One of the main differences that set the nuclear reactor concept apart from others is that it uses a special kind of steel alloy that protects the core components from corrosion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our key innovations are three aluminium alloyed steels: an aluminium oxide forming steel for protecting cladding tubes, an austenitic steel for protecting reactor vessels, and a martensitic steel suited for lead pump impellers. The new steels exhibits perfect corrosion resistance during exposure to lead, and thereby enables the long-term use of lead as a coolant. Moreover, the company also states that fuels that have a higher uranium density can be used longer than the standard UO2 fuel. Uranium nitride features 40 percent more uranium per volume unit, which equals a 40 percent longer life for the fuel. This also leads to better safety margins (operating at > 1,500C [2732 degree Fahrenheit] below its melting point), with seven times higher thermal conductivity in the fuel, the company says. Earlier this month, it entered into a partnership with KSB to develop specialized pumps for the SEALER technology. Hours after being sworn in, President Donald Trump made good on his campaign promise to pardon defendants charged with crimes in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Trump pardoned about 1,500 people Monday, fulfilling a campaign pledge critics said would "endorse attacks on democracy." That figure would represent almost all of the nearly 1,600 people who were charged in the riot by the fourth anniversary of Jan. 6, according to the Justice Department. About 1,270 had been convicted and 1,100 had been sentenced by that point, the department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These are the hostages, approximately 1,500 for a pardon. Full pardon," Trump said in the Oval Office. "This is a big one. We hope they come out tonight. Four Rhode Island residents were charged in relation to the Jan. 6 riots as members of a crowd that stormed the Capitol to stop the certification of the 2020 election results. Many in the crowd believed the election had been stolen from Donald Trump and Joe Biden lost the election. Up until Trump's pardons, the cases of New England residents who were accused of participating and charged with related crimes were still moving through federal court. Some have already been sentenced to jail time, and new arrests were still being made. Here's where the four Rhode Islanders cases stood before Trump issued pardons on Jan. 20. Timothy Desjardins An image that the FBI says shows Timothy Desjardins, 35, of Providence, outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Timothy Desjardins, of Providence, was the first Rhode Islander to face charges in the Capitol riot. At the time, he was already headed to prison for firing a bullet that had grazed a man's head in a Walgreens parking lot and for his involvement in an armed standoff with Providence police.He was charged with several counts, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil disorder Assaulting police with a dangerous weapon Entering and remaining in a restricted building with a deadly or dangerous weapon Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or on restricted grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon Engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or on restricted grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon Violently entering and being disorderly on the grounds of the Capitol Physical violence in a Capitol building or on Capitol grounds The case against Desjardins was still pending as of Jan. 8, court records say. Desjardins is in a maximum security cell at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston where he is serving time for offenses he committed, later in 2021, after the riot at the Capitol. Bernard Joseph Sirr Bernard Sirr Bernard Sirr was arrested on June 29, 2022, in North Kingstown. He was charged with several counts, including: Civil disorder Entering and remaining in a restricted building or in restricted grounds Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds Engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or in restricted grounds Impeding passage through Capital grounds or through a Capitol building Physical violence in a Capitol building or on Capitol grounds In January 2023, Sirr pleaded guilty to obstructing police during a civil disorder and prosecutors dismissed the other counts. Sirr was ordered to serve two months in prison followed by a 12-month period of supervised release and pay $2,000 in restitution. He served time and was no longer in custody as of Sept. 5, 2023, according to online data kept by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Donald Trump pardons 1,500 defendants from Jan. 6, keeping campaign pledge and outraging critics William B. Cotton The FBI says William Cotton and others were chanting "traitor" when this photo was taken. William B. Cotton was arrested in Ashaway on Dec. 7, 2022. He was charged with several counts, including: Entering and remaining in a restricted building Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building Two counts of violently entering and being disorderly on the grounds of the Capitol In September 2023, Cotton pleaded guilty to one count and prosecutors dismissed the other three counts. Cotton was ordered to serve nine months of probation and make $500 in restitution for the offense of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Juan J. Rodriguez The FBI says this image depicts Juan Rodriguez asking Capitol police officers to return the cellphone he'd left charging in the Senate office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juan Rodriguez was arrested in Central Falls on July 13, 2023. He was charged with several counts, including: Entering and remaining in a restricted building Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building Violently entering and being disorderly in a Capitol building or on the grounds of the Capitol Violently entering and remaining in a room in the Capitol building Violently entering and being disorderly and obstructing a passage in a Capitol building In February 2024, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to two of the five counts he was charged with. The other three charges were dismissed. Rodriguez was ordered to serve 30 days in prison and pay $500 in restitution for the offenses of entering and remaining in a room in the Capitol with the intent to disrupt and obstructing passage in a Capitol building. USA Today contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Trump pardons 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants. See who was charged from RI Jan. 20 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump signed a mass pardon Monday after his inauguration for all defendants of the January 6 riots, to cover approximately 1,500 people who have been charged since the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. "So this is January 6. These are the hostages, approximately 1,500 for a pardon. Full pardon," Trump said as he signed the order in the Oval Office at the White House. "We have about six commutations in there where we're doing further research." Jan. 6 riot defendants pardoned While Trump discussed six commutations, the order released by the White House listed 14 people who are currently serving prison terms. They "are to be released immediately," according to the directive, which states "The Bureau of Prisons shall immediately implement all instructions from the Department of Justice regarding this directive." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We hope they come out tonight," Trump told reporters. Trump also commuted the sentences of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, who were convicted of seditious conspiracy, which paves the way for their release from prison. President Donald Trump signs a mass pardon for all defendants in the January 6 riots, which will cover approximately 1,500 people who have been charged since the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump also signed executive orders Monday to secure the U.S.-Mexico border as he answered reporter questions upon returning to the Oval Office after his inauguration. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI "This proclamation ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation," the executive order states. The directive also orders the attorney general to dismiss all pending indictments against people related to events around the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, of which there are currently about 300. President Donald Trump signs numerous executive orders, including pardons for defendants from the January 6th riots and a delay on the TikTok ban, on the first day of his presidency in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Monday. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI More than 1,600 people were originally charged in the riots and more than 1,100 of those had their cases adjudicated and received sentences, according to the Justice Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 700 defendants already served their sentences or did not receive sentences of incarceration. President Donald Trump signs numerous executive orders Monday night as reporters look on following his return to the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on the first day of his presidency. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI Securing the U.S.-Mexico Border Trump then signed a number of executive orders Monday night to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, including one that declares a national emergency at the southern border. Another order guarantees the states' protection against invasion amid the "current crisis at the southern border." President Donald Trump takes reporters' questions as he signs executive orders to pardon the defendants from the January 6th riots, delay the TikTok ban and secure the U.S.-Mexico border. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protecting America from foreign terrorists and national security threats based on the crisis at the border was also signed. And Trump signed an order defining birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment of the United States, which Trump called a "good one." "We are the only country in the world that does this with birthright, as you know. And it's just absolutely ridiculous," Trump said, as he added he's "fine with legal immigration." According to the 14th Amendment, birthright citizenship applies to "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." Critics have called the policy a "magnet for illegal immigration" in that it encourages undocumented pregnant women to cross the border in order to give birth. TikTok ban delayed Trump signed an executive order Monday night to delay enforcing a federal ban on TikTok for at least 75 days to give the administration "an opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward." A law banning TikTok took effect Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump told reporters "the United States should be entitled to get half of TikTok" in order to protect U.S. national security. TikTok is owned by China's ByteDance. Tariffs As Trump signed his executive orders, reporters asked questions and Trump answered. Among the many topics were tariffs, which Trump said he plans to impose, possibly 25% tariffs, on Canada and Mexico starting Feb. 1. Trump reminded reporters that the tariffs on China are still in effect from his first term. Merit-based federal government hiring Later, Trump signed an executive order, requiring hiring in the federal government to be based on merit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a big deal. Merit. Our country is going to be based on merit again," Trump said. "Can you believe it?" Department of Government Efficiency Trump also signed an executive order, creating the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE to be led by Elon Musk. "He's getting an office for about 20 people we're hiring to make sure these get implemented," Trump said about Musk. Musk and DOGE have pledged to identify trillions of dollars to cut government waste. Russia's war in Ukraine Trump also answered reporters' questions about Russia's war in Ukraine, saying he plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war once talks are scheduled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're going to try and get it done as quickly as possible. You know, the war with Ukraine and Russia should have never started," Trump said. Energy Production Among his many executive signatures, Trump declared a national energy emergency and signed an order to unleash energy production. Another order also temporarily halts all permits for wind energy projects. The government "shall not issue new or renewed approvals, rights of way, permits, leases or loans for onshore or offshore wind projects," according to the executive order until there can be a "comprehensive assessment" of the industry's impact on the economy and environment. World Health Organization And Trump signed an executive order to protect women from so-called radical gender ideologies, as well as an order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So we paid $500 million to World Health, so I terminated it," Trump said, adding that China paid only $39 million with a much larger population. "The World Health ripped us off. Everybody rips off the United States and it's not going to happen anymore." "Seemed a little unfair to me," Trump said. "We'll see what happens." After answering more questions by reporters, Trump checked for a letter from former President Joe Biden in his desk and found an envelope. The letter was addressed to "47." "Maybe we should all read it together!" Trump exclaimed. "Or maybe I'll read it first and tell you about it later," he added, as he set the letter aside. LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's foreign secretary David Lammy said it was right that the new U.S. administration has the chance to review a deal with Mauritius over the future of a U.S.-British military base in the Indian Ocean. "It's right and proper that the new administration is able to consider it," Lammy told BBC Radio on Monday. Under the deal Britain, which has controlled the region since 1814, would cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands - a former colony that became independent in 1968 and the last British overseas territory in Africa - to Mauritius. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would also retain control under a 99-year lease of the military base on Diego Garcia, something that outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden had said would secure its effective operation into the next century. But Marco Rubio, Trump's pick as secretary of state, has said the deal poses a threat to U.S. security by ceding the archipelago - with its base used by U.S. long-range bombers and warships - to a country allied with China. (Reporting by Sarah Young, writing by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Kate Holton) Former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger made a stop in the Lynchburg area on Sunday in her campaign for governor, appearing in Bedford to talk about her six years in Congress and take questions from the community. Spanberger, a Democrat who represented Virginias 7th Congressional District for three terms, announced in November 2023 that she would not run for a fourth term and would instead seek to succeed Glenn Youngkin as governor. When asked by an attendee at the event, held at the Bower Center for the Arts, how she plans to campaign in Republican strongholds such as Bedford County, Spanberger reminded the audience that when she won her congressional seat in 2018, it was the first time a Democrat had been elected to represent the 7th Congressional District since 1968. She beat Republican Dave Brat, who had won his previous election for the seat in 2016 by more than 15 percentage points. On the campaign trail, Spanberger emphasized she will make sure to speak with people of all political persuasions. Its incumbent upon me that I make myself, my team, or anyone acting on my behalf accessible, she said. If I think that the policies that I have advocated for or will advocate for are good, then I should be able to speak to that and justify that to anyone. Spanbergers appearance in Bedford came about two weeks after Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares made a stop in the county to offer their vision for continuing the Republican Partys momentum into this years statewide elections. Earle-Sears is hoping to receive the Republican nomination for governor and Miyares is running for re-election as attorney general. In her stop in Bedford on Sunday, Spanberger emphasized she will be back in the area often in 2025 while campaigning for governor. After her third House term ended in December, Spanberger said she will have time to travel across Virginia, including the central and southwest regions, to make sure she gets a pulse of what issues people feel are important, and that people across the state feel heard. Spanberger, who was born in New Jersey, but grew up in Henrico County near Richmond, started her career as a federal law enforcement officer more than 20 years ago with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. In 2006, she joined the CIA as a case officer where she worked until 2014. After leaving the CIA, she worked for an education consulting firm before deciding to run for Congress in 2018. Spanberger is married, with three children ages 16, 13 and 10 who attend public schools in Virginia. At the event in Bedford in a room filled with about 80 people, Spanberger talked about her time in Congress, explaining she helped pass laws that lowered the cost of prescription drugs, particularly for seniors on Medicare, because she listened to her constituents who were asking for relief on the cost of prescriptions. She also worked on the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law by former President Joe Biden in November 2021, because I had challenges in my rural communities with broadband connectivity, and in my more suburban communities with electrical grid infrastructure. Spanberger also highlighted her work in Congress to expand health care access to veterans who had faced toxic exposures, because I represented thousands of individuals who had worked in service to our country and took great risks, and we owed that to them. During the campaign stop, Spanberger appeared to intentionally steer clear of criticizing Youngkin, or making negative comments about other Republicans in Richmond. She focused on the details of her plans if elected governor, including investing in public schools and lowering the cost of everyday items for Virginians. I am running for governor because I want to face these challenges head on, she said. Across Virginia, I hear about the issue of affordability, whether its at the pharmacy counter, the grocery store checkout line, or when somebodys looking for a new place to live or wants to move by a home. The closest Spanberger came to attacking Republicans was when she was asked a question about incoming President Donald Trumps plans to move large numbers of federal workers out the Washington, D.C., area, many of whom live in Virginia. The Republican Governors Association sent a letter on Jan. 10, signed by Youngkin and 25 other Republican governors, throwing their support behind Trumps proposal to slash the federal workforce, moving employees and agencies outside of the Washington area, including the Northern Virginia suburbs that depend on them economically. Spanberger questioned why Youngkin would support a plan that would hurt Virginias economy by moving jobs out of the state and eliminating positions in the federal government. The impact of potentially pulling away that workforce is substantial, and its harmful to Virginia, she said. And so any governor of Virginia should recognize brass tacks that is bad for our economy, in addition to what it means for the individual Virginians who will be impacted. After the visit to Bedford on Sunday morning, Spanberger was scheduled to visit Martinsville and then Danville. Spanberger is the only declared Democratic candidate for governor, but U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-3rd District, said in December that he has not ruled out jumping into the race. She has won endorsements from a long list of current and former elected Democrats in the state. Among the most prominent names currently missing from the list are U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th District, and state Sen. Louise Lucas, D-District 18, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee. Looking ahead, as the gubernatorial campaign heats up, Spanberger acknowledged it is going to be a tough race but also an exciting one. Ive only ever run tough races, so this is within my comfort zone, she said. TOKYO, Jan 21 (News On Japan) - Emperor Naruhito has sent a congratulatory message to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump ahead of his inauguration ceremony. According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Emperor sent the message on January 20th, local time, addressed to Trump as he prepared for the inauguration, which will take place early tomorrow Japan time. In May 2019, shortly after his enthronement, the Emperor welcomed Trump and First Lady Melania as the first state guests of his reign. During their visit, the Emperor hosted a banquet at the Imperial Palace, strengthening ties between the two nations. Before departing Japan, Trump remarked, "Their Majesties are not only outstanding leaders but also an exceptional couple." Source: FNN YOKOHAMA, Jan 21 (News On Japan) - The legend of Urashima Taro is said to exist in various parts of Japan, and traces of it have been discovered in Yokohama. This story is widely known across Japan, but why does Yokohama have remnants of this ancient folklore? Investigating this question brings us to Kanagawa Ward in Yokohama. Walking through the area, the presence of the legend becomes evident. For example, theres a district named Urashima Town, and a park named Urashima Park. Furthermore, the areas address includes "Kamesumi Town," suggesting a deeper connection. The widely recognized story of Urashima Taro tells of a fisherman who saves a turtle and is taken to the undersea palace of Ryugujo. However, the Yokohama version offers a surprising twist. According to Yokohama Citys History Museum, Urashima Taro originated from the Miura Peninsula. In this version, Taro catches a turtle while fishing, which transforms into a princess who invites him to Ryugujo. This regional variation includes another notable difference: instead of simply receiving a tamatebako (treasure box), Taro is gifted both a tamatebako and a statue of the Buddhist deity Kannon. Traces of this story are preserved at Keiunji Temple in Yokohama. At the temple, visitors can view the Kannon statue, which is said to have been brought back by Taro himself. Remarkably, the statue depicts Kannon standing atop a turtle. Local fishermens accounts add another layer to the tale. They claim to have seen Urashima Taro and the princess riding a turtle, glowing in a radiant light. Taro is said to have been granted eternal life by Kannon, dedicating his time to helping others fulfill their wishes. Interestingly, the legend also explains how Taro ended up in Yokohama. After returning from Ryugujo, he mourned the loss of his parents and was guided by Kannons dream to bring the statue back to his familys ancestral land. This journey led him to Yokohama, where he established a small shrine to honor Kannon and the tamatebako before disappearing. The traces of this legend are further evident at Renpouji Temple, which houses Taros presumed grave. Historical records from the Edo period depict these relics, which were relocated to the temple after a fire. Additionally, the local community celebrates this legend through an annual festival in August. A grand float depicting Urashima Taro riding a turtle is paraded through the streets, embodying the towns enduring connection to the story. The Keiunji Temple, where the Kannon statue resides, welcomes visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while Renpouji Temple, home to Taros grave, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. These sites offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage surrounding Yokohamas unique version of the Urashima Taro legend. Source: ANN By Chris Johnson Hamas official, Taher al-Nunu announced on Tuesday that four Israeli women hostages will be released on Saturday in exchange for a group of Palestinian prisoners. This marks the second such release under a ceasefire agreement brokered to ease tensions in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. According to Nunu, the exchange will involve four Israeli female detainees in return for Palestinian prisoners, following a similar swap earlier this week. DAILY POST had reported that three Israeli women were released in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, signaling the start of the ceasefire. As part of the first phase of the truce, a total of 33 hostages are expected to be released from Gaza, with around 1,900 Palestinians set to be freed. The initial 42-day phase of the agreement also allows for a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas. Negotiations are ongoing to finalize the second phase, with mediation efforts led by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. The four Moroccan truck drivers, who went missing last Saturday at the Burkina Faso-Niger border, have been found Monday safe and sound and they are on their way to the Moroccan embassy in Niger, according to Hespress online news website. Thanks to the combined efforts made by Moroccan diplomacy and External Security Agency in coordination with Moroccan transporters Union and local authorities, two other drivers, one from Burkina Faso and the other from Togo, were also rescued during the widespread combing & search operation. The Moroccan drivers were aboard three trucks. They disappeared as they drove without an escort from Dori in Burkina Faso to Tera in Niger, an area known for jihadi threats. Their trucks were loaded with infrastructure equipment and departed weeks ago from Casablanca heading to Niger. Burkina Faso authorities have been organizing security convoys to escort trucks in the border area to protect against militant attacks. On January 11, eighteen Burkinabe soldiers and civilians were killed between Dori and Seytenga. Moroccos foreign ministry has set up a crisis response team that has been working around the clock with Moroccan embassies in Burkina-Faso & Niger and authorities of these African countries to locate and repatriate the drivers. Kenya has deployed an additional 217 police officers to the Caribbean island nation of Haiti as part of a UN-backed multinational force to control gang violence and restore stability there. They arrived in capital Port-au-Prince on Saturday (18 January) to join the first batch of 400 officers deployed to Haiti last year, tasked with restoring public order and strengthening law enforcement on the island nation, which has been grappling with soaring gang violence. About six months ago, the Kenya-led and UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) set out to curb the rise in gang violence. Kenyan president William Ruto said the plan is eventually to send 2,500 police officers to the troubled Caribbean country, where the escalating violence has left 5,600 people dead and more than 700,000 people homeless in recent years. The Kenya-led mission has made tremendous progress in reducing gang violence, earning praise across the globe, Kenyas interior minister Kipchumba Murkomen said, adding that his countrys commitment to this historic mission is unwavering. However, the UN estimates that, despite these efforts, about 85% of Haitis capital is still controlled by criminal gangs. The United States has pledged $300 million for the UN-backed mission, with Canada contributing $123 million, including $80.5 million for the UN trust fund. Senegal and Jamaica have also supported the initiative by sending security personnel to join the mission. The Acting UN Special Envoy to Libya, Stephanie Koury, visited on January 20 the House of Representatives headquarters in Benghazi, where she met with several Libyan Members of Parliament to discuss the political process. Mrs Koury outlined the United Nations Support Mission in Libyas (UNSMIL) efforts to break the ongoing political deadlock, facilitate elections, and restore unity and legitimacy to Libyan institutions. The MPs shared their views on the obstacles to holding elections, the need for political and security unification, and the importance of implementing economic reforms. The discussions also focused on creating a consensual framework for national reconciliation. Koury highlighted that the MPs expressed a willingness to work constructively with UNSMIL to reach an agreement on the draft National Reconciliation Law, which aims to foster cooperation and address the countrys divisions. Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of UNESCO, has strongly condemned on January 20 the killing of Sudanese journalist Ahmed Yusuf Arabi, who was shot dead in Khartoum on 12 January 2024. Arabi, a reporter for Blue Nile TV Channel, was reportedly killed when armed individuals, dressed in military uniforms, raided his home in Omdurman and shot him. The tragic incident has sparked global outrage, with calls for a thorough investigation to ensure those responsible are held accountable. Azoulay expressed her concern for the safety of journalists, particularly in conflict zones, emphasizing their essential role in providing information during such times. She called for full respect of UN Security Council Resolution 2222, which protects journalists, media workers, and associated personnel as civilians in conflict situations. This resolution was reaffirmed in the recent UN Pact for the Future, underscoring the need to safeguard the rights of journalists worldwide. The President of the Parliament of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), Evariste Ngamana, reiterated the organizations constant support for Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara on Monday in Rabat. This came during talks the visiting CEMAC President held with Speaker of the Upper House, Mohamed Ould Errachid, on Monday in Rabat, the House said in a statement. Ngamana praised King Mohammed VIs vision to achieve unity, solidarity, and African integration. The meeting also addressed various aspects of Morocco-CEMAC cooperation as well as regional and continental issues of mutual interest. The meeting highlighted by the signing of a memorandum of understanding meant to strengthen cooperation between Morocco and CEMAC. The MoU is part of the ongoing relations between Morocco and the CEMAC countries, which are based on historical, cultural, and civilizational ties and on shared values of development, cooperation, solidarity, and mutual respect. It reflects the interest of both parties in promoting and developing economic relations between the CEMAC countries and Morocco, as well as strengthening opportunities for joint cooperation between the two parties. Under this agreement, the two parties affirm the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening cooperation and unifying positions on bilateral and regional issues, as well as exploring ways to develop economic, commercial, and human relations and to harness the promising potential of cooperation between the CEMAC countries and Morocco. They also emphasize the growing challenges associated with international geopolitical changes and their implications for achieving the desired economic and human development. CEMAC Chief praised Moroccos significant role, under the wise leadership of King Mohammed VI, in strengthening the foundations of stability, security, and development in Africa through the launch of strategic development initiatives, notably the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, the Atlantic Initiative, and the initiative to enable access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean. The two sides highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation as a key factor in addressing challenges and issues at both the international and regional levels, and as a mechanism for initiating structural transformation of the economies of Southern countries and laying the foundations for strong and sustainable growth. CEMACs efforts in promoting integration within the CEMAC zone were also emphasized, as well as the important role it plays in achieving the goals of regional integration on the African continent and in establishing genuine African unity. Furthermore, the two parties stressed the need to seize all available opportunities to consolidate and deepen institutional parliamentary cooperation between the CEMAC Parliament and the Upper House, and to promote economic and trade relations and support investments between the CEMAC countries and Morocco. They further underscored the importance of exchange of experiences and the implementation of training programs aimed at developing the capacities of parliamentarians and administrative staff from both sides in the various areas of work of the two institutions. CEMAC delegation also held talks with members of the lower house of the Moroccan parliament. The Parliament of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa, established in 2010, currently musters six countries, namely Chad, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. Security cooperation between Moroccan and Pakistance was at the focus of a meeting held in Rabat Monday between Director General of National Security (DGSN) and Territorial Surveillance (DGST), Abdellatif Hammouchi, and Acting Inspector General of Police at the Pakistani Ministry of the Interior, Salman Choudhry, who is on a working visit to the Kingdom at the head of a large security delegation. The two parties reviewed various aspects of cooperation in security matters, ways to promote this cooperation and expand its scope, the aim being to coordinate joint efforts to address security challenges, including in the fight against irregular migration networks and human trafficking. The meeting actually follows the recent shipwreck off the coast of Dakhla, which resulted in the death of several Pakistani nationals, a statement by the DGSN-DGST Cluster said. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Pakistani official to express his countrys highest authorities thanks and gratitude to Morocco, for the intervention and rescue efforts made for Pakistani nationals, who were victims of an international irregular migration network. The two sides also discussed the importance of bolstering cooperation in the fight against terrorism, in view of the heightened terrorist threats to the security of both countries, given their geographical proximity to hotbeds of tension where groups affiliated to Al-Qaeda and Daesh are active. Prospects for upgrading security cooperation, through the exchange of experiences, expertise, and good practices, as well as the exchange of data in the fight against the risks and threats to the security of the two countries and their citizens were thoroughly discussed at the meeting. This visit reflects the importance of security cooperation between Morocco and Pakistan, as key partners in international counter-terrorism efforts and the fight against transnational organized crime, the statement stressed, adding that it also highlights the strong commitment of the departments of the DGSN and DGST in international actions aimed at neutralizing risks and threats to regional and international security. Morocco, whose sovereign, King Mohammed VI, chairs the Al-Quds Committee, pleaded, Monday in New York, in favor of respecting the ceasefire in Gaza, while expressing hope for the launch of a genuine peace process in the Middle East. The ceasefire agreement should pave the way for the reconstruction of what was destroyed by the war, as well as the launch of a genuine peace process, allowing for the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side and in peace with Israel, stressed the Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN, Omar Hilale before the Security Council. The ambassador noted that the Kingdom welcomes the entry into force of this agreement and welcomes the progress made towards stopping hostilities and attacks against civilians. During the Security Council meeting, devoted to the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue, Hilale said the Kingdom hopes that this ceasefire agreement will be fully respected, and that it will allow the cessation of attacks against civilians, the release of hostages and detainees, the return of displaced persons, and the smooth access and sufficient quantities of humanitarian aid. As emphasized by King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, notably in his message to the latest Arab Summit, it is essential to avoid resolving one crisis to move to another, added the ambassador. Hilale further recalled Moroccos constant and clear position on the justice of the Palestinian cause, since it constitutes the keystone towards peace and stability in the Middle East region, adding that within the framework of this solution, Gaza must be an integral part of the independent Palestinian territories under the legal and political jurisdiction of the Palestinian National Authority. He also noted that the continuation of Israeli unilateral measures in Al-Quds fuel tensions, and that King Mohammed VI, in his capacity as Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, insists on the importance of preserving the legal, historical and demographic status of the holy city since it is the crossroads of the three monotheistic religions and represents a center of the values of mutual respect and dialogue. Furthermore, Moroccos Ambassador to the UN highlighted the political and effective role played by the Al-Quds Committee in favor of the Palestinian people in general and the Maqdessis in particular, mainly through the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency. In his speech during this open debate chaired by the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, whose country holds the presidency of the Security Council for the month of January, Omar Hilale further highlighted the central role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), recalling that since its inception, this UN agency has represented the backbone of humanitarian action in this part of the world. Regarding the situation in Lebanon, the ambassador pointed out that Morocco supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon over its territories. Referring to the situation in Syria, he recalled the Kingdoms position in support of the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of this country, as well as the right of its people to make their own choices and pursue their aspirations for development and peace. Trump pardons the J6 Hostages. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images In trying to sort through and make sense of all the momentous events marking the transition from the 46th presidency to the 47th, its tempting to turn the actions of Joe Biden and Donald Trump into matched sets. In some cases, thats justifiable; Biden reversed quite a few Trump policies by executive order when he took office in 2017, and in some cases Trump is reversing the reversals right now (e.g., on withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the Paris climate accords). But sometimes the comparisons are of apples and oranges at best. Some commentators lumped together Bidens and Trumps transition-week pardons as two sides of the same dubious coin of sovereign clemency powers. Heres Politico Playbooks take, from its new British editor Jack Blanchard: The biggest story of the night was Trumps extraordinary tidal wave of clemency, with the new president issuing pardons or commutations for nearly every person convicted of crimes including serious violence in the January 6 Capitol insurrection. This was big about as big as Trump could possibly go. Only hours earlier Biden, of course, had issued his own shocking flurry of preemptive pardons for friends, family, and associates during his final morning his final moments in power. It probably shouldnt take a Brit to tell you that none of this is remotely normal. At all. So Bidens shocking flurry of pardons was matched by Trumps extraordinary tidal wave. Thrust, then counter-thrust, an action with a reaction, right? No, actually, thats wrong. Bidens last-minute pardons were legally controversial in that they were preemptive, offering protection to potential Trump-administration targets who have not been indicted, much less convicted, of criminal wrongdoing, as CNN reports: Clemency for General Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and members of Congress who served on the committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, was announced early Monday morning. Later, minutes before Trump was to be inaugurated as the nations 47th president, Biden also issued pardons for members of his family: his brothers James and Frank, his sister Valerie, and their respective spouses. The pardons, coming in the final hours of Bidens presidency, amount to a stunning flex of presidential power that is unprecedented in recent presidential history. They serve to protect several outspoken critics of the incoming president, including former Republican representative Liz Cheney, whom Trump has vowed retribution against. Trump, by contrast, moved to protect over 1,500 people who most definitely have been indicted, tried, and convicted of criminal wrongdoing in connection with the assault on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, as the Associated Press reported: President Donald Trump has pardoned, commuted the prison sentences, or vowed to dismiss the cases of all of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, including people convicted of assaulting police officers, using his clemency powers on his first day back in office to undo the massive prosecution of the unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy. Trumps action, just hours after his return to the White House on Monday, paves the way for the release from prison of people found guilty of violent attacks on police, as well as leaders of far-right extremist groups convicted of failed plots to keep the Republican in power after he lost the 2020 presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden. There was a preemptive aspect to Trumps exercise in clemency, too: Trump also ordered the attorney general to seek the dismissal of roughly 450 cases that are pending before judges stemming from the largest investigation in Justice Department history. In general, though, Biden pardoned people who as far as we know havent committed crimes (in this last-minute wave, that is; an earlier pardon for convicted felon Hunter Biden is a different matter). Bidens list was comprised of people Trump targeted by name for investigation and prosecution during his 2024 campaign. Meanwhile, Trump opened the prison doors and expunged the record for insurrectionists who (whatever you think of them and their actions) did enjoy due process in facing accountability for the events of January 6 (unlike Trump himself, who was protected from prosecution by the U.S. Supreme Court). The 47th president may understandably rage that the 46th has kept him from embarking on the full vengeance tour he seemed to contemplate in calling for a special prosecutor to go after Biden and his family, and in describing members of the January 6 investigative committee as traitors. But the idea that Bidens pardons were as audacious as Trumps is itself pretty audacious. Photo: Kenny Holston/The New York Times/Redux It can be difficult to comprehend Donald Trump in his totality how he has both bent history to his will and failed to do the kind of damage the left always imagines is imminent. He has dominated our politics now for almost a full decade, casting a shadow akin to that of Ronald Reagan or Richard Nixon. His inauguration makes this plain: Again and again, commentators uttered the word comeback to describe what they were witnessing, a man indicted four times and nearly assassinated living in the White House again. And he arrives with a far stronger hand than eight years ago, the skeptics purged from the GOP and the sycophants ready to reign. Mike Pence hovered in the Capitol as the ghost of MAGA past, reminding J.D. Vance of all he should never be, not if he wants to be blessed in the new Republican pantheon. Vance will say yes to anything and everything because he wants to be president one day. All other Republicans filling out Trumps administration have been vetted for their only genuine qualification, loyalty, and a vanishing few can be expected to defy the president at all. Trumps secured the oligarchy, too. In his first term, they werent sure what to make of him. How capitalist was the new president? What did this so-called populism really mean? Would MAGA sully their brand equity? Hadnt the Democrats cozied up to Big Tech enough? The inauguration, jammed into the Capitol Rotunda to dodge the horrific cold outside, made room for the men who collectively dictate so much of his daily life in America and the world: Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Sundar Pichai. Among them, theres enough wealth to buy and destroy nations, strangle the internet in its entirety, and dictate how we communicate and what we shop for. For once, they were all sans their usual costumes, fitted awkwardly into dark suits, their eyes alight with opportunity. This is an administration, they no doubt believe, that is going to do business. They want the government to stop trying to regulate them. They want to see the Biden-era antitrust regime immolated. Whatever influence corporate America has enjoyed over the last 30 years and its a titanic amount its not enough for the titans of the tech industry. They crave total deference, and they just might get it. Trump is already signing a flurry of executive orders. Some are significant, some are symbolic, and some, like the attempt to end birthright citizenship, could die in the courts. Day one of the Trump restoration is emblematic of what Trump was in his first four years and what he will probably be until hes dead. There is substance in his rage, and laws are going to change in this country. But the tangible policy legacy of Trump, if set to swell in these next few years, will always be fainter than his reputation suggests. Trump 45 slashed the corporate tax rate, gutted environmental regulations, and appointed many right-wing judges, including three Supreme Court justices. The latter is the most significant and led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the absurd ruling on presidential immunity, and the striking down of Chevron deference. Filling judicial vacancies, though, was a task outsourced to the Federalist Society and Mitch McConnell. Had Ted Cruz, the 2016 runner-up, become president, the outcome would have been no different. Trump quietly failed in his quest to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and now Republicans hardly talk of it at all. If there is a model for quasi-fascism in America or at least statist dominance that rewrote the compact between the federal government and private citizens it was the second Bush administration. Trump left behind nothing like the Patriot Act, and its doubtful he will this time around. Trumps threat should not be undersold; it should merely be understood in context. The erosion of democratic norms matter, and its hard to know what a Justice Department under the yoke of a proud loyalist like Pam Bondi will do. Trump is in possession of all the authoritarian impulses his critics attribute to him, and theres little doubt he fantasizes, at the minimum, of parading around Washington like a modern-day Mussolini. The better question to ask is if hell actually get there: Can he, the former reality-television star with an attention span much shorter than his tie, subdue the American republic? Unlikely. The nation is too big for him. Congress, in particular, is a problem. Somehow, he won this sweeping mandate while his party barely carried the House. Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker, will be lucky to drag a budget reconciliation bill across the finish line. The Senate, for Trump, offers more opportunity, but only barely. Fifty-three Republican senators sounds great until MAGA begins to understand that two of them, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, are hostile to their movement, and a third, John Curtis of Utah, appears cut from Mitt Romneys cloth. Toss in Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who will be battling for his seat in a purple state in 2026, and suddenly Trumps team may start to sweat the whip count on anything beyond his safest Cabinet nominees. This may only bother Trump so much because legislation, like governing, is a bit of a bore for him. He revels in the pomp of the presidency, the world-historical spectacle and what it might mean for humiliating his enemies. Americans should be thankful hes got little of the Bush regimes foreign policy ambition in him. If an erratic, bilious B-list entertainer reaches the White House, better he be an isolationist and American Firster than a Cheney acolyte who wants to go bust some skulls across the ocean. It can be debated whether Trump deserves a great amount of credit for the Israel-Hamas cease-fire, but at least his incoming administration took an interest. Trump, for now, isnt keen on war. Hed rather howl about his tariffs, his border, and the glory of Greenland. Better to have Trump obsessing over the least densely populated region in the world than something genuinely destabilizing. If Trumps weakness is policy, his strength remains politics. The realignment of the parties is quite real and potentially lasting. His opposition to immigration and free-trade deals attracted a working-class vote that the likes of Romney and John McCain could never corral. His Republican Party is far more fiscally populist than what came before. His Labor secretary is pro-labor, and his Federal Trade Commission chair is considered friendly to the merger-skeptical approach that Bidens Lina Khan engineered over the last four years. If cryptocurrency will be fully deregulated, potentially fueling a new speculative bubble and leading us down the road to economic ruin, theres reason to believe some populism will flake into the new administration. As always, better to see what Trump does than listen to whatever he spews out. An innocent gesture of thanks and joy? Photo: Mark Peterson, New York Magazine Of all the over-the-top celebratory reactions to Donald Trumps second inauguration on January 20, Elon Musks excited speech at Capitol One Arena before Trump showed up to sign executive orders really did stand out. He was jumping up and down, pumping his fist, and agitating his arms as he spoke of Trumps election victory (which he played a major role in financing) as a fork in the road of human civilization. Even if he hadnt punctuated his litany of thanks to his MAGA audience for bringing Trump back to the White House with a certain stunning arm gesture, Musks speech reflected the sense that certain barriers to right-wing politics had been demolished for good. But he did make that arm gesture, twice. And to anyone with a sense of history, or any sensitivity to the risk of reinforcing some of the worst ideological impulses in human history, the connotations were unmistakable. The widespread charge that Musk had delivered a Hitler salute to the crowd is a bit of red herring. Yes, the stiff-armed, palm-down gesture was deployed by the Nazis. Indeed, it replaced the standard military salute in the Wehrmacht and became an obligatory salutation in the Third Reich. But more accurately, its a fascist salute, pioneered in Mussolinis Italy and deployed by Francos Falangist movement in Spain and by the Ustase tyrants of Croatia, among others. To this day, neofascists around the world thrust their right arms forward in this very gesture to shock sensitivities and display their excitement at a fork in the road of civilization they perceive in the revival of far-right politics. Was Musk aware of this when he took the stage on Monday? Was the gesture a deliberate screw-you moment of own-the-libs trolling designed to shock consciences and thrill MAGA bully boys? I cant peer into Elon Musks soul, so I cant tell you; perhaps he was just being exuberant or extending his heart to the crowd, along with his thanks. One defense of him that I cannot credit, though, is this one from the no-enemies-to-the-right voice of Christopher Rufo: It's not 2020 anymore. You can't convince America that an autistic man sharing his heart with the crowd is a "Heil Hitler salute." The era of cancellation is officially over. https://t.co/OPTymlH7wi Christopher F. Rufo (@realchrisrufo) January 21, 2025 Without the autism excuse, this is pretty much how Musk himself reacted: Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The everyone is Hitler attack is sooo tired https://t.co/9fIqS5mWA0 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025 The worlds richest man and one of the most powerful as well is far from stupid. And for that matter, there are some associations (if not that many) that do still earn cancellation, at least informally. Fortunately, there is an easy way to clear this up, particularly for someone who owns a major social-media platform and uses it very often: To clarify his gesture, he can simply make the gesture of denouncing fascism aggressively. Its probably a good idea anyway, given Musks regular interventions in European politics to back far-right political movements. If, for example, Musk is right to scoff at suggestions that the AfD party he has called the only hope for Germany is not at all the assortment of neo-Nazis many Germans fear it is, then Musk could probably help them by attacking neo-Nazism very explicitly and explaining why its deplorable and distinguishable from AfD. That should be worth a few dozen tweets, wouldnt you say? He could also offer similar disdain toward the neofascists who undoubtedly do back Musks buddies in the Reform U.K. Party, which the tech titan seems to be trying to push to the right. For dessert, the proprietor of X might want to make it clear that while he supports free-speech rights for Americas own neofascists, he thinks they are a bunch of evil thugs who should stay many miles away from MAGA (and from the U.S. Capitol). A few gestures like this might convince people that Elon Musk isnt himself a neofascist, and wouldnt think of emulating one to spur outrage in respectable circles. Then we could all move on to assess his contributions to American government via the DOGE initiative without the suspicion that it will resemble Mussolinis March on Rome. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo:Getty Images After weeks of highly complex negotiations involving Hamas, Israel, the outgoing Biden administration, the incoming Trump administration, and several Middle Eastern countries, stage one of the cease-fire in Gaza took effect this week. Hamas freed three Israeli hostages and Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners, with more to come over the next five weeks before the second phase of the deal is set to begin. But the cease-fire is already on deeply shaky ground. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who presides over a thin parliamentary majority, has already faced a resignation from far-right minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, because the agreement leaves Hamas in charge of Gaza. Phase two, which mandates Hamas returning all hostages and the permanent cessation of hostilities, would likely prompt the resignation of another ally, finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, and thus the collapse of Netanyahus government. And while President Trump has championed the deal, its far from guaranteed that he will balk if it is violated. Before his resignation last summer, Andrew Miller was the Biden administrations deputy assistant secretary for Israeli-Palestinian affairs. (Miller cited personal reasons for his departure, though he was also skeptical of Bidens approach toward Netanyahu.) I spoke with him about whether the cease-fire could last, what the repercussions might be if it doesnt, and how the Trump administration may reward Israels far right in the future. We also discussed why Biden could not bring himself to take a tougher line on Netanyahu over the past 15 months. Most observers seem to believe that there is little chance of the peace deal surviving until the second stage which would effectively end the war because that would leave Hamas in charge, which would be too much for Netanyahu to concede. Do you agree with that gloomy consensus? Its more than just conceding. Its that his political interests require keeping Smotrich in the coalition. And its not just that Smotrich is opposed to the specific terms of this cease-fire; hes opposed to any cease-fire. He wants to continue the war, formally occupy Gaza, presumably start rebuilding settlements, and apply additional pressure on Palestinian population in Gaza such that they have an incentive to voluntarily leave Gaza for neighboring Arab countries. So theres no zone of agreement between Smotrich and really any type of post-conflict scenario, even if the Palestinians and the Arab states were prepared to agree to a continuous Israeli presence in Gaza and to no Palestinian Authority role in governance let alone Hamas. So the only thing that would satisfy him is settlements? Yes. He does not want to cede that territory at all. And hes been less consistent than Ben-Gvir. Ben-Gvir has always spoken of Gaza being part of Eretz Israel, and that there should be settlements. Smotrich has gone back and forth between Yes, Israel needs to control Gaza, but de-emphasing the settlements, to at other times saying, Yes, of course, once we have control of Gaza, we need to start building the settlements. They will go the same way as he hopes the settlements in the West Bank will go, which is annexation, in his mind. And I think thats the primary reason Smotrich chose to go along with the agreement. He sees an opportunity for this government to formally annex parts of the West Bank, and potentially for the Trump administration to acknowledge Israeli sovereignty in that territory. And in the grand scheme of things, that figures more prominently for Smotrich than Gaza does. That may explain why he signed off, but Ive been wondering whats in it for Bibi to even get anything done at all. Is it just that Trump wanted this to happen, or is there something more? I think theres another dimension a possibility for cooperation with Trump that Netanyahu and others have long dreamed of, including with Iran. In this period over the next 42 days, well probably see a fair amount of discussions or rumors about Israeli-U.S. conversations regarding the Iranian nuclear program and whether there should be military action. I think Trump does want to explore whether diplomacy is possible, but hes still going to return to maximum pressure, and that differentiates him from his advisers. His advisers support maximum pressure because they want to bring down the Islamic Republic. I dont think Trump gives a damn frankly who governs Iran. He just wants an agreement and he views maximum pressure as the way to get there. For Netanyahu, though, and those around him, theyre much more aligned with Trumps advisers, where they view the Islamic Republic itself as the primary obstacle. So this presents them with an opportunity to potentially take military action against the nuclear program and to pursue courses of action aimed at the dissolution of the Islamic Republic. Thats important, but I think theres another reason why Netanyahu couldnt just say no to Trump. And that is Trump is probably the one political actor in the United States that Netanyahu cant outmaneuver within U.S. domestic politics. The Republican support for Trump is so absolute at this point, and he has such control over the party that he could come out tomorrow and say, I think we should invite every person from Mexico and El Salvador in, and a large percentage of the Republicans would vote with him. And I think the same is true of Israeli-Palestinian issues. Netanyahu is an astute observer of American politics, and recognizes hes not going to be able to outmaneuver Trump in the same way that he thought he could outmaneuver Biden, then Obama before him. Theres much more potential upside in terms of what Israel can do with American support. But ultimately, Netanyahu is less capable of going up against Trump tete-a-tete than he is Biden or Obama before him. And thats not just a product of their tactics. Its just the fact that Trump has absolute control over this party. Even when Biden and Obama were at the height of their popularity with the Democratic Party, they still had to worry about Republicans, and Netanyahu has never really worried about Democrats. Hes always been concerned about both his own right flank in Israel and the right flank in the United States. So its probably safe to say that if Trump hadnt won, we wouldnt be looking at a cease-fire right now, given everything youve just said. Yeah, I think its unlikely we wouldve reached a cease-fire at this time unless there was a change in the U.S. approach. Trump has positioned himself as the pro-peace guy, and if this deal does fall apart as many people expect it to, a raging war may continue under his watch. Do you think hed push hard to restore the cease-fire? I dont think Trump is indifferent to what happens after the first stage. I think there are two reasons why he cares. One is that the way the deal appears to be structured, there is an expectation that agreement on phase two will happen within five weeks, and the last release of hostages will not take place until after that. So theres a risk, if there isnt an agreement that last hostage release doesnt happen. And if that hostage release includes Americans, its going to be a problem for Trump. Itll be an affront to his ego and to his stature if he cant get all of the Americans out. And I think the deal was designed this way for that very reason, to create a greater incentive to try to reach agreement on phase two. Another reason he does care is that he views this all as a distraction from his primary objectives, the state of the American economy and the global economy. The continuation of this conflict isnt good for either, one more directly than the other, but its not something he wants to deal with. Also, I still think hes going to aggressively pursue some type of normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia. He wants a Nobel Peace Prize, in part because Obama received one, and he recognizes that Saudi Arabia is unlikely at this point to play ball if the war is raging. In the event that there is a breakdown, I cant say that the most likely outcome is hell come down hard on Netanyahu. And it may be a breakdown because of Hamas, not just Netanyahu. But I dont think its quite as facile he cut the deal once and now hes just going to walk away from it. He may ultimately walk away from it, but its not without a cost to him if he does. Bibi then might be torn between his coalition which will desert him if he follows through on a phase-two cease-fire and Trump. Would domestic politics win out there? Ultimately, Netanyahu is going to prioritize staying out of jail over assuaging the president. This is the very type of situation that he has tried to avoid throughout his career. He always wanted optionality, so that he wouldnt be faced with what is effectively an ultimatum, should Trump try to enforce the terms of the agreement. But thats exactly what he would encounter if Trump does seek to extend it. In that environment, its going to come down to whether Netanyahu is able to offer Smotrich something with the blessing of the United States, that would be enough to keep him in. And I think that would have to be more than just settlements. That would probably have to be the United States pledging to recognize Israeli sovereignty in areas of the West Bank by a certain date. And even then that may not be enough, because Smotrich may be concerned that there wont be implementation, or about the political criticism that would encounter for agreeing to something that is antithetical to what he said his position is would be too great. But thats really the only play available to Netanyahu if he does find himself caught between the coalition and Trump, which would be to try to get that agreement. Its conceivable that the Trump administration could agree to something like that. My thoughts on annexation are similar to Iran, where I think Trump wants to give it one last shot to see if he can negotiate something, then and only then would he agree to recognize Israeli sovereignty. You mean negotiate the big deal with Saudi Arabia? Because those kinds of settlements would be a nonstarter in that deal. Exactly. If you start off by recognizing thats going to completely shut things down, but I think hell probably want to take another shot at it, and that would preclude making such an assurance. Maybe theres a way to thread the needle and say, Give me six months to try to do something. You can never say no with Bibi, because he is such an adept politician and I think he does understand what Trumps needs are. And Trump, I think, understands Bibi quite well. I think Trump in some ways has fewer illusions about Bibi than most American presidents when taking office. But I still think that its more likely than not the cease-fire does fall apart. The way it wouldnt fall apart would be through some type of side payment related to the West Bank. No matter what, its hard to imagine that Gaza will be governed by someone other than Hamas, even though completely rooting them out was the stated goal of the war. Theres no other force that exists. Now, there are some Palestinian Authority forces on the ground, but theyre not sufficient in and of themselves. The amount of time it would take to train the P.A., even if you could help them to garner the necessary political legitimacy to do their jobs, would be well over a year. So just from a technical perspective to train new forces, theres going to be a vacuum, and the only alternatives to that vacuum are Israeli occupation or some other type of external force. As Secretary Blinken said in his farewell address, there are countries that have expressed interest in participating in such an interim security force. But the conditions are one, that the conflict has to be over, and two, that you cant have Israeli forces permanently stationed in Gaza, which is going to be the case throughout phase one where at the very least, Israel will be within an expanded buffer zone, and will maintain control over the Philadelphi Corridor and the Netzarim Corridor. Theyre supposed to withdraw over the course of phase one, but thats probably a nonstarter for the likes of Egypt or the UAE or Morocco to deploy forces. The final criterion is some type of vision for a two-state solution. Because if theyre sending a force without the umbrella, without the cover of it being aimed at facilitating the creation of a Palestinian state, thats something thats not going to wash with their publics. I also think that one factor we just havent grappled with and this may be because you cant really grapple with it is that the level of dislocation, destruction, displacement in Gaza is so extensive. It is not clear that even society exists in Gaza. Im not talking about civilization but an organized society. People are not in their homes, and theyre not organized the way they normally are. How do you put that back together, when theyre going to be returning to ruins in many cases and wont be able to resume their lives as they were before? And in that type of security vacuum, its even easier for Hamas or for other groups of the same ilk to assert authority because the threshold or the standard to have influence is lower. Not only is there no security force capable of contending with them, there really arent organic social groups that are capable of dealing with them. Its broken in every sense of the word. As we speak, Joe Biden has just departed the presidency. I know you were critical of the administrations policies after you quit the State Department last year, specifically how much leeway they gave to Bibi. How are you thinking about it all at this moment? Im happy that there is a cease-fire, even if it is a single phase. The cessation of violence is important. The release of hopefully up to 33 Israeli hostages during this period is important. Its an achievement, and its welcomed. And I give the administration credit for being so dogged and persevering and pursuing this. I think its possible that a different approach, in particular one in which the administration opposed Bibi but supported Israel, could have potentially moved not just Israel to negotiate differently but may actually have made it easier for us to go to other Arab countries and say, You really need to turn the screws on Hamas. Were doing it with the Israelis. You need to step up with Hamas. They didnt have love for Hamas, but it was much more difficult for them to contemplate public action against Hamas without there being any degree of accountability for what was viewed as Israeli abuses against Palestinians. The response youll get from the administration is that if we had shown any daylight with Israel, it would have emboldened Hamas. And so even if Israel was more willing to negotiate, Hamas wouldve doubled down and they wouldve raised their terms. Thats possible. Its conceivable. And we did observe that Hamas viewed opposition to Israeli actors as being directly to their benefit. My thinking was simply that in this particular case, there was a way to balance our support for Israel with our fundamental disagreement and opposition to Netanyahus policies. And its not all or nothing. The people calling for a complete prohibition of arms or bar going to Israel I was never supportive of that, both because I believed in supporting Israels security and because I think that could have played into Hamass hands. But a more targeted, more surgical approach to expressing our opposition and to imposing consequences may have been enough to change the dynamics within the Israeli government without leading Hamas to harden its posture. I thought that given the consequences for Palestinians, for Israelis, for the region, for the United States, given all the suffering thats taken place, we need to try everything thats available to us. And we never tried that approach, at least not fully tried it. So its an untested hypothesis, which might not have worked, but well never know because the Biden administration just wasnt willing to go there. And it wasnt out of malice or indifference to the Palestinians. I think they genuinely believed that what I was counseling would be counterproductive. Youve compared the situation to family members youre close with that its healthier to criticize them when needed than to stay silent. But it seems like Bibi knew there was never going to be any real pushback from the Biden administration. Doesnt that take away any leverage the U.S. might have had? Right. I think the leverage was there in three ways. One is that the Israeli public at one point in time was so supportive of President Biden, and Netanyahus ratings were so low, that even if Netanyahu could challenge Biden in the United States, Netanyahu could lose to Biden in Israel. At the beginning, Biden stood by Israel but warned it not to overreach, the way America did after September 11. Then that just went by the wayside. Yes, exactly. And I think that was the ideal time where it wouldve made sense to establish parameters, that, We are going to support you to do X, Y, and Z, but were not going to support A, B, and C because thats not in our interest, and we really dont think its in your interest either. That moment existed and we didnt try to leverage it for anything. It was simply an expression of concern that Israel may make the same mistakes that we did. I also think that at that point in time, there were members of the coalition, including Golan as defense minister, Eisenkot, Gantz, others, who may have felt supported and may have felt emboldened by the president, giving them more cover to challenge Netanyahu. So they may have been able, together, to pose an actual political threat to Netanyahus coalition where it wouldve been more than just an expression of opposition. They may have had the means to destabilize the coalition if they had sought to do so, but they couldnt afford to be less pro-government than the United States was. And I think that narrowed what they were able to do. In private, the messages we were getting from others were very much of a kind with what we were advocating. So there wasnt a fundamental disagreement there. And also, while Netanyahu wouldve been able to create problems with Biden, Biden had the Democrats completely where he needed them to be. The fact that you had Chuck Schumer, of all people, give a speech from the Senate floor saying that Benjamin Netanyahu needs to step down is an indicator that the politics within the presidents caucus were different than they had ever been before. In the end, is the main reason Biden didnt go further on this just a matter of his personal affinity for Israel? It was very hard for him to even entertain the prospect because it was so incompatible with history, with Israel, his perception of Israel. There was a refrain at times that this is not how we treat other allies. I didnt hear any of this directly from the president other people made that argument and thats legitimate criticism. The difference is that our allies normally dont do these types of things. And actually, when our allies have engaged in actions that are both detrimental to the United States and we think detrimental to their own interests, weve used enormous pressure. In a Foreign Affairs article I wrote ancient history now I reminded people that Eisenhower threatened to collapse the pound sterling over the Suez war. And this was Britain, which 11 years before we had just won the World War together. That was a special relationship, yet Eisenhower was willing to go to a place with the U.K. far beyond anything that we were even contemplating with Israel, which wouldve crashed the British economy. But weve seen before that there is a precedent for the United States exercising influence and leverage with partners and allies when the stakes are sufficiently great. I think President Biden understood the stakes, but I just dont think he could go there. It is a genuine affinity. Any notion that this was driven by domestic politics, I think, is completely wrong. So is the criticism of the administration that we caved to the progressives when we did take steps such as withholding the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs. That had nothing to do with intraparty actions. It was much more tactical, it was much more directly related to where things stood with efforts to negotiate, much more about how we had seen that weapon be used in practice and a desire to not see it continuing to be used in the same way. Of course there was consideration of domestic politics in some instances, but that was just to account for them. It wasnt that domestic politics dictated what we were going to do. What about the criticism that Biden just didnt care about Palestinians suffering as much as Israeli suffering? I dont think the president was indifferent to the Palestinians. And I certainly dont think he harbored any malice or animus toward them. I think its safe to say that he felt a special connection with Israel and that meant his affinity, his affection for Israel, was greater not just than for the Palestinians but than for a lot of other countries, including probably some NATO allies. So I think its fair to say that there was an imbalance in that respect. I dont think it was ethnic or racial, though. I think this was much more about his lifelong commitment to Israel, his familiarity with Israel, and his personal beliefs regarding who was responsible for the failure to achieve a Palestinian state. And he is much more inclined to say it was the Palestinian leaderships fault, as opposed to Israel either being the primary reason it didnt happen, or contributing to the fact that a Palestinian state wasnt achieved. So he has a clear view on that historiographical debate, and that informs how he looks at responding to these situations. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Many of us were so distracted by Melanias Inauguration Day hat that we forgot to check in on another Trump making bold headwear choices. But Ivanka Trump did not forget to relaunch her brand as perfect, apolitical First Daughter. Though Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, served as White House advisers throughout all four years of Donald Trumps first term, in 2022 she announced she was swearing off politics. For the next two years, she mostly avoided her dad in public. But after Donalds 2024 win, Ivanka reemerged, sharing trite wellness advice and signaling that shes ready to embrace all the perks of being First Daughter without engaging in the darkness of politics. Thus, over the past week, Ivankas Instagram has been full of cute photos of her kids hanging out at the White House and shots of Ivanka showing off her many glitzy ball gowns. On Monday night, she posted this Inauguration Day wrap-up. It featured lots of photos of Ivankas green suit-and-hat ensemble (which some compared to a look worn by the wives in The Handmaids Tale), with a prayer for her fathers second term in the caption. My prayer is for strength, wisdom, and compassion to guide his every decision, Ivanka wrote. May he lead with understanding and an open heart, striving to bring unity where there is division and peace where there is conflict. Okay, sure. Wed all like to have a president who possesses these qualities. But has Ivanka met her dad? Strength? Sure, thats what being a strong man is all about. Wisdom? I guess winning a presidential election requires some smart political judgment. But compassion, leading with an open heart, and striving to bring unity where there is division? Were talking about the same Donald Trump whose responses to his critics range from calling Chris Christie a fat pig to threatening to execute General Mark Milley? Its hard to say whats actually going on here. Does Ivanka really think that her dad might develop an entirely new personality in his second term? Or is this an emperors new clothes thing, where were supposed to pretend Donald Trump is a uniter, not a divider because thats what fits with Ivankas new apolitical branding? politics What We Know About the Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil A federal judge in New York held a hearing on Wednesday that will help determine Khalils fate. Trump all but called his predecessor a traitor. Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times/Redux Donald Trump likes to think of himself as a disrupter, even though hes the close friend of the wealthiest and most powerful people in the world, and has now himself taken power over the executive branch of the federal government even as his allies dominate the legislative and judicial branches. But in the sense of a radical break with the immediate past, theres not much question the era he inaugurated today will represent one of the most disruptive in U.S. history. Hes in the process of signing what will probably be a record number of executive orders, mostly reversing Biden administration rules and regulations or shattering other precedents. Other big changes in national policy (such as the most massive tariffs since the 1930) that will likely be imposed by presidential edicts are waiting in the wings. The legislative package congressional Republicans are preparing will likely include the sharpest cuts in federal domestic spending, especially programs benefiting the poor and the medically needy, since the 1960s. Through both presidential and congressional actions, the new regime will wage the most intensive war on the civil service system since the Gilded Age. And while his America First foreign policy remains a bit murky, the odds are high that the next four years will involve a final pivot away from the system of alliances and national security arrangements that the United States painstakingly built up over many decades following World War II. And that doesnt even get into the turning back of many clocks on equal rights for women, LGBTQ folk, and racial minorities. Yes, a lot of these policies were foreshadowed and some were pursued by the first Trump administration. But from Project 2025 to the Trumps audacious Cabinet nominees to the incredibly unbridled rhetoric of his campaign and the recent transition, this really does look like a much more systematic assault on late-20th and early-21st century American principles than Trump 1.0. And in fact, its hard to find any other precedent to match it in terms of the overturning of previously sacred tablets. There have certainly been some big sudden shifts in national policy since the countrys founding. Thomas Jeffersons election in 1800 brought echoes of the French Revolution and constituted firm rejection of the wealthy coastal interests that governed the early United States. In 1828 Andrew Jackson very self-consciously led an assault on the prerogatives of unelected and highly educated elites. Abraham Lincolns election quite literally triggered a bloody civil war, though his actual policies were gradualist and arguably represented a preemptive coup against a slave-state scheme to extend and expand human bondage across the country. Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison swapped power back and forth just as Trump and Joe Biden have done. But the narrow band of policies separating the Democrats and Republicans of their era seems minor today. Certainly FDR and his New Deal overthrew decades of conservative Republican rule in addressing the emergency of the Great Depression. But after a frenzied beginning Roosevelt began to move more slowly during his second term, and never had the nerve to challenge the racist policies of his partys southern power base. Jim Crow finally succumbed to a sustained judicial, legislative, and executive assault by the mid-1960s, but precisely because the movement for civil rights was largely bipartisan and unfolded over such a long time, it felt more like an evolution than a revolution, at least at the national level. Similarly a whole new area of constitutional rights was recognized overnight in the Supreme Courts 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. But these rights were slowly and steadily eroded over decades until they were abandoned at Trumps connivance in 2022 by the Court he shaped. In their own ways Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama steered the country in a different direction than its trajectory before they took office. But no one equals Trump is seeking to reverse so many years of bipartisan policies and practices, from internationalism in national security and global economics to environmental protection to slow but steady progress in the spread of human equality. This second time, in particular, Trump is taking office glorying in the complete revocation of federal diversity policies, celebrating the abandonment of traditional international alliances, gleefully embracing a return to the nativist immigration legacy of the 1920s, and joyfully promoting the renewed supremacy of fossil fuels. He has, moreover, assembled a cult of personality more militant than any American president dating back at least to his role model Andrew Jackson, eager to accept whatever versions of reality he projects and certain that his enemies are traitors, if not actual demons. Combined with the actual power his narrow electoral victories have won, and his professions of a unique, world-historical mandate with no limits, he is poised to change the United States profoundly. Its always possible he and his MAGA allies will fail or miscalculate, or lose some of their power in the 2026 midterms. But for now, the 47th president see vistas of unprecedented power and no real obstacles to his radical designs. And one of his most significant sources of power is the difficulty the rest of us, particularly in the news media, will have coping with the whiplash we experience regularly when Trump goes one step beyond anything we thought possible. 1 item in this article Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Ruby Redstone Everyone knows that person who spends weeks sniffing around travel blogs, going deep into Tripadvisor rabbit holes, collecting Google docs from friends of friends, and creating A Beautiful Mindstyle spreadsheets to come up with the best vacations and itineraries possible. In this recurring series, we find those people whove done all the work for you and have them walk us through a particularly wonderful, especially well-thought-out vacation they took that you can actually steal. New Orleans has a commendable, if not wholly good, reputation as a vacation destination. The weather is warm, the music is great, and the city is generally regarded as an excellent place for a weekend of wanton depravity. The reasons I love it, however, are much more chaste. New Orleans is a living example of America before it was consolidated into a singular nation, evidence of what life could have been if Puritan values hadnt been foisted upon us all. The whole city is alive with the spirit of a past that feels very different from that which we were taught in school. Oh, and the vintage shopping is really, really good. When my husband went to help my cousin open his beautiful New Orleans wine bar, the Tell Me Bar (1235 Saint Thomas St.), he came back and regaled me with so many tales of the Crescent Citys appeal that we booked a trip back for the two of us just a few months later. New Orleans has since become our favorite place to visit for a quick weekend getaway. I have perfected our itinerary to include the best of the citys ageless appeal and fashion history-specific pleasures not a plastic Hurricane cup in sight. Youll need no more than 24 hours to enjoy these things, should you need to sneak away from whatever bachelorette party trip you find yourself on or, in my case at least, convince someone to watch your kids for a night or two. I put it to the test during a recent visit for my aforementioned cousins wedding, just to be sure. I returned home deeply inspired, educated in new facets of history, and only ever-so-slightly hungover. 7:00 a.m.: Wake up in a convent My husband, Gabriel, and I wake up early, even on vacation. In fact, sometimes we like to wake up earlier than usual to run through our schedule for the day everyone relaxes differently. This kind of behavior feels welcome at Hotel Peter and Paul (2317 Burgundy St.), which offers places to stay in the schoolhouse and the nunnery of a 19th-century church. The rooms are pretty, stocked with the best-smelling soaps, and priced very reasonably. The hotel as a whole can feel a little austere given its past, but I like it as a respite from the hedonism of the rest of the city. Ask the front desk to unlock the church for you if it isnt open during your stay it is spectacular. 9:00 a.m.: Linger over beignets in City Park I was absolutely delighted to see locals walking to work with bags of beignets and cups of chicory coffee on my first visit to New Orleans its the same feeling that visitors to New York have when they see us actually eating an everything bagel. Authenticity aside, what could be better than having fried dough and milky cafe au lait for breakfast? Our local friends told us to skip the chaos of the main outpost, and visit the Cafe du Monde (56 Dreyfous Dr.) in City Park, where saxophone drifts in the breeze and Spanish moss sways while you dust yourself in powdered sugar. As a historian, I have mixed feelings about cemeteries positioned as tourist attractions, but the French-style tombs of New Orleans are a beautiful and haunting piece of the citys landscape (and not a product of New Orleans high water table, thats a myth!). Saint Louis Cemetery No. 3 is located just outside City Park and is free to enter, should you want to have a peek. 10:30 a.m.: Saunter over to the French Quarter for some French linens After beignets and a stroll through City Park to mitigate the sugar rush, we hopped in a cab back toward the French Quarter. This neighborhood might be best known for boozy Bourbon Street debauchery, but I much prefer it for its charming, slightly dusty shops. My first stop is always Rendezvous Linens and Lace (522 Saint Peter St.) for lace collars, monogrammed linen hankies, and ribboned tooth-fairy pouches for children. The whole place harkens back to New Orleanss roots as a French colony in the 18th century, and it brings me great joy to see how little has changed in the shopping department you can still buy a variety of bonnets. After that, we headed to Arcadian Books & Prints (714 Orleans St.), which is stuffed with all sorts of treasures. The titles relating to local history are particularly good, but I cant imagine not being able to find something you like hidden in the shops buckling shelves and nearly toppling piles. At Vice & Graft (927 Royal St.), you can sift through New Orleanss sexy and sporty past. The owners live above their store, and their status as French Quarter locals is testament enough to their expertise in all things New Orleans. Their vintage selection proves their chops, stocked with everything from boudoir slips stolen from the wardrobes of infamous local ladies to rare T-shirts celebrating the various victories at Caesars Superdome. I grabbed a handful of their homemade pins printed with 1920s womens-rights slogans and, alternatively, 1980s Playboy photographs they make for much better souvenirs than Mardi Gras beads. 1:00 p.m.: Eat fried-bologna sandwiches and experience a very different type of history Turkey and the Wolf (739 Jackson Ave.) is spread thick with nostalgia and mayonnaise. I ate one of the best sandwiches of my life (not exaggerating) off of a Happy Mealinspired plastic plate, seated between Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles memorabilia and Grateful Dead posters. The overall effect should be annoying, but it has instead the jubilant, slightly stoned feeling of what I imagine it was like to lounge in your neighbors rec room after school. Dont skip the cabbage salad, which is a perfect fish-sauced-laced, jalapeno-studded counterpoint to all of the aforementioned mayonnaise. 2:30 p.m.: Shop at the spectacular Century Girl Vintage Lunch was just a short walk away from Century Girl Vintage (2023 Magazine St.), one of my favorite vintage stores in the country. The pastel-hued overwhelm inside includes Old Hollywood diamante headpieces, Victorian bodices, and some very special contemporary designer pieces. Its the perfect place to play dress up and pretend youre in Sofia Coppolas Marie Antoinette. On this trip, I left with a powder-blue Miu Miu S/S 2014 fur coat that I had been after for years though I must admit, Ive never left empty-handed. 4:00 p.m.: Treat yourself to a 1930s snow cone, then a paloma in a historic home When the trademark New Orleans sticky-hot afternoon lag sets in, its time for shaved ice. At Hansens Sno-Bliz (4801 Tchoupitoulas St.) snow cones, or Sno-balls as theyre known here, are still cranked out on the same machine that saw the stand open in 1939. It looks wonderfully retro and yields flakes of ice that are lighter than air and, as the handwritten signs on the wall promise, more refreshing than air conditioning. There are classic and decidedly contemporary-flavored syrups that are all made in house and delightfully potent. I like a duo of passion fruit and the poetically named Cream of Nectar. I had mine topped with a drizzle of condensed milk to elevate the whole thing to a heavenly plane. Revived by Sno-balls, we strolled down Saint Charles Avenue, which boasts some of the most impressive mansions in New Orleans. Columns (3811 Saint Charles Ave.) was a private home in 1883, but its now a hotel. Its been lovingly restored and bedecked with chintz, toile, and all manners of stripes, and its the perfect place to finish your day with a drink. We had cocktails in the moody, gothic bar, but the green-and-white umbrellas on the patio seemed to be a better choice for the post-work buzz. 8:00 p.m.: Indulge in soft-shell crab and old-school glamour After a rest, Gabriel and I set out for a pre-dinner drink, but in stereotypical New Orleans fashion, we got swept away watching a parade. From there, we took a cab to Clancys (6100 Annunciation St.), a classic restaurant located just outside the bustle of the city center. The whole place oozes charm with ceiling fans whirring, menus written out in perfect script, and tuxedoed waiters carrying trays of martinis. Everything here just felt special, even on an off-season weeknight. Highlights included a lush little plate of gumbo, smoked-then-fried soft shell crab, and a peppermint sundae to wash everything down. As we had our last bites of ice cream, we decided to cancel our plans to head to a party at the very sexy Hotel Saint Vincent (1507 Magazine St.). We were exhausted and full from a day of feasting on all the beauty of New Orleans, and another drop more would have tipped us into absolute intemperance. Plus, we had to be up early for our flight. get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. ACAB Reply Thread Link One of the only unions I'm absolutely against. Reply Parent Thread Link ACAB -_- edit: god this also reminds me of when some guy stole this lady's purse while my friend/coworker at the time was taking out the garbage at the back of the store, witnessed it, but luckily was human enough to know to stay at the back when the cops came to clarify that the lady (who was black) was the one who was stolen from _________ Edited at 2025-01-20 11:02 pm (UTC) While I'm happy that his white friend stood up for him, it sucks that he had to in the first place.ACAB -_-edit: god this also reminds me of when some guy stole this lady's purse while my friend/coworker at the time was taking out the garbage at the back of the store, witnessed it, but luckily was human enough to know to stay at the back when the cops came to clarify that the lady (who was black) was the one who was stolen from@ since my friend is VERY white she knew to stick around to make sure to talk to the pigs when they came since the kkkops otherwise wouldn't have believed that the lady who was STOLEN FROM was the victim and not an aggressor whatsoever if my White Friend wasn't there to confim/sign-off on REALITY Reply Thread Link I remember seeing my friends ig stories a few years ago, he is a black man and some white nutjob girl came into his car drunk and acting belligerent, like bitch he was not an uber!!! She wouldnt leave and he ofc had to talk calmly and repeatedly asking her to leave, and I think it was his white friend that filmed the thing cos oh you know if shit happened thered be no way they believe him Reply Parent Thread Link "I remember how hot that engine was they must have been racing over there and it was almost burning my hands." This is the police playbook. They force people to place their hands on a hot car and if they flinch, they have permission to kill them because they can say they "feared" for their lives. ACAB. Reply Thread Link The fuk. Reply Parent Thread Link ACAB always Reply Thread Link LAPD sucks ass. In the 60s/70s, my grandpa (Mexican) was beaten by the cops because a nearby store had been robbed and he happened to be walking nearby. The store owner had to come out and tell the cops they had the wrong guy so they would stop hurting my grandpa. Reply Thread Link ACAB. Always and Everywhere and All The Time. Reply Thread Link Sadly my first thought was that he's lucky the cops didn't just start arresting him for daring to be "Middle Eastern" or something while grumbling slurs about 9/11 and Iraq. They don't like to be proven wrong about anything. Anyway, ACAB for life and I'm glad he's okay. Reply Thread Link I was going to say, being Egyptian is usually of no help. For example, I've never seen anyone detained at LAX who wasn't distinctly "Middle Eastern." Like 6 or 7 times in a row when I went to LAX, the LAPD had pulled over a Sikh male. Their racist, lazy profiling. Like, that's not even the right kind of turban for the stupid fucking thing they think it is. Reply Parent Thread Link Reminds me of when my brother (whos brown) had a gun pointed at him by a cop after driving into his driveway and attempting to enter his house. The cop patrolling the neighborhood thought that he was an intruder that matched the description of a suspect despite the fucking fact that my brother had his house keys and identification on him, and was trying to unlock his front door. Cop somehow doesnt believe my brother whatsoever, draws his gun on him, yells at him to get down on the floor, to where my brothers white gf at the time literally got out of their car and ran in between them, crying and screaming, prompting the cop to immediately lower his gun and apologize. Like, to this day, I still cant even imagine what wouldve happened if his gf wasnt there and wasnt a white woman that appealed to that cops sympathy. ACAB always and forever. Edited at 2025-01-21 04:22 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link ACAB.Fuck em Reply Thread Link ACAB, especially LAPD. Reply Thread Link ASSP Opens Registration for Safety 2025 Conference and Expo ASSPs annual event heads to Orlando, Florida, from July 22-24, 2025. The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has opened registration for its 64th annual Safety 2025 Professional Development Conference and Exposition, scheduled for July 2224 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. According to a recent release, Safety 2025 will feature over 200 educational sessions designed to provide attendees with practical strategies for improving workplace safety. Our conference and expo is a dynamic learning and networking experience that supports our mission to help protect workers in every industry worldwide, ASSP President Pam Walaski said in a statement. Its a place to find real solutions to safety challenges, especially today when environments can quickly change. After last years record-breaking event that sold out, were excited about the experience planned for attendees this time around. Participants can earn up to 1.5 continuing education units (CEUs) and explore innovative solutions at an exposition showcasing more than 600 exhibitors. The exposition will also host an interactive Career Advancement Center, offering resources for professionals at all career stages. Discounted early registration is available through March 13, with additional savings for groups from the same organization. ASSP also offers an expo-only pass for those who wish to focus on the exhibit floor. More information on the event is available online. OSHA Cites Storm Pipe Cleaner for Safety Failures After Fatal Explosion OSHA investigators highlighted the dangers of pressurized pipe plugs in the aftermath of a fatal explosion in Port St. Lucie, Florida. OSHA found that Southeast Services of the Treasure Coast could have prevented the death of a 24-year-old worker at a Port St. Lucie, Florida, worksite. Inspectors found the company failed to identify and address hazards associated with inflatable pipe plugs. On June 8, 2024, two employees were cleaning a drainpipe when the pressurized pipe plug became over-inflated, according to a recent release. The resulting explosion ejected one worker 15 feet from the storm drain, causing fatal injuries. OSHA cited the Vero Beach, Florida-based company for a serious safety violation, finding that it did not develop or implement procedures or training on the safe use of pneumatic pipe plugs. Pressurized equipment poses significant danger, and employers must put safeguards in place and take all necessary precautions to protect workers from these hazards, OSHA Area Director Condell Eastmond in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said in a statement. If employers ignore critical safety measures, the consequences can be devastating, leaving an unfillable void in the lives of the families impacted by such tragedies. The agency proposed $16,131 in penalties against Southeast Services of the Treasure Coast. The company has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference, or contest OSHAs findings before an independent review commission. The Court's decision means that ScottishPower can now deduct the 28m payment from their profits for corporation tax purposes. HMRC initially disallowed ScottishPower's deduction of these fines from their corporation tax, but the Court of Appeal has now ruled in favor of ScottishPower. ScottishPower incurred 28m in fines from Ofgem for regulatory breaches between 2013 and 2016. Energy giant ScottishPower has been granted an appeal to allow it to deduct 28m in fines by Ofgem for corporation tax purposes. Investigations by regulator Ofgem found companies within the Scottish Power group had breached regulations between 2013 and 2016, in relation to mis-selling, cost-reflectivity, energy saving and complaints handling. Scottish Power entered into a number of settlement agreements with Ofgem under, which it agreed to pay penalties that totalled 28m. The group sought to deduct the 28m for corporation tax purposes, but HMRC rejected it. HMRC concluded that the ScottishPower were wrong to deduct the 28m payments from their profits for the purposes of corporation tax and amended the taxpayers corporation tax returns accordingly. The group appealed HMRCs ruling to the First-Tier Tribunal in 2021, which agreed with HMRC that the vast majority of the payments were not deductible. However, the FTT ruled that one of the payments (554k) was deductible. ScottishPower appealed against that decision, while HMRC appealed that decision to allow the 554k payment to be deductible. In 2023, the Upper Tribunal dismissed Scottish Powers appeal and granted HMRCs appeal in relation to the 554k payment, rendering it as nondeductible. The group took this case to the Court of Appeal, which on Friday, ruled in its favour. Lady Justice Falk stated in this case the FTT decided that the payments were made in the course of the trade, that they were deducted in computing profits in accordance with ordinary principles of commercial accounting and that (absent the penalty issue) they were made wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the trade. Since they were not in fact penalty payments there is therefore nothing that prevents them from being deductible. I would therefore allow the appeal, she added. A ScottishPower spokesperson said: We note the judgement. By CityAM More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oil is no longer an energy security challenge its going to be gas, electricity, predominantly minerals, Saudi Arabias energy minister said this month. From a certain perspective, this sounds like a death knell for oil as we know itthe commodity that drives the global economy. On the other hand, its an admission we have become even more dependent on hydrocarbons, just more of them. The fact that the world relies on petroleum in order to function was made clear quite recently when oil prices jumped on the news that the outgoing Biden administration had announced one parting round of sanctions against Russias energy industry; specifically oil and gas exports. Had oil demand been really weakening under the weight of all those electric vehicles on Chinese roads and in European showrooms, the effect of the sanctions on oil prices would have been negligible. But it wasnt. Not only that, but now there is talk about a tightening oil market where a month ago, everyonewith rare exceptiontalked about a surplus. Energy market analyst John Kemp just last week warned that U.S. crude oil inventories have depleted much faster than normal since the middle of 2024, which has to date put them at the lowest for this time of the year since 2015. Meanwhile, oil inventories in the member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development are also on the decline. Global stocks as a whole have been declining, and they have been declining much faster than the International Energy Agency had been predicting in its monthly reports. As a result, the IEA now sees a much smaller surplus in crude oil this year. The fact it still sees a surplus is either an expression of hope or failure to learn from ones own mistakes. The world, then, still very much runs on oil. But in the past decade or so, growing parts of it have started running on gas, too. For evidence of that, we need look no further than Europe and its winter supply woes while it struggles with an increasingly limited pool of affordable supply amid its central governments push to reduce purchases of the most affordable available gas: gas from Russia. Last year, the EUs leadership kept insisting on member states cutting off imports of the commodity from Russia. Yet member states kept buying Russian LNGfor a record total for the year. This year, the trend has continued, even as the new chief of the EUs diplomatic department, Kaja Kallas, has insisted that the bloc imposes sanctions specifically on Russian gas. Politico reported on that earlier this month, citing cargo-tracking data from Kpler, writing that the EU had bought over 800,000 metric tons of Russia LNG in just the first two weeks of January. The squeeze continues, meanwhile, with Europes gas in storage levels falling across the bloc with a few exceptions, approaching dangerously low levels due to strong demand. That demand is perfectly normal during winter. It also proves that so-called critical minerals may be more important today than they were 20 years ago, but they have yet to reach the vital status of oil and gas. Critical minerals are called that because they play a role in most transition technology. Wind, solar, EVsthe all require certain amounts of these minerals. Incidentally, Saudi Arabia has certain reserves of some critical minerals and would very much like to develop them. Yet Abdulaziz bin Salman also had a word of caution to those eager to make it big with critical minerals. Today some of these countries, they have, as a country, 50% of the ownership of some of these required minerals and critical minerals ... countries are racing to access critical minerals and secure their own supply chain, he said, as quoted by CNBC last week. Rushing to secure access to resources will ultimately lead to higher emissions, higher metals costs and higher energy prices. This is because extracting all these critical minerals that the energy transition needs requires hydrocarbon power regardless of all the mining companies boasting about their brand new battery-powered machinery. Mining is powered by oil and gas. The more you need to mineand processthe more hydrocarbon energy you would be using, with the respective emissions footprint. It is a truly vicious circle that there is no way out of, no matter how many wind turbines this increased mining leads to. Because when the wind is down, its natgas all the way. The cherry on top of the current energy cake is, of course, artificial intelligence. Bin Salman was quite succinct on that. More AI [artificial intelligence] and data centers means more energy, Bin Salman said. Youll have AI, data centers, mining, crypto mining ... can you imagine what will happen to energy demand? Can you imagine the race between mining to create energy, and energy to create mining and the growth of these economies? Some will continue to claim that oil is no longer a matter of energy security and that it has been replaced by gas. But with oil demand set to rise yet again this year, it really looks more like oil has been joined by gas as the ultimate critical commodity. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oil prices dropped ahead of Donald Trump's first day back in office, with expectations of a stronger dollar and a delay to his tariff threats both boosted bearish sentiment. - On his first day in office, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and instructed the Energy Department to lift the government freeze on new LNG export permit applications. - By revoking the 2021 Biden electric vehicle mandate, albeit not legally binding with its 50% target by 2030, Trump hinted at a potential end to EV tax credits in the country and stated he would seek the repeal of Californias EPA waiver. - Just as US crude oil inventories excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve fell to their lowest since April 2022, a mere 412 million barrels, President Trump pledged to fill US stocks back to the very top. - Whilst refraining from introducing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Day 1 of his tenure, Trump nevertheless signaled potential punitive measures as soon as February 1. Market Movers - London-based mining giant Glencore (LON:GLEN) has publicly admitted that it is open to M&A transactions that would create value for its shareholders, failing to finalize its copper merger with Rio Tinto. - UK oil major BP (NYSE:BP) is reportedly close to finalizing a deal with Iraq over the redevelopment of fields in the Kirkuk region, aiming to restart some 300,000 b/d of production, with most commercial terms agreed. - The worlds second-largest miner Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) plans to create a standalone lithium division after it completes its $6.7 billion acquisition of Arcadium Lithium, expected to take place by July 2025. Tuesday, January 21, 2025 All eyes were on Donald Trump as the 45th US President was sworn in again as the 47th, sending a flurry of confusing messages to oil markets. Bullish catalysts ranged from slapping sanctions on Canada, rescinding Chevrons Venezuelan waiver, and filling up the SPR right to the top. On the other hand, the strengthening US dollar could offset some of those pressures. The immediate market reaction to Trumps orders was nevertheless more bearish, with ICE Brent dipping to $78.50 per barrel. Trump Declares National Energy Emergence. US President Donald Trump declared a national energy emergency to expedite the permitting of oil, gas, and power projects, seeking to lower energy prices in line with his campaign promise of cutting prices by 50% in his 12 months in office. Houthis Promise to Attack Less in Red Sea. As the Israel-Gaza ceasefire seems to be holding since Sunday, Yemens Houthi militias vowed to limit their attacks on commercial vessels to Israel-linked ships, no longer targeting US or British-owned tankers, potentially offsetting soaring freight costs. Libya Auctions Blocks to Fill State Coffers. Libyas acting oil minister Khalifa Abdulsadiq said that Libya would need between $3 billion and $4 billion to increase its oil production to 1.6 million b/d, the pre-2011 Civil War target level, pinning great hopes on Tripolis upcoming onshore licensing round. Iraq Tries One Last Time to Restart Flows. The finance committee of Iraqs federal parliament has approved a 2025 budget amendment that would allow Baghdad to pay $16 per barrel for crude produced in Kurdistan, paving the way for a potential settlement with the breakaway region. Canada Mulls Expansion of TMX Capacity. The operator of the 890,000 b/d Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline is considering expanding its capacity in the next 4-5 years as the threat of US sanctions makes TMX the only non-southbound evacuation conduit, expected to be full by 2028. US Gasoline Eases as Colonial Pipe Restart. One of the key product arteries of the United States, Colonial Pipelines Line I which transports gasoline from the Gulf Coast to Greensboro, NC, resumed operations this past weekend after being offline since January 14 due to a leak in Georgia. Chinese Coal Production Hits All-Time High. Chinas coal production has soared to another record high in 2024, reaching 4.76 billion tonnes and marking a 1.3% year-over-year increase, thanks to a surge in output since June 2024 as Beijing eased regulatory pressure on smaller mines. Traders Divest LNG Cargoes Away from Asia. According to media reports, at least six cargoes of LNG cargoes that were en route to Asia this month were re-routed towards Europe, just as Asias benchmark JKM gas futures dipped below $14/mmBtu whilst European prices trade at $14.5/mmBtu. Kuwait Discovers Giant Offshore Field. Kuwaits national oil company KOC reported a discovery of a large commercial volume of hydrocarbons containing some 800 million barrels of medium-density oil at its offshore Al-Jlaiaa prospect, the Middle Eastern nations second major discovery in less than a year. Hoping for a Better 2025, Suez Canal Readies Expansion. The expansion project of the Suez Canal, adding some 6 miles of additional navigational leeway to transiting ships near Egypts Little Bitter Lake, will be operational in Q1, boosting the waterways two-way section to a total of 51 miles. Saudi Arabia Hopes for the Best. Amin Nasser, the chief executive of Saudi oil giant Saudi Aramco (TADAWUL:2222) said he expects oil demand this year to rise by 1.3 million b/d, but considering production caps agreed within OPEC+ theyre looking at expanding their LNG portfolio. Cold Snap Caps Bakken Production. Oil production in North Dakota dropped by 125,000-150,000 b/d as extreme cold weather forced some operators to shut in production wells across the Bakken, equivalent to 12% of the regions 1.1 million b/d output, with similar declines in gas production, too. Argentinas Shale Gale Lures Indian Buyers. Argentinas state-owned oil company YPF (NYSE:YPF) signed a memorandum of understanding with three Indian energy firms ONGC, GAIL, and Oil India to potentially export up to 10 million metric tonnes of LNG from Vaca Muerta. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Big Oil majors are bracing for a drop in income from liquefied natural gas trade as prices are seen stabilizing after the price surge from the past three years, the Financial Times has reported, citing analysts. Among the companies most affected, the analysts named Shell, BP, TotalEnergies, Exxon, and Chevron, all of which have big LNG trading businesses that have benefited significantly from the heightened price volatility since February 2022. Volatility has fallen in recent months and starts the year below previous ones. Last year was lower than 2023, which was lower than 2022, one LNG trader told the Financial Times. LNG traders care about volatility. If youre in a flatter volatility environment, it doesnt matter how good or bad your traders are, its going to be harder to make huge amounts of money, Hewitt Energy Perspectives consultant David Hewitt told the FT. For the international oil companies, especially the European ones, LNG is certainly a key component of their earnings, Hewitt added. Indeed LNG has made some solid contributions to Big Oil's bottom lines in the past three years thanks to that price volatility that the analysts are talking about. Indeed, the FT cites Citi calculations showing that Shell will see 21% of its cash flow this year come from LNG, with the percentage for Chevron at 18%, TotalEnergies at 14%, and Exxon at 12%. For BP, the percentage of cash flow from LNG trade was seen lowest, at 10%. Things may even get worse in the coming yearssome analysts are projecting an LNG surplus towards the end of the decade. According to Rystad Energy, the surplus will materialize as early as 2027. According to ING, the surplus will be significant, as capacity additions from the U.S. and Qatar boost the global total export capacity by over 45% by 2030, to top 950 billion cubic meters. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Italy, Austria, Germany, Algeria, and Tunisia reiterated on Tuesday their intention to develop a pipeline that would carry renewable hydrogen from North Africa to Europe, the Italian energy ministry said. The 3,300-km (2,050 miles) hydrogen pipeline, named SouthH2 Corridor, is planned to ship green hydrogen from the African coast to Italy and then further north to Austria and Germany. Ministers and officials from the countries and Ditte Juul Jrgensen, Director-General for Energy of the European Commission, attended the meetings and discussions for the project. SouthH2 Corridor is recognized as a Project of Common Interest (PCI) by the European Commission, which means that the EU could finance parts of the infrastructure project. The project will use more than 65% repurposed infrastructure, with new pipeline segments where necessary. The corridor has political endorsement, as well as strong support from companies involved in production and offtake of hydrogen along the whole corridor. The project is expected to come on stream in 2030. SouthH2 Corridor will further boost Italys role as a European energy hub, said Antonio Tajani, Italys Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Green hydrogen projects in Europe have seen setbacks in recent months, amid persistently high costs and uncertainty about future demand. Denmark, for example, looks to commission a cross-border green hydrogen pipeline to Germany in 2031, three years later than the previous timeline, the Danish government said in October. Shell and Equinor have ditched plans for low-carbon hydrogen production and transportation in north Europe, due to a lack of demand. Green hydrogen will struggle to compete at price level with gray hydrogen made from natural gas at least until 2050much longer than previously anticipated, research firm BloombergNEF said last month. BNEFs new report on hydrogen prices finds that green hydrogen, the one produced via electrolysis using renewable energy, will fail to reach price parity with gray hydrogen by the middle of the century, as costs have more than tripled from the 2023 forecast. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oil markets have kicked off the new week on the back foot, falling for the second consecutive day after President Trump was sworn in for a second term on Monday. Brent crude for March delivery was down 0.85% to trade at $79.49 per barrel at 11:40 am ET while WTI crude for February delivery declined 1.5% to $76.68 per barrel. According to PVM oil analyst Tamas Varga, the price declines can be chalked up to the huge uncertainty over the incoming president's new policies. "Given the performance of the market so far this year, it is reasonable to see some people take profit before the Trump administration's modus operandi becomes clearer." Varga told Reuters. Last month, a survey by law firm Haynes Boone LLC revealed that banks are gearing up for oil prices to fall below $60 a barrel by the middle of President-elect Donald Trumps new term. Trump says hell push shale producers to ramp up output. However, commodity experts at Standard Chartered have predicted that the strength in oil markets witnessed at the start of the new year is likely to persist, powered by, among other things, the removal of more Russian barrels from the market following sanctions. According to StanChart, the new restrictions roughly triple the number of directly sanctioned Russian crude oil tankers, enough to affect around 900,000 barrels per day (bpd). Whereas its highly likely that Russia will try to circumvent the sanctions by employing even more shadow fleet tankers and ship-to-ship transfers, StanChart sees 500,000 bpd of displacements over the next six months. Other than the sanctions, StanChart says there are other reasons for the strength in prompt markets: OPEC+ has largely stuck to its target quotas; non-weather-related demand is more robust than consensus expected; and non-OPEC supply growth is coming in lower-than-expected. In short, StanChart says the market strength is likely to persist after weather patterns return to seasonal averages. Last month, commodity analysts at Standard Chartered argued that the latest decision by OPEC+ to delay the planned output increase by three months to April 2025, and extend the full unwind of production cuts by a year until the end of 2026 will ensure that oil markets are not oversupplied in 2025. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Portugal will increase purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States and Nigeria, as it aims to end imports of Russian gas, Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho said on Tuesday. According to data from electricity and gas grids operator REN, Portugal imported 49,141 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of natural gas in 2024, of which around 96% was LNG. Nigeria accounted for 51% of those LNG deliveries, with the U.S. supplying 40% and 4.4% from Russia. Russia accounted for 15% of Portugal's LNG supply before it launched the war in Ukraine. Portugal's long-running disconnect from the rest of Europes energy network has earned its status as an energy island. Thankfully, Portugal is home to a relatively well-developed LNG sector despite lacking oil wells, gas fields, or coal mines. Portugal and Spain were among the first countries to build LNG regasification facilities in Europe. Together, the two countries account for one-third of Europes regasification capacity. Spain has the most terminals while Portugal has the most strategically located. Meanwhile, two weeks ago, Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico revealed that hes not ruling out the resumption of gas through Ukraine following the expiration of a 5-year transit deal between Moscow and Kyiv. Fico has been pushing President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to restart the transit, citing higher energy costs for Slovakia and the whole region. On December 1, Azerbaijans state oil company, SOCAR, started supplying natural gas to Slovakias Slovensky plynarensky priemysel (SPP), the countrys largest state-owned energy operator. This comes just a month after SPP signed a short-term pilot contract to buy natural gas from Azerbaijan as it prepared for a cut-off of Russian gas via Ukraine. The pipeline that runs through Slovakia has a capacity of 100 billion cubic meters, Fico told reporters in Brussels on Thursday. I want to do everything to ensure it is used in the future, he added. Natural gas prices in Europe soared to 48 per megawatt-hour on Tuesday thanks to seasonal increase in demand due to winter cold. Among President Trumps initial measures was lifting a moratorium on new U.S. licenses for LNG exports shortly after inauguration, paving the way for additional export permits. This move is expected to drive higher demand for U.S. LNG from Europe and Asia. Trump urged the EU to purchase more American oil and gas to avoid potential tariffs. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Chinese VP attends Trump's inauguration ceremony Xinhua) 08:20, January 21, 2025 Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, meets with U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 19, 2025. Upon invitation, Han attended the inauguration ceremony of U.S. President Donald Trump on Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Upon invitation, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attended the inauguration ceremony of U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday in Washington, D.C. During his stay in the United States, Han, a special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, met with then U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, representatives of the U.S. business community, Chief Executive Officer of Tesla Elon Musk, Chair Emeritus of the U.S. Brookings Institution John Thornton and others. During his meeting with Vance on Sunday, Han first conveyed Xi's greetings to Trump and congratulated Vance on his election. He noted that Xi recently had an important phone call with Trump, during which the two leaders have reached many important consensuses on the development of China-U.S. relations in the next stage. China is ready to work with the United States to adhere to the strategic guidance of the head-of-state diplomacy and follow through on the important consensus reached between Xi and Trump, so as to push for the steady, healthy and sustainable development of bilateral ties, Han said. Han said that the two sides are currently working hard to achieve their respective development goals and dreams. As long as the two sides uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, they will contribute to each other's progress, bring benefits to the two countries, and make important contributions to world peace and development, said Han. Economic and trade relations are important issues of common concern to both sides, he noted. Despite differences and frictions between China and the United States, they share huge common interests and space for cooperation, and the two sides can strengthen dialogue and consultation in this regard, Han added. For his part, Vance asked Han to convey Trump's sincere greetings to Xi. Vance said Trump had a phone call with Xi a few days ago, in which they had good communication on important issues regarding bilateral ties. Economic and trade relations, he stressed, are important to both the United States and China. Noting that China is playing an increasingly important role in international affairs, Vance told Han that the United States is willing to develop an enduring and fruitful relationship with China, strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China on international and regional issues, and jointly promote world peace and stability. While meeting with representatives of the U.S. business community, Han said a good start and stable development of China-U.S. relations align with the common well-being of both peoples and meet the shared expectation of the international community. As an enduring backbone supporting China-U.S. relations, the U.S. business community has been a participant, witness, contributor and beneficiary of China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation as well as China's reform and opening-up, Han said. China will unswervingly advance reform and opening-up, and continue to improve and optimize the business environment, he added. Han said it is hoped that U.S. companies will continue to invest and take root in China, play an active role as a bridge, and make greater contribution to the development of China-U.S. relations. Representatives of the U.S. business community said that as the world's two largest economies that are most dynamic and technologically advanced, the United States and China should engage in mutually beneficial cooperation and find a constructive and steady way to get along with each other. The U.S. business community is optimistic about the prospect of the Chinese economy and the opportunities to grow in China, and supports the two sides in strengthening dialogue and communication to move forward their bilateral relations as well as economic and trade cooperation. During his meetings with Musk and Thornton, Han welcomed U.S. companies and various sectors to seize opportunities, take active steps and share the fruits of China's development. He called for promoting bilateral exchanges and cooperation in a wide range of areas including economy, trade and culture, and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, so as to continuously improve and consolidate the public foundation of China-U.S. relations. Musk and Thornton highlighted the importance of economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between the United States and China, and expressed their willingness to continue to play a positive role in promoting the interactions and cooperation. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, meets with representatives of the U.S. business community in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, meets with Chief Executive Officer of Tesla, Elon Musk, in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, meets with Chair Emeritus of the U.S. Brookings Institution John Thornton, in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Saudi Aramco, the worlds largest oil exporter, expects global oil demand to grow by a steady 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) this year compared to 2024, the chief executive of the biggest oil firm in the world told Reuters. Oil demand is set to hit nearly 106 million bpd this year, up from about 104.6 million bpd last year, Saudi Aramcos chief executive officer Amin Nasser told Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. We still think the market is healthy ... last year we averaged around 104.6 million barrels (per day), this year, we're expecting an additional demand of about 1.3 million barrels ... so there is growth in the market, Nasser told Reuters. Asked to comment on how the U.S. sanctions on Russian oil would affect global oil flows, Aramcos top executive said that it was still a very early stage to assess potential issues or supply losses. Nassers view of global oil demand is not too different from the latest OPEC demand forecast in the Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) for January. In this report, published last week, OPEC projects robust demand growth in the world both this year and next. In 2025, demand is set to grow by 1.4 million bpd, OPEC said, leaving its projection unchanged from the December report. In the first outlook for 2026, OPEC expects the robust demand growth to continue, with demand rising by another 1.4 million bpd compared to 2025. Total world oil demand is anticipated to reach 106.6 million bpd in 2026, according to the cartels first forecast for next year. OPECs growth estimate for 2025 is higher than that of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which said last week that it expects just about 1 million bpd in global oil demand growth this year compared to 2024. The expected demand growth of 1.05 million bpd would be an acceleration from the estimated 940,000 bpd growth in 2024 as the economic outlook improves marginally, the IEA said in its monthly Oil Market Report. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com President Donald Trump has got to work on dismantling Biden admin energy policies to focus on boosting oil and gas production and exports, seeking energy dominance on a global scale. In his first day in office, the president withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement, just as he had done during his first term, and reversed Bidens ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in parts of the U.S. continental shelf. I'm immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris climate accord rip-off, Trump said, adding The United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity. Instead, Trump said, America will be a manufacturing nation once again, and we have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have: the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth. According to Statista data, it is actually Venezuela that has the biggest oil reserves in the world, with the United States ranking ninth on the list and Russia leads in natural gas. However, the U.S. obviously has quite substantial reserves of both hydrocarbons and Trump has repeatedly stated he intends to make the best of these. We will bring prices down, fill our strategic reserves up again, right to the top, and export American energy all over the world, he said of his plans for the energy sector. These plans might be challenging to implement, however, because regulatory changes take time and there is virtually no doubt climate activist groups will sue to stop them. Whats more, Trump can encourage oil and gas producers to boost output but he has no way of forcing them to do it. The industry has indicated that while it would welcome a friendlier federal government, it had no immediate plans to return to a drill, baby, drill mode of operation. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com President Donald Trump has urged the European Union to step up its purchases of crude oil and liquefied natural gas from the U.S. if it wants to avoid tariffs on all imports. The one thing they can do quickly is buy our oil and gas, Trump told media on Monday, as quoted by Bloomberg. We will straighten that out with tariffs, or they have to buy our oil and gas. On his first day in office, the president lifted a so-called pause on new LNG export terminal construction that the Biden administration imposed on the industry following one study that claimed LNG exports had a higher carbon footprint than coal. The United States has become the largest LNG exporter in the world in a few short years and it also became the biggest supplier to the European after 2022 and the suspension of most Russian pipeline flows. Before 2022, U.S. LNG exports to the continent averaged 15 million tons per year, but they jumped to 55 million tons in both 2022 and 2023. Last year was more challenging because Europe started feeling the effect of higher-price energy, namely, problematic economic growth and reduced competitiveness for European industries. Europe's job is made harder by long-term contracts. Europe generally prefers to buy its LNG from the spot market with EU officials arguing greater independencedespite the price premium on the spot market. Yet U.S. LNG exporters have committed significant volumes to buyers with long-term contracts and dont really have a lot to spare for spot market loving European buyers, according to Bloombergs Stephen Stapczynski. This means it would be difficult for Europe to respond to Trumps calls for rebalancing the trade deficit that the U.S. is running with one of its top trade partners, even if it really wanted to, which it obviously does. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com A medical malpractice trial will begin Tuesday in the case of an Omaha woman who died in jail after being arrested for refusing to leave a hospital where she asked to be readmitted. Aundrea Milnes family members are suing CHI Health and two health care professionals, Dr. Margaret Sheehy and Katie Vanis, a nurse, for negligence and medical malpractice. The lawsuit alleges that CHI Health violated the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, which requires hospitals to provide proper screening to anyone seeking emergency care. Milnes was 47 years old when she died at the Douglas County Correctional Center on the afternoon of Nov. 3, 2022, about seven hours after she entered her jail cell. She was charged with trespassing when she repeatedly refused to leave the Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy campus after being discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of menstrual cramps. The Omaha woman was taken to the hospital at about 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 3 after she was found on a bench outside of the Siena Francis House, a homeless shelter, complaining of stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting blood. She was evaluated in the emergency room by Sheehy, who instructed her to return to the hospital if the pain got worse before discharging her at 4:15 a.m. After she was discharged, Milnes refused to leave the hospital, repeatedly lying on the ground outside of the entrance while complaining of stomach pain and making suicidal statements. At the center of the case is whether CHI Health and its employees erred in refusing to allow Milnes to reenter the hospital after she was discharged. From about 4:15 a.m., when she was discharged, to about 5:15 a.m., when she was placed into a cruiser and taken to jail, the police were called twice, and a hospital security guard at one point placed Milnes in a wheelchair and rolled her off of the premises, according to court documents. Milnes cause of death, according to an autopsy report contained in grand jury proceedings, was a combination of acute methamphetamine toxicity and a large fecal obstruction in her colon, which caused the walls of the large intestine to necrotize. In testimony to the grand jury, the pathologist who conducted Milnes autopsy theorized that the pain from the obstruction, which would cause distress and increase her heart rate, combined with an increased heart rate from methamphetamine use may have caused an arrhythmia that stopped her heart. An order from Douglas County District Court Judge James Masteller prohibits all parties in the case, and their attorneys, from speaking with the media ahead of or during the trial. The trial will begin Tuesday and is expected to last about a week. Court documents preview evidence, testimony According to trial briefs, both Sheehy and Vanis are expected to testify at trial, as is the security guard and multiple expert witnesses who will say that the two health care professionals treated Milnes appropriately. Expert witnesses for the defense are likely to opine to differing causes of death for Milnes, according to a trial brief submitted by CHI Health and Vanis. Many of the last hours of Milnes life were captured on video from hospital cameras, body cameras belonging to police and corrections officers, and surveillance footage at the jail. Milnes was also in a camera cell at the jail, according to court documents, meaning her entire time in the jail cell was captured on video. These videos are likely to play a key role at trial. In briefings, Tom White, the attorney for Milnes estate, says the videos of Milnes captured by police officers as she lay on the ground showed Milnes writhe in pain, beg for help and yell she wanted to die. He further says she was in visible agony at the jail. White also alleges in court filings that Sheehy, in depositions, said she would have reevaluated Milnes had she been made aware of the scene outside of the hospital. Even Dr. Sheehy states turning away Milnes from reentry was a violation of EMTALA, her discharge orders and hospital policy, White wrote. Dr. Sheehy claims to never have been told of the events outside the hospital until far later but if she was promptly advised she would have allowed Milnes to reenter and reexamined her and offered her a CAT scan. Nurse Vanis denied Milnes that opportunity. Sheehy is represented by separate counsel, while Vanis is represented by the same attorney as CHI Health. Sheehy filed an unsuccessful motion to bifurcate, or separate, her case into a separate trial, saying she had no knowledge of what occurred with Milnes once she was discharged. Other defendants dismissed before trial Initially, the lawsuit also named Douglas County and Wellpath, the now-bankrupt former provider of medical care at the Douglas County Correctional Center, as defendants. Both the county and Wellpath have since been dismissed from the case. The blockage in Milnes intestine was so large that it showed up on a body scanner used at the jail to detect contraband. The scanner is similar to those used in airport security. The attorney for Milnes estate, Tom White, argued in court filings that the abnormality in the scan should have led correctional officers to send Milnes back to the hospital or alert medical staff at the jail of their findings. In Milnes mugshot, she appears lethargic, and a corrections officer can be seen propping her head up to take the photo. In granting Douglas Countys motion for summary judgment, a type of court ruling which decides an issue without a full trial, Masteller found insufficient evidence ... to determine that a reasonable jailer would recognize the image on the contraband body scanner as medical information that must be communicated to medical personnel. CHI Health and Vanis also filed a motion for summary judgment, which was denied. Wellpath was dismissed from the case after the company filed for bankruptcy in November. The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday met with two diplomats from the United States and the United Kingdom as worries about security mount ahead of the governorship and state parliamentary elections opening tomorrow. Mr Wike disclosed the development in a statement by his spokesperson, Simeon Nwakaudu. The meeting took place amid allegations by the state government that Nigerian soldiers were invading houses of persons believed to be loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party of which Mr Wikes is the governorship candidate. Read the full statement below. Governorship Election: Governor Wike meets US and British Diplomats Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Friday met with the United States Consul-General to Nigeria, John Bray and the Political Officer of the British High Commission in Nigeria, Louis Edwards. The joint meeting which lasted about one hour, had the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah and Senator Lee Maeba in attendance. The International Diplomats visited Governor Wike on the heels of mass arrests of PDP leaders by security agencies. The Rivers State Government and the PDP have issued several statements alerting the world on the illegal activities of security agencies ahead of the elections. Governor Wike tabled the concerns of the government and people of Rivers State before the American Embassy and the British High Commission. At the end of the meeting, the International Diplomats declined comments as they left to continue with the 2019 Governorship and State Assembly elections in Rivers State. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Buratai on Saturday gave a commendation award with N2m to a-104-year old Private Amuda Aluko (retd), who served in the World War 11. Also honoured included 28 other soldiers who fought in the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 1970, as well as three Legionnaires. Besides, 18 serving officers of the Nigerian Army also got commendation medals for their innovations, gallantry and bravery at tackling the menace of Boko Haram insurgents. Giving his remarks after a colourful parade that marked the end of a week-long Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2019 at the Ikeja Cantonment Parade Ground, Lagos, Buratai reinstated the determination of the Nigerian Army to remain resolute and rootless against the insurgents and other criminal elements that have vowed to make the country ungovernable. He acknowledged the fact that the country is facing numerous security challenges which has led to the armys involvement at conducting various operations across the country to rout the terrorists and other criminal gangs in order to restore sanity to the country. Buratai said, The Nigerian Army has introduced numerous non-kinetic or the soft power approach aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the citizens. Some of these interventions are aimed at providing the much needed security for the people who are engaged in one form of business and to enable our farmers to return to their farms. The Special Guest of Honour, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Gen Mohammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibajo, expressed his confidence that the NA has the capacity and capability to defend its territorial integrity of the country. He explained that the onions lies on the Federal Government to do the needful, noting that they would faithfully discharge its obligation to make available the moral and financial support to the army to accomplish its objectives. While reiterating its determination to fight the insurgents, he remarked that we would ensure our land is rid of insurgency and deal with other criminalities. We would not relent until we bring back all the adopted girls in Chibok and Dapchi especially Leah Sharibu and reunite them with their families. The terrorists are motivated by satanic desire. Therefore, the challenge for us is to recognize these extremism and challenge them with a view to destroying these evils among us, Osibajo emphasized. The Vice President warned that nobody would be allowed to commit evil and escape noting that it is was up to the judicial system to ensure justice was served. While preaching peace and tolerance, Prof Osibajo noted that the government was building on the foundation of last four years to ensure a harmonious coexistence among the citizenry. The colourful parade also witness the launching and unveiling of light armoured vehicles built by DICON as well as armoured tanks by Proforce. The parade was attended by the former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, former service chiefs, members of the Diplomatic Corps, retired senior officers and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin and Chief of Air Staff and a representative of the Chief of Naval Staff. Post Views: 104 The former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh, on Tuesday, September 24th insisted that the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice O.E. Abang should invite former President Goodluck Jonathan to give evidence in his ongoing trial. Metuh is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC alongside his company, Destra Investment on seven-count charges, bordering on money laundering to the tune of N400 million, which he allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, in 2014 under Sambo Dasuki as national security adviser without justification. Metuh while on cross-examination said The payment of N400 million was made by the former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. This is because I made a presentation and he informed that he will make funds available for the prosecution of that national assignment and he even called me to tell me that the N400 million has been paid. I do not expect the President to be an agent of any individual or organ of his office, but I do know that he has a lot of aides that handle matters relating to different aspects. He reminded the court that he applied for Jonathan to be subpoenaed to give evidence concerning his claim that he was authorized by the ex-president but that the court ignored him, restating that the court should subpoenaed Jonathan to come and give evidence in the matter. He revealed during cross-examination, that Mike Ozekhome, the then lawyer to Jonathan told him that he needed to pay about N1.2 billion for Jonathans transportation and to guarantee his security, before he could come to the court. I am just hearing for the first time that the former president denied knowing me and had no business with me. I am not in a position to confirm or deny about the opposition of his excellency to be a witness; I can only confirm that he insisted that I should pay N1.2 billion, Metuh said. At this juncture the prosecution tendered the certified copies of the motion document filed by Ozekhome and tendered the motion filed on October 27, 2017 by him on behalf of the former President Jonathan, seeking to set aside the subpoena as well as the affidavit in support of the said motion and written address. The prosecution also tendered a counter-affidavit of the senior counsel, made on October 30, 2017 but filed on the November 1, 2017. Justice Abang adjourned the matter to Thursday, September, 26, 2019 for conclusion of arguments and admissibility of documents and for continuation of trial. It will also on the new adjournment date, consider the need to further adjourn the matter to September, 30, October 2, 3, and 4, 2019, for continuation of trial. Union Bank and Zenith Bank Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc and Zenith Bank International Plc directors have all refuted certain speculation that the two banks had reached agreement on an acquisition deal. According to TheNation, in separate statements yesterday, the Board of Union Bank said it had no such offer or agreement from Zenith Bank. UBN stated that there was agreement on business combination with Zenith Bank, noting that no binding offer has been made by anyone to either its shareholders or the board of directors of Union Bank. Zenith Bank also stated that it has not made any binding offer to acquire any financial institution. UBN is making its first dividend payment this year after 11 years of corporate restructuring. The bank has recommended payment of about N7.3 billion for the 2019 business year. Shareholders will receive a dividend per share of 25 kobo. The dividend was a major highlight of considerable improvements in the commercial banks top-line and bottom-line. Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of UBN for the year ended December 31, 2019 released yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) indicated that gross earnings grew by 14 per cent from N140.1 billion in 2018 to N159.9 billion in 2019. Interest income had grown by 11 per cent from N104.8 billion to N116.5 billion. Non-interest income also rose by 23 per cent from N35.3 billion to N43.3 billion. The report further showed that operating expenses declined marginally from N71 billion to N70.8 billion. Net operating income increased from N89.7 billion to N95.5 billion. Profit before tax grew by 33 per cent from N18.7 billion to N24.7 billion. Profit after tax also rose by 32 per cent from N18.4 billion to N24.4 billion. The balance sheet also emerged stronger. Gross loans rose by 20 per cent from N496.8 billion in 2018 to N595.3 billion. Customer deposits increased by 5.0 per cent to N886.3 billion in 2019 as against N844.4 billion in 2018. By Lars Larson NW and national radio host, Californias deadly wildfires, still raging, offer critical lessons to Oregon and Washingtonif their leaders are willing to listen. The Northwest has grown accustomed to annual fires that burn an average of a million acres, a stark contrast to the era when loggers maintained healthy forests, preventing major fires for over three decades. However, environmental extremists ended that practice, leaving forests vulnerable, just as they have in Los Angeles neighborhoods. Each time fires devastate these states, they turn to the federal government for massive aid. Yesterday, House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed federal assistance for fire-ravaged California, but with conditions. Obviously, there has been water mismanagement, forest management mistakes. State and local leaders were derelict in their duty in many respects. I think there should be conditions on that aid, Johnson stated. Oregon and Washington have allowed their forests to become fuel dumps, leading to catastrophic fires and tragic loss of life. Now, with a Congress and President willing to hold leaders accountable, change may finally be possible. The message is clear: clean up your forests, fire-harden your homes, and take responsibilityor risk facing these disasters alone. By Oregon State Representative Ed Diehl, Protecting Teachers and Students: A Step Towards Better Classroom Management Oregon classrooms have become dangerous places for teachers and students. I am introducing legislation this year to help alleviate that, and I will share the bill numbers as soon as I have them. I am asking Oregon teachers to help me get this legislation passed. News reports have highlighted a noticeable increase in behavioral issues within Oregon classrooms. Teachers across the state have noted a surge in disruptive behavior, verbal outbursts, and instances of physical violence. This environment not only hampers the learning process but also poses significant challenges to teachers ability to manage classrooms effectively. OSHA actually considers Oregon students a workplace hazard. The reasons are many: we are mainstreaming kids that, in the past, would have been placed in more controlled settings. We also have parents who are not taking accountability for their kids behavior in school. Some of todays parents say things to teachers like hes your problem now something unheard of when I was attending public school. And Oregon is really lacking in mental health resources for youth we rank 51st in the nation for youth behavioral health access and 2nd highest for youth incarceration. Recent laws have made it even more difficult for teachers to do the right thing. Senate Bill 790, passed in 2023, modified the definition of child abuse in a classroom setting to include the use of restraint and seclusion on students. This bill makes the teacher personally liable if they are not in strict compliance with the restraint and seclusion laws, even if they have not been adequately trained and even if they are trying to do the right thing. It is completely unforgiving, and assumes the teacher intends to do harm instead of trying to do their best in a difficult situation. As one teacher told me; if a student takes a sharp pencil and moves to stab another student with it, the state will accuse me of abuse. My only recourse is to stand in the way and take the stab myself. This new restraint law has created one of the single largest classroom challenges for teachers. It creates anxiety for teachers for fear of legal action. It also creates a more disruptive and dangerous classroom environment for students. Teachers have left the profession because of this law. Oregon teachers often find themselves in challenging situations where they must intervene physically to maintain safety. My proposal aims to provide them with the necessary framework to act without fear of wrongful accusations. The legislation makes it clear that restraint or seclusion is acceptable as long as there is no intent to harm the student. Or, in the case of a teacher who has received training, the teacher has not materially failed to comply with the statutes (meaning more than a minor discrepancy with the statutes.) The legislation also shifts responsibility from the teacher to the school this should be dealt with as an employer-employee issue. This doesnt fix all our classroom discipline challenges, but it is a step in the right direction. More needs to be done. If we can gain some traction in the legislature with this simple fix, my hope is we can make more substantive changes to Oregon law in the future to protect teachers and students. Heres what we hope to accomplish for our public-school teachers and students: Maintain Classroom Discipline: By empowering teachers with clear authority to enforce rules, we can cultivate a learning environment marked by respect and order. Enhance Student Safety: Effective discipline strategies are key to minimizing disruptive behaviors, ensuring a safer space for all students. Focus on Education: With explicit guidelines and legal protections, teachers can devote their energy to education rather than worrying about litigation. Support Mental Health: A calmer classroom reduces stress, positively affecting the mental well-being of both educators and students. Real-World Examples Highlighting the Urgency: In the Salem-Keizer School District, a special education teacher endured severe physical attacks, including bites, punches, and concussions, demonstrating the urgent need for better protection and discipline policies. At Fullerton IV Elementary School in Roseburg, a child development specialist was repeatedly assaulted by a 10-year-old studentwhile attempting to manage a classroom situation. This incident underscores the necessity for teachers to have both the authority and the protection to maintain order and safety. By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com Fox News reports that a gang of nearly 10 vandals attacked the Multnomah County Elections Office, An Oregon elections office was vandalized and heavily damaged just hours before the second inauguration of President Trump.Portland police confirmed to Fox News Digital that two dozen windows and two doors were smashed by rocks at the Multnomah County Elections office in southeast Portland in the early hours on Monday.A spokesperson for the department said an alarm alerted officers to the incident, adding that officers found that the building had been tagged with graffiti. We believe 8-10 people were involved, the officer stated. In addition, there was some anti-government/anti-establishment graffiti on the building. This anti-government anarchist theme is the same Leftist politics that left Free Gaza message on the Multnomah County ballot box that was exploded (right) and the same anarchist themed message left at the Portland State University library protest (left) back in 2024. Salem Police reported vandalism at a local Tesla dealership. The Salem Police report, Detectives investigate early morning arson incident: Salem, Ore. At approximately 3:45 a.m. today, Salem police and firefighters responded to reports of a car fire at the Tesla dealership located at 2755 Mission ST SE. The fire was limited to one vehicle which firefighters successfully extinguished. A window panel on the building was also found broken. There were no injuries reported. The Salem Police Felony Crimes Unit is investigating the incident as arson. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Salem Police Tip Line at 503-588-8477. No other information is available for release at this time. Oregon independent reporter Andy Ngo shares on a Portland protest: Portland Far-left protesters chant, "Hands up, don't shoot" at a protest against the inauguration of Trump. The group is Don't Shoot Portland, a BLM group whose members have attacked the public at their street direct actions. Video by @kevinvdahlgren: pic.twitter.com/ey5q0pHFT8 Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 21, 2025 Phuket, Thailand, January 20, 2025 Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort, which is nestled just steps from the sea on Phukets sunset coast, is inviting its cherished hotel guests and local residents to come together for a series of celebrations, as it ushers in Lunar New Year with an auspicious family feast at Chao Leh Kitchen, and sets the mood for romance with a Valentines Day dinner at Sears & Co. Bar and Grill. Chinese New Year Buffet Dinner at Chao Leh Kitchen As the world welcomes the Year of the Snake, families and friends are invited to gather together for an unforgettable evening at Chao Leh Kitchen restaurant in Patong. Staged on January 29th, 2025 (6pm 10pm), the Chinese New Year Buffet Dinner will burst with festive flavors and auspicious dishes, including a dedicated dim sum station, slow-roasted duck, BBQ red pork, fish maw soup with crab meat, poached Hong Kong kale with crab meat, and more. These traditional Chinese delights will be accompanied with a wide range of international delights including a salad bar, seafood on ice, grilled prawns, squid and rock lobster, carved meats and seafood, plus a noodle station and plenty of sweet treats, including nian gao, the traditional Lunar New Year cake. Live music, a dragon dance and Chinese performances will bathe the evening in warmth and joy, and every diner will enjoy free-flow chrysanthemum tea. The Chinese New Year Buffet Dinner is priced at just THB 1,179++ per person. To book, please visit https://bit.ly/ChineseNewYearBuffetDinner2025 A Taste of Valentines Romance at Sears & Co. Bar and Grill Couples can mark the most romantic day of the year with a heartfelt four-course set menu at Sears & Co. Bar and Grill. On Valentines Day, February 14th, 2025 (6pm 9pm), loved ones can experience an evening of pure indulgence with a mouth-watering meal that is sure to fan the flames of passion. Following Love at First Sight, an elegant amuse bouche of tuna tartare, guests have a choice of appetizers: The Crush (marinated & seared lobster with herb butter) or The Flirt (Andaman crab salad with corn). The mesmerizing main course features Endless Devotion (slow-roasted gindara fish & king prawn with romesco sauce) or Fiery Romance (chargrilled wagyu rump steak with pomme puree and truffle mushroom sauce), before this culinary journey concludes with The Sweet Finale, an opulent strawberry chocolate lava cake. Each couple will be treated to a glass of sparkling wine, to add a little extra fizz to this enchanting evening. The Taste of Valentines Romance dinner is priced at just THB 1,999++ per couple. For reservations, please visit www.sevenrooms.com/experiences/searscobarandgrill So, whether you want to usher in an exciting new era with your family and friends this Lunar New Year, or show your sweetheart just how much you love and appreciate them, this stunning Patong beachfront resort sets the stage for lifes most important occasions this January and February. Dont miss the chance to unlock amazing benefits with Marriott Bonvoy! Simply enroll for free at https://joinmarriottbonvoy.com/hktfp to start earning points and dining discounts. To learn more about Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort, please call 076 645 999 or visit www.fourpointsphuketpatong.com For Thai customers, please visit our Thai website at www.th.fourpointsphuketpatong.com This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A bent cross amidst the rubble after the Altadena Community Church was destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. Credit: Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP Toni Boucher threw up the first time she saw the charred remains of her home and neighborhood after this month's deadly Los Angeles-area wildfires. Now she wonders if it's worth it to go back to sift through the ashes and try to find her grandmother's wedding ring. It's not just that she's worried about the trauma she experienced from seeing the destruction in Altadena, where Boucher, 70, has lived for decades. She is also concerned about possible health risks. "They talk about asbestos and they're talking about lead and they're talking about all of the things that have burned in the loss of the homes and the danger of that," Boucher said. Experts warn that the blazes unleashed complex chemical reactions on paint, furniture, building materials, cars, electronics and other belongings, turning ordinary objects into potentially toxic ash that requires protective gear to handle safely. The ash could include harmful lead, asbestos or arsenic, as well as newer synthetic materials. "Ash is not just ash. Go back to the garage or what's in your home. What is your furniture made out of? What are your appliances made out of? What is your house made out of?" asked Scott McLean, a former deputy chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's communications bureau. "A lot of it's petroleum product and different composites that are extreme hazards due to fire when they combust." Josh Lederer wears a mask to protect him from fumes as he retrieves his children's clothes from his fire-ravaged property in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File That is especially a problem when people start to sift through fire damage. Studies show that people involved in recovery in ash-affected areas could face health risks from breathing in whatever is there. Even safe chemicals commonly found in household materialssuch as titanium dioxide in paint or copper in pipescan form compounds that are more reactive after a fire, said Mohammed Baalousha, a professor of environmental health sciences at University of South Carolina, who studies ash samples to better understand what materials are present and how they change in the wake of wildfires. Scientists are still trying to understand exactly what those chemical changes do to human health, not just in California but in places such as Maui and other areas scarred by wildfire. Maui residents were kept out of contaminated areas for nearly two months, but they still worry about long-term health impacts. In California, officials aren't letting residents return to many locations, likely for at least a week, while they restore utilities, conduct safety operations and search for people, according to Los Angeles County's recovery website. Nancy Belanger pours water on a neighbor's fire-ravaged property in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File Some chemicals are linked to cardiovascular disease and reduced lung function. Other adverse health effects might arise from inhaling more mobile and toxic forms of arsenic, chromium and benzene. Exposure to magnetite, which can form when fire burns iron, has been linked to Alzheimer's disease, for example. "It really could take a long time to tease out all of the potential health effects of these particles" because of how many complex chemical reactions are going on and how many substances still remain to be studied, Baalousha said. Researchers point to the variety of health problems potentially linked to dust from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. "I always kind of reminded myself of all the people that ran into the World Trade Center on 9/11, and were really there for not that long of a period of time in terms of their total exposure," said Jackson Webster, who studies fire aftermath as a professor of civil engineering at California State University, Chico. "But there is increased cases of all kinds of different illness, sickness." Resident Pauly Harter, right, pulls his son Gavin on a cart during a walk Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File Search and rescue workers dig through the rubble left behind by the Eaton Fire, in Altadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong A sundial is seen near Toni Boucher's home, which was destroyed by the Eaton Fire, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes Baalousha added that scientists also worry about where all the waste will go. Some potentially hazardous materials could end up in drinking water or even flow into the ocean, adversely affecting marine life. That's something experts in Hawaii are studying after the deadly fire in Maui last year. While researchers continue their work, people returning to their homes in California should put their safety first, he said. "We know it's a lot of emotions and feelings going on that you can put down your guard, but you shouldn't do that," Baalousha said. "Just be safe. Be careful. Put all the gear you canat least an N95 mask, glovesand stay safe. Because you lost your property. But you don't want to damage also your health in the longer run." 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin are often used in illicit transactions for goods and services, but there is one notable exception in Canada: illegal online sales of cannabis. Between October 2021 and February 2022, David Decary-Hetu of UdeM's School of Criminology and his colleagues Patricia Saldana-Taboada and Melina Girard surveyed Canada's black market cannabis websites. In a study, published in the journal Deviant Behavior, they report that 78% of the illegal websites don't accept cryptocurrencies, opting instead for Interac e-transfers. Quebec's legal cannabis retailer, the Societe quebecoise du cannabis, estimated in its 2024 annual report that the black market accounts for approximately 37% of total sales in the province. According to Decary-Hetu, the illicit merchants cater to specific needs not met by the legal market, such as vaping devices, more attractive edibles, sales to people under 21 in Quebec, and home delivery. "These sites are here to stay because they complement the legal market: when regulations are too restrictive, the black market steps in to meet the demand," Decary-Hetu said. To carry out their survey, the research team posed as potential customers of the illicit websites, after clearing it with their ethics committee. They contacted the administrators of 201 black market sites and, after two attempts, received full responses from 88, of which 69 did not accept cryptocurrency. Why do most illicit online cannabis merchants refuse to accept cryptocurrency? "The main reason is the technical complexity," Decary-Hetu replied. "Setting up and maintaining a cryptocurrency payment system requires expertise that many lack. Some said 'the boss is too old and doesn't understand it.'" Another key factor is lack of customer demand. The dynamic is two-sided: sellers don't accept cryptocurrency because customers don't demand it, and vice versa. "The learning curve for customers is considered too steep," Decary-Hetu added. "You have to know where to get cryptocurrency and how to transfer it." The study used a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to understand merchants' decisions. This model analyzes technology adoption through two lenses: perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. For black-market merchants, cryptocurrency offers neither. A calculated risk Refusing cryptocurrency transactions exposes vendors to significant legal risks, Decary-Hetu noted. "Interac transactions leave a trail that authorities can easily follow, and the penalties for illegal cannabis sales are severe: up to 14 years in prison." He believes the merchants' apparent disregard for safety reflects a sense of impunity. The surveyed sites generally say they operate "from Canada to Canada." While some U.S. sites also ship to Canada, the research team found that the market is predominantly domestic, as cross-border shipments are deemed too risky. The researchers proposed two strategies to curtail the black market. "First, expand the legal market to better meet the demand currently satisfied by the black market," Decary-Hetu suggested. "Second, monitor electronic transactions more closely and introduce adaptive regulation, such as the pricing strategies used in the legal market for alcoholic beverages, which have significantly reduced illegal sales." More information: Patricia Saldana-Taboada et al, Why don't You Want My Money: A Study of the Acceptance of Cryptocurrencies in Online Cannabis Markets, Deviant Behavior (2024). DOI: 10.1080/01639625.2024.2418451 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Pareto front of optimal dynamic control circuits. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55347-y Engineers from The University of Warwick's Integrative Synthetic Biology Center and Imperial College London's Department of Bioengineering have unveiled how to engineer microbial "cell-factories" to boost the manufacture of high-value chemicals that are used in everyday products like domestic goods, clothes and food. To date, cell-based systems have been less efficient than existing petrochemical processes due to natural constraints within living cells. However, through computational modeling, the team has demonstrated that simple refinements of existing methods can boost production nearly two-fold. Engineering living cells (such as bacteria and yeasts) to produce chemicals has the potential to create a greener chemical industry. This could replace carbon-intensive petrochemical-based systems with bio-based cell factories that convert cheap and sustainably sourced feedstocks into valuable chemicals. Dr. Alexander Darlington, Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow and Assistant Professor at The University of Warwick, said "Our research offers strategies for designing bacteria that are easier to implement than those currently considered state-of-the-art. "We tested around 500 different control mechanisms, and found two that were new to research, which offer a clear pathway toward more efficient bio-based synthesis of chemicals. This will enable the sustainable manufacture of everything from drugs to plastics, products we use every day." The team found that designs that reprogram cells to deprioritize growth, rather than solely synthesize the product, enable the highest production capabilities. Designs that deactivated growth later, after allowing cells to grow to large populations, were predicted to reach higher production levels in the shortest times, while those that also increased nutrient uptake were predicted to achieve even higher outputs. The study also considered the econometrics of productionthe modeling of economic datawhich points to manufacturers designing their systems to either optimize for higher productivity (faster production), to maximize the amount produced in the shortest time if the chemical market is high, or higher yield (more product from the same input), if the feedstock is expensive or the chemical market value is low. The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications. Dr. Ahmad Mannan, postdoctoral research associate at Imperial College London, said "As an engineer, I want to minimize the negative impact our living has on others and the environment and achieve sustainable and renewable chemical productionand bacteria can facilitate that. "With expertise at the interface between mathematics, molecular biology and synthetic biology, we are uncovering simple rules that should enable us to harness nature's capabilities and achieve economically viable chemical production." The team are now piloting these new design principles in the laboratory to give industry partners the confidence they need to incorporate these methods into their R&D programs. The ability to significantly boost the chemical production of bacteria is a massive step towards scaling-up of bio-based chemical manufacturing. With 14% of all greenhouse gases coming from fossil fuel chemical synthesis, cell factories offer an alternative which could help the U.K. government meet the target of net zero by 2050. More information: Ahmad A. Mannan et al, Design principles for engineering bacteria to maximise chemical production from batch cultures, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55347-y Journal information: Nature Communications This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The Polymer-Derived Ceramic method was employed to design and synthesize a transition metal-free, sodium-doped amorphous SiBN ceramic made up of silicon (Si), boron (B), and nitrogen (N) atoms for small molecule activation and catalysis. The distribution of sodium (Na+) and B sites within the amorphous silicon nitride enhances the reactivity of both B and N sites, leading to the formation of a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) motif upon exposure to hydrogen. Credit: Professor Yuji Iwamoto from Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan Heterogeneous catalysts speed up chemical reactions by being in a different state than the reactants. They are efficient and stable, even under challenging conditions such as high temperature or pressure. Traditionally, metals like iron, platinum, and palladium have been widely used in industries like petrochemicals and agriculture for important reactions such as hydrogenation and Haber's process. However, these metals are rare and can have problems like buildup from coking. Scientists are increasingly exploring common elements as catalysts for more sustainable and cost-effective industrial applications. In the mid-2000s, the introduction of the frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) concept marked a major advancement in catalysis, particularly in small molecule activation. An FLP is made up of a combination of two componentsone acting as a Lewis acid and the other as a Lewis basethat are unable to fully react with each other due to spatial or electronic hindrance. This "frustration" leaves them in a highly reactive state, allowing them to activate stable molecules like hydrogen, carbon dioxide, or ammonia, which are normally quite hard to break apart. FLPs stand out because they have multiple active sites, making them more reactive and selective compared to traditional catalysts, which typically have just one active site. There are two main types of FLPs: heterogeneous defect-regulated FLPs and molecular-based homogeneous FLPs. The first type controls the number of active sites through surface defects; it can be tedious to accurately tune its reactivity and control its stability. The second type involves small molecules where the acid-base pair exists within the same molecular structure, making it easier to adjust their reactivity by simply changing the surrounding components. A study has broken new ground by adapting molecular-based FLPs for use in solid-state systems. The researchers achieved this by leveraging the chemical versatility of pre-ceramic polymers through the Polymer-Derived Ceramic (PDC) process. This collaborative effort brought together experts from around the globe, including Professor Yuji Iwamoto and Dr. Shotaro Tada from Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan; Dr. Samuel Bernard from the University of Limoges, France; and Professor Ravi Kumar from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India. Their findings were published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition on November 11, 2024. A sodium-doped, transition metal-free amorphous SiBN ceramic, composed of silicon (Si), boron (B), and nitrogen (N), was designed for small molecule activation and catalysis. The strategic distribution of sodium and boron sites enhances reactivity, forming a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) motif when exposed to hydrogen. This FLP-based approach offers a sustainable solution for advancing main-group-mediated heterogeneous catalysis in industrial applications. Credit: Professor Yuji Iwamoto from Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan Professor Yuji Iwamoto, the lead researcher, explains, "We used a nitrogen-containing organosilicon polymer, known as polysilazane, as a precursor for Lewis base sites as well as for the amorphous silicon nitride (a-SiN) matrix. By converting it through a thermochemical process, we created the a-SiN scaffold with precisely controlled pore sizes that act as nanoconfined reaction fields." In this study, the research team chemically modified polysilazane with boron (B)a naturally abundant and less toxic Lewis acidand sodium (Na). The modified material was then exposed to flowing ammonia at 1000 C, which resulted in sodium-doped amorphous silicon-boron-nitride (Na-doped SiBN). Using cutting-edge spectroscopic techniques, the researchers uncovered how the sodium-doped SiBN material interacted with hydrogen at a molecular level. They found that the unique structure of this material enhanced the reactivity of boron and nitrogen sites when exposed to hydrogen. Specifically, hydrogen molecules interacted with both the boron sites and the sodium ions, transforming the 3-fold-coordinated boron-nitrogen moiety into a more distorted and polar structure to form a 4-fold-coordinated geometry with small molecules, acting as frustrated Lewis acid (FLA) sites. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. When hydrogen was introduced at certain temperatures, it triggered changes in the nitrogen-hydrogen (N-H) bonds, leading to the formation of frustrated Lewis base (FLB) sites. These sites created a dynamic interaction pattern of the FLP that enabled reversible hydrogen adsorption and desorption, confirmed through thermodynamic experiments. The high activation energy for hydrogen release suggested strong interactions, making the material a promising catalyst for efficient and sustainable hydrogen-based reactions. This newly developed amorphous sodium-doped SiBN material stands out for its exceptional thermal stability, surpassing other molecular FLPs and making it an ideal candidate for catalytic processes under harsh conditions. Additionally, its flexible ceramic-based structure offers immense potential for practical applications, particularly in hydrogenation reactions, which are essential processes in industries like energy and chemicals. "This approach holds promise for advancing main-group-mediated solid-gas phase interactions in heterogeneous catalysis, offering valuable insights and promising significant impacts in this domain," explains Professor Iwamoto. The pioneering findings of this study highlight the potential of this innovative material to revolutionize sustainable catalysis. More information: Shotaro Tada et al, Novel Lewis AcidBase Interactions in PolymerDerived SodiumDoped Amorphous SiBN Ceramic: Towards MainGroupMediated Hydrogen Activation, Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2024). DOI: 10.1002/anie.202410961 Journal information: Angewandte Chemie International Edition This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Bleached Acropora table coral on One Tree Island reef, southern Great Barrier Reef. April 2024. Credit: University of Sydney A team of marine scientists from the University of Sydney has published the first peer-reviewed study documenting the devastating coral bleaching events that occurred on the southern Great Barrier Reef in early 2024. Led by Professor Maria Byrne from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the research highlights the alarming impact of unprecedented marine heat waves on coral ecosystems, raising urgent concerns for marine biodiversity and the communities that depend on these vital ecosystems. The study, published in Limnology and Oceanography Letters, provides critical insights into the extent of coral bleaching and mortality during the 20232024 global marine heat wave. The research team meticulously tracked the health of 462 coral colonies at the University of Sydney's Great Barrier Reef research station at One Tree Island over a period of 161 days. The results revealed that 66% of the colonies were bleached by February 2024 and 80% by April. By July, 44% of the bleached colonies had died, with some coral genera, such as Acropora, experiencing a staggering 95% mortality rate. Professor Byrne said, "Our findings underscore the urgent need for action to protect coral reefs, which are not only biodiversity hotspots but also crucial for food security and coastal protection. The southern Great Barrier Reef, despite its protected status, was not immune to the extreme heat stress that triggered this catastrophic bleaching event." Bleached Acropora and Porites ] coral at One Tree Island Reef. 2 April 2024. Credit: Maria Byrne/The University of Sydney Coral at One Tree Island reef in April 2022 before the bleaching event. Credit: The University of Sydney Senior author Professor Maria Byrne on the Great Barrier Reef. Credit: The University of Sydney The University of Sydney's One Tree Island research station on One Tree Island reef on the southern Great Barrier Reef. Credit: The University of Sydney The research also highlights the complex interplay between heat stress, disease onset and coral mortality. Notably, Goniopora corals developed black band disease, contributing to the high mortality rates observed. The study emphasizes that the rapid onset of bleaching and disease in corals previously considered resilient poses significant challenges for predicting the future composition of coral reef ecosystems in a warming world. Professor Ana Vila Concejo, a co-author of the study from the School of Geosciences, said, "This research is a wake-up call for policymakers and conservationists. The resilience of coral reefs is being tested like never before, and we must prioritize strategies that enhance their ability to withstand climate change. Our findings underscore the need for immediate and effective management interventions to safeguard these ecosystems." The implications of this research extend beyond the ecology and conservation. Coral reefs provide essential services to human communities, including fisheries, tourism and coastal protection. As the Great Barrier Reef faces increasing threats from climate change, the study calls for a collaborative approach to conservation that involves local communities, scientists and policymakers. Dr. Shawna Foo, a Sydney Horizon Fellow and co-author of the study, said, "Seeing the impacts on a reef that has largely avoided mass bleaching until now is devastating. The high rates of mortality and disease, particularly in such a remote and pristine area, highlight the severity of the situation. Although the reef's highly protected status may not have prevented the impacts of the heat wave, its role in facilitating recovery will be crucial to observe." More information: Maria Byrne et al, Catastrophic bleaching in protected reefs of the Southern Great Barrier Reef Running head: Catastrophic bleaching in the Southern GBR, University of Sydney (2024). DOI: 10.25910/p5rq-cw63 Journal information: Limnology and Oceanography Letters This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In the wake of Donald Trump's election victory, Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg fired the fact-checking team for his company's social media platforms. At the same time, he reversed Facebook's turn away from political content. The decision is widely viewed as placating an incoming president with a known penchant for mangling the truth. Meta will replace its fact-checkers with the "community notes" model used by X, the platform owned by avid Trump supporter Elon Musk. This model relies on users to add corrections to false or misleading posts. Musk has described this model as "citizen journalism, where you hear from the people. It's by the people, for the people." For such an approach to work, both citizen journalists and their readers need to value good-faith deliberation, accuracy and accountability. But our new research shows social media users may not be the best crowd to source in this regard. Our research Working with Essential Media, our team wanted to know what social media users think of common civic values. After reviewing existing research on social cohesion and political polarization and conducting ten focus groups, we compiled a civic values scale. It aims to measure levels of trust in media institutions and the government, as well as people's openness to considering perspectives that challenge their own. We then conducted a large-scale survey of 2,046 Australians. We asked people how strongly they believed in a common public interest. We also asked about how important they thought it was for Australians to inform themselves about political issues and for schools to teach civics. Importantly, we asked them where they got their news: social media, commercial television, commercial radio, newspapers or non-commercial media. What did we find? We found people who rely on social media for news score significantly lower on a civic values scale than those who rely on newspapers and non-commercial broadcasters such as the ABC. By contrast, people who rely on non-commercial radio scored highest on the civic values scale. They scored 11% higher than those who rely mainly on social media and 12% higher than those who rely on commercial television. The lowest score was for people who rely primarily on commercial radio. People who relied on newspapers, online news aggregators, and non-commercial TV all scored significantly higher than those who relied on social media and commercial broadcasting. The survey also found that as the number of different media sources people use daily increased, so too did their civic values score. This research does not indicate whether platforms foster lower civic values or simply cater to them. But it does raise concerns about social media becoming an increasingly important source of political information in democratic societies like Australia. Why measure values? The point of the civic values scale we developed is to highlight the fact that the values people bring to news about the world is as important as the news content. For example, most people in the United States have likely heard about the violence of the attack on the Capitol protesting Trump's loss in 2020. That Trump and his supporters can recast this violent riot as "a day of love" is not the result of a lack of information. It is, rather, a symptom of people's lack of trust in media and government institutions and their unwillingness to confront facts that challenge their views. In other words, it is not enough to provide people with accurate information. What counts is the mindset they bring to that information. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. No place for debate Critics have long been concerned that social media platforms do not serve democracy well, privileging sensationalism and virality over thoughtful and accurate posts. As the critical theorist Judith Butler put it: "The quickness of social media allows for forms of vitriol that do not exactly support thoughtful debate." Sociologist Zeynep Tufekci said social media is less about meaningful engagement than bonding with like-minded people and mocking perceived opponents. She notes, "belonging is stronger than facts." Her observation is likely familiar to anyone who has tried to engage in a politically charged discussion on social media. These criticisms are commonplace in discussions of social media but have not been systematically tested until now. Social media platforms are not designed to foster democracy. Their business model is based on encouraging people to see themselves as brands competing for attention, rather than as citizens engaged in meaningful deliberation. This is not a recipe for responsible fact-checking. Or for encouraging users to care much about it. Platforms want to wash their hands of the fact-checking process, because it is politically fraught. Their owners claim they want to encourage the free flow of information. However, their fingers are on the scale. The algorithms they craft play a central role in deciding which forms of expression make it into our feeds and which do not. It's disingenuous for them to abdicate responsibility for the content they chose to pump into people's news feeds, especially when they have systematically created a civically challenged media environment. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The longitudinal conductivity xx recorded on device D1 as a function of total filling tot and displacement field D/E int for a fixed magnetic field of 19 T and at a temperature of 30 mK. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55486-2 A research team discovered a quantum state in which electrons move in a completely new way under a twisted graphene structure. The unique electronic state is expected to contribute to the development of more efficient and faster electronic devices. It may also be applicable to technologies such as quantum memory, which can process complex computations. Quantum physics is a crucial theory that attempts to understand and explain how atoms and particles interact and move in nature. Such an understanding serves as the basis for designing new technologies that control or utilize nature at the microscopic level. The research conducted holds significance in discovering the quantum state, which is difficult to implement with conventional semiconductor technologies, and in greatly expanding future possibilities for quantum technologies. Graphene is a material as thin as a piece of paper and is made of carbon atoms. This study utilized a unique structure comprising two slightly twisted layers of graphene, observing a new quantum state. When compared to two transparent films, each film has regular patterns, and when they are rotated slightly, the patterns overlap to reveal new patterns. The research team revealed that these new patterns create completely different rules for governing the movement of electrons, preventing electrons from crossing from one layer to another while creating strong interactions (Coulomb interactions) between the layers. The paper is published in the journal Nature Communications. In particular, the research team discovered a new electronic state called "1/3 fractional quantum Hall state." This state is unique because electrons move as if in three parts, which is completely different from their conventional movement. This state arises from strong interactions between electrons as they push and pull each other between the layers. It was theoretically proven using a Monte Carlo simulation, which demonstrated its physical implications. Professor Gilyoung Cho at KAIST said, "Our discovery of a fractional quantum Hall state in new materials could contribute significantly to the development of quantum computer technologies." Professor Youngwook Kim at DGIST added, "This study is the outcome of close collaboration with NIMS in Japan and the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science in Germany. More notably, we used the Max Planck Society's high-magnetic-field experimental equipment to obtain key data, and our international collaboration opened up new possibilities. We will continue our research to implement similar conditions in an environment where there is no magnetic field." This study was led by Youngwook Kim at DGIST and Ph.D. student Seyoung Jin at POSTECH. More information: Dohun Kim et al, Observation of 1/3 fractional quantum Hall physics in balanced large angle twisted bilayer graphene, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55486-2 Journal information: Nature Communications This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Tinodes lumbardhi, the new species from Lumbardhi i Decanit River in Kosovo. Credit: Halil Ibrahimi A new species of caddisfly, Tinodes lumbardhi, was found in a sidestream of the Lumbardhi i Decanit River in Kosovo's Bjeshket e Nemuna National Park. The discovery, made by Professor Halil Ibrahimi of the University of Prishtina and his research team, underscores the region's high biodiversity and urgent need for conservation. The work is published in the Biodiversity Data Journal. The aquatic insect is small, with its wings less than 5 mm long. Its name, "lumbardhi," honors the local Albanian name for the river, meaning "the white river." "The discovery of Tinodes lumbardhi is both a celebration of Kosovo's unique natural heritage and a wake-up call for conservation," said Professor Ibrahimi. "The survival of these species depends on our ability to protect their fragile habitats." Hosting several rare and endemic species, Bjeshket e Nemuna, a mountainous region in western Kosovo, is a hotspot for caddisfly diversity. Despite this richness, however, Kosovo's freshwater ecosystems face escalating threats from human activities. Hydropower development, pollution, and water extraction have severely degraded habitats like the Lumbardhi i Decanit River, leading in some areas to impoverished insect communities and an alarming absence of fish. Sidestreams like the one where T. lumbardhi was found serve as critical refuges for rare species but remain vulnerable to environmental pressures. The type locality of Tinodes lumbardhi , a shelter for several other rare species of caddisflies. Credit: Halil Ibrahimi Heavy environmental pressures endanger the aquatic fauna of Lumbardhi i Decanit River in Kosovo. Credit: Halil Ibrahimi Riverbed degradation in the Lumbardhi i Decanit River. Credit: Halil Ibrahimi Riverbed degradation in the Lumbardhi i Decanit River. Credit: Halil Ibrahimi Caddisflies, known for their sensitivity to environmental changes, are key bioindicators of freshwater ecosystem health. These small insects are not only vital for biodiversity but also for maintaining ecological stability in the face of threats such as climate change and habitat destruction. Kosovo's caddisfly fauna has seen significant advancements in recent years, with contributions from Ibrahimi and his team shedding light on the region's ecological treasures. Their work has revealed species such as Potamophylax kosovaensis and Potamophylax coronavirus, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research and conservation efforts. The discovery of Tinodes lumbardhi adds to the growing recognition of Bjeshket e Nemuna as a biodiversity hotspot of international significance. The researchers call for urgent targeted conservation measures to mitigate the impacts of hydropower development and other anthropogenic threats in the region. "Protecting these rare species and their habitats is not only a moral imperative but also a crucial step toward sustaining the ecological integrity of Kosovo's freshwater systems," Ibrahimi concludes. More information: Halil Ibrahimi et al, Tinodes lumbardhi sp. nov. (Trichoptera, Psychomyiidae), a new species from the Lumbardhi i Decanit River in Kosovo, Biodiversity Data Journal (2025). DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.13.e143104 Journal information: Biodiversity Data Journal This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The waters of a lake near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland have turned brown following extreme weather events. Prior to the events, lake waters were crystal clear. Credit: Vaclava Hazukova West Greenland is home to tens of thousands of blue lakes that provide residents with drinking water and sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Yet after two months of record heat and precipitation in fall 2022, an estimated 7,500 lakes turned brown, began emitting carbon and decreased in water quality, according to a new study. Led by Fulbright Distinguished Arctic Scholar and University of Maine Climate Change Institute Associate Director Jasmine Saros, a team of researchers found that the combination of extreme climate events in fall 2022 caused ecological change that "pushed Arctic lakes across a tipping point," they wrote in a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. By July 2023, less than one year later, the physical, chemical and biological properties of these lakes were altered, a widespread transformation that typically occurs over hundreds of years, Saros said. Their results were shared with nearby communities. Greenland normally experiences snow in the fall, but the spike in temperatures caused the precipitation to fall as rain instead, according to the study. The heat also caused permafrostfrozen soil that stores a significant amount of organic carbonto thaw, releasing an abundance of carbon, iron, magnesium and other elements. As rain fell in record amounts, it washed these newly exposed metals and carbon from soil into lakes across Greenland's western region, turning them brown. Saros, also a professor of professor of paleolimnology and lake ecology with UMaine's School of Biology and Ecology, said the rapid alteration in West Greenland's lakes contrasts with the slow, multi-decade-long browning experienced in lakes across the Northern Hemisphere, including those in Maine. "The magnitude of this and the rate of change were unprecedented," Saros said. The influx of dissolved organic carbon and nutrients from the permafrost can promote bacteria growth and produce an undesirable taste and odor in the water, in addition to altering color, Saros said. Increased exposure to metals released from permafrost can also cause health problems. By identifying the type and quantity of organic and inorganic materials entering the lakes following the extreme climate events, residents in the surrounding area can better evaluate how to treat their water. "The increased dissolved organic material can interact with drinking water treatment processes to produce chlorination byproducts called trihalomethanes, which may be carcinogenic," Saros said. With altered physical and chemical properties, the lakes became more opaque and less light was able to penetrate their surface. The reduction in light decreased the biodiversity of plankton, which had significant ramifications for the region's carbon cycle. Researchers sample a lake near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, that browned after the extreme events. Credit: University of Maine Researchers found a decrease in phytoplankton that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, and an increase in plankton that break down and release carbon. Instead of sequestering carbon dioxide in the summer, the lakes have become a source of it, with a 350% increase in the flux of this greenhouse gas from these lakes. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "The likely explanation is that so much organic carbon mobilized from the landscape into the surface water, and the organic carbon was available for aquatic organisms to use," Saros said. "Because the lakes turned so brown, it reduced the light coming into the system, which tends to favor organisms that use organic carbon pathways instead of photosynthesis." Researchers concluded that the rise in heat and precipitation was caused by several atmospheric rivers. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an atmospheric river is a long, narrow column of water vapor that produces intense rain or snow when it makes landfall. They affect much of the world, and existing climate models predict that by the end of the century, they will become 50290% more frequent in Greenland, western North America, east Asia, western Europe and Antarctica. Saros said additional research and monitoring could help determine how these lakes may recover, providing greater insight into lake dynamics in the region. Further studies can also help scientists examine browning lakes across the Northern Hemisphere, how they may recover and potential treatment and intervention. "It was such an overwhelming climate force that drove all the lakes to respond in the same way," Saros said. "When it comes to recovery, will it be the same across lakes or different?" The study was made possible through extensive data collection obtained through annual water sampling and remote sensors in the lakes that operate year-round. "Our study demonstrates the power of long-term observation. I've been working in this area since 2013, and have worked on many projects here. But in the background, my colleagues and I have been trying to maintain a consistent data set of observations," Saros said. "That's how we were able to capture and quantify the effects of this extreme climate event." In addition to Saros, UMaine Ph.D. students Vaclava "Vendy" Hazukova, Grayson Huston, Avery Lamb and Guillaume Bourdin co-authored the study. More information: Jasmine E. Saros et al, Abrupt transformation of west Greenland lakes following compound climate extremes associated with atmospheric rivers, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2413855122 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Astronomers first detected the new FRB, dubbed FRB 20240209A, in February 2024 with the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME). Credit: CHIME, Andre Renard, Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of Toronto For the first time, astronomers have traced a fast radio burst (FRB) to the outskirts of an ancient, dead, elliptical galaxyan unprecedented home for a phenomenon previously associated with much younger galaxies. Detailed in two complementary studies led by Northwestern University and McGill University, the discovery shatters assumptions that FRBs solely emanate from regions of active star formation. The new observational evidence, instead, hints that the origins of these mysterious cosmic events might be more diverse than previously thought. Both studies were published on Jan. 21 in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. "The prevailing theory is that FRBs come from magnetars formed through core-collapse supernovae," said Northwestern's Tarraneh Eftekhari, who led one of the studies and coauthored the other. "That doesn't appear to be the case here. While young, massive stars end their lives as core-collapse supernovae, we don't see any evidence of young stars in this galaxy. Thanks to this new discovery, a picture is emerging that shows not all FRBs come from young stars. Maybe there is a subpopulation of FRBs that are associated with older systems." "This new FRB shows us that just when you think you understand an astrophysical phenomenon, the universe turns around and surprises us," said Northwestern's Wen-fai Fong, a senior author on both studies. "This 'dialogue' with the universe is what makes our field of time-domain astronomy so incredibly thrilling." Eftekhari is a NASA Einstein Fellow at Northwestern's Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA). Fong is an associate professor of physics and astronomy at Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and a member of CIERA. A first for the CHIME outrigger telescopes Astronomers first detected the new FRB, dubbed FRB 20240209A, in February 2024 with the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME). Flaring up and disappearing within milliseconds, FRBs are brief, powerful radio blasts that generate more energy in one quick burst than our sun emits in an entire year. But this event flared up more than once. Between the initial burst in February through July 2024, the same source produced another 21 pulsessix of which were also detected by an outrigger telescope located 60 kilometers away from CHIME's main station. Smaller versions of CHIME, the outriggers, enable astronomers to precisely confine the specific locations of FRBs in the sky. Most massive FRB host galaxy to date After the team pinpointed the FRB's position, Eftekhari and her collaborators hurried to use telescopes at the W.M. Keck and Gemini observatories to explore the event's surrounding environment. In a specialized room on the Evanston campus, Northwestern astronomers have remote access to Keck, which enables them to quickly observe phenomena of high interest. Instead of finding a young galaxy, these observations surprisingly revealed that the FRB originated at the edge of an 11.3-billion-year-old neighboring galaxy, located just 2 billion lightyears from Earth. To learn more about this unusual host galaxy, the team used high-performance computers to run simulations. They found that the galaxy is extremely luminous and incredibly massive100 billion times the mass of our sun. "It seems to be the most massive FRB host galaxy to date," Eftekhari said. "It's among some of the most massive galaxies out there." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. A far-flung home But, while most FRBs originate well within their galaxies, the team traced FRB 20240209A to the outskirts of its home130,000 lightyears from the galaxy's center where few other stars exist. "Among the FRB population, this FRB is located the furthest from the center of its host galaxy," said Vishwangi Shah, a graduate student at McGill, who led the effort to pinpoint the FRB's origins. "This is both surprising and exciting, as FRBs are expected to originate inside galaxies, often in star-forming regions. The location of this FRB so far outside its host galaxy raises questions as to how such energetic events can occur in regions where no new stars are forming." 'Twinning' FRBs Before this discovery, astronomers had traced only one other FRB to the outer fringes of a galaxy. In 2022, an international team of astronomers detected an FRB, which emanated from a tight cluster of stars on the edge of Messier 81 (M81), a grand design spiral galaxy located about 12 million light years from Earth. Although FRB 20240209A occurred in an elliptical galaxy, the two events share several other similarities. "A few years ago, the M81 FRB was surprisingly discovered within a dense cluster of stars called a globular cluster," Fong said. "That event single-handedly halted the conventional train of thought and made us explore other progenitor scenarios for FRBs. Since then, no FRB had been seen like it, leading us to believe it was a one-off discoveryuntil now. "In fact, this CHIME FRB could be a twin of the M81 event. It is far from its home galaxy (far away from where any stars are being born), and the population of stars in its home galaxy is extremely old. It's had its hey-day and is now coasting into retirement. At the same time, this type of old environment is making us rethink our standard FRB progenitor models and turning to more exotic formation channels, which is exciting." Out of the nearly 100 FRBs that have been pinpointed to a galaxy so far, most have likely originated from magnetars, which are formed through core-collapse supernovae. Astrophysicists posit FRB 20240209A's origin, however, might be similar to the FRB found in M81. Possible explanations The McGill-led study discusses the likelihood that the new FRB originated within a dense globular cluster. Such clusters are promising sites for magnetars possibly formed through other mechanisms and associated with older stars, including through the merger of two neutron stars or from a white dwarf collapsing under its own gravity. "A globular cluster origin for this repeating FRB is the most likely scenario to explain why this FRB is located outside its host galaxy," Shah said. "We do not know for a fact if there is a globular cluster present at the FRB position and have submitted a proposal to use the James Webb Space Telescope for follow-up observations of the FRB location. If yes, it would make this FRB only the second FRB known to reside in a globular cluster. If not, we would have to consider alternative exotic scenarios for the FRB's origin." "It's clear that there's still a lot of exciting discovery space when it comes to FRBs," Eftekhari said, "and that their environments could hold the key to unlocking their secrets." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Global analysis of transboundary river basins with literature coverage and key water resource indicators by continent. Credit: Communications Earth & Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-024-01928-0 A study led by researchers at The University of Manchester has exposed significant gaps in global research on transboundary rivers, revealing that the water needs of people in the Global South are being disproportionately overlooked. Rivers that flow across international borders are essential for the lives of billions of peoplethey supply drinking water, support agriculture and provide livelihoods. However, these rivers face increasing challenges from pollution, climate change and political tensions. The new researchwhich examined 4,713 case studies across 286 river basinsshows that while large rivers in the Global North receive significant research attention, many equally important rivers in the Global South are being neglected. The study, published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, found that research in the Global North focuses more on technical aspects of river management and governance, while the Global South is primarily studied in the context of conflicts and resource competition. In Asia, research is concentrated on large river basins with geopolitical significance, like the Mekong and Indus, often overlooking smaller basins where water crises are most severe. Africa faces similar challenges, with research concentrated on climate change impacts and water-sharing conflicts, but with limited infrastructure to support more comprehensive studies. The study also reveals that small and medium-sized river basinswhich are critical for local communities in the Global South, and often face the most pressing water security challengesare being widely overlooked in research. This lack of research has real-world implications for people living in the Global South. It means that the specific challenges they face such as water scarcity, lack of access to clean water and conflict over resources are not being adequately addressed. The people that rely on these rivers for their livelihoods are therefore at risk, and it undermines their ability to cope with climate change and other pressures on water supplies. The research emphasizes that a collaborative, inclusive approach is necessary to address these issues. It calls for more research focused on smaller river basins with participation of local communities, increased investment in research infrastructure in the Global South, and more partnerships between researchers in the Global North and South. According to the researchers, these changes could help to promote sustainable management of transboundary rivers, ensuring that these crucial resources are managed equitably for all. "Our analysis shows a clear need for a shift in how research is conducted on transboundary rivers," stated Dr. Mehebub Sahana from The University of Manchester, one of the study's authors. "We need to empower local researchers, enhance science diplomacy, and increase funding for underrepresented regions. Collaborative North-South partnerships should prioritize addressing socio-economic, cultural and geopolitical complexities while bridging critical knowledge gaps in these vital areas to ensure effective and equitable management of water resources," says Dr. Mehebub Sahana. More information: Mehebub Sahana et al, Global disparities in transboundary river research have implications for sustainable management, Communications Earth & Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-024-01928-0 Journal information: Communications Earth & Environment This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The P.S. 175 Henry Highland Garnet School serves as a voting center on Election Day in New York, Nov. 5, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File Students throughout New York state might have to give up their cellphones during school hours starting next fall under a proposal announced Tuesday by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The plan, which would require legislators' approval, would take effect next school year and force students to disconnect from their phones and other personal devices while at school, including in class, during lunch and in hallways. Hochul, a Democrat, has for months hinted at a potential school cellphone ban and said limiting access to smartphones during school would help students focus in class and improve their mental health. At least eight states have enacted measures banning or restricting cellphones in schools, and several other states have encouraged districts to enact restrictions or provided funding for equipment to store phones. At least three other governors have recently proposed similar school cellphone restrictions. In New York, schools would have some flexibility over how to implement the proposal, with districts deciding how to store students' devices and other rules, according to the governor's office. Students who need access to devices for medical reasons, to help with learning disabilities or because they don't speak fluent English would be exempt. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Aug. 19, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File Hochul announced the plan as part of her budget proposal for the coming year and said the state would provide $13.5 million to help schools implement the cellphone bans. It wasn't immediately clear how much support the proposal might have in the Legislature. New York City, which has the largest school district in the country, was considering a school cellphone ban last year but abandoned the plan due to parents' concerns. Cellphone restrictions elsewhere have often run into opposition from parents who argue that they need to be able to contact their kids in case of emergencies. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A greenish tint to the water of Lake Victoria's Winam Gulf indicates a cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom. Credit: George Bullerjahn/Bowling Green State University To try to understand how harmful algal blooms might evolve in Lake Erie in a warming climate, University of Michigan scientists helped conduct a survey of cyanobacteria in a gulf of Kenya's Lake Victoria. When cyanobacteria proliferate out of control, they can form clouds of green algae called cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms, or cyanoHABs. Some types of cyanobacteria produce toxins, and so these algal blooms can not only be harmful to wildlife and livestock, but to people using the water as well. The Winam Gulf of Kenya's Lake Victoria, a gulf with similar limnological properties and therefore could potentially be a model for Lake Erie in a warming climate, experiences harmful algal blooms year-round. "Our collaboration wanted to study not only harmful algal blooms, but also the social consequences of HABs in the context of the Winam Gulf being a model for a warming Lake Erie," said Lauren Hart, lead author of the study, who completed the work as a U-M doctoral student. "Winam Gulf is one of the most productive basins in Lake Victoria for fishing, and it's depended upon by Kenya's third largest city, Kisumu." Although these algal blooms do take place year-round, previously researchers had not completed a genetic catalog of the cyanobacteria that live in the gulf. Now, a group of researchers from North America and Kenya have completed genetic sequencing of cyanobacteria across the Winam Gulf. Their results, which will also help local officials track harmful algal blooms, are published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology. "The paper that Lauren led unmasks the synthetic capability of cyanobacterial blooms in an area plagued by year-round bloom events. Unlike in the U.S., where water treatment plants effectively remove cyanobacterial toxins, there are no such resources available in Kenya. Rural populations drink water directly from the lake, yielding exposure risks that Westerners never face," said senior author George Bullerjahn, professor of biological sciences at Bowling Green State University. "Understanding the toxigenic capability of the Lake Victoria blooms is a first step in developing protocols to inform residents about such risks so that they may change their water use during intense bloom periods." Water contaminated with toxic cyanobacteria can't be made safe by boiling. Boiling can actually make the water even less safe because boiling the toxin-producing bacteria can split bacteria open, unleashing more toxins. Cataloging cyanobacteria To do a complete genetic survey of cyanobacteria in Winam Gulf, researchers took samples from the lake in 2022 and 2023. They identified a kind of cyanobacteria called Dolichospermum as the most dominant bloom-forming cyanobacteria. At most sites where the researchers found Dolichospermum, they also found another cyanobacteria called Microcystis. Microcystis and a cyanobacteria called Planktothrix were more abundant in shallow and turbid sites. All three of these cyanobacteria are also found in cyanoHABs in Lake Erie. This was an interesting finding, Hart said, because areas of turbiditywater in which there's a lot of suspended material, such as where rivers flow into lakescan mask the visibility of harmful algal blooms. Harmful algal blooms can often show up as clouds of green material, but in turbid areas, water can simply appear murky. "This was really concerning in areas where people are using the raw water because you can't see the bloom, so you're not practicing these habits you may practice when there is a scum," Hart said. The Kenyan flag flies aboard a vessel used to sample different sites across Lake Victorias Winam Gulf for different types of cyanobacteria. An international research team including scientists from the University of Michigan recently completed a genetic survey of cyanobacteria in the lake, which will help local officials track potentially dangerous cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms. Credit: Lauren Hart, University of Michigan Hart herself identified that the organism Microcystis produces microcystin, a toxin that can damage the liver, as well as 300 other clusters of genes responsible for producing molecules, both toxic and otherwise, according to study co-author Gregory Dick, U-M professor of earth and environmental science and director of the Great Lakes Center for Freshwaters and Human Health. "Lauren's work is a great example of how environmental genomics can address longstanding questions, such as which organism is producing known toxins, as well as uncover genetic potential for production of a vast diversity of other molecules of interest, some of which we didn't even know to look for," Dick said. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Harm to human health Toxins can enter the human body through several pathways, including ingesting the toxins, breathing them when they become airborne, or absorbing them through the skin while bathing or laundering clothes. People who are immunocompromised are most at risk for harm from these toxins, according to Hart, who also focuses on how different toxins interact together once inside the human body. "My work is interested in this synergy question: If microcystin and another toxin that Microcystis makes gets into our bodies at the same time, does one plus one equal four rather than two? Can one amplify the other's effect?" Hart said. "There is a small line of research beginning to come out that finds harmful synergies between these molecules, especially when it comes to fatty liver disease and harming your gut microbiome. "Bringing it back to the Winam Gulf, this is important because Kisumu, Kenya's third largest city, has one of the highest prevalence of malaria and high amounts of HIV, leading to many immunocompromised people. This is going to heighten the kind of effect these cyanotoxins and exposure to HABs have on people in this region." More information: Lauren N. Hart et al, Metagenomics reveals spatial variation in cyanobacterial composition, function, and biosynthetic potential in the Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria, Kenya, Applied and Environmental Microbiology (2025). DOI: 10.1128/aem.01507-24 Journal information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A field photo taken by the joint expedition team from Okayama University of Science and the Institute of Paleontology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences. Credit: Okayama University of Science A joint dinosaur survey conducted by Okayama University of Science (OUS) and the Institute of Paleontology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, has uncovered one of the largest hadrosaurid footprints ever found, measuring 92 cm in width. The largest footprint is believed to have belonged to a giant Saurolophus, estimated to exceed 15 meters in total body length, surpassing even the Tyrannosaurus and Tarbosaurus in size. This discovery suggests that one of the largest bipedal animals ever known lived in Mongolia, raising hopes for the discovery of equally massive skeletal remains. Additionally, a very long trackway consisting of 13 fossilized footprints, each measuring 85 cm in width and spanning 24 meters, along with numerous other fossilized footprints, was discovered. From June 1 to 15, 2024, a team led by Dr. Shinobu Ishigaki, Director of the OUS Museum of Dinosaur Research, conducted a follow-up investigation in the western Gobi Desert. This site, initially identified during a joint survey in 2018, is recognized as a significant locality for large hadrosaurid footprint fossils. As a result, the team discovered new trackways, including three of the largest hadrosaurid footprints ever found and a continuous sequence of 13 fossilized footprints spanning 24 meters. On August 2, 2024 Dr. Ishigaki held a press conference at OUS to announce the findings. He expressed high expectations regarding the implications of these discoveries, stating, "The identification of 14 trackways, including one found before 2018, enables the analysis of posture, walking style, speed, and group behavior details that cannot be inferred from skeletal fossils." Credit: Okayama University of Science Credit: Okayama University of Science Credit: Okayama University of Science Until now, the largest known hadrosaurid skeleton belonged to Shantungosaurus, discovered in Shandong Province, China. However, the latest discoveries in Mongolia suggest the potential for uncovering similarly massive skeletal remains in the region. Dr. Ishigaki remarked, "Our next goal is to uncover the full skeleton of the large Saurolophus responsible for these footprints." Provided by Okayama University of Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: This photo shows instances of the black aurora, the dark patches that sometimes form within an aurora where electrons escape upward. The photo was taken near Thompson, Manitoba, Canada, on Sept. 29, 2024, at 3:19 a.m. CDT. The photographer, Donna Lach, submitted this image to NASAs Aurorasaurus citizen science project, which works with participants around the world to photograph, report and verify aurora sightings to advance auroral science. Credit: Donna Lach Two NASA rocket missions are taking to the Alaskan skies in hopes of discovering why some auroras flicker, others pulsate, and still others are riddled with holes. Understanding these peculiar features is part of NASA's goal to understand the space environment around our planet, which can affect both spacecraft and astronauts. The launch window for the missionswhich will fly out of the Poker Flat Research Range in Fairbanks, Alaskaopens on Jan. 21, 2025. Witnessing the aurora borealis (northern lights) can be a moving experience. As ribbons of color fill the night sky, Earth's ever-present connection to space is made visually manifest. It can quiet the mind. Yet these serenity-inducing shimmers are sustained by countless tiny collisions, cascades of little crashes, each perpetrated by a wayward electron. They leave gases glowing in their aftermath like smoldering wreckage. For those less romantically inclined, aurora-watching might be considered top-notch rubbernecking. This metaphor for the aurora is slightly dramatic. But it does highlight the question that Marilia Samara and Robert Michell, both space physicists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, are after: What sends these electrons careening off course? Like crime scene investigators, Samara and Michell will use clues at the crash site and work backwards to investigate the cause. As principal investigators of the two soon-to-launch rocket missions, they plan to fly rockets through active auroras to reveal what sent them on their destructive courses. The GIRAFF (Ground Imaging to Rocket investigation of Auroral Fast Features) mission includes two rockets, each carrying the same set of instruments. Each rocket will target a distinct subtype of aurora: one for so-called fast-pulsating auroras, which flash on and off a few times a second, and the other for flickering auroras, which do so up to 15 times a second. "It looks like the flickering of an old TV," said Michell, who leads the GIRAFF mission. Michell suspects that fast-pulsating versus flickering auroras are fueled by different electron acceleration processes. To find out, his team will launch one rocket into each type of aurora, measuring the energy, quantity, and relative arrival times of the electron populations forming them. The measurements, he hopes, may reveal which acceleration processes are at work and constrain where in near-Earth space they are occurring. A video showing pulsating aurora captured by narrow field of view cameras over Alaska in February 2014. Pulsating auroras flash on and off a few times each second. Credit: NASA/Robert Michell The second rocket mission, led by Samara, will study so-called "black auroras," where light from an aurora appears to be missing. In the last 25 years, research using the ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA Cluster satellites has hinted that these dark spots may form where the normally incoming stream of electrons reverses direction, escaping back out into space. Of course, not every blank spot in the aurora fits this description. You need to detect outgoing electrons to know it's the real deal. "Otherwise, it's not a black aurora, it is just the lack of aurora," said Samara. Samara's team will launch their rocket through the black aurora and surrounding regions, surveying the electron populations as they fly through to understand how and why this stream reversal takes place. The mission is called the Black and Diffuse Aurora Science Surveyor. (Its acronym is left as an exercise to the reader.) Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. 'The hardest part is still ahead' Even in Alaska, where auroras shine most winter nights, flying a rocket through them is no small feat. Above terrestrial winds, the aurora move according to their own principles. To know when to launch, both teams will track the auroras via ground-based cameras at the launch site and at the down-range observatory in Venetie, Alaska, about 130 miles to the northeast along the rockets' trajectory. "We'll be watching these structures moving in the all-sky camera, trying to time it just right," Michell said. Since it takes about five minutes to get the rockets to altitude, the teams must aim them not where the auroras are but where they think they will be. Of the many tools at their disposal, experience is the truest guide. "You do the best you can, but there's a certain mix of intuition and determination you need," Samara said. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Number of CUPs throughout the year in soil (left graphs) and vegetation (right graphs) from different agricultural sites (arable crops, vegetables, and viticulture) at four different measurement points (in the target area (20 m) and off-field in an adjacent meadow (1 m, 5 m and 20 m from the field margin)) over 13 months from February 2021 to February 2022. The colors indicate the number of CUPs. The data were modelled based on the raw data with a loess smooth. Credit: Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-84811-4 In conventional agriculture, synthetic chemical pesticides are used in various crops such as arable farming, vegetable growing and viticulture. A study by the RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, published in Scientific Reports, is the first to examine pesticide contamination over the course of a year. The work shows that substances can be detected not only during the spraying periods in the fields, but also throughout the year and in adjacent meadows. The impact of these chronically detected complex pesticide mixtures on the environment has not been sufficiently investigated and could be significant. In Germany, crops are grown on more than 30% of the country's land area. Since the 1970s, synthetic chemical pesticides have been used extensively in conventional agriculture to control pests, weeds and fungal diseases. They are applied by spraying over large areas several times a year and in combination with different active ingredients. Until now, however, there has been no data on the contamination of crop land. The study recorded the presence of pesticide active ingredients over the course of a year. The first global study with year-round measurements From February 2021 to February 2022, the RPTU research team conducted the first study with monthly sampling. Topsoil and vegetation samples were taken from three arable, three vegetable and three wine-growing fields in southwest Germany, as well as from adjacent meadows, at distances of 1, 5 and 20 meters from the field. The samples were analyzed for 93 common pesticides using modern analytical technology that can detect even the smallest concentrations. The results show that low levels of pesticides are present in the soil and vegetation throughout the year. On average, ten pesticides were found in the soil. In one sample, the team measured 28 substances. The researchers also found pesticide mixtures in the vegetation, but with seasonal variations. The average number of pesticides in the vegetation was seven, with a maximum of 25 substances in individual samples. "We were able to show that complex mixtures of pesticides are present at low concentrations throughout the year. The effects of this chronic exposure to mixtures on the environment are largely unknown," says first author Carolina Honert from RPTU. Pesticides: A permanent presence in soil and vegetation Synthetic chemical pesticides are designed to be highly targeted. "However, many of these substances interfere with fundamental biological processes such as nerve conduction, cell division or protein synthesis, which makes them non-specific and also harms many so-called non-target species such as butterflies or earthworms," explains Carsten Bruhl, ecotoxicologist at RPTU. This non-specific mode of action is the reason for the existing risk assessment for the approval of pesticides. However, in the European approval process, substances are considered individually, and mixtures are not assessed. Researchers say this is inadequate because studies show a link between pesticides and the decline of biodiversity. In particular, they play a prominent role in the decline of insects in the cultural landscape. Soil fertility affected "The fact that there is no data on the contamination of farmland after more than 50 years of pesticide use is all the more surprising, given that pesticides have been shown to have a negative impact on soil organisms such as earthworms or springtails, but also on microorganisms and thus on soil fertility, which of course needs to be preserved for future generations," says Bruhl. Organisms such as insects live in and out of fields all year round, as eggs in the soil, as larvae or caterpillars in the vegetation and as adult insects in both habitats. "It is therefore important to know the extent to which soils and plants are contaminated with pesticides throughout the year," says Bruhl. It is not only arable soils that are affected. Pesticides can also be found in the soil and plants of surrounding meadows because they are blown there by the wind. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Pesticide authorization does not reflect reality Current EU-wide authorization practice tests individual substances, but not the effects of the actual mixtures found in the environment, which can contain up to 28 different pesticides in arable soils. The current study also detected pesticides that had not been applied in the year of the study. According to the researchers, this indicates that degradation rates in the environment are longer than assumed in the risk assessment for authorization. There is also long-range transport. "In another study, we investigated the transport of pesticides from apple cultivation in an Alpine valley and were able to detect them even in summit regions and protected areas," says Bruhl. "We have to assume that landscapes with agricultural land are chronically contaminated with pesticides." Global pesticide reduction targets must be met "The complex mixtures found, which were present in more than 300 different combinations, cannot be covered by a risk assessment," says Bruhl. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the legislator to manage the real toxicity of mixtures. The researchers therefore advocate the rapid implementation of a significant reduction in pesticide use and risk by 50%, as defined in the global targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework for 2030. Alternative cropping systems already exist in many forms; they just need to be demonstrated on a large scale and promoted and implemented widely. "We need to act now," says Bruhl. "Although biodiversity loss is being pushed into the background by policy makers because actually it is less attractive in elections, the problem persists and will negatively impact our livelihoods." More information: Carolina Honert et al, Exposure of insects to current use pesticide residues in soil and vegetation along spatial and temporal distribution in agricultural sites, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-84811-4 Journal information: Scientific Reports Provided by Rheinland-Pfalzische Technische Universitat Kaiserslautern-Landau This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Sperm inside male testes and seminal vesicles in a fruit fly. Credit: Krish Sanghvi As males age, their reproductive success typically declines. A study on fruit flies, led by University of Oxford researchers, has found that while old males do produce fewer offspring than young males, this is not because they have fewer sperm, but it is due to seminal fluid limitation. This study highlights the importance of the seminal fluid in reproductive success and may have crucial implications for improving animal fertility and IVF. The work is published in the journal Evolution Letters. It is widely recognized that as males age, their fertility typically declines (a phenomenon known as reproductive senescence), often due to a reduction in the quantity and/or quality of sperm in older males. However, this new study led by researchers in Oxford's Department of Biology, which investigated sequential matings in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), found that while old males produce fewer offspring than young males, it is not due to a lack of sperm. The researchers found that old males have more sperm than young males due to accumulation over time and they also transfer similar numbers or more sperm to females during mating. Yet, surprisingly, females store fewer sperm of old males, which results in fewer offspring and the reproductive decline observed in old males. The research suggests this could be due to females ejecting a higher proportion of sperm from old males shortly after mating or due to the poor seminal fluid quality of old males. Seminal fluid is the non-sperm component of the ejaculate (often called seminal plasma in humans), which contains a cocktail of nutrients and proteins that are crucial for ensuring fertilization, sperm storage, and egg-laying. Sperm (with green fluorescent protein [GFP] tagged heads) swimming inside the female's seminal receptacle (her long-term sperm storage organ) in fruit fly females. Credit: Krish Sanghvi The impact of ejaculate quality on fertility is likely more pronounced in polygamous species, where males mate with multiple females, as ejaculate production is energetically costly. In such species, investing in both the quantity and quality of ejaculate is more crucial than in monogamous species, where males mate with only a single female. To further investigate whether seminal fluid indeed was limiting old male reproductive success, the researchers supplemented females with seminal fluid (but not sperm) of young males. This supplementation was achieved by mating females with a transgenic, seminal fluid-only producing male, which did not produce any sperm. Here they found that this supplementation rescued the reproductive success of aged males, such that old and young males had similar numbers of offspring. Hence, old males benefit from the supplemented seminal fluid of young males. This also indicates a major benefit of polygamous mating to the second malethe seminal fluid of previous males can improve their fertility. Such mechanisms might explain why the last male to mate fathers most offspring in some species. Importantly, the study also showed that the observed decline in male fertility through the polygamous mating sequence disappeared when females were supplemented with seminal fluid. Lead author Dr. Krish Sanghvi (Department of Biology, University of Oxford) said, "We show that different components of the ejaculatesperm versus seminal fluiddecline at different rates with age and through a mating sequence. Old males do have lower reproductive output than young males as expected, but this is likely driven by seminal fluid deterioration, decline in sperm viability, and via differential sperm storage by females, rather than a decline in sperm numbers with age." Sperm inside female seminal receptacle (her long-term sperm storage organ) in a fruit fly. Credit: Krish Sanghvi The results emphasize the underappreciated role that seminal fluid quantity and quality play in male fertility in polygamous species. These results have important consequences for sexual conflict and sexual selection, whereby female fitness is not only determined by a male's mating history or male age, but also their interaction. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Importantly, the results show that declines in male reproductive output are not permanent and can be reversed by the presence of sufficient, good-quality seminal fluid. This interplay between sperm and seminal fluid has crucial implications for improving animal fertility as well as possible implications for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Senior author Dr. Irem Sepil (Department of Biology, University of Oxford) said, "Future studies can determine whether the technique of seminal fluid supplementation can be applied to humans, a species where the importance of seminal fluid in fertility is already well established. For example, seminal fluid transplantation, where the seminal fluid of healthy fertile donors is used to supplement the sperm of infertile donors, might become a reliable method to improve fertility." Dr. Sanghvi added, "Our next steps are to determine whether it is just the presence of seminal fluid or its age too that affects male fertility, and to understand the role of female sperm ejection in the increased sperm retention of young males." More information: Krish Sanghvi et al, Reproductive output of old males is limited by seminal fluid, not sperm number, Evolution Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1093/evlett/qrae071 Journal information: Evolution Letters This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Ternary structure of PvNMT with Myr-CoA and the inhibitor IMP-1088. Credit: Acta Crystallographica Section F Structural Biology Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1107/S2053230X24011348 With a warming climate comes the threat of expanding habitats for mosquitos that carry malaria, but researchers are using sophisticated synchrotron techniques in the quest for new treatments for the deadly disease. While most cases of malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia, "mosquito areas are spreading," explained Dr. Oluwatoyin Asojo, adjunct professor of biochemistry and cell biology at The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Warmer temperatures are helping the mosquitos return to breeding grounds "in places where we haven't seen it [malaria] since the early part of the 20th century," like North America and parts of Europe. According to the World Health Organization's most recent World Malaria Report, there were 262 million cases of the disease worldwide in 2023 and 597,000 deaths. Almost all the deaths occurred in Africa. Given the risk of new malaria spread and growing drug resistance to conventional quinine-based therapeutics, new options are needed "so we'll have an arsenal of tools ready," said Dr. Asojo. She is part of an international team of scientists and students using the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan to study treatments targeting the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax). The challenge with P. vivax is that it can remain dormant in the human liver for years or even decades, then enter the blood and cause symptoms. The team recently found a compound (IMP-1088) that binds in the parasite with an enzyme called N-myristoyltransferase or NMT, which also occurs naturally in humans. This binding inhibits all stages, thus disrupting P. vivax's lifecycle. The advantage of focusing on NMT as a treatment "is that some NMT inhibitors have already been tested and used for different diseases, giving us an edge," said Dr. Asojo. Repurposing proven inhibitors to specifically attack the P. vivax enzyme is cost-effective, she said, but may have "less toxicity, by them not interacting as strongly with human NMT." The study is published in the journal Acta Crystallographica Section F Structural Biology Communications. The team will continue working to modify the inhibitors based on data they generated using the CLS, Dr. Asojo said, adding that synchrotron technology provides the high-quality, high-resolution data "pivotal to understanding the structure of these proteins. This may not appear to lead to splashy, glossy discoveries but it's key to understanding how proteins and other biomolecules work within the human body." An additional benefit to the team's work at the CLS is "it allows us to train students, the next generation of scientists, who are going to keep us ahead of emerging and resurging infections, which we're having a lot of." More information: Alex Mendez et al, Structure of Plasmodium vivax N-myristoyltransferase with inhibitor IMP-1088: exploring an NMT inhibitor for antimalarial therapy, Acta Crystallographica Section F Structural Biology Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1107/S2053230X24011348 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A 2022 survey of Palestinians and Israelis identifies a set of peace deals that would be preferable to the status quo for majorities on both sides of the conflict. The work is published in the journal PNAS Nexus. Between March and May of 2022, Elisa Cavatorta and colleagues asked nationally representative samples of 1,197 Palestinians and 679 Israelis to rank hypothetical peace agreements. Each agreement consisted of eight components, varied in a controlled manner. This methodology enabled the calculation of the strength of preference for each component and the overall acceptability of 256 potential agreements compared to the then-status quo. The study identified 55 peace agreements as mutually preferable to the status quo, forming a Zone of Possible Agreements (ZOPA). As expected, Palestinians and Israelis demonstrated divergent priorities, reflected in both different preferences for the status quo, different rankings and often, though not always, opposing preferences for the eight components. The status quo was ranked last among the options for 17% of Israelis and 41% of Palestinians. Israelis prioritized recognition of Israel as a nation-state for the Jewish people, while Palestinians emphasized halting settlement expansions. Acceptability of 256 prospective peace agreements for Israelis (x-axis) and Palestinians (y-axis). Point (0,0) is the status quo. Credit: Cavatorta et al. Mutually supported agreements did not necessarily include the highest priorities for both parties, but highlighted areas of potential agreement. These agreements focused on practical improvements to daily life, including the recognition of Israel, freedom of movement, mutual access to holy sites, and mutual prisoner release. Women and older respondents displayed a greater willingness to compromise than men and younger respondents. The study provides a snapshot of preferences as of 2022. Additional findings suggest that exposure to violence reduces willingness to compromise, particularly among Israelis. According to the authors, these results emphasize the critical need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and release of all hostages to facilitate progress. More information: Elisa Cavatorta et al, Revealing the zone of possible agreement between parties in conflict: An application to Israeli-Palestinian peace agreements, PNAS Nexus (2025). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae581 Journal information: PNAS Nexus Provided by PNAS Nexus This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Rescuers and villagers evacuate victims of a landslide in Pekalongan, Central Java that killed at least 16 people. A landslide triggered by heavy rain on Indonesia's main island of Java has killed at least 17 people with nine others missing, disaster officials said on Tuesday. Intense rainfall in a mountainous area near Pekalongan city in Central Java province sparked the landslide on Monday, collapsing at least one bridge and burying houses and cars in thick mud. "The joint team evacuated one more victim buried by the landslide. With the discovery... the number of victims who died reached 17," National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Abdul Muhari said in a statement. "Meanwhile the number of people who are missing rose to nine," he said. The number of missing had earlier been put at three. Indonesia is prone to landslides during the rainy season, typically between November and April, although some disasters caused by adverse weather have occurred outside that period in recent years. Muhari said earlier the landslide had "buried two houses and dragged several vehicles passing through the area", with the landslide's remote location hindering rescue teams. Television footage showed volunteers retrieving a body on a makeshift stretcher and roads caked in thick mud. Pekalongan police chief Doni Prakoso Widamanto told local broadcaster Metro TV at least 10 people were injured, while rescuers continued to search for the missing. He said the landslide hit an area around 90 kilometers (60 miles) west of Semarang city. "The rainfall in Pekalongan was quite high and the worst affected area... is in a hilly or mountainous area," Doni said. Muhari said the weather forecast for the next three days showed potential moderate rains that could "cause floods, flash floods and landslides". Digging for survivors Bergas Catursasi Penanggungan, a Central Java disaster agency official, also gave a death toll of 17 and said rescuers faced delays due to damaged infrastructure and debris. "There is also a broken bridge. (Rescuers) must go around. There are still small landslides that must be cleared," he said. Search efforts were intermittently suspended on Tuesday morning as heavy rain hit the area. "The rain is also still pouring until now and it makes it difficult for the rescue team to scour the site," Muhari said. He said local volunteers had joined search efforts alongside rescue workers, police and soldiers, while heavy machinery would be called in to help dig for survivors. "Going forward, for those who are buried under thicker soil, we hope for assistance from heavy equipment," Bergas earlier told broadcaster Kompas TV. Flooding triggered by intense rains in western Indonesia killed 27 people in November. In May, at least 67 people were killed after heavy rains caused flash floods in West Sumatra that pushed a mixture of ash, sand and pebbles from the eruption of Mount Marapi into residential areas. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A Lydian coin featuring a lion and a bull, circa 561-546 BCE. Credit: Classical Numismatic Group/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA Nowadays, we probably never stop to think about why money was invented. If you are a cynical person, you won't be surprised to learn the prime motivation was to make a profit for rulers. About 2,600 years ago, the kings of Lydia in modern-day Turkey hit upon a clever scheme. They turned the silver and gold everyone had been using to buy and sell things into coins with their emblem on it, and forced everyone living in their territory to use it. But the face value of the coin was greater than the value of the metal content. The difference went into their tunics, and everyone has been doing it ever since. Even the Lydians would have been surprised by the phenomenal success of $TRUMP, the recently launched cryptocurrency modestly bearing the name of the new President of America and now worth billions. But Trump's coin is nothing new. In a pre-social media world, coins were the ultimate propaganda tool. Rulers used them to advertise themselves and their achievements and any messaging they wanted to get across. Alexander the Great, the god Alexander the Great was the first person to put his own image on Greek coins, hitherto the preserve of the gods. But he came to consider himself a god which gave him the OK. His vast coinage became the standard issue for his successors. The obverse shows the head of Alexander wearing a ram's horn, indicating the Horns of Ammonthe iconography thanks to an Egyptian Oracle which identified him as being the son of the god Zeus Ammon. The reverse has the goddess Athena personified as Nikephoros (bringer of victory) holding Victory in her hand with a spear and shield, and the inscription naming King Alexander. You definitely wanted Athena on your side. Coins were primarily minted to pay the army. There were no fancy economic notions of maintaining an adequate money supply; that was simply a by-product. But coins were the main medium in which everyone got to see Alexander as a divine being with the warrior goddess par excellence on his side. Roman battles The Romans were the best at using coins for propaganda. This coin of Julius Caesar features, on the obverse, Caesar at the height of his power with a legend naming him as "Dictator in Perpetuity," an honor bestowed on him by the Roman Senate in mid-February 44 BCE. This coin of Julius Caesar at the height of his power names him Dictator in Perpetuity, circa 44 BCE. Credit: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA On the reverse is his mythical ancestor Venus holding Victory. Essentially, he was making himself king and ending the Roman Republic. If you know your Roman history, or Shakespeare, you will realize this was not going to go down well. And indeed, it did not. Caesar was assassinated just one month later on the Ides of March. Marcus Junius Brutus celebrated the event with one of the most famous coins in history bearing his own bust and name on the obverse. On the reverse, above the inscription, the "pileus" cap was a symbol of freedom often worn by recently freed slaves. The daggers on either side were, of course, the weapons used to slay Caesar. Jerusalem the Holy The First Jewish Revolt started in 66 CE, when the Jews tried to reclaim their freedom from the Romans and reconquered Jerusalem. They issued coins proclaiming their independence from Rome. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The obverse features a chalice with an inscription in paleo-Hebrew alphabet reading (from right to left): "Shekel Israel Year 3," and the reverse with three budding pomegranates and an inscription: "Jerusalem the Holy." Other coins in the series had the legend "The freedom of Zion," which can be interpreted as a political statement to rally support and to emphasize Jerusalem as the capital. The Romans did not take kindly to being beaten up. Their Emperor Vespasian subdued the revived Jewish state and destroyed the Temple, issuing umpteen versions of the famous "Judaea Capta" coins. Struck in 71 CE, this coin has Vespasian on the obverse. On the reverse, on the right side is a female personification of the Jewish nation in mourning, seated beneath a palm tree; on the left side, a captive Jew with his hands tied behind his back and captured weapons behind. The circulation of these coins in the province of Judaea (Israel) for the next 25 years would have rubbed it in for the local population. When the Jews revolted again in 132135 CE, they once more issued their own coinage. They gathered in all the coins circulating and overstruck them with their inscriptions, first expressing hope for rebuilding the temple and then, in desperation as the revolt failed, "For the freedom of Jerusalem." Coins in the modern world The tradition of using coins for propaganda and profit has continued throughout history. Even in modern times, we are used to seeing the head of the monarch on our coins. Coins and banknotes are still fiduciary, which means that they have little or no intrinsic value. Their value derives from the state enforcing their use and guaranteeing them, just as it was for the Lydians. And even Trump's meme coin is not his only venture into coins. Private mints can issue commemorative coins which are not actually legal tender. Trump's version are "medallions" proudly "minted in America" of 99.9% pure gold or silver, with prices starting from US$100. Sadly for Trump, the "Presidential Gold Aurum Note," a "24k gold bill made with the most technologically advanced process in the world" is not doing quite so well, retailing on his own site for a mere US$34.99. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Urban studies is sometimes considered a loosely defined interdisciplinary academic domain, lacking the scientific rigor needed to understand cities. In Canada, urban studies is a little more than 50 years old; a young field, by scientific standards. This begs the question: does urban studies provide an introduction to cities in general for university students? Or is it, instead, the basis of a distinctively Canadian way to understand our cities and urbanity? As director of the Villes Regions Monde (VMR) (Cities Regions World) network, a Quebec-based network of urban studies researchers, and as director of the Urban Studies Program at Simon Fraser University, we brought together 23 colleagues to craft an edited volume, published in English and French: "Crossing Paths Crossing Perspectives: Urban Studies in British Columbia and Quebec. " We compared the past decade of research in urban studies in Quebec and in British Columbia. The project was guided by three objectives that allow us to respond to the question of how to define urban studies in Canada. Structuring research through funding Our first objective was to to create an encounter between francophone and anglophone urban studies in Canada, connecting different scholarly traditions and cultures across the country. Above and beyond the differences between Quebec and B.C.and more specifically, those of the cities of Montreal and Vancouveris there common ground in urban studies? The book begins by showing the importance and influence of funding sources and networks: these structure and guide research, and explain in part the substantive research that gets published. The existence of the Villes Regions Monde network, which offers funding through the Fonds quebecois de recherche societe et culture to a membership of more than 70 researchers across Quebec, and the absence of an equivalent in other Canadian provinces, is a case in point. Whereas urban studies has existed as an undergraduate program option since the 1970s at certain universities in Quebec, it's grown rapidly over the past 25 years in anglophone Canada, including at York, the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. This evolution is part of ensuring secondary and post-secondary pathways are better aligned with the job market. A symposium on the book, published in June 2024 in the Journal of Canadian Studies, offers additional reflections on the meaning of urban studies in Canada. Empirical research, theoretical development Despite the differences between B.C. and Quebec, the book demonstrates the empirical nature of urban studies in Canada. Unlike urban studies in France, the U.K. and Brazil, urban studies in Canada are more focused on pragmatically addressing urban trends and their consequences, rather than developing theories to explain these phenomena. Theoretical research tends to have a higher status in academia, but empirical research is in high demand by decision-makers. This raises the question: what would it mean for urban researchers in Canada to become more theoretical? Would we lose our capacity to influence decision-making? While the empirical side of urban studies research tends to diminish credibility in the eyes of the so-called classical disciplines due to the absence of a strong theoretical foundation, the book shows how claiming shared space between disciplines helps urban research respond to contemporary urban challenges. After all, contemporary urban challenges do not respect disciplinary boundaries; more often than not, they have multiple sociological, economic and geographical dimensions, among others. What this interdisciplinarity concedes in terms of disrepect for disciplinary boundaries, it gains in terms of distinctive research opportunities. In fact, another aim of this project was to counter the "extroversion" of urban studies practice in Canada, in the sense of extroversion explained in this article in The Conversation on universities in Africa. A more introverted approach may be needed for the possibility of a distinctively Canadian theory and practice of urban studies. In the era of reconciliation, the necessity of opening doors to other forms of knowledge and understanding invites urbanists to decolonize our understanding of Canadian cities. Kamala Todd, one of the authors to our book, offers an explanation of her Indigenous approach to urban research: "Are we as urban studies scholars and practitioners open to acknowledging the limits and harms within conventional, dominant approaches to urban planning and knowledge generation? In my work, I share my learnings and lived experiences as an Indigenous person on someone else's territories as a reminder that the city is land, that story is knowledge, that the original laws, languages, and planning traditions of the land are important to learn and uphold. These are teachings urgently needed for our times." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Foster dialogue By the same token, this bookthat we intentionally pursued as a bilingual projectdemonstrated the difficulties of simultaneous publication in two languages, as well as the need to do so in order to encourage and value meaningful encounters and dialogue. The limits of translation soon became apparent. They called into question the use, within different languages, of distinct terms to describe the same idea. If our book shows that, in academic terms, urban studies is a field of scholarly transgression, it also highlights the specific potential within urban studies research to generate grounded and contextualized urban understandings. The format of this book itself is witness to this potential: our third aim was to situate the work in opposition to dominant academic publishing practices. Effectively, the book does not present any new results: "Crossing Paths presents no original research." Or, at least, the novelty of what the volume offers does not conform to the normal expectations of academic research. Yet, against the current of an exponential growth in the number of articles published, we opted to step back and initiate an encounter between authors, asking instead for an expression of the comparative urban dynamics at play in Montreal and in Vancouver, in the style they saw fit. Such a perspective is rarely accorded value in contemporary research. And yet, is it not important for researchers to ask themselves, and one another, how we do research, and how this effects our understanding of urban systems, on the one hand, and the evolution of urban studies research, on the other? Illustrating urban studies Drawings in our book by Dionne Co highlight how artistic representations can both communicate and provide a new understanding of urban phenomena. The illustrator explains: "Illustrations are tools for illumination: they clarify and present new understandings of places, people and things in specific ways that are balanced and inspiring, unique to the medium of visual representation. Cities have grown with the help of drawings since time immemorial: plans, sketches, diagrams, and posters to convey ideas in forms readily understandable to the public. It is along these same lines that these illustrations have been included alongside the text: to foster common understandings in two contrasting worlds of urban studies." "Crossing Paths Crossing Perspectives" shows that, far from being limited to an academic discipline, urban studies is a specific way of analyzing urban spaces in Canada. The book underlines a number of new frontiers and intersections to be situated and transgressed, new dialogues to be initiated across languages and graphic representations. And finally, it shows the need to exchange knowledge old and new. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Roman writers found the relative empowerment of Celtic women in British society remarkable, according to surviving written records. New DNA research from the University of Bournemouth shows one of the ways this empowerment manifestedinheritance through the female line. The researchers present a genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is matrilineally inherited (from the mother), and Y-chromosome DNA, which is patrilineally inherited (from the father). The DNA comes from human remains taken from a late iron age cemetery (circa 100BCAD100) of the Durtriges tribe in Dorset. The researchers discovered a continuous line of descent of mtDNA, which contrasted sharply with the varied Y-chromosome markers. That means that the bodies in the graveyard all shared DNA on the women's side, but not the men's side. This led them to the conclusion that the tribe practiced matrilocal marriages. That is, the men came to live with the women's family, who stayed in the same location for generations. When the authors compared their data to other iron age sites, they found that matrilocal marriages were common among the tribes. While this does not necessarily infer a matriarchal society, in which women were the primary decision-makers, it is a practice that supports the matrilineal inheritance of wealth, land and status. The power of this analysis is its ability to pull together ancient textual accounts, linguistic studies and archaeological data to create a fuller understanding of our past. But it's also a reminder that our present is plagued by prejudices and misconceptions about human history. News reports about the study have called it "jaw-dropping". But considering the well-known power and military accomplishments of Celtic queens such as Boudica of the Iceni (circa AD30-AD60) and Cartimandua of the Brigantes, the results should not have been surprising. If historic accounts were more honest, the find would have been received as a confirmation of the role of women in iron age Britain. Instead, it is being framed as a breakthrough that contradicts the innate assumption of patriarchy in history. What has often been assumed to be an innate natural division in warfare (men fighting, women staying behind) is actually a male-centric perception of history. I first presented on this topic at Penn State University during the 1996 gender and resistance conference. I quoted the then-speaker of the US House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich. Giving a lecture on "renewing American civilization" January 7 1995, Gingrich had said: "If combat means living in a ditch, females have biological problems staying in a ditch for 30 days because they get infections. They don't have upper body strength. I mean, some do, but they're relatively rare." He also said that "males are biologically driven to go out and hunt giraffes." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Despite significant progress on many fronts, this kind of misogyny borne of historic misconceptions is still entrenched in society, right up to the highest levels of government. Pete Hegseth, the current nominee for the US secretary of defense, wrote in his book The War on Warriors (2024) that: "There are examples in history of women in combat roles. But one is hard pressed to find many outside of religious or mythical settings that have anything close to a positive military outcome." He added, "Unlike the mythologies of great Amazonian Warriors in the Greek mythology, most of the world's accounts of women in war were connected to seductive and sexual power." At a certain level, these statements can be interpreted as referencing the sexual dimorphism of our species. That is, the statistical contrast of size and strength in post-pubescent men and women based on genetic differences between males and females. But if it were merely that a level of physical performance was required for someone to become a warrior, then any candidate who could pass a physical test would be eligible without regard to gender. Warrior women through history History is actually rife with examples of woman warriors. Accounts of conquistadors from the 16th century describe the Aztec women, the Native American women of Alabama and the women of the Tupinamba of Brazil as warriors. The west-African kingdom of Dahomey, meanwhile, was known for its core of 5,000 fierce women warriors whom the British colonialists called Amazons. The true Amazons of Greek myth, who Hesgeth assumed have no basis in reality, can be attributed to the Scythians and Sarmatian female cavalry of the ancient Eurasian Steppe nomads. The list of historic women warriors illustrates how such identities are determined more by cultural circumstances than genetic limitations. Today the significant contributions of women warriors in Ukraine, Israel and the US military are breaking down preconceived misogynistic notions of power. Data-driven studies like this one show that the status and power of women in ancient Britain differed significantly from the Victorian ideals of femininity that still prevail today. Studies like this, that illuminate a past where women held equal or elevated status, help normalize equality. Importantly, they undermine those who attempt to call upon history or divine design as a justification for misogynistic policies. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A small town mayor in New Zealand has picked a nuclear fight with Donald Trump, after the freshly sworn-in US president heaped praise on American scientists for splitting the atom. Trump's inauguration address rattled off a list of crowning American feats such as ending slavery, launching into space, and the moment they "split the atom". The mayor of Nelson in New Zealand's South Island seized on the sub-atomic slight, pointing out that work to split the atom was actually pioneered by Kiwi-born physicist Ernest Rutherford. "I was a bit surprised by new President Donald Trump in his inauguration speech about US greatness claiming today Americans 'split the atom' when that honor belongs to Nelson's most famous and favorite son Sir Ernest Rutherford," mayor Nick Smith wrote on social media. Credited with splitting the nucleus of an atom during experiments at UK's Manchester University in 1917, Rutherford was "the first to artificially induce a nuclear reaction by bombarding nitrogen nuclei with alpha particles", Smith said. He added that he would invite the incoming US ambassador to visit the Rutherford memorial in Nelson, population 50,000, "so we can keep the historic record on who split the atom first accurate". Widely regarded as the "father of nuclear physics", Rutherford was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1908 for earlier work on radioactivity. He remains one of New Zealand's most famous sons, and his face still adorns the country's $100 bill. 2025 AFP FGE says no protection for Dispossession Cartel that illegally seize real estate Tulum, Q.R. The State Attorney (FGE) says there will be no protection for the Dispossession Cartel that operates around the state. State Attorney General Raciel Lopez Salazar says victims of the so-called Cartel del Despojo should file a complaint against the corrupt officials who, he says, operate in their own institution. State Attorney General Raciel Lopez Salazar, center, says victims need to file complaints. At least a dozen businessmen from Tulum are currently in legal battles to recover properties seized through fraudulent forces since June 2024. Prosecutor Raciel Lopez stated that unlike previous administrations, there will be no protection for criminal groups who illegally seize real estate. According to Lopez Salazar, the three most affected areas by the fraudulent dispossession cartel real estate seizures are Tulum, Solidaridad (Playa del Carmen) and Benito Juarez (Cancun). Workers and guests are often left on the street after an illegal property seizure as seen here in Tulum. Raciel Lopez says he will personally assist the victims who want to file complaints against public servants who obstruct the administration of justice. Those affected have describe a well-organized network of corruption that manipulates labor and civil lawsuits in various states to illegally seize the properties. Lopez Salazar says the corrupt officials operate inside their own institution. The message is clear. If someone has been a victim of this network they should report it, insisted Lopez Salazar, inviting citizens to seek hearings or go to the Internal Affairs Prosecutors Office. Finnish man arrested after quickening pace at sight of PDC police Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Police in Playa del Carmen arrested a Finnish man found in possession of marijuana. The arrest took place Monday when patrolling officers noticed the man quickened his step when seeing them. The 50 year old identified by police as Hendrik N, was taken into custody by municipal officers from the Mision Las Flores subdivision after he was seen dropping a bag. Police recovered the bag, which turned out to be marijuana. In a statement, police said the Municipal Citizen Security Secretariat (SSCM) of Solidaridad arrested a male person from Finland, who was found to be in possession of dried grass with the characteristics of marijuana. Hendrik N, 50 years old, was arrested by Municipal Police officers on the streets of the Mision Las Flores subdivision. After noticing the presence of law enforcement, he began to speed up, causing him to drop a bag containing dried grass with the characteristics of marijuana. For the above, the arrested person was placed at the disposal of the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Crimes in the form of drug dealing. Mexico City tourist rushed to hospital despite red flag warnings on Cancun beaches Cancun, Q.R. Cancun Civil Protection lifeguards pulled another near-drowning victim from the sea. The latest rescue happened on Playa Gaviota Azul in the Cancun Hotel Zone Monday. Lifeguards at the beach area of kilometer 9.5 of Kukulcan Boulevard pulled the adult male from the sea. Lifeguards say 29-year-old Kevin N from Mexico City was rescued Monday evening after being dragged out by the current. On-duty lifeguards were able to swim to his location and return him to the sand from where he was transferred to hospital by ambulance. The Mexico City tourist entered the water around 6:00 p.m. despite red flag warnings posted in the sand. Over the weekend, one man died by drowning off a Cozumel beach. In Playa del Carmen, three people were rescued from choppy waters Sunday, however, in a separate incident later the same day, a man died by drowning after being dragged out by strong currents. The region is currently experiencing strong winds due to the entry of a U.S. cold front. The winds are forecast to stick around until the end of the week. National Guard attend to scene of off-road semi in the sea San Francisco de Campeche, Campeche National Guard Highways were called to a seaside highway after a semi drove into the sea. The single vehicle accident happened in the municipality of Champoton on Monday afternoon. The driver of the semi is reported to have lost control while traveling on the Champoton-Carmen federal highway near the Chenkan bridges. Personnel responding to the report found the unit in the water. The front of the semi was damaged after hitting infrastructure before entering the water. National Guard Highways (Guardia Nacional Carreteras) was called in to deal with the recovery of the heavy unit. Several tow trucks had to be used to maneuver the semi from the sand and sea. The driver was not injured. It is not known what caused the semi driver to enter the water. There was no word on charges. The director of Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive employed the surreal to uncover the ugliness hidden in the commonplace. In so doing, he also revealed the more-than-human that leads us upward. On January 16, we lost David Lynch, at age 78, just shy of his January 20 birthday. That would be January 20, 1946. Lynch was a Baby Boomer. A child of 50s America. In other words, paradise was his birthright and the loss of paradise the theme of his artistic meditation throughout his life. He loved the decency and cheer of America, but he knew that that is not enough. His art is forever seeking for the cosmic ground of our humanity. The best introduction to that reflection is The Elephant Man (1980), partly because it was Lynchs only Hollywood film, partly because it is rare for its insistence on faith. Thats a very unusual concatenation of circumstances. Moreover, it was his first studio picture after his independently produced Eraserhead (1977) made him an artist to look out for in that small world, and so has a freshness that only early works possess. Elephant Man was also a remarkable success. Produced by Mel Brooks (still alive, by the way, and 98), who recruited Lynch to direct and protected him from the studio, this black-and-white Victorian period piece, which owes more to expressionist painters than to Dickens, made $26 million against a $5 million budget. And then it got eight Oscar nominations, including two for Lynch, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, and one for John Hurt, who played the titular character, based on the life of the very real Joseph Merrick. Lynch only ever got two other Oscar nominations, Best Director for Blue Velvet (1986) and Mulholland Drive (2001), never winning in competition, although the Academy gave him an Honorary Award in 2019. Thats another measure of what a misfit he was in Hollywood, given his spiritual concern in his art, and therefore what a strange thing his early success was. The story of the Elephant Man is very easily told: He was what would have been called in that day a freak, found abused in a circus by a doctor (Anthony Hopkins) who brings him to his hospital to study him, but over time learns to protect and then befriend him, under the severe but humane protection of the hospitals governor (John Gielgud). The Elephant Man is simply called John. He suffers much misery as a celebrity anomaly and dies. These English actors were celebritiesthe actresses, too, Anne Bancroft and Wendy Hiller; in the story, celebrities replace the lower classes as admirers of the Elephant Man, since they can dissemble prurient curiosity as charity. But there are also noble gestures, such as Queen Victorias sending the Princess Alexandra (future queen, as wife of Edward VII) to offer the Elephant Man protection, as patroness of the hospital. Of course, with all this attention, its worth asking whether John is even human. He claims he is, but that is in the face of abuse. But there is a rather more moving scene in which its the scientists of the day, the doctor and governor of the hospital, who examine his humanity. John, alone in his garret room, recites Psalm 23. That is also where he builds a model of the cathedral he sees from his rooftop window. The suggestion is that to be human is to know God. Further, the beauty of the cathedral moves him; the beauty of an actress who is kind to him later in the story also moves him; he is capable of longing to be better than he is. The other proof the story offers, the psalm, is stranger stillits a beautiful poem, but the evidence consists in its meaning, that John is capable of gratitude, be his life ever so miserable. He is not then simply a creature of his circumstances. The alternative to man looking up to God might be man lowering himself among the beasts. John is certainly treated in a beastly manner for the most part. The movies opening scene shows Johns mother attacked by elephants, run over or ravished. But the putting together in images of a human female and an elephant, the poetic expression of Johns deformity, suggests a problem for all people, be they ever so normalare they any better than beasts? What makes human beings special? Behavior at least shows us things much uglier than John. This is the spiritual context for a story that proves a remarkable defense of Victorian societyabove all, of its elites. If Johns humanity is somehow a test, its primarily the doctors and nurses, as well as the queen and princess, their patrons, who pass it. They defend something about humanity itself in their dealing humanely with suffering, which we were once wont to call the image of God. In the past, the question Lynch dramatizes would have been called the soul. This is not a category in modern science, not even in modern medicine. The doctor is so important because of the ambiguity of his motives. He certainly is tested, since his initial wonder at John might imply that he doesnt think John is human. He is curious about deformity, about disease, but one wonders how he thinks about health or what it means to be human. Since behavior is so ambiguous, we are capable of kindness and cruelty; it seems that neither morality nor politics is entirely sufficient to judge what it means to be human. Lynch invites his viewers to consider the cosmic context of man, as well as the principle of love in the image of Johns mother, in the last scene of the movie. The opening and closing, the frame, are called surrealist. Perhaps the meaning there is supernatural, a concern with the divine. This question of spirituality is there everywhere in Lynchs movies, unlike any contemporary director. Its what made him so interesting, yet repelled audiences. Perhaps he was not exactly a master and could not win over the American audience, but perhaps there is something wrong with us as a society if our art doesnt involve these deeper questions of humanity and its place in the cosmos. We should remember Lynch and try to learn from his art what were missing in our ordinary reflection on our experience. Thats one of the nobler purposes of art, after all: to restore us to reality. Han Kangs pristine and enigmatic 11th novel, We Do Not Part, begins with a woman edging her way out of the world. Like the title character in the Nobel laureates celebrated The Vegetarian, published in 2007 (an English translation appeared in the U.S. in 2016), Kyungha, a writer, has alienated her family. While offering few details beyond the existence of a daughter who never appears in the novel, she refers obliquely to a parting made bitter by the remark I dont want to live face down on the ground like you. Now alone, Kyungha has retreated to a Seoul apartment where, racked by migraines, she barely survives on bottled water and mail-order kimchi. Every day she writes a will in the form of a letter, but she can never decide whom to address it to and by evening has become so dissatisfied with the text that she tears it up. She likens the previous four years of her life to a snail coming out of its shell to push along a knifes edge. Slate receives a commission when you purchase items using the links on this page. Thank you for your support. Hans heroines often stagger under an unbearable knowledge of human cruelty. The source of Kyunghas despair appears to be a book she wrote about a massacre in a place denoted only as G, a 19th-century-style elision meant to suggest that the author is discreetly relating a true story. Han has previously written about the Gwangju Uprising, a student-led pro-democracy movement that, in 1980, was brutally repressed by South Koreas military. Hans own family narrowly missed the violence because her father quit his teaching job in Gwangju four months before the uprising and moved to Seoul. Han herself found out about the massacre a few years later, when at age 12 she discovered a privately published memorial album of photographs by foreign journalists, hidden in her fathers bookshelf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A dream haunts Kyungha. She finds herself standing in a field punctuated by stooped and listing tree trunks that give the impression of a thousand men, women and haggard children huddling in the snow. The blackened logs remind her of torsos and of gravestones. She notices then that an incoming tide threatens to wash away this cemetery, and frantically casts about for a way to rescue the bones that remain. This, she believes, is a dream about G, one she cant seem to exorcise. Inseon, a documentarian friend, proposes to film the two women re-creating the image from Kyunghas dream. They put off the project for several years, and begin to drift apart, until Kyungha receives an urgent text from Inseon, who is hospitalized with a gruesome injury sustained while working on the logs for their project. Like Kyungha, Inseon once devoted her work to commemorating the collateral damage of political conflicts, women who survived rape and unimaginable hardship yet whose lives and suffering are on the verge of being forgotten. Reading about these two womenas well as about Hans own memories of learning about the Gwangju UprisingI couldnt help but find their stories eerily reminiscent of the Chinese American journalist Iris Chang, who related that, upon seeing photos of the atrocities against Chinese civilians committed by the Japanese army in the late 1930s, in a single blinding moment I recognized the fragility of not just life but the human experience itself. Chang went on to write 1997s The Rape of Nanking, a bestseller that rescued this horrific event from relative obscurity. Chang took her own life in 2004, while researching another book, on the Bataan Death March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Chang, struck by the terrifying disrespect for death and dying in Nanking, both women have an almost existential drive to unerase the lostscrambling against the inexorable advance of the sea to dredge up whatever bones they can save and honor. These efforts cant undo the horrors of the past, but they can restore dignity, and therefore meaning, to the dead. The urgency of Inseons text seems at first out of scale to the horrors theyve set themselves to memorializing: Stuck in the hospital, she asks Kyungha to travel to Jeju, the island where she has been living, and rescue her pet parakeet from dying of thirst. But as Kyungha sets off for Inseons mountain cabin through a raging blizzard, the fragile life of the little bird becomes yet another fragment shored up against the ruin of history. At this point in We Do Not Part, the novel fractures. Kyungha may have frozen to death after taking a wrong turn in the woods and falling into a snowdrift. Or she may have made it to Inseons cabin too late to save the parakeet, then fallen asleep, waking to find the bird alive again and an uninjured Inseon on hand to prepare bowls of jook, a rice porridge. This wouldnt be the first time Inseon has appeared in spirit form; as a teenager, she ran away to Seoul, nearly died in a fall, and manifested back in Jeju to her worried mother. We Do Not Part is a novel of dreams and apparitions, whose significance resists simple interpretation. What Inseon has returned to impart to her old friend is her own familys story of wartime loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Presumed Innocent Sequel Is Here. I Have a Verdict. Read More We Do Not Part is also a novel of snow. Peculiar as it may sound, the frozen vapor commands much of Hans attention and inspires some of her loveliest writing. She describes how snowflakes catching the sunlight reflected from the ocean at Jeju create the illusion of white birds sweeping over the sea in a long, shimmering band. In Seoul, the flakes resembled countless white threads finely stitching the expanse between asphalt and ashen sky, while the snowy winds at Jeju swirl wildly as if inside a giant popcorn machine. Enveloped in the drift that may or may not be her own grave, Kyungha recalls how water circulates through the atmosphere and wonders if the snow around her once fell on her friends face, or on Inseons mothers family, who were slaughtered by a militia. Advertisement Inseons teenage mother and aunt were away from their village when the massacre occurred. In one of the novels most enduring images, the two girls return in the evening and wander among the corpses, brushing the snow off the dead faces in search of their parents. Kyungha and Inseon contemplate such tragedies from a remove, writing books and making films, but ever so close to them are the survivors, women whose ability to go on with their lives despite such losses both mystifies and humbles their children. Advertisement Advertisement The snow that rests on Inseons grandparents testifies to their deaths. On living faces, it would melt. But snow carries many meanings in We Do Not Part, which becomes less like a novel and more like a poem as it winds to its end. Unlike the sea, snow does not wash the dead away. In Kyungha and Inseons vision for the film they want to make of Kyunghas dream, snow will serve as a shroud for the unburied, as white as cloth to drape down from the skies and blanket them all. For the living, there was an accompanying clarity to snow as well, especially slow, drifting snow. What was and wasnt important were made distinct. During her arduous journey to Jeju to save a little bird and to receive the memories of the lost, Kyungha remembers reading that snowflakes form around a nucleus of dust or ash, acquiring frozen water crystals as they fall. If the distance between the clouds and the ground were infinite, the snowflakes too would grow to infinity, she thinks. So does snow in We Do Not Part accumulate meaning as it falls through the novel. It is death, honor, time, memory, clarity, peace, life itself, a fabulously intricate and beautiful miracle that takes only a second to dissolve on your skin. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. On Monday night, in a roomful of people, on live television, in a speech that was neither spontaneous nor unplanned, the unelected government employee named Elon Musk threw out a Nazi salute to the crowd. Then he did it again. With all due respect to the folks willing to swallow a teensy bit of fascism with their victory lap, this was neither an awkward gesture nor a Roman salute. Although it was assuredly yet another sad, adolescent effort to troll the libs, own the woke, and trigger the snowflakes, it was also interpreted by the Naziswho tend to be awfully adept at speaking Nazias Nazi. In a classic piece of misdirection, Musk and his well-oiled mini-Musks have already attempted to place blame on the millions who saw what we saw with our own eyes and to launch another did he/didnt he debate that you may recall from the past 10 years. I dont care what Elon Musk thinks about what my eyes saw, and you shouldnt either. Far be it from me to enter into another four years of attempting to assign sober meaning to Nazi physical comedy, but when the actual fascists think youre one of them, its a pretty good indicator that the woke left is not the problem. Many important things also happened Monday, chief among them concerted efforts by the new president and his administration to immiserate the rights and lives of immigrants, asylum-seekers, trans children, and federal employees and to destroy the environment and public health. And it all happened the same day Donald Trump issued pardons and commuted sentences for white supremacists who stormed the Capitol in 2021, including paramilitary leaders Enrique Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes. The choice to pardon or commute the sentences of violent paramilitary insurrectionists is not merely a decision to whitewash the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Its also a clear signal that to be lawless and violent in service of Trump is to be outside the reach of the law. Though so many of the executive orders released in the first hours of the Trump presidency are not worth the paper theyre printed on, the signaling coming from the authoritarians and the oligarchs is the most sobering aspect of a chilling day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump chose to surround himself with his family of choice at his inauguration, all seated in front of his new Cabinetthe trifecta of the worlds three richest men: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. Among this amalgam of tech billionaires, some were by and large for democracy until they were against it, all have a financial stake in Trumps presidency, and a few will benefit materially and immediately. Advertisement Its no accident that Trumps inauguration coincided with the launch of his brand-new cryptocurrency venture, a so-called meme coin, appropriately worth both everything and nothing, a pyramid scheme that will allow donors, especially foreign ones, to place money directly into Trumps coffers without tripping over the emoluments clause that so preoccupied us during the first Trump presidency. That whole pay-to-pray scene at St. Johns Church in Lafayette Square Monday was nothing if not rich with all kinds of symbolism. And if we are witnessing what it looks like for those with access to Trump to purchase influence at the very highest echelons, then we are also seeing, with his pardons of the Jan. 6 hostages, what it will look like to immunize militias and vigilantes who seek to take the law into their own hands. And this is a marker, far more so than almost any of the Project 2025 plans on display in the executive orders, that this administration will, in ways we have not seen before, serve the powerful and immunize the loyal. Make no mistake: These are two sides of the same (meme) coin. Experts on authoritarianism are perfectly clear that opening the prisons and keeping violent paramilitary thugs onside is a central component of solidifying strongman control. And a long days journey back into kakistocracy is upon us as Trump has packed his Cabinet with ultrawealthy loyalists and donors. Being beholden to the oligarchs while there is an unofficial army of armed men beholden to you is the very heady stuff of authoritarian control. Advertisement Advertisement Everyone is understandably wanting to tune this out. But now is the time to ask whether you really want the United States to become Hungary in 2025, andas Rachel Maddow askswhat youre going to be able to say you did about it. Pardoning those who wounded and maimed Capitol Police should be an impeachable offense. To be numb to Nazi salutes and meme coins and tech bros crowding the pews of a church is to be numb to that which follows, which is always how these things tend to go. I am not here to tell you to pay attention to this thing and not to that thing, which strikes me as a not-very-useful way to spend the next several years. This is, however, some serious flashing-red-siren conduct, and its all connected: the performative ugliness of a fascist salute that is explained away as your problem; the structural bolstering of systems that work for the billionaires and free the lawbreakers, all justified as owning the libs; and the dark threats that this is only just the beginningplease get in line or reap the whirlwind. Pay attention to whatever aspect of this that moves and frightens you, but do pay attention. Its all the same signal, played in every register known to past failed democracies. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Donald Trump kicked off his second term on Monday with a slew of executive orders that sought to transform the federal government into a pliant tool of the MAGA agenda. Many of his orders reflected his nativist goals, seeking to halt entry at the southern border, turn away refugees, and deny birthright citizenship to children of millions of immigrants. Others targeted vulnerable minorities, including a sweeping attack on the rights of transgender people. And, of course, Trump granted clemency to more than 1,550 Jan. 6 defendants, including those who violently assaulted law enforcement officers and even organized the mob. On Tuesdays Slate Plus bonus episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the presidents shock-and-awe return to office, and how his first round of policies might fare in court. A preview of their conversation, below, has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dahlia Lithwick: We saw some shoddy, shoddy lawyering in some of these new executive orders. And I want to note that the one promise, for at least the last six months, as I understand it, was that these Project 2025 jobs were going to be ready from Day 1. That the greatest minds in the conservative legal movement were beavering away for months to make sure that when all of this went into effect on Day 1, or Week 1, it would be bulletproof. And this is not bulletproof. Some of it looks like it was written by A.I. or by a first-grader using A.I. And I just want to flag that one of the reasons Donald Trump lost a whole lot in the first four years of Trumpism was because of crap lawyering by crap lawyers cutting corners and doing a bad job. It seems to me that wouldve been the one lesson they learned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Joseph Stern: It was surprising to see how poorly drafted and poorly reasoned some of these orders were. There are formatting errors and typos that repeat over and over throughout different orders, which reveal that copy-and-paste was used. I am convinced that generative A.I. was used to write some of these orders, including the one renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, which has this bizarre word salad about the beauty of the Gulf that I think came straight from a robot. And I theyre really poorly lawyered on the wholethere are declarations of law that are just false, that are wrong, that do not even attempt to justify themselves. Advertisement The executive order purporting to end birthright citizenship for the children of many immigrants, for example, doesnt even really try to explain where Trump derives this power. It doesnt spell out any legal theory for how Trump can end birthright citizenship! It just gestures toward some fringe idea that a few scholars on the far right have put forth without explaining it in any detail. Or look at the order purporting to halt all immigration at the southern border; it just says there is an invasion of immigrants, so hes suspending all of the immigration laws. Thousands of pages of federal law enacted over the course of many decadesall frozen in one fell swoop because Trump says there is an invasion. That is barely even a legal argument. That is a line in a campaign speech. And it has been transplanted into an executive order with barely anything to support it. Advertisement We expected to see a much more coherent work product this time around because the administration had so much time to prepare, and because allegedly the nations top conservative lawyers had all lined up behind MAGA. The so-called rift within the Federalist Society is over; I think its very clear the conservative legal movement has totally thrown its weight behind Trump. There are very few holdouts remaining. So we were supposed to see the work product of the smartest guys in the room, and instead what we see is more of the same shoddy workmanship and legal reasoning thats questionable, if not outright laughable. Advertisement Advertisement Whats surprising to me is that in Trumps first administration, he lost big cases because of bad lawyering. He lost the census citizenship case because of bad lawyering. He lost the DACA rescission case because of bad lawyering. Chief Justice John Roberts kept saying: I will not sign off on this. Or: I would not put my name to this if I were a lawyer, and I certainly wont approve it as chief justice. And so one might assume that this administration would learn its lessons and do better, but we arent seeing that yet. Advertisement Advertisement Now, lets remember, there isnt a confirmed attorney general yet. The Justice Department is certainly not fully staffed yet. Perhaps when Pam Bondi is confirmed and can staff up the Justice Department, we will see an improvement here. But again, Trump had pretty much endless time and resources to put all of this together into a coherent package. And in my view, he failed. Which suggests to me that he and his advisers are not taking this more seriously perhaps because they think they now have the Supreme Court fully in their pocket. But if thats their belief, I think they might actually be mistaken. Advertisement This brings us to a theme you and I have been batting around since the November election, one thats very pervasive on social media right now, which is: Why are we even talking about whether something is lawful or not? Its lawful if five justices say its lawful. And youve mentionedand I like this constructionthat youre cynical but not nihilist about the Supreme Court. And I would love to give you the last word here on why its important. Ive been referencing the George Lakoff truth sandwich: tell the truth, state the lie, tell the truth. I think thats how we have to do our law sandwiches. When talking about the executive order on birthright citizenship, I think its really important to: A) tell people its unconstitutional, B) explain what Trumps argument is, and then C) explain that its still unconstitutional. And if the Supreme Court wants to go for B), they have to do so over our knowledge and information and objection. Advertisement Advertisement This ones tricky, because I dont want to deny people their cynical feelings about the Supreme Court. Those feelings are well-founded. Weve seen the Supreme Court twist and contort the law for Donald Trump over and over again. John Roberts has done as much as anyone to ensure that Trump would be president again. And yet, I really do believe there will be a limit at the Supreme Court to just how far Trump can push his claimed dictatorial powers. I believe this court, if only as a matter of institutional self-preservation, will want to occasionally stand up and say: No, you cannot go this far. Advertisement I think the Supreme Court does not want to be seen as a lapdog of the executive branch under any circumstances or any administration. I certainly dont think that John Roberts, Amy Coney Barrett, or perhaps even Brett Kavanaugh want to be seen as rubber stamps for Donald Trump. They still view themselves as the ultimate arbiters of the Constitution. I dont think they want to defer to terrible lawyering from Trumps most nakedly nativist aides and say, Sure, good enough. I also think they came to the court with pretty strong priors and constitutional views and theories, and some of what Trump is doing is an affront to that. For instance, I really struggle to believe that John Roberts thinks birthright citizenship is optional. His conception of the 14th Amendment might be deeply flawed, with his decisions about colorblindness and affirmative action. But unless you reject the 14th Amendment itself, the citizenship clause is as clear as could be, and I just think that John Roberts would be embarrassed to sign off on the abolition of it by executive fiat. He doesnt want history to remember him as the most compliant chief justice who lost his spine the second Trump came back into office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I could be naive. I could be wrong. But I think that there is value in still believing in the rule of law. Because the Constitution is it for us. As Ive said on this show many times, we dont have any other conception of nationhood or citizenship. The Constitution is the glue that holds the country together as our founding charter. And if it is laughed out of the room, if it is rendered voluntary, weve got nothing left. That means nothing left to fight Donald Trump. So I will defer to the many, many lawyers who are already pushing out lawsuits against what Trump is doing, and to their optimism that the judiciary will draw a line that Trump cant cross. I think theyve got the right idea, and I think we should believe in that vision of the future until it is proved wrong. It hasnt been yet, and I hope it will not be. Everybody can and should be as utterly cynical about the Roberts court as they need to be. But one lesson I learned from Trump 1.0 is that, from Steve Bannons flood the zone with shit to pushing out all the executive orders on Day 1, the play is always to make us feel hopeless. And I reject hopelessness. To the extent that is connected to cynicism, I have to reject it. I think you said something important that I want to lift up, which is that if we are hopeless and cynical, it becomes really easy for the court to rubber-stamp Trumps agenda. So our job in the next four years is to make it really hard and really embarrassing for the court to do stupid things. And the only way to do that, in my view, is a truth sandwich with extra lettuce and extra mustard. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250121/uae-sends-ship-with-5800-tonnes-of-humanitarian-aid-to-gaza-1121478550.html UAE Sends Ship With 5,800 Tonnes of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza UAE Sends Ship With 5,800 Tonnes of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Sputnik International A ship with 5,800 tonnes of humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip left the United Arab Emirates for the Egyptian port of Arish, Emirati news agency WAM reported. 2025-01-21T07:22+0000 2025-01-21T07:22+0000 2025-01-21T07:22+0000 world middle east israel hamas palestinians israel-gaza conflict gaza strip gaza violence gaza border https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/01/14/1121477146_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_4ade1b9668ca9f62b4ff37ddfeaa25c6.jpg This ship is the sixth since October 7, 2023, and the largest in terms of humanitarian aid, the report said on Monday. The humanitarian cargo includes food, medicine, tents and other goods provided by various humanitarian organizations in the UAE, the report added. Israel and Palestinian movement Hamas, with the mediation of Qatar, Egypt and the United States, agreed on January 15 to a 42-day ceasefire and declared their intention to finally end the hostilities that have claimed the lives of over 47,000 Palestinians and about 1,500 Israelis over 15 months, spreading to Lebanon and Yemen and provoking an exchange of missile strikes between Israel and Iran. The first stage provides for a partial exchange of prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli troops to the Gaza borders and humanitarian aid. The second and third stages are yet to be agreed upon. Under the deal, the guarantors of the agreement Qatar, Egypt and the United States will establish a coordination center in Cairo. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250117/netanyahus-office-confirms-signing-of-gaza-deal-by-israel-hamas-us-qatar---reports-1121442854.html israel gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International gaza crisis, gaza violence, gaza israel conflict, gaza humanitarian aid, gaza famine Standardbred Canada (SC) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2024 Outstanding Groom Award. Established in 2015, this award recognizes grooms who put their horses first and treat them with kindness and outstanding care, regardless of the horse or its ability, in addition to demonstrating a strong work ethic and good sportsmanship. Submissions were received and considered from across the country. Congratulations to the 2024 finalists: Mike Rivet of Dundas, Ont., and Natasha Steacy of Millgrove, Ont. The two finalists will be honoured and the winner will be announced during the 2024 OBrien Awards Black Tie Gala, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale in Mississauga, Ont. Mike Rivet, born in Montreal, Que., developed a passion for horse racing early in life. His father, a taxi driver with a love for the racetrack, inspired him. By age 11, Rivet had formed a strong connection to horses, spending summers immersed in learning the trade. By 16, he was balancing mornings working with horses and evenings at a restaurant. When racing ended in Montreal, Rivet relocated to Ontario. He has worked for Dustin Jones and Ashley Lendvoy, and is currently working for the Blake MacIntosh Stable, where he is responsible for the daily care of up to eight horses. Rivet is known for managing challenging horses and his willingness to lend a hand whenever needed, whether fixing a shoe or trailering horses to the racetrack. During 2024, Rivet cared for OBrien Award finalist Monalishi, as well as Medley Seelster and Go Ahead Makemyday, both of whom earned more than $150,000 during their two-year-old campaigns. Rivets commitment to horse racing is unwavering, and his passion shines through in his work. As he says, Ive loved it all my life. Natasha Steacy, a third-generation horsewoman from Sudbury, Ont., has been immersed in the harness racing scene since she was just 19 months old. At Steacy Stable, she plays a crucial role in the care and well-being of the horses, both on and off the track. Among the many horses under her care, the 2023 Somebeachsomewhere Horse of the Year, Sylvia Hanover, holds a special place in her heart. For Steacy, the most fulfilling part of her work is witnessing the horses' progress under her guidance. "All the hard work you put into them every day pays off and makes everything worthwhile," she says. Steacys nominator shared that she truly wears her heart on her sleeve, bringing inspiration and joy to both the horses and the humans around her. Standardbred Canada and sponsor Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation thank everyone who submitted nominations for the 2024 Outstanding Groom Award. Previous winners of the Outstanding Groom Award are listed below. 2023 - Andrew Ward 2022 - Kayla Chappell 2021 - Susie McNair 2020 - Brady Jackson 2019 - Rachel Dupuis 2018 - Scott Lecain & Trevor Forgie 2017 - Chantel Gillis 2016 - Teesha Symes 2015 - Cindy Acton (Standardbred Canada) The annual meeting of Harness Horsemen International (HHI) is set for Monday, Feb. 24 through Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The meetings begin with an HHI Board Meeting on Feb. 24 at 4:30 p.m., followed by a Welcome Reception at 5:30 p.m. at the Beach Terrace Ocean Restaurant & Patio. The general session will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, with an opening address from HHI President Ron Battoni. Following this, Mike Tanner, Executive Vice President of the United States Trotting Association (USTA), will speak. Attendees will also enjoy a presentation from the American Horse Council (AHC) reflecting on the past year and looking ahead. Dr. Nicole Tate from the University of Minnesota will discuss equine DNA. The morning session will conclude with HHI minutes, business, and association reports. The agenda for Wednesday, Feb. 26 begins with a presentation from Adam Glass, Senior Director of B2B Services, and Adam Marchuck, Vice President of Legal and Government Affairs at Rush Street Interactive and BetRivers. Following this, Jessica Johnson and Vikki Pfeilsticker will introduce a new marketing approach for HHI. The session will then move on to HHI Committee reports, covering insurance, legal, convention, foundation, and association matters. The day will culminate with the Awards Luncheon, featuring the presentation of the HHI Person of the Year Award to Ellen Taylor, the HHI Appreciation Award to Jessica Hallet, and the HHI Clyde Hirt Media Award to Kim Rinker. The General Session begins on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 9 a.m., followed by association reports and any unfinished business. HHI elections follow before the conclusion of all meetings. HHIs Board of Directors includes Ron Battoni, President; Kim Hankins, First Vice President; Tony Somone, Second Vice President; Sal DiMario, Secretary; and Andy Markano, Treasurer. At-large directors are Cathy Dessert, Aaron Hall, Mike Harant, and Paul London. Emeritus Members are Mike Izzo and Tom Luchento. (With files from Harness Horsemen International)